Category Archives: check it out

Linkie Love – Looking to Pay it Forward

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Well, I wasn’t quite ready to come out with it, but for the past couple of days I’ve been taking part in the 29 Days of Giving. I had something planned today, but never got around to getting out to the post office. Then I thought maybe just cooking dinner would be my gift for today – until I decided that I had no desire to cook.

Well, they say the road is paved with good intentions, blah, blah.  So instead I’ve decided to show a little linkie love…

Let me introduce you to the ladies at The Party Goddess. They not only share party planning tips and tricks, but they also love to talk about new products and other things they think you might find useful.   And because they’re also some business savvy gals, they’ve got some great tip, advice and years of experience to share with you all.

5 Things I’m Loving Right Now

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It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these posts.  Consider that I just fell in love with a few of them, I thought it was time to share the love.

Huggable Hangers

I found these a while back.  I love how much thinner they are than my typical plastic hangers and how they don’t seem to leave those hanger bumps on the shoulders.  But more importantly, I love how things actually stay ON the hangers (now I can cut off all those damn plastic strings and not worry about it).

Shu Umera Eyelash Curler

I asked a make up artist friend what to do with my lashes since they just didn’t seem to hold their curl any more.  She suggested I get a new Shu Umera curler – something about the springs not lasting and therefore not curling as well.  Turns out the new curler is exactly what I needed.  Thanks Tara, you’re a genius!  If you haven’t yet invested in a curler (the Shu Umera is a cult classic) I recommend doing so.  The way your curled lashes open your eyes will amaze you.

Dermalogica Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover

I first learned about this product when we were at the Ladies Who Launch LIVE event at the Dermalogica headquarters back in May.  We didn’t get a sample, but everyone around me was raving about this product so I ran out and bought it.  This removes everything from your eyes and is so gentle, you can open your eyes even with the product all over them.  Seriously.  And it washes right away without any film left on your eyes like some of those other products leave behind.

DDF Fade Gel 4

I found out about this product when I read Nadine Haobsh’s book, Beauty Confidential.  She raved about it for reducing hyper-pigmentation spots.  Considering I had a relatively largish spot right on my cheek, near my eye (where my sunglasses rest – gee, I wonder how it got there?!?!) I thought I would give it a try. Granted, it’s not completely gone, but it reduced the pigmentation by at least half.  Made me quite happy and I’ve been raving about it to all my friends since.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Surface Scrub

This is the product that actually made me sit down and right up this list I was that excited.  As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve decided to go green in the house (I’m still working on the health & beauty products, but that seems a bit more challenging and another story all together).  Yesterday I tried the scrub on our tub and it worked great!  All the stains (damn that tinted shine stuff!) and sugar scrub residue is gone.  It really surprised me.  I also use their shower spray and the toilet bowl cleaner and like those as well.  But this, this one I’m loving since I can actually breathe while I scrub.

So what are you loving right now? What do you recommend we all run out and try?

With My Freeze Ray I Will Stop The World

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Teaser from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog on Vimeo.

Seriously, I don’t think I’ve stopped humming or singing the songs from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.  So let me tell you, there’s a good reason it’s called a sing-along blog and that Joss Whedon and co. are working on a soundtrack.

But on to the more important parts, just who is this Dr. Horrible and how can I see what he’s up to with that freeze ray of his?  According to Joss’ himself, ” Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is the (true) story of Dr. Horrible (wow, really?), a low-rent super-villain trying to get into the Evil League of Evil, defeat his boorish nemesis, Captain Hammer, and win the girl of his dreams, Penny (or at least talk to her.)”

Our low-rent super-villain, Dr. Horrible is played by Neil Patrick Harris.  The hero who keeps beating him up, Captain Hammer is none other than Nathan Fillion (who hasn’t done much comedy since Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place back in 2001).  And the love interest, Penny, the cute girl from the laundromat he’s too shy to talk to, Felicia Day.

Currently, there are three acts, but at Comicon this past week, Joss let it slip that there will be a fourth act and a soundtrack still to come.  Your best bet is to purchase the series through iTunes (which secures any future episodes as well) for $5 or so.  Or, for this week, you can once again stream the episodes live over on Hulu.

For updates, be sure to follow along on Twitter.

