• As promised: Winner of “The best drink we had in Vegas!” and ALSO “The only good drink we had in Vegas!” — our favorite and also HIGHLY Instagram-friendly spot on the Strip... Bardot Brasserie / @bardot_lv ! 🏆 ⠀ ⠀ If you’re at #WPPI2019 and in need of sophisticated and-a-little-sexy spot to wind down for the night (with a really solid old fashioned), head over to a surprisingly quiet corner of the Aria for an experience + aesthetic far more City of Light than Sin City. 🇫🇷⠀ ⠀ (Handsome, talented bartenders = another plus. Purely for aesthetics, of course.) 👌🏻⠀ ⠀ Thank us later! #tonicapproved
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    As promised: Winner of “The best drink we had in Vegas!” and ALSO “The only good drink we had in Vegas!” — our favorite and also HIGHLY Instagram-friendly spot on the Strip... Bardot Brasserie / @bardot_lv ! 🏆 ⠀ ⠀ If you’re at #WPPI2019 and in need of sophisticated and-a-little-sexy spot to wind down for the night (with a really solid old fashioned), head over to a surprisingly quiet corner of the Aria for an experience + aesthetic far more City of Light than Sin City. 🇫🇷⠀ ⠀ (Handsome, talented bartenders = another plus. Purely for aesthetics, of course.) 👌🏻⠀ ⠀ Thank us later! #tonicapproved
  • #WPPI2019 Roll Call!⠀ ⠀ Jeff’s on the ground in #Vegas for one of the biggest photography conferences — and social events — of the year, and he wants to meet you if you’re there! (Jen’s sitting this one out because #32weekspregnant. #canthang #asleepbyeleven)⠀ ⠀ Comment below with a 👋🏻 if you’re around, and look for the tall, dapper, probably-smiling guy with glasses in the photo above if you need a friend, a new website, a drink, or directions to the nearest dance party. 🕺🏻#shipleystyle ⠀ ⠀ P.S. Watch this space later today as we’ll post up our favorite hidden spot to grab a REAL cocktail in the mixology desert of The Strip. It was quite the hunt, but we finally found our oasis...
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    #WPPI2019 Roll Call!⠀ ⠀ Jeff’s on the ground in #Vegas for one of the biggest photography conferences — and social events — of the year, and he wants to meet you if you’re there! (Jen’s sitting this one out because #32weekspregnant. #canthang #asleepbyeleven)⠀ ⠀ Comment below with a 👋🏻 if you’re around, and look for the tall, dapper, probably-smiling guy with glasses in the photo above if you need a friend, a new website, a drink, or directions to the nearest dance party. 🕺🏻#shipleystyle ⠀ ⠀ P.S. Watch this space later today as we’ll post up our favorite hidden spot to grab a REAL cocktail in the mixology desert of The Strip. It was quite the hunt, but we finally found our oasis...
