Go
on an adventure
The best time to start planning your next trip is the end of the year, when your family is
all together during the holidays, says Eric Hrubant, president of CIRE Travel . Just be sure to
focus on the kind of vacation you all want, not the destination. Discuss what
activities you'd like to do, figure out what kind of accommodations everyone
wants, and discuss the general vibe you're all going for - then pick the place
that ticks off as many boxes as possible. Once you have that done, start
booking flights and hotel rooms. Whatever you book first, "Do it in a
refundable manner," Hrubant recommends. Once you have that squared away,
keep an eye out for deals on the portions of your itinerary you have yet to
book. "It's cheaper that way," says Hrubant.
Save for a rainy day
If you want to start saving
money but have no idea where to start, don't freak out. There are a ton of
financial apps that make saving money foolproof. Farnoosh Torabi, a personal
finance expert and host of the podcast So Money , says apps like Digit keep track of where your money goes, then, based on that
information, send you a text recommending you put away a certain amount every
week. "People love it because it takes the accountability away from you
and has someone else do it for you," Torabi says. "Who can argue with
saving $4, $6, or 89 cents? At the end of the month you could have $100 that
you wouldn't have saved on your own." If you're not into the idea of an
app, Torabi suggests asking a friend to help keep you on track the next time
you're contemplating another Starbucks break. (Think of her sort of like a
workout buddy for your wallet.)
Learn a fashion blogger trick
How do they look so polished
all the time? In large part, by layering, testing out different lengths and
ways of finishing outfits. “Try a flowy top with a slim pant or legging, or add
a pop of color by wearing a long, bright top underneath another,” says celeb
stylist and Style Is Instinct author Lori Goldstein.
“Pairing a sweater with a top peeking out below has a casual vibe, while adding
a shorter jacket or scarf makes the look slightly dressier.” And updating your
style doesn’t mean a brand-new, totally not-in-the-budget wardrobe. Spend a few
hours trying on pieces you might not normally choose and take pictures from a
few different angles. “Don’t feel pressure to add too much at once. Go one
piece at a time. And style is about instinct, so trust yours,” adds Goldstein.
Color-code your bookshelves
Even if you’re all about
downloading books to your e-reader or tablet, chances are you’ve collected
loads of hardcovers and paperbacks over the years. Having them scattered
throughout the house isn’t exactly contributing to your decor - but it can.
“Organizing your books by color makes a great design statement and adds pop to
any room,” says TV personality and interior decorator Cortney Novogratz . “You can reorganize an entire bookshelf in an
hour, make it a game for your kids, and the results will be stunning. It’s
basically transforming everyday clutter into art.” Well, that was easier than
claiming you’d redecorate sometime this year, wasn’t it?
Adopt this dinner formula
Yes, cooking at home is
healthier, less expensive, oh, and can feel like a major burden. Sunday brunch
is one thing, but after a long Tuesday, the idea of spending two hours in the
kitchen whipping up something your whole family will enjoy can be more daunting
than relaxing. That’s why culinary nutritionist and Weeknight Wonders author Ellie Krieger’s
one-two-three approach is so brilliant. She’s discovered that an
under-30-minute meal requires three things: a quick-cooking or no-cook protein
like shrimp, a can of beans, or a chicken breast; a quick-cooking whole grain
like quinoa (it takes half as long to make as brown rice does) or bulgur; and
zero-effort vegetables, such as pre-washed spinach you can throw in a pan
without slicing.
Add this daily for always-healthy
hair
Sure, it’d be good for your
hair to lay off the blow-dryer, but if it’s what makes you feel put-together in
the morning, that’s just not going to happen. Instead, vow to coat your hair in
a heat protectant before drying or ironing it, says celebrity stylist Larry Sims , who recommends Smooth ‘n Shine Diamond Luster Glistening
Conditioning Gel ($3.99), a product made without alcohol, grease, or wax
that also helps fight frizz. “If you don’t use a heat protectant, you risk
internally damaging hair follicles and causing harm from the inside out,” says
Sims. “Over time, you’ll have to cut off hair because strands will fray or
break.” In a pinch without a heat protectant on hand? Leave-in conditioner can
do the trick. And before you turn on the tools, let your hair air-dry as much
as possible, and consider investing in a flat iron with ceramic plates, which
do a bit less damage.
Talk positively
Of course you appreciate all
the things he does for you, but that message is easily lost in the daily
squabbles about packing lunches and astronomical electric bills. So starting right
now, find one positive thing about your hubby each day - whether it’s that he
turns on the coffeepot in the morning, is a good listener, or takes care of
locking the doors at night - and relate it to him. “The important thing is that
you do it on a daily basis so that the heart and the mind start to understand
the message,” says Barton Goldsmith, author of The Happy Couple . “You have to reassure your partner,
and that’s a lot harder than getting unassured. No two people can live together
without bumping heads, but this is a tool to reinforce your connection and
foundation.”
