NICE Assignment: Vote for NICE!

Hi everyone! I'm back from vacation and I survived those San Franciscan hills. Even the bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. Phew! Did you miss me?? :)

I was wondering if for this week's assignment I could ask a favor of all of you. While I was away, I was contacted by Mike Brady, CEO of Hoot Ratings, which encourages people to share positive customer service experiences because "good customer service is what makes good businesses grow." His business is all about NICE!

So anyway, he had emailed me to let me know that he was pitching a panel at SXSW, an interactive, film, and music festival that takes place next March in Austin, TX. The panel is titled Winning Strategies for the Age of Nice, and he asked if I'd like to be included in the panel! Heck yes! Now that's something I could talk about.

But we need your help to get it accepted.

Today's Assignment: Vote for NICE!

Winning Strategies for the Age of Nice
In order to be considered, it needs to receive enough votes. This does require a short registration in order for your vote to count, just for verification purposes. I'd really appreciate the help!

In fact, to show my appreciation, here's a photo of me riding a trolley. Imagine this trolley is headed to SXSW to spread kindness! ;)



THANKS GUYS!!!

NICE Photo: Free Hugs

I was walking around Philadelphia during my lunch break yesterday taking some photos as journal reference, when I spotted three young ladies holding signs across Love Park. As they turned toward my direction, I noticed that they were FREE HUGS signs! How serendipitous is that?!?

Already with my camera in my hand, I ran across the park before they could get away. Luckily, they were stopped by many folks for their free hugs, which slowed them down. I cornered one of the young ladies and asked for a hug. She said, "Sure! Everyone needs a hug!"

I handed her one of my Operation NICE business cards, thank goodness I had some with me, and told her one quick sentence about the site and asked if I could take a photo of her and her two friends to share. They happily agreed!


from left to right: Valerie Pagan, Kirsten Wolfe, and Brittany Pesta

Way to go, girls! Thanks for spreading love and kindness around Philadelphia! If I didn't have to go back to work, I would have loved to join them. Some day. I'd love to do this some day.

Operation NICE in Better Homes and Gardens!

I was so surprised to receive an email from one of my readers, Greta, last night. She had mentioned that she saw Operation NICE in a small feature of the September issue of Better Homes and Gardens, so she scanned in the section and sent it over to me!

How cool is that?!?!



Thanks, Greta, for sharing it with me because I would have had no clue. Now I need to go buy a few copies! And thanks to Better Homes and Gardens for making my day!

NICE Testimonial: A Lesson in Kindness

Hi everyone! I'm having some trouble concentrating today. In less than 48 hours, I'll be on a plane to San Francisco for a week long vacation! Ahhhhh. I haven't taken a full week's vacation in quite a long time, so this upcoming trip has put many ants in my pants. I've crafted 9 whole pages of places I want to see and things I want to do, not to mention the pocket guide I have. If anyone has any "must see" sights, restaurants, shops, etc. PLEASE share!

I've pulled my head out of the clouds just long enough to post a testimonial for today. It comes from June C., who was the recipient of a kind gesture from a stranger.

This past weekend my daughter (pictured) and I were shopping for her school clothes at Old Navy. She did a great job of staying within the budget I had set for her, got some fun clothes to go back to school with, and we were very content. We got in the amazingly long line, that was moving a bit slowly as usual on a Saturday, which was no big deal because we were enjoying a morning together. The young man at the register rang up the purchases and out of the blue the woman behind us in line offered my daughter a coupon for 30% that she had printed from online. The cashier rang it up on the clothes and it saved my daughter a whopping $52.00 off of her purchases that she was then able to spend in another store.

I thanked the lady while we were in line, and she made it seem like it was no big deal. What she didn't realize was that it really was a big deal to us, and it wasn't about just having saved the money. I've spent my entire parental life showing my children how important it is to do unto others, but they have often made comments that no one ever did back. Children need to be able to see doing good working both ways in very tangible ways for them to believe you do get back good when you give good. This was a perfect example of someone, randomly, totally out of the blue, sharing good fortune with a total stranger. I wish I could thank her more for her random act of kindness toward my daughter, not only for allowing her to use that coupon, but for reinforcing the lesson. To her, and all the others out there in the world practicing those random acts of kindness...thank you for making the world a better place, one step at a time.

I love how June puts more value on the lesson her beautiful daughter learned than the monetary savings. Both are pretty fantastic! But she's right. The youth of today are learning from our example. And if there were more people out there like the generous woman in Old Navy, then maybe more young adults would be positively influenced. You never know who's watching your kind gestures!

