Happy Holidays! From Me To You, the Gift of Gluttony

Is it just me, or are the holidays seriously kicking ass this year? And by “kicking ass,” I mean “kicking my ass.” Just this past Sunday, I spent seven hours (yes, seven hours) baking Christmas cookies with my mom. We made tassies, crescents, cookie bars, magic cookie bars, and butter cookies. Back in the days when I used to refuse to help my mother in the kitchen, the baking of the Christmas cookies was the only thing that got me to roll up my sleeves and wield the hand mixer. Now, it’s a tradition I can’t live without.

I know that this has absolutely nothing to do with freelancing, but I wanted to thank you all for being here for me. For sharing insights, advice, and your own personal stories. It means a lot to me.

So here it is. The recipe for Tassies, my most favorite cookie of all time (and that’s saying a lot, because I’m pretty much a human garbage disposal):

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Anything But Traditional…

I’ve always chafed at the conventions of the corporate world, which is why I eventually jumped ship. Why is it, then, that I cling so tightly to holiday traditions?

Perhaps it’s because — much like my career — these traditions belong to me and, by extension, my family.

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Meme #2: That’s So Random!

The second meme of the day comes courtesy of Sal from Everyday Thoughts from Life.

THE RULES:

1. LINK TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU
2. POST THE RULES ON YOUR BLOG
3. WRITE SIX RANDOM THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF
4. TAG SIX PEOPLE AT THE END OF YOUR POST AND LINK TO THEM
5. LET EACH PERSON KNOW THEY ARE TAGGED AND LEAVE A COMMENT ON THEIR BLOG
6. LET THE TAGGER KNOW WHEN YOUR ENTRY IS UP
7. DON’T BREAK THE CHAIN (not actually a rule)

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Meme #1: Yes, I Am a Booktard

Wowzers. I was totally tagged for two memes in one day. I feel so popular.

It’s perfect, too, because I’m not actually here today! I totally typed this up late last night, all cracked out on a full day of work (three days’ worth, stockpiled because of my mini-vacation) and daydreaming about the potato chips my husband would eventually bring home for me. It’s way easier to put together a meme or two than to put together a coherent and well-thought-out post!

The first one is courtesy of JR, and is designed to either humiliate you or make you seem smarter based upon the contents of your bookshelf. The rules:

1. Grab one of the books closest to you, go to page 56, and type the fifth line (as well as the following few lines).

2. Pick five bookworms to subject this meme to.

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Thank God for Freelancedom!

…and by freelancedom, I mean my somewhat charmed lifestyle, in which I actually enjoy my work to the extent that I have trouble calling it a day, and in which I get to wear my Cookie Monster pants and fuzzy socks all. day. long if I so choose.

Though by all means. Place Freelancedom on your list of things to be thankful for this year.

Some other things I’m thankful for:

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Coffee Break: Happy Halloween!


Freelancedom Halloween Post from Steph Auteri on Vimeo.

The Infinite Wisdom of Others: Michael Auteri

Hey guys! Welcome to a new weekly (fingers crossed) series, The Infinite Wisdom of Others, in which I e-interview other freelancers and small business owners about how they do what they do.

If you enjoy what you see here, please do consider participating yourself.

Kicking things off is my husband, Michael Auteri, a copywriter by day, web designer by night (and weekends):

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Call For Human Guinea Pigs!

Hey guys! As I’m only one small picture of what freelancedom looks like (and my, what a messy picture it is), I’m thinking of introducing a new Thursday feature to the blog.

In an attempt to forge connections and share others’ infinite wisdom with readers, I’d like to start interviewing all you freelancers and small business owners out there.

The final interview post would include links to your site, photos of or links to product examples and, if you’re willing, some shots of your home office.

If you’re interested in submitting to my silly and not-so-silly questions, leave a comment here, or e-mail me!

Wearing Different Hats

This past Friday, I received an invitation to a costume party and, ever since, I’ve been obsessed with finding the perfect outfit.

Honestly, I jump at any chance to dress up. Costume parties give me the chance to try on an entirely different persona, and there’s something fun and exhilarating about that.

Funny that when it comes to my at-home business, I don’t feel quite the same way.

We’ve talked before about the business skills we might not necessarily have when we first start up our own businesses, and about the steps we might need to take in order to gain those skills. I’d like to reiterate here: Being in business for yourself requires the wearing of many hats, and most of them are not nearly as fun as that top hat I bought this past weekend.

Which personae do you need to master?

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Work Isn’t Everything

I start out the day blogging…searching for new products, combing through stock photography, attempting to be clever despite the fact that I haven’t yet had my morning coffee, and I’m still wearing my Cookie Monster pants. I break for lunch and then work on Freelancedom other  (paying) freelance projects. By the time my husband arrives home from work, I’m wiped out, but I’m still scanning my Google Reader and stockpiling posts. No matter. Now that he’s not at the office, he can work on freelance web design projects, complete homework for his online courses, and fiddle with his own personal projects. When will we spent time together? Saturday? Maybe?

Forget remembering to take a vacation. It’s enough of a struggle just to remember those day-to-day priorities. What should you make sure to put at the top of your to-do list?

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