The other day I decided to do an experiment on Facebook by changing my relationship status to “In a relationship.” I want all of you to know I didn’t mean this to be malicious. I was just curious about the obsession of relationship status on Facebook. I recently saw a “friend” change her status to married during her own wedding events. I couldn’t help but think if I, heaven forbid, ever get married somebody should shoot me if I even log onto Facebook on that day. In fact, if I’m even touching my iPhone or iPad, slap me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love social media. But sometimes you really have to live in the moment and enjoy the people around you, not update your Facebook every minute. We’re all guilty of it, but sometimes enough is enough.

The other reason I decided to try this “In a relationship” status experiment is that as a single 37-year-old woman it gets tiring when people ask you if you have a boyfriend all the time or when I’m going to get married. It’s even gotten to the point that half of my family thinks I’m a lesbian, not that there’s anything wrong with that.

While it would be great to meet someone amazing to have in my life, I don’t want to settle just so I can say I have a boyfriend. If you’ve read my Meet the Exes posts, you know I’ve had some doozies already. But I digress.

So within minutes of changing my Facebook status, the “like” button was getting clicked and clicked. Within a three or four hours, 34 people liked my status and then the comments started too. The funny thing is a few of these people I had talked to earlier in the week. They should know me well enough to know I would have shared something like this with them before announcing it on social media.

As one of my friends pointed out, “Of course, realize that you are usually so vocal when you’re dating, that for you to show up ‘in a relationship’ with nobody knowing/having heard anything about a new guy, it would be bound to attract extra interest. ”

Fair enough. But I still couldn’t help but being fascinated with the fact that something like a relationship status update could create such a buzz. Especially since I often post things that are much more important in my life and I get crickets. I just think perhaps we put too much emphasis on the importance of dating or marriage. Many of us, single or not, have major life-changing events going on that go without much recognition.

So I’m sorry to disappoint my friends and readers, I’m not in a serious dating relationship with man, but I am in many relationships that are much more important to me right now. I’m grateful for the people who support me through good times and bad much more than they probably no.

And in case you’re wondering, I’m back to no

Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude

It’s not that I haven’t thought about blogging, or had things to write about. In fact, I probably have too many things to include. This new year has been crazy already. How is it almost April?

One of the most exciting things going on right now is I’ve decided to launch a new business (in addition to the one I already run and love.) I recently became an Independent Arbonne Consultant.

I have been using these amazing products for a while now. I love them because they are pure, beneficial and safe, as well as vegan and never animal tested. After starting off with the nutritional products to kick off healthier eating choices while as I stepped up my workouts. I then started using the RE9 Advanced comprehensive anti-aging skin care regimen. I don’t want to brag, but everyone says my skin looks great!

Even a “Marie Claire” blogger can’t live without her Arbonne. She ranked the Seasource Detox Spa Sea Mud Mask on her Top 7 Beauty Essentials for Travel list.

But this isn’t what inspired me to start this business. After being introduced to this opportunity by my business partner and personal trainer, I realized I don’t have to work as hard as I’ve been working to support myself financially. When she first approached me with the opportunity I was skeptical at first, but then I watched how this business changed her life.

Her husband lost his job, something many of us can relate to including me, and she had to be the sole provider for her family– including two girls. She was able to earn the money she needed AND she was having fun doing it. I thought hmmm there must be something to this because I’m constantly working and living paycheck to paycheck.

So she invited me to our local team’s Empowering Women’s Career Chat, and that night I knew this business was for me. I already made new friends and am on my way to financial freedom. I want to thank everyone who has supported me already. I appreciate it more than you will ever know.

Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude

I could give you tons of excuses, blaming it on too much work & other troubles in my life, but the truth is I haven’t felt moved to write. Most of Miss Attitude’s blogs come strait from the heart, and my heart’s been a little fragile lately.

One year ago this month, I had my heart broken so badly I wasn’t sure how to put the pieces back together. I honestly thought this man was going to be a part of my life for years to come. I guess he had other plans.

For a while, I kept communicating off and on under the guise of friendship. That’s what he wanted, and of course I was delusional, thinking he would change his mind. He never did. And never will. I have finally come to terms with that.

I thought I had someone I could love and was my best friend. Frankly I’m not sure he knows the true definition of either. Now, I didn’t sit around and wait. I kept dating. Dud after dud… maybe it’s time to bring back Meet the Exes Mondays lol.

After every dud & bad turn in my personal life, I turned to him to make me feel better. And it did for a short while, but eventually the truth would slap me in the face. He didn’t want to be with me. So I finally decided enough was enough. I stopped communicating, and it eventually got easier.

While I can’t say the whole experience hasn’t left me more cynical than I was to start with, I can say I refuse to give up. While my faith waivers from time to time, I know I want more. I deserve better. Some day. Until that day happens, I try to enjoy the people in my life who truly love and care about me. It’s not quite the same, in fact sometimes it’s better.

