SOCIAL MEDIA

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The Secret's Out: Pantone's Spring 2014 Colors

Dec 7, 2013
I have been following the Pantone color reports for a few years now and love how they help us understand the proper wa to mix colors. Radiant Orchid and Dazzling Blue are my go-to colors for any season as it is so I'm glad they're "IN" again.

Click here for a video of Leatrice Eiseman, the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute explaining what makes all the Spring 2014 Pantone colors so great.


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Skin Care Stocking Stuffers- $50 & Under!

Dec 1, 2013


Skin Care gifts





Let's face it, no one likes unsolicited skin care advice. It makes them feel blotchy, insecure, and a bit annoyed that someone is examining their skin. However, everyone loves to receive presents which is why I've created a list of holiday gifts to solve every major skin care issue below. Who can be mad at something that's wrapped with a pretty bow? I know I can't! Check out some of my favorite items for skin care issues such as blotchy skin, redness,
hyperpigmentation and my ultimate enemy: dryness!




Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 3% Facial Wash- $38
This facial cleansers 3% of glycol acid is perfect for exfoliating the dead layers of the skin in a gentle way. The receiver of this gift will be thanking you for weeks to come as well as begging you for more! 


dr. brandt pores no more cleanser-$35
Dr. Brandt's pores no more cleanser is great for oil control and minimize large pores. Don't let your oily prone friends ring in the new year with light reflecting off their shiny foreheads! Oil free skin will had with just a few weeks of using this product.



Fresh Soy Face Exfoliant-$42
The mild microdermabrasion exfoliator by Fresh helps to give off a fresh, radiant complexion that'll mask the evidence of post holiday party bar hopping!





I can guarantee that every female friend of yours is constantly begging to a cure to dark under eye circles and bags. I have finally found the solution and am here to spread the news. Pair this eye gel with the Fresh Soy Face Exfoliator and that receiver of this gift with thank you for ages!





Philosophy Help Me-$47
On of my absolute favorites! This is the entire package for those that are starting to complain about how partying is aging them. This product has taken the years off of my face that I carelessly put on and now people don't believe I'm a day over...well, that's for me to know!


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di
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Stila Lip Glaze Set

Nov 30, 2013

Now that Thanksgiving is over it's time to start buying gifts for the people you care about the most. I for one mainly buy beauty gifts for the beautiful ladies in my life that take my advice to heart. This year is no exception and I have already started my holiday gift giving shopping with this Stila Lip Glaze Set. For just $28 you can purchase this stocking stuffer for the lovely ladies in your life that either love lip glosses or that fear them because they think all of them are created equal and leave the lips sticky and tacky.

I love to wear this over my lip stains because it adds a bit of dimension to my lips or I wear them alone for subtle yet fun look. I recommend buying one set for yourself and another to use as stocking stuffers. 


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Nightmare at 20,000 Feet

Nov 24, 2013
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en/travel-information/delta-partnership.html


This past August I had a terrifying experience. I was calling Virgin Atlantic to ask about exchanging money at their counter thanks to my Flying Club membership and while I waited on hold for about 15 minutes I read on their site that they had a new partnership with Delta. It was a few days before my flight and my heart sank. Yes, I am an anglophile but that's not the reason I fly Virgin. I fly with them because the service is impeccable and if I'm going to be on a 7+ hour flight, sitting in economy, I want to be as comfortable and pampered as possible. Virgin Atlantic offers that. American based airlines, in my experience, do not. These days I will do anything to avoid flying Delta, American Airlines or Continental when I go overseas. Their flights are usually less expensive but that doesn't sway my decision on who to fly with. I normally begin my European trip in Paris and have gone as far as flying into London and taking the Eurostar into Gare du Nord OR heading over to Luton Airport to catch the Easyjet into Charles de Gaulle on the same day just to avoid those carriers.

My fear in August was lifted as soon as I spoke to a representative and I happily hoped on a Virgin Atlantic plane and experienced the amazing service that always leaves me landing comfortable and happy in the UK.

