Got My YASs Kicked...

This morning I met MK for a morning ride, at YAS - stands for Yoga and Spinning in Venice. I was nervous to say the least because I usually tend to get really intimidated in athletic classes, I feel like everyone has been doing it for years, and I am the freak who doesn't know what she is doing. Luckily I met a very nice woman before MK got there who gave me a big pep talk and my fears were eased. So we strapped into our bikes and off we went! It was tough. Really tough. Not to gross anyone out, but I seriously don't think I have ever sweat so much in my entire life. I am not much of an athletic girl, coming from a family of 5 girls, sports were never really a big deal in my family. I played a lot of golf, and maybe a little tennis (JV all the way, never once made the varsity team...sad). I have never liked the act of working out. You know those people who say things like "I run to clear my head"? Yeah, not me. I have belonged to 2 gyms in my life, both I joined under the pretense that if I am paying for the membership, it will force me to go. Not true. All I did was waste that $$ each month while I continued to sit on my butt. When my husband and I go the little gym in our building I usually just walk on the treadmill, I am so lame. But this YAS class is something I could see myself getting into. They played awesome music (JT, Timberland, Rhianna) and you kind of pedal to the beat, which is fun. Everyone gets really into it and you can burn 750 calories in one class (50 minutes) which is not bad. We went to the all spinning class, but they have a combo class where you can go 1/2 spinning 1/2 yoga. Surprisingly the time flew by and I actually really enjoyed it. Hmmmm, finally a workout I liked, its a miracle! Well, I also really like the Bar Method too, that is a fun one.

A Few Things...

My new toy... behold.... the ghd styler... "our most advanced heat-styler yet"... I know, it sounds a little intimidating, but my mom said it was genius, so I had to try it out. (that and she offered to buy it for me at Sephora, thanks mama!) While I am normally trying "fight the straight" (as I like to call it) and give my hair curl, volume and umph, the polar opposite of what this tool is made to do, I was surprised to see how great it works. And supposedly you can use it to curl too, although that may be risky with my frail hair... I'm afraid if I left that hot iron on my ends for more than a swipe through they would break off for good.

Last night we were watching the last few minutes of America's Next Top Model before (my favorite show) Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares started; the assignment for the week had been to "model" the terrible health affects of smoking. The girls were made up to look really scary, to demonstrate the dangers of this nasty habit. At the end of the show, Tyra was giving the remaining gals a little pep talk, and in it she told them all that after tonight there would be no more smoking in the house. Period. All of the girls look shocked. I have to applaud Tyra and the producers of the show for doing this. With so many young girls looking up to Tyra and these aspiring models, it really drives the point home that smoking is so bad for you, your health, etc, etc. Good for Tyra... You go girl! (really? sorry about that...)

One more thing. I went to try to find this place called Jewel Art today - supposedly on Pico? Anyone know what I am talking about? Anyway, I couldn't find it, but I did find the coolest little bead shop across the street from Intuition on Pico. Picked up a few things and made a little stop at F & S Fabrics as well. I am making some baby shower invitations for my girlfriend, affectionately known as Grandma Jules. She is having a baby - YAY! and we are throwing her an sweet little baby brunch at The Ivy on the Shore near the end of October, and I am in charge of the invitations! I hope to post some pics when I get them done, but since Grandma is one of the only ones who actually reads my blog, I may have to wait until they are mailed and received!

I am on my own tonight as my husband is on his firm retreat for the night in Santa Barbara, wine tasting and team building, what a fun combination. Boo for no spousal inclusion. Maybe I'll do a little tasting here myself. Who am I kidding, I'll be doing laundry and watching tv. Is there anything even on tonight? Ohhhh is The Office back on? (running to check NBC.com)

C'est Bien...Errrr...

I had the best morning! I met one of my best friends at this little coffee shop in Venice called Jin Patisserie. (http://www.jinpatisserie.com/) It is such a pleasant, quaint little place to have a cup of coffee or pot of tea. We stayed away from the sweets, but they looked divine. Better than the environment though, was the company. We chatted about life... work, future plans, wedding plans! MK is getting married on June 28, 2008, and I am beyond excited! It is so much fun to check in get all of the planning updates. This weekend we are going bridesmaids dress shopping, which is going to be so fun. My group of girlfriends is so fun, when ever we get together we laugh non-stop and just act generally silly. I will take pictures, so check back Saturday for an update.

