Kitten Heels- The Mullet of Shoes

My friend Jessie sent me a pic of her new "work appropriate shoes" the other day. While she abhors clogs, kitten heels seem to be fair game in her book. My hatred for kitten heels almost takes my breath away. I say almost, due to the fact that I am obviously able to type, and thus will be able to proceed in crucifying her on my blog. I take a kitten heel purchase as a personal attack, making revenge fair game in my books. Pay-back's a bitch.

Fortunately I have scientific proof for my intense dislike of miniature heels, making my argument safe from all critical rebuttal or backlash. Other than the fact that kitten heels are completely pointless, they also do nothing for your legs, and guarantee that everyone who sees you puts you in the same fashion bracket as those who shop at Suzy Sheer. With so many cute ballet flat options out there, do yourself and all your friends a favor and banish the kitten heels.

If you won't listen to me, at least listen to LC.

“Never wear kitten heels. My biggest no-no. They are the mullet of shoes. Go flat or wear heels.”

-Lauren Conrad

P.s my friend Jessie is an amazing artist. Check out her work HERE

LOOKBOOK.nu

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  HYPE

  Ar East Movement Feat. The Cataracs - Like A G6

  BY JULIETT K., 23 YEAR OLD MAFFASHION FROM POLAND

  67 comments / 12  / 13 hours ago

  

I just stumbled upon this site and am instantly obsessed. While decidedly hipster, it's almost like a shopping list on how to dress like the best of them. High waisted skirt? Check. Tube scarf? Check. Chunky platform boots, printed tights, grandma sweater and top not? Check, check, check. Now if only all these looks didn't have to be hidden under a parka and umbrella for the foreseeable future.

The Bucket List - Vancouver Edition

I'm over winter. I don't want to wear boots, or a jacket or have to carry an umbrella. I can't handle another day of streaky bronzer, and unmatched cover up. I want a tan, and here I am getting pastier by the day. I am desperate for summer.  For sun, for adventure, for jean shorts, flip flops and tan lines, fresh fruit, ice cream and patio hangs.

I currently live in a constant state of freezing. My feet are ice blocks even with socks on, and I'm up to 3 cups of coffee a day, just for the warmth. My heating blanket and hot yoga are currently my only respite from the winter blues.  So in an effort to cheer myself up, and in the spirit of my Happiness Project, I've decided to wear long underwear and Hot Chilly socks under all my clothes from now on.

Kidding. I've actually complied a list of things I'm looking forward to doing in this new city of mine, in the hopes that it will chase away the blues, bring down my heating bill, and prevent my boyfriend from banishing my heating blanket. I'd love to hear your suggestions, on things to do in Vancouver, so feel free to send them my way!

The Bucket List - Vancouver Edition

1. Go to the Vancouver Flea Market
2. Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont with some close girlfriends
3. Ice Skating on Grouse Mountain
4. Canucks Game
5. Check out the Punjabi Market in SOMA
6. Go to a race at Hastings Park
7. Try the Chocolate Buffet at The Sutton Place Hotel
8. Actually make it to Celebration of Light (I've missed it every year)
9. Watch a movie at the IMAX
10. Go camping at Cultus Lake
11. Go to the Richmond Night Market

Track. Analyze. Act

Image courtesy of Kemp Edmonds

I have to admit, when the idea of web analytics was first brought to my attention 3 years ago, I was immediately overwhelmed by the subject. Somewhere in my educational years, I had come to the conclusion that because my strongest subject was not Math, that I must not be an analytical thinker. So when the words "web analytics" popped up in my first marketing job out of university, I was ready to panic.

 I signed up for marketing and public relations to be creative, use my writing skills, and stay far away from mathematical formulas. I'd never even heard web analytics mentioned in any of my classes before. I felt like I'd been cheated. However, determined to succeed, and having just read a book about not defining yourself into boxes, I took on the attitude, "I can do anything you can do, but better" Ok, so I'm a little competitive...

