Why Twitter? My Top 5 Reasons

photo credit Willo

What is Twitter to me?

A fast easy way to tell people you know, barely know and don't know at all what you are thinking, promoting, or needing and conversely read what they are thinking, breaking news, promotions etc. in real time.

I don't follow celebrities. They're boring.

What is a Tweet?

A message of 140 characters or less. It can be anything; a thought, link, photo, quote, joke, etc.

Many of my family and friends don't understand why I tweet. Here are my top 5 reasons.

1 Convenience - I can be waiting for an oil change or some other time wasting event and be instantly entertained. Sometimes I prefer the layout of reading tweets on my phone because Twitterific highlights when people mention me, talk to me, etc., which is rare, but still fun.

2 Real Time News - Find out what streets are flooding, cool restaurants to go to, and which celebrities died as soon as it happens.

3 Laughter - There are some really funny amateur comedians on Twitter. I love to wake up and start my day with a laugh that relates to something going on that day. And it makes me funnier too!

4 Meeting People - Most people's tweets (aka messages) aren't private. Therefore, you can read what they tend to write about, if you like it, you follow them, which means that their messages pop up on your screen as soon as they type them. Instant friend! You can learn a lot about a person by what they decide to tell the world on a daily basis. Some people come off depressing, funny, grateful, helpful, happy, smart etc. It can be a very personal look into someone's life. You might find someone you'd like to meet. I've been on Twitter 115 days and have 135 followers.

5 Opens/Closes the Day - When I used to have a steady boyfriend, I'd call him every night before bed to say good night and recap the day. It gets kinda lonely when you lose that tradition. So instead, I tuck myself in and read interesting tweets from a hundred or so people. I feel connected, less lonely and go right to sleep.

All I Want for Christmas is... Shoes

I may be a shoe collector. Never realized this until someone pointed it out because I thought it was a natural girl thing.

I was making my Christmas list and started to look for boots, which led me to shoes, which led me to flats, which led me sandals. So anyway, Santa was good to me.

Matisse Women's Benjamin Button Boot

Review: Luxurious, great fit, classic

Pink Studio Women's Sonia Flat

Review: Classic and comfortable.

ASICS Women's GEL-Kayano 16 Running Shoe

My old tennis shoes hurt my feet when I workout so I went to a running store on Magazine St. and got my feet evaluated. The salesman recommended these to support my feet which tend to collapse when I stand. I also have a heel blistering problem, and he told me to always wear synthetic socks and to stay away from cotton.

Review: They feel great on, and I can't wait to use them.

Cobian Women's Nias Flip Flop

Review: Look good, had good reviews online but feel like they might hurt my inner toe.

Cobian Women's Brooke Flat

Review: Look good but feel a little stiff.

Miss Me Women's Lacey-13 Flower Ornament Flat

aka LSU Tailgate Shoes

Review: Quality not great but decent for the price. Comfy and cute.

Check out the cool bugeyed sign that my dad got me!

Took a gamble by ordering six pairs of shoes sight unseen online. Bought them from Endless.com and Shoes.com where the returns are supposed to be free and easy. You can order all of these shoes on Amazon. The links are highlighted in blue. I think I'll send back the flip flops and stick to Sanuk brand.

I FOUND WORK

January 5th I start working.

I am soooooo excited. 

It's contract work.

Never thought I'd be so excited to find a job.

I think it's because I know how hard I worked to get it, and I know it'll open up more opportunities in the future.

Hopefully for one thing, it'll open up permanent employment when the hiring freeze is lifted.

With whom?

It is with a prominent university and the top employer in New Orleans.

What will I be doing?

I will be a project manager for an interior construction project.

For how long?

A minimum of 4 months.

So what did it take to get there?

Step 1 - When I was thinking of moving down here I gave all three of my parents a list of which firms I'd like to work for and told them to ask their friends if they knew of anyone connected with these firms.

I got one lead from that.

Step 2 - My dad mentioned that I was looking for a job to his high school friend and his wife I'll call D.

Nothing came of that.

Step 3 - Later on, my dad emailed the high school friend and D again.

Step 4 - Then D asked for me to send her my resume. I did.

I never heard back.

