Girl Meets World

Health & Beauty Pick: Valentine's Day Beauty Products

2012-02-13T16:23:00.000-05:00

Whether you have a hot date or are spending the night with your single lady friends, you still want to look good and not worry about fixing your makeup while you're out.

You want to look fresh, pretty and sexy without looking like you tried all that hard. Here are some products that I've tried and love that will help you achieve a pretty look without a ton of work. They also happen to be pretty inexpensive products that you can pick up in most drug stores and beauty specialty stores. I've found most of these products at Target and Ulta as well.

I've blogged about this product before, but it really would be a great addition to your Valentine's Day beauty routine. You never have to reapply this lip stain even after eating, drinking and kissing. It has a nifty nourishing balm at one end to keep your lips looking moist and kissable. You can find this lip stain in most drug stores and beauty specialty stores.

Rimmel London's Moisture Renew Lipstick is my all time favorite lipstick. It goes on smooth, keeps your lips moist and the color stays on for a long time. My favorite colors are rose blush, a natural pink, and dreamy, a pretty neutral tone. This lipstick is available in most drug stores and beauty specialty stores.

ELF cream eyeliner is a great alternative to liquid liner -- it is much easier to apply. It also doesn't smudge or smear once it's applied. The trick to applying this product is to start with a thin line and then build it up. This product is also available at drug stores and I've found it at several Target stores.

This is a product I just started using. It is like two mascaras in one. With Rimmel London's Day 2 Night mascara, the first wand adds length, but I've found that it works really well to separate lashes. The second wand is bigger and has more mascara on it to create volume. What lady wouldn't want bold and fluttering eyelashes on Valentine's Day?

NYX's Tango with Bronzing Powder gives your face a bronzed, shimmering and radiantly healthy look. Apply this bronzer where the sun would naturally hit your face. There are several versions of the tango bronzing powders -- some are mosaics, but the one I've been using is called Bronze Ensemble. This product line is available at beauty specialty stores, including Ulta.

This Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting blush looks like it was made for Valentine's Day. It's an ultra soft and blendable blush powder with blush tones and a pop of color to give your face a pop of color. This blush has reflective pearls in it to highlight, contour while adding radiance to your look. Apply this blush on the apples of your cheeks, where you naturally blush. It also claims to contain a happy boost blend of natural extracts that are supposed to promote a feeling of happiness, which could help those out feeling blue on this holiday. You can find this product line in drug stores and beauty specialty stores.

Nic's Fashion Finds: Valentine's Day Pretty

2012-02-08T12:31:00.000-05:00

Even if you don't have a special someone this Valentine's Day, there's no reason to let the holiday pass by without taking advantage of dressing the part.

So, regardless of whether your Valentine's Day plans include a hot date or drinks with your girl friends, use can use the holiday as a little inspiration. I've found some pieces you can wear to make yourself feel pretty that dressy and casual.

How could you go wrong with a red dress on Valentine's Day? This Forever21 dress would go great with tights, a pair of booties and a leather jacket for some edge. $19.80

Lace, a bustier and sweetheart neckline a sexy Valentine's Day do make. This Lulus.com bustier is a bit too sexy to be worn alone, but make for a pretty tease under a cardigan or blazer. Pair this with dark jeans and heels for a great night out. I could even see this bustier looking great with red skinny jeans and a neutral blazer. $37

This fuchsia Necessary Clothing blouse is a great piece to go from day to night with on Valentine's Day. It can work with dress pants, a pencil skirt or dark jeans. . $22.99

I can't think of a more perfect time to wear hearts than on Valentine's Day. This Delia's heart dress has a pretty sweetheart neckline and will cinch your waist. Accessorize this frock with a skinny red belt at your waist, stacked gold bangles and a blazer or cardigan. $44.50

This Asos chiffon wrap dress in bubblegum is super sexy, but will compliment many body types. It shows off your décolletage and cinch your waist without drawing a lot of attention to hips. You could pair this pretty dress with dangling earrings and a belt to further show off your waist $62.67

Blazers are a great way to dress up a simple shirt and jeans look or keep you warm in a sleeveless dress. Since it's Valentine's Day, why not go with a bold red blazer from H&M? This will look great with a simple tank, dark skinny jeans and heels. This would also look great over the heart dress and bustier featured above. This blazer also comes in neutral colors. $34.95

Nic's Fashion Finds: Super Bowl Chic

2012-02-02T12:03:00.000-05:00

While the Super Bowl is all about watching the game while enjoying beer and wings, it's also about showing support for your team.

You don't have to wear big bulky sweatshirts and jerseys to show your support though. As a woman that is also a football fan, I like to show pride for my team but also look good. I scoured through websites chock full of NY Giants and New England Patriot's gear made just for us ladies.

Throw this Giants scarf on top a basic top and jeans look. $17.99

This Giants top has a vintage baseball tee vibe to it. You can layer this top with a cardigan and feminine accessories like bangles. This top is also available for Pats fans. $29.99

This is my favorite Giants look. You'll be warm in this off-the-shoulder Giants tee. Pair this tee with a long pendant necklace or hoop earrings. Dark skinny jeans and boots will finish off the look. This tee is also available in blue. $39.95

I love this vintage-inspired Patriots tank. Layer this over a black or white long sleeve top with under a cardigan. $29.95

This Patriots burnout tank would work great layered under a feminine scarf and fleece or sweater. This tank is also available for Giants fans. $24.95

There won't be a question of which team you're rooting for in this tee. Layer this Patriots tee and pair it with a scarf and a silver cuff bracelet. $25.95

If your team didn't make it to the big game, but you still want to show support, here you go! Again, layer this NFL tee over a basic long sleeve top or under a cardigan and dress it up with some jewelry. $27.99

Here's another team-neutral option for the Super Bowl. This vintage-inspired NFL sweatshirt will keep you warm and cute if paired with dark skinny jeans, boots and silver hoop earrings. $49.99

Health & Beauty Pick: Chobani Champions

2012-01-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

For some time now, I knew I should make the switch from regular yogurt to Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt typically has much less sugar and much more protein than regular yogurt, which makes it a healthier choice. However, I tried plain Greek yogurt before and couldn't get over the taste.

That was until I tried a Chobani's Chobani Champions Greek yogurt. I think this product might be targeted toward kids, but if you feel like you want to try Greek yogurt, this is a great option. I especially recommend the Very Berry flavor.

One cup of Chobani Champions Greek yogurt, which is also one serving, packs in 8 grams of protein in only 100 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and only 11 grams of sugar. It is also sweetened with evaporated cane juice, rather than high fructose corn syrup, and fruit and vegetable juices are used for color, rather than dyes.

You can visit the Chobani website to see all of the flavors and full nutrition information.

How Not to Date Online

2012-01-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

I tried online dating once before and I decided to try it again. I didn't find much luck the first time around, so my expectations aren't set high this time. I figured "What the hell...I'll try it again and worst case scenario I'll have something to blog about." Well, so far, it's the worst case scenario.

I can't speak for what women as a whole are doing wrong on Internet dating sites, but I can tell you first hand things guys are doing that are certainly not getting them any closer to getting a girlfriend.

When it comes to profile pictures, find one that you look good in, that is true to what you look like when you go on a date, in which you're wearing a shirt, not making a duck face, standing in front of a mirror holding up your cell phone or wearing a Halloween costume. If you're posting a profile picture with your shirt off, hopefully you're buff enough to warrant not wearing a shirt. But more importantly, it makes me think that a guy doesn't have as much tact as I would want in a boyfriend. Are you leading with your body because it's your best asset? I hope it's not your best asset, because your personality, intelligence or sense of humor are much more attractive. I also think it does you a disservice to use a group photo as your profile picture. Girls looking at your profile aren't going to know which one you are in the picture. And I just don't get the Halloween costume pictures...guys kind of look like idiots on Halloween.

And then there's the first message you send to a woman you're interested in.

"Hey" or "Hey, how are you?" are terrible first messages. Simply sending "hey" or another similar one word message isn't going to get you anywhere because it really isn't a conversation starter. Are you going to go back and forth with that person a bunch of times with one or two words and never really get to know anything about each other? And the "Hey, how are you?" messages bother me because I think "This guy doesn't know anything about me, yet he wants to know how I am?" When sending the first message, creativity will take you a long way. Or at least say a few things about yourself and then ask the woman a few questions about herself based on something she said about herself in her profile.

When it comes to asking questions in your first message, only ask a few and don't just limit your message to questions. I received a message from a guy that was "How are you? What's your favorite color? What kind of dog do you have? What's your favorite kind of food?" and that was it. Those questions really don't warrant any sort of conversation and, as much as I love my dog and love to eat, the answers to those questions aren't really going to get you to know me.

I used to think "winks" were passive aggressive and for people too lazy/insecure to send me an actual message, but this time around I think they are a good way to see if that person is also interested in you without spending the time to write out a message that may go unanswered. If you wink at a woman and she winks back, you go ahead and send her a message.

Persistence is not key when it comes to dating online. If you wink, send a message and IM a woman without any response, she's not interested. Continuing to send her IMs and messages get creepy and annoying. Just move onto the next one that is responding to your communication.

Overall, I think the best thing you can do when trying out Internet dating is also the best thing you can do meeting someone in person: be yourself. If someone doesn't like that or isn't interested, forget them.

xoxo Nickie

Have you encountered any things you think guys are doing wrong on dating websites?

Make Your Healthy New Year's Resolution Work

2012-01-02T21:27:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! Now that we've started a new year, many people will be working toward a New Year's resolution. One of the most popular resolutions people make involves their health and weight, whether it is to lose weight or just live a healthier lifestyle.

If you have made a resolution like this for yourself, dietician and author of Go UnDiet: 50 Small Actions for Lasting Weight Loss Gloria Tsang said that it is key to skip overambitious resolutions and instead focus on small, achievable resolutions.

"You can't feast your way through the holidays and then expect to give up all sugar on January 1," Tsang says. "A goal like that is just not sustainable for the long term."

Instead of one big resolution, Tsang suggests making 10 smaller resolutions that you can implement all at once or once a week for the first few months of the year:

Un-fat-free: According to Tsang, fat-free foods are often loaded with artificial thickeners and sweeteners to replace the lost fat. They bear little resemblance to real food and are not as satisfying as the real thing, so you're actually inclined to eat more.
Un-expect benefits from isolated fiber: Tsang says that most products with "added fiber" use isolated fiber, but it doesn't work in the body the same way as natural fiber. In addition, there's little evidence is actually does your body or diet much good.
Un-drink your calories: Liquid calories are the number one reason for the obesity epidemic, Tsang says. A bottle of iced tea has about 200 calories, and an ice cream shop milkshake can hold up to 1,500 calories. Tsang suggests sticking to water when you're thirsty and jazz it up with frozen berries.
Be unafraid of meat: Meat's not the diet villain it's made out to be if you stick to a 3-ounce portion size, in which case even prime rib only has 340 calories. Remember: a 12-ounce steak is four servings.
Un-blame carbs: It's not the bagels and the pasta you need to watch out for, but what you pile on top of them. According to Tsang, carbs themselves are not diet-killers, but mountain-sized portions of butter, cheese and sour cream are.
Un-HPF: Highly processed foods [HPF] have way more calories than either meat or carbs and they're packed with sodium and artificial additives. Tsang says to skip these over-engineered foods.
Un-source your sugar: Natural, raw and agave sugars have been getting a lot of press lately, but the truth is all kinds of sugar have similar calories, Tsang says. Limit your intake of added sugar to 6 teaspoons per day, whether the sugar is "natural" or not.
Un-dashboard dine: Research shows that mindful eating is more effective for weight loss than following a rigid diet plan, and you're not mindfully eating when you're eating behind the wheel. Tsang suggests making time to eat at the table and learn to recognize your body's signals that it's full.
Un-burden yourself: Get help with shopping and cooking from your family or look into getting your groceries delivered. Tsang says that you're much more likely to eat healthy when it's not a big effort to do so.
Un-count calories: Don't obsess about choosing foods with the lowest calories, for the same reason your should avoid fat-free foods, Tsang says. Focus on foods you enjoy and savor every bite.

