I was just checking out a blog I just found, Lovely Yellow Ribbons' Glam Gals, and I realized that I never posted about my Parenting Magazine makeover here! Allow me to first give you the back story. While my husband was deployed to Iraq last year I was taking a full load of classes online and our son had just turned one year old when my husband deployed. Between school and taking care of my son I didn't have much time for myself, so when I saw that Parenting Magazine was holding a makeover contest I jumped at the opportunity.
I had to submit a 60 second video stating why I deserved a Mom Squad Makeover. I made a list of all the thing I wanted to mention, then I made a mini script. I must have shot the video at least 30 times before I finally had it within the 60 second time limit. You can view the video here. There are a couple parts in the beginning where the sound gets all messed up, so make sure your volume isn't up too high. The video was submitted on February 17th.
On April 8th I received the following email:
Dear Allison,
Hello! I’m an editor at Parenting magazine, and I’m writing to tell you that the Mom Squad loved the video you sent in for our makeover contest. You’re one of our three finalists!
I’d love to talk to you on the phone in the next couple of days, if you can spare the time, to get to know you a little better and tell you more about the Mom Squad. Is there a good time I can give you a call? And, what’s your number? If you’d rather call me, my number’s below.
Thanks—I look forward to talking to you!
Sarah
OMG! She can't be serious! But she was! So, we chatted on the phone for about half an hour one day. We talked about my experience in the Navy, my life as a Navy wife and the joys of motherhood. Then, on April 18th I got the all too exciting news:
Hi Allison,
I’m so happy to say that our editor in chief agreed with us that you are the perfect person to win our Mom Squad makeover contest! I’ll be in touch with you next week about details. We decided to run the piece a month later than we were first planning (October instead of September), so we won’t need to rush and scramble so much. We’ll still want to visit there or have you come here in May, but probably late May, even the first week of June, instead of early May. Would that work for you, I hope? Let me know! We’ll work around your schedule.
Thanks, and I’ll talk to you soon! Have a great weekend!
Sarah
It was unbelievable. I have always thought a makeover would be so much fun, and now I was getting one that was going to be featured in a popular magazine, along with a free trip to NYC!
The timing ended up being perfect. My husband was scheduled to come home from Iraq on June 30th and they flew me out to New York for my makeover on June 21st. They put me up in the Thirty Thirty Hotel in Manhattan. I first met with Sarah, the editor, and Sharon, the fitness expert. They were both super nice. Sharon gave me a workout routine that is suitable for my schedule and the cold weather here in Illinois. It is something I can do at home and isn't too time consuming.
After my workout session Sarah took me to the salon, Bumble and Bumble, where I was having my hair colored. A very nice girl named Kitty colored my hair. Nikki was also there. She is the girl who was eventually going to cut my hair the day of the photo shoot. She is also super nice. She brought her 5 year old son with her. He was so adorable. He wrote me a little love letter! Haha! He handed me a folded up piece of paper and said, "This is for you" so I opened it and it said, "I (heart) you"! SO ADORABLE! He was also all about helping his mom out. He helped blow dry my hair.
So, I totally ended up loving my hair color. I had previously dyed it blonde, but Kitty made it closer to my natural brown color and left some blonde highlights in it. It turned out so great!
The next day I met with Janine, the organizer. We mainly talked about how I could better stay organized when school starts back up in the fall. I think the resources and ideas she gave me will be a great help! One of the best resources I received from her was a Whomi Planner. It helps keep all of the different aspects of my life organized.
The third day was the big photo shoot! The most exciting part of the whole adventure! It took place in Greenwich Village. The first thing they did was the worst part; the before picture! lol! I didn't blow dry my hair that morning or put any makeup on, so it's a pretty horrific picture! Then, it was time for makeup. A lovely lady named Sara did my makeup and it was great. She gave me lots of tips and made clear what I should do when I normally wear makeup and what she was just doing for the photo shoot. After that, Nikki cut and styled my hair. She cut off so much hair! It was really scary! I do have a lot of hair though, and it was pretty long. After it was cut and styled everyone told me how much they loved it. I wasn't really sure I liked it, and it took some getting used to, but I ended up loving it after a couple days.
After my hair was finished I had a bra fitting that was set up by the fashion stylist, Billie. It was a great idea. I got two great bras out of it, and it's so nice to finally have bras that fit! After nursing Ethan, it was impossible to find a bra that fit me well. Following that, we picked out some outfits for me to wear and proceeded on to the photo shoot.
