Fabulous Fiesta Friday

So I am kind of obsessed with South Western food and there are no shortage of great places that are opening up in the area that are serving up any kind of burrito, taco combination that you could desire. It is because of this interest that my quest has brought me to a new Mexican style restaurant in the area Salsa Fresca. The restaurant opened just a couple weeks ago not to far from my house and I have already made a visit but for take out and it was good so I have ventured back tonight with some dining companions.


The decor and menu are pretty welcoming which is nice and there are lots of different options to choose from even vegetarian so that really makes it accessible for all people which I appreciate. I'm all about inclusion.

We ordered ground beef tacos on the hard shell and the soft shell. They did not disappoint as they were fresh and made to order so quickly. The staff is very accommodating. I was able to try the shredded beef which tasted like pulled pork to me, so in the end I ended up with my favorite ground beef. Also it is important to note that the salsa that is given to you for FREE with chips is AMAZING! It literally is so fresh and I could not get enough of it!

Literally so good there was nothing left #sorrynotsorry

Final thoughts.

Overall it was a wonderful evening with friends that turned out into a spontaneous night wandering all around the Danbury area, which are sometimes the best nights! My dining companion and I have decided that we are now fans of Salsa Fresca and we will be returning the next time we are having an LTF outing. It is a welcome addition to the area because now we don't have to drive 30 minutes away to another favorite Mexican dinning option.

Have any favorite restaurants? Leave your recommendations in the comments! Have a good weekend!

XOXO-RPO1
 

Winter Blues

Living in New England can really get you down! I love the seasons and it really is the most beautiful place to live, but the only down side. WINTER CAN LAST FOREVER!

I am unfortunately not immune to this. I have lived in Connecticut my whole life and these long winters really get you down. I am so looking forward to the spring and as April 1st is upon us I think it is about high time that we get some Spring weather! It even partially snowed today! #whatislife

I'm so excited for the Spring and I can't wait to be able to enjoy the Spring days. Spring days bring spring fashion which I am also excited about.

April is looking like a pretty packed weekend with my upcoming trip this weekend! More to follow on that later but Hopefully this weather will cooperate and we will have beautiful flowers soon enough!

What are you looking forward to most this spring? Happy Tuesday!

XOXO-RPO1

Words on a Wednesday

I have been pretty much non existence to the rest of the world for the past week, due to being horribly ill. And because I had so much time on my hands just sitting in bed and resting, in hopes of becoming better. I was able to enjoy all the little things, like finally finishing The Andy Cohen Diaries which I LOVED!!!

 

#obsessed 

 I got the book as a Christmas gift and I have to say it was one of the best gifts that I got. It made me excited to read again. I used to really enjoy reading when I was younger, in fact my dad and I used to go to the book store every weekend to pick up a new book for me. There are however so many excuses as to why we no longer get to enjoy the simple pleasures in our lives, like work, school, and any other thing that could possibly take time away from you.

Reading a book however I find fills that time with some real relaxation. It is a time when there is nothing else going on to distract you and you are in a world of your own that has been created by the words on the page.

I also assume at this point that you think that this book was some life changing novel that has made me put a new perspective on things but sadly you would be wrong, but also right I guess.

I LOVE ANDY COHEN. If Wendy Williams is my queen then the is my King. This book was perfect because it took me into another world and by that I mean the fabulous life he was living hob nobbing it with more famous people than you can even imagine to begin counting. The year that he chronicles is so funny and fabulous and just like the blurb that Sarah Jessica Parker writes on the back of the book in which she says the book leaves her wondering is Andy Cohen actually Carrie Bradshaw? I 100% agree with her. This was a roller coaster of a ride from him falling in love with his dog, to spending the most fabulous summer in Southampton. *Side note I NEED to go to Southampton ASAP* I felt reading this book that not only was I there with him living the luxe life but it felt like I was watching the reality TV that I love so much, of which he is the master mind behind.

