"Yes, I Googled"

Google. This little idea born in Larry Page and Sergey Brin's Stanford dorm room (sound like Facebook much?) has become much more than just a simple search engine. In my New Media class, my professor often refers to Google as a person itself. Some PR and marketing professionals now spend their days trying to figure out how to get their clients to the top of search engine rankings. What exactly composes the Google Algorithm? I don't think us normal folks will ever find out.

What really got me thinking about Google, is this story: the other day I had to explain to my lovely mother what exactly "Googling" someone meant. She was trying to find out information about a person, after I did the requisite Facebook stalk, I suggested performing a Google search. Mom's response? "WHAT IS THAT?" I was flabbergasted. Did my mother really not know that you could basically find out a person's life story simply by typing their name into a search bar? This situation needed further exploring.

I knew that there are differences between what Gen Y and Gen X do with the Internet. But I hadn't really thought about the differences between how people use Google. Everyday I learn that there are differences in this ever changing world of Web 2.0 that I will come to understand in the work place.

What did we do before Google came about? I personally have a hard time remembering when the Internet was not such an integral part of my everyday existence. I can't pinpoint a time when I first started using Google or when the word Google became a verb. I'm willing to bet that this holds true for most people that are part of Generation Y. You don't know what the capital of Zimbabwe is? Google it. (The answer is Harare, btw.) Just writing this blog post, I've googled about 5 times so far. Google is a part of our everyday lives, so much so that without it, I think the world would be a lot dumber. Google provides the answer to every question we could ever come up with. What or who would we turn to with all of our random questions? Its a portal to the vast unknown world...this is what makes Google exciting.

Inspiration.

For the Love of Marc Jacobs

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Its a tough world out there for college students. We study hard, we work hard and we play hard. We do all of these things so passionately that most of the time we find ourselves so strung out and stressed that we end up singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at 11 p.m. during the last minutes of the work shift. Well, this was me last night and let me tell you, this is not an isolated incident. I don't know if this impromptu performance was inspired by the horrific, gloomy Boston weather or because I want the holiday season so badly that I am consuming Pumpkin Spice Lattes at an extremely alarming rate. Anyhow, the life of the college student is a constant struggle. A daily battle between Father Time, the dreaded bank account, and the urge to throw my hands up and surrender to my over-stuffed comforter. It is in these desperate times that I have to remember the beautiful pleasures in life. The small things that I don't often get the chance to do because I am so focused on graduation and the impending (and yet very exciting) doom of real life. This is where my love of all things Marc Jacobs enters.

As a broke joke college student, I don't really have the luxury to go purchasing designer items whenever I am feeling down and in desperate need of retail therapy. But thanks to Marc Jacobs and the launch of the brand's new e-commerce site last week, I can now drift off into a fantasy world from the comfort of my own Macbook. What makes this site so exciting is that it goes beyond the ordinary website that merely show the fall or spring runway shows. It actually enables the consumer to purchase items without having to venture to Newbury Street to visit a boutique. When I find myself with a few extra dollars to spare, I can simply log onto www.marcjacobs.com and shop till I drop without actually getting my lazy self out of my bed. Or in the middle of class when I find myself drifting into the far reaches of my mind. Admit it, we all daydream more than we'd like to.

The storefront of marcjacobs.com

E-commerce sites are the latest trend in  the fashion industry, a lot of brands have realized the potential growth available through a direct online store instead of being sold through third party sites like Net-a-Porter, BlueFly, or Gilt Groupe. E-commerce sites make it that much easier for the suburban woman or college student to make a personal connection with a brand. A brand's site provides a unique experience that one like BlueFly cannot provide. It offers the ability for the customer to truly grasp the core ideas and beliefs behind the brand. The Marc Jacobs site was designed to look like a miniature dollhouse complete with sales representatives to guide you through the store and answer your every question. The store is unique to the Marc Jacobs brand. You certainly would not find male "sales associates" dressed in a woman's clothing on the Chanel site.

These sites provide the much needed escape from the everyday grind. It just so happens that one of the pleasures in my life is shopping- a pleasure that I do not get to enjoy often. But with the launch of e-commerce sites like Marc Jacobs, I find myself taking comfort in the world of Marc Jacobs with just a click of a button.

Live. Love. Music.

Today a friend asked me what I thought the most meaningful song is to me.  Seems like an easy question, right? Well I thought so, too. But I sat there for a few minutes, racking my brain for a song that I thought had the most profound effect on my life. Believe it or not, I was stumped! And not because music doesn't affect me. In fact, music has the ability to profoundly influence every moment of my life. There have been songs that have gotten me through the best and worst of life's moments. How is it possible to choose only one song, let alone artist or album that has had the most effect on me? Quite frankly, its not. I just love music way too much. I listen to it from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep, literally. It guides me through my daily movements, providing me with a comfort that I can't really get from anything else. Whether it's the particular lyrics to a song or the melody, music has a way of soothing my soul.

