I know that things have been a little quiet around here. We went off for a mini-break (it means true love, you know) and then on the way back my car had an ominous warning light come on which lead to my car being in the shop for days. That, plus getting back to work and catching up has left us a bit frazzled.
In the midst of all of this time off and time back, I’ve been feeling the desire to make some changes in my life. Some long term goals, some immediate needs – basically everything from where and how we want to live in 5 years to finances and a wardrobe overhaul.
No biggie.
And all this while, I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of content (books, movies, shows, articles for work and personal) to keep up all the social media sites I need to manage for my job and for the site and for personal. Because this is my job as well as my hobby. And even if I don’t use every site personally, I need to understand the technology to help educate my agency and clients.
And frankly, I’m getting a bit overwhelmed. Let’s break it down. How I use it, how I value it and how can we make it all easier. What’s expected to be shared and what can I just keep for myself. These are in a “my priority and preference” order.
Disclaimer – I heavily back up all of these online tools with their mobile apps or access them via my iPhone & iPad, equally if not more so than on my computer.
Twitter – @ShoeDaydreams
Twitter is frankly #1 to me. I’d give up everything else before I give this up. I love all the information I learn on there, the companies, brands and publications I follow and all of the friends I keep up with there. I talk about them with my husband and probably interact and keep up with these people’s lives as much as my offline friends.
I generally have the main Twitter site open in one browser tab, select people posts texted to my phone and keep Hoot Suite open in another tab to track the multiple accounts I use for the multitude of streams I manage.
Blog – www.ShoeDaydreams.com
The blog is what got me started in this whole madness (now multiple blogs including The Daily Coop) but there times when I think it may stop. Will I do this forever, probably not, but I like having a forum for sharing thoughts, inspiration and ideas. It’s not about opening certain doors as it is about connecting with friends. That’s what keeps it going.
I have 2 computers and the BlogPress app for the iPad so I really should be writing more, right?
Facebook – Poochie and Shoe Daydreams pages
Facebook… I was coerced to join. I do this to keep up with the folks not on Twitter. Sadly, there are some folks I know who I’m trying to get on to Facebook just so I don’t have to email them.. and those that I wish would actually get on email. Yeah, really.
Flickr – PrincessPoochie Photos
I like Flickr, but as with YouTube, this is all about cross-utilization of content for me. Gives an extra traffic and stats boost. I don’t want to know what it’s doing for some of my followers (Flickr, home of questionable groups, you know)
Tumblr – Living in Fashion Exile
I actually like reading Tumblr more than adding to it. There are some great sites on there, especially for activism, politics, feminist issues and news. I wish I had more time so I could keep up with it as much as I like. The visuals shared on there are great too. I add to it but mostly through Istagram and reposting. I’m no Tumblr star I guess.
Instagram – @Poochie
I know there are those that are over Instagram but I love it. It’s fun and gets me to take more pictures with the camera I have out all the time. I really should almost stop carrying around my real camera.
I usually check it out on my phone but Instaview is great to keep open as well for a quick glance at what’s going on.
Pinterest – Shoe Daydreams
Sites like We Heart It, etc., are not my favorites mainly because it seems like a bunch of unsourced images posted up my teen girls… but I think Pinterest will be a bit different. I don’t plan on doing tons on here but so far I’m using it to remind me of stuff I’d like to DIY, to buy and images to save instead of in my huge Inspiration folder. I just started on there so maybe this will evolve. The Pinterest app is pretty easy to use too.
Google+ – Poochie Cooler
Google+… is it just me or is this still confusing as all hell or so redundant that I can’t get into it yet. I’m just not ready I think. But, hey, I’m giving it a shot and getting spammed my Felicia Day, Wil Wheaton and Laughing Squid.
YouTube – PrincessPoochie’s Channel
But I like the more fashionable InCase convertible book jacket. This will match my AcmeMade laptop case that I use for work and the case also allows you to watch or work with the iPad at 3 angles.
Heck, I may get all three! But now I’m off to check out some apps and think about accessories!
Hope you had a fund Christmas too. What’d you get???
Not that I need it to be any easier to spend my money on shoes at Bergdorfs (one of my very favorite stores!) but now there is a great, and free, app for the iPhone that allows you to have exclusive access to a featured shoe.
Each day one shoe will be selected which will only be available via the app and in the store. And if you order via the app, you recieve expidited delivery! Whoo hoo!
You can also share the finds with friend and get complimentary returns. And on top of all that, Bergdorfs is currently making a $5 donation for City Harvest for every app downloaded.
So go! Download it now! I have it so I’m all ready for my trip up to NYC. But if you are already there, I’ve heard rumor that there are hotspots in the store where you can download it asap.
I’m hoping you’ll soon see me in the store having tea and browsing for shoes but until I’m there, I’ll be having fun online.
So I’ve created a Tumblr account for myself – http://princesspoochie.tumblr.com/
I’m not really sure how much I’ll customize it but I guess I needed a home for stuff like this:
If you are a Tumblr Pro, please feel free to give me some tips and send me links to your pages. I need more ways to distract myself apparently.
As I’ve done more with the sites here I’ve been wanting to upgrade my technology. I swear, it’s not just that I like new gadgets… it’s for valuable work reasons! And since I don’t work on a MAC and have been wanting to do more video, I decided I needed a recorder of some kind. I’ve had my eye on a Flip for a while now and thought, with the upcoming trip to NYC, that now would be a good time to get it.
There are 4 levels of camera you can get but I ended up getting the Flip Mino. It has great quality, plenty of storage, and just as important… you can customize it!
Not only do they have cute colors and a huge amount of designs, a pattern generator or you can use any image and have it added to create a true one-of-a-kind look.
Guess which route I took?
First I was looking at the pink and Hello Kitty designs but then I saw you could upload a unique picture for no additional cost! I decided on adorably delicious, pink macarons for mine.
How adorable is this? Well, in person it’s even more adorable because it is teeny tiny! I need to take picture of it for scale. But it’s smaller than my iPhone or iPod and lighter too. Which is great because I now will be carrying around 5 or 6 different electronic devices in my bag!
It’s also amazingly simple to use – just turn it on and record. Using the simple touch screen, you can zoom in and out, delete videos right on the spot. And then when you plug it into the usb, you can edit, create stills and save to YouTube, AOL, for emailing, etc.
It took less than a week to arrive and I also added on the extended warranty (since I’m going to carry this around in my purse everyday) and bought the pack of usb cables so I can have one in my cord case, one at work and one at home. If you want to get really fancy, you can get a flexible tripod or even an action mount.
So, it’s simple, pretty inexpensive and adorable. But does it take good video? I say yes! I res’d this down to the emailable level and it still looks great. When you look at it at the standard level it is even better.
By the way, this is my pup and he was with me at the office together having, obviously, too much fun!
Now, I can’t wait to get to NYC so I can shoot a ton more footage.
Beware!
Yes, I admit it, I am a geek (nerd?). I try not to make it totally obvious but:
1. I like Star Trek: Next Generation
2. I went to the first midnight showings for Star Wars I, II, III
3. Heck, I remember when and where I saw the first Star Wars (IV – to you Lucas-ites) and I have an opinion on Greedo shooting first (not right. Duh!)
4. I’ve actually been watching the CES recap.
5. On G4
6. I don’t play video games… I watch my husband play video games… and comment on what he should be doing.
7. I bought a full price iPhone
8. I beat my geek husband in Star Wars Trivial Pursuit
9. I really like guys who wear glasses
AND….
10. I want a Kindle and am (possibly) willing to spend shoe-money to get it.
Shoe Daydreams 
