Happy Memorial Day!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Memorial Day. Let's all take a moment to thank the brave men and women who have so selflessly served in our military in the past, present, and future. It's because of you that I am able to do something so simple as write whatever I want to on this blog. Freedom of speech is something that Americans are used to. Millions of people around the world do not have this right, and I am incredibly thankful to have it.

I also would like to thank the men and women who serve our country as police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other occupations of this nature. Like members of the armed services, these people give up their time, energy, and lives in order to keep us safe.

We salute all of you today. Thank you for your sacrifice. For more information on the origins of Memorial Day, go to http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history.

Fashion Friday!

So, if you read yesterday's blog, you know that I am currently coveting these amazing shoes by Seychelles from Nordstrom. They are just adorable and SCREAM summer! If anyone out there would like to make a girl feel super fabulous, then please send me a pair (size 9) in teal or orange. Carrie Bradshaw told me she wants me to have them, and you can't argue with her.

Go to www.nordstrom.com to make dreams come true.

The beauty of online reviews

A recent email conversation (thanks Pam!) prompted me to pose the following question:

What did we do before online reviews?

Were we just supposed to buy something, try out a new restaurant, or stay at a resort without any knowledge of said products' capabilities and/or performance rating? Oh the horror!

I don't know about you, but I absolutely LOVE reading product reviews. I love imaging just what "Judy, 42, Cincinnati" and "Ashley, 23, Dallas" look like in real life. Are we anything alike? Does their opinion matter to me? I guess it does because I spend hours (well, maybe not hours, but you get the point) pouring through online reviews to decide if I should buy something or go to a certain place. I get really excited when customers can give something a score via a point system or a number of stars. As a general rule of thumb for myself, I typically don't proceed with my purchase or trip if something does not have at least 3.5 stars. I mean why bother right? On the flip side, I get particularly irritated when no one has written a review for something. Does it suck, or are the people who bought it either too busy, computer illiterate, or too cool for school? I love it when people get really worked up about their dissatisfaction with their purchase...some people really go off. Classic!

Personally, I love writing a review on something. It's one of the few times in life where it's okay to judge something. I try to be as tactful as possible, but if I was very disappointed in something, I will be brutally honest about my purchase. I don't want other ladies who also desire shiny Kardashian hair or the perfect self-tanner to come out with Medusa inspired locks and bright orange skin. I say we help each other out and keep those reviews coming. Regardless of the product-the newest restaurant in town, the wedge sandals I am currently coveting from Nordstrom, or the hot new cell phone, exercise your right to be judgemental and steer others away from making a bad purchase. I can assure that you that there is someone out there in cyberspace who cares about your opinion. Happy reviewing!

Eat your greens!

Many of you know that I am a vegetarian. Needless to say, I am constantly searching for new ways to spice up a typical salad. I came up with something new today and want to share it with my readers. Here is what you need:

-mixed greens
-crumbled blue cheese (Trader Joe's sells a kind that has dried cranberries in it-delish!)
-sliced, toasted almonds (TJ's also sells these)
-fresh blackberries (You can use any kind of fruit really-clementines, strawberries, and sliced pear would also be good)
-Balsamic vinaigrette dressing
-fresh ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and enjoy. The sweetness of the blackberries combined with the tangy blue cheese is a fantastic combination. Feel free to substitute your favorite fruits, cheeses, and dressings to make your dream salad. If you come up with a great combination, please share it with us. Bon appetit mes amis!

Graffiti just rocks

I am mesmerized with this image.

These colors are simply magnificent.

This one just makes me smile.

Return to sender

This week's go green tip is extremely easy. All you have to do is sign up to receive your bills electronically instead of receiving a paper copy. You're saving paper, time, and the cost of a stamp to mail your bill. Almost all companies give you the option to pay your bills this way, so I encourage you to take it. I like getting my bills via email because it is a constant reminder to pay the bill.

I also recommend using free services like Evite to send out invitations. Evite has SO many cute, fun designs and templates for you to choose from. Plus, guests can RSVP online instead of having to call you. Therefore you will have a running tally of who will be attending your event-that is if people actually remember to do so.

