"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."
-Robert Frost
5 Minute Happiness Boosters
Smile at a complete stranger, a big, goofy, I'm glad to see you kind of smile.Their reactions alone will make you laugh.
Spin around in a circle while staring at the ceiling. Spin until you fall down. Enjoy the rush like you did when you were 5.
Really listen to the world around you. Listen to the birds chirping and children laughing. Let the fact that you are alive wash over you and envelope you in happiness.
Make a crazy bet that you have no prayer of winning. Come up with a plan to beat the odds and prove everyone wrong.
Move in a different way. Skip instead of walk. Jump instead of climbing. Just change up your body movements-have fun with it.
Beauty Essentials I Can't Do Without
Dry shampoo- Perfect for days when you just don't feel like doing the blow-out thing. It keeps you hair light weight and smelling fresh. My favorite is Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo.
Witch hazel- No need for expensive toner if you use this stuff. It's only a dollar and change at the drug store and I really believe it's what has kept my skin clear all these years. Look for it in the same aisle as rubbing alcohol.
Covergirl Lash Blast- Finally a mascara that does what it's meant to! People constantly ask me if I'm wearing fake eyelashes (nope!) because it works so good. There's even a waterproof version for beach days :)
Nivea Creme- This product is meant to be used anywhere but I like using it as a foot cream because it's so thick and moistuizing. It smells nice too! It lasts forever as well which is another plus.
Aloe baby wipes- I buy generic store brand aloe baby wipes to use as makeup removers and they work amazingly. So cheap and so much more economical than expensive brand name makeup remover pads.
Blistex Lip Medex balm- It tingles , just the way I like it. And that's all I have to say about that!
Loreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner- For those of you who are challenged in the art of applying liquid eyeliner like myself, this product is a god send. This eye pencil has the look of liquid eyeliner, but is 1000x easier to apply. And there's no mess which is a miracle in itself. I don't know how I ever lived without this!
John Frieda Weather Works by Frizz-Ease- This is a weather proofing style sealant creme that is a curly haired girl's best friend. My curly hair definitely hates staying straight in the summer, but this stuff keeps it in line. While my hair is no match for the most humid of days, Weather Works comes damn close to perfection.
A little bit of sunshine- I'm not suggesting you bake yourself in the sun, but a little glow never hurt anyone. Everyone looks better with a tan! If you are anti-sun then might I suggest St. Tropez tanning spray? Victoria Beckham has admitted to using it!
Secret Fresh Effects deodorant in Cucumber Aloe- Let me tell you, I have tried every (clinical strength) deodorant and nothing has even come close to this one. It's an invisible solid so it won't get on your clothes. And it keeps me fresh alllll day. I love it! And pray daily that it never gets discontinued . . .
bareMinerals Foundation- This powder goes on so smoothly that it looks like you are wearing nothing. It's important, as with any foundation, to match your skin tone though. Too much of the wrong color can leave you looking scary (I speak from experience!).
Enjoy beautifying yourselves my loves!
Weekly To-Do List: August 17, 2009
Last week my goals were:
- At least start taking pictures of clothing to upload on website
- Look at 1 new apartment in person
- Reassess my 101 Things list
- Do Yoga at least 3 times
- Finish book
- Write a guest post to generate traffic
This week, my goals are completely different and way more fun. They are:
- Book a flight to Florida
- Post some videos on Youtube (and cross it off my 101 list)
- Create a Super Happy twitter account
- Add some pictures to Super Happy
- Have a "spa night" where I pamper myself
- Buy 1 new outfit
I've planned a Delray Beach/Miami trip with my friends and all I need to do is book the flight! Can't wait :). I'd also like to really focus on getting Super Happy out there and I think Twitter is a great way to do this. And it's definitely time for some r&r- mmmm relaxing.
So that's my to-do list- we'll see how it goes!
