The Any Day Extraordinary Guide

Sunrise over Lake Tahoe

2012-01-29T08:11:00.000-08:00

"What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives?" - E.M. Forster

It was a Saturday night and I knew our Sunday morning plans were to hit Fire Sign, the local breakfast spot in town, and spend the day window shopping on North Lake Tahoe Blvd. In the afternoon, we planned on squeezing in one more snow adventure for the kids, and then head on back to the house, make dinner and start preparing for another busy week ahead. I had already checked the weather report and knew the forecast was calling for blue skies, so I thought it would be an excellent adventure to sneak out of the house in the early morning and catch the sunrise over Lake Tahoe.

It was a cool morning, 21 degrees, and everything was still and silent other than the pack of birds flying south. As I sat bundled in the car with the heater blasting waiting for the perfect picture, I thought of all the times I had planned to do this, and how time and my warm comfy bed had always convinced me there would be another day. Well, I finally made time for that other day.

Enjoy your week,

Melissa

Any day special

2012-01-27T12:25:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in a hospital emergency room, a surgeon is performing an extraordinary act to save a patient's life. At this exact moment, someone is writing a remarkable piece of literature that will one day change our perspective on life. Out there a courageous and brave soldier is diligently fighting for our freedoms. These are all extraordinary things; however, there are also many short, simple and sweet moments that are happening in our every day lives.

The times that you happen to look over your dashboard and catch a beautiful sunset, or the times you laugh so hard with a best friend that no noise is coming out of your mouth, or don't forget the time you give a friend a hug who is in desperate need of one. If you can, sometime this weekend, take note of these any day extra special moments that are happening all around you.

Enjoy your weekend,

Melissa

Today's Any Day | On Being Good For Life

2012-01-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

print by LuciusArt

On Sunday I begin an intensive eight week self-defense course. The program, IMPACT has been called the smartest self defense training in the U.S. David's martial arts instructor recommended the class to me and David reminded, encouraged and then waited until I signed up, for this is not just a class. Any safety expert will say that the way that I was attacked many years ago is the hardest to escape alive. I teach people that self defense and awareness of your surroundings is critical. We live in a world where sadly we have to be on high alert. When we say "trust your instincts" this kind of self defense becomes instinct. Yet there are times when there is no way to fight off or outsmart a perpetrator. Very few women take self defense classes and I have to ask why…why not in school? Wouldn't that be the kind of tools we should have early in life? But we don't, and we learn as much as we are taught by family or friends, and then when one becomes a victim of a crime, we blame. We blame ourselves. And criminals know this.
This is not a breezy topic. I can tell you what happened and how to help yourself, help others, statistics, education, volunteer opportunities. Ask me anything except why I am not thrilled to take this class with 14 other women. I have done my job with the criminal system. I've been helping others for over a decade. This class is a commitment to myself to end the blame that anything could have been different. We - women - should know more. But it is not our fault. My any day extraordinary is doing something extraordinarily good even when I'd rather be having breakfast, on a photo shoot, at the beach, somewhere in nature, or getting a root canal. And I am not going to this class for others. I am going for me. As we say to our younger friends and children, doing the right thing is not always easy. It is a process learning to do good things for yourself. But give it a try, a good that is hard to commit to, and then see where the good takes you.

xoxo
Marnie

Any Day Health and Fitness | Obese Teen to Pageant Queen

2012-01-25T11:45:00.000-08:00

photo by Gary Melendez

Bree's Facebook Page

It was just over a week ago that a marvelous group of healthy women and fit women came together to vie for the coveted title of Miss America. Since its inception 90 years ago the competion has evolved into a spectacular tradition of swimsuits, gowns, sparkles and of course the illustrious crown, all while providing a vechicle for young women to promote their voices in culture, politics and the community.

The class of 2012 constestants was nothing short of amazing and inspiring. In the line up of fit beauties included Regan Hartley, Miss New Hampshire, who was brutally attacked by high school class mates who thought she was too pretty, pageant winner Miss Wisconsin, Laura Kaeppeler, who revealed her father served time in prison while she was growing up, Miss Arizona Jennifer Sedler, a remarkable 4.0 pre-med student at the University of Arizona, and there was also, Miss South Carolina Bree Boyce, who went from obese teen to pageant queen after her doctor told her she would die if she did not stop binge eating.

Formerly 234 pounds, Bree now weighs 119 pounds no thanks to surgery or quick loss fad diets. She credits her success to good old-fashioned healthy eating, exercise and discipline. With her incredible weight loss, Bree has appeared on the cover of People Magazine and on the Today Show. Most of all, she realized her pageant dreams, and represented her home state in The Miss America competition.

