Things that are pink = My other downfall, or "Why didn't anyone ever tell me that there is a Lilly store in McClean?!"

So evidently, after living right off 123 for the last four years at Mason, I am just now finding out that there is a Lilly Pullitzer (and Vineyard Vines) store right here in McLean.

The Pink Palm looks (and sounds) exactly like my kind of place.

Luckily for me, I found out about it just in time for a sale. :)

Cupcakes = My downfall

I can't stop drooling over this story from Washingtonian.

Could it have something to do with the absolutely delicious looking picture from Georgetown Cupcakes???

Here's a shot from my last visit to the most a-m-a-z-i-n-g dessert place in town:

Can't wait to check out some of the other places on the list!

The Washington Post.com tells us how to "Show Them What You've Got"

Show Them What You've Got

Experts Say the Best Resumes Show off Achievements

By Joanne Cronrath Bamberger
Special to washingtonpost.com
Thursday, January 4, 2007 6:18 PM

Sometimes -- say, during the dot-com era of a decade ago -- all a job seeker needs is a simple, one-size-fits-all resume to nab a job, or at least an interview, in his or her field.

Not so today.

Your written workplace history must honed, polished, crafted and targeted for you to compete in a job market where, according to John Owen, a metro marketing manager for the Washington office of recruitment firm Robert Half International, an employer posting an opening on a major job search Web site can receive as many as 700 resumes for one position.

The classic, all-purpose resume -- a single page of white or cream-colored twenty-pound bond paper, name at the top, "objective" line and a brief, reverse chronological history of every job you've held since high school -- isn't going to grab anyone's attention.

That doesn't mean you need to submit a pink, scented resume a la Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde" -- but you do need something special.

What, exactly? Hiring experts agree that the best way to get the attention of your dream employer is to create an achievement-based, employer-targeted resume. Focus on a few key tactics, they say, and your phone will soon ring with invitations to interviews.

It's about your achievements. "The one word job hunters must focus on today is 'achievement,'" says Penelope Trunk, author of the popular job advice blog Brazen Careerist. "Employers want to know what you achieved in your prior jobs, not just your job title and where you worked."

About half of the candidates qualified for a given position fail to find their way to the top of the stack because they don't follow that advice.

How can you create an achievement-based missive? Quantify the benefits you brought to your current and past employers. Your title may have been "Assistant to the Manager of Managing," but that doesn't tell anyone about your accomplishments or skills. In creating an achievement-based resume, ask yourself questions like:

Did I increase sales or profits?

Did I create or implement a program that reduced turnover?

Did I supervise a staff?

Did I take the lead on a significant project that increased my employer's profile?

Once you start thinking about your past work achievements in this way, you can illustrate to prospective employers why and how you intend to bring value to their organization.

Sound daunting? Not if you invest the time. Suppose, for example, you're currently working at a video store and looking for a move up the career ladder. You're not going to get a lot of response to a resume that reads, "Watched movies and restocked shelves."

But if you can truthfully say "Reorganized aisle end cap displays and increased movie rentals and sales by 10 percent," that may catch an employer's attention. Trunk's brother Erik did just that and was able trade a clerical job at a large video store chain for a new position in marketing for an internet start-up.

Create a core resume. When you're home at your computer, forget the advice about limiting your resume to one page. Start big, then carve out the parts of your employment past that are relevant to each job you apply for, says Joyce Lain Kennedy, author of "Resumes for Dummies" (For Dummies, 2002).

In this "core" resume, Kennedy advises to include everything you've ever done, including hobbies, special interests and anything else you think might in some way be pertinent to an employer. This is your starting document from which all your targeted resumes will be born, but which, Kennedy warns, no employer should actually ever see.

Once you've created the base document, it's easy to create what Kennedy calls an "OnTarget" resume for each employer, cutting and pasting only the pertinent highlights that are relevant to a specific employment goal.

While you might include three years of college lacrosse on your resume when looking for an entry-level job, for example, it should probably come off at mid-career unless an interest in sports or competitive experience is pertinent to a job you're seeking.

In addition, committed job seekers would be wise to research a prospective employer's job requirements and then tailor a resume to a particular opening. Employers are increasingly looking for exact matches between job requirements and the skills they see on resumes. That approach, Kennedy says, is a proven way to break away from the stale, formulaic resume pack and help overwhelmed human resources personnel find your resume.

It's like shopping for a car, she says: "If I want to find someone who is selling a red convertible that gets 25 miles to the gallon, for under $20,000, I'm going to go to the ad that exactly matches what I'm looking for."

Make your resume scannable. Once you've tweaked that resume so that it truthfully sings your achievements and qualifications, make sure that it is scanner-friendly by writing in keyword search terms a prospective employer may be looking for.

This isn't as tricky as it may sound: Use the employer's own job posting as your guide. Many companies today use software to electronically scan all the resumes they receive, according to Roberta Matuson, president of Northampton, Mass.-based consulting firm Human Resource Solutions, who has performed work for search giant Monster.com.

Highly qualified job candidates are often overlooked, Matuson says, because the key words that were included in the job description weren't mentioned anywhere in the resume.

Simplicity and precision count. Finally, don't forget the simplest of advice: Keep your resume short, easy to read and free of errors.

