why on airplanes?

I have a bad habit of coveting people’s bracelets that I see on airplanes. I tend to see the exotic bracelet that I imagine was found in Bali or Thailand or Bora Bora. 

Once, I saw an unusual red stone bracelet which was from Costa Rica (thanks to the nice owner). I have friends that travel every once and a while to Costa Rica - so I asked them to help me find the bracelet that I had a hard time even describing, “ . . . red stones, held together by a heavy rope string and comprised of an usual pattern.” They were the nicest friends who just didn’t have a chance (but thanks for trying Stephanie & Todd!).

Anyhoo - this bracelet was not that exotic, but it was unusual. It’s actually three single strand bracelets made of Acai seeds. The owner received them as a free giveaway along with some free Acai liquor.

I AM learning, though. Instead of trying to describe this to my friend who owns a wine and spirit store (JIMMY - yes, I’m talking about you!) - I took a couple of pics. Maybe this will help my friend to show to his distributor and I’ll actually have a shot and getting my hands on a couple of these!

Love airports - just for moments like these!

pay no attention

. . . . I’m just enjoying a fun time with my kiddos - reminding myself of my important priorities. Vacations are great to get away from the usual routine and just breathe (and be silly and giggle a LOT).

good use of time

Sometimes the most relaxing thing I enjoy is to hunt for the next item that is going to make some corner of my office or house a little more comfortable (sense of cozy). I met the nicest couple who have an antique shop just outside of Hilton Head. I had my son with me  and the owners were SO warm and welcoming to him (they even offered him candy!!). It was actually a very smart selling technique. I had actually found a nice original watercolor in a different shop, but I had walked away from it - mainly because the owner seemed a little “cool” (and my kiddos weren’t with me in that store). 

I guess the moral of this story is if you are genuinely helpful and friendly towards your customers - they will buy what your selling. 

This shop was quirky (a good mix of high and low), but it was such an enjoyable shopping experience. My son even found the experience so much fun that he couldn’t help but dance (!!) to some of the big band music that they had playing in one of the rooms. 

Yep, I found a little box that I think will add a little “something” to his bedroom dresser. He’ll never forget this little shop (they had quite a few memorable items), and hopefully, this little box will be something that will hold some of his own found treasures.

I wasn’t about to leave such a nice couple with such a friendly environment without buying something! In fact, I found myself looking for something that I really wanted (read: needed) to buy. And as I was paying for my found object of desire, my son (and daughter when she also came in to tell me that my time was up for shopping) were given CANDY by the owners (with my permission)! So nice!

Shop info:

Bluffton Antiques & Gifts

12 Calhoun Street

Bluffton, South Carolina

843.757.7488

deep breath - almost there

Last work day before a vacation. A vacation that I’ve been dreaming of for about six months and am VERY excited. 

A much needed vacation.

Will I get as much relaxation as I want from it?

Will I read important (or not important) things while I’m gone?

Will it be the BEST vacation EVER?

Will my kids act okay - and not drive us nuts?

Will I look as cute in my new bikini as I hope?

Will we have any major travel issues?

Will I get burned (in a striped pattern) like last year?

Will my son get his head caught in the balcony bars (like last year)?

Will I find some amazing unique treasure while there?

Will the office survive without me? (duhhhhh.)

Will I survive being away from the office this long (that’s the REAL question)?

Will my TIVO get everything that I want while I’m away (sad, but yes a true question for me)?

Will my husband and I actually walk on the - like we say we will?

Will it rain a lot?

Will we have fun?

WHO CARES? WHO OVER THINKS this stuff?

Yep - I’m sure it will be wonderful. We’ll have a great time. I will read what I read and my kids will drive me nuts by the end of the trip (and I’ll TOTALLY miss work) - but it’s called a vacation - and I’m so excited!!

money? who needs money?

Speaking of numbers - MUST DO EXPENSE REPORTS.

For a while there, I was really on top of these!! I mean same day turn in whenever I made a purchase. So good!

What happened?

How is it that I’ve let myself get behind again.

Oh yeah - it was thanks to all of those other important things that I do for a living that when push came to shove, I shoved the expense reports to the bottom of the priority list. 

And NOW - of course - all my little purchases here and there (all necessary of course) have completely caught up with me and I have a MONSTER expense report to get in, by tomorrow. 

Oh yeah. Good times.

grind those numbers

Have I EVER mentioned that spreadsheets are the LEAST favorite part of my gig? I know that they are necessary (and sometimes have very good news attached to them!), but MAN - Excel is most usually not my best friend. 

