Category: Lifestyle

{Business Cents} How Your Memory Can Help You Stand Out

Published on by Danielle YB Vason1 Comment

business-cents2 copy

Photo Credit:  Professional Women’s Business Network

I say that first impressions are everything but I would also  like to add that the little things matter too.  Let’s try a little experiment.  Raise your hand if you have experienced this statement:

Nice to meet you.  I’ve already forgotten your name.

Did YOU forget the name or was YOUR name the one forgotten?  I experience both sides of this example on what seems like a daily basis when meeting with new clients.  I’m embarrassed to admit that; however, I have made the ability to recall names or better yet face/name recognition on my priority list of things to work on.  Remembering someone’s name makes them feel important, shows you are engaged, and makes you more likeable.  Todd Smith, in a blog post entitled The Value of Remembering Names sums it up nicely in a series of questions that hits close to home.  “Have you ever met someone for the first time who hardly looked you in your eyes, said the standard nice to meet you greeting without any authenticity behind their words and couldn’t remember your name five seconds later? What impression did this person make on you?

How Your Memory Can Help You Stand Out

Apparently, you tend to hear your own name instead of others when you are introduced to a new person. It takes a conscious effort to hear the other person’s name and in the world of shortening attention spans, people who actually make the effort to learn the name of another person, stand out.  I am working on it and one thing that helps is using the person’s name when speaking about them.  Remember, you want to stand out in a positive way and doesn’t it feel great when people remember you?   Check out these 10 Simple Tricks to Remembering Names that can help you make your  first impression be a lasting one…. you know, the good kind.

What are your tricks for remembering someone’s name?

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

{The Bouqs} The Most Epic Way to Buy Flowers – But Is It Worth It?

Published on by Danielle YB Vason1 Comment

You know I’m all about using my “cents” to live a fabulous life. As I get older, however, I’m feel empowered to define and redefine what a fab life looks and feels to me. One thing that is classic and has always made me feel… well fabulous is fresh flowers at home. It’s something about them that makes me feel very adult and chic, which inspires me to get my house super neat and clean as if Elle Décor was coming through. Being in the event design industry, I am fortunate to see all sorts of beautiful floral from around the world. Being on a financial plan, though, means that it is imperative to find creative yet economical ways to make sure that a simple luxury like fresh flowers is in the budget. Check out what could be one of my new go-to stops for fresh flowers on a budget.

The Bouqs

The Bouqs is a company out of California who contacted me last month about reviewing their product. Prior to that, I had not heard of them (I guess I missed that episode of Shark Tank). After doing a little digging, I learned that they offer sustainable and eco-friendly flowers that are grown on an active volcano in South America. Have you ever had volcano flowers??? Yeah, neither had I, so I had to order a bouq (short for bouquet) and let you all know if this is worth adding to your “simple luxuries” money envelope. I went to their website and I was immediately impressed that they had Ranunculus at a time when my floral distributor could not even get them for my brides at work. Swoon-worthy right?

While I LOVE ranunculus, I wanted something with a little flirty touch, so I took a chance and ordered their Desperado bouquet. As seen below, the Desperado is comprised of a lovely composition of pink roses and soft purple Dianthus. I thought the colors were gorgeous so I pressed “order” and waited a week. The delivery came as scheduled, but to my surprise, my pink and purple bouquet was all pink. It was not a big problem, but it just wasn’t what I expected… until I looked online and saw the note that stated: “Pink Roses with Purple Dianthus or similar accent flowers“. This folks, is a prime example of why it is important to read to the end of the line and the bottom of the page J.

Being that I had these delivered to my office, I had a slew of vases in our floral department to choose from. They arrived in a box so I immediately cut them under water at a slight angle to help them last longer. I also was advised by one of our senior designers at my office to remove all extra leaves and cut them short so that water and flower food is not wasted on foliage. I mixed in the flower food that was provided and started playing with how I wanted to style the arrangement I was making. This was my first arrangement right after I took it out of the box on day one.

 

Day Three

A Week Later

Bouqs start at $40.00 an order, including shipping, and would be a great option for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, dinner parties or just because. It’s not in my financial plan to get these weekly, but I will definitely take advantage of their concierge service that allows you to schedule floral deliveries to your favorite people. I know I will also use them again because the quality, service, and ability to stay fresh longer than your grocery store flowers makes it worth the money. I will list this as: A GOOD BUY.

 

What’s Your Take on Fresh Flowers? Fab or a Waste of Money

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

 

{Quick Tips} Every Woman Should Know How to Be More Efficient.