But this morning the fear came back. I was looking up flights to head back over to the UK in April and saw that they had flights from NYC-LHR-LAX for $651. YAY!!! That's LESS than I ever paid for my NYC-LHR round trip flights! But then I saw why it was so cheap: the flights are direct to London but then have layovers on the way back where I'll end my journey with Delta. For $400 more and inconvenient times (who has the energy to be at Heathrow for a  9am flight?!?!?!) I can fly Virgin direct but any of the flights under one thousand dollars use the Delta partnership. It sucks, I wish there was a more middle ground but the money isn't what scares me, it's the fact that Delta is taking over US routes and I fear that I'll end up always having to make a connection and suddenly be on an aircraft with sub par service all the while missing out on the whole Virgin experience. Would I still have the option of free wine/liquor drinks for the second half of my flight? Will snacks and meals be provided as part of my ticket cost? What about pillows and a blanket on the house for the portion of the trip that is flown via Delta? So many questions!

I'd like to know if anyone has flown Delta via Virgin. Is the experience the same? Do they try to match the great level of service that Richard Branson and co. have developed and that has made Virgin Atlantic what it is? I'm hesitant to try it. One would think that a $400 savings is reason enough to give it a try but flying for 12+ hours in one day means that if I can have comfort even in economy then I would want it for the entire trip and not just the first half. After all, it's at the 7 hour mark that delirium starts to set in for me!



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Tis the Season to be Sparkly!

Nov 20, 2013
Tis the Season to be Sparkly!

Tis the Season to be Sparkly!


The holiday season is my second favorite time of the year because it means it's time to pair all that sparkles with white hot dresses. Check out this NYE look. A Grecian dress with a loose undo, a contrasting statement necklace and smokey eyes are all you need to a timeless NYE look. Pair it with gold pumps and a cuff wristlet and you're ready to ring in the new year!

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di
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Lining it Up

Nov 15, 2013
 
Hello Beauties! A few weeks ago I began putting focus on budget beauty tips because one of my many goals is to make the world a prettier face no matter what. That way of thinking has had me try out and praise one brand that years ago was, in my eyes, a joke. Wet 'n Wild Cosmetics has done wonders with their formulas over the past few years and I am more than happy to spread the word.

About a week ago I stopped by my now local Walgreen's and came across their holiday makeup collections. Nothing caught my eyes except the Wet n Wild Icon-o-last! Color Icon Eyeliner Collection. Not only were they colors that I adore but the price tag can't be beat. $5...not bad! The first thing I did when I got home was wash my arms up to my elbows and test out the colors. While I like all the colors and will wear them all out within a few months the purple and cobalt blue are the ones that stand out the most for me. Those, along with a hunter green, are my absolute favorite colors to line my eyes with along with a black layer on top. I like how the shades compliment my dark skin thanks to my yellow undertones and how I only needed to pass the colors once to get the right color. 

Sadly, the shades have no names but here are the 5 in the collection

Which is which? Wet n Wild is on the left and Tarte's Onyx is on the right.


Can you spot the difference? The top shade is Deviant by Urban Decay while the bottom one is Wet n Wild's version
All in all this holiday collection is great. The colors are on par with brands that are much pricier and their staying power is pretty great. Just like my Urban Decay and Tarte liners, once they set it takes elbow grease or makeup remover to get the shades off but they do come off a bit quicker. Regardless of that though I highly recommend running to your nearest drugstore to purchase this set for $5 because sadly, they are not sold online.

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Thinspiration is a Way of Life

Jul 4, 2013


We all have to do little things to trick ourselves into eating a little less or working out more. Some have upcoming trips, specials events or, like me, just have a wardrobe that they're dying to fit into perfectly again.
I've been pretty dedicated to my workout schedule but I don't buy it when people say that my body wants to work out because it gets used to it. My body will never crave working out because my mind just wants a couch, Netflix and some pizza. My personal solution to all this is to use visual aids as constant reminders of what I want.

