tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60039917475132849882024-02-19T00:10:35.682-05:00Ah-Ha!Savvy Chic for Girls with BrainsAh-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-8229515705560360992011-09-08T20:34:00.001-04:002011-09-08T20:35:19.692-04:00Change vs. Insanity<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyjBiOtbCh75rSdDDeqqON0DHpyWQVmpMOEJpM_Dg86fsk_kUV0CPsXpemMUxvC4MDYWZqqztP3ZB_qCRmNQjd-58S3nd-2r1cW2mnZfwm9ReD2T3rIvqVt-X70in1qxkQG8tK4y5miE/s1600/heaviest+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyjBiOtbCh75rSdDDeqqON0DHpyWQVmpMOEJpM_Dg86fsk_kUV0CPsXpemMUxvC4MDYWZqqztP3ZB_qCRmNQjd-58S3nd-2r1cW2mnZfwm9ReD2T3rIvqVt-X70in1qxkQG8tK4y5miE/s200/heaviest+2010.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas 2009 - 5'8" - 230 lbs, my heaviest weight</td></tr>
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Insanity is trying the same thing over and over again getting the same results but expecting change.<br />
Change is leaving behind what you've always done, leaving your comfort zone, and creating new habits.<br />
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I weight 214 lbs. I am 5'8" and I have "large bones" meaning that I am a big, tall girl.<br />
<br />
My boyfriend says I am beautiful. He touches me lovingly. He never says anything critical or judgmental. But he is very trim & fit & healthy. I shudder when I picture us sleeping next to each other. (My boyfriend weights 160ish and is 6' tall)<br />
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I am petrified to actually TRY to lose weight. I am literally sitting here on my bed, typing these words with tears in my eyes.<br />
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But after reading some inspiration blogs and after constantly wishing I would somehow magically lose weight while still wolfing down entire packages of peanut butter fudge, I have made myself face the cold hard truth. I am not going to lose weight or be healthy when I am eating the same way and NOT exercising, the same way.<br />
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I despise my body. I pretend to love it. And I don't.<br />
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I have always believed I couldn't lose weight. I put myself down constantly, and that must stop.<br />
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I CAN do anything I put my mind to. And just for kicks, even tho I'm not a practicing Christian, I can do anything with the strength Christ gives me.<br />
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I'm going upstairs to take some full-body shots, then I'm going to work out. I am going to do something active for at least 30 minutes, and hopefully 45 or more.<br />
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Afterwards, I will probably be extremely stressed & discouraged & tempted to get up in the morning & eat Reese's puffs for breakfast. But I am going to make a good effort. NO! I am going to BE healthy and make HEALTHY choices for my poor sick, weary body that needs my help.<br />
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Please please wish me luck. Here's to a terrifying new adventure.Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-29208041764984984332011-08-31T13:03:00.000-04:002011-08-31T13:03:11.108-04:00Science Nerd Hair Experiments!Every girl loves her lotions & potions, right? We have a thousand little bottles of hand creme, face creme, repairing moisturizing hair conditioner, clarifying shampoo, 2-in-1, shaving gel, 30 different kinds of Bath & Body Words scented lotions, and about 50 varying brands of perfumes.<br />
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I am a potion-lover. But my hair is not a potion-lover. It's been dyed & bleached & permed & scrunched & blow-dried mercilessly. I didn't really care & thought this was all just par for the course. Every woman does these things - if not more - for the sake of beautiful hair. Riiight??<br />
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I discovered all-natural hair care methods online yesterday, and I have been changed. My jug of 2in1 Pantene clarifying potion sits on my shower shelf, untouched. I washed my hair this morning with baking soda & water mixed together & poured on my scalp. Then I conditioned with a watered-down mix of apple cider vinegar. My hair? LOVES IT.<br />
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I am a makeup-lover. I wear makeup every day. Without it, I feel I look like a man. I love my mascara. I love my foundation. I love blush & bronzer. But my skin doesn't love it. Last night I washed my face with honey. YES HONEY! How weird is that? You put a dollop in your hands, rub them together (ewww sticky!!!) until the honey is warmed by the friction. Then you slap your hands on your face and rub all over to spread the warm honey onto your pores. <br />
<br />
I laughed at my self out loud as I was doing this in front of my bathroom mirror last night. My little remainders of pure, raw honey were just enough to cover my face. (I'll be buying more.) I used some olive oil on a cotton ball to dab at my eyes until my mascara was running down my face, then rotated the cotton ball, added more olive oil, and re-applied to the dirty mascara-smeared parts of my face. I let the honey sit for 5-10 minutes, then went back and washed it off. My face was soooo soft & not dried out, but perfectly balanced.<br />
<br />
The olive oil was a bit slimy and the residue stuck to my eyeballs, which was annoying. <br />
<br />
I've also taken to scrubbing my face with baking soda & water, then moisturizing with a dab of cocount oil (which warms on your skin & gets greasier as it does so).<br />
<br />
Anyway; so far I've LOVED my new "science nerd" beauty experiments! DIY and all-natural products are exciting to me right now. Spread the love!Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-34632349574383368092011-08-29T22:43:00.000-04:002011-08-29T22:43:22.038-04:00Fudge, fall, and filthy wh*resI am unabashedly fond of fudge. But not just any fudge; I have a particular affinity for peanut butter fudge. It is so good. And my local grocery store sells 1/2 lbs of it for $2.49. This is my weakness. And, unlike my very wise blog post previously, I am not strengthened by this weakness b/c I give in to it rather delightedly over and over again. :) More thoughts on that delicious fudge later (after I eat the last piece).<br />
<br />
Fall is rapidly approaching. Today's temps were in the low 60s, and I was cold both morning and night. It was very dark out...a cold kind of dark. Do you ever find that summer nighttime darkness is nothing like winter nighttime darkness? The dark in cold temperatures has a certain inkyness to it. Anyway. I digress. Fall is approaching. On Thursday, it will be September. Kids will go back to school (not me, sadly), and county fair season will be in full swing.<br />
<br />
My boyfriend bought me tickets to see Lady Antebellum at our local fair this weekend, but I am surprisingly not as stoked as I thought I would be. For me, Lady Antebellum isn't an excitement factor, but more of a deep, thoughtful, emotional factor. I was very fond of them when I was going through a messy break up, and have continued to love their music despite the connection. But their music doesn't get me all jacked up, so that is probably why I am not as hugely excited to see them this weekend. I am hoping it will be beautiful & romantic, as it most likely won't be a ragingly fun upbeat peppy crazy performance as wild as Weezer was at the fair last summer.<br />
<br />
The fair is always fun. Even if you have no money, it's still fun. You can stare at the unending hoardes of strange, weirdly-dressed people. You can smell all sorts of smells. You can view exhibits. And if you do have a little cash on hand, you can get some maple cotton candy and ride on the Ferris Wheel (two of Chris' and my favorite things at the Champlain Valley Expo).<br />
<br />
Chris and I looove the Tunbridge Vermont World's Fair. I discovered it in 2009 when I was with a different boyfriend, and despite the fact that he and I attended it the year before, I still enjoyed it when I returned the next year, this time with Chris (wow was that a run-on sentence?!). Chris and his family have been involved in the Tunbridge Fair for years, basically since Chris was little; but he hadn't been back to the fair for a few years, so it was a fun experience for us to go together last year. <br />
