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Showing posts with label Daily Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daily Life. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

10 {Things} You Don’t Know About Me {Moo Edition}

For the next couple weeks the TSP girls are going to let you in on a few secrets about ourselves. Each one of us will participate so you can get to know us even better!

 By {Moo}

To go with the theme of "10 Things You Don't Know About Me" I thought I would enlighten you all just to hopefully take your uncomfort to another level. You're welcome....

1) I couldn't smell until I was 18 years old. (No, I don't LOVE it and my other remaining senses are not super sonic. I am basically legally blind, I choose only to use selective hearing, and I don't particularly like "touching" anything.)


2) I am OBSESSED with ELEPHANTS! I have 7 elephant statues in my 600 sq ft shoebox apartment and all I wanna do is buy more.


3) If I could, I would be Buddhist. However, I drink daily, cuss even more frequently and despise the thought of any organized religion.



4) I run a half marathon once a year.



5) My real name is indeed Amanda, only because the work that is required to complete an offical 'name change' legally is too much for my lazy attitude.


6) I truly believe that John F. Kennedy and I are soulmates and that he is in fact, 'the one that got away.'

7) My drink of choice 113% of the time is Jack Daniel's and Diet Coke. Side note: I actually think
that Jack D is one of the only true relationships I have ever or WILL ever have.



8) My toenails ALWAYS have to be painted, but I refuse to paint them myself so I get pedicures twice a month. I'm also learning to be humble....


9) SPAIN is my absolute favorite place on Earth. Everyone should visit at least once in their life.


10) I am actively trying to turn my hair into dreadlocks. I succeeded with one dread this summer. Just gotta keep pushing yourself to the next level.

xoxo
Moo

Friday, July 4, 2014

4th of July {Sales!}

If you're not going away somewhere magical this weekend then I have a way to pass your time, and you still get to spend your money! Hurray! Here are some of the best sales and my favorite items on sale this weekend. Because that's really one of the best things about Holidays, is it not?

*Anthropologie - Extra 20% off sale items! Use Code BUZZ20. Ends July 7th.
*Barney's Warehouse - Extra 50% off on select styles! Ends July 7th.
*Urban Outfitters - Up to 70% off select styles!




Friday, June 13, 2014

Hold Tight... We'll Be Back Soon!

I know we've been lacking in the posting lately. We are busy planning, writing, and working on the next step for TSP! Hold tight... we'll be back strong and better than ever in the next few weeks. Until then follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook to get your TSP daily dose.


Interested in writing for TSP? Email Info@thesomething-project.com with samples of your writing and 3 great ideas you have for TSP. We are currently searching for contributors!

xoxo,
The TSP Girls

Monday, March 17, 2014

New Home // New Decor

By Molly

I recently moved to Phoenix. Surprise! We are finally mostly unpacked and at least the living room/dining room area is decorated but I'm feeling a little tired of my decor I've had now for 6 years. I don't want a total overhaul but a new coffee table {must}, and some cute rugs would really spruce this place right up. I also really want a bar cart. I've told my boyfriend this maybe... 1,543 times. At this point when I mention it he simply says, "I had no idea you wanted one.".

I can't stop myself from perusing The Everygirl home tours which has been my favorite site for a while now. I love getting a glimpse into other girls in their 20's/30's lives.

Here are some of my favorite's... click over to The Everygirl too but only if you have hours to spend losing yourself in the pictures.










Hopefully I'll be done and will take pictures of our new home in Phoenix soon!

xoxo,
Molly


Monday, February 3, 2014

Small Talk Like a Pro {Or a Sales Rep...}

I've heard this many times before. "I don't know how to small talk!" "I hate small talk!". Well when you basically base your entire career off of it it gets a little easier.  I am a sales rep which means that when I'm in markets I am essentially small talking from 9 - 6 and sometimes even after that.  When you meet me I usually give off more of a shy vibe, once you get to know me I am anything but that.

Here are some of my tips for successful small talk. These don't work in every situation but for me they have worked in most.

1. First of all, if you're in the right setting go immediately to the bar. Don't get sloppy but chances are you need a drink or maybe 2 to loosen up to talk to strangers.

