achievement

SEPTEMBER GOALS

September 02, 2015


Monthly Goals

This is part of the monthly link-up at mysocalledchaos.com

September is the time for new beginnings! It's almost as much of a fresh start as the New Year. That's because for me, at least, it's the new Academic Year. So all my goals are going to be academic-related mostly. Enjoy and good luck with your goals this month! Stay cool and avoid the heat wave!

How This works:
  1. Follow your hosts My So-Called Chaos and A Peek at Karen's World to keep up with this link-up.
  2. Write up a post recapping last month's goals and setting goals for next month.
  3.  Make sure to include the button in your post by grabbing the code above.
  4. Link up your goals post with the monthly linky which goes live on the first Thursday of the month.
  5. Visit other links in the party to show support and offer advice for other goal setters.
  6. Have fun and make some new friends!




August Goals

  • Keep up training for Running Club 
  • Finish the other Sarah Dessen book
  • Clear off walls in my room
  • Keep working with brands
  • Dye hair and get nose pierced
Accomplished goals are green and unaccomplished (yet in the works) are in red.


September Goals


  • Complete all paperwork so running club can run our first race
  • Get back to two blog posts a week
  • Decorate living room in suite
  • Get accustomed to chores/food shopping/cleaning in the suite
  • Set goals in executive board position for WMWM and PRSSA
Let's hope September is as promising as August was!


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TALK SHOP: SPONSORED POSTS

August 21, 2015


Last up on the "Talk Shop" series was blogger networks. I was very impressed with the amount of data I gathered and the opinions I got. I'm hoping to get the same amount this time! So, what's next for my number-crunching laboratory? "Dee Dee, get OUT of my LABORATORYYY"

No, not Dexters's Laboratory, but it's sponsored posts! I want to find out what us bloggers are getting paid or if, how their relationships with brands are, and more. I asked how often they do sponsored posts, if they only do monetary compensations, how their experience with brands has been and what their favorite brands to work with were.
I've been paid to do sidebar advertisements and social media posts (instagram/pinterest), but not a blog post. I have two other jobs, so my main income isn't blogging. However, If I could make blogging my main income one day that would be absolutely fabulous. I'm very happy, and blessed, to have been granted the gift of receiving product compensation. I've received clothes, makeup, a Keurig, and more. I've also gotten to try two teatoxes. 

My goal is to get a big fan base so I can create a big-time media kit with prices. Maybe I should just make one so it looks legit, right? That's for another talk shop.

For a reference for these results, my small but sturdy sample was 6 bloggers.


Three bloggers do sponsored posts every two months, three of them do them more than twice a month. This could average out to once a month. This can depend on many things including how often bloggers reach out to brands, how often brands reach out to bloggers, and how picky bloggers are. As for me, I'm definitely on the every two months scale. It;s safe to say that bloggers with bigger fan bases do more sponsored posts, simply because there's more people to be exposed to the product and that's what outreach employees like to see.



It appears that my sample had bloggers with differing readership numbers! This shows, just like the one above, that more influential bloggers not only do more sponsored posts, but get paid. Turnigngyour blog into a business is NO easy feat. Props to those that have!


I dream of the day that I only do paid opportunities. However, you have to do some freebies here and there to build trust and relationships. It seems here that the majority of the bloggers surveyed only did paid sponsorships.


It looks like there aren't any bad experiences here!

Thanks to all my lovely participants!

Adriana Renee http://alaskarenee.com
Lena www.lenatalksbeauty.com
Brittany www.southernsoulblog.com
http://thewhisperbox.com
Becky Winkler http://www.acalculatedwhisk.com/
Morgan Timm http://www.mostlymorgan.com



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TALK SHOP: WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A BLOGGER NETWORK?

July 07, 2015

It's time for another series! I don't have many blog-help based posts, because although I've been around for quite a few years, I'm still learning myself. I thought, who better to learn from than my peers and colleagues? Through this experience, we can learn and grow together.

What exactly is this experience? In this series, I put out surveys on several blogger networks and kindly ask them to give their opinions about several behind-the-scenes facets of the blogosphere. My Research Methods in Communications professor would be so happy with me conducting field research on my own. If you're reading this Mia, heyyyyyy.

