Thank you for being a fan...

Well ladies and gents...time for the next chapter in the Book of Alex.

It is with rose colored glasses that I write this post about leaving a company I have been with for the past two and a half years. Now, that may not seem like a lot to most of you but since it was my first and only job since I graduated the great Lynchburg College...it is all I have ever known.

Upon graduating LC, I will admit, I was completely and utterly lost on what to do with my life. I had no idea who I wanted to be, what I was good at, or what I wanted to do... it was not a particularly pleasant time in my life. With that being said, I searched and applied to hundreds of jobs, when RC finally came into the picture...I applied, interviewed, and was hired all in a matter of two weeks. I started at RC as an administrative assistant and although it wasn't glamorous work it was a job. It was not my forever job so I had every intention of working my way up. After about eight months, a position opened up in the Project Management department..now I had NO idea what exactly a PM did but I had always gotten a good vibe from the PMs that I had worked with. They were the people who ran meetings, always knew what was going on, ALWAYS knew the gossip of the company, and pretty much seemed to be in control of every project, situation, and aspect of a team...now people...all those things are of great interest to me. 

So I became a PM on the..and I was completely biased at the time...but to me they were the company's coolest team...they are nicknamed Team Bro...they were (and still are) the most Bro team I have ever worked with. Now don't get me wrong they have a Strategic Leader who is BOSS and not in the Beyonce way but in the you would never, ever...ever want to be on her bad side. None the less I had a great time learning how to be a PM on this team. My lead PM who became a friend, mentor, and like a big sister had the challenge of training me. To this day...I don't know how she did it, she has patience that I will never understand but am unbelievably grateful for. Team Bro was (and again still is) an exceptional team who taught me so much. 

However... a few short months after being on Team Bro, a PM position opened up on another team...let's call them Team Kick-Ass. So I left Team Bro and dove head first into a hot, hot, hot mess of a team. It was an amazing opportunity that I do not regret for a second. This team became more like a family to me because we were the youngest team in the company..not age wise..but how long we had been working for RC. Most of the team members had been there for just a few months...talk about the blind leading the blind. It was such an incredible learning experience for us all and I would not trade it for the world.  I have dubbed them Team Kick-Ass because our SL...bless her heart..would give us the most ridiculous timelines; "Client just decided they want to do an additional launch of this project, can we get it out tomorrow?" (to most of you that won't make sense, but Team K-A gets me #clientgetswhatclientwants). Now, I want to say I hated that our SL would do this, but I can't...somehow we ALWAYS got it done and she was grateful...life lessons people....life lessons. I will whole heartily miss this bunch of kick-ass people. I have learned so much from this team...but the most important thing to take away is that I will forever know that SB likes cakey donuts.  I wish the best for all of them and hope that I stay in touch with each and every one of them and I don't just mean like in the middle school way where I write it in their yearbooks and never follow through...but in the way that I honest to goodness hope to see them all in the near future.

Okay so since I am sort of getting sappy...let's take a left turn and say...it hasn't always been the smoothest ride with RC. I have dealt with angry managers, projects that seem STUPID, team members that make me want to punch them in the face, ridiculous situations, absurd timelines, the worst clients, disgruntle employees, and 13-14 hour work days that make me want to quit on the spot...it has not always been a picnic BUT it has all gotten me to where I am today and I thank EVERY person who helped me get here.

I am not leaving RC on a bad note...I am not even leaving for a particular reason at all except for the fact that a GREAT opportunity presented itself and I would be a fool to pass it up. RC has been my place of employment for the past two years and although I am turning the page to the next chapter in my book of life...I have made friends, had an exceptional boss, had experiences, been in situations that have taught me so much and will last me a lifetime. I am grateful for my time at RC and who knows...maybe I will end up back here some day.

Thanks RC...you are one of a kind.

Time for a vacation...

How many people are ready for a vacation...

I know we just had the holiday's not too long ago and we all probably had a few days off...but now we're stuck in this terrible season called winter. Where it is terribly cold all the time and occasionally it snows and when it does everyone freaks out and there are accidents all over the place. I don't know about you but I am over this "wonderful"season. All I can think about is the hundreds of vacations I want to go on. Yes I said hundreds and what I really mean by that is four..maybe five if I can squeeze in a long weekend.

I love vacations..I know, who doesn't..but I really really really do. I am the girl who will do pretty much anything to go on a vacation. Yes, last year I went on vacation with a guy..while I had a boyfriend...and I wonder why that relationship didn't last...

