Instagram Algorithm Change

Hey guys!

As some of you may know, Instagram is my favorite social media platform. So, any big announcements catch my attention. There’s a lot of commentary going on about the upcoming change to their algorithm. I tend to do a little research before jumping on a bandwagon, and I finally came across the information I was looking for from one of my favorite writers @ggrenewrties (seen above).

The beauty of social media is connection, and say what you want about the downsides, it has been the coolest thing to see this network of real life and virtual friends build their brands and/or simply share their journey.

I’ve spent the greater part of the last year redefining my own personal online presence for The Coffey Break, Mia’s Closet, and The Coffey Shop, and I totally understand the apprehension about the changes. Nonetheless, I think it’s important to understand the full scope of what this means for us and our brands.

The Coffey Break Instagram Chelsea Coffey 4 — @thecoffeybreak

The Coffey Break Instagram Chelsea Coffey 1 — @thecoffeybreak

Assuming I’m not the only one who feels this way, I did a little digging and found the following article:

Ignore the Uproar. The Instagram Algorithm Change Is a Good Thing.

Here’s an excerpt.

Chronological newsfeed was truly effective only in two instances: businesses posted to Instagram every half an hour or their followers had a very limited number of handles they followed. This cannot be a widespread trend, because according to Optical Cortex data based on 20,000+ Instagram users, average number of people they follow is 822. So, for a majority of brand’s following those images most likely weren’t the first thing they saw; and that chronological order didn’t really matter anyway.

Now what really made a difference, and still will continue to do so, is getting ahead of the game with smart strategies. What you have (to continue) to do as a smart marketer is to focus on quality content that drives engagement.

A lot of people who follow brands and celebrities will deliberately go to the handle to see what’s new. People follow Nike, Lexus or Kylie Jenner, because they know that each new post will be amazing (whatever their definition of amazing is). So, strive to make your Instagram account a mecca for striking visual content. This is the only way to ensure people won’t stop engaging with your content, whatever the algorithm is.

There are also a few other tactics you can employ to stay ahead of the curve…

You can read her entire article about the Instagram algorithm change by LESYA LIU here.

Sometimes the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Happy Monday guys!

Peace, Love & Sunshine, Chels

Let’s connect!

Twitter/Instagram @thecoffeybreak

Look of the Day 11.9.2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

11.12.13

At the first sign of the temperature dropping I stock up on all my winter faves:

1. Sweatpants (Easy to dress up or down, great for night to day transitions)

2. Sweatshirts(Makes life on the go crazy efficient, I can barely make moves when I’m cold)

3. Scarves (I layer like crazy in an effort to stay warm, so scarves are a great substitute for necklaces)

This is one of the coolest gifts I’ve received to date. So much love to my good friend Andrea for thinking of me. The pendant on the necklace is the back space button from a typewriter. The creativity of jewelry designers always inspires me to think of new ways to rework the random pieces I’ve collected over the years.

Okay, okay, so it’s official. I’m ready to acknowledge that I have become a sneaker wedge junkie. I just can’t get enough of these bad boys.

Tonight is the second installment of The Flat pop up dinner series. I can’t really think of a better combination than my favorite place to go out annnd a bi monthly dinner series built around it. Good times ahead. Have a great day everyone!

Peace, Love & Sunshine -Chelsea

Song of the Day: 4321 by K-OS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRlzM4a1ll0

LOOK OF THE DAY 10.17.2013

Friday, October 18, 2013

Silk Road

This look revolved around a busy day of activities. Like most Thursday’s, I needed a vibe that would translate well in several different types of environments: work, a networking event and dinner. Fortunately, this BCBG top from Nordstrom Rack and Steve Madden wedges did the trick.

Posting all these looks has actually revealed to me that I have had a huge fashion crush on BCBG for the longest time lol –like prior to even really knowing the brand and all its fashionable goodness. There’s just just something about their silhouettes and classic attention to detail and designer that win me over time and time again.

Interestingly, I had the pleasure of interviewing BCBG’s Chief Creative Officer Lubov Azria at Fashion Houston last year. Not only is her story incredibly touching, I told her about my nonprofit Mia’s Closet when we finished the interview, and she invited me to a private event at Nordstrom the following day! –I’m still excited if you can’t tell haha What I love is that it is a firsthand priority for her to not only be a leader in her organization, but accessible to her team as well. To say the least, she has set such a great example, and I look forward to following suit given the platform. To this day I’m still super smitten –making my ongoing love affair with their brand all the more appealing. Visit the following link to see our interview as she hares the inspiring story behind her vision:

BCBG Max Azria’s Lubov Azria’s Fashion Houston Interview with Chelsea Coffey of HSM

Have a great weekend! Peace, Love & Sunshine -Chelsea

Song of the Day: “Nanjing Road East (Instrumental)” by The Shanghai Restoration Project

LOOK OF THE DAY 10.16.2013

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Absolute Comfort

Growing up in the 90’s, I can distinctly remember admiring the fashion sense of the fashionable women within my sphere of influence: my mom, TLC, Aaliyah, etc. And to be honest, I think the sentiment of that nostalgia is carried over to my personal style when it comes to urban looks. Believe it I’ve had this sweater for an unbelievable amount of time, 5th grade maybe? The harem pants were simply a great find years ago and the boots are a classic story of falling in love with a shoe. I initially passed on them because they were out of my price range only to come across a picture of them in my phone moths later and call DSW. Not only did they still have them but they were on SALE!!! I got these bad boys for a deduction of 70’s off the original price! God is real haha

Thursday’s are my busiest day out of the week per default. Let’s see how I manage pulling together a look comfortable enough for social media work at the salon, cute enough for dinner and clean cut enough for a political fundraiser…

Have a great day! Peace, Love & Sunshine -Chelsea

Song of the Day: Doo Wop That Thing by Lauryn Hill

LOOK OF THE DAY 10.15.2013

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

If It’s Cool

I have a love hate relationships with trends. The trick is that a lot of times trendy pieces can actually be pretty cool…the downside is that there’s an inherited understanding at the time of purchase that you will be one of hundreds of girls sporting said look throughout your city.

I made an exception for the avoidance in the case of my “Beetlejuice/Referee” pants lol They fit like a glove and work as an accent to a number of monochromatic looks. Is there a trend that you just couldn’t help but dive into? If so, share your guilty pleasure, I’d love to know I’m not alone haha Have a great day!

Have a great day! Peace, Love & Sunshine -Chelsea

Song of the Day — Mello: Sumthin -Maxwell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU7R8VArC-I