The moment has finally arrived! Well… almost… I have about three weeks to enjoy what’s left of my twenties.  So instead of bitching and moaning about my youth fading away and all that nonsense I figured I’d share just a few life lessons I have acquired over the years.

Truth is, I’m still a kid at heart… I’m still learning how to navigate through life, but there are a few things that will always remain constant and true for me. So here it goes…. thirty lessons in 30 years:

1.) Learn to Shut up: Silence is golden! Don’t tell everyone everything… constantly talking  about your problems and situations can jinx you… Some things are just meant to be sacred.

2.) Sexual Chemistry & Compatibility are not the same thing: Chemistry without the compatibility is lust not love.

3.) You only get one good boss: The rest are just Satan’s children

4.)Listening to music while dancing in the mirror is very therapeutic: Plugging into your ipod and dancing around in your underwear is a must

5.) Its OK to do absolutely nothing sometimes: It was John Lennon who once said “time you enjoyed wasting, was not wasted.”

6.)The first time someone shows you who they really are believe them: Words of wisdom by Maya Angelou

7.) Never worry about people who are ALWAYS the last ones to leave work: Feel sorry for them, they aren’t impressing anyone

8.) Having people hate on you can be a good thing: You must be doing something right

9.) Its not so much the loud ones, but the quiet ones you need to watch out for: The quiet ones are always the sneakiest

10.) Be nice & cordial to everyone you meet for the first time…its a small world out there: You never know who’s watching

11.) If it ain’t broke don’t fix it

12.) Confidence is the sexiest thing you can wear

13.) Always smile: Even when you don’t feel like it

14.) Listen to your mom: She’s always right

15.) What is meant to be always arrives when its supposed to… NOT when you want it to: Patience is a virtue

16.) Go with what makes you happy: Period!

17.) When it comes to love and relationships, you will only find what you think you deserve

18.) Everyone is allowed to screw up:  Just learn from it afterwards

19.) If the kiss is good, the sex will be good: 99.9% of the time

20.) Its not the quantity of friends that counts its the quality

21.) Mistakes, Failure, and Rejection=Experience

22.) Having good conversation and laughter over a great meal is one of the greatest  joys in life

26.) Always trust your gut: It never lies

27.) You need to have at least one mischievous experience in life: Do it once and then never do it again

28.) It’s Ok to do things on your own: Being surrounded by people all the time is not necessary

29.) Going out almost every night is overrated

30.) Simplicity is the key to overall satisfaction and happiness: It’s the little things in life that count the most and make it all worthwhile

So there you have it… just a few pearls of wisdom from a girl who is about to pass a huge milestone. I made it this far, and I am excited to see what else life has in store for me

I’m really big on writing things down…especially when it comes to my dreams and wishes .

Don’t believe me? Well for starters I’ve  kept a diary ever since I was 12 years old (that’s 18 years and counting…yikes!).

When I really want a wish to come true I will write it down on post-it notes and stick them in my room so I can see it everyday as a reminder. I started doing that about two years ago and cannot tell you how much it really works!

Here’s the catch: you cant just write it down…its a little more complex than that. You have to visualize and actually believe in what you wish for. For example, if you really want a new car you would write down the EXACT make, model, and color. The next step is to picture yourself driving it. If you want to take it the next level… visit the dealership and actually sit in the car; close your eyes and pretend its yours until…. well, its actually yours.

I did something similar to that when it came to getting my current apartment. I knew my building was not easy to get into, but I was determined to live there. Every chance I could get I would walk down my street, sit outside on one of the benches; I’d picture myself coming home from work and walking into the building etc…So I wasn’t surprised when I called to inquire about a 1 bedroom and the landlord said “your in luck we have a opening.” I’ve come to realize that when you really want something it involves:

1.) asking for it

2.) being absolutely clear about it

3.) believing you can get it and/or you already have it.

If you are familiar with the Law of Attraction movement or the book “The Secret.” Then you know where I got this idea from.

I have a new “wish list” that I recently came up with and I wanted to do a little experiment to see if my theory of writing it down still holds true… If/when my current wishes come to life  I will give an update about it on my blog!

In the meantime, try it yourself!

If you’d rather express your wishes in another form then try what’s called a Vision Board. Instead of using words you can use pictures to create a collage of all your desires.

Either way this is a great exercise that has brought me  positive results and I hope it does the same for you

In my last post I hinted that I was going to be do something “interesting” in the city over the weekend…

Well, I went pole dancing (stop judging) and it was awesome!!!

Pole dancing as a fitness craze has been around for a couple of years now… and me being the queen of always trying new and random things I decided to give it a go!

