GoodSearch, GoodShop, & GoodDining

I stumbled upon the greatest website tonight.

What is your favorite charity?

Want to help them earn money by doing what you already do now? 

All you have to do is search the Internet, shop online, and eat out. 

For real.

I've already signed up for GoodSearch, made the search engine my home page, and added the search bar at the top of this page - super easy installation, BTW. (The local food bank was my charity of choice.)
There is also a section within GoodSearch called GoodShop. They offer coupons and a percentage of your online purchase benefits your chosen charity at no additional charge to you. Say whaaaat?
I started to sign up for the GoodDining. Unfortunately, no restaurants in my area are affiliates just yet. (I e-mailed the company though and asked if I could try to help change that. I'll keep you guys updated if I hear anything back.) I highly encourage you to find out if it is offered in your area and sign up. Again, it's no charge to you and a donation is made simply for eating out - no cooking and you're giving back!

I am SUPER excited about this opportunity to make a difference. It's minimal effort and you're helping. Does it get any better than that?

So, who are you going to support?





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Why Can't I Add Glitter to My Resume?

I'm still trying to find a job. I've applied for two that I really had my heart set on. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Wait, they didn't see the value in hiring bubbly and smiley, yet still professional and capable you?" Shocking and appalling, I know.
The thing that bothers me most is that I haven't even been able to get an actual interview. I really want to follow up and ask the hiring managers what they're looking for in a potential employee.

I've got a degree.
Granted, it's not a bachelor's or higher but I worked hard for that thing just fighting to get the classes I needed! (Working to get that seemingly meaningless paper made me cry more than the cancellation of Girlmore Girls!)
I've got more than three years of experience in customer service and commissioned sales.
I built a customer base that loved me and still ask about me. I didn't steal sales from other employees OR money from the company. That should show company loyalty, too! (I never had my business card burning ceremony like I wanted!)
I exceeded my sales goals.
No, I can't give you numbers. I'm pretty sure that's confidential. I also can't give examples like "raised revenue by 10% while motivating my coworkers to do the same" It was part-time retail. (If you think that point needs further explanation, you haven't worked part-time retail and wouldn't understand anyway, sorry!) We ran on a gain over the previous year in our department. Did I have something to do with that? I'd like to think so but again, our numbers were confidential.
I can get along with anyone.
The person that I liked the least in the department (because I thought she was stealing sales and therefore part of my paycheck) was the person that gave me one of the references that got me my seasonal job. That is pretty impressive, right?
I've got extra Certificates from the Small Business Administration.
You can't tell me the knowledge that I've gained from courses such as Crime Prevention: A Guide for Small Businesses, Introduction to Accounting, or Technology 101: A Small Business Guide isn't beneficial!
I go out of my way to help people.
Okay, so I don't have "pays for gas for random strangers instead of supporting their potential habit" or "loans cell phone to people unsuccessfully trying to use a payphone" on my resume. Do you?
I know how to add and subtract.
This is useful when working with cash and I'm always surprised by how much of a dying art it seems to be. I can also use "your" and "you're" properly without being a complete snob about it (most of the time).
I can spell and choose to do so correctly.
In one of my college classes, we heard about one of the marketing professionals for said college who intentionally misspelled words to see if people were paying attention based on the feedback from the errors. I don't see how that could be an accurate depiction (or look very professional when trying to promote a college.)
I know how to be (and look) professional. 
...and that you're not legally allowed to ask about potential plans to have babies during an interview. (Plus, my hair isn't blue!)

WHAT DO THEY WANT?!


So, I'm doing the best thing I can think of short of actually calling these companies one by one and asking them directly: reading articles on how to improve your resume.
Unfortunately, the first thing I came across has me a little apprehensive.

10 Resume Red Flags: 
1.) It's Covered in Glitter - Literally

What?!

I can't use glitter on my resume to give it that extra sparkle and shine? That's like telling me adding smiley faces would be frowned upon... What kind of company wouldn't want their employees to be smiley and happy?!

I guess that means camping out in front of a potential job with this sign and refusing to leave until I'm hired would be a bad idea, too?

*sigh* Maybe I'm not cut out for the business world after all...



P.S. If my ramblings related to unemployment didn't entertain you, maybe this will!







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Mama Kat brightens my wardrobe.

5.) Put together a holiday outfit you'd love to wear at a holiday party should a holiday party ever be on your list of things to do.

Confession time: I've never really had a distinct personal style. *sigh* I know, I shouldn't be allowed to boast the title of 'woman'.

I chose this writing prompt because it will be a challenge... a soul searching challenge. I know, I know. You think I'm exaggerating. I'm not. I've felt like a princess before but never because of what I was wearing or how I looked. It's not a lack of self-confidence, promise. It's just never been what was important to me.
I'm a jeans-and-t-shirt-with-crazy-nail-polish-and-mismatched-socks kind of girl. I'm 5' nothing with a huge... everything so it's extremely easy to look frumpy. I dislike most fashion trends (The side ponytail was horrible the first time so why did it get reincarnated? I'm still waiting on skinny jeans and leggings-as-pants to die their most deserved death.) I never dreamed up my perfect wedding dress. (Even when I looked for one, I felt overwhelmed and like I was drowning in taffeta and tulle 90% of the process... The one I did find was knee length and didn't fit how I wanted on my wedding day because I lost so much weight with mono.) I didn't go to prom so I missed out on the princess dress shopping then, too.

