Interesting post that came in through one of my LinkedIn groups. Not the most statistically sound study, I am sure (agh! My days at MaPS won't stop haunting me!) but it is interesting nonetheless.
http://tinyurl.com/cmq7xy
According to Peter Yesawich, chief executive officer of Ypartnership, "Although affluent travelers have also been adversely affected by the financial turmoil that has emerged in recent months, particularly as it relates to the degradation of the value of their investment portfolios, they remain rather optimistic about their intentions for both leisure and business travel."
Yesawich concluded, "While affluent travelers intend to spend more on travel services in the year ahead, other insights revealed in the survey suggest they will still demand far more for their travel dollar."
Side note: affluent is described as an annual income of $150K or more, which isn't actually that much money. (OK, it's a hell of a lot more than what I make, but these are not the Trumps we're talking about....)
What do you think? Are you cutting back on your travels -- or are you still enjoying lavish voyages? I am cutting back. I may have spent a month in Argentina, but the $1 US = $3.5 Pesos made that possible. And as for my trip to Alaska in July -- I spent most nights camping or crashing on Gloria's floors. (HI GLORIA!) But I'm not technically affluent, so I don't really count anyways.
I do, however, get the very affluent Travel and Leisure magazine, courtesy of my lil' bro. Too bad I can't afford anything in the mag other than the mag itself.....
I'll win the lottery one day, right?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Happy Birthday Mr. Pollock
If you're on the internet today, I am sure you noticed Google's tribute to Jackon Pollock. In case you don't know, it's the late artist's bday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! If he were still alive, he'd be almost 100 years old.
My cousin Marilla used to have an art gallery down the road from his Spring Studio in East Hampton. It's no longer open, but the idea of owning a gallery within spitting distance of Pollock's studio is pretty damn cool.
Some people would argue that Pollock's work looks like that of a 5 year old and a box of Crayons. Too each his own, but I disagree. Pollock was, IMHO, brillant. Why? I don't know -- I'm a lowly French major, people! Maybe it's 'cause I like things messy. (Have you seen my room???)
Anyway, in honor of said genius' birthday, a mini tribute. (Images courtesy of various sites, most from kaliweb.com/jacksonpollock and the moma)
One: Number 31, 1950. You can see it in person at the MoMA -- for the recession-friendly price of $20 a pop. I love accessible art!
Teri Horton's famous $5 Pollock. May be worth $50M, but per Teri, it's still ugly as sh*t. Do you remember this story? Read about it here: http://tinyurl.com/3dzpfz
My fave. Convergence. There's no bs reason why I like it. I just do.
My own, er, work of art. Check out www.jacksonpollock.org/ to make your own.
Monday, January 26, 2009
DARE...times 10
A friend forwarded me this link. She found it online through DigitalBuzzBlog, and it pretty much kills all those annoying DARE talks we sat through as second graders. The site is supposed to be a virtual cocaine experience. Warning -- it is a pretty gruesome site. The "Addiction" section is just plain gross. But it is very well produced, and I hope it proves to be effective.
http://www.talktofrank.com
Um, enjoy?
http://www.talktofrank.com
Um, enjoy?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
SAG Award fashions
Well, it's official -- with the exception of a few standouts, the SAG Awards Red Carpet was pretty drab this year.
I'm only going to post a few of my faves. Feel free to dish on which dresses looked hot....and which looked like sh*t. (Eva, cough, cough, Longoria.)
Not in love with the color, but somehow Marisa Tomei pulled it off. I also like the large flower detail on her opposite shoulder -- sort of adds a cool Boho twist.
Usually I don't like coral, but I think it's really refreshing on Miss Linney. I also like the one-shoulder look she's pulling off. It's just the right amount of sexiness.
Kate is HOT. The color is incredible and the shape is perfect on a curvy gal like Ms. Winslet. I'm not crazy about the weird shiny portion at the bottom of the dress, but I still think she looks amazing.
