The Next Generation

The latest and greatest creative coming out of the doors of my office. In honor of the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, as part of our Choice Out Loud campaign - this video represents the next generation that will continue to fight the pro-choice battle. The offbeat campaign uses pictures of 40 different women from 40 different photographers across the country - all put together with a catchy song and words of inspiration. My favorite line: "It's not our mother's movement anymore, it's ours." Let's hope our daughters don't have to fight the same battle.

P.S. The campaign was recently written up in AdWeek - check it out to read more about the creative process behind it. Pretty neat campaign!

The White House

One of the perks of my job is that our boss can move mountains. When we found out that our office tour of the White House wasn't coming to fruition, the boss man steps in, makes a call and within 5 minutes has us on the guest list for the very next day. Needless to say, we were all very excited!

Lucky for us, the White House was all decked out in holiday cheer. We learned it takes 150 volunteers several days to complete the decorations. Each room has at least one tree, wreaths, poinsettias and a Christmas smell that instantly puts a smile on your face. While I didn't have any run-ins with the man himself, a few of my coworkers spotted the first dog, Bo, sneaking out of top-secret territory before being taken away by the Secret Service. 

All in all, it was an incredible experience; you really do feel like you're walking through a little piece of history.

 

 

 

Silence Whooping Cough

If you didn't already see on Facebook, my latest campaign - Silence Whooping Cough - recently launched. It's been a BLAST to work on and it's always rewarding to put together something that can really make an impact in the community.

If you're not aware, whooping cough is running rampant through Washington and other states. While adults may experience milder symptoms (and might not even know they have it!), they can easily spread it to babies - who can experience very serious complications.

So if you're planning on being around a baby (or small child, for that matter), please consider getting the Tdap vaccine. Just think of it as a two-for-one - you're protecting yourself and the little adorable bundles of joy you're around. (The cheat sheet chart above explains the difference between the vaccines available for whooping cough)

Ok, that's my Public Service Announcement of the day. Thank you for stickin' with me.

Now, if you could be so kind and check out the website, then send it to friends and family, I would be extremely appreciative.

Five Years

Yesterday was my five year anniversary at work. Say what?! FIVE YEARS! I can't believe how quickly time flies. It seems like just yesterday I was blogging about my two year anniversary. (Which also gets me thinking, wow, I've been blogging for a long time!) It's truly amazing how much has changed in the past five years - South Lake Union (where our office is located) has grown exponentially, I've run in several half marathons and one full marathon, I've lived four different places - the Big House in Green Lake (for only a couple weeks of work), an apartment with Holden in Green Lake, my sweet little Ballard apartment and now our home. I've gone on magical trips to Hawaii, Lake Chelan, Leavenworth, Iceland, Sweden, the California coast and more. I also met and fell in love with my sweets (almost 3 years ago!).

At any rate, to mark the occasion, my boss took me out to lunch at Serious Pie and our client joined the fun. It was a fun way to celebrate the milestone! 

But seriously, someone please tell me, how does time go by so quickly?!

pic/via

Meet Mia

Another GMMB original! Gosh, I love working on good issues. Cheers to all of you amazing teachers out there for giving students like Mia the skills they need to succeed in life!

Shop 'til you drop

It was warfare at the office. Nearly three solid weeks of WARFARE, I tell ya. Why? Oh, you know, just a friendly, turned ugly food drive competition at the office. There were secret strategy planning meetings, many competitive glares and a covert Costco trip to boot!

In total, as an office of 21 people, we donated nearly 1,200 items and $1,700! On average, that is approximately 60 items and $80 per person. Amazing!

Unfortunately, my team did not win. The other team took a sneaky (yet smart!) approach and filed papers for the company donation match, which earned them an extra $500! Well played, Team 2.

At the end of the day, the biggest winners are Northwest Harvest and the families they serve. We hope our efforts will bring smiles to a few more faces in 2012!

Unadoptable is unacceptable

Golly, I love the issues I work on. (Yes, I just said golly.) This video makes me want to adopt enough kids to make a soccer team. But then again, I'm not sure how they'd fit in my one bedroom apartment. Warning: you might need a tissue.

Compliments and Appreciations

We started this new tradition in our office called Compliments and Appreciations (thanks to Susie!). Basically, you put little notes of kindness about your coworkers in a box, which are later read out loud in the next staff meeting. They can be anonymous or not, and they can be as basic as, 'thanks for picking up lunch the other day' to 'thanks for all you do on the ______ account.' The sky is the limit.

I have to say, I think it's a great little tradition. It's an easy way to put a smile on someone's face.

Below are a few notes that I keep on my bulletin board by my desk. I would like point out the words: guiding light, you are a wizard, kick a*$. So I'm pretty much a glowing wizard that kicks ass, right?

Does your office have any morale boosting traditions?

She looked like a magazine bride

How do I keep lucking out with all of these fantastic weddings?! Saturday's was yet another one to add to the list. A few highlights that made it a blast:

• They had a bagpiper who played during the processional AND led us the few blocks to the reception location. So fun!
• Meredith looked like she was taken straight out of a bridal magazine - she was striking. Her dress was so chic and modern, her makeup was the perfect balance between natural and dramatic, her hair was sleek and she had a very radiant, I-just-got-married-to-the-man-of-my-dreams glow.
• They served gnocchi and for anyone who knows me, I love me some gnocchi.
• Molly Moon's ice cream and sticky toffee pudding cake. My first, and definitely not last, experience with the famous salted caramel ice cream. Delish.
• The party was hoppin' and even continued on for the after party at Barca.

I wish I had taken more and better pictures, but I was apparently too into dancing and celebrating!

The GMMB ladies - a little blurry

My handsome wedding date who has stuck by my side through 4 weddings this summer. One more in November!

A wedding is never complete without an Andy #1 vs. Andy #2 arm wrestle showdown. Kathryn offering encouragement... or maybe a kiss? :)

Classic winning shot.

The Scottish theme and decorations were so elegant. When the tables were set when we arrived, the glassware was sparkling out of control. Gorgeous.

The favors? Mini bottles of Scotch! How fun, right?

danananananana HEY!

Go Sounders!

GMMB par-tayed at the Sounders game last night.

It was fun. A little wet and cold, but fun.

Andy decided that a head scarf would look more attractive than the small, small bandaid that is on his forehead. I'm sure he's regretting that now :)