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Life in the DayngrZone

Serving up real-life adventures along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast one food and travel experience at a time.

Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – June Recap

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Breakfast for techies

We had another great Geek Breakfast this morning with lively conversation and great participation.

Who Joined Us

GeekBreakfast LogoThis week the following great folks, representing the following great businesses, joined me for a lively discussion on tech, digital marketing, blogging, social media and more –

  • Christoph Hintze – Cristoph Hintze Drafting
  • Fran Pigott-Harding – MainSail Marketing
  • Martha Vaughn – The Fruit Bowl and Breakfast Bar
  • Mike Parsons – MyNetWiz.com
  • Nathan Forant – SOBX Tech
  • Sherry Hintze – Aspiring Novelist

What We Discussed

As always, we covered a variety of topics from building membership and interest around Crystal Coast Social Media Club, social media best practices, photo editing platforms, online security, tech support, free resources for businesses, and shared case studies and more. We don’t want to give it all away, we want you to come out and join us!

What’s Next?

RSVP and join us for the next breakfast: Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – July MeetUp

Questions?

For more information, call us at (252) 226-0885 or post your questions below or on our Facebook page. We’re looking forward to meeting you, July 31st and getting some great conversations started!

It’s Free Comic Book Day

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Comic Books, Free Comic Books, Free Comic Book Day

It’s Free Comic Book Day! This is our first year participating in this annual event and the kids had a good time.

I grew up reading comics and they were such a treat. My dad used to bring me comics and my parents let me pick them out all the time, especially on road trips.

Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day, takes place on the first Saturday of May. It’s an annual promotional effort by the North American comic book industry to help bring new readers into independent comic book stores.

I took the kids out to Beach Book Mart, our local comic book store in Atlantic Beach, to get a free comic today. We picked up a few more to enjoy, too. 

Comic-Books-in-Atlantic-Beach-NC, comics, comic books

As a strong woman, I’m always on the lookout for anything that spotlights women or shows girls in a position of power. It’s so important to me that my kids see lots of examples of this and female empowerment. Of course, I gravitated to two new releases hitting the shelves – Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel.

Captain Marvel

I have to admit, I didn’t know much about Captain Marvel before this year. It’s been a really long time since I enjoyed reading comics. But, I was thrilled to learn about her and the new release.

As Captain Marvel, a.k.a. Carol Danvers, comes to a crossroads with a new life and new romance, she makes a dramatic decision that will alter the course of her life and the entire Marvel Universe in the months to come. It’s time to go HIGHER, FURTHER, FASTER and more in the most super-powered comic around!

Captin-Marvel-Comic-Book, Captain Marvel.

Sounds good, right? 

Ms. Marvel

Talk about history in the making. I love that this comic exists showing comic book heroines in a new light. She’s a teenager, from New Jersey and she’s Muslim.

Marvel Comics presents the all-new Ms. Marvel, the ground breaking heroine that has become an international sensation! Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City – until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! As Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to handle? Kamala has no idea either. But she’s comin’ for you, New York!

Ms-Marvel-Comic-Book, Ms Marvel

Girl power all the way!   

If you’re local and would like to check out our favorite comic book store, here’s where you can go: 

Beach Book Mart
1010 West Fort Macon Road
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 
252-240-5655

Did you grab some new comics today? Which ones did you pick up? Were the characters new to you or old favorites? I can’t wait to hear from you. 

Hollywood Swag Bag and Gift Card Giveaway

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Swag Bag giveaway, brand influencer

Ever watch one an award shows on TV and wish you could score some of the awesome swag that the celebrities take home? I’ve teamed up with Bloggin’ Mamas & Hollywood Swag Bags through this sponsored post to make that wish a reality.  One lucky winner will receive a Swag Bag that was given out to Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2014 Presenters and Nominees ($800 Value) + a $500 gift card sponsored by The Children’s Place. Who doesn’t love a Swag Bag and Gift Card Giveaway?

#BlogginMamas Kids' Choice Awards Presenter Swag Bag and $500 The Childrens' Place Giftcard Giveaway

Guidelines

The giveaway starts 4/17/14 at 12:01 AM EST and ends 4/30/14 at 11:59 PM EST.  It’s open to United States Residents 18 and over. Winner will be selected via random.org and notified via email within 48 hours after the drawing. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Winner’s name will be displayed via the Rafflecopter widget below.

