Art

Does anyone else out there like interesting artwork? By no means am I a connoisseur or anything but I do like cool looking things around me.

We just moved offices at work, out of corporate world and into the private sector. Which means we can pick out whatever art work we want! So while on the quest to decorate our new office, I found this fantastic artist who uses mix media to create really cool collages. Some of the pieces are on canvas but a lot of them are prints and are really reasonably priced. I am getting a few prints to hang up in my own office.




http://www.michellecaplan.com/

Delicious Margarita Recipe

I have a love hate relationship with margaritas. The idea of them is wonderful, a delicious cold refreshing beverage, makes you dream of laying on an isolated white sand beach somewhere listening to waves crash and feeling the ocean breeze on your skin. So you order one and it tastes like lime flavored cough syrup. Quite a conundrum, really.

Well if you love 'ritas as much me and are always on a quest to find a good one (I do this with caesar salads as well), I have a great recipe. It's refreshing and not too sweet! I am not going to put measurements because everyone likes their parts different so here are the ingredients:

Tequila!! Whoo-hoo!!(insert Vicki from Housewives of Orange County here)
Lime Juice
Lemon Juice
7up (I use diet 7up)
You can put a DASH of triple sec and/or margarita mix (yuck) in it if you desire.

Santé! (that's cheers in French)

Flashback

Remember these little diddies?? How did we ever play with these or think they were cool? Kids these days have it so good with all their fancy toys. I met a little girl who was 6 that had a little electronic toy that was a digital camera, a video game, and an MP3 player! Much better than trolls and slap bracelets.

Handling Your Booze

With age comes wisdom, and how to handle alcohol consumption is one of those things that you learn as you go.

Girls like me like to keep it classy all the time, and that means that you never want to lose control. Now, once in a while a slip up may occur, which is nothing to be ashamed of as long as you can keep your demeanor under control for the most part. Do remember that sloppy drunks are not cool and no one really wants to take care of you to make sure you don’t break your ankle, get in a fight, sleep on a park bench, etc etc.

Here are some things to help keep the wild nights and blackouts to a minimum:

It’s a marathon, not a sprint! You don’t need to drink 5 vodka sodas in 1 hour. You will start to feel sick, you won’t have fun and you will annoy everyone. So drink slow, take your time, enjoy! I like to order tall glasses because it makes the drink last longer. If you drink slowly, you won’t be the first loser to have to go home ;)

Drink plenty of water! Oldest trick in the book. Order a glass of water every other drink or every few drinks to take a little break. It also helps you avoid the dreaded hangover the next day.

Eat something! Don’t drink on an empty stomach. You know you will get wasted and it's just plain stupid. You don’t have to eat a huge greasy meal (common misconception while drinking); even a snack of crackers or fruit will do the trick.


Other tips for successful nights out:

DO NOT DRIVE DRUNK. Cabs can be expensive but the cost is totally worth avoiding a DUI or worse. You know when you have had to much to get behind the wheel, listen to that.

Try to stick to one type of alcohol.

Side note- One sticky situation that I have run into is work dinners. You kind of want to order an alcoholic beverage but you’re not sure if it’s appropriate. Especially if your superior or boss is there. When the server comes over to take your drink order, you can pull the old trick of saying “Hmm, I am not really sure yet” and then turn it over to your superior. If they order a glass of wine, you know the coast is clear. I mean, don’t order a shot of tequila, and keep it a basic drink. I always think a glass of champagne is a really classy and feminine drink to order at work functions.



Cheers!

The Art of Beach Wear

I am sure you've heard the proverb, "Don't judge a book by its cover." OK, well that's that this blog is about, but translated.. a bit.

I am a true believer in loving yourself and if you don't love yourself, you can't truly give yourself to others or truly love anyone else. I know some people don't want to admit it, but part of loving yourself and feeling good is looking good. Some people may say it's VANITY, but it is really true that if you don't care for and take care of #1, how can you for anyone else? Well, part of that is your appearance.

I am a firm follower of looking my best all the time. I won't lie, there are a few hungover Saturdays here and there where I look like I got ran over by a garbage truck. Also a few tired mornings where I don't have time to wear make up. I am only human. But feeling good about yourself and having confidence is the key to success and all around happiness. Which segways into the topic!!

I know it may seem ridiculous to some, but even showing up at the pool without your best foot forward is a tragedy. We already feel self conscious enough in our bikinis, why not have some other "props" for distraction??

