5 reasons why I love Twitter lists

It seems like a thing of the past, and you don’t hear too many people talking about this feature on Twitter anymore, but I still believe lists are a key component of any social media strategy or even for your own personal usage.

The simplest tactic to keep an eye on your competitors, keep up with media in your area, national news coverage, industry trends and much more. Really anything of interest to you – your favorite celebrities, fitness inspirations or even your family and friends.

So why do I love them so much?

1. It’s so easy. There’s no excuse to not make time to build your Twitter lists, it will make your life easier at the beginning, middle and end of the day. Create the titles of your lists from your profile, i.e. "Social Media Experts," "Chicago Media" or "Friends and Family." Then find the people you want to add, tap the screw icon next to their name – then select “Add/Remove from Lists.” Pick the list. And voila!
2. Don't miss anything. I go straight to these lists first thing every day to ensure I didn’t miss anything overnight with the key folks I want to follow.
3. Stay in touch. Personally I find this the best way to keep up with my friends Twitter feeds – I add them to my private friend list and they have no idea I can see their every tweet. (Ok, now they do!) It helps me stay in touch and in the know.
4. Save TONS of time. It may take a little while to build your lists, but you can literally use these lists as your go-to source for information and you don't have to scroll through your feed of thousands of tweets. With 34 percent of active Twitter users logging on at least multiple times a day and sharing content and the average person to have about 200 followers, that's a lot to keep up with!
5. You don’t have to follow the person to add them to your list. While some people may like to follow thousands of people (Twitter actually cuts you off when you are following too many people and don’t have a good ratio of followers yourself), this is not the best way to stay up with the content you want to see. Just add them to your list and you actually don’t have to be following them. Just be sure you are still engaging with the folks you are interested in. And if it is someone you want to support, be sure you are following them and add them to your list.

A few things to remember:

• Manage your lists from you own Twitter homepage either on the app or desktop. From there you can create, remove and edit your lists.
• Don’t forget you can also make your lists private if you want to keep them all to yourself. You can also check out which lists you are on in this section. This can give you some insight into who is paying attention to your tweets or looking to you for advice and information.

While this may seem like something everyone knows, I hope it's a good reminder to tap into this easy resource right at your fingertips.

Learn more about Twitter lists, here.

Sarah Scroggins is the social media manager for Illinois’ largest health system, Advocate Health Care. Residing in the Chicago suburbs, she loves to run and is always planning her next vacation and most nights you can find her catching up on the latest Netflix series. Find her on Twitter and Instagram at: @sarahanne425.

#UltimateStraight Loreal Voxbox

I'm so excited I was selected for the Loreal #UltimateStraight VoxBox from Influenster. I've already used the 4-step process for two and see a huge difference. My hair is smooth and my split ends and flyways have minimized. 

Here's the unboxing video of the products in this VoxBox, I can't wait to share more results! 

5 reasons why I love the NBA and you can too

My husband recently said to me: “I’m so excited to see you get into a sport!” And here I thought…well why wouldn’t I? As a female, I don’t think I was offended…but then again I was secretly glad my husband was impressed with my knowledge of the sport.

But it did make me realize just how much I love the NBA and that maybe there was a reason why I love this sport more than others. Mind you, he said this after I was jumping up and down like a crazy person watching my favorite team (the Chicago Bulls) score an amazing 3-point shot during game two of the NBA Playoffs.

So I sat and wondered why do I love this sport so much? Sure, I grew up watching the Bulls play, but now as an adult, I have even more passion for the game. And the company I work for has a strong community partnership with them, which makes me realize more than most what a great organization the Bulls have. 

So are there more women out there like me? Maybe...Or maybe not.

Either side you may land, I have five reasons for you. Those who might share my passion of this sport or those who are still undecided if sports are even really for them:

1. Facial recognition. Think about it…Football has helmets, padding and more; baseball has hats and sunglasses; and hockey has just way too much gear. Sure, these sports have more contact but with basketball you can actually see these players’ faces, and watch the sweat and emotions that go into the game. And to be obvious, the court is actually small enough to fit on your TV screen to make out their faces. This to me helps you create a special bond with the players. From Joakim’s man bun to Harden’s (way too long) beard and Lebron’s signature headbands. And we can’t forget about all the blood, sweat and tears we can literally see pouring off of them every game. Gross? Maybe. Passion? Yes. And many of them are not too shabby to look at either and can generally be found on my #ManCrushMonday list. ;)
2. The game is SO easy to understand. Take my word for it. I can’t figure out the rules to a football game for the life of me. And sure there are lots of rules in basketball, too, just like any other sport, but let’s be honest: Two teams have the goal of making that orange and black 9.5 inch ball of rubber go into the basket – preferably with a swoosh. The games are also fast paced, so they are easy to keep my attention since there aren’t a million timeouts, breaks, innings and replays.
3. Small teams. Most NBA teams have up to 15 players we have to remember. And at one time in the game: only five! Football…baseball…I have no clue maybe two to three times more names to remember. Not happening with this memory of mine. Give me five starters and a couple of our second in line players to remember and I am all over it. 
4. Lots of games. This may sound like a downfall for some. Football…with just a few home games and taking up my favorite day of the week, it just isn’t my cup of tea. But when the Bulls are playing on #WineWednesday, you betcha I have my vino in hand and the game turned on and UP. Then when they play two days later, I can do it all over again (including the whole wine thing).
5. The NBA is totally social. While most sports have bought into the social game from Twitter to Facebook to Instagram. Many NBA teams take it to the next level – we can tweet along with the teams, use their branded hashtags, and even Snapchat them. This fact alone helps me build a relationship with my favorite team. (Oh and I can send Jimmy Butler tweets of my infatuation.)