Thankfully, this attitude helped, and an inevitable life-path freak-out was avoided. Which, is an incredibly good thing, because as it turns out, web analytics, along with the fact that I am, actually an analytical thinker, are two of the most valuable things I have learned in my career so far.  In Internet Marketing, and especially in Social Media Marketing, campaigns cannot always be analyzed in the traditional way to determine ROI. As my professor Kemp Edmonds says "When people ask you what is the ROI on social media, ask them what the ROI is of their cell phone." Point being, we use social media and the majority of the web, to connect and communicate. Web analytics allows us to track if the ways we are "connecting and communicating" are effective.

One of the first web tracking tools I became familiar with was Google Analytics. I used Google Analytics at clubZone.com to track site traffic, the effectiveness of new web campaigns, popularity of content in certain cities, as well as keep an eye on unique visitors, bounce rate, and how much time people spent on the site. I currently use Google Analytics on this blog, in much of the same ways. Professionally and personally, I find Google Analytics to be an incredible tool.

Recently I have expanded my tracking ability to include such sites as bit.ly, TweetBeep, Twitter Counter and Google Alerts. With this toolbox, I can see which of the links I share get clicked on the most, and effectively monitor what is being said about my blog on Twitter and the Google.

Overall, I think that it is the use of tools like the ones mentioned above that make Social Media a valuable marketing tool. Without tracking, or analytics, all the data you have on your company or blog, is qualitative. Analytics allows you to quantitatively track the effect social networks and public opinion have on your business, while at the same time aiding you in building an engaged community and brand around your product.

**Written for MDIA 1045

Anatomy of a Hipster Part I

Ask Darwin, or anyone who believes in evolution and they will tell you that for centuries the world has survived on the premise that only the fittest live.  Now the word "fit" is used here in the traditional and non traditional sense of the word. Yes it does stand for being healthy and strong, but it also translates into the ability to adapt, conform and assimilate to ones environment.

That being said, it is obvious why I have chosen this as a metaphor for my move to Main Street. Just as all plants and animals must adapt to evolve, the same goes for humans when moving into a new community.  One must adapt to new surroundings, learn the rules of the road, tricks of the trade, or suffer the wrath of social extinction. Easy as 1.2.3.

Well it would be, except for the fact that Main Street is Hipster Central and I'm naturally more a Gwyneth then a Sienna. Try, try, try as I might I can't seem to cultivate that look of un-calculated chaotic, perfection. At first I blamed it on having boobs (shirts don't drape gracefully) then my legs were not long and skinny enough (an essential for pulling off the combat boot) and then finally I attacked the blonde locks. Platinum is so contrived, not natural enough. 

All in all a natural hipster I am not. I could try to be, but my passion for girly dresses, well tailored clothing, and wearing clothes that do not add volume to ones frame, immediately get me voted off the island. Don't fret for me however, my survival of the fittest introduction, seems to guarantee that the hipster breed will die out before long. As natural selection would have it, no one can survive on just espresso and cigarettes, especially while forgoing cars for sketchy vintage bikes peddled by paper thin legs ;)

Stay tuned for a Part II of Anatomy of a Hipster - a piece by piece dissection, by yours truly.

The Downtown Eastside via The Dependent Magazine

Check out The Dependent Magazine, and their new spin on the Downtown Eastside. This article is a must for anyone who has walked the streets East of Hastings, and wondered what makes the ecosystem tick.

You Can't be Good at Everything Right?

I've learned a terrible lesson this past week. One that would make do-it yourself-ers everywhere gasp in horror. However, I will now consider it to be one of my Secrets of Adulthood. The rule is as follows: "Why do it yourself when you can pay someone else to do it." I realize that this rule may seem frivalous to many but I believe the tales of my week may make you see things my way.