So, the Holiday party I imagine will NOT be an ugly sweater party. It will be glamorous and everyone will look gorgeous... but not as gorgeous as I will. I won't try to hide behind my favorite hoodie (It has a snowman holding a blow drier saying "goodbye cruel world" and reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes.) and everyone will marvel at how gorgeous my hair is when it isn't just towel dried or in a ponytail and how well I clean up. I will not wear shorts underneath "just in case". I will not spill anything. I will not wear flip-flops or kids' shoes. I will accessorize but I will not remove them before the night is over. I will shave my legs beyond right above my knees. This is what I will be wearing:

French Connection Vanity Lace Dress at Dillard's, $188

Olsenboye 'Madeline' at JCPenney, $20

(I actually have these from when I worked there but I never found an outfit worthy of them so they're being neglected in my closet. Sadface.)

Etsy, $34 

Etsy, $37

Etsy, $44

I found this on Pinterest but didn't save the link, SORRY!

This is from a tutorial... hope you're fluent in Polish!

I want to point out that, though it may seem like it, the length of the dress and the open-toe shoes are not inappropriate for the season. Let me explain why.

I live in the south. It snows once a decade and never more than a few flurries. While you're drinking hot cocoa/chocolate/coffee underneath that electric blanket, (as I imagine you are because I would have to) I'm wearing shorts (yes, shorts) in December. Jealous? =D

I learned a few things along the journey:

• I'm cheap and picky.
• I have a thing for houndstooth patterns and the 50's.
• I believe brown and black don't mix.
• I don't like animal prints. (Zebra is an exception.)
• Shooties are my favorite!
• Turquoise shooties aren't on the market. =(
• I want a job that will allow me to have this hair:

Shoot, I want HAIR that will allow me to have this hair.

So, how did I do? Share your thoughts and/or outfits below!
Funny story:  The total of the items listed comes to $323. Taxes in Georgia are 7%. That adds $23. To achieve the hair and make-up, I would have to buy them as well. Therefore, this is a $500 Holiday Party outfit. MERRY CHRISTMAS, ME!
SN: Compiling this post took five hours. Even imaginary shopping where prices aren't an issue is THAT hard. Sheesh!










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Song of the Day

Reminiscing... I still tear up at this. =)

3.) Married? Tell us the story of how the question was popped.

Rodney was coming over but I decided to make a quick phone call to a real estate agent about a house that was built for me. Okay, that's an exaggeration but it's BLUE so it's perfect. lol. Anyway, I'm on the phone when Rodney shows up. I hand him a love note I had written for him the night before because my thoughts were racing and the only way I can sleep sometimes is to get them all out on paper. He reads it, smiles at me, then he writes his own note and leaves. The agent talks and talks then I finally get to hang up and read the note.

"Wait here. Don't leave the den. Await my text. No peeking out the window either. Love you =)"

Thank God the agent was long-winded because as most of you know, I'm a surprise spoiler. If I hadn't been on the phone, there's no way I would have had the patience to wait around for the text and I probably would have ruined the whole thing.

The text came and gave me permission to go to my car. I got to the driver's side and there was a piece of paper taped to the window with a big "C" on it that said "For Chrissy M. Lott" at the bottom. I opened it and thus began the greatest scavenger hunt and most romantic proposal of my life...

I called Rodney, as per instructed, only to realize I was going the wrong way in my excitement. The clue was leading me to a park we frequent.

When I got there, this is what I found:

This one led to Grassy Pond. By this time, I'm crying. I forgot to call until I was mostly there so Rodney starts freaking out and telling me to slow down and only drive 5 MPH. He finally gives me the go-ahead and I find this:

The swing got changed to the pier since it was empty. The pier had rose petals around a bench and another note taped to the bench.

As I was sitting, I heard Train playing from behind me. We don't just have a song. We have a band. Hey, Soul Sister gets louder and Rodney emerges with the last clue taped to his chest.

He explained how he didn't play Marry Me because he didn't think Train should ask the most important question, that he wanted to do it himself. He had a whole speech about things related to "T" such as Train and time and changing my last name and it was all super sweet but I don't remember much because we were both freaking out. (lol) Then he got down on one knee and proposed with a GORGEOUS blue topaz ring. 

(A. I hate diamonds. B. I love blue.)

It was perfect, just like him.

"Happily ever after to follow."

For his version, (including the incredible speech that I can't remember) check out our wedding website!

"I don't want to be famous. I want to be known for being a good person."

My husband said that earlier. It's one of the 5,972 reasons I love him. I'm sure there are more reasons but that's my favorite number.

Anyway, I feel that way, too, even when it relates to this blog. I want to have readers that like what I write. I want reviews to be based on the fact that what I've written touched you so deeply that you just had to let me know. I appreciate the sentiment behind a positive review but I don't like that it was done JUST so that I would do the same. If it's clear you didn't read my blog before reviewing it, don't bother reviewing it.
(1.) I'm not a mom. I'm 22. I've been married 3 months. We have a 5-7 year minimum for babies. 2.) I'm too broke to hold a giveaway. HELLO! Unemployed since February, remember? Oh wait... nvm. 3.) When did I review products? I've mentioned Sharpies...)

To be honest, I'm kind of offended. I think I'm going to get out of all these hops and linky parties if the only reason for me to get a positive review is so I'll return the favor. Call me naive but I believe in doing something without expecting something in return.

I'd rather be anonymous than have to "buy" my popularity.