They’ve always been there and have never run away when things got tough. Instead, they’re the first ones to help in those situations. And to them, I am forever grateful.

Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude

I met Patricia Rossi, author of “Everyday Etiquette,” through Twitter. And once I met her in real life that genuine smile and friendliness shined through. I’ve listened to Patricia give etiquette advice on several TV stations, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to read.

Some people might think being coached on etiquette would be boring, but this book is anything but. From giving the limp fish handshake, which I loathe, a no no to putting the kibosh on the close talker… a reference to one of my all-time favorite TV shows “Seinfeld.”

Plus she offered advice I always wanted to hear: No “Crocs, worse yet, Crocs with socks!” OK, so it’s a casual Friday tip but in my world it should apply every day. After laughing at that, I had to take pause. No flip-flops on Casual Friday? But it’s Florida! Of course, I work from home and flip-flops are a staple.

Unfortunately, there was a section in the book about etiquette for working from home which if Patricia saw me on a Skype call, she’d definitely be thinking I need to reread it again and again. I definitely need work in that department along with a real lesson in thank you card writing.

I’ve always known I should be writing thank you cards. I know how nice it feels to receive one, but I get an F- in this department. At first, I blamed my poor penmanship which Patricia says, “Thank-you notes should be handwritten and sent by regular mail (not e-mail). If you have messy handwriting, just write slowly and do your best to make it legible.”

I admit now it’s mostly laziness when it’s so much easier to send an email or text. Speaking of texts, Patricia nabbed me there too. And even worse she has my number when it comes to my iPhone. I’m notorious for checking texts, Twitter & Facebook while out with friends. It’s what I do for a living, I justify. But in addition to being called out last weekend by a friend at dinner, I realized it takes the social out of a social event. And even worse, Patricia reminds it shows people they do not have your full attention.

But even worse, this part in the book made me gasp. No cell phones on the table while eating! Wow, my etiquette skills do need sharpening. The book also talks you through proper etiquette on dinner place settings and how to be a good host and/or guest in a variety of settings. It also offers etiquette tips ranging from the boardroom to the football stadium.

I definitely recommend “Everyday Etiquette” for college students looking to get a job to parents trying to teach their children the dos and don’ts in social situation to people like me who basically know better but need a gentle reminder.

Speaking of, I better put my iPad down and focus on listening to the people I’m with right now.

Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude

P.S. “Everyday Etiquette” will be released on Sept. 13, but you can pre-order on Amazon.com now.

Editor’s note: This book was complimentary courtesy Patricia Rossi and St. Martin’s Griffen.

Sometimes it feels good, and other times it feels like I’m being too hard on myself. So this year in preparation of my birthday, I’m shaking things up with a list of 37 things… both good & bad… in no particular order.. or intended for judgement or sympathy..

This time last year:

1. I had never run my own business
2. I had health insurance
3. I lost friendships, but gained or strengthened better ones
4. I was in love with a man I thought adored me… turned out not quite enough
5. I didn’t have an iPad
6. I’d never been to Aspen
7. I didn’t know much about wine other than I liked it.. let alone ever help run a wine bar (even temporarily!)
8. I still had cable TV & Sirius radio
9. I finally started reading books frequently again
10. I weighed a lot less & was in my “skinny jeans” (you know the jeans you feel fabulous in– not those horrific fashion nightmare skinny jeans)
11. I practiced yoga regularly
12. My hair was a different color (when isn’t it?)
13. I had a nice car (before it was totaled) instead of ghetto one that stalls for no reason
14. I hadn’t been live on air during a TV newscast since college
15. I blogged regularly
16. I still went shoe shopping
17. I spent more time socializing and less time at home
18. I started comparing more situations in life to Seinfeld episodes (I’m George BTW!)
19. I realized my students really learned skills in my classes that helped them in their first jobs & they appreciated it
20. I was reminded how much the words “thank you” can mean to someone
21. I watched romantic comedies like they were going out of style
22. I thought I was going to finally write a book (starting my company trumped that!)
23. I starting to accept it’s OK to ask for help when you really need it
24. I got one of the best birthday presents ever… crabcakes shipped from MD
25. I bought my first (& probably last) pair of designer sunglasses
26. I still remembered what it was like to sleep like a normal person (I think!)
27. I was still addicted to checking my blog stats
28. I walked 3-5 miles several days a week
29. I wasn’t addicted to the Words with Friends or *gasp* Smurfs apps
30. I swore yet again I’d stop drunk texting (oops, did I do that?)
31. I had no idea how to use a bartender corkscrew to open a bottle of wine
32. I started donating my time to helping more charities since my checkbook can’t help
33. I finally had to start buying my own Starbucks (had a good 1 1/2-2 year run on gift cards)
34. I had no idea what the heck a Personal Kanban was or why I needed one
35. I realized club bed is the best club of all!
36. I thought turning 36 was getting old
37. I was determined to make 2011 my biatch! (Still got a few months to go!)

Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude