Let’s back it up a little:  it’s not like I’m worried about my weight.  I’m a normal height/weight ratio. I’m like 5’4″ and 118#.  When it comes down to my health, however, I could totally use some more goddamn energy.  I’ve been depending upon a shortie of OJ every morning for the sugar buzz for a while now and I’ve recently started enjoying a cup of coffee/espresso (black) or two.. or three.. over the past few weeks throughout the course of the day up to get my ass in gear.  To get me interested in biking or yoga.. to make me go like “dadadadadadadaddada” when I’m on the phone or in a meeting… to get this buzz that >50% of Americans enjoy that I have honestly been blowing off recently… and to ultimately make me feel like I have ridic anxiety that makes me want to fucking puke my brains out because I’m overheated :-p

Enter the Blood Type O Diet…

So this is my new shopping list:

Meat/Seafood

Beef, lamb, veal, chicken, turkey

Cod, Herring, mackerel, salmon, tuna, shrimp, scallops, crab

Dairy

Butter, feta, mozz, goat cheese, soy milk

Fat

Olive oil, flaxseed, canola, sesame

Nuts and seeds

Pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds

Beans

Aduke, azuki, pinto, black-eyed

Grains

Essene, ezekiel, amaranth, barley, buckwheat, rice, kamut, kasha, millet, rye, spelt

Veggies

Artichoke, chicory, dandelion, garlic, horseradish, kale, leek, okra, onions, parsley, parsnips, red peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, seaweed, turnips, tomatoes, collard greens, romaine, spinach, ew broccoli

Fruits

Plums, prunes, figs, grapefruit, berries (minus strawberries, blackberries)

Spices

Kelp, iodized salt, parsley, curry, cayenne

Condiments

Chocolate, honey, cocao

Beverages

Seltzer, club soda, green tea, wine

 WTF?  I can’t have beer anymore?  Or vodak??

So as I sit, drinking my glass of wine (prefer red but drinking white currently), I’m playing around with my Pinterest and creating a board with some fun recipes I should be making from here on out..

However.. I’ve got all these shitty ingredients in my fridge: avocados, rum, corn, beer, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, vodka, mushrooms, cantaloupe, tequila, strawberries, bacon… so I’ve got to go on a bit of a “bad food bender” over the next week or so.

My challenge to myself.. and to my readers–if you are in fact an O blood type and want to try to become “healthier” per this diet–is as of Nov 1, avoid the heck out of the bad and only eat/drink the good stuff.  I should probably pick up the book sooner than later (or someone can buy it for me Kindle-style)–however I’m going to try to quickly wean out the bad dairy, gluten, pig meat (BOOOOO!), beer (DOUBLE BOOOOO!), etc. that I’ve been eating to try and keep “healthy,” as soon as November hits…

What are you thinking?  Do you have any good recipes?  I think my first creation may involve some curry raisin chicken salad + Ezekiel bread and some greens… but anything tasty could be helpful!  Follow my Pinterest for some good O+ blood type food ideas I’ve found–and help me pin!

Let’s eat (well)!  And drink some great vino! –Let’s toast to being happier and healthier going forward!

<3 k

I’m not really the kind of person who wears foundation, but I figured I’d give it a try yesterday in conjunction with the powder.  Although it did live up to it’s “coverage” claims, unfortunately it covered up a lot of my freckles.. probably a good idea to have on hand though when I’m breaking out like a pizza during that time of the month o.O

I did however really enjoy the scent of the product and how it covered up my under-eye circles.  Also, I went to a package store and the guy asked me for my ID so that’s a good sign, right?

The powder really seemed to suck up the oil that seeped out of my pores throughout the day, which was nice.  The only other thing I would suggest would be to maybe add some sort of rice paper dispenser on the bottom of the powder so I could dab myself before powdering and ultimately getting that oil on the puff.

If you’re interested in a $2 off coupon.. I can mail one to you or if you’re in the Newport area, you’re welcome to meet up with me  I’ve got plenty to go around!  Leave your email in the comments and I can get back to you!

