Aspire to everything Inspired

Have you heard?

 
From the US Postal Service blog, Beyond the Perf...

Did you know that a person who is honored on a U.S. postage stamp must have been deceased for at least five years before being considered?  The only exception is that a U.S. President may be honored with a postage stamp one year after his/her death.

Well.

The Postal Service is considering changing this policy and has invited the public to suggest living Americans who should be honored. 

Who would you suggest?

Want to vote for real too?  Suggestions are being accepted via Facebook and Twitter.

[Saw this item first via a Beyond the Perf subscription email from USPS.  It was just too cool not to share!]

The view from over here, No. 14

 
Hullo from the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada!

Walking back to our hotel and the view UP was just spectacular.  Have you ever been to the top to enjoy the view?  We heard it's amazing!

Is it just me, or is it rather tallll... ? 

The view from over here, No. 13

 
So here's something that's occasionally nice about business travel...  Room Service for breakfast!

The bacon was crispy, just as I ordered, and the buttermilk pancakes were HUGE.  and delish!  I love that my order of hot chocolate came with a small pitcher of hot milk too.  What a thoughtful gesture!

I'll admit that the Room Service pancakes were an unusual splurge... usually its fruit, yoghurt, and granola (yum!).  Sometimes though, a girl just needs pancakes, y'know?  What's one of your favorite meals when you travel? 

The view from over here, No. 12

 
Hullo from the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto!

The view from over here, No. 11

 

Getting ready for another business trip.  Always, there is the fashion dilemma.  Always. 

{sigh}

What would you pack for 3 days in Canada, friends?

Oh my Christmasy goodness!

Have you SEEN this magical commercial from Disney???  It's exactly what every child thinks the perfect holiday adventure would be like... AMAZING.

©Disney

[This post was in no way sponsored by Disney.  (I wish!)  Saw this commercial first via the September Disney HELLO email from Disney Destinations, LLC.  It was just too cool not to share!]

The view from over here, No. 10

 
I declared last Saturday to be "The Great Purge of 2011"... or maybe just of September... and spent a couple of hours emptying out piles from my closet.  It was one of those days where you ORDER YOURSELF to get it done, let it go, and get it out!

Favorite skirts that no longer fit?  Gone.  Nice business suits that I haven't worn in at least, ahem, 10 years?  Gone.  Those pants that I remember I hate every.time. I put them on?  Gone.

Rarely worn shoes, old sweaters, superfluous button-downs, summer shorts that didn't see the light of day this year...   Gone!

What a relief!

Of course, I've since decided a few more things can go too... like that black jacket, and it's friend, that other winter coat, or two... I might be on a roll. and maybe the Great Purge isn't over...

---

P.S.
And in a case of what can only be described as impeccable timing, check out closet clean-out tips posted this week by the intriguing Vicky Archer of French Essence, here.

The next time you come to visit...

you might expect something completely awesome like this:

 
 
Or possibly not.  Because I'm not sure I'll find an awesome box like that one.  And I'll probably eat the chocolate before you get here.  Though there might still be a fizzy drink left for you - if. you. hurry. 

Run fast.

[Isn't this the coolest?!  Created by the oh-so-talented Melanie Blodgett of You are my Fave, who graciously gave permission to use her photos. (Thanks!)  Saw it first via The Lil' Bee.  All images from Melanie's blog!  Which you should now visit!]

9/11 - Ten years on

 
[Breathtaking photograph by the lovely Sarah Jane Wright, of Sarah Jane Studios.  All rights reserved and used with permission.  Thank you!]

Flood Damaged Libraries?! {gasp!}

Have you heard about the devastation to several small town Public Libraries caused by the flooding from Hurricane Irene?  In communities already devasted by destruction of personal homes and property, the Library becomes a refuge and an escape.  Except when the Library is devastated too. Seeing these photos of the Wells Memorial Library in Upper Jay, NY is just...  yeah.

 
 
 

The biggest lost for this library in Upper Jay, NY?  Children's books. 

Children's books!

Only five (5!) picture books survived the flood...  they were waiting to be re-shelved.  All the rest were on lower shelves -- to be accessible to little hands -- and were a total loss.

Oh my.

My first reaction was to go through my personal Library and pick out duplicates and other favorite tomes to donate.  A stack quickly built.  But...

Then I read this.  And guess, what?  Flooded libraries don't have anywhere to store new books while they clean up!  Well.  That makes sense now, doesn't it.

 

So here’s how we can help:

1. Send a donation directly. Checks may be made payable to the library.

OR

2. Donate via local bookstores in the affected communities.  In many cases, they are providing discounts to the Library and are willing to hold/store books until the Library is able to receive new deliveries.  Now that's pretty awesome service! 

The mailing addresses for donations:

Wells Memorial Library
P.O. Box 57
Upper Jay, NY 12987 

OR
Contact local independent bookseller The Bookstore Plus at 518-523-2950 to purchase books and/or contribute to a library gift card

The West Hartford Public Library
P.O. Box 26
West Hartford, VT 05084
(802) 295-7992

OR
Contact local independent bookseller The Norwich Bookstore at 802-649-1114. to purchase books and/or contribute to a library gift card.

Let's spread the word and make a difference, friends.

[Heard about it first at Sarah Jane Studios, and she heard about it via Kate Messner.  Pictures of the Wells Memorial Library and addresses for both Libraries borrowed via Kate - with thanks!]