I stand #withMalala

February 25, 2016Brainpower, Mediaactivist, Davis Guggenheim, documentary, girls education, global television premiere, He Named Me Malala, Malala Yousafzai, National Geographic Channel, please watchBeth Berger

Hailed by critics as a “Profoundly moving portrait,” an “Appeal to your heart and gut,” and a “Gripping story, eloquently told,” He Named Me Malala is an intimate portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai. A few years ago, Malala was targeted by the Taliban for supporting girls’ education and severely wounded by a gunshot in Pakistan’s Swat Valley.

National Geographic Channel sent me an advanced screener of the powerful film about this young lady so I could watch and spread the word about it’s upcoming television premiere. I stand #withMalala, even more now that I’ve witnessed this core-shaking film, and I hope you will too.

The documentary gives viewers a glimpse into Malala’s life before and after her brutal attack at the hand’s of the Taliban.

When their shots blasted towards Malala in an attempt to take her life, she was only 15. She was singled out, along with her father, for her advocacy of girls’ education.

Her supporters rallied around the world. Whisked off to England, where she continues to live, unable to return to her home country due to ongoing death threats, Malala was nursed back to health. She continues to speak out on behalf of girls’ education all over the world and even co-founded a non-profit.

Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth, Waiting for Superman) explores the ways in which Malala and her father continue to fight for education for ALL girls worldwide. Their relationship struck me as one of the most compelling parts of the documentary. It is clear how strong their bond is, how parallel their beliefs are, and how they served as each other’s greatest confidantes and comrades long before the attack on Malala’s life.

The film offers viewers an insider glimpse at this close relationship along with everything from speeches in front of the United Nations to intimate scenes where Malala playfully picks on her two brothers.

The film uses animated sequences throughout to great effect. While the real footage, like Malala’s father delivering passionate speeches and a shy interview sequence with Malala herself, found a tear in my eye, the points told through animation were most often the ones that sent a chill down my spine.

The main thread of the film, in fact, is mostly delivered in this way. We’re told Malala’s father named her. He called her Malala after Malala of Maiwand, the national folk hero of Afghanistan who rallied followers to fight against British troops at the Battle of Maiwand in 1880. When the Afghans were losing hope, Malala used her voice to rally them towards victory, losing her own life in the process. She is often referred to as The Afghan Joan of Arc.

Malala’s father, and his critics, worried he had created a self-fulfilling prophecy. A child who would raise her voice, garner passionate supporters, but who was ultimately doomed. A modern-day martyr. Yet, Malala’s response to this line of thought brought me to tears and it’s something you’ll just have to see for yourself. So, I hope you’ll tune in…

He Named Me Malala will premiere commercial free on Monday, February 29th at 8 pm (EST) on the National Geographic Channel in the U.S.

I encourage you to stand #withMalala by watching this powerful film, but that’s not all…

Today, over 60 million girls are out of school globally. It’s time to take a cue from Malala and take action!

Leading up to the TV debut, you can show your support by changing your profile picture using a custom-designed animation. On Twitter, you can contribute by tweeting using the hashtag #withMalala. For every profile picture changed and each tweet sent with the hashtag, 21st Century Fox will donate $1 to the Malala Fund.

The Malala Fund was co-founded by Malala Yousafzai and her father Ziauddin Yousafzai. It is a nonprofit organization that empowers girls globally through education to achieve their potential and be agents of change in their community. The Malala Fund invests in and advocates for girls’ secondary education and amplifies the voices of adolescent girls globally. If you’re touched by Malala’s story or would like to help empower girls across the world, consider donating.

(Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for 20th Century Fox. I received information to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.)

mid-week round-up

February 24, 2016Wednesday LinksAdele is queen, advice, apps, book review, history of medicine, horoscopes, humor, IKEA, legal news, made me smile, Netflix, pop music, TED talkBeth Berger

How has your week been faring so far? We’ve been working on getting our Save the Date cards out in the mail and generally enjoying the cooler weather. We took a quick adventure through this Nature Preserve over the weekend and it felt like early fall. A little weird in the midst of February! Florida you’re full of surprises! The other night I watched a screening copy of a documentary about Malala Yousafzai and I’m excited to share my thoughts on it tomorrow. I hope you’ll come back then! May the rest of your week turn out lovely, and here are a few links for your enjoyment…

#IStandWithKesha

Taking a creative approach to educating students in mathematics.

My kind of horoscope.

Human trafficking is all around you.

This book sounds amazing.

19 secrets of IKEA employees.

The mothers of modern gynecology–Anarcha, Betsy, and Lucy.

Hey! VINA is like Tinder for friends.

How to overcome and worry and be a friendlier person.

Children’s inventions come to life. (So cute!)

Adele and Ellen prank Jamba Juice.

Broad City’s jokes reward diehard fans.

