I honestly cannot believe that your 18 today, you will always my baby brother- but more than that you are my best friend, and I really don't know what I would do without you!
Have a kick ass day, I can't wait to celebrate with you :)
Theres no one in the world I would rather have traveled the 50 states with over the past 18 years than you buddy.
The Sandy Hook Elementary Massacre in Newtown CT on Friday December 14, 2012 was one of the most appalling, heartbreaking, barbaric events that I have been alive to see happen during my 22 years.
26 lives were taken, when a gunman opened fire on classrooms at the Sandy Hook Elementary school. Among the lives taken were 20 children and 6 adults.
This horrifying event has shocked our very nation, and in the days following the attacks we have come together all over the country in a variety of ways to support and honor those helpless children and adults whose lives were so brutally taken from their loved ones this past friday.
While we cannot turn back time and bring back those who have been so wrongfully taken from us, there are ways that you can help those families in movies forward, heres how:
1) The Sandy Hook School Support Fund, set up by the United Way of Western Connecticut will provide support services to families and the community. All donations to this fund will go directly to those affected.
2) The Red Cross has been on the ground, offering food and water to affected families and first responders, and providing more than 50 units of blood to Danbury hospital where some of the victims were transported. They have set up a center for emergency grief counseling - and more than 100 Red Cross workers, including mental health professionals, are on the ground in Newtown helping to support the community. The Red Cross stresses it has what it needs to support efforts in Newtown, and is asking that those wishing to donate to families and the community, direct their contributions to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund
3) The nonprofit mental health clinic Newtown Youth and Family Services is providing counseling for families, community members and school staff, any donations made to the clinic will go directly to those affected.
4) The Newtown Memorial fund is taking donations for the families and community affected, and is also actively recruiting volunteers and offers of help of all kinds.
6) OneRepublic has also started a fund to raise money for those affected. You can find details on how to donate to OneRepublic's fund here
7) 'Lutheran Church Charities' has sent a team of 'comfort dogs' to the community. Chewie, Barnabas, Hannah and others will be visiting schoolchildren, attending funerals and memorial services, and will be at the memorial area. You can donate to help support the dogs' visit to Newtown here.
8) The US Postal Service has added a PO Box for those who wish to send letters of condolence to the residents of Newtown. Please address mail to: Message of Condolence, PO Box 3700, Newtown, CT 06470.
10) You can also send words of support and messages for families affected in an evergramhere. They will be collated and given to the families in the future.
11) The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection says anyone wishing to volunteer should call 211 or (800) 203-1234.
This publication never ceases to amaze me with the absolutely gorgeous design, and the inevitable creativity that is intermittently spread throughout the entire 250 compilation.
The design aesthetic, coordinating color palettes, explicit layout, and the precision that is displayed on every single page of this magazine is incredibly inspiring.
For those design savvy readers out there, subscribing to a variety of different magazines is a really great way to help to build what I like to refer to, as your "style library." A compilation of different stylistic ideas that inspire you to create.
One of the beautiful things about design, aside from its quite obvious grace, is that whether your medium is print, or digital; film, or still; or any of the like- ideas that spark in your mind can be applied in some form or another to every medium.
This months' issue of Vogue- as picture above, included a surprise in the middle of the edition. One page was designed into what looked like a Christmas gift, when you opened the gift the flaps of paper unfolded to reveal a exquisite design layout of varying 2012 Christmas Gift ideas, and a pull away Holiday Gift Guide, "mini" magazine!
Techniques like this are popular, and increase interested readership because of the audience participation factor, much like an interactive website online!
"Our goal is to create a directory of web fonts for the world to use. Our API service makes it easy to add Google Web Fonts to a website in seconds. The service runs on Google's servers which are fast, reliable and tested. Google provides this service free of charge."
If you click the above link it will take you exactly where you want to go to find incredible, new and fun fonts for any of your creations!