Nic's Fashion Finds: NYE Party Dresses

2011-12-29T18:57:00.000-05:00

If there is one night to wear a beautiful party dress, it would have to be New Year's Eve. While you can never guess how much fun you might have or how well the new year will go, you can make sure you feel great in what you're wearing to your New Year's Eve celebration.

I've found some pretty, sexy and even sparkly dresses that perfect for New Year's Eve and are all under $100.

This Asos cut-out LBD does some of the work for you: it's gold chain straps act as a little jewelry sparkle. You could wearing earrings, bangles and/or a cocktail ring with this dress and just about any color shoe and clutch. $63.63

You'll be a pretty party-goer in this Asos Grecian dress. Not only is this dress pretty, but its cut is forgiving to many body types. You can go crazy with accessories as well! $81.81

I can't get over how great this Urban Outfitters dress is! It reminds me of a Dolce & Gabbana dress Scarlett Johansson wore on the red carpet. Gold or silver jewelry of any kind could work with this frock. $69

A little sparkle? Yes please! This Asos sequin wrap dress is great for any age or size. Simple jewelry would work best with this dress since it's already glitzy on its own. A pair of jewel-tone pumps would be perfection with this dress. $99.99

This Asos one-sleeve dress even more sparkle and glam for you. Stud earrings and maybe a cocktail ring would be plenty of accessories with this dress. $99.99

This Free People dress has a metallic floral print so it adds a bit of shine to the winter white fabric. This is another dress that a lot of different accessories could work with. $98

Nic's Fashion Finds: Bling on the New Year

2011-12-28T15:31:00.000-05:00

New Year's Eve is the perfect occasion to go all out with sparkle. If you don't want to wear a dress covered in sequins, accessories are the best way to bling out your look.

I scoured the net for all kinds of accessories to help dazzle your look from head to toe. These accessories will work with just about any frock you're planning on wearing from a LBD to a bedazzled gown.

How pretty are these Betsy Johnson pumps?! The dainty bow to the glittery heel and the champagne hue, how could you not wear this pump for NYE? $99.95

Between the feathers and sparkling frame and clasp, this Lulu Townsend clutch is dripping in Old Hollywood charm. $39.95

When I saw this Lulu Townsend clutch, the first thing I thought was how much it reminded me of the Times Square ball. It would add a lovely touch of bling to your look to ring in the new year. $59.95

This feathered and jeweled headband would work in an up-do, a soft blow out or retro waves. $7.50

Silver and gold fringe? Yes please! These earrings are not only pretty, but they will work with just about any dress and other jewelry you might wear. $15.50

The mixed metals and and sparkle of these stacked rings will work with your NYE look, but isn't soo over the top that you will have to limit wearing them for special occasions only. $25.45

I'm always a fan of chunky cocktail rings. This faceted square ring will look great on your hand while celebrating and sipping champagne. Change it up by wearing this ring on your middle finger instead of your ring finger. $13.45

I love the diamond-shaped design of this chunky gold bangle. While this would look great with just about any dress, I think it would look exceptionally well with an one-shouldered dress. The chunkiness of this bracelet would place off the asymmetrical design.

This modern collar necklace will really highlight your collar bone. This is another piece that you could wear again and again in 2012. It also comes in silver. $24.95

I'm not a big fan of glitter-covered heels, but these pumps are a great alternative since they offer the same shine and metallic sparkle. I also love the pink sole on this shoe. $39.95

Nic's Fashion Finds: One Comfy Christmas

2011-12-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

My family's holiday get together m.o. is to be comfortable. We like to relax, enjoy our company, food and drinks without fussing in fancy clothes. But comfortable does not mean you have to sacrifice fashion. I've found several pieces you can adorn yourself for a comfortable, casual holiday party.

And a bonus...everything is under $50 since you're probably spending plenty of cash on holiday gifts.

This Forever21 top is on trend with the metallic and tribal print, but it is still comfortable with its lightweight loose fit. $15.80

You will be at ease in this Forever21 top while indulging in the color block trend. $15.80

Lulus.com shirt dress's silky material will drape comfortably on you. A pair of leggings and flat riding boots will go great with this frock. $39

This little Lulus.com off-the-shoulder dress is sexy, but it is made of a stretch jersey which means you'll be comfy in it. Throw on a skinny belt, some long necklaces, a blingy watch or even Uggs for a perfect casual holiday outfit. $37

Another great option from Lulus.com, this sweater dress will keep you warm and trendy with its starry print. You can pair this with tights, leggings or jeans. $48

Lulus.com also has this shrug sweater will make you feel like you're wearing a blanket over your shoulders. Make sure you wear slim, form-fitting items under this so you don't look bulky. $43

I love this Express maxi skirt! It is ultra soft jersey knit, which means you'll be warm, comfortable and still trendy. Wear a pair of riding boots, a form-fitting top and maybe a statement belt for a chic getup. $19.95

Jeans can sometime be uncomfortable if your sitting around the Christmas tree or holiday table. These American Eagle jeggings are a great alternative. The pocket-stitching and hardware details help these jeggings pass for the real thing, while being comfortable soft, stretch cotton. And they tuck perfectly into all of your boots. $44.50

Nic's Fashion Finds: Get Wild

2011-12-14T11:31:00.001-05:00

Nothing can spice up an outfit like a little animal print. Whether it takes the focus of your ensemble or if it takes a basic black getup to the wild side, animal prints are always on trend.

In fact, animal prints have recently become a sort of neutral addition to daily wardrobes. The popularity of animal prints is due, in part, to how easy it is to work them into an outfit. It can be as simple as pairing a scarf, bag or even shoes in animal print to an all black or even a bold color outfit.

Prints can range from the ever popular leopard to python and can come in every color. Here are some wild pieces you can add to your everyday look:

This Anne Taylor Loft snakeskin scarf can be worn with your winter jacket or over a dress or dress all day long. $29.99

This Lulus.com faux fur cropped jacket is so versatile. You can pair this with a casual shirt and jeans or with a dressy special occasion dress. $45.50

Express's zebra textured tights can be a great addition to a basic black dress. Express also has leopard print tights. $22.90

Leopard booties are all the rage right now. These booties available at DSW could be a great element of surprise for your night out on the town. Black tights, jeggings, leggings or any bottoms that can be easily tucked into these booties can work. $49.95

Fringe and leopard all in one?! You can carry this great tote available at DSW with you just about every day. $59.95

This python dress from Victoria's Secret could be dressed up for the holidays with pumps, tights and some silver bangles. You could also dress it down with a solid scarf, leggings and flat riding boots. $39.99

Health & Beauty Pick Dec. 12: Holiday Cocktails

2011-12-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

Holiday season means holiday parties and holiday parties mean holiday foods and drinks. All the extra eating and drinking is what packs on those dreaded holiday pounds. But just like you can find ways to cut calories out of the food you eat, you can also find ways to cut calories from your cocktails while still being able to enjoy them.

Dietician Gloria Tsang, author of Go UnDiet: 50 Small Actions for Lasting Weight Loss and founder of nutrition network HealthCastle.com, has shared some easy tips to cut calories from your holiday cocktails.

"The key is to focus on ingredients that maximize flavor and color while minimizing sugar, fat and calories," Tsang said in a press release.

When hitting the bar or mixing cocktails during the holidays, here are Tsang's tips to lighten up your cocktails:

Skip syrup: Many cocktails rely on sugar-sodden fruit syrups and mixes that offer none of the benefits of real fruit. Instead, Tsang said, use real fruit like citrus and berries. You can blend them as a base for mixed drinks.
Kick the cola: cola and sodas pack a killer calorie punch, especially mixed with the high-sugar spirits like rum or rye. You can try a spritzer base instead for a much lighter take on carbonated drinks. Lime spritzer or seltzer and rum or vodka is a great place to start.
Just a splash of flavor: Start your drink with a basic vodka and soda (club soda has zero calories) and add a hint of flavor with citrus peel, frozen berries or fresh mint. The strong smells give the impression of big flavor and the colors are great too, Tsang said.
Avoid high proof: Higher alcohol levels instantly pump up the calorie count, so high-proof liquor bulks up your cocktail in more ways than one. You should stick to the standard proof brands to get both the calories and drink strength you expect.
Sip, pause, repeat: Cocktails taste best when sipped slowly, Tsang said, and you'll consume less over the course on the party if you're not throwing them back. Add a lot of ice to keep your drink cool to the last sip.

Some more tips to lighten up your holiday drinking, from my experience, is to alternate between your cocktail and a glass of water or club soda. This way you still have a drink in your hand, albeit non-alcoholic, while hydrating and pacing yourself. In the mood to sip on eggnog? It's a high caloric drink, but if you just have to have it, you can "water" it down with some skim milk or unsweetened almond milk. You can also do the same sort of thing with white wine by adding some seltzer.

Nic's Fashion Finds: Holiday Party Dresses

2011-12-08T14:30:00.001-05:00

Christmas is right around the corner and after that New Year's, which means you probably have plenty of holiday parties coming up.

I've come up with some pretty, sexy and trendy dresses that will make you the belle of the ball at your holiday parties:

This H&M Dress is feminine with its slightly sheer fabric with velour pattern and wrap around cinched waist. It's sexy, but not too sexy to wear to a work-related holiday party. Pair this dress with some big gold or silver statement earrings. $34.95

This Lulus.com dress is retro sexy with its touches of lace without being revealing. I would wear simple and dainty jewelry so you don't over power the understated prettiness of the dress. $49

The best part of this sexy Arden B dress? It's a blank canvass! You can go all out with jewelry and accessories because of its neutral shade. I would pair gold or silver hoop earrings, a thin red or black belt and a chunky statement ring with this dress. Go over the top with a metallic clutch. $35.40

Red hot! That's what you'll be in this body-skimming knee-length pencil dress from American Apparel. It's cotton, so you'll be comfortable and won't have to worry too much about wrinkles. Pair this a slew of stacked bangle bracelets. Don't wear this uber sexy dress to work parties. $41

I'm in love with this ASOS frock. This metallic pleated high neck mini dress has a sexy exaggerated keyhole in the back. Go light on the accessories with this dress. $76.36

This American Eagle dress is winter white perfection. The corset bodice and sweetheart neckline are sexy and flattering. I like gold jewelry paired with the white metallic fabric. $59.50

Health & Beauty Pick: Skyn Nordic Skin Peel

2011-12-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

I was recently introduced to several Skyn Iceland products. One product I tried and fell in love with is the Skyn Nordic Skin Peel. It's exfoliating peel pads that gently renew your skin's surface with lactic acid, papaya fruit extract, white willow bark, witch hazel, jojoba seed extract and green tea extract.

All of those ingredients together work to dissolve dead the skin layer, brighten skin, soothe irritation, prevent breakouts and skin congestion, reduce pore size, hydrate skin, restore elasticity and smoothness, and fight free radicals.

This time of the year we're all running around shopping, stressing about the holidays, staying out late drinking at holiday parties. All of that works against the health of our skin, but the Nordic Skin Peel will fight all of that and keep your skin clear and radiant.

On top of all of the benefits of this product, the Nordic Skin Peel is free of parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic dye as well as being 100 percent vegetarian, cruelty-free and allergy tested.

AND it's easy to use! Just smooth a pad over your face after washing once daily or three to five times a week for sensitive skin.

Red Flags

2011-12-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

First dates are a prime location for red flags. Some people aren't looking for them and some people are, but either way they find their way into first dates. They can make or break the potential for a relationship. They can even squelch the possibility of a second date.

What are some red flags you ask?

One is general creepiness. Did your date mention your body/figure/physique several times out of context? Hint at sex? Are they trying to be slick? Did your date mention something about you that they could only find out by looking you up online and was something you haven't told them about? They are creepy. They are concerned with having sex with you and are trying too hard.

