14 May 2012
Blogging • Family • Inspiration • Life • Social Media • Tips

A 30th birthday surprise

Last week, my love turned 30 years old. ThIrTy YeArS oLd…

My goal was for his 30th birthday to be memorable, engaging and most of all personal.  Personal meaning not a gift bought in a store but rather something creative that could have only been from me. (Plus, he doesn’t need more things – trust me.)

Through the incredible help of his close family and friends (thank goodness they all check their email regularly…) I was able to gather PERSONAL birthday messages from 32 loved ones.  Each “loved one” had free rein to write whatever they wanted to him: a letter, quote, poem, memory or a simple one-liner message.

Step #1 – Gather all birthday messages

The outpouring of love in just 48 hours (I set a very strict timeline) was magical.

The surprise was simple – buy 30 balloons to represent his birthday years and then attach the messages from his “loved ones” to each balloon – two of the balloons had two messages instead of one. I then set up our bedroom with the balloons and messages and when we got home from a family dinner – voila! – an incredible, one-of-a-kind,  very emotional birthday surprise.

Can you imagine hearing from so many people at once? It takes your breath away.

Check out the photos below to see how plan unfolded.

Step #2 - Pick up 30 balloons

Step #3 – Enlist siblings to help with surprise set up

Step #4 – Set up the surprise! Attach messages to the balloons.

Step #5 – Surprise! Enjoy – what a wonderful moment.

Step #6 – A smile is worth a thousand words (30 balloons is quite the spectacle)

Step #7 – The aftermath and cleanup - it was all worth it.

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Molly K | 3 comments
29 Mar 2012
Blogging • Health • Seattle • SmartWool • Social Media

SmartWool on Alki

I love my SmartWool. I also love my weekend Seattle area excursions.

Here I’ve documented a great walk on Seattle’s Alki Beach wearing my Women’s TML Mid Vest and Women’s Midweight Zip T in Purple Heather.

Great gear.
Great city.
Great walk.
Great life.

I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking.

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Molly K | No comments
23 Mar 2012
Blogging • Save Bristol Bay • Seattle • Social Media • Work

Wear a campaign on your social media “sleeve”

Has anyone ever told you that you “wear your heart on your sleeve?”

I am absolutely guilty of wearing my heart on my sleeve; when it comes to most everything I have an opinion and I love to voice it. I’m transparent and I’ve never been interested in keeping a poker face.

Image from thepinknotebook.com

So what happens when you want to wear something else on your sleeve? Your passions? A particular cause or campaign? An issue you care about?

If you’ve got a cause or campaign you want the world to know about, listen up. Social media for advocacy campaigns is real, it’s impactful and it’s easier than you might think.

In my work at Strategies 360 I have become very involved in the Save Bristol Bay campaign, a project of Trout Unlimited. With staff in Juneau, Anchorage and the Lower 48, the Save Bristol Bay campaign works to protect one of the world’s most productive salmon fisheries.

For a girl who still has yet to ever catch a fish (my mother swears I caught a trout in a stocked pond in preschool), professionally I talk about fish, fishing, fishing boats, fish recipes, fish politics, fish strategy, fish videos and fish photos – daily. Add to this that my boyfriend is a Bristol Bay commercial fisherman and you can see that this once “work only” campaign has become a meaningful issue in my life.

I’ve chosen to wear Save Bristol Bay on my online/social media “sleeve.” How? Through my Facebook and Twitter profile picture.

Facebook Profile Picture with "Save Bristol Bay - No Pebble Mine" PicBadge

Twitter Profile Picture with "Save Bristol Bay - No Pebble Mine" PicBadge

Through websites like www.PicBadge.com and www.twibbon.com you can either upload your own image/logo of a cause, issue or campaign (I’ve even seen them for sports teams and schools) you support or find existing “buttons” or “banners” that will be sure to have your social network wanting to know more about what it is you support.

