Perfect Timing

Hi Everyone! I hope you had a fabulous Christmas celebrating with family and friends remembering to relax and take time for yourself. I'm holding my promise to you of posting more frequently than I have been.

Since we're just 48 hours away from ringing in 2012, I thought it was appropriate to share the importance of action vs. perfection. How many times I haven't promised myself that I'll get back on a 5-day per week gym schedule when I 'have more time' to commit to it or that I'll paint and redecorate our master bedroom when I have a certain amount of money saved up to do so, I have a list of other promises that sound just like these. The truth is that ALL goals consist of mini milestones, no matter how small those steps might be. Momentum is a beautiful thing, each day presents an opportunity to move in the direction of what we desire most. I love this quote above because it reminds us that there really is never a 'perfect' time to do anything in life.

Several years ago, when a colleague-friend of mine found out I had recently got engaged she insisted on one piece of advice-don't hold off on having children by waiting for the 'perfect' time. She appeared sad as she recounted the years she had put off doing that very thing herself in search of that ultimate moment when they might be ready, would have the right amount of income and size of home for baby. After spending years on this quest, the time never made itself known and after many frustrating years, she found out that her insistence on the ideal conditions had left her dream unfulfilled. Every time that I find myself guilty of heading down the same path thought-wise, I remember her advice to me.

Don't let your dreams slip away because you are waiting for the 'perfect' moment to pursue them! Start now by creating your plan of action, schedule small appointments with yourself each day or week to work towards what you want to accomplish most.

Truly the BEST is yet to come! I wish you the greatest success and fulfillment in all you do for 2012! :)

Happy New Year Lovelies! XOXO

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Staying True to Yourself

Hi Ladies! Wow, has it really been over a month since I last blogged? I promise to not let so much time go by before the next post! I've been having some technical issues with both of my laptops. While I can't say that anything extremely profound has taken place over the past few weeks accomplishment-wise, I have been working on a lot of small projects and today's message has been on my heart to share for a while now, I just haven't made the time to sit down and write. Upon waking from a dream I had the other night highlighting me as the only one who stood my ground (although it wasn't the most comfortable option) and did what was right for me amongst a group of about 30 other ladies who chose to go with the flow and not 'offend' anyone, I was reminded to get this message out so I hope it will bless someone.

One of the most important characteristics of a classy woman is her desire and ability to stay true to herself. Whether it be her faith, appearance, career, relationships, family, etc., her confidence level and purpose in life are not only intimately linked to doing what is right for her, they are the very cornerstones of why she is able to remain steadfast and true. When you know what your purpose is in life, you have the confidence to say no to anything that derails your plans for success and that which is not congruent with your mission.

In a world where people often fight for your time, attention and sometimes your money, it's important to do what is right for you to avoid falling prey to fulfilling everyone else's wishes but your own. While it's a joy to do things for others and lend a helping hand, it is the women who are most willing to step up to the plate that generally get asked repeatedly and then sometimes fear saying 'no' in an effort to avoid upsetting or hurting anyone that has come to rely on them. This need to be a "yes woman" can hinder your own progress in life and can leave you feeling worn out and resentful later. The best way to overcome being a yes woman is to learn the art of saying no. I'll be sharing more on this topic in the coming weeks including providing some sure-fire responses to those that insist that you help them, help other family members or a particular cause/organization.

In the words of my hubby, who is the king of resisting other people who attempt to put their 'map' on him 'Not Every Need is a Calling.' This statement confirms the mindset of a classy woman that not every need that others have of her to do, donate to, volunteer for, or take on are in fact her calling in life. I'm not suggesting that we should all rebel against anything that anyone asks of us in an effort to always get our own way and avoid helping others, but it is a reminder that in order to become our best self we need to exercise our gifts, talents and passions using them to the fullest blessing others along the way while fulfilling our life's purpose, whatever that may be.

Peer Pressure. It's a word that brings reminders of high school days and the thought of experimental years but it is something that is alive and well today in our adult life, maybe even more so than it was back in those teen years. We are bombarded with TV messages, ads on the internet and radio commercials that suggest that we are are missing out if we don't have the latest smart phone or tech gadget, designer shoes, anti-aging serum, shiny new luxury car, the list goes on! We are constantly being influenced by not only the media but also our own friends, family members, colleagues and neighbors to have the best and 'fit in'. Instead of allowing others to define those things for us, we need to be sure we know who we are, what we stand for and what is in fact most important to us.