I was addicted to Netflix but as soon as I picked up this book I literally started thinking when am I going to get home and be able to find out what Andy is up to now?

I would highly recommend this book if you are a Bravo addict like me and love Andy Cohen or if you just want a book that will take your mind off things and bring you to a funnier place.

 Hi, my name is Riya and I am a book abuser.

I literally ripped the cover off it, I need to love my books and there is no room for a flimsy cover!

Also those random colors on the book are smudges you know they happen. #life

What books are you loving right now?

XOXO-RPO1

Fabulous Fashion Friday!

Happy Weekend!

The cold is totally kicking my butt right now and I am currently fighting a cold :( which stinks. All of this sad January weather however is making me so excited for the spring and all the spring fashions that are coming out. I remember last year when there were so many cute pieces that I wanted but could not justify buying them and waiting for months to wear them. Then when the time came for cute spring clothes I was a hot mess express. This year I am all about it though. I have already scoped out a few things that I can not wait to put in my closet.

Fabulous Fashion Friday by riyapartyofone featuring a leather tote bag

This shirt is the perfect transition from spring to summer and it will be perfect for pairing with jeans or white shorts. (Confession: I am so obsessed with the shirt I went out while writing this post and bought it already :x)


I have been wanting this Jacks since last summer and I am finally ready to make the plunge. This color combination is perfect for me because navy and white is a constant color staple in my wardrobe, especially in the warmer weather.



 I am IN LOVE with this bag. I think that's all I have to say. If I only get one thing for my birthday which is in 56 days (hint hint) I hope this is it. 





What spring fashions are you lusting over? Are you so ready for spring?

Happy Weekend!


XOXO-RPO1

Classic: The Written Word

I love a good hand written note. I make it a point to send Thank You cards to people as I have posted about before. Now however I am making a point to really show appreciation to all the people in my life by sending them cards weather they be holiday cards, or just a nice thinking of you note.

There is just something so refreshing about receiving something nice in the mail for a change and I actually enjoy addressing and  stamping the envelops and it also helps me make sure that my address book is up to date. This way I will be able to make sure that I am able to keep in contact with my favorite people no matter what.

I have also recently decided that I was going to start writing in a journal, just as a private keepsake for myself. I have never been someone who is able to keep consistent with these kinds of commitments but it is a new year and that means that it is time for new challenges and experiences. There is also something so nice about looking back and reflecting on things that have happened or maybe I will wait until the end of 2015 to read through the whole thing and see how my life has changed.

What new things are you trying this year?

Happy Monday!
XOXO-RPO1

Fabulous Festive Friday!

What an exciting holiday season this has been and it has really taught me how into the end of the year festivities I actually am! Christmas is my new favorite holiday! There are so many facets to it in my opinion and I am absolutely obsessed! I love the music and the decorations all the gift wrap, gift bags and not the mention the gifts! I love giving and getting them!

It all starts with the tree; which I had the pleasure of decorating 2 trees this year! Which I loved! 

This is how the Sidhu's do Christmas 

This is how BB does Christmas 

You can not fully get into the Christmas spirit in my opinion without Christmas music and all December long I am all about it! I received the Michael Bublé Christmas album as a present and I had it on repeat. #perfection. One of my favorite Christmas songs that I feel I did not get to hear enough of was Dominc the Donkey but here is it on YouTube so please enjoy on my behalf.

Lastly on top of getting to enjoy this wonderful holiday with my friends and family I received some wonderful gifts, and I hope they feel the same way about the gifts I gave them! 

I hope your Christmas season was as fabulous as mine! 

Happy New Year!

& 

Happy Weekend!

XOXO-RPO1

Wanna be Type A

Hi my name's Riya and I am a wanna be Type A!

I really want to be a Type A personality person, all the people I look up to in my life are pretty much Type A and I am so envious of that. They always have their lives together or so it appears and they are so organized and I have tried so hard to be that person but here I am as the year is winding down and realizing that even though it was  great aspiration to become like them I just simply can not do it and it's not the person I am.

