Today's Obsessions

Today's Obsessions

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• 8 Best Ways to Get Your Voice Heard …
• 8 Great Looks for Casual Friday …
• 7 Ways to Make Friends with the Neighbors …
• 10 Best Albums of 2010 …
• 8 Yummy Quick Fix Breakfasts for Women …
• 9 Edgy Leather Jackets for Winter …
• 10 Things Everyone Should Have When Flying …
• 8 Ways to Stay Awake …
• 7 Last-Minute Beauty Substitutions …
• 8 Dangers Of Reality TV …
• 7 Reasons Why You Should Learn a Second Language …
• 7 Incredible Post-Holiday Sales …
• 10 Beautiful Bookcases to Add to Your Home …
• 8 Tips on Being a Stellar Hostess …
• 7 Reasons Why Crying is Good for You …
• 8 Tips on Setting Up a Successful Blog …
• 7 Celebrities I Do Not Want to Meet …

8 Best Ways to Get Your Voice Heard … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 12:06 PM PST Do you ever feel as if you could be screaming, but you might as well be screaming into a pillow because nobody is hearing you? Gosh! I feel it all the time! It’s as if no matter how loud I get, I’m never heard. But not anymore! I’m going to be a woman who is heard and understood after finding these tips! You can too! Read on! 1. Choose To Speak When Engaged In an Activity Photo Credit: nalobi Research shows that men are more relaxed and receptive to conversation when engaged in an activity. So, save your important conversations for when you’re doing something together. Go for a walk or ride bikes together. Or talk while holding hands and walking around at the local fair. You get the picture, right? 2. Start Softly Photo Credit: AXEHD Don’t rev your engines with an accusation and complaint! No! Start slowly and softly – idle for a moment. If you’re upset that you haven’t had a date in a while, rather than jumping in with “you never take me out anymore” gently bring up your last date, and talk about how much fun you had. Then, suggest the possibility of going out again soon. Don’t pressure. Just ease into another subject. You’ll see – it works! 3. Communicate In Different Ways Photo Credit: nathancolquhoun You don’t always have to speak to get heard. Try alternate forms of communication occasionally. Write him a note, or simply use touch. Or, model the behavior in which you desire your husband to have. (Like exercise or eating healthy)

8 Great Looks for Casual Friday … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 11:25 AM PST One of the things I regret about not working in an office is that I don’t get to do Casual Friday. Every day is casual for me, and there’s no one here but a selection of dogs and cats to notice. The bunny doesn’t even pay attention anymore. Maybe I play way too much Jojo’s Fashion Show, but Casual Friday styles are awesome, chic, and stylish – and here are 8 great looks for yours! 1. Classic Cardigans Price: $49.00 at shop.nordstrom.com A cardigan will always look good on a casual day, because it is such a casual piece. The thing is, because the dress codes are typically lax on these days, you can wear all kinds of different cardies. You can dress it up a bit, or go super casual and still know you’ll look good. 2. Pretty Plaids Price: $33.90 at shop.nordstrom.com Plaid pants, jackets, shirts, and so on, are excellent on Casual Fridays. Something about the pattern is so chic, yet casual too. It doesn’t have to be evocative of hunters in the forest or anything like that, as you can see. Plus, it’s such a versatile look, you can pair it with so many things! 3. Pristine Jeans Price: $28.90 at shop.nordstrom.com Now, your office might frown on blue jeans, even when it’s a casual day, but that’s all right. There are tons of dress jeans out there now. I saw one fashionista say that white cigarette jeans were a good idea, but I am not going there. White jeans are rarely a good idea. However, black jeans are awesome – look how sleek they are!

