Dating and Job Searching-Are They Really THAT Different?

In our teens, boys and friends were the center of our universe. College days were all about the grades, parties and just getting that diploma. As we head into our twenties and even our thirties, starting a career, living on our own, building and maintaining a network of friends and finding a mate become the focus. Perhaps the two most difficult or challenging priorities are dating and finding a job in this "wonderful" economy we are currently living in. But you might ask, what does a job and a guy have in common? Tons.

The Obsessing and the Waiting
Have you ever sat by the phone or literally glued your BlackBerry or iPhone to the palm of your hand, waiting for the hiring manager for that coveted job or that really cute guy you met the other day to call? Doing this can drive the best of us crazy and I know we've all been there.

The remedy for this can be summed up in one word; distraction. Go for a long run, read, or listen to music. Anything to keep you from obsessing and wasting your time. I find when I'm doing something other than obsessing and waiting, that call or text comes. If you're are meant to get that job or if you're meant to go out with that guy, it will happen.

The Rejection Letter and the Text Message that Never Comes
The interview went awesome and you got called back for another one! The hiring manager and executives loved you. You imagine yourself sitting at your desk and working at that company because you are certain you landed the job. Then comes the dreaded rejection call or email. Another candidate has been chosen and you're back to square one.

You go on a first date with a guy that lasts hours. He asks you mid-date to go on a second date with him and you're ecstatic! He has to be into you. Days, then weeks pass and nothing. You're left confused, disappointed and heartbroken.

In these cases, you have to pick up the pieces and move on. There's another job out there perfect for you and a man out there who will call you.

On the flip side:

You Got the Job and the You're Dating the Cute Guy
So you landed the job and your career is on it's way to greatness. You're feeling ecstatic!

You went on a third, fourth, and fifth date with him and he texts you everyday. You're on cloud 9!

All I can say about this is congrats! Enjoy this success in your work and love life. Focus on the positive feelings and how happy you are and everything else will fall into place!

Cheers!

The Bandage Skirt and How to Make it Work For You!

I had a request from a good friend to do a post on bandage skirts. This piece should be a staple in any fashionista's closet. Not only is it versatile, it's figure flattering for most body types and hugs your curves just right!

Here are a few examples of what to pair this sexy piece of clothing with:

1.For a night of dancing and dining: Sky-high heels, a sequin or bright-colored tank, and a clutch will tie this look together and all eyes will be on you.

2. For the office: Since most work environments are conservative, you don't want to send out the wrong message by wearing such a tight skirt. A button up cotton blouse, flats, and a blazer is a perfect combination that makes this look office-friendly.

3. For brunch on the weekends with the girls: Sunday's are lazy, relaxing days that you want to unwind from the busy week and enjoy a nice meal. A billowy blouse, flats, and either a cardigan or a light spring jacket and you're good to go.

Secret Eating-Are You Guilty?

I found this article on one of my favorite websites, Yahoo! Shine. Secret eating is more common than I thought.

In a recent poll, over 60 percent of women admitted they're uncomfortable eating in front of their partners. It's so bad, according to the U.K. survey by ShapeSmart, that at least 15 percent end up binging in secret on junk food when their partner isn't around. Here we are, grown women in mature relationships, walking around with secret candy stashes our partners can't know about.

What's it all about?

Internet forums, the place we go to confess our secrets, prove that secret eating is rampant especially when the cat's away. One forum poster admitted to scarfing down pasta in the morning after her husband leaves for work. Another revealed that her healthy eating habits go down the drain when her military husband is out of town two weeks a month. And several say they wait till their husband's asleep and then attack the refrigerator for leftovers.Now eating disorder specialists are tagging it "shame eating" and lumping the phenomenon in with other eating disorders like Bulimia and Anorexia.

"In the case of closet eating, the emotional eating may be due to past memories related to eating and weight, such as a critical parent who ridiculed a girl’s body or reprimanded her for what she ate," Tamara Pryor, PhD, director of the Eating Disorder Center of Denver explained on the website Everyday Health. "The result may be shame about eating in public and eating to excess to drown out the negative emotions." But are we over-thinking this? Can't a girl just eat in peace, without having to worry about getting food on her face, or making small talk? Maybe if we didn't feel so demonized for eating alone, we wouldn't try to eat so much when we do. The only problem is that the study also showed, we make unhealthier choices when we're alone. That's where the real secret part comes in: no witnesses, no crime.

