The office in which I work holds a series of events around this time of year where students help us with our fundraising efforts. Student groups and sports teams raise money for the school and receive a commission to use as they choose.

Last night, the football players participated. Most of these were freshmen who were lifting weights with the head coach in hopes of bettering themselves in the off-season. I was pleasantly surprised by their polite nature and etiquette overall.

It made all the difference for those of us who staffed the event. So today, try to remember the following things:

1. It’s Friday!
2. Even though you may be having a rockin’ day, someone else might not be
3. Courtesy, respect and manners go a long way in helping you get your desired outcome

Have a great day

I sent my engagement ring and the matching wedding band back to the jeweler to get them resized.

And now my hand is bare. It feels really weird, so I’ve taken to wearing one of my other rings on that hand.

(Let’s pretend there’s a picture here of my nicely manicured bare left hand. In reality, it’s not such a pretty sight so be thankful I decided to forego the photo!)

What’s one accessory that you can’t live without? My normal jewelry consists of a ring on my right ring finger, one on my left ring finger (duh!), a watch and a bracelet. Any alteration leaves me feeling a bit off.

This year, that means alcohol – mainly wine, hard liquor and beers that fall under 5%. (Basically, the majority of adult beverages that I consume in a regular week).

In the event that I falter on that front, I’m also going to try to give up checking Facebook on my phone. You see, it’s my go-to app when I’m waiting around for someone or something. Or too lazy to get up off the couch. I can’t give up Facebook entirely because I use it for work, so I think that this is a happy medium.

Might be a rough forty days up in here, but I’m up for the challenge!

Eesh. Look at those bridesmaid dresses!

Reminiscing with my parents helps keep things in perspective. As much as I’d like to think our day will be timeless and classic, my parents probably did, too. It’s kind of like looking back on old pictures of yourself and wondering, “How and WHY did my parents let me out of the house dressed like that?”

I encourage you to dust off those old albums or even take a look back at the past year. It’s amazing how many things change and how many stay the same. Enjoy!

Semi-busy afternoon around these parts in preparation for a crazy week. Hope you’re having a good day!

balloons with our faces on them

Then we passed out on the couch at about 10 p.m.

Yesterday, I attended my first bridal shower of the season held to honor my friend Kerry. It was a wonderful event and I was happy to see and reconnect with people I haven’t hung out with in a long time.

shower favors

Today is going to be spent cleaning, organizing, watching the final hours of THON and supporting the varsity basketball team as they play in the championships this evening.

Have a great one, everybody!

Special thoughts go out to all those Penn Staters who have been standing all weekend in order to find a cure. For all those who think Penn State is just football, I encourage you to click here to see college students giving back to their community. For the Kids, For the Glory. If you would like to donate to help pediatric cancer patients and their families, please visit www.thon.org.

Two things I love are clothes and money. Here is how I’m letting both go this week.

Clothes
I have an absurd amount of what I refer to as ‘dressy’ dresses in my closet. Semi-formal dresses (two from junior year and two from senior year) and cocktail dresses (I tend to buy a new one each year for New Years Eve) have had their time. It’s only right to give them to someone else who can use them. One of my Book Club ladies forwarded me an email asking for gently used prom dresses, so this afternoon I’m dropping off four to help the cause. There are a lot of opportunities to give back, but the easiest way to find an organization in need is via DonateMyDress.org.

Money
It’s no secret that my Penn State pride permeates my life. One of the reasons why I am so entirely enamored with my alma mater (and apparently alliterations today, too) is due to THON. Short for The IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, THON is the main reason I chose to go to Penn State.

This 46-hour no sitting, no sleeping fundraiser helps support the Four Diamonds Fund – an organization that helps support pediatric cancer patients and their families. The Four Diamonds Fund pays for lodging, food and other necessities that are not covered by insurance for families so that they can focus on fighting the cancer.

Back in MY day, THON was a 48-hour deal and held in Rec Hall. Today, it’s 46-hours and held in the Bryce Jordan Center (the large arena on campus). I participated in THON my senior year and it made my final days at Penn State much more memorable. I raised the money, I fought for my spot and I stayed awake (pretty much) and on my feet for 48 hours straight. It’s no small feat (pun intended) and it’s the least I could do to show my support for these kids and their families. Each year has an uplifting theme: With All Your Heart (2002), Hope Surrounds Us (2003), Always Believing (2004), Embracing Dreams, Sharing Tomorrow (2005). This year’s theme is Brighten Every Journey. While it’s difficult to part with your hard-earned money, knowing that it will help better the life of a child makes donating to THON a no-brainer in my book. To learn more about THON, visit www.thon.org.

What’s something that you’ve tried to give up? Were you successful?

1. The Princess Bride. If you have not seen this, drop everything, take a sick day and watch this sucker. You won’t regret it.

2. Say Anything. As a child of the 80s, nothing is cooler than Lloyd Dobbler standing outside your window with a boombox…

3. Sixteen Candles…unless it’s Jake Ryan showing up at your doorstep.

4. When Harry Met Sally. Ah, the ‘date night’ movie. Man enough for the guys but rom com enough for the girls. I watched this with the JA and he patted me on the shoulder when Meg Ryan starts lamenting the fact that she’ll be 30…in three years (it’s only two for me…EEK!)

5. 10 Things I Hate About You. Heath Ledger sings. I don’t want to spoil it, but you’ve been patient, so click below for the goods.

6. The Holiday. Again, another ‘chick flick’ that won’t get a guys man card completely revoked. Ladies, Jude Law in glasses. Yum. If that’s not your cup of tea, Jack Black is sure to hit your funny bone once or twice during the course of the movie.

7. Love Actually. Two of my co-workers have yet to see this movie. I keep telling them they have not lived. (See directions in #1 if you are like them.) Also, one may think that it’s a holiday-time only movie, but that’s false. It’s a love movie and love movies are good year-round.

8. Runaway Bride. While Pretty Woman was good, Runaway Bride revisits one of my favorite pairs in a more modern-day scenario.

Obviously, these are only some of the many movies to love (or love to hate!).

What’s your favorite movie to watch on a date night?

Enter, the Grammys.

as always, click for source

After the death of Whitney Houston on Saturday, the Grammys began on a somber note. Then, Bruno Mars stepped in and gave what I thought was a completely amazing performance. His dancing was impeccable and kind of made me really want to see him live. His energy translated through the television screen. Ah! I’m gushing.

I wonder about how the duets get chosen. Alisha Keys and Bonnie Raitt? Loved it. Rihanna and Coldplay? Eh. Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood? Nice, but didn’t blow me away.

However, my favorite part about award shows? This guy. His commentary had everyone we were watching with in stitches.

One final thought – did I miss the pompadour memo? Bruno Mars, Alisha Keys, even Ryan Seacrest had a bit of poof in his over-gelled locks.

yeah, gym uniforms!

She leaves today. Even though she’s moved before – traveling to St. Andrews in Scotland for grad school and Mongolia with the Peace Corps, this time it’s a little bittersweet.

She has a big-kid job working for a university out there. She bought her own car. If you know her, this is kind of a big deal. She normally settles in the States for a bit and then finds a way to escape to Europe for some reason or another.

David Tennant in ANYTHING is enough to get even me to leave the country

I’m so excited for her to begin her new adventure and wish her all the best. Good luck, Claire!

Also, I am now in the market for someone in Baltimore who will force me to eat ice cream, gossip and watch a variety of questionable movies I would probably not pick myself. You have big shoes to fill.