tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394769322165879032024-03-12T21:10:40.729-04:00CANADIAN CAREER GAL<br><br>A daily resource to entertain and enlighten<br>fierce and fabulous working females from coast to coast!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger458125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-71220361232496316182014-12-19T00:00:00.000-05:002014-12-19T00:00:02.185-05:00This Christmas - Lady Antebellum<div style="text-align: justify;">
From <b>Christina Aguilera</b> to <b>Harry Connick, Jr. </b>to <b>Mary J. Blige</b>, singers have long since been covering <b>Donny Hathaway</b>'s 1970 modern holiday hit, but it's <b><a href="http://ladyantebellum.com/" target="_blank">Lady Antebellum</a></b>'s version that we're loving the most this Christmas. </div>
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Have a great weekend, ladies, and see you on Monday!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-1182639949878486732014-12-18T00:00:00.000-05:002014-12-18T00:00:02.145-05:00Gals We Admire: Amy Miranda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikc7gAr8_i-6gO9nDfG7B3qd6f1xgwQgTFkvpkdpiy8tSEY-myhRIWs3tTn0M_a8sB_-9JZfXOmOg05RjjfX5BJL5d7hQ07iE2kbFaDhlhYpqeAFhaweDXoIfo3ZtqyeTn0sEzQfQSwNs/s1600/Amy-Miranda.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikc7gAr8_i-6gO9nDfG7B3qd6f1xgwQgTFkvpkdpiy8tSEY-myhRIWs3tTn0M_a8sB_-9JZfXOmOg05RjjfX5BJL5d7hQ07iE2kbFaDhlhYpqeAFhaweDXoIfo3ZtqyeTn0sEzQfQSwNs/s320/Amy-Miranda.png" height="316" width="320" /></a></div>
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If there's anyone who can't stand the politics of business, it's <b>Amy Miranda</b>, executive producer and founder of lunch, a creative production network that offers every service imaginable (animation, illustration/fine art, motion design, sound design/composition, technical consulting, hosting, media strategy, you name it, they do it). "They [politics] get in the way of getting real work done, I believe in being honest and approaching things in a direct way," says the no-holds-barred businesswoman.<br />
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<b>Name: Amy Miranda</b></div>
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<b>Profession: Executive Producer / President of lunch </b></div>
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<b>Website: <a href="http://www.thelunchsite.com/" target="_blank">thelunchsite.com</a></b></div>
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<b>Twitter handle: <a href="http://twitter.com/amymiranda" target="_blank">@amymiranda</a></b></div>
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<b>Describe your typical work day, from start to finish.</b></div>
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Every work day is different but the common thread is working with friends. That’s really what I always wanted. I love seeing different people, being on my own, making things and working with my friends. I’ve made a point of surrounding myself with people who want the same things out of life and business that I do. That includes my clients, my friends, my colleagues. I don’t make time for people who aren’t on the same page. It’s just not a part of how I operate. I’m the kind of person who if I’m not 100% interested in something, I know there’s probably someone who is. So, I really try to focus on the things I really feel I can make a difference on. I’m usually booked back to back, but I make a big point of having balance. It’s critical to keeping focused and inspired. </div>
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<b>When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?</b></div>
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I wanted to make things. I always did. I was a kid who was constantly doing things. Putting on shows, I used to come downstairs from the age of 3.5 or so and play “business” at the living room coffee table. I think that consisted of a Fisher Price phone, some paper and markers. I am not sure where I got it from, but it’s similar to what I do now. I think I went from being an Egyptologist and marine biologist to becoming a director. I realized if I was a director I could basically learn everything in some way and then I realized that it was producers who really had the capacity to make things happen. Once I realized that, I never looked back. Well I maybe did once, but for the most part I just kept pushing forward. </div>
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<b>What do you enjoy most about your job?</b></div>
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I am so incredibly grateful to be surrounded by incredible people. Artists, musicians, developers, makers. That’s an inspiring place to be. I always wanted to be surrounded by the kind of creative people who’d really committed their lives to their work – that’s the only way I know how to do things. I pursue things pretty relentlessly and I couldn’t imagine at this point in my career being around people who didn’t feel the same way. I like that the most, being a part of an incredibly engaged, smart group of people. Because I couldn’t do any of the things I do without the amazing network around me at Lunch. From the lunch network, to our clients. I enjoy the people most. They are the ones who trust me to do the best for them. I have never in my life or career felt such incredible support and love. That’s taken 15 years but it is imperative to loving the work and being motivated to work the way I do. People always ask me when I sleep. I’m not awake because I don’t enjoy it. I love it. Every moment.</div>
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<b>What do you find to be the biggest challenge in your profession?</b></div>
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Politics. I’m not a fan of them, they unfortunately exist in most professions, but I can’t stand them. They get in the way of getting real work done, I believe in being honest and approaching things in a direct way. Some people like that, some people don’t. I spent a long time avoiding them at some of the companies I’ve worked for in the past, and I’m happy to say Lunch doesn’t have any politics. We operate as a collective, and we respect each other’s abilities. If someone isn’t happy, or feels there’s something they need to say, we say it. It doesn’t get in the way of what we do, and I think that is part of the reason we’ve been so efficient. We love what we do, and we don’t let bullshit get in the way of that. I think when you’re so focused on the work, there’s no time for bullshit. I’m hopeful that eventually the politics of business will become a thing of the past and that posturing and being indirect will fall away. It would be nice to see ethics win. </div>
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<b>Do you believe you had a "calling" for your profession?</b></div>
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Yes, I absolutely think I had a calling. I’ve been up, I’ve been down, I’ve been up again and honestly If I didn’t believe it was my calling I’d have packed it in the last time I fell down. I think that’s the difference between a job and a career. I’ve always had a career. I am passionate about the things I believe in, and that carries through into my work and into Lunch as a collective. I’ve been laid off, I’ve been fired, I’ve quit, I’ve consulted, I’ve had a very exciting, and sometimes volatile career. I always say that my clients get me, and the network gets me and that’s enough for me. I’ve never had a lot of time for a lack of momentum. I think that means it’s a calling. </div>
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<b>What are the three most important pieces of career advice you would give to other Canadian Career Gals?</b></div>
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<b>Be yourself</b>. I think sometimes in business women get pushed off course by the people around them. I do something that I think really helps me keep a good balance of remembering the things that are important. I have a picture of myself at about 5 on my dresser. It’s been there for years, and I put it there to remind myself to think about the way I’d have done things, behaved and treated people at that age. I was a kid who thought about other people. So I carry that through in the business I do. And I think most of my clients and colleagues would agree that out of anyone they know, I’m myself. It took a long time, but what you see is what you get. I’m the same version with everyone. I wish someone would, have encouraged that to me in the beginning, it’s a little thing but it helps.</div>
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<b>Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want and communicate what you think is right</b>. Keep positive in your communications. I think many women in business get caught up in not being opinionated because it have a negative impact on their reputation in business, the dreaded “bitch”. I think quite honestly a fair number of people think I’m a bitch. I got over that a long time ago. I say what I think, I’m direct and I’m tactful, but it’s rooted in contributing. I think that comes with experience but it can start with just being engaged and contribute to discussions. Great suggestions and changes in business process and efficiency can come from anyone and everywhere. So, I think communication and expression for women in business is critical. </div>