Article credit: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/are-you-a-secret-eater-youre-not-alone-2437416/

New Year, New You!

Welcome to 2011! So far for me, it's been a good year. I'm dedicating 3 whole, long, exhausting months to P90X again! Call me crazy, but I need to change up my workout regimine and I know this will kick my butt into gear. Are you trying out a new fitness program for the new year? Which one?

Four Holiday Dresses Under $100

I'm sure you have several holiday parties to attend and want to look your best! But you're thinking, how can I do that without maxing out my credit card? It's easy! Here are four dresses for every body type than won't break the bank.


Off-the-Shoulder Red Dress: Off the shoulder dresses were a huge trend in 2010 so why not end the year wearing one? $51, lulus.com

Photo: Lulus.com

Textured Strapless Dress: This beautiful frock is ideal for us ladies with less on top! The rouching gives the illusion of more oomph...who wouldn't want that? $32, forever21.com

Photo: Forever21.com

Re-vamp of the LBD: Shifts, strapless, halters, we've seen them all as the basic "little black dress" or LBD. This version of the classic favorite is sexier and more stylish than your mama's. $79.99, mango.com

Photo: Mango.com

Tiered and Ruffled: Frills used to be cute when you were four but now they're sexy! The belt cinches your waist, creating that desired hourglass figure. $49.99, jcrew.com

Photo: Jcrew.com

Hula for a Better Bod

When was the last time you balanced a hula hoop on your hips? For me, it was probably at my friend Tracy's 8th birthday party. The latest fitness trend costs less than five dollars and doesn't involve a membership to a swanky health club. You can firm your belly and sculpt your hips with the help of a favorite childhood toy. The hula hoop has become a go-to routine for many celebs like Marisa Tomei and Mrs. Obama, who use a weighted hoop to tone their physiques. This is a great workout for women looking to get that long lean look. You can burn up to 600 calories in one hour! If you need a little refreshing on how to get going, Hoopdance or Hoopnotica (www.hoopnotica.com) are two DVDs that can help.

Banish Belly Bulge

Who doesn't envy people with washboard abs or even just a flat stomach? Many of us are willing to try anything to get abs like Kate Hudson and feel confident enough to wear a bikini or a tight tank top. Would you believe me if I told you that three simple nutritional and exercise tweaks will eliminate belly bulge? Follow these tips and you'll see for yourself. The best part is, no crunches are involved!

• Cardio, cardio, cardio! Anything that gets your heart rate up is good for your waistline. Dancing, kickboxing, yoga, running, and spinning are all great ways to burn fat. Try doing interval training for the best results. Do any of these activities at high intensity for one minute and then slow down for one minute. Repeat this pace for 20 minutes and you'll burn twice as many calories.

• Eat the right stuff! If you eat mostly processed foods and carbs your middle will definitely show it. Whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and lean protein will help you slim down. These foods will keep you full for a longer amount of time and will help your energy levels throughout your workout. A balanced meal should consist of mostly vegetables or fruit, a piece of lean protein, and a small amount of complex carbohydrates.

• Total body toning! Crunches won't get you far in a quest for a sleek stomach. However, if you don't do any exercises that target your abs, your stomach muscles won't get stronger. Believe it or not, working on your arms and legs challenges your abs and can get them in tip-top shape. Hold in your stomach and pull your belly in while doing bicep curls or squats.

5 Fall Handbags Under $100

Movies and TV portray the majority of women having a shoe fetish but I can proudly say that I am an exception. My heart and paychecks belong to handbags. Totes, clutches, hobos...love 'em all! For any of you ladies out there with a slight handbag obsession, like myself, you will appreciate this! Here are five hot handbags for the fall! With each being under $100, you can afford to buy one to match each outfit:

1.) Tote ("Sandra"tote, $68.00, Shopsueyboutique.com): I love gray bags for the fall and winter seasons. This tote is big enough to fit everything and has pockets in the front and sides for your phone and keys and you can wear it with pretty much anything.

2.) Satchel (Tumbled Foldover With Buckle, $72.00, needsupply.com): This is cute and practical for a brunch date or a day at a museum. Its big enough to hold the essentials but won't bog you down when you're on-the-go.

3.) Clutch ( 74l z Gold/Purple, $24.00, Kcmalhanhandbag.com): If you love glitter and color, this is a must-have bag for you! You can wear it with a black cocktail dress or dress it down with a white tee, jeans, and flats.

