03.01.2013
Inspired By: The Year of the Snake


If there’s one thing I know about, it’s a snake.  And guys, 2013…it’s the YEAR of the snake or, the black snake, to be exact.  I’ve always been curius about astrology and, in all honesty, I think it definitely does have some merrit…but, you know, you can’t take it too seriously (like anything in life, really) and I’m constantly annoyed by all of the hippie dippies out here in LA when they say “what’s your sign?” after I say “hi, I’m Jamie.”  I digress.

1. Zara Snake Print Neckerchief: I like a good neckerchief…who doesn’t?  A good scarf can dress up any plain outfit and animal print is always on-trend. 

2. Jennifer Fisher Brass Large Snake Cuff: I’m weirdly into snake jewelry, ask my friends, and this Jennifer Fisher cuff is pretty bad ass, I have to say.

3. Rachel Zoe “Laura” Snake Ballet Flats: It’s totally cliche but anything that’s Rachel Zoe-approved is A-OK by me.  I love a good ballet flat.  I love me some animal print.  So…done deal.

4. Essie Magnetic Nail Polish in “Snake, Rattle & Roll”: Aside from having the coolest nail polish name EVER, this polish is actually pretty awesome.  It lasts longer than most and gives nails a really unique texture.

5. Jacqui Aiche Extra Long Snake Ring: If you read this blog, you know I love a statement ring, which is why you shouldn’t be surprised at all that I love this extra long, gold, snake ring.  DUH.

02.26.2013
Invisalign: My Results!


I want to start off by saying that I paid for 100% of my Invisalign system.  I’m not affiliated with the brand in any way, so when I say that I’ve been getting TONS of emails and comments on my previous Invisalign videos, you can believe…it’s for a reason.  I get it; it’s an expensive investment, but my Grandfather (who passed away with a full set of teeth, mind you) told me that you should always take care of your teeth.  Watch the video and let me know what you think of my results!  I’m very happy 🙂

02.20.2013
Goals For 2013 (And Beyond)


For the past few months (ok, since January), I’ve been really toiling over the direction that I want my life to go in, HELLO quarter life crisis.  Most of the time, it feels like it’s a constant uphill battle to be a better person, be an ideal employee, be a better blogger, be the best sister, daughter, aunt, etc. and it can become just SO daunting.  I stumbled across this blogger series on 101 Goals and decided that I wanted to write my own…but for 2013 and beyond, not just for this particular year.  And also, I definitely don’t have 101 goals cause that just seems really unrealistic, ha.  So, here they are and, in case you want to write your own, I used this really helpful goals organizer PDF.  What are some of your goals?

Venice Canals
Catalina Island (again!)
Big Sur, CA
Australia
South Africa
Mexico
Happy hours Downtown and Century City
Spend more time at the beach
Go out more in Santa Monica (Bungalow) and Venice (Venice Yacht Club)


Pay off credit cards
Contribute more to my 401K
Save more money


Spend more time at the gym
Get bi-monthly massages
Box more often
Continue to take ballet classes
Hike Runyon Canyon more often


Become fluent in Italian
Mix a proper cocktail
Waterski
Surf
Play tennis
Get scuba certified
Grow tomatoes on my balcony
Focus on the present
How to floss every day (shhh, don’t tell my dentist)


Skydive (round 4)
Throw a dinner party and/or game night
Ask a guy out
Talk to strangers more often
Visit the Orange County gun range


Continue to volunteer
Make five new friends
Continue to be open-minded to dating different types of guys
Give 10 “just because” gifts to my friends
Make sure I see my family at least four times a year (at least!)


Do at least two blogs posts per day
Do one YouTube video per week
Continue working with brands that I love
Host more events
Work on my book more often
Impress my boss (at my full time job) at least once a week!


Read more “classic” books
Take my vitamins daily
Eat breakfast daily
Use my roof more often (pool, jacuzzi, swim laps, etc.)
Get a photo of me illustrated and framed
Clean my apartment more often
Find out my blood type (random, I know)
Organize and save my digital photos
Finish decorating my apartment
Create a gallery wall in my living room

02.18.2013
My New Cats Make Their Blog Debut!


If you’re avid reader of my blog, you probably remember my super sad (yes, I cried while writing it) post about my late cat,Angel.  I rescued Angel from a shelter (ok, my Dad rescued her, technically) when I was 12 years old and brought her out to LA from New York when I moved out in 2009.  Sadly, Angel passed away in December 2011, at almost 17 years old, of liver cancer…and hence, I was devastated.  It’s funny how many people told me I should get  a new cat, as a replacement, when I really wanted to say back to them “if your sister died, would you tell your parents to adopt a new daughter?”  I know it sounds extreme, but the bond that I had with Angel was something very real and very deep.  I grew up with her.  Angel cuddled with me the first time that a boy dumped me, she sat on my lap and purred when I was grounded in my room and bored to death, she kept me company when I moved to a strange city where I knew a total of two people.  “Replacing” Angel was never an option for me; however, as my friend Ashley told me, I have a lot of love to give and any cat would be lucky to live with me.  It’s not “replacing” Angel, it’s simply moving on and helping another animal that needs a home.  After about one year, I was ready.

Enter Gemma Angel and Gea.  I only intended to get ONE cat (Gemma Angel) but, of course, the foster family saw that I have “SUCKER” clearly written all over my face when it comes to anything that meows.  Gea (the smaller kitten) is Gemma’s daughter and they were rescued from a kill shelter in Carson, California.  Ironically enough, they were being fostered at a mansion in the Hollywood Hills, right next to Chris Brown’s house, but they seem to have adjusted to the downgrade that IS my “executive studio” apartment.  I love my little girls and even though I know that Angel would LOATHE both of them, I know, deep down, that she’s secretly happy for me…and probably chowing down on some salmon, next to a warm fire place.