Love, love, love Hathaway, and love this dress on her. I usually hate pale dresses on, well, pale people, but she looks stunning in this Grecian-inspired gown. My only complaint is her hair, which looks a bit too casual (and frizzy).
First, if you have not seen Slumdog Millionaire, go. Now. But back to fashion....I love this dress on Millionaire star Freida Pinto. The color is fab, the shape is flattering and the overall look -- PERFECT. Also doesn't hurt that she is drop dead gorgeous.
Holy cow!!! Christina Hendricks looks like every man's dream in this amazing red gown. She is so smoking that I'd even be tempted to make out with her....
And just for kicks -- the worst gown of the evening! Did Eva let Gabrielle's blind hubby dress her??? Longoria is usually a fashion queen on the red carpet, but this dress looks like the deformed offspring of a prom dress and ballet tutu. Her stylist needs to be sent back to Mars ASAP.
I'm only going to post a few of my faves. Feel free to dish on which dresses looked hot....and which looked like sh*t. (Eva, cough, cough, Longoria.)
Not in love with the color, but somehow Marisa Tomei pulled it off. I also like the large flower detail on her opposite shoulder -- sort of adds a cool Boho twist.
Usually I don't like coral, but I think it's really refreshing on Miss Linney. I also like the one-shoulder look she's pulling off. It's just the right amount of sexiness.
Kate is HOT. The color is incredible and the shape is perfect on a curvy gal like Ms. Winslet. I'm not crazy about the weird shiny portion at the bottom of the dress, but I still think she looks amazing.
Love, love, love Hathaway, and love this dress on her. I usually hate pale dresses on, well, pale people, but she looks stunning in this Grecian-inspired gown. My only complaint is her hair, which looks a bit too casual (and frizzy).
First, if you have not seen Slumdog Millionaire, go. Now. But back to fashion....I love this dress on Millionaire star Freida Pinto. The color is fab, the shape is flattering and the overall look -- PERFECT. Also doesn't hurt that she is drop dead gorgeous.
Holy cow!!! Christina Hendricks looks like every man's dream in this amazing red gown. She is so smoking that I'd even be tempted to make out with her....
And just for kicks -- the worst gown of the evening! Did Eva let Gabrielle's blind hubby dress her??? Longoria is usually a fashion queen on the red carpet, but this dress looks like the deformed offspring of a prom dress and ballet tutu. Her stylist needs to be sent back to Mars ASAP.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Facebook, x2: sacrificing friends and networking
This is sort of old but interesting. Check it out here.
I saw a couple of messages about it through my LinkedIn AAF group, but I didn't investigate it until today. Seems that if you deleted 10 of your facebook friends, you'd be rewarded with a yummy whopper. Sadly, the promotion is over, so if you were looking to score some free fast food, you're a little too late.
Speaking of facebook....the other day I got a facebook message from an old roomie trying to do business with one of my old employers. He needed to get the scoop on the culture of the business, so he searched his facebook connections to see if he knew anyone affiliated with the company. And, as luck would have it -- I popped up. So he sent me a message, we scheduled a call, and I filled him in on the biz. Thirty minutes later, at the end of the call, he said he would keep his eyes open for any new ad positions that might be a fit for me. "I help you, you help me" was the tune we were singing.
But here's the interesting thing -- I hadn't spoken to my old roomie in years. In fact, we barely talked when we lived together since he was on a different floor of the house. (Yes, I once lived in a house where I had 11 -- yes, count 'em -- 11 roommates. We had the best parties EVER. Seriously.) Yet, since we're friends on facebook, we were able to connect without any of the typical "I-hope-you-don't-think-I-am-using-you-even-though-I-sorta-am" awkwardness. Facebook (or LinkedIn, or Twitter, or whatever you use) created a safe way to reach out.
