Dear Jordan: Greetings from Munich! I've been a fan of your blog for quite awhile and I could really use your help right now. Next week I'm going to visit New York for the very first time (I'm really excited) and since I don't really know anybody in the city I hoped you could help me out with some advice...
103 Results for: blog+advice
Reader Question / The Health Insurance Issue
Hi Jordan!
I've been a reader from the beginning and really don't ever do things like send emails to bloggers I like (I prefer to be inspired and admire from afar) but I felt like you may be able (and more importantly, willing) to offer an honest answer to this question that a lot of people seem to gloss over while they're encouraging you to "strike out on your own!", "change your life", "take the leap" etc etc.
Jordan Reid / Follow My Bliss Interview
Jordan Reid is the cheerful, creative writer and television host behind the blog Ramshackle Glam, a great site that offers everything from simple, yummy dinner ideas, to reviews of hot vacation spots, to how to’s for fixing up old furniture or making homemade pickles.
Good To Know / Salty Water Hair Care
I'm going to be all about the beachin' in weeks to come (headed to Mexico with Nadine for a press trip, then Morgan's wedding in San Diego, then - fingers crossed - some kind of sun/sand/happiness-related activity every weekend thereafter with Kendrick), so before departing the John Sahag Workshop I asked Doug how to protect my brand-new Keratin treatment from the ravages of salt water.
Head On Over to the Community…
Salary Expectations
Reader liz_in_hr has honed the perfect statement to put in a cover letter that asks you to state your salary requirements:
"Per your request, I have calculated my salary requirements for the position of XXXX. Based on my research for regional salary standards for this position, as well as my work experience and education, I have determined that my salary requirement is between the annual range of $XX,000 and $XX,000. This figure is negotiable based on the requirements of the job and the company’s benefits package."
I do research on salary.com and other sites (i.e. industry professional job boards, such as pmi, shrm, iiba, etc.) and find what the salary range is for the job I'm looking for, and then take into account how much money I want to make. Generally you should expect to make 10-15% more than what you're making NOW when you move into the next role up."
Reader Jessica offers this advice:
New Ramshackle Glam Feature!
In the spirit of community and collaboration...if you'll take a look at the sidebar, you'll notice a new feature...Ramshackle Community!
FAQs
Where does the name "Ramshackle Glam" come from?
I used the term in a post way back in 2009 to describe a chandelier that I'd spotted in a store, and when I wrote out the words I realized that they just perfectly encapsulated my approach to...well, pretty much everything. My feeling is that style should be fun, and should be all about finding what makes you feel good and feel like yourself - even if the things that you love break the "rules"...and experimentation (and the occasional mini-disasters that come along with taking risks) is a big part of that.
What's your educational background?
I went to high school at Dalton, and then majored in cognitive neuroscience (basically, the biology of psychology) at Harvard. I've also studied at Lee Strasberg (acting), the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (acting), Parsons (fine arts), and University College London (my semester abroad), and have completed half of a Master's in Hospitality at NYU (a very expensive moment of total career confusion).
Disclosure and De-Crumbing
Look, I get it: I am under more scrutiny for the tips and advice I provide because this is at heart a personal blog...and that opens me up to a lot more criticism than if, say, I was a staff writer for RealSimple.
Protect Yourself
I just got an email from reader Sarah that was filled with great tips on how to protect yourself from theft. Here are her suggestions, with a few of my own added in.