So, whenever I do research I like to consult the various Top 10 lists out there to see which products are standing out from the rest.  One guide I found on camcorder reviews was at ExpoTV.  They even had my camcorder listed as one of the best!  I was really impressed that they mentioned all the best features of the Canon camcorder that I have, and it received 4.5 stars.  They have reviews by users, and where you can find the product at the best price. The reviews are in video, so you can really gauge the sincerity of the reviewers. 

While browsing the site, I found a great feature that I wish I had known about when making my purchase.  The Flip Video camcorder fits into your pocket so you can carry it anywhere with you.  That seems so much more convenient than having to pack a camcorder bag with all the equipment.  It stores up to 60 minutes of video recording.  This sounds really neat and its even convenient for getting in those tight spots that the ferrets hide in!

Today's posts were made possible in part by ExpoTV.

This year, I am planning on having another Halloween party.  This time I think I will have a costume party rather than a carving party.  There is so much variety on which kinds of costumes to wear but I always seem to have the same old ideas.  A baby, an angel, a ghost (the old sheet over your head lol), a Spice Girl....

I was browsing for costumes on the internet and found a site that features Disney and Star Wars Halloween costumes.  This is really a great idea because these are really hugely popular themes for costumes, because so many people enjoy the Disney and Star Wars characters.  Of course they have tons of other Halloween costumes too,  so many it would take you a long time to look through them all.  i like the Disney characters myself, because I grew up watching the Disney Channel and know them all.  My favorite has always been Sleeping Beauty but Ariel from the Little Mermaid comes in a close second.  The costume for Ariel is really great for a grown up party!  I will have to pass this site along to my friend who absolutely adores all-things-Disney.

I can't not believe how cute they are, whenever i get a dog I think I will get a mini-horse instead.

I tried going to a local spa for a facial and information on natural skin care. The esthetician recommended I use a Phyto cream to help 'calm' my skin.  I really liked using this green gel because it made my skin feel moisturized and cool.  I used it for a while but I didn't really see a difference unfortunately.  As you will see below, I think I had a skin condition that required more clinical intervention.

I started to notice that my skin was flushing a lot more freuqently, especially after a glass of wine or a hot bath. You should see me at the gym! My face would get so red and inflamed I felt like everyone was looking at me. I did some research and started to think I had a condition called rosacea. What also led me to this conclusion was one of the symptoms of rosacea, where what you think are pimples are actually things called postules that stay for a while and then leave a mark behind. So now I am on medication for rosacea and I really hope it will work. It says to give it a month but already I think I can see the difference- maybe that is just wishful thinking!  My dermatologist also advised me on what types of sunscreen and organic cosmetics would be best for my skin condition. I was looking on the internet for skin care products that met these guidelines, and I found a line called Lavere.  This line of products looks really great because they are all-natural and are missing a lot of the harsh chemicals that drugstore brands contain.  As I continue to focus more attention on my appearance and looking the best I can, you can bet I will be trying out some of their products!

1.  Paint the kitchen so it is not an ugly mint green anymore. 

2.  Paint the living room so it is darker and has more ambience.

3.  Hang pictures!  My parents need to show me how to do this cause I have plaster walls and because of that, if I don't secure the pictures, shelves, or whatever, they will fall right out and I can just imagine them hitting me in the head!

The thing I need to do first, before any of this, is replace the shag rug from my office.  I had to get rid of this thing because it shed so much, there was shedded hair from it all over my house, all the time!  Also the ferrets were eating it inadvertently too, probably.  I already got rid of it and put it into storage, and now I just have to find an affordable rug.  I was looking at IKEA and Target, and saw some nice things, but I don't know, it just seems like you get what you pay for there.  I was looking for something where there was a little more selection and quality.    I googled some stuff and did some research online on where to find rugs online and I found this site on cheap area rugs.  Just what I was looking for! 

Now, to decide what kind of rug I want.  I don't think I want an oriental area rug because I don't think that would really match the style of my home.  I like how you can search by size of rug here too, cause you know you want to make sure the rug won't look silly in the room you have it in.  A rug can really make a room look smaller, bigger, or change the whole feel of the room. 

They have some really neat area rugs at this online store.  Designs I have not seen anywhere, and like I mentioned above, I have in fact been looking around for a nice rug that matches my decor but doesn't break my bank.  Look at how cool this one is:

I have never seen anything like it anywhere, but its so cool looking!  I searched for burgundy rugs, just to see what they have because my room is done in brown and burgundy, and found this really nice one: 

That is definetly something I may purchase!

Well this is not a problem I am facing anymore, as that company was not a good fit for me and I am having a much better time at my current company.  But if I ever do need life insurance again, I will make sure to research a lot more about it and make sure I am getting the best life insurance rates .

