Category: Media & Tech

Adventures, All, In Seattle, Journal, Life, Social Media, Technology

A Glowing Creator Heart

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On this day in 2005 the first YouTube video was posted* but when I woke up at 6:30AM that’s not what I was thinking about. I was far too busy rushing out the door en route to my second dose of the Covid vaccine.

Due to high local demand, in order to get the first dose I had to travel across the state. That five-hour drive had been hot and emotional. Was happy to be getting my second dose closer to home? Yes… but mostly, I was just excited to be vaccinated.

Like everyone, I’ve spent a lot of time wondering and daydreaming about what happens when the Tyga “Bored In the House” days are finally behind us. Here’s what I know: I intend to follow my heart more. To hug my peeps more. To stop waiting for the right time or as Oprah says, “Use your best stuff”. And while the wait has been exceptionally challenging, I am truly excited for the future.

As such, I decided that today’s vaccination should be a low-key celebration. I finally began listening to the newest Taylor Swift album. I picked up a venti matcha green tea latte**. I popped into to T.J.Maxx for new nail polish ~ and that’s where I found a surprise.

Hidden in the back of a magenta makeup display I spied a heavily discounted heart-shaped ring light. Looking over the box, I began to think about how important creating is to me and just how lucky I am to have found the #InternetMagic this creator community brings to my life.

Later at home with the new light beside me, I re-discover that today is anniversary of the first published YouTube video and learned that it is also the inaugural International #CreatorDay hosted by my great friends over at TubeBuddy.

This new event is a celebration of what creators have done, what creators can do, and who creators are as a community! Be sure to check out the hashtags: #CreatorDay, #CreatorsWhoInspire, & #WhyICreate to see how people are celebrating online.

So here I am. Inspired, fully vaccinated, and with a newly glowing heart, I think it’s finally time to get back to YouTube. As such, new Amara In Seattle videos are coming with the start of May!

Today’s Vibe: 💖🎬⭐️💫🌍🌏🌎💫⭐️🎬💖

Have you ever found something that perfectly inspired you at just the right time? Let me know ⬇️

Happy International Creator Day & Best Adventures Rockstars,

Amara In Seattle

Sources:

* Here’s a quick CNN Business piece about the 1st YT Video.

**Yes, I know this is a confusing beverage title but alas that is what Starbucks calls this beverage, at least here in the states.

Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link. Please note that if you click a link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission.

Adventures, All, Collabs, Fashion, Fashion & Beauty, In Seattle, Journal, Life, Media, Media & Tech, Music, Noms, Not In Seattle, Projects, Style

Amara Inspired on YouTube #IWD

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It’s International Women’s Day & to celebrate I made three YouTube playlists, yep three, one for each channel. On my main channel, Amara In Seattle, is a playlist of videos that inspire me, many of these are among my all time favorite YouTube videos for various reasons, explained below.

Elizabeth Gilbert’s Ted Talk: Your elusive creative genius
It would often happen on the way to an old job, that I would suddenly feel like I must MUST write something down.  In this Tedtalk writer, Elizabeth Gilbert, highlights the value of that feeling & helped me to make changes into a Big Magic filled creative life.


St. Patty’s Day Hair of the Dog w/ Hannah Hart & Grace Helbig

There is a moment of true friendship that is captured during this episode of YouTube comedian Mamrie Hart’s show, You Deserve a Drink, when things go terribly wrong.  This video highlights why these three women are pillars of YouTube culture, in large part because they care about each other in the way we all want our friends to.

Finishing with Sprinkle of Glitter – Louise Pentland
When long time British YouTube creator, Louise Pentland, decided to step away from her established YouTube formula to be more honest and direct with her audience it was risky. Inspiring and truly brave, Louise is leading the way in the development of YouTube as a platform for evolving dynamic creators.

Meghan Tonjes – ‘This Year’ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
This is probably not Meghan Tonjes favorite song, it was early in her music career and launched her to video success (and landed her on Ellen!), but for me the lyrics continue to be inspiration whenever I need a reminder that this moment and year is part of my journey.

Too Emotional – Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik has stood off to the side from me for a long time. I didn’t watch Blossom as a child but it was there in all its uniquely dressed glory. Her channel is new, but tackles subjects that are very open and raw, using her Big Bang Theory celebrity to open important digital dialogues like this one on feelings.

Living The Mr. Kate Lifestyle – Mr. Kate
I have watched Mr. Kate build her one-of-a-kind channel to over 1 million subscribers through hard work and strange colorful ideas. When this video debuted it brought Kate into my view, and I have watched her be silly, weird, creative, and brilliant ever since. Kate showed me that YouTube offered a one of a kind amazing opportunity. She also inspired me to realize there is room for different kinds of lifestyle channels, helping me to form Amara In Seattle.

Climbing Mt. Fuji – Sharla In Japan
Sharla took me up Mt. Fuji and in the process helped shape my vision for my travel channel, Amara Not In Seattle ~ a place to share travel as I see it: in beautiful experiences. Videos that feel like you are right there, experiencing those one of a kind travel moments.

