12 Goals for 2012

Here it is, March 12th already!  So, here's the update on my 2012 goals!
1.  WORKOUT REGULARLY... I am excited to report that I have finally canceled my old gym membership (although close to my apartment, I found that I never went after I got home).  I have recently joined the Boston Sports Club, it is only a block away from my work.  It makes it a lot easier to workout, I go there straight from work, therefore no excuses.  I just started last week, and I've already worked out three times.
2.  UNSUBSCRIBE... This goal is basically complete.  After the first few weeks of unsubscribing, it's great to only see the mail I want.
3.  TAKE A VACATION... As I mentioned in my last update, I went away for a few days to visit some of my friends in New Jersey.  I had four days off, it made all the difference in the world.  I felt so refreshed and revived afterward. 
4.  SLEEP IN MY BED... Still nothing!  The pro is one of my friends is moving in with her boyfriend, between them they have more televisions then needed so they are letting me have one for my bedroom, this should help.
5.  STAY CLUTTER FREE... I've remained pretty good with this goal.  I've had contractors coming in and out of my apartment, which has become a really good reason for staying clutter free.
6.  VOLUNTEER MORE... My work with the CCFA is going well.  I have sent out dozens of letters to local businesses asking for gift in kind donations.  Also, my friend Nicole (who is on the "Thomas' Tummy Tamers" team) and I are having a game night themed dinner party.  We are having in a "supper club" style of dinner, where everyone that comes is asked to make an anonymous donation.
7.  DRINK MORE WATER... Since I've been working out over the last week or so, I've done much better with drinking more water.  I normally have one liter a day.  Also, just yesterday I purchased soda for the first time this year.
8.  TAKE MY VITAMINS... Alright here's the truth, I take my vitamins about 70% of the time.  But, I'm doing better than I used too.
9.  LEARN FRENCH... There are some people that I know that learn languages, and other people that struggle with it.  I struggle with it.  Hopefully by my next update I'll be doing better.
10.  SELF TAN... Ick!  I'm so pale right now.  Thankfully Boston is starting to get it's first days of spring-like weather, which is just the push I need to get into the self tanning routine.
11.  OPEN MY MAIL... I've been able to keep this up.  I'll admit I have a small stack of unopened mail, but much better then the stack of mail I used to have back in 2011.
12.  WEAR MORE SKIRTS & DRESSES... I normally wear a dress about once a week or so.  Now that the weather is getting nicer, it is going to get harder to keep this up... making it even more important for me to self tan.

Five Things

One of my favorite things to find out about in magazines and blogs is other peoples lists of things they like, so I decided to share with you five of my favorite beauty products.  For this list I tried to pick items that aren't too expensive, and many of you may not have tried before.
1.  The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask - $22.00
I worked at The Body Shop for a while in college and this was one of the few items that I have kept going back to purchase.  It works well on the occasional breakouts, and it has a great cooling feeling.
2.  Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiant Skin Gradual Tan Moisturizer - $9.99
It's no secret that I enjoy self tanning.  Throughout my years of experimentation with different self tanning products this one has become one of my favorites.  Since it is a gradual tanner is helps to keep dark spots, and orange skin.  I use this one on my legs leading up to weddings.
3.  Bath & Body Works Midnight Pomegranate Hand Cream - $10.00
Since I work with the public, live in a city, and am constantly on the go I wash my hands a lot throughout the day.  To keep my hands from drying out I like to use this hand cream, it has a light fruity scent, and isn't too oily compared to others.
4.  MAC Prep & Prime Lip - $15.00
My dear friend Megan is engaged to a man that just happens to work for the company that makes my favorite makeup, MAC.  On one of my visits with them, he gave me this product and I've been hooked ever since.  I have had many of my friends ask how I get my lip color to stay throughout the day, this product is the answer.  I start with MAC Prep & Prime, then lipstick, then a little gloss.
5.  Sally Hansen Pumice Foot Polish, Lavender - $6.42
Since I work on my feet all day they take a beating.  Using this product weekly helps to feet my feet smooth and from getting too rough.
*Bonus Tips* There is almost always coupons for Nivea lotions in the Sunday paper.  Sally Hansen coupons can also be found in the paper, or in magazines.  The Body Shop puts out Groupons a few times a year, keep an eye out for these so you can stock up.

No Single Should Be Without...

