Why I love the Internet, Part 2

I previously talked about why I love the Internet, or Google (which for me, is the Internet), but now my love has gone to an all new level. 

If you have a heart of any kind/size, love to get emails, enjoy pictures, or are an over all sap (hello!) this quick video is worth a watch, and whatever tears may follow.

Look, I cried at my desk - that is the power of Google!

All the News That is Fit to Tweet

This is how I learned last night that there was news to know.  I'm on Twitter (@CRL26) and this tweet prompted me to visit CNN's website - which was not yet updated.  

I continued to get my news from today's leading Twitter journalists (which aren't really journalists at all, at least not in the traditional sense).  These are people who are digesting the Internet at a rate that makes keeping up a game and a challenge. 

In the next few minutes, without the use of television and only my little smartphone, I learned the following:

Rumors:

 

With Sources:

Facts:

During the Twitter news-cycle I saw a lot of people tweeting about "Where they were when..."  They discussed where they were when they first head of 9/11, and now where they are as the President announces that Osama bin Laden had been captured and killed.  

To me what is most interesting is how did you learn?  In 2011 I was in high school, and I learned via the public address that something was wrong, and then watched on the morning news.  Last night, I learned via Twitter.

The low barriers of the Internet make it possible for us all to be journalists and to be on the front lines and embedded within our own daily lives.  Just ask @ReallyVirtual who unknowingly live-tweeted the assasination.  

The low barriers of the Internet allow for us all to be published authors (hello, this blog!), leaders of movements (the 2008 election) and revolutionaries (Iran, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and so on).  The Internet isn't going anywhere, and the technology is accelerated further because of the value that it adds to the potential for  democracy and transparency for all people.

I look forward to seeing what  makes the news next and when, I already know how...

On Being a Princess

Tomorrow, Waity Katy will wait no more.  Tomorrow, Kate Middleton, the future Catherine, the Something of Somewhere will be a bride, and the most watched bride of all time.

Kate and William via People.com

I mentioned in conversation the other day that I sort of feel badly for Kate - yea, we're on a first name basis.  It can be tough to be a bride, especially when your every move is scrutinized and then compared to one of the world's most beloved women, your groom's mother.  

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, July 29, 1981via People.com

But, it also got me thinking, how unique is her situation, really?  On her wedding day she will become a princess, and on your wedding day so will you.  Stay with me here...

You might hate the idea of being a princess, and what is stands for: the patriarchy, and pomp and circumstance.  

You might be a beach bride, a ballroom bride, a courtroom bride or a castle bride.  

You might get your dress off the rack, at a sample sale, or have it be the most highly speculated gown of the year.  

You might share donuts with your spouse, cupcakes, or a multi-tiered traditional English fruitcake (*yikes!).

You might have a very small budget, be a DIY-er, or be employing a royal army of vendors for your wedding day.

It makes no difference.  On the day you put on your dress (maybe it's red, "diamond" white, ivory, or somewhere in between) and walk towards your groom, (up the stairs of the courthouse or down the long and storied aisle of Westminster Abbey), you will be the only person anyone looks at, the only person anyone talks about, and the only Princess for your Prince Charming.

Mark and I on our Wedding Day, via 1313blog.com

I will be watching tomorrow as William and Kate say "I do" and share their awkward first public kiss as husband and wife.  

If you're in need of more Royal Wedding info, People has done a great job of pulling it all together, and you can watch it live online at 5 AM, EST.  You can also follow the wedding news on Twitter with #rw2011.

Now all that's left is seeing what she wears!

All About the Race

On Saturday night Mark and I went to dinner at Paolo's (spaghetti dinner, you know) and went to bed at around 11:30pm.  I was definitely nervous, nervous about waking up on time, nervous about how cold it would be in the morning, nervous if I had trained enough, or in the right way.  Nervous!

Sunday morning at 5am came earlier than I anticipated.  But, after a night of much interrupted sleep I was feeling a sense of now or never.  I made my pre-race breakfast, oatmeal and almond butter, and a banana and drank, and drank, and drank (lots of water).

