Lauren's Thoughts

Movie Review: "The Vow"

2012-01-26T10:54:00.001-05:00

Last night was definitely an adventure. My friend got free tickets to an advanced screening of "The Vow" and asked me to join her! So exciting - both of our first advanced screening of a movie! The adventure began driving to another town about a half an hour away trying to find the movie theater. We spotted bright lights of a theater and figured that has to be it! Nope. Apparently one small town needs two movie theaters within two blocks of each other. Regardless, we eventually found it on time and sat in the plush, reserved seats (yeah, we felt cool!) and waited for "The Vow" to begin.

Cue the intro. Leo (Channing Tatum) and Paige (Rachel McAdams) exit a movie theater and head home in the snow acting all adorable. Then smash! A slow motion crash sends Paige flying through the windshield of the car and both of them into the hospital. Leo narrates, talking about memories and moments. How the people you know become your memories which make you who you are. How true is that?

Then Paige wakes up with no recall of the last few years of her life, the years filled with memories of Leo. The last thing she remembers was a dramatically different life: being at home with her parents, going to law school, being engaged to a guy named Jeremy (who has a lovely Cockatoo hairdo and stirs up drama in the movie occasionally) and basically being a sorority type girl. Keep in mind, in actuality, she quit law school and went to art school and is now an artist, married to Leo, no longer speaks to her parents and Leo has never met them, is now a vegetarian, etc. It was a little crazy to me how much she had changed and I'm not the only one. Paige wonders why the life she now only remembers is so different than the life she is apparently now living.

Leo desperately tries to get Paige to remember him, convincing her to come home with him and try to re-learn her life, despite the pleas of her demanding parents. The plot now goes to a plethora of highs and lows as Paige eventually settles back in to her "Stepford wives" life with her parents and sister and keeps dismissing Leo but at times starts to fall back in love with him as they re-create their first dates. At times I wanted to smack Paige for the way she was acting, but if you stop and think how hard it must have been to step back into a strange life, you can calm down. Secrets are revealed that clue Paige back in to why she stopped speaking to her parents, her love of art starts coming back and twists and turns come to their relationship.

I really enjoyed this movie. You'll melt at scenes of how cute Leo acts (which made me wonder... yeah what boys are actually THAT cute?), gasp at secrets and twists, smile and cry at the same time while watching their vows and desperately want these two to get back together. I don't want to spoil any of the twists or the ending, so you'll just have to go see it and find out! I think this would be a great movie to go see for Valentine's Day with your girlfriends or even your boy if you want to point out all the cute things you wish he did. ;) Tell me: do you want to see this movie? Should I reveal spoilers?

I'll also leave you with something to make you laugh :)

Every Girl Needs These Friends!

2012-01-23T12:41:00.000-05:00

I think every girl needs a variety of different friends. Here are the five types I think are important:

The best (girl) friend: This is the friend that you spend the majority of your social life with. You can tell this girl anything and you two always have fun together. Your best girl friend(s) may change as you age, but I think it is important to have one or a few best friends at all times. They are there to lift you up when you're feeling down, help you with your problems and just chill and hang out during the week/weekends.

The sister: This person doesn't need to be your actual sibling. Most likely it is a girl you've been friends with for a long time and is one of your very best friends. But your bond is even closer than the best girl friend! She is the first friend you call with good or bad news and will be your Maid of Honor one day. This is a great bond that you need to cherish!

The best (guy) friend: This guy isn't your boyfriend. If you have a boyfriend he should be your best friend, but I think you should also have a close guy friend. Some boyfriends can get weird about their girl having a close guy friend, but if the relationship is innocent I don't see anything wrong with it. It is great to have a best guy friend who can give you great advice on relationships from a guy's perspective. Not to mention, most guys don't fall into the traps of drama that can happen so often in girl friendships. This guy is great to just hang out with.

The lunch/movie/dinner/shopping buddy: You know those friends you just get lunch with every month or so or go see a movie together every few weeks? You aren't super close with these friends, but you really enjoy their company and care about them. These friends are great because you probably won't have any major drama or fights with them and are able to simply enjoy some good times with. The downside is you may not be best friends but they are still important to your life.

The co-workers: Since I am a freelancer, I don't really have co-workers, but I have in the past. These are great friends that get you through the work day. Sometimes you might even hang out with them after work. I have made a few friends from previous jobs that I still hang out with occasionally. These relationships may not be very deep, but they are crucial to having a healthy work balance and fun time at work.

Any other types of friends I'm missing?

