Ask Michelly: Interview Attire

You asked: "How should I dress for a professional interview?"

 

 

Michelly answered: "I would say that you can never go wrong with dress pants and a nice shirt. Remember the golden rules of interview attire: No jeans, no leggings, no logo t-shirts, not hats and no running shoes. If you want to accessorize a rather dull outfit, make sure that your jewelry is tasteful (ex: delicate bracelets, small pendant necklaces, simple rings). If you want a more feminine approach to an interview outfit a dress skirt (pencil and a little passed the knee).  Overall, you want to dress for the part of the job. If you're applying at an office, iron your clothing and make sure you look professional. Most importantly, let your wardrobe show your personality."

 

 

 

- Michelly (Ruby Red Contributor) 

The M&M Report: How to Deal with Workplace Woes

You asked: "How do I excel at a job where my employer isn't very approachable?"

 

 

 Michelly answered: "Just keep doing what you are doing. Show up to work on time, complete the tasks required to fulfill a workday and don't be afraid to put in a little extra effort when working around the store/office. Hopefully they will recognize your efforts sooner rather than later and good things will begin to snowball from there. Don't forget to participate in small talk every now and then to create a bond with your employer as well, from there you might become more comfortable with her and vice versa."

 

 

Maddy answered: "I agree with Michelly, and it's hard to add anything else really. I would like to expand on how to bond with your employer though. If you work in a small retail store or office, on everyone's down time (ex: lunch break) try to strike up a positive conversation with everyone in the office/store. By putting yourself out there you are marketing yourself to your boss. He/she gets to see the impression you make on others and learn a lot about your personality (what you like, don't like, your long and short-term goals).  By doing so, maybe the next time a new position opens up in the company your employer will consider the positive influence you bring to the company, and BOOM - hello promotion."


Have you overcome obstacles at work that at the time seemed impossible? Share your experience in the comments below!


-Michelly (Ruby Red Contributor)
- Maddy (Ruby Red Contributor) 

Ask Michelly: Should I Date Someone With Kids?

 You asked: "Is it ever okay to date someone with children and how long should I be dating someone before you actually "meet the kids?"

 

 

 

Michelly answered: "This is a hit or miss question because it depends on who your comfortable dating and if you're okay with being secondary in a relationship. I say secondary because you must know that his children will always come first. You have to get used to the idea that while you have a romantic date organized for the both of you, these plans could change at the drop of the hat. If you're comfortable with supporting your man and helping him be a great father, then I think it's okay for you to date someone with children. As far as when you should meet his children, I think you shouldn't meet them for awhile, for about a year when your relationship seems more long-term than just a quick fling. Remember you don't want to confuse his kid(s) if one day you're hanging out with them and a week later you are nowhere to be found."

 

 

Have you ever dated someone with kids? Offer your advice in the comments below!


-Michelly (Ruby Red Contributor) 

Ask Michelly: Boyfriend Blunders!

You asked: My new boyfriend saw the pictures I still have of me and my ex on my cell phone. Obviously he was furious, so how do I reassure him that I am committed to him and do not have feelings for my ex?

 

 

 

Michelly answered: I would just continue to reassure him that because you've been so busy having fun with him that you forgot that you even had the pictures. Delete them in front of him if you have to so he knows that they are gone for good and cannot be retrieved elsewhere.

Do you have pictures of your ex lingering around? Leave your advice or opinion in the comments below.


-Michelly (Ruby Red Contributor)

 

 



Must Try: Johnson & Johnson Bubble Baths

 

 

 

 

Like we discussed before, it's getting to be that time where the snow falls more often than the sun shines and winter hats, chunky scarves and fuzzy mittens are a wardrobe staple.

 

But let's talk about how to warm up after being outside all day! Bath salts, beads, bombs and gels aren't the same anymore. They are so perfumed with a variety of overpowering scents (that should be used for, well - a perfume!) that not a lot of people like relaxing in the tub anymore!

 

Since the holiday season is about a month away, we thought it would be a good idea to bring your attention to two different bubble baths that are still relaxing, friendly on the body and won't overpower your home with offensive smells. And let's be honest, purchasing bath products for Christmas presents is getting harder and harder each year since scent really is a personal preference.

 

 

 

Here we have two of our favorite bubble bath scents from Johnson's. These bubble baths leave your skin as smooth as a baby's bum, (maybe because the bubble bath is reserved for babies) gives off light and relaxing scents and will leave you feeling refreshed every time you take a soak in your tub!

