6 Reasons Why You Will Love Vero – True Social Media

February 27, 2018

Honestly, thank you to the makers of Vero! This new app touts that it is the social media solution of the future and after hours of tinkering, here is what I have learned and think I will love:

Its a One Stop Shop!

Yup, its fully integrated. No more “click link in bio” – now images themselves are hyperlinked (bye bye “swipe up” feature). On Vero you can store your reviews on places, books, movies, etc. and integrate that into your actual story. Better yet, your posts that tell the story don’t automatically delete after 24 hours — Vero actually archives your memories into easy to access categories. This creates a comprehensive representation of who you are, the things you like and what you like to do.

No More Identity Separation

As a blogger/small business owner, I have personal Instagram page and a blog Instagram page. Now, with Vero, you can categorize your followers and share things accordingly. The categories are Follower, Acquaintance, Close Friend, and Friend. This is a MAJOR plus for me — for personal posts I can just share those with my family and close friends. For my blog posts I can share with everyone! But it can all be on one comprehensive and very personalized and authentic feed.

Some Familiar Features

You can still search for relevant hashtags and people similar to the way you would on Instagram. This is comforting when switching to a new platform. Hashtags are very useful for categorizing people, trends, and events as well as for searching for relevant posts.

App Aesthetic is Awesome

Instagram now seems very sterile with its white backdrop and locked-in features. Vero has a darker backdrop that makes pictures pop. The backdrops also adjust according to the image and is lighter for lighter images and darker for darker images. Smart framing for the photos helps enhance the viewing — isn’t that everything you want on a photo-based sharing platform?!

No Ads

Yup, you read that right, no more spillage from Facebook with sponsored ads and seeing posts you didn’t ask to see. This app will eventually require a paid membership (annual fee) but to see what I want to see, I think that is fair.

Post Are in Chronological Order

After Instagram changed its algorithm and started giving preference to more popular and engaged posts. On Vero you see things as they happen when they happen, IN ORDER!

So far, I am very impressed with Vero. Currently I use Facebook, Facebook Stories, Instagram, Instagram Stories, Trip Advisor, Email, and my blog to reach out to my followers. But with Vero I think I can merge a lot of these under one roof. Integrating my social media presence optimizes the way I present my brand — and helps manage my time. The more you share the more complete your story is.

So, what are you waiting for? Make the switch and download Vero App.

These opinions are my own and this post has been written purely out of the exhaustion I experience managing my brand across a variety of platforms. I see potential here, so I wrote this post. Time will tell if the Facebook juggernaut is just too big, but for now, I am willing to try something new.

Cheers,

Rina

Fashion

4 Ways to Tell your Wardrobe that Spring is Coming!

February 21, 2018

I recently attended the Atlanta Apparel trade show in Atlanta. A world class experience where boutique and business owners go to shop. It happens five times a year in order to showcase different seasons of fashion! This year on display were a few notable trends that you’ll start seeing as the season turns. With a few helpful tips by blogger and influencer Kathleen Barnes, I have compiled what I think are 4 things that you can easily add to your wardrobe to stay on trend, fun, and fashionable this Spring.

(Ashlee Nicole Tiller from Ashlee Nicole MD, Kathleen Barnes from Carrie Bradshaw Lied, Madeleine Raiford-Holland from Moderately High Maintenance and Me, Rina Puri from Chicks and Salsa.)

Lavender

Pastel colors, particularly the pinks and purples, are the IT colors this Spring. It is a feminine tone that makes an outfit instantly feel elegant. This Free People top I am wearing has a lace covered cold shoulder that mixes a little bit of edge with lady-like detailing. I am wearing a size medium. This top is one of those versatile pieces… dress it up with some capri pants and stilettos or dress it down with jeans and sneakers.

Floral and Prints in General

There was clearly a pattern across all of the vendor booths: prints, prints, prints! In particular, florals were VERY popular on skirts, tops, blazers, dresses and pants. There is no doubt that Spring will bloom inside and outside of boutiques. This skirt I am wearing is MSGM is a size 6. The fit to flare look of this outfit is flattering for mom’s who are conscious of waistlines (I am also wearing my Spanx under this look). Throwing in a floral print can not only brighten an outfit but also your own mood.

Feathers

So this one is a little trickier for me. As a mom, I just could not find a practical way to incorporate a feather vest or skirt into my wardrobe – I just don’t see myself having the opportunity to rock those. BUT there are other ways to incorporate this trend through the use of accessories, from scarves to jewelry. I did find some cute accessories that would allow me to be ‘trendy’ without overspending. Check out some beautiful feather earrings that add just enough sass to a spice up a daytime or nighttime look.

Blazers

Casually or formally, there is clearly no right or wrong way to rock a blazer this Spring. This trend is one of my favorites – there are so many ways to wear them. The weather in the Spring can be unpredictable but a jacket may be too much. A blazer is the best way to layer and prepare you for some of the unexpected weather that comes with spring. My cami pictured below is reversible (cool, right? Two pieces for the price of one). Paired with my Hudson white bell bottoms, this look has Spring written all over it!

The only thing I had before I went to the tradeshow were blazers so adding some trendy pieces to my closet was fun. It helped to focus on bring new energy to my closet through the use of certain colors, prints, and textures. Follow us on Instagram to see how we mix and match these pieces into our daily looks and check out what is on our Nordstom Winter Clearance wish list.

Xoxo,

Rina

food, friends, girl talk, Recipes

Compliments to the Chef!

July 31, 2017

The chicks have been busy trying to approach blogging from all angles, so when we had the opportunity to meet with food bloggers and enjoy the creations of a Le Cordon Blue trained Executive Chef, we naturally jumped at the opportunity.

Chef Jarvis Belton had meticulously designed our five course dinner with all our senses in mind. NOTHING was left behind — we truly ate with our eyes, nose, ears, tongue, and fingers! During this exclusive dining experience for bloggers and photographers only, Chef Belton considered not only the preparation of the meals, but also the presentation.

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Having trained at the international Le Cordon Blue culinary institute in Mallorca Spain, he learned the hard way that it takes a ton of patience to cook a rice pudding and the how much team work is required to build dishes with ingredients from all over the world. With creative ingredients, he put a spin on a traditional dishes such as a pumpkin ‘mashed potato’ paired with a mouthwatering peach chutney (who knew!?!) or a crostini with garlic, fig, and fennel (yum!)

Paired perfectly with wines from all over the world, this dinner had us in sensory overload. After enjoying a salad with a chocolate jalapeno balsamic drizzle (you read that right) and our main dish, we were advised to wash our hands for dessert. Hesitantly, we returned unsure of what was in store. Chef Belton meticulously built out desserts on top of our hands with a hand churned whip cream, fresh fig, and caramel drizzle which we ate with a spoon right off our hand. Just delightful and different.

Having an intimate dining experience where you can interact with the chef directly was a truly unique experience. The casual conversations with others who also enjoy documenting what they eat was also really fun. Learning about what people are up to over a delicious meal will always round out a perfect chick-tastic evening.

Thanks Chef!

Your Party Chick,

Rina