Taking out the mind-garbage

Today is Monday, and that means the start to another week of work. But, luckily for this girl- My work week will be cut short by the start of Thanksgiving festivities and Maryland traditions. I can NOT wait until I hit the road mid-week to see my family back in the Mason Dixon state.

The thing I love most about going home is that it bring so much happiness, relief, and peace. I get to immerse myself in time with my family members (and I mean- ALL OF THEM) and this blessing is one I still cherish every single time I see that yellow, red, and black sign on the interstate welcoming me home.

With that being said, I wish to re-enter Maryland with a clean mind and tidy thoughts. So here is my mind garbage... get it out of my head and onto a page... and leave it here:

*. Is it ok to break your "Healthy Eating" habits to eat half a cup container of peppermint bark muddy buddy's? Guilty... so guilty..

*. Pink glitter phase is in full swing. Glitter on my eyes, glitter on my toes, glitter on my fingernails. Where has this girly-girl been hiding all of my life and why is she deciding to park herself here when bows and glitter are almost unacceptable accessories at the age of 23?

*. I should take out the (literal) trash this morning. But it's just finished raining... and I don't want to carry it all the way over to the dumpster with the 2% chance I could slip and fall and break my body.

*. Why am I listening to Sugar Ray right now?

*. Carrot Cake is a vegetable.... right?

*. Jessica Day is my new super hero. Take that as you will and don't judge.

Crd*t

*. It's only 7am on Monday and I have already listened to 2 songs by Ke$ha... dang it.

*. Heels. A love-hate relationship I am still trying to find my healthy balance with. I love to hate them or.... do I hate that I love them...

XOXO,
M

Everyday I'm Hustlin'

Perhaps this is a late realization, but as I walked out of my interview this morning with Premier in Ballantyne, I started to see just how important it is to have a competitive drive.

I know what some of you may be thinking... (Is this girl really a college graduate... and just coming to this conclusion right now?)
But hear me out...

Growing up an athlete, I have always held on to a competitive drive. In sports, however, it came down to the simple fact that we were, in fact, playing a game. It was a situation day in and day out that ultimately meant walking away from the field a winner or a loser- then eating ice cream and realizing that the next game will bring another opportunity for a different outcome.

But this is the real deal... sometimes there are NO do-overs, no "next game", or second chances... When it comes to interviews and jobs (especially in this current economy), sometimes that first chance is the only... and it will decide the course of every single following day of your life. *GULP!* Scary stuff if you think about it.

So while this post has no picture or visual aid to back up this statement (whether it be relevant to you or not) I just wanted to shed light on recent understanding on the importance of competition and a competitive drive. Every day is a competition with the people around you. Luckily, this means that there are so many chances to be good at something! And even more comforting is that assurance that we don't HAVE to be good at EVEYRTHING! But it could wind down to ultimately being the best at what you are chasing, so don't shy away from working beyond your comfort zone in order to prove your skills and desire to take on opportunity- Especially if it's something you know you want and need to succeed and grow.

A Different Kind of Love Story

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

Love Thy Momma

I am sure I am not alone when I say that our Moms are one of our greatest treasures. This woman is my hero above heroes, my rock, my incredible idol and example of beauty in my life. So for Mother's Day yesterday, we treated my mom to a home cooked breakfast, coffee on the porch, and a surprise visit to see HER mother, my Meemaw!

Then we spent the day in the sunshine, watching baseball and collecting smiles. I couldn't imagine a better day in honor of a woman so incredibly special to our family...

I hope everyone had the chance to spend some time with their pretty mommas yesterday!

Happy Monday!

Picture this...

(Picture)

Fight and conquor through this Monday!! Cause you are super!

iABC

They say that you can really understand a person by the music they listen to...
I mean, think about it! When you're happy, you have a go to playlist, when you're feeling down- music is meant to comfort. Feeling excited and energized, bring on the techno beats! We all have those songs that remind us of specific memories (for me, this song reminds me of the many mornings my mom would drive me to the front doors of my highschool- She believed it would guarantee us all a lovely day ahead.)

My taste in music has definitely come a long way since my preteen years- I could tell by comparing songs from my first MP3 player (Which was a Dell, believe it or not!) to my current iPod.

I love learning about new artists, new styles of music, and simply sharing my own finds with friends and family. So I want to share with you my iABC's... Artists that make up the alphabet of my soundtrack...

A ugustana- Boston/Hey Now
B uble (...Michael Buble)- Crazy Love Album (Pure Magickk)

C oldplay- The Scientist, The Civil Wars (Dreamy)

D ave Matthews (cause they're just that frat-tastic) Also in the mix- The Decemberists

E rin McCarley- Pony, it's ok & Earth, Wind and Fire

F ray. Obviously. Florence & The Machine along with FUN, newcomers to the obsession...

G reen River Ordinance, Goo Goo Dolls, and Gavin D. Any Questions?

H erbie Hancock. Jazzy baby (May I suggest his accompaniment with Mr. John Mayer?)

I ron and Wine. Smooth and Classy as always.

J oshua Radin, John Mayer, & my main man, Justin Timberlake. Triple Threat, BOOM!

K illers. (and Ke$ha for some college reminiscing, of course.)

L ove Drug. No one else deserves to be mentioned in their presence in the L category, sorry all.

M atchbox Twenty, Maroon 5, Matt Wertz, Matt Nathanson, Mumford...
M IS the best letter, after all!

N eon Trees

O neRepublic, Our Lady Peace. Oh baby...

P arachute and Paul Simon. Classics

Q (anyone got a Q?)

R egina Spektor. Piano Ma'm

S afety Suit, Slightly Stoopid, Switchfoot, The Script, Sarah Bareilles (Should I keep going?) 

T hird Eye Blind (Cue 1998), Tracy Chapman (Fast Car), and OF COURSE- Train

U ndeserving

V an Morrison, Vertical Horizon (You're a God)

W ooden Birds

X-Zibit (I know, I'm a G- Pimp My Ride, SON!)

Y oung the Giant (You thought I was gonna say Young Money, didn't you?)

Z ac Brown Band- A little country can't hurt... can it?

Of course there are many, many more for each letter, but I tried to pick out some favorites. Look through your iPod, who are you listening to? Any of these match your favorites?

Ah, happy musical Monday! Go dance in the sunshine, would ya?!

Save the Postal Service!

It's a sad realization- The U.S Postal service is struggling to keep their head above water. Of course, some people don't think it's worth the thought to save their diving business due to the free email accounts they use on the daily. But think about this...

With no postal service-

No more birthday cards...
anniversary surprises...
wedding announcements...
or deliverable words of Hallmark wisdom!

No more mailmen or women 

No more magazine subscriptions sent strait to your door

And no more love letters sealed with a KISS!

Think about that feeling you get when you open a postcard from a friend from over seas, or the letters that our military men rely on for communication when technology is not an option.

Let's utilize the postal service as much as possible. Keep sending love in every which direction, because you never know when technology will swallow this opportunity all up.

(Postal Closures Article)

Monday Morning Inspiration

The Holstee Manifesto Lifecycle Video from Holstee on Vimeo.

For the cyclists, the runners, the crafting glue-gunners, the lovers, the haters, the graceful ice skaters, the singers, the writers, the nervous nail-biters, the jocks in their sneakers, the daring thrill-seekers. For the swooners, the crooners, the age-less time tuners, the young and the old, the brash and the bold. Be inspired, today.