TMH Tidbits: 2016

Top 10 Playlist, 11/1/16

By Tracy - 6:59 PM

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A Green Thumb for Everyone: Indoor Plants

By Tracy - 7:00 PM

Much to my mother and grandmother's dismay, I did not inherent either of their green thumbs. I cannot look at a flower and say what it is, or if someone asks me what my favorite is, my mind goes blank. However, if any of you out there are like me, there is still hope! Welcome to the world of indoor plants, where the maintenance is low, and the benefits are high! When I look for inspiration for home decor or residential design, almost everyone that I see incorporates the use of indoor plants. Not only are they colorful, or a way to add fun accessories to a space, but they can do a great deal to help improve air quality. It you sit and think about it, the way plants were designed is truly amazing. You have all the humans, taking over the earth, blowing out all our hot air, releasing carbon dioxide. Then you have plants, that require carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis... a perfect relationship. Shout out to the ultimate creator for knowing what He was doing. Seriously. He had so much to think about during the creation period!!

So our little green friends not only provide more oxygen, but houseplants help remove air pollutant and dust that get trapped indoors, making our air even cleaner to breathe! These physical benefits should inspire you enough to go get a houseplant, or two, or twelve, right now! Still need a little convincing? Just take a look at how cute they can be used to decorate your house, or add some character with a variety of plants and vases. I am a sucker for the world traveler look, and there is something about plants that just screams that "wanderlust, one with nature" vibe that I love channeling.

Succulents and air plants are a great way to introduce yourself to the indoor plant scene. They are small and do not require much maintenance at all. Once you become comfortable with those, try a larger potted plant such as a fern, snake plant, or a palm. Check out this blog post, which showcases different indoor plant types that are trending in 2016.

*All images taken from Pinterest

Whether you are a seasoned green thumb, or afraid of taking care of anything that has a chance of dying, everyone should try to incorporate plants into their lives at least once. If none of your seven succulents you plant make it, then maybe the world of greenery is not for you, but I think more times than not you will find success with plants that are right for you.
Bring some of nature's beauty indoors, and happy planting!!

Much Love,
Tracy

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DESIGN

Best Instagrams to Inject the Travel Bug

By Tracy - 7:25 AM

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MUSIC

Top 10 Playlist, 10/19/16

By Tracy - 7:15 PM

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DESIGN

UBER Office: A Refined Start Up

By Tracy - 9:49 AM

I was perusing through an old edition of Contract Magazine (May 2015), and came across a profile it did on the new floor design of Uber Technologies in San Fransisco. The up-and-coming company had an existing headquarters in a building on the 4th floor, but due to its popularity and growth, Uber expanded, leasing the 11th floor in the same building. This floor was to have a variety of great spaces for collaboration, with a refined definition of the scrappy vibe that comes with start up cultures. As said by the principal at Studio O+A (designer of the project), is was a "more rebellious cousin of the Uber headquarters (4th floor). We wanted this to feel like a start up but in an elevated and refined way."

The idea of "start up company" or "start up culture" has been very prevalent in commercial design the past few years. It is a notion that all the walls and private offices seen in past corporate designs aren't desired anymore by employees (and sometimes employers), and people want to connect on a closer level. This same concept is being used in residential design as well: everyone wants the open concept feel. You want to be able to drift from the kitchen, to the living room, to the dining room, so that everyone can feel connected, and you can better communicate without barriers. Well, same goes for office design. The amount of space is not important, but it is what you do with it that counts. When you are in a job that requires constant collaboration, it is much more enjoyable to have an open floor plan injected with a variety of spaces to accomplish the projects and tasks at hand. I think it is hard for people outside of the design industry to understand how their work environment can affect their efficiency, effectiveness, and overall well-being. The new Uber office achieved this (with positive employee feedback) by having a balanced floor plan of open workstations, semi-private and private collaboration spaces, multi-person studios, and a large "cave" in the middle.

In addition to the overall space planning of the floor, another aspect that brings in a "refined start up" feel is the use of materials. Exposed ceilings and raw concrete are common traits of industrial design that coincides with that rugged start up feel, but Uber and Studio O+A took it one step further. They incorporated custom light fixtures with chains and recycled materials, butcher block table tops, and left drywall unpainted. Pairing these "bare bone" characteristics with sophisticated furniture and modern graphics/branding on the walls makes this design a homerun in my book. They have provided a space for their employees to effectively collaborate and have a balanced work life, while also separating themselves from the competition with a completely unique space for them.

