Back in skinny jeans

Stephanie Is Featured Success Story on CNBC's "On the Money"

Last Friday, I landed my first TV spot on CNBC's show "On the Money" with Carmen Wong Ulrich.  Here's the clip. Skip to minute 5:20:

For a little back story, in my "On the Money" segment, we go back to 1998-2001 during the last tech boom and how I found myself on a 3-month medical leave from my "fabulous" startup-that-went-IPO job. {I use the quotes because that job should have been fabulous but was not on many levels because well as Dr. Phil would ask, "How'd that work out for you?" Um, I ended up sick.}

If you're curious, here's what happened the day I quit that job. Here's how many people thought I was a moron for leaving all that money behind and my moment of clear decison making despite being partly insane, and here's one of the first things I did to get my health back.

Yikes! Digital cameras didn't exist back in 2000

The funny part was that the CNBC Producer wanted some pics from 98-01, and I couldn't find any on my computer because well, mainstream digital cameras didn't exist back then. Yeah, freaky realization as that was only 8 years ago. I had to call friends from that era and ask them to dig in their shoeboxes of photos. Then I had to scan. Oy vay!

The benefits of the art of self promotion

When we got to the part about how I'm now one of the top healthy living bloggers in the world, saying the "...in the world" part was a tough thing for me to say even though it is true and I can prove it because unafraid self promotion is not one of my strong suits as it is for many women.

Self promotion is an area where men have an edge over women in the workplace because men are more likely and more agressive about self pumping. Need a fast example, look for any male "WTF's" in top positions at your company. One probably popped into your head immediately. Those guys are not necesarily the smartest or the best, but they were the most proactive in letting the bosses know what they did and accomplished.

Are you rah-rahing for yourself?

So here's the thing, and this is how I got over my modesty, if we want to get paid what we're worth financially and move ahead professionally like I stated in my 2009 NY's resolution, then self promotion is part of that package. Modesty is not helping you. In fact, here's a recent Wall Street Journal article on how young women are more vulnerable to getting laid off in this economy mainly because they aren't doing enough self promoting. Yes, there is not being arrogant but really, there is a difference between self confidence and arrogance.

Oprah and Martha didn't get where they are today without self promoting, and anyone who is at the top of their game self promotes. You have to be your own best cheerleader, and I'm learning from that. So, the CNBC spot was one of my first homework assignments in stepping up to the plate. I also promoted my clip on my Twitter, Facebook, the Skinny Debt Dieters Group at Wesabe, and Linked-In pages.

You too can be on TV

Over at The Everyday Blogger, I share how I got this CNBC spot for those of you who are working towards building your own online brand and influence. And guess what, you too have a chance to apply and get picked to be on CNBC's "On the Money" as well. Oh yes!

Thank you to everyone who has given well wishes. It means a lot to me. The best compliments were, "You deserve this. You worked hard to get here." And ya know what everyone, if I can do it, so can you. Seriously!

Steph Is Quoted in February's Glamour...Next To a Topless Pregnant Woman in Jeans

I'm very excited to say that in February's Glamour magazine, on stands now, I am quoted in the column of Carmen Wong Ulrich of CNBC On the Money about making money from blogging. Page 124.

See, there it is. Very cool!

Now, you know I am eternally grateful for this inclusion in Glamour magazine with Carmen because that is uber fantastic, but the irony of my quote is that it physically sits next to an ad for maternity jeans by 7 For All Mankind, and the model is um, topless doing the "I'm still sexy and smokin' hot with my pregnant self in couture jeans."

I know the Glamour editors didn't do this on purpose but it feels kinda like, "What! Are you trying to poke the tiger?" So you know I have to talk about this jeans ad because it's what I do.

I have mixed feelings about this ad but mostly it veers into the *ugh* direction. I'm all for portraying pregnancy as hot and sexy, but I'm not digging this particular execution because well who looks like this pregnant woman except for 20 year old pregnant supermodels, and even then I'd think even those genetically blessed women would have a challenging time looking this perfect. Is this a Juno supermodel or some child bride knocked up because she doesn't look older than 21 to me.

