New Years Resolutions: Take 2
/Really January? I’m supposed to clean and organize my house, start exercising, get a hobby, lose five pounds, AND get my taxes in order in the name of new year resolutions? Well, the universe had other plans; my washer and dryer broke, the car died, and I got the flu ( and not even the stomach flu, that at least, would have taken care of the five pounds!). Instead, my January consisted of binge-watching Friday Night Lights, shopping for household appliances, and asking everyone I know what they think of the Mini Countryman.
So, I’m adopting Chinese New Year instead, because it’s just around the corner on February 8th. Much. More. Manageable. AND, since I’ve had time to realistically think about what I can (and will) change in 2016, I think I’m making way wiser (some may say easier) choices. Let’s keep it simple. Some of these you can crib and do yourself.
These really are bursting with fruit flavor! photo by Reuben E Reynoso
1. Don’t cut out candy, just make smarter candy choices!
Quin Dreams Come Chew candies are like an all-natural Starburst that I found at my friend Carla's shop in Portland, called Alder & Co. These hand-wrapped sweet morsels are made with real fruit and butter, so they taste delicious without the “Did I just eat a candle?” aftertaste that you get from all those gummy treats at 7-11 (I’m looking at you Twizzlers!)
These tiny wonderfuls are only about 2 inches long! photo by Reuben E Reynoso
2. Don’t let my purse weigh 800 pounds!
I can keep throwing bits and bobs into my purse until one day I heave it onto my shoulder and realize I’m carrying the equivalent of a very chubby 3-year old. Yep, half-read novels, notebooks, 8 lip glosses all in the same shade, 4 pens, a wallet, coin purse, 3 nail polishes, endless scraps of paper, and a razor (even I can’t explain that one).
One way to pack smarter is to carry sample sizes of things, and my recent favorites are these tiny Chanel mascaras (that I got as a bonus when I ordered the full-size online). Other great light weights are RMS Living Luminzer …it gives you five-years-younger looking skin with a touch of unicorn sparkle in a tiny pot, and Hudsalve, which I smear on my lips, hands and weird dry bits of skin that crop up, plus the packaging even claims you can eat it in a pinch (hopefully things won’t come to that, but it’s good to have options). It’s also Swedish, so there’s that.
Charity starts under your shirt. Photo by Dyad Photography
3. Clean out my underwear drawer!
While cleaning out the whole closet may sounds daunting, the underwear drawer isn’t so bad. It will take you 15 minutes tops, and while it’s a no-brainer to take your clothes to the Goodwill, did you know there are places desperate for your old bras? Yep, Free The Girls and The Bra Recyclers want your gently used boulder-holders! Sounds odd, but your old bras are doled out to women around the globe whose voices have been muted by uncontrollable circumstances; such as cancer, human trafficking or natural disasters, and they either reuse them or start their own re-sale business. Since 8 out of 10 women wear the wrong size bra to begin with, I’m sure you have a couple you could donate.
There you have it! Three things that will seriously impact my 2016. It’s gonna be a good one.
