SPPR Gives Thanks Series Featuring Sarah Dubbeldam

Before we sit down to the big feast tomorrow, we’re thrilled to introduce the fourth and final edition of our SPPR Gives Thanks Series with Sarah Dubbeldam, the owner and Editor in Chief of Darling Magazine.

Darling is one of our favorite sources of inspiration for photography, style and wisdom. Sarah embodies the #DarlingMovement with grace, inspiring women to create positive change and see the raw and natural beauty of being a modern woman.

We are thankful for all the truly exceptional women who have participated in our SPPR Gives Thanks Series. Happy Thanksgiving!

1. Name one item you use on a daily basis that you appreciate most. How does it contribute to your quality of life?

My journal. Recording my daily musings, questions, thoughts and prayers is what keeps me grounded. Also, when I look back upon the pages, it shows me where I’ve grown, and this makes me thankful for my journey and where I’ve been and who I’m becoming.

2. What local restaurant are you most grateful for?

Figaro in Los Feliz. I am obsessed with Paris, and it’s a French bistro that makes you feel like you are literally in France. Even the servers have French accents and it has a great happy hour = perfection.

3. Can you share a piece of advice that you are grateful to have received?

My friend Bob Goff says to always be humble, no matter what—no matter how big your “platform” gets—always be available for people and never aloof, and remember where you started. This is a constant test for my own heart—do I consider others as just as important and successful as me no matter what, and act accordingly in-person and on social media?

4. What is one thing you can’t live without on your Thanksgiving table?

Cranberry sauce, even the gross canned stuff, haha!

5. Who would you like to give thanks to this year?

My staff at Darling. Seriously, all of them are the kindest, most beautiful women I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. They pour their heart and soul into this vision and it wouldn’t be what it is without each and every one of them.

Follow Darling Magazine on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Find Sarah on Instagram and Twitter.

SPPR at Create + Cultivate

We couldn’t be more proud of our dear friend and (NO SUBJECT) founder Jaclyn Johnson and her fabulous team including Nikia Rodriguez and Eileen Lee for coordinating another beautiful and inspiring Create + Cultivate (and their largest to date)! In partnership with one of our favorite publications, Darling Magazine, this year’s event was held at the Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles and featured a carefully curated group of creative guest speakers and workshops.

The Soda Pop PR team attended day one of the two day event and took home several valuable insights from the bloggers, photographers, writers and DIYers we met. In case you missed it, below are a few highlights from the event.

Crafting with Leah Bergman of Freutcake and Kelly Lanza of Studio DIY. Our lives’ were not complete until we learned how to make a taco piñata. Seriously, so fun!

As a company of women, we were particularly compelled by speaker Alexis Jones of I AM THAT GIRL asking, “Why does Girl Scouts stop just before you need it most?” Alexis challenges women to stop comparing our lives’ to the illusory personas we see on social media and instead take time to gather and discuss our real challenges with each other. She believes that the best way to build ones confidence is by contributing to society not by collecting accolades and titles. Now that’s a belief we can get behind and constantly strive to practice in our own lives.

The inspiration continued as we heard from Caitlyn Crosby of The Giving Keys, a jewelry company that helps transition people out of homelessness by giving them jobs to repurpose keys into one-of-a-kind pieces. We will also never forget Jana Williams and her talk on practicing happiness. Jana’s open and honest personal story was touching and she reminded us that happiness is like a muscle. It needs flexing to stay in the best shape.

(Shops on wheels make us smile. Loved meeting Katherine of The Habitat Factory, a pop up shop selling the coolest handcrafted goods.)

Additionally, our own Dyan Dolfi-Offutt hosted a special PR Boot Camp where she provided an introduction to Public Relations and answered questions on how PR can benefit brands of all sizes. We were blown away by the amount of genuine interaction and hope everyone walked away with renewed confidence in presenting their brands authentically.

On top of all the day’s learnings, we mostly appreciated the opportunity to connect with such an ambitious group of women that we look forward to growing relationships with. We want to thank everyone who attended our PR Boot Camp and all those who contributed to making this Create + Cultivate truly inspiring.

Soda Pop’s Spring Inspirations

Live inspired. It’s easier said than done, but it’s a mantra we love for 2014. Spring is traditionally a time of renewal and growth, so we wanted to share a few things that we’re drawing inspiration from as we gear up for a busy and exciting season.

1. Moon Juice – It’s no secret that the SPPR ladies love pressed juice. This Silverlake juicery has become our local mainstay. Healthy body = Healthy mind.

2. Darling Magazine – The tagline says it all “The art of being a lady”. These magazines are amazing and the new Spring issue just hit shelves!

3. Art – Los Angeles is an art lover’s mecca. Museums, walls at coffee shops and flea markets are just a few places to spot some amazing work. This illustration is from a local LA-based design studio, Dear Hancock.

4. Ace Hotel Downtown LA – If you haven’t been to an Ace, make plans to stop by this spring. A brand new location opened up in downtown LA and we’re in love. Complete with a rooftop lounge, a Stumptown lobby espresso bar, and impeccable design (think old Hollywood meets modern minimalism); there’s really something for everyone.

5. Flowers! – What would spring be without flowers? Get outside, go for a walk off the beaten path and always stop to smell the flowers. This lovely arrangement is from a local floral design shop, Moon Canyon Flowers – definitely worth following on Instagram.

For more Soda Pop spring inspirations check out our Pinterest page!