2. When walking up to a group of people you don't know that seem to not be talking I would walk up and immediately have something to say. I don't even care if it's about the weather. "Damn it's hot out there!" or "Do you think the vortex is ever going to go away?".  The more clever and less "It's nice outside" you can be the more likely you are to get a laugh and loosen the whole group up. Don't dwell on the weather, let's be real, no one wants to really talk about it. Just break the ice with it then move on.

3. Look for things to talk about.  This specific example is probably just speaking to parents or aunts or uncles but when those Rainbow Loom bracelets were all the rage {or are they still?} I would look to see if the account I was working with was wearing one. Honestly 65% of them were. I used to wear the ones that my nieces and nephew made me so that I could immediately say "Oh you have kids huh! I see they are obsessed with the Rainbow Loom... my nieces and nephew love them!" {insert show my bracelet here}. Every once in a while if you get a parent who's super in to them you can talk about the various ways to make them for a solid hour. I know this one doesn't work for many situations but the point is, be extra aware of your surroundings, what the people are wearing, doing, eating etc. It may give you the best small talk insert ever.

4. If it's a sports season I'm 9 times out of 10 going to ask where you went to school. I pray that you don't say some obscure school with no football or basketball team so I can immediately insert {"oh you guys are great at basketball this year!" or even a little smack talk "Sorry about that lose to the Wildcats last week... actually I'm not"}. Even if it's a work situation if my Wildcats are playing I'm somehow keeping up with the game. If there's a guy in sight I need to small talk then I'm telling him how I'm trying to sneak the score knowing this will break the ice and keep the sports convo going.

Don't be this guy... small talk means swallowing your true feelings sometimes.
5. Keep your feelings to the side.  I think we all know that there are some really ignorant, self-centered, and flat out annoying people out there. If you're in a small talk situation and you really want to tell them they're an idiot, do your best to hold back. This works for most life situations actually but just be the bigger person and change the subject, or just excuse yourself and go get another drink.

6. Be yourself. All of the above are perfectly tailored to me. I genuinely enjoy sports and won't sound like a phoney chatting someone up from really any state across the country about it.  You probably have a few things you are really interested in that you will sound genuine about as well. The worst possible thing in my opinion is to try to be someone/something you're not. Loosen yourself up and you'll be just fine.

Happy mingling!
xoxo,
Molly

Sunday, January 5, 2014

New Years Resolutions? Nope.

By {Molly}

I've written down my New Years resolutions about 5 times in the last couple weeks. Each time I think... this seems familiar? Oh yeah, it's the same list from last year. Same things about myself I wanted to change 1 year ago and still have yet to do anything about.  Then it hit me. Why do we spend the end of the year and beginning of the next talking about things we want to do differently.  Why don't we focus on talking about what we liked about the previous year and want to keep in our lives? I don't know about you but starting a clean slate isn't easy when you have a list of things you wish you would've done or want to change about yourself staring you in the face.


Honestly, I think if I stop writing it down every year I will actually get healthy, travel more, learn French, and learn website design. I think it's just sitting in front of my face and intimidating me. List be gone! 2013 was a great year for me and I'd rather reflect on it in a positive light. My amazing boyfriend who makes me incredibly happy everyday, who pushes me to be a better person, and loves me for me. His adorable dog who stole my heart one snuggle at a time. My new niece and nephew who fill me with constant joy and amazement. And last but not least this blog, all of which came about in 2013.

So don't tell me what you want to do differently. I want to know what were your favorite parts of 2013. Why was it a great year for you?  It doesn't mean we aren't ready for 2014. I think we are all going to kick the shit out of this year and every year after just like we did 2013.

xoxo,
Molly


Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas Trees!

Everyone has their own Christmas Tree traditions. Real, faux, tall, small, white lights, colorful lights. Since most of us are single, live in apartments, and poor it's a little tough to have our own beautiful Christmas trees. Here's a few whether it be our parents, or our creative ways of having our very own.

By {Morgan}

I have a little, faux Christmas tree. I bought it at Pottery Barn in 2011. It is potted and the bottom is wrapped in burlap. It was perfect for my one bedroom apartment in Connecticut. My apartment didn't have any extra closet or storage space, so it lived in the back of my car or at work for 11 months out of the year.

