Best Falcons season ever continues!

It's been a crazy busy week of school, but last night made it all worth it. I got to go to the Falcons vs. Saints (our rivals) football game with my best friend and we won! I've been a Falcons fan my whole life and have been going to games my whole life, but this was one of the best ones!

The Falcons are now 11-1 after beating the New Orleans Saints last night!

Ludacris performed at halftime!

Such a fun and successful night - RISE UP!

Why {Mike} loves ATL

Mike

College student  

Why do you love ATL:

Atlanta is wonderful; I love this city because of it's incredible international opportunities all mixed in with the charm of a classic southern city.  

What's your favorite spot in ATL:

 In Atlanta, you can be touring the High Museum of Art in the afternoon and then be enjoying the best ribs in the South at my favorite restaurant, Fat Matt's Rib Shack.  Top everything off with the largest, mouth watering slice of cake at Broadway Diner in Midtown.

FOREVER {WE} LOVE ATLANTA 

For the chance to be featured on RCSOATL, send an email including {your name, your favorite spot in Atlanta, why you love our city, and a photo of you in Atlanta} to rcsoatl@gmail.com -
 Open to all ages!

Re-engergizing after the break!

Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone, all too quickly! Just two more weeks of classes this semester then final exams! Even though the year is almost over, I'm finding it more and more difficult to find energy to focus on all the work I have left to do. And I'm sure other college students and busy people can understand!

Check out these tips for increasing your energy, the healthy way! :)

1. Vitamins - I used to take vitamins as a kid and loved them! I recently started taking some again (with the basic nutrients) and I've had more energy to do work throughout the day.

2. Napping - Power naps can be your best friend when done properly. Scheduled napping is great for your body and lets your body know when it should rest and when it should have energy! I take at least one nap every day :)

3. De-stress - Being stressed uses energy that could be used for more important things! Do what it takes to relax and eliminate unnecessary dramas from life so that you can focus on what matters.

4. Water - Keep a water bottle with you at all times and drink/re-fill it throughout the day. The more water you drink, the more energy you'll have!

5. Move! - It may be the last thing you want to do, but moving around, or even stretching for a few minutes will give you more energy. Instead of taking the bus around campus, walk to where you're going! Take the stairs instead of the elevator! And if you're feeling really adventurous, make time for a full workout to increase your energy, lower your stress and just feel better overall :)

<3

Sponsor {firmoo eyewear} holiday gifts!

                    




  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Black Friday! It's officially Christmas season :) I have a great and fun opportunity to share with you -- Firmoo Eyewear! Firmoo is a website that sells glasses (prescription & non-prescription) and sunglasses, and all so cute! They make eyewear for both men and women so these glasses would be a perfect gift for anyone on your list, or for yourself, hehe!

First pair of glasses I ordered from Firmoo

I wear prescription glasses because my vision is terrible! But usually, I wear my contacts because I hated how my old glasses looked. Firmoo has lots of really cute frames to choose from, so I was super excited to review their product. The first pair they sent me were amazing (photo above), but one lens had the wrong prescription and I couldn't clearly see out of them. I emailed the customer service and got a response within 24 hours and they also offered to send me a different pair with the corrected prescription -- talk about FANTASTIC customer service!

They sent my new glasses just a few days later, and I love love love these! I haven't taken them off since I got them -- wore them on Thanksgiving Day and for Black Friday shopping :)

  Here's a link to my new glasses!

  Anddd the best news is that YOU can also get your first pair of glasses from Firmoo for FREE, you only have to pay a small shipping fee. They have eyewear starting at just $8, incredible! I'm sharing this with all of my friends who wear glasses for vision correction or just to be stylish - such a great deal! Firmoo is a really popular site and the glasses go quickly, so order the ones you want today!

Virtually try them on before ordering, such a convenient feature!

Let me know which frames you pick!! <3

Always thankful {Happy Thanksgiving!}

We should be grateful for the amazing people and things in our life every single day, but it's nice to have a holiday to remind us to be thankful. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, wherever you are! 

Here are just a few of the parts of my life I'm grateful for:

Thank you, God, for

Family. Friends. Education. Food. Happiness. Life.

<3

Giving back {Hosea Feed the Hungry}

November-January is my favorite season because of all of the holidays, family time, social events and of course (the food). But it's important to remember that not everyone has the same opportunities to celebrate these great holidays. One of my favorite organizations and initiatives here in Atlanta is Hosea Feed the Hungry. All year, they work to raise money for families in need to provide them with life's necessities. It's a great movement in our very own city! See how you can help this holiday season! 

