Almost Famous: Social Media Stars Tell All
Did you know we have a ton of celebrities in our neighborhood? OK, I use the term (somewhat) loosely, but there are a talented number of locals who connect with thousands on social media every day—teaching, inspiring, and encouraging people through fashion, fitness, food, and much, much more. Here are a few we follow and love.
This upbeat mom of two is a fitness instructor and business owner. She inspires thousands through her positive outlook on life and shares fitness fashion, healthy inspiration, and fun family moments.
Recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer extraordinaire, Bella has been featured in Saveur (and STYLE! Check out her recipes on stylemg.com) and amassed a sizable following through her quest for real food, true health, and a full life.
You’ll find everyday styles with a dose of mom life on Josie’s page. Whether it’s a yummy recipe or a laugh or two, her goal is to put a smile on someone’s face. 
I lost my grandma to cancer a few months before I started blogging. She was a huge inspiration and wasn’t afraid of anything (except snakes!). It was a really hard year for me and one I wanted to look back on and see joy not just sadness. Grandma always seemed to take the bull by the horns, so I decided to be like Grams and go for it. Blogging and sharing everything on my own little space online seemed like a dream.
Kirsten is all about that California living. The mom of three and fashionista loves a good sale and is an open book when it comes to motherhood, marriage, faith, beauty, and style.
This upbeat mom of two is a fitness instructor and business owner. She inspires thousands through her positive outlook on life and shares fitness fashion, healthy inspiration, and fun family moments.
Erin Salvetti; photo by Traci Merritt Photography
What’s the inspiration behind your page?
Family and wellness. I always come from a real life, truthful perspective and share through my own experiences.
Family and wellness. I always come from a real life, truthful perspective and share through my own experiences.
What do you post about?
I tend to keep it mostly lighthearted with a fitness or wellness aspect. However, I’ve been very open about going through IVF to have our second child.
I tend to keep it mostly lighthearted with a fitness or wellness aspect. However, I’ve been very open about going through IVF to have our second child.
Erin Salvetti; photo by Traci Merritt Photography
What attracts followers to you?
[They] know I will only share things with them that I truly do, use, or believe. Sometimes my posts share funny family stories or inspire other mamas to move and feel good. I come from an authentic and truthful space that others can relate to.
[They] know I will only share things with them that I truly do, use, or believe. Sometimes my posts share funny family stories or inspire other mamas to move and feel good. I come from an authentic and truthful space that others can relate to.
What’s the best part about social media?
It has allowed me to share my life and story with people around the globe. During quarantine, when the health club I taught at closed, I turned to my social media to keep people moving and positive through 14 weeks of free IG Live barre classes, three times per week. It gave me the opportunity to now pivot to teaching all online on a fantastic app called Playbook.
It has allowed me to share my life and story with people around the globe. During quarantine, when the health club I taught at closed, I turned to my social media to keep people moving and positive through 14 weeks of free IG Live barre classes, three times per week. It gave me the opportunity to now pivot to teaching all online on a fantastic app called Playbook.
Recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer extraordinaire, Bella has been featured in Saveur (and STYLE! Check out her recipes on stylemg.com) and amassed a sizable following through her quest for real food, true health, and a full life.
Bella Karragiannidis; photo by Matthew Flores
What’s the inspiration behind your page?
I started @ful.filled out of a passion to inspire people to cook food that is beautiful, seasonal, and delicious.
I started @ful.filled out of a passion to inspire people to cook food that is beautiful, seasonal, and delicious.
What do you post about?
I typically post pictures of recipes that I’ve created and still life images of seasonal produce that inspires me.
I typically post pictures of recipes that I’ve created and still life images of seasonal produce that inspires me.
Bella Karragiannidis; photo by Matthew Flores
What attracts followers to you?
I think [they] fall in love with the beauty of the real and vibrant food that I share and my openness in doing so with an honest heart.
I think [they] fall in love with the beauty of the real and vibrant food that I share and my openness in doing so with an honest heart.
What’s the best part about social media?
The community. I get to connect with people from all parts of the world over a mutual love of food and photography.
The community. I get to connect with people from all parts of the world over a mutual love of food and photography.
You’ll find everyday styles with a dose of mom life on Josie’s page. Whether it’s a yummy recipe or a laugh or two, her goal is to put a smile on someone’s face.
Josie Barrios
What’s the inspiration behind your page?
I lost my grandma to cancer a few months before I started blogging. She was a huge inspiration and wasn’t afraid of anything (except snakes!). It was a really hard year for me and one I wanted to look back on and see joy not just sadness. Grandma always seemed to take the bull by the horns, so I decided to be like Grams and go for it. Blogging and sharing everything on my own little space online seemed like a dream.
What do you post about?
Everything from fashion and #momlife, to things that make me laugh, recipes, and travel; a little bit of everything.
Everything from fashion and #momlife, to things that make me laugh, recipes, and travel; a little bit of everything.
Josie Barrios
What attracts followers to you?
[Probably] because I keep it real. If I’m having a rough day or the kids are driving me nuts, I hop on Instagram Stories and share it. I don’t pretend everything is peachy.
[Probably] because I keep it real. If I’m having a rough day or the kids are driving me nuts, I hop on Instagram Stories and share it. I don’t pretend everything is peachy.
What’s the best part about social media?
Honestly—and this is going to sound cliché—it’s the people I’ve met. Whether it’s brands, fellow bloggers, or my followers, it’s been amazing to have conversations and make long-term friendships.
Honestly—and this is going to sound cliché—it’s the people I’ve met. Whether it’s brands, fellow bloggers, or my followers, it’s been amazing to have conversations and make long-term friendships.
Kirsten is all about that California living. The mom of three and fashionista loves a good sale and is an open book when it comes to motherhood, marriage, faith, beauty, and style.
Kirsten Vernon
What’s the inspiration behind your page?
I’ve always loved sharing what to wear and where to go and used to share it through a local [show called] The Where and Wears. After being on TV, I decided to take it to a bigger [platform] and share where to go and what to wear all around California.
I’ve always loved sharing what to wear and where to go and used to share it through a local [show called] The Where and Wears. After being on TV, I decided to take it to a bigger [platform] and share where to go and what to wear all around California.
What do you post about?
Everything from what to wear, to a weekend kids’ sports game, night on the town, sales, and mom life.
Everything from what to wear, to a weekend kids’ sports game, night on the town, sales, and mom life.
Kirsten Vernon
What attracts followers to you?
Community. Even though a majority of my followers aren’t local, there are still things we have in common and can relate to. Also, maybe my ability to post a date night, all-dolled-up look and then be in leggings for the next five days, because #reallife!
Community. Even though a majority of my followers aren’t local, there are still things we have in common and can relate to. Also, maybe my ability to post a date night, all-dolled-up look and then be in leggings for the next five days, because #reallife!
What’s the best part about social media?
It has taught me to never count myself out. It sounds so cliché to say “dream big” but that’s how it’s changed me. I can dream it and do it.
It has taught me to never count myself out. It sounds so cliché to say “dream big” but that’s how it’s changed me. I can dream it and do it.
If you don’t already, be sure to “follow” our accounts, @stylemags, @stylemagedcf, @stylemagfedhs, and @stylemagrgbr for fun posts about local people, places, and things to do. Oh, and if you like coupons and savings, check out our sister magazine on social @stylesavingsguide.
by Tara Mendanha