This year, I moved into a house and have more space...but I did not get around to getting bigger tree. I still love this little guy. It will be a part of my Christmas decor for years to come {even if it loses it's 'main tree' status}. 

Here is a look back at 3 DIY ways I've adorned my little potted tree. 



By {Amy}

My only Christmas tree this year!


By {Molly}

Slightly blurry picture but this is my parents tree in Wichita. Sunflower topper and everything! Thankfully we had a white Christmas this year! Unthankfully, I got in a wreck on my way home thanks to the ice and won't have a car for 3 weeks... more wine please!


Don't I look so innocent?


xoxo,
Amy, Morgan, & Molly




Friday, December 20, 2013

UnHoliday Holiday Playlist

It's the Holiday's and we all know what that means. Travel. Whether you are going by plane, train, or automobile there's one thing you need for your trip. Good tunes. Nothings worse than being stuck in no where Oklahoma with only country stations {yuck}.


Follow my Spotify playlist and get a dose of music for your trip, where ever you're going. If you think one song seems out of place, I'm going to let you in on a dirty little secret of mine. The mystery song is one of my favorite songs of all time {guiltiest pleasure ever..}.


Don't judge me... you know you kind of love the last song. Follow this playlist and the rest of my Spotify for ever changing music picks and playlists.

xoxo,
Molly

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Random Beauty Product Review {Gel Socks Edition}

by {Arielle}


Every now and then {who am I kidding? all the time} while perusing the aisles of my local Walgreens or Target, I will come across a random beauty product that I HAVE to have.  There is no rhyme or reason as to what piques my interest, but let me tell you...I'm interested in some pretty random stuff.

Recently, while strolling the "natural" beauty aisle at Target, I was suddenly consumed by the need to purchase these socks.  They were gel socks by Earth Therapeutics and man were they cool.  However, I held off on buying them because they were a little pricy at $20.00.  Fast forward to a week later in Bed Bath & Beyond and there they were again!  Those sneaky little gel socks were calling my name.  Obviously, it was fate so I bought them.

So glad I did!  These puppies are great.  They have a gel lining that is infused with jojoba oil, tea tree oil, aloe, vitamin E and olive oil so the longer you wear them the softer your feet get.  Plus, if you put lotion on your feet before putting them on it takes things to a whole new level of softness.  The socks do feel cold and squishy when you first put them on {not gonna lie...a little strange} but they warm up.
Happy Feet
All in all if you feel like having a mini spa day at home and don't mind spending $20.00 on socks, these are the socks to buy.  Here is how I rationalize the price: the packaging says the socks stay good for 40 wears, so it breaks down to about 50 cents per wear.  Also, they are about $30.00{ish} less than a pedi and you can use them 40 times!  Now that's some bang for your buck people.


Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween! {Love, Dude}

By {Molly}


Meet Dude. He's pretty pumped to be making his TSP debut.  He begged me to let him show you his Halloween costume for today.

Look at me! I'm ready to Trick or Treat.




I can't pretend like Dude is mine. He belongs to my boyfriend but luckily they are both fine with me dressing him up and taking his photo. Dude is mostly excited about carrying around his pumpkin bag and getting any candy with peanut butter {his fav}. He's a sweet snugly little nugget and you can be assured this is not the last you will see of him. He plans to make a few appearances for Furvember.

Going out for Halloween? Read the difference between Halloween in college vs your mid-late twenties.

Happy Halloween!!
Molly

Hangover Anxiety: A Helpful Cure to Blacking Out

By {Casey}

Don't drink. Just kidding. Although, that would help my hangover anxiety. There are many sites on the Internet I've found that talk about how to cure a hangover, {trust me, I've checked them all out...just look at my browser history every Sunday}. However, I think there's a disease out there that hasn't gotten the recognition it deserves: Hangover Anxiety. My life has been affected by this horrible disease since I pledged a Sorority a {while} ago. 