Valentine's Day Fun Facts!

2012-01-19T09:46:00.002-05:00

Have you ever seen an infographic? An infographic is a graphic made to share some type of information. Today's is shared from http://www.fabulouscollections.co.uk/, a cool jewelry website perfect for what today's infographic theme is: Valentine's Day! Enjoy these fun facts!

Which brings me to similar news: I will be bringing you Valentine's Day themed posts in the next few weeks before the day! If there is anything you'd love to read, comment here or tweet me: @lrstewar!

My Favorite Workouts

2012-01-16T12:12:00.000-05:00

Growing up, I was lucky. I was never into team sports or really that into exercise but I was always skinny and one of the tallest in my class. I was more into drawing, reading, writing and watching movies.

Now, at 22, I realize more and more how important exercise is even if you have a great metabolism. It has so many benefits including better immune system, a release of happy endorphins, makes you smarter, wards off disease and the list could go on and on!

So needless to say I am trying to exercise more. Luckily, my schedule is pretty flexible so I have the time to put into it.

I never used to enjoy running or jogging much, but now it is one of my favorite ways to sweat. I've been working my way up, right now running about a mile without stopping. I eventually want to work myself up to be able to sign up for a 5K.

I also really enjoy yoga these days. I started going a few years ago but never really stuck with it. One of my goals for this year is to keep going at least once a week. I think yoga is a really gentle way to exercise, get flexible, relax and stay stress-free.

When it is warmer out, I like riding my bike, rollerblading and running outside.

I also think a great and fun way to work out is using the Wii (what I own) or any other game console. Playing Just Dance or other exercise games actually do make you sweat if you really get into it!

Some workouts I would love to try are Zumba, Kickboxing and Pilates. Are you into any of these workouts? What should I expect and which should I try first?

Update: I Just Wanna Buy Those Boots!

2012-01-13T10:20:00.000-05:00

It has been about a week of my no shopping challenge. I have been trying to keep busy so I don't have the urge to shop, but that doesn't always solve the problem.

I've realized the things I most desire to buy are makeup and beauty products. Probably because I love magazines and there are so many beauty ads in magazines and on TV with constant new products! I love trying new beauty products.

Another thing I've been lusting over is new boots. Right around the holidays, I found the perfect boots. I am pretty picky about shoes so these seemed to be everything I wanted. I don't really have great shoes for going out on the weekends for the winter months. Unfortunately they didn't have my size at a local DSW, so lately I've been dying to go see if they have them yet and see how they fit. Then I realize I am not supposed to buy them.

This week all I've spent money on is food a few times, gas for my car and supplies for my cake decorating class. Today I'll be spending some money at the chiropractor but I think that will be it, hopefully for the weekend!

What advice do you have for me?

Cancer Prevention Starts Today!

2012-01-11T14:05:00.000-05:00

First of all, check out my new weekly column on ASKinyourface.com! Like them on Facebook so you get updates with great articles every day. :) Here's my second article (the first was similar to the goals for 2012 I posted on here but you can find it on ASKinyourface.com here.)

Okay, I will admit it. I’ve always been a bit of a scaredy-cat. I still close my eyes during scary movie previews and get paranoid driving home late. There are so many scary things out there in the world, but I do try to focus on the positive and happy parts of life. Even if you spend your days with the most positive and optimistic outlook, sometimes things happen that make you take a second look.

This month on ASKinyourface.com we are focusing on cancer prevention. I think everyone knows someone who has cancer or has lost someone to cancer. I am in both camps.

Cancer is probably one of the scariest things life can throw at someone and I definitely always have that fear in the back of my head. We can’t always completely prevent ourselves from getting an illness or prevent something horrible from happening in life, but you can take positive steps to keep yourself healthy and safe.

Thankfully working here at ASKinyourface.com has definitely made me more aware of my health. I still do not have a perfect nutritional diet or work out every day, but I am more aware of my health and my body thanks to ASK. Here are some steps I take or work on taking to hopefully keep myself cancer-free:

1. Eat a healthy diet. I’ve been reading articles on how sugar is so bad for your health. Sure, I always knew this but I didn’t really know how much it played into cancer and that if you have cancer, you shouldn’t eat any sugar. Unfortunately, I have a big sweet tooth. I want dessert after lunch and dinner. This month I’ve been working on a goal of no shopping and I think next month I may tackle no sweets to see how it affects my health.

