OF COURSE YOU DO.

The truth is, we all have bad days, weeks, months. This week happened to be mine, it’s like I can’t think of anything GOOD that’s happened and to top it off, my hair smells like sausage (seriously, no idea why)*.

No biggy, it happens. And if nothing else, I’ve learned it’s ok to have these kinds of weeks. So this week my planets weren’t aligned right: the unicorns are on vacation, it’s too cold for the butterflies, the rainbows are taking a break…you get the drift! (aka: it AIN’T THIS).

So how the hell do you get through it? Well, I don’t know if I’ve mastered it. I’m no psychologist and I certainly haven’t mastered the “shiny happy” days myself, but with the help of a few close friends, I’ve been reminded: there are ways to get yourself out of your phunk! So here they are:

• Instead of being angry, make a joke of it. This is my best defense. Whenever someone does something that secretly hurts me or bothers me, I make a joke about it until I’m ready to be over it. This is helpful in concealing the fact that you’re actually really pissed. No one needs to know that the fact that you’ve joked about your leopard print sneaker is because you’re pissed that Sally and Sue made fun of you for wearing them (screw them, anyways). Just play it off like you think it’s funny too! And, in the process, you may even get a good laugh too to help stop the bad mood.
• Treat yourself to your FAVORITE meal. Whenever I’m in a bad mood, I got get a Gyro…it’s like my KFC or Ben & Jerry’s. Find something you LOVE and let that be the thing you treat yourself to when you’re upset. And, when the time comes, and you’re ready to bite someone’s head off: breathe, take a break, isolate yourself, and drive yourself to the store of your favorite item and treat yourself. Self-indulgence is the best way to get out of any funk (at least in my humble opinion).
• DANCE. You think I’m kidding (I’m not). If you really want to know: when I’m just really in the need for a good smile, I dance in my room, by myself. With no one around (and no one to judge (am I being judged right now? God I hope not)) you can forget about whatever and WHOEVER and enjoy the ill beats of Alejando.
• Exercise. Going for a run is my FAVORITE thing to do when I’m pissed. If I just need to blow off some steam..I just go for a run. It doesn’t have to be long, hell, you can sprint to the stop sign up the block. But for some reason, just a little sweat seems to wash away (at least temporarily) all the anger.
• Go for a drive. Nothing like rolling down the window and listening to some ILL JAMS. Sing your heart out, feel the wind in your fingers. Something about feeling like you’re the only person on EARTH just seems to make it better.
• Look at funny animal pictures. Seriously…never.fails! I always Google “funny animals” to give myself a good laugh. May I suggest THIS?

With that, there are certain things I feel like you SHOULDN’T do when you’re upset:

• DON’T make it a Facebook status: it just seems like a cry for help. DO find your best friend and talk to them, if they ARE in fact, you’re best friend, they’ll know exactly what to say to make you feel better.
• DON’T walk around sulking about it: it’s such a turn off to see someone with their tail between their legs. DO try to find some ways around that. Listen to some music and calm yourself down. Maybe you just need the day for yourself…it’s ok to do that you know.
• DON’T put the blame on others (unless it really is their fault). Don’t make excuses and put the blame on someone else, it’s not right. Realize that you’re not perfect, and sometimes you have bad days, it happens. DO try to think about what’s bothering you, and maybe try to utilize some of the tips I gave to help cheer yourself up!
• DON’T hold a grudge. Nothing is more unattractive than a grudge. If you’re mad at someone, if someone did something to bother you, talk to them!! It will make them and you feel better. Plus, if they really are your friend, they’ll sit down and listen to you in a respectful way.

I feel better already! But my hair still smells like sausage….

Budgeting.

I use the term “learn” loosely here because, well, I haven’t quite mastered it. BUT I have gotten better. I don’t think a person ever really figures OUT budgeting, it’s hard,  I still find myself pulling out the couch cushions scrounging for any and all loose change and opening up my “drawer-o- stuff” for any quarters I may have thrown in there (let’s be serious, we all know quarters are the ONLY one’s that matter). Realizing that I myself still try and find ways to make some extra cash when I budgeted my money wrong, I thought it may be useful to provide some alternative ways to make some “easy” cash without fighting the unknown (i.e. your college couch).

So here is MY HOW TO go from doing THIS to doing a LOT MORE of THIS*

*ok, I lied. Maybe you won’t be doing that…but you’ll definitely have a few extra green one’s!