Back then, my friends and I had no remorse. Things would get....crazy, however we all did the same things {for the most part} and rarely felt bad about them. I'm not talking going to jail or sleeping with your best friend's boyfriend here. I'm talking more along the lines of wearing a costume to a date party you thought was SO cute, and everyone looked great that night, but walking home from your shacker's apartment above a bar passing the old folks at Daylight Donuts at 7:00 am, you look like you just fled the insane asylum. However, while crossing the road, you see your roommate walking home too, and it's all better. You are a rockstar, and you don't give a shit what the kids' parents taking them to orientation think.


Things in your mid 20's {yeah, I'm going with mid until I'm 30, get over it} are a tad different. You go out, do things you don't necessarily remember, and take a cab home. Don't you miss the days where you just walked home? Now, I have 1010 Taxi on Speed Dial. Regardless, getting home and waking up with your roommate/dog/boyfriend etc is just not the same as waking up in a house full of 60 other floozies. In college, you could ask "OMG, what happened last night?" and there would be 17 different stories, but you would all laugh because you did it together. Plus you were in your shacker shorts, eating Arbys squeezing 23 people on one couch watching Bravo. Now, you wake up in the clothes you wore last night because you didn't have anyone to take off you super cute yet super tight boots. 

Typically, I end up on the couch because I either A. Pass out there or B. Get booted from the bed because I want to have long, wasted chats with my annoyed BF, am snoring too loud, or take up the whole bed. You wake up to your annoyingly sober BF/Roomie to "Do you remember what you did last night?". No asshole, I'm wearing black pleather pants, have one gold glitter pump on  and my bra is on the outside of my shirt. Can you fill me in? I hate "Do you remember?" questions when hungover. Unless I saved a life, chances are, I don't want to remember. And your condescending tone is not helping. Recommendation: Ignore said person. 

College Hangover {AKA Start Drinking More}
Post-College Hangover {AKA Pass out in your dog's bed}
If you're anything like me, you'll suddenly panic the moment you wake up, looking for your phone and purse. Wallet and ID? Check. No cash because you spent it all on $1 bombs? Check. Phone.....you almost want to not be able to {check}. You have it, which is great and all, but which means....you have to look at it. Do you start with pictures? Or maybe texts? Phone calls?  Yikes. Either way, it's not going to be great. My Hangover Anxiety Recommendation? Plug your phone in to charge in the other room, and walk away. If you like, you can check the outgoing texts, to make sure no one is looking for you. Beyond that, just walk away...


You need to eat, because the last thing you ate was a piece or pizza or hot dog from a street vendor and you aren't sure whether it's still in your stomach. {Damn $1 shots...} This is my worst part. The choices are endless, yet nothing sounds good. Wait a minute, EVERYTHING sounds good. This is called the "Fungries". Fake Hungries, if you will. How to decide what to eat?  You don't. You go to the grocery store, and go crazy. Blue cheese stuffed olives, cheese, funyons, salt and vinegar chips, ice cream sandwich, frozen tortellini, coconut water, smoothies...just to name a few. 


Here's another dilemma: you may or may not be too hungover/still drunk to drive to the store. This is where your friends come in. If you are alone, you call your friend you went out with last night to rehash, and also to make them pick you up. Being together makes you feel much less shitty about yourself when you go to get a Jimmy John's #13 with chips, Chili's Chips and Salsa and Ranch (this can cure ALMOST anything), and Arby's french dip with curly fries. If you have no friends after you went out and live alone... Recommendation: Pizza Hut is your friend. The man in the tiniest car you've ever seen pulling up to your driveway doesn't judge you. He just wants to make you happy with some breadsticks and pizza. I don't care where you live, every town has a Pizza Hut. It's the law.


After waking up at noon-ish, walking to find and plug in your phone, and ordering pizza, it's about 4:00. You are alone, and scared of what you might remember about last night. This is what people call a {brownout}. I'd almost prefer a blackout, because that way you don't remember anything. And you can make up what happened. Your friends don't remember, so neither do you. Basically a blackout is a free pass. A brownout is the equivalent of getting a brazilian. You think it's all fine because you got it done, it's over with you forgot about it. Until the pain resurfaces hours later. Suddenly you are sweating, getting a rash, and need to take off all your clothes because you are having a panic attack and your clothes have decided to attack you. I'm talking about the brownout, not the brazilian. If this happens after a brazilian, you have bigger problems. 

