10 Things You Might Not Know About Me

You know those group ice breakers where you're forced to share a fun fact about yourself? Not my forte. I feel like I resort to the lamest stats, like how I broke my nose in high school, which really says nothing about who I am. It's HARD to boil yourself down to a few words! I've always focused more on things and trends than myself on this blog—it's easier, after all—but starting today I'm making an effort to get more personal! I really missed blogging during the little break I took last year, and as I slowly ramp back up, I want to improve and grow. The blogs I like best are those that offer a look at the writer's real life, beyond the bags and OTK boots. So, I'm excited to start letting you in on what's happening in my day-to-day a little more! And to lay the groundwork, here are 10 little tidbits you might not know about me. Take a gander and enjoy your Tuesday!

1. I graduated from the University of Iowa (go Hawks!) where I double-majored in Journalism & Mass Comm and English. I was my sorority's Director of Finance and studied abroad in Scotland during my junior year.

2. Manicures are my necessary indulgence. Essie Meet Me at Sunset and Deborah Lippmann Naked are two long-time favorite shades.

3. I work as a copywriter for a beauty brand. My proudest accomplishment since starting in March is writing the autumn/winter 2017 collection book (stay tuned!)—a task that totally intimidated me.

4. I'm obsessed with homemade hummus, broccoli on pizza and my ideal breakfast is a smoothie and a couple no-bake energy bites. I'm not much of a chef, and prefer to make meals with five ingredients or less (it can be done!).

5. I'm a reality TV fan (yes, #PumpRules!), could read these interviews on The New Potato all day and I always have Good Morning America on in the background while getting ready for work.

6. I've been dating my boyfriend, Chris, for a year. We met at our company holiday party last December and instantly bonded over our shared goal to see local live music every month. And he was pretty cute.

7. The best concert I've been to was Bleachers when I lived in Madison, WI—and I went by myself! #independentAries

8. Machu Picchu and Alaska are on my travel bucket list.

9. I am NOT a morning person. I always wake up for work at the last minute, but feel infinitely better if I'm able to get a workout in right away.

10. I spent summers growing up at my grandparents' lake home in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan—I've always been a water baby and being at the lake is my happy place.

Random bonus fact: I can't stand white sunglasses! Questions? Comments?
Tell me below, let's be friends!

The #1 Thing in My Winter Wardrobe

Happy MLK weekend! Having an extra day makes all the difference, doesn't it? I've been battling that lingering cold everyone seems to have—my nose will NOT stop running—but feeling less than 100% was a good excuse to stay in and slow down. Chris gave me a Canon Rebel for Christmas and these past few lazy days were the perfect opportunity to hunker down and figure out the manual settings. Once I got a (slippery) grip on aperture, shutter speed and ISO, my sister was generous enough to head out to Lake Harriet with me for some test snaps. I had so much fun! Basically, I'm going to have my camera slung around my neck like a nerd everywhere I go from now on. Yay!

Joggers were the name of the game this weekend, so I included a few of my favorites at the end of the post—easily my #1 winter wardrobe essential. They make Netflix nights feel chic and with the right footwear and styling, add a cool comfort factor to shopping days and dinner dates when you do find the motivation to venture out of the house (Elle Strauss agrees. I love her rule to stick with gray or black—get her tips.) Hope you had an equally restful and cozy long weekend!

brave, hardworking, humble, hero

Special Sunday post alert! I saw a lot of great photos last week for my grandpa's funeral and wanted to share a few (especially love these first two). I think if there's one thing to be proud of in life, it's building a beautiful family and being a kind, hardworking, humble, happy person. My grandpa did and was certainly all of those things.

Tom Nasser, 8/24/20-8/1/15

3 years!

Happy 3rd birthday to my blog! I remember June 2012 well, when the idea to start theitlistnow.com hatched. I jumped right in, unsure of what I was doing—randomly choosing Blogger over Wordpress (#regret) and scrounging up a then two-year-old photo from my senior sorority formal for the homepage headshot. But the details didn't matter; I was completely confident in my purpose and my goal.

