It’s been a while since I’ve used stylish in the title of my blogs. This is a preview of what’s to come soon to The Stylish Swanky James. I do like that title. I’m also trendy like my friends at Trendy.

First off, you’ll still read about Toastmasters as well as my small business visits. It’s been an amazing last several weeks building up my friend base. Following these small businesses like The Trendy Bunny Studio, Masterspieces (ordered my Stars Hollow sweatshirt today on the website), and Wolf and Whisk on social media has been somewhat of a life changer for me. The new friends I’ve made have helped me to become less dependent on others for my happiness. Last year, I dealt with a crush in the workplace. That feeling has burned off but the girl has left her mark on me with her personality, style, and fashion sense. I’m no longer depending on someone to make me happy, I’m someone who makes me happy.

We have our open house next Wednesday night. I will do my best to get the word out about our club. I miss making my visits in District 13 and COVID 19 has really crammed my style. Zoom meetings are great, but I miss the in-person camaraderie of Toastmasters meetings. I’ve talked up Toastmasters to my Trendy Girls and they’ve seemed impressed. Someone even came in to the shop last week and the subject was brought up. I’ll be making a visit to Earlybirds soon enough, as well as Cranberry High Noon. Club officer training is coming in December. I really wished it would have been at community college, but it will most likely be held online.

Now let’s talk about some of the new subjects I have planned for the blog.

I want to do a blog about food. What do I want to make for the holidays? What do I eat for breakfast? How about my plans to begin doing meal prep every week? I need to start eating right, so why not blog about it?

I want to do more fashion blogging. Lately I’ve been snapping some selfies of my fall outfits and posting them on social media. I plan to take a picture of my outfit of the day (one for work and one for home or when I go out)

Finally, I want to begin doing more inspirational blogs. My confidence has grown and I want to continue spread positive vibes. COVID may have soured my plans to visit other Toastmasters clubs, but it’s also helped me to take a look at myself. I’ve managed to let go of the past and live in the present despite the fact this is my 20th anniversary of graduating high school and starting college. It’s been so easy to look back at the past, remember those old wounds and just live in the good old days. I’ve come a long way since my first few years out of college.

Remember to live your best life. Be your best you. Be a ray of sunshine. You may just change someone’s life with your positivity. Don’t forget to laugh because laughter is the best medicine.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

Yes those are infinity scarves on my wall. I’m rocking the leopard scarf right now and I feel very confident. I didn’t have this confidence before but this year has been good to me, if you can believe that. I’ve begun to follow small businesses on social media and have recently started visiting them in person. That’s been a big boost to me.

In the past, I felt insecure because I assumed the worst (at home and in the workplace). I worried about people’s opinions because I was different. I feared being shamed because I carry a bag and because of how I dress and what I like (Gilmore Girls and my pink water bottle)

However, I’ve learned to be someone who makes me happy. I’ve ditched the insecurity and let go of the past and, you know what, nobody cares about any of those things. I’m building new traditions with the Fall Symposium and shopping local. Some of my newest friends have come through attending the night market and supporting my local everything. Of course, I still have my Toastmasters family too.

I’ve slowly been letting go of my past. I’m beginning to build friendships with the local business owners and learning to support my local everything. I’m also done worrying about what people think of me and have gained confidence as a result of it.

I attended the Greensburg night market in August and started building my friend base. It set the table for the next week when I would attend the Masterspieces grand opening in Latrobe.

I was excited to support a local business. I made some memorable purchases, including a book about Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. I learned to be me and do me. I’ve learned not to be with someone who makes me happy, but to be someone who does just that.

Who cares if someone doesn’t like your outfit or your T-shirt? Why do you worry that your bag makes them feel uncomfortable? What does it achieve if you let them win? If you like it, that’s all what matters. Your haters are your motivators.

Yesterday I made my small business rounds. I started in Greensburg and visited with Team Trendy. We had a little Hempfield Spartan connection going yesterday as one of the customers walked in. It was nice that the store had some sales yesterday and Lacey and Jen gave them a great experience. I shared the encouraging comment I got on my blog with them and then went on my way. Both Alisha and Juliet made my week but so did Lacey and Jen when I visited yesterday. I made the most of my visit as always.

My day was complete. I think I got around pretty well. Ligonier was packed (which is good considering no Fort Ligonier days this year). I made stops at the Holiday Home Store and then Second Chapter Books and the sweet shop. I made my cookie purchases at Masterspieces and picked up some good Harry Potter merch along with a tote. Masterspieces did phenomenal business last night and Courtney didn’t have too much left from the haul. I look forward to my next visit and enjoy the stories. I promise to give more businesses shoutouts in the future too.

