We all get Down in the Dumps from time to time, and nobody likes to Cheer people up more than us at the Zappos Blogs Team. This week Twanesia and Wendy needed their frowns turned upside down, and we were ready for the Challenge!! If you 2 are ever in the Vegas area, let us know if you need a Piggy Back ride, or help crossing the Street!

Today, on this edition of Things on my Desk at Zappos, we stop in to see Cincinnati’s very own daughter, Abby M., and talk about her love of the Bengals, Aqua Teen and….Little Mermaid? Abby, really? You realize you just told the entire world that, right?

Take it away, Abby!

Thursday was an amazing day at Zappos for tours, especially because an elected official for Clark County stopped by to see what this Zappos.com place was all about! Nevada State Assemblywoman Ellen Spiegel stopped by the office for a quick tour, and she was kind enough to sit down with me for an interview. We found out about her road to being elected, her love of buying things on-line and her first experiences in the State Assembly. (Apparently they don’t haze you on your first day…I couldn’t believe it!)

Take a look!

Today we take a look into the life of the OG HelpDesker… Brooke James!

Brooke was the very first person to start the Help Desk department. She was the main liaison between Merchandising and CLT. Her days were full of answering emails from CLT, driving shuttles, and doing random projects.

Hmmm… does that sound familiar to anyone? :) Brooke started in 2004 and was in the department for about a year. We at the Help Desk owe it all to Brooke’s visionary ways.

Brooke mentions, “I would always look forward to vendors coming into the office. They were always the highlight of my day.”

Nowadays Brooks is busy buying some pretty snazzy handbags for our site. Check out her greatest accomplishment to bring to Zappos – Dooney and Bourke Handbags !

Yes, it was that time again on Tuesday in the Zappos offices…with the new season of the much-beloved talent competition back on the air, we had to roll out another chance for our Zappos Jukebox Heroes to strut their stuff with Zappos Idol karaoke!

Many tunes filled the air and some beautiful voices graced us during the lunch-hour here in the Vegas offices. We actually karaoke a lot here, even in Kentucky. In the warehouse, there is actually a stage set up at all times for Rock Band and Karaoke! It’s just another way that we love to let our employees show those hidden talents.

Can’t wait for next round!

Don’t get to Close to this desk unless your looking for a Baseball Bat to the Bobble Head! Not only does Patrick S. have a lot of fantastic Zappos Culture awards, he also knows what Gophers can do to a golf course.

Thank you Patrick S.!!!!

Looking for a fun activity to keep the kids busy during your Valentine’s party, or to ignite your kids’ enthusiasm in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day? Why not organize a Valentine’s Day treasure hunt!

Check out these creative clues surrounding all things Valentine for inspiration:

• Red Rose: Red and perfect, smells pretty too.
• Heart: Shaped like two swans’ necks paired together, it’s brimming with joy always and forever.
• Valentine: I may be red or pink, come in an envelope or a box, never mind it’s what this day is all about!
• Chocolate: Whether milk or dark, filled with caramel, nougat, or cream, I am a part of every Valentine dream!
• Candy Hearts: Whether pink, green, or blue, and with a hard crunch or two, share these with your friends to learn their feelings true.
• Candle: Strike a match and watch me flicker, quickly I alight and shine forth light.
• Stuffed Bear: Soft and plush, darling to hold, I am all yours.
• Poem: A few lines here and there, but my words will pack a punch and leave you with no more than a care.

• Cupid: I shoot my arrow with a bow to your heart to make it grow!

Hide these items throughout your home or party area so the kids can uncover Valentine’s treasures.

Things were a Rockin’ at the MGM, inside the Studio 54 and Game Works last Saturday. Since December is such a busy month for Zappos, we have our holiday party in January. I went around Monday Morning and asked people of various departments what they liked most about the event this year . Here are some of their responses!
“It was really good to see all the people I haven’t seen in a while” -Erin H.
“The Music and Dancing!” – Jenn S.
“Just Having a good time with Co-workers” -Jon. D
“Drinks, Good time with co-workers, and generally just how the bar was laid out.” -Derek F
“Seeing everybody in their Glad Rags ” –Katrina J.
“I don’t remember much” -undisclosed
“Seeing everybody Dressed up and Pretty”- Joanna C.
“Lots of Fun and Dancing!” –Lauren C.
If you could’nt tell by the short responses, everyone was very eager to get back to work!! Rock on team!!

Thank you Rosanna V. for the images!!