Step 5 - A week later I told my dad that D had never responded to my sending the resume.

Step 6 - He called D, and she said that I should send it again and that her email was messed up.

Step 7 - I sent D the resume again.

D finally read the resume and forwarded to another soccer mom/architect whose kids play soccer with hers.

When the architect finally responded she said, "Wow, her background is impressive. We have a hiring freeze that I can't get around, but I may be able to do contract work. I'd like to meet her."

Step 8 - One meeting was rescheduled, but we got to met November 20th for an interview. I got great feedback.

She sent me the contract forms on December 20th and I start January 5th.

The End.

I outlined this entire process to make a point.

Finding a job does not happen overnight.

This took months.

Eight times my dad and I had to be proactive to make this happen.

There are no guarantees even when your parents went to high school with someone whose wife is a soccer mom with your future employer.

No Poo Method

Sham-poo that is.

The method already exists. I didn't make it up. I promise.

I am tired of shampoo.

Not because of the harmful ingredients in shampoo such as toxic Alcohol, isopropyl (SD-40), carcinogenic FD&C color pigments, and Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), which can be absorbed through your eyeballs and has been known to kill some animals.

Not because shampoo removes oil which causes your glands to produce more oil, so the more often you wash your hair the more frequently it gets greasy.

And not because the "No Poo Method" is cheaper.



No, no my real reason is far more vain.

For the past 2 or 3 years, I can see and feel that shampoo leaves residue on my hair and scalp. It bothers me to no end!

So I googled and googled. I found shampoos that were organic, that cleansed, that purified, that prevented dandruff, and healed the scalp. None of them were a reliable cure.

Although, I did kinda like this $25 shampoo. Frederic Fekkai MORE Scalp Purifying Shampoo It smells beautifully and worked for short periods of time.

I've had this post in the draft stages for a long time. I keep editing it because at first I loved No Poo, but the more I use it the more I dislike it. Keep in mind that I can only speak for super fine, super straight hair because that's what I was born with. Although, I have read that it reduces frizz.

Pros: 

• It leaves my hair more voluminous than ever before and softer too.
• I can go two days in between washing most of the time.
  

Cons:

• It leaves the texture of my hair slightly more coarse and less shiny. Much to my mother's dismay. 
• Not a perfect solution. I still sometimes have residue.
  

Like my mother, it may sound a little too new age for you because it's considered unAmerican not to wash your hair with shampoo. Check out this article from NPR on the history of shampoo. That being said, I find it fun to experiment with different methods to see what works.

Most sites tell you to use apple cider vinegar and/or olive oil as a conditioner. It makes my hair kind of stringy and looks dirty right away so I am going to have to stick to regular conditioner until I find something better.

My Conclusion:

Though it's a love hate relationship, I think I'm going keep with the No Poo method for now and wash with regular shampoo or the Frederic Fekkai MORE Scalp Purifying Shampoo once a month.

Here is my routine:

Preshower

1) Mix 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle.  

During Shower

2) Saturate your scalp and roots by spraying the solution. When your hand starts to hurt from pumping, open the spray bottle and pour the rest of the solution on the middle to ends of your hair.

3) Massage and rinse.

4) Condition your hair with a regular conditioner from the mid length of the hair to the ends.

5) Rinse.

Notes:
*The baking soda solution should always be watery not pasty. If so, you are using too much baking soda.
*I've tried to be lazy and stick some baking soda and water in my hands, but that was too pasty and didn't rinse well.
*I've tried to be lazy and just pour the baking soda and water on from a cup, but for best results, stick to the spray bottle.



Think I'm crazy? Want to try it? Let me know your thoughts.

All That Glitters

I've been making jewelry in my spare time. I found some cool "findings" (jewelry term for accent pieces) in NYC. I have no idea what they were originally, but I found a pile of them at a flea market and envisioned earrings. Several dollars, tools and beads later my visions came to life. What do you think?

SOLD (below)

SOLD (below)

 

SOLD (above)

mine all mine (below)

 spoken for (below)

SOLD (below) 

 

Fortune Cookie

Boy, that'd be nice!

