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Tag: travel

Working Outside My Comfort Zone

Working Outside My Comfort Zone

May 26, 2020January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Professional Development, The Clairemont TeamAdventure, New Skills, Public Relations, travel, writing

I thrive outside of my comfort zone. Whether it’s backpacking through the mountains with my brother, moving to Florida to work at Disney for a few months or hopping on an international flight, I am always seeking one-of-a-kind challenges and experiences. Although my semester interning at Disney came to an abrupt halt this past March, I have remained determined to try new things – even if I’m going no further than my backyard. I’ve been able to learn a valuable thing or two while trying to pick up new hobbies during this time such as if you’re craving dumplings, attempting to make them from scratch may result in floury, sticky dough all over your kitchen … and yourself! 

During my first three years at NC State, I took advantage of a variety of experiences and interests, both within my marketing and journalism studies and in other areas. By going outside of what was comfortable, I discovered rock climbing, met and interviewed scientists about their groundbreaking research, and even started leading a Bible study! While it’s in my nature to try (and sometimes fail) at new things, I have always struggled to pin down exactly what I wanted to pursue in a job or career. As I considered what I wanted the summer before my senior year to look like, I felt overwhelmed with the thought that I needed to magically know what my “dream job” was going to be. 

I knew I wanted to be kept on my toes. 

I knew I loved to write and travel.

I knew I wanted to get creative and be challenged.

I knew I wanted to work with people.

Once I identified these core aspects, narrowing down my job search was simple. I am so excited to jump into my next big adventure this summer: an internship here at Clairemont Communications – a place that I’m certain will address each of these important pillars while gaining experience in public relations, working on a variety of projects and leveraging my love for writing, creativity and people in a new way.

My sister and I supporting my brother and the Wolfpack at his college graduation.

Fun Facts:

  • My favorite place to spend time is outside in my eno hammock. You can catch me in my eno reading a book or taking a relaxing afternoon nap!
  • I am always eating cookie butter. I will put it on anything … or just eat it directly from the jar!
  • I am a middle child! I have an older brother and a little sister. We also count our cat, Floyd, as an additional sibling. 

My advice? In addition to working outside of your comfort zone, explore your sense of creativity and additional concepts by checking out the Creative Challenge section of this blog.

By Clairemont Intern Anna Beth Adcock, a rising senior at NC State.

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OOO: Why Time Off Is Time Well Spent

OOO: Why Time Off Is Time Well Spent

July 17, 2019January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Travelbloggers, travel, vacation, work-life balance

Whether traveling or not, vacations are healthy. However, for many, it can be hard to step away from the desk. In fact, almost half of working Americans don’t use their entire vacation time, despite significant benefits for both work productivity and well-being. Read on to learn why vacations can be a necessary refresh — both personally and professionally — and discover a list of travel experts who will make the “where to go” and “what to plan” aspects of vacation a total breeze.

#selfcare

If nothing else, take a vacation for your health! A solid break has been known to boost your energy reserves while calming your mind. Vacations can also reduce stress and anxiety by removing you from environments that you may associate with these two things. In addition to relieving physical aches and promoting better sleep, easing stress has significant benefits for cardiovascular health. The famous Framingham Heart Study found that men who didn’t take vacations were 30 percent more likely to have heart attacks, and women were 50 percent more likely. These statistics held even after researchers took into account other health factors, including smoking and income. Similarly, in studies conducted in European countries, a correlation has been found between higher life expectancy and vacation time.

#workgoals

Vacations are also good for your career – it’s true! Studies have found that workers who take more vacation time consistently receive better end-of-year performance reviews. In an internal survey, the firm Ernst & Young found that for each additional ten hours of vacation time an employee took, their end-of-year performance improved by eight percent. Perhaps this is because vacations improve productivity — upon return, people are refreshed, re-focused and thus, more efficient. Not to mention that preparing to be out of the office encourages you to improve your workflow and waste less time. In an interview with ABC news, psychologist Francine Lederer said: “most people have better life perspective and are more motivated to achieve their goals after a vacation, even if it is a 24-hour time-out.” The restorative effects of vacations calm and clear the mind, leaving one rejuvenated and better able to think of creative ideas and smart solutions.

Feeling validated and inspired to travel but need some guidance? We’ve rounded up three inspiring travel bloggers that can get you motivated:

#travelinspo

View more on Instagram

1.The Blonde Abroad

From her gorgeous photography on Instagram to her beautifully designed website, Kiersten’s blog has resources organized by trip type, destination, photography and more. High-profile features in publications including Vogue, Travel + Leisure, and The New York Times make her an official authority on the subject.

View more on Instagram

2. The Budget Minded Traveler

Jackie’s blog is the ultimate resource for anyone with a mind for thrift. Check out her website to discover a wealth of practical information on everything from getting a passport and travel insurance to scheduling flights and using travel apps. Her guides highlight cheap and free things to do in specific cities, and she even has a resource section that compiles all her tips into a succinct yet comprehensive travel “blueprint.” Want more than visual content? Check out her podcast JUMP with Traveling Jackie.

