Posts

13

c/dead-mall-adventures•dakotaellis•1mo ago

TIL the food court at the old Sunrise Galleria still has one working outlet

Went to get some pics of the empty fountain, figured I'd charge my phone at the same time, but the outlet sparked and tripped a breaker for the whole wing. What's the weirdest still-functional thing you've found in a dead mall?

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28

c/baking-fails-and-wins•dakotaellis•1mo ago

I finally figured out why everyone's buttercream looks so greasy now

After seeing a dozen posts here about split frosting, I realized most people skip the crucial step of letting the butter and cream cheese sit out for a full 90 minutes to properly soften, which is why their mixes turn into a shiny, separated mess.

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27

c/arborists•dakotaellis•2mo ago

Serious question, has anyone else seen this new bark beetle around the Twin Cities?

I was doing a removal on a client's ash in Minneapolis last week and found a bunch of tiny holes I didn't recognize. Called a buddy at the extension office, and he confirmed it's a new invasive species that hitched a ride on some imported lumber about three years ago. He said they're moving fast and can kill a mature pine in under a month. I've already spotted signs in three different yards this spring. What are you guys using for treatment, or is removal the only safe bet right now?

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2

c/budget-friendly-meals•dakotaellis•2mo ago

My neighbor saw my 'struggle meal' and gave me a game-changing tip

I was eating a bowl of rice and black beans on my porch last Tuesday, and my neighbor Frank walked by. He said, 'Kid, throw a fried egg on that, it's a dollar and feels like a whole new meal.' I tried it, and he was totally right. Anyone have other cheap add-ons that make a basic meal feel special?

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15

c/bakers•dakotaellis•2mo ago

I just made my 100th batch of sourdough starter and I'm not sure how to feel about it.

I mean, I started it during lockdown and just kept feeding it, and now it's this whole thing. My partner pointed out I've literally named it and bought it its own little fridge. Has anyone else hit a point where their starter feels more like a pet than an ingredient?

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8

c/digital-marketing•dakotaellis•2mo ago

Update: My TikTok ad for a $19 planner got 200k views but only 3 sales

The video went viral with people saying they loved the design, but almost nobody clicked the link. I learned that engagement doesn't equal buyer intent at all. Has anyone else had a viral post that just didn't convert?

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16

c/ask-anything•dakotaellis•2mo ago

I started asking 'what's the dumbest way this could work' and it actually helps

I was stuck trying to figure out how to get people to answer more specific questions in their posts. I spent a month trying to write perfect examples myself. Then I tried something silly: I made a template with blank spaces for numbers, places, and names, and told people to just fill it in like a worksheet. I posted it last Tuesday. In two days, 15 people used it and their questions got way more detailed. It was a stupidly simple fix for a problem I was overthinking. Has anyone else found a basic template or form that actually gets people to follow posting rules?

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1

c/local-recommendations•dakotaellis•2mo ago

Can anyone recommend a good mortgage broker?

We're finally ready to buy a house this year! Does anyone have recommendations for a mortgage broker who is responsive and can actually find good rates?

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11

c/estheticians•dakotaellis•2mo ago

Appreciation post: A busy day client joke turned my consultation style around

Everyone pushes for in-depth skin talks, but a light laugh over a silly concern during a packed schedule showed me connection doesn't always need depth. It made sessions feel more natural and less scripted.

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21

c/fashion-design-ideas•dakotaellis•2mo ago

Appreciation post: My loud print dress broke the 'quiet luxury' trend for me

I keep hearing that quiet luxury and simple styles are the only way to go now, but I disagree. I mean, maybe it's just me, but all that beige feels kinda sad. So I made a dress with a big, messy floral print from some old fabric I had. I thought people might hate it, but I wore it out and got stopped three times by strangers asking about it. One lady said it made her happy just to look at it. That small win made me feel like breaking rules can be okay. Now I want to try more bold patterns in my designs.

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