Thank goodness for the analysts and accounting pros! You guys ROCK the charts!

just what you need

So - I try to be pretty frugal. Save more - that’s generally my theory. Although I do have my favorite brands (I really think everyone does) that I gravitate toward when it’s time to renew the closet. Different brands for different types of items, but one all-time favorite is J.Crew. And like any good mother, I’m trying to brainwash my kids early into J.Crew by supplying them with super-soft, fun t-shirts (for the son) and ridiculously cute fluffy skirts and dresses (for the daughter).

Well, it’s that time again. The entire family needed some specific items & like a good provider (one with VERY little time to shop) - I went online, bought and had them delivered.

Not all things worked out. Sadly the oversized straw hat for ultimate sun protection, flopped (literally!). So, that’s a return. HAPPY though, that when I intentionally bought two different sizes in white jeans (replacement pair - much needed) - the SMALLER size worked best!!! Also, the new bikini just absolutely ROCKS. (Thank you Bootcamp workouts and my super strict trainer, Michelle!!!)

Honestly, I think that everyone has a moment when they just need a couple of new items. In our case, we’re planning for an upcoming family vacation - and between all of the work preparations, I realized that the family needed some prep work as well.

Are we even close to ready yet? NO. But these new items are definitely getting me excited about going. Added that bounce in my step as I left for work today.

the opposite of relaxed

This next week I have a lot to accomplish at work because not only am I going to be on vacation for a week with the fam (more about that later), but so is my boss. So, it’s gonna be a crazy, busy week. 

Basically, it’s that feeling of “so much to do in so little time.”

It will be worth it - when this week is over (and we’re packed!).

fave for Friday

LOVED the article in WSJ this month about the CEO of J.Crew. 

You can learn a lot about passion for what you do from reading about Mickey Drexler. Sounds like he’s a pistol to work with, but what a great leader in retail. 

Amazing.

http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the-big-interview/retail-therapist/?KEYWORDS=mickey+drexler

There is also some behind the scenes video that’s darn addictive to watch. 

Enjoy & happy Friday!

knock it out

Ever have that sinking feeling that you have too much to do and too little time to do it in?

Me too.

I’m sure you’re familiar with the idea of “standing meetings” - where people stand instead of sitting as a way of ensuring that the meeting doesn’t take longer than it should. 

That’s what I did when I arrived at work today. I stood and just cleared through everything that I could as swiftly as possible. I did give each task my full attention - I wasn’t rushing through and being careless, but on the other hand - I seriously wasn’t sure exactly how I could accomplish everything that needed to be done in a short timeframe with the usual daily processing.

I liked it! I felt a certain sense of urgency about each effort. I was thinking on my feet and I had more energy. Of course, when it came time to address the email inbox - I sat. But for paper that was on my desk and had to be handled in some way or another - I stood.

Sounds crazy (I’m sure), but if you ever feel a little overwhelmed by the workload - I’m just suggesting to give your bottom a break and get moving!

there is no place for that

I like to watch TV shows that focus on people who are super passionate about what they do and the competitions to find the most talented person in various fields (such as TopChef, Shear Genius, the new Work of Art show on Bravo).

On these shows, there always seems to be a contestant that uses intimidation to get their way. This contestant tends to talk over other people (what’s up with the loud talking these days??) or they talk to the other contestants about each other to try to gain allies and determine “who needs to go” (like some of their contestants aren’t really worthy). 

The thing that seems to surprise the contestants that act like this (which they generally admit at the “reunion” shows after the competition is over) is the impression that was made by the way they acted. They usually had no idea of how the actions and behaviors translated to the viewing audience - and were typically not very happy with the public perception that was made. 

Even in everyday work life, this is something to keep in mind - because talking over people in meetings, or putting words in someone’s mouth that they really aren’t saying, talking about things in the extreme is generally not going to be well received and doesn’t leave a positive lasting impression. It may feel good at the time to “put someone in their place,” but this is actually poison to a productive work environment.

I can’t recall that a person who acted like this actually ever won their TV show competition. Some might reference Chrisitan Siriano, but actually he wasn’t as much into intimidating others to further himself - he would act in confidence and say pysch himself into a positive mindset by telling himself how “fierce” his designs were. 

He was hilarious to watch on Project Runway. It was his HUMOR that made him a fan favorite - and his TALENT that allowed him to win.

stress relievers

Although it’s summer - we’re still super busy! 

It’s pretty hard for my kiddos to understand that even though they are out of school - and living the life of Summertime Luxury - some of us still have to go to work and pay for their summer camps and activities. (Secretly, I’m pretty happy that they don’t understand this yet, means they’re still pretty young and don’t feel the weight of our adult responsibilities - but that’s a different topic for another day.)

Whatever - I’m in the middle of a pretty heavy production schedule and budget planning. I have two main ways to deal with work stress:

• downloading all details of my workday to my husband on the drive home (handsfree bluetooth is a beautiful thing!)
• working out (bootcamp class is my favorite!)