Lately I have really been struggling with my future, career wise. I feel like I am in a really weird spot, and my poor husband has to hear it all the time. I have been sending my resume out like a mad-woman and to mostly no avail. My dad always said that looking for a job is a full-time job, and he isn't wrong. But it all just feels like such a waste of time, searching for these jobs, filling out all the info online, etc, and then it's like you sent it into outer space, a black hole - with no return address. I guess a part of me feels like I have worked so hard for so long in my previous field, that I would be silly not to try to get back in - but truthfully, I have no interest in it at all. What I really want to do, is do my own thing. Having a taste of being your own boss is intoxicating. Plus, I had it really good for a while there. Working with my husband, we were such a great team. Now he works 80 hours a week in an office and I miss him. I am not sure how this post went from a fun, happy coffee, to sad and mopey (I feel like such a Debbie). I am sure that everything will work itself out in time, I suppose it always does. Ho, hum...

Here Comes the Rain...

My mom arrived last Thursday for a little weekend visit, and we had the nicest time while she was here. I always love when family comes to visit, it is hard sometimes living so far away from your family, it makes me sad. I wish that I could meet my mom for lunch on a random Tuesday, but I can't because she lives in Colorado. So it is always nice when she comes to visit, we always have some really good laughs. And this trip was no exception!

Here's the funny thing... As anyone who lives in Southern California knows, it rarely rains here. And I mean, RARELY. It's almost nauseating, and I know anyone not in so. cal will call me totally spoiled, but sometimes I wake up and think I just cannot take one more sunny day. (blasphemy, i know) But it gets really boring. In the same way that rain every day in Portland gets old, so does the sunshine. But every time my mom comes to visit, it rains. No fail! (with the only exception being my wedding, and I was happy she didn't bring the rain clouds with her that time) So "we had a little weather," as she likes to say. Friday night the thunder kept waking me up, I can't remember the last time I heard thunder here. So thank you mom, for bringing the rain once again, you know how much I crave and love it :)

On Friday night we went to a little restaurant in our neighborhood called Toscana, hands down the best Italian food ever, it is run by Italians who know what they are doing. Amazing. If you live here, you probably already know this.

Sadly, I have no pictures :( So this one will have to do...

Slackin...

I know, I know... I am a bad blogger. But I am back!

Last weekend we took Splashie out for a little belated birthday celebration! We were on our honeymoon on her real birthday, and MK & Lannie were not in town either, so we all went to dinner at The Border Grill in Santa Monica. We had some mexican food, margaritas, some giggles and an all around good time.

Here are a few pics...

No One Else Could Love You More...

Yesterday marked our one month anniversary of being married. Being married is so fantastic! When I asked S right after our wedding if he felt different, he said no, not different, but more settled, which is such an amazing feeling.

And my dear husband sent me the most beautiful flowers, pale pink roses, my absolute favorite! They were just gorgeous.

We will never forget...

Today S and I have been married for exactly one month, and I had originally planned on writing a lovey-dovey, gushing post about our wedding today, but it didn't feel right, not when I realized what day this month-a-versary would fall on.

As we remember the tragedy that struck us all 6 years ago on this day. We will never forget the brave men and women who lost their lives on that day, my heart sincerely goes out to the families and loved ones of those whose lives were taken so unnecessarily. Our nations heart will forever ache from the loss.

Oh no...I am in trouble now

I just discovered that Martha Stewart BLOGs! Okay, not Martha herself, but Darcy from Martha Stewart Weddings, which is honestly the next best thing. I have long been a fan of Martha, even when my mother was spewing conspiracy propaganda about how Martha was secretly hoarding up all of the antique green glassware in this country (although quite suspiciously, Martha does have a lot of it...). Anyway, even though my wedding is over, I still love pouring over the pages of beautiful wedding magazines for everyday inspiration. I mean, the perfect garden wedding table set up would very easily scale down to an afternoon tea for four on my tiny patio. (As if...) Even though I have been banned from watching repeat episodes of Bridezillas and Platinum Weddings on WE, they can never take away my Martha Stewart Weddings.

I give you, "The Brides Guide" From Martha Stewart Weddings:

http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/weddings/

Mmmmm...

We have had the best time this weekend!

On Friday night we went to dinner at Boa with our friends K&M. My heart broke when I asked the waitress to take our picture (for blogging purposes) and the battery was deadles! Shoot! The picture was going to be great too! The food was amazing, the company was even better, and the dessert, well, who can resist a mound of pink cotton candy!? Yum! (ill remember to charge my camera next time guys)

Saturday S & I decided to make fresh pesto for dinner. I love nights like these... we go to Whole Foods, S gives me the "let's make this quick" line (which i dread because I like to spend my time leisurely trolling the aisles to see what's new and get ideas for new recipes). Its fine, we are in and out with a couple of bunches of basil, some Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Then we come home, put some music on and we cook, together :) (and by "cook together," I mean, he sits at the counter and keeps me company while i cook, which is really all I want, I love his company). The pesto turned out amazing, maybe our best batch ever, but I think I say that every time... but i really does keep getting better every time we make it. Which I suppose is true with most things.

