10 Tips on How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

So, we've survived the "end of the world" that was supposed to happen on December 21, 2012. This means that we now have another year to look forward to! YAY! :)

I want to take this opportunity to welcome the new year. If 2012 did not go for you the way you would have liked, then this is a good moment to reflect on what went well and what you could have done better and how.

A moment of reflection of the past year is an opportunity for all of us to learn from past mistakes, celebrate past successes and reflect upon what worked and what didn't.

I'm happy to say that I was able to achieve 4/5 of my 2012 goals, which in my opinion is a pretty good percentage. Therefore, I want to share of the key steps that I took to achieve my 2012 new year's resolutions.

I hope that as you read, you will realize that you too can achieve your goals in 2013!

1. Don't make too many at once. The problem with picking too many resolutions is that you may find yourself overwhelmed and not know where to start. Try picking the top 3-5 that you want to stick to throughout the whole year. When you have 3-5, it makes it a lot easier for you to develop an action plan for yourself, as opposed to having 10 of them.

2. Make them specific. If your resolutions are too vague, like "I want to save money" or "I want to get in shape", then it's very hard to keep them. This is because a vague goal is not really a goal that you can shoot for because you are not 100% sure of where you truly want to go. When you don't have a clearly defined destination, how can you get there? It's like if you're driving somewhere you've never been before and all you have is the name of the city or street but not the entire address. Sure, you might get to your destination, or you might just get frustrated, turn around and go back .

So, if you want to save money, find out how much you want to save and how long it should take you as well as why you're saving. If you want to get in shape, be more specific like lose 5% body fat in 3 months or gain 10 lbs of muscle over the year.

3. Write them down. When you write down a goal, it's a lot easier for you to remember it and to clarify what it is you want. Also, when you write down a goal, you are able to clear up some space in your head so that you can start to take your goal to the completion stage.

4. Be accountable to others. A goal is always more easily reached when you have people around you who support you in it. So, tell a supportive friend or family member about your goal and what you're going to do to get there. Better yet, if you have a friend who has similar goals to yours because then you can motivate each other, discuss your successes and talk about areas for improvement.

5. Have an action plan. If your goal is fairly large and requires multiple steps, it's best to write out all the steps and not just the goal itself. When entrepreneurs start a business, for example, they create a business plan which is supposed to guide them in the right direction. An action plan that you will use to reach your goals will help guide you.

6. Document your progress.  It's always good to be able to measure how far along you are. Seeing progress is very motivating. For example, if your goal is to make it to the gym at least 3 times per week, then get a calendar and put a check mark on each day that you went to the gym.

7. Make them realistic.  If your goal is to save $1 million in one year and yet your income is only $30,000 per year, short of winning the lottery, such a goal is very unrealistic. Pick a goal can achieve or choose a resolution that you know you can keep, while at the same time ensure that you will challenge yourself in the achievement process.

8. Make them attainable.  Setting an attainable goal sets you up for success. After you succeed in achieving your initial goals, you will gain more confidence in yourself. Once you're confident, you will be able to set more challenging goals.

9. Evaluate last year. Recall what your goals/resolutions were at the beginning of 2012 (since we're entering 2013 now). Check off any goals that you achieved and resolutions that you've kept. Recall the process and the work that it took for you to get there. Find out what inspired you to keep going. Recall any challenges that you've faced and how you dealt with them.

You can reward yourself for the goals you've reached and learn from the challenges that you've faced. What was effective and could be applied to the next goal? What was not and thus should not be repeated?

10. Talk to people. Think of people you know (or friends of friends) who have succeeded in what they set out to do, especially if it's something that you want to accomplish as well. Talk to them, ask them questions about what they did and how they did it. Most successful people who have "been there, done that" are willing to spend a few minutes to talk to someone about their successes, failures, and challenges. This can help you with your new year's resolutions too.

The sprinter's stance. Clothing by: Public Myth

ON YOUR MARK! GET SET! GO!

I hope that you found this article helpful. I would be thrilled if you shared it :)

Baby Phat Golden Goddess Perfume by Kimora Lee Simmons Review

A little while ago, I decided to spoil myself and bought a 3.4 FL OZ bottle of perfume called Baby Phat Golden Goddess By Kimora Lee Simmons . I believe I bought it because I wanted to reward myself for maintaining a GPA of A- in university.

First off, I bought it because I think that the bottle looks pretty. Second, I liked the smell from the moment I first tried it using the tester, which was in the store. It's sweet but not too sweet, in addition to not being too intense.

