I’m not much for new years resolutions (although I did keep one, in 2008, to blog each and every day for the year.  Never again.).  So instead of resolving not to eat chocolate, or to put away my shoes when I come home at night, which would last about a week and then get tossed by the wayside like every other new years resolution I’ve ever made (sans the craziness of 2008, which was clearly ...]]>
{goal list by decoylab on Etsy}

I’m not much for new years resolutions (although I did keep one, in 2008, to blog each and every day for the year.  Never again.).  So instead of resolving not to eat chocolate, or to put away my shoes when I come home at night, which would last about a week and then get tossed by the wayside like every other new years resolution I’ve ever made (sans the craziness of 2008, which was clearly an abberation), I thought I’d made some tangible personal goals for the year.

I can’t say I’m usually a “make goals” kind of person, as doing a 101 in 1001 list or a 30 before 30 sounded like a great idea until I actually sat down to put 101 things to paper (and could think of like 14) and turned 30 long before I could have finished some random 30 items and checked them off a list.  But I figure I’ll post every now and then with an update about my compliance with these 10 little goals and ya’ll can all keep me accountable?

Goal #1: Take two international trips to places I haven’t been before.

Because I love to travel, and my only serious bucket list items involve travel – a) seeing all of the countries in the world before I die, and b) going to all four tennis grand slams, for 2011 I’m making it a goal to visit at least two new countries.  One trip is already booked as I’m visiting our own fabulous Amy I. in Dubai in March!  Any recommendations for where I should choose for our second trip?  I’m thinking maybe somewhere like Costa Rica?  Any of you been?

Goal #2: Organize my craft room.

Said craft room has been full of boxes since we moved into our apartment in May 2009.  Sad, no?

Goal #3: Make at least one thing per month.

Somewhat goes along with goal #2, as I must find all of my crafting supplies in the mess of a craft room before I can actually make anything.

Goal #4: Learn to take better photos with my awesome camera.

I just  purchased a lens everyone raves over, the 50mm 1.8.  It was only $100 so I figured even a newbie like me couldn’t go wrong investing in it?  I’m excited to learn how to take more than just travel shots (the only thing I’m decent at taking).  This one is also in process, as I’m at the Altitude Design Summit this weekend and I’m taking a tabletop photography class!  I’m excited to play with the new lens and perhaps learn how to take my camera off of the two settings I know (one being “auto” and the other being “auto no flash”).  :)

Goal #5: Lose 50 pounds.

Yes, I really do need to lose 50 pounds.  Where DOES this weight come from anyway?  And why exactly is it so much easier to gain it than lose it?  Sigh.

Goal #6: Do something educational every month.

Can be something I challenge myself to learn/do on my own, or some kind of course or learning opportunity.

Goal #7: Keep up with my Google Reader on a weekly basis.

Over Christmas break, I caught up on my Google Reader for the first time in TWELVE months.  I get tired of seeing the (1000+) staring at me in bold when I go visit, so I am vowing to keep it caught up!

Goal #8: Take Charlie to the park every non-rainy Sunday morning in the summer.

No more wasting gorgeous Chicago summer mornings inside – even if I want to stay inside in my PJs.

Goal #9: Redesign and streamline EAD.

In process!

Goal #10: Finish organizing my digital photo collection

Upload and archive everything to disc.  Send in negatives to a site like Scan Cafe for scanning.  If I’m feeling really ambitious, print the best 200 from each trip and file in albums.

OK so there we have it!  I put it to paper so now I have to follow through with all of it, right?  And you’ll help keep me on track, right???

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 6 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Motivation, Resolutions

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Saw the movie. Loved it. It scared the crap out of me. But that’s beside the point, as this post is not a movie review. The movie itself is based on the ballet world, which is awesome, because ballet hasn’t gotten this attention since Center Stage came out over ...]]> There’s a little film out right now called “Black Swan,” with Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. You miiiiiiiiiight have heard of it. It’s getting some well-deserved (in my opinion!) attention right now.

