A Lil BUMP for Your Slump – iPod Wednesdays

Oh no, not again… it’s hump day and you’ve got a case of the mid-week slumps. We know the feeling… Friday seems so far away yet it feels like it was ages ago that you woke up Monday morning! We’re here to provide you with a little bump to get through your mid-week slump. So crank up your stereo on your lunch break and take a moment to breathe. Why wish your life away and yearn for Friday when you can relax and enjoy this moment? Here’s what’s playing on my iPod. Enjoy!

The Funeral – Band of Horses

Follow Me Down – 3Oh3

Disappear – Motion City Soundtrack

Redemption Song (Bob Marley Cover) – Rihanna

So Complicated – Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Dark Blue – Jack’s Mannequin

What a Beautiful Day – Chris Cagle

Secrets – Maroon 5

Back to You– John Mayer

Today Was a Fairytale – Taylor Swift

Everything – Michael Buble

Damned if I Do Ya – All Time Low

All Night– Damian Marley

Deep South – Cartel

Belle of the Boulevard– Dashboard Confessional

Carpe Diem

You see the term everywhere – Carpe Diem. Seize the day.

It never really had much meaning to me, until this year.  When 2010 approached, my life changed almost immediately.  I woke up from my daze.  I realized that this year, I would turn 25-years-old. To some, this is not old, in fact, most people would say that this is incredibly young and you would be considered as “in your prime”.  But to the young girl who still can’t believe she has been out of high school for almost six years and out of college for almost two, it’s quite the slap in the face.  Wasn’t I just in high school being crazy and careless?  Wasn’t I just attending my first party?  Receiving my first kiss?  It hit me like an 18-wheeler and I came to the inevitable conclusion – I am not getting any younger, and that is frightening as hell.

When I was 8-years-old, I dreamed of an extravagant Barbie dream house with a pink convertible parked in the driveway and a stable full of white horses…and no, I wasn’t a doll – it was all life-size, and it was my reality.

When I was 13-years-old, I dreamed of being a big movie star that lived a lavish life of luxury.  I wanted magnificent, fur coats, bed spreads made of the finest silk and of course, a personal staff to take care of every little detail of my day.

When I was 18-years-old I wanted to be a fashion designer with the trendiest and most cutting-edge innovations.  I wanted to be the next John Galliano, Betsey Johnson or Vivienne Westwood – vibrant colors, funky patterns and an overall look that certainly pushed the envelope in the world of couture.  I wanted a sexy, slick, white Bentley Coupe to pair nicely with my villa in Milan and my penthouse in NYC.

Now, at the age of almost 25, I have not accomplished any of these goals.  No, they may not be 100% realistic and could be considered childish but wasn’t that the greatest part about being young?  You could dream whatever you wanted to dream, no matter how outlandish some thought it was. You were never judged for wanting something more. Now?  I work a dead-end job at a company that has a glass ceiling.  I am overworked and underpaid (story of everyone’s life – right?).  I do not live in New York City, have a staff, or drive a Bentley.  These raw conclusions that I have come to turns with make my stomach curl.  I want and deserve more.

I’m taking this year and making it mine.  I am going to live a little selfishly.  It’s all about seizing the day.  Taking what is rightfully yours and running with it. It’s about accepting reality and moving forward but still living for today because we only have one life and one shot at it – we better make it our very best.  If I’m going to do this life right, I’m going to live it as a rockstar.  Carpe Diem.

A Lil BUMP For Your Slump – iPod Wednesday

Oh no, not again… it’s hump day and you’ve got a case of the mid-week slumps. We know the feeling… Friday seems so far away yet it feels like it was ages ago that you woke up Monday morning! We’re here to provide you with a little bump to get through your mid-week slump. So crank up your stereo on your lunch break and take a moment to breathe. Why wish your life away and yearn for Friday when you can relax and enjoy this moment? Here’s what’s playing on my iPod. Enjoy!