Overall I’m blessed. I’m growing my friend base within the community. I’m still full from the Spirit of Toastmasters award. I’ve found my voice and feel very confident.

Live your best life. Be your best you. Be a ray of sunshine 🌞 every day. You may change someone’s life.

Have a great weekend (some of you have a three day weekend). Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

It’s been a while but I’m back.

On September 19, we held our annual Fall Symposium. Because of the pandemic, it was going to be held virtually. The beginning portion of the event was reserved for the awards ceremony. We recognized 43 newly Distinguished Toastmasters. One of them was me. These members earned their achievement. For me it took eight years. For some it took 20 years or more. Our new DTMs busted a move and showed off their swag.

Afterwards, it was time for our past District Director to present individual awards. First up was the recognition of clubs in each division who won highest honor. South Hills won in Division Awesome. They’re one of my future chapters I’m planning on visiting. No surprise in Division B as Cranberry High Noon took home the gold. They’re one of my favorite clubs to visit when I get a Monday off. The members there are very friendly and my last physical visit there was one of my best ever. They treat me like family and made me an unofficial member.

Penn Hills impressed in Division C with the impressive comeback that Nate Stephens and Virda Perry pulled off. From Extinguished to Distinguished. Check out the video on YouTube to see how he did it. Cheers to Mark Strucaly for not giving up either. Woman to Woman took home club of the year in Division D. There are some really great members in that club too.

Now let’s talk about the Spirit of Toastmasters award. I think our receipients all got some well deserved credit. Nate Stephens for bringing Penn Hills back from extinction. To go from three members to 15 and earn Distinguished says a lot. He deserves a Medal of Honor for his hard work. You can find him on the contest stage or trying his hand out at improv. Tina Kramer is a relatively new Toastmaster. She belongs to the Cranberry High Noon chapter (that’s how her and I met). She also served as a club coach for the Earlybirds club, helping them grow members and achieve Presidents Distinguished. Like CHN, Earlybirds is also one of my favorite clubs in District 13 that I like to visit.

The last award went to someone special. This person has made their rounds in District 13 and elsewhere. He has a blog and likes to identify himself as stylish and trendy (He has friends who are Trendy too). You can keep up with him to see where he’s been and where he’s going next. He’s congenial, kind, and a friend to everyone. He’s also a goodwill ambassador to the Toastmaster brand. It’s me.

Congratulations to Division B Director Jing Humphries for winning Toastmaster of the year. No one better to earn that award for all she has done with Earlybirds and in the District. A longtime Toastmaster who I’m blessed to call friend. Stephanie Scott for Area Director of the Year. I love participating with her in the big events. She and Jing are great friends and excellent Toastmasters. I was happy to be a part of the Area 13 speech and evaluation contest that Stephanie and Liz Carter put together. Terye Carney for Division Director of the Year. Terye and I met in the summer of 2017 and our friendship really took off late last year when she caught wind of my new blog. She encouraged me not to give up when people were putting me down. These three also have their own spirit of Toastmasters.

Remember to live your best life. Be your best self. Be a ray of sunshine ☀️. You might just save someone’s life with your positivity.

I’m making my small business rounds Saturday. It’s going to be a fun-filled day and I’m going to meet some great people. I have a nice outfit picked out. I think I’ll rock the boots as well. It begins with Team Trendy and ends at the TriWizard fest. I’ll be in my little Stars Hollow as well.

Have a great night. Weekend’s almost here.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you

This year the holidays will obviously be different because of the pandemic. It’s really going to have an effect on the retailers already snakebitten by the shutdowns. Here’s a suggestion and I did take this from a meme, but keep calm and support your local everything by shopping small. Small business Saturday is November 28.

I will be making my small business rounds this weekend prior to the big event on Saturday night at Masterspieces. I plan to make my first stop at the Trendy Bunny Studio and visit with Team Trendy before heading off to Ligonier. I’ll probably throw in Majesty and RSVP as well. Ligonier needs the foot traffic with Fort Ligonier days cancelled this year. Finally I’ll make my way to Masterspieces for the big TriWizard Fest. Courtney will be collaborating with Kelsey of Wolf and Whisk and Cheri of Maisy Cakes. Lots of Harry Potter themed goodies. I’ll be rocking some Halloween swag.

I’m thankful for the connections I’ve made with all these businesswoman. Thanks Alisha for the great feedback on the blog last night. I’ll close out tonight’s blog with it.

