Saturday, January 7, 2017

The Most Popular New Year's Resolutions of 2017

Do you make New Year's resolutions?
I don't.
I makes lists of goals, put them in goal books, and put them on my vision board. Then I check in on them throughout the year, measure up how well I'm doing or not doing, and try to figure my way into achieving them.
Sometimes I do well, sometimes I completely suck at it, but regardless, every January I regroup, re-plan, re-goal.

Harpers Bazaar published an article on the most popular New Year's Resolutions for 2017. Are any of these on your list?

THE MOST POPULAR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS OF 2017

Where did yours rank?
by Amy de Klerk




Twitter has revealed the most popular New Year's resolutions that had people talking as we rang in 2017, highlighting what most people want to change about themselves in the coming year.
Diet and exercise predictably lead the pack after an inevitable overindulgence during the festive period, while many people also have a strong desire be more knowledgeable in the year ahead by reading more or picking up a new skill or hobby.

1. Diet, exercise and weight loss

After so many mince pies and glasses of Prosecco were inevitably consumed over the Christmas period, it is to be expected that most people want to set fitness goals for the New Year. If this is one of your resolutions, read our seven simple rules for getting fit in 2017.

2. Read more

Rather more surprisingly than aiming to get in shape, people are pushing themselves to read more in 2017. Need some inspiration? We have selected the 10 books you need to read in your lifetime, or why not try reading one of these nine books before the films come out this year.

3. Learn something new

As well as finishing more books, people are keen to broaden their horizons by acquiring a new skill or picking up another hobby. Pottery, tennis or a new language perhaps?

4. Save money

The hope to waste less money in 2017 came in fourth place. If this was one of your resolutions, why not see our guide on how to make more money so that it's even easier to save more of those pennies in the next few months. If you aren't successful however, just remember that it is love, not money, that determines happiness.

5. Be nicer, kinder and more patient

The aim to be a better person rang true for a lot of people this year. Why not take some inspiration from some of the women who inspired us in 2016?

6. Get a new job

If you see 2017 as a chance to change your career, take some inspiration from the 20 best companies to work for in the UK and then head over here to find out how to ace a job interview.

7. Volunteer and donate more to charity

One of the more selfless resolutions came in the form of giving more money to charity or spending more time volunteering to help the less fortunate. You could help those suffering in Aleppo, here are five ways to do something about it now.

8. Drink less alcohol

Whether you're attempting Dry January or not, it seems a lot of people are hoping to cut down their alcohol intake. Here are some tips if you are going cold turkey.

9. Get more sleep and relax more

With such busy lives, it's no wonder lots of people are hoping to have a more relaxing 2017. See our tips on how to get your beauty sleep or if you're having trouble with insomnia, use this breathing trick.

10. Make new friends and be a better friend

If you want to expand your network this year, why not start at work? Here, we round up the rules for socializing with your colleagues.
From: Harper's BAZAAR UK

Friday, January 6, 2017

Capturing Your Style with Aimee Song

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So how was your first week back at work?
Mine was insane.
Before I dive back into the madness this morning I'm taking 20 minutes out with Aimee Song's fabulous book, Capture Your Style.

capture-your-style

If you enjoy Instagram and if you want to up your IG game, you will love this.
Aimee who is undeniably one of the stars of Instagram has written a wonderful book all about defining your style, curating your Insta-grid and basically being fabulous! Tips from how to take the best images with your iPhone, to editing, to how you present and filter your images, all in an absolutely beautiful and easy to digest format.
I really love it!

I gave this as a Christmas gift to some of my favorite peeps, and everyone has been super excited about it. If you are not familiar with Aimee Song have a quick look at her amazing Insta feed @songofstyle

I've been talking forever in here about buying a Nespresso machine.
I've had a regular cappucino/espresso machine for years and have loved it, but I have really, really wanted a Nespresso. And this was the year!
I had planned on a big, chic, chrome affair, but in the end ordered a simple Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker, Black
I LOVE it!!!
My black machine came in a dark grey/black and doesn't photograph well, but once I figure it out I will no doubt blog about it with pictures of my own.



It makes waking up each day worthwhile!



Anyway, I now have a quick 20 minutes to enjoy a coffee and get some insta-inspo before I head out to work.

Enjoy your Friday!