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<b>Find balance and keep it</b>. We don’t have to do everything or be everything. I always say to my teams that we’re not saving lives. We can care and be engaged without losing sleep. It took me a long time to find the balance but if you love what you do, you have to remember it’s fun. If it’s not fun consistently think about how you’d ideally like to spend your day, and think about how you can make that happen.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-26691558531743789692014-12-17T00:00:00.000-05:002014-12-17T10:53:04.646-05:00Chevrolet Holiday Message Benefits United Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=968764186471353" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8toLdbb2anqGwTI6Ef-X3FolAPcJYUU91-u0QjmxnuONGz5dFSoHH7dIFD0PffGDEUWM9QZX6wszTfIz_f2BTUgOjxaDxNen-N99vFm5dMc2DUah37g-8Ukkg6i4OeHcBXpCp6KD_7tI/s1600/screen_friends.jpg" height="179" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a nice way to give back during the holiday season — share the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=968764186471353" target="_blank"><b>Chevrolet Holiday Message</b></a> via your Twitter or Facebook account and the company will contribute $1 to United Way for each share and retweet, up to a total of $50,000.</div>
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“Along with our commitment to customers, our company is dedicated to giving back and supporting the communities in which we live and work,” said Bob McClelland, brand director for Chevrolet in Canada. “We hope Canadians will take a moment to share the spirit of giving with their friends and family while helping United Way.”</div>
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So, spread some holiday cheer to your friends and family and support a good cause while you're at it:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=968764186471353" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=968764186471353</a><br />
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Make sure to include <a href="https://twitter.com/ChevroletCanada" target="_blank">@ChevroletCanada</a>, the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChevyLove" target="_blank">#ChevyLove</a>, and a link to<a href="http://www.facebook.com/chevroletcanada" target="_blank"> www.facebook.com/chevroletcanada </a>when you share!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-49381999720485733302014-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:002014-12-16T12:06:57.656-05:00Teaching Kids Money Basics as a Life Skill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbV8VQBMLt8SPDLyBhYHF-5mp9htQAigZwZ0CBTVTJRPduZKgnIhZeEXMq_rr_ZJteG2lxQ8-EEL7hQejA5dFaAW38R3sZIMJbIAyLvA-kPFFL-Xw8wGkGxueLhtOiPzOq7DIX0UaNRk/s1600/kid-money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbV8VQBMLt8SPDLyBhYHF-5mp9htQAigZwZ0CBTVTJRPduZKgnIhZeEXMq_rr_ZJteG2lxQ8-EEL7hQejA5dFaAW38R3sZIMJbIAyLvA-kPFFL-Xw8wGkGxueLhtOiPzOq7DIX0UaNRk/s1600/kid-money.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Knowledge of money management basics is a necessary life skill - and experts are weighing in, declaring that a consistent curriculum needs to be put in place to teach kids about money from a young age. In <i><a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1726978/canadas-schools-need-focused-consistent-financial-education-program-experts/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Canada’s schools need ‘focused, consistent’ financial education program: experts</a></i>, Paola Loriggio reports that an investment of time to train the teachers and have effective resources is required to prepare the system for successful, broad-based implementation, a process that may take three to five years. Certainly, students would benefit from having structured, hands-on lessons on dealing with budgets and other practical money topics. But, as money guru <b><a href="http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/" target="_blank">Gail Vaz-Oxlade</a></b> points out, finance education starts at home with the parents </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">— </span><span class="Apple-style-span">and that means you showing your child by example how to properly manage money, save for the things they want, and not spend beyond their means.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1726978/canadas-schools-need-focused-consistent-financial-education-program-experts/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Click here</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">to read the entire post or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1726978/canadas-schools-need-focused-consistent-financial-education-program-experts" rel="nofollow" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://globalnews.ca/news/1726978/canadas-schools-need-focused-consistent-financial-education-program-experts</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-88881835992160022922014-12-15T00:00:00.000-05:002014-12-15T10:27:09.771-05:00Adorable Ornaments for Your Christmas TreeThese are the cutest (and most clever) ornaments that we ever did see – darling additions to any Christmas tree!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9j5Nqczi7wyJBM7BisStC-58T2NV_lCL6JWC-d499UKhRgaqaVU7aaNtZHlU7Gh5qvGq2z7ElOpuPaGSS1dH3F-D-KA3NcoJwQKFXHiZl2tuBOpadzxJ8n2GfQP3J3lnp_Cqs3U_8DEo/s1600/00Xmas-ornaments-collage_FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9j5Nqczi7wyJBM7BisStC-58T2NV_lCL6JWC-d499UKhRgaqaVU7aaNtZHlU7Gh5qvGq2z7ElOpuPaGSS1dH3F-D-KA3NcoJwQKFXHiZl2tuBOpadzxJ8n2GfQP3J3lnp_Cqs3U_8DEo/s1600/00Xmas-ornaments-collage_FINAL.jpg" height="313" width="320" /></a></div>
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separately) at <a href="http://www.canadiantire.ca/" target="_blank">canadiantire.ca</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">2. </span><span lang="EN-CA"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.davidstea.com/" target="_blank">DAVIDsTEA</a></span></b></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Tea for the Tree Set, $15 at <a href="http://www.davidstea.com/" target="_blank">davidstea.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">3. </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.childtocherish.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Child To Cherish</span></b></a></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Snow Print Ornament, $15 at <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/" target="_blank">chapters.indigo.ca</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">4. </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.starbucks.ca/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Starbucks</span></b></a></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Red Holiday Cup Ornament, $6 at <a href="http://www.starbucks.ca/" target="_blank">starbucks.ca</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">5. </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.hallmark.ca/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hallmark</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Runway Queen Keepsake Ornament, $19 at </span><a href="http://www.hallmark.ca/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Hallmark</span></b></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> stores</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">6. </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">PC Home</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Life at Home Vintage Owl Ornament, $4 at <a href="http://www.loblaws.ca/" target="_blank">Loblaws</a> and <a href="http://www.realcanadiansuperstore.ca/" target="_blank">Real Canadian Superstore</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">7. </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.philosophy.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">philosophy</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">purity made simple 3-in-1 Cleanser for Face
and Eyes Ornament, $13 at <a href="http://www.sephora.ca/" target="_blank">sephora.ca</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">8. </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.dylanscandybar.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dylan's Candy Bar</span></b></a></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> 6-Piece Holiday Ornament Set Filled
with Candy, $14 at <a href="http://dylanscandybar.com/" target="_blank">dylanscandybar.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">9. </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.forever21.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Forever 21</span></b></a></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> High Shine Lip Gloss Ornament, $4 at <a href="http://www.forever21.com/" target="_blank">forever21.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">10. </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.disney.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Disney</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Elsa Frozen Shoe Ornament; </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.disney.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Disney</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Frozen Anna Shoe Ornament, $24 each (sold separately) at </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.disneystore.com/" target="_blank">disneystore.com</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-31893647048988149762013-11-14T00:00:00.000-05:002013-11-14T11:05:25.433-05:00Gals We Admire: Shannon Fisher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb65bZDm1PCTkL4TQ7tOMxt13_pBUvdDfqBq06mjF1P-mxOYXPv8JmRa3BR5ji4C8YMBbiyRqOeSQune9Y6g-lldANJeL29KBu-5WnRFJ7pEYBvr8s8u4Nr_6FT2guC3jvfIFHc3k6CWE/s1600/Shannon-Fisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb65bZDm1PCTkL4TQ7tOMxt13_pBUvdDfqBq06mjF1P-mxOYXPv8JmRa3BR5ji4C8YMBbiyRqOeSQune9Y6g-lldANJeL29KBu-5WnRFJ7pEYBvr8s8u4Nr_6FT2guC3jvfIFHc3k6CWE/s320/Shannon-Fisher.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As the founder and owner of her own web writing and strategy consulting business<b>, Shannon Fisher</b> says she "likes making the web suck less." Her services include digital writing workshops where she trains content teams to write for the web. "I love watching clients move from stuffy, robot speak to a more authentic, conversational voice," says the passionate and feisty content strategist.</div>
