In three days, I will be like the rest of the world, joining together to ring in the new year. I hear so many people say, “Oh, I will be so happy for 2015 to come to end.” I’ll be honest, that kind of makes me sad. Sure, there are things that I wish I didn’t have to go through this past year. We all can say that about one thing or another. But the question becomes simple: If you hadn’t gone through this or that, would you have become someone other than you are now? And would you be happy with that new person? Hmmm. As much as I’d love to hand back a few of the cards I was dealt this year, the fact remains that each of those “cards” changed me in one way or another. Some made me grow, some enlightened me, others were scary, some even caused me great pain. But as I sit here at my desk in The Loft, I realize that all of those things, grouped together, have put me right here. And…. I kind of like that. I am happy. I am well. I am enlightened. I am more informed. Does that make me a new person? Nah. It just makes me more insightful. And that’s not so bad.
As the ball is prepared to drop in Times Square soon, I took some time to look back at the things I did want to do this year but didn’t. They aren’t really all fashion and glamour oriented, but some are. I’m sure as the year moves along, I will think of others. Let’s just say it is kind of a bucket list for 2016. But I have to say, a bucket list covers a really large span of time. I am just thinking of the here and now, no farther than the end of 2016. It kind of makes the goals a little more focused and attainable. So what would I like to do this coming year? These are some definites:
1) Get to NYC to see Fashion Week in the fall.This item is on my REAL bucket list, but I’ll be honest… I’m tired of waiting for the right time. Or more so, I am tired of waiting for it to happen. So, I have decided to just MAKE it happen. As a fashion & glamour writer, I have a lot of friends that I have made in this industry. I am going to do whatever I have to so I can be there. I don’t mean just walk around the streets of Manhattan, hoping to bump into Michael Korrs or Betsey Johnson either. I mean go with a purpose: to watch and write. I will grab the first train out of my hometown, iPad in hand, and sit in the crowd with just like me. People that love fashion, that are interested in new trends. On the inside I will be doing cartwheels, but on the outside I will be smiling and composed, knowing I’ve earned my spot there. And it will be FABULOUS! Sassy may want: a nice, chic briefcase/carry-all to hold her notepad, laptop, iPad, pens, pencils, datebook, etc. like Henri Bendel’s West 57th Briefcase in black, $398.00. Available at Henri Bendel’s website.
2) Enjoy nature more. I started doing this a little bit at the end of this year, and found I had been secluded in my own little world too long to not spend time with Mother Nature the way I had when I was a kid. There is too much technology around us to keep us enthralled, allowing us to forget about the beauty right outside of our window. When I wrote my first article from The Loft, all I had was a laptop, a cup of tea, a beautiful view of a park in fall, and an idea. After I took my first walk in the park, I felt so much more of me had pushed back for whatever reason. Maybe it was my health, my J*O*B, my family or my feelings of responsibility to take care of those around me first. Sure, those things are important and always will be. But to lock myself away and not enjoy the sound of a spring rain, the warmth of the summer sun, the beauty in the colors of autumn or the child within during a first snowfall is a crime to myself. I will embrace the outdoors more to give me a clear mind, body and soul. Sassy may want: some comfortable outdoorsy clothes like Victoria’s Secret PINK Gym Pant in Marl Grey, $54.95 and PINK Athletic Crew Tee in White/Black Orchid, $24.95. Available at VictoriasSecret.com
3) Do my own manicures regularly. Okay, I know that sounds silly but it is actually is a big deal for me. For the longest time, when anyone asked me what my biggest accomplishment was in my life, I would say it was when I stopped biting my nails. You have NO IDEA how huge that was for me. I compared it to quitting smoking cigarettes—two packs a day even! It was my vice when I was bored, nervous, thinking, you name it. Then, literally out of the blue one day, I decided to stop. I had a fake set of nails put on and I loved how they looked but at that time in my life, I couldn’t afford to maintain them. Then I realized I was ready. I didn’t have to convince myself I needed to do it to keep myself healthy. There was nothing really that I needed to do it for. Except myself. So I did. I just stopped, cold turkey. Since then I have let my nails grow out, trimming my cuticles and keeping my hands soft. I asked other beauticians what is the best thing I can do to keep them strong. I follow their advice to the letter. Now, my only problem is keeping them looking fresh when I go about my other job. I’m always bumping them into metal furniture, equipment, you name it and I will get a chip on the second day. OR if I find a really good polish that lasts, I will use my nails as a “tool” which wears down the polish on the tips. I know I shouldn’t, but if I need to get a piece of tape off a box, scrape something off the top of the stove or use them to grab a tack or nail, they will surely chip or thin out. The best thing I can do is keep my hands soft, keep my nails strong, and use the best products to keep my polish on the best that I can. And if they do start looking ratty?…. redo them FAST! Sassy might want: ORLY’s Website Nailtrition, $11.29; Nail Lacquer in Gorgeous, $7.69; Glosser Professional Topcoat, $8.79. Available at Sally Beauty’s website.
