Tis the season…

…to be stressed out. With only two full weeks left before christmas, and for most of us a week of finals before then, some of us may be feeling quite stressed. I know I am certainly feeling the strain of the season. And it is perfectly normal, I mean we have to find presents for all of our loved ones, find the money to buy said presents, go out into the cold, find ugly sweaters to wear, bake an unnecessary amount, go to holiday parties (which means interacting with people, which is a completely different level of stress), we gain weight from relentless party going and so must also find ways to get some exercise and find our stretchy pants, then for those of us still in school we have to cram in all that makeup homework we did not want to do earlier, study, study, and study, and then finally attempt to ace our finals. I would say that we all deserve a break (which is coming soon, just hold on!). But I am here to tell you that you do not need to wait two weeks to take that well deserved break. You can do it right now. Of course, you cannot take a full blown vacation break where you sleep for three days straight and then jump on a plane for Hawaii. I mean, a short mini respite right now.  I would like to share with all of you my great stress relieving tips.

Paint your nails. I often find that while studying for a test, my mind gets so befuddled and confused that I just cannot focus any more. So, I paint my nails. This allows you to focus on one thing for a couple of minutes and takes your mind off of the test. My dad also says that you inhale toxic fumes, which I bet help clear your mind too, just maybe not in a good way—so make sure to open up a window while doing so. By painting your nails you are doing something for yourself and it makes you feel pretty, and feeling pretty will make you fell happy (unless you don't like beautiful things) and therefore you will be able to return to your studying in a joyful manner.

Bake Something Yummy and easy. During this fine time of year, I often come home from school and before throwing myself into homework, I will do a small baking project. This gives me a nice break between school and more school (just at home…) and also really gets me into the holiday spirit. I then get excited about the holidays and all that they entail and so I am more motivated to power through. But I don't do anything too complicated because that just stresses me out more (like candy, don't make candy when distracted or stressed). Here is the recipe to my amazing short bread cookies.

1 c. butter (1/2 lb)

2 c. flour

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

a little bit of water

mix until very smooth. Then roll out and cut into pretty shapes (like christmas trees, bells, or hearts).  Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 325°F for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are slightly golden. Then eat 1 or 2 (or 5, it is the holidays, enjoy yourself!) and then pack them up and take them to your friends at school or work tomorrow.

Exercise for 20-30 minutes "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't. " Well maybe you weren't going to kill anyone, but exercising will make you happy and put you in a better mood to attack the pile of work you have to do. Also, it gives you a chance to work off some of those short bread cookies. Here is what I like to do in between homework sets:

1 minute jumping jacks

1 minute high knees

5 minute abs (1 minute each of: crunches, side crunches, straight leg crunches, obliques, and roll ups)

5 minute butt (1 minute each of: donkey kicks left, donkey kicks right, hip bridge, leg extensions, froggy flute lifts)

5 minutes arms (30 seconds each arm of: bicep curls, trice extension, overhead press and 1 minute of: trice dips and half push-ups)

1 minute jumping jacks

1 minute mountain climbers

1 minute or more stretching

Plan out your outfit for tomorrow I don't know about you, but clothes always calm me down. I take 15 minutes every night to plan out what I will wear the next day. It gives you a chance to take a break from stress and feel very put together (which always helps in these busy times). Then, tomorrow, you will look put together even though you might have just rolled out of bed! Here are some of my favorite winter time outfits and clothing pieces (stolen from Pinterest because I haven't had time to take my own pictures recently):

sorrels are amazing. I practically wore this today, too bad it won't snow

I really want this for holiday parties…

I hope you take my advice and take a little break from stress and take care of yourself. Just remember, this is supposed to be a time of joy and peace, not a time of stress and freak outs.

Go forth my young grass hoppers
Mae

Here is a quote from my favorite christmas book to remind you what christmas time is about:

“There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,' returned the nephew. 'Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that- as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!”

― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Anna Karenina

Last night I was granted the opportunity to see a special preview screening of the new movie of Anna Karenina (directed by Joe Wright). For those of you who do not know, Anna Karenina is a book written by Leo Tolstoy that takes place in Imperial Russia in 1874. I have got to say, it was probably the most amazing movie I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of movies. This is not because the acting was particularly outstanding, or the plot incredibly original, but because of the beauty of the film. The set was absolutely amazing, it looked as if the entire movie was set inside a theatre house and every room was a different part of Russia. Being the nerdy child I am, I of course explicated every aspect of the movie, and to me this represented the idea of "life is but a stage". The way that the actors moved was absolutely incredible. Everything was made to look like a choreographed dance--just beautiful. And then, of course, the costumes. Designed by Jacqueline Durran--who also did Pride & Prejudice and Atonement (obviously she has a connection with Keira Knightly)--everything was absolutely exquisite. I don't even know how to explain the beauty of those clothes. I just wanted to jump right into the movie and wear those ball gowns, fur coats, beautiful hats, and even the nightgowns! Because my words cannot even begin to adequately describe the beauty of it all, I have provided you with pictures from the move, mostly of Keira Knightly. Just until you can go see the movie (which comes out on November 16th), which I highly recommend to all of you!

Now, have a nice day and week. Then on Friday go see this movie, Anna Karenina

(I should get paid for writing this review)

xoxo

Mae

Hey Gorgeous.

"You look gorgeous". This three word sentence just brightened up my entire day. I have been having a really dreadful week. I have been sick, grumpy, stressed, and sad. But this afternoon while sitting in my favorite coffee shop/deli place The Market (if you live in/around Denver it is on Larimer St. and is absolutely amazing! You should go there) one of the baristas, Allan, walked by me and said, "you look gorgeous". It was like a dark cloud that had enveloped me just dissipated. My entire countenance brightened. I am no longer grumpy and sad, well not very, and I actually feel like I can get through the rest of this week. And that is what I call the power of words. More importantly, the power of kind words--of compliments.
I would like to now share my views on the power of compliments. First shall we understand what a compliment is?

com·pli·ment

   [n. kom-pluh-muhnt; v. kom-pluh-ment] 

noun

1.

an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration: Asincere compliment boosts one's morale.

2.

a formal act or expression of civility, respect, or regard:The mayor paid him the compliment of escorting him.

3.

compliments, a courteous greeting; good wishes; regards:He sends you his compliments.

4.

Archaic . a gift; present.

There are two types of compliments I would like us to understand:

1. Verbal compliments (see definition 1 above). This is like saying to someone "I love your shoes" or "you are beautiful" or, if there is nothing exceptional about their looks, "You are so nice,  I love you."  Or if their cooking is great something like “It's been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable.” (Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice)
2. Non Verbal Compliments (definition 2 above). This is just the act of doing something nice in recognition of another. This could be smiling at someone, opening a door, pulling out a chair, or, if you happen to be at a ball and are a male, it could be asking the only girl sitting out to dance, (or if you want an actually feasible example, asking someone to join in your group who you would not normally talk to). These are important because it says to the other person, and the world, that you actually care about others and not just yourself. You may not actually be saying anything nice about the other person, but just the fact that you took time to acknowledge them says something.

Now, why do I think compliments are important? Well that is easy. They are good. What? I mean, there is nothing bad about giving a compliment (unless it is sarcastically given, then it is bad). With just a simple word or a smile you can make another person's day change completely, and for the better. You have no idea what other people are feeling, unless of course you can read minds in which case please share you power with me, so why not pretend everyone is really sad and try to cheer them all up. If they are actually sad, you paying them a compliment may make their day 500% better, and if they are already happy it will just make them even happier because there is not limit to the amount of happy your body can hold (scientific fact). Not only will you brighten up the world around you, but there is in fact a selfish gain too! You may not think it, but by making others happy you too will get happy. If you are in a bad mood, and you make the attempt to smile at everyone you walk by, your mood will get better. If you don't believe me, try it. So isn't this just like a win win situation? It's kind of like drugs. Except good for you and everyone gets happy instead of kills brain cells.

