”Do you recommend marriage?” I asked. After the standard round of jokes that come with this particular group of friends after any one of us has said something, I got my answer. “Of course, I do. I’m with my best friend.” I couldn’t even hide my delight in her answer. My heart overflowed with happiness. It meant so much more coming from her. See, she is the exact opposite of me. She’s more cynical, more pragmatic. She doesn’t take shit and she’s opinionated. She’s strong and she’ll give you tough love when she thinks you need…
Twenty Something
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Most Topular Stories
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I want to whisper when I talk about love
Eleni Zoe5 May 2013 | 12:13 pm -
on the church thing...
your wishcake.10 May 2013 | 7:32 amIt's been a long time since I've written anything about my faith. It's been nearly four years since I first wrote about my struggles with finding a church home. I have grown a lot since then, even though many of my original hopes, concerns and frustrations still remain.But I will say that in the past four years, I've learned a lot of things.I realized just how important having a church home is to me, especially since the arrival of my daughter. The memories I have of dressing up every Sunday, attending Sunday school and VBS, memorizing bible verses, feeling that safety and comfort…these are… -
8 Simple Insights Early Founders Forget When Pitching
@dshan » //blog7 May 2013 | 9:39 pmI try to talk to as many early stage founders as I can. I do that because I learn so much by hearing other people’s ideas around building a business from scratch, and I appreciate how difficult it is to start a company so I want to help whenever the opportunity strikes. I also spent two years working on a startup that never really got the kind of traction we were looking for. I went broke in the process of learning quite a bit (as anyone will if they crack at it for two years). We made plenty of mistakes, some of which are listed below. There are a few signals I get when talking to… -
25 Apr 2013 | 11:34 pm
Apparently25 Apr 2013 | 11:34 pmI’ve been having a hard time writing lately= my world is filled up with the day to day of my baby, filled with more joy and laughter and laundry (and less time to ruminate, to think and to create) than I’ve ever known. It’s hard to find my voice- anything I want to say has assuredly been said before, and better. But there are things I want to remember, little pieces of truth I wonder if maybe I might be able to say uniquely… then it’s time for bed before I can open the laptop, find the paper, or even really form a cogent sentence. So I’m just going to… -
10 Tips to Take Great iPhone Photos
"20SB-Awards" via 01203887482075235036 in Google Reader21 May 2013 | 7:00 am(The following article was sent to us from MirrorCase.) They say that the best camera is the one you have with you. That’s the main reason why iPhoneography has become a new national pastime. Compared to a DSLR camera, your iPhone is small, it’s already in your pocket, and it happens to take great pictures, too! Whether camera-shy, camera curious or a bit too wiggly, snapping the perfect shot of your friends or pets is often a challenge though. While the iPhone, with its smaller, less intimidating size, can definitely make things a little easier, here are some tips to help you capture a…
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@dshan » //blog
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8 Simple Insights Early Founders Forget When Pitching
7 May 2013 | 9:39 pmI try to talk to as many early stage founders as I can. I do that because I learn so much by hearing other people’s ideas around building a business from scratch, and I appreciate how difficult it is to start a company so I want to help whenever the opportunity strikes. I also spent two years working on a startup that never really got the kind of traction we were looking for. I went broke in the process of learning quite a bit (as anyone will if they crack at it for two years). We made plenty of mistakes, some of which are listed below. There are a few signals I get when talking to… -
Are Startups Cool?
30 Apr 2013 | 8:37 pmI was catching up some friends and someone at the table said, “I don’t really get what you do…but it just sounds cool. Anything with ‘startup‘ in it sounds cool…so good job!” That’s pretty much how the world thinks about startups right now. I think that’s an unhealthy way to think about startups. I didn’t get into startups because they’re cool, but I have a sense that people are starting to do just that. A sad economy and bleary job prospects have made even my most risk-averse friends consider leaving their jobs to join a… -
Where I’ve Been & Where I Am
27 Jan 2013 | 10:30 pmA big thanks to everyone who still finds me invading their inbox or RSS reader. I’m going to be writing a lot more going forward, but things will change a bit. It’s like that time you told your dog she was going to the park and really you were taking her to the vet. (Your intentions were great, by the way.) I’ve always written extensively about my relationships on this blog in the past, and I’m not sure that will go away. I can’t really write without including the deeply personal stuff. But…I am sure that I’m a different person than I was when this… -
Momma Montessori
5 Apr 2012 | 8:47 am//hear My parents put me into a Montessori school right off the bat. I’m pretty sure they couldn’t afford it, honestly, but both of my parents came from backgrounds that emphasized education. College was a must. Intellect was a stated goal when raising children. When we transplanted to Chicago and out of the “East Coast System” I think that paying for Montessori was partly a selfish parental attempt to prove they weren’t the ones with the dumb country kids amongst a litany of thirty-odd brilliant ivy-league-destined cousins. The truth though? It was mostly a… -
You And Me Both, Brother
21 Mar 2012 | 10:30 am//see I walk to work every other day or so, about a mile through a city I can now navigate with my eyes splitting time between my phone and the way the buildings here seem to volley sunlight back and forth in between them like little kids fighting over a beachball. The coffee shop across from our office is a cave of a place, friendly staff and great food and good at knowing which drink you’ll have based on the way you open the door. It’s the destination, each morning, and the route through downtown Vancouver is usually similar to the previous one, similar to the next, save for a…
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Apparently
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25 Apr 2013 | 11:34 pm
25 Apr 2013 | 11:34 pmI’ve been having a hard time writing lately= my world is filled up with the day to day of my baby, filled with more joy and laughter and laundry (and less time to ruminate, to think and to create) than I’ve ever known. It’s hard to find my voice- anything I want to say has assuredly been said before, and better. But there are things I want to remember, little pieces of truth I wonder if maybe I might be able to say uniquely… then it’s time for bed before I can open the laptop, find the paper, or even really form a cogent sentence. So I’m just going to… -
(If hobbits ate while sleeping)
19 Mar 2013 | 3:34 pmThis chart totally explains the eating frequency, short height and big feet that refuse to stay socked: my baby is really a hobbit. -
It was a good day
13 Mar 2013 | 2:16 pmToday I finished the jelly and peanut butter on the same sandwich. -
fail whale
5 Feb 2013 | 5:33 pmThe little water dragon loves bath time- when he’s being a little jerk* we’ll take him in the bathroom and run a bath or one of us will hop in the shower while he sits and watches, and he calms right down… I’ve always known how to swim, as has everyone in my family. So I thought the dragon would enjoy swimming lessons…I researched, scheduled, paid, visited the facilities (which are an hour away), bought the required paraphernalia and magic-markered his name on them…. And today was SWIM DAY!!! It was so. very. un-fun. He cried the ENTIRE 30 minute… -
Nail demon
4 Dec 2012 | 10:09 amAweee yeah I awoke this morning to the usual sounds of the baby trumpeting the impending arrival of poop (this is how I wake up every morning now… and this is how most of my conversations begin) and discovered that a demon attacked him in the night leaving tiny, angry, red slashes down his nose. It must have been a demon or night spirit or something because those are the only options that leave me guiltless in the baby nail trimming department. And as both Archie and I were fast asleep, I can’t really be blamed. This is not the first time the demon has struck. This is not even the…
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"20SB-Awards" via 01203887482075235036 in Google Reader
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10 Tips to Take Great iPhone Photos
21 May 2013 | 7:00 am(The following article was sent to us from MirrorCase.) They say that the best camera is the one you have with you. That’s the main reason why iPhoneography has become a new national pastime. Compared to a DSLR camera, your iPhone is small, it’s already in your pocket, and it happens to take great pictures, too! Whether camera-shy, camera curious or a bit too wiggly, snapping the perfect shot of your friends or pets is often a challenge though. While the iPhone, with its smaller, less intimidating size, can definitely make things a little easier, here are some tips to help you capture a… -
the work from home dilemma
20 May 2013 | 5:38 pmWorking from home has caused me to be a little lazy. No, I’m not talking about my work ethic, because all I do is work work work (and I love what I do, so I don’t have a problem with it at all!). I’m talking about being lazy when it comes to putting myself together for the day. Before I left my full-time office job at the end of November, I would get up every morning, shower, put on makeup and at least attempt to put together some sort of outfit. Now it’s way more along the lines of throw on some leggings or yoga pants and vneck tee. I put my hair up in a bun on top of my head and… -
Double Rainbow
20 May 2013 | 4:13 pm -
How To Impress Your Interviewers On Your First Job Interview
20 May 2013 | 7:00 amAs we find ourselves in a time of economic hardship, interviews mean more now than ever. You are competing against a higher number of people who also are likely to have a higher level of qualification than normal, because of the high unemployment rates. This means that you need to impress your interviewer in a unique and powerful way in order to set yourself apart from the rest. In order to do so, take a look at the following tips that will help you to land the job of your dreams. Credit: mylucban.com Polish Your Resume Before even applying for the position you want, make sure that your… -
Luxury is a state of mind — Dappered
17 May 2013 | 10:05 amFrom Joe over at Dappered on “luxury”: It doesn’t matter if your outfit cost $7,500 or $75. It doesn’t matter if you’re hopping a private jet to Marseille or riding your bike to the park down the street. That Pinot Grigio can cost $500, or it can cost $6.50. What’s key is that you’re taking the time to actually enjoy life… It’s a quick and smart read. I’m starting my list…
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GenPink
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10 Tips to Take Great iPhone Photos
21 May 2013 | 7:00 am(The following article was sent to us from MirrorCase.) They say that the best camera is the one you have with you. That’s the main reason why iPhoneography has become a new national pastime. Compared to a DSLR camera, your iPhone is small, it’s already in your pocket, and it happens to take great pictures, too! Whether camera-shy, camera curious or a bit too wiggly, snapping the perfect shot of your friends or pets is often a challenge though. While the iPhone, with its smaller, less intimidating size, can definitely make things a little easier, here are some tips to help you capture a… -
How To Impress Your Interviewers On Your First Job Interview
20 May 2013 | 7:00 amAs we find ourselves in a time of economic hardship, interviews mean more now than ever. You are competing against a higher number of people who also are likely to have a higher level of qualification than normal, because of the high unemployment rates. This means that you need to impress your interviewer in a unique and powerful way in order to set yourself apart from the rest. In order to do so, take a look at the following tips that will help you to land the job of your dreams. Credit: mylucban.com Polish Your Resume Before even applying for the position you want, make sure that… -
As the weather warms up, time to go outside for exercise
15 May 2013 | 7:00 amAfter months of exercising indoors on stationary bikes, treadmills, resistance machines or ellipticals, people should spend their summer months in the water to get a great cross-training workout, says Selen Razon, an exercise psychologist at Ball State University. “Summer is great for swimming, and swimming is great for cardiovascular health,” she says. “Because one in four women in the U.S. dies from heart disease, women should take advantage of the opportunity for swimming in summer — even as a recreational activity.” And if you are tired of hefting dumb bells, water aerobics is a… -
GenPink Picks: Graduation Gifts
14 May 2013 | 7:00 amGraduating from college is a huge milestone for students. Their hard work and persistence has now landed them a degree, and they’re off to explore new endeavors. Reward the graduates in your life with the useful and exciting products we’ve rounded up! Fashion Forward The Lunaling capris are a great gift idea for the girl who loves to hit the gym. The capris are made to help lose weight, increase energy expenditure and heat up your body during a workout. Check out the collection online. We tried out a Lunaling capri, and it’s super soft and snug! Visit the Facebook page for more fun… -