So like I was saying...when we have these bitter cold days...and here in VA we have these random days through out the week that are in the mid 50's that give us hope that spring and summer are right around the corner...then out of nowhere a high of 27 with a 90% chance of wintery mix comes along and crushes all those dreams. Damn VA and their inconsistent weather.

Who else is in the same boat as me...who is dreaming of white sand, blue waters, and a pina colada with a pink umbrella...

Favorite things Friday: Montevallo

No, I am not speaking a new language. Montevallo is the name of Sam Hunt's new album. If you don't know who Sam Hunt is then you are dead to me. Just Kidding!! This absolutely gorgeous, country-singing, rock star is relatively new to the scene but is definitely making a name for himself.

I am embarrassed to admit that this album was released back in October and I am just now falling in love with it.


From the moment I heard "Leave the Night On" - I knew I was in love. Not the kind of love I have for my main man Adam Levine, but the kind of love that just puts you in a good mood when you hear his voice. The kind of love that makes you instantly want to go for a run, take a cruise on a sunny day, or do some day drinking with your best buds..the kind of music that just instantly makes you happy.

Well people, Hunt's new album is fantastic!!! I love ALL the songs on this album and that like never, ever, ever happens. As cheesy as this is... they are also all songs I can relate too. Not in the Tay Swift fanatic way...like oh em gee I have been broken up with too..Taylor totally gets me...blah! I mean I can relate to the songs because they are all about growing up in a small country town, going through break ups, yes, but dealing with them not just crying about them, and most importantly Hunt sings about wanting to party..and people I can relate to that!

Some of my favorite's:

Take Your Time  - which is totally ironic because it's basically about how a guy just wants to hang with this girl he meets at a bar.  The song is insinuating that he doesn't want to be a boyfriend or anything serious, but he just wants to hang with her and keep things casual...this should seriously be like every bachelor's anthem.
   *Please boys do not think that girls want to hear this from you  it's the equivalent of asking to be friends with benefits..and that is not flattering at all.

Ex To See -  this song cracked me up when I first heard it, basically the guy catches the girl trying to flirt with him to make her ex jealous. He points out various "tactics" the girl uses to get the attention of her ex once he walks in. It's great... not only does he call her a rascal in the song, but then he turns it around and says he wants to play along.
   *also "I just want your ex to see" sounds a lot like " I just want your ecstasy" - I see what you did there Sam...

Raised On It - this song is what every country kid wants people to believe their life was like growing up..simple, fun, easy... most country kids did grow up like this or can completely relate to it. To me, it's a fun summer song that makes me want to drink beers by the river...good lord.. the little bit of country I have in me is showing...
   *side note..you MUST watch this video (see link in title) to see how absolutely, undeniably cute Sam Hunt is.

If these songs aren't enough to convince you to listen to this album..

just take a look at these.

Swoon..

Bright Cellars

Oh my gosh...Oh my gosh...STOP whatever you are doing and listen to me immediately!


So we all know I love wine...that is probably an understatement but whatever, well I recently came across a blog that had posted about Bright Cellars. Which is a wine box subscription... yes you read that right, there is a Wine God and it takes the form of two MIT grads who had this brilliant idea.



How It Works - they have a wine quiz on their website (yes, probably one of the only quizzes I will ever enjoy taking) and your answers to the quiz help determine your preferences of wine. They match wines with your answers/preferences and once a month they send you a box with four wines in it. You get to try them (that is my favorite part!!) then rate them. You can either like or dislike and they will keep that in mind when they send you next months. You can also skip months or cancel at any time...but seriously why would you?!  *Sidenote - you can refer a friend and each referral earns you a bonus bottle!

I of course took the quiz to see what I would get paired with. The four wines I got paired with all sounded absolutely divine and probably bottles I would have been too scared to buy or try!

Sign up now...your first month is 50% off.

Bonus they have a blog! They love wine and blogging...these sound like my people!

Cheers to good wine.

Sugar

Ladies and Gents you know I am a lover of all things Adam Levine...BUT I think I just fell in love with him even more.

Adam's...uhh...I mean Maroon 5's new music video Sugar...features the band crashing weddings all over L.A. and surprising the newlywed couples with a pop-up concert. I mean hello...if that is not a dream come true...I don't know what is?!





Just the look on some of these brides, grooms, and guests' face is enough to make my heart melt for this band all over again. See the video here.

