5 Things I Love About My Little Blog: A Recap Before Vacation

Good Evening Divas! I hope that your Monday was just as splendid as mine…and I hope you have a fabulous and productive work week. As for me, I will be partaking in one of the necessary vices that all Professional Divas must experience in order to keep her sanity….VACATION! You heard me right! I am taking the rest of the week off, and heading to Europe! I am not ashamed to say that I need this break. In fact, all Professional Divas need to take time off to relax and regroup. It is never healthy to constantly work without taking time to play, and I am definitely looking forward to play time!

In the meantime, I wanted to share a few of my favorite Martini Chronicle moments with my fellow Divas. I am so proud of my little blog, and so grateful to all of its readers and subscribers. Since I won’t be around for a while, I hope that you enjoy 5 Things I Love About My Little Blog. Enjoy!

1. I have learned so much about myself since entering Corporate America. The Martini Chronicles is a reflection of the lessons that I have learned along the way. Two of my most valuable lessons have be balancing my professional and social lives, and learning how to deal with stress.  Check out two of my favorite posts! Balancing Your Professional and Social Lives and Stress and the Professional Woman.

2. Money is an essential aspect of our everyday lives. I like to share tips about money with my fellow Divas from time to time.  Check out 7 Quick Ways to Start Saving Money...Now and 7 Great Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund. Also, check out Dave Ramsey's Debt Snowball,and Suze Orman's Women and Money.

3. There are certain items that I sincerely believe that all Divas must have, and I love sharing them with you! See my opinion on the Classic Wrap Dress, and the Nude Pump! 

  4. Sports! I love them, and you all should be comfortably acquainted with them. Anita Jarman introduced you to the idea of improving your understanding of sports. Check out Introducing...Sports Break and A Diva's Guide to March Madness.

5. Last, but certainly not least, I am proud of my fabulous martini recipes. The names of the martinis may be common, but the recipes, with the exception of the Three Day Apple Martini, are all mine! I am especially proud of the Raspberry Lemonade Mojito Martini, and the Tiramisu Martini. Check them out, and let me know how they move you. Also remember that you can always check out the Martini Roll Call Page for a list of all my past recipes! And…..Drink Responsibly!

Thanks for visiting the Martini Chronicles! Have a fabulous week and weekend, and I will check in with you on Sunday!

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A Diva's Guide to March Madness

A Diva’s Guide to March Madness

By Anita Jarman

Divas, it's that time of year again...March Madness is here!  I find this time of year so exciting, as it involves one of the most influential sports: NCAA Division I College Basketball.  In addition to watching and rooting for the teams in the actual tournament, this is the time to organize your brackets for the impending office pools. Organizing your tournament brackets, better known as “Bracketology,” is your chance to incorporate your knowledge of NCAA basketball.

When engaging in Bracketology, however, you should always abide by the golden rule: Never pick all of the favorite teams! That's too obvious!  Underdogs will always show out during the Madness! Case and point: the George Mason University 2006 Men’s Basketball Team (Check Them Out!).  This phenomenon simply  implies that Bracketology is not always about the favorite team…determination and inspiration is also an important factor. While the Underdogs are an important element to consider while engaging in Bracketology, remember to incorporate a bit of reality in your bracket strategy. For example, selecting the 2011 CIAA Men’s Basketball Champions to make it to the Final Four is not a sound strategy. Nonetheless, congrats to Shaw University! 

As Professional Divas, we are never in the business of being unprepared. As such, here are a few tips to get you started on your brackets, and on your way to bracket glory!

1. The NCAA will select teams for the Men's Tournament on March 13, 2011, and the Women's Tournament on March 14, 2011…let the games begin! Your local newspaper should have a printout of a blank bracket spreadsheet for you to use. If not, you most definitely can find one on the Internet. (Try This One!)

 

2. Check the statistics and scores for each team for the season.  This may take a while, but it will help you strategize.  Pay close attention to the leading scorers and the clutch players (players who have stood out when the game gets close).

3. Listen to sports analysts for their take on the teams.  Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN is one of my favorites! (ESPN INsider)

4. Check out the following websites for some insight:

Official NCAA Website - Men 

Official NCAA Website - Women 

ESPN 

CBS Sports 

5. Lastly, vote for Georgetown!!! (GoHoyas!) Just kidding…I’m supporting my Hoyas, but we could have done better these past few weeks!

 

These are just a few suggestions to get you started.  Just that quick, you’re on your way to entering the office pool, and winning! Remember, the Men's Championship Game is on April 4, 2011, and the Women's Championship is on April 5, 2011. Hopefully, your teams have made it to the finals. 

Now watch the games while you check out one of the fabulous martinis featured on the Martini Chronicles (Martini Roll Call).Until then I’m raising my martini glass and sending a special Tournament Toast your way!  Have fun Divas!

Anita Jarman is the Founder and CEO of "A" Game Public Relations, LLC,    "Strategically & Successfully Enhancing Your Brand" 

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Introducing.......Sports Break!!!

Happy Sunday Divas! I hope your weekend was as fabulous as mine. As you prepare for the upcoming work week, I want you to ponder the following question: How many times have you been at a predominately male professional networking event where the topic of conversation is sports? More importantly, have you ever felt left out of a discussion because you are uncomfortable with the influx of sports jargon? If so, you are going to LOVE the Martini Chronicles’ new feature: Sports Break! As such, please let me introduce our sports aficionado, Anita Jarman, Founder and CEO of A Game Public Relations, LLC.

 

There is a fine line between Public Relations and Journalism.  So, as a PR professional/entrepreneur/connoisseur it is imperative that I let my journalism side come out from time to time.  With that said, it is my pleasure to introduce you to a new feature of the Martini Chronicles.  This feature is strictly informative, entertaining, controversial, and confrontational, and focuses on the ultimate reality show: SPORTS!

So who am I to speak on such a well-respected topic?  Other than growing up in a family surrounded by athletes, I have played basketball (my sport of choice), volleyball, soccer, and softball.  And if it were up to me, I’d play football, but not for that Lingerie League that comes on MTV (we’ll save that for another time).  My love for this industry really became apparent as I interned at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, which was a life-changing experience.  Currently, I am studying Sports Industry Management on the Graduate level at the Georgetown University in our Nation’s Capital.  I’ve lived in the Washington Metropolitan Area all my life, a city that boasts  a major league team in every professional sport: Washington Mystics (WNBA), Washington Redskins (NFL), Washington Nationals (MLB), Washington Capitals (NHL), D.C. United (MLS), and the Washington Wizards (NBA) (notice which team came first!). 

 
Which leads me to the Martini Chronicles… I am here to help my fellow Professional Divas improve their understanding of sports. If you have ever wondered what a First Down or Technical Foul is, or maybe Under Par, or how to spark up a conversation at the next predominately male business outing, this section is for you!  Learn what to say and how to say it when it comes to sports. Believe me, you’ll feel more well-rounded, and your significant other may be pleasantly surprised  when you  scream “Touchdown” for the right team. So get ready Divas! I am going to give you the skills that will help you converse about sports like a big girl…in a fabulous dress! Stay tuned!

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