I do have to say luckily there are some habits that I have kinda, sorta taken on to help me deal but they are not things that I could do religiously. For example. I love my planner because it is beautiful but I do not use it everyday I will track some things so that I can look back and remember them at a later date but other than that I just put things in my phone if I need to. Otherwise if I forget to do something it's really not the end of the world.

Lets talk about lists and deadlines. I am not about them, I have a current to-do list on my night stand that was all supposed to be completed on Sunday. Guess what it's Wednesday now and I still haven't finished them (#sorrynotsorry). I think it's a great concept to get your ideas down but I am just to much of a take things as they come person that I can not keep up with them.

I also do not need to be doing something all the time. I LOVE NOT DOING ANYTHING. Call my lazy (it's okay my mom does). There are few things that I enjoy more than sitting in bed in my pajamas and watching Netflix for days and I mean days. I am probably the most notorious binge watcher I know, because other people will try to function and watch shows. I on the other hand will avoid going out with my friends so I can finish watching something. (you could say that I'm a completionist in that sense)

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I can't really think of anything else at the moment, but I wish I was a Type A but as of right now I'm just  Type RPO1

XOXO 

Holiday Gift Guide: for her

Gift Guide: Riya Party of One by riyapartyofone featuring soy candle

The holiday season is upon us and you know what that means; it's time for gifts! Even though the holidays should not be all about gift giving and receiving, it does make up a large part of it. I wanted to share with you some of my top picks for the holiday season!. Some of these items I own already and absolutely love, while others I am currently coveting.

one| Jewelery is always a great gift. Not only is it something that the recipient will remember you for every time they wear it, but it can also be something that they may not have picked out for themselves that will add a little pop to their everyday selection of accessories.

two| A candle is a great gift to evoke emotions, the scent of something familiar around the holidays can always bring a smile to someones face. They are also great to have around just in case. They make great hostess gifts when you are invited to a last minute holiday soiree.

three| I am now a self proclaimed nail person now! I love having my nails painted and I think it is the perfect way to bring your whole look together. My favorite nail polish that I have used was NARS. I like the application and the the brush handle fits in your hand. It may be a little more pricey than other polishes but it is a little luxury that I think is very appropriate for the holidays.

four| A treat from one of my favorite Etsy shops; BowtiqueByAlexa. She has just debuted these fabulous gloves and I literally can not wait to get my hands in them. Gloves are a winter necessity and this is the perfect way to add a touch of charm to your winter wardrobe, also they keep your hands from freezing which is exactly what you need when you live in the Northeast! (use coupon code SMALLBIZ at checkout for 10% off until 12/2/14)

 five| Winter footwear can be challenging because you don't want to always be in gigantic boots all the time. Moccasins are good for casual days just running errands or they can be used for indoor slippers. Either way you can't go wrong. I'm loving the blue I just don't know if I can make the jump, I normally opt for a tan but this may be the year where I step out in some color.

six| Every girl needs a monogram quarter zip! I have had mine since last year and it is one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. I love the cut because not only it is fabulously warm but its very flattering on a feminine figure which is so hard to find when looking for a sweatshirt. Literally all of my friends has one and if you don't you are totally missing out! So word to the wise put it on your list, as it will for sure be a hit! (use coupon code SIRIUSBLACKFRIDAY for 10% off until 12/2)

seven| A phone case is the perfect gift for any one. Everyone needs one and they are not hard to come by. I like this one by Kate spade as I have a couple Kate Spade cases already but there are hundreds of other options online and millions of ways to personalize them for everyone on your list.

eight| I love my weekender set! I would not trade it for anything and use it every chance I get. The monogram detail is one sure way your luggage will never get mixed up with someone else. It is incredible sturdy and the quality can not be beat. I also this would be the perfect gift to surprise someone with if you are going away for the holidays, you could use some fabulous luggage. (use coupon code SIRIUSBLACKFRIDAY for 10% off until 12/2)

nine| A watch is a must have in every woman's wardrobe. There is nothing that says style and sophistication like a watch. There are so many different options as well as different price points. This nautical one is fun and perfect for summers by the shore. #dreaming


I hope this post helps with some of the holiday shopping headaches many of up endure!

