"Carma"

At some point last week someone hit my car, dented the entire passenger side, and didn't bother to leave a note. I didn't notice until Saturday morning and thought my eyes must be mistaking me. Surely between moving, getting ready to start a potentially career-changing program, being a surrogate husband to my boss's family, and dealing with the emotional fallout of a breakup, this had to be some kind of prank. It wasn't. And now I'm anxiously awaiting for my car insurance agent to call me back so I can figure out the car rental situation and take my baby to get fixed- in the middle of moving, getting ready to start a program, being a surrogate husband, dealing with emotional fallout, and managing my life. At least I have my dog. And my amazing friends. And maybe I'll rack up some serious "Carma" (get it?! Get what I did there?)

Hope everyone has a wonderful and stress-free week.

How About a Hobby?

Hope everyone had a happy fourth! Between my move and everything else being in flux, I decided to take it easy by the pool. It was perfect. Now, I’ve got a few weeks to settle into my new place and get some serious writing done.

Maybe I’m inspired by new neighborhood, or perhaps it’s because I have a few weeks of downtime, but I’ve been looking for a new hobby! I never learned to play an instrument, and I can’t draw to save my life – so those things are out (sidenote: I really want to learn to play guitar, but it’s already on my 2011 goals list… although I think a lot of those goals are going to be re-examined as a result of the past two months. Another entry, perhaps?)

Anyway – I thought a lot about how much I enjoyed making clothes and accessories when I was younger and was hoping there might be something in that. As far as I know, my old sewing machine is still at my parents’ house, and it might be kind of nice to re-teach myself to make simple things like skirts, dresses, etc. I also really loved making jewelry. When my brother and I were younger (and I’m talkin 10 here), I somehow convinced my brother to start a jewelry making business with me. We would take orders, ask people what their favorite colors / hobbies were and then “design” necklaces and bracelets. It was basic beadwork, but it was a lot of fun. I looked into some basic jewelry making classes so I can graduate from ceramic beads to wire bending and metalwork. It’d just be nice to have something fun to do that feels creative and isn’t just writing. You know?

What are some of your creative outlets and hobbies?

Thrifty Thursday: Tips for a Great Credit Score

If you’ve applied for an apartment, car, or loan you know how essential having good credit is. In fact, last week (was it really only last week?) when I applied for my awesome new eastside apartment, I was approved instantly solely based on the fact I have awesome credit. Same thing happened last year when I decided to lease a car – I think the qualifier’s exact words were, “An 815 credit score and you’re twenty five? That’s unheard of!” I felt pretty awesome, and now have a great car and great apartment because of it. Now, before you go thinking I’m the ultimate saver and financial guru, let me assure you that is far from the case. In fact, my mother will be the first to admit my biggest problems is indulging on shopping sprees. But, here are some tips to ensure good credit:

1. ALWAYS pay on time. Even if it’s the minimum amount. Set an alert to remember. If you’re late more than 30 days on a payment, your score will take a plunge. Plunge.

2. Try to pay more than the minimum. It will help you pay off your debt faster and help you incur less finance fees.

3. For vendor credit cards (like specific stores i.e. Victoria’s Secret, Best Buy, etc) try to pay off the full amount. In my experience, these cards tend to have a higher APR, and you don’t want to get stuck paying for a $150 bill for the rest of the year. A trick I’ve learned, when you charge on these accounts treat it like a debit card transaction. If you don’t have enough funds, don’t spend.

4. Try to have no more than 5 credit cards. It’ll keep you debt down, but it also proves to creditors that you’re capable of paying things off. I have a main card that I keep some debt on, and 3 vendor credit cards.

5. Do not start applying for a bunch of credit cards at once. It sets off a red flag that you’re stocking up for a reason.

6. Do not cancel credit cards – especially ones that you’ve had forever and especially ones that don’t incur a fee. Just don’t use them.

7. Keep balances low. If you’re more than half your credit limit, you’ve gone too high.

8. Check your credit score about once a year to make sure it’s airtight.

Follow these tips and you could be on your way to a great score. 

Wellness Wednesday: The Power of the Handwritten Note

I think we underestimate how important it is to do something for ourselves every day – and I’m talking little things, a five minute chat with a friend, taking a nice, long bath, reading a chapter in a breezy book, tapping our toes to some new music. These little things make us feel less overwhelmed and more in tune with ourselves. It doesn’t hurt they also put a smile on our faces.

But what are things you can do to perk someone else’s day up a bit? They do say the easiest way to put a smile on your face is to put one on someone else’s, right? Well, here’s an idea: how about a good old fashioned letter?

