I feel very lucky that I had the opportunity to live in London for almost five years.

Prior to my lengthy stint abroad, I had only left the U.S. once. Unfortunately, Americans have a bad rap for not leaving our bubble. I think that this is an unfair judgment.

Since the U.S. is so big, we have countless travel opportunities to experience different climates, topography, and micro-cultures without ever having to leave the country.

Did you know that even though Europe is only slightly larger than the U.S., it is composed of 50 individual countries? Just as we can easily visit different states, it’s no big deal to travel from one European country to another.

I believe that travel can bring out both the best and the worst of people. You are pushing your limits, and shying away from your comfort zone and a lot of things can go wrong on the go.

Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter, or this is your first time leaving your home state, here are a few tips that will make your world travels easier and more affordable!

Traveling the world by air

If you’re traveling far, there may be no other transportation option other than an airplane. Airlines are notorious for gouging prices during long weekends, holidays and any other time when travel is popular or convenient. The trick is to beat the system. Travel mid-week or during an off season, and try to avoid holidays. If you don’t have a particular destination in mind, you can use the “explore” option on Kiwi.com. It lets you view awesome deals, and you can save a ton if you’re flexible!

If possible, try to book most of your trips with the same airline. This will allow you to start racking up points that can be used for free flights, upgrades, and lounge access. If you’re flying with a budget airline, make sure to read all the T&C’s in advance. They can be very sneaky about hidden charges for things like printing your boarding pass at the airport or selecting your seat in advance.

Traveling by train

While hotels and airlines sometimes offer last minute deals, this is almost never true for train operators. Whether you are taking a short trip from N.Y.C. to Cold Spring, or you’re traveling from London to Paris, the key is to book as far in advance as possible! Don’t bother springing for first class, the difference between first class and standard coaches are almost indistinguishable. Save your money for a cool souvenir or that funky exotic cocktail you’ve been wanting to try!

Traveling by bus

I was born and raised in the Florida suburbs, and the only buses I ever came across had one destination…school. They were never a means of reliable daily transportation or long haul travel, so you can imagine my reluctance to try public buses.

Now, I ride the bus all the time! You can travel across state lines for as low as…wait for it…$5. I kid you not! Every few months I take trips back and forth between N.Y.C. and D.C. and it usually costs me around $15 each way, or $30 round trip. Just as is true with trains, the further in advance you book, the cheaper it will be. If you’re traveling to a city with public transportation like public buses or a subway, consider taking a long haul bus instead of renting a car. It’s easier and cheaper, and you won’t need to worry about parking!

How to travel light

In addition to the total pain of having to schlep multiple bags and suitcases, traveling heavy can also make a dent in your wallet. Many budget airlines and other transportation providers will offer low prices, but beware, there are no amenities included. You may think that you already possess a “carry on” bag, but make sure you double-check the airline’s weight and dimension restrictions for luggage before you finish packing. This will help you avoid some hefty fines at the gate!

11 More essential travel hacks

1. Pack light and wash your clothes on the go…in the sink!

Bring a plastic bag with laundry pods in it, and a bath stopper (or use the plastic bag.) Then, fill the bathroom sink of your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb with warm water and detergent, and hand wash your clothes.

Make sure you thoroughly rinse each item, so your clothes don’t become crunchy or chalky with soap stains. When you’re done, lay them out to dry. This is particularly easy with socks and panties but is a bit trickier with larger heavier clothes that take much longer to dry.

2. Liquid limits are no joke when you only have a carry on.

Use a weekly pill organizer to bring travel sized versions of foundation and moisturizers, just make sure it’s airtight so you don’t have leaks!

3. Speaking of leaks, prevent them by putting a tiny square of cling wrap over the container’s opening and screwing or snapping the lid on tightly over the wrap.

This hack is particularly useful with travel-sized bottles.

4. Bringing jewelry?

Tangled necklaces and lost earrings floating around amongst your clothes are the worst. A small jewelry organizer can have a huge impact in helping you to keep things orderly.

5. Scan copies of your passport, driver’s license, and credit/debit cards before you leave on your trip.

Leave these scans with a trusted friend back home, and also take copies with you and keep them in a safe place. In case any of them get lost or stolen, it’s great to have a backup!

6.  If you don’t already have one, apply for a credit card that gives you extra points for travel charges.

Also, check to make sure that it doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.

7. Pack a large blanket scarf.

This can keep you warm on cold flights, and can offer modesty if you need to cover your shoulders to visit any religious landmarks.

8. Sleep tight.

Bring an eye mask to get some zzz’s even if there is lots of light. Also bring some earplugs; hotels, hostels, or group housing can be noisy!

9. Wrinkles are only cute on shar peis.

You can find mini travel steamers for as low as $20. This will be your best investment not only for travel, but I use mine at home daily!

10. Before your trip, check out discount sites like Groupon.com and search for activities in the city you’re traveling to. It can help you save loads on excursions and meals!

11. If you plan on traveling (domestically or abroad) more than a few times a year, it is 100% worth it to apply for TSA Pre✓/Global Entry.

It involves an easy online application and a 10-minute interview where your fingerprints are taken and a background check is conducted at an enrollment center (often at your local airport). It costs $85 and is good for 5 years!

Membership allows you to go in the Pre✓ fast lane through security, and you don’t have to take off your shoes, light jackets, or remove your laptop from your bag. You also receive Global Entry status, which allows you to breeze through immigration when you return home from international travel.

There are so many reasons to travel, but also so many things that can hold us back. Whether your personal reason is budget, lack of time, or fear, don’t let it stop you from experiencing all the wonderful things beyond your city.

Scoliosis is a condition that causes a curvature of the spine. It is genetic, and is seen more predominantly in girls than boys (girls are six times more likely to develop the condition). Only a small percentage of people with Scoliosis require treatment, with only about 30% requiring a brace, and 10% requiring surgery. Many people have a slight form of Scoliosis, but it often goes undiagnosed. Uneven hips and shoulders can be an early sign of developing Scoliosis. The most common method of Scoliosis screening is to have the patient bend over to touch their toes, which causes the spine to become more prominent and allows the doctor or nurse to check for any curves.

