So, I have been tired all week and the dreary weather is definitely not helping.  I've literally felt like I was in a haze all week.  It also doesn't help that I've cut out a lot of caffenine this week, too.  But seriously, if I am tired and being unproductive from being tired (not blogging enough!!) something needs to be done so here are some things I am going to change.

Get ready for bed before bed.  I normally take showers at night before I go to bed and then I can't go to sleep right away.  The shower essentially wakes me up.  So from now on I am going to shower after dinner so when I wind down for the evening I don't rush around getting ready for the morning.

I need a bedtime.  Look growing up we all hated having a bedtime but seriously we need one.  We need to get X amount of sleep a night to function the next day.  I need to start going to bed sooner.  I wonder what my "bedtime" should be...I'm pretty sure it shouldn't be 1:00 am!

Not quite tried yet but it's time for bed so now what?  Again just like when you were a kid...you laid there and then eventually fell asleep.  You didn't read, watch tv, surf the web, etc.  You feel asleep naturally.  So I am going to shut off the light and GO TO SLEEP!

Snoop?

Have you ever thought about snooping? You have a shady boyfriend and you want to look through all of his stuff the second he leaves you alone in his house. Think before you snoop because you might find that dreaded something you're looking for. Also, why are you snooping? If he's keeping something from you and you have a gut feeling....that is enough to go on. You don't need validation for a couple of reasons. First, he'll flip the script on you...you're now the guilty party for snooping and second, if you find something there's no way you can forget it and move on without telling him you snooped.

Good relationships are built on trust.  If you ask yourself...can I trust him and the answer is no...then this is not a good relationship.  Sure we all lie to ourselves and try to make that not so special guy "the one" but sometimes you just need to realize...he's not "the one" and move on.  You deserve better.

Also, if you start snooping and don't find anything, you can go mad thinking that you're missing it.  It will start to show in your relationship.  You then start to make it obvious that you don't trust him.  Also at this point, you are the one with the problem.  You have trust issues that YOU need to work on.

Okay let's say he is hiding something because face it there are a lot of shady guys out there and you have that gut feeling that something is going on and you can't sleep until you know....ASK HIM!  Believe me you can tell if he is lying or hiding something just by talking to him.  Now I am not suggesting an interrogation or screaming ARE YOU HIDING SOMETHING?!?  There is such a thing as being subtle.  Before you ask him, think about the process.  Don't just confront him with a million hostile questions.  

I think one of the main reasons I knew Paul was finally "the one" is because our relationship was completely open from the beginning.  No secrets, no lies, just the honest truth.  Believe me...I'd been around so many of those shady guys that in the beginning I had my doubts but soon realized that Paul wasn't like all the rest but that was my issue not his - it's tough being single and single women tend to get a little jaded from all of the bad relationships, but when you realize that it doesn't have to be that way is sheer bliss.  

Being honest has to go both ways.  If you want him to be completely honest you need to be completely honest with him, too.  No holding back.  Nothing!  I mean think about it - you tell your best friend everything so he now needs to be your best friend and know everything.  

Straight Hair but at What Cost?

So we all know women - if you have curly hair you want straight hair and if you have straight hair you want curly hair.  Well the things women will do to get straight hair is unbelievable.  Apparently, there is this new treatment called a Brazilian Blowout and tons of different Keratin Hair Treatments.  Everything I have read says that it uses formaldehyde and that it is brutal to get done and I have even read that some woman died from not washing her hair (as recommended by the salon) and the fumes killing her.  Believe me I know how much it sucks to do your hair and then go out in the humidity and all of your hard work kinks up in a second.  It totally sucks.  But are you seriously willing to put your life in danger for some flat hair?  Also beware of products that state formaldehyde free - testing has been done and they found formaldehyde in those products too.  

Back in college I had my hair chemically straightened twice - it definitely wasn't a Brazilian Blowout but I'm sure that wasn't good for me either.  The second time I got it done, the girl applying the product says oh crap...then leaves the chair....she comes back and I ask if anything is wrong ... she says no.  Well about a month later I realize what the "oh crap" was....TONS of hair had broken off and now had grown back.  I couldn't even wear my hair in a pony tail for months because the little pieces stuck straight up through the smoothed back hair.  I dubbed it my mini-fro (smaller version of white girl fro) and had to suffer through it until it grew back and I've NEVER gotten a chemical straightener since!  Also, I still had to blow dry my hair AND use a flat iron so what was I spending money on?

Is flat hair really still in?  Don't get me wrong I'll straighten mine every once in a while now but I'd much rather sport the Kardashian Hair.  Also, right now my hair is pretty long and pretty healthy and I know it is from giving it a rest.  Take care of your hair because burning it off with my horrible chemicals just for flat straight hair will definitely not look better than some curls.

Cheater!