<br />
We rode on the tilt-a-whirl and took pictures of our first "no-teeth-kiss" together on the ferris wheel (inspired by the many toothless Vermonters, perhaps?). We heard his grandmother since with her award-winning lady's chorale, and we ate delicious piping hot apple crisp with a dab of cold, melting vanilla ice cream. <br />
<br />
The best thing about the Tunbridge Fair is the location & the weather. Both years I have been, the sky has been crisp clear blue, and the sun is just warm enough to make you feel comfortable but not hot enough to need short sleeves. The colors of the fair carnies and vendors are vibrant, and the foliage on the surrounding Vermont mountains is too, but in a more beautiful, surreal way.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I am looking forward to fall and the foliage and fairs. I would rather have another month or 3 of summer (it's been a wet one here in Vermont), but I guess when you can't beat 'em you join 'em...so I guess I will give into the yummy cider-scented candle craze, start fantasizing about sweaters and pie and crunchy fall leaves. *sigh<br />
<br />
On a totally different and random note! My mother who is divorced and recently single after a semi-long-term dating relationship has recently met a great guy. I at first was not a fan, admittedly. I was a bit embarrassed of / for my mother that she should be dating AGAIN and still have no balance to her flighty bopping about with said various men to various un-motherly things such as concerts and motorcycle rides and nights spent *gasp* sleeping with him. But I begrudgingly accepted the fact that, yes, it was time to be friendly and welcoming to another strange man (there really haven't been many, it's just a weird sensation to me...as even when she was married, my father wasn't even that involved), and I was delightfully surprised to find that this new "beau", Tim, is freakin' awesome!!<br />
<br />
He is a biker dude. But he wears little round spectacle glasses. And he works on computers. So he is a self-proclaimed (somewhat) computer nerd. He speaks well and reads well. He and his daughters have a great sense of humor & wit. And all together, my mom, Tim, his daughters, and me and my sisters (and Chris) have all spent a couple hours laughing great gusty laughs with him. (He does really great voice impersonations) (And we laugh over the most ridiculous, semi-raunchy things like little perverted 3rd graders - to which all of us are slightly horrified but not enough to be ashamed or to stop.) So all in all, he is a good sport. And I am soo glad my mom is with him. He has brought some light-heartedness into all of our lives and it is a relief to enjoy the company of a man (not unlike my awesome boyfriend Chris) who is a delight to be around b/c of his good humor and charm & general good-naturedness... as opposed to dorky, "manly" characteristics of always having to be / prove that he is right. If you're really curious as to what the title refers to when I say "filthy whores"...it is because it's all of our joke that my mom is a filthy whore, Becca my sister is a cheap whore, my sister Sara is a dirty whore, and I am an expensive whore. Yeah...we're really awful people.<br />
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Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-29006598906107686692011-06-27T19:50:00.000-04:002011-06-27T19:50:50.258-04:00Life is CrazyLife has really been crazy lately. I've only lost 2 more lbs, so I'm nowhere near being able to wear a bikini yet - although on our vacation to Maine last month, my boyfriend bought me one. <br />
<br />
I just wanted to share something I've learned since I posted last: <br />
Those areas of us that are our weakest spots are the areas that we should welcome challenges the most. Each challenge strengthens us to become a stronger, better person. Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-76897894922895025492011-04-25T20:43:00.001-04:002011-04-25T20:43:21.406-04:00Working OutHere I am, weighing in at 208.5 lbs! I'm 20 lbs down from my top weight - all just by improving my stress levels, emotional eating, and pursuing a well-rounded healthy lifestyle. (I really contribute it to a loving, supportive boyfriend & his family - something new I've never experienced. They've shown me such true love & kindness that it's calmed me and motivated me to in turn truly love myself. Amazing, huh?)<br />
<br />
My slim & trim boyfriend (he weighs in at 166 lbs and is 6' tall) left a pint of Ben & Jerry's in my freezer!! How dare he?! haha! I am a fat girl! You can't leave BEN & JERRY'S in a FAT GIRL'S freezer, for God's sake!! ;) Guess what. I haven't even eaten a nibble of it. None. Be proud of me. It wasn't easy to resist.<br />
<br />
My treat today was a York peppermint patty. The large kind that costs 99 cents. Not a little one. But I remembered that it has less fat than many other candy bars, hence my choosing it. And I ate a good, hefty sandwich today full of vegetables & roast beef (maybe not the greatest choice, but it's better than my former lunches consisting of 800+ calorie whoopie pies & a large coffee!!). <br />
<br />
I am promising to myself to be 100% transparent about my awful daily lifestyle. It consists of feeling bad about myself, treating myself badly, and in turn continually feeling bad about myself. <br />
<br />
It goes like this: eat junk, don't brush teeth or wash face before bed, sleep late, wake up & eat more junk for breakfast (and too much of it), forget to brush teeth, don't exercise, go to work, eat more junk for lunch, forget to make time for working out, go home, feel depressed & lonely & lethargic, eat more junk, fall into a sleepy stupor & go to bed late after browsing Facebook for hours aimlessly. Successfully having accomplished NOTHING - and on top of it ruined my health bit by bit (rotting teeth, rotting mind, rotting self control, etc.). <br />
<br />
So I am telling the world!! I suck at taking care of myself!!<br />
<br />
But here I am, taking the first step to changing that. And today I managed to eat healthy (altho I didn't wake up this morning and vow that I would), worked out, and got a lot done otherwise. I still have yet to brush my teeth. There. Honesty. Aren't I a wretched human for not consistently brushing my teeth? Please love me anyway. I'm working on it. :-P<br />
<br />
If you read this, please post a little comment. Don't we all have our little awful secrets we'd rather the world not know? That sweet tooth? That pound of pudge that hasn't budged? That terrible habit (biting your nails, raiding the fridge, etc.)? <br />
<br />
SHARE it. We'd all be better for being more transparent with each other. Post away!!Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-21449593938292309402011-02-05T13:55:00.000-05:002011-02-05T13:55:45.331-05:00Bikini or Bust!!I started last winter with my weight tipping the scales at 230 lbs. NEVER in a million years did I picture myself THIS fat. I was mortified. I felt like a big, ugly, clumsy, unattractive lout. Didn't feel feminine or lovely at all.<br />
<br />
So my goal over the past year has been--of course--to lose all the pudge. And I've lost between 15-20 lbs, which has been...kind of an accident, as I haven't been truly dieting or on an exercise regimine. I've just managed to eat a little less and keep a little more active.<br />
<br />
I'm dating a skinny-minny man who tops off at 165 and is 6 feet tall. You can understand how I feel like a walrus with him, just a bit...<br />
<br />
Hence my determination to really budge the pudge--and get into a BIKINI. YES. A Bikini. <br />
<br />