Here is some of what you might find in your swag bag if you win:

  • Buddy Ball – The Buddy Ball is a multi-functional toy that can go from a teddy bear into a ball in a matter of seconds. The soft plush also stores a variety of kid treasures inside. The company gifted the nominees with a variety of their bears named Max, Eva, Landry, and Sam.
  • OPPOS – A line of girls leggings featuring interchangeable legs. Short for opposites, OPPOS™ enables girls to mix and match the legs of their leggings for a different look every day of the month (and beyond).
  • Various pieces of AngieShel Design’s gorgeous handcrafted jewelry.
  • Ericka La Presle-Freer, creator of Starbars is added her gourmet organic superfood bar in a delicious mint chocolate chip flavor.
  • The “Brain Bar” was included to help nominees get their “Think On”, particularly helpful during an acceptance speech.
  • Darby’s English Toffee is the finest toffee maker in Southern California. They have added their classic box for the nominees.
  • Author Jennifer Ormond gifted her precious book Baby’s Binky Box.
  • Oxylent Multivitamin Supplement Drink Oxygenates, hydrates, circulates and rejuvenates. Drink Oxylent Breathe Life.
  • SeaSnax, a favorite among celebrities, launched a new product “Chomperz” to all the recipients. Chomperz can be described similar to a chip, but with the low calories and nutrition of seaweed. SeaSnax are gluten-free and all natural. Try Chomperz and you will be hooked.
  • Crave Naturals included three items from their product line, featuring the best-selling Glide Thru Detangling Brush, Whiplash Eyelash Curler & Mirage Argan Oil.
  • Tat Patch takes your ripped, destroyed and distressed jeans to a new level. Tat Patches go on the inside, peeking out. Everyone received an assortment of cool designs.
  • DidiPopMusic supplied nominees with a collection of her smart and soulful music for kids.
  • Rusk Hair made sure the nominees’ hair was perfectly groomed with its entire line of products.
  • Nominees over the age of 21 enjoyed Tipsy Girl Wine Design Custom bedazzled wine glasses for the sophisticated oenophile.
  • Focal Instincts Photography is including a gift certificate for award-winning photography.

Enter Now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – March 27th MeetUp

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Geek Breakfast on the Coast

Hey there Crystal Coast Tech Enthusiasts,

You’re invited to join us for our monthly Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast, Thursday, March 27th, from 9 AM to 10 AM at The Java Post.

Geek2

We’re quite excited to be a part of bringing the local tech community together, right here along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. If you’re interested in technology, work in the industry or just want to learn what’s going on in the area, come on out and let’s connect.

What’s a Geek Breakfast?

A Geek Breakfast is a monthly community-driven meeting for local (and visiting) technology-minded people. Each month attendees congregate over breakfast foods and plenty of coffee to discuss topics like social media, blogging, digital marketing, design, programming, and ways to better their communities through technology.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone is invited, attendance is free (excluding food, beverage and gratuity).

Where?

This breakfast will be held at The Java Post:

The Java Post
207 WB McLean Drive
Cape Carteret, NC. 28584
 

When?

Thursday, March 27th, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am and then once a month after that. Stay tuned!

What’s the Hashtag?

The official hashtag for this event is #GeekBreakfastSOBX if you can’t make it but would like to follow along online. Pictures, audio and video should be licensed under Creative Commons and tagged using “CrystalCoastGeekBreakfast” and “GeekBreakfast” and we encourage you to add them to the Geek Breakfast Flickr Group.

What’s Next?

Though registration isn’t required, please take a moment to RSVP the Facebook Page at: Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – March MeetUp so we can get a good idea of how many people to expect.

Questions?

For more information, call us at (252) 226-0885 or post your questions on our Facebook page. We’re looking forward to meeting you, March 27, 2014 and getting some great conversations started!

How Social Media is Driving Reality TV

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Photo Credit: Ivan Nava – Steve Berke, Lesley Abravanel, Alexia Echevarria, Louis Aguirre

Reality TV – There’s no escaping it and for many of us, we don’t want to. From American Idol to Survivor reality television has taken over. But how does social media play a part in reality television or the making of a star? The “Social Media as the Driver of Reality Television” panel touched upon these questions, and many more yesterday, at Social Media Week Miami.

