In The Pursuit of Happiness: Mandy's story

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I started grad school this past August, and I went from having a stable, balanced, kind of boring life to OMG, IT'S ALL TOO MUCH CRAZY! Apparently, being a full-time student plus working 30 hours a week at two jobs AND still wanting to have some sort of social life is a lot. Who would've guessed?

So, how can you still have moments of happiness and fun when you have a kabillion other things you could be doing? Here's a few ways I add the happy into my packed schedule...
 Schedule in the happyI know, it sounds like a sad, crazy-person move to have to actually write having a good time into your planner, but it really makes a difference. On the days when I have a ton of stuff to do, I like having an hour, a half hour, or even 15 minutes blocked off in my schedule for doing something that is just about me. At 3:15, I'm going to read that Glamour magazine I've had lying around for two weeks for 20 minutes. At 8:30 pm, I'm going to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies and watch the new episode of 30 Rock. If it's written down, I'm much more likely to actually take the time for myself. MultitaskI try to work out 5-6 times per week for my health. I try to make that time not a chore, but my happy time. How? I make sure I do things I love while I work out! I love to dance, so I go to Zumba about three times per week. Long runs mean I get time to listen to awesome podcasts or music. Even if I'm just hanging out on the elliptical machine, I can watch guilty pleasure TV shows on Netflix Instant on my phone. Plus, exercise really does get all those endorphins pumping and helps me to handle anxiety, so it is a key part of my happiness! Know what makes you super duper, really and truly happy and do THATSometimes I feel like it's a good idea to take a break from school work and peruse Pinterest. Don't get me wrong, I love Pinterest, but it isn't nearly as fulfilling as other things that make me happy. So, when I'm done, I feel guilty for wasting time and not getting anything productive done. If I'm going to take a break from my work, I'm going to do something that makes me really, really, blissfully happy. I'll get ice cream with a friend or go for a swim on a hot day or read a few chapters of a great book. I always feel much more fulfilled after doing those things rather than when I'm just messing around. If all else fails, know when to take a deep breath and hit the reboot buttonSometimes a hot shower and a good night's sleep is what you need to get happy again. Give yourself a break. You're OK. It'll all be OK. Now get some sleep.What are your suggestions of ways to keep happiness in your life when you're so busy you barely have time to breathe? I'd love to hear them! --By Mandy from Oh Dizzle P.S. How do you pursue your happiness, friends? I'd love to hear your story, so feel free to send them to mellow1422 (at) aol (dot) com!

What are your favorite fairytales?

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Confession: I love fairytales (except Peter Pan...). Well, maybe this isn't so much a confession as it is a reaffirmation, which usually comes around this time every year. We greeted waves and waves of trick-or-treaters last night as they scoured our neighborhood in the hopes of filling up their bags and buckets with sugary treats. There were policemen and little ones sitting timidly on their father's shoulders. And of course, there were princesses in pink, puffy dresses. Some even carried magic wands, too. I got to thinking about where our love of fairytales begins -- how early? Why? What lessons do they offer? A few years ago, I interviewed Theresa Rose, author of Opening the Kimono: A Woman’s Intimate Journey Through Life’s Biggest Challenges, on this very subject and thought it would be fun to dive into the world of fairytales today, friends...
Why have these fairytales transcended time and remained relevant even in 2009?
Despite how totally unrealistic and even harmful these stories are, little girls (and big girls) everywhere are drawn to them like moths to a flame. There is something so appealing about imagining oneself as the prettiest, most sought-after girl in the room. We get to wear fancy clothes, have men fight dragons for us and essentially have no responsibility whatsoever for our own happiness. When shown through that prism, becoming Snow White sounds pretty good to me too. It's the same base desire that had women flocking to the theaters to see Sex and the City.

How can women use these stories to benefit their own lives?
I believe the biggest benefit from these stories is to show women where they learned patterns of victim hood and unreasonable fixations on appearance. Women should look at challenges in their lives and ask, "What Wouldn't Snow White Do?" We can be our own heroes instead of waiting for a man to save us. Although, I must admit that Cinderella reminds us of the power of wearing a killer pair of heels.