Hosea Feed the Hungry's Mission:

"To examine and then raise public awareness about the many problems facing families and individuals that are living in poverty or are at-risk of slipping into poverty, and then to mobilize products, volunteers and financial resources to solve those problems, or to ease the burden that those problems cause."

Hosea Feed the Hungry accepts volunteers year round, but especially around the holidays when they serve food to those who cannot provide food for themselves. Sign up to be a volunteer here!

If you can't volunteer this season, you can also donate to give back to those in need!

Congrats, Georgia Tech football!

Sorry for back-to-back football/Georgia Tech themed posts, but I'm so excited for my school! 

At yesterday's game vs. Duke

At yesterday's game vs. Duke

After winning the game on Saturday, and since the Miami Hurricanes self-imposed a post season ban, Georgia Tech is headed to Charlotte to play in the ACC Championship and we are the Coastal Division Champions! It was very unexpected and therefore very exciting - congrats and hoping we win in Athens next week and in Charlotte in two weeks.

Gooooooo Jackets! <3

Last game day as a student, go Jackets!

I can't believe it, but today is Georgia Tech's last home football game of the season. And, it's my last home game as an undergraduate student. Bittersweet...mainly sad. I'm happy to say that I went to every home game over the past 4 years and have a collection of memories from all of those game days. So excited for one last game at Bobby Dodd as a student, go Jackets!

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Sophomore Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Senior Year

Senior Year

Senior Year 

Senior Year

Music in ATL {regina spektor & only son}

Last Saturday night, I got to go to the Regina Spektor concert (at Tabernacle in ATL) and Jack Dishel of Only Son opened up for her - both were fantastic! I had never heard Only Son before, but his music was so calming and beautiful.

Regina's voice is one that everyone should hear live, it gave me chill bumps. It was super impressive how much she sounded like the audio tracks I've listened to over and over again (but better). I'd love to see them both again :)

Regina Spektor and Jack Dishel of Only Son singing together!

Regina Spektor performing

<3

IKEA {soft toys for education}

Are you searching for a more meaningful gift this holiday season? 

Why not choose a present that not only the children will love, but also helps those children around the world in need of a quality education. This holiday season, the IKEA Soft Toys For Education Campaign is back in full swing! Running from November 4 - December 29, this annual event continues to raise money to educate children around the world. Since 2003, the IKEA Soft Toys For Education campaign has donated $61.75 million in donations to UNICEF (their global children’ charity partner) and Save the Children (their national children’s charity partner), helping 8 million children through over 70 programs. 

IKEA Atlanta has contributed more $175 thousand to this total since 2005 including donations of soft toys to local charities (Toys For Tots, For The Children Inc, For The Kid In All Of Us, Atlanta Children’s Shelter and more) to ensure this effort impacts children in our own back yard.

To kick off the annual campaign, they would like Atlantans to help to raise awareness for IKEA Soft Toys For Education. Do one of the following on the IKEA USA Facebook event titled: Atlanta - The ATL Believes in Educating Children Around The World

1.   Upload a 5 second video with you holding a soft toy and speaking about the campaign for YouTube and social media, script examples:

1.   IKEA Atlanta soft toys help educate children around the world.

2.   Kids books from IKEA Atlanta help educate children around the world.

2.   Upload a Digital Photo of you holding soft toy with a comment on the facebook wall for the event and/or twitter, examples:

1.   @IKEA_Atlanta soft toys help educate children around the world #IKEAsofttoys

2.   Kids books from @IKEA_Atlanta help educate children around the world #IKEAsofttoys

How the campaign works:

IKEA Soft Toys – which include stuffed animals, finger puppets and books – range in price from $.49 - $19.99 and are available in all IKEA stores and online during the holiday season. For every IKEA Soft Toy that a customer purchases, IKEA Foundation donates one euro (approximately $1.29 US) to the Soft Toys For Education Campaign.

These incredibly affordable and cuddly animals will certainly put a smile in the hearts of children, while supporting millions of others in need of a quality education! Such a great cause that I'm happy to support! <3

For more information about the campaign or The Life Improvement Project, contact Deidra.Cunningham@IKEA.com. 404-249-6257 x1336. 

I am now {LinkedIn}

I'm superrrrrr late, but I've finally given in and created a LinkedIn profile!

It only took about 10-15 minutes for me to create a profile and it seems like it will be a useful tool for the future...more professional version of Facebook.

