Shutterbug Selfie

January 26, 2015 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Humor, Life In Your 20's, Social Media

Last Saturday my two friends and I grabbed dinner at a neighborhood restaurant. It's a small family place as in, every customer is someone you may have seen on the sidewalk while walking your dog or driving to the grocery store.

I noticed an older gentleman seated smack dab in the center of the restaurant - reading a newspaper. Mind you, it's 8:30 PM on a Saturday (though if we're judging, I should add that my friends and I ordered a mimosa pitcher). And by older, I don't mean octogenarian-maybe-he's-a-widower status. More like he could be a silver fox.

This prompted my friend to say that she always fears eating out alone because she's afraid people will judge her. "When I was younger, I used to say that's one of the reasons I have to get married, so I'll never have to go to dinner alone."

American Horror Story: The Netflix Betrayals

January 21, 2015 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Humor, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Social Media

Previously I discussed the twenty-something epidemic, The Netflix Binge. Today I will narrate a nasty side effect: The Netflix Betrayal.

I am not the first to write on the potential pitfall of agreeing to watch a Netflix show with your friends. You think you'll bond - you'll have more inside jokes to reference - but occasionally strife strikes. Here is my tale:

My friend invited me to watch the premiere of the current season of American Horror Story. Afterward, I couldn't bear to wait seven days for episode two (did you see the killer clown?! I needed to know his story!). My friend suggested we watch the past seasons in the meantime. We watched the second season in a week. I'm proud to say (maybe embarrassed, too), I was so into AHS that I convinced my out-of-town weekend guests to watch the show while we pregamed the bars. However, this sets the stage for the betrayals: My out-of-town friend left my laptop signed into her Netflix account....

The Netflix Binge

January 20, 2015 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Social Media

The Netflix binge is a millennial epidemic. It strikes post-brunch - if you even make it out the door for brunch - or one evening while you and your friend(s) debate what you can do that doesn't involve tipping a bartender. Or you're already laying by the TV waiting for Domino's cheesy bread to be delivered. You spend thirty minutes scrolling through the buffet of options ("I haven't even heard of that" or "Go back, what's that about?") until you both squeal at some show you've wanted to see - or maybe they've seen an episode already, but let's now embark on this together.

You're only past the opening credits when the cheesy bread arrives. And once you eat the cheesy bread, you either rewind or pause to catch up because neither of you knows what's going on.

You will stay on that couch for the next two to 24 hours. When you break, it is because one of you has to go to work or a family emergency arises. Sleep is never cited. And before you part, you sign on the dotted line that you will pick the show back up in nine hours once you're both home again.

Why I Should Stop Using Dating Apps: The Sequel Cont'd

January 13, 2015 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Dating, Humor, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Social Media

In yesterday's blog, I told you part one (really, part two) of dating app awkwardness. Here is the next episode:

Part Two:

Laying in bed, SnapChatting with friends, my phone buzzes. Attractive Girl has messaged me on OkCupid: “You were right about that Instagram account.”

Me: .............

Three weeks before: I’m chatting with some dark mysterious girl on OkCupid. She mentions she was at “that light show and saw that exhibit, too.”

Why I Should Stop Using Dating Apps: The Sequel

January 12, 2015 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Dating, Life In Your 20's, Social Media

A few weeks ago, I discussed my first uncomfortable encounter stemming from using dating apps (too) casually. Here's a sequel - and better yet, it's a two-parter!

Part One:

While I don’t use these apps frequently (I bet you readers are beginning to doubt me), I matched with a girl who we’ll call Coco. I was never going to message Coco, but – and this is why I like OkCupid over all the other apps: Females toss the ball as much as the guys – Coco messaged me:

“Are you from [insert my hometown]? You look like someone I know lol”

Brunch Review: On the Rox

January 11, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Richmond Brunch Review, Sara's Column, Social Media, Tweets and Mascara

This week's brunch review features a very special lady and her opinions: my mother. When my family came to visit me in Richmond, I brought them to On the Rox.

