tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7650505347143640572025-03-14T01:54:18.949-04:00Flee to the CleveLauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.comBlogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-79173952068306514212014-02-10T22:27:00.000-05:002015-03-04T17:47:22.564-05:00

I've mentioned Chosen Day in the past, created by John's family to celebrate his arrival from Korea in February 1985. I look forward to it every year. It's a day to honor John and what a gift he's been to all of us. We often marvel at the twists and turns that brought us together, and there were many. John went from Korea to Atlanta to Nashville to New Haven to Oklahoma, where I was waiting

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-51477060804634585402014-01-13T22:17:00.000-05:002015-03-04T17:48:25.067-05:00

I recently asked John what word best described our 2013. Unfortunately he didn't hear "our" and said "twerk" without hesitation. At the New Year, I shy away from hard, fast resolutions and opt instead for adjectives. Words I hope will paint my decisions over the next year. Concepts that describe my intentions and might eventually bridge the gap between what I want to happen and what

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-85424938378643738432014-01-04T22:35:00.003-05:002015-03-04T17:49:33.211-05:00

Hello and Happy New Year! I can't believe it's come and gone. I hope you had a beautiful holiday season. Flee to the Cleve has been quieter than ever these past few months, thanks to my two jobs. I've been burning the midnight oil in many ways, but things are shifting. More on that soon. In the name of tradition, I have to pay homage to one of our favorite days, Private Christmas. We did it

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-50047789811170411652013-11-14T13:58:00.005-05:002015-03-04T17:50:44.443-05:00

Whew, you guys. It's been a crazy three months. In a great way. I've learned a lot. There's a thing where you learn some stuff and another thing where your life actually changes, and mine was the latter. The second I insisted on positive energy was the moment I realized I was manifesting change. We've made so many friends, and they're wonderful. Our view of the social landscape in our city

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-67031115809656176392013-07-18T22:30:00.002-04:002013-07-18T22:37:54.518-04:00

Apparently this is the week I abandon all former waltzes with vegetarianism and cook things in bacon fat, because I can, and because it proves my southern heritage in a way that no paprika-roasted chickpea ever will. I'm okay with it. Things feel a bit more sluggish than when my diet is plant-based, but have you ever tasted potatoes fried in bacon fat and turned into summer hash? It's

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-58009858824084622282013-07-12T13:47:00.002-04:002013-07-17T14:15:05.815-04:00

We spent July 4th in Boston, the most patriotic city there is. A group of our best friends joined us for an exercise in relaxation, laughter, and fresh oysters. We stayed in an apartment with huge windows right on the Charles, so you can imagine our view of the fireworks. Incredible. I particularly loved this photo. Here's to another happy year and more summer fun.

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-74561103847798571872013-07-11T21:42:00.003-04:002015-03-04T17:52:50.922-05:00

What a summer. That's a common phrase. Summer is the stuff dreams are made of. As a child, you spend nine grueling months of the year doing things like homework and studying, but all the while, you're dreaming of summer -- sweet, cheerful, lazy summer. Even as I approach the end of my twenties, I find that sentiment remains. It's hard to know if it's caused by a sheer rush of vitamin D, or if

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-16540560209183130192013-06-06T14:07:00.003-04:002013-06-09T20:39:48.021-04:00

Motherhood teaches you a lot of things, I think. Right now the people who think dog moms aren't real moms are probably rolling their eyes, but I don't mind too much. All I know is that there is a tiny, relatively helpless being who counts on me for his health and happiness, and I feel an intense responsibility to meet those needs tenfold. Motherhood - the desire to nurture, extreme concern for

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-91109967123311747322013-05-28T23:36:00.001-04:002013-05-29T08:33:10.568-04:00

This weekend, spent in New York, was the most inspiring one I've had in a long time. Like, a reminder to get out and explore every corner of the world, as soon as possible. There were three things worth noting. Experiencing the creative genius of one of my very closest friends at Cherry Lane Theatre was too wonderful for words. I felt like a privileged audience member, because none of

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-45832117053832918272013-05-01T15:07:00.002-04:002013-05-01T15:07:09.325-04:00

It feels just like yesterday that I woke up with all my closest friends and started the day that would end with a husband. But unbelievably, it's been a whole year.John and I spent the weekend on Kiawah Island celebrating. The Sanctuary is a magical place, a rare, perfect combination of beauty and hospitality. We daydreamed about the weekend of our wedding and how much it meant to share each

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-12477802213384905202013-04-22T19:20:00.001-04:002013-04-22T19:22:57.364-04:00

15 people holding onto that which will determine their fate, by Amanda Blake  I love this painting so much. I dream of hanging it in my home, gazing at each person, imagining the stories they would tell if they could. Soon more people fill my mind. What would my mother be holding, if she were added? What would I be holding? What would the 8-year-old boy from the Boston finish line

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-36705157470201204962013-04-21T22:44:00.000-04:002013-04-21T22:48:35.612-04:00

Hello again. It's been a while. I can't really say where I've been, except that my free time has been spent writing for Prosper clients and doing hot yoga. I miss you, Flee to the Cleve. But, I am thrilled to be working for an agency whose mission I can support wholeheartedly. Their energy is palpable, and I'm honored to be part of it. I was featured last week on the Prosper blog talking about

