Author Archive
Posted on June 27, 2009 - by admin
Kick the habit already, Obama.
This is amusing to me - people writing in to advise President Obama about what he can do to set the cancer stick down. But, you know, I also think it’s good and healthy - people trying to get our new President to quit smoking. We want him to be around for at least the next 4 years, right? And many want him to stick around for the next 8 - not if the Republicans have anything to do about it. Can you imagine the potential for pranks in the White House? I bet President Obama walks over to his inbox (like the President has an inbox!) only to find packs of Marlboros every morning, in his mind he’s going, “Okay, McCain, I get it…funny, really funny.” Oh politicians, you’re so silly.
So, I’m not going to make this a partisan post - but my advice for Obama would be to go cold turkey. But let’s look at the facts - he doesn’t smoke like a chimney, he’s a baller that enjoys several pick-up games during the week (I hope), and he and Michelle seem to live a healthy, active life. I just don’t think it’s quite the problem that people portray it to be. That’s my two cents. Feel free to post your thoughts on Obama’s plight with smoking.
As a side note, it sure feels good to be back on the interwebs, just writing about whatever I feel like.
Posted on June 17, 2009 - by admin
Hiatus = death in the blog world
Yes, it is true. I took a major hiatus from my blog to tend to some personal matters. So, what’s a blogger to do? I know, I know, surely if I were dedicated enough this would be a mute point. The reality is that sometimes life gives you a swift kick in the pants and–BAM–you’re knocked down for a bit. I’m lucky to have great friends to help dust me off and pick me up.
Even better news, I’m finding my motivation once again and life is grand! I recently quoted myself and thought I would share it with you - it was one of those moments where you just go, “Wow. Wow. That is soooo true.” Here it is:
“The people and paths that intersect in our lives are always meant to be - good or bad - because without them we would lack the enrichment of life experience. And I’m so grateful for that.”
Over the course of my hiatus, I’ve met many new people. Some of them have come and gone and some of them I hope will be forever friends. Alas, I am back. Writing more than ever before. Well, kind of. I’ve been inundated with writing for people who have a need and I provide a solution for that. Which I love. But, when things like that happen, the ol’ blog is a bit neglected and requires some clean-up. But, I can’t complain!
I hope you’ll continue to stay tuned to my rants and raves - and I’ll promise to get better at this “time management” ordeal. Until next time - take care!
Posted on April 16, 2009 - by admin
Displaced Dogs Need Help
Humans are not the only species suffering because of the plummeting economy. Canines are too. It’s a sad, sad situation. People are having to make the decision to surrender their dogs to rescue groups and shelters all over the country…and many of these organizations do have the room nor the money to accommodate these displaced furry friends. As some of you may know, dogs are very near and dear to my heart; which is why I felt these poor dogs needed someone to give them a voice. And “woof” just won’t cut it.
Robin Wood, a volunteer for Tulsa Boxer Rescue located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has explained the situation well:
“…three components are against us now. The sad truth, we are consistently being contacted by several owners daily wanting to surrender as opposed to what was several a week. We have also found adopting dogs directly out of boarding has proven to be a challenge without volunteers able to work [with] the dogs; we can’t really know enough about the dogs to make proper forever matches. In addition, it doesn’t help that many of the applicants wanting a Boxer seem to have no clue of the commitment they are supposed to be making, and the dogs are coming back. We have turned away 32 dogs this week alone; most will die because we cannot be there. And we cannot be there because we have no available foster homes, and there are so many in boarding that we must put them into compatible foster homes first. Intakes are up, and donations are down- I assume because of the economy. We will not go under, but I am losing sleep these days worrying about what we would do with the dogs…”
The expenses involved with any non-profit animal rescue are astronomical. If a person surrenders a dog that has been hit by a car and they can’t afford to take it to the vet, these rescue groups take them in and make sure the dog is cared for at a medical facility. Even though they are non-profit, they don’t get vet services handed to them for free, no, make no mistake about it, those services are charged and then paid for with the help of donations. In many circumstances, volunteers pull money out of their own pocket to help the dogs. What these volunteers do is nothing short of selfless. The other scary scenario are people that don’t have the money to properly take care of their companion until it’s almost too late and pets that are emaciated, nearly on the brink of death from not being fed, enter the world of rescue.
