Halloween Costumes for the Recession-Savvy Gal
A lot has changed in the past two years: a college degree no longer guarantees you a job, birthday presents from your parents now consist of one more month of health insurance and a couple packets of Starbucks Via, and extravagant Halloween costumes purchased online are just a fond memory.
So, what is the fabulous and frugal Halloween lover to do? Here are my tips for creative costumes straight from your closet.
Stepford Wife: Combine a pastel cardigan, floral dress and nude heals. Add in some pearl jewelry, airbrushed makeup, perfectly quaffed hair and the apron your mom gave you for graduation (finally an excuse to wear it!) and TA DA! You’ve been transformed in to a trophy robot wife. Extra points for freshly baked cookies and a vacant expression. 
College Freshman: Find your shortest jean skirt, a cheap Forever 21 party top and pop on your ugg boots. Add a teased bump in your hair, fully line your eyes in black liner and gob on the mascara for the authentic look of a clueless 17 year old. Major kudos for carrying both a backpack and Coach purse.
Meghan McCain: In light of the recent buzz around her Twitter account, this costume is particularly timely. All you need for this one is a black low cut tank, Andy Worhol book, and the best damn push up bra you have. Pull back your bangs with a workout head-band, add a Vote McCain campaign pin and prepare for the media firestorm!
Happy Halloween!
Fall shows I LOVE and the wines that pair best.
I’m not going to lie to you. Lately, I’ve been working really late (long stories, yeah, plural) anyway, some days, after a stressful day at work, I’ve been forgoing the gym and hitting the couch to discover some of this season’s new shows from the comfort of my DVR.
This occasional habit of mine is sometimes accompanied by a glass of wine, and over the past couple of weeks, not only have I discovered some amazing wines, I’ve also found my share of great new fall shows that make even a long day at work fade away.
So, here are my recommendations for wine and shows for you to enjoy when you just don’t feel like hitting the treadmill.
Eastwick with Tuscan Moon Sangiovese: This show just began last week, so I can’t guarantee it’s going to be a season-long winner, but so far, I’ve enjoyed the Sex and the City-esque banter, Practical Magic-ish story line and female empowerment angle. This mix of magic, sex and power pair perfectly with the bold yet smooth flavors of the sangiovese. Don’t expect anything deep here, but with Halloween on the way, what could be better than this?
Glee with Argyle Chardonnay: Officially my favorite show of the season, Glee is a perfect combination of hit pop music and popular show tunes with off, sometimes awkward comedy. The actors are talented and the show is just original enough that my boyfriend doesn’t hate it. Best paired with the deep flavors of this chardonnay (to balance out the fluff).
Drop Dead Diva with Rootstock Sauvignon Blanc: This show has been getting a lot of press lately, good and bad. But I have to say, regardless of what you think of the premise of the show, the roles are well cast and the characters are charming and funny. Love it with a good sauvignon blanc like Rootstock, which is approachable, well balanced and not too sweet, just like the show. 
Melrose Place with any good red table wine: Believe it, my friends. The new millenium version of this primetime drama is complex and surprisingly dark. While you may not love it at first, give it a chance. Compared to Gossip Girl and 90210, this is the one to watch. Just like the repeat premise of the show, the wine that pairs best with this one is that half a bottle of table red leftover from last weekend.
With several premiers still scheduled on the DVR, I’m sure there will be more great shows and pairings on the way. Can you say The Hills? The City? Lost? Amazing Race? Can’t wait!
Got a good show and wine pairing? Let me know!
Tips for Boosting Your Energy (when all you want to do is sleep)
In case you didn’t know, I recently got a promotion at work. HORAY! More money, more street cred, more fun, right? Right! But more responsibility and more work means more stress and often less energy.
After chatting with my coworkers about my new-found fatigue, I’ve been convinced that I’m not being plagued by some physical ailment (me: are you sure I don’t have mono?), but instead my body is simply adjusting to the new changes in my environment.
