Top 7 Productivity Tips from Brian Tracy

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.”

Don’t you sometimes feel absolutely overwelmed by the things to be done? You finish some of them only to realize that tomorrow’s agenda looks even longer. Brian Tracy’s «Eat that frog» method is focused on battling exactly this problem. He explains why it makes sense to address only the most important goals and what can we do to increase our overall productivity.

Nowadays, everyone has endless to-do lists. What defines successful people is the ability to identify the most significant tasks and to focus on completing them as early as possible. What makes you truly productive is not the amount of issues you can tackle, but the results you achieve.

7 productivity tips from Brian Tracy I appreciated the most:

1. Define your goals

It is critical to know what are your aims. The clearer you see your goals – the better chances you have to reach them. Before starting to work on any project write down all the goals and tasks that you will need to execute.

2. Plan your day ahead

Reserve 10 minutes of your morning on organising and planning your activities. The better you plan your day, the easier it is to fight the procrastination and to move towards your objectives.

 3. Use the 80/20 Pareto principle

80% of the results come from 20% of all your activities. Make sure to focus your attention on the top 20% of the tasks that will lead you to the success. Don’t waste time on trifles.

4. Set task priorities

When your task list is ready, devote couple of minutes to setting ABCDE priorities for every task in your list. The most important task gets the A priority and so on. Always work on the things with the higher priorities first.

5. Remember the law of forced efficiency

Keep in mind the Parkinson’s Law that says: you will never have enough time for everything, but you will always have plenty of time to do the most important things. Decide what tasks will bring you maximum rewards and try to complete them before they become urgent.

6. Divide and Conquer

If your “frog” is too big, the best way to eat it is by cutting it into pieces. Separate your project into smaller sub-tasks and you’ll immediately feel much more comfortable. To move forward it is extremely important to see that some tasks are already finished. When you realize that you conquered some portions of the big task, you get additional energy boost to move forward.

7. Force yourself to act immediately

Imagine that tomorrow you are going away for a month and you must finish the most meaningful assignments. If you use this psychological trick you have all the chances to triple your productivity and improve self-discipline.

That’s it for today Rich Girls. There are so many different ways you can approach your task list that the learning about them itself can become a way of procrastination. Probably the ultimate productivity advice is that every organisational method is good enough as long as you follow-through, not only read about it.

Truly yours,

Alona

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Sitting at The Negotiating Table

Right before the winter my friend asked me if I’d be interested in helping her to hunt down a nice looking warm coat. We went to several shops and found one jacket that looked perfect on her but its belt was a bit loose, so my friend said she would like to replace it with the belt from the smaller size coat.

The sales assistant explained that it wouldn’t be possible as after that they would need to think what to do with the belt that my friend left behind. Instead the clerk offered to bring the same size coat from the storehouse and see if its belt is any better. After 30 minutes the girl came back only to say that the jacket they have on display is the only item with the size we need so there is nothing else she could do. Probably because I was too annoyed about the waiting, unexpectedly for myself, I said that this is a one of the worst customer service experiences I’ve had. I told that I am surprised that she let us wait for half an hour and now is ready to lose the sale rather than simply replace the belt.

The sales assistant then answered that she should probably speak with her manager to check if there is anything else to be done. I said it was a wonderful idea that should have popped in her head a little earlier. The girl came back in a minute saying that we are welcome to take any belt we want.

I was very proud of myself that day. Since I never ask for a discount (don’t know how to) and rarely demand a better deal, this little negotiation was a big personal win.

Professor Gavin Kennedy in his Everything is Negotiable book says there are 4 styles of negotiating behaviours: Donkeys, Sheep, Foxes and Owls.

Each animal represents the set of characteristics of the choices we make when negotiate.

We usually behave like a Donkey when we don’t know what can we possibly gain negotiating. The Donkey behaviour is often found in someone who has a predictable capacity for stubborn defiance. When what she gets (usually not a lot) is not good enough to consider the negotiation a success and when all decisions the person makes are based on her deep, often irrational “principles”.

“Where ignorance predominates, ‘stupid’ negotiation choices assert themselves.”

You are behaving like a Sheep when you think that whatever you get is acceptable (c’est la vie!) and when you easily welcome the other people choices. There is some pragmatic flexibility in you, but too often you are influenced by others and don’t know how to fight for your own interests. You prefer to agree rather than annoy or disappoint the person you speak with.

“Like the proverbial goose, a ‘boo’ sends you scampering for cover.”

Foxes truly know what is going on and deeply believe they deserve what they demand. Some Foxes only succeed because of their sharpness and even ruthless cruelty. On top of that, Foxes love to look smart and sometimes misread the game because they are too arrogant and excited about the process. There are few limits to Fox’s pragmatism and she is amazing at using soft spots of Sheep. People who make Donkey decisions are of course no problem to Foxes as well.

“Devious is as devious does.”

