Pinterest – everything you need to know about the social networking site making a stir in 2012

26Jan12

Back in 2011 I was hailing Pinterest as the site to watch for 2012 and talking about my ridiculous obsession with it.

I am obsessed with pinterest. It's bad.

—
Aleksandra Stalmach (@alisaan) November 29, 2011

My obsession with butter chicken can only be shadowed by my addiction to pinterest. #ClassicAli

—
Aleksandra Stalmach (@alisaan) December 02, 2011

Since then I’ve watched in excitement as people flocked to the site wondering what all the fuss is about. After the jump I’m going to explain what Pinterest is, how to use it, how brands are using it, and to top it off I’ll give you some basic resources if you want more info (and yes, you will want more info).

Filed under: Brands, Social Media, Business, Favourites   |  2 Comments
Tags: My Favourite Things, Pinterest, Social media sites

Holiday shopping made easy

09Dec11

This is my Christmas wreath. You like?

Now here’s something you don’t hear someone say too often? “I love shopping for gifts during the holidays!”

But guess what?

In my case, it’s true!

I know it sounds crazy but I have mad holiday shopping skills. So if you want some tips on how to make this year’s shopping activities one of joy and not as much bah humbug, read on!

Filed under: Holiday, Personal, Social Media, Tech   |  1 Comment
Tags: Christmas, Christmas shopping made easy, Christmas wreath, Holiday shopping made easy, Holiday wreath, Holidays

Happy anniversary, Nirvana

23Sep11

He sits on my desk at work and watches me type from behind my monitor. Although he’s prominently visible, many people don’t give him a second look. He’s my little guardian – a testament to who I was once and who I’ve continued to evolve and become.

This is Kurt Cobain.

This is Kurt Cobain in 12 inches of plastic glory. The outfit, pose and scenery (notice the gym floor he’s standing on) is from the epic anthem “Smells Like Teen Spirit” from the Nevermind album. Today marks the 20th anniversary of its release. With the anniversary comes a special collector’s edition of Nevermind. I’m not going to sit here and tell you what’s in the 20th special edition album. Nay nay. You can Google that. What I will tell you is about why that album is so special to me.

Filed under: Personal   |  4 Comments
Tags: Grunge, Nevermind 20th Anniversary, Nirvana, Nirvana Nevermind, Nirvana Nevermind 20th Anniversary, Smells Like Teen Spirit, Something In The Way, Stay Away

My take on Starbuck

21Sep11

Patrick Huard as David Wozniak (aka Starbuck). Image credit: www.lindaleith.com

What’s Starbuck?

Starbuck is a feature film by director Ken Scott inspired by a true story of a bull (named Starbuck, duh) who fathered thousands of children through artificial insemination.

Cue David Wozniak (played by Patrick Huard) – he works a dead-end job as a meat delivery man, just found out his gf is pregnant, owes crazy amounts of money to some thugs, and finds out he’s fathered a few hundred children from his numerous sperm bank donations way back in the day (apparently he has strong swimmers).

Filed under: Movies, Personal   |  2 Comments
Tags: Diet Coke TIFF Contest, Patrick Huard, Starbuck, Starbuck Movie, Starbuck Movie Review, TIFF, TIFF 2011, Toronto International Film Festival

How many social networks is too many?

08Jul11

Here's part of my Google + screen. Still figuring out how to use this network so it's not a repeat of Facebook or Twitter.

Let me ask you something – do you sometimes feel like a little spread thin when it comes to your social networks? I mean between my social networks (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and now Google+), my location-based services (Foursquare, Hashable and Google Latitude) and my blog (WordPress and the still unknown fate of Tumblr that I haven’t quite worked out the det’s for) I’m not feeling like I’m giving 100% of myself to any one network.

Filed under: Brands, Business, Rant, Social Media, Tech   |  4 Comments
Tags: Future of Google+, Google+, postaweek2011, Social media sites, What Are You Posting On Google+

Why I’m still taking courses long after university

20Jun11

I laid out my items the night before. Yes kids, I'm all ready for class!

As many of you may have heard, I’m currently taking a night course through the Canadian Marketing Association to acquire a Digital Marketing certificate.  w00t!

Now as many peeps have asked me, why are you taking classes long after university and post-grad has ended for you? Good question. Lemme start by saying – HEY! My post-secondary/post-graduate education was NOT that long ago!