My first topic is blogger networks! Blogger networks are like men, there are soooo many out there, you have to know what you want and sift through the muck to find the good ones. I wanted to know exactly what people looked for in a blogger network. So, I'll share my results with you all, after I share my own opinions first!



What do I look for in a blogger network? The main component I look for in blogger networks is post shares, obviously. Second comes sponsorship opportunities, then of course networking and friendship-making. In my survey, I asked if people like daily post threads or category threads. I personally like daily post threads, because they require less thinking for me, however, I appreciate networks that do category threads. It can be very useful. Through networks I have had amazing opportunities - event appearances, sponsorship opportunities, collaborations, and more. If anyone asks me how to get started blogging, I tell them to join a network.

What did my peers say?


Most bloggers are in the 1-3 range. 22.2% are in the moderate 3-5 range, and 22.2% are in the 8-12% range. This may be bias considering what you consider "being part of" a blogger network. There are many Facebook groups I am inactive on, however I'm still a part of. I am definitely active on at least 3, it seems like a good number.



Across the board, networks give social media shares and networking opportunities. Almost all have post share opportunities. However, skill building opportunities are not as common. 


It appears my peers agree with me, that they overwhelmingly prefer general, daily post shares.
This graph is scarcely skewed left, by 11.1%. (I think I just used some stats terms, wow! If I got it wrong, don't harp on me too bad, math nerds). My sample was small, however they seem split. Yes, blogger networks definitely do help them. However, it's almost a tie between 3-5 and 7-9. 

I also asked my participants two open response questions:

What do you look for in a blogger network?

My participants highlighted networking opportunities, working with like-minded people with similar interests, an organized platform, friendliness, and good workshops and webinars.

What's your favorite part of blogger networks?


They highlighted community, interacting with other bloggers, getting to know others, and reading other blogs.

THANKS to my awesome participants!
Caroline creatingshe.com

How many blogger networks are you a part of?
What do you look for in a blogger network?



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beach

OOTD: A VERY PASTEL MEMORIAL DAY

May 25, 2015

There's the whole "white after Labor Day" baloney, however, what about pastel and Memorial Day? Should pastel only live between the strict weeks between Easter and Memorial Day? Or is it a summer staple? With bright colors of all hues being embraced this season and seasons past, why should we let a time of year restrict what we can wear?


I thought I'd play with different shades of my favorite color - blue - and my favorite metal - gold - for this look. I'm obsessed with this scalloped blue crop top from TopShop, and equally as obsessed with these mediterranean sandals from Payless. 


These embroidered high waisted shorts from Forever 21 add a mix of texture. I tied in the mix of blue and gold with my gold elephant bracelet, my blue bracelet from Greece, and various Alex and Anis.


Makeup was simple today with just lotion, highlighter, blush, eyeliner, mascara, and a pink lip.



Crop Top: TopShop
Shorts: Forever 21
Sandals: Payless
Bracelets: Alex & Ani, Boutique shops
Lips: Covergirl

What are you up to this weekend? I did a mix of fun things: a concert, a red sox game, cookouts, and running. A good time with friends and family. It was a good time to relax before diving head into the internship/work life during the week again.



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MONTHLY LINK-UP: MAY GOALS

May 06, 2015

Monthly Goals

This is part of the monthly link-up at mysocalledchaos.com

Goals definitely aren't my top priority right now. I just finished two huge projects and papers, another paper, and another project. I just have one final left. Basically, everything is wrapping up for the school year and I'm what you would call "burnt out." I've been focusing on relaxing and rejuvenating myself this weekend. I'm mentally checked out, however I'm content with myself for picking up my grades from earlier in the semester and finishing strong.
However, now when one door closes, a window opens. This window is summer. I plan on relaxing, running, working, blogging, traveling, and catching up with all of my friends this summer. I've definitely noticed that my blog has not been my main focus these past few weeks, however, I'm ready to focus on it again. Here are my goals based around all of that!

 How This works:
  1. Follow your hosts My So-Called Chaos and A Peek at Karen's World to keep up with this link-up.
  2. Write up a post recapping last month's goals and setting goals for next month.
  3.  Make sure to include the button in your post by grabbing the code above.
  4. Link up your goals post with the monthly linky which goes live on the first Thursday of the month.
  5. Visit other links in the party to show support and offer advice for other goal setters.
  6. Have fun and make some new friends!


