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

Weekly Truth

The summer before my junior year at Tech, I participated in a summer small group with the sweetest group of ladies. We read through Galatians and the focused on the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. I remember that study so well, probably because that summer had such a tremendous impact on my heart.

But as much time as we spent in that study, I often find myself trying to display the fruit on my own, apart from the Spirit. And time and time again, I realize that I am completely incapable. There is no good in me; the only light that shines through me originates in Him. So this week, I'm reflecting on this verse as a reminder that if I walk with Him, everything else will follow.

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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. 

Monday's Letters

Dear Mr. Hooker, we both look so much like our mamas, and judging by the photo above, I'd say that's a very good thing. Both of our moms go out of their way to visit us, fill our mailbox with thoughtful cards, spoil us with awesome cooking, and shower us with a whole lot of love. How did we ever get so blessed? Happy belated Mother's Day Mom and Martha! I'm sad that we weren't able to hug you in person, but you were on our hearts all day yesterday. You both are dearly loved. 

Dear poison ivy, you got your hands/leaves on my husband while he was doing yard work two weeks ago, and you won't let him forget it. You've spread like wildfire on the poor guy and you've somehow managed to jump onto me, too. We have tried every home remedy to kick you once and for all, but you are one tough cookie. Maybe some of my blog friends know something I don't (help!)

Dear Psalm 13, you and I are getting to be pretty close companions this week. Ten pages of reflection and research on your verses have challenged my brain and my heart. Thank you for teaching me to be transparent in prayer and hopeful in God's promises.

Dear Jake, after a year-long Instagram sabbatical, you decided to share your photography skills with the world once more. At first I was supportive of you coming out of hibernation, but after a day full of "paparazzi" yesterday... I'm thinking that it may have been better when your account laid dormant. Life is never boring with you!

Happy Monday, friends! Who's your favorite person to follow on Instagram?

Coffee Date with Meghan Newman

Our first week in Charlotte, we showed up at the front door of a stranger's house with caramel apple dip and a bowl full of puppy chow. Not to worry - we had been invited. A few couples from our seminary were hanging out and they were nice enough to let us tag along (they must not have known what they were getting themselves into!) We felt welcomed right away when a pretty redhead and her two sweet dogs greeted as the door and invited us in.

We must not have scared them away too much, because 4 months later Meghan and her husband, Andrew, are still hanging out with us. And we're thankful, because they're so much fun to be around. I especially love Meghan's sense of humor, her style, her baking (goodness gracious, this girl needs her own restaurant), and her laugh. I'm excited that she's joining us this morning for a Coffee Date!

What's in your coffee mug this morning?

Not a coffee drinker, sadly. I so desperately want to be one, but I just hate the taste. Since it is warm out, I will be drinking an unsweetened flavored ice tea. Or just a glass of water, very boring. Right now I really love this raspberry and lime green tea.

What was the first thing you did this morning?

Friday mornings my husband, Andrew, and I usually take our dogs for a walk, then I like to make a fun breakfast. I am on a pancake/waffle kick, so perhaps I will make some kale waffles... sounds weird, but they are actually awesome! After/during breakfast we read the Bible together.

Tell us about something you've been loving lately.

These cups from Williams Sonoma! They are so incredible because they have a top and I can transport my smoothies or juices in style. Every weekday morning, aside from Fridays, I make a smoothie or green juice. These cups are the answer to transporting my drinks. I also love any sort of Thai food - I want to eat it all the time.

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

Hmmm, I struggle with too many things! I certainly struggle with control and over-working myself. Work is very important to me and I put a great deal of my worth in it. I tend to worry about my performance to the point where it becomes an idol. How I deal? The biggest thing I have done is to leave work at the office. I aim to get the most work done while at the office, so when I leave I can just go home and relax. This is much easier said than done. I recently made a career change which also made this difficult. I also love to take our dogs, Boone and Cash, on a walk. It gives me a purpose for being outside and I get to just enjoy nature and relax.

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

Food. Sadly, the idea of food is most commonly my answer to all questions. I try to plan ahead when it comes to meals for the week so that I know what I am making, and it simplifies my time. Andrew and I really have to schedule our time because we have two dogs. Although people can feel restrained in a schedule, I feel free! I like to schedule downtime where I know there is nothing on the agenda and I can truly relax. Being too busy is another struggle of mine, which makes relaxing a very difficult task. However, I try to schedule an hour or so where I have no plans. This forces me to sit down for bit and just chill. 