Three years later, I've gone through a rebrand, design overhaul, unsuccessful platform transfer, domain registration pain, hundreds of dollars, periods without posting—plus two cities and three jobs—but the same feeling I had when writing my first post remains: excitement as I mentally construct the copy and design (even when "design" was just a JPEG), energy while the words flow out through my fingers and onto the keyboard, and then excitement again as I pop out of bed and post to the site. Especially on dull weeks when work is boring and there's not much going on with friends, having fun stuff happening on the blog starts my day on a high note. And while I certainly have mixed emotions sometimes about why I'm blogging, the fact that it makes me happy is really the only one that matters.

Scroll for a few more nuggets of wisdom (note the sarcasm!) I've collected since 6.25.12! And whether you've been reading since that summer or are stopping by for the first time, thank you, thank you, thank you!

one | two | three | four

1. There's always more to learn — I read a blog post by Blair recently and almost had an anxiety attack over all the things I could/should be doing to get casse-croute up to speed. I wish I knew how to code. There are design elements I want to update. Advertising. Pitching to brands. Rome wasn't built in a day, but my to-do list will never be more than that if I don't start chipping away. A year ago, I didn't know anything about Photoshop. But I cleared my schedule one October weekend for an online tutorial, and my graphics have drastically improved since. The same can be true for coding or sponsored content if I just walk the walk.

2. Not everyone will be a fan — I have friends that have never read my blog, "liked" a post or shown any outward support. It's hard not to get hung up on that sometimes. I think, "I'm putting myself out there with this creative endeavor that's a pretty big part of my life, and they can't even acknowledge it?" That's selfish thinking, though. Everyone has their own interests. I'm obviously into blogging—I follow other bloggers on social media and start each day skimming my favorite sites. But others may not care about Poor Little It Girl's "Weekly Weakness," what Gal Meets Glam wore to her latest international getaway, or the killer culotte jumpsuit I included in my Fourth of July style guide. In the end, I remind myself I'm not blogging for praise or fanfare. I do it because I enjoy it.

3. Stay original — It's tempting to want to imitate what other bloggers are doing well, especially if they have more followers (and most do!). But I'm very particular about my writing (ask a boss or coworker) and I'm not going to change or compromise it just to see the stats go up. I started the blog to get a job as a copywriter, and I'm still using it as a career-building vehicle, so I'm going to stay true to my voice. And my unique voice is what adds value, I think. In the end, I want to be proud of the content I'm producing—and, of course, have people follow along with me. But I won't determine my success solely on the Google Analytics dashboard. This is me, take it or leave it!

little things you deserve

Last weekend, I finally read Lena Dunham's book Not That Kind of Girl after putting it on my short list back in October! I love reading, but have been in a literary dry spell—and it feels good when something quick and engaging gets you back on track.

Overall, I loved that Dunham is a smart writer who doesn't turn her back on intelligent language and precise word choice in this age of blogging that celebrates "coffee talk" as the only way to connect with millennials and the digitally savvy. That's more my style, too, so I feel like I have a champion in the real-life Hannah Horvath. Ha.

There were some funny anecdotes—and some disturbing ones—but what made it such a captivating read is what makes Girls such a hit: relevancy. It's comforting to read about friendship and career and issues all twentysomethings experience from an actual twentysomething. One line really hit the nail on the head: in a chapter on "platonic bed sharing," Dunham describes who it is and is not OK to share a bed with. In the "not" column: "Anyone who doesn't make you feel like sharing a bed is the coziest and most sensual activity they could possibly be undertaking. Now, look over at the person beside you. Do they meet these criteria? If not, remove them or remove yourself. You're better off alone."

Amen, sister. I have definitely experienced that feeling and definitely been aware of it at the time, but didn't immediately remove myself. Don't hold onto something just because it's worked in the past if it isn't working now. Being comfortable with someone, I think, and having certain memories together can blur the reality of the present. And—speaking as a single girl—it's important to remember your kick-ass qualities, even if it's taking a while for the right person to recognize them.

So in the spirit of knowing your worth and feeling as fabulous as @badgalriri in pink feathers, I rounded up a few fun, #treatyoself things that YOU deserve! Because—it's a Wednesday, and you're pretty great.