4) Spend even more wisely. When it comes to my shopping “addiction”, I am better than most when it comes to how much I spend and what I spend it on. I am, however, a terrible impulse shopper and that seems to be where I lose my sense of sanity and just fall into “I need that!” mode. I need to follow the plan that I actually stated several years ago: if you see something you want, take a picture of it then walk away. Use the picture to make sure you don’t have anything like it and see if it will get used often while it is in your glamour ensemble. After you do that, delete the picture. If you go back to the store JUST TO LOOK FOR THAT ONE ITEM, or you keep thinking about it or talking about it for 2-3 days afterwards? It is, in my opinion, an impulse buy. The next thing you have to see is if you can get it cheaper any place else or how do you plan on paying for it. And if paying for it suddenly takes precedence over your electric bill, it’s not worth it. If I really have an urge to go shopping, I try to lean myself towards discount stores, consignment shops, thrift stores, or surplus stores where everything is already less money. Then when I get there, I head to the Sale or Clearance rack FIRST. ALWAYS go to the Clearance rack first. And don’t forget to check online for discount codes or coupons (I LOVE RetailMeNot for store and online shopping). From someone who usually bargain shops to begin with, choosing specific things I NEED rather than random things I want needs to be more of a priority now. Besides…my closet is ready to explode! Sassy might want: a nice day out at my local Marshall’s or TJ Maxx to get something like an inexpensive pair of designer jeans like Celebrity Pink Skinny Shaper Stretch Jeans in blue, $19.99. Available at TJ Maxx’s online store
5) Put myself first more often. I don’t want that to sound selfish, but it can happen to any of us. We get caught up in work goings on, helping others with stuff they need, being at our childrens’ beckon call. We help our spouses to make sure they don’t stress because we know that stress trickles downhill. We take on everyone’s pain and responsibilities losing our own happiness in the process. We often do it without thinking, and when we finally realize we need to step back, we can either be in the middle of a fight about it or worse…lose our own happiness completely. Trust me, I know this from personal experience. Don’t let yourself get too far gone. “No” is an easy word to say. It only has two letters. And my theory has always been if someone can’t get over it, let them get under it. Take time for you. Do things YOU want to do to make yourself happy. Do things that will enlighten you, embrace you, help you to grow. Ask yourself: “Does doing this for someone help ME get to where I am going?” Then ask: “Does doing this help THEM get to where they specifically want to go?” If the answer is no, then think twice. You need to be doing things that will keep you sane, grounded, happy, less stressed, and one with yourself. If it doesn’t, maybe saying “I would really like to, but I just can’t right now…thanks for checking with me though.” This takes the hurt off you for saying no and shouldn’t make them angry since you have given them a sincere “I’m sorry but no.” Open your eyes to new things you have wanted to do but didn’t have the chance. Take a class, climb a mountain, run a marathon, read a novel, paint a picture, remodel a room, head to the spa, take a day-cation for just you. That, in no way shape or form, makes you selfish. It will in the end make you a calmer, clearer, relaxed, well-rounded person. And the fact is…. that benefits EVERYONE! Sassy may want: to indulge herself with a relaxing tea a cup of tea in Lemongrass from Adagio found at Adagio Teas. Enjoy that tasty treat while taking a nice, long bath with and a fragrant bath of scents such as Paris – Pink Champagne and Tulips (from $6.25) from Bath & Bodyworks website.
So, I guess the question remains will a new year bring about a new Sassy? I do know there are things I want to do more of, do less of, explore more, stress less, try new things, make new friends, visit more places. Will this all go on with positive outcomes. Some will, some might, some may just go horribly wrong. But the fact remains this: I will learn and grow from everything I put in an effort to accomplish and that won’t make me a new person, but it sure as hell will make me smile.
So, tell Sassy… do you have any changes you would like to make in the new year? Are any of them glamour, beauty or fashion related? Let me know…I want to hear!!
Sassy Auburn's Diary Of A Glamour Junkie... 