IT'S LOVELY LATELY

Starting fresh...

2012-01-28T09:33:00.000-08:00

Photo by Taryn Kent of Joielala Photograhpie

So, I guess it was time to start fresh. Time to update my blog. Time to create something new. The universe intervened and I lost the old layout for the blog that I've kept all my memories, my thoughts, my discoveries on for the last 2 years. I know it sounds silly, but I was a bit attached to my old-school blogger layout; it was comfortable. It reminded me of when I first started the blog and, more importantly, why I first started. But perhaps that was the universe knudging me...telling me it was time to move forward and try something new...so I'm just going to take it as a sign :)

Another beeeaaauutiful so-cal day. Time to get outside.

loves xoxo

Ahhhhhhh!!

2012-01-27T11:11:00.001-08:00

So I'm trying not to freak out but I managed to delete the design look and style of my blog and ended up in this super simple format that is not quite my style! And I cant get back to old format...any thoughts on how to help?

My girls...

2012-01-27T08:47:00.000-08:00

A while ago I did a post that I called "Girlfriends" and it was basically a love letter to the amazing women in my life who have continued to inspire me, support me, encourage me, and who just simply allow me to be me, loving me unconditionally. If you are very lucky, you have one friend who is this figure in your life...somehow, I've been blessed with a few.

These are the girlfriends who I know I can call, any time, and they will listen, console, support and advise...we laugh often and they allow me to be exactly who I am and bring out the best in me...I am relaxed and comfortable in their presence...conversation never seizes to stop flowing...there's rarely enough time to catch up because we can go on for day & days...we don't judge each other and we fully trust one another...our friendship is effortless...they understand me (and all of my quirky personality traits!)...we are like-minded in our values, morals yet also greatly appreciate our differences...we are simply connected and have been from the moment we met.

While I truly believe my husband is my soul-mate, I also believe that these special, inspirational, beautiful women are, too. They enrich my life, help me be the best person I can be, and I can't imagine my life without them. Each one of them is a pillar in my journey here, for which I am always grateful. As we've gotten older, some of us don't always have the opportunity to connect as often as we'd like to, but we always know that we are there for each other, and can pick up exactly where we left off.

These are the girlfriends that last a lifetime. To my girls, love you!!!!

xoxo

Speaking of Provence...

2012-01-20T10:14:00.000-08:00

After doing my last post, I had to go back and look at our honeymoon pics in Provence...and then I figured I'd share them (you might have seen a few of these before)...they just make me so happy! Some of the best memories of our honeymoon were spent driving down quiet roads through tiny historic towns...vineyards abundant...unbelievable beauty everywhere. The first five pics are of where we stayed in St. Remy...a gorgeous bed & breakfast that was recommended to me by Julie Mautner - an American journalist and cookbook author who has been living in Provence for 10+ years and has a lovely blog, The Provence Post.

Still dreaming of Provence...

2012-01-20T09:53:00.000-08:00

LA-based interior designer and blogger, Brooke Giannetti, is one of my go-to sources when it comes to finding inspiration for soft, elegant, often vintage finds, typically coming from France, Belgium or Italy. Her style is eclectic and romantic and just soooo beautiful...many of the photos she posts remind me of part of our honeymoon spent in Provence, which is perhaps why I enjoy spending time on her blog. Below are some of my favorite pics that she recently posted...some are homes in France, but my favorite is actually a winery in Napa!! Definitely a must-do...

This last one is the house in Napa...so dreamy...
Happy Weekend!
xxo

Good to know...

2012-01-11T16:45:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in a recent post, some of my favorite mags to read are health-related...and interestingly, my absolute fave is actually the one that my hubby subscribes to: Men's Health. It's very well written - witty, entertaining, straight-forward (without all the mushy-girlie stuff you find in women's health mags) and full of great tips for a healthy lifestyle - even the art direction of the mag makes it a fun read.

Well, further to a recent post I did about interval training, the latest Men's Health had a great note that I wanted to share:

"Forget the excuses. Just half an hour of weekly interval training can improve your health, say researchers at McMaster University. When people with type 2 diabetes did 10 minutes of intervals, 3 days a week for 2 weeks, their metabolism spiked and blood-sugar levels fell. Intense intervals may stimulate muscle changes that help shuttle sugar from your blood."

Great to know that you can really see health results from as little as 30 min a week!

Another "fun" fact, courtesy of Men's Health:

"The germiest thing in your home is your SPONGE!!! When scientists from NSF International tabulated the germ count on 30 household items in 22 homes, they found kitchen sponges and dishrags to be top germ hot spots. Their tip: Sanitize sponges DAILY by rinsing in warm water and then microwave for 2 minutes; replace them often. Change dishtowels every other day."

And if there is ever an odor coming from any sponge or towel, that means it's BEYOND crawling with bacteria...it's totally infested! So toss immediately in those instances to avoid spreading germs. Also, if you use scrub brushes, make sure to change regularly as well - especially if bristles look stained and are not in-tact.

Just thought you might find this stuff interesting too :)

Scrumptious HEALTHY dessert...can it be true!?

2012-01-07T09:29:00.000-08:00

My favorite health food store, Mother's Market, has an awesome deli counter packed full of delicious vegetarian & vegan munchies...an incredible assortment of almost anything you can imagine; pasta, sandwiches, side dishes, salad mixes, entrees, desserts and so much more. A couple years ago, I discovered their super-scrumptious avacado-chocolate pudding. Yes, avocado. Sounds crazy...but you would never know it was made with avocado when you take your first bite. It's a decadent, rich, chocolatey dessert full of flavor, and it quickly became one of my absolute faves.

Well, a little while ago, I stumbled upon a recipe for my very own avocado pudding! And it's so, so simple. I promise, if you try it, it will become one of your faves too (assuming you like regular, thick, rich chocolate pudding!). Here's the recipe (ideally made in the Vitamix blender but should work in a high-powered regular blender as well):

For 4 small servings:

2 large ripe avocados

4 tbsp cocao powder (no sugar)

1/4 cup agave or honey

1 tsp vanilla
dash of salt

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Should have same consistency as thick chocolate pudding. Do not overblend, but make sure there are no chunks. I typically refrigerate after blending for about an hour, but not necessary if you'd like to enjoy right away :)

Happy Saturday!!

xxo

Polaroids...good times

2012-01-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

Our wedding photographer (and one of my best friends), Taryn (Joielala Photographie), just found a few polaroids she took during our wedding and following-day reception...so fun!!

Get movin'...

2012-01-05T08:58:00.000-08:00

Alrighty, so it's that time of year again...the time where you try to get re-focused and aim to reach lofty goals and aspirations. For many, they are reachable..."get organized" or "read more" or "travel internationally" or, probably most common, "take better care of myself." And perhaps this is the year that you commit to exercise regularly, eat better, get more sleep...not just for the month of January, but year round!

As you might know by now, I am an avid reader of all the go-to health magazines - Health, Fitness, Self and more - and I want to share the #1 tip of what all the mags have been writing about over the last couple years - something that I've officially put to the test and have seen excellent results.

Since running a marathon a few months ago, I have not even attempted doing cardio longer than 30 min. And to be honest, my typical cardio workout is anywhere from 15-25 min, tops...and I think I might even be in better shape now than I was during training! My big shift - rather than doing long-distance runs, I've switched over to interval training (in, both, cardio & weights).

In recent years, study upon study has continued to show the incredible cardio and calorie-burning benefits of doing high-speed intervals during all cardio activities (hitting your max speed - you are unable to talk and can barely go over 1-2 min) mixed with slow-paced cool downs (very mellow walking pace for 30 sec-1 min). Not only are you burning tons of calories during the workout, but you actually burn substantially more calories AFTER workout -what scientists & fitness experts call afterburn.

Doing intervals rather than steady-paced, longer workouts can completely change your metabolism and kick-start your energy level in the New Year! According to the latest Fitness magazine, "doing interval training is a quick way to ramp up your body's ability to use fat as fuel; burning 36% more fat during workout." The same article also states, "Scientists have measured the afterburn for half-hour jog at 35 calories, as opposed to 75 calories for 20 one-minute running sprints (with two-min rests in between)."

So, what this translates to - whether you're walking, jogging, spinning, on the elliptical - start with your typical warm up, and then do 30 seconds to 2 min (depending on fitness level) of an all-out sprint (or as fast as you can go), and then back to your warm up pace for 30 sec to 2 min (depending on fitness level - shorter rest periods are ideal). Repeat this for anywhere from 15-30 minutes (if walking, this should always be at least 30 min). Aim to do the intervals at least 8-12 times, per session. Do this 3 times a week, and incorporate moderate resistance training 2 x's per week (30 min of weights, Pilates, boot camp, etc), and presto! You will be on your way to great cardio health, high energy levels and almost-instant physical results.

And there's no excuse not to do it! If you only have 20 min to squeeze in and you do the intervals, you will be well on your way to your fitness goals. I've detailed my personal workout below - I do this 3 x's week, and as mentioned above, I am in better shape now than when I was marathon training!

Treadmill (can be applied to any activity)
Incline of 2.0 (always use incline on treadmill)

2 min slow-paced warm up walk
1 min moderate sprint
30 sec recovery walk
1 min moderate sprint
30 sec recovery walk
1 min full sprint (have increased pace since last sprint)
30 sec recovery walk
1 min full sprint
(repeat recovery/full sprint sessions at least 4 more times, ideally 8-10 more).
Finish: 2-5 min cool down recovery walk

Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!!

Quote...

2011-12-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

"Simply follow your heart and intuition...they truly know what you want to become." - Steve Jobs

Please watch...and share...

2011-12-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

I've done a few postings over the last couple years about the crucial importance of taking care of your skin, and protecting it from the harmful rays of the sun. I know for most people, especially living in So-Cal, slathering on sunscreen is not something many really take seriously if they have not personally been affected. Well, I have. And I wanted to share this video that a dear friend sent to me this morning...I hope it will inspire you to take care of your skin and shield yourself with SPF 30+ everyday - even in the middle of winter, or when the clouds are hovering over, or if you work inside most of the day, you are still exposed to ultraviolet rays that can lead to cancer, so you still need to wear sunscreen whenever the sun is up.
Melanoma is one of the few cancers we can completely prevent - but if not caught early, your rate of survival drops below 10%. Please, please, please, watch this video, share it with friends and family and see a dermatologist EVERY year. It can save your life...it saved mine.

http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/dear_16yearold_me

Thoughts on Whole Living...

2011-12-13T14:17:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Body & Soul magazine, I wanted to share some of last month's Thoughts on Whole Living...

A meal shared with family and friends sustains you in more ways than one.
Gratitude cannot always change circumstances, but it can help you see beyond them.
With rejection comes a decision: You can either turn back or find a new way forward.
Feeling restless may be a sign that you haven't sat still long enough.
Sometimes you have to travel to a new place to rediscover the old you.
Stop seeing life as a problem to be solved and, instead, as a mystery to be enjoyed.
To make the best of your intuition, think less and listen more.
Give above and beyond what you think will help.
Rather than worry about how your body should look, focus on how you want it to feel.

Back from Bali...

2011-12-09T10:49:00.001-08:00

We are finally settled back in from our 2 week getaway to the beautiful island of Bali; the jet lag lingered around a bit but we finally shook it off. It was our second time there (last was 2008), and this trip was just as incredible and magical as the last. The culture, traditions, people, beaches, villages, resorts, temples, restaurants…all amazing and unlike anywhere we’ve traveled before. In my opinion, it is a must for any traveler who loves to indulge in breathtaking scenery, kind & welcoming people, beautiful beaches, unbelievable dining experiences (seriously – like nowhere we’ve ever been!), fabulous shopping (make sure to bring extra bags for your trip home), and a mix of 3rd world life meets luxury accommodations. For us, this translates to bliss!

In Bali, there are endless sights to see and places to explore. Motorbikes buzz around every corner of the major towns in a harmonious symphony (I’m still not quite sure how it all works, but somehow it does!), and from dawn till dusk every native has a job to do – whether it’s heading to the market at 5am to begin the day’s cooking tasks (the women of the households do this daily – often before they start their 8am jobs at the local resort, spa or restaurant), or heading to the rice paddies, or running a local small shop, each person in Bali has a very active day – much longer (and in most cases, more hard-working) than any Westerner. It’s quite extraordinary, really.

We traveled primarily on the south west coast (Uluwatu, Seminyak, Canggu), with a 2-day trip to Ubud mixed in halfway through the trip. Each area has something different to offer, and each as fascinating as the next. In only a mere 3 years since we last traveled there, it has already changed quite a bit – new developments litter the horizon of most towns, and global retailers like Quiksilver, Hurley and Billabong have since taken over local retail space to put up their modern, Westernized stores…boldly sticking out amongst the authentic and charming ma ‘n pop shops that have made up the “eat street” area in Seminyak for years – known as one of the best shopping locations in Bali. It is unfortunate to see how quickly things can change; the traffic was double compared to our last trip, and it is very apparent that more global retailers will quickly be taking over the local boutiques and restaurants to land the prime real estate that the island offers. So, if you haven’t been to Bali yet, I’d add it to your travel to-do list in the next couple years, if you can!! I can only imagine how different it will be when we plan our next trip.

Although much has changed over recent years, Bali remains truly extraordinary – the natives hold onto their tradition and culture like nowhere I’ve ever been – while the development of the island is changing daily, they do not allow their beliefs to be “modernized.” Twice a day, every day, they give offerings to the Gods in appreciation and hope. These offerings are scattered amongst the streets, outside of every store, every restaurant, every business you come upon…little boxes made of banana leaves, there to keep the locals safe, healthy, and happy, while giving the Gods thanks for all they have provided that day and will provide in the days ahead.

I’ve included a few pics below to share our experience…hope you enjoy!

Back to Bali...

2011-11-17T08:41:00.001-08:00

I can't believe how fast time flies...in fact, I'm still basically in shock that I'm leaving tomorrow to head back to one of my favorite places on earth...the magical island of Bali. I've barely had a chance to think about it...haven't attempted to pack or get organized yet!

I feel so lucky to be going back to this incredible and beautiful place...and can't wait to unwind and enjoy. We last went in Nov 2008, and I've included pics from that trip below..just to give you a taste of the unbelievable beauty...

Uluwatu...

Desa Seni Village Resort...our favorite place to stay in the world..

Giving back...

2011-10-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

I was excited to do a little research this morning, because in lieu of client gifts, my company is considering the option of doing a large charity donation (yes, please!!)...so I wanted to present my top choices to our President, for consideration.

