Can you spare a hook up?

Friends!  I'm putting together December's Network of Nice and though we have many people seeking hook ups, we're woefully lacking in people offering hook ups.

Now, I know y'all are a talented, intelligent, experienced, helpful group.  Not to mention painfully good-looking.  Won't you spare a minute to share your expertise?

Some ideas of hook ups you could offer!
* Tell someone new to the work force about your area of professional expertise

* Tell people about traveling through your city/country
* Offer up your couch to Yes and Yes-ers traveling through you city
* Fill out your resume by offering free trials of a service you offer (editing, website design, voice lessons)
* Offer advice about something you've experienced (medical school, moving to Australia, natural child birth, managing ADD without medication, dealing with food allergies)

If you're great at something and willing to share, write up 100 words about the hook up you can offer and send it to me at sarah (at) yesandyes (dot) org. 

Image source: unknown

Real Life Style Icon: Veronika of Tick Tock Vintage

This is just one interview of many in our Real Life Style Icons.  This is where we talk to smart, interesting, well-dressed women who we'd like to befriend. And then steal all their clothes.  Say hello to Veronika of Tick Tock Vintage!

Name: Veronika
Age: 24
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Online haunts: blog // facebook // tumblr // twitter

What are you wearing right now, as you type this?
A thermal shirt from H&M that I bought on our honeymoon (sexy, I know) and a pair of XL sweatpants that I stole from my grandma the last time I was at her house. Oh, and huge wool socks. It's late at night and I just got out of the shower!

What is the last item of clothing you bought?
I went thrifting this weekend and ended up walking away with a couple of scores. I got a Marc Jacobs sundress for $7.99, a pair of Citizens of Humanity jeans for $4.99, and a vintage sweater with a built-in napkin around the neck.

What is the item of clothing you most covet at the moment?
I have been keeping my eyes out for warm, wooly cable-knit sweaters. They're either super expensive when you buy them new, or ratty and pilling at the thrift store. Let me know if you find one that's reasonably priced!

Tell us about a favorite childhood memory about your clothes.
I wore a bat costume for a year straight when I was 2. I also had a pair of denim overalls with a holographic smiley face on the front.

What is your best thrifting score?
Hmm, this is a tough one! In terms of newer thrifted clothing, I'd have to say a Tibi silk blouse for $2.99 (retail around $300) or a pair of never-worn burgundy leather Timberland boots for $12.99 (retails for $180). I've found some pretty amazing vintage cocktail dresses, but my favorite has to be an emerald green shimmery cocktail dress. I haven't worn it yet, but I'll be breaking it out for Christmas parties.

Could you tell us your top three style tricks/DIYs?
Here's 3 DIYs that I've recently shared on my blog.
#1: Never underestimate the potential that a large piece of suede might have.
#2: Just because it's not in your size doesn't mean that you can't make it work:
#3: RIT dye and loads of cheap trim will transform anything.

Thanks so much Veronika!

Supporting Your Favorite Bloggers

I find myself vaguely annoyed by this video (is he somehow superior to people who choose to spend their free time outside?) but you get the point.

Did you guys know that apparently today is 'Pay A Blogger Day'?  Yes.  Perhaps I'll have to add that to next year's calendar for yet another weird-but-real holiday.

Now.  I do not tell you this in an attempt to grab at your dollars.  My bills are currently covered by my various writing gigs and sales of my ebooks, ad space and 2012 calendar.  But there are approximately a million bloggers out there who produce helpful, amazing, insightful content day after day and make zero dollars for their efforts. 

Of course (of course!) nobody should be blogging if they don't enjoy it and I realize that blogging is considered an enjoyable hobby for most everyone who does it.  And we don't toss a few dollars to our friends for playing Wii/snowboarding/shoe shopping.  But for many of us, blogs have taken the place of magazines.  I used to have a $12-15 a month magazine habit!  And now I have zero subscriptions and I haven't bought a magazine in months.  So why not donate that magazine money to the blogs I'm reading instead?

And if you don't see a donate button?  You can usually just send them money via Paypal using the email address on their contact page.

Do you ever donate to blogs?  Leave links to your favorite, donation-worthy blogs in the comments!

Mini Travel Guide: Beijing

This is one of our many Mini Travel Guides that help us nibble on a bit of international jet setting with input from people who know.  This guide comes to us via lovely LeeYee who studied in China for a year and recently moved there to work.

I’ve come up with the perfect way to describe Beijing, culled over my collective one and a half years of living and loving it here. It is this (drumroll please): Beijing is addictive.

  From the heart of the old city to the outermost ring-roads, Beijing is so vast that when you first get here it can be hard not to feel overwhelmed. The trick to enjoying your time in Beijing is to relax and not try to do everything at once. Here's where to start:



Must do

Hike or sleepover on the Great Wall

There are some awesome tours that can take you out to Simatai or Mutianyu which are the wilder sections of the Great Wall. While it probably won’t be the most comfortable night you spend, the view will be spectacular.


Karaoke

While in Beijing, do as Beijingers do. Grab some friends, the more the merrier. Head to the nearest karaoke place. It shouldn’t be too hard to find, just look for the neon signs that say ‘KTV’. Inside, you can rent private rooms, order food and drinks and sing your heart out!

Have drinks by Houhai Lake

Hit up East Shore Cafe for a night of jazz and cocktails or try No Name Bar if you just want to chill by the lakeside with a pot of tea –very classic Beijing!