What are some of your holiday gift ideas?

Happy Shopping!

XOXO-RPO1

Fabulous Fashion Friday!

The cold weather is upon us and it's time to bundle up and accessorize for it! My favorite thing about the weather change is all the fashion possibilities that open in with the new season. In my opinion the best accessory for this is a statement scarf! I have been a fan of scarves for a while now and I continue to grow my collection every season, but there is no better feeling than a soft scarf that keeps you warm and bundled up. Today's post is featuring my newest addition from MarleyLilly.

 

The red monogram is the perfect festive touch!

If there is one thing I love more than all others it is a monogram. I think that you can never have too many monograms and having one on your scarf is the perfect touch of personalization. I've been using this cashmere feel scarf practically everyday since I received it, and it has really held up in all conditions. I like that it is perfect for casual wear or can help to dress up any outfit. 

Causal and Cute

I'm a really big fan of this color combination as well because I was able to mix it with a more neutral pallet like this, for when you are just running out the door. Or if you want to add a pop of color to an

outfit you really can't go wrong.

.

Fierce and Festive

Overall I think the scarf is a welcome addition to any wardrobe and I can't wait to see what other ways I can style it. Plus I know it will definitely be under the tree for a few of my friends!

P.S. Head over to MarleyLilly right now for their Black Friday Preview sale for amazing deals on their personalized gifts, this fabulous scarf is even on sale!

Happy Shopping!

XOXO-RPO1

*Product provided gratis, all opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by a third party

Disconnect To Reconnect

 

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With the holidays coming up it's going to be a time where we all find ourselves spending more time with family and friends which is always interesting and exciting. However it seems as if all this quality time flies by so quickly that we don't even remember all the funny moments that are happening all around us. Do you know the reason for this? We all are all glued to our cell phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs! Don't get me wrong I love my tech as much as the next person but there are a few rules that I apply in my everyday life more so than before because I realize that I am not going to ever get this time back. I can mindlessly troll the Internet on my own time when I should be more productive and doing other things, but I have made the active choice to disconnect from any kind of technology when I am with a friend or family member I may even extend this to random strangers as well because I notice how much people are using their cell phones as crutches and it is really getting to me.

Here are my 3 rules to disconnecting;

1.) If you are out to a meal with anyone; significant other, friends, family, or business associate. DO NOT TAKE YOUR PHONE OUT AT THE TABLE! I can not explain what a pet peeve of mine it is to be sitting at a table to only be ignored by the company. If you are out spending your time with someone then they should be the most important person in that moment not the random you are texting. If talking to that person on the other end of your phone is more important than you should be spending time with them not the person who is sitting across the table from you. Not to mention it is also rude to the server, because they are not there to wait around for you to figure out what you want after having sat there for 30 minutes scrolling your Instagram feed or group texting. You are not the only person they are helping and you are also occupying a table for much longer than necessary. SO PLEASE PUT THE PHONE DOWN!

2.) Don't let your phone become your new best friend, don't let it be the first thing you look at when you wake up in the morning or the last thing you look at before you go to sleep. In my opinion I think it's important for you to distance yourself from your phone because how many times have you got out of bed and the first thing you reach for was your phone? I know I do it all the time but my with my new mantra I find that it is important to begin my morning routine without my phone in my hand. This is the time of day I find is best to collect my thoughts and get ready for what is to come. It shouldn't be when you are clouding your thoughts with the latest celebrity gossip but rather focus on yourself! Every night before I go to be I plug my phone in the charge away from my bed and turn it on do not disturb so that way I can fall into a better more restless sleep.