Not one to take my lethargy laying down (though that does sound great right now), I’ve decided to find some tips for how to boost energy. Here they are:
1. Get sleep, duh! 7-9 hours is apparently great, but in times when stress levels are higher than normal, making sure you’re getting 9 full hours a night (maybe 11?) might be exactly what you need.
2. Take time for you. De-stressing from work is key to keeping your energy level high. So, take a walk, read a book, spend time with friends. Even just an hour a day can make a world of a difference for your energy level.
3. Limit caffeine and sugar intake. (Don’t worry, I’m laughing too). In my book, limiting sugar intake is always good. But regarding the caffeine thing, I would just stay away from it after a certain time of the day (around 3pm for me). Consuming caffeine too late in the day can impact sleep patterns and make you even more tired (see #1), so just be mindful.
4. Get some exercise. To be honest, this is great in theory, but the reason we’re all tired is that we work ALOT. Who has time for the gym? Don’t beat yourself up for not having the time or energy to hit the treadmill. Instead, look for ways throughout your day to squeeze in some cardio. Park a little farther away, take the stairs or walk instead of sending that email. The little efforts add up!
5. Acknowledge and wait it out. Being a bit more tired than usual is just what happens during big transitions in life. So, my advice is don’t get frustrated, just accept it. After a couple of months you should be back to normal, and hopefully your friends will forgive you for staying in to sleep all those times instead of going out. Either way, just be patient. It can’t be like this forever.
Still tired? Here are some more tips for boosting energy:
10 Effective Ways to Increase Your Energy Levels, Dumb Little Man
The Upside of the Downturn
I’m just going to assume you know what’s going on in our country right now. Although it’s an exciting time, on the cusp of the presidential election, it’s also a really hard time for the average American in every aspect. Times are tough, but here are five great reasons why the economic downturn sucks for everyone but us.
1. It’s a smart time to invest in your 401K. With stock prices this low, now is the perfect time to buy because you get more bang for your buck. Check with your company to find out more about the investment options and just get investing.
2. There are tons of choices for your first house. With the housing market taking a dive, it’s a true buyers market. If you’re not in the position to purchase right now, start saving a little each month and keep up your good credit, so in four years (when the economy still sucks) you’ll be in the perfect place to sign on the line for your first home.
3. It’s a great opportunity to find out just how little money you can live on. Remember in college when ate Top Ramen for two weeks after you got tanked and blew your paycheck buying a round of Jagger Bombs for the entire bar ? This recession is kind of like that. Determine what you really need in life, spend your hard earned money on that stuff, and save the rest. It sucks, but hello! we’re in a recession people.
4. Now is the time to learn what differentiates the employee who keeps her job from the one who loses it. Find out how to make yourself an indispensable part of your organization. If you’re a slacker, a winer, a drunk, a hypochondriac, a perv, or just plain annoying to your coworkers, pack up your cube, because you’ll be in the first to go.
5. Times like these are an amazing reason to celebrate! Unlike the majority of Americans, you actually have a job, didn’t lose thousands in the stock market and the only other living thing you’re responsible for is your make-believe cat because your landlord wont let you have a real one. Live it up, and thank your lucky stars that you’re not in your parents’ situation right now.
image from mycrmblog.com
My Biggest Blog Pet Peeves!
My new job often keeps me so busy that even taking a break for lunch is impossible, but this afternoon things slowed down a bit. So, I spent a little time searching for and reading new blogs with the hopes of gaining some inspiration, information and maybe a laugh or two.
I used a couple of new blog searches I’ve discovered like Blog Flux and a few of my old stand-bys like Technorati. But after an afternoon of blog discovery, the only thing I have to show for all my time spent is a case of mild frustration.
If you’re wondering why I’m so peeved, here you go. The following are my major issues with several blogs I’ve encountered today.
I hate blogs and bloggers when…
…they tell me what to do/how to blog. Well, actually they tell me what not to do and how not to blog. However, the problem isn’t with the advice. I take offense with the tone in which they offer their opinions. If I wanted to be criticized for my actions I’d hang out with my older brother.
…I find a blog that sounds really interesting, only to find out that the blogger hasn’t updated since January…of 2005! Is it too much to ask that people remove their blogs if they’re not planning on actively engaging? I don’t think so.