“Social Media as the Driver of Reality Television” Panelists

The panel was hosted by Emmy award-winning TV host of WSVN 7’s “Deco Drive”, Louis Aguirre. The local all-star panel included Lesley Abravanel (pop culture writer for the Miami Herald), Alexia Echevarria (Executive Editor for Venue Magazine and cast member Real Housewives of Miami on Bravo), Steve Berke (Contestant on Fox’s The Rebel Billionaire) and was certainly one of the more popular and entertaining panels of the day.

There’s no doubt you’ve heard of Bravo TV’s hit franchise “The Real Housewives.”  Part of what makes it so popular is that Andy Cohen had the foresight to give people the power to share their stories around the shows and directly interact and engage with him, the network and the reality stars themselves. All reality show housewives are required to have social media accounts. They tweet, they blog and they have Facebook pages and clearly, their audience loves it and it’s working for them.

Also, driving the link between Reality TV and social media are apps like Into Now and Get Glue, that allow you to check in to the shows you’re watching and talk about it with others who are watching as well in real-time.

Social media has already changed the world as we know it… – Steve Berke

At one point, Steve Berke stated that social media has already changed the world as we know it stating that if it wasn’t for social media, today’s U.S. President wouldn’t be Obama, it would be Hillary.

Social media is turning the average Joe or Jane into celebrities

Social media is turning the average Joe or Jane into celebrities. Don’t believe me? Ask Justin Bieber. Steve Berke mentions that in order to break into the music business, you’d better have a pretty healthy following on YouTube if you even want to be considered by a record label. His suggestion for creating videos that will get watched – digital shorts. He added, “If a video is too long (10Min) I’m going to skip it, but if the video is 3 min long ok.”

Journalists vs. Social Media Influencers

Speaking of celebrities, it’s said that they will measure your level of celebrity by the number of followers you have on your social media accounts. Which leads me to the conversation about Klout. If you don’t think people are paying attention to Klout or that your Klout score doesn’t matter, think again. Fashion Night Out at Bal Harbour Shops selected their VIPs based on high Klout Scores, stated Louis Aguirre. Respected journalists with years of hard work couldn’t even get into some of the VIP Parties, yet there were bloggers who were in attendance because they had more clout than traditional journalists.

Key Takeaways

  • 90% of the television shows being produced right now are digital oriented.
  • Teenagers watch 5 times more YouTube videos than TV.
  • Social TV is where it’s at with apps like Into Now and Get Glue.
  • Everything is heading toward being web-based – so social will become even more important.
  • Attention spans are getting shorter, build your content around that fact.
  • SuperBowl had over 1 million viewers watching ONLINE.
  • Twitter is the new focus group.
  • Social networks have become the online water cooler.
  • Don’t underestimate the power of YouTube (or social media in general).

And finally, Reality TV much like social media, isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

There were plenty of great conversations around this panel and I could write for days, but in the interest of accommodating those short attention spans, I’ll let you check the recorded version yourself for more. You can watch the livestream playback at http://new.livestream.com/smwmiami/realitytelevision

You can read Lesley Abravanel’s blog “Scene in the Tropics” in the Miami Herald, check out Alexia Echevarria’s magazine “Venue Magazine”, keep up with Louis Aguirre on his Facebook page “Louis Aguirre TV“  and learn more about the projects Steve Berke’s working on at his website “Steve Berke for Mayor”.

Do you think reality television is here to stay? What reality shows are your favorite? (You can tell us, we promise we won’t judge) Do you use Twitter and Facebook while you’re watching TV?

Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast MeetUp January 30

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blogger breakfast, techie meetup

Crystal Coast Tech Enthusiasts,

You’re invited to join me for my monthly Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast, Thursday, January 30, from 9 AM to 10 AM at The Java Post.

I’m pleased to be a part of bringing the local tech community together, right here along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. If you’re interested in technology, work in the industry or just want to learn what’s going on in the area, come on out and let’s connect.

What’s a Geek Breakfast?

A Geek Breakfast is a monthly community-driven meeting for local (and visiting) technology-minded people. Each month attendees congregate over breakfast foods and plenty of coffee to discuss topics like social media, blogging, digital marketing, design, programming, and ways to better their communities through technology.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone is invited, attendance is free (just pay for your own breakfast).

Where?

