Tawnia is friend of almost a decade (whaaat) going back to our days as some of the only ladies (with a few notable exceptions!) working at the ITS Helpdesk at the University of Iowa. She was my wingwoman (and I hers) on many-a-night-out in Iowa City, and so many of my college memories include Tawnia.
Tawnia's interview, after the break!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Scenes From A Week: May 19
This week felt more like summer than spring, and the things I did during the week sure reflected that. I loooove this time of year!
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| lunch al fresco |
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| 90 degrees! |
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| sign of spring - bridges being raised to allow sailboats to pass |
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| first corn cob of the year |
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| sweet note from scottie ("snacks in fridge") telling me that he packed me snacks for work - baby carrots, strawberries, etc. |
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| late night walk and starbucks run (for decaf tea:) |
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| an original monet |
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| matt & kelly at a wedding saturday night |
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| fresh strawberries |
Friday, May 17, 2013
Interesting Person Interview Series: Kelli
Today I'm thrilled to share my interview with my amazing friend Kelli. Kelli and I have been friends for over fiften years (!!) and though we haven't lived in the same area since high school, we've been able to stay tight through the wonders of the internet. :)
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Quote of the Day: Off Switch
"What I really hated, of course, was my mind. There must be an off switch somewhere, but I was damned if I could find it." - David Sedaris
on Abercrombie
Mega-retailer Abercrombie and Fitch is in the news this week (and last week, too, but I haven't had a chance to blog about it) for some crazy soundbites from 2006. The CEO said in a magazine interview:
“In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids. Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely."
To some degree (and I may get some flak for saying this) I understand that as a business model. Each brand (fashion or otherwise) has a target audience, and while I would say that many of the targets are - publicly atleast - less asshole-ish, they have them nonetheless. And while I find the tactic deplorable, they have gone after the "cool kids" to try to hit the trendsetters, all the while carving out a significant slice of the market.
So the quote about didn't bother me as much as the other things I've learned about the brand. Did you know that women's sizes only go up to a size L or pants size 10 (because, explicitly or implicitly, you're not cool if you wear a larger women's size)? Did you know that unlike other major US retailers, they don't donate their un-sold clothing, but instead they destroy it (because poor people aren't as "cool")?
I can ignore a CEO with a big mouth and dumb ideas. I can also take my business elsewhere. I will never, ever shop at AF. And I will encourage everyone in my life to do the same.
“In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids. Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely."
To some degree (and I may get some flak for saying this) I understand that as a business model. Each brand (fashion or otherwise) has a target audience, and while I would say that many of the targets are - publicly atleast - less asshole-ish, they have them nonetheless. And while I find the tactic deplorable, they have gone after the "cool kids" to try to hit the trendsetters, all the while carving out a significant slice of the market.
So the quote about didn't bother me as much as the other things I've learned about the brand. Did you know that women's sizes only go up to a size L or pants size 10 (because, explicitly or implicitly, you're not cool if you wear a larger women's size)? Did you know that unlike other major US retailers, they don't donate their un-sold clothing, but instead they destroy it (because poor people aren't as "cool")?
I can ignore a CEO with a big mouth and dumb ideas. I can also take my business elsewhere. I will never, ever shop at AF. And I will encourage everyone in my life to do the same.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Quote of the Day: Insane
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind except that you happen to be insane" - George Orwell, 1984
The Year of Kelly
I was thrilled and honored to host a bridal shower for my sister-in-law-to-be, Kelly. We held it this past Saturday in Cedar Rapids, and it was an awesome occasion. We invited my grandma, aunts and girl cousins, along with Kelly's mom and sisters. We had guests from Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois and the love in the room was evident.
I got home to Cedar Rapids on Friday night after a quick drive home (and a rendezvous with Matt and Kelly at the "World's Largest Truck Stop". (Sidenote: after doing the CR-Chicago trek for six years now - and longer if you count the times I did it before moving to Chicago - I can't believe I'd never stopped there before. It's funny and kind of insane). The party was at my parent's home, and they had it gleaming top-to-bottom, inside and out.
To start the morning off, I got my hair cut (and then styled - yesss). I'm basically obsessed with doing this before parties because I'm pretty horrible at hair.
After getting that squared away (had to take care of my priorities here) I came home and put the finishing touches on the details with my unofficial co-host, my mama. Basically I got all of the credit, and she and my dad did all of the work :) (They'd deny that, but it's true nonetheless).
The guests arrived shortly thereafter, and we drank champagne and mimosas, ate wraps, caprese skewers, fruit-kebobs, cheese and crackers, pesto-deviled eggs and delicious gourmet desserts.