So recently I saw an article titled Cheating with Food and I was intrigued. I thought - OMG I cheat with food. First let me say that a while back I was afraid that I had food issues and that I might be a food addict. I mean I even checked out a book from the library and was about to self diagnosed myself as a food addict. However, after reading the book I of course discovered that I was not but when I saw this article I thought OMG this is ME! Face it we all have people in our lives that we feel we have to live up to a certain standard for and we hide stuff in an effort to not disappoint them. For example, I have a sweet tooth but I refrain from sweets. However, when I have a craving for it I have hid it from Paul as if having a craving for sweets make me some sort of deviant. Also, the fact that I refrain, want it and then have to hide it made me eat WAY more of it than I would ever do normally. It's seriously like having to get rid of any evidence of it. So recently (and actually before reading this article) I decided to stop all the nonsense and just buy what I wanted and leave the rest in plain view. I bought a pint of ice cream - ate some and put the rest in the freezer. There of course was no reason to hide it. There were no accusatory demands on why I ate the ice cream. Also, face it you have cravings. I mean he has them too. He'll buy chocolate, he recently made brownies (sugar free OMG nasty) and remember all those "chocolate chip cookies" I was making every weekend. So there's no reason to hide it. Everyone deserves a treat once in a while. Plus it's much more satisfying when you can eat it without all the added guilt and worry. Ironically, just as I am finishing this post - Paul goes to the frig and pulls out some chocolate!

Relaxing?

So as stated in my earlier post - Sunday was pool day.  Ever notice how much stuff you need to tote over to the pool and heaven forbid the beach.  It can be daunting.  So here's some suggestions from yours truly to make it effortless.

1) Pool/Beach bag - whatever bag you already own that you don't use everyday - make it your pool/beach bag.  You can use a reusable shopping bag which you can pick up at your local supermarket for 99 cents.  Keep your sunscreen, sunglasses (if you have more than one pair), beach towels, etc. in this bag at all times.  Wash the towels and shove them right back in the bag.  Keep the bag in your car, closet, where ever it is convenient. 

2) Water - going alone?  No need for a cooler.  Freeze bottles of water and have one in the frig.  By the time you are ready for a second bottle - it's melted and ice cold.  Also tote the bottles back home and fill them up for next time.

3) Kids toys/floats/chairs - I don't have any kids but I have plenty of nieces to amuse.  So during the summer I keep all of the floaties, toys, etc in my trunk for easy assess - no need to load them up every time and you won't forget anything at home.  If you have to tote your beach chairs...rinse them and leave them in the trunk too!

4) So you need a cooler - More people = more drinks.  Yesterday, I needed a cooler since a few people were joining me at the pool - with no cooler in sight and being at the beginning of "summer" no coolers on sale I turned to a quick fix.  I used a hot/cold bag that I already had in my garage.  I'm pretty sure I picked it up at Sams for $3 - just added ice and drinks pool side- instant cooler.  When we were ready to leave I just dumped the ice and water in the grass - no need for a hefty cooler.

5) Easy pool drinks - Yesterday I was in the mood for a frozen drink but I don't drink alcohol often so I didn't want to buy a bottle of anything and for fear the mixers alone tasted gross I skipped the frozen drinks.  Well now with some online searching I have found some great non-alcoholic fun pool side drinks.

Strawberry Daiquiri Punch

6 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened strawberries

1 6oz container frozen limeade concentrate

3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

1 16oz bottle lemon-lime carbonated beverage, chilled

2 cups ice cubes

If using fresh strawberries, remove stems and caps. For frozen strawberries, thaw the berries after measuring; do not drain.

Place strawberries, half at a time, in a blender container or food processor bowl. Cover; blend or process until smooth. Transfer blended berries to a large pitcher. Stir in limeade concentrate and light rum or pineapple juice. Cover; chill until serving time.

Just before serving, stir in the lemon-lime carbonated beverage and the ice. If desired, garnish with whole berries. Makes 8 to 12 servings.

Make-Ahead Tip

Combine blended berries with concentrate and rum or pineapple juice. Cover and chill up to 4 hours. Add carbonated beverage and ice just before serving.

Virgin Pina Colada

4 oz cream of coconut

4 oz pineapple juice

2 cups ice

Add the cream of coconut, ice, and pineapple juice to the blender.

Beat or mix until ice is crushed.

Pour into two 8 ounce glasses.

Magic Lemonade

Mix 1 large can of pink lemonade with 1-1/2 quarts of sparkling water and stir until dissolve. Add 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves and cloves, stir. Serve with crushed ice in a tall glass.

6) Fight the boredom - going alone?  Magazines can help fight boredom because face it laying out gets boring.  If you want to save your money - try listening to an audio book.  You can download or borrow books on CD from your local library.  So you can lay in the sun with your eyes closed and still "read" a good book.

7) Snacks- I normally don't eat when I go to the pool but if you need some snacks try for some fresh fruit.

8) Make a mess? - Don't forget to clean up - our neighborhood pool is almost a resort but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be responsible - move a chair? - move it back! Of course - throw your trash away especially if you are at the beach!

9) Trying to get a tan?  Sunscreen....lay out 30 mins....dip in the pool/water to cool down and repeat.

10) Relax! - You're at the pool/beach HAVE FUN!

Hair Care

So I think like most chicks I am obsessed with my hair.  Currently my hair is at the longest it has been for a decade and I want to get a trim but live in fear of any length being cut off.  So instead I am obsessed with taking care of it and of course making it look good.  So here are some products I use and they really work.    