Travel Tips: Airports & Planes

February 23, 2016How to'sair travel, airport essentials, airport snacks, carry-on luggage, kindness goes a long way, packing for planes, Starbies, travel hacksBeth Berger

my seven

I’ve flown quite a lot in my years. I was lucky enough to live a pretty well-traveled childhood, allowing me the ability to become a confident air traveler early on. I also flew a lot in my broke college days, which helped me hone ways to travel cheaply. These days, when it comes to air travel, I try to make everything run as efficiently as possible. Because flying can be a pain in the you-know-what.

In keeping with a travel theme, I thought I’d share my top tips for airports and planes that I’ve learned over the years! I know, I know…Nothing irks me like that random dude in the security line who thinks because he flies twice a month for business he can start barking orders. Everyone’s an expert, right? But because this is my blog I AM the expert…at all the things. So, for this post, I’m gonna be that guy in line tellin’ ya how it’s done.

Not checking a bag? Make sure you’ve got your life together.

You don’t want to spend close to 45 bucks to detach from your suitcase for a few hours? Me either. But with that money-saving privilege comes some responsibility. Mainly, minimizing and organizing. Streamline your wardrobe and make sure all your pieces can mix and match. Ditch that extra pair of shoes. Wear your clunkiest items (boots, sweater, winter coat, scarf) so you don’t have to shove it in your carry-on luggage.

Keep your clear, quart-sized bag of liquids at the top of your bag or in a front zippered pocket of your rolling suitcase. Make sure your laptop is accessible and can slide right out. When you saddle up to one of those metal tables at airport security, go ahead and grab a stack of 3 bins. Let’s not kid ourselves into taking less and then having to reach back for more and disrupting the flow of fellow travelers.

Bring a water bottle!

Darting from one end of an airport to the other can be exhausting and planes are Sahara dessert dry. If you don’t wanna shell out a fiver for a bottle of H20 then you better come prepared. I always bring an empty Nalgene with me when I fly and my first stop after passing security is to locate the nearest water fountain. I then guzzle down as much water as possible, use the ladies room before boarding begins, refill water bottle again, keep drinking, board plane, throw down my stuff, and then pee again while the plane continues to board.

(You didn’t know this was going to be a detailed account of my bladder activity did you?)

While I like to treat myself to a ginger-ale or a cran-apple juice during drink service, I also continue to drink water throughout the flight. I also don’t drink alcohol on flights (ok, maybe a glass of wine on international flights for a little help in the sleep department). Guzzling all this water helps me feel alive when I reach my destination and impacts jet lag levels.

Pack along a bevy of snacks.

Can you tell I hate parting with money? Well, I do. Airports are notorious for over-priced (and pretty gross if we’re honest) snacks and meals. And you can’t count on the airlines to make it rain peanuts anymore. So it’s better to be prepared. If I know I’m going to be traveling during a meal I try to pack that meal or at least part of it. A sandwich is easy to bring along. And some combination of trail mixes, crackers, carrots, and protein bars round out an on-the-cheap dining experience. I also like to bring a fruit for the actual up-in-the-air part of the day. (See again: hydration.) My favorites for this are apple slices, oranges, and grapes.

Gotta spend? Go to Starbucks.

Sometimes a girl’s gotta treat herself. If I’m flying out super early I’m gonna want some caffeine. I’m human aren’t I!? And sometimes (especially on return trips) I may not have the appropriate level of food options to meet my level of hunger. In these situations I seek out Starbucks for a few reasons. Mainly, and this is purely psychological, I already expect Starbucks to be a little over the top when it comes to pricing. This doesn’t stop me from getting an iced coffee every now and again in my day-to-day life so it seems fine to do the same in my airport life. (I can’t find any sources that speak to the price differences between airport vs. non-airport Starbucks. In my personal experience the prices have never felt that different. If any baristas care to weigh in I’m obvi interested.)

Second, you can use any Starbucks gift cards that may be lingering in your wallet. Want a bagel and cream cheese? Get it with ~*~pretend~*~ money. Much more fun than a debit card attached to a ~*~real~*~ bank account! And finally, sometimes you hit the jackpot and the Starbucks will have FREE wi-fi when the airport itself is asking you to throw down $4.95 to connect. This has happened to me on two recent trips going through the Atlanta and Houston airports. Praise be, St. Arbucks!

Don’t go overboard with entertainment.

It took me a long time to figure out that the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared,”doesn’t mean I need to haul 2 novels, a book of crossword puzzles, and 3 magazines on a flight from Lexington to LaGuardia. I like to choose about 2 forms of entertainment and leave it that. Perhaps the book I’m reading and a phone full of downloaded podcasts. Or a new magazine and my laptop.

Yes, I know there’s always the chance of being delayed for hours on end but that situation is well-deserving of a perusal at the airport bookstore and treating ones-self to a New York Times bestseller (or a stack of tabloids…no judgement).

Flight cancelled? Pick up your cell phone.