April Goals

  • Don't fall off of good eating habits just because lent is over Success
  • Make the transition for the new PRSSA e-board smooth and welcome them wholeheartedly Success, great mixer dinner on Monday.
  • Learn about your role as VP of PRSSA In progress
  • Conduct all your research for both of your research projects SUCCESS! FINALLY!
  • Pass in your World Music paper research paper early YESSSSSS
  • Keep posting twice a week Fail...
  • Run outside twice a week Success

May Goals

  • Run outside twice a week
  • Get a story ran from a press release at my internship
  • Start renovating my room  - move my bed and buy storage bins
  • Get a sponsored post posted
  • Write the vegan reflection post
  • Present at Undergrad Research Symposium
Let's hope May is as promising as April was!





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achieving

Monthly Link-Up: March Goals!

March 03, 2015

Monthly Goals

As every month goes by, I'm more and more surprised at the speed that life flows. It feels like November was only yesterday. I don't know about your life, but mine has been ever-changing this year. One of my mottos, besides "life begins at the end of your comfort zone" is that the only constant in life is change. Change, to me, is good. Change means growth in all genres of the word. Change means finding yourself a little bit more every day. At least during all of these changes in my life, a constant that I can have are these monthly link-ups! Goal setting and tracking is a great way to measure milestones, no matter their size. Let's see what this month will bring!

This is part of the monthly link-up at mysocalledchaos.com

How This works:
  1. Follow your hosts My So-Called Chaos and A Peek at Karen's World to keep up with this link-up.
  2. Write up a post recapping last month's goals and setting goals for next month.
  3.  Make sure to include the button in your post by grabbing the code above.
  4. Link up your goals post with the monthly linky which goes live on the first Thursday of the month.
  5. Visit other links in the party to show support and offer advice for other goal setters.
  6. Have fun and make some new friends!
Febuary was definitely more successful than January. The "yikes 2k15" factor of the year throwing curveballs in my face has settled down. Now, I've got a few good things lined up for the rest of my year, and I'm ready to keep kicking ass! If I had one hashtag to describe my life, it would be #GirlBoss. It's so empowering. Now, if this cold and sinus inflammation would dissipate, I'd be totally back on track

Febuary Goals

  • Hit 1500 Uniques Success! And 55 over goal.
  • Make connections at conference Success! Got many business cards
  • Win the challenge at conference almost...
  • Stay on top of hybrid courses I'd say success
  • Have a successful internship interview Had to cancel, but landed another internship in the State h]House soooo success!
  • Start going to SurfSet once a week Success!
            March Goals
            • Treat this cold and sinus pressure so it goes away before spring break
            • Stay on top of grades
            • Call home more often
            • 1600 uniques
            • Put more hours in at work
            • Gym 5 times a week
            • Keep my room more clean
            • Post twice a week
            What are your March Goals?




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            10

            TAG: 20 FACTS

            November 11, 2014

            I was by Emma at http://itsemmaelise.com/ to do the 20 facts tag. I know I'm soo interesting, but something about coming up with 20 facts about me scares me a little bit. We'll see how it goes!














            20 Facts:
            1. When I was in preschool, I wet my pants and my teachers gave me boys clothes from the Lost 'n' Found, and I was devastated.
            2. My middle name is Theresa. 
            3. I attended private catholic school from Kindergarden to 8th grade.
            4. I played softball for 8 years and did dance for 10 years.
            5. I've been running cross country for 6 years and I have two years left!
            6. Everyone had their "emo" Jr. high years. Well, mine were preceded by "goth" years. 
            7. I still like the music from my "emo" years (My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, etc) and new pop punk bands.
            8. My favorite band is The Wonder Years.
            9. I wanted to study journalism originally, but now I've realized I'd rather work in PR/Marketing/Content Marketing, now I'm studying that.
            10. My goal is to get my masters in public health, MPH.
            11. I'm an only child.
            12. I've never considered myself a big political science junkie, but I've been reading up on some issues recently.
            13. I love the beach!
            14. I want to live in a coastal/beach-y place when I settle down.
            15. I LOVE dogs, I freak out and have to pet one when I see one.
            16. People characterize me as always happy and nice, I never like to dwell on the negatives.
            17. I love my dalmatian-lab mix, Jackie!
            18. I only three piercings including one cartilage piercing. I want my tragus and nose ring next!
            19. I'm still undecided if I want any tattoos or not.
            20. BRAVO competition TV shows are my favorite.


