Be helpful, be passionate, be a friend.
Posted: February 4, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: blogging, inbound networking, job search, mike fishbein, networking Leave a commentMike Fishbein‘s 3 Commandments of Networking could just as well be three tips for living your life!
Fishbein, founder of Startup College and author of multiple books, did a webinar tonight about online networking. I first found out about it earlier today, and I’m so glad I was able to listen in! Quite a lot of it was things I learned and practiced a couple of years ago in college, but I seriously needed to be reminded of all of it. It lit a small fire underneath me to get back into blogging.
Okay, so I played around with the wording of the 3 Commandments of Networking to suite my blog post title. In the webinar, Fishbein defined them as:
- Be Helpful.
- Build a Reputation.
- Relationships are greater than connections.
#1 and #3 really stood out to me. It seems easy to forget that the people you’re trying to network with or be hired by are, well, people! You’re working so hard to get the help you need or the job you want. In the webinar, I was reminded how important it is to offer your help and not just ask for it. #3 ties in with this as well. If you only talk about the industry and jobs, you might miss out on a chance to build a real, long-lasting relationship with others. Creating a network that will last long past the day you’re hired seems much more beneficial.
One of my take-aways from this webinar was that I know more than I think I know! It’s easy to get discouraged looking at the countless blogs that cover similar topics to what you want to write about. I think, “Well, this person knows more than I do/is a better writer than I am/has so much more going for them than I do…so I just won’t blog today. Comparison is such a thief. I don’t need to be an expert to write a blog. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t need to be long (trying to keep it under 500… #thestruggleisreal). It can even be about your journey of learning something new in your industry or area of interest. Instead of getting wrapped up in why you shouldn’t do it, focus on the benefits and don’t worry. Simply having a blog about something will show others in your network or future employers that your passionate and dedicated.
Taking this advice to heart and keeping my post short and sweet. What advice do fellow bloggers and networkers have on the topic? I’d love to hear!
Check out some of Mike’s recent books below.
Rejoice! Rejoice! It’s Saturday. | November 22nd.
Posted: November 22, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: boots, Chorus, Crafts, fashion, Fit Mama Real Food, Handel, Messiah, music 3 CommentsThe weekend is exciting! So today, I felt like sharing things that currently have me excited. Let’s go!
I love cute blogging families (I actually just typed “flamlies” on accident. A cousin of mine used to say it that way. Hopefully I’ve ruined you all now. Welcome to the flamily!). My two current favorites are Fit Mama Real Food and Lauren’s Latest. I’ve been reading them both for a couple of years now. Whether you’re a mom or not, have kids or don’t, love food or don’t (or don’t? Is that possible?), both of these blogs are enjoyable to read. Strangely enough, I think both these families live near Portland, Oregon! Fit Mama Heather’s Instagram feed is just pure joy and full of her adorable son and daughter. I want to squeeze them! 😉 And Lauren just revealed a clip of her and her family in the kitchen. I hope there will be more videos like this soon! What family foodie blogs do you like?
Speaking of cute families and babies, I’m working on a fleece fox toy for my little cousin for Christmas! She’s just about the cutest thing (my cousin…well, and the fox!). Here is the free pattern. I’m not an extremely experience sewer, so I’ll I’ve done so far is cut out the pattern. Makin’ progress! I really hope I get to see my little cousin during the holidays so I can give her the fox in person.
I’ve been on a boot hunt for months. I’ve had one pair of cheap, brandless boots (I think they were from Kohl’s) for a few years now. I’ve really worn them out, but I couldn’t seem to find a suitable replacement. I’m always cold, though, so I knew this was the winter I would find a nice, higher quality pair. Leather = warmth, after all. I ended up with 2 pairs! Wearing them around the house to make sure they’re right. Here’s a photo of my Boot Flamily.
The left pair is called Hilaria from Report Shoes. They aren’t leather, which is disappointing, but I found them before the middle pair, and they were the first comfortable boots I’d tried. Which leads to the glorious pair in the center: Cayden style from B.O.C.. Cayden doesn’t seem to be available on the B.O.C. site. These come up to my knee, are LEATHER, snug and hold my foot in place. And they’re warm! I originally didn’t want a pair that came to my knee (shorties, raise your hand!), because I felt it really cut my short legs in half. But I actually like how they look, and love how they feel so far. I think we’ll be very good friends heading into the even colder winter months. And the right pair? My long-time buddies ❤ Anyone know where they might be from?