1 | Dangling Geometric Earrings 2 | Josie Maran Argan Oil Body Butter

3 | Marc Jacobs Mod Noir Fragrance 4 | Agave Hair Oil Treatment

5 | Tom Ford Shower Gel 6 | Dillion Ring

7 | Ultimate Nourishing Honey Mask 8 | 'Baies' scented candle 

9 | Nightcap Overnight Hair Perfector

feature image via ELLE

I'M MOVING!

TODAY IS THE DAY—I'm Uhaul-ing it back to Minneapolis! Two years ago I moved from Minneapolis to Madison after nabbing my dream job—I remember with perfect clarity the feeling when the recruiter called late on a Friday night right before I left for vacation. I couldn't have been happier to pack up and start something new, doing something I felt so passionate about. I learned a lot over the past two years, and grew a lot. When I took the job, I said I would've moved anywhere in the country to get the copywriting experience I so wanted, but on bad days, I questioned if I'd made the right decision. There were a lot of high points and certainly some low, lonely points. But I'm proud that I'm the kind of person who can move to a city without knowing anyone and just try it. With all the struggles behind me and a new chapter facing me in Minnesota, I wouldn't change the experience. But time has made me appreciate Minneapolis in a new way, and it's never stopped feeling like home. I took this picture in October 2013 on a walk around Lake of the Isles with my sister. I was in town for a wedding, and even then, just six months after I'd left, I wanted to be back. I applied to jobs around the country in the last few months, unsure of what I really wanted next, but I'm so glad it worked out this way. I'm coming home!

And as a little send-off to Madison, the song that will always make me think of the city: Anna Sun by Walk the Moon. You know how certain songs represent certain times in your life? This one makes me think of a very specific, hopeful and happy time, loving life in my little studio just a block from the lake (I'll miss that great summer lake smell—and my killer Willy Street view of the Capitol!). 

keep your nose to the grindstone

This blog is mostly about shopping, but it's also a small window into my life, and I wouldn't feel right not writing something about my grandma, who passed away the day after Thanksgiving. She would've turned ninety-four this month. I'm grateful to have had such a wonderful grandma in my life and am warmed by many happy memories. In an age of email and electronic bill pay, maintaining a correspondence with her was one of the only reasons I kept buying stamps. It was sweet the way she scoured the newspaper to find my sisters' and my names in high school sports recaps, and she never sent a card without a five-dollar bill taped securely inside. She planted evergreens for each grandchild in her sprawling backyard (it was so fun to measure the height and shape of MY tree against the others) and kept a sizable garden from which she once treated us to a snack of rhubarb dipped in sugar. I remember feeling slightly peeved at receiving something from the ground when fruit roll-ups and Oreos existed, but looking back it makes me smile. At my own house it was Barbie heaven 24/7, but at Grandma's, puzzles were the go-to toy, and we slowly chipped away at the toughest together. When we met at Michael's for family dinners, she greeted my sisters and me with Kit Kats (while my grandpa gave us pennies), and I'll never forget the taste of her chocolate chip cookies, the small glass jar in the kitchen always my first stop. She never learned to drive a car, but enjoyed walking and got around small Chatfield, Minnesota just fine on foot. Holidays were hosted at her home, and there was no feeling of content quite like when night finally fell after food and present opening. My sisters and I would change into our nightgowns and start to fall asleep as loud chatter became quieter conversation. If there's one thing that stands out the most, it's how much she thought of (and worried about) her grandkids. "Keep your nose to the grindstone," was her constant catchphrase, and whenever I assured her of something (good grades, winning a game, getting the job), she would say "Oh, good" and clasp her hands in her lap with such satisfaction. She wanted the best for all nineteen of us, and it meant everything that she was proud of me.

in loving memory Helene Spelhaug

weekend recap

I know it's Cyber Monday, but deals and discounts aren't really on my radar today (suicide for a blogger to admit maybe, but it takes a girl a minute to reset after a holiday!) I got back to Madison late yesterday afternoon and stopped into my apartment just long enough to swap my sweater and jeans for a sweatshirt and leggings. It was sunny and an energizing thirty degrees, and after three hours in the car, I couldn't wait to go for a quick run along the lake before the sun set. By 6:30 I was exhausted and couldn't have charted a shopping roadmap if I tried. Instead, some glimpses into Thanksgiving weekend: stuffing ingredients mid-sauté, Christmas trees poised for purchase, and festive downtown decorations. I should be back to my old tricks tomorrow, so swing by for another gift guide!

happy thanksgiving!