            You lovelies are up next! I tag:

            Ashley from LegallyRedhead.com
            Jane from livelikeitssharkweek.com
            Rayshauna from  www.theideologue.info
            Kelly from www.alovelylifeindeed.com
            Kelby from www.peachypains.com
            Yarida from www.thetworiveras.com
            Adrienne at www.lavitaebellaamp.com
            Nicole ay www.niconthenet.com
            Jennifer at http://momspotted.com/
            Jillian at http://www.iamahomemaker.com
            Dzeneta at http://queenofinfinitefashion.blogspot.com/

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            blogging

            MONTHLY LINK-UP: NOVEMBER GOALS

            November 06, 2014


            Every month when I start a new goals blog post, I can't believe a month has already passed. October was a roller coaster of a month. It's been emotionally up and down. It's been super busy, frantic, stressful, but fun. On the weeks I'm slammed with work, on the weekends it's still super busy but fun. October was crazy, hopefully November will bring some rest. 

            October Goals
            • Be more thorough with things - homework, chores, blog posts - Success
            • Lift/ do abs twice a week - Success
            • Keep 8 hours of work up a week - Success and more!
            • Schedule blog posts for November - Fail, I have one
            • Figure out Christmas gifts for me and others - Fail
            • Go to bed earlier - Success!
            • Study for at least an hour for every exam - Success
              November Goals

              • Get a time of 27:52 or better at the ECAC 6K race
              • Get a good chunk of Christmas shopping done
              • ACQUIRE BOYFRIEND JEANS
              • Lift/abs 2 times a week
              • Plan out holiday blog posts
              • Make a presentation at a PRSSA meeting as an e-board member
              • Email about spring/summer internships
              These are things that I definitely want to accomplish this month, but now I have a way to track them! Check out the original post here.


              How it works:
              The link-up goes live on the first Wednesday of each month.
              • Follow all three hosts: My So-Called Chaos, A Peek at Karen's World, & Jenee Thompson
              • Write up a post recapping previous goals & setting goals for the next month. The post needs to include the Monthly Goals button, use the code above!
              • Link-up your Monthly Goals post in the linky below!
              • Visit other blogs in the linky to show support!
              Link Up Your Goals:

              Please link up your Goals post!  The post must include either a link back or the button!


              Monthly Goals

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              WELCOME MY NEW RESCUE DOG/ DOG TRAINING TRICKS

              June 25, 2014

              If you follow me on twitter or instagram, you're well-aware of the newest, furriest addition to my life: Jackie! On Saturday, June 7th, my family and I rescued her from the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA. She was a farm dog down in Alabama, then she had puppies (we can still see the effects on her body). So, her previous owners kept her pups and surrendered her. Then, she was shipped up to Salem on May 28th, which happens to be her birthday! Two weeks later my family came and gave her a forever home.


              We knew it would be a perfect fit. She was "Spot" at the shelter but I didn't want her to be so basic, pfft. We have a 2-year old, 46 pound dalmatian-lab (maybe pit bull) mix in our house to love forever. She's actually next to me on my bed right now. We sleep together, I love the company. 

              So, I thought I would share some tips and tricks on dog training and such with my experience with Jackie so far.
              • Walking

              Jackie is a puller. She's also a sniffer. Everything that doesn't smell like the normal ground, she has to sniff. If I didn't tell her to stop, she would sniff everything for a half hour!

              First of all, we just use a basic leash. It looks like this:

              picture from petco.com
              We picked this up at Wal-Mart. We also got a large sized harness, but that's only for when we go on runs. The reason for the harness is that I don't pull her neck too much, especially since she's just a puller.

              The main reasons we take dogs for walks are for them to do their business, right? The most important part of training a dog to respond to new commands is to make sure that everyone in the house is on the same page. My advice would be to establish two different types of walks: leisurely and "business walks". If you want to go on a romantic stroll with your pooch, pick up the leash and say, "wanna go for a walk?" That way, the dog associates the word "walk" with taking their time.