So, I hope you’ll join me in the effort of helping rescue groups and dogs in need. Perhaps you have a breed that is near and dear to your heart, many of your local rescue groups have wish lists for supplies they need. Monetary donations are always welcomed too. Boxers are “my” breed and I rescued my dog from Tulsa Boxer Rescue - take a look at their wish list and donation needs - if you want to donate to them, please do. However, if you have the means and want to seek out another group to donate to - please do. Your help is what keeps these dogs safe and healthy. And I cannot stress this enough - a lot of these dogs wouldn’t be in need of rescue if more people would spay and neuter their animals. Do your part to help with overpopulation - spay and neuter!
Posted on March 20, 2009 - by admin
Sears Tower Gets a New Name
Move over Sears Tower, there’s a new guy in town. The London insurance mogul, Willis Group Holdings has decided to exercise their naming rights. Yes, the Sears Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world will be renamed the Willis Tower. It just doesn’t have the same ring to it…or maybe it could have been named anything years ago and the name change would still have seemed odd. But, alas, new letters will adorn 233 S. Wacker Drive in the near future.
According to the Chicago Real Estate Daily, a few years back, when the ownership group was exploring the possibilities of refinancing, a representative mentioned that there was significant value behind the naming rights of the Sears Tower and observation deck when comparing to stadium naming-rights with fees from $5.8 to $10 million annually. Currently the space is costing Willis Group Holdings $14.50 a square foot and they aren’t paying any additional monies for naming rights.
The name change isn’t the only modification however, Willis is going to consolidate five local offices into 140,000 square feet – meaning approximately 500 employees will relocate into the 110-story building by late summer. I think the move will be excellent for Chicago and the building itself. Big tenant losses have impacted this buildings’ rental revenue and its largest tenant, Ernst & Young U.S. LLP will move down the street in 2012. So, Willis moving in is the right move in my opinion.
But, perhaps my feelings would best be described in a song (thanks Molly Shannon) from the musical, “The Sound of Music:”
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodnight,
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight.
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu…
However, if my farewell song didn’t quite cut the mustard for you – you can always get a commemorative t-shirt. I bet you didn’t see that one coming…get them before they’re all gone!
Posted on March 19, 2009 - by admin
I was on vaycay…
Hello all,
Just a little note to let you know that after a mini hiatus, I’ve decided to return to the real world. There was a little gap in the posting while I was gone - so I’ve got some interesting articles in the works. Be sure to look for those in the near future!
Hope all is well in your world,
Kristin
Posted on March 19, 2009 - by admin
Kristin’s Ink featured at OnOrganization.com!
Now, I don’t want to brag, but I do…
Check us out here:
http://www.onorganization.com/2009/03/19/ladies-do-you-have-a-morning-routine-opinion/
Posted on March 18, 2009 - by admin
Ladies, Do You Have a Morning Routine?
Are You FRAZZLED in the Morning? Try this Routine to SAVE You Time!
Mornings used to be a disaster for me. It seemed as though every time I turned around the clock had surged into fast-forward mode and I was left with little to no time to get my make-up on and get out the door. I finally grew sick of the anxiety this was causing me and devised a routine that has made my mornings more enjoyable and efficient. First trick - get to bed at a decent hour! I know, it can be more than difficult to achieve this, but part of looking good is getting that beauty sleep. Secondly, wake up on-time. If you hit the snooze button 3 or 4 times (like we all love to do) you’re causing your own problems in the morning. So, after you wake up, immediately get a fresh glass of water and down it (with your vitamins!). Prepare your breakfast - I love instant oatmeal or make some scrambled eggs the night before for the next few days and you’ll have breakfast ready. Add some toast with almond butter and your favorite cup of joe (or juice) and you’re set in the nutrition department.
