Wake me up, when April ends.

April 25, 2013 By 1 Comment

Howdy, folks. Long time, no see. It’s been over two weeks, since my last post. My apologies. April has turned in to a really, really crappy month. Between a stomach virus that just would not end and more than one death in the family – I just haven’t been motivated to do much of anything.  In fact, as I type up this post, I am when I started this post, I was on day two of a really bad migraine – exacerbated by a very uncooperative kid. Seriously, when will it end?

But, even in light of all the crap, I’m trying to find some good. So, in an attempt to pull myself out of this funk I’m in, here’s a list of five small things going on, that make me smile.

  1. My 3+ day migraine is pretty-much gone. Just a dull ache, now. Much better than it was yesterday and the day before.
  2. We’re going to see Thomas the Train this weekend, and the weather is looking pretty darn good.
  3. The $5 McDonald’s gift card I got, as a Klout perk. I’m using it to try out their new Premium McWrap. Stay tuned to my Twitter feed to see how it goes.
  4. I plan on spending an hour this evening, working on my editorial calendar for The Mom with Moxie.
  5. This month is almost over. Thank goodness! I’m claiming May as a much better month.

How about you guys? How are you doing? Has April been kind to you? 

One of My Favorite Things

March 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Confession… I have an addiction (well, if I’m being honest, I have more than one).

But, today, I’m talking about my addiction to paper. And, I don’t mean in that weird “I eat paper” kind of way.

At the risk of angering my “green” friends, I have an extreme love for it. I’m talking notebooks, notepads, stationery, you name it – I love it. I have every since I was a kid. And, planning our wedding only exacerbated it. I mean all the invitations, table assignment cards, I was in HEAVEN.

I’ve always said that in many second life – as a second career – I wanted to own a stationery store. It’s still a goal of mine, when I retire from PR and marketing.

But, for now, my favorite places to shop for stationery is Minted.

Minted

Minted is a community of independent graphic designers from all over the world – and an online store that prints and sells the best of their designs in the form of paper goods. They have a ton of different things to chose from. Wedding invitations, baby announcements, greeting cards, stationery, you name it! So you see, Minted is truly a dream-come-true for me. All my favs, in one place.

My favorite thing about the site, is the customer-created inspiration boards. Y’all have to check these out. They’re so, so awesome.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

Paris Lights - Mint Vintage Car - Teal

Sure makes me wish I had as good an eye as the people who created them. Seriously, folks. If you share even an inkling of my love for all-things paper, go check out Minted. You won’t regret it!

To find out more about Minted, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

 

Disclosure: While this is a sponsored post, all opinions - along with a wacky paper addiction - are all mine.

photo source

The one where I’m featured on @TheDailyBeast.

January 19, 2013 By 4 Comments

Eta… I’m also on Perez Hilton. Whoop whoop!

Detroit

So, recently, Howard Stern (cruelly) described Lena Dunham (Girls) as a “little fat girl.” Dunham didn’t take it lying down. As such, she was invited to call in to Stern’s show, for an apology. It was during this call she was quoted as saying, “I’m not super thin, but I’m thin for, like, Detroit!” What. The. Eff? Seriously. Way to crap on an entire city.

Here’s my question… When she called in to Howard Stern, to hear and accept his apology, why couldn’t she have just left it at that? Why couldn’t she have loved herself enough, to just graciously said, “thank you?’ Instead, she relied on the age-old defense mechanism of deflecting the negative attention her (totally regular) weight has been receiving, on to another victim. The victim, in this case, happened to be this wonderful city – my city – and its amazing people.

Anyway, when I read what was said, I tweeted at her, how not cool her comment was.

As a result of my tweet (and my general awesomeness ;) ), I was contacted  by reporter at The Daily Beast (The Daily FREAKING Beast, people!), to answer the question, “Is Detroit Mad at Lena Dunham?”

Click here to check out my answer, on The Daily Beast. Come back and let me know what you thought.

(P.S. I totally appreciate how the writer took care to get opinions from a variety of people)

 photo source

 

30 Goals for 2013

January 18, 2013 By 2 Comments

2013 Goals

I am a huge proponent of having written goals. I’m talking realistic, doable goals. I believe that in writing them down somewhere, you’re making yourself more accountable.

At the end of this year, I plan on looking at this list, and taking an account of how I did. I don’t really expect to complete all of them. But, you can bet that I’ll try my darndest.

Anyway, let’s get to it…

——————————————-

Personal:

  • Read through the Bible in a year. I’m using this chronological reading plan.
  • Attend church regularly.
  • Make it to my goal weight.
  • Kick my Coca-cola habit.
  • Eat well, exercise 3 – 4 times per week and drink enough water.
  • Continue to nurture my hair, back to its formally healthy state.
  • Use heat sparingly, on my hair. Only a couple times per month, at most.
  • Get 7 – 8 hours a sleep per night, every night.
  • Read two new books/eBooks per month. Be a better listener.
  • Strive to have more patience.
  • Create a schedule, and stick to it. I’ve discovered that I work so much better, when I do.

Parenting:

  • Have a weekly game and movie night at home.
  • Read to the kid, every night.
  • Play with the kid at least three times each week (games, board games, Wii, etc.).

Marriage:

  • Go on once-a-month evening dates with my husband.
  • Go on a once-a-year marriage retreat (a long weekend away, somewhere close).
  • Go on a BIG trip, for our 10th wedding anniversary.

Friendships/Extended Family:

  • Call grandparents every week (I really need to be better about this).
  • Call parents at least 2 times per week; visit at least 3 times per month.
  • Talk to people more… in person, on the phone (not just through text messages, email and social media).

Financial:

  • Create, and stick to, a new budget for 2013.
  • Continue saving 10 – 20 % of our income.

Blogging:

  • Switch from FeedBurner to FeedBlitz.
  • Attend a blogging conference.
  • Be a guest blogger on 4 different blogs.
  • Write an eBook.
  • Grow my average unique visitors per month by 20%.
  • Grow Facebook page fan count to 500.
  • Grow subscribers by 10%.
  • Post at least 3 – 4 times per week.

 

Have you set your 2013 goals yet? Leave a link, in the comments section.

 

photo source

 

Perseverance

January 15, 2013 By 1 Comment

perseverance

I’m still working on my 2013 goals post (don’t want to rush it). But, I saw this idea at Gabbing with Grace, and loved it!

My “One Word for 2013″… It’s the work I’ll focus on and insert into my everyday life. It’s the word I’ll live by.

My word is: Perseverance

  1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
  2. (Theology) continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

What’s your one word for 2013?

 

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