2009 Rewind

For many of us, 2009 has had its fair share of ups and downs...more downs it seems for some of us. While it has been a rough year, I feel like I have learned more this year than I have in a really long time. When times are hard, we tend to lean more on God and on each other. I think this is what we should always try to do regardless of our circumstances.

I think that the biggest lesson I learned this year is to live within my means and plan for the future. I don't think I would have ever learned it had I not lost my job in February. Eight months of unemployment really forces you to look inside yourself and figure things out on your own. The highlight of my year was returning to my beloved Cape Town, South Africa to lead a team of 13 people on a mission trip for our church. I had yet another life changing experience at my home away from home that just so happens to be on the other side of the world. I was also baptized in August as a result of my time spent in Cape Town this year and last year.

As I write this, I'm realizing that it was actually an amazing year for me. God brought me down, and then He raised me up. Sometimes we need to be humbled in order to learn and grow. While my life isn't always peachy keen, I'm confident that God has great things in store for all of us in 2010. I encourage you to put your faith in our perfect Maker who always knows what is best for us.

Get carded

Wondering what to do with all those pretty Christmas cards you received this holiday season? Instead of throwing them away, why not put them to good use by participating in the recycling program at St. Jude's. All you have to do is mail your cards (any occasion) to this address:

St. Jude's Ranch for Children

Recycled Card Program

100 St. Jude's Street

Boulder City, NV 89005

The program is really neat-the kids at St. Jude's make new cards from your old cards, and they get paid for their work. They also learn the importance of reusing and recycling. It's a win-win situation! For more details on the program, go to http://stjudesranch.org/help_card.php. Let's all go green and help make tomorrow better for everyone.

The real Reason for the season

With less than 48 hours left before Christmas Day, I know that many of us feel overwhelmed with everything that needs to get done between now and then. Let's all try to slow down, take a deep breath, and focus on the reason for the season. This might sound trite, but it is important to do. If you are a parent, I doubt your kids will care if the presents are wrapped in haste in a haphazard manner or if the house is not perfectly clean. Christmas dinner doesn't have to be perfect-your family and/or loved ones will enjoy it even if the turkey is dry, and the pie crust is not homemade. They will care that the ENTIRE family was able to spend time together and celebrate our Savior's birth.

Having seen my fair share of people running around during the holidays over the last 28 years, I often marvel at how the meaning of Christmas becomes lost in the chaos of the season. Instead of focusing on spending time with your loved ones, we've entrenched ourselves in a gift giving frenzy. We buy gifts for people because we think that's what you do at Christmas. Please know that I'm not saying buying gifts for people is bad or wrong...I love finding the perfect gift for someone. I just don't think that stressing out over finding the most amazing gift for someone who already has everything they need is necessary. What about gifts of time, service, and love? I would really like to see our society move away from giving hoards of gifts at Christmas and focus on the more important aspects of the season. Let's give thanks for the many gifts we already have like family, friends, pets, and the most important gift of all, Jesus' sacrifice to us. That gift came at a great price, and yet it is free to everyone. It came in a most unconventional way, but it remains the most significant gift of all times.

I hope you find time this Christmas season to relax and spend time with loved ones. More importantly, I pray that we don't forget to pause and thank God for the real Reason for the season.

I heart.

I heart this minaudiere. It is simply fabulous in every way. The Who What Wear girls (http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/home.php) featured it last week in one of their daily posts, and I had to share it with all of you. It would make the perfect addition to your holiday wardrobe. I'm not sure how much you can actually hold in it, but that's not the point right? Talk about statement. You will certainly make one with this small piece of perfection.

To order it, go to http://www.shopharmonylane.com/store/product/10376/Heart-Purse--Red/. Feel free to order one for me, and I will heart you forever.

Don't idle

Today's go green tip is a big one for me. When I see people who start their cars on cold mornings and then go back in their house/apartment/etc, it drives me INSANE! Yes, I know it is cold, but we live in the SOUTH*! Unless you will be transporting an infant or a sick individual, there is just no need to do this. Your car will warm up soon enough, and you will be just fine. Trust me!

When I lived in my old apartment complex, I would marvel at one woman who would walk down three flights of stairs to start her car and would leave it running for a good 15 minutes or so. Really? It's just unnecessary people. While researching this subject, I came across this interesting bit of information. "Idling for long periods in cold weather can actually cause excessive engine wear," the EPA notes in a report. So, this practice is both bad for your car AND bad for the environment. And it wastes gas.

*If you are reading this and live in an extremely cold area of the world, then do what you want. For the Southerners out there who can't stomach the cold weather, TOO BAD! Be kind to Mother Earth and to your car and stop idling.

