Category: Lifestyle Page 8 of 20

Stories about food, fashion, travel, and other topics relevant to our readers’ interests.

Photo of Malala Yousafzai provided by the DFID - UK Department for International Development via Wikimedia Commons. Photo of Ruth Bader Ginsburg provided by the Supreme Court of the United States via Wikimedia Commons. Photo of Jane Goodall provided by the U.S. Department of State via Wikimedia Commons.

International Women’s Day 2020: 20 Quotes from 20 Amazing Women

On March 5, 2020

This International Women’s Day, we’re raising a toast to all the amazing women who nurtured us, inspired us, and helped us become the people we are today. Be further motivated to conquer your goals with these quotes from 20 women we love.

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” – Malala Yousafzai, education activist and 2014 Nobel Peace Prize awardee

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart, author and aviation pioneer

“Take criticism seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you.” – Hillary Clinton, former senator and secretary of state of the USA

“My mother always said, íf you really want something, you’re going to have to work hard, you’ll have to take advantage of every opportunity, but don’t give up.’ I’ve taken that message to young people…all around the world.”- Jane Goodall, primate conservationist and anthropologist

“I encourage women to step up. Don’t wait for somebody to ask you.” – Reese Witherspoon, actress, producer, and entrepreneur

“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, diplomat and activist

“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.”- Oprah Winfrey, author, talk show host, actress, and media executive

“It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the hard progress of humankind.” – Queen Elizabeth II

“It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.” – J.K. Rowling, author

“My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another.” – Serena Williams, tennis champion and 8-time world no. 1

“I just love bossy women…It means somebody’s passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind leading.” – Amy Poehler, actress, comedian, writer, and director

“A man does what he can; a woman does what a man cannot.” – Isabel Allende, author

“We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.”- Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO

“Women will be hidden no more. We will not remain hidden figures. We have names. … It was a woman that gave you Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was a woman that gave you Malcolm X. And according to the Bible, it was a woman that gave you Jesus. Don’t you ever forget it.”- Janelle Monae, singer-songwriter

“The only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your fear.” – Nadia Comaneci, 5-time Olympic gold medalist and the first gymnast in Olympic history to get a perfect score of 10

“ Maybe some women aren’t meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them.” – Candace Bushnell, author

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” – Dolly Parton, actress and musician

“Even in the hardest circumstances, dreams can give you the courage to live.” – Yuna Kim, two-time world figure skating champion and Olympic gold medalist

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou, poet, singer, and civil rights activist

Celebrate International Women’s Day with Nixplay! Get up to 35% off on selected frames, only until March 8!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

photo by Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil via Wikimedia Commons

6 Women Who Made An Impact On The Last Decade

By Mars Salazar

On March 3, 2020

In Lifestyle

The past 10 years saw women worldwide accomplishing several milestones. Despite the odds, women were still able to dominate in sports, shatter corporate glass ceilings, and make history. And as we enter a new decade, it’s safe to say that women are stronger, braver, and more capable than ever before.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’ve featured six amazing women who made an enormous impact in the last 10 years. Read on!

Simone Biles

Simone Biles’ impact on women’s sports is unparalleled. The 22-year-old is the world’s third most decorated gymnast and is currently the holder of the most number of World Championship medals (25). And considering that she’s only 22, you can certainly expect more wondrous feats from Ms. Biles.

Kris Jenner

Love them or hate them, you have to appreciate the Kardashians’ hustle. In the last decade, the family transformed themselves from run-of-the-mill socialites into multimedia moguls and pop culture icons. And at the center of it all is Kris Jenner, who used her entrepreneurial savvy to nab TV show deals, launch multi-million dollar businesses such as Kylie Cosmetics, and establish her family as Hollywood royalty. Truly, mother knows best!

Greta Thunberg

What were you doing when you were in your teens? Probably not leading an international campaign against climate change, like 17-year-old Greta Thunberg, who organized a school climate strike that got students around the world skipping school on Friday in the name of the environment. Her passion for her advocacy has earned her several honors, including nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and the Time Person of the Year award.

Serena Williams

The last decade saw Serena Williams go from being a top-ranked tennis player to becoming the most dominant tennis player alive, with the most Grand Slam titles among all active players, both male and female. Athletic prowess aside, her social activism and philanthropy also deserve special recognition, raising money for several charities and non-profit organizations.