People in airports are super susceptible to herd mentality. A flight gets cancelled and you follow the mass of bleary-eyed travelers to a snaking line leading to an airline counter. Every single person in this line wants to explain to an over-worked gate agent why they are uniquely inconvenienced by the day’s misgivings. Meanwhile, you wait in line for hours on end because it seems like “the right place to be.” I consider myself an extremely patient person but no. Just no. I would much rather call the airline itself and work something out over the phone.

You’re in a metal tube hurtling through the air at ridiculous speeds…go ahead and be a decent human being for the duration.

Kindness and politeness are good rules of thumb during any sort of transportation. However, it always seems to allude people the most when up in the air. Which boggles my mind given the weird feat of getting from Point A to Point B up in the SKY where we humans don’t naturally belong. So my final tip is a little karmic in nature but still very important nonetheless…

Listen to your flight crew and follow their orders. Say please and thank you during drink service. Don’t hog the armrest. Don’t roll your eyes or make audible noises of displeasure. Don’t bemoan a remark or announcement that is out of the realm of the speaker’s control. Keep your tone decent when speaking to other passengers. Keep your language clean when speaking to your travel companions (everyone else can hear you, too.) Don’t freak out about babies or kids–you can choose to ignore them or better yet, make funny faces at them, talk to them, or offer to hold them. Thank your flight attendants and pilots as you dis-embark.

Being an asshole will not get you to your arrival destination faster. I promise. It’s just going to make the journey more ridiculous for the rest of us!Kindness goes a long way!!!

Over to you! What tips or tricks would you add to this list? Any air travel horror stories you’d care to share? (And what you learned from them, of course!) I’d love to hear!

P.S. 5 ways health and traveling abroad go hand in hand.

Did you find these tips helpful? Contribute to my airport Starbies fund HERE. ❤

Tom Bihn Synapse 19 and Synapse 25 IN THE WILD!

February 22, 2016Style and Design, Travelbackpack review, backpacks, commuters, daypacks, FIU Nature Preserve, hiking, hit the trails, Miami, our adventures, product review, products I love, ultralight travelBeth Berger

On the hunt for a new bag, my fiancee Chet chose to turn to the company Tom Bihn. Specializing in travel bags, laptop bags, and backpacks; tons of folks on the internet were singing the praises of Tom Bihn’s creations and so we wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Pretty much as soon as Chet’s Synapse 25 backpack arrived I wanted my own. He showed me the multitude of packing configurations available within it’s clever pockets and how much this one backpack could actually hold…and well, cue the heart eye emojis!

Luckily, Chet could sense my need. Valentine’s weekend I was headed to Bowling Green, KY but my very own Tom Bihn backpack showed up as an early gift just before my departure date! (That boy’s a catch, I’ll tell ya!) I gasped when I opened the box because the pattern was so perfect. My bag is the Synapse 19 backpack. This bag is designed the same way as the 25 (with the same clever pocket layout) but is 19 liters as opposed to 25 so it feels much better on my smaller frame.

Tom Bihn’s website heralds these bags as “a supremely organized backpack” and I tend to agree. The Synapse 19, specifically, is said to be a backpack well suited for hiking, travel, or commuting. Just the things I need a backpack for!

We’ve put these bags to the test, most recently at the FIU Nature Preserve (where we shot the pictures you’ll find within this post), and I’d love to tell you my thoughts…

Looks and Specs:

The Synapse 19 is a 19 liter volume bag and measures 16″ x 11.4″ x 7.9″. Mine features the Black Dyneema external pattern with a Wasabi interior.

The Synapse 25 is a 25 liter volume and measures 20″ x 13.4″ x 9″. Chet’s colors are Navy/Wasabi.

Both bags feature a sleek design thanks to their curvilinear exterior. Unlike some backpacks, these pockets are built into the shape of the bag so there’s no pouches cluttering up the outside of the bag. The bags feature one main, back compartment for big items with an interior, elastic-topped pouch that’s great for securing a laptop or books. Then there are two front pockets, the top of which is deep enough to hold a 1 liter water bottle or bladder. This pocket is specially designed to hold your water in place right at the center of the back which really helps with balancing the weight of your pack. Two side pockets flank the pack and these come equipped with slots to hold pens, cell phone, sunglasses, and O-rings to clip on carabiners or keys.

The bags are made with ultra-lightweight, ultra-tough nylon so they’re durable without feeling or looking bulky. As mentioned, I LOVE the pattern of mine. I’m always down for a bit of monochrome and the pop of bright green when I unzip is just the right level of pizzazz. I also feel like the design aids in the bag’s versatility. It works out on the trail but I can take it on city adventures without looking out of place. We’ve both remarked that it’s nice to have a backpack that doesn’t scream I’M A BACKPACKER!

Comfort and Wear-ability:

The back panel is padded with a 1/4″ of foam covered in a breathable mesh. That last point is a must when you live in South Florida. Nothing like taking your backpack off and finding a lovely layer of sweat has been left behind in it’s wake! The mesh definitely helps with this predicament!