2. Exercise has so many benefits. The more I read, the more benefits I find for exercise! My goal has been to go to yoga at least once a week and I try to take advantage of the treadmill or elliptical in my basement a few other times a week. It can be hard in the winter months to exercise inside but if you make it fun, work out with a friend, or schedule workouts in your planner; you can do it! In a few months it will be spring again and you can bike, run, walk and enjoy the weather again!

3. Use organic products. Since working for ASK and reading articles on organic products, I try to incorporate more of these into my life. It is crazy to think how many dangerous chemicals can be lurking in your makeup, beauty and hygiene products! I have been slowly but surely working towards using all organic or natural beauty/hygiene products. I may never totally go organic, but I figure the less chemicals I put on or in my body the better!

4. Be kind and believe in karma. This may sound crazy to some people but if you believe in karma, you believe that the more good you give the more good you get back and vice versa. Be loving, gracious, kind and helpful and live your life happily. This will increase your mood, the mood of people around you and even keep you healthier. Sure, this philosophy doesn’t ensure you don’t get ill someday, but it certainly can’t hurt you.

Please join the conversation: Do you ever think about cancer prevention? What steps do you take to keep yourself healthy?

Planning/Organizing Love & Goal Update!

2012-01-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

I love organizing! It was kind of a funny coincidence I ended up working at a store called Organize-It for a few years. I love getting new planners, note cards, etc. Before Christmas and my no shopping goal, I ordered some adorable items from ErinCondren.com, items I've seen floating around the blogosphere and fell in love with! Here's what I got:

With my name of course...

There's a section in the back to hold papers, address labels, etc.

There's tons of room to write for each day (morning, day, evening). I love writing in it!

Of course I had to get a cute leopard print! :)

On another note....

I'm going to try to keep track of my spending for all of you!

Started my goal of no shopping somewhat randomly on a Wednesday so here's how the rest of the week went:

Thursday: Had to buy a few essentials (contact solution, vitamins, etc.) for around $30 then bought a few supplies for the cake decorating class I am taking that I needed for the next class.

Friday: I had to drive a few hours for a work meeting so the only money I spent that day was for gas and parking which I will get reimbursed from work.

Saturday: Saturday was somewhat rough. I went to a mall with my boy because he was buying me a new charm for my Pandora bracelet.

Funny story, I was cleaning the other day and found an index card from him that said "This coupon is good for one charm whenever you want it"... can't even remember what the occasion was that I got it from! So he said we could go over the weekend. :)

Anyways, so walking around the mall, knowing if I went in any stores I would be so tempted to buy something was rough! I told him all about my goal and I think he agreed it was good for me, but would be tough.

Sunday: Sunday, a lazy day where I would normally get bored and ask my mom or a friend to go shopping or simply go walk around some stores myself. This ended up happening so I did go to Target and use my gift card because "The Big Bang Theory" Season 4 was finally on sale for more than 50% off and I wanted to make sure I got the sale price!

Any advice? Luckily my week ahead looks fairly busy and when I am busy I don't even think about shopping because I don't have time!

First Goal of 2012: No Shopping!

2012-01-04T14:27:00.003-05:00

I love reading The Minimalists blog. Their blog entries are short and sweet but give real life advice and wise ideas. One of their recent entries talked about failure and went back to the main author's resolution for 2011: to not buy anything for one year.

Doesn't this seem crazy?! It does to me a little bit. Of course he still bought food, hygiene products and things like movie tickets and gym memberships that are considered experiences.

But this idea does bring me back to something I've always wanted to do: not buy anything for at least a month. In fact, it is one of my goals for the year.

I simply love shopping. I love the thrill of looking in a store, finding something new and taking it home. However, I do not love looking at my bank account or wallet after I purchase something, even if it is just $20.

If I really think about it, most of the things I buy I do not need. I always think I need new clothes, but my closet is bursting with clothes I rarely wear. I always think I need new makeup or beauty products and I do love to test new items and share them with you on my blog, but I can do this much less often than I do.

So for now, I do have gift cards from Christmas I have yet to use, so I am allowing myself to use those if I want to since it was not my money, but I will not shop for at least a month and see how I do.

This will definitely be difficult. It is so easy to go down the street to Target when I'm bored, go shopping with a girlfriend to hang out, or find things online or in catalogs that I want so badly. I am going to do my best to ignore my impulse to buy and concentrate on spending money on experiences and saving. So here goes...

I will not buy anything unless I truly need it (example: running out of something like deodorant that is necessary!). I will be allowed to buy food, experiences such as a movie with a friend and I will take a close look at everything I spend my money on.

...I'll keep you posted! Give me some tips or advice!

