Peace. Love. Grace.

I’ve Moved

Heather — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:36:51 +0000

Hey everyone, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to stop by. I just wanted to let you know that I have moved. Not too far just remove the wordpress from the URL.

Please update your readers/subscriptions and head on over to my new home and say Hello!!

http://everyydayygrace.com

xoxo

Heather

A Small Favor

Heather — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:27:16 +0000

Is there anyone out there willing to help me with my new blog theme/header.

I can’t pay you but I’ll put a button of your blog on my sidebar.

Plus I’d love you for ever and ever and ever and ever!!

xoxo

Happy Spring

Heather — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:19:52 +0000

Happy Spring. Today is the first official day of spring! This past week has been beyond beautiful. The cool weather will be gone in a matter of weeks as spring seems to be the shortest season here in North Carolina. But I’m not complaining. Instead I plan to take full advantge of the beautiful weather by planning activities outside & unplugging more often.

I plan to take my camera everywhere I go so I can capture this spring in all of it’s beauty.

Growing up I lived all up and down the east coast from Florida to Maine. This time of year however always brings me back to where I was born and raised most of my life — Northern Virginia. Every year I would attend the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC with my step mom. When I became an adult I stopped going. Again this year I won’t get to go and it’s breaking my heart. The Cherry Blossoms are breath taking and are in fact an inspiration for my tattoo that I’ve been working on.

I’m working on a back/shoulder piece. I’m not to sure that I am really bad ass enough to pull off something so big but I’m pretty sure I can attempt it.

I think since I am off this weekend and I have somehow inherited the sweetest little puppy for a little while Benson and I plan to head out to explore downtown Greenville- camera in tow.

I’m not planning any specific goals this weekend. Just 1 to relax and have some me time. I’m going to load a spring playlist on the iPhone charge my camera battery, grab a few puppy poop bags, and head out.

First Stop: Greenville Off Leash Dog Park
Then who knows where we’ll go from there.
I’ll be back Sunday night with an update of my unplugged weekend festivities.

Until then xoxox

Yoplait Greek Yogurt || Review & Giveaway

Heather — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:33:40 +0000

This past week I came home from work to a little package on my door step. Obviously I was super excited to open it up! Who doesn’t love packages-especially unexpected ones right!

I opened it up and inside was a spa set. Super comfortable towel wrap, loofa, scrubby towel, back massager, and a set of slippers. Also inside where 2 coupons for free Yoplait Greek Yogurt. I love yogurt, so obviously I was stoked to get to try it.

Anyway, I picked up the Vanilla & Strawberry while I was at the store the other day. I totally forgot the coupons at home (oops) so I ended up paying for it. No bigs. It was delish! The texture was a mix between cream cheese and regular yogurt. Pretty thick. The flavor of the fruit was so fresh! It had a smooth taste, not too bitter, not too sweet.

Want to give Yoplait Greek a whirl? Get a coupon for 30 cents off by visiting www.yoplaitgreek.com.
Also, you can find some fabulous recipes using Yoplait Greek!

WIN IT:
Yoplait is offering one of my readers a “Nourish Your Inner Goddess” Gift pack which includes the following:

VIP Coupons for Yoplait Greek Yogurt so you can try it on your own
Spa Robe
Spa Slippers
Nail Brush and other spa items

*This coupon offer for a free cup of Yoplait Greek yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.

TO ENTER:
Leave me a comment telling me what you do to bring out your inner goddess. (1 entry)

FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
(These are additional entries that will only be accepted AFTER the main entry requirement has been met. Otherwise, they will not be countet.)

1. Blog about this contest linking both everyydayygrace and Yoplait Greek (3 entries)

2. Follow me on twitter: @hleighxo (1 entry)

3. Tweet my give away: Win a Nourish Your Inner Goddess Gift Pack at Peace. Love. Grace. http://wp.me/pBVm9-15 (@hleighxo) (1 entry)

4. Subscribe to my blog in a reader or by email (1 entry)

5. Refer your friends to my blog. Tell them to put your name in their comment . (Max of 5 entries)

Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry!

CONTEST ENDS:
Sunday March 21 @ 8 PM EST
Unfortunately this is only open to those who have an address in the US. All of my international followers I still love you, and I will plan a giveaway for you to be included in as well soon!! <3

Disclaimer:

This post was written for Yoplait Greek Yogurt and My Blog Spark. I received free products, a gift pack, a gift pack for one reader and information as a thank you for my time. I was not compensated monetarily and all opinions expressed are 100% mine

Creative Weekend To do List (3/12-3/14)

Heather — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:47:26 +0000

Wow. What a week so far. I know it’s only Thursday and I still have another day to get here but all I want is for Saturday morning to get here. I need a break from the phones ringing, residents whining, having to walk around on egg shells so I don’t upset anyone. This weekend I don’t plan on doing me very much. I wanted to share my creative weekend to do list with you guys again. I just hope I’m able to scratch some of the list this weekend.

By the way, I got this idea from KaileenElise. I absolutely adore her blog and her! I forgot to credit her for this last time. I’m sorry! Those of you who haven’t checked her blog out yet. What are you waiting for?

Work on my tattoo design- I’ve narrowed it down to the pattern and design. Now debating on colors, location, & size
Put together another feel good playlist
Work on a few Project Cheer Up packages
Cook something new- I’m not sure what, but expect a post about whatever yummy goodness I pick!
Perfect the side braid

What do you plan to do this weekend? I’m really hoping that it’s nice outside so that I can maybe venture out for a walk at some point.

