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Monday, May 31, 2010 |
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| (Not So) Solo Summer Day |
Day 2: Indulge Yourself
Hello Fab Gals!
This week, I am continuing to test out tips from GirlWise: How to Be Confident, Capable, Cool, and in Control by Julia DeVillers, with help by Atoosa Rubenstein, on how to Be Your Own Best Friend and build confidence. The second step in this how-to is to "Indulge Yourself." According to GirlWise, this means to "Take at least one night every week and do something that's totally all about you." Okay, I can totally do this one. I started working on the perfect plan for an all-about-me day. I didn't feel like I could give up an evening without friends, family, and work calling my name.
I knew exactly what I wanted to do on my solo summer day. I was going to spend my morning catching up on magazines and sun by the pool, and in the afternoon, I was going to hit the shoe department at the mall - a place I'd seriously been missing. It sounded absolutely indulgent and totally fabulous... until the day actually came.
Despite having an action plan in place, take-off proved to be difficult. I knew indulging myself was a perfectly fine way to spend a day, but for some reason I couldn't do it. I kept procrastinating, finding other random tasks to do instead. I began to wonder, Am I really such a difficult person to hang out with? I had no idea. Is it really so bad to spend time with me? Other people seem to be able to handle it. But before long, my thoughts were interrupted by another Fab Gal, one who needed time with a friend as much as I did.
So my solo summer day didn't happen like I imagined. At first I felt like I really failed at being my own best friend. But I've decided I can't give myself a hard time about it. That's the thing about best friends - we forgive them, despite any minor imperfections. Because they are worth more to us than that. And besides, sometimes being a best friend to someone who needs us brings out our best, and gives us something to be confident about. And hey, it's gotta be good practice for when we need to be our own BFFs. That relationship just might take a little more work.
Come back for Day 3: Compliment Yourself, and more confidence tips from GirlWise.
xoxo
The Fab GalLabels: advice, Atoosa Rubenstein, books, confidence, fab gal, friends, GirlWise, Julia DeVillers, self esteem |
posted by Fab Gal @ 9:05 AM   |
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Thursday, May 27, 2010 |
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| Roses... Would That Be Too Much? |
Day 1: Date Yourself
Hey FGs!
This week, I am trying out some tips from GirlWise: How to Be Confident, Capable, Cool, and in Control, by Julia DeVillers (with help from Atoosa Rubenstein) on how to build confidence by Being Your Own Best Friend. The first step in this how-to guide was to "Date Yourself." How do you do that, right? According to the book, it means to "Do for yourself the nice things you'd do for a guy you really wanted to make fall in love with you." That includes giving yourself special treats or gifts, or going to places you think are date-worthy.
So I decided to go for it... and I very quickly found out that I am a much tougher-to-impress date than I thought. I was a little stumped as to what I could really do for myself. As much as I secretly love the idea of receiving a dozen roses, I really didn't think I could just walk into the store today and buy them for myself ("Oh, who are these for?" Uhhmm...). And making reservations at a restaurant for me, myself, and I just didn't seem right.
Public displays of affection being out, I tried to think a little less date-y and a little more simple - what things do I like to do for myself when I don't have excuses (no money, no time, not worth it) not to? So the first thing I did was make a mixed CD - like a soundtrack to my life at the moment. It's small, but I hadn't done it in a while. And I'd forgotten, but driving around listening to my fave music is something I really kinda love. After some more thought, I realized what I would love most on my date with moi is to just rent my favorite show and curl up on the couch. So I drove out to the video store (to my new CD), and on the way picked up the ingredients for my fave dessert. I came back, whipped up my treat, and finished my date off on the couch, a little better than when I started.
As it turns out, dating myself was a lot harder than expected (which maybe explains why dating other people can be so confusing!). It's easy to see how we Fab Gals might not make the effort to do things just for ourselves - we're busy, and there are always so many other people we want to impress first. But really, who is more worthy of our endless love and affection than us? So I think I'm going to try to put in more effort from now on... and definitely go for a second date.
Stay tuned for Day 2: Indulge Yourself - and more confidence tips from GirlWise.
xoxo
The Fab Gal
Z5QMSEWQXED6Labels: advice, Atoosa Rubenstein, books, confidence, fab gal, GirlWise, Julia DeVillers, self esteem |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 5:05 PM |
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Sunday, May 23, 2010 |
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| FG Puts it to the Test: How to Be Your Own Best Friend |
Hello FGs! 