The only real way to know yourself in a greater way, so you can stay true to who you are, is to spend time alone with yourself. Think of who you are today, what you've accomplished, what you love about yourself, what you would like to change and the ways that you can get there. Also meditate on what is most important to you at this moment. What do you dream of? What makes your mind race with excitement? What makes you feel fulfilled? What makes you feel uncomfortable? What things or people do you tend to say yes to even though you would love to say no?

Here are some tips to Staying True to Yourself by Cari Vollmer

1. Value your SELF and your CHOICES. When you do, others will too. OWN the choices you make in your life. When you doubt yourself, others will doubt you. When you believe in yourself, in time, others will believe in you too.



2. Opinions. Realize, opinions are more about the person giving them then they are about you. Remember each person sees the world only as they can see it. This doesn’t mean they are right, better, or smarter than you. They are simply different, have a different set of values, beliefs and life experiences. Their opinions may be valid, or invalid. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide how outside opinions fit your life.


3. Take time off. Too many people telling you what they think? Take time for yourself. To hear the whispers of your heart you have to be quiet and listen closely. You can’t hear what your heart wants YOU to hear if you drown it out by giving others too much “air” time in your life.


4. Know yourself. Be willing to deepen your sense of self. Create a personal philosophy for living. Know your values and what you care about most. Doing so will increase your confidence and how people look at you.


5. Set boundaries. Some people just go too far. Sometimes it’s OK to respectfully listen but it’s also OK to set boundaries for areas of your life that are off limits.


6. Stand by YOUR side. Others may not be there for you when you most need them so you have to be there for yourself. Trust yourself and be willing to stand up for what you believe in.


Such wise words from Cari, the first point is my favorite!

If others cannot accept you as you are or 'get' why you operate your life the way you do, it's really not your problem-they don't need to understand you. There is such a joy, confidence and feeling of liberation when you remain faithful to what's most important to you and resist those that may try to change you or cause you to deviate from who you were born to be.

What areas of life do you find most challenging to remain true to yourself?

Also, come join our conversation on Facebook where I've been posting regularly with daily doses of uplifting messages and quotes to inspire you. I look forward to chatting with you there soon! ;)




*images: (1), (2), (3)

My New Mantra

Sorry I've been a bit absent lately, I feel as though I've been all work and no play but I know it's not forever,  just for a season. This is for everyone who is working towards a goal right now that seems so far out of reach, miles away and nearly impossible to achieve; those that are trying to save money, pay down debt, lose weight, find a new job, train for a marathon, the list goes on!

This is for you but it's also for me. You see, this little quote has been my mantra for the past few weeks and is now living on my desktop because I need to see it daily as a reminder of all that I'm working towards. While the procrastinator inside of me says curl up with a good book and some tea or watch a movie during my downtime, my determined and passionate spirit reminds me that in order to achieve what I've never achieved before I need to work like I've never worked before!

What is your mantra at the moment? If this one speaks to you, what goals are you working towards?




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Winner of $30 Pear Tree Gift Certificate

Ladies, thank you for participating in the Pear Tree Greetings holiday card giveaway. I enjoyed seeing the cards that all represent you best. I'll keep this short and sweet, since there were just a few entries I picked the name out of a basket this time instead of using Random.org and the winner is Elizabeth! Congratulations, I will set you up with your gift certificate from Pear Tree Greetings just as soon as you can send me your your e-mail address as it wasn't listed in your comment. :)

Happy Weekend!

Pear Tree Holiday Card Giveaway!

Every year around this time I start thinking about our family's Christmas cards.  I spend several hours perusing cards online, combing through my digital photos looking for the perfect pictures to include and deciding upon what memories or message we'll be sharing. This year has been no different. You might remember how I narrowed down to these Christmas cards last year and it was so much fun. I got SO many compliments on last year's card that I'm inspired to do something even more creative. If you're wondering which one I chose last year, it was Christmas Tales which included a timeline, shown below.