Songs from a Higher Power

One night in college, I was lying on the couch in the living room of my apartment and couldn't sleep. All of a sudden I couldn't get the song, "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong out of my head. The phone rang and my mom was calling to let me know that my grandmother had passed away.

I know these lyrics were the comfort of my grandmother telling me how beautiful her world was. She was a wonderful person, a talented gardener and a wonderful mother to her children and grandchildren.

What a Wonderful World

listen here

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.

My mom lost her canine companion this weekend. I visited to spend some time with her and, last night, I was driving to pick up some food for us to eat. On the way, I started to cry thinking about little Spencer. Then, this song came on the radio. Seriously the line was,

"Don't cry for me down here"

I'm convinced that the pup spoke to me. He said he was better off. I stopped crying and was shocked that a song had done it again. I don't even listen to country and had never heard this song before. Also, I don't know how this station was on because I was listening to a book on tape the last time I was in the car. I was truly amazed and comforted. Have a listen here.... "When I Get Where I'm Going" -Brad Paisley with Dolly Parton

Rejection in Print

1) We appreciate your interest in our firm. Unfortunately, we do not have a position available at this time. Good luck in your search for employment.

2) Thank you for your interest in XYZ.  Currently, there are no available positions. I will hold on to your resume for future openings.  Best of luck in your job search.

3) Thank you for your interest in XYZ. At this time we are not hiring.  I wish you all the best in your job search.

4) Lindsay, thank you for your interest in ABC.  We do not have any openings at this time, but I will keep your resume on file for future consideration.

Again, thank you for contacting ABC, and good luck with your job search.

5) Hi Linday,

Thanks for your inquiry. We are not currently hiring, but I very much appreciate your interest in our firm.

Good luck with your job search.

6) Thank you for contacting ABC. At this time, we are not hiring for any design positions. However, I will certainly keep your resume on file for the coming year in the event that something does become available. Thanks again for your interest in ABC.

7) Lindsay,

Thank you for sending your resume’ and portfolio of work to ABC.  It was one of the most creative and well thought-out resumes I have ever seen.  Very nice job on that!  Your education and work experience are wonderful.  Unfortunately, we are not currently hiring.  I will keep your resume’ on file in the event that a job opening does occur in the near future.

8) Thank you for submitting your resume and work for our review.  We have carefully assessed our current workload and regret that we have no available positions at this time that coincide with your qualifications. However, if you are interested in an interview and visit to our office, please contact me at your earliest convenience. We will retain your resume in our active files for further consideration in the event of a future opening.

We appreciate your interest in EFG and wish you success in your endeavors.

 

to be continued...

Covered In Cover Letters

wish i never had to write one again.

i'd love to know how many actually get read.

on second thought.

it's better not to know.

Progress Report - 2

Making headway in the list of 100 people to meet:

1. Architectural Product Sales Rep from IIDA

2. Architectural Product Sales Rep from IIDA
3. Interior Design Classmate from college
4. Website Managing Director/ Newbie to NOLA from website
5. Retired Social Worker friend of a parent
6. Retired French Translator friend of a parent
7. Neuroscientist friend of friend
8. Director of Interior Design at LSU
9. Professor of Interior Design at LSU
10. Landscape Architect Friend
11. Zoo Associate/Vet Student from high school
12. Medical Doctor Friend of Friend
13. Architectural Sales Rep from IIDA
14. Stage Dancer/Massage Therapist from high school
15. Stage Actress/Retail Associate from friend
16. Banker friend
17. Personal Chef and Assistant from Twitter
18. Florist from friend
19. Fabric Restorer from friend
20. Artist from friend
21. Construction Manager from friend
22. Construction Manager from friend
23. Interior Designer and Firm Owner from IIDA
24. Dental Office Manager neighbor
25. Interior Designer from IIDA/college
26. Interior Designer from IIDA/college
27. Design Consultant from college
28. Architect from DFW from friend in networking group
29. Home Product Shop Owner from previous employment
30. Magazine Editor from magazine/website/blog
31. Interior Designer from neighbor
32. New Orleans Socialite from neighbor
33. Commercial Realtor neighbor
34. Theater Administrator/Construction Estimator from friend
35. Museum Curator from friend
36. Facilities Interior Designer and great networker friend
37. VP of Design Community Collaboration at design event
38. Architectural Product Rep at design event
39. Interior Design Firm Owner at design event
40. Museum Volunteer from friend of parent
41. Retired Store Owner from friend of parent
42. Designer from design event
43. Non-profit marketer from twitter
44. Marketing Manager for Development Company friend
45. Interior Designer from IIDA event
46. Interior Designer at University from networking group friend
47. Architectural Sales Representative from IIDA
48. Designer/Photographer from college
49. Director of Design and Construction at University from friend of parent
50. Retired Bank Administrator from friend of parent
51. Doctor from friend
52. Doctor friend