I know it can be a bit daunting to know where to donate these days - especially because many of the "charitable" organizations out there actually only end up giving about half-of-every-dollar that you give, to those in need (much of your donation can go to marketing efforts, staff and running the org). There are so many organizations, so many causes, and so many choices - and I know that many of my friends are incredibly giving & thoughtful, but they just don't know where to offer their hard-earned money, to help make a difference!

Well, I hope this helps. I stumbled across a fantastic article from Marie Clair magazine - http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/news/best-charities.

It details their top 10 choices (also listed below), and highlights exactly what % of your dollar goes to those in need! Once you identify what you'd like to support, I hope you will donate - and even set up a monthly donation (believe me, you will never even notice the money is taken out)! Even if it's just $20/month (c'mon, that's like 7 coffees or 2 cocktails), YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

My personal choice - Save the Children - www.savethechildren.org (#3 below).

If you are reading this, you are most likely my friend or family...and I urge you to do whatever you can to give back, because everyone I know is capable of doing so...it's just about taking action. XOXO

1. HUMANITARIAN AID
AmeriCares: 99% of funding goes to programs
When an earthquake, hurricane, violent conflict, or other disaster strikes in the U.S. or abroad, AmeriCares provides urgent necessities like medicine, doctors, food, tents, water purifiers, and baby formula. This charity has given approximately $5 billion in aid over the past 23 years. americares.org

2. VIOLENCE
V-Day: 93% of funding goes to programs
Active in 81 countries, V-Day works to end violence against women and girls. V-Day gives grants for programs — such as the V-Day Safe House in Kenya, which helps girls escape female genital mutilation. V-Day has raised over $30 million in eight years and boasts support from celebs like Rosario Dawson and Marisa Tomei. vday.org

3. CHILDREN
Save the Children: 90% of funding goes to programs
Ten million children under 5 die each year, including 4 million newborns. A critical goal of Save the Children? Saving the lives of these infants in 18 of the world's poorest countries by providing infant vaccinations and health care for pregnant women. Sponsor a child for $28 a month, or earmark your dollars for initiatives, like educating girls or providing microloans for women. savethechildren.org

4. TRAFFICKING
Polaris Project: 90% of funding goes to programs
While seniors at Brown University in Providence, Katherine Chon and Derek Ellerman were shocked to learn human trafficking was taking place in their neighborhood. The issue, which they had associated with foreign countries, became personal. They founded Polaris Project in 2002 — modeling their strategy on the grassroots spirit of the Underground Railroad — to combat trafficking in the U.S. and abroad. polarisproject.org

5. WOMEN'S HEALTH
Breast Cancer Research Foundation: 89% of funding goes to programs
Its funds have been behind some of the field's biggest discoveries — including the finding that women of African ancestry often have a form of breast cancer that is genetically distinct from that of women of European descent. bcrfcure.org

6. HIV/AIDS
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI): 88% of funding goes to programs
IAVI funds research to develop an AIDS vaccine with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, universities, and governments worldwide. iavi.org

7. WORKPLACE
National Partnership for Women and Families: 86% of funding goes to programs
This group has fought for every major policy advancement that has helped women and families in the past three decades. The group fights for national legislation but can help individuals find resources needed for their own battles. nationalpartnership.org

8. SEXUAL ASSAULT
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN): 85% of funding goes to programs
RAINN, the country's largest antisexual-assault organization, runs the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE). rainn.org

9. WOMEN'S FUND
Women's Funding Network: 85% of funding goes to programs
Looking to help women but not sure where to give? Consider WFN, a coalition of private and community foundations around the world. In the past 20 years, its 115 funds have given more than $200 million to a wide variety of women's and girls' organizations. fundforward.org

10. LEADERSHIP
The White House Project: 76% of funding goes to programs
A nonpartisan organization looking to put more women in leadership positions, from local school boards to corner offices to the Oval Office. thewhitehouseproject.org.

A taste of Europe...in fashion

2011-10-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

For years, I've admired and enjoyed the uber-fashionable, sometimes fantasy-like and oh-so-cool postings by photographer and fashionisto, Scott Schuman, on The Sartorialist. This guy is simply brilliant.

Even more than the incredible clothing and beautiful people that he captures in his perfect portraits, it's the location and background that always has me endlessly perusing through. He primarily shoots in NY, Milan and Paris, and I feel like I am taken to each location in his photos; there, next to the woman on the bike in the middle of a bustling city street in Paris, or walking through the park where another woman poses (never smiling, of course) in her cape, short skirt and booties - total perfection and totally French. His shots are typically a little gloomy and chilly - for me, this means cozy, Fall-like, and romantic...making it even more glam.

I feel like I have a "sneak peak" into traveling - beauty, culture, style - when I go to his blog...it's so simple but so beautiful.

To Annie & Sean...may you live happily ever after

2011-10-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

I had to share some of our pics from Annie & Sean's incredible Malibu wedding...these photos hardly capture the beauty & total fabulousity of the event, but at least you can get an idea...

Hilltop ceremony above the wineries...

Yes, those are antlers attached to the arbor...part of the theme of the wedding...

The happy, happy couple...

The boys...and their gray suits...

Sean and Annie jumped on stage during Tainted Love's version of Total Eclipse of the Heart and did an award-winning, impromptu performance...seriously was like we were at an 80s rock concert!

The happy couple with the rockin' band...I'm pretty sure this is one of the coolest moments of their lives, captured in a photo...

Ahhhhhh....such a lovely, lovely day. From a winery-set ceremony, to an exquisite gourmet family-style dinner with friends, to a rockin' 80s concert with some of my favorite people in the world. Oh, and homemade macaroons & Pinkberry to finish the evening. Perfection.

One Year & Ten Year Anniversary...

2011-10-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess time flies when you're having fun...and, after ten years of being together, you are still madly in love with the man of your dreams...aka, my husband :) Matt and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary this weekend, and our tenth year together...and it was just lovely.

Our weekend started on Friday...one of my best friends, Annie, married that man of her dreams, Sean, at what was the most fabulous, beautiful and totally-crazy-fun wedding, ever. It was hosted at Saddlerock Ranch...the most gorgeous setting...amongst the vineyards in Malibu; so completely romantic and stunningly picturesque. Nestled in the mountains with green rolling hills surrounding us and the sun shining down...it reminded us of our honeymoon in France & Italy. Just perfect. The hilltop ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour (or two!) set on the grass below, and then an uber-delicious family-style dinner amongst long perfectly-decorated picnic-style tables...and then the real partying began! We danced the night away to a live 80s cover-band (flown in from SF - Annie's one non-negotiable must for her big day!) and, as always, Matt surprised (and charmed) the guests when he broke out into his totally awesome 80s dance moves! He rocks!

The perfect night was followed by a super yummy, but a bit sleepy, brunch the following day at the Malibu Countrymart with a few close friends (who were also a big part of our wedding a year ago, so it was fun to start our anniversary with them!). A little shopping and then off to Venice where we enjoyed afternoon nibbles and drinks at Gjelina (our favorite restaurant in Venice)...then Primativo for a sip of champagne...and lastly off to the incredibly romantic and special anniversary dinner at Capo in Santa Monica, where I enjoyed the best pasta I've ever had under dim candlelight and with a fireplace roaring, setting the perfect ambiance.

Us at Primativo for a pre-dinner drink...

It was a completely perfect and totally wonderful anniversary weekend. We celebrated with some of our closest friends and also enjoyed time, just the two of us. What was really funny though...although you can't tell in the photo above, we wore matching outfits for last night's dinner; unintentionally (of course)...but because we had packed separately and were coming straight from the wedding festivities in Malibu, neither of us had options to change (we literally got ready for dinner in my car!) and were both in navy blue, head to toe. I guess it's true that, at some point, you just start wearing matching outfits?!!

One year of being married; 10 years together. Totally, madly, deeply, fully, completely in love. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

xoxo

It's a dream...

2011-09-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

It's been ages since I've posted; my computer was on it's last leg and was being a bit fickle so I wasn't able to post, but just got a new laptop so I'm finally back!

Just thought I'd start the week with something dreeeaaammmyyyy...the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay. I saw this picturesque hotel in a movie a couple weeks ago and fell madly in love (I couldn't believe it was on the west coast - thought it was either Ireland or someplace fab on east coast); reminding me how incredibly gorgeous California is (I really need to spend more time exploring locally!). Thought I'd share some photos of what I think would be a dream vacation...I imagine driving up to Carmel for a night, then heading up to Treebones in Big Sur for 2 nights in a yurt (basically just glamorous camping - is that an oxy-moron?!), and lastly off to the Ritz for a couple nights in the ultimate luxury...

Wanna go?!?

A simple hello...pay it forward :)

2011-07-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

I recently did a little social experiment along my regular run-route - the Manhattan & Hermosa Beach strand - where I see familiar faces on almost every jog. Over the years, I've noticed that very few people take the time to smile and say "hello," and rather they often glance away when you get just close enough to greet them. Odd, I always think. In a strange way (and in a much larger sense) this simple little lack of connection often makes me feel like I'm not part of a "community," although I've lived here for more than 7 years now.

Well, seeing that we're not moving anywhere anytime soon, I set out to take a step toward building my personal community with the regular strand-goers that I so often see. As I went for my usual morning run, I was so pleasantly surprised at the reactions of my fellow early-risers, as I took greeted them with a smile and a "good morning!" salutation. I found myself instantly connecting with people who I had "seen" for years, and now felt like I was making myself a part of their lives...and they were becoming part of mine. Community. I could tell that many of them were also pleasantly surprised that a stranger was taking a moment to wish them well for the day. It felt so good and filled every step of my run with more energy and more ease.

And so I continued this experiment into my 4th of July weekend, where we spent much of the day at our friend's home on a walk-street just up from the strand. As an older woman and her husband strolled their bikes down the street past us, I glanced up and words flew from my mouth, "Happy 4th of July! Have a great day!" and they smiled back and wished me the same. Shortly after, my friend and I walked down to the strand, and found ourselves next to the couple who I had just greeted.

The woman paused with her bike and in a low and sweet voice, she peered from under her sun-hat and said, "excuse me." She continued, "I have to tell you...I have to tell you that it was so kind what you just did, saying Happy 4th of July to us." She was somewhat breathless, and there was a sadness that carried in her tone. "You see, my mother passed away about an hour ago, and my husband has been trying to get me to go for a bike ride to get out of the house. I feel so strange right now. But when you said hello to me, it was so kind, and it made my day. It made me ok."

I was speechless. I looked at her with a furrowed brow and lightly touched her arm. I apologized for her loss and wished her well, as the sun wrapped its warmth around us and the ocean sparkled cheerfully back. It was the most beautiful day, and I found it incredible that the connection that was created just from a simple "hello" was enough to lift a saddened spirit and make things "ok" for just that moment.

Perhaps I simply wasn't allowing myself to live each moment with an open heart, as I've run back and forth, year after year, on the concrete along the ocean. Perhaps all it takes is a simple "hello" to completely change our sense of community. Perhaps all it takes is a smile to make everything ok. Whatever it is, I'm going to keep doing it because it's working out quite well. And I hope you will pay it forward, as well...

Have a beautiful weekend!

xoxo

Yummy power-salad...

2011-06-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

I've been a big fan of quinoa since I first heard about the super-grain a few years ago. Packed with fiber, protein and lots of nutrients, it's the perfect carb to add to any meal. As a vegetarian (yep, it's official...not eating fish anymore, and to be honest, it's actually been a lot easier than I thought it would be), quinoa is a staple in my almost-everyday diet (along with beans/legumes, tofu & tempeh), and I recently made what has now become one of my favorite meals - the Super Duper Quinoa Salad.

It was actually inspired by when I happened to catch a glimpse of the Biggest Loser on TV...and one of the winners made a delicious mango-quinoa salad. Well, I put the Katie-spin on it (adding a few extras), and made it a complete, healthy meal...not to mention, totally delicious!

Recipe:

Cook 1 cup quinoa

While quinoa is cooking, chop up the following (all organic, of course):

1 red bell pepper

1 yellow bell pepper

1/2 small red onion

1 mango (i actually defrosted frozen mango from TJ's and added)

Add:

1 can garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)

1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)

1/2 cup yellow sweet corn (i used frozen and let sit out to defrost)

Mix all ingredients listed above, including quinoa, in a big bowl.

Dressing:

3 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tbsp super-good olive oil

half of a squeezed lemon (or lime)

Toss all ingredients together. Chill in fridge for at least an hour....and you should have enough to feed at least 4 people (or have lots of leftovers for yourself!)

The Race to Save Lives...

2011-06-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm doin' it. Alrighty. I've officially committed. Noooo turnin back now. For more than 10 years, I've wanted to, and now I'm finally here...training to run the Nike Women's Marathon through Team in Training, supporting the ongoing committment that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has toward fighting cancer.

And I couldn't be happier about. More than ever, I have found purpose in my runs...especially the long ones, when during my last couple miles, my feet are swelling, left ankle is aching, knee is starting to act up and each step forward has become a challenge. It's during this time that I embrace the discomfort, knowing it's putting me one step closer to the finish line...and one step closer to helping millions of people who have been effected by the disease.

Team in Training is an incredible fundraising organization that coaches millions of people in athletic group-training, worldwide, and has raised $2 billion in support of the LLS. They have been instrumental in providing funds that have lead to incredible advancements in cancer research that has saved countless lives...and I am honored to be a small part of such an inspirational and truly life-changing organization.

To help me reach my fundraising goal ($3200) for the Nike Women's Marathon in SF in October, and continue the efforts in the fight against cancer, please click here. Thank you so much for your generous donation...no amount is too small!

xoxo

Words of Wisdom...

2011-06-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it's because of my new part-time stay-at-home gig that I've grown more fond of Oprah than ever, but I have really developed a strong admiration for her & the way she lives her life. She came from nothing - abuse, neglect, poverty - and has triumphed to become a 2 billion dollar empire, inspiring millions to "be their best self" in her continued quest for knowledge and deep appreciation for all that she has and is. I know it sounds totally cheesy, but if you've caught any of her recent episodes, you would know what I mean.

During her final farewell show, she shared her life's lessons with her loyal audience, and I felt incredibly inspired & moved. I wrote the lessons down, and thought I'd share...perhaps you will enjoy, as I did. Read each one; it's worth it.