Must go

The Forbidden City

Until you actually see the Forbidden City, it’s hard to grasp how big it is in real life. Avoid the summertime crowds and visit in autumn when it’s cool. 


Nanluoguxiang

One of my favorite places in Beijing, this old hutong is lined with vintage shops, funky bars and cozy little cafes. A perfect blend of old China and new Beijing, this area is great in the summer when the air feels festive, but my personal favorite is to visit on the rare winter days when Beijing gets some snow – its pure magic.

Xiushui or Panjiayuan Market

Xiushui, also known as the Silk Market, is the place to go for cheap clothes, electronics and jewelry. A word of caution: if you are morally against counterfeit goods, it’s best to avoid the Silk Market. But if you have no problems with it, go crazy here because the prices are low and the quality is surprisingly high. If antiques and curios are more to your taste, head to Panjiayuan Market where you can find pick up Mao caps, faux-Qing dynasty porcelain and Tietan trinkets.

Must eat

Hotpot

An import from the Szechuan province, hotpot has been a craze in Beijing for the past few years. Basically, it’s skewers of vegetables, mushrooms, fishballs and mystery meat dipped in boiling chilli broth. My favorite is the kind they sell by the roadside in makeshift stalls. Once the sun goes down you’ll see these stalls spring up, surrounded by crowds of Beijingers sitting around eating and drinking. Ask for plenty of ma jiang – sesame seed sauce – to blunt the spiciness.



Peking duck

Okay, so yes, everyone who goes to Beijing eats Peking duck, but there’s a reason for it, I swear. Peking duck –which is basically a whole roasted duck sliced into thin pieces and dipped in sweet sauce – is good. A cliché, but a juicy, aromatic, oily, good-for-your-soul cliché.



Lamb skewers

Sold off the street piping hot, these are skewers of juicy lamb meat roasted over hot coals and doused with some peppery, spice-y powder the ingredients of which I have yet to decipher. Best enjoyed with a glass of cold beer.



Tips for travelers

Haggling prices

The jury’s out on this one. The accepted wisdom is to offer 20% of the stated price, but my personal policy is to decide what I think the item is worth and haggle accordingly. Save the walking-away charade for a last-ditch effort because if it backfires, you’ll have to go back the next day, hat in hand.


Navigating the subway.

word to the wise: 7 million Beijingers take the subway everyday. Crowded is an understatement. Other than that, the subway is a super cheap and easy way to travel. Tickets are only RMB 2 per journey, no matter how many times you hop lines!


Dealing with the dirt
Beijing is near the desert, which means it gets seriously dusty. Throw in all that sightseeing and crowded subway navigating and trust me when I say it’s a good idea to stash some wet wipes in your purse or backpack. Wipe down your face and hands when you’re feeling extra grimy and head back into the fray for more Beijing awesomeness.




Any travel tips to share about Bejing or China in general?  Questions for LeeYee?

I bet you can't wait to quit your job and travel the world now, eh?  Luckily, I've got some cheep-o travel ebooks that tell you how.

True Story: I Started University When I Was 12

This is one of many True Story interviews in which we talk to people who have experienced interesting/amazing/challenging things.  This is the story of Abigail and how she started taking college classes at the age of 12!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m a college student and I live in Smashville! (Nashville, Tennessee) I’m still in school- I’m pursuing my BSBA in marketing and my BA in photography. I’m studying through some local state schools and also Thomas Edison State College, a state school in New Jersey that offers flexible learning opportunities. I’m planning to graduate with both degrees in a couple of years.

I am a musician and I just released my new album, Jubilation, last week!  I play folk harp and I write alternative music along the lines of Mumford and Sons, First Aid Kit, Joni Mitchell, The Civil Wars, etc. Go check me out!

What was school like for you as a child?

I was homeschooled, so school was tailored to me! I went through my requirements pretty quickly in high school, and then spent more time learning about writing, philosophy, history, and taking other courses where I could really stretch myself. I went through this program where I read all of ancient literature, starting with Genesis, the Illiad/Odyssey, etc. and moving right on up to George Orwell, Ayn Rand, etc. Have you ever read Dante’s Divine Comedy cover to cover? Don’t. Despite what the cover says, it’s not funny. I was pretty mad when I graduated high school and found out that I had twice the credits necessary. I was like, “Seriously. Mom!”

Also, my parents never had my IQ tested. They said that if it was low, I wouldn’t push myself. And if it was high, then I would just keep on doing what I was doing. So there wasn’t any point!

As far as peers go, I was fortunate to have friends of many different ages. I did feel a bit older than the friends who were my age at that time because I had a broader range of experience/education.

How did you end up going to college at such a young age?
My mom saw an advertisement for a continuing education class in sign language at our local college right before my twelfth birthday. She wrangled with admissions, and we were allowed to take it together for non-credit. Then we found out that they had a two-year degree in sign language interpreting. She asked me if I wanted to do it. I had seen enough of the language to know that I was hooked, so I said yes!

Can you tell us about the process of actually starting college?
My mom met with the K-12 program director (kindergarten? Seriously? We weren’t that crazy) and we had to get special permission from the dean, since I didn’t have a high school diploma yet. I wasn’t even in high school yet. 

As for the tuition, oh yes! we had to pay tuition. In fact, we paid double tuition because the college required my mom to enroll with me up until I was about sixteen. (Maybe they were afraid that I would color on the walls? I’m not sure why.) Anyway, it turned out to be a great bonding experience for us.

