10 Items all men need in their Wardrobe – as by ME

Think of these items as the essential building blocks.  This is you minimum and you add pieces as you see fit that work in your style and taste

1. Suit. For wedding, funeral, and important business meeting that come up for everyone guy. If this is your first of likely you only suit stay in the dark tones, black, dark grey, or dark navy blue. Choose a classic two or three button jacket.

2. White Button shirt. Classic staple all men should have at least one. Pick on that fit you neck properly and had a lot of structure and well tailored. Can be worn with the top buttons undone or with a tie for a more formal look.

3. Casual shirt. This is a little bit of a two parter or two items in one. T shirt is one side and then a true casual shirt. For t shirt something classic, nothing with a big slogan and childish picture (those are for the addition extra pieces in the wardrobe). Casual shirt are things like polo or shirt with easy patterning and collars. Each option can be worn on it own or under a blazer.

4. Jeans. Many choices of jean out there, for a primary pair try something in a dark wash, boat cut low to mid rise and low to mid ride.

5. Cashmere sweater. Cashmere is the top of the line but any good quality classic sweater will do fine.

6. Trench coat. Many colours, varying lengths and styles. Pick one that applies to you and yours taste. (a Pea coat is also a great alternative to the trench)

7. Sweatsuit alternative. Sweats are get for bed that is all. Alternative are still very comfortable and wearing at the gym or doing physical activity but do not look sloppy. Sweatsuits are a little too informal and one looks like a slob wearing them.

8. Dress pant. For those days when the suit is just too much but you still need to look polished. Classic black pants with or dark colours with or without pine striping is a great options. Khakis are also in this category. Dress them up with a button shirt and tie for a night out or dress down with a next plan t shirt for everyday look.

9. Blazer. Can also be known as a sports coat. So many options; colour, pattern, style, fabric, on and on. General rule for your first blazer (after you have more you can break the rules) 2 or 3 buttons. Stick with a neutral colour; greys, blues, khaki, browns, or single patterns or textures and are not too busy like a pin stripe or corduroy

10. Dark tie. Easy and classic. Ties are usually inexpensive compared to anything else on the list so good idea it you can pick up a couple in a dark colour they will go with anything.

40 Tips for a better life in 2010

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day, and while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. I like to take this 10 minutes (sadly sometime just 5) to think of everything that is going RIGHT and not wrong and to give thanks for what I do have...so many people have it worse.

3. Buy a DVR and record your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, “My purpose is to _______ today.”

5. Live with the 3 E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2009.

7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six. There is so much wisdom to learn from people in their 60's, 70's, 80's --take some time to take it all in. As far as kids go...try to remember what it was like to find everything so exciting and so new. We can learn a lot from kids!

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants. Eat less food that is manufactured in plants!

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water.

12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.

13. Clean clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life is not fair, but it’s still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Ask, Believe, Receive.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that is not useful, beautiful, or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often.. (Or email them to death!)

37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: “I am thankful for _________________. Today I accomplished _______________.

38. Remember you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door! It just doesn't happen though on it's own YOU NEED to stop thinking negative thoughts and focus on wishing good things in your lives and everyone around you!

Sneaky Gays

This is great check it out!

15 random facts about me

1. I hate it when people draw their feet

2. I have never cheated on anyone

3. i really do not like body hair

4. i look at teeth first

5. Love HOT hate cold but enjoy snowboarding

6. i have never been high

7. Drag queens scare me

8. hate it when people do not reply to text messages or e mail

9. Love Mariah Carey

10. want 3 more tattoos then i will be done

11. misses my hair and getting hair cut and color

12. Hates waiting in lines, i am better then that

13. Hates Reggae music

14. loves flossing my teeth

15. cannot eat if food is mixed or touching

Baby as the new Black?

This is just an observation but everyone in my life is having or just had a baby right now.  Was there something in the water 3 – 9 months ago for the duration?  Cold winter that everyone cuddled up nice and warm?  Was there a memo i missed? 

