Guess where I am :)

Sleepy boy

Sleepy boy

Choo! Choo! There goes the baby train...see you later!

So I think it comes with the territory that as a newlywed, it doesn't take long for people ask "So when are you having a baby?"  Here are few things I'm going to say to that:

#1 Don't ask anyone that?  I mean, unless you know them well...I mean REALLY well.  Just don't ask it.  It's awkward and rude.  Even more awkward if you aren't joining Mommy & Me anytime soon.

#2 Babies are great.  So cute and funny to watch.  In fact, both of my sisters have had babies in the last month.  I love being an Aunt! I plan to keep it that way for some time...

#3 Because I'm not feeling well ONE DAY does not mean that I have morning sickness.  So don't give me "the look"

#4 Travel.  The Big Mans and I love to travel.  We both know any kind of world traveling will take a back seat when we have a family.  Which is why we're focused on enjoying new places and meeting new people. 

#5 Shoes.  Seriously do you know what kind of major shoe budget I will have to go on when children come into the picture?  For the reason,  I'll need to start off slow.  Narrowing that budget bit by bit...don't rush it! 

For now.  We're good.  We have the dog, the cat and each other.  And believe it or not, we're getting along with that just fine.  So please...when we're ready, we'll let the world know.  Until then...don't ask!  :-)

 

People are human...in case you forgot.

I've been wanting to really get back into blogging for quite some time.  I always wondered what should I focus on?  In fact, it's taken me over a year to finally figure out...I'm just not going to worry about it :-)  Posting to posterous whatever it is I want.  From travel to social media, and weight loss tips to fabulous shoes!

I love to read blogs that HUMAN. Thoughts, ideas and real insight into someone's life. You'll get that here. 

But  let's start with how I got here.  Over the last few months, I've landed my dream job.  I don't think I could explain in words how insanely happy I am and how I have to pinch myself daily.  I just love what I do. Working social media for a global company was on my short list for goals in life.  Social media is my baby, I live it and breathe it.  I wish I could tell you exactly how to use social media it perfectly, but I can't.  In fact I can gaurantee NO ONE can.  However, I'm one of those students of life, constantly learning and adding knowledge to everything I do.  I'll share antedeotes in the next few weeks about things I see that work in social media and things that do not. Stay tuned. 

Getting here however, was not easy. I moved from the north after living there my entire life (27 years) to the south.  I met a lot of people in the 2 years I've been in the south.  Some great, some...not so much.  I tend to be that person who let's those "not so nice" people bother the (expletive) out of me.  2010 was really tough.  I was told countless times I don't fit in here.  Nor was I looking to per se but I don't know if those comments really had much backing.  Why did people tell me that?  Why do people care if I do fit in or not?  I've been a fiercely independent female since coming of the womb and I've found not many people like that.  Meh, what can you do?

On that note, let's get a few things straight.  I'm a big believer in hard work and a not so big believer in obtaining success on "who you know"  While " who you know" opens many doors, it's talent and work ethic that keep you there.  I have a passion for what I do and I've worked insanely hard to find a "happy place" in my career.  For the first time I finally have.  I've also experienced that when you are successful, others you trusted don't like to see it.  I never understood or believed that fact until now. 

I think many people have misconceptions about who I am.  While fiercely independent, confident and passionate about what I do...I have feelings.  Last time I checked, I'm human.  It's tough for me to meet people, spend time and effort into building relationships and see those friendships ruined by selfishness and cruelty.  While I always enjoyed and thrived on networking and meeting new people...I do it to build solid and trusting relationships.  I came to find that those intentions were not the same of many folks I've met in my community. It's sad and at times I question who I am...but I'm done.  Done questioning reasons why people thought after I landed my dream job, I had changed.  My biggest change was that I am happy, fully happy! It took awhile but I got there.  I think at times it would have been nice for someone to say "Jess, you worked your butt off, congratulations"   Instead I was greeted with smug attitudes and even one nasty tweet from someone who for some strange reason people respect in certain circles.

I'm human and all those things that were thrown at me this year, caused a few bruises.  But I know there is no where but up from here.  So I remind you that while maybe you think some people have it all together...remember, EVERYONE is human.  And sometimes what you think is a joke and much easier to say via Twitter...text message...whatever, may not be so funny. 

While I've learned to "buck up"...I think many in social media community and beyond need to remember there are actual people on the other side of hurtful messages. Let's step off the high horses and be human again.  Please!  :-)

 

 

I'm back...for real this time

I never liked New Year's resolutions. Probably because for the most part, I would never stick to them. I've decided this year I need to make some changes. You can call them resolutions but I would rather refer to them as growth spurts. I've been holding off on getting back into blogging for quite some time.