With the brownout, you know nothing. Until about 4:00 the next day. Someone texts you a picture of you kissing a homeless man on the cheek outside the bar. You never would have remembered that, but that damn bitch friend of yours reminded you. See? Not a full blackout because you remembered. Or when suddenly you check Twitter to see your friend's post about a quote you said that night....you never would have said that...would you? Shit, you did. Recommendation on Social Media: STAY AWAY. Nothing good can happen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram when you are suffering a bout of Hangover Anxiety. When brownouts occur... Recommendation: go to bed. Lay in your bed/couch in the dark, shades drawn, food in hand and turn on some crap tv show that will surely make you feel better about yourself. Jersey Shore reruns can always cure.


Can't sleep because you have a million thoughts, fears, emotions running through your head about how you have no friends left, you should leave town, and basically just walk into oncoming traffic? Melatonin. This is a natural supplement that helps you sleep. Or there's always the magical ZZZQuil that is just used for sleeping. And good news, these are all legal! I'm not great with the Melatonin, because my body requires a heavy prescription. A lifetime of bad decisions and Rumchata shots will do that to you. And an amazing doctor. But if you can go to sleep, that will only help the anxiety. 


Last Resort Recommendation: Call your best friend. This is probably not your friend you went out with last night. This is most likely your BFF from middle school, your sister, or your College Party Buddy-turned Bestie. Or if you are lame and annoying, your husband (I'm talking the "Today I marry my best friend" type). Tell them about your night. Tell them all the gory details, and don't skip anything. If they are truly your best friend, they will laugh, and say "Oh my god get over yourself that happens all the time". They will make you feel better and not like such a wreck.

If none of that works, I suggest a quick stint in Rehab.



Monday, October 28, 2013

Travel {Airport Etiquette}


By {Molly}

I travel often for work and for pleasure.  When I say often, I mean I am on a plane usually about 4 times a month, sometimes less, sometimes a lot more.  This travel has made me acutely aware of the fact that other people in the world are not acutely aware of their own surroundings.   At this very moment I am on an airplane at 1am {I have this unfortunate habit of writing the best on airplanes, no matter the time}.  Tonight my flight from Denver to Dallas was delayed 2 hours, so I should be home in bed right now, which makes it all the more annoying.  I sit in my aisle seat and have no one seated next to me for most of the boarding process.  Then a cute Spanish women and her son get into the middle and window seats.  I think “Good they won’t want to talk to me and seem like nice enough, quiet, respectful people.” Well, don’t judge a book by its cover {I actually hate this saying… of course I’m judging the book by its cover. I’m not going to read every blurb on the back to find my next read… I have to get past the cover first}.


The woman sits down and has her son sit next to the window.  Until they are LITERALLY forced to turn off both of their phones {why on earth this seemingly 6 year old kid has an iPhone is beyond me but that’s another post entirely} he is playing some holy shit annoying game on his.  I’m talking the arcade kind that has constant LOUD noises coming out of it.  “Shit,” I think. I’m actually going to have to confront them to shut the hell up. I don’t, because I’m all talk but when it comes to confrontation I have no guts.  Then this kid has a doll {Dora the Explorer possibly?} that keeps speaking to us all in Spanish. I’m not joking when I say right now they are sprawled out in their 2 seats together squirming around.  Her back is really moving in on my comfort zone and her seat is extended back as far as possible.  Again, it’s 1am on a Monday. I’m not amused.




Here are some of my thoughts on travel and what is NOT ok.

