Sugar+Bliss

Two of my favorite things, together in one place. My lovely college suite mate and friend alike has started her own business. If you live anywhere in Arizona, I'm sure you have tried them or are on your way to Scottsdale to get your hands on them. I am in LA and still waiting to get my first bite. However, I can say with confidence that they are wonderful. I am dying for a Red Velvet Cakelette. So head on over to SugarBliss Bakehouse and order up some sweets just in time for Valentine's Day!

Farm Forward

Came across this information from watching an Ellen rerun and just had to share. If you are like me and eat meat but are concerned about your sources, mainly the farms that produce your meat, you must check out this website and this book:

Farm Forward

http://www.farmforward.com/

Eating Animals: By Jonathan Safran Foer

This is something that once you learn about it, you simply cannot ignore. Its a major discussion about the treatment of the animals that are at these "farms" as well as what they are ingesting that is passed on to us. Its not just about the humane treatment of animals, but the environmental effects of the mass production of animals. We need to know what we are putting into our bodies, this is two birds with one stone people! I am personally making the commitment to purchase from those farms that promote free range and humane treatment, Whole Foods is a great source to start!

Most recently, California passed Proposition 2 : The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, a major victory in this battle of educating the public and demanding better quality of life. How many people were horrified by the video the HSUS released showing the abuse of cattle using the back hoe - it seems that people are finally being given access the reality of our current situation. We cannot trust that our food is delivered to us from a friendly farmer in overalls. So do your best to support those farms are trying to do it right!

And there it is...

Off the Grid for a while, I have been enjoying or rather participating in some much needed work training and now I feel a better sense of direction in my new career path. I have been reminded of the value of removing oneself from the "comfort zone." Only when we try something new can we meet the people that come along with it, and I have been incredibly lucky in that aspect. I enjoy expanding my circle and I really enjoy getting to know people you feel like you were always meant to be friends with. Nothing can take the place of your oldest and dearest friend, but sometimes, you never know when your newest friend might be just what you need.

For This Body

I really didn't get to write my thankful post last weekend, partly because I was too busy stuffing my face and watching New Moon and partly because I really wanted to think it over. Like so many, my family is at the top of my list, followed closely by my health and of course, my fur babies. However, I wanted to write on the topic of having gratitude for my body. Kind of strange, but I was watching Oprah (not a common thing) during her "I have gained all the weight back" episode and she said something that stuck. She said, I am grateful for this body, the one that has carried me to this place. The one that didn't give out or give up, but has delivered when I really needed it. Being in a place of insecurity can often bring about realizations in us that we typically take for granted. So I wanted to take this time to reflect on how I got here and why I am so lucky that I get the opportunity to count my blessings.

So I will say thank you to my body for surviving jet lag on multiple occasions, for sleeping on sleepless nights, for being able to still dance until 2am, for making space in my brain when I think I cannot possibly learn one more thing, for not totally killing me when I rock an outfit with 4 inch heels, for never overreacting to a double shot of caffeine, for craving sweets all the time so I am forced to eat them, for always being cold enough to cuddle, for being just short enough that I don't have to buy tall jeans, for being coordinated enough to learn how to play sports, for never getting the flu despite my blatant opposition to the flu shot, and for always reminding me to slow down just when I need it. My body is the only one I will ever have, so it is my intention to be grateful and despite my daily abuse, it still performs for me everyday.

So body, this weekend, I'm going to get you a massage.

Thanksgiving Day

A Picture Worth 1000 Words

Would you buy a home from this woman?

I hope the answer is yes, because I just picked this photo for my business cards and announcements? Yikes, kind of scary to think my mug will be all over this City in just a week or two. (Photo taken by Tracy Cianflone)

The Best Christmas Read Ever!

My favorite femme comedy author is Laurie Notaro - if you haven't read, I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies): True Tales of a Loudmouth Girl it might just be the funniest book I have ever read. (Forget the loudmouth reference) So I picked up her Christmas version, An Idiot Girl's Christmas, and it has not disappointed me yet! This girl kills me... for real, get yourself a copy and get going... you will thank me later.