The tagline says, "Maternity Redefined." A more fitting line would be, "Maternity. You'll Never Look Like This in Your Dreams."...oh, did I say that out loud?

In fact if someone told me this model wasn't actually pregnant in real life but was photoshopped to look pregnant, I'd believe it. If you know the real model, please let us know if her pregnancy is real in the shot.

On the upside, I have to say, I really love the hairdo. I could make my hair look like that. And I like the fact that a couture designer has made the effort to sell hot looking maternity clothes. These 7 jeans would look cool with a pretty flowy top like this one.

And lastly, she's about what 6-7 months preggers, yes/no? Who's gonna be glamming up that much when you're most likely feeling all kinds of things but sexy. And everything about her is still skinny except for the basketball bump. If she's got 4" spikey Jimmy Choos with those jeans, I'm gonna have to scream. On the Pea in a Pod site, they do have a mama-to-be in spikes but she doesn't look too far along yet, so perhaps the heels would be okay. But still, I gotta think it would ouchie.

The image in this ad is just off the reality scale in my opinion, and just creates yet another unattainable and unrealistic standard of beauty. What do you think?

But really Glamour, thank you again for putting me in the mag. If I can have any say, next time can I at least be next to a hair product ad like for Sebastian or Redken, that would be awesome!

Stephanie's 2009 New Year's Resolution Theme

Prospero Año Nuevo everyone! I like doing New Year's Resolution themes versus specifics because I find it just lends itself to more fun and freedom.

Since I started blogging in 2005, here's a recap of my previous years resolution themes:

• 2006  Face my fear of living a bigger life, and finally step into it
• 2007  Life authentically
• 2008  Be Uplifting

And for 2009 {drum roll}, the theme will be:

Anything Can Happen on the Vent

Lovelies, I need to go clear my head. I mentioned yesterday that I'm going through a very emotional time right now, and I think, no well, I know, it's because I have way too much going on in my head and heart, and that stuff needs to be de-cluttered.

I'm learning to not fight these funky periods anymore because I get that they are just part of my personal emotional wellness process. The key is to keep them focused and under a time limit. This way I can both give myself the space to do what I gotta do, and feel what I gotta feel, and then put a limit on it because as much as boo-hooing and letting your pain express itself is very positive, you also can't let it go on for weeks, months, or years. That is not healthy.

Again, this is why I love being a blogger versus a journalist or writer for a magazine. I can have these funky periods and take a break when I need to. I also can write about it because it's appropriate to my blog topic. One reason you all come here is to see me go through my personal processes too, the messy middles. I always hope that others can learn and grow from what I share.

So, I'm taking the rest of the week off to enjoy the holidays and find some vent to clear my head. I will be posting some on The Everyday Blogger because I find that place is proving to be quite therapeutic. One thing I gotta think about too is Noshtopia. Still don't understand fully what my issue is there. Love it, yes. Mental block, why?

Those of you who watch Grey's Anatomy will get the vent reference. I just really love this scene more because you see this normally overly serious woman turn giddy and childlike. I want to remember what that innocence feels like. Also, at the :12 second mark, that look on Christina's face is me last week.

For those who don't watch Grey's, the clip above is a scene where Dr. Christina Yang is having one of the worst days, and her new love Dr. Owen Hunt (my latest imaginary husband :) takes her to some obscure place in the hospital to help her re-group. The vent is a metaphor, and a perfect one that describes where I'm at.

Thank you again to all of you for your patience and love, and you know I can't say it enough, you my readers are the best gift this blogger could have :-)

Happy Holidays!
xoxo,
Steph

No BOOPy. Let's Talk About Ex's

I know it's Monday, and you were expecting your BOOPy goodness, but sweeties, sorry I didn't feel like it. In fact, to be honest, since you're my peeps, I've had the worst week, my heart hurts like f**k, and my usual perky self is not around.

Steph's inner badass feels beat. I should quickly mention too that even badasses are allowed weak moments. The badass is still human.