Pear Tree informed me that they improved their personalization too and it's super easy and a lot of fun to use and I know you'll love it too! That's why Pear Tree is offering one lucky reader a $30 credit towards any of their holiday cards that you can enter below!

After playing around with multiple designs I found the perfect card to send our family and friends this holiday season. I'm a big fan of using multiple photos as well as telling a story since many of our family members and friends (my immediately family in particular) live out of the the country and state so sharing about our year tops my list of must haves, which replaces the Christmas letters I used to write summarizing the highlights of our year. This is my perfect card! It has just the right amount of color, I love that it is interactive and opens up from a present into a storyboard of sorts with a caption under each photo! This truly represents my family's style-elegant with clean lines, yet playful. :)

Now for the GIVEAWAY! One of YOU will win a $30 gift certificate so you can design your own holiday cards and cross one thing of your holiday 'to do' list! It's super easy, tell me you're a follower of this blog or follow this blog publicly and pop by the Pear Tree page to tell me which design caught your eye and represents you/your family best. Leave a comment below and the winner will be chosen tomorrow @ 11pm EST.
Good luck ladies!




This post is sponsored by Pear Tree Greetings. Pear Tree Greetings has helped tens of thousands of customers celebrate life’s shareable moments with a collection of uniquely personal, high-quality greetings and stationery.  Pear Tree Greetings offers a full line of photo cards like Christmas cards, invitations, announcements, address labels, save-the-date cards and dozens of other high-quality paper products, so you can seize every opportunity to connect with others. Custom greetings made simple, affordable, and absolutely keep-worthy.

Your Attitude Determines Your Day

If you've been following this blog for a while, you  know that this is not the first post I've written on the importance of attitude in one's life. A few months ago I posted about having an attitude of gratitude and my experience with beginning a gratitude journal.

For many, a classy woman is deemed as such because of her outer appearance and overall polished exterior. This is also important, but more than this it is her attitude towards life that will not only allow her to realize success today but will also shape her into the woman she will become in future and carry her through life.

I had the day off from work today and decided to do some light cleaning. I began dusting off our bookcases (my husband has a very large library with a wide range of book topics) and I randomly pulled some titles off the shelf that I hadn't seen before and decided to flip through them when I came across this anonymous quote about our daily attitude and thought I would share it with all of you since this is a topic close to my heart.

"I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight; I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I'm going to have. Today I can complain because the weather is rainy, or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money, or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste. Today I can grumble about my health, or I can rejoice that I am alive. Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up, or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns, or I can celebrate that thorns have roses. Today I can mourn my lack of friends, or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships and rekindle old ones.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work, or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do. Today I can complain because I have to go to school, or I can eagerly open my mind and fill it with new tidbits of knowledge. Today I can murmur because I have to do housework, or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me waiting to be shaped, and here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to ME. I get to choose what kind of day I will have."

~Anonymous

It's funny how you can enter a room, a loved one's home or even just arrive at work and your otherwise great mood can be squashed by a co-worker's complaining, bad attitude or negative outlook on life. On the contrary, some people are just known for being able to put a smile on your face because of their sheer zest for life!

I don't know about you but I want to be remembered for being someone who brings joy and light into other's lives and who makes my mind up that the day will be great no matter what circumstances and mishaps may be in store for me. After all, today's test is just tomorrow's testimony!

I hope you all have a lovely week!

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Letting Go of How Others Perceive You

One of the greatest joys of knowing yourself intimately is being comfortable in your own skin. The woman who knows herself deeply, cares more about her dreams, passions, creations, memories and the very moment she is experiencing vs. what others think of her.

How many times have we gotten ready to put ourselves out there and share something we love, are proud of or are interested in pursuing when a little voice asks us if we're sure we want to do that. I don't know about you but as much as I try to just be myself, from time to time I still hear that voice. It usually shows up when I'm revealing a personal tidbit that may not be received by the masses as 'perfect', ideal or as it pertains to design-an example of my best work. Whether it's a photo of something I took on my average camera with my less than average photography skills, my writing or sharing my design concepts and putting my creative works out there for others to see, it can be a little daunting sometimes. However, most of the scary stuff is all in our own head.