7 Ways to Make Friends with the Neighbors … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 10:01 AM PST I think everyone can benefit from the list below of 7 ways to make friends with the neighbors. It’s never easy becoming friends with a complete stranger, whether it is you who just moved to the neighborhood or the new neighbors who just arrived to your neighborhood. Hopefully you’ll find something in the list that is a technique that you haven’t tried yet. Good luck with your quest to make some new friends in your neighborhood! 7. Invite them over for dinner Unless you are a truly terrible cook, inviting the neighbors over for dinner is usually a great way to get to know one another. Food seems to make people more at ease. If you're worried about offending the neighbors with your cooking, then maybe you pick up a few things at the deli instead. 6. Take them a gift basket Gift baskets are easy to make and they don't have to be filled with a bunch of expensive items either. A jar of jam, some fancy crackers, and a bottle of sparkling grape juice are always fun. These are items that can be eaten by almost anyone, since the basket doesn't include meat, dairy, or alcohol. If you are just meeting neighbors for the first time, then it might be wise to play it a bit safe until you know their eating habits. 5. Have a cookout and ask them to come over for it Cookouts are one of the best social experiences for newcomers to engage in. Everyone can hang out in the back yard, music can set the mood, and lawn games that include multiple players are plentiful. This can also give you a chance to have more than just one set of neighbors over for the cookout. The more the merrier!

10 Best Albums of 2010 … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 09:52 AM PST This list is far too important to trust my own taste, so I compiled my own list of my top 20 picks for new albums this year, then checked it against both the Urban Outfitters and NPR lists for the year… and there were several of each. We agreed on a lot of them, and it's not hard to see (or rather, hear) why. 2010 was a great year for music, and in case you haven't heard them, here are the 10 best albums of 2010. Please note: the prices and links are for downloading the digital tracks, not for vinyl or for a CD. 1. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs Price: $7.99 at amazon.com I loved, loved, LOVED this album, especially "Empty Room." It's been a long time since Arcade Fire released a new album, and this one was worth the wait. I couldn't listen to it all the way through (I hate the first song, and the album sort of loses me in the middle), but it'sstill one of the best indie albums of the year for sure. 2. Four Tet – There Is Love in You Price: $5.00 at amazon.com House dance folk? Relaxed electronic? I'm not sure how to categorize this album, but it's wonderful. It's perfect for putting on while you do something else, like read, study… most of the songs are really long, trailing along, blending together. 3. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Price: $4.99 at amazon.com I loathe Kanye West as a person. But I have to admit, he has talent, damn it! This is probably his best album yet, filled with unique, though foul-mouthed, songs, each of them different from the last but with the unmistakable Kanye West sound. I really wanted to hate this album, to be able to laugh at it or dismiss it, but it's brilliant.

8 Yummy Quick Fix Breakfasts for Women … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 09:51 AM PST Some of the quick fix breakfasts suggestions here can literally change your life. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and yet so many choose to skip it because they don't have the time to put something together before rushing out to work or school. Well, no excuses any more. You have 8 alternatives here and all of them are healthy and delicious. 1. Oatmeal Most of us have this not so great memory of oatmeal thanks to it being a stable breakfast item when we were growing up. Thankfully there are some awesome ways to make your oatmeal really delicious. You can add a variety of toppings like fresh berries, some cinnamon, a sliced banana and even some nuts. It is an excellent choice for a quick fix breakfast. 2. Healthy Pancakes Healthy pancakes – the two words don't usually go together. The fact is pancakes are always delicious and if you replace some of the unhealthy ingredients like flour with some healthy ones like whole grains, you can actually allow yourself the luxury of pancakes a couple of days a week. 3. Smoothies Smoothies are an excellent way to fill your stomach while at the same time providing you with some vital nutrients and minerals to kick start your day. Choose one or two of your favorite fruits; add some skim milk and a dash of honey. Pop everything in the blender and there you have a well-balanced meal in a tall refreshing smoothie. You can add a little oomph to the drink with a little protein shake powder.