1) Redken Quick Dry 18 Hairspray - Before trying this hairspray...I thought hairspray was hairspray no difference. Not only does this hairspray live up to it's name but it doesn't get stiff yet it holds great. I use this when I curl my hair with the curling iron. I'll curl my hair, style it and then spray it and tada....Kardashian Hair! When you first spray it on it seems like oh no stiff but within seconds it's the slight stiffness disappears. {Price - I only buy Redken products from Ulta when they run Buy 2 Get One Free - 14.95; if you don't have an Ulta - check your local salon that carries Redken they run sales too!}

2) Bed Head Urban Anti-dote Ressurrection 3 - Okay did you do something horrible...overprocess? overheat?  This is the cure!  Use this shampoo & conditioner and it's like magic.  It really works to repair damage it totally brings life back.  The 3 is for extreme damage.  {Price - again I buy shampoo & conditioner from Ulta when it goes on sale and I stock up I paid $9.99 for this liter; again if you don't have an Ulta - look for it in your local salon - how I found out about this stuff was from buying it on a gift collection clearance sale at a salon}

3) Redken Anti-Snap - I've been using this product for YEARS and seriously folks this might even be the same bottle of the stuff.  This stuff is awesome and a little bit goes a long way.  It helps in flattening fly ways...cuts out frizz...helps strenghten strands to reduce breakage...this stuff is great.  It's not greasy and it's very lightweight so it won't weigh down body. {Price - BOGO Sale - 14.95}

4) Redken Iron Silk 07 - I'll admit when I first bought this product I hated it but I used a little less and now it is a must when I flat iron my hair.  It protects your hair from the heat but it also helps make your hair shiny (without greasy feeling) and smoothes it as you flat iron. {Price - BOGO Sale - 14.95}

5) Aveeno Leave-In Conditioner - I love this stuff.  It is a spray and it's great.  When I wear my hair natural it is curly and I just wet it and spray this in and it holds a nice curl, fights frizz and conditions. It's also great to take to the pool...when your hair gets wet just spray it in to keep your hair from drying out from the chlorine.  {Price - I usually buy this at Walmart or Target - Ulta sells it too and I only buy it from there if it is on sale - $6.50}

6) Bed Head Urban Anti-dote Ressurrection 2 - Slightly less intense than 3 but works just as great.  I overheated a section of my hair with a curling iron and it wouldn't even curl naturally anymore.  I bought this at a salon on clearance and thought what the heck I am willing to give it a try and after one application my hair had bounced back literally.  The size of the clearance items were small so when it ran out I was happy to see it on sale at Ulta for $9.99 a liter.  {Price - same as above}

7) Redken Satinwear 02 - This is a blow out's best friend.  If you want super straight hair this is the stuff.  It also works pretty well if you just put it in your hair wet - air dry and then use the straightener.  {Again BOGO - $14.95}

8) Bed Head Small Talk- Need body and thicker looking hair- get it here.  This stuff is great if you want that full thick bouncy hair after a blow out.  A little bit goes a long way.  {Price - this actually came in that Bed Head Clearance Set - but I just googled and found it online for $10.99 - I'm sure it goes on sale at Ulta or your local salon - look for a deal}

9) Organix Coconut Milk Split Ends Mender - This stuff smells great.  I love wearing it in the summer time.  It's a great all over leave in treatment for curly hair but works great on just the ends too.  It boasts that it helps grow longer hair because it fights damage.  {Price - $8.99 however I think I got this on sale for like $6}

10) Redken All Soft - This is the best shampoo & conditioner on the planet.  I literally have the softest hair in the world from this.  My mother even touched my hair recently and said...OMG how is your hair that soft.  {Price - I think a liter usually runs like $24 - 29 however I only buy this from Ulta on sale which ranges from $11.99 a liter to $13.99 a liter...and when it is on sale...I STOCK UP!}

11) TRESemme' Fresh Start Dry Shampoo - Dry Shampoo is a naturally curly haired chicks best friend when straightening...sure you want protectant, stuff to make it flat, but how about making it last.  Maybe you want to go two or dare I say three days without shampooing (since it is A LOT of work making it straight) but you don't want your hair to get greasy...spray this stuff on and you can make it to day 4...lol.  Before this product came out (it is new from TRESemme'), the only way of getting Dry Shampoo was to buy this really expensive brand from Ulta or Sephora it was like $11 for 1 oz and it smells like OLD LADY and it turns your hair white needless to say when this came out I was willing to give it a try.  I mean you get like a huge can.  It also has a light citrus smell - very pleasant. {Price - $5 at Target and I think I even had a coupon for it}

If you plan on trying any of these products out - don't forget the most important part...LOOK FOR A SALE!

Cut it out!

So when I decided to write this post - I was going to bash myself for what I considered a flaw I have but after doing some research I've decided that sometimes you do need to cut some people out of your life.  I'll admit that sometimes I am quick to pull the trigger but I think it's because I have had a lot of toxic people in my life and I'd rather just get it over with than continually putting up with the same old bs from this person on a day to day basis.  

Here's how:

1) What is this person's gift to your life?  We interact with people for reasons...what do you get from this person - words of wisdom, emotional support, helping hand, humor, confidence, etc.  Chances are if you feel like this person matters to your life then you are less likely to cut them loose.  However, if you ask yourself this question and you don't have a positive response - then chances are you need to cut them loose.

2) What direction is your life moving in?  Sometimes you arrive at a different place in your life than your friends.  Perhaps it is your time to grow up and your friend just wants to go out partying all the time.  Maybe you are getting married and they are still living the single life.  There really is no middle ground so sometimes moving on means leaving people behind.

3) If they only could change -- face it no one changes someone else.  You can only change yourself and that is if you are WILLING to make the change so it is definitely not going to work on someone else.

4) Bite the bullet - If you know that someone in your life needs to go - do it and be done.  You'll be much happier when you do.  You'll alleviate the stress of having to do it and alleviate yourself from the negativeness you receive from said person.

