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

Personally I don’t need expensive jewelry. I honestly don’t wear it very often. And I find true gems in the most unlikely places. Recently, it was at a Disney tourist trap.. I mean gift shop.

Check out my Diffany’s bracelet!

One of my besties was staying at a Walt Disney World resort. I drove over for the day which started with mimosas by the pool. Next was a bottle of wine.. but I forgot to bring a cork screw, so we headed to the gift shop.

I mean Disney is the happiest place on earth, no way we’re the only ones who brought our wine. And sure enough they did.

But for some reason.. just being silly I guess.. I decided I had to have a Disney souvenir. And that’s when it got entertaining.

A grown woman debating between a princesses or Tinkerbell watch. But wait.. something shimmery caught my eye. A silver bracelet with a Disney charm.. resembling Tiffany’s. And the best part??? You can buy other charms too!

After much debate & evaluation of the charms.. I ended up with Tinkerbell (no princesses after all) and a BFF charm.. all courtesy my bestie.

From the women working in the store to my friend’s 14-yr-old daughter.. I think I was very entertaining. Me and my Diffany’s!

Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude

As many of you know, once upon a time I used to publish daily. I could blame the lack of posts on being so busy with running my business and working part-time, but that wouldn’t be completely true because the fact of the matter is it’s about content, not time.

I have always tried to write things worth reading because I know your time is valuable, and you have plenty of choices when it comes to what you read. I try to be positive and even funny when I can. But most of all, I’ve always tried to keep it real.

Lately, I’ve been in a funk which is hard to admit in writing. Only a few close friends really know the whole deal. With the current economy and other common stresses, I know I’m not alone. But who wants to be around a Debbie Downer… or in this case read her ramblings?

But to continue keeping it real, I thought it was only fair to share this with my loyal readers. I know it’s time to snap out of it because I always pick myself up again, and this time won’t be any different. I appreciate the support I have received here throughout the years… the stories we have shared together and the laughs. And besides, life is too short to waste it on a bad attitude!

Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude

A personal, what? A Personal Kanban, also known as a PK for short. I’m not going to lie, I was adverse to the idea at first.. just thinking it was a glorified list. But it’s so much more!

I’ve learned a lesson in organization, finally finding something that works for me. So I was asked to write a guest post for her blog, Not Out of Reach, I figured it was a lesson worth sharing. I hope you’ll check it out.

Stylishly (& more organized) yours,
Miss Attitude