Do you have a NICE:Testimonial that you'd like to share? If so, click here to send me an email!

NICE Photos: Special Notes

Last week I received these wonderful photos from the very NICE Jennifer of Kansas City! She took on the August 4th assignment of leaving notes around town.





Thanks for playing along, Jennifer!!!

Do you have a NICE photo that you'd like to share? If so, click here to send me an email!

NICE Assignment: Make Hope Happen

I was browsing around Facebook this weekend and I ran into a link that someone had posted to the website Hope is in the Cards. The name immediately caught my attention, so I decided to check it out.



What is Hope is in the Cards? I think the founder, Russ Haan, said it best himself.

What if every American sent just one letter or card of support to another American. What would happen? What would it do to our collective national spirit if the word HOPE was written on the back of every envelope?

You’d go to your mailbox and it would be filled with something besides bills and collections notices. It would contain HOPE. And better yet, you might even have a personal card or letter from someone saying THANK YOU or I BELIEVE IN YOU.

Those kinds of messages can do more than just make someone’s day brighter for a moment — they can change people’s lives.

Sounds very similar to the mission of this blog, so how could I not support it 110%? And that's why I'm encouraging you to participate!

Today's Assignment: Make Hope Happen

It's so easy to play along and Make Hope Happen. Here are the suggestions from the Hope is in the Cards website:

1. Send a card of thanks or encouragement.
   Write and mail a real card, today. Send it to a friend, a family member, or anyone who might need a little lift in their life.
   You can buy a card from any card shop or retailer in America. You can also view a list of retailers who support the Hope Is In The Cards campaign.
2. Make your own card or buy one online.
3. Write or stamp HOPE on the back of every envelope you mail.
4. Participate in a HOPE event.
5. For other ways to spread HOPE, check out our Friends of Hope.

So what do you say? Want to help me make hope happen?

NICE News: Vancouver maestro saves British couple's big day

Before I post the story, I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who commented and emailed me yesterday regarding this post. It is encouraging to know that you are all so supportive and understand that sometimes, though I wish it wouldn't, life gets in the way. I want you all to know how much this project (and you all) mean to me!

Okay, onto the topic at hand! My friend, Jeope, sent me a link to this incredibly heart-warming article from The Globe and Mail yesterday. I swear, I had chills the entire time I read it.


Just when you think you're having the absolute worst luck (your pianist calls to cancel right before your wedding!), you encounter strangers who are willing to do whatever it takes to help you out. Doesn't hurt that one of the strangers is the music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra!

I encourage you to click here to read the entire article!

I'm Sorry :(

I know I've whined on here about how overwhelmed I've been the last few months. Honestly, it feels like it's been the last few years! And that makes me a bad blogger. I'm incredibly behind on emails. I have a whole folder in my inbox titled "Need to Reply", and it's filled to the brim with messages from you guys. I hope you know that I appreciate all the emails that I receive!

Anyway, another thing I'm WAY behind on is adding links to my "Who's NICE" list. I also have an inbox folder labeled "Add to blogroll." There are 148 messages in there, not to mention the ones I haven't even sorted through in my inbox. I was so good in the beginning, adding the sites as they came in, but at some point I let a few slide and now it feels almost insurmountable, so I keep putting it off. And I'm sure it would only take an hour or two if I set aside the time. But like I said, it keeps going on the back burner.

Well, I just got called out for being "not nice." And she's right. Not responding to emails is not nice. Not adding links to my blogroll is not nice.

I've thought a few times over the last few months how maybe I should close up shop if I'm not going to be a good blogger and keep on top of everything like I should. I love Operation NICE to death. It's my absolute favorite project I've ever started, and I know you all are supportive of it. I have the emails to prove it! So I won't give up on it. Not yet at least. But I do hope that you'll all be patient with me and know not to take it personally if I don't respond right away. Trust me, you're email is saved in my folder!

At this point in my life, I have to prioritize my job. That mortgage has to get paid. And until the day Operation NICE is my job, if ever, I might be a bit of a disorganized wreck. I just ask that you bear with me, and I'm sorry if I have neglected you in any way.

NICE Stuff: DoGood App

On Tuesday I received an email from Kendra N. with a link to the most Operation NICEY iPhone app out there. And well, since I'm a designer and therefore an Apple gadget geek, I giggled with glee when I first laid eyes on the DoGood iPhone application.

