Amidst the chorus of Auld Lang Syne, it hits you: how do I want this year to be different? The usual suspects roll through your mind: to tone up and lose that last 10 pounds, to slow down and just enjoy life a little more. But how can you accomplish them all? Make your New Year’s resolutions feasible by breaking them down into small bits. Here are four mini makeovers for your life to start 2013 off with a bang:

Create a Peaceful Space

You begin and end every day in your bedroom, so make sure the decor is helping you to slow down and relax instead of winding you up. Revamp your bedding for maximum comfort, adding a plush mattress topper, luxe sheets and pillows. Get new decorative pillow shams and find a duvet cover at Macy’s that complements your decor. Choose a duvet set in soothing colors for some ultimate relaxation.

Fine-Tune Eating Habits

Skip the drastic dieting and instead focus on making small steps toward improving your eating habits over the next year. To increase your chances for long-term success, it’s best to ease into resolutions to maximize willpower.

Social psychologist Heidi Grant Halverson recently noted to Huffington Post, “willpower is like a muscle that grows with use, so you’ll find that as you’re doing it, it gets easier and easier– it becomes a new habit.”

Create list of healthy eating goals for each month to help guide you through the year. Some goals may include: View Post

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When it comes to creating a perfect gift for the fashionista in your life, DIYing them adds a unique and creative touch to the act of gifting. Nothings makes someone feel special than knowing that you took time and effort into creating a special present for them. But are you lost for ideas? Do not fret, the following are some of the best DIY projects you can make for the fashionistas in your lives.

Feather Accessories

Custom Made Feather Earrings Very Beautiful

Feathers are a wonderful addition to any fashionista’s jewelry, and feather flowers are beautiful and easy to create. All you need is a bobby pin with a glue pad, exotic feathers (pheasant or peacock are great choices), 2 penny-sized circles of suede or felt in a color of your choice, and a sturdy, clear drying glue. Simply place glue on the felt or suede piece and place the colorful feathers in a circular design until you have a full circle. Then glue in place the second suede or felt circle and allow to dry. Place the feather flower on the bobby pin’s glue pad and voila- feather flower that is bohemian chic. These feather flowers are also great as brooches- simple replace the bobby pin with a plain brooch backing for an accessory to wear with clothing.

Hats

Hats are also fun to make, using scrap pieces of yarn that you have lying around for a chic and fun appeal. Simply tie together all pieces of yarn you have, varying the colors and textures, and allow an inch of the tied ends to be exposed. As you knit the hats, the pieces of yarn tied together will stick out, creating a look of homemade whimsy, and the blend of textures and colors will create a fashion statement.

Handbags

Shierly's Buri

Handbags made with recycled bags create a green fashion statement that any fashionista will love. Simply shred into one inch thick pieces a variety of plastic bags, including bread bags, grocery bags, and even garbage bags, and tie them in a long strand to create a sturdy and adorable handbag knitted by hand. This unique bag is attractive and earth-friendly as well for anyone with an earth-conscious side.

Dye-ing!

Dyed shirts can be a creative gift for any fashion-loving diva as well, and the process doesn’t have to be hard. Simply take any material that is 100% cotton in any color that you choose (be sure it isn’t pre-washed or pre-shrunk) and tie it around any plain white t-shirt in the washer. Wash in a small extra hot cycle, and the colors will bleed together to create a beautiful shirt that is one-of-a-kind and incredibly easy to design.

Headbands

Headbands can be easily decorated to create a chic look that any fashionista will love. Beads and feathers create a whimsical style on any headband, and when glued to a one inch thick strip of suede or felt, are easy to make as well. Simply place clear drying glue on a strip of suede or felt, adhere feathers and beads to the strip in a design of your choosing, and allow the piece to dry. When dry, glue to one end of the headband for a head-turning look that is stunning without being overpowering.

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Loren Stacks is a booklover, music-lover and a freelance writer for companies like SecureYourTrademark.Com.

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In preparation for baby #2 and raising a toddler son, I have miraculously been able to carve out some workout time, so when the folks over at pvBody asked if I would showcase their workout gear to my fellow moms, I jumped at the chance. 

pv.Body is an active-wear company that provides you with high quality fitness apparel for a fraction of the price.  Which means you get a top and bottom for ONLY $49.95 (continue reading to find out how to get a 20% off discount).


Great savings..check…now the real test…what’s the quality like?? View Post

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One thing I really miss when I am pregnant is that delicious glass of wine I used to enjoy at the end of the day when the kid was asleep and I was ready to relax with my husband.  In a few short weeks I will once again be able to hear the sound of wine being poured into my glass.  The question is which wine should I choose as my first post baby wine?  Well the Bordeaux Wine Council has just released the Today’s Bordeaux selection webpage.  If you are curious as to what constitutes a Bordeaux here is your answer: these wines come out of the Bordeaux wine region which is located in the southwest of France near the Atlantic coast.  This page lets you quickly choose from 100 wines that will fit your situation perfectly.  Have a house warming party, a family dinner, a nite hanging with friend?  Well Today’s Bordeaux gives you selections that range in price from $9-$35 and includes red, white, rose, and sweet wines that will appeal to any taste.

Now I have to go on a mission and pick out the one that appeals to a soon two be mother of two that will need a little something to celebrate and relax all at the same time.  I don’t think I will have a problem finding a bottle or two that is just right!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT-SzfcFSAo[/youtube]

 

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I am proud to share that I am this week’s feature on The Niche Mommy. Read about my dream job, what’s on my bucket list and what three people I would love to have dinner with.

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