How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

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"Chances are I'll see you somewhere in my dreams tonight..." --Robert Downey Jr. and Vonda Shepard

[Photos via My Summer Twist]

Rare photos of Princess Diana

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The world -- and the Internets -- jumped for joy yesterday when news broke that William and Kate had welcomed a baby boy...a little prince and the future heir to the British throne! Were you constantly checking for updates like I was? With Royal Fever reaching scorching levels this week, these rare photos of Princess Diana are all the more poignant, don't you think? That's Diana and Charles, above, with a young William during his first official photo shoot...

Now all we have to do is wait for a name for the new royal. What are your favorite baby names? xoxo

P.S. Princess Diana on love.

[Via TIME]

Have a marvelous weekend

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Happy Friday, friends! Well, we've survived another over-the-top hot summer day (I'm sure I'll appreciate these days come the middle of December, right...?). What are you doing this weekend? We'll be hanging out in our air-conditioned house -- and maybe eating some ice cream! Whatever your plans, make sure you stay cool. Hope you all have a great weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web...

8 ways to stop over-thinking (this is totally for me...).

My love philosophy.

One woman's story of loving someone with an addiction.

Cool: Old-school names are making a comeback.

I knew I made it in life when...

Dad captures his son's first year, one second per day.

Reflection photos.

The new Rolling Stone cover is causing controversy...what do you think?

Ha, getting over a break-up.

Are you getting ready for fall?

Remember AIM screen names?

This bangle? #Wishlisted.

Welcome to the world, Phoenix William! Way to go, Alexa!

Would you dance down the aisle on your wedding day?

Conversation coasters would be a perfect icebreaker for a party.

Check out these fashion-meets-food blogs.

The New York Times channels Stefon.

Good to know: How not to be a tool on social media.

How cool is this Star Wars wedding photo?

I've been listening to the soundtracks from this show a lot this week.

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and now Instagram! See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photo via bippity boppity boo]

How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

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"And I love you, I love you, I love you...like never before." --Fleetwood Mac

[Photos via My Summer Twist]

Have a fun weekend

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Happy Friday, friends! I'm so glad it's the weekend...what are your plans? We'll be taking it easy tomorrow, and then going out for a nice lunch on Sunday. Thanks so much for all the kind words on my mom's NYC guest post. I showed her the comments, and she was so happy you all enjoyed reading about her trip. I hope you all have a great weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web...

The most epic break-up letter of all time.

Decision-making strategies of successful people.

40 ways to color block your wardrobe.

Fashion do or don't: The army jacket.

LOVE this song.

It's the Royal Baby Name Generator!

One mother finds comfort in a message in a bottle.

Karen Cheng taught herself to dance in just one year.

Ha, 40 signs you're a BuzzFeed writer running out of list ideas.

I hate having to always make sure my phone is charged before leaving the house. The Kii is a mini charger that lets you plug in your iPhone to any computer. Genius!

How cute are these cactus cupcakes? Or would it be cacti...

This St. Bart's wedding is so beautiful.

This is so true.

A hilarious twist on Shakespeare In The Park.

This journal? #Wishlisted.

I've been listening to a lot of old-school music lately. What about you?

Enjoy today has become my summer mantra.

The benefits of hanging out with old people.

Ooooh, I'm dying to see this T-Rex installed in the Seine River.

Yes, I entered the Kris Jenner video contest in celebration of her new show.

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and now Instagram! See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photo via bippity boppity boo]

How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

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"Our love was made...made in the U.S.A." --Demi Lovato

[Photos via My Summer Twist]

Must-watch: GoldieBlox squash gender stereotypes

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Speaking of empowering young women, my heart burst with such joy when I came across this video a few days ago. The video is the brainchild of GoldieBlox, a recently launched toy company aimed at getting girls excited about building, and features pint-sized girls who pack a powerful punch.

"More than a princess. We are the champions." the girls sing to the tune of -- you guessed it! -- Queen's 1977 classic. Riding on skateboards and bikes, the girls descend on the "pink aisle" of a Toys 'R' Us as they deliver perhaps the video's most powerful message, says engineer and GoldieBox founder Debra Sterling, who's made it her mission to expose every girl to engineering

"The odds are against us. We've been told that GoldieBlox can't survive in mass stores next to Barbie. Convention says that engineering toys for girls are a 'niche' for the affluent, and for the internet. Together, we must prove convention wrong,"

Inspiring, isn't it? You can watch more videos on GoldieBox's YouTube channel and learn more about the company on their official website. BRAVO!!! xoxo

[Via Huffington Post]

Disabilities In The Media: Miss You Can Do It

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Have you guys seen the new HBO documentary Miss You Can Do It? The documentary chronicles the inspiring work of Abbey Curran, who was crowned Miss Iowa USA 2008 and went on to become the first woman with a disability to compete in the Miss USA pageant. Born with cerebral palsy, she never let her physical limitations stop her; she faced life with a strong sense of determination and resilience. Curran wanted to give other young girls with disabilities the opportunity to let their beauty shine, so she launched the Miss You Can Do It pageant.

