Weekend Reads: Validation, Disruptors & Cartoons

When I saw this quote in Kat Gordon's piece about changing the ad industry, it immediately resonated with me because 2015 is the year I'm focused on caring less about what other people think of me. I want to be liked, I hate knowing there are people in the world who might think I'm a jerk or don't respect me, etc. But the truth is, much like trolls on the internet, some people's opinions will never change and their opinions, truthfully, never should have mattered to me. Seeking out the validation of the masses, or anyone really, as you live your life is a dangerous trap and a fast track to losing touch with your identity. I know, I lost myself big time last year! I may conduct myself in ways others could never do, but when I embrace who I am and live my life in accordance it pays off in spades. 

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Don't ever say these things at work. Ever. Ever. Again. 

Harvard Business Review has a lengthy list of things you should stop doing in general, actually. 

Cindy Gallop shared 3 accelerators to create change in your industry at her keynote for the 3 Percent Conference.  

One of my favorite lines to say when I'm on a panel is to talk about planning to be spontaneous. This Medium piece on organizing for the unpredictable takes that and amplifies it by a magnitude of ten. 

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This made me laugh: 3 Under 3, Meet The Disruptors. 

The political theatre of 2016 has already begun and I. Freaking. Love it. 

Turning 30 is fun. These charts and graphs capture it perfectly. 

#LongRead: Vinyl's difficult come back.

Erik Martin, formerly of Reddit, is a pretty interesting guy. 

Cartoonists' response to the Charlie Hebdo massacre is moving and jolting all in the same breath. 

Pretty good career advice. 

This might be the greatest definition of love ever. "Knowledge of each other, not of the flesh but through the flesh, knowledge of self, the real him, the real her, in extremis, the mask slipped from the face."

If 2015 feels a little longer, it is. (Manipulation of time totally creeps me out.)

Alright, that's all I got for this week. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I"m looking forward to nachos with some awesome ladies and more marathon listening sessions of Nick Jonas' "Jealous"....which I'll spare you. Ellie Goulding is way better. 

Music video by Ellie Goulding performing Love Me Like You Do. (C) 2015 Polydor Ltd. (UK)

Weekend Reads: New Year Edition

Some of my friends are making resolutions and some of them are choosing themes and words to live by in 2015. Maybe this is a resolution? I'm looking at it more like real changes that have needed to take place in my life for a long time. I need to be more selfish. Not in the bad sense, but in the, I need to take care of myself, especially in my relationships and life balance sense. I also need to care less about what others think of me. Am I a good person who 99% of the time operates under the best of intentions? Yes. Am I ever going to live a life that pleases 100% of the people around me, friends/family or not? Nope. I'm just a girl, doin' the best I damn well can. With a serious fire in my belly, all I can say is...bring it 2015. 

What just happened? 2014 review from the perspective of a VC. 

Making the magazine. A compilation of behind the scenes pieces at your favorite (and indy) publications. 

The history of champagne in hip hop culture. Sorry...too soon to mention booze? 

I've been on a real Netflix kick lately - here's 25 art documentaries to watch while they still have 'em. 

The Atlantic takes a look at Erik Erickson, who runs RedState.com, and asks if his Tea Party conservative influence still holds as it once did. 

Maybe in 2015 you should have some drinking resolutions...like no more picklebacks and throwing up on wine tours...

Eater dove into long form writing this year - but here's the 15 best pieces they wish they'd written. 

22 things that happen when you're friends with your bartenders. It's a rough life. 

I have no idea why, but this creamy chicken broccoli casserole looks absolutely delicious to me right now! 

LA Taco Truck confessions is the best reality anything I've seen in awhile.

I have three more glorious days off until I get back to work again, but until then it's more r&r. 

Mc Breed

Weekend Reads: 50+ Reads When You Need To Escape Your Family

Fresh off a vacation in Healdsburg, CA where I drank wine, ate amazing food and bonded with Jenna, I'm back home in Arizona for the holiday. Work emails seem to be slowing down, but I can't wait for the complete halt and eventual radio silence. All I want for Christmas is the ability to turn my brain off for a couple weeks. Doesn't that sound nice? 

When to quit your journalism job. Or, why you should care about the business side of media no matter what side you're on. 

Sean Plott aka Day[9] is a hugely popular figure in the gaming community, his talk about how to build community is invaluable for anyone working in digital strategy. 

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The best article from each issue of The New Yorker. 

We've all heard of the damage invasive species can cause, but New Zealand is on a bloody crusade to get rid of theirs. 

ICYMI: Shonda Rhimes on the glass ceiling. 

Breaking up with friends. 

44 great reads for that moment when you need to avoid your family. 

A 5 year old girl's take on Princess Leia's slave girl outfit is pretty hilarious. 

55 movies to see before you turn 30 (female edition). Strong endorsement for Bachelorette. 

Two weeks of time off means some serious cooking...and I will be making this pasta. 

My best friend is running a Kickstarter campaign to fund her self-published children's book, Two! Consider donating if you know or have a crazy little person in your life! 

"Drinking And Talking" about how the sausage is made with prominent lobbyists in DC. 