After our guests arrived, we played "the NEAR-lywed Game" which was a huge hit. My mom and I brainstormed a list of about 20 questions, which I asked Matt ahead of time (and taped his answers, using the camera feature on my iPad).We my mom then put them together in one file with cute breakouts in between each question for easy play-back. At the party, I asked Kelly the question, and then after she answered, played Matt's answer to the same question. It was a riot. (In a hilariously unexpected twist, their answers were eerily similar, leading to huge laughs from the shower guests as everyone realized how crazy their compatibility actually is).
After the shower, the boys were allowed back in to the house for some fun (and pizza and beer).
I won't tell you what time the party finally ended that night. Ok, I will - almost 2AM. Worth ever minute of lost sleep though. Time with my awesome family is both rare and treasured.
Events like this weekend make me realize how fortunate I am to be a member of the Rank family... and how darn excited I am for October. I literally cannot wait until Kelly is my official sister, and an official member of our family!
Cheers to Kelly, and to Matt, and to the fun ahead!
I got home to Cedar Rapids on Friday night after a quick drive home (and a rendezvous with Matt and Kelly at the "World's Largest Truck Stop". (Sidenote: after doing the CR-Chicago trek for six years now - and longer if you count the times I did it before moving to Chicago - I can't believe I'd never stopped there before. It's funny and kind of insane). The party was at my parent's home, and they had it gleaming top-to-bottom, inside and out.
To start the morning off, I got my hair cut (and then styled - yesss). I'm basically obsessed with doing this before parties because I'm pretty horrible at hair.
After getting that squared away (had to take care of my priorities here) I came home and put the finishing touches on the details with my unofficial co-host, my mama. Basically I got all of the credit, and she and my dad did all of the work :) (They'd deny that, but it's true nonetheless).
The guests arrived shortly thereafter, and we drank champagne and mimosas, ate wraps, caprese skewers, fruit-kebobs, cheese and crackers, pesto-deviled eggs and delicious gourmet desserts.
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| Remember these babies? |
After our guests arrived, we played "the NEAR-lywed Game" which was a huge hit. My mom and I brainstormed a list of about 20 questions, which I asked Matt ahead of time (and taped his answers, using the camera feature on my iPad).
Of course, no bridal shower is complete without a "showering" of gifts for our bride-to-be. Kelly was gifted some beautiful and generous gifts, including a Crock-Pot! (As you may recall from posts about Rank Family Christmas, a Crock Pot is basically a rite of passage in this family, and I'm not sure that their marriage would be officially official without having one. Luckily, she is now the excited owner!)
After the shower, the boys were allowed back in to the house for some fun (and pizza and beer).
I won't tell you what time the party finally ended that night. Ok, I will - almost 2AM. Worth ever minute of lost sleep though. Time with my awesome family is both rare and treasured.
Events like this weekend make me realize how fortunate I am to be a member of the Rank family... and how darn excited I am for October. I literally cannot wait until Kelly is my official sister, and an official member of our family!
Cheers to Kelly, and to Matt, and to the fun ahead!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Quote of the Day: Special Occasion
"Don’t save something for a special occasion. Every day of your life is a special occasion" - Thomas S. Monson
on Minnesota
I am thrilled and overjoyed by the news that Minnesota is poised to become the 12th state that allows gay couples the right to marry. I actually saw the news on Instagram first, as my cousin Anne posted a photo congratulating Minnesota on the huge leap in the right direction.
I was obviously thrilled about this, but there were a few things that kind of made me chuckle.
I think it's so indicative of the times. I didn't see the news on the news, or even on the internet. I didn't even see it on traditional social media (Facebook, Twitter, a blog, etc). I saw it on a photo-sharing site. The hashtags labeling the post were #equality and #loveislove. Totally apropos.
I was absolutely pleased when I saw the news, but I won't say that I was all that fired up by it. I recognize that it's a significant victory, but it all just seems so inevitable now. If you don't agree with gay marriage, you are on the wrong side of history.
I was obviously thrilled about this, but there were a few things that kind of made me chuckle.
I think it's so indicative of the times. I didn't see the news on the news, or even on the internet. I didn't even see it on traditional social media (Facebook, Twitter, a blog, etc). I saw it on a photo-sharing site. The hashtags labeling the post were #equality and #loveislove. Totally apropos.
I was absolutely pleased when I saw the news, but I won't say that I was all that fired up by it. I recognize that it's a significant victory, but it all just seems so inevitable now. If you don't agree with gay marriage, you are on the wrong side of history.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Quote of the Day: Crazy Edition
"We're the kind of crazy people wish that they could be" - Hunter Hayes, I Want Crazy
(Ps: totally loving this song right now. I listened to it on repeat while I was cleaning my kitchen tonight... and yes my neighbors love me). (No they do not).
(Ps: totally loving this song right now. I listened to it on repeat while I was cleaning my kitchen tonight... and yes my neighbors love me). (No they do not).
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