The photo shoot was so fun! I could definitely handle being a model for a living! Haha! The first shirt I wore, for my close up shot, was a pretty teal blue. I loved it. I wasn't crazy about the second outfit that I wore for the full body shots though. The jeans were pretty sweet, but I wore a dress over them and I thought it looked like I was wearing a muumuu or something. However, once again everyone said they liked it, and the pictures turned out great, so whatever!
That night the editors, Sarah and Stephanie, took me out for dinner. It was a lot of fun hanging out with them and we are actually still in touch via facebook. They were so fun and so nice; totally not what I was expecting in the big city! :)
The makeover was featured in the October issue of Parenting Magazine, but you can still check it out online: My Makeover
I also did a little site seeing while I was there. A big chunk of my husband's family is from Syracuse and he had a cousin that lived there at the time, so her and her boyfriend showed me the sites. I had so much fun with them!
Here are my personal photos from the trip:
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Speaking of Optimism
This is something I found almost 2 years ago. I think it is really enlightening and everyone should read it. I even recommend printing it out so that you can remind yourself of it whenever you are feeling down.
Be Optimistic
How to be Optimistic
While being skeptical can be a healthy way to avoid getting taken advantage of, being pessimistic - that is, always assuming the worst - can have major negative consequences on your life. Seeing only the negative aspects of any situation can cause you to miss opportunities, neglect problems that need to be solved, and fail to take action that would otherwise improve your relationships and quality of life. Optimists look for the light at the end the tunnel. If you've always had a pessimistic worldview, it can be difficult to shift your focus, but it is possible to start seeing the glass as half full, not half empty.
Steps
1. Let go of the assumption that the world is against you, or that you were born with a gray cloud over your head. It is an assumption that has no basis in reason or science. To believe that the universe or a spiritual entity has singled you out and shifted the world order just to make your life miserable is both self-centered and illogical. Be humble and stop pretending you've got the world all figured out. Sometimes bad experiences lead to good experiences, and you can't predict the future, so you can't assume it'll always be bad.
2. Look for the source of your pessimism. Deep-rooted negativity can often be traced to childhood experiences, when growing minds observe their circumstances and make presumptions about how the world functions. If all you saw growing up were disappointments, betrayals and failure, it's no surprise that now it's what you expect from the world as an adult. Sometimes we pick up a flair for pessimism from a parent who made negative assumptions about the world somewhere along the line. Either way, the sooner you can attribute your pessimism to a unique set of circumstances rather than the state of the world itself, the easier it'll be to change your perspective.
3. Understand that the past does not equal the future. Just because you've experienced pain or disappointment in the past does not guarantee that it's all you'll experience in the future. There were many things in your past that you couldn't control, and everybody comes across unfortunate circumstances at some point in their lives - you're no exception. But there are also many things in life we can control to one degree or another, and therein lies the possibility of change. A day or week that starts badly will not necessarily end badly. Do not make a bad start turn into a self fulfilling prophecy for a bad ending.
4. See yourself as a cause, not an effect. You don't have to be a product or a victim of your circumstances. Stop thinking about what is happening to you and start thinking about what you can make happen. If you're not happy with the way your life is now, set goals and move on. Use your past negative experiences to build character and make better decisions, instead of letting pessimism turn you into someone who avoids risk at all costs. Sometimes it is necessary to take risks to receive rewards. Moreover, taking no action is taking an action. It is better to play to win rather than merely to avoid losing.
5. Accept pain, failure and disappointment as a part of life, not the entirety of it. Life involves taking many risks every day, and not all of them will end positively. That's what defines risk. But the flip side is that some actions will lead to good results, and it's generally better to have a mixed bag than to have nothing at all. Ideally, the good stuff will outweigh the bad, but you'll never reach that point unless you put yourself out there and hope for the best. When in doubt, remember Lord Alfred Tennyson's words of wisdom:
I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
6. Be thankful. Everyone has something to be grateful for. Make a list of the good things that have happened to you. If nothing instantly springs to mind, you aren't trying hard enough. The key to being an optimist is recognizing the benefits and possibilities of any situation, and understanding that it could always be worse. If all else fails, think of how life could be worse, and flip the thought process to recognize what you do have. For example: "I'm flunking out of school" can turn into "Well, at least I have a chance to go to school, and I still have time to turn my grades around." Get a notebook and a pen, and write down all the good things that you have. Every time you are feeling negative, read through them and remind yourself that it's not all bad.
