If you don't already know, I'm working towards my B.S. in Public Relations. Communications is very strategic, practical, and planned out. These characteristics lend themselves towards a lot of goal-setting. Goal setting is not just vital in the corporate world, however.

Goal setting and preparation is vital in our personal lives and goals as well. In PR class, we are taught a special special acronym that helps us set goals: SMART.  These guidelines can be very useful when it comes to setting new year's resolutions as well. 

Specific

Clearly define your objective when stating your goals. Do not be vague. For example, instead of "be more healthy", say "I will replace one meat or carb with a vegetable for two meals a day". These are what we all tactics in the PR world.

Measurable

This is how you keep yourself accountable. If you say you're going to go for a run four days a week, if you've only gone on two in seven days, you're not meeting your goal. Measure your progress. Id you're behind, it's motivation to catch up. If you're ahead, it's motivation to set a higher goal. 

Actionable

Actionable means that your goal is clear, doable, and can be done in a set amount of time. Set mini goals to achieve the big goal by the end of the year.

Realistic

This is the same idea as actionable. Dream big, but set small goals to work up to the big dream. Be realistic. 

Time-based

Be not only specific on your goals but also with your time limits. Make your goals time-centered and stick to them. Obviously don't give up if you don't make the time limit. Do, however, try to stick to the time as much as you can. If you can't re-evalaute and make the time limit more reasonable. 

Happy goal setting!

As a fellow PR nerd, I thought I'd share this awesome event held by Jamie Adler, head honcho at Bayleaf Communications. It's an earring drive to benefit Windows of Hope Boutique at Beth Israel Hospital, a speciality shop for cancer patients. This month-long event in October will donate all proceeds and earrings to the charity. She is also co-hosting a a fundraiser at the Art Lounge in Arlington, Massachusetts where she hopes to raise money and collect earrings.  Here is a blurb written by Jaimie:

Lastly, here are some Stella & Dot samples:

To donate to her earring drive, mail earrings to:

17 Nichols Rd

Lexington, MA

02420

Don't forget to check out her event at to support a great cause.

I wasn't aware of the Friday rehearsal before last week started, however I couldn't pass up free cupcakes, mocktails, and makeovers (who could?) When the event was starting at the Bare Minerals store, Windsor (co-founer of HCBN), took us out into the mall so we could practice our catwalk. The two main lessons were to smile and be s l o w. There was even an incentive to keep us walking slow for a picture-friendly walk: a free pair of shoes from boohoo.com! 

After the rehearsal, we got to enjoy the party. I was starving, so the pink lemonade and sprite was delicious as well as the mini cupcakes. I got my makeup done at the store as I learned some tips and tricks along the way. I think my favorite part of the night was seeing my roommate, Amanda, get her makeup done. She never wears any (nothing wrong with that) but she looked fabulous! My second favorite part of the night was meeting and networking with other girls and bloggers my age that are also obsessed with HCBN!

The next step was Saturday. I took my uber car to the Estate for 3:30. It was cold and rainy outside, however spirits were high backstage. When I got backstage, all of the looks carefully curated by the ladies at boohoo.com were hung up on racks as well as fun accessories! There were three "scenes" we would be modeling based on trends of the fall season: Imperial, Brooklyn Princess, and Woodlander. I was a "Brooklyn Princess", so my pink pleather skirt, white shirt, grey jersey jacket and black sandals had so much sass, I couldn't even. Some girls has two looks, some had one, I was the latter.

© Alyssa Greenberg

This was the application process for our "Brooklyn Princess" crowns. Half of our head was braided tightly, gel was applied, then blow-dried, then gold or rose-gold foil was painted on the braid. I never wanted to wash mine out! The amazing stylists at Tresemme really did a wonder with this look.

© Alyssa Greenberg

I didn't get to wear these shoes - but I wish I did! Rachel from Tufts strutted these down the runway. These shows are the definition of a "Brooklyn Princess" to me.

© Alyssa Greenberg

The Bare Minerals artists followed us to the event on Saturday to do our makeup there as well. I've never had such a light foundation on that worked so well before. The girl who did my makeup works at the Bare Minerals at the mall close to my house, small world, right?

This is my finished hair and makeup look. I'm so obsessed I may have to hire out Tresemme and Bare Minerals to be my own glam squad.

The night started with makeovers by Bare Minerals, headshots at the Tresemme headshot center, shopping at the Boohoo style squad, drinks, music, and mingling. Of course, us models were all too busy with hair, makeup, eaitng Luna bars, and freaking out to do any of that. The actual fashion show started at 8. Not only was there entertainment from us models, but there was also performances from BC Irish Step Dancers, BU Acapella group "Dear Abbeys", and the BU Jalwa dance team.

© Alyssa Greenberg

Talk about college pride!

© Alyssa Greenberg

This is my favorite picture of me on the runway. At first I was excited and not nervous at all. I had my choreography down pat. When I saw the lights hit me on the runway I just had to take it all in. Step, pose, click. I loved every second of it: posing, smiling, playing with my jacket. When I got off stage my legs were still shaking until I finished the scene two finale. 

It was such a fun experience! I'd like to thank everyone from Her Campus, Tresemme, Bare Minerals, and boohoo.com. I'd also like to thank professional fashion photographer Alyssa Greenberg for taking fabulous pictures of us all night. I never wanted to leave. Can't wait to do it next year, and then eventually intern at HerCampus so every day can be that exciting!

How do you like my logo? Cute? No? Okay.

So, where am I on on this social media web? I have my own personal twitter, facebook, instagram, google plus, and pinterest. For this blog, there is a blog and youtube, and now.... FACEBOOK!

I finally launched a Facebook Page for this blog! Please like it so I know who actually reads this, and you can get updates! I'd love to grow my brand so that I can create a community and also eventually merch! Imagine cute little workout tank tops, and t shirt with Dollar Store Diva on them. Imagine it and love it.

Some people dream of being pop stars, I just dream of having my blog known.

So yeah, follow that facebook page and also find me on twitter and instagram under the handle of n_vergak!

I have a few posts and videos planned for the upcoming weeks, and hopefully an exciting feature post. Stay tuned!