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<b>Name: Shannon Fisher</b></div>
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<b>Profession: W</b><b>riter and Content Strategist</b></div>
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<b>Website: </b><b><a href="http://www.datawithasoul.com/" target="_blank">datawithasoul.com</a></b></div>
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<b>Twitter handle: </b><b><a href="https://twitter.com/shannonfisher" target="_blank">@shannonfisher</a></b></div>
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<b>Describe your typical work day, from start to finish</b></div>
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I try to start my day by clearing my mind with <a href="http://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/" target="_blank">Morning Pages</a> à la Julia Cameron of <i>The Artist’s Way</i>. I scribble out my "cloud thoughts" and get acquainted with the dark corners of my psyche. I love that Cameron refers to Morning Pages as meeting my shadow and taking it out for a cup of coffee. I’m not always successful at making time for Morning Pages, but on the days I do, my brain thanks me.</div>
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Once I’ve seen my daughter off to school, I spend too much time catching up on the essays my favourite people share on Twitter and Facebook. On days that an one tickles my feelers, I can be found writing a response for my personal blog, <a href="http://www.truthfully.ca/" target="_blank">truthfully.ca</a>.</div>
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Eating is the only other typical part of my day. Maybe I’ll talk to you about what I do as content strategist at <a href="http://www.datawithasoul.com/" target="_blank">datawithasoul.com</a>, instead. Content is the introduction to a business. It’s the seven-second first impression, and without it, a website is just a pretty black hole. I help clients craft content that attracts, grows, informs and delights an audience.</div>
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Content strategy means having a clear plan for content execution and delivery. It’s an outline of the content a site requires and a plan for ongoing creation and delivery. Having a content strategy means clients can stop wasting time on articles, copy or blog posts that don’t fit the plan.</div>
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Of the services I offer, my favourite is the digital writing workshops I run training content teams to write for the web. Most of us are still stuck writing the way our teachers taught us to: formally and without personality. I love watching clients move from stuffy, robot speak to a more authentic, conversational voice. As a content strategist, it’s my job to assess the state of an existing (or future) site and create a road map to where a client would like to be.</div>
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<b>When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?</b></div>
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I remember talking about being a lawyer, but somewhere along the way I started believing I was stupid. I struggled in school, and by struggled I mean I stopped trying. When I graduated, I planned to never step foot in an educational setting again. Three years of being miserable as an office administrator was the push I needed to go back and get my BEd degree (which I used for nine years teaching elementary students before quitting to write and start a content strategy business). I kicked GPA butt, by the way!</div>
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<b>What do you enjoy most about your job?</b></div>
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As my content strategy friend <b>Karen McGrane</b> says, I like “making the web suck less.” I love being a source of even small strategies to improve content and the overall feel of a site. Sadly, there are so many websites that make my eyes bleed. It’s fun to be part of a global team whittling away at those numbers. And the content strategy community really is a fantastic team. I’m so lucky to call some of them friends.</div>
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<b>What do you find to be the biggest challenge in your profession?</b></div>
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Convincing people that content strategy is worth the investment. Well, that and explaining what content strategy is and that it’s separate from writing and social media. Content strategy is like the script of a play. You need it before you start designing the set. But people with businesses get excited and skip the strategy to move straight into setting the stage. It’s a costly mistake.</div>
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<b>Do you believe you had a "calling" for your profession?</b></div>
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I love people. My friend Annelie once told me that I’m a fish and people are my water. She’s right. My job is about connecting people to people—and that’s exactly what the web it about. If I can help clients internalize that, my work is exponentially easier. Making the web a more human-friendly place is rewarding. As an open person I make connections easily, so it’s not a stretch to help clients find ways to connect with and delight their audience. So yeah, I was born for this!</div>
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<b>What are the three most important pieces of career advice you would give to other Canadian Career Gals?</b></div>
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<b>Believe you have something to offer the world in your style that no one else can</b>. This is what keeps me writing about topics thousands of others have already covered and running workshops offered elsewhere. No one can or will do that thing I do.</div>
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<b>There’s enough for everyone</b>. Just because someone else is executing your idea, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. If it really excites you and you’re good at it--go for it. We need you! I suppose this is a repetition of #1, but it’s worth repeating.</div>
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<b>Use Google Calendars</b>, sign up for a project management account and don’t forget to hang out with friends (especially if you work alone, from home all day). These things will save you.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-57385702251390906112013-10-31T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-31T10:58:51.649-04:00Gals We Admire: Sara Dimerman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CoeWT_rRwn7oQWBmBhZB43TNKyG0ILoPjD7RrMa0d21TbBRtliH_TLdvUFsoUBI6lELc9YiYGTULwJepupKI1vRZbUSQMav781LwCj-xAMtTARN1uYUmYs6IOYs3Yd0sgRf-7IAvLs4/s1600/Sara-Dimerman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CoeWT_rRwn7oQWBmBhZB43TNKyG0ILoPjD7RrMa0d21TbBRtliH_TLdvUFsoUBI6lELc9YiYGTULwJepupKI1vRZbUSQMav781LwCj-xAMtTARN1uYUmYs6IOYs3Yd0sgRf-7IAvLs4/s320/Sara-Dimerman.jpg" width="256" /></a><b></b></div>
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<b>Sara Dimerman </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">has combined her two passions – her love of people and her love of writing – into a winning career. The relationship and parenting expert </span>says she loves the balance and diversity of her work because she's able to focus on different things during the week while at the same time knowing that everything she does is intertwined.</div>
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<b>Name: Sara Dimerman</b></div>
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<b>Profession: Psychologist and Author</b></div>
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<b>Website: <a href="http://www.helpmesara.com/" target="_blank">helpmesara.com</a></b></div>
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<b>Twitter handle: <a href="https://twitter.com/helpmesara" target="_blank">@helpmesara</a></b></div>
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<b>Describe your typical work day, from start to finish.</b></div>
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My work days are different depending on the day of the week. I see clients in my office from 9 until 7 on Tuesdays and Thursdays and occasionally on other days as needed. However, I do try to put the other days aside to work at home as a writer – working on my current book, writing articles or producing podcasts for my site or writing articles for other sites, newspapers and magazines. </div>
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<b>When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?</b></div>
