LIVING LIFE

I made my way to Pottery Barn last Sunday for an Outdoor Entertaining Class as part of my Living Life to the Fullest exercise.  Keep in mind, I don’t have any outdoor space but I figure I will someday so I’ll need inspiration and I love this kind of stuff so of course I signed up.  Throughout the class though I couldn’t help but feel depressed, suddenly claustrophobic, and almost desperate to move. 

Thankfully the teacher, Leslie, had TONS of great ideas for bringing the outdoors in as well so class wasn’t a total flop.  I learned how to use low- to no-cook summer meals in entertaining so I can avoid heating the apartment unnecessarily with the oven, how to decorate with outdoor elements in ways I had never thought of, and (best part) how to repurpose things I already have (like glassware) so as not to waste valuable storage space in my NYC apartment.

My class mate was a woman about twenty years older than me who just bought a house in South Hampton for her family so I lived vicariously through her; planning her 4^th of July party and her husband’s birthday in mid July.  We brainstormed on favor ideas and on what food and drinks to serve, how to set the table, and what décor would work best.  It was great.  I was hinting at invites but I don’t think she was getting it.  It’s OK, I have other friends with outdoor spaces that I can mooch off of until my dream for fresh air space becomes a reality.  And when it does, you better believe that I’ll be ready to throw a doozie of an event! 

Experience Result?  Success!

So, I'm torn.  Do I post my experiences here and list them under Challenges and encourage you guys to tell me about your own experiences?  Or leave them on Facebook as I've been doing?  What do you guys think?  Or both??  Oy.

I GOT A GUY

There’s something to be said for having a strong rolodex of professionals to rely on to help take care of the day to day or the not so day to day when you’re handling something that’s way out of your comfort zone.  I’m talking about people you can call at a moment’s notice or run to with an issue when there’s something that you can’t handle.  Let’s face it, no one person is good at everything (and can’t be good at everything, hello…dry cleaning?) so it’s nice to be able to drop some of your “chores” on those who specialize in these certain abilities.  I’m talking accountants, mechanics, tailors, contractors, hairdressers, cobblers (yes, I used and will always use the word cobbler), event planners, bakers, and any other professional who’s good and reliable.  Someone you can trust to handle your business and handle it well.

Here’s just a glimpse of what you can get when you let go of some responsibility and pass it off to someone else.  Did the bottom of your heel wear out…again? (You city girls know what I’m talking about and hopefully already have a guy.)  Don’t get rid of your shoes, have the heel fixed by a cobbler for a mere $5 (depends where you live).  You lost the last of those annoying 5 pounds?  Congrats!  Don’t donate your old pants, have them tweaked by a tailor for about $15.  Think of the money you'll save by not having to buy all new pants.  Your car isn’t starting and you’re not sure why?  If you have a relationship with your mechanic they might just come to your house and tow it to their garage for free – never know.  You’ll have to pay for the repairs of course so it’s a good thing you didn’t buy new pants.  Event planners pass along discounts from vendors and they’ll handle all of the stressful phone calls and negotiations that you’d rather not.  They’re your instant BFF whether they want to be or not.  Oh, and accountants!  I won’t go into too much detail but I will say that instead of having to pay a couple thousand one year my guy managed to get me money back.  I mean that’s just magical right there.

The pros are in business for a reason.  Others are kicking down their doors because they’re amazing – isn’t it about time you found out why for yourself?  Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations or talk to local business owners to get a sense for yourself.  Think about it for a minute, what could you use help with in your life?  Baking for your kids school, work on your house, housekeeping (even though I write about not "needing" it, many people do), financial planning?  Stop trying to do it all and know when to ask for help.  However you get there, start building your own rolodex today and simplify your life.  Try it out, it feels good to say, "I got a guy".

I'M DYING

I’m kind of obsessed with ombre hair right now.  I feel like Annie on 90210 started the trend a couple years ago then Khloe K brought it mainstream, and now every other celeb and non-celeb alike is on the funky highlight bandwagon.  And I want to be on that wagon too.  Of course, if I don’t get to the salon soon I’ll save some cash because my grown out color could pass as a sad version of ombre (ala house of not being on top of my game, obvi).