Although Bree did not leave the competition in Las Vegas with the coveted crown, she did however walk across the stage and compete in the lifestyle and fitness portion of the competition, which must have felt great. Post The Miss America pageant, Bree remains an ambassador for healthy eating, and the fight against obesity. She is a testament that anyone can set goals and acheive them.

Thank you Bree Boyce, Laura Kaeppeler (Miss America 2012) and the other beautiful contestants for rocking healthy and fit physiques across the pageant stage last week! You are role models and inspirations to many.

~Amber

Esty Finds | Gifts Under $20

2012-01-24T15:20:00.000-08:00

We've gotten more Pinteresting!

2012-01-23T12:09:00.000-08:00

a few of our boards

The ADE Pinterest boards are up and we are going pin crazy! Have a look! As a follow-up to Friday's On doing the neighborly thing post, we've created a Being Neighborly board with some terrific ideas to welcome a new neighbor to the community, or perhaps introduce yourself to a neighbor you've never met. Easy ideas such as home baked treats with gift tags, a Hostess Ding Dong ditch kit, a cheese & grater kit for a grate neighbor (yep, we said it), and much more. Browse the rest of our boards, follow us and leave comments! We would love to hear if you tried one of our selected any day recipes or read a book from our any day library board.

Happy pinning and please be advised... it is very addicting!

xo,
Melissa

Sunday Extra Inspiration | Hug It Out!

2012-01-22T09:59:00.000-08:00

Music video by Dave Matthews Band performing Everyday. (C) 2001 BMG Entertainment.

We follow a different kind of calendar here at Any Day Extraordinary. Yesterday was National Hug Day! I would be super thrilled if you gave me a hug today, or any day for that matter. To follow up on yesterday's post, touch has the power to heal, to lift people's spirits, to make the world seem gentler, kinder - the way we'd like it to be. Go grab our virtual hug courtesy of The Dave Matthews Band. The message will make you smile. A big hug to the band and video director Chuck McBride.

Hugs are universal love. Give one today.

On Saving Your Life By Eating Healthy (really)

2012-01-21T14:52:00.000-08:00

photo by Heather Bullard

You may have read about model and fashion blogger Lauren Scruggs' helicopter accident and her miraculous road to recovery. As upsetting as the accident is, Lauren's recovery has been quicker than any of her doctors anticipated and that is extraordinary. However it is her healthy lifestyle that Lauren's parents have attributed to her healing that is today's any day extraordinary. "She just eats so healthy...mostly eats fruits and vegetables. She works out...loves to work out at the gym. she boxes. All that really helped her" says her father.

Check out Lauren's blog, LoLo, who's tag line "inspiration out loud" shares a similar message to ours: "If you change your world, you are changing THE world." Moving forward I will be sharing original healthy recipes that taste good and are good for you. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has so many positive benefits, and Lauren's story proves that it could significantly affect one's healing process.

Today I have an easy recipe for crispy roasted cauliflower from Whole Living. It is tasty, nutritious and inexpensive. Click here for the recipe.

Thank you Lauren for inspiring us to eat better and stay active. You are in our hearts and we wish you a healthy and happy recovery from the inside out.

Wishing everyone good health and spirits,
Julie

On doing the neighborly thing

2012-01-20T19:29:00.000-08:00

source

Remember the days when people used to actually take the time to welcome a new family into the neighborhood. When your mom or grandmother would make a special home made treat and walk it across the street, introduce her family and say hello. The kind of nostalgic neighborly feeling that is reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting. Well, I actually have been lucky enough to move into that kind of neighborhood. When we were first getting settled in our new home, one by one our neighbors stopped by, introduced themselves and dropped off either a hot meal, dessert, fire wood, or let us know when we accidentally left our garage door open or had a leaky sprinkler. This comradery has not slowed down either. Over every holiday we continue to exchange cookies, hand made cards and visit each others homes to see the fun display of decorations. It isn't just a wives thing either. The husbands, kids and dogs are part of the gathering as the families come together, share stories and visit.

Well, my any day extraordinary moment came when I had the opportunity to reciprocate the hospitality once again to one of our dearest neighbors. When I learned the sweet grandmother next door had been rushed to the hospital due to heart complications, I decided one of the best things I could do for their family was to have a warm, home cooked meal and dessert prepared for when they returned home from the hospital. I knew that after facing hours on uncertainty, heartache and stress, this might be the perfect pick me up for when they got home, and I was happy to be able to return the kindess and generosity they had shown my family over the past year. Who can forget the free babysitting offers, the toddler hand me downs, the photography lessons and the keeping a watchful eye on our home when we travel.