If you're wondering what to wear if you're running 10 miles and it is 33 degrees outside, you may follow my lead: long leggings (cotton/spandex), a wicking sports bra, a base layer long sleeve t-shirt, a Marmot zip up jacket, and a headband.  It is cold at 5am, but around mile 3 it really does start to warm up as evidenced by the trail of jackets, gloves, a shirts on the street.

As I have said, this was my first race.  Sometime in the early morning hours as I wandered around the base of the Washington Monument, my nerves dissipated and were replaced with excitement (as well as an urgency to pee - see above about the water).  I felt my muscles warm up and relax, and that sense of fear about not being able to do this thing, this race, turned into excitement as a smile spread across my face.

I didn't run the best race, I got a cramp, I had to walk for a portion.  But, I finished.  I came running into the finish line as my husband and sister watched and cheered me on and finished in just under 2 hours.  

As I ran faster towards the finish line, I wasn't thinking anything.  I was just running (I know, very Forrest Gump).  When I crossed I felt everything.  I felt salt on my forehead, the cold chill on sweat soaked clothes, and absolute joy.  I wasn't tired.  I was proud.

I hope you'll take some time to make a goal, whatever it is, and train towards it.  That feeling at the end, it's amazing.

Final Stretch

This weekend I am running the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Race.  I am clearly not the first person to run this race, and I'll be running it with thousands of other people, but I am excited about this race.  And by excited I mean pretty nervous.

I am not a runner.  In fact, when I went to the running store two weeks ago to buy new sneakers, I emphatically told the employee, "I am running in the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile, but I'm not a runner or anything".  And the truth is, I wasn't a runner.  I didn't look forward to running the trails near our apartment in Virginia, and I often stood on the side of the track while Mark ran (and fast).  

This past fall, I knew I needed to find a mental and physical challenge to compete with the various other challenges in life.  I needed something to focus on, to aspire to and to complete.

I am generally competitive by nature, but the only person I have been competing with has been me.  Over the course of the last two months, during my training program, I have gone from dreading the 3 miles I needed to run, to saying now, "Oh, it's just three miles."

Before I ever started running I told myself that if I ran 5 miles my gift to myself would be the Maniac pumps from Brian Atwood, it is no longer about the shoes.  It is about knowing that I set a goal, I went after it, and in a few days I will do it.  I am not running for time, I am running for me.

I'll report back on Monday with the results. 

If you need a reason to take on a new challenge, the reason should be because you can, and so you have to.

Have a great weekend. 

Be Engaging

So, you're engaged.  Mazel Tov!  Now what?

I was once engaged, and now have friends who are or who will be, and maybe you are, or you have friends/sisters/daughters who are or will be.  Here is where I am going to share some frank advice.

When you are engaged to be married, that is the time between "Will you marry me?" and "I do".  You might have one of these on your finger, or a string, or maybe you're not a ring kind of girl - hey, Carrie wanted a closet, no judgement.

Ali Fedotowsky's Neil Lane Engagement Ring via Stylist.com

Anyway, after you move beyond the proposal and calling your parents, siblings, friends and families, there is a lot to do and consider.  The first thing to remember, tell people before posting on Facebook - some news is worthy of a phone call!

Take the time to enjoy your engagement.  Before buying a magazine, looking at dresses (this might be hard to resist), before even booking a date, take time to enjoy your engagement.  

Be silly, take kissy face pictures, talk with your hands more than normal, tell people you're affianced, introduce your "fiancee", get a manicure.

Happily Ever After by Essie

Taking time helps get you ready to plan, which can sometimes feel like the other definitions of "engaged" such as:

• having ones attention or mind or energy engaged; "she keeps herself fully occupied with vendor phone calls and magazines"
• involved in military hostilities; "she was engaged in a heated battle for the perfectly pink peony bouquet"
• booked: reserved in advance; "she has engaged a room block at every hotel within a 10 mile radius of her reception"
• busy; "she was engaged in all the planning, she forgot to work out, see friends, relax"

To the newly engaged meet some of my favorite friends on the Internet:

• For honest, funny, sad, stress inducing/relieving stories from real brides: Weddingbee.com and APracticalWedding.com
• For the traditional wedding resources, and helpful tips on calendars, budgets, etc: theknot.com, brides.com, weddingchannel.com
• For the drop dead images and inspiration: kissthegroom.com, stylemepretty.com and local favorite ritzybee.com

And when you're ready to start planning and talking and looking for inspiration, don't forget to come here!