The annual event, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, invites contestants and their families for a weekend of fun and self-esteem building. The documentary follows eight young girls as they compete in the pageant. "I hope that my Miss You Can Do It girls leave this pageant knowing that, okay, we might fall down, or someone might stare at us, but I just did something amazing," says Curran. "Something that not very many people get to experience."

Did you watch it, friends? I'm dying to see it, but I don't get HBO -- anyone know if you can watch it online somewhere? Way to go, Abbey and all the beautiful girls!! xoxo

Have a wonderful weekend

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Happy Friday, friends! How was your Fourth of July? We had a lazy day around the house, and needless to say, it was WONDERFUL. We played games, took a walk and Janelle and I watched a few episodes of It's  Always Sunny In Philadelphia, which is quickly becoming one of my new favorite TV shows. Have you seen it? Janelle and I will also be living the life of two carefree bachelorettes this weekend while my mom is visiting my cousin in New York City. So far on my must-do list: Read lots of magazines, enjoy some quality DVR time and order in some delicious Domino's pizza. Got any other suggestions? Look for a guest post from my mom next week about her Big Apple adventures. Hope you all have a fun weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web...

What's your signature style?

The cure for your sweet tooth? (Thanks, Diana!).

Homemade peanut butter and chocolate ice cream? Yes, please!

Who knew: Teaching makes you smarter.

Loving these condiment jars.

7 ways to make happiness last.

One teacher wore the same yearbook photo for 40 years.

Yikes! Would you go cliff diving?

Why one woman doesn't believe in having a best friend.

How all 50 US states got their names.

I want this physical Facebook "LIKE" counter for my desk. Speaking of Facebook, So About What I Said reached 400 fans last week! Woohoo!!

The Newsstand, a pop-up shop in a Brooklyn subway station, offers independently published magazines, books, comics and zines.

Aww, summer love is so magical.

19 things that make a woman successful.

Apparently, there is a Q-Tip addiction epidemic sweeping through Britain.

Did you have sparklers at your wedding?

Barbie gets a refreshing makeover.

HA! These things your parents need to learn about the Internet are hilarious.

Any summer babies? Babies born in the U.K. on the same day as the Royal baby will receive a commemorative silver coin.

I'm #wishlisting all the gorgeous jewelry in Etsy shop Twinklebird.

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and now Instagram! See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photos via bippity boppity boo]

How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

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"And these foolish games are tearing me apart..." --Jewel

[Photos via My Summer Twist]

Have a wonderful weekend

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Happy Friday, friends! What are you doing this weekend? It's 5:30 p.m., and we just got back from a massive afternoon trek that included getting caught in the rain -- it was quite the experience. I'll be posting some photos from our day's adventure on Monday, but in the meantime, I hope you all have a fun weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web...

SO PROUD of the Supreme Court's historic decision in striking down the Defense of Marriage Act. #LoveIsLove #MarriageEquality

Dream Vacation: The Hutt Laggon is a salt lake in Australia that contain's the world's largest system of algae farms, which give it its pink hue.

Brand logos and their subliminal messages.

An awesome (and cheap!) outdoor entertaining cart.

Sleepless In Seattle turns 20.

Interesting blog post on fashion blogs.

A fun way to play Tic-Tac-Toe.

5 alternatives to sending an angry post-breakup email.

Think twice before you get that couples tattoo.

Google Reader is going away on July 1st. Here are some great alternatives.

Note to self: ALWAYS turn off cellphone on airplanes.

What's the best song ever?

The art of conversation from 1866.

Inspiring: How I want my daughter to look.

Such a tender moment between siblings.

Nordstrom brings Pinterest to life.

First Lady Michelle Obama and I have something in common.

My favorite childhood movie is getting a remake.

Two words: Synchronized cats.

What one woman learned from a bad boss.