God's saving grace

Many of you know that I had the privilege of getting baptized on August 30th of this year. My friend and leader from my first globalX trip to Cape Town, Evan McLaughlin, baptized me, and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The night was even more special because I know that my friends at Southpoint Church in Cape Town were watching as well despite the fact that was after midnight there. God's amazing grace has saved me and has changed my life forever.

Here is a link to watch my testimony and the video from my baptism. My prayer this holiday season is that you know that all things are possible in Christ (Philippians 4:13), and that the gift of Jesus is the only one that matters at the end of the day.

http://www.vimeo.com/6381394

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

Hi, my name is...

"Hi. My name is..." At what age is it appropriate to start introducing yourself using both your first AND last name? Is this an age issue, or am I just weird? Wait, don't answer that. But really, when is it appropriate to use your first and last name when you are not in a professional setting? I've noticed that older adults always use both their full name regardless of where they are. I just feel strange using my full name at parties, bars, etc. It feels so formal and forced to add my last name. Why is this? Am I the only one who feels this way?

There's a scene in You've Got Mail where Meg Ryan addresses this issue. She ponders this stating something along the lines of a "whole generation of cocktail waitresses" who only use their first name. I mean, I don't think I'm Cher or Oprah or anything. I just don't always feel like throwing my last name onto my introduction. Besides, Elle has such a nice ring to it :)

For laughs :)

This basically sums up my life lately.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Still struggling to figure out what to buy someone this year for Christmas? Why not go green and help a worthwhile cause at the same time? Consider making a donation to a charity in honor or in memory of someone. You will save time, gas, and gift wrapping supplies. If your loved one is an animal lover, you could make a donation to an animal shelter where they live. If they are passionate about the environment, you could make a donation to an organization such as the National Wildlife Federation (http://www.nwf.org/) or to the Sierra Club (http://www.sierraclub.org/). Has someone in your loved one's family suffered from cancer? Think about making a donation to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/aspx/Donation/DON_1_Donate_Online_Now.aspx?from=hpglobal) in their honor. Or, you can pool your family's funds together and adopt a family. Trust me, all parties involved will benefit from doing so. You won't even miss the gifts. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

Let's all make a conscious effort to walk away from giving hordes of gifts this year just because it's what most people do at Christmas. Money is tight for all of us right now, so let's give a gift that matters and helps others. We are all blessed in different ways, so let's share our blessings with each other...I think that is what Christmas is all about. When it's all said and done, all we have is the eternal gift of God's amazing Grace and the love we have for each other.

That's a wrap!

As Christmas gets closer and closer, many of us are already starting to wrap gifts. Today's go green tip focuses on gift wrapping. Let's get creative this year! Wrap up a gift in your favorite magazine cover or a scarf that is part of the gift. If you prefer to use gift bags like I do, re-use them. It pains me when I see people throw away perfectly good gift bags. You can also re-use tissue paper and other wrapping materials. If all else fails, go classic and wrap your gifts in newspaper.

However, let's keep in mind that the best gift of all cannot be wrapped...love. Happy wrapping!

Is time ever really on our side?

Is time ever really on our side? I had to renew my driver's license on Friday, and the concept of time has been on my mind since then. My new license will not expire until December 31, 2014-on my 34th birthday. I pondered this thought the whole drive home...where will I be five years from now? Will I be married? Will I have any children? Where will I be working? Will I be living out my dream of residing in New York City? All of these thoughts and more have been forefront in my mind since my time at the DMV two days ago.

In life, it seems like time is never on our side. When we are little, we want to be older. Once we are older, we want to be (or at least look) younger. I remember being 15 and thinking that my 16th birthday would never come. The song "Long December" by Counting Crows epitomized my seemingly endless wait for my birthday to arrive, so I could finally get my driver's license. Now, the 31st of December seems to arrive at an increasingly quickening pace each year.

While I look forward to what the future brings, sometimes I wish that I could pause time and stay at 28 for the rest of my life. Or, at the very least, I wish that I could always have an extra five minutes, so that I wasn't perpetually running five minutes late. However, it seems that the young will always want to be older, and the older will wish they were younger. Little girls will want to cast their dolls aside for makeup and boys, and adult women will apply their eye cream, face tightening serum, and other anti-aging products in haste. I guess the secret is finding contentment regardless of what stage you are in life. For now, I relish the day when time will be on my side.

