It's that time of year! The time of year where the Make-A-Wish Foundation has their annual Season of Wishes fundraiser! Make-A-Wish needs the help of generous people like you to provide these wishes to kids with life-threatening illnesses. I've only been volunteering with Make-A-Wish for about a year, but I've seen firsthand how amazing these wishes can be....

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I wouldn't be me if I didn't post this late, just like I did for Bria's announcement. Better late than never? I can't believe it, but my best friend Kelsey is a mother times two now! Her adorable son Carter Jacob Biehl was born on November 6th at 12:59 pm. Bria is a big sister! They first announced...

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Favorite New Song "Bottom of the River"-Delta Rae Favorite Funny This is another gem sent to me from Joanna. I couldn't stop laughing! Favorite Movie Even though I didn't see this movie this week, I loved it so much I had to share it. I highly recommend seeing it! Favorite Quote “Change will not come if we wait...

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Rilo Kiley showed up on my radar a few years ago when they were featured on an episode of Grey's Anatomy. I never physically saw the band back then-pictures, videos, or otherwise-but knew I liked the music. This is the video for "Portions for Foxes", the song featured on Season 1 Episode 1. (You can see my first...

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Favorite AppI came across this app in an issue of Fitness Magazine. You can earn money for certain charities just by walking, biking, or running. If you already do any of those activities, why not download this? It's free. Favorite New RestaurantThis restaurant just opened in Uptown, and it is amazing! It's a shame they just opened, because...

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It's time for round 2 of my pet peeves! Yay! (You can see round 1 here.) As I was compiling this list, I realized a lot of it revolves around work and people downtown. Does that really come as a surprise though? I mean, if you work in an office or downtown, you know what's up. People who...

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Holy guacamole! It's been weeks since I've posted! No worries friends. I've crawled out from under the rock I was living and am now back to blog random thoughts. In a hopefully not-creepy post, I start with another ode to my friend Joanna. Despite the fact I don't work by her anymore, my old coworker Joanna still gives...

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Favorite Song It's no surprise that I'm a huge Imagine Dragons fan. My brother said he doesn't know who they are, but he knows I tweet about them ALL the time. Hey, when it's love, you just know! Their debut album Night Visions came out on September 4th, and naturally I got it immediately. This is by far...

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When I wrote my Do Gooder post, I asked that everyone take a little time out of their day to help others. My good friend Lindsay is doing just that and then some, no doubt changing a lot of lives along the way. She is currently living in Kenya, working as an HIV/AIDS educator (and in my mind,...

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Favorite Song "Kill Your Heroes"-AWOLNATION Favorite Dress Favorite Lyrics "Modern Love" Matt Nathanson She said this talking Kind of wears me out And all these salesmen Baby, make me tired They're no good, to tell you the truth, she said I've been gettin' used to liars They send me love songs, with store bought words They make promises,...

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While I feel I'm a very opinionated person, I generally try to stay away from preaching on my soapbox. However, if there's one thing I'm passionate about and want to spread the word on, it's volunteering for good causes. Trust me. I know how easy it is to say you don't have time in your schedule, and you...

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Let me drop a disclaimer: my rant does not come from jealousy, bitterness, or envy. I love love. I'm happy for people in love. It's a beautiful thing. This rant comes from straight up hatred. To all of my good friends who do this-I love you, but you have to stop! I highly doubt I'm the first person...

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I know I'm not the poster child for happy. Find me in the morning and you will most likely hear me say I'm wearing my crabby pants. Usually a lack of sleep or a weekend gone too quickly will cause my sour mood. But all of that aside, I know it's important to recognize how blessed I am....

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Another week down, another collection of my favorites! Favorite Song "The Light"-Sara Bareilles Favorite Laugh I don't know what country this is in. I don't know what is going on. But every time I watch this short clip, it makes me laugh. Have you ever seen such a thing? Favorite LookGlitter ombre nails Favorite RecipeSouthwestern Turkey Meatballs with...

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I was watching tv the other night, and the most random thought popped in my head. "Remember those Barbie fashion plates you loved as a kid?" I'm not sure what prompted me to think this, but it got the wheels turning. I started reminiscing over all my favorite toys as a kid, and I got a great giggle...

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Sorry to all my loyal readers who have just been dying for some more ramblings. I've been absent from the blog for far too long, but I'm back now! Here is this week's edition of my Friday Favorites: Favorite Quote Favorite Commercial Favorite Laugh Try as I might, I've been unable to watch this without crying from laughing...

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A few years ago, I discovered I have a very useless "talent". This talent certainly won't save the world, but it has helped a few frazzled friends from time to time. If you need help naming a song, or figuring out who sings it, I can find that for you. I can watch a movie with a fairly...

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I wouldn't say I have a difficult name. In fact, I probably have the easiest name in the world. Two a's, two n's, and you're done. Yet somehow, everyone has a hard time understanding what my name is. When I get coffee at Caribou, I get asked at least three times. "Ava?" "Ala?" "Amber?" "Abba?" (Yes, I actually...

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As part of Capella's Healthy Living initiative, O'Neal Hampton, a contestant from Season 9 of The Biggest Loser, came to speak on site. Aside from walking away with a brand new Biggest Loser cookbook, I walked away more inspired than ever. Here are some of his great points: "Nothing tastes as good as health feels." He showed a...

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Favorite Song "I Forgive You"-Kelly Clarkson Favorite Part of Working Downtown Food trucks-Vellee Deli is my fave so far! Favorite Glee Cover "Shake It Out"-Florence+the Machine Favorite Picture Favorite Quote “Just don't give up on trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.” -...

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It's no secret that I'm a teeny tiny person. God bless everyone who guesses I'm 5'3 or 5'4. I'll take every inch you want to give me. Being a short person, especially with a short torso, it's hard to wear certain clothes. (I'm sure tall people can say the same thing.) There are a few trends that I've...

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I generally understand why women love rockstars. (Should I even call them rockstars anymore? Musicians? Boy bands? Guys who can sing and/or play instruments?) I digress. There's something about their talent and passion that is sexy. But this is not always the case. Sure, some of them are genuinely sexy. Adam Levine anyone? (This, by the way, is...

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If you're like me, this week has been the longest week ever. (Ok, I say that almost every week, but it still felt that way!) I cannot believe that we're at the end of April already. Where is 2012 going?? Time flies way too fast. Another week gone-another list of Friday favorites! Favorite Laugh The 21 Absolute Worst...

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For a good 6 years, I have been a huge, gigantic, GINORMOUS fan of Ingrid Michaelson. While most people I know don't have a clue who she is, or only know "The Way I Am" from the radio, I have been not-so-secretly mildly obsessed with her. I'll admit that I first came across her music on Grey's Anatomy,...

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I'm going to make a bold statment and say that Hootie & The Blowfish and Sister Hazel are two of the best bands to come out of the 90's. Completely underrated. Aside from their more popular hits, both bands had some beautiful ballads and rocking tunes. We're not talking hard rock here, of course, but they were still...

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I can't believe the first week in April is almost over already! Time is flying by way too fast for my liking! On the upside, I keep coming across old and new favorites every day. Here are my favorites for this week! Favorite Recipe Ranch dressing recipe from The Picky Gourmet. Sooo tasty. Favorite Song I Forgot I...

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