Sundays in Annapolis

Annapolis. 

The loveliest nautical town in all of the world. 

We started off with brunch at Metropolitan.

And then I bought this groovy hat. 

Successful day. 

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#IAmThatGirl Pt. 2

I fell head over heels because of these words by the fabulous Alexis Jones when reading the next 100 pages of I Am That Girl.  Here are the ones that captivated my heart.

"I realized that when we have truly built a reputation on making good decisions, of unbridled self-discipline, unwavering work ethic with a strong moral compass, that in spite of circumstance and temptation, people are willing to invest in us." // 104

"You attract what you are." // 105

"You have so many gifts to offer this world and you owe it to yourself (and to all of us) to be remarkable today." // 108

"I believe in a world where girls empower girls, a world in which we are each other's biggest supporters and our greatest cheerleader, a world where we are taught to celebrate one another's gifts, not to be threatened by them." // 134

"...fight for something that doesn't make sense to anyone but you." // 134

"...magic lives where fear and magic intersect."  // 137

"Being the captain of your ship is a power that most people dream of, but never have the guts to take, and that can make them resentful." // 140

"I do know that life is not too short, but rather, far too long for you to waste another day not seeking out every adventure calling your name." // 147

"In that space, I'm able to connect with the best parts of me, to really see me in all her infinite brilliance."  // 165

"And that requires digging deep into your soul on a daily basis and making the choice to be joyful, not because you have the perfect job, found the love of your life, or won the lottery, but because you chose to be that way." // 168

"Being an optimist is not the same as being naive or ignorant, in fact, it takes far more discipline to extend tolerance over judgement, faith over fear, and love over hate."  // 187

"Be a source of light - that is the real test of living well." // 187

"The reality is that the greatest map we have to our life's awesome quest is actually imprinted inside the walls of our heart, and the constellation of stars guiding us along our journey are the phenomenal people we are surrounded by."  // 199

"My identity is more found in who I love than in who I feel I need to be.  I can smoothly answer, 'I don't know,' and find power in my acceptance of the grandness and enormity of this beautiful life and my beautiful, learning mind."  - Yvonne Randolph 101 

What inspiration have you sought out after today?  Share it in the comments below :) 

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Smart Girls

Calling all Smart Girls, have you heard of The Smart Girls Group?

I'm so excited to finally announce that I'm working with the Smart Girls Group on their exec staff as their Bookings Director.  It is such a LOVELY sisterhood and an amazing magazine that brings some of the best women together to learn and grow.  We had our first meeting tonight over Google Hangout and it's amazing knowing that I'm connecting with women in NYC, Austin, and Paris to collaborate on this wonderful mission: to empower the next generation of super star women who make the world a better place.

In addition to my #SmartGirl project, I've taken on communications and strategy work for a Congressional Campaign, and political research for a Women's Magazine called Vitamin W.  

I was worried that I was taking on too much, and then I saw this on Pinterest, and now I'm not so worried.  I'm doing things that I love & I'm so excited to be a part of them! 

img 1

What new challenges and projects have you guys been taking on lately?   

Muse

         

Monday inspiration from Pinterest this morning. 

img 1 / my comfort food

img 2 /  my next project 

img 3 /  something new I want to try

img 4 /  where I wish I was at all times

Ted_Talks

Ted Talks are about one of my favorite things on the planet. 

My friend Kate from study abroad introduced me to 'Ted' during our trip to London last fall.  

We were staying with her family friends in 'Little Venice' and I asked about their professions.  She simply said well, he has a Ted Talk.  

That man made me tea. 

And his wife is just as magical and brilliant. 

So there ya go. BUT this is about the most recent Ted Talks I've been watching.  

One of my 101 things in 1,001 days list is to watch 10 Ted Talks.  I figured out the easiest ways to do that.  I've been listening to Ted, my new free app on from my phone, on long drives.  It's like book on tape, but BETTER. 

Yesterday on my drive home for Fall Break I listened to about 4 Ted Talks. I'll share two.

Janette Sadik-Khan on the streets of New York and how her role as Transportation commissioner has changed traffic and mobility.

After interning with ICMA over the last 4 months, I was so fascinated by this!  My love for city management and city planning have grown exponentially as well as my fascination with NYC. ;) 

More to come later.

The next is Michael Sandel.  "Why We Shouldn't Trust Markets With Our Civic Life"

Do you feel like we put a price on things that shouldn't be valued monetarily?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one!