Malala Yousafzai

Another teenager who made headlines in the last decade is Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl who bravely documented her life as a female student under the harsh Taliban regime. Because of her actions, she was targeted by the Taliban and was shot in the head in 2012, prompting an outpour of support for her standing up for the right of girls to be educated. She has successfully recovered from her injury and has since devoted her young life to fighting for the rights of women and children.

Rihanna

Everything Rihanna touches seems to turn into gold. After making the world dance with her hit songs, she was able to successfully venture into fashion and beauty with the launch of her eponymous brand, Fenty. Both her cosmetics line, Fenty Beauty, and lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty, have received praise for their thoughtful inclusivity. She was also the first woman–and a woman of color, at that–to launch a fashion brand under luxury fashion group LVMH. As the cool kids would say these days, we stan this Barbadian queen.

Celebrate International Women’s Day with Nixplay! Get up to 35% off on all Nixplay Frames, only until March 8!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

How To Stick To Your 2020 Resolutions

By Mars Salazar

On January 31, 2020

In Lifestyle

We’ve given you a lot of suggestions on how to make 2020 your best year ever. Maybe you’ve even decided to adopt some of the New Year resolutions we suggested–in which case, we’re honored to be of help! But deciding on which resolutions to take on is the easy part. The real challenge lies in maintaining the promises you made to yourself at the start of the year. We’ve got your back–read on for our advice!

1. Start with the achievable

Make resolutions that you know you can keep, given your schedule and finances. Don’t be afraid to opt for baby steps, like going to the gym at least three days a week, or making sure that you eat fruits and vegetables every day. There’s nothing wrong with that! But of course, you should always…

2. Aim to surpass your targets

If you find yourself surpassing your targets faster than anticipated, well, good for you! Now, keep up the momentum by taking your 2020 challenges to the next level. From going to the gym thrice a week, try to do so every day. From including fruits and vegetables in your daily diet, try to make one of your major meals vegan. You can do it!

3. Make it public

Announcing your resolutions to others give it an air of legitimacy, and forces you to stick to the promises you made to yourself. Keep your friends and family updated on your progress regularly–they’ll be happy for you and you might even become an inspiration for them! You can also hold yourself accountable by taking photos of yourself achieving your resolutions. Display them on a Nixplay Frame so you’ll always see your progress.

4. Don’t be too hard on yourself

So you got sick and missed going to the gym this week. Or stopped eating veggies because of a bad bout of food poisoning. Or maybe you just didn’t feel like going to the gym. That’s okay. Life happens, and we have to go with the flow accordingly. Just make sure to pick up where you left off!

5. Give yourself a deadline

The best goals are time-bound. When you know that the clock is ticking, you’ll feel more pressure to work hard to achieve your dreams. Instead of a very vague “I’ll go to the gym more often this 2020”, make it “I’ll finish a 10K race by May” so you’ll be more motivated to work out. It’s all in the framing.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

6 Challenges You Can Try This Year

By Mars Salazar

On January 28, 2020

In Lifestyle

The first month of 2020 might be almost over (and boy, what a month it was), but it’s not yet too late to turn over a new leaf this year! From networking with people to working on your tardiness, we could all use a little room for improvement. Here are some ideas you can start with.

1. Wake Up Early Every Day

Being a morning person isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely doable! The key is to get out of bed the second your alarm rings/ Don’t fall for the temptation of hitting the snooze button–you’ll end up feeling more lethargic. That’s not a good way to start your day! The benefits are endless–you’ll have more time to do the stuff you want, you decrease your chances of being late, you can go about your morning routine feeling more relaxed.

2. Exercise At Least Thrice A Week

We know how difficult it can be to go to the gym, especially when there are lots of other things that are simply more fun to do, like…nearly anything but exercising. Besides, the first few minutes of a workout is just hell. But once you get past the initial “pain zone”, you’ll be so pumped up and eager to hit all your fitness goals. Take it to the next level by joining a race before the year ends!

3. Track Your Expenses Every Day

Want to be more responsible with your finances? You can start by tracking your purchases daily on an expense tracker to properly gauge how much you spend regularly and which categories you spend most on. From here, you can set a daily or weekly budget to better control your spending.

4. Make A New Friend Every Week

Making friends is hard, especially for introverts and especially shy people. But if you stay in your comfort zone, relationships-wise, how else will you expand your circle? This 2020, challenge yourself to make at least one new friend a week. Who knows, you might just meet your soulmate this way!

5. Keep A Journal And Update It Regularly

Documenting your day-to-day activities can be therapeutic. This activity gives you the opportunity to step back and reflect on what you’ve done, what has happened to you, and the blessings you’ve received. It also helps you improve your writing and artistic skills.