How did the other students at the college react to you?
Some were welcoming and thought that it was great that I was in classes. They enjoyed having me around. In fact, one of my fondest memories is when, in one class, we were called ‘mom‘ and ‘sister.’  It was very community based. I made some great friends.

Other students were not so welcoming. They felt threatened and frequently made derogatory comments about my age. Also, some teachers were not welcoming. I made all A’s except for two classes where I earned B’s. I feel that the professors discriminated against my age, rather than judging my ability, because I did as well in the classes as my mom, who made A’s. All this started to iron itself out when I got a little older.

Which classes did you take?
I took all language based classes until about sixteen, when I started taking some general education classes. I also took some CLEP tests (College Level Examination Placement tests) for general education credits. 

I loved my classes! The cadence and rhythm of American Sign Language appealed to my artistic nature and creativity. I took so many classes, that in fact, I graduated college with my Associate’s degree a month after I finished high school.

Are you glad you started attending college at such a young age?  Would you ever send your children to college at such a young age?
I am so glad that I was able to start going to college at such a young age. I had so many great experiences, plus the opportunity to start working and finish college early. If I ever have kids, I would totally let them go to school at that age if they have that desire. Starting college at age twelve was an incredibly enriching experience for me.

Any advice for students who aren't challenged by their current learning environments?
Explore your learning opportunities. Does your school offer College Level Examination Placement tests? (CLEP for short) You can test out of three hours in several topics for less than a hundred dollars.  Do tests make you cringe? The same organization offers AP (advanced placement) classes for college credit at most high schools. Or, enroll in your local college, like I did. Or you can just graduate early and be done with it all. Just explore! The one-size-fits-all education that most public and private schools offer doesn’t fit many people. (I think homeschooling is tops, but I’m biased!)

Also, explore extracurricular activities. For me, it was music, textile arts, volunteer work and yoga practice. Don’t allow yourself to stagnate just because you are in a boring place right now. Since I did a lot of extracurricular activities, I was able to unlock my creative side, and discovered that I have a good eye for art and a good ear for music, which is starting to pay off in huge ways. 

And if you don’t think that you are smart, remember that massive amounts of book learning do not always equal intelligence. Problem solving, analytics, organizational skills, perception, creativity, etc. are all indicators of intelligence. 

Wherever you are in your educational journey, I wish you as much happiness as I have found in mine.

Did any of you start college early?  Any questions for Abigail?

2012 Year in Yes Calendar Now Available!

I realize that every.single.year I announce that this year's calendar is better than the last. And every year I mean it. But this year I really, really, really mean it. Look!

Here's the deal:

* Twelve legal-sized, full-color months full of cute ideas, clever quotes and weird-but-real holidays
* When you finish the month, flip over that page and cut out the template on the back.  Reuse each month to make postcards, greeting cards, pillow boxes, gift tags - even a fortune teller!

How much for all this awesome?  $25 - shipping included!

Let's talk about this year's price.  This year we used twice as much paper, heavier paper and a wire spiral binding.  Which means the calendar is more expensive to produce and more expensive to ship.  So I'm not trying to be a greedy so-and-so, I'm just trying to maintain my profit margin.

Here's what people have said about past calendars:

I received my copy yesterday, and when I opened it up I ran my hand over the glossy pages and literally gasped "It's beautiful!" out loud, to myself, alone in my kitchen. That's how amazing it is. It will make you act like a melodramatic after-school special. - Winona

I have this and it is so cute! - Gala Darling

I just received my "Year in Yes" calendar and I wanted to let you know how much I absolutely freakin' love it! I definitely read the entire calendar like a book. I am dying for the New Year to get here so I can take down my old boring calendar and put up this cheery, quirky one! - Brittany

Isn't that nice?  Order yours today! 

How many do you want?

1 calendar $25.00 USD 2 calendars $48.00 USD 3 calendars $69.00 USD 4 calendars $88.00 USD 5 calendars $105.00 USD

P.S. Calendars will be mailed out starting Monday, November 28th

P.P.S. The calendar price includes shipping anywhere in the blessed world.  Sweden!  Spain! New Zealand!

A Note of Gratitude on Thanksgiving

Dear friends,

About three and a half years ago, I started this blog because I missed writing. 

And because I felt that the internet was not properly addressing our needs for posts about animals in buckets.

Since starting this blog I've moved three times, ended a long term, live-in relationship, added eight more countries to my passport, turned 30 and quit my teaching job.  These days, when I tell people I'm a professional blogger, most people say "Is that a thing?"  Or "I want to do that! How do you do that?"

To which I say: "I'm as amazed as you are.  I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop."  Because here's the thing about getting to do what you love: it's incredibly humbling.  Who am I to live my childhood dream of traveling and writing?  Why am I lucky enough to do what I want every day?*

At the risk of making you upchuck your turkey dinner, I owe all of this dream fulfillment to you guys.  So thank you for forwarding that thing I wrote to your friend.  Thanks for buying my ebooks.  Thanks for commenting on the message board and on these posts.  Thanks for not leaving mean comments on the rare occasion that I wax personal.

On this Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for many things - my family, my friends, my light-filled apartment - but chief among those is this little internet community.  Thanks for being part of my life, guys.

xox,

Sarah

* sidenote: I totally don't get to do what I want every day.  I spend a lot of weekends doing work for clients/returning emails/editing/rewriting. But at least I'm doing that work for my own benefit, not someone else's

Super Soup

Did you guys know that I'm oddly domestic?  Despite my propensity for living out of a backpack and hiking till I have blisters on six toes, I also love Stirring And Chopping Things or Sanding And Painting Things. 