Get out the stretchy pants! Thanksgiving is here! I'm thankful for many things this year, and YOU definitely made the list. Thanks for coming to casse-croute, reading what I have to say and sharing your comments with me. I enjoy writing/styling/curating here so, so much. I still have lots (lots!) to learn about blogging, and through the process, I truly appreciate that you find some value in my posts. For the first time, I'm celebrating the holiday today with just my immediate family. My sisters and I are each in charge of a dish (or two), which I think will make a fun little competition—it always is with siblings. Wish me luck on my stuffing—I'm not the most skilled chef, and my adversaries could take down Rachael Ray. Follow along with some snaps from the weekend here, and for when you're full and sleepy later, I've rounded up some Black Friday sales below for your browsing pleasure. I walked into my parents' house last night to find my sister had the cutest and softest colorblock citron-colored scarf from Gap. I jumped on my computer to snag it for myself, but it's already sold out. So—no more snoozing and losing. I've never joined the late-night (early morning?) crowds for bargains at brick and mortar stores (and don't have much desire to), but surfing the online sales in my slippers sounds really quite nice. Enjoy (and hurry)!

via

Shopbop: Up to 25% off with code GOBIG14
J.CREW: 30% off with code HOLIDAY
Banana Republic: 50% off with code BRFIFTY
Anthropologie: 25% off with code HOLIDAY25
Piperlime: 25% off with code THANKFUL25
Nordstrom: 40% off Designer Collections through Jan. 6
C. Wonder: 40% off sitewide through Dec. 1
Asos: 25% off PARTYWEAR for a limited time (hello NYE outfit! I have my eye on this)
Kate Spade Saturday: 30% off full-price merchandise through Dec. 1 with code DEALME
GAP: 50% off everything through Nov. 28 with code BLKFRIDAY (these sweater leggings make a great gift)
Sole Society: 30% off + free shipping through Dec. 1
Arie: 40% off through Nov. 30 with code GOBBLEUP (I need to restock on bras!)
J.Crew Factory: 50% off sitewide + free shipping with code THANKS (Haven't bought a new sweater yet this season! Love this classic windowpane crew.)
Kate Spade New York: Save up to 75% + $5 ground shipping through Nov. 29 (time to pull the trigger on some MULES)
Express: 50% off everything through Nov. 28
Intermix: Extra 30% off sale items
Madewell: 25% off through Nov. 30 with code GIFTON
Theory: 40% off select merchandise included in the Holiday Kickstart Sale
Tibi: 20% off sale items through Nov. 28 with code BLACKFRIDAY14

weekend recap

Good morning! I didn't take enough pictures over the weekend for a robust recap montage, but I DID snap the Marco's Grilled Cheese stand and that's what counts, right? If you have tasted the buttery and crispy sandwiches sold at this famous food cart, you know I'm only kind of kidding. Make sure to put it on your to-do list if you visit. Greasy snacks or not, any weekend in Iowa City is amazing, and this one didn't disappoint. Friday night involved margaritas and Mexican at Saloon followed by an epic reunion at Brother's. Saturday was surprisingly balmy for the end of November, but we skipped the tailgating this year and went straight to Pint's to watch Herky battle Bucky over pokey stix, Bloodies and brews. Unfortunately we fell to Wisconsin, but the final score on the field wasn't the most important thing. I love that so many of us still go back to campus every fall—such a fun tradition and testament to how much we loved life at Iowa. Hope you had a rager of a weekend as well and have Thanksgiving plans with your nearest and dearest carved out this week. I'm looking forward to seeing my parents and sisters in Minnesota—Wednesday night can't come soon enough! While I know you'll be busy packing and making final preparations for your big feast, make sure to stop back here tomorrow—hoping to have Gift Guide number two up and running!

weekend recap

Good morning and happy Monday! Just a few snaps from the weekend in Chicago today. I'm so lucky to still be close with my college friends, and I love that most of them are just a quick two-hour drive from Madison, in Lincoln Park and Bucktown. On Friday night, Becca whipped up a quick dinner of pesto quinoa with Parmesan (a delicious little combo I am going to recreate this week!) before we snagged Halloween costumes at a very-picked-over seasonal pop-up shop. Later, it was so fun to catch up over a couple glasses of Pinot Grigio (and complimentary Halloween candy) at The Map Room while it snowed and howled outside. Stop in to the "traveler's tavern" for the insane selection of brews, but also because there's a little man who walks through the bar peddling fresh and authentic chicken, cheese and pork tamales from a mini Coleman—$6 for six. We couldn't help but take some home for a late-night snack. So, so good! Saturday we watched Iowa pummel Northwestern (yes!) over Piece pizza, then caught a couple movies on Netflix before Uber-ing over to Becca's brother's place in Lakeview for a Halloween party. Sunday morning, my sister (who's been in Chicago since college) picked up eggs, bacon and granola and mixed fizzy grapefruit-juice cocktails for a cozy brunch at her apartment before I headed home. Feeling ready for a new week!

happy halloween!

I never care about picking a Halloween costume until October 30, and then inevitably wish I'd put more effort into something creative—or anything at all. This year's no different! I'll either be recycling 2012's Starbucks barista disguise or swinging by Target for some last-minute bunny ears. I also haven't given the fun size candy that's spilling off every coworker's desk the attention it deserves, so I'll be hitting the Butterfingers and Almond Joys hard today. Have a fun and spooky weekend! (P.S. That's me on the right!) 

weekend recap

I lived in Minneapolis for almost three years after graduating, and this weekend's visit really made me miss it. My good friend's mom was a high roller at the U of M Foundation for many years, and while she's now retired, she and her friends still tailgate like it's her job. Since the bitterly cold 2008 Thanksgiving fight for Floyd, it's been tradition to partake in the revelry. Following a Friday night bonfire and grilled kabobs, we arrived at the Maroon Lot a little past seven on Saturday morning to pitch the tent, light the grill and lay out the Goldy-printed paper plates. Hot cider, Bloodies, Grain Belt, pecan-pumpkin bars, cheesy eggs, white chili, barbecue chicken wings and cookies straight from the Betty Crocker test kitchen kept us warm and satiated until the 11:00 kickoff. I joined my parents and sister for the game, and seats in a sun-soaked corner of the stadium helped us enjoy every second of the 39-38 victory over the Boilermakers (creepiest mascot ever, right?). Later that night I had dinner at The Lowry, caught up with old friends, and generally enjoyed being in a big city again. The gorgeous fall colors, idyllic East Isles neighborhood and cinnamon French toast I woke up to Sunday made it even harder to leave. Already looking forward to next year.

sorority secrets: a guide to rush (and life)

Just two weeks left in July and summer's really hitting its stride. Around Madison that means the normally overstuffed isthmus has a bit more breathing room—students are home to pad resumes and refill wallets before another wild year at the UW. For me, July no longer brings that back-to-school itch I'm sure so many are feeling by now, but living in a college town makes that lifestyle a part of my consciousness basically constantly. As young whippersnappers (I had to) around the country fill backpacks with fresh ballpoints, raid Target for bright bedding sets and stalk future roommates on social media, I'm reminded of my first week on campus: a humid streak of August days ruled by Recruitment. I'm old and wise now (ha), so read and learn from my experience. If I were a 2014 incoming freshman, here are three things I'd do differently during Rush (and—spoiler alert—each point is applicable beyond the college bubble):

1. EXUDE CONFIDENCE.
Ah, the old fake it til you make it. Classes hadn't started yet, I was alone in a depressing dorm room, there were unfamiliar and intimidating faces everywhere, and I was supposed to find my way in an unfamiliar grid of residential streets to Pi Beta...Phi? Um? I let a little homesickness get the best of me mid-way through the week, while spreading glue and sprinkling glitter on an art project I had zero interest in (what is this, kindergarten?). I wasn't the best conversationalist that day and needless to say wasn't invited back. It's going to be overwhelming at first, but shrug it off, roll up your sleeves, and cut and color like you love it. It's OK to be a rookie—a reality it's easier to embrace than mask. Everyone was in your position at one point, and everyone thinks the crafts are lame. Just control what you can—smile, engage and ask questions, even if you're kind of crying inside. There will be time to let it all out on the phone with your mom later.

