Business, Blogging
Lauren Hooker
40 Ways to Use Adobe Illustrator to Improve ...

Adobe Illustrator is my go-to software for anything and everything design-related. It's the one program I truly couldn't work without.

And while it's easy to assume that the program's primary focus is illustration based on the name, there is so much more to this design software. 

With tools for type, color, photo cropping, image tracing, drawing, and much more, it has innumerable benefits for bloggers and business owners, alike.

To get your creative gears turning, here's a look at 40 ways Adobe Illustrator can take your blog and/or business to the next level.

40 Ways to Use Adobe Illustrator to Improve Your Blog and Business
Blogging, Business, Branding, Design
Lauren Hooker
How to Create Eye-Catching Blog Post Graphics

First impressions are crucial, especially in business.

Potential customers and clients make judgments about your business within the first few seconds of coming into contact with it, whether it’s through your website, your social media accounts, or a simple blog post graphic.

And those initial thoughts - whether they’re spot on or far off from what you want them to be - are within your control. You have the opportunity to make a killer first impression through high-quality, branded visuals.

If your blog is a large part of your business or you’re hoping to drive more traffic back to your site through your blog, you have to have eye-catching blog graphics to not only generate a positive first impression, but to encourage readers to share your posts on sites like Pinterest and be seen by an even wider audience.

So how do you create eye-catching blog post graphics? And better yet, how can you set them apart so they’ll stand out from the rest and be recognized time and time again?

How to Create Eye-Catching Blog Post Graphics
Business, Visual Marketing
Lauren Hooker
40 Easy, Engaging Video Content Ideas for Your ...

“When I discovered YouTube, I didn’t work for 5 days.” - Michael Scott

Video platforms like YouTube (and more recently, Periscope) are easily the world’s greatest time-wasters. We’ve all been guilty of losing track of time on YouTube at least once, because videos are easily consumable, very addicting, and highly entertaining.

As a matter of fact, studies show that a whopping 78% of us watch videos online every week and 55% watch videos online every day.

Which is why Youtube is also the world’s greatest overnight-success-maker. If you’re on the production-side of a video and you’ve come up with a clever idea, you might just have a viral hit on your hands.

Video holds a lot of potential for interaction, engagement, and shares for creative businesses. And for that reason, it’s one of the best visual marketing tools you can use.

But it producing videos can be a little overwhelming, can’t it? Even with helpful video tools out there like Animoto, many of us struggle to come up with simple ideas for video content that would appeal to our audience. 

And that’s where this post comes in. I’ve rounded up 40 easy, engaging video content ideas to help get your creative gears turning. My hope is that you’ll find a few ideas to implement and as a result, bring your business more exposure.

40 Easy, Engaging Video Content Ideas for Your Creative Business
Business, Visual Marketing
Lauren Hooker
Why You Should Be Using Infographics for Your ...

If you’re looking for a good way to kill at least an hour of your time, type in the word “infographic” in the Pinterest search bar.

Thousands of clever graphics will pop up on everything from “how to make a salad taste awesome” to a baby’s first year in a review. There’s even an infographic that answers the pressing question, “Is your dog sleeping a little too much?”

Then, after you’ve admired the genius creativity behind them, take a gander at how many repins and likes each of those infographics receives. Thousands upon thousands.

In fact, infographic volumes have increased by over 800% in 2 years. Publishers who use infographics grow in traffic an average of 12% more than those who don’t. 

What is it about infographics that makes them so appealing? And better yet, how can you come up with some clever infographics for your business so it gains more exposure through likes and shares?

I have all the answers for you in this post.

Why You Should Be Using Infographics for Your Business (And How to Create Them)
Blogging
Lauren Hooker
How to Create Catchy Headlines

Is your headline the first thing you consider when you sit down to write a post?

Probably not, but creating a catchy blog post title is one of the most important aspects of each blog post. It's the gateway to your content; it convinces people to click or scroll right past your latest post'. 

In fact, studies show that 8 out of 10 people will read your headline but only 2 out of 10 will read your entire post. 

Here are a few pointers for drawing in potential readers and a couple "templates" to help you create a catchy headline for your upcoming posts. 

How to Create Catchy Headlines

"I get by with a little help from my friends"

When I started this little venture a couple months ago, I didn't anticipate the support and encouragement I would receive from other creative ladies. Their community and friendship has become a sweet and unexpected outcome of Elle & Company, and having my own business would be a little lonely (and a lot less fun!) without them. 