Make Delicious Smoothies at Home!

2012-01-03T11:39:00.000-05:00

I love smoothies! They are so creamy, refreshing, delicious and if you do it right: healthy! I just got a new blender for Christmas because my old one wouldn't blend very well and it was so frustrating. Now, I've already made a few smoothies. Here are some recipes I love as well as a smoothie kit if you're short on time.

A healthy way to make smoothies:

Pick at least two of your favorite fruits! For example, I made one with frozen blueberries and a banana. Bananas are always good to add for the consistency.

Add a great liquid: organic apple juice, orange juice, milk, soy milk, etc.

You can add ice but it is not always necessary, especially if you have a liquid in there.

Try a fun twist by adding sherbert, low-fat yogurt, frozen yogurt, or a flavoring like vanilla extract!

Make it even healthier by adding protein powder, superfood powders or even vegetables like dark, leafy veggies.

These smoothie kits are so easy to make and really delicious and blend well! I've only tried the Mango but I want to try them all :) Read more about them here!

What kind of smoothies do you make?

Happy 2012: My Goals

2011-12-31T14:38:00.002-05:00

First of all, Happy New Years Eve! I hope everyone has an absolute blast tonight and remember to be safe! I hope 2012 is a great year filled with happy, healthy and fun memories for everyone.

Now on to my goals of the new year...

I'm definitely one of those people that loves making new goals and resolutions. Unfortunately, I am also one of those people that has a hard time keeping them. Looking back on my blog, I ran across some of my old goals. Here's a list I made in 2009 and I did accomplish some of them (I crossed out the things I've done in the past two years):

My Goals started in 2009:

1. Do not go on the Internet for one week. (These Internet goals are kind of impossible now due to the work I do...)

2. Use the Internet only an hour a day for one month.

~~3. Graduate and receive my Bachelor's Degree from OU.~~

4. Write and publish a novel.

~~5. Collect 100 DVDs. (I now own 77, including TV series on DVD)~~

~~6. Get a famous writer or someone from a writing job to read/like my blog.~~

~~7. Get an apartment with Krissy.~~

8. Have 5 people recommend me a book and read them, no matter what they are. (Don't really remember if I have done this...)

9. Go on a weekend camping/hiking trip.

10. Go to Disney Land in Florida. (Will do in March!)

11. Visit Europe. (Spain, England, and France are my top places I want to go to.)

12. Do not buy anything for myself for one month besides needs (Try longer afterwards?).

13. Learn to tune a guitar.

14. Learn to play at least 3 songs on guitar.

~~15. Take a yoga class for at least a month.~~

16. Give up sweets for one month.

~~17. Really organize my clothes and sell the ones I rarely wear or don't need.~~ (Could do this again though...)

18. Run in a marathon.

19. Participate in a walk, bike ride, or run towards a cause. (Possibly diabetes).

20. Write a song and have someone write music for it.

21. Climb a rock wall.

22. Donate and plant a tree somewhere.

23. Sew a blanket for someone.

24. ~~Visit Chicago~~ and New York City.

~~25. See one of my favorite comedians live.~~

26. Mail a secret to PostSecret.

27. Put together and publish a book of 100 blogs I've written.

28. Swim with dolphins.

29. Meet Will Ferrell.

30. Work on the "Life List" of goals with Kevin... some are included in this list.

31. Identify 100 things that make me happy and post them where I will see them frequently.

32. Take a photography class.

33. Throw a summer BBQ party.

34. Have my palm read.

Since then I've added some newer goals. For 2012 here are some additional things I'd like to do...

1. I'd really love to have a really healthy diet and get my parents on board with it too. Having so many sweets around my house is way too tempting sometimes.

2. I am taking a cake decorating class in January and that is something I've always wanted to do!

3. Take a Zumba class.

4. Regularly exercise: keep doing yoga at least once a week and work out at home (my parents have a treadmill, elliptical, and recumbent bike and some other work out gear which makes it very convenient!).
5. Save and earn enough money in 2012 to move into an apartment and be more independent.

Please tell me: what are your goals or resolutions for 2012?

Also, what would you like to see from my blog in 2012?

What did you Give or Receive This Holiday?

2011-12-29T12:04:00.001-05:00

In the spirit of giving and receiving, I will share a few things that I gave and received this holiday season!

