8 Instagram Worthy Spots In Lakeland

I remember when I first moved to Lakeland. I was 19-years-old at the time and I felt like a fish out of water. I had zero friends, zero hobbies, and I specifically remember thinking to myself “this place is boring and there’s nothing but retired old rich people.” Since then, my views on Lakeland have changed drastically.

It’s been eight years since I first moved here and I’ve had my fair share of exploring and taking in all of the amazing shops, restaurants, and scenery that this historic city has to offer. Aside from the fact that there are dozens and dozens of lakes, there is a feeling here that you won’t really find anywhere else. The community is so tight-knit and there is always something to do. In fact, Lakeland is ranked at #59 as one of the top places to live in the USA and is ranked at #10 as one of the top places to retire. So yes, my 19-year-old self was right about there being old people, but I was so wrong about it being boring. With that being said, here are eight of my favorite Instagram worthy spots in Lakeland.

1. The Poor Porker

Also known as 801 E Main St, The Poor Porker is one of Lakeland’s best hidden treasures. I actually stumbled upon it by accident a couple of years back and fell in love instantly. It is a beautiful bohemian venue and is known for their mouthwatering tacos, beignets, beer, and wine. Not only that but the amount of Instagram worthy pics that you can take here are endless.

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A post shared by The Poor Porker (@thepoorporker)

2. Revival

You’ll definitely feel revived after going here. Their craft cocktails and beer are to die for. Whether it’s daytime or nighttime, you’ll never fall short of finding the perfect Instagram pic. P.S. Be sure to grab a seat next to the book wall.

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A post shared by Revival (@revivallakeland)

3. Catapult

Are you a boss babe or an entrepreneur? Perhaps you just need a cool place to focus, unwind, or network. Catapult is a community-centered coworking space. Their aim is to foster the growth of startups in Central Florida. So, whether you’re looking to replace your home office, scale your business, or pursue a dream, this is definitely the place for you. Not to mention, the environment is beautiful and definitely perfect for the ‘gram.

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A post shared by Catapult Lakeland (@catapultlkld)

4. Concord Coffee

Funny story, I actually don’t drink coffee. But I have tons of friends that do. Whenever I go to Concord Coffee I actually order a lemonade. Don’t judge. But aside from my strange drink choices, or lack thereof, Concord is definitely Instagram worthy. It’s such a clean and modern atmosphere and there are an endless amount of spots inside or outside to take the perfect pic.

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A post shared by CONCORD COFFEE (@concordcoffee)

5. Cob & Pen

If you’re looking for a Sunday brunch spot or a cozy hangout place with a few of your friends then this is definitely where you need to be. Cob & Pen is a great place to enjoy craft beer, boutique wine, fine food, and to snap the perfect Instagram pic, of course. It also reminds me of a castle. *heart eyes*

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A post shared by Cob & Pen (@cob_and_pen)

6. Black & Brew

Yay for another coffee place. I may not drink coffee, but I sure do take Instagram pictures. Black & Brew is definitely one of Lakeland’s hot spots and their indoor and outdoor seating is super earthy and aesthetic for any Instagram feed.

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A post shared by Black & Brew (@blackandbrew)

7. The Juice Box

This is hands down one of my favorite places to go not only for juices and food but also for Instagram, duh. If you’re into fresh pressed juices, healthy food, holistic healing, and local art, then this is definitely the place for you. Aside from the fact that it’s a cafe, it’s also a super cute place to snag a juice pic for the ‘gram.

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A post shared by The Juice Box Cafe (@thejuiceboxlakeland)

8. Haus 820

Haus820 is a venue in Lakeland that is used for large scale events, weddings, and more. If you don’t plan on renting out the venue don’t worry. You don’t have to. The best part is the backside of the building. It screams Instagram worthy. Most Lakeland locals refer to it as “Mass Market LKLD.” It’s also one of my favorite spots. Search for it yourself on Instagram and you’ll quickly see why this is one of the most popular places for the ‘gram.

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A post shared by Haus820 (@haus820)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxsvSsvBxEA/

What is your favorite Instagram worthy spot where you live? Share it in a comment down below.

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**Side Note: This blog post is not sponsored and all of my opinions are 100% my own**

 

 

 

My Secret To Perfect Selfie Lighting

Whether you’re new to the realm of social media, or you’re wanting to up your selfie game, one thing that you need to know about is the power of good lighting.

Let me start off by saying that I am by no means a “top notch” Instagrammer. But one of the main questions that I get asked most frequently is, “what kind of lighting do you use?”

First and foremost, lighting can make or break a photo. Let’s be honest, natural sunlight is just not possible 24/7. And if it is, I need to know where you live ASAP because I’m totally moving there. But seriously, if you haven’t had much luck with natural lighting, then I highly recommend investing in a professional lighting kit.

Now, before you get scared away from the word investing, I’m here to tell you about my cheap little secret. Keep in mind, most lighting kits run anywhere from $250 or more. However, what I use is right under $100.

Here’s My Secret

One of my all-time favorite lighting accessories for taking photos is the 18-inch Neewer Ring Light. While it may have a strange name, it has been an absolute game changer not only for my Instagram but also for doing my makeup or even filming videos.

(Image source)

The stand itself sort of resembles a tripod. The legs are fully adjustable and the light can be taken off (which is super convenient if you ever need to purchase a new bulb, instead of having to buy a whole new lighting kit + stand).

Image Source: Becca Demski

How To Use It

Once you’ve easily assembled the light, just plug it in and turn on the dimmable switch located on the rim. I absolutely love the dimming option because it allows me to control how intense I want the lighting to be.

Image Source: Becca Demski

Does It Take Up A Lot Of Space?

It’s actually really convenient as far as space goes. If you prefer not to have it up all of the time, you can unscrew it and fold it down into its carrying case. I personally have mine sitting right next to my makeup vanity where I get ready every morning. All I have to do is turn on the dimmable switch and it’s good to go.

(Image source: https://tinyurl.com/y8xbeqhl)

Technical Stuff & Other Features

• The Kit Includes: (1)Ring Fluorescent Continuous Light+(1)59″/150cm Light Stand+(1)Soft Tube+(1)White and Orange Color Filter Set+(1)Hot Shoe Adapter.
• The Light Itself: 18 inches/48 centimeters fluorescent continuous ring light with a reinforced flexible arm which makes it easy to move. 
• The Stand: 59 inches/150 centimeters light stand is constructed from aluminum alloy, giving it exceptional strength for heavy duty work. 
• White and Orange Color Filter Set: Made of high light transmission plastic materials, which is lightweight, steady color temperature and low loss; The soft tube can make the light rotate freely for the best position. The kit also includes a hot shoe adapter for most DSLR cameras. 

(Image source: https://tinyurl.com/y8xbeqhl)

Final Thoughts

I have used this light for over three years and have had zero issues with it. It’s easy-to-use, high-quality, and perfect for anyone who’s looking for a little extra zest in their lives. What kind of lighting do you use for your selfies? Share it in a comment down below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxc2wxFha_9/

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3 Ways To Capture Stunning Photos On An iPhone X

If you’re like me then you’re probably obsessed with Instagram. I mean, who isn’t? Actually, I know plenty of people who aren’t…but that’s beside the point. In my last blog posts, I talked about my two favorite cameras for capturing amazing Instagram photos. Whether it’s going on an adventure with The GoPro Hero 7 Black Edition or smoothing out your skin imperfections with The Canon G7X Mark II, the best way to make your Instagram stand out is by using a decent camera.

At this point, you’re probably wondering, “well who would want to blow hundreds of dollars on cameras just to take cool pictures?!“. Trust me, if I had the receipts I’d take them back in a heartbeat but let’s not judge my horrible financial decisions. *plays sad violin music*

The good news is, you don’t need a fancy camera in order to take Instagram worthy photos. You can easily do it right in the palm of your own hand. That’s right, with a smartphone. While there are many smartphones on the market with different photo taking capabilities, one in particular that I use for a majority of my Instagram photos is the iPhone X.

The good thing about using a smartphone is that you won’t look as crazy as you would if you were to pull out a chunky, embarrassing, long-lensed camera in public. I can tell you first hand, the weird stares are not worth it.

See, there are perks to not lugging around an actual camera. With that being said, here are 3 ways you can capture stunning photos on an iPhone X.