For the past few weeks my dresses have been hung up around my apartment as daily reminders to not overeat, workout and to kick myself when my laziness wins and I go straight home after work. 

We all need a little thinspiration. How do you get yours?
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Shopping in Your Girlfriends Closet

May 25, 2013


A few years back when I was still living in NYC my friends and I would go out constantly and were always photographing our events. The downside to going out 3-4 times a week was that we didn't want to be photographed wearing the same outfits within a month of eachother. Life in NYC is pricey and fashion isn't cheap so my friend Maria, the founder of The Closet Fashionista, started to invite a bunch of ladies over for clothing swaps.

We picked a Sunday everyone 2-3 seasons and got together at her place with wine, light food and bags of clothes. It was the definition of girlfriends. It was not limited to just the ones in NYC or even by specific sizes. We had a girl that came from Philly with her almost 6 ft model type body. Me, who stood at 5'4 (okay 5'3!) that was super curvy and had a pinup type rack, others that were barely 5 foot and teeny....different bodies, different styles, yet we always came and left with bags full of 'new to us clothes'.

Since a new season is approaching and we're very into the idea of shopping without spending we think all groups of women should have a clothing swap at least once a year. They are always fun ways to get together with a group of friends that you maybe don't get to see all the time because of the circles you run in all the while going home with a couple of new items to wear to work or at an event.

Here is best formula for any hostess of a swap. This always seemed to work for us:

1. Send out feeler dates and have everyone vote on the date that works best. Sundays work great because they are usually lazy days for everyone.

2. Set a menu. Of course as the hostess you should always plan a few dishes but always encourage others to bring/make a dish and of course their favorite bottle (or two) of wine.

Finger foods and wine are a must for any Sunday event. Superbowl excluded ;-)

3. Create the space. If you have coffee tables in the way just make sure to set every aside because when the swap begins everything gets dumped into a pile and the grabbing begins.

4. Always have extra bags in case someone gets lucky enough to go home with more than they brought.

5. Do it again in a few seasons!

If you want to host a clothing swap in NYC or LA and want some tips and/or personalized attention feel free to contact us at diane@theclosetfashionista.com (LA) or maria@theclosetfashionista.com (NYC) and we can help you host a swap that ladies will be dying to attend season after season.
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A Hairy Situation

May 16, 2013

I have hair issues. My hair is frizzy and thick yet fine. It grows super fast but when I don't use the straightener and let it dry naturally it losses about 8 inches. It's just as fickle and indecisive as I am. I've cut my hair three times throughout the past 10 years and it always grows back super slow until I start threatening it with another haircut. I've been leaning towards a bob cut in the past few weeks and made my appointment for this coming Saturday. I'm going to spend 3 hours getting a keratin treatment then will lose about 6 inches of hair. It's scary but I'm excited.

To prepare for this I figured I'd straighten it myself one last time and really think about it. Do I really want short hair? I never really cut it unless I trying to start over and kill off all the dead ends and lose bad hair habits so lately I've been second guessing myself but I'm sticking to the plan and giving it the chop.

Being that I am frugal and always on the hunt for inexpensive yet wonderful things I discovered the wonders of VO5 products. I've always seen them at the drugstore but my hair always needed special treatment so I always opted for more specialized products. Clarifying shampoo was always scary because I didn't want anything to strip away the bit of moisture that my hair had but it works wonders for makeup brushes which is why I snatched up a bottle of it a few months ago. For $.99 I couldn't go wrong.

My reason for owning the conditioner is because I was low on cash and wanted something moisturizing. The scent was also intriguing. I adore the scent of true vanilla and shea makes me melt. Together which the promise of being moisturizing and a good price I gave it a shot.

Blow drying my hair always leaves me with a puffy mess. I do more harm than good and then straightening it is a mission. I finally developed  method that works well for me and helps cut down on the pointless blow drying that happens when I don't have a keratin treatment.