How to efficiently clean your closet and make a profit
13 May 2013 | 7:00 amAs the long winter weather makes way for some welcome sunshine, we begin the annual spring cleaning event. And isn’t the best part of cleaning out your closet making room for a new summer wardrobe? Even in this tight economy, a fresh, clean closet filled with well-made clothing is still a possibility. Carolyn Schneider, expert bargain shopper and author of The Fifth Edition of The Ultimate Consignment & Thrift Store Guide, offers the following tips on how to efficiently clean your closets. Credit: dda604.com 1. Separate Your Clothing Into Four Categories: Category 1-To sell to a…
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Young Upstarts
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SpeedSpot Tests Speeds Of WiFi Networks Around You
17 May 2013 | 1:30 pmIf you’re a mobile warrior who travels and often need to rely on WiFi networks around you, you probably know the frustration of connecting to a WiFi network – free or otherwise – only to get crawling (or non-existent) data transfer speeds. Well, there’s an app for that. SpeedSpot is a free mobile app that lets you test the internet speeds – ping, upload, and download – of WiFi networks around you, so you can make an informed decision on which ones to connect to. So whether you are in a hotel, cafe, restaurant or some venue that offers free or paid WiFi,… -
Paper, Paper Everywhere: How Long To Keep Human Resources Records
17 May 2013 | 9:30 amby Joyce D. Tucker From medical records to I-9 forms, the human resources department of any business, large or small, is probably cluttered with paperwork. Even if you keep records digitally, you may wonder how much storage space you need to devote to records that are years old. On the off chance that your company may one day face litigation regarding an employee, it’s essential you know how long to keep these records. Outsource to Experts. The task of determining which records to keep can be overwhelming, so ask for help from HR consulting. A professional employer organization (PEO) can… -
The Three Most Powerful Questions You Can Ask In Business
16 May 2013 | 7:30 pmby Glenda Eoyang, coauthor of “Adaptive Action: Leveraging Uncertainty in Your Organization“ Joe has always been a successful leader. But recently he’s found that the strategic planning system that once served him well is no longer working. He used to be able to plan on a five-year cycle. Now, even one-year cycles are too long. Regardless of his best-laid plans, other forces in the organization keep overriding his strategies. What’s more, the tricks that have always helped him see what needs to be done and motivate his staff are failing him. Joe is deeply frustrated. It seems so… -
Making Good Use Of The Competition
16 May 2013 | 6:00 amby Stacey Thompson Unless you’ve been operating a monopoly (not a lot of those, nowadays), I am certain that your budding little enterprise has butted heads with other companies that aim to offer similar products and services. Even at the moment of your business incorporation, you must have been already made aware that you are not alone in your quest to become number one. Competition is ubiquitous in this very well-connected world, and whereas before, they would have to be operating in the same general area as you to be considered a threat, the Internet has made it more than possible for… -
[Interview] Epirot Ludvik Nekaj, Founder And CEO Of Crowdsourcing Week, On Crowdsourcing
16 May 2013 | 12:00 amThe upcoming Crowdsourcing Week is a five-day conference to be held in Singapore on June 3-7, 2013, that will explore everything crowdsourcing, open innovation and crowdfunding. We grab Epirot Ludvik Nekaj (pictured above), the founder And CEO Of Crowdsourcing Week, for a quick chat on where crowdsourcing is headed in the coming years for this part of the world. 1. Crowdsourcing has been a phenomenon that’s been raging for quite a number of years. Do you think it’s a fad that will die down anytime soon? Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content…
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Du Wax Loolu
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16-week belly
21 May 2013 | 6:01 amWell, as promised, belly shots. First, here I am yesterday, at 16 weeks:And here I am at seven weeks, same pregnancy: And for comparison, here I am at 16 weeks with Callum: So... yeah. The difference is noticeable, yes? I dug through my Callum photos and tried to figure out which one most closely resembles what I look like now. I decided it's this 22-week photo, but I generally seem to be carrying differently this time... maybe a little higher and rounder? Who knows, but there you go. 16 weeks pregnant and looking... well, pregnant. Enough that I got my first pregnancy comment from… -
Pregnancy catch-up
17 May 2013 | 6:48 amYou guys were all so sweet with the congratulations yesterday. It's so interesting how much social media has changed since my last pregnancy--then, I was on Twitter but it wasn't as big as it is now, and the blog was the main communication portal. This time the blog was more like the vehicle to say more than I could ever fit into 140 characters, but most of the communication about it happened on Twitter.Anyway, sorry for pulling the traditional stop-blogging-in-the-first-trimester (though in my defense, I did actually start blogging less frequently before I got pregnant... wait, that's not… -
Our little penguin
16 May 2013 | 6:01 amLast time it was a piglet...This time it's a penguin:Our own little penguin is due on November 3.And for those who prefer to visualize the actual fetus instead of a watercolor penguin, here's the profile shot from 12 weeks. Pointy little nose, huh?(Also, those people who say you show a lot earlier with your second? Really not kidding. I'm 15.5 weeks at the moment and I look about as pregnant as I looked at 20 weeks with Callum. Will work on some belly photos for you guys next week.) -
1984
30 Apr 2013 | 10:43 amWe recently bought an IP cam for Callum's room to replace our dying (and crappy) video monitor. It's awesome in a ton of ways. In fact, we had wanted one when we originally got the video monitor, but at the time we didn't have iPhones or iPads and we wanted something portable, not something that required a laptop to check, so we went with the traditional monitor.(My, how things have changed in just two years, huh?)Anyway, the IP cam is amazing. It has awesome resolution. We can see when his eyes are open at night. We can see exactly where he is and what he is doing. It's just so much clearer… -
Mattress: A Horror Story
2 Apr 2013 | 2:27 pmI believe I mentioned on Twitter at the end of last week that Callum climbed out of his crib for the first time. Sort of a typical two-year-old thing to do and something we'd been anticipating for awhile, actually, since he's so tall, so not exactly an earth-shattering moment, though we were hoping to get a couple more months out of the crib, but you know, whatever.Regardless, the whole crib climbing thing is just backstory, designed to illustrate why, on Friday evening, we drove a few miles down the interstate to purchase a new, double mattress for Callum to use. We found a good quality,…
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These Little Moments
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Welcome, Summer
10 May 2013 | 11:02 amI want to remember today. It’s just an every-day. Nothing extraordinary has happened. No monumental events experienced. No, today we just…played outside. We blew bubbles and hit t-balls. We filled buckets with water and dirt, and dug holes. We pulled dandelions and rolled balls; sat on the deck and stuffed ourselves full of fresh fruit and hummus. Today the smell of sunscreen mingled with that of the sunny marigolds next to our blanket, and our soundtrack has been the banjo strums of Mumford & Sons wafting between peals of laughter. Only now is it quiet, as the babies fell… -
Old Soul
9 May 2013 | 10:21 amOwning a dog means voluntarily setting yourself up for heartbreak. I mean that in the best possible way. Kodiak is getting older. He’s nearly eight and a half. While he still has the energy of a puppy most of the time, he’s slowed down over the years; added a little more gray hairs to his chin. (The kids might have contributed to that a bit.) By all accounts, he is a healthy guy, but lately thoughts of the inevitable have been creeping into my head, and as much as a try to push them away, I can’t help but think about it. People with children tend to roll their eyes at people… -
Randomness
2 May 2013 | 11:41 am- Over the last few days my nose has become progressively more congested, to the point that now it’s just spontaneously leaking. I was all ready to blame those snot-nosed kids at story hour (not that my kids ever have snot, oh no) for hacking some germ on me, until my eyes started to itch and the sneezing kicked in and woe is me, I totally have seasonal allergies. Only, the hell? I’ve lived here how long and at my last check I was 30 years old. Why exactly am I just dealing with this now? Well whatever reason, it sucks, and my face feels like a giant inflated helium balloon… -
Skillet Lasagna
30 Apr 2013 | 7:34 amI really like cheese. REEEAAALLLY like cheese. In my early post-college years my body developed a major dairy aversion and I suddenly found myself unable to eat cheese without majorly regretting it soon after. It was a sad, sad time. Oddly, when I became pregnant with Owen the lactose sensitivity disappeared. Yay, hormones! Suddenly I was back in the cheese in a big way and I haven’t looked back since. I’m usually really good about keeping a weekly meal plan, but occasionally I find myself staring at a white board with last week’s menu and no idea what to make that night. -
Updating
29 Apr 2013 | 6:45 amYesterday I spent the day in Massachusetts at my friend’s bridal shower. It was lovely to leave the mommy world for an afternoon and spend some time with some girlfriends and some mimosas. I was gone seven hours — the longest I’ve been apart from Ryan to date — and as much as I love my boys, I’ll admit that I didn’t miss them all that much. Mama needed a break. And enjoyed eating two (TWO!) cupcakes without having to share. Practically everyone at the shower was wearing either blue, stripes, or a combination of the two, so I fit right in wearing a navy and…
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Beyond Megapixels
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The Best Lighting Patterns for Portrait Photo Shoots
10 May 2013 | 12:00 amThis post is written and sponsored by Venture Photography. Portrait photography is highly specific. To be successful, you need great understanding of aesthetics and the right equipment which is why many couples and families turn to professional photographers for their group photo shoots. Proper light is very important for capturing the best facial features and emotions of the person. There are several lighting set-ups or patterns that result in the production of the most incredible portrait photographs. Loop, split, Rembrandt and butterfly lighting are all examples of appropriate patterns for… -
Feed Reader Recommendation
17 Apr 2013 | 1:38 pmHello friends! Just a brief note for those of you reading this via Google Reader, which will be defunct on July 1st, 2013. As a replacement feed reader solution, I have been using Feedly and I highly recommend it. The reader layout is similar to that of Google Reader, and it was as easy as pie to import all of my existing RSS subscriptions. Just an FYI, I hope this helps! Be sure to switch your Beyond Megapixels subscription over before July 1st so you don’t miss a thing! Related posts: Budget Lens Recommendation: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.5-5.6 IS Site Update: Comments/RSS Now Working… -
Off-roading with my camera
15 Apr 2013 | 12:00 am(Click on photos to see larger versions.) Most weekends my husband and I head out to explore the many off-road trails that Arizona has to offer. We have seen hundreds of stunning sights from the safety and comfort of our Jeep. As our skills and confidence have grown, we have tackled more and more challenging trails. We rely upon maps and guide books such as Arizona Trails – Central Region (Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails) and the Arizona Atlas & Gazetteer, as well as our Garmin nüvi Portable GPS to keep us pointed in the right direction and to help us find beautiful areas of… -
Creative use of second curtain sync
9 Apr 2013 | 11:29 amMy husband and I frequent a local bar, who last weekend featured a Judas Priest tribute band. We’re both big fans of Priest, so we were enthusiastic to attend. I asked the bar manager beforehand if it would be okay for me to take photos while the band played. Not every band, and not every establishment, appreciates flash photography during shows. But he gave me permission, which made me happy because it gave me a chance to play with second curtain sync. As you may know, the camera’s shutter operates with two curtains. When you press the shutter button, the first curtain opens to… -
Tips for Using a Soft Focus Filter
1 Apr 2013 | 12:00 am(click any image to enlarge) Soft focus effects can be achieved fairly easily in post-processing software programs such as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 or Adobe Photoshop CS6. However, I encourage you to practice achieving the look you want straight out of the camera. To that end, I recommend that you consider trying out a soft focus filter. Soft focus filters come in a range of sizes to suit any lens, and are invariably inexpensive to buy. I purchased a Polaroid Optics 3 Piece Special Effect Lens Filter Kit which includes a soft focus filter, a warming filter, and a star filter, for under…
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Forum Discussions - 20 Something Bloggers
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Your blog in two sentences!