  • 💕 Nominate your favorite bloggers + blog designs! ⠀ We’re deep-diving into design + development of our top-shelf Tonic Showit + WordPress blog templates this week, and we wanna see your must-read favorites... both so we know what features you want from us and just because we’re former communications and journalism nerds who still love blogs! We’ll post a few of ours in the comments.👇🏻 ⠀ ⠀ Well-designed, super-functional and pretty is always a plus, but they can be in lifestyle, food, fashion, photo, or travel. Just tag ‘em below, and we’ll prepare to spend the rest of the day hopelessly distracted. 😘⠀
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    💕 Nominate your favorite bloggers + blog designs! ⠀ We’re deep-diving into design + development of our top-shelf Tonic Showit + WordPress blog templates this week, and we wanna see your must-read favorites... both so we know what features you want from us and just because we’re former communications and journalism nerds who still love blogs! We’ll post a few of ours in the comments.👇🏻 ⠀ ⠀ Well-designed, super-functional and pretty is always a plus, but they can be in lifestyle, food, fashion, photo, or travel. Just tag ‘em below, and we’ll prepare to spend the rest of the day hopelessly distracted. 😘⠀
  • It’s the anniversary of our very FIRST launch (launch-a-versary?), so here are some other stats for you:⠀ ⠀ 🎉 SIX years ago today, we launched tonicsiteshop.com and our first collection of handcrafted, completely-customizable websites for the modern, stylish creative. (Yep, that’s our original tagline!) ⠀ ⠀ 🙄 There were TWELVE site designs in our first collection because we’ve always tended toward ambitious overcommittment at the cost of our own (relative) sanity. Jeff designed 4, Jen designed 4, and we designed 4 collaboratively. (Those were the best ones, obvs.)⠀ ⠀ 😱 We jumped into business together on an LA rooftop having met in person just THREE days prior. Our first notes were written on a cocktail napkin, of course, and we launched our brand first (we settled on the name TONIC on the phone in a restaurant bathroom) and then our sites a few months later. ⠀ ⠀ 🤷‍♂️ At the time, we knew of ONE other Showit template shop in existence as our proof of concept. #oldtimers ⠀ ⠀ 💸 Our sites were priced at least FOUR times higher than any other templates on the market... (because hey, even then, we were making templates for people who didn’t think they liked templates.) ⠀ ✨ There are so many things that could have gone wrong — and so many that have! — but we’ve honestly regretted it all approximately ZERO times, because a ) we get to spend our days helping creatives and small businesses be seen for who they are at their best and known for what they do best. It’s our calling, and we love it.⠀ ⠀ And b ) it’s almost impossible to imagine six years without our friendship and the ways it’s stretched us across seasons and hardships, inspiration and procrastination, late nights and long drinks. 🥃⠀ ⠀ So, happy anniversary to us, and whether you’ve been following along for six years or two hours, we want you to know we’re grateful for all your encouragement every step of the way.* We wouldn’t still be here without you!⠀ ⠀ (* ...esp. since we don’t look this young and 🔥 anymore.)
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    It’s the anniversary of our very FIRST launch (launch-a-versary?), so here are some other stats for you:⠀ ⠀ 🎉 SIX years ago today, we launched tonicsiteshop.com and our first collection of handcrafted, completely-customizable websites for the modern, stylish creative. (Yep, that’s our original tagline!) ⠀ ⠀ 🙄 There were TWELVE site designs in our first collection because we’ve always tended toward ambitious overcommittment at the cost of our own (relative) sanity. Jeff designed 4, Jen designed 4, and we designed 4 collaboratively. (Those were the best ones, obvs.)⠀ ⠀ 😱 We jumped into business together on an LA rooftop having met in person just THREE days prior. Our first notes were written on a cocktail napkin, of course, and we launched our brand first (we settled on the name TONIC on the phone in a restaurant bathroom) and then our sites a few months later. ⠀ ⠀ 🤷‍♂️ At the time, we knew of ONE other Showit template shop in existence as our proof of concept. #oldtimers ⠀ ⠀ 💸 Our sites were priced at least FOUR times higher than any other templates on the market... (because hey, even then, we were making templates for people who didn’t think they liked templates.) ⠀ ✨ There are so many things that could have gone wrong — and so many that have! — but we’ve honestly regretted it all approximately ZERO times, because a ) we get to spend our days helping creatives and small businesses be seen for who they are at their best and known for what they do best. It’s our calling, and we love it.⠀ ⠀ And b ) it’s almost impossible to imagine six years without our friendship and the ways it’s stretched us across seasons and hardships, inspiration and procrastination, late nights and long drinks. 🥃⠀ ⠀ So, happy anniversary to us, and whether you’ve been following along for six years or two hours, we want you to know we’re grateful for all your encouragement every step of the way.* We wouldn’t still be here without you!⠀ ⠀ (* ...esp. since we don’t look this young and 🔥 anymore.)