If you’ve seen the movie or read Molly’s Game, you may remember that Molly Bloom also has Scoliosis. Shout out to some other badass well known people with Scoliosis…Usain Bolt (there goes my excuse that I can’t run due to my condition), Elizabeth Taylor, Shailene Woodley, Liza Minnelli, and Vanessa Williams. Early diagnosis is key, as treatment can greatly affect a patient’s overall health and even save their lives.

What it was like when I was first diagnosed 

When I was diagnosed with Scoliosis in 7th grade at the tender, and often melodramatic, age of twelve, I thought it was literally the end of the world. After the screening, I was informed that I was an “at risk case” and that I needed to see a specialist. I was incredibly scared and didn’t know what to expect. My mom and I read up on the condition, treatment options, anything we could get our hands on. I was referred to Shriners Hospital for Children, where I met with a bone condition specialist. He confirmed that I had moderate to severe Scoliosis, and would require treatment. This treatment? A back brace.

As I’m sure you did just now, I also flashed back to every teen movie I had seen about the class loser, with headgear, a back brace, glasses…you know the stereotype. I was horrified. I was pissed off. After the doctor left the room, I cried, stamped my feet and firmly told my mom I would never wear the brace.

I was still distraught and acting out as we walked towards the exit of the hospital, when something stopped me in my tracks. In the waiting room, I saw several other children. One of them was laughing and sitting in a wheelchair, his legs ending at his knees. The other, was twirling around dancing, raising her prosthetic arms in the air. They were happy; they were playing; they were completely normal. They didn’t let their condition affect them at all. From that moment on, I promised myself that I would not define myself by my disability, that instead I would embrace it (see what I did there?). I would become a stronger person not in spite of it, but because of it. 

What it was like to be the only one at school

Most of my teachers and classmates were not familiar with Scoliosis. The other kids at school asked me, “Does it hurt? Is it contagious? Are you going to die?” I was the resident Scoliosis expert, educating my peers on the condition, and reassuring their uncertainties and fears. I chose to wear the brace under my clothes, but it was still very obvious by my posture and limited movements.

There were a few awkward moments.

One time during the early days of my treatment when I was still getting used to my brace, I was sitting in math class (already my least favorite part of the day), when I dropped my pencil on the floor. Under normal circumstances, I would be able to just reach over and pick it up. However, due to the structure of the brace, I was unable to bend my back or move my hips. This caused me stretch too far, which made me lose my balance and fall off of my chair onto the floor. To make matters worse, when I landed on my back, I could not get up. Picture a turtle stuck on its back, and then imagine a much more awkward flailing 12 year old. That was me. I wanted to cry on the spot and disappear into the floor, but in situations like that all you can do is laugh it off.

Another defining moment was changing for P.E. class in the locker rooms for the first time after getting my brace. As if I wasn’t uncomfortable already with my changing body during those awkward years…adding a back brace did not help. On the first day I wore my brace to gym class, I was the recipient of some stares when changing in the locker room. My brace was worn 24/7, except when exercising or showering. As I took off my shirt to reveal my brace, I felt the gaze of my peers. For many, it was the first time they had seen a treatment brace like mine. Over time, they got used to it and the stares didn’t last for very long. I quickly realized that my gym locker wasn’t big enough to hold my brace, so I had to get a special spot in the gym teacher’s closet to hold it during my exercise time.

Perhaps my crowning moment of glory was when I was walking up the stairs at school, and the waist of my pants began to slip and actually dropped down around my knees, causing me to fall up the stairs. How did this even happen?! Since the brace protruded several inches from the waist and hips, I had to purchase bigger clothes to fit over it. Shout out to my mom for having the brilliant idea of sourcing clothes from maternity stores (even if I was slightly traumatized by the fact that I could fit into these clothes!) My pants were made out of a stretchy material (think jeggings before they were even a thing), and a bit too big. The smooth plastic of the brace provided no grip for them and they simply fell down. The only way to remedy this issue was to Macgyver a solution with a piece of ribbon that looped from the brace’s ventilation holes through my belt loops on my pants. They were essentially some crazy suspenders!

Over time, I learned that the brace could be an asset. It came in handy during chorus when we needed a woodblock percussion substitute. I could simply knock on my plastic brace and drop some beats. It also acted as a really clunky, uncomfortable plastic version of Spanx…I always had the flattest tummy! Additionally, I was able to use it as a creative outlet and doodle on the brace with dry erase markers, providing a portable whiteboard for me and my friends.

Why a support system is everything

Kids can be cruel, especially during middle school. I’m sure that I was the brunt of many jokes, and did get plenty of side eye. However, I was so fortunate to have the best friends, family, and teachers in the world. They were my cheerleaders, my therapists, and my shoulders to cry on when things got tough. I can’t even begin to express my gratitude for Shriners Hospital.

The Shriners are members of a society based on fun, fellowship, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. My grandfather is a Mason, and my boyfriend is a Shriner, and the Shrine’s charitable arm is Shriners Hospital for Children. This hospital network treats children with with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs within a compassionate, family-centered care environment. They provide free healthcare to all children in need, and I was fortunate enough to be under their care from the time I was 12 until I was 18 years old.

As part of this treatment, I was assigned a caseworker who was always there for my emotional and medical needs. I wore my brace full-time until I was 14, wore it every evening while I slept until I was 16, and then I had physical therapy provided by the hospital until I was 18 years old. I will forever be grateful to the staff at Shriners Hospital, who became my family. I am also so thankful for my mom, who came with me to every single appointment, amassing hundreds of hours in doctor’s offices with me. Not to mention the hours she put in on crazy shopping trips that often ended with tears in the dressing rooms.

Fast forwarding to the present….I recently met Sarah Herron, who many of you may have first encountered in Season 17 of the Bachelor, and later in Bachelor in Paradise. I learned that Sarah is so much more than a reality TV star, but is a boss babe and a force to be reckoned with.

