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Friday, December 27, 2013

Karma What You Shall

Years ago at a time in my life when I keet wondering how much worse could things get I happened to read "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. If you haven't read it, this book brilliantly explains all things karma, luck, superstition, what you give you get, what goes around comes around,  whatever you choose to call it, and that all the successful legends before us have known about this "secret." Rhonda explains in detail how to "tell" the Universe what you want, and how what you think tells the Universe what to send back to you.

The theory in short is that the Universe is a send and receive system, also, like a magnet. So if you put good into the Universe you have to receive good back. In the book this is explained not just by actions, but by the thoughts you have. My favorite quote from this book, "thoughts become things" says it all. I can't even begin to express the "oh my gosh" moments this book brings to you as you read it.

Anyway, think what you will, but I used the theory, everything that was stated in the text resonated with me, so, I went full out "The Secret" maniac. I had a wish board, I constantly said that I had, did, or will whatever I desired. What was the result...well, today I literally live in the house at the amount I had on my board, in the location I wanted, and making the money I had intended. I only wish I had gone big instead of realistic, which to me at the time was "living a dream life."

This isn't true with just myself, I worked with a wonderful friend who was where I saw myself just a year prior, and I shared with her my progress at that moment, and she took on the same obsession to change her life. Amazingly today, just 3 years later she is living the exact life she had dreamed of. Right down to the career and car she specifically desired.

This all isn't coincidence you skeptics, I'm talking specific wants, specific "requests" that we sent out to the Universe, and for the both of us.....we have received them all. I personally choose to not think too far into it. I'm a person that doesn't want or need to dig into things that can't scientifically be explained (although in this book they sort of do). It's similar to this time of year, seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing.

With our New Year's resolutions my hope to everyone is to take back the control of your life. We all hit that point where we feel we're just down on our luck, wondering what next could possibly happen. We never mean to think this way, or see that it's negative thinking, but when you say or think something like "great the water heater went, what else could go wrong this week?" Well, this book explains the theory of how that next problem comes about, you just asked the Universe to bring to you more wrong happenings....what, did your ceiling leak, bank account over drawn, toilet flood, washer break, car break down? Yep, I thought it was all crazy too.

Yes, you begin to think that thinking is exhausting, you may become paranoid, but it's really not that bad. You start to train yourself to negate away from negative thinking. You become focused on shaping your life instead of just living it and getting through it.

It really is incredible. Whether there's truth to it or not, I am personally a believer of karma, even most religions touch base on this. When all is said and done it's worth the hour or two to read this short and easy to read book, or watch it on Netflix (the book is MUCH better). The change you'll see and feel in your life is worth it. You stop saying or thinking things like, poor Suzy, I feel bad for that family, the economy is so bad. You'll learn that those are worthless thoughts and comments, as much as they may be true there's no need to energize them. You'll become a whole new person, you'll stop complaining, you'll have consistently better days, and even stubbing your toe won't happen or it won't become a domino effect day. As you change these little things you'll start to see it in a larger scale, and before you know it, like me, you'll be looking back in shock how you got exactly what you wanted.

I myself have fallen off of the horse on this, and that's what has brought me to sharing this wonderful thing with you. I'm ready to get back to it, and get my life back on track. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and start your New Year off with on the right foot too, go get what you want, and start changing the way you think! It's contagious you know!

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Gifts For ANY Girl

Last minute shopping anyone? I know, I know, and we girls are the hardest, but really, the easiest! Listen, whether it's mom, grandma, sister, or that special love interest just shop below, I'm here for you my friend. As always, easy pictures, links, and prices to help make things even quicker. Here's to a stress free holiday shopping experience!

I personally would go stocking stuffer, several small items wrapped and delivered in a stocking! How sweet! Think travel size items, vintage candy from the candy store, earrings, bracelets, or rings. You can throw your big dollar item in with smaller novelty items and make her think you've really been working at this!

Examples: Travel lotions, lip gloss/chap stick (Nivea! (at Target)), nail polish (Essie (at Target)nude or natural colors), bubble bath, hot cocoa (pre-made funnels (Target, Christmas section)bobby pins, candles, anything Burt's Bees (try a holiday kit (at Target), you get the idea!

$48 - Kate Spade Lady Marmalade Studs - Amazon
Great for mom, grandma, girl friends, this is an all for one pleaser, also available in aqua/gold, and crystal/antique silver!
The packaging alone from Kate Spade is its own gift, she'll squeal!

