Live Without Regrets

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

2011-12-25T21:48:00.000-08:00

It's the best time of the year. Isn't that how the song goes? It's technically the 26th but I hope that everyone had a great Christmas holiday with their families. I know I sure did. We all got spoiled rotten this year and I'm surely thankful for the wonderful people in my life. We woke up early to open presents with my son and then went to a breakfast with family. It was a very nice way to spend our day. I had a late dinner at my sister's house where we opened more presents and feasted on prime rib. I've never seen a more expensive cut of meat in my life, I'm not even joking.

My son got a ton of awesome gifts from everyone in the family, and Santa of course. He has yet to even open or touch most of them. I am using this as an excuse to get rid of or donate a bunch of his old toys that have been sitting around and collecting dust. He also got a push bike so he can finally learn how to ride. I had never seen a push bike before - but this is another way to teach kids to ride bikes without the need for training wheels. I'll definitely have fun getting him to learn to ride on it. The winter here has been so mild we can take him out on it now instead of having to wait until spring. I don't remember many Christmases in history where I walked around outside without a coat on - but it's really been warm!

At my fiance's grandmother's house

My bub and Elmo - posing for me

I'm always telling him "stay still!" so he's gotten good at it

And before people get any ideas about me, I did not ask for anything too expensive this year. I had my own issues buying presents so I didn't expect anyone to go out of their way for me. I got an incredible surprise. My mom wrapped me a present in a shoe box. I thought she got me shoes for a second, but they're from a store that I never, ever buy shoes from. So I opened the box and saw a Michael Kors bag in it. My first instinct was that it was maybe a ring or earrings - I had no idea she got me the watch I was drooling over for a month. When we went into the new Michael Kors store together, I saw the watches they had in the case and fell in love with the rose gold ones. I knew they were very expensive so I didn't even dare ask for it for Christmas, I thought I was going to buy one for myself when my birthday comes around at the end of January. You can ask anyone that knows me - I had my heart set on getting myself a watch. Well, my mom got it for me and it's absolutely stunning! She said she tried them on in the store and she actually liked the way it looked. I honestly never wear watches but when I saw these I knew I had to have one and now I do. It's so amazing, I am so thankful. I also got the Michael Kors perfume from my finacé! It was a very Michael Kors Christmas in my house because my sister got one of his purses (also one that I had been lusting after). But I have great purses so I don't really need one - it's still nice to look at them, though!

Love this perfume so much, from my boo ♥

It's mine - ALL MINE! I die for this watch.

I also got a bunch of other great stuff from family and friends. I can't even go into them all, but I thought I'd share some pictures of the ones I got a chance to photograph. I'm mostly really touched at how everyone I know thought of me and really knew what I liked. Even when my fiancé couldn't find a DVD I wanted he improvised and got me something just as great. I also hope that everyone loves what I got them. It's not even really what you get someone but the thought behind it that counts. When someone gets me something that is totally me - even if I didn't ask for it - it's touching. I know that they know me really well and pay attention to the things I say and like. I always sweat so hard over buying people gifts because I want to get them something good.

Hello Kitty ear buds from my boo ♥

Lancome eyeshadows

Fern Gully, The Princess and the Frog and a Disney Princess CD from my fiancé who will quickly regret getting me these when I make him watch/listen to them with me

And the excitement isn't even over. On the 27th we will celebrate my mother's 65th birthday. And of course on the weekend we will all ring in the new year. I can say that 2011 got a lot better at the very end. All of the awesomeness that has happened during the holidays has made up for some really sucky parts. I'm excited to welcome a new year and I have a really bright outlook for our future.

I hope everyone else continues to enjoy their holiday with their loved ones!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-12-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas is quickly approaching, it's kind of scary. December seems to have flown by. Between the warmer than usual weather and all that has gone on - it doesn't feel much like Christmas. I know it's coming but it seems almost like a prank. I am very excited despite not having the best month thus far. I was sick for a good 2 solid weeks. I still managed to get all my Christmas shopping done, presents wrapped and decorate the house. Because the next few days are going to be busy and spent with friends and family, I'm going to make send my Christmas wishes out now.

Have a very wonderful Christmas! I hope you enjoy your holiday. Also, Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends!

Daniel's handmade ornament from school :)

Oh, the Misguided People of the World

2011-12-17T08:03:00.000-08:00

I caught this article on tumblr, of all places, and I wanted to stand up and applaud it. Men Who Don't Like Women in Make up from XOJane.com - please go and read it and then come back here because I have so many opinions.

When I got started in the whole make up industry as an artist, I never really thought women and men were as clueless about what natural make up meant. I paged through the articles in magazines where they showed famous actresses "without makeup" and guffawed for I knew that they did, in fact, have make up on. It was just very artfully and tastefully applied to appear like they didn't. Famous women do not get photographed UP CLOSE with a very good digital single lens reflex camera and not wear a stitch of make up. The thought of that is absurd. They had foundation and concealear, I could even tell some had mascara and highlighter on. No, it's not a lot of make up and it makes them look natural. But to tell readers that they are bare faced and beautiful? Come on now. We've seen candids of celebrities and we all know that even Cindi Crawford doesn't wake up looking "super model gorgeous". It's a complete and utter lie to say otherwise. Some women have better skin, less flaws, and yes they are blessed to be very attractive with or without make up. But for the most part everyone has some flaws that make up helps to conceal.

And it's not only that! Now magazines are telling us that men prefer women without make up. First of all, how contradictory is it to sell make up in magazines, Photoshop make up onto models (or Photoshop in general) and then tell women that they don't need make up because men prefer "natural" beauty. Haha, OKAY. And second of all, since when have men known anything at all about make up? A lot of men don't know what the hell natural make up is, let alone whether or not a woman is wearing a lot or a little. When it comes to make up, most men don't know their ass from their elbow so their opinion on what they like or deem as natural is about as useless as their opinion on which tampon is the best. What do they even know about it? I'm not talking about male make up artists, because they could tell you fair and square that "natural beauty" is a trap. I'm talking about the average guy.

When I have people tell me I'm naturally pretty and don't need make up, I agree with them about one thing - no one needs make up. It's a choice. There is a definite stigma against women who like to wear make up and who like to be a little daring. It's almost as if people feel you have something to hide. When I wear a daring red lip or false eyelashes I'm not hiding anything. You can see me without my make up on and it's not a surprising sight. I am not insecure about the way I look. But that, for some reason, is what the media tells men and women. Women who wear bright or bold make up are insecure, vying for attention and are not good looking without it. Bullshit, I say. I have seen many women with natural make up or bold make up and they look good both ways. That's like saying that women who wear push-up bras are insecure and vying for attention. Are some? Maybe. Are all? Absolutely not. Are women who get Botox insecure or ugly without it? No, definitely not. Newsflash people of the world -- make up is a not a lie or an ingenious scheme concocted by the women of earth to ensnare unsuspecting men into their "web of lies". And if you find a woman who looks drop dead gorgeous with her make up on and then looks like a troll without it, please call me.