In order to motivate myself...<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnayDhb9qCCU8fo8XEhX4xNY2tQem2_bhAQct7GqsTNLu4C8ZNUJr-J0EKavU-30zOokK-XhS8EVdeCgtyl7BhBa8TNc1Vn1hRwhJyzsPQqg7rFGoCvXjF8u23UB6-oZZzDVpmfhElNMs/s1600/V312459_C20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnayDhb9qCCU8fo8XEhX4xNY2tQem2_bhAQct7GqsTNLu4C8ZNUJr-J0EKavU-30zOokK-XhS8EVdeCgtyl7BhBa8TNc1Vn1hRwhJyzsPQqg7rFGoCvXjF8u23UB6-oZZzDVpmfhElNMs/s320/V312459_C20.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwi8njBqYI-TzM7lOPXJ21FX8hkj18GxvTfFYXDbwQLlnQgnygptCJlDYyWoPqu0I35IJ_zAWc0T7og2h04OitUcfDXVm4IxDdLbLvL6NJAAsPlCTWz4p4brnIq4kHAqweAddbiXuMeaU/s1600/V291099_195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwi8njBqYI-TzM7lOPXJ21FX8hkj18GxvTfFYXDbwQLlnQgnygptCJlDYyWoPqu0I35IJ_zAWc0T7og2h04OitUcfDXVm4IxDdLbLvL6NJAAsPlCTWz4p4brnIq4kHAqweAddbiXuMeaU/s320/V291099_195.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>All the suits pictured above are from Victoria's Secret. Which one do you like best? (I posted some one-pieces and tankinis just in case I don't meet my goal...lol).Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-76674770769245588652011-02-05T13:27:00.000-05:002011-02-05T13:27:52.641-05:00Photo Blog! Fashions for Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9d08uJ5dFm2NNtIjfQ8AuRuzxFAAvcgA9DWT6yrgezxEI9Oud11V6mWRoio9eBVviKajE_48F6ueboDoO-jd4RKqrTdKqes9SO7xR43n4och5O4DBJ5Zufs15Oi2Lv7iaLHo7Y6P89Q/s1600/20438362_010_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9d08uJ5dFm2NNtIjfQ8AuRuzxFAAvcgA9DWT6yrgezxEI9Oud11V6mWRoio9eBVviKajE_48F6ueboDoO-jd4RKqrTdKqes9SO7xR43n4och5O4DBJ5Zufs15Oi2Lv7iaLHo7Y6P89Q/s320/20438362_010_b.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XlTd_TOXK7Wh2wx27oRbjFSnvtm5znntNrrvQdezzUS5-MzWiCJUhLpx33_GbwXftqMsYOoTJ1q8R-pO4okF23f40hkJShZRk91w8oSVI63D4DDgogpZBouWMEaz19Qv-XdRdss_3TQ/s1600/20298436_079_p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XlTd_TOXK7Wh2wx27oRbjFSnvtm5znntNrrvQdezzUS5-MzWiCJUhLpx33_GbwXftqMsYOoTJ1q8R-pO4okF23f40hkJShZRk91w8oSVI63D4DDgogpZBouWMEaz19Qv-XdRdss_3TQ/s320/20298436_079_p.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>All fashions pictured can be found at Anthropologie.com. The tote pictured prices at $398.00.Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-23075434650836236002011-02-05T13:12:00.000-05:002011-02-05T13:12:18.129-05:00Lazy SaturdaySometimes you just need a lazy day. <br />
Sleeping in... my definition of "sleeping in"? Any time past 9 a.m.! Haha. So today I slept in until 10. <br />
Breakfast? Horrible food: toaster streusel, cereal & yogurt. SO bad for me! But soo yummy. I'm evil.<br />
Day's activities so far?? Movies: Adam Sandler's "Mr. Deeds" (awful movie but stupidly hilarious) and now Meryl Streep's "Mama Mia!", which, I must say is one of my favorites. Bright colors, adorable fun, summery outfits, sun & sun-bleached hair, ABBA music, and--it's such a girl movie! Oh. Plus hunky men dancing around the beaches half-naked? Oof. How can you go wrong? Anyway. I digress. Ha!<br />
<br />
This is a lazy day indeed...Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-44991686847316023082011-02-05T12:29:00.000-05:002011-02-05T12:29:46.676-05:00Have you voted yet?Maybe you've noticed the short poll in the right column, asking you what you'd be interested in reading about in the future. Please take a moment to give some input! You vote, I'll write.Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-47373646918807477822011-02-03T14:12:00.000-05:002011-02-03T14:12:11.030-05:00Welcome Back!Wow, has it been a long time. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years - they all flew by!<br />
<br />
Here I am sitting at my desk in February, looking at bright blue Vermont skies and a fresh dumping of snow from our latest snow storm. <br />
<br />
Hope everyone out in the blogosphere has been enjoying winter, as I have.<br />
<br />
I look forward to posting in the near future!<br />
<br />
Until then.Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-27390444165592439612010-11-16T22:27:00.000-05:002010-11-16T22:27:13.560-05:00AspirationsLike a dammed-up stream, a life without change, motivation, or purpose is going to stagnate. <br />
<br />
What do you want to pursue in the near future? Personal fitness goal? Learning a new language? Finding a new job? <br />
<br />
Life if FULL of exciting possibilities, and many times we don't even think to tap into 5% of them! Imagine what life would hold for you with broadened horizons. It'd be twice as exciting simply getting to enjoy your current interests/hobbies, much less finding new ones!<br />
<br />
Reflect on life as a 5 year-old. What was your fantasy career choice, back in the day? <br />
<br />
I wanted to be a horse ranch owner.<br />
I wanted to be a graceful, strong ballerina, driven by passion and determination.<br />
I wanted to be a teacher, revered by my students and empowered by my love for teaching young minds.<br />
I wanted to be an artist, creating beautiful masterpieces with my imagination.<br />
I wanted to be a singer and songwriter (I would make up songs in my car seat on long car rides and sing them for my parents).<br />
<br />
Take any aspiration you've had since you were young. Don't give up on it. Life is full of surprises--if you want to do something, make it happen. Empower yourself to become exactly what you've always dreamed of being & doing.<br />
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Ride a horse. Heck! Take riding lessons!<br />
Go to that walk-in dance class for beginners every Friday night and learn to dance, even if it's not ballet.<br />
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Aspirations are supposed to make living life more exciting. They're supposed to energize you and inspire you. You're not supposed to rip yourself apart for failing to achieve them. <br />
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So get out there and enjoy the incredible adventures life holds!Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-66301288911041161472010-11-16T22:03:00.000-05:002010-11-16T22:03:48.192-05:00Quotes...Not just because it's the cool thing to do, but also because they intrigued me-- I started about a year ago listing quotes on my Facebook page that I thought were striking.<br />
<br />
I'm posting them here to give you a glimpse at the lovely layers of who I am, but also to maybe cause you to stop and retrospect about who YOU are, what strikes you as funny/ironic/quaint/delicious/or memorable? <br />
<br />
When we think on things that make us who we are they not only solidify us as a person but make us more well-rounded as well. <br />
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In my very religious days I carried notecards of Bible verses that I was memorizing and meditating on. I could list a few here as well, but the purpose of this post isn't to be spiritual, really, just cause us to think about ourselves re: our personalities and to take time to think back.<br />
<br />
Anyways! Here are my quotes.<br />
<br />
Comment below with your's!<br />
<br />
<table class="uiInfoTable mtm profileInfoTable mtm"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td class="data"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_4ce345b1acc324c88522132"><i>"Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity." <br />
<br />
"Smarter people have dirtier minds." <br />
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"We must be the change we wish to see." --Ghandi<br />
<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br />
"PURRRRLL?!!" --the Bundle, by way of Becca ♥<br />
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"Mmmkay, Pumpkin?" --Hitch, when he beats up an a$$hole :-)<br />
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"What DO you call a female mallard? A femallard? A fallard?" --Michael (bahahaha)<br />
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"Be present." --Kevin Cosner<br />
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"There's no such thing as love. It's fantasy." --Zooey Deschanel, 500 Days of Summer<br />
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"You'll find out when you reach the top you're on the bottom." --Bob Dylan<br />
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"Only love could leave such a scar." --U2<br />
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"Sisters of MERCY!!" --my sisters, as we drive down Mansfield Avenue <br />
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"You know what happens when you assume, don't you? You make an ass out of u and me." --Sarah Berry Watson (do you get it?)<br />
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"It smells like giant cow butt around here..." --Tia Germain, commenting on the local VT smells (lol!!)<br />