Owls are those who are wise enough to spot the long-term benefits of developing genuine relationships that will later on get them the results they truly deserve. As an Owl you are always aware and prepared for the opportunities and the threats from the choices you must make when negotiating. You earn respect for what you do and how you do it (you certainly don’t exploit Sheep, Donkeys and Foxes).

“All negotiators should beware: many owls are closet Foxes!”

As much as I’d like to think of myself as a natural Owl negotiator, I should confess I’m a classic Sheep sometimes.

Who are you when you are sitting at the negotiating table?

Yours truly,

Alona

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On Rediscovering Willpower and Self-Control

“The will of man is his happiness.”

Until recently my good friends knew me as an exemplary heavy smoker. My solid relationships with cigarettes continued for 15 years; for the last 8 years I smoked one pack a day on average. I’ve quit about half a year ago.

Since then I never slipped, despite the parties and get-togethers with my smoking friends. Not even when visiting my hometown earlier this month, where you can still smoke in some restaurants and nightclubs. When I say I don’t smoke anymore the first question they often ask is how did I do it. I usually say that you have to want to quit badly and you must start seeing yourself as a non-smoker. They nod and say I’m lucky to have such strong willpower.

That’s where I feel puzzled. I can’t quite comprehend how do I have strong self-discipline skills if I can’t make myself go to gym for a second week in a row? Where does my willpower hide when I’m in a desperate need of losing couple of kilos?

Well, Rich Girls, I’m happy to report that most of my willpower related questions were answered by Roy F. Baumeister – a professor of psychology who presented his new book here in London the other day*. I thought you might want to get familiar with some of his findings.

If you’d like to improve your self-control abilities and be able to achieve much more, consider the following:

Willpower is a limited resource and we use the same self-control mechanism for different activities.

Let’s say you’ve spent this afternoon visiting your favorite boutiques and trying on various gorgeous sets you would like to have in your wardrobe. It wasn’t easy, but you successfully resisted temptation to spend your rent money on a Marc Jacobs’ resort 2012 sundress. You were also heroic enough to ignore new Louboutin collection and you stepped away firmly from a magnificent shoulder bag by Alexander Wang.

Guess what will happen in a coffee shop you are about to enter? When choosing little something to accompany your latte, you will most likely take the best looking and the biggest piece of chocolate brownie they have.

That scenario is common because our willpowers deplete through the day. The self-discipline is like a muscle that gets tired when you use it too much. Good news is, just like a muscle the willpower can be trained. The more you exercise your self-control skills the better you get.

5 stunning ways to improve willpower:

1.   Pick Your Fights Wisely

When you are ready to create a new habit or willing to aim for big win, commit to your choice and put everything else aside. Decide what is one, the most important thing you want to change right now and devote all self-control you have to this precise goal. Your willpower needs as much fuel as possible to take you to the finish line, so don’t waste it on something that is not so critical.

Because the willpower is limited resource, you must begin big-league projects only when you feel you can handle them. If there are too many affairs that stress you out, it is better to postpone The New Life mission and approach it when you don’t have too many things on your plate.

Most importantly, set your goals as specific as you can possibly imagine. You have to define what it is you want to achieve very clearly.

Let’s say you would like to be slimmer than you currently are. Ask yourself, what is your dream weight, put the number on a paper.

Next, list all the reasons why the magic number will make your life better. When describing the reasons you have to be as sincere as possible. Those must be the ideas you truly believe in. Don’t borrow explanations your besty used when she spoke about her perfect weight.

Finally, describe all the actions you have to take to get closer to your goal. Again, be very concrete and specific. Write down small, easy to take daily steps that will bring you closer to tackling the weight loss issue.

2. Block the Exits

Let’s stick to the losing weight example for a bit. When you go for groceries avoid candy & sweets section. Don’t buy any desserts if you know you won’t be able to resist them while watching new episode of Gossip Girl.

Instead, come up with a substitute. Decide what will you do next time you crave for a cheesecake. Say to yourself, when I feel like eating something sweet, I take a yogurt with berries or a fruit.

If you plan to go jogging tomorrow morning, put your sportswear set on a chair next to your bed so it would be the first thing you see when you wake up. Don’t give yourself any chances to reconsider.

3. Mind Your Sugar Level

Here is why dieting is so difficult. Your willpower depends on the amount of sugar in your blood stream. Apparently, self-control and decision making ‘uses’ big amounts of glucose. And when you don’t have enough glucose in your blood your willpower goes down.

That’s why you shouldn’t go to an important interview or business meeting on an empty stomach. If you feel hungry, your decisions most likely will be poor and unreasonable.

In urgent cases when you need a rapid sugar hit, eat a chocolate bar, something that will deliver a lot of glucose into your blood right away.

As for dieting, Roy F. Baumeister recommends try losing weight by making very small changes to your diet and focus on increasing daily sport activities instead.

4. Make Progress Reports

To achieve your goal you must know what exactly you do and how you spend your time every day. Normally we are able to name the websites we visited yesterday and remember what movies we watched, but we have a very vague idea about how much time we spent on those things. The problem is that if you don’t know what are you doing precisely, you won’t know what it is you need to change to get to your aim faster.