Another is mentioning previous relationships. If your date is telling a funny story about something that happened to them in high school that involved a girlfriend. No problem. Mentioning that they broke up with their girlfriend of five years a month ago? That's a red flag. Still referring to that person as a girlfriend, not an ex? Red flag. Maybe they're still not over that person.

The purpose of going out on dates is to get to know someone and to see if there is attraction or chemistry between you and the other person.

You're not only looking for those things, but you're also looking to see if they're not there. Lack of attraction or chemistry are both major red flags that can come out of the first few dates.

Sometimes, my girlfriends and I try to justify those elements not being present between us and a guy we went on a date with by saying "But he's just such a nice guy," "He's really easy to talk to," "It seemed like we had a lot in common."

Those all might be true, but none of those can make a relationship work alone. To be blunt, the bottom line is if you don't want to have sex or be intimate with the other person, it's never going to work. If you don't want to be intimate with another person, that's called a friendship.

How many red flags does it take to decide to not further anything between you and the other person? Well it depends. It could take just one major red flag or several smaller red flags that add up that make you question that person.

If you are looking for a relationship and wanting to settle down, you might not want to ignore or justify away those red flags. If something seems off or not right, that's your gut speaking to you.

xoxo Nickie

Nic's Fashion Finds: Pretty In Rose Gold

2011-11-30T10:00:00.001-05:00

There's nothing I love more than beautiful accessories to enhance an outfit. My current obsession is rose gold. It's a break from the typical silver and gold-toned jewelry and it has a dainty and feminine feel.

Based on all of the rose gold jewelry and accessories I've reviewed, the more simple the design of the piece, the more expensive it looks. All kinds of stones and colors on a rose gold item can make it look dated and somewhat cheap. You also have to make sure the color isn't too rose/pink for the same reason.

Here are some amazing pieces I've found and fallen in love with.

I'm in love with this Michael Kor's watch. It's a very sophisticated and pretty time piece that can be worn every day. $250

These Fossil Aviators are only more perfect because they are rose gold. They'll be no question that your stylish and feminine with these shades on. $70

These stackable rings are perfect if you're looking for just a touch of rose gold. $35.99

I am obsessed with this Nordstrom cuff. It can work in the office or out on the town. $38

Nic's Fashion Finds: Warm and Cute

2011-11-23T10:00:00.001-05:00

The temperatures are dropping and winter is right around the corner, and you know what that means -- cold weather accessories!

Scarves, hats, gloves and more can do more than just keep you warm; they can also keep you trendy.

I'm a big fan of scarves, but there are other accessories out there that are both warm and cute. Here are some I've found and love!

These Forever21 fingerless gloves are so dainty and pretty. They'll keep your hands warm while leaving your fingers free for your smartphone. Pair these with a leather jacket for a great mix of texture. $8.80

I love this ASOS turban knot headband is cute, trendy and will keep your ears warm. $7.19

Faux fur is so in right now. Wear this Express faux fur vest over a sweater or fitted jacket. $98

Animal print is on trend right now, and so will you with this two-tone snake print Zara scarf. $35.90

This bold Nine West hat has a vintage edge and will make you stand out for all of the right reasons. $29.99

This Express fringed poncho will feel like you're wearing a comfortable blanket, but you're still stylish. Make sure to pair this with fitted jeans or leggings. $88

Cold feet? Not with these Hunter over-the-knee socks. Let the bold stripes peak out of the top of your boots for a pop of color on a casual day. $30

This versatile knit Old Navy beret can be worn with a dressed up or casual look. $12.94

Health & Beauty Pick: Thanksgiving Calories

2011-11-21T11:00:00.004-05:00

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, which also means that it marks the beginning of parties, alcohol and food. If you're worried about gaining weight this holiday season with all of the extra calories, Gloria Tsang, author of "Go UnDiet," has offered up some tips on shaving calories off of your Thanksgiving feast.

- Serving up mashed potatoes this week? Save yourself 90 calories by using buttermilk instead of cream and using half the amount of butter you would normally use to make them.

- You can still serve cakes and pies for dessert! While baking, Tsang suggests substituting unsweetened applesauce or pureed prunes for half of the sugar in the recipe. You can even try substituting egg whites or egg substitute for the eggs in the recipes to make your cake even leaner. If the eggs in the recipe are used as an emulsifier, it's best to substitute with an egg substitute (1/4 cup = 1 egg). If you do this, you can save 96 calories per 1/8 of a cake or pie piece.

- If you just can't find a way to part with whipped cream this Thanksgiving, you should try making your own whipped cream using evaporated milk. It will offer up a similar taste and texture without the fat of regular whipped cream. You can save 60 calories per 2 tablespoons if you try this.

- Well you can't have Thanksgiving without turkey! And that's good because it's actually one of the healthy Thanksgiving menu items -- it's a good source of protein and has the least amount of fat per serving of all meats, if you pass on the skin. If you skip that crispy skin, you's save between 45 and 63 calories.

- Passing on eggnog and choosing champagne or sparkling wine will save you 100 calories per serving. Cheers!

Want some more tricks to use to save on calories this Thanksgiving? Try using a smaller plate. With all of the amazing dishes on Thanksgiving, it's easy to completely fill your plate with food. But you could cut down on how much food you serve yourself just by picking up a smaller plate.

You can also try to be choosy with what you decide to serve yourself. If you've been craving stuffing, go for it but pass on muffins, rolls and any other bread included in the Thanksgiving spread. Decide what items on the menu you most want to have and limit yourself to those. When serving yourself, you can also try to just serve yourself a fork full of the foods you don't usually allow yourself to have so you don't have to cope with the post-meal guilt. You could even share a piece of cake or pie with someone.

If the casseroles and pies are right in front of you, it's easy to pick at what's left and take some extra servings. Instead, grab a seat away from the Thanksgiving spread and limit yourself to your first plate of food.

More of Gloria Tsang's simple, small achievable actions to reclaim health are available in "Go UnDiet," now available in Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle and iBooks.

The Right To Know

2011-11-18T10:00:00.001-05:00

As you get to know someone you're dating, you slowly reveal little bits of your life and past to each other. Some open up to each other faster than others, but the general pattern is that one of you reveals something and the other reciprocates by revealing something of similar significance.

The longer you date and get to know each other, the information you reveal to each other becomes deeper and more intimate. In addition, the longer you date someone you sort of become privileged to some information about the other person, like how many boyfriends or girlfriends they've had, maybe the name of the person they have been in love with before, or even the number of people they have had sex with.

But the important thing about sharing this kind of information with your significant other is that you trust them enough and they care about you enough to not judge you or hold that information against you.

But what happens when the other person reveals something you're not ready to hear/accept/reciprocate? Or what happens when the other person requests information you're not ready to reveal?

Bottom line...it's awkward. You may not be expecting it and get caught off guard by the question. I can't tell you why the other person made the leap into seeking information about you that you aren't comfortable telling them yet.

Maybe he or she is insecure about your status with them or they are in new territory with you and don't know when the right time is to share certain information.

Either way, just because they asked doesn't mean you're obligated to answer. You can tell them you're not comfortable talking about that yet, that it's something you can tell them a little later, or, depending on how long you've been dating, you can flat out tell them it's none of their business.

If they push you to reveal whatever the information is, you might need to ask them what the deal is and why they so badly need to know that information.

Once you put something out there, you can't take it back. So make sure you're good and ready to put it out there.

xoxo Nickie

The One That Got Away

2011-11-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

We meet new people all of the time when we're out. Some may turn into friends, some may turn into more than friends and some we may never see again.

But what if you meet someone that could be a friend or more than friend, but you have the feeling that you may never see them again? That one that got away.

Although we meet new people all of the time, it's rare that you come across someone you feel an instant spark and connection with. So when life or distance comes between the two of you before you can explore if there's more there, you're left asking yourself "what if?"

What if we went out on a date? What if he is as awesome as he first seemed? What if we could be together? What if we could be perfect together?

Now, as much as many of us females don't like to admit it, we do think these things and get ahead of ourselves sometimes. But when you meet someone that you hit it off with and realize that you may never see each other again, you think these things.

But how strongly do the what if's have to get before you explore the possibility? If you can at least temporarily put aside the constraints that ignited all of your wondering of what could be, go for it.

It can't hurt to explore if there is really anything there. If there isn't anything between you two other than a friendship, well then you've accomplished two things: you've made a friend and you've gotten the answer to all of your questions.

If you do find you were right and there is something more between the two of you, then you know you can trust your instincts and you've validated all of that wondering and what if's.

That may create more questions for you, but at least you know you were initially right about what you felt between yourself and the other person. And all you need to remember when the questions creep up is what's meant to be will be.

xoxo Nickie

Nic's Fashion Finds: Versace for H&M

2011-11-10T14:47:00.001-05:00

While there's nothing I love more than a great deal on fashion and I am also obsessed with way too many high end fashion lines to count.

But when those two come together, it's a match made in heaven. That's why I'm so excited about Versace's line of clothing for H&M. While the items are a bit more expensive than the typical H&M prices, they are more than reasonable when you compare them to how much Versace's designer line costs.

Some of the pieces are very flashy in typical Versace fashion, but there are plenty of pieces that you could easily integrate into your everyday wardrobe. Here are my picks:

This silk dress is perfect for the office or a night out. Pair it with a simple blazer for work and black tights and pumps for night. $199

Whether with jeans or a simple dress, this leather jacket can work in many ways. A silky, bright scarf would beautifully contrast with it too. $299

While this print is bright, pairing this bustier it with a simple jacket and jeans or pencil skirt, you'll be sexy and stylish. $129

Got a wedding, holiday party or hot date? Wear this dress! It's sexy without being too bare. $149

This dress is screaming New Year's Eve. It's super flattering on many body types and you will definitely stand out. $249

This chunky ring, which also comes in red, is a great statement piece and could dress up any LBD. $19.95

Health & Beauty Pick Oct. 31: Halloween Candy!

2011-10-31T16:28:00.001-04:00

I'm a big believer in allowing yourself to indulge in some sweets from time to time. Completely depriving yourself from something you enjoy will drive you nuts. So, for someone that likes to tickle their sweet tooth with some Halloween candy, here are comparisons of popular candies to help you make a smart choice for your Halloween indulgence courtesy of HealthCastle.com:

PayDay beats Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Reese's Cups contain polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), a commercial emulsifier used to reduce cocoa butter. Plus, PayDay is the only candy to list peanuts, not sugar, as the first ingredient.

Kit Kat beats Twix: They're similar in calories and sugar (and both include PGPR), but Twix’s ingredient list is surprisingly long. Even more surprising? Twix is marketed as a biscuit topped with caramel and chocolate, but there’s no caramel on the ingredient list.

M&M's beat Skittles: Both contestants in this classic Halloween showdown contain artificial colorings and wax. But M&M's at least offer a tiny amount of calcium and protein, and less sugar.

Baby Ruth beats Snickers: There's no real winner here – Snickers has partially hydrogenated oil, and Baby Ruth has high-fructose corn syrup and the preservative TBHQ. Snickers loses out simply because the portion is larger, leaving room for more calories.

Mounds beats Almond Joy: Mounds has a shorter ingredient list, and skips the partially hydrogenated oil found in Almond Joy.

3 Musketeers beats Hershey Milk Chocolate: The Hershey bar has that sneaky PGPR, while 3 Musketeers was unique among the candies surveyed in actually including real cocoa powder.

Whoppers beat Milk Duds: Milk Duds will stick to your teeth, so they're a no-no for anyone with dental issues. Plus, the smaller Whoppers serving saves some calories.

**These comparisons are courtesy of dietitian Gloria Tsang, author of the new book Go UnDiet: 50 Small Actions for Lasting Weight Loss and founder of nutrition network HealthCastle.com.

Nic's Fashion Finds: Light Weight Warmth

2011-10-19T11:10:00.001-04:00

The weather is slowly cooling down and that means bringing out your coats and jackets. Even if you are sad about the changing seasons, these jackets and vests should sure cheer you up.

Though it's getting cooler, it's not quite cold enough to break out heavy winter coats. The jackets and vests I found will keep you warm while also making you look cool and chic. They can be worn with jeans and riding boots for a casual look or paired with a sexy dress and heels for a night out. And these jackets are also perfect for layering.

The items I picked out are relatively inexpensive compared to high end leather and outerwear retailers. The trick to picking out these jackets was looking at the details; though they aren't very expensive, the details can determine whether the jacket looks expensive or cheap. Check the zippers and closures as well as decorative details before buying. The best part of a bargain is not looking like you got a bargain.

I love pops of color, which is why I like the jackets and vest I chose. They are all in the neutral family so that you can pair them with a variety of color clothes, accessories and scarves, making the jackets a versatile addition to your wardrobe.

Express (Minus The) Leather Asymmetrical Zip Jacket $98

American Eagle Asymmetrical Navy Jacket $99.50

Lulus.com Crisp Olive Green Blazer $82

Old Navy Faux Fur Vest $29.94

Lulus.com Black Vegan Leather Jacket $82

Old Navy Cropped Military Jacket $65

Nic's Fashion Find: Date Night Sexy

2011-10-12T12:23:00.001-04:00

Date night. Whenever this night rolls around, I feel like I can never decide what to wear. I want to look good and appropriate for the type of date, but I also want to be comfortable.

I think dresses are perfect for dates, especially first dates. Now obviously dresses don't work for every date, like if you're going rock climbing or hiking. But for dinner, drinks, etc dresses are great. They're feminine and sexy and you can find one perfect for your date and body.

In case you're going to a restaurant for the first time and are unsure of the dress code, you won't be under dressed if you're wearing a dress. Plus, they're cute. You can show off your best feature based on the type of dress you choose whether it's your slim waist, sexy legs or voluptuous cleavage.

This Lulus.com dress is perfect to show off your waist.

This Urban Outfitters dress will play up your shoulders and cleavage.

This Charlotte Russe dress will accentuate your gams.

This American Eagle dress shows off your waist and cleavage.

Not only are all of these dresses super cute and sexy, they're not too revealing and just about any accessories could work with them.

There are a million more dresses out there that can work for dates, but the most important thing about picking a dress for a date is that you're comfortable. If a dress is too short, too low cut or is just plain uncomfortable, you'll be distracted with adjusting the dress rather than being focused on the date. In addition, a too short and too low cut dress might be too distracting for your date as well; you want him to be focused on your conversation rather than staring at your chest.

Date and Dash

2011-10-07T10:00:00.000-04:00

Some first dates are absolutely amazing and some first dates are awful. Whether you have a great or bad first date, you know for sure if you want to go out with that person again.

For me, a great date involves easy conversation, a little bit of nervousness, eye contact, and feeling a sort of spark in a kiss goodnight that you almost couldn't wait for. After a date like that, there's no question in my mind if there will be a second date.

But what if your date is just ok? Conversation was a bit choppy but alright, you weren't really that nervous, you couldn't help but check out good looking guys across the room, the guy you were out with was a pretty nice guy, but the date didn't knock your socks off. You weren't really sure you wanted the kiss goodnight.

So, do you go on a second date with this guy? On one hand, he is a nice guy and you had some things to talk about. But on the other hand the chemistry didn't seem to be there. A second date could help figure out whether there is chemistry between the two of you, but it could also lead the guy on.

Some people may just not do well on first dates and their nervous get the better of them, which could inhibit natural chemistry. But maybe there just isn't chemistry there.

So if the request for a second date with this person comes in, do you go?

I suppose that a so-so date and second can't kill you, but the more dates you go on the more you lead someone one.

And then comes the issue of first impressions. Will you be able to go into a second date with an open mind or will you be dwelling on the ho hum-ness of the first date?

I think it depends on your personality. If I'm not super excited about going out with someone, I won't go out with them. But if you have the ability to push first impressions to the side and take a second chance on someone, maybe a second date could work for you.

But if you didn't want to kiss that person at the end of your first date and there wasn't a sort of spark between the two of you, regardless of the conversation or lack there of, the innate chemistry might never be there.

xoxo Nickie

Nic's Fashion Finds: Pops of Color

2011-10-05T10:00:00.026-04:00

As I mentioned before, I typically pick out clothes in neutral colors and classic lines and dress an outfit up with accessories. One of the ways I like doing this is by pairing my neutrals with accessories that add a pop of color.

In the cold months, I find myself wearing black from head to toe -- a black dress, black tights and black boots. To break up all of the black, I grab a colored clutch, bracelet or scarf.

I think the key to wearing colored accessories is to pick one piece. Wearing red jewelry, a red belt and red shoes is too matchy matchy. Let the one piece you chose steal the show without overwhelming your outfit with too many different colors or accessories.

Check out these accessories I found:

Forever 21 Ring $2.80

DSW Crossbody $19.95

Victoria's Secret Red Suede Boot $118

Express Wristlet $29.90

H&M Ring $5.95

Lulus.com Bootie $40

DSW Clutch $19.95

Forever21 Necklace $9.80

Health & Beauty Pick Sept. 26: Seltzer

2011-09-26T10:00:00.010-04:00

I am constantly drinking water all day. I drink so much water that I get tend to just get sick of it. Rather than continue to force myself to drink more water or pick up juice with high calories and sugar, I like to reach for seltzer.

I love seltzer because it's like indulging in soda, but it is only carbonated water which means no calories, no sugar or artificial sweeteners and no list of ingredients you can't pronounce. And you're still getting the hydrating benefits of water. You can also add a slice of lemon, lime or orange for a fruity twist to your seltzer.

Two brands I like are Vintage Seltzer, which is also pretty cheap, and La Croix Sparkling Water. La Croix has yummy and naturally sweetened flavors, my favorite is grapefruit.

Seltzer is a nice mixer when you're out and want to have some drinks at a bar since it doesn't add any additional calories and sugar.

What the poke?

2011-09-23T11:14:00.000-04:00

So you decide to check in on your Facebook and, BOOM, there it is.

Someone poked you.

And it wasn't a girlfriend that you're in the middle of a pokefest with. It's from a guy that you went to school with, worked with or met through mutual friends. But not someone that you know all that well or have had that many conversations with.

"Hmm, that's weird," is usually what I think when this happens to me. Thankfully, it doesn't happen that often, but the important point is that it does happen.

So, what does it mean when you get poked? Does that person want to physically poke you? Does that person want to sexually poke you? Is that person too shy or something to send a Facebook message? Is it that he or she wants to get your attention, but doesn't know what to say?

According to Facebook's Help Page, the poke feature can be used for a "variety of things" on Facebook. The one and only example of what a poke can be used for is to say hello to friends.

I have no clue what it means when someone pokes you, other than it is passive aggressive. If you are interested enough in getting to know someone, do something about it. I mean, how hard is it to send someone a message even if you are shy or nervous? It doesn't even have to be a monumental message, just say something along the lines of "Hi, how have you been?" The worst that could happen is that he or she won't respond.

If you are actually friends with or are dating the person and see and talk in person on a regular basis, poke away. But if you don't ever see the person out and about or have never really talked to that person, I wouldn't suggest poking. It can come off as a bit creepy, strange or confusing.

If in doubt, don't poke.

xoxo Nickie

Nic's Fashion Finds: Versatile Canvass

2011-09-21T12:00:00.004-04:00

Just as much as relationships and health/beauty are major interests to me, fashion and trends have been an interest to me for most of my life. When I was little, it would drive my mother nuts because getting dressed for school would be complicated to say the least. As I grew up, my interest in fashion also grew; I would sketch designs and even took sewing classes and attempted to make clothes for myself.

With that, I've decided to expand my blog once again to include my fashion finds. I love finding beautiful, trendy, sexy and interesting clothing, shoes and accessories...especially when they don't cost very much. I like learning about new and returning trends and interpreting them in my own way.

So here is my first fashion find that is so versatile that you could wear it for many different events now and throughout the winter.

H&M currently has this fitted long sleeve jersey mini dress in stores and online for only $14.95 in red, brown, black and stripes; but the store I was recently in also had it in navy blue and black and white stripes. This dress is so comfortable and it's not too short or low cut in the front.

What I love about this dress is how perfect you can make it for any event you might be going to. For a more casual look, pair it with ballet flats or flat boots, minimal jewelry like a chunky ring, and leather belt around your waist.

Need to dress it up? Throw on a pair of high heel booties or pumps, a statement necklace and add a pop of color with a clutch.

When it starts to get cooler out, include a pair of opaque tights, scarf and leather jacket for either the dressy or casual look.

Here are some ideas of accessories to pair with this dress right from H&M:

Ring $5.95

Necklace $12.95

Belt $9.95

Tube Scarf $12.95

Jacket $49.95

Suede Boots $69.95

Health and Beauty Pick Sept. 19: Metallics!

2011-09-19T18:12:00.000-04:00

Nail polish is an easy accessory as well as a great way to try new trends without spending too much or feeling like you are taking a trend overboard.

A big trend for this fall is metallics -- which is an easy trend to interpret on your fingers. To make this trend even easier for you, Ulta has a five-piece collection of metallic polishes. The collection includes colors: Metallic Mania, Quick Silver, Rockabilly and Gold Rush. It also includes a topcoat to finish off the DIY manicure.

And the best part of this collection? It's only $12.95! Try one metallic shade at once or mix up your manicure with alternating colors for a metallic rainbow.

You can purchase this collection in your Ulta location or online.

Just Say No

2011-09-16T12:27:00.000-04:00

When all of your friends want to go somewhere you don't. When your boss asks you to work over the weekend. When a guy asks you for your number or to go out with him. When a family member asks you for a favor.

We encounter all of those scenarios (plus a million more) all of the time and desperately want to say no, but say yes anyway.

You go to the place you don't want to go. You work over the weekend even though you already had plans. You give out your number to a guy you're not interested in. And you drop everything for someone that asks you for a favor when you don't have the time or resources to do so.

Why? Because we just couldn't say no.

How many times did you do something you didn't want to do because you felt like you couldn't say no? I know I have many, many times.

We feel bad to say no. We don't want to hurt that person's feelings. We feel obligated. We feel like it's something we should do.

But instead of possibly hurting that person's feelings, we end up upset, annoyed or miserable ourselves. Obviously, there are some scenarios where saying no may just not be an option. But when that is not the case, we are more concerned with the other person's feelings than our own.

When a guy asks you out or for your number and you don't want to oblige, do you say yes anyway because you don't want to hurt his feelings? Sometimes I'm guilty of this. Except a few weekends ago a guy asked for my number and I said no. He then argued with me for 10 minutes on why it would be completely harmless for me to give him my number and go out with him.

But the alternative would have been me giving him my number and ignoring his calls or texts. Either way his ego may have gotten a little bruised, but I was honest and didn't put myself through something I didn't want to do.

I know I typically have a hard time saying no. I don't want to hurt someone's feelings or seem like a bad friend, so I go along with whatever it is I don't want to do. But more and more I think about how short life is to be doing something you don't want to do.

I think more of us need to start saying no when we want to say no. Be honest if an explanation is requested, but you also aren't obligated to give a reason.

We need to stop feeling like we should be doing things and start doing exactly what we want to do when we want to do it. Isn't that what so many other people are doing anyway?

xoxo Nickie

Health and Beauty Pick Sept. 12: Horizon Organic Lowfat Chocolate Milk

2011-09-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

Are you ever sitting at your desk mid-morning when you get hit with hunger pangs? I do and I used to reach for a Special K Protein Shake or Slimfast Shake. But one day, I looked in my parents' fridge and found a case of Horizon Organic Lowfat Chocolate Milk boxes.

