Sunday, August 9, 2009

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

MUST HAVE PHONE #'s TO PUT IN YOUR CELL!



Got a cell phone? Then consider putting these must-have phone numbers on speed dial. I found these thanks to Rodale Publishing.


Put your family on ICE. That stands for ‘In Case of Emergency.’ Paramedics recommend programming ANY emergency contact in your cell phone after the word ICE, as in “ICE-wife” or “ICE-dad.” The idea is that if you get into an accident, police can use your phone to quickly notify someone.


Another must-have number to put on speed dial is: 1-800-GOOG-411. That’s 466-4411. It’s a Google service that lets you request information just as you would on a web browser. Ask for ‘Italian Restaurants,’ and you’ll get a list of spaghetti and meatball joints within the area code you’re calling from! The best part is that Google won’t charge you – unlike some other 411 services.


The next number to program on speed dial is: 866-411-SONG. Ever been driving around, and you hear a song on the radio that you’re dying to know the name of? Call this number, and hold your phone up to the speaker for 15 seconds. The service will I.D. any song within it’s database of 2-and-a-half MILLION tunes. Then you’ll be sent a text message listing the title and artist. It’ll even give you an option to download the song onto your phone!


Next, if you’re always trying to hail a cab, then program this number on speed dial: 800-TAXI-CAB. This is a free referral service that connects you with the closest taxi company within any metro area in North America. They’ll also hook you up with a shuttle service if you’re stranded at the airport.


If you’re traveling overseas, you must have this number on speed dial: 800-752-6096. That’s a language service that will connect you to one of 170 different translators. Want to know what “la personne la plus futée dans le chambre” means? Then get a French translator on the phone to tell you it means you’re the smartest person in the room! Beware, they’ll charge you $3.95 per minute for that privilege.

WHOSE THE GREENEST OF THEM ALL?

Although the EPA has not established official criteria for ranking the greenness of a city, there are several key areas to measure for effectiveness in carbon footprint reduction. These include air and water quality, efficient recycling and management of waste, percentage of LEED-certified buildings, acres of land devoted to greenspace, use of renewable energy sources, and easy access to products and services that make green lifestyle choices (organic products, buying local, clean transportation methods) easy.
Mother Nature Network's editorial team rounded up their top 10:

10. Austin, Texas
Carbon neutral by 2020 - it's an ambitious goal, but according to the U.S. Department of Energy, Austin Energy is the nation's largest provider of renewable energy, which makes its goal to power the city solely on renewable energy within reach. As the gateway to the scenic Texas Hill Country, acreage in Austin that's devoted to green space includes 206 parks, 12 preserves, 26 greenbelts and more than 50 miles of trails.
9. Chicago
The Windy City has embraced land sustainability far longer than you may think. In 1909, pioneering city planner Daniel Hudson Burnham created a long-range plan for the lakefront that balanced urban growth, and created a permanent greenbelt around the metropolitan area. This greening of the city continues through the Chicago Green Roof Program. More than 2.5 million square feet of city roofs support plant life - including Willis Tower (formerly called Sears Tower) and the city hall building. Also, about 500,000 new trees have been planted.
8. Seattle
The unofficial coffee klatch capital of the country is also sustainable-living savvy. More than 20 public buildings in Seattle are LEED-certified or under construction for LEED certification. Through an incentive program, residents are encouraged to install solar panels on their homes for energy conservation. Sustainable Ballard, a green neighborhood group and sustainability festival host, offers ongoing workshops about how to live in harmony with the environment.
7. Berkeley, Calif.
A great place to find an abundance of organic and vegetarian restaurants is also on the cutting edge of sustainability. Berkeley is recognized as a leader in the incubation of clean technology for wind power, solar power, biofuels and hydropower.
6. Cambridge, Mass.
In 2008, Prevention Magazine named Cambridge "the best walking city." Thoreau's Walden Pond can be found in nearby Concord, and education powerhouses Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University are located here. In 2002, city officials implemented a major climate protection plan and today most city vehicles are fueled by B20 biodiesel or electricity. All new construction or major renovations must meet LEED standards. And a project called "Compost that Stuff" collects and processes organic waste from residents, restaurants, bars and hotels.
5. Eugene, Ore.
Known as the Emerald City for its natural green beauty, this baby boomer haven and second largest city in the state has been doing the "green" thing since the 1960s. In 2008, after only one year of service, the Emerald Express, a hybrid public transit system, won a Sustainable Transport award. Cycling is the preferred mode of transportation, made possible by the 30 miles of off-street bike paths and 29 dedicated bike routes, which total a whopping 150 miles of smog-free travel throughout the metro area.
4. Oakland, Calif.
Residents of this port city have access to an abundance of fresh, organic food, much of which is locally sourced. It's also home to the nation's cleanest tap water, hydrogen-powered public transit and the country's oldest wildlife refuge. Oakland also plans to have zero waste and be oil-independent by 2020, and already gets 17 percent of its energy from renewable sources.
3. Boston
It's hard to think of this city without also thinking of tea - as a commodity, not a drink. Boston ranks high among the urban green elite. Sustainability efforts include a "Green by 2015" goal to replace traditional taxi cabs with hybrid vehicles, recycle trash to power homes, use more solar panels and use more electric motorbikes for transportation. The city's first annual Down2Earth conference was held in 2008. It's designed to educate residents about how to live the most sustainable lifestyle.
2. San Francisco
Declared by Mayor Gavin Newsom to be America's solar energy leader, this vibrant city of cultural tolerance was a 1960s icon and epicenter for the Summer of Love. But in addition to peace, love and solar power, there's also an innovative recycling program with an artist-in-residence at the recycling facility. The artist uses his work to inspire residents to recycle and conserve. San Francisco is also the first U.S. city to ban plastic grocery bags, a concept that supports its effort to divert 75 percent of landfill waste by 2010.

THE WINNER!

1. Portland, Ore.
The city of microbrewery mania and home to megastore Powell's Books - one of the few remaining independent booksellers in the country - is No. 1 in sustainability. Declared the most bikeable city in the United States for its 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes, Portland certainly makes forgoing gas-powered travel easy. And for lessons in DIY sustainable food sources, classes are available for container gardening and cheese making, or beekeeping and chicken-keeping.

4 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR SELF-ESTEEM!


If you've recently been dumped or fired, then your self-esteem probably took a serious hit. Self-worth is a fragile thing, but repairing it can be easier than you think. Here are four ways to boost your self-esteem . . .

#1.) DO A GOOD DEED. It can be something big like helping a friend move, or something small like giving directions to someone who looks lost. The more you help out, the more helpful you'll feel.

#2.) MAKE A RESOLUTION . . . AND KEEP IT. If you resolve to clean out the bedroom closet, you'll get organized . . . which will boost your self-esteem . . . AND you'll get a boost just from making a commitment and sticking to it.
But make sure you resolve to do something that's realistic. If you end up starting something you can't finish, it won't do your self-esteem ANY good.

#3.) BECOME AN EXPERT. Pick something you're interested in . . . it can literally be ANYTHING . . . then dig in. Whether you read up on cooking, Photoshop, or the American Revolution, becoming an "expert" on something will really boost your ego.

#4.) GET PHYSICAL. It's not for everyone, but some people get a real boost in self-esteem by doing things that are physically challenging . . . like training for a 10K or going white-water rafting. If you're less daring, try a bike ride or a brisk walk instead.


Thursday, June 25, 2009

R.I,P. MICHAEL JACKSON!!!!!!