Come up with ways to examine and measure your life. Update your food diary daily, install software that will give you online usage report, track your finances with mobile apps and so on.**

Additionally you could ask your friend to check on you weekly. You can even make a bet with someone to keep yourself accountable. Posting progress updates on your blog or Facebook profile might also be a good idea.

5. Embrace To-Do Lists

Lots of studies say that unfinished tasks annoy and distract us big time. Brain hates half-baked projects and it will keep on trying to remind you about them.

Because the tasks are in your head all the time, they suck up your self-control abilities bits by bits. The more uncompleted things you’ve got on your mind, the less willpower you have to confront them.

Take the jobs half-done out of your head and put them on paper. Classic to-do lists do wonders. Only remember to make the list very specific. Clearly define the next action you must take. Instead of writing “Prepare for a home party” say “Make a guest list”, “Buy 100 Party Balloons” etc.

The best way to handle your to-dos is by working on the most demanding item first thing in the morning, while your willpower is strong and eager to act. Brian Tracy, a well-known motivational speaker, has a great “Eat That Frog” book*** that explains the toughest-thing-first method in details. I promise to tell you more about his technique next time.

That’s it for today Rich Girls! I wish you the very best luck with developing your willpower. Remember, self-disciplined people are like this only because of the way they approach their day-to-day lives. It’s not the superpowers.  It’s all about creating and maintaining positive habits. The more lasting habits you have the less willpower you use to make right decisions.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Come brag about the tasks you tackled and share your tricks that help you to improve your self-control skills!

Yours truly,

Alona

*Must Read Book by Roy F. Baumeister: Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength

**Apps and Websites that help to measure and examine your day-to-day life:

• A web tool that allows you to easily understand and optimize how you spend your time and attention: RescueTime
• Google Chrome Extension that helps you stay focused on work by restricting the amount of time you can spend browsing time-wasting websites: StayFocusd
• Online Food Diary: MyFitnessPall
• Finance Tracking Iphone App: iXpenseIt

***Must Read Book by Brian Tracy: Eat That Frog

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7 Ways To Celebrate Valentines Day In Luxury

Valentine’s Day is one of my most favorite days of the year, after my Birthday and New Years. I still remember how we all waited in anticipation this day in school, guessing if this year will be different and we will receive Valentine’s card from that special someone. Well, I received a lot of cute messages and cards on Valentine’s Day when I was studying, but never from someone I really wanted, which always made me feel disappointed. Now I remember it with a smile, back then it was a tragedy of my life.

Valentine’s Day is all about chocolate, red roses, champagne and love. Love between two people, what can be more beautiful and magical? There is no surprise that a lot of people choose Valentine’s Day for marriage or proposal, because everything around screams of love and unity. Together forever! This is the day when you want to believe in eternal love and true soul mates, the day you want to do something special and celebrate in style and luxury.

That is why I selected 7 most exciting and romantic ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in The Ritz-Carlton hotels around the world.

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas – Champagne Sunset Sail

I think that sunset is the most romantic part of the day. What do you think? How would you like to enjoy a beautiful & romantic sunset in the Caribbean waters with a live guitarist on-board?! Well, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is offering a special Champagne Sunset Sail this Valentine’s Day aboard Lady Lynsey, the resort’s luxury 53-foot catamaran which will pick guests up right from the resort beach.

Toast your romance with a selection of Champagne, savor specialty hors d’oeuvres and enjoy the soothing sounds of a live guitarist on-board as you sail through the serene Caribbean waters and watch one of St. Thomas’s legendary sunsets.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island – Fire by The Dunes

How about personal fire in the dunes, where a crackling fire, comfy blankets and the sound of soothing waves draw you closer?! If you and your partner love the beach, then the Fire by The Dunes experience at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island would be perfect choice for you this Valentine’s Day. The beach and fire by the dunes also includes s’mores, a thermos of hot chocolate, thermo cups and high-powered celestial binoculars for star gazing. A personal attendant is nearby to cater to your needs.

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong – Take Your Breath Away

The world’s highest bar Ozone is offering a bespoke “Take Your Breath Away Dining Experience” which includes an exclusive use of the private dining room located at 490 metres above sea level, featuring captivating vistas of the city and Victoria Harbour; a 10-course menu, a bottle of Louis Roederer, Cristal 2004, a bouquet of 99 roses and a box of 99 pieces of chocolates. This exclusive package is available only on February 14 for one couple at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong.

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong – Sensational Spa-cial

Spa pampering is the ultimate Valentine’s Day indulgence for couples that is why The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA this Valentine’s Day will be offering a 90-minute bespoke treatment in the Couple’s Suite, followed by a 60-minute relaxation time when guests can enjoy the Jacuzzi overlooking the Victoria Harbour in the secluded haven of the suite.