Saw the movie. Loved it. It scared the crap out of me. But that’s beside the point, as this post is not a movie review. The movie itself is based on the ballet world, which is awesome, because ballet hasn’t gotten this attention since Center Stage came out over a decade ago.  Now, this is both a good and a bad thing…it’s great because the ballet world as a whole is struggling right now.  The arts are having a tough time, and the stereotype of ballet as being “boring” doesn’t help ticket sales.  So, if this movie results in a revenue boost for ballet companies, I’m all for it!  (For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been doing ballet for 20-some years and dance in a company…please go to the ballet, friends!)

{Briana rehearsing for Snow Queen in Nutcracker}

So, how could this publicity be bad? Welllllll…..

Portman and Kunis were both very vocal about the extreme dieting, weight loss, and exercise they had to do in order to “look like ballerinas” for this movie.  These girls were already very thin, and then talking about losing another 20 pounds…NOT the best impression to make on the world about our profession!

While it is true that professional dancers have a certain pressure to maintain trim, lean figures, most of them maintain weight in a healthy way.  After all, ballet is extremely athletic and requires lots of strength and stamina…difficult when malnourished.  So with that rant, I did think people might be interested in what an actual ballerina eats on a day of class and rehearsals.  We’ll call it the Black Swan Diet for kicks, and if any of you have health-related resolutions this year…I hope this helps!

**Please note that I am not a nutritionist, a dietician, or any type of diet expert.  These are just my experiences and means of staying trim and healthy.  Consult your doctor before starting any diet or fitness regimen. The end.**

8 a.m.: Breakfast
My breakfasts are usually pretty light.  Because I have class in the morning, eating a meal that’s too heavy first thing weighs me down.  So I usually start the day with coffee and milk and a banana cut up into some nonfat greek yogurt.
(Calories: about 250)

9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Class
Ballet class starts slowly with a warmup at the barre, slowly getting more intense, and then working our way to the center and across the floor. It’s a great 90-minute workout and gets me sweating every time.  If you’ve never tried ballet before, I recommend checking out an adult beginner’s class in your city. I guarantee you can find one.

11:30 a.m.: Lunch
Lunch is something a bit more substantial. There is usually some form of salad (spinach, romaine, cabbage) with a balsamic vinegar/olive oil dressing, topped with a fillet of salmon or a chicken breast.  Just make an extra at dinner the night before and throw the protein bit on top of a salad–no need to get complicated!
Will also have some tea or a diet soda.  Because we’re not perfect. ;)
(calories: 300)

12 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Rehearsal
Depending on the role I’m playing and the act we’re rehearsing, this could either be very aerobic or very slow, depending on the day. If we’re doing a lot of exercise, I eat something a bit heavier than if we’re marking through things.

3 p.m.: Snack
Usually some nuts and dried fruit.  Add a string cheese or apple if extra hungry!
(Calories: 250 to 300)

3 p.m.-6 p.m.: More Rehearsal
I snack on fruit on the way home so I’m not ravenous for dinner.
(Calories: 100)

6:30 p.m.: Dinnertime!
Dinner is usually when I get to experiment with different meals. Dr. Dave and I try to eat pretty healthy, but that isn’t true 100% of the time.  If we’re tired or feeling lazy, we’ll make macaroni and cheese from scratch.  But usually we’ll do brown rice or farro (some type of whole grain), a protein like chicken or fish sauteed or baked, and an apple or whatever we have around the house sliced up.  Dessert is frozen berries or frozen yogurt.
(Calories: about 700)

Total calories: 1650.

So there you have it.  The Black Swan Diet.  There are no crazy gimmicks, no cayenne water, no cabbage soup, NO STARVING!

There are a few cornerstones to remember about a ballerina’s diet:
1) Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated, both for the sake of the sweat you’re losing and to keep hunger at bay (which can often be caused by thirst).
2) Eat enough calcium.  True for ANYONE.  Can be found in many sources other than dairy.
3) Eat frequent small snacks.  If this doesn’t work for your schedule, try to eat your biggest meal in the morning and smallest at night.
4) Get exercise. Enough exercise to make you sweaty and yes, even a bit tired.  Exercise should be invigorating, but for weight loss, it shouldn’t feel “easy.”
5) STRETCH! Stretch stretch stretch.  Stretch only after a workout, when you’re warm.  Regardless of “data,” our personal experience tells us that stretching after exercise keeps us long and lean.