Thankful on Friday

It is very cold outside, my legs are sore and my brain is ready for weekend.  But before I get too far ahead of myself...  I have much to thankful for.

• I am grateful for sore legs and muscles that are getting stronger and ready to be used, to let me train for a race that is only 6.5 weeks away
• I am grateful that spring actually is only six weeks away - seriously, very thankful for that one.
• I am thankful for the chance to cook for the people I love and try new recipes and flavors with abandon
• Also thankful when we are able to save a little bit of leftovers for lunch!
• I am thankful for the quiet times in an otherwise very busy week.

I hope you have much to be thankful for at the end of this week, and even more than that have a moment to think about it and celebrate it.

Fashion Week - Day 1

I am very excited about this week's fashion week.  It's a funny thing to be looking at fall clothes when it is still so cold out that I get angry when I receive emails about raffia and cork espadrilles.  But in any case, fall runways are glamorous, saturated with warm colors, and so far, so good.

New York Fashion Week started yesterday with the following designers: Lyn Devon, Nicholas K, Steven Alan, Porter Grey, Christopher Raeburn for Victorinox, BCBG Max Azria, Richard Chai LOVE, Vena Cava, Duckie Browne, Jenni Kayne, Whit, Wes Gordon, Luca Luca, Mara Hoffman, Marlon Gobel, Tadashi Shoji, Hyden Yoo, Rachel Comey, the Vessel. by lois, Alisha Trimble, Wayne, Dominic Louis, Kate Ermilio, Christian Siriano, Irina Shabayeva and Tim Hamilton.

BCBG Max Azria

Christian Siriano

Jenni Kayne

Luca Luca

Lyn Devon

Tadashi Shoji

On to Day 2!

Dream Bigger

I have stood in this spot.  And in this spot, it is hard to not be inspired to dream a little bit bigger.  I cannot find words that compete or match the many bold, and much needed, words spoken at this spot. But on this occasion, but I share a wish for you:

That today, and on all days, you dream a little bit bigger.  You dream for those who have been told that their dreams do not count, and for those who do not yet have the courage to dream.  Today, and everyday after, is a good day to take the road less traveled, which will surely show you the path to human decency, kindness, compassion and goodwill towards all men, women and children wherever they may live, however they may identify, and whatever they may look like.

Happy Birthday, Dr. King.

Gentle Reminders

Just before Christmas I worked through Georgetown with Mark and at the bottom of the oversize display windows at J. Crew I spotted this...

It is true, at the end of the day, LOVE is all you need.

Have a wonderful long weekend with the ones you love.

A New Sunrise

Two years ago this morning Mark and I got into a  white Jeep Wrangler and set out to drive to the top of Maui's most majestic mountain, Mt. Haleakala.  At 10,000 feet it seems to kiss the sun good morning and goodnight and is a must do for anyone traveling to Maui.  When we were there it was so cold and sleeting, so we stayed bundled in the car. 

And, then we got engaged.  In a space that seems as wide open as the universe, it was a magical place to begin a life together that offers as many opportunities as the universe.

This video shares a bit of that Aloha spirit and the beauty of Hawaii.

In Maui it is not uncommon for people to skip the wild celebrations of New Year's Eve and instead head to bed early in an effort to beat the sunrise on top of Mt. Haleakala.  

It is powerful concept to start the year off on top of the world.

I hope you have an amazing view today, too!

Just a Thought... on Magazines

This is a thought I have held true for a very long time, men's magazines are better than women's magazines.  There, I said it.  And, yes, I am the kind of girl that subscribes, buys and browses magazines.  If I am waiting, even in a short grocery line, I am reading a magazine.