Favorite moment...2:12...when Maroon 5 walks through the kitchen...the chefs face...

Not only is it an awesome song but now it has an even more fantastic music video to go with it. I mean we all know Adam is gorgeous, he works with a couple of great guys to create magnificent music, but now he crashing weddings to make the bride's day a little bit more special. There is no stopping him. Adam is God's gift to women.

Future Husband 

(If I cannot somehow marry Adam myself)

MAKE THIS HAPPEN AT OUR WEDDING. 

That is all.

"What... you want to go out again tonight??"

So...as sad as this is..I have realized I am not a young buck anymore. It is official, I am an old lady. It occurred to me a few weekends ago when I had gone out with my friends on a Friday night and casual drinks and dinner turned into a 2 AM drunkenfest...and when she called me on Saturday and asked when I was coming over to pre-game I was mind blown. We went out last night...what do you mean were going out again??

People it's just sad. I cannot rally. I ended up pulling a really lame excuse and watching episodes of New Girl until I passed out because JUST the thought of going out a second night in a row made me exhausted.

In college we drank every single night of the week...and at the very least we were going out three to four nights a week. Now you have to pay me to go out two nights in a row, it has to be a special occasion, or I won the lottery and buying drinks for errrbody. Since those things RARELY happen, one night a week is my max (and sometimes that is pushing it).

For all you young kiddos out there though, don't think this won't happen to you...it sneaks up on you too. I was the last person to see this coming and here is how it happens.

1. So you graduate college, you can still drink Four-Lokos, Natty Light, and shots of Burnettes vodka...so you do just that on the weekends. It is more depressing now since you are not in college but it's the only thing you know how to do.

2. You have graduated and gotten a job after college (hopefully). You find it absolutely exhausting to go out after you have just worked an 8 hour desk job so you start only going out on Friday/Saturday and the occasional Thursday happy hour with friends.

3. You realize your friend group has gotten A LOT smaller than it was in college mainly because you are becoming bitter about the real world and started hating things. Also because your friends are just as tired as you are during the week and everyone goes home and gets on their couch.

4. Then in a blink of an eye...a Friday night comes along and you aren't "just living for the weekend" you start living for a bottle of wine and a bag of popcorn on your couch..

5. You start to notice that an absurd amount of your friends are getting engaged/married/having babies and it makes you notice how SINGLE you are...so you are back at it...dressed to the nines and going out both nights of the weekend, trying to rally more friends to grab drinks after works, etc

6. You realize that you cannot drink like you use to and make the sweeping deceleration - at least once, if not twice -  a weekend that you are never drinking again..

7. You decide you need to try some new bars, you're over the ones you have been going to and these new bars will be the key to your success and happiness. You also start ordering better drinks, maybe you order fancier liquor, cocktails instead of a shot, or you switch to craft beer instead of your go-to budlight, etc

8. Since you have been trying new bars and more expensive drinks you are back to going out one night a week...it is too expensive now with the cab, drinks, late night food..

9. Your friends start either skipping out on going out at night because they are hanging out with their boyfriends/fiancees/significant others OR worse they want to bring them out with them. Girls night + the BF is NEVER a good idea...

10. You look around at the bar you are at and you feel like the oldest or ugliest one there...you realize how much you miss your pajamas, blanket, and dog at home...it's 12:30 AM and your feet are killing you and you actually take a seat at the bar..it's time for you to go home...you are old.

That, my friends, is the ten stages of going out in your 20's. Now I guess it is possible that this will not happen to everyone, some people age quicker or slower than others. However, if you are 26+ and you can still go out 2 nights in a row and not regret it...you need to teach a class cause the rest of us out there are dying.

Cheers to Netflix and red wine...

Favorite Things Friday: Fabletics

Welcome to Favorite Things Friday!

Since I started this blog I have mostly been writing about all the drama..or I guess lack there of in my life. Believe it or not, I love blogging and thought I would give back a little positive vibe to this blog. There is no doubt that I could complain forever on this blog about different things so I thought I would spice things up a bit with a new edition to the blog. So every Friday I will write, rant, rave, and/or review something in my life. It could be clothes, food, a new bar, a person, really anything that is my favorite!

To kick off  #FTF (yeah I created my own hashtag for this...) I thought I would share something with ya'll that has literally changed my life. It's called Fabletics. I can't recall how I first found out about it but it totally rocks!