Hanging on by a thread

I hope all of you had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday. Today's go green tip is a fun one. Hanging onto some old jeans for no particular reason other than you just know you will lose those 5 pounds and fit into them? Take them to Madewell at Lenox instead. They will put your jeans to good use by donating them to the Arts Connection, and you will get 15% off your first Madewell purchase in 2010.

Go to http://www.madewell1937.com/2009/madewell_donateDenim.html for more information on this super cool program. Helping people, extra closet space, and special savings? It will make your friends green with envy.

Top 10 things I am thankful for this year

The Top 10 things I am thankful for this year are (I'm doing this Letterman style starting with #10-however, these are in no particular order except for my #1):

10. My new condo...what can I say, I just love it. My view is to die for!

9. Getting to return to Cape Town on another globalX mission trip. God is good.

8. Finally landing a job after 8 months of unemployment.

7. Georgia, the best dog in the entire world. She always brightens my day and makes my heart happy.

6. My new sister-in-law. I've always wanted a sister, and now I have one...well really I have two because she has a sister :)

5. Friends. My friends are the most amazingly loyal friends ever. I hope that I am the friend to them that they are to me.

4. Having the opportunity to get baptized at my church. What a wonderful experience that I will never forget.

3. Family. They are the best!

2. The hope I still have after a very tough year. I have a feeling that 2010 is going to rock my world.

1. God sending His son to die on the cross for our sins. I can't imagine a better gift than that.

I hope all of you have a very blessed

and Happy Thanksgiving

filled with love, laughter, and fond memories.

Roses are red

There's something about seeing a man at a grocery store buying flowers that just makes me smile. It's usually just after work, and they always seem to be in a hurry. But, they always looks fairly happy with a look of hope in their eyes. I tend to wonder what the flowers are for...was there a fight? Are they just because? Is it some one's birthday or anniversary? I really like it when I see a man buying flowers, wine, and some sort of dessert...smart guy! Throw in a movie and some takeout, and he is good to go for months.

The type of flowers these men buy always interests me as well. Many stick to a traditional bouquet of roses, while others will branch out and get lilies or something different. This also makes me think: are roses his wife or girlfriend's favorite flower, or does he have no idea? Did he bring her red roses on their first date and wants to re-create the memory?

I guess I could think about all of these things for hours since despite how much I have been trying to ignore it lately, I am and will always be a hopeless romantic. The idea of a man bringing me flowers after a long day of work makes me giggle and smile. I guess I see these men at the store, and the hopeful side of me knows that one day there will be a man who is there to buy me flowers. And, he will know to buy me purple roses.

The Leftover Dilemma

Today's go green tip has to do with Thanksgiving :) When I think of this day, I picture a table overflowing with food, and people stuffed to the brim with their favorite dishes. I also envision leftovers eventually being thrown away because too much food had been prepared. Let's all strive to make a conscious effort this year to cook an appropriate amount of food for the number of people in your party. Yes, leftovers are fantastic, but it only works when you actually eat them. With all the people who will be going hungry this Thanksgiving Day, let's prepare only what we need. Better yet, why not volunteer at a local shelter and serve meals to those in need? Or, think about donating your leftovers to a shelter that can give them to someone who would gladly eat them.

We have so much to be thankful for. Let's show our thanks by not wasting food and by lending a helping hand this year. God has made us all stewards of the many provisions He has blessed us with, so let's try out best not to waste what He has given us.

Is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence?

Is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence? The more I hear this phrase spoken, the more I think it is true. Or, perhaps I just want it to be true. I look at married couples and envy their happiness, yet I wonder if they envy my single life? Do they miss the thrill of a new crush and a first date, or do they marvel in the contentment of married life? Sometimes I see a mother with a new baby and ponder if I will ever be fortunate enough to have a baby of my own. But, I have no idea what her life is like. She could have three more kids at home, a husband who doesn't help her enough, and the desire but not the time to do something that does not involve diapers, formula, and pacifiers. Or maybe she is blessed enough to love being a mom and has a loving husband who works so she doesn't have to AND helps her whenever he can.

I smile at a young teenage girl and miss the days of no bills, no cellulite, and no real responsibility. Does she look at me and want to live on her own, pay her own bills, and have a full-time job? I find myself envying my friends with more high profile jobs that involve restaurant openings, travel, and other exciting opportunities. But maybe they wish they had a more simple job that was less stressful, so they could have more free time. So, is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence? Does the A-list celebrity wish she could become invisible for a day while the struggling actor continues to wait for his big break? Does the married couple of 5 years who fights all the time look at their single friends and want to turn back time? We want what we don't have. Yet, it also seems that when we get it, it doesn't look the way we thought it would. The marriage, the job, the divorce, the baby, the trip around the world, the new house...while these things are all lovely blessings, they might not be what we thought they would be when we finally make it over to the other side of the fence.

