New Year, New Blog

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone had a wonderful winter solstice/ Christmas/ Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa/ Festivus/ etc. I am back in Boston after spending 12 days in Central Ohio with my family. I'll post more pictures later, but here's one of my favorites:

My sister and I on Christmas morning

Before I left for Ohio, I made a big decision. I need a hobby! I love having this blog as a place to put down a hodgepodge of things/ keep friends informed about my life, but I want to make blogging more of a hobby and that requires focus on a specific topic.

I have always loved fashion and design. When I was little I would spend hours drawing designs using a set of fashion stencils. I aspired briefly to be a fashion or costume designer, before realizing I am not skilled in the drawing or sewing arenas. I never pursued a career in fashion merchandising or styling because of how body conscious the industry is. However, putting together outfits has always been a hobby. I am constantly inspired by the fashion bloggers that I follow, so I think it's about time I joined them! Keep an eye out for my new blog: Hips and Hangers coming to a computer near you in early January. 

Hips and Hangers will feature 3-4 outfit posts a week, as well as information on where I get the inspiration for each outfit, shopping stories, and whatever other fashion related things strike my fancy.

I still plan to keep Eating Feelings alive, and I will continue my "Tips from HR" series next Wednesday. Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!

25 by 25 Update 12/5

25 goals I plan to complete by my 25th birthday. So 25 goals I will achieve by May 5th, 2012.

I think I'm doing alright with this list. I clearly need to do a lot more reading and travelling. 

1. Get a new job. 
2. Visit 3 U.S. States I've never been to.
3. Post 50 blog entries between 5/5/11 and 5/5/12.  (This post is #29)
4. Get 40 followers for Eating Feelings (I'm at 15 now, invite your friends!)
5. Put my feet in the Pacific Ocean.
6. Obtain a passport.
7. Visit Canada.
8. Cook with 5 ingredients I've never used.
Hard cider
9. Move into the city of Boston and out of the suburbs!
10. Read 10 books or plays.
Triumph: Life After the Cult, a Survivor's Lessons by Carolyn Jessop
Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
11. See all of the 2012 Best Picture Oscar Nominees before the Oscars.
12. See a concert.
13. See a play.
I saw All's Well that Ends well on the Boston Common
14. Buy 3 things from Etsy.com
Skindura Secret Shield
This necklace as a gift for my sister's 16th birthday
15. Go to the dentist for the first time in over 5 years.
16. Get back on the pill.
17. Participate in the 2012 AIDS Walk Boston and raise more than the $100 I raised in 2011.
18. Get two haircuts. (This may seem like a small task, but it's been over a year since my last one)
I got one!
19. Take 4 day trips to places I can't get to on the subway.
Plymouth
Salem
George's Island

20. Tour the Sam Adams Brewery.
21. Make tortillas from scratch.
22. Get my first tattoo.
23. Get a good pair of dressy winter boots.
24. Complete CPR and CPR Instructor certification.
I will be done with my instructor certification at the end of this week!
25. Make a list of 26 goals to accomplish by my 26th birthday!

How are you doing on your goals for this year?

Tips from HR Part 1: Resume and Cover-Letter

I'd like to bring back my Work-it Wednesday feature with a 4 part series called "Tips from HR". Anyone who follows me on facebook knows that I like to periodically post these "tips" as things come up in my job. I don't consider myself an HR expert or even a recruitment expert, but I have two years of recruitment experience and I've learned enough from viewing resumes and doing interviews to give some decent advice.

Part One: First Impressions- the Resume and Cover-Letter

Writing a strong resume is the most important part of any job search. It is your first impression on potential employers and your chance to get a foot in the door. Here are 3 tips to bear in mind when writing your resume and cover letter. 

1. Include your contact information, and make sure it is correct.

This seems like a no-brainer, but I can't tell you how many resumes I've received that have no phone number or email on them. 

• Make sure you include your address, phone number and email. 
• Use a professional email that includes your name or initials. The person screening your resume is going to judge you if your email is "bigboi999@yahoo.com". 
• Make sure your phone is ready to take professional calls by getting rid of any ring back tones and setting up your voice mail with a professional recording.
• You don't have to include your whole address if you don't want to, but at least include the city and state. 
• Double and triple check that you spelled everything correctly!

2. Keep the resume to one page. Keep the cover letter to one page. 

Unless you have a considerable amount of experience in the field it is never necessary to include more than one page of information on your resume. Anything you don't cover in that page can be in the cover letter, just don't go over a page on that either!

3. Know your audience.

• Reflect the language and requirements of the job description in your resume and cover letter. 
• Research the company and mention something you like about them in your cover letter or objective.
• Address your cover letter to a specific person if you can. NEVER put "Dear Sir". 

10 Day You Challenge: 1 Picture

Day 10: One Picture

This picture is from Christmas 20 years ago, it's really hard to believe that I'm old enough to remember a Christmas from 20 yeas ago, but I remember this one pretty vividly. I'm holding my brand new Baby Alive from Santa, and modeling some powder blue footie pajamas. I was so excited about that gift she drank from a bottle of water and wet her diaper. She also had some pre-recorded noises and phrases. (I told you I've always wanted to be a mommy!)

I chose this picture because I cannot wait for it to be Christmas! I haven't seen my family in almost a year, so going to Ohio for Christmas is going to be a real treat. I can't wait to bake cookies and watch holiday movies with my mom and sister.

Eating Thanks

Image from HERE

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!  

I am in Pelham, NY spending the Thanksgiving weekend with my beau and his family, so I probably won't do another entry until Sunday night or next week. In the mean time, here are 5 things that I'm thankful for this year.

1. My Job
Working for an organization I respect and having a job that pays me a living wage have made a world of difference in my quality of life. I am eating better, getting more sleep, living in a better apartment, and starting to get my finances back in order all because of this job.

2. My Health
At my annual physical a few months ago I had my iron, glucose and cholesterol levels checked. I also had my annual PAP and STD testing, had my blood pressure checked, and talked to my doctor about my weight. She gave me a clean bill of health! Outside of a few menstruation related issues and the occasional migraines, I am super healthy. At 5'7" and 205lbs I think I'm living proof that you can be healthy at any size! Now I just need to get fit...

3. Living in Massachusetts
As much as I complain about the weather in Boston, it's really growing on me. I love living in a state that has such fantastic laws in place to protect its people and their quality of life. I like waking up in the morning and knowing that I'm not going to pay sales tax on clothing or food and that if I go to an ER they aren't going to badger me about my insurance status, and if I decide I want to marry a woman I totally can:)

4. Fashion blogs. 
I didn't really get into fashion blogs until this year, but over the last 9 months or so I've started following dozens of them. There are a handful of blogs have really inspired me and revolutionized the way I think about dressing my curves. My current favorite is Girl with Curves. 

5. Unlimited text messages.
I kind of hate talking on the phone, but texting is so easy! I use texts to keep in touch with everyone from my bff in California to my 69 year old Grandmother in Ohio. 

What are you thankful for?

10 Day You Challenge: 2 Songs

Day 9: Two Songs

These are the two songs that are getting the most rotation on my ipod right now. 

 Moves Like Jaggar by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera

This song is super infectious and peppy. It puts me in a good mood and makes me want to wiggle my butt. Adam Levine being shirtless in the video doesn't hurt either :)

Leaves that are Green by Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel are one of my favorite bands (duos?). It's no secret that I hate winter. Every fall I listen to this song on repeat.  It's a kind of depressing song, about change and loss but I love it.

10 Day You Challenge: 3 Films

Day 7: Three Films

Who can pick just 3 movies? I'll go with the three movies I have seen hundreds of times, but could still watch hundreds more.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

1990s teen comedy at it's best.The cast, the music, the story based loosely on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew? I love everything about this movie. 

Dirty Dancing (1987)

I love sharing my birth year with this movie, I'm hoping it means a 25th anniversary edition will be coming out in 2012 for my 25th birthday. When I was a kid I loved this movie for the music, the dancing and the romance. As an adult I have come to love it even more for its subtle feminist/ prochoice message.  

