New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Eve has people reflect on the year's past on what they have accomplished or what they hope to accomplish in the coming year. Although resolutions are so cliche, I think it's a good idea to have some sort of goals to work towards as we start a New Year.

The New Year allows us to start fresh, to wipe the slate clean and move forward to a better self.

As for me, I would like to think about what I would like to do in the coming year which I suppose you can call them "resolutions" but I like to think them as improving my "quality of life".

I want to be able to travel more and attend more events such as concerts, museums, etc. Of course this would mean having to cut back on other splurges such as going to fancy restaurants and dining out. I am also going to make cooking at home a priority and in fact have started that already.

Fashion and shopping will always be on my activities list but I know if I shop in a way where I can still look fashionable but not have to break the bank I should be ok. Investing in quality pieces also goes a long way than just buying several pieces where they won't last after one year (just gotta hit the sales!).

Cutting back on dining out should mean that I can afford a gym membership, and I would love to join the gym that is literally around the corner from me. However, I am waiting until the weather gets better and they do their $1 initiation fee special, which would be worth it to me. It will then last me for the whole year.

Of course not dining out does not mean not being able to hit up a wine bar or lounge once in awhile :-) And I just might host an event at my house next year, at least one :-)

So there you have it, my New Year's resolutions!  I want to be able to look back on this post and see how much I have accomplished. Plus, more exciting surprises for 2012 are yet to come and I'll keep you posted!

Have a safe, Happy New Year's everybody!

Local designer spotlight: Meghna Designs

(Credit: Dijana's Dare to Blog)

In addition to my blog, I also write for Chicago's Fashion Scene Examiner. Meghna Designs , a jewelry line based out of Chicago, contacted me and sent me some samples so I can feature them to my readers.

The jewelry line features bright, colorful jewels that range from necklaces, cuff bracelets and dangle earrings. These pieces are perfect to spice up your holiday wardrobe this season. 

You can also pair these up with some basics like t-shirts and jeans which can instantly glam up your simple wardrobe in seconds. Sometimes all it takes is accessories to really make an outfit stand out.

Prices range in the $200-$300 range, which to me is a little steep for costume jewelry, but the stones are pretty heavy and I am assuming the stones on these jewelry is what is making them so costly.

Alas I was unable to keep any of the samples, which to me, was interesting, considering most bloggers who get sent samples usually can keep the items as long as you write about them. Their reason was that they don't have enough for their showroom so they are unable to offer any samples. Too bad. 

To check out the rest of the line please visit the site here: Meghna Designs

The older, the wiser....

you become. I celebrated my birthday last week and I find myself being wiser than I ever was 10 years ago. I have also become more private about a lot of things and don't feel like I need to shout on top of mountains every moment of my life if I choose not to. Or that I don't need to break the news right away.

I also definitely have learned that the most important things in life are your health, your family, and your friends. And it's even more about the quality not the quantity of friends either.  I also learned that it's no use trying to compete with others and complain what you don't have compare to what they have.  There are people out there who also don't have what you have also. There will always be someone out there with more money, more status, more power,etc than you, so no need to worry about this.

I work in a dialysis center with people who have chronic kidney disease. It's a daily reminder for me how grateful I really am to have my health. Sometimes your day goes bad and you can't help wonder why the things happen the way they do. But my line of work puts me back into reality and I am thankful for that.

Hello there...

Long time no blog! I got super super busy towards the end of the summer and early fall. After numerous searches from one side of the city to the other, I finally found my match and moved into a beautiful brand new two bedroom condo by the lake. I have on my block alone two Thai restaurants, two pizza places, two coffee shops and two drycleaners(weird how everything comes in pairs).

I also had my in-laws staying with me from Europe for two months, amongst other things(more to come on that ;-) So yea, I have been pretty busy, but I am back and slowly starting to blog again.

I will write some more later, just thought I'd drop in real quick! Cya soon!

Summer Healthy Living Series 2011-update

Hello again,

The thermostat is rising here in Chicago, over the past couple weeks we have reached 90-100 F index temperatures. It put a damper on my running and zumba plans because it's just been way too hot. I took a staycation and did a lot of walking on Michigan Ave, but checking out the city's restaurant scene didn't help either.

So I have fallen of the exercise wagon but I am planning to get back on again. I started off this morning with some strength workouts:lifting weights, sit ups, leg exercises,etc. I will probably do some more this evening.

Tomorrow I'm heading to Indiana to visit family but Monday I am going to aim to get into my routine again. Wish me luck! With these extreme temperatures, it can be challenging. Gotta love Chicago weather!

Summer Healthy Living Series 2011

So after that not so successful attempt to do the Dukan Diet, I decided to get fit and in shape the old fashion way: eat healthy and exercise. The weather in Chicago has finally stabilized so I have kickstarted my diet and work-out routine. It's not a bad idea to journal about it so I was thinking I can write my experiences on my own blog.

First off, I signed up for weekly Zumba classes that so happened to be walking distance to my place which is a bonus. So I do this for 60 minutes a week, I signed up for 5 classes total.

In addition, I have downloaded the couch-2-5k program on my ipod and I am now also running three times a week. I love this program because it starts you off slowly and there is a coach that guides you how long to run for between walking. Every week the program is longer and longer until you reach week 10 where you are supposed to be able to run non-stop for 30 minutes. And the music is great-house music!

I try to make my weekly grocery trips to Whole Foods so I can pick up fresh organic fruits and vegetables. I am trying to get creative with my meals such as cucumber and hummus wraps, different salads, lean meats,etc. If I do crave pizza, which is my favorite, it's usually a thin crust variety with fresh vegetables and mozzarella.

I haven't weighed myself yet so I will have to keep at it and then see my results.

I'll keep you posted and stay tuned for my next post on my progress. I don't have a whole lot to lose but I  do need to shake off this winter weight I still have.

The Dukan Diet-my experience with it.

Whenever a "new" or even "old" diet comes to the States I can't help but try to see if it would work. Kate Middleton lost a bunch of weight for her Royal Wedding back in April and there was a recent public engagement Prince Williams and Princess Kate attended where Kate still showed her slim figure.

I made it through one and a half day on the 'Attack' phase and alas, I am no longer pursuing this diet. In a nutshell, the diet calls for 3-10 days of this phase where only fat free dairy and lean meats can be eaten. Then the next phase incorporates salad greens and non-starchy vegetables. Oh, and you must exercise too.  Eventually you are able to eat whatever you want but you have to designate one day where you eat fat free dairy products and lean meats only for the rest of your life if you want to keep your weight off.

The key ingredient to this all is Oat Bran, not the rolled or steel cut kind that we have here, but pure 100% oat bran, which is hard to find here in the States. Apparently, this diet has been popular with the French and all of Europe for years now. I kinda want to think this diet may help the morbidly obese patient who has tried everything in their power to lose weight but it takes more patience and discipline for those who only want to lose a mere 10-15 pounds.

Did I mention you have to exercise on this plan? I am sure that has a large part in Kate's weight loss and other celebrities who have tried this. Princess Kate has her own private gym and has spent all of her life being active.

I think I will stick to cutting calories, increasing my exercise activity, and stay away from fried fatty foods. I think I will continue to eat whole grains, lean meats, drink my green teas, and stick with organic vegetables. It's my exercise that I need to tweak, which has been hard lately with the up and down weather changes we have been having in Chicago.