• Sell your clothes. I definitely endorse this idea because I do it myself, all the time.  Towards the end of every season, I clean out my closet/drawers, re-fold everything, and decide what I’ve worn and what I haven’t touched. Those items I haven’t touched in more than 6 months, I try to sell back. Plato’s Closet is a GREAT place to sell back your name brand clothing. They accept brands like Forever 21, to more expensive name brands like Lucky. AND, once you sell back with them, you get a discount to shop around. Not a bad deal. Check out their site here to see if there’s one in your area.
• Return your recyclables. I know it’s easy to just throw it in the recycling bin and forget about it, but the work to take back your cans and glass may actually be worth it. You pay the deposit when you buy cans and glasses, so, you may as well get it back, right? Don’t lose out on an extra 10 bucks in your pocket, it could mean a lot in your food shopping budget.
• Pawn your items. This sounds so trashy, Good Ole’ Tom just doesn’t do it for me. Neither does Cash 4 Gold. But, in practice, it really isn’t so bad! I have 3 pieces of Tiffany’s jewelry that I haven’t touched since 2002, when the chain with the heart was all the rage (you know what I’m talking about…I bet you have it too…I bet you haven’t worn it since 2002 either, just sayin!). Don’t take up room in your jewelry box! Go find out how much you can sell it for at a pawn shop or something of the like. Rule of thumb: if you haven’t worn it in the past 6 months, you probably won’t wear it in the upcoming 6 months, so get rid of it!
• Sell back frivolous purchases. So maybe you had a bad day and thought buying $500 tickets to see Bette Midler was a good idea..and NOW you’re rethinking it. Sell back your tickets! There are plenty of legal and safe sites that allow you to auction your tickets. I bet there are a lot of 40-something year old’s jonesing for a sweet rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings” LIVE, so make their dreams come true and make some cash doing it.
• Sell items you don’t use. I’ve sold PLENTY of stuff on Craigs List and I know more people who have been equally successful on EBay. Maybe it’s time to sell back those text books or maybe someone else can find use in your old desktop mouse. Look around, take inventory of the stuff you use and stuff you don’t.
• Check out sites that host freelance work. I know Craigs List does this, but some other sites include: guru.com and ifreelance.com. Sites like these post freelance jobs that generally don’t exceed a day or two. Maybe you have some time over the weekend to help, might not be a bad idea. I’ve known people in the past that have spent a few hours on the weekend offering free samples at a store in the mall or asking people to try out new gadgets at a store like Brookstone. If you have the time, and use your resources wisely, you’ll be surprised what’s out there.
• Offer your services. I’ve known several people who have offered their services on sites like Craigs List. Maybe you’re a lifeguard, or you’ve been baby-sitting for years now, posting something about that may yield some results! I know often times in the summer people need a lifeguard at their  pool party, and many adults look for a night off from child-watching for a romantic evening with their spouse. Again, using the resources you have at your finger-tips may yield some good results! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!
• Create a cup for change. You never realize how much your change can accumulate until you do this, I’ve made up to 80 dollars in just collecting change. Use an old bottle, jar or mug and leave it on your desk, when you get home at night, empty out your pockets and put the change from the day in. Set a date further down the line for when you can “cash in your earnings”, make it long enough to accumulate a good amount of money, but short enough where you can keep your eye on the prize, I think 6-8 months is a good amount of time.

Here are some cool websites I found that lend some more advice:

• CNN Money: 5 Easy ways to make cash
• Walletpop.com: 25 unusual ways to make quick money
• eHow.com’s How to Make Cash Fast

BUT FIRST.

Here’s the quick low down on my personal history with parking tickets:

*NOTE: not my car…thank GOD.

I go to a large public university with around 20,000 students. This means a few things. But it mostly means that you can either 1.) file chapter 11 because you decided to get a purple pass. B.)  park illegally, or 3.) play the meter game. As of late, I’ve tried the latter. Recently they opened up a new 2 hr lot right next to my office, so on the days where I have a 6 hour shift, I park there, go out every 2 hours and feed the meter. BUT SOMETIMES I get SO involved in my work here (because it is SO important and SO engaging), I forget about the meter until it’s well over the 2 hr time limit. This leads to me SPRINTING to my car, flailing my arms (picture THIS) and promptly begging the parking services guy to not ticket me. Lucky for me, my charm and good-looks prove to be helpful in these situations (right). Also, I may or may not have left a note along side a dollar bill to the tune of:

“dear parking services: i have no quarters, but here’s a dollar. please don’t ticket me. warmest regards, Rachel”.

But that’s besides the point.

I’m pretty sure we have all been at the mercy of the parking services Gods, begging them, PLEADING with them not to ticket our 1996 Chevy Malibu with only 2 hub-caps. Not saying I have….just saying. AND following THIS gem, presented to be my the lovely CAROLINE, I decided to give my own advice on HOW TO get out of parking tickets…the right way.

• Be Nice. Listen, if you think anyone in their right MINDS enjoys getting paid minimum wage to check receipts on dashboards, you are mistaken. So naturally, they’re going to take out their anger out on your car, whose receipt is showing an expiration of 2 and half minutes ago. Shame. On. You. If you find yourself at the mercy of the parking services guy, be nice, be polite. Explain your situation, and promptly feed the meter. Also, encouraging them to “have a good day” miiight not hurt.
• No Cash? Leave a note. I always have a pen and paper handy in my car, which also allows me to leave notes when I’m straight out of quarters. I’m not saying this is a sure-fire way to get out of a ticket…I’m just saying it can’t hurt.
• Move with a sense of urgency. Last week I found the parking services guy AT MY CAR as I was going to feed the meter that was already 45 minutes expired, SO NATURALLY I ran like Usain Bolt circa the 2009 Olympics to catch him before he issued me a citation. ANND, it worked. I apologized (more on that soon) and showed him my money and then proceeded to beg him not to ticket me. it.worked! But maybe it was because I was out of breath and he was more worried about my ability to breathe than giving me a ticket…oh well.
• Leave the change you DO have. So maybe you don’t have 2 quarters but you actually do have 50 cents…in say…pennies. Maybe leaving these on the hood of your car with a note will work. Again, not saying i’ve done it…just.saying.
• APPEAL IT. If you’re college is like mine, where they use the money to GIVE OUT A PARKING SERVICES SCHOLARSHIP (God, I wish I was kidding), it enrages me even more when I get a citation. So appeal it! Excuses I’ve used in the past include, but are not limited to: I had an emergency, I had my hazards on, it was only for a minute, I was at Health Services, I didn’t see the sign. Also, not to digress but I find it absolutely appalling that my school issues me a citation to give some other kid who is probably in less debt than I AM a stupid scholarship for their achievements in turf grass management. I don’t buy it. So, don’t buy it. Appeal it! Also, I’m from the school of thought that thinks that going through all that trouble makes them not even want to bother, there in lifting the charges.
• Don’t get caught TOO often. If you’re a repeat offender (like, every week) I don’t feel sorry for you. In fact, if you’re that stupid you SHOULD get a parking ticket. Be smart, be sneaky. Don’t get caught.
• Apologize. I love OneRepublic and all, but I disagree with them. It’s NEVER “too late too ‘pologize”. It realllly isn’t, so do it.