2. HAVE A PLAN.
I wasn't sure I wanted to go Greek—and wasn't shy about saying it. That's fine, but sororities are more interested in girls who are pumped up and excited about diving right in. They want contributing members and are assessing whether you could be the next Social Chair or will lead them to victory in a philanthropy 5K. Saying you're hesitant to join translates to a deadbeat member who lies in her bed all day (whether or not that was your intention). I think my uncertainty could've been a defense mechanism against potential rejection, but put yourself out there! It pays to gush and flatter here. Actual excitement will follow once the nervousness subsides.

3. DRESS UP.
You may not want to hear it, but how you look will affect your Pref Night picks. I cringe thinking about the Nine West purse I carried through the week—picked up from the fashion re-sale store where I worked the summer before college (cringe cringe CRINGE). Don't give up who you are, but know the game and tailor your style accordingly, just as you'd tuck your shirt a little tighter for an interview or bust out your best running shoes for a big race. A classic and tidy crossbody and elegant but understated jewelry (a little this, a little that) will win points.

It's funny—I originally titled this post "if I could redo rush," promising insider info on what went "wrong" and how I'd go back to make it "right." But despite my missteps, I wouldn't change the outcome. I joined a house in January and it made everything about my four years (and beyond) better. And the thing about this list that reveals why signing up for sisterhood (cheesy word choice intended) is excellent prep for post-grad success? Every point can be applied to the "real world"—and is especially relevant for job interviews. Whether or not I realized it, my experience rushing has stuck with me and without a doubt affected how I've conducted myself since, in terms of meeting new people, trying new things, dealing with uncomfortable situations, thinking long-term and following through, contributing to a team and prepping for success. Yes, there were creepy chants, ridiculous choreography and excessive pomp and circumstance, but that was just one week in a full year of uncontrived fun. You'll throw away the name tags and matching t-shirts, and the overarching awkwardness of Recruitment will fade, but you won't forget the rest. AOE!

weekend recap: iron river

Apparently even five-day weekends aren't long enough. I'm hitting the coffee hard today after a relaxing few days in the Upper Peninsula. My mom grew up in Iron River, and my family and I spend time there every summer. We've always stayed with my grandma and grandpa at Sunset Lake, but they've recently moved out and my parents are in the process of building a new house at the site. In the meantime, it's definitely different to stay somewhere unfamiliar, but some things—like pizza at the Riverside—make it feel the same as it's always been. Take a break from Monday and peek inside the weekend. And in case you ever find yourself in the UP, a few pointers on how to do it right:

1. KEEP IT CASUAL.
This is the Northwoods (Iron River is just minutes from the Wisconsin border), not Lake Geneva. A low wedge is OK for dinner at Alice's (best Italian food west of Firenze), but leave the bold baubles at home. Fleece, jeans and tees are all you need.

2. GO SWIMMING.
It can be tough to coax yourself in at first, but this is not where you go to simply sunbathe. Practice back dives off the dock, pontoon around the lake perimeter, and bring your shampoo down for an au natural shower as the sun sets. Getting IN the water is required.

3. MIXED NUTS.
Cocktail hour overlooking the lake isn't complete without Planter's Deluxe Mixed Nuts. G&Ts, cheese, sausage and crackers round out the spread. After a long day outside there's nothing better.

4. THE PIZZERIA.
The decor is pure kitsch sprinkled with Packers memorabilia, but The Riverside pizza is as good as it gets, courtesy of the famous Dina Mia thin crust and special sauce. We always order a #6 (sausage, mushroom, onions, pepperoncini). Ask for "cheese out" for an extra layer of ooey-gooey goodness.