9 Edgy Leather Jackets for Winter … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 08:54 AM PST Leather jackets remain a staple wardrobe item. I'm guilty of owning several styles. But "staple" should never mean boring – and doesn't necessarily need to be interpreted as traditional. Check out these outerwear pieces for winter, to maintain an edge in your personal style statement: 1. Ashley B by Bernardo Perforated Faux Leather Scuba Jacket Price: $88.00 shop.nordstrom.com Yes, I'm starting with faux because I understand that fashion needs come in all salary ranges. Just the same, real leather can oftentimes come with a hefty price point. That said, this Ashley B Scuba jacket would fake it (rather awesomely) until you can make it. The investment, that is. 2. muubaa Draped Leather Jacket Price: $398.00 shop.nordstrom.com The unique cut of this leather coat from muubaa just screams enthusiastic fashion statement! Neutrally hued, this mink-colored outwear piece will match a variety of wardrobe styles. Wide-draped lapels, a ribbed knit trim and a double belted waist are the definitive high points of this jacket, and a hidden belted collar transforms the neckline into an almost cowl-like trendy top – turning the style volume up to 11. 3. Veda "Max" Leather Jacket Price: $740.00 shop.nordstrom.com Blue steel might be a gimmicky "look" for the movies, but this sleek, gunmetal hued jacket from Veda is the climax of real life fashion. I love the asymmetrical zip and wide collar, but simply cannot resist the star power of cropped length leatherwear. Definitely worth the price of admission!

10 Things Everyone Should Have When Flying … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 08:41 AM PST Spring is in the air and soon summer thereafter, which means you or someone you know will be making their way through an airport sooner or later. Keep these 10 things with you to make the traveling experience more enjoyable. They’ll make the time fly… pun intended! 1. Face mask If the swine flu outbreak taught us anything last summer, it was to be more aware of the things we came in contact with. Washing our hands frequently, sneezing into our elbows, and carrying sanitizer were just a few of the things we put into practice. Take it a step further by wearing a face mask while you are going through the airport. They are a cute and convenient way to protect yourself from any airborne illnesses that may be flying around with you. 2. Passport Cover I hate it when I am in line at the security check in and the person in front of me is shuffling around their monstrosity of a bag and chuckling through an "I'm sorry, it was right here!" Avoid the embarrassment by keeping everything you need inside a cute passport cover. Available in a ton of styles, they keep everything you need in one convenient place and are easy to spot in a purse or backpack, allowing you to breeze through check in. 3. Over-sized Beanie Lets face it, traveling can be stressful. With schedules to keep and gates to run to who really has time to make sure they look good? Keep it together with an over sized beanie. They are flattering to any face shape, comfortable to wear, and perfect in all weather conditions. Most importantly, they keep your hair under wraps until you can get a chance to style it.

8 Ways to Stay Awake … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 07:21 AM PST By experience, as a freelance writer, I have learned that we are pretty much nocturnal as we type our way long into the night building up the next batch of articles to send to the client who is waiting. Fifty down and three hundred more to go – yes that is life. Well, I have become an expert at staying awake and right now, I am going to give you 8 ways to stay awake … 8. Drink Coffee Yes, yes, I know, you do not have to tell me- it's not exactly good for you. However, when I need to stay awake, it is definitely my fix. Sure, there are other ways and I am going to give you some of the other ways. 7. Eat Properly Good food is like gasoline – it will help you keep going. Therefore, it is important to make sure you eat properly. Also, eating properly is going to give you more brainpower, which you need. You can't get energy by eating those doughnuts and all the other junk food. You need good food! 6. Get Lots of Fresh Air As soon as you start to feel that tired feeling sinking in, go outside and get some fresh air. When I start to feel that feeling, I hook my dog up on the leash and go for a walk – that will be sure to wake you up.

