Procrastination is the Art of Keeping Up with Yesterday November 12, 2008

That’s right – your RSS feed is not playing tricks on you. I have actually just written a blog entry after six months of absence! Don Marquis, American journalist, playwright and author, said it best: “Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.” Talk about procrastinating! I have definitely thought about my blog, and even visited it a few times just for giggles, but for some reason, I keep putting off writing a post.

According to Urban Dictionary, a procrastinator is “One who, when advised that today is the first day of the rest of his life, replies, no, that’s tomorrow.” While I certainly don’t feel this way, it’s a funny quote none-the-less.

A lot has happened in the last six months: Among other things, I was promoted at work (from Sr. Marketing Coordinator to Project Manager), I got married, and went on our honeymoon. No wonder I haven’t contributed to my blog lately!

Next time I have something to share with my fellow friends, I’ll be sure to update my blog. I promise!

Sex and the City May 9, 2008

Clear your schedules ladies – On May 30th, the Sex and the City movie opens in theaters, and as one of my co-workers put it, I couldn’t be more “Sexcited!” A bunch of us girls have already bought our tickets and are planning on making a night of it. We’re going to head somewhere fun for dinner and drinks and then it’s off to the cinema to enjoy talk of Manolo Blahniks, cosmos and of course, Mr. Big. So, if you’re interested in attending (sorry, no men allowed) let me know!

Carrie: I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!

‘Aight Dawg. Check It Out. April 30, 2008

If you’re an avid American Idol watcher like me, you were probably disappointed with tonight’s show. Neil Diamond was the mentor this week, and while he’s obviously an incredibly talented person, it didn’t make for a very exciting show! Not to mention the fact that the producers decided to cram 10 performances into an hour which made it extremely rushed.

And Paula – you know I love you Paula. I’ve been a fan since 1988′s Opposites Attract, so this really pains me to say but, what were you smoking tonight?! Not only did Paula call Syesha by the wrong name (Brooke) without noticing, she also commented on Jason’s 1st and 2nd performances without realizing that he had only performed once. In fact, none of the contestants had performed twice at that point. From the words of a true genius, “It was absolutely dreadful.”

As for the final 5, I’ve been rather impressed up until now. All of the performances tonight were bland, and lacked even an ounce of character. Frankly, they bored me to tears! I guess Neil Diamond songs will do that to you though.

As for tonight’s show, “It was just ‘aight for me. It was just ‘aight.”

Happy Earth Day to All! April 23, 2008

 

Although I didn’t host a “Green” party today in honor of this holiday, I am still  quite excited about it. Today is a day to reflect on all the advancements in “going green” we’ve made, and to begin embracing new ways we can help keep a cleaner and healthier environment.

We are all aware that we should use reusable bags at the grocery store, recycle and take public transportation when possible. Here are some other “green tips” I’ve heard about that you may not have thought of before:

• Fill up that refrigerator! According to The Daily Green, a full refrigerator (but not overstuffed) will keep it running at maximum capacity. An empty fridge must work harder to maintain its temperature.
• Stop Junk Mail At GreenDimes.com, you can control the junk mail you get. Signup online!
• Park in the Shade During the hot summer months, try to find a shady parking spot to save fuel on air-conditioning your car.
• Go to the Library Save money and resources by borrowing books from the library instead of buying new ones. At my office, we’ve started a mini-library where we have all brought in some of our favorite books to add to the collection and loan out to others.
• Full Loads of Laundry Avoid washing small loads of laundry as it uses just about the same amount of energy to wash a full load. Also remember to wash in cold water.
• Clean Out Dryer Lint After Every Use By clearing out the lint each load, you can save up to 30% of the energy used to dry your clothes.
• Recycle Even if you Don’t Have Curbside Pickup Take your glass, paper and plastics to a school or a library to recycle. These organizations are actually paid for their recyclables so put your waste to their use!
• Disconnect Unplug any electronics that aren’t being used. Even though they may be turned off, they are still using energy if they are plugged in. In fact, on average, 75% of energy used in the home is coming from plugged-in electronics that are not in use.
• Turn Down the Thermostat Try lowering your thermostat by just one degree. If you’re really that cold, use a blanket or put on a sweater.

