This morning I had the opportunity to attend the February meeting for the Cincinnati Women Blogger’s Group held at the Red Tree Gallery & Coffee Shop in Oakley.  Jennifer McClure, Vice President at Centennial, Inc., spoke to the group about using blogs and other social media tools in your job search.

First, I would like to thank Jennifer for meeting with us today and the Red Tree Gallery & Coffee Shop for having us. I have seen the sign before however, never had the chance to check it out. If you are ever in the Oakley area, I recommend it because of it’s charm and atmosphere. I liked the different levels and areas along with being surrounded by paintings from local artist. A large conference like table in the back almost fit all of our mighty group. It was definitely nice to see such a great turnout of both regulars and new bloggers.

I enjoyed meeting Jennifer and found her thoughts regarding the topic as both informational and interesting. A lot of people misunderstand mediums like Twitter and Facebook as mere child’s play however, they fail to factor in the power of the web in whole as a tool. Using sites like those above can introduce you to contacts and friends that you may not have otherwise been able to make.

An important thing to remember is to be true to yourself and think about how you want to be portrayed to the public. As discussed in the meeting, some may wish to use FaceBook as simply a way for friends to keep in contact or as part of your social life. If used properly though, it could land you a job when needed or as I know in my own company, cost you your current job (not my own thank goodness). This is why one needs to pay special attention to what words come out of their mouth. Remember something that you say online is not like speaking one on one to a close friend but one on hundreds if not thousands,!

Don’t be afraid to ask for something you may need however, respect others privacy and don’t demand something from someone you don’t even know. You need to make connections and show desire to really know someone before you ask them to help you. Why should this person help you? A perfect comment made by a group member is that “you wouldn’t ask a dentist to clean your teeth for free”.

A great place to start is by reading others blogs that relate to you and commenting if you find their posts relative and interesting. If you run your own blog, be sure to thank the person and reply to a comment that they leave. Look for common interests through searches on Twitter and LinkedIn and tweet when you have something to say again watching how you want yourself to be seen.

Check the cincinnatiwomenblogger website for more details on the meeting.

I never realized the power of Amazon. So far, I have ordered my son’s vitamins, ink for my printer, a camera for my husband and cooking supplies for my gluten free collection. I even check for lingerie before I started to write this and yep, they have that too! For the guys or gals like me, they even have tools.

Everything that I have purchased from Amazon (including the other businesses they work with), I have been please on the ease of using the website and receiving my products. Shipping time is always pretty quick.

If you do order from them regularly, they offer Amazon Prime which offers free 2 day shipping or 1 day shipping for only $3.99 per item. You are given a free 2 week trial and the cost is $79 a year.

Some items are even eligible for the Super Saver which gives you free shipping (5-9 days) on eligible purchases over $25.

Do you have a business that sells items that may be perfect to sell on Amazon? Or, perhaps you would be interested in selling things there. I’m not talking used shoes here however, they do sell new and used items and listing is free, minimal costs if your item sells.

Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate and a couple of the links are linked to my account, which is only paid if item is purchased. I do however, use and love Amazon.com and my relationship with them does not cost you any more for the item.

For some reason, I am now into cupcakes. They are not only a yummy treat but also portable requiring no utensils and I have more than one shot at being creative with the icing. I recently purchased a new Wilton cupcake set that comes with different tips and bags for decorating. Honestly, I love the cake boss on the Food Network.

I picked up Great Gluten-Free Baking from the library and set off for home. The cupcake choices in this book are  limited and include ones that call for ingredients like Lavender, which funny enough I actually have. Another one  that I am dying to try are the Tiramisu cupcakes. Unfortunately, I did not have the Marscapone cheese or Marsala wine. Later then.

I finally decided on the Victoria Sandwich Cake and simply poured the batter into the cupcake liners instead. The one thing that I liked about the recipe is that it did not call for anything involving beans or potatoes. What I like about gluten free baking is that unlike most regular recipes, all of the ingredients are mixed together at once. With only 7 ingredients, prep time was minimal. The recipe calls for a baking time of 20 minutes. Since they are cupcakes and I used the top part of my oven, I set the timer for 12 minutes. Perfect.