The adjustable straps are also nicely padded. Overall, this is a really comfortable bag! While I’ve not done any super strenuous hiking with it (YET!), I did make it through a cutting-it-close, Home Alone style layover in the Atlanta airport without feeling like I was carrying a bag at all.

Both bags have removable waist and sternum straps. They’ve been taken off (except for Chet’s sternum strap…which is a great place to clip a go-pro) in these photos as we didn’t think they’d be necessary for a day-hike. But I liked having them when I was hauling more weight on a longer trip as you can totally feel the difference in weight distribution. I can’t feel any weight in my shoulders when I’m all clipped in!

For size reference: I am about 5′ 2″ and Chet is about 6′ 1″.

So what will it hold?

As a day-pack — For the day trip you see featured in this post (FIU Nature Preserve and surrounding parks/gardens + campus exploration/Starbucks) I had a book, my large wallet, tissues, hand sanitizer, and a collapsible tote in the big pocket. A full 1 liter water bottle and snacks in the front pockets. My blogging camera, pens, cell phone, and chap stick in the side pockets. And an umbrella in the bottom pocket. Because this is Florida and you just never know!

As a work bag — Chet takes his Synapse 25 to work every day. His campus is huge and with walking from far-off parking garages, an office and classrooms in different buildings, and foraging trips to on-campus coffee shops; a backpack is a much friendlier-for-the-back way to tote your crap than a briefcase, IMHO. He carries with him: a full-size tablet, notebooks, large pencil case, cell phone, first aid kit, various cameras and electronic equipment, water bottle, and snacks.

As a travel bag — This one is the kicker! I was AMAZED at how much stuff I was able to pack in for a 3 day/2 night air travel trip. I brought plenty of clothes, including; a pair of jeans, a huge sweater, 3 shirts, and PJ’s (featuring a really heavy pair of fleece pj pants because I was worried about traveling to actual winter climates). I even had room for a pair of sneakers in the bottom pocket! (For reference I wear a size 6 shoe.) Not to mention all my toiletries, make-up, jewelry, snacks, and misc. entertainment (chargers, headphones, book, etc.) I used these mesh pouches to keep things even MORE organized. The smaller ones held my jewelry and odds and ends. The bigger ones held my shirts (1 tank top, 1 dressy t-shirt, 1 pj shirt) and my underwear. These are great because you can clip them on to any of the bags 8 internal O-rings and you know they’ll stay right where you need ’em.

WANT MORE TOM BIHN CONTENT? Check out THIS POST and THIS ONE.

Who should get one?

Anyone who walks a lot, whether on adventures or at work. Anyone who enjoys ultra-light packing or just a super organized day trip. Anyone who loves a good hike. Anyone who wants to sail through their commute, or airport security, or a nearby trail.

What do you think? Would you get one? Do you think you could pack for 3 days (or more!) in a 19L backpack? Are you a hiker, student, or traveler on the hunt for a new pack? I would HIGHLY recommend checking out the Tom Bihn website and having a browse!

Happy Trails and Travels!!!

P.S. Want to receive an extra dose of delight in your inbox? SUBSCRIBE! You’ll receive occasional emails chock-full of all sorts of goodies. Thanks so much!

Ballin’ on a Budget–Ditch the Gym Membership

February 18, 2016budget, PhysicalDIY fitness, exercise on the cheaps, goal setting, movement, stay active without breaking the bank, workout plan, YoutubeBeth Berger

Today, I’d like to continue a new series on the blog! One that highlights easy strategies for BALLIN’ ON A BUDGET. Each month, I’m going to propose something for all of us to ditch in order to free up some line items on our budgets with values that can go to more practical expenditures like paying down on debt and saving for special occasions. (You can catch up on last month’s suggestions HERE.) Whether you’re actively pinching pennies or simply want to re-direct some of those pennies to better serve you, this series is for you! So, let’s get started…

Just because you’re ballin’ on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your health, mobility, and all those sweet, sweet endorphins that come from working out. Tons of alternatives exist for making that monthly membership payment at the gym. But if we’ve learned anything in this series so far it’s that you’ve gotta do a little research. Once you identify ways to get movin’ that don’t involve taking out your wallet, you may actually find a new form of exercise you like way better than the costly options.

One of the easiest ways to fall into the trap of spending money you don’t have is boredom. Movement and exercise can be a great antidote in this regard. I’ve definitely been there. Saturday seems to stretch on foooooreeeeeverrrrr when you don’t have money to spend on an elaborate brunch followed by a trip to the movie theater or mall followed by a night out on the town. The urge to spend just for some small modicum of entertainment starts creeping in. My bank account would survive the weekend a bit more unscathed when I would round up a few friends and go “exploring” (long walks through town to discover hidden gems and new-to-us parks) or when I would pop on a dance dvd in the midst of a stir crazy, dark by 4 pm, Winter meltdown.