You know better, you do better.
Are you exactly where you are supposed to be? If not, find it.
We all are called – everybody has a calling – your real job in life is to figure out what it is and get about the business of doing it.
Your calling lights you up and it lets you know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, and doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing.
Live from the heart of yourself – you have to know what sparks the life in you, so you in your own way can illuminate the world.
Each one of you has your own platform – it’s wherever you are with your own reach – however small or however large that reach is. That is your platform and is where your power lies. (in reference to doing good in your life & your community)
Everyday you are showing people exactly who you are – you are letting your life speak for you. When you do that, you will receive in direct proportion to how you give.
You can help someone, you can give, you can heal, you can listen – everybody has a calling. Not everybody gets paid for it, but everyone is called.
Carry whatever you are supposed to be doing; carry that forward, and don’t waste anymore time. Start embracing the life that is calling you, and use your life to serve the world. (one of my favorites)
Nobody but you is responsible for your life.
You are responsible for the energy that you create for yourself, and for the energy that you bring to others.
You are responsible for your life – don’t wait for somebody else to fix you, to save you or to complete you. When you get that, you get free.
There is a common thread that runs through all of our pain & suffering – it’s our feeling of unworthiness. Know you are worthy of happiness.
We often block our own blessings because we don’t feel worthy enough. You, alone, are enough.
Everyone wants validation. Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say mean anything to you? – understanding that principal allows you to be open minded and live with an open heart.
The voice is always there – hear it. Wait and listen for the guidance that is greater than my meager mind. Your life is always speaking to you.
What are the whispers in your life – and will you hear it? Your life is speaking to you; what is it saying?
Connect, embrace, liberate, love…just one person…and then spread it to two.
Make someone feel like they matter. Validate them.
There are no coincidences; only devine order.
Gratitude is the greatest treasure.

Summer is here!!

2011-05-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about the Spring & Summer season is the abundance of blossoming flowers that seem to explode with happiness, blooming everywhere...my absolute favorite being the soft & romantic petals that make up the incredible, Peonies. I stopped at Trader Joe's for my usual weekly grocery trip, excited to find that the first bunches of this make-me-so-happy flower has arrived!

Within minutes of bringing them home, trimming their stems and comfortably and carefully placing each one in a little glass vase, they gracefully opened up and smiled right back at me. In 2 days, they became twice the size that they were when I first set them on our new coffee table (love), and in 3 days they're now 4 times the size! If a flower can inspire, I think the peonies might be the Oprah of blossoms!

Day 2...

Day 3...

A Dose of Inspiration...

2011-05-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

"There is a lesson in every experience. Use your life as a class." - Oprah

"The only way you can build a career is to get to know smart people along the way who may teach you something, and then work it out for yourself. Be patient and enjoy the process of getting there, becuase I promise you it's a lot more fun then being there." - Simon Cowell

I love the quotes above. Appreciate each day, soak it in and enjoy...life is not about the destination, it's about the journey getting there. More than ever, I am embracing this. No idea where my journey is going to take me, but I'm grateful for every day that I have along the way...

Taking control of your financial future...

2011-05-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

I had a long call with a close friend yesterday who recently came into a large inheritance. She went from being almost $100k in debt – due to massive school loans, car loans and life’s unforeseen circumstances that have left so many in flux over the last few years – to now being $100k richer (even after paying everything off!). She confessed that she really had no idea what to do with it, although she was certain she was never going to allow herself to be in debt again. She told me how she wants to be as smart as possible with her new fortune – sharing how liberating it was to finally be relieved from the burden that finances have so heavily weighed her. Within about 20 min, we had a full plan in tact to get her started into her new chapter – on the right financial foot (she will also be consulting with a professional - I just gave her the basic rundown).

Obviously, I’m far from being a financial planner. The closest I’ve ever been is the fact that I’ve managed to figure where to be frugal so that I can enjoy splurging on the things that I enjoy most – wine-filled dinners with friends, traveling the globe and finding a pair fabulous pair of boots (that can last a lifetime). With that said, the second I started making, what I call, “real money” (meaning I wasn’t depending on my parents to get by anymore) I sought out opportunities to learn about investing, and have since been fortunate to build a nest-egg that has allowed me to take a step back and smell the roses (i.e. work part-time). So, while I’m no financial planner, I have gained knowledge of some simple steps to take to start making your hard-earned cash work for you...and I thought this might be information that could benefit my close friends, so I wanted to share.

You either love her or you hate her, but Suze Orman’s voice became very familiar to me in my mid-20s. I bought her books on tape (for my long commutes) and diligently listened as she squawked through my car speakers, lecturing me on the importance of opening an IRA and living within my means – or you will be doomed to a life of misery (or so she makes it seem)! And then, for my 24h birthday, my dad bought me one of the bibles of finance – Jane Bryant Quinn’s, Making the Most of Your Money – and I was hooked.

I didn’t grow up in a home where my parents discussed personal finance, and I didn’t study it during my college years. I’m still not really sure how I became aware of the importance of planning a healthy financial future – maybe Oprah?!? Perhaps it was my desire to never be in a situation where my finances (or lack of) could become a burden. I didn’t want to ever be a woman who had to depend on anyone else for my success, and I quickly realized the importance of investing in my future. I couldn’t stand the idea of spending beyond my means...God forbid ever having to pay the dreaded credit card interest rates! While I’ve been fortunate to have a career that has given me financial stability, even during my early years, I stock-piled savings like a little squirrel. Every month since I was 24, I’ve had money automatically withdrawn from my checking into investment accounts, and have never felt deprived. When I took a pay-cut during the recession, I still invested – be it, substantially less than previously, but I still kept up the routine (and cut out a lot of other frivolous spending habits). I just knew it would pay off. And it has.

In my opinion, financial responsibility can be one of the keys to happiness – whether as an individual or in a relationship. When I say, responsibility, I am not talking about being rich – I’m talking about taking your money seriously, whether you make $25k or $225k, and making wise and thoughtful decisions about how you choose to spend. Everything can change tomorrow – and if it did, would you have a comfortable nest egg to fall back on? Sadly, that’s a question that so many didn’t ask themselves prior to 2008.

I have continued to educate myself and get a better understanding of how to make my money work for me. Whether it’s gaining compounding interest by investing monthly (dollar cost averaging) into my IRA (the first investment everyone should make, assuming you do not have debt), to opening a Life Strategy Fund with Vanguard that is a fully diversified portfolio with an allocation that is just risky enough for me to make $ in the stock market without keeping me up at night. Even by choosing an ING savings account, rather than going with my traditional bank where I have my checking acct, I am making about $50/month in returns – while it’s a small amount, it still is a lot more than I’d be earning if I had kept in traditional savings. All simple, easy-to-implement ways that, over time, can create huge rewards. You just have to be patient.

Toward the end of the call with my friend, she asked, “do you think I’m too late in the game to make real money if I invest in an IRA?” She’s 31. Roughly 25 years of compounding interest ahead of her. Nope, not too late at all.

I wanted to share this post because I know many of my friends have not taken the opportunity to learn about personal finance, and I strongly encourage everyone to do so – it can be one of the most important lessons of your life and well worth the time. Suze Orman just came out with a new book – The Money Class: Learn To Create Your New American Dream. She also has Women and Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny.

For Money Lessons 101 online, I recommend checking out CNN Money - www.money.cnn.com - and check out the Personal Finance tab. It's a fantastic crash-course in personal finance and can get you up-to-date on the lingo and your advised investment options in a jiffy! I also recommend subscribing to Money Magazine - it's another outstanding tool to help educate yourself on today's investment opportunities.

Many financial institutions offer All-in-One Funds and Target Retirement Funds - both of which automatically give you a diversified portfolio (without you having to choose investments), based on your age & goals, and creates an asset allocation that measures the risk you are willing to take (the younger you are, the most risk you can take). I've been using the firm, Vanguard, since I started investing, and they have been amazing - they make it so easy to invest and their customer service is stellar. Also, their funds are in Money mag's top 70 investment choices, every month. We maintain our retirement and non-retirement accounts with them - including our IRAs and a Life Strategy Fund that diversifies between stocks, bonds & cash.

Please note - we also consult with a trusted & reputable financial planner who is local to us, to help keep us on track (we pay him an hourly rate rather than him receiving commission on our investments, so we know his suggestions are sound - I highly recommend this same payment structure so you don't get pushed into investments just so the advisor makes bonuses). Vanguard also offers financial planning services (flat fee), if you don't have a recommendation. Our planner said that the Vanguard All-in-One Funds have been found to often out-perform more actively managed funds by large firms including JP Morgan and others on Wall Street b/c of the extraordinarily high fees involved with having them manage your money. Personally, after seeing Inside Job (documentary about the rise and fall of Wall Street), I'd like to keep my money out of the hands of many of the firms that were tied up in the mess!

Hope you find this info helpful...as always, knowledge is power :) Again, I am not at all an expert - just passing along info that has been very beneficial to me over the years. So, if you haven't already, I hope you will take the time to start educating yourself on the importance of taking control of your money!

p.s.

2011-05-17T09:21:00.001-07:00

I don't know what's wrong with my blog...but for some reason, it won't let me have a space between paragraphs without having 5 spaces in between! so annoying...!

Eat. Drink. Entertain.

2011-05-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

In preparation for our NY trip, I jumped onto GOOP.com to check out what Gwenyth Paltrow suggests as must-eats when traveling to the Big Apple. I have mixed feelings about GP - she seems a bit uptight and I've heard not-so-great things about her from an acquaintance who spent Thanksgiving with her years ago...but regardless, she is definitely "in the know" and has great taste when it comes to all-things entertaining.

Per GP's suggestions, I promptly booked reservations at 2 restaurants that have now become a couple of my faves, too. We enjoyed fresh, seasonal foods at a twinkle-light dinner at Mario Batali's lovely & quaint, Lupa (Soho), and zenned out at the exquisite Han Gawi (mid-town), authentic Korean vegetarian cuisine.

Anyway, back to my reason for this post. While perusing through GOOP, I found another post that featured online retailer, One Kings Lane. Oh my. If you click on the link, be prepared to shop! The site is full of fabulous decor, entertaining & gifts, all at discounted prices. And it's not cheesy-sale stuff that is discounted because it's stuck on a rack...everything on there is lovely & totally worth checking out. It really is the perfect place to find thoughtful, special gifts & classic home decor.

Boston...

2011-05-10T12:24:00.001-07:00

We spent part of last week in Boston and then headed to NYC for a mini-getaway. It was lovely. The history & culture in Boston is fascinating and beautiful. In our traditional travel fashion, we actually ran around almost the entire city during our trip (including into Cambridge) - literally, strapped on our running shoes and ran. Poor Matt though - with as big of an athlete he is, his feet & legs definitely paid a price for not being a runner! Probably not a great idea to go on a long-distance run when you haven't even gone a mile in the last year. Lesson learned. We'll be "training" before our next trip :)

One of our favorite parts of Boston (if not our favorite) was our trip around Harvard. All I could think while we were strolling past the plush lawns surrounded by incredible, charming, old architecture compiled of red brick buildings & white trim was, "wow, I wonder if Obama walked here?!" Even during our run along the river, we were wondering how many Presidents & known intellectuals had strolled along the paths that we were now enjoying during a perfectly sunny & crisp Spring day. I thought I'd share some of our pics...more to come, later.

Perfect breakfast...

2011-05-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

A close friend recently sent me a recipe for what she called "deliciousness pancakes," and of course, with my love of anything pancake-like, I had to try them, stat. Lo and behold, they have quickly become a staple in our early morning weekend routine, and I wanted to share the recipe for you to enjoy, too! Not only are they tasty, but that are a nutrition-packed, completely balanced meal, and a fantastic way to start your day. Oh, and they are sooooo easy to make!

*as always, use organic ingredients whenever possible - especially when it comes to dairy & eggs

batter:

1 cup oats (dry)

1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

*mix in blender until you see a batter form (about 20-40 sec)
*once blended, add fresh or frozen blueberries - carefully stir into batter
*use non-stick cooking spray in large pan & spoon batter onto (just like traditional pancakes)
*cook on medium heat about 4-5 min each side (when batter starts bubbling, time to flip)

topping:

1 cup lowfat plain Greek yogurt

1 tbsp 100% maple syrup

*mix with spoon

(the pancakes above show how they look without the healthy yogurt topping...)

Add fresh berries and bananas if you'd like...generously spoon the yogurt topping onto pancakes & you have super nutritious, super yummy & super balanced breakfast! Enjoy with a mimosa and you really have a great way to start your day :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Foodie...

2011-04-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

Over recent years, I've taken great interest in cooking...especially learning more about healthy, organic, vegetarian cuisine. A blog just came onto my radar, and I wanted to share. While she already has millions of followers, there's a good chance you are probably already familiar with Heidi Swanson's 101 Cookbooks. Of course, I'm last to know!

Heidi's recipes are truly mouth-watering. She uses all-natural, organic, whole ingredients in everything she creates, and as I clicked through numerous recipes last night, I found about a 100 dishes I'd love to try!

Plus, her blog is broken down by recipe (including gluten free, high protein, quickie, etc)/ingredient/season, so it makes it very easy to navigate and find specialities for any occassion & time of year. My new favorite foodie-blog. Enjoy!

xoxo

Organized chaos...

2011-04-14T14:26:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a while. Hello. Part of me felt like my last post, ATTITUDE, was probably the most important post I've ever done, so I figured I'd leave it up for a while. The other part of me has been completely consumed with a dozen different projects that seem to be taking up an incredible amount of my day...into the night. My laptop is my best friend. All good though... We "kick-started" Collectively for a Cause again...group of girlfriends who are coming together to create positive change in our community (like a way cooler Junior League - hehehe). We enjoyed this past Sunday afternoon at my place, and we already have 2 events on the books:

April 23rd - Earth Day Beach Clean Up in Manhattan Bch - meeting at 11am at 18th Street

July 16th - Children Today's 5k/10k in Long Beach - www.ChildrenToday.org

Please join us for both or either, if you can! We'd love to get a big group of us for both events.

Another organization that I'm hoping CFAC will be able to support in the future is the Los Angeles Youth Network (www.LAYN.org) - an amazing non-profit that provides 3 youth shelters in LA (the only remaining youth shelters in the city). I recently met with the Director at one of the homes...the housing is lovely and they provide shelter, food, clothing, therapy, social workers & education/tutors to help homeless teens in LA get back in school and back on their feet. The very prestigious (and crazy expensive) private highschool, Harvard Westlake, is putting on their 4th annual FASHION FOR ACTION fashion show in May, and all proceeds go to support LAYN. So...what better time for me to start getting involved than when it's a fashion-related event to raise money for a great cause?!?!

