Wait. You Wanted Me to Help You?!

Friday morning I had a horrid customer service experience.  I'll give you a quick rundown in a second...but it essentially looked like this:

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Like all of you, I get promotional emails in my mailbox multiple times a day.  Thursday evening I got an email that Swimsuitsforall.com was having a 60-80% sale.  Of course, I looked even though I had just bought a bathing suit.  I found a suit I LOVED!  But I'm on a budget and didn't want to make an impulse buy and the promo code found on the email said I had another 24-ish hours to take advantage of the sale.

Friday morning came and I still wanted that bathing suit, but the promo code wasn't giving me the 60% that it was supposed to.  Instead, it gave 30%.  Ordinarily, this would be a good buy.  But who spends twice the amount they thought they were going to a mere 12 hours earlier?  Being at work, I opted to use the chat function with their customer service department.  I didn't save our interactions, but the short version went a little like this:

CS: Hi, I'm Sue (name changed to protect the not so innocent).
Me: Hi, Sue.  My name is Cole and I'd like to get a bathing suit using the promo code I was emailed. It's only giving me 30%, not 60%.  Can you help me with that?
CS: Ma'am, did you actually place an order?
Me: No...I just explained that I want to place an order online using promocode: buyabathingsuit and it will only give 30% not 60% as described in your marketing email.
CS: Ma'am.  You need to call us.
Me: Why do I need to call you, Sue?  I'm at work and can't call.  Can you help me get a working promo code?  Is there a known tech issue that the code isn't working?
CS: Ma'am, are you near a phone?  You really should just call us.  It would be much easier.

That is where I gave up, and quite frankly, got ticked off!  Under normal circumstances, I would have just shut that browser window and moved on.  But the combination of calling me ma'am multiple times after I made a point of using her name (and providing mine more than once), and the CS reps horrible attitude pushed all the buttons I needed to go find the email address for Swimsuitsforall.com's Customer Relations Director.

I was wrote a detailed and slightly grumpy email that I tried to temper with desire to make sure others weren't having the same problem I was with their customer service call center. Honestly, I didn't expect an answer.  I was SHOCKED when I not only got a response, but it was within an hour of emailing!  My email was from Jessica, the assistant to the Customer Relations Director,  (Name not changed, as she is pretty fabulous.) who proceeded to ask all the right questions (what item # was I trying to purchase, can I replicate the error, can I try another promo code {which she provided}).

The end result is that Jessica's great customer service and desire to make things right meant I am getting my bathing suit at the right price!  Isn't it cute?!

(I am not getting paid for this post and do not have affiliate links with swimsuitsforall.com.  It's only because Jessica saved the day that I'm sharing their website info.)

Five on Friday - Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!!!  I'm finding that I'm really starting to look forward to the Five on Friday link-up with April. There are so many really great bloggers that linked up that I can go visit!

I love fireworks! Before my brother's deployment, he loved fireworks too.  Unfortunately, he came back from Afghanistan, like many others with PTSD.  This makes fireworks difficult for a lot of our current soldiers and veterans.  If you have a veteran or currently enlisted soldier in your neighborhood, please consider talking to them.  Knowing when you anticipate setting off fireworks won't take away their PTSD, but may give them time to leave or utilize coping mechanisms.

Did you know that the 5th of July is one of the busiest days of the year for shelters?  Fireworks are scary for many pets, which triggers their fight or flight response.  Be sure to keep your furbabies inside and safe while you enjoy the fireworks!

How do we celebrate the 4th of July at work? With flag onesies! #letfreedomring #work #fun #independenceday

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Jul 1, 2015 at 11:12am PDT

In case you were wondering...this is what the 4th of July looks like at my office!

If you haven't dropped by my blog this week, you haven't heard about my Jamberry giveaway yet!  You can enter to win two sheets of Jamberry nails of your choice on this post!

I came across this berry popsicle recipe and can't wait to try it!  How festive and yummy looking, right?!


Have a fabulous weekend weekend, everyone!

Summer Bucket List

I'm linking up with The SITS Girls again today, as part of their "Break the Summer Slump" writing challenge!  Today's writing prompt is summer bucket lists.

I really enjoy summer.  Everything seems to move a little slower and people seem to be just a bit friendlier! Plus, my birthday is in July. :-)

What's on my summer bucket list?  Well, let's see...