First I wash it with my VO5 Tea Therapy Clarifying Shampoo and Silky Experiences Moisturizing Conditioner. Leaving the conditioner on for about 10 minutes and sometimes stepping out of the shower and applying heat so that it could sink in a bit more.

Last night I used Garnier's Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment for the first time. This worked wonders and I really like how it soaked into my hair without leaving it greasy. I first learned about Moroccan oil when I was desperately needing a hair stylist in Manchester after a heatwave in mainland Europe and the wonderful people at Reuben Wood used it on me.

after that I pull my hair back into a loose bun and blow dry it on medium heat. I call it advanced air drying. I don't want the heat to kill whatever moisture I've got in there. This can easily take 30 minutes so i just sit and watch Hulu.

With my hair totally dry I then begin the straightening process. That can easily take an hour but because my hair was able to 'air dry' it's a bit less puffy, curlier and easier to separate in order to straighten.


 Below is some of the result from last night. I did a collage to show my friends the result of the Moroccan oil. I was surprised at the length even though there's about half an inch that would need to get cut regardless. My hair, when heat is applied a specific way, is always super silky and people are always surprised at the before and after, especially when it's a new person doing my hair. It really is like magic.
What a difference straightening makes!


I think I'm going to miss my hair. I spent so many years wishing for it to just get past my shoulders and when I washed it last night I felt a thick lump on my shoulder and it was my hair begging me to let it stay. Sadly, it won't. I'm starting my second year in LA in a few days and I want to start it fresh.

Besides, it's only hair. It always grows back.

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How to Stay in Touch When You Travel Abroad

May 13, 2013
                               


 As some who enjoys international travel more than anything I am always on the hunt for ways to make communicating with people back home and in visiting countries easy and affordable. Over the years I've found simple and affordable solutions to this problem and thanks to things like iMessages, GoogleVoice and other methods there is no reason to have anyone worry about your whereabouts if you're traveling to a major international city.


1. Wi-Fi. Gotta love wifi. When I went to Paris in 2010 I was going to get an Orange sim card like I had in 2004 but my brother gave me the best words of advice I ever received while traveling: Find a McDonald's. Lucky for me the apt I rented was three blocks away from one that offered free wifi and I was able to let everyone know that I had made it before even dropping off my bags. I did have wifi at the apt I rented but it was nice to walk around the city, stop and upload photos every time I was near a McDonald's or Starbucks as well as keep in contact with my travel companion that was due to arrive a few days later.

 2. Lebara Mobile. In London, as soon as I get off the train on St. Pancras I get myself a Lebara sim card. These allow me to have internet access while on the go while also allowing me to keep in constant contact with my friends while in the UK. Their little kiosk is my saving grace and I get 10mb of free data daily whenever I top up my card with 10£ or more. Not bad for basic usage but I wouldn't recommend constantly checking in on Facebook or Foursquare with such limited data that could best be used for maps or looking up train/bus schedules. Now they offer separate data charges but you don't travel to be glued to social media so I recommend what comes standard with any top up. Also included: Free incoming calls. If someone has a free VOIP like Talkatone then the call will be free for both parties. Not a bad deal.

 3. Google Voice/Talkatone- Best combination for travelers that don't want to buy a sim card and only want to touch base with people back home. Getting a google voice number is free and along with the other perks that it comes with (texts get sent to email, voicemail transcriptions) it works swimmingly combined with Talkatone. Talkatone is a free app that allows you to makes calls via wifi unlike the standalone google voice app that requires data. I tested this method and haven't had a problem with it. The calls are clear, they don't drop (so long as there's a decent signal) and it gets the job done. Google voice does work well with text messages as well as Talktatone but I prefer to stick with Google's native app for that. Texting on Talktatone is a bit slow for me.