 

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3.) Be in the moment take in experiences with your senses not your screen. How many times have you taken pictures of things and never did anything with them only to delete them a few months later. I could not tell you how many pictures of fireworks I had or pictures of food that I never posted to Instagram. I have come to realize now though that I don't want to be looking at the world through a screen. I make it my mission to see, hear, smell, and feel all the things around me. That is how I believe true memories are made.

When was the last time you disconnected to reconnect? 

XOXO-RPO1

Wendy Williams Weekend!

This I would have to say was one of the best Weekends of my life! I met my idol Wendy Williams! I have been obsessed with her since my sophomore year in college when I would watch her show on midnight on BET and use it as an escape from the reality that was my first 2 very difficult years of college where I was anything but happy. I loved and still do love watching her show she is totally a friend in my head and whenever I get the chance to see her doing anything I am all about it! Luckily she lives in the tri-state area so most of her events are local enough. I went to a tapping of her show about 3 years ago and it was so much fun! If you ever have the chance to go I would highly suggest it because there is not better way to start off a party the Wendy way ;) this is also why I make sure I watch her show everyday because I feel like I'm just listening to chatter from one of my girlfriends and I love getting input from her about all different topics. Last summer which I can not believe was actually that long ago I went to see her in CHICAGO the musical on Broadway which was my first time seeing a Broadway show and I loved it number one and number 2 of course I was going to love it because my girl Wendy was there! She did a great job in my opinion. I also watch her after show segments that she does on YouTube so I feel as though I really get to know another side of her aside from what you see on day time TV. She gives great advice and is really a girls girl and I can not confirm it any better than by the fact that I actually had the honor of meeting her this past weekend! It was amazing but the way that I came about to getting to meet her proves how obsessed I was with seeing her. She was asked to do a Comedy Show in Las Vegas over the summer and was asked back for Halloween weekend and I was so close to booking a ticket and making my way to Vegas but logistically it would not have been possible. The saving grace of this all however was when she mentioned in her After Show that she would be hosting a Comedy show in New Jersey Saturday November 15th. I was literally freaking out I went to purchase the tickets and the prices were a little steep for the orchestra and I wanted to be as close to the stage as possible but when I saw the little note at the bottom that mentioned there would be a meet and greet I bought the tickets in an instant and told BB to deal with the date because I was going and this was a thing that was happening. I am not usually a person who makes hasty decisions but I was so excited that I could not wait this was a chance of a lifetime where I was finally going to meet this Woman who I very much look up to and I could not be more excited.

#howyoulaughin?

It was fabulous! The comedians in the show that opened for her was all hilarious, literally my face started hurting from laughing so much that by the end of the show I was too exhausted for facial expressions. There was music and the crowd was so lively that it really brought the whole experience the another level.

Wendy looked amazing in her romper!

(p.s) she is literally a twig in person
Lastly I finally got to meet her and I could not contain my excitement, even though the wait took a little while I didn't mind.

I literally had no words! All I kept saying was Thank you!

 
When I finally got up to meet her I said hello and of course "HOW YOU DOIN'?" she told me I had beautiful hair and I nearly lost my mind and she was just the most pleasant woman, she smelled so nice and was so beautiful in person and I think all her fabulousity really gets lost through the TV screen so meeting her really was the most amazing thing ever!


I will never forget all the fun I had in New Jersey this weekend meeting the Wonderful Wendy Williams!

How was your weekend? Have you ever met anyone famous?

XOXO-RPO1 

Fabulous FRENCH Friday!

So I have recently become obsessed with french things and going to Paris! Which I have put on my must travel to list which I will share with you later!

A couple of weeks ago BB and I ventured out to a french restaurant in town called Mon Petit Bistro and it was really small and quaint. There were some down sides but it was a big step for me to get out of my comfort zone and try something new but I have has escargot before!