The whole concept behind the DoGood app is to "unite individual acts of kindness into a significant movement." Basically, like I always said, little things make a big difference if we all do it together.


Every morning, you click on the little DoGood button on your iPhone, and it gives you a task for the day. Like Wednesday's was "Give someone a hug." Simple. Obviously if it was too big a pain in the neck, it would be tough to find participants. And then when you complete your task, you click "done".

DoGood then keeps statistics of each event and shows you the level of participation. Not only does this app encourage people to be nice and do nice things, but it's superbly designed eye candy! You know, if you're a nerd like me.


I know this post is iPhone-user-specific, but if you have one, I highly recommend playing along. It's free! And if you don't have one, maybe this is the excuse you need to go out and get one. ;-)

Today's good deed is the "Be cultural today" and learn something new about a different culture and share it with friends. So, does anyone want to help me out and teach me something about a different culture?

NICE Testimonial: Have a Sweet Day

Today's Testimonial comes from nice reader Amy. She was feeling down and thought that maybe the best way to improve her mood would be to do something for others!

A few weeks ago I was having a rough couple of days. On days like that I look at your blog even more often than usual. Nice stories are so inspiring, and just simply feel good! So that week, I kept thinking of operation nice, and trying to come up with ways that would make someone else feel good, and in turn cheer up my spirits! I noticed that it wasn't just me having a rough few days, that many people around me also seemed stressed. So, one day when I got home from work I decided to make up some super sweet vegan cupcakes to take into work the next day. I also made up little recipe cards so that people would know what they were eating.

I was a little worried, with me being a fairly new employee and the cupcakes being vegan, that people weren't going to eat them and that there would be a lot left to take home. But not even two hours into the morning the cupcakes were gone, and I even got a few really awesome compliments! It doesn't take much to make life just a little sweeter!

Those cupcakes look yummy!! I'd like to try one myself! My neighbor has two young children and always brings us extra goodies when she bakes for her kids' school. It always puts a huge smile on my face! Personally, I've never been much of a baker. But reading this makes me want to give it a shot, and maybe make little Operation NICE flags to stick in the cupcakes. That'd be cute, right? Hmmm. *thinking*

Do you have a NICE:Testimonial that you'd like to share? If so, click here to send me an email!

NICE Assignment: Become a Secret Agent

Did you guys have a lovely weekend? I really enjoyed mine. Went out with some friends, saw a movie, bought a book, did some drawings, took a few naps. It's not often I have a lazy weekend, so I embraced it.

This week's assignment comes courtesy of another nice lady in the blogosphere. A lady who will remain anonymous, although really, I have a sneaking suspicion I know who she is. :) (Don't worry, your secret is safe with me!) This lovely young woman has started a project that is truly inspiring. Dubbing herself Secret Agent L, she goes around her home city of Pittsburgh, PA and spreads joy, one kind act at a time.

Whether it's leaving a $5 bill on an ATM, or an affirming quote in a ladies' fitting room, or a Starbucks gift card in a church pew, or (one of my favorites) placing a book on a bench, Secret Agent L's goal is to put smiles on the faces of her fellow Pittsburgians. Pittsburghites. Um, you know what I mean.

Today's Assignment: Become a Secret Agent

Secret Agent L is now recruiting Affiliate Agents! Do you feel like your home town or city could use a little more kindness? Then take it upon yourself to start spreading it. It's so easy!

I particularly like the anonymity, being the shy gal I am. Plus, being sneaky is kind of fun, right? I could wear my black trench coat and ginormous sunglasses and have the Mission Impossible theme playing on my iPod.

I encourage you all to check out Secret Agent L's blog and feel inspired to participate! I know I do!

NICE Photo: NICE Notes

Fellow Tweeter an supporter of NICE Amy Hillman participated in this week's assignment. Check out her notes!




I'm slacking. I haven't even done my assignment yet this week. But it's such a gorgeous day in Philadelphia today that I might take a stroll during lunch and drop some notes off here and there. I'll post photos!

Do you have a NICE photo that you'd like to share? If so, click here to send me an email!

NICE Giveaway #11: And the winner is!

Hi guys!! It's time for the giveaway drawing! I wanted to do a video for this, but there were a few things holding me back. First, I got 138 entries, which is insanely awesome! But cutting out 138 pieces of paper, folding them up, and shoving them into a tiny fish bowl just didn't seem appealing. Secondly, my office is the biggest pigsty, and I'm too embarrassed to have it captured digitally.