Weekend Reads: Flirting, Pablo Neruda and Angela Merkel

Sorry the weekend reads are arriving on Monday! The week got away from me, but I figured, better late than never! A couple weeks ago I developed a serious hankering to bake, so I had a few people over this weekend and made more sugar laden treats than anyone knew what to do with. Seriously, everyone went home with a to-go box full of cookies and cake and brownies and it was great! It was all such a nice reminder that I still love being in the kitchen, and I still get so much pleasure out of watching people eat something I've made. As everyone's sugar coma kicked in, one guest noticed my stack of Pablo Neruda books. I've loved Neruda's poetry for over a decade now and it's nice to be able to just thumb through his works every now and then. If you're not familiar with him, check out my favorite, Your Laughter. 

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Oh Buzzfeed, you are so good at promoting yourself! And making my digital strategy heart pitter patter. 

All that "dark traffic" going to your site - the stuff you can't track or really account for - it's probably coming from Facebook (mobile). 

Melody Kramer, digital strategist and generally smart thinker, started a blog. Make sure you follow it. 

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This New Yorker piece on Angela Merkel has me obsessed with her approach to power and leadership. #longread

Alfajores are the perfect cookie, and such a guilty pleasure of mine. My friend Russell has the easiest recipe for them! 

Meryl Streep is my hero. 

"I feel like we’ve been studying [all] women in STEM, but what we’ve been really studying is white women." New research that shows women of color may be less impacted by the stereotype that STEM careers are masculine. 

Flirting is so vague it usually doesn't work. 

Leslie Bradshaw, entrepreneur and co-founder of Jess3, wrote about how she gained and lost 60lbs. I appreciate the discipline, but I don't know if a regiment like that would be sustainable for me. 

39 Most Feminist Moments of 2014

Fast Company does round ups of creative activities - things to watch, read, listen to and do - that will undoubtedly make you the most interesting person to chat up at all those holiday parties. 

Yellowstone National Park reintroduced wolves to the park after being absent for nearly 70 years and the impact they had on the park (beyond the obvious food chain stuff) is astounding!

Weekend Reads: It's Been Too Long Edition

I've been woefully negligent with the Weekend Reads lately, but I've been collecting articles for weeks on end now. In fact, I had so many links I decided to not include them all here so as to not overwhelm you! I've been traveling a bunch for work, a little for play and generally trying to take it easy as the year winds down. I'm thinking a lot about 2015 and what I want my life to feel like at work and at home. More on that later, but for now, some interesting stuff...

If you read nothing else, read this article about burnout. I've been thinking about burnout a lot this year. Maybe I'll take some time to write more about it soon. (Bonus read: the difference between ambition and burnout.)

Female journos are changing media and tech. To quote Cindy Gallop, "Women challenge the status quo, because they never are it."

We say we're "work hard/play hard" people but the truth is, at some point, it becomes difficult to play hard after you've worked hard and you're just tired (hard?). 4 tips for managing that lifestyle. 

ICYMI: Why Buzzfeed doesn't do clickbait. 

Vice media has hired Alyssa Mastromonaco as COO. Her work history includes being the former White House Deputy Chief of Staff. 

Why some people get promoted and others don't. 

Kate Lewis. If you don't know her name and you're in digital publishing, you should. 

Maybe you need a career wingman? 

Quartz builds a modern newsroom complete with career multitaskers. 

Don't write cover letters, write pain letters. 

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How creepy is this!? The Rosetta Philae lander recorded comet noises and they sound eerily like Predator. 

20 minutes on the power of vulnerability is the best 20 minutes you'll spend all week. 

I remain completely fascinated by Stephen Glass' story - he recently spoke with his former best friend in an interview for the publication he nearly ruined. 

Studies show that love taps into the same areas of our brain that release dopamine aka the same area of our brain that registers addiction. So, if you're an ex-aholic, it might all make sense now. 

A tale of Whole Foods in Detroit. 

Text me Merry Christmas with Kristen Bell and a capella group Straight No Chaser is sweet. 

Women get asked about work/family balance all the time, yet men never do. If you're ever asked, use it as a teachable moment. 

Amy Adams answers 73 questions for Vogue and seems sweeter than ever. 

Photo Credit: The Refined Woman

Weekend Reads: Parenting, Halloween & TV Recommendations

I feel like this might be a good time to tell you guys, that while Fall is my favorite season, and October signals the beginning of it, I categorically loathe Halloween. I scurry home from work early if it's during the week, order in food (not really all the different from most of my nights lately) and go to bed early. I want no part of it! No slutty this or slutty that, no people in gorilla suits lumbering toward me drunkenly. No thanks! The only costume I'll be in this year is my pajamas. 

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Innovation is such a buzzword right now, but how do you actually do it. 

Square debuts mobile coffee ordering. Lines no longer stand between us and caffeinated us! 

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50 cultural icons and their favorite books. Including Lil John. 

What if getting engaged was a conversation instead of a mystery event? 

Apparently people don't know how to pronounce Juan? But they definitely can't pronounce Alejandra! 

How American parenting is killing marriage. 

There's a Starbucks in the CIA and apparently it's not cool to ask agents for their names to write it on their cup. 

25 famous women on growing older. 

The "Sioux Chef" and putting pre-colonized food on a restaurant menu. And who knew frybread had such a controversial history? 

Too much TV, too little time...Vulture recommends what to watch based on genre and your mood! 

Image Source: TheRonHumphrey.com

Weekend Reads: Kiesza, Life Advice & Ghost Busters

I'm back! I'm back!!! I was traveling and/or exhausted the last two week so I decided to give myself a break and just be good to myself. Which means I took Friday mornings to sleep in! And relax! It was lovely and I think you for your patience. I collected so many links in the meantime though that I had to seriously pair it down to the best. Hopefully you dig 'em...