{Photo via Roslyn Sulcas from the New York Times}

Much love,

-B

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 4 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Fitness, Health, Motivation

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By day I manage the online presence of a public broadcasting station. I promote local TV and radio programs and community events. I develop and edit content and write scripts. I produce faculty interviews and educational forums. I compress videos and author DVDs. I initiate online chats and implement Flash slideshows.

And how do I spend the ...]]> It’s a blessing that my professional life is so closely connected to my personal interests. But it’s also exhausting.

By day I manage the online presence of a public broadcasting station. I promote local TV and radio programs and community events. I develop and edit content and write scripts. I produce faculty interviews and educational forums. I compress videos and author DVDs. I initiate online chats and implement Flash slideshows.

And how do I spend the remainder of my waking hours?

I write about newlywed life. I share food stories and post recipes. And I contribute to three other blogs on those topics.

I track my runs on Nike+, and I keep in touch with my family on Skype. I share videos on both YouTube and Vimeo. I have accounts with StumbleUpon and Digg and Newsvine, and I’m connected on LinkedIn.

On delicious, I bookmark my favorite finds and tag them as crafting, data visualization, ecofriendly, fitness, font, gocco, HTML, jQuery, photography, public media, recipes, travel, typography, usability.

I subscribe to over 200 blogs in categories like cooking, baking, design, technology, photography, and social commentary. My Google Reader has not been clear for months.

There is undeniable overlap. I create media. I consume media. I am always immersed in media.

I have a personal Facebook page, and I administer five group pages. I have a personal Twitter account, and I tweet to one professional account.

I’ve been uploading photos to Flickr since 2004, and I recently set up a stream for my station.

I manage no less than six public media websites, and there are always new projects on the horizon. On the side, I maintain four websites for freelance clients.

I feel pressure to be plugged in all hours of the day. It’s an ever-evolving environment, and — GASP — what if I miss something?

What if I don’t check-in on Foursquare or connect via Ning? What if I don’t understand the difference between TweetDeck and HootSuite? What if I don’t use Tumblr or Posterous? What if I don’t share my music preferences on Last.fm or post my restaurant reviews on Yelp? What if I don’t track trends on Slashdot or Mashable?

What then? Nothing. That’s what.

{photo credit: author’s personal collection}

Life will go on. Just as it did when my husband and I both completely unplugged for an entire week last August. No iPhones. No MacBooks. No watches. No worries.

How do you manage your plugged in time?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 5 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Blogging, Life, Motivation, Technology

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I’m often asked how I manage to stay healthy with all of the baking and cooking I do. To be honest, I haven’t managed very well at all. Like many, weight has always been a big source of insecurity for me, and coupled with the fact that I have never been able to find a way to exercise that I enjoyed, I’ve been feeling ...]]> So I know I’m not the only one out there with a lifelong aversion to exercise… right?

I’m often asked how I manage to stay healthy with all of the baking and cooking I do. To be honest, I haven’t managed very well at all. Like many, weight has always been a big source of insecurity for me, and coupled with the fact that I have never been able to find a way to exercise that I enjoyed, I’ve been feeling pretty down about my health. For years now.

Before I go on, to fully appreciate the rest of this post, you should know that I’m secretly a 7-year-old girl and love all things silly, whimsical, and childish. I mean, come on, my personal blog is called Playing House.

So when I heard recently that there are athletic events and running races at Disney World, I got really excited. Maybe I had finally found something that I was so excited about that it could actually get me up and moving?! I went to their website in search of a 5k race (3.1 miles, a seemingly manageable first race distance), and while I was poking around, came across this: the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. A half marathon? No way. But it’s the inaugural race on their brand new half marathon course, it’s at night, and the finish line is at the annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival. It’s not until October, so it’s just far enough away that maybe, just maybe, it could be possible.

Next thing I knew, my husband and I were training for a half marathon! A half marathon with Disney entertainment at every mile, and a festival celebrating my favorite things to look forward to at the end.