View more on Instagram

3. The Blog Abroad

“Life is short. See the world. Spread Joy.” This advice headlines the Blog Abroad website and sets the tone for the rest of Gloria’s fearless, motivational content. Her funny, engaging voice translates into honest and refreshingly opinionated content that inspires females all over to get out and travel— even if alone!

No matter where you are in your career, make sure to prioritize relaxation and time-off this summer. Your body, mind and spirit will thank you! Need a few more reasons to take a break? Check out additional benefits to taking a break here. Want to know where we’re heading this summer? Follow us!

Piper Anderson is recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill.

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The Latest Adventure For Our New Intern

The Latest Adventure For Our New Intern

May 28, 2019January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, The Clairemont Team, TravelFrance, internship, PR Intern, travel, UNC, writing

More than anything, I’m a writer. I love the beautiful ways words come together to convey emotion and ideas. This love for writing shaped my time at UNC-Chapel Hill, where I recently graduated with a degree in English and minors in public relations and creative writing. In fact, public relations’ capacity for storytelling is what initially drew me to this field. Crafting a narrative across all types of content is so important for any brand, whether through blog posts, witty social media captions or succinct press releases. PR affords me the platform to put my skills in writing to professional use. It also ensures variety, because every day is a new challenge with new tasks to tackle. I’m so excited to learn more about the PR industry during my time at Clairemont Communications, where I know that the close-knit environment will offer many opportunities to exercise my creativity and take ownership of projects.

My curiosity and eagerness to learn new things has made travel another passion of mine. During my junior year of college, I studied abroad for four months in Reims, France, which is a small city in the Champagne region. During my time there, I traveled to seven different countries, improved my French, grew more independent, and— perhaps most importantly— became a Champagne snob! I’ve always been taken with France’s beautiful language and laidback culture, so having the chance to live there and try an endless number of pastries was beyond fabulous.

In my last semester at UNC, I took a travel writing class that inspired me to seek adventure and discover new places. So, although it may be unconventional, at the end of the summer I will move to Lyon, France for a year to be an au pair. This experience will not only be personally enriching but also professionally beneficial as I will gain skills in leadership, cross-cultural communication and conversational French. It also doesn’t hurt that Lyon is the food capital of France, and I am a self-professed foodie! As I am interested in PR, content creation and freelance journalism, I hope to merge my skills in creativity and writing with my love for travel in a future career.

Fun Facts:

  • I make a mean cheese board and an even meaner lemon pie.
  • I adore Shakespeare, and (to my friends’ horror) have been known to quote passages of Macbeth at random. If I’m feeling really spunky I’ll even dust off my Chaucerian Middle English!
  • I am a California girl and a Carolina girl because I grew up on both coasts.
  • Dogs, shoes and tacos are a sure-fire way to my heart.
  • If I see a book sale, there is no force in the world that can stop me from browsing.

If your inner wanderlust has been calling to you as well, check out this post about the curiosity-sparking, mind-opening benefits of exploration!

Written by Clairemont intern Piper Anderson, a recent graduate of UNC.

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Photo of the Week: Opus One Wine

Photo of the Week: Opus One Wine

September 2, 2016January 31, 2023 Dana PhelpsBlog, Photo of the Week, TravelNapa, Opus One, Restaurant PR, travel, wine

If you ask me where to go to enjoy a glass of wine with friends in Raleigh, that’s a no-brainer. Clairemont client, Vita Vite opened at the end of last year and has quickly become a downtown hot spot. Best place for dinner with wine in Chapel Hill? Oh, pick me! I know that one, too. Il Palio, also a Clairemont client, is the absolute best at pairing regional Italian cooking with wine from Italy’s 20 regions and vintifications produced in every corner of the Italian Peninsula.

Ask me to pick a bottle of wine outside of the doors of these establishments with no expert help from our clients and I might hesitate. However, my recent trip to Napa certainly provided a strong foundation for my wine knowledge. What better place to start than Opus One! I captured this shot during a tour and was intrigued to learn that Opus One hand-harvests and hand-sorts all grapes, and after about a year and a half in these beautiful barrels, the wine is bottled.

Can learning about wine really help me be a better public relations counselor? Many of our clients would say so. Read more about our restaurant PR work, and let me know if you agree.

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Photo of the Week: Curiosity

Photo of the Week: Curiosity

July 22, 2016January 31, 2023 Dana PhelpsBlog, Photo of the Week, TravelCustomer Service, hotel, restaurant, Restaurant PR, travel

I recently wrote about my ongoing appreciation for the excellent customer service I receive when I stay at Le Meridien Tampa. During my last trip to the area, I was able to visit another favorite, Oxford Exchange.

I love the food, I love the coffee and I love the gift shop selection. (Hope to see Videri Chocolate sold there soon!) To me, a trip to Tampa isn’t complete without a meal at Oxford Exchange. The service has never been anything less than exceptional. This time I noticed a little something extra that just made my day.

In addition to our check that was delivered to the table inside a beautiful old book, there was a bookmark with a lovely quote. I loved it so much that I asked if I could keep it. “Of course!” said our server. And not that I could forget about Oxford Exchange, but now I have yet another delightful reminder. I’ll admit that I’m curious about what extra touches they might include next time.

