Category Archives: Blog

Noodle arms at the aquarium.

Do you know when kids start to be independent, and they immediately run amok around the aquarium full of people (and stairs, and sharks) even though they haven’t yet mastered running — and despite your best persuasive efforts and expert-gleaned parenting tips, they won’t come with you — so you try to pick them up, but they don’t want you to, so they do noodle arms to avoid your grasp, go completely limp, and melt onto the floor, making your body have to work extra hard to pick up their 30lb-toddler-bods, again and again?

They said a trip to the aquarium would be fun. 🙃

The point?

Good web copy does the lifting for you.

I’ll make your trip to the Word Aquarium easy-peasy,

Lenny suggests Eggplant Parm.

Me? I would eat oatmeal every night for dinner.

But these kids? Well, I guess I shouldn’t make them quesadillas every night.

Hunting for inspiration, I collided with a man at the end of the supermarket aisle.

He said, “Go ahead.”

I said, “No, no, no, you go ahead.”

Then I blurted, “I’m deciding whether or not to get some eggplant.”

This began the nicest conversation with Lenny, who told me that I should make Eggplant Parmesan, pointed out some organic tomato sauce that was 50% off, and then told me all about how he makes meatballs. It was adorable. Lenny came alive when he was talking and it brightened my day, too.

The point?

Say the thing. Say the weird thing. Say the vulnerable thing. Start the conversation.

You might get a recipe.

You might make a stranger’s day — or your own.

P.S. If you want to turn your web copy confusion into Word Parmesan, let’s talk.

Yucky microwave Boca Burgers.

All these years, I’ve been cooking my Boca Burgers in the microwave.

On the package, this is not the “recommended” method. (Even the company knows they don’t taste great this way.)

But because I’m crunched for time, or tummy-grumbling hungry, I do it anyway. And it’s sufficient.

Well, this time I decided to follow the recommended cooking instructions. To my yum and surprise, it was at least 20 times better!

The point?

If your web copy is kind of bland, mushy, and weird-textured, try a different preparation method.

I’ll be your skillet,

Glad I wore my sneakers.

That’s me.

The one wandering around the parking lot looking for her car.

I could’ve sworn I parked over here!

I’ve solved this problem at the supermarket by always parking in the same place.

But new places? It’s a crap shoot. Let’s just say I do more “new car research” than I want to.

The point?

Finding stuff can be hard! Even things as big as vehicles. And especially things that are smaller, and that we’re much closer to…like our work.

Through a conversation with you, I can find the words to ensure your business is a bright, beautiful beacon for your ideal clients.

I can’t find my car, my favorite lip gloss, or that coffee shop I passed yesterday — but when it comes to finding your authentic best direction, I’m a Word Magellan.

The fruitcake mystery…

My mom has been talking about this freaking cake for years. See, she worked for a lovely woman named Sue, sometime around 1995, and for Christmas, Sue gave my mom a delicious, homemade cake.

Although my mom moved onto another job, she never forgot this cake. I think she was embarrassed to call Sue and ask for the recipe, especially after years had passed. Plus I feel like there’s a strange, generational Italian code that says: It’s rude to ask another cook for their secrets!

I have heard about this cake many times over the years, especially since my mom got a Cuisinart mixer and has been baking more.

“It has alcohol and nuts — and it was the best cake I’ve ever had!”

Well, this year, my mom mentioned the cake again.

“Didn’t you graduate high school with Sue’s nephew, Matt?” she asked.

I did. I don’t remember us being friends, but I remember Matt being a nice guy. So, I found his contact info — and after major pause (for being a stalker weirdo) — I messaged him, asking about the cake.

He thought it was a “fun request” and was excited to do some sleuthing. Unfortunately Sue passed away a few years ago, but after talking with his mother, and his Uncle John (Sue’s husband), Matt solved the mystery.

The most delicious cake my mom has ever had?

A 1970s-era Redbook recipe, filled with bourbon, candied cherries and pecans.

Here is Sue’s Boozy Bourbon Pecan Cake.

Me, Matt from high school, and my mom will all be baking it this year, and I thought you might want to as well.

One more thing … If there’s someone you feel weird about reaching out to this holiday season — maybe give it a shot anyway. The results could be sweeter than you think.

Here’s to candied-cherry cake and Christmassy-connections,

Not just any ice cream truck.

My husband was yelling, “Go, go!” as he grabbed the baby. The big boys flew out the door, one wearing a single slipper and the other in his Batman robe, grasping a $20.

What on earth is happening right now?

Okay. So, I know about ice cream trucks. They play music and drive around — and if you want ice cream, you can flag them down. What I didn’t know about was Mister Softee.

Normal ice cream trucks give you a pre-packaged ice cream, like a Choco Taco or Chipwich. I’m cool with that. But I had absolutely no idea — at 41 years old — that it was possible to be handed a soft serve cone with sprinkles at the edge of my driveway.