In deciding what to make I went straight to Pinterest, my go-to cooking/baking site, and found two delicious recipes to prepare. Since they are a family of 8 and were most likely coming home from the hospital with empty stomachs, I decided to make a hearty white chicken enchilada dish with green chillies and a sour cream sauce. And to lift their spirits, I made a summery pink lemonade bundt cake. It felt really good to do the neighborly thing and help out in time of need and I am extremely grateful to my neighbors for collectively setting such a high standard of caring in our community. I am also thrilled to teach these basic principals to my daughter in hopes that she too will enjoy practicing random acts of kindess.

Melissa

Put a lid on it

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

glitterguide via marshamcgowan

I volunteer a lot. A friend gave me a notepad that reads "Stop me before I volunteer again". Only a person who volunteers too much gets 300 pages that have the same message: stop. volunteering. so. much. This year I am ready to listen to that message. My usual answer to "Can you help us with XYZ?" is yes. If I know how to do it, or I think I can figure it out, then why would I say no? This is why: I am so much more valuable when I don't spread myself too thin. I am so much happier volunteering when I am not stressing about how I am going to get it all done. I am a better wife, friend, business owner, and volunteer when I can don't offer myself for everything. So now before I cut someone off and say "yes" before I even know what I just said yes to, I ask myself "Can I realistically do this?" "Do I have the time?" and "Is it something that someone else can do?" I have a background in event planning but I'm not as connected as someone who currently works in events, or, wouldn't it be a better situation for a person who wants to volunteer as an event person to get job experience? I'll pass on that one.

This day's extraordinary is about being a better giver by being selective, by (slowly) learning the art of saying "no", and being okay with that. Helping rescues warms my heart and most orgs need photographs. I can do that. My skill set is unique and needed. I offered to do some design work for another organization because I love graphic design and I could use more pieces in my portfolio. Something, just one thing is an act of love: a rescue finds a home, a survivor of sexual assault gets counseling - love made visible without losing yourself in the process.

Do good things (not everything),
Marnie

Guest Post | Any Day Fitness | Your fit life awaits you

2012-01-18T10:58:00.000-08:00

source

a·fit·ci·o·na·do A person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about fitness.

Afitcionado. That’s me. I am by no means a certified trainer, nutritionist or licensed healthcare practitioner. I am however, someone who simply loves the fit life. I am that girl in the grocery store check-out line voraciously perusing the lifestyles magazines for the latest and greatest celebrity diet, before and after pics, tricks and training routines. I am also that girl who impatiently waits with the early birds for the gym to open its doors at 5:30 in the morning. Correction – I was that girl until I entered the world of mommyhood 18 months ago.

Today instead of reading magazines for fit tips in the checkout line, I keep the most precious toddler hands out of this and out of that, and after dear son was born I spent months pining after the days of being able to hop out of bed in the morning (sans the interrupted night sleep) just so I could be the first to walk thru the doors of my home away from home. I gave it a try though. Bleary-eyed and all only to find out dear husband’s commute to his job at Beachbody would require me to cut my familiar workout routine severely short. My world was changing. If I was to resume my fit life I was going to have to change with it.

For weeks I tried toting dear son and his fully-loaded diaper bag with me to the gym in the afternoons but that proved to be another kind of workout – one that required lots of prep time, and me having to carry a clunky pager everywhere I went. So not sexy and yet another reminder that I was on borrowed time. After years of the voices in my head convincing me that home-based workout programs are boring and for the faint of heart, for once I decided to put the voices on mute in favor of my pursuit of fitness. It was worth a try at least. Thanks to dear husband I had a copy of Beachbody’s 60-day fitness program called INSANITY, and yes, it was totally insane. I loved almost every heart-pounding second of it.

For 60 days straight I was able to either workout first thing in the morning before dear son woke up or while he napped. No commute to consider, no diaper bag to pack, and no pager to carry. Of course it wasn’t always perfect. There were days when dear son woke up early so I ended up putting him in his highchair, planting a kiss on his forehead, and then I’d pressed play to resume the finale of my workout. Watching him laugh at me while I was “digging deeper” was priceless.