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"The reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself." --Rita Mae Brown<br />
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"How can you NOT like a donut?!!" --roommate Josh (lol!)<br />
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"I know heart and head begin with the same letter, but you have to read all the way to the end." --HOUSE<br />
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"Dull people live in immaculate houses." --unknown<br />
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"And as we look at the future/ tho it be thru a tear/ keep an eye on summer/ this year..." --the Beach Boys<br />
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"Joy leaves the competition behind." --unknown<br />
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"Have a PBS mind in an MTV world." --bumper sticker saying<br />
<br />
"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." --John W. Whitehead<br />
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The God of the sparrow and the leviathon defined beauty, who am I to wrap it in garlands and lace? --Annie Koelle (random fb friend)<br />
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"Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." -Eleanor Roosevelt<br />
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"I wanna touch you in real time, not find you on youtube. I wanna walk with you thru the mountains, not find you on facebook." --unknown<br />
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"Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." --Ben Franklin<br />
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"I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer." --Jim Carrey<br />
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"The only thing that can make this day better is ice cream." --Michael Scott, The Office<br />
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"Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure." --unknown<br />
<br />
"I like to think of Jesus as a mischievous badger..." --Talledega Nights<br />
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"It's called Sex Panther by Odeon. It's illegal in nine countries... Yep, it's made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good." --Anchorman (bahaha)<br />
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"If I were a lion, and you were a tuna, I would swim out in the middle of the ocean and EAT you! ...and then bang your tuna girlfriend!" --The Other Guys<br />
<br />
"Tigers LOVE pepper. They hate cinnamon." --The Hangover<br />
<br />
"wasn't there in the beginning/but when the story ends/gonna last with you longer than your friends" --U2 Cedars of Lebanon</span><span class="text_exposed_hide"><span class="text_exposed_link"><a href="">See More</a></span></span></i></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-74659490879307997002010-11-10T22:17:00.001-05:002010-11-10T22:18:14.330-05:00Got the blues? Cheer up--life is shitty!I had an epiphany on the treadmill at the gym tonight.<br />
<br />
(I am a very analytical person. Tonight I was analyzing my personal emotional/psychological tendencies. Aren't I a nerd?)<br />
<br />
Here is my epiphany: "Life is equally full of the GOOD and the BAD. You can choose to dwell on all the BAD stuff in life, or you can choose to dwell on all the GOOD stuff. But if you end up living a miserable life, it's no one's fault but your own, because 1.) no one else lives in a magically perfect world, okay? and 2.) you should really give up the ideal of what life "should" be like."<br />
<br />
There 'tis.<br />
<br />
(I'll break it down... Basically, I'm a very idealistic/romantic kind of person, and all my life I have wished for things to be a certain way. I'll share. When I was very little I drooled over American Girl catalogues and really wanted one of the $100 dolls to the point that I daydreamed that my principal stood up with me in front of the school and said, "If anyone has an extra American Girl doll, they should give it to this poor little girl who's parents can't afford one." Too funny! Or to the same extent when I was a little older and lonely after moving, daydreaming that another similar authority ordered kids my age to be my friends. Lol.) <br />
<br />
(Life isn't perfect, nor will it ever be. Get it out of your head that things will get better. It's a mixed bag. Sure, life will be wonderful sometimes and just as equally shitty, other times. Whoever the genius was who said something to the effect that "the difference between adventure and dilemma is your outlook on it" had something there!)<br />
<br />
(So slap yourself when you start pouting over ___________ stupid petty thing and cheer up, because life is shitty. Big surprise! haha.)Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-91594781034098654912010-11-10T22:08:00.000-05:002010-11-10T22:08:18.034-05:00Winter BluesAfter remaining in a state of denial the past few days (hmm, since the time change this past weekend, perhaps?) I have officially admitted to myself that I have the winter blues. <br />
<br />
It's dark when I get up and dark when I eat dinner. It's gray all day. It's cold and wet and nasty out. And there's not much to do until it snows officially. No sunny warm days to go biking. No cold clear days to go skiing or sledding. <br />
<br />
I've put my mind to finding fun activities to look forward to during the dark days of winter, and here's what I've come up with!<br />
<ul><li>swim classes with my Mom</li>
<li>workouts at the gym</li>
<li>tanning</li>
<li>ice skating indoors</li>
<li>shopping at the mall</li>
<li>painting on my easel indoors</li>
<li>going downtown</li>
<li>Christmas shopping</li>
<li>sledding </li>
<li>skiing</li>
<li>snowmobiling</li>
<li>parties with friends and family</li>
<li>cooking & baking (esp. apple pies and such for Thanksgiving! mmm!)</li>
<li>reading</li>
<li>bowling</li>
<li>minigolf</li>
<li>special projects--sewing, collaging, scrapbooking, photo editing</li>
</ul>How about you? What special activities do you pull out of the closet in the winter months when you're cooped up indoors on dark afternoons?<br />
<br />
Spread the joy!Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-57225102717936412382010-11-01T16:58:00.000-04:002010-11-01T16:58:25.963-04:00Does Facebook Really Bring Us Closer? (or is it just me?)After watching the new Facebook movie, "Social Network," about the creator of the site, Mark Zuckerberg, I ironically am feeling rather down-in-the-dumps today while using the ever-popular website at work (can you say, lots of free time?).<br />
<br />
During college, I had lots of action on Facebook... I started my first account in 2007 when, if my rusty memory is correct, only college students had access to the site. And it was a fun, addicting way to keep in touch over the summer with my friends. <br />
<br />
Now, however, I'm working alone mostly, and my college friends have graduated and we've all scattered to the far corners of the earth. I bought into the horrid lie that Facebook alone would keep us all in touch, but no. It takes a little more than daily status updates to keep friendships alive. Was I really just totally stuck on myself to think my friendships would stay strong while I neglected my friends in far away places? Yup, apparently so. I'm finding that even my cousins who live 15 minutes away seem distant. <br />
<br />
Social networking is baffling to me. I must be really horrible at making friends in real life, because I find myself relying on Facebook alone to keep in contact with people. <br />
<br />
For real. <br />
<br />
The only person I talk to on a regular basis outside of Facebooking is my boyfriend. How awful is that?!<br />
<br />
And I don't know if this is just something unique to me--because maybe I'm just horrible at being sociable. I don't know. But I feel more and more like I'm drifting away from people I know and love--and have over 600 friends on Facebook.<br />
<br />
*sigh* <br />
<br />