$32 - Set of 11 White Flameless Auto Timer Candles - Various Sizes in Set - Amazon
I LOVE these, they can go anywhere worry free!

$10 - Make Your Own Gift Set (thanks Pinterest!)
Create A Netflix Gift Card

A Great Gift for ANYONE this Christmas--Only $10! crazy easy christmas gift that ANYONE will appreciate.
A perfect gift for anyone that swoons over a favorite show, movie, or cozy nights in...just don't forget, and I stress this...the snacks make this! Try a candy store with some scoopables, here in Pittsburgh we have Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop, the vintage goodies add such love and charm to this easy gift.

$15 - Homemade Holiday Sangria
Christmas Sangria   2 bottles Merlot   1 bottle ginger ale   1 cup sugar   1 tsp ground cinnamon   ½ tsp ground nutmeg   ½ tsp ground clove   4 to 6 oranges or tangelos   6 to 10 cinnamon sticks   1/2 bag of cranberries
What girls cherish most and meaningful and well presented gifts, just the wrapping can make us feel like the Queen of England. Get a great carafe, Carafe with LID - Target  , dispenser Bee Hive Dispencer - Pier 1 , (20% off coupon at Pier 1 site), or just a pitcher, maybe even a set of glasses, and of course this recipe for Holiday Sangria, again, amazing props to Pinterest!
2 bottles Merlot (Cupcake brand is delicious!)
1 bottle ginger ale (not sprite guys)
 1 cup sugar 
1 tsp ground cinnamon
 ½ tsp ground nutmeg 
½ tsp ground clove 
4 to 6 oranges or tangelos 
6 to 10 cinnamon sticks 
1/2 bag of cranberries

$12.99 - Storage Water Bottle - Amazon
Contigo Storage Water Bottle
GENIUS
I think we all have a walker/runner in our lives, this is the best idea ever, store your key, money, ID, etc.

$7.88 - Tea for One - Amazon
Tea for One - White

Tea for One friends? This little item thrills both myself (28) and my mom, she got me my first about 3 years ago, and I haven't fallen out of love with it yet. Not sure what color to get, white will always please, go ahead and grab a sampler of teas, try a local coffee house!


$78 - Kate Spade Darryl Sunglasses - Amazon
Kate Spade Sunglasses

Big amazing glasses, multiple colors to boot! A more expense item especially for sunglasses, but this is the time to wow her with something she'll never get herself!

$25 - (20% off get coupon at website) Bronze Jewelry Stand - Pier 1
Bronze Jewelry Stand - Pier 1

Great for any stylish love of yours from little girls to grandma, a clean and decorative way to organize all of those gems! It probably shouldn't come empty! You can never get one too early or too late in life!

$4.00 - Owl Lip Gloss (20% off coupon at website) - Pier 1
Owl Lip Gloss - Pier 1

Owls have stolen the hearts of girls lately, these little trinkets are adorable and will make almost anyone smile!

$12.00 - Make Your Own Body Scrub - Honest Company
Honest Company Body Oil

There's far too many benefits to say about this oil, but it's a great base for a homemade scrub.
Don't want to buy it, get a grapeseed or jojoba oil (any grocery or health food store)
Empty contents into any beautiful jar, even a mason jar...
Add enough (almost equal amounts) of either sea salt or epsom, or raw sugar, it should be mushy, not dry...
Finish with a few drops of essential oil, lavender, grapefruit, sandalwood, (any GNC) OR
use extracts like vanilla, coconut, or almond (any grocery store)!
add a bow, and you're done!

Ultimate Gift
$66.99 - Papasan Chair  - Pier 1 
Papasan Chair Pier 1

I know you don't get it, but these are comfortable and a piece of decor. Friends Jessi and Kelly got one when they were around 12, their Dad spiced it up with wax and they kept flipping out of it (so much fun!) I've wanted one since then! You won't lose with this! You can customize the colors of both the wicker and the cushion!

Did I completely miss your kind of girl? Leave me a comment, I vow to find you the perfect gift in your budget!
Happy holidays and happy shopping!




Friday, December 6, 2013

Guilty Pleasure - HAIR All About It!

ALERT: 
If you're a guy and in need of a gift for ANY lady in your life scroll to the bottom and use the links. You will forever be "The Man."

Lady friends, let me share my most guilty of pleasures. Her name is Jill, and she is my hair whisperer, and she hails from the mecca of an Aveda Salon, called Capretti and Co, if you're local you are required by me, the law maker of what you deserve, to visit at least once, good luck never returning.