I plan on shopping small this holiday season. This meme above said it all for me. Instead of Barnes and Noble, shop at Second Chapter Books. Hit up Abigail’s, White Rabbit, DV8, or Coffee Bean for great coffee. Need great home decor for Christmas, check out Holiday Home Store. Visit my friends at Trendy Bunny or Courtney at Masterspieces. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram and watch the stories for great things to buy. Want a good breakfast, visit Chef Ray and Rachel at Sun Dawg (my Saturday morning stop for great pancakes). Neighborhood Art Center has great food and awesome Mister Rogers merch. Why do you think I love Latrobe, Ligonier, Greensburg, and Westmoreland county?

Remember to live your best life. Be your best you. Be a ray of sunshine ☀️ and brighten someone’s day. You may be the one person who keeps them going.

Over the last year, I’ve begun to find my voice, my confidence, and have begun to grow support in your own community is an important job. Learning about these little businesses in town had changed my life and ignited my passion. I just won the Spirit of Toastmasters award. I have a Spirit of Westmoreland County with the connections I’ve made. I’m blessed to have made new friends in the community.

Have a great Tuesday. Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

Thursday night I attended the Greensburg Night Market. While I was there, I met up with some of my old friends who are also business owners. I saw some of my newer friends (Courtney of Masterspieces and Kelsey of Wolf and Whisk). I ended the night by visiting the Trendy Bunny Studio and talked with Lacey and I met Juliet, who was working her first day with Team Trendy.

I arrived downtown around 5:15 (I ate dinner beforehand at Denny’s). I regretted that later when I saw food trucks or could’ve just had Sun Dawg. I tell you all to support your local everything. Gotta practice what I preach. Everyone was beginning to set up. I walked over to Pennsylvania Avenue and down to McKeon Way (home of The Trendy Bunny Studio). I would go there later.

I stopped at Wolf and Whisk and bought some cookies off of Kelsey. She had some awesome Fall Themed sugar cookies. I chose the cauldron that said “It’s all just Hocus Pocus” and a caramel apple that was reminiscent of the Apple Festival which would have gone on this weekend. I chatted with Courtney of Masterspieces about the upcoming TriWizard Fest. She had a few Wizard Weather hoodies on sale as well as some Market totes perfect for the farmers market in Ligonier.

I ran into people I know from high school. Benjamin Huber, who owns Petagogy. He grew up a couple of doors down from my grandparents. We caught up a little bit. Bethany Schroder, owner of Keep it Clean Naturals. We graduated together from Hempfield in 2000 and both of us attended Harrold Middle School. I also saw Molly (Williams) and Zach Huth and their little Leah. They were all happy to see me and Leah even gave me a high five ✋. I bought my stickers for my water bottle and some popcorn to help the Scouts. I was then off to Trendy to see my friends.

It was a little busy when I walked into Trendy. Lacey greeted me at the door. I also got to meet Juliet. It was her first day on Thursday and it was a good day. She really enjoyed herself and when you do that, your day goes fast. She had just graduated too and was very content. I wish I would have had her enthusiasm for work when I started at Kings back in 2006. We talked about Gilmore Girls and our favorite characters and episodes.

I also showed my DTM medal to Lacey and Juliet and talked up Toastmasters. I explained my original reasoning for joining Toastmasters as well. I was interested in going post-baccalaureate and studying Communications (I really wanted to make up for a mediocre college experience at Slippery Rock). I almost enrolled twice before telling myself that this really wasn’t a good idea.

Now that I look back at it, it wouldn’t have worked anyways. I’ve been pretty happy with my life, have more confidence than I ever did, and have ditched the insecurity that has held me back. I’m thankful for my new friendships with Team Trendy, as well as Courtney and Kelsey. I’m also going to talk Juliet into coming to an upcoming Greensburg Toastmasters meeting as well as the Open House on the 21st.

I finally met Cheri and Maisy. Cheri is the owner of Maisy Cakes (she named her business after her daughter). I am proud to say I had my first macaron and look forward to many more. This TriWizard event is going to rock Saturday night. Support your local everything. Shop at Masterspieces and eat some Wolf and Whisk cookies and Maisy Cakes macarons.

Live your best life. Be your best you. Be a ray of sunshine and brighten someone’s day. Remember to ROCK out because you are still worth it.

Have a great Monday. Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

The last two weeks have been really good to me. A lot of great things have happened in my life. I’m here to be a goodwill ambassador, spreading my congeniality and kindness. I’m your friend and everyone’s friend. So it gives me great pleasure to present you with some of the great news happening in my life.

