New Little Project- Stay tuned!

So sorry I have been a little MIA lately- Gretting adjusted to the new job, travels back home at the turn of fall to Maryland, and now a road trip to visit my friends in Wilmington!

Where has the time gone? It's almost mid-September next week! But with the changing seasons, so may some change happen On The Wing. Stay Tuned, Lovelies- I gota storm brewin' and hope it brings all kinds of blue skies after the aftermath!



Happy Thursday! Stay Classy, Love Doves!

Someone's Been Taking the Puppy Pills!

I can't tell you how long I have wanted a dog to call my own. High school? College? Both... yes. The past 8 years I have been longing for a pet to call mine. ALL MINE. And with my recent move to Charlotte and the accomplishment of securing a job that will ultimately support myself (and a pet a wee one of my own) I believe I have earned the right to become a doggie's momma! And growing up with only one kind of dog, I can't imagine any other breed to come into my life at this time...

What do you think? Cuteness overload, right?! Do you think this young twenty-something is ready to adopt my new best friend? Have you adopted a new little bud and care to share your experiences? 

A Different Kind of Love Story

"Geez, what a beautiful parking lot!"- No One Ever

Who We Look Up To

It's no secret- People fall head-over-heels for pop-culture figures and their flashy entrances on the red carpet, or their embarrassing stunts in front of the paparazzi. It's a phenomenon that is sweeping our brainwaves and seems to be sticking like glue. But with so much going on behind the curtain, how can we be so blind to ignore some of these interesting people making a difference... no spotlight required.

Salman Khan

Salman Khan began his popular math-tutorial website to benefit his teenage cousin with her math homework from across the globe. His site, khanacademy.org now has over three thousand tutorials for students and teachers alike to follow and utilize to enhance performance in the classroom. Knowledge is power, and the man behind it is powerful!

Ben Rattray

Taking the idea of Change into his own hands, Rattray created the website Change.org, a platform that invites every single person to share their stories, ideas, and plans for change. It is on this website that we see personal accounts of why change is vital for the better of our people, economy, and world as whole. It also provides free-speech opportunities to other countries under protest and political scrutiny. 

Elinor Ostrom
 

In 2009, Ostrom was the first woman to receive a Nobel prize for economics, placing emphasis on the importance of collective action in the world's most urgent, emerging issues. At 78 years old, this incredible figure has done field studies of the world's fisheries, traveled with shepherds in the Swiss countryside and looked around the Los Angeles water basin. Her goal: to bring the realization to light that in order to preserve our world, we must overcome selfish interests.

All of these incredibly inspiring stories (and so many more) can be found here, published by Time.

So the next time you find yourself getting caught up in the Kardashian klan, the recent reject of the Bachelorette, or J-Lo's moves in techno-flashy music videos, think to yourself-
"Who am I looking up to?"

Fashionista- Lady Di

If you know me even a wee-little, you know I have a wee-little crush on this Glee star...

Dianna Agron. A blonde beauty, for sure. I fell in love with her spunky attitude as Quinn Fabray on Fox's GLEE. But the even more so with the actress herself- energetic, creative, and all around classy. I mean, for goodness sakes, I even cut my hair to match her new-do last fall...
 

(Ashamed? Not even in the slightest...)

Besides the ambitious hair cut and her inspiring new website: You, Me & Charlie
This girl has some serious style that I plan to implement into my own closet this spring. Living in LA, this chica knows a few things about warm temps and dressing to meet the heat!

 

Scarves and Leather

Florals and Denim

Floppy Hats!

Blazers over Dresses

Striped Simplicity!

And so many, many more! Who are your fashion icons (And why?!)

Have a lovely day, happy wanderers!

Get Real, Barbie

I found this after wandering around my Facebook timeline this morning and it made me do a double take.

Ladies! If you've ever attacked your own positive body image and this Mattel toy played a role model in your life at one point, I urge you to read and put into perspective:

Eating Disorder Awareness Month---And Barbie has an eating disorder!

• If Barbie were an actual women, she would be 5’9” tall, have a 39” bust, an 18” waist, 33” hips and a size 3 shoe.
• Barbie calls this a “full figure” and likes her weight at 110 lbs.
• At 5’9” tall and weighing 110 lbs, Barbie would have a BMI of 16.24 and fit the weight criteria for anorexia. She likely would not menstruate.
• If Barbie was a real woman, she’d have to walk on all fours due to her proportions.
• Slumber Party Barbie was introduced in 1965 and came with a bathroom scale permanently set at 110 lbs with a book entitled “How to Lose Weight” with directions inside stating simply “Don’t eat.”

Read that last bullet again... I think that's incredibly messed up. That message reached millions of little girls who could have gotten the impression that Barbie's secret of not eating is the key to being beautiful, since she is the symbol of beauty ((or is she)), kiddies.