I've done weddings where the bride is afraid of make up and tells me she wants to look natural, like herself, but "better". I'm always puzzled by this. Does make up somehow transform your face? Is this a new tool the Decepticons are using? If you put on lipstick are you suddenly not yourself anymore? And have you ever looked at yourself in a photograph when you weren't wearing make up? Do you look washed out, tired? If yes, make up can help you with that and I guarantee you'll still look like yourself at the end of it all. You can still look pretty, you can still look natural, and you can be wearing five or more products on your face. If you can't achieve a naturally beautiful make up look, you don't know how to do your make up. Simple as that! Go to a pro, go to someone who has experience and ask them to show you how. Don't blame the product, it's not the lipstick's fault. The eye shadow isn't the guilty one. It's you. Sorry to break it to you.

At the end of the day I don't give two damns about if men like how Jennifer Aniston looks. I don't care if they (who are they anyway?) think that natural make up is hot and that women look better without it. These people, whoever they are, don't know what they're talking about. If they did, they wouldn't have such misguided opinions. But I really don't care how they feel and they can continue believing whatever they want. I will continue wearing whatever make up I want and I will go to sleep knowing that it doesn't detract from my "natural beauty" at all.

Investment pieces

2011-12-14T07:08:00.000-08:00

I think most young women get into a habit of buying disposable fashion. Do you know what I mean? Forever 21, H&M, cheaper stuff that you're not as "in love" with but bought because it was cute and cheap. Then, after 5 wears and washings, the item falls apart or loses it's lustre and it's buried deep within your closet or thrown away. That was me in a nutshell. I'm not saying that cheaper clothing stores don't have their place. Every store has items that are great for everyone. You don't need to spend a lot of money on basics. I know everyone has fallen in-love with an item on a website or in a store and kept thinking about it, wanting to buy it but never did because it was too expensive. I'm always tempted by the thought of more-for-less with clothing because I tend to just like having options. But when I get more, I usually don't even enjoy them for long before I wish I had just splurged on that one great piece.

Going into 2012, I decided that I am going to focus on buying less, but buying more quality when it comes to clothes and accessories. I have purchased things I've never even worn. When it comes to cheap clothing I tend to just buy whatever, whenever. When the item is more expensive I will contemplate it, think on it and really focus about why I need it, what I need it for and how well it will go with the other things I have. Obviously, we respect the fact that we are going to plunk down a considerable amount of cash on it so we think it over more. Ladies (and gentlemen), I think we all need to take this to heart. As an adult I have very little in my wardrobe that could be considered adult clothing. I have some amazing pieces - my Louis Vuitton purse, my Jill Stuart dress, etc. But when it comes to clothing I tend to just buy things "for now" and don't worry about the future. Maybe I'm the only one who does this. But if not, join me in taking on a new challenge.

In the upcoming year I have made an agreement with myself to get into shape - I have a goal I need to achieve this coming year and it's imperative that I do so. It's also important to me to stop dressing like an 18 year old girl and look more my age. Physical changes abound! When you focus on your appearance and take pride in how you look, things tend to fall into place. You feel more confident, you meet other people with your head held high, you're respected, etc. I know that I personally tend to get lazy about clothes because I focus on my make up or my hair, but why not invest in the whole package if you can? Anyone else with me?

Investment pieces by luxuriouspink featuring high heels

Those are just some examples of my ideal investment pieces - although I know some of them are kind of unnecessary. I have a nice wallet but who wouldn't pass up a Chanel lambskin one? And the Marc Jacobs purse could be subbed for almost any other high-end purse, I just really love the look and feel of The Standard. I have cheap aviators, but a nice pair would be great. It's all about upgrading, going for quality and just customizing it to your needs.

Don't be THAT friend

2011-12-05T17:07:00.000-08:00

In celebration of the holidays, I wanted to do a "How To Better Yourself" post and I thought this was a good subject since I have personal experience. Everyone looks for a good friend and I believe everyone needs a good friend. If you want a good friend you have to be one, and that is what I think is most difficult for people. We all know what we want but it's hard to also practice what we preach sometimes. However it's extremely important if you want to get something out of a friendship.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katieohh/

I think we all have, at least at one point in our lives, had "THAT friend". The one who you're never quite sure about. You think they like you, and sometimes it seems like they do but then every so often they'll jab you with a below-the-belt insult. You're never sure if it was intended or if it was their way of trying to joke around. Everyone has a different sense of humor and some people like to poke fun at themselves and don't take themselves too seriously. So, you're never sure if they're trying that same tactic on you - or if they meant to hurt your feelings and covered it up as a "joke". Some times I think it's a little bit of both.

I just don't understand people who insult to joke around with their friends. Little knocks here and there that are innocent aren't what I'm talking about, because we all joke around with our friends about their quirks. However, I never joke about someone's looks, their family or their weight. Those are sensitive topics that most people aren't going to find funny - and not to mention, you shouldn't try to insult your friends, right? I'd like to think we like our friends and think highly of them. And if we don't, they're not really a friend. But I've had friends say some things to me that I did NOT find funny and didn't see the joke in, however true or not true the comment was. Sometimes I think it has to do with this person not having a filter and also that they are either maybe a little jealous or insecure.

If you have a friend that makes these comments to you, talk to them about it. Maybe they don't even realize what they're saying is hurtful. And if they don't, then you'll tell them and hopefully it will stop. If it doesn't stop or they don't take you seriously I would find another friend. Honestly. You don't have to take yourself seriously all the time but I think it's pretty stupid to have a friend that does just as much dissing as someone who doesn't like you would, even if it's played off to be a joke. Who needs that? That's what we have enemies for. And I don't believe in this "frenemies" crap. I either like you or I don't, you're either a friend or you're not. There is not enough free time in my life to have people falling into some grey area.

And if you sometimes make jabs at your friends or say things that could insult them, you might want to stop. Maybe your friends are good sports and laugh it off to your face, but I'm sure they've complained about it behind your back. It's hard to tell someone "what you said hurt my feelings" because it's not only starting a confrontation but it's hard to admit when you've been hurt. Either way, just because they don't react negatively to you doesn't mean they think you're thigh-slapping hilarious either. Just be aware of what you say, even if you don't mean it to insult them - people have insecurities and you shouldn't pick on them. And maybe you're insecure or jealous - and in that case, you need to work that out inwardly and not take it out on your pals. Friends are there to lift you up, you should do that for them as well.

If you're constantly jealous of your friends or find yourself having trouble saying positive things about them, it's probably time to do some soul searching and find out why. It's really hard to be positive about other people when we don't feel positive about ourselves.

