📝 Editor’s Note
I use my inbox as a to-do list. Seeing an active gmail account with 10,000+ unreads is like nails on a chalkboard.
One of the emails I look forward to reading each week and don’t let pile up as an “unread” is from deepculture. The team sends out 5 interesting things each week. Deepculture was kind enough to plug Rambull and I wanted to retun the favor.
A few of the many interesting things I’ve found through the newsletter:
World’s Greatest Places, Time 2024 — I had not heard of most of these locations. Very bucklist worthy, adding the Sun Ranch to mine.
I Love PDFs — Constantly returning to the PDF to Excel converter.
100 Tips for a Better Life — I’m a sucker for a good long list of life-hacks. Surfacing “Done is better than perfect” for whoever needs to hear it today.
Check out deepculture.
Without further ado….
Why Nellie?
Nellie is a friend from Charlotte and UVA. She came highly recommended by a reader who shared “She has a growing creative services business and is a young mother balancing life at a highly productive level. Additionally, she is a go-to source for life advice among her friend group!”
Follow Nellie on @nelliemarkallen
Self-Description
This is reminding me of "tell me a fun fact about yourself" and I'm stressed. I'm a Social Media Manager and Content Creator for a number of wonderful local brands and businesses in Charlotte and a new(ish) mom to my son, Teddy, which is my favorite role of all.
Nellie’s 6 Recommendations
Written in her own words…
1. Podcast - "How'd She Do That?" by Emily Landers.
It's similar to "How I Built This" but it focuses on female founders specifically and how they started their brands/businesses. One thing I will say: the host has a serious radio voice, but she is a wonderful interviewer and the episodes are full of useful info and inspiration for entrepreneurs.
Check out her episode with Coley Hull of Coley Home.
2. Lemon Swirls from The Whole Hope
Everyone has heard you should drink warm lemon water in the morning before coffee, breakfast, etc., but sometimes your busy life gets in the way and it's coffee and out the door. Hope (of the Whole Hope) makes adding this proven health habit "attainable and sustainable" with her frozen Lemon Swirls you just drop in hot water.
3. Writing daily in the Five Minute Journal
Each page of the journal has an inspiring quote, then quick prompts to fill in about what you're grateful for, what would make your day great, daily affirmations (which don't come as natural to me but we're working on it...) and then you reflect again at night before bed. The five minute journal I use is linked here. It's easy to do, and puts you in the right mindset to (be on your cell phone the entire day...) start your day. LOL
4. Betty Buzz
I'm really into Betty Buzz, which is Blake Lively's line of mixers/mocktails. They are made with simple, clean ingredients and are my new favorite to use when making a Ranch Water. They also taste great on their own. I also love Serena Wolf's Apple Cider Margarita recipe for a Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving batch cocktail.
5. Engraved Arzberger Gift Tags
I was recently gifted engraved Arzberger gift tags that I love. They are little works of art and are so helpful to have on hand if you need to throw together a last-minute gift that looks thoughtful and presentable. I know they'll be so handy heading into the holidays, too.
6. To Do List
Sadly my most exciting recent purchase is this to-do list notepad. I love Asana for task management, but I also love a good pen to paper moment.
Bonus. Play Wild Child and The Grove Charlotte
These are two clients of mine who are helping young families in Charlotte & beyond. Wild Child designs research-backed play spaces that get your kids off screens and playing in ways that benefit them developmentally. The Grove is a membership club for families, built for kids, designed for adults. Upscale hospitality experience to the parenting lifestyle. Think: Cafe/workspace filled with local favorites, work out classes for parents, mini camps, play spaces, and programming for kids.
Plug | Social Media and Creative Services
I'm operating on a waitlist, but would love to speak to anyone who might be interested! I offer full-service account management (Instagram only), Reels Only Packages, Social Templates, Photoshoot Styling, and Consulting.
Want to get in touch with Nellie? She can be reached via email at nelliemarkallen@gmail.com
P.S. from Rambull — Now that it is cold I’ve been wearing these warm hiking socks daily, $17 for 3. I’m pretty impressed with the quality, big vouch.
Lastly, do you have a gift idea you would like to contribute to this year’s holiday guide? If so, please use the form linked here.
Good reminder to revisit that Time list of places! Staying at two of the places within the next month and looking forward to it.