Celebrating New Years and Staying Classy

New Year's Eve is one of the most celebratory times of the the year. As women, we get to bring out that most fabulous sequin dress for a fun dinner out on the town or it's the time were we can showcase our home with fabulous cheeses, decadent desserts and of course a bubbly bar stacked with champagne! We all want to have a great time, but that doesn't mean it's time to let your guard down and become a sloppy drunk.

Five ways to celebrate, but keeping it classy!

1.   Slow It Down. Don't race towards the finish line. Enjoy your drinks. It may be New Years, but the faster you drink, the quicker your night will end with you feeling horrible!

2.   Know Your Limit. Keep your drinks within two glasses of your limit. Try not switch between wine, beer, mixed drinks and shots (this is never a good idea). Everyone wants a good buzz, but do you really want to be throwing up in an unknown bathroom before the clock strikes midnight?

ribbons

3.   Act the Part. Sometimes it can be more fun to pretend that you're drunk rather than actually being drunk. You're friends don't have to know that your playing a part, but if you can pull this off you will have more fun throughout the night, while remembering everyone else's stupidity. You might even have some fabulous stories to tell your friends the next day!

4.   Full Stomachs and Hydration. Munch on appetizers throughout the night if possible. Please don't drink on an empty stomach, you won't make it past the first hour. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Yes, we know you aren't working out, but if you drink water while enjoying that second glass of champagne, this will help with any potential hangover the next day.

5.   PARTY LIKE IT'S 2015! Most importantly, enjoy your night with the friends and family you love! New Years is all about celebrating the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from the previous year while welcoming in the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly for the upcoming year. Because let's be honest, as much as we want the New Year to be the best year ever, there's no guarantees so let's take the good, with the bad, and HAVE A PARTY!

Love the Journey!

Now that Advent is more than half done, and we are getting closer and closer to Christmas, we want to thank our many readers who have given us just a snapshot of what they are doing to Occupy Advent during this 24 day challenge.  Here are a few of our favorites!

36th Avenue

Anonymous #1 said that she went through her winter clothes and gave away as many coats, hats, scarves, and gloves that she could spare to a local homeless shelter. How wonderful!

Anonymous #2 put together "survival bags" for the homeless that stand on the street corners near their office. They included a pair of warm socks, trail mix with dried fruit, toothpaste and tooth brush, hand warmers, and a scarf. How thoughtful!

Anonymous #3 decided to give up shopping for unnecessary items and she was able to save over $200 since the beginning of December! She plans on donating the money to a local charity! What a blessing!

These are just a few of the wonderful things our readers are doing during the 24 Day Challenge to better themselves during #occupyadvent. You have ten days left before Christmas. How do you plan on spending it?

Here's a poem that was shared with us by a reader, enjoy!

ENJOY THE PRESENT MOMENT

We make them cry who care for us.

We cry for those who never care for us.

And we care for those who will never cry for us.

This is the truth of life, it's strange but true.

Once you realize this, it's never too late to change.

Don't let someone become a priority in your life,

When you are just an option in their life...

Relationships work best when they are balanced.

Never explain yourself to anyone.

Because the person who likes you doesn't need it,

and the person who dislikes you won't believe it.

When you keep saying you are busy,

then you are never free.

When you keep saying you have no time,

then you will never have time.

When you keep saying that you will do it tomorrow,

then your tomorrow will never come.

When we wake up in the morning, we have two simple choices.

Go back to sleep and dream, or wake up and chase those dreams.

Choice is yours...

Don't make promises when you are in joy.

Don't reply when you are sad.

Don't make decisions when you are angry.

Think twice...Act Wise.

Time is like a river.

You cannot touch the same water twice,

because the flow that has passed will never pass again.

Enjoy every moment of life...

First I was dying to finish my high school and start college.

And then I was dying to finish college and start working.

Then I was dying to marry and have children.

And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough so I could go back to work.

But then I was dying to retire.

And now I'm dying.

And suddenly I realized I forgot to live.

Please don't let this happen to you.

Appreciate your current situation and enjoy each day!

#OccupyAdvent: A 24 Day Challenge

Who hasn't heard of the 30 day challenges swarming all areas of social media? It seems like every month there's a new one popping up, whether it's an exercise challenge, a healthy eating challenge, or a clothing challenge. These are all good, but today, the Ladies of Provocative Manners would like to challenge you to a special 24 day challenge and it's the perfect time of year to begin! With the season of Advent and Christmas upon us, it is time that we re-examine ourselves internally and externally. The purpose of the #OccupyAdvent 24 day Challenge is to help you simplify your everyday life while using those benefits to pay it forward through charity to others. You have 24 days! How will you spend each day?

ramblingrenovators

Every week we will be sharing some experiences of our readers during this #OccupyAdvent Challenge. Don't worry, if we choose to share your story, it will be anonymous. Feel free to send us your Challenge "stories" to provocativemanners@yahoo.com, on our Facebook Personal Page, or our Business Page.

Here are the guidelines for the #OccupyAdvent 24 Day Challenge. Remember that the purpose of this is to improve ourselves, assist those around us, and prepare us for Christmas. These are only guidelines, adjust them to accommodate your lifestyle.

1. Contemplate the Meaning of Christmas.

     This time of year isn't only about ourselves, family, friends or even strangers. This time of year is about the birth of Christ. How are you preparing for His Birthday? Without Him, this season would not exist, so let's show some thanks!

2. Simplify Your Life. 

      This may include limiting your access to social media and increasing time within your day for reading, organizing, or helping others. You know better than anyone what consumes your time and yet doesn't have much merit. Spend more time with family and friends, these are the moments that you will remember when you get older and the kids are grown. Don't have regrets!

3. Don't Purchase Anything You Don't NEED!

     Yes, we know this is difficult this time of year, but our consumerism mentality is overbearing. (Maybe this is one of the reasons I cannot stand Black Friday, or Black Saturday, or Cyber Monday...) For me, it will be difficult to drive past Starbucks without a Skinny Peppermint Mocha, but instead of spending the money there, I can donate food to the local pantry or purchase gifts for families in need. That cup of Peppermint Mocha will be so much more enjoyable on December 26th by waiting!

4. Internal and External Silence.

     We all have loud, busy, chaotic lives 12 months out of the year. Maybe these 24 days we can occupy ourselves internally and externally with moments of silence. Take a few minutes out of each day, even 5 minutes to sit in silence. Don't try to plan your next party, or dwell on all the gifts you have to purchase, but enjoy those moments of silence. They are more important than you realize.

5. Keep Perspective - Pay it Forward

     Charity is the highest form of respect for others. Whether you give a meal to the homeless man standing on the corner or choose to give your waiter an extra percentage of a well-earned tip, these are the moments that make living worth while, because for once you are not making it about yourself. The most important thing to remember: don't brag about it. Once you tell the world your inner most actions, those beautiful forms of charity begin to loose bits of their luster.

Take Control of Your #OccupyAdvent 24 Day Challenge! 

How will you push yourself to be a better you?

     

95.7 KJR