]]> http://x10i.com/beantownsocialite/so-bzzagent-gave-me-something-new-to-try-with-covergirl-and-olay/feed/ 0 http://x10i.com/beantownsocialite/new-and-improved-newport-socialite/ http://x10i.com/beantownsocialite/new-and-improved-newport-socialite/#comments Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:38:58 +0000 Kristen http://x10i.com/beantownsocialite/?p=1521 Newport, RI since February and honestly, this is one of the most fantastic places in the world to me.  Where I am, I’ve surrounded myself with great friends, amazing beauty and a bevy of potential suitors…  Lil is in love with the rolling pastures, dog beach and other doggies to play with.  I just have to watch out and make sure I don’t get sucked into drinking every day!  Most of my friends here are in the service industry so you know that means trouble (and fun) when it comes down to the nightlife…

So I know you’re all asking–what sort of pickings are there?  Are they better than or comparable to Boston?  Well to begin with, everything in Newport is super incestual.. meaning that if you meet a new group of friends, odds are they know someone you know–and hopefully not anybody you’ve slept with.  This island is running rampant with honies from Boston, Hartford, New York… the sea, the navy, etc.  Especially now–since America’s Cup Races are in town and Tall Ships will be here in a few days.  Sooo many yachties.

It makes it hard to settle down.. to become monogamous.  I do have hope however that I don’t have to wait until ALD (after Labor Day) to find my fall guy.  I’m ready to be in a relationship NOW; but I know it’s not that easy.  It’s weeding out the boys who are just in it to get laid, and that’s reallllly hard when there are so many smiling gorgeous 20-somethings in every bar I visit.

So last week I turned the big 3-0.  I started picking up yoga (Newport Power Yoga FTW!).  Also, I’ve been writing for BTS for just about SIX YEARS (may have taken a year off)!  I can’t believe it.  I know I’ve been slacking recently but I really thought I had a good thing going with this one guy and honestly I can’t bear dudes reading about how totally into them I am… that’s kind of a turn off so I hear.  Might be a deal breaker.  But since I’m totally addicted to Millionaire Matchmaker and some other Bravo shitshows, it’s truly hard not to get back on the writing horse again.

I’ve been going on a few dates with a reallly sweet Navy boy, however know that they have expiration dates unless they really find you interesting and want to take you on their journey around the world.  I probably also shouldn’t have invited him to my birthday party (pig roast/luau) knowing my parents were thinking of showing up.. that might be a little pressure within the first month of dating but I didn’t want to not invite everybody!  It’s really hard for me to talk about monogamy, so I figure I’ll let this one ride a little while and hope he asks me out again.  I probably shouldn’t have put out so early however honestly, I hadn’t been getting laid down here and I was going CRAZY.  Don’t hate.

So what’s next for me?  Well after America’s Cup and Tall Ships.. I’m hitting up LAS VEGAS mid-July for a trade show )) Yes, I am a Vegas Virgin, and I’m staying at Mandalay Bay and hoping to experience all that Vegas has to offer (within reason) ) I’ve been working on a few projects which I’ll start mentioning on x10i.com as soon as they’re finalized, and I’m concentrating more on Web Design than Social Media Marketing because honestly, that’s where the $’s @.  People don’t really know what’s going on with SMM down here in the ‘Port, or care really–but having a web presence is a #1 priority.

I’ll be back to Boston at some point.. and most likely hosting a few events in the future–I’m just enjoying the peace/pace of being away from the big city at this point in my life–kind of wanted to be a little more low key and try to find someone with whom I can settle down.  Now that it’s summer though, it seems Boston has followed me down and weekends last forever!  I love the sunshine and guys wearing no shirts at the beach club, but I’m concerned with the fact that the boys down here will screw any young thing that enters the bar.  I’m not looking for that.  I still have that migraine problem and honestly, I want to have a healthy, monogamous relationship before I start really having sex on a continuous basis.  Haven’t told the Navy boy about that problem, however let’s see if it ever really presents itself–or if he ever calls me back….

Stay tuned!

kh

As long as you’re getting your point across, and you help facilitate forward-moving change.  Just a side note:  I’m sure you’re aware that there are a hell of a lot of helicopters out there and extra police.  I hope it’s not taking up too many of Boston’s resource$.  I don’t think that the rich are going to be paying for your bail if you get rowdy.  Just be safe and try to stay off the Rose Kennedy Greenway

This is what I’d like to add to our vision of a better Boston:  Happy Hour in MA drinking establishments and longer MBTA hours.