Think about it though, it could quite possibly be how the trend started.  A lazy celeb didn’t get to the salon on time and all of a sudden it’s cool to look undone…again.  I remember seeing a pic of Lee Lo before she made the point of (hopefully not) no return with chipped black polish in some magazine.  The caption was like, Lindsay’s unmanicured and looking cool.  Seriously?!  Where was that photog all the times when my manicure was a week and a half overdue and I was shamefully hiding my nails in my pockets, refusing to shake hands with new people I met?  I mean, come on!!

Unfortunately for me, I’m not a celebrity so I realize that when I don’t keep up with my beauty regimen I won’t be lauded as a trend setter.  Instead I’ll merely be considered lazy.  So I’ve found the best way to stay on top of my maintenance (yup, like a car) is to make future appointments while still at the current appointment.  Picking up what I’m putting down?  So as I pay for my cut, I schedule a follow up 2-3 months later.  At the dentist (mine’s awful at sending reminders) I’ve taken it into my own hands to keep on top of my biannual checkups, and so on.  If scheduling so far in advance seems super nutso then set a reminder in your phone for a couple weeks out from the appointment, write it down somewhere, or have the receptionist give you a card to hang on the fridge (I hate and refuse these cards at all costs but do what you need to do, just don’t tell me).  The best part of this exercise is that you’ll get the best appointment day and time.  And true, you may not know what you’ll be up to in 3 months so it’s OK if you have to move things around if life dictates.

While you wrap your head around all this I’ll be calling my stylist to go ombre for real.  Because this is probably something best left in the hands of a seasoned pro, not poor planning.  And in the future I’ll be sure to follow my own words of wisdom more strictly so as not to have a Lee Lo moment (sans paparazzi and adoring fans, natch).

MHM! #obsession

Today's Must Have Monday is Oh So Fabulous!  Yeah, yeah, yeah I used to work for this event planning company (and may even be considered a Fabbie in some circles), but that's not why they're my MHM.  Wedding season is in full swing so I figured why not give a shout out to a company that's truly wonderful at designing and organizing high end and meticulous details for brides to be.  The Fabbies can make your ideas come to life in merely a few months time yet have your guests talking about your event for years to come.  And they don't just do weddings - showers, birthdays, parties of all kinds, and corporate events.  You name it, they'll have you covered.
Look them up today and I promise you won't be disappointed.

www.ohsofab.com

IF IT AIN’T BROKE

Am I frugal??  There’s no way; I love shopping too much.  I don’t know maybe there’s a chance?

A couple months ago, my bff picked me up for dinner and caught me as I was lugging my laundry back to my apartment.  So then at dinner she starts making fun of my laundry bag, of all things.  No joke.  “My laundry bag?  There’s nothing wrong with it!” I insisted.  “Um, what about the fact that you’ve had it since 1997?” she said.  I was totally busted.

Hear me out.  Yes, I’ve had the bag for 15 years but I mean, it’s not falling apart, I throw it in the wash every couple of weeks, and riiiight…I use it to transport dirty clothes to the laundromat.  So, what’s the problem?  Should it be designer or renewed every couple of years?  The laundromat is literally around the corner from my apartment; it takes a minute max to walk to.  Who’s going to see me?  Better yet, do I care who sees me?  Oh, and side note, the bag isn’t hideous or anything.  It’s a name brand ski bag.  I was willing to give in to my bff that it was weird that I use a ski bag for my laundry but, overall, I so wasn’t getting her point.  Am I practicing some sort of laundry faux pas that I’m not aware of?

I think I figured out that my friend is of the mindset that because the bag is old a replacement is just necessary.  Never mind that she loves shopping more than me.  What’s crazy is that I think tons of people fall into this trap of buying just because.  My point of view is, why spend money on something new if what you have works perfectly fine?  If it were a handbag I’d totally jump on the shopping bandwagon, but it doesn’t make sense to go out and spend X amount on something just because.  Maybe I’m being a little stubborn or maybe a little frugal (probably a little of both) but I don’t need one so I’m not getting one.  What I’m going to do is spend that money on some new summer shoes or jewelry.  Something that more people will see, not just the woman who runs the laundromat.  I’m sure she doesn’t judge my bag…does she??!!   