I'm taking a little break from my usual Thursday blog series to share some of these lovely ladies with you. These women have been so kind to feature Elle & Company on their blogs, post about the Daybook on Instagram, and encourage me behind the scenes. If you aren't already, you should follow along with them - I'm certain that you will love getting to know them, too!

Andrea Pesce

Andrea Pesce Photography

This gorgeous gal took all of the beautiful product photos and headshots for Elle & Company! Andrea works hard and laughs often, and her excitement and passion for her job are contagious. This friend is near and dear to my heart. 

Follow along with Andrea:

Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Kat Schmoyer

Dear Sweetheart Events

This girl's business name fits her to a T - she truly is a sweetheart. To say she has joy is an understatement, and any girl would be so blessed to have Kat as a wedding planner! I've been so blessed by this new friend.

Follow along with Kat:

Instagram  |  Facebook

Michaela Warner

Michaela Noelle Designs

Michaela is beautiful, inside and out. This lovely West Coast interior designer is always coming up with beautiful and practical ways to make your house a home. Michaela has been both an encouragement and an inspiration.

Follow along with Michaela:

Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Ashley Herrinton

Herrinton Weddings

Ashley and her husband are the sweetest, most talented couple I know. This thoughtful friend has partnered with me through blog posts and giveaways, and she goes out of her way to make my day brighter. Did I mention that she's super talented, too?

Follow along with Ashley:

Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Annamarie Akins

Annamarie Akins Photography

Classic, elegant, and timeless are all words that describe Annamarie's photos and personality so well. With many mutual friends in common, it's surprising that we hadn't met until a few months ago! I've already been blessed by this talented and encouraging friend.

Follow along with Annamarie:

Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

There's one more lady on the list, but I'm waiting to share her with you tomorrow for a Coffee Date. Until then.... happy Thursday, friends!

3 Simple Weekday Recipes (with free printables)

I'm a foodie. I rarely order the same thing twice at a restaurant and I'm always up for trying new recipes. But on a busy weeknight, I don't have the time or the energy to prepare an elaborate, creative meal. You too? 

Thankfully, I've discovered some quick, easy recipes that are friendly to our wallet (and waistline!) and I've been adding them to my Daybook little by little. I thought it would be both fun and helpful to share some of them with you once a month, along with a filled-in Recipe Page for each one. Simply print them out, add them to your Daybook, and try them out when you're in need of a fast weekday meal!

Maple Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

This has made our weekday mornings much easier. I bake it on Monday morning (or if I'm over-achieving, Sunday night) and it lasts all week long. Each morning we spoon it into a bowl, heat it up, add milk and syrup, and breakfast is served. So easy!

Click here for the printable

Gnocchi, Sweet Corn & Arugula in Cream Sauce

Versatile, quick, and delicious! And it makes such a large portion for the two of us that we're guaranteed to have leftovers. 

Click here for the printable

Crock Pot Balsamic Pork Roast

Between night classes, church, and work, our weeknights get a little crazy. The slow cooker has been my saving grace this semester! Add all of the ingredients to the crockpot, turn it on, head out the door, and dinner is ready by the time we arrive home. This recipe is a recent find and goodness gracious, it's delicious!

Click here for the printable

What are some of your favorite quick & easy recipe? How do you simplify weekday meals?

Weekly Truth

This week's verse seems so simple, doesn't it? One glance at it and you can have it memorized in a heartbeat. But instead of designing an iPhone background to help me memorize this verse during the upcoming week, I designed it as a reminder. And goodness gracious, do I need this reminder.

I wasn't made to make much of myself; I was made to make much of Jesus. He must become greater, I must become less. 

Elle&Co_John330

Click here to download this week's verse for your iPhone background.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Note: Since tilting your iPhone re-adjusts the background, iOS7 automatically zooms in on background images. The text may seem small on the downloaded image, but once you set it as your background it will size correctly. 

For instructions on how to change your iPhone background, click here.

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, I've never been good at keeping things alive. I've seen my fair share of floating goldfish, shriveled tomato plants, and dry hermit crabs (ew). But despite my history, I've decided to plant my very first garden this season (with your help, of course). By the end of the summer, I'm hoping we have a kitchen full of veggies and some pretty sweet farmer's tans. 

Dear inch worms, you launched an attack on North Carolina this week. I've never seen anything quite like it: your little green bodies are hanging from every tree and building in town. Sorry guys, but you aren't so cute when friends are plucking you out of my hair and off of my forehead. You're free to go.

Dear Charlotte Knights, the opening of your new baseball stadium was a good excuse to venture downtown with friends on Friday night. No tickets? No problem. We watched the game on a big screen outside your gates that faced a grassy park nearby. What an awesome summer date night idea! Next time we'll bring a picnic.