Obviously, there are PLENTY more ideas on living green. All you have to do is search for them! If you can’t make every change you come across, start out small because every little bit helps!

Puppy Mills April 16, 2008

I’m going to make this short and sweet: PLEASE DON’T BUY PETS FROM A PET STORE! I recently watched an Oprah that I DVR’d (originally aired on April 4th) on investigating puppy mills in America. To say the least, it was absolutely heart-wrenching. The conditions these animals live in are appalling. Without going into too much detail, they eat sleep and live in their own filth and are forced to breed every cycle. The dogs that are kept around for breeding often times never even see daylight or walk on solid ground in their lifetimes. And the worst part… (Disclaimer: Please skip to the next paragraph if you can’t handle anymore) … they kill any dogs that are no longer of breeding age as well as puppies that they cannot sell.

As cute as those little puppies (and kitties too) are in the pet stores, you cannot be sure where they’re getting their animals from, even if they insist they do not come from a puppy mill. And as tempting as it may be to “rescue” these animals from the pet stores (as conditions here are not great either), please please please refrain from doing so as your purchase will only support these puppy mills in the end.

Instead, research a reputable breeder and investigate their property before making your purchase. Or even better, visit your local humane society or animal shelter to find your new buddy.

And I beg you – pretty please with sugar on top – spay or neuter your animals. There are plenty of animals living in these shelters that will be put to sleep if they are not adopted.

For more information on this episode of Oprah, visit:

http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200804/tows_past_20080404.jhtml?promocode=incl20080404TD

Spring Cleaning April 12, 2008

 

That’s right. I said it. It’s time for Spring Cleaning! Jeffrey and I are going to be getting down and dirty tomorrow in an attempt to cleanse our home of all germs, dirt and clutter that may have built up over the past few months. And the sick part of it all – I’m actually looking forward to it! There’s nothing like coming home to a clean and clutter-free house.

Of course spring cleaning wouldn’t be possible without a checklist! Aside from cleaning and de-cluttering making an appearance on the checklist, we have a trip to the library planned, shipping used books off, and purchasing organizational pieces like baskets for the pantry.

Can you believe there are actually TONS of spring cleaning checklists out there? In case the cleaning bug bites you, here are a few sites to inspire you (wow – I can’t believe I’m blogging about spring cleaning. I promise I have an exciting life!):

• Spring Cleaning: A Complete Checklist from About.com: Housekeeping
• Real Simple: Spring Cleaning 101
• Real Simple: The Keep-It-Clean Plan A guide to keeping a clean house in only 19 minutes per day

So, I’m off to prepare for tomorrow’s cleaning festivities (in other words, getting a good night’s sleep)! Martha Stewart, here I come!!

Exhausted? April 9, 2008

I don’t know about you, but I’m beat! No matter how much sleep I get, I’m always ready for bed an hour after I get up. We’re getting more sunlight everyday, which you think would change my sleepy mood, but it doesn’t. So, for those of you who also have trouble sleeping at night, here’s what they* say:

During the Day:

• Stop taking naps
• Avoid caffeine and alchohol too late in the day
• If you smoke – STOP
• Expose yourself to sunlight after you wake up
• Get your work-out in early in the day
• Get your iron level checked (especially if you’re a woman)

Improve Your Sleep Environment:

• Make sure you have a comfortable bed
• Make sure your bedroom is for sleeping (not working, eating, chatting on the phone, etc).
• Make your bedroom peaceful and comfortable (get some air-flow in there and keep a consistent temperature)
• Hide your clock so you can’t glance at it throughout the night

Before Bed:

• Try to go to bed (and wake up) at the same time every day – I know this isn’t easy to do!
• Begin a bedtime ritual -read, listen to music, etc.
• Relax before bed – take a bath, meditate, etc.
• Don’t eat a lot before bed – it’s too hard to digest
• Have a snack of milk and peanuts - these contain tryptophan which helps you sleep
• Write down anything that might keep you up at night – stress at work, financial stress, etc.
• Go to bed when you feel tired (duh)

Getting Back to Sleep:

• Visualization – think about repetitive things (ie: counting sheep, walking down stairs)
• Get out of bed and do something relaxing
• Don’t do anything that will stimulate your mind (watching TV, working)
• Change your bedtime – maybe you’re going to bed too early

* Data from HelpGuide.org, April 8, 2008

Hopefully these tips will help you out. I know I’m going to give some of them a try. HAPPY SLEEPING!

