Feb 21, 2011

Creating a Brand

The other day I went to lunch with a couple of my friends and we got to talking about style and creating a brand for my writing career. I had to laugh. I have no style.

Since we were eating, we began comparing ourselves to food. Becky, I would say she's like lasagna--many wonderful ingredients all stacked into a nice little combination of layers. She's smooth like the noodles, spicy like the meat sauce and loving and compassionate like the cream cheese. She's the best mom ever to her three sons, can be a girly girl when she wants to and . . . let's just say she rides a Harley and a week ago she bought a new Camaro--yellow with black rally stripes. She's a hot rod momma with a kick butt attitude.

Then there's Kara. She's like a burrito. All the good things you can imagine about one person wrapped up in a nice, neat little package. She has a style that's all her own, from her stylish boots to her long, full ruffly skirts and tunics, she's all Kara. Even her jewelry reflects her personality.

The thing that I love the most about both of them is that no matter what situation they're in, they are who they are and are true to themselves. They are comfortable in their own skin. Confident. Open. Loving.

And then there's me. Yep, you guessed it. I'm mashed potatoes. I have  no style. I wear black or blue knit pants everyday topped off with a colored T-shirt. That's it. No jewelry (except a wedding ring). No scarves. No cute print on my shirt.  No stylish shoes or boots. Nothing. And you can imagine your mashed potatoes any way you want, with butter, gravy, chives, whatever. But I'm just plain LUMPY mashed potatoes that lay there on the plate hoping that the meat and vegetable next to me takes the pressure off a little and makes me look important to the meal.

Thing is, I don't want to be mashed potatoes. I'd much rather be spicy buffalo wings or at least a baked potato with all the trimmings. Not that I don't have a great personality, I think I do. But my outward physical style is lacking, to say the least.

So, what kind of food are you and what can I do to spice up my mash potato lack of style without looking like a complete idiot or clown? Keep in mind I'm more than a bit chunky.

15 comments:

  1. the thing is, your personality shines through for us online! i would never have imagined you as mashed potatoes. i think you'd be more of a chicken noodle soup. comforting, wholesome, and just genuinely likeable. :)

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  2. Mashed potatoes are great! Not very many foods can rock it like potatoes can with very little 'accessories'.

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  3. Hmmm... I'm probably dark chocolate. Sweet. Lots of bitter edge. But nice because of it. ;-)

    As for you... Mash potato is actually very versatile. Add a little spice, get the fork and turn it into a creamy confection. All it has to do is look at itself and appreciate what it is and find the right spices.

    Easiest thing is to stop worrying about how plain you are and mix it up a little. Find classes for something you always wanted to learn and start learning. Even if no-one knows that you did it, you are already more than meets the eye.

    ;-)

    Hope that helped.

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  4. I would have to think a long hard time to figure out what kind of food I am. LOL! I like what the others had to say about you. :)

    OK, I either need new glasses or need to read things slower because I thought the title of this post was, Creating a BAND. I thought, wow, Christine sure has a lot going on besides writing. Hee hee!

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  5. Mashed potatoes are delicious! You can mix them up anyway you want. Like Misha said, totally versatile. You could put roasted garlic in them and OMG basically a party in your mouth. (If you like garlic that is). Or you can have it with yummy, rich gravy. So many ways to have it!

    Maybe you're more like a meal with mashed taters. You could be a combination of anything!

    I never would've put mashed potatoes and you together though.

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  6. Mashed potatoes have a lot of nuance which you really have to savor. Nothing wrong with being potato.

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  7. I'll have you know, I adore me a good potato.

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  8. Cute blog! Ya done good. Love me a good mash potato with ranch seasoning or tons of butter and salt. They go with soooo many different meals too!

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  9. You're the whole buffet. People come to your for EVERYTHING and you ALWAYS help them out. As for one food, well.... I wouldn't have thought of plain, old mashed potatoes either. Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake comes to mind...cheesy jokes (in a very good way!!!--I love your jokes! how about comforting like cheese?), sweet as cake, warm as hot chocolate sauce, and as perennial and supportive as a raspberry (they can sucker [succor!] new canes some distance from the main plant! Sounds like you giving support to all us newbies!)

    I'm still laughing about the band. : )

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  10. What a fun post! I have no idea what I would be... Maybe vanilla ice cream? I'm pretty plain, but even without the extra "toppings" and things, I'm genuine and just me. I don't have to have extras to be myself. And I'll never let you down. Who doesn't like Vanilla ice cream anyway? He he. That was lame, but I tried! :D

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  11. I like mashed potatoes with sour cream and chives. Yum!

    I have no idea of what I am, but that lasagna is calling my name! Looks so yummy!

    So, I'm not recommending that you wear a chive necklace (unless that floats your boat). However, if you're looking for your personal style, the best advice I can think of is make a list of your favorite colors, textures, vacation spots, etc, and think about how you can apply those to your style. What makes you feel comfortable and happy?

    By the way, I think you're wonderful! I never would have described you as mashed potatoes--except for the warm, comforting, dependable and soothing aspect of them. :)

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  12. Judging by this post, you are not mashed potatoes. I'm a new follower and I can see that right off. Style and swagger is all in the mind!

    As for what food represents me best? Peanut butter and cheese sandwich on toast. It's warm, melty and strange (like me).

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  13. Christine you are anything but mashed potatoes. So what kind of jewelry do you like? Long and elegant or short and sassy? Every food type needs a little bling. What kind do you want?

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  14. I'm in group 10 with you!

    Don't be down on food like mash potatoes when comparing them with yourself. Mash potatoes are a base that absorbs spice easily for variety.

    Spice is nice but you don't need it all the time. Spices can be over used and skipped over. You have to be in the mood for spice.

    Mash potatoes are essential. Potatoes for that matter are essential. Remember the potato famine in Ireland?

    Stick to the potatoes so your readers will rely on you. You're a staple.

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  15. I agree one of my favourite staples is a good mash. :) Mixing mayonnaise and spring onions into mashed potato is a dream! Perhaps add a bit of colour to your wardrobe? If you're wary of bright colours start with darker ones like emerald, maroon and grape and work your way up. :)

    My Mom always called me a bird's eye chilli. Small in stature, BIG in flavour, and I pack quite a punch! ;)

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