Sunday, August 18, 2013

Online Dating - Can Women Make Moves Too?

How is it that online dating still has a relatively large stigma attached to it? It's 2013, a third of couples getting married met online. Lets all get over it. Shake it off. It is just online dating. Do not be embarrassed that your Mr./Mrs. Right didn't just fall off the turnip truck. Effort isn't a bad thing. People aren't meeting in grocery stores and at church as much as they use to. By the way, in the history of love did anyone really ever meet at the grocery store? I don't believe it. I want proof.

Today, there is a dating site for everyone - paid, free, straight, gay, second time around, and even sugar babies. I know about that one because my co-worker use to look at it (you know who you are). I'm sure somewhere out there there is a dating site for people who are gluten free. There really is a site for every type of person. Not only websites but now things like groupers exist and apps where you can swipe through potentials.

Here is maybe my biggest issue with people and online dating. Women who sign up for online dating sites and even pay for it but REFUSE to ever say hi to a man or even "flirt" or "wink" whatever the case may be. I do not understand the concept. Oh wait, there is more. These same women will complain that not enough men are contacting them. At this point I normally wonder if their parents dropped them when they were children. I completely agree that a man should take charge and event court a woman BUT to get to that point he has to meet you. There are thousands of people on dating sites, especially in big cities. Why not say hi to a guy who looks like a great fit. Spark a conversation. Don't worry that does not mean you have to propose and buy the ring. The weird thing is that I see this mainly with older friends who are still single. Break out of your shell. If things haven't worked your way yet, give something else a try. If you absolutely hate trying it then don't do it a second time.

I personally think a great match for everyone is out there. Maybe several. I don't think they all have to be in our backyard or just so happen to see you first and say hi to you first. If you want love and happily ever after and all that wonderful stuff put yourself out there more and maybe even say hi to someone first. It doesn't hurt. I mean no one likes when someone is not interested back but geez its online its not like it was a face to face rejection. Nut up ladies.

If you're one of these women I want to understand why? What is the harm in a hi to get the conversation started? You could be missing out on a wonderful catch. 


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

I Lolla'd and I liked it.

This is slightly past due in posting. By slightly, I mean over a week!

I have to say that I had the best weekend ever during Lollapalooza. I spent time with my two closest friends celebrating my best friends birthday. I feel so appreciative to be lucky enough to have great friends that I can have a blast with. Heard some great music and drank lots of beer. Also, got my exercise for the week in walking all over the place.

Things like Lollapalooza remind me why Chicago is such an amazing city to live. Events like this cause massive traffic and hassle but when you get to actually attend them, traffic hassle seems to disappear.

30 continues to be my favorite year of all time. Mainly, because I've been lucky enough to keep getting better as a person and spend it with people I love.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Blogger Lounge Famous

Look I'm famous! @MsNycole & The Savvy Brunette
I have to say, I have not had so much fun at an event in awhile. The event offered up food, music, art and so much more! I met new friends, saw old friends and saw lots of handsome fellas. Also, fell in love with this adorable little dog that I wanted to kidnap. 

The Street Food Artistry staff did a wonderful job putting everything together. There was so much to do, see and experience. Weather was nice and warm almost the entire time. The sky opened up the last hour. I had been there all day so I took off at that point. 

I got to try a lot of new things at the fest. One of my favorite new things was Jerk Chicken from the Jerk food truck. For $7 you got some chicken and a piece of bread. The chicken was spicy, but I was actually able to manage my way through it. I am normally horrible with anything and everything spicy but I did it like a champ. If you'd like to give them a try you can follow them on Twitter to find out where they're parked by going here.

Friends always make everything that much more fun!





My next favorite discovery was a tie between the mustache cookies from Getta Polpetta you see to the right and a Courvoisier Gold drink. I recommend giving it a try. Very tasty. Sweet but not too sweet. They describe it as:
A first of its kind, Courvoisier Gold is a light and exquisite cognac experience that is crafted with a delicate blend of Moscato wine from the South of France and Courvoisier’s signature cognac. 

Food truck heaven.

I wish I wasn't counting calories so closely because there were so many food trucks and stands at the event and I could have gone crazy!

Here is a list so you can follow them on Twitter and try them if you can find them:
- Jerk
- Herby Pop (Had a sample...AMAZING)
- Getta Polpetta (mustache cookies!)
- Puffs of Doom

What is an event without a selfie? 