At one of my recent Lowe’s, I learned that I was getting a 50 cent raise at work. My production has improved greatly over the last few months and the bosses have taken notice. I try to hit my 3000 UPH when I can at every store.

Last Thursday I made a visit to see Team Trendy and I finally got to meet Alisha, the store owner and founder. I had two previous visits and had some nice conversations with the other girls. I’ve made some friends for life in her, Lacey, Brook, and Jen. On my third visit, I bought a round to place on my wall. It says Hocus Pocus. Here’s to many more visits to the Trendy Bunny Studio. Shop local and hang local.

The District 13 Awards Ceremony was last Saturday. It was held virtually. The awards ceremony was held first before the main portion of the Fall Speech. Yours truly was recognized for my DTM and as an added bonus, I also won The Spirit of Toastmasters award. I was quite surprised when my name was called. But my visiting other clubs and enthusiasm and personality really paid off in the long run. Cranberry High Noon won club of the year for Division B and, along with Earlybirds, is one of my most frequented clubs in District 13

At the end of August, a pair of my old glasses but the dust while I was at work. That was a wake up call for me to get some new eyewear. I went to America’s Best two weeks later for an eye exam. My new glasses came this past Monday and I rocked them at swim practice.

After three months, it was time for a haircut. I went to my local Sport Clips and got my hair trimmed, plus shampoo and a massage. I love the tea tree shampoo that the girls use there and was complimented on my shoes 👞. I came out looking like a million dollars.

I took some pictures of me with my awards and I can make my powder blue work shirt look stylish. I forgot to show off my bling last week so I had to make up for it yesterday. I even took a picture of me with the proclamation that I received for achieving my DTM, plus the card immediate past District Director Denise Etter sent me, along with my medal.

How sweet is this attire? I grew to love Gilmore Girls this year, watching all seven seasons and the revival. My small business pals love the show too so there’s something right there that we can agree on. This sweatshirt is at my favorite new shop, Masterspieces, and I’m going to buy it for me. It’ll go great with jeans or sweatpants and with a cup of coffee (for those who drink coffee like a Gilmore Girl, like me).

What I’ve been doing has been and where I’m going next will be too. But you’ll have to wait until the next blog for that. Until then, stay stylish. I look forward to providing you with more content next time. Have a great week everyone. ❤️ you.

14 years ago I lost Great Grandma, Aunt Nan, and Gramma within the span of a month. Soon after I began to enter a dark period of my life.

I was working and I even had benefits but I missed school and I missed my friends. I was ashamed of myself because I felt like nothing had come out of my college experience (that’s how I felt at the time). I was competing with my classmates and I was losing. It got really bad in 2008 as I felt like a total failure. I was starting to see my friends from high school and college go off and start their lives, buying houses and getting married.

Things got a little better in 2009 but it would still a few more years before I appreciated what I really had.

By 2013, I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Walking around Slippery Rock University following my friend Gary’s memorial service, I took in the sights and sounds. I thought about the memories I made and realized I was meant to be there. I was still having problems at work with troublesome coworkers (by now I was at WIS). I had a hard time letting things slide and took a lot of things to heart.

My past controlled me for a very long time. I was in a bad relationship with “the person inside me” and realized that if I didn’t end it, that person would keep tormenting me. I’ve recently kicked “them” to the curb and the end result is that I’ve become more confident, not assuming the worst, and definitely not worrying about what others think of me. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

You’ve loved with all your heart over and over and over again. All that love will find its way back to you because you never got it back from them. Here’s some inspirational messages that might be future blogs.

Be confident and don’t always assume the worst.

Be someone who makes you happy.

Learn to love yourself before falling in love.

Appreciate everything you have. Maybe what you have isn’t bad after all.

Have a great Monday everyone. ❤️ you.

Looking back on this Grandparents Day, I remember my wonderful Gramma Hilde.

It’s been 14 years but we still miss her. I was at work at Kings the morning that she took her last breath. I feared the worst as I left. When I got picked up that afternoon, I got the news that Gram had passed. I was numb.

It was already a hard year as I was trying to figure out my path in life upon graduating from college. Great Grandma and Aunt Nan died within two weeks. I was dealing with unemployment and like an idiot, was holding out for the perfect job. Eventually I was going to have to take what I could find. But enough of that.

My memories include many Friday nights visiting her and watching Jeopardy. When I graduated high school, she gave me a subscription to Newsweek. Having a big family, every Christmas was an Endless Gaffron Christmas. She loved the holidays and her family, including all of her grandchildren.