During the holidays season, one of the best gifts is a friend - someone who cares about you, wants to see you do well and highlights the positive things about you. And you'll be surprised how if you put out the good vibes you can get some back as well.

I survived Thanksgiving Break

2011-11-26T21:50:00.000-08:00

This update with be two-part consisting of different topics.

Happy belated Thanksgiving to all my American friends. I'm sure everyone ate and enjoyed time with their families. I sure did. I baked two desserts this year, a chocolate mousse and a cheesecake. My chocolate mousse came out so crazy good that I would definitely make it again in a heart beat. It was absolutely decadent and delicious. The cheesecake came out well but my oven and it's terrible hot spots burned the crust on the bottom. I know you can scrape it off but I would rather not - the crust is made of ginger snaps and it's normally delicious! I hate our outdated kitchen appliances, hopefully we can move to a new townhouse some time soon. I didn't do anything back breaking but I think this season I have been getting ill and now I have finally gotten whatever this dreadful illness is. I woke up this morning with a throat as dry as a desert and sore as can be. Now it's just getting worse and no amount of liquid I imbibe can make it better. I hope it's not strep! I am not feeling better, in fact I feel achey and weak. I just wish I didn't have to get sick at this time of year almost every year.

Then, I have been feeling like getting back into make-up artistry. I put down my brushes for a while because I was tired of dealing with the crazies. I had my share of negative experiences, and of course positive ones. But when you have one bad experience it's enough to not ever want to do it again. Working with people is challenging, especially when you work with people who don't know how make-up actually works. I don't know how many times I've heard "I want to look natural" and it turns out their definition of natural is without make-up on - or with a bit of mascara and some lip gloss. Natural, in the definition of make-up means you can be wearing a full-face, it's just how it's applied, what colors are used and the techniques. I can't make people understand this and it frustrates me to no end. I also want to help people to understand that make-up doesn't translate to photography like you think it will. And a lot of times what looks like too much in person is just enough on camera. Lighting, shadows, the weather, everything contributes to how well people photograph. And let's not forget our angles. I always tell women to know their angles and work them.

But I really do want to get started again, I'd like to invest in some more brushes because my kit needs a refresher. I do my research, I watch videos, I study magazines, I search around on Model Mayhem for the people who have talent. I stay on the up and up. I'd love to continue teaching people because it makes me happy and I think I have an extensive background and a lot of knowledge to share. I've not only worked in high end cosmetic sales but I have gone to school, done free-lance jobs and do my own face day in and day out. Maybe the answer will fall into my lap. Send me a sign? Should I go out on this limb again? We'll see. I turn 23 this January and I'd like to really invest my time into something I know I am good at, can do well and will succeed in.

Signing off! Trying to nurse this illness (whatever it is) so I can get my energy up to decorate for Christmas.
XOXO

Long Hair, Don't Care

2011-11-14T21:49:00.000-08:00

This post is about hair, in particular long hair. I have extremely long hair (and thick hair) so I get a lot of questions about how I grow my hair and how I maintain it. Hair is a funny thing. It is different for everyone and every person has unique hair with unique growth, wave pattern, cowlicks, etc. My hair in particular is thick in two ways - the texture and growth. Some people have fine hair, it's baby soft and breaks easily, tends to feel more "fuzzy" than anything. That's not me, my hair is pretty normal textured, maybe a little more coarse than normal and I just have tons of it. Many hairs per square inch! It's a blessing and a curse, mostly a blessing, though. I don't know if it's the Italian genes or the olive oil in my diet or what, but it's just the way I have always been - long haired. Anything else feels unnatural for me. My hair just wants to be long, it grows quickly and doesn't really cooperate in any other style. I'd love to have bangs but I have terrible cowlicks, and my hair is not straight enough to have short styles that require a lot of short layers. I have a lot of waves underneath and at the top of my hair my hair is pretty much straight. But when it comes to body, bounce, fullness, shine and length - I've got that, no products or additives necessary. You win some and lose some.

I feel people over-look the most basic thing about hair growth - you have to stop cutting it. I mean that. I know they tell you to cut your hair every 6 weeks but that means more like every 6-12 weeks and that is a dusting - not an actual cut. A dusting is where the stylist just trims the very tips/end of the hair and tries to freshen up your cut and get rid of split ends. It's not a CUT - you're not taking inches off, it's just a refresher. If you're cutting inches off your hair, it's no wonder you're not growing it. It takes an average person about a month or so to grow an inch of hair and if you're going in every six weeks and cutting off an inch, you can see why you're not growing it. If your hair genetically grows slower, it's even worse! And sometimes genetics determines the length and rate at which your hair will grow.

You can take supplements and vitamins and Biotin but they can only do so much. Hair has different phases - anagaen, catagen and telogen. In anagen it grows, in catagen it's between growth and fall out and in telogen it's falling out. Hair naturally falls out and some people have a very long growth cycle, it can be anywhere from 2-7 years. A club hair is a hair that no longer has blood supply and is ready to fall out. I shed hair - probably 70-100 a day. It seems like a lot but it's actually very little in comparison to how many hairs we have on our heads. But these stages are what people don't keep in mind - all hair is going through these phases and not all at the same time (which is good or else we'd lose ALL of our hair all at once).

So what is the bottom line? I go months and months without a hair cut but when you have extra long hair you can do that. I got my last hair cut, where I cut an inch or two off in July. It is November. My hair is past the small of my back. Letting it grow actually works because you're allowing yourself to grow more inches than you cut. I know there are some girls out there who can't stand not getting it cut and styled - well, long hair isn't for you. You have to be lenient and patient. That's the only way!

Also, treat your hair nicely. I go a day or two between washings, I let it air dry when I can, I don't normally heat style it. I've never permed it and never will, I don't use anything harsh on my hair, I don't color it. Now that it's at the length I'd like it to be, I am considering ombré highlights but I haven't colored my hair in at least 2 years. Two years ago I cut my hair into a long bob and stopped coloring it and then let it grow. I kind of had no choice but to cut it all off - my hair was damaged from having it highlighted, dyed and then highlighted and dyed again. I really damaged my hair it was just not the same texture as the new growth. But now that I have vowed to stop abusing it, it will inevitably be in much better shape when I commit to highlights.

So, if you've been lusting over long hair the answer is simple. Maybe it's not what you wanted to hear but it's really the only sure-fire way to get what you're after. In the mean time, while waiting for it to grow, you can find new ways to braid it, add bangs, add a pop of color, add highlights, use clips or barrettes, headbands, etc. There are a multitude of ways to get over being "bored" with it.

Just a reminder:

2011-11-10T19:25:00.000-08:00

Original

I needed this today.

I'm back!