The daily consistency Beachbody’s home-based fitness program satisfied my craving for the “fit life.” If like me you find your world changing, and as a result you are sacrificing your fitness routine, try to find a workable solution. From one afitcionado to another, put the voices in your head on mute, keep an open mind, and embrace the change.

Your fit life awaits you,

Amber

Any Day Etsy: Presenting Yourself

2012-01-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

One thing many women have a hard time doing is taking time for themselves - including myself. We spend all our time caring for everyone else and leave little time for ourselves. Self indulgences like taking a hot bath with candles, getting a massage or even going on a walk to calm the mind recharge our batteries and keep us going! For some me-time items, I found some etsy finds that are luxurious without breaking the bank.
xo Julie

1|Owl Tea Bag Holders by mypolkadotpottery 2|Pampered Hands - Organic Vegan Repairing Anti Aging Hand Cream with Sunscreen by AyeletNaturals 3|Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Scented Soy Jar Candle by inspiredillumination 4|
Truly Scrumptious Sugar Scrub by Sweetwaterspringsoap 5|Vintage sheet throw blanket by LovelyNestDesigns 6|Essential Bliss LAVENDER Silky Bath Soak by JK Hickman

Let freedom ring | Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

First Same Sex Marriages in NYC, Brooklyn City Hall, July 25th, 2011. Photo by Marnie

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

For equality. For power in numbers. For freedom. For love. For those who labored, fought, and bled for basic human rights. Thank you Martin Luther King, Jr.

Have an extraordinary day!
xoxo

Sunday Extra / Inspiration

2012-01-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

source: The Bride's Cafe tumblr (via Collectangles)

While you may be winding down on weekend activities and indulgences I wanted to start the week with another just because image. Kind of pre-game rally for a fabulous week ahead.

If you bake, why not try an intricate cake decoration in a delectable color? A beauty like this is deserving of a stunning stand. Here's a DIY tutorial for a vintage plate cake stand just like the one featured here. While you may not get around to making or baking today, store this in your weekend files or for a special someone's birthday or occasion. The cake may not last long but gift the cake stand. Tip on saving cakes forever: take a lovely photograph!

Have a great Sunday and an extraordinary week!

Best $10 children's gift, ever!

2012-01-14T00:11:00.000-08:00

For the past several months I have been in the process of building my daughter's home library. I have scoured Amazon, Target and Walmart searching for the biggest bang for my buck in bulk book purchases. I have visited used bookstore along our travels, and I have managed to hit most of the library book sales covering a 150 mile radius from our home. I have found that an average book (hardcover) cost is approximately $12.00, so a measly ten books is going to run you about $120. I have quickly realized that children’s books are not cheap. However I have managed to round up a little over 125 tiles for my little one (so far) and I can promise you, I did not pay the average going rate for her collection. Not even close.

This blog allows me to do something else that I love to do: share. I just found another incredible, AMAZING, children’s book deal that I'm itching to tell you about. I stumbled upon Kohl’s Department Store and found famed children’s author, Eric Carle’s hardcover books for $5 a pop! F-I-V-E dollars! Un-heard of! A. Total. Steal. Trust me! Classics such as, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, The Very Busy Spider, Does the Kangaroo Have a Mother Too? and,10 Little Rubber Ducks, each for $5 a piece. In addition to the books they are also selling the corresponding stuffed animal for a mere $5 bucks too. For the price of a latte you can get a wonderful keepsake that can be passed down to future generations.

I picked up all four books and the plush animals as if the deal were expiring within minutes and raced to the check out counter only to find out that Kohl’s does this continuously throughout the year, rotating with various children’s authors. But here’s the BEST part! Kohl’s is committed to Kids Health and Education. “Throughout the year, Kohl’s sells kid-friendly cause merchandise, with 100 percent of the net profit donated to support kids’ health and education initiatives in communities nationwide’. Since 2000, they have raised over $180 million through this program and for five dollars a book, they have been able to reach more readers across the country. So very cool!

I pass on this information to you as a parent, aunt, godmother or friend, because this is the best $10 gift you could give a kid. Not only will the parent appreciate the book, the child will love the soft, furry stuffed animal. I picked up extras to have on hand so I might pass them out to a neighbor, a colleague, drop them by a domestic violence shelter, or give one to my daughter on a rainy day Tuesday. I wrapped them in cellophane, tied on pretty ribbons, and voilà, they became the perfect gift! Keep this in mind as you gather your own child’s home library collection, or need a gift.