#1. Portrait Mode

Have you ever seen a photo with sort of a “blurred out” look in the background? If so, the person may have used portrait mode. First, open up the camera application. Then, swipe over until you see the word “portrait.” Once you’re there, you’ll notice five little spheres on your screen. These are the lighting options. As you swipe through, you can try out the different effects. My personal favorites are “natural light” and “contour light.” After you’ve selected the effect that you want, follow the on-screen prompts and then snap your photo. Here is one that I took in portrait mode.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BryR2XLAZql/

#2. Panoramic Shots

I honestly love panoramics because it gives you more of a wide-angle shot. If you have a travel-themed Instagram, then you’ll love using the panoramic feature. First, open up the camera application. Then, swipe over until you see the word “pano.” Once you’re there, you’ll notice an arrow with a line across the screen. This is a guide for you to follow while taking the photo. Position your camera at a starting point and press the capture button. Slowly turn your phone from left to right while keeping your body still. Also, keep an eye on the guidelines to make sure you’re staying within range. Side note: you do not have to make your panoramic as long as the guideline. Just press the stop button whenever you’re done. Here is a breathtaking shot from a travel account on Instagram.

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A post shared by Live Love Akoura (@liveloveakoura)

#3. Burst Mode

Have you ever had a friend take a picture of you, only to be disappointed 5 seconds later? You think to yourself, “ugh, my eyes were closed in that one.” Well, with burst mode, you can move around as much as you want because your camera will capture an endless amount of photos all within a few seconds. The best part? All you have to do is have someone hold their finger down while they’re taking your photo. So, strike a pose, or strike 50 poses. Take as many as you want because you can sift through all of the photos afterward and pick out your favorites.

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A post shared by Tawny Janae (@tawnyjanae)

What iPhone tips and tricks do you have? Share it in a comment down below.

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How To Use The Skin Smoothing Effect On A Canon G7X Mark II

If you’re like me, then you probably have unpredictable skin. Most days I’m clearer than a babies bottom. Other days, I’m an oily mess and my pores are the size of Texas. Not to mention, I live in Florida which means humidity, boiling hot sunshine, and unpredictable rainstorms. Luckily for all of us, Canon has graced us with an amazing camera feature that allows users to have perfectly edited photos on the go. In my last blog post, I talked about my favorite wide-lens camera that I use to capture stunning travel photos for Instagram. In this post, I’ll be discussing the Canon G7X Mark II and the skin softening feature that every influencer dreams of. Not only that, but this camera has wifi capabilities which allow you to import your photos directly onto your mobile device.

How To Turn On The Skin Smoothing Feature

First, turn on your camera by pressing the on/off button. Next, turn your dial to the setting that says “SCN” mode.

From here, you’ll see multiple options on the right-hand side of your screen display.

Next, select the face icon on the touch screen. After that, you’ll see the words “smooth skin” pop up. On the right-hand side, you’ll notice a vertical bar. Drag your finger along the vertical bar to change the levels of intensity.

Decrease the intensity

• Drag your finger downwards for a more natural and airbrushed look. (I personally like to go with a level two or three for a little bit more smoothing).

Increase the intensity

• Drag your finger upwards for a freshly edited and smooth look.

After that, you can now take a perfectly edited photo with the new settings.

Before:

As you can see, the Canon G7X Mark II is extremely high quality and can capture every detail. Yay for imperfect skin, smile lines, and large pores.

After:

In this photo, you can see that it smoothed out my skin and got rid of most of the imperfections (I had it at a level three). Side note: I also increased the brightness.

How To Brighten Your Photo

To adjust the brightness of your photo, select the gray circle (above the face icon) on the right-hand side of your screen while you’re in “SCN” mode. From there, you can drag your finger along the vertical bar to increase or decrease the brightness.

Fun fact: You can keep an eye on how your photo is looking by flipping up the screen. You can also adjust the settings directly from there if needed.

How To Change The Background Blur

To adjust the depth and background blur of your photo, select the mountain icon on the home screen while you’re in “SCN” mode. From there, you can drag your finger along the vertical bar to change the intensity.

Without Background Blur:

With Background Blur:

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While there are many features on the Canon G7X Mark II, the skin smoothing feature is one of the most popular. Don’t let a bad skin day hinder your social media presence. Get out there, capture some astounding photos, and show off your new airbrushed skin. *wink*

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Is The GoPro Hero 7 Black Edition Really Worth it?

If you are wanting to take your Instagram to the next level, there is one camera in particular that every content creator must have. In today’s blog post, I will be talking about one of my favorite cameras of all-time. The GoPro Hero 7 Black Edition. As you may or may not know, GoPro has many different types of cameras. While they all are different in their own ways, the most important attribute that all GoPro’s have is the fisheye lens that they are so famously known for. Keep in mind, the price of a GoPro can vary substantially. For me personally, this was an investment and it took months and months of saving before I was actually ready to make the big purchase.

