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5 Unconventional Valentine’s Day Ideas for SmartyFellas: Part 1 of 5 David’s Tea

January 31, 2013 by smartygirl Leave a Comment

Sometimes the unplanned trips turn out to be the best ones. My Navigation tool on my smartphone told me that RadioShack was less than .5 miles away. However, I pulled over and parked because David’s Tea logo in Tiffany robin’s egg blue and white drew me to inquire about this hot spot. Why did it look futuristic white-out bright like Stanley Kubrick’s infamous Milk Bar in A Clockwork Orange?

The interior is modern without being cold. The warm hue of a yellow-pine hardwood floor make the stainless steel canister lining the tea barkeep’s wall from appearing severe. Woodwork signs painted in Baby Courture Store colors (i.e. teal, fire wagon red, and fingerpaint green) represent tea types sold.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol David’s Tea Forever Nuts

The clerk in dark-framed glasses and a gray-plaid newsboy cap starts a conversation with me. I walk in at an odd-hour before 5 P.M. The store seems to have an anti-oak barrel retail coffee spot vibe. No wooden crates will straw or raffia here. There’s simplicity and mystery in these screw-top tea tins big and small.

Eight loose-leaf tea canisters the size of lip balm pots are open. Smokey, spicy chocolate I detect. This tea bar is unlike a faux rustic Peets, Starbucks or Coffee Republic. In fact, it can’t be described as cozy. It feels like a climate controlled lounge on a spaceship. Unlike a spaceship, the floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural sunlight to flood the interior from three sides.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol David’s Tea Organic Lapsang Black Tea 

I approach the white-on-white chair-less bar. The head clerk listens to me rather than pummel my ears with pitches about their flavors of the season. Unlike a barista, she is a pro-listener. She excudes confidence if the shops without saying much. I initiate the conversation, “Why does the chocolate smell smokey?”

When I stumble over the pronunciation of Rooibos, she doesn’t correct me or acknowledge my error. She seems to read my mind but actually she observes my nonverbal cues that show curiousity. It’s true my body language including my raised brows might have communicated, “What is that? Why is this labeled so?”

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol David’s Tea Movie Night Loose Leaf
Photo Credit: Renee Marchol David’s Tea Gold Black Tea

She gives me the tour. She never says an ill-word about competitors. Instead she says, “Would you like to smell Movie Night? Take a look at Birthday Cake? Can you tell there is dried chili in this Mango Tea?” I linger so long, sniffing and taking shots of just steeped Strawberry Rhubarb and a nutty tea with vanilla yogurt chips.

The nutty tea is in a separate heat-proof glass. I recall the warmth of a glass of Hot Irish Coffee. The tea glasses are clear like cylinders about 2″ tall. I close my eyes to taste each one. I share that I tend to choose hazelnut coffee at the cafes and nutty tea in the grocery aisle. I confess that I want to branch out. The strawberry-rhubarb is tart but not sharp like a blackberry tea or apple cider. When I close my eyes I can imagine fresh rhubarb like pink stalks of celery.

During this whole experience, I am never rushed or pushed in any way. In fact, it is a full 20 minutes after I savor my Black and Gold $3 hot tea that I offer to pay. Though there are white chairs in the front window, I choose to stay near the head clerk and her helper. Excuse the play on words but I really drink everything in. Knowledge. Delicious.

When I mention that SmartyFellas are also readers of this blog, she opens the most popular loose leaf selected by young men. I am taken aback. The opened canister throws leather, tobacco and hickory fragrances. It’s so strong but not unappealing. I take another sniff. The head clerk tells me that many young men who frequent the upscale cigar store down the street also ask for this tea blend. I can imagine why. Since most SmartyFellas are Gen Y-ers few of them smoke. However, the David’s Tea junior clerk points out how many foodies use this tea to give fish and other savory meat dishes as liquid smoke flavor. Brilliant!

Because of the odd-hour I am spared from the packed house of Saturday and Sunday afternoons. I can envision this. I ask the junior clerk about how first time visitors handle the wait in line. “Do they become impatient or do they understand the steeping process?”

She answers that some get antsy but when they experience the steeping of their individual order they want to come back and decide the tea is worth the wait.