Out of curiosity I picked up one of the milk boxes and began comparing the nutritional label with my usual morning shake. Before comparing the labels I would have thought that a Special K Protein shake would be more nutritional than just chocolate milk, but I was wrong. The Special K shake had a long list of ingredients, most of which I didn't even know what they were.

The chocolate milk box is only150 calories and has 2.5 grams of fat and 8 g of protein. While the Special K shake has 10 g of protein and 5 g of fiber, I would rather have a morning drink with a short list of organic ingredients.

The Horizon Organic Lowfat Chocolate Milk boxes contains: Organic Grade A Lowfat Milk, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Cocoa, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Salt, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3.

Whereas a Special K shake contains: WATER, PROTEIN BLEND (WATER, NONFAT MILK, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE), SUGAR, MALTODEXTRIN, CONTAINS TWO PERCENT OR LESS OF POLYDEXTROSE, CANOLA OIL, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, GELLAN GUM, CELLULOSE GUM, SOY LECITHIN, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, POTASSIUM CITRATE, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), SALT, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, CARRAGEENAN, SUCRALOSE, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, VITAMIN E ACETATE, VITAMIN K1, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, NIACINAMIDE, VITAMIN D3, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, VITAMIN B12, ZINC SULFATE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, FERRIC PYROPHOSPHATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), MANGANESE SULFATE, THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1), POTASSIUM IODIDE, FOLIC ACID, BIOTIN, CHROMIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM MOLYBDATE, SODIUM SELENITE. SWEETENED WITH NUTRITIVE SWEETENERS AND NONNUTRITIVE SWEETENERS.

See what I mean? Plus, you still have the convenience of just grabbing the box out of the fridge during your morning rush and it tastes great.

Chemistry 101

2011-09-09T10:00:00.002-04:00

With 1 in 6 relationships starting online, it appears that the stigma of online dating has dissipated.

What's not to like about looking for a relationship online? You can screen photos and profiles before even sending or responding to a message. You can see who you are statistically compatible with and who you are probably not compatible with. If you get a creepy message, you don't have to respond.

When you're out and about, if someone approaches you all you know is what you can see and what they tell you. You can't tell how statistically compatible the two of your are. And if the guy is a creeper, you have to plan an exit strategy.

So what could go wrong with meeting something through a dating site? Aside from never truly knowing for sure that a person is who they say they are (but then again that can happen when you meet someone in person), you can't tell whether there is physical chemistry between the two of you until you meet in person.

You could be communicating with someone through phone calls, e-mails and text messages and it can seem like the two of you are perfect for each other. But then you get together and you just don't feel the spark.

Two people that have a lot in common, that care about each other, but don't have physical chemistry are friends.

So what does that mean for online dating? Well, I think that you can meet someone out and about in the world and think that you have a lot in common, go on a couple dates and then realize that there isn't chemistry between the two of you, which is exactly what could happen with meeting someone online.

Whether you meet someone in person or online, you're taking a risk and seeing if there is anything there.

xoxo Nickie

Seasons Change

2011-09-02T10:00:00.003-04:00

Here in the Northeast, we've been experiencing some wild weather...in case you haven't already heard. But aside from earthquakes and hurricanes, one thing I've noticed this week is a change in temperature.

For the past week or so, the nights have been cool. The air conditioning is off and the windows are open. I put jeans on the other night for the first time since April. I wore a tank top and was cold.

Aside from generally just not liking cold weather, this little change is a huge indicator that summer is winding down. Before I know it, my bikinis will be collecting dust and I'll be adding multiple fleece blankets to my bed.

If you are like me, you are not a fan of the transition from summer to winter. I love the heat, sunshine and beach/pool time that comes along with the summer season. For me, the winter is cold and gloomy and I spend the entire season counting down the days until it's over.

As I was thinking about my feelings about the seasons changing, I couldn't help but compare it to how some people feel about the possibility of their relationship status changing.

For some, being in a relationship is like summertime for them -- it makes them happy, they're comfortable with that status, and the thought of being single is cold and gloomy for them.

But, for some other people, being single is comparable to summer -- it's fun, they have freedom and the idea of being tied down depresses them.

My girlfriend and I were recently talking about how anytime we get close to a point of making the transition of getting into a relationship with someone, we decide we would rather be single and change our minds about what we want.

But the more I thought about changing seasons and changing relationship statuses, the more I came back to the idea that it isn't about the season. In other words, when it comes down to changing your relationship status, it matters more about who the person is involved in the transition than the actual transition.

If the person you're involved with makes you second guess giving up your singledom for them, maybe you shouldn't make the transition. But when you want to make the transition and you want the season to change, there's no question on your part that you should make that move.

xoxo Nickie

When Do You Know?

2011-08-19T10:42:00.000-04:00

When you know, you know.

Isn't that what people say about the person they're in love with? You just knew?

Well this week on the Today Show, Kathie Lee and Hoda talked about a new survey that revealed that 1-in-5 men compared to half as many women say that for them it was love at first sight. In addition, the survey results showed that men know that someone is the right person in one date, and women need six dates to know.

One date? Us ladies get one date to prove that we're the "one?" To me, that seems like a lot of pressure. Do we have to prove that we're right for them in just one date or is it a je ne sais quoi that causes a guy to know so quickly?

Women need six dates. So what does that mean? A guy knows on the spot, but we need six dates to analyze their personality, chemistry, sense of humor, boyfriend potential, husband potential? Are we more analytical or just more cautious? Maybe women just weigh many more factors before we can know for sure.
If, like me, you haven't found the "one" it's hard to imagine knowing something like that so soon. I've known for sure after one date and after six dates that someone hasn't been the right one for me many, many times.

But whether it takes one date, six dates or many months, I think the point is that if someone is the right person for you, it doesn't matter how many dates it takes. I think the point is that you found that person and realized that either they are the right one for you or they're not.

xoxo Nickie

Dating Your Instincts

2011-08-12T10:00:00.001-04:00

To be perfectly honest, I tend to be skeptical and put a guard up when I first meet a new guy.

Why? Because I've had one too many encounters with guys you could say were players. They tend to be good looking, and they know that. They say all the things you want to hear, they make you feel awesome and lead you to believe they are seriously into you. Then, when they get what they want, something better comes along or they think they aren't going to get what they want from you, they're done with you.

And that's when you realize that everything they said was bullshit. Then you feel stupid for falling for it.

When that scenario plays out several times, it's no wonder that you become a skeptic. From then on, you second guess any compliment or declaration of feelings you receive from a guy. You have a hard time believing that a guy is being genuine.

Isn't that kind of depressing though? We've been played so many times that we can't accept that someone might be genuinely interested and open with you? A few bad apples ruined it for the whole bunch.

So what do you do when a guy comes along that could be genuinely interested and open with you? Do you go with it? Or do you constantly keep the idea that he could end up playing you in the back of your mind?

I think you might need to find a happy medium between the two. Focusing too much on the idea that he could hurt you could ruin anything good from developing between the two of you. But believing every word a guy says right off the bat could make you an easy mark.

But overall, I think you need to listen to your gut when it comes to a guy. Does it sound way to good to be true? Maybe it is. Does something feel just a little bit off about what he is saying? It might be. Do you feel like you know him well enough to trust what he says is true? Then go with it and reciprocate. Your instincts don't usually steer you in the wrong direction.

xoxo Nickie

Health and Beauty Pick Aug 8: Beach Running

2011-08-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

When you think about your vacation, you typically think of the amazing food you will eat, the drinking you will do and how much fun you will have. But you don't usually think about working out, because it is a vacation of course.

But on a recent week-long trip to the beaches of New Jersey, I couldn't contemplate drinking alcohol, eating tons of carbs and fatty foods and not working out for a week. I told myself that I would eat as many freshly baked apple cider doughnuts, pork roll and cheese sandwiches, french fries and blueberry pancakes as I wanted, as long as I didn't neglect my workout regimen. Considering that I pretty much never eat any of those foods, I thought the best workout approach for the week would be cardio-focused to burn off all the incredible amount of calories I planned to eat.

My plan? Running on the beach each morning before the sun was too high in the sky. Though I don't typically enjoy running, running on the beach in the morning was the best thing I could have done. It was beautiful, the sun was rising and there was a nice breeze coming off of the ocean. Even though my heart was pumping and my muscles were sore after my first day, it didn't really feel like a workout.

I would track my distance by the lifeguard stands, which adorned the street number. At the end of my run, I would do planks, push ups and dips on a lifeguard stand.

Running on the beach each morning was so zen and I totally suggest you try it out on your next vacation. And no need for an Ipod, the waves crashing was a much better workout soundtrack.

If I Was A Rich Girl...

2011-07-29T10:00:00.001-04:00

How many times have you ever heard the saying "money can't buy you happiness?" Probably a lot between books, magazine articles, songs and more.

Ironically, a lot of the people I've heard sing or say this statement had money. Now are they saying this because they've seen firsthand that money can't buy you happiness? Did they forget how hard it is to not have money?

Since I was a little girl, I have memories of watching my mother clip coupons before going to the grocery store, being told things I wanted were too expensive, and having to work for the extras that I wanted. I also have memories of how much time I spent applying for scholarships for college and now I have my student loans haunting me.

I was and am by no means poor, but I was also not rich.

So when I hear people say "money can't buy you happiness," I beg to differ. While money can't buy you true friends, have someone fall truly in love with you and protect you from tragedies, it certainly could make everything in between a hell of a lot easier.

Can you imagine walking into Saks 5th Avenue and just picking up whatever you wanted, not having to look at the price tag and not worry about your card being declined or not being able to eat for the rest of the year?

I'm pretty sure being able to hold a perfectly quilted Chanel bag and put a pair of red-soled Christian Louboutin heels knowing I owned them would make me feel pretty damned happy.

Aside from being able to buy any designer piece, not having to worry about if you would be able to pay your bills one month, how you're going to pay off the mound of debt you're sitting on, whether you will be able to buy groceries or if your car will start would certainly make millions of people in this country happy.

So why do people say "money can't buy you happiness?" Is it just because it can't facilitate your personal relationships? If that is the case, not having money can't buy you happiness either. One of the most common things married couples argue about is money. If those couples didn't argue over money, or the lack thereof, would they be happy and still together?

Money can't buy you true friends, can't get someone to fall in love with you and can't protect you from hate and tragedy, but I strongly believe having money makes life easier to live. Money can't solve all of the problems in the world, but it can solve a lot of them.

xox Nickie

Now What?

2011-07-15T10:15:00.001-04:00

So you were seeing someone, you thought it was going somewhere great and then it ended. First you're upset, naturally, because you just got broken up with. You're analyzing his words and your words. You're trying to figure out what you did wrong. Then you're telling yourself, as are your girlfriends, how you're better off without him and you start realizing that those quirks of his you thought were cute were actually a little strange.

Once you've finally finished picking apart the relationship that was, you come to this realization: I'm single. I'm completely single. While you obviously know you have family and friends, it's a strange feeling when you realize that you don't "have" someone.

I'm single. I don't have that someone thinking about me, calling me, texting me or dating me.

Some people might panic when they realize this; maybe they were in a long-term relationship or maybe this person is one of those "relationship people."

Their first instinct might be that they need to find someone else. Some as a security blanket and some for the enjoyment they feel of having someone.

But this may not be the best remedy. You can get lost in the relationships, not let yourself recover from a break up and, possibly, repeat the mistakes from prior relationships.

Once you've gotten past the breakup, I think the best way to move forward is not by looking for the next one, but rather to be your own "someone." Take care of yourself, exercise, cook yummy meals for yourself, go shopping, have fun out with your friends.

All of those things will make you feel good from the inside out and help you forget the guy that was stupid enough to break up with you. Plus, the better you're feeling about yourself the more eyes you'll catch when you're out and about without even trying.

xoxo Nickie

Health and Beauty Pick July 22: Naked

2011-07-11T10:00:00.001-04:00

I have recently become obsessed with the summer beauty trend of bronzy and coppery eyes. Applying a bronzed-goddess eye shadow look is paired perfectly with summer sun-kissed skin. I love playing around with make-up, but I know for some putting together a polished eye shadow look can be difficult.

