Motivational Mondays: Beat the Heat

Happy Monday, everyone! Today's post is something I'm sure everyone can relate to: how to beat the summertime laziness! Don't lie- it happens to everyone.

It's summer. The sun is out, all of your friends are headed to the beach, and (if you're like me) you are cooped up in a freezing-cold office. If this doesn't sound brutal already, you also can't seem to concentrate on anything for more than 5 minutes. I don't know what it is about this season, but I feel like its the hardest one to stay focused. Maybe its the weather, maybe the relaxed nature... but I digress.

It's hard being a working guy/girl in the summer. Sometimes it feels like you have been in the office for hours while your friends are out doing something super fun. It is hard, but us worker bees have to stick together! Here are my tips for beating that summertime sadness:

I have been JAMMIN' to Lana like crazy lately. 

Tip #1: EAT.
This seems random, but depriving yourself of food either on purpose ("dieting") or accidentally (running out of the house in the morning without breakfast, snacks, etc.) will ultimately make you crabbier as the day goes on. You'll be more irritable, and physically unable to retain energy and be productive. Eat now and be healthy- way better than that bikini body, IMO.

Tip #2: Make a playlist.
Have some songs that get you pumped up and make you feel good about yourself. This can be anything- I listen to the worst pop music I can find but it does the job for me. I'll do a workday playlist post soon.

Tip #3: Channel Nike and JUST FREAKING DO IT.
I know this one is easier said than done. However, productivity is how the world goes around. If you have to do something, do it now. I promise you'll be a lot less stressed if you do your tasks as they come instead of letting them pile up.

Word.

Tip #4: Have a go-to plan for when you feel yourself powering down. 

Whether you start to feel physically exhausted or emotionally exhausted (fight with a friend, bad day of work, etc.) make sure you have a remedy to help pep yourself up, and fast. There is nothing worse than feeling knocked down, but what is worse is if you stay down. Going to people and venting/blowing off steam is great too, but I am a huge believer that if you cannot comfort yourself, you really aren't doing yourself much good in the long run. It can be anything- working out, going to dinner by yourself, watching your favorite movie, or going to an animal shelter. My personal feel-good remedy:

A guilty pleasure movie (its awful but I am obsessed with the movie Bride Wars) + Takeout food + chocolate + Pepsi. 

Works every time. Also, don't be afraid to use this self-comforting time to really reflect and let it all out the way you need to. Write, punch things, sob. Whatever you need to do to truly get over it and bounce back. 

Tip#5 : Keep your eye on the prize.

The most important tip I can give you. While you are working your 9 to 5 job(s), doing whatever you are doing, please don't forget why you are there. Whether its to pay for school, that new car, that big move to NYC in a year, or to pay your bills, keep yourself motivated by the life you choose to lead. Dream big, work hard, and when you finally reach that goal you won't even remember the bad days or early mornings. You'll just remember that you did it, and you can do anything you put your mind to. 

I hope this helped, or at least gave you that Monday morning pep talk we all need sometimes. Do you have any fun tips? Please share! Comment or tweet me at @LBDPR. 

Stay focused. Stay fierce.

xxx

BFF of the Day: Emma Stone!

I don't know about you all, but lately I have been loving Emma Stone! She's been everywhere doing press for The Amazing Spiderman and has managed to be adorable and humble in every single interview I have seen. She has quickly become a household name, and everyone I know is just as obsessed as I am with her fashion choices, her hair color, and that carefree sense of humor. Though when I see Emma, I have to think: How much of that is her, and how much of that was crafted by her (extremely talented) PR team?
In Hollywood, image is everything. It's what can make you anything from America's Next Sweetheart to the next Paris Hilton. With so many young stars working on so many projects these days, they need help from publicists to craft exactly how they want to be seen to the public. This includes the projects they choose, public appearances, and interviews in magazines to name a few. Everything they choose has a point, and a specific message they are trying to send to their fans.

Emma at Comic-Con 2012

Emma has chosen some R-rated Judd Apatow comedies (Superbad, at the start of her career), light-hearted comedies where she is the main lead (Easy A) and then the critically-acclaimed piece that won her solid credit as an actress (The Help.) In all of these movies, Emma plays a strong female who is confident and has good intentions. She has never played an uber-bitch or a villain in anything. All of her characters, in my opinion, have given her a major boost in her 'good-girl' image. However, with each role, she adds the element of ease and comedy, giving her that extra edge that separates her from the standard pretty starlet role. She's the combination of gorgeous and effortlessly funny that guys love and girls would love to be.
She's dipped into enough genres (guy comedy, girl comedy, romantic comedy, heartfelt drama, comic book movies) where she truly has infiltrated Hollywood. Most people have seen something Emma Stone related. If not, then they've seen her on the cover of Vogue or looking fabulous on some other magazine, which appeals to the glamour-girl audience as well! She is known for her breezy, chic fashion choices and is often featured on best-dressed lists.
I think Emma has done a good job of spreading herself out and trying new projects but maintaining the same spirit in all of them, which makes it easier for her to transfer that to her interviews and overall reputation. I would love to see her play some sort of role that involves a darker side to her (BRUNETTE?!?!) but I think for now, she is on a good track. I love how versatile she is, but no matter what role she's playing, she's freaking Emma Stone. And we love her.

Emma Stone in Elie Saab in London. Obsessed.

***all images used from Google!***

xxx