One of the companies I found has a ton of information on this page.  All I did was google up some information on 'credit card purchases' and merchant research information and I found so much great information on this Merchant Account company!

I imagine nowadays real estate agents have to do a lot more when looking for new and loyal clients.  Many people are not ready to buy still cause they are afraid of the home value going down.  One valuable way to stand out in prospective buyer's mind is in the use of promotional marketing products.  I am sure everyone has seen calendars or pens with a business name or logo on them.  I am not sure how well things like pens work, but other products can really be appeciated by clients and seen as fantastic corporate gifts.  I remember my mentor at the real estate office where I worked would hand out packets of flower seeds for clients to remember her in the spring when they are planting their garden (also a popular time of year to be getting your home ready to sell).  Another great and appreciated gift were the rubber jar openers. 

As I was taking this trip down memory lane this morning, I decided to look up some business promotional products to see what is out there nowadays.  While a lot of the things you can get are pretty much the same across the board, it is important to look for unique marketing products that are affordable and good quality.  You don't want the very gift that represents your quality and service to break on the potential client!

When I think of bathrooms nowadays, I think of updated shower stalls that are all one piece and even go over what is already existing in the bathroom.  I also think of pedestal sinks and brightly lit vanity mirrors above the sinks.  I have even seen some funky faucets on those home decorating shows on tv.  I am not sure where on my list of priorities updating the bathroom falls.  On the one hand, I don't really like the colors.  On the other hand, there is a real old-fashioned comfy feel I have going on right now and I don't want to mess it up too much by making the wrong decorating decision and coming up with something that looks cold and space-age. 

One thing I have been thinking about every day since I have been spending time taking baths with oils and bubbles that I got for Christmas, is getting a heated towel rack.  Right now I drape my towel on the radiator but it doesn't warm the towel up that much.  I would love love love a cozy hot towel right after the bath on those freezing winter days.

I guess I will write more tommorrow.  Maybe I will talk about how my room decorations finally turned out. 

My friend is back from her trip to Prague, Budapest and the Czech Republic.  I am so envious of her seeing more of the world, I definetly am a person with an urge to travel and see the world.  I have got to be more frugal with my money so I can plan a vacation also.  I am going to Canada next week so that is something to be excited about.  I just hope my stomach pains subside by then. 

There is a new project I am working on related to an internet credit card processing company .  There are so many internet-based businesses out there.  It seems like everyone has something they are peddling online, and this company provides an easy, fool-proof way of accepting credit cards from customers.  The internet marketing company I work for uses it, as a matter of fact.  This is very interesting to me because a while back I wanted to develop a website selling high-end pet products.  It was when high-end dog items were just becoming popular but I think the ship has sailed regarding this type of product, considering I think every little city near me has one now.  I wish I had known how easily I could set up a website for internet sales though.  Once you have a website set up, which isn't all that hard in this day and age, you sign up for a merchant account, which allows you to accept credit card payments online.

I'm gonna go try to get some other work done but I will probably be back later!

I am going on vacation soon.  My boyfriend and I are going on a road trip.  Its for about 2 weeks time that we are gonna be going.  But we are not sure where we want to go even now, so soon before the trip!  We both have the feeling that we want to see more of the U.S., especially the cities in the South- New Orleans, Atlanta, I was pushing for Miami, I wanted to go as far as Texas or further.  The song 'Welcome to Miami' keeps running through my head (I have never been there). But heat is a big factor.  Since we will be in the car a lot of the time with the a/c running, John thinks his car will overheat.  Plus the price of gas will be that much higher with the AC on.  So then I guess we are thinking of going North, to Maine, Niagra Falls, Canada, etc.  It seems more boring to me, cause I was kind of pining for something glamarous, but I guess what is the point of going somewhere glamarous if you have been in the car for the past 2 days lol.  I just don't know if I am up for a huge hiking trip cause that is what I am imagining it will be like.

My company has been trying a new idea out of paying people to write articles for blogs, and I am considering signing up and writing up some stuff.  I know a lot about animals and pets so I am considering writing a few articles and picking up some extra cash.  I bet it would be pretty quick to write one about about something in the news too, although I don't know how much depth I would be able to get into.

I have to go pick up my textbooks by the end of the week to avoid the long lines.  I am so excited to start taking classes again!  I hope they are helpful.       

Today, I called my physician's office and said I need the doctor to fill out some paper saying I can work out at my gym, and the receptionist says to me, "Sorry you are gonna have to come in for that." Then I say, well, I have had a physical in the past year.  And she said no, they are requiring people to make an office appointment for any forms from now on.  Is that ridiculous or what?  And people wonder why health care costs are astronomical in this country.  I don't even know when this policy changed, but it is idiotic, pure and simple.  I am definetly getting a new doctor, not to mention my doctor's office is like 40 minutes away and now I have to drive there for 5 frigging minutes after work.  I am really pissed off about this.  I wish I had the nerve to tell them off.

