Hopping on the KONY 2012 Train

TheKONY 2012 phenomenon has swept my entire social media profiles.With all the critics and seriously passionate people about this cause, I decided it was time to get informed.

My job consists of sitting at a computer for most of the day and because of this I have developed a new hobby. When I wake up I hop on twitter to see the latest trends, when I get to work I see what's changed or what new topics are hot, then I research! I found the KONY 2012 video right away. Lately I have been following the whole Rush  Limbaugh slut issue, the tragic Ohio school shooting, and the new JC Penny branding. [I love following stories to see what people are saying. That's one aspect to social media I love is seeing the culture's opinion. Many times I end up reading all the comments instead of the articles. Sorry, this is off topic.] ....[I just love social media...]

The danger with accruing facts from the Internet is that they are easily incorrect. I could write some made up facts here and people would think they are true. Listen up my generation, just because it is published does not mean it is correct. Especially if it is a blog with no sources. Just because it seems put together and has some attractive people doing good things with trendy logos, bright colors and they have awesome t-shirts does not mean it is correct. [If you want a good laugh about how people believe things on the Internet without doing any research... click here.]

For a few good reasons I normally like to stay away from sharing my opinion on the Internet. One, I am often wrong. For me to sit here and tell you what I think about everything could be so potentially embarrassing , because I am often incorrect. [I have stated above, just because it is published doesn't mean it is correct-- my blog included] I am also hesitant to share my ideas because they will never go away, once something is on the Internet, it does not disappear.

 SIDE NOTE: I have a reoccurring nightmare that I tweet something negative about a company and then attend an interview with that company and they bring up my tweet! Or worse, I get hired then they see my tweet and I'm known as the company online slanderer! 

I think creating awareness and educating is imperative and I love that the Internet makes things to readily available. [There is so much to learn!] And while I think it is important to support good causes, I think it is just as important to research what critics have to say. Before you buy something off the Internet, don't you see what the customer reviews are? Don't you look to make sure they have a high standing with amazon? You should also do the same with any ministry, non-profit or charity you are giving too and supporting.

So, these articles, videos and sights I am posting do not necessarily support or go against what I think about the KONY 2012 campaign. But, I will say, from a PR standpoint, this video has gone viral in a short amount of time and everyone is talking about it- their marketing team did something right.

These articles are here to inform you about all the different angles and conversations on the KONY 2012 campaign. Enjoy!

The video that started it all.

Invisible Children's You tube Channel
Invisible Children's Website
Invisible Children's Facebook, Twitter, Blog

On Kony 2012 - The first article I read cautioning people

The film maker combats the critic. I'll be honest, this guy didn't impress me so much.

CBS: This was the second video I saw with a member of Invisible Children combating the critics. I was much more impressed with this guy. My PR and marketing friends, check out the stats on the video. These people had a really impressive plan for the video to go viral.

'Kony 2012' Sets the mark as a Fast-Spreading Viral Video- Check out the marketing. Insane.

Invisible Children's "Kony 2012" viral video stirs emotion and controversy 

Invisible Children responds to Kony 2012 video criticism 

Anti-Kony video campaign draws criticism in Uganda

Another interview against criticism 

Invisible Children's financial site  

CNN: Joseph Kony: Brutal warlord who shocked world

 The Telegraph: Joseph Kony 2012: growing outrage in Uganda over film

A personal story 

 Overall, I will say this. The Invisible Children organization is exactly what my generation is looking for. A trendy, modern, good-hearted, non-profit that they can easily support. By clicking and updating my Facebook along with  buying a T-shirt gives me the right to feel like I'm are making a difference. When the reality is, does sharing a video make a difference? I'll leave that question open. Cause, honestly, I'm not sure of the answer. Their marketing and graphics team are clearly impeccable. Like said in one of the interviews, I hope this does not turn into a trendy issue right now and then be forgotten later. These children are clearly in need of help- and despite the criticism; I really hope all this exposure makes a huge difference in long run. 

Consider this disclaimed.