Story One:  When I first started my blog, I posted two pictures of posters I wanted that were sold out on IVillage. Somehow my Fairy Godmother heard my wish, and my friend Jennine had BOTH of the posters I wanted, and she sold them to me happily. Jennine is an old friend from my horseback riding days, and not only did she grant my wish and provide me with these posters, she also helped me get my new amazing apartment, in the building she lives in. She's a doll.

Back to the story. So I had these awesome posters, that needed to be framed, so instead of paying a professional to do it, I decide to take it on myself. I bought black frames at Walmart, and some spray paint and started to paint them white. Now this all would have been fine, if the stupid posters let you remove the plexiglass, but no dice, it was attached to the frame. So now, because I'm awesome at spray painting the plexiglass is now dotted with white. And I will have to take the posters in to get professionally framed anyways, as they are printed on the white matting crooked.

Moral Of The Story : Pay a professional Mila. You suck at DIY.

Story Two: Now I wish I could tell you that I learned my lesson and when it came down to moving all my stuff to Vancouver, I hired movers, or at the very least rented a truck, but no. Instead I enlisted my dad, and he borrowed his friends pick up to schlep everything down the Sea to Sky.

All fine and dandy, until the weather pulled a Whistler on us and snowed and rained on the moving day. Armed with tarps, we figured we were well prepared. That is until all the tarps blew off on the windiest corner of the Cheakamus Canyon. After 45 minutes in the freezing snow and wind we had them tied back on. Sort of.

We then decided that it would be best to stop in Squamish at Home Depot to cover the mattresses in plastic sheeting, and move the boxes into the cab of the truck as it was apparently pouring rain in Vancouver.

Bare in mind that it has now taken us 2 hours to get from Whistler to Squamish. So we did this, re-organized the truck bed, and took off. Stopping for a celebratory Mcdonalds french fry run ( This was especially special, as my dad never even let us have Mcdonalds as a kid, and he was the one who suggested it!)

After Mcdicks, we flew through Squamish, laughing at the hitchhikers, and munching on fries, until we got to Shannon Falls, where we realized....we no longer had a mattress.

3 trips between Mickey D's and Shannon Falls later, and we STILL had not located the missing mattress. So my dad pulls over to start calling mattress stores to buy a new one, and I get out to lean over the barrier, where low and behold a black plastic sail seems to be billowing off the edge of a cliff.

 Mattress or dead body right? Mattress it was!

We left Whistler at 11:30 am that day and arrived in Vancouver at 6 pm. However, we did stop at Chances on the way home to complete our hillbilly road trip, and broke even, which everyone knows counts as a win :)

Moral Of The Story: Pay a professional. The time and frustration you save, is worth the money you don't!

Campaign For Real Beauty

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is the first marketing campaign that I was aware of to use YouTube and viral marketing to get their message out. When their Evolution video landed in my inbox, I was compelled to send it to all the girls on my contact list.

 Evolution was followed up by a video called True Colors featuring young girls who all feel self conscious about their bodies. This video highlighted the awful truth that the portrayal of beauty in popular culture has a further reach then some might like to admit.

 Dove's use of YouTube to get their message out, was ingenious as it allowed two way feedback between company and consumer, as well as created a viral element to the message. Not to mention, the customers did the majority of the legwork, making the advertising appear to be subtle and uncalculated, a public relations dream.

*This post was written for MDIA 1045. Sorry for any confusion, or annoyance this may cause! 

What do Social Media and Teen Sex have in Common?

"Social Media is like teen sex. Everybody wants to do it, but nobody knows how." 

- Avinash Kaushik, Analytics Evangelist, Google

As mentioned in my previous blog,  I'm currently taking a class on Social Media Marketing at BCIT. I've already completed the Marketing Management- Public Relations Diploma, but felt that it was mainly paper based, and that I would do well to upgrade my education with a few multimedia courses. Looking at the current job market in Vancouver, solidified this decision. Most of the available jobs are currently for Online Marketing Specialists, fluent in all social media networks, with HTML, SEO and Adobe Indesign knowledge. 