There’s not much to reveal about my daily download to my husband - other than it begins with a call to let him know that I’ve left the office. If he’s in town, he first lets me know just how LATE I’m running to wherever I’m going, then he does a nice job of settling in for a nice chat which last for most (if not all) of my commute home. I don’t always have that much to say, but when I do - he’s a great listener and supporter. By the time I arrive wherever I’m going - I’m done with the workday and can focus on whatever is next on the agenda. It’s been this way since before we were married. 

When he’s out of town and we can’t connect - well, that’s generally when the kiddos say, “Mommy came home cranky tonight.”

My bootcamp class is my other MAJOR source of stress relief. When I first started going to this workout - on the advice of a personal trainer that I had just started seeing - I DREADED it. Literally lost sleep over the thought of going. It was a new class that began in the month of May a couple of years ago. We were outside running in this parking lot that has a swift slope to it - and she took FULL advantage of what that slope could do to us. We had to do LOTS of “up downs” on the curb, push ups (I was horrible at those!) off the curb, lunges, sprints and just about everything that I didn’t enjoy doing. Just knowing that I had this class would make me tense and cranky and I would toss and turn the night before - waking several times full of dread. (read: PATHETIC.)

One of my friends in the class, who is almost 20 years (gosh! I just realized that!!) younger than me, told me to stop dreading it - because I was making it much worse and to just GET INTO IT. 

I tried. I really did - and you know - the more of the workouts I did, the more I started feeling a little more comfortable. The more I realized that I wasn’t going to DIE doing all of the hard stuff - the more that I started really TRYING to be a tad bit competitive with some of my fellow bootcampers. 

Now, I love it. I make playlists for our teacher to play while we give her a million jumps with a jump rope or jumping jacks or push ups or . . . well, you get the idea. I feel a real difference in how having a tough workout affects me for my workday. It makes me get to work a little later, but I’ve already physically accomplished so much that I feel ready to take on all of the challenges the office has in store for me. 

Also, the class has held together really well over the past few years. Some members have come and gone (or in the case of my friend - have gone away to college and returned for summer break), but a lot of us are from the original core group that started when the class began. We’re all there for each other - sweating out our stresses and gaining physical strength. This may sound gross, but it feels great and puts me in a very nice state of mind. 

Right about now, my trainer is seriously laughing . . . and scheming what my next workout will be . . . . heehee (nervous laughter).

simple summer

Summertime to me feels light and simple: lots of salad, lots of fruit, light airy clothing with a light sweater to help cope with too much office a/c. I found this cotton tote while out shopping with my daughter Brooke. The moment I saw this print - I knew that it would make for a great summer tote. It’s fun, has a classic color scheme and the pattern is unusual. It didn’t cost a lot (under $40!) because it’s from the kid version of Abercrombie and Fitch, which also explains why it has absolutely no pockets to help keep keys, phone, security badge convenient. Oh well, but it does hold all of my usual necessities and is just perfect for summer.

call it done

We’re coming to the end of the first week my kiddos have been out of school. They’ve been in a program all week which will end with a theatrical performance this weekend. 

It’s been an interesting week. 

Monday - During lunch, I snuck in some work on the kid’s program (the sheet that tells the audience who’s in the cast and the song order). The kids seemed to have had a terrific day. I came home to a husband (actually in town!) and a yummy dinner. It was a perfect summer evening!

Tuesday - 6am Boot Camp!!! Yay! It was a busy day for me at the office and I didn’t work on any of the program edits (whoops!). When I got home, the kids were a tad bit on edge. The husband was at some meeting for a group that he’s on the board of - and the meeting ran late. I ate (too many) Triscuits for dinner. Even though I was up early - I stayed up kinda late waiting for him (not smart, see Wednesday). 

Wednesday - We’re all very tired because my husband was up at 4:30(AM!) to catch an early flight to somewhere. This was the day where the kids needed a sack lunch for their extended rehearsal - and we were kinda crunched for time. I finished the program for the performance, barely by the deadline (I really should have worked on this on Tuesday). Then I had to leave from work early to take them to their well-doctor visit (for camp medical forms to get filled out - I’ll admit). This drove me a little nuts because I was leaving a meeting that I enjoy (I know - control freak), but I had no choice on this one. Whatev - so I meet the summer sitter and kids at the doctor’s office and took care of that business (read: lots of forms!). After that - we rushed Brooke over to her tumbling class where I had the pleasure of filling out more forms for her new cheer squad. Kids ate Sonic for dinner. I’m NOT proud of that, btw. And yes - by the time we got home, we were ALL absolutely cranky. The oldest kid starts telling me how much her younger brother has been bugging her ALL WEEK. Hello . . . . it’s only Wednesday! In a very adult voice, she tells me that she and her brother just “need to spend some time apart.” Oh really? I had soup for dinner and stayed up until 11pm catching up on “The City.”