MICHAEL JACKSON

1958 - 2009


My heart is truly broken over the loss of Michael Jackson today. I've been watching CNN for the last couple of hours and crying off and on. I remember having such a huge crush on Michael Jackson. I was enthralled by him. I thought he was the coolest person on the planet. When "The Victory Tour"came to Texas, you had to buy 4 packs of tickets. My mom said the 4 tickets were $100.00 and that, at that time, that was a lot of money. We begged and pleaded to go. I got to invite a friend and my brother, Kenneth, got to bring my cousin. We got to decorate our parents station wagon and I remember just being so excited and feeling so cool that I was getting to go see Michael Jackson live! When we got there and the lights came on and Michael was there on the stage, I remember balling my brains out and screaming from the top of my lungs, "I love you Michael"! THE BEST CONCERT! There were fireworks at the end of the show! The entire stadium was filled with an indescribable energy. When we got out of the concert, my parents had huge smiles on their faces. They knew how happy we were and they got to see the fireworks show from outside. They mentioned how electric the vibe was for them, even from the parking lot. They said there were Michael Jackson impersonators dancing and singing! It was fantastic. In grade school I would play the song, "Ben" over and over again and in high school I would listen to "Rock with You", "Beat It", "Billie Jean", "Ebony & Ivory", etc........ in my room on my tape player and just stare at the ceiling. I wore white socks and penny loafers........Just remembering......the glove.....the moonwalk...... We Are The World....so many fond memories. He was truly great. What saddens me so much was the last part of his life and all of the controversy. He was such a lonely man. R.I.P. Michael Jackson!
I think Michael Jackson was really hot in this video! Not to mention it was a great song!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Faraday's Kitchen Store is holding a "Mom and Me" Cooking Class this weekend in honor of Mother's Day

Faraday's Kitchen Store
http://www.faradayskitchenstore.com/
512-266-5666

"Mom and Me"
Hands-on Cooking Class for Kids!
Saturday, May 9th- 9:30 to 11:30 am
(Mother's Day Weekend)

Chef Jerry Pizzitola will lead a fun and exciting session for Moms and kids together, as you both learn to make some delicious treats that kids love! Menu includes: Cheese Quesadillas; Freshly Made Texas Salsa; Spaghetti and Meatballs with Marinara; The Ultimate Hot Fudge Sauce; and Homemade Ice Cream Sundaes. You'll learn how to make each dish, how to be safe in the kitchen and other tips and tricks to make cooking together fun. Kids will be able to participate hands-on with the chef during some portions of the class.

Class will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 am, and is open to children from 7 to 13 years old with a parent. The cost for this class is $40 per person.
Call 266-5666 TODAY to reserve your spots!


ALL MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND- All Moms will receive a
FREE spatula when they come in to Faraday's!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Saturday May 2nd is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!!

Get a free comic book today! SERIOUSLY! ABSOLUTELY FREE.
To find out more info, go to www.freecomicbookday.com

Also, check out Hugh Jackman talking about it! My boys are so excited to get their free comic books. This is a really cool thing.


Friday, May 1, 2009

KENDRA SCOTT SAMPLE SALE!!! BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, INCREDIBLY PRICED JEWELRY!

KENDRA SCOTT who is an amazing jewelry designer from right here in Austin, Texas is having another one of her SAMPLE SALES that you DO NOT WANT TO MISS!

This is a benefit for Lifeworks!

Friday, May 1st, 10am-6PM
Saturday, May 2nd 10am-2pm

Kendra Scott Design is located at The Penn Field Design Center
3601 S. Congress Ave., B201

http://kendrascott.com/

MIKE SUPER, MASTER ILLUSIONIST, IS AT THE PARAMOUNT TONIGHT AND TOM. NIGHT. GET YOUR TICKETS!

Carey and I had an awesome opportunity to be at The Paramount today with "The Phenomenon" winner, Mike Super. Watch the video as he attempts to predict today's Austin American Statesman front page headline! BTW, he predicted what it would be 2 weeks ago and it's been under lock and key! If he doesn't get it right, then everyone who has purchased a ticket to see his show, gets in free! No pressure right? Watch this!