5) Don't wait on a catastrophe.  It's not like you have to have some big blow out to end it - you can part ways gracefully.  You know with a "Take Care" (I am a firm believer in when a guy tells you to "take care" he means nice knowing you so use it here).

6) No guilt - don't go back.  It's not fair to you or them.  Once you say goodbye it is for good no more chances so again make sure it is truly someone toxic and not just a spat you had with your BFF.

Good luck and remember you're not a mean person; you two just aren't a good match.  Also, we all have friends that we will keep forever and friends that fade...how many people do you hang out with from kindergarten?  

What's the Big Deal?

So if you are like me…getting a good deal is your passion in life.  However, when is a deal a deal?  There seems to be so many ways to “save” money but are you actually saving any money? 

Coupons – They are all the rage at the moment.  There are entire blogs and websites devoted to coupons.  However you only save money when you use a coupon for something you need and usually buy.  Coupons are like little cut out advertisements – they entice you to buy items that you don’t normally buy because you’ll say to yourself – “it’s okay I have a coupon for it.”  Of course if you are a coupon queen and you are saving tons on every item you use – than good for you but in reality most people are just getting duped into buying crap they don’t need just because they have a coupon.

Clearance Items – This can be hit or miss.  I’ve found some great deals on clearance of stuff I really needed and I’ve bought a lot of junk just because it was on clearance.  For example, I used to buy tons of clothes from Target on clearance basically because they were cheap.  However, I’ve started asking myself a few questions before I start loading up on the $3 t-shirts or whatever.  1) Why is it on clearance?  Sometimes there’s a reason – it wasn’t a good seller which leads to fit, quality, etc. 2) Do I really need it?  Chances are I don’t.  However, when you find something on clearance that you actually need – celebrate!

Seasonal Items – I never buy a coat at the beginning of winter.  Wait a few weeks…it will go on sale or buy next year’s coat in Spring it will be at its cheapest.  Also never buy a bathing suit when they lug out the racks.  That’s when they want you to buy them.  Again, wait and chances are you can get a deal.  Here in Florida I think Target keeps bathing suits out all year long.  So there’s constantly swimsuits being marked down.  Want to redecorate/organize a room on a budget?  Wait until the beginning of the school year…all kinds of stuff goes on sale some of it is of course in bright neon or solid colors because apparently that is what every college kid wants to decorate their dorm room with but seriously you can find some good stuff.  You can make it work to your advantage.  When I organized my closet…I got all of the stuff CHEAP because it was that time of year.  Same thing goes with office supplies.  Paper, pens, clips and stuff are always cheap when school starts and you know this girl loves office supplies especially CHEAP office supplies.  Want new decorations/wrapping paper for Christmas?  Wait until after Christmas to buy them.  For example, last year I found black and white damask wrapping paper at Target at Christmas time.  I bought one roll and then after Christmas I bought three more…$1 each.  Also, the paper can be used on all kinds of gifts not just Christmas.  But as always….ask yourself….do I really need this or am I just buying it because it is cheap.

Buying online – Sure we all get tons of emails everyday about online sales but be careful.  Think about it are you getting something at a discount but then find yourself buying more stuff to reach a certain amount of money to get free shipping or is the shipping outrageous?  An example of good intentions going bad, I bought the Vera Bradley laptop skin…first I didn’t pay enough attention and I thought I was getting a laptop sleeve for that price and the shipping was like an additional $8 which was about half of what the item costs – to add insult to injury my sister Debra came out for a day of shopping and she got the EXACT same laptop skin from a shop for like $12 because it was on sale.  I ended up paying twice that ordering it online.

EBay – There are some really good deals to be found on Ebay.  Just be careful of the bidding wars…if you have to bid on something set a price in your head and don’t go over it – no matter what.  I have just started only buying things that are Buy Now.  No bidding and you know what you are going to pay straight up.  I’ve bought perfume, makeup, purses, phone accessories and a memory card reader.  Always look at the seller’s feedback and don’t forget to add in the shipping if your item is $1 and they want $7.99 to ship it…I’d pass.  Also, if you purchase something – sign up with Paypal – that way if you don’t receive it you’ll get your money back.

Wholesale Clubs – Sometimes you can find good deals…like laundry soap, TP, razors but other times you’re just getting larger quantities of items and not really getting any real savings.  So price compare – if you know how much you would pay for something somewhere else and you see it in bulk at Sams or Costco….do the math … is it cheaper?  If so, buy it.  If not, you really don’t need a million of it at once anyway. 

Outlet Malls – OMG don’t get me started.  I totally think outlets are for suckers.  Most of the prices in outlets are the prices you can get it anywhere else on sale.  So where’s the real savings.  Regular stores run sales all the time so don’t even try to tell me that it is ALWAYS on sale at the outlet.  Also, some store like Gap, JCrew, etc give you a lesser quality item for an outlet price so sure you might get a JCrew sweater cheaper at the outlet but it was made cheaper too. 

So all in all, think before you buy and when you do find that “good deal” enjoy it!

Pool Time

So Sunday my sister Debra and my niece Kaelyn are coming over to go to the pool in my neighborhood. So since summer has apparently arrived here in Florida …. bring on the sunscreen.