Let’s Go – Cartel

Warwick Avenue – Duffy

Live Like You’re Dying – Kris Allen

Two is Better Than One – Boy’s Like Girls

Alejandro – Lady Gaga

I Will Follow You into the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie

Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band

We Danced Anyway – Deana Carter

Stars and Boulevards – Augustana

Retrograde – Cartel

Bulletproof – La Roux

Secrets – Maroon 5

Butterfly – Jason Mraz

A lil BUMP for your Slump – iPod Wednesday

Oh no, not again… it’s hump day and you’ve got a case of the mid-week slumps.  We know the feeling… Friday seems so far away yet it feels like it was ages ago that you woke up Monday morning!  We’re here to provide you with a little bump to get through your mid-week slump.  So crank up your stereo on your lunch break and take a moment to breathe.  Why wish your life away and yearn for Friday when you can relax and enjoy this moment? Here’s what’s playing on my iPod.  Enjoy!  :)

Soulshine – The Allman Brothers Band

Bullet and a Target – Citizen Cope

Tiny Vessels – Death Cab for Cutie

If I Ever Leave This World Alive – Flogging Molly

The Queen and I – Gym Class Heroes

Leavin’ - Jag Star

Read My Mind – The Killers

Infatuation - Maroon 5

Swallowed in the Sea - Coldplay

Bring Me Along – Pepper

Champagne High – Sister Hazel

Existentialism on Prom Night - Straylight Run

A Place in this World- Taylor Swift

Moving On – Weekend Excursion

Leave the Pieces – The Wreckers

What I love about Winter

Although I love warm weather, fresh sand, the smell of salt water and the feeling of the scorching sun beating down on my lightly bronzed skin, there is something indescribable and inexplicably delicious about the Winter season.

The little things that I adore…

Blankets of winter white snow

The sound of crackling firewood

Giant, cozy sweatshirts

A mug of hot cocoa with mini marshmallows

The smell of cinnamon

Gingerbread men

Freshly baked sugar cookies shaped like little Christmas trees

Earmuffs and mittens

Holiday cheer

Spending time with family and friends

Sweaters for my pups

Snowmen

Snuggling up with a blanket, good book and gorging out on Chinese food from the container

Christmas lights

Christmas music

Eggnog

Making smores by the fire

Watching holiday movies

The crinkling sound of wrapping paper

Holiday parties

Peppermint

Snow globes

Poinsettia

Funky ornaments

Sparkling snowflakes

It’s important for us all to take in this special time of year and truly enjoy it while it lasts.  Spend quality time with your loved ones and embrace the magical world of Winter time.  What do you love about this time of year?

Top 10 Best Holiday/New Years Eve Dresses Under $100

Being a fashion major, shopaholic and wardrobe fanatic, it’s my responsibility to know all of the best kept secrets in the apparel/accessory world.  I take on the responsibility of finding the best outfits, crème de la crème merchandise, and the most fabulous finds.  For me, there is a lot of research and work that goes into browsing and purchasing.  I do my work before any action takes place and my debit card gets swiped.  Now that the holiday season is finally here, I felt the need to begin my journey to seek out the perfect holiday and NYE dresses available for 2009.

During this time of year, there are an abundance of holiday festivities with friends, family and loved ones.  After Christmas, New Years Eve is an event that follows shortly after which involves even more celebrating.  Both occasions give an excellent excuse for ladies everywhere to get dolled up for the night, feel sexy and turn into the ultimate glamour girl.  As I began browsing stores, boutiques, and online store after online store, I had an epiphany: it is not only stressful but incredibly difficult to find the dress.

Finding a perfect holiday/New Years Eve dress is like finding the perfect wedding dress.  You want to stand out but still remain tasteful and you will not just settle for anything. With all of these thoughts running through your mind, it’s close to impossible to find the perfect dress on a budget.  Personally, I know that if I had unlimited funds, finding my ideal Holiday or NYE dress would never be an issue – but it’d probably cost me $5,000 to ensure that.  But with the current economical situation at hand and your money already going to gifts for family and friends, you certainly do not want to go too overboard on an outfit for yourself.

In an effort to finding my perfect holiday and NYE dress, I felt that it was almost my civic duty to share some ideas with women everywhere who are too stressed out and busy to shop and want to stay within a reasonable budget.  In turn, I have come up with the Top 10 List of Best Holiday Dresses Under $100.

 

Express

Strapless Embellished Dress – Black

$98.00 at Express stores or www.expressfashion.com

This little black dress is classic and fearlessly chic.  It’s got enough sparkle to add a special touch without going over the top.

 

 

Fred Flare

Sweetheart Bustier Dress – Red (more colors available)

$65.00 at www.fredflare.com

What can I say?  It absolutely screams sex kitten.  Wear red for the perfect Christmas party dress or purchase a feisty hot pink or sophisticated black to help you get that New Years Eve smooch!

 

Fred Flare

Brocade Tulle Corset Dress – Gold

$52.00 at www.fredflare.com

The gold, brocade detail is very intricate and beautiful.  The dress itself is sweet but sultry.  It is sure to win hearts over the holiday season.

 

ModCloth

Lucky Star Dress in Dance – Black (comes in Cream)

$79.99 at www.modcloth.com

Turn heads with this cute frock!  Stay classic with black or stand out in cream.