The class started off by having us sign up for a variety of social media tools, some were a bit overwhelming at first, but most of them were quite straightforward. As with most things in life, social media follows the rule that you only really get what you put it. Up until now, I have had a Twitter account but never really used it, however, within the last few weeks, I've increased my Twitter usage and found the more I tweet, the more people tweet back at me or re-tweet something about my blog! The Law of Attraction at its best. 

Another tool I've found extremely useful (as well as ultra nerdy) is Hootsuite. Hootsuite allows me to see all my social media accounts on one deck, as well as update them all at once, and track how many people click the links I tweet. Not to mention Hootsuite does all my job searching for me. I add streams on Twitter such as "Marketing Jobs Vancouver" and I can see all the tweets about this subject! Before this class, I never knew services like this even existed, now Im hooked. Google Analytics is also amazing, and while I've been using it for a couple years already, I still feel like their is a ton to learn.

Through this class I've also been introduced to several interesting websites such as Digg and Technorati. Digg highlights the days most interesting news stories, while Technorati lists all the most popular blog posts. I particularly like Technorati Women. 

Some other tools we've been introduced to that I find less valuable are Flickr, LinkedIn (but just because I'm just starting to collect contacts) and Mail Chimp, as I'm not currently working for a business that needs email marketing, and am already quite familiar with how to use it.  

Apologies in advance for two school based posts in a row, Im trying to make this blog as popular as possible, so I'm currently using it as a guinea pig for all my school projects. Stay tuned for my next post on the harrowing tale of my move back to Vancouver...

Nerd-ing Curve

I feel a bit like this girl right now. A blonde girl with her head cut off. Im currently in the process of finishing up work in Whistler, packing up my life, packing up my boyfriends life ;), organizing a move in Vancouver, and also going to school at BCIT.

However, the good news is, that after this week, I'll have a shwanky new pad in Van City, and be almost half way through my Intro to Social Media Marketing class. Which believe me, will benefit anyone who reads this blog! I'm on a steep learning curve, finding out all about Twitter, TweetDeck, Hootsuite, Mashable, Bit.ly, and many many more super nerdy, yet ultimately fascinating technologies. Grow or Die as they say.

Can't wait to make this blog bigger and better then ever. Please feel free to use some of the new tools I've added: Retweet my posts on Twitter, Like a post on FB, Like the Small Town Girl Page on FB. This can all be done at the bottom of each blog post or via Facebook and Twitter.

I also just want to give a quick shout out to all the people who already read my blog and share it with others! Thanks especially to Amy Huddle, for sharing my work with Feet Banks and thus helping me to get an article published. This blog has gone from five hits a day to into the hundreds, with most of the growth happening these last couple months! Sharing is Caring.

XX

Laugh

Cleaning, Cooking, and Gardening

My beautiful friend Kelly. Check out her Blog.

I'm currently doing a 30 day yoga challenge. One of my own design however. My schedule with the impending move, and long distance boyfriend is a bit too hectic to commit to one studio. I currently do the majority of my classes at Loka in Whistler. If you haven't checked out this studio I suggest you do. It's in a super convenient location, right across from Brandy's and Earls, and the classes they offer are full of variety, and at times of the day, that make going to yoga effortless.

Loka classes are mainly Jivamukti in style, which for some reason really resonates with me. I feel like I spent years battling myself in hot or power classes. I remember several conversations with my best friends and expert yogis K & B wondering why it was such a challenge for me to make myself go to yoga, when I really believed in it and loved the benefits. I've finally come to the conclusion, that what makes me not only want to go to yoga, but crave it, is a combination of several factors:

1. Location, It needs to be close to where I work - If I go home and sit on the couch before an intended yoga class, I can guarantee you I ain't going.
2. A variety of class lengths - Sometimes I just can't handle 90 minutes of breathing and being in myself. Horrible, but true none the less.
3. A teacher that resonates with you. For anyone that has met Tina, it becomes fascinatingly obvious as to why she has such a loyal following of students. I literally want to talk to her forever or just be in her presence for as long as I can every time I go to yoga.

