Who Should I Be Listening To?

Check out some of these hot new tracks. If you haven't heard of them..find them instantly on : grooveshark.com

"Hometown Glory" Album: 19

"Someone Like You" Album: 21

"For The First Time" Album: Science and Faith

"Science and Faith" Album: Science and Faith 

"Paris (Ooh La La)"

Balancing Your Stress

Cheeky Chicago Article

While everyone around you may always appear to be extremely stressed or fearful of deadlines, remind yourself you don't have to be the same way. No matter the age, there will always be an agenda in your life. 


However, for the 20-Somethings, Christine of Cheeky Chicago does an excellent way of portraying the importance of separating your anxiety, stress and overwhelmed emotions. Take the 2 minutes to read this article and I guarantee you'll learn something about yourself. 


Enjoy.

The Best Tasting Summer Yet!

How are you keeping your cool this summer? I'm not just talking about your swag, I'm talking about your temperature.

I discovered these delicious ideas and am so thrilled to share them with you. If you haven't jumped on the band wagon of cooking up your own popsicles, it's never too late to start. Who knows, you might be celebrating with colored popsicles on the 4th of July after reading about these!

Click: 7 Homemade Recipes for a Delicious Summer!

TOMS

http://bit.ly/lCgEs3

Absolutely love these. Do you own a pair?

Learn about TOMS One for One Movement by visiting:This Link Here.

It's unbelievable that as of September 2010, there have been over 1 million shoes donated to children around the world. Think about it.

The Forever Ago

Oh my has life taken such a crazy turn in the past month. I've literally have been so busy packing up to soon unpack to then repack again. Soon enough I will be updating you on New York and all that it has to offer. 
Don't worry, I'll still keep you up to date with daily tips and suggestions! It's almost as if I've been away from you all for vacation and I've finally returned. Once life finally takes a breather in the next week, all will be back to normal. 
However, I would love to recommend a new product to you. If you're used to to your everyday face wash and still experience the minor breakouts or the " sure.. I'd love to cake on my concealer".. we'll here's a suggestion:

Oil-Free Acne Wash in Grapefruit, $6.97

Cynthia Vincent & Twelfth Street

Learn more about Cynthia Vincent on:

 Piperlime's Fresh Juice Blog !

You definitely shouldn't be missing out on her inspirational pieces

 as well as the BEST style advice ever!

The Look You Need

Recently featured in People, here's a pair of absolutely adorable summer sandals you need in your closet. Afraid of the heel? Take the same look with a shorter wedge! 

Early in the Morning

What's your morning fix to get your going when you wake up? Is it a fresh bowl of strawberries, grapefruit or oatmeal? Or maybe a coffee and just a quick walk outside.
Either way, I recommend a morning walk or a breath of cool, crisp air to wake you up! 
It will give you this awakening to make you feel alive and ready for the day. Enjoy it!

Pride, Proud, Accomplished

Before you go about celebrating the weekend after work tomorrow, go ahead, look yourself in the mirror tomorrow morning, and tell yourself how proud you are. You deserve to hear it from yourself. Whether you finished an exam, finalized a deal with a client, or worked all month on an event; give yourself a pat on the back. 
Compliment those around you on their accomplishments. 
Not only will you feel a great sense of pride in yourself for the work you've achieved, but you will feel more prepared and confident when the next major event is on your "to-do" list. 


Enjoy your sleep, relaxation, and family this weekend. 

Smooth Skin, Soft Lips!

 Stop complaining about the bad weather and your dry skin from winter. Admit it already, winter is over and you need to start lathering up those legs and arms to show the world in approximately 10 days. Yes.
Why 10 days? Well sweetheart, the weather is changing fast and I'd rather tell you 10 days than 20. It gives you the extra boost to know that before you reveal your legs in your cropped denim and arms in your sheer tanks, you need to take care of you. 


What's the solution?
Here' a few quick hints to smooth legs and arms. What the heck, I'll give you a few tips on smooth lips too. So if you're single watch out for the Spring Mingle. If you're taken, it's time to make yourself feel beautiful just like you did the first night out on your date a year ago. 