{image source}

Because I’ve never been an athlete, I’m starting with really small baby steps. The Couch to 5k is an interval training program designed for people who have never run before to train for a 5k race, and I’m loving it so far. We have plans to run a 2 mile race in February, a 5k in May, and a 10k in July. I use the iPhone app by Felt Tip Inc., which lets you play your own music and tells you when to walk and when to run.

I can’t believe how much better and more empowered I feel, mentally and physically, in the short time since I started training. If you’d like to read more about my baby steps, I’m writing about my adventures at my new running blog, The Happiest Race on Earth.

What gets you motivated to exercise??

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 7 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Fitness, Motivation

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We’re almost half-way into January already. Wow! How many of you are keeping up with your New Year’s resolutions? I set a couple of goals when the calendar changed, but my husband and I are continuing to brainstorm ways to better ourselves and our relationship. That’s why I’m writing this post when normally I’d be sleeping. No, it’s not the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning. It’s 7:30 am–and that’s early for me!

Being self-employed, ...]]>
{image source}

We’re almost half-way into January already. Wow! How many of you are keeping up with your New Year’s resolutions? I set a couple of goals when the calendar changed, but my husband and I are continuing to brainstorm ways to better ourselves and our relationship. That’s why I’m writing this post when normally I’d be sleeping. No, it’s not the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning. It’s 7:30 am–and that’s early for me!

Being self-employed, my schedule is flexible, and I normally don’t have anywhere to be before noon. When I do have to get out of the house, I typically roll out of bed around 9am. By that time my husband has been at work for at least an hour. Although we go to bed at the same time, my hubby has to wake up at 6:45am. It was his “great” idea that I get out of bed when he gets out of the shower so that we can enjoy a cup of coffee together and talk about what’s on our agenda for the day (Although I mostly think he wanted me up earlier because he was annoyed that I got to continue snoring as he walked out of the house!).

So here I am, drinking my coffee and being productive. I’ve already fed the dog and let him out (normally he’d still be sleeping, too) and checked my friends’ updates on Facebook and Twitter. I actually put a pen to paper and wrote a To Do list for today. Thank goodness I have a couple more hours today to tackle it–it’s a bit long.

My question for you is this: What time do you wake up? What does your morning schedule look like? As I know, it’s way too easy to be lazy when you are self-employed. I’d love to hear if you struggle with the same issues.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 14 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Life, Motivation, Resolutions

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As we all know, the holidays are filled with celebrations and gift giving. For many, the Holiday Season is also a time for charitable giving and volunteerism. To honor that spirit of charity, I will be posting about little things that we can easily do to share the spirit of the holidays.

The first is Operation You Go, Girl. I saw an interview with Debbie Tenzer founder of the website DoOneNiceThing.com. She was speaking about the female troops ...]]>
photo by George Bosela

As we all know, the holidays are filled with celebrations and gift giving. For many, the Holiday Season is also a time for charitable giving and volunteerism. To honor that spirit of charity, I will be posting about little things that we can easily do to share the spirit of the holidays.

The first is Operation You Go, Girl. I saw an interview with Debbie Tenzer founder of the website DoOneNiceThing.com. She was speaking about the female troops in Iraq. Many of these women not only serve in combat situations, they also act as intermediaries and advocates for Iraqi women and girls. For the holidays, she was seeking donations for care packages for these courageous women.

Here is the information from DoOneNiceThing.com

OPERATION YOU GO, GIRL

Far Away for the Holidays

Please help make the holidays sweeter for some female service members in Basra, Iraq. They have taken the lead in delivering the school supplies we’ve sent, and we’d like to express our gratitude.

Any of the following gifts would be greatly appreciated:

1. Moisturizers: Fragrant lotions, shampoos, soaps, loofah sponges, etc. (Small samples are great)

photo by Matthew Bowden

2. Magazines (nothing sexy, please) Issues you’ve read are fine too.

photo by sanja gjenero

3. Munchies: Cookies in the can, hard candy, microwave popcorn, nuts

photo by Craig Hauger

4.  Ground Coffee. (Strong. No decaf.)

photo by ehsan namavar

5. Homey holiday decorations: an ornament, scented candle, stocking

photo by Keith Syvinski

5. Mail: Cards, letters and children’s drawings are the best gifts of all.

photo by sanja gjenero

No chocolate candy, please. The temperature in Basra is still in the high 70s.