I agree there’s a level of camaraderie at the gym and a sense of community in group classes. If exercising with others is important to you then find a buddy, start a Facebook group, recruit class-mates or co-workers or family members. There are more than likely a fair few folk who wouldn’t mind getting their sweat on for free.

Either way, it’s time to get moving! Your body will thank you. Your wallet will thank you. Your mood will thank you.

Here are 4 easy steps to follow. Let’s do this…

Week 1. Think about your favorite ways to move.

Take this first week to reflect, brainstorm, and experiment. What do you like and dislike about ways you’ve exercised in the past or the workout routine you currently keep? What sort of movement did you enjoy as a child? Organized sports, gymnastics, riding your bike through the neighborhood, or just running around on the playground? What are your fitness goals? Staying active, gaining muscle, losing weight, self-care?

Take notes on your answers. Use them to start identifying trends. Are you leaning towards slow, mindful movement to help with flexibility? Do you need to pound the pavement? Or start a weekly pick-up basketball game? Do you value creative expression when you move? Or would you rather beef up those muscles?

Once you’ve isolated the trends and what sorts of movement they necessitate, brainstorm ways to achieve on the cheap. Consider the limitations of space, equipment, and instructor. We’ll deal with how to handle those limitations later in the month. For now, just think about the type of movement itself. Yoga, body-weight exercise, running, dance, basketball, cross fit, biking, hiking, plyometrics, pilates? You tell me! How would YOU like to move?

Week 2. Look for creative ways to add more movement during every-day life.

Another way you can fit fitness into a low-cost existence? Choose the more active approach whenever possible. Look for sneaky ways to add more movement throughout your daily life. Small changes DO add up.

Are there places you go on a regular basis that you could walk to instead of driving or taking public transit? Can you swear off elevators? Choose to park further away from the store. Take breaks at work that involve getting up instead of just opening a new tab to scroll through your social media. Meet your friends at the park instead of the bar and play frisbee or lawn games or just run around like the weirdos you are. Can you walk the dog for just a little bit longer? Stretch while you’re waiting in line? Do squats while you’re brushing your teeth? Heel raises while you’re on hold? And what about chores? Vacuuming, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, and washing your car by hand aren’t necessarily fun but they’ll definitely burn some calories. So don’t put them off!

Week 3. Go on a hunt for resources.

Ok so you’ve identified ways to move more, now we have to get around the fact that you don’t have a gym, a plethora of expensive equipment, or a bunch of expert instructors at your disposal. While I’ll list a few of my favorite resources below, we all have different preferences and goals so go on a hunt! A great place to start is YouTube. There’s tons of awesome, free content right at your fingertips for any number of work-out styles.

Another thrifty resource is your local public library. You can check out all sorts of fitness DVDs and books to help you nail down some great routines. My library even offers a FREE yoga class once a week. Sign up for email updates; you never know what sort of programming may fit your needs and schedule perfectly! (Same goes for your university, local parks & rec, etc.)

If running or walking is more your style, a simple pedometer could go a long way. You can find these for fairly cheap or you could download a pedometer app onto your phone. And speaking of apps…why not try a running app that tracks your goals or helps you monitor pace. I’ve heard high praise for the free versions of the Couch to 5k/10k apps.

Tons of fitness entrepreneurs offer great free content. Find a few that fit your genre and follow their blogs and social media accounts. You might find an Instagram account that posts a body-weight work-out of the day or a blogger who shares a printable calendar with a 30 day push up challenge. Keep your eye out and snatch up those freebies!

Finally, for team sports you’ll want to find a resource that helps you stay organized and disseminate information to interested parties. This could be a Facebook group, a Google calendar event invite, or just a good ol’ fashioned group text. If you’re rallying a group of co-workers, consider talking to H.R. to offset the cost of joining a league. They often times will have money set aside in their budgets for such things as long as you make the opportunity available to everyone.

Week 4. Map out a feasible routine and STICK TO IT.

I’ll admit–this is definitely the hardest step. Without a cost investment looming over your head you miss out on a level of accountability. There’s no internal monologue whispering, “You paid $50 to go to the gym this month so you better get your ass in gear and GO!” or “I have to go to dance class every Thursday because I can’t get my money back if I skip a week or two.” Hopefully by identifying exercise you actually enjoy you’ll have offset this a little. Nonetheless, examine your schedule and find the best times. Repeat. And start letting those habits sink in.

Everyone is different. I would much rather squeeze in 20-30 minutes of exercise every single day then commit a full hour or more a couple times a week. Your schedule might not shake down to allow for that.

Just do your best, show up for yourself, and then do it again. You’re well on your way. No gym membership needed!

Resources:

Week 1 —

Physical Activity: Choosing the One For You

Best Workouts For Your Body Type // Training Tips For Every Body Type

The 8 Colors of Fitness: A Fitness Personality Quiz ( <— Take this quiz! It’s actually really neat and enlightening!)