Although transportation home seems like something everyone needs, it is extra important for a single girl.  It is always important for a single girl to make sure she has a safe way to get home.  When you are single you often have nights that take you all over the city, so it is important to ensure you never rely on others to get you back to your apartment. 
In Boston, the T is the cheapest way to get around town.  It is my preferred form of travel, but unfortunately the T stops running at around 12:30 (depending on the line), so it is extra important to save some of your cash from your night out for cab fare.  Anytime I go out for a night that I know is going to be a late night out I put the cash needed for cab fare in my back pocket to ensure I will not use it on drinks or cover charges. 
Since after last call cabs are hard to get, I always try to hop in a cab in the middle of the street so they can't say "no I'm not going there" and drive away.  Everyone seems to have their own way, and special location in town for getting a cab after 2AM, my tip find your own way, it's fun trying.  Also, if your cab drive attempts to drive extra slow just to get extra money from you, don't be afraid to speak up.  This is your place you are going too, so tell them the fastest way, and if you want them to drive faster let them know how much cash you have.... "I have $18 it's either going into the cab fare, or towards your tip, if your want a good tip please drive faster".

What's In... My Closet

With much thanks to my dear friend, Dani this is the start of a new series of blog posts called "What's In".  I will share with you different areas of my home and life.  First, is my closet.  I know at first look it looks like a big mess, but it's actually pretty organized.  Anyone that lives in a city (particularity an old city) can tell you, closet space is tough to find.  Thankfully I live on my own.  So the two closets in my apartment are all mine.

The above closet is my "coat closet", which is located in the living space of my apartment.  I use this closet for all of my holiday decorations, wrapping paper, vacuum, tools, clothes, and all those other little extras.  I have two large canvas file boxes on the top shelf to store all of my handbags.  I adore my handbags, so I wish I could have them someplace that I could see them all, and switch styles more often.  This closet all stores all of my formal dresses, suits, coats, jackets, and blazers.  On the inside of the door, I have all of my hats (mostly different styles of Red Sox baseball hats), fingerless gloves (I refuse to ever wear gloves that have fingers), and of course all of my scarfs.

Now for my bedroom closet.  From left to right:
- Scarfs & Belts
- Going Out Shirts
- Button Ups
- Work Pants
- Non-Denim Casual Pants
- Denim
- Dresses
I use the inside of my closet door to hang my go-to cozy lounge wear, my blow dryer, and pajamas.

I'll be the first to admit it, my shoe collection is larger then most people I know.  In my old apartment in the suburbs I was spoiled with two bedroom closets, one of which I used as a shoe closet.  The top shelf is full of all of my designer, and delicate shoes (the silver bin is used for my extra bed sheets).  What can I say, pretty shoes just make me happy.  I've been known to toss on a pair of pretty heels while I cook or clean, even when paired with sweatpants amazing heels always make me feel sexy.

More shoes on the outside of my closet door.  I put off getting one of these to hold my shoes, but as you can see I have more shoes then space.

And finally, MORE SHOES!  The floor of my closet is filled with all of my boots.  I also stacked up two crates on the floor for additional storage.  I use the bottom one for all my sneakers (since I don't wear them very often), and the top one for all of my flip flops (99% of which are Havaianas, my favorite).

12 Goals for 2012

How am I doing with my 12 goals for 2012?  I'll be honest, some better than others. 
1.  WORKOUT REGULARLY.... I have yet to work one even once!  I know it's really bad.  But, please if anyone has any tips on how they be on their feet all day at work and then still seem to workout PLEASE let me know!
2.  UNSUBSCRIBE... I've been doing really good with this one.  I can't tell you how nice it is to check my email and half of the number emails then I used to have.
3.  TAKE A VACATION... I am going away for a little weekend this coming weekend, I am looking forward to catching up with some friends, and getting out of town for a few days to recharge my batteries.
4.  SLEEP IN MY BED... Why is this so difficult for me?  I've still been sleeping on the sofa every night.
5.  STAY CLUTTER FREE... This has been great.  I've been so much better about taking a quick moment to hang up my clothes, and put them away.  To help I've added a small bookcase in my room with baskets for extra clothing storage.  This why after I do laundry there is enough room to put everything away.
6.  VOLUNTEER MORE... I've really been enjoying my volunteer work with the CCFA.  I'm looking forward to the Take Steps walk on June 2nd, and all the fun fundraiser projects I have planned leading up to the walk.
7.  DRINK MORE WATER... I have cut back a lot on my soda intake.  As I have been trying to drink more water and less soda, I have been drinking a lot of sparkling water (my favorite is with lime).
8.  TAKE MY VITAMINS.... I've doing good with this one.  It has also helped that I haven't skipped breakfast as much as I used too.
9.  LEARN FRENCH... Wow, French is a really hard lesson.  Whenever I sit down and work on my Rosetta Stone I think I'm doing pretty good, but my the next day I can hardly remember anything.  But I am getting better, I can remember words, but I'm still having a hard time at putting them together to make a sentence.
10.  SELF TAN... I've self tanned a little bit.  I've done a pretty nice job by using the Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiant Skin lotion, it very lightly and slowly tans your skin.  So it's great to use once every 3-4 days to keep from getting too pale in the winter months.
11.  OPEN MY MAIL... I would grade myself with an "A" for this one.  Compared to stack of junk mail that used to pile up at my door, there is nothing!  I have been great about separating out my junk mail on my way up the stairs in my building, and tossing it before I even take my coat off.
12.  WEAR MORE SKIRTS & DRESSES... I have been having a lot of fun with this one.  The great thing about dressing a bit cuter at work from time to time is that I don't hesitate as much as I used to about going out for a bit directly from work.  I used to ALWAYS insist on coming home to change first.

