12.05.2010
Day 13 – This Week
Sunday - relaxing, finishing cleaning up around the house, doing laundry, working & maybe going out to look for a coffee table & end tables. Ryan's moving out by the end of the year & he's getting ours.
Monday - Work. Gym. Dinner. Work.
Tuesday - Work. Gym. Dinner. Work.
Wednesday - Work. Gym. Dinner. Work.
Thursday - Work. Gym. Dinner. Work.
Friday - Work. Gym. Dinner. Work.
Saturday -
11.14.2010
Note From the Universe
11.11.2010
11.08.2010
Note From the Universe
11.04.2010
Day 14 – What I WoreToday
Note From the Universe
10.26.2010
Note From the Universe
10.18.2010
10.14.2010
Day 12 – What’s in My Bag
The Keys
Coach Owl, for Chi O + a hearts key ring engraved with James & Leslie McBride from my friend Nicole.
Neither have a purpose, just sentimental attachment.
The Wallet
Coach Mini Signature in Black.
This wallet has space for everything you need & a lot of things you don't. I like that it's easy to slim down for smaller bags with a removable checkbook cover.
The Makeup
Inside a Coach pink signature mini cosmetics case (picture not accurate).
I've nearly worn this case out, but it's a great way to corral little things that would otherwise be lost in the bottom of your bag.
I have Cover Girl Powder Foundation + Clinique Lipstick.
This power is my fav as it covers better than the brand's pressed powder, but it's still lightweight and very affordable. Clinique's lipstick is amazing. It's the only brand I've used that never dries out, never flakes & never leaves behind remnants of color. It's smooth, moisturizing and comes in great shades.
Philosophy Supernatural Lip Gloss + Patanol Eye Drops.
I just started using the Supernatural Lip Gloss, and I love it! It's thick and shiny but doesn't have the uber-sticky consistency of Mac's Lip Glass. Nothing interesting about the eye drops, just allergies. :)
Glam
Prada Triangle Logo Sunglasses in Red (picture not accurate)
The Organizer
Gallison Andy Warhol Shoes Accordion Organizer + Notebook with Pink Waterman Pen.
This organizer is awesome -- it has a bunch of slots for things like gift cards, receipts, frequent shopper cards, to-do lists and more, plus it has a notepad for jotting down shopping lists, etc. I love this pen because it's high-quality but still slim and in the perfect color (shout out to NWL!)
The Technology
iPod Video G4 in Coach Red Signature Stripe Case
I have to be ready to rock my tunes at work, at the gym, in the car, anywhere and everywhere, so I always have my iPod. James bought this case for me one year for my birthday, and I love it because it protects my Pod but is still very stylish.
Nikon Coolpix S4000 + Case Logic Ultra Compact Camera Case
Never leave home without your camera! This is a good point-and-shoot with minimal options (sometimes too minimal for my taste) but it's easy to use and I love the touch-screen. Not the most sexy case, but it serves its purpose.
Work-issued BB -- I'd prefer the Bold -- but I still love it. I'm not an iPhone or Droid kind of girl.
The Necessities
Coach Pink Leather Contact Case (picture not accurate)
The stylish way to carry ugly contact cases. And it has a mirror!
Coach Pink Leather Medicine Case (picture not accurate)
For allergy meds, vitamins & pain killers -- you never know when you'll need them!
Today's Three Things
1) Finally making it to Taco Mac Thursday
2) Pumpkin beer/ale/IPA, etc.
3) Microsoft Office 2010
10.13.2010
Day 10 – My Favorite Outfit
At least right now.
It's comfortable, wears well and, with the right shoe selection, can be dressed up or down. The decorative collar allows you to skip the necklace and go with snazzy earrings or -- my favorite -- it looks great with a chunky turquoise ring and bracelet. Last, the high-waist belt gives it a little more shape without compromising the flowing a-line silhouette or covering up the pockets.
Yes, pockets. Now do you understand?
10.12.2010
10.11.2010
Today's Three Things
1) The Delta Sky Club
2) Accomplishing a lot at work without being at work
3) Meeting old friends in new places
10.10.2010
10.09.2010
10.08.2010
10.07.2010
10.06.2010
Day 09 – My Favorite Actor
Tom Hanks
I don't think this man has made a bad movie. He's old-man sexy, a devoted husband and an eloquent speaker. What is that you say? AND he directs?