She is the founder of an amazing organization called SheLift, which empowers girls with physical differences to improve self-acceptance and confidence through outdoor adventures and body-positive mentorship. SheLift provides experiences to young women with disabilities to help them live authentic lives and connect with others. SheLift aims to normalize differences while developing, challenging, and nurturing girls’ physical and emotional abilities. I’m thrilled to know that there are people out there like Sarah who are making such a positive impact on young girls, and I SO wish this was around when I was younger!

What the experience taught me

The main thing I have learned from my experience living with Scoliosis is that everyone has something. There will always be people who are more fortunate than you are, as will there always be people less fortunate than you. The only thing that we can control about life is how we live it.

As an illustrator, it is my job to bring fun, color, and whimsy to every surface on the earth, including treatment gear. I am currently working on a line of “brace-friendly” stickers to be placed onto casts and braces to help brighten up the treatment process for the kids who need it the most. Stay tuned for updates!

I am a big fan of old adages and quotes because I feel like they are often the best way to express yourself and to put certain situations or feelings into words. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. “Not my circus, not my monkeys.”

What it means: Not everything needs to be your problem, you can’t take on the weight of the world, and sometimes it’s best to focus on yourself.

2. “Bloom where you are planted.”

What it means: We don’t always get to choose where we are placed in life. But wherever you end up, make the most out of it.

3. “The prettiest flowers come from the biggest piles of s#**.”

What it means: The best results and largest growth opportunities often come from situations of adversity.

So, friends, what does this all mean in a nutshell? No matter what life throws your way, keep your chin up, shoulders back, and brace yourselves for your next adventure.

According to the World Health Organization’s report on disability, around 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability, and 2-4% experience significant difficulties in functioning.

The truth is, at some point in our lives, we will all require a bit of assistance. Solving for the “extremes” makes it easier on us all. I recently saw Raquel Breternitz, Senior Designer at Pivotal Labs, give a talk about accessibility and design. According to her, “the best design is the one that works the best, not the one that looks the nicest.” In her talk, she quotes famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, “You can use an eraser on the drafting table, or a sledge hammer at the construction site.”

This concept is applicable to us all. We can either make our blog/video channel/social media profile accessible from the start and build upon it, or disregard accessibility now and completely redo it all later down the line.

I believe a happy medium can be found; you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetic for accessibility. Here are some small changes that you can make that will have a huge impact:

Use subtitles

Whenever you share video content, always try to provide subtitles, especially if you produce most of your own video content. Popular video hosting sites like YouTube and production programs like iMovie have tools that allow users to add subtitles to their clips.

Transcribe your videos

Even though this can be time consuming, posting a text transcription online is also an incredibly helpful resource for users. This transcript will not only benefit those with accessibility requirements, but also makes it easier for your entire audience to capture and share you content.

Use alt-tags

These are the little words that pop up when you hover your mouse over an image on a website. Those with visual impairments often use screen readers (a software program that reads text on a website out loud.) Alt-tags are the only way for a user with visual impairments to know what the image is.

You can be as detailed as you like with your tags. If it is a photo of a person, name them and describe the settings in the photo (Issa Rae wearing a blue sequin gown on the red carpet at the Oscars.) If it is a photo of food, describe it in detail (photo of fried chicken and mashed potatoes on a green plate on a table with a red and white checkered tablecloth.)

Use periods in abbreviations

If you’re abbreviating something using HTML, always put periods in between each letter in the abbreviation. For example, if you’re referring to the United States of America, write it out as U.S.A., rather than USA. A screen reader won’t understand the abbreviation without the periods, and will read it out phonetically as a word (U-S-A will be read as “usa.”)

Describe your links

Whenever you embed a link in a post, always describe the link, rather than just telling the reader to “click here.” For example, it’s much better to write, “To learn more about accessibility, check out the World Health Organization’s research” instead of “To learn more about accessibility, click here.” Again, this is also beneficial for your entire audience because it lets them know what they are going to get before they click the link.

Use contrasting colors

If possible, always try to underline your links or make sure that there is a color contrast between hyperlinked text and regular text. This makes it easier for colorblind users to find a link quickly without having to hover over it with their cursors.

Most people who are considered “color blind” can see colors, but certain colors appear washed out and are easily confused with other colors, depending on the type of color vision deficiency they have.

According to the National Eye Institute, red-green color blindness is the most common type, followed by blue-yellow color blindness. A complete absence of color vision (total color blindness) is rare, and men are much more likely to be colorblind than women. This guide from Github is very useful to help you ensure your color palette will work for those with vision impairments.

There are many accessibility friendly tools that also benefit those without disabilities…

Subtitles are best for:

– People who are hearing impaired

– When you want to watch the latest episode of your binge on Netflix but you’re in a noisy train station and forgot your headphones

– When you’re on a silent redeye flight and want to watch a movie without bothering your neighbors and your bluetooth headphones just ran out of juice

Color contrast is best for:

– Those who are vision impaired

– People with perfect vision that need to spot buttons quickly, like navigation tips on GoogleMaps

– People with good vision who need to read an article on their phone in very bright sunlight

Voice recognition is best for:

– Those with a physical disability that prevents them from using a mouse or keyboard

– People who are able bodied with a temporary arm/hand injury

– When you have your hands full and you want Alexa to turn on the light when you bring in the groceries at night

Text to speech is best for:

– People who are blind or those with dyslexia or tired eyes

– Those who like to multitask and want their articles to be read to them while they wash the dishes with one hand and scroll through Insta with the other

– Bonus, this helps search engines index your content better

For other tips, check VSA’s Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability tip sheets, the National Disability Authority’s guidelines, and W3’s Web Accessibility Initiative Overview.