Now I wonder if I am the only one like this? I've grown up in a musical world; I sung and danced my way through my adolescent years. Most of friends did the same, we're all musically inclined. But my question is, is the rest of the world just like us? Music has the ability to deeply transform one's life. It has enabled be to make the tough decisions, provided me with comfort, reminded me that there is more to life than what is just in front of my face, all the while offering me with an escape in the most needed of times. Music really is my everything. Do other people out there feel the same things when it comes to music? Do people feel the need to cling to music to provide a soundtrack to their lives?

So upon these thoughts I want to offer not just one song that has changed me, but give you the music that is providing the soundtrack to my life right now. And a few of my greatest hits too.

Sara Bareilles - Kaleidoscope Heart

Sara Bareilles - The Light

Lets begin with my latest purchase. I honestly didn't know how Ms. Bareilles was going to top her debut album, Little Voice, because it was so epically amazing. Yet, here she is and every song on the album is like its own little gift to my life. These songs fit so well into my life right now, I find myself asking if Sara took a little sneak peek into my life and wrote the lyrics. Sometimes, you just need a good song to belt to in the morning to get you ready for the day.

John Mayer - Continuum

John Mayer - Belief

Truly Extraordinary. These words come to mind whenever I think of John Mayer's music. I choose the song Belief because for some reason this is the song that sticks to me the most off of the entire album, though Slow Dancing In A Burning Room comes in very close. John always amazes me with his music, their is something about his songs that have the uncanny ability to put me in a better mood. For some unknown reason, I find that his music can be applied to any part of my life. Whether it's a rainy or sunny day, hot or cold, I find that his music applies. Despite his personal misgivings, John Mayer just keeps getting better with time. 

O.A.R. - Any Time Now

O.A.R. - Black Rock


This is one of those songs that make me instantly happy just thinking about it. Not just because the song is just plain amazing, but because of the awesome times that I associate with it. I also think the message the song conveys is a great one. As my favorite lyrics in the song go "i said the world is run by love and absolutely nothing more"
It was so hard for me to choose just one O.A.R. song, I've decided to share my other all-time favorites. 
Crazy Game of Poker (My favorite version is the live Madison Square from 2009)
Love and Memories

Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More

Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page


This band is another recent discovery whom I absolutely love. A friend recommended them to me a few months ago and I've been obsessed ever since. Lately they've been growing in popularity due to a lot of exposure through internet music sites like Pandora and Grooveshark and a lot of placement on tv promos and shows. Their music is something I imagine iTunes would categorize as rock folk music.....click on the link and you'll see what I mean. Another of my favorites is Little Lion Man. It is an epic jam song...especially in those moments when you need an energy pick-me-up.  

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra - My Way


If I were to forget ol' Blue Eyes on  the list of inspiring music, I could never forgive myself. I am a major fan of the classics. Give me some Frank, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, and Nat King Cole any day. My Way is by far my favorite Frank Sinatra song. If there is one song I want played at my funeral (as morbid as it may be), it is this one right here. While there are many classic Frank tunes, nothing can compare to standing in your room and belting this tune or as I have done many a time, singing it with your friends before you get ready to go on stage. 




I want to leave you with one of my favorite songs of all time, of course it's a love song. A song that has been performed countless times. Anytime I hear it being played, I get the chills. It's hard to decided which version is my absolute favorite. I will never forget the first time I heard My Funny Valentine (Frank Sinatra link) being played. It was one of those rare, monumental life changing moments. There is something so haunting and yet, lovely about this song that I cannot get over. I know it is the hopeless romantic in me but I think the entire world needs to appreciate what My Funny Valentine  (Chet Baker link) has to offer, no matter who is performing it. It is with this song that I ask you, do you remember where you were the first time you heard a life changing song?

Have a Comcastic Day!!

Now that I am a big girl with my own big girl apartment and bills to pay, I have my own cable and internet service...thank you, Comcast. When my roommates and I debated what service to use, there really wasn't much of an option. Verizon doesn't service Allston and Comcast seemed like the next best option. So off I went, taking one of the many steps towards becoming an adult and ordered my very own cable/internet package. This growing up process is beyond daunting...it scares me. shhhh, don't tell! I had my doubts. I've heard the horror stories - waiting for hours on end for the installation guy who never even shows up, arguments with the billing department over some insane charges - it seems like there are a never ending amount of problems when it comes to customer service and cable companies. Comcast especially, just after I ordered the service I was hearing stories from my professor about how awful Comcast and Verizon are when it comes to customer service. So when the day finally came to have everything installed, I woke up that morning and put on my battle armor, ready to take down anyone trying to scam me.

