Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me th Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me they do not work anymore.

Here is my take. Hashtags are still live on Instagram and they are still one of the main ways people search through the platform. Until Instagram tells us they are done I am going to keep using them, intentionally.

What has changed is how you should be using them.

Instagram has officially capped hashtags at 5 per post. Instagram made this change deliberately because stuffing 20 to 30 generic tags into every post was not serving anyone. Hashtags are no longer a reach tool. They are a clarity tool that helps the algorithm understand what your content is about.

5 intentional hashtags beat 30 random ones every single time.

Here is how to pick yours:

-Think about your niche, your audience, and your location
-Think about what someone would actually search — not what you would call your post
-A clown costume post might use #halloweencostume or #cosplay instead of #clowncostume because that is what someone searching for inspiration is actually typing

One more thing most people are missing. Instagram is leaning heavily into SEO and keyword search now. The words in your caption are doing work that hashtags used to do. Write descriptively and use natural language your audience would actually search. The algorithm is reading your words so give it something to work with.

Save this before you write your next post.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo sho As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo shoot I had to circle back to this gem. I think this year will top it. I think 🤔 #halloween #costume #crystalball #cosplay #spookyseason👻
@tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snig @tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snight #justagirl
We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october # We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october #costumeseason #90snight
@blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoir @blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoirsofatraveler and I have never found a better description of my life. Every night out dancing ends with a PT appointment with @therapeuticbydesignpt the next week.  These knees are not 22 anymore.
The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my o The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my outfit #mirrorselfie
Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a c Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a creator has during the holiday season — and most people are not using them.

This is part one of two. Today we are talking about gift guides for creators. Next Tuesday we are talking about gift guides for retail businesses and small business owners. Save both.

Here is what a well built gift guide actually does for you as a creator:

	•	Drives affiliate revenue through platforms like LTK, ShopMy, Amazon Associates, Collective Voice, Mavely, and Howl
	•	Lives on your blog with its own URL so you own it and it keeps working long after the holidays
	•	Gives you content to distribute across every platform including two Pinterest pins per guide — one to your LTK post and one to your blog
	•	Opens the door to add gift guides as a bonus deliverable in brand collab pitches — and yes, services count too

Start by planning your categories. Gifts for her. Gifts under $50. Stocking stuffers. The more specific the guide the more useful it is — and useful content gets saved and shared.

The creators who win the holiday season start building now.

Save this and start planning your first guide this week.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one hair prevails. #thisis40 #thisisperimenopause #losinghaironmyhead #growingiteverywhereelse
Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. 

Last night @abbydumatrait and I were able to check out all of @shopcosmiccollective runway show pieces as well as her new fur and fringe combo stoles. @theclosetbyscsc hosted and we scoured the racks of what is available to rent. Yes, rent. The Closet is open by appointment to rent their clothes as well as jewelry, hats and other accessories. 

We ended the night with @bylauracitron and @anyoldiron at the grand opening party for Any Old Iron on Magazine Street. Their shop is the perfect addition to New Orleans and needs to be your next shopping stop!! Andrew and Laura are both just so incredibly talented and I’m excited for them to be in our city.
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Life, midlife, Sponsored · May 9, 2019

Caring for Your Smile with Smile Brilliant

This post is being sponsored by Smile Brilliant.  All thought, opinions and ideas are mine.

I originally posted this piece in September 2018 after trying the Smile Brilliant at home teeth whitening system.  I have since tried another one of their products and wanted to tell you about it!

I am still happy with the results I received from doing the Smile Brilliant at home whitening system.  It took me two weeks to achieve by optimal results and you can read more about that below.  Over the last few months I have used my Smile Brilliant kit once for a few days just to get back to that bright look again.

The team at Smile Brilliant came to me last month and asked if I would like to try their cariPRO Electric Toothbrush.  I have never in my life used an electric toothbrush so I was interested to see how it worked.  This is an ultrasonic toothbrush so not only will it help me keep my teeth cleaner it also helps to remove surface stains so I don’t have to use my whitening kit as often.

Initial Thoughts.  It took me a little getting used to the vibrations.  I didn’t like the feeling and just used it for about 30 seconds each day and would finish with my regular toothbrush.  After about a week I got used to the sensation and really liked using it.  My teeth immediately feel cleaner after I brush with the cariPRO.

So…

I want to give one of you a toothbrush too!  If you want to enter just follow THIS link!

Also…

You can use code wefivekings15 for 15% off of your whitening kit!

At Home Teeth Whitening

If you have followed my blog for any length of time you probably notice how often I have a cup of coffee in my hand.  In case you didn’t I can tell you, it’s always.

Kids.  Husband.  House.  Blog.  All these things have lent themselves to me developing a serious coffee addiction. 

The unintended consequence of this constant drinking of coffee has left me with a less than bright smile.  I knew it was not as bright as it was in my 20’s but I don’t think I realized how faded it had become until I started whitening my teeth.

Living with Sensitive Teeth

Over the years I have tried a variety of things to whiten my teeth.  White strips and whitening toothpaste and a few other over the counter products.  I investigated Zoom Bleaching but the fact that my teeth were already so sensitive made me hesitant to try.  

Most recently, I had decided to try another charcoal tooth paste when I received an email from Smile Brilliant asking me to try their product.  I initially ignored the email.  My teeth were exceptionally sensitive to the over the counter products, so I didn’t think that a “just like the dentist” product was going to be an option for me.

I decided to investigate the product a little more before responding to the email saying I wasn’t interested.  The first page I visited was 10 facts about whitening and there I learned that the sensitivity I was experiencing wasn’t normal.  I should have been instructed to follow whitening sessions with a fluoride treatment to help promote rehydration of my teeth, so they insulated the nerve properly.  From there I was growing more interested. 