But since I'm crazy busy, my meals frequently degenerate into Quorn Chik'n Patties microwaved on paper towels and cottage cheese eaten directly out of the container, while standing in front of the fridge.  Fancy!  During the winter though, I like to spend my Sunday nights listening to This American Life and making a giant pot of soup that I can eat throughout the week.  Soup is easy, cheap, healthy and (usually) freezable.  That's a win/win/win/win.

My go-to soup recipes, you say?

Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

This.is.delicious and easily vegan-i-fied!  It's packed with heaps of immunity boosting stuff like garlic, ginger and vitamin C.  Way more delicious than Thera-flu and less painful than a flu shot!

Vatapa Brazilian Seafood Stew

I wish I could tell you that I discovered this amazing soup when I was teaching English in the south of Brazil.  But I didn't. I discovered it while searching for recipes that included fish and were more complex than "bread your fish. fry it. done."

This soup is interesting enough that you could serve it at a dinner party and impress everyone.  Also, I've had a version that includes one bottle of Corona added at the end.  Delicious.

Borscht

My never-ending obsession with Russia continues.  Super healthy, uses seasonal produce, probably makes your apartment smell like grandma.  Sold.

Black bean soup

Insanely easy, packed with protein, totally cheap.  Allows you to spend the evening dutch oven-ing your partner.

What are your favorite soup recipes?  Share links to recipes in the comments!

P.S.  Do you like my new header?  It come via the super lovely and talented Kim Lawler of Hip Hop Side Project and Finest Imaginary!

image credits 1, 2, 3, 4

Wanna Sublet My Adorable Apartment?

Yeah, yeah.  I know I've been in my apartment for all of one month.   And yes, I just finished almost an entire year of non-stop travel.  But wouldn't you like to spend your winter in Louisiana/Colorado/New Mexico if you could?  Well, I'm gonna try.  But in order to make that happen, I need to sublet my little slice of St. Paul heaven.

Here are the details!

Dates: February 1 - April 30th, 2012 (but I'm pretty flexible and can go two weeks in either direction)
Bedrooms: 2
Square footage: 640
Location: Cathedral Hill, St. Paul. 

You guys.  This neighborhood is what I like to call "The America They Show In Movies."  You know, big old Victorian houses with sprawling lawns.  Independent coffee shops.  Those old-fashioned street lights.  Garrison Keillor's book store, for the love of Pete.

You're blocks from: multiple bars, a co-op, a huge thrift store, the bus stop, a hardware store, a million coffee shops, boutiques, the YWCA and tons of other great stuff.

Apartment awesomery: three closets (include a huge walk-in with shelves in the back bedroom), a pantry, hardwood floors throughout, super sunny third floor front corner surrounded by trees, gas stove, wifi, free off-street parking and it even comes furnished.

This is perfect if you're moving to the Twin Cities for grad school, an internship or a short-term work contract.  Or if you need a temporary landing pad while you search for something long term!

Cost: $700 + utilities (Yes, really.  Thank you, Minnesota.)

If you're interested, email me at sarah (at) yesandyes (dot) org.  And I'd be crazy grateful if you'd forward this link to anybody you think would be interested!  Thanks, team!

How To Have A Social Life And Still Save Money

Anna Newell of And Then She Saved fame went on a spending fast to get out of debt.  She expected to save money.  She didn't expect that it would affect her social life.  Here's how she recommends dealing with friends who want to spend money and how to have a social life without going broke.

The friend/social thing is tricky. It was crazy when I realized how much money came into play with my interactions with people. The people in my life were used to me doing things with them (everything) and then suddenly I wasn't able to do all of the same things with them anymore.  I think the key is to make it seem like you're not having a hard time with doing the Spending Fast and that you're not like "Woe is me, look at me suffering over here..." friends don't want to see their friends suffer, you know.

Give your buds an explanation and be honest if you can't afford to do something and then seriously, don't do it.  Don't dwell on not being able to do something; suggest something else to do. If the friend persists in their questioning or if they insist on paying so you can participate tell them all about what you are doing and why, tell them that you're going to be in a better place at the end of the Spending Fast and that's why you're doing it in the first place - that will go a long way in helping the situation.

Go along with your friends and do the cheapest (read: free) version of whatever they are doing.
If they are going for drinks get a tonic water with lime so it looks like a drink and no one will give you grief. Have drinks at someone's (or your) house before you all go out. If it's dinner out that they're doing, find a friend to split an appetizer with or eat dinner at home before you go. Just don't make it a big deal that you're not spending money. Have a great time. Don't focus on the not being able to spend money part. It's not about spending money it's about spending time with your friends and the money-spending-part is just a common side-effect of hanging out with friends. You're being pro-active and doing what you need to do to get yourself out of debt. It's a very good and responsible thing to undertake.

You might be surprised how many of your buds are in the same situation financial situation as you and you just don't know it. Being broke and being in debt isn't something that many people talk about. It's typically considered very private information. A lot of people do what they have to do to keep up appearances and they may not be doing as well financially as they seem to be.  I racked up a lot of my debt because I kept doing things and buying things that I just could not afford because I wanted to keep up appearances and keep up with everyone else. I tried to avoid realizing and recognizing this for a long time and I got into a lot of debt because of it.