It all started when I got an email from this social networking and event group I belong to called  Urban Girl Squad. Its absolutely free to join and they hold amazing events catered to young professional women in and around the City. So far with “UGS” I’ve gone on a wine tasting/ horseback riding trip, volunteered at Food Networks Wine & Food Festival, and gotten tips from a stylist on how to shop. When I saw  ” Intro to Pole Dancing” I had to laugh, but I also said what the hell…Lets do this!

I woke up early Sunday morning excited and ready! Wait, what the heck do I wear? Do I need a thong and clear heels? Whew! The website just said come with exercise clothes… I threw on a pair of  black spandex pants, a tank top, my white Chuck Taylors and headed out the door. On the way to class I couldn’t help but think of that old  Chris Rock joke about keeping his daughter off the pole … Maybe I’ll hold off on telling my Dad how my day was…

The class was held at a Lower East Side fitness studio called S Factor. Not only does this studio hold individual classes it also holds bridal parties and the occasional “I just got divorced I need to let off some steam” parties.

Not knowing what to expect I arrived a little early and waited for further instructions. After a few minutes went by we were told to wait in the studio and start stretching. The studio had 5 poles centered in the room  for us to use, it was dimly lit, no mirrors, with candles placed along side of the wall. I made small talk with some of the girls in the room, only one girl had tried this before… the rest of us were virgins to the pole.

Our instructor finally came in to greet us… She was very energetic! but I guess you have to be in order to teach a class like this. She explained that we would start off with a warm up exercise before getting down to the main event. What would come next I was not expecting at all. We stretched, but in a way I have never done before… It was a cross between meditation, dance, and some of the sexiest moves you could ever make. At first, I didn’t understand why we needed to do this, but I relaxed and realized it was all about getting comfortable with your body and embracing that sensual side of yourself. At one point, I looked around the room and saw women of all shapes, sizes, and colors; it was kind of cool to know that each of us may have our own insecurities, but at the moment we all felt sexy.

Now, to the moment I was really waiting for! We were separated into groups  of 3 and each given a pole to practice on. The first technique we learned was called the “FireFly” which is a lot more complicated than it looks….  The first time I tried it I looked more like a “Fire Fighter” than a “FireFly.” The instructor came over and I said to her “this is pretty hard!” She laughed and said “yes it is, but the more you  let go…The easier it will be” I kept that thought in mind and when it was my turn again I did it perfect! The instructor clapped and cheered me on and I thanked her for reminding me to “Let Go.”

I realize when you hear the words “pole dancing” sweet and sugary thing don’t always come to mind… but if you are looking for a great work out, a reason to feel sexy, or you just need to let go… Give it a try! You might surprise yourself or someone else for that matter

If you love to walk, run, jog, cycle, or roller blade… then you might want to try the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway  as your next outdoor adventure.

The  Greenway is 32 miles long and runs along the waterfront of either the Hudson River or the East River. It circumnavigates through Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx on the East River side and New Jersey on the Hudson River side.  A map of the complete route is shown here.

Not only do you have the luxury of having a open road, but you also get fantastic views along the way!

A few days ago I decided to dust off the old bike and go! This would be the second time I biked the path and it was just as beautiful as I remembered it. I parked my car in a garage near Wall Street, plugged in the ipod and started my journey. I chose to listen to Dave Matthews Band’s Live in Central Park for the first half of my ride…It was warm outside but not unbearable. I kept going and going and before I knew it I was already in midtown! I rode for a little while longer but I turned around when the thought of hitting lunchtime traffic on the way home entered my mind. For the return trip I switched my music to “Daft Punk” for a more up-tempo ride. During this whole time nothing really mattered.. I was able to tune out the rest of world and take in the beauty around me.

Here are some pictures I took along the way…

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I also stopped for a little snack

Remember, if you decide to bike the Greenway make sure that you plan your route prior to going especially if you are not familiar with the city. There are tons of maps that you can find online that are easy to download. If you don’t have a bike… no worries, you can rent one!  Places like Bike & Roll even offer guided tours!

No matter what route you decide to take you are sure to find hidden gems along the way… You get to see another side of New York  you might have not seen before.

This Sunday I’m heading back into the city for another adventure… It will be interesting to say the least.