6. Take A Photo A Day

How hard can it be to take one photo a day? As it turns out, it can be quite challenging. When you’re in an office job with a steady routine, it can be tricky to find unique subjects to capture. And that’s exactly why you should try to take one photo a day.

Make your memories last forever with Nixplay! Get up to 25 percent off during our Clearance Sale, only until January 31!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

20 Things You’d Wish You Could’ve Told Your Younger Self

By Mars Salazar

On January 17, 2020

In Lifestyle

We’re kicking off 2020 with a list of things we wish we knew when we were 20. Read on!

1. Find true friends and keep them forever.

You know those people who have experienced life’s ups and downs with you, and are still stuck to your side until now? Treasure them: They’re rare gems in a world full of fleeting friendships.

2. Let your family know that you love them.

Your parents did the best they could for you. Thank them. Forgive them. Be patient with them. Love them.

3. Invest in experiences, not in things.

The sheen of material things fades over time. Objects become scuffed, worn out, dirty, or broken. Experiences, however, create memories that last a lifetime (which you should capture and display on a Nixplay Frame!).

4. Don’t stop learning.

Always strive to be the smartest person in the room. And if you’re already the smartest person in the room, leave that room immediately and start the process again. That’s how we grow.

5. Find a mentor.

Mentors provide invaluable knowledge, feedback, and encouragement, and can help you grow personally and professionally. In relation to the previous number, what better person to learn from than someone who’s an expert in your chosen field?

6. Start good habits.

Little habits, such as exercising every day, paying bills promptly, and being on time always, add up and transform you into a more disciplined version of yourself.

7. Your accomplishments (or lack thereof) don’t define you.

At the end of the day, the number of medals, awards, and accolades you’ve reaped don’t matter. What’s important is that you tried, you did your best, and you grew from your experiences.

8. And neither does your career.

So you’re not in the company you’ve dreamed of working for, or you didn’t get that promotion you wanted. And you know what? That’s totally okay! Roll up your sleeves, brush up on your skills, and expand your network. You’ll be named employee of the month before you know it.

9. Make more time for your family.

Relationships come and go, but your family is irreplaceable. Make it a priority to spend quality time with them regularly, and never miss a chance to let them know that they mean so much to you.

10. Take care of your body…

All the money in the world can only do so much when your health is in shambles. Since prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure, start creating healthy habits as early as now: eat vegetables, avoid smoking and drinking, take your vitamins, drink eight glasses of water.

11. …And keep pushing its limits.

When you’re in your 20s, your body is in its prime. Now’s the time to try all the things you’ve always wanted to try, from skiing to rock climbing to surfing to skydiving. Discover what you’re capable of!

12. Looks aren’t everything.

As much as it hurts to admit, you won’t stay young and beautiful forever. You’ll have wrinkles, your weight will fluctuate, your hair will be a problem. Maintain your looks, but keep in mind that what truly matters is your inner beauty.

13. Manage your money wisely.

Personal finance isn’t exactly fun, but it’s incredibly important. Earmark for savings a set percentage of your salary each month, pay your credit card on time, and look into the many ways you can make your money grow faster.

14. Travel more often.

Traveling is an eye-opening, enlightening, and rewarding experience. It’s the best way to broaden your horizons. Try to visit as many destinations as you can while you’re still young and commitment-free.

15. Give back.

There’s an advocacy for everyone, whether you’re into disaster risk reduction or childhood education. Find a cause that means a lot to you, dedicate yourself to it, and make a difference.

16. Remember that you’re not entitled to anything.

Sometimes, things just don’t work out even if you did your best. And when things seem unfair, remember that no one owes you anything. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again.

17. Take risks. Be brave.

Remember: the most exciting moments of your life happen when you’re outside your comfort zone.

18. Set goals and don’t lose sight of them.

Goals, whether achievable (like a monthly savings target) or seemingly impossible (like owning a house before turning 30), force you to take more risks, get creative, and hustle hard. You’ll be forced to push yourself to your limits and improve exponentially. And in our book, progress is always a good thing.

19. Don’t think about what people think.

No matter what you do, people will always, always say something. Our advice? Don’t listen to them (unless they’re asking you to quit a dangerous habit–then you should totally listen to them). Follow the beat of your own drum, and do what’s best for your life.

20. You’re going to mess up. And it’s okay!

People make mistakes. We all do. And that’s normal. The important thing is that you learn from your errors and try again.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.