Happy reading, Melissa

Doing Good, for Goodness Sake

2012-01-13T08:00:00.001-08:00

No matter how small the gift is, every year I give a little season's greetings to our friends, family, clients and those who have been a special part of our lives. This year the list was heavy on four legged friends and their parents who have kind of been a parenting community for us since we adopted Dempsey, our almost two year old American Bulldog/Sharpei rescue. I found a few healthy dog treat recipes, bought a set of children's play cookie cutters from the 99 cent store and baked my day away to 14 boxes of dog treats while dancing with myself to Duran Duran, Depeche Mode and Madonna (all fantastic pet names btw). Baking is my moment of zen and a Jane Fonda workout rolled into one.

While the treats were cooling I designed, assembled and photographed my little tower of puppy love. My tester gave me paws up on the final product. Done! I posted a few photos online marked 'holiday gifts' and people loved them. They asked me where I am going to sell them, encouraged me to open an etsy shop (if I hadn't done so already), a pet store, and have I brought them to the local pet store yet. Wow! Really? I should, shouldn't I? Is it cost effective? How many treats in a box? How do I price them? As these thoughts began to take over, my zen moment vanished because if it is suggested that I can do something more then clearly I need to do that something. I wondered if it was okay that I made them just because. No etsy shop. No pet store. No next step. What is it inside me that makes me feel like I have to do something just because someone suggested it? Why do I always feel like I haven't done enough?

should I open an etsy shop? photo by me

We missed seeing some of our friends over the holidays and it is has been so fun to give a just because gift when the recipient doesn't expect it. That anyone would think that my dog treats are some kind of wonderful makes my tail wag but sometimes we make things just because it makes someone else feel even better.

What have you made or done recently just because? Did you think about making it into something more? Do you have things that could be a business but you prefer to keep to yourself?

Happy New Year and Welcome!

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

via Fleet Feet Louisville

Okay… I admit it – I make New Year’s resolutions. I once heard someone say, “You’re never too old to get better at life.” And, because I believe this I always get invigorated at the beginning of the New Year. I wind up with a long list of what I want the next year to be, of what I want to accomplish, and things I want to do.

Just Some of Julie’s Resolutions for 2012:

· Eat healthier

· Ride my exercise bike 1800 seconds a day
· Do the 10 Minute Trainer every day
· Walk 10,005 steps a day as measured by my trusty pedometer
· Cook a new recipe every week from Pinterest
· Make friends in my new hometown
· Move/organize my tons of stuff out of boxes and into my new home
· Finish 85 Thank You cards for my wedding presents (bad, bad bride/groom!)
· Read 1 non-fiction book and 1 New York Times best-seller a month
· Build up my Dave Ramsey inspired emergency fund
· See all the Academy Award nominated Best Pictures before the Academy Awards
· Complete a 5k every quarter
· Visit one museum a month
· Take lots of pictures documenting my first year of marriage
· Visit a city in the U.S. I have never been to
· Learn to use my fancy knives

2012 is going to be an exciting year with lots of opportunities. I plan on making this a kick-ass year and hope you are ready to join me on my journey! These are just a few of the things on my radar that will help me make any day extraordinary. How are you going to make this year any day extraordinary?

xoxo,
Julie

Detatch, let go and let it flow...

2012-01-11T09:07:00.000-08:00

This past Christmas, I did something different. Usually one to soak up the holidays for weeks, two days after Christmas, I decided to take down the trees, package the decorations and store everything away in the garage. I did feel a bit Grinch-like when my little one (LO) woke up early from her nap and came running around the corner wide-eyed to see the lights sparkling on the trees, and there stood mommy, on a ladder, stripping the big tree of it’s very last ornament. When my little Cindy Lou Who came up to me, reached down and picked up a lone ribbon that had fallen on the ground, I felt my heart sink to the lowest of the lows. Immediately I found myself floundering on ways to explain to her that mommy was not a bad guy, or that Santa would return next year, or that I’d put it all back up if she wanted me to. But, as quickly as she came running up to me, is how quickly she turned away and marched right over to her new toys and began to play. Not affected, not attached, not upset. And, once again my LO taught me a lesson.

It did feel good to put 2011 behind me. I always look forward to a new year, but I decided this year (thanks to LO), I was not going to attach myself to resolutions, per se. I am a list girl, don’t get me wrong, but it seemed like my ideas for 2012 were just too large to put on paper. And, I didn’t want to talk about my goals, or look at them anymore. I just wanted to do them. Funny enough, this blog community was not even on my radar. Two friends met for lunch in late December and very, extremely organically, Any Day Extraordinary hatched, and it was though that any day extraordinary moment, we decided upon our name. It is also through that any day extraordinary moment I realized I was on the right track in terms of letting go, detaching myself from expectation and allowing things to naturally flow within my world.