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I was always drawn to the creative arts so at first I wanted to be a speech and drama teacher (I was very involved with this as an extracurricular activity in South Africa which is where I was born). After emigrating to Canada in my teens and completing high school, I applied to become a speech and language pathologist but realized it wasn’t for me before I began. So, instead I applied and got into the Radio and Television Arts program at Ryerson and loved my four years there. I was particularly drawn to radio and writing. I realized that I loved learning about people and also loved writing. However, after graduation I realized that the field wasn’t for me so I applied to a Masters level Assessment and Counselling program at the University of Toronto and found my true passion during the following two years. In retrospect I was always a therapist to my family and friends and always loved digging deeper into the minds of others and trying to understand what made them tick. So, becoming a psychologist (which is the title I eventually worked towards), makes perfect sense. Being able to integrate both my love of people and love of writing by writing self-help books is something I feel so fortunate about. In addition, I am able to help others by being a relationship and parenting expert and sharing my knowledge through the media. </div>
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<b>What do you enjoy most about your job?</b></div>
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I love the balance and diversity of being able to work on different things during the week while knowing that everything I do is intertwined and that without one I would not be able to do the other as well. I also love being self employed because it allows me to enjoy and devote as much time as I want to my children and husband and to take time off whenever I want. </div>
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<b>What do you find to be the biggest challenge in your profession?</b></div>
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On the flip side of loving being self employed, if I want or have to take time off work, I have no income. I also have to keep on top of my game all the time as I am in a very competitive field, both as a psychologist and a writer, so I need to make sure that I am always thinking ahead and coming up with creative ideas to make me stand out. </div>
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<b>Do you believe you had a "calling" for your profession?</b></div>
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Absolutely. I am a therapist even when I’m not working – you only need to ask my fourteen-year-old about how she feels about me playing therapist at home – even when I don’t think I am! My writing has always come very naturally to me too – maybe as a result of keeping diaries when I was a kid!</div>
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<b>What are the three most important pieces of career advice you would give to other Canadian Career Gals?</b></div>
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<b>Network, network, network</b>. Watch for open doors and enter them, even if it’s a little outside your comfort zone.</div>
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<b>Remain positive</b>. Even if something doesn’t work out exactly the way you had hoped or planned, think of how you can turn the experience into a learning opportunity.</div>
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<b>Strike a balance between being persistent and obnoxious</b>. Watch for cues and signs that you’re stepping on peoples toes or becoming annoying. Know when to pull back and when to step forward.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-75376689017599234192013-10-24T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-24T00:07:34.702-04:00Gals We Admire: Vanessa Mills<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJjc59-Ha0WzC2l_zEMrQ7HIEUP8IX0PJBaET_d_s0REOuhjWfjWDNHSi56UFDF0NfQHKa3XyQ_IJOorKchy62ZJP4ShJzFrnxdYBjd2kBi2AVXbPqkGd4HcLR-67SvCQZJVi9NbUdM0/s1600/Vanessa-Mills01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJjc59-Ha0WzC2l_zEMrQ7HIEUP8IX0PJBaET_d_s0REOuhjWfjWDNHSi56UFDF0NfQHKa3XyQ_IJOorKchy62ZJP4ShJzFrnxdYBjd2kBi2AVXbPqkGd4HcLR-67SvCQZJVi9NbUdM0/s320/Vanessa-Mills01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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From the way <b>Vanessa Mills</b> describes herself, it almost sounds like she was destined to become a makeup artist. At age eight, she declared she wanted to be a makeup artist. Find out more about the talented and driven Mills who made that childhood declaration a reality. </div>
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<b>Name: Vanessa Mills</b></div>
<b>Profession: Makeup Artist – Celebrity & Fashion Makeup Artist & Owner of VMMA Makeup Artistry School & Studio</b><br />
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<b>Websites: <a href="http://vanessamills.com/" target="_blank">vanessamills.com</a> (freelance work); </b></div>
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<b><a href="http://vmmamakeupschool.com/" target="_blank">vmmamakeupschool.com</a> (we are currently under construction)</b></div>
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<b>Blog: <a href="http://millsmakeup.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">millsmakeup.wordpress.com</a></b></div>
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<b>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VanessaMillsMakeupArtist">/VanessaMillsMakeupArtist</a>; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VMMAMakeupSchool">/VMMAMakeupSchool</a></b></div>
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<b>Twitter handle: <a href="https://twitter.com/vanessammakeup" target="_blank">@VanessaMmakeup</a></b></div>
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<b>Instagram handle: <a href="http://instagram.com/makeuppainter" target="_blank">makeuppainter</a></b></div>
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<b>Describe your typical work day, from start to finish</b></div>
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My work days vary being a makeup artist – our schedules are not like others. Our weekends are not weekends, rather days of the week we work. Even though I am a full-time celebrity and fashion makeup artist, I am also owner of a private instructional makeup school (<a href="http://vmmamakeupschool.com/" target="_blank">VMMA Makeup Artistry School</a>) and a makeup studio (the Makeup Studio by: VMMA). My typical work week changes day to day. Every morning the first thing I do is check my messages for work (client bookings, students, and if I am shooting for a big magazine that week). I am always on. My kit is forever being triple-checked and cleaned. Organization is a must for me. Sundays are usually my downtime. My makeup career is my baby – I don’t like to be away too long from it. </div>
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<b>When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?</b></div>
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I’ve always loved playing around with makeup since I can remember. My parents thought I might be an artist or an actor. When I was eight years old I declared I would be a makeup artist! I love many things but my passion and love for makeup was always my one true love. </div>
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<b>What do you enjoy most about your job?</b></div>
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The clients. I love helping people feel good about themselves. It comes naturally to me to want to help in some way. Then, there is the art of makeup. Faces to me are more than just canvas – there is a story behind each person’s face. It always intrigues me. Travelling for what I do is part of the industry – which is also another plus! I love to travel and meet new people. I also have a fascination for business, it’s in my blood. I am a sponge and love learning new things and challenging myself. </div>
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<b>What do you find to be the biggest challenge in your profession?</b></div>
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The industry is small. It’s hard to get into. You have to be a strong person and really love what you do for a living. If you love what you do, great things happen! I would also say, living in Canada, being any artist is always a struggle. I just never give up!</div>
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<b>Do you believe you had a "calling" for your profession?</b></div>
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Definitely! I’ve always felt I was being pulled since I was a young child to do makeup. No matter what I have this huge tug to go further. I’ve always been excited to do makeup, which has never changed. What I find interesting is the older I get the more excited I am. </div>
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<b>What are the three most important pieces of career advice you would give to other Canadian Career Gals?</b></div>
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<b>Never give up</b>! If this is your dream and you have so much passion for what you do, don’t let anyone or anything get in your way. Life is too short to be doing something you don’t like or love. </div>
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<b>Work hard</b>.</div>
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<b>Treat people the way you want to be treated at all times</b>. I live by that.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-74345065161913109422013-10-23T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-23T13:39:05.799-04:00Sexy Halloween Costumes<div style="text-align: justify;">
Don't have your Halloween costume picked out yet for next Thursday? Funny talk show host <a href="http://www.ellentv.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Ellen DeGeneres</a> found some <b>"sexy" </b>suggestions for your consideration. Although these are probably not <a href="http://canadiancareergal.blogspot.ca/2013/10/halloween-at-work.html" target="_blank">costumes you want to show up to the office in</a>. </div>