2011-11-09T19:40:00.000-08:00

I just got my laptop back today and I am so glad to say that I am finally able to use my own computer again. I hate being without my laptop. I jumped for joy when I called Best Buy and they told me it was ready for pick-up. These past few weeks have been ultra stressful. And now unfortunately I've lost my photo editing software so I have no idea how I'm going to make layouts/pictures without it. I don't have the money for Photoshop right now. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll find the disc for my old version of Paint Shop Pro.

It's been a while, obviously. We went through Halloween and my son's 4th birthday. It has been a hectic couple of weeks to say the least. One of the things I did was order Proactiv. I have to make a confession - I don't think I really needed it. I ordered it anyway because I wanted to try it out and see what all the fuss was about. I read a few reviews online before I ordered it so I kind of knew what I was getting myself into. The constant commercials on TV are pretty convincing and I do know people who have used it.

The Proactive 3-Step System (Cleanse, Tone, Treat)

The product itself isn't the problem. The thing I don't like about Proactiv as a company is that they automatically enroll you in a monthly subscription to the products even though some people are not even aware of this. I knew that so I made sure that I did not get billed again - you have to go online and change the frequency of their shipments to you. The default is about TWO weeks from your first order (uh, what). I actually suspended my account with them but I don't know if that will actually work. A lot of people said that Proactiv charges you even though you specifically cancel or suspend your account. Also, they are notoriously bad at returning people's money even though you send the product back. It says a 60-Day Money Back Guarantee but really, I think that's more or less a scam. Apparently a lot of people's return packages get "lost" in the mail.

It's a shame the company is so shady because I actually like the product. It's not the best but as a system it seems to work. The biggest complain is that it was too drying, and it is very drying but that's kind of the whole reason it works. I actually scaled back how often I use all three products they gave me and I am having good luck with it. I haven't used it for very long but I haven't noticed my skin getting worse - it definitely has been better. I also read that people hated the smell but I don't mind it at all. It smells like a cleanser, it's not fruity or specially fragranced but I think that's kind of the point!

The three things that came in my kit were a Cleanser, Toner and Treatment - you use them in that order. They all have Benzoyl Peroxide in them so you have to be careful how you use it or you'll bleach out your towels. The cleanser has an exfoliant built into it which is nice. It works to exfoliate - I've noticed far less blackheads on my nose and areas where they are common. I exfoliate like a mad person so I feel like it might be the medication + exfoliant is the reason why it's worked. Then of course, the toner. It seems pretty clean and it doesn't sting when I apply it. It's alcohol free which is good, because if there was alcohol in it, there would be no moisture left in your face by the end of the whole process! The treatment has Benzoyl Peroxide again and it's something you spread all over your face and use under a moisturizer.

The moisturizer is not in any way, shape or form an option with this line! And I would suggest that if you don't have bad acne you use the treatment once a day instead of twice like they tell you. I use it at night and skip it during the day because it's just way too drying to use twice. I've heard this doesn't work for people and I feel like I can understand that - especially if people are not keen on their skin and are using it wrong. If you feel dryness you have to cut back or else you'll have kick-back oiliness that will cause MORE pimples.

As for the cost, that's another story. We'll see if I get some bizzare charge on my card next month but for now I paid $30.00 for the whole thing. It wasn't a bad price considering I got two bottles of the body wash and a spot treatment for "free". As said by others online, the bottles are pretty small but unless you're using it incorrectly it can probably last you for at least a month if not a month and a half. I think for the most part people tend to use too much and that's why they feel the bottles are so small.

All in all, Proactiv is a decent product. The drawback to it is probably the way you buy it and the company's shadiness about your enrollment for auto-shipments. I'm going to see if they're good on their word for not charging me extra. And if I decide not to buy it online again, we'll see if it's easy or difficult to stop.

Hiatus!

2011-11-03T15:19:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the bizarre and abrupt hiatus. My computer's hard drive died on me very suddenly. It has been replaced, I am just waiting for my recovery media to come in the mail. Unfortunately I've lost all my photos, music and documents but I guess there are worse things.

Until I have my laptop up and running again I won't be able to make any posts. But it should be back soon!

Spooky Scary

2011-10-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

Last night my fiancé and I went to see Paranormal Activity 3. I will tell you that I saw 1 & 2 and I wasn't totally spooked by them but I thought they had potential. I knew that if you did it the right way you could really scare the crap out of someone. The whole tactic of startling people usually works pretty well - and gets people on edge so they're frightened of what's around the next corner. But I can say that PA3 was pretty creepy in it's own right. What scares people is never the same person to person. I'm not affected by gore or slasher films but some paranormal stuff scares me. I used to get really freaked out reading these ghost stories as a kid. I rented them from the library and even though I knew it would scare the heck out of me I read them anyway. If I can visualize something well enough and it strikes a nerve, I'll probably be scared of it. But you lose me with stupid special affects or contrived plot lines. Insidious was not scary to me, I laughed through most of that movie. I was totally fine after seeing PA and PA2 but for some reason this third movie really did it for me.

I think what helps the atmosphere for a movie is being in a theater of people who are more frightened than you are. I mean, people were shrieking and pleading with the movie to stop throughout most of it. And of course there are the really loud screamers who startle everyone because they are the first to get frightened by something. Sometimes people were so loud I couldn't hear the damn dialogue but it was fun for the most part. A couple guys seated behind us were totally having a cow every time something suspenseful was happening - it was kind of hilarious.

There were plenty of suspenseful and frightening scenes and I can't say too much or else I'll give the good parts away for people that still plan on seeing it. The most important part of this movie for me was that I did NOT watch the trailer before I saw it. I specifically avoided the trailer so that none of it was ruined. It all took me by surprise - so that was in my favor. If you haven't watched the trailer - just don't. Trailers always ruin the good parts of a movie.

I made Greg stay with me when we got back home and he and I had the most fitful night of sleep. Between him having nightmares and me hearing every little creak in my house it was hard for us to get any rest at all. I also woke up in the middle of the night to the worst leg cramp I've ever had. It literally would not go away. It's not very often I get one that is so bad it makes me tear up but this one did. I kept hearing creaks and I found out my dog came upstairs, which she normally doesn't do. She'll come upstairs if there is a storm but she's too old to make it up the stairs most of the time so she doesn't even bother - unless she's scared of something. That does freak me out a little but I have yet to see a ghost or experience paranormal events myself so I'm going to stop speculating!

I definitely think the movie is worth seeing if you're into that kind of thing. If you're easily frightened you might want to plan on getting some spotty sleep that night or sleep with someone else. I would not consider myself easily frightened or overly superstitious and it bothered me. Greg only flinched during the movie once (and the rest of the time he was very amused at how tightly I was clutching his arm).

Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever experienced paranormal activity? What are your thoughts?

