Thursday, December 30, 2010

Twenty Years from Now



Puerto Rico, 2010

Twenty years from now you will be more dissapointed 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 tradewind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.



When the smartflyer blog posted the Mark Twain quote, I giggled. Not because the quote is funny but because I have this friend... He uses the quote daily to push us to live a little more.

Whether its to stand closer to the edge when hiking in the mountains or to take a shot with him during a night out on the town...

Because, twenty years from now, you may regret not taking that chance. Because, twenty years from now, you will look back on this moment and wish you did.

Because, twenty years from now, I'm going to look back and wish I did a lot more but I will not regret doing all the things I was not afraid to do.

I urge all of you to take chances in 2011 and beyond, because twenty years from now I don't want you to look back and regret never taking that chance.

Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Travel Tips: Packing Tips from DVF



There's no doubt in any ones mind that Diane von Furstenberg is a style icon! Her wrap dresses are legendary and I wish to one day have a closet full of every pattern ever made.

While I dream about the (almost) impossible, I leave you with Diane's Holiday Travel Tips:





1. mix primary colors
2. don't forget the big tote



3. roll up your basics and put them in stockings
4. jersey dresses are key



5. bring a "go anywhere" top



All images via DFV website.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Tech Tip Tuesday: Accessing Multiple Gmail Accounts at Once

One of the coolest (in my opinion) tools that came about in 2010 from Google is the ability to sign in to multiple Gmail accounts at the same time. Now I spend less time switching accounts! :)

Follow the steps below to do the same:

1) Sign in to Google/Gmail with your main account and then go to http://www.google.com/accounts
2) Go to the Multiple sign-in (last option under Personal Settings) and click on Edit
3) Select On, read through and check-off the boxes explaining how multiple sign-in works and click on Save.
4) Ta-da!



Now, you too, can flip between multiple Gmail accounts without logging in and out!


More details can be found on the Gmail Blog.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Looking Back on 2010




It’s difficult to sum up 2010. There were ups and downs and new life lessons learned…

I’ve spent the most nights in hotels this year than ever, even earning a gold status with Marriott and coming close to reaching a silver status with US Airways. I’ve traveled to the Caribbean (via cruise), Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Charleston, Chicago x2, Nashville and Louisville. All but two for work.

I’ve never been more confused about my career path than I am right now. All I know is what I want to be when I grow up, it’s just a matter of getting there.

I’ve joined great Charlotte bloggers for MeetUps, met amazing new people at TweetUps, felt at home at the Social Fresh conference, participated in the Purrsuit and the #NoFizzCLT challenges.

In March my boyfriend and I purchased a house. In October we became engaged.

As always, I found out who my real friends are and I’m fighting to keep the good ones in my life.

But enough looking back, it’s time to look forward to 2011!

The first five weeks of 2011 will be a repeat of what happened in 2010: 80 hour work weeks, no social life, pure exhaustion.

Wedding planning, saving money, paying off debt, and a possible career change (hopefully within my current company).

More blogging, more Tweeting, more networking, more picture taking.

I hope to visit my BFF in NYC and go on a fabulous getaway for my honeymoon.

2011 will bring change and I am both ecstatic and petrified at the same time.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Back on Track


(photo via we heart it)


I know, I know, I have neglected my poor lil' blog. Over a month of no new posts, my apologies.

It was a quick derailing. First I got sick, then I traveled for two weeks for work, then I had to get into the routine of daily life after travel... and then... life continued to happen.

Every weekend and most weekday nights planned. High priority items first, things that keep me sane last.

Will I get back to updating everyday? Probably not. Will I try at the least two posts a week? Yes.

I'm unpacking my bags and staying a while...

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Monday, September 13, 2010

xoxo, Gossip Girl

There are not that many shows that I get excited about anymore. There is a handful of shows that I hate to miss: The Daily Show, The Soup, and Conan. But there's one show when my Blackberry is set on silent, the door is shut to my room, and bathroom breaks happen only during commercials. That show is Gossip Girl, my guilty pleasure.

The writers left us hanging at the end of season three: is Chuck dead?! I guess we'll find out tonight, when season four premiers. Honestly, I can't wait!

Until then, I have the preview to drool over:




Do you love Gossip Girl as much as I do?

xoxo,
mo.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Baptiste Viry: Bow Tie Necklace

How amazing is the Baptiste Viry Leather Bow Tie Necklace?! Even more so, how fun is the whole collection?