Readers- Please excuse all the large and annoying black boxes with the triangles in them! I'm not sure what happened or what I did to have them appear as huge eye sores for everyone to see... but I assure you, they will be fixed- quickly!

I have been reading some articles, watching videos, and as a result some thoughts have been floating around my brain. Some of the content I viewed became decently thought provoking for me. I was compelled to share all this information with you and also wanted to put it all in one place. I hope some of these things get your mind floating everywhere as well! 

*Disclaimer: Just because I post something, does not mean I totally 100% support it or that I am 100% against it. If you want to converse about it, let me know.

1. There is a Facebook App that allows people to set their last status, ever. I think creepy.. Would you want your last words to be on Facebook? I'm not sure. Read about it here.

2. And of course... I'm sorta sick of him now. 



3. Found this on my friends Facebook.. "Why I don't believe in Christian Accountability."

4. I wasn't too sure what SPOA was and ect. Here's a little summery of the whole issue. I found it helpful.

5. It comes out soon..... :]


6. Mark Driscoll interview entitled 'Just Grow Up.' Most thought provoking part for me:

You’ve talked a lot about twenty-somethings today living in a sort of extended adolescence. Why do you think that is?

I think, in particular, it’s young men. Perhaps to some degree it is young women as well, but we’re finding more women are getting better grades, more women are graduating high school, more women are graduating college, more women are buying homes, more women are doing things that are more adult and responsible. We’ve created this. It’s a sociological category. It used to be you go from “boy” to “man,” and now you go from “boy” to “guy” to “man.”

It’s just extended adolescence, where 20s, 30s, sometimes even in his 40s, he doesn’t really want to get married, doesn’t really want to have kids, doesn’t really want to pursue a career. He has a lot of hobbies, got a lot of buddies, watches a lot of porn, gambles, has a lot of fun, maybe plays in some band or is in a guild of World of Warcraft, or something ridiculous like that. And they’ve even got little [mottos] like, “It’s all good” and, “Bros before hos.” It’s just this whole adolescent, juvenile culture. .... and I think part of the problem is, as well, that the Church in large part has accommodated that.

Those guys tend not to go to church. If those guys do show up at church, it’s usually just to find a couple of gals to break the commandments with. And the Church doesn’t really know what to do with them, so the least likely person in America to go to church is a guy in his 20s who is single. Without knowing what to do with those guys, they commit crimes, they get women pregnant, they’re a drain on social services, they don’t raise their kids, they don’t contribute to church, they’re not getting ready to lead the next generation. I’d say it’s nothing short of a crisis, it’s a real problem.

While Driscoll was hounding on the men, I was left with the question, and what are women supposed to do?


7. Gay Rights.


8. I very much enjoyed this article "Women, stop submitting to men." Is there such a thing such as Godly or Biblical feminism?

9. Mark Driscoll and his wife wrote a book on marriage. One review is here.  [Also, Driscoll is speaking at Liberty this Spring. Insert [Eeeeeeeeek] here. I hope he talks about the previous article posted.]

10. A company used the new Facebook Timeline to create an Anti-Drug campaign.

Christmas Crafts: Make something outta nothing

Crafting is an outlet for me to unwind, relieve stress and relax at the end of a long week! I think I get a little craftier near Christmas because that's when I am stressed and also have a variety of things to craft! I picked up a bunch of random things over a week and sat down to see what I could do with them. (For some reason, I love doing that. Getting a whole bunch of cheap odds and ends.. and making something new out of them!) I had ribbon, ornaments, mason jars, other jars, card stock, stamps, paper and...TA DA!

I got the ornaments from Ollie's. Four ornaments came in a pack for .29. The Candle was from the Dollar Tree... they were four for a $1.00. The mason jar I got a the flea market for a $1.00. The front jar was a candle but I washed it out. The back right jar has been sitting around my apartment and was once filled with gumballs. I think all together these three pieces cost me: $2.12 total. 

The ornaments are from Ollie's and the mason jar is from the Flea Market! This one cost me: $1.58.

