inspiration: social media

You know what I'm really interested in learning more about? The innovative ways companies and brands are using social media to reach little old us. It's exciting to see huge, traditional corporations and organizations try their hands at new technology in order to make more connections with people. (Take the White House's Flickr account -- love this picture!) Social media has proven to be quite revolutionary, as you can see in this amazing, powerful video:

And the more I think about it, the more inspired (and impressed) I am. It's a vehicle for change and creative thinking, and more significantly, a vessel for any individual to be heard if they want to be. A container of millions of different perspectives, kinda like Wordle, a technology that helps put a creative spin on any normal document.

Wordle generates "word clouds" that give prominence to words that are used the most, while ignoring simple articles. So basically, wordles showcase expressions in a whole new and customizable visual context. (I'm a total word-dork, so I had to make a few myself! Above is a wordle of Obama's "Yes We Can" speech, and below is a wordle of my resume or essentially, me!) Wordle creates so many cool new, unique outlooks -- what a great metaphor for social media, no?

our first lady on the cover of...

Vogue! She's only the second First Lady to ever grace its covers, Hillary being the first in 1998. Michelle is wearing Jason Wu again -- lovely!

Read more on WSJ

stylin' first lady

Michelle looked romantic and feminine on this monumental 44th inauguration day. Barrack, you weren't too bad yourself.

I love how Michelle has already made her own first lady style rules. Yes, Oscar de la Renta dressed Hillary and Laura for the past presidential inaugurations -- but Michelle sticks to her own, and traditional she is not! Michelle picked 26 year old Taiwan-born Jason Wu to design her dress. The result is glowing, lovely elegance. She's truly a breath of fresh air compared to Hillary and Laura's first tries, pre-de la Renta. I think Vogue sums up Michelle's fashion triumph pretty well.

PS: I saw this on postsecret today - hilarious! But true...

PPS: Totally out of context, I also saw this which resulted in this on postsecret, and I think she must've loved him a lot to say yes. That ring is not okay.

(photo by people)

Recounts of Nov. 4th.

Last night was absolutely one of the most exciting nights I've ever lived. I was a little bummed because I had to study for a midterm while keeping an eye on CNN, but when our next president was announced, I could no longer concentrate... Yet, I wasn't as overwhelmed by Obama's (and our country's) victory as I was overwhelmed and incredibly inspired by the people's response.

My floor mates, roommates, and I filled the halls, screaming and hugging and crying - mirroring the excitement and emotions of people from all over the world. I saw on TV people dancing in Kenya, and children and senior citizens hugging in Japan and Indonesia. I saw Oprah crying as Obama gave his speech at Grant Park. All over in New York City, the night was alive with people parading the streets, on their way to Time's Square or Union Square to congregate in joy and celebration. Huge American flags were raised by hundreds of hands, and hugs and shouts of "God Bless America!" were exchanged by strangers. People screamed through their windows, down the streets, in taxis. Cars honked endlessly until four in the morning (an hour later than when the Giants won the Superbowl).

These are the images, the sounds and voices I'll remember when I think back to the beginning of this renewed hope and change in our country. It's rather unlike me to be so captivated by an election because for the past eight years, I have shared this generation's apathy towards politics. Since the sixth grade, I sat in my classrooms and before the TV, watching without caring to understand how the actions of the world were affecting my life - until now. I believe in our new President, and after looking at the similarly moved faces around me, I believe in us, and in myself. These are new times - for this inspiring country, for its inspiring leaders, and for its inspiring citizens.

Obama-fied.

We're all getting ready...

(Via Cup of Jo, originally Ginny Branch)

(Via design crush, originally ffffound)

My favorite part about the picture above is that Obama is looking at his hands, as if thinking about the hands that Muhammad Ali used to win the World Heavyweight Championship. How wonderful!