The internet has the potential to be a great equalizer. That’s certainly how Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and the inventor of the World Wide Web sees it. He once stated, “The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.” You are a voice in your community as a blogger, influencer, vlogger, or journalist. It is important that you lead by example. Yes, implementing these changes may take you bit more time, and they may require you to think outside of the box, but the results will be well worth it. You know you have great content; don’t limit your audience.

It is important to keep in mind that color is often perceived based on an individual’s personal experiences and preferences, and that there is no “one size fits all” color based on characteristic association.

However, there are common trends around color perception that are nearly universal. A study called Exciting Red and Competent Blue confirms that colors influence how consumers view the “personality” of a brand.

For example, many people associate blue with trust, which is why most financial institutions use the color as one of their primary shades. It’s the same reason why lawyers recommend that their clients wear blue ties or suits to court, or campaign managers select blue ties or blouses for political candidates.

That said, it is also important for brands to differentiate themselves from the competition. So if other companies in your industry are using blue and red in their branding, perhaps you could try using blue and yellow. However, there is plenty of research to support the idea that it’s much more important for your brand’s colors to reflect the personality you want to portray instead of trying to align with society’s broad color associations.

Keep in mind that someone’s environment, particularly their cultural perceptions (like in Japan where green traffic lights are actually called “blue”), plays a strong role in their color associations.

Additionally, certain colors are often associated with gender. Perhaps the most controversial gender color association is that pink is girly and blue is boyish. But did you know that it used to actually be the opposite? You can learn more about pink’s fascinating history and how the change came to be by reading the study in Smithsonian magazine.

Interestingly, when another study polled men and women about their favorite color, the majority across both gender groups selected blue as their top choice. So you may want to think twice before assuming that pink branding will work well if you have a target audience of women.

However, there is an exception to the color/gender rule; millennial pink. Many attribute the rise in popularity of this color to the fact that it was the 2016 Pantone Colour of the Year (as Rose Quartz, but it’s the same color). Since this shade has a yellow base, rather than a blue base like your traditional “girly” pinks, it feels more earthy and sophisticated, thus making it much more gender neutral and modern. Progressive brands like Away, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Girlboss, Ted Baker, and Thinx have adopted this color as their own and often use it for their marketing and on their products.

Now that you’ve learned the history of some of the world’s most iconic colors, use the guide below for the ABCs and 123s of the basic associations with shapes, colors, and logo lines that you can apply to your personal branding project.

Shapes

Circles:

Symbolize partnership, strength, and resilience.

Well known logos with this shape include Starbucks, General Electric, Target, The Olympic Rings, BMW, and Burger King.

Triangles:

Symbolize danger, masculinity, and energy.

You’ll see American Airlines, Delta, Mitsubishi, Toblerone, Adidas, and Citgo using this shape.

Squares:

Solid, reliable, balanced.

You can find this shape in the logos of GAP, YouTube, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, LinkedIn, and General Motors.

Logo lines

Diagonal Lines: Energetic, dynamic, exciting, rapid.

Examples include Nesquik, DELL, Nike, Pizza Hut, and Adidas.

Horizontal Lines: Tranquility, composure, calm, trust.

Examples include IBM, AT&T, and Nestle.

Vertical Lines: Stability, strength, balance, professional, cold, aggressive.

Examples include Cisco and Soundcloud.

Curves:

Comforting, tenderness, care, protection love, movement, happiness.

Examples include McDonald’s, AirBnb, and Spotify.

Colors

Neutral (black, white, grey):

Balance, Calm, Luxury, Clean

Red:

Excitement, Youthful, Bold, Loud

Orange:

Friendly, Cheerful, Confident, Casual

Yellow:

Optimism, Clarity, Warmth, Bright

Green:

Peaceful, Growth, Money, Health

Blue:

Trust, Dependable, Strength, Calm

Purple:

Creative, Imaginative, Wise, Regal

Pink:

Calm, Vulnerable, Nurturing

Brown:

Warmth, Comfort, Security, Natural

Multi-colored (like Google or eBay):

Diversity

Fonts

Serif – Tradition, Comfort, Reliable, Respectable

Sans-serif – Stability, Objective, Clean, Modern

Script – Elegance, Affectionate, Creative

Modern – Strong, Progressive, Stylish, Chic

Display – Friendly, Unique, Expressive, Amusing

See an infographic on fonts here.

How to apply these concepts

To your resume:

When crafting your resume, it is important to keep in mind these tricks to make your information ATS (Applicant Tracking System) friendly, but this doesn’t mean your resume has to be boring.

Stand out, particularly if you work in the creative or entertainment industries. It is important to create a personal logo for yourself.

This can be as simple as using your initials or your full name within a shape, or a more detailed design. Use the guide in this article to determine which colors and shape send the best message for your personal goals.

Tools like Canva, Tailor Brands and Logo Maker are all free, and will help you make a personal logo quickly and easily!

To your personal website/social media accounts:

The rules for branding your website and social media pages are similar to that of your resume. Create something simple that will help you stand out from the crowd.

Make sure your color scheme, use of font, and use of shapes are appropriate for your industry and the vibe you want to portray for your personal brand.

To create a cohesive brand feel, keep the look of the general design (color scheme, font, and images) the same across your resume, website, and social media accounts.

When designing a website, it is most appealing to the eye to have similar color shades in your palette (lime green, dark green, and teal or light pink, salmon, and hot pink). The top designers at Squarespace recommend using no more than three different colors and two different fonts to create a cohesive look.

There have been many controversial studies that have incorrectly associated red buttons with the highest conversion rates.

When selecting a shade for your call to action button, it is best to have it stick out like a sore thumb. So if your branding has shades of greens, it is actually best to have a red button. However, if your main color scheme is blue, your button should be orange, and vice versa.

You can find your perfect “stand out shade” by using this color wheel. Select the shade directly across from your main color scheme, and this should be your call to action button’s color.

To your side hustle branding:

What is your business? Are you a musician? An accountant? A florist? A social media manager? All of these business types will have very different styles of branding.

Take the time to assess the type of logo shapes and color schemes that will best represent the personality you are going for. Even if you are slowly growing your side hustle, you can still brand your website, social media accounts, and business cards.