Our state senators are currently debating a Casino Gambling Bill (among other things), and I would like to put in my support for the Happy Hour amendment that Bob Hedlund (R) is sponsoring. This would be an awesome addition to our Beantown Social movement of trying to find establishments that can offer us something to bring in our large group.  On that note, I would like to invite Cliquot, Ketel and Patron to sponsor us

How I miss Florida, with their beaches, palm trees and their ladies nights where we can drink free dixie cups of Miller Light, house wine or well drinks at a different “Tap” every night.  That’s about it.  I totally prefer New England seasons and being able to get fat 1/2 the year.  I believe that being “bikini-ready” all year long is way too much work.. I can’t even think about dieting over the next couple of months with so many holidays and birthdays!  I’ve been good all year long! (except for a lot Tasty Burger and beer..)

I hear Connecticut is beautiful this time of year.. especially at Foxwoods / MGM Grand when you’re sitting @ a table or the slots.  Cocktail waitresses will keep ‘em coming so you keep on spending.  Everything’s beautiful and within reason financially when you get brought free booze.  Unfortunately, CT is like 2 hours away and I ‘m going to need something much more local–and a better value.

Flashback:  ::sadface::  December 11, 1984 Massachusetts’ happy hour was abolished.  I was like 2.  Totally unfair, they didn’t even give me a running start.  I understand that plenty of drunks and helpless victims may have gotten killed on the road, however that’s where extending the hours of the MBTA would come in handy!  Let’s incorporate a schedule where the major lines of the T run once an hour between the hours of 1a and 6a–or at least until 2:30a!  It will create more jobs, more advertising opportunities, less drunk drivers and ultimately more income for the state–Winning!

One of my friends mentioned to me that the MBTA “tested” this idea a few years ago calling it the “Night Owl” program, and it wasn’t lucrative enough to keep it going.. However, I believe with the new technologies and social mediae (plural of social media?) upon which are now available to advertise and educate, potential late-night riders would fully support such an initiative!  More than 20,950 people have “Liked” the Extend the MBTA’s Hours Page on Facebook.  What else do you need to take a look @ this?  It’s pretty much like 20k signatures on a petition.

So please. Please pass these bills for Social’s sake

Just give me another reason to throw a party.

Sign the petition.  Or just comment.

What I BELIEVE is going to happen Saturday at 6:01 AM is that people are going to realize the fact the Mayans and news and other propaganda lied to us and we actually need to keep on living life the way we were planning on living it. SNAP!

What I saw on the MBTA this evening were a bunch of mis-matched couples who made sex bets in the event that tomorrow was the “end of the world” and that they needed to do it with the closest thing that could maybe get them off.  Ew. Who the fuck do you think you are? Is sex reallllly the biggest and best thing that you want to do with your life in the event that it’s done in less than 24 hours?

HOPEFULLY, If that’s the opposite of true, here’s MY list of the things I’d (realistically) do if I had a couple of short hours to live instead of TENS OF YEARS as is the true reality…

1. get some realllly good nudes taken. Because, really? I’m probably only this hot for a little more time and if there was ever a race of humanoids to rise again, they’d probably want to dig up my DNA and clone me to exist again because I have to admit..  I’m pretty hot naked and could potentially be super awesome to mate with. duh.
2. pay off all the bills effecting my credit. I want to have an 800+ credit score when its like down to me and a few hundred other zombies.. I totally want first dibs on the Newport mansions. Wish I could bet that I’d be able to fly overseas and purchase a REALLY old piece of land but at that point, I’d be lucky to survive fighting the undead off for more than one day traveling.
3. stockpile glass-bottled water and rations (at the mansion), because when people can’t repopulate because of cancer “down there” from plastic irradiated foods, I gots a cave full of rations to feed my undead friends, family (and hot suitors) for generations if we get that far after the zombies (have you seen the dates on chick peas, spam and corn??? we could technically live off that shit for CENTURIES!!)..
4. get a german shepherd sidekick like Will Smith (sorry lil and stiffler)
5. shower, brush my teeth, do my hair and  nails (hope that doesn’t count as 4)
6. taunt some cops with my vape b/c they don’t know any better
7. use at least 2 unused groupons.. because it’s totally a waste if you don’t get your hair did or have some sushi for 1/2 price before facing armageddon.
8. call mom and dad. and grandpa… because seriously I’ll probably still do that tomorrow regardless… which leads me to my next #..
9. invest in Verizon, ATT or Sprint.  Who doesn’t have unlimited minutes at this point? if you don’t.. I’ll probably make a shit ton of $ off of you from investing in the fact that you’re paying like .45 each minute for overages. there are going to be a hellova lot of people calling their loved ones (and high end business clients) during non-peak hours Friday to tell them how much they love them so I’m thinking this is my best $ making call.  (if someone actually does this, you’re totally in debt to me.  You can wire 10% of what you make to my PayPal account, TYVM.)
10. let someone else come down with my #10.. best comment wins!  (depending on $ spent) *will not shave my head or hurt myself.  I bruise easily.

