23 April 2010

Sometimes I dance like a little girl.

Ever have the one song that makes you just want to get up and dance around like you did when you were a little kid?

Yup i'm having one of those moments.

Check it out? Does it make you want to dance?

22 April 2010

Well... my "Real" age is 30.5... FML (I'm only 22)



This just put a damper on my Thursday:

Your RealAge is 30.5!


Below is what contributes to your older age:
Health
Having a family history of breast cancer
Having very high blood pressure
Not knowing your cholesterol levels
Family history of ovarian cancer
Habits
Driving a small vehicle
Not flossing enough
Relationships
Not enough friend and family time
Diet
Not getting enough potassium
Not getting enough calcium
Needing to review your eating habits
Not getting enough omega-3s
Not eating your veggies
Not getting enough folic acid
Not eating enough whole grains
Fitness
Having a low BMI
Neglecting your muscles
Not doing enough strength training
Having a high resting heart rate

Am I doing anything right?

21 April 2010

10 Little Things that Lead to a Happier, Healthier You.

TwitterMoms teamed up with Tropicana to deliver the best blogging topic for the season. They are offering a $30 AmEx gift card and 6 Juicy Reward Points ($30 Value) 100 lucky bloggers. Since I work for TwitterMoms we all know that I can't actually enter, but at least I can participate in the discussion. However, if YOU would like to enter, please click here for more instructions.

10 Little Things That Lead to a Happier, Healthier YOU!

1. Sleep - Which is something that I should follow right about now. I am not sure if it's my age, or perhaps it's the recession or perhaps is the season but everyone around me seems to be complaining of being tired. I myself said I was going to go to bed at 8p tonight and here I am... 10:18p still awake.

But as history shows, do as I say, but not as I do. Sleep is very very important to your health and happiness. It allows you the patience to deal with the day and the events that occur within. On a side note... naps are good too.

2. Wear clothes that make you happy - After you've slept, wake up and put clothes on that make you HAPPY! Your positive energy will radiate and make those around you a little more happy as well. Choose the next size up if you have to. It's not all about numbers ladies and gents, it's about being comfortable in your own skin. If choosing the next size up means you spend an afternoon in the park with your kids and never once worry about blisters on your feet.. consider yourself a job well done.

3. Love often - I am point proven that if you love with all of your heart and soul you can and will be happy. Have passion in the things that you do. Never forget to tell those around you what they mean to you. You will never know when they gone. I get messages from my boyfriend all day, everyday about how much he loves me. It reminds me at taking that little extra step in our relationship means the world to us and our happiness.

4. DANCE - Because sometimes your mood can't be changed until you do so.

5. Sing - It doesn't matter what you sound like. Take the ipod into the bathroom when you shower, crank up the volume, wake up the neighbors and do your best Tina Turner impression.. when you step out you'll feel like a rockstar!

6. Ask for what you need - I know that last one seems like a total shocker.. but it's not. If you want something, ask for it. The worst that someone will tell you is No, and even that's not that bad. Ask your husband to rub your feet, ask your children to put away the dishes AND if it's really what you want.. it will make you happy, which will make them happy and MORE willing to do so in the future. No one is a mind reader, so be sure to ask for what you need.

p.s. Woman... subtle hints for men never work. Say what you are feeling, blatant and honest. They will respect you more in the end.

7. Be your own hero - If that knight in shining armor isn't going to show up anytime soon, pick yourself up princess, jump on that white horse and save yourself. In the end you will feel impowered that you could do it on your own. Never forget that you are in charge of your own happiness. It is no ones fault but your own.

8. Make time for friends - They know you better than you think and they will be there when the times get tough. Be sure to bridge the gap between relationships so that you can create lasting friendships that continue through lifetimes.

9. Reward yourself - You've worked hard all week, indulge a little bit so that you can feel motivated to do it again next week. All work and no play.. means a miserable life. Take time for yourself and do whatever it is that will make you happy.

10. Smile - Last but not least, smile. You have no idea how much you can change a person's day by smiling at them. The next time you walk down the street, look a passing stranger in the eye and smile. More often then not they will smile back and feel special that you took the time to acknowledge them. It helps us remember that we are not alone in this world.

Thanks dears!! I can't wait to read more of your 10 Little Things!!

Since I'm so BRAND happy. Here are a few things from Tropicana. Don't worry, I can't win anything. I just thought it might be something nice for you to read. YAYA!


Trop50 Little Things for Happy, Healthy Living
1000 Little Things for Moms from Trop50



More About Trop50 and Juicy Rewards
Tropicana Trop50 provides the goodness of juice with 50 percent less calories and sugars, and no artificial sweeteners. Trop50 is a part of Tropicana’s Juicy Rewards program, which gives consumers more from their juice by offering 20,000 ways to save on fun, healthy pursuits.  With Juicy Rewards, the savings come easily – up to $15 for one carton of Tropicana Pure Premium and up to $30 in savings for one carton of Trop50! 

It takes just three simple steps to participate and save with Juicy Rewards:
1. Buy Tropicana, find the unique code on the package – either under the cap or on the back of specially marked Tropicana Pure Premium and Trop50 products.
2. Register at Tropicana.com, enter the codes to get points.
3. Redeem points for incredible savings on healthy fun.
Trop50 Offerings 
Tropicana Trop50® introduces two new flavors – Pomegranate Blueberry and Pineapple Mango – expanding its innovative line of juice beverages. At 50 calories, each eight-ounce glass squeezes in a full day’s supply of vitamin C and 10 percent of the daily recommended value of antioxidant vitamin E.  Pineapple Mango also is a good source of potassium! TheTrop50 line also includes orange juice beverage varieties: Pulp Free, Some Pulp and Pulp Free Calcium & Vitamin D, which provides 35 percent daily value of calcium & 25 percent daily value of Vitamin D – an excellent source of both nutrients. 

