I believe in celebrating often. It’s the best way to keep your spirits high, especially if you’re having a bad day (week :/ *sigh*). Thankfully, tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo & I appreciate Mexican culture (any culture that advocates filling something cute with candy & smashing it [...]]]>

Don't pass up an excuse to celebrate!

I believe in celebrating often. It’s the best way to keep your spirits high, especially if you’re having a bad day (week :/ *sigh*). Thankfully, tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo & I appreciate Mexican culture (any culture that advocates filling something cute with candy & smashing it is alright by me)!

So break out your sombrero & have a party!

Make some loaded guacamole. Mmmm.

Have a Mexican jumping bean race.

Start a mariachi band in your kitchen. Create some homemade maracas!

Bake up a storm of Churro & Chocolate cupcakes.

Play the Salad Bowl Game (it’s not necessarily Mexican, but it’s a lot of fun).

You’ll need:

• Salad bowl, large strainer, or anything that can hold many small pieces of paper.
• Paper
• Pen or pencil

1. Pick one letter in the alphabet that everyone agrees upon.

2. Next, give each player 3 scraps of paper and have them write a word on each piece of paper      starting with the agreed upon letter. Fold the scraps of paper in half and put them in the bowl.

3. Divide the group in half, or as close to half as possible if there is an odd number. There will be two opposing teams.

4. There are three rounds to the game and each round ends when the salad bowl has no more words in it. Here is how the rounds go:

1st Round: One player from a team picks a piece of paper out of the bowl and describes the word to his/her teammates and they have to try and guess the word. Only this persons teammates can guess. The person describing has 1 minute to get as many words as possible out of the bowl. Do not put the words back in the bowl. The opposing team then has a turn to do the same thing. Different people do the describing each time until the words are gone. Add up how many words each team got and that is your score for the 1st round.

2nd Round: This round is exactly the same as the last round except instead of describing the word verbally, the person has to act out the word without saying anything, like charades. If the person says anything the word goes back in the bowl. When the bowl is empty, add up how many words each team got and that is your score for the second round.

3rd Round: This round is exactly like the last rounds except this time the person can only say 1 word and then the team has to guess. No other words can be spoken. If more words are said, the word goes back in the bowl. After the bowl is empty, add up the words won and that is your score for the 3rd round. Now add up the scores from the previous rounds and the team with the most points wins.

I always need my spaces to be multitasking. This gives the appearance & feel of both indoor & outdoor space with a [...]]]> I’m a huge advocate of having space to yourself. Even if you live alone, you should carve out an inspirational corner for reading, relaxing or afternoon napping. My ideal space would look something this.

I always need my spaces to be multitasking. This gives the appearance & feel of both indoor & outdoor space with a nice grasslike shag carpet for wrapping bare toes around & porcelain flowers on the ground. I like that king of contrast in textures.

On the other half, a super girly chandelier floor lamp with flexible tendrils lets me move light where I need it for reading or writing. A slightly retro table would hold my books, Nintendo handheld systems, magazines & other projects.

Of course, they are tied together with a chair so hideous it’s actually really appealing. I have a thing for ugly chairs. This one looks like a princess garden party. With regal accents, deeply curled arms perfect for draping legs over & a short, wide set frame, it’s ideal for napping, gaming, painting toenails on & reading. The garden-ish print reminds me of flowers & touches on every other color in the set. The chair is over $13,000, but I LOVE it!

What does your Superhero Hideout look like?

]]> http://superalzy.com/archives/6688/feed 4 http://superalzy.com/archives/6454 http://superalzy.com/archives/6454#comments Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:00:12 +0000 Superalzy http://superalzy.com/?p=6454 DON'T be this girl.

Really, ladies. This should not be that hard. I wrote up some office etiquette a while back & since I’ve been spending a lot of time in the gym lately, I’ve noticed some things. If you’re going to the gym, you’re there to work out. Why am I seeing such bad [...]]]>

DON'T be this girl.

Really, ladies. This should not be that hard. I wrote up some office etiquette a while back & since I’ve been spending a lot of time in the gym lately, I’ve noticed some things. If you’re going to the gym, you’re there to work out. Why am I seeing such bad behaviour, rudeness & thoughtlessness? Here are some dos & don’ts of working out.

DO be mindful of the crowd. If you go to the gym at a particularly crowded time, limit your time on cardio to 30 minutes. You can always come back to it & do another 30.

