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 :)