Love me some graffiti

My brain has been a bit jumbled so far this week, so here is some graffiti to go with it. 
As always, the talent that people possess never ceases to amaze me.

Viva la bibliotheque!

I went to the library today for the first time in a very long time.  A simple and FREE way to go green is to check out books from your local library.  You can even "order" a book ahead of time, so that you can check it out as soon as it comes out.  You can also place items on hold online, and the library will notify you when the book is ready.  How cool is that? 

Another way to go green is to donate your books to the library.  I'll admit-I don't do this with all of my books, but I definitely donate a lot of them.  I mean, are you ever really going to read most of them again?  Probably not.  Why not share your recent read with a stranger?  My parents taught us to love reading, and they have donated their books to the library for years.  I hope that all parents teach their children the importance of reading...knowledge really is power.

Fun fashion Friday-LWD!

While browsing through www.urbanoutfitters.com, I stumbled upon the most fabulous LWD.  Little white dresses are the LBD's of summer, and I think this one is to die for.  Click on the following link to see additional views: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18716837&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump. 

I love that the metal studs and grommets toughen up the sweetness of the dress...very Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  The dress is just $68 and also comes in navy.  It would be the perfect dress to wear to cookouts, bridal/baby showers, or a night out on the town.  Don't be surprised if you see me in this all summer.  Happy shopping friends!

Use of traveling

"The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality,

and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are."

(Samuel Johnson)

20 Minutes at Disco Kroger

It's amazing what can happen in just 20 minutes at a grocery store.  There I was, trying to mind my own business at Disco Kroger.  All I wanted to do was redbox a movie and buy some groceries.  The following 3 things happened while I was there:

1) As I strolled up to the redbox machine, some guy in his car started whistling at me.  I ignored him and kept walking.  He then proceeded to say things like "Hey baby, hey sweetheart, look over here" in a very obnoxious manner.  I was outraged when he then started honking his horn at me!  Like I would respond to that when I was clearly ignoring him to the best of my ability.  Men/boys of the world: If a girl/woman does not respond to your cat calls and pleas to look at you, you will not win her over by honking your horn at her.  Just some advice from me to you. 

2) While scrolling through movies at the redbox, a mom and her three kids walked up.  They started looking at all the movies listed to the right of the machine as I selected my movie.  I cringed when the daughter started talking about how she wanted to see Dear John.  The girl looked to be about 10 years old, and I don't think this movie is in any way appropriate for a girl of this age.  At one point, the mom turned to me and asked me if I had seen it and if it would be okay for kids to watch.  (The other kids were boys and were probably 8 and 7 or 6).  I said, "Well, it is a good movie that YOU would enjoy, but I don't think it would be appropriate for kids to watch."  She said, "Oh okay.  So, you mean there is some violence and S-E-X in it?"  (Yes, she spelled out sex.  Classic.)  I replied, "Yes, exactly."  She continued her inquiry by asking how many S-E-X scenes are in the movie.  WHAT?  So, one sex scene is okay, but multiple sex scenes are not?  Oh my.  I let her know that there were a few sex scenes in it and some violence and re-iterated my opinion that her kids should not watch the movie.  I was appalled when she glared at me and seemed quite offended that I was letting her know that movie was inappropriate for kids to watch.  Why did she even bother asking me?  As if!

3) I made it through Kroger with no problems and thought I was home free until I pulled my cart up to check out.  There were three people working the register, yet none of them acknowledged me, and they continued their lively conversation.  This is what I overheard:

Kels, the cashier: "I can't wait to go on vacation."
Kels' friend: "Where you goin girl?"
Kels: "I'm going down to Panama with my boo."
Other friend: "Oh, girl.  No, you didn't."
Kels: "Yeah, girl.  It's on.  I might not even come back to Kroger.  In fact, I might throw some deuces at Kroger."

Kels then proceeded to flash the number 2 sign with both hands and kind of dance around.  What does this even mean?  Throwing deuces?  Anyone?  Bueller?  I guess I was glad that the three "ladies" weren't really talking to me, although it was quite infuriating to be ignored by them and made to feel like I was inconveniencing them. 

I don't think I could get out of Kroger and into my car any faster.  I mean, really?  Can't a girl just redbox a movie and buy some groceries in peace? 

More than just a pretty face

I don't know about you, but the extremely hot weather we've been experiencing in Atlanta is just unbearable.  Not only is the temperature too high, but the smog level has been horrible too.  I can't seem to shake the cold I've had for the past 10 days, and I think the smog has something to do with it.  Something you can do to go green and make the quality of air in your home better is to have a variety of houseplants.  Not only are they nice to look at, but they help remove pollutants in the air.  Experts recommend having a plant for every 10 square yards in your home.  I've had the same plant since the fall of 2000, and I had no idea it was more than just a pretty face.

The Big Adventure vs. The Love Story

Last week I posed the following question to myself and my Twitter followers: "Why does it seem like you can live the big adventure or the love story but never both?"  You see, I want both.  I want to live life to the fullest alongside my best friend, who will also be the love of my life.  I want to bike the streets of Paris, search for animals on the plains of Africa, and stroll through Central Park together.  I want the adventure AND the love story.  Yes, I realize that this is asking for a lot, but it's what I want and what I know that I deserve.  Truth be told, I think we all deserve such happiness. 

As much as I long to find "The One" (if there is such a thing), I am more afraid of settling down...because I don't want to settle.  I'd like to think that I have rarely settled for anything in life.  I think we should all fight hard for what we want, no matter what it is or how impossible it might be to achieve.  I would rather die trying than never try at all.  I worry that when you "settle down" everything changes.  Dreams seem to die, and life seems to really change. 