Here are some common misconceptions regarding sunscreen:

1. Anything over 30 SPH is overkill – SPH 15 blocks about 93%. SPH 30 blocks about 97% and SPH 50 blocks about 98% - however the average person only puts on about a 10th of what they need. So if you are using SPH 50 you’re really only getting about SPH 2. Aim for the equivalent of 1 teaspoon for your face and 1 oz (shot glass) over your body (ummm maybe a little more than that if you have a larger body) every 2 hours. Basically an 8 0z tube should last you half a day. OMG I have sunscreen left over from last year – I totally wasn’t putting enough on. 
2. Sunblock & Water proof – Sunscreen is going to left some UV in just make sure you’re putting enough on and there’s no such thing as water-proof so once you get out of the water – load back up. 
3. You only need sunscreen in the summer – sadly untrue – UV is always out no matter what time of the year and even on cloudy days. 
4. Sunscreen cures wrinkles – It can help reduce wrinkles but of course if it was a cure all – why would they make wrinkle cream? Just take care of your skin and you’ll age gracefully.

So put on your sunscreen and enjoy the nice weather!

Chasing skirt!

So I saw a skirt in Self magazine, (click here to see it on Self's website) This skirt might as well be on a different planet.  There is no way to order it online and seriously the only way is to call the number listed on the article.  Call me crazy but for that kind of money it should be a lot easier to order - so I decided to search for something similar.

This is what I found...

It was on Target's website for $26.99 however they only had a size 2 left.  I found it on Amazon for $15 including shipping!  I can't wait to get it!

Vitamin/Water

So you know me I’m always on some healthy kick. Well I read that Vitamin c can help you lose weight. Apparently it acts like a fat blocker and studies have showed that people who kept their usual routine but added 500 mg of Vitamin C lost weight. I have vitamin C at home and at work so I don’t forget to take it. I’ll keep you posted with my results. 

I also recently read that you can lose weight by drinking (2) 8 oz glasses of water right before you eat a meal. Common sense folks…the water takes up space in your stomach and you get fuller faster. Also, snacking can be cured with water. A lot of people confuse thirst for hunger. Also the more water you drink the less likely you are to drink soda, juice, Starbucks, etc. Water also fights fight bloating – even if you feel full from drinking the water within an hour or so you’llbe less puffy because the water flushes out salt and toxins.

Starbucks Irony

{Starbucks}

So as you all know, one of my bad habits is handing money over to Starbucks, as I stated in my earlier post, I have been making progress to kick this bad habit. Well good news from Starbucks….they are closing the location near my office and there will no longer be a Starbucks conveniently nearby so the irony here is 1) I've been trying to give it up and now Starbucks is helping me and 2) Starbucks has just recently released their tribute coffees and such thanking customers for 40 years of business and our location is closing. I seriously think it is because I haven’t handed over $200+ dollars a month to them for the last couple of months. I was apparently keeping the lights on over there. So long Starbucks I can’t say I will miss you.

I just have so many issues with Starbucks as well. My main issue is soy milk. Sure they offer it but at a price however if you want like 5 different milk options fill up your cup to the brim for FREE! Also, the prices keep going up as if that $5 latte isn't expensive enough let’s hit you for $6. Yes yes I know greedy capitalism. So I find it quite humorous that they couldn't make their price gouging work in an area with tons of business professions looking for their 2:00 pick me up and no I am not resorting to Red Bull or 5 hour energy….GROSS!

Monkey on your back?

So we all have bad habits….mine as I have said is too much tv and going to Starbucks.  Bad habits can really be anything…nail biting, always saying yes instead of saying no like you want to, always being  5 minutes late, gossiping, facebook & twittering too much, over texting and of course things that are bad for your health like smoking, overeating, drinking and drug use. 

Here are some tips to help break a bad habit:

1. Identify your bad habits:  Compare yourself to your value standards – are you living up to your standards?  Look for the things that you consistently do that don't live up to your own standards – those are your bad habits.
2. Listen up:  There are two sides of us inside – think of it like the cartoons with the character with the little angel and devil on his shoulder questioning which one to listen to.  If you keep listening to the little devil – its voice just gets louder and louder.  Shut it up for good by consistently choosing the angel.
3. Suck it up:  Power through the initial pain.  The first couple of days are the worst – it will get easier over time.  However, once it starts getting easier and you start making real progress on kicking that bad habit…don’t get complacent or you’ll slip right back into your bad habit.
4. Make no exceptions:  once you start don’t kid yourself with “one last time bull”.  No cheating of any kind stick with it – you can do it.
5. Replace your bad habit with a good habit:  For example, if you’re planning on cutting out soda – drink more water, etc. just make your new habit doable don’t set yourself up for failure.  Subbing is not your fail-safe the bad habit is still lurking waiting to make its comeback so choose your new habit wisely. 
6. Lose your bad habit in 30 days!:  It’s not proven how long it exactly takes to kick your bad habit to the curb so if you think it’s taking you forever – just remember you’re giving it up for forever…that’s a long time so stop looking at the calendar and just keep going.
7. Fall off the wagon?:   If you fall off get right back on.  Don’t beat yourself up – you’re only human.  Just step back and assess the situation.  What made you fall off?  How can you avoid falling off again? Just remember….YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

What's in your bag?

So recently I had a friend laugh when she reached in my bag to grab my car key for me.  She teased and said that I was like a little girl playing grown-up because my huge bag had three things in it...key, wallet and phone.  It is true that day I pulled out a bag from my closet and tossed in my cell and wallet and headed out of the house.  I will say that at the time I wasn't carrying a purse everyday.  I was just lugging my damask gym bag to work.  I recently got a new bag and I've been working on my blog at lunch so no need for the damask gym bag at the moment.  So here's what is currently in my bag....