Sign in with your Facebook or Twitter account, follow the instructions and you have a semi-customized brand on your profile picture.

Why is this impactful? By simply placing my PicBadge button on my profile photos, I’ve had friends and family ask me questions about the issue. I’ve become a champion for the cause and I’m able to educate my network about my passion.

The Save Bristol Bay campaign has been asking its following of more than 24,000 folks to use PicBadge and spread the message of Save Bristol Bay – No Pebble Mine. Since the campaign started using PicBadge in February, more than 140 supporters have added the logo to their personal profile page. In addition, the campaign has held a Facebook contest urging the Facebook following to get creative with how they use the logo in their profile picture.

My submission into the Save Bristol Bay PicBadge contest. I call it “Molly-zilla.”

Audience participation + interactive engagement platform = social media and online success.

Wearing a campaign on my social media “sleeve” has been a fun, appealing way to share my views. There is a low barrier to entry and it gets the conversation started.

How and for what cause could you use PicBadge?

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Molly K | One comment
28 Feb 2012
Activities • Blogging • Health • Running • SmartWool

SmartWool Athlete Ambassador

Back in November, I was lucky enough to become part of the SmartWool Team. I was chosen out of more than 800 applicants to be one of 14 SmartWool Athlete Ambassadors.

An athlete ambassador!?! What pressure. What an honor!

I've got my SmartWool on! Here in Seattle it's still too dark out to run outside after work so I'm hitting the treadmill.

(In this photo I am wearing the Women’s Lightweight Tee in Imperial Purple -  it’s my favorite piece of running gear.)

I feel privileged to be able to tell my story about how well-made products, from a socially and environmentally conscious company can change how you feel, look and act.

I would like to use this role to prove that you can be active and enjoy the benefits of SmartWool gear without being super athletic, hardcore or even an Olympian. I’m just a regular city girl who loves to ski, hike, powerwalk and be active. In my application I wrote, ”I like to think of myself as a hybrid of a mountain girl and “city-slicker.” Call me crazy but I am doing my best to live an active outdoor and city lifestyle simultaneously. It can be done (and SmartWool is oh-so-applicable for both aspects of my life!)

What else did I write in my application to be a SmartWool Athlete Ambassador?

Why do you love SmartWool?
Just saying the word “SmartWool” makes me smile.

I love that SmartWool is about being the best you can be AND feeling the best you can feel while doing the things you love. The SmartWool brand to me is all about making the most out of what you have – whether that be enjoying the hikes or trails in your area, treating the world we live in and recreate in with respect (thank you mountains, oceans, lakes and rivers….and sheep too, for their wool), or showing your appreciation and giving back in some way by volunteering or choosing an organization and getting involved.

Your company continues to amaze me with your forward thinking business model, progressive environmental and community impact (awesome!), incredible quality of merchandise and unique positioning as the leader in wool products.

I say it with no hesitation. I love SmartWool. I love all that you stand for.

Needless to say I’m proud to represent, embody and stomp for my love of SmartWool products.

What SmartWool gear/products do you own and love?

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Molly K | 4 comments
17 Feb 2012
Blogging • Books • Family • Inspiration • Life • Social Media

Who are your role models?

As the week comes to a close, I thought I would pepper my online space with some warmth and thankfulness – this is the week of love after all.

Image from http://ow.ly/98urM

I came across this quote while on Pinterest (shocking, I know) and it reminded me of the importance of strong, independent, wise, eloquent role models.

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things : a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I’ve learned that regardless of the relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when their gone from your life.
I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same as making a “life.”
I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.
I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

-Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou

Image from AWESOMENESS: http://ow.ly/97A6U

I can vividly remember doing a high school senior year English report (thank you Mr. Kelly) on the works and influences of Maya Angelou. I had poems and photos, read excerpts of “I Know Why the Cadged Bird Sings” and showed a clip of “How to Make an American Quilt” with Winona Ryder.

