Current Events with Henry James

Christmas Music Review with Henry James

Current Events with Henry James

I have a major crush!

...On drink animals!  I saw these for the first time over the weekend and I became mildly obsessed.  My next get together will definitely have drink animals as a guest!  And I looked online for them and they are super easy to purchase.

Mimosa Pool Party!!

Crush of the day!

Here is my first actual 'crush' post!  I've been wanting to put up quick posts about things I like and they are going to be things I'm 'crushing' on. So here is my first one!

HELLO!  These shoes are A-MAZ-ING!  I literally can't stop thinking about them.  Thank you Jessica Simpson for making this shoe.  Im saving up! (or hoping Santa got my letter)

Going nude

I LOVE LOVE LOVE color...except on my nails.  Sometimes I will get crazy and get red or orange polish but for the most part I lean towards nude.  Perhaps to take the attention away from my huge man hands but still have nice manicured nails.  ;)  I have tried a bunch of different ones wanting to find the perfect shade.  Not too white, not too brown, not sparkly etc.  And I think I have found my favorite.  'Sandy Beach' by Essie!

Try this shade for your next manicure if you want something simple but elegant!

Pretty Skin Smoothie!

I found a recipe in my Women's Health magazine that has smooth, pretty skin benefits.  Plus, after looking at the ingredients, I don't think you can go wrong with a smoothie full of fruits and vegetables.  I definitely have trouble getting all the servings of each that you need per day.  So, with this smoothie I start my day on the right foot!  This recipe is accredited to Kimberly Snyder, author of The Beauty Detox Solution (perhaps I should pick that book up!)

This recipe will make a weeks worth of smoothies.  Treat yourself to 8 ounces every morning!

1 1/2 cups water
2       cups chopped organic romaine lettuce
3-4   stalks organic celery
3      cups organic spinach
1      organic apple, cored and chopped
1      organic pear, cored and chopped
1      organic banana
Juice of 1/2 fresh organic lemon

Blend and enjoy!!

West Hollywood Farmers Market!

I LOVE farmer's markets!  The fresh produce and flowers, the sunshine, the happy people!  I just went to one right in my neighborhood that I had never visited.  It's the West Hollywood Farmers Market located at Vista and Fountain.  It's small but really delightful!  Here are a few photos from the day!

I didn't have my car that day so I was kind to the planet and rode my bike!

Some lovely gentlemen playing reggae music

Basket full of goodies!

My new orchid!

All my yummy treats!

It was such a beautiful day being able to support my community &local farmers and be kind to the planet.  I hope to visit the farmers market on a more regular basis!

Mini Facial!

In my on-going pursuit of perfect skin I have found a place that does a mini facial!  I can't always (or ever) afford the luxury of a full facial but sometimes I just seem some good cleansing, steam and extractions.  So here's where to go...Dermalogica on Montana!  They offer a 20 minute mini treatment called  Microzone.  It's only $30!  And everyone that works there has been highly trained and is certainly qualified to help you with your skin care needs.

I went in at 9am and had a cleansing, steam, mini mask, extractions and was well moisturized.  It was done fast but it didn't feel like I was rushed through it.  I didn't even change out of my clothes.  They put you in a chair that folds back and put a smock on you.  And afterwards I was given some product suggestions that were just that...suggestions.  No pressure to buy.  I did end up getting the Skin Hydrating Masque as I know that hydration is a very important part of keeping skin looking supple and radiant. 

Everyone was really nice and I was offered a cool beverage when I arrived.  I would definitely recommend checking out Dermologica on Montana for your skin care needs!

The BEST tuna salad!!!

I have always loved tuna salad.  And I have finally found a recipe that makes me so happy!  My boyfriend's mom Chris started us on this delicious concoction and we've added some things as well.  We like to make enough to have left overs the next day for an easy lunch.  Here are the details!