Gave:

1. A gift card for use at a casino nearby for my parents. They used it before Christmas for a little getaway!

2. A new yoga mat and metallic nail polish for one of my best friends.

3. An iPod Touch for my boy!

4. Boots for my cousins.

Received:

1. A new blender! I can finally make smoothies!

2. Social Network on DVD and a season of Glee.

3. Gift cards - Target, Starbucks, Victoria Secret, Barnes & Noble, etc. Yay for shopping!

4. A beautiful personalized snow globe from my boy!

Definitely a blessed Christmas! Tell me what you gave or received for the holidays!

Surefire Ways To Be An Amazing Friend

2011-12-26T16:13:00.002-05:00

First of all, I hope you all had a wonderful, wonderful holiday! I'd love to hear all about it. Tweet me at @lrstewar!

Friendships are so important. I don't know about you, but they bring so much happiness, laughter, fulfillment, hope and so much more into my life. So of course, maintaining your friendships is crucial. If you treat your friends like crap, you won't have any. Here are some friendship rules I try to live by. I'm by no means perfect and friends come and go... but these tips are always good to keep in mind.

1. Put your friends before yourself sometimes. There will definitely be times when a friend will invite you somewhere and you don't want to go. They will ask you a favor that you don't want to do. Or maybe they just need a friend to listen and you're "too busy". Now, don't let anyone walk all over you or take advantage and sometimes you'll need to say "no", but keep in mind a friendship has two sides. You can't expect your friend to do nice things for you if you don't do it for them!

So head with your friend to her doctor's appointment if she's nervous, go cheer your friend on at his basketball game, tag along when a friend wants you to run errands with them, etc. Doing something with or for a friend is sometimes the right thing to do. When faced with an invite that I don't want to do, I'll ask myself... would it mean a lot to this person if I did this? Would I just be sitting around otherwise? If yes, just do it. I bet you won't even mind running around helping a friend run errands because it will make them happy and you'll both share a laugh or two.

2. Be kind and send reminders that you cherish the friendship. There are so many ways to tell someone you care! Send a card 'just because', treat your friend to lunch, attend an event that is important to them (sports, dance recital, whatever...), send a quick Facebook message or text to say hi and the list goes on.

3. I've found that sometimes people just don't make plans. I'll get annoyed that I always seem to be the one to keep in touch with a friend or make plans or say hello, but some people just don't. I try not to put any meaning behind it and just be proud of the fact that I am a planner and put effort into my friendships. If you're a planner too, cherish it about yourself and keep planning! If you notice maybe you're a procrastinator or forget to keep in touch, work on it and let your friends know you haven't forgotten about them. The best day is today!

4. Lastly, read more. I found this great list of the top friendship qualities. I totally agree with all of them! They are just good qualities to have to be an amazing friend.

Tell me, in what ways are you a good friend? Or describe an amazing friend you have!

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here's my last post for a while so I can fully enjoy the holiday season...

I hope you all have a lovely holiday season and are able to spend your time with loved ones and simply relax!

Also, a very happy anniversary to my amazing boyfriend...tomorrow it has been 3 1/2 years since we first began dating. So cheers to lots of love this Christmas!

In the meantime, here are some of my articles about happiness to put you in a celebratory and happy mood for the holidays:

Tips for a Stress Free Holiday

10 Things That Make Me Happy

Come On, Get Happy

Happiness = The Little Things

And don't forget to enter the giveaway! It ends soon!

Thirty One Gifts Goodies

2011-12-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

Recently, I hosted a Thirty One Gifts party. I've you've never heard of Thirty One Gifts, it is a catalog company that sells purses, totes, bags, stationary, etc. Very cute stuff! I've only gone to a few other parties, but I saw how much you can get for free and half off when you host a party so I decided to throw one. Here are the cute goodies I got!

Which ones do you like? Would you ever host a catalog party like this?

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY TO WIN A GREAT BOOK!

Guest Post: Best Holiday Nail Polish Colors

2011-12-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

First of all, don't forget to enter the giveaway to win a great book! What a fun holiday gift for someone (or yourself!) :)

The invitations are lined up, the perfect dress picked and your hair is finally cooperating. But don’t forget about your 20 closest friends: your fingers and your toes. Whether you go to a nail salon to have them pampered or if you are a ‘do it yourselfer’, these colors are sure to turn heads this holiday season.

1. Icicle by China Glaze

This is your New Year’s Eve color. Think a Lady Gaga inspired silver foil, definitely a new twist on holiday tinsel.

2. Wrapped in Rubies by Essie

Just like its name, this color wraps you in a luscious deep burgundy color with gold undertones. A more mature choice for the perfectly manicured hand.