DON’T forget to wipe down your machines. I don’t want to touch your nasty sweat any more than you want to touch mine.

DON’T sit on machines chatting on your phone. Some of us are waiting to work out our legs or arms on that piece of weight machinery you’re using as a chair.

DO leave your phone in the car! Why do you even need it in the gym anyway? Focus on your workout. No one else wants to hear your loud huffing and puffing conversation.

DO sign up for classes. It relieves some of the gym traffic & varies your routine to keep it fresh.

I’m pretty lucky to have fallen into my current (awesome) job where I get to write & be creative for a living, but it took a couple years to get my real career started. Are you stuck? Or do you want to make yourself more valuable to [...]]]>

Unemployment is no game (except in this case).

I’m pretty lucky to have fallen into my current (awesome) job where I get to write & be creative for a living, but it took a couple years to get my real career started. Are you stuck? Or do you want to make yourself more valuable to your company? Here are some ideas!

♠ Keep up with developments in your field. Read blogs & subscribe to news feeds related to your areas of expertise.

♠ Stay educated. Take a class in SEO or Excel or any programs/technology/new tools you’re not familiar with. You can find some tutorials on YouTube for programs, but there are lots of classes available. I’m starting a 5 week course in how to be a better freelance writer and market myself to major magazines.

♠ Network. Make close connections with people in all departments of your office environment. I was offered my current job because two coworkers I interacted with last year and on a freelance basis recommended me for it! Also go to mixers & events. Talk to people in every field (I manage content for an amusement park. Awesome!). You really never know who has some obscure connection that could help you out.

♠ Keep your LinkedIn & Visual CVs current. If employers are looking into prospects, you want to look as shiny as you can! People often visit my site from my LinkedIn profile. I’ve even been offered a couple jobs and freelance gigs.

♠ Don’t be lazy. Stay busy. Work hard. Take on as many projects as you can handle without overwhelming yourself. Employers love dependable employees willing to go the extra mile, work the extra hour or run out to pick up lunch. Make yourself useful & you won’t be forgettable!

♠ Oh no! The cupcakes have dried out. They’re rock hard! Sad party. Slip a couple slices of bread with [...]]]> I’m no Martha Stewart, macaroons. I’m not even an Amy Sedaris. However, I have learned a thing or two that has impressed a guy, saved the day or at least made my life a little easier.

♠ Oh no! The cupcakes have dried out. They’re rock hard! Sad party. Slip a couple slices of bread with the cake into a sealed tupperware. The bread will harden & your cupcakes will be just as delicious as they should be. Is that baked good cannibalism?

♠ Class up any chocolate or caramel dessert with a touch of sea salt. Trust me!

♠ Kiehl’s. Pick a flavor & slather this on every morning & every night for the most kissable gorgeous lips in existence. Pear is my favorite.

♠ Carry a Swiss Army knife. You never know when you might need a toothpick, a screwdriver, tweezers or a can opener. These can troubleshoot 99% of anything that needs fixing in a single day.

♠ Learn to reboot your heater, plaster holes in the wall & fix a running toilet. In fact, learn to replace the plug system in the toilet for when the chain inevitably breaks.

♠ Roasting a chicken is easy: Grind fresh pepper onto the bird & sprinkle it with a little salt. Massage it all over with olive oil & stuff with fresh herbs & a quartered lemon. Roast in an oven set to 325 for about 60 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165.

♠ Buy as many Sharpie colors as you can find. When the heels on your shoes start to wear (or the dog chews one of them, match the color with a Sharpie for a quick fix.

I’m no doctor, but I did lose 50 lbs in 2005 & I’ve kept it off! If you’re looking to shed a few pounds in the new year, try incorporating these little lifestyle changes.

Don’t drink your calories. Soda, sugary juices & killer coffees from Starbucks or Dunkin’ [...]]]>

Fresh fish & veggies make the best meals!

I’m no doctor, but I did lose 50 lbs in 2005 & I’ve kept it off! If you’re looking to shed a few pounds in the new year, try incorporating these little lifestyle changes.

Don’t drink your calories. Soda, sugary juices & killer coffees from Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts add a lot of empty calories that your body doesn’t need. Stick to water & make your coffee at home! Get yourself a Keurig Mini Personal Coffee Maker. It’s only $100 ($80 if you can get one of the 20% off coupons Bed, Bath & Beyond mails out all the time).