Week 2 —

9 Easy Ways to Sneak Fitness into Your Day

I Lost 84 Pounds Without a Gym Membership! ( <— INSPIRATION!)

Moves App Tracks Your Movement

Week 3 —

Yoga with Adriene

Fitness Blender

Men’s Health

Scola Dondo ( <— This girl is my new obsession.)

Week 4 —

5 Scientific Ways to Build Habits that Stick

3 Psychology Tricks to Make Your Workout Plan Stick

Print a Workout Calendar

Do you have your own tips or resources for staying fit without a gym membership? Is this an area of your “spending diet” that you struggle with? Do you think following these weekly steps could help? Let’s chat in the comments below!

And tune in next month when we tackle “here and there” purchasing!

mid-week round-up

February 17, 2016Wednesday Linksarticles, communication, cultural anthropology, dietetics, linguistics, maternal health, musical theater, news, pop culture, religion and politics, round-up, tiny dwellings, water crisis, wedding inspoBeth Berger

How’s your week faring? I got a dose of winter over the weekend during my quick trip up to Kentucky. There was snow on the ground when I woke up Sunday morning and snowed the whole way down to the Nashville Airport (where I was flying out from). I was worried my flight wouldn’t make it out! I so enjoyed getting to spend some time with the Western Kentucky University Forensics Team and loved catching up with friends. A piece of my heart is forever and always reserved for these folks and that team. I’m beyond blessed whenever I get the opportunity to go back and watch new generations speak their truths and their passions. Ok y’all, have a fantastic rest of your week, and before you go, enjoy a perusal of the links below…

Kiese Laymon reflects on Bill Cosby and sexual violence.

When studying religion makes you a liberal.

Hospital bags around the world.

A wedding photographer opens up about her own rehearsal dinner.

It’s not just Flint.

People of all ages influence linguistic change.

Rehearsal recordings and demos from Full the musical.

This couple transformed an old church bus into a beautiful RV.

The midwives of El Paso.

Behind the scenes at a prison beauty pageant in Brazil.

How to become a powerful communicator.

Peek inside the pantry of a registered dietitian.

P.S. In case you missed it, check out my thoughts on saying “you’re welcome” and a new addition to my capsule wardrobe.

(Bill Cosby and sexual violence article via Adam. Photo shared with me by my dear friend Corn.)

On Saying You’re Welcome

February 16, 2016Every day life, Personaletiquette, pet peeve, resolved, thankful, the power of wordsBeth Berger

I’m a big believer in saying “You’re welcome.” I know that sounds a bit obvious. Of course anyone with a shred of decency and an ounce of home training knows to respond to thanks. I just mean I’m a fan of this specific response over others.

Mindlessly answering “No problem,” “No worries,” and, embarrassingly, “Yeah” when people tell me “Thank you” is a habit I’ve worked long and hard to break. These more flippant responses, whether purposefully flippant or not, were the result of feeling over thanked. An almost shy dismissal of the ways I was helping people out. Which is kind of weird, right? Helping people made me feel good. Doing a good job on something made me feel great. So why, when others acknowledged these things, was I brushing it off with “Oh don’t worry about it.”? Basically the equivalent of WHATEVER.

A couple years ago, in serious self-betterment mode, I made a New Year’s Resolution — Say You’re Welcome more! I flipped the tables and considered all the times I give thanks to and for others. How honest and humbled I feel in that split second of grateful recognition. How often it doesn’t feel like enough but I say it anyways because I hope small words will do the work of thousands. I figured if anyone was going out of their way to utter “Thank you,” I owed it to them to sincerely reply “You’re welcome!”

At the end of the day, we can never know the full story behind the words others choose to speak. Perhaps a “thank you” means…

Today was more than I could bear but you made it just a little bit easier.

Someone noticed.

I love you.

You’ve blown my mind/opened my eyes/made my life easier/made my hard work worth it.

And so “you’re welcome” can carry many meanings too.

I’m squeezing you tight.

You’re worth every good action and effort.

I’m the lucky one.

Thank YOU.

While I do slip up from time to time, I still try to hold by this practice of saying “You’re welcome.” I would never want to imply, through a “no problem,” that a thanks was unnecessary or irrelevant. And I would ask that you consider your own response to expressions of thankfulness.

You may have unknowingly lifted the weight of a thousand elephants off of someone’s heart or handed them the whole world on a shiny silver tray. No problem? I don’t think so.

I’d rather not diminish feelings I could never even pretend to understand.

Even in return for the smallest of gestures.

(Photo above of a chauffeur helping a woman into a Bentley in 1926. I hope she thanked him for this small gesture and that he took her thanks in stride.)