But shockingly, everything went swimmingly. What problems I've had with my internet and cable have been easily solved and I couldn't be happier with the service. My experience with Comcast customer service has been surprisingly positive. They offer numerous ways to help solve your problem. By far the best, in my opinion, is the live chat with a representative-  it couldn't be easier.

I've had two major issues with getting started. The first being that I didn't have a wireless router for my apartment to have the evercomforting wifi. But that was easily solved. As soon as I realized my dilemma, I logged onto the Comcast website and choose to do a live chat with a customer service representative. It was so simple, I couldn't believe it! The lady who answered all of my questions was helpful and was beyond willing to solve all of my problems for me. No wireless? Simple, I'll send you the router for free! All I had to cover was the $5 shipping cost. Nbd.

Next came the real challenge. This past weekend I discovered that I didn't have any HBO or Showtime as promised!! How is a girl supposed to survive without her daily dosage of Ari, Vinny, Turtle, Eric, and Johnny?? Let alone get her vamp on without any True Blood. Despite the easy handling of my previous problem, I was a little nervous about my upcoming chat with a Comcast representative. Premium channels are a whole different ball of wax than wifi. I nervously logged on and explained the situation. In no other terms, I declared that I wanted my HBO and Showtime as promised or this girl would be having a major fit. After telling me how great a person I was just from the few words I had exchanged with the chat guy, he explained to me that these channels were not a part of my service. UMMM, EXCUSE ME SIR BUT I DO NOT THINK SO. I promptly explained that this was not true because I had the physical flyer and confirmation that I was getting both of these channels. But before I could even break out the big guns, Comcast dude told me he had already given me both channels and was sorry for the inconvience. Color me shocked. I had prepared to enter battle with all guns ablaze and was kind of upset that I had to retreat so quickly. But before I could even comprehend what had happened, Comcast dude told me that I was his best customer all day long and that he wished all customers were just like me.

Exhibit A: Toby > Thanks a lot! I really appreciate your kindness. Just by chatting with you, I know that you are a good person. You are so cool!

Toby > Thank you so much for patiently waiting, Karissa.As I have checked, HBO and Showtime is not included to your packages. 

Karissa_ > When I searched my area online and talked with the numerous comcast people who were handing out fliers in the area, it said the package that I was signing up for inlcuded HBO and Showtime for the first 9 months at a discounted price. The package that I purchased specifically said HBO and Showtime were included. I'm pulling up the package at the moment. Just one second.

Toby > Thank you so much for the details. 

Toby > Let me check further. 

Karissa_ > I have the concrete flyer in front of me. The xfinity double  play packege and it blatantly says HBO and Showtime are included. In big bold print. 

Karissa_ > It was the university of more deal adertised everywhere in the local area. 

Toby > Thank you so much for patiently waiting, Karissa. 

Toby > Please do not worry. I have already added your free HBO and Showtime.

Karissa_ > Yes thank you!! You were very helpful!

Toby > It has been a pleasure chatting wiht you today. Thank you so much for your time. Is there anything else I can assist you with? I will be glad to assist you further.

Karissa_ > Everything is all good. 

Toby > Thank you so much. You are the nicest customer that I have chatted with today. i hope all my customers are as kind as you are. I thank God for having customers like you.For any other concerns, please chat with us again or please call us at 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278) 

We value your business with us. 

Have a Comcastic day!

Thank you so much!

Now, at first I was kind of creeped out by these statements. But soon I came to realize that these were compliments and not only by telling me these things and giving this happy girl her fill of Vampires and drug addicted actors, Comcast had truly won me over with their excellent customer service.

In this day and age, companies need to realize that customer service is a major part of their brand. As we have talked about in my New Media class, customer service is the new public relations. With the invent of social media such as Twitter, Facebook, FourSquare, YouTube and blogs, every consumer has their own voice and are hungry to take part in a conversation whether good or bad. When someone is displeased with something, where do they go to vent? The internet.  As seen with numerous brands, in this day and age it is hard to escape the far reach the internet can have on your business. SO listen up and learn that when it comes to business, customer service truly does matter and will profoundly affect your business. After all when it comes to public relations, we are in the relationship business.

A New Year Means . .

more blogging. I've left Los Angeles and have been back living amidst the real world for several months now. Obviously, no one knows this because I haven't blogged since April. EPIC FAIL. I just noticed that my last post took place on April 1st. Among the first lines, I promised to blog more often. Now let's take that little line as an April Fools Day joke. Happy April Fools Day!! Its just taken me a few months to let everyone in on my little secret.