21 May 2013 | 8:33 amIf you are like me, you are always looking for new blogs to read, which goes hand in hand with getting to know people in this great community we have here! So, here's a little exercise: Tell us about your blog in two sentences. (I foresee the runons.) Keep it short and to the point, but see how much you can tell us about your space and style. Of course, leave your link for others to check out for themselves! Here's mine: My blog is a collection of real(ish) life stories that prove that I will forever be the last one picked, the last one to get the joke, and always Late to the Party. Mostly,… -
ContentVisibility
20 May 2013 | 6:39 pmHas anyone ever hear of the Content Visibility company and a guy named Michael Manning? I got an email out of the blue from him and wanted to know if this was legit? Laura -
New Blogger HTML Format
20 May 2013 | 1:40 pmI have been trying to update my Blogger blog, but they changed the "Edit HTML" function. The edits that I made previously-adding images to post titles, specifically- are still in place, but now I am trying to change that image to match my new look. But with this new look, I can't find the pieces of the code I manipulated previously to replace the image URL. I think part of the problem is that before I had to do the "expand widgets" option, and I can't find that now either. Anyone have any advice? -
Yahoo Acquires Tumblr: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
20 May 2013 | 7:48 amAfter rumors ran rampant last week, both companies confirmed the acquisition this morning. Yay? I'm not a very big Tumblr user, so it doesn't really impact my blog. But the CEO of WordPress said that he saw 72,000 Tumblr posts imported to WP over a one-hour period last night. Typically WP sees around 400-600/hour. If you're on Tumblr, are you happy about the acquisition? Or will you be jumping ship for Blogger or WordPress? -
Let's catch up!
20 May 2013 | 7:14 amI'm back! Did you miss me? I missed you! I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Not only do I have a zillion posts I want to publish, I want to catch up with everyone, meet the newbies and find some new Blogs to read... WOW do I have a lot of ground to cover... First, I just wanted to say that I love the new look. The site looks GREAT! Second, congrats Martin on Blogger of the Month! - What else have I missed? Anything crazy, new and exciting? (I realize this isn't an ideal discussion topic, or even a topic at all...) Rachel Emmilee
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Amanda's Journey
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Wait.
15 May 2013 | 2:20 pmBefore I leave for Europe, I want to to leave you with this. I found this today, and apparently I posted it somewhere else – just months before I found out I needed a liver transplant. Today, these words ring so much truer today than when I posted them before. This is for me and you, everyone out there who is tired of waiting, feels it will never end, and is frustrated trying to see the purpose. Oh what I have learned in the waiting… Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried; Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied. I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . . And the… -
Reconstructive surgery
13 Apr 2013 | 4:51 pmThe time has come. As I’m nearing 3 years post-transplant and my incision has been cut open wide twice now, my transplant surgeon and the head of plastics/reconstructive surgery at the Cleveland Clinic have agreed to flip the green light on fixing the atrocity that has become my abdomen. As some of you know, it was badly infected after my first surgery, so the second surgeon tried to close it to look better when he was done, but there really wasn’t much to make a large difference without gutting the whole thing and starting new. So that’s what we’re doing at the… -
In recent news: Liver Preserver Holds Promise for Transplant Patients
8 Apr 2013 | 2:44 pmSaw this in the Wall Street Journal, Weekend Edition March 16-17, 2013. Liver Preserver Holds Promise for Transplant Patients Scientists from Britain’s Oxford University have invented a device that preserves human livers outside the body for up to 24 hours, an advance that could potentially make more of the organs available for transplant at a time when demand is climbing. This has huge potential. The future of medicine is so exciting for transplant patients. -
Understanding Chronic Pain
28 Mar 2013 | 5:55 amThis is a great (short!) video to describe why chronic pain happens, and what to do about it. If you have chronic pain or know anyone who does, I recommend watching it. Originally recommended by the Cleveland Clinic. -
A liver for Chelsea
19 Feb 2013 | 7:47 amI learned of Chelsea last week and my heart broke in two reading of her story. I read every page on her website and took in each word. To refresh your memory, hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC, is the adult form of liver cancer that my doctor discovered I had in May, 2010, which led me to transplant 3.5 months later. 21 year old Chelsea was diagnosed with HCC at age 4 and was treated with 40 chemo treatments and several surgeries. I don’t know her story in detail, but I’m sure she dealt with much more, including the emotional agony of growing up in hospitals. Her mother gave her a…
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random mel
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It might be summer but…
25 Apr 2013 | 8:29 amThe sun has finally made an appearance. After such a long old-spell, it’s not unknown for us Brits to lose our minds a little bit. So here are a few words of warning for things to avoid this summer…. Click here to view the embedded video. Happy Sunshine… I mean Thursday! M xox -
Things you should know before starting a business…
11 Apr 2013 | 6:50 amThere’s stuff like VAT, business forecasting, growth plans, blah blah blah… But here’s the stuff you really need to know… Click here to view the embedded video. I’d love to hear your input too, so don’t be shy, leave a comment. Much Thursday love. M xox -
#VEDA – Day Two
2 Apr 2013 | 1:52 pmWarning, this video contains an exhausted looking Mel, the threat of towing and very little else. More tomorrow, I promise… Click here to view the embedded video. M xox -
#VEDA – Day One
1 Apr 2013 | 12:28 pmThis month, I’m participating in #VEDA – Vlog Every Day in April. Join me, share my ups, my downs, my trials and tribulations as I share with you the inner workings of my life. Gosh, that sounded far more interesting than it’s going to be. Maybe I’ll dress as Superwoman one day? Click here to view the embedded video. I hope you’ll join me for the ride! M xox -
Awkward Internet Stalking Moments
7 Mar 2013 | 10:23 amWe’ve all been there, visiting our love interest’s social media presence more often than we should. But what happens when it goes wrong? Click here to view the embedded video. Stay EPIC. I love you all. M xox
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Julia Roy
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Livestreaming My Struggle to Juggle
17 May 2013 | 5:25 amI’ve been spending a lot of time researching how the brain works. And one thing is clear from the research–everyone should make it a priority to learn new things that are outside the comfort zone. Learning something new is often frustrating, energy taxing, and even downright embarrassing. But it is by far the #1 way to improve your mind’s speed, accuracy, creativity and overall function Thinking about this, I came upon an idea. I should learn how to juggle! I failed the juggling test in high school gym class (I even failed juggling with scarfs!) so this will be a good challenge for… -
The First Social Credit Card
7 Aug 2012 | 3:18 amI have been working with Barclaycard over the past few months on a new credit card that they launched earlier this year called the Barclaycard Ring. As part of our partnership, I’ve been using the credit card and taking part in the cardholder online community. I will also be writing a series of blog posts on the Barclaycard Ring Blog, which I hope you get a chance to read. In my first post, I share the struggle I went through in my 20’s trying to achieve financial stability. Over the next few months, I will continue to share my experience as a cardholder on the Barclaycard Ring Blog. What… -
Boo! A Story About You
12 Jul 2012 | 9:55 amThe internet provides you with unlimited opportunity to share your life, stand out and tell your unique story. A year ago, I wrote a post about Boo, the dog who landed a book deal. Today, I read that Boo is the new doggie ambassador for Virgin America. This had me thinking about how the internet, and specifially social networking, has provided everyone with so much opportunity to not only share their story, but also make money and grow their careers from it. Who Is Boo Well obviously, Boo is a cute dog. But the real credit has to be given to his owner (who Boo refers to as “the… -
Be Inspired to Do the Work
8 Dec 2011 | 7:17 amI have been working hard lately on streamlining my workflow and increasing my productivity and creative output. Now that I am my own boss working from home, I have found it incredibly hard to stay on task and focused. I’ve realized my online habits are working against me and keeping me from getting the important things done. The talk below by Tony Schwartz: The Myths of the Overworked Creative has been very helpful in guiding me towards a more productive and sustainable workday. I hope it serves as a piece of inspiration for you too! In the spirit of inspiring a more productive… -
Achieve Inbox Zero with Rules in Microsoft Outlook
11 Nov 2011 | 9:30 amMonths back I spent almost an entire weekend hacking my Outlook email inbox to auto-archive itself. My reason for doing this is because I would constantly hear the wonders and benefits of maintaining “inbox zero,” but I could never seem to achieve it on a daily basis. To me, having to manually file every email after I had read or responded to it was an annoying task and interruptive to my email workflow during a busy day. Once I figured out how Outlook Rules worked I set up an if this then that type of automated system using Rules, where after I had read an email I could hit a…
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by teresa wu
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One of my roommates is in culinary school at ICE and invited me...
6 May 2013 | 9:32 pmOne of my roommates is in culinary school at ICE and invited me to the James Beard awards (aka Oscars of the food world). -
Finally back in New York after a month on the west coast, and...
9 Mar 2013 | 6:15 pmFinally back in New York after a month on the west coast, and opened my door to find a belated vday surprise! :o) -
friends at Northstar! (at Northstar California™ Resort)
24 Feb 2013 | 2:38 pmfriends at Northstar! (at Northstar California™ Resort) -
Ready to hit the slopes! (at Northstar California™ Resort)
23 Feb 2013 | 11:53 amReady to hit the slopes! (at Northstar California™ Resort) -
Hiking day in Berkeley. Do you spy Furbelle?
18 Feb 2013 | 5:37 pmHiking day in Berkeley. Do you spy Furbelle?
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Allison Jones
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5 ways to handle a disappointing job
20 May 2013 | 7:30 amPhoto credit: Pixelglo Photography, Creative Commons/Flickr When it comes to our careers, we’re told to follow our passion and find work that fulfills us. While I believe that we can find or create careers that allow us to grow while making a difference, sometimes, work can be a disappointment. I’m not talking about a mean boss or undermining teammates. I’m talking about how because we want our jobs to do a lot for us beyond just giving a paycheck—to inspire us, coach us, engage us, and connect us to a bigger purpose and to a larger community—we’ll likely… -
Collective martyrdom will make our work ineffective
16 May 2013 | 8:32 amPhoto credit: kalexanderson, Creative Commons/Flickr In a recent article on the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Brendan Tapley—a communications and marketing consultant—argues that the sector is suffering from lack of pride and how this makes it difficult for us to celebrate our work and advocate for support for our institutions. While he focuses on organizations, he makes a compelling argument that our collective inability to state our impact affects how many of us view our own work and talent, “The nonprofit world is by and large a history of dedication to thankless causes, but… -
Success = Relationships + Excellence + Visibility
13 May 2013 | 7:00 amPhoto credit: luckygirllefty, Creative Commons/Flickr What does it take to move forward in our careers? While the definition of success varies for each person, I think the three elements listed below are critical to seeing any positive change in our work lives. Relationships: Are you building communities? We often hear about relationships in the context of moving up: Who can help you when you need a job or a connection? However, reducing our networks to a series of one-way transactions ignores the role people have in our growth over time. People connect us to opportunities, sure, but they… -
6 no-tech productivity hacks that have changed my work life
22 Apr 2013 | 7:15 amPhoto credit: S.C. Asher, Creative Commons/Flickr Nothing high-tech and nothing fancy. I’ve realized that what works for me are actions that trigger additional positive, productive behaviors and require me to be mindful. Here are my favorites strategies for being productive. Create a keystone habit. People who are close to me know that I am pretty protective of my leisurely mornings. I wake up around 6 a.m., get dressed (with clothes I laid out the night before), make myself a big breakfast, and catch up on my favorite blogs. No rushing, no panic, and no hunger. As a result, I am happy, I… -
3 tips to consider when pursuing your first (or second, or third) nonprofit job #npcareers101
15 Apr 2013 | 7:19 amPhoto credit: CollegeDegreed360, Creative Commons/Flickr I sense a lot of panic when young people ask me questions about finding a nonprofit job. Yes, panic! Not just because they aren’t sure of what they want to do (and how to get there), but also because they aren’t sure what kind of organization to work for. I believe that the two are deeply connected: Our success depends on us having a good sense of what our skills are and being in an environment that nurtures us. When job hunting, examine an organization based on these three things you need in order to thrive. You need to…
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Geoff Campbell
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Geoff Campbell Prezi
10 May 2013 | 10:01 pmGeoff Campbell Skills and Experience I recently created a Prezi about my skills and experience related to higher education communication and public relations. Take a look here. Filed under: #hesm, #heweb, higher ed, Newhouse, Newhouse School, PRL 604: Writing for News and Public Relations, PRL 605: Public Relations Theory, PRL 611: Public Relations Research, PRL 614: Advanced Public Relations Writing for Digital Platforms, Public Relations, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications -
PRSA CHE 2013
8 May 2013 | 9:04 amLast month I attended the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Counselors to Higher Education (CHE) 2013 Senior Summit in Washington, DC. There I learned from a number of higher ed communication experts on topics from social media management, organizing a high-profile event like a presidential debate, and the goings-on at UVa before, during, and after the resignation and reinstatement of their president. It was also a great opportunity to connect with managers and decision-makers at varying levels of responsibility. I would recommend it for current higher ed communications managers… -
Character-driven Story
8 May 2013 | 8:51 amI just finished version one of my character-driven story for NEW 600 Visual and Multimedia Journalism. Here it is, I hope you like it. Tyler Sliker, Program Coordinator at The Q Center at AIDS Community Resources Filed under: Newhouse, Newhouse School Tagged: AIDS Community Resources, Program Coordinator, The Q Center, Tyler Sliker -
Quick Update
12 Apr 2013 | 3:48 pmHi everybody, So I’ve been very busy finishing up work to complete my M.S. in Public Relations here at Newhouse, taking a Visual and Multimedia Journalism class, interning in the marketing and communication office here at Syracuse University, and seeking a full-time job starting in June. Given that, posting here has unfortunately gone by the wayside at times. Today though, I had time to tone and upload some photos from a trip to San Francisco. I also uploaded a Syracuse University “Sense of Place” video to YouTube, and had my post on WCG rock star Chuck Hemann’s talk… -
Armory Square Photos
4 Mar 2013 | 4:52 pmArmory Square, a set on Flickr. These photos were taken on February 23, 2012 as part of a multimedia workshop at The Warehouse in Armory Square (Syracuse, NY). Filed under: S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
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Temerity Jane
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Victory shoes and Makeup Monday 2: The Balm Apricot Skin Renewal Lotion. And Stuff.