Published on by Danielle YB Vason25 Comments

Women wear several hats everyday and in a society where time is money, learning to be more efficient could be exactly what you need to become more organized, sleep better, and be a ROCK star in your career.  I can’t think of one person who couldn’t benefit from these friendly reminders of simple lifestyle changes that could make a big impact on your well-being.  Check it out!


How to Be More Efficient

Infograph Credit via Funders and Founders

What’s Your Favorite Tip from the post?

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

What ONE Word Do You Want People To Think Of When They Think of YOU?

Published on by Danielle YB Vason1 Comment

Recently, I was asked this question and I  admittedly I drew a blank… at least for the first few minutes of the conversation.  Over the years I have gone back and forth about whether other’s views of me are important and I have come to realize that while I can’t control what other people think, I can control the energy I  put out into the world. Since the conversation earlier this week, this subject has come up in both a professional and social setting where cause and effect and appearance and reality merge. Professionally, what your coworkers think of you and how they describe you to others could have an effect on your progression within your company and/or chosen field.  If excellence is not your brand and others share their thoughts of you with others, you could seem to others as anything and everything less than excellent.

thought cloud

So I ask you…. what ONE word do you want people to think of when they think of you?

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

Still I Rise…

Published on by Danielle YB Vason2 Comments

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.

Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928- May 28, 2014)

What Salary Are You Looking For?

Published on by Danielle YB Vason1 Comment

I talk about money every day and while the subject can be uncomfortable for some, I find it proactive and therefore worth the temporary discomfort.  To me, it is better to have “the talk” early with yourself, your family, and within your relationship because you are more likely to be successful when everyone is on the same page.  However, in my current job, I have found the subject of salary negotiations to be the hardest subject to bring up.  I kick myself every day for not engaging in salary negotiations BEFORE accepting the job, which is a mistake that research has shown is most made by women.

copy-of-how-to-answer-this-question-1In an article for Reader’s Digest, an unnamed HR professional from New  York admitted, “If we ask ‘What salary are looking for?’ say you’re flexible, or say it depends on the responsibilities of  the job.  Try not to name a salary unless we really push you, because that gives us a leg up in negotiation”.  I think this is excellent information because once you sign on the dotted lines, there is little room for renegotiating. 

What is your approach to salary negotiations?

cropped-logo-twitter2014.jpg  Visit SMC on Facebook  Visit SMC on Twitter  Visit SMC on Twitter  Visit SMC  Email SMC

shemakescents{at}gmail {dot}com |  Instagram  @shemakescents 

celebration

Extra! Extra! Read All About it! She Makes Cents Hits MAJOR Milestone!

Published on by Danielle YB Vason6 Comments

2,000,000 Views

This has been a very busy week for SheMakesCents.com, the chic and sassy money-saving site for women that inspires ways to use your “cents” to live a fab life. I am proud to announce the site has hit the 2 MILLION views mark and I wrote my 500th post…all this week!  I want to take a moment and extend gratitude to each of you who have taken the time the read my posts, comment with your thoughts, share with your friends, and trust me with your personal stories of financial worries and successes.  celebrationSo no more sleeping in today.  Rise and shine, lovelies…..get glammed up and celebrate!.  I plan to celebrate this milestone in blogging and I urge you to celebrate your financial milestones- big or small.  There is no cookie cutter definition of the fab life and each of us are proving that as we redefine what it means to us.  The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and I thank you all for helping me see mine materialize.

xo, Danielle

Tell Me About YOUR last MAJOR life milestone!

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

{Style Cents} The Most Stylish Way to Destroy A Credit Card

Published on by Danielle YB Vason2 Comments

Credit Card Name Necklace{Photo Source: Clossette}

I saw this picture not too long ago from the blogger and self-proclaimed JeDIY master, Yuka Yoneda, of Clossette.com and my mind started to race.  That’s right, you are looking at a fabulously easy DIY name necklace repurposed from her old Macy’s card.  People cut up credit cards all the time to celebrate a BIG pay off, to keep themselves from going into further credit card debt, or because they were issued a new card.  No matter the reason, this is definitely a more stylish option than going all Edward Scissor Hands on your old card.  I still can’t fathom the thought of doing the “big chop” on my credit card once it hits a zero balance. It’s hard to shift that paradigm of having a credit card simply “in case of emergencies” but I am starting realize that is what my emergency fund is for.  I’m not sure if I am ready to cut my current card, but I have a card or two that had to be replaced because of a corporate breach.  If you are taking part in this DIY, remember to first demagnetize the card, shred the card after you have removed your “name plate”, and dispose on trash day.

Chic or Cheap?

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

>