Voila! You are now equipped to brand yourself like a pro. Put your new knowledge to good use and let us know how it works for you in the comments below.

Doga (yoga with your dog)

You and your pooch can both benefit greatly from the mindfulness-based form of exercise. We all know the benefits of yoga for humans; increased concentration, better sleep, more flexibility, weight loss, etc. But what about our four-legged friends?

Yoga can help dogs improve their circulation, mellow hyperactivity, and increase their bond with their human parents. Depending on the class and instructor, dogs either participate in yoga moves with their owners, or the dogs are in the room socializing with each other while the humans perform solo yoga moves. Moves can be adapted based on your dog’s size and shape.

PupScouts

This is literally like Girl/Boy Scouts for your dog. PupScouts is a club for dogs and their owners with troops all over the US, and they even have an online troop that participates remotely from all over the world!

What would a club be without uniforms? PupScouts have adorable uniforms to affix badges to, and are even topped off with hats!

They host meetings and events where pups earn badges and sell cookies (wag-along dog treats)! The PupScouts even have an official pledge that promises to help the dog community and make humans smile. It is a great opportunity for parents and pups to bond, make new friends, and have fun.

Pet fashion show

Humans aren’t the only ones stealing the spotlight during fashion week. The animals are getting their big moment during The New York Pet Fashion Show.

The event raises funds for The NYC Mayor’s Alliance for Animals, and is quite the spectacle. The fur-shion models don full couture outfits, some of which cost thousands of dollars! The next show will be in Feb 2018 in NYC!

Animal assisted therapy hospital/care home visits

The bond between animal and human is unparalleled. That is why dogs are perfect to include in therapy sessions. Having pets around can lower blood pressure, decrease depression and improve mood.

In environments like a hospital or care home, it is impossible for patients or residents to bring their furry friends or get a new pet, so visits from pets and their owners are so integral to their exposure to animals.

Go on, make someone’s day and introduce your dog to a new friend! It’s easy to get involved as a volunteer, check out Pet Partners for more info.

Pet friendly amusement parks

Wouldn’t you love to enjoy views of Cinderella’s Castle with your pup? Unfortunately, Disney restricts pet admission to service dogs only, but there are plenty of other amusement parks that you can bring your pup to! While many of these parks’ activities are outdoors, the majority of the parks are located in warmer climates! A few of our favs:

–Knobles Amusement Resort (PA): Pet friendly and free!

–Dinosaur World (FL, KY, and TX): Dinosaur costumes are encouraged.

–Tweetsie Railroad Park (NC): Dogs aren’t allowed on the trains, but they can enjoy the grounds!

–Flintstones Bedrock City (AZ): The perfect place to get their yah-bark-dabba-doo on, and is forgiving of any yah-ba-dabba-doo doos.

Check out the full list here.

Musical freestyle

This is a sport that combines dog obedience with dancing. It is a great way to showcase your dog’s talents, and the best party trick you will ever see. Routines are generally three to six minutes, and it’s important to pick a song you won’t get sick of easily, because you will hear it, A LOT. You can even sign up for a competition!

The World Canine Freestyle Organization has been around since 1999 (yes, for real.) Just like ballroom dancing competitions or an episode of Toddlers and Tiaras, these competitions involve sequins, tulle, and even some whining, but no catfights will be found here. Do you and your pup have moves? Get involved!

Do a photoshoot with your dog

Even though you already have 176,827,735 photos of your fur baby, an official photoshoot can add a professional quality to your photo collection.

You can go the route of hiring a professional pet photographer, or you can get creative at home and DIY! You can easily make a fancy backdrop by pinning or taping fabric to a wall. You can also get your dog to “smile” by doing some light exercise before the photoshoot!

Here are more tips from the pros to ensure your pet looks more like Tyra Barks on a photo shoot, rather than Pawis Hilton’s mugshot. Yes, you can teach your dog to smize!

So when the weather outside is frightful, fret not and enjoy these fun activities with your furry friend.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Molly Beck, the author of the business book Reach Out. In the book, Beck teaches you how to grow your network to help you land better professional opportunities. The multi-talented Molly is also the founder of the podcast creation site Messy Bun; the creator of the lifestyle blog Smart, Pretty & Awkward; and a marketing expert who provides digital strategies for companies including Forbes, Venmo, Rice University, and Hearst.

Here is what she has to say about her Reach Out Strategy, and her networking advice to all.

At a crowded networking event, how do you decide which “huddle” to join and introduce yourself?

Look for a group of three – two is too small and they might be having a private conversation, and a group of four or means means you might get lost. With a group of three, you can slide in and they will probably still stop the conversation to let you introduce yourself, but you’re not interrupting a private conversation.

When reaching out on LinkedIn, you have limited space (300 characters) to add a note to the connection request. How do you start?

Since the space is limited, if it is someone you already know well that will recognize your name like a former co-worker), you can just send a short greeting to personalize it, like “Hi Karen! I’d love to add you to my network here on LinkedIn.” If it’s someone who won’t recognize your name as easily, keep it short and sweet and concisely explain why you want to connect with them. So for example if I wanted to connect with you, I’d say “Hi Kaitlin, I love your writing and I’d like to add you to my LinkedIn network so I can stay up to date on all the projects you are working on.”

What are your thoughts on using emojis in subject lines?

I love emojis in the subject line of any email, except one that is directly related to a new job like emailing with a company’s HR team. In other circumstances, it’s a great way to stand out in someone’s inbox – there is even research that businesses that include emojis in the subject line have higher open rates. I’m not sure if that extends to personal email use, but it can’t hurt!

LinkedIn is known as the premier professional networking site and is an obvious choice for a platform to use the Reach Out strategy. Do you ever use niche industry professional sites to reach out?

If you’re in a profession that has industry-specific professional networking sites, absolutely use them to connect with others in your industry. For me personally, besides LinkedIn, the niche professional site I use is AngelList which is a community for those in the startup space, for my podcast creation company Messy Bun.