Today I have been submitting my site to dozens of blog directories and posting a lot on message forums, trying to learn more about blogging but also to gain exposure to the blog.  Its hard work!  I sometimes can't get over the idea that I have nothing much to write about.  I am waiting on writing on the real estate housing complexes until I have the last bit of info on The Excelsior building which I can't find info about anywhere.  I am also gonna start writing articles for a new blog on search engine optimization for my boss.  That should be interesting as the prior writers wrote some pretty technical stuff and I am no expert.  Did I mention my degree is in Psychology?

So here is the article I wrote today on measuring windows for blinds (I'll update a link when article is published).  I borrowed a little bit from the information on the blind company we are working for- how many different ways can you write out instructions on measuring windows?? 

Yesterday I joined the gym finally and I am so excited to go there today and get my ID card and make an appointment with a trainer.

I have been assigned to work on a new project as well as the ones I am currently writing on.  This one is a real estate agent in Long Branch, NJ.  This is right up my ally, cause I still have an active real estate license and know a lot about the different aspects of buying and selling homes.  I worked on articles for the website yesterday- writing about different housing complexes in Long Branch: the Renaissance, Pier Village, and the Villas.  I must say, the places were so nice I want to move there myself!  I love some of the great towns in NJ- especially now that the state and towns have been putting a lot of work into building up waterfronts and having more to do.  Especially since housing is more affordable in Monmouth County compared to other areas of the state and nation, although I may have a warped sense of what is affordable given the real estate prices everywhere!      

I have been thinking a lot about money and my lack of it.  My biggest goal for this year is to pay off all my debt and start fresh with building up my savings and not having to worry about money.  One thing I am gonna pursue is making extra money on the internet here and there.  I am not at the expert level where I could make much yet, especially cause I don't have products to sell, but my boss is working on this new project where you can connect with companies who want to advertise on your blog site.  I don't have a ton of readership yet but I am hoping to get there eventually, and I signed up.

Well thats all for today, hope anyone reading this is having a good day!  

I have to admit I hope I get lots of thoughtful presents and I have a fun weekend!

The only thing I haven't done, as I mentioned in a previous entry, was get around to buying blinds.  After doing a ton of research for the articles I have been writing, I think I am really ready.  I originally wanted ebony wooden blinds, but since I am on a really tight budget, I think I am gonna go for an off-white, almost beige roller blinds.  I think they add a unique look because I don't see them around as much anymore.  Plus my pets won't mess around with them too much.  I actually really want the color you see on that link there!  That looks so beautiful, especially with the plants and stuff.     

What I did today was look for information on window treatments like window blinds and shades and how to shop for blinds depending on what you are looking for.  Today I worked on an article on choosing blinds and shades for the bedroom.  When I first started out on the topic I wasn't sure how I would find anything different in choosing blinds for a bedroom compared to any other room- how different could the choices be?  You don't think about these kinds of things unless you are in the midst of a current decorating project or are looking for solutions to insomnia.  So I had to do a lot of internet research on the subject and I did find some important things to consider.  One is whether you want your room dark or bright in the morning.  If you have trouble getting a good nights sleep you would want your room to stay dark in the morning to get that extra bit of deep sleep.  For people who are early risers, they may want their blinds and shades that allow a lot of light in because they like to wake up to the rise of the sun.  This is definetly not for me- since I can't ever get to sleep at night I need all the extra sleep I can get!  I definetly wish I was the sort of person who could fall asleep early at night and slowly wake up when the sun rises and not feel groggy because of lack of sleep.

Also nowadays they have remotes for your blinds!  Who knew?  I, for one, love all the luxurious features coming out for household items like window blinds.  I'd love to be able to close the blinds while I am already in bed and laying down to go to sleep, or if I am watching TV in bed and don't want the glare on the television screen but am too lazy too get up out of bed. 

Today after work I have to get quite a few things done- I am starting on a diet so I have to go get some healthy food at the grocery store.  Also I have to get back into the gym, and if I have time I want to wash my bird's cage outside and give it a good cleaning.  I hope everyone had as pleasant a holiday weekend as I did!   