1) This notebook contains my blogs in the works.  Basically it is a title with a brief outline of what direction I am looking for and then when I blog I just fine tune it.

2) My Ipod - I actually wore it all day at work - it really helped tuning out loud co-workers.  I also have some earplugs in my purse...I guess I forgot to pull them out...lol.

3) My phone - love the cover?  I got it on ebay along with a home charger, car charger and touch pad protector all for 9.99 no shipping!

4) Yes ANOTHER damask notepad - this is where I am going to schedule my weekend time and it also holds any lists I might need - grocery shopping, etc.

6) Business card holder - My blog cards =)

7) My car key - I usually keep it open like this because it's easier to find down in the bottom of my purse and Paul's key looks exactly the same and he will always grab the wrong key if I put mine on the table too.

8) Candy from Marissa's bday party.

9) Permanent Marker - I love this permanent marker.  It is like Walmart brand but it has the best tip size and it doesn't smell.  I absolutely hate Sharpie smell!

10) Pens =) I am obsessed with stationary items especially with pens.  The decorative pen came from the dollar bins at Target 2/$1 and the black pen is my favorite BIC pen to write with - I know it's just a pen but it seriously looks better on paper than other pens. 

11) My new sunglasses - I also got these at Walmart for $10 and I didn't notice until I got out to the car to put them on that they have a damask on the side - too funny!  I have been wearing these a lot.  I am determined to not have any more lines around my eyes and that one I blogged about is completely gone!

Party Time

So Saturday was Marissa's 5th Birthday Party.  It was quite a party.  There was a bounce house and even Grandma joined in the fun.  The party had a Barbie theme so what better than an actual Barbie cake.  There were fun party games like pin the sunglasses on Barbie and what was the prize?  You guess it...BARBIE!  

Here's some cute videos of Marissa driving Miss Kaelyn around in the Princess jeep.

So also at the party...I was getting ice out of the cooler and the lid came down and hit me in the face.  Look Taller - Shia almost broke her nose!

It hurt so bad when it happened and I felt sooooo STUPID!  Luckily no one was around.  The cut on my nose kinda looks like a big freckle so thankfully no one at work has said...what did you do to your nose.  Also, when it happened I kept thinking....no my little nose is going to have a big bump in it.  I just kept feeling it and I was like okay no bump...no bump.

All in all Marissa had a great birthday.  She receive soooo many Barbie gifts.  I told her it took me YEARS to build my Barbie empire and it only took her a day.  I guess Barbie world came be built in a day!  It was so cute seeing her play with her Barbie stuff.  She had her own little stories going on.  It was too cute!

Me = Unproductive

I don't often think of myself as someone that lives an over extended life.  I don't have tons of deadlines to meet -- or do I?  I do often feel like I don't have enough time to do something or I feel like I waste a lot of time especially on the weekends.  My unstructured weekend time yields unproductive time.  For example, TV can really kill my productivity.  I am constantly getting sucked in to some marathon of episodes of whatever on TV.  Also, it doesn't help that I have to DVR every show I watch to watch on the weekends when Paul isn't home.  I feel like once I have wasted a good two or three hours watching TV I then feel like well I've wasted this much time I might as well continue.  Yesterday, I started off with good intentions.  I planned to watch one movie OnDemand then go about my day of blogging.  However, I ended up literally wasting the entire day in front of the TV.  I mean I had TONS of blogging I wanted to get done yet TV won. 

The only solution to this problem is planning out my weekend time with a schedule.  Weekdays are productive because there is a start and finish to my day and if I want or need to get something done I schedule it on my mental or calendared things to do.  On weekends, I am more of the go with the flow type.  If I have something to do, I'll go and do it but when I don't feel like I have anything I have to do....nothing gets done.  One change I plan on making immediately to my weekend time is when I wake up...I plan to get ready for the day i.e. get dressed, do my hair/makeup and then go downstairs...like I normally would on a weekday.  Because not only does nothing get done with watching TV I will then say screw it if I have to get ready to go somewhere once a couple hours go by.  

Also, I think I need to start thinking of my writing as a job.  How can I ever become a freelance writer if I don't put the time in.  I need to get concrete ideas and writings going so I can start submitting them.  I have tons of blog topics at the moment so I have TONS of stuff to write about yet nothing is getting done.  

So starting this weekend I am literally going to have a weekend schedule.  I am going to keep a little notebook in my purse and throughout the week I am going to schedule times to do certain things and then do them.  I normally have one day of the weekend where I have plans to meet up with people or family but if I have a day without anything to do....TV here I come, so from now on I am going to schedule my free days with stuff to do!  Next Monday I'll post about how my new weekend scheduling worked out!  Stay Tuned!

Marissa is FIVE!!!!

My niece, Marissa (aka Mini Shia), is five.  I can't believe how big she has gotten, it just seems like yesterday when my mom was calling me to tell me that Nicole was in labor.  When she was born and I held her for the first time I thought...one day you'll be riding in my car listening to music and chatting up a storm.  Well those days are here.  =)  I told her not to long go that one day she will be too cool to hang out with her Auntie Circle.  She told me that she'll be my best friend forever.  