A bottle of champagne with chocolate-coated strawberries and red roses, an ESPA gift and an afternoon tea for two at Café 103 are with the Spa’s compliment to complete the sweetest experience ever.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain – Romance Menu And Chocolate Decadence Buffet

This option will be perfect for people, who love chocolate, which is almost everyone of us. The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain restaurant’s à la carte romance menu on Valentine’s Day will include a Chocolate Decadence buffet created by Executive Chef David Serus. Valentine’s Dinner at CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar will feature such main course selections as Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Green Asparagus and Dungeness Crab Béarnaise, Goat Cheese Soufflé Colorado Lamb with Truffle Gnocchi, and Pan-Seared John Dory with Crushed Fingerling Potatoes.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain – Splash Dining

A spectacular outdoor dining experience, Splash Dining, will be offered the evening of February 14th, 2012. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, Splash Dining will include a dinner in a romantic private setting under the stars, as you dine on a specially-prepared menu served in the heated Turquesa Pool, with your legs partially immersed in the stunning shallow-depth Turquesa waters. The Valentine’s Splash Dining experience includes a four-course menu and champagne toast.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain – Just for Us (couple’s experience)

Complementing the resort’s Valentine’s dining experiences, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dove Mountain has introduced also an exclusive new couple’s experience, Just for Us, which is available throughout the month of February. Just for Us features a rose petal bath, a 50-minute Ritz-Carlton Together Message, and champagne and strawberries for both guests.

I hope that reading through these magnificent options for Valentine’s Day inspired you to find creative and romantic ways how to celebrate this day of love to remember!

Girls, what would be your perfect Valentine’s Day? Please share your ideas in the comments below.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Yours,

Rich Girl

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New Year Goals and Resolutions: Ways to Persevere

I am really proud and happy to share a great article written by a dear friend of mine, Alona! The author shares valuable information and tips on how to set your goals correctly and follow them through. Something which I definitely need to improve and work on. The article is extremely well written and I am sure you will be delighted to read it through and it will encourage you to implement these ideas into your life. I really hope that there will be more articles by this author on Rich Girls Club in the nearest future. Fingers crossed! Enjoy! Yours, Rich Girl.

Hello Dear Rich Girls! I just realized it is almost the end of January 2012. Have you noticed, that smart researchers from all over the world started to warn us that we enter the critical timeline when most people will forget dieting and workouts, resume smoking, give up on reading at least 30 minutes a day and neglect ‘Goals to achieve’ notebook completely. Where do you stand on your New Year Resolutions?

I intend to persevere this time, no matter how tempting it might seem to pull back. Following through on the resolutions is actually part of my Great 2012 To-Do Plan.

In order to cut off escape routes I’ve decided to find out why do we dodge the resolutions so surprisingly easy. And is there a way not to fall into the ‘Maybe Next Year’ philosophy.

I’ve started by reading Peter Bregman’s blog at Harvard Business Review. He wrote loads of articles on motivation and productivity and constantly shares practical techniques we can use to accomplish more.

Here is what Peter says about keeping your resolutions alive and kicking.

First, let’s determine why do we often fail miserably at fulfilling the dreams and aims.

Bregman noticed, that people only like to put the very big things in their resolution list. We usually say something like:

These are all grandiose intentions. And they all are extremely challenging. Such goals made it to our list because we believe these are the things that will change the quality of life dramatically.

What we don’t always realize is that ambitious desires require big advanced planning and it will be a long journey to the moment when the dreams come true.

Don’t worry though, the super achievers don’t lie when tell you something inspiring.

3 Big Obstacles On the Way to Your Goal

1. Some goals are too huge and general to comprehend. If your wish to become a millionaire by the end of this year, you have to outline the very specific and concrete sub goals first.

To get going smoothly, you should admit that it won’t be simple and pleasant all the way through, but every little step you make counts.

Describe in details all small actions you have to take in order to achieve your big goal and follow the instructions strictly.

2. This might seem strange, but we abandon bunch of goals only because we are very scared. We often are worried that whatever it is we’d like to do won’t work out the way we imagine.

If you suspect that the fear of failure is something that stops you, try to imagine the worst-case scenario. Peter Bregman offers to ‘relive’ the possible failure entirely and move on. Now you can focus on figuring out what it is you must do to come closer to your goal. And remember that in case you fail, there will be countless other opportunities.

3. The last trap to avoid is having a goal list with too many items on it. There simply can’t be too many things in your agenda. Our resources (time and energy) are limited. We must leave enough time to rest and recharge. If you are seriously interested in reaching your goals, Peter Bregman advises to have up to 5 of them per year.

Limit yourself. Think hard what it is you want the most. And stick to those 5 goals you want to accomplish.

Here is a simple and efficient system from Peter that will help you organize time and move towards your goals fast.

Daily 6-Box To-Do List

5 goals to reach this year are established. What’s next?

1. Each morning make a worksheet with 6 to-do boxes and put your 5 goals of the year in five of the boxes; leave the 6th box empty for now.

