I Look Fly, I Look Good

I have a weird love for random music.  One of my favorites a few years ago (and I still rock it in my car sometimes today) was "I Look Good" by Chalie Boy.  Now, you may be wondering how this coincides to Social Media or Online Reputation, well here goes it.

Perception is EVERYTHING in our world today.  The way you carry yourself, present yourself, and even view yourself is how people will see you.  The 1st impression is honestly the most important part of networking, interviewing, and in general....life.  While most people will tell you to have a good suit to give a good impression, I think it goes deeper.

Having confidence in yourself is something that can make anything you wear, stand out.  Believe me when I say that I don't own a suit.  I don't think it fits who I am as a person, it doesn't reflect my personality, nor give the impression that I want people to have about me.  HOWEVER, even though my outfits aren't suits, they are professional and give people a sense of who I am.  I can pair a bright colored blouse with a gray pencil skirt, add a belt and heels .... ta-da, my outfit!

Here you can see an example of what I would piece together ...   The bright color embraces personality while the structured skirt gives a touch of professionalism BUT the item that is rocked the best is her smile!  This conveys confidence in that "I Look Fly, I Look Good" sense (and yes, I do say this to myself on occasion as reassurance...especially when putting on an outfit for a business event).

You can create outfits that give a professional impression from the clothes you wear already, you just need to know how to put them together and have confidence that you look good.  Believe me, it took me a bit to master this, and I still question my choices at times...but then I just remind myself that "I look fly, I look good".  As a college student and freelancer, I know that budgeting for "professional" attire is hard, so I try to buy basics that I can incorporate into my daily personal/professional life and am comfortable wearing.  

Now, how does "looking good" matter w/social media and online reputation...well, PICTURES SAY A THOUSAND WORDS!  While you'll be meeting people in-person, the pictures taken at the networking event, school function, etc. will most likely always end up online.   Presenting an overall polished look that reflects you as a person will allow others online to see you, form an impression of you, want to get to know you more!

Believe that you look good and you will outshine that person next to you.  Perception is everything, but that doesn't have to include a $500 tailored suit.  You just need to let your personality shine thru with a smile.

And if you need more insight into how to pair clothing together, check out my Pinterest board as I regularly post professional outfits that I find for men/women that are simple.
http://pinterest.com/anasantellana/professional-wear/ 

Now....for your viewing pleasure (and for me as I get ready for a networking event tonight) ... "I Look Fly, I Look Good" by Chalie Boy.

"Summer days driftin' away…."

Earlier in the year I told myself that this summer would be one that I actually do something.  I would better myself by working out and being outdoors as much as possible, I would date more, and I would definitely further my knowledge in social networking/online reputation.  Well….I think this summer will definitely be one for the books.

I'm taking 12 hours of summer classes at UTD:  

• Business Finance
• International Business
• Managerial Methods
• Operations Management

I've decided to take on some new outdoor activities:

• Rowing.  Yeah, on the water and in a boat rowing out at Bachman Lake through the Dallas Row Club.  Sculling to be exact actually.  I've been wanting to do this for a while now (I use the stationary row machines weekly and LOVE the workout) but didn't want to go alone…so, with my best friends birthday in early June, I figured its the best gift I can give!!!!  Don't worry, she knows and agreed to the gift bc she's AWESOME like that.
• Pole Dancing.  Yup, another workout class at Poleiticians…not really outdoors but its a new physical activity.  A great Groupon purchase with the bestie again.  She's my partner in crime when it comes to testing out new outings.
• Stand Up Paddle (SUP) and SUP Yoga out at DFW Surf in Grapevine... if I have time and energy.  It sounds really serene to be honest and come on…how many people do you know that do this?  It'll be a great conversation starter!!!  

AND on top of all of that…READING!  Okay, this really isn't that big of a problem.  I'm a HUGE book nerd and LOVE LOVE LOVE to read.  I don't stick to any one genre or author.  I like to keep my brain working and change it up.  Here's a snapshot as to what I've purchased over the past few days to start my reading marathon for the month.  

• http://instagr.am/p/KvBV2FuAPX/ 

I'll be giving my reviews on each book as I finish them on Amazon (as I do everything basically) and will probably blog about certain ones that I find outstanding.  If you're interested in a full reading list…let me know, I'll get it to you.  Warning though…the list runs about 45 deep at the moment.  

I'm just hoping that some some my summer days will lead to some summer love now….lol.

Dallas Row Club: http://www.dallasrowingclub.org/cms/

Poleiticians: http://poleiticians.com/

DFW Surf: http://www.dfwsurf.com/index.html

Float On Yoga: http://www.floatonyoga.com/

Online Dating … Are you there Mr. Right?

Dating is just awful if you're in your late 20's.  There, I said it and I stand by my assessment.

You're no longer in school (or if you're like me and started school late, then all the guys are 8-10yrs younger than you), so no more fishing from that pond.  Bars are just not the place to "pick-up" or be "picked-up" unless you're just looking for that one-night stand.   And the blind-dates...oh just STOP!  No, I don't want to meet your friends brothers best friend ... I think we met before, he was a douche.

So now where do you turn?  Online dating?  Sure, why not.

I've been an avid online dater since it before it was "the thing" to do.  I can remember being in High School and getting chatted up in an AOL chat room….either I was naïve about the dangers or there really weren't any back then since it was a fairly new medium….and then me and my friends meeting up with the guys we chatted with at the movies or the mall.  It was always fun and a great way to meet guys from other schools, just to see what else was out there.  Even now, I'm on a few dating websites and it's just as fun to meet some guys at times to see what else is out there…lol.  BUT … is it actually going to help me find Mr. Right or even Mr. Right Now?

See, the thing with online dating that I've noticed is that it just seems to be a way for a person to inflate their personal resumé/bio and showcase pictures of themselves from years ago.  It's such a disappointment when you meet a person in real life and realize that the picture they had as their profile pic had to of been from at least 5 years ago.

I've been on several different sites over the past few years:

• Match
• PlentyofFish
• eHarmony
• ChristianSingle
• okCupid

…just to name a few, and I seem to encounter the same issue at every one….a profile that highlights all of their greatness and pictures that don't resemble them anymore.  Can we call this false advertising??  I think that there has to be a solution to this problem.  A simple one, too.

Enter in….Video bios.  Seriously.  No joke.  Why not make a 2 min video highlighting who you are, or even better…have it as a compilation of your friends assessments on you.  Who better to try to help you find that special someone then your closest friends and family.  They know you better than you know yourself even, most likely.  I don't know…I just think this would be something to look into.  Do they offer this anywhere already??

I'm just tired of it all….dating in general sucks sometimes.  Maybe I'm just being bitter but I just wish that there was a site that would stand out and revolutionize online dating.  Now, don't get me wrong….I'll continue using these sites but Mr. Right….are you there???