Fabletics is an online store, that sells workout clothes. Not just any ol' workout clothes but Kate Hudson's athletic line. It's positively fabulous. They are stylish, affordable, comfy workout clothes. Because there is nothing more important when going to the gym then looking absolutely adorable..


So here is how it works, you take a quiz that asks you different questions about your "workout" routine. Are you doing more running or more yoga? That kind of stuff. So you finish the quiz and it actually puts outfits together for you that it suggests based on your workout level. I am talking pants, shirt, sports bra, and hair-tie. Talk about easy! If you like what you see you can sign up and create an account.

There is a special for you first outfit - which is how I got hooked! Your first outfit is 50% off so $25 for your complete first outfit! I don't know how many of you buy workout clothes but that is a STEAL.

Here is the coolest part of the whole thing, if you choose the VIP Membership (which of course I did) every month "Kate" sends you new outfits and recommendations based on what you have purchased in the past and what new styles have come out! You also get alerted about savings, fun perks, and free shipping on most outfits. So on the first of the month you get an email that shows you various options of the outfits that are new to the website. You can either pick an outfit they usually range from $50-$80 for the whole outfit or you can skip the month and not pay a dime! Every time you buy something you get reward points towards your next purchase! Literally in love with this idea.

I used to think it was annoying to buy workout clothes, like why can't I wear sweatpants and a t-shirt to the gym. Then I realized the better I look at the gym the harder I worked out..call me insane, because I probably am, but it changed my life. This website is wonderful cause I don't have to go try the clothes on, they save your sizes and you can even make notes about the outfits you buy..if something was too small or too large so they will remember it for next time. So ALL you have to do is find an outfit you like and buy it! Then when it comes, put it on, and look killer at the gym. Boom.

So I highly recommend it...and if you refer friends you get points..so if you are interested...let me know!!

"WITH FABLETICS, WE WANT TO CREATE A
COMMUNITY... A MOVEMENT, TO HELP YOU LIVE FIT
AND ACHIEVE YOUR PASSIONS IN LIFE."

#GodBlessKate

Being Powerful is like Being a Lady...

If you have to tell people you are, you aren't!


I have always loved that quote. These are two very important things I like to pride myself on, being powerful and being a lady but never ever having to flaunt it. Or prove it.

I used to be fascinated that people would always comment that I can be intimidating, boyfriends, co-workers, roommates - it was never ending, there is just something about you, you're intimidating. This is something that no young girl wants to hear, especially when I would hear rumors that a guy didn't ask me out because I was too intimidating. #ouch
but I have grown into this and have learned to embrace it.

While I was in college, I did nothing to help my image...get this, by senior year I was president of three organizations.  Running around campus in business suits, heels, with a portfolio in hand and not a second to spare did not make me a college kid..it made me someone on campus who had A LOT going on. While other kids strolled to the dining hall half hung-over, I was sitting in on board meetings, talking with the Dean of students, and planning my speech for the commencement ceremony.

Fast forward to present day...and you guessed it... I am still career driven and fascinated by my future career. I still give off this aura of no nonsense, all business attitude, when working on pretty much anything.

This attitude is fueled by the thought that there is a man out there who could be doing the same job I am but may make more than me because he is a man. No sir, I will work just as hard if not harder and I would like our salaries to reflect that. Well, ladies let me tell you something, men are drawn to competition but not when it comes to the workforce and not when it comes to the fact that their competitor is a woman. PSA...ladies do not try this at home either!

And from the Queen of Power..

I couldn't have said it better myself

At the end of the day..

it isn't something I am going to change though. 

It is who I am. 

I am powerful and I am a lady 

and those two things make me who I am.

Flat White...Presented By Starbucks

Flat White...who's heard of it?! It's the newest drink at Starbucks!

Thank goodness for The Huffington Post for filling me in on this new Starbucks treat. How can I call myself a basic if I don't even know the newest and most fabulous drink on the Starbucks 2015 Menu. Gah!

So this new drink that they unveiled...let's chat about it. It's an "espresso beverage" that comes from Australia and was popular in the early 1980's. The beverage is also popular in the UK.

Here's how it's made with two ristretto shots (which, for those of you that don't know, are two traditional short shots of espresso - which delivers a sweeter more intense flavor of coffee - clearly I had to research this), combined with a thin layer of velvety steamed whole milk and finished with a latte art dot - stop it, that is soooo Starbucks, a latte art dot - they are charging an extra $2.25 for that latte art dot. Puhlease.