I've spent the last few days reaching out to everyone i know to help get support/clothing donations/product donations (thank you so much to those who have contributed), etc, for the runway and silent auction (if you know anyone, please let me know!). Keeping me very, very busy, but i'm hopeful that we will be able to exceed the $30,000 they made in last year's event. We'll see! LAYN really needs the support.

Meanwhile, I'm planning numerous events for work...juggling like crazy...but loving it. Learning so much right now. Everyday poses new challenges and new opportunities to expand my knowledge and experience...counting my blessings. If you'd like to be involved in ANY of the organizations/events I've listed above, please reach out to me...I'd love to chat with you about them in further detail.

Wishing you a beautiful day!!

xox

ATTITUDE...

2011-03-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

We attended the most beautiful & inspirational Memorial on Friday, in celebration of Mark Bixby's incredible life. The program included a writing by Charles Swindoll, that Mark had actually saved as part of an 8-page document that his family found in the days following his death, reflecting his life's goals, achievements and purpose. I found this to truly be life-changing. Mark's mother, Betsey, read this at his Memorial. ATTITUDE: The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our Attitudes. - Charles Swindoll ...this reading is now becoming part of my every day. I keep it on my desk as a constant reminder and I hope it inspires you, too.... xoxo

Old friends...

2011-03-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

We were incredibly fortunate to have 2 of our close friends be our ahhhhmazing wedding photographers, Taryn & Scott. While you've probably had enough of our wedding photos...especially months after...I had to share because Scott recently posted his version of our special day...here.

Scotty is one of the most wonderful people I've ever known...always kind, HILARIOUS, generous and thoughtful;...did I mention hilarious?! I am so fortunate to have beautiful people like him in my life for so many years. Yes, we've been through a lot together...the ups & downs of highschool, neighbors after college (the fuzzy years), love & weddings...and even though we don't see each other enough, whenever we do, it's right back to highschool again. A comfort and ease that you only have with your bestest, bestest buds :)

In loving memory...

2011-03-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

We lost an incredible soul last week. A man who was inspiring to all who were fortunate to know him. A man who was kind, generous, thoughtful, caring; the quintessential family man who excelled at all he did - from balancing a successful career with traveling the world, being an amazing father, loving husband, friend to everyone, star athlete (cycling, surfing, paddling and almost everything in between) . Mark Bixby, 44 - father, husband, friend, role model. You will be terribly missed.

I haven't been able to write anything since last week. I didn't really know what to say. If you grew up in Long Beach, there's a good chance you know who the Bixby's are, and sadly, you might have even known someone else on the small plane that went down at Long Beach Airport last Wednesday morning, killing 5 family-men with 1 survivor (Mike Jensen).

I was very fortunate to meet Mark & his beautiful fiance (at the time), Theresa, when I was around 12...they moved in next door to us. They introduced me to surfing and would take me down to Old Man's at San-O with their friends...I used to be sooo excited to drive down and spend time with them, I could hardly sleep the night before. They showed me how true love of the ocean becomes a lifestyle, and encouraged me to pursue outdoor activities...they had such passion for life & all that nature has to offer; always inspiring to me. I dreamed of someday being an adult, living the way they did.

2011 photo -

As years went on, they got married and had 3 beautiful children - Ryan, Kirra and Jessica. In highschool my close friends and I would babysit their darling little ones, and continued to admire their growing family...a close unit full of love. They maintained their lifestyle, full of activities with their children - traveling, surfing, water polo, soccer, snowboarding/skiing - and absolutely live life to its fullest. They've dedicated their lives to making their community a better place, and have given so much to everyone who is fortunate to know them.

Even if you have never met them, when you see a photo of the Bixby family, it truly speaks a thousand words. The kids always have their arms thrown around each other, Theresa has her hand rested on one of them or intertwined with the girls, and, whenever they are in a photo together, Mark is lovingly holding his wife. The love between their family is so evident, even in the most candid of shots.

As it often seems to happen, it's those who give so much to others and live beautifully and fully, whose lives are cut so short. Our hearts go out to the entire Bixby family, for I cannot even imagine the pain they are forced to endure right now. I know Theresa will be strong through this, and she will continue being the amazing role model that she has always been - for her family, her friends and her community. Mark will be forever missed but will live on through his beautiful children and the spirit and energy that he shared with everyone who knew him.

What we can do...

2011-03-16T08:13:00.001-07:00

The coverage of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan can be overwhelming, even unbearable, to watch. The devestation, distruction and lives lost is absolutely heart-breaking. If you haven't already, I hope you will donate to the Red Cross to help support the relief efforts taking place.

Please click here to give...

With love xoxo

Dreamy...

2011-03-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Apartment Therapy...

My new must-have!

2011-03-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

So, I went to Whole Foods last Saturday and found myself mesmerized by a demonstration going on by a cheery older woman in the middle of the produce section. She was chopping, blending, hollering...having a blast...all as part of promoting what has become our new favorite kitchen item - the Vitamix.

I watched as she threw in whole carrots, kale, spinach, pineapple, almonds and a random selection of other edible items and the Vitamix (blender) worked its magic...within seconds, everything was mixed into complete liquid. She passed out samples and wowza! Delicious! Then she moved onto making hot tortilla soup within minutes...again, just throwing a bunch of veggies, broth and chips into the Vitamix and created a scrumptious and healthy soup full of whole vegetables. Soooo good and packed with nutrition.

Then I saw the price tag...and walked away. But, I had to go to Whole Foods again on Sunday, and there she was again. And, after calling Matt and telling him how amazing this machine is and how we just had to have it to make our kitchen complete, I ended up walking out with our new favorite household item.

I have to say, this thing is ahhhhhmazing. We use it every day - at least once, if not 2-3 times! We make the BEST smoothies every morning, homemade hummus (best hummus ever!!), and even ice cream! It's crazy. I happened to have lunch with a good friend and fellow nutrition-nut, and she told me she's actually had hers for years and has seriously considered being a sales rep for them because she's turned so many friends onto it! ha!
Anyway...just something worth checking out to help make living a healthy lifestyle even more convenient. Oh, and it makes great baby food for all of you mommies!

Being flexitarian...

2011-03-01T08:08:00.001-08:00

Since I can remember, I've wavered back and forth from being a vegetarian, pescatarian (is that even a real type of diet?), chicken-only meat eater, and the eat-anything-I-want without-thinking-about-where-it-came-from diet (when I use the word "diet" I am speaking of "daily diet" - not the "I'm trying to lose weight" diet). Based on my lifestyle, desire to age gracefully (hopefully!), and for personal moral & ethical reasons, I've found that the vegetarian diet with flexibility works best for me.

My body & skin (and sensitive tummy!) loves a veggie diet - lots of dark leafy greens, yams, fruits, antioxidant-packed berries, beans/legumes, high-protein tofu, and whole grains. As I've written before, I've chosen to keep vegetarian-only products in our home (we cook every weeknight), but in an effort to not feel "deprived" when we go out and I feel like enjoying sushi or a fillet of salmon, I go ahead. All in moderation. I never feel restricted in what I eat...I just consider where the food comes from before I take a bite.

Keeping our home full of non-processed, nutrition-packed, organic, all-natural foods, and having limited portions of fish/meat has become a lifestyle for us. Matt and I enjoy cooking together every night and feel good about what we're putting in our bodies - healthy, delicious, disease-fighting, anti-aging foods! Matt's even said that since we've moved in together, he's felt healthier, stronger and had more energy (for paddling, surfing, etc) than ever, and is actually enjoying the primarily veggie-diet (I've found that men have a harder time letting go of meat than most women do!).

I have friends & family who have been doing meatless-Mondays and I think it's FABULOUS! A great way to lean into a healthier lifestyle and save a bit of $$! I encourage the people who are close to me to try a "flexitarian" diet for just a week...and see how you feel. It's amazing what a difference it can make, and how yummy it can be!

The un-politician...John Stewart

2011-02-26T08:44:00.000-08:00

I've never been interested in writing about politics on my blog...for many reasons, but most importantly because I don't know enough about politics to come from a credible source, and also because I think any discussion re: politics can be very personal.

With that said, I am an avid watcher of The Daily Show with John Stewart (if you haven't seen it, set your DVR - Comedy Central), and I just wanted to throw this out there...if Obama decides not to run a 2nd term, I really think John Steward could be an exceptional candidate for Pres. Right!?!?!?

I think he is the most brilliant social & political icon of our time. Bold statement, I know. I am in total awe of his intelligence, wit, humor, sensibility and dynamic personality. Such an incredible, influencial figure in today's divided political climate - simply stated, he's no BS.

If I had the opportunity to invite any celebrity/public figure to Thanksgiving dinner, it would be John Stewart. How cool would that be?!

Happy Saturday! xoxo

Superfoods...sooo yummy!

2011-02-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

We've all heard the term "superfood" in recent years...you know, the natural foods that are full of maximum nutrition, helping to fight various cancers, heart disease, signs of aging, and much, much more. I try to incorporate superfoods in my everyday cuisine, and just thought I'd share the top picks so you can also try to include in your daily diet! And buy organic whenever possible - studies show that organic produce can offer up to 50% more nutrition than conventional!!

Blueberries (raspberries, strawberries, blackberries too!)

Black beans

Sweet potatoes

Salmon

Spinach (kale & other dark leafy greens)

Broccoli

Walnuts

Tomatoes

Dark chocolate - woo hoo!!!

Oatmeal

Onions

In a recent issue of Men's Health, studies show that a sweet potato is actually the healthiest veggie we can eat! Even more than spinach, broccoli and brussel sprouts! And it happens to taste delicious, so I was thrilled to hear...

Oh, and one of my favorite healthy sweet treats - homemade super healthy raspberry wanna-be sorbet:

1 cup frozen organic raspberries, let thaw (about 1 hour - or microwave for 15 sec)

Drizzle 1 tsp of honey once thawed

For extra sweetness, I sometimes add 1/4 frozen banana (when ripe, I peel, wrap in tinfoil and freeze - then let defrost with raspberries when ready to eat)

Delicious!! And totally curbs the crazy sweet-tooth I have while adding super nutrition!

Interval training...

2011-02-23T16:03:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me knows I'm no stranger to physical activity. But lately, I've been a lot less motivated to spend time in the gym (is that what happens when you get married?! Am I a stereotype?! Ha!)

Fortunately, some of the latest research is showing that you can still get exceptional health benefits, spending less time in the gym, as long as you do intervals. Love this...thanks to Women's Health, Men's Health and Self magazine.

I've been doing 20-30 min of cardio, 3 days/wk, and strength training 2 days/wk (with a yoga/pilates session mixed in). When I do 20 min of cardio (treadmill), here's the routine (can be applied to any cardio):

Warm up - 3 min walk at moderate pace
2 min jogging at a slow or moderate pace
30 sec -2 min of sprinting (pace should be fast enough that it's uncomfortable to talk - can't complete sentence)
2 min jog at moderate pace (should be able to talk but not totally comfy to do so)
1-2 min sprint
1-2 min speed walk or mellow jog (can talk pretty comfortably)
2 min sprint
2 min jog at moderate pace
1-2 min sprint
1-2 min jog at mellow pace
1-2 min sprint
1-2 min jog at moderate pace
etc...
Repeat up to 30 min, but not necessary to exceed 30
5 min cool down...moderate walk

The intervals make my workout more enjoyable...keeping me on my toes! It goes by so fast and it's much easier to motivate knowing I only have to spend 20 min to keep up my cardio health.

As long as you are REALLY pushing it to the limit when you're doing the intervals, you will absolutely see results. Try doing 4-12 intervals, depending on your level of fitness.

p.s. Pick up the weights already, ladies! Think about it - the people who are typically lifting weights in the gym are often fit, and those who you see always just doing cardio are typically trying to lose the extra lbs. So...time to do squats, lunges and bicep curls if you really wanna see fab fitness results and be good to your bones!

My Guilty Pleasure...

2011-02-18T17:31:00.000-08:00

All Saints 2011...a total obsession. The cuts, tailoring, fabrics, quality...Bohemian chic meets rock prepster. The perfect collection is born. Some of the best pieces of my wardrobe are from All Saints...style for everyone. I've included photos below of my "wish list" :)

p.s. this is where i got my favorite pair of shoes ever about 2 yrs ago...motorcycle boots that have traveled everywhere with me. Love...

Good morning...

2011-02-17T08:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, so just about everyone on the planet has seen this video, but I thought I'd start my day by getting a dose of inspiration...and wanted to share it. Even if you've seen it before, the Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech is one worth watching whenever you want to feel inspired.

Enjoy the gorgeous day while it lasts!!

xoxo

The cost of living...

2011-02-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

I rear-ended a truck on a busy street this morning. Whoops. Fortunately, I was only going about 10 miles an hour so there were no injuries...and the other driver's car was fine. Unfortunately, though, my Prius didn't get away as easily...the entire front is going to need to be replaced.

Unlike how I've reacted before when this has happened (yep, it's happened multiple times...I am a terrible driver!) the tears didn't immediately well-up in my eyes, and I didn't feel a pit in my stomach. I was calm and oddly uneffected. I sincerely apologized to the other driver, looked at my car and shrugged. Yeah, it's going to cost a pretty penny to fix it...but it really didn't phase me. I was just so relieved that it wasn't worse.

Many thanks to what my dad told me growing up, I was able to just get back in my car and go on without letting it ruin my day. Whenever something bad happened when I was younger, I would go to my dad, typically crying, and as long as it's not something to do with life & death, he's always comforted me by saying:

"Well, that's the cost of living. Stuff like that happens to everyone. It's ok"

"It's not cancer. You'll be ok."

Both comments quickly put everything into perspective. When I looked at the damage of my car, knowing it could have been worse (injuries), I immediately thought to myself, "this is just the cost of living."

So, as I drove away from the scene, with a crunched-in front bumper missing the Toyota emblem, I just thought...it's an absolutely gorgeous, quintessential So-Cal day and I'm not gonna let a little fender bender get in the way of enjoying it.

Happy Saturday!!
xoxo

The beauty of an Old Soul...

2011-02-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

Growing up, we've all heard the term "old soul." I had never really found myself using it to describe anyone, though, until I met my husband almost 10 years ago. For the first time, I could truly identify with the words and what they meant. It quickly became clear and is always how I first describe him...for he is, without a doubt, an old, wise soul who has lived many, many lives. While it was after meeting my husband that I first recognized the meaning of this, he was not the first old soul who had been part of my life...he was just the one who made me aware.