Before you get too angry and think that I am criticizing marriage, having kids, etc, please don't read between the lines.  I want to get married and start a family; I want this with all of my heart.  I think that marriage and children are some of the most amazing ways God can bless us.  And, I certainly don't know what really happens because I have never been married.  I guess I just worry that everything changes once you get married.  I'm not saying that single people always get to have all the fun for the price of being single, but that is what I am noticing the older I get.  It seems like you get to either do what you want and be single, OR give up on some of your dreams to start a family with someone.  Why does it have to be an either/or situation?  I want it to be a "Two become one, let's double the fun" scenario.  I guess I just don't see this as often.  Again, don't take this the wrong way.  Not every couple/family fits this mold, and I see couples with children do neat stuff all the time (like Jenn and Marcus-cool couple with a baby who still do fun things-way to go!).  However, more often than not, this is what I've seen which leads us back to my initial question.

But, maybe I've got it wrong.  Perhaps your love story becomes the biggest adventure you've always desired.  Life will inevitably change when you commit to spending your life with someone else.  And it will undoubtedly change when children enter the picture.  I just hope and pray that my dreams won't die, and that the ultimate adventure I've been seeking my entire life will have just begun.  I've had a starring role in several small love stories and numerous exciting adventures, and I cherish all of the memories associated with it all.  For now, I won't dare settle for anything less than big adventures and the greatest love story of all time. 

Mamma mia!

I can barely contain my excitement knowing that my brother and sister-in-law are moving to Italy in August.  I am thrilled for them and can't wait to go visit them as soon as possible.  They're moving to Naples, a city in Italy that I have not yet visited.  I've been to Rome, Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, and some other smaller cities and look forward to eating more amazing food, drinking delicious Italian wine, and practicing my Italian with the locals. 
 
This photo makes me swoon.  It's of a grotto in the bay of Naples.  To see more exquisite photos like this one, go to http://www.stuckincustoms.com/category/travel/italy/amalfi-coast/.  Ciao! 

LunchSkins

I spotted this super cool item in the July issue of Marie Claire.  Go to http://www.lunchskins.com/home.php to check out LunchSkins, reusable sandwich bags.  Created by 3greenmoms, these dishwasher safe, made in the USA bags are the ultimate way to go green when it comes to meals on the go.  With over 20 million plastic sandwich bags going into landfills each day, using a product like LunchSkins can help make a difference.  Imagine if we all took one small step each day to help ensure that our beautiful planet is a clean and safe place for us to enjoy.  All you can do is all you can do, so do it.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" is a question that people ask all the time.  People dream of doing all sorts of things: doctor, race car driver, ballerina, archaeologist, lawyer, football player.  Most often life seems to get in the way, and things like money, time, talent, and other external factors cause us not to pursue our dreams.  I grew up wanting to be a ballerina.  I dreamed of performing with a company like the New York City Ballet and dancing my way through life. 

The older I got I realized that I had other passions as well.  While I will always love dance, it is no longer my dream to dance professionally.  I think we all know that my dream is to live in New York City.  I want to partake daily in the city that never sleeps and experience life in the most exciting city in the world.  Time will tell if this will happen, but I am currently doing every thing in my power (along with praying nonstop about it) to make this my reality.

What is your dream?  Do you want to be a teacher and help shape young people's lives?  Do you want to live in Paris and study architecture?  Do you want to write a book and share your story with the world?  I encourage you to make it happen.  Dream BIG.  The only thing stopping you is fear...fear that you will fail.  I don't know about you, but I would rather try and fail than never try at all.  Don't let fear stop you from pursuing your dreams.  We only get one shot of life on earth, so make today the day that you start making your dreams happen.  Make today your finest hour, and you will never look back with regret that you didn't pursue your dreams. 

Think vintage

The older I get the more I am getting into vintage clothing, household items, and accessories. When I was younger, everything had to be brand new, never been used or worn before. Now, I am seeing the beauty in something that isn't necessarily new, but something that is new to me. I encourage you to go green by checking out some local vintage stores to see what hidden treasures you might find. I really enjoy going to vintage stores when I travel. There's just something exotic and almost romantic about doing so. I love it when the shop owner tells me the story behind a certain item. Even if the story isn't 100% true, I still like to pretend it is. What are your favorite vintage stores? One of the things I like most about buying vintage items is that they are one of a kind. The older an item is, the less likely it is that someone else out there will have it as well. Be unique and think vintage.

Fourth meal

Is it just me, or does food taste better after midnight? There's something fun, exciting, and almost dangerous about fourth meal. I try not to indulge in it too often, but when I do, it is just fabulous.

After seeing Sex and the City 2 Saturday night and having an after movie drink, I had a friend drop me off at Cafe Agora around 1:15 AM. If you have never been, stop what you are doing, and go right now! Their kitchen serves amazing Greek food until 4:00 AM, so the drunken masses start trickling in around 1:00 AM or so. The two guys who were in line in front of me were having trouble standing up and ordered enough food for at least 10 people. When they finally left, I placed my order (falafel sandwich and a side of their amazing carrot salad) with a grin knowing that fourth meal would soon be mine. Was I actually hungry this late at night? Not really. I had eaten a sandwich and a salad around 6:00 PM, but I just really felt like eating again at 1:30 AM. This is not something one should do all the time, but it is fun to do every now and then.

After eating a HUGE meal this late at night, my insomnia was even worse then normal since eating late at night does not help your sleep pattern at all. However, it was absolutely worth it. I woke up still feeling full but happy knowing that I had eaten one heck of a fourth meal the night before.

What is your favorite thing to eat for fourth meal? My top five favorite fourth meal items are as follows:

1) pizza-this is my favorite food in general

2) Taco Bell-I mean, they coined the term right?

3) french fries

4) cheese dip

5) some sort of amazing sandwich (a la Cafe Agora style)

Don't judge...you know you love fourth meal too.