Thursday, April 30, 2009

2009 Austin Song Contest! Go online and vote for your favorite

The Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau recently launched the 2009 Austin Song Contest to find that one special song about Austin that they could utilize in their various promotional campaigns. Over hundred entries later, five finalists have been chosen:

“The Austin I Like” - Lynn Daniel
“Nobody Ever Wants To leave” - Ryan Harkrider
“Austin Sound” - Clark Perry
“You Found A Star” - Jimmy Shortell
“Austin Rocks!” - Patricia Vonne and Rosie Flores

Check out all the songs and vote on ACVB’s website -- voting ends at midnight on May 5th.
The winner receives a $1,000 cash prize, a Gibson Songwriter guitar, and some opportunities to further their career, no doubt. The victor will be announced at the ACVB’s Annual Luncheon at the Hilton Austin on May 8th.

MAKE YOUR RESUME STAND OUT!

If you’re looking for a job these days you need to impress a computer program before you can impress a hiring manager! There is something called an Applicant Tracking System. That’s a database that human resource people use to store résumés. According to LiveCareer.com - a website designed to match people with the right job – this database is used by about 8 out of 10 employers.
Here’s how it works:
When an HR person is looking to fill a position, they search the resume database using certain keywords, and no matter how qualified you are, if your résumé doesn’t contain them, the person doing the hiring won’t know you exist. So, here’s how to make sure you get noticed:
Create a keyword list. Look at several job descriptions for positions you’re interested in. The most important words will be at the top. They’ll also appear more than once and be listed as “required” skills.
Add the keywords from your list to a "Summary of Skills" section at the top of your résumé. Let’s say you’re looking for a job as an executive assistant. Make sure you include the words, Microsoft Office, travel arrangements, scheduling, and organization.
Work those words into the rest of your résumé. You want to repeat them as often as you can because many tracking systems rank applicants by the number of specific word hits. Also, use different forms of the same word. So, if you have a Masters of Business Administration, use the abbreviation MBA at least once in your résumé. That way, your bases will be covered if the HR person types either term into the search box.
Remember, you can’t get the job unless you get an interview, and to get an interview, you need to make sure your résumé gets noticed. So, identify the keywords for the job you want - and use them often.

My Seal Video!

The Seal concert was off the hook! Check out my video

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Seal April 28th at The Bass Concert Hall! WOW!








Hey you guys! Last night I went with a couple of friends, Katherine and Kim, to see Seal at The Bass Concert Hall. It was truly a spiritual experience. He sounded amazing! He looked amazing and I had sooo much fun! I also got some incredible pictures. I can't believe I took these with my camera. (Wasn't supposed to bring a camera in so I was ducking and hiding from one of the ushers telling people to put their cameras away) HA!!!!!!!!! I also took some video..I went C-R-A-Z-Y when he played the song of the same name cuz it's my all time favorite! I will post those soon to youtube.

We now have a BridgetandCareyShow youtube site! Yea!!!!!!

Just go to www.youtube.com/BridgetandCareyShow

xoxo,
Bridget

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

MOMS & DADS!! LOOK THIS IS FOR THE KIDS!!!!!

Hey Kids- many of you have set up lemonade stands – but here’s an opportunity to be a part of the City’s first-ever Lemonade Day, learn some great business skills and get serious about earning some money!

On May 3, students all over the city will set up lemonade stands – and you’re invited to participate and learn how to build a successful business.

It’s free – all you have to do is register at www.lemonadedayaustin.org. You’ll receive a backpack full of information including an Entrepreneurs Guide that provides the tools you need for success! Go to www.lemonadedayaustin.org or call 512-431-7770 for more information.

Cutest Dog Carriers EVER! Check these out!







I was at the Wiener Dog races in Buda last weekend! (VERY FUN!)
I took my little mal-shi, Zuko, and we had a blast. My friend who owns http://www.barkplaceboutique.com/ had a booth with the most adorable pet stuff and I ended up buying Zuko the most adorable stroller. Yes, I am talking like a baby stroller but it's for your furry little friend. It zips up so they can't jump out and for little guys like my dog, it's perfect for long walks around the neighborhood or even going to the mall! :) ha ha

So, I was wandering around with Zuko and came across these dog carriers that I had never seen before that were just precious. A mom and daughter own the company and they have only been up and running for 6 weeks. They took a picture of Zuko and so I hope to post it soon. I ended up buying a zebra stripe carrier. Zuko loves it....I was so surprised, but he does! They are so incredibly cute. Go to http://www.ruffliferiders.com/ to find out how to get one. They also have a real cute leapord print carrier and a trendy circles carrier. Very hard to choose. May have to purchase more in the near future. These carriers are meant for dogs 15lbs. and less.