Once you’ve wrapped up breakfast, head toward the shower and crank that faucet on. I do this first because my shower needs about 3 minutes to warm up. During this 3 minute gap, I pick out my clothes and accessories. Sure, you can set your clothes out the night before too, but, my animals tend to find them and get hair all over the place! As for the clothes, I always shop for basics, especially for work. Go with solid colors and throw in a cute little scarf with an exciting print and a pop of color to brighten your look. TJ Maxx has great scarves for $5 to $12 in their accessory section - a must-have in any woman’s closet! I saw a fabulous pair of black pumps from Franco Sarto that were absolutely comfortable, stylish and classic - also a must-have for your wardrobe.
Now that it’s shower time, I start by getting some shampoo in my hair and then continue by washing my face (Avalon Organics Vitamin C), rinse the shampoo and facial cleanser off and start with the soap. I like to use those glove washcloths that allow you to exfoliate at the same time. After I’ve soaped up my skin, I’ll apply some conditioner to my hair and shave my legs. By using the exfoliating glove, you can help your skin prep for shaving which will give you a smoother shave. When the shaving is complete, it’s time to rinse my hair, scrub my body down one more time with the glove and hop on out. Patting your body dry is much easier on your skin than rubbing and pulling - fewer wrinkles! Then apply a good lotion to your body. I love Eucerin’s Calming Cream - fewer bumps and no irritation to my sensitive skin. I’ve been told to wait about 15 minutes to apply deodorant to avoid breakouts and redness, so in the meantime, it’s time to start applying your makeup and getting your hair done.
For most women, hair and make-up are the two things that take the most time when getting ready. Here are two tips that saved me: foundation primer and less is more. If you put product in your hair, now is the time to apply that, let it absorb in your hair while you start applying your makeup. This is where the foundation primer comes into play. I like these products because my foundation goes on smoother and lasts throughout the day, so there is no need to reapply. Once the primer is on, dust or sponge your concealer and foundation onto your face. Two products that I love here are Stila’s Illuminating Concealer and Bare Escentuals foundation - they play well together! Then, apply your blush and a shimmery highlight at the cheekbones to give your face that just off the beach glow. Remember to only use a little of all this stuff…less is more. Next you’ll want to apply an eyeshadow primer. Why? Because this will keep your shadow on all day and your eyes will look fresh throughout the workday. Pick a nude and natural brown shadow; the nude color should go all over your eyelid and the brown along the crease. If you want to highlight your brow bone, do so with a soft shimmery nude color ( a dab on the inside corners of your eyes looks fabulous too) along the brow bone. Don’t apply too much shimmer, otherwise your face will look like a sparkly disco ball and that would not be good! If you use eyeliner, I suggest a deep bronze along the lash line and sweep some mascara on the top lashes. Finish off with a natural gloss and voila! You’re all set. This routine should only take about 10 to 15 minutes. I tend to think that the makeup you wear to work should be natural and fresh, with this simple look above you can dress it up at the end of the day with a darker eye shadow, mascara on the top and bottom lashes and a punch of color on your lips.
As for your hair, now that the product has had time to set, grab your blow dryer and style accordingly. My hair is cut to bob, so I don’t have to worry about needing 30 minutes to dry “Rapunzel-esque” locks. If you do have longer hair, you might consider washing and drying your hair the night before so all you have to do is style it in the morning. If you use rollers for your hair, put those in while your applying your makeup. Since your clothes are picked out, throw those on and don’t forget to apply deodorant now. Saves you from getting one of those pesky deodorant streaks on your work clothes!