 

Urban Outfitters

Silence & Noise Dynasty Dress – Black

$98.00 at Urban Outfitters stores or at www.urbanoutfitters.com

Be valiant with this gorgeous, sequin dress.  The plummeting back will really raise eyebrows – in a good way!

 

Urban Outfitters

Silence & Noise Dynasty Dress – Red (more colors available)

$58.00 at Urban Outfitters stores or at www.urbanoutfitters.com

It’s Simple but very current – the zipper adds an edgy look to this pretty dress – and you can’t go wrong with vibrant red!

 

Bebe

Sequin Racerback Tank Dress – Gold (more colors available)

$59.25 at www.bebe.com (online exclusive item)

Be a total knockout in this sparkling tank dress.  You even have three, glimmering, metallic colors to choose from (gold, silver, black).

 

Arden B

Taffeta Rose Front Tube Dress – Turquoise (comes in Red)

$62.40 at Arden B stores or www.ardenb.com

This dress is made of a very soft and elegant taffeta with a romantic rose in the middle.  Picture yourself in red under the mistle toe and even the blue which would also be a great look for Hanukkah festivities!

 

Forever 21

Peacock Feather Dress – Black (comes in Blue)

$32.00 at Forever 21 stores or www.forever21.com

Peacock feathers are so now and what better way to look high-fashion than with a one strap, cocktail dress for the holidays?  Depending on your style and how bold or subtle you wish to be – choose from black or blue!

 

Wet Seal

Sequin Strap Dress – Black & Hot Pink

$22.50 at West Seal stores or www.wetseal.com

Be the queen of glitz and glam!  The black and hot pink sequins are a fabulous combination.  Pair with patent leather black stilettos to be downtown-ready or punk it up with some funky ankle boots.

Unfair

There are the days we get out of bed, ready to face to world and embrace whatever comes our way .  No one can predict whatever the new day may bring us.  It’s exhilarating and enthralling but at the same time, kind of frightening.  You never know if you walk into work and get that raise that you’ve been anticipating for the last 6 months.  Or perhaps you receive a call from an old friend that you haven’t talked to in a decade.  Or maybe you will randomly find $50 in the pocket of one of your old pair of jeans you hadn’t worn in over a year.  The possibilities are endless.

But what happens when something terrible occurs?  It’s inevitable.  The pleasant things in life are limited.  Eventually, something that’s not so wonderful will happen – it’s part of life. But what if it’s something that you least expect?  After all, this world is full of surprises, right?  But surprises are not always sunshine and rainbows.  My dear friend and roommate came home last Thursday night with terrible news that really rocked her to the core.  She found out that her young, 26-year-old cousin had cancer.  When I saw her blood-shot eyes and tear drops on her long lashes, I knew something was immediately wrong.  I hugged her after she told me the heart wrenching news.  She curled up in my arms and just cried.  I haven’t seen her cry like that in some time.  Her cousin is beautiful, driven, intelligent and has a successful career.  She had everything in the world at her fingertips and now has to deal with something that people dread and fear having to ever go through.

All that my friend could repeat was “It’s unfair.  Why should any 26-year-old or any person for that matter have to go through such a horrible thing in life?”  It’s something that happens to people every day.  But it really hits home when it’s someone you are close to and love dearly.  She asked me how there could be a God if this kind of thing happens to such a good soul?  As I listened to her intently, it took me back to when I lost faith.

When I was 16-years-old and in high school, one of my closest friends was killed in a horrific car accident.  She was a passenger in the back of an SUV.  She had it all.  She was a beautiful girl with long, blonde hair, a stunning smile, intelligent, on the lacrosse team at her high school, an endless amount of friends and an incredibly close, tight-knit family that loved her dearly.  She grew up with all of the wonderful privileges in life.  A large, magnificent home, a doctor as a father, a nurse as a mother and a sister who attended one of the most prestigious colleges in the state.  The girl who was driving the car was wreck less and driving too fast that night in April.  She hit a tree and my friend and a young peer who also attended their high school were flung from the back window.  They both died instantly.

When I was notified about the accident, I was on Spring Break.  My friend was supposed to meet me down at the beach only a few days after this took place and until I received the phone call, I thought the plans were still on.  My phone rang and a terrified and very saddened voice from a mutual family friend was on the other line.  I remember everything.  I was lying on the beach with the sun in my face and enjoying the sand in my toes.  When she broke the news to me, I literally dropped my phone out of my hand and it hit my towel on the beach.  My entire world went black at that very moment.  I was in an absolute state of shock – there is no other way to describe the overflowing emotions that completely took over my body.  All of a sudden, my world came crashing down.