19 April 2010

No sleep, a little sick.. but still just as happy

As most of you know I have started a new job at TwitterMoms. That's right, no more," Cartwright law Firm, this is Ashton speaking".. though I know some of you got a kick out of me answering my cell phone like that time and time again.

Back to TwitterMoms.  What is it? Well I like to think  of it as Twitter meets Facebook and then they fall in love with MADD and Oprah and Dr. Phil.. then they have some crazy baby that is named TwitterMoms.

Still doesn't make sense?

Well I work with a bunch or really talented moms. These fierce women are out changing the world one blog post or one 140 character twitter post at a time. They are your the chef's, CEO's, writers and mos of all..... they are MOMS!! They inspire each other and fight constently for what is right. they share tips on motherhood, recipes, traveling and how to deal with celeb's who think they can beat their partners and get away with it (*ahem, Chris Brown).

Don't believe me? Check this out!

At any rate.. I love what I do and I love the moms that I get to interact with each day. They are so smart and so talented.. i hope to be just like them when I grow up.. hehe. At the very least I will know exactly how to raise my children when I get to that point in my life.
-----

A little sick... that's me. I keep having coughing fits. I'm not sure where they come from or what they are caused by. I really do need to stop sleeping over at my knight in shining armors house, I know he's not sleeping when I wake up at 4a with a fever, coughing a lung or two out. Hmph.. any suggestions on at home remedies to get through the night. NyQuil can't helped much :(

--

Arms are sore. I had a photoshoot yesterday with "retrotie" and I am so sore from acting as a "maypole"

Granted with all of my soreness and mosquito bites I really had a great time with all of the lovely models, photographers, painters, riggers and of course the help of my knight who kept me from stangling myself while climbing out of a tree bush. Thanks baby.

Hm.. another day.. another dollar.

I really do need to start making more money. Eating and not worrying so much about cash would be really nice.

Looking to move again soon as well.

xoxo my dears

please keep me up to date with at home remedies, news, and of course places to live in the sf bay area.

THANKS!

12 April 2010

"19 ways to feel more confident about your relationship" - Brilliant!

I could not have said it better myself.
This article is inspiring, reassuring and truly motivating for me and my relationship. I found it on the CNN website then added pictures for your viewing pleasure.

What tips have helped you along the way? Do you have any tips that AREN'T on this list? Would love to hear more!!
19 ways to feel more confident 
about your relationship


There are many ways to feel more confident about your relationship, and here are 19 to get you started.
So, take the reins or the bull by the horns (or whatever else comes to mind), and start feeling more assured that the two of you have a good thing going!


1) Don't snoop unless you really have good reason not to trust him. E-mails and voice mails taken out of context can cause a lot of unnecessary heartache.

2) Give him a little friendly competition. It doesn't hurt for him to know that your tall, built, wildly successful artist friend from college periodically tells you you're the one who got away and it's the biggest regret of his life.

3) Skip the games and be up-front. If something's bothering you, tell him directly. Guys don't know what to make of it, and it shakes them up and gives you the upper hand.

4) Be confident in yourself. Finish your degree, apply for the better job or write that novel. If you have a good sense of your own self-worth, you'll be confident in your relationship.

5) Set some ground rules at the beginning. If you both agree that Friday is the night for hanging out with your friends separately, it won't be a conflict when he wants to play poker or you want to take a short road trip with some girlfriends.

6) Don't let the relationship progress too far without discussing major issues. Having children, religious differences, whether either one of you is willing to relocate for a job -- these can be land mines in the future.

7) Work out. It reduces stress and releases endorphins and makes you hot.

8) Be affectionate. If he returns the affection, it'll make you confident. If not, it's time to find a new boyfriend who is affectionate.

9) Avoid the temptation to endlessly analyze details. If he wears the shirt his ex-girlfriend bought him, it may just mean that it's the only clean white shirt he has that day.

10) Similarly, avoid discussing relationship issues with paranoid girlfriends. Paranoia is contagious and, before you know it, you'll be worrying if your boyfriend is cheating, because your friend's husband came home smelling of Angel when she wears only Poison.

11) Have lots of outside interests apart from the relationship. When you start to feel insecure, it helps to have something else to obsess over.

12) Present your best self to your partner and the world. Don't always go out dressed in sweats, and don't sleep in ratty T-shirts every single night. The old adage is true: When you look good, you probably feel good.

13) Replace negative self-talk with affirmations. Every time you find yourself thinking, "I don't deserve this guy," change it to "I deserve a wonderful relationship and more."
14) Don't let yourself become dependent. Know how to unclog the sink and change a tire. Skills are confidence boosters.

15) Let go of emotional baggage. If your grandma told you your sister was the pretty one or your dance teacher said you weren't graceful enough to be in the front row, it doesn't mean your boyfriend thinks you're homely or a klutz now.

16) Be yourself. Trying to maintain a façade is exhausting and confidence-eroding.

17) Similarly, let him be himself. If he feels like you're always picking at him, he'll strike back and it won't feel good.

18) Don't compare your relationship to other people's relationships. The grass isn't always greener, and you never know what's going on behind closed doors.

19) Memorize his credit card numbers. You'll always have the capacity for really serious revenge.