Recently, I picked up a new book. It's called GirlWise: How to Be Confident, Capable, Cool, and In Control, by Julia DeVillers. It's got how-tos for all the stuff you wish you knew, but of course don't learn in school - How to look great in a photo, journal, get along with your mother... even unclog a toilet (which may not sound that important, but knowing that would save a few thousand girls from ending up on Seventeen's "Embarrassing Moments" page).
Anyways, the chapter that interested me most was "Be Confident." Confidence doesn't come easy, but once you've got it, it makes doing pretty much everything easier (and more fun). And I'm willing to take all the tips I can get. So I've decided to put it to the test.
One of the how-tos in this chapter was How to Be Your Own Best Friend, with advice by Atoosa Rubenstein (former editor-in-chief of Seventeen and CosmoGIRL!). Her idea is that we are awesome to our BFFs - we remind her how beautiful she is, encourage her in chasing her dreams, and make time for her whenever she needs it. But we don't always do those things for ourselves, especially when we're not feeling so hot. So if we treat ourselves more like a best friend, maybe we can be more confident.
So this week, I'm going to give it a shot - be my own best friend. I'll put the tips to the test, and let you know how it goes. Keep checking back, FG.
xoxo
The Fab Gal Labels: advice, Atoosa Rubenstein, books, confidence, fab gal, GirlWise, Julia DeVillers, self esteem |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 12:25 PM |
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Thursday, May 20, 2010 |
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| FG Approved: Advice Sites |
Hey FGs!
Lotsa people love reading advice articles in magazines and online. And why not? The truth is, so many of us have similar questions... but someone has to be brave enough to ask! Of course, it can be hard to know where to turn for advice that's actually helpful. These sites have been FG-tested for awesome girl advice:
Girls' Life: Advice
(This magazine's website has advice on practically everything! But I especially love Bill and Dave's guy perspective on dating dilemmas.)
Beinggirl
(Tons of info on periods, and any other body question you can think of!)
Ask Jess
(Self-esteem expert Jess Weiner gives thoughtful advice on body image and self-esteem issues.)
xoxo
The Fab Gal
Where do you turn for advice? Got any suggestions for Fab advice sources? Leave a comment to let me know.Labels: advice, Beinggirl, fab gal, FG Approved, girls, Girls Life, Jessica Weiner, resources, teens |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 1:22 PM |
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Wednesday, May 19, 2010 |
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| Making Bad Days Better |
Hello Fab Gals!
Yep, we've all been there. Sometimes it's because of a break-up, or drama with friends, or stress from school, family, and everything else you've got going on. Or sometimes, there might not really be a reason at all. And when you do have a bad day, it can make you feel like crawling into a hole and just giving up. But bad days are really when you need to take care of yourself the most. Here are some FG-approved tips for getting through: - Find The One. No, I'm not talking about searching for Mr. Right (although that certainly would help, wouldn't it?). I'm talking about the one person you can come to when you're facing a challenge or just feeling down. It can be anybody you trust - a sister, parent, teacher, BFF or school counselor. But having even just one person that you can turn to when you're feeling down can make a big difference.
- Do something... When it feels like everything in your day has gone wr
 ong, it's like the only thing you want to do is slide into bed and hide under the covers. But doing something active that you enjoy - be that jogging, baking, sewing, or even going for a walk around the mall - keeps your body and mind occupied. Also, talking on a small challenge, like cleaning up your room or working on a project, reminds you that you really can do anything. - ...then do nothing. When you're feeling down, you really need a little pick-me-up. Find something that you love to do - reading magazines, listening to music, writing in your journal, taking a bubble bath - and do it. No questions asked.
- Remember the positives... This one is the hardest for me (but probably also the most important). Bad days often end up feeling way worse when we spend time thinking about things that went wrong, like a fight with a friend. But even if everything went completely wrong that day, there are other positives - things you are grateful for, challenges you've overcome in the past, and things you're looking forward to. Try to take a minute to delight in those things.
- ...and that you're not alone. Thankfully, there are many happy and successful Fab Gals out there that have lived through a bad day (or week or month) and come through, maybe even stronger than before. And for any one person who's brought you down in a day, there really are many more who want the best for you. Including your fellow FGs. So hang in there, baby.
xoxo The Fab Gal Labels: advice, bad day, emotions, fab gal, girls, problem solving, stress, teens |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 11:39 AM |
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Thursday, May 13, 2010 |
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| FGs in the Media: The Today Show No Make-Up Zone |
Hey FGs!
