If I told you that there was something that you can do…

- Once a day..

- That is FREE..

- And only takes about 2 minutes..

- That is actually enjoyable to do..

- And it will have a more PROFOUND POSITIVE effect on your life than becoming a millionaire.

Would you do it???

Seems like a no brainer, right? Well, the studies are in…  Practicing daily gratitude is the number #1 contributing factor to happiness. More than money.  More than being married to Brad Pitt. (maybe)    Why *wouldn’t* you do it???

This little video is an illustration of how to incorporate a little gratitude into your daily life..  Have a look!  And get started today!

And one more thing.  Part of the key to this, is to WRITE IT DOWN!  Keep a daily Gratitude Journal and write 5 things that you are grateful for every day.

Here’s a blog entry that Lauren wrote with a link to an online Gratitude community.. so you can share your spirit of gratitude with others!

Now Apple is releasing iOS7 on September 18^th with a new flatter interface. Its not as simple as Windows single color live tiles, instead they keep subtle gradients but have simplified the icons. 3D and realism are officially old school.

Here is a great visual comparison designed by @pawsupforu

Previously, iOS7 popularized skeumorphism, which mimics physical objects with textures, shadows and details so users instinctively understand how to use them. This helped users transition to touch-based devices.

Research has now suggested that they are able to simplify icons while maintaining the same level of comfort and ease-of-use for users.

Apple is continuing to use Helvetica Neue but have chosen to use the “Light” version of the font to complement the thin lines of the newly developed icons.

In the following months and years, many companies will mimic this trend that Apple is establishing in iOS7. Apple is always trying to minimalize and simplify their devices as much as they can get away with.

Today’s tip: STRETCHING!

I carry a backpack because it is functional. I believe this multiple compartment beauté was a Target purchase right before a business trip to Toronto in 2010. It was for a Coca-Cola / McDonald’s ideation session. This trip was the beginning of a journey that has led me ultimately to the graduate degree in creativity that I start this June. Hence the book “Out of Our Minds – Learning to be Creative”.

(click on the image to search through my bag)

So what else do the contents of my bag say about me?

My mother gave me the second book because it joins two of my passions – animals and healing. I recently received my Reiki Master certification and have found that it is a great way to treat animals suffering from pain and anxiety. I have not been able to read the whole book though because many of the stories are just too gut wrenching.

Next, you will no doubt notice that technology is my friend and “Hi, my name is Lauren and I am an Apple addict”. iPhone, iPad, laptop–at least one or more are always with me.

For our first wedding anniversary, my wife gave me the St. George cards as my paper gift. Saint George is said to be a dragon slayer from the 17^th century. I like the idea that my last name both represents bravery and the Florida island where we fell in love.

Car keys are a pretty standard item in a bag, but I have to admit– I loooove my car and am very lucky (knock on wood) that I haven’t gotten a speeding ticket. My mechanic, with a grin on his face, once told me that she purrs at 122 mph.

Notebooks are a must. It is strange to think that in the not too distant future there will be generations of people who don’t know how to hand write anything. Oh and the sticker on the front is from Awesomeness Fest. You should definitely check out this conference. It is unlike any I’ve been to before.

Nike Fuel Band, fabric grocery bags and a protein bar are all me trying to be a better person

(click on the image to rummage through my bag)

Where my bag shines a little light into my personality might be in the ways I use it. Most of the time it serves as a bin of unfinished projects that I carry around with me. Unopened mail, disks and hard drives with varying projects on them, documents that I need to sign and mail, phone numbers and business cards that are unfilled anywhere else, stray brochures and flyers that are handed to me on the street, note books and unfinished/un-read books.

I guess most of the time it serves as an overflow bin for things I haven’t made time to deal with.

In a sense, most of the time it’s just baggage (in either meaning of the word). I guess the bag gets a little lighter when I’m doing alright managing life and a little heavier on those rougher weeks. It would appear that it serves as a litmus test for how I’m feeling a lot of the time.

So if you ever see me swinging my bag around loosely, you can bet I’m probably not quite as weighed down at the moment and have lots of my special attention to go around : )

(click on the image to enlarge)

I absolutely LOVE this bag for a few of reasons:  1) It’s so durable it can withstand my extreme mistreatment and abuse– I think you’d have to drop this thing into a pit of fire to bring any harm to it. 2) The simple, classic design goes with literally any outfit.  It’s an easy, go-to bag that allows me to not have to think.  And not having to expend brain energy on things like matching bags to outfits everyday is a good GREAT thing. 3) It’s holds a lot of stuff, which means I have room to carry around random little items like my painted inspirational rocks, which make me feel good when I see them.  (Yes, I do carry rocks in my purse.   Yes,it is heavy.)

I have to say, that seeing the contents of my bag laid out like this is honestly a little shocking even to me.  I never really realized how many little colorful non-essential items I carry around.  I feel like it kind of looks a little like it would belong to a teenager with hoarding tendencies–  but I’m not ashamed.  You see, I’m just now realizing that I am the girl that likes to be prepared.  Need some gum? Mint?  Sure thing.  Advil? Excedrin?  No prob.  Lotion?  Of course.  Lighter? Highlighter? Mini Etch-a-Sketch?  I got you covered.  Someone has to be that person, so the rest of you minimalists can have someone to borrow things from.

I then spent about an hour debating with Mike trying to explain to him why he can’t have a dragon.  :-/

Most of today was spent visiting Laut Design, a cutting edge Product Design firm, learning about their capabilities and seeing some of their equipment in action—really cool stuff!

Mike joined me and I’m pretty sure this was the highlight of the trip for him.

The past 3 weeks have been truly amazing, but I can’t tell you how excited I am to be heading back home tomorrow.

ATL here we come!!!

 <———- READ DAY FOUR                                                         START ON DAY ONE ————>

After 2 weeks of intensive school work and driving, meetings, business work and homework everyday since— a girl (and a monster) need a break!

After we arrived in Richmond last night we decided just to stay in at the hotel and chill out.  Mike seems to be adjusting quite well to hotel life—and he was even sweet enough to make the coffee this am!

Meeting today was with our good friends at MWV.  Aren’t their headquarters snazzy!?

 <———- READ DAY THREE                                                         READ DAY FIVE ————>

I hated to disappoint him so I let him drink some of my Diet Coke and get chocolate wasted—and now he’s too hungover to even remember. I had a great meeting today with our client, Hershey’s (I bet you already guessed that),  at their corporate headquarters on Chocolate Ave. Now it’s time to get back on the road!  Next stop— Richmond, VA!

<——– READ DAY TWO                                    READ DAY FOUR ————>

But this morning I woke up fresh and excited to head into Manhattan to meet with TNS, a global market research company on Madison Ave.  Afterwards, I unfortunately couldn’t enjoy walking around in the city because of the weather,  but on a sidenote, I was very impressed with the “Citi Bike” sharing system.  There are literally thousands of bikes at different locations all over the city that are available to rent (from an unmanned kiosk) 24 hrs a day!  Good job New York!  Next stop– Hershey, PA!  Yum..

 <—— READ DAY ONE                                   READ DAY THREE  ———->