This Year's Most Original Gift

This year's Christmas for my family was especially fun.  And, my youngest received a gift from her older sister that is a one of a kind original.  It is a handcrafted, child-size Adirondak chair and matching footstool, made with re-purposed skis:

This chair was hand-crafted by Dave Santelices of Belvidere, VT.  Dave also works for an independently owned company, here in St. Albans.  Not only is he a really great craftsman, he's also a really great guy. :)

I love having original, handcrafted items in my home to enjoy.  And my daughter really loves her new chair :)

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Featured St. Albans Business: Thai House Restaurant

Someone I work with mentioned this restaurant to me, saying it is really, really good.  So, I decided to stop by and check it out:

This restaurant has received two awards, one in 2009 as the Editor's Choice of Yankee Magazine's "Best of New England".  It also won the award featured above, Trip Advisor's 2013 "Certificate Of Excellence".

Located at:

333 Swanton Road

Highgate Commons

St. Albans, VT

Phone:  (802) 524-0999

Fax:  (802) 524-0998

Featured St. Albans Business: China Wok Buffet

Yesterday, my daughter and I took some time to have lunch at the China Wok Buffet.  It was very delicious, as always.  She ordered her usual, steamed dumplings, and ate all of them of course. :)

Located at 133 North Main St., St. Albans, VT

Phone:  (802) 527-2278/2279

Fax:  (802) 527-2279

Orders by phone are welcome!

Community Cows

We paid a visit to the Bessette Farm here in St. Albans recently, and took some photos to share with all of you:

So cute!

Calling On All St. Albans Fashionistas

If you are interested in being featured on this blog as a St. Albans Fashionista, you can e-mail me at:

cultureisart@gmail.com

Please include your age, your gender, and a sample photo of what kind of fashion you would like to model.

Terms and Conditions:  Must be 18 years of age or older to be featured.  Documented proof of age may be required.  Seeking fashion looks that are creative and flattering (please do not submit photos representing Raunch culture fashion or nudity).  All photos submitted through e-mail will be the sole property of this blog's administrator, Kelley Folsom.  If you are selected, all subsequent photos taken will be the sole property of this blog's administrator.  No photos received by e-mail or taken will be distributed for sale, but will only be published on this blog, or it's related facebook community page.  No payment of money or any other kind of compensation will be given for photos taken or published.  Not all submissions will be able to be responded to, due to the high number of submissions.

Thank you for contributing to the St. Albans Fashionistas!

Job Interview Success

This link will bring you to a site that covers almost everything about job interviewing from A to Z.

It even offers sample interviews based on the industry you are interviewing for.  I also recommend reading books about body language and facial expressions, as well as tone of voice.  These non-verbal types of communication express a great deal more than words, and are a necessary skill set in the business world.  It may seem challenging at first, but with practice over time, it becomes second nature, like you can almost read what people are thinking.  Also, it can help you to become  more aware of what you are communicating to others around you.

Wishing you success, Michelle!

Write A Winning Cover Letter and Resume

There is a young lady I know who was asking me for advice on how to move up in the working world.  She said that she doesn't know anything about resumes, or how to nail a job interview.  So, I promised her I would post some resources on this blog to help get her started on her job seeking skills.

The following link has really good advice for a winning cover letter.

Three cover letter mistakes to avoid.

This link offers advice for resume integrity, and therefore preserving your professional reputation.

Click on this for an example of a hybrid resume.

Resume keywords.

Sample resume:  Licensed Practical Nurse.

Writing a resume for a position where you lack the required credentials.

Handling references.

Next post, job interviewing.

Featured St. Albans Business: What A Yarn

Located in the historic Ralston building, What A Yarn & Antiques offers an eclectic collection of yarns and treasures from the past.  An emporium of premier yarns, patterns, accessories, vintage jewelry, and VT handcrafted gifts.  The space and inventory has been expanded to include everything you need for your needle-felting and punch-needle projects.  She offers instruction in knitting, crocheting, punch-needle and needle-felting.  You'll step back in time when you explore the lower level just brimming with antiques and trinkets from yesteryear.

Business proprietor, Katy Collin, demonstrating:

Excepts from this week's newletter:

• Gorgeous new yarns from Universal Yarns arrived this week
• Great American Aran Afgan books have arrived
• Today's classes included- KAL meeting, and fingerless glove class

Wednesday nights from 6:30-8 pm is weekly stitch night.

Located at 54 North Main St. in St. Albans.

phone:  802 393-0121

e-mail:  whatayarn@gmail.com

web:  www.whatayarnvt.com

Facebook.com/WhatAYarn

St. Albans Fashionista

Please meet my neighbor, Brittany.  She does an amazing job with her makeup.  I studied fashion merchandising at Champlain College, so I can say this with somewhat of an expert opinion:

Brittany is a Mom to a 5-year old daughter, and step-Mom to a 9-year old son.  She provides customer service to our community at a well-known gas station and auto shop.  She is going attend college to become an accountant.  I think she could definitely have a side-gig as a make-up artist as well!

My Favorite Wild Rice Recipe

I really love wild rice.  This is my favorite wild rice recipe:

Ingredients:

8 oz. of organic wild rice

1/2 vidalia onion

3 tbs. walnut oil

dried rosemary

ground thyme

2 tbs. evaporated cane juice

Directions:

Cook wild rice according to directions.

After rice is cooked, drain, and return to cooking pot.  Add remaining ingredients, and enjoy!

Craft Fair at Collins Perley Sports Complex

Yesterday we took some time to check out the craft show here in St. Albans.  We saw some really great work.  My daughter was the photographer of the event, so, here is the show through the eyes of a 7-year old.  :)

She took a pretty good picture of myself, and my fiance, Mike:

Here's the knitted stocking she was given as a gift at the craft show:

Featured Community Member: Kim Conner, Blogger

I came across an article in the St. Albans Messenger about Kim Connor, a long time resident of St. Albans.  She has a blog called "Seven Thirty Three".  She started the blog about 5 years ago, and she has turned it into a great success.  Her blog is about crafts and creativity, and she also has a book you can order on how to be a successful blogger.  Her site receives over 380,000 page views per month, and I can see why.  Her blog is really great.  I highly recommend it.

St. Albans Fashionista

Hi Everyone, meet Jayce.  She is a nurse at Mousetrap Pediatrics, and a Mom.  Recently she's been updating her wardrobe with the help of her 15-year old daughter.  I told her I thought her outfit looked really great, and she was kind enough to allow me to photograph her.

Thanks for dressing up our town, Jayce, and for being a great person, too!

Featured St. Albans Business: Moonshadows- Gifts For The Spirit

Moonshadows is an experience beyond shopping!  For the most unique & affordable gifts from around the world, Moonshadows is the place to be!  Featuring sterling silver jewelry, copper and magnetic jewelry, crystals, essential oils, candles, incense, books, CD's, wind chimes, boxes, tapestries, sarongs, oil diffusers, metaphysical items, goddesses & Buddha statuary, fairies & dragons.  It has an awesome, Himalayan rock salt room.  Also offers intuitive readings, massage, and Reiki, by appointment.  Open Mon-Tues 10-5, Wed-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4.  Located 89 North Main St., St. Albans, VT.  Stop by or give Thea Whitcomb a call today at 802 524-6758.

This bottle of scented oil is the only kind of perfume I will wear.  It's called Auric Blends, and she carries several scents from the company.  They are amazing.