<i><b>Does anyone else find themselves feeling ironically distant from their uber-connected Facebook friends?</b></i>Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-15351262752432254162010-10-30T13:26:00.001-04:002010-10-30T13:41:10.583-04:00My skin is like a map of where my heart has been... --Natasha Bedingfield<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP31r70_QNM&feature=related">**before you read this post, please watch this short 5 minute video on photo-shopping/retouching & body issues** </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natasha_Bedingfield">Natasha Bedingfield</a>, an English pop singer and music writer, made a unique music video called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAOdlgFJDAI">"I Bruise Easily."</a> She walks the halls of a hotel wearing Japanese traditional make up and a wig, hair pieces, false eyelashes, and kimono over her everyday clothes.<br />
<br />
In the video she starts taking off pieces and parts of her costume and then removing her make up slowly to finally reveal herself, all while singing, "Anyone who can touch you, can love you, can leave you..." and "I bruise easily, so be gentle."<br />
<br />
Ironically, the tall, slender, blonde musician is actually more lovely without all the get-up on than with the 9 pounds of make up. But this video got me thinking about us women and our addictions to makeup, manicures, sunless tanning, Brazilian waxing, Botox, etc, etc.<br />
<br />
We are crazy! Not to sound like a raging feminist, but seriously, even many gay men don't go through the rigors we women do. Why are we so addicted to feeling beautiful and looking perfect?<br />
<br />
Personally, I remember feeling ashamed and ugly in the junior high. I had really huge dark eyebrows that probably could have used a severe plucking, but neither my mother nor I had the presence of mind to pull off such a feat. So I got called "Caterpillar Eyebrows" by some of the boys in my class who I thought were my friends and even advised by my best friend's older sister that I really needed to pluck my eyebrows.<br />
<br />
While cultures around the world differ drastically in ideas of what beauty is, I think our culture in the United States is a little off-balance. We struggle with both obesity and body issues bordering on obsession with being thin--teenage girls and even grown women struggle with anorexia and bulimia, disorders that threaten with death and infertility. We're slicing, dicing, and rearranging our bodies to have bigger boobs, smaller/perkier/tighter/or flatter butts, plumper lips, smoother skin, or sharper profiles.<br />
<br />
Change is usually a good thing--there's nothing saying we couldn't take off a couple pounds, plug in the treadmill and hop on it, or take care of our skin. But the drive to be considered beautiful and acceptable or even perfect is pushing some women to the extremes of either obesity because of emotional issues stemming from rejection over their unacceptably uglyness, per se, or to starving themselves with bulimia/anorexia in order to attain the unattainable.<br />
<br />
Reading blogs, articles, and findings about how culture should be changed, men should have to wear pantyhose and make up and curlers and high heels--yeah, I would love to agree that men should have to do those outrageous things so they could appreciate what we go through.<br />
<br />
But I think we women have no one to blame but ourselves for our hatred of our body, our skin, our teeth, our hair.<br />
<br />
You say to an angry, rebellious toddler who just slapped his little sister because she poked him, "You are only responsible for yourself. No matter what your sister does to you, you shouldn't slap her back." But do we stop to think of the same little quaint line when another woman informs us (whether knowingly or unknowingly) that we've gained a little pudge? That our skin is a little pimply? That we could use a little Botox?<br />
<br />
We've lost sight of the "turn-the-other-cheek" principle. We feel entitled to hit, kick, ridicule, back-stab anyone who does anything slightly similar to us. It's our right to have vengeance--on others and on ourselves.<br />
<br />
<i>He dumped me for a skinny chick, so I'll show him. I'll show myself I'm worth something. I'll stop eating and I'll start working out several hours a day. I'll gag myself so I puke. I'll get skinny even if it means harming my body, harming relationships with my friends and family, and consequentially taking away anything I might have dreamed of having in the future.</i><br />
<br />
We don't stop to think, "Oh, he's just selfish and stuck-up. Sure he hurt me, but it's not my fault he's shallow," when a man dumps us for someone else (for whatever reason).<br />
<br />
We don't stop to tell ourselves, "I don't want to be with someone so shallow."<br />
Instead, we buy into their shallow mindset and try to change ourselves at our own cost. We kill ourselves in order to be thin, a.k.a. "acceptable" with no thought of bettering ourselves mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and ultimately physically.<br />
<br />
We are simply selfish and proud.<br />
<br />
We don't have to look at supermodels and think, "Ugh, I hate myself for being a size 14 and not a size 00."<br />
<br />
Why not think, "Oh wow, she must have amazing genes." Or, "Hmm...to be that insanely thin, she must starve herself." Or, "She must work hard for that body--and that career!"<br />
<br />
We are simply stupid when we hate ourselves.<br />
<br />
Women, we are beautiful by nature. We're all different and all unique in our own ways. We are smart and savvy, strong and powerful.<br />
<br />
Women generations older than us fought for equality in the workplace and in politics and won. <br />
<br />
Let's fight a similar fight and win--the fight to be smart enough to think through what advertising tells us we should look like, what the media is telling us is "in", what health and beauty trends are popular, and what fashion says we've got to look like.<br />
<br />
Let's be smart enough to research, to work hard, to eat well, to be humble, to encourage each other, and to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down.<br />
<br />
Let's fight to be beautiful, healthy women who aren't so stupid and shallow we start hating the natural way our bodies are in order to become something that isn't even real--that's been photo-shopped and airbrushed and tweaked by professionals selling us their designer clothing, perfume, and gadgets. <br />
<br />
If you know someone who struggles with an eating disorder, struggles with dieting & exercising, struggles with self esteem because they aren't the ideal stick-thin beauty, encourage them to love themselves with health and well-being.<br />
<br />
For example: think of an athlete who trains her body with specific exercise & routines, feeds it certain foods, sleeps a certain number of hours, and keeps tabs on everything with a goal in mind. She may be thin, strong, and beautiful, but she got to that place by caring for herself and her body.<br />
<br />
But think of my friend Kim, we'll call her (not her real name). She started eating 3 leaves of spinach, a tomato, and drinking gallons of apple juice downed with laxatives. She would purge after eating, then hit the gym for hours at a time until she had bone-thin arms, an emaciated face, but was--hurray--a size 0. She was thin, all right, but she was terribly unhealthy. She pushed away tons of friends in her fight to be thin. Caused intense strain on her family as they tried to reason with her and fight to take care of her and prove they loved her. She can't have children now. And who knows if any man will be able to learn to love her when she isn't loving herself.<br />
<br />
Please, women. Let's be savvy. Let's be healthy. Let's be loving.<br />
<br />
Turn the other cheek the next time your pride slaps you across the face. You pass that skinny girl and you start to hate your body. You get that fat, nasty, unlovable feeling? Turn the other cheek and let your pride slap you on the other side of your face too. Simply think. Admire her stamina for working out, admire her for being strong in the face of chocolate cake temptation and use that admiration for another woman's success to spur you on to do the same--as long as you're not starving yourself.<br />
<br />
Please, women. The puking, the binging, the hating, the pinching, the pain--it's not worth it. Please love yourselves and love the women around you.<br />
<br />
We're in this together.<br />
<br />