2010 was a pretty big year, full of some major life changing moments. One being that I got married and another, landing my dream job. In between all that were many ups and downs that I think I wasn't totally ready to share with the world. But now I'm back and ready to start sharing my thoughts, opinions and ideas on everything from being a newlywed to social media to losing weight. Some posts may be planned and some...not so much. So stay tuned :-)

Posts you can look out for:

Foursquare: When NOT to check in

We're not all a size 6: How to shop for ANY size
Whole Living & Detoxing: Easily and Healthy

The Baby Train: Why I haven't bought a ticket

In 2009 I learned...

-Moving halfway across the country entails a lot more emotional strength than I ever imagined (culture shock times 100)

-Not everyone cares how much education you have, or even experience, even how hard you work, as long as you can talk the talk and walk the walk, you're in!

-I'm allowed to ALWAYS re-invent myself

-You can't expect everyone to be nurturing. My previous supervisors were all very nurturing, something I took all too much for granted

-That I'm going to be a damn good mom!

-Fashion and design is truly a passion of mine, I don't just love shoes and accessories, I LOVE shoes and accessories

-I'm passionate about being an independent professional and I shouldn't let it pass me by

-I have the most amazing husband-to-be EVER. We're "that couple" you wish you could be. Not perfect but filled with lots of love. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

-I have the most amazing family and friends EVER...seriously...EVER!

-I'm not just obsessed with social media and the new trends in marketing, PR and advertising I have a deep passion for it. And one day, I'm going to change the world with it. (Ok a girl can dream can't she?)

-That Blogspot is so 2009 and Wordpress is very 2010...so folks that is where I'm headed with Damsel in a Dress.

It is a new chapter in Damsel in a Dress that I'm very excited to start. A lot of new improvements and a lot more posts about everything. Fashion, life, my passion for social media, my transition to the south and don't forget...the wedding!

Stay tuned...

I'm baaaaaack!

After much time and thought and maybe a little soul-searching I decided to bring my personal blog back! I mean why not? To be honest a lot has changed in my life over the last 5 months since I posted. However, a few things have not. The first being that I still have not yet found a job here in Greenville. To say that I'm beyond frustrated is being nice. And a big reason why I decided to blog again was simply because I was not finding any other outlet to vent my frustrations. I also have yet to find many folks out there I can relate to on these subjects and beyond.

My situation is also a bit rare in that I made the move with a significant other for his employment. (Ah yes ladies, the things we do for love.) We're getting married next June and while most would assume planning a wedding is the time of your life, when you are jobless, its not all its cracked up to be.

So the list making gal that I am decided to come up with a few ideas for future blog posts you'll see here soon:

1.) The quandary I find myself as a master's degree educated young person who struggles to find a job for even a foot in the door. (I've given up the dream of making close to $50K in my given field, or have I?)

2.) My never-ending effort to not be known as the "loud and opinionated (somewhat annoying) girl from Buffalo" but instead "the gal with the know who and the know how to succeed in a place not quite fit for her" (Get my drift?)

3.) To stay in Greenville, SC or not stay in Greenville...that is the question and quite frankly I'm still searching for the answer

4.) Why skinny girls constantly need to talk about their weight around the fat chick (i.e. ME)

5.) My search for the perfect wedding dress

6.) My struggle to lose weight and keep it off before the "big day" and beyond

7.) Why I still am not on the Obama train....yet. (And you thought I was going to stray from my political rants...oh no no)

8.) My undying love for everything Buffalo and why one day...I will be back to run for mayor!

9.) The greatest and best ways I'm trying to cut costs and save some change while job hunting. Take for example the awesome bowling alley around the corner that only charges $6 for four games/per person! And my Dollar Tree excursions!

10.) My love/hate relationship with social media. While I think its absolutely the best thing since sliced bread, I see parts of it being taken to an immature and somewhat "high schoolish" game of being in or out. I also don't believe in social media rock stars. We're all rock stars. (Especially me)


So to my returning readers, all 5 of you. (Even you too mom!) Welcome back! To those just joining me, get ready. I don't apologize for who I am and I don't hold back. I have opinions, as I'm sure you do too. I do ask however that you refrain from name-calling and making personal attacks at me. I may be loud and proud but I don't personally attack any one person on this blog. Even you, Mr. Obama. :)

Ready...set...LIVE!