I'm not about to launch into religious or spiritual blabber...but it just seems that lately, more than ever before, it's become so clear that there are those who are born with an energy and wisdom from a time before. I, unfortunately, am not one of them. I am full of all things that I believe a "young soul" is guilty of - dramatic, hyper-sensative, and always on a quest to be a better person and more effectively communicate with those around me, just to name a few!

I truly believe that, if you're very lucky, you are connected with people who have lived an enriched existence - they have an understanding of "who they are" at a young age, and they can see situations from all sides, not just their own. They know when to speak, or when to say nothing at all. They are peaceful, gentle and very thoughtful about all that they do. Old souls see the "big picture" and often have the ability to be present more than the rest of us. They articulate themselves in a calm and effective manner, they do not judge or criticise, and are never hot-tempered. They are not insecure and accept all, or most, of who they are - thankful for all they have.

These people are gems. They are our mentors. They are here to help put a mirror in front of the rest of us so we become aware of how to become a better person...to continue the cycle of learning from our mistakes, and developing into stronger, wiser souls.

I believe many of us encounter very few old souls in our life. We need to embrace those who create positive energy in our lives, rather than to succumb to others who create toxicity. I know I'm incredibly fortunate, for I have, without consciously knowing, surrounded myself with teachers of life. It is because of these people that I'm constantly on a quest to learn, grow and give back.

I've never been particularly religious, but one thing I know from my interactions with others over 31 years...we come back after it all ends. Not as ourselves, and possibly not even in a human form...but I truly believe that some people are born wiser and more thoughtful than others. And I count my blessings that I know so many of those beautiful souls.

Continued quest for flooring...

2011-02-06T08:36:00.000-08:00

So, we are still considering all options for new flooring in our main living areas...and, after getting numerous quotes from various vendors and working on convincing Matt that the "hay" smell goes away within a few weeks, our top contender right now is seagrass. Basically, it would be the perfect in-between...hardwood floor meets carpet. I'm seeing this much more frequently lately in my endless search through design blogs & magazines, and it's really starting to grow on me. It looks fresh, clean and organic...and really goes well with almost any design style.

Here's some photos from the latest issue of Lonny Mag (love) to give you an idea of the "look"...

Smooooooothie...

2011-02-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

I've been comparing smoothie recipes with a few friends, and I just thought I'd post ingredients for my ultimate YUMMY smoothie. Matt and I both look forward to starting our day with this delicious treat...I promise you will be more than satisfied :)

Serves 2

1 Cup fresh strawberries
1 Cup frozen or fresh blueberries
1 Banana
1/2 Cup organic OJ
1/2 Cup almond milk
1/2 Cup lowfat milk (or do full cup almond milk if vegan)
Protien powder - my favorite is Biochem Vanilla (Whole Foods, Mother's Market)
1 tbsp coconut butter (NOT oil - it comes in a jar similar to peanut butter, avail @ Whole Foods, Mother's)

And...supplements:
2 tbsp of Flax Oil
2 tsp of Spirulina - superfood full of antioxidents, like eating multiple servings of veggies

Optional but GREAT for super nutrition:
1 Cup frozen broccoli
OR
1 Cup fresh spinach

The coconut butter & flax oil create a super creamy & yummy texture. I blend for at least 30 sec - 1 min to really get everything mixed with no chunks. You can't taste the veggies at all - they just change the texture a bit, and you can expect a funky-looking green drink...but it's so tasty!

Also - the protein powder makes a big difference, so even though Biochem is not cheap, it's totally worth it - the best quality - type of protein and high concentration with lower calories. And it tastes the best!!

Enjoy...xoxo

The power of a hug...

2011-02-04T08:11:00.000-08:00

I was watching the Today Show last week (can't start my day without Matt, Meredith & Ann!), and they were featuring a couple of "relationship experts." They ran through some of their top tips to maintain a healthy, strong connection with your significant other, and I found one point to stand out amongst the rest.

Hug your partner for at least 30 seconds a day.

I love this. So simple yet studies show it can create huge impact on the success of a relationship. Matt & I have always been very affectionate toward each other, and hugging has been part of saying good morning and good night for us, every day. Without realizing it before, I can now see how significant this simple action can be in a relationship - whether with your partner, children, friends - hugging creates a positive chemical reaction that increases our connection to others.

So, be sure to hug those you love whenever you have the opportunity - actions speak louder than words!!!

Have a beautiful Super Bowl weekend!

The Formula...

2011-01-31T08:42:00.000-08:00

Alrighty...more skin stuff...I think I've finally figured it out, though! After years of personal research and trying almost every product I could get my hands on - natural & chemical - I believe I finally have the anti-aging formula. At least, this is what makes my skin look its best...

SUNSCREEN - spf 30+ every single day - ideally should contain Zinc Oxide 6% or more. DeVita is a luxurious natural product that adds great moisture, and Clinique City Block spf 40 is another good one, although not all-natural.

MOISTURE - it's amazing what a difference I see in my fine lines when I use a fabulous moisturizer under my sunscreen. My favorite is Josie Maran's Argan Oil. I did an experiment this weekend where I looked at my skin with basic moisturizer and then used the Argan Oil and there was a substantial difference - fine lines were instantly reduced and my skin had a fresh glow. Love that stuff!

DIET - we all know it, but for years, I had hoped I could try to make my skin look great while still indulging in my favorite sugary goodies (anything baked - cookies, brownies, cupcakes). Nope. There is almost an immediate difference in my skin when I fill my body with treats. After only a few days of going on a no-sugar (or any processed foods), high omega fatty-acids (fresh salmon, flax oil or fish oil) and lots of antioxidents (fresh berries, kale, spinach) the creases in my forehead disappeared...seriously. Who needs botox!?! You just have to be super disciplined in what you eat...which, for most of us, can pose quite a challenge. But at least before an event or big night out, try doing the no-sugar, heavy omegas/antioxident rich diet for 5-7 days...I promise you will see a difference! The power of diet is pretty incredible. Oh, this also includes absolutely NO alcohol...not even a sip of red wine :(

Like most people, I find Gisele to be absolutely stunning...and what makes her more than just a gorgeous face, is that she is at the forefront of whole, balanced living. She's even created her own all-natural, organic skincare line - Sejaa (I haven't tried it yet), and also maintains an all-organic, fresh, nothing processed, low-sugar diet...and of course is an avid exerciser & yogi.

While no skincare regimen will actually make me look like Gisele (darn!), I've really never seen much of a change in my skin until I followed everything listed above. If you try it, I'd love to hear your results. I actually think you can see a difference in just a few days...so try it for 3-4 days first, and see what you think!

Have a great week! xoxo

An oldie but goodie...

2011-01-21T10:32:00.000-08:00

I picked up an old book earlier this week...it had been sitting comfortably on one of our shelves for years...something I read ages ago. It is such an easy, inspirational read, I knew I'd want to take time to enjoy it time and time again...and right now is one of those times.

If you don't have this in your collection already, it's definitely one to add...

Have a beeeeeaaauutiful weekend...xoxo

Wedding Chicks...

2011-01-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

Our wedding photos were featured on Wedding Chicks today, courtesy of Joielala Photographie!

A day late...dose of inspiration

2011-01-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

I recently signed up for Twitter...perhaps not something I would normally do on my own, but seeing that I am now working in marketing, I have to be on top of all of this uber-connecting, all-too-revealing social networking stuff! Considering I barely use Facebook and, even though my blog has been up for a year, it's still in it's infant stages when it comes to design & technology, there is quite a learning curve for me! I think I've been a bit resistent to all of this (now I understand why it took my parents soooo long to learn how to use a cell phone!)...but it's a New Year, new job and new beginning, so I'm jumping in.

I wantd to share a "tweet" (is that really what they're called?) from one of the only people I follow so far...Ann Curry (love her!!). In the spirit of Martin Luther King, and although I'm a day late, Curry quotes MLK:

"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase."

Quite profound. Something I am going to remind myself of throughout this year...

Have a beautiful day!!

xoxo

More Josie Maran cosmetics...

2011-01-11T17:20:00.000-08:00

Another Josie Maran product that I recently started using...and loving...her tinted moisturizer, SPF 30. It's totally fab...feels yummy on your skin...uber moisture...and is light, but enough, coverage. Great for everyday (although you might need to dust a little powder over to avoid shine, depending on skin type). And, as mentioned in my last Josie-post, her entire line is 100% natural, organic, vegan...no toxins or icky stuff! She is so rad.

Pick up on your next trip to Sephora or online here.

Finally here...

2011-01-11T16:32:00.000-08:00

Hello friend. So...I can't believe it's January. Most of my last year was spent wondering what it would be like to be here. It always seemed so far away. 2010 was a dramatic & turbulent rollercoaster full of my highest highs and lowest lows, creating the biggest changes in my life...setting me up for where I am today. I just can't believe it's a reality...will somebody please pinch me?!

I'm starting 2011 in an entirely new position with my long-time (amazing) employer. After spending 9 years in sales (which is something that I just totally fell into in my early 20s and have always known it wasn't going to be my 'forever' career) I have now basically started all over again...doing marketing & events.

This position was born early last year...shortly after I resigned from my job. Yep, I quit. I had suffered through a miscarriage, and it took me through an incredible spiral of emotions...leading me to hold onto one thought - there is purpose in this. There is a reason this happened to me. I need to learn something from this in order to make sense of it all.

For me, that purpose was a wake-up call, telling me to slow down. Smell the roses. Live what I love. Enjoy what I do everyday. Be challenged. Be creative. Do what comes naturally to me. Create positive change.

Well, after numerous meetings, conference calls and emails, my incredibly supportive and generous employer offered me a position I couldn't turn down. They listened to what I wanted to do next in my career (be more creative...get far, far away from sales...write...) and they saw it as an opportunity to utilize my experience and interests in an entirely different way. The best part....drum roll please.......I work from home on a part-time schedule!! I go into the office for 5 hours every Wed but otherwise here I am...sitting at my new fab white lacquer desk (love!!), learning a new side of the biz, constantly being challenged. I am basically starting all over again. It's totally crazy. But totally good, too.

The only catch...because I'm working from home, and I'm really enjoying what I'm doing, I'm actually working a lot more than what I thought I would be. In fact, I can't stop working!! New ideas & thoughts are constantly nagging at me...and there is always one more follow up call to make or one more email to write. Don't get me wrong - I'm totally not complaining. But it's just funny that I'm working harder now than I did all last year (shhhh!). The difference though - I'm loving what I'm doing. And that's all that matters. Of course, there is a substantial financial difference in my new position...but let me tell ya, doing something you enjoy is soooooo worth having to tweek your lifestyle a bit.

Not sure how this year is gonna go...but so far, so good. I hope you are enjoying whatever it is that you might be doing...and I hope this year brings you happiness, passion & success in all that you do.

xxoo

In Balance / Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T17:47:00.001-08:00

Wow. 2011 is finally here. I started writing this blog with so much focus on my "big" transition and what this year would bring...and here we are. It feels good. Although, I don't think it all sunk in yet...but I'm feeling quite present lately. Perhaps that's a start.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I was just reading a page that I had torn out of my December issue of Body & Soul magazine a few weeks ago, and I wanted to share...it's a thought-provoking exercise that I am going to sit down and do as soon as I'm done here :)

It's called The Year-End Review and B&S writes that it's an "annual tune-up when we bring awareness to our lives." Just some stuff to think about while sipping some yummy hot tea, relaxing...

The Past Year:
How have you spent your time (where do I begin!?!)? What were you grateful for (everything. this past year was an incredible one)? What were your sorrows and disappointments and how did they change you (oh geez...here comes my sob story. and yet I am so grateful for all that happened...changed me so much)? What books, films, etc moved you (hmmmm, books...well, let's move onto movies...The Grocer's Son. Best foriegn film I've ever seen and inspired so much of our honeymoon through Provence)?

The Present:
How are you different from the way you were a year ago (ah...let me count thy ways...beginning with the fact that I am starting my career all over again in an effort to find passion in what I do!)? How can you integrate the lessons of the past year (oooh, so much!)? Is there anything you're trying to force in existence right now (yes, new hardwood floors, please!)? If so, what would happen if you stopped (I'd have to settle with my current floors, which just isn't going to do! just kidding....)?

The Future:
What do you want to focus on in the coming year (being present. being happy. being grateful. being comfortable and content. being the best person i can be - for myself, my family, my friends, my community & my environment. loving what i do everyday, and doing it with good intention. making a positive difference in someone elses life.) ? If you could sum up your desires and longings in one simple statement spoken from the highest aspect of yourself, what would it be (woah, this one is gonna take some time...!)?

B&S instructs that when you are finished writing, don't look at it until next year. This is not a New Years resolution - it's an anti-resolution. We imagine we have to make things happen, but when we're clear about what we love, those opportunities come unbidden.

Ok...now time to really sit down and think about my answers to all of these inspirational and thoughtful questions....

xxo

Continued inspiration...

2010-12-29T10:07:00.000-08:00

I was scrolling through one of my favorite interior design blogs this morning - Desire to Inspire - and came across this amazing home...which is giving me more inspiration to make some big changes at our house soon!! We are seriously considering putting in new hardwood floors, doing gray grasscloth along at least one or two walls, and painting our kitchen cabinets white to give it a "fresh" facelift. I love white kitchens...

Stay cozy!!!

xox

A Happy Place...

2010-12-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

Happy day-after Christmas! Hope you had a lovely time with family &/or friends. Our holiday weekend has been great so far...although I think the combination of the delicious, very rich Indonesian feast that Matt's mom cooks every Christmas (such a special treat!), paired with the 3 homemade mocha cupcakes (thanks Lynne!) and bottomless mimosas have made me a little slow-moving this morning! But as always with wonderful holiday festivities, it was totally worth it.

So, in an effort to push off going out for a run, I jumped online to check out the latest Lonny Mag (holiday issue) to look at photos of one of my favorite homes. Interior designer, Eileen Kathryn Boyd, has basically created my dream abode...gorgeous hardwood floors, warm gray grasscloth walls, white furniture and pops of color & textures everywhere. Thought I'd share what I hope our home will someday become... :) Oh, and I love how she is a very successful designer, yet she still knows a great deal when she finds it...some of her furniture is from IKEA!

Have a beautiful Sunday!

xxoo

Model beauty...

2010-12-20T13:58:00.001-08:00

On my continued quest to find the best 100% natural, organic skincare products that actually create a positive difference in my skin, I recently came across another fabulous line...and it's accompanied by a fantastic makeup line too!

Model Josie Maran started her collection, Josie Maran Cosmetics, with a "meaningful commitment to eliminate carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxins from personal care products." And her line rocks!!! I recently started using her Argan Oil (used by Moroccan women for centuries) and LOVE it! Super moisturizing, I put it on morning and night and my skin feels soooo good. Makeup goes on smoother too.