I will post another update next month.  Also, I promise to blog more this month!

No Single Should Be Without...

Welcome to a new series of blog postings!  "No Single Should Be Without..." is a fun suggestions for items that no single person should be without.  I discovered a fantastic grocery item, Ronzoni Pasta Portions.  Sometimes it seems silly to make pasta on a weeknight in by myself.  It can get a little tricky, most of the time I make more than I need for myself, and once the box is open it it takes a long time before I go back into the box.  Plus, I think we all have those times that the pasta box rips open and I end up wasting most of the box.  The joy of the Ronzoni Pasta Portions is that each box contains 3 small packages of boil in a bag pasta.  They are easy to prepare, only take 3 minutes to boil, and makes calorie counting simple (300 calories per pack).

12 Goals for 2012

Welcome to 2012!  Thanks to my wonderful friend Danielle I have come up with 12 goals for 2012, and will update all of you on my status of these goals on the 12th of every month!
1.  WORKOUT REGULARY
I'm good with working out once I get a routine going.  But the last time I had a good routine was in the spring of 2010.  This year I want to get back into the routine.
2.  UNSUBSCRIBE
I try not to give out my email address too often, but yet I still seem to get tons of junk email that I don't want.  But instead of unsubscribing to them, more often then not I simply delete them.  So this year, I'm going to unsubscribe.
3.  TAKE A VACATION
I'm great at taking a long weekend here or there, but I almost never go on a real vacation.  Although I have already planned to use some of my vacation time to go to the shore with my family, I am determined to go on a trip this year for ME.
4.  SLEEP IN MY BED
Ha, ha... No I'm not a slut, I stay in my apartment every night.  But I can't remember the last time I actually slept in my bed.  I have a habit of falling asleep in my living room every night.
5.  STAY CLUTTER FREE
This goes along with number four.  Every time I get ready to go out, I end up trying on a bunch of outfits and instead of putting away the outfits I don't wear I toss them on my bed, and end up putting them away once a week. 
6.  VOLUNTEER MORE
I always wanted to do as much as I could to help others, but I've realized I am not doing everything that I can.  I have decided to volunteer with the CCFA (The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America).  I have had crohn's since I was young so I'm well informed about the cause, and it is a cause that is close to my heart.  This is without question my single biggest goal for this year.  I've already done well starting with my volunteer work, I'll keep you updated as we go on throughout the year.
7.  DRINK MORE WATER
I'm a big caffeine addict, it starts with a coffee in the morning, a diet soda with lunch, and another at night.  The only water I ever seem to have is the ice from my iced coffee and soda.  I think cutting back on my caffeine will be tough, but if I can at least have more water I wouldn't feel quite as unhealthy.
8.  TAKE MY VITAMINS
I'm suppose to take vitamins everyday.  But over the last few months I've forgotten more often than not.
9.  LEARN FRENCH
Working for a French company, almost every email I receive for work is in French, and I don't know what any of it says.  It's even worse when I am on the phone with people from France, most of them know just enough English, and I don't know any French... it's pretty frustrating. 
10.  SELF TAN
Everyone that knows me knows I love self tanning lotion and spray tans.  But unless I have some type of event to prepare for I never keep up my faux tan.  But life should be enough of an event to be tan for.
11.  OPEN MY MAIL
Every night I come home from work, pick up my mail from my mail box, walk in the door, and toss my mail on my dining room table.  Then I go back once a week at the huge pile of mail and pick out the catalogs, toss them in the trash, pick out the bills and set them on my desk to be paid, anything else remaining stays sitting on my dining room table collecting dust.
12.  WEAR MORE SKIRTS & DRESSES
I love skirts and dresses.  So why don't I wear them more often?  It goes right along with number ten.  I am freakishly pale, so if my legs haven't been self tanned I don't feel comfortable in a skirt or a dress.