Exhibit 1. SHOES- Leave your Reef flip flops at home. Wedges or espadrilles are summery and make your legs look longer! Pretty much anything with a natural/earthy material or color will work by the pool (no stilettos!). Obviously, don't wear heels to the beach (to contradict Katy Perry), there are millions of cute gladiators and other sandals out there. Try www.lulus.com or
www.cutesygirl.com for some great looks at great prices.



Exhibit 2. Jewelry!!! My favorite pool side accessory. I know I am not the only one who goes in from the waste down. Why not dress up the top with cute necklaces, earrings, watches or bracelets (not all 4 together please!!). Nordstrom BP section has some good pool jewelry that you won't mind getting wet.


Exhibit 3. Hats- Fedoras all day long! They look good on everyone and protect your face and scalp from the sun. Not to mention, they never go out of style! How long has Brit Brit been wearing these?!?!?

Exhibit 4. Beach Waves- add some texture to your locks and throw a few curls in there. Don't make it look perfect. The key to beach waves is a little messiness. Try this texturizing spray from Joico. Holds curls and gives you a perfect beachy look.


Exhibit 5. A Cute Cover Up- Juicy, Victoria's Secret, a random dress you have, Target? It doesn't matter how much you spend, just make sure it's not Frumps MgGee and old looking.


Exhibit 6. Sunglasses- need I say more?

PS- The best accessory is a fit body, so try to stay as active and healthy as possible!

PPS- Here's a pic of me in Vegas a few weeks ago. Not a picture of perfection, but just to give you the idea :)

Appetite vs. Hunger (devil vs. lucipher)

Ever have those thoughts of having a snack, even though you just ate a burrito, a pizza and a double double with animal fries an hour ago?

For me, fitness and eating healthy are an everyday battle. But over the years, I have learned little tricks to combat my cravings. In order to beat the cravings, you first have to understand why you are having them.
Sometimes you are physically hungry, which is your body's response to running low on energy. Also, your stomach is constantly creating acids to break down food and when there is no food in there those acids are bubbling up and causing your stomach to rumble. At this point, you should eat!
On the other hand, there is your appetite and this can be very hard to control. People like me (who have a 500lb person deep inside) get pleasure from eating. I think it's a mixture of the taste and the act of doing something (oral fixation?).
The point I am trying to make is that eating when you're hungry is hunky dory, but eating when you feel your appetite flare up is not necessary unless it's accompanied by physical hunger.

I am sure I am not the only one who struggles with this so here are some things I have come up with to try to control my appetite:

1. Do not starve yourself! If you do this you will end up eating everything in sight.

2. Eat snacks. I like to bring some fruit (apples, oranges, grapes), veggies (carrots) or yogurt to snack on during the day if I get hungry or just want something. It's better to satisfy your appetite with something healthy than junk food.

3. Coffee! Some people might disagree but I find it to be a tasty treat. Jenny and I keep a non fat french vanilla creamer at work to make it more tasty. It has been proven that drinking a couple cups a day is actually good for you. It has antioxidants in it, not to mention the help with the productivity at work ;). It also helps you step it up a notch in your work outs.

4. Replace carbs with protein. Protein feeds your muscles, keeping them strong and lean and also keeps you fuller longer than carbs and fats. My trainer suggested to me to have at least 40g per day. Try: hard boiled eggs, GREEK yogurt (it's good with a little honey), chicken breasts and ground turkey.

Hot Trend- Marine Hues

Maybe it's because I live in a metropolitan city that I love to be trendy. It's kind of like a hobby of mine. Living in the city is great too because you can wear trends that are kind of crazy (i.e. wearing feathers the size of peacocks in your hair, thigh high boots, etc) and no one will think you are insane. It seems like people are uber trendy here in SF and it inspires you to have your own style and keep your style evolving. Well I could go on and on about that but let's get to the point!

MARINE HUES- Totally IN, totally HOT! I absolutely love blue in the summer time and these hot colors look great with glowing skin and give you a breezy look. Take advantage now, you won't be able to pull these off once the leaves turn brown!

MUNI Etiquette by guest blogger Jenny

For those of us that are not fortunate enough to have a parking spot downtown and can’t afford to take a cab to and from work everyday, you ride the SF Muni. I would like to first point out that SF MUNI is pretty impressive, running hundreds of buses all over the city on a fairly consistent schedule and a pretty reasonable cost of $2 per ride. After living in a city like San Diego where you need to have a car because the bus system is very unreliable and inconvenient, I have learned to appreciate a city where you can survive with out car, if need be. That being said, I would like to comment on bus rider etiquette rather than complain about MUNI. I realize we live in the year 2010 and women have fought for years to have equal rights, but there are 5 very easy rules that every passenger should follow on a daily basis (I certainly do). If you are not following these rules, you should get off the bus and go back to etiquette school because I see these crimes being committed on a daily basis and it is just not OK.