Ciao bellas <3
Motivation
Why are we so motivated to do some things, and so lazy when it comes to others? I've always said that it is easier to stay motivated when you actually want to do something. That may seem obvious but it's important to remember. It was my choice to stop drinking, therefore I've become almost competitive with myself about it. I know that eating healthy is good for me, but I enjoy eating and food and don't necessarily want to stop. I just know I should be.
I suppose the biggest challenge then, is changing thoughts to actually desire doing a task.Focusing on the outcome clearly isn't enough for me, there has to be more to why I want to eat healthier. I think a great way to spark that desire is thinking about what your actions will do for others.If I start to focus on how cruelly animals are treated in factory farms, I'm almost certain I would have the strong desire to become a vegetarian. In fact, that's exactly what I intend to do.
It may seem kind of extreme but finding something that horrifies us may be the only way to truly inspire that desire to change. For smokers, it may not be enough to see pictures of what smoking does to your lungs. Maybe talking to someone who is actually going through that though would change your thinking. My hope would be that most people don't need to focus on negativity to feel motivated, you know I'm all about positivity. But the reality is, sometimes it takes a harsh truth to move a person into action. And I believe that's okay.
Once you have that desire and have begun on your journey, maintaining motivation may become your next biggest challenge. My best advice is to continually remind yourself of why you started in the first place. Keep that desire fresh in your mind and change the way you are doing things if they don't work. If I am sick of eating salads every day, I will have to work harder to create foods that don't make me feel as if I am depriving myself. It will not always be easy, but you have to believe that something good will result from it, if it hasn't already.
One last thing to consider about motivation is getting support for your efforts. An alcoholic clearly shouldn't be surrounding themselves with drinkers, they should be around people who will encourage and support their desire to quit drinking! Again obvious, but just as important . Explain to others why you are motivated and ask for support from friends and family, no matter how small a task may seem. People respond well to determination-it is such an uplifiting and desirable quality to have. If you are in a situation where your immediate circle is more derogatory than helpful, you may need to reach out to people you don't neccesarily know (like a Weight Watcher's group for example). These programs exist for a reason, there's no need to be embarrassed by them! Some people just do not have the support they need at home, and there's nothing wrong with that. Don't be afraid to seek support to stay motivated!
At the end of the day, motivation truly takes perserverence. To be motivated is to be strong willed. So never give up. Even when you fall down, get back up and try again. Remember that motivation can not only change your life, but the world!
Dance Playlist
- DJ Tiesto- (Late Night Alumumni) Empty Streets
- Kaskade- Move For Me
- Kaskade- Step One Two
- Shiny Toy Guns- You Are The One
- The Knife-Heartbeats (Rex the Dog Remix)
- MGMT- Electric Feel (Justice Remix)
- Flanders- Behind (Callea Mix)
- The Presets- This Boy's In Love
- Cansei de Ser Sexy- This Month, Day 10
My 101 Things
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
I have been doing this since November 4, 2008 and my end date is August 2, 2011 and I've already completed around 18 tasks! I have included my list in the sidebar of this site so you can continually see my progress as the project goes on. Hope you guys enjoy doing this as much as I do . . it's so much fun! It really pushes you to think of where you want your life to go in the next 2.75 years. I am already creating a bigger and better list for when I finish this one! Have you created one of these already? How are you doing with it? I want to hear everything!
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
I have been doing this since November 4, 2008 and my end date is August 2, 2011 and I've already completed around 18 tasks! I have included my list in the sidebar of this site so you can continually see my progress as the project goes on. Hope you guys enjoy doing this as much as I do . . it's so much fun! It really pushes you to think of where you want your life to go in the next 2.75 years. I am already creating a bigger and better list for when I finish this one! Have you created one of these already? How are you doing with it? I want to hear everything!
Have fun with this my dears-I know I will!
PS- I have already reassessed my list and I'm pretty much happy with everything that I have on it. It's important to remember though that it's OK to change a few goals if you realize you don't really want to do them anymore. Just make sure you push yourself throughout the challenge, that's the point of it- to encourage yourself to try new things and become the person you want to be. Always scary, but exhilarating in the end :).