"A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of a faraway place.

A traveler on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home."

(Carl Burns)

Happy New Moon Day!

The day has finally arrived :)

Happy New Moon Day to all the Twihards out there!

Whose team are you on? Review to follow tomorrow.

(photo courtesy of Summit Entertainment)

'Tis the season to go green

Looking to take your unused items somewhere? Take them to Buckhead Thriftique, a Christian-run thrift store at 2409 Piedmont Road (in between Lindberg Avenue and Lindberg Way). The employees are very friendly and are happy to take your unwanted items off your hands. They will cheerfully and quickly give you a receipt for tax purposes. The store does not have a Web site, but its phone number is (404) 365-8811.

Right now, they are looking for used home appliances. So, if you have an old computer, microwave, or other appliance that is just sitting around your house, donate it to this great business. No need to have these items take up space in your garage when someone else could be using them. Let's share the love this holiday season by passing on our unwanted/unused items to someone who needs them. 'Tis the season to go green.

Just to make you smile :)

Happy Friday from two adorable baby tigers :)

Fashion Friday-@gapeachelle

I've decided that Friday's blog postings will now be dedicated to something fashionable and fun...hence Fashion Friday! I saw the coolest necklace idea since the Carrie necklace on skirt.com yesterday. You can have your Twitter user name made into a necklace! Check it out at http://www.survivalofthehippest.com/index.html. The company is called Survival of the Hippest, and it is hip indeed.

Their slogan, "Increase Your Social Networth," just makes me smile. You can choose either silver or gold, and prices start at $49.95. Once I have my first sale, I am definitely be ordering my very own @gapeachelle necklace. What a twerrific idea.

She's foxy

During high school, my friends and I all determined that everyone looks like some kind of animal. Depending on your face shape, coloring, behavior, etc, we thought that everyone resembles SOME type of animal. My friends decided that I look like a fox. They called me Baby Fox and my mom Mama Fox. Do you see a resemblance? Really, I think I just like saying that I am foxy :) What kind of animal do you look like?

(photo courtesy of Tony Northrup)

Helping hand

"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others."

(From my beloved Audrey Hepburn who spent many years

of her life helping others-

thank you for your grace, talent, and service.)

Take out tip

Today's go green tip centers around one of my favorite things in life-food! When you order something to go from a restaurant, tell them that you don't need a bag. If you really do need one, then by all means, take one. However, if you just take the bag because they hand it to you, then don't. For example, Chipotle (burrito bowl...yum :) automatically puts your order in a large paper bag. Since you really don't need a bag, just carry the container in your hand. You still get to feast on your delicious meal while saving a bag.

Also, if you normally grab a large handful of napkins, just take a few. No need to waste what you don't need. This also goes for ketchup, plastic ware, straws, etc. Now I know that a lot of places (like my beloved Aqua Bistro) have your order waiting for you tied up nicely in a plastic bag. I just re-use the bag for a doggie waste bag, trash can liner, you name it. It would be great if we could send a message to all of the restaurants out there that all of this excess packaging is unnecessary and wasteful.

In touch

"If one is out of touch with oneself,

then one cannot touch others."

(Anne Morrow Lindbergh)

Get Fat menu

I went to a certain Mexican cantina on the corner of Piedmont and Roswell last night for dinner with my girlfriends last night. This place serves up the most amazing nachos ever, and I had been looking forward to eating them all week. The portion they give you is enough for two people, but I like to tackle them myself. I don't like to think about the massive amount of calories I intake when I eat them...food this good is meant to be enjoyed.

I dreamed of said nachos all during my Pilates class yesterday and could not wait to get to the restaurant. After waiting forever for a table, we were finally seated. I didn't need to look at the new "Get Fit" menu...I knew exactly what I wanted. My mouth watered as I placed my order. Visions of cheesy deliciousness danced in my head. Our young, inexperienced waitress brought out our food, and we all munched away happily.

Needless to say, I did not eat all of the nachos, but I put a rather large dent in them. I mean, come on, I only eat them every few months, and I have eaten healthy ALL week. When our young, sassy server came up to clear our plates, she had the audacity to ask me the following question. "Wow! Did you eat all of those yourself?!?" I stared at her in disbelief and then started laughing. Luckily enough for her she caught me in a good food as I was in the beginning stages of a lovely food coma induced by my nachos. I found something sweet and polite to say to excuse her tacky question. My friends and I laughed it all off, but we were all quite shocked by her rather rude inquiry. Who does she think she is? Does she think this will earn her a good tip? While I am confident enough in myself to not care about this little transaction, I still can't believe she had the guts to ask me this. If I want to consume 1,000+ calories in one meal, that is my choice. Leave me alone little waitress...one day you will be 28 and in need of a large serving of nachos after a particularly stressful week.