1) This was her first ice cream cone...well her first taste of an ice cream cone...it was actually MY ice cream cone and I had the hardest time getting it back from her....she wasn't even 1 yet!

2) Cuteness at the pumpkin patch!

3) Marissa has won several beauty pageants this was her after her first one with all of her trophies and her crown.

4&5) Christmas pictures from last Christmas.  

Happy Birthday Marissa!!!! Love Auntie Circle....how about now you start calling me Auntie Shia =)

Too funny & Had to Share

So, I saw in a magazine under one of those write in with your question and get an answer section the following question:

Is my husband up to something?

“My husband sent the following text to his secretary….You’re the best! and his secretary replied…I know!…LOL”  Is there something going on between them?

The answer was pathetic.  Like email/text slang…blah blah blah.  Honey, I am here to tell you that chances are like 99.9% since there is always that one hoe bag bringing us all down that NOTHING is going on!  I used to work with this attorney all the time and currently with one now that waits until the last moment to do ANYTHING and that is their condescending reply to saving their ass (you’re the best or you’re the bomb) and that is the FU response…(I know!).  Believe me…just because your husband is Mr. Wonderful to you…he’s probably the biggest pain in the ass to his secretary or assistant and believe me couldn’t be any more unattractive because of that reason!

Gasp!

Apparently, 78% of Americans admit to tossing beauty products in the garbage instead of recycling them.  A lot of the plastics have the #1 and #2 symbol on them and can be recycled.  OMG I AM ONE OF THESE PEOPLE THAT DON’T RECYCLE!!!   This thought has crossed my mind in the past but then the fact that it’s all thrown in the bathroom bin with used tissues, etc. stops me from reaching in and fishing out the recyclables.  So the solution to this problem is getting a bathroom recycle bin.  Which I can honestly say seems like common sense.  However, instead of going out and buying something to fill this need of a recycle bin.  I am going to reuse something in my house currently as a recycle bin.  I am thinking of using a shopping bag, you know when you go and buy clothes or whatever at your favorite store and they practically give you a plastic tote bag as a bag…one of those.  I’ll post a picture of what I come up with later tonight.

Shia Knows Products - Skincare

So I am the queen of knowing what products work.  I've tried practically everything and if there's a convincing ad - I'll try it at least once.  My sisters and friends have received many of my cast offs.  The bathroom used to be a nightmare - there was just so much under the sink and most of it was I never used.  So I pick through it - throw away the absolute crap and then give the rest away.  Things still get a little out of hand but now everything under the sink is actual stuff I use.  I've really narrowed down the products I use and now I rarely buy something new to try because what I use REALLY works.  However, occasionally there will be a new product bought.  The other morning I was getting ready for work and there was a pretty deep line on my face near my eye.  The first thing I thought was OMG I need botox which I literally found hilarious because I disapprove of any sort of plastic surgery but realized that when it happens to you - you totally understand the desperation women feel to get rid of lines and wrinkles.  So on my way to work, I stopped by the nearest drugstore, Walgreens, to buy some of the eye creams I've seen advertised on tv.  First of all this stuff is not cheap.  Luckily what I wanted to buy was buy one get one half off.  So I bought Garnier Nutritioniste - Ultra-Lift Daily Targeted Wrinkle Treatment - which states that it targets and lifts even pronounced wrinkles, plumps, fills and smooths.  See below.

Click here for Garnier's website for details.

I also bought Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew - Anti-Puff Eye Roller which states that it decongests puffiness and diminishes dark circles.  See below.

Click here for Garnier's website for details.

So when I got back to the car I put on the Ultra Lift and seriously by the time I got to work the line was gone and hasn't returned.  Today I used the anti-puff eye roller.  It itches a little but it also seems to have worked.  I don't get puffy dark eyes often but occasionally if I haven't gotten enough sleep I definitely see some dark circles.  

So I am definitely adding these eye creams to my daily regiment.  However, I need to wear sunglasses more.  I know the lines around my eyes is from squinting in the sun - so I really need to find a great pair of sunglasses.  I have some but I really don't like how they look on me.  However, until I find a new great pair I am going to make sure I wear the ones I have - dorky sunglasses is way better than lines and wrinkles.

Singles vs. Doubles

So I heard on the radio, a news story about a woman suing her ex-fiancé because he cheated on her at his bachelor party, so she is suing him for all the money she spent on wedding items, planning the ceremony and honeymoon.  The topic then lead to women giving men a last whore-rah (brilliantly funny..I know).  I'm not an expert, but I am thinking that if you need to give your man a last time to go out and hook up then your marriage isn't really built on the foundation of what it should be.  Being recently engaged (YAY), if I had to give Paul...one more time to go out and hook up...I would say SEE YA {P.S. I'm keeping the ring}.  I just don't understand people that act like the single life is just loads of fun and so hard to give up.  Being single sucks which is why you painstakingly look for someone to marry!  Sure there can be exceptions to this rule, if you are in a bad marriage perhaps being single again is for you, but you're not going to be single forever you are going to go out and look for the next guy.  I just think that if you are even considering going outside of your relationship for anything than perhaps you're not with the right person.  I was single for a long time before I met Paul and sure in the beginning it was a HUGE adjustment.  Even before we moved in together, I can remember thinking where is my single me time?  Can't I just have a quiet lazy day alone?  Often now I think...what happens when we work the same schedule and he has weekends off too...I will never be alone!  It's like that Sex in the City episode when Carrie and Aiden move in together and she misses her "single me" time and when she gets it....she realizes she doesn't need it anymore which is my point.  I think if you or your significant other is like oh I miss going out and hooking up, I think there should be that moment when you realize ... no I don't need this anymore.  If you pass that point and are willing to go through with it than perhaps you're not as commited as you think and why would you want to be with someone that was willing to jeopardize your relationship.  Also, women that say...oh I am fine if he wants to go out and hook up one last time...I am not the jealous type or I am totally secure with our relationship blah blah blah it is just the lie that they are telling themselves so they don't lose it - classic case of low self esteem that convinces them self that they have SO MUCH self esteem that they would let someone make them look like a fool to prove it.  Having self esteem is being able to say....SEE YA YOU PIG!  Try spending some more time together or spicing things up.  There are better ways to save your relationship than giving someone a pass to cheat.  Remember - if you're best friend told you her man wanted to do this - you would say HELL NO!  Practice what you preach!!!