Enough shoe talk. Last bit of weekend excitement! I’m performing in a community Messiah Sing-along, and I’m thrilled to say I was selected to sing the Soprano “Rejoice, O Daughter of Zion!” solo. I’ve been singing everyday and working hard. I’ve missed this kind of musical work. Collaborating with fellow musicians, listening to all sorts of recordings, and that crazy-obsessed, ultra-focused feeling you get when you spend a lot of time with one piece of music. Plus I’m inspired by fellow soloists and our awesomely talented accompanist. I’m grateful. I have more work to do before performance day, but I’m excited!
My score 🙂
What has your attention or is inspiring you lately?
The ever-evolving blog | November, 18th.
Posted: November 18, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: blogging, evolution, inspiration, interests, perfection 1 CommentI often get trapped by rules and guidelines I set for myself. I struggled to stray from something after I’ve decided it’s what I’m doing. It’s the perfectionist in me, and in everyone that struggles with this. This behavior can be unhealthy, and makes you really feel stuck.
(Thanks, Pinterest!)
I’ve done it with food, exercise, hobbies, plans, etc. Lately, I’ve felt myself doing it with this very blog! This blog was started as an advertising class assignment. We had to write a certain number of posts by the end of term (hence my numbered posts). They needed to relate to the advertising and media industry. Since that class ended, I worked hard to keep to the blog’s theme, even as my interests and blogging inspiration drifted from the advertising world. I struggled multiple times trying to decide how to fix it, but I would end up writing posts about varying interests, yet always feeling like I had to tie it back into advertising. I thought about starting new blogs (A food blog? Healthy living blog? Music blog?). I would brainstorm those for a week or so, but then feel defeated when I’d assume that I wouldn’t have enough content to make it worth while (that thought right there is so full of fear of failure and negativity! Shoo, you!).
Just recently I’ve realize that…who says I have to start a new blog? Who says I can only write about one topic on a blog? Who says that I have to continue writing about the same things, despite the fact that I have so many topics I’d enjoy talking about? I’ve realized that it’s me who says those things. I’ve made these rules for my blog that I thought were set in stone. And if I started a new blog with a new theme, I’d almost definitely fall into the same trap.
I like this blog. I want it to be fun! It’s a wonderful creative outlet, its origins bring fond memories, and I’m proud of the content on it so far. So I’m breaking my own rules! I already did so by writing this post (I had another topic planned in my mind when I sat down to write). It’s time for this blog to evolve and change, just like I am. This blog will still have posts about media and advertising, but I won’t let myself not write a post because it might not relate to that. I won’t let it stifle my creativity! I want to keep writing about food, music, crafts or whatever is inspiring me in the moment! I’m wiggling free from my own blogging rules 🙂
I have to give a holler to my college friend Teniola over at Anchors ‘n’ Oceans – her blog posts are always inspiring me so much! I read a post today that motivated me to write this post right after.
Bloggers, how do you deal with this issue? I’d love to hear!
(Another good one from Satsuki!)
64. ♪ In Baltimore, you will find what you’ve been waiting for…and it’s Berger Cookies.
Posted: November 5, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Baltimore, beanitos, Berger Cookie, berger cookies, food, foodie penpals, justin's nut butter, kind bar, Maryland, somersault snack, tea time Leave a commentI participated in The Lean Green Bean‘s Foodie Penpals program in October! It’s been a few months, and I’m so glad I got back in on the fun. Especially since Lean Green Bean Lindsay just gave birth to an adorable baby boy and will be taking a break from hosting Foodie Penpals until next year. I’m sending warm, well wishes to Lindsay and her family!
My penpal for October was the awesome, pumpkin-loving Emily from Maryland! This was her first time participating in Foodie Penpals, and the two of us were both super stoked to exchange boxes of fabulous treats, goodies, and noms. I’ve done Foodie Penpals twice before, but Emily is the first person I’ve been paired with to be closer to my age, which was fun! As the end of October approached, I eagerly awaited my package. It came on a chilly, cloudy Wednesday…
It was way more challenging to hold the phone steady, open a box and form coherent sentences all at the same time than I thought it would be. 😉
Can you guess what I tried first? I had just made a cup of Celestial Seasonings tea before getting the mail. Wouldn’t a cookie go great with that? Have you had a Berger Cookie? I had never had a Berger Cookie. I clearly wasn’t living life before my first Berger Cookie. Or my second. Or third…these rich, gooey, fudge-dipped Berger Cookies were the obvious star of the foodie package. Before she put my package together, Emily had asked me if I like sweets because she wanted to send me a “Baltimore treat.” Thank goodness I said yes. Yummmm. My brother tried two one as well, and he said he’d be willing to pay cross-country shipping to get a box all for himself. Yep, that good. Of course, we could always make our own with King Arthur if we got really desperate.
