The Power Of Planning

January 17, 2022 in

 

                                                             Source: Picumbo





Happy Monday, Mes Amies! Here we are 1/2 through with January.  Hopefully, you are still in the mindset of "New Year, new start". If so, Today's post is for you. Conversely, if you feel as if you are already starting to "fall off" from your resolutions, today's post is REALLY for you.

Over the past year, I have changed my life so much in so many ways. All for the better, I might add too. This isn't to toot my own horn. It is to share with you what I learned along the way, so hopefully you'll learn it sooner than I did.

I don't want to over simplify things here, there are many facets that go into changing things and yourself. However, by and large the single biggest factor has been planning.

Yes, I know. It sounds to simplistic... but hear me out.

For most of us, we go through life tending to things as they come.  We decide what we are going to have for dinner at 4:30 pm day of, we decide what we will wear when we should of already been out the door, we check to see what is in our account right before the bill is due. Living like this is the most surefire way to assure that your won't obtain a single goal that you set for yourself. 

Let's use the example of someone who is hoping to loose weight. Let's pretend that they don't plan in advance. Fitness and exercise is left to when they "feel like it". When they get hungry, they reach for what is that is closest and fastest regardless of its nutritional value.


When I decided that I needed to turn my health and fitness around, I planned a week in advance which 5 days I would be working out. I planned what workout I would be doing on those days and at what time. I planned out all 3 meals a week in advance along with what snacks I'd have. Every other week , I have a "celebration meal" (What some folks call a "cheat meal") I plan that out as well.
All of the temptation and excuses to derail have been removed.

Planning will literally change each and ever facet of you life when you apply it.
It could be something as simple as seeing a hamper full of dirty clothing gives you anxiety. Planning out each week a 2-3 hour block when you'll do laundry fully removes that stressor.  

If you work outside of the home, this is so key. At my office I block off when I'll be responding to emails, when I'll be writing contracts, when I'll be making client calls. If I were attempting to do everything as it came in, I'd be left feeling so stressed and overwhelmed. 

Lilly Pullitzer Planner


I can't encourage you strongly enough to give this a try. Start small. When you do your grocery shopping, plan an entire week's worth of meals. Get it done and over with. You'll be happy later in the week when you don't need to run to the store.

Planning things out is the bridge from where you are not to where you want to be.





XO,




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My Most Relaxing Vacation Ever

January 14, 2022 in

 

                                                                              PicJumbo




Happy Friday, Mes Amies. Are you ready for the weekend?

I wanted to share with you today the details of one of my best vacations ever. It was the week between Christmas and New Years. Where did I go? Pretty much nowhere.

Let me back up and start from the beginning.  Each year, my boss gives all of us the week in -between Christmas and New Years off. We close the office. There is no temptation to "just check in" this way.

In years past, I'd use this week as a time to get any appointments, tasks and chores I needed done out of the way.

This year, I took an entirely different approach. Aside from my hubby & Mom, I didn't tell a soul that I had this week off.  I didn't make a single plan, commitment or appointment. It. Was. Glorious.


The first day, Decoy & I stayed in bed the whole day. Bing watching our show and drinking coffee. (Seriously, my dog loves coffee. I let him have a few sips.)



I went to the gym whenever I felt like it, as opposed to having to be there at 5:00 am. I stayed for as long as I wanted when I was there. It was great not needing to "watch the clock".

I went to my favorite store , Books & Sundry and spent well over an hour just relaxing and looking at books. (3 new cookbooks made their way back to my house)

I went and got a blowout one morning.

I played each and everyday by ear (so out of the norm for me. Typically, I like to have everything "planned out").

I woke up and asked myself "What do I feel like doing today?" Where it was the week after Christmas, it was easy to get same day appointments. However, if something was not available, I'd of just gone with whatever was next on the list. If I couldn't get a facial, I'd get a pedicure.

I didn't set an alarm once. I went to bed when I felt like it and woke up when my body was ready to wake up.

Guys, I have to tell you that this was the most relaxing vacation that I have ever taken. Going places is amazing, I'm not discounting that in anyway. However, a vacation like that is stimulating and exciting. Where this was low key and .beyond tranquil. I returned from this week completely recharged. I cannot recommend doing this at least once strongly enough.

Here is a sampling of what I did.


  • Went to Whole foods to restock our fresh veggies & fruits
  • Got a facial
  • Got a pedicure
  • Got a blowout
  • Spent an hour at the book store
  • Tried a few new recipes 
  • Went to Nordstrom and shopped the after Christmas sale
  • Watched a whole season of my show
  • Went to Lululemon for new workout gear


Your list of wat you do will likely be entirely different, and that's the whole point. This is a week ( or day, or 2 days, etc) of you doing you. 



XO,





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Two New Hair Game Changers

January 11, 2022 in

 




Hello! How is 2022 treating you so far?

All is good here, but man it is COLD. I know, I know...its New England in the winter, but its cold even for us.


Anyhow, over the last few weeks I have found a new hair product and a new hair styling product.

Both are SO good, that I have to share with you. These are both "affordable" too! Both of these can be found at your local Target or Wal-mart.




L'Oreal 8 Second Wonder Water



I don't even know where to start here. This product is a miraculous hair wonder. No, I'm not exaggerating for effect here.
This is a new (to me?) product. Its not a conditioner or a mask. Its a Lamellar Hair Treatment. What does that mean? Its a liquid that targets only the damage on your hair. If a part of the hair is not damaged, it doesn't deposit there, only where its needed.
This stuff is like nothing I've EVER used. After the first time, my hair felt like it did back when I was in my teens, long before it was forced to endure years of abuse. This works on ALL hair types and textures. It costs under $10 and as of the time I'm writing this, it has over 19,000 5 -star reviews on Amazon.






Remmington Twist & Curl




Some folks are super skilled with hair tools. They can do beachy waves, bouncy curls or a perfect blowout with ease.
I am not one of them. So often when I go to curl my hair, it ends up looking like a "mom curl".  i.e ...fussy, dated curls like your mom wore in the late 80's.
This tool makes even a hack like me look like I know what I'm doing. This gadget straightens, waves or curls. Its part flat iron, part curling wand in one tool. 
to straighten, you just glide is straight down your hair shaft. To wave your hair you twist it and glide it down your hair quickly. To curl, you twist it and glide it down your hair slowly. It really does what they claim it will do.
For the first time on my own, I had perfect, lived in waves. 
This was only $30! I'm really shocked that this didn't come from one of the super expensive brands. Hey, we'll take the win, right!?



Okay, ta-ta for today!


XO,


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