Get LinkedIn to Huntsville

If you live in the Tennessee Valley, put this on your calendar. Right now. The next Linked Local networking event will be November 15, 2010 at the Scene Lounge from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. I went to my first networking event in October and was blown away by the number of people there and the diversity of the talent. What a fun way to expand your network!

The day after the last event a discussion was started by one of our very proactive members. He requested we all go back to our offices and see what types of career opportunities were available. So many people at the event talked about being laid off or having a spouse lose a job. I believe we can bond together and help each other find the opportunities we are looking for. But, you have to get out there and meet people! Wouldn't you like to be part of the discussion?

I recommend you get there early because by 5:30 the place will be packed.

Did you put it on your calendar yet? Go. Now. Do it. See you there!

INK plus Stella & Dot Open House

Inkand Stella & Dot independent stylist Mary Ramsey invite you to a private holiday shopping event and trunk show, featuring hand-selected gift pens and fabulous boutique-style jewelry from the Stella & Dot Fall/Winter collection.

Please join us
Thursday November 11th, 4-7pm

IDS Center, Suite 4530
80 South Eighth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Target's Merona My Look Maker - Fun!

Target has a nifty application on Facebook. Have you seen it? Click on the "Start the Styling" button and you become your own fashion stylist! Pick a category to choose a top, botton, scarves, etc. and make your selections. The items you select appear to the right, so you get to see what they look like together. Once you complete your selections, you can publish your look on your FB page and see what your friends think of your look. And because Target is shopper savvy, you can immediately SHOP your look. Easy - peasy and fun.

What do I get my BFF?

The holidays are just around the corner. I know, it isn't even Halloween yet! Thing is, holidays always sneek up on me. One minute it's Halloween and then it's Christmas. I loose all the days in between! This year I've decided to get a head start. My holiday shopping has already begun and my goal is to complete it before Thanksgiving. Anything I buy after Black Friday is gravy!

My biggest roadblock is figuring out what to buy for the people on my list. This year I'm taking some help from Stella & Dot!  The charm collection has so many combinations, you will be able to find something for every special person on your list. Charms can be personalized for everyone, young or mature.

Choose your base: silk chiffon, chains (15", 18", 30"), leather chord (15", 18"), delicate ball chain (18"), bangle bracelet, or Bella hoop earrings

Next, select charms to personalize the gift. Choose from: birthstones, initials, something whimsical, relationship (mom, sister, grandma), inspiration (heal, hope, love), symbols, and trinkets.

Need more suggestions? Here are a few gift ideas using the variety of charm available at Stella & Dot::

• Sister: Sister charm on a bangle bracelet
• New Mom: child's initial, birthstone, and pansy
• Babysitter: peace charm on leather cord
• Teacher: Charm bangle
• Thank you gift: initial charm on a short chain

If you want personal advice, leave a comment and I'll be happy to help you put together a perfect gift for your special someone.

PS: I can't tell you what I'm getting my BFF. She might be reading my blog.

Sexiest Shoe I've Ever Worn

I have a very small foot at a ladies size 4. You can imagine the trouble I have finding  fashionable shoes that fit. Some retailers might carry a size 5, but rarely do I find a size 4. Around 2005 I discovered Zappos.com and fell in love with this online retailer. They actually had more than one choice in a size 4 shoe and they looked like a grown up shoe, not a kid's show. The Naya Briar is the most unique and absolutely the sexiest shoe I've ever worn. I receive more compliments on this shoe than any other. Men notice this shoe! Plus it's very comfortable - I've worn them for eight hours straight and had no blisters at the end of the day.

This style of shoe is called a Mary Jane; this version has a unique feature with the lace. I love the scallop edges on the back of the shoe, it sets off the ankle nicely. The tiny bit of platform gives the ball of the foot some cushioning.  And since I'm 4'-9", I love the heel height!

Do you have your Groupon?

Daily deals at restaurants, spas, and other local services from Groupon. The site provides deals based on your location. Some deals work wherever you can find the business. I just purchased $40 of merchandise for $20 at The Body Shop which can be used at any location.

