Merry Merry. Merry Merry.
Who is panic wrapping??? Who is panic wrapping???
If it’s going to be 80 degrees for Christmas I’m a If it’s going to be 80 degrees for Christmas I’m asking Santa for a spray tan gift card in my stocking.
As my boys have gotten older there is almost alway As my boys have gotten older there is almost always a friend eating dinner at my house or spending the night. The weekends are reserved for a driveway full of bikes and basketball. This year, in my haste to make my @shutterfly card I accidentally added a picture with one of my bonus kids in it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #themorethemerrier
You are not shadow banned. Your content is not bei You are not shadow banned. Your content is not being hidden. Most of the time, it simply is not resonating with your audience anymore, especially if you are using the app correctly, which I will explain at the end.

People blame “shadow banning” when they see a drop in engagement, but when I look at their metrics, I can usually see small declines long before they noticed them. Social media platforms have millions of users. They are not punishing you because you took a week off.

What actually happens is this. Your audience stopped engaging with your content, and when you took a break, they filled that space with other creators. When you returned, the algorithm showed them the accounts they interacted with most, which was not you. They were not looking for your content because it was not relevant to them anymore. I see this over and over.

There is one real caveat. How you are using the app. If you upload unlicensed music, follow and unfollow in large numbers, run giveaways that break platform rules or respond to comments in negative ways, you can hurt your reach. That is not a shadow ban. That is violating the service agreement.

A case study. Someone told me they was shadow banned. When I looked at their account, a few things stood out.

1. There was no aspirational layer to the content. It was a business that relied on people physically coming in, yet nothing showcased a luxury experience, or a story people could connect with. Photos were blurry, captions were minimal and there was no searchable language to help people discover her business.

2. There was no engagement back to the audience. Not responding to comments is one of the fastest ways to lose your community. People want acknowledgment. If they do not get it from you, they will give their attention to someone else.

3. They were not using the app like a real user.  Instagram and TikTok know you are a business, but they still reward accounts that behave like humans.  Comment, watch stories and sending DMs. That signals genuine activity and community building.

Most of the time the issue is not a shadow ban. It is content, connection and consistency. And the good news is all of that can be improved.
Candy cane bow tutorial!! #chrismas #christmasbaki Candy cane bow tutorial!! #chrismas #christmasbaking #christmascake #christmastreat #holiday #holidaytreats #coquettechristmas #twee #coquetteholiday
Coffee with my favorite collaborator… Coffee with my favorite collaborator…
Shop local gift guide @shopstelladallas!! Shop local gift guide @shopstelladallas!!
Last Christmas, we took the Annual King Cookie Par Last Christmas, we took the Annual King Cookie Party in a whole new direction and it ended up being one of my favorite versions yet. I invited some of my closest friends to Kismet Cosmetics, decorated gingerbread houses, and made our own lip gloss and face glitter. It was such a fun way to reconnect with my friends during the busiest time of year. The full recap is on the blog now. Link in bio.
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At Home, Fun, Kids, Life, Seasonal Guide, Summer, travel · May 8, 2021

Staycation Rather than Vacation: Ideas for Fun at Home

Staycation Ideas

Louisiana has been in phase two of reopening for the last few weeks. I know a lot of families who still just aren’t sure if a summer vacation is going to work out this year. Families have lost jobs, have decreased wages and then there is the overall safety issues that have people wondering, should we just… Staycation?

I wanted to provide a resource of ideas for fun things to do for a summer staycation. We have done the best we could during the stay at home order to find fun where we can. This meant keeping our weekends full of at home fun. I have some ideas that just may help you get that relaxing, vacation feel without having to leave home.

{This post contains affiliate links. This means when you shop the links provided I make a small amount of commission from the sale at no additional cost to you.}

Beach

We were planning to go on a trip the week after Easter which was cancelled due to Covid-19. I wanted to try to do something exciting and fun for the boys the weekend that we were supposed to be gone. I came up with a beach party staycation for our Spring Break fun.