On the Rox is one of the least busy places you can probably go to for brunch in Richmond, and I never really understand why. Sure, their service is not the fastest, and sure, if you actually show up at 10am (like they advertise they are open at), you'll make it there before their wait staff, but their food is absolutely wonderful.

And they give you an entire bottle of champagne in the mimosa pitcher. AND they have those fancy windows that they swing all the way open on nice days. But most importantly, they have a great brunch menu!

Moms on Facebook

January 05, 2015 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Social Media, Tweets and Mascara

I am friends with several of my friends' parents on Facebook. For the most part they are good for a like on a status or a happy birthday on my timeline, but occasionally things get more complicated.

The mom who walks backwards. For the launch of ATOB, Sara and I made a Facebook event where I invited pretty much everyone (okay, I didn’t invite the people who I secretly write about). One of our guests was my friend’s mom. She first apologized she wouldn't be able to make the event; she would in Thailand. I tried to clear up the confusion that it wasn't an event that required physical presence. This is how she responded:

A Failed Resolution #SorryNotSorry

January 02, 2015 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Social Media, Tweets and Mascara

I never make New Year's resolutions because they're cliché and I try not to be trite. I also don't think you need to wait until January 1 to start something. Or a Monday. Or Lent.

I also don't like to set myself up for failure. Not that I'd ever fail (ignore the title of this blog).

Well, this past year I did make a resolution. I didn't tell anyone because see above. But I'm telling you now - and I fell short (that's different than failing).

My resolution was to stop saying sorry. I know, what? I realized in late 2013 that I say sorry for too many things - and this isn't a post where I wax about not being sorry for my weight, sexual proclivities, or beliefs. No, I was saying sorry for you running into me at the grocery store with your cart; sorry that my friend canceled plans an hour before the event and these plans had been made weeks ago; sorry that I gave you one simple task and weeks to do it and you're emailing me the night before that the project isn't done, NO BIG DEAL; sorry that I'm tired and don't want to be hungover with you tomorrow.

Facebook: The Relationship Registry

December 29, 2014 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Dating, Life In Your 20's, Social Media

Yesterday Facebook told me my friend was in a relationship. However, the other partner in this crime had yet to confirm the details, so I couldn’t stalk her beau.

Today I checked back to see who the mystery suitor was – except now there’s nothing. The crime scene has been cleaned up. Facebook simply provides me the option of asking for her relationship status.

Excuse me, but what is that?

First of all, I only request my best friends’ relationship status when I’m bored at 10 PM on a Tuesday and obviously I already know they’re as single as that fifteenth cookie in a box of Samoas when the serving size is two. And when you ask for a relationship status, Facebook prompts you to return the favor by sharing your own status. As if the “You’re single, I’m single, let’s hook up” thing actually works.

The Transition

December 28, 2014 by Sara Woznicki in Cazey's Column, Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column, Social Media, Tweets and Mascara, Uncategorized, Work, Young Professionalism

A little over six months ago, I sat down to write a one year anniversary post of the creation of Tweets and Mascara. However, I couldn't accurately articulate what it's meant to me to write a blog that (some) people actually read. My blog and I have had our ups and downs, the main down being that I didn't write anything for about a four month stretch. The whole time, I wanted to reincarnate it, but I wanted to do it right. I wanted at least three posts a week. And not just three posts a week, but three thoughtful posts a week. And I knew I would have a tough time fulfilling that promise to myself with my work commitments, gym commitments, social commitments, etc. So I recruited a part-time helper, Cazey. Originally, the plan was that I would write two posts a week and he would write one. Then I started looking for new jobs, interviewing for new jobs and having a new job. My life was in a whirlwind phase, and Cazey not only stepped up to the plate, but laid out a four-course meal.

It's not fair to say that this blog is my own anymore. In the beginning of Cazey's guest appearances, it was difficult to let the reigns go and let someone have such a presence in an outlet that was super personal and solely mine for an entire year. Not that I didn't ask him to do it (because I begged him to), but it was interesting nonetheless seeing what he came up with each week. And now I am downright excited to see what he comes up with, week after week. And, truth be told, he's contributing significantly more than me these days (hopefully I'll catch up soon).