13 May 2013 | 3:58 pmNote: Please save part of this post for tomorrow. Which part you save is up to you. I’m not controlling or anything. Toward the end of last week, I started to feel crappy, details don’t matter, but I had a rough couple of days, and Phil really stepped up in taking care of things around here and letting me get some extra rest in order to make sure that sort of crappy didn’t take a turn for extra crappy, so on Friday, I was kind of rushing around in the afternoon to pick the place up before he got home, plus do the couple of things around the house that he usually feels like… -
Rage balls, Makeup Monday: Starting a Collection, and being in.
6 May 2013 | 9:18 pmMaria has started doing Makeup Monday for the month of May, and you can look to this post on her blog for more explanation, but since I have makeup to talk about and a No Buy, No No Blog going on, it aligns nicely with my goals, so I decided to hop on board with one of the questions that came up a couple of times in the last post and sometimes on Twitter, or anywhere, really, when talk of a makeup collection gets going, and that question – we’re still in the same sentence, I think – that question is this: How does a person get started making (getting? building? having? -
No Buy, No No Blog.
2 May 2013 | 8:53 amSomething completely and totally unique about me – if you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you’re aware that I find myself to be a unique and varying snowflake, different from everyone ever, a special case, an exception to all of the rules, don’t try to compare yourself, you’ll only annoy me, please, don’t embarass yourself looking for common ground between us – is that I am irritated by paying for things and not using them. You know, like when the fridge is crammed full of food, and you need to put new food in, so you start rearranging, and… -
Happy Penniversary.
29 Apr 2013 | 7:28 pmTwo. TODAY. It’d probably be nice to have some big, picture-laden post to look back on, summing up her second year, but. We spent the day Penning around, doing Penny things, being Penny people. We had chicken and fries, we bought her first makeup. Anyway, now that she’s full grown, I’m probably going to have tons of time for blogging. -
Several Different Kinds of Worst Kinds. BONUS POEM.
11 Apr 2013 | 11:23 amWorst Kind of Friendly Cashier: The friendly craft store cashier. “You know what you can make with this?” Yep. I do. That’s why I’m buying it. I’ve got a plan. I’m buying it, and I’m going to take it home, and I’m going to execute my plan. When she says, “You know what you can make with this?,” she makes me pretend to consider her idea, like it’s good, and I might do it. But there’s no chance I’m going to do it, because I came in with a plan, which I am going home to execute. And then I am awkward, like, “oh,…
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She Takes on the World
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How To Plan Your Week When You Have Tons To Do
14 May 2013 | 12:04 pmHave you ever been told you should just focus on one thing at a time? It’s way easier said than done, and if you enjoy having multiple projects on the go you are certainly not alone. I have tried to focus on one thing at a time in the past, and it just doesn’t work for me. I thrive on juggling a few different projects at a time, and I think that’s perfectly okay as long as you’re finishing what you’re starting. That’s where my basket system comes in handy. My basket system is how I plan my week, and bring a bit of balance to the multiple projects I work on… -
Are You Getting Impatient Waiting For Success?
7 May 2013 | 9:18 amWhen you start a new business or a new project, you’re usually super excited to achieve your goals and milestones around that project. As time goes on though, you might feel you’re getting a little behind, or it might not be quite as successful as you though it would be. It happens to all of us. Have you heard the business saying, everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much? That has certainly been the case with me on some of my ventures, and I can be a pretty impatient person so when I feel behind on a goal it can be overwhelmingly frustrating. I knew that was… -
My Journey Out of Debt Step #7: Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
3 May 2013 | 7:05 amDid you know that the vast majority of self-employed millionaire businesswoman (98%) are home owners? Not only that, but about one in three (34 percent) has a ZERO mortgage balance! One in five has a balance under $100,000, and only 4 percent has a balance of $500,000 or more. (SOURCE: Stanley, Thomas J., Millionaire Women Next Door, p 9). While some may argue that it’s more “tax-savvy” to maintain a mortgage on your primary residence, I perceive the benefits of a zero mortgage balance to outweigh the cons: 1. One of the biggest benefits of paying off your mortgage is… -
Nine Ways To Live Richer Right Now
30 Apr 2013 | 1:49 pm“Consistently underpricing your product or service will eventually undercut the overall value and success of your business,” says She Takes on the World Founder Natalie MacNeil.Do you want to be rich? That’s the question I asked a group of women entrepreneurs recently, and it amazes me how many women have limiting beliefs around wealth. Among the group, only a few would say the words “I want to be rich.” I had a discussion about this with The Conquer Club LA hosts, who got a similar response from the group of women they work with. When did “rich”… -
To Do Lists and Done Lists
29 Apr 2013 | 8:47 pmAs entrepreneurs, who are working on projects in our spare time, it often feels like we’re treading water. We are working towards our goals, but it seems like things are not happening fast enough. It’s important to feel a sense of accomplishment throughout the process. My solution: To Do Lists and Done Lists. The value of a To Do list is obvious: Write things down so you remember them. It is essential for keeping activities and action items straight, so they don’t fall through the cracks. Lists are especially important for entrepreneurs and those who are starting a business. Done…
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Black Marks on Wood Pulp / by Corey Vilhauer
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“Life in Folders” – An Offscreen Magazine joint
13 May 2013 | 10:21 pmMy greatest flaw is my memory. I’d wager that it’s our greatest flaw as a species. Our inability to remember certain things. The stress and hurt and confusion that comes from those lapses in memory. It’s because of my memory – and in spite of my memory, probably – that I found such affinity with the web: its organization, its structure, its ability to remember everything. Technology has replaced the sticky parts of our memory with a kind of semi-permanent record – a rolodex, a record collection, a calendar, a life connected by data and stored in a mythical… -
Blinded by the light
6 May 2013 | 2:23 pmThrough one major project and two conference gigs, I’ve spent the past two months being pressed under the weight of responsibility, my thoughts rarely wandering from my workload. It was an albatross. It was always there. And now that it’s over, I am at a loss. Which is not to say I didn’t look forward to being finished. I did. I did very much. “Finally,” I thought. “I’ll be able to focus on something else.” Get back to writing. Get back to taking care of months of photography, of taking up all of the hobbies I had abandoned, to release my mind… -
Beyond the Three-Month Memory
8 Mar 2013 | 1:12 pmAt some point in June, Sierra’s goldfish Goldy will forget that it ever had a friend. But it did. Copper – Isaac’s goldfish and Goldy’s bowl companion – died on Wednesday, a loss that we commemorated Cosby-Show-style with a toilet-bowl funeral and the promise that it was on its way to fish heaven (via the sea). Because the memory-span of a goldfish lasts up to three months, Goldy will eventually forget he ever had a fellow swimmer; for our son, it could take longer, but he too will forget. Children forget things. They always will – that’s part of… -
How I started talking out loud
28 Feb 2013 | 2:01 pmBefore last year, the first and only time I ever felt comfortable in front of a crowd was at my grandfather’s memorial service. Barely lucid in his final days, I watched him slowly lose track of the corporeal and succumb to lung cancer. He was my first hero, and here he was, human, weak, no longer able to teach me about building character and Charles Bronson films. I did my best impression of an emotionally secure human and stood in front of my family and his friends and, out of nowhere, eulogized a man who helped shape my life. And then, I gave up. Speaking wasn’t my gig. -
Writing is not inexhaustible
19 Feb 2013 | 7:52 pmWriting is not inexhaustible, just as any creative skill is not inexhaustible. We can run out of words. This is a writer’s way of knowing that it’s time to stop – that nothing else is going to come of this, and that the cup of hot tea is more important than pushing the issue. Looks like I’ve run out over the past few months. Yet, there’s nothing that warns us about this. Call it fatigue – the fatigue that comes from writing for work and writing a column and writing about an industry – or call it blind fear – the fear that comes from making…
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[Super Duper Fantastic]
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Saturday Swig #24 – Mexican Beers for Cinco de Mayo!
4 May 2013 | 11:13 pmTomorrow is Cinco de Mayo. In celebration, we are having guacamole and drinking beers from Mexican brewer Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery. Hooray for avocado sales at Costco and beers for sampling! The four Mexican beers we tried were Bohemia, Indio, Tecate and Tecate Light. We’ve had plenty of Tecate before, so the only new-to-us beers were the Bohemia and Indio. * Bohemia – Brewed in Mexico with hops imported from the Czech region, Bohemia has deep but subtle aromas of fruit, roasted barley and minerals that give way to an almost cocoa-like bitterness and sweet vanilla taste notes. -
The Real Joys of Homeownership in San Francisco
26 Apr 2013 | 10:17 pmIn the past, I’ve written about the “joys” of homeownership, but really it was an opportunity to complain. Bad plumbing. Ant problems. Expensive appliances. Based on those other posts, you’d think it was more of a burden than anything. There really are positives though, so I’ll discuss a few of them today. One reason I love being a homeowner is security. When I went through the exercise of identifying my core values awhile back, one word that stuck through the entire process was security. That meant all security and stability – financial, physical, etc. -
State Bird Provisions – a Different Kind of Dim Sum
25 Apr 2013 | 12:50 amAs much as we’d love to, Ryan and I are hardly the type to jump on the latest restaurant opening. We enjoy food and dining experiences when we can, but in a city like San Francisco where eateries are popping up left and right, we can’t possibly keep up. Our wallets can’t either! Husband-wife team Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski’s State Bird Provisions was named best new restaurant in America by Bon Appetit in 2012. We only now paid a visit. We managed to snag a reservation that wasn’t 9:00 in the evening. Woo! In addition to the menu, there are a wide variety… -
PopSugar Must Have Box – April 2013
11 Apr 2013 | 8:39 pmFor April, it appears that the Must Have box has taken a bit of a minimalist turn… There are no “Extras” to fill in the gaps. I received mine early this week, but perhaps I wasn’t as excited about it this time around, and so there was no urgency to post the contents. Must Have – April 2013 Must Have Fashion * Green Garmento Four-in-One Reusable Dry-Cleaning Bag * Shashi New Nugget Bracelet Must Have Beauty * Kai Perfume Oil * Tatcha Petal Fresh Evening Aburatorigami Beauty Papers Must Have Food * Alter Eco Dark Quinoa Chocolate The funny thing about The Green… -
Sartori Cheese [giveaway]
7 Apr 2013 | 9:53 pmHappy Cheese Giveaway Day, friends. I seem to be counting down towards each weekend, and in just blinks, it’s already April. Where did the time fly? I can tell you in later posts, but first – you heard me right! Cheese Giveaway! Several months ago, I attended what would be my third Food Fete. At this event, food producers and distributors have a setting smaller than that of the Fancy Food Show to introduce their products to the media. Sartori Cheese was in attendance again this year, and I was immediately drawn back to their table because of their amazing BellaVitano cheese!