I think that this fragrance has just the right amount of intensity so that one or two sprays is enough to make you smell great without overwhelming the people around you. The bottle also lasted me a pretty long time, especially given the fact that I used it every day.

Overall, I would rate this fragrance a 5/5 and will definitely be buying another bottle. I recommend that you try it for yourself or buy one for your female friend or family member.
You can buy your own bottle here, which will most likely be cheaper than what I paid for mine, since I bought it at the store.





P.S. If you buy a bottle using this link (if you're in the USA) and this link (if you're in Canada), you will be helping me keep this site going, so that I can continue to improve it for my readers.

Also, please note that I didn't take the photo of the bottle, I found this image on the Internet.

Top 10 Mistakes Aspiring Models Make

Over the last few years, I started seeing some patterns of mistakes that aspiring models make. Such mistakes could range from poor business practices to certain bad habits that prevent them from getting work. Below are, in my opinion, the top 10 mistakes that newer models make:

1. Not showing up to shoots/meetings/appointments/fittings, and then giving every excuse in the book for doing so. That is a no-no. Shoots take a lot of organizing, from getting the whole team together to planning the theme of the shoot. So, for you to not show up is a poor business practice and very presumptuous. You will be labeled as unreliable, and thus not worth working with. If you want to impress the right people, then treat their time as valuable.

2. Showing up late. Again, the reliability factor is at stake here. When you are late, other people on the set will start to wonder if you are even going to show up at all. The whole world doesn't wait for you, so why should the creative team wait for you while you think up excuses for why you weren't on time? If you will be late, call the photographer immediately to let him/her know that you are still going to be there and give them an estimated time of arrival so that they can get other things done while they are waiting for you.

3. Badmouthing other models, photographer, and other industry professionals. People will think that you are a drama queen, and no one wants to be around that. If you have nothing nice to say about someone, then don't say anything at all.

4. Complaining about your make-up/hair and wardrobe in front of the team who took part in the shoot. You won't always like what you are wearing, or the job that a make-up artist/wardrobe stylist/hair stylist did, but if you get snotty about it on set...people will think...well...you're a diva (among other things).

5. Thinking you will instantly be a star and/or full-time model. It's a nice thought, but the chances of that happening are slim to none. VERY few girls make a living at modeling and most models have other, more stable streams of income for when the modeling jobs don't come in. Be very realistic with your expectations, and be aware that getting to a point where you make a living is a LOT of hard work. So, be prepared to respond to countless ads looking for models, attending hundreds of auditions, going to casting calls, submitting to several magazines, and networking your butt off with seemingly no apparent results.

6. Letting yourself get out of shape. Just like other people, you are not always motivated to work out. However, what happens if next week there is a shoot and you are in your worst shape ever? Always be prepared and be in your top shape. Girls who get into magazines are usually in their top-notch shape.

7. Waiting for opportunities to come to you. Sorry, but that just won't work anymore. Gone are the days where you can be walking in a mall in a small town with your mom and all of a sudden a scout from a huge modeling agency like Ford or Elite approaches you, flies you to New York, and you are rich and famous. That is history! Currently, there are millions of girls competing for the scarce modeling jobs. If you want to work as a model, you need to be realistic about what you have to offer the client/company/photographer/etc and aggressively market yourself on the basis of that. Agencies and clients do not look for their models on the Internet because they receive hundreds of submissions/applications from aspiring models who are chasing their dreams.

8. Having too many demands. This is often the case with new models on the social networking sites for models and photographers. The model asks the photographer to sign over the copyrights to the images for free, that the photographer pays her a ridiculous amount of money, that the photographer covers all the costs of the make-up artist/hair stylist, and other demands. People don't want to work with someone who will be a pain in the butt to deal with. This does not mean that you should be a pushover, but understand that you can't make crazy demands on people you're working with.

9. Coming to a shoot unprepared. Forgetting different clothing items, shoes, make-up, or other props that you agreed to bring is just one part of being unprepared. If you say you are going to bring something to the shoot, take extra care to be true to your word. People don't like to work with someone who always forgets important things...and if you can't get organized for a shoot...then consider a different hobby/career.

10. Showing up to a shoot tired and/or hung-over. Late nights and partying the night before a shoot are a "no-no". It WILL show in the pictures, and the photographer will not be very happy, since those probably won't be his/her best pictures. So, if you're a big partier and a night owl, save it till after the shoot :)

If you are an aspiring model and have done any of the above, it is a good time to re-assess your goals in the industry and change some habits.