Make-up: The Do's and Don'ts

2011-10-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

I love make-up, I am an accredited make-up artist, I do free-lance work and I generally enjoy it. I started being interested in it very young but I took it to another level in about 2009. I was never the kind of person that just played with my make-up, I always sought to recreate certain looks. My mother didn't really teach me about make-up, either. Most of what I learned was through TV/magazines. When I admired someone's makeup I tried to imitate whatever they did. This is probably how I began to become such an eyebrow fanatic. The internet provides a lot of great tutorials and images to help you achieve what you want. Thanks to Youtube, people can now record tutorials and you can actively see someone apply make-up. It's a great invention.

Sometimes.

There are do's and don'ts of make-up that everyone should abide by. I mean everyone. If you follow these really simple rules your make-up will never look bad! I promise. I don't claim to be knowledgeable about everything but this is one thing I have been trained on, worked with and know quite a bit about. I am always available if you have questions about products or need a recommendation. I have worked with many different lines of make-up and own quite a few as well. So let's get down to business.

DON'T over-pluck your eyebrows. This drives me nuts. I mean, batty. If you don't know what kind of shape your eyebrows should be - go get them waxed by a PROFESSIONAL. Even better, get them threaded. Not everyone has a lot of eyebrow hair and that's totally OK. That is why God gave us these magical things called eyebrow pencils, brow wax and the brand Anastasia. There is a kit by Anastasia that has an eyebrow stencil in it -please go invest in one. There is nothing worse than totally neglected eyebrows. You can also bring in a picture of someone with eyebrows you love and the aesthetician can wax them into that shape for you. You may never have Megan Fox brows, but you can fill them in and shape them in a way like she does. Over-plucked eyebrows or brows that are a stupid shape will kill your look. I can guarantee that.
DO actually match your foundation to your skin on your face. I have seen so many people walking around with orange faces and white chests it's kind of scary. Remember something about liquid make-up: it oxidizes in the air. When it comes out of the tube/bottle it will hit the air and most will turn a bit darker on your skin as time wears on. Go through the trouble of actually matching your foundation. Do not buy something that doesn't have a tester. Go to a department store or beauty store, have someone apply it to your face and then walk around and look at yourself from the chest up. Don't just look at your face. How does your face compare to your chest and neck? Does your head look like an orange lollipop? Probably not the right shade for you. A shade may look OK in the bottle and when you put it on it's too dark or too light or just not the right undertone for you. Make sure you get as close as possible.
DO try mineral make-up, but remember there is a down-side to it. I love mineral make-up but you have to realize that it doesn't photograph well. It's useful for covering up imperfections and especially when used correctly can give you that airbrushed look. However, mineral make-up is just crushed up rocks, and rocks act like reflectors in the light. That is why so many mineral make-ups have built-in SPF. It's kind of just inherent in the make-up itself. So when you're photographed using flash, light will bounce off your face and give you that ghost-faced, tan body look. Not attractive. It also tends to wash you out. Use a regular make-up with no SPF for photos (weddings, proms).
DON'T ever just line the waterline of your eyelid and nothing else. I have no idea why people still do this and it scares me. Your waterline, that inner part of your eyelid, closest to your lashes, is something that can look great when lined if done with a whole look. If you're going to add more make-up and more liner on top then great, go for it. But if you're just walking around with black eyeliner on your lower lid - you need to stop. All it does is makes your eyes look bottom heavy AND smaller. Not something we normally want, right?
DO wash your make-up brushes. Please, people. PLEASE. If you're doing a Youtube tutorial, you need to use clean brushes. I don't understand why people will pull out their MAC 187 and the white bristles are some ugly brown color. No, they should be white. No matter how much make-up you've had on them you should be able to clean them so that they're white again. Not only is it unsightly but it's harboring bacteria and other stuff you don't want to apply to your face. Just like with everything make-up related, starting with a clean canvas is best. Clean brushes are best. Do it.
DO play around in more than one cosmetics line. I know some people buy everything from MAC. MAC has some great stuff, I know, I'm a PRO member. However, there are some things that MAC does not do great and we all need to realize that. If your skin is oily - do not use MAC foundation. Just don't. There are better options out there and the MAC skin care is atrocious. The only thing I'd ever use from them is Fix+ and even then, I'd rather use the Urban Decay All-Nighter. There are some things that certain lines do well. In MAC's case, that's color (eye color, lip color). There are also lines out there that have great color especially Make-Up Forever, Illamasqua, Nars, etc. You need to be brave and venture outside of your comfort zone. And most of the time, you'll be glad you did.
DON'T apply foundation with your finger tips. I apply concealer with a small brush or my finger tips if it's under my eye but your fingers are oily and carry bacteria. It's better to use a clean brush. I've seen supposed "make-up gurus" do this on Youtube and I have to laugh. If you spend 100's of dollars on brushes, then USE THEM.
DO take care of your skin. No foundation in the world is going to make your skin look good if it's dry, broken out or blotchy. You can help the situation with the right foundation and primer but you're not going to help the problem by just covering it up. The better your skin is, the better you'll look. Go get a facial, invest in good skin care and do what you have to do to keep your skin in good shape. Also, realize that itchiness is not a good sign. If something you use makes you itchy - stop. Itching is your body's way of telling you that whatever you're doing is irritating. Unless you want to get post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation - stop with whatever it is you're doing or applying and try something else. But of course, wait until the redness and itching stops before you apply more product.

Remember, make-up is about having fun but it's best to go cautiously if you don't know what you're doing. Look at videos of people on Youtube who you admire - EMAN is someone I'd highly recommend. I'm very picky about people I'd follow and she is an actual make-up artist, not just some girl with a webcam and a Coastal Scents palette.

Weekenders

2011-10-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend flew by fast. It's Sunday in the late afternoon and before I know it a new week is beginning. Everything that happened over the last few days was chaotic, busy and also fun. I attended a birthday party, enjoyed the fall weather and went looking around the historic district of my town. If only the weather was like this all the time, it was purely gorgeous!

This weekend I finally received my package from Jessica @ theboudoirsessions.com! She sent me a copy of Elle from Québec and a lovely loose tea that had the cutest packaging. I've never used loose tea, although I have had it before. It's fun and this tea was great! Thank you so much, Jessica! ♥ We were so worried it got lost in the mail because it took about 3 weeks to get to me. Puts the snail in snail mail, alright.

I wanted to get more pictures of Historic Ellicott City but my camera has been acting up so when I try to focus sometimes it just squeaks and doesn't work. Sad, but I have to work with it until I can afford a new one. I drank one too many pumpkin beers last night so I wasn't feeling the best. But, you know, in the spirit of celebration I know I'll sleep it off later.

I had to write this by hand - it looks pretty amateur but I managed not to totally mess it up!

Sometimes I feel like I need a vacation from my weekend. Or I need another weekend right after. This month is just going by so fast, I can't even explain why it feels so rushed. I need time to slow down a little so I can soak up all this great weather and fun before it starts to get dark and dreary - and stays that way for a very long time. I love winter but it lasts forever here.