So to summarize: be nice, be sneaky, be thoughtful, notes are good, change works best, good looks save, say your sorry, charm rules all.

Also: despite all that I said above, this meter maid disagrees. But whatever, I stand by my advice.

So I decided, why not talk about it? With graduation on the horizon for many (including myself) tis’ the season for resumes, interviews, job searches and the like, making it ever more important to master the art (skill) of networking.

It wasn’t until this year, my senior year of undergrad, that I realized the importance of networking. Maybe I’ve been living under a rock, maybe this has to do with my lack (previous lack that is) of connection to really important social media sites like twitter, or maybe it’s because I am not a Type A personality kinda gal. Regardless of what it is, here is what I have found to be helpful to remember/do when trying to network and build connections with those around me.

• It’s never too late to start. It really isn’t. Even if you’re about to graduate like me, stop in to a professor’s office hours, ask questions, talk about your own plans and maybe ask for some advice. You never know who is going to be the one that will help you in the end.
• Leave all and every opportunity open. My dad always told me, “never burn your bridges”, which is SO true. You never know who is going to be the one to write you a solid letter of recommendation. Always try to leave on good terms with former employers or former professors, because 10 years down the line, it may be their help you’re needing.
• Be extroverted, even if you’re not. I have a hard time following this piece of advice myself, but the times in which I HAVE been extroverted, I have made great strides in my professional life. During my internship, I milked it for all that it was worth, I made connections with a lot of attorneys in the area and I know that in 5 years, fresh out of law school, having known and met the DA will give me a one-up. Not because I did good work, but because I put myself out there and extended what I had to offer.
• Always be “on”. About 2 weeks ago, Caroline and I were having a conversation very similar to this blog post, about the power of relationships and networking. She’s the BEST at networking because she has a great sense of self and really puts herself out there. Caroline has the ability to meet people even at the nail salon (true story) that help her in professional life. It’s a powerful thing to be able to do that. This isn’t to say, though, that you should ALWAYS be on someone’s ass about connections, numbers, and bragging about how awesome your blog is, but to talk, ask questions, and build rapport with even someone sitting next to you at say…a nail salon. Every event, party, or gathering is an opportunity to make a connection, don’t let it be a loss. I guess what I mean by “on” is…be prepared. You just never know!
• Get involved. Put yourself out there! No one is going to recognize your efforts or skills if you don’t put it out there. With sites like LinkedIn now being used by many professional people, it’s a great way to let yourself be known and highlight your talents and know what’s going on. Also, never underestimate the power of building relationships with people through social networking sites like twitter or facebook. In the past few months I have found roommates, potential jobs and made new friends while utilizing those sites.
• Get experience. If there is one thing I regret it is not getting more experience in my major field. I wish I had decided to intern at a website or write for a local newspaper. Gaining experience makes you look better than the guy next to you who may only have menial job experience. It’s never too late to start “getting your hands wet” if you will. Also, don’t turn something down because it doesn’t offer what you “want” to do. I am currently working at a job that I thought would only have me doing secretarial work, but they’ve actually put me in charge of completely over-hauling the way they publicize information, a lot of which has given me really helpful skills that I think many employers would be pleased to see.
• Utilize websites. My school offers a really great career services office that hosts a site that lists jobs so that recent or upcoming grads can find jobs. Find out if your school offers one that is similar. It would be silly not to utilize a free service like that. I put my resume up and received a lot of emails offering me internships at local law offices, and while ultimately I chose to intern at a state agency, it was nice to have options. For those out of school, I have used and know people who have had success with CareerBuilder.com, they send daily or weekly emails and let you know what’s out there in the field you are looking for. It also allows employers (if you so choose) to look at your resume.
• Friends are networks too. Don’t think that networking only speaks to professional relationships, some of my closest friends have provided really great connections in the past. Again, leave every door open for possibilities.

I found that a lot of bigger cities (NY, Boston, Chicago) host their own network sites/ network nights. Google your local city to find one in your area. Also, if you have any other helpful tips for networking, comment away!

PS.) Help your friends out!! If you know they’re looking for a job that you may know about, let them know! If you know someone that could help your friend, put them in contact with one another. Be helpful. Be useful. In the end, those that you helped, will probably in turn help YOU out.

With that being said, Brian finally went public with his dot com, check it out here.

(Yea. Don’t expect Icanhascheezeburger images ALL the time. I just wanted to throw in something different, spice it up a bit.)

With Spring Break right around the corner, I presume many of you will be traveling to your favorite hot-spot destination (putcha hands up MTV Cancun 2010 what, what!!) I myself will be whisked away via Alitalia to the lovely island of Sicily to relish in all the Mediterranean has to offer: dine and wine with the finest.