5k Madness

I made it!  It ended up being more like a 6k...5.85km which I did in......45 mins!  45 mins was my goal!  I'm not going to lie at times it was rough....so all I have to say now is....when is the next one?  I need to do it in 40 mins!

Zoo

{click on the collage to see it bigger}

Last Sunday I went to the zoo with my sisters and all my nieces.  We had a blast.  Marissa and Leah wore their matching outfits I got them.  The whole time I kept saying....I should have gotten Kaelyn one too!  Kaelyn was so cute.  She kept saying I see I see...and when I would kneel down to look with her she would  kneel down too.  She would tell all of the animals...bye bye when we were leaving I think she thought they would actually say bye back.  Kaelyn peeking through the wood posts was hilarious....Debra leaned over to get the pic of her lil face smooshed between the posts.

Nicole asked me to stop on the way and get Leah some sunglasses!  They were the cutest thing ever!  She loved wearing them!  Leah was also wearing one of the bibs I made for her...it said ... My Aunties love me!

Marissa and I walked around and I one point she was amazed that I knew all the words to "Lizard" of Oz.  I tried to explain to her that I've seen it a million times but she told me...that we had only seen it once.  So we skipped along singing....we're off to see the lizard...the wonderful lizard of oz.  

We had a great day but man was I tired at the end!  Also, this was when my sisters got to see my ring for the first time.  So all in all great day.  I can't wait to do it again!  

PS ---

There was NO FIGHTING between the grown ups!  YAY my little sisters are growing up!

Nicole sent me some pics from her phone...they wouldn't post in the collage...so here they are...

Funny animal pics....

I said look it's the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...yet missing one....

Debra said that the one on it's own rock was Michaelangelo...lol

Monkeys napping....we teased Marrissa and said the one slumped over is how she sleeps in the car and the one sprawled out hanging off is how she sleeps in her bed.

Shia & Paul's Three Year Anniversary....

We are engaged!!!

Resolution Revolution

{Writing Exercise #2}

New Year's resolutions make me never want to make a resolution again...why do we put so much emphasis on starting a new year with fixing everything that was wrong with last year.  We should really embrace each day and try to make each day anew instead of trying to revamp your life just because the year on the calendar changes so what ... what makes January more riotous than February through December?  Nothing.  If you need the new year to evolve into some new person and that is the only motivation you have I guess do what works for you.  However, like most people you'll break your resolution in under a week.  So I suggest taking some time and really thinking about your happiness, I set goals for myself all the time.  Only you know what will make you accountable.  So do yourself a favor and never use the new year as your reason for doing something - think of something more meaningful to use as your motivation and you'll be surprised on how fast you accomplish your goals.

New Day Resolution for writing - 

Within the next 24 hours I will resolve to use a thesaurus more and increase my writing vocabulary even if I have to use a everyday word and then go back and edit posts for some finesse.  

Note to blog readers - Unfortunately, the first two exercises focused on things I have already written about - however I peaked ahead and there is good stuff on it's way....so bare with me.

Cease the Monotony

{Writing Exercise #1}

Sometimes I feel like a gerbil, running around and around on his wheel!  Each day I feel like I do the same thing over and over which is nonsense.  I feel that we all get so wrapped up on our day to day lives that we become insensitive to those around us.  I bet you can name three things that you've done recently to let someone down just because you were too busy with your day to day monotony.  Was it worth it?  Perhaps, our lives need to be ran more like a carousel....sure you are on that day to day wheel running around the same circles day in and day out but there's more excitement...there's the ups and the downs...there's music playing.  

I've really tried to make work less of my life.  I'm tired of getting up going to work and being exhausted when I go home and shoving life in on the weekends.  Weekends are never long enough, once you get a good pace going...it's time to go back to work.  

I try to take a step back when I feel like I am falling right back into that monotony.  I just step back and think about it for 5 minutes.  I think....what am I doing and how can I make this better.  Believe me there is a solution to fixing the monotony but only you can find your answer. 

Regardless of what you change...perhaps something that seems insignificant will change things enough to impact your whole outlook.  For example, I have switched up my route to work in the mornings which gets me out of going through a school zone so on the plus side less of a headache waiting on the crossing guards and going 15 to 20 miles an hour for what seems like an eternity.  I am not going to say that this changed my entire life but making one change leads to another and another and soon you don't feel like your in a rut.

Write-Brain

So I bought this book....

by Bonnie Neubauer

It's full of fun writing exercises....instead of writing them in a notebook I am going to post them!