3. Cocktail Bling by Essie

The color resembles the winter sky before the first fall of snow and the light shade of gray goes perfect with your winter wardrobe. How can something so neutral stop traffic?

4. Holiday Glitter Trio by Butter

This special delight comes with three holiday colors: Chancer, West End Wonderland & Rosie Lee. Chancer is your deep, sexy red that will catch a jealous ex’s eye. Your West End Wonderland is a festive gold glitter and Rosie Lee softens the group with a light sparkle purple.

5. Carry On by Essie

A more modern look with this flat deep plum/burgundy hue. Compliments any skin tone and you can share this one with all the ladies in your family.

6. Bobbing for Baubles by Essie

Blue is not your traditional holiday color but don’t be fooled by this holiday outcast. Muted sapphire is perfect for fun, cold weather dates like ice skating and sledding or holding a cup of hot chocolate.

7. Holly-Day by China Glaze

Move over Christmas tree green, there is a new color in town. A must have for your next gift exchange party. The emerald green has a slight creamy undertone to it that even grandmother would approve of.

8. Only Gold For Me by Sephora

Chunks of gold, just what a girl wants! This flashy but classy polish screams party. Quick tips, you will need several coats for this one or for instant glam, add it as a single top coat to a dark color.

A splash of color never hurt anyone, so dive in toes first and your holiday look will be complete. You can find most of these colors online or at your local nail salon or drugstore.

Post written by: Mary Edwards is one of the contributors and editors for best dating sites. She is passionate about thought leadership writing, regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations, branding, and parenting and online dating community. She can be reached at edwardsmary936 AT gmail.com.

A Princess and Her Garden Book Review and GIVEAWAY!

2011-12-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

I got a chance to read and review (and give away!) a copy of A Princess and Her Garden by Patricia R. Adson, PH.D. and Jennifer E. Van Homer, BS, MSC, CHIC.

The book is a fable that shares a journey that can reflect the stage in anyone's life. Hint: this is a great gift for just about anyone!

The story focuses on a young girl searching for self-understanding and meaning in life. This beautifully told fable can reflect the stories of many women and men who feel lost in life because they've cared for everyone else and have forgotten about themselves.

Great bonus in the book: beautiful color illustrations and a guided journal where you can reflect on your own and create a very personal experience with the book.

To read more about the book or check out the inside, visit the website.

Today I have the chance to give away one copy of the book to a lucky reader! All you have to do is comment on this blog entry for a chance to win. Extra entries if you follow me and tweet about it on Twitter or Facebook!

The winner has to be from USA or Canada only - sorry about that!

I Finally Caved...

2011-12-14T09:30:00.000-05:00

If you're into the blogging world, you've probably stumbled upon Pinterest at least once. It is an invite-only website and I was trying to resist another addicting website, but I finally caved.

So far I am loving looking at cute hairstyles, pretty posters with inspirational quotes, and the love between my favorite TV characters.

Here's the link to my Boards on Pinterest! Share yours with me!

Things I'm Lovin' Lately...

2011-12-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

Moody nails

Baking and my first go with Fondant! I made little purses on top for a purse party I hosted.

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

Christmas trees!

Weekends spent with wonderful friends! Especially for birthdays!

What are you lovin' lately? Please share!

Guest Post: Five Great Eco-Friendly Beauty Products

2011-12-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

A wonderful and encouraging trend in our modern society is the "green" or ecological movement. So many people today are aware of, and concerned with, issues such as sustainability and recycling, and being good to the earth. This awareness can also extend to the beauty products we use, and here we'll list five of the very best choices:

First on the list is a very popular item in many cosmetic bags - Primer Potion by Urban Decay. Buy it because it works, and because it helps you look amazing; feel good about buying it because it's 100 percent cruelty-free and vegan!

Our next item comes from a company that has a well-established history of providing environmentally friendly products which are also perfectly gentle and provide excellent care for your skin. The Body Shop began in 1976 in the coastal town of Brighton, England, UK and very quickly became popular internationally due to their quality and ideals. Their line of facial care products that feature Tea Tree extract is especially popular among their fans. Try the Skin Clearing Facial Wash which reviewers rave about saying that it "tingles and refreshes, and does a great job of caring for oily skin without causing dryness".

Number three on the list is a line of beauty products available at Target by Sonia Kashuk who is a popular make-up artist and entrepreneur. One of the most frequently reviewed and highly rated items is her Lashify Mascara. A really fun/convenient special feature of this mascara is that is comes with a lash comb built into the handle, and of course we have to rave about the price - around $7 for a tube. Girls who love it rave that it creates length and volume, without being messy or clumpy, and it has incredible staying power while still washing off easily with soap and water. The fact that all of her products are safe for the environment and cruelty-free is simply icing on the cake!