5. BACK-UP PLAN.
The weather isn't always ideal (understatement of the century) and cell service can be spotty—so be sure to pack a good book, cards and board games. We used to play rummy a lot, and Dominos is a family favorite. Stock your own suitcase here.

Stanley Lake sunset on Wednesday night. I arrived at the cottage a little after 5:00. My mom served skirt steak with an avocado and corn relish, seasoned home fries, grilled bread and cantaloupe.

The ultimate lakeside snack. 

Dinner at the pizzeria on Thursday night. There were sadly no leftovers.

My mom and sister enjoying the Thursday night sunset.

Nikki Nasser, UP Princess.

 

My dad built a fire on Thursday night—Boy Scout Bobby's still got it!

My dad

My mom and I walked to the ski hill on Friday morning. I haven't skied here in years and we're excited to start coming back over Christmas.

Live music at The Snipe after Friday night fish fry (like I said, this is the Northwoods..).

RISE AND SHINE! 5 tips for waking up earlier than the sun

image via

Today's mood ring: energized. I've been relying on runs and walks outside for workouts lately, but have really missed having access to a variety of cardio machines and weights. Last week I decided to splurge (what's $49/month for your mental and physical well-being, right?) and started going to a new gym in Butler Plaza with a plan to squeeze in 45-minute sweat sessions in the mornings before work. After a long weekend away, I gave myself Monday to sleep in (6AM—what a luxury). Today was judgment day. And I followed through! I got out of bed at the first (4:30AM) alarm, caught some CNN on the elliptical, ran to Rita Ora on the treadmill, then finished with quick sets of free weights, squats and sit-ups. It's always so worth the early wake-up call once you're done, muscles satisfyingly sore, but I love to sleep and it's often hard to see the post-exercise high through tightly sealed eyes. Here's the cheat sheet for what gets me up before the sun.

1. MAKE BELIEVE. When you have a deadline you can't miss, like an early flight, you make it out of bed. This is proof that you can, in fact, get up early and survive thrive. Fake yourself out and pretend you have somewhere really important to be. It'll get you at least out from under the covers, and hopefully your willpower can carry you from there. After a week, you'll be programmed, promise.

2. SAY YOU WANT IT. Waking up early is not a common free association for "fun." We all prefer a little extra shut-eye like we all prefer to inherit millions. But don't focus on that part. Focus on the feel-good endorphins (that you'll inevitably need as the work day progresses) and smokin' bod you're getting by waking up a little earlier. Tell yourself you want to wake up early, and it won't feel like you're being forced against your will. It'll feel like your choice.

3. EXTRA INCENTIVE. I love to watch the news, but don't get home until 6:15PM most nights, which means I always miss my beloved Brian Williams and the 5:30 Nightly News (sniff, sniff). An early workout is a chance to catch up on headlines I would miss that evening (and see other stories). If your hour at the gym is also the time you do something else you enjoy, skipping it will deprive yourself of more than just your daily toning—maybe it's forty uninterrupted minutes of your favorite podcast (browse here! I like 99% Invisible, Freakonomics and This American Life) or newest playlist (download this now), a fresh smoothie at the juice bar, the cute guys in the weight room...

4. THE RIGHT UNIFORM. This one's obvious. There's nothing worse than going out on Saturday night in an outfit you're not into, and going to the gym is the same. Modern, trendy clothes that fit well will make spinning, biking and lifting feel like a fun occasion—JUST like sipping cocktails at your favorite bar (ha). I'm all about Athleta. This top (tons of colors!), these tights (really versatile) and this hoodie (so comfy) are worth waking up for.

5. THE NEXT BIG THING. A trip to the lake, an outdoor wedding, a concert in the city—whatever your next social event is, let it be your first thought when your eyes struggle open. Everyone and their dog will be Instagramming from every angle, so plan ahead and you'll have no "bad side." If there's no set event on the horizon, no sweat. A popular quote on Pinterest reads: "Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen." Look and feel your best, and you'll be primed (and in fact, promote) for that reality.