TIPSY TUESDAY | How To Be a Better Reader - Candice from Magnolia Reads
I was hooked on Bookstagram from the beginning – think of all the new books I could find out about, and tips and tricks I could pick up for how to read MORE! One thing led to another, and before long I found myself running a book blog of my very own and reading advanced copies of upcoming books for authors and publishers all over the world. It has been a BLAST.
Written by: Candice S | Magnolia Reads
Hello friends! My name is Candice, and I am a book blogger based out of YEG.
I LOVE reading and have been a voracious reader for as long as I can remember. I started reading early and my parents were always more than happy to indulge my never ending thirst for more books, the next story, a new set of adventures. I avidly collected The Babysitters Club books, then the Sweet Valley Junior High novels, and of course eventually graduated to the Sweet Valley High adventures. Elizabeth and Jessica were my wonderfully unrealistic expectation of high school (all the more so considering I went to a high school in a tiny summer village where the grand total of students topped out at around 47). I cannot remember a time when I didn’t have a book on hand.
This casual hobby of mine followed me right on in to adulthood. I would read books and trade recommendations with friends, and it was never something I really thought about to hard. Until I joined Instagram.
Suddenly this brand new world opened up to me – there was a whole COMMUNITY of people who were dedicated to reading books, reviewing books and chatting about all the bookish things. I was hooked on Bookstagram from the beginning – think of all the new books I could find out about, and tips and tricks I could pick up for how to read MORE! One thing led to another, and before long I found myself running a book blog of my very own and reading advanced copies of upcoming books for authors and publishers all over the world. It has been a BLAST.
Somehow this has landed me as an unofficial reading authority, and I often get asked some of the same questions over and over again – how do you read so many books and how can I start reading more in my own life? Let me let you in on some bookish secrets…….
First, and most importantly, full disclosure: one of the biggest factors of why I can read so many books in a year (I average between 125-150 books a year) is because I am a natural speed reader. Chalk it up to genes or practice or a combination of the two, but it there is no magic trick to what I do. It’s also important to remember that reading fast does you no good if you aren’t retaining what you are reading, which is why I will always adamantly tell new readers that speed DOES. NOT. MATTER. Read at your own pace, this is not a reading race!
There ARE however, ways for just about anyone to become a BETTER reader:
1 – Practice
Honestly, practice makes perfect. The more I read, the better I become at it. It’s working your brain in a very specific way, and like working any muscle, consistent and repetitive action will make it stronger. I can assure you that if you start reading consistently even a few times a week, you will find your reading pace picks up in no time.
2 – Consistency
I read every single day. I might not read a lot in a day, but I read every day. This is because reading is my personal key to unwinding in a day – I would much rather pick up a book than turn on the TV or stare at my phone, but that’s not to say that is everyone’s preference. You don’t need to read every day to be a better reader, but finding consistent time in your week to dedicate to a bit of reading will certainly help. This can be in any small way – read a chapter with your morning coffee before your day starts. Maybe you take your book with you, and read while you have your lunch at your desk. Or my personal favorite, reading right before bed.
Science already tells us that staring at screens before trying to go to sleep is incredibly disruptive to our sleep patterns, but reading a book before bed?
No problem at all! (Well….unless the plot pulls you in and suddenly its 2 am and you are waking up your partner to explain that you NEVER SAW THAT TWIST COMING. But this is a risk that is worth taking!) Just make a choice to dedicate some set, non-negotiable time to read in your week. Before long you will have a reading habit on your hands, and making time won’t seem like such a hard bargain into your schedule. You might even end up with your own book blog!
3 – Preparedness
I always have a book on me in some form, because I NEVER KNOW when I might find myself with a few spare minutes to jump in. This is so easy because books come in every conceivable form in this day and age. I might remember to grab my physical book on the way out the door, or I have a Kindle that I could be reading on, and it’s easier to pack along. And if my Kindle isn’t with me? I have the Kindle app on my phone which syncs to my Kindle at home, so I can just pick up where I left off. NO PROBLEMS HERE!