These next few weeks are going to be busy. I am going to be going door to door dropping off resumes, which takes FOREVER to set up. I'm up to my ears in cover letters, resumes, and sample work all tailored for each office.

I'm going to be busy creating too. (the fun part) I bought some brass pieces at a flea market in NYC to make earrings for Christmas. I also have three art commissions to crank out for early December. Will post the fruits of my labor. Looking forward to getting cozy with the family for the holiday season. I love those guys.

Crafty Costumes

So I was headed to The Rocky Horror Show, the theatrical production at Westwego Theater on Halloween night. I knew I couldn't wear my troll wig again because it would block the person sitting behind me's view. So about noon on Halloween day I started crafting this Blue Dog Dress. I already had the dress from a vintage shop. So I drew, cut and painted on cardboard the blue dog face and feet. It has been a rousing success. I'm taking orders for handmade costumes for next year so get your order in now!

Couldn't Do the Troll Wig Again

Blue Dog. Ta Da! Cost = $0 (I had all the materials)

How to Make a $4 PreBaked Rotisserie Chicken Pay for Itself

My first real frugal post, and it's a good one!

Grocery store rotisserie chickens make for a decent last minute meal and are super cheap. But, I figured out a way to really stretch that bird!

Day 1, buy the chicken, add a sensible side and feed yourself and even your significant other. If you don't have another mouth to feed, more for you! I usually have at least half of the chicken remaining so I stick it in the fridge.

Day 2, peel and chop the leftover chicken meat and return the skin and bones to the fridge. Use the chopped chicken to make this delicious soup! 

Mexican Chicken Soup

• 1 (32 ounce) carton chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa (any flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro

1. Combine chicken broth, water and garlic in a large saucepan: bring to a boil.
2. Add salsa, oregano, and salt.
3. Cover- reduce heat to low; cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add chicken, beans, corn and chilies; continue cooking for 5 minutes or until heated through.
5. Serve in soup bowls; top each serving with cilantro and sour cream.

Day 3, make chicken stock to enrich future soups and dishes by following the method below.

Leftover Bones and Skin Chicken Stock Recipe 

1. Put the leftover bones and skin from a chicken carcass into a large stock pot and cover with cold water. Add veggies like celery, onion, carrots, parsley.
2. Add salt and pepper, about 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/4 tsp of pepper.
3. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce heat to bring the stock to a simmer.
4. Simmer uncovered or in a crockpot on low at least 4 hours, occasionally skimming off the foam that comes to the surface.
5. Strain the stock, removing bones.
6. You may want to reduce the stock by simmering a few hours longer to make it more concentrated and easier to store.
7. Pour the stock into ice cube trays for adding small amounts of stock to recipes or mason jars for larger quantities. 

Some Day "In the Future", take the stock out of the freezer/fridge, and use another leftover chicken half to make some, mmm, Chicken Noodle Soup. Recipe and image from Musings of a Housewife.

 Chicken Noodle Soup 

1. Heat two quarts chicken stock in a large stockpot till boiling.
2. Meanwhile, chop 3 or 4 carrots, 2 stalks of celery, and dice an onion. Add them to the boiling stock and cook for 15-20 minutes.
3. Throw in a cup or two of egg noodles. Return to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Add the cooked chicken meat and heat through.
5. Serve with homemade bread and butter, or biscuits for a treat!

 One bird in the hand is worth four meals on the table!

For 101 more uses for roasted chicken, check out Retorte.

When Life Hands You Lemons

I am looking forward to the Lemonade documentary...

"I got laid off, and I'm finally doing something that matters."

