Follow your heart

Home is where the heart is and some people leave their hearts behind inorder to create a "life" for themselves.  Ms. Liz Giordano knows this first hand - luckily she learned to eventually follow her heart and not her head.

Liz graduated in 2010 from Rhode Island School of Design with her bachelors in Apparel Design.  With her passion for fashion and her love for designing bridal gowns, Liz left her family behind in Boston to create a career for herself in The Big Apple.  She landed a job as a bridal sales assistant in the wholesale department at Priscilla of Boston (this is where we met) even though it was not a "creative" job that she had hoped for, she told herself she had her foot in the door and honestly that is all that matter at the time.

As time slowly began to pass Liz realized that the job was not the right fit for her, even though she created many wonderful relationships between her co-workers and her bridal accounts.  She was uable to express herself creatively and felt that she was not putting her hard earned degree to work. 

In March of 2011 she was offered to take a position (the job I was leaving behind) within the product development department.  It would make her another step closer to the creative aspect of the company.  After some thought she knew that the job would not give her happiness she was seeking and would just pile on more stress. Plus, she was not sure how long she wanted to stay "here" (the city that is).

I have failed to mention that Liz not only left her tightly knitted family behind in Boston, but her love interest, her boyfriend, Brett.  She did her best with keeping the flame alive within their relationship, but truth be told she would have much rather been living closer to him.

Liz began to resent to city.  She realized that she was only living here to work in order to get a pay check...

On the 27th of July, Liz found herself at her desk crying, due to her unhappiness, at 9:30 in the morning.  Within just a few short hours and a few conversations with the parentals she walked into her boss's office and quit her job.  She told me when she was giving her noticed it felt like an enormous weight was lifted off of her shoulders and she felt whole again.

Liz's last day in the city is August 31st, her lease on her apartment is up (talk about perfect timing!).  Many of her "city" friends are sad to see her go (including me), but are happy for her now that she is happy.  She will begin her new adventure in Boston - unsure what the future may bring, but she is not worried since she will now be home.

The Picture...

I have this picture on my refrigerator at home and every time I see it makes me smile - no matter how many times I have already seen....

...I am smiling now as I post it. 

There is just something so captivating about the photo that is just draws me in.  Perhaps, it is her innocence and chunkiness!

Where has the time gone....

I have been missing in action for 3 1/2 months now.  I have no real excuse for not blogging.  All I can say is that I had fallen off the horse and now I am trying to get back on it.

This past weekend I travelled up to Maine for a lovely weekend with some dear friends. On my 9 1/2 hour car ride up, Hillary and I were talking about her blog Shopahillic.  She blogs about shopping experiences, fashion trends, and whatever else may come to mind.  I informed her that I too have or should I say had a blog.

And that is when it hit me! I need to get back to blogging! Why did I stop? I enjoy writing. I enjoy making others smile. So, why the heck did I give up on it?

Perhaps, it was the craziness of the new job and the fact that I am miserable within this new position.  I became proactive again in the job search, but nothing has fallen on my plate; therefore, I began to lose sight and patience.  With the frustration of not being able to find the "right fit" I began to shettler myself.  I became less socialable (which may be hard for some of you to believe) and kept to myself.

But now I have finally snapped out it! I am no longer in a rut. I just need to be patient and keep telling myself that something (a job) will come around when the time is right....

So, expect to see more postings!!

A Billion Acts of Green....

I am dedicating this week's blogs (that is when I do actually blog) to Earth Day.

April 22, 2011

Make sure to check out Earth Day Network.  The site chuckful of infromation!

You can share your commitment for Earth Day.

You can start your own Earth Day Event.

You can locate a local even to attend.

The options are endless!

Extreme Couponing...

Have you seen this new craze Extreme Couponing on TLC Wednesday and Sunday nights?  I have watched it once and it just amazes me how these families are able to but over $1,200.00 worth of groceries for $100.00.  However, I don't find it complete necessary to buy 44 bottles of mustard.  This "couponing" is a full-time job in itself.  These families plan their trips out before they go and there is a lot of prep work that goes into their shopping trips.
This "extreme couponing" seems to be almost a hoarding disease.  Who needs over 100 rolls of toilet paper shoved under their 3 year old's bed?  Regardless, it was intriguing to watch them safe an abundance of money.
After watching the show I "googled" couponing.  I came across a blog,  Couponing 101.  The blog updates your on weekly/daily deals/sales.  Some posts are broken down by individual store's sale.  The author of the blogger also attaches coupons with the sales to save additional money.
I can't say that I will ever save over 90% of my grocery bill, but I will take tips that Couponing 101 has to offer.

The Longevity of Smiling

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive

We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood

Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling Is Contagious

When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System

Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure

When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful

Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

Go Green or Go Home....

I am BIG on recycling!

(unfortunately, I can't say I have recycled boys...)

For those of you who don't know Earth Day is on April 22nd (I am sure that day's blog will be all about it and leading up to it I will blog about it - just like today).  I am a devote recycler.  I do my best to recycle all paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, etc that I would like to "trash".  Techincally, our recycables should be much larger than our garbage!  I also use reuseable bags when I go shopping.  I have no desire to use nor waste those plastic bags (that is just bag for the environment).  However, if you do find yourself with a mound of shopping bags you can recycle them at your closet supermaket (most locations have a receptcale at the enterance/exit).  Also, there are a handful of grocery stores and superstores (Target, etc) will credit you 5 cents per reuseable bag!  Who knew saving the Earth could also pay back!!!!

I was just browsing Real Simple Magazine's website (who's motto is: life made easier, every day) and came across a useful article on What You Can Recycle (for those of you who are beginners to the recycling world) and How to Recycle Anything.  If you have time check it out!

Don't forget to plan something on the 22nd to celebrate Earth Day!  I once had all my co-workers donate a dollar which we donated (ended up planting 22 trees) and clean up our parking lot (which was a total mess at the time).  Remember the smallest thing can make a huge difference!!



Reduce, Reuse, Recycle