See what I mean?
10.05.2010
10.04.2010
10.03.2010
10.02.2010
Every Girl Needs
I picked this pretty one up in Paris and it's been the best, most reasonably priced handbag I've ever owned. Even better? When bought in Paris it comes in at $115 rather than $145 in the U.S. Score!
10.01.2010
9.30.2010
9.28.2010
Today's Three Things
2) clean bathrooms. even better - MY clean bathroom.
3) banana puddin pops from The King of Pops
Day 08 – A Picture of Something That Makes Me Happy
Three reasons:
1) Jimmy Johnson
2) Jimmy Johnson winning
3) Jimmy Johnson winning one of our brand's race
9.24.2010
9.14.2010
Note From the Universe
9.13.2010
A Note From the Universe
9.12.2010
Day 07 – My Worst Nightmare
I don't have a worst nightmare. I think I'm good at rolling with the punches.
9.10.2010
Day 06 – Describe My Day in Great Detail
5:28 a.m. - My semi-conscious looks at my BlackBerry and lays my head back down.
6:30 a.m. - I wake up in a panic as I'm supposed to be walking out the door right now.
6:20 - 6:50 a.m. - I dig through the massive piles of laundry in my bedroom, bathroom and closet in search of my Georgia Tech shirt. I fail, so I resolve to wearing a goldenrod tank with a white sweater and cuffed skinny jeans with matching yellow flats. Swap the long necklace for dangle GT earrings. Nice :)
6:50 - 7 a.m. - I brush my teeth, wash my face & put on my makeup, forgetting my contacts 'till last. I hate that.
7 a - 7:10 a.m. - I comb & then flat iron my hair. Today's a teasing kind of day, so I poof, pin and spray.
7:10 a.m. - BlackBerry check. Shoot! Late. Ugh.
7:10 - 7:15 a.m. - I grab my things, kiss the James and scoot out the door.
7:17 a.m. - I get to my car, am unhappy with the bottom half of my outfit and decide to go change.
7:19 - 7:20 a.m. - James wakes up to me rummaging for clothes (again). Throw on barely boot cut dark wash with brown and gold wedges. Much better. :)
7:20 - 7:32 a.m. - I drive to work. I'm tired, but Martina McBride is on the radio, Independence Day. Love this song. I also heard two Tim McGraw songs.
7:32 - 7:35 - Park (floor 1!), walk into the office with EVP of HR. Off on 6 to get 10 training packets from Lizz's desk. Take them to our conference room on 3.
This is so ridiculous, I cannot even continue.
9.08.2010
Day 05 – My Favorite Quote(s)
Early in life I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose the former and have seen no reason to change. -Frank Lloyd Wright
I wont say that everyone who knows me knows I love Frank, but I can confidently say that many people do. I love Frank so much, in fact, that I think we're on a first name basis. When I refer to Frank, the unknowing often ask, "Frank, who?" as though I'm referring to a friend. Frank, who? Pssssh! The Lloyd Wright himself, of course!
I digress...
I love Frank. I admire Frank. I am in awe of Frank's work. The lines! The blending of earth and man! The organized abstract nature of it all. And that's just his work.
Frank himself is such an interesting man. His house burned twice. He left his wife and children for his mistress, and then his mistress and her children were murdered in his home by his employee. He married someone half his age -- and had a child with her. He was banished from Chicago society, had a sporadic streak that nearly bankrupted him more than once and was wildly impulsive. His best work came after he nearly lost it all, and I love him for that. He was cocky as hell, didn't listen to clients and was notorious for going over budget. I'm talking more than double what he was supposed to spend. He pushed the limits of design and engineering (have you seen Falling Water?). He freaking rocks my world. Sigh.
I love this quote, not because it illustrates what is quite possibly his biggest strength and his biggest weakness -- his confidence -- but because I actually think it's a pretty damn good motto by which to live. Don't pretend to be humble if you're not. Even if you are -- exude an air of confidence. Better -- be confident. Be yourself. And above all else, have no regrets.
