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.