Do Good

Have you heard of TOMS one for one?

With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.

June 7th TOMS launched the one for one business model, expanding to eyewear.

TOMS EYEWEAR:

With every pair you purchase, TOMS will help give sight to a person in need. One for one.

See video here:

What do your shoes or sunglasses mean to you, and what more could they mean for others?

"Fashion fades, only style remains the same." -Coco Chanel

There is something interesting about timeless style. Although, if you believe that:

"Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months."

-Oscar Wilde

this blog is dedicated to you! 

The below are 5 timeless unisex options, and summer essentials that carry through the decades:

Sunglasses:

Aviator

Wayfarer 

Polo Shirt:

his

hers

Shorts:

khaki twill

linen

seersucker

denim

Footwear:

flip flop

boat shoe

white tee shirt:

crew

v neck

Enjoy the easy mix and match options for timeless summer style!

(Photos: Flickr, Behance, AE)

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

here

Do you stumble on the topic "what is my life's purpose" or let's really push it, "what do I want to be when I grow up?"

Have you heard of the "who are you meant to be quiz?" 

Do you know your seven "striving styles"

Have you heard of Anne Dranitsaris?

Background:

Anne Dranitsaris is a clinical psychotherapist, corporate therapist, and behavioral change consultant in the field of personal and professional growth and development.

I recently heard of her "who are you meant to be quiz" and wanted to share with those who find it interesting or can relate to the daily struggle of questioning who they are meant to be, or what they are meant to do.

here

Find your seven "striving styles" to determine your dominative style, and fulfill your potential!

Striving to help
Striving to be recognized
Striving to be creative
Striving to be spontaneous
Striving to be knowledgeable
Striving to be secure
Striving to be in control

take the quiz here

ballin' on a budget : summer planning

Ballin' on a Budget:

Lately I feel like every trip involves a common theme: ballin' on a budget. Where to travel, where to stay, what to do, but the most important question...how much?

I have dedicated a series (more to follow) for the fabulously frugal. A "how to" for inexpensive traveling, dining, shopping, and event options near you.

summer 11 ideas

BYO-anything

bring back "pot luck" with better verbiage, just add the below:

*BBQ

*picnic

*cookout

Take a bike ride with friends. Maybe along a specific scene, or maybe bike somewhere and back. Nothing can pull memories from childhood like a nice long ride...with your feet up!

*take your bike

*rent a bike

Host a happy hour to share a bottle of wine.

*host at your backyard, deck, or patio

*host on your roof deck (see my view above)

Search for FREE summer events.

*concerts

*festivals or carnivals

*local events (gallery hops, art shows, restaurant weeks)

Let's remember:

“Summer is kind of like the ultimate one-night stand: hot as hell, totally thrilling, and gone before you know it.”

-Cosmopolitan

I plan to add these to my message board so that I follow through and commit to a care free summer, that fits my budget!

My whole life, I've wanted to feel comfortable in my skin. It's the most liberating thing in the world. -Drew Barrymore

After a weekend full of conversations that varied from dating to complexion, I found myself researching the lesser of the 2 evils. Google search: Why am I still prone to break outs and will I always feel like I am 14 or a cast member of Glee?

I hope the below will help you make smarter decisions during stressful days...

Bad food for the face:

Caffeine: cut back on tea, coffee, & chocolate

Simple carbohydrates: rapid increase of blood sugar levels increase oily substances & clog poors

White rice, sugar, breads

Acid forming foods: cheese and fatty meats

lack of vitamin b: need more whole grains, eggs?

Good food for the face:

Water: drink 6 to 8 glasses a day

Fruits: apples, oranges, berries, melon, kiwi, grapefruit, pineapple, papaya & bananas.

Vegetables: carrots, cabbage, coleslaw, tomatoes, collard and mustard greens, winter squash, peas, onions and green beans.

Grains & Protein: Have 2 to 3 grain and protein servings each day.

10 tips to prevent acne:

Keep your face clean

Moisturize

Try an over-the-counter acne product:I like this

Use makeup sparingly

Watch what you put on your hair.

Keep your hands off your face.

Stay out of the sun

Feed your skin: read above

Exercise daily.

Chill!

"friends are the family we choose for ourselves" -Edna Buchanan

"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do now."

-Will Rogers

This weekend I am diving into a (most needed) reunion with my best friends. I thought of the quote "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves" and came across an article highlighted below:

5 Friends Every Woman Should Have:

the uplifter

the travel buddy

the truth teller

the girl who just wants to have fun

the unlikely friend

Although this weekend is full of highlights, there is something bittersweet. Our Great friend JY, and favorite “American” will be deploying soon after our visit. 

After more than 2 years, we will try to match up to our previous reunion weekend:

To quote our late, great, Magistra Gerber, we will wish him "pax vobiscum" following our best rendition of dixieland delight....

The writings on the wall...

I love inspirational art, especially the idea of filling a home with positivity all over the walls; floor to ceiling...

I love Sugarboo Designs. They specialize in handmade products that bring soul to the home.

Perfect for a home but also:

birthday gift:

wedding gift:

Baby gift:

just for you gift:

even puppies could use a little inspirational decor....

“Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from.” - Jodie Foster

Can you relate to needing "normal" to slip away from your vocabulary? 

If:

nor·mal/ˈnôrməl/

Adjective: Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.

Noun: The usual, average, or typical state or condition.

Than:

My friend reminds me "you realize there is no such thing as normal" and I love her for this.

There is no such thing as a "normal":

Mother

Father

Family

Sibling

Significant Other

Friend

You

It's not "wishful" thinking

What are you attracting to your life?

I recently set a few goals and promised to commit:

- Blog

- Yoga

- Learn the guitar (no really this time)

I purposely committed to these goals because I noticed (my family, and friends even noticed) that work was becoming my focus. I am fortunate for my career, although reflect the quote "While I am proud of a number of accomplishments, there are real costs to being unreasonable. Long hours. Too little time with family. A near incapacity for, as they say, stopping and smelling the roses."

-Eli Broad

With this said, I wanted to share a recent encounter with the law of attraction: ("like attracts like”, positive and negative thinking bring about positive and negative physical results.)

On a mini vacation to Florida with my roommate, we visited her close family friend. We noticed he had three guitars, so one thing led to another... "Do you want the acoustic? A friend of mine was going to throw it out, so I took it. You can have it."

Simplified:

We are like magnets - like attract like. You become AND attract what you think. So think about what you are thinking about...

I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you. -Roy Croft

My best friends left this evening after a surprised weekend trip to visit. Although we can all relate to the word "friend", there are distinct differences in friendships. There are surface friends, acquaintance friends, mutual friends, work friends, maybe even exercise or dog park friends. But there are best friends, and these are who you go to when you have "come to your knees with it." 

This weekend I realized that you can loose a lot in life. Material, physical, and emotional assets. However, what you own in friendship is something that literally cannot be purchased or replaced.

My favorite movie is The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood for several reasons. A favorite take away below:

• "I think it can best be said... The road to hell is paved with good intentions." 
• "Well, what about the road back? What's that paved with?"
• "Humility"

Simplified:

You need friends, and you need best friends, or at least one. Whether you loose a parent, a significant other, a loved one, a friend, a job, or worse....these are the people that physically and emotionally put you back together and bring you back to life. Always remember to be a friend. You need one and you need to be one. Don't fear humility, be grateful you have learned from it.