Only $14 for a bottle at Sephora...a great stocking stuffer or gift for a girlfriend!

xoxo

p.s. stay cozy in this crazy weather!

Back to basics...

2010-12-16T16:40:00.001-08:00

Now that the wedding is over and I can risk skin irritation, I have ventured back into my neverending attempt to find the ultimate skin care line that truly unveils soft, youthful, glowing skin...along with being 100% natural & organic. I thought I'd write about this again (follwing a post I did months ago) because I happened to be out shopping at lunch today and I ran into a friend of mine who I haven't seen in almost a year...and she kindly said I looked "refreshed and relaxed." That could partially be due to having the "newlywed glow" but I also have to give some credit to the skin care I've gone back to using the last few weeks (I had switched to more clinical skincare before the wedding because my skin started wigging out after a facial-gone-wrong!).

Of course, there are a ton of products that claim "natural" and "organic" but the reality is that they might have some of those qualities but might not actually be 100%, still full off harmful toxins and chemicals...so, after being a Sephora-junkie for years, and switching most of my products to all-natural, when possible, I have found my #1 when it comes to moisturizer and a daily sunscreen.

DeVita

DeVita - their products are awesome. Plain and simple. All natural, 100% parban free, PETA certified, vegan cosmecueticals. Not necessarily inexpensive, but comparable to a lot of the other products many of us use...and worth every penny. My skin feels so soft and moisturized (and very protected!!) when I use their Solar Protective cream. And...you can pick it up when you do your grocery shopping! It's sold at Whole Foods, Mother's Market and many other healthfood/natural stores and online retailers.

Two other very natural & noteworthy lines that I love...

Josie Maran - I've just started using this lovely supermodel's Argan Oil and bought her tinted moisturizer, mascara and eyeliner - all available at Sephora. When it comes to make up, as I continue to run out of my conventional products (Laura Mercier, MAC, etc) I'm going to try and switch everything over to Josie's "green" line.

Ole Hendricksen - their spa in Hollywood is fabulous...currently using their antioxident rich night serum and my skin soaks it up!!

Trip of a lifetime...

2010-12-08T10:37:00.000-08:00

To top off the wonderful wedding festivities, Matt and I decided to take an extended honeymoon - spending 3 wks traveling through northern Spain, southern France and northern Italy. Here are a few of my favorite photos from our journey abroad... (not in the order of our trip)

Ahhh, Venice...we spent our last 3 nights here and it was INCREDIBLE. I can't wait to go back. I think going in October (rather than in summer) made it truly amazing...fewer tourists, beautiful Fall weather and just absolutely gorgeous everything.

Southern France...we fell in love with Provence. The colors, landscape, vineyards, architecture...driving across the country through rolling hills. Magical.

Lourmarin, France below...probably my favorite place in Europe. So, so small...we were one of very few tourists. Somewhat "hidden" gem, a bit of a drive from anywhere else. Tucked away in the hills...

Gordes, France below...another gem that we literally stumbled upon when driving through endless hills and vineyards...it just appears as you come around a corner. Matt and I were totally blown away...a secluded ancient village...so beautiful and peaceful. The following photo is of one of our favorite places that we stayed - a charming and gorgeous villa in St. Remy, and the last picture is driving through St. Remy...the trees are amazing!!!!

Tuscany...another unforgettable part of our journey. Much like Provence, a magical place...

The never-ending vineyards and olive groves...this is the property of one of the villas where we had the pleasure of staying.

San Sebastian, Spain...a "must" for anyone traveling to northern Spain. Very small, old fisherman's town. The architecture here was like nothing I'd ever seen...breathtaking.

Biarritz, France...and our fab, modern B&B. Did Jonathan Adler make his way here???

Monaco, below...just a quick stop through on our way from France to Italy...but it was one of the most beautiful days during our travels. Warm, cozy...quite a site to see.

Bilbao, Spain...the Guggenheim. Totally worth taking a day-trip here if in northern Spain to see the museum...unbelievable.

We can't wait to go back!!! If you ever need any input re: hotels, trains, eats, must-see's in any of these regions, please don't hesitate to reach out! We stayed in some AMAZING places during our travels and I'd love to pass along details.

xox

Our Lovely Day....

2010-12-06T15:51:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to our wonderful families for making this beautiful day possible...and to our fabulous photographers and close friends, Taryn Kent & Scott Chebegia who did an incredible job capturing our lovely day. It was perfect. Here are some of my favorites in no particular order...xoxo

My parent's succulent-filled backyard...where it all happened! To the left is the arbor...overlooking the pacific ocean. Can't imagine a more beautiful place to have married the man of my dreams.

Grandma Christensen's bracelet and clutch...timeless and so, so special.

Taryn!! So glad we got a pic together :)

I LOVE our florist. Thank you for creating my vision, Paula!! xoxo

My parent's front deck, Laguna Beach.

Homemade sangria...YUMMM!

Words of Wisdom for the Happy Couple....our guest book.

Random house but we loved the white picket fence.

The girls...

I stoll a kiss after Matt finished reading his vows...I couldn't help it! They were sooooo sweet!

Matt & his bro...I love this photo...classic.

My wonderful mother-in-law, Janette, made this darling wedding sign for us...

Nothing better than a gorgeous man in a gorgeous suit.

Tissue poms and globe lights...my favorite addition to any event!

Best cake EVER!!!!!! I think I'm the only bride who helped herself to seconds before passing to guests!

It's official!!

I really really really want an excuse to wear this dress again...hmmm.

Our rings...from Brilliant Earth in San Francisco...all ethically & sustainably mined jewelry. Such personalized service...love them.

The boys...

First dance...the only time I cried.

My bouquet...again :)

The "party" necklace...thanks LB xo

Our engagement photo above...

And they lived happily ever after...

No More Dirty Looks...

2010-11-30T14:40:00.000-08:00

I stayed home from work today...been fighting off a bug for the last week and it finally got the best of me. I was still up early as usual and started my day with The Today Show, as I often do. There was a great segment this morning featuring two women who, after a couple years of research, wrote a book to "expose" the harmful chemicals and toxins that our everyday beauty products contain. Well, considering I'm a Sephora-junkie who, along with combatting signs of aging and experimenting with every self-tanner ever known to man, I also want to be as natural as possible when it comes to all products I use on myself and in my home, this segment was a must-see for me...both fascinating and informative.

As soon as I'm healthy, I'm going out to buy the book! In the meantime I've been exploring their blog, which is great, too!

NO MORE DIRTY LOOKS: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetic is an exciting new book from journalists Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt.

Note from their website: "Your lipstick. Your nail polish. Your conditioner. Most of us don’t realize that the products we use every day can expose us to thousands of chemicals that are readily absorbed through our skin. The impact on your health? It’s not pretty. In this must-read new book, Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt leave no bottle unturned. They found out all kinds of things the cosmetics industry doesn’t want you to know, and now they’re going to share it with you." - Courtesy of http://www.nomoredirtylooks.com/

xox

A Healthy & Savory Side Dish...

2010-11-24T09:02:00.000-08:00

Matt and I love the food at a local Mediterranean restaurant, and my favorite dish is their scrumptious spinach & garbanzo beans. I know, it doesn't sound like anything fab, but let me tell ya...it's such a delicious treat and it goes well with almost anything!

As I am getting more comfortable with experimenting with new recipes, I decided to try and make the dish at home...and, much to my (and Matt's) surprise, it actually turned out almost as good as the restuarant version! Plus...I think I used a little less oil & salt, so it's even a bit healthier :)

Thought I'd share the recipe because it's sooooo easy, only takes about 10 min to prep & cook and would be a fantastic side dish for Thanksgiving or any other day!

Serves 4

1 bag fresh organic spinach

1 can no salt added (or low salt) organic garbanzo beans

4 cloves of garlic, chopped

Red pepper flakes

Salt & Pepper

Garlic powder (optional)

2 tbsp olive oil (I recommend using really good organic extra virgin olive oil - Whole Foods has good options)

1/4 cup slivered almonds (optional)

Saute garbanzo beans in 1 tbsp olive oil for 3 minutes over medium heat in large pan.

Add 4 cloves of chopped garlic, a dash of red pepper flakes, salt & pepper and a pinch of garlic powder (optional).

Saute another 6-8 min, until garbanzos soften a bit and allow them to absorb the flavors.

Add fresh spinach and drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, add another sprinkle of salt & pepper over spinach and saute together with garbanzos until spinach wilts (about 1-2 minutes).

For a little crunch and additional health benefits, add slivered almonds during last minute of cooking.

Immediately remove from heat and onto serving dish. It's also great to serve over brown rice & tofu for a complete meal :)

*this photo has raisins in it, which could also be a fantastic addition!

ENJOY!!!

To Gobble...or not to Gobble?!

2010-11-23T14:50:00.000-08:00

I was on the treadmill this morning, happily starting my day with a dose of the Food Network (a great way to multi-task...cooking tips & working out all-in-one!) and I was watching a special on Thanksgiving, specifically on preparing a turkey (considering I will never be making a turkey, i have no idea why I kept watching??). They were poking and prodding this lifeless, plucked, rubbery thing, and it was enough to make my stomach turn. And then, as the chef was talking about the turkeys and what it meant to be a "young" one, he simply stated - "they are the turkeys who are 18 wks or less before going to market."

Going to market?! All I could think was...ok, to avoid making it a "reality" that each bird is slaughtered, often under awful circumstances, he used the phrase, "going to market" so that no one would visualize what really happens to these intelligent animals. I found that quite interesting. As I have continued to pursue a path of pescatarianism (did I make up that word?), my philosophy has become - if I couldn't kill it myself, then I won't eat it. I think we often look at things like "out of sight, out of mind." But that doesn't mean that it, whatever "it" may be, didn't happen. Just food for thought :)

I don't mean to sound preachy or that I judge those who indulge in meat & poultry - I completely embrace that this is just my own personal choice. I know most of my friends and family will blissfully be enjoying their stuffed turkeys this Thursday, and I was right there with them up until just a couple yrs ago...but this was just something that was on my mind, and I figured I'd share.

Someday, when I get a few more years of cooking under my belt, I am going to host the first ever Christensen/Singley vegetarian Thanksgiving. Easier on the environment, easier on my conscience, easier on our bellies, easier on our hearts...why not?! With the help of Alicia Silverstone's FABULOUS vegan cookbook, The Kind Diet, I'm confident I can make a delicious Thanksgiving feast to remember!!

p.s. this also makes a great gift...you don't have to be a vegan to enjoy Silverstone's tasty treats and scrumptious savories like fried rice, artichoke dip, mixed berry cheesecake, cornbread stuffing and chocolate dipped shortbread cookies!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! xoxo

Art found in photos...

2010-11-21T09:28:00.000-08:00

Here's another pic of my latest decorating inspiration. I love filling our house with photos of our special memories throughout the years, but I've found it can be challenging to display pictures in a way that actually adds to the home decor, like art...the shot above does an awesome job of doing just that.

Surprisingly, the photo is from Pottery Barn...not typically the place I go for "hip" decor, but in recent years they have started branching out of their traditional styles, broadening their scope and keeping up with more modern trends. Working on doing something similar in our house :)

Courtesy of Happenstance...

2010-11-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

Since getting back from our honeymoon, I've totally been in another "nesting" phase, and our living room has been my latest must-do project. It's where we spend the most time - unwinding, snuggling, relaxing, socializing, enjoying - our favorite moments of everyday end there.

I was checking out some of the latest posts on one of my favorite blogs - Happenstance (shout out to the lovely Haydee!!) - and saw this fab photo of what my ideal living room will someday look like. I will never stray from the white couch...always a staple in my house (at least until the bambinos come along, but I guess that's what slipcovers are for!)...the hardwood floors are a dream and the pops of yellows & greens against white walls...so fresh. LOVE this photo...thanks for pulling off Lonny Mag & sharing with us, Haydee!

Lourmarin, Provence...a tiny gem

2010-11-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

We came back from our 3 week journey through northern Spain, southern France and northern Italy with an incredible amount of pictures (as I'm sure you can imagine...especially since we had THREE cameras with us!)...so I thought I'd start by sharing a few shots from one of our favorite places - the tiny village of Lourmarin in Provence. It's the most beautiful and quaint town I had ever been to....the architecture, the colors, the cobblestone streets. Picturesque scenery, much like what you see in beautiful foreign films and always dream of going but wonder if you'll ever be lucky enough to see in person. Quiet, charming, peaceful and breathtaking, nestled amongst winding roads full of green rolling hills...you can walk the entire village in about 10 minutes. One of our favorite and most memorable parts of our adventures abroad...

Bliss...

2010-11-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

We did it!!! After 9 years, we tied the knot! I married the man of my dreams and couldn't be happier.

I can't believe it's all over...the wedding, the honeymoon, the excitement, the nerves...the year of planning...now all memories. Very wonderful, happy, beautiful memories (although some a bit fuzzy due to the continued consumption of champagne as the evening progressed!). It couldn't have been more perfect. A few photos below...sneak peek by our fabulous photographer, Taryn (and lucky us, she happens to be one of my best friends!!).

p.s. how cute is my hubby!!!

So happy...

The perfect day...

Provence, Je T'aime...

2010-10-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

I saw the most beautiful video the other day on Green Wedding Shoes and had to share (of course!). It's the most lovely wedding...a blissfully romantic ceremony and reception nestled in the hills of Provence. The architecture...dress...candles...classic car...tradition...dancing...laughter and tears of happiness...all so beautiful. I can't wait for our honeymoon!

http://greenweddingshoes.com/a-french-wedding-in-provence/

And below I've included a photo of where we will be staying during our visit...Domaine des Andeoles. Purched comfortably amongst lavendar fields and olive trees in Luberon, it's a luxury hotel that was designed for relaxation and wellness.

Rehearsal dinner tonight...5 days to go...

xoxo

Miracle worker...

2010-09-23T15:50:00.000-07:00

Since graduating from college, I have found that my immune system has really weakened (oddly, I used to be totally fine the day after we would spend the night staying up to the wee hours, drinking cheap beer, playing Kings Cup - card game - sitting on a floor that had I-don't-even-wanna-know how many germs on it!). Perhaps it was the free spirit that we all had back then that saved us from allowing any stress to pull us down...but as years went on, and I stepped into the real world of managing a career, paying bills, buying a home, and trying to balance everything else that we take on, I found myself getting sick almost every other month during my mid-20s.