Universal Truths
"A clear and focused mind will last a lifetime. Getting your mind in shape is nothing less than the key to sustainable success in the world."
-Russell Simmons
Weekly To-Do List: August 10, 2009
My goals for this week:YAt least start taking pictures of clothing to upload on website
YLook at 1 new apartment in person
YReassess my 101 Things list
YDo Yoga at least 3 times
YFinish book
YWrite a guest post to generate traffic
So you'll notice 4 things on my list are similar to last week. I added them again because I REALLY want to accomplish them! I've also added looking for a new apartment in person as well as reassessing my 101 Things in 1001 Days list. I'll write more about this list soon- for now check out the website to discover what it is all about!!
Determined to accomplish everything on this list this week, or at the very least work hard at chipping away at it. Have fun living your life!
Getting "Unstuck"
The truth is though, that I firmly believe that life is what we make it. Blaming things on the universe is silly, because the universe responds to your actions, thoughts and desires! What this means for me personally is that it's time to take a long hard look at what I've been doing and determine how I got "stuck" in my current situation, and what I can do now to change it.
Here are a list of my excuses for different problems I've been facing and new solutions I've come up with to solve them. My steps are to 1) identify the problem 2) list the excuses for not being able to get around the problem and 3) analyze and break down excuses, come up with new solutions for getting around the problem. . .
Problem #1: I can't find a suitable apartment for my boyfriend and I.
Excuse: All of the apartments we find on Craigslist either look too small, have a broker's fee or do not want couples renting from them.
Solution: It strikes me right away how limiting my excuses are. I'm writing off decent apartments before I even see them in person. Size can only be determined in the flesh. I need to trust that if we really love the apartment, we will find the money for a broker's fee. And to combat the couple's issue- I should be asking people I know if they have heard of any apartment openings. Need to open my mind more to this area for sure.
Problem #2: Have been stuck in my current job which I do not enjoy.
Excuse: I have gone on other interviews, but they never work out. I can't seem to figure out what I want to do with my career. The economy is bad and I'm not finding any suitable job offers because of it.
Solution: The truth is, the fact that I don't know what I really want to do is what's holding me back, not the economy! Quite honestly my dream would be to own a blog that inspires and uplifts people, while also sustaining a steady income from it. That is going to require more hard work on my part, not pointless job interviews! I would however like to gain experience in event planning and/or hospitality. Since I have no experience in the field per se, I should probably be focusing on getting more education first before blindly applying to random jobs. This dilemma is going to take time to resolve properly, and I will just have to accept that! Also, while I don't love my job right now, I need to adjust my attitude about it and find things about it that I can use for my own personal benefit. For example, they offer tuition reimbursement, so I should really be looking into that for the education I would like! I also need to start tuning in to what I love about my current/previous jobs so I can start to understand where my strengths, weaknesses and interests lie. It'll help me make better career decisions moving forward.
Problem #3: My personal fitness and healthy eating habits no longer exist- I feel SO unhealthy.
Excuse: I get up at 5 am to get ready for work and usually don't get home till 7:30 pm or later every night. I am too tired to exercise, I'd rather be doing something (like blogging!) that interests me and makes me feel accomplished personally. Also, I hate to exercise in the house when my parents are home. It is frustrating. I eat bad because I feel like I have already lost all control over my health.
Solution: Ok so obviously my excuses are SILLY. Exercising IS a personal accomplishment! One that I know deep down will make me feel great. I will have to create a schedule that allows me to exercise and have nights off to do other activities. It is ok if this leaves me with little freedom for spontaneous activities at the moment, I am trying to avoid going out excessively anyway because I am a) trying to save money and b) abstaining from alcohol. Having this fitness routine will help me to avoid potential situations that may be harmful to those goals. As far as eating, I will admit it's hard to eat healthy when you sit in an office all day. I will have to stock up my desk with healthy snacks that I can munch on instead of garbage like chocolate. From this second forward I will NOT eat chocolate, cake or ice cream again until I get back on track and can control my eating!