How often do you find yourself in a day, with little chunks of time to kill? Getting your oil changed? Reading time. Waiting for your lunch? Reading time. Kids hockey game hasn’t started yet? Reading time. It may seem like you have no spare minutes in your day, but when you start looking for them, you will find them cropping up EVERYWHERE. The biggest hurdle to this one is not giving into the natural reflex of scrolling through your phone in those time chunks. Instead grab your book and squish in a couple chapters. You will be amazed by one, how productive you feel, and two, how quickly you find yourself finishing books all the sudden. Plus, there is the added bonus that you are cutting way back on internet zombie hours in your day, stopping you from taking the 37 th Buzzfeed quiz of the week about which Mean Girl you are most like.
4 – Find your format
Personally, I prefer a physical book. To be more specific, I prefer a trade paperback above all else (the slightly bigger, floppy kind). That is the most comfortable format for me to read in, and what I am drawn to most often. But as I mentioned, I have a Kindle, and I have gotten much better at reading on it in the last two years. It might not be as pretty, and it lacks the new book smell, but it really IS so convenient especially if you are a) reading in the bathtub or b) trying to eat/breastfeed/walk the dog/vacuum at the same time.
I’ve also started dabbling in audiobooks this year, which are great because you can listen to them while ACTUALLY doing a second activity including driving, cleaning your house or cooking dinner. Plus, I must admit, some of the voice work done on audiobooks has completely enhanced the experience of the book for me in a way I never would have considered had I read it myself. This is to say – find the format (or formats) that best work for you. You’ll be more compelled to read if you are comfortable doing it.
5 – Read what is interesting to YOU
This is the great trap that readers regularly get caught in. You feel like if you ARE going to dedicated your valuable time to reading, you should be reading something specific – maybe a professional development book, or that hot new mystery thriller that you keep hearing about (even though you hate mysteries), or possibly a classic because you really haven’t ever actually read anything by Ernest Hemingway, despite the fact that you were very excited to visit the Hemingway bar in Cuba on vacation last year.
Don’t. Do. It. This is the quickest way to sabotage yourself because I promise, you will NOT enjoy reading that book you don’t really want to read, which means you won’t make time to read, which means bingo bango, you aren’t becoming a better reader. There is literally no wrong book to read as long as it sparks an interest for you. Maybe you want to completely disconnect and read a trashy erotic romance novel – DO IT. Perhaps you have endless interest in reading true crime novels – GET THEM ALL. Hell, maybe you are the person who just devours leadership books like M&M’s – FILL YOUR BOOTS. The key is never WHAT you read, its that you are READING. Reading for pleasure should be…..well, pleasurable. If it’s not, you’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere. Put that book right on down, and find yourself something else that sucks you in.
It is as easy as that. A few quick tricks and within days you will be feeling like an unofficial reading authority, just like me! Joking aside, there is one last secret to let you in on – you are ALREADY a reader. You’re reading this aren’t you? Exactly. Don’t be so hard on yourself. A book might take you a day, or a week or a month to finish, and that is JUST FINE. You might not finish every book you start because it wasn’t the right fit for you as a reader and that is JUST FINE. You might fall completely in love with reading and how it makes you feel, and pick up MORE books, and that too, is JUST FINE. Reading is the easiest thing to fall in love with, so let those books do the wooing. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.
Candice S | Magnolia Reads
Website: https://www.magnoliareads.com/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/candicesawchuk
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CandiceSawchuk
INSTAGRAM GRID STYLING | Sonia Gonzalez Bsocial Communications
Three Steps to Styling your Instagram Grid. When you have someone visit your business Instagram account, what do you want them to see? Want them to notice your personality, a strong brand voice and an overar
Three Steps to Styling your Instagram Grid
When you have someone visit your business Instagram account, what do you want them to see? Want them to notice your personality, a strong brand voice and an overarching visual story? If so, a consistent and structured Instagram grid can help strike interest and even motivate someone to follow your account.