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Ellen's main costume criteria? No matter what you dress up as, make sure you wear something that's very comfortable to dance in. We agree!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-47938913464445070192013-10-22T00:00:00.001-04:002013-10-22T00:47:14.449-04:00Halloween at Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eCparyW_x-PHV3rOXhdHHmG1KYIEp9yvwd4f1ndC1ppZ7Ek5D10EqQOgKxLp-WrMQXMn1WQgX3NawCCk0FEYpq1oYpgp02rSzyGYYxBZxp5vPM2czQOfs4Dvy_vPDJ4Phcowuvyg2rw/s1600/halloween-workplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eCparyW_x-PHV3rOXhdHHmG1KYIEp9yvwd4f1ndC1ppZ7Ek5D10EqQOgKxLp-WrMQXMn1WQgX3NawCCk0FEYpq1oYpgp02rSzyGYYxBZxp5vPM2czQOfs4Dvy_vPDJ4Phcowuvyg2rw/s320/halloween-workplace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you work at a place where dressing up for Halloween is frowned upon or are you the party popper if you <i>don't</i> don a spooky getup? Social media consultant and speaker <a href="http://www.keppiecareers.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Miriam Salpeter</a> addresses this very issue in <i><a href="http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2013/10/21/halloween-at-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Should You Dress Up for Halloween at Work?</a></i> (<a href="http://jobs.aol.com/" target="_blank"><i>Aol Jobs</i></a>, October 21, 2013). The answer, Salpeter writes, is "it depends on where you work and what you plan to wear." Take heed of her advice before October 31st so you don't wind up looking like the office clown (literally or figuratively).</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2013/10/21/halloween-at-work/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Click here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">to read the entire post or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2013/10/21/halloween-at-work/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2013/10/21/halloween-at-work/</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-64501520174363576742013-10-21T00:00:00.001-04:002013-10-23T14:57:52.663-04:00Spooky Sweet Treats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dppN56TQxfAu6UVd8XMFf59AP4npvb8pZokgGY4rXLOrWVdry0k8XpZGz6hJSe4PFM94xe9f2CY392tgXEevZfvKaP9o_P5yHoKXH4TdP1oU47CB_VTJ0j2gBZXXPOYJdMAZeuyGktQ/s1600/craveyard_20121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dppN56TQxfAu6UVd8XMFf59AP4npvb8pZokgGY4rXLOrWVdry0k8XpZGz6hJSe4PFM94xe9f2CY392tgXEevZfvKaP9o_P5yHoKXH4TdP1oU47CB_VTJ0j2gBZXXPOYJdMAZeuyGktQ/s400/craveyard_20121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Boo! Halloween is just around the corner. Here are five fun tips from <a href="http://products.nestle.ca/" target="_blank">Nestlé</a> to ensure you and your friends have a frightful night. </div>
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<b>Decorate.</b> One of the best ways of getting into the scary spirit is by dressing your home with hints of Halloween. Think sculls, cobwebs and even a graveyard.</div>
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<b>Tell haunted stories.</b> Telling stories are a great way to bring the family together over some shared scary fun. Make sure to pack your stories with adventure, mystery and thrills for some frightening fun! </div>
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<b>Have a dress-up theme.</b> Whether you make your own costume or buy one from a store, dressing up as your favourite super hero or tv characters is easier than ever and a fun way to get both you and your family in to the Halloween spirit.</div>
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<b>Enjoy a scary movie.</b> Set the mood for this spooky season by watching a scary movie; whether it’s a family-friendly flick or a terrifying thriller it’s sure to get everyone in to spooky spirit.</div>
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<b>Host a Halloween party.</b> Once you’ve decked out your house, carved the pumpkins and put out your scary treats, it’s time to throw a party and invite the ghouls and goblins of your neighbourhood for a spooky celebration.</div>
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Even if you're not throwing a party, you'll want to stock up <a href="http://products.nestle.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Nestlé</b></a><b> "Crave Yard" Scary chocolate bars</b>. The four chocolate bars are ones that kids and adults alike already know and love, but these limited edition versions have gotten into the dress-up action, too, with spooky-themed packaging and cute names. Be sure get your hands on <b>ScAero</b>, <b>Scaries</b>, <b>Coffin Crisp</b>, and <b>KIT KAT</b> before the Halloween season is over.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">$7.69 (box of 8 full-size bars) or $5.99 (pack of 24-treat size bars) at grocery, drug and mass merchandise retailers across Canada</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>CCG Giveaway Alert!*</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Want to make your Halloween a sweet and spooky one</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">? Here's your chance to win one of two </span><b><a href="http://products.nestle.ca/" target="_blank">Nestlé</a> "Crave Yard" Scary Chocolate <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bars Prize Packs</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>CCG Giveaway Alert!*</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Want to make your Halloween a sweet and spooky one? We're giving away two (2) </span><b><a href="http://products.nestle.ca/" target="_blank">Nestlé</a> "Crave Yard" Scary Chocolate <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bars Prize Packs. Each prize pack consists of an assortment of Nestl</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>é's Scary Bars (approximate retail value $30)</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For your chance to win, all you have to do is:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">"Like" the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/canadiancareergal" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Canadian Career Gal Facebook page</a></span> and answer the question we posted on our Wall "Which is your favourite </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nestl</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">é Scary chocolate bar</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">?"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2) "Like" the comment we posted on the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/n3avhoo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nestlé ghost pops photo</a> (in their <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lbvffsb" target="_blank">Timeline Photos Album</a>) on the official <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nestle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nestlé Facebook Page</a>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You'll then be automatically entered into a random draw for a chance to win one of two </span><a href="http://products.nestle.ca/" target="_blank">Nestlé</a> "Crave Yard" Scary Chocolate <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bars Prize Packs</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. To be eligible for the draw, be sure to post your answer on our</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/canadiancareergal" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Facebook page</a></span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and "Like" our comment </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/n3avhoo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nestlé ghost pops photo</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> on the official </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nestle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nestlé Facebook Page</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">by Monday, October 28th at 8 PM (EST).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Winners will be announced on our <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/canadiancareergal" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Facebook page</a></span>, so check back with us after the contest closing time to see if you won. Good luck!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">CONTEST IS OPEN TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-74474641578225044932013-10-18T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-18T01:15:14.743-04:00Applause - Lady Gaga<div style="text-align: justify;">
The video kinda creeps us out but then again it wouldn't be a <b>Lady Gaga</b> video if it <i>wasn't</i> creepy. Still, we do like the beat of this tune. And we're definitely giving applause for the arrival of the last day of the work week.<br />
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Have a great weekend, ladies, and see you on Monday!
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-74148329103439585312013-10-16T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-16T09:27:57.326-04:00Wake Up Sleepy Head<div style="text-align: justify;">
Global National health specialist <a href="http://canadiancareergal.blogspot.ca/2011/10/gals-we-admire-ali-zentner.html" target="_blank"><b>Dr. Ali Zentner</b></a> (who has also been featured as one of our <a href="http://canadiancareergal.blogspot.ca/search/label/gals%20we%20admire" target="_blank">Gals We Admire</a>) reports on <a href="http://www.journalsleep.org/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=29127" target="_blank">a new study in the journal <i>SLEEP</i></a> where researchers found too much or too little sleep is linked to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity and anxiety in those aged 45 and over. Watch the clip to get a summary of the findings:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="236" src="http://globalnews.ca/video/embed/901726/" width="420">Your browser does not support frames. <a href="http://globalnews.ca/video/901726/too-much-sleep">Click here to view the frameless video.</a>.</iframe></div>