Olay $6

Daily Lotion 

Vitamin E & B3

Bliss $29 

Firming & Cellulite Focus

(Obviously work out too!)

Murad $43

Vitamin C Body Firming

Improve Resiliency & Tone

Jergens $7

Absolute Favorite! 

Boost Cellular Renewal

   

 Caudalie $19 

Lasts forever!

Anti-Aging Hand Cream

  

Caudalie $12

Lip Moisturizer

Kiss My Face $3.49

Organic Lip Care

SPF15

Burt's Bees $2.99

Free Radical Fighting Antioxidants

With SuperFruit Acai Berry 

MAC Lip Conditioner $14

Almond Oil, Avocado Extract

Vitamin A & E

LAVANILA $16

Healthy Lip Butter

Over 30 Vitamins 

Jouer Lip Enhancer $14
Hide the little lines
Improve Fullness


Real Beauty

Living Positively

It has been consistently brought to my attention that I live a positive life. I have been asked more than ever in the past week, " How do you live so positively?" It's ironic because I never knew if anyone even noticed it before. 

Well here's your lesson for today, tomorrow and the day after that. 


1. Growth and Learning Through Experience - Literally learn from everything and it will change your outlook.
2. Appreciate the downtime you have when you're not busy. When you are busy, appreciate those who work around you. It makes you feel good when you're appreciative of others and you will feel good in return when you recognize that they appreciate you. 

So if you're struggling to find that inner happiness or positive energy, ask me. I'm always here to remind you or bless you with a compliment. Not enough people are complimented. It's easier for someone to critique you than to compliment you. Just remember that. 


Today's Mission: Go out. Compliment someone. See how you feel. Then do it again - naturally. Compliment them without feeling as if I told you to do so. 


I promise you'll feel the positive energy.

500 Days of Summer

If you're in the mood for a glass of Pino Grigio and a good movie, here it is. 500 Days of Summer is full of excellent music, fashion and love. Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are absolutely fantastic together. This hopeless romantic attitude and sensational photography make this one movie to remember. You will finish this film wanting to not only download the soundtrack on itunes, but you'll be continuously chatting about the ending.  


itunes: 500 Days of Summer
Movie Trailer 

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

Are you filling your life with media that is quality or trash? Are you suffering the addiction of watching dramatic reality TV that only influences you to think like a dramatic individual? Well.. think again. 
You most likely don't even realize that by watching "entertaining drama", you're actually filling your mind with sticky scripts that will leave you being highly influenced? How would I know you might ask? Well I watch it on a daily matter. I watch women get attached to the drama and activities that aren't in their own life, but yet they begin to act "sassy" and "catty" like the women they watch. Now, do not think that because you watch it once a week that this will happen. What I'm talking about it sitting and watching consistent reruns, following them on Twitter and soaking yourself in the magazine uproars.

Visit OWN today

My wish for you is to fill yourself with a dose of forgiveness, happiness or enlightenment through a few episodes of OWN. It may not be for you, however watch a show that might help you understand the next lunch date with one of your girlfriends or the financial struggle that your co-worker is going through. Let yourself grow and develop. I don't care what your age is because there's always room for growth and living positively.  




Fill yourself with something fresh. 

Climb the Ladder

You're looking to feel powerful and get your point across to a variety of audiences. How do you accomplish it while still being respectful? How can you seem trustworthy and dependable to both male and female audiences? 

Well check out Today's Chicago Woman : Top 5 Executive Picks

TCW Mag

Personality Plus at Work: How to Work Successfully with Anyone  By Florence Littauer and Rose Sweet

Sun Tzu for Women: The Art of War for Winning in Business  By Becky Sheetz-Runkle

Code Switching: How to Talk So Men Will Listen By Claire Damken Brown and Audrey Nelson

Organized for Success: Top Executives and CEOs Reveal the Organizing Principles That Helped Them Reach the Top  By Stephanie Winston

