The Super Awesome Description award is a way of recognizing a member of the Zappos Development content team once a month. If a product description is particularly witty or creative, anyone in the company can nominate the person who wrote it.  The nominations are then read by other members of the content department and voted upon; the description with the most votes wins. The writer of that description is rewarded with a trophy and a certificate, not to mention recognition from their peers.

The winner for December is Angelina F. Angelina is part of the clothing team and her witty description for the Lucky Brand Café Racer Jacket was too clever to ignore. Congratulations Angelina!

We asked Angelina a few fun questions to get to know her better. Check out her answers below!

What is your biggest Grammar pet peeve?

I used to teach writing and grammar to high school students, so my biggest pet peeve is the use of text message shorthand in formal writing. I can LOL with the best of them, but def not in a professional setting.

What inspired you when writing this description?

My incredibly cool mother and stepfather are avid Harley riders, so they are always my inspiration when I write about moto-inspired looks. Although, to be fair, they are both very punctual people.

What is your favorite Zappos core value?

Pursue Growth and Learning. I love that our culture encourages and celebrates individual growth.  Even better, growth and learning may come from taking one of our Pipeline classes, working through a department progression plan, or just having the freedom to try out that harebrained, but potentially brilliant, idea you just had.  

What's a fact people would be surprised to learn about you?

Even though my stuffed Lewis and Clark are always with me, I have very little interest in that period of American history. My undergrad thesis was actually about Shakespeare and Elizabethan England. The dolls were just a gift from a dear friend who knew I thought they were hilarious.

As part of the Zappos Alcohol Awareness Week activities, our lovely Benefits team strapped some “drunk goggles” on volunteers to simulate the physical impairments that come with having too much alcohol. Clearly, none of these participants are in the position to do simple tasks, let alone get behind the wheel.

Remember: Drink and party responsibly!

For Zappos Alcohol Awareness Week, we continued the tradition of “arresting” our managers to help educate and remind everyone about the dangers of drinking and driving. Remember: A cab ride is way cheaper than a DUI! Always drink responsibly!

For the first Zapponian Spotlight of 2012, we’re getting to know a little bit about Donny G., a senior User Experience Designer from Zappos Development, Inc.

Donny considers Alaska his home state and moved around the country as a “military brat”.  The self-proclaimed “geek at heart” is also a talented athlete. Donny was an All-American basketball player in college and spent some time playing a little pro ball as well.

Read on to learn more about Donny:

Pick 3 words to describe your personal style

D: Passionate, Determined, Hippie

Who is your favorite musician or band?

D: Dave Matthews Band

Name 3 things you never leave home without?

D: Open mind, kind heart, and my cell phone

If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would it be?

D: Would have been Steve Jobs but now I would say Warren Buffett

What’s the weirdest thing to ever happen to you?

D:  Growing up, for about 3 years straight every holiday (albeit Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving) I ended up in the hospital from things like trying to jump over a car with my bike, playing hockey in the street, tackle football (no pads) with football buddies, etc.

What’s your favorite part about working at Zappos?

The awesome people I get the pleasure of working with!!!

When our Senior Director of Accounting, Mike A. turned the big 4-0 recently, he was surprised by a local high school marching band. Just another Zappos birthday in the office!

The Holiday Season signifies countless things to different people.  For some, it is time with family and friends.  For others, it’s the chance to give back to their community.  There are individuals that thrive on the celebrations and songs, and still more live for the gifts they give and receive.  At the Zappos Fulfillment Center, the holiday season means all of these things and more. 

Whether taking time out of a hectic year to enjoy a meal together, or simply utilizing dress-up days to honor team unity and personal creativity, the Zappos Kentucky Family has always had a knack for closing out the year in style.  This season was no different, including potluck lunches, charity outings, and even a genuine Santa’s Sleigh parading through the warehouse. Welcoming the winter months has never been as warm as in 2011.  

With a busy Peak Season in full swing, and long hours away from family at home, the Zappos spirit truly came out. Several groups brought joy by caroling through the Fulfillment Center with original jingles, creating a little fun and weirdness and serenading with a whole lot of cheer.  Santa, along with his elves and reindeer, delivered candy canes, smiles, and delight.  From a ZFC-wide gift drive, to serving hot meals, to fixing up a home in need, the family circle enveloped not only the walls of the FC, but encompassed the community as well.  And for those dedicated to WOW-ing customers through the holidays, parties, celebrations, thumb wars, and theme days allowed team members to join together to ring in a great end to 2011. 

Now, with both peak and the holiday season in the rearview mirror, there is one more event around the corner.  Tonight, the Zappos Kentucky Family, along with some very special guests, will put the exclamation point on a fantastic year with our annual holiday party!

Happy 2012 from the Zappos Kentucky Family!  May this year be merry and full of possibility!

Darren walked around Zappos HQ to ask a few folks what their New Year’s resolutions are. What’s YOUR resolution for the coming year?

Happy New Year everyone! See you in 2012!

As part of our Zappos Wishez program, one of the teams in our ZCLT department decided to grant the New Year’s Eve wish of one of their team members, Amber W.

Amber is getting married on NYE day in a simple courthouse ceremony. They wanted to celebrate the special day by watching her and her soon-to-be-hubby’s favorite band NOFX at the House of Blues. So, her team decided to spread some holiday cheer and grant Amber’s wish to make her special day even more memorable!