Licking my cone feverishly before it melted, in my polka-dot pajamas as the sun set, I was gleeful and it was pure magic. Like the time I smelled Drakkar in the mall, I was a kid again.

The point?

Mostly, I hope you get to eat soft serve in your driveway.

And when it comes to our businesses, here’s to delivering more moments of unexpected delight! Call me sugared-up, but I believe that words can be our ice cream trucks.

Want to delight your readers? Let’s serve them up a personality-rich word twist that’s uniquely you.

Always in style.

Unlike the Herman Munster shoes I adored during college (remember these?!), some things always work.

Like my friend’s beautiful 1900s farmhouse with its wide plank floors, huge windows, thick wood moldings and bucolic view.It’s comforting that in a world of fast fashion and disposable products, some things truly don’t go out of style. At least not in my book.

The point?
Even though your website is a newer-build — its copy can shine with fixtures that are timeless.
-Authenticity
-Helpfulness
-Clarity
-Engaging language
-Keeping it real

The best news? Clicking endlessly on Wayfair and Houzz is not necessary — and you won’t even have to go to Lowe’s. You’ve already got everything you need!

The point?

I can help dust-off and discover the barn full of goodies that have been hiding in plain sight the whole time.

Gearing up for doggie swim lessons.

Cannoli is not a guard dog (despite the three barks she once gave the meter reader).

Last summer, Cannoli got spooked by a contractor and fell in the pool. Then she started swimming. But I realized that until Cannoli knew where the pool steps were, she couldn’t get out. Yikes.

So of course, I made it my mission to (lovingly!) throw her into the water in different parts of the pool and guide her to the steps. Back on dry land, she would give me side eye for interrupting her sunbathing, shake joyously, and rub herself in the dirt (one of her greatest pleasures). This summer, we’ll be having more lessons on pool egress. (Get ready, Cannoli. Summer’s coming!)

The point?

If you’re writing your web copy and can’t find the stairs, swim this way.Or, if you need me to throw you in the pool (with love!), I’m pretty much an expert

P.S. Here’s Cannoli trying to look innocent after her favorite, dirty pastime.

Joanie stopped her car.

I’d heard about this neighbor for months.

How she is the sweetest person.

But I hadn’t met her yet.

So when I saw her car go by, I had to restrain myself from running into the street and scaring the crap out of her.

To my delight, Joanie and I arrived home at the same time. And she stopped her car in the middle of the road—in front of my house—to greet me like so:

Welcome to the neighborhood! Now we can visit! I can’t wait until this is over (holding up her mask) because I’m a hugger. 

Ending our conversation, she said, “I LOVE you.” Not the way a new fake acquaintance might say it after you realize you both like wine. She said it with all the intention and certainty in the world. The same way I would say: My name is Deidre

My heart raced. And I said, “Oh my goodness, I love you too!”

The point?

What if we approached the world, and new people, with love instead of fear? 

This neighbor expressed love confidently upon our first meeting, and meant it with her whole heart.  

At first, for a split second, I was taken aback. It felt kinda scary. But receiving her genuine beam of love, my heart filled up. It felt expansive to say it back.

Hate is rarely earned. Yet it’s given freely. So what if—on the flipside—love were given freely? What if love were our default? 

Joanie and I are different ages, different colors.

But this incredible woman in her mid-70s and cozy clothes had it all figured out.

Here’s to peace, love, acceptance, and yelling (nice things) out the window at neighbors,

P.S. If you need words that connect, with authenticity that can be felt, I’d love to help.

We’re all still humans who lose our wallets.

After my masked trip to the supermarket, I saw a wallet in a shopping cart—crammed in the corner of the lot near my car, but far away from everything else.

It was open, with papers and a checkbook sticking out.

With everything feeling questionable right now, I hesitated: Was this wallet safe to touch? Or was this some sort of bait for a weird scam? I thought, just disinfect your hands, get in your car, and go home.

But then I thought: What if it really is someone’s wallet? What if it were my wallet?

So I spent 10 minutes online locating this woman, Wendy, to whom the wallet belonged. Turns out she worked inside the supermarket.

She was so immensely grateful. She told me:

I was running around like crazy. I had to go home and bring my kids groceries. What’s happening in the world is making me so anxious—and then losing my wallet on top of it?! I can’t thank you enough.

The point?

I was almost someone who put on my blinders and ignored the wallet, consumed by headlines and worries and fears. But taking that action to help…it felt so good. It was the most calm and happy I felt all day. Not to mention the fact that Wendy deserved my gratitude; she’s working in the supermarket and keeping me fed!

We’re all still people who sometimes need help, COVID-19 or not. I know it’s crazy and uncertain and scary—but let’s stick together and smile from underneath our face masks.

Sending love and support,