I agree. It’s the visual experience. The delight comes from closing my eyes also and feeling the flavor and temperature. The thrill is noticeable. The head clerk explains that she does not say “No” to customers who want to break the rules. For example, the tea bartenders will prepare any tea iced or hot based on the customers preference. If the customer wants to be a rebel and steep the tea for longer than recommended, no micromanaging.

Experiment is encouraged. The head clerk shares tins of chai for me to view and answers every question I care to ask. I exit twice to feed the short-term (stupid 24 minute meter) directly outside the shop.

Finally, we get to the question that will lead me to purchase my hostess gift to bring to a friend’s home the following evening. “What else can you do with tea?” I ask.

“Customers have steeped chai tea and used it as a natural flavoring for cupcake frosting.” says the David’s Tea head clerk.

She walks over to a display shelf lit by recessed lights. She slides open the plain beige boxes with uniform labels. This unveals recipe cards and vacuum sealed loose leaf tea for cocktails. Yes, cocktails. Jasmine Mojito.

“Amazing!” I say.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol David’s Tea The Foodie Collection

When she opens the Foodie collection, I reach out my hand to claim it. Recipes for tea to flavor salmon. Tea to flavor banana breads. My Associate Editor of SmartyGirl is visiting for a few days so I know this is the gift for her! She is the kale-chip maker, green smoothie blender, steel cut oatmeal in a Mason Jar type of Foodie Hero for this!

When I remark that it seems that natural foods, anti-artificial flavor consumers would take to this the head clerk remains neutral. She explains that David’s Tea is a lively bar that has hopping nightlife and packed weekend afternoons because it’s not narrow but has wide appeal. She points out the organic tea and then the blends and then the wilder artificially flavored ones. Birthday Cake for example has the usual artificial colors and flavors that are innate to sprinkles. “Something for everyone” she says.

I exit with my David’s Black and Gold Tea in a paper cup and my collection for the intrepid tea foodie in a David’s Tea robin’s egg blue and white bag. For some reason the design for the lettering is so attractive that I try to brainstorm ways to reuse the container.

It’s sitting next to my indoor succulent and mini cacti garden as I write this. I wonder if other fans of contemporary decor and art are as drawn to David’s Tea as I am.

Disclaimer: I am an intern for Leafgram.com online gourmet tea. I have not been paid in anyway to endorse David’s Tea. I chose to write about this from sheer enjoyment during my off-hours.

Best Valentine Gift to Give Yourself or Worst Valentine’s Day Gifts to Receive

January 28, 2013 by smartygirl Leave a Comment

If you were a child of the 80’s or 90’s, you might remember making mailboxes out of construction paper and hoping your classmates would stuff Valentine’s envelopes with Sweetheart candies conversation hearts. 

In 2013, I am uncertain if this has been eliminated in public schools like bake sales because of high sugar and low nutrition. 

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Conversation Hearts

If you were like me, you used the purple, blue and green conversation hearts for chalk. Surely, the couldn’t be for eating. Right? Flavors like wintergreen and clove horrified me. My fave candy to receive were cherry gumdrop hearts.

Now that you aren’t sitting in L-shaped school-desks, what do you hope you’ll receive this Valentine’s Day? This isn’t meant to bring up the memory of bad college breakups or first marriages that didn’t last.

Instead, this is a chance to create a list of things you’d like.

For instance, here’s my top 10:

1. Jeff Goldblum to teach me how to do knot tricks that he performed in a Portlandia sketch
2. Jamie Kennedy to grant me a Google Hangout interview about what it was like for him to play Sampson in the 1996 Baz Luhrman’s Romeo and Juliet
3. Five yellow scorpion jackets with increasing levels of gore like the ones Ryan Gosling wore in Drive
4. Book talk with Comedian/Author Michael Ian Black about his book America, You Sexy B****: A Love Letter to Freedom
5. Amanda Beard to critique me in swimming so that I might be a stronger swimmer for a Aquathlon
6. Hogan Gorman, Writer of Hot Cripple, to teach me how she put together her one-woman show
7. To sing “Treat Your Mother Right” with Mr. T
8. To meet Sarah Polley, the director of Away from Her
9. To have tea with Yael Cohen of F*** Cancer fame
10. To shadow the Lego builders for the next project as ambitious as The Hobbit

SheKnows does a pretty good job of naming Worst Valentine’s Day Gifts

Photo Credit: Chocolate Croissant via Pinterest Suann Song

The Huffington Post presents tips for Valentine’s Day on a Budget.