This breakfast will be held at The Java Post:

The Java Post
207 WB McLean Drive
Cape Carteret, NC. 28584
 

Geek Breakfast LogoWhen?

Thursday, January 30, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am and then once a month after that. Stay tuned!

What’s the Hashtag?

The official hashtag for this event is #GeekBreakfastSOBX if you can’t make it but would like to follow along online. 

What’s Next?

Though registration isn’t required, please take a moment to RSVP the Facebook Page at: Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – January so I can get a good idea of how many people to expect.

Questions?

For more information, call us at (252) 226-0885 or post your questions on our Facebook page. I’m looking forward to meeting you, January 30, 2014 and getting some great conversations started!

Farewell Salesforce, Hello DayngrZone Media

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comfort zone

If you’re an old-timer around here, you’ve surely noticed that things have been a little different lately, and you might be wondering why.

Farewell Salesforce

At the very end of August, Salesforce laid off another 200 or more employees after another round of mergers and acquisitions. It wasn’t the first time this happened, so it doesn’t come as a complete surprise. My buddy, Eric Tung, wrote about that here and featured me along with several of my fellow former co-workers. It was great to see how valued and appreciated we all were by our community, industry and even our competitors!

They say when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Or, you could take those lemons, set up a lemonade stand and launch your own digital marketing boutique! That’s what I did.

Launching DayngrZone Media

I’ve loved my time at Salesforce – Radian6 – Marketing Cloud, but couldn’t wait to get back to being my own boss and running my own business. After the big news, I reached out to old clients and new prospects. A day later, I was back in business and setting up DayngrZone Media, my digital marketing, strategy and consulting business, in my new home state. It was a no-brainer to go back to consulting. That’s what I’d done prior to joining Radian6, and I was looking forward to helping local businesses with their digital marketing, right here in Eastern North Carolina.

I’ve joined the Chamber of Commerce, and have been attending local SCORE Business meetings. I’ve also co-founded East Coast NC and put all my content management and content strategy expertise to use there and I’ve started writing content for the site. Then I kicked my social media mojo up a notch and launched Social Media Club Crystal Coast (@SMCSOBX) and Geek Breakfast Crystal Coast (#GeekBreakfastSOBX). It’s been busy, and exhausting at times, but exhilarating as well.

Always Evolving

This site’s look has been updated a few times, and will continue to evolve as I do, and as DayngrZone Media does. Naturally, I’ll be writing about social media, content marketing and social networking. But, it’s my hope to continue to incorporate my life along North Carolina’s beautiful Crystal Coast into this site as well.

I’d Love Your Support

I hope you’ll support me in my journey from employee to entrepreneur (again) and subscribe to DayngrZone Media via your favorite RSS reader or by email using the subscription option on the sidebar. Join my  Facebook page, and follow along with me at @Dayngr or @DayngrZoneMedia. Be sure to visit often. I welcome your comments and thoughts on the articles I write. I hope you’ll share the content you find useful here with people who may appreciate it, and I hope you’ll let me know what types of content you’re interested in reading and what subjects you’d like to learn more about. If you’d like to join me at Geek Breakfast Social Media Club (or even be a speaker) I’d encourage you to do so.

I’m excited to share this new adventure with you, and I’m looking forward to a prosperous 2014! Hope you are too!

 

Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast Kicks Off October 31st

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Geek breakfast on the cryatal coast

You’re invited to the first Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast! Join us Thursday, October 31st, from 9 AM to 10 AM at the Carteret Cafe.

I’m really excited to get the local tech community together and talking, right here along North Carolina’s the Crystal Coast. I’ve launched Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast! If you’re interested in technology, work in the industry or just want to learn what’s going on in the area, come on out and let’s connect.

#GeekBreakfastSOBX

What’s a Geek Breakfast?

A Geek Breakfast is a monthly community-driven meeting for local (and visiting) technology-minded people. Each month attendees congregate over bacon, eggs and plenty of coffee to discuss topics like social media, blogging, digital marketing, design, programming, and ways to better their communities.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone is invited, attendance is free (buy your own breakfast).

Where?

This breakfast will be held at The Carteret Cafe:

The Carteret Cafe
1000 W.B. McLean Drive
Cape Carteret, NC. 28584
 

When?

Thursday, October 31 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM

What’s the Hashtag?