And a side note. On accepting compliments. Never ever ever should you disagree with a compliment. For example, some says to you "you look beautiful today", never ever ever do you reply with "no i don't." THAT IS JUST WRONG! BAD! Even if you don't actually look very good, always reply with "thank you" and then maybe return with a compliment. There does exist one exception. If you are very witty and come up with a very funny reply, you may say that in lieu of "thank you" but only if it is VERY funny and if you know the person.

Also, don't fish for compliments. People will know what you are doing and it just annoys them.

Alright, now I have a challenge. I challenge you, all of you, to give at least 20 compliments to 20 different people a day for the next week. See how much it changes your attitude and watch how much it can cheer up others around you. I see too many scowling faces on the streets now a days. No one smiles anymore, I mean seriously I know the times are hard right now, but is it really affecting your face muscles that much? Just smile for heavens sake!!

My sister and I took this challenge about 2 years ago and now I give countless compliments every day without even noticing it.

Good luck. 

And remember, You are beautiful, and kind, and smart, and are an excellent cook (pick one of these compliments to be you.)

Mae

Its All About the Wrapping.

Have you ever gone down the stairs on Christmas or on your birthday (or any other day with presents involved) and seen that one present that is so beautifully wrapped that you don't even care what is inside, you just want to stare at it? You feel as if it must be the most fabulous gift in the world because why else would someone put that much effort in making it look so fantastic. If you don't know what feeling I am talking about, I suggest you have a chat with your parents and ask them why you didn't have a fulfilled childhood. Well, for those of that do know what I am talking about, this is what I think: you, and I and everyone, are like a present. We are all gifts. But do you want to be a crappily wrapped in 5 seconds present? No! No you do not. You want to be the present that is so incredibly wrapped that you shine above the rest.
What I mean, is that I believe we should all dress in a way that people want to look at and pay attention to us (and when I say "look at" I do not mean goggle at, but in a good way). Here is my example and maybe it will make more sense. We all know that in giving a presentation (notice the word present is in that word?) we are often required, or choose, to dress up--at least at school. but why? It is because the people we are presenting in front of may or may not actually pay attention to a single thing we say, but if we are dressed nicely they are more likely to look at us, and if they are looking they will maybe pay attention and if they pay attention there is a chance they may actually retain something you say! And isn't that the whole reason behind presenting?
Just like the presents under the tree, if you dressed in a way that stands out from the rest, people will see you first and pay attention to you the most--generally speaking.

Today I had a presentation in my Theory of Knowledge class (a very ummm.... interesting class) and this is what I wore.

Green Dress borrowed from my friend, I don't actually know where it is from.
Black pumps by Paprika from Bunny's Shoes in Santa Cruz

My new classes, from Coach, yes they are in fact real (I am practically blind)

I think that when it comes to being a good present and having beautiful wrapping it all depends on the day (just like Christmas versus Birthday, you don't use the same all the time, unless of course your birthday is on Christmas). Since today was a presentation day I went for the professional look. So, I stuck to two colors, black and green. I suggest always doing a neutral and one accent color when trying to look professional. Of course I wore panty hose, because that is just classy--I mean Kate Middleton does it! so should everyone else. I would not wear this on a normal day, but I think for being a presentor I at least attempted to captivate my audience's attention by wrapping my self in a presentable way. 

Try it

Give it a go

see if people pay attention or look at you more if you just dress a little more like a present.

If this made any sense to you, I am so proud. You successfully have decoded the strangeness of how my mind works. Congratulations! I am still trying to work it out.


I love you all, even though I probably don't actually know you and if I do well then...
Bye
Mae

Staying on neutral grounds

The past few weeks have been crazy in my life. There is just so much to do and so little time. Wouldn't it be great if we just had like 2 more hours in a day? Well, any way, because I have been o incredibly stressed, I have been trying to find things to keep me steady. To neutralize me. To me this is doing yoga, running, and baking. And of course thinking about clothes. So today, I extended this and wore an outfit of neutrality.