That was until a close friend introduced me to what has since become a staple in our pantry...Wellness Formula. It's like a miracle pill! The second I start feeling run down, I pop 3 of the little guys down and POOF! Within 12 hours, I almost always feel back to normal (keep taking until you feel back to 100%).

They sell it at Whole Foods, Mother's Market, The Vitamin Shoppe...and basically any health food or nutrition store. It is WONDERFUL....all-natural herbs, antioxidents, vitamins and minerals that are used in all sorts of medicines wrapped up into one little dose of goodness.

Next time you start to feel achy, tired...run down, sniffly...or just need a little pick-me-up, try Wellness Formula. For best results, take at the very first sign of a cold.

Have a healthy day!!

xox

Runway...

2010-09-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

I saw a rad post this morning on 100 Layer Cake and wanted to share. It's about "wedding guest fashion" and there was a wedding in Palm Springs that seriously had the most chic guests ever! Ah, the style....LOVE. I saw the original post a couple months ago where they highlighted the whole wedding and it was FABulous...I think the bride and groom were from NYC, if I remember correctly. And by the looks of their uber-stylie guests, I think it's safe to assume...

I'm a little obsessed with the first shot....long, pink knit dress...I think Missoni??!!! Gorge...
Oh, and the bottom shot of the darling guy in his blazer and shorts...impeccable.
xo

Showers...

2010-09-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

Less than 4 wks till the wedding...WOW. I really can't believe it's almost here. All the plans, all the decorations, all the decisions...finally coming together!!

The incredibly thoughtful and generous girls at my office threw me a surprise wedding shower this week and it was lovely. They planted gorgeous succulent arrangements for the centerpieces (same as our wedding) and used our colors (yellow, gray and white) in every little detail....even on the darling mini-cupcakes. They ordered lunch from Zinc Cafe which is absolutely delicious gourmet vegetarian food, my fave!! It was beautiful...they truly went all-out...made me feel so special.

My uber-creative co-worker, Michelle, wrapped her gift to me in her own darling artwork...I love it!! I framed it and we will be using it a part of our wedding decor...so special!! It's super simple and just perfect (there is a glare on the pic that created a little shadow on Matt's face when we took the pic).

Happy Friday!!

xoxo

Bride...

2010-08-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

I just love this photo. I pulled it from a blog a few months ago (whoops - can't remember which one!) and put it in my "wedding inspiration" folder...and I was just flipping through all of my photos and had to stop for a moment to enjoy this one...to really take it in.

Perhaps it's just me, since I'm a soon-to-be-bride (which means I'm emotional, a bit neurotic and totally effected by all-things wedding), but this picture evokes such emotion. I find it to be utterly romantic, beautiful, peaceful...and fills me with warmth and happy feelings. A lovely bride, full of excitement and pure bliss, walking into the cozy house packed with her closest friends & family...the sweet aroma of her delicious wedding feast wafting through the air, glasses "clinking" together with endless cheers...voices full of love and laughter taking over every room while the couples' favorite songs hum in the background. Well, at least, that's what I see...

Although the setting is quite different, when I imagine our little garden wedding, I picture it to feel like this. A tad gloomy...cozy & cool...a perfect, crisp Fall day. I can even see a little dampness in the air which I would totally welcome (although if it actually rains more than a drizzle, we are going to be in a sticky situation considering most of the wedding is outside and we don't have a plan B!).

Anywho...we are officially coming up on the "countdown"...6 wks from today. A year that, in many ways has seemed so long, has also gone by so fast. It's crazy how that can be...

Happy Weekend!!!

xoxo

Creative perfection...

2010-08-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

My incredibly talented friend, Taryn, recently posted photos from her trip to Palm Springs a few weeks ago, and I just LOVE them. In case you didn't see them on her website - http://www.photosbytaryn.com/, I thought I'd share....

http://photosbytaryn.com/2010/08/24/a-weekend-in-palm-springs/

The photos make me want to take off to the desert this weekend!! As always, Taryn nails it - composition, color, style - absolutely perfect. Soooo excited that we are lucky enough to have her shoot our wedding!!!

xoXo

Sima G Jewelry - 10% off for friends!

2010-08-21T14:43:00.000-07:00

The lovely Sima G. just wrote me a note saying she would be happy to give my friends & family 10% off any purchase!! So, per my last note, make sure to check her out on Etsy and write "KATIE10" in the note for your discount :)

Happy shopping!
xoxo

A Little Something Special...

2010-08-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

A while ago, I was admiring a necklace that my girlfriend was wearing...the perfect everyday piece...simple and sweet. A dainty chain with a tiny hammered gold disc that drops down, topped off by a sweet little pearl...such lovely detail. And the added touch was the engraved letters on the disc, making it personal and extra special. My friend told me her boyfriend had given it to her for her birthday, and he got it on Etsy (LOVE!!) from jewelry designer, Sima G.

Since then, I have ordered necklaces from Sima G. for myself and my friends, and I have loved everything she has created for me. Each piece is personal, memorable and special...and it truly makes the perfect gift. She engraves in English and/or Hebrew, and her jewelry comes delivered in a little box filled with fresh lavendar, tied with raffia. Perfection. Also, I always receive my order within a week of purchasing and she has fabulous customer service - I just email what customization I want, and she gets back to me right away.

So, whether you need a special gift for a good friend or are looking for a treat for yourself, stop by Sima G's shop on Etsy and check out all of her beaaaauutiful pieces...I'm certain you will find something you love.

Catching up...

2010-08-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

It seems like forever since I've written...haven't really had a moment of downtime in the last week! But here I am, enjoying the gorgeous sunset of an afternoon that was filled with sunshine...relaxing at home, letting the warm rays flood my living room accompanied by a light breeze. It finally feels a bit like summer....ahhhhhh.

I feel great and all is well, but my mind continues to overflow with the never ending to-do list...so much so, that I actually drove away with a pair of brand new shoes on the roof of my car (still in the box, shortly after I purchased them)...and no, unfortunately, I never got them back :( Ho hum, I guess I wasn't supposed to wear them, after all. Someone lucky came up on a fab new pair of pumps!

What's crazy is that with about 7 weeks until the wedding, I'm surprisingly more comfortable, calm and mellow than I've been in the last 10 months of planning. With the amazing support of my mom, I can finally see it all coming together (except I still need to decide on shoes!) and I'm really excited for the day to be here...and for the long honeymoon that follows :)

I'm confident that the next year is going to be a big one for us, and I look forward to continuing to explore what it is that I "want to do when I grow up??" It has definitely been an exciting journey thus far...now onto the next chapter. It's incredible how quickly time is passing by...I need to remind myself, carpe diem!

"Go for it now. The future is promised to no one." - Wayne Dyer

I hope your week is full of unforgettable moments...
xxo

What it's all about...

2010-08-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

I saw a beeeeaaaautiful video yesterday on one of my favorite wedding blogs - Once Wed - and I had to share it because I loved it soooo much! It filled me with happiness and kept me smiling the whole way through. In a way, it puts everything in perspective (when it comes to a wedding and all that is involved)...showing what it's truly all about...surrounding yourself with great friends & family and lots and lots of dancing!! Click on link below...I hope this makes you smile too...

http://www.oncewed.com/32166/wedding-blog/happy-weekend-24/

...and I also want to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to my wonderful friends N & D on their engagement!!!! I couldn't be happier for the two of you!!! Love ya! xoxo

A Dose of Inspiration...

2010-07-30T20:42:00.001-07:00

I've been a little under the weather for the last couple days, so I spent this afternoon nestled on my couch, with my laptop comfortably perched on my legs...while yet another gloomy summer afternoon rolled in (I think the powers-that-be are a little confused as to what season we are in!?!). Unfortunately, in an effort to try and create a form of balance into my life again (between work, wedding, relationships and the everyday tasks that seem to creep up more lately than ever before), I haven't spent much time on my computer when I'm not at the office...so my daily dose of inspiration that was pouring in for months (oh blogs, how i love thee...wedding/fashion/art/interior design/photography) came to a bit of an abrupt halt a few weeks ago.

So as the gray skies continued to thicken, I thought it would be a lovely time to take a peek at some of my faves...and oh, how quickly the inspiration, excitement and love of all-things blogs came back! My friend Brooke recommended I check out a local Manhattan Bch woman's blog - www.beachbungalow8.blogspot.com and I found it to be absolutely adorable!!! Below is a pic from her latest post...and I LOVE it...soooo dreamy. I couldn't imagine a more perfect place to spend an evening with good friends...and good wine. Man, I really want an Air Stream!!! How cool is that??!!

Happy weekend!

xoxox

The Bachelorette...

2010-07-25T10:11:00.001-07:00

I'm a little fuzzy today...head is cloudy, eyes are sleepy and tummy just isn't quite right, but as I think back to what got me here, its all worth the discomfort that often comes with mixing too many glasses of champagne and vino after a long day & night out with the girls. With the wedding seemingly around the corner, it was time to celebrate my official countdown to our nuptials...starting with an afternoon at the spa, which was as relaxing as it was entertaining. Salt scrub and sauna...basically all you gotta say to get me laughing again.

After sipping too many mimosas, enjoying massages (South African??) and unwinding in the comforts of the oversized lounge chairs, we all piled into the locker room to get ready for the next half of our bachelorette celebration...dinner at Petros.

Perhaps I was pleasantly distracted by the fact that I was surrounded by some of my most favorite people in the world, but the night seemed to fly by as the food continued to appear in front of me, and the bottles of wine were neverending. I felt so incredibly blessed sitting there, knowing I was celebrating my future marriage to the man of my dreams, meanwhile endlessly laughing with a table full of my dearest friends - old and new - as we shared memories and stories and all-things that come out after wayyy too-many glasses of wine!

Although we were missing a few dear friends who couldn't make it, I had an ahhhhhmazing day and night with all of the lovely girls that I am so fortunate to have in my life. Can't wait to celebrate with everyone in October!

Time to go try and walk off the headache :)

xXo

Top Picks...Sunscreen

2010-07-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

So, by now y'all know how interested I am in sun-safe rituals and the importance of taking care of your skin. I was recently chatting with a lovely (and beautifully pregnant) friend of mine about top-selling sunscreens and how much hype is around certain brands which, contrary to popular belief, are actually full of nasty, and even toxic, chemicals. Although many brands (Neutragena, Aveeno, Coppertone, Banana Boat and many more) claim they offer the best sun protection and are "safe for baby," the EWG (Environmental Working Group) has actually found quite the contrary. Along with the EWG, my dermo shared with me years ago - always opt for a sunscreen full of zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide - the mineral option for sunscreen - much more natural and a true physical sunscreen (vs the chemical options full of avobenzone, oxybenzone and other icky stuff the penetrates the skin).

I've spent years looking into various options, on a hunt to find the healthiest sunscreens for my skin, meanwhile trying to avoid the white barrier that the best/most natural choices tend to offer (full of zinc and titanium). Here are my top choices, based on data from the EWG and my personal experience...all of which you can find at Whole Foods or Mother's Market, or online. All options below offer both, UVA and UVB protection and are full of organic, mineral ingredients.

Devita - My fave!! I use their age defying moisturizer, sunscreen moisturizer SPF 30, and their solar body sunscreen...all sunscreens are full of zinc, but none leave any white residue!! And it makes my skin feel soft and nourished...LOVE these products!! Great for everyday moisturizer and body lotion.

COOLA - I love this product too! Just started using it, but like Devita, the product is all organic, vitamin rich, super moisturizing and feels great on the skin. It's light and is full of zinc & titanium without the white residue. Great for everyday moisturizer and all other activities.

Jason's - Another great choice full of healthy, mineral ingredients...great for all over body (and at a lower price) although some of their products do leave a heavy layer on skin, so it's not as "moisturizing" as the two above. This product is great for athletes, a long day at the beach and all-over body screen.

California Baby - For all of my prego friends (and my goodness, there are quite a few of you!) this is a fantastic option. Natural, healthy and non-chemical. Ok for sweet baby skin!

Also remember - regardless of if it's sunny, gloomy (like it's been for months now!) or you even if are going to be inside all day, it's still very important to apply SPF 30 everyday...especially on face, neck, chest and hands. Keep covered up and in the shade whenever possible, and don't forget your hat if you are planning on spending more than 30 min outside!

Happy Weekend!

xo

Green Tip...

2010-07-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

When you run your dishwasher, if you only run full loads and don’t pre-rinse dishes before putting them in, you can save 7,300 gallons of water PER YEAR! This total is as much water as the average person drinks in a lifetime. If you hand wash dishes, please turn off the tap while you scrub.

Have a beeeeaaauuutiful Sunday!
xXo

Sharing the love...

2010-07-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

I couldn't believe it when I saw this. All the words I've thought for almost 9 years have been written down by someone else...and I love it. It's sooo beautiful to know that there are others out there who share the same adoration toward the love of their life...

courtesy of Le Love Image

The Miracle Worker...

2010-07-09T17:40:00.001-07:00

I think I have an unhealthy addiction to Sephora. Seriously. Over the past few years, I could probably fill up an entire house with the amount of skin, hair and makeup products I've gotten there! You name it, I've tried it. And after years of washing, slathering, moisturizing, masking and peeling, my favorite little "miracle" product that truly provides immediate satisfaction and is a must next time your skin needs a "pick me up" is Philosophy's Microdelivery Peel. Oh man, it's the best!

I can honestly say that, after countless pricey facials (which I think are totally overrated but for some reason I still go back for more??), it only takes 3 minutes of using this deep exfoliant and my skin looks better than after spending an hour at the spa. The pigmentation is lighter, skin is evened-out, wrinkles are less obvious and it's is softer than a baby's you-know-what! It's aaaahhhhmazing.

And...they have "shop for a cause" - when you purchase certain Philosophy products, 100% of the net proceeds go to charity's including Women's Cancer Research and Joyful Heart Foundation :)

Happy Weekend!
xxo

More Wedding Stuff...

2010-07-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

Further to my earlier post, I put together a basic "idea" of what I'm thinking for our flowers. Unfortunately, I didn't have the billy balls to add to the white floral arrangements to give the "pop" that I want, but it's a start! I soooo wish peonies were in season in October...LOVE them...

Wedding Inspiration...

2010-07-05T11:55:00.001-07:00

Ok. So, I'm still trying to figure out our floral arrangements for the wedding...