One of the biggest advantages of being a blogger over a journalist is the ability to tell your readers, "Yo, I don't feel like it today. I'm cranky and not feeling it." Try saying that to an Editor. And unlike celebrities who issue statements like, "We're doing strong and well." When we know they are not, I'm telling you what's real.

If you're dancing like sugar plums, kissing under mistle toe, and feeling joy to the world. Good for you and more power to you!

I'm in my cave. I'm not humbug so not to worry. I have therapist on speed dial in case, and I have mom and dad to shower me with their special love. I need to just be in the cave for awhile, so please bare with me. I do have Nog and Motown Christmas music, so I'm good. The best gift I can get right now is your patience, and the space to just be, so after this post I may or may not be back the rest of the week. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Over at The Everyday Blogger, I wrote about one thing weighing heavy on my heart, "How Using Social Media to Break News to Your Ex is a Bad Idea." It's about my Ex which yeah, I have not talked about him pretty much since, oh last year when we broke up. I posted on that blog instead of here because the context actually makes more sense there, and it helped me write the story without going completely Super Ex-Girlfriend.

Also, it's not just the Ex, that was more like the icing on the cake. There is a compilation of things. Indeed, times are tough and heavy for many of us. Welcome to one of my messy middle moments, those times between the Before and After of the success story. And when I look at my traffic stats, you guys like the messy middle stories and shower moi with a traffic spike. Thank you!

This is how we find the everyday "heal" in health. Sometimes we just have to hurt, and feel it, and go through the process. I think it is very healthy actually to say it and be with it. Don't get me wrong, I know I have so much to be grateful for, and I know this too shall pass. But, I'm sure even Gandhi and Mother Teresa had shitty days.

I read a quote the other day that said, "You seek specific problems because of the gifts they can bring you." I'm not seeing that at the moment, which is why I believe the universe reminded me, and in turn I'm reminding you.

For the first time in 3 years, I'm also going to close comments on this post, and on the Ex post because I want to try something new. Blog silence. I need to just express and honestly I don't have the emotional capacity for comments at the moment. So again, please not to worry, I'll be fine and thank you for your love and support :)

The Importance of What's on Your Nightstand

Years ago, a wise one told me that one of the most important places in your house was the nightstand next to your bed. Sounded weird to me at the time, but made perfect sense later. Your nightstand is one of the last things you see when you go to bed, and one of the first things you see when you wake up because most people put their alarm clocks on the nightstand as knowing time is important to many.

But most importantly, most people don't just fall asleep or jump out of bed right away. There is some lingering time where you either watch some tv, read, write, just lay and think, or chat with your sweetie if you sleep with someone else. Wise one recommended that you put positive things on your nightstand so that your last thought of the day was a good one, and the first thing you see when you wake up is something positive.

That made a whole lot of sense to me, so here is my nightstand, and the things I typically have on it:

• A stack of inspiring and uplifting books. I love the idea of smart, uplifting energy near my head. Usually, I just like to pick up a book and open to a random page and read. This is one way the universe talks to me because usually the thing I randomly open up to is something that always helps me on something I've been needing help with that day or moment.

• A picture of my triplet nieces with my mom. I love this particular picture because when the girls were that age, getting them to sit still and even crack a smile at the same time was like trying to win the lottery. They all seem to be "talking" to Lola as they call grandma, and I always wonder what they were thinking.

• Bottles of water. Before I go to bed and first thing when I wake up, I take at least 30 swallows of water. Hydrating with water the second I wake up has been one of the best habits I've developed over the years. It's one of my secrets to keeping me skin supple which is why I look younger than my age. Plus, all that water helps me go to the potty first thing. Nothing like starting the day with a good bowel movement...ok, I know TMI.

• Not in the picture, but I always have a sketchbook or a pad of scratch paper to jot down ideas which are mainly blog post ideas or business ideas. Sleep is one of the most productive times for me not only because I'm getting rest but because I dream all the time and get the most amazing creative ideas. I also dream in Technicolor, and can sometimes hear, smell, touch, and taste things yet still know I'm in a dream. It's rather cool and freaky at the same time. But, I've learned to have pen & paper right next to my head so I can immediately jot stuff down.