Groupon also has apps for iPhone, Android, and your vintage mobile phone.

Check out Groupon's current daily deal - huge discounts on the coolest stuff in your city. http://gr.pn/dnDykq

 

 

 

Support Breast Cancer Research!

 

When you order from my e-boutique this week through Oct. 31, 2010, Stella & Dot will donate 20% of net proceeds from the Pink Boutique to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; I will personally donate 20% of net proceeds from all other purchases to the Liz Hurley Breast Cancer Fund. Make your purchase at www.stelladot.com/maryramsey and select Fundraiser Breast Cancer Research as the hostess. You will be prompted to select a hostess when you add your first item to your basket. But wait, there's more! For every $30 you spend, your name will be entered into a drawing for hostess rewards (details below). The winner will be announced November 7, 2010. You MUST select Fundraiser Breast Cancer Research as the hostess to ensure the donation and enter the drawing for hostess rewards.

On Saturday, October 16, 2010 I ran in the local Liz Hurley Ribbon Run to benefit Breast Cancer awareness and prevention in the Tennessee Valley. It was my very first 5k race which made this a very emotional event for me. As I approached the finish line, I noticed Liz Hurley high fiving each of the runners as they passed by.  Even though this was a significant personal achievement for me, I was reminded of the true goal of the race - race for the cure.
Liz Hurley is a breast cancer survivor and started the Ribbon Run to raise money to fund breast cancer prevention and awareness. So many women do not have the resources or necessary information to get an annual mammogram. It's not too late to contribute! Clcik here to make a donation.

Ribbon Run tidbits: Approximately 4800 people ran that day. I came in at 106st place with a time of 37:52 out of 285 in my age group. There were fifteen women in the 98-99 age group. The fastest woman was 30 yo Candace Jacobs with a time of 17:55, almost a minute faster than #2. I was in 1,026th place out of the 2,410 women. The fastest man was 32 yo Josh Whitehead with a time of 15:39, only 5 seconds ahead of #2

Hostess Rewards drawing: For every $30 you spend, you will be entered into a drawing for hostess rewards. Amount of rewards is dependent on the total amount of purchases made online with the "Fundraiser Breast Cancer Research" as the hostess. Hostess rewards are awarded when there four unique orders with a net total of $300.
 
 

 

 

Stella & Dot Trunk Show Fundraiser for Hospice Family Care

Next Wednesday, October 27, from 11am to 1pm, I am throwing a Stella & Dot Trunk Show Fundraiser for Hospice Family Care (HFC) at their offices on 3304 Westmill Drive in Huntsville. HFC is the only not-for-profit hospice provider in Madison County yet they are able to provide a wide array of services including a variety of support groups. Last April I joined a caregiver's support group sponsored by HFC and it literally changed my life. If you are ever in the role of primary caregiver for a loved one, then you NEED to join a support group. The fundraiser is also available online at my e-boutique - www.stelladot.com/maryramsey. Be sure to select Marsha as the hostess to ensure HFC receives credit for your purchase. 50% of the total retail sales will be donated to HFC. Post a comment below if you would like to attend the fundraiser or order via phone. Or visit their website to make a direct donation.

HFC Mission: Hospice Family Care is committed to caring for individuals touched by life-threatening illness, grief and loss. We believe that all people have the right to compassionate, quality, end-of-life care.

More Social

One of the issues with Social Media is how to link them all together. I'm testing Postling. I've already discovered that posts to my blog will appear on some but not all of my social media outlets.

Just registered my mobile to my blog. Cool! I can post to my blog from wherever I am.

Being Social

Yesterday I attended a workshop about Boosting Your Buzz. The speakers talked about everything from defining your brand to creating a press release. My favorite topic was Social Networking. I've dabbled in Face Book (who hasn't?) and attempted to Tweet (who has?), and now I'm moving into the blogging world. What took me so long? I recently found my point of view, my voice, and my determination. I'm living my life to the fullest - some call it "living like your dying" - either way, it's about identifying the dreams and finding a way to make it happen. Follow me as I make my dreams come true.