What an Interesting PR Opportunity

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This request just came in my email earlier today for a piece to be run with a “national news site”. Trust me, I’ve seen and heard some crazy shit that people have done online thinking they were anonymous (and some not caring that they weren’t anonymous). But I have to wonder, who would actually out themselves publicly, in the “national media”, for being such a bitch?

“I’m looking for a couple of people willing to talk about their anonymous online behavior — specifically, the not-so-nice stuff. If you’ve posted angry, hateful, and/or vituperative comments in an online forum or blog and are willing to talk about it (this time you WON’T be anonymous), please contact me. I’m particularly interested in people who would never in a million years tell someone off in the same manner face to face. NO EXPERTS (I’m all set), just real folks please. THANKS for the help!”

That said, this is a fascinating topic and I’d love to read or see the piece when it’s done.  The deadline for pitching your ulitimate bitchiness is this Friday.  Drop me a comment if you should happen to want the contact info for the writer.

A Few of My Favorite Things From BlogHer

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I wanted to call this “my favorite swag” but I felt that was kind of rude.  You know, like the rest of the free stuff sucked or something.  Honestly, I love everything I came home with.  I did drop a few things off at the recycling room.  I also picked up a few things with the intention of handing them off to friends (especially the mom-related items).

A Few of My Favorite Things from BlogHer

In no particular order:

  • multiple thumb drives – I’ll probably keep one or two and the others I’ll probably give away to friends
  • Zivio bluetooth headset by Joby (the guys that brought you the Gorillapod adjustable tripod – it’s been on my Christmas list for the past two years…this year, if I don’t get me a Gorillapod, I’m getting it myself!) – this bluetooth baby is awesome!  It’s super small and light weight, has a retractable mic that you can use in loud or windy situations, and my favorite part, it has six different type and size ear buds for that perfect fit!  It’s not yet out on the market, but when it comes out in late summer, be sure to pick one up.  You’ll love it!
  • Soap Nuts from LaundryTree – these little guys are Nature’s answer to eco-safe, all natural, laundry detergent…dried fruit from the Sapindus Mukorossi tree found in India and Nepal that’s naturally soapy.  I’ve been wanting to try these out for the past month after having read about them in Sophia Ulian’s Gorgeously Green book (still hope to interview her shortly – once I get a moment to contact her) and now I finally have the chance.  Look out laundromat, your world is about to change!
  • Kirtsy mints – just because Kirtsy is cool and well, mints are always good to have.  Don’t you agree?
  • Merci chocolates – they gave me three pounds packages of the chocolate, but I was smart enough to immediately give one away. The other will be enjoyed by yours truly with the last one being sent out to a friend when the weather cools in time for National Thank You Day (which was why they were given out to begin with).   Just think, twenty sticks of German chocolate goodness!  PMS your dreams have been answered!
  • The Closer Crimson Essie polish – one of those perfect red polishes for the toes.  And it’s Essie, one of my favorite brands (even if I don’t watch The Closer).
  • Michelin Man tire gauge – I don’t know about you, but I just know my tires are improperly inflated.  I never bothered to buy a tire gauge and now I don’t have to.  I wound up chatting with one of the guys from Michelin and he told me that they arranged for the carbon offsets for the entire BlogHer conference.  How cool is that?!?!
  • Aluminum bottle from LeapFrog Toys – I’ve been meaning to get my own Sigg bottle, I just never got around to it and now I don’t have to.  So while I don’t use LeapFrog products myself, I do get them for gifts and I really appreciate my new eco-friendly bottle.

So there you have it, some of my favorite products that I came away with from BlogHer.    I also got a couple of decent pens (who doesn’t need decent pens) and a T-Mobile pre-paid card which will most definitely come in handy when I’m traveling and need to get online.  Now I just need to put is some place safe – LOL.

Finally, Some Photos From BlogHer!

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To be honest, I only took the camera out once while waiting in the hall for the entrepreneur breakout session and then again, when Jennifer from TheSmartMama and I won our bags at the Macy’s closing party.  So bear with me.