Speaking of falling asleep, I've been sleeping on a couch I bought at IKEA a few months ago.  I redecorated my room 6 months ago- I changed the paint color so that the room is brown, gold, and cream, and I also bought a new sheet set and comforter from IKEA.  It looks really great.  I have a bed in my room, but for some reason I like sleeping on the sofa a lot better!  I can see the tv best from the sofa rather than my bed, and its just a weird phase I am going through I guess.  I decided to buy some cool new pillows at Linens and Things the other day so I can sleep in style.  The only problem left with this whole arangement is that my sofa is right under the window- every morning when the sun comes up it glares right on me while I am sleeping!  I took my old, ugly blinds off the window when I redecorated six months ago and then really never got around to getting new ones.  I am getting a tan by sleeping under that window!  Seriously, though, its awful- the room gets so hot during the day even though the air conditioner is on and then I wake up sweating in the early morning (way earlier than I intend to!) because of the sun coming through the windows. 

The reason I never got new blinds was mostly because I can never get around to going to the stores to shop for the right ones.  I prefer to relax and doing fun things in my free time, and that doesn't include driving through traffic to get to a store, trying to find a parking spot (and I am one of those people who will drive around forever for the perfect spot), and then getting dissapointed when they don't have what I am looking for.  Not to mention, last time I forgot to write down the window measurements before I went and the whole trip was a waste.  The other reason I have been reluctant to go shopping for the new blinds is because I am looking for something specific to go with the new decorating theme.  I don't want the standard white ones that are in every house.  I put a lot of effort into picking the right paint colors, bedsheets and pillows, etc. and I want something that looks unique and goes well. 

I don't exactly have a clear idea of what I want, but I am pretty positive I want dark faux-wood blinds to match the chocolate color of my walls.  I found pretty affordable blinds on the internet, but they are still a little out of my budget being that I haven't had a steady income in a while.  So...I am thinking now of using sheer window shades instead.  I like them because some ambient light comes through still, and I am definetly the kind of person who craves light coming into the room during the day.  They even have special light-blocking shades that are supposed to be amazing at keeping the light out and harmful effects when you want a darkened room.  They have a really pretty 'wheat' color at Guaranteed Blinds, where I have been browsing now that I finally got around to making buying blinds a priority.  The whole process is so much easier now when I can look through the different options while doing other stuff online at the same time.  Next I just have to get around to measuring the windows to get the right size.  Thats another thing that kept me from getting this task done- I didn't even know how to do measure the windows!  I didn't know whether to measure just the glass portion of the window or from trim to trim.  After doing a little research, I discovered I actually have a choice on how to measure for window blinds.  After reading about it, I think I will mount the blinds on the window frame itself, rather than over the trim, so people can still see the faux-gold window trim which took me forever to paint! 

I think I am gonna order the blinds next week after I get my paycheck.  It will be so nice to get a good nights sleep finally, and save money on my energy bills while keeping the room dark and cool!  

I really don't mind organizing things into systems and creating efficient administrative systems, as long as I have the right supplies on hand to get the job done right.  You need to have enough space in filing cabinets for all the paperwork.  Then you have to make sure you have plenty of hanging file folders- I hate when the folders get too stuffed and just messes up the neat appearance.  I am not sure how I feel about the regular colored file folders.  I think I may prefer to just keep the papers in the hanging folders and have one hanging folder for each company- keeps the files a lot smaller.  And PLENTY of tabs and the paper insert thingys.  I usually dread the piles of paperwork beforehand but get a real sense of satisfaction out of creating neat and organized workplace so that things run a lot more quickly and smoothly in the future with more mail.  Now if only I could get my 'boss' at Discount Click Internet Marketing  to keep all the incoming mail in one place or even learn how to file it himself when I am not in the office for months!

I am still thinking of pursuing jobs in the sales sector though, starting with the one I am at now called Discount Click.  This blog is actually my first big project that I am responsible for maintaining and updating on a regular basis!  Working at this company is giving me a ton of experience on how to market websites for the search engines.  I never knew there was an entire industry set up for this behind-the-scenes advertising.  Before I started working here I thought it would be enough to sell a good product that people would want, but I realized quickly how naive of me that was, at least for the internet world.  There are billions of websites out there, and it is not enough to have a good product anymore unfortunately.  There is so much marketing that goes into any web site.  Think about it this way- there are so many sites to choose from when you search for even the littlest thing, so the key is to be at the top of the search results. Otherwise, how many are you really gonna search thru before finding what you are looking for or giving up?  Gosh, when you see the results you can get with using website marketing strategies it is enough to make me want to go out and make my own site- I have so many ideas that come and go but working has has made me realize that if I did some careful search engine optimization I really would be guaranteed a shot at making some money off of my idea. 

Now that I am doing other stuff in the sales industry besides real estate, it is more satisfying for me to provide a service for people instead of convincing them to buy something that isn't mine and I may not even believe in, for example not really liking a house I am doing an Open House for and not believing the asking price is fair.  Anyway, I find it much easier to sell when I can provide a service that people value and can see the benefits of without having to do a lot of convincing, sales pitches and tactics.  People appreciate the marketing we do for them, and they can see the results just by doing searches on Google or any search engine.