7 Last-Minute Beauty Substitutions … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 07:10 AM PST How many times have you hopped in the shower only to realize your sister or roomie used the last of the shave cream or facial scrub? It's too late to run out and get more now, so you'll have to make do… here are 7 last-minute beauty substitutions. 1. If you run out of this: shaving cream Photo Credit: Ankou Use this: conditioner First of all, you shouldn't be using a foaming shaving cream, because the air bubbles that make the foam actually cause your razor to skip, which causes painful, awful-looking razor burn. Instead, you ought to be using a shaving lotion, which is actually a lot like the conditioner we use for our hair! If you run out of your shaving lotion, use a little conditioner instead. 2. If you run out of this: anti-acne facial cleanser Photo Credit: Pharmacy Practice Lab Use this: toothpaste A couple of years ago, I noticed that my normally acne-prone sister-in-law had the most gorgeous, glowing skin. I asked her what she had been using, and she blushed and admitted that for the past two weeks, she had been using her toothpaste instead of her normal facial scrub because she had run out. She put a pea-sized dab on her fingertips, then massaged it into her skin using a small circular motion. She said it works best if you use the kind with tiny polishing grains in it. I've never tried this trick, but her skin has never looked better! 3. If you run out of this: toothpaste Photo Credit: SmileWarehouse Use this: baking soda When I was little, we couldn't afford meat, much less luxuries like toothpaste, so we used baking soda. Simply apply baking soda to a damp toothbrush and brush as you normally would. Your breath won't be as minty, but your mouth will feel fresh and clean. Perfect for replacing toothpaste in a pinch!

8 Dangers Of Reality TV … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 07:07 AM PST Reality TV shows have become ubiquitous in the schedules over the last few years. Of course, we know that in fact they are carefully edited to give the desired impression, and that there isn't much reality involved. Here are some of the problems with this type of show. 1. Nonentities Remember the days when people became famous for having a talent such as singing or acting ability? It wasn't that long ago. Now, wannabes are queuing up to get on reality shows, so that they can become famous without actually doing anything to deserve it. And it works. Their pictures are all over the papers, and their every deed is reported. 2. Quality Suffers Because reality shows are relatively cheap compared to, say, drama, they have come to dominate programming. So quality is sacrificed, as more and more reality shows are commissioned. Innovative programming disappears. 3. Ambitions While I doubt that the 'stars' of such programmes will influence an entire generation, the evidence does suggest that some people want to follow in their footsteps and get on TV via the same route. Now, maybe these people weren't the brightest to begin with, but it's sad that anyone should harbour ambitions to be famous for a reality show.

7 Reasons Why You Should Learn a Second Language … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 06:51 AM PST Want to do something interesting, new and challenging this year? Why not learn a foreign language? Think about it – how long has it been from the last time you've actually sat and studied something? Did you, for example, know that only 5,6% of the world's population speaks English as a primary language? But, here, let me list some of the best things you can get from this challenging experience… 1. Desire to travel Learning French could definitely inspire you to go to France, test and perfect your knowledge and find out more about their culture, slang terms and other little gimmicks only a native living in its own country could teach you. Furthermore, knowing a language of the country you're visiting will make your tourist experience much more pleasant. You will be able to understand what people around you are talking about, you'll never get lost and you'll always manage to charm the locals and get them to tell you about the good places to go out and eat. 2. Better learning capacity A brain might not be a muscle, but it certainly works like one! If you focus on learning a new language, you will actually exercise your brain and improve your memory. Nothing stimulates the mind and helps develop new and brush up on the old, long forgotten mental skills, better than learning. You'll have a lot of words and grammar rules to memorize and wait until you get to the point where you have to apply them! Now, that's quite a workout and it will result in some serious verbal and mental skills you didn't even know you had. 3. Desire to read Knowing another language opens a whole new set of doors – library doors! You will actually get to enjoy reading the books in their original, non-translated form and, believe me, that's something to look forward to! Nothing beats the original and no matter how good the translation might be, it's still just a translation and, that's just a thing about translations – things always tend to get lost in them.

