Daily Mementos

Travel: Running: Photography: Food and Drink: Music: Books: UNC Alum: Life in Chicago Reach me at [email protected]

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Everyday is a journey, and the journey itself is home.

Matsuo Basho

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWcyIpul8OE)

I’m having a hard time accurately describing the feelings this song evokes for me, so for now, it just needs to live here. 

"Someway, baby, it's part of me, apart from me...and at once I knew I was not magnificent...I could see for miles, miles, miles.”

[katespencer-deactivated20200614]

Tired.

Today I am tired. 

Today I re-read Michael Eisner’s idiotic comments about how it’s impossible to find women in Hollywood who are both funny AND beautiful. I read comments from people who thought women were whining about Eisner’s comments. 

Today I learned that the USA Women’s Soccer Team Cup will get $2 million for winning the World Cup. The men’s winning team (Germany in 2014) gets $35 million. They also make less than the men’s American team, who have never won a World Cup. This, despite the massive success TV ratings success of the women’s tournament. 

Today I read about how women aren’t supposed to say “just,” just like we aren’t supposed to say “sorry.” I am tired of my language being policed, of being told what I can and can’t say, how my word choices hold me back rather than the patriarchal structure of our world. I am tired of being told by companies and advertising and media that I should feel bad about my body, and then told I should feel bad for feeling bad. It is an endless cycle of shaming us, and then shaming us some more.  

Today I am tired of people believing a rapist, and not the 40+ women who spoke out about his years of assault. I am tired of people only believing rape occurred when the rapist admits to it. 

Today I am tired of female celebrities being asked if they are a feminist, and yet no male celebrities are ever asked the same thing. 

Someone ask Michael Eisner if he is a feminist. I dare you.

These stories, I read them every day. Today is just another day. Today I am tired, and this is why. 

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This.

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"To be rooted is perhaps the most important and the least recognized need of the human soul."

Simone Weil

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A Letter To The Motherless On Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the motherless children out there. Today is your day too. Celebrate her, start a new tradition, live life to the fullest, and most importantly remember that even through the darkest of days, life still goes on.

Beautiful. Poignant.  A reminder to be kind to those you know, who are undoubtedly feeling lots of feelings this week & weekend. Give them an extra hug, send a nice note - just remind them that they are not alone. Send love and send light.

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I made this White Chicken Chili last night and I'm here to tell you it's simple, fast and delicious.  I have a feeling this will be a mainstay in my recipe roll as I enter my second wicked winter here in Chicago. 

[foodfuck]

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I could get into this right about now.

(Blueberry Crisp via Nicole Franzen) 

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Life Motto.

[npr]

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"Food-Mood Connection: How You Eat Can Amp Up Or Tamp Down Stress" via Allison Aubrey

Managing a balanced diet on high stress days can be a struggle, but I always try to remind myself of how much better I feel with nutrient dense meals.  Putting this here, to keep that message fresh in my mind. 

good run + a good meal + a good shower = my perfect way to de-stress*

*also add in a glass of red wine when needed

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10 Brands That Will Disappear in 2015

And number one on this list is Lululemon...I almost fell out of my chair.  I can understand Blackberry, DirecTV, etc. - but I really thought lulu would pull it together after all their mishaps these last couple of years. 

Here's to hoping they can still find a way to turn it around.  I really believe in their business model and I love their clothes...but if they do go under, sound all the alarms - I want to be first in line for the sales!

[forbes]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

Janet Yellen, the new chair of the Federal Reserve, responding to a congressman’s observation that she is “very smart, very steady and not very exciting” (via forbes)

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This past weekend was one for the books, complete with: 13.1 miles (read: all the hills!) racing through Nashville, eating our way through all the neighborhoods, sunshine, incredible live music, exploring, cowboy boots (my fav!), much needed friend time, and FUN.

I highly recommend a wkd getaway in Nashville, it’s a really great city. And, if like me, you enjoy doing as the locals do, get off the strip downtown and go to 12 South, Hillsborough Village, East Nashville (5 Points), Division Street, and the Gulch.

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Most important items being packed for Nashville this weekend: Cowboy Boots + Sundresses + Race Gear.

[In related news, I anticipate that my instagram game will be in full effect this weekend - feel free to hop on over there and follow me @rtoler]

[meggielynne]

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House Crashing: Elegant and Fresh 

...tiny elements here that I LOVE.

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Getting to Know Me

I was nominated by my VP to be featured in my company's "Getting to Know You" section of our newsletter.  It's kind of a daunting task to answer these questions, I learned that I'm definitely guarded professionally (you know, building and perpetuating my own "personal brand").  But, I made it through and hopefully everyone still sees me as profesh to death yet approachable, because that would be awesome. Or maybe, they will all wear their Judge Judy hats and their opinion of me will change...whatevs.  I had no choice but to complete this, so here it goes:

What Is your favorite hobby? Running, Traveling, Photography, Surfing, Anything and Everything Outside.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? I’ve always felt drawn to nature, traveling and experiencing other cultures, as well as the ocean.  Therefore, I rotated between a Marine Biologist and a National Geographic Photographer.  Once I got into college though, I found that my favorite classes were at the business school.  I accepted an internship with MasterCard Worldwide my Senior Year, with which I campaigned for financial literacy on my college campus.  It was like a mini real world business project where I found myself selling and marketing – I was hooked.  I never looked back and while the walls in my house are still adorned with my latest photos and I still find magic on a surfboard in the middle of an ocean wondering about the world underneath the water’s surface, I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be. 

What is your favorite time of the year? Summer, no contest.  I’m from Dallas, Texas so sunshine and warmth feel like home.

If you could have a super power what would it be? Singing. Of course, I’d love to travel through time/fly around the world/heal the sick…BUT sticking to something more realistic here – I’ve always wanted to be able to sing.  I think it would be so cool to share that gift or “superpower” to make other people happy. 

What team do you root for? Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, For college sports - UNC Tarheels all the way!, U.S. Women’s Soccer Team

What do you do to fulfill your creative spirit? It sounds corny to say it, but there’s creativity and inspiration everywhere you look.  You just have to be open to it, open to connections with people, open to things different than your norm, and open to the beauty that exists in even the smallest moments.  When I try to do this, I find that I am more than fulfilled and inspired, I’m energized.

What is the last thing you have done to develop yourself?  I’m a voracious reader.  I love anything nonfiction: newspapers, books, magazines.  Lately, I’ve also gotten really into NPR podcasts, it helps pass the time in airports while traveling (hat tip: download the free app “Stitcher” to stream podcasts, it’s awesome).

What’s your favorite smell? When you walk into someone’s home and they are cooking a big meal, it could be anything.  I grew up with a mother who absolutely loved to cook, she would make these huge elaborate meals on an ordinary Tuesday.  It took me going to college and eating Cheez-Its for dinner to realize how good I actually had it.

What’s your favorite motivational quote? It’s hard to pick just one, but currently this one is high on my list:  “And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.” – Kurt Vonnegut.  It reminds me to enjoy the journey, and be present.

[ayabug]

“Too many young women I think are harder on themselves than circumstances warrant. They are too often selling themselves short. They too often take criticism personally instead of seriously. You should take criticism seriously because you might learn something, but you can’t let it crush you. You have to be resilient enough to keep moving forward, whatever the personal setbacks and even insults that come your way might be. That takes a sense of humor about yourself and others. Believe me, this is hard-won advice I’m putting forth. It’s not like you wake up and understand this. It’s a process.”

Hilary Clinton, on taking criticism.

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48 Epic Dream Hotels

Yes, all of these, just YES.