Protein for breakfast. Throw a handful of  nuts into your yogurt or make an egg on an English muffin. Protein early in the day will keep your energy stable & help stave off junky cravings in the afternoon.

Cheese really does nothing for your sandwich! Especially American. Can you really taste it? Skip it! Or at least cut down your cheese intake by one slice when making the sandwich. If you can’t live without your cheese, spread a wedge of Laughing Cow on your bread.

Neither does mayo. Switch to mustard. It’s low in sugar, fat & sodium & it’s delicious!

Get salad dressing on the side & dip your fork before each bite. You don’t need to drown every leaf of your salad in dressing. Dipping your fork tips gives each bite just enough dressing & it saves you a lot of extra calories.

Stick to the “3 bite rule” when it comes to desserts. I actually just learned this from Glamour, but it’s brilliant & makes a ton of sense. As a girl who loves her sweets, this is a lifesaver!

The first bite is mental—you’re so excited you hardly get a real taste. The second bite is confirmation—the bite where you really get to enjoy the treat. And the third bite is a bonus. —via Glamour’s 10 Ways to Survive the Season of Eating

Switch chips for grapes or celery. You still get that satisfying crunch with your lunch without all the grease & calories.

Sweets Control Mechanisms. I love sweets. I believe that dessert should be had after every meal. To stop myself from eating 15 cupcakes a day, I keep a little stash of hard candy around at all times. If you’re craving something sweet, suck on a Jolly Rancher. In the 15 minutes it takes to finish a hard candy, the craving will pass & you will be victorious!

A thousand words. If you’re dining out, it can be a little tougher to make healthy choices. Menu wording can disguise calories & make meals sound way too tempting. Look for key words when selecting meals at restaurants.

AVOID: Battered, Breaded, Buttered, Cheesy, Country-Style, Creamy, Crispy, Crunchy, Crusted, Fried, Glazed, Gooey, Honey-dipped, Melted, Smothered

PICK: Roasted, Baked, Broiled, Broth, Fresh, Multi-Grain, Poached, Rubbed, Seared, Grilled, Sauteed, Spiced, Seasoned, Steamed

Local shopping has a ton of advantages. Local shops are right in your neighborhood. No shipping [...]]]> Christmas is just a little over a week away. Are you ready? Forget shipping charges & hoping your orders arrive on time. Forget long jaunts up to crowded malls for the same old generic presents everyone is giving and getting.

Local shopping has a ton of advantages. Local shops are right in your neighborhood. No shipping charges, far smaller crowds &, of course, supporting creative, entrepreneurial (& generally awesome) people. Also, you can find gifts that are unique & will speak to someone on your shopping list more than a commercial sweater from the mall.

If you’re in the South Jersey area, here are my picks for great local shopping for everyone on your list.

View Local Holiday Shopping Guide in a larger map

Miss Demeanor is a unique dress shop that opened in Cape May in May this year.  The owners (who are the coolest, artsiest most fun ladies you’ll ever meet!) buy directly from independent designers from New York to Paris. They’re always getting new stuff & fabulous accessories perfect for the fashionista in your life! I wore one of their dresses in the vineyard & if you check out their photo page, you’ll see me, my cousin & my mother & sister all “caught” in Miss Demeanor style.

Good Scents will thrill the zen seeker on your list. They specialize in home fragrances, independent music, candles & anything you need to create the atmosphere you desire in your home.

Madame’s Port carries gifts perfect for a world traveler. They have unique arts & crafts & decor as well as funky hats & bags.

Whale’s Tale is a fun store that’s half fine jewelry, half toys! You can get your sister a Holly Yashi bracelet and then get Playmobile sets for your nephew. They also have beachy decorations, shells & beautiful glass sculptures.

Small Crafts Advisory is one of my favorite shops. It’s filled with handmade crafts & unique artwork. It’s always changing as new awesomeness arrives. A lot of my heart collection came from this place.

Terry Ivory! All your jewelry needs, priced affordably. They’ve got Pandora, Chamilia, Pick Up Sticks (I get millions of compliments when I wear my necklace. I wore it drinking around the world), & lots of other gorgeous lines.

Paw Prints will take care of all the furry best friends in your family. They have all the treats, bedding, leashes, toys & accessories you need to reward your pets.