These are really my three main priorities at the moment. Writing them out like this really helped me to think everything through and realize how ridiculous all of my excuses sound. I am definitely going to do this with any problems I am facing in the future! The great thing about it is that it can pretty much work for anything- relationships, home life, etc. It may also be helpful for you all to change up scenery whenever you are feeling stuck in your situations. Go on a trip, shake up your daily routine, talk to new people, be spontaneous. Doing something out of the ordinary will give you insight into others ways of doing things that you may have never thought of before. It is important to stay inspired when looking for the path to change. Open yourself to new ideas and opinions. It may be just the thing you need to take that first step.
Do you have different ways of getting through difficult situations? What do you use to help you make big life decisions?
Weekly To-Do List RECAP: August 3, 2009
As a reminder, my goals this week were:
YDo my new MTV Yoga dvd at least 3 times
YFinish my book (Do You! by Russell Simmons)
YFind the furniture I am going to buy for my room makeover
YPlan out a weekly menu to get back on track with healthy eating
YTakes photos of all my clothing and post on Closet Couture
YWrite a guest post to generate traffic to my blog
Well I wish I had better news for this post but the truth is this week got insane and I pretty much got NOTHING done on my to do list. I managed to do half on my yoga dvd once, am about 3/4 of the way done with my book, did not find any furniture I like yet, did not get even close to photographing all of my clothing, did not plan out a menu for the week and did not write a guest post yet.
This is all because my boyfriend unfortunately dislocated his knee and has been out of commission the entire week. I have taken on the role of Nurse Alyss and have had no time to do this stuff. I do consider the week a success though for a few reasons . . .
1. While it wasn't under the best circumstances, I FINALLY got to spend a mini vacation with my boyfriend (who is such a hard worker that he refuses to take his vacation days!)
2. My boyfriend and I discovered our new favorite show, HBO's "East Bound and Down". I love everything about this show. It is amazing. Watch it!
3. I came up with some great post ideas - now i just have to write them!
4. I have come to the realization that it is time to start going to the gym again. I'm feeling motivated!
5. Finally sent out invites for an event I'm hosting in late August. Should be a good time!
I'll post my new goals tomorrow. Hopefully I will accomplish much more next week. I never consider not finishing a task a failure though. It just means I was busy living my life the way it was supposed to happen ! TTYT loves :).
I Heart...Vegas!
I've decided that I'd like to have a weekly post that shares and celebrates the things I enjoy most with you-whether it be a person,place,thing or quote. It doesn't matter. All gratitude is good for the soul no matter what it's about!
This week, I'm loving Las Vegassss. I went in April for the first time and I ADORED it. So much in fact that I dream about living there someday! Upon telling my brother this fact he said, and I quote, "Alyss, your crazy. Vegas is so flashy." To which I replied, "Why are you suprised by this? My favorite movie when I was little was Gypsy!" (It's true. My mother allowed me to watch a movie about a stripper 8,000 times at the tender age of 8. But then again, I suppose Bette Midler does have that power over moms doesn't she?)
ANYWAY back to Vegas. So I had the most amazing time there with 3 of my girlfriends. We met a promoter within the first 30 minutes we were there and he turned out to be our fairy godfather the entire trip. We did not pay to get into one club, nor did we have to wait on any lines. We also got free tables and bottle service at every club. He hooked us up BIG time. If you are ever in Vegas, roam the streets screaming "Haas! Where are you?!" I'm quite sure he will magically appear from within the crowd of tourists and hooker cards flying about. He's that good. And btw- the promoters get paid to bring "pretty" girls into the clubs. So if you are with a group of all girls, you've got it made! They do all this for free, no harassment, no catch.