Here is how one coffee drinker described the flavor of the Flat White: such silkiness, such balance of milk and espresso, such richness and flavor mixed together in a blend of smooth and velvety goodness 

whoa...

Now let me tell you what you all REALLY want to know..a grande Flat White with whole milk is 220 calories, but WHO is using whole milk, #skimmilkallday

Well folks, if you didn't already guess, OF COURSE I went out and got myself one. I am always so awkward at Starbucks...um can I please have the new Flat White..umm tall..no make that a grande..no maybe I only want a tall since I have never had it before..no what the hell give me the grande, I am a basic I will love it! Oh and I want skim milk not whole milk. And do I add a splenda to that? Or no? Nevermind, just make it the original way...thank goodness the Barista took over and basically told me just to get it the original way the whole milk makes it more frothy - yeah okay, who doesn't love froth..


Well luckily I dragged my work-friend, Annie along for the ride and she was there to help. She got the Flat White with skim milk and I got it the original way with whole milk....and the verdict...drum roll pleaseeee.....

I just paid $3.95 for a latte! Folks it tastes pretty much the same as a regular latte from Starbucks. I mean, yeah there is probably a stronger caffeine kick in this thing but after ALL the coffee and green tea that I drink caffeine is just like a flavoring to me.

I think I will continue to order my grande vanilla iced coffee 

with skim milk and a splenda, thanks anyway Flat White!

Joyless January

People... I hate January. I am sorry if it is your favorite month, or you have a birthday or an anniversary this month but it sucks! It is the worst month ever, the holidays are over, it's frickin cold outside, and the next holiday to look forward too is Valentine's Day...



I am in a serious funk about this too. I mean I know January is coming every year but somehow it sneaks up and there it is...ugly, cold, and seems to be never ending.



I know I complained about the holidays you know, being single, having to spend loads of money, and spending time with family that can just downright annoy you...but I want the holidays back. As bad as the hangovers can be during the holidays I will take that over the gloom that seems to come with January for me.

January is supposed to be a fresh start...kick off...new chapter kind of month. Although it feels that way for like..oh... a day...it then goes back to this gray cloud that hangs over your head - reminding you that you JUST made resolutions, there are like a zillion days left in the year, summer is closer than it was BUT still so far away, and you're pale (if anyone knows me, this is like the worst part of winter).

All I can do in January is plan trips I want to take with the money I don't have. #depression


I mean look around:
Everyone just started diets, so they are cranky. People just started going to the gym so they are sweaty and gross.
Some people just tried to kick a nasty habit and they are downright miserable to be around. Everyone is broke because they just spent a fortune during the holidays.

JANUARY IS THE WORST!


Does anyone else feel this way - how are you all shaking these winter blues?!

All I want to do right now is fast forward to summer so I can complain about how I am too fat to be in a bathing suit, how it's too hot out, and how I don't have enough money to go on vacation...is that too much to ask?!

Dog Photo's for Anthony..

So I don't know about you all but my Facebook news feed is BLOWING up with pictures of dogs...anyone else?

If it is, here's why. Anthony Lyons is a patient at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Anthony is undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Anthony returned to the hospital on January 2nd and will be there for a week undergoing treatment.

Well, apparently Anthony loves dogs! One of his mother's friends created this event on Facebook (to my knowledge it's not a real event, more of a central location) where you can post photos of your dogs to brighten Anthony's day!

You can find the Facebook Event  here - Doggies for Anthony

This event has gone pretty viral too, the Facebook event is posting updates every couple of days and as of yesterday the event made the local news station, see the link here. Look for it on National News soon!

Of course I already posted my photos of Bruce and shared the event on Facebook! I would like to ask all my readers...if you have not done so already to post a pic of your dog for Anthony! Some people have even posted pictures of their cats or other animals if they do not have a dog, to show support!

This teenager is going through something that no teenager should have to go through, let's show him that there is so much love and support out there for him.

From one dog lover to another...Anthony you are in the thoughts and prayers of millions.  I am posting several (sorry there are so many!!) of the puppy pictures I have from the fur-friends I have in my life. Enjoy and God Bless.

This was the first picture of Bruce I ever took

This was obviously...our first trip to PetSmart

Bruce snoozin for the first time in my apartment

Bruce, looking very handsome for the holidays

Here is Izzy, she is a 5 month old St. Berdoodle..

yes, you read that correctly, 

she is a mix between a St. Bernard and a  poodle..

as you can already tell she is going to be a big girl!

