Pick Your Poison - Ordering Adult Beverages

Sorry I haven't posted in ages... Let's just say you won't be hearing how best to manage your time from me anytime soon :)

I was having dinner with my amazing Little while I was back home for the 4th of July and thought of some really great advice that was too funny not to share. It has to do with almost every twenty-somethings favorite hobby: drinking. 

Did you know that Red and White are not the only two flavors of wine? That all you can drink for $7 does not exist outside your favorite college bar? That some bars don't even serve Fireball shots?!? Well REALITY CHECK!!! Get ready for the world of adult drinking :)

So here is my magical piece of advice: Know your go-to drink. It's as simple as that. In the world of not dive college bars you request a mixed drink by the mixer and BRAND of liquor. So if you order a Vodka and Cranberry at a nice bar you are getting wells vodka and its $6. If you say Tito's and Soda, you get a quality liquor and it cost you $8. So moral of the story is, we are getting older, hangovers hurt even worse than in college, and well drinks are gross. So pay up the extra dollar or so and order like a big girl. 

This is applicable to the working world because you will more than likely enjoy a few adult beverages with your boss at some happy hour/dinner/holiday party in the future As they sit and contemplate which $100 bottle of wine they want to order, you will feel like a newb if the waitress asks what kind of liquor you want in that Whisky and Ginger and you draw a blank so you say "whatever is fine". That is NOT going to taste good.... 

So move away from your college drink and try an IPA over a Budlight, learn the difference between a Pinot Noir and a Merlot, find that perfect liquor that's in budget but doesn't leave you hungover the next day. 

As an aside "Always Drink Responsibly" and don't ever drink and drive.

Cheers!!!

Stephanie 

Grown Up Phone Apps

Here is a list of the most useful apps on my phone. I would highly recommend downloading these or you can just keep using your phone to take selfies and check buzzfeed and insta.

1. Mint.com 

This app provides me with an up to date dashboard of my personal finances. I can budget as well as track all my expenses each month without having to check multiple accounts. Mint.com works with Intuit to protect and keep your information secure. I connected all my credit cards and bank accounts to this app and now have a clear view of all my income and spending at any time. Additionally, Mint will send me reminders or updates if I am spending way over budget.

 2. Find my iPhone
We all hate that awful feeling when you go to look for your phone and it's not where you left it. Find my iPhone gives me amazing piece of mind because I know that I can use my iPad, work phone, or a friends phone to locate my phone/lock it/track it in case it gets into the wrong hands. I have even used this app when I get in the car to make sure my phone is with me and not left in my apartment or at a restaurant.

3. Venmo
My amazing friend Megan introduced this app to me. It allows you to collect money from or pay your friends back easily and immediately. This app allows you to transfer and receive money regardless of which bank you or your friends have.

4. Scanner Pro

This app makes life so much easier. Instead of searching for a scanner for when I have to submit a signed document I can just take a picture, make it a PDF, and email it to myself. This app does cost money but the PDF comes out looking just like a document that was really scanned. 

Comment below if you have other apps that  make your life as an adult easier!

$teph

Building a Resume

Resumes are the paper representative of yourself to the outside world. As creative and beautiful as some may be, resumes require some basic components in order to make the first cut in some interview and vetting processes. Below is a high level breakdown of important formatting and content requirements to assist in making a strong resume. 

Formatting

• Name
• Minimum 20pt font
• Can be a different font style
• Contact Information
• Email address, phone number, and address
• Do not hyperlink the email address

• Section Headings
• Should be bolded / underlined / all caps / italicized to stand out from the rest of the contents
• Sample section titles include:
• Education
• Employment Experience 
• Leadership & Involvement
• Honors, Skills, & Awards
• Dates
• Should always contain the month and year 
• ex: February 2013 – May 2013
• If you are currently doing the position, it goes through present 
• ex: January 2014 – Present
• Date in education section will be the expected month and year 
• Placement can very but justified to the right hand margin and italicized is common.  
• Margins
• Minimum of a .5 margin as a frame around the paper 
• Maximum of .75 
• Font
• Pick simple fonts and use bold / italics / all caps for titles
• 10pt font is the smallest size you can use
• Length
• One page maximum 
• Never have one word on a line alone

Content

A great bullet is made of three key components:

Action Verb + Transferable Skill + Result

• Action Verbs
• Start each bullet with a past tense action verb 
• Ex: Initiated, implemented, updated, organized, created
• Transferable Skills
• What did you do or accomplish in this position that can be transferred to another position
• Look for skills or traits that made you successful in this position and how you can use this skills in the next position
• Ex: Created monthly financial statements using Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks
• Ex: Worked within a team of seven to implement a new marketing strategy
• Results
• Focus on what you delivered or implemented
• What are you leaving behind or what did you accomplish
• Ex: Increasing the chapter’s financial stability
• Ex: Raised over $5,000 for Children’s Miracle Network

• Quantify and Qualify
• Use numbers and results to make each bullet on your resume stand alone and showcase your strengths
• EX: Selected as one of 22 mentors out of a pool of 300 people
• Numbers
• Numbers less than or equal to twelve should be spelled out (e.g. one, two, three)
• Numbers greater than 12 can be written using numbers (20,350,4000)
• Avoid Laundry Lists
• Do not list out every responsibility or task
• DON’T DO THIS - Wrote emails, held meetings, and developed a new marketing strategy

Hope this was somewhat helpful. Post any other questions below :)

Hosting a Party 101

When throwing a party as a young professional the guest list may consist of new friends, co-workers, or guests of friends. Beer pong, keg stands, and sticky floors are very college, and not necessarily appropriate around colleagues.  Below are my 6 pieces of advice on how to host a great party at your house and avoid waking up to a disaster in your living room.