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Everyday Adventures (of Me in the City) -- Chicago, IL
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When goals don’t exactly go as planned
28 Apr 2013 | 5:10 pmHello everyone! I know I’ve been gone for a while again, but things have been a bit busy. But I am back today to talk about goals. This may not come as a surprise, but, I’m a bit rigid about my goals. If I’m committed to them, I commit 100% and cannot settle for not meeting them. That means, if things change in making those goals, I get upset or even frustrated. It wasn’t going how I planned? I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT. For example, I set a goal for this year of learning to run and completing a race. I joined a running group through Chicago Endurance Sports and was set to… -
Silver Linings
3 Apr 2013 | 6:25 pmSo, if you’ve read my last two posts, you know that things have been a little bumpy the last few weeks. Between the running injury and closure, it’s been a little bit of a down cycle. But now it’s a new month and I can’t fix what’s happened, so I’m trying to be more positive about things. And to quote a friend of mine, I’m looking at my silver linings. And without further ado, here are the silver linings to having a bum ankle, not being able to work out and having a scab on your heart ripped off and exposed: Cooking. I am able to do more at home right… -
Closure
28 Mar 2013 | 6:41 pmLately, I’ve been thinking about closure. Closure is a tough and funny thing. The hardest part of closure is knowing that you’re closing one chapter (maybe one that you don’t want to end) and opening another, which is unknown, can be scary, and makes you vulnerable. Especially when that closure comes from a decision that’s not yours. When I know the end of something is upon me, I tend to have this overwhelming urge to hang on to what is there now and what was there in the past. Closure is the real end. Not the end where you think it’s done but have hope and a… -
Running in to a setback
25 Mar 2013 | 6:12 pmI’ll preface this post by saying that it will be slightly dramatic because that is how I’m feeling today. Since February, I’ve been training for a 5K through Chicago Endurance Sports. It’s been tough and challenging and I love it. It was also part of my 2013 goals and given me a lot of what I was looking for in this new test. And now I have to stop, immediately. And, well, I’m pretty upset. Over the weekend I started developing really bad heel pain, which I thought was part of just “learning to run.” Let me tell you, it is PAINFUL to learn a new sport… -
Being okay
11 Mar 2013 | 7:11 pmLast week, I read the latest post from the amazing Nicole over at A Life Less Bullshit and it got me thinking. The post was called: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay Seriously, this girl is in my brain. I highly recommend it. But what got me thinking is about something I’m working on in my personal life. It’s okay to be….okay. Last year, drama and upheaval tend to find me. From friends to boys to family to work, there seemed to be something that’s always going awry. It was exhausting and emotionally taxing and it felt like any time anyone asked me what was new, there was…
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Writing To Reach You
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Jealous of your brilliance.
15 May 2013 | 9:27 pmIt is my belief that no respectable person can call herself brilliant. You can call yourself smart, but not brilliant. Brilliant is a word you can use to describe other people, and if you are super lucky, then it can be a word that other people use to describe you. But unless you’re after eyerolls, you can’t call yourself brilliant. You can’t call yourself a genius either, but everyone knows that, right? I also think, and some people may disagree with me here, that you can never explain the way someone acts toward you as jealousy. I base this belief on the fact that every time I have… -
The faults are in our pedestals.
14 May 2013 | 9:48 pmI have a hard time accepting the faults of other people, and I consider that a major weakness. I don’t think it makes me strong to be unforgiving. I had a hard time learning not to put people on pedestals, and it started with learning to be nicer to myself. Once I made it okay for me not to be perfect, I made it okay for other people not to be perfect. When I was struggling with this more, I felt like it was easier for other people, but now I see how it pervades our culture and goes uncriticized. I see it a lot in a certain community made of awesome. John Green will say something about how… -
Making friends on the internet.
13 May 2013 | 10:37 pmMost of my good friends on the internet used to blog. That is how we became friends. All the real work of friendship happened later in emails and texts and trips, but the initial getting to know you was through the things we wrote. Most of those people don’t write anymore, which does make me sad, but has very little impact on our friendships. I think it does make a difference with the new people I meet, especially people who regularly read my blog, because they read hundreds of words about me and I don’t have the opportunity to get to know them the same way, because they aren’t writing… -
Be kind to your readers.
12 May 2013 | 9:29 pmIt probably will not surprise you that I have a lot of strong opinions about a thing! Here are some of my rules for blogging, all of which revolve around a similar theme: if someone has done you the favor of reading your blog, then you should show them respect. Use bold sparingly. This is a real staple of blogging that seems to have become even more popular recently. You make bold your most important points. I guess so people don’t miss them, but I find that my eyes miss everything else you said, and just read what is bold. If you are telling me what is most important, then why should I… -
Question
11 May 2013 | 10:57 pmWhy doesn’t anyone talk about how hard friendship is? Discuss.
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your wishcake.
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on a few new things I love...
21 May 2013 | 1:41 pmI picked up this owl vase at Michael's about a month ago. I love how their home decor switches so often that you can almost always count on finding items 40-50% off. I snagged the last one of these off the shelf for around $8. I decided to use it in our kitchen, although now I wish I had another to put on our bookshelf. It reminds me of something you'd find at Anthropologie, which is rather delightful—considering it was so inexpensive!My mom and youngest sisters recently treated me to a handful of unexpected gifts, and this tape dispenser was one of them. It's been on my wish list for ages,… -
on things I never thought I'd do...
14 May 2013 | 2:10 pmWe recently got rid of our satellite TV. To be honest, I had no idea the whole thing would be…not a big deal. We'd had DIRECTV for years, but one day we got to talking it over and realized the only things we were really watching wereChopped marathons on Food Network (I mean, who doesn't like that show?), football games (to clarify: I eat food while Jay watches the games), and random TLC reality shows. We never wanted to pay extra for fancy channels or HD any sort of DVR, so we were paying nearly $50 a month for hardly anything. After a certain point, we figured that we could make do without… -
on the church thing...
10 May 2013 | 7:32 amIt's been a long time since I've written anything about my faith. It's been nearly four years since I first wrote about my struggles with finding a church home. I have grown a lot since then, even though many of my original hopes, concerns and frustrations still remain.But I will say that in the past four years, I've learned a lot of things.I realized just how important having a church home is to me, especially since the arrival of my daughter. The memories I have of dressing up every Sunday, attending Sunday school and VBS, memorizing bible verses, feeling that safety and comfort…these are… -
on thrifty decorating: a painted frame...
9 May 2013 | 8:00 amA few years ago I picked up an old metal frame from a thrift sale for only five dollars. I was surprised it was so cheap, to be honest. Sure, it was a tad rusty and didn't have any sort of backing to hold in a photo or a mirror, but still…it called to me. I wish I had a "before" photo of the frame, but just imagine a dusty, dingy old metal frame that was crying out for some TLC (not the musical group).I ended up spray painting it green and hanging it in our bathroom, fully intent on putting a mirror inside. Which, obviously, never happened because I'm not about to spend a bunch of money on… -
on sponsorship...
8 May 2013 | 9:34 pmIf you're interested in sponsoring my blog, then here are all the little details you need! I'm happy to have the opportunity to showcase your blog, indie business, Etsy shop, or any other lovely thing my readers would enjoy. Your support means the world to me, and any income made through blogging helps out this creative, hopeful, stay-at-home-mama more than you know.— This is the first time I'm opening up ad space on my own, so bear with me while I work out the kinks! Since BlogHer ads are still in my sidebar through June 1st, use the code maypromo to get 50% off. All ads will be shown…
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Our Little Apartment
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What I’ve Been Working On // Non-Profit Colorado Vincentian Volunteers
21 May 2013 | 7:00 amIt’s been awhile since I shared a good before and after, but I knew I had to share my latest project. Colorado Vincent Volunteers is a year-long service program in Denver, Colorado. It’s a wonderful program – the volunteers serve at local agencies, live in community, participate in prayer, and do it all in gorgeous Denver. I was delighted when they asked me to redesign their website – because I think it’s such a fantastic organization and wanted to help make their web presence reflect that. The Needs The web editor that their website was on was unwieldy,… -
Parable of the Pants.
17 May 2013 | 4:59 amI have a pair of denim capris that I’ve owned for six years and I feel fat every time I wear them. I put them on and, without fail, I have some major muffin top and belly bulge. I never feel that way with my other jeans. I mean, sure, I have some trouble areas that I know are not perfect, but I don’t feel quite as aware of them as when I’m wearing these particular jeans. Every summer, I pull them out and put them on and feel kind of gross. And then I sit down and I feel even more gross (tight waistbands magnify in terribleness when you try to sit down). Instead of… -
What I’m Working On // Anthony’s Senior Pictures.
14 May 2013 | 5:00 amLet me introduce you to my youngest sibling. I can hardly believe he is graduating from high school. Which means I graduated from high school a DECADE ago. But this is about him, not me. And he is really awesome, you guys. I have three sisters and love having sisters. And I liked having a baby/toddler/little kid in the family when I was younger, but now that we’re both (pretty much) adults, I can say that I love love love having a brother. I can’t imagine what life with four sisters was like from his perspective, but I can say how much I have enjoyed having him as a brother. He… -
My Favorite Apps.
8 May 2013 | 6:00 amI’ve had an iPhone for 5 months. Though it’s not a necessity, it’s super helpful in a lot of ways. I don’t actually use it for talking all that much and I try to use it in moderation with I’m with human beings. Here are some of my favorite apps to keep me organized and healthy in life and business: Mailbox: This is a newer app for me and I’m really liking it. It helps me reduce the clutter in my inbox through the easy swipe navigation. (Though I am not able to respond to Little Leaf emails on it since I can’t send from little-leaf.com address. -
April Update + May Intentions.
6 May 2013 | 12:54 pm[April Update] Clean out the ever-loving car. Done and, more importantly, it’s stayed clean. Hallelujah. Read a fiction book. I read both Sharp Objects and Daddy’s Little Girl, mostly for nostalgia sake, since when I was in high school I read every Mary Higgins Clark book I could get my hands on. The books were incredibly similar and I kept getting them confused (Sharp Objects was obviously much better.) In all, it felt wonderful to get lost in a book again. Nightly 10-minute tidy and floss + stretch daily were abandoned when I went through the shit show that was last month.