• Lots and lots of sun tea!
• At least one camp fire/fire pit (and s'mores are a must!)
• To pick a weekend and just un-plug
• Walks on the beach
• Read at least one book every week
• Pick a few friends and give them a little something special "just because"
• Get ice cream at Peaceful Meadows (a local farm) and then visit the cows
• Have a good seafood dinner
• Make a rag quilt 
• Watch the fireflies
• See fireworks
• Have a "movie day"

What's on your summer bucket list?  I need more fun activities to do!

Summer "Must Haves"

I was helping the adorable Mrs. Jones find a dress a few weeks ago via the tweet. She suggested that I put together a list of ten summer "must haves".  I can do that!

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A great dress.  One that you can dress up for a garden party/cocktail party or dress down and it works for a beach bonfire.

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Wedge espadrilles.  Sweet summery shoes that are casual but versatile.  Plus, the wedge gives a little more ankle stability than a standard heel - quite useful if you've had a little more sangria than normal.  :-)

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Flip flops. For most of us, beach time (or pool time) is inevitable.  A colorful pair of flip flops are fun and useful all season long!

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A short sleeved cardigan.  There's no hiding that cardigans are one of my fashion staples.  They are great for layering, providing a little warmth on a cool summer night and giving a pop of color/a little visual interest where needed.

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A multi purpose moisturizer.  The summer dries out your skin, ladies! Between warmer air, more sun exposure and the glistening that results {hey, at least I didn't we sweat!}, I need something to not only keep my skin moisturized but provide some SPF too.  It's an even bigger bonus if I find something oil-free.  :-)

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A good mani & pedi.  Some of you lovelies get mani/pedis all year long, which is great.  Some folks take care of their own nails all the time with is pretty cool too.  My theory is that if you get a great mani/pedi at the beginning of each season, it makes it easier for "at home care" on a regular basis.

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Sunglasses.  I don't take my own advice enough on this...but wear sunglasses!  Save yourself from wrinkles around your eyes caused by squinting into the sun.

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Cute camis.  Summer clothes are supposed to be fun!  This cami has great detail and is adorable!

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Great shorts. Find some that fit your body, please - I'm begging you!  Last year I saw lots of too tight, too droopy and buns hanging out.  Please don't bend over and make me look at your bum again this year. 

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Fun accessories!  Lots of color; beachy accents; just FUN!

What are your summer must haves?

Summer Loves

I'm loving an awful lot this summer!

My beloved Red Sox. :-)

True Blood.  Every season it veers just a little more off course from the books...but that's OK.  The show is awesomeness!
 
 
 

Pomegranate Raspberry Iced Tea and Lemonade.  I fuzzy pink heart the Starbucks version of Passion Fruit Iced Tea Lemonade, but it just isn't realistic to be there multiple times a day.  So I make tea and lemonade at home, pour it over a nice big glass of ice and voila!  Wallet-friendly yumminess.
 
 
 

This is such a great new show.  Honestly, I love all of USA networks summer shows - Covert Affairs, Necessary Roughness, In Plain Sight, Royal Pains. 
 

Sarah McLachlan's version of Blackbird.  It's a true Beatles classic, and it's been done by some great artists - Eddie Vedder, Bobby McFerrin, CSN (Crosby, Stills & Nash), Carly Simon - to name a few, but this version just speaks to me.

What are you loving this summer?

Summer "Loves"

There's so much to love about summer.  This year I am loving:

• Summer TV series
• Burn Notice
• Covert Affairs
• Boston Med
• Eureka
• Warehouse 13
• Rizzoli & Isles
• THE BEACH!!  I'm a pasty freckle-faced girl and I burn in 5 minutes flat...but the smell of the ocean, the ocean breeze, quality time with friends and the inevitable squeals that come with the first wade into the water are well worth it.  :-)

• Flip-flops
• Headbands - My hair is FINALLY getting long enough to warrant the purchase and usage of headbands.  WOOHOO!
• Freshly made ice-cream at Peaceful Meadows.  It's an experience that comes complete with mooing cows.  If you can see the cows while you are eating the ice-cream...you know it's fresh!
• Fireflies
• This song.  I don't really "get" the video...but the song is catchy and it makes me smile for some reason.

What are you loving this summer?

I ♥ True Blood

True Blood is back.  HURRAY!!!  I've been anxiously awaiting it's return for months now...OK, fine.  I admit it, I've been counting down since January December November.

Now it's back and all is right with the world my summer viewing schedule.