A girlfriend e-mailed me today sharing with me that she's been working on her new office space for her business. It's something she's really come to love and enjoy. It's pretty, comfortable and reflects her personal style but in comparison with those in her industry (she's also involved in design) she thought that they might perceive it as amateur and considered not sharing a photo of the progress she was so excited about. She then reminded and encouraged herself to just post it and decided that she really didn't care what anyone else thought anyhow, it was special to her. I'm so impressed with her attitude and for posting the picture!

We could drive ourselves crazy over what others think and become paralyzed with fear which would prevent us from doing the very things that bring us joy; or we can embrace the imperfections, the 'realness' of what we choose to expose or endeavour knowing that it's all part of our journey, our unique life story.

 What fears in your life about other's perception of you hold you back from sharing?



*images: (1) , (2), (3)

Sophistication is About Simplicity

Have you ever noticed that often the most beautifully decorated homes are also the most simple as they provide an effortless look? Rooms bathed in sunlight with white paint, warm textures, natural materials and neutrals with small pops of color bring about a cozy feeling for me personally. Likewise, some of the most elegant gowns or beautiful, classic outfits are almost always the most simple in terms of design. In all areas of life, elegance and sophistication exist because of their ease and uncomplicated nature.
Lately I've been focused on simple yet yummy meals using raw ingredients or a limited amount of ingredients which lessens prep time in the kitchen and allows me to enjoy everything else in my life more fully. Last night's dinner (and admittedly today's lunch) was roasted beets and sweet potatoes (or sweets & beets as I lovingly refer to them as), just two ingredients plus 400 degrees of heat for 40 minutes and I could really taste the earthly goodness of each-they were delicious!

When it comes to my wardrobe, the pieces I get the most compliments on are always simple, classic pieces I've owned for years vs. the new, trendy pieces that are currently available. It's the prefectly fitting blazer I bought 8yrs ago with clean lines, or the pumps that I've kept in excellent condition and keep wearing year after year with multiple outfits because I chose black or neutral over an of-the-moment color. While the odd impulsive,fun, colorful or of-the-moment purchase is exciting and a great addition to one's wardrobe, classics are key for a classy woman's wardrobe. I love wearing what fits me, looks good on me and that which I feel confident in. Working with key pieces makes getting dressed in the morning that much easier!

What about your calendar-is it relaxed or chaotic? Are you making time for YOU? One cannot elegantly go through life with their hair on fire as they race from one meeting or event to the next. Why not begin scheduling some time that is especially for you. Maybe that time is first thing in the morning when the kids are still asleep, a 5am workout session, quiet meditation or prayer time to begin your day or an hour of rejuvenation after a long day of work. We cannot be a blessing to others and give of ourselves fully when we feel drained. A simplified schedule allows us to make room for the surprises of life and give us space between more stressful parts of our day to regain peace and recharge for the next day.

What areas of your life could benefit from a little more simplicity?

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Never Say Never

Don't worry, this isn't a post about Justin Beiber. ;) Although, I do like the words of the song he sings titled 'Never Say Never' which inspires us all to move forward, ignoring the nay-sayers so we can reach our destiny!

Those words 'never say never' mean a lot to me. I can count the times I've been amazed by others sacrifices, discipline or circumstances and said something like 'Oh, I don't think I could ever share one car.' This of course was before getting married because as many of you well know, that is the current car status in this casa. OR 'I would never want to work in shifts or late night hours.' You guessed it, I'm now doing that too so I've learned to never say never when it comes to anything because when I do it's as if I've just tossed a challenge for myself up to heavens that inevitably comes to fruition. lol.

How many times have we  heard people refer to someone else and us the word 'never' as it pertains to them getting a better job, losing weight, quitting smoking, upgrading their education, finally breaking free from a bad relationship, getting their finances in order, etc?

As friends, family and colleagues we have a responsibility to be supportive and uplift others. Gracious, merciful and uplifting are some of the traits of a classy woman. She is not the one sitting in the corner whispering and gossiping with her friends about how bad Suzie's marriage is and how she'll never be strong enough to leave her abusive husband. A classy woman offers encouragement, and takes the time to inspire others and offer support. It doesn't have to be all-consuming but in order to see people change for the better we have to first believe in them, even when they may not care or may not believe in themselves. Tell the people you care about that you know they have what it takes and that they can do it!