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The optimal amount of sleep? Seven to nine hours a day, every day, no more, no less.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-5869004414361191302013-10-11T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-11T12:26:17.988-04:00Runnin' - Doman & Gooding<div style="text-align: justify;">
This track came out over four years ago and Canadian-British dance music duo <b>Doman & Gooding</b>'s debut single samples from <b>Armand Van Helden</b>'s even older dance single <i>You Don't Know Me</i> (from 1999), but we still get pumped up every time we hear it on the radio. We're pretty sure it will pump you up for this long weekend, too!</div>
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Have a great Thanksgiving weekend, ladies, and see you on Monday!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-61753582365911746072013-10-10T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-10T09:20:05.629-04:00Gals We Admire: Louise Griew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkddBxtIL6G054UhkYukxL9fwEabvaKynJAjljza31nhKiFmcZhctqBxDKfD3w28r4Q5hCnQAJ6ilY5HMG93A_OEnUUrjF9rSgaJGBm0CjldZUFSlassnvr2mhUrojv7x3Hi7xEefnx1I/s1600/Louise-Griew-hires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkddBxtIL6G054UhkYukxL9fwEabvaKynJAjljza31nhKiFmcZhctqBxDKfD3w28r4Q5hCnQAJ6ilY5HMG93A_OEnUUrjF9rSgaJGBm0CjldZUFSlassnvr2mhUrojv7x3Hi7xEefnx1I/s320/Louise-Griew-hires.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Makeup artist and beauty writer <b>Louise Griew</b> says she tries to end her workday by 7pm the latest, but it can be hard to shut the computer (and her brain) off. With so many cool and exciting projects on the go, including a newly-launched beauty blog, we can understand why it would be hard for the talented and creative Griew to simply stop thinking about her work.</div>
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<b>Name: Louise Griew</b></div>
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<b>Profession: Freelance Makeup Artist and Beauty Writer</b></div>
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<b>Website:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://www.LouiseGriew.com/" target="_blank">LouiseGriew.com</a>; <a href="http://www.slice.ca/" target="_blank">slice.ca</a></b></div>
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<b>Blog: <a href="http://www.BeautyDrifter.com/" target="_blank">BeautyDrifter.com</a></b></div>
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<b>Twitter handle: <a href="https://twitter.com/LouiseGriew" target="_blank">@LouiseGriew</a></b></div>
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<b>Describe your typical work day, from start to finish.</b></div>
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When I’m doing makeup and hair for a shoot, my work day actually starts the night before. I have to ensure my kit is organised, I have all the supplies I need and my brushes are clean. Shoot days usually start early. I wheel my kit (a medium-sized suitcase) to the car and drive to a location or studio. I arrive, spend about 15 minutes setting up all of my stuff in a designated makeup room and consult with the art director or photographer about what kind of look(s) we’re going for. Typically I’m given a schedule of who the talent/models are and what time they should be in my chair. I’ll spend anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour on my subject, depending on what the job is. Once I’ve finished hair and makeup, I’ll go onto set and watch for any changes: shine; fly aways; lip touch ups, etc. Lunch is usually a yummy catered affair, one that I have to get in on early if I want to eat because the next lot of talent will come in and need to be prepped by the time lunch is done. The afternoon is a repeat of the morning unless we have to change location. Every shoot is different: advertising shoots start early but tend not to go into the evening while music videos can be gruelling 18 hour days where you listen to the same song a hundred times over!</div>
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When I’m writing, I start my day by reading the news to see what’s happening in the world and then I settle down at my MacBook Pro with a cup of tea. I always send a few emails and check social media before writing an article or pitching ideas – I find this gets the juices flowing. My writing days are pretty comfy; I’m at home and can take breaks at the gym or meet a friend for lunch. Often I’ll be trying new products or checking out spas. I try to wrap it up by 6 to 7pm but sometimes it’s hard to shut the computer (and my brain) off!</div>
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Then, of course, there are the boring administrative days spent invoicing, chasing up payments, balancing books and updating websites.</div>
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<b>When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?</b></div>
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Believe it or not, I wanted to be a forensic scientist. I ended up with a degree in psychology thinking I might eventually follow in my dad’s footsteps and become a psychologist or researcher. To get myself through university, I worked at makeup counters and started meeting photographers and working on-set. Soon after graduating university, my career in makeup was snowballing… and here I am. Thinking back now, I did get into my mum’s makeup a lot, wearing eyeshadow to school a few times in grade six before deciding the bullies couldn’t appreciate an orange smokey eye! There was also the hair ‘salon’ I opened in my living room during elementary school where my dad obligingly sat for a weekly ‘hair cut’… so, yeah, maybe there’s something in that!</div>
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<b>What do you enjoy most about your job?</b></div>
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I love that I’m my own boss and that I have flexibility. If I want to travel I don’t have to request time off and I’m not restricted to a few weeks a year. I also love that my days are always different and there’s very little routine. When I’m on-set I’m meeting new people and working on different projects. Through writing I get to review new products and spa services and am often invited to fun PR events. I can take my work with me all over the world - all I need is my kit and my laptop. I had an amazing four years in Melbourne, Australia because of it.</div>
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<b>What do you find to be the biggest challenge in your profession?</b></div>
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Being freelance, I am responsible for finding my own work - there are no elves hiding in the background promoting me to new clients! It’s a competitive business with a million other makeup artists and beauty writers out there so you have to stay on top of your game. Also, the government doesn’t do much to help us self-employed folk. We get no benefits and no security, which can make life challenging…and expensive! In particular, it’s tough for women who want to have children, as maternity leave isn’t an option. The uncertainty of it isn’t for everyone.</div>
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<b>Do you believe you had a "calling" for your profession?</b></div>
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I think I had a calling to do something creative. While I’m a nerd at heart, creativity keeps me happy. Writing has always been a passion: I used to write pretty epic short stories as a kid and still daydream about writing a novel one day. Maybe without makeup, writing never would have turned into anything for me. I started writing about beauty-related things because I knew about them and the combination turned into this layered freelance career. </div>
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<b>What are the three most important pieces of career advice you would give to other Canadian Career Gals?</b></div>
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<b>Take risks</b>. You don’t know until you try.</div>
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<b>Say YES</b>! When opportunities come, take them. You never know who you’ll meet or what can come of it. </div>
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<b>Change is good</b>. Small changes can bring big things. Sometimes it takes a change to find what you love.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-29270882149022089002013-10-07T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-07T13:22:29.799-04:00Age Spots Be Gone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1V5IG9nVqTMPY7kUZeydaaKloEiyMmOc3NtsyN4c5SvasHosnDgzm_fhTHCt4H4lfJEl0ApaXO4sRB9Uo1QqvngjEUYSFTnRHI5uwVpwdNScGAO10pdMGfynBo4LOW5JaY7f0f72k2s/s1600/Garnier-Skin-Renew-Dark-Spot-Treatment-Mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1V5IG9nVqTMPY7kUZeydaaKloEiyMmOc3NtsyN4c5SvasHosnDgzm_fhTHCt4H4lfJEl0ApaXO4sRB9Uo1QqvngjEUYSFTnRHI5uwVpwdNScGAO10pdMGfynBo4LOW5JaY7f0f72k2s/s320/Garnier-Skin-Renew-Dark-Spot-Treatment-Mask.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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We're fine with ageing when it comes to gaining more knowledge, skills and experience, but most of us tend to want to stop the clock when it comes to the physical changes that go with getting older. Dark spots on the face are namely one sign of ageing we could do without. We recently tried the new <b><a href="http://www.garnier.ca/" target="_blank">Garnier</a> Skin Renew Dark Spot Treatment Mask</b> and were impressed with the results. The soft facial tissue mask has been soaked in moisturizing serum along with gentle and radiance-boosting actives, so all we had to do is apply the mask on our face, leave it on for 10 minutes and <i>voila</i>! Dark spots were visibly reduced and our skin looked radiant, smooth, and felt moisturized. The final verdict? This mask is a great, inexpensive and non-invasive method to treat those pesky spots and keep your skin glowing and healthy-looking. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">$15.97 (6 sachets) at <a href="http://www.walmart.ca/" target="_blank">walmart.ca</a>; also available at major pharmacies and mass merchandise retailers</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://www.garnier.ca/_en/_ca/special-offers/index.aspx" target="_blank">Click here for a coupon for $3 off</a>)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-43960438909124132892013-10-04T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-04T08:31:12.493-04:00Royals - Lorde<div style="text-align: justify;">
