How Are You?

The typical response is, I'm doing great or I'm doing well... How are you?

Bank Teller: Hey! How are you doing today?
Lady in line next to me: I'm not doing well at all. Thank you for reminding me.

How awkward for the just trying to be nice bank teller, right?

Some people.

Saucy

Taco Bell is stellar. It's perfection to me when it comes to fast food. I order one crunchwrap supreme, and it makes my day. Taco Bell recently introduced some classy new sauces:



Verde and Fire-Roasted. Combine them and you'll have yourself a fine Mexican feast. Ole!

The GPS Girl

I recently watched a show where this lady was featured.

She's (Australian) Karen Jacobsen, the "guiding voice" of GPS. I didn't know that behind my Garmin voice was a real person. I assumed it was completely computer generated. What I found to be most fascinating is the fact that she only records a few hundred lines, and these lines are manipulated to form every single street name in the world.

Holy technology!

Stuck Like Glue - Sugarland

Great song. Fun video.

Green Bananas

I don't buy green bananas

Right now's all I've got goin'

I don't buy green bananas

I don't plan that far ahead.

Live for today. Live for right now.

Happy Early Thanksgiving!

The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. "The Wampanoag Native Americans helped the pilgrims, who arrived in Massachusetts, cultivate the land and fish, saving them from starvation." The pilgrims were thankful for this help from the Indians, and this thankfulness is what we continue to celebrate 389 years later.

Grateful People Are Happier, Healthier Long After the Leftovers Are Gobbled Up

By Melinda Beck, paraphrased by me

Giving thanks is good for your health. Maintaining an attitude of gratitude can improve psychological, emotional and physical well-being. Adults who frequently feel grateful have more energy, more optimism, more social connections and more happiness than those who do not. They're also less likely to be depressed, envious, greedy or alcoholics. They earn more money, sleep more soundly, exercise more regularly and have greater resistance to viral infections. They key is not to leave your gratefulness on the Thanksgiving table. Philosophers as far back as the ancient Greeks and Romans cited gratitude as an indispensable human virtue. One of the best cures for materialism is to make somebody grateful for what they have. Counting your blessings actually makes people feel better. As simple as it sounds, gratitude is actually a demanding, complex emotion that requires "self-reflection, the ability to admit that one is dependent upon the help of others, and the humility to realize one's own limitations." Being grateful forces people to overcome the "negativity bias" - the innate tendency to dwell on problems, annoyances and injustices rather than upbeat events. Focusing on blessings can help ward off depression and build resilience in times of stress, grief or disasters. Can people learn to look on the bright side, want what they have and be grateful for it? Experts believe that about 50 percent of such temperament is genetic, but the rest comes from experience, so there's ample opportunity for change. "Kids and adults both can choose how they feel and how they look at the world." The real benefits of being grateful come in changing how you experience the world. Look for things to be grateful for, and you'll start seeing them everywhere.

Get Fit

This is my 'let's get in ridiculous shape now you're young only once' inspiration.

The Charlotte Bobcat's Lady Cats were voted NBA's number one dance team in 2010. The girls followed-up this year with a 2011 Swimsuit Calendar. This particular Lady Cat went to my high school, she was a junior when I was a freshman. She is only two years older than me... So looking this good is still possible! I'm not sure I will be able to pass on pumpkin pie this year, but I may be purchasing this calendar to put on the fridge. I think it says, turn around Andrea, do not go in here, quite nicely.

Duke Gardens

... Is beautiful. I've been living in this area for almost seven years (four while at Carolina and going on three post graduation). I've been to Duke Gardens only once, and it was for a most lovely wedding. This Sunday, my Mom and I went to Duke Gardens to take it all in:

If you live in this area, or even if you don't, you should plan a trip here soon. It will do wonders on clearing your mind. It's the little things.

Historic Church

I pass by this church everyday on my way to and from work. It was recently featured in an issue of Our State magazine. While this is the fourth building on this site, it was first organized in 1794. The weather this weekend was too pretty for my Mom and I not to stop and snap some pictures:

It is the journey, not the destination.