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-51259618234789059862013-04-07T00:34:00.001-04:002013-04-08T10:08:28.214-04:00

Last weekend I turned 28. It was really lovely, and John planned a whole weekend full of surprises, and I felt insanely lucky and loved and more and more like adulthood is yes, full of bills and obligations, but happier than childhood still. 27 was the first birthday I didn't get overly excited about. It didn't feel old, but it felt like that door had been opened. It was the first time

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-73476536989691098022013-03-15T10:11:00.001-04:002013-04-22T19:25:52.868-04:00

Recently I posted about an attempt to find opportunity in disappointment. Rather than dwell in the negative, for once I made a conscious effort to move forward. Somehow, it worked and brought good things faster than I thought possible. I found myself asking questions about my purpose and goals and how I can meet them professionally. If that sounds like a cheesy, horrific self-help exercise,

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-76238130001888976792013-03-04T07:00:00.000-05:002013-03-04T07:00:14.393-05:00

Every year I write about how much I love March, and this one should be no different. Two years ago I was sitting in Cleveland snow, about to get engaged, and last year I was overwhelmed with gratitude at the amount of support I felt from friends and family as we approached our marriage. This year, nothing quite so exciting is on the horizon, but that's okay. We still have sun, tulips, the

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-64299513442381869052013-02-27T06:30:00.000-05:002013-03-02T22:03:39.882-05:00

Yesterday I was driving to Florence for a business trip, and I was thinking about my husband.  He had made a special early morning trip for orange juice in a vitamin-laced response to my new cough. He was worried that I had to drive three hours in the rain. He made breakfast. He was taking care of me. I realized that the word "husband" still gives me a giddy little rush. When does

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-51531754956822471712013-02-26T19:53:00.001-05:002013-02-26T19:57:32.083-05:00

Will you watch this tonight? "There are women who fight for something bigger than themselves."

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-12744029105486999032013-02-20T15:50:00.001-05:002013-02-20T17:47:32.607-05:00

Recently I mentioned that my life has been a bit of a whirlwind, seeking direction and making difficult decisions. I felt like one door slammed shut two weeks ago, and it was disappointing. To put trust in a group of people is a big step in the first place, and to have it compromised can feel horrible. I tend to make situations out of my control very personal and look for ways to deem them "

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-31075931494976195722013-02-19T11:08:00.000-05:002013-03-02T22:04:46.074-05:00

If you're like me, you're constantly watching women's issues with the frustration and hope that pervades all of us in 2013. We're so close. Yet, not at all. You watch Michelle and Hillary intently, and you groan when Sheryl Sandberg's comments are so good and so bad at the same time. You saw that good piece in the NY Times Saturday about the need to redefine women's rights in the

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-2721354863400781812013-02-18T10:41:00.003-05:002013-03-04T10:53:04.458-05:00

Friends! I've missed you. At some point about three weeks ago, I got extremely busy and something had to give. I've been working every weekend to help with the Governor's School audition season, traveling every week, and at the same time found myself faced with some big shifts relating to career. Although I'm still working weekends and traveling, the big things have all settled. I left my

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-80779041742029517732013-01-30T20:35:00.000-05:002013-03-04T10:53:44.154-05:00

Sheryl Sandberg is both right and wrong. Her recent comments about employers asking women about getting pregnant before hiring have understandably elicited quite a backlash. Perhaps they were well-intentioned, because of course we do need a more open dialogue about gender in the workplace. She says we need to lean in, be more ambitious, be more assertive. She fails to address the gaping fact

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-79429782411796027592013-01-29T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-29T10:11:57.781-05:00

A Chicago public radio station is taking a cheeky approach to advertising. If you're cool, have sex with another cool person, thereby providing the world with a future public radio listener. This is adorable, and as everyone knows, sex sells. I know I'd probably respond a little bit more positively to NPR's dreaded phonathons if I'd seen a few irreverent ads around town. 

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-9558582119199860352013-01-28T12:42:00.000-05:002013-01-28T12:44:24.615-05:00

This weekend, there wasn't much time for rest, but our tea bags did provide us with some lofty goals. The heart shaped breakfast was Smitten Kitchen's Oat and Maple Scones, which I adapted with white whole wheat flour and almond milk. I got a little carried away selecting paint colors online and left them in the oven a minute too long, but I'd still recommend the recipe. John painted our

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-91820493059168772232013-01-25T16:23:00.001-05:002013-02-19T10:47:45.232-05:00

Dear Former Where's Waldo Lovers, I give you Find Momo.

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765050534714364057.post-46784177213173295312013-01-25T07:36:00.005-05:002013-02-19T10:45:05.104-05:00

It was a good week for women in media - it was a bad week for women in media. Michelle was exalted in the public eye. John and I often wonder how anyone, regardless of political persuasion, could harbor bad feelings towards Michelle Obama. She is genuine, she is gracious, fun, smart, and she is trying to make our nation healthier (crucial). She was applauded for her feminine characteristics,

Lauren Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448823446590606997noreply@blogger.com0