Saved! (2004)

I can recite basically every line from this movie. Saved! is a must see- the story starts when born again high school senior Mary (played by Jena Malone) has sex with her gay boyfriend to "save" him, because Jesus told her to in a vision.

10 Day You Challenge: 4 Books

Day 6: Four Books

I took a three day hiatus from my 10 Day You Challenge. I'd feel bad about it, but I've blogged more recently than I had in the previous 6 months! 

I love to read. I always have, so picking just 4 books is so hard!

The Feasting Season by Nancy Coons

Nancy Coons was an American author who frequently lived abroad. She was best known for her travel books, and her commentary on a few NPR shows. She wrote one novel before her death in 2007. Feasting Season follows an American woman living in France with her British husband and children. She sets off to write a traditional travel book but finds herself in a whirlwind affair with her photographer and with french food and wine. I've never seen food described as sexy as it is described in this book. 

Escape by Carolyn Jessop (nonfiction)

I am absolutely fascinated by polygamists. This memoir was written by Carolyn Jessop about her life in the FLDS polygamist cult, and her eventual escape. At 18 Carolyn was forced to marry a man 32 years her senior, becoming his fourth wife. She endured abuse, and had 8 children in the 15 years it took her to build up the courage and resources to escape. I couldn't put this book down!

Yes means Yes! Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape by Jaclyn Friedman and Jessica Valenti (nonfiction)
This book is both a celebration of female sexuality and a condemnation of the rape culture. The title, and the book emphasize a shift from victim blaming and making women the gate keepers of sex to a celebration women's sexuality and sexual agency. Yes means yes!


Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner
Jennifer Weiner is my favorite "chick lit" author. I have read almost all of her books and I love them. Her heroines are always really easy to identify with. Good in Bed is where she got her start and one of my favorites. The story follows 28 year old Cannie through the aftermath of the publication of a story written by her exboyfriend entitled "Loving a Larger Woman".

10 Day You Challenge: 5 Foods

Day 6: Five Foods

Crabcakes from Stoney's  in Solomons Island, MD

I won't go into too much detail on this one as I've already discussed my love of crab cakes. My favorite crabcakes are from Stoney's Kingfishers or the Stoney's Pier, both on Solomons Island Maryland. 

 

Breakfast Tacos

 I like my breakfast with a Tex-Mex twist. Most people have had a breakfast burrito, or heuvos rancheros, or at least tried some salsa on their eggs, but my favorite Tex-Mex breakfast is the breakfast taco. They are a cheap and delicious staple in central and south Texas. A breakfast taco consists of some combination of meat, potato, eggs, beans, and/or cheese in a hand made flour tortilla with fresh pico de gaillo, salsa, or salsa verde. (my favorites are refried bean and potato or bacon, egg and cheese) The ones pictured above are from the Maria's Taco Express.

Pad Thai

I love all thai food, but sometimes I just crave the peanutty goodness of a warm plate of pad thai. 

Edy's Slow Churned Pumpkin Ice Cream

I wait anxiously for October every year so I can buy a few cartons of my favorite pumkin ice cream!

Bacon

I have seriously considered going pescatarian (no meat except seafood) dozens of times, but I just can't. Bacon is my one major hang up. And I don't care what my veggie/ vegan friends say, veggie bacon is not delicious.

I do not take credit for these pictures. All Images are from my pinterest page.

10 Day You Challenge: 6 Places

Day 5: Six Places

The Padre Island National Seashore

Growing up in South Texas meant most of my weekends were spent at the beach. My favorite beach was the beach at the Padre Island National Seashore. It has beautiful dunes, soft sand and warm water. 

The Boston Common

The Boston Common is a large park right in the middle of Boston.  I worked downtown the 18 months I lived here and would frequently go eat my lunch or take a walk in the Common to break up my work day. 