I splurged a couple of weeks ago on an eye shadow palette I cannot get enough of. The Naked palette by Urban Decay features 12 beautiful neutral, golden and smokey eye shadows that would work on pretty much everyone. Some of the shadows are glittery, some are shimmery and some are matte. The variation of colors and textures make it easy for you to use this shadow for both daytime and night looks.

The mirrored case also includes a new Good Karma Eyeshadow Brush and a travel-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion in original formula.

You can purchase the Naked palette at Sephora, Ulta and on Urban Decay's website.

No Sexy Time

2011-07-08T10:00:00.001-04:00

If you are a straight, 20something female who has dated a man, you undoubtedly know how a man will try to sleep with you.

You know the lines he uses, the looks he gives you every 7 seconds when he has a sexy thought, the way he'll move his hands around to test your waters, and so on.

Sometimes you resist and sometimes you give in to his temptations, depending on how you feel about the guy, how good he is at doing the afore mentioned things, how much alcohol you've consumed or a combination of those things.

Let's say you've been on several dates with a guy or even have been seeing him for a couple of months. In typical male fashion, you would assume he would at least try to sleep with you, right? What if you had been seeing him for a couple of months and he hadn't even tried? Not even once?!

At first, I would think that he is trying to be respectful, which is a rare find. Then you start thinking, is he waiting for the right moment? Then you start thinking, this is strange he hasn't tried to sleep with me. You go back in your memory to past flings and relationships to figure out the timeline to first time sex to compare situations.

So it's been several months and no sexy time, not even close. Is he waiting until we have the exclusivity talk? Is he not attracted to me in that way? Both thoughts that could be running through your mind until you start to come up with reasons to justify it.

Now, if you know me well enough, you know that I believe there are many other more important things to have in a relationship aside from sex. But having sex is a part of being in an adult relationship, barring how strict you are religiously. It brings two people together by creating an emotional connection and it's a way of showing how you feel about each other.

So what happens when after dating for many months and it's not happening? I'm not so sure that it's all on you. Maybe he's shy, but regardless of how shy he may be, he is still a guy. Maybe he is sleeping with someone else that you don't know about, but he is still a guy and, let's face it, why wouldn't he try sleeping with multiple women if he's dating multiple women?

Is he gay?

It's an odd, and in my experiences, and a rare occurrence that a hot-blooded, straight, young 20something man wouldn't try to have sex with a women he may or may not be attracted to. Does he really have his hormones that much in check?

Whatever his reason or issue may be, the bottom line is he hasn't made the move and that could very well be because he doesn't want to have sex with you. It may not be about you at all, but after 5 months if there was something real there and he wanted to be with you, sex would have happened.

xoxo Nickie

Have you ever dated a guy who never made a move to sleep with you?

He Texts Me, He Texts Me Not

2011-07-01T10:00:00.004-04:00

It's not you, it's me. I'm not ready to be in a relationship. I met someone else. I think we should just be friends. The connection isn't there for me.

Yea, it sucks hearing all and more of those things when someone is breaking up with you. Not just because they're horribly overused and are sometimes cover ups for what is really going on, but because you have just been told you're not wanted.

Could anything make being broken up with and hearing these lines worse?

Well what if you were reading these lines? Is that worse?

What if you were reading these lines in a text message?

If someone broke things off with you through a text message, would you be more upset about the break up or that it was in text message?

Sometimes there are just things that are inappropriate to send in a text message and messages can be misconstrued. However, if you receive one of the afore mentioned lines, there really is much to be confused about other than why it was sent in a text message.

First you're mad. How dare that loser break up up with me! Then you think "wait a second, he just broke up with me in a freaking text message." If you didn't think he was an idiot before, now would be an appropriate time to start thinking that.

First of all, regardless of the text message, if he used a cliche break up line, he was too stupid and emotionally stunted to say what he really felt. And the fact that he put it in a text message shows his lack of respect for you and that he was too scared to say it to your face, let alone through a live phone conversation to give you a chance to verbalize your thoughts and feelings.

Breaking up with someone is difficult. There is no way to break up with someone without hurting their feelings. Most people don't set out to intentionally hurt another person, and breaking up with someone does just that.

But rather than just muster up the guts to say the hard things you need to say, some people shoot a text message off. It's selfish -- he doesn't have to face you; he doesn't even have to hear the upset in your voice.

I haven't yet figured out the best way to respond to a break up text. I don't think immediately texting him back is good, but calling him and putting him on the spot might be a good alternative.

As much as it sucks to get broken up with, and sucks even more to get broken up with through a text message, you've just found out that guy you were dating is immature, a jerk and not good enough for you. The joke is on him.

xoxo Nickie

Health and Beauty Pick June 27: Zumba!

2011-06-27T11:00:00.000-04:00

Whether you are still working on your bikini bod or are just looking to have some fun, Zumba might be something to consider trying. I had wanted to try it for a while, but never got around to it until recently. I didn't know what to expect, but it was definitely a fun class to take.

I usually do cross-training and kick boxing workouts, so I was open to try something new. Occasionally I get bored with my workouts and Zumba was a nice change of pace.

I was sweating, out of breath and my muscles were burning, but I wasn't even thinking about that because I was having a good time. The instructor would switch up the pace from medium to fast to vary our heart rates and we were dancing to fun music. At one point the instructor pulled out skirts with bells on them for us to put on and shake our hips!

I took the class at a local dance studio, but many gyms offer Zumba classes. If you prefer to do it in the privacy of your own home, there are plenty of videos you can buy and even a Zumba game for Wii and other gaming consoles.

If you're looking for a new workout, want to switch up your routine or are just trying to find something to do with friends, I would definitely suggest trying Zumba. You'll have fun sweating it out.

Does Older Mean Wiser?

2011-06-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

With each birthday, we tend to reflect on many things.

Does this mean I'm old? I'm now 23, is that still considered early 20s? Have I changed since my last birthday? Do I feel any older?

Today is my 23rd birthday and these are some thoughts that have been passing through my mind. Though I don't physically feel any older nor do I look any older than I did yesterday, I am definitely older and wiser today. I may not have thought the same thing on my 22nd or 21st birthdays (though the only thing I was worried about on my 21st was having my first legal drink).

But reflecting back on this past year, I couldn't believe how far I've come. This time last year, I had just graduated from college and didn't have a job. My plan for the summer was to take care of my youngest sister while looking for a job.

On my 23rd birthday today, I look back and see that I had a very successful experience working as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper where I believe I learned more than I did in college. While there I wrote many, many stories and met and interviewed so many interesting people; I even got to sit in on a conversation between Tony Blair and Bill Clinton. Now I have a new job as an editor of an online news source in Lower Bucks County, PA.

So what does all of this mean?

It means that one year can make no difference and it can make all the difference.

I think that one year in a life can be full of experience and learning experiences that are truly influential. Whereas a year can be like any other year sometimes. I don't think that you automatically become older and wiser with each birthday...for some people it can take several birthdays or a lifetime.

Now I went into my first job with the mentality that I need to learn and experience as much as possible to set myself up for a second job and growing my career. That I think has a lot to do with having a fruitful and mind-expanding year.

If you asked me this time last year what I learned in a year, I would have probably said that people you think are your friends may very well not be. I would have said that it takes a conflict to learn people's true personalities.

While those were valuable and tough lessons to learn, I think the things I've learned this year have made me an overall smarter and wiser person. With that, my plan for the next year is to keep an open mind to continue to learn.

Growing one year older means that you're just one year older; your birthday is not an automatic rite of passage to being wiser. The way you spend your 365 days between your birthdays determines whether you become a wiser person.

xoxo Nickie

Till Divorce Do Us Part?

2011-06-17T10:00:00.001-04:00

For the past few weeks, I couldn't help but notice the springing of celebrity engagements. Kim Kardashian announced her engagement after dating Kris Humphries for 6 months. Nikki Reed and American Idol contestant Paul McDonald announced their engagement after 3 months of dating.

I can't help but notice how often celebrities get engaged without dating for very long. Kim's sister, Khloe, met Lamar Odom and got married within a month almost two years ago. The TV show the Bachelor and Bachelorette has gained popularity on the premise that strangers meet, fall "in love" and get engaged in a matter of weeks.

I don't doubt that it is easy to fall in love with someone. It's easy to feel like you've found the one. But I just can't help but wonder if you truly know someone well enough after a few weeks or months to confidently say that the two of you will spend the rest of your lives together. Can two people know each other well enough and feel comfortable enough together to have those hard discussions in a couple of months? Have you learned how to fight and make up?

Do you know how you want to split or combine your money? Do you know if/when you want to have kids? Have you discussed your spiritual beliefs if you don't share the same faith?

Six months together is still the honeymoon phase in my experiences. Things are still relatively new, exciting and passionate. You're still getting to know things about each other, whether good, bad or ugly. I cannot believe that within a few weeks to three months you know someone well enough to make such a serious commitment to each other. It just kind of seems crazy to me.

Maybe it's different for celebrities than us regular folks. They don't have to worry about money and can hire the best divorce lawyers. Is the celebrity mentality "until divorce do us part?"

I've never understood rushing into marriage, though I do get that an older couple that may have been around the block plenty of times and know what they want.

What's wrong with dating for a long period of time? Kate Middleton and Prince William dated for years and she was deemed "Waity Katie" by the media. There's nothing wrong with being patient and taking your time to truly figure out if you and your significant other want to spend the rest of your lives together. Plus, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend is a million times less complicated than getting divorced.

xoxo Nickie

June 13 Health and Beauty Pick: Iced Green Tea

2011-06-13T10:00:00.001-04:00

I've written before how much I like drinking green tea in the morning, but I've had to come up with something different with the temps rising.

Instead of a mug of hot green tea, I've been enjoying iced green tea. I especially like getting an iced green tea from Starbucks when I'm out and about for work. But when I'm working from home for the day, I like to make it myself.

First I'll boil water and pour it into a large mug. Then I'll let a bag of green tea steep for a few minutes. Then I'll pour the hot tea in a glass full of ice and voilà!

I don't really like to add sugar or sweetener to my tea, but a squeeze of honey or lemon taste great in tea.

Is Sexting Sexy?

2011-06-10T10:30:00.000-04:00

First Anthony Weiner denied it; someone hacked into his Twitter account and sent out a lewd photo, which he wouldn't confirm or deny was of him. Then, Weiner said the photo was his, well, weiner and that he took it and accidentally sent it out on Twitter (it apparently was meant for a direct message on Twitter).

"Weiner Exposed," "Weiner's Pickle," "Hide the Weiner," "Weiner Bares All."

Those are just a few of the headlines we chuckled at this week. But when the chuckling stopped, the confusion started.

Why would he take and send that picture? Isn't he married to a beautiful, successful woman? Did he think he wouldn't get caught? Why would he deny it and then later say he did it?

Those were questions that swirled in my head after news of Weinergate broke. But then the more I thought about it, the question I kept coming back to was: Who would find that sexy?

Why would any woman with the least bit of class want to receive a lewd photo or a photo of a penis from someone she didn't even know? I'm not even sure that I would want to receive that kind of photo from a guy I did know.

Side note: If a stranger sent me a similar photo on Twitter, I would be completely creeped out.

But do women find these pictures sexy or a turn on? I can see why a guy would be turned on if a woman sent them a sexy photo...guys are visual. They get turned on with the glimpse of a pair of boobs. But it takes a lot more than the sight of a penis to turn a woman on.

The only thing I could come up with as to why a woman would enjoy being sexted by a guy is the attention and knowing that a guy was attracted to her.

But what does the guy get out of sending a sexy photo to a woman? I think it's an arrogance and fantasy thing, at least in the case of Anthony Weiner. "Look at what you could have?" is what that photo is saying to the person it was sent to. It almost seems like the guy sending the photo would get more pleasure and excitement out of it than the person receiving the photo.