In today’s day and age when people communicate via text, email, twitter, even gchat, we hardly take the time to really express what we’re feeling with an actual pen. I mean, when was the last time you opened your mailbox and received a handwritten letter from someone (other than a wedding thank you gift.) It’s probably been a veryyyy long time. And yet, it’s so much more meaningful to receive a handwritten letter, isn’t it? You actually have to do some work for it.

There was a time that I used to try and write someone a letter every week – whether it was to thank them for being a great friend, or to remind them how wonderful they were. Everyone who received a letter was extremely grateful. Plus, it gave me an excuse to buy some really cute stationary and practice my penmanship. I’m going to try and get back into the habit of this. There’s so much I have to be grateful for and it’s time to start spreading it around. Who knows, maybe a letter will be coming your way…

Happy Wednesday, friends. 

Tasty Tuesday: Rasberry Thumbprint Cookies

If I had a signature recipe, this would be it! I’ve made these delectable treats for every family event in the past four years, and every time I get compliments and they’re gobbled up. So, you should feel very special I’m sharing my secret recipe with you. Ladies, I even got marriage proposals from these!

RASBERRY THUMBPRINT COOKIES

1	cup sugar
1	cup butter or margarine, softened
1	teaspoon vanilla
1/8	teaspoon ground nutmeg
1	egg
2 3/4	Cups all-purpose flour
½	teaspoon baking soda Rasberry Jam
½	Cup white chocolate chips Sprinkles, if desired

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Beat sugar and butter with electric mixer on low speed or with spoon until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla, nutmeg and egg. Stir in flour and baking soda. Shape dough by teaspoonfuls into balls. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Using thumb or handle of wooden spoon, make indentation in center of each cookie. Spoon about 1/4 teaspoon jam into each indentation.

These are about to become delicious!

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

5. In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips on High 1 to 2 minutes or until chips are melted; stir until smooth. Spoon melted chips into small resealable plastic bag; cut small hole in corner of bag. Squeeze bag gently to drizzle melted chips over cookies. Sprinkle with colored sugar, if desired.

Foibles and Flaws

A lot of what this blog is about is making the most of your twenties and turning into the best version of yourself. We do a lot of growing up between the ages of 22-27, for better and worse. I personally have worked especially hard in the past year to grow and improve (which like I said, has come with it’s amazing rewards and sad consequences.) Even still, none of us are without flaws – and I’m a perfectionist, so that’s tough to admit. But, it’s the truth. Here are some of my biggest flaws that I’m okay with admitting:

*I am extremely critical – not only of myself and others. Basically, if I don’t like something I will call you out on it. Most of the time it’s because I think I’m trying to help, but it’s still annoying and I’m sorry

*If you’ve pissed me off, I’ll get over it, but I’ll remind you about it constantly. I usually do it in a joking type of way, but it’s still irritating. I’m sorry again

*I’m super competitive. Even though I’m getting A LOT better about this one, I tend to compare myself to others and try and top other people. It’s led to nothing good, I promise.

*I can be condescending and act like I’m on a high horse. A product of working really hard on myself has led me to get really frustrated when people don’t see my point of view. So, I can be bratty and act like a know-it-all. It comes off as smug, but really I think I’m trying to help by imparting wisdom that has helped me.

*I try to be perfect. This is by far the hardest one to conquer… and one that I’m not sure will ever go away.

What are some of your biggest flaws?

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

For the past two days I've been sitting in near agony waiting to hear about my acceptance into a program that could be an amazing opportunity for my career. Needless to say, I haven't accomplished much other than refreshing my gmail browser over and over and over and over again.

And yet, more than ever I have so much to do!

I started the apartment search yesterday. I always feel so hopeful in the beginning with the browsing craigslist and padmapper, but by the time I've entered my credit card info into westsiderentals.com, a new set of panic sets in. I'm not high maintenance by any means (well, maybe I have high maintenance tendencies... completely different), but finding your home is completely different. I mean, it's your home, so it's got to be perfect - or nearly. 


Here's what I'm looking for in my new casa:


-Someplace on the Eastside, in a safe but walkable area close to my good friends


-Someplace that will house my adorable 15 pound pooch (you'd be surprised how many places are totally down with cats, but scoff at a well behaved bundle of joy)


-Laundry facilities, dishwasher, patio or balcony and an ample cooking space - these are basics, right?


-Prefferrably a 1 bedroom, but a studio will do if the rest of the area is lovely


-A bathtub - I simply refuse to live in a place that doesn't have a bath


These aren't crazy parameters, right?