Free (or super cheap) things to do with friends

• Eat your brown bagged lunches from home in the park together (this is a good one to do with work friends).

• Start a Spending Fast Group Challenge. How much can you each save? This can be set up on a percentage basis (similar to how The Biggest Loser TV show does it since they all start at different weights).

• Get a thrift store tennis racquet and go to the public tennis court and hit some balls. Even if you have no idea how to play tennis it's fun to run around and whack the balls.

• Do a clothing swap. Everyone rounds up all of their un-used and un-wanted items and trades. Everyone gets something new to them.

• Game night at one of your houses. 

• Check out movies from the library and gather up at someone's house to watch. Variations on this classic saving money option is to theme it out. Horror/scary themed movies. 80's movies. Nicholas Cage movies... Bonus: home popped popcorn is super cheap.

• Get together and make crafts using supplies you all collectively already own. Who can bring what and what can you make?

• Group bike ride. Everyone takes turns mapping out a route.

• Hike

• Volunteer together

• Start a book club. Check out the same book from the library.

• Go to your favorite book store and look at gossip magazines together. Bring tea bags from home and get cups of hot water from the coffee shop. Sip and look.

• Team up with a bud and be getting-out-of-debt supporters for each other. Bonus: you'll have someone to split appetizers with and cheer you along.

• Google "free things to do in (insert your city here)". There are probably a lot of things going on that you don't know about.

• Have a potluck. Just don't buy anything new for the ingredients. Only use what you all already have in your kitchen. If you can only make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich make a couple and cut them in 4's. There you go- finger foods! And really, who doesn't love PB&J? Variation (suggested by a reader): Breakfast potluck!

• Do a group yard-sale
• Go to the public pool
• Do a picture Scavenger Hunt. Make lists and separate into smaller groups. The 1st group to take pictures of everything on the list wins bragging rights. Most people have cell phones with a cameras on them but if no one has a digital camera then do the honor system and take a mental snapsnot of the item.

• Camp!

• Pull an HGTV and re-arrange a room in each others houses
• Go to the city pound and look at the animals. Bonus: get to play with the animals too if the staff allows it.

• Sit on a patio and ask each other questions you've never asked before.
1.) Why is Elmo red?
2.) Fav YouTube celeb?
3.) Would you want a whole army cloned to look like you?
4.) How many times do you look in the mirror a day?
5.) Internet dating: Yay or Nay?
6.) What do you want to name your children?
7.) Your house is on fire, 2 things you save (non-living)....
8.) If you had to do an extreme sport for a living, what sport would you do?
Also, there are lots of conversational games like "Would You Rather".

Doing a Spending Fast is hard and you'll have to make sacrifices. Dynamics of some relationships might change. Just know that despite the occasional awkwardness, the hard times really do payoff in the long run. Trust me- it is so worth it!

Catvertising (!) on Yes and Yes for December

Yes and Yes ad space! Now with more cat!

Even if you're not using cat videos to promote your blog/shop/website/business, I'll still let you purchase ad space on Yes and Yes.  Because I'm nice like that.

Ad stats!

Sponsorships are available in one, two and three month packages with pricing discounts at two and three months.  All 150x150 sponsors will be included in the mid-month sponsor introduction post and three month sponsors have the option of a giveaway, if they're interested. 

Some facts about Yes and Yes?

Daily unique visitors: 3,200 - 3,500 a day

Page views: 150,000+ per month

Twitter followers: 2,410+

Facebook fans: 1,480+

Blogspot followers: 2,460+
Google Page Rank: 4
Google reader subscribers: 5,310+

Some of the nice things that previous sponsors have said about Yes and Yes?

Advertising with Sarah on Yes and Yes is one of the biggest ways to draw attention to your blog. As soon as my ad went up on her site, I noticed that I was receiving almost 200% more views each day! And Sarah does a great job writing posts throughout the month with links to your blog for extra attention. Advertising with Yes and Yes is a no brainer! - Tara, Deer in a Bottle

Advertising on Yes and Yes was such an awesome investment!  As a blogging n00b, it's been great to see several huge spikes in traffic, growth in my readership, and a bunch of new subscribers and Twitter followers.   Not to mention, Sarah is totally rad to work with.  I highly recommend grabbing a spot on her site! - Emily, Awesomania

Advertising on Yes and Yes has steadily increased the traffic to our blog - Love and Adventure. Not only that, but Sarah is totally a master of social media. After she linked to us, our traffic for that day spiked and we had five times as many visitors as usual! We’re barely 3 weeks into our 3 month advertising package and we couldn’t be happier - Kindra and Ryan.

Sponsoring Yes and Yes has been one of my most effective ways to advertise my coaching business. Each time I've advertised on Yes and Yes I have seen a spike in traffic and an increase in newsletter subscriptions. I can also attribute at least 4 new clients to my sponsorship of Yes and Yes. If you have a business or blog whose target audience is savvy 20- and 30-somethings then Yes and Yes is the perfect way to advertise to them. - Nailah Blades, Polka Dot Coaching

Do. it. now. Advertising on Yes and Yes was fantastic. I did a happy dance when my blog's daily page views quadrupled! Her readers are smart, funny and inspiring - everything you want from future friends. I will definitely advertise with Yes and Yes again. - Halley, A Life of Something New

Isn't that lovely?  Don't you want to introduce your product or blog to such awesome people?  Let's do it together!  Email me at sarah (at) yesandyes (dot) org to organize a sponsorship.

