Send-off Sunday

Wishing everyone another great week! Work hard and make it count:-) Soak up the final summer days and get ready for labor day weekend!

Always love,
Becca

Something Green

Recently, I received a gift from my cousin.  It came wrapped up in a cute, brown-paper Starbucks bag.  And after opening the gift and preparing to pitch the bag, I stopped for a moment because the text of the bag attracted my eye.

You can read it for yourself, but how clever is Starbucks?! What a great way to incorporate a little bit of green lovin' into their packaging.  It got me to thinking about green practices and things you can do to be more respectful and kind to the beautiful earth.  So now, I am on the lookout for some green living tips? Any ideas.  Currently, my list extends to about this...
1) Using my re-usable water bobble (Yes, that's bobble, not bottle--go check them out:-))
2) Using canvas grocery bags-no plastic!
3) Shorter showers
4) Paying bills online
5) Recycling when at all possible

But, I know there are definitely more things I could do.  I think I'm going to add this to my bucket list, to work harder each day to be more green. Look for more green tips to come as I find them.

Here's to being more courteous to planet earth.  And to my Starbucks bag, which began as a "thoughtful gift" and which currently is my "handy carrier."

always love,
Becca

Friday Favs

Double the Friday Favs this week since I didn't get to it last Friday...Happy Friday everyone! What are your favorites from the week?!

Quote that I stumbled upon
...Time for me to get painting



Mermaid Inspired Necklace from Linkel Designs on Etsy
...what a fun summer accessory! The color combination is my favorite.

Edy's Coffee Ice Cream
...the next best thing to a delicous cup of coffee

Michael Franti and Spearhead Sound of Sunshine
...this is going to be on repeat as I soak up the last few weeks of the summer sun and also the closest I'm going to get to the beach

Honey Nut Chex Mix

...my sweet' n salty addiction-another bag open, another bag [already] gone.

gLee the 3D Concert Movie

...for all the gLeeks like me that couldn't make it to the live show, this is AMAZING:-) Grab your slushie and your 3D glasses and gLeek out!

always love,

Becca

Dahntahn n' nat

On Tuesday this week, my cousin was in visiting from VA for the day.  And while she has been to Pittsburgh many times, she really hasn't had the chance to experience some of the beautiful sights of the 'burgh.  If you're a Pittsburgh native, then you know what I am referring to...if you're not, add Pittsburgh to the list of places to visit, and make Mount Washington your first stop!

We spent the day exploring some of the most spectacular views of Pittsburgh from Grandview Avenue on Mt. Washington to North Shore Drive.  Here's your first photo recap:-)

Wildflowers along the river with the Ducky Tours and Clipper Cruises in the background

George Washington and Guyasuta statue on Mt. Washington depicting a meeting from 1770

On top of Mt. Washington

At the Monongahela Incline Outlook

North Shore Sweet Spot, Blue Water, Blue Skies



Mr. Rogers Statue- "Won't you be my neighbor?"

City of Bridges

What a great way to spend my Tuesday this week:-) So blessed to live in such a beautiful place.  Until the next photo recap...

always love,

Becca

Inspiration [in a jar]

Woah, so my apologies for being MIA recently, but work has caught up with me and I've been in the middle of working on a few fun projects, one of which I'll share today.  Ever since I set up a Stumble Upon account, I've "stumbled" on many fun and wonderful things to do, see, make, eat, etc.  I have come across a few posts about inspiration jars. The idea is so simple, and yet the effect I think is so profound.  Especially for that special someone that you might be giving the inspiration jar to.  Take a jar, bowl, can, etc and fill it with motivational quotes, song lyrics, bible phrases you name it.  Give it as a gift or make one for yourself--either way, a daily dose from your inspiration jar could be the perfect remedy for the workday blues.

My best friend is beginning a new college this year.  And I thought something special I could make for her would be one of these inspiration jars.  Just a little reminder that I am always thinking of her, and something that will come in handy when she has a big exam, or a long day at campus, or just needs a little motivation. 