Next...
Follow your bliss. - Senses Fail
This one comes from the song "Can't Be Saved" by emo/post-hardcore band Senses Fail, whom I also love. The song starts with this line, and I think its a good way to start every day: follow your bliss. Follow what makes you happy. Do what makes you happy. And be who makes you happy. Bliss.
And finally...
For we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Cor 5:7
This was the second Bible verse I ever memorized (the first was "Your word is the lamp to my feed and the light to my path," though I can never remember the book and verse. (It's Psalm 119:105. I checked.)). It was a time when I was starting to discover and grow my relationship with Christ through a discipleship with my dear childhood friend, Andrea. I thought, and still do think, that it speaks a lot to what I was feeling at that time and what other people who are new to their faith often feel. When I am ever uncertain or unsure, I remember this verse.
8.26.2010
Back to School
I decided to take only one class this semester.
The bad news?
The book for the class I dropped cost $15. The book for the class I'm actually taking? $200. Ouch.
8.25.2010
8.24.2010
Day 03 – A Song That Makes Me Cry
The first time I heard I loved her First by Heartland, I was six months away from my wedding & knew my dad wanted to dance to it. I was in the backseat of my parent's car after looking at the house they'd eventually purchase -- the place they'd move to after leaving the only house I'd ever known. The insurmountable change I knew I was facing suddenly became more than I could handle on a gray February day in Ohio.
I still remember hearing Something to be Proud Of by Montgomery Gentry for the first time. I was in the audio department at Circuit City and something overtook me. I think it was the story of the simple life that we all can be proud of.
For a long time after I moved to Georgia, many country songs would get to me. I'd be stuck in rush hour traffic on I-85 south and find myself sobbing. It wasn't any particular song. In fact, I couldn't name anything specifically that made my tears fall. It was simply the reminder of home, my parents and the life I no longer had.
So I guess it's not even one song that makes me cry, it's just whatever song that speaks to me based on what is going on in my life at that time.
The good news? Nothing is making me cry of late! :)
8.23.2010
Day 02 – A Place I Hope to Visit
Bora Bora.
When James & I were dating and still working at Circuit City, Bora Bora was on one of the loop tapes that played in the TV department. We always said that's where we wanted to go for our honeymoon. Turns out we didn't get a honeymoon, so it's still at the top of our list of places to go.
8.22.2010
8.21.2010
Bienvenue vers Paris!
I have to go for work Monday through Wednesday, so I thought I'd tag on a weekend before and half a day Thursday to explore the city since I've never been. I looked into how much it would cost for James to go, but $1,600 for a coach ticket was feeling unrealistic -- that's one whole class + books (is it sad I think of money in terms of grad school costs?).
Low and behold, a simple mention of my skepticism in front of my dear FIL resulted in the donation of Delta Sky Miles and therefore -- a trip to Paris for James & I. Best part? It's two days after our third anniversary. Perfect, right?
I'm trying to plan out what we're doing, but I am so overwhelmed, I just want to see it all! These places are on our must-see list (when I say ours, I mean mine ;):
- Champs-Elysees
- Eiffel Tower
- Arc de Triomphe
- Harley Davidson (for my uncle)
- Le Moulin Rouge (maybe? I'm not a huge fan of the movie, and it's kind of far out. Is it worth it?)
- Hermes at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré - this is one of the most fashionable streets in the city; it's also home to French Vogue!
- Laduree at 16 Rue Royale for Macarons
- The original Chanel location at 31 Rue Cambon
- Avenue Montaigne - for shopping!
- Hotel de Ville
- Place Vendôme
- Place de la Concorde
- Église de la Madeleine
- Elysee Palace
- Louvre Museum
- Musée d'Orsay
- Abbaye de Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Stanbridge, the maker of wonderful men's shirts (www.stanbridge.fr)
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Notre Dame
- Panthéon
- Catacombs
- Place des Vosges
- Place des Bastille
- Statues of Liberty on ÃŽle des Cygnes and in Jardin du Luxembourg
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Les Invalides
- Palais des Tuileries (Tuileries Palace)
- Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, Paris(Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Paris)
- Palace of Versailles
- Conciergerie
I think we can hit most of these along the Axe Historique. Anything we're missing?