7 Incredible Post-Holiday Sales … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 06:46 AM PST Do you know what’s awesome about the fact that the holidays are over? Things get back to normal, sure, and privacy is finally restored, and those things are great … but I am talking about the sales. Stores are getting rid of all the things they stocked up on during the holidays, and all those items that didn’t sale the first time around are now practically being given away. Check out these 7 incredible post-holiday sales at stores you can visit online and off! 1. Best Buy If you’re looking for electronics, DVDs, CDs, or what have you, Best Buy is definitely the place to be – even right now! You can get some great deals on movies and DVD sets especially, but that’s not all. You can also take the opportunity to stock up on batteries, black CDs and DVDs, and things like that. It won’t hurt you to keep an eye out for coupons either. 2. Amazon Since Amazon sells pretty much everything, you can pretty much save on everything – especially books and movies. I am all over that. If you don’t mind buying shoes, clothing, accessories – and pet supplies, skincare, makeup, gardening tools, and so on – from Amazon, you can really hit the jackpot right now. 3. Walmart Oh Walmart, what would we do without you? Walmart almost always has a sale going on, but right now it’s crazy. If you’ve got a Super Walmart, you might even be able to get great deals on groceries, but you can definitely start stocking up on staples. Hey, you can even buy up all your Christmas paraphernalia for next year if you want. Wrapping paper is probably like 75 percent off or something.

10 Beautiful Bookcases to Add to Your Home … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 06:31 AM PST The boyfriend and I are planning on moving to a new place. We like our studio now (it’s far from the center of the city and we get only a few encounters with polluted corners) but it has become too tiny for our things. There are no built-in shelves at the new place so that’s a bit of a problem. At the back of my head, I keep hearing Tyler Durden say “The things you own end up owning you” but I choose to ignore him. Seriously, why would I let go of my books (among other things)? Why would I stop hoarding books? The only solution is to buy more bookcases! Here are some that could work: 1. Hemnes Bookcase Price: $130 at ikea I have two bookcases that look similar to this and they are very useful. While some people want huge bookcases, I actually prefer these narrow types. Reasons: they are perfect for vignettes. I’m a sucker for whimsically displayed teapots, trinkets, etc, etc. 2. Sloane Espresso 18″ Bookcase Price: $99.95 at crate&barrel This one is in ladder style and in a color that matches my desk. I’ll take 2 please! I definitely like this ladder-inspired bookcase. Not only is it narrow enough to fit in a tiny place, it’s also great for books of different sizes. The overall look may be minimalist and sleek but it can still make a work corner or study look even more beautiful. 3. Vallivik Bookcase Price:$89.99 at ikea Another perfect choice because aherm… it’s dark enough to match my desk. This is made of solid wood and is quite easy to assemble. It’s height is only 1.89 meters, making it perfect for tiny people. Yours truly is one perfect example. 4. Sloane Espresso Learning Bookcase + Desks Price: $399 at crate&barrel If the Sloane above bred with a desk, this particular bookcase would be the result. I had to include this beautiful design here even though it can never work for me and the boyfriend. Our laptop-monitor setup will never fit on those two desks. Plus he needs space for drawing. Still, if you need a goodlooking shelf/study, this should be one of your top choices. 5. Besta Price: $160 at ikea This one is for those books that you don’t want to display. Y’know, those textbooks that look ugly but you can never bear to part with. The best part about this storage unit, of course, is the fact that it can also be a bum-depository. Er…bench.

8 Tips on Being a Stellar Hostess … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 06:24 AM PST Throwing a party is hard work but it can also be lots of fun and quite rewarding. However, as host or hostess, you definitely have a role to perform. Many people point out, quite correctly, that being a hostess is like being an actor – because there definitely is a role to play. Check out the main components of that role by reading these 8 tips on being a stellar hostess! 1. Set the Right Mood The mood you set depends on the type of party you are throwing – but every party has a mood. Festive, celebratory, sophisticated – whatever the case may be, it’s your job to make sure the mood matches the theme. That may mean making sure everyone is smiling, that the music plays, or that the lighting is right – or all of the above! 2. Participate in Activities If you have activities at your party, it won’t look good if you don’t participate – so it’s a good idea not to have dancing at your party if you hate to dance. Whether it is dancing, or simply eating, having cocktails, or playing party games, you need to join in the fun. Otherwise, your guests may not want to participate either. 3. Make Everyone Welcome Being a host or hostess means making sure every single guests feels welcome in your home – or wherever the party is being held. You should greet each guest upon arrival, let them know what is where, when things will be happening, and so on. And that’s just the first step.