I have been leveraging (excuse the biz speak, I know it is obnoxious) my social networks since I started looking for a job. So far, it's been pretty successful -- I've landed at least one interview and I've gotten my resume in front of the hiring managers for four or five other positions. I have personal, non-cyber relationships with some of the people who have been helping me, but there are others I have never met -- we're connected simply through social media. And while I can't attest to my final success rate with social media networking (I am STILL, er, unemployed), I wouldn't be shocked if it helped me land my next job.
Anyway, to close out my ramblings, I stumbled upon an article by Toby Bloomberg, social media marketing guru and author of the Diva Marketing blog. The article is about expanding your business network via social media, and the advantages of doing it online. It's definitely applicable to job seekers like yours truly. You can read the article in it's entirety here, but some of the key points are below. Enjoy!
- "Meeting" people online may be easier for shy people. (Even extroverts -- like me! -- sometimes find it easier to reach out via social media.) Connecting with people through blog comments and twitter posts is a great way to start a relationship with someone.
- The "duh" point -- social media makes it much easier to connect with friends of friends. LinkedIn is especially great for this, since your network includes three levels of connections. Before I apply for any job, I always look through LinkedIn to see if anyone in my network is affiliated with the company. If it's a second or third level connection, I'll ask my direct connection for an e-introduction. Once I get a convo going, I'll send my application materials directly to my new connection. This helps me avoid the online black hole of death application process or an overworked recruiter who tosses my resume because I didn't major in marketing.
- And one of the best parts of social media -- you can network when you want to. Can't go back to sleep after waking up at 3 am? Open up LinkedIn and network, baby! Stuck in an airport terminal for 10 hours since your pilot didn't show? (Yep, this has happened to me!) Pull out the blackberry and scan facebook for people you want to connect with. Network, network, network -- on YOUR timeline!
So....how are you going to use social media to expand your business connections?
I saw a couple of messages about it through my LinkedIn AAF group, but I didn't investigate it until today. Seems that if you deleted 10 of your facebook friends, you'd be rewarded with a yummy whopper. Sadly, the promotion is over, so if you were looking to score some free fast food, you're a little too late.
Speaking of facebook....the other day I got a facebook message from an old roomie trying to do business with one of my old employers. He needed to get the scoop on the culture of the business, so he searched his facebook connections to see if he knew anyone affiliated with the company. And, as luck would have it -- I popped up. So he sent me a message, we scheduled a call, and I filled him in on the biz. Thirty minutes later, at the end of the call, he said he would keep his eyes open for any new ad positions that might be a fit for me. "I help you, you help me" was the tune we were singing.
But here's the interesting thing -- I hadn't spoken to my old roomie in years. In fact, we barely talked when we lived together since he was on a different floor of the house. (Yes, I once lived in a house where I had 11 -- yes, count 'em -- 11 roommates. We had the best parties EVER. Seriously.) Yet, since we're friends on facebook, we were able to connect without any of the typical "I-hope-you-don't-think-I-am-using-you-even-though-I-sorta-am" awkwardness. Facebook (or LinkedIn, or Twitter, or whatever you use) created a safe way to reach out.
I have been leveraging (excuse the biz speak, I know it is obnoxious) my social networks since I started looking for a job. So far, it's been pretty successful -- I've landed at least one interview and I've gotten my resume in front of the hiring managers for four or five other positions. I have personal, non-cyber relationships with some of the people who have been helping me, but there are others I have never met -- we're connected simply through social media. And while I can't attest to my final success rate with social media networking (I am STILL, er, unemployed), I wouldn't be shocked if it helped me land my next job.
Anyway, to close out my ramblings, I stumbled upon an article by Toby Bloomberg, social media marketing guru and author of the Diva Marketing blog. The article is about expanding your business network via social media, and the advantages of doing it online. It's definitely applicable to job seekers like yours truly. You can read the article in it's entirety here, but some of the key points are below. Enjoy!
- "Meeting" people online may be easier for shy people. (Even extroverts -- like me! -- sometimes find it easier to reach out via social media.) Connecting with people through blog comments and twitter posts is a great way to start a relationship with someone.