8.20.2010
7.15.2010
Today's Three Things
1. meetings that go well
2. long lunches out
3. taking time to read a book every day
7.14.2010
Note From the Universe
7.13.2010
Today's Three Things
1. Charles Shaw
2. Skyping with Momma & Daddy
3. Genuine thanks for a job well done
I lost it.
The bonus? Much more efficient reading.
The downside? Much less blogging.
In fact, I have rarely turned on my beloved Mac lately (though that is more likely due to the fact that I have some kind of issue that makes it constantly create HUMONGOUS log files that fill up my 120 GB hard drive. [Help? Anyone?])
As a result, I've neglected my "three things" posts, and I think that's a loss. As my life has gotten no less hectic or stressful, I should, no need to keep it up.
7.12.2010
A Note from the Universe
6.24.2010
Note From the Universe
6.17.2010
Note From the Universe
5.25.2010
Note From the Universe
5.24.2010
Note From the Universe`
5.22.2010
5.14.2010
Note From the Universe
5.10.2010
Note From the Universe
Humbled like the rest of 'em.
5.07.2010
Note From the Universe
4.27.2010
4.22.2010
Note From the Universe
Dare not wish to change even the slightest thing about a loved one without first understanding how it might change the rest of them. Besides, if the big picture is rocking you, why make a fuss over a few splots? | |||||||||||
4.19.2010
Note From the Universe
4.13.2010
3.24.2010
Note From the Universe
3.22.2010
Today's Three Things
1) Chi O!
2) Finishing finals + homework
3) Sleeping in after a long night of flight delays & homework
3.21.2010
3.20.2010
3.19.2010
Today's Three Things
1) Watching the Smokey Mountains and Ohio River from the plane
2) Going home!
3) Swenson's burgers
3.18.2010
3.17.2010
3.16.2010
His name is Prada...
I've been looking for new food & water bowls for Prada for some time. As it turns out, cat foot bowls are ugly. They come in bright colors and have cutsey pawprints on them. Gag.
Imagine my excitement when I see these beauties in my inbox.
Too bad they're $86(!) for the small version, as they'd look quite fab in my house.
Today's Three Things
1) not bringing my computer home from work
2)Tuesday night marathons of The Office on TBS
3) Going to bed at 11:00
3.15.2010
3.14.2010
3.13.2010
3.12.2010
Today's Three Things
1) First-time Homebuyers Tax Credits
2) Continuing Education Tax Credits
3) Property Tax Re-assessments
3.11.2010
3.10.2010
Note From the Universe
3.09.2010
Death by Caffeine
Ever wondered how many cups of coffee you could drink before it killed you?
You're not the only one, so the smart folks over at Energy Fiend made a handy little calculator called Death by Caffeine. It really puts all those Red Bulls into perspective...
3.08.2010
3.07.2010
3.06.2010
3.05.2010
3.04.2010
3.03.2010
3.02.2010
Today's Three Things
1) Christmas-size snowflakes
2) Being on the news
3) Getting to talk about Garth Brooks on the news
Edit: I decided I want FOUR things today, as 12th-row Thrashers tickets are worth mentioning :)
3.01.2010
2.28.2010
2.27.2010
2.26.2010
2.25.2010
2.24.2010
2.23.2010
2.22.2010
2.21.2010
2.20.2010
2.19.2010
2.18.2010
2.17.2010
2.16.2010
2.15.2010
2.14.2010
2.13.2010
2.12.2010
2.11.2010
2.10.2010
Today's Three Things
1) Half-asleep James when I leave for work in the morning
2) Good deals on cute clothes
3) Team lunches
Why Me?
This weekend, I experienced the single scariest thing that has ever happened to me. I write about this, not for attention, but for the clarity and understanding I hope it will one day provide.
James and I started having "date night," either on Friday or Saturday. It's a night when we can spend time, just us, to relax and enjoy each other's company. I've made big strides in my life in the last six weeks (more on that later), and this has been instrumental in my life changes.
