Girl Talk Blog

Spend $25 at E.L.F. Cosmetics and use code EGRESCT to receive a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate (expires 9/30). This is a great deal; you get quality makeup at unbelievably low prices (most items are just $1) from E.L.F. and get to show off your new look while saving money at one of your favorite restaurants (the website has gift cards from hundreds of participants). Check out E.L.F.’s Brightening Eye Color Shadow Quad (pictured, $1), Nail Polish Sets ($5) and Mineral Make-up Kits ($20). Shipping starts at $6.95 and there’s no sales tax (except NY).

Not only do I work in the search marketing industry, but I’m hugely addicted to the evolving social media scene. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Technorati, Delicious, IgoUgo, Dopplr, TravBuddy, Meetup, LinkedIn, Socialzr, Yahoo Answers, you name it…I’m probably on it. I’m all about the “sharing.”

I’d like to think that the Web is improving. It’s becoming more user-centric. You, and everyone else on the Internet is driving the content. It’s easier to find people. If you lost a connection with a friend years ago, they are probably just a search away.

I’d like to think I’m pretty good at finding nearly anything on the Web. It’s taken years to become a pro. But, none of my tips and tricks are secret. Just ask…I’ll give advice.

Have you ever wondered what people come across when they search for you? Have you ever performed a “vanity search” in Google or one of the other major search engines?

You should. It’s not only a little vain, but it’s also fun.

And, if you are really interested in you, then visit Google Alerts. Google Alerts will send you an e-mail every time the search engine indexes (that means one of their little “spiders” found it and added it to Google’s database) another web page with your name on it. Use quotes around your name for an exact search. And, well, if you have a common name, you’re probably at a bit of a disadvantage. Try searching on your phone number, e-mail address, or anything else that uniquely identifies you.

I have Google Alerts setup for several exact phrase matches, including my name. I get an e-mail the moment the page is indexed. So what if I’m a little vain? Enjoy my search tip du jour.

Go ahead and try it. You know you want to…

Some of you may have seen that I organized a group of women through Girls and the City to take an Introductory Climbing class at Earth Treks in Columbia, MD on Sunday. Never in my life would I have ever considered doing this, if it wasn’t for my friends from the Maryland Outdoor Club (president and founder, 2002-2006) egging me on. Well, actually, that’s not 100% true… I did consider taking the class a couple of years ago when someone in the MOC organized it, but due to my demanding schedule at the time I never went.

So, I figured if I was finally going to go, why not invite a few other friends to join…and another GATC event was born. Plus, maybe having some others there in the same boat with me would help sooth my fear of heights.

The class was fun and interesting, if you haven’t climbed before. Really, it’s about an hour and a half of learning safety measures, like your harness, rope, knots, belaying, etc. And, then the last hour we practice climbed. There were also a couple of breaks in between. I was one of the absolute newbees and I tried the wall a couple of times, but only made it halfway each time. You really don’t look at the ground when you are climbing, you are looking at the wall and at your next move ahead of you. It’s like a science meeting the ballet.

I went again last night, passed the belay test (you have to wait 24 hours from the class to take it), and then climbed to the top four times. I’ll admit, I’m not that great yet and I have a lot to learn. But, my friends were really patient with me and challenged me. I can’t say I’ve been challenged like this in a while.

It’s also been making me realize how much of the outdoor stuff I loved I’ve given up for domestic duties over the past couple of years. Maybe there is a way to reincorporate the things I love (hiking, backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, tubing, biking, travel, etc.)? I’m also understanding how I got out of shape the past couple of years and am excited that I’m finding a fun way to get back into it. I think you’ll find me at Earth Treks more often.

And, if you have never tried climbing before, and even if you are afraid of heights like me, it’s totally fun, challenging, and a workout. I recommend trying it at least once.