Have you seen the Snoop Dogg video "Oh Sookie"?!?!  You have to watch it!

Snoop Dogg - "Oh Sookie"

Did you know that Twitter will be hosting a "Drop of Blood" on Thursday nights?  A quick clip that didn't make it into an episode and HBO is kind enough to share!  Check it out here.
Did you watch last Sunday and really appreciate some of the lines or um...Eric's "scenery"?  Have any predictions you'd like to discuss?  I'm all ears!!  Discuss.  :-)

Musical Monday - Daylight

Happy Labor Day, ladies! I hope you're enjoying the long weekend by relaxing, hanging out with friends & family and enjoying the end of summer.

I heard this song on a Bacardi commercial (yep, go ahead and make fun of me!) and kinda liked it. It's so peppy... Have you heard it too?

OK, resume your goofing off! :-)

Musical Monday - Weather With You

Ah, it's been another wonderful summer weekend. Bright and sunny; hot and humid; fun-filled! Fine, I admit I don't like humidity...but otherwise; a gorgeous weekend!

I hope you all had fabulous weekends too!! :-)

This weekend I did all my usual errands, plus a field trip to the airport and Billy's 6th birthday party. The trip to the airport was to get my grandmother who was coming back from Cincinnati. The airport always has such energy, that I can't help but be happy when I'm there. I really had the urge to just jump on a plane and go. Anybody else have wanderlust or the urge to just get up and go? Somewhere...anywhere?!

Billy's birthday was great! I can't say enough how lucky Kirstren is to have this little boy as her son. He's AWESOME! Below is a picture of the cake she made. Didn't she do a great job?

Crowded House must be making another comeback. I heard this song twice in UK based concerts in the past few days (Isle of Wight and Glastonbury Festival...both in Scotland).

How was your weekend?

P.S. Did you remember to enter my giveaway?

Musical Monday - A Punk (Vampire Weekend)

Happy Monday, ladies! It's been a great (but H.O.T) weekend!

I started my Saturday by visiting my hairdresser and getting a trim & highlight. I just love it when someone plays with my hair! The highlight of Sunday was going to the beach with Kirstren and her son. I didn't get burned (ok..maybe a little pink in a few spots) this time. Way to go SPF 70!

The theme of my weekend was vampires.

I read 2 and a half Sookie Stackhouse (aka Charlaine Harris' "Dead" series) books.....


Ordered Tru Blood from the HBO website as a little gift to myself and Kirstren.....

Am super excited about the new episode of True Blood...

and I'm sharing a song from Vampire Weekend with you now.

What did you do this weekend? Any other True Blood fans out there?

An Office Invasion

I mentioned before that my building at work has been invaded with these teeny, tiny fruit-fly like things. At this point we are pretty sure that they are actually fungus flies.

Unfortunately - that hasn't made building management do anything to get rid of them. Instead, we spend all day looking like idiots trying to swat away or kill these stupid things.

I had an epiphany. (I know; soooo unexpected!) There's a way to get rid of these little suckers and have fun doing it....kinda.

This swatter uses 2 "D" batteries and zaps flies, mosquitoes, etc with 1500 volts. It says that there is no messy clean-up, but then state that the offending winged creature "explodes". I, for one, think that just might create a mess.

Do you have one of these? If so, I want to hear all about it before I buy them for everyone in my department!

And, yes, I'm shocked at myself that I'm actually doing a post on insects. Sigh.

Musical Monday - Do Re Mi & The Lighthouse Tour

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Saturday, I did a lighthouse tour with my parents. As I've mentioned before - I love being on the water. It was so much fun, especially after the fog lifted.






After being on the boat for a little over four hours, I took my parents out the Legal Seafoods for a late lunch. A good time was had by all.

The only downside to being on the water this much was that I am lobster red. Yep, I'm a super pale Scottish girl...and despite putting on SPF 70 twice (which should have protected me from everything short of actually walking on the sun!), I'm paying for the fun now. Ah, the joy of a fever and impending blisters.

Today I was supposed to go to the beach, but seeing as that would be BAD idea, had to settle with laying low and hanging with the dogs instead. I love 'em, and they haven't killed any more birds THANK GOODNESS!

You all might have seen this one...but I'm just amazed by the ability to organize over 200 dancers (in only two rehearsals, no less!) to take over the Antwerp Central Station for their rendition of "Do Re Mi" from the Sound of Music.

Happy Monday!