…they treat their posts like diary submissions. Unless you’re Barack Obama, Tiger Woods or Brittany Spears, I don’t care what you did last Thursday night or what you ate for breakfast this morning…I wonder if Barack likes Grape Nuts…
…anyway…
…when a blog is neither useful, funny, insightful or smart. See peeve #3.
Now that I’ve finished my rant, this post feels a bit foreign to me. Although I am often sarcastic, I am rarely negative or pessimistic. So, in the hopes of lifting my spirits, I’ve included a couple of things I love most about blogs:
I love blogs and bloggers when…
…they make me laugh so hard that the people around me either think I’m crazy or want to get in on the joke (sometimes both).
…they have great applications and widgets on their pages that I later attempt and fail to add to my own blog.
…they make me think about an issue in a different way.
…they give me useful advice that I want to include on my own blog.
…they provide the kind of relevant information that I can regurgitate to coworkers and sound smart.
In case you were wondering, I’m not the only blogger who finds herself frustrated with the bloggosphere. Here are some other bloggers’ blog pet peeves:
- Darkside Dreamland …Why so many blogs piss me off…
- Original G.R.I.T.S. Blog reading pet peeves.
- Bloggerdygook What are your blogging pet peeves?
image from sarahintampa.com
Don’t Have a Cow: Managing Your Stress at Work.
Having a career is great, especially in these very troubled times (remember to vote!). But as we make our way up the corporate ladder, our responsibilities hit the top rung with our stress levels not far behind. For those of us new to the 8 to 5 (what I’ve discovered is often the 7:30 to 6:30) managing our stress can be a challenge. However, there are some easy tricks that may help us chill out and minimize stress at work. Here we go:
Take five minutes. No one understands the instant response mentality perpetuated by the email driven workplace more than me. But unless your job consists of preventing world annihilation by pressing a big red button before a nuclear missile hits, you CAN take a couple of minutes to relax.
Let things go. You’re not the only one stressed at work, so if a curt comment or careless act flies your way, don’t let it bother you. Distract yourself and think about something else. If you try hard enough to forget what was said, you will.
Take a lunch. As we all know, some days taking a lunch is a true luxury. But on the average day, when stepping out for an hour is a viable option, do it. Even 30 minutes away from the office, your inbox and the annoying coworker in the cube next door, can give you some much needed perspective and cut down your stress level.
Talk about it. If you’re stressed about something, finding a coworker or friend to confide in can help you recognize what exactly is bothering you, get it off your mind and get over it faster. Just remember, when the tables are turned, you should always return the favor.
Breathe. When we’re stressed, we often fail to breathe properly, which can cause us to feel physically constricted (on top of the emotional) and lead to headaches, which make it even harder to think. Remember to take full and deep breaths throughout your day to prevent your already high stress level from getting worse.
Still stressed out? Well, there’s always happy hour.
image from prweb.com
Justifying My Addiction…to Twitter.
It’s been several months since I was first exposed to the newest and most alluring drug on the market: Twitter. For the first couple of months, I “tweeted” only recreationally, you know, when I was bored and looking for something fun to fill the time. Plus, everyone was doing it. If I could keep it under control, why couldn’t I do it too?
But now that I have a job at which I sit in front of a computer screen for much of my day, my addiction to Twitter has reached a dangerous level. Shockingly, it has even joined forces with my CrackBerry obsession through an application called Twitterberry, which allows me to obsessive compulsively update Twitter from my phone.
So, like all true addicts, in an attempt to justify my addiction, I’ve come up with the top five things I (and you) can do with this dangerous yet great thing we call Twitter.
5. Keep your loved ones updated on your life. Awwww!
4. Get updates in real-time from your favorite news outlets (have I mentioned how much I love NPR?)
3. Stay up to date with colleagues for on the spot insights on projects your team is working on, opportunities to lend a helping hand or opinion, or simply be in the know about what’s going on in their lives.
2. Make your friends jealous of how fabulous, successful and busy your life is.
1. Follow dramatic people you don’t know. Also known as having constant access to the most amazing reality show you’ve ever encountered.