 

…breaking news!  No pun intended, honest.  My best friend would be happy to hear (and I’m actually laughing about this now) that after a long run – I’m talking brand new for my 6th grade school trip to NYC (yup, you heard right, 6th grade - I don’t play) my toiletry bag bit the dust.  I was in a mad dash to unpack after the 500^th trip home this year and I must’ve pulled the zipper a little too hard.  It didn’t break so much as got stuck in a weird way that won’t un-stick.  I don’t know if I was exhausted from the arduous week before or if I was truly sad to see my run with my peach flowered water color bag end but I sat on my bathroom floor and actually shed a tear.  Then I laughed at the fact that I’ve had this stupid thing since 1991.  1991?!  I mean, let’s get serious, this thing needed to break.  I’m actually looking forward to getting a new big girl bag and after checking out a few options I settled on this grown up floral version from C Wonder.  It should be here next week.  I’ll be obsessing ‘til then.

CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

Don’t worry, I’m not getting into religion here but cleaning is pretty close to a spiritual moment for me.  I’m not kidding.  It’s a rare time of quiet and calm, one of the few times of the week where I can zone out and be alone with my thoughts.  OK, so maybe I need another means of spirituality, but it’s zen.  Can I at least get that?

Most people I meet don’t like to clean but I think it’s because they’re going about it all wrong.  I have a schedule that makes it more manageable and truthfully enjoyable.  Yes, a schedule.  The first time I said I  had a cleaning schedule out loud the utter dorkdom of it all became abundantly clear, but the planning behind the schedule was necessary so hear me out.  First, the schedule was born when I stopped working fulltime and being a mom was my new job.  I needed more regimented days because that’s how I feel most productive.  Second, I found that doing a whole or even a half day’s worth of cleaning was daunting and definitely not something to look forward to.  I find that my friends who have “cleaning days” dread them and typically only follow through on them once, maybe twice a month.  And maybe their houses aren’t as clean as they’d like.  Or they end up using a cleaning service (hey, more power to you if you don’t mind spending the cash), but if you don’t mind doing a little work then you don’t have to spend your money that way.  I actually like me some cleaning – sometimes I think I was a really well-kept maid in a previous life. 

So the way my super dorky schedule works is as follows: I split up the big jobs throughout the week and deal with the even bigger jobs every other week.  Here’s a peek (I keep it saved in the calendar on my phone and delete each chore once it's done...if you were wondering): 

Every other Sunday: scrub & mop kitchen floor. 

Other Sundays: clean oven      

Tuesdays: dust & vacuum, clean mirrors

Fridays: dust & vacuum, clean bathroom

Last Saturday of the month: clean fridge

Broken down in this way the jobs go by quickly and next thing you know, you're settling in for a Real Housewives marathon or hopping into bed.  Of course, I constantly tidy as I go about my week so "cleaning" is never super strenuous but, alas, that's a compulsive story for another day.    

MHM! #obsession

Today's Must Have Monday is Kiss Nail Dress - a sticker manicure, basically.  I got more compliments from these nails than from any other manicure I’ve ever had in my life.  I went into my nail salon for a pedicure and even the manicurists couldn’t get over my fingers (I kind of felt bad showing them off).

Inspired by my nieces (trendsetters as kids usually are), I went out and bought these cute stickers for $8.99 in my drugstore.  They were kind of tricky to get just right for a perfectionist such as myself (plus I have skinny fingers so I had to cut every single one just so to fit each nail), but once I was done I loved the results.  And they lasted almost two weeks (including a beach trip with salt water and sand – not bad).  It was fun and different and a conversation starter everywhere I went. 

I saw yesterday that Sally Hansen makes a bunch of styles too.  I’m definitely up for it again, it’s only a matter of deciding which fun pattern to try next.

I took this picture JUST before the stickers came off (which was super easy) so you can see how well they held up...