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A Chase After Wind
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What I'm Into: April 2013
4 May 2013 | 8:27 pmVenturing into yet another link-up by joining the monthly "What I'm Into" hosted by Hopeful Leigh. As this is my first go at it (and it's after 10pm and I am about to turn into a pumpkin), I'm gonna keep this one short.Let's see, so what have I been into this month? LET ME THINK. Oh right, this:But what else???Reading: A Feast for Crows - like I said last week, this book is dragging for me a bit, but not so much that I would say I'm not still into the series. I am still very much into this book series. Watching: 30 Rock. I've loved the show for a while now, but I'd… -
The Return of the Quick Takes
25 Apr 2013 | 10:06 pmJoining once again with Jen, who is also home with a newborn baby, for the weekly Quick Takes. Go there to read everyone else's QTs, which are almost assuredly more interesting than mine!1. First of all, I am super excited to say that as of this moment, I am 93% of the way to my fundraising goal for the Run & Walk for Life that I am participating in next month! YEAH! I don't know if any of you readers contributed, but I have one anonymous donation and another from a name I don't recognize - so if you are one of my donors, THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH!!! (Update: while I was… -
Formal Introductions
25 Apr 2013 | 11:03 amIn the age of social media, this post is way overdue and possibly not even necessary. Do I even have any readers who do not also follow me on either Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook? Well just in case I do, this post is for you!I am so very pleased to introduce you toBorn April 16, 2013 at 12:07pm6 pounds 13 ounces & 18.5 inches longBlog posts about the birth and how we've been adjusting will be forthcoming eventually, but I am taking things super duper slowly. I'm prioritizing getting enough rest and paying attention to my family. I am sure you understand. xoxo -
Quick Takes That Aren't ONLY About Babies (Just MOSTLY)
12 Apr 2013 | 6:13 am1. First - congratulations to Jen, the host of the Quick Takes, on the birth of baby Joseph!!! If you follow Jen, you know that she had some serious and terrifying pregnancy health complications, so it is so wonderful that she made it safely to delivery. However, they are still in need of prayers and good thoughts and encouragement because Joseph is having health problems that are keeping him hospitalized. I can hardly imagine having to leave my baby at the hospital.By the by, since Jen is understandably not able to host the QT's this week, they are being hosted instead by my favorite,… -
I Believe This is What They Call the Home Stretch
10 Apr 2013 | 2:23 pmUm, hi! I don't really have the mental energy to post about anything substantial right now. But I also feel weird not posting at all when I am spending so much time lying on the couch.So, how about a quick pregnancy update? We've decided to schedule a C-Section for this coming Tuesday. Yay! and Boo! at the same time.At my most recent OB appointment, I brought up the fact that the swelling in my hands and feet was becoming intolerable and I have been feeling generally BLEH. Although my blood pressure was normal, my OB expressed some concern that developing pre-eclampsia was a…
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The Hungry Twenties
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Not in the best place.
22 May 2013 | 5:51 pmHi guys, so I want to tell you a little bit about what has been on my mind this week. I just have to say that when I arrived at work on Monday, I saw in my e-mail some news that made me sick to my stomach and completely devastated. Unfortunately, a coworker, who has become a good friend was very, very suddenly diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which has spread to both her lungs and brain.I'm doing my best to stay positive here, but I just wanted to ask that everyone please send their thoughts and prayers to my friend and her family. She is a reader of my blog,… -
Weekend in NYC: Food, fun and friends!
21 May 2013 | 8:25 pmHi everyone, I hope your week is going well! I was so tired on Monday I feel like I finally just got caught up to normal time and was running behind schedule until tonight. I was able to buy some groceries and have real food in my house, do a little cooking, prep some fruits and veggies and I'm ready take on the week! Starting Wednesday. Better late then never!This past weekend I went to New York City with Dani to visit our friend Lama who had moved away in January. She came back alllllll the way from Dubai just to give us hugs! Well, just kidding, she had… -
CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge... year four!!
16 May 2013 | 7:28 pmTonight I ran in my 4th CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge 3.5 mile race with the team where I work. This race is always meaningful to me because it was 3 years ago in the spring that I finally got my butt in gear and decided to do a Couch to 5K training program to work up to the Workforce Challenge.I trained throughout the spring in preparation, and come race day, I wasn't able to run the whole thing and had to take a walking break. I was disappointed but kept with running and the next race I did... the Freihofer's Run for Women in June, I officially ran my first 5K without stopping… -
Doing it on my own.
15 May 2013 | 6:53 pmHey guys, hope you're having a happy Wednesday! So, today's post is a little update on my day yesterday followed by some stream of thought on where my mind is right now. Hope it's not too long or boring for you because I'd love your feedback/motivation/encouragement/thoughts. Your support really does wonders for me!Yesterday I had a really fun evening where I had my friend Andrea over for dinner. You remember her, right? She was the sweetheart that gave me all those wonderful gifts before my half marathon! I made dinner for the two of us that was actually… -
Happy Mother's Day: A Day Late!
13 May 2013 | 6:23 pmTo all the Mommies out there -- Happy Mother's Day and an especially big "Happy Mother's Day" to my own Mom, whom I adore!I hope everyone had a great day yesterday and were able to relax and enjoy some time with those who they love. I have said it before, but family is what you make of it. And you don't need to be a biological mom or celebrate your own biological mom... but hopefully you made time to say thank you and celebrate the people who are a "mom" to you. The people who take care of you, love you unconditionally, support you, encourage you, embarrass you, frustrate…
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Kayla Aimee
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How Does Your Garden Grow?
21 May 2013 | 7:53 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.kaylaaimee.com/feed Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. -
Turning Thirty : A Wishlist
19 May 2013 | 9:50 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.kaylaaimee.com/feed Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. -
Of Miracles And Magic
17 May 2013 | 8:30 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.kaylaaimee.com/feed Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. -
Easy Peasy DIY: Make A Sandbox From A Storage Bin
15 May 2013 | 6:00 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.kaylaaimee.com/feed Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us. -
The Sword In The Stone (aka The Paintbrush In The Porch)
14 May 2013 | 6:05 amWe've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://www.kaylaaimee.com/feed Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us.
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http://alanajoy.tumblr.com/
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Step it up. (at 24 Hour Fitness)
21 May 2013 | 8:58 amStep it up. (at 24 Hour Fitness) -
Happy baby is happy.
20 May 2013 | 7:12 pmHappy baby is happy. -
Infatuated with this target find. Barrettes in there.
19 May 2013 | 10:43 amInfatuated with this target find. Barrettes in there. -
Workaholic.
19 May 2013 | 8:59 amWorkaholic. -
Free smells.
16 May 2013 | 10:53 amFree smells.
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Miss Lulu BlogsMiss Lulu Blogs
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My Minty Manicure
26 Apr 2013 | 8:45 amI got some NCLA Nail Colors from a friend of mine as a gift and couldn’t wait to use them! I love the minty green shade “Santa Monica Shore Thing”, it’s perfect for Spring! I decided to give my ring-fingers a little glittery accent using the silver glitter “Hollywood Hills Hot Number”. It has big and small sized glitter which I adore! What color(s) do you have on your nails? xoxo, -
My Favorite Hair Products
24 Apr 2013 | 8:40 am32-oz glass – Gold Label Organic Virgin Coconut Oil – 1 quart Rusk Sensories Clarify Rosemary and Quillaja Detoxifying Shampoo for Unisex, 33.8 Ounce Rusk Deepshine Smooth Keratin Care Smoothing Conditioner 33.8 oz. Rusk W8less Multi 12 in 1 Treatment 6 oz. – In order to keep my hair healthy I only wash, blow dry and straighten it every 4 days. I know several people who blow dry and straighten multiple times per week, but that can be very damaging to hair, so I’ve found that I can keep my hair clean and healthy (and growing!) by only using heat occasionally. When I do… -
Fashion Week San Diego Press Conference 2013
17 Apr 2013 | 8:30 amMonday night I attended a press conference during which Fashion Week San Diego announced the designers that have been selected for the 2013 fashion show. It was absolutely fabulous and made me so excited for this year’s upcoming events! Last year was incredible and highlighted local designers, but this year will include designers from all over the world (including San Diego). The fabulous and warm fire pit at Roppongi restaurant, La Jolla, Monday’s lovely venue.What I Wore : Black & White – Dress from ASOS Photos of the designers that will be showing their lines this… -
Quick and Easy Nail Designs with ‘Nail Lingerie’
15 Apr 2013 | 8:30 amThis was a quick and easy process and I like the idea of just being able to stick something on my nails and totally change the look. This can also be fun if you just apply the sticker to a few nails or one ‘accent nail’. I guess my main issue with these ‘nail lingerie’ stickers is that the package only comes with 18 stickers which isn’t enough for two full applications. (I had that same issue with the Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail color that I tried a while ago.) I also really like the nail color I used. I just purchased it recently and it’s a beautiful…
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The Everyday Opinionista
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Eccentric Cosmetics - Review | Swatches
15 May 2013 | 6:32 pm*Products featured in this post were provided, for my consideration, by a representative of the company. All opinions contained within this post are my own, and not affected by the receipt of said products.*Hey lookie! I did something!Sorry for the wait — I've finally put together a review and swatches of a nice selection of Eccentric Cosmetics eyeshadows. They're quite lovely!Eccentric Cosmetics is run by Anna, who is based in Australia. The shop can be found on Etsy, and features a great selection of both neutrals and more bold eyeshadows that appeal to a wide variety of preferences. Full… -
Blog Every Day in May Challenge | Days 4-8
9 May 2013 | 7:28 pmAs a reminder, this is the Blog Every Day in May Challenge. So far they've been pretty good writing prompts!Tomorrow or Saturday I'm hoping to change it up and throw a review/swatch post in the mix.::: DAY 4: FAVORITE QUOTE AND WHY YOU LOVE IT :::{Source}I'm a proud Beatles fanatic, so I could pinpoint a variety of different song lyrics that "speak" to me or have some special meaning in my life. For instance, the song "Good Day Sunshine" was a song that my good friend Tyler and I sang to each other, which was just an "us" thing. Tyler's life was cut short a little over a year ago, and I… -
Blog Every Day in May Challenge | Days 1-3
8 May 2013 | 5:43 pmSince it's already May 8th {yikes!} I decided to compile all of the first seven days' worth of challenges into two posts, and will resume with Day 9 sometime tomorrow.I first saw this challenge on Mandy's lovely blog, Prettymaking. I tracked it back to the original blogger, Story of My Life, and now I'm participating. :}::: DAY 1: THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE IN 250 WORDS OR LESS :::This is going to be more than 250 words, just to warn you. Anyway... I was born on a hot August day - my parents always say it was "the hottest day in history" - they're so dramatic, haha. I'll be the… -
The Return
7 May 2013 | 2:03 pmHappy Tuesday!I'll get right to it - I wasn't sure if I was ready to return to blogging yet, but after seeing a lot of fun things on other blogs I follow, I decided it was time to return in one way or another. I miss the creative outlet, but I'm still pretty busy between my work and home life, and can't commit to a regular blogging schedule yet. My last post was in January - that's a shame. However, I came across this Blog Every Day in May challenge, read a few other bloggers' posts, and figured this was the opportunity I needed to get back into some kind of routine.I don't think I'll be… -
Femme Fatale Cosmetics | Part 3
7 Jan 2013 | 1:35 pmThe final installment for this round of Femme Fatale Cosmetics! To see the first post with all of the company details, click {HERE}.To see Part 2, click {HERE}.To see even more awesome colors from Femme Fatale, continue reading! :}::: THE PICTURES :::*Click images to enlarge. Swatched over Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and Darling Girl Glitter Glue. Photographed under an OttLite.*{Phantasm - a lovely lavender with a soft pink glow}{Sunfire - the color of a sunset, captured in an eyeshadow!}{Polymorph - a dark gray base with blue and green shift}{Spark of Life - a light spring green…
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Life in Pink
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Recipe: Apple Sausage Kale & Quinoa
21 May 2013 | 7:00 amRecently, the husband and I have gotten into Kale. Kale chips (which I need to learn to make on my own), steamed kale with garlic…and kale cooked with pasta. Kale, kale, kale – if you have any other kale recipes? Please pass them on, I’m still learning how to cook it and cook it well but man, this is one amazing green. I saw a version of this recipe over on Going on Goals and was intrigued because of our recent discovery of the deliciousness of kale. We kind of did our own spin with it since Adam’s been all *trying* to be paleo and cutting out carbs (though I’m… -
Finding Mama Pals
21 May 2013 | 1:56 amLast week, I wrote my first post over on DC Ladies about finding a play group. I’m blessed that I’m beginning to actually make pals out of these ladies. I read a while ago an interesting blog post about dating as moms and the many stages of mom dating. Here’s the thing, making friends as adults isn’t easy. Generally, you stay friends with pals from college (ME!), make friends from work, or other volunteer or social activities. I’ve made a great deal of pals from Junior League, a lot of people I knew in DC made friends from kickball or bocce. But what happens… -
Happy Birthday Hubs!
