My Blog Personality: Fa-Blog-ulous



My fun & colourful closet ...a reflection of my blog personalty



After taking a much needed brain break from my studies and  procuring design inspiration for my freshly-painted and newly carpeted townhome on Pinterest, I dedicated some time to source a description that would best describe my social media personality. In effort to keep the content of this blog genuine, I will not try to create a trend-setting blog personality. As a self-described “style interpreter”, content and information shared in this blog will be presented in an interesting and appealing fashion in effort to reach the 18-45 year old Fraser Valley fashion, beauty, home decor and lifestyle enthusiast. For the sake of this BCIT Social Media Marketing project, my blog personality will unfold and reveal itself much like the contents of my suitcase on my annual Vegas vacay – a bold, colourful, sparkling mix short on comfort and long on style.

After checking out some lovingly re-purposed wood furniture one of my favorite local bloggers at 4 the Love of WOOD  http://4theloveofwood.blogspot.com/, I came across an interesting article entitled "The Seven Personality Types on Social Media" posted on Social Media Today’s website and have come to the conclusion my social media personality would best be described as:

The All-Rounder

These are one of my favorite social media personalities to be around. Smart, sharp, intuitive, sassy and direct. They observe, add value, and are nice people all-round. They give, share, contribute, and clearly love to be in the middle of the positive social conversations. These types are also excellent networkers offline, too, so find them, nurture them and stick with the winners.

I would also agree that the author and creator of 4 the love of WOOD represents many traits of The All-Rounder social media personality.  Passionate about her love for antique, vintage and re-purposed furniture, Kristy shares her thoughts on her latest designs and provides colorful, informative and insightful commentary throughout her posts. Readers are engaged through her enthusiasm for her projects and willingness to shares “how-to” tips and tutorials illustrating her efforts to create her gorgeous re-purposed furniture.


The Sponge, The Drain, The Guru, The All-Rounder, The Chameleon, The Observer,The Maverick - find out more about  your social media super-hero personality here http://socialmediatoday.com/chrisstreet/381801/seven-personality-types-social-media


xo
Melissa

Transparency - Solid v.s. Clear

I don’t get it? What is the big deal lately as to whether or not businesses, agencies or government should  be prepared to offer the public full-disclosure or “transparency”? I expect the majority that is so quick to demand transparency from these organizations consist of individuals who are motivated by specific political or social agendas or have ties to special interest groups. Believe me when I tell you when it comes to the issue of transparency – the only thing that might keep me up at night is whether or not my new Secret Scent Expressions Invisible Solid in Cocoa Butter Kiss deodorant lives to its claims to leave no unsightly marks behind on my black silk blouse.

For the sake of this week's Social Media Marketing assignment let’s just say the above mentioned favourite product of mine fails to live up to its $4.29 price tag. As a result, I have to incur the expense and inconvenience to take my blouse to the dry cleaners. Am I going to be so incensed that I will be rush to social media, take to  blogs or feel inclined to tell 10 people (who will tell 10 people) that “My deodorant doesn’t live up to the advertised benefit a solid leaving no residue behind”. No I will not.

In the case of private companies who are in the business of marketing goods and services to consumers - the transition to transparency needs to be carefully executed. A full understanding the responsibilities, risks and excellent public relations is needed. Social media, while a valuable two-way communication tool between companies and their public, is also an easily accessible platform in which to air petty consumer grievances. In the case of my Secret Scent Expressions Invisible Solid deodorant, should I have any product concerns,  I would not take to the company's social media sites to air my dirty laundry.

It is not worth my time or energy to spend countless hours  posting, tweeting, blogging and ranting about about my armpits waging war on my silk-chiffon tops.  I suppose if I didn't have a life, a family to take care of, a job to do, school to attend or paint to watch dry I could make time to post a complaint comment expressing my displeasure with my own choice to purchase a solid pit stick over a clear pit stick. After finding a way to somehow blame the company for my inability to read a simple label- I would check my various social media feeds to find out if I have been if my comment has made the top feed, been shared or re-tweeted. I would be monitoring this incessantly while I wait 24 to 48 hours for the company to address my complaint concern.  I would also be anxiously checking my in-box for a coupon valued at $2.00 off my next purchase (with mail-in rebate) from this company.  