Look for those little gaps of time in your routine where you might be able to do something else to make your routine smoother rather than waiting around your house, that is what helped me. The more you adhere to your routine, the better you’ll get at it, the less time it will take you and the better you’ll feel on your way to work. It feels so much better to start your day off right without any stress or anxiety from not having things in place and you can look forward to not doing your makeup in the car (we’ve all been there). It’s all about time management, so now I challenge you to examine your “routine” and see where you make some modifications that will help you in the mornings.
Posted on March 10, 2009 - by admin
Tweetin’
Be a twit and follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/lettertokristin
Posted on March 9, 2009 - by admin
Join us on Facebook!
Kristin’s Ink has entered the world of Facebook! We’d love for you to join us by becoming a fan of Kristin’s Ink! Upon joining our group of super fans, you should be prepared for an experience unlike any other, some might call it an “out of body experience.” Whoa…I know.
Here the link to our fan page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Denver-CO/Kristins-Ink/60668311260?ref=mf
Posted on March 3, 2009 - by admin
Sustainable Building | A Thriving Industry Amidst the Economic Nightmare
Sustainable Building | A Thriving Industry Amidst the Economic Nightmare
By: Kristin Harding
It’s just depressing really. You turn on the television, radio or flip through the newspaper and the economic nightmare is staring you in the face. But there is a “green lining” to the thunderstorm that is our economic tragedy. “There is?” you ask. Yes, the January 2009 issue of Environmental Building News (EBN) took an investigative look at green building and results show that architecture, engineering and construction firms have the ability to conquer this crisis and achieve financial success while continuing on their path of helping the environment with their sustainability muscle. The article published in EBN, entitled, “Finding the Green Lining: Surviving and Thriving in an Economic Downturn” reminds us that there is hope amidst the dreary downfall of our economy, and that’s a welcomed reminder in my book.
“What is your company’s strategy for surviving the economic downturn?” that’s the question ringing through the halls of so many companies across the world. The typical response is to cut expenses and reduce the workforce. However, it is the atypical response to make changes through energy consumption and adopt the “less is more” mentality that is catching on. It is because of this aim to consume less that the green building and sustainability industries have been placed in the spotlight more than ever. So, what is this “apple of one’s eye” industry doing to stave off the economic evildoer? They are educating consumers about simple changes that will help reduce costs and allow them to keep valuable employees. The best part is that these changes are bringing about positive results and those results are ringing through the halls too. The more people hear about the benefits of sustainability the more they want to learn. Once they learn how easy it can be, they’ll hire a firm to assist them with the transition. It may be in a commercial project or it may be in smaller areas of a residential home – but the fact is that in one way or another people CAN do their part to go green and help their environment, family and pocketbook. Who wouldn’t want to jump on that bandwagon? It’s as if sustainable building or green living were the prince that rode in on his white horse to save the day! Essentially, when businesses apply the teachings of sustainability, they also thrive; which is evident through decreased costs of doing business. So it’s not only the designers, architects or builders helping others jump on the sustainability bandwagon that make money; it’s those companies that hire green gurus for their help too. Cue, the flourishing world of green!
The majority of the population that makes up the design and construction industry aren’t seeing hoards of people walking in the door to put up brand spankin’ new buildings, not to say that those clients don’t exist. But, they are seeing more business owners who recognized the huge jump in energy prices as a wake-up call to make the most intelligent changes they can to conserve. People are making modifications where they can in the structures that are already in place by upgrading current systems and creating programs to be more energy efficient. I’m sure this question has been posed to you already, but I’m going to ask it anyway. If the president of your company asked you and your co-workers if you would rather change the number of hours in the work week, practice more sustainability and downgrade the company holiday party or potentially face getting laid off, what would you pick? If it were, I’d absolutely say let’s make the changes to avoid layoffs.
When I set out to write this series, my goal was to hit home the concept that everyone wins by going green – money is saved and our planet is taken care of – and if we can continue this movement imagine what kind of future this planet holds. We’ve painted a much prettier picture in my mind. So go out there and be a responsible and efficient consumer – and as always – go green!