Enter the inspiration jar.

The sky is basically the limit with how you create one, but here is what I did to give you an example:

First, I purchased a jar to put the inspiration in.  Only $1 at the dollar store:-)

Next, After deciding I didn't want to paint the jar, I determined I would deco-podge the jar.  I picked out a couple colors of tissue paper that I would use to create mosaic inspired tiles for my inspiration jar.

After creating the deco-podge effect on my inspiration jar, I added some inspirational words to the jar, and be-dazzled it with jewels in coordinating colors to match the tissue paper.

The last touch was finding inspirational quotes and writing them on index cards.  I folded the index cards in half and stuffed the jar with lots of inspiration:-) 

And Voila...my inspiration jar

...the perfect homemade gift for anyone special in your life.

My Inspiration Jar in Pictures

Who will you make an inspiration jar for??

always love,
Becca

Friday Favs

Here's to making it through another week!

A few of my favorites from the week:

Waffle Shop House Blend Coffee

So I mentioned I took a road trip to my alma mater Penn State last week.  And it's tradition, that no visit to Penn State is complete without a stop at the Waffle Shop.  Basically the most delicious breakfast you'll find in State College.  And for all of the coffee addicts like myself, the most velvety rich coffee. YUM! I didn't get to dine at the Waffle shop this visit, but my mom and I have been Waffle Shop coffee addicts so I made sure to stock up! I think it's a must for anyone who has never been to State College to add it their bucket list...and of course make sure to check out the Waffle Shop! The strawberry waffle with whipped cream comes highly recommended.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Leopard

I can't believe I have waited  this long to try this product. Say "hello" to fun looking nails in 10 minutes or less!  The salon effects are the easiest way to take your nails from drab to fab! No more worrying that your nails aren't dry, no annoying bubbles.  These work great. And the leopard print is FIERCE.  It is a little bit pricey ($8.54 per kit at Target), but the results are so worth it! I can't wait to rock more of these salon effects in the future.  I'm thinking they'll be great for an upcoming wedding.


Cameron Mitchell's EP Love Can Wait

I mentioned Cameron in a post earlier this week.  And since then, I've had Cameron's Love Can Wait on repeat all week.  Really, check him out, he's a star.

A new bracelet!

My cousin brought me back this new bracelet from Rehobeth beach! What a great new piece of jewelry to accessorize with. It is from this little boutique on Rehobeth Avenue that has some of the most reasonable pricing for fun, beach jewelry.  Thanks Kels for adding to my Friday favs:-)

#loveforlexi

The past four years at Penn State I have been involved with the largest student run philanthropy in the world, the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance MaraTHON! THON is a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer.  This amazing philanthropy has over 15,000 student volunteers who put in countless hours to raise money for a cure.

Every February, THON weekend takes place. A 46 hour no sitting or sleeping dance marathon, for the fight, FOR THE KIDS.  This past year, I was lucky enough to be one of 700 dancers in Happy Valley to stand up for the fight for 46 hours.  This was truly the most amazing weekend of my life.  Seeing so many people come together for one cause is truly inspiring.

The Penn State student body involved with THON continues to change lives each day.  And today is no different.  I came home to an email today from a member of my THON family asking for help.  One of our precious little girls, Lexi, is fighting the battle of her life.  She has stage 4  neuroblastoma cancer.  Lexi is 6 years old, soon to be 7 in September, and has been battling cancer since she was 3.  Lexi is a huge Taylor Swift fan.  Her only wish is to meet Taylor Swift.  The students of THON and Penn State have begun a Twitter campaign to reach out to Taylor and make this little girl's dreams a reality.

So this is what I ask: If you're on twitter, send a shout out to Taylor Swift. It's that simple.  Help us spread the #loveforlexi. And keep this little girl in your thoughts and prayers.

One of my favorite THON quotes  is "One day we will dance in celebration, but until then, we dance for a cure."  Help us in our fight against pediatric cancer--support Lexi, and support our cause.  Together we can make a difference.