Related:

• Amy’s Bucket List on Her Facebook Profile
• Earth Treks Intro to Climbing Class
• Earth Treks Intro to Climbing Package

First, I saw it on BaltimoreSun.com yesterday. Today, I saw it on MSNBC.com. Is letting tiny carp nibble on your toes the latest new spa pampering? The clients of Yvonne Hair and Nails salon in Alexandria, Virginia are certainly hooked, line and sinker.

Yvonne salon started offering the fishy pedicures four months ago, and since, over 5,000 people have taken the plunge. John Ho, who runs the Yvonne Hair and Nails salon with his wife, Yvonne Le, says that he wanted to come up with something unique while finding a replacement for pedicures that use razors to scrape off dead skin. The razors have fallen out of favor with state regulators because of concerns about whether they’re sanitary.

Ho believes his is the only salon in the country to offer the treatment, which costs $35 for 15 minutes and $50 for 30 minutes. The spa has more than 1,000 fish, with about 100 in each individual pedicure tank at any given time.

———-

Related:

• BaltimoreSun.com: The ‘doctor fish’ are in: Tiny carp nibble away at scaly feet of Va. spa’s pedicure clients
• MSNBC.com: Tiny carp nibble your toes in fishy pedicure
• Yvonne Hair and Nails salon

So, this past weekend was my big move. I’m now officially inside of Columbia, within the sea of “weird” street names, although before (living right behind the Elkridge/Columbia Costco, Best Buy, Ulta, Lowe’s), I could have spit and it would have landed in Columbia. Only a few broken items or dings on furniture. Life goes on.

As you know, with any move, there are a million errands to run when suddenly you realize you need lots of random little things, to make house and put everything away. While out running some of those errands on Sunday afternoon, I drove back over to my old hood and went to Lowe’s, Best Buy, and then Target before returning home.

While at Target, with my mom, we split up initially and then met up in the lighting department. While apart in the store, she said she tried to call me on my cell phone but I never heard it ring (which is typical when it’s buried in my handbag) — so I thought nothing of it.

Later that night, at home, I went to use my cell phone and couldn’t find it anywhere. Amid the sea of boxes and piles, nowhere. And, I looked for a solid hour between my car and the house. Anyone that knows me well knows I am extremely organized (to the OCD point) and rarely lose things. And, suddenly I felt naked without my cell phone.

I logged onto my carrier’s web site and suspended service, to be cautious. I knew I would look again in the car in the morning light. While I was on the site, I looked at my call log and could see I made a call at 4:23 and then at 5:12 a call was placed from my cell phone to my new home phone. Well wouldn’t you believe that one of the errands we were running was for a longer phone cable and we had the old one with us…leaving the home phone disconnected while we were out running errands? And, now that I suspended service (and my battery was probably dead) they have no way to call me again. But, at least I know whoever has it is trying to get it back to me. Whew.

I quickly reattached my home phone and then read the Comcast booklet on setting up voicemail to see if the person who had my cell phone had left a message. Nothing.

In the morning, we called Lowe’s. My receipt showed we left at 5:01…so a 5:12 call could make sense. Not at Lowe’s. We called Best Buy. Not at Best Buy. We called Target. Not at Target. I’m starting to give up hope at this point of ever finding my cell phone again.

Later in the morning, I really started to believe that my red cell phone blended in with the red shopping cart at Lowe’s and while fumbling around in the cart, it certainly could have been left behind. So, I called Lowe’s again mid-day. And, then they thought maybe they did have it, but it was locked up and they would have to call me back after they checked. Luckily my phone is unique enough it’s easy to describe and recognize.

They called back — they did have it! So, I reactivated service and picked it up after work. I don’t feel naked anymore.

There are a couple of things to learn from this. Hopefully everyone will learn a little something from my lesson. I have friends who have lost cell phones that have not been so lucky.

1) Keep the zipper of your handbag compartment (or button on your pocket) containing your cell phone shut at all times.

2) Put a little sticker on the outside of your cell phone reading “If lost, call ###-###-####.” That way, if your phone is lost and the battery dies, they don’t have to access the phone’s memory to call you.

