What's Going on with Me?

This would be me.

But here we are, halfway through January, and not a single item has been crossed off my list.

Here’s what I had planned:

• Clean up the house, including the overly packed basement.
• Do a deep purge of every closet, especially my overflowing dressing room.
• Organize recipes and photos.
• Write and blog more.
• Cook healthy meals.
• Finish decorating my space.
• Work out more—and push myself harder.

I know it sounds like a lot, but by now, I feel like I should have checked off at least one item.

But instead, I find myself stuck in inertia. I run around in circles and accomplish nothing. 

Why is it so hard to get started? Why can’t I build the momentum I so badly want? The drive is there—but where’s the follow-through?

Sound familiar? Sometimes, no matter how many goals we set, we find ourselves frozen in place, staring at the list rather than crossing anything off. If you're feeling the same way, you're not alone. It’s a struggle we all face at times.

So, what can we do about it? I’ve been reflecting on a few strategies that might help break the cycle:

1. Break It Down

Instead of focusing on the long list, I’m taking one small step at a time. For example, today I’m tackling one dresser drawer—just one. I know that once I start, I’ll feel the momentum to keep going.

2. Use the 5-Minute Rule

I’m committing to working on a task for just five minutes. The hardest part is often starting, and once I’m in motion, I can keep going.

3. Prioritize Micro Goals

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the big picture, I’m setting micro goals. Rather than saying "clean the basement," I’ll say, "Organize the shelf in the basement." Small, achievable tasks that can get me feeling productive!

4. Create a Routine

One of the keys to overcoming inertia is creating a daily routine. I’m going to set aside a specific time each day, even if it’s just for 20 minutes, to focus on one thing—whether it’s writing or organizing a closet. It’s all about consistency. And by the way, I'm going to plug this into my calendar!

5. Accountability Partner

I hope to entice a friend to be my accountability partner and I can do the same for her.  This way we can share our goals and check in with each other. Sometimes knowing that someone else is aware of your progress can make all the difference.

6. Celebrate Small Wins

I’ll be celebrating the small victories along the way—whether it's clearing off a counter or finishing a single blog post. Recognizing progress, no matter how minor, can give me the motivation to keep going.

I know that this year is still young, and even though I haven’t checked off everything just yet, I’m giving myself grace. Tackling one thing at a time is all part of the process. I’m focused on moving forward, not perfection.

If you're also feeling stuck, remember: It’s okay to start small. It’s okay to take breaks. What matters is making consistent progress, even if it’s just a tiny step at a time. 

Life is short. Don't sweat the small stuff. Now if I can only practice what I preach!

Happy New Year!

xx Susan

As we transition our clothes from summer to fall, this is a reminder to also focus on your hair and skin. The summer months can be tough on both as the sun can bleach hair making it dry and brassy, and those pesky brown sun spots are so annoying! By the end of the summer there are enough spots on my face for a game of "connect the dots"!  So as fall approaches, let's give our hair and skin a little extra TLC. I thought I'd ask the the experts at Salon Metta and Suite 103 Spa for their advice.

Salon Metta (North Andover, MA)

I've been with my stylist Helen for over 13 years and adore her. But then again, everyone at this amazing salon is super talented and wonderful! During my last hair appointment, I asked Helen to share some tips for bringing hair back to life after the hot summer. 

• The sun can cause hair to go lighter and/or brassy so try adding a bit more depth at the root to avoid it turning too light, red, or gold. Going with an ashy tone can also be helpful for getting rid of brassiness. 
• A tinted shampoo with a purple or blue base can get the brassiness out! My favorites are Oribe Bright Blonde, Matrix Brass Off, and Pureology Strength Cure Blonde. 
• Use a clarifier to remove mineral build up. I love Oribe The Cleanse as it clarifies and is color safe. 
• Get regular glazes to add hydration and shine to your hair.
• Consider going a little darker for fall, or add in some low-lights for dimension. 

Ready to try a new salon? Mention FASHIONISTA when booking at Salon Metta and get $25 off your first service with any stylist! First time clients only and products excluded. Book here. 

Suite 103 Spa

I've also been visiting Suite 103 for over 10 years (hard to believe!) and I'm thrilled that this amazing spa just expanded to a larger space! They now offer just about everything from spa treatments, IV drips, color analysis, make-up, and much more. And boy do I have a discount for you! Mention FASHIONISTA and get 50% off a service (injectables included!) excluding packages, specials and products. This offer is for new clients, or for those who have not been to the spa in the last 12 months.

I asked the dream team Julie and Cheryl about fall skincare and make-up tips.