7. Use positive affirmations. Write down short statements that remind you of what you're trying to change about the way you see the world. Put them in places where you'll see them every day, such as on your bathroom mirror, the inside of your locker, on your computer monitor, and even taped to your shower wall. Some affirmations to start with are:
* "Anything is possible."
* "I create my circumstances, my circumstances don't create me."
* "The only thing I can control is my attitude towards life."
* "I always have a choice."
8. Remember that life is short. When you feel pessimism clouding your judgment or you start to feel down about the future, remind yourself that every minute counts, and any time spent brooding guarantees nothing but less time to enjoy whatever life might have to offer. At its core, pessimism is impractical because it causes you to spend time dwelling on things that haven't happened yet and aren't guaranteed to happen, and it prevents you from getting things done. Pessimism breeds indecision. It's a waste of time, and time is a limited resource that you can't afford to take for granted.
9. Be a balanced optimist. Nobody's suggesting that you become an oblivious Pollyanna, pretending that nothing bad can or ever will happen. Doing so can lead to poor decisions and invites people to take advantage of you. Instead, be a rational optimist who takes the good with the bad, in hopes of the good ultimately outweighing the bad, and with the understanding that being pessimistic about everything accomplishes nothing. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best - the former makes you sensible, and the latter makes you an optimist.
Tips
* Use quotes to remind yourself how to be optimistic. Maybe during a particularly tough day someone mentions some saying that gives you a rare boost of motivation, write it down. Here are a few inspirational saying:
o Even the longest journey begins with a single step
o Life has a way of reminding one that it can be worse
o Until one understands the low and darker side of life, the appreciation of the awe-inspiring highs will remain stagnant
o Every cloud has a silver lining
* Look happy. Studies have shown that putting a positive expression on your face can actually make you feel happier and more optimistic about the future.[1]
* Practice by conveying these ideas to others. If you hear someone being pessimistic, counsel them based on these steps. Sometimes it's easier to understand a perspective if you explain it to someone else first.
* No matter how odd this may sound, listen to optimistic music (that you like) and read books that have a least a little optimism in it.
Warnings
* Avoid negative people. If you can't avoid them, learn how to not let them get you down.
* Don't confuse pessimism with depression. Depression can make everything look worse than it is.
* While it is true that you create your own circumstances, accept that the past is the past. Don't let negative circumstances trigger irrational guilt.
* Realize that it's not about what happens to you, it's about how you react to what happens.
Be Optimistic
How to be Optimistic
While being skeptical can be a healthy way to avoid getting taken advantage of, being pessimistic - that is, always assuming the worst - can have major negative consequences on your life. Seeing only the negative aspects of any situation can cause you to miss opportunities, neglect problems that need to be solved, and fail to take action that would otherwise improve your relationships and quality of life. Optimists look for the light at the end the tunnel. If you've always had a pessimistic worldview, it can be difficult to shift your focus, but it is possible to start seeing the glass as half full, not half empty.
Steps
1. Let go of the assumption that the world is against you, or that you were born with a gray cloud over your head. It is an assumption that has no basis in reason or science. To believe that the universe or a spiritual entity has singled you out and shifted the world order just to make your life miserable is both self-centered and illogical. Be humble and stop pretending you've got the world all figured out. Sometimes bad experiences lead to good experiences, and you can't predict the future, so you can't assume it'll always be bad.
2. Look for the source of your pessimism. Deep-rooted negativity can often be traced to childhood experiences, when growing minds observe their circumstances and make presumptions about how the world functions. If all you saw growing up were disappointments, betrayals and failure, it's no surprise that now it's what you expect from the world as an adult. Sometimes we pick up a flair for pessimism from a parent who made negative assumptions about the world somewhere along the line. Either way, the sooner you can attribute your pessimism to a unique set of circumstances rather than the state of the world itself, the easier it'll be to change your perspective.
3. Understand that the past does not equal the future. Just because you've experienced pain or disappointment in the past does not guarantee that it's all you'll experience in the future. There were many things in your past that you couldn't control, and everybody comes across unfortunate circumstances at some point in their lives - you're no exception. But there are also many things in life we can control to one degree or another, and therein lies the possibility of change. A day or week that starts badly will not necessarily end badly. Do not make a bad start turn into a self fulfilling prophecy for a bad ending.
4. See yourself as a cause, not an effect. You don't have to be a product or a victim of your circumstances. Stop thinking about what is happening to you and start thinking about what you can make happen. If you're not happy with the way your life is now, set goals and move on. Use your past negative experiences to build character and make better decisions, instead of letting pessimism turn you into someone who avoids risk at all costs. Sometimes it is necessary to take risks to receive rewards. Moreover, taking no action is taking an action. It is better to play to win rather than merely to avoid losing.