The official hashtag for this event is #GeekBreakfastSOBX and we hope you’ll tweet it and share it. Additionally, pictures, audio, and video should be licensed under Creative Commons and tagged using “CrystalCoastGeekBreakfast” and “GeekBreakfast” and you’re invited to add them to the Geek Breakfast Flickr Group.

What’s Next?

Though registration isn’t required, we’d love you to RSVP in the comments below or on our Facebook Page at: Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – October so we can get a good idea of how many people to expect.

Questions?

If you have questions, drop them in the comments below and we’ll be happy to answer them. We’re looking forward to meeting you, October 31st and getting some great conversations started!

Going Spoonless with the Früsh Sampling Party

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frush_flavors

{Sponsored Post}

I consider myself pretty lucky to get to sample and learn about new products. So, I was pretty excited to learn about Früsh! What’s Früsh you ask? Früsh is yogurt on the go, so you don’t need a spoon. It’s made with real fruit, creamy yogurt and all-natural health boosters like HOWARU® Bifido probiotics and TruCal® calcium. Ok, so how do you pronounce it? It’s Fruit and Fresh together, so it sounds like fr-ooo-sh (ü = ooo, like moon). It doesn’t rhyme with rush.

Party Time

At the end of May, I had the privilege of hosting a Früsh sampling party with a few of my very busy friends who are always on the go! Früsh gave me a variety of flavors for us to try, a helpful information kit, coupons and lots of practical goodies to share with my party attendees. Since we’re all always on the go, it was only natural that I’d invite them to take the spoonless challenge and try Früsh with me.

 Früsh Goodies 2

Früsh Goodies

Früsh Party

Blueberry was a hit with Jennifer.

Jennifer and Frush

Jennifer give Frush a Thumbs Up

She even gave it a thumbs up. That’s impressive.

Busy Moms Love Frush

Blueberry was also a hit with Shannon, and Kelly liked Strawberry.  They liked how smooth and creamy Früsh was and that it didn’t have chunks of fruit in it. They also thought the bottle had a unique shape. It’s sculpted to fit in your hand, which might sound silly until you’re trying to drive kids to school and have breakfast on the go. In situations like that, going Spoonless makes pretty good sense.

Less Sugar and Gluten Free

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Früsh had less sugar that many of the well-known brands of yogurt we buy at our house, which makes it a better choice for me and for the kids. I was also happy to learn that it’s Gluten-Free and has more calcium than a glass of milk.

Frush and Kids

Buying Local and Helping the North Carolina Economy

Buying local is important to me for several reasons. It’s a greener option and it helps the local economy. Therefore, I was pleased to learn that Origin Food Group, the company that makes Früsh is investing $7 million to build a brand new, state-of-the-art processing facility, retrofit an existing site, and develop a brand and a product that will meet the expectations of the demanding current-day consumer. This processing plant is off of Interstate 40 in Iredell County. The company created 28 jobs for the launch of its Früsh line. Origin Food Group projects that it will employ 40 to 50 people by 2014 as the company expands its product lines. The company also is investing locally by purchasing milk from neighboring partner Stamey Farms, located about one mile from the production facility.

Try Früsh for Yourself

Interested in trying Früsh for yourself? No worries, you can find Früsh in your local grocery stores like Harris Teeter, Lowes Food, Winn Dixie and more.

Learn More About Früsh

We enjoyed Früsh and I think you will too! Have you tried it? Let me know what you thought in the comments below.

OWG Raging Raspberry Lemonade and Grown Up Party Time

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OWG Drink Mixers

It’s Party time and I’m so excited! The folks over at OWG {Old World Gourmet} sent me this delicious looking frozen drink mixes to try and I can’t wait. I’m going to invite the lovely ladies in my neighborhood over and we’re going to put these drink mixes to the test. Girls,  good chats, snacks, and frozen drinks! What could be better?

Do you have any great grown-up party snack recommendations or recipes? This will be my first get-together with the neighborhood gals so your tips and food suggestions would be so helpful. The easier the better since I’m no gourmet cook – yet. Ha! Seriously, if you’ve got some suggestions, just let me know in the comments and feel free to link me to your recipes.

Want to learn more about Old World Gourmet?

Visit Old World Gourmet at:

Web: http://www.owgshoponline.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OWGshop
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oldworldgourmet

Have you tried OWG’s products? Stay tuned for the follow-up post once we taste test these mixes.