{ nicole galletta }

Graduation letterpress

2010-03-15T16:28:00.001-04:00

Absolutely loving this fun graduation invitation.

To see more pictures, go to Oh So Beautiful Paper.

Announcements were made by Margaret at Nightingale Handmade.

Atlanta tornado

2010-03-12T18:20:00.009-05:00

Nearly two years ago a tornado came through downtown Atlanta. I drove through it. It was crazy! Longest and most stressful drive of my entire life.

I am thinking of this today because I remember that particular day was a Friday. It was the Friday before St. Patrick's Day and I was making my way home to Savannah for the celebrations. What is normally a four or five hour drive was eight that night.

Also on that night there were a lot of people in town and downtown at the Georgia Dome for a basketball championship. Luckily, the game went into overtime. Had it not, all of those people would have been out on the street at that time.

I am also thinking of the homeless man that lost his life in the tornado that night. I wonder what his story was. Did he have a family? If he did, I hope they found peace.

American Idol Standouts

2010-03-12T14:13:00.002-05:00

Yes, American Idol has sucked me in. I am ashamed. But then again I am not. I love anything related to music so what can I do?

Katelyn Epperly's rendition of Coldplay's Scientist gave me chills. I loved everything she did with the song. I was sad to see her go last night but I don't think we've seen the last of her.

The Goslasbi Challenge

2010-03-08T16:10:00.001-05:00

What's next up for Darius Goes West? Well, eating mouthfuls of wasabi, of course!

The DGW crew has initiated the Goslasbi Challenge. But Nicole, what is Goslasbi? Well, that's where this video comes in.

So, who is up for eating a mouthful of wasabi for a good cause?

30 Before Thirty

2010-03-05T23:20:00.014-05:00

I have been inspired by Nicole (by the way, awesome name!) at Making it Lovely to start my own 30 Before Thirty list.

I will be 30 in May 2012. Hey, isn't that the year the world is suppose to end?

I WILL BE 30 IN JUST OVER TWO YEARS. Okay, shock over. Where has the time gone?

So, I should actually take some time and think of some good stuff to put on this list, huh?

{image/concept by Nicole Balch}

Other home

2010-03-04T14:56:00.002-05:00

Huds and I are missing 9122.

Not sure Stella Bella is, but she is a cat...what does she know? ;)

Turkish Bazaar

2010-03-04T13:47:00.000-05:00

Fell in love with these Turkish bowls I saw on Decor8. I just find the colors and design/texture gorgeous.

They were purchased from Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. Here is, Iznikium, an online Turkish bazaar though.

Also featured on grits&lime.

Guess who came to Savannah yesterday?

2010-03-03T14:12:00.001-05:00

The President of United States!

It doesn't matter what party you are affiliated with. It is downright cool when the Commander in Chief of the UNITED STATES comes to your hometown. This doesn't happen every day.

Here is President Obama eating at Mrs. Wilkes. Sitting next to him is Savannah's Mayor Otis Johnson.

Entrepreneurship: Paula Deen Enterprises

2010-03-01T17:17:00.002-05:00

Starting a new series in this blog. Highlighting wonderful examples of entrepreneurship.

Don't know the story behind Savannah's The Lady & Sons?

Narrated by Jamie Deen.

The Bag Lady's Story from Paula Deen on Vimeo.

{via thedeenbrothers.com}

Food for thought

2010-03-01T12:55:00.000-05:00

JESS3 / The State of The Internet from Jesse Thomas on Vimeo.

This Week's Interesting Ads

2010-02-28T12:30:00.001-05:00

Yes, there is another reality show based on addiction. This time TLC is tackling it.

The subject matter is a very sensitive one, but I thought TLC did a great job with this promo spot for the show, Addicted.

I've seen a lot of great promos come from the Discovery franchise (TLC is owned by Discovery Communications, Inc. - which operates the Discovery Channel and a host of other awesome channels).

Temple Grandin

2010-02-24T15:32:00.004-05:00

Recently, late one night I couldn't sleep so I decided to turn on the TV. On HBO, a movie called Temple Grandin, was about to come on so I decided to watch a bit.