Identify your trigger food
Is it cheese? Ice cream? Peanut
butter? Instead of resolving to eat healthy, work to pinpoint the food that
derails your good intentions by digging into why it holds such significance,
says Tosca Reno, author of The Start Here Diet . “People generally think
that foods are good or bad, but once you understand the emotional attachment
you have to something, you can program other behaviors in.” If you’re convinced
you’re going to eat a box of Girl Scout cookies, resolve to go for a walk
around the block or write down what’s behind your craving, then revisit it.
“Once you identify a trigger, you’ve begun taking control of your food choices
in general and can learn to eat that food in moderation. It’s not so scary
anymore.”
Integrate sunscreen into your daily
routine
If it feels heavy, oily, or
like you’re putting a film on your face, you’re not going to load up on SPF.
But new formulas that easily fit into your morning makeup routine make it
easier than ever to protect yourself from the sun, which, yes, you should be
doing even if it’s winter, and regardless of whether the only time you spend
outdoors is walking from the parking lot to your cubicle. “You slow down aging,
minimize freckling and discoloration, and, by keeping your skin looking young
and healthy, you ultimately end up needing to wear less foundation and
concealer,” says celebrity makeup artist Troy Surratt. He’s a fan of Chanel’s UV Essential line ($55), Supergoop Sunscreen Wipes ($12.39), and Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen
($10.49) in addition to the SPF-loaded BB creams and tinted moisturizers out
there. “If you’re worried about sensitivity to sunscreen, use an exfoliating
brush at night, especially if you choose a long-wear product, which can
sometimes clog pores and cause breakouts,” he adds.
Cut down on junk mail once and for
all
We’ve just come off the holiday
season, which means that in addition to the usual glut of catalogs and bills,
you’ve likely received solicitations from hoards of worthwhile charities, all
of which you can’t possible support. Don’t let it happen again next year, says
professional organizer Barbara Reich , who encourages everyone to join the Direct Marketing Association’s registry ($5 fee), which removes
you from mailing lists in one fell swoop. “These piles of mail take up loads of
space, and take time and energy to go through,” she says. “When it piles up, it
becomes stressful and overwhelming, and can feel nonstop. Getting rid of junk
mail is the resolution anyone can keep.” Bonus points for helping the
environment while you’re at it.
Give up just one thing
Consider this your official
permission to do less - and ditch the guilt about it. After all, the added
stress isn’t helping your health, your relationships, or your many commitments.
“Take an evaluation of the four categories of your life - professional, family,
personal, and fun - and how much time is allotted to each,” says Dr. Lawana Gladney , an emotional wellness doctor. “If things are
out of balance, take control by giving up a volunteer position, an extra
project you agreed to manage at work, or a social group of which you’re a
part.” Afraid of upsetting someone? It’s all about being honest. Everyone knows
what it feels like to push themselves to a breaking point, and once they
understand that’s where you’re at, they’ll likely respect your authenticity and
self-understanding. “A single change can make all the difference,” adds
Gladney.
Build your personal brand
When you hear “tissue,” you
think Kleenex. When you need lip balm, ChapStick comes to mind. Wouldn’t it be
great if people made a similar automatic association at the mention of your
name? “This year, taking your professional life into the digital world is going
to be essential,” says LinkedIn career expert Nicole Williams . Whereas not so long ago it was about keeping
inappropriate things off the Web, now it’s become about strategically
positioning yourself so that employers can see you’re qualified, actively
engaged, and knowledgeable. If you’re a creator, put together an online
portfolio. If you work in an office setting, make sure your LinkedIn profile is
up to date. Contact reporters or news outlets and offer to be a source in your
field - it’s impressive when a search of your name shows that. None of this
replaces face-to-face relationships, but ideally, the two should supplement
each other. “Your in-person relationship-building is going to grow
exponentially by what you do digitally, and vice versa,” says Williams.
Establish a goal-focused fitness
routine
Worried about that jiggly
underarm fat that seems to pooch out under every tight-strapped tank? Think
your butt could be higher up? Instead of telling yourself that you must work on
all these things to look your best, assign each a day of the week, a time
period - say, three months - and give it your all. “I believe in an allover
workout, but when people have a specific body part to work on, it gives them
purpose,” says Dolvett Quince, The Biggest Loser trainer and author of The 3-1-2-1 Diet . “The specificity of it is
motivating and allows you to be more successful.” So if Monday is arm day, do a
circuit with a resistance band, a short bout of cardio, another arm circuit,
and some more cardio. The combination will you have you saying, “What jiggle?”
Talk technology as a family
Kids need rules, but the new
school of thinking is that parents are much more successful when they decide
upon policies with their children as opposed to instigating them, no questions
asked. Nowhere is this more true than with screen-time limits, something with
which pretty much every parent is struggling. “Sit down with your kids and
realize that while they aren’t your equals, they have great insight,” says
Melinda Blau, author of Family Whispering . “Admit what’s hard for you,
like signing offline when you come from the office, because they can see what
you’re doing just as you can see what they’re doing. The result should be a
rule that everyone follows.” That could be designating 7 to 8 p.m. as tech-free
family time each night, or ruling no gadgets in the bedroom. Whatever it is,
the key is to be genuinely open and share feelings so that the whole group is
on board and invested in whatever you decide.
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