True Story: I Got A Breast Reduction

This is one of many True Story interviews in which we talk to people who have experienced interesting/amazing/challenging things.  This is the story of Cassie and her breast reduction surgery.

Tell us a bit about yourself!
I'm twenty-nine years old and am from Vancouver, Washington, just a bridge away from Portland, Oregon.  I'm a stay-at-home mom to a five and three-year-old, a blogger and I create paper goods for my Etsy shop, Between the Lines.  This last spring, we moved into our new {old} home on five evergreen-lined acres.  We're enjoying fixing up our place, tending to our crazy Lab puppy, Jet, and two horses.  Other things that make me happy are books, leaves, lemon-flavored treats, painted nails, coffee and cowboy boots.    

What's the back story of your boobs?
In about the fourth grade, I can remember my Mom taking me to TJ Maxx to look for bras.  My older sister (who had average-sized boobs) and her friend were with us and I was mortified.  I must have blocked out the rest of the memory, because I can't remember much after the walk from the parking lot.  In elementary school, there were very few kids who had a chest like me.  One of my friends was also large-chested and kids called her "Dolly" behind her back.  I never heard if they had a nickname for me, because they didn't say it to my face, but I was sure if they did her, the same went for me.  Over the years, I struggled to love my body, and that was hard for me since, as women, I believe we should.

Was there a specific moment when you realized that you wanted to get them reduced?
By my senior year in college, I had had enough of my boobs.  I remember laying out with a group of girlfriends at the park, each of them wearing their flattering bikinis and me laying self-consciously on my towel, hardly enjoying the simple activity of sun-tanning.  Later that month, I was at Victoria's Secret and got measured by two (!) bra specialists.  I was so embarrassed and wanted to cry when they told me they didn't carry my size. 

In denial, I settled for a cute magenta bra in the wrong size.  I was fed up with feeling self-conscious, having trouble finding clothes that fit in the bust but were too large in the shoulders, and having intense back pain during my menstrual cycle.  For a long time, I thought if I could lose some weight, it might reduce my breast size, but even hitting the stair master and bike rigorously didn't trim down the size of my boobs.  Even at my fittest, my breasts were still a DD, which was huge for my petite frame and for being just 5'2.  

Can you tell us about the process of choosing a doctor/facility to get your surgery?
Because I had health insurance with a company who has various offices in the metro area, I didn't have to look too far for a breast-reduction cosmetic surgery specialist.  I talked to my family doctor about being a possible candidate for breast reduction surgery, who then referred me to plastic surgeon who specialized in breast reduction. 

After my visit with the plastic surgeon, I had to attend a four-hour informational training where the doctor's assistant talked about the procedure, recovery process and the possible complications that can take place during the surgery.  Possible risks of breast-reduction surgery include: severance in the milk-gland region, which can effect a future mother's milk supply, the possibility that the breasts don't turn out the exact same size, loss of feeling in the nipple, and worse-case scenario, tissue in the areas which have been cut, i.e. around the nipple, can become infected and potentially die, requiring further cosmetic surgery. 

The nurse also warned that if the surgery is completed prior to having children or before menopause, there is a chance that the breasts may return to their original state with the fluctuation in hormones.  But the thought of having my original breasts through pregnancy scared me.  If they were already a size F, I couldn't imagine their size during engorgement--or the pain!  I was willing to put my chance of breast-feeding on the line, for my health and comfort.

Was your surgery covered by your health insurance?
My insurance covered each of my appointments, the entire breast reduction procedure, including my hospital recovery time and post-op appointments.  Because of my small frame, the doctor felt that my large breasts had the potential of harming my body.  Continuous back pain and permanent bra-strap indentation was a couple of his concerns.  He also said that my breasts hung lower than normal for someone my age.  Since heavy breasts usually sag, I underwent breast-reduction surgery and was given a breast lift as well. 
What happens during a breast reduction surgery?
On the day of my surgery, I showed up on an empty stomach and the surgeon marked my breasts up with a black sharpie.  Then I was put under sedation.  The procedure that the doctors used is called Reduction Mammoplasty. The doctor made a vertical incision from the aureola down to the underneath side of the breast and removed excess skin and tissue to reshape the breasts.  Removing excess skin from the bottom of the breast also helps lift the breasts as well.  Since the aureola's size is dependent on the breast size, the doctor cut down the size of the aureola to fit the size of my new breasts.  In my case, one pound of tissue was removed from each breast!

He then stitched the lines of incisions at the bottom of my breasts as well as around the nipple, taped the incisions, inserted small drainage tubes for blood and fluid release, and wrapped my incisions in gauze and an elastic bandage.  The entire procedure lasted 3.5-4 hours, and the removed tissue was sent off to be tested for cancerous cells.

How long did it take you to recover from your surgery?
I spent the next week wrapped in gauze, keeping up on my pain meds and icing my breasts.  I couldn't lift much of anything or raise my elbows above my head.  After the first week, the nurse removed my stitches and the drain tubes and exclaimed that my new breasts were a job well done!  And there was hardly any bruising because of how often I had iced them.  The tape around the incisions remained and I wore a sports bra for the next two weeks.  By week three, I was able to begin low-impact exercise.