I left the beach the next day to ensure I was back in time to attend her funeral.  I attended at 16-year-old’s funeral.  That should never be.  Nor should you ever be a parent and be at your own child’s funeral.  I lost faith in God that day.  I lost faith in a lot of things.  How could this happen to someone who was such a good person?  She was really an incredible young woman who had no enemies, not one single foe.  She was loved by the masses.  She would have given her life for another.  She was truly one-of-a-kind and no one could hold a candle to her.  I took it so rough that I saw a grief counselor for many months following the accident.  It has now been almost 8 years, I am still not over it.

The one thing that I learned through this life-changing experience is that it’s important to live your life and not just for yourself, but for the person who can’t. Be grateful for what is around you and that you wake up every morning and can take a breath.  I learned to still believe, even when it was almost impossible to.  If you don’t believe in something, what is there to really live for?

It’s very difficult to be a part of this world when unfair things happen every day to such wonderful people who never deserve it.  To actually see the things that some struggle with and the pain and strife that follow.  It’s hard to believe in miracles when they are not occurring around you.  Whether someone passes or someone gets sick, as hard as it can be, you have to try to turn to your family, God and whatever it is that you believe in and keep the faith, even when life is unfair.

A Lil BUMP for your Slump – iPod Wednesdays

Oh no, not again… it’s hump day and you’ve got a case of the mid-week slumps.  We know the feeling… Friday seems so far away yet it feels like it was ages ago that you woke up Monday morning!  We’re here to provide you with a little bump to get through your mid-week slump.  So crank up your stereo on your lunch break and take a moment to breathe.  Why wish your life away and yearn for Friday when you can relax and enjoy this moment? Here’s what’s playing on my iPod.  Enjoy!  :)

Sometime Around Midnight – The Airborne Toxic

Popping Champagne - All Time Low

The Saltwater Room - Owl City

Already Gone – Girlicious

Hot Mess – Cobra Starship

Sweet & Low – Augustana

Wheels – Foo Fighters

Aqueous Transmission – Incubus

La La Lie - Jack’s Mannequin

Stepping Stones – Duffy

Must Get Out - Maroon 5

Speechless - Lady Gaga

Sunday Best – Augustana

Snow – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Fifteen - Taylor Swift

Proceed with Caution

I see it all of the time.  The rather sane but unsure woman who is completely and utterly hung up over the opposite sex.  It’s a tale as old as time, a game of cat and mouse, but more popularly known as the infamous chase.

Who hasn’t been the girl who sits by her phone thinking that the longer she concentrates, the more likely it will ring?  In her mind, there’s still a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe she is sending some sort of E.S.P. wavelength to the person on the other end of the line.  Who hasn’t been the girl who puts their phone on silent because in some twisted, warped reality, maybe she will not have to think about him?  Left your phone at the house by accident?  Don’t lie to yourself, honey.  You left that phone sitting right on your bed and hopped in your car to take a drive just so were not tempted to pick up and call him because you couldn’t wait around any longer.  So don’t. Sounds simple, right?  We sit on our couches in our little apartments sipping wine, stuffing our faces with indulgent Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey, reading He’s Just Not That Into You over and over again to the point of no return.  Hell, if we could, we’d seek a witch doctor, a relationship guru or a hypnotist – in a desperate attempt to find any remedy to miraculously snap us out of our sick obsession.  If it were only that easy.

We allow our girl friends to console us when we’re down and out.  “It’s okay, maybe he’s just busy.”  “Maybe he forgot to call.”  “Maybe he lost his cell phone, lost your number, he went on a cruise to the Bahamas and doesn’t have a calling card, his blackberry fell out of his pocket and he flushed it down the toilet by accident.”  The possibilities are endless.  The excuses are interminable.  The fact of the matter is, we tell ourselves what we want to hear.  We’ve got to stop, and it’s got to start somewhere.

We all want to be the girl who lights up the world of a guy.  We are believers in love and fate.  We wear our heart on our sleeve and act invulnerable.  We think that we can fix the broken, tame the wild bull, train him and make him a better man.  We love a challenge.  We give it our all and we do it with the utmost passion.  It’s not easy being super woman and conquering this world in heels, it’s just not.  When we’re interested in someone, we pursue.  He accepts or he resists, and more times than not, he runs in the opposite direction.  As women, we get so emotionally invested in just a short amount of time.  We stay optimistic and only wish for the best, just to have our hearts thoroughly shattered.  Our walls grow taller and more dense over time, simply to protect ourselves from the unseen pain that may occur in our future.  So why do we constantly put ourselves through the painstaking truth that we are ultimately going to get burned again?  Answer: We are women, and we believe in happily ever after.