Because of this, my BF4L Caroline suggested I write a post on what to bring on your carry on, so I decided “why not!?” Since I know a few things about packing (see my entries on packing and purses), I decided to add to my repertoire…

What To Bring on Your Carry On:

• MP3 Player. If you don’t have one, you should. Welcome to 2010! The plane buzzing will only get you so far (and by far I mean, roughly 6 minutes), so pick some sweet tunes. I suggest downloading a new album (may I suggest OneRepublic’s new album?), long rides are a great way to really listen in.

• Eye Cover. Don’t inconvenience the 45 year-old woman sitting next to you who has never been on a plane in her life and wishes to spend the next 6 hours with her eyes stuck to the window, by telling her to put the shade down. But more importantly: don’t allow someone else to be the reason for your discomfort. Wal-Mart has some really cheap eye masks with a nice fleece fabric that block out the light really well, check em out here.

• Books  (reading material). I love reading! And I find it a great way to pass the time while ALSO expanding your knowledge (if you’re a non-fiction junky like me at least). Here are two books I’ve been reading: SUPER FREAKONOMICS and COLUMBINE. ALSO: a great addition to your books is a reading light. Don’t get into a fight about the over-head light with the 60 year-old guy who demands it to be turned off. Compromise with this GEM.

• Neck Pillow. This goes with the eye cover. You may be sitting next to a stranger who doesn’t really want you to cuddle up to their shoulder. Be your own support with an awesome pillow, found here. As a side note, it may behoove you to find one that you can blow up, just to save some space.

• Snacks. You can’t bring liquids on to the plane but you sure can bring snacks! Some of my favorite in-flight snacks include: cheese-itz, granola bars, crasins and fruit snacks. Pack your own, you never know what kind of salmon monstrosity they’re going to serve you…and I’m 99.9% sure it’ll be terrible.

• Freshen-uppers. Unless your Angelina Jolie, you’re probably going to look like Debra Messing did in the Wedding Date post-flight (if you don’t know what I’m talking about SEE.THAT.MOVIE, you WON’T be disappointed- HELLO DERMOT MULRONEY!). So bring some things to freshen up: your favorite lotion, oil blot sheets, baby powder (thanks Caroline) to de-grease your hair (seriously, it works), make-up, baby-oil, deodorant and some body spray. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to bring an extra change of clothes, just in case.

• Puzzle Books. Barnes and Noble sell these really AWESOME books which basically serve as one-person entertainment. They have hangman, Sudoku, crosswords, and the like. If  you’ve exhausted music, sleeping and reading. Try a puzzle book! Also: this is a good way (Sudoku specifically) to get your brain juices flowing!!

• Blanket. I don’t know if you know this but many airlines, to save some money, stopped washing and buying new blankets (GROSS). And, as far as I know, American Airlines CHARGES for their blankets. So, bring your own. I know CVS sells micro fleece blankets for 2 bucks, so once you’re done using it, just toss it! Simple enough.

*Also: despite the “keep seat belt on” sign or your nerves, get up and stretch! Ladies: I’m no doctor (but I heard this from a doctor, oh and: HERE’s a link for further proof) but, those taking Birth Control: it’s important to get up and walk around, taking pills increases the risk of blood clots, so be sure to get up to increase circulation!

Enjoy Spring Break!!

EDIT: Sorry to be a Debbie Downer and ending my post on a bad note…so…here’s a HAPPY NOTE, (happy caroLINE?)

So here it is. MY advice on how to run (or just exercise in general) the RACHEL way (aka the best way, aka the SMART way, aka the I-can-still-walk-and-will-want-to-do-more-running-tomorrow way).

1. DON’T kill yourself! Pick a small distance, maybe a mile. Don’t think running 8 miles is going to make you lose weight any faster, it’s not, it’s just going to decrease your desire to run tomorrow. And you don’t want that! Remember: it takes 27 days to make something habit, so you want to increase the probability that you’ll repeat tomorrow.
2. DO Set a realistic goal. Listen, if you’ve been eating Pringles since July on your leather sectional, you’re not going to be able to run or exercise for very long. This is no secret. Set a realistic goal and increase as you build your endurance.
3. DO make check-points. Running requires you to have the ability to push! Sometimes when I start to get tired, I will choose a mailbox up ahead and say to myself “run to that mailbox…don’t stop!” as if my life depended on it. It’s helpful and it makes you feel better about pushing through the pain in the end.
4. DON’T sprint. You’re not doing yourself any favors by sprinting the first minute and then burning out. Take it SLOW! It’s going to help you stay in the game longer! You’re not in a race, and, if you’re like me and wanting to build endurance, going slower is key.
5. DO stretch. Don’t be foolish, never underestimate the power of stretching. This applies to pre and post work-outs.
6. DO keep adding “mileage”. In order to gain some endurance, you’re going to have to add some mileage. This isn’t to say, however, that you should run 1 mile one week and 3 miles the next, but maybe try 20 minutes one day and allow yourself to run 30-40 minutes another day. Set goals daily, and then repeat over the long-term. Endurance isn’t something that comes over nights, it’s a progression.
7. DON’T give-up. I think the biggest problem people have with exercise is that they don’t see instant results. Don’t stress. But more importantly, don’t give-up! Write a note to yourself or use someone else as a reason to achieve. If you notice a friend working out, ask him or her what drives them, it may end up being exactly what you need to drive you.
8. DO Have some sweet tunes. Make a cool playlist, pick some club music, something you don’t always listen to but enjoy. You definitely want something that’ll keep you going! May I suggest Rihanna’s Don’t Stop the Music?