Thursday, January 5, 2017

6 Ways To Humiliate Yourself In Europe

Europe is my favorite place to travel. I adore it.
But I'm constantly cringing at things I see other tourists do while away. 
I hope you will read and remember this article from Smarter Travel for two reasons. One is that you can unwittingly be offending the locals, and the second reason is that when you make yourself look like an unsuspecting tourist you draw pickpockets and thieves to both yourself and everyone around you. And maybe I will be standing somewhere near you...

6 Ways to Humiliate Yourself in Europe

by Caroline Costello

The consequences of looking like a tourist in a foreign place can range from serious (becoming a target for theft and scams) to humorous (awkwardness, frustration, public embarrassment). Here are a few of the most blatant ways that your lack of familiarity with local culture in Europe can bring you public shame and humiliation, plus advice on keeping it cool while abroad.

Pack Too Much


Pack Too Much

Less is more in Europe, where you'll definitely have some difficulty maneuvering a 33-inch spinner onto public transit and through busy city streets. Mortification and frustration are common side effects that occur when you cart an extra-large suitcase onto the Paris metro or lug an enormous wheeled bag up narrow flights of stairs in a Dutch canal house. Don't be that guy.
Solution: Let us help. Use our packing list to create a tally of exactly what you'll need—and nothing extra.
Additionally, and I can't stress this enough, do laundry on longer trips. Try it. You'll like it. Pack a travel-sized detergent pack and a rubber clothesline or a product like the Scrubba Wash Bag.
Dress Like You're Attending a Ball Game

Dress Like You’re Attending a Ball Game

"Don't wear sneakers in Europe" is an age-old travel-advice nugget spoken by experts everywhere. But now that the normcore fashion movement has arrived, the anti-athletic-shoe mantra is out like chunky highlights. White sneakers graced the Chanel runway last year, establishing casual kicks as chic street wear in even the most fashionable arrondissements. Simple tennis shoes are cool for now. Don't go overboard, though. House slippers and Crocs continue to guarantee you'll be presented with the tourist menu at every restaurant. Furthermore, generally speaking, baseball hats, fanny packs, American-sports-team logo apparel, and poorly fitted jeans tell locals, "I am not from here. You can take advantage of me."
Solution: Normcore or not, Europeans continue to dress a little more formally than Americans. Pair your Supergas with something slightly business casual. Do what you can.
BookingBuddy
Overtip

Overtip

I know that an 18 or 20 percent tip at dining establishments in Europe isn't standard the way it is in the States. Still, I feel mean leaving just a euro or two on the table when eating across the pond. Tipping is firmly ingrained in the American culture, and it can be challenging to remember to tip sparingly in other countries.
European waiters are typically pretty relaxed about tips. And if you're in a busy tourist center, the wait staff is likely used to receiving varying amounts of gratuities from foreigners. So in this case, you're not so much embarrassing yourself as you are inflicting unneeded damages on your vacation budget. You might feel a bit foolish when you peek at your credit card statement after you've returned home.
Solution: Remember tips (and taxes) are included in Europe, and tips are sometimes parsed out on the bill as designated service charges. A good guidebook will include standard tipping practices for your destination. If you're in a pinch, just ask.
Be Really Loud

Be Really Loud

Let's admit it. The loud-American stereotype just might have some truth to it. Lots of people around the world seem to think so. Last summer, in fact, a cafe in Ireland displayed a sign prohibiting "Bus/Coach Loud Americans." (In opposition, some pro-American locals took to the street carrying U.S. flags. Fist bumps to those guys.)
Solution: Try to be a little more conscious of the volume of your voice, especially in tight spaces like public transit or crowded cafes. The upside? At night, in the pub or on the dance floor, you can really let loose.
Complain About Dining Dissimilarities


Complain About Dining Dissimilarities

If you expect a sanitized American dining experience that includes decaf coffee and plenty of ice in your soda, you'll look silly on the Continent. Many dining practices that are customary in the U.S., from sneeze guards at the buffet to Splenda on the table to bucket-sized portions, are absent in Europe. Taxes are usually included in the price of a meal. And you might experience cultural differences regarding wait-staff behavior, too. For example, wait staff won't bring you the check right after you've finished eating, unless you ask for it. Europeans tend to linger when they eat out.
Solution: Familiarize yourself with local food customs. Just go with it. And focus on the positive: No matter where you are in Europe, you're likely not too far from some smoky paella, Liege waffles, or deep-fried zeppole; that's a very good thing.
Freak Out About Paid Toilets

Freak Out About Paid Toilets

It may seem like a violation of basic human rights when a bathroom porter calls for payment as you're struggling not to pee your pants. I've been there. And I've been nearly traumatized by the crabby lady standing between me and the loo. But paid toilets—and sometimes even for-fee toilet paper—in busy tourist centers are a common European custom that isn't going away anytime soon. Look at it this way: Someone has to pay to keep the toilets clean and working.
Solution: Keep your cool, and keep some coins on hand for emergency bathroom situations.
BookingBuddy

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

8 Money Questions To Ask Yourself Regularly

The beginning of a new year is the ideal time to re-assess everything you have going on financially. We all spend to much in December, blow our diets, get completely side tracked. Now that we are in January it's time to get back on track, set new goals and get the money equation working again.