THAT is why I love design. An office that makes you feel connected, motivated, and a part of something bigger than yourself. A classroom that encourages innovation and creativity. A hospital that promotes healing and serenity.

What does your workplace do for you? Does it build you up to be a better you, or leave you wanting more? The answer may just be in the design.

Much love,

Tracy

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MUSIC

Music Profile: << WOTE >>

By Tracy - 7:11 PM

Artist: Walk Off the Earth
Formed: 2006
Hometown: Ontario, Canada
Members: Sarah Blackwood, Gianni Luminati, Ryan Marshall, Joel Cassady, Mike Taylor
Website: http://www.walkofftheearth.com/

All this week, there was not a single time I logged onto Facebook where I did not see WOTE's cover of "Closer" by the Chainsmokers and Halsey at the top of my news feed. People have been sharing it like crazy, and I don't blame them... IT IS AWESOME!! Walk Off the Earth is one of those that I can forget about them for a little bit, and then they come out with something like "Closer" and I remember why I enjoy them so much. I think they are one of the most creative bands/cover artists out there. You can tell all the videos they shoot are lower budget, but that is the beauty: all you focus on is their amazing voices, the unusual instruments they use, and the raw talent each member has.

They first started gaining a large fan base after their cover of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" went viral. I remember seeing their video and just watching with my mouth open in awe. They had one guitar, and created the whole song with each person having a specific part to play. No gimmicks, no big production... just a big guitar and lots of talent. I loved it!

Every video since then has not disappointed. They make each song have its own vibe, and even though they cover another artist, WOTE makes the song their own by putting their own creative spin on it. I love that each is in a different location (tour bus, beach, garage, etc.), with different instruments, but you can tell it is their sound as soon as you hear it. You can see the passion they have behind every song they do, whether it's a cover or an original, and that is what makes them so great.

Because "Closer" has been so popular, I thought I would share my favorite songs performed by WOTE. Enjoy!

TOP 5 FAVORITE WALK OFF THE EARTH COVERS:
#1: "Closer" (The Chainsmokers and Halsey)
#2: "Hello" (Adele)
#3: "Somebody That I Used to Know" (Gotye)
#4: "Cheerleader" (Omi)
#5: "I Knew You Were Trouble" (Taylor Swift)

TOP 5 FAVORITE WALK OFF THE EARTH ORIGINALS:
#1: "Hold On (The Break)" Album: Sing It All Away
#2: "Red Hands" Album: R.E.V.O

#3: "Gang of Rhythm" Album: R.E.V.O.
#4: "Home We'll Go" Album: Sing It All Away
#5: "Sing It All Away" Album: Sing It All Away

Have a safe and happy weekend music lovers!
Much love,
Tracy

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TRAVEL

New York: Forever in Our Hearts

By Tracy - 4:11 PM

Last summer, I had the opportunity to travel to New York City with my two best friends for a long weekend. We each live in different states, so undivided time together is a rare and beautiful thing. It was quite the spontaneous decision, but the bright lights and big city were calling our names, and for that, we HAD to go! It was a weekend filled with tourist attractions, delicious meals, and so much walking I thought my legs were going to fall off. I've been thinking about that trip lately for 2 reasons... partly because we are going on another trip soon (this time to Nashville), but also because today marks the 15th anniversary of the most tragic event on American soil in history: the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

During my trip to NYC, I got to see a glimpse of what it was like for the people of New York City, and others around the world, that fateful morning. We spent an afternoon at the 9/11 Museum and Ground Zero, and although it was sad and overwhelming, it was the most memorable and favorite part of the trip. Today, as I recap our weekend in the Big Apple, I want to take a moment and remember all the lives that were affected or lost during those attacks 15 years ago, and beyond.

Our cozy AirBnB apartment- "awkward family photo"

Saturday: We landed at LaGuardia after a brief 2-hour flight from Chicago, and made our way to a key cafe where the key to our AirBnB awaited. It was a nice little 2-bedroom apartment in the Upper East Side in Manhattan, about 10 minutes from Central Park, and 2 minutes from the subway to take us anywhere we wanted to go. After settling in, we went straight to the heart: Times Square. We somehow managed to end up in that area every day... Something about the hustle and bustle, the enormous amounts of people no matter what time day or night, and the bright neon lights just draws you right in! After some wandering, we stopped at Ellen's Stardust Diner for dinner, which was an awesome experience! All the wait staff are Broadway students with dreams of making it in the big leagues. While they wait for their big break, they take turns singing and dancing while serving us delicious food. It was a long wait to get in, but the energy and atmosphere of the place made it worth it! We finished the night off with a classic tourist move: a night tour on a big, double decker bus that screams "We are not from here!" but I didn't care. We went all through SOHO, Chinatown, Little Italy, and crossed over to Brooklyn to see the Manhattan skyline. It was a beautiful evening, and the perfect start to our weekend!