What are some of your favorite TED Talks?
I'd love for your to share :)

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Happy October!

It's officially time to start decorating for Halloween!

 Halloween means sweaters, mom opening up the windows and airing out the house, and decorating from top to bottom.  Mom had awesome Halloween decorations that she passed down to me to take to college my freshman year.  She always made sure everything had a little orange and black attached & I loved it!  Dad would bring home a stack of hay and pumpkins.  It was a lovely time.  I'm excited to be here this season since I haven't experienced halloween in America since 2011! 

To get you in the spirit, here are few fancy finds from Pinterest.

Halloween desktop wallpaper

Decorating a small college suite is challenging for any season.  With garland, you can never go wrong. 

Etsy Trick or Treat Garland

Etsy Halloween Paper Garland

In a dorm room full of 21 year old females that are currently writing dissertations, there are bound to be some wine bottles laying around.  What easier way to add a touch of Halloween to your common room than a few pumpkin inspired crafty bottles.  

Pumpkin and Ghost Bottles

Have fun decorating your dorm & Happy October.  

If You Can Read This, You've Got It Good

Everyone has been reposting this article, "How to Get Flat Abs, Have Amazing Sex, and Rule the World in 8 Easy Steps" from Kate Bartolotta at HuffPo.  It REALLY struck a cord when I finally read it.  Thank goodness someone is having this conversation.  Thank goodness we are picking apart our everyday discourse to bring it back down to a more humble understanding.  In addition to this, she is pointing out our biggest flaw; always wanting more & "I will be only happy when.." syndrome.  

At the start of her argument she makes a simple, valid point. 

 "If you can read this, you're life is pretty awesome." 

She explains to the average GenY or Millennial that by shear luck you have electricity, wifi that you are able to connect to, and a computer to use.  

But then I thought of something I had read earlier that day on Facebook posted by the Half the Sky Movement.  

"Globally, 123 million youth aged 15 to 24 lack basic reading and writing skills."

Let's drive the point home further.

"61% of them are young women."

In addition to reading this wonderful article, tonight Washington College hosted Don McPherson to speak to the student body about violence against women and the conversation revolving domestic abuse.  I could not be more grateful and excited about his basic message: Why aren't we having positive conversation?  Why aren't we working to love everyone around us everyday?  What is it in our human nature that flaws us so to assume the worst or fall to temptation to please the masses?  And most importantly, why aren't we talking about it?  

The former NFL quarter back introduced himself as a feminist and I nearly stood up clapping.  If only more men would join this conversation.  This isn't a women's issue, it's a human issue.  

Feeling pretty grateful today about my life, the opportunities I've received by luck, and the everyday experiences I am able to have.  

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July, everyone!  

How do you plan on being patriotic today? 

I can't wait to check Bloglovin' and see everyone's super cute [red, white, and blue] outfits!  

I'm not crazy about stars, but I love me some stripes.  

Today reminds me of : flags, stripes, red & blue, strawberries & blueberries, watermelon, water balloons, parades, streamers, lawn chairs, catonsville, dc, baltimore, beaches & coolers, cut off jeans, pools, fireworks, live music, lightning bugs, friends, and sparklers.

What reminds you of the 4th?  

Have a blessed holiday with family, friends, and good health!

  Never forget the people that died so we can be free!  Live out your dreams for those people, but especially for yourself & remember how lucky you are to be born in America!  

God Bless America!

Purple Flowers

This seemed "Purple Flowers' worthy & necessary.

Buenos Aires in November.

xo Hil

Memorial Day Weekend

I had such a wonderful, long weekend.  

I was surrounded by thought provoking people who wanted to talk about all the things I love; school, politics, family, what we want out of life, how we wanna change the world and more importantly how we see it now.  Being able to recognize how your perception of the world changes you and its ability to change is so vital to our growth and well being.

I spent my days walking about Eastern Market in Washington DC, getting lost in Capitol Hill books, and sipping DC Brau at The Silver Spork.  It was a mini market filled with olives, prosciutto, cheese, and crackers as well as assorted pastries and other specialty items like curry & homemade hummus.  A hidden machine sent out bubbles to kiss your plates and tips of your forks as you people watched.  If you live in the DC area and you haven't been to Eastern Market, you're foolish & you need to go!  The flea market area had THE BEST jewelry and I cannot wait to take my best friends there to shop.  Tortilla Cafe also has the best Salvadorian and Mexican food, ever..hands down.  I suggest whole heartedly the fresh tamales.