When my next-door-neighbor first moved in I learned really quickly that they are not a family who recycles. Daily I'd hear the clanking of glass bottles being tossed into the trash and wondered why with such great recycling facilities in our city, someone would want all of those items to go to the landfill. This went on for the past two years but I always secretly hoped and believed that they could finally see the light by watching enough other neighbors on our street bring theirs to the curb and by my own example as our pick up locations are side-by-side. I had put it out of my mind until a couple weeks ago when I drove home from work and saw a bin full of glass bottles sitting at the end of the curb. I was so excited to see they had finally begun recycling and they've since continued their efforts! Their change is what inspired this post. It was a reminder that we can never say never, write someone off or believe they'll never change. Even after years of the same attitude, behavior, poor choices, reverting to old ways, laziness or fill in the blank, people can and do change, we have to be willing to cheer them on and never give up!

Right after seeing the good news about my neighbors I met with a close girlfriend for lunch. We talked about many things and I shared the recycling story. She shared with me that her carnivore hubby who is a meat and potatoes guy and does not enjoy veggies and would avoid them at all costs for as long as I've known her has started to make the switch. She told me one evening she prepared some fish for dinner but was too busy to make the veggie side dish and he actually asked her, "No veggies tonight?" She though he would be excited but she commented that he actually seemed disappointed. You see, for the past 4 years that we've known each other I've known her to slowly introduce new things for her hubby and sneak veggies in wherever she could. He was not interested and cared little about the health benefits, etc. She did know one thing, he was receptive to facts, statistics and science as he is a math kind of guy. Instead of preaching about produce to him, they watched a few documentaries about food and how it's grown, the soil quality and our overall health and why veggies in particular are so important and now he doesn't go a day without them. This is a guy that I once watched polish off a 16-oz rib eye while dining together like it was nobody's business and left all the veggies on the plate! My friend is so happy so all of you moms out there who cannot get your kiddos to eat their veggies, don't give up, you're one step closer, keep up the good work!

Seeing someone else change begins with us, it begins with our attitude, our mindset and our own beliefs as well as being an example to others also. You may not know how this shift in someone will take place but just begin praying for them and believing in them and it will.

"We meet thousands of people, and none of them really touch you and then you meet one person, and your life is changed. Forever." ~Unknown

Is there someone in your life that you have a 'never' kind of mentality about? Change is possible and it's around the corner!



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Ready for Fall!

For the past three weeks now I've been craving everything 'fall', how about you? Its official arrival date may still be two days away but it cannot come quickly enough! Maybe it's because of all the fun fall fashion I see in the store windows, the scent of cinnamon brooms that catch my attention every time I go to the grocery store or perhaps it's because Florida has had one long, one very hot summer and I'm just ready for a change, any change that doesn't involve hot, sticky weather. Nothing would make me happier than being able to open every window in our house again after 6 months for a fresh breeze.

Growing up in the north, fall has always been my favorite time of year. It's not quite cold enough to require being bundled up but it has cozy written all over it. I love long walks in the country and seeing all of the stunning colorful leaves changing, hearing dried leaves crunching under my feet as I walked hot cocoa in hand. I love the smell of freshly mulled apple cider on the stove and pumpkin pie in the oven. The very thought of curling up in comfy pajamas with tea and a good book sheltered from the evening's crisp air makes me giddy inside. I'm a sucker for a roaring fire be it a bonfire or campfire at the cottage or via a fireplace on the chillier evenings. I really enjoy picking apples at the orchard and hunting down just the right pumpkins to display on our porch. These things speak fall to me.

The fall temps here will come in about 2 months so until then I'll just keep wearing dresses, shorts, flip flops and sporting white because in Florida it's not a faux-pas. ;)

The colors, the coziness, the warmth and of course the seasonal sweet treats! These images embody fall for me.

I've made the mini pumpkin candles before, going to try these next!

Pumpkin Tarts. Um, yes please!!!