 4. T-mobile. T-mobile now allows you to make calls using wifi. How awesome is that? I would have listed this as #1 but I realize that not everyone has T-mobile although a lot of people seem to be making the switch now that they finally got the iPhone! Not much to say about this other than it's pretty cool. About 10 years ago I had to practically beg them to let me use a different sim card when I was traveling to France. Oh how times change!

 5. iMessages. If you have an iPhone then you can communicate with other iPhone users without needing to start a thread with a new number. This also works with data/wifi so it makes keeping in touch easy.

There you have it. Ideally an iPhone with T-mobile pretty much wins in that respect as long as you have wifi but I haven't come across it in the cities that I've frequented in Europe. The other options are great if you have an iPhone with another carrier or a different smart phone all together. I'd recommend setting everything up prior to leaving so that all you have to do when you arrive is buy a sim card and pop it in.

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The Great Lace Debate-Spring/Summer 2013

May 8, 2013



Summer 2013 by theclosetfashionista-nyc 


Lace shorts was a hot topic between some ladies and I in a group that we have where we discuss everything under the sun. I have to accept that not everyone is fashion forward so when the topic of lace shorts was brought up with a bit of nonacceptance I was a bit shocked. It's spring and 'tis the season for white hot lace short. Now when I talk about lace shorts I mean ones that have a lining, not just straight up crochet because that's only appropriate for the beach or a boardwalk as a cover up. White lace, as a main attraction or accent, adds a bit of delicacy to any look. Paired with this seasons hot colors, white or nude shoes and minimum accessories it's one of the easiest trends to wear year after year without looking dated.

I can't wait to put some extra bronzer on my legs, throw on some espadrilles and rock my lace shorts for a brunch date or a beach party down on Playa Del Ray or Santa Monica. Here's an outfit that I put together on one of my favorite sites, Polyvore, to showcase just not stylish white lace shorts can look when not thought of as lingerie.

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5 Things Every Young Adult Should Do Before They're 30

May 3, 2013
photo by Lynda Sanchez


There are a lot of misconceptions as to when, as young adults, we should be doing certain things. Is 25 too young to own property? Is 35 too old to be single? As someone with friends that range from mid twenties to late 30's I've been able to figure out what the best words of advice are based on their stories of accomplishments, fears and regrets. With two cousins aged 19 and 21 I'm afraid that they'll fall into the whole YOLO trap. I really hope that they live by this list. I don't want them to end up doing things they don't want to because they'll feel they're regret it later. The only thing any of us should regret is not doing things our way no matter how old (or young) we are.

So here are the 5 things that every young adult should do before turning 30. I'm glad I always kind of lived by it.


1. Be responsible, think about tomorrow and don't do anything because you think you need to. Do them because you want to.

2. Be responsible, think about tomorrow and don't do anything because you think you need to. Do them because you want to.

3. Be responsible, think about tomorrow and don't do anything because you think you need to. Do them because you want to.

4. Be responsible, think about tomorrow and don't do anything because you think you need to. Do them because you want to.

5. Be responsible, think about tomorrow and don't do anything because you think you need to. Do them because you want to.



Thoughts?



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di
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Moisturizer Du Jour

May 2, 2013

photo by Sephora.com


Every year Sephora comes out with a summer sun kit that's filled with bronzers, self tanners and most importantly: products with sun block. The price is usually in the area of $30 and comes FILLED with items. Filled to the point that it's now almost a year later and I am still using some of the items.

To date my favorite has been Supergoop! Everyday Face & Body Lotion. I like that it's really lightweight and has a nice refreshing scent. I only used this on my face because I had a 1oz tube but I just ordered the monster 18oz one because I'm really bad at applying separate sunblock on top of my bronzer or moisturizers in the summer.