20 May 2013 | 2:00 amShort post for this AM, but if you get a chance be sure to send a shout out on twitter to the hubs – it’s his 31st birthday today! May this year be as awesome and as fun as last. Of course I know it will be given the company we’ve been keeping. I love you now and always. Have a happy day my love! -
Eight Weeks in Photos
18 May 2013 | 2:00 pmSo baby turned 8 weeks old yesterday. He’ll be two months on Wednesday (!!!) so expect my 2 month update late next week before our venture up to CT. But since it’s Saturday and I’ve got nothing better going on here are a few baby pictures to enjoy your weekend with. Who doesn’t love a cute baby As you can see, the 2 month update might be one full of a bunch of smiles. Bath time & bed time! Onward ho! Happy Weeekend everyone! -
Ask Heidi Vol. 1: Treadmill workouts
17 May 2013 | 3:00 amIn an attempt to re-engage my readership and because I have blogging ADD often and need new features (some that may stick, most don’t) to keep my blogging interest up. Not that my blogging interest is declining but this week has been a doozy with baby – he’s been especially active during the day like yesterday. I’m pretty sure he’s in the midst of a growth spurt. When he’s not being cute and cooing he wants to play on his mat. Or he wants to eat. And wants to do anything but nap or sleep and omg. I’m exhausted. 4am wakeups + no naptime = zombiemama.
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DC Dana
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Iraq Part 6 - Dohuk
16 May 2013 | 4:37 pmWe had to go the long way around to our next city because the direct route would've taken us through Kirkuk, outside of the Kurdish controlled region, and subjected us to possible deportation for not having Iraq-proper visas.Kirkuk started experiencing regular bombings shortly after we left and at one point, the Peshmerga - the Kurdish Army - lined up against Iraqi forces there as well. Thankfully things have calmed down again a bit but, yikes...We drove through rain and mud and it cleared just in time for us to have the picnic that some of our friends had spent all morning preparing.So… -
Iraq part 5
13 May 2013 | 3:41 pmBefore we left Sulay, there was one other thing that sticks out in my mind. One of the churches there all came together to hang out with us We saw this all over the country. People creating events just because we were in town. People spending hours preparing special meals for us so we could all have picnics together and be honored. The Minister of Tourism in one of the cities invited our entire group into his office because he was so excited that such a “large” (10 of us) group of Americans were touring his country. And even the Arab youth we spent time with came out in… -
Iraq part...4? Still Sulay
6 May 2013 | 6:26 pmI'm finding it hard again to even start explaining more about our trip because I feel like we saw so much, so this will all come tumbling out, stream-of-conscience style per usual or else I'll never get done with these posts. Things I remember from Sulymaniyah...(or "Sulay" for short):Being within an hour away from Halabja on the 25th Anniversary of the horrific gas bomb attacks that killed thousands there. You can read a little of that day HERE. Saddam sent shells in to break windows so that later that day, the gas he ordered to be dropped there would fill the houses even… -
Iraq Continued - Sulaymaniyah
25 Apr 2013 | 11:24 amIt's hard for me to describe what all we experienced in Iraqi Kurdistan because so much of the Kurds' experience is so foreign to our experience as Americans. There, it's very common for someone to be mid-conversation and casually mention "yeah, so then I was in the 3rd grade...and that's when my father was buried alive by Saddam...and then we went to fourth grade..." They don't miss a beat, it's so common of an experience there to have lost one or both parents, or to have been imprisoned or been tortured. Just in our short time there, we had the following occur (along with many other similar… -
Running For Boston
23 Apr 2013 | 4:00 pmI’m putting off my Iraq posts yet again to talk about running.Because after what happened in Boston last week, the running community that I’ve loved has become even closer. I’ve ran with three different groups in the last week, all who were running “for Boston” and I had to share about last night’s run because it’s such a perfect example of why I love runners.A marathoner here in D.C. decided to put together a Memorial Run for 4.09 miles, the time on the race clock in Boston when the first bomb went off. This event went viral and spread through both social and traditional media…
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Eleni Zoe
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10 Things I Love About My 30s
16 May 2013 | 5:12 am:: The exhausting journey of “Who am I? Where do I fit in? What label can I put on myself?” is over because this is a question with no real answer. I’m comfortable with the answer being: I am Eleni, with all the contradictions, flaws, masks and inconsistencies that has. :: There is little to no DRAMA in my life. (Unless you count Scandal ‘cause watch out, this shit is getting crazy.) :: I feel in control. Even when I’m freaking out and technically have no control over situations. :: I rarely experience #FOMO anymore. I’m usually happy to be exactly where I am. :: I get on with my… -
10 Things I Hate About My 30s
13 May 2013 | 8:16 am:: My metabolism is slowing down. How can I eat this healthy (& this little), exercise this much and not lose a single kilogram? Not cool, 32 year old body, not cool. :: My biological clock is a-tick, tick, ticking. And I don’t even know if I want to have children. But I don’t know that I don’t want children. I do know that I want it to be my choice. But my body is all, “Get pregnant. Get pregnant. Before it’s too late.” And I’m all, “Body, SHUT UP. I don’t want to get pregnant, I just want to go on a six-hour first date.” :: I hate that I’m actually considering… -
Be you, only less douchy
9 May 2013 | 2:55 pmMost often, the only reason I clean my house is when I know someone is going to be in it. All the other times I clean it is because it’s quite unhygienic to not clean your house. Or so I’m told. I used to deep clean it once a week. And then I got tired, or lazy, or in all likelihood depressed and I only cleaned when I walked and a cacophony of crunches would follow my every step. Crunch. Oh look, there’s cereal. Crunch, is that lettuce? Nope. Arugula. Is arugula categorized as a lettuce. Crunch, I am disgusting. Before I gross you out completely, I clean my bathroom and… -
That’s enough now
8 May 2013 | 4:17 amI woke up this morning like I have been for the last few months. It’s a combination of apathy, sadness and disappointment. Disappointed because most of the time my dreams are so good and I’m the star. Granted, most of the time, a boy is rejecting me, as if my unconscious mind does not understand the whole concept of dreaming. But before the rejection, there are hazy scenes that would make your favorite romantic comedy feel like a total loser. They’re amazing and if I could only remember them an hour after I’ve woken up, I’d be the next Nora Ephron. Sadly, when I… -
I want to whisper when I talk about love
5 May 2013 | 12:13 pm”Do you recommend marriage?” I asked. After the standard round of jokes that come with this particular group of friends after any one of us has said something, I got my answer. “Of course, I do. I’m with my best friend.” I couldn’t even hide my delight in her answer. My heart overflowed with happiness. It meant so much more coming from her. See, she is the exact opposite of me. She’s more cynical, more pragmatic. She doesn’t take shit and she’s opinionated. She’s strong and she’ll give you tough love when she thinks you need…
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20 Something Awesome
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Song of the Day: WhoMadeWho – “The Sun”
22 May 2013 | 7:43 amA friend recently recommend this track and album to me and I couldn't deny it's funky beat. WhoMadeWho is a Scandinavian indie rock, dance punk band that formed in 2003, so you know they are good. "The Sun" is off their 4th studio album, Brighter. Check them out on your local music listening device, player, etc. Like this? Check out some Related Posts: Song of the Day: Band of Horses – “I Go To The Barn Because I Like The” Song of the Day: Coheed and Cambria- “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3″ Song of the Day: Sigur Rós – “Ekki Múkk” -
Things That Make Me Laugh: Jason Nash doing “Soda Dad” on Vine
20 May 2013 | 12:59 pmI haven't been posting much here but I'm still pretty active on Twitter. Over there I have been upping my follow game on funny people or "comedians". Why is that in quotes, you ask? You tell me. With those funny people have come some funny tweets and some hilarious Vines. If you aren't hip, Vine [...] Like this? Check out some Related Posts: Things That Make Me Laugh: Forest Moon – “Vespula Christmas” Things That Make Me Laugh: How Did This Get Made? [Podcast] Things That Make Me Laugh: Comedy Bang! Bang! [Podcast] -
New on Netflix Instant Streaming: Adult Swim Shows, April 2013
9 Apr 2013 | 7:25 pmIt's been a few months since I've done a New on Netflix post. I took a slight hiatus from posting and the new content had left me mostly uninspired. With the addition of many Adult Swim and Cartoon Network shows I decided the time was right to get back in the game, as it were. Here [...] Like this? Check out some Related Posts: Netflix Instant: Five Comedy Shows You Should Watch Netflix Instant: Five Comedy Shows You Should Watch, Round 2 Netflix Instant: 5 Fun Cop Shows From Basic Cable You Should Watch -
Song of the Day: Vampire Weekend – “Step”
2 Apr 2013 | 6:09 amAs I stated in yesterday's post, Vamp Week (that's what us friends of the band call them) have a new album coming out in mid-May. Modern Vampires of the City is the name of the album and it is highly anticipated by cool people everywhere. People like me, 'cause I'm COOL. Well I don't know what else [...] Like this? Check out some Related Posts: Song of the Day: Vampire Weekend – “Diane Young” Song of the Day: Radiohead- “15 Step” Weekend Awesome Links, 3/25/2012 -
The NAUGHTical Life – Family.
1 Apr 2013 | 10:18 amBryan James (or Phaethon Holder) is back with another Youtube video. It's very different than his previous videos, this time being more "artsy". To be frank, I don't fully understand it. As I told him on Skype: "I'm working on figuring it out....but I do like how it's shot and the 'behind the scenes' directing [...] Like this? Check out some Related Posts: The NAUGHTical Life – Life Advice with Mick: Getting a Job The NAUGHTical Life – Mick does stand-up. The NAUGHTical Life – Bedside Manner
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Frugal Beautiful
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You Don’t Have To Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Business To Follow Your Passion… Advice From A Former Freelancer
21 May 2013 | 5:44 amChances are if you’ve been outside of a cave with reliable internet access for the past two years, you’ve picked up on the general “lifestyle design” buzz that has been telling us to quit your job, leave your cubicle and start your own business. Words like “freelancing,” “location independence,” “anti 9-5″ and “cubicle renegade,” are thrown around as if to wake the sleeping masses with a gallant call to action to free the oppressed, the sheep employees of corporate life. I had my own business and recently… -
How I Make A House A Home.
16 May 2013 | 5:00 amI’ve been in the new condo for about a month now and it’s finally starting to feel like home. I’ve come to notice that there are a few things that make a house feel like a home and not just a place you keep your stuff. After three years and four major cross country moves, I’ve come to realize that there are a few key essentials that make a house really feel like a place you can feel confident unpacking all the boxes- a true home. I’m excited to finally put down roots and invest in some personalization, home decor and general craftiness. 1. Bring your… -
How To Make Healthy Habits Stick…Tips From A Former Couch Potato
15 May 2013 | 5:00 amI’ve been notoriously unhealthy and even more notoriously demotivated around fitness all my life. When I was 18 I pretty much though Frappuchinos were a basic food group and I the most exercise I had done ever done was a requirement for gym class. Now that I’m a bit older, I realize that without health, you don’t have much! I’m older, wiser and more health conscious, but I’m busier than ever. Making positive changes in your life and implementing healthy habits doesn’t have to be a headache, but it will take some headspace. Change doesn’t… -
Some Runners Will Never Be Fast- Words of Encouragement From A Slow Runner.
13 May 2013 | 5:00 amI’ve been running for a year now and I really haven’t gotten much faster than when I started. On a good day, I’ll run a 11 minute mile. On a really good day, I’ll run a 10:30 mile. Most of the time though, especially if it’s cold or the lungs don’t cooperate, I run a 12-13 minute mile. I’ve done three half marathons, a dozen 10ks, and plenty of 5ks and I’m not fast. I’ve come to realize I’ll never fit the definition of fast and measuring my race success on pace alone was holding me back more than anything physical has. At… -
A Creepy Letter I Wrote To Myself Over A Year Ago and The Power of Attraction
9 May 2013 | 5:00 amMany people roll their eyes when they hear someone citing the “power of attraction,” or the importance of a positive mental attitude- ever since the commercialization of The Secret and the commercialization of self-help by what feels like a million “self help gurus,” many of us are rightfully annoyed by anyone piping up about all that “power of attraction” mumbo jumbo, I myself, am one. For the past year, my life has undergone a complete overhaul. This time last year, I was getting ready to graduate with my master’s degree in sociology and was…
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Gyanban
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Walk Back
16 May 2013 | 8:10 pmTake me back To those forgotten lanes Of lazy Sundays and mundanes When business was just a word We seldom heard Take me back To those roads with no ends Boundless laughter and endless... Special invite to read Gyanban's latest. -
For Getting Her...