If you scroll through and find a font that you really want to add to your computers memory- click the font, and "add to your collection." You can add as many as you would like! Once you have a few selected/added into your "collection," look in the upper right corner of the page display and click "Download Collection." The collection will then import into your computer hardrives' "Downloads" folder- in their own respective individual folders. Drag the font folders to your computers' "fonts" section and viola!
Next time your looking to change the type face of your work- the font names you added will be there!
Without spending upwards of $1,200 on Adobe Fonts- this is a seriously awesome tool to use instead for finding new fonts!
"A web with web fonts is more beautiful, readable, accessible and open."
Lately, I have been spending some time sifting through my own interests trying to decide what industry I am most interested in pursuing as a career path.
I have always been more creative and artistically minded, especially over subjects like mathematics or science. I love to create, I am enthusiastic about design, and I have a genuine appreciation for a well put together piece of artwork...of any type.
There are so many different industries which involve creativity in design, especially in regards to Communications related businesses.
Aesthetics have an enormous impact on the power of messages, as well as an influence over an audiences perception of the way a company presents itself. Now, I am positive I will have many opportunities to experience a variety of jobs among the creative industry of communications and message delivery- however I have come to the conclusion that what excites me most about the possibilities in my future...are graphic design related.
I stumbled upon this business + blog, Fabulous K... the screen shot of the main page is pictured below- you should definitely check it out and explore her portfolio!
I think for now, I would definitely be comfortable saying it is a goal, and maybe dream of mine to have my own graphic design company at some point in my future.
That's only for now though, my mind is always racing in a million directions and I am continually inspired by new things every day :)
What inspires you throughout the course of your day to day life?
Looking for the perfect earring to accompany any of your holiday ensembles this season? Here are a few classic options! The great thing about chandelier crystal earrings, is that there are so many style options at almost any price point ! Above are a couple pairs that I just happened to love- ranging from various price ranges to fit your budget! Here are the product details!
I am in love with everything that is winter in New England...especially bundling up! Here are some winter essentials! Scarves are one of my favorite winter accessories. Cute, cozy and they mix and match so easily!
Here are the types of desserts and fun that grace my families' dinner table after the dinner plates have been cleared...
What types of desserts/ traditions post Thanksgiving dinner do your friends and family share?
The one thing that I traditionally am responsible for making, besides stuffing the celery and assembling the cheese and cracker plate, is the pudding pie!
My mother, who happens to be a professional chef and currently working as head baker at the Good Day Cafe, takes care of everything else- including the Apple, Pumpkin, and Pecan pie all served with either whip cream or ice cream. :)
We also have both coffee and tea drinkers in my family, so we always have options for both desires.
It has been tradition since the days when my entire extended family would celebrate Thanksgiving Dinner at my Mimi and Papa's house, to have andes mints after dinner- this has carried on to dinners at my house.
1) This nifty trinket found at Kebo is a one handed bottle opener! 2) It's highly possible that the last time he went shopping for himself for clothes was awhile ago- a nice pullover 1/4 zip sweater like this one from J.Crew are a nice addition to his wardrobe especially in the winter months! 3) I found this Birchbox alarm clock- fit for your Iphone or Ipod to not only charge overnight, but act as the face of the clock! A retro style...modernized! 4) Music is everywhere, with these Beats By Dre in ear headphones, he'll be able to listen to his music anywhere. 5) Wallets are one of those things that tend to last forever, but it's nice every now and then to replace the old with a new leather wallet. 6) Watches...again! Watches are an essential piece in any men's collection. This one from GShock is slightly larger, but sleek in it's black aviator design. 7) Looking for something simple! A quick tip from Cate lead me to these awesome needlepoint college themed Smathers and Branson key fobs, belts and accessories! 8) Tickets to his favorite sporting even are always a hit! A little bit pricey, but its a gift you both can enjoy together! (sadly, the NHL is still under the lockout but I am hopefully we'll be at the Garden to watch the B's before the winter is over) 9) Slippers are a mans best friend. I am a big fan of the Ugg slippers, but a pricier- all weather option can be found at Quody, their Lodge Moc Sheepskin Slipper is a top seller! 10) Lastly, and again- this one can be tricky... if he isn't one of those types that has a scent and he will wear it till the end of time- find one that you love and pop it in his stocking or hang it from the tree. Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani is currently the most favorited men's fragrance at Nordstrom's if your looking for a hint!
