It’s Finally Friday!!!

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” ~ Maya Angelou

Oh.My.Clooney!

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Do you eat breakfast? What successful peeps do before breakfast.

The 21 funniest worst things EVER.

What the what?!? Yet another reason dogs are better than cats.

Why didn’t I think of that?!

Turn your LinkedIn account into a super cool infographic.

For my friends who aren’t ready for kids:

Like I always say, “Best Birth Control Ever!”

For my friends who already have children in their lives.

Going on vacation? Find out how to pack for ten days using just a carry on bag!

Got a trouble spot you want to take care of before that vacation?

Check out this super awesome website!

No.Friggin.Way!

Apparently it’s not that simple 😦

Here are some detailed instructions for you kids.

And last but certainly not least, a couple giggles:

Beauty and The Beat!

Hey Drunk Town!

Have a great weekend!!

Don’t Be A Douche!

This post is most definitely for the ladies (gentlemen if you keep reading past this point, don’t say I didn’t warn you).

Some friends of mine recently had a baby boy.

(Congrats again Nate and Vanessa!)

While visiting the new little nugget of joy, the subject of circumcision came up. In case you didn’t know, it’s actually not just some super barbaric American custom (I’m talking to you Germany!) there are medical reasons to circumcise.

One reason for circumcision is cleanliness.

Unlike the vagina the penis is NOT a self-cleaning machine.

That’s right ladies! Your vagina cleans itself!

So if you’ve wasted any hard-earned money on feminine products promising a vag so clean you could eat off it (bad pun intended!) throw them out!

(On a side note, as a marketer, the Hail to the V campaign by Summer’s Eve is actually wicked awesome.)

Don’t want to take my word for it? What a douche! (Just kidding :p)

Check out some fun facts about your lady bits.

Even Dr. Oz knows what’s what!

Also for any of you ladies who use talc powder, STOP! The use significantly increases the risk of ovarian cancer.

I don’t have time for this shit!

Since starting this blog I’ve realized, “Holy crap! This is a lot of work!”

Working two jobs is time consuming enough and I’ve gone and given away ten hours a week of possible down time – to more work?! WTF is wrong with me?!

Arrrrggggghhhhh!

I’ve always loved the “to-do” list. I like knowing exactly what I have to do in order to “go out and play”. I also love the sense of accomplishment when I get to cross something off my list. Take that dry cleaners! I own this list!

Can we pencil in some sleep?!?

The downside to keeping track of my life this way is I would cease to function if I ever lost my planner.

I was never a fan of using the dinky calendars available on my phone. There’s just something about putting actual pen to paper that works for me. Although Siri looks pretty darn awesome to me. But, I am holding off on my phone upgrade and impatiently waiting the much speculated iPhone5.

Where’s my iPhone 5?? Come on Apple! Get it together girl!

I’m hoping having my own personal assistant in my phone will eliminate the need to carry this around with me.

The hot mess that keeps track of my life

Do you use a daily planner? Is it electronic or analog? Do you keep a running “to-do” list? What helps you manage your time?

It’s Finally Friday!!!

Your presence is a present to the world.
You’re unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.
Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You’ll make it through, whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.
Don’t put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize.
Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem the heavier it gets.
Don’t take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.
Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot of love goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life’s treasures, are people . . . together.
Realize that it’s never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have health, hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a star.
And don’t ever forget . . .
For even a day . . .
How very special you are.

21 Tools to Unlock Your Creative Genius

How to make super healthy smoothies.

Totally cool and innovative or creepy and gross? You decide.

Because it’s summertime and New England has been hot as balls:

7 cool gadgets to keep your drink cool.

The most discouraging and heartwarming news story this week.

21 pictures that will restore your faith in humanity.

For you ladies taking the “road less traveled”:

The gorgeous outdoor space where my friends are getting married this weekend!

How cool is this?!

An awesome and easy DIY home decor project.

Super simple infographic for anyone who’s ever wanted to try a fishtail braid!