Emily also told me about an ice cream shop in Baltimore that makes Berger Cookie ice cream sandwiches. Be still, my heart. Could it be here?
The Somersault Snacks didn’t last long either. I didn’t even get a photo of the snack itself! While Dad said they were “interesting,” my Grandma wanted to go around to local grocery stores and put in a stock request. Thankfully, I spotted them for the first time while shopping over the weekend. They’re light, salty and crunchy! The texture sort of reminded me of the airiness of a rice cake, but more seed-y. Since they don’t contain nuts, they weren’t dense at all like some granola and nut bars. They have a ton of flavors, and I’m hoping I can find more of them locally! Dutch cocoa, I’ve got my eye on you.
I was of course thrilled about the Justin’s Almond Butter and Hazlenut Butter packets, Beanitos and the kind bar! I had never tried the Justin’s Chocolate Hazlenut Butter, simply because I never liked Nutella. Oh, how silly of me! Move over, Nutella. Justin’s version is SO delicious and chocolatey, but not too sweet at all. Plus, it uses all-natural ingredients. That’s tough to beat. Also, while working on this blog post I discovered Justin’s has a WHITE CHOCOLATE peanut butter cup?! Must find.
Isn’t the card adorable?! Aww. Thank you SO much, Emily! I loved every part of my goodie box. I can’t wait for next year when Foodie Penpals starts up again! If you’ve never participated, you should give it a shot!
Have you don’t Foodie Penpals? What’s your favorite foodie item you’ve received?
63. Baking Bootcamp – Apple Pie Biscuits
Posted: September 24, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: apple, apple pie biscuit, baking, baking bootcamp, biscuit, joy the baker, king arthur flour Leave a commentIt’s officially fall! That means bakers are gonna bake, bake, bake, bake, bake…
I stumbled upon Joy the Baker through Instagram about a week ago (I think I saw this person, who I follow, like one of Joy’s beautiful photos. Ah, roads of the internet!). I was browsing her site when I saw that she and King Arthur Flour were teaming up to do a Baking Bootcamp. How do you participate in the bootcamp? Simple! Bake these fall-icious, tasty apple pie biscuits. Snap a photo (or 2 or 7). Share it on Instagram with the #bakingbootcamp hashtag, and follow both Joy and King Arthur Flour. You’ll be entered to win a year’s supply of flour AND a Baking Essentials box full of amazing kitchen tools and gadgets. Plus, you’re going to wind up with some out-of-this-word apple pie biscuits. You can’t loose, really.
Oozing with apple-cinnamon goodness!
Joy’s easy-to-make biscuits looked delicious, so I gave them a go last weekend. My teen brother was having some friends over, so I knew the house would be full of hungry boys!
Since I didn’t have my own King Arthur Self-Rising Flour, I just made my own! Joy explained how to make both regular self-rising flour and gluten-free self-rising flour. How great is she?! Did I mention my little foodie heart nearly burst when I saw Joy got to hang out and bake with one of my favorite Food Network Stars? Also, every blog/recipe post is like a work of art! Beautiful imagery and clever words to match. It’ll leave you drooling on your keyboard! Joy sneaks in other tidbits that aren’t all food-related into her posts, making her blog feel well-rounded, yet still focused on baking. I feel like that’s a major struggle when I blog, so I’ll definitely be looking to her posts for inspiration! 🙂
But back to the flour. I mixed it up the night before so I’d be all set to get baking in the morning.
Bright and early the next morning, I got to baking! Check out Joy’s post for step-by-step pictures and directions.
Apples: CHOPPED!
Channeling Ree Drummond with this butter action.
Placing the apples, being powered by Legend of Zelda
This recipe made 12 small biscuits. All VANISHED by the end of the morning. I munched on mine with some delish Fage greek yogurt, which complimented the cinnamon and slight sweetness of these tasty treats.
The above collage is what I shared on my Instagram to enter the Baking Bootcamp contest. Both Joy and King Arthur Flour liked my photos, and King Arthur Flour even left some comments! I just love seeing brands interacting with their fans through social media. It builds an instant connection!
A huge thanks to Joy the Baker and King Arthur Flour for holding such a cool bootcamp. It brings bakers together in a fun way, and teaches everyone how to create something new and delicious. Some of my coworkers even saw my posts and now want to try this out over the weekend.