FYI: The world ends when we do. When you die; the world ends. For you. There’s no re-do. You need to figure it out now. And if you can’t figure that out now or during this lifetime.. then why do anything influential? Why even try?

BUT SINCE we’re going to survive–then fucking rock it. Rock it hard. Don’t live like a rockstar.. that’s just nasty. Live like you’re going to try and make a difference. In your child’s life. In society. Your call. Just make sure you do something now that will make a lasting impact.  Save up to buy that Newport Mansion!  Or at least do something to make your life historical.  What else do you have?

I mean, listen. It’s not like I’m going to clean my house Friday. BUT! I am going to shower, shave, do my hair, SUCK IT UP and WORK like I’d normally do on ANY Friday. Like you’re sprinting to home plate or the end of the work week. I may drink like a fish too when I’m done though so let me know what’s good… Tasty?

One more thing for Friday: Hug or kiss your loved ones or call the people that mean the most to you even though it’s cliché’d. Technically you’re still cool if you do it. It’s not like un-hipster to do that stuff so get on it.  AND I might be investing in you and making a few bucks.  So that’s probably not so bad either.

Because life’s too fragile. Just fucking do it properly.  And respectfully.  And impactfully.  (I make up words too..)

See you @ Guetta Saturday night?

<3

It has come to this.  40-year old dudes who decided up until now they were going to live the playboy lifestyle are now paying the web to ferret them a wife.  It makes me wonder what’s next?  Will I see a Facebook ad for this guy?  Is it real or are they selling something?  If they’re really just spending $ and not earning it here, is it a real win?

Yes, I have tapped the online dating world.  I have even partied in other cities/towns to try and meet Mr. Correct.  I’ve EVEN imported a southern gentleman for a week.  I guess what I’m saying is that I’m done.  Why can’t he find me?  Why do I feel like I’m hunting rather than gathering?

Also, do I really want someone who I can and can’t trust, who I’m helpless against; who I’m the most vulnerable around?  Then I can’t possibly be this strong steadfast cornerstone for my friends who I do love.  I  need to find a balance in love and life and the pursuit of my own happiness, but I don’t know if it’s out there and if he can feel that I exist in this same hopeless struggle to find each other.

::hoping I end up in Mr. Correct’s arms sometime soon::

So let’s get some communication going here, ladies:  what was your story?  How did he find you?  What did he do to prove that he was the person who you could not live without?  What am I doing wrong??

Thanks in advance <3

Here’s Wikipedia’s real definition for all you wanna-be nerds. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxytocin

So how do we, as women, figure out how to guard our hearts from being broken and detach ourselves from wanting to get naked so early on in a relationship?  We need to have a chance to really bond with our partners before that thing that happens when he decides he’d rather go back to living life without us again.  And more importantly, how the heck do we know that they’re good in bed if we’re not jumping down that sexual rabbit hole that my dating coach (and author at BTS), Nicole has spoken loads about to me?

Please, I am in no way able to finish this research and self-preservation alone and welcome any answers or commentary that may  have worked for you in the past.  I’m a ways away from finding that person who I deserve to spend the rest of my life with.  I’d just like to understand exactly what goes through men’s heads while we’re tripping on a love molecule and they’re reevaluating their situation.

You’re welcome to remain anonymous, but let me know what’s on your mind during Snowpocolypse II:  Electric Igloo

Status update:  I rejoined Match.

Thank god for my HTC EVO and Google Maps.  I love this app.  Can’t live without it.. especially the traffic function.  Anyway, this is probably the reason I go through battery life like whoa.  Recently, I even had to upgrade to the extended battery.  This created a new problem:  Best Buy does not sell a car kit that fits the EVO with an extended battery.  BOO.  Even if they had a generic one, it would make my life a whole lot easier.  Instead, I have to hold the brick or wedge the damn thing in my dashboard.  I’m probably going to get pulled over sooner or later for “texting” b/c I keep fidgeting with it because it keeps sliding across my odometer (and other meters) to the floor and I have to lean over to pick it up at the next ::crossing fingers:: red light.