Stand up for the elderly – This should go without saying. I’m a woman, but I don’t expect a man to stand up for me if there are no seats left to give up his seat. I’m young and athletic and can handle juggling all my bags while holding on for dear life. On the very rare occasion that it does happen however, it really makes a man stand out and the gesture truly makes my day. To those men that stand up for a woman on the bus, kudos to you…you are a rare breed. The elderly, however, can’t stand very well, especially in a crowded, over heated bus where people are pushing each other to get out the doors while the bus driver slams on his breaks every five minutes. I don’t care if you are a man, woman or child; if an elderly person gets on the bus, you should give up your seat. This rule also applies to the handicapped or injured which should go without saying. Nothing like having to juggle your crutches, a purse and hold on at the same time. I know this from personal experience, it is no fun.



Stand up for a pregnant woman – Obviously, you only know if someone is pregnant if they are visibly showing which means they are in month 4+ of their pregnancy. So for four months already these women have had to feel ill, give up booze, give up coffee, give up sushi, and now they have to stand up on a bus where the heat is blasting and no windows are open? Please do not look down at your blackberry or book when you see a pregnant person as a way to avoid eye contact. Do the right thing, give up your seat.




Move to the back of the bus – Everyone needs to get to work people. If the bus fills up the bus driver either starts passing up bus stops or he packs the bus so full that you look like you ran a marathon by the time you get to work. Nothing like getting passed by 2 buses where you see they are smashed full of poeple in the front, and then one person with the whole back to him or herself. We all like our space, but we all would like to keep our jobs too. Ask yourself if you need to get to work in the morning, if the answer is yes, move to the back.



Acknowledge the bus driver – I don’t know when we started living in a world where someone else drives you to and from your destination and you as the passenger don’t give the courtesy of giving a simple hello and thank you when you get on and off the bus. These drivers work long hours and deal with unruly passengers (see rule #5) and are still expected to achieve two goals: get you to and from your destination safely and on time. If you actually take a second and say hello, it might actually help accomplish those two goals. I have met some really amazing bus drivers that have some pretty incredible stories and work hard to support their families. If you aren’t really into human communication, that’s fine, but being considerate to your bus driver can actually benefit you. Once they know a face and like you, they have the power to hold the bus when they see you running from a block away, or not charge you if you only have a $5 rather than your singles. Common courtesy goes a long way – say hello and if you’re feeling really crazy, maybe even give them a smile too.



Don’t act like a raving lunatic – This is the one that surprises me most. Life is not easy…sometimes buses run behind schedule or a bus driver calls in sick and the scheduled bus doesn’t come. In other words, sh*t happens. This does not give you the right to waive your arms around and huff and puff and then scream at the next driver that does come. It just makes the next bus driver angry (no one needs an angry driver), and it makes passengers like myself uncomfortable. Learn to control your outbursts…do yoga, meditate, have a cocktail…but please don’t act like a crazy person at 7am. It isn’t fun for anyone. Oh, and wearing sunglasses doesn’t mean people can’t recognize who you are…just an FYI.

Oh yeah- and keep your hands to yourself!!!!

Smart People... Protect Themselves from the Sun!

Everyone loves a glowing bronze complexion because makes you look healthy and vibrant. But it shouldn’t come at the cost of aging yourself or even causing skin cancer.

I will admit it, I have been a tanning addict in the past. Now, I am a reformed woman! After reading countless articles for years about how bad the UVA and UVB rays are for you, it finally sank in that I am not untouchable and that if I continued on that path, the sun will definitely have damaging effects on my skin and maybe even worse.

We all want to stay looking young as long as possible and the best way to do that is to protect your skin from the sun. We certainly don’t want to end up looking like a leather handbag (ahem Donatella Versace). Here are some ways that I have found to keep my glow without the damaging effects of the sun:

1. I am not saying never go in the sun, the sun feels great and it’s is healthy in small doses. The key is to put sunscreen on frequently when you’re exposed to rays. I would recommend at least once every 30 minutes. I have found this fabulous spray sunscreen from Aveeno. It’s easy to apply, absorbs quickly and smells great!

2. Tan-in-a-can! I know this term has a negative connotation attached to it, but who cares! We’re not in high school anymore and having a real tan is sooo OUT. The tough thing about artificial tan is making it even and not turning out looking like a Jersey Shore Oompa Loompa (no offense to my favorite show). First thing you have to do is exfoliate in the shower. Then you must apply lotion, then finally apply the self tanner. It is probably best to apply it at night, sleep with it on and then shower in the morning. When self tanner stays on too long, it starts to smell like Fritos and that is not attractive. I found this tanner at Wally’s and it works really well and doesn’t leave you in zebra print!!