You may notice that I have revamped the blog. I figured with the end of my time in Los Angeles, the time came to redo not only the look of my blog, but also the entire premise of what I was going to write about. Los Angeles was both good and bad to me. I learned a lot about my myself, my potential career, and about the entertainment industry. Most importantly, I learned that I really do love the world of public relations and am extremely pumped to get my career started.

I took the summer of from interning for a much deserved break. I worked full-time at BU Fitrec (shout out to the Fitty and buddies), had loads of fun around Boston with good friends and came to realize that I couldn't wait to get back into the world of PR. Whowouldthunkit? I've felt inspired since coming back to school and Boston. Since classes began, I've come to appreciate the opportunities that we are given to learn and discover all that is going on in the up and coming world. As young students in 2010, we are on the verge of new and exciting premises that will forever change the fields in which we want to work. Cheesy, I know. But it is very true.

I just want to finish by saying that I can't wait to publish all of my thoughts about things happening in my life and in the crazy, ever changing world of public relations and marketing. I hope everyone is prepared because I promise to be back soon!

"You Got Ya Hand On Ya Fro-Yo, Fro-Yo on Ya Mind"

Naturally I should be doing coverage on a somewhat good novel right now- it would actually make for a fantastic beach read- but, I've decided to spend some quality time with my dear old neglected blog. I didn't realize how neglected this has been until I logged onto my account and my last post was on February 17. It's been a long time.

March was one insane month. My apartment was a revolving door of people. All of the roommates had guests along with all the peeps that came to visit me. Hence, I was slightly distracted from spending some one on one time with Karissa Marie Explains It All. Anyways, two of my best friends from home, good ol' Dublin, OH, made an appearance in La La Land. What I love about having people come visit so late in my semester is that it gives a me a solid excuse to do all those touristy things in SoCal and spend a ridiculous amount of money. Kati and Lauren spent a week with me living the dream (no work, no commitments, and days full of sunshine) and I wish they never had to get back to gloomy O-H-I-O. That was for the buckeye fans out there.

I introduced them to the California curses. Otherwise known as cupcakes and frozen yogurt. Now these two things aren't the biggest trend on the east coast and the mid west, so ever since arriving to sunny Cali I've come to LOVE a cup of fro-yo from Yogurtland and a good quality sugar high resulting from a trip to Crumbs or Sprinkles (better known to my roommates and I as Crummies and Sprinks). Now, someone riddle me this. California is the land of the insanely rich, tan, skinny, and beautiful- how do these people maintain their waistline when they stuff their faces with giant Oreo cupcakes, chocolate dipped cookies, and tubs of fro-yo topped with every type of fruit, candy, nut, and cereal concoction known to man? The only answer I can think of is that they spend hours hiking Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park. Which I have also done much to the horror of my granny knees.

One of my favorite things about my friends being here is that we all happen to be major foodies. So while we tried to stick to some sort of budget eating and making food at the apt, this failed when we referred to a spreadsheet that held all the restaurant names that needed to be visited. Granted, since my bffs made this list, the visits were mainly to devour the most delish dish off the dessert menu. Two of my favorite places: Fraiche and Luna Park. Both were highlighted on the Food Network show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and held true to their word.

At Fraiche, we were the luckiest people in the world. We arrived just before the lunch service ended and announced that we were there for dessert. The maitre d was one of the nicest men I have ever come in contact with. (Note: I might be biased because he gave us one of their other desserts for free.) The subject of our afternoon: The Chocolate Hazelnut Purse. If there was some sort of chocolate and hazelnut heaven, I reached it that day. The three of us might just be Nutella's biggest supporters, so place a pastry filled with warm, molten "nutella" in front of us with a side of chocolate glace and you've got fans for life. Torta Della Nonna- the pleasant surprise- was also utterly amazing. It wasn't too sweet and the side of caramel ice cream was absolutely delicious. It was composed of a marscapone cheese in the middle of a pine nut shortbread with fuji apples. Their latte's were also amazing....I could use one right now.

Luna Park is located right next to my apartment complex and their lunch menu is the perfect size with something that promises to appease you, no matter what mood you're in. I ordered the Turkey Burger with a side salad and a delicious lemon aioli. The burger was not dry at all and was topped with a delicious Gruyere cheese. Kati and Lauren both ordered the Cheezlit and Tomato soup. Essentially a humongous grilled cheese with a generous blend of cheeses. The tomato soup was also quite good. But the piece de resistance of this meal was the make your own s'mores we had for dessert. Luna Park makes their own graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate sauce. They bring everything out for you and you build your own dessert. BEST s'mores of my life!

When I finally leave L.A., I am going to be quite sad to leave all of these amazing places behind. The May 1st date is coming up way way to fast.