How do you know if you should reach out to someone on social media?

If you’re wondering whether or not to reach out to someone on social media instead of sending an email, here are four questions you can ask yourself to decide if you should reach out to someone on social media instead of their email:

1. Are you already connected to the Target on social media?
2. Does the Target have over 50 connections on the platform, indicating frequent use?
3. Do you want to highlight something about your social media presence to the Target?
4. Is the Target’s email address hard to find?

If the answer is yes to two or more of these questions, I’d use social media to connect with them instead of sending an email.

You’re very accomplished in your professional life through your blog and consulting business, but did you ever think you would become a book author?

I’m not sure if I thought I would become one – but I certainly hoped I would. When I got the book deal for Reach Out, I felt nervous-overwhelmed-excited. In that order!

What’s the toughest question you’ve ever been asked in a job interview?

In an interview for an accounting internship during college, the interviewer asked me what the most important job I ever had is. I thought it was a really interesting question for someone at the beginning of their career. I thought about it for a while (well, “a while” in an interview – which is like 6 seconds) and said being a camp counselor was the most important job I ever had – you’re looking after other people’s kids. I remember one mom who would say to her daughter every morning during drop-off, “Just remember, you’re my dream come true.” No Twitter strategy or Google AdWords campaign I’ll ever set up will be someone’s dream come true! Being a camp counselor is still to this day the most responsibility I’ve ever had in a job.

What is at the top of your list of things NOT to do when Reaching Out?

At the top of my list is: making your message too long (it should be able to be read over a voicemail); attaching your resume in your very first point of contact with them; and giving times you are available to talk without them even agreeing to do a phone call with you first.

Are you ready to grow your network? Pick up Molly’s awesome book and let it be your guide for your own Reach Out strategy!

Besides starting amazingly successful companies, these founders all have one thing in common: they are white males. There’s a new diversity bully in town; it is the Old Boy’s Club’s little brother, the Young Brogrammer’s Club.

How long will it take until we start seeing the faces of Sophia Amoruso (Nasty Gal & Girlboss Media), Kathy Hughes (Radio One), Julia Hartz (Eventbrite), Sarah Blakely (Spanx), Oprah Winfrey (need I say more?) as the startup norm, and stop calling them “unicorns.” This isn’t to take anything away from the successful men in the industry. You do you, dudes! But, there’s plenty of room for us gals, too. So move on over and make some space, because we are coming.

According to Forbes’ Entrepreneur, women owned businesses have been growing 1.5 times faster than other small businesses. However female founded companies only make up 30% of the workforce. How do we fix this to level out the playing field?

Ladies, take that idea you’ve been dreaming of and make it happen. I mean it, put on your bosslady britches and just do it.

The first step is to say your idea out loud, and then work your way up to an official pitch. There are a variety of different organizations and competitions dedicated to providing female entrepreneurs with opportunities. I was fortunate enough to get the chance to take part in one, and I haven’t looked back since…

Back in June, I was reading my daily email from theSkimm, which is always part of my morning routine. For those who aren’t current Skimm’rs, theSkimm’s free subscription makes it unbelievably easy to stay in the loop of international news, all in a short and simple daily email. The also have an app and daily podcast that help you stay on top of worldly happenings.

In this particular email, they announced that they would be hosting a competition for female entrepreneurs, and I submitted an application to be part of the contest. The founders of theSkimm were hosting the “Get Off The Couch Competition,” aptly themed due to the fact that theSkimm founders launched their company from their couch five years ago.

The concept of Giv-Now was an idea that I carried with me in the back of my head for quite a while, but didn’t know how to go about making it a reality. I always thought, “There must be an easier way to volunteer!” and was inspired by my own experience of struggling to find local volunteer opportunities that I was qualified for. Thus, the idea was born for a platform that connects charity organizations to volunteers, provides mobile volunteer training, and allows for-profit orgs to get involved as sponsors.

I applied to the competition with the hopes of pitching Giv-Now, and was soon after shocked to find I had been selected. I had some serious imposter syndrome going on. They picked me? Really?

The two weeks that followed were a whirlwind; I made travel arrangements, I built a scrappy Squarespace website, researched logos and color schemes for my brand, and put together a 45 second pitch that I would present to theSkimm founders in LA during the filming of the show. As this was my first time ever pitching an idea, and I did not go to business school, I relied heavily on episodes of Shark Tank as my main research method. (Note: Watching Shark Tank does not replace an MBA, but it will do in a pinch.)

The filming experience was unreal. The cast of the first two episodes were all housed in the same room during the shoot, and while we waited for our filming segments, we swapped business tips and ideas, we ate lunch together, and our conversations spanned from politics to online dating. Not only was this a great opportunity to share the word about our products and ideas, but to meet other amazing female entrepreneurs.

If you’re interested in seeing my pitch, you can head here to view my episode…no spoiler alerts, I’m the third and final pitch. Short on time? No worries, this episode is hosted on Facebook’s new WATCH platform, which is solely comprised of short videos, and the whole episode is less than seven minutes long. Want to learn more? Head over to the Giv-Now site or Facebook page.

Are you ready to pitch your business idea to a potential business partner, investor or to a panel of judges in a competition? Here are 9 tips that will have you pitching like a pro in no time:

Prep like a pro

Try to think of any potential question your audience could ask, or any objection they may make, and have a thoughtful and intelligent answer prepared. You don’t ever want to be caught off guard. You should know your concept inside and out. Be prepared for questions like:

• Who’s your target audience?
• What makes this product different?
• What’s the profit margin?
• Why do you think this will be successful?
• Why should I invest?
• How will this business scale in 5 years?
• How are you marketing your product?
• Why did you choose this logo design?

Practice your pitch IRL

Doing your spiel in front of your mirror at home won’t cut it; it’s quite different pitching to real people. Test your pitch on friends and family, or join a supportive local meetup group or online community like Fierce Girls Entrepreneurs Club, where you can practice your pitch amongst like minded people.