• What you don't see is an alarm clock or clock of any kind. Clocks on the nightstand actually make it harder for me to sleep because I end up just staring at the numbers which keeps me up. Another thing about me is that I have not worn a watch since sophomore year in college. I have never needed a watch because I either ask people, I can find a clock wherever I'm at, or I have my cell. Asking a cute boy for the time is a great conversation starter :)
  

When I have to wake up at a specific time, I use the alarm clock on my cell or I call the hotel operator for a wake up call. I also put my cell on the dresser drawer away from my body because I read somewhere once about how it's not a good idea to have the cell phone next to you when you sleep. Might be just urban legend. The times when I do use the alarm having the cell on the dresser crawer also forces me to get out of the bed to turn the buzzer off.

So, there you have all the positivity of my nightstand. What's on your nightstand?

Nibbling on Something Light, Noshy, and Everyday

We got some BISJ housekeeping news, and then let me introduce you to something blog noshy and everyday I cooked up.

Hello holidays and experiments

I gave Back in Skinny Jeans a spiffy red holiday outfit, and yes, finally, I added a search box here at the top. Editorial wise, for the next 30-60 days, I’m going to do a bit more shorter posts and keep it lighter yet still valuable. I will also be linking more to other healthy living bloggers. You’re also going to see a bit more of gift and shopping ideas because I want to experiment with selling stuff on this blog, and the holidays is a perfect time to do that kind of experimentation.

Now, I will be sensitive to the fact that you all enjoy less sales type stuff here, but the motivation for me to experiment with the selling of stuff is because I need new income streams to keep this blog alive. Advertising alone is not enough because as you’ve heard on the news purse strings are tightening up around the big brands. I’m not entirely worried. Adversity just means that you need to get creative and re-strategize.

Which leads me to two more new strategies; noshy and everyday, I’m going to experiment with because from a business perspective I need to focus my energy on things that will produce better financial return for the amount of effort I am putting in. Because of the financial crisis going on in our country, I, and you who blog for a living, as business people need/must re-adjust and find new strategies that will work under these new circumstances. Instead of being afraid, I’m going to jump into the unknown and see what I can find, and of course I will share that journey with all of you. So for the immediate next 30-60 days, this is also what I’m going to try:

Noshy

Because I’m going to lighten up on doing the long heavy posts on BISJ for a bit, it will free me up to focus some more time on Noshtopia and a new blog which those of you who blog will be excited about, but more on that a little later because I need to share some new chow with you...

For you on this fabulous Thanksgiving!

A quick expression of my thankfulness to you, my lovely readers :-D (vid :35 sec)

What I've learned in 3 years of blogging about healthy living

 

Woo-hoo! Back in Skinny Jeans celebrates her 3rd birthday and post #2,043. Wowza! We are so grateful to still be going strong and better than ever. Really, because in interweb time 3 years is like 24, we added one more than dog years.

This week is going to be all about celebrating, dancing like Ellen, and having a good time. I am so grateful to you my readers that every day, M-F, there will be some fabulous giveaways we will be gifting to lucky readers this whole week from the wonderful folks at Joe's Jeans, Steaz, and Sephora. Here's all the giveaway details.

So, here are some of the highlights of what I've learned in 3 years of blogging:

Friday Fun: Guess which one of these things Steph wasn't

For some light Friday fun and to get to know a bit about my past, I thought we could play a round of that drinking game where you have to guess something that someone was not. If you guess wrong, you have to take a symbolic drink. Please no boozing til at least Happy Hour. It's Friday so you know what I'll be doing. Woo-hoo!

So okay then, when Steph was in high school which one of these things was she NOT:

• Student Body Officer
• Cheerleader
• Homecoming Court Attendant
• Officer of the Girls Jock Club
• Member of the Math & Science Club

Right answer after the jump...