Be Brave by maechevrette

Our blog is not designed to give the impression we are experts on extraordinary living. Quite the opposite, in fact. It is designed to remind us, and you, our readers, that we are all doing extraordinary things with our lives, EVERY day. It is here to serve as a community for you to share your extraordinary, get inspired by others and to celebrate what you have achieved along the way, big and small.

In addition to sharing my any day extraordinary, I will also share my SAHM stories and probably even dip into my extreme hobby obsessions as well. For now think about what you are most excited about in the coming year. What changes do you want to make in YOUR world? What any day extraordinary days are you going to have? If you believe you can change your world, you will.

xxoo,
Melissa

Meet a Good Friend

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

The new year is paper clipped to long lists filled with things to do better, less of, more of, the starting and stopping the of the good, bad and mediocre. We party like it's 1999 (or 2012) then we get serious. Really serious. And then we burn out. What motivates you to be a better version of yourself? Some people work well with start dates - I am not one of these people. Every year I write a list of accomplishments for the year ending and some notes on what I want to move toward in the new year. Then there are things that are never on the list - like this blog. I run a wedding and editorial photography business and a design company (stationary, event styling, blog redesign, logos). I donate photography, event planning, design and time to non-profits. I am a public speaker. My service dog, Dempsey, and I have classes and training. I've just been accepted into an intensive self-defense class. To stay balanced, I have to get to the gym, eat good food, see an acupuncturist and decompress. My husband, friends, and family are all too important to live on a list of things to do. I had no plans to start something new - a blog/movement/community - but it is the unexpected that is quite remarkable, and welcome.

I've often described my life as less ordinary but not extraordinary. As I thought about self-love and finding time to hear yourself think or not think at all, we, as women, typically find ourselves at the end of the list. The extraordinary things that we do go unnoticed perhaps because we don't give them much consideration. I believe that most people want to find extraordinary in their every day but don't have a place or time to consider their worth. This blog just seemed to write and design itself. Obviously it didn't but it feels that way and that type of work without pulling my hair out is this post's any day extraordinary. People want to see and do good things. The good news is that we already are. Hence the arrows in our design. Sometimes we just need to be pointed in the right direction.

via Kid in the Front Row

Doing good things is contagious. This blog is an empty stage to dance in your spotlight like Penny Lane twirling to Cat Steven's "The Wind" in one of my favorite films ever, Almost Famous. To sing your theme song in a car full of friends at the top of your lungs - harmonious even when you are painfully off key. To share and be heard in and outside of your head. As one your guides, in addition to my any day extraordinary stories, I will give photography advice, event styling tips, raising a service dog, and getting my hands full of glitter and glue with design and decor projects. And some serious stuff that matters more than anything else I could possibly do because it affects everyone. For now, thank you for being here not for me but for you. What are you proud of accomplishing in 2011? What was your first any day extraordinary this new year?

xoxo,
Marnie

WELCOME

2012-01-09T16:00:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

Welcome to Any Day Extraordinary! We are so happy to have you here. This being our first post we thought it best to describe to you, our readers, what we hope to bring to you in the coming year(s). Our challenge is to inspire and delight you with our any day extraordinary stories of hope, humor and the issues we face everyday as women, wives and mothers. To us, an extraordinary moment is all things large and small: an act of kindness, sharing something that helps another, taking part in a social cause, listening, or self-care. Each of us, as well as our guest bloggers, has a unique talent or outlook to contribute from photography, design, health and fitness, all things fashion, home decor, weddings to being a newlywed, new to the kitchen, DIY, on the life of being a SAHM (stay at home mom), training a service dog, starting a new business and so much more. We hope to develop an inviting and inspiring community where you will feel a part of the common thread that holds us all together: humanity.

Our voices are real, our stories are true and our message is sincere.

Please take this journey with us, feel free to leave comments and even share your any day extraordinary stories. Your story might possibly inspire another. These fractured times has many of us feeling uncertain, uneasy and a bit insecure. Hang tight and give yourself a moment to recognize your very own, every day extraordinary. Co-founder Marnie Goodfriend coined a thought: If you change YOUR world, you most certainly are changing THE world, and it is with this heart felt philosophy and belief, that we begin this adventure with you.

Welcome to our worlds,
Marnie, Melissa and Julie