Goals

I realize that it is almost the end of September and most people have been back in school for at least a month. This was originally meant as a back to school post, but I think it still works!

Back to school, or the beginning of fall, is a great time to make some resolutions and goals.  I love to start the year off with a list of goals I would love to accomplish.  Sometimes that list is only 1 or 2 items long and I add to it as I go.

Whether you start with a short list or a long list, setting goals is super important!  If you're intimidated by goals, start small.  Start with 1 or 2 small goals.

Make a List
It's super important to write down your goals.  When you write them down, you are committing to them!  I love the Kate Spade Short List or Long List for writing down goals!

Keep Them Visible
If you have a tendency to forget things, keep your list in a place where you will see it often!  Try a desk drawer, inside your fridge, on your mirror, or on the back of your door.  Seeing your goals every day (or close to every day) will keep you reminded of them and focused on accomplishing them.

Check Your Progress
Every two weeks or so, I like to sit down and think about the progress I've made on my goals.  Sometimes this isn't necessary with smaller goals, but it is definitely necessary with big goals.  If you are trying to accomplish something super big, break it down into smaller, more manageable goals and set a timeline for accomplishing them all.

One of my big goals (only big because I find it so hard to accomplish) is trying to read for fun!  I get so caught up with my school reading that I forget to read for fun beyond my google reader.  I'm trying to incorporate an hour of reading every week.

Is one of your goals to read as well?  Check out this Levo League Article on how to make time for reading.

What are you goals for the semester or the year?

Packs on the Back

I love tote bags.  They are the most versatile bags ever.  However, there comes a point where an actual backpack is necessary.  I hate taking super heavy loads, including my computer, in tote bags. I'm on the hunt for a good backpack and here are some of my favorites so far!

Backpacks 

Which do you like best?

Inviting Interiors {Nelson}

It's been a while since I did an inviting interiors post, so I figured it was time!  Today's post features the interior design company Nelson.  They were featured on the Interior Design Magazine Top 100 Giants List for 2012 at number 11.  The project I'm featuring is Unilever Headquarters.

Here's the project summary from the Nelson Website: "Additional key design elements included the use of glass on conference room fronts, entrance areas – allowing the openness and transparency desired by Unilever; areas for company product display – translucent panels with graphics, custom millwork glass shelving in Executive area, built in backlit display shelf in Board Room area; “Stonehenge” concept for the layout of executive area – desks built into a rounded shape which encourages collaboration and transparency even at the executive level in an open environment."

I love the color choices throughout this project!  Blue and orange usually reminds me of UTEP, but not in this case!  The different shades of blue paired with the orange is the right amount of calm and energy.  This looks like a super comfortable waiting area.

Oh conference rooms, how I love thee.  That actually wasn't sarcastic either!  I think conference rooms and lobbys are the most important spaces in an office.  They are the spaces that get the most use by people outside your company.  These spaces help tell the story of your company to who ever comes to visit.
The blue glass door walls remind me of beach glass; super calming.  I also love the displace space along the back wall.  It would be perfect for products or awards.  Did you notice the carpet?  Perfect amount of pattern without being distracting!

Since my parents have been doing the kitchen renovation, I've been noticing a lot of little details in design.  I've also been noticing some bigger elements, like the light fixtures.  Light fixtures can be incredibly difficult to pick out and coordinate.  I love the choice of orange for this space!  It brings back the orange and blue color scheme from the reception area, however I would have chosen a lighter blue for the wall (this reminds me of UTEP just a bit).  I love that they let the two elements of color really stand out, keeping everything else in the space neutral.

What do you think of the Unilever headquarters?

#PureMichigan

Ah, Michigan and it's ever so lovely weather.

Photo Source

Let me preface this by saying Michigan weather is highly unpredictable.  You'll know this if you've ever lived here.  I essentially have an umbrella on me at all times.

Today's forecast called for some scattered showers.  I headed off for class, it seemed like a nice (brisk) day.  The sun was out, there were a few clouds in the sky but they were white and fluffy.  It was pretty much the same as I left class and headed back for my dorm.  Not 5 minutes in to my walk & I thought I felt a raindrop.  As instinct, I looked up at the sky and my second thought was that I must be crazy.  But lo and behold, as I kept walking it kept raining.  Now, it's still sunny out.  Complete utter confusion in my mind...

Photo Source

But that's Michigan weather for you.  My favorite Michigan weather story is from when I lived here before.  I must have been about 6.  It was a typical day and I went out to get the mail (just to the end of the driveway).  On my way back into the house I could have sworn I heard thunder.  I looked up at the sky and there was not a cloud in sight.  As I entered my house, I told my mom I heard thunder.  She told me I was crazy and hearing things and quite honestly, I believed her.  Not ten minutes later, it started to downpour and in came a thunderstorm.

How I love thee, Michigan.  Oh and your weather too!

Do you have a favorite weather story? (Or is that just crazy me?)

Traditions

Some traditions are old, some just beginning.  Some are legendary & some are dreaded.  Sometimes a tradition can simply be someone set in their way.

This past weekend, we took a family trip to see my grandparents.  It's my grandfather's 80th birthday at the end of the month, but my dad will be out of town so we decided to go a couple of weeks early to see them.  It was a weekend I definitely needed away from school.  (Sometimes there is just too much going on and you need to take a step back).

We arrived on Friday night, long past dinner so our first meal was breakfast in the morning.  We had oatmeal, which seemed like a very grandparent-y breakfast to me.  Sandwiches for lunch (easy, not much prep required) and pot roast for dinner.  It occurred to me during dinner that we always have pot roast when we visit my grandparents. (Not that I have anything against pot roast! Or my grandmother, her cooking is always very lovely!)

It's kind of an unwritten tradition of sorts.  My grandmother always cooks pot roast for dinner when we visit.  We usually have sandwiches for lunch and oatmeal for breakfast too!  I realize she is probably used to making the same thing for how ever many years.  She probably put out sandwiches for lunch on the weekends when my dad was a kid!  Pot roast has to be the easiest meal on the planet that most people will eat.

I think traditions are important.  They help keep a sense of stability and constant.  But don't be afraid to do something a little different, or to start a new tradition!  Sometimes change can be a good wake up call.

Stationary & Stationery

The other day, I had a very interesting observation.  When you google image search stationary or stationery both results are essentially all cards.  I was writing something about stationery (the card version) and couldn't remember quite how to spell it.  It's no secret that I'm not a very good speller, I rely on spell check a lot more than I should.  I googled both versions of the word & both had the same results.  I knew one of them was wrong so I consulted dictionary.com and figured I would share a mini grammer lesson with you!

Stationary is defined (according to dictionary.com) as "standing still; not moving."

The puppy was stationary when he was told to sit down. 

Stationery on the hand, is defined as "writing paper; writing materials, as pens, pencils, paper and envelopes."

Julie purchased special stationery for her wedding thank you notes.

How cute is this Kate Spade Signed, Sealed & Delivered stationery??