Sunday we got up early to take a bunch of wedding gifts back to Pottery Barn before it got really busy. I drove, and accidently ran a red light, oops.. I let S drive home. We then headed over to Coast for brunch. Coast is the newly renovated restaurant at Shutters Hotel on the Beach, which is where we got hitched a month ago this Tuesday. It was very cool to be back there, and on such a beautiful day. We had a very lovely breakfast, the food is YUM, and the decor is so chic and cozy you wish it was your living room.

Now we are home, I am meeting up with my friend KS, a.k.a. Splashie for coffee this afternoon which I am very much looking forward to.

The Great Debate...

Here in Los Angeles, one must pick a side, and stand firm, because there really is no in between.

Coffee Bean vs. Starbucks.

I know this because I have seen perfectly happy couples on Saturday mornings, divided. I have seen the boyfriend with a coffee bean ice blended in hand (for the lady) ordering a venti drip from Stabucks for himself, only to meet back up in some weird middle ground, a type of parallel universe, if you will. (Oh, you wont? Ok, maybe that was a little dramatic) Luckily I don't have to worry about this, as my dearly beloved hates coffee (blasphemis, i know).



I used to love Coffee Bean, but I have switched horses mid-race and I now pledge my allegiance to the United Starbucks of America (not that much of a stretch, I mean, with one on just about every corner, it is practically an institution).


In my younger days, I used to be a Coffee Bean no sugar added vanilla latte 1/2 powder kind of girl. (I swear coffee lingo is a strange sub-culture type phenomenon - but if you know coffee bean, you know what I'm talking about.) Now, I am a 1/2 caf vanilla latte - iced if its hot, warm if its cold. I recently added the 1/2 caf - mostly because the caffeine was making me jittery, and partly because my order wasn't complex enough, and I wanted the barrista to know, i meant business. What I wont ever be is the woman, on her cell phone, ordering a 1/2 cafe, no foam, 2 pump, 1 splenda, extra hot latte with a sprinkle of cinnamon. I mean...

The sick part is that I have a fabulous coffee maker, that grinds beans and brews great coffee, but as my father in law would say, it is the ritual of going to the Starbucks that draws you in. I like taking a walk, and seeing the bustling coffee shop, filled with people all going in different directions that day, but meeting up for a few minutes before they start their day. Its pretty cool actually.

Here is the evidence (please notice the 1/2 marked of in the decaf box - i am so complex...)

Career Day...

Back in July, S and I sold our company, TripUp.com to SideStep.com. Our little company, that we built from scratch, just the two of us (along with a very talented programmer and a few fab designers)! It was really amazing to start something together and then watch it grow, and ultimately turn a profit. A very cool experience overall. Now that the company has been sold, the wedding is over, and S is back to a full time career at the law firm, it is time for me to get back to work. I could go right back into PR, but i think i might try something a little different. I have clearly caught the entrepreneurial bug, and I want to explore it a little further. I am contemplating starting a little design business, designing custom cards, general correspondence, placecards, menus, invitations, announcements, etc, basically anything you can think of paper wise. I have always had a really creative side, and after taking a few illustrator and photoshop classes, and designing all of the paper products for my own wedding, I discovered that I have a real passion for it.

You know what they say, if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life...

"The Grid"

For those of you unfamiliar with "the grid" - here you go... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grid_energy_storage.

Now, back to minding "the grid"

Mind the Grid...

Man it's been HOT here in Los Angeles! Over the weekend we saw record breaking temperatures all across the southland (don't i sound like a weather girl?). I don't think in my 10 years of living here I have ever felt heat like this. Especially where we live, in the valley maybe, but only a few miles from the beach, I don't think so. I hear on the news that "the grid" is working overtime, and we are in serious danger of power outages, so I am trying to do my best to conserve energy (although I am using my computer to write this blog, I am also doing it in the dark, sans AC, every little bit counts right?)

We had a lovely long weekend here. S and I finally got our place organized and all of our wedding gifts put away, and the boxes thrown away, which felt really nice. We actually managed to get down to HD Buttercup and Crate and Barrel to look at some furniture as well. This is our new dream purchase... the Cannes Chaise Lounge, in Silver Sage...

I also had a very lovely brunch with some of my girlfriends on Monday morning. We went to The Coral Tree Cafe in Brentwood. I am normally not a fan of this place, but we had a really nice time! The food isnt the best, but it is a fun, happening little breakfast place. It was really nice to catch up with the girls :)