Should your whole staff be on Twitter? Some say it undercuts any larger efforts to innovate. And if you're a journalist, it might impact your ability to survive in your industry. 

Work, projects, get stressful sometimes...so how do you know it's time to quit? 

Learning to love criticism. Ha! Right...

I'm thinking a lot about customer service (external customers and internal customers) so I dug this article about telling your team what you want their customers to say about them. Aka, what do you want your reputation to be. 

9 rules for (g)email. 

Comics + journalism = a groundbreaking way to connect people to the news. 

It's okay, nobody knows what the hell they're doing. 

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Taco salads are disrespectful and some ingredients are just too high maintenance. I love Pati Jinich's take on food! 

Guilty as charged, I often say I'm "busy" when asked how I'm doing. There's five things to consider though, before you scurry on with your busy ways. 

Guys, I've been talking to my hair stylist wrong all these years. I've never wanted long layers...I've wanted SHORT LAYERS. My mind has been blown. (Get it...blown...blow out...HA!?!)

Oof! Gut punch of honesty! When love is not enough. 

Everyone knows it's Gilmore Girls time on Netflix! I'm looking forward to watching the show for the first time ever, but even The New York Times is excited! 

When blogging becomes a slog. Honestly, I feel like there's a lot of  hemming and hawing here. If you don't want to blog, don't. If you don't feel like you have anything to say, don't. 

Anthony Bourdain gives pretty good life advice. He's also the future of cable programming, apparently. (RuPaul gives pretty good advice too, fwiw.)

Ghost Busters is the most Libertarian blockbuster of all time. (By my good friend, Phil!)

I recently got into making manhattans at home so this Serious Eats guide to cocktailing at home was interesting. Also, the most comprehensive guide to boozing at home I've ever seen! 

7 strange questions to ask yourself to find your life purpose.

30 is the new 50. The article was a little whiny and immature, HOWEVER, I think there's some relevant nuggets of truth up in there. 

Here's a jam by Kiesza (pronounced Ky-zah) for a nice kitchen dance session this weekend! 

Kiesza - Hideaway UK pre-order : http://po.st/GIMHit (Out 10th Aug) Music video by Kiesza performing Hideaway. ©: Chronicles (Lokal Legend) Island Records

Weekend Reads: A Lot of Cursing, Bosses & A True Hermit

It's the last, long days of summer and I wish I was still back at the beach. It's too hot and too humid and my hair is huge. I'm ready for 70-degree weather and sweaters and boots instead. Until then, you'll find me inside, completely avoiding the heat. 

Cursing at work. Not such a fucking bad idea, ladies! 

My name makes me more likely to be delinquent, less likely to get hired and just perfect to work at AARP. What does your name say about you? 

"I think people would be surprised to know my relationship with data, which is actually one of great skepticism as well as great admiration." Buzzfeed's queen of data, be still, my heart! 

If you're in charge or a project or people you're going to have to learn how to master the art of giving negative feedback. 

Bosses aren't already great at telling you everything you need to know...after all, they're not perfect either. 

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The words you use mean more than you think! 

The process of being late. I've never been 25 minutes late for anything, but I am chronically 10 minutes late for things...but only when I'm at home in Arizona. 

Why do we keep demonizing food and then coming around to the conclusion it isn't so bad after all? Case in point: MSG. 

Whoa! Weird...and...gross?! Those little things you sometimes see float across your eye? They're proteins! 

The Last True Hermit? Sounds firmly planted somewhere between sad and peaceful. 

I'm no Ebola alarmist, nor have I been watching the news for it, but this article about its mutations and the scientists behind the discovery of the outbreak is fascinating! 

Fuck, that's delicious! An f-bomb laden Bourdain-style show about traveling and food. 

Every comment on every recipe blog. Hilariously true. 

Equal parts funny and spot on, this rant about catcalling is a must watch.

The nude photo leak prompted this TechCrunch editor to write an open letter to Jennifer Lawrence.  

My friend Nikki found the week's jam - a cover by pop artist Sam Smith. Have a wonderful weekend, friends! 

Sam Smith covers Tracy Chapman's Fast Car in the Live Lounge for Fearne Cotton on BBC Radio 1 as part of Even More Music Month

Photo Credit: Me! (Alejandra Owens)

Weekend Reads: Short Week Edition

The reads are gonna be short this week. Everyone is on vacation - heck I'm about to go on vacation - and let's get real, we're all tired and just want to binge watch some TV and zone out for a bit. Am I projecting? I might be projecting...

Have a big idea percolating, but no time to make it happen? Follow the 90-90-1 rule. 

Be the bitch. 

Take some time to read this one and the associated links...you'll want to noodle on it and really let it set in. What does it mean to be a member of (a community) (and organization) (anything)?

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This is a feel good story: GA football player, Malcom Mitchell, joins a book club with some very nice ladies. 

Why do people live together before marriage? Usually for practical reasons, but they never actually discuss the relationship/love reasons! A serious case can be made for having deliberate conversations (no matter how hard they may be).

What happens when Evangelical, virgin men get married? Somewhat predictably, they grapple with sexuality just as much after marriage as they did before. 

"When I’m passed-out drunk on the beach, half buried in sand and getting a nasty sunburn because I forgot to reapply expensive sunblock, these are the sorts of books I want covering my face." Picking a great summer read. 

There we go, short and sweet this week! I think this is the perfect song for a lazy summer night, and never mind that you won't understand a word of it if you don't speak Spanish...just enjoy it! 