My true highlight of the evening was arriving at the Bloggers Lounge and seeing the signage which you see in a photo above. My name is on there. Yep, project make myself a brand is working. I met a lot of great bloggers and even met some Twitter pals in real life. That was a great time.

Before I go...I have to give a quick shout out to a new pal I made, George. I bombarded him with questions because I saw his fraternity letters on a hat and found out he went to Toledo which is right by BGSU and went to the same HS as my mom back in Ohio. Small world. Anyhow he is a Style Consultant for J.Hilburn this really nice custom made shirt place! I totally want to have one made. Here is his website if you're looking for some really sharp dress shirts.

#SFA2013 you rocked... #SFA2014 bring it ;) Can't wait. 

Thursday, August 1, 2013

#GoBlue with Teespring!

Growing up, I was a total tomboy but that never stopped me from wanting to be a fashion designer. No joke. I use to draw pictures of dresses. Thought I would even design my wedding dress someday. Haven't actually cancelled out that idea yet, to be honest. I have a treat for the inner fashion designer in us all, Teespring! It's this amazing crowdfunding platform for groups, causes and communities where you can design and sell custom apparel. Maybe the coolest thing about it is that there is no cost to you to design the shirt. 
It is rather simple to get started. The biggest challenge of all is getting your shirt sold so that the order can go through. First visit Teespring.com and watch this quick design tutorial. Then once your training wheels are off, get your designer cap on and make an awesome shirt.

Come up with an awesome idea. You can choose color, font, and even upload an image. I have really pumped about college football season the past few weeks so I decided to make a Michigan Wolverines shirt. I have been a Wolverines fan since roughly age 13. I know what you're thinking, but you're from Ohio. Yep, get over it. Wolverines are my love! I'm sure you're also wondering what is up with the hashtag situation. Well, I'm a nerd. That is all. No really, I am a lover of all things social media and during football season #GoBlue can be seen in thousands of my tweets. So I wanted to make this shirt fun and nerdy!!

Cool shirt has been designed, now what? Now you set your price. I wanted this shirt to be affordable so we need to sell 499 of them in order for this shirt to go to print. It's ONLY $12. How often can you get a really sweet t-shirt for just $12 these days. This is a @MsNycole designer original.

We have just 2 weeks and 6 days starting NOW to get 499 shirts sold. Lets get it done!!

ORDER YOUR #GoBlue SHIRT HERE: 
http://teespring.com/thesavvybrunette
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Food + Art + Music = Must Attend Event

Foodies, art + cultural enthusiasts...this event is for you!

StreetFood Artistry

Sunday, August 11th 
1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
Zhou B. Art Center 
1029 W. 35th, Chicago  
Bridgeport’s premier Art District



I am looking forward to being a part of the Blogger Lounge at this years StreetFood Artistry. There will be great food, lots of art, music and more. Hopefully cute boys too ;) We all know that is one of my priorities so don't act shocked! Anyhow, I just looked at their first press release and there are some great food vendors already signed up and I hear there will be more! So far they've got Curried, Jerk 312 (sounds like the guys I date), The Getta Polpetta, Baby Cakes, Puffs of Doom, Herby Pop, Gigi's Bake Shop, and more!

Check out the video to see just how awesome this event looks. 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Personal August Challenge

During the month of August I will not be drinking pop or eating any fast food. I don't even know if I really like pop. I know I drank it a lot at my last job because I was free. Left the job and now I'm leaving pop :) Also, leaving fast food behind. I maybe get it 3-5 times a month. Shouldn't be too hard to axe out. I'm writing this really boring post because I know that if this challenge is out to the public I have to actually do it!! 

This is all a part of my goal to cut all the crap out. I plan to do some juicing. I enjoy healthy food so I want to just cleanse myself by getting rid of some useless calories. 

If you've ever done a food challenge of cleanse let me know how it worked out for you! Cross your fingers and wish me luck. 

Candy Crush Addict

Hi, my name is Nycole and I am addicted to Candy Crush....

Here is the thing though. I do not plan on stopping! This game was a brilliant idea. Somehow it gets you completely addicted to the point where you start to spend money. I have spent $10. Yes, I am embarrassed about it but I did it so deal with it.

Before I left my last job I would hand my phone to my co-worker to help me pass a level that was giving me trouble. He was about ten levels ahead of me at all times so he helped me pass at least two levels that I was stuck on. Well now that I've left that horrible place I no longer have a Candy Crush partner in crime. I will say I am grounding myself from spending more money on this. Please pray for my sanity.


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