Monday, November 22, 2010

Single for the holidays?

Did you know that November has the highest brake-up rate out of all of the months of the year?  Some speculate that it's the gloomy weather, others think it's that the holidays are fast approaching & people decide this month if they really want to spend the holidays with their current significant other.   

It's argued that a partner will wait to end the relationship (if the couple makes is through November) until after the new year so they don't have to spend the holidays alone.  Family holiday functions alone, Christmas parties without a date, no significant other to exchange Christmas presents with & no NYE kiss does sound pretty brutal, I admit, but doesn't the thought of dragging on a relationship you know it's going anywhere sound even worse?  

Seems as though everyone I know is having relationship woes this month (Coincidence?).  Talking to a girlfriend today, she was telling me about her current relationship that she knows isn't going anywhere.  He's much older, parties too much, isn't finically responsible & has commitment issues (I can't even count all the red flags).  Even though she's well aware that this isn't going anywhere, she continues to spend all of her free time with him because she has fun with him, & likes the affection & company.  

FUN doesn't get you a long term, happy, healthy relationship, sister.  I think that most girls are guilty of doing this, too.  We're so scared to be alone that we stay with losers?  Think about this…

Every party, function, bar, club, etc. you go to with your current guy… you're giving up the opportunity to talk to someone amazing who potentially could be the right one for you.  Maybe going to that holiday party single doesn't sound like a bad idea after all…



Thursday, November 18, 2010

How to Invite ALL Facebook Friends to a Group, Event or Page



Ever have an event or a page you want to let all of your friends know about?  Facebook doesn't allow you to invite all your friends at once, so this can be quite the task.  UNTIL NOW.   Follow the easy steps below & inviting all of your friends takes seconds, not hours.
  • Go to event, group or page & click "invite friends"
  • Once page has loaded, copy & paste code below in address bar:
javascript:elms=document.getElementById('friends').getElementsByTagName('li');for(var fid in elms){if(typeof elms[fid] === 'object'){fs.click(elms[fid]);}}
  • Then, press "enter" & all of your friends should be highlighted! 

This simple URL has saved me a lot of time & grief.  Happy to share it & hope it works for you, as well :)

LOVE?


"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two." 

Sunday, November 14, 2010

"She was a girl who knew how to be happy even when she was sad. And that’s important—you know " - Marilyn Monroe




My favorite photo of Marilyn Monroe.  Shot for Vogue, six weeks before her death at age 36. For one brief moment, the "Marilyn" mask slips off before the camera & you catch a glimpse of the real woman.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

A not so gentle reminder…

Fuurrrrr




Dear Southern California,

Oh how I love thee!  However, there is one small negative aspect about living in such a non-diverse climate.  Winter coats!  It was 80 degrees today.  In November.  Thus, making it impossible for me to justify purchasing the amazing coat shown above.   I want.  Badly.  A small cold spell would be greatly appreciated so that I can wear this bad boy out on the town (not too cold though, I am from California, ya know).  

Faux fur coat by Free People.  

"Nothing tastes as good as thin feels" - Kate Moss





LOVE her.  <3

Why Men Love BITCHES


I am a firm believer that all women should read this book.  I've purchased many copies over the last few years & given it to girlfriends who are in a bad relationship or having self esteem issues.   This book literally changed how I viewed dating & relationships, as I was once TOO NICE.  Now, I understand that men love the chase & you are a prize.  When you shower him with affection instantly & are too available, you're no longer the viewed as a prize in his eyes.  Make him work for everything you give him & he'll cherish everything he's receives.  

Some of my favorite principles:

Attraction Principle #3: A woman is perceived as offering a mental challenge to the degree that a man doesn’t feel he has a 100% hold on her.
Attraction Principle #8: The biggest variable between a bitch and a woman who is too nice is fear. The bitch shows that she’s not afraid to be without him.
Attraction Principle #15: Whenever a woman requires too many things from a man, he’ll resent it. Let him give what he wants to give freely; then observe who he is.
Attraction Principle #20: He must feel that you choose to be with him, not that you need to be with him. Only then will he perceive you as an equal partner.
Attraction Principle #33: When you cater to his ego in a soft way, he doesn’t try to get power in an aggressive way.
Attraction Principle #36: The token power position is for public display, but the true power position is for private viewing only. And this is the only one that matters.
Attraction Principle #50: The nice girl gives away too much of herself when pleasing him regularly becomes more important than pleasing herself.
Attraction Principle #52: When you nag, he tunes you out. But when you speak with your actions, he pays attention.
Attraction Principle #77: You have to show that you won’t accept mistreatment. Then you will keep his respect.
Attraction Principle #100: The most attractive quality of all is dignity.