What are some other mistakes that new models make?

I wish you all the best! If you found this helpful, please share :)
Aviva

Gorgeous Earrings from Charm & Chain

Charm & Chain is a jewelry retailer which sells trendy, high fashion jewelry. Many of the pieces sold at Charm & Chain have appeared in popular magazines such as People Style Watch, Elle, Lucky, Star, Vogue UK, InStyle, Harper's Bazaar, Life & Style, OK and many others.

1. Tiered Deco Earrings, Turquoise

"This line contains some of the most decadent, spectacular pieces that Charm & Chain carries. Badgley Mischka's designs have a jewel-centric and often Victorian aesthetic; they tend to meld ornate motifs with an “old money” quality that stops short of being too, too ostentatious. Glass Crystals and Beads 14k Gold Plated Clip-On 2.75 Inches Long"

2.Turquoise Anna Sui Wing Earrings

Designed by Erickson Beamon for the Anna Sui runway, these amazing ornaments will infuse your look with a hint of the exotic. The one adjective that unites Erickson Beamon's wide array of designs? Dramatic. Whether the duo puts their talents to a waist-long, waterfall necklace, an oversized cuff dripping with jewels, or pastel chandelier earrings, their signature look is over-the-top, head-turning, and worth every last cent. Turquoise, Swarovski Crystal, Vintage Glass Beads Oxidized Sterling Silver Plated 2.25 Inches Long

3. Esmerelda Earrings

"An elegant, evening version of a pair of studs. These drops look straight out of the '30s. Lots of designers are inspired by antique and vintage finds, but Elizabeth Cole Jewelry takes things a step further. The collection, designed by Stephanie Owen, is full of whimsical, blinged-out pieces that draw on the decorative traditions of the Middle Ages and ancient Greece and Rome: Griffins, eagles, rams' heads, and Gordian knots all make appearances in her pieces. The bright, earthy yellow color of the gold she uses is incredibly distinct, and the intricately designed costume jewelry can worn alone or layered and looped with fine jewelry. Swarovski Crystals 24k Gold Plated 1 Inch Long "

4.  Gold Lace Dangle Earrings

"If you're looking for a guaranteed showstopper, these oversized danglies won't disappoint. Ornate and sophisticated, they're on our short-list when we're dressing to impress in a hurry. This line contains some of the most decadent, spectacular pieces that Charm & Chain carries. Badgley Mischka's designs have a jewel-centric and often Victorian aesthetic; they tend to meld ornate motifs with an “old money” quality that stops short of being too, too ostentatious. Glass Rhinestones Gold Plated Hardware Post Backs 3 Inches Long, 1.5 Inches Wide "

5.Crystal Cluster Chandeliers

"Specially selected for a wedding or a formal event, these earrings will instantly make you feel like the belle of the ball. This line contains some of the most decadent, spectacular pieces that Charm & Chain carries. Badgley Mischka's designs have a jewel-centric and often Victorian aesthetic; they tend to meld ornate motifs with an “old money” quality that stops short of being too, too ostentatious. Glass Crystals Silver-Toned Hardware Post Backs 3 Inches Long, 1 Inch Wide "

Yes, Charm & Chain is an Affiliate and any purchases you make by clicking this link will help ensure that I continuously improve the quality of this site.

How to Avoid Modeling Scams

The Internet is filled with scammers who prey on young girls (and young men) with big dreams of becoming rich and famous. With that being said, if you look hard enough, you will see that there are also many legitimate modeling opportunities available on the Internet. The key is to be able to recognize the difference between a scam and an opportunity. I will tell you a few basic ways how to spot a modeling scam. You worked hard for your money and there is no reason you should give it away to other people for no value for you.



1. Scammers go after people who appear to be desperate. Usually, when a person is desperate, he/she is less likely to make rational decisions or use their sense of judgment. For example, if you are a young model desperate to get famous, and someone emails you offering what appears to be the opportunity to skyrocket your career if you pay him/her $X, then you might not do your due diligence because at that moment you don't want to believe anything other than the fact that it's real. When you are desperate for something to happen, keep in mind that this is the time that you are most vulnerable to scammers and take extra precaution when responding to anyone who asks you for significant sums of money.

