Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Monday, July 30, 2012

The Best Time Of Day

I found this list on Real Simple of the best time of day to do "things".

Here are my favorites:


Do Your Cardio Workout (not that I ever get out of work in time for this)

5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"For increasing fitness, decreasing the chance of injury, and improving sleep, the best time to exercise is late afternoon or early evening," says Matthew Edlund, M.D., author of The Body Clock Advantage: Finding Your Best Time of Day to Succeed In: Love, Work, Play, Exercise ($15,amazon.com) and head of the Center for Circadian Medicine, in Sarasota, Florida. At these times, he says, your lungs use oxygen more efficiently, you're more coordinated, and your muscles are warmed up, so you're less likely to suffer a sprain or strain. Finish exercising at least three hours before bed so that when your head hits the pillow the extra adrenaline will no longer be pumping through your bloodstream (and other factors that keep you awake will also have subsided). Bonus: "If you're all wound up at the end of the day, exercise may be a great stress reliever," notes Shirley Archer of the Stanford Health Improvement Program, in Palo Alto, California.

Ask for a Raise

5 p.m.

"The key is finding a moment when your boss is not rushed and has time to truly listen," and that's most likely to be the end of the day, says Lynn Ellis, a career coach in Austin, Texas, who has worked with employees and bosses at global companies like Unilever. "That's when I'm getting ready for the next day or looking ahead to the next week, and I'm in a good mood because I'm going home soon," says Amy Holloway, a vice president at Angelou Economics, in Austin. And you'll have a biological edge then, since, as Edlund, points out, your elevated body temperature makes you more alert in the late afternoon. But asking for a raise is not an exact science. Ellis advises tracking your boss's daily habits to find the ideal, low-key time for him or her. And, in the end, if you're at your best in the morning, just go for it.

Return Merchandise

10 a.m.

Arrive with your what-was-I-thinking sweater within the first hour a store is open. Workforces are leaner these days, but “retailers still need enough staff to open up, so that may be when they have the best ratio of staff to customers,” says Edward Fox, director of Southern Methodist University’s JCPenney Center for Retail Excellence, in Dallas. It may also be the only time all day when staff are at assigned posts, “so you can usually get someone to help,” notes former fashion stylist Linda Arroz, who spent years returning things she didn’t end up using for movies and TV shows. Fox adds that “the most experienced people get the best hours, so they will be working the day shift.” Finally, consider customer flow. “A city store may be busier during weekday lunch hours, a suburban store on weekend afternoons,” says Target spokesperson Lena Michaud.


The Best Time of Day to Fly

"Although U.S. Department of Transportation statistics show that flights taking off between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. have the best on-time record, those numbers are sometimes misleading," says Rally Caparas, an Atlanta-based air-traffic controller and a Travelocity "Eye on the Sky" correspondent for CNN. "On time" refers to when the plane pushes back from the gate. You can wait on the tarmac for an hour because of weather problems, which cause the vast majority of delays. 
"Scheduling arrivals and departures between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time," Caparas says, "will help you avoid most delay-causing weather patterns. This will also help you avoid airport rush hours, "which mostly coincide with workday rush hours," says Robert Baron, president of the Aviation Consulting Group, in Fort Lauderdale. 
For best results, check for regional weather patterns and schedule accordingly. "For example, for the West Coast, fly in or out after noon Pacific Standard Time, when marine-level fog has dissipated," says Caparas. For southeastern and Gulf Coast hops, steer clear of the thunderstorms that kick up around 3 p.m. "Airline schedules are based on perfect weather conditions," he says. "You're more likely to be punctual if you follow Mother Nature's schedule."








Thursday, July 26, 2012

Surprise - Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray

Yesterday, 2 packages arrived for me. Oddly, I was only expecting 1. 

When I got home there was a Bumble & Bumble box and inside was a full size bottle of their Surf Spray.

No note or anything.

I have no idea why this product arrived but I am THRILLED!!

Having just had my hair did (Brazilian Keratin Treatment). My curls are MUCH more tame and the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray is just the product I need for this humid NYC summer!



What I'm picturing after...





If anyone knows where this awesome gift came from, I'd love to thank you properly!!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Homeland-Season 2

Thank goodness!!! I cannot watch any more Bachelor Pad. 

Tulle Tuesday - Welcome Bags

Well lookie here!! I don't have to do any work. Philly Mag did it all for me. K thanks!!!!