              The second type of walk is business. Don't say anything, just put your dog on the leash. When you reach a grassy area, a good phrase that works is "find your spot." I think that breeders and shelters use this, because Jackie knew right away to find her spot and mark her territory. It's also a great idea to bring some treats along! The science of the whole deal is that the dog has thirty seconds to make an association. Give your playful pup a treat right after they finish. Then, they'll be distracted while you pick up their pile. For some reason, Jackie always runs away from her business like she's ashamed of it. Girl, it's natural!

              If your dog is a puller, when the dog starts running away, say "heal". This is the command for the dog to slow down. If the dog doesn't, and you feel tension on the rope, say "no". After a while, your dog will learn to heal. If your friend stops when you say heal, make sure to reward them with a tasty treat!

              • Food Time!

              Food is my favorite time(s) of the day, and it's definitely Jackie's too! When I feed her depends on when I wake up. If I don't have somewhere to be, I feed her at 10 am because I wake up around 9:30. It's summer time, sorry not sorry! Then, I wait a half hour for her to digest and take her out on a business walk. If I really don't have anywhere to be, that walk may turn into a leisurely stroll. I give her treats throughout the day until we feed her dinner at 6. I try to feed her the same time we eat, so that she doesn't beg so much.


              I keep her water bowl out so that in case she gets thirsty, it's always there. If it's not, she opts for the toilet bowl, (bad girl)! I usually try to incorporate snacks with a trick. I try to get her to sit, paw, lay down, or roll over. Or, if we're in the yard fetching, she gets a treat after. If we're not playing, she's a lazy girl and sleeps all day!





              • Medical
              If you rescued a new dog, make sure you take them to the vet within the first few weeks. There, they will register their microchip so they're never lost, they will measure her vitals, and check their medical history. They will make sure they've gotten all the vaccines they need and depending on how woodsy your neighborhood is, they will give them flea/tick treatment and heart worm treatment that is to be taken once a month.


              • Going Out Without Them
              We waited exactly a week to go out without Jackie. First, we studied her habits. She's quite the biter. She will bite anything she can get her fangs on. So, we hid the valuables and put a dog gate up, keeping her in the living room. She can go on her dog bed or couch which has a dog cover on it. She has toys that she can chew on.
              The burning question is yes, we do spy on her. We installed a doggy webcam in our room and can check the app any time we are curious. We're not creepy, just cautious! We went out to dinner one night, and tested the system out. First, she barked at the window for a while, but then as always fell asleep.  She ash to get used to being alone in the house.


              beautiful

              STYLE: SO NAUGHT THE DRAMA- KEY WEST STYLE

              June 04, 2014

              I've missed my lovelies! Although now that I'm back in Massachusetts I find myself missing the palm trees lining the streets. However, I'm not missing the weather too much, I'll take pleasant 70's/80's here over a humid 90's down there. In case you didn't hear, last week I was in Key West on a family vacation.
              I like to travel to places that I don't know much about, so that every attraction and sight surprises me. Every experience unravels the mystery, and eventually it all starts to fit together. For example, after we landed in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, I thought we'd drive over the famous 7 Mile Bridge, and BOOM be in Key West. However, I didn't know that it was a 5-hour (with traffic), 155 mile drive all down the Florida Keys and over 42 bridges until we'd reach our condo rental in Old Town, Key West. I knew the Florida Keys existed, but not the extent of it. Adventure #1, check!
              Key West is such a cute, beachy, eclectic town. They love their sun, thrift shops, motor scooters... and alcohol. The whole place has a New Orleans feel.

              We took a Sunset /Glass Bottom Boat Cruise


              We took an Old Town Trolley Tour:


              We Visited the Southernmost Tip of the Continental US

              Now the most important part... The outfits!

              Naturally, I was feeling nautical and preppy when I was shopping and dressing. 






              As you can tell, blue is my color of choice. I chose this gold bangle with a blue end and a white end with a gold starfish. I also love this statement blue, beaded seashell necklace.


              I'm a sucker for daisies! I bought this flowy sheer daisy tank top dow there as well.





              Annnd the two most important purchases now! I needed/ wanted comfortable white pants for work at White House Black Market, and I found them at a French shop on Duval St called "La Naturelle" They're based out in France. The sales lady told me my butt looked good in them, so naturally I was sold!
              I also acquired my first Lilly Pulitzer piece. I love the print of this t-shirt. It reminds me of lobsters. So summery! #SummerInLilly.


              For an extensive look at my outfit details and a scenic look of Key West, watch the video on my YouTube channel!