Too much fun!






Tuesday, April 21, 2009

EARTH DAY FREEBIES!


Big thanks to Renee, one of our listeners, for telling me about a very cool website where we can all get some earth day freebies! Check it out! http://www.savingwithshellie.com/ Renee also told me she gives all kinds of great advice. She does coupon matchups for local stores and lists all kinds of freebies. One of the things she's been doing is this Spring Cleaning for Less series that she does on Fridays where she tells you how to clean your house with what you already have so you don't have to buy expensive cleaners. It's fabulous.


Also, here's another site with even more eco-friendly loot!


Monday, April 20, 2009

HOME REMEDIES FOR YOUR PET! YOUR BFF!


Here’s the scenario: Your dog walks into the house, and you see he’s got an oozing sore near his ribs, or his face is swollen, or he starts vomiting! What do you do? Well, before you rush him to the vet, try some of these pet home remedies first! These come from emergency veterinarian Justine Lee, and Prevention magazine.

Emergency #1: Fido’s got a painful, oozing sore somewhere on his body – also known as a “hot spot.” These sores are usually triggered by an insect bite, and they’re mostly harmless. Except when Fido tries to lick where it hurts. Because all that licking traps moisture around the sore, which promotes infectious bacteria to grow! The fix? Remove as much fur as possible from the area using a pair of grooming clippers. Then clean the hot spot gently with a gauze pad, and attach a funnel collar over Fido’s head – so he can’t lick himself. Next, apply an even mixture of water and apple cider vinegar to the sore and let the area dry. Do this two or three times a day, and the sore should heal itself. However, if it doesn’t improve within two days, see a vet.

The next emergency: Rover comes in from the back yard with a swollen, puffy face. Chances are he’s having an allergic reaction to an outdoor plant, or your neighbor’s chemically treated lawn. Believe it or not, a single dose of over-the-counter antihistamine – like Benadryl – may reverse the swelling. You should also give your dog a bath using mild soap, since he may be reacting to an irritant on his skin! If the swelling doesn’t go away within a few hours, or if Rover has trouble breathing, get to the vet.

One last emergency: Your dog suddenly starts vomiting. This is actually the most common reason owners bring a pet to the ER, but in most cases, your dog simply has an upset stomach! Dr. Lee says whatever you do, don’t feed him again for at least 12 hours. Let him drink water to help flush out his system and try adding a child’s dose of Pepcid AC to his water dish. However, if the vomiting doesn’t stop, or your dog becomes too lethargic to eat or drink after 12 hours, you need to call the vet.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

MAKE YOUR DATE LIKE YOU IN 90 SECONDS OR LESS!

THIS IS FOR BOTH SEXES!
Floss your teeth.
If you want him/her to pay attention to you-- notice the color of his/her eyes. This will keep your pupils focused on his/hers.Eye contact is crucial and a subliminal way to show that you're a sane friendly person.
If you want her to like you right away-- Mirror her. If she scratches her nose, rub your eye. We gravitate toward people like us.

Monday, April 13, 2009

CHEAP DATE IDEAS IN AUSTIN!




Check out http://www.sneakysunday.com/ and then click on Hotels/Leisure
You will see a link for Cheap date ideas right here in Austin. Pretty Cool.

Also, thanks to one our wonderful listeners who provided a list of 101 great things to do in Austin!
Click here to check it out!


Monday, April 6, 2009

Casting Call for Curvacious Ladies Looking For Love!

From the executive producers of "The Bachelor"...........More To Love!!
Are you confident, curvy and genuinely looking for love?
Click Here for information on how you could get on the show More To Love!

More To Love will air this summer on Fox!