To what degree do the makers of Secret owe their public (aka me) transparency? Should they risk competitive intelligence, set themselves up for potential future losses by disclosing proprietary information, such as the formulation of their Invisible Solid deodorant, so no other silk blouses will have to suffer the indignation of being forced to return home from the dry cleaners pinned to a unsightly wire hanger? Should Secret issue a public statement expressing their sincere regret to the users of Secret Scent Expressions Invisible Solid who may have suffered humiliation and pain associated with small white marks associated to using a white, smooth yet chalky substance in an area that is as likely to come into contact with a dark colour top as it is a light colour one? Is Secret wilfully trying to alienate those customers who choose to wear all black because “it’s more slimming”? Oh yes - I can see the headlines now reading “Makers of Secret Deodorant Discriminate Against The Pleasantly Plump".

Should Secret just decline to comment on the matter? No they should not. A reasonable response to the issue would be to address the failure for the product to live up to its claims - taking action by immediately reducing the distribution of Secret Scent Expressions Invisible Solid in Cocoa Butter Kiss. Secret should then re-focus their efforts on developing an integrated marketing campaign targeting little black blouses everywhere for Secret Cocoa Butter Kiss Clear Gel. Oh wait –  the clear gel formulation is already on the market! The to the moral of this story: I failed a to follow a reasonable degree of good ol’ caveat emptor on my recent trip to the drug store. Guess I owe my wardrobe an apology for any inconveniences I may have caused.

xo Melissa

PS - I really, really do love Secret Scent Expressions Invisible Solid in Cocoa Butter Kiss! Click this link for more fab products from Secret! http://www.secret.com/scented-deodorant.aspx

Secret Scent Expressions Invisible Solid & Body Splash in Cocoa Butter Kiss

Stylin' with Randy Fenoli of TLC's Say Yes to the Dress

I have begun rehearsing my most sophisticated "ooohs" and "ahhhs" in anticipation for the upcoming Style & Strut event taking place this Sunday, January 22 at The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver. Billed as this year's premier bridal fashion event, I look forward to style-scoping and hob-knobbing (aka literally bumping into) a crowd of chic bridez(illas) and their entourages comprised of a mix of loyal (aka patient)  MOH's (Maid of Honors - that's me), BM's (Bridesmaids) MOTB's (Mother-of-the-Brides), MIL's (Mother-in-Laws) and assorted GBF's (Gay Best Friends).  I will be attending with a VSBTB (Very Special Bride-To-Be), my good friend Kathryn, who will be saying "I Do" this summer in an intimate ceremony & reception Vancouver's historic (aka posh and proper) Hycroft Manor.

With an emphasis on designs for modern and elegant bride, Style & Strut's fashion show will  feature bridal wear from Bisou Bridal (Vancouver) and Isabella's Bridal (North Vancouver) showcasing gowns by Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier, Lillen and Lazaro along with Jim Helm, Jim Helm Blush and Canadian label Paloma Blanca respectfully. A self-proclaimed "Lazaro girl" -  I anticipate models flaunting down the runway in sexy fit & flare, figure-flattering mermaid and timeless princess sihouettes featuring luxurious embellishments,  rows of glorious ruffles and  endless layers  of soft tulle.

The VSBTB (Kathryn) and I  look foward to the opportunities to interact with vendors, try on  glamorous accessories, browse lavish decor, marvel at  an array of stunning floral arrangements all while noshing on fine Hors D’oeuvres and sippin' sweet sparkling wine. Most importantly (I can speak for Kathryn here since we have been friends for over 15 years) we can't wait to attend a special VIP presentation by Randy Fenoli, Fashion Director at Kleinfeld and Star of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress.

A fan of the show since it's launch in 2007, I have look forward to experiencing the  weekly does of wit, charm, style (and sass) Randy brings to the show - in-person! His genuine desire to help make brides look and feel their most beautiful, Randy's appearance at Style and Strut is something I can't wait to experience!