7 Reasons Why Crying is Good for You … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 06:01 AM PST You should not have fears about tears. No one should and I have personally learned this one. This is something that is natural and comes natural to many people. Some cry during movies, while others, like myself do not. Some cry when they are sad. Correction – most cry when they are sad. Yet, you have those that will not let those tears fall – like guys. I know, it may be embarrassing if you cry in front of someone, but did you know that sometimes, crying may be good for you? I am going to give you 7 reasons why crying is good for you … 7. Tears Help Us See Tears allow us to see. I always thought this was an interesting fact. They will lubricate out eyeballs and eyelids and also help to prevent dehydration of mucous membranes. If you do not have any lubrication, then you are not going to have any sight. 6. Tears Kill That Bacteria When you cry, you are killing that bacteria. This is another neat fact that I have found. Your tears will help fight those germs that you pickup. Tears have what is called lysozyme in them. 5. Crying Let's Our Emotions Out When you cry, you are letting those emotions out. You get that tightness in your chest before you cry, don't you? That is those emotions trying to pound their way out and if you let them out, tears will come.

8 Tips on Setting Up a Successful Blog … Posted: 01 Feb 2011 12:22 AM PST Blogging has become a huge success and it can also be a money-maker for some. People who enjoy writing often turn to blogging so they can share their ideas and information with others. If you are interested in blogging, then take a look at the 8 tips on setting up a successful blog that I've listed below. You might find some ideas you can use! 8. Come up with a catchy domain name These can be purchased for a relatively price that is paid yearly. Come up with a catchy name that people will remember or at least find interesting enough to make them want to see what you have to offer. Be sure to pay your dues on time so that your domain name doesn't fall into the hands of someone else. Unpaid names are up for grabs after a certain amount of time. 7. Take lessons from other bloggers Learning from the mistakes of others is how I learn best. I think most people actually pick up quite a lot of valid information this way. If you happen upon a blog site that has certain features you find undesirable, then make sure you steer clear of these same features. Make a list of what not to do on your blog site and keep it handy for future reference. 6. Chose a topic that isn't the same as other blogs already in place Fresh information is always a good way to attract enthusiastic readers. If you create a blog that is merely mimicking a popular one, then you might not have much success at drawing people away from the other similar blog sites. You need to have original ideas and unique topics that cause readers to keep coming back for more.

7 Celebrities I Do Not Want to Meet … Posted: 31 Jan 2011 10:47 PM PST I'm always up for meeting famous people, but there are a few that I could do without an introduction to. I know that many actors portray big meanies in movies and are really nice people in real life. I also know that some singers write songs about things that I might find undesirable, but this doesn't make them bad people. However, after seeing interviews and reading up on different famous people, here is a list of 7 celebrities I do not want to meet. 7. Steven Seagal Photo Credit: ivillage.com I haven’t heard anything good about this particular actor. When my husband worked on a movie set where Seagal was, everyone in the crew was told to refer to Seagal as ‘Number One’. This tells me right away that he seems to think very highly of himself. Most people who lack the ability to be even the least bit humble tend to viewed as being somewhat rude. 6. Lindsay Lohan Photo Credit: ohgossip.com I know this poor girl has had nothing but negative attention lately, but even before she landed herself in the police spotlight I didn’t have a strong desire to meet her. She never really came across as having the type of personality that I was drawn towards. Maybe she’ll get herself straightened out some day and show the world what an upstanding individual she can be. 5. Joan Rivers Photo Credit: nydailynews.com I don’t know if it’s the accent or the blunt comments, but I find this woman to be almost offensive. I’m sure there are individuals who find Joan Rivers’ personality to be funny and captivating. I definitely don’t feel this way. I think she’s irritating and can barely stand to watch anything that she has a part in. I used to love The Apprentice. I quit watching when she and her daughter were on it and have yet to see any episodes after the ones they were one.

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