During this post, I did some research (as I always do before I write) on what those “experienced” runners had to say about running and building endurance, and I actually found some really great sites! Check these out

• MapMyRun.com. Sign up is free and it allows you to map your run and save previous runs, it also allows you to see the paths people in your area have done.
• Active.com. A useful article on “7 steps to boost your endurance”.
• Sports1234.com. This is a Q & A on building your endurance, asked by a 22-year-old female!
• Running Music Mix. This site provides music playlists for runners looking to base their work-out on BPM (beats per minute). But you can ALWAYS use some new jams to jog to, right?

Happy Running

I mean, think about it. After a long hard day, post gym, post dinner, post shower, the BEST feeling in the world is peeling over your comforter and hopping into bed to watch some riveting television (may I suggest, Under Cover Boss). So picking out the perfect sheets is pretty important, right? I mean, you certainly don’t want your sheets feeling like Bounty Paper Towels (the thicker, quicker picker-upper) or like sheet-rock. You need something that’s satiny, silky and doesn’t get those annoying pills from your favorite sweat pants (you know the kind I’m talking about??). So HOW do you choose the right sheet?

That’s a good question. One I’m not sure I’ve mastered myself (gasp!?). BUT, I have had my fair share of fantastic bed sheets…which I credit my mother and grandmother with. Both of them seem to have been born with this gene of finding the perfect bed sheet. The best combination of cotton and silk that makes for great night sleeps. And after doing some research myself (because my best friend put me on the SPOT and asked me what to do), I decided to find out some more about thread count, something that the market has seemingly ingrained into our heads, claiming it makes the sheets better.

and well….hate to break it to ya folks but…as it turns out…thread count actually doesn’t matter as much as we may think.

ok, well I should explain. It matters depending on the ply. Recently, companies who sell sheets have been falsely advertising high thread counts (something ridiculous like 600) by multiplying ply (which refers to the number of layers the material has) and thread count, which is simply the number of threads per square count. So naturally, fabric with say, a 300 thread count is going to be slightly more comfortable than fabric with 100 thread count. It’s basic math. The more threads per inch, the more cohesive the fabric is. HOWEVER, marketing 600 thread count (ridiculous!) as simply multiplying ply (which refers to layers) and thread count (which refers to thread per square inch), is just B.S. It simply isn’t true.  And APPARENTLY (from my research) the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has made it illegal for companies to market their sheets like that. It has set a standard in the industry for what ply refers to and how to properly calculate thread count.

So what the hell am I trying to say?

Any sheet you’re buying past 300 thread count, is probably not worth your money. It is entirely possible (and probably true) that 300 thread count sheets are actually BETTER than 1000 thread count sheets because after 300- the difference in quality is almost impossible to feel.  Let us remember that many of the sheets that we buy are mass-produced, and in order to produce large quantities of things, quality is sacrificed. So buying sheets hand-made by the women of Nepal is probably going to yield some pretty bitchin’ sheets, but who has money like that to spend? I would suggest picking a modest number, somewhere around 300-350 thread count, and feeling them yourself. I know Bed, Bath and Beyond offers swatches of every sheet they sell that you can feel before buying. They also tend to have really great deals on sheets. But if Bed, Bath and Beyond isn’t your thing, Target sells their brand sheets, $30 bucks for a full set. They’re 325 thread count, cotton blend, wrinkle-free and bleach-friendly. Brian just bought them and they feel great! As far as box stores go, I’d say Target is definitely the best place to go for fairly priced sheets. Of course they have their high-end sheets as well, but 30 dollars for 325 thread count isn’t bad, and they feel great!

What I have found is that there really is no simple answer to what the best kind of sheets are, it seems that there are a variety of different factors affecting sheet comfort such as fiber quality and yarn size that will affect the feel of your sheets. BUT: next time you think you have to go into collections for quality sheets, think again.

Check out these places for sheets, I have been quite successful finding great sheets that last me:

• Target
• Bed, Bath & Beyond
• Marshalls
• TJ Maxx

Also, incase you want to learn a little bit more about the complexities of thread count, head on over the LINENPLACE, I got most of my answers from there.

SIDENOTE: So what happens if you already have crappy sheets? Well, I actually have had a few bad experiences and chose the WRONG sheets. Simple fix. BEFORE putting your sheets on the bed, throw them in the wash, use some liquid fabric softener. This is going to loosen the sheets and reduce some of the starchiness. Companies want their sheets to appeal to everyone and so often times they starch them which leaves them feeling like paper towel or sand paper. Throwing them in the washer and sealing the deal with dryer time and a good amount of dryer sheets will definitely help it. It won’t SOLVE it, but it’ll make them feel a little bit more fabric and less like sand paper.

Happy Sleeping:)

The reason I have so many tea’s is because my closest friends and loved ones know me very well. They know I love tea’s and mugs (both travel and non-travel). For my birthday I received a tea travel mug that steeps tea so you don’t have to (thanks, Bri!) and a porcelain travel mug that is great for coffee’s AND tea’s and it doesn’t retain the taste or smell of either (thanks Cline!), and an awesome coffee mug/soup bowl from my roommate (thanks Ash!).