True story: When I was 17 years old I purchased a wedding magazine at my local grocery store (Publix) and the cashier congratulated me and asked if I was getting married.  I love magazines, but I didn't buy another wedding magazine until I was securely engaged (7 years later).

Anyway, I prefer men's magazines over women's magazines for actual entertainment for many reasons.  Primarily because when men's magazines are being funny, they are actually funny, a little cynical, sharp, witty.  Of course there are the gross out jokes, the obviously shots, but the good men's magazines actually make me laugh, or at least make me think.  When a magazine for women is being funny the humor stems from "this one time I got my period when I was wearing a white pencil skirt... my boyfriend walked in on me when I was bleaching my lip."  That is not funny.  It is maybe embarrassing, it is awkward, sure, but more than that it tends to put down and degrades the events that fall into the category of "it could happen to you, at any time, you poor girl"  Haha, and when you do spill coffee on a silk blouse while catching the elevator and snagging a stocking on the way into a job interview, we'll be laughing, you know with cute cartoon illustrations.


The other reason I enjoy men's magazines is because no matter who they interview, man or woman, they speak to the reader the way it seems they (as a magazine) would want to be spoken to.  There seems to be a sense of partnership, camraderie between reader and writer, and like any good relationship it is mutually beneficial (the magazine stays in business, the reader learns something/confirms something/feels better about themselves).

This morning I read an article in women' magazine written about the author's struggle with dieting.  She yo-yo'd, she skipped crepes in France, banished butters and creams, and then would devour a box of Oreos, she went raw, she starved, and then after realizing that diet and exercise go together like peas and carrots (obviously, without a cheese sauce) she finally accepted that she was no longer a size 4.  This would never be in a men's magazine.  

After reading the article I thought about all the ways that women, friends, colleagues, friends of friends, and myself have at one point struggled with body image, diet, exercise and being motivated to do the right things in order to feel right, never mind striving to look "right", which today tends to mean a photo-shopped version of someone else.  Sidenote: you are rarely going to see an image in a retail venue, or magazine that hasn't been photo-shopped.  I have been on the other side of the computer, and if the fabric doesn't wrinkle the image isn't real.

I find that magazines for women are designed to be aspirational, but tend to be so far out of reach that they become unattainable instead of inspiring.  The desire to live like a celebrity, look like a model, entertain like Martha, well none of it is possible for one person alone, they all have teams of people.  You don't know about the teams of people when you read the article.  

When women are interviewed in women's magazines they talk about how they're adjusting to marriage, their favorite snacks for a tour to keep their figure and their favorite red carpet dresses.

In a men's magazine they give a soundbite like this:

"A guy can come in and have a big beer belly and he doesn't have to be anything but himself, whereas women have to wear the heels. We're probably missing out on a lot of wonderful talent." - Carrie Underwood, (Right on Carrie!)

That difference might be something to think about, you know, the next time you're lingering at the checkout counter.

Run, Carly, Run

Almost two weeks ago I signed up for the lottery for the annual Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run.  I have previously signed up for this event, and was not previously selected.  The longest race I have ever run is 3.2 miles.  I am challenging myself to run more than 3 times that long.

When I signed up the first time I, and didn't get in, I told Mark that when I ran the ten miles I would treat myself to a pair of these...

Brian Atwood Maniac Pump

For now the goal is just to train and run the race.  I'll worry about what my reward is when I cross the finish line.  But, in the interim between now and then I'll keep you posted on the training, the ups and downs and what, besides shoes, is motivating me.  If you have any tips I'd love to hear from you!

Thankful on Friday

As we go into the weekend, and also the first full week after Thanksgiving I am taking a moment to count my blessings.

This week, among many other things, I am thankful for:

• My dad celebrating his 57th birthday - every birthday, I think, should be treated like a big birthday!

• Having a favorite flower and a store that nearly always stocks them, and being able to treat myself to them nearly whenever I want.  **Extra points for recycling!

• My little neighborhood has little restaurants, and very happily my husband is picking up take-out, also, very thankful for a quiet Friday night with nothing to do.

