Category Archives: goodness

pretty on the inside

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I found a tiny cocoon today just outside the doorway of my best friend’s house. At first I didn’t know what it was. Then, as I peeked around to the other side (on tippy toes), I saw the familiar wing of a monarch butterfly. I’ve never seen this kind of thing in person before and I was excited to be able to take a picture of it and share.

Tiny miracles are the best kind.

image © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen

choose happy

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Did you know that happy is a choice?
If you could order your lunch with a side of happy, why wouldn’t you?

Some people are born knowing that or are on “happy” by default. You know them; they smile at their desk, in line at the pharmacy, probably even in their sleep. Others of us spend a lifetime learning (and sometimes forgetting and relearning) that the only one that can make us feel a certain way is, well, us. I admit it, I’m sensitive. I cannot watch anyone cry on T.V. or in person without tearing up (ok, and possibly hyperventilating). If someone close to me is stressed I soak it up like a sponge. Long story short, I let things bother me. I choose that. It’s my default (pun not intended). Sometimes I do really well with “choosing” my emotions. Other times I completely fail. But, every new day is a chance to choose all over again. A chance not to dwell on the crappity crap that you’ve been through and perhaps even appreciate that you don’t have to go through that anymore or ever again. I could go into a whole shpiel about positive thinking but you can click over to this post at into•mind for that (one of my newest favorites).

I hope you choose happy today because everyone is more beautiful when they smile.

Click image above to download CHOOSE HAPPY TODAY printable cards
(4 cards on one 8.5″ x 11″ page)

Heart-shaped grilled cheese links to source, Williams Sonoma.

all you need is love

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It was a chilly night last night. While enjoying a mug full of hot chocolate with my BFF I noticed her pup, Scout, was curled up tight on his bed with nose tucked snugly under the fluffy part of his tail. And, LOOK how sweetly his spots come together to make a heart! I love it when that stuff happens. Don’t forget the pets this year at the holidays, we would be lost without them. Here is my latest treasury, it’s furrrbulous:


image links to treasury

brilliant gift idea

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Do you love this as much as I do?

James Hance is the best at what he does, and if you visit his RedBubble store you’ll agree (you’d better!!) Christmas is coming, and you can’t find more unique (or punny!) T-shirts than what James is offering. Not a T-shirt person? You can buy prints of his work at jameshance.com. Don’t wait until the last minute this year! And, if anyone is taking notes…I wear a LARGE and my walls are mostly naked…

Proceeds from the print above (“Off to Save the Princess”) go directly toward helping with the cost of James’ daughter’s medical bills.

images link to source

goodness :: girls on the run

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Girls on the Run is a non-profit, community-based prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. The program addresses all aspects of girls’ development – their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being.

If you live in the Jacksonville area you can help support Girls on the Run Northeast FL and satisfy your cupcake craving at the same time! To help GOTRNEFL kick off their LACE IT UP campaign,  Sweet! by holly is donating 100% of the net sales at their Grand Opening on Saturday, September 24th from 10am to 11pm. How SWEET it will be!


goodness :: wishlists for teachers

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Emily is my best friend and she is brilliant, beautiful, (so tall) and resourceful! She created a wishlist on Amazon for her class (oops, I forgot to add amazing teacher to her repertoire). I asked her about it yesterday and she said you can create a wishlist and then publish it directly to Facebook. I love social media. This is a fabulous idea for teachers! If they want something for the kids, they most likely are going to have to furnish it themselves. This includes any additional classroom furniture/storage/educational materials (as Emily’s foyer-turned-storage-unit-for-the-summer can attest).

The Amazon wishlist is a great tool for teacher’s and volunteers to get the word out about what our kids and communities need especially when you can publish it to Facebook with one click! As an example, check out Emily’s wishlist for the Lunch-n-Learn and after school reading programs she is starting at her school.

image links to source

goodness :: give forward

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I came across Give Forward while on twitter about a week ago. One of my favorites posted that his daughter was ill and in need of help (more on that in a bit). I love the Give Forward concept, cheerful, user friendly interface and how social media networking has been integrated to help spread the word about those in need (and fast). Donating is easy and secure, you can sign up to receive updates on the recipient’s progress and when you donate you can choose to be anonymous or you can leave a message of encouragement.

Now for the important (albeit excruciatingly adorable) bit:

This is Maddy. She’s a fun, imaginative 6 year old girl suffering from a rare intestinal disorder. Her family and friends are raising funds for her trip to Boston for a cure. Maddy’s Dad happens to be artist, James Hance. Yes, the one I proposed marriage to site unseen via blog a few months ago and whose genius by way of Wookiee the Chew inspired my own little Wookiee creation. So, please with chocolate syrup and strawberries on top, visit Maddy’s page on Give Forward today at work – you know, in between your facebooking, tweets and texting your friends about where happy hour will be later on. It will give you warm fuzzies and if you happen to have a few bucks, send them Maddy’s way. You know you’d have just used the money to over-tip that hot waiter/waitress at said happy hour anyways. Generosity is best when you can remember it the next day.

Speaking of happy hours – if you live in Jacksonville – you can pop on over to The Rogue in Riverside on April 20th and join in on some bourbon and vodka tasting, raffles and whatnot with all proceeds going to help Maddy and her family. Please drink donate responsibly.

Thanks!

images link to their source