Sorry I digress – the question was why am I still taking courses? Right…good question! In fact, while creating my study notes I may have asked myself the same question, mumbling it under my breath. In all honestly I love school *nerd alert*. I find it really stimulating, challenging and all around good fun (pending you’re taking courses you have interest in and now…let’s say…accounting). Here’s why I recommend everyone should take some continuing education courses during their lives long after they think they’ve finished school forever…

Filed under: Balance, Education, Personal   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Nerd Alert, postaweek2011, Stay In School

My blogging hurdle – confessions of a scaredy cat

14Jun11

Blogging is hard. I mean I love to blog but you gotta be in the mood. You can’t just force yourself to write…or can you?

I know I haven’t blogged in awhile – trust me when I say the absence isn’t on purpose but I just haven’t had the ability to click “Publish”.

Filed under: Honesty, Personal, Social Media   |  10 Comments
Tags: Blogging Drafts, Blogging Tips, My Blogging Hurdle, My Draft Box Is Full, postaweek2011, Scardey Cat

Here’s wishing you a happy cup raise, Canucks

14Jun11

Wishing the Vancouver Canucks luck during game six of the Stanley Cup Finals. Hoping Luongo will get a chance to lift this bad boy soon – either this game or next.

G’luck boys!!!

Updated: Fair warning I did have a convo this am about my ideal Stanley Cup win which would be game seven in Vancouver so maybe the first part of game six is just trying to make that happen. I just didn’t picture it as 4-0 in the first five minutes of the first period!

Filed under: Canada, Personal, Sports   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Boston Bruins, Game 6, Stanley Cup, Stanley Cup Finals 2011, Vancouver Canucks

Yes, Hotmail is down

10May11

*Forgive the formatting – written on an iPhone and will be updated shortly*

So I feel like I need to post this: Hotmail is down.

I can’t imagine the day one of the largest, free email engines with more than 50 million subscribers goes down….and yet here it is! Microsoft apparently took its Hotmail service offline so company technicians could fix a security hole exposing users’ email.

Gmail user? Bet you’re feeling pretty awesome right now, eh?

I too am a Gmail user. Even though my Hotmail address was created when I was 12 or so (and I’m actually embarrassed by it), I still don’t have the balls to shut her down. Why? Because it was my first email addy – even if it’s laughable. It’s also kind of my repository for things that remind me of being young while the Interweb was young.

Remember this?

1. Free dial up using Altavista – Sure it showed ads at the bottom of your screen all day and kicked you offline every now and again, it was free!
2. ICQ (aka I Seek You) – This great chat site was the original MSN Messenger. I still remember how short my ID was: 7 digits. What was yours?
3. The dancing baby – a marvel of computer animation we sent around in emails over and over again. If you have to ask you ain’t hip.
4. How about quizzes – Way before Facebook we had email quizzes that people actually filled out! I still have a fee from uni and they make me laugh every time I bust em out.
5. Dial up sounds – Need I say more? I still curl up in fetal position when I hear them. Just awful.
6. Netscape Navigator – This bad boy was THE browser of the time. I hated it…always. (Sorry dudes – it was infuriatingly annoying).

What are your favorite memories of a young Interwebs?

Double dog dare – post your Hotmail email addy/ICQ number. Show me your way back email addy…and maybe I’ll show you mine.

Filed under: Personal   |  8 Comments
Tags: Does Anyone Use Hotmail?, future of email, Gmail User, Hotmail, Hotmail Email Address, Hotmail is down, postaweek2011, The Young Internet

Wines of Chile – Notable Thoughts

27Apr11

Last night I attended an amazing Chilean Wine tasting at Spoke Club courtesy of Notable.  It was a night of amazing company and quite a feast for the palette sampling the budding wine that’s coming from our South American friends in Chile.

The Notable Chilean Wine Tasting in a few quick pics. And no I didn’t put a hat on my head for the royal wedding. Just an unfortunate (or is it fortunate?) backdrop! (Forgive the hair…super humid-astic!)

Filed under: Events, Food, Personal   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: #NotableChileanWines, Chilean Wines, Gato Negro Merlot, I love white wine, Montes Classic Series Sauvignon Blanc, Notable, Notable Chilean Wine Tasting, NotableTV, postaweek2011, South American Wines, Wine Tasting TO, Wines from Chile