But I did want to show you guys the awesome prints from Louella Press. And even though their pictures show the quality of the prints, I wanted to show you how happy I am to have two to call my own! I ordered them last week and I can't wait to hang them up in my house. So if, by chance, you didn't win this special giveaway, please check out their new etsy shop to satisfy your letterpress cravings. Ahhh, it feels so nice. Soft. Textured. *drool* Whoops, lemme just wipe that up.

I was wondering how this drawing would work since there were two different prints. I thought, "What if both names I draw end up asking for the same print?" But by pure luck, the Random Integer Generator was good to me! PHEW!

So, drumroll please! And the winners are........


JULY 30, 2009 11:52 AM — Kara said...
I love the Say Please {and Thank You}! As my 4-year-old niece will tell you, they are two of my favorite phrases -- I'm constantly reminding (nagging?) her to say please and thank you when she comes for a sleepover! 

Today I'm thankful for the baked goodies that my co-worker's wife sent in for our office to enjoy. I forgot how much I love Rice Krispie treats!


JULY 31, 2009 4:50 AM — lauraB said...
today I'm thankful for my fiance... it's his birthday (!) and the last one before we tie the knot! we've been engaged for two years, and I couldn't be happier to be marrying my best friend. 

the "Be nice or leave" print would be beautiful in our home. we entertain a lot, and it would be a nice subtle reminder to our guests.

thanks for this wonderful giveaway!

CONGRATULATIONS to Kara and lauraB! Click here to send me an email with your address and I'll forward it along to the wonderful folks over at Two Paperdolls/Louella Press. Thanks again to those wonderful ladies and gentleman for their generosity and kindness! You guys rock!

And also, thanks to all 138 of you for participating! I should be having another giveaway next week, so please stay tuned and continue to drop by for your daily dose of NICE!

Don't Forget!

The Louella Press giveaway ends tonight at 8 p.m. ET, so get your entries in now!

NICE Testimonial: I'm a Lucky Gal

I posted this story on my personal blog yesterday, but it was such a NICE gesture that I felt compelled to share it here as well! Try to ignore the whiney nature of it, I really am usually perky and sunshiney.

My hubby, Rob, wins major, MAJOR points today. I've been struggling lately. I feel lost, like I don't know what I should be doing with my life. It's emotionally draining. And on top of that, I've been overwhelmed with tasks, for work and outside of work. I basically feel as if I'm drowning. To be honest, it's my own fault for taking on so much. I shouldn't, especially since I'm horrible at prioritizing.

Anyway, today proved to be another rough one. I was so frustrated midday that I called Rob blubbering about my unhappiness. He listened. He advised. He rationalized. And then I went back to work.

Two hours later, as I'm fighting with my printer, Office Space style, I see Rob out of the corner of my eye holding lunch, a card, and these:

Gestures like these from Rob the Robot are few and far between, but they always seem to come at the moment I need them most. I know that no matter what, Rob will always be there to support me, encourage me, and help me through rough patches. I'm a lucky gal!

And you know what? My day turned around! I was in a better mood the entire day, and it even carried over to today. Thank goodness I have him around. I must be rubbing off on him! :)

Do you have a NICE:Testimonial that you'd like to share? If so, click here to send me an email!

NICE News: 7 Kidney Donations

My friend and sponsor of this week's giveaway, Brooke, sent me a link to this incredible video this morning. Seven people decided to donate their kidneys to strangers in need. I don't think "nice" even begins to describe them.

Warning: I got a bit teary at the 3:20 mark, so watch out!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

NICE Assignment: Leave a NICE Note

Recycling is good. Which is exactly why I'm recycling an assignment from last August. I figure I have so many new and different readers now than I did 12 months ago, so it might be a great time to bring back the NICE Notes!

Remember these?





This was one of the most delightful assignments I've ever participated in, so I'm ready to give it another shot. Who's in?!

Today's Assignment: Leave a NICE Note

Please, feel free to download the pdf here or create your own note, or just write a message on a napkin or piece of scrap paper. You can leave the address of this site or have it be completely anonymous. It's all up to you! Imagine the surprise someone would experience from finding your note. This gesture doesn't cost anything, and it's sure to make a person's day! So what are you waiting for?

If you happen to have a camera handy, I'd love to see a photo of your note! You can post it in the Operation NICE flickr group or email me, and I'll be sure to share it with everyone right here on the blog. Thanks for participating!