‘Tis the season for giving back

November 30, 2016

bg-xmas-trees If you’re wondering where to get your Christmas tree this year, please consider purchasing from Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade who has been selling trees and wreaths for over 35 years.

One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the tree and wreath sales will benefit B&G Clubs of Miami-Dade, which serves thousands of children in Miami-Dade County with positive programs year-round.

“Come and purchase your tree with us for a good cause. All proceeds go directly to help the kids out,” said Boys & Girls Clubs President of Miami-Dade, Alex Rodriguez-Roig.

The Tree lot is open seven days a week from 9am – 9pm at:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, Hank Kline Club
2805 SW 32nd Ave
Miami, FL 33133

Stop by today!

The Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade: Shaping a Better Tomorrow, One Child at a Time

November 21, 2016

“10th Annual Wild About Kids” gala, Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne

Recently, the Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade held their “10^th Annual Wild About Kids” auction gala at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton resort in Key Biscayne, FL. It was a lavish event and for a tremendous cause. The Boys & Girls’ mission is to enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens; fundraising events, such as the gala, enable them to continue this mission.

Proceeds from the gala will go to fund the Boys & Girls’ many programs such as their after-school program for children ages 5 to 16. This program, offered year-round, six days a week, consists of homework assistance, music instruction, dance classes, arts & crafts and so much more. It also helps to keep kids out of trouble by having them engaged in enriching activities and off the streets. Statistics show that 60% of all youth crimes are committed between 2 and 6 p.m.

Me with Alex Rodriguez-Roig, Boys & Girls Club President of Miami-Dade

“Our job is to provide an opportunity for kids to thrive in a productive environment and be off the streets,” said Boys & Girls Club President of Miami-Dade, Alex Rodriguez-Roig. Our annual gala is important because it provides the funds necessary for our programs to operate and enables us to hire qualified professionals and mentors to be with the kids everyday.”

The organization also offers Spring Break Camp, designed to provide children with enriching activities for learning and growth, as well as Summer Camp; eight full weeks of fun-filled, knowledgeable activities such as arts & crafts, physical fitness, game rooms, literacy classes and multiple educational field trips.

Currently, Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade facilities are solely located in Gwen Cherry, Hank Kline, Kendall, Northwest and South Beach areas of Miami-Dade County, but this may soon broaden.

“Parents are always looking for a qualified and affordable place for their kids to be safe and to learn and enhance necessary skills. Over the next five or 10 years, I envision the Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade continuing to serve kids in our existing communities but also expanding to others as well,” said Rodriguez-Roig.

Click here to learn more about the Boys & Girls Club and how to get involved through volunteering, sponsoring or donating. Whether a parent or not, there is no doubt that as our future, children must be taken care of and nurtured in order to become caring and responsible citizens.

Instagram Photos: Secrets From the Pros

August 24, 2016

Also featured on:

You know when you’re scrolling through your Instagram feed and come across a photo that stops you in your tracks? Well, like most people, you probably wonder how someone can take such a great photo. Granted, a good photographic eye is key, but that’s just the beginning.

I had the pleasure of interviewing four Instagram Pro’s and got them to spill a few of their best-kept photo secrets that will have your photos going from amateur to gallery-worthy in no time.

Ashley Brooke Designs, 117K followers

Ashley Brooke is the owner and creative director of Ashley Brooke Designs. She has a background in interior design and is a self-taught illustrator. The ABD blog (aka the happy place) is where Ashley Brooke shares secrets and swaps stories of her daily living; Playfully giving her two cents on fashion, beauty, décor, travel, and entertainment. She is passionate about creating a collection of lifestyle products that are encouraging, useful, and a little bit sassy.

1. What is/are your favorite Instagram photo editing app(s), and why?
Oh gosh, there are so many, but I really love ColorStory and PS Express. ColorStory is great for pumping up the saturation and adding natural filters and PS Express is a tiny version of photoshop!

2. What makes a great Instagram photo?
Personally, I think composition, attention to color, and the use of white space make a great photo. Everyone has their own style, but those are the things I look for when instagraming for ABD!

3. What are the “Do’s and Dont’s” of photo captions and hashtags?
There really isn’t a right and wrong way, just a preference! I prefer 1-4 relevant hashtags at most, and captions that aren’t just statements. I like to use captions that get a reaction or response! I love using social media to be “social”!

STIL Classics, 21.2K followers

Marissa Cristina is the founder and principal designer at STIL Classics, a company she founded in April 2016 and that was rebranded from Design Love Co. STIL Classics uses proponents of Swiss and Dutch design principles to create organizational luxury products for the modern working woman. STIL’s products are functional, sophisticated and timeless.

1. What is/are your favorite Instagram photo editing app(s), and why?

My favorite photo editing app is VSCO Cam for sure, but a close second is Afterlight which I use for its amazing clarity feature.

2. What makes a great Instagram photo?
I think what makes a great instagram photo is really up to your followers. For us we find that a really solid flatlay often does the trick. There is really nothing better than a good flatlay using some of our favorite products or showing our customers how to use our planner.

3. What are the “Do’s and Dont’s” of photo captions and hashtags?
I think as a general rule only ever use 3 – 5 hashtags. When you are tagging people in captions, never mention more than 3 people. If you have to mention more than three tag them in your photo instead.

Emily Quinton, 80.2K followers

Emily is a photographer, writer, blogger and maker who has worked as a professional photographer for a decade. She creates images on both her iPhone and DSLR, every single day, to build a visual journal and as a way of making time for a daily creative meditation.

1. What is/are your favorite Instagram photo editing app(s), and why?
Without a doubt it is PicTapGo. I have tried so many but always come back to this one. It’s easy to use while still having so much control. It suits my style of photography perfectly. I have been using products by the team behind this app (Totally Rad) for years, so when they launched PicTapGo I knew I would love it.

2. What makes a great Instagram photo?
An image that stops you in your tracks and makes you stand still for a moment. We are all bombarded by so much content and life is so busy that we need images that help us to slow down and savour the moment of looking and being inspired. To create an image like this you need good, natural light, great composition and a good visual story.

3. What are the “Do’s and Dont’s” of photo captions and hashtags?
Do put a caption on your image but don’t turn it into an essay. Write a blog post if you have lots to say and link to that instead! Short and sweet but engaging. Funny is good too. I do like a good giggle!

Definitely use hashtags. People can’t find you if you don’t but don’t use too many. Between 3-11 is perfect. Spend time researching hashtags in your niche, so that you are using ones that are going to help you to grow the right audience for you, It is so worth the effort.

Paige Vuoto, 19.3K followers

Photography-loving, plant-eating, adventure-seeking sunflower.

1. What is/are your favorite Instagram photo editing app(s), and why?
My favorite photo editing app is definitely VSCO cam. It’s very natural/vintage. I can appreciate when colors are crazy edited but I definitely like more of a natural look & that’s what vsco does! Very ‘artsy-fartsy’.

2. What makes a great Instagram photo?
To be honest I really have no idea. I could post, what I think is, the most epic photograph ever and it gets no love on IG.

3. What are the “Do’s and Dont’s” of photo captions and hashtags?
I never have been and never will be a hashtagger, so personally just don’t hashtag . But if you have to, make sure they’re funny. Why so serious?

Did you find these tips useful? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section! XO

Bridal Shower Photography

July 31, 2016

Hello loulous,

Happy Sunday! A couple of weeks ago I was hired to photograph a bridal shower. While I don’t normally do this, I absolutely love photography, and decided to go for it! The bride was very happy with end result, and I am thankful that she trusted me with her special day, and I was able to deliver.

Below you can see a few highlights.