3 cans of tuna in water (drained)
1 can of tuna in olive oil (don't drain - the olive oil adds to the flavor!)
1/4 of a red onion finely chopped
1 whole apple, chopped into cubes (we like gala, keep them a little bigger for the full crunch and flavor)
6-8 baby carrots chopped into chunks
3 tablespoons of mayo
6-8 dashes of dill

And mix that all together!  Voila!

Oh Henry!

I have recipes and healthy eating tips coming soon...but in the meantime, please enjoy this video of Henry pouncing on his favorite toy, ORANGE BALL!

Live and Love

Sometimes inspiration and motivation is hard to find for me.  I wanted to do something that would be a constant reminder that I need to live my life and not wait for life to happen.  So, I decided to get a tattoo. Two, actually.  :)  They have already had a positive affect.  Every time I look down at my wrist I'm reminded to get out there and DO SOMETHING.  

Whatever it takes to take advantage of everyday is a good thing.  I only have this one shot at life and I am a very lucky and grateful person for all of the blessings I have.  Here's to stepping outside of my comfort zone and living to my full potential!

Hot Water with Lemon

My usual go to drink in the morning is coffee with cream and sugar and at night, it's a glass of wine.   Yum!  But lately I have found the need  to somehow cleanse my system.  I don't want to wake up from dinner and wine the night before to caffeine, dairy and sugar.   Now in no way did I give up coffee and wine as those are two things that make me extremely happy! :)  But I have been trying to add a cup of hot water with lemon in the morning and one at night.  It feels amazing and tastes good too.  Something about the lemon in HOT water makes it sort of sweet.

I went online to search the benefits of this practice and lo and behold there are TONS of benefits.  I found an amazing article on lifemojo.com that listed the top 10 benefits of lemon water.  Good for your stomach, your skin, your colon, controls high blood pressure just to name a few.  You can view the whole article with all the benefits by clicking here.

So start your day off healthy with a cup of hot lemon water before you eat or drink anything else.  Your body will thank you for it!

Clarisonic fun!

I am constantly trying to learn new ways to keep my skin looking healthy and plump.  My latest discovery is the Clarisonic brush.  I received it as a wonderful Christmas present this year.  I got the Clarisonic Mia which I think is a great option.  They have different sizes and the Mia is supposedly made for travel but it is plenty big enough.  I have been using it for about 3 weeks and my skin looks amazing!  It only takes one minute and you can use it in the shower!  I got the pink one which coincidentally supports breast cancer research!  Bonus!

I think this is a great investment!

Helpful Tip about chopping onions!!

I cry like a baby all the time, especially when I am cutting onions.  I just saw a great tip to put your onion in the freezer for 5 minutes before you cut it to avoid crying.  Genius!

Happy chopping...with no tears!

Relax your face...

Here in the big city of Los Angeles many of us are running around like crazy people trying get a million things done all the time.  And a lot of the time we are in our cars.  My boyfriend Tim told me the other day that while he was driving he realized that he was furrowing his brow and tensing his face.  Once he noticed the tension he intentionally relaxed his face.  He immediately felt better and more relaxed.
So as advice to myself and anyone needing it, take some deep breaths and relax your whole face.  You'll feel better.  :)

I love yoga!!

As the year begins, I am committing myself to doing yoga.  I absolutely love it and the way it makes me feel.  I have had back pain for a long time which I'm sure is due to all the waiting tables I've done throughout the years.  Along with the back pain I have also started getting carpal tunnel in my wrists.  I know that doing yoga helps with all the aches and pains I experience.  On top of that, the clarity that comes from doing yoga is priceless.  I alway feel better about life when I leave a yoga class.  I feel grounded and centered and strong.  My favorite yoga studio right now is City Yoga in West Hollywood.

My favorite teachers are Rebecca Benenati (one of the owners) and Stella Choe.  I never leave that studio without an amazing work out and experience.  I just bought a unlimited monthly pass for $120.   Not bad!

Get yourself to a class...it will help your mind, body and spirit!