  • 🚨 THIS IS A TEST of the EMERGENCY MARGARITA SYSTEM. We have just been alerted that it’s National Margarita Day, and many fine, upstanding citizens in reach of this broadcast have never tasted a “real” margarita. We cannot stand by and allow this triple sec tragedy and sweet & sour mix madness to triumph. Not on our watch. ⠀ ⠀ Please proceed to the nearest “Recipes” in our story highlights, and immediately make the first recipe that pops up. For best results, we use Espalón tequila and add a splash of Grand Marnier as a “float” on top of the drink before serving. ⠀ ⠀ Remember to serve yourself first so you are able to serve others. ⠀ ⠀ This concludes our test of the emergency margarita system. However, this was most definitely *not* a drill. 🚨
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    🚨 THIS IS A TEST of the EMERGENCY MARGARITA SYSTEM. We have just been alerted that it’s National Margarita Day, and many fine, upstanding citizens in reach of this broadcast have never tasted a “real” margarita. We cannot stand by and allow this triple sec tragedy and sweet & sour mix madness to triumph. Not on our watch. ⠀ ⠀ Please proceed to the nearest “Recipes” in our story highlights, and immediately make the first recipe that pops up. For best results, we use Espalón tequila and add a splash of Grand Marnier as a “float” on top of the drink before serving. ⠀ ⠀ Remember to serve yourself first so you are able to serve others. ⠀ ⠀ This concludes our test of the emergency margarita system. However, this was most definitely *not* a drill. 🚨
  • HEY! 👋🏻 We’re hard at work on the Spring ‘19 collection (!!!), and we need your input! ⠀ ⠀ There are two big components of our next collection... one is resource + support-driven (more on that soon!), and the other is something you’ve been asking us to release for YEARS...⠀ ⠀ Yep, we’re talking about a little thing called top shelf Tonic BLOGS. 💥 While all of our designs have a matching blog, we’ve never released designs specifically FOR all you food, fashion, travel and lifestyle bloggers. Real, primary blog site designs, tricked out TONIC-style, built using the dream team of Wordpress + Showit — not simple add-ons to your main portfolio site (although yes, before you ask, you CAN grab one of our new blogs to go with your main TONIC site!). ✨ But that’s changing *soon.*⠀ ⠀ So, as we build these babies out and design them with you in mind, we need to hear:⠀ ⠀ 1️⃣ What are some of your favorite blogs to browse, with cool features, great design, or really intuitive navigation? ⠀ ⠀ 2️⃣ If you’re a blogger, what kind of features are you looking for in a blog design? Is there anything you feel most blog designs DON’T do well? Anything else you think we should consider?⠀ ⠀ 3️⃣ If you’re a blogger, what KIND of blogger are you?? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Leave a 🙌🏻 if you could see yourself snagging a top shelf, completely-customizable TONIC blog design!
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    HEY! 👋🏻 We’re hard at work on the Spring ‘19 collection (!!!), and we need your input! ⠀ ⠀ There are two big components of our next collection... one is resource + support-driven (more on that soon!), and the other is something you’ve been asking us to release for YEARS...⠀ ⠀ Yep, we’re talking about a little thing called top shelf Tonic BLOGS. 💥 While all of our designs have a matching blog, we’ve never released designs specifically FOR all you food, fashion, travel and lifestyle bloggers. Real, primary blog site designs, tricked out TONIC-style, built using the dream team of Wordpress + Showit — not simple add-ons to your main portfolio site (although yes, before you ask, you CAN grab one of our new blogs to go with your main TONIC site!). ✨ But that’s changing *soon.*⠀ ⠀ So, as we build these babies out and design them with you in mind, we need to hear:⠀ ⠀ 1️⃣ What are some of your favorite blogs to browse, with cool features, great design, or really intuitive navigation? ⠀ ⠀ 2️⃣ If you’re a blogger, what kind of features are you looking for in a blog design? Is there anything you feel most blog designs DON’T do well? Anything else you think we should consider?⠀ ⠀ 3️⃣ If you’re a blogger, what KIND of blogger are you?? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Leave a 🙌🏻 if you could see yourself snagging a top shelf, completely-customizable TONIC blog design!