The 16-year-old New Zealand singer-songwriter calls Etta James one of her most prominent influences. We'd have to agree based on the talented Kiwi's smooth vocals. Enjoy her hit song "Royals" and let the soulful <a href="http://lorde.co.nz/" target="_blank"><b>Lorde</b></a>'s voice take you into the weekend.</div>
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Have a great weekend, ladies, and see you on Monday!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-20405644629449394852013-10-02T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-02T00:00:03.189-04:00Viral Video Secrets<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remember that <a href="http://youtu.be/0Bmhjf0rKe8" target="_blank">"Charlie Bit My Finger"</a> YouTube video or the one of the <a href="http://youtu.be/_OBlgSz8sSM" target="_blank">"Surprised Kitty"</a>? And surely, you're one of the 1.7 billion (and counting) who has seen <a href="http://youtu.be/9bZkp7q19f0" target="_blank">Psy's <i>Gangnam Style</i> music video</a>. </div>
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Ever since the dawning of YouTube, there are certain videos that have a <i>je ne sais quoi </i>about them that makes viewers compelled to share them over and over (and over) again. But why?</div>
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Click on the image below to watch an interview with digital journalist <b><a href="http://ramonapringle.com/" target="_blank">Ramona Pringle</a></b> where she discusses the factors that make an online video go viral. (Tip: if a cat is in the video, it's already halfway there to becoming an internet sensation watched by millions.)</div>
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<a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/going-viral-the-science-behind-internet-sensations-1.1400024" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWhn8ud3VdlYT8SV4j4ZgzVcKuwm1gQKOJC0cTFa-a9XZ4R61hMBz6HqSNcSRXVM9Ae5giMhWxtd8VTqMSTgCFHF5AvPuJw1qraVR5xWFaZlkc_cTFGLrvcZ70usCczkqrVuImnyQxj0/s400/viral-video.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-3250257759103251352013-10-01T00:00:00.000-04:002013-10-01T09:47:03.629-04:00Who's the Boss?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOXVJt-rP5A7G0QvK3Cf8zNiFz5znqaMSNyU62JpNNLOIYuQ5yOhaqbW5nC_WhQSnS0Gi3keDFBhW506-6vBl1sAGz5BXa4Vds5I8vAC_D3VQJkwjW98TUOR886hre0XtNcz1WAd8au4/s1600/Bad-Bosses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOXVJt-rP5A7G0QvK3Cf8zNiFz5znqaMSNyU62JpNNLOIYuQ5yOhaqbW5nC_WhQSnS0Gi3keDFBhW506-6vBl1sAGz5BXa4Vds5I8vAC_D3VQJkwjW98TUOR886hre0XtNcz1WAd8au4/s320/Bad-Bosses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've all been there at some point — the boss from hell who makes their employees lives so miserable, it's like a sport for them. Hopefully you're not in that situation now, but if you are, here are <i><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/tips-to-manage-a-difficult-boss/article14401136/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eight tips for managing a difficult boss</a></i> (<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Globe and Mail</i></a>, September 23, 2013) from <b><a href="http://thehumanbehaviorcoach.com/" target="_blank">Beverly Flaxington</a></b>. The certified professional behavioural analyst, hypnotherapist, and career and business adviser offers tips such as matching your behavioural style to your boss', thinking about their "what’s in it for me?", and accommodating their weaknesses. </div>
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Flaxington says, "the trick is to manage your boss without the boss knowing you’re doing it." Our two cents? Keep it up while keeping your radar open for positions elsewhere. You can only handle a poisonous person for so long before it starts to take your toll.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/tips-to-manage-a-difficult-boss/article14401136/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Click here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">to read the entire post or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/tips-to-manage-a-difficult-boss/article14401136/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/tips-to-manage-a-difficult-boss/article14401136/</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-1500618639759043412013-09-30T00:00:00.000-04:002013-09-30T11:03:46.045-04:00Pack It Up, Pack It In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1O1VIplruSVgMpgQHEbXhAlFb1tw2h32XPRVBnZ8OdA6fYQWDzmpRJYPrMzgmtMi3gTXrncfi6O8JaItY1b8y3NHG37kdmulnpR12kltHmB_q5boiK6x0tfHTGGXM_SW3CMdiXltD6c/s1600/Skip-Hop-ZOO-Pack-ladybug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1O1VIplruSVgMpgQHEbXhAlFb1tw2h32XPRVBnZ8OdA6fYQWDzmpRJYPrMzgmtMi3gTXrncfi6O8JaItY1b8y3NHG37kdmulnpR12kltHmB_q5boiK6x0tfHTGGXM_SW3CMdiXltD6c/s320/Skip-Hop-ZOO-Pack-ladybug.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've always been vocal of our love of <a href="http://www.skiphop.com/" target="_blank">Skip Hop</a>, maker of fun, whimsical baby and kids' products for the nursery, feeding, bath time, and parents' on-the-go needs. Their <b>ZOO Packs</b> are no exception — these kids' backpacks are made of durable materials and has enough space to hold all of your preschooler's supplies for a busy day at school. A mesh side pocket adjusts to fit a juice box, sippy cup or water bottle and a front pouch is ideal for snacks. Comfy padded straps ensure that little shoulders don't get strained. There are currently 16 zoo characters (ladybug, elephant, giraffe, panda, and more) to choose from, so you're sure to find one that'll be a favourite for your kiddo.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">$24.95 at <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/" target="_blank">chapters.indigo.ca</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-90159621614530003372013-09-27T00:00:00.000-04:002013-09-27T00:00:00.708-04:00#thatPOWER will.i.am feat. Justin BieberWe're not the biggest Biebs fan, but we can't help liking this upbeat will.i.am track featuring the Canadian teen idol. What can we say? It gets us pumped for the weekend!<br />
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Have a great weekend, ladies, and see you on Monday!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-30410419218173921602013-09-26T00:00:00.000-04:002013-09-26T09:51:12.490-04:00Gals We Admire: Bronwyn Kienapple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHGX7oIRpep6XDzDBuhMUZRn0VbEYgoN_J9OFKMRh5Mphws1D2zPTiBJPE4lXcLQdeiCZrYDqA7B05hAfiKb41j_RNSt0bzuxEqOXiZQq7QlZy9daSzCSEi07AZL0Aar7b95-EtY6SjU/s1600/Bronywyn-Kienapple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHGX7oIRpep6XDzDBuhMUZRn0VbEYgoN_J9OFKMRh5Mphws1D2zPTiBJPE4lXcLQdeiCZrYDqA7B05hAfiKb41j_RNSt0bzuxEqOXiZQq7QlZy9daSzCSEi07AZL0Aar7b95-EtY6SjU/s320/Bronywyn-Kienapple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Freelance writer <b>Bronwyn Kienapple </b>lets us in on her exciting life of a "deliberately loose schedule" (after years of working 9-to-5). The former Torontonian is able to do her job in other parts of the world (fun!) and we love her refreshing honesty about why she's glad she works for herself ( I can’t stand corporate psycho-babble and kissing butt/soothing hurt egos. The only ego I want to stroke is my own, which is gigantic and all-consuming.) Well put, Bronwyn!<br />
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<b>Name: Bronwyn Kienapple</b></div>
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<b>Profession: Freelance Writer</b></div>
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<b>Website: <a href="http://www.acertainbentappeal.com/" target="_blank">acertainbentappeal.com</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://twitter.com/b_kienapple" target="_blank">@b_kienapple</a></b></div>
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<b>Describe your typical work day, from start to finish.</b></div>
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After working a 9-to-5 job for so many years, I have a deliberately loose schedule. I never set my alarm. Since I live in Mexico City right now, my day begins with a hunt for tasty street food. I settle down at the kitchen table after breakfast with my cats and bang off some writing. I take a break for lunch and then I bang off more writing in the afternoon. I try to spend the early evenings soliciting new contracts, replying to email, setting up my tweets for the next day, or blogging. If I take the afternoon off to sightsee I work at night. Whatever happens, I always make my daily minimum of income, no excuses.