(All photos via Baptiste Viry)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Photojojo: Purchases

This weekend I partook in a little bit of online shopping, what else is one to do when camping? ;)

Not surprisingly, my shopping was centered around photography. I have not purchased any new lenses or accessories for my Canon Rebel in over a year so it was long over due.





I discovered Photojojo, one of the cutest and well edited websites for gear and gifts for photographers. I purchased the following two accessories:







Tokyo Dream Strap



Color Lens and Flash Filters



And on Monday, Groupon had a great deal for a 20 page 8x8 inch photobook for $10 (plus shipping) from Shutterfly. It will make an awesome Christmas present for someone this year...!


Can't wait to use my new accessories and creating my first photobook!


(All photos via Photojojo.)

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Asheville: Downtown



















Asheville is more than just the Biltmore Estate. There is a lot of beauty and history there that I wish I knew about earlier. To have lived in Charlotte for 15 years and never exploring such a wonderful city is a tragedy! But, no more! I am officially adding Asheville to my top three local day trip destinations and will plan to visit more often.

I wish I had taken more pictures on this trip...

(All photos by me.)

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Glamping: Banyan Tree Madivaru















This weekend B and I are planning on going camping. I am looking forward to it but at the same time the city girl in me is cringing at the thought of "roughing it." Thankfully, there are resorts that cater to the city girls and those seeking a luxurious camping experience.

The Banyan Tree Madivaru resort in Maldives is one of the few resorts in this world that take "camping" to a whole new level.

One day! Until then... I will suck it up, pack up my water shoes, bug repellent, and lots of baby wipes and spend some time in the "wilderness" right off I-40 in Asheville.


Resort pictures via Banyan Tree website.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Pictures in Bed



(photo via pictures in bed)



I have been in the process of editing my photography in hopes of creating a portfolio. One of the many themes are pictures taken in bed, of people in bed, people sleeping, etc. Thanks to Jacob Pritchard, I don't feel so weird. One of his projects is taking aerial shots of people in bed. Check them out all the photos over at his tumbler page.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Cole Haan Air Talia OTK Boots

This has been one hot and muggy summer and fall cannot come fast enough! While Mother Nature takes it's sweet time cooling off I've been taking steps in updating my wardrobe for the colder months.

My first stop was the Nordstrom semi-annual pre-season sale where I found the most amazing shoe: the Cole Haan Air Talia OTK boot.



(photo via Cole Haan)



Aren't they gorgeous? They're made out of soft suede and have Nike Air technology in them so they're uber comfortable. They're also very versatile and can go from office (scrunched)to night with one simple tug over the knee.


Have a lovely weekend (and think "cold" weather thoughts)!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Tasty Thai & Sushi

I was lucky to have stumble upon Tasty Thai & Sushi on my trip to Charleston because the restaurant really did live up to its name.


(photo via Tasty Thai & Sushi)


I ordered two rolls:


Thai Maguro


Sliced tuna wrapped around spicy tuna, crab, mango. Topped with jalapeno, cilantro, black tobiko.



Fire my Roll


Sliced Albacore tuna, jalapeno,and siratcha masago on top of spicy tuna, cucumber, and tempura.

Yum!

All photos taken by me.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Fourth of July

I realize that it's been a month since the holiday, but...
























I didn't exactly have a fairy tale month after my 26th. It felt like I lost complete control of my life, nothing was going "right," people I thought were my friends hurt me, etc. Fourth of July weekend was the "climax." It was also the weekend when I realized that it's all about attitude, I don't need negativity in my life, and that it's not as bad as I thought it was.

It all happened when I saw the children playing and felt the lake wind blow through my hair, making all the self pity wash away.


(All photos taken by me)

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Found: Himalayan Salt Block in Charleston

A few weeks ago I was in Charleston for work and decided to stick around one more day to explore the downtown area.

Charleston is by far one of my favorite cities for many reasons: food (post on that later), history (start with Wiki and see where it takes you), and of course shopping!

It was hot and humid but I did not care. I took routes I have not taken before and stumbled upon a little gem of a store called The Spice & Tea Exchange located on 170 Church Street.



This is where I was introduced to this beauty:



...a Himalayan salt block! It's so versatile and pretty that I could not help myself. The possibilities are endless! Sushi, curring meats and fish, etc!

Here are a few more images from the store:
















All photos taken by me.