Pretty In Pink

2011-10-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

It's obvious that today is going to be a total bust no matter what I do. It's disgusting outside and my head is aching like crazy. I just got over a 2-day-long migraine and now this? Even though I've finished most of my coffee from this morning I am still dead tired and in need of a nap - so that's what I'll do. Thankfully today isn't a day where I have a lot of obligations so much needed rest will be done.

The weeks are flying by and in no time it will be Halloween. Really, in no time it will also be Christmas but that's another entry for another day. I am actually going to dress up for Halloween this year despite not doing much in years prior. I got a dress over the summer that would work well for a costume but it's going to be hard to explain to people what I am. I'll probably just tell people I am a doll or something. Everyone loves this dress and I do too, but it's definitely not something you wear all the time (and I know not everyone will like it). I read up yesterday about a movement called "twee" (internet vernacular, I suppose). Apparently twee is everything cutesy and childish - and I guess some of the stuff I like falls into that category. It's used to describe music as well but don't ask me what Twee music sounds like, I have really no idea! If I'm trying to think of what Twee music would be like, I think of Zooey Deschanel and her band.

However, Himegyaru is a style all it's own. It's definitely not something we have in American fashion which is why I love Japanese fashion so much. For those of you that have no earthly idea what I am talking about, feel free to take a look at this website - Jesus Diamante. Go to the online shop and look at the clothes. This is what Himegyaru is about. Decadence, bows, ribbons, dresses, feminine prints, and ~~big~~ huge hair. The brand itself is insanely over-priced but girls that call themselves himegyaru or "princess girls" are expected to afford it. The dress I have is not from that brand but could be considered lolita or himegyaru. I'm going to try to curl my hair and doll myself up like, well, a doll.

The dress! It's so cute and frilly and girly.

I especially love the pattern on it

If I had my way I'd be Sailor Moon for Halloween! Maybe next year?

The only things I need for my costume are black tights and a black cardigan. The rest of the family is joining in as well. Daniel is going as a police officer, my finacé is going to be a gunslinger (ala Clint Eastwood in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly). We're going to be a very mismatched group but it definitely reflects our different personalities very well!

Are you going to dress up this year? What is your costume?

Fall Cleaning

2011-10-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

I am so sad! My Nikon D40 is making a very icky noise when I put it on the automatic focus setting. I know that's cheating but I use it for photographing my son who does not sit still. And of course anything else or any other time I feel I can't get a good enough focus/sharpness on a picture. It sounds like it might be the actual lens, and that wouldn't be a problem but if it's the mechanism inside the camera I guess it might be time to upgrade. My Nikon has served me well but I have my eyes on a Canon. I just tend to like what people photograph with their Canons better. Maybe it's the higher megapixels? Although the D40 is nice it has a pretty low megapixel count - 6.1 I believe? I think it might be time for me to upgrade. It was a great starter camera, that's for sure. And I'm probably going to keep it around to use as a back-up or something. Anyone with a Canon - can you recommend your favorite DSLR to me? I'm having trouble deciding as I've never even really used one before. My SLR is a Minolta and my DSLR is a Nikon. So, help a sister out?

I did some fall cleaning of my room and desk. I tend to get incredibly unorganized and then I will go into a frenzied organizing spree that lasts a couple days to a week wherein I organize everything top to bottom. Unfortunately, with me this doesn't last very long. One thing I can't stand is when my desk is so cluttered. My room is kind of small so every little bump tends to mean something else is crashing to the floor. But I have a lot of stuff and nowhere to put it. You see my dilemma.

My Iphone4 case which is really cute, the patterned cover comes off!

New candelabra I originally bought for Halloween but decided it needs to be in my room

I love my laptop but I would love to have a Macbook Pro ♥

It feels better already. Now if I can just keep it this way!

Questions?

2011-10-11T07:25:00.000-07:00

I'd like to open up the possibility for people to send me questions and I can answer them either on formspring or here. It could be anonymous. Questions about anything! You can ask for advice, ask my thoughts on something, ask me what my favorite color is - whatever. Obviously it's not to be abused, I think we're all adults here. I'm putting it out there - use it if you need it.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://www.formspring.me/coutureable"&amp;gt;http://www.formspring.me/coutureable&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The Green-Eyed Monster

2011-10-10T00:04:00.000-07:00

Jealousy. We all know it, we all suffer from it from time to time and no one wants to talk about it.

It's like a punch in the head. Or like falling off the bed as you're waking up from a nightmare. It hurts and usually takes you by surprise. No one wants to be jealous but not many people even know where their jealousy originates from and how to stop it. There are different situations where jealousy usually occurs and each is difficult in it's own way. How each person deals with their jealousy is also unique. One thing is for sure - you can't ignore it and expect it to go away. It will linger and fester and turn you into someone you don't like.

Jealousy Within Romantic Relationships: I am pretty sure everyone on planet earth has felt jealous at one point in their relationship. It is easy to fall into a trap of jealousy and turning into a controlling, manipulative monster. I've seen it happen and it can get pretty ugly. If you find yourself jealous a lot of the time when it comes to your partner you have to start asking yourself some questions. Why do you feel this way? What triggers these feelings? People wrongly think they know what their partners are thinking. The truth is we don't know. Sometimes we do and many times we do not. We can not assume we know what other people are thinking and this is definitely true when it comes to lovers. Just because your boyfriend is talking to a female co-worker or has female friends doesn't mean he will cheat on you or that he feels a romantic connection with them. And trying to control someone by telling them he can't talk to other girls is only going to ruin your relationship (and yes I've seen this happen). If you feel disrespected by an overly flirtatious girl or feel some behavior is crossing the line, be honest. Tell it to them straight and don't insert angry over-tones, just say "that makes me feel uncomfortable and I'd like it if you tell this person to stop." In some instances your partner may not even know what is going on is making you uncomfortable in any way and mean no harm by it. Letting them know how you feel takes the blame off of them. If you come at someone accusingly, "you were flirting!" - they are immediately going to get defensive. Open lines of communication always. And if your partner reacts negatively and attacks you when you've been calm and rational about it, you need to rethink your relationship. Everyone should have the ability to voice their concerns if they have them.

There are times where you will be wrong, and someone has cheated on you. One day you may find your lover has moved on to loving someone else. We can't help that. We're never perfect lovers and at times we need to own up to our mistakes but cheating is inexcusable. And what we have to stop thinking is that we could have prevented it. We also have to believe, and I mean really believe, that we will be OK no matter what. Of course we love and cherish our significant others when we are together with them. Of course we would hate to lose them. But at the end of the day if someone isn't good to you, it's time for them to go. There are other people out there who will be good to you. If you're not afraid of what comes next in negative situations, you will be less likely to go out of your way to prevent them.