Goddess Shift: Women Leading for a Change  By Stephanie Marohn

Reasoning

It is by far one of the most gorgeous days I've seen since October. Unfortunately, that's sad to  say. However, it's reminding me to be grateful for the days where there's sunshine and you get to enjoy what's around you. So often we take advantage of nice days and think we need to get work done, pay the bills, or nap. Today, if it's nice in your area, sit outside.
Yesterday was another beautiful day where I got to enjoy playing bags with friends and family. The music playing on the porch and the sounds of laughter made it all the more enjoyable. Don't forget to spend days like that with the ones you care about. Take a quick trip to Starbucks for a Passion Tea or walk around the park for a short break in your day. 
Trust me. Your heart, mind and soul will appreciate it. Here's a reminder from my favorite woman who consistently has the desire to inspire: 

I trust that everything happens for a reason, 

even when we're not wise enough to see it.

 - Oprah

So whatever hardships or struggles you may be pushing through this spring, relax. Take time for yourself, but always work to the best of your abilities. You were given the talents you have for a reason. However your life plans out this week, I wish you the best of optimism and joy. 

Sleep. Rest. Snooze. Nap.

It's something everyone tends to play off and never get around to doing..

" Oh I'll catch up on sleep later on" 
" I'll take my vitamins later" 
" I'm so tired..I'll just work out next week" 
" Next week I'll buy some eye cream"
Realistically?My thought is that if you're not taking care of yourself now, what are you waiting for? Right now, no matter your age, this the time to take care of your health. Often the amount of sleep someone gets comes across as something we can catch up on "next month". 


However when you lack your sleep, you lack the ability to provide your best self for your friends, family and co-workers. Most importantly, if you're not getting enough sleep, you're not allowing yourself to live your best. 


Don't miss these top apps to help your health: Health Tech Tools 

Ads that Refresh

Spring Into Hot Picks Under $100

Now's the time to start looking at your wardrobe to see what the heck you already own, what you've had for years that's finally back in style 10 years later and what staple pieces you're missing! 

Catch a few of these new trends. The secret? If you can't afford this look for this price..go somewhere else. If you don't have a Target nearby, go to TjMaxx or Nordstrom Rack. If you refuse to shop discounts, which I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to show some TLC to your wallet, find these similar looks at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and even local boutiques in your area. Also another secret: Shopping at a lower cost means you can afford to actually wear your adorable fashions out and about for lunch dates or drinks! 

Check out the chic new looks for Spring 2011: 

Mossimo Hat, Target, $13

Jessica Simpson Sunglasses, $54 

SR by Sondra Roberts, $99

Melie Bianco by Miley, $99

Hive and Honey Bracelet, $24

Joes Jeans in Blue Chambray, $99

Line and Dot Shirt Dress, $81

(Add a belt to spice it up!)

Betsey Johnson, Round Stud Earrings, $30 

Support the Cause

Acqua For Life

"The UNICEF Tap Project is a nationwide campaign that provides the world's children access to safe, clean water. During World Water Week, March 20–26, 2011, restaurants across the United States will encourage patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free. In tandem, UNICEF Tap Project Volunteers will be supporting their efforts by conducting local fundraising events and activities. Thousands of restaurants, dining patrons, and students, along with corporate, community, celebrity, and government supporters have made the The UNICEF Tap Project a powerful national movement. " - Aqua for Life 

Songs for Japan

With over 30 of today's greatest artists, comes an amazing compilation for only $10.00 in the US. It's an awesome way to expand the knowledge of what's happened in Japan as well as to distribute word of mouth relief funds. Visit an excellent article from PR Newswire to expand your knowledge of such an excellent idea. I've already purchased my 38 songs on the Songs for Japan album. Become a part of a great cause and receive the gratitude of knowing you've contributed. Spread the Word. Spread the knowledge. 

A Breath of Fresh Air

When was the last time you stopped to sit at the park, on your porch or your patio for a breath of fresh air? Did you actually sit out there to read a book and watch the neighbors walk by or did you simply just sit there because you were frustrated about something? 