What’s my point?

My point is that each one of them got me a gift they knew I’d love. That was perfect for me. I mean, isn’t that the point of gifting anyway? To give someone a gift that is uniquely them? Some people may argue that I’m a hard person to buy gifts for, but the truth is, if you take the time to know me, I’m really not. I’m going to give you some advice on how to give a gift. By the way- giving a great gift doesn’t mean spending 50 bucks…see cause if you know someone well enough, you are able to pick something out that says “happy birthday” in your own way without going into collections.

Without further adieu, I present to you MY list, on how to give the perfect gift:

• Know what the person enjoys- if you’re thinking you want to buy someone a gift, obviously you know them, but how well? Do you know they enjoy watching movies on a friday night? Or that they love burning candles? Look around their room/house (don’t be a creep!), see what kind of things they have, do they have a lot of pictures? Maybe a nice picture frame would be nice. Do they enjoy flowers? Maybe a new glass vase. Have they recently gotten interested in social media outlets? Maybe a nice “How To” book. The key is think about what that person enjoys or is unique to them and run with it. Some of my favorite gifts were gifts that when I opened I thought “wow, I would have totally bought this for myself”. Your gift doesn’t have to have 10 different components, or cost $200, you’re not going to win a prize for “best birthday gift”, but with a little time and effort, you will definitely make your friend or loved one smile knowing that you took the time to find something that was uniquely them.

• Set a price limit- So, little known secret: target has a dollar section, bet you didn’t know that!! I have bought countless little gifts there for friends, and no, it isn’t cheap or trashy. WHO CARES how much you spend!! I bought a little something for my close friends for valentine’s day, just a few little items: some candy, cute heart candle holders, a candle, some lotion, SECRET: most everything came from the dollar section. I spent no more than 5 dollars on a little valentine’s gift bag for my best friends. Never think more money makes a better gift, it doesn’t, in fact, it’ll probably look over-done. BUT that isn’t to say the less money is better, refer to my first bullet point. If you say “ok, I’m going to spend 15 dollars on her birthday gift” you’ll refrain from going over-board.

• Think of functionality- will this person use the bag of cotton balls I just bought them? Egh, maybe, but probably not the best gift to get. If you see that your girl friend burns candles, buying her a set of tea lights with a cute tea holder is a cute idea. Think of what that person does the most, do they read a lot? Do they love fragrance? Find out what the person does a lot of and go with it. Functional gifts are some of my favorites because each time I use the product, I think of that person. It’s a cute way to say Happy Birthday (or whatever holiday the gift is for) and a way to be remembered.

• Presentation! This is HUGE. Listen, re-using the birthday bag you received last year is TOTALLY FINE, but may spruce it up with choosing a DIFFERENT color pattern than when you got it. Or, if you don’t save birthday bags, head on over to target- they have a wall of several different color gift bags and tissue paper, all for a dollar. Mix and match. Choose her favorite color or be bold with an odd color combination, it’ll be sure to catch the person’s attention and make the person excited for whats inside!

So now that I listed HOW to buy the gift, I’m just going to throw out some awesome gift ideas (gifts I recieved or gave) that may spark a gift idea for someone special in your life:

• Candles: I LOVE candles, I’m pretty sure every girl does. Yankee candle sells votives for 2 bucks a pop, pick up 3 or 4 in your favorite scent. Then, head on over to pier 1- they sell glass votive holders for a dollar. Total price: less than 10 bucks. Votive’s go quickly if you burn them every day, but they still pack a punch in terms of scent. Great for someone you’re not particularly close with but still want to buy a gift for.

• Journal- I love journals, I love getting them, and I love buying them. One year, one of my close friends bought us all journals and wrote a bunch of quotes in it that she thought we’d enjoy. She encouraged us to continue the pattern, just as a pick-me-up. WOW, what a great idea!! I can tell she really thought about us individually, and probably spent no more than 10 bucks on each journal (which she hand-picked for us). I loved this idea and while it took some time for her to do, I appreciated how thoughtful it was.

• Movies: Everyone enjoys a good movie here and there, why not increase their DVD collection? DVDs are something that I think many people want but aren’t willing to throw money down for. Buying a cute romantic comedy and putting some popcorn with it is a cute idea for your girlfriend. If you’re thinking “well DVDs usually cost 20 bucks”, you clearly haven’t been to target enough! Target has really great movies for 5 bucks (usually they’re romantic comedies), so for less than 10 bucks, you can help your friend have a movie night, and hey- maybe you’ll even be invited!

• Trinkets- OK…I LOVE TRINKETS. I’m totally guilty. I love little statues for good luck or religious symbols. I eat that stuff up! I love having them on my night stand or at my desk. My mom, my sophomore year of college, bought me this really cute glass heart, and every time I’m doing work at my desk and my eyes meet it, I think of her. It’s a cute way to be remembered. Trinkets are pretty inexpensive (if you know how to shop) and, while yes, they really don’t serve a purpose, they can be pretty, cute, and a nice way to decorate your room. Maybe your friend is moving, they’ll need to decorate their new apartment, having trinkets to do so is always fun!

• Picture Frame: this is DEFINITELY my favorite gift idea of all time. I LOVE receiving my favorite picture or cute cartoon in a picture frame. Maybe you took a cute picture with your friend at a banquet, maybe she hasn’t seen it- what a good way for you to show her an awesome picture by buying her a cute frame. Michael’s has really great prices on frames, usually you can find a cute frame that’s matted for less than 10 bucks. Even if you don’t have a picture, just writing a note saying “site of future picture” is a cute and thoughtful idea.