  • Waking up to another 8-12 inches of snow in Virginia after the ice JUST melted from the last storm like 🤦🏼‍♀️... #atleastitspretty #staywithmewifi #comeonspring⠀ ⠀ We’ll be hibernating with our Illustrator artboards if you need us, but when we need a break, ➡️ what’s your favorite snow day treat? (Bonus points if it’s a cocktail...)
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    Waking up to another 8-12 inches of snow in Virginia after the ice JUST melted from the last storm like 🤦🏼‍♀️... #atleastitspretty #staywithmewifi #comeonspring⠀ ⠀ We’ll be hibernating with our Illustrator artboards if you need us, but when we need a break, ➡️ what’s your favorite snow day treat? (Bonus points if it’s a cocktail...)
  • Honestly? We both woke up on the wrong side of the bed yesterday and Monday felt like Struggle City. 🤬 But today, we woke up to THIS dream of a note from @nataliesetareh, and we are BACK IN THE GAME:⠀ ⠀ “Hi TONIC!⠀ ⠀ I wanted to let you know that my site is live! And I booked a dream client the same day I launched the site (Crazy!). This new site represents my brand and vision and also brings me so much joy, which is important!⠀ ⠀ I have felt cornered as a makeup artist the past few years with my website. I have so much to offer, so much I want to say, and so many ways I can serve but it's been frustrating trying to figure out how to do this in a classy, clean, and non-salesy website... Plus, I'm picky as hell. I needed a site that could both showcase my work and voice in a beautiful and familiar way but also attract the types of clients I know I can serve best. I want to attract people who appreciate attention to detail as well-thought out words. I honestly didn't think it was possible... until now. TONIC top-shelf sites fit ALL the nitpicky design requirements I had. I felt like I could really customize it and make it my own (and unrecognizable) but look like I hired a custom designer. You can't get that ANYWHERE else.⠀ ⠀ Anyone familiar with my past site who’s seen the new site LOVES it. They say it's Natalie to a T. I can say hands-down, I've received more inquiries in what is normally a makeup artist drought season than I ever have during this timeframe since I've owned my business (4 years). That's really saying something!⠀ ⠀ Thanks, Team Tonic. The top-shelf was worth its weight in gold! Xo, Natalie.”⠀ ⠀ —⠀ ⠀ Yep. That’s a clinic in “how to make a template designer awkwardly yell ‘YES!’ in a public coffee shop.” And we missed this little nugget the first time, but what if your website could go from a source of embarrassment and frustration to an actual source of JOY?! That’s what we aim for... and converting all those dream clients doesn’t hurt, either. 🤗⠀ ⠀ Swipe to see a peek of Natalie’s version of our ADRIATIQUE design (available via #linkinprofile), which truly shows her brand and work off at its best. Cheers to YOU, @nataliesetareh! 🍾
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    Honestly? We both woke up on the wrong side of the bed yesterday and Monday felt like Struggle City. 🤬 But today, we woke up to THIS dream of a note from @nataliesetareh, and we are BACK IN THE GAME:⠀ ⠀ “Hi TONIC!⠀ ⠀ I wanted to let you know that my site is live! And I booked a dream client the same day I launched the site (Crazy!). This new site represents my brand and vision and also brings me so much joy, which is important!⠀ ⠀ I have felt cornered as a makeup artist the past few years with my website. I have so much to offer, so much I want to say, and so many ways I can serve but it's been frustrating trying to figure out how to do this in a classy, clean, and non-salesy website... Plus, I'm picky as hell. I needed a site that could both showcase my work and voice in a beautiful and familiar way but also attract the types of clients I know I can serve best. I want to attract people who appreciate attention to detail as well-thought out words. I honestly didn't think it was possible... until now. TONIC top-shelf sites fit ALL the nitpicky design requirements I had. I felt like I could really customize it and make it my own (and unrecognizable) but look like I hired a custom designer. You can't get that ANYWHERE else.