Jack, I want you to draw me like one of your French Bulldogs.

Kate Spade Wishlist Spring 2013

A few weeks ago, Kate Spade New York released their Spring 2013 line and I am absolutely obsessed with some of these pieces. You have no idea how many times I've put items in my shopping cart before deleting everything and running to the corner of my bedroom so that I can curl up in a ball and cry about how poor I am.

So, without any further delays, here are my must-haves from the Kate Spade New York 2013 collection.

Whistle While You Work iPhone 5 Case
$35

Radio Samira
$298

Black Tie Optional Triple Strand
$278

Tresor Wedge
$298

Bow Tie Marilyn Dress
$478

Catherine Street Pippa
$398

Friday Favorites

1. French Bulldogs:

Anyone who knows me also knows that I have that I have an inexplicable affinity toward animals with squished faces and strange proportions. That being said, have you guys even SEEN French Bulldogs??

I cannot handle how adorable these little babies are. I want one. I want to walk one while it wears a nautical striped sweater. I want to have a little teacup pig that plays with my French Bulldog in the yard. I just really want one, okay?


I mean, come on. Look how big and bat-like their ears are compared to their teeny tiny bodies!

You're welcome, world.

2. James Van Der Beek

This is where all of my friends roll their eyes because all I've talked about all week is James Van Der Beek. But, seriously, the Beek from the Creek is all grown up and oh man, he looks good and the guy is hilarious! 

I just finished watching the existing episodes of Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 and watching James play himself has been the highlight of an excrutiating week. (I've also been watching his guest spots on HIMYM, Ugly Betty, and One Tree Hill, but no one needs to know that). I'm happy to see James playing the comeback kid and leaving Dawson Leery far behind. I'm more of a Pacey girl myself. 

Plus, who doesn't love a man who can make fun of himself and bring even more attention to an unflattering internet meme?

3. Green Tea

I know this isn't exactly revolutionary or anything, but I really love green tea. It has been so cold outside lately and all I want to do when I get home is pull on my leggings, boil some water, and plop down in bed with my Netflix account. It's a glorious way to end my busy days.

How to Stay Motivated Despite the Sniffles

Last Monday, I spent all day in bed with aches and a high fever. Unfortunately but not unexpectedly (I'm sick ALL the time), my boyfriend had to take me to the hospital around 10 pm when my fever finally passed 103 degrees farenheit, even as I slept with a bag of frozen strawberries on my head. I'm poor. Don't judge me!

Long story short, I had the flu, and had to spend an entire week in bed, which meant three things: no going to class, no going to the magazine office, and no going to my job at SouthernTicketsOnline. I am a workaholic. I need to work. I love to work. When I have to stop working for any reason, it completely throws off my schedule. So what did I do? I had to find ways to work from home.

While attempting not to spontaneously combust, I compiled a list of ways to stay motivated when you're sick, even if you're so sick you start hallucinating that you're in the hospital (this did happen and if it happens to you, go to the hospital immediately).

1. Make Sure All of Your Bases are Covered

Before you start working, make sure the outside world knows that you have to put your life on pause for a while. Call your bosses, email your professors, and make sure there are co-workers who can cover your shifts at work. If you get it all done in one day and plan ahead, it's just a few less things you have to worry about as you recover.

2. Check Your E-Mail, like All the Time

I checked my email once an hour (at least) while I was stuck on bedrest. If you check it regularly instead of once when you wake up and once when you go to bed at night, then you can stay on top of things and perform tasks more quickly. Plus, people are always impressed with prompt email responses. I get compliments all the time from clients who are impressed with my quick responses.

3. If You Have Any Computer Work to Do, Work Ahead!

Take a break from scrolling through Tumblr and Pintrest, watching old How I Met Your Mother reruns, and whimpering, to go ahead and get a head start on any computer based work you may have. In my case, I work as a freelance writer and asked for the next 30 assignments in advance, explaining that I had more spare time to work this week. 

4. Don't Forget to Take Care of Your Sick Self

Don't forget that you are ill! Make sure you are taking your temperature every hour, drinking enough water, and staying nourished with broth-based soup. I also like to consume tea. Lots of tea. If your throat is swollen or inflamed, try some sort of herbal tea with ginger in it. It's an anti-inflamatory, so it will keep you feeling comfortable. I haven't tried it myself, but a friend has told me that Throat Coat tea works wonders!

5. When You Need to Nap, Nap!

You're sick. If you feel yourself dozing off as you work, go ahead and turn those How I Met Your Mother reruns back on and cozy up in bed for a while.

6. Organize Your Computer Files

I don't think anything gets as cluttered as quickly as our computers. During normal day-to-day routines, it's hard to take the time to sort every file into its proper place, so go ahead and organize all of those stray files you have strewn about your desktop, especially if they're obstructing your view of your James Franco desktop background.

7. If You Have a Website or Any Online Profiles, Now Would be the Time to Update

I am so incredibly guilty of forgetting to update my online profiles. In fact, on my freelancing website, I realized this past week that I haven't updated my resume in over five months! I also went ahead and completely re-designed the layout. It was so refreshing and relaxing. It's also nice to know that I won't have to take a nice hard look at it for another few months.

8. Reflect on What You Want to Achieve

What better time to think of some short and long-term goals for yourself? Think about what you want and how you plan to get there. Make sure to write it all down for reference later on.

9. Don't do Anything Physical

For some reason, I have this weird problem where I only ever really want to work out when I'm too sick. Sometimes I try to exercise anyway. I cannot stress enough how stupid this is. Stay in BED. REST. That is the whole point. You can go for a run when you're better, but you're only hurting your body by trying to be active when it's trying to heal yourself. 

10. Exercise Your Creativity

Have a project you've been meaning to work on for the past year or so? Whether it is making jewelry, editing a new YouTube video, or writing a poem, don't forget to do some fun work as well. Creativity is good for the brain, the heart, and the soul. It will have you feeling better in no time.