Wanna participate? You have until October 11th! I’ll be watching the #bakingbootcamp hashtag for fellow bakers’ creations. I’m already looking forward to the next Baking Bootcamp! Maybe something Thanksgiving or Christmas-themed?
62. Magic Road
Posted: May 10, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Japan, Magic Road, nagano toyokazu, photography Leave a commentI forget how I came upon these pictures, but I found them just a few days ago.
They’re taken by Japanese photographer Nagano Toyokazu, and I think they’re all simply fantastic! His dream is to one day photograph Korean Pop girl group Girls’ Generation. Most of the photos are of his daughter, taken on an empty road. While it’s empty, his adorable daughter and all her props bring this road to life! A viewer commented that Nagano’s photos transform this ordinary road into a “Magic Road.” I love it! Every picture is unique and has its own special feeling. They definitely make me feel inspired to work on my own photography.
Short post – just wanted to share. I hope everyone checks out his Flickr page!
61. Friday Things – how is it Friday again?
Posted: April 25, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: advertising, food, friday things, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Jamie Eason, Nintendo, on a quest, Quest bars, Tomodachi Life, yogurt Leave a commentInspired by bloggers like Kasey and Brittany to do another Friday Things! They call theirs “Friday Favorites” and “Friday Five.” I like it!
1. Goodby, Silverstein & Partners new case study, I Am The New Creative. Watch it!
2. Quest Bars – all day, every day! I used to inhale one each afternoon, but now it has evolved into a nighttime snack. Cut it up, bake it, devour with some nut butter and greek yogurt. Oh yes.
3. Mad Men. I don’t even care that I’m 7 years late. Better late than never! Currently binge-watching Season 1 on Netflix.
4. Jamie Eason‘s Live Fit Program! If you’re looking for a FREE way to add structure to your weight training, I really reccommend it! I trained with weights for about a year and a half without seeing my strength improve much. With Jamie’s program, I don’t have to think about or really plan my workouts, which I really like! It gets me to write down how much I’m lifting, so as the weeks go by I can see my strength increase. I’m not following her food plan, not weighing myself or counting calories, and sometimes I alter the workouts to fit how I’m feeling each day. Haha! Does that mean I’m doing my own version of Jamie’s program? Either way, I feel so empowered each day that I can lift a bit more 🙂 Today I did Phase 2 -> Day 48 -> Back/Delts.
5. This ridiculously amazing video from Nintendo Direct. I just love rolling on the floor. Can I work at Nintendo now? I think it’s full of comedians…plus I’ve invested in so many issues of Nintendo Power.
That’s it for Friday things! What fun things did you discover, do or watch this week?
60. Amy Poehler’s Body Talk.
Posted: April 22, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: amy poehler, beauty, body image, body image in the media, confidence, media, self esteem, self love, self talk, smart girls Leave a commentThis video is over a year old, but I just saw it on Upworthy‘s Facebook page this morning. It’s one of the many uplifting, fun and inspiring videos from Amy Poehler’s “Smart Girls” series/community that she and her friend, Meredith Walker started back in 2008 (check out their Facebook and Twitter for more videos, news and info!).
All I can say is…Amy Poehler, you are awesome! This video made my eyes fill with tears, which was enough to convince me to share it in a blog. It’s wonderful to hear positive body, self-image and self-esteem talk from anyone, but especially someone in a business where your image is so important and constantly being scrutinized. A friend of mine shared the same advice about talking to yourself as if you were talking to a child or your daughter. I think, in general, we’re way to hard on ourselves, constantly judging. Have you ever kept track of how many times a negative thought about yourself slips into your mind? Or how you describe yourself? It’s important to give yourself a break and speak some kind words to yourself. Have you tried looking are your own reflection and reciting things like “You’re beautiful!” or “I love you.” Unless you’ve worked hard on positive talk and self-love, it’s much more difficult than you might think!
Since this is usually a media-related blog, I’ll tie it back in by saying that I hope more women (and men!) in the media share words like this. Teach young men and women to love and accept themselves – not judge themselves!
Perhaps someday we’ll be as confident as Hal from Malcom in the Middle?
59. Friday Things!
Posted: April 18, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: breakfast, food, friday, health, manduka, oatmeal, oil, orphan black, ridiculissa, yoga Leave a commentIt’s Friday!
My last blog entry was on a Friday (at the end of May?! Okay, let’s not go 10 months between posts again), so what better way to get back into posting than on a Friday?
I love Friday. The entire weekend is ahead of you. Endless possibilities! I think, “Now is the time to try out all those recipes I read during the week,” or “I should start watching that show…,” or “The weather is nice – time for a hike!” or “I’ll finally organize that stack of boxes in my room.” That last one rarely happens.