2. Modeling agencies don't charge "enrollment fees". Legitimate agencies make money when they book work for you and take a percentage of your earnings. Usually, agencies can legally take a 20% commission on every job that they book for you. There may be some costs associated with portfolio development but sometimes the agencies will front the costs if they believe that they can later deduct portfolio development fees from your future earnings. Also, legitimate agencies may have a list of photographers that they recommend, but they do not necessarily tell you to choose any one specific photographer. Additionally, they do not charge a fee up front to represent you. If an agency could convince you to pay them over $500 per year to represent you, then what incentive would they have to book any work for you when they have thousands of hopefuls being tricked into paying them?


3. Big companies and big magazines do not book through the Internet nor do they promise to make someone rich and famous. If someone emails you and tells you that they have chosen you to do a photoshoot for Guess, Sports Illustrated, Vogue or Maxim because they saw your profile on Facebook, Model Mayhem or Myspace, chances are it is definitely a scam. Big companies and big magazines have access to agencies which can provide them with quality models, so why would they go to Facebook to find a model? Also, if the email address of the person who contacted you is regularjoe@gmail.com (or hotmail, or whatever) as opposed to name@guess.com or name@maxim.com then it is definitely a scam. If the email did not come from a company email, then it is bogus. You should always do a google search of the email just to see what comes up; you will most likely find that the person is not in any way associated with the magazine.

4. Models are not overpaid up front before the shoot. A person claiming to represent a major fashion brand or an internationally published magazine emails you and tells you that you have been selected for a shoot. They will also tell you that you will be paid $3,500 (or more) up front, but then you have to send some of the money back to the hairstylist/make-up artist/etc. First, they will milk you for a bunch of personal and banking information. Then, they will send you the check, but it will not be real, and you will be out the amount that they told you to send back. Why would a company pay a model in advance without ever meeting the model before the shoot? Which company would send a large sum of money to someone they never met before the service was provided? Again, this goes back to #3, where companies will book through agencies for higher budget projects.

5. Legitimate agencies do not email Internet models out of the blue and tell them that they want to represent them. To have a chance at being represented, a model had to submit her photos and stats to the agency, whether it's online or by snail mail, or attend one of their open calls. Real modeling agencies get thousands of submissions on a daily basis from girls who would potentially fit their criteria, so it wouldn't make sense for them to look for models on the Internet. Unless they're already famous, models come to the agencies, not the other way around.

Please be aware. Do not get tricked out of your hard-earned cash!! You worked for it, so therefore it's yours to keep.

I hope this helps :)

Cheers,
Aviva

Expressing Powerful Looks in High Demand

Fashion design and men are a "style forecast" that can correspond or totally miss the target. Visionary fashion that meets eye-to-eye with made-to-order style for every passing season usually grips the mind and interests of the male ego. Since the beginning of the most epic and influential hip-hop celebrities, fashion has been changing and evolving on new, multi-dimensional levels. Iconic and popular pendants are taking center stage and embellishing-out the "golden standard of bling" that belonged there!

So far, fashion has been keeping up with the range of creativity that is pivotal for essential, hand-made works of style. Fashion and iconic class, along with this newer more symbolic inventory, now supplies the heart to express every kind of symbol that corresponds to the phrase, "keeping it real." Status symbols of "Bling-Bling" and "Cadillac-Pride," are outward expressions dedicated to men looking their best at prices beyond average. However, fashion is now taking new effect in reinventing and recreating what is inside hearts and minds.

The new look for men relates to the mentality of masculinity of signature wooden pendants representing social structures and beliefs "played-out" in the lives of modern, sophisticated, men. Fashion jewelry that has pinned-down what it means for men to look effortlessly "chic," and hold on to meaning in life is the new "black!" The pendants can be emblems of status or inner-courage, worked-out by hand to offer a lasting symbol of love and reflection.

Who wouldn't love the luxury of casual style hand-beaded for the heart of life that beams within the inner-man and his fashion-set mentality? These quality necklaces can become an effortless way to structure a wardrobe of urban and conventional class that trigger influential style for the majority of individuals who honor “intrinsic fashion” that turns' itself inside-out! Whether you wear your fashion necklace locs with a functional wardrobe or something new and enduring; hand-beaded pendants naturally made can cause an iconic rebirth of casual style that is young, fresh and contemporary! Worn with hooded jerseys or ripped jeans and dark sunglasses, any urbanite will enjoy these exciting pieces of craftsmanship that take a first class seat to all of the rest this season!