Tell us a little about yourself:
Tai Beauchamp is the Founder and President of The BluePrint Group, LLC, a communications and marketing consulting firm that specializes in bridging the gap between philanthropy and the fashion, beauty, media and entertainment fields.

By trade, she is a veteran beauty journalist and editor, known for her savvy sense of style and ability to deliver of-the-moment, consumer-friendly tips. She began her editorial career at Good Housekeeping and Harper’s Bazaar magazines more than 10 years ago and served as an editor at titles including O, The Oprah Magazine, Suede, Seventeen and VIBE Vixen. Tai was also a style contributor at ivillage.com.

By passion, Tai is an entrepreneur and champion for causes, most of them aimed toward empowering women, youth, and celebrating a new generation of philanthropists.  

Follow Tai’s musings about style, beauty, media, entrepreneurship and philanthropy @taibeau on Twitter

Are you an Auntie By Relation, Auntie By Choice, Godmother or Other?
I am a proud godmother of three with a fourth on the way. I am an Auntie By Choice to fiive other children, all children of good friends.

How long have you been a Savvy Auntie? How many nieces, nephews and godchildren do you have?
My oldest goddaughter, Kayla just turned 11. Her sister Zara is 5, Shane is 18 months.  So, I've been a practicing Savvy Auntie for 11 years.

What do the kids call you?
The kids call me "Toot." It’s a rather funny story of how I came to have the nickname. I nicknamed Kayla "Toot" before she was born. I'm not exactly sure why but I remember it having something to do with my obsession with Tootie from "The Facts of Life." I loved Tootie’s cuteness and spunk, and of course, her racing around the house on skates. At any rate, when Kayla was just a few months old, not yet old enough to speak, I would say, "Toot, toot" to her. She came to call me "Toot" too. The name stuck for both of us. I call her "My Toot," she calls me "Toot," as does her sister Zara, her mom, and family. And at 18 months old, we're training Shane to call me Toot as well.

What's the best thing about an Auntie?
OMG! Everything! I really enjoy spending time with my godchildren. The girls moved to Boston two years ago so I get to don't see them as often but at least once every three months. I visit Shane once every two to three weeks and babysit when I can. I really love children and hope to have my own one day but until then, I’ll spoil my godchildren with love, affection, and of course gifts and fun!

What's your Auntie expertise? Are you crafty, sporty, good at mending booboos?
Not to "toot" my own horn, (no pun intended…ha!) I do it all. I took Kayla to her first Broadway play for her seventh birthday followed by brunch at the Ritz Carlton. Zara, Kayla and I make jewelry and paint pottery. But I also love taking them to the book store and the museum. If I had to choose, I’d say I’m the experiential Auntie. I love doing new, fun, and exciting things with them.

Changing diapers: bonding experience or total yuck?
Don’t mind it usually…but that depends on what’s in the diaper.

What's the first book you ever read to them or song you ever sung to them?
The Barney Song: "I love you…you love me…"

Most fun activity you ever did with them?
This is a total toss-up. I really enjoyed making jewelry with them (meaning the girls, Shane's still a little young), but I also remember brunch and ice skating at Rockefeller Center one year for Christmas. That was a lot of fun.

Best gift you ever bought them?
I recently bought Kayla a chemistry set that she really enjoyed! Zara hates when I buy her clothes, so anything with princesses on it!

Spoiling: Auntie's prerogative or Never a good idea?
ESSENTIAL!

What’s the worst mistake you ever made with the kids? Or, greatest lesson you ever learned?
It’s okay to say "no" to some things. And sometimes saying "no" even when Mommy or Daddy might not.

What do you keep in your bag when you're taking care of the kids?
Wet Ones wipes, Child-friendly hand sanitizer and Chapstick, and flavored lip gloss.

What do you cherish most about your nieces/nephews?
I love their energy and their individual personalities. I also cherish their brilliance. I'm always so amazed by their wit, charm, and all around savvy.

What do they love most about you?
I think they love that I like to have fun and how I am affectionate towards them. I kiss them constantly. But I love being spontaneous too. We might be walking hand in hand and all of a sudden I'll take off running (not in heels) and they’ll chase me.

Who are the Aunties, past, present, personal or public, that you look up to?
Cinderella's Fairy Godmother was a great "auntie." She was there to help Cinderella in her time of need but gave her the resources to live up to her fullest potential. I love that!

What are your words of advice for other Savvy Aunties?
There’s something really special about being an auntie. It's way cooler than being a mom but in some ways equally impactful and important. All they need is love! I take that very seriously!