•   Thankful to be celebrating birthdays and Hanukkah with family this coming Sunday, and doubly thankful that when I call my mom and cousin for a recipe they can recite it from memory in a moment's notice - I'll let you know how this one turns out!

• Youtube.  I am thankful that today after seeing a piece of art with a song lyric on it, and then having it stuck in my head all day, I was able to find the song and get it out of my system.

• My very old boots that have survived many snow storms, moves, faux Florida winters, and all the wear and tear of everyday abuse, and yet I cannot wear them without getting a compliment.  They have no label, they were purchased at Nordstrom Off the Rack and they are my favorite for Fall, and now that DC's weather has officially snapped, winter too!

Kick your feet up this weekend, until next week - Carly

Thanksgiving Blessings

This morning I made baklava and mini pecan pies. My sister made honey glazed corn bread with a recipe borrowed from a friend.  My mom made three pumpkin pies, pecan pie, cranberry scones, and a turkey (just for leftovers). 

In the other room my husband and father are discussing business and books and music, and life.

Pretty soon we'll all make an apple pie that we could probably all make in our sleep.

In a few hours we will go to my great Aunt J's house and I'll see my cousins, aunts, grandparents and celebrate all of the things we are thankful for.  But, truly we are really most thankful for each other.

This year has been a year of triumph and successes, trying and tears, new discoveries, beginnings and the continuation of the journey we call life.  That life is made more tolerable, more sweet, more enjoyable and that much more valuable when surrounded by people you love, and the people who love you.

I wish you the most peaceful of Thanksgivings, and hope you'll have a moment to consider and celebrate all of the ways you are thankful. 

Thank you for reading and allowing me to share my journey with you.

Happy Birthday to Me, Almost

Twenty-three is old. It's almost 25, which is like almost mid-20s.

Jessica Simpson, American Singer (1980 - )

Thanks Jess...

In a week I will be 26.  I have always put pressure on 26, because it's my birthday that will match my birth date (26 on the 26th).  It is completely arbitrary and I am not quite sure where I came up with it, but never the less, I feel pretty good about turning 26.  This has been quite the busy year.

In polling the Internet I came across many lists of "What to Do Before You're 25/30", and while there were some items on that list that will probably never happen there are a lot that have.

At 25 I, celebrated love and marriage with all of the women in my life, spent a weekend of slumber parties with my best girlfriends, ate late night pancakes at the IHOP - which sounds like as much of a bad idea as it was, planned the best party of my life, paid for said party, danced with my dad, danced a choreographed dance with my husband, gotten a massage and facial, been pampered with my mom and sister, gone to Mexico, scuba dived, ate real tacos in Mexico, tried tequila straight, bought a TV - finding the right TV is surprisingly hard, gone to the movies, got snowed in, played in the blizzard,  planned a trip, had a Passover Seder, went to Yellowstone National Park, climbed serious mountains, ate buffalo meat, saw a bison - this close, bought a house, packed up our entire condo, moved, cried, made a home back in DC, celebrated the 4th of July from the top of the town, went to India, got sick in India, rode an elephant, tested my strength, mentally and emotionally, started a blog...

25 has been a great year, and I know that 26 will only be that much better, with even more to celebrate and that much more to be thankful for.

Counting down...

Holiday Shopping: Gifts for the Do Gooder

Often giving is better than receiving.  The gifts we give, because of their thoughtfulness, can delight the recipient for years to come and the joy that they feel is a gift in and of itself.  Gift giving is magnified even greater when the gifts we give keep giving.

This year many charities and non-profit organizations are teaming up with your favorite brands and retailers to offer gift items that allow a good portion of sales to directly benefit the cause.

Here are some of my favorite gifts that give twice:

Open publication - Free publishing - More holiday gifts

 These gifts are as varied as the charities they support, but they all have one thing in common, when they come from the heart they might be the best gift you've ever given.

If these aren't the right gift for you, consider making a donation on the behalf of someone.  These are some easy sites to check out: kiva.org, donorschoose.org, charitygiftcertificates.org and justgive.org.