New Leash on Life

I had to share about this amazing non-profit that I am now involved with. I can't tell you how many organizations have great intentions with none of the follow through, well, not this one. I am so impressed with every meeting, every program and every opportunity I have to work with these amazing people. New Leash on Life is an amazing group of people who set out to education people and save animals all across Los Angeles. As a new member of the Lend A Paw, animal therapy program, we visit schools, hospitals, retirement communities, etc with trained animals that bring inspiration and healing with them wherever they go. I believe in this organization so much that I have made the commitment to donate 5% of my first commission to them so they may keep doing what they are doing. Those of you who may be looking for dogs to adopt or just a good cause, check out their website here and get involved! Below is a photo of Gabi, the dog I use for my therapy visits, I believe she is high-fiving the camera!

28 Reasons

As I approach my birthday in just a few short days, I am reflecting and daydreaming. While 28 doesn't seem that harmful, it does put me one year closer to the dreaded 3-0. I remember thinking to myself that by age 30, I will have accomplished so many of my life goals. And while I believe I have accomplished many of my goals, I never really imagined myself here.

That may sound pessimistic, but its not, I love my life, even if its not exactly how I imagined. The fact that we are pushed and pulled from our course with life's surprises should be a constant reminder that we cannot choose our exact path, we can only aim, work towards it and hope for the best. So these are my targets:

1. Travel, travel, and more travel. I forget sometimes how much I love the adventure of something totally new. I believe in using your passport at least once a year! I can't wait for our Caribbean getaway!

2. Create my own business (of some kind) - whether full time, whether on the side, I just want to be my own boss for at least some fraction of my life. Below is a hint into my new career, I guess that's a pretty big hint.

3. Ride Horses....in any capactiy, just ride. Being with such large and graceful animals has an incredible impact on my mental health.

4. Keep checking off and continue to add to my "While in California, I must...." list. There are still many items on this list. Up next: attend a taping of the Late Show with Conan O'Brian, hit up the Reagan Library and have dinner at the Getty.



4. Stress less. Live more in the moment.

{source}

As a goal oriented person, it is easier for me to get where I am going if I have created some stepping stones. Some are vague, some are specific - but I better get to it, not a moment to waste :)

Tale of a Fisherman

I am reading my version of a motivational book in Timothy Ferriss's 4 Hour Work Week. Not only is he funny, but he's got this totally realistic view on the shift in priorities for our generation. He discusses time versus money and how we should live our life with an emphasis on learning. It brought to the forefront many of my issues with my current status and helped me fling myself into my future. Check out this excerpt of the story of the fisherman:


An American businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.

“How long it took you to catch them?” The American asked.

“Only a little while.” The Mexican replied.

“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The American then asked.

“I have enough to support my family’s immediate needs.” The Mexican said.

“But,” The American then asked, “What do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, senor.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds you buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.”
“Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own can factory. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then, senor?”

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO (Initial Public Offering) and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

“Millions, senor? Then what?”

The American said slowly, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos…”

Love it.

Team Jeff

After finally getting around to watching my DVR'd episode of Bravo's Flipping Out Reunion - how obvious is it that Ryan was totally being shady behind Jeff's back? I'm totally on team Jeff and not just because I find him hilarious or talented... mostly because I find him to be sincere, especially in the wake of being betrayed by close friends. Sorry Ryan, you are SOL this season.

Oui, Oui - Birthday Wish #1

This fabulous Dior ring has been on my list since I walked by it in the window of a shop in Nancy during my trip to France. It stopped me in my tracks. What a perfect reminder of my time in the land of wine and cheese, besides the 5 lbs I finally got rid of.

Dior "Oui" Ring

Finding the Holiday Spirit

For the last few years, it has been my job to inspire others into the Holiday spirit. And an odd thing has happened in that process, it zapped all my energy for finding my own. Not for lack of trying, but I feel as if I didn't get to experience my own version of the holiday festivities, as I was busy backstage making sure Santa showed up on time and the elves were in place. So this year, I fully intend on lingering in my own version of holiday spirit, this includes:

drinking lots of spiced cider

wearing a scarf on a regular basis,

ice skating,

attending a tree lighting

(or possibly getting my first real married couple tree)

And of course, plenty of Christmas Shopping, am I the only one who likes the mall during the holidays? Christmas music and decorations, lovin it! So here is to my official kick-off, I plan on sharing my many attempts at Holiday Cheer!