  #adventurous

While we were out for dinner we tried the MOULES  À LA MARINIÈRE which were fabulous! (I love muscles) and then as entrees we ate the FILET DE POULET Á LA NORMANDE (bland) and STEAK AU POIVRE (way too peppery!) so overall it wasn't that great of a meal because not only was the service really slow but because it was next to the cinema every time the door would open it would smell like buttered popcorn. The plus side was the interior decor it was all posters of old french movies and different locals all over France like Cannes and Nice. très chic!

Although I did not enjoy the restaurant that much I am looking forward to visiting another french restaurant and won't let this experience ruin it for me :)

Going back to what really got me interested in France and Paris specifically is this beautiful Eiffel tower candle holder I saw at home goods and it was just so beautiful that I became obsessed with it and for a moment I was considering redoing my room in a Parisian style but I refrained because that would have just been too much.  But I have been inspired and I can not wait to visit the city of lights one day and bring back all my fabulous finds!

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I will post all about my weekend adventures from this month on Monday! There is one more weekend left this month so make the most out of it!

Have a great weekend!

XOXO-RPO1

Hello Fall!

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Today was a such a beautiful day! I feel like we are being eased into Autumn and I could not be happier. I have said it before that I was counting down the days until summer was over and it was time for all the fall fun!

I would definitely say that Autumn is my favorite season and I think the fact that I live in New England plays a major part of that because no matter how beautiful a sunny summer day is it can not beat the true beauty of fall foliage on a crisp October day!

I can not wait until its officially jeans, boots and sweater weather! With the current unpredictable temperatures it makes it difficult to plan out an appropriate outfit! Although this is not the worlds biggest burden to wear but I am overly excited for my new wardrobe so the weather needs to flip fast! I also love the rain as I posted about here! On top of how cool and calming the rain is, I love wearing my rain boots and rain coat and fashion always makes a rainy day a little bit brighter!

On top up all the beautiful scenery that is soon to come I have so many fun fall activities planned and I can not wait to share them all with you!

 First up this weekend is the Big E! Which is a New England tradition in my opinion and it is something I so look forward to every year for all the food, fun, and attractions! Pictures to follow of course!

What are you favorite fall traditions? 

XOXO- RPO1

Fabulous Finds Friday!

Welcome to the end of another wonderful week! Although I love bringing you all the fabulous finds that I have found in fashion as well as other areas of life sometimes it is important to just sit back relax and take some time for yourself! The most important thing in your life should always be yourself because if you can't take care of you then you will not be able to give the best of yourself to others. Along with many things that you can do to make you feel better and happier about yourself and life I would like to share with you the 3 things that I am obsessed with this week and how they really help me, be the best me!

First off I have a confession to make I am the worst, worst, worst person when it comes to hydrating and I feel like I have gone days without drinking water! I know this is literally the worst thing ever but I promise that I have gotten a million times better at that and I think that it greatly because of my CamelBak! I love drinking out of straw and because drinking out of this is more fun than a regular water bottle I am more likely to use it because I don't have to worry about it leaking all over the place or getting all busted. I love it and as per the usual I can not wait to add my monogram on it ;)

 

The best drinking accessory

 

Second thing that I like to do to help my feel refreshed and like I am giving my best face to the world ;) is to use Herbalism. Not only do I love using Lush products because I have very sensitive skin and it does not irritate it but I also like that they are hand made products that are not shipped out to any big box store so I know if I have questions there will be someone there who can answer them for me or if I have an issue there is always someone there to assist. I also like that the product is 100% natural!

Lastly the best way to relax is with some aromatherapy. I am literally OBSESSED with this Eucalyptus Spearmint scent. I have it in a lotion, shower gel, hand cream, and a pocket sized hand sanitizer! (like I said obsessed) It has the most amazing smell and it's kind of refreshing as well like the label says apply and take a deep breath!

I hope you enjoyed all my fabulous finds and I also hope some of these products help you relax and make the most out of your holiday weekend!