Beach Party Staycation

What you need

We have a large inflatable pool (get this pump too because it is awesome), umbrella and fun chairs, pool floats, a bluetooth speaker and you are in business. Looking for a game? How about this

Music Festival

WWOZ offering Jazz Fest in Place really inspired this one. All of the spring (and many of the fall) music festivals have been cancelled. Everything from Hangout Fest, French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest. We participated in all of them but this is an easy concept to replicate any day of the week.

Family Festing in Place Staycation Idea

What you need

We didn’t buy any additional items for this. We used all the things we had in our garage. Chairs, Wagon, Beach Towels, Outdoor speaker,

What to Make

https://www.crawfish.com/crawfish-recipes/crawfish-monica/

Emeril’s Crawfish Bread for Jazz Fest

Mango Freeze

What to Drink

Rosemary Mint Tea

Hurricane

Drive In Movie

Last summer we had an outdoor movie night for Peyton and Paxton’s birthday. You can read more about that here. They really had a blast and so did their friends and the concept would be easy to do on a smaller scale.

Outdoor Movie Night

What you Need

We have done outdoor movie nights several ways. Dragging a tv outside is an option if yours is easily accessible. If not think about buying a projector. You can get them small or large and they can project onto your garage door or wall if it is a smooth surface. If not you can look at one of these blow up screens.

What to Make

https://sweetandsimpleliving.com/easy-pull-apart-pizza-bread/

Camping Party Movie Night with Free Printables

What to Drink

ITALIAN CREAM SODA RECIPE

Splash Pad

Peyton jumping into our at home pool

I started making at home splash pads after Peyton ran away from me when he was 2. I was like no more running down the street after a crazy two year old when I know I can keep them contained in my yard. There is really only one component of a fun splash pad and that is spraying water.

What you Need

We recently purchased a water blob from Target which has given us endless days of fun! Other items you need: a sprinkler like this, this or this, buckets, water play items like this, beach balls and this slip and slide would be the perfect addition.

What to Make

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Rainbow Fruit Skewers with Vanilla-Honey Yogurt Dip

Movie Series

There are a few movie series that we love to watch in the summer. I don’t know why but summer seems like the perfect time to lounge back when it’s hot outside, close the curtains and snuggle up with the AC turned down low.

Movie Series
Movie Series

These are just a few series that we love…

  • Harry Potter
  • Hunger Games
  • Star Wars
  • Jaws
  • Hotel Transylvania
  • Avengers
  • Shrek
  • Despicable Me
  • LEGO Movie
  • Toy Story
  • Oceans 11 (12, 13 and 8)

What to Make

Popcorn Recipes that will Make Movie Night Delicious
Margherita Pizza

What to Drink

A&W Root Beer Floats

Camping

I am not a camper but I know people who love it. Just not me. I think this could be a lot of fun though especially if your kids love being outdoors.

What you Need

You are going to need a place to get away from the mosquitos so a tent (larger tent) is necessary. I would think air mattresses before sleeping bags but if you want to make this a monthly thing you likely need both. Smores will definitely be on the menu and you will need this and this.

What to Make

Easy 3 Ingredient S’more’s Dip
Over 30 of the Best Campfire Recipes for Camping and Backyard Summer Fun

What to Drink

Homemade Blueberry Lemonade

Whether you are looking for staycation ideas or just something fun to fill the weekend many of these ideas can be used for either need. Sometimes it’s just fun to break up the summer with a little impromptu themed weekend. Have fun and stay safe!

XO,

Tiffany

In: At Home, Fun, Kids, Life, Seasonal Guide, Summer, travel · Tagged: covid-19 summer, how to plan a staycation, staycation, summer, summer break, summer ideas, summer plans, summer staycation, summer trips, summer vacation, summer vacation during covid-19, vacation at home, vacationing at home

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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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Merry Merry. Merry Merry.
Who is panic wrapping??? Who is panic wrapping???
If it’s going to be 80 degrees for Christmas I’m a If it’s going to be 80 degrees for Christmas I’m asking Santa for a spray tan gift card in my stocking.
As my boys have gotten older there is almost alway As my boys have gotten older there is almost always a friend eating dinner at my house or spending the night. The weekends are reserved for a driveway full of bikes and basketball. This year, in my haste to make my @shutterfly card I accidentally added a picture with one of my bonus kids in it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #themorethemerrier
You are not shadow banned. Your content is not bei You are not shadow banned. Your content is not being hidden. Most of the time, it simply is not resonating with your audience anymore, especially if you are using the app correctly, which I will explain at the end.