Our fourth selection comes from another company with a great history of being dedicated to the environment long before it was a popular trend in the mainstream. Kiss My Face is proud of their motto "Passionately Natural - Incredibly Effective" and they provide a selection of products that demonstrate this. One of their most popular items is the Start Up Exfoliating Face Wash which features a delicate yet effective blend of certified organic herbs and essential oils that work to clean your face brilliantly, and the smell is amazing.

You can't be beautiful without a clean and healthy mouth, so, number five on our list is a toothpaste which works double-duty to keep your teeth, and the planet, happy! Once upon a time, Tom's of Maine was sort of a specialty store and you couldn't buy their products just anywhere. Thankfully, nowadays their popular offerings are easy to pick up in a great number of shops and mass retailers, and for reasonable prices. Again, eco-friendly and cruelty free are just two of the features of their products, and you really can't go wrong with anything from their line. One of their most popular toothpastes is the Whole Care with Cinnamon and Clove. Reviewers say "it's different from the traditional mint toothpaste, but in a good way! Very refreshing and leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh".

We hope that these options give you inspiration (if you aren't already) to go out and try shopping with our planet in mind. You'll find that it's easier now than ever to select products which are effective and reasonably priced, as well. Good luck!

This post is by Stephani Rockwell, who is a freelance writer and content contributor for her site about dining tables.

We Are Young!

2011-12-07T10:44:00.001-05:00

Once again, this post is inspired by Glee. Last night was Sectionals and the other main story was focusing on doing the right thing and enjoying being young. I've been thinking about that lately: how much I enjoy being young. When I was younger, all I could think of was getting to the next grade, graduating, then getting a job. Now, I still don't have all the answers, but I am on my way. But at times, I focus too much on work or just sitting at home than having fun but I've been trying to go out and hang with friends more this year.

I think we all try to grow up too fast. We want to graduate high school so quickly and then college and then be on our own and we realize we missed out on some of the fun parts of just being a kid. So now's your chance. It doesn't matter how old you are, you're still young. You're healthy, you're fun and you have the chance to enjoy your life. Start today!

Guest Post: What I Learned From My Dog

2011-12-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

You can learn immensely by merely observing your dog’s general disposition. There are a lot of things about these wonderful creatures that inspire you. Some of them are cited below.

1.Touch is important

Touch is important for any relationship to blossom. Hugs and cuddles are a great way to feel warmth, love, care and security in a relationship. This universal fact is applicable with pets as well. Dogs give us unconditional love. Dogs do know that a simple touch can do wonders and make one feel emotionally stable. In lonely times, an assertive and sincere warm touch from a loved one can certainly uplift your mood.

2. Always seize the opportunity to nap

Another thing that you definitely can learn from dogs by observing their behavior is the importance of sleep. We all have become slaves of our respective work and live a hectic life. There is little time left to relax because we do not seize every opportunity that comes our way. Dogs know how to relax better. They find a cozy place and comfortably roll on their backs every now and then to take a breather. Human beings must also keep sleep and relaxing high on priority so that they can work more efficiently without feeling fatigued or bogged down.

3. Be more accepting and don’t feel jealous

Sibling rivalry is a commonplace phenomenon all over the world. Older child often feels jealous and intimidated by newly born baby in the house because of loss of attention. However this is not the case with dogs. Even though you get to spare far less time for your pet when the newly born arrives, your dog does not feel jealous at all and is rather protective of the little one. He becomes the best attendant in the world and is always alert about any signs of restlessness in the baby. He also keeps an eye on all the guests approaching the little one.

4. Invent your own toys

Dogs and kids can be truly inspiring when it comes to ideas of having fun. It is not necessary that you have all the expensive gadgets and fancy toys in order to have fun. With little imagination, you can device interesting and more productive time-pass methods.

5. Don’t let your old age stop you from having fun

With age, your fitness level and physical strength may diminish but that should not stop you from joining in the fun. Old age brings with it a number of ailments like arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, muscular and joint pains, etc. but that should not limit your ability to play. As a matter of fact, it becomes more important to have fun so as to cope up with these conditions more effectively. You should limit strenuous exercises and opt for choices that suit you better. An aged and ailing dog’s behavior in this regard can be truly inspiring. Dogs, unmindful of physical constraints, always do find time and ways to play around a little.