I love beautiful, natural wreaths and this barn door reminds me of my country walks.

This outfit has ME written all over it, blazers are a must for my wardrobe. I've always been a huge fan of them and have a growing collection. I love the classic and polished look that a blazer brings to jeans and a crisp shirt or tee pulling everything together. They are a practical staple for any classy woman!

What would fall be without pumpkins and colorful  mums?

If these don't say harvest treat, I don't know what does! I love the rustic twigs!!

I've always been fascinated by the beauty that is indian corn.

Boots, boots, boots! Oh, how my feet have missed you!

I've slowly begun decorating for fall even though it's 90 degrees most days. Oh, and THIS simple decor arrangement is set up on my table right now. You might remember it from last year's fall decorating. 

What are YOUR favorite things about fall?

*all images {via}

Classy Women Often Walk Alone

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Manners Monday: Knowing Names

If you follow me on Facebook, you'll remember I mentioned last week that I would  be writing another manners Monday post based on recent personal experiences just like last Monday's post about speaking in another language in front of others. Today's post is all about names.

Ever since I was a little girl, people have wanted to spell my name with a "C". I suppose it's the more common spelling. For as long as I can remember, when someone was taking down my name, I've had to say "Karla with a 'K' ".  To this day I still receive mail with my name spelled incorrectly. When it's mail from a stranger or the result of mass mailing I don't think twice about it but when acquaintances do not take the time to spell my name correctly, especially in the case of social media outlets like Facebook or Twitter which have a name listed on the very page, it comes across as lazy and that they couldn't be bothered, which is really no different than sending a document without having spell checked it first.

In certain situations you might meet someone at a conference or event that you've never met before and aren't sure of the pronunciation for their name. There's nothing wrong with asking, in fact it shows interest in the other person and that you care so they won't be offended but rather will appreciate your efforts.

A month ago, after I began my training with my new company, I was introduced to a few people I'd be working closely with. I was careful to try to remember their names and in one case a young lady named 'Andrea' had me wondering whether she was 'An-dree-a' or 'Ahn-dray-a', since she never actually introduced herself to me, she just focused on the training. I learned it was the latter and was glad I had asked. She said she'll answer to either and isn't picky but I know some people can be and I wanted to make a good impression and make her feel comfortable.

Whenever you can, take the extra five seconds and confirm the spelling if you're not 100% sure. Knowing someones name and the proper spelling as well as pronunciation makes people feel good. Everyone likes to be addressed by their proper name.

Likewise, it's equally important to call someone by name when you see them. The old, "Hey, good to see you. How are you?" can always get you out of a bind but if this is your standard greeting every time you bump into the same person, it will be obvious you don't know their name. Take the time and ask by saying, "I'm so sorry, I've forgotten your name. Can you please remind me what it is?". They'll be happy to tell you what it is. Be sure to associate their name with something you'll remember or they might be insulted the next time you meet if you still cannot remember their name. I've been guilty of the 'Hi! It's so good to see you again!' when I've forgotten someones name. Remembering names has not been my forte so if I'm at a friend's party or with my hubby, I'll quietly ask for the name if I can before having to ask the person in question directly.

Being called by the wrong name has actually happened to me a lot this past month as I've met over 50 new colleagues. I've been mistaken for another new blond colleague multiple times, one time I was handed her paycheck in error and had to remind the person who gave it to me that I was not 'Holly'. Other times, they've asked me to remind them of my name. I try to make it easy for others by telling them, "It's Karla, just think of cars" since that's the industry that I'm now apart of. This seems to have worked well. I remember watching The Bachelor a few seasons ago and sweet little Tenley Molzahn was sure to not get forgotten in the crowd by telling Jake her name was 'Tenley, like the number ten'. So, if this happens to you a lot, you might want to liken your name to something others will remember or provide a shortened version that is easier if you're first name is really long.

Whenever I leave a comment for a blogger, a new acquaintance or even meet a new colleague, I try to be mindful of remembering their name and using the proper spelling. Sometimes in the case of blogs, the author's name isn't listed, so just begin with, "Hello" or use their blog name instead.

What are your thoughts on names? Do you have a name that also gets misspelled or mispronounced?



*images: google