Address:
SFC Meyers, Aaron D.
34th ID, Fires Cell
APO AE 09374
Attn: HOL

SFC Meyers will make sure that our gifts are delivered directly to female service members.

MAILING DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO DEC. 10.

Many of these items can fit in a United States Priority Mail Flat Rate Medium Size box, which costs $10.35. Be aware there are special postal restrictions and forms that have to be filled out when mailing packages to SFC Meyers. Info can be found on the United States Postal website. Please don’t let a few forms deter you from brightening someone’s day.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · Comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Life, Motivation, World Issues

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If you’ve been wondering where I’ve disappeared to this past month, here’s the answer: I’ve been dealing with a pretty serious issue, one that’s left me basically incapacitated. No, I’m not talking about swine flu. I’m talking about the dreaded Writer’s Block.

Have you ever felt like you’ve lost your creative mojo? It’s like I’ve run out of steam. For a while I was maintaining three blogs. Besides writing for EAD Living, I had my personal blog and my ...]]>
(image via larskflem)

If you’ve been wondering where I’ve disappeared to this past month, here’s the answer: I’ve been dealing with a pretty serious issue, one that’s left me basically incapacitated. No, I’m not talking about swine flu. I’m talking about the dreaded Writer’s Block.

Have you ever felt like you’ve lost your creative mojo? It’s like I’ve run out of steam. For a while I was maintaining three blogs. Besides writing for EAD Living, I had my personal blog and my business blog. I thought I could keep my life separated into neat, little compartments, but that’s turned out to be pretty hard to do. And coming up with topics to discuss on a daily basis for three outlets has suddenly become very overwhelming. Despite living an active life, I find myself blanking out on what to write about when staring at the computer screen. Even writing this post has been challenging!

So I ask you, fellow EAD Living bloggers and readers, how do you unlock your creativity? For those of you who write for several outlets, how do you come up with a multitude of ideas every day?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 3 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Blogging, Motivation

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My favourite six months of the year start in June and end up round about my birthday at the start of January. I love early summer and the excitement of the end of term, even though I don’t work in terms any more. I love summer drinks parties & balls & weddings. I love how it is usually hot in June and this year was no exception: a heat wave started on the day of our wedding and lasted for ...]]>

My favourite six months of the year start in June and end up round about my birthday at the start of January. I love early summer and the excitement of the end of term, even though I don’t work in terms any more. I love summer drinks parties & balls & weddings. I love how it is usually hot in June and this year was no exception: a heat wave started on the day of our wedding and lasted for three whole weeks. I love the long drawn out evenings when swallows and bats start swooping around in the bluing sky. I love weekends sat in pub gardens, or the park, or lately, our own garden. Of the air ringing with conversation, with laughter. The taste of salt in the air, and on your face, of sand in the eyebrows and sun warmed skin after a day spent surfing, sailing or merely sunbathing. Of shorts, of flat leather sandals, of cold beer and cold Riesling and pimms and champagne and ginger beer.

Come the end of August and I love the nostalgic feeling of new beginnings, even if really it’s far from it. The harvest is brought in, we collect fruit from the hedgerows and from the trees. The nights start to close in and there is a quiver of excitement in the air: for frosts, autumnal colours, the smell of woodsmoke and the comforting warmness of scarves and jumpers. Of long boots and thick, cashmere, over the knee socks. Of cooking, of cosy afternoons in pubs, around fires after trips to the beach, windswept and grey. Of going home, roosting, snuggling up after long afternoon walks around London, over Hampstead Heath, and more frequently, in the countryside.

I still haven’t heard anything but I am starting to feel more hopeful. That the elongated break of the summer might be over and something exciting might be about to happen just round the corner. And if it isn’t, there is plenty else to look forward to in Autumn.

{All images by Toast}

{Good job I have no money or else I might become a Toast only wearer this autumn…}

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · Comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Life, Motivation, Outdoor Life

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