Just like your written content, each piece of visual content plays into a larger strategy. Here are three steps to creating your Instagram visual strategy:
1. Choose a grid layout
When you begin to think about your Instagram style strategy, start by choosing how you want to lay out your photos. An Instagram grid layout is essentially how each post is positioned in your feed and is built on a structured design.
The layout can be simply posting all square photos with the same theme and filter (next step), or you can structure your page with unique elements like borders, create tile patterns like a checkerboard or post similar photos in a group of three to build a storyline. Regardless of the layout you choose, the key is to stick with it and be consistent.
2. Choose a photo theme and filter
Once you have a layout in mind, it’s time to pick your instagram photo theme. Do you want your page to be all light photos or have a dark and moody feel? Do you want all your photos to have a vintage feel or want all your photos to be in black and white? When picking a theme be sure to go with one that represents you and your brand. If you’re bold and bright, have your photos reflect that. If you want something easy to maintain and more on the conservative side, maybe a white and grey look is more your style.
Once you pick your theme, photo filter and lighting style be sure to stick with it. Consistency is key! If there are photos and videos you would like to post but they don’t go with the flow of your grid, place them in your story. They will still gain exposure and engagement.
3. Have a content plan
The type of content you post and how the photos are placed will add to the flow and visual appeal of your page. Consistency comes with content planning. Create a brief outline of what you want to post ahead of time (it can even be three weeks at a time). Next, take the photos you need based on that plan so you have a database of photos to pull from.
This will ensure consistency in your photos and content and will help avoid the inevitable panic for looking for something to post.
Examples of accounts rocking the grid game
Here are five professional Instagram grid styles mastered by local boss babes that will be sure to inspire you to find your own visual voice!
Account: @velvetcrane
Grid layout: Checkerboard
Theme: muted, natural colour palette
Content: natural beauty line promoting self-love and honest beauty
Account: @choicesandvoicesbirth
Grid layout: vertical lines
Theme: black and white with a splash of colour
Content: birthing education and empowering women
Account: @mushroomsandthyme
Grid layout: traditional squares
Theme: dark, moody feels
Content: food sharing and styling
Account: @shopnor
Grid layout: coloured borders
Theme: muted, natural colour palette
Content: vintage and handmade apparel, sustainable fashion
Looking for some guidance on how to create a professional and eye-catching Instagram page? bSocial Communications creates customized and easy to follow Instagram style strategies that you can implement yourself. Learn more about bSocial Communications at www.bsocial.ca or @bsocialcomm.
TIPSY TUESDAY - Wedding Trends for 2018 with BottomZ Up Bartending & Events
1. Welcome drinks at the reception have been gravitating towards champagne service. Most weddings are moving away from self serve and want butler service.
09-Girl With Tray
1. Welcome drinks at the reception have been gravitating towards champagne service. Most weddings are moving away from self serve and want butler service.
2. Craft beers are in right now, especially getting a keg from a local supplier.
3. Signature drinks are all the rage, with couples wanting a drink that defines them, a signature Groom drink and a signature Bride drink.
4. Most Weddings are only serving shots after the music and party have begun to cause less disruptions during speeches.
5. A trend that was huge this Summer was a slushie machine for blended beverages. The cost is minimal and the feedback from guests is great. They are generally non alcoholic with alcohol being added afterwards for those who wish it.
6. Events are also moving away from having Wine on their tables to a ticketed or butler service to avoid over pouring or wasted half bottles of Wine.
7. White Rum is out and people are moving towards Spiced or dark Rum.
01-Neon
Shelley Francisco
Owner
BottomZ Up Bartending & Events
BottomZ Up is a Bartending & Events company locally owned and operated in Edmonton, Alberta. Serving Alberta for over 9 years, BottomZ Up goes above and beyond to make their client's dreams happen. They have a large staff and are able to service events of any size. They are professional, certified, and insured. Having a team like BottomZ Up behind you on your Wedding day takes the stress of throwing a great event off your shoulders.
For more information, please visit