It's wedding season and I'm on a budget

Today I read this great article that talks about how expensive weddings can be. This is the first year I've been invited to my close friend's wedding and I'm super excited to be a bridesmaid. However, I've come to realize that you need to give presents, not once, not twice but often three times! First, there's the engagement party, then there's the bridal shower and last but not least the actual wedding. Now, this doesn't even include the costs of bachelor or bachelorette parties, your outfit, your transportation or lodging costs etc. How much should you give? Well, I guess there can be a wide range of appropriate monetary gifts. The article polled people and here are some results: "I asked 20 20-somethings to give me itemized lists of how much they’d spent in recent years as wedding guests and wedding party members. This is by no means a scientific study, but I polled a cross-section of people across the country, many of whom had attended multiple weddings. The median totals I heard per person, per wedding were" Wedding guest: $540 Groomsman: $815 Bridesmaid: $900 Also, I can't believe how extravagant some people's registry's are. Between my boyfriend and I, we have so many things in our home, I cannot imagine needing more! More glasses, more pots, more pans, more vacuums, more towels etc. In today's day and age, I actually find it hard to believe that people would actually want more stuff. Well I better start saving because it's wedding season.

Weddings are super expensive

Facial Yoga

Today while watching RYONY, one of the jewelry designers at a party mentioned she does facial yoga. She actually squeezed her cheeks and made a fish face and opened her eyes stating that that was one of the poses. I actually have heard that stretching certain parts of your face and doing exercises can help tighten muscles and thus prevent sagging and wrinkles. There are precautions you can take to prevent early signs of aging but what do you think about practicing some of the moves below? It can't hurt to incorporate these stretches into your daily routine!


Facial Yoga

Your alumni network - the gift that never stops giving

Today I had coffee with an intern who is spending the summer at my company as an MBA intern. She was a few years older than me in college but I had recognized her at a welcome lunch and decided it would be nice to catch up with her to hear about her experience and share my background with her. As I was chatting with her, I realized how I had subconsciously name dropped several other alumni who work at our company. It's funny how I automatically had started networking as soon as I began working at both my previous employer and my current employer. I basically just searched all the alumni who work at my company and reached out to them individually to schedule informal meet and greets. In today's economy, when the competition is fierce, it's so important to be able to build relationships and create connections. I constantly give that advice to new graduates because it can be a huge help when you are trying to find a job. It's also great to be able to meet people in other divisions within your workplace. This allows you to broaden your internal network and although it's always best to do it first hand by joining group activities or volunteering etc. it is wonderful to be able to tap your alumni network. So don't forget to attend those basketball games and networking receptions your school holds, because it truly is the gift that keeps giving.

Words of wisdom from Kelly Cutrone

I love this quote from Kelly Cutrone because I think that women often can get competitive whether it be the workplace or between friends. Working in an industry that is so heavily female dominated it can be a double edged sword: while women can be more understanding of female issues or work life balance they can also be a bit more catty. It doesn't matter who gets a promotion first or who gets married first etc. Life's not a competition. It's not about winning the race. It would be so helpful if we could take all that competitive energy and re-focus on our own lives. Never settle. Always try to out do yourself and raise the bar.