Bistro Niko-c'est fantastique!

It's an exciting day for Atlanta foodies and Francophiles alike as Buckhead Life Restaurant Group's latest venture, Bistro Niko, opens its doors to the public. Located in the heart of Buckhead in the Sovreign Building, Bistro Niko promises to deliver fantastic French fare in a Parisian chic space.

I attended a private tasting at the restaurant on Saturday and the soft opening party on Tuesday and was delighted at the wide variety of delicious menu options and fabulous cocktails. The servers presented each item in a sophisticated manner that would cause any foodie to swoon. Bistro Niko will serve dinner seven nights a week, lunch Monday through Friday, and Sunday brunch. I have no doubt that Bistro Niko will be a hit this holiday season and beyond. It is the perfect combination of superb food, drinks, and oh-so-chic ambiance. Bon appetit mes amis!

For more information on Bistro Niko and/or to make a reservation, go to: http://www.buckheadrestaurants.com/index2.html.

Team Edward

He just makes me swoon.

I will always be on Team Edward no matter how cute

Jacob and his wolf pack can be.

(Photo courtesy of Vanity Fair)

Kindle me this, Kindle me that

Today's go green tip is a bit different. While I absolutely love the look and feel of a book, I am quite tempted to buy a Kindle...especially since Amazon recently released the Amazon Kindle 2, a small version of its previous counterpart. It holds up to 1,500 books, weighs just 10.2 ounces, and is $259.00. I was finally able to check one out in person the other day when my uncle was in town. He got his Kindle a few months ago and really loves it. I couldn't get over how small and lightweight it was. Plus, there is no glare when you turn it on. This was my only major concern since the glare of a computer can be quite irritating especially since most of us stare at computers all day long.

Prices for most books you download-in less than 60 seconds-for your Kindle (even new releases!) are just $9.99. So, you are saving money AND the environment by not wasting paper to print the book. I'm not sure how they manufacture Kindles, so there could be a few drawbacks there. But, I think the concept behind the device is brilliant. If and when I get my very own Kindle, I can't wait to travel with it. Carrying whatever book I'm reading, my Bible, and a magazine or two can be quite cumbersome. Let's all Kindle today!

To purchase a Kindle, go to http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=4513406277&ref=pd_sl_a6eh7sgtv_p.

Colossians 3:23

Jeff Henderson's sermon at Buckhead Church tonight was JUST what I needed to hear. What a great reminder that our purpose at work is to work like we are working for God...the way He intended us to do. To quote Jeff, "the purpose of your life at work is to show that God is at work in your life." Wow! This is such an inspiring challenge for all of us as we head into the work week.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord, not for men..."

(Colossians 3:23)

The goods girl

Attention all fashionistas! I want to tell you about a jewelry line that my friend Susannah Cox designs. It's called goods, and the line is "designed to wear, delight, and adorn." Believe me, her pieces do just that. Last year, I commissioned her to design two pieces for me: a purple and blue feathered necklace and a peacock feather chain necklace. I love them both and always receive compliments when I wear them.

The piece I'm currently coveting is the one pictured above (called the "rosy blush necklace"). I think it would make the perfect addition to any dress, blouse, or sweater. Plus, I will be able to wear it now and in the spring. You can check out the rest of her line at http://www.etsy.com/shop/thegoodsgirl.

Susannah can also custom design a piece of jewelry for you. With the holidays right around the corner, these one-of-a-kind pieces are the perfect gift. Feel free to visit her Web site at http://www.forthegoods.com to learn more about her and her line. Prepare to be blown away by her stylish, whimsical jewelry...I guarantee that when you wear a goods piece you will be both delighted and adorned.

Change is in the air

As the leaves start to change, I am gently reminded that change is all around us. I watch babies grow, relationships solidify in marriage, and people move away. There's something strangely comforting about change. It reminds us that life is happening all around us, and that you never know what can happen next.

I'll be the first person to admit that change can scare me; just read: http://cestlaviebyelle.blogspot.com/2009/10/change-friend-or-foe.html. That being said, I can also relish in the changes around me. Watching the leaves change color each year reminds me that life goes on. People may disappoint you, you might lose your job, and you might not ever meet "the one." But simple things like the changing of a season can give us hope that God has a bigger plan for us that we could ever imagine. His plan might rock your world, but it will change your life in a way that is inconceivable.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

(Ecclesiastes 3: 11)

Be Rich, Do More, Give More

Buckhead Church launched their third annual "Be Rich, Do More" campaign this Sunday. To quote their Web site regarding this initiative: "As part of Be Rich, Buckhead Church is joining with some of our Intersect Project partners and globalX partners "to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."