Enrique Iglesias wants to see you dance! Make a video inspired by his song "Bailando" (the English OR Spanish) versions and you could win tickets and get the VIP treatment on his SEX AND LOVE TOUR, including meeting Enrique! Video ideas & details here: http://bit.ly/1lu7OFM "Bailando" (English Version) - http://youtu.be/b8I-7Wk_Vbc Download SEX AND LOVE Now!

Photo Credit: Me! (Alejandra Owens) Quote: via Justine Musk

Weekend Reads: Burritos, Lying Liars & Twitter Fights

So what do you guys think? Is the business stuff interesting to you? I guess we'll just see how this goes. Next week I leave for the beach and the anticipation of drinking my morning coffee with waves and puppies is just killing me. Five days of reading magazines, binge watching TV shows and soaking up the last bits of sun summer dares to give us is just what i need right now. 

This is a master class in how to win a Twitter fight. (Oozing with sarcasm, in case you couldn't tell.)

Buzzfeed on video: it's completely taking over. 

Also, Buzzfeed is a tech company above all else, not a media company. 

Want to bulletproof your reputation in the digital age? Try being honest...with yourself. 

Fitness magazine got 2mm Facebook fans organically. How?! Um, doing what you're supposed to do on social media anyway. 

Victorias Secret managed to create a brand video that wasn't all NS! NS! NS! Underwear! Angels! Sexy walking! Writhing around! And it's great. 

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The Stephen Hawking biopic based on his wife's book looks like a love story for the ages. 

Looking forward to reading: New York Magazine's profile of Tavi Gevinson. The most self aware teenager to ever exist in the history of the world. 

What if you didn't tell a single lie (even a tiny white lie) for two years? How would your life change? What would your friendships look like? A life of unabashed honesty is not easy.

I love the idea of these tiny lockets - but I want to put my own stuff in there! 

This is what every conversation I have with a dude about catcalling sounds like. It's complicated, right? Related: what men really mean when they're catcalling you. 

Edible burrito tape...and 22 other brilliant snacks that someone needs to create and put on the market. 

All those kids crossing the border? This is what they're families are trying to save them from. Spoiler alert: America is good at exporting gangs. 

A great list of documentaries to put in your Netflix queue. 

An ode to being almost 30. Truly, aging is the best. 

It seems to me that science fiction and fantasy are the perfect literary genres to embrace diversity - though this author's fan disagreed. 

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! 

Music video by Big Boi performing Shutterbugg. (C) 2010 The Island Def Jam Music Group

Photo credit: Me! (Alejandra Owens)

Weekend Reads: Mullet Edition

I'm going to try something new here on the Weekend Reads. Kind of like a content mullet, business in the front, party in the back, I'm going to start sharing a few business-related articles up front and then all the fun stuff I know you already love. The reason being that a lot of the business-y links I share at work get a lot of conversations going so why not bring some of those here? Let me know what you think in the comments. If you hate it, we'll dump the work stuff and just keep it fun and light! 

6 things your personal website should always have (and 6 things it should never have).

How do you tell someone what you do and not make their eyes glaze over? I thought the focus on emotion and invoking a feeling when you talk about what you do was most interesting.

Everyone loves a good photo slideshow but please, please don't do them this way. 

What's your cultural profile? Despite being American, I fall wildly out of the range for "American" behaviors. Interesting to consider in business dealings and management styles at work. 

"Don't measure anything unless the data helps you make a better decision or change your actions."

Susan Wojcicki is undertaking a behemoth task: rebooting YouTube.

How Facebook sold you krill oil. (And...ew?!)

And now for the fun stuff...

"The epidemic of passive man is upon us."

Professional coffee folk taste testing shitty coffee is getting old, no? 

If you're at a total loss for conversation on a date, use these 5 convo starters as your guide. 

All the Buzzfeed listicles you wish they were making. 

Are you an emoji whisperer? I'm an 8. Which means I can tooootally text entire sentences in emoji. 

I travel to eat in different places, mostly. This list of hotels for food lovers is my new travel list for 2015. Add Praktik Hotel in Barcelona is a bakery/hotel. I'll repeat that, a bakery. Hotel. 

If you ever feel like the universe is just always against you? Make it bend in your favor. 

My buddy John Stanton tweeted about Lynn Collins' song Think being quite good so I checked it out. Aside from being a catchy tune (and I feel like her hair-do is appropriate for the post today) the lyrics are rarrrr, sassy! Check it out...and have a great weekend guys!

Uploaded by ClubExotica on 2012-12-09.

Photo Credit: Tattly's awesome tattoo! 

Weekend Reads: Heavy D, Shakira & Modern Love

If you're thinking, this post looks slightly different...hmm...new font? Different layout? Can't quite put your finger on it? I moved the Weekend Reads to my Squarespace site! I'm loving the ease and flexibility Squarespace offers and am thinking it will be a better reading experience for you guys, too. If you're interested, you can follow the Weekend Reads via RSS or have it delivered to you via email. Click around, let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions for the site design, post ideas or anything else, shoot me a note! 

A formula for making songs in every genre of music. 

Craft and small-batch bourbon is so hot right now! And most of it's coming from...a factory in...Indiana. 

Top 3 Facebook pages...GO! Bet you'd never guess international rocker, songstress and belly dancer extraordinaire, Shakira, is numero tres. 