4.) Chain Cross Body Bag ( "Boom Boom", $39.99, ninewest.com): Chain purses are huge for fall and so is the cross body style. The best part about this style is you can wear it during the day with a dress or jeans or at night with a mini skirt and killer heels.

5.) Hobo ( "Lizzy" hobo, $58.00, shopsueyboutique.com): I love the color of this bag. Deep shades of purple are going to be big for the fall and this color is an excellent alternative to basic black. Pair this bag with a pair of skinny jeans or jeggings, a long sweater, and boots and you will look effortlessly chic!

4 Summer-to-Fall Staples for Under $100

Just because summer is coming to an end, doesn’t mean you can't utilize your favorite pieces for fall. Many items hanging in your closet can easily transition from summer to fall with the right touches and additions! Here are four outfit ideas:

1.) Cotton Trouser Shorts (J-Crew, $65.00): Think shorts are strictly for summer? Think again! These comfortable bottoms are a chic alternative to skirts. When paired with tights, a blazer, and heels, you will look instantly polished.

2.) A Flowy Floral Dress (Mango, $44.99): It’s nice to have an outfit you can always fall back on when it’s too hot to even think about weari
ng anything but a bikini. A cotton floral print dress with sandals is an effortless way to look pulled together, while staying cool. Throw on a pair of black or colored tights, a cardigan, and flats and you’re good to go!

3.) Strappy Platform Wedges (Steve Madden, $89.95): Sure, it’s that time again when knee-high boots are being displayed in store windows, but you don’t have to retire your sexy open-toe wedges just yet. Believe it or not, the cardinal fashion rule of not to wear tights with sandals is a thing of the past. Pairing platform wedges with shorts, skirts, or dresses gives your look instant sex appeal.

4.) A Lightweight Cardigan (LC Lauren Conrad, $34.99): A lightweight cardigan in black, brown, or beige is essential for the fall. Worn of a dress or paired with jeans and a t-shirt is the perfect way to pull off a laid-back look.

What is REALLY Lurking in Your Water?

Many people don't think twice about turning on the kitchen faucet, grabbing a glass, and gulping down unfiltered tap water. What if you found out there was disgusting bacteria in that water? Read on to learn which bacteria could be potentially hazardous...

CHLORINE

>>When I think of chlorine, I think of the stuff people put in their pool to kill the bad bacteria. However, treatment plants often use chlorine to kill viruses and parasites that are found in freshwater sources. Chlorine can be good stuff in small amounts. However, in larger doses, this chemical can lead to birth defects and miscarriages in women.

>>If you let your glass of tap water sit for at least five minutes, the air will kill off most of the chlorine.

DRUG BY-PRODUCTS & HORMONES

>>Whenever you take a pill, prescription or not, traces of it come out in your urine and ultimately make its way back into our tap water resource. Traces of harmless drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin are most likely harmless but be careful of strong prescription drugs. The by-products of these meds can cause illness like MRSA, an anti-biotic resistant illness.

>>Even if you use a filter, it wouldn't be able to eliminate these residuals. The Environmental Protection Agency is assessing what action to take so you will just have to wait.

BACTERIA

>>Human and animal waste products often contain e-coli bacteria that can make its way into our water by seeping through broken pipes and sewage systems. The only people who really need to worry about getting sick from bacteria consumption are pregnant women. The average person can recover fast if exposed to a small amount of bacteria.

>>BUY A FILTER!!!!

LEAD

>>Homes built before 1975 should use precaution when drinking from the tap. The reports of children getting lead poisoning from eating paint chips contaminated with lead is similar to drinking from the faucet. Just like lead is in paint used in houses built before 1975, the chances of having pipes containing lead are just as likely. Lead is dangerous, even in small doses. It can cause nerve damage, anemia, and fetal problems for women.

>> Run your faucet for at least two minutes before drinking, that way the water that has been sitting in the pipes can flush out and clean water can go into your glass.

The safest thing you can do it invest in a filtration system. They can be costly, but in the long run you will be healthier. I use the Pur filter that clips onto your faucet. A red light goes off to let you know when its time to change the filter.

See how your town ranks:

BEST TAP WATER SOURCES:
1. Arlington, TX
2. Providence, RI
3. Fort Worth, TX
4. Charleston, SC
5. Boston, MA

WORST TAP WATER SOURCES:
1. Pensacola, FL
2. Riverside, CA
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. Reno, NV
5. Houston, TX

*Article from Women's Health magazine*