Want to know about some of our favorite places and customer service stars right here in our own backyard? Read Clairemont team member Tracy Lathan’s post called 36 Hours in Raleigh.

 

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clairemontcommunications

SNEAK PEEK! @dellthepig landed at @wendellfallsnc SNEAK PEEK! @dellthepig landed at @wendellfallsnc (client) today, and rumor has it that @blah2voila has already been hamming it up with Dell! We know you want a selfie with Dell to post on Pigstagram, too!
We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of P We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of Public Relations Consultants Group, allowing us to offer clients expertise and support across the country! Clairemont founder, Dana Phelps aka @blah2voila, recently attended the PRCG conference in Oklahoma City.
2022 has been a fantastic year for Clairemont Comm 2022 has been a fantastic year for Clairemont Communications! Visit our blog for the full 2022 year in review!
As communications professionals, we wear a variety As communications professionals, we wear a variety of hats to meet our clients’ needs.
 
We’re writers, social media managers, photographers, marketers, editors, content creators- the list goes on and on.
 
Check out our recent blog post to learn what @olivia.noles , account coordinator here at Clairemont, does on a weekly and monthly basis.
#communicationsagency #communicationsmajor #pragencylife #pragency #raleighpr
This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voi This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voila , will be speaking at the 2022 @nc_prsa Strategic Communication & MarCom Conference! Phelps is a repeat presenter at this annual conference, and this year she is leading a session called Growing from Communication Technician to Strategic Counselor during which she will share three of her coined concepts: knowcasting, morecasting and collabolighthing. Visit our blog for the link to register for the conference!
@clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative g @clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative go together like the bacon and eggs! And speaking of bacon and eggs, have you been to @therainbowluncheonette yet? YUM!
Later this year, Clairemont client @wendellfallsnc Later this year, Clairemont client @wendellfallsnc, a master-planned community just 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, will welcome @parksideraleigh, a Raleigh-favorite restaurant known for its fresh, made-from-scratch dishes, to the community!
 
Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Parkside.
“What exactly does a PR Agency do?” Because we “What exactly does a PR Agency do?” Because we get this question often, we have a series on our blog where we dive into our recent projects to give you a look at what a PR Agency really does.
 
For example, a statewide resource for small businesses recently hired Clairemont to devise an executive visibility campaign to help position the organization and its director as the leading small business resource in North Carolina.
 
Head to our blog to read what exactly an executive visibility campaign entails and to learn more about our services!
So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let us tell you about our new favorite @drink321coffee ! If you are in Raleigh, go see Paul, the other Paul, Emma  or whichever smiling faces are working today. We LOVE this place and the coffee! ❤️❤️❤️
Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest mas Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest master-planned communities in the Triangle, closed on its first age-eligible rental community plan, Arden at Wendell Falls, that will offer 140 open-concept units and exclusive onsite amenities!
 
Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Arden at Wendell Falls.
Staying in Raleigh this Labor Day weekend? Stop by Staying in Raleigh this Labor Day weekend? Stop by client @vitaviteraleigh for good snacks and great wine!🍷 Both locations are open normal hours Friday-Sunday and closed on Monday.
You never know who might be hanging out at The Cla You never know who might be hanging out at The Clairemont House. Thanks to @yellowdogcreative for helping save this buddy. Notice that we speak lizard. Or skink. Or gecko or whatever he is. Or maybe it’s the extra caffeine before our client presentation.
Yep, our town is pretty cool. #raleigh Yep, our town is pretty cool. #raleigh
Who wants to have a Friday afternoon porch meeting Who wants to have a Friday afternoon porch meeting?
Congrats to our new neighbor on Bloodworth Street Congrats to our new neighbor on Bloodworth Street South @raleighwineshop ! @blah2voila was there today representing Clairemont at the grand opening festivities and enjoying the @grandchamphospitality sandwich pop up. Yum! 🍷🥪
It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers ar It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers are needed more than ever! Many organizations with scarce resources rely on volunteers and would not exist without them. Visit our recent blog post to read about the organizations Clairemont has supported and how you can make a difference in your community!
Authenticity is trending, and research shows that Authenticity is trending, and research shows that consumers are 2.4 times more likely to view user-generated content as authentic. Read our recent blog post to learn about UGC, how it can benefit your brand and how to use it in your marketing strategy.
From social values to behavior patterns, COVID-19 From social values to behavior patterns, COVID-19 has left an impact on every sector of life, including marketing. Read our blog on marketing in a post-COVID world to learn how things have changed and how that should impact your business strategy.
We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned eight awards, five gold🥇and three silver🥈, at this year's Sir Walter Raleigh Awards hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society!🎉 We are beyond grateful to work with so many amazing partners, clients and industry friends!
This spring, Ali de la Vega is joining the Clairem This spring, Ali de la Vega is joining the Clairemont team as an intern! Ali is a Junior at NC State who prides herself in being a daughter and a Christian as well as an amateur athlete, overachiever and older sister. Learn more about her background and how she found a love for PR on our website!
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