HOW TO: KEEP A FOOD JOURNAL

Writing down what you eat and drink lets you take look at your eating habits and make healthy changes. Use the following guidelines to help you as you go:

• Get in the habit of recording everything immediately - right after you eat or drink.

• Write what you were doing (i.e driving, watching t.v. etc) and how you were feeling (i.e. rushed, depressed, excited) when you were eating

• BE HONEST! This isn't something other people are going to read it's only for you and your own good.

PS— a few ways to keep your journal: online/on your phone, in an actual journal, or print out some of these every week

(photo from here)

THE TRUTH ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT

Start The Week Off Right Fitness Tips

My boyfriend recently got certified to be a personal trainer and told me an interesting thing he learned about losing weight. To lose weight, you simply must burn more calories than you consume. That's it. If you do this no matter what you will lose weight. Now that doesn't mean eat taco bell all day and just make sure you burn it all off. You would lose weight but you probably wouldn't be healthy. So drop the fad diets, eat a healthy balanced meals, get plenty of exercise, drink lots of water and (if you want to lose weight) just try to burn more calories every day than you eat and drink  — but remember everyday activities and even sleeping burn calories, so take that into account :) 

PS- I think I am going to incorporate more health and fitness into the blog. As a former college athlete it was a big part of my life and still is. 

(photo from jasperphoto)

(Note: I am not a nutritionist or a physician so please consult you doctor before making any extreme changes to your diet or exercise routine.)

RAINY DAY WISHLIST

I am totally unprepared for rainy days (like today if you live in Santa Monica). I found myself coming down with a bug and I think this is why: I don't own a single thing suitable for wearing on a cold rainy day. In Miami it might rain almost every day for an hour or so but it was still warm and humid outside. I seriously don't even own an umbrella. So I created this Rainy Day Wishlist... and maybe someday I will invest in these things. Probably not. But maybe. 

(1, 2, 3)

A CASE OF THE MONDAYS

It's not even 10a.m. here and already things have started off on the wrong foot. Ernie has had a few of these days too, and I'm sure he didn't really appreciate me snapping photos of him during them... but a picture is worth a thousand words and these perfectly describe how I feel today. 

MOVIE LOVE

THE ARTIST 

"French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius' film is a delightful throwback to Hollywood's early days, when actors used their faces, not dialogue to convey the story. It manages to be both witty and convey the spirit of bygone days."

- Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times Film Critic

Who says Hollywood doesn't make 'em like they used to?! I hadn't even heard of The Artist  until it won the golden globe for best picture, musical or comedy but now I can't wait to see it. 

SOMETHING BANKSY

I love street art, especially Banksy! You can now bring your favorite street art off the streets and into your home using: these stencils or these stickers. Enjoy :)

(original photo of Banky's work taken in Beverly Hills)

HOW TO: BE A HIPSTER

These posts on How To Be A Hipster from the blog Verbal Vomit are hilarious. If you follow all the steps you can go from this:

To this:

In just a few simple steps. It also gives important tips on all things hipster, like how to approach other hipsters:

And what every good hipster should have on their iPod:

Check out the full post here for more :)

(photos courtesy of Verbal Vomit)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER!

When I found out I was going to be a big sister I remember being pretty excited. I told my parents I wanted a little brother and we would name him, Aladdin. When I found out I was having a sister I said,  "that's ok we can still name her Aladdin". When I found out my parents weren't on board and wanted to name her Kaili, I thought to myself, "that's ok, I can still call her Aladdin". What I didn't realize is  that having a little sister is about a million times better than having an Aladdin.  Now she is all grown up  and I am so proud of her! Love you forever, Kai Kai (Aladdin)

CATALINA

A couple weeks ago I went to Catalina Island for the first time. My boyfriends parents were in town and thought it would make a fun day trip, and it did! Even though it was an unusually foggy day it was still incredibly beautiful and I can't wait to go back. Pets get a free ferry ride over and the island is very dog friendly so Ernie got to go too :) 

PS- On your birthday you get a free ride over and back on the Catalina Express as well. 

GOING GREEN

I love smoothies but any time one has more vegetables in it than fruit I tend to shy away. So I found this recipe for a Beginners Green Smoothie from One Green Planet. It has green grapes, apples, bananas, baby spinach, green tea, ginger and is delicious. Cheers!

SERENDIPITY 3 TAKES ITS TALENT TO SOUTH BEACH

Of course, only months after I leave Miami, one of my favorite places to go in New York would move in right up the block on Lincoln Road in South Beach. My sisters and I would wait hours for a table in freezing New York weather to drink their infamous frrrozen hot chocolate. I can only imagine how amazing it would be on a hot Miami day. Also, I heard they have "SoBe-ified" their menu and added different booze infused frozen hot chocolates. If you are in the area I highly recommend taking a trip over for dessert. Until LA jumps on the bandwagon I'll give these Frrrozen Hot Chocolate Mixes a try.

(photo credit to yelp)

SQUIRREL SEEKS CHIPMUNK

"If you've ever behaved badly in front of David Sedaris, he may have turned you into an animal" 

- Kristin Tillotson, Minneapolis Star Tribune 

David Sedaris's Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk is the best thing I've read recently. It is a collection of sixteen witty short stories about animals (in the same way Animal Farm is about animals) that take on a multitude of human flaws. Hysterically funny, a little dark, one of these bizarre little fairytale-like stories will definitely remind you of someone you know. To make things even better it is illustrated by Ian Falconer whose work can also be seen in The New Yorker and in the book and television series, Olivia. Here are a couple more of the illustrations:

You can find the book here or you can read some excerpts here :)

I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE!!!

Growing up I wasn't allowed to watch much tv during the school year (which is ironic because I am now in grad school to be a television writer) but every summer I would stay up late watching Nick at Night and my all time favorite show was I Love Lucy. I think I was the only kid in the 2nd grade who thought a bit on Vitameatavegamin was funnier than farts... or at least equally as funny. So I was thrilled to find out that LA now has I Love Lucy Live on Stage at the Greenway Court Theatre. The show was supposed to end last month but lucky for me it was brought back by popular demand. The show recreates the filming of 2 old episodes and you get to be part of "Desilu Studio's" live audience. Read about it for yourself here.


PS- The fact that Friends is now on Nick at Night makes me feel like I'm getting old...

STREET BANNERS AS ART

Have you ever wondered what happens to all those street banners in cities after they have been replaced? When banners like these are taken down from the street lamp posts  BetterWall cleans, restores, and sells them as art for your home. And if you purchase a banner through BetterWall a percentage of the proceeds goes straight back to the museum. You can find them all here.

(photos from BetterWall)

FRIENDS FOREVER

These bracelets from New York Based Nissa Jewelry (left)  remind me of these (right) friendship bracelets I wore as a kid. You can see all Nissa Jewelry's fun options here. :)

WHY YOU SHOULD LAUGH LIKE A 5YR OLD

Did you know the average four-year-old laughs 300 times a day versus the average fourty-year-olds mere 4 times?  It has been proven that laughter can actually reduce physical pain and stress, increase health-inducing hormones, and make you an all around friendlier and more attractive person. So why aren't we all laughing like kids?! Read this article to find out more.

PS- need a little help getting started? Watch this shark scene from Strange Wilderness:

(photo from things about love)

THE GIFT OF SIGHT

Just because the Holiday season is over doesn't mean you have to stop giving.TOMS has started an eyewear line to give sight to people in developing countries. For each pair you buy someone will be given medical attention, a new pair of glasses, or sight-saving surgery. They have a lot of cute pairs for affordable prices that you can check out here. 


PS- don't forget to read how it works.

(photo from here)