I also must mention the hotel we stayed at- the MGM Grand. I'll admit all the hotels there are amazing, but ours was fun, huge and just generally spectacular. Our room was the cleanest I've ever been in. It was just absolutely amazing all the way through.
Below is a list of some of the places we went. Have you been to Vegas? What did you think of it?
Oh Vegas . . . may the stars bring us back together VERY soon. Y
Wet Republic Pool @ MGM hotel
Body English nightclub @ Hard Rock hotel
Tao restaurant & nightclub @ Ventian hotel
8 Ways to Create Good Karma
Have you ever done something somewhat immoral that came back to bite you in the ass? THAT'S karma. Karma is the belief that you get what you give in this world. If you project hate, you'll manifest it in your life. If you laugh at others misfortunes, you'll be plagued with your own. The law of karma is powerful and it never fails. Whether it takes hold in this life or your next, karma will always catch up in the end.
It may sound sinister, but in actuality its a great thing. If you are a good person and make good decisions, you will live a rewarding life. And I truly believe that. I've read a lot about the topic and understand what a controversial one it is. There are many situations where karma is hard to believe in, such as tragedy. However, philosophers believe that while a victim of such a tragedy may have done good things in this life , it is probably repayment for a deed done in a past life that must be confronted. See- sooner or later, it all catches up.
I won't get into the beliefs about karma and reincarnation much more here, because its an extensive topic that must be read up on. I'm not trying to express my views, just present a common belief among many people worldwide. If you'd like to read into reincarnation further, I suggest taking out some books from a library on the topic. I started exploring this subject after I read "Marilyn Monroe Returns: The Healing of a Soul" by Adrian Finkelstein, a regression hypnotherapist who discusses his patient, Sherrie Lea Laird, a woman who thinks she is the reincarnated soul of Marilyn Monroe. It was interesting, partly because I am OBSESSED with Marilyn Monroe, and partly because the possibility of reincarnation is so appealing to me. While reincarnation is definitely tied into the notion of karma, I'd like to steer clear of it here, at least for now.
Instead, let's now focus on ways we can generate good karma. There are little things you can do everyday that will add up over time. Not only will you secure your place in good standing with the universe, but you will feel the love return in so many ways! Put some of these ideas into practice immediately and see where life takes you . . .
1.Smile at everyone you meet- You never know who you'll meet again another day, or in another life time. Be pleasant!
1.Smile at everyone you meet- You never know who you'll meet again another day, or in another life time. Be pleasant!
2.Let things go- People aren't perfect and chances are you'll need someone to forgive you at some point. Remember, you get what you give. Be understanding.
3.Never take things for granted- Realize that everything you have is a gift from the universe. It could all disappear tomorrow. Savor even the little luxuries in your life.
4.Treat others with respect- This means EVERYONE. Even your waiter who got your order wrong 3 times. Even the guy who road raged out on you on the highway. They are still people that deserve respect and consideration. Everyone has a bad day now and then!
5.Express gratitude- Reflect daily on how grateful you are for the things you have accomplished, acquired, etc. Thank the universe for helping you connect with the people that were meant to be in your life and for the experiences you were meant to have. Express gratitude for every little thing. There will always be people with more than you and a lot less than you. Be thankful you are YOU.
6.Follow your heart- This is a big one. Your entire purpose of being is carried from one life to the next and your inner self knows, deep deep down, what it is you need to do in every situation. You just have to stop long enough to listen to it. It will not fail you.
7.Practice being selfless- Be a part of something that is bigger than yourself. Volunteer, surprise strangers and friends alike with small tokens and gifts, share your knowledge. Do things for others, without thinking about your self.
8.Be the person that you would like to spend the rest of your life with- I heard this once and it is so true. Would you want to spend your life with someone who complained constantly, nagged everyone and generally spread malicious gossip every chance they had? Of course not! Do not be that person. Be the best version of yourself! The one that you would want to spend every waking moment with. The universe will hear you and provide you with more of the same.