Dynamic duos aren't just reserved for Mad Men-era copywriter/creative pairs, or even super heroes - CMOs and their execs are making perfect marketing pairs doing some amazing work in the industry. 

Talking about formulas...here's what every trendy restaurant menu looks like. 

Yelp has a cool tool that analyzes food trends by key words and even city. Bourbon! DC! 

"I had a life partner who thought my work was as important as his," she said. "And I think that made all the difference for me, and Marty was an unusual man. In fact, he was the first boy I knew who cared that I had a brain." - Ruth Bader Ginsburg on her relationship with her husband. 

The production company that brought you Sharknado. Now you know who to *really* hate.

Meet The Press is the longest running show in the history of broadcast television. Aside from being a DC tv watching staple, it's also totally tanking in terms of ratings and quality. Ryan Cooper at The Week has some ideas on how to save it. 

Zooey Deschanel's Makers interview is inspirational and so spot on it had me girl crushing on her even more than I normally do. 

8 female entrepreneurs share how they overcame big time road blocks. 

I haven't read the entire article (or more info on the study it is prompted by) but this Jezebel piece on a study about female attractiveness and our "listening skills" (to put it nicely) is at the top of my Instapaper for the weekend. After too many years of dates with men who manage to talk about only themselves for hours on end, I doubt I'll be surprised by anything presented. 

My undergraduate degree is in Mexican-American Studies. So this piece on teachers' fight to continue their programs and fully integrate curriculum is fascinating to me. 

“Your marriage will be great,” my mom tried to assure me. “At least you’re not marrying someone like your father.” Oh, Modern Love, you always slay me. 

We're looking at a long, rainy weekend here in DC and I'm not even sad about it. You'll find me in bed, watching Battle Star Galactica on Netflix! Have a good one, friends! 

hoto Credit: Me! (Alejandra Owens)

Weekend Reads: Pixar, Lady Gaga & Wanderlust

When I saw that Lady Gaga quote, I thought, damn! That's a dose of angry real talk! The truth is though, she's right. It's an interesting thing to consider balancing love (or the pursuit of it) and your career - whatever your level of ambition or drive. I think about this stuff a lot, especially lately, because this year I've done nothing but invest in my career. It's been rewarding, frustrating, inspiring...the whole gamut of positives and negatives...and I really wouldn't have it any other way.

Are you practically Snow White? Then you need these apps that tell you just how much time you should be in the sun.

Who's looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday? This girl! And now I have a list of movies to watch online, so I may just stay in bed all day!

Nail polish on-the-go! I wish Metro would allow helpful kiosks in major hubs!

Newsletters seem to be making a serious comeback! These tips are interesting, but Alexis Madrigal's point about a newsletter audience v a Facebook audience was most intriguing. Should I be turning this list into a newsletter instead of a blog post? Hmm.

I did a bunch of work so clearly now I can surf the net for two hours! Right? Wrong.

Dogs get jealous, too! Duh.

Want to foster a creative environment at work? This is how Pixar does it.

Trendy restaurant menus are...so formulaic. (Also, the vegetarian part is SO true!)

I have major wanderlust this year. My brain has headed to every exotic locale at least twice! This list of magazines that are great for travelers isn't helping me any. (I must admit, the best/worst thing I've done all year is subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler.)

A radio show host once asked Lauren Conrad what her favorite position was and she had the best answer ever. Mic.com asked 23 women what their favorite position was. Mine? Senior Advisor.

Ira Glass' Lifehacker "How I Work" column is getting a lot of buzz. I suspect it's because the man is a) a total beast and b) does almost everything either in the cloud or without the clunky equipment one would assume he'd use.

My iTunes is solidly stuck on songs that came out in the 90s and it's making my morning commute so much more pleasurable! Here's some Fugees for you - have a great weekend, friends! [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPlb9HoOCxs]

Music video by The Fugees performing Fu-Gee-La. (C) 1996 Sony BMG Music Entertainment

Photo credit: Alejandra Owens (me!)

Weekend Reads: Unplugging, 35 Things We Learned This Week & Bad Ass Women

You guys, I'm heading to the beach for a few days! It's basically all I've wanted for months now and all I've been thinking about all week! Of course, how much I unplug and just enjoy it is always a struggle. This little guide on how to unplug was the best advice I've read on the subject. Mostly because it didn't tell me to just "not check email" and "enjoy being present" or make me feel guilty for being super dedicated to work. I can't wait to look at the horizon, listen to the waves crashing and grill some food. Doesn't that sound nice? I think so!

“Congratulations on taking your age to the next level. I wanted to optimize this yearly touchpoint to encourage a paradigm shift in how you approach life going forward by enclosing a copy of The Likeability Factor.” Take your good wishes to the...next level.

The Day I Left My Son In The Car. A heartbreaking read of a whole other variety. Make the time for it.

30 things I've learned. #11, sadly, is so true.

Marvel comics made some huge announcements this week! Thor is a woman and Captain America is black!

"I have been in relationships where a man has disrespected me, and I don't need to be friends with that man anymore. I don't want to be the one going, 'I'm cool, because I'm friends with all my exes.' There's a reason why you're called an ex. I crossed you off my list. Moving on. You cross a line, you need to know that you're going to walk this earth knowing that there's an individual who has no respect for you." Zoe Saldana is such a bad ass.

I'm thinking of updating all my social media bios. This little guide is leading my way.

5 business lessonsCindy Gallop learned from starting a porn* site. (*it's not a porn site) (Don't let the sexiness dissuade you - read read read it!)