Just wanted to give you an update on something very Fab going on in the news world today. On the Today morning news show, hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb decided to host a "No Make-Up Zone." The two ladies hosted the entire show au naturel - no make-up whatsoever! It was awesome to see two Fab women stand up for real beauty and bare their "flaws" on national television (they looked beautiful just as they are, of course). If you missed it, check out this vid:
Kathie Lee, Hoda go au naturel!
xoxo
The Fab Gal
What do you think of the "No Make-Up Zone"? Would you like to see more celebs go make-up free? Do you need make-up to feel comfortable? Leave a comment to share your thoughts!Labels: beauty, fab gal, Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford, make-up, media, news, Today show |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 10:32 AM |
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Monday, May 10, 2010 |
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| Secrets of a Cover Girl |
Hey FGs!
I have always loved magazines. And I have always thought that being on the cover of one would be a dream. I can just picture it... Going to a super-exclusive studio, having a whole wardrobe of clothes picked out just for you, snapping lots of glamorous pics, and then heading to a fancy restaurant to do an interview for your cover story. That would have to be so fab, right? Being a cover girl, you would know you've really made it. But then I read this quote by Miley Cyrus:
"I told my mom, 'I'm not buying another magazine until I can get past this thought of looking like the girl on the cover.' She said, 'Miley, you are the girl on the cover,' and I was, like, I know, but
I don't feel like that girl every day.' You can't always feel perfect."
That's so crazy to think about. I guess I always thought girls who had it all - you know, being a mega-successful TV actress/movie star/singer - would know it, too. You'd think that being the superstar on the cover would make you feel super-confident. And Miley's not the only one. Pink, the tough-as-nails pop star, told a magazine she's okay with the fact that she's not a "cover girl" - when she was on the cover herself! I'm not telling you this to make you feel less confident. Oh, if the real cover girls don't feel beautiful, how can I ever feel that way myself? The opposite is true. In fact, you could be struggling with cover girl blindness yourself, like Miley or Pink - not seeing yourself as beautiful/smart/talented/amazing as you are, even when signs say it's true. When you're feeling down, facing a challenge, or having an off day, it's easy to believe that any negative thoughts or self-doubts you have are true, that you really aren't good enough. That's when you have to remember that your thoughts don't always represent the beautiful truth - that you are Fab just how you are. Cover girls don't always feel like cover girls. And sometimes, Fab Gals don't feel like Fab Gals. xoxo The Fab Gal As, always, I can be reached by comment below or by e-mail at fabgalsite@gmail.com. Labels: beauty, celebrities, confidence, fab gal, Miley Cyrus, Pink, self esteem |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 12:21 PM |
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Sunday, May 2, 2010 |
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| Fab Words from Fab Gals |
Hey FGs!
You always hear it's important to listen to your heart, and follow your own voice. But some days, when you're not feeling so confident, it can be hard to know what your voice is even saying, or maybe it's even telling you something negative - I can't do this. I'm not good enough. On those days, it's okay to listen to someone else, and let another Fab Gal (or guy) lead you back to the road of confidence. This week, I'm going to let some other FGs do the talking. Hopefully, they can inspire you to embrace your uniqueness, take control... and dance.
"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm... As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others." - Audrey Hepburn
"Never dull your shine for somebody else." - Tyra Banks
"It isn't until you come to a spiritual understanding of who you are - not necessarily a religious feeling, but deep down, the spirit within - that you can begin to take control." - Oprah Winfrey
"Be yourself always, there's no one better!" - Selena Gomez
"We delight in the beauty of a butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." - Maya Angelou
"If you're lucky enough to be different from everybody else, don't change." - Taylor Swift
"I used to think you had to be like everybody else to succeed. But I learned people will love you for you. The key is to be comfortable in your own skin. You have to love yourself." - Jordin Sparks "To dance confident in fringe panties when you're five-four with cellulite is a great thing." - Drew Barrymore xoxo The Fab Gal Labels: Audrey Hepburn, confidence, Drew Barrymore, fab gal, Jordin Sparks, Maya Angelou, Oprah, quotes, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Tyra Banks |
| posted by Fab Gal @ 8:04 PM |
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