I may be the last senior to have created one, but I'm about to start seriously searching for jobs so I thought it was time. Has LinkedIn been beneficial for you?

<3

Fall in ATL {animal print gloves}

I can't get enough of animal print (when done properly)! It's so much fun and my favorite type of pattern. So when I saw these cheetah/leopard print gloves in H&M last month for such a great price, I had to get them. And, it's finally gotten cold enough in Atlanta to wear them!

Bring on the cold temperatures - my hands are warm and fierceee! :) 

Music in ATL {Lauryn Hill & Nas concert}

Last Friday, Lauryn Hill and Nas performed in Atlanta and it was a GREAT show! Nas performed first and got the crowd excited. Then, Lauryn Hill performed...incredible. I loved her outfit too! Listening to her music on a track is already fantastic so just imagine hearing her live, I had chill bumps the entire time. I went with my best friend and we were both blown away by her voice and the creative ways that she remixed her music during the concert. It was well worth the ticket price! <3

Happy Election Day, ATL

Happy Election Day! This is the first Presidential Election that I can vote in, so exciting! I actually voted early, last Monday, with my mom! It took us about 2 hours but we had so much fun chatting with other people in line. Good luck to everyone voting today, congrats on exercising your right!  <3

Contributing blogger {Brian Turner)

Home Renovations and Hazardous Chemicals
An increasing number of homeowners opt for cutting renovation costs by taking on the task of destruction and reconstruction projects. Houses built before 1970 may harbor a number of hazardous materials that include asbestos, lead and radon. Releasing these substances into the air poses a health risk to household members. Consulting with a professional contractor or home inspector eliminates any surprises and provides homeowners with necessary information concerning possible hazards requiring expert attention.

Asbestos
Contractors commonly used asbestos containing materials when building homes until the later part of the 1970s. Insulation around furnace ducts, roofs and walls along with deck under sheeting commonly contained asbestos. Attempting renovations in homes built during this era often releases microscopic fibers into the air, which individuals ingest or inhale if not properly protected.

These fibers embed in lung and organ tissue, causing a variety of illnesses that include mesothelioma cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends against disturbing these areas unnecessarily. If insisting on renovating home areas that may contain asbestos, hire professionals qualified in asbestos removal.

Lead
Government regulations stipulated that paint could not contain lead after 1978. Before that year, lead was an ingredient in paint used for exterior and interior surfaces. Stripping these areas improperly, releases minute particles into the air, which poses a potential hazard. Hiring a professional who is trained specifically in dealing with lead paint remains the general recommendation.

The Center for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development formulated a Lead Paint Safety Guide for homeowners and professional contractors. Some of the steps required for safely eradicating lead paint include isolating the room using heavy plastic on doorways, floors, windows and furniture remaining during the process. Turn off air conditioning and heating systems prior to starting removal, which decreases the likelihood of circulating particles. Dampen or mist the surface containing lead paint before attempting removal.    

Radon
Soil commonly contains small quantities of uranium, which produces radon gas with deterioration. The gas seeps into homes through cracks or crevices around the foundation of homes. Structures containing crawl spaces also commonly emit radon gas. With exposure occurring over extended periods, radon has the potential for causing cancer. The Surgeon General states that radon emissions ranks second as a leading cause of lung cancer.

Homeowners should purchase an inexpensive short-term radon test kit for determining radon levels before renovating areas along the foundation. If test kits reveal radon levels of 4 picocuries per liter or higher, the home requires reduction methods that minimize the levels of gas emission. The Environmental Protection Agency provides extensive information concerning the effects of radon along with methods of emission eradication.  

by Brian Turner

Sweet Southern Spud {bows}

I ran into Melinda Jean tabling for her fabulous company, Sweet Southern Spud, the other week and just had to take a picture for my blog! How great are these?!

I can't really put a label on my style, but I like a little bit of everything, including preppy items and bows! Melinda Jean hand-makes all of these and they are too fabulous. Read below for more information on Southern Spud. You can order items directly from their website!

 "Custom made and hand crafted from start to finish, Melinda Jean’s bow ties are tailored to fit each of her customer’s desires. She personally works with each client to ensure that every experience is not only a practice in personalized fashion, but also a lesson in Southern hospitality. 

Sweet Southern Spud’s ties are cut from 100% cotton and other cotton-based fabrics and based on designs which match each customer’s unique taste. Perfect for weddings, gamedays, or any other event from casual to semi-formal, these ties are guaranteed to please!"

With the holidays coming up, these are perfect gifts for anyone on your list :)

Here's my favorite:

<3