Project Cheer Up

Heather — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:24:25 +0000

Everyone loves getting snail mail. Lately I’ve been having a rough time, and every time I get something in the mail I perk up a little. We are all fighting battles that not everyone knows about, so in an attempt to cheer my self up, I want to cheer everyone else up as well.

Please follow the link below and fill in the information requested. I promise not to give your information or sell it to anyone. This is just for my personal use, in a totally non creepy way. I hope you’ll participate.

Project Cheer Up

Those of you who give the information can expect random surprises in your mailbox through the next few months.

xoxo

Happy March!

Heather — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:07:38 +0000

Creative Weekend To Do List

Heather — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:07:08 +0000

This week has been a mess. From getting yelled at for something someone else did first thing Monday morning to a resident threatening to sue if we didn’t let her out of her lease. I am so ready for the weekend. I am mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. This weekend I have decided to make this weekend a relaxing, creative, and positive weekend. Here is my creative weekend to do list.

Experiment with my pastels & oil pastels

Work on my tattoo design

Put together a feel good playlist (for weeks like this)

Send a few snail mail letters

Go for a walk

Relax with yoga

Begin “Three Little Words” by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

What is on your weekend to do list that will spark your creativity?

A Perfect Pick Me Up When I Needed It The Most

Heather — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:09:49 +0000

Ms. Kaileen Elise held a “Good Karma Swap” we were to get 4 gifts for our partner. a treat that calms, something that comforts, a bit of celebration and a piece that promotes creativity. The blogger that was assigned to me was Michele from You & Me & Lucy. I absolutely adore everything that I received in my package.
Create: Purple journal with several sticker sheets
Calm: TONS of tea. All of which are delicious. Especially the Blueberry Green Loose tea.
Celebrate: A set of Beautiful earrings from her Etsy shop SeachelleStudios I think I’m going to have to buy the matching bracelet when my refund check comes through.
Comfort: 2 -15 minute face masks.
She also sent me an “Uplifting” mix that I adore. I wish I knew the name of each song and artist was though so I could label them in Itunes. A chocolate bar that I would love to dig into, but I am practicing a little self control. I also received a precious purple little Buddha key chain. I love it all! I really hope my receiver enjoys my gift as much as I enjoyed this one.

Ashley from Ashalah Blogs held her 2nd annual “Be My Blog Valentine Swap“ I participated in this last year as well, but I never received my gift. I was bummed, but this year made up for it times 100! Ms. Erika from Refreshingly Honest had me as her swap. She sent me delicious Vegan cookies. I have never had anything vegan, so I was a little worried, but I’ve eaten half the bag already. They are delicious! I also received 2 Endangered Species Chocolate Bars, which I have always wanted to try! I can’t wait to dig into those! 2 mini O-P-I nail polishes. And an entire box of Spring Jasmine tea that I can’t wait to try!

Coming home to these gifts in my mailbox was a perfect pick me up to this horrible week. I have struggled to hold back tears every second of every hour that I was awake this week. I came home from work had dinner and within hours was fast asleep in my bed before 7:00pm some nights. I see a few changed that are needed in my life as soon as possible. I can’t continue to live like this.

Thank you to the girls who really made a difference this week! One thing I lack in real life are true friendships and I love that I can turn to my bloggy girls when I need a lift.

Year End Review

Heather — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:15:48 +0000

I’ve been in my current position for almost a year now (next month) and this past week I was given my year end review. It’s funny because 3 months after me starting my job duties tripled. Not only did my assistant quit but my boss decided that it would be fun to put 90% of her responsibility on me as well.

Some of you may know what I do, but for those of you who don’t, I am a leasing consultant at a student community in my college town. I lease apartments to students. Sounds entertaining right? Ya, right.

Anyway, so as I was saying I have been doing the job of a manager since May. My manager left my property mid June. During the busiest part of the season. I was then responsible for 99% of her job (as well as mine, and my assistants). My hours went from 40-60+/week. I loved the paycheck, but working 7 days a week for 5 months wasn’t exactly what I thought I was going to be doing. September rolled around, my 37 move ins had done just that, moved in. Now it was time to prepare for the next busy season (November-February).

My RPM decided to pay us a little visit and her and I sat down and talked. We talked about busy season, and how I was able to fill my property to 100% for the first time in 4 years. How I was able to get my A/R (Money owed to us by residents) down to under $75 for the first time in 3 years. How great I did giving the circumstances. Then she dropped the bomb. “By the way, we are interviewing for the manager position. We’re flying someone up from Florida next week, and I’d love your opinion” My jaw hit the floor. Is she serious? Why can’t you just promote me?

She came and interviewed well. She put on her sparkly smile and her fake personality and nailed the job. A month later I was informed she had accepted the job and would be starting November 30.

Needless to say I was bitter. I have been running the property for 7 months and here she comes prancing in like she knows everything. We got off to a really bad start. She came in with this attitude that she knew everything and I was doing everything wrong. She has now been the manager for almost 2 months and she is finally realizing that what I was doing isn’t wrong. It’s funny, her and I had some knock down drag down arguments, and then the next day she would be as sweet as sugar to me.

Back to my point. Anyway her being here 2 months and having her complete my year end review was not okay with me, so I raised one last fuss for the year and demanded that my RPM do it since for the past 7 months I have not had a manager on site I feel that would be the best way to go about it.

The results:
I will be promoted within the next 6 months. Which I am still unsure of how that will happen considering there isn’t another property I would be able to go to. I am up for a pay raise in the next 6 months. Plus I get to keep my job for now! :0)

I’m okay with it.