It was 1 am then but I ended up watching the entire movie. I had never heard of Temple Grandin until that night. The movie truly inspired me. Temple Grandin inspired me.

Grandin is a Doctor of Animal Science, professor, bestselling author, and her designs in humane livestock facilities have been adapted in facilities all over the world. She's also an autistic woman and an autism advocate. She states that autism is a part of who she is.

And according to this article in Silicon Alley Insider:

Albert Einstein, Wolfgang Mozart, and Nikola Tesla would all be diagnosed on the "autism spectrum," says Temple Grandin in this clip, taken from her TED Talk. According to TED, in this clip, Temple "makes the case that the world needs people on the autism spectrum: visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers, and all kinds of smart geeky kids."

Watch her TED Talk.

Here's the trailer for the movie, Temple Grandin.

Claire Danes plays Temple Grandin in the movie. For the record, I thought she was brilliant in this role. There were moments when I had completely forgotten it was even Claire Danes.

Simply adorable.

2010-02-23T14:35:00.004-05:00

P&G thanks moms

2010-02-23T12:56:00.006-05:00

I am loving P&G's Olympic "Thanks, Mom" campaign. You can see the "Thanks, Mom" campaign carried over onto their website.

Oh yeah, did you know P&G is also paying $3,000 stipends to help families attend the Winter Games?

"Why P&G Is Bringing 18 Brands Together for Olympics Push:" From AdvertisingAge
This year's Olympics has provided the forum for P&G's first ever corporate TV ad in the U.S. The quintessential "house of brands" company has been gradually increasing its multibrand marketing efforts over the years culminating in this new "Thanks, mom" ad from Wieden + Kennedy.

My question is why didn't they do it sooner?

You can see the P&G Thank You Mom campaign on its very own channel on YouTube. There you can find interviews with the mom's of Team USA athletics and all the spots from the campaign.

Here is a spot with The Fisher Family featuring Erik Fisher, Team USA skier, and his mom, Shelly.

Love Actually

2010-02-22T00:56:00.002-05:00

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking feeling...love actually is all around.

This Week's Interesting Ads

2010-02-20T20:16:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I am starting the week off early.

Check out this beautiful spot from the UK's Sussex Safer Roads Partnership from their Embrace Life campaign about the importance of wearing seat belts.

Copywriter/Director: Daniel Cox, Rockutainment
Producer: Sarah Alexander

Stock I come from

2010-02-18T14:25:00.003-05:00

I saw these paintings over at sfgirlbybay and immediately thought of my grandmother - especially with the painting immediately following where the woman is holding the hedge clippers.

One day I was out in my yard trying to get rid of a horrendous sticker bush. It was an incredible eyesore, not to mention it was right in front of where my garden hose hung and I got stuck every time I needed to use the hose. Typically aren't they planted under windows to deter intruders from entering through a window? Either way, I decided that bush had to go. As I was working, my grandmother arrived, fresh from church, wearing a silk dress.

Can you guess what happened next? My grandmother, not the type to sit on the sidelines, took a pair of hedge clippers, still donning her church dress and heels, and went to work. MY GRANDMOTHER.

She's stubborn too. You can tell her not to help - which I did - and that you can handle this one and that she doesn't need to be doing yard work, but she will not listen.

That's the stock I come from. Stubborn, but in a good way. And taught early on that I can do things (activities that stereotypically men would do) on my own - despite the fact I am a girl.

So that's my story for the dress-wearing lady holding the hedge clippers painting.

The paintings were done by Kelly Reemtsen. I think they rock.

This Week's Interesting Ads

2010-02-16T19:58:00.006-05:00

Kia

Shown during the Super Bowl, thought this Kia ad was adorably creative.

Westminster Kennel Dog Show

This promo for Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show makes Lady Gaga's music bearable for me.

Kaplan University

I think this spot is really powerful - powerful in a good way, especially for a university commercial. Great message. And I love how some students are watching and listening to the professor's message from their laptops and cellphones while at home or on the go.