3. Going out for a night on the town and you’re looking a little pasty?? Don’t worry, it happens to all of us. This is my secret weapon. It says it’s for your legs but I wear it all over and it makes your skin look PERFECT. It stays on until you wash it off with soap. It is one of the best products I have ever found. I love you airbrush legs. Oh yeah, most importantly it covers up cellulite :)


4. Having a healthy glow is not only for us girls, it’s for men too! Obviously they shouldn’t go to the lengths of wearing body make up, I would say just a self tanning face moisturizer would do the trick. Here is one from YSL that will give your guy a healthy summer look without the side of skin cancer. My boyfriend uses this and it makes him look great! (Not that he needs it.)

Good Housekeeping

Now. I know that keeping your living space clean is a b*tch of a chore. It's a cycle that never ends. I personally think that having a clean living space is extremely important, your home is where you should feel most comfortable and living amongst dust bunnies and other nasty particles is not comfortable. So what to do?
The common mistake that a lot of people make is that they don't clean as they go. Ever noticed the kitchen after a man cooks a meal? Every pot and pan and dish in the house has been used and it looks like spaghetti sauce exploded all over the kitchen. Ever noticed the kitchen after a woman cooks meal? Pristine. The only dirty dishes are the ones you ate off. That's because we clean as we go and that's the key to keeping a tidy house.
I would recommend to spritz up the house at least 2 times a week. It doesn't have to be an overhaul, just wipe down the kitchen and bathroom counters, take out the trashes and vacuum. Maybe dust if you're feeling aggressive.
The best secret is to find a good housekeeper to come every few weeks or months (depending on your messiness) to do all the crap you don't want to do. You know, the down-on-your-knees scrubbing stuff.
I just found a great housekeeper in San Francisco, recommended to me by my friend Jenny. It's a husband and wife duo and they are amazing. They cleaned my entire apartment in 2.5 hours and they even dusted the crown moulding, fans and blinds- whaaaaatttt!!
The company is called Alma Housecleaning, you can find them on Yelp. You email them to set up the appointment.
Happy Housekeeping!!

www.yelp.com/biz/alma-housecleaning-san-francisco

La Mar

I took a client here for lunch a couple weeks ago and I cannot stop thinking about the deliciousness! First thing I liked is that the restaurant is aesthetically pleasing. It's located on Peir 1 1/2 on the Embarcadero and it has indoor AND outdoor seating. It's a Peruvian restaurant but it totally reminds me of Greece on the inside. Think Santorini.

The food was so good, fresh and surprisingly light. They have a great happy hour as well. Try it out!!

www.lamarcebicheria.com

Awesome Product Alert

If you're like me, you're a baller on budget. Which means you can't always buy department store cosmetics. I mean, of course you have to throw down for some stuff, but you also hit up Wally's (Walgreens), CVS, Target or other drug stores for some pretty decent products.


I rencently discovered this gem. It is a base that you put on your face before you apply your concealer/foundation/powder. It totally smooths your skin, fills in your wrinkles (I'm sure no one has any) and makes your make up go on perfect, leaving you with a silky bright complexion. What more could you ask for? Best of all, it's pretty cheap, under 15 bucks.

Stay pretty my friends :)

Cristiano

Honestly, being this good looking shouldn't be allowed! How can anyone measure up!?!? If you don't know who Cristiano Ronaldo is (where the H have you been?), he is a pro soccer player for the Real Madrid and also an underwear model. Apparently he is a really really good player. I actually think he might be the highest paid soccer pro of all time. I personally would much rather watch his ads then watch him play soccer, but that's just me! Here is his latest ad for Armani.

One small problem is that he supposedly hooked up with Paris Hilton last summer, which means he most likely is STD ridden. Shame.

Welcome

For starters.. I will be surprised if anyone ACTUALLY reads this. Jk, I am sure I can convince a few people. So I decided to start a blog and here it is. I read blogs all the time so I figured, why not have my own? I ran the idea by my friend, Jenny (we work together) and she thought it was a fabulous idea. We are hoping it will somehow earn us extra money for shopping trips, vacations, boozapaloozas, etc. We will see how that goes.
This blog doesn't have a sole purpose really. Jenny and I are just going to think up ideas about city living, fashion, style, fitness, celebrities-well pretty much anything we can think of- and put it up here.
I am not too handy with la computadora so its going to be a learning experience for me. Hopefully you will see this page evolve into an impressive webpage (some day). I will try to make it more fancy and cute as I go!
xo