11 May 2013 | 6:13 amHetal,When will you go? I will, I will, just a little bit more time. I cant wait any longer. Why are you getting so impatient? Because It hurts.I can’t eat. Ma,I will change the... Special invite to read Gyanban's latest. -
Happy Apple
8 May 2013 | 3:00 amLunches were always eventful at the Pandey residence. That afternoon was no different.Some debates,some observations,some jokes and some plans as always. ‘Listen son,I have found out the... Special invite to read Gyanban's latest. -
Irony
27 Apr 2013 | 1:39 pmJogi shouted from the cliff – ‘see you bastard, I am alive’. The path to freedom lay in front, he was about to be a free man now. Serving a life term on a remote island was a curse in itself. But... Special invite to read Gyanban's latest. -
Ten Bucks
22 Apr 2013 | 1:24 pm‘What’s your name again?' he said raising his right eyebrow. ‘This is the first time you asked’ she said with lowering her eyes. ‘Rohini Dev Burman’she said after a brief pause. ‘R D... Special invite to read Gyanban's latest.
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Dustyhawk :: Broken Mirror
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Fort of Decadence – Series 10
22 May 2013 | 5:57 amThe sun rose and there at the entrance sat King Trantoul on his royal horse. Leon and Sara stood next to him and with a wave of his arm, the soldiers started to march forward followed by King Trantoul who was in the middle of the brigage. As planned, King Trantoul secretly got off and return to the castle. Taking his place was a wizard famous in illusions. The journey from Shang Wu to Zion was only half a day, it is the coming back with the villagers that worries Sara the most. Upon arrival, Sara greeted the village elder and told her of what their mission was. Javoon, the elder nodded her… -
Fort of Decadence – Series 9
21 May 2013 | 5:52 amCHAPTER 4 The soldiers-in-training cheered and gave hurrays as Lusive and Leon sparred each other. One brandished a whip while another held a mace. What a spectacular display of quickness. In the span of 5 minutes which felt like hours for the both of them, they suffered minor scratches only. With the sparring over, the soldiers-in-training left and continued their daily regime. Leon look at his sore hand. A new set of blisters were forming while old ones were hardening. He got up, bid Lusive farewell and went on his way. In the town center, the people were talking and having their evening… -
Fort of Decadence – Series 8
20 May 2013 | 5:49 amLusive :: “I am impressed” Leon :: “Thanks. Am I able to…” Lusive :: “No is the answer. Not that you are not good but I do not want you to experience the pain that each of the Royal Guard has been through.” Wanting to know more, Leon asked and Lusive motion him to enter the office. There Lusive began to talk about how the Royal Guards were form, how it is not under the control of King Trantoul and why Leon will never be able to join them. Leon drop the mug he was holding. Did he hear Lusive right? There has to be a mistake some where in the conversation. What Lusive… -
Fort of Decadence – Series 7
19 May 2013 | 8:46 amBoth of them talked and King Trantoul invited Leon to spar with him there and then. This could be an opportunity to show to the Royal Guards that was there that he is worthy to join them. King Trantoul drew his sword and gestured at Leon. Slowly Leon walk around King Trantoul while holding the Alchemic Whip in his hand. Believing that the whip will give him some attack distance, he lashed the whip towards the King. With a simple side step and before Leon could retract the whip, he felt a sword on his shoulder. King Trantoul stood behind him and sheathed his sword. Leon’s mouth was ajar. -
Exploration, Bazaar and Music
18 May 2013 | 10:40 pmAnd so Astro with the help of Nuffnang called upon a few bloggers to be explorers for their Astro On The Go Live Explorer event that was held recently at Sunway Pyramid. Captain Obvious says that Serge was there early but Boy Oblivious with a hint of Malaysian spices made the event meant for the us explorers; late to start. So being early, Serge registered first and then waited for his partner in crime Nicole to come.Before all of us headed off into the sunset, figuratively speaking, we were loaned an iPad each. Emcee for the event was Jinnyboy and another person whom we do not know her name.
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Life After College by Jenny Blake
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The Secret to Overnight Success
19 May 2013 | 11:09 pmWritten by Paul Angone I have the secret to becoming an overnight success that I am going to share with you. Honestly, I probably should be selling you this formula for overnight success for $29.99 and a free set of steak knives (plus $69.99 shipping and handling), but just as long as you send 10% my way from your overnight financial bonanza, this success-secret is yours. (Just kidding about the 10% thing. 3-5% would be just fine). Overnight success is like Jack and the Giant Bean Stock, one night you throw a couple magic beans in the ground and the next day you’re holding a goose that… -
Neil Gaiman on Having No Idea What You’re Doing, Failure, and Glorious Mistakes
15 May 2013 | 5:32 amAfter stumbling across a recently-released book version of Neil Gaiman’s 2012 Make Good Art speech, I decided it’s a must-share with all of you (transcript below in it’s entirety for those of you who don’t like watching video). Even if you’ve already watched this speech, I highly suggest re-reading the transcript. It’s insanely good advice for all creatives, artists, recent grads, HUMANS. Make Good Art — Commencement Speech for University of the Arts {Full transcript via University of the Arts, bold emphasis mine} I never really expected to find… -
Why it’s Critical to be the CEO of Your Health
8 May 2013 | 6:17 amWritten by Jenny Blake “Any other questions on your mind?” The doctor asked through a forced smile and subtly gritted teeth. She must not have liked my ten minutes (just ten!) of health questions after I waited 45 minutes past my scheduled appointment time to see her. The conversation, loosely approximated, went something like this: “I’m trying to troubleshoot my breakouts, so I’ve eliminated sugar, gluten, dairy and alcohol from my diet. Can you help me test the nutrients in my bloodstream to make sure my levels are normal?” “Okay I can run your… -
7 Ways to Be the Youngest Person at Work
6 May 2013 | 4:00 amWritten by Melissa Anzman Genius comes in every age – and I’m guessing that you are one of the smart ones at work. Being one of the smartest employees in the room, and also one of the youngest, can be a frustrating conundrum. You know you have value to add in the conversation, you are qualified to take on a challenge, but your perceived age is stopping others from taking you seriously. That stops now. Push Past Your Age and Be Taken Seriously at Work 1. Do your job really, really well. This probably goes without saying, but unless you are delivering what they are asking at a very high… -
Stop Trying to Balance Your Life
1 May 2013 | 11:02 pmWritten by Paul Angone Do you ever feel like you’re spinning sixteen different glass plates at once? The question not if they will fall, but when? And how many shards of glass will be left lodged in your legs once they do? That’s how I’ve felt the last six months. My spinning glass plates? Being an Author. Blogger. Speaker. Full-Time Employee. Husband. New Father. Friend. Son. Brother. Neighbor…The list just keeps on going and going… Where should my time be spent? What comes first? Second? Or not at all. How the heck do you balance sixteen different elephants all jumping on the same…
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Spillerena
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Conversations at Sea
22 May 2013 | 5:37 amWhen I was in grad school a few years ago, I did a summer graduate internship with Semester at Sea. For those of that are unfamiliar with this, it’s a pseudo-study abroad program in which students spend a semester living (and supposedly studying) on a cruise ship, and it stops at various places around the world. If all goes as planned, the students get a semester worth of college credit, while getting to visit and experience cultures and amazing places all around the world. Sunset on the ship // The MV Explorer: My home for Summer 2010 (photos taken from facebook, please excuse the… -
A Girl and Her Boots
15 May 2013 | 10:41 amOnce upon a time, there was a girl who loved boots. When she was in Austin, Texas She went to a thrift store, and bought these lovelies. It was her first “real” thrift store purchase, and this made her feel very hip. (though her friends told her that declaring yourself hip, kind of makes you the opposite.) For two weeks, she wore these boots as much as possible. And then, on one fateful Friday night, this happened. Her thrift store boots turned out to be not so thrifty. And she was very sad. The end. As mentioned in my little story above, I’m not really a thrift store… -
Blog Rut, Revisited
14 May 2013 | 11:01 amSource Unknown I don’t know what’s going on with me, but lately I’ve had a major case of writer’s block. I try to come up with a post and just… nothing happens. Or I write something, read it, and then realize it’s complete crap and not worth posting. Yesterday I wrote a post about an embarrassing moment (I was inspired by all of the ones I read from the “Blog Everyday in May” challengers), but then after actually reading it I realized that not only was it probably a bit inappropriate (it took place at a gynecologists office), it was also one of… -
It’s Friday, I’m in Love
10 May 2013 | 5:03 amA few things I’m loving on this particular Friday… First of all, the fact that it’s Friday. TGIF, am I right? Amanda Knox’s book. I’m completely engrossed in it and can’t put it down. Because I studied abroad in Perugia, Italy, I’ve followed the case closely since day one. FINALLY hearing all of the behind the scenes stuff and learning Amanda’s point of view is just fascinating. My heart aches for everything she had to go through in Perugia, and it still boggles my mind that there are so many people out there that hate her so passionately. And… -
Palm Springs Weekend
8 May 2013 | 5:45 amPalm Springs. 17 girls. One house. Hot sunny days. Long boozy nights. As I’m sure you can imagine, it was quite the weekend. Alas, I took a total of 6 pictures all weekend. ALL weekend. Lame, I know. Feeling like I’m in a sorority in a bunk bed room with 5 girls // Out and about in Palm Springs Cheers! // Pool party at Riviera Hotel But! I did capture some of this… And even some T Swift karaoke! *thanks to Gretchen for her superb video skills* I was sincerely hoping that this video would prove that I am, in fact, the phenomenal singer I believe myself to be, and that I…
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Losing Myself
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God of Second Chances
20 May 2013 | 8:42 pmScroll to the end of this post for updates and blog changes! from People of the Second Chance Here I am, spending seven days at home before I'm off to my next adventure: 10 weeks at summer camp in Alabama. And I'm excited for it, albeit a bit terrified. I have hope it will go well and I will learn a lot. In the meantime, I've been getting up to date on the blogs I follow, and I came across -
Rebelling Against Grace
8 May 2013 | 9:09 pmI've been cynical and rebellious towards God's grace for a long time now. I chose grace as my OneWord for 2013 because I was really hoping that I would be able to get a handle on the crazy notion that God would give me what I don't deserve. And I kinda feel like I haven't learned anything. For several months, I've been asking what God's response is when we sin. Why would he treat me with grace -
A Good Gift
26 Apr 2013 | 11:25 pmThis is a story of a father who knew how to give good gifts to his children... One day a father gave his two children a present. He was a good man and a really mindful and caring dad, and he gave his children everything they needed. This gift was really special, over and beyond simply meeting a need. He carefully designed the gift himself, crafted it with both of his children in mind, and even -
Constellations and Redemption
7 Apr 2013 | 10:22 pmAs Orion sinks slowly below the horizon, a little farther each night, so spring rolls softly around the corner. My 6th grade Math and Science teacher, Mr. Underwood, taught our class how to find Orion in the night sky. We were supposed to locate the constellation for homework and report back the next day. I remember slipping out the sliding glass door into my backyard, wrapped in a blanket from -
Already Forgiven
25 Mar 2013 | 6:52 pmMy college's prayer team has spent days and weeks participating in 24/7 prayer for a number of years, and next week is our big Spring 2013 week of nonstop prayer. 24/7 Prayer is an "international, interdenominational Christian movement praying and working for reconciliation" spiritually, socially, and environmentally. A couple years ago, while I was spending an hour in our prayer room on campus
