As a social media marketer, I am always on the lookout for new toys to play with when it comes to creating content. Since most of my work in social media is all about PHOTOGRAPHY, here are some of my favorite gifts to get a social media marketer in your life.

Social media marketing is about being SOCIAL. Digital marketing is not the Wild Wild West of marketing anymore. It is a dynamic tool for brands to share their story and to connect with their target audience - all with better access to insights than ever before.

My picks for top CA Wineries on Instagram are not based on who has the most followers, the prettiest pictures, or which wineries get the most Instagram location check-ins. While those are important, I chose these wineries based on their community engagement and unique brands… I chose wineries on Instagram that were true to their brand passions and connected with their target audience.

What I don’t like about social media is the mental health issues it causes – the compulsion to be perfect and compare yourself to others. Especially when looking at influencers on Instagram.

Growing up in a world with social media, Kerry Rego teaches kids about cyberbullying and fake news & she tells us why her tween doesn't have a cellphone.

My toddler is back in school and instead of a stay at home mom, I can be myself again - a freelancer writer, East Bay Marketer, and... well, I am not sure what else I am right now. Honestly, I’m learning how to be myself again.

 When I got put into Instagram jail I realize that FOMO on social media only happens if I allow it to.  

Wine Influencers are always a hot topic that people (mainly older people) in the wine industry like to get upset about. But it works. Right now, in addition to the ROI question, people are looking at the term “influencer” as a group of girls posing for the camera, not knowing anything about the subject matter, and expecting things for free. Once again, I'm here to say that that is not the case for everyone, and certainly not the case for wine influencers worth their weight in cans of rosé.

This past July we moved from Sonoma County to the East Bay, CA in Concord/Walnut Creek area with the family. We did it for work life balance and to spend more time with my husband now that he doesn't have a long commute. More family time in the East Bay = happy family.

Moving forward, I am learning to listen to my body. When I start shaking if I eat more than a few bites of dessert, when my head throbs after having more than two glasses of beer or wine in a day, and when I feel the urge to get up and move when binge watching Schitts Creek – I LISTEN!

This little café in downtown Martinez  make some of the best buffalo cauliflower I’ve had. Definitely a great visit in the East Bay during your next trip to the area.

Loving Amazon for Spring Cleaning Supplies, Easter Brunch Dresses, Surprise Eggs, Sunglasses, Boots, and Even House Cleaning.

Spend time in Napa Valley’s rustic town for a Calistoga Girls Weekend is the mini-staycation or vacation you need. Especially great for moms or a Calistoga bachelorette party to enjoy Napa or Sonoma County wine county! Wine tasting, cocktails, relaxing by a mineral pool, great food, and dancing the night away at a local pub on Main Street - seriously, this is my go-to wine country destination for a girl’s weekend.

I've written about Linktree before and voiced my opinion about not using the Instagram bio app (my point of view is that you should capture the web traffic on your own website – not someone else’s). In case you haven’t heard of it, Linktree is a popular third-party app that allows you to add a link to your bio containing additional links to other websites, or perhaps to sections on your own website. Many bloggers and marketers use it to skirt around the “one link” rule on Instagram. The app creates a landing page on which you can add links to promotions, events, contact pages, sales pages, or your own blog.

National Mental Health Month is also National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, which is definitely fitting – well, at least for my family.

There is so much information out there about what Influencer mMrketing is, how you can get ROI from Influencer Marketing and how to create a campaign around working with influencers… so instead of recreating the wheel, here is a round up of some articles I have read over the past few weeks!

The Spring and Summer music festivals in Wine Country are about so much more than music. See how parents and kids can enjoy these festivals together.

With less hours to work, I don’t stress the little details as much. I have learned to be more productive as a mom, by planning ahead & taking time off.