Put specific things to be done in every box. The 5 annual goals that you set are your main reference points.

Let’s say one of your goals is promotion at work. Think about all the activities, which can be done today, and which will lead you closer to getting the higher position. It might be writing a sales proposal, or presenting new marketing campaign, doing extra research on competitors, etc.

Approach other four boxes the same way. The most important thing is to remember, that these are five areas where you should spend 95% of your working time.

Everything that doesn’t get you closer to one of these aims must be taken off your daily to-do list.

What about the sixth box? You probably noticed, that the 6th area on the image below is labeled ‘The Other 5%’. This box can contain some critical activities that must be done, although they won’t help you to reach your goals. You should never spend more than 5% of your time on them.

Download Original Daily To Do List at PeterBregman.com

2. Look at your six-box to-do list and move the most important items for the day into your calendar. It’s very important to decide when and where you will execute these sub-goals. Whenever you set a specific deadline for your to-do items, the chances of getting them done grow tremendously.

Some activities, like answering on emails or making phone calls must be done every day. Dedicate a specific time of the day for such to-do things and stick to it. Set a concrete hour for checking your email box and do it only at that time.

3. Make a firm agreement with someone about how you will spend your working time. Talk with your boss or partner about your six-box to-do list and about your daily calendar. Explain them what you plan to achieve today and how it fits in with your general yearly plan. This way you create deeper level of commitment and accountability.

That’s it for today, Rich Girls! Stay strong and dedicated and come share your tips and tricks to conquer the list of New Years resolutions!

Yours truly,

Alona

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Gemstone Bracelet = Magic, Luxury, Beauty And Heeling

A few days ago I have noticed that my friend was wearing a very beautiful and unique bracelet. I haven’t seen something like that before, so I asked her what was that and where did she get it. She explained me, that it was a present from her boyfriend and the bracelet is handmade out of Agate Botswana gemstones. That these stones provide energy to the aura and promote eternal love, increase creativity and help you find solutions, rather than dwelling on your problems. And this stone also has been said to increase fertility and is known for increasing sensuality and passion in the person that carries it. So, not only the bracelet was really pretty, it also bared magic within it. I was jealous.

Where are a lot of stones in this world and each of them has a different meaning and has specific healing or protective qualities. I am not that much into stones myself, but I know a lot of people who can talk for hours about it. One of my guy-friends wears huge aquamarine ring on his finger, because it is said to be sailors’ lucky stone as well as a birthstone for those born in March. For me it may look a little bit strange, as I am not a fan of any kind of rings on men other than a wedding band, but I also respect his way of expressing himself.

I don’t know if you believe in special powers of certain stones, but in the course of human history, people have always believed in the power of crystals and stones, in their healing and spiritual qualities as well as ability to attract good energy, love and ‘luck’.

To enhance the power of the stones you need to make sure, that you wear them in skin contact, so bracelets or necklaces, which are made out of stones, are the perfect choice.

Of course, if you are interested in learning more about the power of stones, you can find a lot of useful and interesting information online. The reason why I wanted to write this post was because I really loved the bracelet which my friend was wearing and I wanted to have something similar. Turned out that these bracelets are handmade by highly skilled professional craftsmen and jewelers using the highest quality gemstones and diamonds in all colors, incorporating Platinum, Gold and Silver. The only way to get them is to order online at Nibrana.com.

So, I contacted the owner of the site, expressed my admiration, asked a lot of questions and as a result they offered me 20% discount on any purchase. Which was super cool, right?! You need to talk and be nice to people, it always pays off, you know. They also liked the Rich Girls Club so much, that they decided to offer 20% discount for everyone with coupon code: richgirls

So, whether you believe or not in the special powers of stones, you can’t deny the fact that these bracelets look amazing and one of them can definitely be a great Christmas present for someone special! Sometimes it is so hard to find a gift with a certain meaning, so let the stones do the talking for you.

Below are just a few Nibrana bracelets, which I loved the most. You can find a lot more on their site.

Nibrana Bracelets For Her

Nibrana Bracelets For Him

If you are still looking for a Christmas present for your boyfriend and if he is into these kind of things, one of the bracelets could actually be a great gift.

So, rich girls, what do you think about Nibrana bracelets or the power of stones? Do you believe that certain stones have certain healing or other qualities? Maybe you had a story to tell us about how wearing stones helped you? We would love to hear back from you! Also, don’t forget about 20% discount on Nibrana.com with coupon code: richgirls

Happy Holidays, Rich Girls!

Yours,

Rich Girl

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20 Perfect Party High Heels

I love December, because there are so many parties during this last month of the year. I have already been to two Christmas parties and my social calendar is fully booked till the 3rd of January, how cool is that? So, of course I am super excited, but also occupied with constant thoughts about what to wear. I have already decided that black cocktail dresses are too boring and it seems like everyone is wearing black to parties, which is not cool. I will be making a list of perfect Christmas party dresses soon, but today I want to share my “20 Perfect Party High Heels” with you. Since I find shoes are even more important than the actual dress. Oh, and in case you missed it, I have already covered party clutches, check them out here.