Make all of your gifts count!

Something to Think About

A few months ago BrideTide tweeted on a Saturday morning, "Someone, somewhere is getting married today."  It has stuck with me ever since.  

Obviously someone, somewhere is getting married all hours of the day and everyday of the week (Hello, Vegas!) but generally speaking in the United States wedding day is a Saturday.  Not too long ago I drove past a beautiful old church just as the bride and her bridesmaids got out of the car and began to climb up the steps.  

I was overjoyed. I didn't know that bride, I had never been inside of that church, but I truly felt so excited for her and them.  I mentioned that tweet from many months ago in an effort to get everyone to share my joy.  Mark nodded along, and then my sister pointed out other major life things happen all the time too: people die and babies are born.

That is true.  Check for the little sister.

Here's is how I explained it is different.  Marriage is a birth of a new chapter for two people.  In some ways it is the death of their single lifestyles.  But, more than that, marriage (not the wedding) is an active choice.  It is the moment of "I choose you and I choose to go through life by your side.  Literally, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer - when you look around, that's me, right by your side." 

That moment that I caught that bride in, the excitement with girlfriends before the ceremony, the dress shopping, the registry, the ring, the proposal, that is nothing compared to that moment when you make the choice.  Getting married is not being married.  Being married is all that much better.

Check mate for the big sister.

Halloween is Full of Surprises

Four Years Ago Today I met Mark.  Let me tell you how we got there.

In high school my fall midterms always conveniently fell right on Halloween, so my teenage Halloweens were spent at the dining table in my parent's house with text books and loose leaf paper.  

Then I went to college.

I was very lucky to be matched (fate has a weird way of finding you the right roommates) with girls who would plan, and seek out the most perfect Halloween/Holiday/Tuesday night.  Freshman year we were all still getting our footing and typically went out in a pack of 8+ girls, so the costumes were a bit "home sewn" as Tim Gunn might say.  That year I was a flapper, with a top from Loehmann's, a skirt borrowed from a girl on dorm floor, and a boa that I was magnetically pulled towards.

Sophomore year I was home for a wedding, no costume, but a great dress none the less.

Junior year.  This is is where it really begins.  There were just the four of us (Jaci, Cara, Liz) and we decided we'd make more impact together than we would apart.  We all had our own motives for a Halloween costume; and I won't out anyone else, but I personally set out to look cute in a costume, the scary and funny is not for me.

We bought this:

Ghostbuster Costume via Dressy Costumes

We made this: 

You can't tell but those jumpsuits were taken apart, taken in, and hemmed into very chic Halloween Couture dresses.

It's Senior Year.  Time to go out strong.  We all four live together for the first time.  We have become more than just roommates and friends, we became a troupe.

A troupe with a friend who is a Disco Alien

We went out for a bar crawl starting at Ozio, a bar I had never been to before and have only since been back during my bachelorette party).

Ozio - 18th and M Street

And that's where I met Mark.  I was with my best friends, in costume, in a bar that I would never normally go to.  He was with his best friend, in costume, in a bar that he had never been to before. I think looking back we were both a bit anti-Halloween that year.  I definitely put up a fight on the costume, and the plans.  But, again, fate has a funny way of making the right matches.

I asked him what he was supposed to be.  (He looked like Tony Montana (Scarface) but was actually dressed as Pablo Eskobar, if you do a little research you'll see the costume is fairly universal.)  He asked me if I was dressed as Winnie Cooper (Wonder Years).  

 

I told him I was a "rock star" - and that was the "hook".   He left his friends and joined our party and that night we changed numbers, shared dances and shared a kiss.

Since then we have dressed up as the Dukes of Hazzard and Olympians, (last year we were in South Beach for wedding planning).

 

I am lucky for friends who pushed me to embrace the night, and I am very lucky for a partner, best friend and husband who pushes me to embrace everything in life.

I hope your Halloween provides as many treats as mine did, and continues to do.

Happy Halloween and Happy Anniversary to my Husband, I love you.