For more information, please visit www.howtoberich.org. Let's join together to make our local and global community a better place this holiday season.

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,

and to be generous and willing to share."

1 Timothy 6:18

Food for thought on this rainy day

Patience

Rescued

Compassion

A dear friend of mine from Cape Town forwarded me an email today that had these lovely photos with these captions below them. I wanted to share a few of them with you. I hope that they touch you the way they touched me.

Be vogue today!

Today's go green tip is quite simple: if you subscribe to a magazine(s), pass it/them onto a friend when you are done. No need to just throw it away when someone else can enjoy it. I LOVE stumbling upon other people's old magazines when I am at the gym...it makes logging 30 minutes on the elliptical machine SO much more enjoyable. Their trash is my treasure!

If you can't give your old magazines to someone else, recycle them by all means. What a vogue concept!

Birds of a feather flock together!

Happy Friday lovelies! I hope all of you have a fabulous weekend. I am currently craving this necklace. What a perfect compliment to your favorite LBD! Or, you can pair it with jeans and a white v-neck. It is the statement necklace of all statement necklaces. Beautiful feathers, a gold chain, and shiny, black beads...I die.

To purchase this fantastic piece go to: http://bonadrag.com/shopmain/flair/greyfeathernecklace.html.

It WILL be mine.

Change: friend or foe?

Change is never easy. Some people embrace it while others run from it. I think I lie somewhere in the middle. I like change when I am the driver behind it...kind of like a "choose your own adventure" concept. I can start to panic when the change is out of my control. It is times like these that can really grow you. When a significant change takes place in your life, you can choose to shy away from it or grow with it. During these uncertain times, I encourage you to embrace the many changes around you. You never know what path God could be leading you down.

"If there was no change in this world, there would be no butterflies."

(Anonymous)

Be Vapur or be square

Check out this super cool, go green product! I heard about it from my eco-chic friend Jennifer last week and had to share it with you.

"Vapur is the first flexible water bottle designed to fit in your pocket, purse, backpack or briefcase. Unlike rigid water bottles that are full of hot air when empty, Vapur can be rolled, folded or flattened and tucked away. This means it goes more places and fits in tighter spaces than any other bottle."

You all know how much I love SIGG water bottles, but this product looks awesome! I love that you can roll it up to store it when you are done. It seems perfect to take on an airplane or in the car. For more information on Vapur products, check out their Web site at http://vapur.us/home.php. Each water bottle is "made from ultra-durable, FDA-approved, BPA-free polymer." That is a mouthful, but this means that there is not any chemicals in the product that could harm your body. You can even freeze them!

And they get even cooler..."Vapur flexible bottles ship flat so they take nearly 90% less space and use less fuel to transport than rigid water bottles. Our packaging is printed using wind power on 100% post-consumer paper. And we support water related environmental causes through participation in 1% for the Planet." Saving on fuel costs, using environmentally friendly materials, and supporting eco causes? Count me in!

I think it is just fantastic that there are so many unique alternatives to drinking bottled water. I encourage all of you to test one out today and see what works for your lifestyle. Mother Earth will thank you.

Sail away from the safe harbor

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

(Mark Twain)

Tights are the new black!

Attention all fashionistas! Looking for a way to spice up your outfit? Fall is here, and tights are back! In fact, tights are the new black.

Don't be afraid to wear them in bright, bold colors and fun, cute patterns. In this case, less is not more. Pair them with your favorite black dress or suit for a more interesting look at work. Or, wear them with a pair of dressy shorts or skirt to keep your legs warm in cooler weather when you are out on the town. Work them today!

Baghdad Pups

Thinking of getting a pet? Instead of buying one from a breeder, rescue one from your local animal shelter. Why add to the overgrown animal population when there are so many animals that need a loving home? I adopted my beautiful Siberian Husky Georgia from a husky rescue organization, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I've noticed over the past few years that rescue dogs tend to act more calm and behave better than dogs from a breeder. While this might not always be the case, this is what I have found to be true.

Pets can make a great addition to your home as long as you have the time, energy, and resources to give them the attention they deserve. Go green today and adopt an animal. Trust me, you will have a friend for life.