Seabrooke Island, SC

My family has never been the type to take a vacation, but in high school my mom, sister and I were able to piggy-back on my Aunt's annual family vacation to Seabrook Island, South Carolina. An island off the coast of Charleston, you may know Seabrook as the setting of the Notebook. It was awesome to spend a week  in August eating barbecue and going to the beach with my family. I haven't been since 2004, but I hope to go back someday. 

South Congress, Austin, TX

South Congress or SoCo is the main street of South Austin. It's home to lots of local shops, restaurants and food trucks. 

Saint Mary's College of Maryland

I went to a public, liberal arts college on the St. Mary's River in Southern Maryland. It is a really great school academically , with awesome traditions and a penchant for being a little wacky. More importantly it has a beautiful campus. 

10 Day You Challenge: 7 Wants

Day 4: Seven Wants

Anne Klein Carloew Riding Boots. Wide Calf in Cognac Leather. 

One of these for every state I've lived in. 

TOMS ballet flats ... They're coming out in spring 2012. Can I have them now? 

A West-Coast Road Trip with my BFF

 

A 1950s Inspired Kitchen

A Turquoise Ring

a Netbook to replace my broken laptop.

10 Day You Challenge: 8 Fears

Day 3: Eight Fears

(In no particular order)

1. General Anesthesia. I have never had a medical procedure that required me to go under general anesthesia, and I kind of hope I never have to.

2. Heights.


3. Snakes


4. Waiting too long to start a family. I have always known that I want a partner and children. I've also always known that I want the experience of being pregnant and giving birth. I have been feeling a little baby fever/ starting to hear my biological clock tick a bit lately, but I know that to have and support a family I have a lot of work to do in my professional and personal life. Since reproductive problems run in my family, so I worry that by the time I'm ready and find the right partner, I won't be able to get pregnant.

5. A Conservative win in the 2012 Election. I am scared not only of President Obama loosing his bid for reelection, but also of democrats loosing seats in Congress, the Senate, and in State governments.

6. That mistakes I've made in the past will haunt me in the future. I think this is a fear everyone has, for me it's mostly a financial issue.

7. Waxing. I've never waxed anything. I've thought about getting my eyebrows or bikini area waxed, but the thought of intentionally putting hot wax on my body and ripping out my hair follicles is terrifying!

8. Loosing my Grandmother. I am closer to my Grammy than anyone else in my family. She's the one that I call when I'm having a bad day or have big news. She's 69, obese, and works 50+ hours a week. I wish she'd retire and loose the weight because the thought of her not being there when I get married or have my first child is something I can't bear to imagine.

10 Day You Challenge: 9 Loves

Day 2: Nine Loves

 (In no particular order...)

1. Texas. Specifically central and South Texas. I lived in the Corpus Christi area from ages 7-14, and then I moved to Austin for 6 months following my college graduation. I consider myself an honorary Texan. I get really offended when people stereotype Texas, especially when they assume everyone in Texas is a conservative, white christian like George W. Bush or Rick Perry. Texas is a huge state and is very diverse! I love the food, the friendly people, and the relaxed attitude. 

2. Traveling. I love seeing new places and having new experiences. All of my travel thus far as been within the Eastern and Southern US, but I am planning to have a West Coast adventure in the Spring. I also hope do some international travel someday.

3. Going out to Eat. The only thing more fun than trying new foods, is trying them in the company of the people you love. I usually work one or two dinners out a week into my budget. 

4. Thermal Curtains. A few weeks ago I invested in a really nice pair of thermal curtains for my bedroom. They're super thick and they block out sunlight and drafts. I've nicknamed my bedroom my "cave of awesome". With my curtains closed and the heat on, I could stay in bed all day. 

5. Not owning a car. My favorite part of living in Boston is the fact that I have absolutely no need for a car. I can get to just about anything I could possibly need by walking or taking public transit. As someone paid a car payment and insurance every month for almost 5 years, not having a car is so freeing. I just pay $59 a month for my monthly T/Bus pass.

6. Fresh Seafood. One of the perks of growing up a military brat is that from the age of 7 onward I've almost always lived near the water and had access to delicious fresh seafood.