At $48 the price may seem a bit steep but it's a great product to have in the house for a face and body moisturizer and sun protector.
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Paris, je t'aime

Apr 1, 2013

Perspective is a crazy thing isn't it? Place de la Concorde, 2010

I will preface this by stating that Paris is my happy place. When people say it's the most romantic city in the world you just have to believe them. Having been there alone numerous times the feeling of joy, love and overall contentment that I feel while I'm aimlessly wandering around the city is indescribable. I fall in love with life and any misery and sadness I felt prior to that visit just melts away with every step. I always feel like I'm walking on clouds. This city is wonderful because of the history, architecture, food, language, fashion, etc. I envy the people that live there and feel awful for the ones that haven't been. I highly encourage everyone to go.

It had been a long time since I had been in Paris and was there for two days before my cousin Jennifer arrived. I rented a wonderful apt through airbnb.com on Rue des Abbesses that was also a gallery and lucky for me it was within walking distance to the Moulin Rouge, Sacre Coeur and many other wonderful sights. The photo above is one of my favorites from that trip.
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Where Will You Travel to in 2013?

Mar 30, 2013
Today marked the official first day of my 2013 Eurotrip planning so I will write about the stages I am in in hopes that people who think a vacation is only for the rich or for their dreams can plan their own soon.


When planning a long overseas trip the whole thing needs to border on obsession especially if you're not rolling in dough. I always obsess, plan, research prices, the works in order to keep myself in check mentally and financially. Planning ahead lets me follow flight cost trends and I've always managed to go away for really cheap. Except when I flew to LA from NYC during Thanksgiving weekend for 48 hours to see Morrissey but....some things can't be avoided.

I learned that summer is the worst time to travel. To Europe at least. Not that I've ever been on vacation in the fall and the city was full of locals but the summer makes it worse. School is out so students AND teachers are running rampant. It's hot and sticky and it just makes for a bad experience unless you're heading to a beach town. The prices are also absolutely insane. Everything drops once you decide to go away after Labor Day Weekend which is perfect because it's my best time to travel. This works out well because if you're going to a major city, especially any in Europe, you really can't enjoy it wish sunglasses on. The architecture in those cities is amazing and everything stands out when the sun isn't in full effect. I did experience the awful heatwave that went on in the fall of 2011 when I landed in Paris but a little shopping did the trick. Any excuse, right?

I'll be adding some of my favorite sites for finding fares, information on getting around when you're in certain European cities and anything else I think may be useful for a new traveler. Be Excited! Get a passport and just GO!




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di
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My Daily Workout- March 30, 2013

I'm going to blame my slacking on allergies and you will just have to accept it. Deal? Deal!  This is my first spring in LA and I spent a few days in the past week doped up on Benadryl. I did try to walk a lot but for the most part I just wanted to rot on my couch with Netflix.

It changed a bit today when I got up really early and did the 30 Day Shred. Ouch! I'm so sore! I was also very exhausted while doing it because we did a late night pick up shot and I didn't get home until after 2am.

I'm also drinking my detox juice nonstop and I can already see my stomach begin to lose some of its bloat. I can also attribute that to the lack of carbs and sodium in my diet but I'd like to think the juice helps as well.

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di
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Detox Juice- Gotta Love Em!

Mar 27, 2013


There are so many variations of detox and cleansing drinks that are said to be the best. The Master Cleanse is an old favorite of mine as are regular detox drinks but after years of drinking some on and off I finally settled on one that I love.

Every day I take a few shots of 100% lemon juice because I know it helps cut fat and with bloat. I also always have a shot of concentrated cranberry juice or a cup of the regular variety (so long as it's 100% juice) because I've already suffered from an awful kidney incident and am paranoid. I've cut back on soda in the past few months and drink about 160 ounces of water daily so I figured why not just mix them all? I did a quick search for detox juices and found that a lot of them contain green tea because it revs up the metabolism so I decided to add it to the mix.

I have been drinking this for months and I love it. It's bitter but I haven't had sugar in coffee or tea for years so I'm used to the flavor. I've usually just made single serving mixes but since I want to drink a lot more of it I made a massive jug of it.