And last but certainly not least, a couple giggles for you:

I’m gangsta yo. Got milk in my sippy cup!

Caffeine is amazing!

I LOVE tacos!!

You put that where?!?

Today’s post is about sexual health. Because part of being an adult is taking care of yourself and according to some statistics from the Center for Disease Control, we aren’t doing that great of a job.

The CDC estimates that there are 19 MILLION new infections every year in the United States.

Let me repeat that for you – 19 MILLION new infections EVERY YEAR.

According to the 2010 census there are 243,275,505 people 16 and older.

(I’m not saying that 16 is the age you should become sexually active but, given today’s society I felt that was a generous benchmark to use.)

That means each year almost 8% of sexual active Americans will get an STD.

Some more scary statistics for you:

Young people account for only 25% of sexually active Americans but acquire 50% of all new STD’s.

1 in 5 Americans has genital herpes, yet 80% is unaware of they have it.

1 in 4 Americans will contract an STD at some point in their lives.

Don’t be a fucktard, kids. Wrap it up. Every time.

No glove – No love!

I know we’ve all heard it before, “But it doesn’t feel the same. Come on baby.”

Well, I’m pretty sure having your fun parts inflamed probably doesn’t feel great.

(I was going to insert a picture of inflamed fun parts but it was just waaay too gross. You’re welcome and remember, if it’s too gross to look at, you definitely don’t want to get it.)

Pushing an eight pound bundle of joy out your vagina won’t feel good either.

Ouch!

Pulling out is for dummies who like changing diapers.

Reality looks more like a screaming, crying, red-faced child who pees on you.

With the prevalence (and media celebration) of baby daddies and baby mamas today, why don’t more people think before they put it in the pink? Kids (like herpes) are forever. That also means the person you have said kid with is going to be in your life forever.

Would you really want to have to associate with this d-bag for the rest of your life?? Poor Britney…

Think before you achieve penetration next time:

“Am I prepared to have a child with this person?”

“When was the last time this person was tested for STD’s?”

“When was the last time I was tested for STD’s?”

Do yourself a favor. Get tested. Today.

A couple links to help you, help yourself:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/

http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/

I have an office!!

A real, honest-to-god office equipped with its very own door AND window. Yes, said window overlooks the central air ventilation system for the building but I’m willing to over look that.

I’ll take it!

In ten years of professional work experience I’ve never had my own office. I’m well versed in the joys of cubicle living and I’ve even shared an office with four women (that wasn’t the most passive aggressive work space at all…). So this whole close the door and rock out at work experience is new to me.

While talking to my friend Lindsey the other day (sorry to throw you under the bus girl!) I recently discovered what may be the single most super awesome perk of having your own office…FARTING! Seriously, think about it, how many times have you been sitting in your cubicle and needed to let one go?? Having your own office means never having to worry about offending your office mates’ olfactory senses! So go ahead, eat that extra piece of cheese, girl! You’re the only one who’ll have to suffer the consequences.

Do you have an office? What’s your favorite perk to having your own office?

Me in my office. Yayy!

It’s Finally Friday!!

“We can smile, breathe, walk, and eat our meals in a way that allows us to be in touch with the abundance of happiness that is available. We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive. Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Can you do nothing for two minutes? How long did you last??

Keeping with the education theme from earlier this week. What we SHOULD have been taught our senior year in high school.

What I’d really like to give my Dad for Father’s Day…

Can’t wait to try this for my friends wedding next weekend!

Since I’ll be spending my weekend behind the bar, a friendly reminder on appropriate bar etiquette. Numbers 2, 5, 6, & 7 are particular pet peeves of mine. Consider yourself warned.

For those of you not working and free to enjoy what looks like is going to be a beautiful weekend in the CT area – some outdoor fun.

Having trouble starting that latest project? Check out this super inspiring video!

And last but not least, a little something to make you smile 🙂

Have a great weekend! And don’t forget:

Who doesn’t love the Gosling?!?