My favorite part of course was the icing. Made from  scratch, I know exactly what’s in it and it’s not hydrogenated or filled with high fructose anything. Meringue powder, powdered sugar, water, extracts of vanilla, butter and almond. I even added some organic  juice for the color.

Just cooled right after baking, they were pretty good. Very little flour was used and that was brown rice flower. The texture and taste was nice and with nothing extreme in the ingredients, the icing or any fillings used (the cake recipe calls for raspberry jam in the middle of the two layers) is the dominant flavor.

The next day, they tasted as if they were made with a corn flour since the taste and texture was like sweet corn bread muffins. Also, the icing lifted right off of the top. I wonder if store bought icing would make a difference?

I have to admit that unless they were to be eaten right away, I am not sure if I will use this particular recipe again since they are only really good that first day.

Victoria Sandwich Cake

3/4 cup butter, 1 1/2 sticks        Mix  ingred, together and bake

3/4 cup sugar                               20 min in a 400degree  oven.

1 cup brown  rice flour                Once cooled, spread jam

3 eggs                                               between layers and dust

1 Tbsp GF baking powder            powdered sugar on top.

few drops  of vanilla extract

1 Tbsp milk

For the filling

4 Tbsp raspberry jam

Powdered sugar to dust

What does writers block have to do with flight delays you say?

I have a lot of time to write now that I am not flying due to a knee surgery. I was under all hopes to return to work in the middle of February and then the 1st of March. My knee is still causing me excruciating pain and my doctor says that his date stands, which is the 22nd. I have an appointment close to that and we will discuss it then. So, my flying has been delayed.

With all of this time to write, what do I write about? The good news is that I did find something new to write about about on the other blog, so this one may need a day or two to cool down.

Please stay with me and leave a comment if you are actually reading this and have any ideas.

This morning I came up with an idea for breakfast based somewhat off of an idea that I got from a sandwich that my friend likes. Hers of course is a peanut butter, jelly and foie gras. Yes folks, foie gras. I was a bit confused and concerned that I had read it incorrectly myself. After explanation, it’s actually sounds good. Cashew butter with homemade marmalade and foie gras on a toasted brioche.

Mine of course was a bit different.

I looked around for something to eat and found gluten free frozen waffles. Good start. I toasted the waffles, smeared sunflower seed butter on one side and placed sliced banana on the other side. Put the two sides together and cut into bite size pieces. I then sparingly poured flax seed oil and a maple syrup/agave nectar blend syrup on top and enjoyed. Both the sunflower seed butter and the syrup are from Trader Joe’s. I must say that it was quite good and something that I will definitely make again.

Perhaps you’ve thought about the ballet or may be you even enjoy a show once or twice. What’s holding you back?  How much do you know about our ballet and the dancers?

There are so many ways to get involved with the Cincinnati Ballet!

I’ve already told you about Ballet and Beer (I think the spots fill up as soon as registration opens), and you can easily find the dates for the upcoming production by visiting this site or cballet.org. And yet there’s more!

When the upcoming season is starting, be sure to purchase that season’s subscription. Or, show your support by  donating* to the Cincinnati Ballet allowing not only the beautiful art of ballet to continue but the educational outreach programs that are run enriching this great city even more.                   (*See site for donation amounts and benefits)

After each evening’s performance the Cincinnati ballet holds a party just for subscribers. Except for  New Works, after party’s will be held at the Aronoff. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar while mingling the dancers and getting to know them personally.

The new 2010/2011 season will be announced on March 14th. One great new addition to the season, which was announced first by Victoria Morgan during opening night for Cinderella, is a performance of Sleeping Beauty danced with the Cincinnati Symphony at Music Hall October 22-24!

Don’t miss out on your subscription and all it’s benefits!

And once again, it snows. It never snows this much Downtown! Unfortunately due to one of the more recent snow storms, my son’s first birthday party here in Cincinnati with friends (we usually have a party in Florida with all of the cousins) had to be canceled! I tried to make it up to him the next day but I simply do not think it was quite the same.

So, this past weekend when another storm was heading our way, my husband and I decided to try and go somewhere to get away from it all. There were no more direct flights out of here so we decided to “get away” in town.