And "Hey! It's Uncle Phil!" I know you were thinking it too. :)

Color Career Counselor

2010-02-15T19:52:00.004-05:00

Decided it would be fun to take CareerBuilder.com’s "Color Career Counselor" quiz.

Best Occupational Category

You're a CREATOR

Keywords: Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

2nd Best Occupational Category

You're an ORGANIZER

Keywords: Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate
These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.

All in all, I think it is pretty accurate - except I don't consider myself overly emotional or sensitive and I really do not care for math.

Snovannah Sam

2010-02-13T01:20:00.005-05:00

This February in 2010 will always be remembered as Snovannah for me. Thanks to the tiny bit of snow that fell upon Savannah, Georgia. And to Twitter. Heather, or @heathersebi98, I should say, coined the hashtag #snovannah as all of us in Savannah on Twitter awaited the possibility of snow.

Another friend, Brett, that is also on Twitter, continued the #snovannah fun onto Facebook, posting photos of Snovannah Sam, which made me laugh. So, here I share to the Interwebs a piece of our #Snovannah experience compliments of Brett.

I'm pitching Snovannah Sam's life story to Pixar. It's an against all odds story of a snowball who had a snowball's chance in hell of making it to Savannah. We'll go through the ups and downs in the life of a snowperson. We'll see character growth as he finds his place in the world, a cool car to perch on and maybe even love.

::spoiler warning:: He melts in the end. Very sad.

Happy Valentine's Weekend

2010-02-12T22:57:00.002-05:00

{i. Anton}

{can anyone name the source for this? I am not sure}

P.S. It snowed in Savannah today. A rare event.

Amazing power of Twitter / Vote for Lauren

2010-02-11T12:51:00.006-05:00

Twitter is an amazing tool. It has enabled me to connect and meet so many awesome people. I was even able to connect with a relative in Florida I had never met before (that either of us remember)! And turns out his aunt (my dad's cousin) lives one street over from my parents. How cool is that?

Let me point out that Galletta is not a really common last name. Yet, there are a lot of Gallettas in Savannah - my grandparents came from a big, Catholic family. So, if there's a Galletta in Savannah - you can probably bet we're related somehow.

I have connected with a Galletta across the country though. We haven't delved into the common ties of whether or not we could be related though. Carin Galletta lives on the West Coast and owns a PR/Social Media Marketing agency. Many of you know that I have a PR degree and that I am in the same industry. I thought this was really cool.

As amazing as Twitter is - here's the real point to this post.

Carin's firm, Ink Foundry, is looking to add a team member to their firm. They want to hire a social media marketing intern and they have decide to crowdsource the hire. In other words, YOU get to pick whom they hire!

The assignment the interested candidates were given was to make a three minute video discussing a list of points that Ink Foundry asked for - and to do it in a creative way.

It is now down to three candidates and today is the LAST day to cast your vote on whom they should hire.

So, here is my mini campaign to get Lauren hired. I watched all three videos and I really feel Lauren is the best candidate for the job. She really took the assignment and ran with it - covering all points that were asked and even taking the viewer "on location". She even put a call to action in her video as she was suppose to. And she thinks learning is a skill, and I couldn't agree with her more.

She's had several internships already and stated past projects she has worked on. She seems like she really understands exactly what social media marketing is all about - communication and engagement.

So, please vote for Lauren! Here is her video submission:

To see all three of the candidates and to vote LAUREN, go here.

Ugly Furniture

2010-02-10T18:46:00.001-05:00

Posted for no other reason other than it made me laugh!

Bokeh

2010-02-10T00:05:00.003-05:00

There is something very beautiful and simple about lights and water. These images immediately reminded me of how the rain causes the stop lights to reflect of the road.

{Images via bokeh photobucket}

This Week's Interesting Ads

2010-02-08T00:33:00.001-05:00

My favorite ad of this year's Super Bowl? Google.

And it was Google's first time airing a television spot during the Super Bowl. And one of a few handfuls of ads it's ever aired period.

I love how Google uses search to tell a story.

To see all spots of the Super Bowl XLIV, head on over to Ad Age.

::EDIT:: Looks like a couple of ads are missing from Ad Age. Go to YouTube to see the ads. You can also vote for your favorite.