Creating My Capsule -Sweater

February 12, 2016Fashion, Style and Designcapsule wardrobe, finding my style, minimalism, minimizing decision fatigue, my closet, Target shopperBeth Berger

I thought it might be fun to show you guys the pieces I buy, and pull from my existing stash, on the road to my 50 Piece All-Season Capsule Wardrobe. I picked up this charcoal gray sweater at Target a couple months back and think it’s a perfect addition to my closet. I love the waffle knit! So cozy. Originally priced at $25, it was already a bargain. But I also snagged a 30% discount because I live in South Florida and winter-wear is always getting marked down! Unfortunately, living in South Florida ALSO means opportunity to wear this sweater is few and far between. It’s definitely coming with me up to Kentucky this weekend though!

6 Ways to Find More Free Time

February 11, 2016How to'sbusy life hack, hobbies, me time, passion, scheduling, time managementBeth Berger

A few months ago I conducted a reader survey to find out more about the folks dropping by. I asked a myriad of questions but the one which garnered answers I found the most illuminating was, “What challenges are you currently facing in your life?” There were certainly some trends. Overwhelmingly, answers discussed difficulties with carving out spaces for self-care, new interests/passions, and hobbies. This is a tough one. It’s tough to create time for yourself amidst a busy schedule.

A couple weeks ago I talked about how and why to invest in yourself, but how do we create those little pockets of time in our day to do so? How do we make time to do it all? While my answers to these difficult questions are certainly a matter of “practice what you preach,” I hope they’ll still prove helpful.

1. Track your time

Spend a few days with a pen and paper (or the Notes app on your phone) by your side and keep tabs on yourself. This is a great way to visualize your day from a new perspective and find moments that went unused, under-used, or used in a way that didn’t necessarily serve you. Pockets of time may rise to the surface once you actually have to write down “Scrolled through Instagram feed from 7:46pm-8:17pm” or when you notice you cooked really elaborate meals 5 days in a row instead of eating up the multitude of leftovers in your fridge (and you don’t even like cooking!)

2. Find things that fill you up

It’s a lot easier to make time for or prioritize your passions. If you’re having trouble identifying things you’re passionate about then definitely check out this post. Still at a loss? Pay attention to what others are passionate about and see if it sparks a little joy in you, too. When a friend beams when discussing a dance class, and you love to dance, see if you can tag along. Once you’ve identified a few loves, schedule them! Pencil them into your planner each week and stick to it.

3. Stop making comparisons

One of the quickest ways to guarantee a “full plate” is by looking to other’s lives and drawing comparisons. We see someone else doing x, y, and z and suddenly we feel the need to pile those things on our To Do list along with a, b, and c. I find this especially prevalent in the social media age. Friends who post about jet-setting to another country, keeping up a fabulously decorated house, and doing wonderfully creative things litter my newsfeed. And that’s fantastic! But as soon as my feelings go from “How awesome for them!” to “Shouldn’t I be doing these things too?!?” — I need to click that unfollow button. You can’t compare what someone else is doing if it’s their passion and not yours. Don’t pile a bunch of unnecessary crap onto your life for the sake of keeping up with the Jones’s.

6. Multi-task!

On average a person spends 45 to 62 minutes waiting every single day. Waiting in traffic, waiting in line at the grocery, waiting on hold, etc., etc. Add to that some of the more mindless activities we have to do to live our lives (Think: walking from Point A to Point B, blowdrying hair, chopping vegetables, folding laundry.) and you’ve just stumbled upon a whole bunch of untapped potential. Are there things you could be doing in these extra minutes that might bring you some joy? Could you multi-task in a more fruitful way than just pulling out your phone? How about bringing a podcast along for that morning commute or how about always having a book on hand in case you have to wait in line!

7. Say “No!”

I talked about saying “no” in this post but there are more than just financial reasons for doing so. Doing it all and saying “yes” to all sorts of invitations and obligations can cut into much needed free time, too. The same principles apply though. If you’re worried that saying no means you’ll never get asked to do anything EVER again!!! I think the best way to combat this is with honesty. Tell whomever extended the invite what circumstances are causing you to pass on this particular invitation. Giving them context lets them know that your answer is “No, not right now.” and not “No, NEVER!”

8. Ask for help from loved ones

Let those you hold near and dear know that you’re working toward a more balanced, joy-filled life. They can help hold you accountable by encouraging you to take time for the things you love once and awhile instead of just holing up with your work for hours on end. When someone else is asking you to go for a walk with them or encouraging you to spend some time scrapbooking instead of scraping dishes, these things will feel a lot more like a luxury than an item on a To Do list. An item that can easily get pushed to the bottom of the page or even eliminated completely.

Have any tips for carving out some free time in a full-to-bursting schedule? What’s your favorite way to spend your hard-earned, well-deserved time? Share below!