*Do not let your child play a game that is not on silent. If it requires sound, use headphones. 
*No talking dolls or other toys. {Also, why does your son have a girl doll?}
*No invading the personal space of the person next to you. You’re a normal sized person. You should be at least half a foot from me, not centimeters.
*I know it’s not the 70’s and flying isn’t some glamorous thing we all need to dress up for anymore but that does not make it ok for you to fly in your pajamas.  There are wide varieties of very comfortable clothes that substitute your fugly sweatpants, post to follow.
*For the love of God use your inside voice.
*No cuddling. This is not a romantic place, it’s actually the opposite of a romantic place. On the way to your honeymoon or destination wedding? Save it for the romantic setting.  Holding hands is fine {but weird}, sprawling across laps and making out is totally unacceptable. {I was, no joke, on a plane once with 2 very hippie kids sitting next to me making out. Keep it up only if you also want to cuddle in vomit.}
*If I get my book, magazine, computer, or head phones out it means I’m not interested in talking to you.  I’m not against chatting with the person next to me on a plane however if one of these things is out, it’s my Do Not Disturb sign.
*If you’re on a plane and not with your wife, you should be wearing your wedding ring. Don’t let me chat with you for 2 hours to find out you’re unavailable. I would have only chatted with you for 10 minutes had I known.
*Don’t bring something smelly to eat on the plane. I guarantee you had plenty of time to eat that in the roomy terminal. You should have.  If you didn’t have time to eat it there, you should be taking this time to shrink your stomach…
*If your child is kicking the back of someone’s seat, poking them, or trying to talk to the stranger next to them, I at least want to hear you TRY to tell them that’s unacceptable behavior. “Johnny stop that! You are severally annoying that nice lady in front of you.” I need these words to come from your mouth and real genuine concern and effort in stopping the situation ASAP.



Notice I said nothing about your screaming new born. I am, strangely, not offended by this. Do I find it incredibly annoying? I mean sure… but I have 5 nieces and nephews. Listen, I get sometimes there is literally nothing you can do about them crying {this stands for babies only}. I’m not one of those people who hates kids, I don’t. I love them! Maybe give them a sedative before boarding though?

{Update: the kid is literally sitting next to me now staring at me… maybe reading this?  I changed the song on my phone and sat it back next to me. I swear to God he grabbed my phone. The death stare the poor kid received will probably haunt him in his dreams.  Good, maybe he’ll learn some manners from it….}

Xoxo,
Molly

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Musical Motivation

By {Whitney}


Cleaning sucks.  I've had high hopes that maybe if I open my windows and sing a little tune, the woodland creatures will swoop in to help me with my chores.  {Snow White style.}  Well, truth be told...Walt Disney is full of crap. 

A blackbird flew through my window and was more interested in my food on the stove than helping me clean {true story he landed on my paella, it was repulsive.}  Pigeons are just noisy and the squirrels can't make it up to my 2nd floor downtown apartment.  So, my next option is to listen to some really good tunes and jam-out!  That's about the only thing that can make the mundane task of cleaning somewhat tolerable.  
   
I put together a fun mix that is sure to put a little pep-in-your-step as you swiffer.   It's an eclectic compilation of quirky, funky soul, velvet-like vocalists and HORNS!  There's no such thing as too much brass in my book.  Enjoy!


Monday, October 21, 2013

Coffee is Good for You {Really}

What's that you say? Coffee is good for you? We've heard so many differing opinions on this I was really starting to think I needed to kick my addiction and replace it with tea, or {gasp} nothing. I live on coffee. If I could just inject it into my veins every morning I would. But then I'd still drink it with 1 pump of pumpkin spice syrup, several strong shakes of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a dash of 2% or whole milk {skinny & poor girl latte I like to call it} because it's so good.

Turns out however, coffee has a lot of benefits to it, which means you should keep drinking it.  Huffington Post tells us that not only is coffee the biggest antioxidant for American's but it's also great for your liver. Know what that means? You can also keep drinking alcohol, just make sure you have a cup of coffee everyday and your liver will be fine. 


I like Diet Coke every once in a blue moon but I'm not in love with it.  This study shows that coffee makes you a happier person.  This is not because of the caffeine high though. Looks like Coke is linked  to depression.  It's those antioxidants again that make you happy, when you're a coffee drinker. It can also help reduce your chances of getting skin cancer {only if you're a women}, lowers your levels of suicide, makes you a better athlete {obviously...}, makes your brain healthier and the list went on!

So drink up my coffee loving friends! Your day is made.


xoxo,
Molly




 

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