For me Loka has all of the above. However, YYoga hits the spot quite often too. Im currently obsessed with an Anusara Inspired class at North Shore Elements, taught by a good friend of my boyfriends. Her name is Alex Mazerolle and she teaches what I consider to be the perfect yoga class. Challenging, relaxing, inspiring, and insightful. I'm thinking of taking up Pilates as well, as she teaches the classes back to back. YYoga in Whistler (Neoalpine) is also fabulous. However, my favorite teacher Kristen, has just recently had a baby girl, so she has taken some time off.

Anyways, I digress. I intended to share with you a concept brought up to us in Jivamukti the other night. This concept is the focus for the month, and as simple-minded as it sounds, is actually quite inspiring. The focus is cleaning, cooking, and gardening. But in the most holistic sense.  Here is my take on the words.

Cleaning: You can't clear clutter from your mind, if you have clutter in your life. Every unnecessary mess, or object takes up space. In each yoga class your goal is to create space. So consider this yoga of the house. (I just did closet yoga, for my boyfriend and myself. I was ruthless, and it felt great. We gave away 6 garbage bags full of clothing.) I've also been practicing this idea, through my Happiness Project.

Cooking: Bring awareness to what you put into your body. This hits home for me, as I spent the first half of my life fueling my body to be a professional athlete, and the next portion starving myself in hopes those muscles would disappear. Where I'm at now varies from day to day, but I usually feel comfortable and confident in the food choices that I make. This concept has challenged me however, to take this knowledge of food to the next level. I'm going to learn to cook. Bye, bye takeout sushi, hello home made tabouleh. Poor boyfriend.

Gardening: This is the concept I struggle with the most. While the urban garden is an admirable goal, I just can't find any passion in it. Maybe because I've never even owned a real plant before. So step 1 in my our new place will be a small, yet effective window-sill herb garden. Wish me luck.
Side Note: This word could also be taken in a less literal sense of the word. Ala gardening of the mind. Weeding out the negative thoughts and replacing them with the positive. Planting the seeds of your dreams. Watching them grow.

Facebook Obsessed?

Via: Online Schools

See more at mashable.com

Also,

Check out this article on how to build your brand on Facebook.

Temple Grandin

I just watched the movie Temple Grandin and felt compelled to share it with you. The movie stars Claire Danes, and follows the life of renowned animal welfare and autism activist Temple Grandin. Temple was born autistic and didn't speak until the age of four, however through the perseverance of her mother and several forward thinking teachers, she not only graduated from high school but went on to complete a Masters in Science, and a PhD. in Animal Science.

Early on in life, working on her aunts ranch, Temple took an interest to cattle. She felt that being a visual thinker (she sees things in pictures and connects them) and being able to relate to feeling anxious about her surroundings, fearful and stressed, gave her an unparalleled view into the minds of these animals. Which in turn motivated her to create humane livestock handling and slaughtering processes.

What's most interesting about this movie is that Temple never states that it is wrong or inhumane to slaughter cattle. In fact, she believes that nature is much worse to animals then we are, or should I say, then we have to be. Temple believes that if followed, her plans lead cattle, calmly to slaughter where they feel no stress, no anxiety, and no pain. This in turn saves us money, and prevents extra hormones like cortisol from entering the meat we eat.

For me, this movie was exhilarating in its proof that being a meat eater and an animal lover can be synonymous. "Animals are not Things," and even though we use them to fulfill  human purpose, we can treat them with the respect they deserve.  Furthermore, Temple acts as a constant reminder to us all, that "To be different, is not to be less."

Today, Temple is a professor at Colorado State University.



Click HERE to read a previous post of mine "The Omnivores Dilemma"
Click HERE for a Mega Video link to the movie Temple Grandin

Shallow Steez

Here's my super shallow style commentary on tonight's Golden Globes looks. Look, Love, Judge.