This is Sadie, she is actually my sister's dog. 

And that is Izzy again in the background, my mom's dog!

Bruce loves to shake hands

Izzy and Bruce playing with a 

new toy Bruce got for Christmas!

This is all three of our pups a dog park that we 

went to over the holidays. They all had a blast!

I hope these dogs bring a little joy to your heart as they have to our family. 

2015 Resolutions..

So it's day 2 of 2015...how many of you have already blown your New Year's resolutions.. or how many of you never made them, or even better how many of you just say "new year, new me" and hope that suffices as a resolution.



Isn't it funny how on New Year's Eve you actually sit back and reflect on your life..you kind of sum up 365 days into a few words...it was either, good, bad, terrible, awesome, the best year so far, or one that you are ready to be done with. Regardless it was a year of your life that has gotten you to where you are now...

So EVERYONE loves the idea of New Year's resolutions...fresh start, time to kick a habit, to do something to better yourself, time for a clean slate.

I try and make resolutions every year that are beneficial to my physical health, mental health, and general well being...sometimes I follow through with these and sometimes I don't...however, for the first 3 months of the year I work my ass off to keep up with my resolutions.

I also don't like sharing my resolutions with the world; I would rather keep them private. I heard a fun psychological fact one time...when you set a goal or you challenge yourself to do something, you shouldn't tell anyone because you actually get some satisfaction from just publicizing the fact that you have set a goal. For example if you tell people you want to lose ten pounds, people already start saying "good for you, you can totally do that" you are already being cheered on and in your head you can do it, no problem. However, if you don't tell anyone you have to work extra hard until someone says, "hey you look really good, have you lost weight?" that feeling right there motivates you to keep working out!

So after you cheers to a new year with a glass...or two...of champagne what did you want to be different about this year? Write it down, make a note, record your resolutions somewhere and check in on them every month...are you keeping up with them?

If you didn't make any resolutions this year either out of protest, laziness, or you forgot because you were too hung-over to even think...I have a few suggestions for you!

1. Pursue a passion...most of us are sitting at desks, pretending to do work or refreshing Facebook for the 10th time today. What are we waiting for...if you aren't doing something you love then why are you doing it? Now I am not saying quit your job, we don't need you to be homeless in 2015, but what I am saying is start figuring out what your passion is and how you can work towards that. Don't continuing doing what you feel like you need to do and start doing what you want to do!


2. TRY being healthy...I know this sounds terrible, but it is easy. A little bit is better than nothing. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, trying grabbing water instead of that coveted sweet tea, maybe only have 1 or 2 beers when going out with friends instead of the casual 5 or 6 (and definitely don't order a pizza at 2am  because it sounds like a good idea after a night out at the bars)...these little changes aren't going to change your life dramatically but they are a step in the right direction.


3. Stay in touch with your long distance friends...those friends who you were besties in college with but live like five thousand miles away from you and therefor you never catch up with them. Try calling them once a month or shooting them a text to "check in" with them. These little interactions will mean so much to them and will remind you why you are friends with these great people in the first place.

4. Start living in the moment...all this really means is PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN. This is something I wish society as a whole would do..I am notorious for this too so don't think I am judging. How many of you can go an entire dinner without touching your phone, how many of you update Facebook or post something on Instagram everyday, are your Snapchat stories longer than 2 minutes...well just stop! Don't we do these things just so other people will know that our lives are exciting...guess what...who cares?! If you are too busy enjoying your life to post it to Facebook then aren't you the one winning in that situation? So enjoy being around the people you are with, enjoy the moment and experience your emotions, don't capture them just to look back at them, live them and then share your experience when you get together with your friends.

5. Let the past be the past...its happened, it's in the past, learn from it, be better, and move on.

6. Don't settle. There is no reason to do this ever. Go after what you want and don't let anything get in your way. Whether it be a guy your interested in, a promotion, a pair of jeans you REALLY want to fit in, a yoga pose you have been trying to master for the past few weeks, or a trip you want to take. Don't give up. You CAN do it and you WILL do it.

I wish I could universally give a glass of champagne to everyone who reads this and cheers you at the end of it because there is NOTHING more satisfying then clinking a glass of champagne with someone!

Go forth and be the best that you can be, 2015 is your year; don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!

#newyearnewme