So, here we go, the perfect Christmas party, New Years eve or any party shoes:

1 – Omega – Fuchsia Glitter Wedges by bebe

These fun glitter wedges are my most favorite party shoes so far. They are so unique and shiny, that no matter what kind of clothes you are wearing, these shoes will make you a star of the evening!

Omega – Fuchsia Glitter

2 – Glitter and Calf Hair Pumps by Miu Miu

These golden shoes by Miu Miu are a little bit less crazy than the previous ones, but still a lot of fun and sparkle. I also love the combination of glitter and calf hair. Priceless.

Glitter and Calf Hair Pumps

3 – Sexy Strass 100 Swarovski Crystal Peep-Toe Pumps by Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin just proves one more time, that no one else can make the most elegant and at the same time sexy party shoes like he does. These cute peep-toe high heels are perfect.

Sexy Strass 100 Swarovski Crystal Peep-Toe Pumps

4 – Billow 2 – Pink Multi Suede Shoes by Guess

Love the color of these shoes, they are definitely great for New Years party at the club.

Billow 2 – Pink Multi Suede

5 – Kyra 2 – Black Multi Suede Stilettos by Ivanka Trump

This is a very classy pair of stilettos. You can wear them to office Christmas party, any cocktail party, New Years eve or even family get-together. You will look very feminine and ladylike in these shoes.

Kyra 2 – Black Multi Suede

6 – Jewelry Couture Satin Peep-Toe Pumps by Valentino

I truly believe that bow detail makes anything look adorable and super feminine. That is why I love these Valentino shoes, just look at this glittery bow.

Jewelry Couture Satin Peep-Toe Pumps

7 – Robyn Suede And Patent-Leather Wedges by Yves Saint Laurent

Wedges are always so comfortable and your feet will scream for comfort during long New Years celebration, which usually starts at the New Years eve and stretches till the morning light of the New Year. Wedges are always a perfect choice if you are planning to dance a lot. And these Yves Saint Laurent wedges are not only comfy, they are also stylish and chic.

Robyn Suede And Patent-Leather Wedges

8 – Glitzeee – Zebra Shoes by Betsey Johnson

Love these shoes, absolutely perfect for any parties and especially for clubbing or meeting your girlfriends at a bar for cocktails. The black and white glitter combination allows you to wear these shoes with almost anything.

Glitzeee – Zebra

9 – Suede Platforms With Gold Piping by Gucci

These Gucci suede shoes remind me a little bit of Ivanka Trumps’ stilettos which are the number 5 on this list, but I like them a little bit more, because of the closed toes.

SUEDE PLATFORMS WITH GOLD PIPING

10 – Vamp Glitter Platform Sandals by Jimmy Choo

Well, I am still not sure how I feel about sandals during winter time. You are not supposed to wear tights with sandals, right? So, how else would you be able to wear sandals for Christmas party? Aren’t you gonna be cold? Anyway, I added these Jimmy Choo sandals, because they are so wonderful. Besides, I can always wear them for my friends wedding in Summer.

VAMP GLITTER PLATFORM SANDALS

11 – Sequin Platform Pumps by Nicholas Kirkwood

These sequin platform pumps were already featured in my other list of awesome shoes, which you can check out here. Well, if I am featuring these heels second time in a row, it just proves how much I like them. Enough said.

SEQUIN PLATFORM PUMPS

12 – Ninivah Leopard Pumps by Charlotte Olympia

Aren’t these leopard shoes adorable?! As you can already tell, I love combination of black and gold, and these shoes are just so brutally cute.

NINIVAH LEOPARD PUMPS

13 – Glitter Peep-Toe Pumps by Valentino

Absolutely love the color of these Valentino shoes. These are definitely one of my favorite party heels.

GLITTER PEEP-TOE PUMPS

14 – Selima Glitter Pumps by Vera Wang

I love Vera Wang and almost anything she does turns into magical creation. She is a true genius, don’t you think?

Vera Wang Lavender Label Selima Glitter Pumps

15 – Sail Open Toe Shoes by Badgley Mischka

Oh, just look at this bow! Isn’t it adorable?! What’s wrong with me and bows anyway?! Maybe I just can’t wait for my Christmas presents from Santa Claus? How many days are left till Christmas?

Badgley Mischka Sail Open Toe Pumps

16 – Marina Platform Pumps by Sam Edelman

These are probably the cheapest shoes on my list, but it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be mentioned here. Especially when they are so elegant and festive, and I love the color a lot.

Sam Edelman Marina Platform Pumps

17 – Maggy 110 Wedges by Yves Saint Laurent

As you have probably noticed already, there are a lot of Yves Saint Laurent shoes on my list. Well, that is just because they are so awesome. Look at these golden wedges, aren’t they perfect to wear to a party?!

MAGGY 110 WEDGES

18 – Robyn 105 T-Strap Wedges by Yves Saint Laurent

Again, black and gold combination. And to make them even more perfect, these shoes are also wedges! How cool and amazing is that?!