As I'm sure you already know, Google Reader will be no more as of Monday. BUT! Have no fear, friends. You can stay in the loop via Bloglovin' and RSS. And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and now Instagram! See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photo via Postcards and Pretties]

How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

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"If I ever did that...I think I'd have a heart attack." --Demi Lovato

[Photos via My Summer Twist]

Have a relaxing summer weekend

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Happy Friday, friends! Do you have exciting plans for the weekend? I'm looking forward to some quality summer relaxation. I'll also be playing around with Instagram and exploring all the cool features on my new phone. And speaking of summer, remember my summer project I mentioned a couple weeks ago? Well, I can't wait to share it next week. In the meantime, have a fun weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web...

What the Internet is doing to our brains.

6 surprising facts about yawning.

Cheery outfit for summer.

D.J. Tanner rocked, didn't she?

Remember The Art of Clean Up? Well, here are more things perfectionists love.

Dream Home do or don't: Inset wall frames.

James Gandolfini's life in photos. RIP, Tony Soprano.

Stephen Colbert's tribute to his mother is truly touching.

Neon wedding inspiration.

A writing question I've asked myself a time or two.

These statistics on domestic violence made me shudder.

Kate's Etsy shop is full of cool items inspired by pop culture.

Would you watch a movie at a...hot tub cinema?

How many remember the art of the mix tape?

Get ready to be mesmerized.

Awesome de-clutter tip for summer cleaning.

Diego, 23-months-old, rocking out to the Beatles with his dad.

Guess what? Stefon is continuing his NYC club recommendations on Twitter.

World, meet North West.

Dating dealbreaker: Nice guys? My own musings on the curse of the nice guy.

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and now Instagram! See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photo via bippity boppity boo]

How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

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"Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my number, so call me maybe..." -- Carly Rae Jepsen

[Photos via My Summer Twist]

Have a lovely Father's Day weekend

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Happy Friday, friends, and happy Father's Day to all the great, wonderful, awesome dads out there! What are your plans for the weekend? We're getting together with some friends tomorrow and laying low for Father's Day on Sunday. It will probably be a pretty emotional day since it's the first Father's Day without my grandfather. I hope you all enjoy the day, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web...

YES!! Hillary Clinton has finally joined Twitter.

Word on the street is that there's going to be a NEW Friday Night Lights movie!

I'm loving the Oxford look for summer, aren't you?

Humans could look like this in the future.

10 plus-size models who are changing the industry.

Ha, Hollywood's Older Dads Club.

A great hostess gifts round-up.

15 toys you can create with a cardboard box...who knew?

This whole wedding was photographed via Instagram.

The Target Lady on SNL always makes me laugh.

Aww, emotional fathers "give away" their daughters.

One woman's thoughts on being raised by her single dad.

The fanny pack? Oh, yes!

Down with immature dudes!

Mr. McFeely was my favorite character on Mister Rogers.

What one dad knows about fatherhood now that he has a son with a disability.

Albert Einstein's advice to his son.

Blogging advice: 4 traits of highly effective bloggers.

Yikes! The world's population may reach 11 billion by 2100.

Never say these three little words on a first date, according to a HuffPo blogger.

And, in honor of Father's Day, here are 5 posts about my own father (I miss you EVERY DAY, dad!)...
*Surviving the suicide of a loved one.
*Happy birthday, Father! And here.
*An Open Letter To My Father. Another letter here. And here.
*On a teddy bear and a quilt.
*My father's suicide...ten years later.

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook! See you there, friends! xoxo

Disabilities In The Media: Nicole Kelly raises awareness as Miss Iowa

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First Iowa, next America? When Caitlin posted about Nicole Kelly on Facebook, I knew I had to share it, friends. The recently crowned Miss Iowa was born without her left forearm, and will go on to compete for the Miss America title on September 15th. Her inspiring platform? Overcoming disabilities.

"A year ago, I certainly didn't see "pageant titleholder" in my future," she says in her pageant profile. "Perhaps I didn't originally envision this path, but I now know that being Miss Iowa is the perfect fit for me, and I feel so blessed to be surrounded by people who have encouraged me every step of the way. Giving a voice to my platform, Overcoming Disabilities, is a tremendous honor and I am thrilled to continue my adventure by speaking out and touching lives as Miss Iowa 2013."

How inspiring is that? Way to go, Nicole! Can't wait to see you on the stage in September, and thanks for inspiring such self-confidence! xoxo

P.S. A fun new feature is coming up shortly! :)

[Via Huffington Post]