Spring 2008 Fashion March 30, 2008

With the weather becoming increasingly warmer, it’s time to put away those sweaters and snow boots and hit the mall! Here are some of the fashion trends for Spring 2008:

1. Colors: The word on this season’s hot colors – BRIGHT AND BOLD! Enough with the black, brown, and grey already. This spring it seems to be all about red, pink, purple, green, orange and yellow. And of course, I couldn’t mention colors without mentioning the new black of this season: silver. Ombré seems to be all over the runways too. So leave the lights out in your closet and box up those pieces you can’t see in the dark.

 

2. Pants: High-wasted pants have finally made a comeback (not to be confused with Mom jeans). And the word on skinny jeans: they’re still in this season, but try boasting bold colors like blue, red or pink.

3. Skirts and Dresses: This spring try skirts and dresses with more volume and flow. Designers are really embracing ruffles this spring and are sporting more florals in sheer materials than ever. Tie-dye has even made a comeback on the runway, but be careful not to over-do it. With tie-dye, it’s about quality, not quantity. For a fun new look, try a one-strap dress. Keep in mind, with this style, a necklace isn’t necessary as there will be enough visual interest around the neck already.

4. Tops: One word: Embellishment. Designers have been looking globally for their inspiration and have added fun new patterns and details to their spring lines. Sequins, fringe, ruffles, ruching and beads are all great ways to add excitement to your spring wardrobe. Lingerie-inspired pieces are also a definite must-have. The keyword is inspired. In other words, don’t shop for your tops in the intimates department, but look for tops with lace details and feminine styles.

 5. Shoes: Ah, my favorite! Slip back into your favorite wedges, flats, espadrilles and pumps. One addition to your shoe closet is a pair of ankel boots. Try these out with a pair of tights for spring. Continuing with the theme, don’t be afraid to sport bright and bold colors. In fact, the hottest shoe color this spring: yellow! Shoes have never been more fun with fringe, jewels, metalics and mixed patterns and materials. Even more exciting? Pink pumps and sandals are a basic for your spring wardrobe.

6. Accessories: Scarves, skinny belts and big sunglasses are still gracing the runways. Charms, whether their on your neck, wrist or even your keychain, are making an appearance this spring. Cocktail rings, gemstones and classic pendants are all great ways to emphasize your outfit this season.

So, to my fellow fashionistas, don’t be afraid to dress up this season! And don’t go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Have fun with the items you already have – ever heard of a bedazzler and a glue gun? For those items you may need to purchase, check out places like Kohls, Target and T.J. Maxx. It’s not about brand names.

Final word: Dont’ be surprised if you see me lookin’ like a schlumpadinka (thanks Oprah). I talk a big game but I look to my adorable and trendy friends to walk it!

Yum Yums March 26, 2008

I was lucky enough yesterday afternoon to try one of the best cupcakes in town. If you haven’t been to Yum Yums in the Denver Pavillions yet, I highly recommend you take a trip there. This cupcake shop may be small, but its cupcakes are far from it! The cupcakes are $2.50 each and well worth the bucks. My favorites: Red Velvet (not on their website) and Pink Ladies; but you can get all sorts of “yummy” flavors from Mimosa Cream to Black Forest.

After you delight in one (or even two or three) of these desserts, take a minute to vote this bakery as one of 5280′s Top of the Town places. My vote is in!

Welcome! March 24, 2008

Hi! Welcome to Don’t Say Me That. I’m a first time blogger (is it that obvious already?).

So, you’re probably wondering, what on God’s green earth does the blog name mean? Well, allow me to give you the story. When I was about three years old, my mom said something that really upset me (she probably asked me to pick up my toys or something). And as most youngin’s get phrases mixed up, I replied with, “Don’t say me that!” And it’s stuck ever since!

I must admit though, I still get phrases mixed up today. For example, calm down, and hold your horses are two fairly common sayings. Have I ever actually used them the correct way? The answer is no. Instead, I prefer to say, Calm your horses!

With that said, brace yourselves for a blog about…well, nothing (aren’t they all?)!