Sweet Sweat



Burn 600 calories in less than an hour?  Without working out?  Yes please!  Sweet Sweat in Costa Mesa uses infrared technology in their state-of-the-art saunas that helps your body detoxify, raise immunity, and burn calories.  Not only are these saunas good for your insides, but they also give your skin a healthy glow & make you feel great.  

BONUS: The Costa Mesa location is having a promotion, when you sign an annual contract, a monthly membership only costs you $59.   

Friday, November 12, 2010

For the love of lavender!


Some may say that this color is not so wintery… but I think it's winter fresh!  Anything lavender i'm in LOVE with.  It all started with a lavender vinaigrette salad dressing at work & now i'm on a mission to try all things lavender...  Including polish.  

China Glaze- Light as Air.  

WAY better than a LBD…





If I were more selfish, i'd keep this secret obsession of mine all to myself.  But, since there are plenty of amazing dresses to go around, I feel as though it is my obligation to make sure all of my girlfriends are styled out with AMAZING party dresses.  Lipsy London (a UK brand) has finally made it's debut in the states & can be found at Bloomingdales in SCP.  My advice would be to go check out these dresses, try a few on, reserve some self control to not buy every single dress (they're that cute), & remember what size worked for you in the store.  The sizes are a little different because they're UK & you'll want to know your exact size for online shopping purposes in the future.

Now, when you have a party you want a fab dress for, you're one click away from being the best dressed girl at the party :)

Enjoy.  

http://www.lipsy.co.uk/

Pinot Envy…




A few weeks ago, my boyfriend & I took a trip up to Napa & Sonoma for the weekend.  Ever since, I have not been able to stop thinking about one vineyard we tasted at in particular.  The pinots at Moshin Vineyards were AMAZING.  Smokey & full flavored without being overpowering & too fruity… Mmm I think I may have to order a case :)

Can you say Christmas presents?  

Holiday Gems...



At work, i've been deemed to be the one to have all of the "creativity" & thus, anything that requires any level of taste or prettiness gets delegated to me.  I'm not complaining, in fact this is one of my favorite things about my job.  

One of my current "creative tasks" is to decorate for the upcoming holidays.  Traditional seems a tad bland to me, so i've decided to put a twist on the usual holiday decor & give a dash of the unexpected.  

I love the square wreath above made from magnolia leaves.  The little circle wreath below is made out of succulents (LOVE) & the pretty red one is made out of crab apples.  

I will be trying to re-create these wreaths.  Wish me luck!  

Another reason to love coffee…


A few weeks ago, the weather started to get crisp & cold & my skin decided to show it's dissatisfaction.   Between the cold wind chill & me cranking up the heater at night, a recipe for disaster skin ensued.   Not to mention that the thought of wrinkles could drive me into a full on quarter-life crisis;  I decided to put my researching skills into practice & find the best possible solution to my skin-care woes.  

Revale Skin has by far been the most amazing thing I have ever put on my face.  It's key ingredient, coffee berry extract has one of the highest antioxidant scores ever recorded & has been clinically proven to prevent & reduce the signs of aging.  These antioxidants help to fend off free radicals that cause cell damage and result in processes that lead to signs of aging.  This stuff also has SPF to protect my face from ultra-violet light & is super moisturizing for my dry winter skin.  

Tip:  Don't forget to put this stuff on your neck & chest, too! You'll thank me when you're 60.  
  

Kisses & Contracts

After a While


After a while you learn
The subtle difference between
Holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't always mean security.

And you begin to learn
That kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes ahead
With the grace of a woman
Not the grief of a child

And you learn
To build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is
Too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way
Of falling down in mid flight

After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers

And you learn
That you really can endure
That you are really strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn and you learn
With every good bye you learn.

Veronica A. Shoffstall