Power Shift

2 years? Really? I didn't realize it had been 2 years since D and I made the crazy road trip to College Park, MD for the Power Shift Conference. It was my first official conference so I felt like I could take over the world. I was morphing into a little political activist. Ok, not so much. Politics makes me groan. All the back and forth and people making doing the minimum just to say they acted on an idea. I would love to give a few key people a piece of my mind, as if it would help. I digress.

On a more positive note, D and I were all excited about Power Shift. We find the building where we check-in and we get all our information packets, free t-shirt, and little bag. We go into this stadium (we were late if you can believe that) to hear the opening speeches and to our dismay, the stage is full of hippies with dreadlocks, playing guitars, singing songs about the environment. *ahem* We give each other the look and find seats. I've never laughed so hard. It's not that we're making fun of these people, we aren't those girls. It's just that these people were the most cliche they could have been and here walks in me and D in our North Face fleeces and Uggs! I don't care who you are, that's funny right there.

We made it to a lot of really cool lectures, we met a lot of important people in the green world, and made a few new friends. On the last day, we drove down to D.C. and had a huge rally. Each person was supposed to go to their respective Senator's office and talk to them about their concerns with the environment. We skipped that and I gave D the grand tour of D.C. What can I say, she's from NJ and had never been to D.C! I had to. We had to. Overall, the entire trip was a lot of fun and very informative.

Power Shift 2009 is Feb. 27 - Mar. 2 and the whole conference is in D.C.

Singing Songs

Me and D at the rally on Capitol Hill

Hurricanes Doing Their Part, Again

The Carolina Hurricanes are hosting a clothing drive. Gently used winter clothing can be donated until Jan. 6 at the RBC Center box office during regular business hours. Also, the team is offering a buy-one-get-one free ticket deal for Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils. Fans that donate clothing will be entered in a drawing for a chance to meet Hurricanes players after the game and win autographed player jerseys. If I didn't already get free tickets, this would be a good deal.


Looking at the website for the RBC Center, I saw Celine Dion is coming to Raleigh on Tue, Jan 20 at 8pm. Tickets range from $50-$150. That's insane. Haha, I should call my mom! We used to rock out in the car to some Celine. I refused to see her in Vegas with mom though because there were a million other things I wanted to be doing. Sorry mom! I just had a mental flashback of, is it How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days? Doesn't she take him to a Celine concert? Hahah! Great movie.

Saving Money: Style Bakery

Style Bakery is cooking up some great style tips. There site is full of deals, fashion tips, celeb styles, and much more. I just signed up for their newsletter and I can't wait to start receiving them. I love having my inbox flooded with ways to save, especially on clothes. It does not always cost a lot to look good. I hardly ever pay full price for anything anymore and here's one website that is dying to help me. Bring on the savings!

Tragedy is So...Tragic

I woke up this morning to an IM from a girlfriend of mine. She was informing me her sister who lives in VA had her house burn down last night. First of all, who leaves that on an IM !? Luckily sister was ok but her dogs aren't. One died and the one that lived through has bad smoke damage in his lungs and it's eyes are a little burned. Sister was out to eat with a friend and when she got home her house was ablaze. I really like that word. Ok, one more time ...ablaze. There was a problem with a wire in the kitchen and that's how the fire initiated. All of her things are gone. I can't imagine. Again, luckily, sister's fiance has a house nearby so she at least has somewhere to stay. She's been busy and excited planning their wedding and now this. I feel so bad for sister and all she is facing at the time. When things like this happen you just have to rely on other people's good nature to pull you through.

Speaking of fires, one night I was driving a car full of people back from, I think, a football game and we passed a house with a strange light. We argued back and forth about the origin and I decided to u-turn at the next light and go back. Come to find out, the house was on fire and there was a boy on the roof stuck scared. We talked him down and called 911. The house was heated by one of those old heaters that you plug-in.

Swap Style: Getting Started

I posted earlier on SwapStyle.com. I have officially signed up and now I'm trying to get started. I can't get a picture posted yet. All mine are too big for some reason but that's not a big deal. The first step is to upload pictures of things I want to swap out. Now I have decisions to make. There are 6 categories of swapping materials, accessories, clothes, maternity, shoes, entertainment, and cosmetics. I don't know how I feel about swapping cosmetics though?! There are some things posted that aren't worth the shipping to be honest but there a few really nice pieces. It seems to even out.

Now on to deciding what to swap...

Ideal Bite

I have recently discovered a few new heavenly websites thanks to some fellow bloggers. One in particular is idealbite.com. I have subscribed to their daily tips on ideal ways to reduce, reuse, recycle, and go green! One tip in particular about reusing revamped old Christmas cards as gift tags instead of just throwing them away. I Googled ways to reuse and came up with step-by-step instructions for making envelopes and note cards from recycled paper, super cute too. If you don't have the materials to get started, you can buy green office products here. Also, if Facebook is your MO, you can find Ideal Bite there. I'm about to log on and tell all my friends so they can get signed up too.

Note: Ideal bite has a special site of tips for mothers too.

Revamping Old Tees

I have drawer upon drawer of old t-shirts and I'm sure I am not the only one, especially for those who are in school somewhere. I have tons of t-shirts from clubs, sports teams I watch and those I played on, sorority events, volunteering opportunities, and so on. After all the drawers at my moms house filled up too, I decided it was time to take action. Last summer, I decided I was going to make a t-shirt quilt. I got the idea from a friend who made her own but I cannot sew. I figure any tailor shop could put the final pieces together for me, right? I've already started cutting the shirts I love but don't wear anymore into cute, little squares. They are sitting, mid-project, in my closet.

I just came across a blog on collegecandy.com (who I'm only mildly obsessed with) with a few more ideas for the old tees. They gave ideas such as, pillows, shopping bags, quilts, and pillow cubes. If anyone tries these out, let me know how it works out for you. It could be a weekend project and if you're anything like me, the new drawer space is reward enough, not to mention the recycling.

Posting this, I fell in love with the cutoutandkeep.com website!! They even have a blog I can subscribe to, as if I need that.

Who Doesn't Love Cozies?

I personally, love to drink out of cans and sometimes bottles. I have a cozie in my purse at all times just in case. My sweet Lisa posted in November about Mary Phillips Designs Cozies that are so fabulous, as if we expected any different from her. I just found some that are amazing as well and eco-friendly. These designs at etsy.com are made by Chet and Dot. The cozies are sewn from a recycled and felted sweater. How cool is that? The things I could create if I only knew how to sew. *sigh* The best part? $4.50 + $1 for shipping and that declines with each increase in order quantity! Where do I pay?

Time for 09!

Today being the 2nd day of 09, I thought it appropriate to wish everyone a happy New Years!! Although New Year's Eve did not get off on the right foot, I am determined to make this year amazing. There's no reason not to. I like resolutions that are attainable so my one, simple resolution is to be a better person. Who doesn't need that, right? If this encompasses exercising more and working harder at school, then so be it. If it's paying off my credit cards, then so be it. I am going to start with baby steps as not to overwhelm myself (this cues my favorite quote from 10 Things I Hate About You). Hopefully, by the end of this year, I will have transcended my old self completely.

Next, I think it's completely necessary to thank those who helped me make it through 08! It was difficult at times but we made it. I have a new roommate who I love, we live in a kick-ass new apartment which I love, and I have decided on a major that I AM sticking with, no matter how wretched it may become. I have to take Organic Chemistry I this spring (wish me luck!!!!) and I am not excited but hopefully there will a cute boy to sit next to.

Note to self: New outfit for first day of school ;)

I love you guys a lot, a lot, a lot!