Happy New Year!

Signing off for the rest of the year.  I am not one to go "all out" on New Year's Eve... So it will be just a nice dinner out, followed by a bubble bath and a few sips of Cava.  I head to Disney World tomorrow (no lie) to hang with my family for the next week.  

This will be as close as I get to Times Square this evening...

(Taken on walk to Bikram class in Midtown this morning.)

May your evening be fun and safe! And may your new year be creative!

2012 New Year's Resolutions.

All right. Let's do this.

Shit I Will Do This Year:

• Let creativity rule decisions, rather than money or power. This applies to personal as well as work life.  Going to live the next year by challenging my mind (and my team) to focus on creative outputs, rather than worrying about the financial components. 
• Bikram 101 Challenge.  By March 31st, complete 101 Bikram yoga classes.
• Consistent Bikram practice, post Bikram 101 Challenge. This was my downfall after my last Bikram 101 Challenge two years ago, as well as my downfall after I got back from Bikram Yoga Teacher Training. I failed to keep my momentum going at all. I vow to keep a 4-day-a-week practice after March 31st, no matter what.
• Daily meditation. I've found this to be incredibly important over the past few weeks.  It is helpful to clear the mind, if even only for a minute or two. But the goal for me is 15 minutes every morning. I need to develop a better discipline of controlling my mind. I am impressed I have gotten as far as I have in life while having a completely "A-D-D" mind. IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES THAT LIE BEFORE ME WITH A MIND I AM ABLE TO ACTUALLY CONTROL.
• Visit South Africa and South America. This IS happening this year. If the world is going to end next December, I need to have visited all the major continents. Most likely, South Africa will happen as a trip with friends.  South America will happen with The Husband. (He is unwilling to fly the distance. Now, if I was a "whiney wife" I would say, "I never get to do anything fun because my husband doesn't want to do it." But that's not ever what I say. I say, "Fuck it. I'm going to do it anyway." )
• Call my mother once a week.  Oh, if you know me... You know how I LOATHE talking on the phone. (My 13-year-old self would be horrified to hear this.) But I think if I can handle Skyping with my husband every day, I can be responsible enough to call my mother once a week. (Who happens to be a very lovely person to talk to, and not at all like the stories I hear from other people about when they talk to their own parents.)
• Visit Sedona. Sad that I grew up in Arizona, and have never been to Sedona. That changes this year. I may even do the trip solo.

Oh the creativity and adventure in store for me! What about you?

"Bucket List?" Nope. "F#ck It List?" Oh You Bet!

While I understand the idea behind a "Bucket List," I am not one to celebrate it. 

Not because I don't want to think about dying. (If anything... I am the one that will always remind you, "You're going to die. Accept that so you can start living your life. No one should fear dying.") More so because I feel like it is usually a list of things that are so humongous for a person when you compare it to their everyday existence, that they are not likely to make going after any of them a priority.

I mean, it's hard to prioritize things on a Bucket List. And it's easier to just put them off and say, "That's on my bucket list. I am totally going to do that some day."

Forget "some day," people.  You have to say "fuck it" and think about "today."  So instead of a "Bucket List"... I have a "Fuck It List."

Fuck It List (defined):
A list of things which you would rather be dead than actually do.

Here is my list...

• Watch Jersey Shore. Or American Idol. Or One Tree Hill. Or Grey's Anatomy. Oh. This one sounds so cliche and uppity. But I really do feel this way. And it's a good warm-up for the list!
• Take a cruise. No way in hell. Trapped on a boat? Out in the middle of the ocean? And no, you can't fool me with the "but you follow the coast" bit. Ain't gonna fall for it.
• Get married again. I was shocked as all hell that I did it the first time. And I am happy I did it... Because it shows I have matured and can handle not being an asshole to someone I am committed to. I ain't the easiest person to get along with... I have strong opinions. I am obsessive compulsive about things. I don't like to be spoken to for the first 20 minutes I am awake in the morning. I like my space. (Um. Duh.) And I doubt I would ever be able to find someone more understanding than The Husband, who would be able to tolerate me for life.  So God-forbid anything ever happen to him or our marriage. I am a one-marriage kind of gal.
• Watch another Garry Marshall film. It surprised the hell out of me I didn't burst into flames when I accidentally found myself stuck watching New Year's Eve.  But you can sure as hell bet that won't ever happen again.  I can only handle Pretty Woman. That's it.
• Iron The Husband's Shirts. I don't iron. I steam everything. The Husband only irons his clothes though. But this is all beside the point. A few weeks back I was at a ... well...  let's just call it "an event." And at this event a comment was made which lead to someone saying something about how wives (are supposed to) iron their husbands clothes... And I took offense to that comment... Because I do not see that as any wife's job. Nor any husband's job, for that matter.  If someone wants to do it for their spouse, cool. But regardless of how much money one partner makes in the relationship, this does not by default make it the other's job to be more "domestic." And when I mentioned that I am too busy with my super important world domination job to iron my husband's shirts (oh and the fact that 80% of the time I don't even live in the same country as him), I got the response, "You work? Why?"  And that was the response FROM A WOMAN. So I will NEVER iron my husband's shirts.***
• Being focused on money and power. This is a new one for me. Because for the past too many years, I have been focused on both of these things... And less on the one thing I should have been focused on: creativity. Money and power have very much driven the majority of my decision-making for the past 11-ish years. But in the past year, I slowly started to change that. I appreciate money and the trust people put in me to make decisions (power). And I know that if I put being creative and allowing those around me to be creative, the money and the power will follow.

