Lifestyle Diva

    Spring Clean your Closet!

    Thursday, March 27, 2008, 12:19 PM [General]

     

    Now that spring is finally here, why not catch that spring cleaning bug and raid the closet? Cleaning out the closet is a great way to sort those piles and racks of clothing, organize yourself for the warmer months ahead, and stash away those winter outfits for good - or at least for a few months. Organizing also helps you keep tabs on what you already have, and what is worthy of a shopping trip in the near future! Since you can still get away with a few light sweaters and jeans, you'll need to dig through those piles and pick out a few lighter-colored selections for spring. Here are a few more simple ways to get going on a cleaning spree for that closet:

    1. Start with the shoes. Boots and closed-toe shoes can be set aside to make way for wedge sandals, thong sandals, and peep toe pumps you'll be sporting this season. You can hold onto those ankle booties for a few more weeks, though; pair them up with the season's latest minidresses and even a pair of jeans on cooler days.

    2. Round up cardigans and sweaters. Cooler spring days might call for a light sweater or cardigan for layering, so don't get those completely out of your radar just yet! Hold onto at least one basic black, grey, and tan-colored sweater that you can wear on top of your outfit on a chilly evening.

    3. Hold onto those tunic tops! Tunic tops are still a top trend this season, and any short sleeve or three-quarter length sleeve styles you were layering with over winter can make an appearance this spring. Feel free to wear them alone with skinny jeans or leggings, but leave the full-length sleeve styles in the back of the closet.

    4. Do away with dress pants. You won't have much use for heavier cotton or polyester pants, so you can definitely put those away for a few months. Spring calls for light cotton blends, linen pants, and loose and flowy styles for day and night. Look forward to filling the closet with light-colored styles in white, beige, and even pastels for a fresh new look.

    5. Say goodbye to turtlenecks! Even short-sleeved turtlenecks are too much for Spring's light and romantic styles, so get ready to put these far in the back of your closet! This season calls for light button-up shirts, scoopneck tees, and v-neck tops instead, so replace those turtleneck and mock neck sweaters with some fresh new additions to the wardrobe!

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    5 Healthy Spring Eating Tips

    Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 11:35 AM [General]

    Spring is the perfect time to freshen up that diet and really give your eating habits a makeover! With more choices in fresh fruits and vegetables available at the local farmer's market and grocery store, there's no excuse to skip those healthy treats and make the most of the season. Spring is a great time to load up on fresh fruits and veggies that you skimped on over winter; the warmer months also make it easier to simply eat less, so why not incorporate some fresh new foods that give you some real energy? If you're not already eating a large salad for lunch or dinner, this is the season to begin! Here are just five more healthy eating tips for those spring days ahead:

    1. Reach for the raw. Raw fruits and veggies are loaded with nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Stock up on these and aim to eat at least 2-3 throughout the day. Raw foods are great for a boost of energy, and can give you much more nutrition than processed foods any day!

    2. Pick those greens. Leafy green vegetables are a great addition to your diet year round, but are much easier to find during spring and summer. Head to the farmer's market for kale, fresh spinach, and even fresh romaine lettuce right from the farm. Just wash and dry the leaves at home, and even consider adding some to stir fry or steamed vegetable platters for variety.

    3. Drink up! Water, water, water is still the mantra for healthy living, so make sure you're getting at least 8-10 cups of water each day - and even more if you're working out. Water itself can give you plenty of energy and keep those cells clean and clear of toxins.

    4. Cut back on caffeine. Longer, sunny days ahead make it much easier to enjoy a natural boost of energy. Get outdoors and breathe in that fresh air for a quick energy boost - over time, this may even help you cut back on that caffeine habit.

    5. Skip the processed sugars. Sugar can really overload your system and make it difficult to keep up with a healthy diet. Start eliminating sugar from your diet, and pick up healthier snacks such as raw granola bars, cereals, fresh fruit, and even sugar-free versions of your favorite desserts.

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    Spring Cleaning Strategies!

    Monday, March 10, 2008, 10:21 AM [General]

    If you've already caught the spring cleaning bug, you'll need an action plan to get things in order. No matter how organized you usually are, sometimes a deep clean of your room, apartment, or entire house is necessary. Spring is the perfect excuse to clean out that closet, straighten out the bookshelves, and even raid the refrigerator to get rid of those leftovers piling up. The easiest way to get started is by jumping into just one room; after that, it's usually easier to turn yourself into a cleaning machine so you can tackle even the most dauting projects. Need some help? Here are just five easy spring cleaning strategies to get you started:

    1. Start with the most challenging room. Pick out the messiest room in your home, and tackle this one first. This will get you in the spring cleaning "groove," and give you a headstart on the project so you don't tire yourself out before the end of the day! Pick a room and make a plan for the next one to keep yourself on track.