One of her best meals she made was rouladen. It was a great Sunday staple for years. She also treated us to dessert, her apple crisp. I remember Friday nights having ginger snaps and drinking coffee.

My cousin and her family stayed at a cottage this weekend at Shawnee State Park. Gram loved staying there when we took our vacation. She also loved our traditional Mother’s Day picnics every year, and the pictures of all the grandchildren that we took as a group. Even with the chilly weather and rain yesterday, I have a feeling that she would have enjoyed the picnic and time with her grandkids and great grandkids.

There is no such thing as the perfect year, the perfect person, the perfect job, or the perfect life. Leave perfectionism behind and see how quickly you grow.

Last year was far from perfect, but it ended well.

This year with everything going on, also far from perfect. But I broke up with the “person inside of me” who controlled my thoughts for years.

The end result is I’m more confident now than I’ve ever been, and I’m living my life for me.

We feel anxious when we fixate on things we can’t control. For me that was college graduation. For a long time, I had a hard time letting go of my past. Mainly my academic years. Just as I began to get better in my studies at Slippery Rock, it was too late and I had to graduate. This left me with a feeling of despair that hung over me for a long time. I felt mediocre for the first several years after I graduated and feverishly tried to recreate my past. I even attempted enrolling again to prove my experience in college wasn’t a failure. I let my past control me for the longest time.

Since 2013, I’ve begun that process of growing into the person I want to be. It’s been a slow process but I think I finally got it. I’ve learned to control those things I have power over. I’ve learned to control how I start my day, who I speak to and what I speak about. I also control what I listen to and what I eat. I’m not letting my past control me anymore either.

I’ve broken up with that “person inside of me” who controlled my thoughts for years.

I’m more confident about myself now and not worried about what others think.

For example, just the other day I got a compliment about my bag from one of my managers the other day and it made me very happy. She even wanted to know where I got it. I ordered it off of Amazon. As I left work that day, my superiors encouraged me to live my life and as Mr. Clougherty always says, “If it makes you happy, go for it.”

In the past I would feel insecure and not get my money’s worth out of an item bc one person would feel uncomfortable or didn’t like it on me saying it made me look bad. That opinion ate me up and I put my possessions in hiding.

I always talk about rocking a nice outfit. Well, rock that self confidence and don’t always assume the worst. Finally, be someone who makes you happy. Have a great night and enjoy your weekend. ❤️ you.

I was looking forward it since I heard the announcement on Instagram. The grand opening of my favorite gift shop, Masterspieces. I decided on Friday to come down and shop. I was also looking to finally meeting my small business owner friends in person.

I arrived at 6:15 and was greeted by Kelsey (of Wolf and Whisk fame). I was blessed to meet her at the night market a week earlier. I also bought some of her cookies and some stickers from Masterspieces.

Masterspieces grand opening was awesome (I probably talked enough about Friday night). Latrobe has become one of my favorite places to shop. Fred Rogers should be proud of his hometown. Best Friday night I had since my dinner date with Maura and Ashley at Bud Murphy’s last November. I learned about Masterspieces when I was checking out another small business, The Trendy Bunny Studio, located in the heart of downtown Greensburg. I’m proud of Courtney for opening her own store and blessed for my newfound friendships with her, Garrett, and Kelsey.

More small business fun on Saturday. I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the year ❤️ from White Rabbit. It was also my first time visiting the Trendy Bunny Studio (and The Tee Life and Little Gray House) and RSVP, where I bought Aunt Sue’s birthday present. If I wasn’t strapped for time I would have went to downtown Latrobe (for my second trip to Masterspieces and also Terri’s Gourmet Sweet Treats). I was on the road to Johnstown for lunch with Aunt Sue at Nyko’s. I received my Distinguished Toastmaster medal in the mail when I got home.

Yesterday I rocked a nice outfit and my new Shop Local tumbler at church and celebrated Aunt Sue’s birthday by giving her the gift that I picked up from RSVP. We had a nice visit from her and Benny, as well as Uncle Bob, Elizabeth, and Marnie 🐶.

So what did I take from this weekend? I made some new friends for life. I plan on coming back to visit my new favorite stores. I gained a passion for Shop Small and look forward to Small Business Saturday on November 28th. Latrobe has become one of my favorite places to shop and walk around.

I left the past in the past for good when I departed HGA after stopping for a quick stroll on Saturday. Over time, I’ve become more confident about myself and have stopped worrying about what people think of me and that includes family. My new friends as well as Mr. Clougherty are accepting of me for who I am.

I also enjoyed great time with family. It was a great weekend and Fall will be here in two weeks. Only regret was I didn’t get more pictures.