And just for fun, what is something that made you smile this week?

On a superficial level, this dress that I just bought. On a real level, my co-workers make me smile. They are just so funny. I truly laugh all day - I can't handle it sometimes. Picking fruit is also one of my favorite things. I have been so happy all week because I'm picking strawberries on Saturday!

Want to see the latest things that Meghan's whipping up in her kitchen? Follow along with her blog, The Former Baker. You can also follow along with her on Instagram and Twitter!

And for those of you following Elle & Company on Instagram and Facebook, the answer to Meghan's Two Truths and a Lie is #3.

From Meghan: "Not true, this happened to a friend of mine. So jealous!"

Squash, Peppers, and Gum Drops

I'll be the first to admit that I haven't the slightest clue what I'm doing when it comes to keeping things alive. I've killed my fair share of goldfish, mums, and hermit crabs (ew), but I've always been secretly hoping to plant my own garden. 

So when the opportunity presented itself this spring, I excitedly and nervously jumped in head first. But given my past history with plants, my thumb isn't necessarily what I would call "green" (but I would like to think that it isn't completely black, either). I've decided it's more of a purple - a creative, fun, experimental kind of purple. 

Hence the title of a new Elle & Company mini-series:

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I'm marking this item off of my often-forgotten "someday" list and sharing it with you, because that's what this space is all about - telling stories, trying new things, and hopefully sharing a laugh (or two).

When we first moved to the Suite in January, it already had a cute little plot of land right outside the front porch. Our gracious hosts told us that raspberry bushes had been planted in the center, but they gave us the freedom to do whatever and plant whatever our hearts desired.

Full freedom?! Poor Jake knows exactly what that means. I immediately started making plans for my soon-to-be vegetable garden (a.k.a. Pinteresting my little heart out). My head started swirling with visions of squash, spinach, brightly colored peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, herbs, watermelon, sugar plums, gum drops... (kidding). 

And that's when I encountered Problem #1: my tendency to scheme up plans that seem so simple in my head and super difficult in reality.

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Which turned into Lesson #1: Make realistic plans that fit your space, your lifestyle, and more importantly, your budget. Which turned into Lesson #2: Use caution when looking up inspiration on Pinterest.

So after I came back down from my dream world, it was time to dig in (pun totally intended). 

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Our first task was prepping the land. I spent a couple hours one Saturday pulling up weeds, clearing leaves from the raspberry bushes, and tring not to be freaked out by the ginormous centipedes and spiders I met along the way. Jake helped me turn over the soil, and that's when we realized that although the ground around the raspberry bushes was over a foot deep, the surrounding soil was fairly shallow. 

For those of you who are like me with no gardening experience, that means planting vegetables was going to be difficult. We could either scrap our veggie plans or build up the soil (see what I mean about things being simple in my head?)

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But where there's a problem, there's always a solution.

We decided to remove the brick border around the land and replace it with wood. We originally framed the garden to be one board high, but we quickly realized that if we were going to build up the soil, we would need to stack them two boards high. Once we cut the boards, we staked them into the ground. Those guys aren't going anywhere.

Then we filled in the space with my new best garden friend, top soil. It's amazing what a difference a couple boards and 14 bags of top soil can make!

I always said that I would officially be old when I started enjoying trips to Lowe's. Well friends, the time came. I had to refrain from skipping through the sliding doors - I was so very excited to pick out all sorts of plant friends for our garden!

But oh goodness, was I overwhelmed.

There were so many different colors, varieties, conditions, choices. I honestly didn't know where to begin! Another instance where things were more fun in my head than in reality...

... to be continued next week!

What color is your thumb, friends? Do you have a garden? And if you had to choose, would you rather see a furry spider or a thousand-legged centipede creepy crawling on your garden glove?

Weekly Truth

In the busyness of life lately, quietness and peace have been on my heart (and apparently succulents have been, too!) I'm thankful for this reminder that I can't find rest in myself and my own efforts; it only comes from Christ's righteousness.

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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. ​