Reality Check for Super Mom

For weeks, I’ve been secretly patting myself on the back. Keeping all the balls in the air! Work – good! Kiddo and hubby – good! House… clean enough! No one got the flu this year!…

The Saatchi Mile

By Sarah Martin HoodAugust 26, 2015November 4, 2018 work life balance saatchi & saatchi X 4 Comments

It started with cheese fries. College student by day and bartender by night, I was staring down the barrel of graduation with no real plan. I hadn’t spent my summers working internships, and I knew…

The Ice Bucket Bandwagon

By Sarah Martin HoodAugust 20, 2014September 4, 2016 running, work life balance #icebucketchallenge, ALS, saatchi, saatchi & saatchi X, Walk to Defeat ALS Leave a comment

Conveniently, I don’t even have to explain it to you. The #icebucketchallenge. The origins of the challenge are incredible and moving… And the way it’s taken on cult status through the magic of social media…

2014: off to a running start

By Sarah Martin HoodFebruary 4, 2014September 17, 2016 personal reflections, running, work life balance #30DayChallenge, colt, jeff, little rock marathon, making plans, marathon training, resolutions, saatchi & saatchi X 2 Comments

You know those parents who hold off on naming a new baby until they meet him in the hospital? Typically, they have a few favorite names in mind, but they just need to see that…

Halloweek | Trick or Treat

By Sarah Martin HoodNovember 1, 2013September 4, 2016 motherhood, work life balance colt, halloweek, halloween, jeff, saatchi & saatchi X, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TMNT, trick-or-treat 2 Comments

After a school party in Colt’s class and costume contest festivities at my office (HIGHLY competitive, especially in the group costume division. This is the same place that hired a real, live camel for Hump…

The camel heard round the world

By Sarah Martin HoodOctober 23, 2013September 4, 2016 work life balance colt, hump day, saatchi & saatchi X 2 Comments

It’s tough to describe the culture at my office. To college kids at career fairs and candidates during the interview process, I describe it as ‘work hard, play hard’. Over the years that’s the best…

South Carolina: Island Time

By Sarah Martin HoodJune 27, 2013September 4, 2016 travel, work life balance baby shark song, boondoggle, catamaran, daufuskie island, deep sea fishing, gullah gal, harbour town lighthouse, hilton head, island tour, Keeping TIME, life list, marshside mama's, pau hana, saatchi & saatchi X, shark fishing, sonesta hotel, south carolina Leave a comment

While work is not a big topic around here, it isn’t because I don’t have a fun, fulfilling job with smart, quirky, supportive people. Because I do! And perhaps my favorite thing about my job…

Saturday Survival

By Sarah Martin HoodFebruary 4, 2013September 18, 2016 motherhood, northwest arkansas, work life balance boingo bounce, colt, fayetteville, jeff, marathon training, masquerade ball, saatchi & saatchi X, Walton Arts Center 2 Comments

Saying things like “we never have plans on the weekend” is like boasting about “never getting sick” during flu season. Knock on wood all you want, but the universe wants you to be wrong. Honestly….

Extended Family

By Sarah Martin HoodMarch 21, 2011September 4, 2016 work life balance justin leland, saatchi & saatchi X 1 Comment

I have been known to joke about my status of “Black Sheep” in a family of do-gooders. Whether it’s military service or nursing or education or medicine, I’m surrounded by people who do very selfless,…

a.k.a. Possibly The Most Important Conversation I Had At Work Yesterday

By Sarah Martin HoodJanuary 14, 2010 work life balance 6 Comments

Because this has become a place I feel comfortable over-sharing, I think it's only fair to tell you about my ChapStick thing. It's one of those brands that has become synonymous with the product itself –…

Let’s Try This Again

By Sarah Martin HoodJanuary 11, 2010September 29, 2016 work life balance colt, daycare, jeff, saatchi & saatchi X Leave a comment

By this time last week, I'd already been vomited on. More than once. And the week didn't improve much from there. First, you should probably understand that Winter Weather in Northwest Arkansas takes on a life of its…

A grip. Get one.

By Sarah Martin HoodSeptember 4, 2009September 29, 2016 work life balance colt, daycare 4 Comments

This week has been, well, a long one. I won't bore you with excuses for my lag in posting. I won't even bore you with the details of my "long" week, because I'm certainly aware…

You’ve Heard of “Falling Off The Wagon”

By Sarah Martin HoodJune 26, 2009 work life balance 3 Comments

This is what it looks like. Count them. Three Sonic cups. Three. LARGES. In my defense, I think one of them was still on my desk from the day before. I think. But I know…

The Walmart Experience

By Sarah Martin HoodJune 4, 2009September 1, 2016 work life balance jeff, walmart 3 Comments

That's right folks. It's Shareholder's Week here in NWA. And for the first 8 summers I lived in Fayetteville that meant staying as far away from campus as I could manage during the first week…

Paper and Plastic are SO 10 Years Ago.

By Sarah Martin HoodMarch 11, 2009September 4, 2016 work life balance saatchi & saatchi X, walmart 4 Comments

100% recyclable Made from 85% recycled materials Made from approximately 4 plastic soda bottles Can replace 50 plastic shopping bags Can carry the same weight as 2-3 plastic shopping bags Where have you been all…

It’s Not Easy Being Green v 2.0

By Sarah Martin HoodFebruary 3, 2009September 4, 2016 work life balance saatchi & saatchi X 4 Comments

For the most part, I am pleased with the suggestions I received regarding my PSP. The good news is that I don't have to pick just one. The bad news is that - on the record…

It’s Not Easy Being Green

By Sarah Martin HoodFebruary 2, 2009September 4, 2016 work life balance saatchi & saatchi X 3 Comments

I need your help. Though I am fairly cynical regarding the new "Green" movement I would like to try and look past the trendiness and do my part. It's not that I don't want to save…

I am playing hooky today.

By Sarah Martin HoodNovember 17, 2008 work life balance 1 Comment

And had to look up both the spelling and the actual meaning of the word 'hooky.' Best I can tell, it originates from kids skipping school to go fishing– something like that. Anyway, I'm taking a…

What’s so funny?!

By Sarah Martin HoodAugust 6, 2008September 4, 2016 work life balance colt, jeff, razorbacks, xanga 1 Comment

Smiling! Laughing, really. I think God knew what he was doing when he decided when babies would smile. It just so happens to be about the time they start crying real tears. While I am…

Welcome to the 21st Century–

By Sarah Martin HoodJune 17, 2008September 4, 2016 work life balance saatchi & saatchi X, xanga 3 Comments

I’ve probably mentioned before that I have never considered myself a "cool kid". And I’m ok with that. I spent weekends in high school playing bassoon and xylophone in the band and traveling the state…