1. Greet Everyone – When you are throwing a party you want to make sure that you make a conscious effort to greet every single person who enters your home. This is not only polite but it also allows you to inform them where the bar is or where they can put their coats.  Additionally, if friends bring guest this gives you a chance to introduce yourself and also introduce different friend groups to each other so that they can meet new people.
2.  Set Up a Bar  – 
• Invest in wine glasses!!! Serving wine in a solo cup is blasphemy… 
• Have a pitcher of water out and available for designated drivers or people wanting to take a break from drinking (I add lemons, limes, or cucumbers to make it a little more fun)
• Have an ice bucket, mixers, cocktail shaker, straws, and cups set out by the liquor
• Either store  beer in a cooler or in the fridge (Clean out your fridge before the party so there is room for whatever your guests bring)
3. Serve White Wine, Beer, and Vodka – if you provide you guest with clear liquids to drink there will be less of a chance your carpet or couch gets stained. Having a lot of people over means that accidents will very likely happen and instead of ruining your night, a spill is something that can be cleaned easily and not a high stress issue.
4. Provide Snacks – It can be as simple as cheese and crackers or chips and salsa or as complicated as baked brie and mini quiches. I recommend using disposable plates and napkins but if you happen to forget to purchase them, set your plates out and just make sure and load them in the dishwasher as they start to collect by the sink. Run the dishwasher before you leave for the bars or go to bed so you can unload it in the morning and refill it with wine glasses and serving dishes.  (Stemware is fragile, but these stabilizers help keep them in one piece in your dishwasher)
5. The Basics –
• This should go without saying but clean your room/bathroom, make your bed, and give people directions so they know how to get to your place and where to park.
• Coat Closet – coming from Florida this was a new concept to me. Make sure you have room/empty hangers in your coat closet for people’s jackets. If you don’t have a coat closet or there isn't room set people’s coats on your perfectly made bed.
• If you attend a party at someone else's house don't forget to  bring something. Never show up empty handed! If its a friend's party ask what they need, if it's a stranger bring a bottle of wine, beer, or snacks. 
6. Asking People to Leave – This is sometimes a very awkward time as the host. If you are hosting a pre-game just start asking people when they want to leave for the bars. Once they finish their drinks they will want to head out as well. If the party goes super late just start cleaning up. People will see that and get the hint that you’re ready for them to head home.

Best of luck hosting your next party!

$teph

First Impressions

First impressions seem like a fitting topic to discuss in my first blog post. This topic is also perfect timing since it is the start of 2014 and we all have resolutions that we are looking to keep. This may mean working out, traveling to new places, finding a better job, or just being better in every way. Regardless, you will probably meet lots of new people this year and since studies have shown that people decide how they feel about you within seconds of meeting you, you should definitely be prepared.

Below are my five steps for having the best first impression:

1. Smile - This goes without saying. Obviously you shouldn't look like a sourpuss when being introduced to someone new. But a lot of us have a terrible RBF (resting bitch face). Pick up your phone and take a selfie of yourself without looking at the camera or thinking about smiling. That is what you look like when you are driving in your car, texting on your phone, and sometimes meeting new people. Not as attractive as your gorgeous smile right? Make sure to be aware of it next time you meet a stranger.

2. Shake Hands - I know shaking hands can be intimidating and sometime super awkward. But you know what is worst? That half raised, arm by your side hand wave that we sometimes do (Exhibit A). That doesn't look very confident or professional. So instead reach out and shake their hand ESPECIALLY if it is in an interview or professional environment. This sounds weird but practice with your friends or parents. Girls tend to shake hands weakly and boys too tightly which are both turn offs.

Exhibit A:

3. Say Their Name - How special do you feel when someone remembers your name and how awful do you feel when you can't remember theirs? "Heyyy YOU" is a very obvious tell-tale sign that you have no idea who they are. Make someone feel special, important and respected by repeating their name throughout the conversation and again when you say good bye. It is perfectly fine to ask them to repeat it within the first time meeting and totally not ok three weeks later.

4.Business Etiquette - This rule has to do with any professional interaction especially when interviewing or starting a new job. The people you meet at work have the influence to shape and help you build your career. If they remember you as the wrinkled blouse and unsmiling new girl you are pretty much guaranteed to have to work even harder to win them over in the long run. So be polished, do you hair (no messy buns), stand up straight, and don't curse or use abbreviations . Sounding like a valley girl will not help you move up in your company.

5. Be Unforgettable - This step has to do with when you spot Mr. Wonderful out at 1:00 AM or at a friends pre-game. The key to reeling him in is confidence, which he should notice immediately when meeting you. If you are too afraid to approach him and talk then you will never end up in your perfect picket-fence house. A huge group of girls can be beyond intimidating even to a Channing Tatum look-a-like. But if you make the move to approach him, smile, and be yourself you will be one step closer to reeling him in. I know walking up to a boy and introducing yourself may seem absolutely impossible for you and that is ok. Maybe have a mutual friend introduce you. But nothing is more of a guy magnet then confidence.

Now go out there and blow people away so they all know immediately what an amazing person they just had the privilege to meet.

Be better in every way,
$teph