5. Accept pain, failure and disappointment as a part of life, not the entirety of it. Life involves taking many risks every day, and not all of them will end positively. That's what defines risk. But the flip side is that some actions will lead to good results, and it's generally better to have a mixed bag than to have nothing at all. Ideally, the good stuff will outweigh the bad, but you'll never reach that point unless you put yourself out there and hope for the best. When in doubt, remember Lord Alfred Tennyson's words of wisdom:
I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
6. Be thankful. Everyone has something to be grateful for. Make a list of the good things that have happened to you. If nothing instantly springs to mind, you aren't trying hard enough. The key to being an optimist is recognizing the benefits and possibilities of any situation, and understanding that it could always be worse. If all else fails, think of how life could be worse, and flip the thought process to recognize what you do have. For example: "I'm flunking out of school" can turn into "Well, at least I have a chance to go to school, and I still have time to turn my grades around." Get a notebook and a pen, and write down all the good things that you have. Every time you are feeling negative, read through them and remind yourself that it's not all bad.
7. Use positive affirmations. Write down short statements that remind you of what you're trying to change about the way you see the world. Put them in places where you'll see them every day, such as on your bathroom mirror, the inside of your locker, on your computer monitor, and even taped to your shower wall. Some affirmations to start with are:
* "Anything is possible."
* "I create my circumstances, my circumstances don't create me."
* "The only thing I can control is my attitude towards life."
* "I always have a choice."
8. Remember that life is short. When you feel pessimism clouding your judgment or you start to feel down about the future, remind yourself that every minute counts, and any time spent brooding guarantees nothing but less time to enjoy whatever life might have to offer. At its core, pessimism is impractical because it causes you to spend time dwelling on things that haven't happened yet and aren't guaranteed to happen, and it prevents you from getting things done. Pessimism breeds indecision. It's a waste of time, and time is a limited resource that you can't afford to take for granted.
9. Be a balanced optimist. Nobody's suggesting that you become an oblivious Pollyanna, pretending that nothing bad can or ever will happen. Doing so can lead to poor decisions and invites people to take advantage of you. Instead, be a rational optimist who takes the good with the bad, in hopes of the good ultimately outweighing the bad, and with the understanding that being pessimistic about everything accomplishes nothing. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best - the former makes you sensible, and the latter makes you an optimist.
Tips
* Use quotes to remind yourself how to be optimistic. Maybe during a particularly tough day someone mentions some saying that gives you a rare boost of motivation, write it down. Here are a few inspirational saying:
o Even the longest journey begins with a single step
o Life has a way of reminding one that it can be worse
o Until one understands the low and darker side of life, the appreciation of the awe-inspiring highs will remain stagnant
o Every cloud has a silver lining
* Look happy. Studies have shown that putting a positive expression on your face can actually make you feel happier and more optimistic about the future.[1]
* Practice by conveying these ideas to others. If you hear someone being pessimistic, counsel them based on these steps. Sometimes it's easier to understand a perspective if you explain it to someone else first.
* No matter how odd this may sound, listen to optimistic music (that you like) and read books that have a least a little optimism in it.
Warnings
* Avoid negative people. If you can't avoid them, learn how to not let them get you down.
* Don't confuse pessimism with depression. Depression can make everything look worse than it is.
* While it is true that you create your own circumstances, accept that the past is the past. Don't let negative circumstances trigger irrational guilt.
* Realize that it's not about what happens to you, it's about how you react to what happens.
Military Discounts
Here are places I know of that offer discounts, however every location may not offer discounts. Never hurts to ask! If you have any to add, please leave them in a comment. Thank you!
Stores:
Payless
Footlocker
GNC
New York & Co.
Nike More Info
Sally Beauty Supply
Bass Pro Shop (Last week of the month)
Kohls
Services/Attractions:
Sears Portrait Studio (20%)
Budget truck rental (10-20%)
Ripley's attractions and museums
GM More Info
Restaurants:
Sweet Tomatoes
Quizno's
IHOP
Cell Phone Service Discounts:
Cell Phone Service Discounts
Cell Phone Service Discounts for Military
* Alltel: Log in to your account on Alltel's Website and change your profile e-mail address to your .mil e-mail address. Further information is available by dialing 1-800-ALLTEL1
* Cingular: Call 1-866-246-4852. You can also go online to www.cingular.com/discounts.
* Nextel: Call 1-800-639-6111. Has merged with Sprint. New customers should go to a Nextel store; existing customers can provide their information over the phone to get the discount.
