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Even on the crummiest of days, we still have a lot to be grateful for-- sometimes we just need a little reminder. "Gratitude Lists" are a sure way to find a silver-lining, turn around a negative attitude, and make you see what you do have rather than what you don't. I took some time out today to make a little list of the things I'm thankful for: simple things that make my life sunnier and put a smile on my face. Then I wound up thinking of all of the people who have made a difference in my life since I moved to NYC-- mostly with small gestures of kindness, friendship, encouragement and love. I wrote little notes to some of them who have been especially wonderful to me when I really needed it.

I taped them all above my desk (where I spend most of my time) as standing reminders of all of the fabulous people and things I have in my life to be grateful for. It did cheer me up a great deal, and even made me feel a little sheepish for the times I've been extra negative and self-deprecating. What are you most thankful for?

When I'm in a transition phase in my life, I always have to do something drastic with my appearance. I feel like I've been at a crossroads for, well, the entirety of 2010. I've already had a couple major haircuts and got a fifth tattoo. So I needed to up the ante this time. I've been wanting an asymmetrical bob, a la Posh Spice, but was afraid of cutting-remorse. After a particularly rough week, I decided to go for it. I searched Yelp for highest rated hair salons, and was also looking for a salon with a bit of an edge. I came across a place called Hair Metal in Williamsburg-- sounded perfect. I called on Thursday for an appointment and they set me up with Eve for Friday. The place was about what I had expected: skulls spraypainted on the walls, heavy metal music blasting, chinese stars stuck in the ceiling, an overall grungy feel.

Some people would be deterred, but with my metallic pink sneakers and 5 tats, I was comfortable there. You would think it was a tattoo parlor, given the decor and the fact that everyone cutting hair there had a lot of visible ink.

So given that I was asking for a pretty odd cut (and the fact that you can never be too careful on Friday the 13th) I brought a bunch of photos with me of Becks... 

My hair naturally parts on the side and swoops under my chin on the left side, so I felt like I could pull off this cut. Eve was undeterred (and completely adorable! like a little pixie... with a tattoo sleeve). She cut, razored, ironed, waxed, and I got exactly what I wanted!! 

Whatcha think?! I absolutely love it. And I would definitely recommend seeing Eve at Hair Metal-- she was awesome. So here we go with another attempted fresh start... at least this cut is giving me a major boost in the right direction.

When I saw these friendship bracelets by Scosha in my Daily Candy newsletter today, I fell in love! I was an 80s kid, and spent hours making friendship bracelets with "friendship string" that I had wound on tiny cardboard dividers. I would safety pin a rainbow of colors to my jeans or a pillow and braid, knot and weave the embroidery floss until I had a bracelet to give to one of my besties. Designer Scosha Woolridge creates these delicate bracelets in her Brooklyn-based studio. She has a whole line of fab jewelry, but the ones pictured above are a twofer: buy one for yourself and she'll send one to your friend anywhere in the U.S. for free!

Want a pair? Leave a comment telling me who you would want to send a bracelet to and why. Winner will receive a bracelet in the color combo of their choice, and a matching bracelet will be sent to their friend. Don't forget to leave your email or URL so I can track you down if you win! I'll choose the winner at random on Thursday, August 19.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Kerry of A Little Fashion Romance is the winner of the pair of Scosha friendship bracelets!

Check out these bracelets and the rest of the Scosha collection at ScoshaNYC.com-- a huge assortment of jewelry with very interesting and unique materials and finishes, made in Brooklyn!

SoHo is one of the most frequented neighborhoods in Manhattan for all that it has to offer shoppers and diners alike. Big name designer boutiques, indie local designers, retail chains and outlets, cafes and fine dining offer something for everyone. Walking around aimlessly in any NYC neighborhood, you're bound to discover new fave haunts to shop and eat. Here are some of mine in SoHo:

Start off your day of shopping right at Cafe Cafe. A cozy atmosphere with benches around a low coffee table, bar and loft seating welcome you in. They have a large menu of iced or hot coffee and tea, along with pastries and scones or a more traditional breakfast of eggs and french toast. It was a great place to lay out my plan of attack for the rest of my day.