This week, we decided to check out Steele, an Asian/sushi place in the Plaza Midtown condo complex off West Peachtree. We LOVE sushi, so it seemed perfect.
As we prepared to leave the condo, I started seeing spots, like I'd looked at the light in the mirror too long. No big deal.
By the time we arrived at Steele, less than 1.5 miles away, I'd lost my peripheral vision.
After we sat down, within 10 minutes, I couldn't feel my right hand, save the sporadic tingle.
In 10 more minutes, my hand was fine.
In 10 additional minutes, I couldn't feel the lower right half of my face.
In 10 more minutes, I was fine.
Soon after we'd sat down, I started getting a little spacey. I couldn't remember little details about our upcoming Vegas vacation. No big deal, though, as we've never been and I don't know much about the city.
As James' and my conversation progressed, it became apparent that something was wrong. I could not remember common information -- the name of the Hoover Dam, the Bellagio, gondola rides and the Venetian. One of my favorite artists is Dale Chihuly, and while I can tell you most anything about his career, I couldn't remember his name. I couldn’t' tell you the name of our friend who lives with us, the name of one of my best friend's fiancées nor write the name of the street on which I live.
When it became clear that something was awry, we decided to go to the ER. However, by the time we arrived at the car -- I was fine. I knew all I had not known a mere 10 minutes prior. Even more, I knew the surprise at my prior condition; I knew something had been wrong, and I could explain that I had been conscious of it the entire time, despite my inability to articulate even the most simple point.
I went to the doctor on Monday – he could find nothing wrong, but could only suggest what I feared, the worst – possible stroke, inappropriate stress, aneurysm, brain spasm – all things that a 24-year-old should never experience. All things that my young husband and parents should not have to experience.
Yet here we all are, experiencing the unexperiencable… and for the first time, I feel like I can legitimately ask – why me?
2.09.2010
2.08.2010
2.07.2010
2.06.2010
2.05.2010
2.04.2010
2.03.2010
Today's Three Things
1) Finishing seemingly unfinishable projects
2) Nice valets
3) Wonderfully Southern older women
2.02.2010
2.01.2010
1.31.2010
1.30.2010
1.29.2010
I Appreciate Catchy Writing
I'm not really concerned about the subject of the following excerpt (Havana), I just love the opening. And I quote...
"When stuff happens you don't like, there's solace in knowing it was for a reason: when your hamster died, the little fella was old and not really enjoying himself anymore, and when the Buckhead strip closed, it was to keep you from being stabbed by visiting NFL players whose names rhyme with Ray Lewis." --from Thrillist
1.28.2010
1.27.2010
1.26.2010
Did You Know?
Why I Miss Ohio
Becuase in 5 hours, give or take, you can drive to a variety of awesomely entertaining places.
In Georgia, 5 hours puts me in a variety of middle-of-nowheres, and I'm over it.
Run, Forrest, Run!
Even so, in my wonderful Midwestern existance, I never realized the value of Forrest's football career.
I get that all the occurances in Forrest's life were made to be happenstance situations that were actually signifigant parts of Americana. So please explain to me how I missed BEAR BRYANT?
I knew who Bear Bryant was in Ohio -- in fact, I still have a copy of some quotes of his that I took from the field house in high school. Good quotes, but I didn't know who he was to football, to college football or to Alabama. Imagine my suprise when it dawned on me yesterday that the man on my TV was not just wearing ANY houndstooth hat -- that was Mr. Hounstooth Hat himself!
It's such a shame I must hate Alabama, but Forrest Gump sure does make them slightly more likeable. :)
1.25.2010
1.24.2010
1.23.2010
1.22.2010
1.21.2010
1.20.2010
1.19.2010
1.18.2010
1.17.2010
1.16.2010
1.15.2010
1.14.2010
1.13.2010
Today's Three Things
1) Trader Joe's fresh, whole-wheat, one-pound pizza dough for 99 cents
2) Gym x 2
3) Watching the purple sunset from my living room with hubs <3
1.12.2010
Today's Three Things
1) Being thanked for my hard work on making Stew & Brew a repeated success
2) Getting a compliment on my aloe plants... again
3) 6.2 miles