Julie

As we move into the cooler weather, it's time to get rid of brown sun spots and hydrate the skin! Some of my favorite treatments are:

• Hydrafacial -this super hydrating treatment will make your skin glow and look refreshed!
• PRX Peel --this is an amazing treatment that lifts sagging skin, lightens sun and age spots, improves skin texture, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There is minimal redness and peeling too, so no downtime! 
• Photofacial --this treatment improves the skin's tone and texture and can help with sun damage.
• For products, I suggest using a retinol at night and hyaluronic acid in the morning. Don't forget a good moisturizer and sunscreen too! 

Cheryl

There are lots of beautiful saturated colors in for fall such as burgundy, olive, and gold. The red lip is always in style (big this fall too!) and luminous glowing skin is all the rage (you may have heard of glass skin). We'd love to do your make-up whether it be for a special event or to teach you how to apply it!

Also, Suite 103 is having a big grand re-opening event on September 24th from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. to celebrate their gorgeous new space. There will be prizes, raffles, and more. Plus meet industry experts!

Who's joining me? 

Thanks for stopping by!

xx Susan

We're at that crazy time of the year when it's too warm to put away summer clothes, yet the weather will soon be turning chilly. It's already getting pretty cold at night here in Boston, despite 75 degree days. 

It's not quite time to pull out heavy pieces, but then again, it's not the right time to put away summer either!

So what's a woman to do?

I generally don't make the full summer to fall wardrobe transition until late September, however I am starting to pull out layers such as jackets, sweaters, vests, and cardigans. 

Many summer dresses and skirts can actually be worn all year round with the addition of boots and a jacket or cardigan (excluding gauze and very lightweight fabrics in the winter). I have several summer dresses that look fall-ready paired with booties and a leather or denim jacket. 

Another idea is to add in warmer fall tones so your wardrobe will instantly look more seasonal. Consider shades of olive green and my favorite chocolate brown, which are also very "in" colors for fall. I  love burnt orange, deep shades of green, burgundy, and mustard yellow too! 

Here are a few outfit ideas to give you inspiration for this unpredictable season.

Toxic people.

Do you have some in your life?

I've had my fair share and recently got punched in the stomach (figuratively) by a few people who are very close to me.

After almost a year of therapy, I finally broke free. It wasn't easy, but I needed to disconnect for my own physical and mental health. Enough is enough. 

This blog is a reflection of my own personal journey with the hope that it can help others going through similar situations. Of course always consult a practitioner if you are struggling. 

I won't name names because my goal isn't to hurt anyone, but rather to share what I've learned to help those in damaging relationships.

Whether it be family or friends (and despite years of history together), not all relationships are healthy. And the toxic ones can be draining, stressful and even destructive to our health. After a life-time of getting emotionally beat-up, I finally had an epiphany that it was time to disconnect from these unhealthy relationships for my own self-protection. 

Life as it was.

Well, almost.

It's been eight months since I finished a year-long treatment for leukemia. Over the past several months, I've finally been able to resume "normal" living...going to restaurants, weddings and other events, and shopping at stores without a mask.  After four years of living like a recluse, life as I knew it is a wonderful thing.

But it's not perfect.  There's an anxiety that goes along with reentering the world, along with a self-imposed pressure to fully catch up on all that I've missed. 

I just finished reading Between Two Kingdoms, the autobiography of Suleika Jaouad, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia at age 22, and has since gone through two bone marrow transplants. She talks about the trauma of cancer, the isolation associated with being immunocompromised, life's uncertainties, survivorship, and most importantly, living life to its fullest.

I can relate to her experiences and feelings, as well as the fear of living with a serious illness. But one remark stood out to me.

She talks about living like it's your last day on earth and how this approach can actually be stressful given the pressure to "do it all" and to jam-pack every day. Instead, she suggests living like each day is  your first...live with wonder, fun, curiosity, discovery, and playtime. 

Since my cancer diagnosis and reentry into normal life, I've felt the need to do everything that I've missed over the past four years. There's been internal pressure to overload my schedule and it's been a bit exhausting! 

Living each day as if it's my first, changes the landscape. Instead of causing stress, it opens me up to experiencing life with a newfound joy.  Not a bad way to live!

It also challenges me to experience gratitude, and to find happiness in the small every-day moments that make life meaningful and full. 

However, living this way is also about embracing life's uncertainties and the unknown by becoming resilient and adaptable. After all, none of us know what tomorrow, or for that matter, the next second will bring.  When we spend the precious time we have on this earth worrying about what "could" happen, we lose the here and now.  

Life is a gift and when we treat it as such, we experience the world in a whole new way. And I have to say, it feels pretty darn good! 

If you haven't read Between Two Kingdoms, I highly recommend it. It's one of the best (if not "the" best) books I've ever read. I'm grateful to Suleika for the reminder to get of overdrive mode so I don't miss one glorious day of living.  Find her book here. 

One last thing and a topic for another blog. Cancer has also taught me to rid my life of toxic people. 

More to come. 

Thanks for stopping by.

xx Susan

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