Once caffeinated, head across the street to Palma. This intimate boutique stocks flirty and feminine dresses, skirts, and tailored pieces. Think sophisticated event or business casual work attire. They also offer great statement jewelry pieces-- long necklaces, chunky bracelets and large earrings. Located at 463 Broome Street, Palma is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11a-7p.

Head down Broome Street to Broadway and stop at Topshop. Any store that boasts a "shoe lounge" warrants a visit, am I right? Three floors of women's fashions, shoes and accessories kept me gushing for a while. Flowy tops and hip hugging skirts dominate the racks, with casual staples interspersed with pieces worthy of a night on the town. Their shoes boast sky-high platforms, glittery finishes, and eye-catching details: chains, rivets, bows, buckles, and ribbons. A great one-stop-shop, you can finish off your outfit with a bag, jewelry and even fill out your cosmetics case.

Inventory is located at Elizabeth and Kenmare Streets. A carefully curated, rotating collection of edgy designs, Inventory is ever-changing and always keeping up on the latest trends and styles. They have a large selection of high-waisted skirts, lacy blouses, motorcycle jackets and underwear meant to be shown off. This is a store that you have to keep coming back to in order to keep up with their selection and offerings. Inventory is open Monday-Saturday, noon-8p; Sunday 11a-7p.

Walk up Lafayette Street to Amarcord Vintage Fashions. They carry upscale vintage in pristine condition-- during my visit they had fabulous pieces from Dior, Gucci, La Perla, and Dolce & Gabbana. Everything from little black dresses and silk nightgowns to leather bags and sunglasses can be scavenged and had for a great price.

Nearby on Lafayette you'll find Label. A modest-sized line designed by Laura Whitcomb, Label offers statement pieces that will make you a standout in any crowd. Dresses and tops that can best be described as having shape and a sense of architecture, Whitcomb's designs are a stunning combination of art and fashion.

Now that you've worked up an appetite, head over to Caffe Falai. Serving lunch daily from noon-4p, Caffe Falai offers a wide variety of salads, soups, pastas and paninis. A beautiful atmosphere with natural light, lots of mirrors and crystal chandeliers, your lunch is sure to be a relaxing finish to your busy day.

I've been stressing lately... and when I stress, my face pays for it. This week I've been feeling like I'm in high school again... so not cute. While I'd love nothing more than to jaunt up to Bliss for a No Zit Sherlock facial, $165 is way out of my budget. Google to the rescue! I spent my lunch break looking up homemade facial scrubs, and after reading up on what's good (and not so good) for your face, I went home with a mission.

I already had everything I needed to make this stuff-- a fresh lemon (on hand for my sun tea), sugar, and honey. Mix together 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp honey, and juice from half a lemon. The sugar exfoliates and gives you a rosy glow, the lemon is an astringent and reduces redness, and honey is naturally antibacterial and a great moisturizer. Honey is also used in cosmetics to help reduce the signs of aging, as its antioxidants help eliminate free radicals.

My skin tends to be pretty oily. If you have dry skin, you can add a bit of olive oil as a buffer from the lemon. I was a little apprehensive about the lemon given that my skin is sensitive and prone to redness, but I balked at slathering any type of oil on my already-breaking-out face. Once mixed together, this stuff was so tasty! (Of course I had to stick my finger in it...) Wash your face with your regular cleanser, then pat dry. Apply the scrub, massaging into your face and neck for a few minutes before letting it sit for 10 minutes. The lemon didn't cause any irritation at all, and it definitely made my skin softer. (Just keep your eyes shut, ladies!) The general redness I had before was replaced with more of a glow, which is nice. I wound up having enough to basically cover myself head to toe in this stuff, which was kind of deliciously fun. I'll give the olive oil version a try to battle my dry skin when it's wind-whipped in January. 

Any homemade beauty products you swear by? Tell me about 'em!