I’m not giving any hints you’ll just have to wait and see

Of course, when you are trying to be good and not spend a whole lot that’s when a brand new pair of designer shoes you cannot afford but MUST have suddenly appears out of nowhere!!! I had a moment like this earlier in the week when I was browsing the internet and came across these Giuseppe Zanotti Jeweled Toe Ring Sandals (see below). The simple design of the shoe plus the skull and cross bone really makes a statement…

To my chagrin I noticed that the price tag was a bit out of my reach…A whopping  $45o.00!  I can appreciate fashion but I wasn’t about to spend almost $500.00 bucks for some damn sandals. I was however determined to have them, and like any great shopper I wasn’t going to let a silly thing like a price tag get in the way  .

So I started with an internet search just to see if any other website sold them at a cheaper price. If a product has been out for a while sometimes boutique stores will sell them for less. Boom! I found it! DSW was selling my sandal for $299.95! Only problem was that this shoe did not have the skull and cross bone design I really wanted… also, the price was still a bit steep for just a sandal. A smart shopper knows how to invest! If you are going to shell out the money then you might as well spend it on something that’s unique and not a lot of people have. So many folks get caught up in name brands and completely disregard the style. That is the absolute worst thing you can do to your wallet…

Just when I was about to give up, I remembered the Outlet Malls! Normally, the outlets are hit or miss but it’s definitely worth a shot if you have a little time and patience. If you live in the tri-state area then you might have heard of Woodbury Commons : it’s an amazing outlet mall  that carries over 220 stores with an abundant selection of designer name brands -one of them being Giuseppe Zanotti! I called the store to see if they had my sandal and to my surprise not only did they have the exact pair I wanted, but they were also selling them for (drum roll….) $199.00 !!!

With over $250.00 worth of savings on a brand new pair of designer shoes you could say I definitely hit the jack pot…

In order to have more fashion find moments like these lets review what you will need to do:

1.)  Don’t always accept what you see at face value…

2.) Don’t settle for less! And just when you think you’ve found it don’t stop looking…there might be something better waiting.

3.) When you finally  find it… show it off, brag about it, take care of it, cherish it.

Come to think of it fashion advice sure sounds a hell of lot like being in a relationship…. Well in that case, I guess I’m in love <3

Yes, it’s been awhile… BUT I have a perfectly good reason for not updating my blog for over a year!

Basically life happened and  I got a little distracted, but now my feet are planted I am ready to share my journey!…So let me fill you in on what I’ve been doing for the past year. Well for starters I got my Master’s degree. I got a job and I am now working full-time as a school counselor in an awesome district! I love my new career, and for the first time in years I can say “this is where I belong.”

I moved, and I’m living in a great neighborhood on a street that is situated in the center of just about everything. My apartment is like my little sanctuary. Whenever I come home a sense of calm always rushes through me.

Here are Before and After Pics of my living room…

Thanks to many hours spent watching HGTV I think it came together nicely

Lets see what else? I’ve met new people made new friends and crossed off a few items on my bucket list. Visit the Grand Canyon (check!) own a convertible (check!) Go to Las Vegas gamble and win (check and check!)

So you could say a lot has changed in the past year. Change for the better… I’m much happier than I was before. Life has slowed down for me in a way, but I’m making more progress when it comes to attaining my goals and living out my dreams. If you know me well then you know this is not the end. There is still more to be done but I’ll save that for another post.

Anyway, lets get back to why I decided to return to the blogosphere all of sudden? Well, for one thing its the summer… and for the first time in years I’m not working!! DUN DUN DUN. (Yea, I can’t believe it either).

I had every intention of working, I even applied for this summer job at my school…When that didn’t come through I began to realize that this might be the first time in years I can sit back and do absolutely nothing. I wasn’t used to that; the concept seemed so foreign to me because ever since I graduated from college I’ve been on the grind… hustling for job was all I knew.

So I put it in the back of my mind for the rest of June and the beginning of July. Everything was great! I was hanging out, going to the beach, playing golf, walking, going to yoga class, going to bed late/waking up late, catching up on TV shows via On Demand. Then all of a sudden I got the “itch” again. The itch to work…

There’s a Gelato shop  next door to my apartment building so I decided one day  to inquire about a part-time job. I was so excited when the owner said he could squeeze me in a few days. I mean what better gig to have than to roll out of my bed  and downstairs to serve ice-cream to people for a couple of hours!? Boy was I wrong… Things got a little weird when it became clear the owner hired me only because he wanted to date me. UGH! I was pissed to say the least but I also took it as a sign… Why can’t I just relax and enjoy my time off? Why do I feel obligated to work when I really don’t have to right now? I have money saved up so what’s the problem?