Visit http://www.thon.org/ for more information and to donate to the fight!

Here's a taste of THON 2011--"From the outside looking in you can never understand it, but from the inside looking out you never explain it." #lifechanging
THON 2011

always love,
becca

Be a Nerd.

So this one goes out to all the gLeeks.  If you're familiar with the fox show gLee then you know that it celebrates the underdog.  High school was difficult enough without being judged by others based on the people you hung out with or the things you were involved with.  gLee recognizes this and the underdogs.  The students involved with "New Directions" are the real stars of high school.  The cast is built with individuals from all different backgrounds, races, gender, and sexual orientation.  You will instantly fall in love with this television musical comedy from the hilarious lines of Sue Sylvester, to the absolutely phenomenal renditions of  music legends, the story line, the lessons taught, and the celebration of the geek in us all.

This summer, gLee creator Ryan Murphy has provided my gLee "summer fix" with the reality show The Glee Project.  This is a reality competition where the final contender wins a 7 episode role on the hit show gLee.  If you're not a gLee fan, I suggest you catch up.  I guarantee you this: no sooner than you begin to watch, you will be hooked.  And if so, watch #TheGleeProject Sundays at 9pm on Oxygen.

So the purpose of this post was not to plug for gLee, but rather to shed some light onto one of the contenders of The Glee Project, Cameron Mitchell.  Cameron was recently "not called back" for another shot at becoming The Glee Project winner.  Not because he couldn't sing, far from it in fact.  And not because he didn't quite make the cut after this week's homework assignment, because after watching it, all of the contenders did great.  No, it wasn't either.  Cameron Mitchell made a decision, probably one of the hardest of his life, between his beliefs and what he felt was right in his heart, and the opportunity to continue his gLee project journey.  Since the beginning Cameron has been a  favorite of mine.  He has a great voice, but even greater character, personality, and charm.  And so with this past episode being his last, I just wanted to commend Cameron on his journey, his courage to stand up for his personal beliefs and priorities, and say your journey is far from over.  Cameron is already a star, and his talent will carry him far.  There are not too many people in the world today that you can honestly say would stand so truly to what they believe in, and that alone will take him far. 

He once said in the beginning of the competition that he was a nerd, and maybe that's part of the reason he could see himself fit with the show, but it is also good advice and takeaway...Don't be afraid to be who you are.  And stand up for what you believe.  It is the individuality of everyone that makes the world so unique. If you're a nerd, so what.  There is a little bit of nerd in us all. 

E.E. Cummings once wrote; 'To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.'"

So Cameron, Thank you for being that inspiration to me and [the world]. I'm definitely proud to be myself, which in many cases is "nerd."

Check out Cameron's album Love Can Wait on iTunes. Like I said, this guy is a star.

always love,
becca

Send-off Sunday

Here's your Sunday Send-off~Make the most of your week, and don't mistake the opportunities before you that may come disguised as work.  Do your best, wear your passion on your sleeve, and seize the day (or week).

always love,
becca

Closing Time

So this past Thursday and Friday, I spent the day travelling to my Alma mater Penn State. It's been about 2 months since graduation, and actually, for the first time, the feeling has kicked in....I'm not going back.

I was at Penn State to close the apartment, clean house, and pack up.  And while this trip was anything but enjoyable for those stated reasons, it got me to thinking...how much I love Penn State, how much I'll miss Penn State, and how many wonderful memories I did have there.

4 years came and went so quickly, and I am blessed and lucky to have had the opportunity to go to school there.  The people I met, the experiences I had, and the memories I made, I definitely wouldn't change that for anything.  And while, I will not be returning to Happy Valley as a student anytime soon, Penn State will forever hold a special place in my heart.  And like any true Nittany Lion, I will bleed blue and white forever.

Being nostalgic and all, just a few of my favorite Penn State memories.  And thanks to Semisonic being on repeat for my roadtrip.  It pretty much sums up this point in my life.  Onward to the next chapter. Love you dear old state.

"Time for new beginnings and for some other beginning's end."


always love,
becca