* Sprint: Call 1-888-703-9514 and reference "AAFES code #0109565715"
* T-Mobile: New customers should call 1-866-646-4688. Current customers should go to www.tmobile.com/corpdiscount. Follow instructions to register for “My T-Mobile,” and you’ll get a temporary password.
* Verizon: Call 1-800-922-0204.
Here is a website that lists military discounts as well.
www.benefits.military.com
Stores:
Payless
Footlocker
GNC
New York & Co.
Nike More Info
Sally Beauty Supply
Bass Pro Shop (Last week of the month)
Kohls
Services/Attractions:
Sears Portrait Studio (20%)
Budget truck rental (10-20%)
Ripley's attractions and museums
GM More Info
Restaurants:
Sweet Tomatoes
Quizno's
IHOP
Cell Phone Service Discounts:
Cell Phone Service Discounts
Cell Phone Service Discounts for Military
* Alltel: Log in to your account on Alltel's Website and change your profile e-mail address to your .mil e-mail address. Further information is available by dialing 1-800-ALLTEL1
* Cingular: Call 1-866-246-4852. You can also go online to www.cingular.com/discounts.
* Nextel: Call 1-800-639-6111. Has merged with Sprint. New customers should go to a Nextel store; existing customers can provide their information over the phone to get the discount.
* Sprint: Call 1-888-703-9514 and reference "AAFES code #0109565715"
* T-Mobile: New customers should call 1-866-646-4688. Current customers should go to www.tmobile.com/corpdiscount. Follow instructions to register for “My T-Mobile,” and you’ll get a temporary password.
* Verizon: Call 1-800-922-0204.
Here is a website that lists military discounts as well.
www.benefits.military.com
Salute to Heroes
Budweiser is continuing it's Salute to Heroes as well. FREE entrance to it's parks for military members and their direct dependents (up to 3). But you must register online and print a form. herosalute.com
Parks include Sea World, Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, Sesame Place, and Water Country USA.
Parks include Sea World, Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, Sesame Place, and Water Country USA.
Disney's Armed Forces Salute 2009
Beginning Sunday, January 4, 2009
Active and Retired U.S. Military, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, may obtain one complimentary 5-Day Disney's Armed Forces Salute Ticket (Base Ticket with the Park Hopper® option and Water Park Fun & More Option - No Expiration option is not available). They may also purchase 5-Day Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion Tickets for up to five (5) family members and/or friends for $99 plus tax (Park Hopper® Option and Water Park Fun & More Options may be purchased for an additional $25 + tax for each option - No Expiration option is not available). These tickets are valid through December 23, 2009.
Military Personnel must present valid United States Military identification (active or retired). Activated members of the National Guard or Reservists must present active duty orders in addition to valid Military ID. Sales locations should refer to the Military ID Reference Sheet for verification.
In order to be eligible for this program, the military member must have been active for any length of time between January 1, 2008 and the end of this offer (December 23, 2009).
Walt Disney World Resorts News
Sidenote: They are now including a room reduction for on-site hotels of 40% for military and you can add the dining plans to the tickets. It is not as good of a deal as the buy 4 get 3 free deal they have going right now BUT if you are going later in the year it's an awesome deal!! You can even add the dining plan for the military member w/the free ticket. (Thanks for the info Kamryn)
Active and Retired U.S. Military, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, may obtain one complimentary 5-Day Disney's Armed Forces Salute Ticket (Base Ticket with the Park Hopper® option and Water Park Fun & More Option - No Expiration option is not available). They may also purchase 5-Day Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion Tickets for up to five (5) family members and/or friends for $99 plus tax (Park Hopper® Option and Water Park Fun & More Options may be purchased for an additional $25 + tax for each option - No Expiration option is not available). These tickets are valid through December 23, 2009.
Military Personnel must present valid United States Military identification (active or retired). Activated members of the National Guard or Reservists must present active duty orders in addition to valid Military ID. Sales locations should refer to the Military ID Reference Sheet for verification.
In order to be eligible for this program, the military member must have been active for any length of time between January 1, 2008 and the end of this offer (December 23, 2009).
Walt Disney World Resorts News
Sidenote: They are now including a room reduction for on-site hotels of 40% for military and you can add the dining plans to the tickets. It is not as good of a deal as the buy 4 get 3 free deal they have going right now BUT if you are going later in the year it's an awesome deal!! You can even add the dining plan for the military member w/the free ticket. (Thanks for the info Kamryn)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