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<b>When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?</b></div>
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I wanted to be a television broadcaster because I thought how much fun it would be to get my make-up done every day and wear pretty clothes. Seriously, how shallow is that? Cure world hunger? Tend to the needs of the needy? Invent the next light bulb? No, I wanted to get my face painted. In any case, I was obsessed with inventing mini-worlds – girl bands, rabbit kingdoms, imaginary friends – which helped me to become a storyteller later in life.</div>
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<b>What do you enjoy most about your job?</b></div>
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I love being my own boss (I used to work in publishing in Toronto in online marketing). I have a serious resistance to authority and being told what to do. I can’t stand corporate psycho-babble and kissing butt/soothing hurt egos. The only ego I want to stroke is my own, which is gigantic and all-consuming. I choose my own projects, set my own deadlines, create my own goals, and decide on my own earning power. The only person I have to blame is myself. The only person I have to congratulate is myself. And when a client isn’t working out, there’s always another, better one. Now that is freedom! My work is also location independent so I can travel all over the world while working. I really, really love that.</div>
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<b>What do you find to be the biggest challenge in your profession?</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">I absolutely love to write and never believed that I could make a living out of it. The great thing is that there is plenty of corporate writing work. The bad thing is that it’s hard to break into hard journalism as a freelancer. Even worse, magazines take eons to pay you. At least with corporate work I’ve never had a client pay me more than a week out from the project completion date. That said, I made a dollar per word rate that would probably shock established writers/journalists. I have to hustle big time to make a living and even then, I need to live in a third world country to make do. Since I love to travel this isn’t a problem but still. Finally, as a freelancer if you’re not working you’re not earning. I’d like to add a passive earning source to my income </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">—</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> a business that can operate independently while constantly generating income. That’s my next big project.</span></div>
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<b>Do you believe you had a "calling" for your profession?</b></div>
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My true love is creative writing and happily my first two novels are currently being shopped by a Toronto agent. If anything is my ‘calling’ it’s writing novels. When I wasn’t dreaming of being an overly made-up TV presenter as a child, I was devouring big, fat Victorian novels. Writing larger-than-life characters with mixed motives and a tinge of crazy gets me going. I love creating my own mini-worlds, too. It’s how my control-freak tendencies justify themselves. </div>
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<b>What are the three most important pieces of career advice you would give to other Canadian Career Gals?</b></div>
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<b>Don’t ever accept a job that refuses to promote you, refuses to pay you properly, doesn’t compensate you for overtime, and asks you to give and give without giving back</b>. For your own sanity, get out of there. Women tend to work longer hours for less pay and less glory than men. I have seen way too many women suffer needlessly in jobs because they felt like they owed their employer something or because they didn’t think they could find new work. There are always options, ladies. Yes you are talented and yes your talents are needed elsewhere. Send out that CV, stat. </div>
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<b>Try freelancing</b>. There are absolutely no drawbacks to this one. Either you will love it and decide to transition to freelancing full-time or you’ll pocket some extra change that can sit pretty in the bank while you work your 9-5. Check out Freelancer.com or Elance.com and see what’s available. Can you use Excel? Do you have sales skills? Done marketing before? Know a second language? I guarantee there’s something for everyone out there. </div>
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<b>Sexual harassment: so many women I know have been exposed to it in the workplace. I don’t know exactly if this constitutes career advice, but please don’t put up with it from anyone, in any form</b>. Whether severe or mild, if it makes you uncomfortable get thee to human resources immediately. Just remember: it’s never, ever your fault. Did you directly, specifically ask to be sexually harassed? I don’t think so.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-90999711089454113402013-09-25T00:00:00.000-04:002013-09-26T09:54:00.511-04:00#funnystuff<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our fave late night talk show host <b>Jimmy Fallon</b> and singing sensation <b>Justin Timberlake</b> crack us up with this funny skit demonstrating what Twitter-speak would be like in the real world. So, if the singing, acting, fashion label thing doesn't work out for JT, it looks like he'll be more than welcome as Fallon's sidekick.</div>
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/57dzaMaouXA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-28486562230184042552013-09-24T00:00:00.000-04:002013-09-26T09:52:04.204-04:00Words NOT to Put on Your Résumé<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFXeJX98zJP75maAoq8GbQsdcxqacy0DwOQpdoAdjrYPlNKxcx0ag5-sfra1euMoy0dkx7g3W2KsYPyzsherCmJu-hv8y50M7C-xkkju19Mh0NPuBMPkr5ERnzcDtGsexy4zpOrCcUcs/s1600/woman-on-laptop-resume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFXeJX98zJP75maAoq8GbQsdcxqacy0DwOQpdoAdjrYPlNKxcx0ag5-sfra1euMoy0dkx7g3W2KsYPyzsherCmJu-hv8y50M7C-xkkju19Mh0NPuBMPkr5ERnzcDtGsexy4zpOrCcUcs/s320/woman-on-laptop-resume.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In <i><a href="http://www.backbonemag.com/Magazine/2013-03/what-should-i-delete-from-my-resume.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What should I delete from my resume?</a></i> (<a href="http://www.backbonemag.com/" target="_blank"><i>Backbone Magazine</i></a>, February 25, 2013), <b>Peter Wolchak </b>reported on the results of a recent survey done by staffing services company <a href="http://www.roberthalf.com/officeteam/home" target="_blank">OfficeTeam</a> where 1,300 senior managers in the United States and Canada were asked, "What is the most overused or meaningless phrase you see on résumés?" Here are four phrases managers are getting sick of seeing on a potential candidate's CV: <b>highly qualified</b>, <b>team player</b>, <b>self starter</b> and <b>flexible</b>.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.backbonemag.com/Magazine/2013-03/what-should-i-delete-from-my-resume.aspx" rel="nofollow" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Click here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">to read the entire article or </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">copy and paste this link into your Web browser</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> to get tips on how to produce a quality résumé that will get you noticed:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.backbonemag.com/Magazine/2013-03/what-should-i-delete-from-my-resume.aspx" rel="nofollow" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.backbonemag.com/Magazine/2013-03/what-should-i-delete-from-my-resume.aspx</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639476932216587903.post-45388109710460780532013-09-23T00:00:00.000-04:002013-09-23T10:57:30.738-04:00Rockin' that Flushed Look<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ8wblc5bYr1aHx94pRa_s6BcBOUk2tKODilCqdGeknm-htH_mxzjBYoL0CkAIlCmUOtg0agNA7CHgerMKYrhVEWym7t6jfTu8oA0w53r2pwAB33yQ6ZqMX0lqONXeCWFsuFbpCT8Ca8/s1600/benefit-cosmetics-rockateur-blush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ8wblc5bYr1aHx94pRa_s6BcBOUk2tKODilCqdGeknm-htH_mxzjBYoL0CkAIlCmUOtg0agNA7CHgerMKYrhVEWym7t6jfTu8oA0w53r2pwAB33yQ6ZqMX0lqONXeCWFsuFbpCT8Ca8/s320/benefit-cosmetics-rockateur-blush.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course the quality of the ingredients that goes into the makeup is important, but we love pretty packaging, too. <b><a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/" target="_blank">Benefit Cosmetics</a></b> is definitely the best of both worlds with their high quality products and ever-ingenious, signature quirky packaging design. Our latest have from the San Francisco-based cosmetics company is the new <b>Rockateur</b>, a rose gold cheek powder complete with its own angled application blush, all housed in a lovely, luxe gold box. A couple of quick sweeps of this soft yet sexy powder across the cheeks is all that's needed for a beautiful glow.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">$36 at <a href="http://www.sephora.ca/" target="_blank">sephora.ca</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0