Trader Joe's

They have the most delectable offerings. Here's Saturday night's home cooked Italian dinner:





Complete with artichokes on crostini. I'm currently obsessed with a salad that consists of only romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, sliced cucumbers and feta cheese. Bon Appetit!

Did you know?

We learned this when we registered... I had no idea!!



A Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon is good on EVERYTHING except for one brand of vacuum... And no, it's not a Dyson, it's a Miele. I've never even heard of a Miele so that ONE AND ONLY EXCEPTION is a moot point. I repeat, their coupons are good on EVERYTHING!! Even though the fine print of their coupons state they are not valid on All-Clad, Dyson, kate spade, Riedel, Waterford, etc. they really truly are valid on these items. I found this to be an amazing fact and finding!! Now that I am reading more of the fine print... It's all hocus pocus. You can use as many coupons as you want in one transaction - one per each of your eight items if you have them! They also work on top of already marked down items. Now that's what I call brilliant customer service. Go get 'em, BBB!

Sign-up for your coupons here. Be sure to keep both via e-mail and especially via direct mail checked.

Fuel Efficiently

I absolutely forgot how amazing it is to live life fuel efficiently.

While my car is getting fixed from the deercident, my parents were nice enough to let me borrow my first car, a Honda Civic, that they kept as their commuter car. This is extra nice of them because while my car is already at the shop, it wont even get started on until the first week of December. I'm pretty certain it will be gone for a month, and the damage wasn't even that bad. They are just that backed up! I was very specific on where I wanted my car to be taken, and luckily enough, it turned out to be one of the insurance company's preferred places as well.

Anyways, while I miss a few luxurious features, I'm loving this car's fuel efficiency. A tank of gas is less than half the price of what I am use to paying. It also lasts me an entire week longer! Two weeks... On one half price tank of gas... I can hardly believe it. I was filling it up today and it stopped super early... I was thinking wait... what... no way. Then I tried to add some more gas and it just stopped short of overflowing. I had to call my Dad to be certain because I was in such disbelief. To all you fuel efficient drivers out there... That is a Merry Christmas to yourself!

The Life of a BA

The past two Saturdays I've done some promotion work with Nationwide as a Brand Ambassador - similar to what I did with Mahatma Rice here. Two of my friends told me about these events (they were working them too). It's game day promotions, on UNC's campus, so they're kind of hard to say no to.

Working these events consists of:

1. Getting spirited up!

2. Smiling a lot and being excited.

3. Handing out 6,000 rally towels.

4. Working the green screen!

5. Enjoying the day (and making extra money doing so).

It's just that easy.

Smile Friday

Enjoy yourselves this weekend!

Life is too sweet and too short not to.

Kvetch Friday

Kvetch: v.1 (Yiddish) to complain

My favorites from the Kvetching Board via The DTH

To the girl who threw up into her own Ugg last night: Congratulations. You just created the ultimate Kvetch.

To the girl who sat behind me during the basketball game shouting "Go Ty!" every time Larry Drew touched the ball: I wish Ty was still out there too, but we all have to move on at some point.

Christmas Cards

I'm super excited about the holidays per usual, but this year I'm extra excited because Hank and I are mailing out together Christmas cards now that we are engaged!!!! My favorite holiday cards I receive in the mail each year are photo cards. They are the best and are always so darling... How do you display your Christmas cards by the way? I use to hang mine on the wall with tape, and Hank always thought that was the weirdest thing. Last year I started a basket, and I like it just as nice. I happened upon Shutterfly, and they have the cutest holiday card designs for 2010:

I want them all, but I must decide on only one for our very first Christmas card this year. Decisions, decisions... It's so hard to choose when there are hundreds of well designed options. I really like that they have the chic flat stationary cards as well as the traditional photo cards to choose from. Which design is your favorite? You can't beat the designs or the price on these... They're just fabulous. I can't wait for you to see our final product. Cheers!

"I'm also excited to tell you that because of this little post Shutterfly is giving me 50 free cards. If you're a blogger, you too can get 50 free cards, find out more here."

Ramen? No thanks!