Watch this video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U">Dove Evolution</a>Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-10423245645006546292010-10-30T11:57:00.000-04:002010-10-30T11:57:18.199-04:00Personal Testimony to Goodwill's Amazing-ness: Halloween Costumes!So, my boyfriend and I have decided that we are the greatest match made in heaven when it comes to Goodwill hunting (no pun intended). We both found our Halloween costumes there, quite unintentionally, this past summer. <br />
<br />
Mine is a poofy 90's pastel floral prom dress with huge poofy sleeves, massive floral bow in the back, and enormous skirt poofing out from a nipped-in waistline (as far in as my waist would let it "nip," that is, lol). I plan on combining the dress with another awesome Goodwill find, my pink sheer, frilly apron from the 50s, to become Little Bo Peep! :) <br />
<br />
My boyfriend's costume is a pale blue polyester leisure suit from the 70s. He plans on being a sex offender for Halloween and alluring people at the party with free hard candy in his pockets. Haha. He has been growing his curly hair with plans of fluffing it into a 'fro for the night. :) Should be pretty impressive.<br />
<br />
We hope to post pictures of our get-ups soon. Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-20311118831496868072010-10-30T11:51:00.000-04:002010-10-30T11:51:37.628-04:00Fall Blog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHguuvNNO5Lb0rsx-L_mwRGN94ucSe9lnNJmtavQ8VeyOxdYaFAE0himfKcrxorhzmmfgymrdmkNg7miCwzLXTxEShowpmDqc5Uo8WY8BQx6-XDzcRkjWHTps2stBYSdttF4b4t34hcyY/s320/fall+foliage+2010+033.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picket fences are pretty much always photogenic...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHguuvNNO5Lb0rsx-L_mwRGN94ucSe9lnNJmtavQ8VeyOxdYaFAE0himfKcrxorhzmmfgymrdmkNg7miCwzLXTxEShowpmDqc5Uo8WY8BQx6-XDzcRkjWHTps2stBYSdttF4b4t34hcyY/s1600/fall+foliage+2010+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn0hMPbBb6H9VP8dy9hABs93QxCp9zjPkVIO4_sgYomzucRlgp9KNMJeN3_1DLZR2iB2DDspLRMGaAF-B3VrfiiosGHq2LAByW4FTPHhT-YkEoJfcvFKiAoxvFwh-SahdN8tsTckIy5U/s320/fall+foliage+2010+035.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the textures of bark contrasted with the lush fluttery fall leaves</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn0hMPbBb6H9VP8dy9hABs93QxCp9zjPkVIO4_sgYomzucRlgp9KNMJeN3_1DLZR2iB2DDspLRMGaAF-B3VrfiiosGHq2LAByW4FTPHhT-YkEoJfcvFKiAoxvFwh-SahdN8tsTckIy5U/s1600/fall+foliage+2010+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT03bAUT4L8bU7rh57JIPzsBt9Dwk0W__SLWWZX_psUvT5UYuFfkG_lyGWRaawUAygX3774qANecsvXp7g23s0T0ALSXW6o2OHylP1NONqumCZj4qnG4Xev_qqxQX4M4OP8-sEeSESCfc/s320/fall+foliage+2010+036.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A white church, blue sky, and orange fluffy tree. :)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT03bAUT4L8bU7rh57JIPzsBt9Dwk0W__SLWWZX_psUvT5UYuFfkG_lyGWRaawUAygX3774qANecsvXp7g23s0T0ALSXW6o2OHylP1NONqumCZj4qnG4Xev_qqxQX4M4OP8-sEeSESCfc/s1600/fall+foliage+2010+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBTjSGBUvi673rAHQnBhAW9eT2SCXFa8zv-51ZRLVoGoZfdhAuHSK7Nps8M4zu0pRgvUwLPjtANM4FBdp41capvTWiitpgzRvsf3V6VE6hCnywihRBhHzG1eb3jwapCGBfI7GCXZ_lDw/s1600/fall+foliage+2010+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBTjSGBUvi673rAHQnBhAW9eT2SCXFa8zv-51ZRLVoGoZfdhAuHSK7Nps8M4zu0pRgvUwLPjtANM4FBdp41capvTWiitpgzRvsf3V6VE6hCnywihRBhHzG1eb3jwapCGBfI7GCXZ_lDw/s320/fall+foliage+2010+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gOvZ8VgolHhfPgm3dgO64zWgXPrDJ0K4NHy_q5jSoUYY2kr1nUSjJr5t-_uyHYzc-rik7HiU_RrytRA-NkNTbQZgIxXaUNYXyaQ5GOIq_pEw5v_7RHl8G9CVs68aTtreI_RAYAcLNZs/s320/fall+foliage+2010+049.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spindly arms on this tree remind me of something from Dr. Seuss!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gOvZ8VgolHhfPgm3dgO64zWgXPrDJ0K4NHy_q5jSoUYY2kr1nUSjJr5t-_uyHYzc-rik7HiU_RrytRA-NkNTbQZgIxXaUNYXyaQ5GOIq_pEw5v_7RHl8G9CVs68aTtreI_RAYAcLNZs/s1600/fall+foliage+2010+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist8c5ly23BOcLO592X2nmmAQJqp_LF4-pM1NJppxNl2jHE_GXbh7hyfON4hvWtatDWqLx1reGl2GF_sFYOkhXc_VDndzcHzln_m7O1v4ZiLXQhsBtVxzn42BuAIP7k9G3RxVLBRB1Lfc/s320/fall+foliage+2010+057.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pleasant fall walk through crunchy leaves. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist8c5ly23BOcLO592X2nmmAQJqp_LF4-pM1NJppxNl2jHE_GXbh7hyfON4hvWtatDWqLx1reGl2GF_sFYOkhXc_VDndzcHzln_m7O1v4ZiLXQhsBtVxzn42BuAIP7k9G3RxVLBRB1Lfc/s1600/fall+foliage+2010+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-79391612009214308622010-10-30T11:35:00.000-04:002010-10-30T11:35:58.922-04:00Get a Job! Step #3: Selling Yourself (no, you're not a hooker)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<i>You’re not going to need a tight, red spandex dress or hooker boots to sell yourself on the job market, but you will need loads of persistency, an almost anal attention to detail, and the determination to keep trying.<span> </span></i> <div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Shiny Inside & Out</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal">In today’s culture of shallow values based mostly on surface appearances, it’s easy to try to polish ourselves up to look all bright and shiny to potential employers when really we know we are pretty dingy workers.<span> </span>Your work ethic on the job makes up the core of who you are as a job candidate.<span> </span>Employers can look at your resume, talk to your past employers and even contact your personal references.<span> </span>They will most likely look up your MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter for a glimpse at who you really are.<span> </span>And most places also do a credit check and a criminal background check.<span> </span>Your surface shine isn’t going to last if you have carried a shoddy record in the workplace.<span> </span>Working hard at every position you hold will go far, so I would recommend starting now, even if you already have a bad history.<span> </span>You’ve gotta start somewhere.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Dig Up the Details</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal">In addition to being shiny from the inside out as a worker, you really need to work on the details when job hunting.<span> </span>Pinpoint a job you want, then go for it.<span> </span>Take an advertisement and pull out the key words and put them in your cover letter.<span> </span>Organize your resume so traits and skills listed in the advertisement are blaring at the top.<span> </span>Definitely do not exaggerate skills you don’t have at all or have very little if any of.<span> </span>Say you did get the job—who’s the fool now?<span> </span>Oh, you don’t know how to even run a copier?<span> </span>Um, you’re fired!<span> </span>Yeah.<span> </span>Be truthful, even if it’s painful.<span> </span>The little details do matter.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When sending a cover letter, go the extra mile to find out who exactly it is doing the hiring.<span> </span>If you need to, call up the company and do some detective work.<span> </span>Ask.<span> </span>Email people.<span> </span>Find out and then address that cover letter to him or her.<span> </span>That little detail screams “attentive!<span> </span>persistent!<span> </span>professional!”<span> </span>as opposed to a sloppy, “Dear Um, Whoever is Hiring.”<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Be Appropriate, but Reach Out</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Get a sense of the company and then when emailing your resume, references, and cover letter, use the appropriate amount of casual lingo or uptight, preppy language.<span> </span>Drop hints that you make great treats for the break room, or refer to yourself as some of the superlatives in their “now hiring” ad.<span> </span>Above all, keep that email short, though, and merely let them know you’re interested, confident, and enthusiastic.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sh*t Happens: Double Check!</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Double-check everything.<span> </span>Make sure you’re sending the right resume to the right business.<span> </span>Make sure you haven’t misspelled your own freaking name.