But I think it's safe to say that Anthony Weiner isn't getting any pleasure out of these photos anymore.

xoxo Nickie

A Brother's Lessons

2011-06-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

Today is my baby brother's birthday. He's not really a baby, considering he turned 19 today, but I will always consider him my baby brother. Growing up, I always wished I had an older, protective brother, but I realized a few years ago that my brother didn't need to be older than me to be protective of me.

In honor of my brother's birthday today, I thought it would be only fitting to write about the things he's taught me about beauty and relationships.

Less is more...when it comes to makeup and talking. If you throw too many words or questions at my brother, you will be tuned out. Sometimes you just need to get to the point. He's a man of few words, unless he is telling a funny story or talking about something important to him, although growing up in a house of women might have something do with that. He's a good listener, but you have to be a good listener when he starts talking. Based on the girls he's been interested in and dated, he has shown me that having perfect hair and makeup are not important to guys -- but your personality and character are. The only time the "less is more" mentality doesn't work with my brother is when he doesn't approve of something I'm wearing ;)

Take risks...despite some of the consequences. I have never really been much of a risk taker, so my brother has thrown my parents for a loop when he was younger. Having fun and hitting hard are two things my brother never thinks twice about (he's a football player). He doesn't think "What if I get in trouble" or "What if I get hurt," he simply thinks "I'm going to have a freaking good time" and "I'm going to take this guy out." I think there's something to be said about the confidence it takes to do what you want and what feels right and not worry about what may happen.

Do what you want...When my brother wants to do something, he just does it. He doesn't worry about what people think about him, he just does what he wants. If you want to do something or go somewhere, why should it matter what some else thinks of that decision or desire?

Indulge yourself...My mom jokingly calls my brother "Gucci." He likes the best of everything and finds a way to afford those luxury items he wants. Some people never do anything for themselves, but it's important to occasionally buy that expensive pair of sunglasses, dress or shoes that you've had your eye on.

When my mom told me I was having a brother, all I probably thought about was being a big sister. But I never expected to learn valuable lessons from my little brother; thankfully, I did.

xoxo Nickie

Talent or Popularity

2011-05-27T14:12:00.000-04:00

So, a new American Idol was crowned this week. I didn't watch this season, or any other season of the show, but I did watch the finale. Based on entertainment news I heard throughout the season of the show, it sort of seemed as though the most talented contestants didn't make it to the end.

Does this make sense? The most talented contestants in a talent contest weren't still standing at the end of the contest. To me, this doesn't make sense. But, more times than I can count, whether in my life or on reality talent shows, the best person for the job doesn't necessarily get the job -- the most popular person does.

This even happens in the work force with grown adults, especially in the industry I'm in. While your skills and past experience play important roles for moving up, the deciding factor between you and another person can come down to who they know.

Is anyone else sick of this trend?

The popular person winning despite someone else being more qualified or talented?

She's pretty. He is soo cute. She's my friend. Mr. Professional So-and-So recommended him.

These are just some reasons people vote for and hire people. When and why did talent take the backseat?

It kind of makes you think what the world would be like if the best person for the job always got the job.

xoxo Nickie

Young and Impressionable

2011-05-20T10:00:00.001-04:00

Those closest to me would describe me as somewhat of a commitment phobe. While I disagree with this word choice, I cannot deny the walls I put up with a new special someone. I don't easily let my guard down to let people in. I have to be absolutely certain about a person before I can really let them in.

This isn't something new, this is something I've done for a while. But I never really put thought into why I am this way until recently.

I had my first boyfriend when I was 15 or 16 years old. I was crazy about this guy. But a couple months later, he broke up with me out of the blue. I didn't see it coming and I was devastated.

That was almost eight years ago...and I'm still affected by it.

When I realized how big of an impact this relationship had on me, I couldn't believe it. I've been over that guy for soo long, yet I haven't subconsciously forgotten how he hurt me?

When we were young and in love for the first time, we didn't know how it felt to be broken up with, cheated on or hurt by someone we cared so much for. We didn't know until it happened. That shock and heart-sinking hurt hit you like a ton of bricks.

Though we were young, we certainly learned lessons from those first relationships. We didn't want to remain naive about love and run into that pain again. So we protect ourselves.

We don't easily let new love interests in, like we did back then. We don't as easily trust new love interests, like we did back then. We don't as easily open up to someone new, like we did back then. And we certainly don't jump into a new relationship without thinking a second thought, like we did back then.

We got hurt the first time around (and maybe the second, third, fourth or more times), we have our armor on now so it doesn't happen again.

But the only problem with constantly protecting ourselves from hurt is that we're also keeping ourselves from finding something great. You put up a tough front and you don't seem too eager. The other person might think you're not interested in having something with them. They can't read you. The list goes on and on, but the bottom line is that always having your guard up probably means that you're single, even if you don't want to be anymore.

I'm not saying that you should just go around and spill your life story and feelings for every person you go out on date with. But when you come across someone you truly are interested in and can see something with, it may be worth biting the bullet and saying "I like you" or "I'm interested in you" and letting your guard down just a little bit.

The worst that could happen is that those sentiments don't get reciprocated. And then you know where you stand with that person before you get too involved with them.

I know this is something easier said than done because it's something I struggle with. But at this point, I would rather have my feelings hurt than not pursue something that could be truly amazing.

xoxo Nickie

May 16 Health and Beauty Pick: Coppertone

2011-05-16T11:00:00.000-04:00

Despite the periodic spring showers, summer really is around the corner. That means we're all spending more time out in the sun. Soon enough, we'll be laying out in our bikinis soaking up the rays. But before we set up the lounge chair, you need to protect your skin.

Lathering up with sunscreen is super important to prevent burning and premature aging, but I also have sensitive skin. So to make sure I protect my skin without using something that will irritate it, I turn to Coppertone's oil free line of sunscreen.

Coppertone has an oil free lotion for all over and one specifically for faces. Not only do these lotions keep me from frying up in the sun, but I also don't have to worry about my skin breaking out since it's oil free, fragrance free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (it won't clog your pores.) It is a light-weight, non-greasy lotion that goes on super easily. It's also waterproof and photostable broad spectrum UVA/UVB. I like to use either 15 or 30 spf, but whichever level you choose make sure that you apply a shot glass amount 30 minutes prior to going outside to completely protect your skin.

You can find these products at a variety of drug stores for $6 to $8 a bottle.

For those of you who love the look of being tanned and sun kissed, you will skin get that when you wear sun screen. To enhance the summer glo, check out this H&B review.

Forgive and Forget?

2011-05-13T21:27:00.000-04:00

One of the risks of being in either a friendship or romantic relationship is the possibility of getting hurt. We take that risk all of the time, but don't regret it until after we've been hurt.

Whether it's a cheating boyfriend or a backstabbing friend, people we care about and put our trust in can sometimes hurt us. And sometimes we can hurt those people as well.

While the hurt and betrayal is painful and makes you question things in the past, the hardest part comes next: whether to forgive or not.

Some people have a much easier time forgiving others, and some people simply cannot forgive. Sometimes in the case of forgiveness, you get hurt so badly by that person that you just cannot forgive them. And sometimes you care too much about that person to not forgive them.

What happens after not forgiving is easy. You break up with them. You stop being friends with them. And some people think it's perfectly fine to seek revenge on that person.

But what happens after you forgive them? Do you go back to the way things were before? Can you? In my experiences, forgiveness has been handed out but things never really went back to the way they were before. I was more cautious with that person and they no longer had my trust, whether they realized that or not.

But even though I forgave that person, did the fact that I didn't forget her betrayal mean that I hadn't truly forgiven her? I'm still not sure of that answer, probably because that person betrayed me a couple times after that initial forgiveness.

However, the following incidents didn't hurt as bad. I wasn't as shocked as the first time. It didn't phase me as much and I credit that to not forgetting the way that person treated me the first time it happened. But this still brings me back to the question that if you forgive but don't forget, are you not fully forgiving that person?

I think it depends on the situation and the people involved. If a boyfriend were to cheat on me, I think I would have a hard time forgiving that and an even harder time forgetting it. If two people have been married for many years and have children together, it could turn out extremely ugly, but forgiveness could eventually come into play.

But I truly think that if you let someone in to your life and heart and trust them, and they use things you revealed to them in confidence against you, if they prove many times that they don't have your best interest in mind and their actions prove that they care more about themselves than you...forgiveness is difficult though not an option for many. Forgetting it...impossible.

Forgetting how someone hurt you is a mistake. I think you learn from the good, the bad and the painful.

xoxo Nickie

May 9 Health and Beauty Pike: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

2011-05-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

Once a week or so, I like to give my face a good scrub to get rid of any dead skin. My all-time favorite product to use is Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant. It is a rice-based enzyme powder and is free of artificial color and fragrance, which is very gentle on my sensitive skin.

This scrub gets the job done of exfoliating, brightening and smoothing your skin without being too harsh -- the scrub is effective but fine. The scrub has a skin brightening complex of aspergillus, grapefruit and licorice to help balance uneven skin pigment. It also contains skin-soothing combination of green tea, ginkgo and colloidal oatmeal that calms your skin.

To use it, you can pour a quarter-size amount into your palm and dribble a few droplets of water into it to create a paste. You can also pour some of your daily face wash into it so you can wash and scrub your face at the same time.

Even though it's a bit pricey ($50 for a 2.6 oz. bottle), but your face will feel fresh, clean, smooth and brand new with this exfoliant.

PS: There are a lot of websites that sell Dermalogica products at discounted prices

PDA: Public or Private?

2011-05-06T10:00:00.001-04:00

So millions of us tuned in last week to see Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot in London last Friday. While Kate, the dress and ceremony were beautiful and William looked handsome as ever, I couldn't help but notice the lack of PDA between the two.

Just before the much anticipated kiss between the two on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, it was mentioned by a commentator that William doesn't really like public displays of affection. This seemed apparent in the kiss, which you probably missed if you blinked. The crowd was dissatisfied with the first kiss and apparently chanted for them to kiss again. The second one was a little bit longer than the first.

While some were disappointed that their kisses weren't more passionate, romantic or lengthy, I couldn't help but put myself in their shoes. Would it not feel a bit awkward and embarrassing to kiss in front of your grandmother, who happens to be the queen, and billions of people?

And let me ask you this, wouldn't you feel uncomfortable if William or Kate slipped the other the tongue? These two have never really shown any sort of PDA out in public. While there's no doubt they were feeling the wedded bliss (or anxiety/adrenaline), they were also definitely feeling the eyes and opinions of billions of people watching.

While this sort of public situation is not one most of us will find ourselves in, the debate of PDA certainly still applies to us commoners. I've never seen anything wrong with a little hand holding or a quick peck (a la the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). However, a full-on make-out session may be a bit much out in broad daylight (a dirty frat house basement is a bit different ;).

It's like people are putting on a show. Onlookers are uncomfortable, yet can't look away. To me, this sort of PDA just seems more like a form of insecurity rather than simply being wrapped up in the person you're with. You need to show everyone how you feel about each other. You feel the need to show everyone the passion the two of you share. While I have to admit there are exceptions to this (i.e. soldiers leaving or coming home from war/ long distance relationship greetings and goodbyes), passerby's aren't thinking "wow, they must really be in love;" they're more likely thinking "get a room."

Being alone where you don't have to worry about the people around you, in silence where you can truly let your hair down and emotions show seems like a much more romantic setting to share your affection for each other. I think that Prince William and Kate are the epitome of having confidence in your relationship.

They know how they feel about each other. They know they love and care for each other. And while their circumstances are a bit different when out in public, the two don't broadcast their passion and affection for each other for all to see.

Don't get me wrong, I love hand holding and the occasional PG-rated kiss when out and about when the moment feels right. But that sort of PDA is far different that groping, rubbing, making out and being all over each other. To be frank, it just doesn't seem classy.

xoxo Nickie

May 2 Health and Beauty Pick: Luna Bars

2011-05-02T10:30:00.000-04:00

As I've mentioned before, I usually snack all day long rather than eat three meals a day. I used to eat some sort of breakfast bar each morning, until I looked at the nutrition label and realized all I was eating was sugar and carbs.