I was oh-so mature and oh-so well read on this dynamic woman.

Bahhh – if I only knew.

That same year, my step-mother took me to see Ms. Angelou at MaCaw Hall at the Seattle Center. I was awestruck and was tickled that I was breathing the same air as a legend – my role model. I was eighteen at the time.

Maya Angelou - Google Images

I knew I respected and admired her then, but as I re-read this quote, re-feel her voice, read aloud the words in her poem “Phenomenal Woman” again – I’m realizing that time, age and maybe humility make her words oh-so much more powerful.

Maya Angelou is a role model of mine. Who are your role models?

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Molly K | 4 comments
10 Feb 2012
Blogging • Pinterest • Seattle • Social Media • Work

Fact: I use social media in my daily life

Remember my blog post from November, “Pinterest (ing)” about my new found obsession with Pinterest?

Welp, here is my first successfully documented, simply recreated, Pinterest outfit coming to life from my very own closet! (no purchases necessary)

My "styling AND ideas" Pinterest Board

My inspiration AND my real life pin creation

I saw a post I liked (thank you Suburbs Mama for this post/pin), I was intrigued by it, I repinned it to my Pinterest wall and I recreated it.

This may seem insignificant to many, but think of it this way.

If little-old-me was inspired by this Pinterest post and took the time and effort to recreate it in my real, non-online life – then what are others doing to capitalize on this social media channel in their respective worlds?

The people of Pinterest influenced my outfit choice this morning. How could your business, blog, start-up, fantastic recipe, design work… influence others via social media?

This is powerful stuff people. Don’t overlook this social media channel. The possibilities are LIMITLESS.


mk

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Molly K | 2 comments
22 Nov 2011
Blogging • Inspiration • Pinterest • Social Media • Technology

Pinterest(ing)

I didn’t always like it. At first I was a skeptic. Now, I’m a big, big fan.

I’m talking about Pinterest.

If you agree with me that the essence of social media is about connecting, sharing, relating and networking – listen up. I’m into social media. I’m an avid Facebook user (we’re talking every hour of everyday – it’s how I get a paycheck), I find Twitter useful and fast, LinkedIn is overlooked but an important tool, Google+ caught and then lost my attention and I have yet to explore the wonders of FourSquare, Flickr, StumbleUpon and Evernote.

Pinterest

Pinterest is different. It’s a visual pin board. It’s is not about promoting, it’s about sharing…
Read more

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Molly K | 3 comments
08 Nov 2011
Blogging • Community • Inspiration • Life • Social Media

Press refresh

Inspiration and direction come in many different forms.

Since I launched the initial version of my personal blog in April 2011, I’ve been searching for both my INSPIRATION and DIRECTION. While it is all a work in progress, my personal online space has a new look and a new feel which I am hopeful will help with my blogging future.

You know what they say – when you look good, you feel good.

And I feel fantastic.

Welcome to the new www.mollykillien.com. I’ve got a great new platform thanks to my dear friend and coworker at Strategies 360 Cheryl Couris (@missmakesalot) who does her own incredible creative work via www.stuffyoulllove.com.
Read more

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Molly K | No comments
01 Nov 2011
Blogging • Health • Inspiration • Life • Running • Seattle

Getting back on track

Image courtesy of Cubicle dad runs

Running. Blogging. I’m getting back on track.

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Molly K | One comment
08 Jul 2011
Blogging • Family • Life • Summer • Tips

Taking care of business, dreams

Since my last blog (June 24th), I’ve been busy. I’ve been happy. I’ve been me.

All the siblings at the Potlatch Ultimate Frisbee tournament last weekend cheering on our (not so) little brother. What a cheer section - LUCKY guy!

For some reason taking on a weekly blog started to be an intimidating task, rather than a fun outlet. I had to take a breather and reevaluate. I work full time, I’ve taken on new activities and hell, I still don’t have a computer at my house… Read more

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Molly K | 2 comments
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