Who are the best heroines and why?
The best fairytale heroines are Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Fiona from the Shrek series. Belle taught us that reading is cool, and what is on the inside of someone is more important than what's on the outside. Fiona taught us that you can get the love of your dreams and still have terrible skin, a barrel for a belly, a bulbous nose and freaky ears. She is responsible for her happiness, sticks up to her man when called for and chooses her own destiny over what other people think. Fiona ROCKS!What's your favorite fairytale, friends? Which ones did you love reading as a child and why? What lessons did you learn from them? Do these lessons still hold true in adulthood? xoxo
P.S. And I love what Los Angeles-based therapist Dr. Nancy Irwin had to say: The Prince may not be on a white horse; he may drive a Ford pick-up.” :)

[Photos via We Heart It]

Fashion Friday: Taylor Swift's style

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Did you buy Taylor Swift's new album Red, friends? It sold a whopping 1.2 million copies in its first week, and what I love almost as much as the new tunes is Taylor's new style. I love how she's reinvented her look with this album.I'm loving the vintage throwback to the 1950's world of red lips and long, floral dresses? Bravo, Taylor! xoxo
 [Top photos from Taylor's album shoot; bottom photos via PEOPLE]

Have a fun weekend

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Happy Friday, friends! Do you have any plans for the weekend? We're having lunch with some family friends tomorrow at an awesome restaurant that serves breakfast all day. The pancakes are fluffy and delicious! I hope you all have a fun weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web... Famous authors' ailments.
The true dark side.

Classic movies re-imagined as vintage paperback covers.

Now you can get the ombre look yourself.

Cuteness overload.

Oh, yes, these blankets look perfect for winter.

The worst passwords of 2012.

Beautiful rainbows arched over New York City following Hurricane Sandy.

How cool is this Rice Krispies wedding cake?

One woman's health-insurance battle.

Amazing tattoos inspired by...children's books.

A 10-year-old wrote this sweet letter to President Obama.

How-to: Braided half updo.

Oh, man, 11 fictional characters you wish you could be.

How would you tell the world you're having a baby?

Found: The perfect moon pinata.

Here are 6 ways you can help with hurricane relief.

I want this ring.

Ha!

Bright pink is most definitely my color.

Weird News of the Week: Someone is trying to auction off Earth!

Plus, five cool Pinterest finds...
*LOVE pillow.
*I want to frame this print above my bed.
*Glitter pumpkins.
*What a festive staircase.
*Aww, cute baby feet.

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photo via bippity boppity boo]

Personalized Holiday Gifts All Year

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Keep up with the holidays all year long!  No matter what time of the year it is, there is always another present waiting to be personalized.  Christmas, Hanukkah, Halloween and Thanksgiving means gift ideas, decorations and awesome family recipes.  Don't forget about birthday presents, anniversary gifts and retirement time for co-workers, family and friends.  Stay updated with Bonfire Designs on Facebook for the coolest new gift ideas and discount specials throughout the year.

Personalized Gifts For Holidays and Special Occasions Bonfire Designs

The Great Halloween Link Up Features [part 2]

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  check out today's fun features!!   Mummy Wreath by My Creative Outlet |  Creepy Candle Jars by Homespun with Love | Dollar Store Skull Pedestals by That's What {Che} Said...



We've Been Booed by K Customables | No Bones About It Printable by Detail-Oriented Diva |  Free Halloween Sign and Tags by The Creativity Exchange | 24 Halloween Lunchbox Notes by It's Written on the Wall



Marshmallow Ghost Treats by Pink Cake Plate via See Vanessa Craft |  Monster Mash by Natural Girl Diary | Frankenstein & His Bride Fruit Snack by Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons | Ding Dong Draculas by Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons



Rosette Pumpkin Pillow by Girl Loves Glam | Orange Tulle Wreath by She's Crafty


You can still Link Up your projects HERE!
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Love Lounge: Let's talk fear (and my HuffPost Live video)

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So, friends, remember last week when I mentioned that something very special happened to me? Well, it was something that was both exciting and terror-inducing. It was both fun and stressful. And it made me feel both empowered and vulnerable.

Last Thursday, I got an email from an associate producer of HuffPost Live, The Huffington Post's new video news network. They feature 20-minute round-table discussions of all sorts of contemporary issues, from health to technology to pop culture. After coming across one of my Psychology Today posts, they asked if I'd like to participate in a segment that night on fear.

After I got over the initial fear (ironic, isn't it...?), I realized this as a wonderful opportunity to talk honestly about something we all struggle with and work so hard to overcome. One interesting topic that came up during the panel discussion was the evolutionary perspective on fear and how some things we're afraid of may have been passed down to us from our ancestors. Fascinating!

You can watch the video above, and I'd love to know, friends: What's your own experience with fear? Are you a generally fearful person? Do you have irrational fears? How do you cope with them? Let's chat! xoxo