While I love receiving snail mail, you can also opt to send out free e-cards instead of mailing out greeting cards. I attended a wedding over the weekend where they had guests RSVP online instead of mailing their response cards. I love this idea-it saves time, paper, AND money.

Record breaker

In light of being laid off two weeks ago (yes, for the second time in 15 months-go to http://cestlaviebyelle.blogspot.com/2009/02/dear-john.html to read some thoughts from last year), I have thought a lot about working and jobs over the past year or so. I spent eight months looking for a job last year, and while it was not the path I would have chosen for myself, I grew tremendously during that time. The way I see it is that a lot of people lose themselves in their jobs. Their only identity is that of their line of work: nurse, teacher, bartender, etc. After some time passes, they become lost in what they do each day. Therefore when they lose their job, they lose a major part of their identity. They don't know who they are apart from their job.

I would like to think that this did not happen to me. While I was extremely upset and shocked when I lost my job last year, I still knew who I was as a person. I picked myself up and moved on. Even though I am quite frustrated to be back in the same place as I was last year, I know that I am not the same person. I learned lessons last year that some people never learn. I grew in ways that I am endlessly thankful for, and I know I will never be the same. Trust me, I wish I was so fortunate to have a job right now, but I still know who I am. I am a strong, independent woman who God created to do great things. I am not scared about the future because I am faithful in God's plan and timing for my life. A good friend of mine reminded me recently that adversity can break people or cause people to break records. I don't know about you, but I'm getting ready to break some records.

iTunes all the way

Today's go green tip is something I struggle with. I don't buy a lot of music, but when I do, I really love buying the CD instead of purchasing it on iTunes. I guess I just like physically holding the CD and seeing the pretty artwork instead of just downloading it online. However, I have been making myself buy my music electronically lately because it is much greener to do so.

The Internet is a great thing and can certainly make life more environmentally friendly if we fully utilize it. There are multiple benefits to buying music online including the following: the album is almost always cheaper, you don't have to make a trip to the store to buy it, and you get the music instantly. Make sure to never download music, movies, etc illegally. As a creative type, I think it is vital that we support the talented people who work hard to bring us their music.

Happy Birthday to my dad!

Today is my dad's birthday, and I hope he has an absolutely fabulous day. While my dad and I are very different, we are also a lot alike in some areas. I'd like to think that I got my business sense, my fierce determination, and my ability to remember random trivia facts from him. He is the most honest and respectable man I know, and I love him dearly. Happy Birthday Daddy!

(Even though this photo was taken 5 years ago, I just love it. We are standing in the kitchen of the house I grew up in.)

Be cool, carpool

Do you live close to a coworker, friend, or family member? Why not make life easier and our planet a better place by carpooling when you can. Even if it's just taking one car to church or the grocery store, in this case, one is better than two. Instead of sitting in traffic by yourself, you can catch up with a friend or get to know a coworker better all while saving money and the environment at the same time. If public transportation is not an option for you, consider carpooling. Georgia has The Clean Air Campaign where you can actually earn money and other cool benefits by carpooling. How cool is that?

Go to http://www.cleanaircampaign.org/ for more information. Go green, be cool, carpool.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing mothers in this world. I can only hope you know how much we love and appreciate you. I would like to wish a special Happy Mother's Day to my mother. Your love, grace, and constant gifts of service are an inspiration to everyone who knows you. I can only hope to become more like you. I love you!

Mother's Day gift idea

To say that yesterday was a traumatic day would be putting it mildly. Needless to say, I was unable to do my usual Monday go green blog, so here it is today.

With Mother's Day on the horizon (this Sunday people), you might be wondering what to get mom this year. Instead of buying her a gift consider making a donation to her favorite charity in her honor? Nothing says I love you and I appreciate you more than donating to a cause she cares deeply about. Not sure which charity to pick? Choose one that goes in line with her passions-animals, child welfare, the environment, etc. Show her you care by caring for others in her name. Trust me, it is the best gift you can give.