XOXO- RPO1

Back to school means back to PLANNING!

I have an obsession with planners otherwise know as academic agendas. I think they are the best tool to keep your self organized and a little bit more sophisticated than just putting everything into your phones calendar. A lady does not pull out her phone every other moment to check to see where she is going with her life.

Although I am not going back to school this fall I am still fully utilizing my planner that I purchased last winter and it goes until December of 2014!

Behold my Erin Condren Planner

 

The only life planner that you will ever need!

What I love about my planner is that is shows you the whole month at a glance at first and then when you turn the page it has the days of the week separated by morning, day, and night. This is super helpful for anyone because it does not mean that you need to separate everything by class or just the day of the week! 

The planner is a little pricey as it ends up being over $50 once you are done customizing it and adding on some of the cute things that the website offers but I have to say that it is all worth it in the end and if you think about it, that is only about $4 a month!

If you are looking to spend a little less money to spend to help you get organized for this school year I suggest going to Barnes & Noble they have a lot of cute options at very affordable prices! Like this super cute Elephant one 

So cute and fashionable!

I hope this post has made you a little more excited to go back to school! If you have any of your favorite planners you want to share leave me a comment below!

Planning and Posting one day at a time! 

XOXO- RPO1

Minding your money: financially fit

 

I want to share with you something that I feel is super important but not a lot of people are talking about and that is money! First of all let me start off by saying that I am no financial guru and am just a struggling post grad like most people! The only reason I have this on my mind though is because one of my New Years resolution for this year was to become financially fit, and with only roughly four months left in the year the pressure to keep the promise to myself is becoming unreal.

All of my anxieties aside I hope this blog post can help you get on a strong financial path for your fiscal future!

My first tip is to get all of your accounts into one place and you can do that a couple of ways but one of the tools that I use and absolutely love is Mint is it a free website/app that can help you set budgets as well as give you a grand scope of all the money you have accessible as well as the debt that you have.

• Budgeting: it's a great tool to use because this way you can see how much money you have and then divide it up amongst your different categories like shopping, gas, coffee shops, as well as groceries and you can even create your own categories; for example I had a category for my sorority so that I could track and see how much money I was spending on all the little things and in the end they were really adding up. 

Next tip is to get all of your financial information as well because you can be fiscally fabulous if you don't have all the facts. The best way to do this is to get a copy of your CREDIT REPORT! You as a consumer are entitled to have access to your credit report from all three of the major credit unions once a year. The best way to take advantage of this is by to get one from each bureau every 3 months! 

• Make sure that the first time you are hit with your credit report is not when you are getting denied for a credit card, trying to purchase a car, or when you are applying for a mortgage. There should be no surprises to you and if there is anything that is questionable make sure that you contact the bureau and get more information. I had a discrepancy on one of my reports and I contacted the bureau and they removed it and it was as simple as picking up the phone and the result was a positive impact on my credit!

• Please note; this is not a site that will give you your credit score! It just gives you all the information like the accounts you have open as well as the money you owe and payment history!

 The next thing that I have done to help get myself on the financially fit path is to get all of my past credit card statements so that I can put into perspective all the places that my money has gone. I am a visual person who needs to make sure that I can see exactly where all my money has gone and with that requesting previous statements from credit card companies dated back five years has really helped me. 

• Tip: Financial institutions are required to keep your financial records for the past 7 years so you can get your statements as far back as that!

Lastly, I am now trying so hard to budget my money so that I can enjoy the fruits of my labor but it is hard. I have come out of all of this with a little more piece of mind in that I know what I can and can not spend and I know how to spend responsibly or at least I hope so!

I hope this has helped you and has inspired you to become financially fit as well! If you have any questions or tips of your own I would love to hear them! 

XOXO- RPO1

*I am by no means a financial expert and have only shared my personal experience and tips. There was no compensation given for the links shared in this post, or opinions stated.