Housewarming Registry: Really?!! What Do You Think?

My new home, sweet home!
(But not for another 2 weeks!) 

I frolicked into my beloved Sur la Table this weekend to pick up an automatic ice cream maker in red. A staff member there remembered me and asked how things were going. I told her that I had just purchased a new home, was in need of many items and that she'll be seeing more of me soon. The lovely staff member then suggested that I create a housewarming registry so that my friends and family can help me purchase the things I needed or wanted.

A very perplexed look crossed my face. Wedding and baby registry? OK. But a housewarming registry? When I think of housewarming presents I think of small plants, bottles of wine or some kind of food. Perhaps we no longer live in the simple good old days. 

As a typical Libra, I mulled over the idea of a housewarming registry as I gleefully perused the rest of Sur la Table. 

Pros:

1. Your friends and family probably want to buy you something and might not know what you need, what you already have, your color scheme, etc. You would be saving them time! 

2. If your friends and family know what you want, you won't end of up with plants you'll end up killing (maybe that's just me) or stuff you don't even want. 

3. Not having to deal with gifts you have no use for that will take up room in your basement/garage. 

4. I might never get married or have a baby. This might be my only chance at a registry! And who doesn't like getting stuff?

Cons:

1. Housewarming parties should be like Thanksgiving - you just show up, eat, drink and be merry.

2. Your friends may feel obligated to get you stuff they didn't think they'd have to get you in the first place. 

3. People with busy lives are taking time out to check out your new home and put up with you bragging about your new digs and talking incessantly about how your floor is hardwood, counters are granite, blah, blah, blah. Do they need to take more time out to bother with your registry?

4. This registry idea just simply sounds foreign. 

What do you think? Housewarming registry- yea or nay? 

Can't Sleep With the Man Who Dims My Shine: The Gaga Lyric that Inspired Me

I'm shiny and I know it! 

During my 2 months hiatus from the blog, I was faced with the question "What is your personal brand?" I wasn't sure at first how to answer this question. I am still working on it, but a Gaga lyric (of all things) helped me get closer. 

Think of the strong brands out there. Think of their slogans, what they stand for, their appeal and recognition. 

Just Do It - Nike

Because You're Worth It- L'Oreal

A Diamond is Forever- DeBeers

Companies spend an enormous amount of money on creating and building up awareness for their brands and attaching meanings them. Branding goes beyond slogans and into trademarks, images, symbols, etc. Whatever the method of branding, a strong brand elicits consumer trust and loyalty along with a positive perception. For example, Coke drinkers will not be caught dead with a Pepsi in their hands and vice versa. 

During a women's leadership conference, I was asked the question, "What is your brand? How strong is your brand?" 

I am only 25 years old and I am still developing my personal brand. A solid brand takes years to hone. I have devoted the past year to learning about myself, pushing myself out of my comfort zone and standing on my own. I have pushed myself physically by challenging myself to things like running a half marathon, racing up 40 flights of stairs and learning how to grapple on the ground. I have pushed myself emotionally by allowing myself to be vulnerable and letting others in even at the cost of getting my feelings hurt. 

Through it all, I have learned that I am independent, free thinking and that I have to strength to endure and overcome obstacles. I also learned that I do not want to settle for second best. There were times when I have been enveloped by the quick sand of being comfortable and started to settle for the status quo because it's easier than fighting my way of the sinking hole. I will surely step into this quick sand over and over again, but I now know I have the ability to recognize when I'm in one of those situations. I am confident I will always have the strength to dig and crawl my way out it, be it a bad relationship or a bad situation at work. I am confident I will build a brand that will be synonymous with everything I strive to be. A brand that stands for elegance in strength and genuineness. 

Self improvement is not done without difficulty. It is rough (and sometimes, I like it rough). Just do it. Because you're worth it. And when you achieve it, it lasts forever. 

Establish your brand. Discover your self worth. Discover your shine and refuse to have anything or anyone dim it.