The Pile o’ Business Cards (I will compile a list…eventually)

Some of the Biz Cards from BlogHer08

Some of the Swag (some was still buried in the suitcase)

BlogHer08 Some of the Swag

Speaking of the suitcase…I had to take out all my clothes and squish them in a carry on bag to make room for the swag

The Swag Packed Up - BlogHer08

Lookee above, I won a bag!! Not my style and I’ll be putting it up on eBay, but still very cool!

And check it out…a blogger…blogging!! (actually I just now realized that that’s Patricia Handschiegel formerly of Style Diary – second time I heard her speak…she’s got her shit together and isn’t afraid to share her ups and downs – I really need to reach out to her)

BlogHer08 - Look Ma, a Blogger Blogging

And now I must head out to lunch with a LWL friend. Need to catch up…

Look Who I Met at BlogHer Last Night

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This list is based purely on business cards and two others I remember chatting with…

  • Clair @ clairnation.blogspot.com & endorphineaddtict.blogspot.com – does a local San Francisco based blog with lots of photos
  • Jessica @ ItalyLogue.com – she’s a travel writer that writes all about Italy.  Great job or what?
  • Sarah @ findableblogs.com – she does blog design
  • Jennifer @ thesmartmama.com – a blog about reducing toxic chemicals in the house – she’s the goto gal for having that eco house and raising kids eco-safe
  • Heather @ desperatelyseekingsanity.com – how great is that title?  A cool mom-ish blogger that blogs about a lot more than just being a mom. This lady has one jam-packed life.
  • Brie @ jujucoop.blogspot.com – an almost library and sometimes DJ from Vancouver
  • Siz @ Sizzle Says – we didn’t get to chat long since she was working the front signin desk
  • Kristy over at BlogHer – again, didn’t get to chat long since she was working

And for those nonbloggers

  • Met one of the gals handing out Soap Nuts – so excited
  • Sallie – is a PR gal that works with the Fresh & Easy chain (we lover their apricot/peach newtons)
  • Sally – another PR gal, this one working in children’s entertainment, like Jim Henson’s team and PBS shows
  • Jan – works with Her Room, a online women’s lingerie shop (she’s actually here at my hotel).

Off to a great start and having fun.  Networking at it’s best 😉

Greetings From San Francisco!

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Here’s a brief tour of my hotel room here in San Francisco.  I’m waiting on my wine opener and crackers now – scratch that, they’re bringing me chocolate instead!  Woohoo!  Gotta love hotels with loyalty programs!

Trying to decide if I want to head on over to Fisherman’s Wharf on my own or just hang low today.  I’ve never been to Fisherman’s Wharf (except to run out and squish a penny while we were zooming through my first time in SF), but I’m just not so sure I’m up for siteseeing by myself right now.  Hello, it’s tea time downstairs right now and I just might meet fellow blogHers down there! I already introduced myself to the lady checking in before me.  She’s not here as a blogger, but as a vendor.  So there’s no stopping me now.

Then there’s the newbie party at the Westin (just mere stumbling steps away) tonight at 8:00.  I’ll need to shower and change (even having a good hair day) before heading over.  Oh and in hindsight, I wish I’d have brought my purse with me afterall instead of just the wristlet.  At least tonight I’d have easily been able to carry my biz cards, my camera and my Flip.

And speaking of the flip, I’m just sitting her (the chocolate has arrived – will go great with my glass of Cab!!!) listening to the mighty Oprah (boring topic) and waiting for the video clip to upload to YouTube. Sure takes a while.  Hurry hurry, I want to head downstairs for tea & sherry.

Crap, my wireless connection might be too slow for the upload.  I called the front desk, they had me call tech support.  I don’t have high hopes for getting a strong enough signal to upload.  Guess I’ll be bringing my laptop with me tomorrow afterall.  Grrrr.   Maybe I should try again from tea & sherry downstairs – no go…they don’t use the same service downstairs.  Double Grrr!

Video tomorrow then.  Now, I’m off for tea and sherry.

The Boss of You Book Giveaway

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I mentioned a while back that I was lucky enough to have interviewed Emira Mears and Lauren Bacon, the women behind The Boss of You: Everything A Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run, and Maintain Her Own Business.  If you head over here, you can read a nice chunk of that interview transcribed.  Even better, you can enter to win one of two copies of their awesome book.  You have until midnight tonight to leave a comment and enter.

Good luck!