Summertime Sadness

I can't believe we're already coming up to Labor Day weekend! It may not officially be the end of summer yet, but to me this is it. When you're a kid Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer because once it's over, you're back to school. Even now as an adult my brain is STILL conditioned to think that way. I even get a small twinge of dread that I can't explain because nothing actually changes for me anymore when the calendar flips to September!

Although I am sad to see summer go I do love fall. The colours of fall, from the trees to fashion, are warm and beautiful (and cozy). Opening your windows at home and smelling the fall air is pretty fantastic. I've had a great summer to so there's nothing to complain about there! I have completely maximized my fun in the sun and it's been awesome. Moving forward, I've got a few things lined up to make my fall pretty exciting too! How was your summer? Are you ready for fall?

In honor of summer (and this post) coming to an end, I would like to leave you with this Lana Del Rey song I'm loving at the moment, "Summertime Sadness"... HAPPY LONG WEEKEND!

Social Media Savvy...

How many social media platforms are out there today? A thousand? A MILLION?!?! It kind of feels like it. As a marketer it definitely feels like there is a new "big one" that rises above the surface every week. 

If you feel like you can't quite keep up and wish you were a little more "social savvy", here's a funny but useful picture to help you out!

Must See TV: Wilfred

Have you seen this show? If not, you've got to see this show!

I've just finished Season 1 (Season 2 just finished airing on FX I believe) and I can't handle how much I loved it. The synopsis as described on IMDB is: 

"The story of a manic depressive man who inexplicably is the only one who can see his neighbor's dog as full grown man in a dog suit."

I was not sure how much potential that kind of a story would have but let me tell you, A LOT is the answer. First of all, this "full grown man in a dog suit" is brilliant. He's got an Australian accent and has a very suave manner about him. He's a funny "man" while expressing the thoughts and emotions that you would expect from a dog. Unreal. I'm not even a dog person (I know, I know) but I totally appreciated how he was perfectly emulating what a dog would do/think in certain situations. I mean, he even took a "liking" to a teddy bear named Bear. It's so perfect.

The manic depressive character who is the only one who sees Wilfred as a man, is played by Elijah Wood. He is pretty great in this role too. Watching him try to not look crazy while dealing with Wilfred is a lot of fun. It's a great part for him.

I won't get into detail explaining specifics (because with something like this show it's a "you had to be there/see it" kind of thing) but I will say, the whole series from episode one right up to the finale was very smart, funny, dark, light, fresh and just better then you might ever expect. Since I mentioned the finale, WOW. I cannot wait to get my hands on Season 2!

FOMO

When you're invited out with friends or co-workers do you always say yes? What if you're tired or simply don't want to? If you do decline, do you feel a little anxious and find yourself thinking about what might be happening? If any of this sounds familiar, perhaps you have FOMO - fear of missing out. This weekend as I was flipping through the recent issue of Marie Claire, I read an article that I thought was really interesting and addressed this issue. FOMO is described as "the latest syndrome plaguing do-it-all women... the nagging fear that everyone else is in on something that they're not". 

My poolside reading material.

I then thought about whether or not I had it, I decided the answer was no. If I've had a long week and am tired, or the weather is bad (read: snow - it is my driving nemesis), then I don't hesitate for a second about declining and invitation. Do I think about what might have been? For a second I might. Do I feel like I'm missing out? No, because other chances will arise and if there was something to miss out on, I'm sure someone will loop me in! I can however, identify some people in my life that I think might have it. People that always have to be somewhere, with someone, doing something. They never say no or turn something down. And if they do, you can feel their regret in doing so. For some people though, staying busy and doing everything is in their nature. For me, that just sounds stressful.

The article suspects, and I tend to agree, that this age of technology and social media is mostly responsible for turning FOMO from a thought or feeling, into an actual problem. I mean, let's be honest, back in the day you knew your friends/co-workers/whomever were getting together, but you wouldn't have to see it happen through live social streaming! All those status'. All those photos. 

In the article, Jessica Chivers, author and life coach says the root of the problem can be the number of choices we have today, which isn't always a good thing: "When presented with lots of choices, we become much less efficient at making decisions and less happy with the decisions we make. If I put you in a supermarket aisle with nine different types of cornflakes, you would enjoy your breakfast less than if you had to buy the only brand they stocked."

I think the most important thing at the end of the day is taking care of you. If you feel stressed or like you have a lot going on, just break away and do what you want to do! Whether it's with others or just you and a good book it's the right choice because it was your choice. Now, where's my glass of wine...

Style Icon: Nicole Richie

Around 10 years ago if you told me I was going to think of Nicole Richie as a style icon... well, I probably would have laughed in your face and called you crazy, but here we are! 

She has transformed. I love her style. Even when she is dressed to the nines there is a certain element of comfort. I think that has something to do with how her style always seems to have some bohemian undertones to it. Light and easy. Classic and cool. You can see that mindset reflected in her own fashion lines Winter Kate and House of Harlow. Both incredible. 

Even when she was pregnant she rocked the heels and clothes that weren't typical of maternity wear. And now as a mom, well, the photos speak for themselves... she's awesome!

Some favourite Nicole Richie fashions.

Uninhibited Fun...

On that note, have an excellent weekend!

Oh no no no no no... no.

So I did it. The thing I never wanted to do but always knew I would do: I watched the new TLC show "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo". I am so embarrassed. So embarrassed. More so, I found myself wondering why TLC saw the potential for this show, proposed it, approved it, developed it, and aired it? Because it's so darn bad that it's good that's why (if you read that last sentence in a country twang you've obviously been exposed to it too).

Their TLC Promo Shot - I guess they didn't
hear the cameraman say "cheese".

I am not a Honey Boo Boo expert but from what I understand and have learned, Honey Boo Boo (real name Alana) was on another, much more respectable TLC show, Toddlers and Tiaras. She became a fan favourite and from there the show/spinoff was born. She still competes in pageants and all that, but we get to see what life is like for her and her family outside of all that. It's all down hill - and less sparkly - from there. They are everything you hoped they weren't/were. 

Allow me to introduce you to her family dynamic. There's the mom, June aka "Mamma". The dad, Mike aka "Sugar Bear". She has 3 sisters: Jessica aka "Chubbs", Lauryn aka "Pumpkin" and Anna aka "Chickadee". Before I move on I will tell you that Anna is 17 and pregnant. Honey Boo Boo also made reference to a brother, but I never saw one, nor do I see one listed so... maybe she's confused? Or I am? I mean, I definitely am.

For my first episode, I was lucky enough to catch the one where the family participates in the Redneck Games - lucky me! At the games they played the ever popular 'bobbing for pig legs' game. You know, the one where you fill a clear tupperware container with water and drop in 8 pig legs and see who can get the most out in a minute without using their hands? I might actually just leave the rest of the games to the imagination. For some, it might be enough just knowing this kind of thing is happening out there in our big beautiful world. 

I like they way they talk. For example when "Mamma" is trying to say how too much cleavage is not appropriate (at least I think that's what she was saying... there are even subtitles most of the show), she actually said "all that jiggle jaggle is not beautimous". I couldn't have said it better myself Mamma. See, it's not called The Learning Channel for nothing! Speaking of how they talk, Honey Boo Boo likes to speak with her belly. What I mean by that is... you know the movie Ace Ventura, and how he likes to speak with his, um, posterior? Well it's like that. She uses her hands to fashion her belly button into a mouth. I can't really describe it further. If you still have questions, probably best to Google it. 

So, after all that you might ask if I will ever watch it again? Absolutely! If for no other reason then to be an enabler and make sure everyone important in my life sees it too.