For most people, the hardest part about blogging is thinking about things to talk about on a regular basis. Between work, family and everything else going on in my life, my mind can barely focus on one topic long enough to form a sentence, let alone several paragraphs of information. Case in point: I had to pause in the middle of writing this blog to answer the phone, respond to a email and answer the phone again. Maybe it would be easier if I had important gossip to spread like Perez Hilton or if I could to share my expertise about some worldly topic a la Anderson Cooper. Unfortunately, I am not a celebrity blogger or a popular journalist.
For people like me, there is really only one social media outlet that seems compatible. Hint: it only requires you to think in 140 characters or less, can be updated from a mobile phone and doesn’t require a lot of substance to remain entertaining.
Twitter allows its users to feel connected and social media savvy by asking one question: What Are You Doing? Users don’t have to be any type of guru or well known. In fact, some of the most popular tweeters could even be considered Average Joes, such as Nathan Fillion (@nathonfillion) and Danny Jones (@dannymcfly), who both top more than 100,000 followers on the Twitter ranking list. With Twitter, not only can you only post links and photos, but you can also interact with other tweeters using just a few words at a time. It’s so easy, I know people that update five, maybe 10 times every day!
Some important Twitter lingo: Tweet: An actual post (140 characters or less!) Tweeter: The person writing a tweet Tweeting: The process of writing a tweet
For those still a little weary, try giving it a shot. Already hooked, check out the Zapwater page: http://www.twitter.com/zapwater.
I’ve always considered myself accidentally eco-friendly. I turn off my lights to save energy and my checking account. I conserve water by not doing my dishes as often as I should. My friends and I swap and reuse everything from electronics to clothes. So as the whole green movement has picked up momentum it has left my peers and I saying a collective “duh”! Well, all except for two anyway…
My dear friends and fellow Columbia College alumni, Asif and Eric, recently launched Ecofiend.org. Ecofiend is a website dedicated to all things green in Chicago and beyond. From sustainable underpants and Apple’s latest gadget, restaurant reviews to DIY projects, Ecofiend is meant to be a forum where new ideas and information can be highlighted and discussed without being shoved down your throat. Asif and Eric put it nicely on the site that they’re “under the impression that a sustainable lifestyle shouldn’t be any more of a cause than saving money is a cause or spring cleaning is a cause.” I couldn’t agree more!
Whether you’re eco-friendly, an Ecofiend, have something to share or just want to learn more about ways you can go green, hit up Ecofiend or their Twitter and Facebook!
This morning, I stopped by a screening of the new documentary The September Issue on my way into the office. While I kind of expected a “Haute Mess” (my play on the fashion equivalent of a hot mess), I was more than pleasantly surprised. Whether you’re interested in fashion or not, this documentary is a fascinating look into what goes into putting together an issue of Vogue. Because similar politics and turf battles must exist at every magazine, I think it’s a must watch for anyone in our industry.
When Whitney and Lauren first began their internship at Teen Vogue, we mean when Diana and Michael became the new Zapwater interns, we were very excited to be included in attending the PCC monthly luncheon. An afternoon of fine dining and stimulating conversation was only a cab ride away. Well actually we climbed aboard the Clark bus, along with Holly and Emma, and journeyed down to Maggianos in River North.
Upon our arrival we were thrust into a crowd of PR professionals. Apparently Chicagoans love a chance to leave the office and stuff their faces with Italian food. The luncheon kicked off with a chance for all in attendance to take part in a quick networking activity. The following five minutes provided an opportunity to meet a plethora of executives who all politely ignored the fact we were both extremely under dressed and passing out business cards that had Holly’s name on them. Diana wowed one lady in particular who requested her own business card at a later date. The food quickly followed and lived up to its reputation. Nothing beats a 3-course meal in the middle of the afternoon.
After lunch a panel of four media experts conducted a discussion on social media. The conversation was both informative and comical, especially when comparing various social media outlets to their daytime soap opera equivalents. We are sure many tweets and facebook status updates were sent out right after this analogy. The luncheon was cut short as we had to leave early and head back to the office to get on the horn about the impending sushi event that night. All in all it was a great afternoon and we proved you don’t have to be on reality television to be an intern with style.
Just a few days after the MTV awards and Kanye’s scene-stealing moment with Taylor Swift, I had the pleasure of attending the 6th annual Rising Star Awards at the James hotel on Sept. 16. Presented by Fashion Group International, the event recognized and awarded outstanding Chicagoans in the beauty, accessories, interior design, apparel and public relations…shout out to HALO FOR MEN for snagging the award in the beauty category!
Like many Chicago events, the evening started with a nice cocktail hour. With assistant publicist Emma in tow (I may or may not have forced her to attend) we hit the scene to meet up with clients Bob Patrizi and Nick Hansen and found ourselves surrounded by cameras, cocktails and the who’s who of Chicago fashion, not bad for a Wednesday night.
After all the excitement we ended the night with a round of mini-burgers and martinis, cheers to all the Rising Star winners!
Tonight, September 23 at 7 PM at RA Sushi on State Street
Over the last few weeks, the Zapwater team has staged the RA Sushi Showdown, a sushi-eating competition for all residents close to the three RA locations in Chicago, Lombard and Glenview. Being a longtime sushi fan myself, I figured this would be a fun, entertaining event to check out. Of course, I’m pretty sure all of us enjoy sushi at a leisurely pace, with conversations, cocktails and catching up with friends. Speaking for myself, I’m pretty full after some sashimi or even a few rolls. Well, just the first round of the sushi showdown had me beat and in shock. In RA Chicago’s first round, the final three contestants had consumed more than 9 full, un-cut rolls in four rounds and just over one hour, without any beverages other than water or any soy condiments whatsoever. Some of these guys would destroy one full roll in less than 2 minutes and 3 in less than 5. I did not have the privilege of checking out the competition in Glenview or Lombard, but from what I hear, tonight’s final round is going to be intense. Remind me never to grab dinner and pick up the tab for these guys….and we all should be glad tonight’s winner gets sushi for a year. What’s next? Maybe they can take on Joey Chesnut with hot dogs.
Come check out the finals tonight, September 23, at 7 PM at RA Sushi on 1139 N. State St. in Gold Coast. A portion of the drink and food proceeds and entry fees from the entire Sushi Showdown will be donated to the Medical Research Junior Board Foundation, supporting Children’s Memorial Hospital and Children’s Memorial Research Center.
With summer quickly becoming a fading memory, what better way to celebrate the change in seasons than the End of Summer West Loop Block Party presented by the Brixton Group. On Saturday September 12 from 1 to 5 pm all are invited to experience free food and fun. Guests will be able to enjoy complimentary food and drink including traditional street fare like cotton candy and popcorn. Bummed about missing out on those impossible to get U2 tickets? Then cap off the day by soaking up the sounds of U2 Tribute band Vertigo USA taking the stage at 3pm. Local retailers and entities such as CA23, HALO [FOR MEN], Nicholas Joseph Custom Tailors, Koros Boutique, Pivot Boutique, West Loop Athletic Club, POW!, and Studio L’Amour will also be on hand with discount vouchers for partygoers. See you Saturday at 23 N Aberdeen between Washington St. and Madison St, the only thing missing is you!
