This & That: No. 39

Happy 2013 everyone! With the beginning of a new year, endless possibilities lay in front of us begging for us to find the fortitude and determination to accomplish what we wish for. Whether your resolutions involve fitness, travel, finances or fashion, I have a few ideas I’d like to share with you . . .

~Blog Post

~5 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your New Year’s Resolutions – The Happiness Project

Gretchen Rubin succinctly shares advice on how to best prepare resolutions for the new year so that they may be met with success. With five simple questions, why not take out your list and fine tune what you are certain to achieve in what will be a grand 2013.

~Film

~Funny Girl starring Barbra Streisand

January tends to find me with a bit more time to relax indoors on the weekends, and when it comes to films, I have a lengthy list of “need-to-watch”. Last weekend, I finally was able to sit down and take in Barbra Streisand in the musical Funny Girl. What a wonderful spotlight of her signature voice and her unmatched beauty that her character Fanny Brice continues to be unable to see and yet channels her wits and gift of comedy to become a star in the 1930s. Full of humor, romance, and fashion, this is a wonderful way to enjoy a couple of hours.

~Finances

~LearnVest

One resolution many people place on their list is to fine tune their finances and create a secure financial future and present for themselves. LearnVest offers a free financial check-up so that you can see exactly how well you are proceeding toward your goals. While they do offer other services for a fee (beginning at $89), simply getting a free check-up may be a great way to keep you focused. If you’re like me, you may not want to pay someone to help you, as that seems to defeat the purpose. Instead, educate yourself by reading books from your library on finances (or checkout my Amazon bookstore to see the books I’ve found helpful and keep on my shelves) or check out my money page full of advice and recommendations.

~Shopping

~Beyond Yoga

Beyond Yoga is a luxury lifestyle brand founded by Jodi Guber Brufsky that combines the best elements of activewear and style to form a collection that is chic, flattering and above all, accessible. Designed with every woman's figure in mind - a celebration of curves and the perfect fit for all shapes and sizes – Beyond Yoga products are made here in the USA.

Among their fans are Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, Molly Sims, Brooke Burke, Jennifer Anniston and Gwyneth Paltrow who has paired up with Beyond Yoga to offer two exclusive items found only through her lifestyle blog GOOP - a black quilted one shoulder top as well as quilted side panel leggings. The unique neckline offers unexpected style and the quilted texture is a wonderful balancing element when it comes to not only wearing comfortable workout clothes, but looking well to boost your confidence as you go about achieving your fitness goals for the new year.

~Halsbrook

In September 2012, Halsey Meyer Schroeder founded the clothing company Halsbrook which believes in “quality, craftsmanship and enduring style, and presents a thoughtfully curated selection of the most timeless, elegant and wearable clothing and accessories from both European and American designers”. Inspired by her stylish mother’s frustration that many fashion houses primarily sold trendy, youthful items, Halsey wanted to create a place where timeless, stylish pieces could be found that would flatter no matter what the season or the year.

I couldn’t help but find a few items that caught my eye – here, here and here.

~Travel

~Cobblestay

On my list of 2013 plans is to return to Paris, so I am already scouting out apartments and travel guides as I build my itinerary. Whether you are planning on traveling or simply want to learn about how to travel well and safely in the City of Light, sign up for Cobblestay’s newsletter. What it provides is not only updates on apartments (which are quite affordable compared to other websites I have visited and worked with) but most importantly, a five part insider’s guide that contains specific details on what to do prior to leaving, while you’re traveling, what to enjoy while you’re there and overall, how to ensure you have a most memorable trip.