<span> </span>It happens!<span> </span>Make sure the email you sent saying “I’ve attached my resume” actually has the resume attached.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Basically, think of this:<span> </span>that person on the receiving end is getting gazillions of emails regarding this position, and you must make yourself stand out.<span> </span>Ultimately, selling yourself comes down to the perfect package of neatness in presentation, accuracy in spelling and grammar, pin-pointed details in a resume, contact information, and appropriate enthusiasm.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Cheer for Yourself! Shout Out How Good You Are.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">As for putting yourself on a pedestal, obviously think before you speak.<span> </span>But definitely, if you feel you are qualified and willing to perform the duties listed, shout it out!<span> </span>Say, “I’m positive I’d be a great addition to your team!”<span> </span>even if you’re just applying to become a cashier.<span> </span>Say, “I am a cheerful, punctual, hard worker,” even if you’re just wanting to become a waitress.<span> </span>Little details count.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>So I think that sums it up:<span> </span>be real and truthful, be appropriate, dig up the details, perfect your package of cover letter, resume, and email, double-check, and paint a positive picture of yourself to the person reading.<span> </span></i></div>Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-18200930956307224052010-10-30T11:00:00.002-04:002010-10-30T11:09:28.104-04:00Get a Job! Step #2: Places to Look<div class="MsoNormal"><i>This blog post could also be called “networking.”</i> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Networking” is a funny word. The “net” part of it reminds me of a spider web. You know when you’re walking through the woods and suddenly—Blaaarghh!!—you run into a nasty, stringy, sticky spider web?!! Yuck! And *shudder* you probably have a spider on you, now, too! That’s what networking is a little bit like. You throw your web of contacts & acquaintances far and wide (really, I mean, you pretty much put <i>yourself</i> out there as much as possible in order to build that web), hoping that eventually you’ll snag an employer in your sticky web of contacts and you, the scary little spider, will be crawling all over that new job! Haha.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Networking” also contains the word “working.” Which is a reminder that job hunting is a lot of, yes, work. To nail a job, you are not going to be sitting around eating bon-bons (unless of course you’re training to become a fat, flubby, sumo-wrestler). You’ll find out how much work as you continue reading, but be mentally prepared to roll up your sleeves and do some kuh-razy things in the battle for a job, my friend.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyways. Places to look. Hmm. How about…everywhere?! I mean, look at the stores & businesses you pass every day on your way from point A to point B. Signs in the windows? Are they hiring? Is that somewhere you’d like to work? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Use your noggin. Do you have passion and potential to do something out of the ordinary? Start your own business, maybe? Become an entrepreneur? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Feel out your own passion…as you are going about every day life, stop for a second to reflect on what makes you love ___. Why would you pursue a career or a job in ____ field? Be constantly thinking about ways to network and come up with new things to do. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But really, especially if you are currently unemployed, the best advice I have to give (that was given to me) is to simply GET A JOB—and fast. No employer likes to scan a resume and see huge holes in the time line. Work. Work anywhere. If you can’t work for pay, then volunteer. Seriously, be a go-getter. Employers will love it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I started babysitting when I was 13, then worked in day care after school. From there I worked a seasonal job at the age of 16 in a call center selling hams. I took it up a notch and rose to the honorable position as cashier, then worked in college in the dining hall on campus, sometimes sloshing up the my elbows in raw, half-frozen chicken breasts at ungodly early morning hours. I quit school and worked as a waitress, then started my own house cleaning business for a few months. I found myself working customer service after that, and meanwhile I was still babysitting and nannying whenever I could. None of these have been glamorous jobs, but they paid my way and I was thankful for them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some places I have looked for jobs are…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites">Craig's List</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://indeed.com/">Indeed.com</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">my local paper's classifieds</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.7dvt.com/">Seven Days Vermont</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">store windows </div><div class="MsoNormal">church bulletins</div><div class="MsoNormal">community bulletin boards</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some people who are great to know…</div><ul><li>talk to your high school of college administration office-- they may have openings on campus or may know of individuals in association with the school who are hiring</li>
<li>past employers or past coworkers in any venue</li>
<li>church members </li>
<li>friends in any work place</li>
<li>presidents of large companies</li>
<li>billionaires</li>
<li>basically anyone who is employed</li>
</ul>Opportunities are endless: you could be volunteering at Salvation Army and meet your future employer dropping off donated goods. You never know. Be creative, be innovative, spread yourself out, and work hard.<br />
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<b>Examples of networking:</b><br />
<i>Beth Loveless, owner of <a href="http://www.americas-pet-store.com/">America's Pet Store</a> and founder of <a href="http://www.everything-imagination.com/">Everything Imagination</a>, lived in Williston, VT, and my mother was her house cleaner. Beth heard through my mom that I was a print journalism student taking a break from school and hired me temporarily as an office assistant to help her out. I basically filed a bunch of old documents and papers for her until things were tidy. And then she started a little children's company and asked me to continue working for her as a copy writer for her website. I probably would never have met <a href="http://www.myspace.com/aprmusic">Andrew Parker-Renga</a>, musician of the band <a href="http://www.7dvt.com/2010andrew-parker-renga-issue-4-portraits">APR</a>, who worked for the same little children's company for Beth, if my mom hadn't worked for Beth. Through Andrew, my musician cousin Jacob was able to wiggle into the music/entertainment circles in Burlington's restaurants and bars in order to promote himself as a musician. You never know where networking will take you! :)</i>Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-20622081439395941572010-10-30T10:23:00.000-04:002010-10-30T10:23:30.692-04:00Get a Job! Step #1: Breaking up with your employer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><i>Step one in finding a job should really be the part where you tactfully “break up” with your current job.<span> </span>If you’re currently unemployed, though, you don’t need to worry about this step.</i><span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Timing</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal">One aspect to worry about when breaking up with your current employer is timing.<span> </span>Actually, in the job hunt, timing is pretty much everything.<span> </span>The basic fact that both you and your potential employer are both looking to resolve each others’ needs is timing, in of itself:<span> </span>you need a place to work right now, and they need someone to work for them right now.<span> </span>Timing.