Next time you head out the door past the chairs on your patio, think about sitting in one when you come home. The 20 minutes of relaxing your mind and paying attention to what's around you instead, will make you feel at ease. Do it for yourself. Do it for your personal mentality and you'll see how it can positively leave an effect on others around you. Allow someone to see you relaxing like this because in turn, they might need some relaxation in their own life. 


Make it your escape to breathe a moment of fresh air. 

Make it Disappear in March

Yes I am revealing a secret to you that is absolutely worth knowing. Why? Spring is right around the corner with flowers, sunshine and cheerful people. I want you to feel that you've done your best to achieve clean and healthy skin. I don't want you to be afraid to reveal yourself naturally with or without makeup. Feel comfortable with who you are. 


So for those days that you wake up and wonder why you are consistently having small breakouts, here's the trick. It's only about $8.00 at your local drugstore and you can use it after cleansing your face with your normal skincare system. If you have sensitive skin I would be careful using this product, and if you do... just be gentle. You should feel like the commercials and casually move the pad through the affected areas on your face. 

Give it about 3 days and I promise if you use it in the morning and evening, you will notice results. Good luck! 

" Take Vitamin Alphabet"

It's true. Everyone and their ancestor recommends every vitamin for some specific reason. Then of course you begin to think either A. I can't afford this or B. I need to get to GNC as soon as possible before my health falls apart. Well guess what... Have no fear! It's actually what you don't know about that is keeping you healthy. ( You're probably thinking.. I'm not a size 6 like I want to be, so clearly I'm not doing enough!)
Actually that's not the way to think at all. Turns out, all of those times you thought the hair models for Herbal Essences or Garnier Fructis had really fake hair and skin - well you could actually look similar to them!
The catch?
Your body wants to be nourished. Not only is it craving a healthy amount of sleep, food to increase energy levels and  caffeine to jump start your neurons in your big melon mind, but it needs protein to develop healthy hair and nails! Quit complaining about others around you having beautiful hair. Complement them! Once you realize how good it feels to complement someone else, you'll begin to understand the beauty of feeling beautiful. 
How? 
Nourishing your body with healthy protein begins with eating some of the following: 
Bananas
beans
cauliflower
eggs

lentils
peanuts 
salmon
flaxseed
fish oil
mackerel
sardines
spinach
tuna 
walnuts
Chicken
lean red meats (95%)
lowfat dairy
seafood
soybeans

whole grains
 Apricots
broccoli
cantaloupe
carrots
Cheddar cheese
mangoes
oatmeal
Cashews
green beans
lean beef
lobster
oysters


You didn't really think I'd put them in alphabetical order did you? I knew you would just scan for foods you're a fan of.. this way.. you actually have to read the list to see if you're already eating these foods. Good luck! Watch out for healthy hair and nails. I promise you that you will see a difference. Like anything, don't overload, but enjoy them in healthy moderation! I didn't bother telling you that it's Vitamin H or Biotin because realistically.... with the hustle and bustle of people's lives these days, we only have the time to focus on what we really need to eat and how it will help us. So here you are. Learn more.
Enjoy ! 

Soul Food

One of the best ways to excite your mood, thoughts and emotions toward your life is to listen to music that invites you to think deeper. I thought I'd share you with a few great tunes that will let you relax at the end of the day, get a few things done online or to simply work through a few projects. These aren't exceedingly uplifting, however they are more relaxing and enjoyable. Don't expect to fall asleep, but don't expect to replace your coffee with these jams. Check them out on either Pandora or Grooveshark.


Happy listening! 

Fire by the Night                   by Josh Garrels

Come Around                       by Stars Go Dim

If God Made You                   by Five For Fighting

Wont'cha Come Home          by G.Love & Special Sauce

Sad Songs                            by Matt Nathanson 

Free Fallin' ( Acoustic) (Live)   by John Mayer

Over You                               by Jay Nash 

Lonely Boy                             by Black Lab

Drifter                                    by Decemberadio

Ready to Find Love                  by Jackson Waters

Can't Stop                               by Leeland

Element                                  by Moses Mayfield 

Feel the Tide                           by Mumford & Sons