This looks prettier then it appears in the picture, I promise. Same .29 ornaments and the vase is from Micheal's. It was marked down to $1.75 and I I received it 25% off. This piece cost me: $1.60.
Looking at it here, I think I'm going to add a few candy canes in there!

These are my Christmas cards! Maybe you will be getting one in the mail! Want to know a secret about me? I've been making Christmas cards for the past 2 years.. I just never send them out! I bought the Christmas stamps two summers ago.. I finally used them! The ribbon and plaid paper is SO old. And the Christmas trees on them were from cards two years ago. I bought a really ugly, 8 pack of cards for $1.00 and just covered them with cute paper!

A couple favorites.

Here here are the envelopes... they are all a little different.

I also did a little Christmas experiment in the kitchen before I left for Thanksgiving break! I had a few Oreo's in my cupboard, white chocolate, and candy canes. So, I made white chocolate covered Oreo's sprinkled with crushed up Candy Canes. And they were pretty DANG good, even if I do say so myself!

And I wanted to stick this picture in here because my mom took me on a pre-Christmas shopping trip to this awesome store called, Simply The Best in Rochester, Michigan! Everything (well, just about) was $10.00 or less! This store was covered from front to back, with jewelery, sunglasses, clutches, scarfs and MORE. The black Friday sale was buy three scarfs get one free! And you better believe we took them up on their offer! My wonderful mother and myself are pictured here showing off our awesome new scarfs!

Happy Tuesday! Go make something!!

10 little things to turn an everyday Fabulous... This might possibly be the most girlish post I have ever done. ever.

I am about a month into school and I am defiantly getting into my routine. I am a very planned person and I thrive best when I am on a schedule. [Check out the picture below] When my planner is the fullest and color coordinated... I am the happiest!

In the midst of our busy lives, I think, we get lost in the mundane of everyday. To live each day forgetting that each moment is unique, special, and a gift happens all to often in my life. So, here are a few little things that can make your everyday fabulous.

Cinnamon from Walmart

1. Cinnamon. With Fall and Winter right around the corner, cinnamon is a GREAT way to get in the seasons mood. Just mix a little cinnamon in with your coffee grounds.. and WALA! You have a super sweet drink to wake up to in the morning. It just makes coffee a little more fallish! And it is only $3.00! You know I love Starbucks, but lets get real, I can't offered a latte everyday!

Target

2. Candles. And not just for a little ambiance during a bubble bath... I burn candles ALL the time! When I wake up in the morning, I make my coffee, light some candles and prepare for my day. Why should you just enjoy a little candle light at night? I have a pumpkin and Cinnavilla candle in my room. They are from Target and they small so great AND they last forever.

BBW

3. Lotion. Before I leave my apartment I always put on hand lotion. I really believe lotion makes a difference in how great my day is! Having soft hands makes a difference, I swear! But, this is not just any lotion... Please tell me you have heard of Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy line! Well, I use the 'Stress Relief' sent... And I love it! Whether it really does relieve my stress.. I don't really care, I just know I feel so much better after I put it on!

Charlotte Russe

4 and 5. Sunglasses and Lip gloss. Once I get on the road I put on my ridiculously over sized sunglasses and happily drive over to work. I'm telling you, sunglasses will make you feel SO MUCH COOLER. And. lip gloss. Who doesn't love lip gloss? I just found THE BEST lip gloss at Target. Have you heard of ELF Cosmetics? They rock. Super cheap, super awesome quality.

Yes, it is $1.00.

 6. Gel Roller Pens. I am the 'Office Manager' at Liberty University Intramural Sports... Yeah, that's my super awesome title! Really, I take alot of phone messages, write memos, file paperwork and ect... But, let me tell you- how much more fun writing phone messages can be with these wonderful Gel Roller Pens. It's amazing how a much a good pen can make a difference in your everyday life! Staples delivers in one day, it really is SO easy.

7. Color. I do not recycle.. I know, I know. I must hate the earth. And I don't, I watched and LOVED Captain Planet. But, sometimes in an office you make too many copies, it is bound to happen. So, I decided to start using my too many copies as scrap paper. And here, we use many fun colors for our fliers- which means more fun colors for scrap paper. Also, who wants a boring yellow sticky note when you can have neon? Seriously. The extra color can make your day a little extra fabulous.

