Foxy Tip #10: Old Swimmies

Old bikini= fantastic sweaty clothes. Whether you're working out or gardening in the hot sun, don't ruin your nice underwear, just throw on an old swimsuit you don't care about. They're meant for getting wet and they dry fast. :]

Foxy Tip #9: Un-quotable Advice from Yours Truly

Ever meet someone who everyone you know just loves but no matter how much you hang out with them you just don't get it? You're probably right. That person is probably an asshole and you're the only one immune to whatever has charmed everyone else. Don't worry, they'll find out eventually, but it'll usually be the hard way.

This goes both ways. If everyone you know hates someone that you're friends with, you might want to proceed with caution. We all fall for creeps at some point in our lives, if none of your friends like them, consider why they dislike them and perhaps rethink your own views. They might not actually be "misunderstood", but rather you're the one under their spell this time.

Foxy Tip #8: Car Fresheners

Something I never ever do is hang anything from my rear view mirror. Things that dangle there are distracting, and they create a blind spot. (In fact I never do anything to cover up any of my windows, bumper stickers belong on the bumper) However, lots of people hang their car fresheners up there, which is understandable. But if you'd like to be a bit safer, then I suggest doing what I do. Hang them here instead! It's out of the way and doesn't swing around when you make turns. Much safer, and I think just looks better.

PS: If you're ever wondering, that purple "relax" scent is bubblegum. I did not appreciate their deceptiveness.

The Red Flags They Don't Tell You About

I was in a relationship for two years that was totally wrong for me. But I didn't know it at the time. You read about "red flags" of relationships, but they rarely seemed to apply to mine. It was... other things. Well I've been contemplating it a while now, and I've realized what my red flags should have been. So here, these might help you if you're feeling unsure.

• We had no inside jokes, not one. Looking back I don't even know how that was possible, but it was. We didn't have a running joke about anything. It was a perfect example of how not-fun our relationship was.

• I didn't worry about us. I had no idea that being with the right person meant constantly worrying that one of us might suddenly die or something, because that's what it's like now. Okay it's not constant, but it's just that I'm so effing happy now that I'm sometimes worried something will come along and ruin it. But like I said, I was never worried about my old relationship. I guess secretly I didn't care if something broke us apart.

• The thought of our future together was forced. I never just naturally thought about where we would live someday or what our wedding would look like, I had to actively force myself to think about it (though I didn't realize what I was doing at the time). With my guy now, I practically have to force myself to not think about our future! I can't tell you how many almost-freudian slips I've said to him! "We should totally have flan for our... birthday (oh my god did I almost say wedding?!?!) cake"

• We had no pet names. We might say each others' names with a kind of cutesy tone, but we never called each other anything but that. And I never even thought I was much of a pet name person, but that gooey cutesy shit comes out all the time with the boyfriend now. I can't help it. And it feels okay that I'm doing it. 

• There are imperfections you expect to change over time. With the old relationship, I assumed that some things would change about him eventually, why this was I can't say. But let me assure everyone, that wasn't going to happen. Now don't get me wrong, sometimes the right relationship can set people on the right track in life, but it's not going to drastically uproot aspects of their personality. Maybe it'll help them kick a few bad habits but it won't be helping them with their social anxiety, depression, etc. The right person is perfect the way they are, they need no changing.

• Out bad habits didn't compliment each other. We both were bad procrastinators, we both had problems with motivation, and we both could be really lazy at times. Together, those things were even worse. And if it seems like I'm being choosy, you need to realize these things really are part of a relationship. It's not just whether you get along and have fun together, but it's how you will be affected living with this other person. And these were all really bad habits I just couldn't be indulging. 

If as time goes on I think of more, maybe I'll post a Red Flags #2, but for now this is what really stands out to me.

Car Essentials

It was finally warm enough for me to spend the day outside cleaning Growlie, my car. I unloaded everything in it, wiped it all down, vacuumed everywhere, shook out the rugs, and even found knew compartments I didn't know existed. (seriously, my car has secret compartments everywhere!) I'd like to think I'm pretty prepared too with what I keep in my car, so I thought I would show you guys what I consider my car essentials.

From top left...

Real physical maps of local roads: You never know when your GPS will randomly crash or your cell will die. It's good to have some real maps just in case.

Pen and a notebook: You never know when you'll need to take down a shopping list, directions, or even just a great idea before you forget it!

An envelope of important documents: Keep your insurance card and other things organized rather than just crushed in you glove compartment.

Sanitary wipes: Who knows?

A crazy swiss army knife: It has a nail file, cork screw, knife, and a million other things. Just good to have around.

Tissues: Well duh you should have tissues!

Glasses case of tampons: It makes your boy passenger less squeamish if you just ask him for a glasses case ;]

Utensils: Because spontaneous picnics are totally a thing!

Sun reflector: Lightweight, cheap, and always a good thing to have.

Ibuprofen: Spontaneous cramps and headaches are the bane of everyone's existence. 

Pens and pencils: Always handy.

Umbrellas: Because it only starts raining once you've arrived at your destination :]

A plastic garbage bin: Seriously the best idea ever. You don't want wrappers and trash all over the place, so just get a flat plastic rubbermaid container and throw a plastic bag in it. I suggest a flat container rather than standing or they'll fall over when you make turns, and mine has locking handles which is great because they keep anything smelly from actually stinking up your car.

Plastic bags: For the garbage, as well as a useful thing to have if you suddenly need to carry things.

Bag of hard candies: Sometimes you just need a little sugar to get you through to dinner.
Sunglasses: Well this one's obvious but it's fun to have a variety in there, just so you have options for different outfits. :]
Lighters: I don't smoke, but if I ever had to start a fire or something I'd be glad I had them.
Altoids: You never know when you'll need fresh breath.
Hand sanitizer: Again, not a big fan of sanitizers, but it could be useful if you had to wash your hands but didn't have access to a sink.
Toothpicks: Okay this one is more for my boyfriend, but still, you never know when you'll have a stupid kernel stuck that just won't come loose no matter how much you fiddle at it with your tongue.
Change: Because the Illinois Tollway system is a bitch. Also, vending machines!
Bobby pins: Always have some nearby.
Emergency gas card: Just in case you're running low and don't have any money.
Secret cash stash: Definitely my most exciting item here, I hollowed out a tube of chapstick and keep some cash inside. Because seriously, who wants to steal my shitty chapstick?
A rug: The rug that all these things are sitting on is also in my car, my trunk to be exact. I have three of them in there, which are just old floormats, but very handy. They keep the plastic in my trunk from getting scratched, and they're good for sitting on outside, or wrapping up delicate things, as well as keeping food or liquid spills from getting all over your car. Handy dandy.

Anyways, hope that was helpful, some things I forgot to mention were an empty gas can just in case you need to walk to get gas. Also some rope in case you want to tie something down to your roof, as well as reusable grocery bags. I still need to buy myself a blanket for the car too, but after that, I'll be good to go!

Do you have any car essentials? Let me know in the comments!