The husband suggested The Great Wolf Lodge. I had heard of it but we had never been. These last minute plans were mad on Valentine’s Day so no vacancy for us. Me in my infinite wisdom, booked a hotel as close to the lodge as I could get for a very reasonable penny and then the lodge for Monday night. I will not lie and tell you it’s an inexpensive venture however, what I would soon discover is that it’s really a cool place. I could not believe my eyes at the very size of this place. What I could believe is why it cost so much.

If you go directly onto their site, the most basic room is $209.95. If you visit another site like Expedia, you will be able to chop off a few bucks for a cost of $190.00. This includes 2 adults and 2 children for the room and the water park. Not really that bad if you were to consider the costs of water park tickets. ($27.99x 2adults + $10.50×2children = $76.98) This leaves the hotel room at about $113. In this most basic room is two queen beds, full bath, a semi-private living room with separate television, sleeper sofa and fireplace, a table with chairs, a mini kitchen and a balcony/porch.

The one thing that I liked (use with caution) is the wrist band that each guest receives. This is your room key, “cash” and admission tickets to the water park anytime you want. The kids get their own however, it only gives admission to the park. The water park is massive and has different areas for all ages including an adult only whirlpool and a family “hot tub” that is safe enough for babies. Various slides for all ages too, lazy river, wave pool…you get the picture.

Another great thing is you can get a 16″ cheese pizza for only $8.95! Everything else food related is pretty typical pricey. If you are smart, you can bring most of your own stuff and use the fridge and microwave in your room.

Another way to amuse yourself and your kids, is the amazing game room, with every game from skeeball to motocycle games, a roller coaster simulator and the fun ones that are like Vegas to win tickets for prizes.

Finally, if that’s not enough, you can purchase a Wizard’s wand and game book and play the largest scavenger hunt I have ever seen. With a wave of your wand over the correctly found object that span 4 floors, one receives a Rune. Collect all of the Rune’s and you may participate in different adventures, such as fighting the mighty dragon or helping the pixie with her failing crystal. It’s not as easy as it sounds so be up for an adventure!

I must say that I would most definitely recommend this “hotel” to anyone with children looking for a grand vacation all in one place. Of course, I did see quite a few business people there also. I know I had fun so perhaps it’s not just for kids…

Tonight I had the pleasure of seeing the Cincinnati Ballet’s production of Cinderella, made that much more intense by the privilege of having the live orchestra thanks to patron’s support.

The rich velvet curtain opened to a scene of Cinderella scrubbing the floor, the step-mother and the father working at a spinning wheel while the wicked step-sisters, danced gloriously by two of the ballet’s male dancers, embroidering a silk scarf. A comedic fight breaks loose over the scarf that is eventually torn in half by the step-mother to make both girls happy.

Tonight, the lead role of Cinderella was danced by Janessa Touchet. Throughout the entire ballet performance, I was memorized by Ms. Touchet’s hand and arms. While this may sound strange to some, the entire body is used expressively in dance and the arms in ballet most definitely. Janessa played a most exquisites role with her perfected art that has blossomed and embrassed over the years. An amazing confidence as a dancer, a special treat for the rest of us.

The quirky step-mother danced by another favorite, Kelly Yankle, was perfectly cast and held a wonderful balance of protective mother and producer of laughs. Speaking of laughs, the step-sisters, danced by Stephen Jacobson and Selahattin Erkan could have easily stolen the show. What fun they had in these parts! On more than one occasion the audience laughed with glee at the antics these two conspired usually against each other.

The father, danced by Devon Carney, Associate Artistic Director for the Cincinnati Ballet, is the part that I mentioned before I have never had the privilege of seeing. In this version, based off of Charles Perrault’s 19th century tale and using the beautiful music of Sergei Prokofiev, I enjoyed watching the attempts of the father to rescue his daughter from the step-family even though he is too weak in nerve to stand up to this woman he married and her own selfish wicked daughters.

The tale goes on by showing Cinderella’s own good natured heart as she offers to feed what she believes is a beggar, who turns out to be her fairy godmother, danced by the ever so lovely Sarah Hairston.