• Bath and Body Works: know.the.name. Can anyone honestly sit here and tell me they don’t love receiving new lotions and shower gels? I can’t. I know their baskets get a little pricey but they have these really great travel sizes that are 3 dollars each. Find a scent you think your friend might like and by a lotion, a shower gel and a sanitizer (cause if she’s traveling…you KNOW she’ll need it ), that’s STILL less than 10 dollars, and you’ll know she’ll use it (because no matter how much stuff she already has, she can always use more!)

• Hand Painted Glass: you know those glasses they sell at Halmark? I know, they’re about 15-20 dollars BUT- they now sell shot glasses and THOSE are only 7!! Last year, my best friend turned 21 and I found a really cute shot class that had cherries and gave a recipe on the bottom. I put it in a cute bag and called it a day. I thought it was a cute way to remember her 21st and also a new drink! And, if you’re not into spending that money, you can always make your own! Get crafty!

I hope this was helpful! Getting a gift for your friend can be tricky, but I really think if you follow the list I gave on how to buy the right gift, you’ll find that your 6 dollar gift can rival your friend Leah’s 80 dollar gift, and you’ll still have money for yourself!

What are some great gifts you’ve received or bought for others?

I believe it!!

The internet is a great resource and fun to waste time with. Let’s all be honest here. Everyone (and I mean everyone) sneaks time in at work to search mindless websites (i’m not talking about facebook). I do it, you probably do it, Caroline does it (when her computer doesn’t have a VIRUS), my boss even does it (blasphemy!) But do you ever wish there was a place MORE cool than bored.com to visit that was both comprehensive in its “fun-ness” and could keep you occupied for more than 5 seconds?

me.too.

That’s why I have compiled a list of some really cool websites that I thoroughly enjoy, and maybe you will too!

Sidenote: while writing this entry and browsing the web myself, I came across THIS website. It’s a list of the top 10 websites you’ve never heard of. Well…until now. I actually have heard of one of them and it’s in my list, still, thought it was worth a mention. They have listed some really cool websites that I will have to check out! But back to me and MY list…

• ffffound.com: FFFFound.com is an art site that allows its users to upload either art images they’ve created or they enjoy. Then, you, the visitor, can sift through either one users images, or create a line that suggests images that you might enjoy based on the one’s you’ve already enjoyed. Great for a fun background or a new twitter look, you’re bound to find something interesting and artsy.

• stumbleupon.com: does anyone NOT know about this site yet? If not, get acquainted with it A.S.A.P. Talk about a great time waster, I was introduced to this site about a year ago. Basically, it puts a small toolbar in your web browser and brings you to all different types of websites. Each time you get to a new website if you don’t like it you just hit “stumble” again. In addition to allowing you to stumble thousands of sites daily, you can also choose a topic, I generally choose humor (cause what’s better than Laughing!?). But they have topics such as entertainment, religion, music, to name a few.

• Google News: I think knowing whats going on in the world is really important. The other night, when discussing what happened over Christmas on an airplane (HERE) a girl in class was extremely confused, and actually had NO IDEA of the event. Unacceptable. As a 20-something year old, I think you should at the very least, be able to intelligently contribute to conversations about current events. Also, it will make people interested in you. Knowing stuff about the world isn’t nerdy, it’s mindful. Google News allows you to get a quick over view without really long drawn-out articles that make reading your history book about the history of Mesopotamia interesting (sorry if that interests you, I’m PRO-NILE). Also, if you use it enough google actually creates a section of recommendations for you, what’s better than that?

**BUT WAIT: if you’re someone who enjoys quick, snappy, colorful news, check out NEWSMAP. It uses all the news FROM google but displays them in pretty colorful boxes. I am in love.

• GoodReads.com. My boyfriend actually turned me onto this website, and I am so glad he did. GoodReads is a site that allows you to add books you’ve read, want to read or are currently reading. You can make comments about them, rate them and review them. In addition, it allows you to make friends.  And if you can’t seem to find friends, it syncs with your gmail and goes through your address book to find friends from there on goodreads. It’s a great way to find out what you’re friends are reading, recommend good books, and keep track for your own personal record.

• TeuxDeux. This is my new favorite website. hands.down. TeuxDeux gives you a basic 5 day spread, allows you to add things to your list, cross them out when they’re finished and even add things to “someday” when something doesn’t have a time stamp. ALSO, if you didn’t cross it out, it carries over to the next day so you never forget!

• DailyLit: This site is amazing. DailyLit understands few people have time to sit down and enjoy a book. What you do is you choose a book (some are free, some you must purchase) and you choose the time you want to read it. Daily lit then sends you small portions of the book at the time you tell them, either to your phone or computer and you are able to read a little bit of the book of your choice at a time. I LOVE this concept. I know for me I always say I want to read but I never make time for it, with a website like this it allows you to set a goal of reading a book within your busy schedule. Definitely worth checking out.

• Digg.com. Incase you haven’t been searching the web recently, digg is everywhere. Digg allows people to read a site and then suggest it, the more “diggs” a website has, the higher up it will appear on their homepage. I love going here to find something funny to make me laugh on a tough day. Also, they have an images section that always seems to yield great cartoons and comics. And if you like something you read, you can dig it right there on their website. A lot of websites now have a digg button linked at the bottom of their articles so that it will be notcied. This is not only a good way to get news, find new websites or get the latest gossip, but it’ll be sure to keep you occupied for hours!

