Category Archives: Fabulous Females

Beauty, Fabulous Females, Fabulous Moms, Fashion

Fabulous Female – Erika Batista

This month’s Fabulous Female is very successful blogger, and mom, Erika Batista! At an early age Erika new she wanted to be a mom. When she married her husband they had the conversation about her desire to stay at home with her children. For Erika it was important to be there for her kid’s formative years, participate in school functions and be present for all of their milestones. While this didn’t come without sacrifice, she told me that the benefits outweighed anything she had to give up.  It’s Erika’s belief that family comes first.

While caring for her oldest Ben, she would get questions from friends and family about her clothes or makeup, since she was (and is) always so well put together. While Erika loves nothing more than being a mom, she recognizes that she’s a woman first. From her love of beauty and fashion, and as an outlet to keep the essence of the woman she loved to be before her kids, she launched Bye Erika Batista (formerly Lolabluestyle).

Through her blog Erika hopes to share the message that “mom life isn’t the end of your life… we can still be powerful, sexy, independent, loving and hardworking while being moms”.  She wants women to know that our goals are not limited once we have children. Erika’s philosophy is that it’s the opposite, and as mother’s we are natural multi-taskers, and becoming a mother empowers us to realize we can accomplish anything. While her passion is to achieve her dreams one step at a time, at the end of the day what drives her is being an example to her children, and inspire them to be and do whatever they set their minds to.

For Erika it’s a priority to empower and support other women in any way she can. Erika believes that “women who are leaders and support one another, from the kindness of their heart, empower me”.  She loves to use her platform to pay this forward by sharing details, of her life, through her social media accounts and blog. She takes pride in sharing her journey, whether they be wins or losses, so that she can create a connection with other women.

Erika credits her mom as being her biggest inspiration. As an adult she reflects back on her mother being a single parent, and how hard her mom worked to give her the world. Erika knows that she can never fail and the life she lives is so fruitful because of the lessons, and morals, that her mom taught her.

While her mom is such a big role model, she acknowledged that her husband, kids and aunts play a critical role in her success and are her biggest support system. Whether it be her kids cheering her on, with hugs and kisses, her husband being her photographer or getting that helping hand with dinner or laundry Erika says that “my village is golden and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank God”.

You can follow Erika at Bye Erika Batista or on Instagram @byerikabatista and on Facebook to get lifestyle, fashion, and make up tips as well as recipes or parenting advice!

#HipNJ Cares, #HipNJ Social, Fabulous Females, Fundraiser, Holiday, In the #HipNJ Studio, The Hip List

Holiday Hip List 2018: Seltzer’s Rainbow Heart

The Hip List‘s Maria Falzo is here to tell you about her gift picks for the holidays!

Author Jayne DiGregorio stopped by the #HipNJ studio with her adorable 1 1/2 year old Bernedoodle, Bear, to chat with our Maria Falzo about the wonderful initiatives she is currently embarking on!

Jayne released a children’s book called “Seltzers Rainbow Heart” that was born from her heartbreak over losing her Yorkie, Seltzer, last May.

“It was a book that was a healing tool for me when I lost my little Yorkie, Seltzer, last May. I wanted to write a book to keep her legacy alive with all the unconditional love she offered to me and everyone who met her,” explained Jayne.

To further capture the spirit of Seltzer, Jayne recently published a coloring book called “COLOR Seltzer’s Rainbow Heart.” Portions of the proceeds from both books are donated to local animal shelters & rescues. For more information, visit www.SeltzersRainbowHeart.com.

It was important to Jayne to develop other ways to help the local pet community. For nearly a year, Jayne has been spearheading an initiative called C.A.R.E. Bearbox. Each month, Jayne collects gently used towels/blankets/toys around the community and delivers these boxes to a different Animal Shelter and Rescue. For the Holidays, Jayne is introducing the first first C.A.R.E Bearbox – 2018 Winter Box with the “Buy a Box, Give a Box” mission. With each box purchased, a box of goodies & essentials will be donated to a local Animal Shelter or Rescue. For more information, visit www.CareBearbox.com.

Follow #HipNJ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to learn how to win one of your own!

Betty Galvan
#HipNJ Social, Fabulous Females, Fabulous Moms

Fabulous Female – Betty Galvan

This month’s Fabulous Female is Betty Galvan. Betty is a business owner, and Work at Home Mom to three very active boys. Yes, THREE! I’ve known Betty for a few years, and she’s been a constant source of motivation and inspiration for me.

Betty hails from Chicago, but has lived in Asia and NYC. For the last 8 years she’s been a NJ resident. Betty has led an exciting life, starting with moving to Tokyo, where she had her first son Diego. While she holds a degree in teaching, and taught at an International School, after having Diego, she felt it was best for her to stay at home.

While in Tokyo, Betty started blogging so she could keep her friends and family updated on her family’s progress. Little did she know that would eventually formulate in her own lifestyle blog “My Friend Betty Says”. Betty’s blog primarily focused on educational tips for how to raise bilingual children, as well as lifestyle and fashion ideas.

While blogging she was fortunate enough to connect, and freelance, with Ana Flores. Ana is the founder, and CEO, of the former Latina Bloggers Connect now WeAllGrow Latina Network. Ana was so impressed, that she hired Betty to work for her.

Betty was fortunate to connect with likeminded women, and #solopreneurs, while working at LBC. From Boston to LA, the women collaborated, motivated, inspired each other and exchanged ideas. It was a true sisterhood. When LBC took a turn focusing more on bringing women all over the US together, with annual conferences and summits, Betty knew she had to step back. She didn’t want to be away from her family so much. Betty also realized, while on her journey with LBC, that there were local business owners that needed help with their digital marketing strategies, social media managements and content creation.

Always forward thinking, Betty decided to keep the name of her blog @MyFriendBettySays and add Digital Marketing Studio to her resume, in the summer of 2017. Since making that decision, Betty has been helping others to increase and grow their business. She currently has two employees and will continue to expand.


When I asked Betty to tell me her secret for being so fabulous, she was humble as usual. She did tell me that she takes one hour of the day for herself. Whether it’s getting her nails done or going to the gym, that time is for her. Working from home has its advantages, so she’s able to tailor her schedule to that of her active children. She also has a very supportive husband and a cleaning lady!