What would David Petano do?

I was recently reminded how awesome a human being my dad is.

Sunday being Father’s Day and all, I figured, why not dedicate today’s post to dear old Dad?

I went to Georgia to visit my brother and his fiance over Memorial Day weekend.

Downtown Columbus with my amazing little brother and his equally amazing fiance.

Dad was kind enough to drop me off and pick me up at the airport (no, that’s not what this post is about, but that was pretty awesome too!). On our way home, there was a woman sitting at the end of the off ramp with her hazard lights on. I didn’t even notice. Dad, however, stops, rolls down the window, and asks her if she’s okay. She happened to have someone on the way to help but that small act of kindness inspired me to “pay it forward”.

Dude, that sucks!

Later that day I was on my way to a BBQ at a friend’s house when I encountered a woman, broken down, on the side of the road with her two kids. Taking a page out of Dad’s book, I stopped to make sure she was okay. The look of amazement on her face, as she told me she had someone coming, told me I had indeed done the right thing. Dad has taught me so much over the years that I am continually amazed he has any pearls of wisdom left. From now on, I’ll be asking myself WWDPD more often.

What life lessons have you learned from your old man?

My super awesome Dad and I at Fenway

School is for Fools

It’s that time of year when high school juniors and seniors start deciding where they’re going to apply/go to college and what they want to do with their lives. I’m here to tell you this archaic process is bullshit. How are you supposed to know at sixteen or seventeen what you want to do with the rest of your life? A college degree costs an average of $100,000. That’s a helluva lot of money to spend on something you aren’t absolutely, one hundred percent positive you want to pursue and work at FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

whoopsie…

In the United Kingdom, a common practice is to take a gap year before starting college. High school graduates take a year off to travel, intern, and generally get their shit together before pursuing a college degree.

make your own path

As someone whose parents would not allow her to take a year off, I am the perfect example of what happens when you aren’t ready for college. I was an honors student in high school. By everyone’s predictions I was a perfect candidate for college. But I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know who I was or what I wanted to do with my life. That one year my parents weren’t willing to compromise on cost them $12,000. At a state school with only one semester of living on campus! The only things I learned how to do that year were to illegally procure alcohol and rack up about $7,000 in credit card debt.

I am positive I could have used far less money to explore/travel/figure some shit out AND spent that time far more productively.

have passport – will travel

The lesson here is, if you aren’t sure exactly what you’re going to get out of college and exactly what you want to do with that insanely over-priced piece of paper, don’t go.

That’s right kids; I’m telling you not to go to college, at least not right away.

Finally a college graduate!

Yes, you need a college degree to succeed in most facets of today’s corporate world. I went back and finished my degree at twenty-seven after hitting a ceiling where I could not be promoted any further without that piece of paper. However, I knew what I wanted then. I paid for it myself (at a private college no less) and I graduated cum Laude, with less than $20,000 in student loans. Also proving it is possible to graduate from college without a crippling amount of student loan debt!

There are other roads that lead to success. Don’t automatically choose the one in front of you because it’s what people say you should do. Figure it out for yourself and you’ll be much happier and far more successful.

And if your parents give you any shit for it, show them the math, if that doesn’t work, do it anyway and just blame me 🙂

It’s Finally Friday!!

“I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.”~ Dr. Seuss

As an extra special treat, I’m going to start posting a “Finally Friday” post on…wait for it…you guessed it…Fridays!

It’ll be a break from my regularly scheduled musings on life to hopefully bring a little inspiration and a giggle or two into your life.

I hope you enjoy!

This super awesome lady travels the world with her husband and TODDLER!

Learn to love yourself. Daily positive thoughts.

Now the giant time suck of trolling the interweb can actually do some good for society!

Where I’ll be this weekend…

cape cod sunset

My favorite Cape Cod bar.

And last (but certainly not least) the funniest.video.ever.

Have a great weekend!