I know 18 people (close friends and family) that have had a baby with in a month or are currently pregnant.  Pregnant seems to be the latest trend.  Is that a lot????  I think so.  It is very exciting really but people you are going to need to give me time for the baby gift.  To many at once, i will need to budget it out a little. 

Fashion Faux Pas

With the weather slowly making it was into spring and soon coming into my personal favourite summer, I have already seen an up rise in some bad fashion choices. People have been sporting some of these looks already. Still have fun with fashion and style, lots of opportunity even with the below rules. Now I am all about personal expression and being an individual through your style, but there are something that are just wrong no matter what. NOT MATTER WHAT! So please do not sit there and try and make something up saying it is ok to do what you are doing.

1. Fanny packs. In the traditional sense they are UGLY. There is so many better looking options in bags and backpacks. One thing that maybe a little tiny option would be a running belt when you are actually running. The new flat (very flat) waste bags are a better option if you must.

2. Socks with flip flops (or any kind of sandals). Yes people do this. Unless you are a practicing Geisha there is not reason. If you are worried about having cold feet wear shoes.

3. Crocs! This is not a complete no to crocs but strict rules for them. You can wear them while gardening, taking you dog to a muddy park, working on a pool deck, that is it. Just because you shirt is the same colour as your crocs does not mean to wear it out of the house to dinner.

4. Pig Tails. There are okay if you are under the age of six, sleeping, or they are under a helmet.

5. Not wearing SPF 15 or more. Sun damage means AGING! We want to all age well and look younger be sure to wear SPF daily. If you are planning to spend hours in the sun wear a 30 or more and re apply. Remember to wait at least 30 minutes before you go out when you first put in on.

The Last Single Guy

It upset me that sometime people say things that are come across as condescending because I am not in a relationship.

I am getting more and more comfortable with that fact that someday I may or may not find someone that I love and that loves me back. We will love each other for who we are and tolerant those silly things that each other does that drive the other nuts. Maybe my imagine companion is just that, imaginary. But compromise, in this instance, is not an option. Compromise would mean unhappiness. I would much rather be single and happy then with someone just because and unhappy.

I do not want my daily grind and day to day acts to be in constant search and looking for love, always on the prowl. It is a waste of time. I will miss on the other great things that life has to offer. If there is love out there for me then we will find each other.

As I get older more of my friend are in relationships. It makes me so happy to see them happy and that is what i want. True happiness not just being with someone because. Sure it was fine to be single before i was in my 20's but now that I am 30 it is like a switch flipped and it is a problem or there must be something wrong with me and that is why i am still single. It is true I am not getting any younger, however I know who I am now. I could not say that before. I also know that I look and feel better then I every have. Just read about it in the Looks Better Nekkid posts.

I am not better and no worse then a person in a relationship or another singleton.

Looks Better Nekkid switch it up!

Here is some more fun options for Look Better Nekkid project. Think of them as the unsung hero's of fitness. Pilates and Yoga. They are both incredible options to through into you regular routine. They are also great to try if you need a little mix up or are getting bored in your routine and need a pick me up or something different so you do not plateau. Both Yoga and Pilates will increase balance, focus, and body awareness. Here is a little more about each

Joseph Pilates created this series of movement. Pilates is all about the core. The core is front and back of you body starting from the bottom of your rib cage continues to the top of the legs, and includes the butt OH YA. It pulls everything in your middle nice and tight, working the deep abdominal muscles. It works you natural corset, with a nice hot bum lift. There are several great DVDs out of the market that have beginner mat programs to check out. There is also great Pilates studios and classes in your local gym that would be a great add into your workout.

There are so many different kinds and type of Yoga but all have a great benefits for you mind and your body. Body wise Yoga is about flexibility and stretch. You can gain great strength through all the posture of your Yoga practice all while stretching your body out. It also help blood flow through the body thus riding it of toxins. For you mind it will help to quiet, think of it as a moving mediation.

Try either of both of these options and you will love them both as much as i do. You will see how it can also help keep you training program nice and fresh so we get to the end goal of looking better NAKED!