Ellen's Stardust Diner

The Manhattan Skyline and Brooklyn Bridge

Sunday: We hit the ground running for our first full day in NYC, starting out on a hop on, hop off bus. Our first stop: Highline Park. A park in the sky? Why yes, don't mind if I do... The green park was in full bloom, and I loved how you could still see the old railroad tracks that used to inhabit the structure. After a nice stroll, we made it down to Chelsea Market- a wonderfully eclectic mix of shops that sold close to whatever you were looking for.

After we got our fill of shopping in, we made our way to the Financial District, and the World Trade Center. We grabbed some lunch at an Amish Market, and then with full bellies and full hearts, we entered the area of Ground Zero, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The mood was different; the busy traffic and loud conversations seemed to drift away, and people solemnly took in the large memorials of where the Twin Towers used to stand. Walking around the grounds, seeing all the names of people who lost their lives... it was overwhelming.

Walking down into the museum, I could immediately start seeing pieces of that day, and the memories started flooding back: Where were you when you heard the news of September 11?
I was in 5th grade, and I remember a classmate of mine coming into class late, saying there was an attack in New York. Our class was ushered to the library where there was a TV broadcasting the news, and I couldn't fathom it. What was actually happening? Why was my gym teacher there, staring at the screen, with tears in his eyes? What will this mean for New York, for the United States, for the world? Our classes never really got started that day- everyone was just shocked. Our teachers tried to explain it as best they could or knew how, and we spent a lot of time in prayer. As a 10 year old, I didn't understand it, and I think I was far enough removed from the event, that I really didn't need to right then and there. That was what it was like the morning of September 11, 2001, in a small Christian school in Oak Lawn, IL. As we walked through the space, it is hard to imagine how different it would have been for a 10 year old who lived in New York City. The chaos of people running scared, the brave heroes who ran towards danger, trying to save lives, and the worry that people must have felt not knowing where loved ones were at. I was shocked by the amount of things the museum had on display that helped paint that picture for those of us who didn't witness it first hand. Photographs, clothing, signs, phone calls, news broadcasts, pieces of buildings, vehicles, videos... you name it. We spent over 3 hours in the museum, and it felt like 30 minutes. It was one of the most humbling experiences I've had, and made me so appreciative of the live I've been able to live, and the freedoms that we have.

We concluded the evening with some pizza per a local's recommendation: John's Pizzeria. It was an old church that was renovated into a pizza parlor. They kept some of the architectural features, artwork, and even some church pews. After a long day of walking, it felt great to sit and grab a good meal.

Monday: We had a game plan for this day to cover A LOT of ground. A ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Wall Street, eating lunch off the food trucks like locals, a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, sitting in a the Nordstrom's Rack shoe area in Brooklyn because we are so hot and tired, dinner and shopping in Little Italy, Top of the Rock (with an AMAZING view of the city), and topped off the evening with a cupcake from Carlo's bakery (After a 45 minute wait. For a cupcake. Worth it? Debatable...) WHEW! What a day! My fitbit had chalked us up for over 10 miles of walking, and it was near 90 degrees that day, so we had to give ourselves a pat on the back for such determination!

Lady Liberty herself

Chicken Kabobs from the food trucks near Wall St.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

Tuesday: Our last day in New York was a brief one. We spent some time in the Guggenheim Museum (thanks to some free entrance passes we scored), and then meandered around Central Park for the morning. Soon it was time to grab a quick lunch and make our way back to the airport.

It was a jam-packed weekend, but it was awesome. Can't wait for the next one!! :)
Travel often friends, it's good for the soul.

Much Love,
Tracy

Top 10 Playlist, 11/1/16

A Green Thumb for Everyone: Indoor Plants

Best Instagrams to Inject the Travel Bug

Top 10 Playlist, 10/19/16

UBER Office: A Refined Start Up

Music Profile: << WOTE >>

New York: Forever in Our Hearts

Top 10 Playlist #19

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