House Tour – Rosanne Pansino
Ro is the queen of YouTube growth and improvement but it is the way she designed her home, to also be her workspace, that inspired me to see her as a model #girlboss. This design is inspiring, downright clever, and got me to begin dreaming about how Amara In Seattle could blow past expectations. Also, Ro is also a Seattle gal, so I may be a little delightfully bias.

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes – Wendy’s Lookbook
This vid sparked the idea that I want to learn technical video creation skills for artistic reasons, as well as practical ones. The information is presented in such an entertaining way that it immediately got me thinking: I wish I could do that. Now, when I get stuck learning a program or digital process I return to this tutorial to be inspired.

Wild Flag – Romance
There is a moment in this music video when Carrie Brownstein rocks out so hard it answered a question I’d had most of my life: what instrument is for me. This video helped put an electric guitar in my hands and is filled with strength and silliness. The video for Romance is a good reminder that badass and goofy can and should go together.

Check Out the Other Amara In Seattle International Women’s Day Activities:

What women inspire you? Let me know in the comments below.

Join the discussion in the comments below & by using the hashtags: #HerVoiceIsMyVoice #BeBoldForChange

Adventures, Collabs, In Seattle, Life, Social Media, Technology

Social Media Puppy Love

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What happened in Vegas did anything but stay there.

I was in the Paris Hotel taking a momentary break from a new media marketing conference to scroll through Instagram. It was just supposed to be a momentary digital refresher before going back the professional grind. That was before Sebastian Unleashed, an adorable mini American Eskimo mix, appeared in my feed.

A true Seattleite, Sebastian wakes to the smell of coffee. He snuggles with his nearest and dearest while reading the morning news. He is quiet and likes to take naps in his favorite chair. And when it is time to leave the house, Sebastian often walks to his favorite Space Needle view point, Kerry Park, to clear his head and Instagram.

After hours of panels discussing about the importance of seizing the social media in the moment, I decided to send a query to the Seattle based pup to see if he would like to do a collaboration when I returned to home.

The result is the social media puppy love story you see below.

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The day we met started with drinks at Fremont Coffee Company.

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Sebastian is a great listener.

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There was a modeling stop at Theo Chocolate Factory.

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Then we bundled up for a walk by the lake.

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There was fun, laughter, & silly faces.

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Sebastian was a little shy.

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Maybe, he was just camera shy.

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But in the end, he turned out to be the perfect social media valentine.

By seizing the social media moment Sebastian, his owner, & I have just begun a relationship of wonderful digital & irl adventures ~ I for one am glad that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there.

See Sebastian’s YouTube debut & some behind the scenes moments on the vlog channel:

Find Sebastian on Instagram as @SebastianUnleashed.

Learn more about Seattle dog culture in my most recent Amara In Seattle video:

Have a pup? Get dog related tips & styles from Sebastian’s favorite website Sew Doggy Style.

As I always love social media cuteness, please let me know about your favorite Instagram or YouTube pet in the comments below.

Best Adventures,
Amara in Seattle (and Sebastian Unleashed)

Adventures, In Seattle, Music

My New Bae is Beethoven

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When was the last time you were submerged in classical music? If you are like me, the answer is simple: never.

Emerald City Music would like to change that by making classical music accessible and part of the lives of all music lovers. They provide access to top notch chamber music that is comfortable and affordable. Classical music experiences where no tie is required and you can feel totally at ease wearing your comfy sweater and jeans.

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Intrigued, I grabbed my camera, threw on a bright orange skirt, and headed into the light sprinkle of Seattle rain to experience an Emerald City Music concert for myself. And I am so glad I did.

It started with mingling around a photo booth. There was popcorn, chocolate, and an open bar. There was a general ease in the atmosphere.

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The program showcased The Dover Quartet who played through Beethoven’s life with small educational chats in-between pieces. The musicians took turns explaining the life and history of the music, their roles as performers, and even touching on what made these particular pieces valuable to them personally.

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As the music flowed, I began to see Beethoven in a new light. First as a student of music displaying a hint of oncoming dissonance. Then as the evening moved on, I felt his evolution into full force rebellion further complicated by the knowledge and emotion of his encroaching hearing loss. The gripping sounds of an all-consuming calling being snuffed out by a cruel unstoppable deadline.

img_7127At the end I stood up with all the other attendees, we were astonished. Violin, viola, and cello strings had been shredded. It turns out The Dover Quartet doesn’t just play classical music, they tell human stories in song.

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Filing out of the concert space, the rain continued to softly beat down on the roof of 415 Westlake, it was a perfect Seattle moment; unexpected, gripping, and calling on me to grow as a person. Beethoven was no longer the name of an old dead classical musician relevant only to the upper crust but kind of punk rocker from long ago. He felt the things that inspire artists, he took chances, and he created a story I needed in my life.

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Invigorated and with a bit of popcorn in my teeth, I instagramed in joy at my new love for Beethoven. Emerald City Music had been victorious and I was happy, there was new music in my life.

Invite more music into yours by learning more about Emerald City Music and checking out their Twitter, Facebook Page, and Instagram.

Experience the astonishing Dover Quartet on their website and find them on Twitter and YouTube.