Don't fall victim to society's depiction of a "beautiful body". Because they come in all different shapes and sizes. We weren't made from a mold or out of plastic. You were made by the hands of an artist, creating everyone different and beautiful for the world to learn from and appreciate. Enjoy that body, baby, cause it's the only one you're going to get!



Thank you, Maya Foss, for sharing.

Charlotte in the Morning

Today is the day for my big follow-up interview with American City Business Journals, headquartered right here in gorgeous Charlotte, NC.

After spending a fun-filled (sleep-less) weekend with my lovely cousin, I must complete my tour-de-carolinas weekend strong with an interview that could ultimately bring me back to this bustling city.

I hope this interview yields a prosperous outcome, but after praying and realizing that everything is not in my hands, I feel relieved to know God's plan will prevail no matter what.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."- Proverbs 31:25

It's a bit chilly, but the sun is shining as I will be spending my morning exploring the city by wheels and by foot until I meet my interviewers. Next stop?

Well... Trader Joes, OF COURSE!

My One Word

Happy 2011 Everyone!
Sorry I went a little MIA in the past few days, just a lot of things going on that being able to get on the blog has been a little tougher than usual.

But I am excited to be back in the swing of things! So here we go...

First off, have you checked out these lovely ladies' blogs?

 Fotojenik

Southern Hospitality

If you have, then you know just how wonderful they are! If not, head on over there as soon as you can! They are beautiful people with beautiful words (and pictures) to share with you

On both of their blogs, you can find earlier posts about the New Years and how they chose one word to focus on. By focusing on this one word, it will bring them a wonderful year to come. 

It got me thinking and after a day of pondering, I finally came upon my word in the aisles of good ol' Costco

Right above a group of colorful bouquets, I saw a sign that read:
"Beautiful Blossoms"

The word "Blossom" referring to the bright green bulbs bursting with small petals of oranges, pinks, and reds. 

"Blossom" kept spinning around in my head as we mazed between aisles
So I have decided, that is my word for this year.

In 2010, I grew a lot. I feel like I was a seed finally poking my head out of the dirt into the sun. I was able to learn by trying new things, becoming more involved in things I loved and forming the foundation I needed to flourish. But I am ready to take everything from last year and show everyone out there my true colors.

I'll be graduating in December this year. Do I know where I'll be then? Absolutely not. But I promise everyone out there I will do my best to Blossom into the confident, driven, successful woman I know I am seeking to become...

Now It's Your Turn...

What's Your Word?

R(in)R#3- Do Not Fear The "What If's..."

This will be my last post until after New Years, since I will be heading to the eastern shore with friends and family for just a couple days.

But I thought I would share my last resolution from 2010 that has played out up until the very last days of the year.

I will admit, I love being spontaneous. 

I have grown to love doing new and exciting things...JUST BECAUSE I WANT TO!

(See first post: "R(in)R#1- Try Something New)

But at the end of 2009, I realized that I had a hard time with committing to certain people, making permanent plans to add to my agenda. I always anticipated the unexpected, never wanting to know what was coming next. And while I can admit, it has been fun and ok for a while... 

I've realized that living in this world requires you to start making plans and not being afraid of what will come out of them...
I had to start making promises to others and yourself that you must keep.

I was always so caught up in the "What If's"of my actions and decisions...

One of these plans/risks from this previous year included making plans for a concert three months in advance. I had no idea where I would be living in July when we bought these tickets to a Train/John Mayer concert back in March. I didn't know if the weather would hold up for lawn seats, I couldn't tell you what I'd be doing in the days leading up to the concert...But through a little anxiety and hesitation, we bought those tickets and I kept to that plan...

 Even through the rain and mud that ended up being our seats, we stayed at that concert and rocked out! And you know what?! I wouldn't trade that night with some of my amazing friends and my favorite bands for anything in the world.

Also, I applied for multiple jobs. Some I literally failed at. Some I excelled. But overlooking the "What If I Fail..." I was able to gain experience and friends that I wouldn't have made if I didn't try at all... 

Just recently I've had to go through so much thinking, asking "What If" about little details, about choices I know effect not only me, but other people. And I realize through the experiences listed and those that will remain unsaid, that I have to follow through. I'll admit, I have had the hardest time keeping to this resolution... I have learned by taking chances and trusting that the outcome of every situation, decision, and relationship is much greater than any control I thought I could maintain. 

 I know that going into 2011, I will continue to try and keep this resolution going. At times I will not be able to conquer it with flying colors, but I will try my best.

I have made a decision here in the past week that overcomes one of the greatest "What If's" I have had to encounter in several years. And I know that whatever happens, it's for the best.