"The most important advice I would still give — and it may seem crazy because I did lose this job I really loved — you have to be an authentic person." Jill Abramson is also such a bad ass!

The next time someone complains about Buzzfeed being shameless clickbait of zero substance say this: “BuzzFeed headlines pay off particularly well because they actually make fairly small promises and then overdeliver." Then tell them the real problem with click bait.

Kara Swisher is the gal who brings you all that juicy news about Yahoo! and Google and Marissa Mayer and Sergey Brin. This New York Magazine profile of her is a fabulous look at the woman is both feared and the person you want to tell everything to.

Tim Howard, star of the US Men's National Team at the World Cup is hot hot hot on the cover of Ad Week!

Talk about songs I've had on repeat lately...this Nico & Vinz song, Am I Wrong, is playing all. The. Time. I think it's the song of summer 2014, but we all know I can be a questionable judge of music. Have a great weekend, friends!

Watch the music video for the hit single "Am I Wrong" by Nico & Vinz. Download & Listen: iTunes: http://smarturl.it/AmIWrongNV Spotify: http://smarturl.it/amiwrongspty WiMP:http://smarturl.it/amiwrongwmp LINKS Official Website: http://www.nicoandvinz.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nicoandvinz Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nicoandvinz Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nicoandvinz Music video by Nico & Vinz performing Am I Wrong.

Photo Source: Danielle Laporte

Weekend Reads: Sexy Presidents, Niagara Falls & Touching Our Friends

I had quite a fun, and slightly over-booked, week! Great dinners with friends, I was a guest in Carol's Georgetown class about personal branding and I get to see an old college buddy I haven't seen since we were actually in college! Not bad, but I'm looking forward to a restful weekend for sure.

Our Instagram life vs. real life.

Hey can I pick your brain? Now that you have the meeting, don't screw it up!

Man vs. Food. And I don't mean the show...would you rather have a Ryan Gosling...or a grilled cheese!

At one point in time the Army actually stopped Niagara Falls. Almost like a cartoon! Bloop! Just stopped a giant waterfall!

Dear Confident Women, There's are guys out there who love how confident you are!

I LOVE Dead Poet's Society! Josh Charles takes us back in time and reminisces about the making of the movie, the guys' relationships and more.

Are you a touchy person? Or do you prefer a lot of personal space? I can be huggy/touchy so I thought this study about how often we touch our friends was neat!

Warren G. Harding...you sexy beast!

Erling and Emmett, two peas in a pod. Never mind they're separated by three generations and 86 years.

Aspen Ideas Festival is all done and wrapped up - but you can check out the transcripts (and sometimes audio)!

You're probably doing these 9 things at work that are terrible for  your productivity. (I know I am!)

Lucy Flores: abandoned as a child, former gang member, lawyer and...politician. Is she the candidate Democrats have been craving?

Then there's 8 more things you shouldn't be doing! (Geesh, this list is getting long!)

Okay, here's 8 things you should be doing at work!

Newsletters seem to be back on the rise - here's a few that you might actually enjoy. (I'll add an endorsement for The Skimm!)

I have World Cup fever so this genius video of what it would be like to live like a soccer player had me in stitches.

Getting flack for using social media at work? Give this a read and share it with your boss!

Hip hop + art = Fly Art. I bought it.

Do you ever invest your money in a company? Ahem, Kickstarter counts. Here's the one question you should be asking before you fill in your credit card info.

How a meat-centric chef-turned-butcher is changing DC's appreciation for all things meat.

I was on a hunt for new music to listen (and finding nada!) when I just went back to the classics. I've been re-rocking out to The Miseducation of Lauren Hill all week and it has put me in the best mood! Have a great weekend, lovahs!

Music video by Lauryn Hill performing Doo Wop (That Thing). (C) 1998 Ruffhouse Records LP

Photo source: Her New Tribe

Weekend Reads: Pop Covers, Coffee Tasting & Goal Lists

This week flew by thanks to a cross-country tip, a day-long layover and massive productivity at work this week! The great thing about this week was that I'm finally starting to feel like I have a handle on things. Maybe it was my trip home that helped me reset things and get a little perspective, but I'm (finally!) feeling a little lighter in life and more optimistic. I plan on riding this wave, too. All the way to Virginia wineries this weekend!

I still have no plans to hit the beach this summer (tear) but these books will be good for pool reading too.

Why dad's who do household chores raise more ambitious daughters! (Do that laundry guys! It's for your kids!)

What a delightful way to do a goals list.

What happens when a champion barista tastes grocery store coffee?

Resistance is futile. Summer is here. Just build your own gin & tonic bar now and save yourself some time later.

With all the open discussion about gender issues in the news lately, here's a practical guide for the men in our lives for participating in a constructive way.

"I just had sex and I'm about to eat nachos. This THE GREATEST moment of my life!!" (Can't wait to see this movie!)

The anonymous sharing app, Secret, has turned into a digital burn book for the DC gays. After being burned by the app myself, I highly recommend not downloading it. Also, nothing good can come from airing your mental dirty laundry like that.

Reading Cosmo and Maxim shapes our relationship with sexual consent...you'll be surprised.

"Yes. I've decided to age." - Tom Ford, on getting "old" in the fashion industry.

I'm not exactly a music aficionado but the Chela "Zero" EP Minimix would be perfect for a summer evening grilling party. These Rihanna covers are great for a dinner party! And last but not least John Mayer's take on "XO" by Beyonce would make the perfect soundtrack for Sunday morning coffee and magazine reading!