THE BEST MADE-IN-PHILLY WELCOME BAGS FOR YOUR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS

Welcome your traveling guests to your wedding with a goodie bag filled with the city's best treats.

Posted by Carrie Denny on 7/10/2012 at 2:07PM | No Comments

Text Size: A | A | A
The Best Made-in-Philly Welcome Bags For Your Out-of-Town Guests
Photo by Jonathan Pushnik. Styling by Avery Osborne.
Clockwise from top left, starting with Philly canvas tote, $22 at Open House, Philadelphia.
Chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons, $6 at Termini Brothers Bakery, Philadelphia.
Gift certificate to Franklin Fountain, Philadelphia.
Soft pretzel, 75 cents at Philly Soft Pretzel Factory, multiple locations.
Dr. Physick soda, $3 a bottle at Franklin Fountain.
Liberty Bell lollipop, $3.50 at Shane Confectionery, Philadelphia.
Holland mints, $9 for a half-pound bag at Shane Confectionery.
Philly note cards, $14 for a box of eight at Open House.
Marcie Blaine Philly Series chocolates, $11.95 for a box of six at Verde, Philadelphia.
Peanut Chews, 25 cents at Wawa.
Hand in Hand Sustainable Suds, $16 for two bars at handinhandsoap.com.
Blackberry-raspberry jam, $4.95 at Kauffman’s Produce, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia.
Lavender sachet, $22 for three at Carousel Farm, Mechanicsville.
Advil Pocket Pack, $2.09 at Wawa, multiple locations.
Water bottle, $1.49 at Di Bruno Bros., Philadelphia.
Pack of Philly walking maps, $14.95 at Open House.
Travel-size lavender shower gel, $3 at Duross & Langel, Philadelphia.
What fun Philly things are you putting in your out-of-town guests’ welcome bags?

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Workout Wednesday

I found this ab workout on Pinterest and have been doing it for a week. I am LOVING it.


You can do this routine anytime, before or after your workout. I would recommend before, when you’re fresh before your cardio or the rest of your routine. If you’re working on really getting results, why would you save these muscle groups for last when you’re tired already from working out?
Do 25 repetitions of each move. Keep the pace comfortable but brisk, you want to feel the burn. It should take 15 minutes. Your abdominals, unlike other muscle groups, need higher reps before they start responding.
Let’s get started.
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In-N-Outs. Just like it sounds. Sit on the floor with your hands at your sides. Raise feet off the ground and bring knees to your chest. (See above.)
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Straighten legs out (see above), hold for a beat, and bring your knees back into your chest. This is one repetition. Repeat 25 times. For a bit more challenge, raise your hands above your head.
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Bicycles. Sitting in the same position as the In-N-Out, move legs in a wide, circular motion as if pedaling a bike. 1 revolution counts as one rep. Repeat 25 times.
Reverse Bicycles. Same as above, but instead of pedaling forward, petal backward. 1 revolution counts as one rep. Repeat 25 times. To increase difficulty on the Bicycle, raise arms straight overhead.
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Crunchy Frog. Same position and movement as In-N-Out, only your hands are OFF the floor and wrap around your knees (without grabbing or touching your knees) when your knees are at your chest. (See above.) When you extend your legs back out, arms should be stretch out as sides, parallel to ground. (See below.)
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This counts as one rep. Repeat 25 times. (Sorry for the blurry photo.)
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Cross-Leg/Wide Leg Sit-Ups. Lie flat on your back with legs wide, in a V.(See Above)
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Place one hand behind your head and bring your torso up to perform a standard sit-up movement (see above.) Try to keep your legs on the floor.With one arm straight, (see above) try to go straight UP, instead of just over your legs. Sit-Up straight, and then cross your straight arm over to touch your opposite leg. (See below.)
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And slowly lay back down. That’s one repetition. On the next repetition, switch arms and cross over to the other side. Repeat these 25 times, alternating sides. If you’re unable to keep your legs anchored, use dumbbells to help anchor your lower body.
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Scissors. Life flat on your back, extending one leg towards the ceiling, and lifting the opposite leg off the floor just a few inches. Flex your feet.
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Alternate legs in a scissor motion, hold each switch for three seconds. Keep your skyward leg as straight as you can! Repeat these 25 times.
Hip Butt Ups. Lie on your back, open your hips and bend your legs so that the bottom of your feet are touching. (see below.)
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I have no idea why my eyes are closed. In pure abdominal bliss, apparently.
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With your arms at your sides, rock your hips, lift your pelvis and drive your feet directly up towards the ceiling. When lowering back down, do not let your legs touch the ground. Repeat 25 times.
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Heels to the Heavens. Lying on your back, extend legs straight up, with arms at your sides. Lift your butt off the floor (see below.) When raising feet, imagine touching the ceiling with the balls of your feet. Keep your feet very flexed. Be sure to lift the legs straight up at 90 degrees, and not towards your head. Focus on maintaining straight legs.
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Repeat this motion 25 times.
Roll-Up V-Ups. Lie flat on your back with legs straight out, and arms extended overhead. (see below.)
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Bring your body up as if doing a standard sit-up, touching hands to toes. (see below.)
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Slowly, lower your torso towards the floor, simutaneously bringing your legs up off the ground at about 45 degrees. (below)
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Now, bring your torso back up and reach for your toes while your legs are in the air! (below) Imagine creating a jackknife position with your body. Your legs and hands should actually get closer then the below photo.
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Lower your entire body to the floor and repeat 25 times.
Leg Climbers. Lie on your back with one leg bent, foot flat on the floor. The other leg should be out about 45 degrees.
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You want to climb this extended leg, by first grabbing your thigh, then your knee, (see above) then your calf, then your toe. That’s the easy version. I do a two-touch. I just grab onto the inside of my knee, and then continue using my abs to pull me up. (below) You don’t want that extended leg to move around too much, keep it on the same plane the whole time. It will want to move as you crunch up. Fight it!
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Repeat 12 times on one side, then switch and repeat 12 on the opposite side.
Kayakers. You’re almost done! Seated, clasp your hands together and raise your feet out, 4-6 inches off the floor. You may need to bend them to make this easier. Twist your upper torso from side to side, touching your knuckles on each side. Do these fast, like your kayaking a fast river. Do 50. If you can’t do 50, do 40. If you can’t do 40, do 30. You will be able to do 50 one day!
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Ahhh! You just completed (if you did 50 kayakers) 300 abdominal exercises! You’re on your way to a strong and svelte core!
Now, stretch it out!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Tulle Tuesday - I can't stop buying white