Click here to follow my addiction for yourself.
images from Twitter.com
Money and Happiness: A “Little” Paycheck Perspective
If you’re one of the many people on earth whose relative happiness seems to revolve around the dollar amount on your paycheck, the reality of starting out your career in an entry level position may just have you running for a cliff.
You (and I) may think that money is the key to living a happy life, but according to many experts, a six figure salary may buy you a nicer car, but it won’t buy you true happiness.
According to the blog Personal Finance Advice When Money Can Buy Happiness is when the amount you make meets your basic life needs: shelter, food and clothing. When those needs are met, it shouldn’t matter whether you make $100, $1,000 or $100,000 more, you already have the freedom to be happy.
And I would have to agree. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as superficial as the next 22 year old post-college sorority girl. I too dream of driving a nice car, having a closet full of cute new clothes and possessing the cash to eat out every night with my friends. However, when it comes down to it, my long term happiness (and yours too) doesn’t hinge on having the kind of money that makes those things possible.
The bottom line, as I’ve found out in the last six weeks of my new job, is money doesn’t mean happiness. Money means responsibility. None of us want to spend our carefree youth working 12 plus hour days because we have so much to do at work to earn that $80,000 paycheck. So, what we twenty-somethings need is not a bigger paycheck but a massive attitude adjustment. We have our whole lives to work ourselves to the bone chasing the ever-growing cash carrot. Why not enjoy living within our means (at least for now).
Not convinced? Check these out:
- 5 Way a Big Check Can Backfire from CNN.com
- Money Wont Buy You Happiness from Forbes.com
- Why Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness from Newsweek
image from azmythfinancial.com
Work-Life Balance? What the Hell is That?
When you start your career, there are going to be a lot of new terms thrown around that you might not have heard before. And if you’re like me, the phrase “work-life balance” will be one of them. For those of us lucky enough to work for an amazing organization that prioritizes this; your life and work at least have a chance of balancing.
However, no matter how hard the HR people at your office try to stress the importance of a balance between work and life, when you first start a new job, especially right out of college, maintaining this balance will be damn hard.
Not only are you probably working harder and longer than ever before, but you also have more responsibilities, and if your life is anything like mine your day starts long before the sun rises and ends long after it sets. This means that when you finally return home from your long work day and seemingly endless commute, you’re probably going to be so tired that spending time with family, socializing with friends or enjoying hobbies will be lower on your list than editing your coworkers’ collection of poetry about her cats.
In an effort to find a more even balance between my own work and life, I’ve embarked on a quest for advice. However, I got a little side tracked…thanks to youtube. Check these out.
Ok ok. They might not give you any tips for balancing your life and your work, but hey, you’re taking a break from work to watch them, right? That should count for something.
The Best Herb Out There? It’s Mint (.com).
Maybe you already know about the best Web site ever, but, my friends, I have just been enlightened. It’s called mint.com. For those of us working with a limited budget (along with a coffee and shopping habit), mint.com is a helpful tool for tracking where the hell all your money is going.
You simply input your online banking logins and passwords (I have my checking/savings and credit card accounts on there), and it puts all of your incoming and outgoing transactions into categories. With those categories, mint.com tracks your spending on a really nifty flash player pie graph. You can click through to find out the percentage of your monthly income you spend on groceries, rent, utilities or, say, coffee. You can also narrow it down even further to find out how much you spend each month at a specific restaurant or store, say, Starbucks.
The site also allows you to set budgets for categories, like groceries, and will email you in the event that you go over your allotted budget for the month. In addition, you can compare your spending habits with other people in your city (I’m not yet sure why you would want to do this, but with mint.com you can). The site provides information on available high interest savings accounts, and in the coming months, it will also allow you to track your investments.
If you’re worried about security, you shouldn’t be. Mint Software, Inc. is a licensee of the TRUSTe Web Privacy Seal Program. You’re not convinced by my naive understanding of internet security? Check out How Mint Keeps You Safe. They’re better at explaining it. Happy budgeting!
image from mint.com