Shore Couture makes any day a red carpet day. With killer clothing & accessories (like feather wraps & Lady Gaga style headbands), you’ll always feel like a star. You can also design your own perfume at the perfume bar.

The Shirt Shop will make all your t-shirt dreams come true. If you have a design or idea, bring it to them & they’ll print it on a shirt for you. It’s a great way to make something unique for a boyfriend!

The Sand Jamm Surf Shop carries North Face, Roxy, Reef, Billabong, Volcom, you name it. They have all the major surf & skate brands plus shoes, bags & accessories. There’s a skate shop upstairs where you can build a custom deck & the staff is pretty great. I suppose I’m a little biased since I worked there for 7 summers & have some of the best memories from that job!

MS Brown Jewelers is a local fine jeweler featuring the Wildwood Destination collection as well as diamond jewelry.

The Woodland Village Shops located at the Garden Greenhouse Nursery is a fun place to walk around. Pick up garden supplies & decor at the nursery. Then visit the village’s 15 unique shops including a tea shop, cheese shop, beauty store, pottery studio, handmade jewelry shop &, my favorite place to visit, the Bumblebee Bake Shop!

The Wagging Tail has visits from Santa so you can take your pet in for a photo. They have tons of treats & toys for your favorite furry friend.

Natali Vineyards offers a selection of delicious award winning wines. Stop by for a tasting & take some home for the table. A bottle of Meadow’s Edge makes a great gift for a host or hostess & they don’t call it a party in a bottle for nothing!

Toilet Water is the perfect place to find something for the rock & roll guy or girl in your life. From Sailor Jerry bags to rockabilly fashion & back, you’ll find something awesome here. They also had amazing one of a kind hand painted handbags last time I visited!

At The Animal House, you’ll find all things pet related. I love them because they carry Penn State jerseys for dogs (among other teams). They have lots of dog clothing & accessories.

Rauhauser’s Candies makes the most indulgent, mouthwatering butter creams on the planet. My grandmother gives them as gifts every year & all the boxes are empty by the end of the night!

There are lots of other shops to discover along the way. Grab your girlfriends & make a day to finish your shopping & have lunch somewhere a long the way!

I’m severely gift-wrapping challenged. My step sister designs gorgeous displays, wreaths & gift wrap with the most complicated & beautiful bows I’ve ever seen. I’ve taken a few tips from her (as well as some ideas I’ve always wanted to apply) & compiled them into a list of tips.

Hello, [...]]]> Curly hair really is its own creature. I literally woke up one day & my hair decided to be curly & it’s been curly for the last 12 years. Some days, I’m sure there’s a beast under that nest, breathing & just waiting for me to dare try & style it into something beautiful.

Hello, curly q!

Having suddenly curly hair meant I had no idea how to take care of it. My one cousin with curls would fly out to Vegas (from Jersey) every few months to visit her hairstylist & use expensive product. Her hair always looked incredible, but I needed methods on the cheaper side.

Here are the things I’ve learned by trial & fiery, explosive failure over the years.

1) Find someone who knows how to cut curly hair. This could take a while, but once you find a local “expert,” they can show you how to style your curls every day. If you’re in New York or LA, Ouidad will whip your curls into the best shape of their lives! (Psst… apply to be a hair model for a free cut!)

2) DO NOT shampoo every day. Shampoo removes oils & dehydrates your hair. Don’t even wash your hair every day. I wash mine every other day (every third day if my second-day-hair looks amazing). I only shampoo it if I feel like I’m getting product buildup.

3) Use a thick, creamy conditioner. Curly hair is always thirsty & the creamier the conditioner, the most moisture your curls are getting. I also recommend conditioners with jojoba oil or coconut milk. Excellent moisture (& they smell so good!).

4) Stop touching! Stop scrunching, twirling, twisting & tangling. The most you touch your curls, the most frizz you’re inviting. Leave it alone.

5) Highlights! Highlights look great in curls, as long as you don’t over do it. They’ll add shine & lots of interest! For dark hair, like mine try a dark red or a brown that’s only a couple shades lighter. For light hair, be careful not to go too dark or you’ll end up with the skunk effect. Keep it in the honey family.

6) Don’t fear the diffuser. Don’t laugh, but i just learned how to use this creepy looking device about a year ago. Flip your head upside down & let this thing work its magic on each section of your hair.