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.