• The Big Picture. The Big Picture is a compilation of photos of events from all around the world. It is updated every 3 days (sometimes he does take longer breaks). It is edited by one man and one man only. He picks and chooses pictures sent to him usually by the wire press and generally begins each series with a brief explanation. Some of it is photojournalism, some, art. Regardless, all of it is good. It’s a great way to get unbiased images, what you see is what you get. Sometimes I think broadcasters take natural disasters to a new level, making it difficult for the viewers to really get a good feel for what’s going on, the big picture lacks commentary AND sad music. Just a one sentence explanation in each picture. Another great site to get news, or to just appreciate art.

• RepairPal. Ok…I know this isn’t really a “time-waster”…but I think women need to know about this!! Brian, my wonderful BF, let me know about this website (generally he is my source for all things web-related because he seems to be better at finding cool stuff than I am). RepairPal allows you to put in the make,model and year of your car and gives you a (free) estimate of what the repair costs will be. As a female, I know little to nothing about cars, and I certainly don’t want to be ripped off when I bring it somewhere- this is a great way to assess a fair cost before your mechanic tells you that oil change is going to run you $600.00.

If you know of any sweet websites that you’ve found browsing the web, let me know!

AND: if you find any of these websites helpful, let me know! Hope you enjoy stumblin’

A professor of mine is QUITE the professional when it comes to packing. I picked up a few of his tips last year and since I will be traveling yet again with him, I’ve learned things that are good to have and things you can probably leave home without. Perhaps you yourself have travel tips that I’ve left out, and if so…by all means comment. Hopefully you find this helpful!

• ALWAYS pack a small bag of extra clothes in your carry-on. Now, I’d be surprised if not everyone reading this has gotten through airports without EVER having lost their luggage. And by they I mean the airlines (cause it’s always their fault). I’d suggest buying a small box of Ziploc bags, maybe the gallon bags, rolling up a few pairs of your favorite unmentionables and a few t-shirts, squeeze the air out (OHH FREE vacuum seal with no extra charge!) and BAM! You have saved yourself money (cause we all know you can’t wear shirts more than one day in a row) AND you don’t have to ruin your own vaca.
• Toilet Paper. For those of you who haven’t had the chance to leave the country, the world is a crazy place. You’d be surprised the kind of etiquette other cultures have. As Americans, I think we see toilet paper as a reason to keep breathing. So you can imagine one’s surprise when they enter a stall in say…Erice, Sicily and notice NO TP! Do not fret! Charmin makes these really fantastic TP’s on the go. They come in a conveniently sized plastic roll (don’t worry: it IS 2 ply!). You can usually find them on any check-out isle in your favorite box-store. [FYI: a Box store is what the media calls stores like target, walmart, etc.]
• Wipes/Hand Sanitizer. Similarly, like TP, soap is a rarity. Every girl (at least in my group of friends) come equipped with hand sanitizer, but let us not forget the strength of hand sanitizing wipes. Seriously…don’t leave home without em’.
• ALWAYS pack Ziploc bags. I already mentioned Ziploc bags once, but I think packing them is also important. 3 Summers ago I spent 3 months away from the comforts of home. I toured the east and west coast living out of a large suitcase. What I learned is that Ziploc bags are the most powerful things known to man. They’re great to separate dirty laundry, but also to separate your items. Say one for your unmentionables, another for your socks. I think this is also a really great way to reduce luggage size and weight.

**as an aside, while blogging, I have searched for a website or blog that has done what I am trying to do- I have come to find out that no such blog exists! If you find one, let me know!!

• Travel Size. Travel Size. Travel Size. I know that maybe your favorite shampoo doesn’t come in travel size…I know mine doesn’t. But that’s ok because I’d say for the most part, popular shampoo brands have at least one basic shampoo conditioner combo that’ll get the job done. My favorite is Pantene Pro-V and for one a dollar a bottle you can really stock up! Again, I think taking up as little room as possible is going to benefit you in more ways than just money (don’t forget…you need to carry this too!).
• ALWAYS roll clothes. Another space-saving tip. Roll your t-shirts. As a female, I pride myself on clothes that are neat and NOT wrinkled, I can tell you that neatly rolled t shirts will remain wrinkle free if you roll them tightly enough. BUT if you want to take extra precautions, Downy came out with a wrinkle release spray that’s a personal favorite of mine. Not only does it work (I swear, it does), it smells like fresh clean linen…ALRIGHT! (ps. HERE it is, definitely check it out. ESPECIALLY all you corporate people, PPS, I see they make a travel size now..bonus!!)

Upon a second read, I think my entry on essentials for your purse can double as good packing items. And can I just add: no matter how pretty, cute, or essential luggage is, if it doesn’t have wheels, you WILL be miserable. I spent a month in Florida at a training camp in high school, so my parents splurged and bought me THIS luggage. I still have it to this day and I use it. When navigating large airports such as Dallas/Ft. Worth or Detroit (hugggee airport BTW), it really helps to have something on wheels. I think nowadays designers are realizing the importance of wheels. Though I will not lie, my absolutely FAVORITE bag is THIS, a little bit of a splurge but the design of the bag is really functional, especially if you’re like me and lose everything every 10 seconds.