- The "duh" point -- social media makes it much easier to connect with friends of friends. LinkedIn is especially great for this, since your network includes three levels of connections. Before I apply for any job, I always look through LinkedIn to see if anyone in my network is affiliated with the company. If it's a second or third level connection, I'll ask my direct connection for an e-introduction. Once I get a convo going, I'll send my application materials directly to my new connection. This helps me avoid the online black hole of death application process or an overworked recruiter who tosses my resume because I didn't major in marketing.
- And one of the best parts of social media -- you can network when you want to. Can't go back to sleep after waking up at 3 am? Open up LinkedIn and network, baby! Stuck in an airport terminal for 10 hours since your pilot didn't show? (Yep, this has happened to me!) Pull out the blackberry and scan facebook for people you want to connect with. Network, network, network -- on YOUR timeline!
So....how are you going to use social media to expand your business connections?
Blackeberry addict?
If you're like me, and you are addicted to your BB, you gotta check this out:
http://tiny.cc/tDY6Z
Maybe not as cool as the iPhone apps, but I don't have to use AT&T (which means my calls actually go through! Novel idea to have a phone that actually works, huh???)
I already have some of the apps (facebook of course, twitterberry, etc) and I am going to download Vlingo, ShoZu and Cellity right now.
Love, love, love this stuff!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Update on Chris' Inauguration SNAFU
Read here: http://tinyurl.com/b39xbm
Free tour of the Capitol is cool....'cept that Chris' friends WORK THERE.
Free tour of the Capitol is cool....'cept that Chris' friends WORK THERE.
I wish the treadmill was this much fun
I am sick of working out. I'm in a rut, plain and simple.
I told a friend about my lack of motivation and she forwarded me this video. It's an oldy but goody -- and it definitely inspired me to hit the treadmill tomorrow. Do you think the gym would let me perform a similar routine?
I told a friend about my lack of motivation and she forwarded me this video. It's an oldy but goody -- and it definitely inspired me to hit the treadmill tomorrow. Do you think the gym would let me perform a similar routine?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration
My boyfriend attempted to see the inauguration today. He had scored some fancy tickets, thanks to his Pelosi hook up (yay Carlos!) and he was stoked. So stoked that he woke up at 5 AM to get his booty down to the Mall. But alas -- the political gods must have been pissed at Mr. Garcia because, long story short, he never got in. He waited 5+ hours only to find out that they never opened his ticket section! Strange and totally sucky. Boo!
Sometimes life isn't fair, right?
On a different note -- who had heard of Isabel Toledo before today? She designed Michelle Obama's inauguartion outfit. Personally, I thought the color was reminicent of puke, but somehow Mrs. Obama pulled it off and looked pretty freaking amazing. And those fab Jimmy Choo patent shoes didn't hurt either. But the style award for best dressed family member of a president had to go to Malia and Sasha.
Both girls were decked out in 100% J. Crew. They looked totally modern and cool...and absolutely adorable. I especially loved Malia's blue coat. The clothes were custom made for the little girls, but similiar pieces will be coming out in J. Crew's 2009 fall collection. But moms, you'll need to start saving now: J. Crew doesn't come cheap anymore, and every 10 year old girl needs a $300 coat, right?
Sometimes life isn't fair, right?
On a different note -- who had heard of Isabel Toledo before today? She designed Michelle Obama's inauguartion outfit. Personally, I thought the color was reminicent of puke, but somehow Mrs. Obama pulled it off and looked pretty freaking amazing. And those fab Jimmy Choo patent shoes didn't hurt either. But the style award for best dressed family member of a president had to go to Malia and Sasha.
Both girls were decked out in 100% J. Crew. They looked totally modern and cool...and absolutely adorable. I especially loved Malia's blue coat. The clothes were custom made for the little girls, but similiar pieces will be coming out in J. Crew's 2009 fall collection. But moms, you'll need to start saving now: J. Crew doesn't come cheap anymore, and every 10 year old girl needs a $300 coat, right?
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