Hubs and I just got back from an amazing week in our nation's capital going to visit a very dear friend of mine graduate with her masters in international relations from Johns Hopkins. It was a fantastic week filled with friends, wonderful sights, and some fantastic food and bars! It was also --surprisingly-- a week of reflection. Between the astounding collections at the Smithsonian museums, the majestic national monuments, stately federal buildings, and the Johns Hopkins commencement ceremony, I was left reflecting on how I'll make a mark on the world.
I read a quote somewhere that well behaved women rarely make history. This thought keeps running through my mind as I watched my friend acomplish something extraordinary. This is a troubling quote because I generally like to play safe. My father-in-law made a comment this winter while we were skiing (an outdoor activity that generally terrifies me) that "unless you're scared and falling down every once in a while you're not pushing yourself hard enough." Aargh! None of these thoughts are comforting to my sense of self-preservation, but they do inspire me to take a step into the unknown and to continue to push myself towards exellence.
Physically, I'm exhausted. (DC requires comfy shoes, a water bottle, and not a few packed Luna bars.) Intellectually and spiritually I'm inspired and refreshed. This was a fantastic week and I wouldn't give it back for anything.
I recently re-visited one of my favorite shopping sites: FredFlare.com. My favorite department is the Home section, with household essentials like a table saw cake cutter, shadow of a duck shower curtain and an ice cream sandwich pillow, it has long been my favorite destination for whimsical, offbeat, and downright hipster accessories. Please enjoy: http://www.fredflare.com/AT-HOME/?orderby=&all=true 
I have started my internship for the summer and part of the fun of having my first office job is decorating my cubicle. I found a picture of Audrey Hepburn and the Eifel tower at Icings for about $8. I got the orchid at OSH for about $10. The best thing about OSH is that if the plant dies, you can bring it back. I've never had a plant of my own so hopefully I don't kill it. My coffee mug is from home but it adds that "cozy office" feeling. I found pink sriped binder clips at Wal Mart for $3 and the purple mouse pad came with the cube. I brought in my pink flower magnets to put on the filing cabinet. I need to decorate the other side of the cubicle now because all the decorations are on the side with my computer. The job itself is really good.
Last weekend I was reminded yet again of why I LOVE Forever 21's accessory wall. Oodles and oodles of the CUTEST necklaces, earrings, sunglasses, hats, scarves, bags, and now even shoes! Never mind that they're made of the cheapest junk available. They're trendy and fun. At $4 for a necklace and $5.80 for a pair of sunglasses, who cares if they tarnish or crack after the 10th use? At that price I can buy the entire collection rather than just one piece. I love it. Here are a few items from my recent personal collection of Forever 21 accessories. 
Hubs and I just got back from an amazing week in our nation's capital going to visit a very dear friend of mine graduate with her masters in international relations from Johns Hopkins. It was a fantastic week filled with friends, wonderful sights, and some fantastic food and bars! It was also --surprisingly-- a week of reflection. Between the astounding collections at the Smithsonian museums, the majestic national monuments, stately federal buildings, and the Johns Hopkins commencement ceremony, I was left reflecting on how I'll make a mark on the world. 