Dear Jake, after 15 minutes of trolling Netflix for a decent movie last night, we stumbled upon West Side Story. I was stunned that you suggested it and excited because neither one of us had watched it before... until I realized that it was a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. How had I never known?! Oh well - the grief at the end was balanced out by our ridiculous duet to "I Feel Pretty". You make life so fun.

Coffee Date with Allyson Bishop

I've been itching to have a Coffee Date with this lovely lady since I came up with this blog series a couple months ago. This sweet friend has known me since before I was born. She treated me as her very own baby doll when we were younger and drove me crazy "mothering me" while we were growing up. She loved me when I was highly unlovable; I was obnoxious, but she showered me with grace. She has always been my role model, my go-to, and my biggest fan. 

And she just so happens to be my sister.

In some ways, I feel like you'll have a better understanding of me by getting to know her. Dear friends, meet Allyson!

What's in your coffee mug this morning?

The usual - coffee with cream and a teaspoon of raw sugar. I have also been enjoying the occasional latte from Starbucks. I'm not big on flavored, super sweet coffee drinks and until recently I had no idea that a latte is just espresso and steamed milk. So yummy!

What is the first thing you did today?

I tried to convince my earliest rider that 6:40am is much too early to be awake on the only morning this week that we could actually sleep in. Especially, when she turns on the light in her room and wakes up her three still snoozing siblings.

What is something you've been loving lately?

We just put our house on the market last week. We weren't expecting to move, and as a matter-of-fact, we made a  decision not too long ago to be content with where God has us right now, even if that means getting rid of stuff to make room for people (2 big and 4 little, to be exact). We have been purging and simplifying since January. Then, out of the blue, my Mom sent us an MLS number of a house she thought might be perfect for us. And we are pretty sure it is! So, in a matter of just six days, we got ours all spic and span and market ready. Insanity. Spring cleaning on a whole new level. Anyhow... What I'm loving is my neat and clean house. Not just straight, or picked up, but really super clean. It's true that physical clutter becomes mental clutter. None of that here - not while we are ready for showings at any given moment. Beds are made every day. Counters are wiped down. There are no dishes in the sink and I am completely caught up on laundry. A-Mazing! And despite all the work, it is so worth it because our house feels so calm and peaceful. Love it!

What is something you struggle with and what are you learning as a result?

Oh my. There are plenty of things to choose from. Right now, I am struggling with getting up before the rest of my family to spend time in prayer and in the Word. I have always been the type to stay up late to get things done. Like really late - after 1am late - too late! And when you have four Littles who get up in the six o'clock hour and your brain has to function enough to homeschool three out of four of those Littles, well, 5 hours of sleep every night just isn't enough. My goal is to go to bed the same day I get up. So... get in bed before midnight and get up around 6am. That's reasonable, right?

On the days that I do manage to die to myself, and my tiredness, and the part of me that wants to hit snooze until the last possible minute - the days when I drag myself our of bed and tiptoe out to the kitchen table to spend time doing my Bible study - on those days I am a better wife and mom. I feel ready for my day, armed with God's Word. Of course I do! Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." When I get up early to seek Him, He is faithful to transform me, to renew my mind and to change my heart in areas it so badly needs changing!

Life can get busy and stressful. How do you simplify?

Life with four kiddos ages 6 and under is busy. Keeping things simple is a pretty big deal around here, otherwise, the wheels can fall off in an instant. People often ask me how I do it with four small children - and I am quick to tell them - plenty of prayer and plenty of coffee. Both are true! But, it is also so important to have a plan. Part of that for me is meal planning. I really do love my Daybook inserts with my menu planner and grocery list all on one page. Each down I sit down with my Daybook, recipe binder, and laptop (to look up a few new recipes to try) and plan out our meals for the week. I know which nights I need to have a crockpot meal and which nights I have a little more time to prepare dinner. It makes our evenings so much simpler and less chaotic. Especially that critical hour after nap and before Daddy gets home when all the Littles need me for something all at the same time and I'm trying to figure out what we are going to have for dinner (read: the wheels are falling off). But not when I have my meals all planned out. Smooth sailing. Most of the time, anyway.

What is something that made you smile this week?

I can promise you there is never a dull moment around here. Not a single one. And I love it! My kiddos make me smile daily - they are a joy and a blessing and a gift from God. Of course, there are ups and downs, highs and lows, struggles and victories - and being a Mommy is hard work - but it is so worth and and so very rewarding. Smiles galore!

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