Have a wonderful weekend! I've had Haim on repeat for a week now (mostly because I feel like their new album could be the soundtrack for Romancing the Stone!) so I hope you like 'em too...

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TffpkE2GU4]

Weekend Reads: Caftans, West Wing & Boss Ladies

I need this 3-day weekend so badly you guys. Mostly for the sleep...also for the lazy. I don't even care that I'm not at the beach or off on a fun trip. Waking up in my own bed, sipping on coffee and watching some bad, bad TV sounds so delicious! I have a high-rise stack of magazines to dive into while I'm up on my roof deck soaking up some sun, too. Work: off! Weekend: on!!!

Even the Pope doesn't like Facebook!

How to get your body caftan ready for summer. "Crumbs? Let them fall where they may, swaddled in your caftan."

Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize! It's my number one soft skill at work and so few people know how to do it well.

I'm a new manager and found Ann Friedman's managerial advice pretty interesting. New or not, it's worth taking a look.

Speaking of Ann Friedman, she's my internet girl crush for sure. Great writer, funny and (mostly) talks about stuff relevant to my (feminist) interests.

If you love the West Wing, you'll love this homage to Seventeen People.

Silly: a dog raised by cats has cat-like tendencies.

It's most definitely fun to work in social media, but here's some things you should know before you get all dreamy eyed.

If you could give career advice to your younger self, what would you say? These journalists have great advice, regardless of career.

It's commencement season! Here's the best of the best commencement speeches, new and old.

I love everything about Anna Holmes' response to a reporter asking about how she got her new gig: "Felix didn’t hire me. I’m going to be Felix’s boss." That's how ya do it ladies, that's how ya do it! 

"What is the source of your power? And, what is the source of your joy?" A thoughtful piece on Jill Abramson's untimely ousting at the New York Times. 

A walking food tour of the Lower East Side with Ruth Riechl?! I'd pay good money for that experience!

Why they never drink wine on Mad Men. Who knew!?

Meetings suck! Learn how to run one like a boss!

When women succeed and break through the glass ceiling, they end up on the glass cliff. (Jesus it just never gets easier does it?)

Relevant to probably no one but me, Pitbull's World Cup song sucks. How sad, Mr. 305. How sad indeed.

Whatever you're up to this weekend, I hope you're having fun and relaxing! Here's a little Paolo Nutini to get you in the mood... [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIQ2Rxh1k9Y?list=PLG-6sLnL75vZBdPUj_URGz9NstmwU4lZ3]

Weekend Reads: Ant Hills, Literary Insights & Overrated Movies

What happens when I don't do the weekend reads one week? Apparently I amass a ridiculous amount of links for you guys! While I was busy jetting to Nashville, New York and back I religiously sent links back to my Instapaper to share with you guys. Hopefully you enjoy them all!

Why all babies love peekaboo.

What was your first big girl purchase? A bag? Fancy shoes? For me it was my diamond hoop earrings. Diamonds are fun, but the fact that I could afford a splurge on something that seemed reserved for adults was just delicious!

A new documentary follows young, American wine makers. I've spent time in the tasting room of Cartograph Wines in Healdsburg, CA and am excited to hear more about their story.

10 life lessons to excel at. (Um, great list but usually easier said than done.)

Amy Schumer's speech on confidence really made the rounds, but it's worth looking at more closely. Don't discount her experience as a fluke or just a one-off. It's more universal than you may realize.

How do food critics decide what to order when they're reviewing a restaurant? Or, a guide to being the best order-er at your table!

Fire ants make beautifully complex nests. These guys pour molten aluminum into them and basically turn the little buggers' home into art.

How to perfectly pet select species of animals. (Including a unicorn. Not including a dragon...how does Daenerys do it?!)

Humans Of New York takes on the Met Gala...makes the rich & famous only slightly more...human.

Thanks for all your lovely life & love advice, but did you ever stop to consider the lens through which you're giving it out?

Did Kerouac, Updike and Rand intend for all the symbolism that we now overanalyze and write high school papers about?

Revisited: America's tenuous and sometimes embarrassing relationship with Mexico - through the eyes of Anthony Bourdain.

Who's hitting the tattoo parlor these days? Not who you think.

Fail harder, they say. But 11 entrepreneurs share how they bounced back from their failures.

I was completely intrigued by one geek guy's take on why men in the tech industry can be so misogynistic - and what they can do to fix it.

Rap music today more a synthesized collection of groans and YEAAHs than it is an exhibit of complex lyricism. But a few rappers seem to excel in this regard.

5 phrases that can improve every relationship in your life.

Would you ever go a month without buying anything that you didn't absolutely need? I've definitely been thinking about how I spend my money lately and this struck a chord with me.

The most overrated (and underrated) movies of all time.

A whole class of students chose a famous author to write to. Only Kurt Vonnegut wrote back!

Let's optimize the campaign for synergistic KPI achievement!! The origins of those annoying office buzzwords. (Complete with a quiz that tells you just how annoying you are.)

Tavi Gevinson. What the heck, chica! I didn't think like this when I was her age at all!

TO DO: My dearest friend Jonah is riding from San Fran to Los Angeles this summer to raise awareness and funds for ending HIV/AIDS. Proceeds benefit two amazing organizations working to end AIDS and help those who have it live long and fruitful lives. Consider donating to support his ride?