3) If you ever find someone’s cell phone (or anything else for that matter) turn it in to the closest place you are at. They will retrace their steps. Or, call the “Home” or “ICE (in case of emergency)” number in the phone’s memory and leave a detailed message of who you are and where the phone is at. Do not use the phone beyond that purpose. Wouldn’t you want someone to do the same for you?

THANK YOU to the kind person that found and turned in my cell phone. I am forever grateful.

4) If you don’t have a GrandCentral.com (by Google) account, you should consider one. While my phone was suspended yesterday, it was very easy for me to divert my calls to my home and work phones simultaneously, instead. GrandCentral.com is one single phone number that you give out and then can screen, block, direct calls as you wish. I’ve been using it for a few months and have really liked it.

Now, I just got to experience its greatest benefit first hand…

The “Sex” is back in the City.

Sex and the City: The Movie brought in nearly double the studio’s $30M prediction, with $55.7M opening weekend, kicking archaeologist Indiana Jones’ butt to second place, at $46M. Just shows the real power of women, especially in groups.

Everywhere I went with Girls and the City this weekend, there were groups and groups of well-dressed women. It was a weekend for rejoicing. As, we got to catch up a few years later in the lives of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte, and of course, girl number five…New York City, we all got another chance to bond with other women locally, and make new friends.

It made us laugh (hysterically, at times) and cry, and also wonder why so many women drug their poor husbands and boyfriends to the movie.

I loved the story line, the acting, the fashion, the music. I bought the soundtrack and can’t wait for disc two to be coming soon. I’m tempted to go back at least one more time to see the movie. I saw it in Chevy Chase on Saturday, but only about half the movie in Baltimore yesterday, as I had to leave early to take care of some business.

And, I can’t wait until it’s on DVD.

Let’s hope for more!

If you’ve got HBO, and you can’t wait two more weeks for Sex and the City: The Movie to hit theaters, then you’re in luck!  ‘First Look’ premieres tonight at 10:45 PM on HBO. Step behind the velvet rope and catch an exclusive first look at Sex and the City: The Movie.

And, don’t forget to register for one to seven Girls and the City ‘Sex and the City’ events, planned for the movie release weekend, Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1.

With just four more days to go before Girls and the City heads to New Orleans for weekend two of the annual Jazz Festival, and when my husband suggested going out to grab a bite to eat for breakfast this morning, I suddenly remembered having heard of this new (well, new to me) bakery in Columbia. When I suggested it, he was game.

They say, in marketing, that it usually takes around seven exposures to a business’ name before it’s actually imprinted on the brain. Well, I think that’s what happened in this case especially, because for the life of me I can’t remember all the places I’ve seen mention of the name. I can however remember the last exposure, that I saw on the HoCoBlogs.com web site (which I try to pull up at least once in a day, and if you are from around Howard Co. you should too). At the top of the Community section was a new post on the Hometown Columbia blog about yet another blog, the new Columbia Dog Talk blog. And, also links to the latter blog author’s meetup group and her web site featuring a list of local dog-friendly places (which I have sent in my contributions to, by the way).

And, there it was mentioned again… Touché Touchet Bakery, 10400 Shaker Drive, Columbia, MD 21066. It’s part of the Macgill’s Common neighborhood in the King’s Contrivance village, with a Columbia address, although just two doors down from the Simpsonville U.S. Post Office. Have you even ever heard of Simpsonville before? Must be an out-parcel in the Rouse-developed portions of Columbia…

With the sky a little ugly, the tables and chairs were locked up in front of the bakery. So, we left the pooch in the Jeep. But, we went inside to try it out. OMG, we’re we in heaven?! This place is so quaint, but it brought back memories of New Orleans from the decor down to the pasteries. I asked this nice gentleman behind the counter, who I’m certainly guessing is the (co)-owner of the bakery, if it was New Orleans-inspired. We get into this long discussion on the city. He’s from there. And, sorry folks, no beignets yet because of the grease-factor and permits. But, there were croissants, muffins, cakes, cookies, scones, and other fabulous looking (and I’m sure tasting) pastries galore!