People blame “shadow banning” when they see a drop in engagement, but when I look at their metrics, I can usually see small declines long before they noticed them. Social media platforms have millions of users. They are not punishing you because you took a week off.

What actually happens is this. Your audience stopped engaging with your content, and when you took a break, they filled that space with other creators. When you returned, the algorithm showed them the accounts they interacted with most, which was not you. They were not looking for your content because it was not relevant to them anymore. I see this over and over.

There is one real caveat. How you are using the app. If you upload unlicensed music, follow and unfollow in large numbers, run giveaways that break platform rules or respond to comments in negative ways, you can hurt your reach. That is not a shadow ban. That is violating the service agreement.

A case study. Someone told me they was shadow banned. When I looked at their account, a few things stood out.

1. There was no aspirational layer to the content. It was a business that relied on people physically coming in, yet nothing showcased a luxury experience, or a story people could connect with. Photos were blurry, captions were minimal and there was no searchable language to help people discover her business.

2. There was no engagement back to the audience. Not responding to comments is one of the fastest ways to lose your community. People want acknowledgment. If they do not get it from you, they will give their attention to someone else.

3. They were not using the app like a real user.  Instagram and TikTok know you are a business, but they still reward accounts that behave like humans.  Comment, watch stories and sending DMs. That signals genuine activity and community building.

Most of the time the issue is not a shadow ban. It is content, connection and consistency. And the good news is all of that can be improved.
Candy cane bow tutorial!! #chrismas #christmasbaki Candy cane bow tutorial!! #chrismas #christmasbaking #christmascake #christmastreat #holiday #holidaytreats #coquettechristmas #twee #coquetteholiday
Coffee with my favorite collaborator… Coffee with my favorite collaborator…
Shop local gift guide @shopstelladallas!! Shop local gift guide @shopstelladallas!!
Last Christmas, we took the Annual King Cookie Par Last Christmas, we took the Annual King Cookie Party in a whole new direction and it ended up being one of my favorite versions yet. I invited some of my closest friends to Kismet Cosmetics, decorated gingerbread houses, and made our own lip gloss and face glitter. It was such a fun way to reconnect with my friends during the busiest time of year. The full recap is on the blog now. Link in bio.
I have been creating online for almost a decade, a I have been creating online for almost a decade, and the landscape has shifted in major ways. These are the changes that matter right now.

1. People don’t want to be influenced. They want to be educated. Audiences want content that improves their life, solves a problem or teaches them something useful. Value builds trust and trust builds connection.
2. Organic engagement is no longer the only metric. Paid reach is a smart tool when you know your audience and use the right placements. Sometimes your best content needs a push to reach the right people.
3. Community requires evolution. As you grow, your audience grows. Their needs change. Listening to what they save, ask for and respond to is how you stay connected.
4. Personality is the new niche. People follow people. Your voice, humor and perspective are what separate you from everyone else in your category.
5. Consistency matters, but sustainability matters more. Batching, content silos and systems help you show up without burning out.
6. Social SEO is essential. People use Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest like search engines. Keyword dense captions, clear hooks and intentional hashtags help your content get discovered long after posting.
7. Community is more important than virality. Viral moments fade. A loyal audience stays, engages and converts.
8. Creators are becoming brands and brands are becoming creators. Storytelling, personality and real time content now matter more than being perfectly polished.
9. AI isn’t replacing creators. It supports them. It frees up time so you can focus on creativity, connection and strategy.
10. Transparency matters more than perfection. And transparency isn’t the same as authenticity. Transparency means not gatekeeping and letting people into the process so they feel empowered.
11. Growth isn’t just about new followers. It’s about nurturing the audience you already have. Engagement and trust will take you farther than any number at the top of your profile.

The creator space is evolving and so are we. Staying curious, adaptable and connected to your community is how you grow long term.

#personalbranding #contentcreatortips

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