I have agreed to stop looking at the "What If's" and replacing them with "Why Not?!"

R(in)R#2- Get to Know God Better

This resolution was the biggest one on my list for last year.
I know it's lengthy but if you read only one of my blog posts from now 'til next year, I pray it's this one:
It meant the most to me, and has had the greatest impact on my year by far.

Like I had said before, I sat in my bed on NYE when these resolutions came pouring inside my head... but this one was the only one to really reach my heart

I have always held fast on my faith in God. I have read His word, have believed every syllable in His book, and knew He was there... But sadly, it was almost like he was a long distance friend I only occasionally called on the telephone on an idle Wednesday night via collect...

And it was that NYE that it hit me... I NEED to change that

(If you didn't already know, I talk in Metaphor A LOT, and this post is no exception)

I could go on for days about how this relationship started forming, how it really started to turn from a ball of clay into something worth putting on display from within my own heart.
But I will do my best to keep it sweet and simple....

I started out in January leaving sticky notes around my room to make sure I was keeping up with this promise I made...

In the beginning, I had to answer these reminders with "Shoot! I need to get on that!" or "I forgot to do it! I ran out of time"

But after some time, I was able to pass these reminders and say "Yup! First thing this morning!" and my favorite, "Yea, several times already." It wasn't long until those reminders weren't needed anymore.

Now, I look back at those original statements and those excuses... 

they just don't even seem realistic anymore. 

They are virtually unacceptable.

I started meeting new people, Godly people that overflowed with Love and Genuine Faith. I started really GOING to church... really understanding what I was digesting through each message my pastor was giving. I took those lessons, the challenges we were set out to conquer throughout our week and really put them in play. I took time out and prayed at least twice EVERY DAY, and not just the traditional "Now I lay my head to sleep..." prayer, but having conversations with God just like I would with my own parents...my best friends... Really thanking him for giving me everything I have in my life. The friendships that have built me, the heart and mind that He gave me that supplies me with the courage, motivation, and drive to be who I am for his purpose. 

Finally, this summer I wanted to take everything that I had achieved, became, and was working towards from the past several months of my relationship with Christ and I got baptized on the beach with over 80 people from my church. I cannot begin to write out what the feeling was like. One of my best friends baptized me... I can't put into words how special it was to have someone baptize me who really helped me to reach that point with God that I could strongly stand firm and say "I give my life and ways up to Him". It was such an enormous blessing.

I pray my faith is not only growing in my own heart, but can overflow to fill others as well.

Now, when I go to surf at 5:30am and sit on my board, I not only have a great time with friends, but I also have great conversations and meaningful prayers with the One who gave me this ocean and this body to surf with. I go on runs and praise God for the ability to breathe his air and the legs that take me out there in the first place.

I am still growing, and I know this New Years Resolution has transformed into my way of life.
It's not something that you should work on for a year, a few years, a decade. It should be something you decide to follow from the point you know you're ready... for the rest of your life.

R(in)R#1- Try Something New

I knew that I wanted this year to be good, and I knew for that to happen, that meant trying something new. Something different than anything I had experienced in the last year. This may not sound like a very good resolution due to it's ambiguity and simplicity, but one that may be too easily accomplished. Throughout the year, this resolution made me realize that sometimes the simple goals that we reach towards may bring us the greatest fulfillment.

Something New #1: Complete my first Triathlon. 

For five years I ran. Just ran track. Never even considered combining it with biking, let alone swimming. But thanks to the support of friends and family, I bought a road bike and goggles, and traveled to Charlotte this summer for my first Tri! 

(And it won't be my last!)

Try Something New#2: Live away from home for the first time in the summer

This summer, I spent my time taking classes at school in North Carolina. It was the first time living away from home and it honestly was a tough decision to do so. But it was worth it. I met some amazing new friends, grew closer to existing ones, and got an incredible opportunity to work with some incredible children (Look ahead to #3)

Something New #3- Work With Children

I will be nothing less than honest: I have always loved watching children grow and learn... From Afar.

I never truly took the time to listen  to them, to really spend a day interacting with them until I got the job as a Camp Counselor at Myrtle Grove's Youth Christian Athletic camp. Going into it, I was scared to death. 

"What if these kids don't like me?"

"What if I don't know how to handle them and their questions?" 

But I knew that trying something new also meant jumping out of my comfort zone, so I decided to take the leap.

And I know that it was one of the best decisions I could have ever made.

(see post)

Other "Something New"s include: Create my first life size snowman, sing karaoke in front of a real live audience, and starting THIS VERY BLOG ;)

I hope some of these inspire you to go into the new year with the desire to
"Try Something New"
Because once you try something new...try something out of your comfort zone, you'll wonder why you never tried to do it before...