7. The Gulf of Mexico Coast.  As stated above, the bulk of my childhood was spent near Corpus Christi, Texas so I grew up going to Gulf beaches (and Gulf seafood). To this day nothing beats the warm water and salty breezes of a Gulf beach in my book.  As an adult I've fallen in love with New Orleans as well. I love the food, the music, the laid back attitude and the warm and inviting people.

8.Cardigans. Hands down my favorite item of clothing.

9. My Family. My family is small, and I don't get to see them as often as I'd like, but I love them just the same.

10 Day You Challenge: 10 Secrets

I've decided the best way to jump start my blogging after a long hiatus is to do a Blogger Challenge. Rebecca at iridescent indigo is doing the 10 Day You Challenge, so I thought I'd join her!

Day 1 Ten Secrets:

1. I feel an intense pressure to be a role model for my 16 year old sister and 17 year old little cousin. I am the first person in my family to go to college and the first woman not to have a child before age 23, so I think I am doing ok for now.

2. I am overwhelmed by my debt. Taking a job that payed $24k a year before taxes ruined my credit in the first year after college. Most of my debt is Student Loan debt, but I also made the mistake of getting 3 credit cards in college. I never had good money management skills modeled for me as a kid/ teenager, so I'm learning them as I go.

3. One of the things I miss most about college is going skinny dipping!

4. I don't have a passport and I've never been off the continent. However, I can't say I've never been out of the country because my family used to go on shopping trips to Mexico when we lived in South Texas. (before the drug cartels made it unsafe)

5. I am a firm believer in retail therapy. I go shopping when I'm feeling sad or lonely, and I feel a little high when I get a good sale or find something cool. (can you see how this is related to #2?)

6. I didn't meet my best friend until I was 22 and we only lived in the same city for 6 months. Even still, I talk to her almost every day.

7. Whenever I feel overwhelmed I remind myself that when my mom was my age, I was 6, and I feel instantaneously better for not having a 6 year old to look after. 

8. I'm writing this at work.

9. Despite lots of yo-yoing in my weight, I've worn the same bra size since 8th grade.

10. I am a feminist and I watch porn.

10 Things I've been doing instead of blogging.

It's official. I suck at blogging. My last post was in Mid August, so it has been nearly three months. I don't really have any excuses, as I've had plenty of free time. I think I just got caught up in doing other things with my free time.

Here are some of the things I've been doing instead of blogging:


1. Pinning and browsing on Pinterest. I'm obsessed.Check out my boards HERE.
2. Playing Words with Friends on Facebook.
3. Reading blogs. Fashion blogs, newlywed blogs, pregnancy blogs, food blogs, funny blogs...
4. Commenting on jezebel.com.
5. Looking at Boston apartments online and daydreaming about moving in with my beau.
6. Looking at apartments in other cities and daydreaming about moving away.
7. Tracking airfares- I need to splurge for a ticket to Ohio for Christmas.
8. Shopping. I discovered there's a shopping center near my work with Old Navy, TJ Max, Target, and Marshalls.
9. Going to the Arnold Arboretum. It's gorgeous and about a 5-10 minute walk from my apartment.
10. Watching TLC and Food Network while trying to get my roommate's cat to snuggle.

What do you do in your free time?

Getting Groceries without a car: Foodie Friday

Happy Friday y'all!

One of the biggest changes I have made in my life over the past few years was choosing to go car-less. When I decided to move to Boston, I immediately decided to do so without my car. I left my car with my grandparents in Ohio, and never looked back. I'll get into that decision and the benefits of public transit some other time. What I want to write about on this rainy Foodie Friday is getting groceries without a car!

For me the biggest adjustment to life without 4 wheels was changing the way I shop. I used to go grocery shopping once every two weeks and buy about $150-$200 worth of food at a time. I used to drive around town getting things at various supermarkets to get the best prices on the items on my list. Obviously I can't do those things anymore, at least not until I join ZipCar!