That's when I discovered Luna Bars. They give me the satisfaction of a mid-morning snack similar to a breakfast bar, but make much more nutritional sense to eat. There are plenty of flavors, but my favorites are lemon zest and white chocolate macadamia.

The nutritional info varies from flavor to flavor, but they are typically 190 calories, only 7 grams of fat, 9 grams of protein and only 11 grams of sugar. These bars fill me up and another added bonus of them is that the ingredients are 70 percent organic.

While they tend to be about $5 for a box of 6 bars, you don't have to buy a whole box. At places like Target, you can buy individual bars to ensure that you like them before buys a box. You can also buy buy boxes of mini bars in multiple flavors.

Royal Love a Royal Pain?

2011-04-29T08:00:00.006-04:00

Happy royal wedding day! I'm assuming you heard of the royal shindig that happened earlier this morning across the pond.

In the weeks leading up to today, the media has analyzed and re-analyzed every aspect of the affair from what dress Kate Middleton will wear, what she will ride in to the wedding, what food will be served at the reception, whether Kate and Prince William will kiss, what vows she will say, how she will not throw her bouquet, how she compares to Princess Diana, where the newlyweds will go on their honeymoon, to a million other aspects of their wedding and life together.

And to those of you who can't wait for the wedding to happen so that you don't have to hear about it anymore, you might be out of luck. I have a hunch that every aspect of the wedding that has been speculated about in the media will now be critiqued and replayed many times over.

Though most of the media speculations have been white noise to me, the one article I found very interesting about Kate was about the things she will give up upon saying "I do." First, she will no longer be referred to as Kate, but rather Her Royal Highness the Princess William of Wales, Catherine or Ma'am. She will no longer vote, though she is technically allowed to, because the royal family views voting as unconstitutional and not in accordance with the need of neutrality. Along the same lines, she will not be able to run for political office.

Though she has been in the spotlight for the past nine years, Kate will be in spotlight even more so now that she and William are man and wife. Similarly, she will not be allowed to do or say anything that could be deemed controversial. It's no longer just her reputation on the line, but that of Prince William and the rest of the royal family.

Kate will no longer have the opportunity to pursue a career outside of her royal duties. While Kate has a art history degree, she really hasn't worked since finishing college. She also will not be able to sign anything unofficial because as a potential future counsellor of state if Prince William becomes king, Kate might have to sign government papers and bring legislation into force in place of William. Members of the royal family are not supposed to sign anything that could lead to their signature being copied or forged.

A bit more ridiculous things Kate will not be able to due once dubbed a princess include playing Monopoly, eating shellfish and finishing her dinner.

Some of those things she'll give up aren't too bad. I wouldn't mind not having to work anymore and devote my time to charity work. I also wouldn't have a problem giving up Monopoly. However, I'm not sure how I would deal with the media scrutiny and having to watch my every word and move.

However, she is giving up a lot more than being single. Her life will become completely devoted to being royal. She won't really have much freedom.

Marriage typically entails giving up some aspects of your single life. I think that's why some people are nervous about tying the knot. When things get tough, it's not as simple to take a break or say "it's not you, it's me." That might even be why some people don't get married at all -- they like their life the way it is and are not willing to change. Or they don't feel the love enough for that sort-of special someone to give up the freedom.

Though marriage means giving up some things, it also means that you are gaining some things. A (hopefully) lifelong companion is the number one thing you gain in marriage. Someone to share the good and tough times with. Someone to start a family with.

The love you have for someone and the gained benefits are what are supposed to outweigh the things you lose with "I do." And when you do find someone you want to don a white dress for, you probably know them well enough to know exactly what you're getting yourself into.

While it seems that Kate will be losing many more things than us commoners in marriage, she has obviously decided that they are insignificant to her love for William. There's no doubt that Prince William will be by her side to help and support her along the way. And I don't think many people would mind actually being a princess either.

xoxo Nickie

Apr. 18 Health and Beauty Pick: Mini Baby Bell

2011-04-25T10:30:00.001-04:00

When I first started working, I quickly realized three meals a day just wasn't going to work for me. I changed up my routine to eat a bigger breakfast and then snack throughout the day until dinner. Aside from apples with peanut butter, protein bars and bananas being staples in my daily snackfest, so is my little indulgence of Mini Babybel cheese wheels by The Laughing Cow.

If my stomach and waistline could handle it, I would eat cheese at every meal. But since it tends to be high in fat, I've limited myself a slice of naturally slender cheese on an egg in the morning and a babybel in the afternoon. When it comes time to unwrap the wax coating on the mini cheese wheel, I can't even tell you how excited I get.

The 70 calorie, 6 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein cheese wheel is perfect for my snacking routine, especially when it tastes so good it feels like I shouldn't eat it. There is a lighter version and a few other flavors, but my favorite is the original flavor.

To Wait or Not to Wait

2011-04-15T10:00:00.004-04:00

While this is a topic you won't often find me talking about, it's a topic that cannot be ignored in the world of 20somethings: sex.

Regardless of the statistics about how often men and women think about sex, the point is that we all think about it. Women think about the who, what, when, where and why when it comes to having and not having sex; men might think about all of those factors too, but I've learned that they mostly think about the "when" factor more than anything else with sex.

I think there is a small group of women who can have sex without forming any emotional ties. That being said, many, many women do get emotionally involved afterward. Issues arise when these emotional attachments are formed, but not reciprocated by the man. And in some cases, things go wrong quicker when you more quicker.

You could ask 100 different people what their thoughts are on sex and timing, and you will get 100 different answers. Some say you need to wait. Some say there's no need to wait. Some say you can only regret not sleeping with someone, while others feel regret after commitment-less sex

Samantha Jones of Sex and the City once said on the show: "A guy can just as easily dump you if you f*** him on the first date as he can if you wait until the tenth." He can also just as easily dump you for not sleeping with him. Sex does not mean committment.

Sometimes it seems as though it would just be easier if sex could be taken off the table while dating. No pressure to have or not have sex, just get to know each other until the time may be right.

In terms of the right person or time to have sex, I don't have an answer for you. I also don't have an answer as to how long you should wait to do it either. I think those are questions you have to figure out yourself and what works best for you. That can vary from relationship to relationship.

But I honestly believe that if you're seeing someone you're interested in having more than just sex with, waiting to have sex can't hurt. It gives you both more time to get to know each other, become comfortable with each other and decide if you really want to be with each other. Waiting can give you two time to learn how to communicate with each other. And waiting can solidify how he feels about you. Sometimes sex can cloud all of those thoughts.

I think there are many more instances of regretting sex when it happens too soon opposed to regretting waiting too long.

xoxo Nickie

April 11 Health and Beauty Pick: Bobble

2011-04-11T11:00:00.000-04:00

Aside from a small glass of juice and green tea in the morning, all I drink the entire day is water. I chug it during my morning workouts, I down it all day at work and I keep a glass of it next to my bed during prime time TV. While water is all I drink during the day, I made a vow to myself a few months back to drink more of it.

There are so many health, and even beauty, benefits to drinking more water. Since your body is composed of 60 percent water, drinking water helps to maintain the balance of body fluids. Water also helps with controlling calories, since it doesn't contain any calories like so many sugary juices and sodas do. In addition, water aids in energizing muscles; muscles become fatigued when cells don't have an adequate balance of fluids and electrolytes. Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin hydrated and clear. For more health benefits associated with drinking water, check out this WebMD article.

However, I was racking up my parent's recycle bank credits with all the plastic water bottles I was using. My family and I just recently ditched our weekly case of water habit and started carting around Bobbles.

Since getting this cute reusable bottle, I have been drinking more water than ever. I used a reusable aluminum bottle before, but the metal irritated my uber sensitive skin. The Bobble is made of recycled, FDA approved PET that is BPA-free, PVC-free and free of phthalates, so no irritated skin here. What is so nice about it, aside from creating less waste, is that it has a water filter in it that filters out chlorine and organic contaminants. You can fill up anywhere and know you're drinking filtered water. Plus, it only costs $10 and the filter, which is only $6, gets replaced every 2 months. You end up saving money that you have been spending on cases of water.

My Bobble hasn't left my side since I got it.

Spring is in the Air

2011-04-08T10:00:00.003-04:00

Although Mother Nature played a cruel April Fool's joke on us last Friday in the form of snow, there have been a couple days this week that reminded that it is in fact spring time. Flowers are starting to bloom, the sun is rising earlier and setting later, you can now hear the birds chirping in the morning and the only thing putting a damper on this time of year are those spring showers.

When I walk outside in the morning and the sun in shining, birds are chirping and I don't need to wear my winter coat, I am both pleasantly surprised and happy. After this awful winter, this spring is needed more than ever.

But it's not just the new season that is making us feel happier, according to an article I read by GALtime.com love is also in the air when spring is sprung. In fact, the article goes as far as saying that it is easier to fall in love during spring.

The additional sunshine reduces melatonin levels, the hormone that regulates your wake and sleep cycle, making you feel more energized gives you a mood adjustment. The warmer temperatures cause us to shed all the layers of clothing we packed on during the winter -- the extra skin showing makes it easier to reach one another's sexual cues in addition to being a turn on.

The article continues with a sociologist stating that we tend to hold onto relationships in the winter, not wanting to end them before the holidays. When the new year rolls around, it becomes easier for us to let go of relationships that no longer make us happy and look for new opportunities. But the changes that come with spring make our mind and body "more ready for new connections."

I guess I can agree with some of these ideas, especially the decreased melatonin making me want to take naps at my desk, but I think there is another factor that facilitates new relationships in the spring. We are no longer cooped up sitting by a fire place desperately trying to get warm. We are no longer stuck in the house during snow storms dreading the shoveling and snow clean up. And we are no longer avoiding any reason to go outside into the cold.

So what's my point? Winter is gone, sunny, warm weather is here and we are outside enjoying it. We're walking around town, eating outside and going out much more often. The more you are out and about, the more likely you're going to meet someone, which is where that happy mood and swingy sundress are the icing on the cake. Also, physically being happier and smiling more makes you more approachable by the opposite sex.

I think there's also something to be said about all of the blooming and pollination going on in spring -- there's literally sex in the air. Spring is also a big wedding season. All parts of this new (desperately needed) warm and flowery season are leading us towards love and sex.

xoxo Nickie

April 4 Health and Beauty Pick: Just Dance 2

2011-04-04T10:30:00.001-04:00

It is the first week of April, which means that bathing suit season is even closer. If you, like me, are looking for more ways to get that cardio in until it's warm enough to run outside again, Just Dance 2 for the Wii will do just that.

My family got the Wii a few Christmases ago and we've been having fun playing with it ever since. Each Christmas since, we've either gotten a new game or accessory, including the Wii Fit. When it comes to Wii Fit, I've found the workouts a bit boring and not very hard. I felt like I was spending more time and energy picking out the moves than I was on the actual workout. The Wii Fit games are much more fun that the actual workouts.

However, the best workout I have ever gotten using the Wii is with the games Just Dance and Just Dance 2. Not only are you having fun dancing to upbeat music, but you're also working out. The dances are excellent cardio workouts, and some dances have you huffing and puffing like you wouldn't believe. I prefer Just Dance 2 simply because there are 40 songs with a variety of dances, including Latin- and Bollywood-inspired.

There are songs from today, including some from Ke$ha and Beyonce, as well as some from back in the day, including James Brown and Elvis. My personal favorite is "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner, among many others. I like this Wii game because not only do I have fun playing (and kicking the rest of my family's butt, I can't be beat) but you don't even realize how hard the cardio workout was until you're out of breath and sweating afterward.

If you're like me, you get into a routine with doing the same workouts over and over again. This game is a fun way to break up the monotony as you ramp up your bikini bod workouts.