But if we’re going to deal with the harsh reality of love, let’s get one thing straight.  Don’t stress over the little things.  Again, very difficult to fully comprehend, but break it down.  Why worry about what he’s doing?  Why he’s not calling you?  Obviously you are not of much importance to him if quite frankly, he doesn’t give a damn.  Men are really this simple.  I was also clueless about this cold hard truth until I surrounded myself with guy friends.  When they’re not into a girl, they’re really not into a girl.  If they’re not taking time out of their day to speak to you, call you, text you, it’s really because they do not want to.  Is there another girl in the picture?  There very well could be.  Or maybe, he’s just not into you the way you had anticipated.  As women, we must stand strong together and not let men operate our thoughts and emotions.  Instead of persevering the one we cannot have, why not give someone else a fighting chance?  Perhaps the guy you’ve blown off here and there because he didn’t spark your interest immediately?  When you’re at a bar, instead of checking out the hottie with the overpowering ego that illuminates the entire room, why not flirt with the subtle man who does not covet the spotlight?

Case in point, we are subconsciously doing to others what we despise having done to us.  Giving someone attention that clearly does not deserve it, chasing them and in turn, hurting someone who desired us.  It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s reality.  Forget about the coward who does not make an effort and let everything else fall into place.  Remember, you are a woman, you are beautiful and you have as much power as you allow yourself to have. Keep your head high, your heart open and proceed with caution.

Reflection: Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving approaching, it’s imperative to remember what you are thankful for.  It’s difficult to get past the mundane schedule and stressful work week.  Take ten minutes out of your day, take some time to yourself, sit back and reflect.  Write down 10 things that you are thankful for.  Not only will this showcase the real meaning of Thanksgiving but it will also put into perspective what is truly important in your life and aid you in remembering what your purpose is.

10 Things I’m Thankful For

10. A career. Yes, it is hard to say that you are thankful for your job, even if you cannot stand waking up every morning and marching into the office at 8 AM with a cup of coffee in your hand to a place that completely and utterly disgusts you.  But in one of the worst economies since the Great Depression, it is a blessing in disguise.  At least you are employed and can provide for yourself.  Consider yourself very fortunate.

9.  My pups. It is true. Dogs are a man’s (or woMAN’s) best friend.  What an incredible companion to have beside you.  They love you unconditionally through the good, the bad and the ugly.  Even if you walk into the house and have had the worst day of your life, they are sitting there awaiting your arrival with a wagging tail.  Surely these animals are the best thing you could possibly ask for.

8.  My Education. I know, a little corny.  But I am thankful that I made it four whole years in college and earned the degree that I’ve always wanted.  Definitely one of my proudest accomplishments in life thus far.

7.  My Senses. I can hear, smell, speak, feel and see.  What more can I say?  We take these for granted.  What an amazing gift that we should all be thankful for.

6.  My Best Friends & BF. My friends and bf keep me sane.  If I didn’t have them, who would I be?  Who would I vent to?  Who would I turn to?  Who would I confide in?  I love all of them very much and could not ask for better true blues.

5.  Music, Art, Writing & Drawing. I have categorized these together because they are all forms of an outlet.  When I’m upset, I turn on the iPod and unwind.  Drawing and writing are my escape.  If I can’t say what I feel aloud, I know that I can at least write it down.  Drawing relaxes and destresses me.  Looking at art is peaceful and serene.  It can be interpreted in any way, totally in the eyes of the beholder, and that is a beautiful thing because there is not much out there that you can do this with.

4.  The Necessities- Food, Water and a Roof Over My Head. More simple things in life that we do not regularly think about but completely necessary to function and live.

3.  Fashion. To each his own, but fashion is my number one passion and I highly respect the art of it.  It defines me and that in itself is important.

2. Happiness. There are times when I think that I can’t handle another day on this planet, but the truth of the matter is, it is normal to feel this way.  In general, I am happy with my life and the way things are going.  It’s always refreshing to look on the bright side and remember why you are doing what you are doing…for complete and utter bliss.  Isn’t that the ultimate prerogative anyway?  To be happy?  At any rate, that is my M.O. and I am going to pursue my happiness and will go to all lengths to achieve this.

1.  Family. This always has been and will always be my top priority and the one thing that I am the most thankful for.  These people brought me on this earth, raised me and are my backbone and support system.  They are the main reason that I live each day.