Here is a post from CareerGirlDaily that is well worth checking in on throughout the year ahead.

8 Money Questions To Ask Yourself Regularly

By McKenzie Allyshia for CareerGirlDaily.com


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Money affects almost every single aspect of our lives. With money being so essential, you would think that we would spend more time trying to save it. However, we often find ourselves dedicating more time finding ways to spend it.

Knowing and understanding your budget is crucial to being and feeling financially stable. Which is an amazing feeling! Finding ways to increase your income and decrease your debt will allow you to feel that financial freedom. Answering the following questions can also help you prepare for large expenses such as buying a house or a new car.

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1. What is my monthly budget?
If you don’t currently live by a monthly budget, you should. A good way to figure out what you should be spending each day is to use an app like Daily Budget, you can input regular income and expenses, saving goals and daily spends like coffee and it’ll tell you how much you have to live on. It’s great to stick to a budget.
2. How much debt do I have and how can I decrease the amount?
From student loans to credit card bills, put a number on your debt and try to factor in a way to repay it bit by bit. Forgetting about debts or putting them off until later can be dangerous, as some debts only grow the longer you leave them.
3. What is my credit score and how can I improve it? 
There are lots of ways to check your credit score online, make sure you’re using a reputable website and don’t be afraid to get a couple of opinions. Your credit score is important, a good credit score gets you good insurance, interest rates, mortgage and renting deals and is important when applying for a credit card. So there’s always time to look into it.
4. Do I have at least three month’s worth of expenses in my savings account? 
For most of us, the answer is no. Now is the time to collect that buffer, if something happens, an unexpected expense pops up or you need cash quickly, this will save you getting a loan. Don’t worry, though, you can easily save with the 50-20-30 rule.
5. What are some poor money habits I can get rid of? 
We all have them, spending as soon as we get our paycheck, buying things we’ve only just seen as opposed to something we’ve wanted for a long time. Treating yourself is only natural, we all like a treat from time to time, but there are always areas of improvement. If you’ve found your account running on empty more often than not, perhaps you need to keep a closer eye on your account every week.
6. What do I want to save for in the coming year? 
Plan a savings goal, a pair of Chloe boots, a trip, but plan to save a little more than is needed. Whether it’s something sensible like your own place or something spontaneous like a summer holiday, be careful and be frugal.
7. How can I increase my income? 
Ok, so this might be a tough one. Is it time to ask for a raise? Do you have to work extra hard on your own business to make more money? Or is it time for a career change? If you want to increase your income, this could be the time to have the conversation with your manager.
8. Where do I want to be in one year’s time? 
By December 2017 you’ll be in a position to evaluate your finances all over again, so what questions do you want to be asking yourself then? What do you want to have in your account, do you want to be the queen of savings? Do you want to have finally paid off your debts? New Year’s Resolutions are important, but don’t forget to set a money goal, too!
Answering these questions should ignite your critical thinking and get you on the right track to financial stability. Are these the only questions you should ask yourself? Absolutely not! However, it is a great start.
Walgreens Beauty 234x60

Monday, January 2, 2017

A Few Of My Favorite Things



I'm always being asked about my favorite things. 
I was given some amazing products in the lead up to Christmas, and I bought some really great items, and some of it got lost in the holiday madness and didn't make it to the blog, but today I want to show you an assortment of my absolute favorite beauty items of the moment.

I have been hearing so much about Sunday Riley products for a while now. My winter Rachel Zoe Box Of Style had a full size jar of Sunday Riley's uber celebrated Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream.

Sunday-Riley-Tidal-Cream


This is the cream that everyone is raving about and I can totally see why! This is a next generation super hydrating cream that holds water and nutrients to the skin, plumping it up and making it look youthful, all the while brightening it and getting rid of that dull, lifeless winter complexion. It is really, really fabulous.
(Tidal is going to be an amazing product to travel with this year too.)
I seriously want to try out the Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil which I hear is just amazing. It's going to be the next new skin care product that I buy.
Sunday-Riley-Juno-Oil
You can find Sunday Riley products online at Space NK.