 1925 Settlers Ridge Center
PittsburghPA 15205 
ph: 412-921-3434

You can look forward to a fresh beverage followed by a consultation with your stylist (the most real consultation of your hair...ever), and wrap up with a dry oil relaxation treatment...hold on, a mini massage...right...can I stop there?! Oh yes, and then the most amazing hair experience of your life, I strongly suggest you get your color done here, whatever you have now will seem like the fast food version when you're done.

 We cannot all have Jill, but I can promise you this, every single employee at this salon is angelic. This place is gorgeous, calm, warm, VERY WELCOMING (you feel like the top client from the moment you step through the door), and packed full of healthy for your products. I'll spare you my obnoxious rant on the skin care products, let's just say, NOTICEABLE. DIFFERENCE. One other I thing I'm a big fan of, it's not chatty. I never feel like I'm drenched in gossip and negativity. Honestly, each stylist is involved with his/her client, it's a real one on one focus, this is not your typical salon!

Why is this place such a big deal you ask, well, if I hadn't had faith and listened to my friend Melissa's advice and tried an Aveda salon, I would still be hair miserable. After trying EVERYTHING and I do mean everything, I met Jill and she introduced me to Invati, a hair system (I only use shampoo and conditioner), that helps to lessen hair loss. I mean my hair was thin to begin with, but all of a sudden it was scary thin. It's about 6 months later since she and I really talked about it, and I have hair that I didn't imagine I'd have again, and hopefully it will continue to get better. She takes my situation so seriously, that she is truly extra gentle and does exactly what I told her I do at home (no flat iron, low heat, and gentle, gentle,gentle) I didn't think she caught all my little "things," but I noticed she stopped using the flat iron, held the dryer farther, and used low heat....thank you Jill, for understanding how important hair can be to a person.


What you really want to know:

Price: It varies - I've heard $85 full service and up, but you just have to call and ask around in your area, I'm in a fairly high priced area, but I'd lose a leg once or twice a year to go, it's that worth it.
 (yes I only color that often, I'm a natural blonde, I win)

I'm not just promoting a friend or my salon, I am sharing with you something that is provided not just by the amazing owners of the salon I chose to go to locally, but by the brand, Aveda. They specifically train their users for their products, it becomes their science. It blows my mind, the way they can specifically formulate colors, the way my hair is healthy and shiny post highlight (WHAT?!). These stylists are not your average stylist and the products are not just fancy words that equal more damage on your hair. Not that any stylist isn't amazingly talented, I personally have had a whole world of difference in this department by experiencing their culture. If I could twist your arm with words I would, but on this one you all just have to trust me one visit worth, for yourself...check below, I found incentives, do these work on bribing you???






(there's a free invati trio pack offer in there, AND a treatment )



Man Gifts

Whether you celebrate one of our gift giving holidays this month or not, at some point you'll probably have a fella to shop for. Now now, a fella can be anyone of the male anatomy, so don't stop reading if you're one of (cue Beyonce)  "All My Single Ladies."  That's where my super hero blogger friend skills come in to save your day. Brace yourself...
(thank you babble for some hot man love in heels)

A big thank you to my twinsie best friend of 23 years for confirming America's obsession with Amazon, so most items have been located for your love of the smile.

$79.00 - One Year of Amazon Prime!
http://amzn.to/1f4J16A
or special for students
Student Link
FREE 2 day shipping, free streaming to shows and movies, FREE kindle book rentals, and more!


$19 - 3 Months XBox Live Gold Card
or 12 Months ($57)



$149.00 - Pebble Smart Watch - Iphone and Android
(he'll feel like 007)

$60 - Globe Bar (desk size)
(awesome for anyone with a study or office, wine-o or any ol' gent)
or full size ($79)


$1 - Dollar Shave Club
Monthly subscription box starting at a $1 to $9 DO IT!
Even Grandpa would totes adorbs this (come on, the commerical?!)


$Varies - Manpacks
Monthly subscription box with guy pleasing items. BOOM - Perfection!
$5 OFF NOW (new customers, $10 minimum)


$34 - Shiatsu Massaging Pillow
Yum, drool.

Ok, point received? I'm an amazing gifter! Did I miss your mister completely, maybe your price range? Leave me some comments, I'll find you something! Otherwise you're welcome friend, happy shopping, what are you going to do with your free time now?!