I don't go by a set recipe but to be safe I had the water filled up half way, used half of the cranberry juice and then a quarter of the lemon juice. I also heated up 4 cups of water and used 4 tea bags. I mixed everything together while the tea was still warm and voila. The only thing I don't like is the amount of carbs in cranberry juice but I have to ignore it since I actually need to drink lots of it.

I'm planning on always having one of these made in my refrigerator and hope that you will too! It's a nice alternative to just drinking water and it's doing something good for your body with very little effort.





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I Love Airplanes

Mar 21, 2013




The act of flying is one of the most therapeutics things ever. Buying a ticket, the 24-hour check in, walking down the jetway and then finally taking off--it all amazes me. I'm afraid of grounded heights but not of flying. Watching cities dissapear as we head up above the clouds is my idea of a happiness.

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Dieting or “Dieting”

Mar 20, 2013


I am addicted to food. I love it. I hate it. I want it. I wish it didn't exist. ADDICTED! My relationship with it isn't the best because of what it does to my body. Moderation isn't something I really liked doing and that didn't help much in this department. As much as I love to eat there is a sense of pleasure and accomplishment that I always used to get whenever I resisted something or only ate a baby handful of food for lunch. While I’ve never been rail thin my super thin upper arms, amazing bone structure in my face and my protruding collarbone were something I always wanted to keep. 

And then suddenly I turned 30 and my body said fuck it. EAT! ENJOY IT! And I listened. I listened to it so much that in two years I slowly gained 30lbs. Oh the horror! The shock! I blame a slight shift in my mental state for all that since I was kinda happy and not being obsessed with barely eating could have had a lot to do with it but with 9.5 months of living in LA under my belt I am very happy to say that I’ve gotten rid of 20 of those pounds and I vow to never ever gain them back. I mean, I have an entire wardrobe that I have spent years putting together and not only can I not afford and entire new one I wont be able to find 95% of the these items in another size.  S0 in an effort to stay a healthy weight that my closet agrees with I’m starting up this little section. It will be filled with sarcasm, a bit of insanity (it hasn't gone away completely) and probably a couple of food porn photos every now and then.

Please note: I have a lot of friends that always have something to say about my cray relationship with food and say “healthy eating, portion control, moderation” etc is what I need to do. Everyone knows that. EVERYONE! But if it was that easy to follow gyms wouldn’t make so much money in December and January. And in terms of moderation well, if anyone has ever gotten drunk then they can’t talk. 


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Follow Me Down The Rabbit Hole




I’ve always been fond of airplanes and travel thanks to constantly riding in one when I was younger. I’ve never not had a passport and feel like kid in a candy store whenever I’m near an airport. Needless to say I am a certifiable airport nerd. Luckily my ability to travel helps me be around them a lot. The past few times that I’ve gone to Europe I’ve had to country hop in order to visit friends and check out some sites that I’ve always wanted to see or revisit some favorites and that always required a tight schedule and budget. My last lengthy trip spanned 4 countries, 9 cities, 8 plane rides, 3 train rides and   no sleep and I managed to do it all without missing a beat. Being a frugal traveler goes a long way and I’ll be sharing some of my tips here. My thinking is this: When I’m on vacation I will not deprive myself of anything. Booze, food, cheesy touristy things--it’s all going to happen. I always work my butt off the months prior to a trip and usually come back with just enough money for the airtrain (when in NYC) but it’s all worth it. The memories I’ve made on all those trips always put a smile on my face and remind me to plan my next escape.


People at my current 9-to-5 are amazed by my stories and assume that I was able to do it because I had money. Not so my friends! The only way I was ever able to go anywhere was when I earned the money for flights, trains, hotels, hostels, apts, etc. Nothing was given to me and I hope I can give anyone who thinks they can’t afford something hope that they really can. To a travel expect this will be a bit of a bore but to a novice I hope it’ll light a spark that will just grow and grow until they finally that that trip they thought they’d never be able to take.
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