⠀ ⠀ Anyone familiar with my past site who’s seen the new site LOVES it. They say it's Natalie to a T. I can say hands-down, I've received more inquiries in what is normally a makeup artist drought season than I ever have during this timeframe since I've owned my business (4 years). That's really saying something!⠀ ⠀ Thanks, Team Tonic. The top-shelf was worth its weight in gold! Xo, Natalie.”⠀ ⠀ —⠀ ⠀ Yep. That’s a clinic in “how to make a template designer awkwardly yell ‘YES!’ in a public coffee shop.” And we missed this little nugget the first time, but what if your website could go from a source of embarrassment and frustration to an actual source of JOY?! That’s what we aim for... and converting all those dream clients doesn’t hurt, either. 🤗⠀ ⠀ Swipe to see a peek of Natalie’s version of our ADRIATIQUE design (available via #linkinprofile), which truly shows her brand and work off at its best. Cheers to YOU, @nataliesetareh! 🍾
  • Our idea of a great Valentine: pretty flowers and good design. 👌🏻 ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ We’re both doing dinners (and drinks, of course) at home to celebrate tonight (Jeff’s tradition, making a full fancy meal from @chefreneeerickson’s repertoire, and Jen doing a double date steak dinner with another couple after the kids head to bed #momlife )— but what are your plans? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Team ‘Dinner out with reservations rarer than Jen’s steak,’ 💃🏼 or Team ‘Why leave the house, we’ve got wine and chocolate here?’ 🏡
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    Our idea of a great Valentine: pretty flowers and good design. 👌🏻 ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ We’re both doing dinners (and drinks, of course) at home to celebrate tonight (Jeff’s tradition, making a full fancy meal from @chefreneeerickson’s repertoire, and Jen doing a double date steak dinner with another couple after the kids head to bed #momlife )— but what are your plans? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Team ‘Dinner out with reservations rarer than Jen’s steak,’ 💃🏼 or Team ‘Why leave the house, we’ve got wine and chocolate here?’ 🏡
  • Have you done any mastermind retreats or exercises? Jen’s sneaking away to a cozy cabin this weekend for a mini mastermind / focus group with two longtime friends + fellow creatives, and it’s got us wondering — is there any resource you’ve found particularly helpful we should add to our to-do list? ⠀ ⠀ If you’d like to brainstorm along with us, we’ve got an enlightening, quick, and free exercise linked in our profile! It’s called the Brand Interview guide, and we assign it to all of our clients, since it helps you get a handle on the outside perception of your brand versus your own perception.💡 ⠀ ⠀ This is important because whether you realize it or not, your brand essentially boils down to *what OTHER people say it is,* so you’ve gotta make sure you know what they’re saying (and your messaging agrees)! We hope the brand interview helps you dig into that a little bit, so click through for your download and let us know if you’ve got any others we should try! 👌🏻
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    Have you done any mastermind retreats or exercises? Jen’s sneaking away to a cozy cabin this weekend for a mini mastermind / focus group with two longtime friends + fellow creatives, and it’s got us wondering — is there any resource you’ve found particularly helpful we should add to our to-do list? ⠀ ⠀ If you’d like to brainstorm along with us, we’ve got an enlightening, quick, and free exercise linked in our profile! It’s called the Brand Interview guide, and we assign it to all of our clients, since it helps you get a handle on the outside perception of your brand versus your own perception.💡 ⠀ ⠀ This is important because whether you realize it or not, your brand essentially boils down to *what OTHER people say it is,* so you’ve gotta make sure you know what they’re saying (and your messaging agrees)! We hope the brand interview helps you dig into that a little bit, so click through for your download and let us know if you’ve got any others we should try! 👌🏻