Maximizing the space in the two refrigerated cabinets, it’s sure to see that this “mom-and-pop”-feeling bakery may have to be looking at expansion in the future! While we were there, we tried an assorment of fine delights and coffee, and even took some desserts to go.

We learned that this man behind the counter used to work at a fine Brennan’s restaurant in the French Quarter and hasn’t been back to New Orleans in three years (same thing with me - my last visit was three months before Hurricane Katrina hit) and he’s going in less than two weeks. So, we talked and talked about the city…and some of our favorite eateries “off the beaten path.” He even gave me a couple of recommendations on places I’ve never been. But, we both shared a love for Croissant d’Or Patisserie, which was amazing, since I’ve never met anyone else in this area that’s ever heard of the place. Everyone always has to go to Cafe du Monde (famous for their beignets and cafe’ au lait), that no one ventures out into the nooks and crannies of the FQ. I first learned of it from the Zagat Guide back in 2002. I’ve been hitting it on every trip since.

What we did learn by trying out Touché Touchet, is that we will be going back. I’m so glad to hear of it’s start in 2006 and will continue to be a patron as long as it reminds me of my favorite vacation town. If you are ever in the area, check it out, hours are on its web site.

———-

Know of other great eateries or businesses in the Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC metropolitan areas? Suggest them on the “Services” or “Places to Go” forums of the GATC Members Area Message Board.

Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda on the HBO hit TV series and upcoming movie: ‘Sex and the City,’ let a portion of the movie plot slip while on the Creation Nation comedy show at the Zipper Theater on Apr. 15 with host Billy Eichner.

With the mixed buzz on the upcoming movie release, some that may have already decided to skip the flick just might be changing their minds. The slip was regarding something serious that happens to one of the main characters in the movie. And, now people want to watch just to see what happens.

Well, I don’t want to be the one who told you… So, if you want to hear what she said, you can read more at the MSNBC.com scoop article.

———-

Did you know about the upcoming seven-event weekend of fun with Girls and the City? We have it set to overlap the release of the movie. Whether you are a fan of SATC or not, we have a variety of events that weekend that at least one of them is sure to interest you. See our ‘Sex and the City’ weekend of fun, where you can learn more about our seven fantastic events and register as a GATC-member or non-member. ‘Sex and the City’ here we come…

Do you remember how much Blockbuster pushed the “No More Late Fees” campaign? Well, I do, and thought it was a brilliant idea for those of us too busy to watch rented movies by the time we think we will. And, so I have been a little late returning movies since the start of the campaign. Usually, a couple of days after the movie is late, you’ll get an automated call to your phone to remind you to return it. Or, Blockbuster will charge you for the full price of the movie, until it is returned, when you are then refunded your money.

So, recently, I rented a movie at the Columbia, MD location, and got the message on my voicemail, just one day after the due date. So, I returned that movie the next day. By then, Blockbuster had charged my account for the full price of the movie. But, on return, they removed that charge.

In its place, they charged me a $1.50 restocking fee. Now, what I want to know is does it really cost Blockbuster additional money to have a clerk walk a movie back over to the shelf one day late as it does by the due date?

I found out about the fee when I went to rent two movies at the Annapolis, MD location. I said “I didn’t think Blockbuster had any late fees anymore?” The clerk said, “it’s not a late fee.” And, I said “yes it is.” He ended with saying “we’re not allowed to call them late fees anymore, but that is what it is.” And, it really is…no matter what term the big chain decides to disguise it with. So, I bit my tongue and paid the damn fee. But, I am a little perturbed that the campaign said “no more late fees,” when in fact that’s really false advertising. And, it’s not like I kept the movie - I did give it back. So, I basically got charged a small fee for being late…

Anyone have recommendations on well-stocked mom-and-pop movie rental stores? What do you know, if anything, about Hollywood Video? I’m considering making the switch…