Did you know that you can purchase 10 double-chocolate croissants for $5 at Pak N Save? Re-heat these buttery beauties in 10 minutes. Use your toaster oven or traditional oven at 425 degree Fahrenheit oven and the apartment will be perfumed by chocolate liquor. 

Though it’s most common to ask about Gift Ideas for Boyfriends or Romantic Gifts for Her, comment below to share your whimsical wish list.

Photo Credit: Girls’ Night via Pinterest Nicole Waldoch

Celebrating singleness with a Girls’ Night In? I’d suggest one of my indulgent recipes from past SmartyGirl women’s retreats. Catch up with your best friends over cheesecake brownies!

SmartyFella PS3 coupon: Ni no Kuni Wizard’s Edition

January 28, 2013 by smartygirl Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: EGM Now Ni no Kuni

Patricia Hernandez of Kotaku reported on a 2013 gamer pet peeve about Ni no Kuni Wizard’s Edition. Namco Bandai acknowledges that fans might feel that a $20 Namco club voucher is insufficient to make up for the disappointment that the company is unable to fill the extra orders requested.

Photo Credit: GamaSutra Ni no Kuni

In a separate article by GamaSutra’s Critical Reception, MetaCritic gives the game a rating of 87 out of 100 for its beautifully designed, produced and executed Studio Ghibli graphics. I am hoping that SmartyGirl Gamers and SmartyFella New Readers will weigh in by commenting below.

Photo Credit: Kotaku Ni No Kuni

Do you agree with EGW’s Managing Editor, Andrew Fitch? Does Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch appeal to those of you who like Monster Rancher, Xenoblade and Dragon Quest? Is the music by Joe Hisaishi enough to cause you to call this a successful game?

SmartyGirl has a SmartyFella Hayao Mika willing to sell three unopened copies of The Wizard’s Edition, at a SmartyFella rate, if contacted with a suitable bid and the coupon code: 562rt92 before January 31st.

Contact him here. Feel free to submit your own review by the end of February 2013.

5 Habits of the Successful New Hire: An Interview with Chief Creative Officer Brian Bacino of Baker Street Advertising

January 26, 2013 by smartygirl Leave a Comment

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Photo Credit: Pink Dress Coat via Tracy Tatum on Pinterest

This V-Day 2013, we are joined by Baker Street Advertising’s Chief Creative Officer Brian Bacino to share 5 Habits of the Successful New Hire.

Q: Brian, thanks for this phone interview.

Readers are interested in hearing from you in a brainstorming session. What are your thoughts?

Last year, Readers wanted to know how to avoid becoming Boomerangers.  Brave young adults made the choice to enter college despite tuition hikes and high unemployment numbers predicted post-graduation.

Photo Credit: Pink Book Nook via Pinterest Miris.

C-level leaders such as RPA’s Bill Hagelstein, Phelps Group’s Ed Chambliss, Pollack PR Marketing’s Noemi Pollack spoke with SmartyGirl because they wanted young adults to still pursue college despite headlines that suggested college was too expensive and wouldn’t help them land work anyway. These leaders from top PR and Marketing firms gave insight into why a college education is necessary for a successful marketing and PR career.

In 2013, there’s a new negative label: “Generation Jobless” as described in Joe Light’s article in the Wall Street Journal. Readers are wondering about your suggestions for them, as new hires, when they graduate from Mass Communication programs in June 2014.

“.. little advantage from their advanced education.” 
—“Generation Jobless” by Wall Street Journal’s Joe Light and Lauren Weber 

This year, Chief Creative Officer Brian Bacino of Baker Street Advertising shared 5 Habits of the Successful New Hire with SmartyGirl.

Photo Credit: SF Giants Sergio Romo
Photo Credit: Bacino’s Daughters with SF Giants

His advice comes from his experience as a brand storyteller, graphic designer and writer. Currently, he works for Baker Street Advertising. His hobbies include coaching youth sports and taking his daughters to baseball games.

Photo Credit: SF Giants Matt Cain, Sabina and Brian Bacino

Q: How important is it for a woman for advancement in the workplace to show that she is “one of the guys”? The problem of “Brogrammer” culture is everywhere and it’s most likely that the women in the office will be outnumbered the men. What are your suggestions?