Hank and I alternate weeks of meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking. This week was my week. I was really craving this famous college dish:

So that's what we had Monday night. You can imagine Hank's level of excitement... Just imagine yours. Needless to say, this creation was not a success! Southern hospitality stepped in on Wednesday night, and my friend Laura had me (and many others) stop by for BBQ to go. I brought home two plates of BBQ and all the fixins' plus dessert! Hank was rather pumped:

The real way to a man's heart? One route is definitely good eats.

Royal

She is so very pretty and undeniably well-spoken.

What a fun life these two have ahead of them!

Prince William and financee Kate Middleton

People Are Crazy

I was looking for something on eBay, and I came across a seller that was selling exactly what I was looking for times twelve... In this same town! He was selling for super cheap but shipping was a bit pricey. I messaged him and asked if we could meet. That's what we did today.

This. guy. was. fancy. He messaged me earlier in the week about how he couldn't meet last Sunday because he was flying to NYC, and then flying here, and flying to there and going to this, etc. etc. He pulled up in his $90,000+ Porsche Panamera S. He got out with his Prada shoes on. He did help put all of the boxes in my car. Then I gave him the $12 and he looked at the money and laughed.

In the words of Eloise... It was rawther unusual.

Used Books Galore

Everywhere we went on Sunday there was conveniently a used bookstore right next door. These books, added to our freshly signed Bobby Flay cookbooks, equals this stocked floorboard:

I thoroughly enjoy a good used bookstore. I love the excitement that fills you up when they surprisingly have exactly what you were looking for (and in like new condition). I love the element of stumbling across a new title. I love finding a book you didn't even know you were looking for but now you're really glad you found it. I love when it's buy three hardbacks get the fourth free (and the prices are already lower than Amazon). Most of all, I love supporting local business while getting a good read in return.

Bobby Flay

This Barnes & Noble has great management. They get the best guests for signings. This past Sunday we met Bobby Flay! He is hands down our favorite Food Network chef.

This signing was more packed than Lauren Conrad (which I wrote about here).

The thing of it is... Bobby Flay personalized all books, took time to talk to all of his fans... We chatted with him about his recent New York Marathon finish. He even allowed photos... All things Lauren Conrad did not do. I'm thinking someone needs to take some pointers, because your fans are of upmost importance to your career. If you don't have them, who are you? Love some Bobby Flay.

Dead Deer

I just thought to myself last week, I have never hit a deer or a turtle.

These things are not to be thought. Saturday night I hit a deer.

It wasn't even a we see them on the side of the road, or it is standing in the middle of the road staring at us kind of hit. It was a he ran into the front side of my car kind of hit. I had zero moment of anticipation. It was a quick boom, what was that, deer slides across the road. I wasn't even up to speed yet... Thank goodness. I was in shock, I felt super guilty, but there was nothing I could have done differently. I called in a police report, which is something you must do for insurance purposes. The officer was super nice, my car is a bit dinged up, but it isn't anything that can't be fixed.

Once my car is back on the road, looking beautiful, it will be newly equipped with deer whistles. My great grandmother swore by them, and when I had them on my old car I never hit a deer. Now I swear by them too. A moment of silence for the deer.

Let's Go 'Canes

The 'Canes game last Thursday was an absolute blast. Even though we lost by... a lot.

For dessert... There were chocolate shots. They were the cutest thing.

Who thought it was possible to chew a shot? Or you could just take it and then enjoy the chocolate. I had no idea such a shot glass existed... Especially at an NHL game.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers (11/11/10 at 7:00 PM)

UNC is my FAVORITE

Men's Basketball vs. Barton College (11/5/10 at 7:30 PM)

Go Heels!

Spotted: One Whoot Owl

Bestie: I feel like you need this.

Me: Pretty! I'm backing away from owls because the impulsiveness led to too many, but he may be too adorable to say no to. Maybe he will fly on over to the sale section : )

Really hoping he does fly over to the sale section. He's quite cute.

(Bon Mot Owl Coin Purse by Kate Spade)

Molly Bought My House

Last-minute rescue saves historic home

Edward Kidder Graham House was scheduled for demolition

(via Chapel Hill News)

CHAPEL HILL - The historic but badly deteriorated Edward Kidder Graham House, which was facing a demolition order, has won a permanent stay of execution.