I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has been buying EVERYTHING in white since she got engaged. Everything I purchase is justified by some wedding related event. The problem is. I have no wedding related events planned!!!!

Latest wedding related purchase from Bloomingdales on Saturday.

The sequence of events up to this purcahse went like this....

I saw this dress....

I tried it on and loved it but didn't  have an excuse to buy coral.....then.....

I spotted some BIDDIE with an ivory version WHATTTTT?!?!?!?

So I used my lucky shopper app and I scanned the tag of the coral one and it pulled up the ivory version online in the bloomies website and I bought it online...while standing in the physical store....I LOVE YOU INTERNET!!!!!!


Now all I need is an event to wear a white dress to.

Monday, July 16, 2012

When The Cat's Away..

Fiance was in New Orleans this weekend for a Bachelor party (tear..sort of). I was SO excited to GET SH*T DONE!!!

Is that bad?

Here's a quick recap...















OK, so maybe not ALL of that happened Saturday....(my mom provided those childhood photos to Fiance and I found them on his computer, which I'm borrowing (slash never giving back because it's amazing))

I bet you are wondering about the toenail. Well, today I opened my hall closet and my ironing board fell out like a guillotine!!! I swear like it WANTED to chop my toe off. It hit precisely on my toenail bed and I dropped to the floor so fast you would think someone was shooting a gun at me

and then I laughed.....for like 10 minutes straight

It hurt SO badly I couldn't do anything else.

Mint and red was the outfit for the day and then I got my hair did. A BRAZILLIAN BLOWOUT. They put a mask on you so you don't get swine flu in the salon (because this stuff is super safe) and then they spend 2 hours with a flatiron to your scalp. But then you come out like you were BORN WITH FLAT HAIR!!!! 

I'll post photos after I'm allowed to wash it and style it myself and I'll review the product, the salon and the stylist.

I also made some solid purchases today including this amazing, dainty bracelet that has my REAL first name on it!!!! OMG I love.

Then I spent 2 hours at home depot (hence the carpet photos). I should have taken a video of my wandering. I can't wait to buy a house.

Alright, too many words. Check back tomorrow for Tulle Tuesday!!!