Belated Halloween celebrations, the first snowfall of the season, beginning of the Holy War w/ a BC Hockey win over Notre Dame, ND Game Day, BC Rowing presents the American Flag, The Holy War in Alumni with my besties <3
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine forwarded me an email she had received, the sender was listed as "The Universe."
I glanced at the subject of the email, which read "TUT... A Note from the Universe"
So naturally I was intrigued. My friend was receiving apparent emails from the Universe?
Well as it turns out, she had subscribed to TUT, namely {Totally Unique Thoughts} a website dedicated to reminding others of the of life's fundamental truths; "that life is magical, that we are adored and powerful, and that dreams really do come true."
Admittedly I am not a huge believer in superstitions, there are a few I am loyal to- but overall I would say I am pretty practical and realistic about most things.
I decided to subscribe to Notes from the Universeto test it out to see just what it was friend liked about it.
The registration process was simple enough, they asked for typical demographic information, a short term + long term goal, and a 1 or 2 words of significance. I initially thought, there is no way that any email I receive from this supposed "Universe" would pertain to the happenings of my life based on the information they required.
There was no way!
...and then I got my first Monday email, which was eerily relatable to things going on in my life at the time. I thought to myself, okay well that was lucky.
Tuesday-Friday's emails came and went;
they are short, sweet, and to the point- for example here's one of the first few I received...
" At any point in one's life, Jennifer, the greater the uncertainties they face, the greater their chances of hitting a major, life-changin "home run."
Rock the Casbah, The Universe "
Here's the gist of this post...
I am not sure how it works, I can honestly say that part of me still finds it to be eerily ironic, and it is definitely a stretch- but the M-F emails I receive first thing in the morning from The Universe almost always related completely to my life and provide some sort of inspiration or thought provoking start to my day.
If your as intrigued as I was- then give it a whirl for yourself and see what The Universe has up it's sleeve for you...who knows, the morning messages might come at just the right time?
As we move into the colder winter months, the warmer clothes are coming back. Among my individual winter style, black typically ends up being my go to color, here are a few items I'm loving! It is quite obvious these wouldn't be paired together all at once, but on their own they make quite a statement!
Supporting those affected by the wrath of Hurricane Sandy
Tuesday, October 30th 2012 New York City, the New Jersey Shore, and many other locations along the Eastern Seaboard began the daunting rebuilding process after the horrifying damages brought upon the city by Monday's Hurricane Sandy.
Over 100 homes were burned down, millions were left in the dark, the subways and streets of lower Manhattan flood, more than 40 lives in the United States were taken...
Firefighters, and disaster relief workers continue to fight through the devastation left by Sandy's path of destruction- and the statistics continue to grow.
Youcan help....
Here's how!
Donations: The American Red Cross is accepting donation via text and on their website. Financial donations help the Red Cross provide shelter, food and assistance. To donate, visit www.redcross .org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
For a text donation, text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Contributions may also be sent to a local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
Donate Blood: Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS for more information in your area.
Shelter and Food:
The Salvation Army is providing shelter and meals to those in need.
Visit http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/ for more information.
In New York City, go to; http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/hurricane_shelters.html
Children: Children affected by the storm can be helped through World Vision (worldvision.org) and Save the Children (savethechildren.org).
Outside the U.S.: Haiti and Cuba were among the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy before it hit the East Coast. To help those outside the United States, visit International Medical Corps (http://internationalmedicalcorps.org/).
Animals: To help animals affected by Sandy, visit the Humane Society of the United States (http://www.humanesociety.org/).
Volunteers: The Samaritan's Purse (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/) is looking for volunteers to help clean up and rebuild locations damaged in the storm.