Thursday - MUCH better outlook for the day. Boot camp was amazing. Remembered to write the check for the cleaning lady. Remembered to send $10 in an envelope with a specific mom’s name on it (for the program director’s gifts). Feeling good - man, what a workout can do for an attitude! Plus, I know that the husband is coming back in town today (of course he has evening plans). 

He calls: 

• when he lands
• when he decides to go out and pick up some items he promised the program director he would donate for costumes
• when he also does me a HUGE favor by picking up some chinos for Brooke to wear (we bought Bradley’s size - since he’ll inherit them after this performance) 
• when he remembered that we are the Friday Snack Parents for the rehearsal. 

He’s a good man even with all of the calls for every.little.question. (LOVE you, honey!) Kids were in a better mood as well (although, it helps that I let them watch TIVO’d WipeOut - they LOVE that show!). Off to bed with very little drama - Yay!

Friday - here’s the plan:

• 6am workout with trainer (think out of breath, pain and nausea - and you’re there)
• Feel amazing afterwards and be grateful for having the health to actually do all that she expects of me!
• off to work (in jeans!!!), attend meetings, set up some new projects and celebrate the departmental June birthdays and anniversaries
• meet the husband and kiddos at the church for their Friday evening performance
• BED (ok, maybe dinner and then bed - but at some point, there will be a soft, comfy pillow for my tired head)

Good times. Wouldn’t trade it. Next week should be even MORE fun!

for the love

It’s kinda sick, but I LOVE to file. It’s not actually the act of the filing that I enjoy. Determining what files should be most logically called and then creating a file folder (and what color code does that file fit into?!?) - ugh. So many decisions. What I like the most is once it’s over and things are all properly put away and I can actually find what I’m looking for. 

All of the important papers not are a part of peace - instead of chaos.

leaving early

I have to leave work early today. It’s for a very good and important reason - my kids have a doctor appointment (so I can get medical forms filled out and they can attend a couple of summer camps that I’ve already paid for). 

Last year, my kids went to camp (which is out of town) and at the drop off moment, we all realized that we had not gotten the medical forms turned in. My husband (not me) told the camp people that he would get the forms filled out and faxed over. I knew there was no way - because we had not had a well-doctor visit in forever (and they won’t fill out the forms unless you’ve visited in the last year).

And here we are at summer again - and I know that one of the camps won’t even let the kids on the bus without all forms turned in. So, I made the appointment and today is the day (which was the ONLY day before the camp begins that the doctor’s office could work both kids in). And I have to be the parent that goes because my husband is away on business (I tried to talk him out of going - and lost). Ugh.

The bad news is that I have a standing PDI meeting (pretty darn important) that I will have to leave in the middle of. (I hate that.) 

The good news is that I have very capable hands to stay behind and cover for me. Seriously.

I don’t like leaving work when it’s going to be inconvenient for anyone, but I can’t help this one. Gotta go. 

I shouldn’t complain. My kids are healthy (for which I’m thankful - not bragging) - so healthy that it’s been a couple of years since we last went to the doctor. So, I’ll go. I’ll even remember to take the forms that need filling out and treat the kids to something like ice cream if the appointment involves shots.

Here’s to trying out for “The Good Working Mom” role.

on everyone's lips

So - here’s what everyone at my office was talking about yesterday! There’s no question that this news got a mention in just about every meeting - and pretty much every person was either planning to get the new iPhone when it releases, or they were hoping that they would be able to afford an older model because of the G4.

I only heard the news in a meeting (hadn’t seen the Apple video) and thought, “Well, you never buy the first release, always go for the update so they can work out any kinks.” 

Then I watched the video on the site. And now, I understand why everyone was saying that they really don’t want to do the practical thing and wait.

Yep - I want one. Don’t you?

getting psyched

One way to get yourself ready for a fun week at work is to make yourself a new playlist to listen to on the way to the office. 

Sometimes I specifically download all new music and really get going with some new funky tunes. There are other times when I really like a nice quiet ride into work with some beautiful classical music. Sometimes, I just really want to hear good ‘ol U2.

Listen to your favorite music on Monday mornings and you’ll find yourself in the most positive mindset (which is the BEST remedy for “the weekend is over" blues).

Monday is here - so do whatever you can to make sure it’s a great one!

longest week EVER

Not sure exactly why, but this short work week has felt VERY long to me.

What’s weird is how excited I am for next week. I’ve got a lot of projects along with meetings coming up and quite frankly - I’m pretty happy knowing how challenging the next few weeks will be.

I’m just happy to realize that this week is over (so is school for my kids after today) and there is much fun (even in the office) just on the summer horizon.

I hope your short week flew by, but that you’re just as excited to get to next week as I am!

Happy Friday!