To Regret...or not to regret...

The fear of starting a new job is sometimes paralyzing. For those who assume the grass is always greener, you have an optimism that I have never understood. I painstakingly pour over every last detail of both my current existence and my proposed upgrade. I heard some great advice recently. Do not make your decision based upon your fear of regret. I realized that many of my decisions heavily weigh on my fear of impulse. As a planner, it is not only my nature but my current job to pinpoint every detail and prepare for it. I micro-manage most processes and the fear of not knowing what I am getting into is literally too overwhelming to comprehend. With that said, I have never gained anything truly life-changing without first risking everything. From moving away for college, departing to foreign lands to marrying the love of my life...the road less traveled is usually always worth it.

So I took the plunge. I chose adventure over routine and freedom of choice over fear of regret.

Baked Pears with Toasted Almonds, Cranberries, & White Chocolate Drizzle

This weekend I am going to try these: As a self proclaimed choc-o-holic, I must admit giving up calories to anything other than full blown chocolaty goodnees seems silly. However, they do make the house smell so yummy. I might substitute the white chocolate for dark, just because!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar2 teaspoons

McCormick® Gourmet Collection Cinnamon, Saigon1 teaspoon

McCormick® Gourmet Collection Nutmeg, Ground1/4 teaspoon

McCormick® Gourmet Collection Cloves, Ground

4 firm ripe pears, such as Bosc or Anjou, halved and cored1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted

1/3 cup heavy cream

4 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

1/2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in small bowl. Place pear halves, cut-side up, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar mixture.

2. Bake 30 minutes or until pears are tender, spooning brown sugar mixture over pears halfway through baking. Cool slightly.

3. Bring cream just to boil in small saucepan on medium heat. Remove from heat. Add white chocolate; stir until chocolate is melted and sauce is smooth.

4. To serve, place a pear half on each of 8 dessert plates. Stir brown sugar mixture in baking dish. Spoon over pear halves. Sprinkle with almonds and cranberries. Drizzle generously with white chocolate sauce. Serve immediately.

Test Kitchen Tip: Stir 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Saigon Cinnamon into the white chocolate sauce.

This recipe was created by Cat Cora, Bon Appetit Executive Chef, for the McCormick® Gourmet Collection.

Coming to California...

Because I can't live without my Top 40, I unfortunately must endure a Mylie Cyrus song on occasion. While I don't understand why she is having a Party in the USA, it reminded me of my first few days living in Los Angeles. First impressions are amazing to look back on, how I was awed by the never ending concrete jungle, the explosion of eye candy, and the beautiful Malibu coast that went on for miles. (27 to be exact). Within the first 3 days of living here, I met my husband and my best friend. I couldn't have known it then, but my life changed forever in those moments. I can't imagine my life without either of those two, and though I have days where I wonder why I live in LA and I scheme up ways to leave, I know that I was meant to land here, in this beautiful mess of a place, even if only for a while.

We don't always know or recognize the exact moment that our life has changed forever. Moving to LA was one of mine.

He's Back!

Dear Garth,

You have been gone too long. We knew you couldn't stay away forever, but it was starting to feel like you would. Welcome back!

ps. do not bring back Chris Gaines, that was weird.

Check out the Big News here!

Swoon...

I have found the one that would be perfect in my new and improved home office. But at $1,499 she shall have to wait. fyi, I'm referring to the charcoal velvet tufted ottoman, not the chandelier.

Something To Look Forward To

We did it! We booked our first Caribbean vacation. I couldn't be more excited to lay on the beach, snorkel with the fishes and drink fruity cocktails. We will be visiting: St. Thomas, St. Marten, Grand Turk and Princess Cays. I realize that we have yet to hit the holidays, but isn't it nice to have something to look forward to....

I'm daydreaming already...

Launch Pad

This is my first post. I write it as I begin to contemplate the next steps in my journey. As a fiercely private person, this is the ultimate challenge. To create a visual journey, to create memories that can be recalled, to repeat the thoughts that plague my mind on a daily basis and hopefully connect with the world in a way I have yet to. This first image just makes me happy, what can I say? How do I get there? Under that tree with a picnic.