I live with 6 other college kids in a row house on Massachusetts Avenue & 3rd next to an abandoned Indian restaurant.  It's not too bad, all my roommates are Southern..like, real Southern.  Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.  I'm already starting to say, ya'll; I'm from the Mid-Atlantic..we say, "you guys."  Thank goodness I didn't pick up that habit before Denmark.  We have been spending our nights drinking wine and watching House of Cards which I LOVE.  A Netflix original series about the Congressional House Majority Whip staring Kevin Spacey.
People it's gold, pure gold.

I finished my first week of my Internship at ICMA - International City/County Management Association.  I'm the Knowledge Network Intern, answering questions and blogging on the local government online forum.  It's a new area for me, communications and social media.  I get to come up with media strategies for a non profit, much more freedom that most internships give.  I feel like I have real responsibilities and tasks that are expected of me with real thought and real input.  I was between two internships when I made my decision back in April but I wanted something that taught me more skills..I wanted to walk away from an internship that I had something to show for it.  At ICMA I have that ability and I'm so excited to push myself further and give it all I got.

Check out my blog post from last week that had the #localgov community chatting on twitter & be sure to follow @ICMA & @Greenlee_K for the latest updates on #localgov & #professionalmanagement.

I'm learning something new everyday at work and I love it.  My social media work has especially inspired me to teach myself even more.  Part of this blog is to document my journey as I learn code and redesign my website.  More on that tomorrow.

Hope 'Ya'll' had a great memorial day weekend with loved ones & friends.

xo Hil

Hi

ello! 

I've dabbled with blogging in the past, but I was feeling the need to start over.  So here's my new blog, lots of deep thoughts about life and my attempt to write down all that makes up being 21.  

A bit about me, I'm a college student living in Washington, DC working on Capitol Hill in political management.  I have 1 year left at my small, liberal arts college on the cornfield laden Eastern Shore of Maryland before I'm thrown head first into the 'real world.'  I was lucky enough to spend 5 months living in the Kingdom of Denmark and study at the University of Copenhagen.

On May 23rd, 2013 I love coffee, Europe, traveling, exploring, photographs, typography, infographics, graphic design, web design, tumblr, sunshine, rain, dogs, baseball, higher education, public policy, community development, symbolism, politics, research, blogs, friends, books, pens, love letters, handshakes, jobs, water, running, architecture, gardens, twinkle lights, dancing, london, markets, ancients, girl scout cookies, bumper stickers, purses, airports, hugs, flags, church, classical literature, film, leonardo dicaprio, lacrosse, washington college, thesis research, professors, russia, new things, learning, cities, baltimore, company softball games, walks, peer mentoring, leadership, public speaking, teaching swim lessons, diving, exercising, avocados, salt and pepper, croissants, hazelnut macchiatos, pinterest, social media strategy, internships, capitol hill, american history, library books, coffee shops, shopping, georgetown, m street, urban outfitters, doughnuts, theatre, burmese food, ted talks, the college prepster, shoes, adoption, spreading love, making smiles, holding doors, thanking, welcoming, meeting, sunglasses, nalgene bottles, bookstores, ereaders, old bay, charleston, hilton head island, jewelry stores, dominoes pizza, highlighters, georgetown, roommates, laughing, smiling, puppies, parents, grandparents, coding, cuddling, yoga, leggings, bagels, curls, polka dots, seersucker, jolly ranchers, ranch dressing, spinach leaves, coca cola, toasted marsh mellow milkshakes, camp fires, cook outs, burgers, scavenger hunts, youtube, spotify, rain on windows, the sound of music, justin timberlake, dunkin donuts blueberry iced coffee, tall men, waking up to snow, moving, free food, salad, row houses, hills, happy people, sky lights, crown molding, dressing rooms, marshalls, sparkles, hunter green, social media, communications, marketing, progress, community service, nooks, union jacks, cork, wine, dancing music, singing in the car, historic areas, castles, nonpartisan groups, clothes out of the dryer, notebooks, monograms, royalty, grass, tribal prints, apple, black and white, expelling ignorance, french, borgen, danish parliament, love yous, golden doodles, lattes, the internet, great gatsby, early mornings, early nights, driving, radio, snuggles, happy days, porch swings, mason jars, blankets, weddings, babies, rome, mailbox, stockholm, new friends, old friends, stationery, early mornings

and flowers, purple ones to be exact.  

I like thinking and thinking deeply.  Hear me out.  

Hilary