I also never saw major results with the over the counter products because of the delivery device I was using to apply it to my teeth.  With the custom fitted trays Smile Brilliant offers it meant that I could use less product, keeping the process from irritating my gums, and have a better result.  I also loved that the product wasn’t created by a toothpaste company.  It was created by real dentists who know teeth and how they need to be treated. 

I emailed back and decided to try.  I told them about my sensitivity and that if I had any issues I was going to stop using the product immediately.  She simply said to try and if I had any issues after the first use to let her know.

How It Works

So here is a little bit about the process.  When you sign up they send your entire kit to your house.  This included my impression trays, envelope to mail them back and all my whitening supplies.  I kept expecting the process to become complicated.  I read the instructions many times because I was worried I was missing a step but I wasn’t.  I easily did the impressions on my own allowed them to dry and mailed them off. 

I received my trays in the mail a little over a week later and started whitening that night.  I was nervous expecting to have some tooth pain after or a headache like I had experienced in the past but it was fine.  Especially after using the desensitizing gel when I was finished whitening.  I kept my first sessions to 45 minutes and increased them as I went along with the process.  I could not get over how I was having no sensitivity, yet I was seeing such great results.

These were my results after whitening for three weeks.

My Final Thoughts

This product was simple to use, easy to fit into my routine and I experienced no side effects from the product other than a small amount of gum irritation when I overused my whitening gel.  For someone who does not have a lot of extra time on her hands to go into a dentist’s office to get fitted for trays and pick up my supplies I loved it.  It was the perfect way to whiten for my life.

As I try to highlight products I think will be beneficial to you and things you will find interesting and helpful.  I strive to be open and honest about my experiences and not represent products that don’t align with my brand or that I wouldn’t personally use.  If there is a product you would like to see featured on the blog send me a message!

XO,

Tippy

Editorial Note:  This post was originally publishes on 9/24/18.  Updated and republished on 5/9/19

In: Life, midlife, Sponsored · Tagged: caripro toothbrush, electric toothbrush, sensitive teeth, smile, smile brillant, Teeth, teeth cleaning, teeth sensitivity, teeth whitening, teeth whitening safely

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About Me
I'm Tiffany. Although some of my favorite people call me Tippy. My favorite color is pattern. Seriously, I've never met a pattern I didn't like. My style is as bold as my personality and you should never trust my hair color. I am all about size inclusive style on a Nordstrom Sale budget.
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  • Night Time Swimming: Perfect Dinners for the Pool

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Instagram

Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me th Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me they do not work anymore.

Here is my take. Hashtags are still live on Instagram and they are still one of the main ways people search through the platform. Until Instagram tells us they are done I am going to keep using them, intentionally.

What has changed is how you should be using them.

Instagram has officially capped hashtags at 5 per post. Instagram made this change deliberately because stuffing 20 to 30 generic tags into every post was not serving anyone. Hashtags are no longer a reach tool. They are a clarity tool that helps the algorithm understand what your content is about.

5 intentional hashtags beat 30 random ones every single time.

Here is how to pick yours:

-Think about your niche, your audience, and your location
-Think about what someone would actually search — not what you would call your post
-A clown costume post might use #halloweencostume or #cosplay instead of #clowncostume because that is what someone searching for inspiration is actually typing

One more thing most people are missing. Instagram is leaning heavily into SEO and keyword search now. The words in your caption are doing work that hashtags used to do. Write descriptively and use natural language your audience would actually search. The algorithm is reading your words so give it something to work with.

Save this before you write your next post.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo sho As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo shoot I had to circle back to this gem. I think this year will top it. I think 🤔 #halloween #costume #crystalball #cosplay #spookyseason👻
@tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snig @tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snight #justagirl
We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october # We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october #costumeseason #90snight
@blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoir @blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoirsofatraveler and I have never found a better description of my life. Every night out dancing ends with a PT appointment with @therapeuticbydesignpt the next week.  These knees are not 22 anymore.
The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my o The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my outfit #mirrorselfie
Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a c Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a creator has during the holiday season — and most people are not using them.

This is part one of two. Today we are talking about gift guides for creators. Next Tuesday we are talking about gift guides for retail businesses and small business owners. Save both.

Here is what a well built gift guide actually does for you as a creator:

	•	Drives affiliate revenue through platforms like LTK, ShopMy, Amazon Associates, Collective Voice, Mavely, and Howl
	•	Lives on your blog with its own URL so you own it and it keeps working long after the holidays
	•	Gives you content to distribute across every platform including two Pinterest pins per guide — one to your LTK post and one to your blog
	•	Opens the door to add gift guides as a bonus deliverable in brand collab pitches — and yes, services count too

Start by planning your categories. Gifts for her. Gifts under $50. Stocking stuffers. The more specific the guide the more useful it is — and useful content gets saved and shared.

The creators who win the holiday season start building now.

Save this and start planning your first guide this week.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one hair prevails. #thisis40 #thisisperimenopause #losinghaironmyhead #growingiteverywhereelse
Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. 

Last night @abbydumatrait and I were able to check out all of @shopcosmiccollective runway show pieces as well as her new fur and fringe combo stoles. @theclosetbyscsc hosted and we scoured the racks of what is available to rent. Yes, rent. The Closet is open by appointment to rent their clothes as well as jewelry, hats and other accessories. 

We ended the night with @bylauracitron and @anyoldiron at the grand opening party for Any Old Iron on Magazine Street. Their shop is the perfect addition to New Orleans and needs to be your next shopping stop!! Andrew and Laura are both just so incredibly talented and I’m excited for them to be in our city.
Good morning. I’ll be your halloqueen for the next Good morning. I’ll be your halloqueen for the next 31 days. #halloween #kingoween #halloqueen

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