Progress Report - 1

I moved to New Orleans two weeks ago. So far so good. I've met up with old buddies and made a few new ones. I went to some events in Baton Rouge - Live After 5 and the Louisiana Book Festival. Staying true to my frugal blood, both events were FREE.

I also just found a potluck club through Yelp.com with some foodies that meet on Sundays. They also tweet so I stay on top of things that way. Actually, there are quite a few good tweeters about New Orleans like @NOLABroadSquad, @NOLAforFREE, @StayLocal, @NOLAonthecheap, @BudgetNOLA etc.

So far I've made a dent in the list of 100 people to meet:

1. Architectural Product Sales Rep
2. Architectural Product Sales Rep
3. Interior Design Classmate
4. Website Managing Director/ Newbie to NOLA
5. Retired Social Worker Friend of a Parent
6. Retired French Translator Friend of a Parent
7. Neuroscientist Friend of Friend
8. Director of Interior Design at LSU
9. Professor of Interior Design at LSU
10. Landscape Architect Friend
11. Highschool Classmate hadn't seen since then
12. Medical Doctor Friend of Friend

I have a few more set up and an informational-we're-not-hiring-but-i-hope-they'll-hire-me-anyway interview. Wish me luck!

Sing Me Back Home to NOLA

Found this neat blog about the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Has a sweet list of songs for those that miss New Orleans. Pictured below is a CD compiled by the New Orleans Social Club. I had to post the picture because the title is so fitting.





I'd like to add "Ain't No Place to Pee on Mardi Gras Day". Any special requests?

Never Eat Alone

I just read this book about contacts, friends, and mentors. The author is supposed to be the most "connected" man alive and being the social butterfly that I am I look to follow in his footsteps. I am setting a goal for myself to have lunch, coffee, or other organized convos with 100 people in the first 3 months of my move.

On the list are old friends, new ones, architects, designers, festival goers, friends of friends and generally interesting people. I have a list of about 40 so far and hoping that those 40 can point me to more and so on to my reach my goal. I have 4 coffee/lunch dates set up this week! Keep me busy- I know you guys know some interesting folks in the area so give me a shout and tell me who I should meet. For those that are interested in broadening your network, here are some key points from the book.

Who do you know that I should meet?

Painting Bones

No, not human bones. I'm in interiors not forensics. Today, I did some manual labor helping my dad with a renovation. I painted the 110+ year old trim. He's been working on these old New Orleans homes since before I was born, and I started painting the trim as young as single digits. What lovely bones.
Enjoy a few shots I snapped.

 

 

Phun with Photos

I think that it is a good idea to reflect on who you are on a regular basis. When people ask you the standard small talk questions, it's important to have interesting answers. Parts of my life have been so focused on meeting career objectives and on other people's needs that I sometimes forget my own. A year ago when people would asked me what my hobbies were I had a tough time answering. It bugged me. Well, this past year has forced me into a time of introspection, and I have had the time to think about what I enjoy and who I want to be. Below is one tool to start asking yourself these questions, and you can visualize the answers afterwards and see if the whole picture of you is what you want it to be. The best part is that you can choose to change your answers because the only person that you can change is you.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What is your first name or favorite nickname? -- lindsay
2. What is your favorite thing to taste? -- a la mode
3. What is your favorite color? -- sky blue
4. What is your style? -- colorful retro
5. What is your favorite place? -- hotel san jose
6. What is your favorite hobby? -- learning
7. What do you want to be when you grow up? -- creative (with pay)
8. What is one word to describe you? -- openminded
9. What is something you really love? -- big family

Now
a. Type your answer to each of the questions into Flickr Search
b. Using only the first search page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Mosaic Maker
d. Change rows to 3 and columns to 3.
e. Save the image.
f.  BONUS PTS - Click the quote cloud at the top of this post. Leave a comment with a link to your image.

photo credits: 1. super8, 2. Mile-High Apple Pie (2), 3. Praia da Princesa, Algodoal-PA (EXPLORED), 4. Self portrait, retro look II, 5. Pacific Hotel, 6. Feet Too Fast (à la Mission Impossible), 7. Viability~, 8. openminded, 9. BigFam