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But staying single a little longer gives you a chance to get a better idea of what's out there for you. I'm not saying one situation is better than the other--sometimes I wish my adult habits had been formed in a couple, because I'm overly stubborn about things that might make it hard to live with me in the future. (Example: I decide what I want to wear each morning, on the fly, which often complicates the morning ritual.) That's a habit, but it's also a reflection of my sense of style: I need to be flexible up to the very last minute. I firmly believe that we develop a style in the wider definition of the word. What I mean is a sense of awareness of who you are and how you show it to the world that is deeper than the clothes you wear, or the house you live in, or the car your drive. The choices you make about these things combine to determine a large part of your values. If you decide that travel is important to you, for example, you might decide that you'll give up having a great car in exchange for a trip abroad every two years. If great food is important to you, might shape your life so that your kitchen becomes the center of your home. All of these things impact your finances, your intellectual life, even your relationships. This issue is decidedly about lifestyle, with an emphasis on style. I hope you enjoy it. I love feedback! If you have any ideas for articles or sites, or have any articles you'd like for me to include (300-500 words), send them along to me at Betsy@herreality.com Thanks for Reading, Betsy Boyd |
Here's a book I just loved digging into. It really attacks that idea that
you've got style choices to make in all areas of your life. Try
thinking  about
just the right gift and a classy way to present it-- Cynthia Rowley
and Ilene Rosenzweig give you some great ideas in this fun book.
They talk too about looking polished and put-together at all times,
because doing so can have a big impact on your professional and
social life. They give practical advice for knowing how to behave
in any number of situations in a way that treads that line between
being one of the boys and a Lady. They have a certain nostalgia
I've always felt for a day when correct behavior counted for something,
and smart girls new how to break the rules with panache.
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Decorating your apartment doesn't have to mean going into gigantic debt.
Take some advice from the pros on how to evaluate and plan
your project, then approach it one step at a time. 
Accept
that though your apartment may not be perfect right away,
you can make it truly your own. Of course you work as hard
as you can to get a great apartment, but housing markets can
be tough, and you may end up compromising on some of your
sincerest wants. Say you traded bright and airy rooms for
a great location: All is not lost. Combatting common apartment
woes like small, dark rooms is a manageable task that doesn't
have to break the bank. Read on to find out more.
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Among
the perils of apartment living, the lack of outdoor space
(or even of a balcony to call your own) can be the most
crushing for the domestically inclined. Very often, we find
ourselves wishing for more than just a houseplant. For example,
it's hard to find plants that bloom indoors, that don't
also cost $50 each. I mean, orchids are gorgeous, but what
if you kill them?!?
in
your place, they offer Urbox™ kits for "window" gardeners
and others who need help making small spaces work. What
I like about these kits is that they offer you a selection
of plants that will work well together, both as they grow
and as you harvest them. You can enjoy the plants in the
Herbal Tea Garden kit, and then harvest and use the plants
make your own herbal tea. They'd make a great gift idea
for your favorite urbanite, or for yourself. |
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In addition to great color selections, you can now find paint finishes
that push far beyond matte, gloss, and
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eggshell.
Suede finish is one option, River-Rock, which looks like weather
-worn rock, is another. My favorite of the specialty finishes
is the Duchesse Satin. When applied correctly, this truly luxe
paint looks like the rich fabric of timeless gowns. They recommend
that it be used in rooms that will get candle-light, which conjures
images of languid meals in softly-lit dining rooms. Colors include
mostly gold and silver, with some bronze and coppery colors, as
well.
Be
forewarned, these paints are not for the casual weekend painter.
They take time, planning, and preparation to ensure success. In
fact, you might consider getting a professional in to do the work
for you. The bulletin boards on several sites are filled with
complaints about tricky applications, special brush-stroke techniques,
and trial-and-error processes. Positive voices chimed in to say
that it works best to follow instructions carefully, and try out
these specialty paints on small spaces first. If the finish looks
like Ralph Lauren Claims, it should be worth the effort.Sign-Up | Comments | Send this page to a Friend | Advertise
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