Preservation North Carolina announced last week that a longtime Chapel Hill resident has bought the 102-year-old house and plans to rehabilitate and restore it. The property closing occurred last Thursday, putting in place protective covenants on the property, establishing a rehabilitation plan and ensuring that the historic landmark will remain intact.

"We couldn't be happier about this outcome," said Cathleen Turner, director of Preservation North Carolina's Piedmont Regional Office. "It's an important historical landmark, and it's a great early 20th-century Colonial Revival house. We hope the whole community is as thrilled as we are. It's a big win for preservation."

Molly Froehlich bought the property through Preservation North Carolina, which marketed it through an arrangement with owner Sherman Richardson.

The Preservation Society of Chapel Hill worked with Preservation North Carolina to save the house and find a buyer.

"I saw the house so many times over the years, and it is just an amazing site," Froehlich said. "Somehow it was just meant to be." (That's exactly how I felt!)

The property, at 115 Battle Lane within the Chapel Hill Historic District, had a sale price of $875,000. It needs extensive repairs, and renovations will be done to meet historic district standards, bringing it as close as possible to its former condition. Turner said the house should qualify for state historic rehabilitation tax credits for up to 30 percent of the renovation costs.

Edward Kidder Graham, who built the house in 1908, was a Charlotte native and an 1894 graduate of UNC. He returned to his alma mater as the university's first full professor of English in 1907 and in 1914 was named university president.

In that role, he worked, he said, "to make the campus co-extensive with the boundaries of the state."

His tenure was cut short when he fell victim to the influenza pandemic of 1918 at the age of 42. Graham's wife, Susan, was equally dedicated to education, devoting herself especially to expanding opportunities for women.

Frank Porter Graham, a cousin of Edward Kidder Graham's and one of the most notable North Carolinians of the 20th century, also lived in the house. He was the first president of the state's consolidated university system and served in the U.S. Senate.

In the early decades of the 20th century, many of Chapel Hill's most distinctive residents gathered in the Graham House, which was also known as "Bulrushes" for the plethora of reeds growing on the property. Those discussions helped forge ideas that extended the university's reach throughout North Carolina.

"This house embodies the progressive spirit of North Carolina in the 20th century," said Myrick Howard, president of Preservation North Carolina.

In a very different vein, the house also served as one of the key filming locations for the 1960s movie "Three in the Attic."

The house later fell into disrepair and neglect. Trees knocked down in a storm caused extensive damage, and the front porch had to be removed. The home was condemned, and the town of Chapel Hill had scheduled it for demolition in September of this year if a buyer couldn't be found. Froehlich's interest postponed that fate.

Preservation North Carolina and the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill began working in early 2008 to try to save the house.

"We tried to stay positive and believe the right person would come along, and they did," said Ernest Dollar, executive director of the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill. "I think this is a great victory for preservation in Chapel Hill."

The closing on the property last week ensured that it will remain intact and preserved. Turner said it will be classified as having statewide historic significance, which will provide permanent protection from demolition.

"We are so relieved to have found a buyer for this important landmark," Turner said. "Frankly, I was holding my breath until the very last moment."

So happy Molly saved this beautiful house. I'm excited to see it as it is restored, even if I'm not the one that gets to restore it and live in it.

Peach Mango Delight

Crystal Light Green Tea Peach Mango

They're drink mixes. Make a gallon of it. Yum.

I am thankful.

I just entered a blog giveaway. You had to tell them what you are thankful for this year. Below is my submission. I teared up while writing it. What's my deal? My teared up eyes were so not work appropriate.

Oh my cuteness! This set is absolutely adorable. I cannot get enough of the pilgrim and indian!! I'm super thankful for you, but I am also thankful for today because not everyone gets to experience it. I am thankful for my wonderful fiance and my family because they are my everything. I'm thankful for my friends. I am thankful for having a great job that I am excited about coming to everyday. Most of all I am thankful for the life that I have because it's what brings me happiness.

Resolute!

