Where Good Ideas Come From

Monday's Quote of the Week: Fall

For the first time since early May, I have had goosebumps when walking outside.  I must say it is about time.  After having one of the hottest summers, I am ready for the crisp air of fall.  On Friday morning, I had my first cup of Caramel Apple Cider for the season!


Here are some quotes!

Bittersweet October.  The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.  ~Carol Bishop Hipps


Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  ~George Eliot


Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.  ~Elizabeth Lawrence 

This is your Carolina

I thought this was a powerful video that the University of South Carolina created for its annual giving campaign.  I am rather impressed and thought I should share. 

Monday's Quote of the Week: Travel

Monday I was traveling for the university for which I work.  This weekend I will be traveling for my friend's wedding.  In turn, I am thinking about how I need a vacation.  This has brought me to establish my thoughts for the week to be about traveling.   


Here are some quotes:

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.  ~St. Augustine


I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.  ~Lillian Smith


Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.  ~Mark Twain

http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/collections/travelandtour.html

I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.  ~George Bernard Shaw



I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine.  ~Caskie Stinnett



A passport, as I'm sure you know, is a document that one shows to government officials whenever one reaches a border between countries, so the officials can learn who you are, where you were born, and how you look when photographed unflatteringly.  ~Lemony Snicket 

Photo Friday: Let's Go Redlegs!

Great American Ballpark

My Inner Geek

Deep down inside I love all things about education.  I love to research, read, and study about educational policy, performance, finance, trends, and much, much more.  So the inner geek in me is awaiting a viewing of "Waiting for 'Superman.'"  Check out the trailer and take the pledge!

Lusting Over Things on Thursdays: Stationery

I believe in letters whether they are love letters or thank you notes or letters of friendship.  I believe they are necessary in this world of technology.  Writing thank you notes is extremely important to me.  I think I have written one for almost every Christmas and birthday gift I have received.  I hope people value letters the same way that I do.

Moreover, I love beautiful, fun, and pretty stationery.  Here are a few of my favorites:

photo: http://www.etsy.com/shop/EvenAndy?ref=top_trail

photo: http://www.riflepaperco.com

photo: http://www.etsy.com/shop/adriennewong?ref=top_trail

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.  ~Phyllis Theroux

What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters.  You can't reread a phone call.  ~Liz Carpenter

Letters are above all useful as a means of expressing the ideal self; and no other method of communication is quite so good for this purpose.  In letters we can reform without practice, beg without humiliation, snip and shape embarrassing experiences to the measure of our own desires... ~Elizabeth Hardwick 

Words on Wednesday: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Give Thanks. Walk

The first time I learned about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was when I was in 2nd grade and I participated in the Math-a-thon to raise money for the hospital.  Shortly after participating in the math-a-thon, I learned that a girl at my school in Memphis was a patient at the hospital and was being treated for cancer.  Being a 2nd grader this was a hard idea to grasp.  A million questions ran through my inquisitive young mind and my mom did her best to explain.

Since those experiences, I have been dedicated to the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  I spent my junior year of college as an intern for the Louisville regional fundraising office and now I am thrilled to be a part of the Give Thanks. Walk planning committee.  

On November 20th, 60 communities across the United States will come together to walk and raise money to continue the progress St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has made in beating and treating childhood cancer, sickle cell anemia, and many other childhood ailments.  I encourage all of you to register and be apart of the 2010 Give Thanks. Walk.  For more information visit: http://www.givethankswalk.org/

Monday's Quote of the Week: Chocolate

Today is International Chocolate Day!  In celebration of the holiday, I thought I would share some famous quotes about chocolate.

"Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first." ~Ernestine Ulmer

"Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces." ~Judith Viorst

"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!" ~Charles Schulz

Lusting Over Things on Thursdays: The World Series

I have been dreaming about the Cincinnati Reds winning the World Series since my family moved to Northern Kentucky in 1995.  I have been there through the hard times with Ken Griffey Jr. and Todd Coffey.  Now, I am loving the new era with the Cuban Flame Thrower, Jay Bruce, and Joey Votto.   

Our prospect of going to the playoffs was look bright and then St. Louis came along to bring down our winning streak.  Currently, the Reds need to put on their game faces and end this losing strike.  I am still dreaming of standing downtown to watch the World Series Parade.   

Needless to say I have been lusting over some new Cincinnati Reds gear.  Here are a few of my faves:

Classic Logo Redlegs

Redlegs

 I already have my little mascot sitting on my desk to cheer on the Redlegs!

Cincinnati Reds Gnome

Labor Day Recap

Labor Day weekend has come and gone. There are multiple things that come to mind about the passing of this holiday. First off, it is the end of wearing white pants, skirts, and dresses and the end of sporting seersucker. Secondly, fall is creeping up on us. I attended my first tailgate of the year, sported leggings, and thought about wearing cowboy boots this weekend. 

Here are a few pictures from my Labor Day Weekend!

UofL v. UK game with MVB & LB

Sushi that I made!

Only Prettier

Photo Friday: Chicago

Chicago

I need to plan a trip to Chicago to visit friends and enjoy the beautiful architecture.  I took this picture a few years back.

Lusting Over Things on Thursdays

Last night was a pretty restless night for me; however, I was thrilled to talk with my snarky friend.  

Without fail, I find myself roaming the internet for all things pretty today.  I must say that I have been quite obsessed with clutches.  Why carry a purse when you can carry something cute and little?  Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

Grace Southern Charm by 1154 Lill Studio

All About a Bow Clutch by Davie and Chiyo

Hobo International 'Moroccan - Embossed Lauren' Double Frame Clutch

 

 

 

 

 

Words on Wednesday: The South

There are a few things I take pride in and one of those is being southern.  I don't like admitting the fact that I was actually born in Indiana.  In fact, I once almost cried while having a conversation about the South when I remembered that I was born in the Midwest.  After a short year in my birth place, my childhood that was scattered across Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Here are a few of my favorite things about the South:

Live Oaks 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I absolutely love live oaks and love spending time in Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC.

My College Friends

The Kentucky Derby which occurs the first Saturday in May.  Whether you go to the race or just spend the day at a Derby Party, there is nothing better than finding the perfect dress and hat for the day. 

The view from Miss Jana's House

 

 

River towns tend to be some of my favorite places to reside.  I have spent days by the rivers that run through Chattanooga, Little Rock, Columbia (SC), Louisville, and Cincinnati.  I enjoy days on lakes spent boating, wakeboarding, and skiing.  Here I would also note that I love how I still call of my friends' moms Miss "first name."