Pictured above is a puppy named Stryker (read his story at http://www.spcai.org/about-us/in-the-news/item/309-another-mission-complete.html) that a group of US Army soldiers rescued in Iraq. He was brought back to the States because of generous donations made to Baghdad Pups. This is a facet of the SPCA dedicated to enabling the rescue pets of troops a safe return back home with them. The shipment and paperwork of these animals can be quite expensive, and this group needs our help. Looking for a gift for someone? Consider making a donation to this worthwhile organization at http://www.spcai.org/support-operation-baghdad-pups.html?redir=1. Let's honor these brave, compassionate men and women who serve our country by being in the military AND rescuing an animal. To quote the SPCA's Web site, "No Buddy gets left behind!"

Congratulations Jim & Pam!!!

My Hollywood husband (John Krasinkski) and his TV fiance, Pam Beesley, finally tied the knot on last night's episode of The Office. Because I love Jim/John SO very much, here are some pictures from their wedding. The final shot of Jim looking at the camera with Pam's head resting on his shoulder was priceless...and classic Jim. Congratulations Jim and Pam! Enjoy your Friday friends :)

Top Ten Things I miss about being unemployed

As many of you know, I recently started a job after being unemployed for 8 months. While I feel incredibly blessed to have a job, here are the top 10 things I miss about being unemployed*.

1) Sleeping in-this 7:00 AM wake-up call is rough for me. To think that some people get up even earlier makes me ill.

2) Pajamas and/or workout clothes were acceptable clothing each day. Trust me, I LOVE fashion more than most people, but it was nice lounging around in comfortable clothing all day.

3) Makeup was optional...I love having makeup on, but I DESPISE applying it. Perhaps it was all those years of dance performances, auditions, pageants, etc that have made me dislike this process.

4) Not having to be "on" for most of the day. Georgia accepts and welcomes any attention in any form that I give her...regardless of what I am wearing, how my face/hair look, etc.

5) Being able to stay up late since I don't have to be anywhere early the next day-see #1. This has put a major damper on my evening social schedule since I now have to be up early. The horror!

6) Going to the gym during off-peak hours. I truly think that every resident of Atlanta works out at the Buckhead LA Fitness between the hours of 5:00-7:00 PM. I do not recommend attempting to workout during this time at that location.

7) Sunday nights were carefree...I didn't have the depression that sets in around 5:00 PM knowing that I have to go to work the next day and act like an adult.

8) Having little to no responsibility. I miss just being responsible for keeping myself and my dog alive, happy, and healthy.

9) Seeing afternoon movies-I think I saw every decent movie that came out from February 2009-September 2009...and there were some good ones :) Now, I am behind on my movies.

10) Going to lunches, happy hours, etc with other unemployed friends. This was absolutely fabulous and is most greatly missed!

*All of this being said, I am thankful to have a job, receive a paycheck, and use my brain again. I grew more as a person in the past 8 months than I have in my entire life. For that, I am thankful. However, I do miss the 10 things listed above and hope to experience pieces of them from time to time.

Go green Tuesday :)

Happy Tuesday friends! I didn't have a chance to do the usually "go green Monday" blog yesterday. So, here you go. I got the idea for today's green tip from yesterday's Sierra Club's The Green Life e-newsletter. It talked about declining the napkin they automatically hand you on an airplane during beverage service. If you don't need a napkin, then don't take it. If you do, then go for it!

I say let's take this one step further and be more conservative overall when it comes to napkin use. Try not to grab a huge handful of napkins at a restaurant when you might only need 1-2. If you have some left over, bring them with you and put them in your car to have on hand. Trust me, I have had to use said napkins in my car MANY times...I am an expert at spilling things :) Let's be kind to Mother Earth and only take/use what we really need.

I heart Audrey

Here is a lovely photo to brighten your Monday.

Audrey always makes me smile :)

Reduce, reuse, and THEN recycle!

Happy Monday friends! Today's go green tip came to me a few weeks ago from my friend David. He tweeted "Reduce, reuse, and THEN recycle." What a fantastic reminder to try to remember the order of these steps! As much as I recycle, I need to strive to try to reduce the items in my household, reuse what I currently have, and then recycle what would be trash.

This makes me think of a song I learned in elementary school, "Reduce, reuse, recycle...do it every day!!!" Thanks David :)

Hands and feet

Greetings friends! I apologize for not blogging for awhile. Life has been a bit hectic with interviews, weddings (I had THREE friends get married on one day), and other events. I received the prayer below in a daily devotional email today. It reminded me to slow down and think of how I can be a blessing to others instead of just pondering how I can be more blessed. This was the subject of the sermon at Buckhead Church on Sunday, and it holds so much truth.