I've been thinking about new year's resolutions. I have to start early so I can pick one that I will really stick to... One that will truly benefit my life. Two years ago I gave up sweet tea, and I haven't had it since, except for a sip or two of someone else's, and even then I don't even like it anymore. Diabetes runs in my family. When I went to the doctor I told him I need to know how I can prevent this. He asked me how much exercise I did, and at the time, I said none. He asked me what my favorite drink was, and I said sweet tea. He said well there is your problem... Get off your butt and stop drinking sweet tea, it's the worst thing for you. He really instilled fear in me that day. Since then, and with these changes, I have noticed improvements in myself. Last year my resolution was not to pay for parking in the parking deck. I never paid for a day, which is $15, but I would occasionally pay $1.25 here, $3.75 there... And that definitely adds up! So far this year, zero of my dollars have gone to parking!! When I think about my resolution, I think about the negatives in my life and how I can change those. I definitely still need to exercise more and eat less sweets, but that's just being healthy. The two messy places in my life are my bag and my closet... I want to be the kind of girl that has these two areas clean all of the time. I don't want to have to take weekly timeouts anymore to have a massive cleaning of these spaces. I want to be more prompt in replying to people... I think a 24 hour rule should not only apply in business but in life. I want to wake up earlier instead of rolling out of bed at the last possible second... I think there is much to enjoy in the mornings too. These are where my thoughts are going with my resolution... I will let you know soon what I decide on as THE ONE. Hopefully this prompts you to start thinking about yours too. We could all use a fresh start on something in our lives.

It's A Book

Quote Boat - Dreams

"All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

- Walt Disney

Books for Christmas

Speaking of Paris... Santa, these books are currently in my Amazon shopping cart:

I would love to work at Disney, and I want to write children's books... Those are two of my dreams. Naturally, these are in my shopping cart too:

I like these ones too:

Book Appetit!

City of Light, City of Dark, Exploring Paris Below

"Unlike any other city in the world, Paris has underneath it a whole other urban space comprised of abandoned rock quarries, waterways, a sophisticated sewer system, a dense subway system, shopping centers and catacombs. Throughout history stories have been told of political dissidents, thieves, partying beatniks, spelunkers, artists and phantoms, all wondering in a subterranean city of dark under the City of Light."

I find this to be fascinating. A world underneath a world - completely contrasting each other. I want to read the journalistic account of this, City of Light, City of Dark, Exploring Paris Below by Valerie Broadwell. The author spent time exploring this area herself, meeting the people who dwell in this underworld. Not to mention, Broadwell picked the best cover for her book, an original piece by my favorite artist, Elaine O'Neil. I've had a passion for Paris since middle school, so this naturally seems like a must-read for me, and perhaps for you too.

Quote Boat - Gratitude

"In everything give thanks - gratitude is the attitude that sets the altitude for living."

Happy Thanksgiving Month - A month to celebrate and give thanks for all we have.

Rah Rah Registry!

We registered this weekend, and I am so excited about each and every item we put on our registry. It was super fun to do, but also exhausting - I had no idea. You really put a lot of time and energy into figuring out exactly what you need. This is why I am never straying off of someone's registry again - whether it is for bride or for baby!! There has been a time or two when I paired a few registry items plus something that I thought was super cute that was not on a couple's registry. Not any more! I could have put that money towards something they took the time to let me, and everyone else know, they needed. We live and we learn.

Sweet Little Lies

I read this book in a couple of hours yesterday. It's the second book in Lauren Conrad's L.A. Candy series. These books are young adult, so it's kind of hard not too read them so fast. They read like you're watching a reality show - ready to get to the next episode. I'm quite impressed by them actually... LC writes really well. I do wonder how much of her writing is 100 percent her own creations and plot twists. In her acknowledgments she thanks many people that helped her throughout the writing process... Surely people stepped in and said a part would be much better if so and so character did this, etc. Just wondering! I'm 31 on the wait list for Sugar & Spice, the third and only other book currently out in her series.

P.S. Miss 510 on the wait list for Freedom just received an e-mail that this book is waiting for me at the library! That wait wasn't so bad.

Engagement Session - Favorites!

There are 95 photos. Here's a peek at some of them! I have a lot of favorites, but I believe the best of the best to be the third one here... I love the feeling I get from that one.