July 2011
5 posts
45. "Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds...
- Eleanor Roosevelt
44. Know how to throw a proper dinner party.
As archaic as it seems, knowing a formal place setting is actually a useful skill to have. At the very least, you won’t be as flustered at the restaurant.
Start with the outer utensils and work your way in.
43. Make your bed.
I’m serious. Take those 30 seconds before you rush out the door every morning to straighten up that comforter and arrange your pillows. Then come home to your bedroom after a long day of work or school and tell me that wasn’t completely worth it. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. Make it a calming place to visit.
42. Attention is not the same thing as affection.
Don’t act (or dress) for attention, believing that this will gain you affection. Don’t get these confused because they are two very different things.
Now true affection? That’s given without you ever asking for it.
June 2011
7 posts
41. How a man treats his mother -
- is a good indicator of how he’ll treat his wife. Does he love and respect her, or does he expect her to wait on him? It’s as simple as that.
40. Drink a real drink.
Learn how to drink a real drink. Keep the liqueurs to a minimum; they give you hangovers. Girly drinks in martini glasses are too hard to hold anyways.
39. Self esteem: get some.
I will do my very best to raise you to be confident and to know the incredibly high value of your own self worth. However, as you go through life, you will encounter mean people. People who never learned “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” You’ll quickly learn that the root of almost every mean act comes from lack of self esteem.
...
38. Don't fish for compliments.
Praise-worthy behavior will win you compliments. Don’t ask for them. An air of desperation is never attractive.
37. Get a professional to do your eyebrows.
When you are about 12, you will suddenly realize how hairy you are and that you must IMMEDIATELY get rid of all excess hair. You will find my tweezers and you will painstakingly pluck all your eyebrows off into oblivion.
PLEASE DON’T.
Come to me and not only will I promise to let you pluck your eyebrows, I will take you to have your eyebrows professionally shaped. Please do not do them...
May 2011
6 posts
36. You're allowed to change your friends.
Everyone inevitably grows up and grows into themselves as they get older. You aren’t the same person you were at 15 as when you’re 25. As you grow up, who you’re friends with at each point in your life is allowed to change - and you don’t have to feel guilty about that. Pick good people to be your friends.
35. Never stop being curious.
Always be curious. Curious to explore, curious to experience, curious to learn. It’s a trait that you can possess at ANY age. Really.
34. Develop your own personal style; avoid...
There is a difference between having style and being trendy. Trends are looks that are pre-created for you to simply follow. Style is what you create for yourself. Trends take no effort. Style require awareness and deliberate choices. You know that girl who always looks put together in ensembles that “are so her?” She has style.
33. Don't be with someone who doesn't want to be...
Another one of those things that sounds obvious, but we often forget when we’re caught up in the turmoils of our relationships. Don’t date someone who doesn’t want to be with you. The person you are with should always, ALWAYS want you by their side. Not only when things are good, and not only when things are convenient. If there is any situation where the boy you date...
June 2010
4 posts
32. Surround yourself with people you're proud to...
Have relationships with good people who add something meaningful to your life, whether it be experience, humor, or wisdom. Fun’s fun, but life can be much more than that.
31. The busier you are, the more you can get...
Keep your mind active and your hands and feet moving.
March 2010
1 post
30. Make decisions, not reactions.
You are always given a choice. It is up to you to choose whether or not to make a decision and act upon it. The power to decide is what separates the evolved from the unevolved.
February 2010
10 posts
29. Relationships are like bank accounts.
You cannot make all withdrawals. You cannot make all deposits. This goes for any and all relationships - family, friends, lovers, spouses. You can only receive what you’re willing to give.
Keep this in mind, this applies not only for yourself, but for the person you’re in the relationship with.
28. Adapt.
Sounds easy, but it’s something that takes years to master.
Be able to adapt to whatever situation you’re in. If you’re in an uncomfortable situation, you can either shrink back and shut down, or you can adapt. Always adapt. Things cannot always go your way, so never expect them to.
27. Always look polished.
Be put together, no matter what you’re doing. Do not wear sweatpants outside the house. This includes Juicy Couture. Which you shouldn’t wear in the first place.
26. Don't let your shirt touch your stomach.
Seriously? Unfortunately, yes. That’s when you know you need to hop on the treadmill an extra day a week and cut out the white bread.
Not just “be healthy,” but “want to be healthy.” You CAN have toned arms. You CAN have have a flat stomach. You CAN lose those last 5 pounds. But know that it takes work. You’ll be so much prouder of yourself for getting...
25. Have an opinion. About everything.
Positive, negative, just have one! ”I don’t know” tells people nothing. A person with no opinion is a person who commands no respect.
24. Be self-aware, not self-indulgent.
Being aware of yourself and your surroundings is so necessary. Know who you are and be confident in who that person is.
That said, there’s a fine line between being confident in who you are and being completely immersed within yourself. Because really, no matter how cool you believe you are, there’s someone out there much cooler; no matter what trials and tribulations are going on...
23. Fall in love with books.
Fall in love with being able to hold a book. The smell of books. The ability to dog-ear a page and come back to it later. The feeling of putting a book down before going to bed and anticipating being able to pick it up again as soon as you wake up.
Reading can take you to places movies can never go.
January 2009
32 posts
22. "But I believe if you see something you like...
- Coco Rocha
21. Take care of your skin.
This means:
- Moisturize daily
- Use night cream daily
- Use eye cream daily
- Exfoliate regularly
- Use something with at least SPF15 daily
- Never fall asleep with makeup on / wash your face before going to bed
Makeup can only do so much. Starting off with a good foundation of good skin will make things a lot easier.
20. Be best friends with your sister.
(Or brother, whichever the case may be.)
Your sister will be your best best friend. Who else could know you any better?
19. Adopt a dog.
You can tell that they’re thankful for what you’ve done for them.
But don’t forget what they do for you. Not only does owning a dog teach you patience and responsibility, but it teaches you compassion and how to love unconditionally.
18. Be as great as your dog thinks you are.
You know how when you get home and your dog is ecstatically happy to see you? Or when you wake up and your dog is anxiously staring at you with a goofy grin?
Strive to be the person your dog thinks you are.
17. Love food.
Those who love food, love life. All you need for a great night is good food and good conversation.
16. Have a signature dish.
Learn how to make something, and make it well. Strive for “your _____ is the best ____ I’ve ever had!”
15. Food is best either when it's fine dining, or...
If it’s anything inbetween, you’re better off staying home and enjoying a home-cooked meal.
14. Learn how to dance well.
Girls who can dance are a dime a dozen. Girls who can dance well are the ones who leave an impression. It’s always a refreshing surprise.
13. Be the winning couple.
You know those couples that have the relationship and chemistry that you wish you could have with your boyfriend? It CAN be you.
Find someone that makes the two of you into the couple that everyone envies.
12. (That said -) Don't be afraid to be by...
Learning to be independent is a lesson you’ll use throughout life.
It’s great to have someone to share your life with, but never be with someone because you need someone to be with. Be with them because they make your already fantastic life even better.
11. Moderation is key.
You don’t have to ban yourself from anything. Just keep everything in moderation.
It’s ok to try; it’s not ok to go overboard. Know your limits and you’re free to experience anything.