ROBYN 105 T-STRAP WEDGES

19 – Pigalle 120 Patent-Leather Heels by Christian Louboutin

If you are a little bit too conservative and don’t want to wear something too sparkly or of unthinkable shape at least just for one day, than you can never go wrong with these classy black patent leather louboutins. These shoes are perfect for any occasion: from office Christmas party to New Years celebration at a club. Also, you can even wear them as office shoes after all the celebrations and festivities are over.

Pigalle 120 Patent-Leather Heels

20 – Gizelle Platform Mary Janes by Alice + Olivia

These shoes are a little bit crazy, but also mega adorable. They remind me of a fairy tale about Cinderella. Prince Charming will definitely notice you in these shoes! Dare to make this New Years Eve magical?!

Alice + Olivia Gizelle Platform Mary Janes

So, what do you think about these shoes, rich girls? Please feel free to share your opinion in the comments below.

Happy Holidays!

Yours,

Rich Girl

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7 Sexy Alexander McQueen Clutches Ideal For Any Party

When I think about party clutches the first name that pops in my head is Alexander McQueen. This brand knows how to make exciting clutches, what with the skulls and spikes and knuckle rings. So, when I was looking for the perfect clutches for a Christmas or New Years party 2011 (by the way check out my previous list here), I decided to fully concentrate on Alexander McQueen creations.

Here are 7 the most exciting and sexy clutches to spice up your Christmas party outfit.

1 – Embellished Clutch

I love this clutch because of the feathers and the stones. It definitely looks festive and will match perfectly to any outfit.

Alexander McQueen Punk Embellished Leather Box Clutch – €1,695 (net-a-porter.com)

2 – Miliary Skull Clutch

I love the red “eyes” on a skull of this clutch. I see this bag together with a little black velvet dress and red pumps. Definitely red lipstick!

Alexander Mcqueen Miliary Skull Clutch (cultstatus.com.au)

3 – Pony Box Clutch

I think that this particular bag is the closest to the classical clutch that you can get with Alexander McQueen. If you are afraid to experiment, but still want something special, this clutch is for you.

Alexander Mcqueen Skull Pony Box Clutch (ssense.com)

4 – Classic Clutch With a Bow

I love the huge bow on this clutch and I definitely love the color, although the skull in this particular example looks a little bit out of place. What do you think, girls?

Alexander McQueen Classic Skull Clutch (couture.zappos.com)

5 – Dagger Skull Knuckle Clutch

Did you know that the next year is the year of the Dragon according to the Chinese calendar? So, with this clutch you will be the first to welcome New Year with your personal tamed dragon.

Alexander McQueen Chained Dagger Skull Knucklebox Clutch (couture.zappos.com)

6 – Ivory Black Clutch

Can you imagine Alexander McQueen without the symbol of the British flag? I can’t, that’s why I’ve added this clutch to the list. I like this black and white combination.

Alexander McQueen Ivory Black Clutch- €1.395 (matchesfashion.com)

7 – Skull-Clasp Mink Box Clutch

And finally the cutest thing I have ever seen! Isn’t this mink clutch absolutely adorable? With this tiny skull popping out of the fluffy fur?! I know that the animal rights activists will disapprove, but I love, love, love it!

Alexander Mcqueen Skull-Clasp Mink Box Clutch – $3,195 (neimanmarcus.com)

So, what do you think about Alexander McQueen clutches, rich girls? Do you see any of them as an accessory for your Christmas party outfit? Please share your opinion in the comments below!

Happy Partying, Rich Girls!

Yours,

Rich Girl

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11 Christmas Party Hairstyle Ideas And Tutorials

Holiday season is officially here with all the necessary decorations, exciting preparations and gift hunting. And while Santa Claus is working on my extended wish list this year, I started to gather ideas on how to make myself look special during this festive time.

One of the hardest parts of the Christmas outfit is actually the hair. You want it to look outstanding, that’s why before you go to your hairdresser, it is always better to have a proper idea in mind. I always come prepared and send pictures with the look that I want to achieve to my stylist in advance. This saves a lot of time, energy and nerves, especially before important events.

So, here is my list of the coolest 2011 hairstyle ideas for Christmas and New Years parties. I have also added video tutorials of these hairdos, which I found on YouTube, just in case you want to try and do it yourself. And if after browsing all these hairstyles you will still feel like it’s not enough, check out my list of other 10 hairdos here.

1 – Elegant Updo Hairstyle For Medium or Long Hair by lilithedarkmoon

This hairstyle is very elegant and feminine. This hairdo will be perfect for your family get together or even the upscale white tie Charity event.

2 – French Fishtail Braid Hairstyles For Medium or Long Hair by lilithedarkmoon

Braided hairstyles are still one of my favorite. You can never go wrong with such hairdo. You can wear it like a french fishtail braid or can gather all your hair in a neat updo. Either way this look is very feminine and stylish. The only important thing to remember is that the braid should be done very neatly and professionally. I won’t trust myself to make such hairstyle on my own.