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, when you’re breaking up with your current employer, you want to make sure you time it well.<span> </span>Don’t go quitting your job before you are absolutely positive you’re 100% guaranteed the new job.<span> </span>Meaning, until you are on the pay roll, don’t give your notice.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Tactful 2-weeks' Notice</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Which brings me to my second point:<span> </span>it’s really nice to give a 2-week notice before simply quitting cold turkey.<span> </span>Think about it.<span> </span>Your current employer will need to fill your position (in most cases), and by leaving them high and dry, you do yourself a disservice.<span> </span>In the future, when that employer gets a call from someone looking to hire you, they’ll remember that cold turkey quitting maneuver you so selfishly pulled, and hopefully the person giving you a reference will be kind, but you never know.<span> </span>So it’s always nice to do the kind thing and give a good, long, 2 weeks’ notice.<span> </span>They might let you go sooner, anyway.<span> </span>But as you know, you get more flies with sugar, so…yeah.<span> </span>Be nice to any employer you work for.<span> </span>It’s the smart thing to do.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Take Away a Good Job Reference</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal">For the purpose of setting your own mind at ease, it’s also nice to be assured of a good job reference from your current or soon-to-be ex-employer.<span> </span>When you do have that conversation about your 2-week notice, somehow try to niggle out a good reference from them.<span> </span>Maybe refer to the amazing job you did working for them and ask if it’s okay to use them as a reference in the future.<span> </span>And if you’re not sure who to direct future employers to for a reference, this is the time to ask.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>That pretty much takes care of the matter of “breaking up” with your current employer:<span> </span>simply time it right, be tactful & gracious, and take the opportunity to discuss future job references.</i></div>Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-40427773168695193022010-10-30T09:02:00.000-04:002010-10-30T09:02:13.337-04:00It's been a while!Have no fear! I've taken a little break from posting, but I will be back full of fun blog posts! Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-75050790516193599102010-10-12T17:13:00.001-04:002010-10-12T17:23:16.583-04:00Ah-CHOO!! ...it's that time of year again...Fall & Winter bring a slew of nasal terrors and sinus-passage problems... whether allergies, the occasional cold, or that imp, the Flu, you want to <b>be savvy throughout the sniffles</b>.<br />
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<b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Raw skin around your nose from blowing it 100 times a day? </b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSvILcnYFs5TxtqlzgXgY8fero5YWk7yfrnuqB3HLViNbVEVVMulJEMwbUqG3j6Uu2Wenh9Gsgse7sTzuzCOfZXUIFMTUE9ohM23DIOVESWdcQShbHDFDiD_Dn4GW6a9KnSD_CxO1KwI/s1600/blowing-nose-300x273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSvILcnYFs5TxtqlzgXgY8fero5YWk7yfrnuqB3HLViNbVEVVMulJEMwbUqG3j6Uu2Wenh9Gsgse7sTzuzCOfZXUIFMTUE9ohM23DIOVESWdcQShbHDFDiD_Dn4GW6a9KnSD_CxO1KwI/s1600/blowing-nose-300x273.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li>Dermatologist Audrey Kunin says, "when you're constantly rubbing such a sensitive area, you create tiny cuts, which let bacteria invade and make the skin red and peely. After you blow your nose gently (snot rockets are not the goal here), dab <a href="http://www.thefind.com/beauty/browse-polysporin-ointment">Polysporin ointment</a> on the edges of your nostrils. Things should heal up in a few days."</li>
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<b>Chapped lips despite constantly reapplying lip balm?</b><br />
<ul><li>Francesca Fusco, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine says, "Do some CSI-worthy detective work and examine your formulas. A waxy balm that comes in a stick is preventative; the wax acts as a barrier to keep moisture inside lips. But when there isn't any moisture to retain and your lips start splitting, you need an ointment that can seep into the tears to heal them from the inside."</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vOwEW3TLnFc0gMOEATJ8vy07o_FOP-PabCFW461y18ifXLUPT17sJXUO4K6GBNxx5wIjsu6i_yDGHM6z3yZHL3KsQ5kBWy8cWEOzUVusN_JTDEqm_n5tZUosliOFjurzn0EkIxGmrAo/s1600/fotolia_2876707_XS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vOwEW3TLnFc0gMOEATJ8vy07o_FOP-PabCFW461y18ifXLUPT17sJXUO4K6GBNxx5wIjsu6i_yDGHM6z3yZHL3KsQ5kBWy8cWEOzUVusN_JTDEqm_n5tZUosliOFjurzn0EkIxGmrAo/s320/fotolia_2876707_XS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li>try <a href="http://shop.elizabetharden.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2571445&cp=2779948">Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream</a>, $25 <i>(for chapped, flaking, cracked all over lips)</i></li>
</ul><ul><li>try<a href="http://www.chapstick.com/productdetail.aspx?BrandProductName=Fresh%20Effects%20Refreshing%20Mandarin"> Chapstick Fresh Effects</a>, $3 <i>(for tight and dry but not cracked open lips)</i></li>
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<i>Other cold, flu, and allergy tips...</i><br />
<ul><li>Wet a washcloth with warm water and lay it across your nose and mouth to relieve a dry, stuffed up nose as well as chapped lips. Then use the washcloth to slough off the dead skin cells loosened on your lips as they become moisturized.</li>
<li>Plug in a humidifier at night to relieve dry air-induced stuffy noses, dry skin, and chapped lips.</li>
<li><a href="http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/allergies/local-honey-for-allergies.htm">Eating local honey helps relieve seasonal allergies</a>, as local bees will have gathered pollen from local buds.</li>
<li>Licorice contains an anti-inflammatory will help relieve inflamed, chapped cheeks in the winter. Not sure how much good it will do you to munch it, but you can purchase <a href="http://www.ddfskincare.com/p-55-ddf-intensive-holistic-lightener-05-oz-15-ml.aspx">DDF Intensive Holistic Lightener</a>, $22, and other licorice-infused health and beauty products as well.</li>
</ul>Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-39069531067255919352010-10-12T16:54:00.001-04:002010-10-12T16:55:38.157-04:00Websites to Love<a href="http://goodguide.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">GoodGuide.com</b></span></a> assigns thousands of products an ecofriendly/healthy score of 0 to 10 based on factors like ingredients and packaging.<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><a href="http://dailymakeover.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">DailyMakeover.com</b></span></a> inspired by a celebrity's hairstyle? upload your face to this site's makeover tool, click on the celebrity's picture, and see how the style suits you!Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003991747513284988.post-89827800558715073972010-10-12T16:48:00.000-04:002010-10-12T16:48:13.825-04:00Aromatic Men=Hotties...Why?Researchers at the Univeristy of Liverpool doused a group of men in cologne and video taped their actions in a controlled setting, then had women rate these aromatic men against a control group of less-lovely-smelling men. Guess who rated hotter & more confident in the videos? Yup, those scrumptious-scented men!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZTPLTw0RhahlF0Px6IFfr_yCUFse8owQc98H3mPgHCgss9nWNofzeOLVQvxjm-_bBRiUdyljkWeAQlT_CJw6QvSNyt_kvJtNejrli12PWyXDw3svSY6tqGLD22d7glKV6bsUobJ-8h0/s1600/45829494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZTPLTw0RhahlF0Px6IFfr_yCUFse8owQc98H3mPgHCgss9nWNofzeOLVQvxjm-_bBRiUdyljkWeAQlT_CJw6QvSNyt_kvJtNejrli12PWyXDw3svSY6tqGLD22d7glKV6bsUobJ-8h0/s320/45829494.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Read more about how you (and many more mammals than just humans) can <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news200124456.html">"smell the love!" </a>Ah-Ha! Savvy Chichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06896305769568554157noreply@blogger.com2