I think back to the fun things I did, watched, made or read during the week, and I want to share! Here we go – Friday Things!
- A thought. I want to start an additional blog, based more around food, overall wellness and balance. I’ve brainstormed names, trying to encompass my lifestyle and feelings about eating, food and health, but I think I’ve settled on something like “Ridiculissa Eats,” mostly because I’ve used “Ridiculissa” for multiple social media platforms to identify myself. Thoughts?
- I finally got a new yoga mat! When I first started yoga back in December, my best friend (thank you, lovely!) gave me a mat. I was thrilled! You can’t beat a free mat, but I practice yoga regularly now and wanted something a little more substantial. After much deliberation (internet research, asking everyone in yoga class, and basically becoming close friends will the entire floor staff at the sporting goods store), I got a Manduka, from their PRO Mat series. It’s HUGE and heavy, but I wanted a mat that I wouldn’t slide on and that was nice and squishy. My boney back would always hurt during floor work on the other mat.
New and old! Manduka on the left, my first yoga mat on the right.
I’m still breaking in the Manduka, but I already like it. To care for it, I wipe it down with a blend of these three oils and water.
- Something that everyone should read –> “Explore.“
- A super silly card game cover I saw at work. I would play it just because of the art! Sheep Impact. Anyone ever played it?
- This week’s breakfast obsession? Baked Oatmeal. One of my favorites was my own version of the Deep Dish Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie from the Nutritious Kitchen! I strayed from her recipe a bit…but maybe I’ll save that for when I start a food blog 🙂
I also made a version of Once Upon a Cutting Board’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Baked Oatmeal and Fit Mama Real Food’s Blueberry Chia Seed Baked Oatmeal last week and this week. - ORPHAN BLACK STARTS ON SATURDAY. TOMORROW. Does that still count as a “Friday Thing?”
What would your “Friday Things” be for this week?
58. Foodie Friday – Foodie Penpals!
Posted: May 31, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Aurora Natural, community, Danielle Chips, Earnest Eats, food, food bloggers, foodie penpals, health, Lean Green Bean 3 CommentsSeeing as my last post was a “Foodie Friday” post, is it not SO appropriate that today, Friday, is the reveal day for this month’s Foodie Penpals? Amazing!
Never heard of Foodie Penpals? It’s an awesomely fun program that Lindsay over at The Lean Green Bean started. I’ve been eyeballing the sign-up form for months and finally decided to do it! Each month, you sign up to be paired with two penpals: One penpal you send foodie goodies to while the other sends stuff to you! It’s a great way to meet fellow food fans and build the online community of foodies! Sounds fun, right?
I sent goodies off to a gal in California (she doesn’t have a blog so I can’t link over to her, but she was a great penpal!). The penpal sending me goodies was Hindy from Confident Cook, Hesitant Baker! I’d highly suggest taking a look at her recipes. Delicious! I find her blog so unique. As you can see in her “About” section, she prefers vegetarian meals for herself, while her family eats meat. Combine that with preparing kosher meals and you’ve got a wide range of recipes to look through! I’ve already spotted a few that I’d like to try (Hello there, baked salmon patties).
After letting Hindy know some food preferences, I waited impatiently for my goodies to arrive! When the package showed up in the mailbox, I was BEYOND thrilled! Here’s what I got.
- Aurora Natural Hickory Smoke Almonds
- Earnest Eats hot & fit cereal, the American Blend (see below pictures for ingredient deets)
- Danielle Tangy Pineapple chips
- Whole-wheat Couscous
- Freeze-dried bananas and strawberries
WAHOO! So much foodie goodness. I’ve eaten the freeze-dried fruit (on top of some cottage cheese! Perfection) and am planning on cooking some couscous very soon! Unfortunately, the seal was broken on the hot cereal, and since I didn’t know how long it had been open or if it had been tampered with, I decided to throw it out. BUT. I was so stoked to try it that I ordered some for myself. I can’t wait for it to arrive.
Many thanks to Hindy for sending me such a great package! Everything she sent me fit in with the food preferences I gave her. Even better! This was an awesome first Foodie Penpal experience for me. A HUGE thank you to Lindsay as well for running this unique program! I can imagine it’s difficult organzing so many people to make Foodie Penpals run as smoothly as it does. Interested in participating next month? It isn’t too late to sign up! Visit Lindsay’s Foodie Penpal page for more details, rules and a link to the sign-up page.
Alissa Barry 