I was so used to work work work that when it was gone I didn’t feel right. I felt unproductive…But in reality that was far from true. I’ve been extremely productive these past two years…heaven forbid I wasn’t productive for two months!  When you really stop to think about it for a second what’s wrong with sleeping until noon, going to the driving range, and taking a dip in the pool as a daily routine? I’m  sure going to miss that come September when my phone is ringing off the hook and I have to write letters of recommendation… I’m finally at a point in my life where I can sit back and reap the benefits of all my hard work . Next summer I’m sure I’ll find something to do whether it be work or travel…but for now I’m throwing in the towel… call me “Lazy Day” all you want I don’t care, I deserve it dammit

I LOVE Spa’s ! A few years ago I was bitten by the “spa bug” while I was on vacation and I’ve been addicted to getting pampered ever since. Now when I go away I try to make it a point to treat myself to a day of relaxation, and I encourage you to do the same.

Here is a review of the spa’s that I have visited so far, and the one’s I wish to attend in the future…

• Tierra Del Sol Aruba

Overlooking the caribbean sea, Tierra Del Sol is a beautiful resort, spa, and country club on the island of Aruba.   The spa offers a variety of therapies, including massages, wraps, skin and body treatments, aromatherapies, hydrotherapy, manicure, pedicure and a newly opened full service hair salon. During my visit I decided to try the hot stone massage and it was AMAZING!!! 75 minutes of absolute heaven. Also, you don’t have to be a guest to take advantage of the quality amenities this resort has to offer. I was allowed to use the pool, hot tub, and gym for the rest of the day. Tierra del Sol was my first spa experience, and I can thank them for my addiction today. A

• The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Asian inspired luxury right in the heart of Miami… The Mandarin Oriental is a prestigious  five star hotel chain with locations all across the country. I could not afford to stay at this particular hotel, however, I decided to take advantage of its pristine reputation for pampering its guests. The Spa offers tons of packages to suit just about anyone’s needs. They have treatments for couples, teenagers, expecting mothers, and newly weds. You can plan a full-day or a half-day..they are in no hurry to kick you out. My visit consisted of you guessed it… another hot stone massage!  I wanted to add something new to my experience and  at the time a special promotion was going on where I could combine treatments… So I decided to add on a rose pedal bath.

I must say that I was not that impressed by the massage..the one I had in Aruba was top notch compared to this. The stones were barely “hot” and the therapist was not the best. On the bright side, I did enjoy my bath..I was given a fresh plate of fruit and my own  private room to relax in. After my bath I was led into the steam room to detoxify. For a five star hotel I was expecting a bit more bang for my buck, but it was still a good experience. B+

• JW Marriott Well Being Massage & Spa Washington, DC

Located in walking distance to everything downtown DC has to offer, JW Marriott is the perfect hotel for a short weekend getaway to our nations capital. When I noticed the hotel had a spa I had to take advantage! But when I arrived it wasn’t at all what I expected. The spa was basically a hallway with two doors. You can imagine this raised some doubt in my mind considering the other places I’ve visited. I picked the hot stone massage again to make up for my last experience and it was GREAT! The therapist had an amazing technique and the stones were nice and warm. I underestimated this visit and it turned out to be one the best! It just goes to show that  good things DO come in small packages  A-

Spa Montage Laguna Beach

If you ever wanted to feel like an Real  Housewive of Orange County for a day book a visit to Montage Laguna Beach because this place has it all. Breathtaking views of the ocean, clear blue skies, and mansions perched on top of the California hills, this is what luxury looks like. Here are just a few of what the facilities have to offer: A relaxation room with fireplace, a marble steam room, a Sauna, an outdoor cold plunge and whirlpool, an outdoor lap pool with panoramic views of the ocean… and the list goes on and on. The staff was top notch and very friendly… they treated me like royalty from the time I arrived until I left.  I decided to get a regular 60 min Swedish massage instead of the usual and it was Perfect! The massage itself  seemed as if it lasted forever. The therapist even added  a warm compress to my body, which I was not expecting. After my massage I grabbed some chilled cucumber slices and took a dip in the hot tub. All I had to do was tilt my head back and take in the feeling of bliss and total relaxation. Just like Tierra del Sol, I was allowed to use the outdoor facilities and lay out by the pool for the rest of the day. What more can I say but this is a place every spa goer should check out. A+

Next on the List…

As I mentioned before, now that this is becoming more of a habit, hopefully my future Spa visits will look a little something like this…

• Canyon Ranch Tuscon, AZ
• Mii Amo Sedon, AZ

I’ll keep you updated!