We also have to remind ourselves that the people who choose to be with us, because this is a choice, are doing it for more than one reason. Usually these people think highly of us, are physically attracted to us and are interested in keeping us around. Your boyfriend/girlfriend picked YOU out of all the people they've come across. Doesn't that say something? Sure there are players and cheaters out there but for the most part people are trustworthy. Honesty, trust and the ability to leave when one wants are all great building blocks to a relationship. The worst thing you can do is whine/grovel/beg/threaten to keep someone with you - it only turns an ugly relationship even uglier. At the end of the day, the person you choose to spend your free time with, to love and share your life with should complement you - not BE your life. You should not feel threatened by anyone and everyone. Question why you would feel threatened, and if it's because your partner doesn't prove to you they care about you - it may be time to move on.

Jealousy Between Friends: Having competition is normal and a lot of people thrive off of it. Some of us take this to an extreme. It's easy to get jealous if a friend has more money than you or appears to be more accomplished, etc. There is plenty of success, love, money, good fortune, etc. to go around. Remind yourself that just because it happens to so-and-so doesn't mean it can't also happen to you. Very few people are completely satisfied in every aspect of their life. You don't see what goes on behind the scenes. Couples fight, success usually takes a long time to build, money isn't guaranteed, etc. Nothing is perfect all the time. If your friend makes you feel badly because they are always talking up their life there is usually something wrong. People who tend to talk only about the good things are hiding something. Just go on the assumption that there are things they aren't telling you. Some people talk up their accomplishments because they have low self-esteem. If, however, a friend is putting you down to make themselves feel better (even in a joking way) you should address this immediately. You should not have to be the butt of anyone else's jokes or be ridiculed. You have a right to feel good about yourself too! Someone else's self-esteem shouldn't come at the expense of yours. If your "friend" continues to make comments towards you that you don't like even after you've asked them to stop - you need to cut ties with this person.

But at the end of the day, the hardest thing to do is be happy for someone else. Work on it. If they are your friend you should want them to be well and do well. You care about them, right? If not - you should question whether or not you are friends with this person at all. Friends support each other.

Jealousy (in general): It's hard for women these days to feel good about themselves. Everywhere we go we see media that dictates how we should feel about ourselves. We need to be the perfect package, and perfect is confusing because it's different for everyone. More than likely, it's something we feel we are not. We strive towards goals that are sometimes unattainable and unrealistic. This is why I feel women tend to be labeled as catty. We are never allowed to feel good about ourselves for too long and when someone else seems like they do, or they have some feature/asset that we want, the claws come out.

No one is perfect, but we are most likely our biggest critics. I don't think many people realize how hard we are on ourselves versus how hard other people are on us. Give yourself a break. You have many assets and many good qualities. Play them up. Emphasize them. And we all have things we don't like about ourselves. Accept that you have flaws, change what you can and move on from the rest. You may not be able to erase every dimple from your thigh. You are human just like everyone else. Forget what models and celebrities look like in magazines and photos - Photoshop exists and it is used in every single picture that is published today. You can't believe everything you see.

Ways to stop yourself from becoming a jealous monster? Know your triggers, talk through your feelings and reassure yourself when necessary. If people with more money than you make you jealous, realize that. Accept it. When you get jealous about it, go over dialog in your head. "Am I jealous of this person because they have more money than me? Are they a good person? Am I treating them badly because of this feeling?" Ask yourself questions and be ready for the answers. You may find out things about yourself you never even realized. Admitting to jealousy makes many of us feel weak. But the power is in admitting to a problem and taking steps to solve it. Go over positive dialog in your mind as well. "I have a job, I am working towards what I want. I can save money to buy things I'd like to have. Money isn't the only thing that matters to me and I have other great things in my life." Being aware of what makes you uncomfortable can save you.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in a blanket of envy. We are conditioned to want what others have. Not only that but we are told to dislike and scorn those who have what we don't. This isn't the answer. It never makes me feel better to fall victim to this kind of thinking. I can guarantee it won't make you feel good in the long run. We have to first get over our own obstacles that we put in our way. Don't let someone or something else control how you feel about yourself. When you are in charge of how you feel you will never have to spend more time than is necessary on feeling bad. We will all feel jealous sometimes. It's human, it happens and we can all move on from it.

Be Very Afraid

2011-10-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love Thriller? I showed it to my son for the first time and he loves it. He always asks me "are the zombies going to dance?" I really miss Michael Jackson and his musical genius. Thankfully he left us a lot of great songs to enjoy. This music video and song always brings back excitement for Halloween.

I can't understand people who don't decorate for holidays. There isn't a purpose for a holiday if you don't celebrate. And what better way to celebrate and have fun? Decorating is probably something I take to another level but I get immense joy out of it. I know I'm not the only one. My Halloween and Christmas decoration stashes are going to be taking up a lot of room in the storage containers in my home. It definitely shows some dedication to decorate like I do. I went ahead and clipped my hedges just so I could put lights on them. But when I go out of my way to do something like this I feel satisfied when it looks great. I think more people should try it out - and start small. Even if it means putting lights on your bushes or some wall decals, you'd be surprised how fun it is. Taking it down is kind of a pain and in some ways depressing but the great thing about holidays is that they come once every year.

Stretch your creative muscles and have some fun with festive decorations!

Obsessions/TGIF

2011-10-07T21:09:00.000-07:00

It's Friday! This week really flew by.
I first of all want to thank my dear friend Jessica for my new header! I'm very appreciative! I really need to get a newer version of Paint Shop Pro. My version 7 is a just a tad outdated at this point.

I love doing lists, and even more than that, I love talking about things that I am currently into. It's not always something new, but also things I have rediscovered. I'm always interested to read other people's lists as well. Sometimes the best place to find new things you'll like is from people with similar interests.

Florence + The Machine - Every time fall comes around I feel drawn to Florence Welch and her magical music. It's truly a pleasure to listen to and it evokes such feeling. If you haven't given her Lungs album a try, I highly suggest you do. I first listened to Lungs over a year ago and I still play the entire album from start to finish - I never get tired of it. Thankfully, she is coming out with a new album soon entitled Ceremonials which will be released in the US on November 1st. I will definitely be purchasing that album in it's entirety.

Watch The Throne - This album is actually new to me but I love Kanye West and Jay-Z, so together they make a match made in heaven. Rap and hip/hop isn't for everyone but if you like it - definitely try out this album. A few of the songs from it have already been very popular on the radio "Otis", "H.A.M." and now "Niggas in Paris".

Spring 2012 Collections - Don't get me wrong, I love fashion week in New York. I do, with all my heart. However, I always wait for London, Paris and Milan fashion week because they feature the designers everyone looks for. Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, etc. just to name a few. I also have a favorite (Elie Saab) and I can't wait to see what he comes out with next. For the first time in a while I actually loved Chanel's collection and quite a few others were also quite good. I always prefer fall fashion but these collections were not disappointing. Visit Vogue.com to view them yourself!