Lilia is in the back (my little sidekick) panting down my neck and drooling and I hope that she just doesn’t puke this time.  Don’t you hate it when dogs drool a gallon and you don’t notice it until they make hacking noises?  Carsickness sucks with dogs.  It’s not like she can poke me and say “Ma, I’m getting a bit sick over here, could you pull over for a minute?”  No.  This just means the 2nd detail of my crappy car in the past month.  I hate driving the thing to the car wash because I can just imagine the guys talking behind my back.  ”Why does she even bring this piece of sh*t here?  She’ll probably get less $ for it on Craiglist than this detail will cost her.”

I digress.  Anyway, I hate driving without directions.  I just started getting used to the T when my friend needed some social media help and he couldn’t afford to pay me so he gave me a 93 Mercury Grand Marquis  I jumped on that TomTom bandwagon when they were $500 for the first ones on NYE 2007.  I was on my way to Killington so there’s no way I’d go without either A. someone who was more directionally adequate than myself driving or B. some sort of mapping system.  I never looked back.  GPS is a lifesaver and a time saver..  Download the free Google Maps app on your smartphone and thank me later.  In the form of a comment It’s nice to see that I’m not just talking to myself here.

FYI the Android Google Reader App is up and running.. which means you should really think about subscribing to my RSS feed.  And retweeting my posts ^^ see that little TweetMeme button.  Yah, click it for me every once in a while when you like posts and share it on Twitter for me, would you?

One more thing.. figured I’d try to illustrate my blog myself.. I may not do it again.  Clearly, I should be wearing a seatbelt in that picture and Lil should be drooling up a storm (and black and tan).  CLICK IT OR TICKET!

We boiled down this elusive love post down to one major theme:  Everyone we’ve dated romantically has come into our lives for a reason.  But how do you KNOW?  How do you know when the person that you’re most likely falling for in one form or another is your soulmate?  I wish I could answer that question, but let’s just boil down some cold, hard, buzzed thoughts.  So sorry in advance if it doesn’t flow like a normal post.. but deal.

The one point we kept coming back to was that we seem to relate everybody we’re currently dating to past relationships. Women project.  Men live in the moment.  We need to start fresh and not compare these new lovers with those of the past.  Why?  Because EVERYBODY’S DIFFERENT.  We all come from different families, different beliefs, in some cases, different cultures; essentially different LOVING backgrounds–springing from the lovingest upbringing to the most unreciprocating… and we can’t all be judged on the misfortunes of past relationships.  I’ve even felt the need to say “I’m different.  We’re different.  This thing that we’re building is different.  And better,”  And it kind of snaps us out of this line of thinking  long enough to try and understand why we’re different.  Now prove it.  And learn from past mistakes.

Then we started talking about how serious a relationships seem to get pretty quickly on.  When guys start by introducing us to their family, they’re pretty much better off just giving us a ring right away.  Why would you introduce a woman to your parents if you don’t think the relationship has lasting characteristics?  Do you want us to make friends?  I sure as hell don’t introduce every dude I date to my parents, or else mom & dad will get even more confused about my serial dating than they already are.

Honestly, we all think way too hard about “our” future.  We really need to enjoy the present more with this potential soulmate.  It’s a gift, remember?  The more time you spend together, the more invested you become.  The problem is, when one party starts to withdraw, the other decides they’re getting pushed away–so in return, we do EVERYTHING in our power to save (ruin) what we had before.  Things change in a relationship.  A few months in, all of a sudden, the guy realizes that he does have a life outside of this cocoon you’ve created and nurtured and breaks free, so a week off from daily communication really does help.  Revisit the ideals you had after you’ve had a chance to live life alone again and you’re both able to breathe.  I’m sure you’ve heard this saying: “If you love something let it go. If it comes back to you it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it never was.”  This shit’s true!  It’s on every Myspace wall, right?  Now suck it up and do it!  If he just keeps pushing you away except for the occasional weekend booty, shut him off.  Don’t make yourself so available.  There are more men out there that could be worth your time, and they’ll present themselves when they’re ready.  Remember, timing is everything, and if you’re not on the same page as your newish beau, maybe it’s time to reevaluate the situation and set expectations.