3 – Dutch Crown Braid Hairstyle For Medium or Long Hair by lilithedarkmoon

This is the other example of braided hairdo which will be ideal for any party. With this hairstyle you definitely won’t be bothered with your hair being all over the place.

4 – Easy Party Updo For Medium or Long Layered Hair by lilithedarkmoon

This hairstyle is classy and elegant and although it looks like you’ve spent a lot of time on it, in reality is a very easy and fast option.

5 – Celebrity Side Bun Hairstyle by lilithedarkmoon

I love this side bun hairstyle. A lot of different celebrities such as Natalie Portman, Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson to name a few have chosen this particular hairdo for various red carpet events and I can see why.

6 – Greek Goddess Party Hairstyle by lilithedarkmoon

If you want to add a little bit of edge to your classical bun hairstyle, I think you can use the idea shown in the following tutorial.

7 – Funky Hairstyle With Steps For Short Hair by HairGirl247

Although I personally have long hair and that is why all previous hairstyle ideas were ideal for long or medium hair, I also have a lot of friends, who have short hair. So, I decided to add a couple ideas for girls with short hair. Actually, it was very hard to find something interesting.

I loved this edgy hairstyle for short hair. It will be perfect for New Years party in a club or any celebration with your friends.

8 – Curly Flirty Hairstyle For Short Hair by HairGirl247

This is very romantic and flirty hairdo for short hair. I love the curls!

9 – Elegant Hair Bow Hairstyle by CinthiaTruong

I absolutely love this bow hairstyle, maybe because it reminds me of the bows we put on presents. How sweet and cute! And I want presents, lots of them

10 – Kim Kardashian Inspired Boho-Chic Ribbon Braids by LuxyHair

This Kim Kardashian inspired ribbon braids hairdo is one more reminder of Christmas gifts and decorations.

11 – Funky, Edgy Party Hairstyle by LuxyHair

And if you are so over sweet and elegant hairstyles, here is a funky one. You will look like a rock star at any Christmas or New Years party you choose to attend. I think that this hairstyle will look amazing with sequined dress or even leather one.

So, girls, these are some Christmas 2011 hairstyle ideas that I could find online. Of course you need to adjust your hairdo to your whole outfit, but no one knows where you need to start. You can start with your hairstyle and choose the appropriate dress, shoes and other accessories for this particular hairdo or the other way around. Me main idea is to look your best!

What do you think, girls? Is there any hairstyle which you like? Maybe you have other cool ideas? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Happy Holiday Season, Rich Girls!

Yours,

Rich Girl

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Thanksgiving Dinner Table Centerpiece Ideas

In Latvia (where I am from) we don’t have tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving, so all my information about this holiday is based mainly on the movies and TV-series. I love the idea of the whole family get-together with special pies and turkey, counting of blessings and the traditional Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which will walk the streets of New York City for the 85th time this year.

This is basically all my knowledge about Thanksgiving, but what I really love about it, apart from the stuff I mentioned above, is the table decoration. I love how the house is decorated with Autumn flowers and especially the Thanksgiving dinner table.

As I have mentioned before, I learned about Thanksgiving mainly from the movies, so my greatest inspiration for the holiday table setting were festive episodes on Gossip Girl.

The table setting I loved the most was in the Episode 11 of Season 3. I tried to make a still of this episode, just to show you how it looked in case you missed it or not watching these series. But of course it is not of a very high quality, sorry about that, girls.

The other episode which showed awesome Thanksgiving table setting was the Episode 10 of the Season 4.

I just can’t wait for the next episode of Gossip Girl, I wonder if it will be dedicated to Thanksgiving as well.

So, inspired by the amazing table setting examples, I decided that although I don’t know how to cook traditional Thanksgiving dinner or have my family around here in Spain, at least what I can do is to decorate my house with festive flowers, drink some wine and count my blessings.

I searched online a little and found a lot of useful ideas on how to make amazing centerpieces yourself. For example, look at these adorable flower arrangements, which I found on Martha Stewart site:

Here is how you can make this flower arrangement yourself.

Here is how you can make this Gilded Pear Basket yourself.

But of course, who am I kidding. There is no way in a million years that I am going to make something like that myself. I’ll just go and order it online or at the nearest florist boutique. Here you can see just a few of my most favorite centerpieces that I am considering of buying. What do you think?

Golden Gatherings Centerpiece

The FTD® Bright Autumn Centerpiece

The FTD® Fall Harvest Cornucopia by Better Homes and Gardens®

The FTD® Bountiful Flower Bouquet

Harvest Blessings Autumn Centerpiece

Jane Seymour Silk Botanicals Dahlia-Rose Centerpiece

Fall Splendor Wreath

One Dozen Orange Bliss Roses

So, what do you think, rich girls? Are you going to decorate your house for Thanksgiving this year? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yours,

Rich Girl

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