the stylist’s notebook | beating the sunday blues

This is just for you, SEAH! 🙂

A greater majority of society can agree that Mondays are perhaps the worst day of the week. Or, rather, the day they dread the most, wishing instead to sleep right through that horrid day and wake up with a fresh start into Tuesday. The reasons, are well, scientifically unknown (but then again I did no research on this), though it can be assumed that the human species, as a whole, simply dreads the repetitive cycle of their life: waking up to go to work/school to start yet another week. There’s nothing too excited about it; it all seems to be the same.

So whomever finds a cure for the Monday Blues, as they are so rightfully named, will probably be mankind’s greatest hero, and will mostly likely have more than a couple buildings of commemoration erected in his/her honor. Like the next John D. Rockefeller (of the U.S.), only this miracle worker’s name would be renown internationally.

But for now, we must rely on the fact that Monday will in fact be over in a matter of 24 hours, a quarter/third of which is spent sleeping. Though there are a few number of things that can be done to make your Monday just that much better, compiled in a list that hopefully will help you; these are a few things that I personally do to make my Mondays less painful. Perhaps read here for starters?

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if only i could wake up this morning and look this good.

{step one: waking up.}

♥ Give yourself a manicure and pedicure Sunday evening. It is indeed such a little thing, but waking up knowing you have fabulously colored and done nails can make you a tiny bit more excited to wake up. After all, a self-mani should not be wasted – you must show it off, whether it be writing away on a desktop or typing away in an office.

♥ Listen to some good music. The evening before that dreaded Monday, make a playlist of your favorite songs, or songs that get you pumped! Then fall asleep listening to that, iPod or whatever MP3 of choice, by your side. You are guaranteed to wake up with higher spirits! Not to mention, music can indeed influence and inspire you to dress up nicely (at least for me, darlings!) Whenever I listen to Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis, I have this inexplicable urge to want to look absolutely fabulous on a Monday. Inspired by the singers themselves, I feel like donning my favorite cocktail ring, wearing red lipstick/gloss, and looking absolutely sophisticated.

♥ Make sure you’re nice & toasty in bed! One of the worst feelings to wake up to is feeling absolutely cold – that is no good start to any morning, particularly Mondays! So do be sure you are dressed warmly and comfortably; perhaps wearing fuzzy socks can help!

♥ Plan your outfit the night before. That way, it (a) removes the temptation of reaching for sweatpants or the next most comfortable thing in your closet; (b) makes getting ready in the morning less stressful and more time efficient; (c) so you are guaranteed to look fabulous; (d) to prevent any outfit nightmares that may incur in morning I’m-not-really-awake-yet-but-sleepwalking-kinda haze (a.k.a. when you are not in your normal state of mind!)

{step two: now that you’re awake…}

the perfume i swear by. get it here!

♥ Spritz a bit of perfume! Right on your wrists, so you can smell it as your brush your teeth, and a bit in the air so you can walk through a cloud of wonderful aroma. Perfume is the ultimate icing on the cake for feeling fabulous, and it can also act like a pick-me-up on those Monday mornings.

♥ Play a bit of music. Loud, obnoxious hip-hop may not be the greatest choice for morning music; but Michael Buble, Leona Lewis, or a softer pop artist will make you feel calm, cool, and relaxed.

♥ Establish some sort of a beauty regimen. Another way to feel absolutely fabulous. It can be as simple as mine (straightening/leaving my hair be depending on its state in the morning, a bit of chapstick, and a coat of gloss), or as extensive as a 10 step regimen that requires dipping into adorable pots of lotions and whatnot.

♥ Wear something new; or a favorite top/bottom/accessory! Wear that new dress you bought a while back but forgot about; or that new ring your friend just bought you. It’s guaranteed to make you feel renewed and feel like you’re starting the week off with a fresh, new start, as opposed to a continuance of a nuisance of  a cycle. It’s all psychological, really.

♥ Eat a good breakfast. Yes, you’ve heard that from your mother and health teacher more than a few times way back then that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It indeed is! Not only does it get those barely-awake brain cells a-moving, but it jump starts your metabolism and curbs your hunger (no more unnecessary snacks!). Eat a portion of a baguette or toast and an omelette with everything. It’s healthy & delicious!

{step three: the little things that count.}

♥ Treat yourself to a cup of good coffee. Or latte, something of the sort. No, not for the effects of caffeine. But just because it’s goooood. I’m personally a coffee lover (not an addict, I swear… although I do swear by Starbucks).

♥ Wake up earlier (as much as it is a pain to!). I guarantee you it is worth it in the end. When I do, I must admit I stumble out of bed rather unwillingly. But when that first splash of cool water hits my face and I am up and ready, I feel ridiculously refreshed and energized! Take advantage of this time to spend an extra ten minutes in your morning routine beautifying your already gorgeous self. Sit on your bed with a cup of coffee and flip through a magazine. Feel inspired! And, most importantly, you’ll feel like you have all the time in the world.

♥ Wear a scarf. For some reason, I always feel a bit more sophisticated when I wear one. Think European women walking around in their coats and fabulous bags, or conjure up the image of the ever-elegant ballet teacher in a Michael-Kors-Spring-07-esque outfit. Whether the scarf is silk, satin, wool, cashmere, tie one in a simple knot or wrap around your neck. It is guaranteed to add interest and detail to any outfit! And provide warmth for colder days, of course. Practicality in a fashion accessory is simply the greatest.

♥ Dresses and skirts do help! In making you feel a tad more feminine and sophisticated. Just be sure to shave the evening before, darlings!

♥ Slip into a pair of heels. Completely self-explanatory.

♥ Text someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Guaranteed, you’ll make their morning, & their reply will make your Monday blues go away!

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So hopefully this compiled list of how to beat the Monday blues will help somewhat. Not exactly the most original of ideas, but these are each suggestions practiced religiously by yours truly on a weekly basis. So good luck, my loves!

bisous,

La C.

P.S.: What do you do to get by Mondays? Leave it in the comments, I’m curious! 🙂

Also: Thank you, Girl Next Blog, for awarding me with the “Your Blog is Fabulous” award! The rules say to pass it on to ten others, and so i shall break it! 🙂 Oh, the rebel I am. But I truly think you all deserve it; thank you for making blogging such a great experience for me – each and every one of you are the sweetest!