(Photo of Natalie Wood and her dog, circa 1950s)

Irresistible Me Review

February 10, 2016Style and Design2007 flashback, human hair extensions, ponytail, product review, products I love, Sally Beauty Supply, weaveBeth Berger

Allow me to take you back to 2007…

2007 ponytail — Note: This was actually taken with my friend Chad’s laptop.

taking selfies with your laptop (sepia = artsy) was a perfectly acceptable thing to do…

and I was 21 years old, rounding out a year spent in my very first apartment.

The Summer of 2007 Amy Winehouse’s Rehab, Hey There Delilah by The Plain White T’s, and Justin Timberlake’s Summer Love played on a loop on the nearest radio, and I was pulling paychecks working part time at Sally Beauty Supply and Equipment. That last fact will set the stage for why, when a company contacted me about trying out their hair extensions, I answered with a resounding yes.

You may notice from the pictures above that I wasn’t quite the “type” to work at a store that specializes in beauty products, let alone one that would have me playing an expert about hair dyes and conditioners in order to make a sale. I reserved make-up for debate tournaments and my hair was in the awkward stages of growing out a cutely layered bob. (My only hair “essential” was the headband featured in that sepia selfie up there.) But a girl’s gotta pay her rent and luckily I had a friend tip me off that a Sally’s was hiring, she worked at another branch in town, and I had the smarts to wear dress pants and heels to the interview. I was hired! And joined a staff of bubbly sorority girls and country-music lovin’ good ol’ gals. Our manager was an old bull of a woman who took Sally Corporate Office directives as seriously as her side hobby of Bible-inspired interpretive dance. (Seriously. She brought in VHS recordings of these performances for us to watch on the TV reserved for training videos.)

The job was pretty much what you’d expect of most retail gigs. I stocked product, ran a cash register, and counted tills. I also pretended to know about every item we sold and pushed certain “special deals” to unsuspecting customers so I could receive points. I did this because I’m deeply competitive not for any real profit. All those points ever amounted to was some free products and once, quite auspiciously, a Burger King gift card. When older customers assumed I was a licensed hairdresser, I didn’t correct them. Making shit up about shampoos is a fantastic way to waste time.

A month or so into my Sally’s tenure, I was given the responsibility of keeping up with ordering for a few sections. One of which was Ethnic Hair-Care (Note: If any of the bottles of relaxer from this section busted open we had special clean-up procedures and had to evacuate the store because it was considered a chemical spill. Even the relaxers made for kids. This still boggles my mind.) and one was a whole wall of fake hair. Extensions, weaves, pieces, tracks; you name it, we had it. And ALL of it was expensive. In fact, I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the price tags. “We’re asking HOW much for this 2 inch wide strand of hair? WTF!?”

I couldn’t wrap my head around the prices because I was broke. I’m talking mega broke. Like eating ramen for dinner broke. Like paying at the gas pump with coins broke. Like taking clothes to the consignment store to pay bills broke. I was in the midst of my first adult-hood reality check, and while all my friends were in the same place and we still managed to have a we’re all in this together BLAST that summer, it still sucked. It sucked because here I was, stocking pieces of hair, and thinking, “this strand of hair costs more than what I’ll earn today.” I daydreamed about what I would do with the money if I could steal all this fake hair and sell it on some underground hair black-market. I wondered, “Is any of this stuff even WORTH it?!”

Which is all to say, when a representative from Irresistible Me asked if I wanted to check out their hair I couldn’t say no. 21 year old me was like, “FAKE HAIR IS THE PINNACLE OF WEALTH AND FRIVOLITY AND FUN!” and 30 year old me was like, “Fair enough. Let’s do it.” Let’s once and for all figure out what all the fuss is about. I was told to check out Irresistible Me’s website and choose any of their clip-in human hair extensions for review. While they have full sets of extensions, I decided to take an easier approach and opted for a 16″ ponytail (in medium brown). As you can see in the picture below, I’m yet again growing out a short haircut. Which means right now ponytails don’t looks so rad. It’s buns or nothing, kids. So I figured a fake pony might be a fun way to help with this current predicament. Check it out…

Look at that luscious ponytail! In all seriousness, the hair is really good quality. It’s 100% human Remy hair so you can dye it and style it to your hearts content. The piece itself is really easy to put in. It has a comb-like clip that you secure just above your own tied back hair and a ribbon to tie it in. There’s a ton of YouTube videos explaining a multitude of ways to style it into up-do coifs but I’ve only tackled a high pony (I put my hair into a bun and clipped in the piece) and the low, sling-it-over-your-shoulder pony you see above. My only disappointment was there’s not really a way to use the ponytail to make a big, juicy bun at the top of my head but I suppose that kinda goes against the whole purpose anyways. These retail for $89 (on sale right now for $67) and honestly I think, if you were planning to wear it often, they’re totally worth it. They make you look just a smidge more put together even if your hair is actually a hot mess…which in my mind is a huge plus. The quality seems made to last and the hair itself feels so natural.

Not to mention, 21 year old me would be immensely jealous of your big ballin’ status.