A resume is essentially a marketing tool for landing you an interview, so your life story isn't needed -- no hiring manager wants to read six pages on any applicant. Choose a clean layout and make sure to find someone to proofread your resume before submitting it or, potentially, face a quick end to your hopes.

Even these simple steps can set you apart. "You wouldn't believe how many resumes I get that are not proofed or that are written in an unclear manner," says Amy Maher, staff recruitment director for a Washington, D.C.-based law firm. These, she reports, tend to move swiftly into the "no" pile.

Entry #6: An American Adventure

This weekend, I made it one of my goals to visit American University and explore my new campus. Of course, I forgot to bring my schedule so that I could find my classrooms...but that's OK!

AU has a beautiful campus and is nestled in a very nice part of town.

My little, Tiffany, was kind enough to help me look around for a little while.

It was of course, the summer (and a Saturday), so there wasn't much to do. We went over to Tenleytown and shared a most delish lunch at Guapo's...Highly Highly recommend.

Entry #5: Surprise Party in Fairfax ;)

I've never had a surprise party....always wanted one though. For Friday night, I arranged a surprise dinner for one of my favorite girlfriends, Courtney.

A bunch of us met at the Cheesecake Factory in Fairfax and then attempted to see 'The Proposal'. Sadly, it was sold out.

We then ventured over to Coastal Flats for some drinks and to take in the scene....

....There's almost a whole year until my next birthday. I'm not making any hints or anything, but it was a lot of fun ;)

Entry # 4: Peace to the 'Man in the Mirror'

Today, one of the greatest entertainers of our time died of cardiac arrest. Despite the tragedy of Michael Jackon's death at 50, it's almost comforting to know that this man who lived his entire life in public scrutiny can finally rest.

My biggest MJ memory? My first trip to LA...I stepped on Michael Jackson's star on the walk of fame and an Indian tourist physically shoved me off of it. You would think that I'd stepped on the American flag. Or kicked a baby.

So, that may not sounds like a very poignant moment...but honestly it really brought it home for me that music has the power to bring people from all walks of life together.

My favorite MJ song? ..."The Way You Make Me Feel"

Watch here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEU9Q8NlOiY&feature=channel

Shoe Time

I've been talking about it forever: getting a pair of Jack Roger's Navajo sandals. In my (very humble) opinion, the perfect sandal that you can dress up or dress down.

Will make my acquisition this weekend...Silver or Gold?

Entry #3: Vermillion, Alexandria

A week ago, some friends and I met for family dinner in Old Town, Alexandria.

We wandered around King Street for what felt like hours, overwhelmed by all of the choices. When we opened the inner door to Vermillion, though, the noise and business of everything happening outside dropped away.

Even though no one in our group made a reservation, we were ushered to a table upstairs when we walked in. The setting was warm and cozy (very date-like). The wine was great and our meals (two of us ordered the halibut...yum) were delicious.

The halibut made for the perfect comfort food, served with smashed fingerling potatoes, greens, and a red wine better. The meal reminded me of something my grandmother would have made in her catering days but (maybe) just a little bit better.

Check them out here:

http://www.vermilionrestaurant.com/index.html

Entry #2: WikiHow Chronicles - How to Make a Cake in a Coffee Mug

Like most people, there are a few things in life that I have a special interest in. Art galleries, European history and politics deserve an honorable mention among two of my loves: chocolate and 'experimenting'.

When I was a little kid I loved making 'concoctions' out of any liquids I could find laying around the house...hand soap, toothpaste, tap water, mom's Dior perfume...disgusting but it never got old!

Following my grandmother around the kitchen taught me that 'concocting' can lead to some pretty delicious things. So when I saw a recipe online for how to make a cake in a coffee cup I jumped at the chance to conduct an experiment.

A little hot chocolate mix, an egg and some other stuff whipped together...throw it in the microwave and Tada! A delish chocolate cake...and it only takes a few minutes.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cake-in-a-Mug

Entry #1: The Blog V-Card, my special gift to you

Last Christmas I ventured (via China Town Bus) to New York City, a town that some consider to be the greatest city in the world.

A wise woman once said, "They say life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. But sometimes in New York, life is what happens when you're waiting for a table." Carrie Bradshaw, not a real person, but a fountain of wisdom just the same.

SJP's alter ego makes a great point. Things just seem to move faster when you're in New York. Whether you're waiting on a table, a cab or the next sample sale, life seems to pass you by while you wait for little things to happen. And this is why I believe that Washington, DC could surpass The Big Apple as the greatest city in the world.


Here me out.

People from all walks of life come to this town to witness and be a part of history. In this town, you can take a glimpse at our past while witnessing first hand the making of our future. There's no doubting that DC is a special place.

Big things are happening here. The Obama's have set up shop in the White House....Seven strangers have landed in DuPont Circle (S & 20th...happy hunting)...and some 'Real' Housewives will soon be hand selected to represent our town on Bravo.

Let's not forget that while our economy is being restructured and our nation is on the cusp of achieving a major milestone in civil rights, all eyes are pointed on us.

So I've committed to getting to know this town, and myself, a little bit better. I may have started my journey back in Baltimore, MD but I'm a Washingtonian at heart. And after earning a degree in the worst financial crisis of my lifetime, I've got nothing but time! (joking...sort of...)

Stay tuned...