Keep your Head Up and Your Eye on the Trophy

It's been three days since I have started to lay down the ground work to a new life, the ground work for whatever may happen because I don't know. All I know is that I need change. Today, I realized I will be tested and challenged from those who don't support me. Unfortunately, I am talking about my superiors and peers. For the next two months leading up to my vacation I will be questioned about my motives and choices. There was no congratulations or joy exchanged when I requested two weeks off to go to New York, it certainly was not embraced. Instead I received, 21 questions and complete unpleasantry. It made me feel horrible.

So instead of having it rain on my parade, I've decided to mourn the issue for a day or two and come back around to being me and positive in my plans. I will forget and move forward.

Good Morning America

I've decided to wake up an hour earlier each day to do some prep work and research - so far so good. I set up a desk area by a window in my living room and right now Teddy Bear is laying on my lap. Today I request vacation time for New York! Two weeks! Im trying to decide if I need to subscribe to the New York Times? Although I have been getting a lot of rejections, I do notice the job market is robust in New York leaving me with confidence I will find a job. The difference between 2008 and 2015 is the economy, what a difference! We are not in a recession. I don't think Ill be walking around with a lot of dark empty buildings. Have I mentioned how much I love walking? I can walk around any city all day and find a museum, park, library, mall, and be completely content.

Checking in - it was not easy requesting time off but I got it and that's all I can be thankful for.

Carmen Reinvented - New York Part II

Today, Monday, July 20, 2015 I gave my apartment manager a 30-day notice. This is something I did in summer of 2008 and it's not a coincidence. I have been planning to uproot my life in another city, most notably New York, for sometime now but with many job rejections for the better half of this year and with a combination of procrastination and fear, right now could not make anymore more sense. Leaving to New York on the same date I did eight years is bringing a sense of comfort, is giving my decision and strong sense of meaning because in a strange way, I feel the same way I did in 2008 after I graduated college. I graduated in May 2008 without a job lined up, I was working a meaningless hostess job at Mimi's Cafe and more importantly I was ready for a lifestyle change. I remember taking down posters off my wall, getting rid of silly nic nac's all for a mature and sophisticated feel in my college bedroom, no more football pom poms. I have caught myself doing the same thing this year in anticipation I guess. Except this time I am getting rid of anything access i.e. old clothes, old bedding, old makeup and not repurchasing more...  Back then, I wanted to move to the next level, to be a professional with my degree. This time around, I'm quasi professional with 5 years of experience in a career related field -  but with the same urge of change, upgrade in life. I have really found myself ready for a drastic change again and since I have given up my apartment before, threw my stuff in the storage before and left for a month without a job, I am less fearful in doing it again. This time, I have a lot more to loose ie. my dog, my salary, my cushy 1 bedroom apartment which has made it hard to mentally prepare to give it up - leaving me overdue for the next step in my career. I have outgrown my workplace and admittedly it's not something I can endure for another year.

On September 15, 2015 I will be on a plane to New York. I am excited and 100% certain I am doing the right thing. I have devised a backup plan that I will also be content with. Last but not least, I don't think I will ever stop chasing my dream of one day owning an apartment in New York City, even if it's just for vacation.

Read my 2008 New York posts here.

Book Review

This chic book by Harriet Evans is about a 22 year old girl who lives in London . She just graduated from college and landed a fantastic magazine job. As her life falls perfectly together - falling in love with her flatmate, a job promotion, a new flat, and an engagement - she gets too comfortable and she starts to look past things that start happening in her warm and cozy life. Uncontrollable events change her world untill she decides to stop running to New York and faces her old life back home in London.

For Alice and Wonderland Fans this movie illustrated version is a great collectable item.

My Favorite Spring Accessory

 

Michael Kors leather wristlets

These, by far, are the most exciting things for me this spring. I purchased the black wristlet last summer and have been loving it since. They retail for $148.00 at Macy's but I got mine for sale because Macy's always has great sales. The purple wristlet was recently purchased at Macy's on clearance because they wanted to get rid of it. I paid less than $40, it was a steal!

Wristlets are so convenient and these ones are so durable. My black one has been frequently used and it still looks in peak condition and I imagine it will years from now too. These wristlets are not leaving my collection for a while. If I could get every color I would! They also came in white and gold. They are all genuine leather with a quilt pattern of a matte and shinny leathers overlapping each other. The details of them are fine. The plate on the font reads Michale Kors, established in 1981.

Since I purchased the purple one last week I have been using it instead of a purse. Its taken a load off. They are so petite and accessorize every outfit especially work ones. If I am wearing solid blacks, greys and whites this wristlets gives me a pop of color. It is so springy.

This is what the purple on looks like inside. It has a slot for IDs and folded bills.

Whats in my Wristlet?

MAC Lisptick in Pink Plaid & Colour Craft (in a jar)

MAC Lipglass in Underage

Berry M lip paint in Marshmellow

Sephora travel brush

Aquaphor healing ointment

Feeling Bloated & what to do.

Being bloated is unattractive and very uncomfortable. My body tends to get bloated with high sodium-intake and before my menstrual cycle so I battle with bloatness at least once a month. Sometimes it can be frightening cause I think I'm gaining a lot of weight but thats not the case. As soon as I begin my monthly I deflate! That is when my body peaks, right after my period. 


Since I am 5', I have to be very carefull about being bloated and about weight gain. Normally, my diet consist of high fiber intake and wheat breads which keeps me lean. Unfortunately, this month I had a lot of sodium. Being bloated is retaining water and the amount of soduim, sugars and starches in-take will make you retain water. Drinking a lot of water will help flush out these toxins and will reduce being bloated. I tend to drink a lot of water so I can flush everything out but it didn't help because I kept eating things like chips & salsa, pizza and other high soduim foods. I can easily fluctuate 2-4 pounds depending how in control I am about my diet and water-intake.


In addition to diet, exercising and taking calcium supplements can help reduce bloating. All of these things mentioned are not only good to do to prevent bloated by also to do to maintain a healthy life style. Watching your diet, exercising and taking vitamins are ways to physically feel positive about yourself inside and out.


Working all of these things in combination before you start your menstral cycle will help you reduce how bloated you are and you will be content with the way you look and feel. The worse experience you can have is running into someone at the peak of your bloatness and seem overweight, ewww. It would be horrible if you ran into to an ex or someone you have a crush on at this time. That is why with this information we can be our best and always look our bestest!


Always remember everyone has their day so don't beat yourself up over an icky bloated fat girl day!

Bobby Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

I am a fan of Bobby Brown Gel eyeliners. I currently use Ivy Shimmer (above) and Forrest Shimmer. I get great compliments when I use them. They add a extra spark to the eyes. I have fun wearing these eyeliners because they aren't just an ordinary black or brown eyeliner and are long wearing for going out. I recommend almost all of their colors because they are highly pigmented and add great detail to the eye. Instead of wearing black I will use Ivy for the same dark effect but up close its a deep green shimmer.