Pre-Google, men used to walk down the beach or the street, knocking down every door to find the lady they lusted for.  Now, with all these awesome stalker tools at our fingertips, we can narrow our search down to men with blue eyes, long blonde hair, dimples, a 6-pack, etc. which makes us just want to window shop and hunt for our own perfect 10 rather than be found.  Online dating has turned into a meat market, with most of these gorgeous AVAILABLE men just looking to get some action and not so much a meaningful relationship.  If you go to sites like PlentyOfFish and HotOrNot, you’re not looking for a hubbie, you’re looking for a hookup.  Try eHarmony or Match.. but even with Match, you’ll find men who aren’t essentially serious, and with eHarmony, I feel like I’m hurting feelings if I just archive the dude.  I have also fallen into the online dating scene, and it was interesting to find what I was looking for online.  ”I find everything else there!” was my guise.  Online, chivalry is dead.  I want a man to sweep me off my feet and fall organically into my life.  Unfortunately, in the day of emails and chat rooms, life runs way too quickly to ferret out a lover elsewhere, so a lot of the potential dates seem online onl–that is, if they cannot seem to find time in their already super structured lifestyles otherwise.  I’m pretty sure that’s not what I want; structured dating.  It’s nice to meet someone off the street/on the T/in a Boston pub/at a friend’s party who catches your eye.  Try it sometime.. but please look for a ring before approaching!  Advice from experience!

We’re becoming lazy in dating.  80% of the time, we (I) write on Facebook/emails, text, poke, etc.  We don’t pick up the phone and CALL anymore.  Don’t people want to hear the underlying tones in other’s voices?  What happened to the times where we could hear our partner breathing on the other line and know they’re alive, safe, well, etc. and :. we don’t have to worry if they’re out with another woman?

Then you get some men who work soooo hard.  Want a cookie?  Yes, you took the time to “find” us into your own hands–AND you have a full time job.  Did you get the memo?  We have lives too.  Women work harder to get what you guys are given.  You think this free drink was free?  Tell that to the dude I had to just chat up for a half hour.  THAT’S work.   It’s working our assets.  Want a cookie?  Howabout a compliment?  You’ll get that just by buying a free drink for a pretty lady.

What it boils down to is this:  If you like someone, you’ll find any reason to see them.  If you don’t, you’ll find every reason to avoid them.  Think about that the next time someone blows you off.  It might just be time to look for another lover.

Akismet:  Your WordPress blog comes naturally with this amazing spam filter, but you do need to sign up to get an API on their website.  To sign up for an API key, click here. Star that email that you get because you’ll probably need that key later on in your blogging career.  You can use it with multiple blogs.

Goto Plugins>Activate Akismet>Settings>Paste your API Key & update.

SI CAPTCHA Anti-Spam:  Adds a captcha to your comments so that it keeps spammers at bay.  You can tweak a few things under settings like tying it to your Akismet or making users enter captcha when they log in, register, comment, etc.

One Click Plugin Updater:  One day, you’re going to happen upon your WordPress dashboard and there will be a number of plugins that need to be updated.  Sucks that they take like 2 minutes each to install, unpackage, reactivate, :-p.  That’s where this plugin comes in.  Even if you have 10 plugins that need updating, a thin yellow ribbon with an update button that simply aggregates, then automates your updating process.

WPTouch:  Everything’s going mobile.  Duh.  Want someone to be able to read your site on their iPhone or Blackberry?  This formats your blog to work well with mobile.  No, you’re not going to have all your flash, but it makes it a hell of a lot easier for those users.  Yes, you’re going to have to be a little technical (get your Adsense and Adwords information handy!), but there’s a lot of stuff that goes into this plugin and you might at least want to check it out.

Tweetmeme:  Simple Twitter plugin.  Makes it so that users who are logged into Twitter can click the “tweet” button to update their personal Twitter followers and simultaneously add to the TweetMeme.com news feed.

Google Analyticator:  Easy install for Google Analytics.  Don’t have GA?  Click here and get on that!  There’s a lot that goes into this so click the Analyticator link and it will help get you started.

Visitor Maps and Who’s Online: Want to stalk your readers?  This is taking analytics to the next level.  It does need Maxmind GeoLiteCity which will automatically install once you install the VMWO plugin.

There are honestly so many more plugins I use, including SEO helpers, but these are the basics I think you should at least start out with.  If you have any questions, please consult the documentation for each plugin.  If you would like further on-site help, I am also available for a very reasonable fee  Email me!