Tashia's 3 tips for grocery shopping on foot:

1. ALWAYS Use Reusable Shopping Bags
Reusable shopping bags are good for the environment, easy to carry, and can fetch you a 5-10 cent discount per bag at a lot of stores. It seems like a no-brainer to use them when you go shopping, whether with a car or without. Unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way just how important it is when you don't have a vehicle.

On one of my first trips to the market after moving to Boston I had a really unfortunate experience. One chilly February evening after a long day at the office, I remembered I had no food in my pantry and needed to stop somewhere on the way home. As I was walking home from a successful trip to the local supermarket one of my plastic shopping bags burst open from the bottom. A half gallon of milk clumsily bounced into an icy puddle, a can of soup started rolling away into oncoming traffic, and a jar of pasta sauce shattered at my feet. Cold, tired, and hungry I burst into tears. 

When I finally calmed down I vowed never to go shopping without reusable grocery bags again. I now carry a Chico bag in my purse at all times. These compact little guys are durable, and they don't take up a whole lot of room. 

Image from www.chicobag.com

 

 
You don't have to use fancy bags! You can usually get a basic bag for around $1 at the register of your favorite store. Or, if you don't feel like paying for bags, you can look for them at events. A lot of companies will give them out for free. I got some really durable and colorful ones this year at Boston Pride.

2. Shop More Often
Instead of making a big haul once every two weeks. I make 1-3 quick trips a week. This allows me to go to different stores and get everything that I need, but still be able to carry it all home without struggle.

3. Make a List
Making a grocery list keeps your trips focused and your load light. It helps you stay on budget by reducing impulse buys. And if you're like me and prone to binge eating, making a list is a nice strategy to reduce the amount of junk food in your pantry.

 







 

Haircut results!

I got my hair cut this evening. The experience was fantastic. I went to Miss Laura's near my house in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood in Boston. I got my hair cut by Miss Laura herself. She was so sweet and she asked a lot of questions to get an idea of what I wanted/ my haircare routine. best part is the haircut was only $35 + tip, so a very personal salon experience on a budget!

Before my appointment I narrowed what I wanted down to two pictures. I showed Miss Laura both and she made some suggestions/ found what would work the best with my no to low maintenance routine. I like the final result a lot. It's less safe than I usually go, and I can wear it two ways!

Miss Laura said I can go back at any time for a free bang trim. I will definitely take her up on that, and go there for my next haircut.

Hair-story!

When my mom was about eight or so my grandmother took her to a salon to have her hair cut. It was the beginning of summer, and they were living in Hawaii so my grandmother had my Mom's hair cut very, very short. Apparently this was an extremely traumatic experience for my mother, and she never really recovered from it.

Because of her own hair trauma, my mom almost never let me get my haircut when I was little. The hair cuts I did get were just trims, and they were done at home by my mom or my aunt.

My Mom and I circa 1991

So I had the same hairstyle from age 3-12. All one length with bangs straight across my forehead. By 6th grade I was tired of being made fun of for the home haircuts and dying to have shorter layered hair. Around my 12th birthday I finally got permission and used my report card money for my first professional haircut.

Since 12 my style has changed a bit. I grew out the bangs in 9th grade, and in 11th grade I found a stylist I loved for the first time. I got my haircut by Josephine once every 9-12months for the next 6 years. It was all very routine: grow hair out long enough to donate to Locks of Love; cut to shoulders; repeat.

I kept up that routine after college as well. My last haircut I donated 14 inches to locks of love. Last time I grew out my hair to donate I realized that I don't actually like having really long hair. I vowed never to donate again.

It has now been over a year since my last cut and I'm ready for a really big change. I'm a little hesitant because I haven't really found a stylist here in Boston yet. Thursday I'm going to a salon near my house that has 4 1/2 stars on yelp, and caters to the hip urban crowd in my neighborhood. I'm hoping to walk out of there with a style I can call my own.  
Here is my "before" self-portrait: 

Long, straight, BORING

I could make a change by adding some bangs:

Or I could make the change by going shorter than I ever have:

  

Or I could play it sort of safe: 

 What do you think?