From my Bloomingdale's Beauty Box, which was a birthday gift from Bloomingdale's, I fell in love with the new Tory Burch fragrance, Love Relentlessly.

Tory-Burch-Love-Relentlessly

I have worn it every day for the past month and just adore it. It is pure romance.

Bloomingdale's also gave me my new favorite mascara too. 
It's from Clarins and is called Supra Volume Mascara.


clarins-supra-volume-mascara



In it's tube it is quite unassuming, and I really thought it would just be a "nice mascara", but this one is an absolute powerhouse lash builder! It makes my lashes huge, but not gunky. They stay defined, separated, long and thick all day long. I am convinced that Supra Volume Mascara is the french girl's secret weapon. 
I was sent so many mascaras last year, most of which I never wrote about as I only talk about the products I love. This one is the real deal.

I am always looking for concealers that I can love. Most either don't hold all day (my days are looooong! I'm constantly leaving home at 8 am and not getting back til 11 pm) or they are too heavy, which just makes you look old and tired, or they don't color correct out the dark shadows well enough.
Nars-Radiant-Creamy-Concealer

I am obsessed with Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I bought mine at Nordstrom before Thanksgiving and have worn it every day since. My shade is Honey, but they have tons of them, all calibrated with different undertones to color correct out your under eye demons. (10 I think?) They also have a fantastic color selection, so you can be the palest girl or the darkest goddess and they still have you covered.
They don't crease, have a luminous finish that bounces light off, making your eye look refreshed, last all day long, and frankly are the best concealers I have used in years. Love.

From Stila I have been enjoying Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush

stila-aqua-glow-watercolor-blush

The colors are fresh and pretty and the product is buildable. 
I love really glowing, gorgeous complexions so often I find that powder blushes can either look heavy on the skin or deaden the glow. This one breathes life into the skin and gives it a gorgeous radiance.

Lastly, my new favorite lip product is Sephora's Lip Stain.
They have a creamy texture but a matte finish, the colors are fabulous, and they only cost $14!!

 sephora lip stain
image via Modern Maires Blog
Every time I walk past a Sephora I go in and buy another one. They are gorgeous!

Space NK

Sunday, January 1, 2017

How To Manage Your Money With The 50-20-30 Rule

Most people think you need to have a high income in order to do fantastic things (like travel), own property, have options in life.

best planners 2017

I've known many high earners who fritter everything away, and many lower income peeps who own lots of properties and every year do great things.

I believe the key is to have concrete goals and have them written down, and then to be very clever with your money. It is essential to know how much money you have coming in, exactly what your debt burden is, and to have a very specific budget that you stick to fastidiously.
For me the budget is easy to stick to when I have a concrete goal that I am working towards. Without that carrot on a stick I tend to fall off the budget or at least get side tracked.



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Today I am reworking all of the above. The goals for the year ahead, the debt burden and the budget. One of the easier ways to format your money plan for 2017 is to use the 50-20-30 rule.
I found a fantastic post about it on CareerGirlDaily.com
I'm re-posting it here today.

Happy New Year!

How To Manage Your Money With The 50-20-30 Rule

by Hannah Lutterbach

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
image via CareerGirlDaily.com
With the 50/20/30 method you will be able to budget your money. Whether you’re in college, have a full time job or have just started to earn money: the great thing about this rule is that it applies to every budget and helps you gain control of your money.

50 – “Your needs”

First and foremost about 50% of your paycheck goes to the essential things you need in your life. Your “needs” are things like your rent, your car, your public transport card, utilities and groceries. These are payments that don’t vary much and things you know you have to pay every single month, whether you want to or not.

20 – “Your savings”

This one sounds hard but 20% of your income each month should go directly into savings. The money you save will be beneficial for your retirement contributions or to pay off debts you might have like college or car loans. Put the money in a different bank account, so you don’t even think about spending it on anything else.

30 – “Your wants”

Now for the fun part! 30% of your monthly payment can be used for the things you love to do and the things you “want” in your life. As long as you’ve taken care of the first two steps, this one is completely up to you. You can spend it on your hobbies, eating out, shopping or your monthly Netflix subscription. It can be tempting to spend more than 30% on your “wants” but try to honest and strict with yourself and don’t even start to cheat.
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