8. Surround yourself with people you love. I sit at a desk all day, why not take the moment to walk down memory lane? Surround yourself with pictures of places and people you love... You'll find inspiration as you work.








9. Mouse Pads. I think mouse pad are pointless, stupid and most of the time ugly... but I used mine as a way to add a little flare to my cubical. See? You can buy cute mouse pads at staples!














10. Not co-workers, Friends!  When you spend about 40 hours a week in an office, you need some friends. Sure you can have the casual cubical conversation. But, a way to make your day a little more fabulous, is make friends with your co-workers! I've made a long lasting friendship, here, at work, with Kristy! I look forward to seeing her at work in the morning, during lunch, and during my coffee breaks. I go into her office when I need a counseling session, or need to vent, and I miss her on the weekends! I don't have her picture, but here is her business card.. and sorry it is sideways... I think my iphone is tiered.. But, work would not be as fabulous without her!

Now, everyone go have a Fabulous Day!

Call me Laura...

I have a new obsession, glass. It's weird. Yupp, I know. But look at what I found on West Elm's site!

I'm in love. And they are not super expensive. Get more details here.  

After my weird obsession for glass developed, I kept searching WE for more glass. Check out what I found! 



Details
  



Details





 Details

 Well, I'm ready for a studio apartment to decorate. Happy Sunday!

Silhouette SD cutter

So, its been a while since I've visited the blogosphere. I logged in this early morning [I'm at work, don't worry, I do not wake up at 5:00 am by choice.] and while mindlessly clicking, I stumbled onto Jennifer's blog. She was writing about the Silhouette SD cutter.

Um, I did not understand how AMAZING this machine is, and now I seriously want one... I would find something so great after Christmas. :]

My mom, best friend, and Aunt are avid cricut users. I told myself never to get into it because first, seems addicting, second, too much work, and third I thought buying cartridge after cartridge would be annoying. And, with how I am, I would used it once, and never use it again. Or just stick with the same old two- BORING.

Being the wanna be designer I am, the SD cutter lets you create your own designs using fonts and whats on your computer... which is so much more fun, then perusing boring cartridges.... I think. :]

You can make: Scrapbook pages, Clothes (hellllo Esty!), and vinyl designs... which I no longer view as tacky misplaced wall paper. I think they are cute.

THEN I was thinking-- yeah right, how can one machine cut out of all sorts of paper?


Tattoo Paper



Magnet paper



...well, it CAN!

So, long story short- I've already looked some up on, Craig's list and eBay. :] Merry late Christmas to myself.

Thanks Jen!

I'm not sure why I keep post wedding things...

... but please check out his amazing wedding locations below! They are absolutely GORGEOUS!

more.

Okay, really people- Southern meets a trendy antique. IT CAN HAPPEN! LOOK! 

more.

Okay. I am officially speechless.

more.

Now- you have to be asking, who captured such breathtaking moments

-- [insert drum roll here] --

{100 Layer Cake}

{MUST SEE BLOG.}

And, I'll leave you with one last picture! 

A Surprise Wedding' 

Picnic meets elegance

Okay, I'm not much of a wedding person, but I found this super cute, simple yet elegant wedding from Ada and Darcy. I love bright and vibrant colors- but this more pastel and light wedding looks BEAUTIFUL! --check it out!

 I think the super  green grass really makes the pastel yellow and white shine!

 What fabulous texture brought to the table!

 The wickerish place mats bring together the 'outside look' don't you think?

 How perfect was the sunshine that day?

 Kilwins- is my FAVORITE ice cream! I always get it when I go to Naples, Florida for spring break. So, I HAD to add in these pictures. What a super 'cool' ( :] )  idea!

 This makes the ice cream pretty to look at, and a practical way to keep it cool!

 Lovin' this. TOO cute.

The dresses definably add to the 'pop' factor as well!

I think this would be a PERFECT spring wedding!