splendor & folly

Did you make resolutions this year? Did they include losing weight, eating healthier or sticking to a budget? Here is the secret to sticking to your goals:

Awareness.

By simply being more aware of our choices and the outcomes they will create, we eliminate the need for fancy diets and complicated budgets; all you have to do is just pay attention!

Here are some personal examples of when I know I am completely un-aware:

FOOD

1. Sitting down to watch TV with a box of Cheez-Its. How many servings did I just eat? Was I even hungry? Is this nourishment for my body?

2. Eating goodies someone left in the office kitchen just because they are there.

3. Finishing my entire gigantic-size portion at the restaurant, just because it is there.

MONEY

1. Buying something I don’t need just to cheer myself up.

2. Not having money for important things (healthcare) because I spent it on trivial items (makeup).

3. Wasting money by paying late fees, overdrafts fees etc.

And now some examples of what it looks like to be aware:

FOOD

1. Evaluating your level of hunger before and after eating. Stopping when you feel satisfied, not when you are about to burst.

2. Reading the labels on food and making smart choices about what you want to put into your body.

3. Not letting circumstances (parties, buffets, and eating out) extremely affect the way you eat.

MONEY

1. Taking a good look at the money that comes in and keeping track of all the money that goes out.

2. Realizing that advertising can be very convincing and talking to yourself about why you are purchasing a certain item.

3. Putting aside money each month before you pay any other expenses for an emergency fund.

If you take the time to analyze and evaluate each decision before you make it (sometimes this process only needs to take seconds), there is ultimately no need for self-judgment and guilt afterward.

If there is a pie sitting in the kitchen and you are craving a piece, but you know you will end up in a sugar-coma, feeling guilty and back at square one with your goals, use these outcomes as a motivation to skip it.

But if you think it over and you decide you truly want it and you are at peace with that decision, eat the pie, banish your guilty thoughts and love every minute of it!!

While I knew that ‘military’ was a strong spring trend, the whole cargo-pants thing just kind of came on my radar recently. And now of course, I’m seeing them everywhere! At first I really hated the look, but after seeing the Victoria Beckham version (sans the pockets), it kind of grew on me. Not every trend will work for you, its better to remain true to your own style than go out and copy cat someone else’s. That being said, sometimes getting out of your comfort zone will be the only way to find out what suits you best!  

Cheryl Cole

Victoria Beckham

And here is my version of how I would style cargo pants for day and night…on a budget:

Even though sometimes it is true you get what you pay for, I’m trying to learn the lesson that more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

I think there are times and reasons to splurge and times when spending money is just a waste!

Case in point – I bought this Physician’s Formula Bronzer (you can get it any drugstore, but it still seems fancy to me) for around $14 and I was using it everyday.

Until one day, it hit me…this stuff BARELY shows up on my skin!

I don’t want to talk bad about this brand because I do like some of their other products, but for some reason with this particular bronzer, the product just did not transfer to my skin. So I went back to the drugstore and picked up a Wet N Wild bronzer for $2.99 and what do you know? I like it MUCH better.

Do you have a favorite cheapy product that works better than anything else?

So lately, even though I haven’t been adding much to my wardrobe, I’m beginning to think I would like to switch gears.  I want to move more toward quality, investment pieces rather than cheapy throw-a-way items that start to unravel after the first wash (yes, I’m talking to you Forever 21). The only problem with this is my budget. Its really hard to justify spending hard earned dollars on clothes when there is always something more ‘practical’ to spend them on.

Thus I feel like I am having a Britney Spears moment. When it comes to shopping: “I’m not a girl, not yet a woman” (Please sing this in your head for the full effect). I’m kind of over Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe but can’t yet afford the offerings of Nordstrom, Shop Bop, and other higher-end stores and boutiques. I’m not saying I’m above shopping at certain stores now, I’m just going to try to buy only things I truly love. And if I’m buying less, I should be focusing more on quality.

Where do you like to shop? High-end? Low-end? Thrift? I’m ready to take suggestions and re-think my shopping just in time for spring!

 And with that, I’ll leave you with some gorgeous spring dresses on my ‘maybe someday’ list. They are by Shoshanna who I had never even heard of before today (see? I have a lot to learn!)

After breaking three pairs of sunglasses in my purse, I decided it was time to invest in one of these:

Case and sunglasses both from TJ Maxx for under $20 total.

Speaking of sunglasses – see if you can spot the difference – one of these pairs is $10 and the other pair is $350. Can you guess which is which?? Click the photos to find out!

This is the first edition of my weekly Holiday Handbook series, which will give you helpful advice and tips to navigate through the holiday season with style and ease! Look for upcoming volumes of the Holiday Handbook each Friday from now until Christmas (which is not very many Fridays away…where did the year go??)

Today I’m sharing lots of options for what to wear to those upcoming social events.  Whether its the office Christmas party or just egg-nogging it up with friends, you always want to look your best.  Look for dark jewel tone colors, rich fabrics and metallic accents. Here are a few that won’t break the bank!