How have the people in your life reacted to your new breasts?
After graduating college, and shortly before my surgery, I ran into my soon-to-be Husband in downtown Portland.  I was as busty as ever, and according to him he was like "yeah!"  The only problem for him was that I was due to have surgery in a week and he didn't know it.  After my surgery, we went on our first date.  I wore a camisole without a bra (a new thing), but in the evening, put my sports bra back on for extra support.  I was a little worried that my sports bra straps might show in the shirt that I was wearing, so I went ahead and told him that I'd just had surgery.  He was so nice and gave me an empathetic hug.  Later he told me he was confused about the sudden change in my breasts, but he's assured me he finds me attractive in the same!  My sisters and my girlfriends were so kind, supportive and complimentary.

How is your life different now?  Do you ever miss your 'old' boobs?
Shortly after I had the surgery, I took up running.  Becoming a runner has been one of the most freeing and invigorating activities in my life, and when I was a F, running wasn't an option. The last thing I wanted was for my boobs to be causing a scene as they hit my elbows with each stride.  Since my surgery, I've run two half-marathons and have found a new level of full-body exercise through running that I hadn't experienced before.  Especially after having had two children, I'm even more grateful for my ability to run and do so comfortably.  Although, my breast size seems to have shrunk since having my kids, I'm satisfied. And my clothes fit!

What advice would you give to anyone else considering breast reduction?
Aches, pains and low confidence due to extremely large breasts is not fun.  If your breasts are limiting your activity and comfort, talk to your doctor to learn more about breast reduction surgery and to see if it might be a good option for you.

Has anybody else had (or considered) breast reduction surgery?  Any questions for Cassie?

Web Time Wasters

How was your week, friends?  I caught up with an old friend at my favorite Vietnamese place, found out one friend is coming to visit and another is moving back to the Twin Cities,  got the proofs for the 2012 Year in Yes calendar (!) and went to a dog show!  (Sadly, I did not have an opportunity to sing this song or freak out about busy bee)

Links!  Here they are!

Don't you think everyone in your life needs one of these journals?

Sal has great advice for power thrifting.

And if you're wondering what to get me for Christmas, how about this cheese making kit?

If there are children on your Christmas list, check out MN Music 4 MN Kids - great, non-annoying children's music performed by Minnesota's hippest indie bands.  And the proceeds benefit Children's Hospitals and Clinics!

An interview with a former teen mom.
Throughout everything, Jillian says she never lost sight of wanting a future. Her whole life, she’d dreamed about becoming a nurse because her father’s mom had told her amazing stories about nursing. When Jillian’s maternal grandmother got older, Jillian says she was particularly disturbed by how badly her grandma was treated at her nursing home. She wanted to positively affect people’s lives. She knew it’d be hard, but she also knew it was possible.

I think this works well with our True Story: I'm Muslim interview.  Meet The Normal, Slightly Boring Folks of All-American Muslim.

Now that it's holiday party season, you might need a good hangover cure, no?

Remember how Dear Dude said "This is simultaneously depressing and reassuring: dating is a numbers game - the more people you meet and interact with, the more likely you are to meet someone who's right for you"?  Behold: Increase your dating success with statistics. (not nearly as depressing or insulting as it sounds, I swear!)

In the event you want to smell yummy (who doesn't?!) Pumpkin Pie Spiced Milk Bath DIY

On the narrowing of priorities
She was also very realistic. Here was a woman with a top-of-the-heap creative job, but there were limits: “I can write and have a boyfriend, or I can edit and write,” she said, “but I can’t write and edit and have a boyfriend.”

Awesome!  Make your own scratch-off tickets!

I made this bizarre-o recipe for cottage cheese loaf and it is totally delicious.  Trust me!

You guys.  An Etsy shop devoted exclusively to illustrations of animals dressed as people.  Yes.

I'd love to get this raspberry beret, walk in through an out door and be all "You guys see what I'm doing with that?  Ya get it? What I'm doing there?"

I love beautifully illustrated, perfectly curated zines.  Paper Darts is just gorgeous - a great gift for the literary hound/indie hipster in your life!

Current obsessions: using my phone to its full capabilities (instead of just texting), reassessing my business model (what a grown up!), branching out from my daily uniform of cardigan/striped t-shirt/skinny jeans/shelltoe Adidas, switching from coffee to this high-caffeine tea, my awesome grown-up bed with its awesome grown-up bedding.

What are you favorite links and obsessions?  Leave 'em in the comments!

Mini Travel Guide: Malaysia

The is one of many Mini Travel Guides in which we dip our toes into the world of international  travel.  This guide comes via my fantastic friend Deb (It was next to her pool that I drank screwdrivers for all of February)

Must go
The Petronas Twin Towers
These bad boys were the tallest building in the world for six years and they are spectacular. Cabbing there is easy enough but on a shoestring you can catch a train from the KL Sentral train station. Be sure to catch the towers at night - I’d recommend the epic view from Skybar at Traders Hotel (budget travellers will love the lack of cover charge, anything-goes dress code before 7pm and 2-for-1 cocktails for ladies).

Batu Caves
A short bus or train ride our of the city, this limestone hill and cave temple boasts the tallest statue in the world of Lord Murugan, a focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam and home to so many monkeys you won’t believe. Keep an eye on your belongings when around them though as they are known for snatching baby bottles from babies and are skilled in the art of drinking/eating anything.

Melaka

A two-hour bus ride out of KL, this quaint town is compact and buzzing with the best Malaysia can offer. Make sure your camera is fully charged and if possible head over on the last weekend of the month because they close Jongker Street for a wicked night market where you can buy anything from sweet treats, antique buttons to fake MAC make-up and potato chips on a stick.