Whether or not you decide to use a GoPro, the fisheye effect is a great way to take your content to the next level. The number one thing that I love about using a GoPro is the fact that it can capture a wider snapshot of my surroundings. Also, it’s small, compact, and handheld which makes it easy to shoot in public without feeling like everyone is staring at you. Not only that, but it has a weatherproof case that keeps it safe no matter where you decide you shoot your content.

As an example, here are a few of my favorite photos that I’ve taken while using a GoPro.

At the beach

       At an art museum.

If you’re an outdoorsy or an adventurous person, then this is the camera for you. For me personally, I mainly love to use my GoPro at the beach. However, there are many different kinds of ways that you can use yours. In fact, if you search the hashtag #GoPro on Instagram, there are over 40 million posts. If that’s not a good enough reason to take adventurous photos, then I don’t know what is!

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With that being said, here are a few essential GoPro accessories that every traveler must have.

• Jaws Flex Clamp: This allows you to clamp your GoPro to railings and poles. Feel free to use it with or without the gooseneck, but this is an amazing mounting accessory.
• 3-Way: This is a great must-have because it is a tripod, grip, and selfie stick all in one! Not only that, but you are able to bend the mount so that the pole isn’t visible in your shot. Most travel selfies that you see on Instagram are taken with this mount.
• Sleeve+Lanyard: This accessory is a great way to keep your GoPro safe and sound. I love being able to wear my camera around my neck so that I am hands-free. Having your GoPro close is convenient for snapping a photo at a moments notice.
• El Grande: If you need a little bit of extra distance between yourself and the camera, then this is the perfect accessory for you. It is a long pole designed to help you take that perfect paragliding or snorkeling shot.
• Bite Mount: You may not feel sexy while holding this accessory in your mouth but it is a really cool hands-free point of view that every traveler aims to capture.
• Spare Batteries: This is a given if you’re traveling and plan on taking a lot of photos or videos. I like to normally have a minimum of three or four batteries with me at all times.
• Dual Battery Charger: This is a serious must-have for anyone who has a GoPro. You can supercharge two batteries at the same time.

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What kind of adventurous photos do you plan on taking? Leave it in a comment down below!

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7 Popular Instagram Niches You Should Consider Fitting Into ASAP

When you’re wanting to take your Instagram to the next level, there are many factors that come into play. First, there’s planning out what pictures you’re going to post. Then, there’s knowing when exactly to post your content. At this point, you may be at a crossroads with deciding who exactly you want to be as an influencer and what you want to post for all of the world to see.

First and foremost, you are not alone. I also struggle with finding my niche and not knowing what kind of content I want to post. The good news is, you don’t have to fit into one tiny little box in order to have a successful Instagram. The bad news is unless you have thousands or millions of friends in real life, you probably aren’t going to gain any followers unless you have a pretty good reason as to why someone should follow you. In fact, some of the most popular people on Instagram succeed because they have a niche. Not only that, but their posts add some sort of value.

For example, @KaylaItsines is known for her fitness tips, whereas @JamesCharles is known for his makeup skills. They each are passionate about what they do but are also helping other people in the process.

In short, the Instagram follow button is kind of like a subscription. When people visit your page, they will know pretty quickly within the first few seconds whether or not they want to follow you. With that being said, aren’t you more inclined to follow someone if you have some sort of a general idea as to what they’re going to post next?

Luckily for all of us, there is an endless amount of possibilities when it comes to finding a social media niche. From food, photography, and travel, to gaming, fashion, and lifestyle, Instagram has it all. If you’re like me and are unsure where you might fit in, here are the top 7 most popular niches on Instagram.

#1. Health and Fitness: 

Whip out your yoga mats and take that selfie with your green juice ASAP because the Health & Fitness industry is an extremely successful niche on Instagram. The hashtag #weightlighting alone has over 14 million posts. If you’re a health nut, this is definitely the niche for you.

#2. Lifestyle and Luxury:

We all want to show off our awesome lives, right? That’s why lifestyle-themed Instagrams always catch people’s eye. We all live different lives so why not show that? For most of us, posting a selfie on a yacht every day is unlikely but if you live a pretty awesome life, then this may be the niche for you.

#3 Animals:

Who doesn’t love a grumpy cat? There’s no question as to why animals are a popular niche on Instagram. If you’ve got an adorable little furry friend, then you’re already one step closer to success.

#4 Travel:

I know what you’re thinking. Who the heck has the time or money to travel? If you’re in the same boat that I am, don’t worry. We all live somewhere, right? Exactly. Showcase that. You don’t have to go to Rome or Italy in order to have a cool travel account. Find trendy spots in your own hometown and post those photos instead.