Angelina in color, without a thigh high slit? Unheard of! 

Natalie Portman. Pregnant, and still thinner than most. Bitch. P.s I hate baby pink silk on her, but I do feel bad for saying "hate" and "baby" in the same sentence.

Blah. Is that brocade? My mom wore that to prom in the 60's. American Idol made you a celebrity, perhaps What Not to Wear can show you how to dress like a one.

Has she ever looked better? Im obsessed with this outfit.

Nicole Richie called, she wants her outfit back. Oh, and it's time to break the piggy bank for a bang trim.

Is it just me or does Emma Stone look like she belongs on "The Girls Next Door?" She's so much fancier as a redhead.

Cute & original. Lose the DUCKFACE.

Angelina would never wear pink Megan. Everyone knows this. Oh...and Eat Something!

This look should now be called the Princess Kate. Monochromatic, sheath dresses, perfectly designed for those with enviously slender bodies and not even a whisper of hips.

BBQ Grilled Cheese

I'm not sure why I didn't post this sooner, but here is an article that I wrote for Mountain Life this past summer. I actually had to figure out how to BBQ grilled cheese, and look pretty in front of a professional photographer (Paige Harley) while doing it. I got the job through this blog, and am very happy with how the article, and the grilled cheese turned out.

Open publication - Free publishing - More hiking

Secrets Of Adulthood

This is a concept I borrowed from my new found bible (The Happiness Project) but I found it such a fun exercise that I thought I'd share it with you. Everyone's secrets are probably different, but it was good to see that mine actually matched up with Gretchen's quite a bit. Although, hers were worded much more eloquently. It was helpful to hear what an older accomplished adult wished she had known all along. I'd love to hear your secrets! 

(Me as baby)

1. People don't notice your mistakes as much as you do

2. It's better to be good at a one thing, then mediocre at 5 things

3. Cross that bridge when you come to it

4. Bring a sweater

5. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good

6. People aren't absolute versions of their actions. Someone who said something rude once, may not be a rude person.

7. You don't have to be friends with everyone, but you do need to be nice to everyone

8. Never talk when your mad. Wait at least an hour until you calm down

9. Let it go

10. What's fun for others, may not be fun for you

 (Me all grown up - The difference is uncanny right?)

Footnote: As mentioned above some, not all, of these Secrets came from the book The Happiness Project, you can read Gretchen's complete list here: http://www.happiness-project.com/

Side note: Oh look! A footnote! Also known as crediting people correctly when you borrow their work. What a unique concept. 

It's Britney. Bitch. Or is it?

What do you think of Britney's new single Hold It Against Me? It's a little too electro-dance for me. If she wanted to work that angle, she should have made it grimier, more dub-step esq. Or just stayed true to her dirty blonde roots, and given us another synthesized pop ballad. In my opinion, she does better when she is naked, sweaty, and grimy in her videos, then when she tries to make her voice sound that way. Can't wait for the video!

Living Social

Am I the last to know about this? livingsocial.com is my new favorite thing! They send me daily deals in Vancouver, ranging from food, trips, spa deals, and fitness. So far I have bought a two night trip to Tofino for $115 and a $20 personal training one month pass, valued at $159! Not to mention, if you send the deal of the day to all your friends, and three of them purchase it, your deal is free! Im hooked.

The Best Kind of Babies (Are Other Peoples)

The best way to spread cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Or by posting ridiculously cute baby videos on your blog :)
Don't worry, while that sentence was sappy, these videos are not. Laughing at people is always fun isn't it? Especially when said people, are innocent little children whose parents put them on youtube. This is taking embarrassing your children to a whole new level. Enjoy!

1. Baby loves Florence and the Machine

2. Kick His ASK

3. Baby Eating Chilli to Dubstep

4. I LOVE MY LIFE!!

5. The Newest Members of The Magnetic Zeroes