Don’t hate, relate

Your pitch isn’t just about listing facts and figures to your audience. You should try make a personal connection with them, so they see themselves with your product, making it more tangible and relatable to them.

Move beyond the PowerPoint

If possible, show, don’t tell. Your pitch should be as interactive as possible, and let your audience experience what you’re selling, or at least allow them to imagine what it would be like. If you must tell, speak in numbers. Share your current sales figures, number of subscribers, profit margins, etc.

Stay calm and pitch on

Even if your audience has a negative reaction, remain confident and level-headed. Never let them see you sweat, and never raise your voice or cop an attitude if you don’t get the reaction you were hoping for.

Don’t push the clock

Set a time limit, and stick to it. Most competitions have a time limit of 5-10 minutes, or 1-3 minutes for an elevator pitch. If pitching in a meeting, you may have a 30 minute time slot, but your pitch shouldn’t take up the whole meeting. Be respectful of your audience’s time, and pace yourself. We tend to rush when we are nervous, so it’s okay if it sounds like you’re going slow in your head, your audience will most likely hear a normal speaking rate.

Posture and tone matter

Hold your head up high and push your shoulders back and be proud to talk about your business. Keep your legs relaxed, and don’t lock your knees or risk passing out. Don’t raise your pitch at the end of each sentence like you’re asking a question. You are declaring a statement. Do so confidently, and keep your tone low and steady. Resist the Minnie Mouse impressions.

What makes you different, makes you beautiful

Be able to explain exactly what makes your idea different and better than what’s already out there. If you don’t have a differentiating factor, then you don’t really even have a business.

Look the part

Don’t just dress for success, dress to close. Shine your shoes, brush your hair, and steam out every last wrinkle. Ensure your clothing choice fits well and isn’t a distraction. Anything that you need to constantly tug, adjust, or fluff needs to stay in your closet. If you play with your hair when nervous (like yours truly), I suggest wearing your hair up. Fun fact: If your hair is off of your face, you appear more trustworthy.

If you have any questions about volunteering with Giv-Now or becoming a Fierce Girl Entrepreneur to help perfect your pitch, please get in touch.

Strange as it may be to associate your work life with your love life, there are a fair number of parallels. Honestly, we often spend more time in the office than we do outside of it. So it makes sense that the same advice for our love lives can also be applied at the office.

The main theme of the aforementioned book is that there is no fool proof, one-size-fits-all method to show someone that you care. The same concept is true when attempting to land a new job, bond with your co-workers, or improve a client relationship.

Now, don’t panic… You don’t have to prefer the same love language as your romantic partner or business associates to make things work and have a successful relationship. However, it can help to be aware of the ways in which the other person feels most appreciated. For example, receiving gifts may really float your boat. However, if your partner prefers quality time and you buy a nice gift for them, but aren’t able to spend their birthday with them, don’t be surprised if they aren’t over the moon about your gesture.

The same is true with your boss. If you appreciate words of affirmation, but they are all about acts of service, wires could get crossed when they aren’t impressed by you talking about your ambitious goals, and you aren’t thrilled with an under the radar promotion without the verbal kudos.

Here’s a breakdown of the five ways that people feel loved—and how you can apply this knowledge to your advantage in the workplace.

Gifts

You don’t have to break the bank on these types of people. Just as someone who is courting a potential partner may send flowers or give chocolates, you can give a gift-loving client or boss a small present. I’m not referring to kickbacks or bribes, or anything against company policy that can get you into trouble.

Workplace gifts can come in the form of shared information, like sending a colleague or boss an article relevant to your company. Promo or swag items are also appropriate during the holidays or for another special occasion.

I personally LOVE corporate swag, especially types that you can eat, or practical items like water bottles or portable chargers. The point of giving a gift is to ensure that the person knows that you’re thinking about them.

Quality time

For many, quality face time is the the preferred method of communication. Especially when working with new clients or when starting a new role. For quality time lovers, sending an email every few weeks won’t suffice. Instead, they will be much more appreciative if you take them out to lunch or dinner, or if you come to their office for a face to face meeting. This face time should be kept up regularly!

To make the best judgement, it is wise to really get to know your office culture. In environments where after hour work events and general visibility in the office are important, you probably shouldn’t skip out of the office right at 5pm or roll in at 10am to start your day.

In remote work environments, this can be a bit tricky. Try to keep yourself available for Google Hangout/Skype meetings and always be online when your boss needs you.

Words of affirmation

Many couples will exchange words to show their support for each other, and professional relationships can also benefit in the same fashion. It never hurts to send a thank you note after an interview or purchase, that’s just basic manners. Those folks whose love language are words will certainly appreciate that handwritten note or email thanking them for working with you. These words can be written or spoken.

Colleagues and bosses alike also appreciate hearing a “great job!” sentiment every now and again. Vocalizing your appreciation can speak volumes about your professionalism and positive attitude.

Acts of service

Acts of service doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. For some people, the epitome of service is when their significant other goes out of their way to do an everyday task like wash the dishes, go grocery shopping, or brew the coffee in the morning. Similarly, for some clients, the extra service goes a long way. As is true in romantic relationships, the act doesn’t have to be a big deal. Simple things like hand delivery, discounting/waiving fees, or saving your client time by making their travel arrangements can go a long way to make them feel appreciated.

Going above and beyond your typical job description is also a great way to also impress your boss and co-workers. If your colleague is having a particularly busy week and you have some free time, offer to assist, or see if there’s something you can take off your boss’ plate. Volunteering to do the office coffee run is also sure to earn you brownie points!

Physical touch

No, I’m not talking about that kind. I’m certainly not suggesting anything that will land you a complaint with HR! In romantic relationships, people who speak this love language like holding hands, hugs, or other forms of PDA.

In the professional world, this can translate to handshake styles. A firm, yet natural shake is always best. A “I’m sticking my hand out to shake but really I wish you would kiss my hand to worship me like the princess I am” extended limp hand is just as bad as a “I’m going to break your fingers to show you that I am important” handshake. Both options guarantee an awkward first impression with a boss, colleague, or client, and should be avoided at all costs. Not confident on your handshake yet? Practice on a friend, partner, or family member until you get it right.