Thus, having a pet is a great learning experience. If you have an open mind, interaction with your pet on a daily basis can surely make you much more evolved as a human being.

About the author: Bethany is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of gadgets. These days she is busy in writing articles on two varied topics like Noritz Tankless Water Heater and patio umbrellas.

Ditch Your Phone and Live in the Moment

2011-12-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

Recently, I went to a concert (City and Colour...they are amazing!) and I was amazed by how obsessed everyone is with their phones.

It was really cool though, just as I was pondering how many people had their phones out during the main band at the concert, the lead singer asks everyone to please put their phones away for just one song. He said that we get so concerned with documenting the memory, with videotaping or taking photos of the concert, that we don't even enjoy it. He expressed just the thought I was thinking and I thought it was really cool of him.

How often do we do this now? We don't enjoy experiences in life because we are so obsessed with documenting it, or texting someone else, or waiting for emails and Facebook notifications. I was amazed how many people were actually sitting there texting, ignoring the friends they came with and even the show they paid money to see!

So this is a reminder to myself and to everyone... be mindful with technology. Remember to share your experiences with real people and enjoy life. It is easy to get sucked into all the different technologies now and to think that is all there is to life. Next time you're out with a friend, put your phone on silent while you eat together. At a concert, take a few photos or videos, but make sure you spend most of the time just be in the moment and enjoy the concert.

What will you do to live in the moment and cherish your relationships and take a break from your cell phone and other technologies?

Reminding you...

2011-11-30T09:30:00.000-05:00

A reminder that you don't need to be perfect all the time. Be yourself and make mistakes. Everything will work out.

Find Your Joy: Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

2011-11-28T09:30:00.000-05:00

It is that time of year again. The holidays. Thanksgiving is now over and Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, etc. are quickly approaching (I celebrate Christmas so I will mostly talk about that, but this can apply to all holidays!) Remember when you were a kid...how magical this time of year was? I remember waking up every day in December, wishing with all my heart that it was Christmas already. I knew that it wasn't, but I secretly hoped I would wake up magically on December 25th with the Christmas tree full of presents and snow falling silently outside. The holidays were so much fun, so exciting, and full of so much love.

Now the older we get, we run around with lists of presents to buy, errands to run, parties to host, cookies to bake, and the list goes on and on. We forget the joy and magic of the season and are stressed out by all those little things that must get done. There have been years when I get in a bad mood and become a Scrooge, just hope for the season to be over quickly, and scoff at all things festive.

So this year, please join me in finding the joy again. With Christmas a month away, use these tips to have a (almost) stress-free season and enjoy December!

1. First of all, take care of yourself! This time of year is also when people get sick more often. We spend more time indoors, get far too stressed out, and this puts a real damper on your immune system. Get plenty of sleep, take your vitamins, eat a healthy diet, exercise, and make time for yourself.

2. Make a to-do list. You'll get frazzled and stressed out simply trying to remember all the things you have to do or trying to get them done in one day. Make a list of all the things you need to get accomplished and set "due dates" for each one. Then you can determine which tasks need to get done first and get things done right.

3. Set aside time for joyful activities with your friends and family. Don't just get together at holiday parties or for holiday dinner. Walk around the nearest downtown to see the lights, go for a carriage ride, make some dates for hot chocolate and a holiday movie, etc. Remember the joy of being a kid excited for Christmas!

What are your tips for a fun and stress-free holiday season?

The Muppets are a Hit!

2011-11-26T12:54:00.001-05:00

I mentioned not too long ago that I was so excited to see The Muppets back in theaters! I remember as a kid, waiting up for The Muppet Show, anxiously awaiting my favorite characters and the catchy tunes. Add one of my favorite actors, Jason Segel to the mix and I was just like a kid again.

My boyfriend graciously agreed (well lost a bet and had to take me, but I think he would anyway... hehe...) to take me to see the movie even though it is not his favorite type of movie to see.

I definitely loved it! Between the song and dance numbers, the silly jokes (some more for the adult crowd), the celebrities, all of the muppets, and my nostalgia... it was a perfect mix of funny and sweet.

My only complaint was it didn't feature much of my two favorite Muppets, Rizzo and Pepe! Even if you've never seen The Muppets in a televsion show or movie, I think you'd still be caught up in the happiness of it all.

Because after all... The Muppets bring the third best thing in life: laughter. :)

What do you think? Will you see it? I am hoping to go buy The Muppet Show on DVD now!

Mahna Mahna ;)