Make sure to follow me on Instagram for even more Gemma and Gea pics…you’ll get sick of me, for sure.

02.13.2013
The Fourth Annual Anti-Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

It’s funny because I don’t enjoy doing gift guides…I always feel like there’s just so much pressure to find the most perfect gifts but, for some reason, I always REALLY look forward to my Anti-Valentine’s Day guide.  I can’t even believe this is the FOURTH edition…I mean, if you need to catch up here’s one, two and three, oh, how times flies when you’re having fun.  The truth of the matter is that I actually considered NOT doing something anti V-day this year, mostly because I went on three really good dates with a guy and was actually feeling like MAYBE I’d have a Valentine this year.  Well, that thought was quickly destroyed and so, on with tradition.  With out any further ado, here’s the fourth annual anti-Valentine’s Day gift guide:

I’m usually more of a chocolate girl but when I heard that Sugarfina came out with their own Anti-Valentine’s Gift Set, how could I resist?  I ordered the trio yes, for myself, and definitely enjoyed the all three…but the frogs (e.g. Stop Kissing Frogs) was totally my fave.  And ladies, don’t forget, there really ARE “plenty of fish in the sea.”

The HBO show Girls…well, I’m obsessed, to say the least, but from what I’ve observed…men really hate this show.  Maybe “hate” is a strong word but I’d say “dislike” or “confused by” would be a fair assessment.  

Friend’s BF: I don’t get it…they’re all really unattractive and gross.  
Me: You wouldn’t get it…it’s REAL.

Deborah Lippmann created four fun nail polish shades, inspired by each character on the show…all of which I deam totally on point, by the way.

Oh, Ryan Gosling.  You have your own coloring book…and it’s fantastic.  The Ryan Gosling obsession annoys me to the absolute fullest so if you’re single this V-day, why not enjoy some Ryan on your time.  


With the help of Mr. Chakra, a new, interactive website from Aveda, you will be given the tools you need to find the balance you deserve. Mr. Chakra will reveal energy-aligning tips that include guided meditation, breathing techniques, mantra usage and personal nutrition. He’ll also lead you to the Aveda Chakra Balancing Body Massage at Aveda Spas and recommend your ideal Aveda Chakra Balancing Body Mist. I encourage you to take sensory journey – I’m chakra #5, in case you were wondering.

02.12.2013
Four Uses For Beer (Aside From Drinking It)


Beer shampoo was all the rage in 2012 so, naturally, I decided to do some research and find out what else I can do with the magical drink…the answer?  A LOT.  Funny since I’ll choose wine over beer any day of the week but hey, for me, 2013 is all about being open to new things!  

Clean yo’ jewelry, girl: Place your gold jewelry in a dish of beer, let it soak, then remove, rinse and polish with a dry cloth.  Clean jewelry for everyone!  Finally!

Polish your wood furniture: Rub flat beer gently onto furniture using a soft cloth. The beer will help to restore polish and color.

Soothe your feet: Apparently the enzymes in beer soften callused feet and help stimulate circulation!  Kind of awesome.  Make a mixture of room temperature beer and warm peppermint tea (half and half).  Submerge your feet for about 20 minutes.

Get a better night’s sleep?: This is definitely a must-try.  Wash your pillowcase in water spiked with a little bit of beer because, apparently, hops are sometimes used as an herbal remedy for insomnia…serial.  They have dimethylvinyl carbinol, which is a chemical compound that has a calming and slightly sedative effect.

01.30.2013
Super Bowl 2013 Survival Skills (for all of us who don’t care)

The Super Bowl.  Yes…I bet you never thought that you’d read about such an event on THIS blog, right?  Well there comes a time when you (and I) have to accept that the Super Bowl is an event that you can’t avoid, especially if you have a boyfriend, husband or even a ton of guy friends.  Here’s my cheat sheet to surviving the most boring day of the year:

1. Learn which teams are playing.  You don’t need to know details, just learn their names, colors and what city/state they’re from.  This year, it’s the San Francisco (California!) 49ers versus the Baltimore (Maryland) Ravens.  San Fran is red and gold and the Ravens are a purplish blue and black.  Check.


2. Find a good cocktail that you can drink for the whole game.  Belvedere Vodka created a delicious concoction called “The Big Easy,” obviously named after New Orleans (where the SB is taking place) and I’m way into it.

  • 1.5 oz. Belvedere Citrus
  • 3/4 oz. Canton ginger liqueur
  • 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • Apple cider top
  • Shake and strain citrus, lemon juice and Canton into a highball filled with cubed ice
  • Garnish with a lemon slice

3. Accessorize with “your” team’s colors.  Now, I don’t have a team, per se, but since I live in California, I feel the need to support the 49ers.  And luckily for me, I have a TON of red and gold but if you don’t, try just throwing on some gold bracelets and earrings.  Easy.


4. Find some (somewhat) healthy food to eat.  Aside from Halloween, I can’t really think of another day where you might possibly eat more junk food.  Not that I don’t LOVE fried wings and nachos, but ya know…we gotta keep it in CHECK.  Here a few great, healthy recipes that I found on various sites:

Lemon Drop Chicken Wings

Roasted Tomato Hummus

Zucchini French Fries

Quinoa Stuffed Bell Pepper


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