Must do
Fish spa
Not two words you’d normally string together, fish spas are a normal addition to most mani/pedi spots here. Basically, you  put your feet (hands too if you like but that’s a different kind of fish) into a pond where little fishies nibble away at dead skin. Make sure you plaster any blisters though and be warned, it tickles!

Petaling Street
Essentially the Chinatown of Malaysia, this is your one-stop-street for all things bootlegged or pirated. Knock-off Tiffany jewellery even come in the signature green pouches and gift boxes.

Low Yat Plaza
Here is a shopping centre dedicated to all things digital (and a great place to leave the boyfriend while you shop). Whether you’re after a new camera (complete with warranty) or need a new external hard drive, you are guaranteed a bargain here as long as you’re willing to haggle.

Must eat
Roti Canai
Essentially an Indian-style pancake, it’s a snack or meal depending on what filling you ask for. For instance, a regular one with no filling would come with a dhal or curry sauce to dip which is a common Malaysian breakfast.  Or you could also ask for one filled with ‘Kaya’ or coconut jam which is great for tea time or even one with onions for dinner.

Chicken Rice
Rice cooked with ginger and garlic topped with either steamed or roasted chicken, three-layered roast pork or ‘char siu’ (barbecue pork), it’s a common Chinese dish that isn’t too unfamiliar or exotic for someone new to Malaysian cuisine but still packed with flavour.

Nasi Lemak
A common Malay breakfast, directly translated it means ‘fatty rice’. Usually served wrapped in a banana leaf and brown grease paper, the rice is cooked in coconut milk making it fragrant and rich, and teamed with half of a boiled egg, roasted peanuts, crispy anchovies and a spicy ‘sambal’ sauce. Go easy if you’re not into seafood!

Cultural tip
Malaysians are a friendly but shy people so learning to say ‘terima kasih’ (thank you in Malay) and smiling will get you far.

English is commonly spoken but few Malaysians will ever say ‘I don’t know’ if you ask them something so be sure to take what they tell you with a pinch of salt.

Malaysia is a multi-cultural nation so be aware and considerate of each culture’s quirks, no matter how weird.

Travel on the cheap
The bus system can be a tad unreliable but the train and monorail system are cheap and cover a centralized area. All cabs (except the blue corporate cabs) are also a good way to get around but make sure to ask the cabbie if they know how to get where you want to go and if they’d use the metre before getting in.

Any Malaysian travel tips to share?  Questions for Deb?

Is this post giving you wanderlust?  Check out my ebooks/podcasts about traveling the world on a budget and on your own!

How do you stay optimistic?

Dear Sarah Von,
How do you stay so optimistic even though the world around us has so many problems?  Everyday I see awful things on the news (war, famine, class inequality, etc), and even my work is slowly taking a toll on me.  I work in the environmental justice field, and it's just sad to see how unfair the world is.  I used to be a much happier person when I was younger and more oblivious to these sorts of things!  Is this just a normal part of growing up?

- Maya

Girl, I hear you.  Just like a lot of people, I spent several years feeling certain that bad things only happened to Other People and that what happened in those dirty, war-torn countries didn't particularly apply to me. 

Then I started watching the news and paying taxes and paying attention to someone other than myself.  And stuff got real preeeetty quickly.  Here's how I try to stay positive and optimistic in the face of a world-wide recession and an impending six-month winter.

1) I pick my battles. 
I have three causes that I actively donate to and support: marriage equity, reproductive rights, refugee resettlement.  This is not to say that I ignore all the other problems in the world, but these are the issues that speak to me.  I find it's a lot easier to feel good about the world and the difference I'm making when I narrow my scope.

2) I choose my news sources carefully.
Fox News melts my brain as does any radio or television show in which people raise their voices or call each other names.  Nope, not interested.  I read headlines on The Morning News, I read Slate and Salon, I listen to public radio on the weekends.  That's it.  I also make an effort to read things like People Are Awesome and 1,000 Awesome Things to level things out a bit.

3) I deal with worldly issues in a way that works for me.

Sometimes  I donate money.  Sometimes I donate my time and skill set.  Sometimes I donate products or ad space on this blog.  Sometimes I say "that's totally, totally awful" and then I turn off the radio.  I donated money to earthquake relief in Japan, but knowing exactly how many died and exactly how much radio active waste is leaking into the ground isn't going to change anything or make me feel better. (Please note: I'm not advocating putting your head in the proverbial sand in regards to current events but I don't think knowing every.last.detail about every.single.catastrophe is productive or beneficial.)

4) I surround myself with positive people.
This isn't to say that my friends and I ignore current events or never complain about anything (we live in Minnesota, there are six months of snow to gripe about.) But we try not to snipe or to let conversations deteriorate into negative commentary about our jobs/bodies/relationships/the state of the world.  Because why talk about that stuff when there operas to go to and fried green tomatoes to eat?

5) I realize that the world has been going to hell in a hand basket since ever.
My grandparents grew up during The Depression and had to drop out of high school to support their families. My mom grew up with neighbors who built bomb shelters in their backyard.  My dad and uncle were in the military during the Vietnam war.  All of those things are scary and challenging and fairly horrible.  But you know what?  All of those people now lead happy, healthy, productive lives.

Again, this is not to downplay the scary things that are happening in our world today, but scary things have been happening since time immemorial.  Lovely, wonderful, amazing things have been happening for that long as well. 

How do you stay positive and optimistic?

image credit: Jennifer Charlotte Saul