#5 Business and Entrepreneurs:

Are you an entrepreneur or do you have tips and tricks on making more money? This niche is perfect because money and success will always appeal to people. Maybe you’re really good at saving money. Teach people. Remember what I said earlier about adding value to your followers? Do that.

#6 Beauty:

Are your friends always asking you about how you did your makeup or how you got your skin so clear? Create a tutorial or review your favorite products. The possibilities are endless.

#7 Relationships:

Pretty surprising that this is a popular category, right? Whether it’s the relationship you have with your friends or your significant other, we all want that perfect #relationshipgoals photo. If you’re a complete social butterfly, this is the perfect niche for you.

At the end of the day, you do not have to be defined by a silly category. Post what you love and stay true to yourself.

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When Is The Best Time To Post On Instagram?

In my last blog post, I talked about my favorite app for planning out an Instagram feed. Now that you’re hopefully familiar with the whole planning process, the next step to standing out on Instagram is figuring out the best time to post. Posting on social media is a strategy. Sure, you could post that bomb selfie that you and your BFFs took at two in the morning during your Game of Thrones marathon, but unfortunately, you’re probably not going to get very many likes or engagement.

Depending on where you live and your time zone, your ideal time to post may vary. With that being said, as long as you figure out the browsing habits of your followers, then you’re golden. Now, you may be wondering, how the heck am I supposed to know what my followers’ habits are? Luckily, Instagram has a feature that allows users to turn their account into a business profile. This cool feature allows you to see the age, gender, location, the time that your followers are most active, and so much more.

To change your basic account to a business profile, go to your Instagram profile through your app and click on the three lines shown in the top right-hand corner. Next, select the gear icon at the bottom of the list that says settings. After that, select the tab that says account. Once you’re in the account tab, select “switch to a business account.” After that, you will be guided through the proper steps in order to set everything up. Keep in mind, you do not have to actually have a business in order to use this feature.

After you’ve made the big switch, you just have to continue to use Instagram as you normally would in order to gain accurate analytics. When I first switched over to a business account, it took me a few solid weeks to figure out where my followers were from, what times they’re active, and what my follower demographic even was.

As an example, here are a few analytics from my profile:

Now that brings me to the main question. When is the right time to post? If you take a look at the bottom of your insights, you’ll notice different days of the week along with various times. For mine, the ideal time that my followers are most active is on Mondays at around 9 p.m. and Tuesdays at around 6 p.m.

So, in the grand scheme of things, what does all of this mean? And why should anyone want to know when the right time to post is?

First of all, having a business account allows you to keep track of your performance. What’s working? What isn’t? What are your followers actually interested in?

Secondly, more engagement = more followers.

Third, more opportunities.

All of these things are important especially if you’re trying to branch out and find potential collaborations, sponsorships, or even people who may have the same interests as you.

And if those aren’t big enough reasons to want an impressive online presence, consider the fact that your next job, or lack thereof, may be based on your social media. According to a CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates during the hiring process.

Finally, think about some of your favorite Instagram accounts. What is it about them that appeals to you? What are they doing that’s working for them? Why do you follow them? These key questions will help you determine why others may want to follow you.

Last but not least, I am certainly not a top-notch Instagrammer, nor is my world consumed with posting on social media. I’m just like you. I’m learning, trying, and hoping to improve my own online presence each and every day.

What are the demographics of your followers? Do any of your analytics shock you or are they accurate? Share your response down below.

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The Best FREE App For Planning An Instagram Feed

Instagram launched in October of 2010 and has quickly become one of the top social media platforms with over 500 million active users every day. According to Instagram’s Business Statistics, over 80% of users follow a business, while 200 million Instagrammers actively visit the profile of a business every day. So, whether you’re a wanting to start a business, already a business owner, or simply just wanting to become “insta-famous,” there are a few things that you need to know in order to make your Instagram feed stand out.

For starters, an Instagram feed is the overall look of your page when visitors go to your profile. Just in case you haven’t noticed, a lot of the top Instagrammers have well-organized and color coordinated themes on their feed. For example, KKW Beauty, Kim Kardashian’s beauty line, has a peachy and nude colored feed. As you scroll through, you’ll notice that all of the photos almost look like they magically belong next to one another. Why is that, you ask? Well, the answer is because she probably uses an app that plans out what pictures she’s going to post before she actually posts them.