Memo to the VSBTB - be prepared for a marathon of season 7 of SYTTD (Say Yes to the Dress) prior to event. Why? Because I'm the MOH that's why.

xo Melissa



“Educate, Elevate & Empower the bride to help her be the best she can be and choose the most important dress of her life.”

~Randy Fenoli

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Randy Fenoli, Fashion Director at Kleinfeld and Star of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress



Ready to Get My Yoga On

Lock your knees! Point Your Toes! Lock Your Knees! Lock Your Knees! These words have been running rampant through my mind this week as I began week one of my "non-official" Bikram 30-Day Challenge That's right 3 classes down...and 27 more to go. Unlike the "official" Bikram Challenge (which involves sweating through a Bikram session every day for a month) my goal, simply put, is to attend 30 classes so I too can reap the benefits of the healthy spine healthy life Bikram mantra and...

 SHED THE LBS SO I CAN FIT INTO MY LBD'S

Bikram purportedly provides a great cardiovascular workout. As much as I enjoy pushing myself further than I ever thought possible while in Ardha-Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose), as a full-time student I don't have the extra 2,700 minutes a month right now to subscribe to Bikram Choudhury's daily 90 minute sweat-fest. This type of commitment would require me to give up not only my studies but also 2,700 minutes that would likely be devoted to catching up a Molotov-cocktail of quality reality programming such as Slice's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,  TLC's Say Yes to the Dress (NY & ATL y'all) and the usual Monday night trainwreck of ABC's The Bachelor.

Let me be honest...sometimes I need a day or two between all this touching my forehead to my knee business as it takes me awhile to get the:

a) memory

b) sting

c) taste

d) all of the above

of my own sweat out of my nose, eyes and mouth ok?

If this was a pop quiz and you answered d) then you and I have more than just an interest in fashion, beauty and home decor in common.  It is possible you too  may have woken up one morning with some mighty tender boobies wondering if perhaps this might be the tell-tale sign of a (likely unplanned) pregnancy? Snap out of it girl! You soon realize the need to ice your chest comes as a result of the particularly intense effort you gave mounting your elbows in Locust pose during the previous night's Bikram class.

Week 2 of my commitment to begins tomorrow. Working my coccyx to my spine in over 104 degree heat with up to 50 short-short sportin' men and gals of all shapes and sizes clad in dizzying arrays of psychedelic-print Lycra is going to be part of my gettin' my groove and my butt back in my Guess jeans in 2012.

 
Big ups to Bikram Langley owner Candice Lim-Hing and the fun, friendly and flexible staffers who help encourage legions of us Langley-ites (and soon 'Ridge-dwellers) that we can do anything for 10-seconds. It's not called yoga perfect..it's called yoga practice.

Want to take the deepest breath of your life? Try classes for free at the Grand Opening of Bikram Yoga Maple Ridge taking place on Saturday January 28th. See below for more details on this exciting event!

NAMASTE

One Jacked-Up Beauty Junkie

 

Almost time to stock up on my benefit favourites from my local Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique. So much love for benefit cosmetics...the amazing quality, sassy packaging and cheeky product names keep me coming back for more each season. In the words of one savvy southern-belle beauty insider..."BADgal Lash Mascara will JACK YOUR LASHES UP TO JESUS". The good Lord may have endowed me in some places - sadly my eyelashes aren't one of them. While not a Holy Roller by any definition...I parted with $26.00 CAD and put my faith in benefit's best-selling fluffy carbon-black coated bristles and prayed for a lash-miracle to occur!

Is it true you ask? Do I feel a little closer to the man upstairs with each stroke of the silver-tipped wand? Well despite the claims of getting closer to God - the only thing my lashes get closer  to are my eyebrows. And this ladies...is a worth a rousing Hallelujah!

Does anyone else have any divine beauty interventions they wish to share? Feel free to spread the beauty gospel below.

xo Melissa

Source: shoppersdrugmart.ca via Melissa on Pinterest