Body Deli skin care - I started using Body Deli when I got my job and was introduced to the products. The Blueberry Fusion Micro Scrub is amazing and the Sage and Grapefruit Cleanser is awesome for someone with oily and acne-prone skin like me. Their products use raw foods, meaning the food products haven't been heated over a certain temperature and therefore keep all their active enzymes. If you want to find a great organic skin care line that delivers results - start here!

Apple - Although I use a PC laptop and I have never owned a Mac computer I know they are great machines that are beautifully designed. The passing of co-founder Steve Jobs has made me reminisce about the multiple Macintosh computers I have come across in my life, including the old Macs we used to play Oregon Trail on in elementary school. It has always been a dream of mine to own a Macbook Pro, of course the price tag holds me back. But, one day - maybe! For now, I'll walk into the Apple store in the mall and just drool over the display computers.

Also, a special thanks to those of you who have already followed my blog! Have a good weekend and of course, T.G.I.F!

Total Wellness

2011-10-05T15:15:00.000-07:00

The first post on my new blog - I wanted it to be a good one. Thank you for reading and I'm happy to be sharing my thoughts with you. Please take a look around and get acquainted with my site.

Total wellness is an easy concept but difficult to attain. We all strive to be "well". We want to feel well, look well, etc. How do we go about doing that? In my time working at a wellness spa and being interested in beauty and wellness in general, I have found it's not as easy as it seems. People these days are busier than ever and we tend to forget time for ourselves. Our personal wellness often times gets put on the back-burner for things that are deemed more important, like our families and kids. However, in order to be a good person to others we must first be good to ourselves. That is one of the most important rules of living - don't forget about you! Here are my personal tips to wellness and how you can work these things into your daily life gradually. It's always hard to start one day and go on a strict diet, it's hard doing anything drastic all at once. Start off slowly, build momentum and sooner or later it becomes a habit.

1. Get your rest. Sleep soundly, and when I mean sleep, uninterrupted 7-8 hours. Some people sleep more, some less. You know what you need. Sometimes this means going to bed early or turning off the TV before you usually do. Just ease yourself into a routine of a more normal bed-time. When you have young children or a crazy work schedule it's easy to not sleep as much as you should be. If you've ever had an infant you know this feeling all too well. Nap when you feel tired during the day if your schedule allows. Get in your Z's when you have time so your cells can do their work. The body repairs itself at night - so many processes take place during sleep that we aren't even aware of. Don't skimp!

2. Find time to relax. Again, this isn't easy - especially with kids. Build time into your day. It may have to be for 20 minutes at a time but if you at least have 20 minutes to take a breather you know that you will have it and can count on it. Go outside on a porch or deck if you're having nice weather, drink your coffee or tea and be at peace. Hectic days are easier to deal with when you feel like you've had a chance to take a deep breath and stretch your legs. I know people who work through their breaks but I discourage that. Take time when you need it so you don't end up crashing or getting incredibly stressed at the end of the day.

3. Eat better. This is a given but it's hard to do - especially for busy folks. When going out choose things that have whole foods. Don't forget your fiber and protein. Fiber keeps you full during the day and protein keeps you from feeling hungry and depleted of energy. I snack on nuts (salted or un-salted) to keep me going. Cut out fast-foods and things that make you feel sluggish or make you crash. If you love your Starbucks and can't live without your mochas and pumpkin spices - get them with soy instead of regular milk. Milk and dairy do a number on our insides as adults and we tend to not even realize it. You don't need to be severely allergic to have negative affects from it. If you get bloated or an upset stomach you're probably sensitive to dairy. Go easy on it. Limiting dairy in your diet will increase energy levels. I know it's hard, I love cheese, but it really does work - I promise! This is something that takes time to change and that's OK, but it will help you feel better and work more efficiently.

4. Find alternatives. I am someone who struggles with anxiety from time to time. I've tried medications and every pill I've taken made me feel worse than I did before. I started acupuncture this summer and it has really helped me. Acupuncture isn't for everyone but it's worth a shot. There is nothing invasive about acupuncture and it doesn't require you to alter your body chemistry with synthetics. The needles are also very, very tiny - you really can't feel them. If that's not for you, there are other methods to alleviate stress. Talking to a therapist is one of them. If you need help, they are able to help you and tailor their methods to fit your life. Increasing vitamin intake, reading self-help books, doing yoga or meditation, breathing exercises and journaling are all effective ways to increase wellness.

5. Spend time with friends and family that care for you. Many of us spend a lot of time interacting with other people that may or may not have our best interest at heart. At the end of the day you know who your friends and family are, these people care about you. Spend your energy on them and you'll be getting something back in return. Don't waste time on people who only drain you and take away from you. Friendship is a two-way street, so you should feel fulfilled as well.

6. Allow yourself time to be angry and upset - and then move on. One of my biggest problems is that I tend to ruminate. I'll get angry or upset and stew about it for hours and hours. A wise man once told me that there is a time and place for everything, and when that times passes, it's up to us to know when it's up. Allowing yourself to never get angry is not going to happen or work. Anger happens, sadness happens and we all need to time to feel these things. However, being angry about something small that annoyed you hours after it has occurred does not help you or anyone else. My tip: When something has set me off, I will think about it for 5 minutes very hard. I will ask myself questions like "was I right to be angry? should I still be angry? am I spending my time well thinking about this?" Most of the time I will decide to move on from that emotion. Holding on to anger or sadness is toxic.

Also, more quick tips:

- try yoga, go to a beginner's class. Don't try the fancy stuff like heated yoga for your first time
- meditation classes
- increasing your intake of tea/water, decreasing soda
- keep a personal journal and let it all out at the end of the day
- soak in a bubble bath or try an effervescent shower with a great smelling shower gel or body wash
- light candles and dim the lights
- try new recipes (on yourself) and if you like them cook for friends/family
- go on a walk
- get a facial, massage, your nails done, your hair done and let yourself be pampered for a moment
- get yourself a comfy robe and slippers and slip into them at the end of the day
- put on music and daydream for 10-20 minutes
- play a board game, card game or do a cross-word puzzle to stretch your mind muscles
- leave your phone, computer, television alone for at least 30 minutes a day
- enjoy a slice of cake or cheesecake and feel no guilt about it
- get up in the morning and stretch
- leave post-it notes around your house to remind yourself to smile, think positive or just leave a note for a family member or loved one to tell them how much you care
- take your pet or family, go to the park and enjoy the day
- take up a hobby that you can do by yourself or with someone else
- make a commitment to spend quality time with your SO when you have the chance

I hope some or all of these tips have helped you or inspired you to take a break and think of yourself again. It's a loving and caring gesture that we often show others but forget about it when it comes to us.