Photo Credit: SF Giants Promo

A: To gain respect in the workspace, women don’t need to compete with men shot for shot at the bar. Instead imagine that you are all soldiers. Who is willing to jump on the grenade? When an individual takes one for the team, he/she inspires respect. What are some ways of figuratively jumping on a grenade? This could mean taking ownership and coming up with a solution for a problem.

Photo Credit: Hipster Glasses via Pinterest Taylor Everson

Q: Is it necessary for a career woman to follow sports in order to be taken seriously and accepted by the mostly male group? 

A: I don’t suggest artificial enthusiasm for football, baseball or basketball for sake of being liked. Forced cultural social norms are a bad way to go. 

Q: Generation Y are sometimes labeled as hard to train as new hires. Some have written that Generation Y does not know how to interact with authority figures since they are besties with their parents. How would you guide a new hire to overcome that stereotype?
A: New hires, male or female, are expected to demonstrate 3 things in their first 90 days on the job. First, they must demonstrate imaginative skill. Second, new hires are assumed to be comfortable with the new medium such as the technology of mobile apps. Lastly, new employee must show their practical skills. For example, although companies hired me for art and design I made sure to teach myself Flash and HTML 5 as an added value. 
Photo Credit: Bacino’s Daughter Days of Bonds

You mentioned that your college aged SmartyGirl readers may feel a bit scared hearing the term “Generation Jobless”. But if they can articulate how they grew up with new media such as instant messaging, smartphones, Twitter, and tablets they won’t be jobless.

I’d say to them to make sure they don’t short-change themselves. Do you know how aggressively companies want to be part of new media? If a new hire can explain to the rest of the department how she uses new media to make purchase decisions, this would be a highly desirable asset! A thought-starter: SmartyGirls, while still in college, can brainstorm/mindmap how they would teach the new media they use daily and guide veteran employees how to react to buyer behavior. 

Q: Is there a script that you’d suggest since hierarchy and authority are not natural to the Gen Y experience with teachers and parents? 
A: A new hire might seem too casual to a CEO and call him by his first name on the first day. Gen Y may not understand why this would be too soon and why it would harm rather than build rapport. So in a business meeting, what can a Gen Y with such new media know how share what she knows without making veteran workers look foolish. A non-threatening way to share knowledge is to wait for the C-level to finish speaking, then say, “You know, what else?” Then, as a young professional, she can walk the audience through 5 easy to follow steps. 

Q: What is the hardest part for a new hire? What have you observed? Who washes out in 90 days?

A: I wouldn’t put it so harshly but those who make it past the probationary period do so because of one reason. She must recognize the big difference between landing a work project and being given a school assignment. What is the difference? A work project has to be earned and the audience is a tough one. Behind every work project there is a demanding client. The client might phrase requests as demands. Is the new hire ready to take the shrapnel from the experience and go all the way through to the end? It can hurt. 
Q: Thank you, Brian.

Dear SmartyGirl Readers,

Brian highlighted a competitive advantage that you didn’t know you had. Yes, it’s true that headlines p
redict gray skies. However, you don’t let the rain deter you. You put on rain-proof boots and carry an umbrella. Right? 

In a nutshell, Brian says to avoid short-changing yourself.


Employers want to know how a target audience process its ad campaigns, evaluate its claims and make a purchasing decis
ion. That new media user fits your own profile. 

As a Gen Y adult, you grew up with tablets, smartphones, Twitter and instant messaging. The ability to describe the audience for the integrated marketing campaigns is useful. 


  • Can you explain the steps and the decision paths in your reasoning?
  • Provide a walk-through how you consume media. 
  • Where do you go for trusted reviews? How do you cross-reference honesty?



Can you explain your processes clearly to someone senior how you reach a purchasing decision? If so, you have an edge! This is your advantage in the work place. 


This is a thought-starter how to use your advantage for employment with your advanced education. For more ideas to plan your strategy as a new hire, see Marie Claire’s “10 No Fail Ways to Wow Your Boss”. 


Generation Y and younger sisters! You can follow @Pop2B Brian Bacino on Twitter, read From the Desk of the Creative Chief blog, and view his Pinterest board. But don’t pretend to like baseball when you really don’t care for it. 
Best wishes,
Editor-in–Chief, Renee Marchol
Associate Editor, Erica Tyler

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