How to tell which type you’re dealing with:

Take note of how the person in question treats you. Chances are, they will act upon whichever gestures they appreciate the most. Reciprocate in the same style. If they are hard to gage, experiment with several different styles to show your appreciate, and pay careful attention to how they react to each. If you can’t narrow down their particular favored love language, find out their birthday and use this guide based on their sign! When in doubt, trust your gut. It is always a good idea to keep the lines of communication open in the workplace, regardless of your preferred love language!

According to the experts at mindful.org, mindfulness is the objective observation of whatever is occurring. I initially struggled with the concept of mindfulness. Sure, it sounds like a nice thing, but how do you observe objectively?

Luckily, my incredible therapist had a very useful way of helping me to truly understand and visualize mindfulness. Imagine a notification popping up on your phone, you calmly read it and register what it means, and then you gently swipe it off of your screen. That’s essentially mindfulness.

When a thought pops into your head, you acknowledge it and feel the associated emotions, and then you gently let it leave your head. Without mindfulness, our minds become too full, just like the screen of your phone when notifications pile up. Thanks to mindfulness, you can recognize the start of toxic emotions (like anxiety, which is very common in the workplace) before they take over and cause you to react negatively.

If you’re like me, it can be very difficult to focus on one thing at a time. Often, my morning at work will start something like this:

Open my laptop, and go to my inbox. I see an email about an upcoming team meeting on Monday. What else is happening on Monday? Oh, that’s that the season finale of The Bachelorette! I loved Rachel’s rose ceremony dress on last week’s episode. I need to make sure I mail back my dress from Rent the Runway so I’m not charged a late fee. Speaking of which, I need to call the bank to dispute that foreign transaction fee. Why did I even get charged? I didn’t buy anything overseas, that is SO annoying! Overseas…I’m so excited for my trip to London next year! Is it too early to start researching West End shows?  C’mon girl, get it together, focus on your inbox! Ok, clicking on that second unread email…

Does this sound familiar to anyone? It should! We are all guilty of multitasking. Even as I write this, I am in the middle of texting in the group chat with my friends. Unfortunately, this can cause a variety of negative effects. By being inundated by too much information at the same time, your brain can’t figure out the difference between the important info and the non, which can negatively affect your memory and the quality of your work.

The solution? Tackle one work task at a time.

According to a study by Zheng Wang at Ohio State University, students felt more productive when they multi-tasked but in reality, they weren’t actually more productive. In fact, the opposite is true. This is where consciousness can help. Consciousness is closely related to mindfulness. When you work consciously, you select and execute the things you want to accomplish, and how. When you have a plan and go after each task separately, you can give all your mental energy to compete that single item rather than working between 5 projects simultaneously and giving each a percentage of your mental power.

The solution? Make a plan to tackle your to-do list and stick with it during the entire work day. 

Does all this talk of consciousness and mindfulness overwhelm you and make your head start to spin? A good way to help you reset is to go for a walk. This can double as a productive task if you go out to grab a coffee, tea, or your lunch. *Gasp!* Yes, I am asking you to go outside of your office and eat lunch beyond your desk. While you’re out, try to focus on the feeling of your feet with each step as they hit the pavement. If the weather’s nice, sit outside on a bench and concentrate on how the sun or wind feels on your face. Live in that moment and let your mind rest before returning to the task at hand.

The solution? Get moving and try a change of scenery.

Don’t underestimate the power of the connection between your physical senses and your mind. According to Dr. Angela Williams, you can use touch (along with sight, sound, smell, and taste) to practice mindfulness. I personally really love using these stress balls. I started using these in therapy sessions, but now I use them while at my desk, on the train, and at home. They hold their shape and have the consistency of clay, which is especially therapeutic to me as an artist! You can practice mindfulness by trying to only think about the feel of the ball in your hands. Start with doing that for one minute, and then work up from there.

The solution? Sensory therapy!

Your stress ball can fit easily on your desk or in a drawer, which should not be cluttered. Physical clutter has a huge effect on mental performance. It is very difficult to concentrate at the task on hand with piles of paperwork, old candy wrappers, or promo chatchkes surrounding you. Feng shui expert Ariel Joseph Towne, Author of book Serene Makeover, explains how your surroundings can affect your performance at work. According to Towne, surgeons and accountants perform their jobs better in rooms with low ceilings, because this promotes concentration. Alternatively, creative types do better in well lit rooms with high ceilings, as this environment promotes innovation. Regardless of your industry and office space layout, clutter can hinder concentration. I personally love Kate Spade’s collection of desk accessories to keep me organized.

The solution? Less is more!

Now let’s think about how the time we spend outside the office affects the time we spend at our desk. We all know working out is essential to living a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically. If you’re like me and get bored during slower activities like yoga, try Body Combat or Zumba. I particularly like martial arts classes since they are a mix of cardio, stretching, balance, and breathing. Don’t get discouraged if you get distracted during workouts, as long as you come back to focusing on the present moment and really concentrating on the feel of each move and breath when you’re being active. Bonus points for listening to the Mulan soundtrack while you work out to help you get down to business (to defeat the huns.)

The solution? Move your booty and breathe!

These tips are just a small portion of the ways in which mindfulness can improve your productivity and overall enjoyment of your work. I encourage you to explore more and test them out. Be sure to let us know your results!

In closing, I leave you with my favorite quotes from mindfulness experts all over the world. I suggest writing these down on a sticky note and putting them on your desk, next to your stress ball. In addition, pyschologytoday.com is a wonderful resource to help you find your own therapist as wonderful as mine. Enjoy!

“Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn

“Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh

“Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows.” – Jack Kornfield

“You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.” – Pema Chödrön

“Not my circus, not my monkeys” – Polish proverb (also one of my mom’s favorite sayings)

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