I'm set on succulents, billy balls and in-season white flowers...but I'm struggling with the "presentation" of them. Soooo many options...clear glass...white...gray pots...mason jars?? I love soft and romantic (which means glass vases and mason jars)...but then also want to incorporate a more "modern/contemporary" twist that is not as common when it comes to wedding flowers (which would be white vases and stone pots). Incorporating both styles has been a bit tougher than I thought it would be! Decisions, decisions. It's particularly challenging because we have two totally different venues to think of (for our 2-day celebration)...but I'm sure it will all come together fine. Just gotta make a choice and stick with it! Through all of this wedding planning, I have realized I am the most indecisive person ever. Evveeerrr. So many beautiful things!!

Here's some pics of what has inspired me, starting with the most modern down to the most romantic...

Hope you had a lovely holiday weekend!

Green Tip...

2010-06-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

In every two minutes of taking a shower, you use 10 gallons of water. The average person in Africa uses only 4.5 gallons of water per day for drinking, bathing, cleaning and cooking, together. If everyone in US saved just one gallon from daily shower, over the course of a year it would equal twice the amount of freshwater taken from the Great Lakes every day – the world’s largest source of freshwater.

Whenever possible, please take a shorter shower, turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth and turn off the water while you shave.

In the kitchen, do your best to not run the faucet when it's unnecessary - just lightly/quickly rinse dishes (if you have a dishwasher) and don't let the faucet run while you do other kitchen tasks (washing counters, loading dishwasher, cutting veggies, etc).

To rinse fruits and veggies, I usually just fill up a bowl with water and wash them in the bowl - saves gallons of H2O! And then I use the leftover water to feed my lovely little succulents around the house :)

Yummy little morsels...

2010-06-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

Matt and I had a lovely evening last night, spending it BBQing with friends, keeping things mellow.

As I often do (knowing I was going to be with friends who share my passion toward whole living), instead of picking up a delicious pre-made dessert from the market, I spent the afternoon creating "healthy" cookies to share. My taste buds are pretty used to eating little goodies made with whole wheat flour, oats, agave nectar and all other natural/whole baking additions, so I enjoy them...but for many, I'm sure my baked goods would probably taste a bit bland and boring (although, last night, I think even the boys enjoyed!). For those of you who want to make a nutrient rich "goodie" to help curb the sweet craving (without the guilt!), I've included my recipe here. No butter, no oil and no eggs! :)

*I use organic products whenever possible

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cook)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnimon
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt (I use European-style but you can use any plain)
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup honey (or 1/2 cup if you would like sweeter)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet

Mix all dry ingredients, except chocolate chips & cranberries, in a large bowl with a wooden spoon.
Mix all wet ingredients in a separate bowl with spoon - yogurt, agave, honey.
Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
Add cranberries and chocolate chips, stir.

Drop batter by tablespoon-fulls onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake on 350 degrees for 10-12 min. Make sure to not over-bake...they are best when there are just slightly undercooked (which I actually think is the key to almost all extra-yummy baking).

*save energy by turning on oven late in the game...wait until you have prepared both bowls full of ingredients and turn on oven when you are ready to start putting batter onto baking sheet.

Now, keep in mind...I basically make up these recipes (with a little direction from a bunch of "regular" baking recipes I have collected through the years) so these are not "gourmet" by any stretch. They are tasty, nutritious and are great when you just want something a little sweet but without the guilt. The consistency is more of a breakfast-style cookie...similar to a scone but a bit softer and even more dense. Matt enjoys them in the morning with his coffee, and they hit the spot when I need something sweet at the end of the day.

Also, you can add flax seed, almond butter and/or a banana....and even substitute the chocolate chips with walnuts if you want to make it super, duper healthy. I bet you could even add flax oil to the wet ingredients, but I haven't done it yet...

Basically, I just throw in anything that sounds yummy and nutritious. People have always told me that with baking, unlike cooking, you really have to get measurements correct...well, I disagree. When it comes to creating my healthy goodies, I just modify here and there, and it almost always comes out just fine. The consistency might be different and the recipe is always evolving, but they get eaten nonetheless!

Happy Sunday!
xoxo

Green Tip...

2010-06-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

If everyone in America simply separated the paper, plastics, glass and aluminum products from the trash and put them into a recycling bin, we could decrease 75% of the waste sent to landfills. Currently, it takes an area the size of Pennsylvania to dump all our waste each year!

DIY therapy...

2010-06-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

I so admire all of the uber-creative DIY brides who add their personal touch to all-things decor when it comes to their special day. As I endlessly scroll through pages of wedding blogs, there are so many inspirational ideas...it's just a matter of making time (and taking a leap of faith that, maybe, just maybe, there's a chance that I might be able to do a DIY project that actually turns out better than kindergarten art).

So...I decided to give it a try yesterday. And was surprisingly pleased with the outcome...not just creatively, but therapeutically! It was wonderful. I spent a cozy Saturday night painting 5 canvases in our wedding colors - gray, yellow and white - with little groupings of long-stemmed Billy balls. I have to say, it was one of the best Saturday nights that I've had in a while! You know you're getting older when...you enjoy being home, alone, doing DIY projects watching reruns of RHNY more than you would going out on the town. I think I might go over to Michaels today and buy more canvases...for next weekend! :)

Have a lovely week!!
xXo

Happy Friday...

2010-06-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

I was just online purchasing some RIT Dye Sunguard to get my clothes ready for summer, and thought it would be a good tip to pass along, following my skin cancer awareness post a few weeks ago.

This stuff is great...I've used it for years. Along with slathering myself in sunscreen from head to toe when I head out for summer activities, I also add this awesome laundry aid to my wash and it provides additional protection from harmful UV rays, adding SPF to what you wear! I have used it on almost all of my clothes and it's totally harmless to fabrics...doesn't effect the clothes at all other than adding SPF 30, blocking about 95% of rays!!

I have super sensitive skin (and use all-natural, unscented detergents) and Sunguard does not irritate me at all :) Great for kids clothes, too!

It helps make staying sun-safe extra easy and convenient :)

Happy weekend Loves!!

xxo

Writers block...

2010-06-06T15:50:00.001-07:00

Well, it was interesting timing for me to decide to do my mini detox from alcohol, as last night I could have used a gigantic glass of wine more than ever.

I have been working on an essay of sorts - basically a short story that I will be pitching to various publications, hopeful to launch a possible freelance writing career (part of the whole soul-searching thing I've been going through!). I've been working on it for weeks...always a bit uncertain of where I am going with it...until I spent all afternoon on Friday working on it. Voi la! After four hours of vigorously typing, I finally had a finished product that I was proud of and felt confident in sharing with the powers that be. This was my ticket to new beginnings!

Right. Well, apparently I had saved the file incorrectly (there was a lot of computer jibber-jabber that I didn't understand when Matt's tech-smart brother came over to try and recover my beloved), and the file was lost in the black hole of technology. Toast. I couldn't believe it. I finally had a moment of clarity and had written a piece that I was excited to share...page upon page...gone. I was totally devastated. All of my thoughts were wiped away by the simple click - or no click - of a button. I never lost a lengthy term paper due to computer (or human) error during college, so I guess this was finally my slap in the face.

Lesson learned - back up, and then back up again. And again.

Needless to say, I spent the majority of my weekend desperately trying to recover my thoughts that seemed to spill so effortlessly onto the keyboard just a day earlier...now totally cramped in a heavy cloud of writer's block. It was like the files in my brain were erased and nothing has quite come together the same...but I am hopeful that in the end, it will all come together. We'll see. I'm dizzy from looking at a fluorescent computer screen all weekend.

Now I see why my dad loved his typewriter.

xxo

Taking a break...

2010-06-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

Another gorgeous southern California weekend has come and gone...filled with bike rides, blissful beach naps, BBQs...and lots of cocktails. After all, what goes better with a beautiful day at the beach than a refreshing 'cold beverage' to top off one of the last weekends of Spring?!

Well, with summer right around the corner (and the fact that I'm feeling a little slower today which I am certain is due to the over-consumption of cupcakes, cookies and cocktails), I have made a pact with myself that I am going to go until 4th of July without having a sip of alcohol. Basically, a mini-detox.

Now, I must say (to avoid an assumption that I might be misrepresenting myself!) - it's not hard for me to pass on going "big" when Friday night hits...I am way too old (and boring) to rage at the local dive bars, screaming Journey hits at the top of my lungs while my arms fling aimlessly around me. But, part of our weekend ritual always starts with a lovely (and often large) glass of vino...such a nice way to ring in our days off from the grind. I just figured that now is as good of a time as any to treat my body with a little extra love and care (summer & wedding - yowza!) and take a short break.

So...farewell to my friend, and even sometimes my foe (when the headache rings in after a night of catching up with the girls)...until 4th of July, I will be sipping with less satisfaction...but I look forward to when we meet again :)

Anyone wanna do this with me?!?! I might need support...haha!

xXo

Happy Weekend!!

2010-05-29T07:38:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would want a conventional church wedding (we are the outdoorsy type)...until I saw this. Just gorgeous...so glamorous and romantic. They took tradition to a new level.

See the rest of the wedding here...this one is definitely worth checking out!

XxO

Cleaning with care...

2010-05-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

I'm super excited about Martha Stewart's latest launch - Martha Stewart Clean - a complete selection of all natural cleaning products ranging from dish soap, laundry detergent and fabric softener to all-purpose cleaner, carpet spot remover and just about everything else you would need to make your home sparkle - without any toxins or irritants! Sold exclusively at Home Depot, 99% of the ingredients are plant and mineral based with 100% recyclable packaging, so you can imagine how much I love 'em!

Help protect your family and the environment from harmful toxins and irritants and purchase your new cleaning products here.

Happy Cleaning!

xxo

Foggy love...

2010-05-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this sweet wedding on 100 Layer Cake the other day and I just loved the simple beauty of it - using nature as the decor - what's more beautiful that that?! The couple did a two-day event (just like us!) where they hosted a small, intimate wedding for their closest family and friends and then threw a fab dessert and cocktail party for all of their friends at a later date.

The top image was unlike any wedding photo I've seen, and I wanted to share...how romantic is the dense fog rolling in!?!? Such a gorgeous and unique setting...very special :)

Have a lovely day!

xoxo

Skin Cancer Awareness Month

2010-05-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

When I was only 23 I was diagnosed with melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer. On a routine check, my dermatologist found a small, dark un-raised mole on the back of my calf (I had never even noticed it), which she immediately biopsied...only a week later, I was scheduled to have surgery. I was incredibly lucky to have such an aware and thorough doctor - had I not seen a dermatologist when I did, I was told that the melanoma could have spread in a mere two months, which could have been fatal.

I have grown up in sun-drenched Southern California, and for the last 7 yrs I have done my best to help keep my high-risk skin cancer-free, while still enjoying the beach/outdoors, etc. I see a dermatologist every 6 months; each visit often includes at least 3-5 additional biopsies. Although it's a little uncomfortable sometimes, it's a small price to pay to stay healthy! Since my first diagnosis, my dermo has found additional abnormalities that, had they not been removed, could have turned into melanoma.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with 3.5 million new cases every year. 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer, and 90% of these cancers are caused by UV exposure. In an effort to help protect friends and family (and fellow bloggers), I have a list of must-do's in order to take a huge step toward prevention.

1. Apply SPF 30+ everyday - whether you are inside or outside, you are exposed to harmful rays. If you are going to be outside for an extended period of time, you will need a shot-glass of sunscreen to cover your body (most people do not apply enough), and at least a teaspoon on your face (everyday - rain or shine!). Even if your makeup has SPF, you should apply a layer of 30+ sunscreen 10 min prior to putting on makeup.

2. When you are going to be in the sun for more than two hours, be sure to reapply - sunscreen in only effective for the first 1 1/2 - 2 hrs after application. Apply sunscreen at least 20 min prior to sun exposure.

3. Try to avoid direct sun exposure between the hours of 10am-4pm. During those hours, stay in the shade when possible and wear a hat.

4. It only takes one burn as a child to greatly increase your chance of skin cancer in the future - please be sure to cover your little ones in sunscreen every 2 hours when playing outside. Also, little ones should always have a hat on when out between 10am-4pm, covered head-to-toe in sunscreen.

5. Do not ever ever ever use a tanning bed. EVER.

6. Even if you don't necessarily "burn," you are still soaking in damaging UV rays whenever you are in the sun without heavy sunscreen. Plus, UV rays cause all the icky aging signs that, as women especially, we do so much to avoid - and the biggest form of prevention for fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation is simple - it doesn't come in an expensive eye cream or moisturizer - the miracle anti-aging cream is sunscreen!!

7. Sunscreens containing zinc oxcide and titanium dioxide offer the highest protection - always use SPF 30+or higher, and it's best to apply two layers (10 minutes apart) when you will be exposed for more than 2 hours to direct sunlight.

8. The average cotton t-shirts only offers SPF 5, so even though you are wearing clothes outside, you are not actually protected. It's very important to slather on the sunscreen even if skin isn't exposed, if you are planning to be outside for more than 30 min.

Everyone is at risk for melanoma - no matter how dark your skin is, although you might be low-risk, it only takes one irregular freckle or mole - so it is incredibly important to watch any freckles or moles that get bigger, darker or change shape or color. Know your skin and watch for changes.

Going to a dermatologist once a year can save your life! General practitioners might be able to identify an irregular mole; however, they will often overlook so it's very important to see a specialist and go to a board-certified dermo. Melanoma can spread quickly and be fatal, but if caught in the early stages, it is almost 100% cureable - early intervention is key.

For more skin cancer facts, check out The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Happy Weekend!!

xoxo

Easy Eco...

2010-05-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

In an effort to help spread positive goodness to my friends, family and fellow bloggers, I am going to start posting a weekly "green tip" - realistic, simple steps to incorporate everyday that make big changes toward a healthy and happy life - for yourself, your family and your environment :)

Much of the information I will post is courtesy of a book that my insightful and eco-conscious little brother gave me for Christmas a couple years ago - The Green Book.

**Today's Tidbit**

If you have not already, please make the switch to reusable bags!! Whether you are shopping at the grocery store, Target, mall, boutiques, farmer's market...bring reusable bags on all of your shopping trips and help cut down on the one hundred BILLION (yikes!) plastic bags that U.S. households dispose of annually, littering the environment and harming endagered marine life.

Some of your are thinking, "well, I just get paper bags and recycle them." Sorry...still no good. We are cutting down millions of virgin-forested trees every year, destroying natural habitats, and there is a ton of energy used to recycle the paper bags, not to mention the energy used to produce the bags in the first place.

Bottom line - just bring your own bag and take a huge step in lessening your impact on the environment!

Happy Sunday!
xoxo

Le Love...

2010-05-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Le Love Image did it again...heart skipped a beat...