Starting tomorrow  Jimmy Choo for H&M will be debuting its new line of shoes and accessories. This is an example of what I like to call a “Fashion Mash-Up…”  It’s basically stuff you CAN NOT afford combined with  stuff you CAN afford. You will eventually go broke buying it, but with far less guilt.
It’s no mystery that the fashion world is finally catching onto the fact that if you “lower the price they will come…”

I discovered another “mash-up” today definitely worth checking out… Alexander McQueen for Puma. This collection is a perfect combination of sexy, sleek and sporty wear that accentuates a statement of dressing up while dressing down. McQueen’s Spring 2010 collection created a buzz during  Fashion Week…however, his new Puma line is definitely “wearable” and more importantly…comfortable

When you think about the cold one word comes to mind : “layers” And if you love fashion as much as I do this word is like kryptonite. Dressing for the winter months takes a back seat to looking cute just for the sake of not freezing your you know what off.

But don’t let the cold get you down, I say have a little fun with it!

Here are some unique ways to stay warm…

Fred Flare is a great website …they have  tons of toys, “goof” gifts,  and accessories like this Cupcake Beanie by “NEFF.” Why not show off just how sweet you really are.  $30 Fredflare.com

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Everyone knows about the book “Where the Wild Things Are” ( I hope) its like a right of passage into childhood. Now that the movie has revived this unforgettable story so has the merchandise! Look at these adorable Where the Wild Things Are Slippers sold at Urban Outfitters. You get a choice of either Max or Moishe! This book warms your heart now it can warm your feet!  $28 Urbanoutfitters.com

Ok so far we’ve covered the head, the feet, now lets talk about the hands! Who wants to wear plain boring gloves when you could own a pair of these fun Puppy Mittens by “deLUX.” If you are not a doggie lover deLUX has even more cute and furry creatures for you to choose from… check it out at Karmaloop.com $26.

And finally, you know I couldn’t forget about the fellas right…Instead of putting your hands down your your pants to keep warm… why not put your underpants on your hands! $16 Fredflare.com.

If these fun winter accessories don’t keep you warm, then I promise they will at least turn a few heads!

Pretty soon we will all be gathered around somebody’s table eating until the top button of our pants leaves an imprint on our midsections.

You might have noticed that around the holiday’s individuals fall into one or two catergories:  people who show up to cook and  people who show up to eat…
Whatever person you may be I have listed a few tips to help  get you through Thanksgiving  and future holidays without a hitch.

• If you are spending Thanksgiving solo or with a small group…

Check your local neighborhood to see which restaurants will be serving on Thanksgiving Day. It is not uncommon for some establishments to stay open on holiday’s, but it is always a good idea to plan ahead just in case. For those of you who live in the tri-state area About.com has come up with a list of restaurants in New York City that will be open on Thanksgiving this year.

If you decide to stay home with a few friends or family turn your Thanksgiving into a potluck dinner! Have everyone bring in or cook their own “specialty dish” then swap recipes after.  This is a great way to take some of the pressure off the host by allowing everyone to contribute equally. If you get stuck on what you will be making Better Homes & Garden’s has a full menu with recipes for a  small Thanksgiving dinner.

• If you are cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time…

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for or dreading your whole life. Whether you are trying to impress the in-laws, or it’s just your turn to cook, this is one occasion you can’t screw up…One turkey- one chance.

Cooking for a large group takes strategy and careful planning. Browse your recipes and buy  groceries in advance. Save the more perishable items for last. Choose “pre-cook” dishes like mac and cheese, or potatoes to prepare first. This way you can focus in or more important things like (ah em)…the Turkey. Speaking of the turkey, if you are  hesitant to prepare a traditional turkey on your first try then why not make a 45-min. Roast Turkey or a 35 min Deep Fried Turkey. Both are easy to make and taste delicious!

• If you are a horrible cook, don’t like to cook, too lazy to cook, etc….

This one is for the “eater’s.” You know who you are… you run to the family room to watch the football game or play video games and you don’t come out until dinner is served. Yeah, your not foolin anyone…

This may fly in some situations, but if you are invited to eat in another person’s home it is only polite to show up not just with your appetite in hand. Be creative! For example, put together your own “Thanksgiving Basket.” Buy a Cornucopia and fill it with fruits, cheese, crackers, pumpkin flavored coffee etc. This is a a great way to show your appreciation without spending too much money or bringing the same old bottle of wine gift.

Another good idea is to offer to set the table for your host. After slaving around in the kitchen all day not too many people would turn this offer down. I’m not talking about laying a fork and a napkin on the table but actually decorating it in a creative way. Find table decorating ideas here to impress all of your friends and family.

You don’t have to be the next Martha Stewart, but a little thanks and appreciation goes a long way.

-Happy Thanks Giving!