I'm such an Ellie Goulding fan girl. The weekend jam is the song she did for the tweeny/young adult movie, Divergent. I've had it on repeat for weeks without shame...well, maybe a little shame. Have a great weekend guys!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrNTOo4KH8c]

Photo: Me! (Alejandra Owens)

Weekend Reads: DJ Khaled, Balloons & Wine

When my alarm went off at 6am I laughed. I was having a dream about my boss' boss just as I was waking up and thought, TGIF indeed. Things I'm looking forward to this weekend include: pasta dinners, farmers markets with friends and at least one luxurious afternoon nap.  Then it's off to the races with a full week of travel and jetting around! I'm already looking forward to being back in my own bed next Friday. In case you're curious about the quote above, it's from one of my favorite workout songs (I'm not saying it's actually good music, folks) "Out Here Grindin' by DJ Khaled. It's just one of those silly little lines that pumps me up in the middle of a difficult day so I thought I'd share!

A weather app that keeps it real, ladies. It just tells you if you're facing frizz or not.

I just...miss you.

I love rosé, which is so hot hot hot now! "As you search your favorite retailer’s shelves for this year’s rosés, remember: This is not your mother’s white zinfandel."

They say looking at Facebook too much makes us sad - but now you can pin point the unhappiest of your friends with this Time tool.

It didn't invent the Web, but it largely built the damn thing. Generation X gave you Google and Twitter and blogging; Run DMC and Radiohead and Nirvana and Notorious B.I.G. Not that it gets any credit.

This hotel looks so quaint and beautiful. A respite from the madness of New York City.

What a woman is worth - in Silicon Valley - and why she's undervalued.

What does it look like to release 1.5 million balloons into the air? Well, here you go.

Get smart, wine drinkers! Some wine myths you need to know were busted.

5 tips to help you conquer your work email (most tips are Outlook specific).

How to tell when someone is lying.

The Time 100 list is out - with a record 41 women on the list.

Looking to make a business case for a new project at work? Or maybe you need a kick ass plan to get everyone on the same page about a huge project you're managing. This simple strategic plan template will make you look SO good at work!

The ultimate relationship milestone - moving for love - reexamined.

Have a wonderful weekend, lovahs! Indulge in this Spring sun that we're finally getting!

Weekend Reads: Monday Edition

So, here's some #realtalk for you guys. I'm in NYC for work last week, having dinner with my dearest friend Lindsay when I start telling her a story. The weekend prior, I was at brunch with a handsome gent when he asked me, "So what else do you have going on?" Such a simple question, right? Totally normal, too. But lately, that simple question is causing me a lot of anxiety.

Most conversations, even with friends, go something like this: "How are you?" "Good!" "What's been up?" "Oh man, I've been working a lot lately! You?" "I'm good too! What else do you have going on?" And then...nada. I scramble for the smallest nugget of a something I've done in the last week that didn't involve email or social media jargon. I don't have anything else I've been up to lately! I work! It's not even that I'm pulling 16 hours days so much as I'm giving a lot of my mental and emotional energy to my work right now. I have a new role, new challenges, new opportunities, a million ideas, not much time - and all of that comes with some mental and emotional weight. By the time I get home I have enough energy to pour a glass of wine and watch a few episodes of Suits or Hart Of Dixie (don't judge me, judgers!!!) and that's it!

Except, that's not it. After I practically burst into tears at Otto over a plate of asparagus I explained to Linds that I feel so boring right now! I felt bad for that poor gent who must (MUST!!! So dramatic.) think I am the least interesting person in the world! Because Linds is an awesome friend she assured me I am not boring and I am interesting and I do have other things going on, they're just not as big as they were a couple months ago - and that rest/relaxation time is important.

I agree with her, but I also decided getting out and doing different things might help a bit. So two days ago I went to Awesome Con! If you're not familiar with the world of cons, the trailer for the Comic Con documentary will give you an idea. It was exactly what I needed - a good mix of fun, new experiences and plenty of fodder for storytelling over future brunches and drinks. Now I just need someone to ask me "So, what else do you have going on?" (PS - Do you guys ever feel this way? I think I just got into a rut...now it's time to pull myself out of it!)

Would you apply for the world's toughest job...and got a surprise!

20 delightful facts about the Golden Girls.

In 100 quintillion years, Earth will die and plunge into the sun. Apparently.

Chomping at the bit for a little taste of Game of Thrones (book version)? This nugget from World of Ice and Fire on G.R.R. Martin's site should make you feel better.

I dare you to look at these 60 photos and not fill up with all kinds of emotions.

"We go elsewhere because we are looking for another self." Marriages and affairs...not what you normally think. 

It's really unfortunate what Woodford Reserve is saying about the wold of female bourbon drinkers in their ads. I love the brown, and I don't care if my man can build a bookshelf and I certainly don't seek to be tolerated.

Kansas had a serious drag scene in the 60s! Sashay...away...

"You don’t just have to be the woman who does everything; you now have to SHOW that you are. Welcome to the new résumé." Boom!

Hunter Thompson's writing schedule. Or should I say, "writing" schedule.

Kate Middleton photobombs people just like the rest of us!

7 things really persuasive people do.

Hopefully you all have a great week ahead of you - I'm looking forward to trying a few new (and different) things this week to mix it up a bit. Wish me luck, lovahs! And...pardon the slightly gnarly concept of the music video for Greenback Boogie...it's a great song (the theme for Suits!).

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slgj96aXgQk]