Heavenly Father, Sovereign Lord, the Great I Am. Thank You that You have planned every day of our lives before we have lived a single day. Thank You that You speak into our lives today. Thank You that You invite us to join You in Your work. Father, give us opportunities to be Your hands and feet. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see the broken and hurting people all around us. Give us a heart of obedience. Give us boldness to speak. May all glory and honor and praise go to You. In Jesus' Name Amen.

We will never forget

I will never forget where I was on 9/11/01...I don't think anyone who was alive on that day will be able to do so. I remember watching it all unfold on the news in the Tate Student Center at UGA's campus. Eight years later it is still difficult to think about. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected by the horrible tragedy. I want to thank the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives that day both willingly and unwillingly. We will never, ever forget you.

We need to open our eyes and see...

"People are hungry for God. People are hungry for love. Are you aware of that? Do you know that? Do you see that? Do you have eyes to see? Quite often we look but we don't see. We are all passing through this world.

We need to open our eyes and see."

-Mother Teresa-

Welcome Home Andrew!

I would like to welcome my brother Andrew home! His ship, the USS Stout, will arrive in Norfolk, Virginia tomorrow. Andrew has been in the Navy since 1997, and I couldn't be more proud of him. While you enjoy your Labor Day festivities this weekend, please take a moment to say a prayer of thanks for the brave men and women who serve our country. Welcome home big brother!!!

Bottled water is bush league

Happy Go Green Monday friends! Do you drink bottled water? If so, here is some interesting information I read today in a Power Point presentation.

1) 86% of plastic watter bottles end up in the trash.

2) The average person spends $400 per year on bottled water. (Imagine what you could spend that money on...I know I would rather spend it on something other than water!)

3) If you leave a plastic bottle of water in your car, chemicals from the plastic can absorb into the water and potentially cause cancer and other health problems.

4) Bottled water costs 1,900 times more than tap water.

Still think drinking bottled water is a good idea? I didn't think so. I'm not claiming that I don't ever drink it...I just try my best to always have my Sigg (feel free to re-read last Monday's blog: http://cestlaviebyelle.blogspot.com/2009/08/go-sigg-or-go-home.html) with me and/or drink tap water whenever possible. If you think tap water tastes bad, then invest in a Brita pitcher or filter for your faucet.

If you still insist on drinking bottled water, then recycle those bottles! It's very simple. You can either toss the bottle in the trash or in a recycling bin. The choice is yours. Let's do our part to help Mother Earth by not adding to the waste that drinking bottled water creates.

Jessica, The Family Hippo

Happy Friday friends! I want to share this lovely video that my sweet friend Jennifer sent to me. Knowing my love of animals and of South Africa, she knew I would enjoy this video. Please take the time to watch this short video (click on the link below) that shows how animals can see past what they are and not worry about the differences that can separate species. Let's take our cue from Jessica and try to do this with each other.

http://inspirationmanifestation.com/241/jessica-the-family-hippo.php

Go SIGG or go home!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. I was blessed to have spent it in the North Georgia mountains with a wonderful group of friends. We rafted the Ocoee and had an amazing time! I even managed to fall out in the Olympic section :) (Picture to follow once I get it.)

Today's green tip is to use (or buy if you don't have one) an aluminum water bottle. My favorite kind are SIGG water bottles. They stay cool, don't leak, and are absolutely fantastic! Visit SIGG's Web site at http://mysigg.com/?gclid=CIPj_sjLvJwCFRyenAodmFieoQ. I have the smallest size and the largest size, and I love them both. For those of you who know me, I drop things a LOT, so these durable bottles are perfect for me :) I've included some of my favorite designs pictured above.

SIGG's Web site explains their products the best: "SIGG, "The Original Swiss Bottle", is recognized world-wide for Swiss quality and craftsmanship that comes with nearly 100 years of heritage and experience. Produced from a single component that is seamless and has no comparable weak points, SIGG bottles are tremendously durable and virtually unbreakable. In June 2006, Backpacker magazine conducted a relentless field test of leading water bottles brands. With the services of a 100 pound cannon packed with golf balls, they were able to destroy all of the targeted bottles – except one! Following the bottle barrage, they dubbed SIGG "The World's Toughest Water Bottle."

As a member of the Sierra Club, I love that SIGG has partnered with this organization-"As a proud member of 1% For The Planet, SIGG will donate $1 for every bottle sold to the Sierra Club to help ensure that our country's natural beauty and resources are taken care of for future generations."

Let's do our part to help keep our beautiful planet clean by using reusable water bottles instead of plastic bottles. Go SIGG or go home!