So if you are really looking to get into a sport, ladies, I suggest basketball.

Start watching and blow people away with your mad skills. It also might help with some conversation on a first date. J

A Ryan Cabrera comeback – Be still my heart

You read right ladies. THE Ryan Cabrera is back. Is your 16-year-old self all of a sudden singing “On the Way Down” in your head (or maybe outloud) right now?

I thought so.

I’ll admit when I first heard the announcement of Ry-guy releasing new music, I was a little skeptical since it's been SO long. But I have to say, his music still makes me wish he was singing his songs just for me.

And while his hair may be tamed and he’s added just a few more tattoos (I hear he lost count at 55), the man can still rock a guitar and sing some darn catchy tunes.

Now 32, Ryan hasn’t released new music since 2008. Flashback to when he was crooning songs like “True” and “40 Kinds of Sadness” and starring in music videos with his ex, Ashlee Simpson. Brings me back to my “I wish I was Ashlee days.” And who can forget his brief headlines with Audrina Patridge? 

While a full album has not been released, his five-song EP entitled “Wake Up Beautiful” not only will have you singing along to his whiskey-drinking cleverly titled “Sing Along,” but his track “Forgot How to Fly” will make you melt. And the title track “House on Fire” will have you dancing in your living room. The songs have officially made it on all of my playlists for working out or cleaning the house.

And we can’t forget that yes he is even on tour right now with his band along with Secondhand Serenade (another oldie but goodie – “Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for youuuu.”) I digress. There are also a few other rockin' opening bands like Runaway Saints, Nick Thomas from Spill Canvas and Wind in Sails. All around a great group of guys doing what they love. Oh wait and one gorgeous gal with an amazing voice, Veronica Ballestrini who joined John and the Secondhand crew for the remainder of the tour. 

Recently in Chicago (AKA Joliet a very southwest suburb of Chicago), I had the opportunity (AKA I bought the two for $22 tickets on Groupon) to see Ryan back in action on the Radio Revival Tour. And there are still a few dates left across the U.S.

And can I just tell you how super cool his bandmates are?! They not only are more than happy to come hang with the fans before and after the show - but they are all super down to earth guys. Shout out to Krispy Swiggs for the chat and the beer. :) (Krispy -- We LOVED hanging out with you and appreciate you being so cool. We really should have stayed up way too late and came to see you guys on your 2nd night in Chicago, performing in Wrigleyville at HVAC. Next time we will be the tour guides!)

Ladies – Ryan will not disappoint your inner teenage self. And little did I know I would remember every single word to his classics. 

And I can't forget to add that Ryan is also super active on Twitter and Instagram so you can follow him along every step of the tour here and here. Oh and he might even follow you back. ;)

A few photos from the night

ryan

@ryancabrera and @trevlukather

Sing it Ry!

photo with Trev w/ photobomb by @SecondhandJohn

our new friend @KrispySwiggs

loving Secondhand Serenade

hey John!

#RadioRevivalTour

Testing Neutrogena's new product!

Is anyone else an @influenster? I love this program where you have the opportunity to test new products. I was recently selected to test @Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel. So far I love it and you can instantly see the moisture in your skin - especially after this winter, my skin is needing some recovery! I've been using it almost every day! I am hoping after a week of use. I will see some didference.

 #neutrogena #influenster #contest #BehindTheGlow

#RefreshWithResource

When I got my #ModaVoxBox, I was super excited to try Resource water. I generally only drink H2o all day and is my drink of choice. And so of course I enjoyed this water and the water bottle size and branding.

I can't say that I can tell any difference, but I like the fact that is has the added electrolytes, so I'll definitely try this water again and look forward to other products as well.

#ModaVoxBox Review!

Good evening!! I was so excited to hear I'd be receiving my first real VoxBox from Influenster. I had no idea what to expect. It was so exciting to wait to see what I would receive in the mail. I go the pretty pink box on my door step and ripped it open. TONS of amazing beauty products and every day products I couldn't wait to try!

First: Let's talk lipstick! The Rimmel nude lipstick is my new FAVE color and stick to wear. I wore it on a night out, to work, ok and every day! The color is perfect and love the moisture it locks in and almost acts as a chapstick, too! Here I am wearing it to work.


Next up, Pass the Puffs! I am already a Puffs fan, but I love this squishy, flexible package that I can throw in my bag, in the car or just pop it on the shelf. Love the cute design that matched my bathroom perfect!

Now, let's talk about my favorite product in the box...HAIR FOOD! Why have I never tried this product before??? It is AMAZING on my hair. I have dry, brittle hair and I instantly saw the difference after I tried it one day! And the smell is amazing! You must try this. I use it as a daily conditioner and it's awesome.

I don't normally wear lipliner, but of course I wanted to give this Rimmel Moisture Renewal transparent lipliner a try! And I have to say, they have made me a believer. I love how it feels but keeps my lips moist for much longer with lipstick than normal wear without.

Have you taken the Jergens One-Week Challenge? I'll be writing about this next. Let me tell you...DO IT! My husband and I both love this Ultra Healing kind from Jergens. Especially with it getting cold out and harder to manage dry skin, I am loving the product right about now! 

Rimmel ScandalEyes up now: I really like this mascara and the very black color is usually what I use, but the brush is kind of hard to use. Maybe it's because I am not the best at knowing proper technique for makeup. Dont get me wrong, I love makeup and trying new things, but this brush doesnt seem to matter if it's curved or not to make them fuller.

And last Resource Water. I have tried it and took it to the gym with me. I mean what better way to refresh? I will blog about it in another post more in depth. :)

And I can't forget about the Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate. There was not selling me on this product. I love hot chocolate. And swiss miss has always been a family favorite. It's creamy and the little marshmallows are of course the best touch for a cold night by the tv on the couch.