One of my most favorite parts in any ballet, which was performed in the third act tonight, is when the male role, the Price danced ever so powerfully and convincing by Olgucan Borova, lifts the female through the air with such grace and ease it looks like no work at all. Involving years of practice and technical genius if you ask me, I never fail to have chills run across my arms and the breath escape my lungs.

If you have not made plans to see the ballet this weekend, you must check it out and enjoy this lovely story for yourself.

Or, how about chocolate and flowers!

How do you feel if someone sent you flowers at your office for the whole staff to see? If I worked in an office, I think that I would love it. Considering I work on an aircraft…perhaps a corsage? I of course would accept chocolate any time of the year.

I always find it particularly amazing how much money is spent on Valentine’s day versus the rest of the year. Why do we need a holiday to send flowers or enjoy a bottle of wine for a romantic evening?

Either way, it’s really nice when a reminder is sent our way and an excuse to really make it happen. Enjoy!

I know what you are thinking, this can’t be true. Or, perhaps I’ve just never been to a good salon. I finally broke down and went to have someone else color my hair. It had been a while because I got sick of trying to dye my own hair, which I would not have been doing if I had a place I liked and trusted. My fears began many years ago with nothing less than my school prom…

A girl’s  prom experience is supposed to be like a fairy tale, right? I can’t remember if it was my junior or senior prom but I do remember where it took place and what happened. My parents wanted me to have the whole experience and so I went with my Mom to have my hair professionally styled. Did you know that just because someone works at a salon it doesn’t guarantee that they can fashion an up-do? I think that would be part of their training. Hair style 101! If I remember correctly, there was crying. If I know myself at all probably a few words that my Mom didn’t need to hear.

Also in those younger years, I remember a perm in the mall where I was let loose looking like a poodle. And of course hair cuts where the stylist felt at liberty to explore her own creativity.

Note to stylists: Not everyone gives a damn if you have a need to feel creative that day. Please do NOT practice on my head of hair by cutting it all off. Get a Barbie head or something!

After having my hair dyed Playboy blond a while ago, I decided that I didn’t need to spend that kind of money to go to someone that just wasn’t all that great it in my opinion and I could do it myself. One should know a little bit about hair coloring processes prior to coloring their own hair.

So, TIP #2, if you are going to do your own hair read the directions fully BEFORE dying your hair. When it starts to grow out only do the roots. They say this for a reason. It’s a whole chemical process and everything. The problem is that when you keep dying your hair blond and then decide to go back to brown because you have a baby and no time or patience to keep doing it yourself, it will simply fade to a strawberry blond.

This brings me to my current stylist, Dean, at Salon Central. I watched this place for weeks every time I went to my favorite coffee hangout until I finally saw the sign outside *OPEN* and stepped in to check it out. The employees are really kind and the prices reasonable. Right away  Dean offered a consultation just to discuss my hair and the issues I was having. No charge or guilt to come back or stay and pay obscene amounts to do something that really wasn’t a big deal in the first place (not that I am naming any names here, Phyliss). I made an appointment to come back and start filling in the emptiness that had become my shallow, lifeless strands of hair.

Last week I made another appointment to add some blond to my very brown hair. One problem is that I have a hard time explaining myself and then take things as they are whether I like it or not at the risk of hurting someone’s feelings. I spent the weekend avoiding the mirror to avoid seeing the look of gold poured on the top of my head and the panic attack that would follow. Monday morning I called and made a follow up appointment to address the issue. He told me to let him know if I liked it or not and if it were the latter, he would tweak it until it was right. Oh, sure he’ll fix it but at what cost?

Actually, it cost nothing. He really meant what he said and the fix was so easy. One process. One. That’s it. After all of that upset, the color was transformed into a much softer cooler color. The owner even sent me away with a shampoo to keep the color right! How cool is that? I cannot believe it.

A couple of months ago, Dean cut my hair and my Mom’s and did just what we asked. “Just the tips please”, we both said. “No problem”, he said. And that was that. No creative needs to fill. He did exactly what we asked. My Mom even wants to come back up all the way from Florida just to have him cut her hair. That doesn’t say a whole lot about the stylist down there where she’s at (see the first three paragraphs).

So, thank you Dean. You had me at first cut….