Do you love to go shopping but hate it when you look at your receipts later or check out the pile of unused clothes in your closet? Do you feel guilty? Now there is a way to have fun without all of the guilt. How? Host a shopping party! It is a fun way for you to find great items and clean out your closet without spending any cash. Check out www.clothingswap.com for great ideas and help planning a party of your own.

Even if everyone at the party wears a range of sizes, the reality is that many things like shoes and jewelry can fit lots of different individuals. Either way, you will have a blast talking and snacking on fun food!

Homework: Find out how you can spend more time with your friends without spending any money.

Do you remember Madonna's song 'Material Girl'?  It was the anthem of our youth (ok - for some of us).  Her song really got me thinking one day.  What if we took more time stepping away from the 'material' and started walking towards things like community service and civic duty. It sure doesn't sound as sexy but it probably will make you feel better than a lot of the 'material' lying around. Each community has its own distinct needs. Think about ways that you can change the community around you. Do you have an elderly neighbor that needs a helping hand? Can you help shovel a snowy park path? With the election season arriving here in the USA it is an important time to show how how we feel about our country and take steps to improve it through the election process.  Think about how you can be a "community girl' rather than a "material girl"

I once read an article in Money Magazine which had an interesting point.  It noted that most people are happier when the buy a grill rather than when they purchase a high end, brand name car.  That seemed odd to me until the article went on to explain that when an individual buys a grill they tend to invite friends and family over to have a good time. It is the time that they spent with loved ones that made them happy, not the time spent alone in traffic in the fancy car.  This made me think about how many of us work hard for things when we should really be looking at our "things" and asking - what have you done for me lately? Has that new dress resulted in you gathering friends to go out and have fun while you wear it? When was the last time you pulled out those cake pans to bake something for the friends you wanted to have over?  I don't mean to say that we should all get carried away by partying all of the time but we should work had to create fun, special memories with those we care about. 

Homework: Set up an email group so that when you want to do something cool with friends, you can get in touch with them quickly! Consider throwing a potluck or a movie night.

Do you enjoy taking a nice hot steamy bath? I do!  For some reason though, it rarely seems to happen.  I need to clean the tub, I am too tired to wait for the bath to fill up and the fact that a shower is faster all seem to weigh heavy on my mind as I consider a bath.  It is like working out - I am not sure if I'll do it but I know how great I will feel afterwards. I have started a new trend to help me relax with water but it does not take as long or require as much work.  What is it?  A foot bath!  At the end of a long hard day it feels so good just to put my sore, tired feet into some hot water and just sit there.  Put on some soft music, light a few candles and enjoy yourself.  This is a great time to use those bath salts, bath teas and bubble bath that you have been hiding under the sink.  Afterwards, you only need to put on some lotion and warm socks.  You will feel the rejuvenation instantly!

Homework: Find a bin to for the warm water and your feet.  Light some candles, turn on music, turn down the lights, grab a towel and the tub,  put bath product in the water.  Do nothing!

Being a positive person is an important key to getting what we want in life.  A great quote I once heard was that people are affected by two key things.  The first thing is the people that we hang out with and second are the books and articles that we read.  All of us should seek constant self improvement in the way we live our lives.  Changes don't come easily sometimes but they are necessary to maintaining a healthy, vibrant life.  If you are interested in improving yourself you should check out some of these great sites:

·       www.carrieanddanielle.com

·       www.slate.com

·       www.ladieswholaunch.com

Each of these sites has information that will keep you relaxed, informed or inspired.  Even though the New Year's holiday has passed, you can still make an effort to change something about your life and legacy. 

Homework: Grab a piece of paper and fold it in half.  On one side, write down all of the things that leave you discouraged and unhappy.  It might be a relationship with a bad friend or your eating habits.  On the other side, write down things that are good.  Take time to focus on how you can strengthen the good and erase the bad from your life.