The weather in New York is horrible today =( and I’m pretty down, so I thought I’d think up and research some tips and tricks to make a rainy, gloomy day a little bit sunnier. Here’s what I came up with:

At work

1. Turn on ALL the lights – including any table lamps that you can find. The light will literally brighten things up a little and give out a little warmth.

2. Play some summer music – play songs on your headphones that remind you of summer and sunshine and the beach! (I’m listening to Party by the Sea by Wyclef Jean right now. Click here to listen!)

After Work

1. Go to the Gym - the weather is cold and you aren’t going to get any heat from the sun, so why not generate some heat with your body? Go to a high cardio, calorie burning class, and the movement and music is sure to heat you up a little.

2. Hit the Sauna – after your workout session, make sure you spend some time in the sauna to get hot and steamy and steam all the toxins from your body out.
3. Order in (what I’ll be doing) or cook yourself your favorite comfort food – may that be chicken soup, mashed potatoes, pasta or curry. Put on your fuzzy socks and get comfortable on the couch.
4. Have a nighttime shower – it will make you unbelievably fresh and then moisturize and crawl into bed early. Nothing is better when it is rainy outside, than laying around, curled up under your warm covers.

I met Lauren Messiah, aka Fashion Kitty of http://ask-fashion-kitty.blogspot.com yesterday!

She was super cool, down to earth, and smart! I’ve got lots to learn as a blogger, but she def gave me hope!

Mother’s day is coming up on May 11th.

Ok, let’s stop being lazy and show our mothers a bit more appreciation than a dinner at a mediocre restaurant or a mani-pedi. Put a bit more thought into an give her a gift for her to give at the restaurant or during your mother-daughter mani-pedi session. If you go the extra mile and actually MAKE her a present, she just might forgive you for putting her through the torture of labour and your teenage years. Here are some ideas for great thoughtful gifts for Mom this mother’s day:

1. Make her a photo book – don’t just print out photos and stick them in an album, but have a book printed with a story line, comments, etc.

2. If you are too lazy to make a full out photo book, you can at least get a great old picture, (I’m thinking Black and White) of your mom and her mom (aka your grandma), have it printed out in 8×10 size, and put it in a sleek, expensive wooden frame.
3. Take Mom out to a play, musical or even a concert after the traditional dinner. Make sure you buy the tickets way in advance though.
4. If your Mum lives far away, like mine does, send her a “care package” filled with a small thoughtful present, her favorite candy, and photos of her and you as a baby, and photos of you now. It’ll be a nice touch for her to receive something similar to what she sent you all throughout college.
5. Cook her a fabulous meal. Granted that you’ll never be as good a cook as her, but at least you can try. Invite her over to your apartment, forbid her to enter the kitchen, keep her wine glass well filled up, and then serve her a creative and tasty meal. The role reversal is sure to please her.

(click on the picture to send Mom Flowers Now!)

Even if you “forget” to plan something cool, or don’t feel like doing anything special, DO NOT forget to call her at the least to wish her a Happy Mother’s day, and let her know that she’s the best mother you could possible have! Because, the truth is, she is.

I love you Mum!!!

It is one of THE MOST ATTRACTIVE things I find, on guys, and I’m sure most other 20 something girls will agree, actually, pretty much ALL women will agree!

It’s also sexy on girls, but not crazy Fergie abs.

Finally, I have to send a shout out to Hugh Jackman, who rocks the V sooo well (Usher is right behind him, but he’s a little too scary fit)

(click on Hugh Jackman to find out YOU can get “The V”!)

A really cool graphic t-shirt that was recommended on Ask-Fashion-Kitty, my favorite blog:

I love this shirt! such a great message and such a cool design! i want it. (via Ask Fashion Kitty)

as 20 something women, who still love to act like and party like “girls who just want to have fun”, knowing how to be ever-ready to go out at night is key! (I’m still trying to perfect this skill)
Here is a funky guide to doing it easily.

1. Wear layers - more fitted underneath, and loser layers on top. After work, just take off the top layer.

2. Remove pieces of your outfit – e.g. just take off those conservative tights you wore at work all day, and show off some leg.
3. Carry make-up for touching up – freshen your make-up at the end of the work day before you head out for the night. Just a little bit of blush and lipgloss can make the biggest difference.
4. Keep a small, traveling size bottle of your favorite perfume in your bag – even if you don’t feel fresh, you’ll smell great!

I love these examples from American Apparel.