 

The bubble bath on the left (the peach colored bottle) is called "Sweet Melon" - it is the perfect light scent of peaches and melon mixed together and because the scent isn't too powerful you are able to relax and enjoy your book without feeling lightheaded after a while.

 

The bubble bath on the right (the teal colored bottle) is called "Soothing Vapour" - the best way to describe this bubble bath is to think of sitting in a liquid Vicks vapour rub bath. Honestly, this is the perfect bubble bath for after work when you've been lifting and pulling and twisting your body in awkward directions. It rejuvenates the muscles and makes you feel like you just got out of a nice steam bath! This bubble bath works great if you're sick with a cold too! Light some candles, get the water hot enough so you can sit in it, and breathe in the soothing vapour goodness!

 

These may not be your average or high end bubble baths but they do the trick all the same! You can find these at your local Wal-Mart, London Drugs, Target for about $6.00 and due to their friendly fragrances, they would make the perfect addition to that gift basket your making your neighbor or in-law!

 

 

Do you have a bath or beauty product you want us to try? Leave your comment down below! 

Get Organized: Cookie Cutter Edition

 

 

It's that time of year again! The time where you start making Christmas lists, getting party supplies, picking out Christmas cards, getting your recipes ready for baking and of course, getting your baking supplies organized (mainly your cookie cutters.)

 

 

About a year ago I bought a jumbo box of cookie cutters from Bed Bath & Beyond. In theory it was a great purchase and a great idea to get over 100 cookie cutters at such a low price, (I don't remember the price exactly anymore but I think they were between $19.99 - $25.00) but my only problem with the cookie cutters were that they were plastic and you couldn't really make out what the shapes were supposed to be. However, genius struck me today and I decided that I would "organize" my cookie cutters by holiday or shape and then write on the outside of the bag what shape of cookie cutter was inside each bag so it wouldn't be such a guessing game later on. Could you imagine if I made little ducky shaped cookies and gave them for Christmas gifts? Yikes!

 

That being said, follow along with the post to see just how I organized my cookie cutters and what you supplies you need to organize your own!

 

You will need:

 

2 different color permanent markers

 

Various sizes of Ziploc bags (depending on how many cutters you have per "category")

 

Windex & paper towel (to wipe off the permanent marker ink if you make a mistake)

 

 

 

 



 

#1.  To start off, I separated my cookie cutters into "categories" or "groups". I separated them into Halloween, Spring, Fun Shapes, Alpha & Numbers and Christmas.

 

 

#2.  Next, I decided which size of Ziploc bag I would need for each "group" of cookie cutters and then I listed each cookie cutter that was in in that bag. As you can see for my "Spring" bag I have a; flower, butterfly, tulip, shooting star, bunny, heart(s) and the Easter bunny. I repeated this for each bag needed.

 

 

#3. Last but not least, once the ink on the bags dried I tossed all of my cookie cutters into their designated bags, sealed them up and put them away for safe keeping until the holidays!

 

 

Now whenever I want to do baking for a special occasion or just cause, all I have to do is look at the label on the front of the bag and I will have easy access to the shape I want to bake with!

 

 

Do you have any organization tips? Leave them in the comments below!

 

 

- Maddy (Ruby Red Contributor)

 

 

 

 

Stressed Out? Try These!

 

 

So as we all know quite well, final exams are less than a month away and we can expect stress to attack us anyway it can. Luckily, we've found an all natural handy little helper if you suffer from panic attacks or clinical anxiety. Keep in mind that you should always consult a doctor before you take anything to treat a medical condition, even if the product contains healthier ingredients.

 

After seeing advertisements in several magazines, we were pleasantly surprised to see these stress relieving candies on the shelves at Nutter's, our local health foods store. Though these candies have a tart black current flavor and can leave your mouth feel a little dry, they do relieve stress and they don't have a crazy list of side effects or precautions that heavy medication do.

 

Not only are the convenient to carry around in your bag (let's be honest carrying bottles of pills in our purses doesn't always boost self-confidence) these little candies work great at maintaining stressful situations. So talk to your doctor about trying a more natural way to control your anxiety and if given the green light, head over to Nutter's and grab a tin for $8.00!

 

 

 

P.S - Not a fan of gummy candies? This natural stress reliever also comes in gum!