For me personally, the feed planning method is something that I discovered a couple of years ago and have used ever since. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand when I post a picture that clashes with the one right next to it. For example, it’s probably not a great idea to post two pictures in a row of the same exact Starbucks drink. Remember, variety is your new BFF.

With that being said, a planning app is a great way to see which photos look good next to one another, which ones don’t, and whether or not your profile is going to look like a jumbled mess. With that being said, here is my go-to planner app that will have your Instagram looking crisp, clean, and organized.

UnUm. It may sound like a strange name, but it has been an absolute life saver for my Instagram page. Not only that, but it’s free! This app is the perfect all-in-one for visual planning, data-driven insights, and publishing capabilities for digital content.

Once you’ve downloaded and opened the app, you can then login to your Instagram account which will link the app directly to your profile. From there, you will see all of the photos that are already posted on your Instagram account.

To get started, select a gray box and hit the plus sign to add a photo to the grid. You can add as many photos that you want in each of the blank squares that are shown. Once your photos are loaded into the squares, you can then use the swap tool to move around the photos to different grid spots. By doing this, you’ll visually be able to see how your photos will look next to one another before you actually decide to post them. Additionally, if you don’t like a photo you can always use the trashcan tool to delete it. Another cool feature is that UnUm allows you to post your photo through the app directly and straight to your Instagram profile by selecting the share tool (this is great if you have a lot of photos stocked up and ready to post).

Aside from the visual aspect, UnUm also has other tools like calendar reminders, analytic tools to measure your top performing posts, and much more.

A big thing to keep in mind while you’re planning out your Instagram feed is to make sure that you’re portraying your own style and personality. As you probably already know, there are many Instagram accounts out there and they each have their own style. Just because KKW Beauty only posts a specific type of photos with the same exact color scheme, doesn’t mean that you have to.

Side note: if you’re a beginner and have no idea where to even start, take a look at a few of my favorite Instagrammers like Laurdiy, emilyrosehannon, christieswadling, and misstiffanyma.

Finally, the best piece of advice that I can give you is to stay true to yourself and don’t try to copy anyone else. It may take some time to find your own personal “flow” but once you do, your feed will be thriving in no time!

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Food Pantry Gives Free Groceries Year Round

By Becca Demski

TAMPA- Thousands of working families are able to eat with the help of a Hillsborough County food pantry that provides groceries to those who are in need.

Whether homeless, underemployed, on a fixed income or struggling to make ends meet, the Community Food Pantry of Tampa strives to alleviate hunger.

The pantry began in 2008 as a small closet of non-perishable food items through the Village Presbyterian Church. By 2009, the amount of people in need quickly outweighed the small amount of food that was being stored. Since then, the Community Food Pantry has expanded.

In 2017, over 38,000 people were fed. The volunteers who run the pantry anticipate that they will provide over 40,000 groceries in 2018.

The pantry is set up like a grocery store where people can pick what they want or need. Personal volunteer shoppers are placed at each station to help clients through the process.

The pantry offers non-perishables, fresh produce, bread, freezers stocked with meat, refrigerators filled with milk, eggs, cheese and more.

Monica Wilson, the director of the food pantry, says that she hopes clients can feel a sense of dignity when they come to visit.

“It is a client choice food pantry. What makes us a little bit different than other food pantries is we mimic the grocery store experience. My children for example would not want peas, they would want corn. So, parents are able to pick those choices for their family.”

Wilson also says that most of their clients are working families. The homeless aren’t the only people who are in need.

“Most of the clients that we serve here in our pantry are the working poor. Someone in that household has a job but it’s just not enough. You know, if your car breaks down, the grocery budget gets cut.”

According to Why Hunger, 40 million Americans are often forced to skip meals, eat less, or buy cheap food simply because they cannot afford it. Additionally, many families suffering from hunger and poverty live in areas where unprocessed, healthy, or fresh food is not available. Also, the food that they do have access to is deficient in nutrients.

Through donors like Publix, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Sprouts and more, the pantry is not only able to provide food to those in need, but also the fresh and healthy items that many people struggle to purchase.

“You’re not just getting a bag of cans that are maybe high in sodium. You’re also getting a lot of fresh produce, milk, eggs, cheese and frozen meats,” Wilson said. “Through our gracious donors, we’re able to pass those healthy choices on to the community.”

The Community Food Pantry is open to the public on Wednesday’s from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sunday’s from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. It is located at 13115 S. Village Drive Tampa, FL 33618. For more information visit www.thecommunityfoodpantry.com or call 813-963-2772.