    2. Dress for success. Pick out a cleaning outfit that is not only comfortable, but also helps you move with ease. Some old workout gear, or even some drawstring pants and a t-shirt are all you need to move freely and fuss-free through your venture.

    3. Set up a giant 'out' box or tote. Pick just one bag or box to designate as trash, and start throwing away things that you have no use for. Clearing up the clutter takes courage, but remember, it's "out with the old, in with the new!"

    4. Create a cleaning supplies tote. The easiest way to get everthing cleaned and polished in each room is to organize your supplies into one tote or bucket. This way, you can just carry the box along as you maneuver through each room.

    5. Leave vacuuming to the very end. After all that dusting and wiping down, you'll need to scoop up all the debris. Don't waste time vacuuming each room as you complete it; just wait until a larger section of the house is done, the dust has settled away from the furniture and shelves so you can clean everything up in one clean sweep!

     

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    Successfully Manage your Money!

    Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 10:33 AM [General]

    Whether you’re working full-time or part-time, or are just flat-out broke and counting on parents or family members for financial support, learning how to manage your finances is an important skill to have under your belt.

    Learning how to manage your money is more than just saving and spending within your means. Managing money also means planning ahead, evaluating your credit regularly, and keeping track of your spending behaviors. If you’re always struggling with your finances, here are some simple ways to get yourself on a healthy track of spending, saving, and budgeting:

    1. Do an income check each month. How much money are you bringing in from your job? Do you get paid weekly or monthly? Organize a spreadsheet that lists your income on the dates your receive it so you can ‘see’ where and when your money is coming in.

    2. Create an expenses list. Listing out all of your monthly expenses will help you match up your income to your actual expenditures. If you have no idea how much you spend each week, keep a journal and write down the average amounts for food, gas, and other daily expenses. Keep this separate from your monthly bills, and then add them to the spreadsheet.

    3. Make your savings account a monthly bill. Setting a goal of at least 10% of your income for savings is a great way to build a cushion. Turn your savings account into an ‘expense’ each month so you don’t miss it – add this to your expenses list and then look at the total.

    4. Leave a 3-5% unplanned expenses cushion. This can make it much easier to stick with your budget, and gives you a range of ‘free expenditures’ to work with. Many people have a hard time sticking with a budget because it seems like it’s just too tight. Leave yourself some room with this small percentage each month so you can breathe easy!

    5. Hold yourself accountable for a certain amount of savings each week. Commit to saving a certain amount each week, and leave this in an envelope to deposit at the end of the week. Just seeing that money in front of you can be very motivating, and you can build this amount up each week.

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    Lighten Up! Boost your Mood with our Tips!

    Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 11:58 AM [General]

    Long winter days, a tough schedule, or missing out on much-needed rest can all take their toll on your mood. Staying positive is much harder when you're not taking care of yourself, but there are some simple ways to lighten up and improve your mood -- you just need some practice to make it a habit, and you can make it through any rough day ahead! Looking on the brighter side helps you tackle stress and get ahead, rather than sinking you down into a depressed mood. Here are some easy ways to boost your mood so you can lighten up a little and make the most of even the most troublesome days:

    1. Look at a funny picture. Laughing out loud is one of the simplest ways to relax and de-stress; looking at a funny picture, or even reading a comic or joke can help take your mind off trouble and just let loose for a while. Post some funny pictures at your desk, or make yourself a notebook that you can collect funny pictures that you find. It's just one way of taking charge of your mood in an instant!

    2. Cheer someone else up. Sometimes dwelling on your own problems, or even trying to 'fix' your mood can backfire. There's only so much time and attention you can give to an issue before you have to just let it go. Divert your attention to someone else who may be troubled instead; simply bringing someone else out of the doldrums can help you as well.

    3. Buy yourself some flowers. Or a candle, a gift, or anything else that makes you feel special - even if it's just for a moment. Nurturing yourself is a simple way to make sure you're honoring your feelings and mood, not ignoring them. Take steps to make this a regular habit so you'll always be able to count on yourself when you need a lift.

     

    4. Plan a get-together or a date. Planning for a future event is a great way to lift you out of your bad mood, and can help you work on something positive for a while. Plan to do something new a few days ahead so you can look forward to something exciting and get through the current time with ease.

    5. Write about it. Create a 'worry journal' where you just jot down your troublesome feelings and get some perspective on your problems. Sometimes keeping them all to yourself can make them seem bigger than they really are; just write down a few things that are bothering you and relieve yourself of the burden of holding it all in. This way, you can always 'tend' to the problem later, but will set it aside for a while to focus on something else.

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