I am sure there are at least a dozen more things I can add to this list... I am just don't want to overwhelm y'all.

What's on your "Fuck It List?"

***However, if he wants one steamed... And I am already steaming my own things, I will happily do it.

Healthy Dish For The Weak: Vegan Marasla.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 an onion, chopped
• 16 ounces white button mushrooms, chopped
• 1/4 cup Marsala cooking wine
• 3/4 cup of low sodium veggie broth
• 1 1/2 cup of pasta (preferably bow ties)

Directions:

1. Heat large saute pan over medium-high heat.
2. Pour half the oil in, heat for a few seconds.
3. Toss garlic in, stir for 20 seconds.
4. Toss onion in. Stir. Let them "sweat" for about three minutes.
5. Start the water to boil the pasta.
6. Add the rest of the oil to the onion & garlic mixture.
7. Toss mushrooms in.  Stir. Sweat them for about 5 minutes, till their juices run.
8. Pour wine in.
9. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp sea salt.
10. Pour veggie broth in; turn heat down to a simmer and cover.
11. Pour pasta in, and cook for just under 10 minutes. (Or according to directions on the package.)
12. When pasta is done, throw a 1/4 of a cup of the pasta water into the mushroom mixture. 
13. Drain the pasta. Dump into pan with mushrooms.  Toss together.
14. Serve.

Now, even though I am supposed to be doing the vegan thing... It's hard with The Husband staying with me in NYC. So I grilled some chicken breasts to serve with the pasta. And I grated a little bit of parmesean cheese on top.

Very yummy.

Resolutions From Years Past.

Here we go. The time of year for empty promises to ourselves. But at least they're made with good spirit.

2011 Resolutions
Be fearless. (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!)
Blog more. (Did more than last year.)
Actually write. (Fail.)
Travel. (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!)

2010 Resolutions
Bikram 101 Challenge. (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!)
Write more. (Fail.)
Go to South Africa. (Fail.)
Straighten leg in Standing Bow Pulling pose. (Did it once. And only once.)

2009 Resolutions
Start my book. (Fail.)
Eat better. (Fail.)
Establish regular cleaning day. (Fail.)
Drink more wine. (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Duh.)
No more bagels. (Fail.)
Visit two countries (besides Canada and the U.S.) (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!)

2008 Resolutions
Tone up! (Fail.)
Eat better. (Fail.)
Drink a lot less coffee. (Fail.)
Buy no new clothes in January. (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!)
Ask my boss if I can work from home a lot less. (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!)
Find new ways to keep the workplace lively. (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Anyone remember the "cake punching?")
Return Netflix DVDs in a timely fashion. (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!)
Develop a schedule and stick to it. (Fail.)
Blog 1000 in 365 days. (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!)

2007 resolutions
I didn't have any. Apparently.

I promise to make 2012's resolutions much more exciting... And actually accomplish them.

New Year's Eve Party Style.

To follow up on the previous post...  If I was up to doing something fabulous for New Year's Eve, I would need a proper outfit to party the night away in...  And here is what I would want to wear...

Jimmy Choo Quiet Leather Patent Pumps

How sexy are these? I would find any excuse I could to wear them!

Vince Sequin Embellished Crepe Dress

I swear, about 40% of my wardrobe is Vince.  Makes sense that I would want to rock it out on New Year's Eve. How awesome is this dress?  It sparkles... It's not binding, which makes it perfect for a night out drinking, dancing and being rambunctious.  

Chanel J12 Chromatic Watch

Someday... This will be mine.  Never mind the severe cost. It's fabulous. And has a large face.  Just completely awesome.

Top 5 Celebs I Would Kiss At Midnight.

Ooh...

New Year's Eve is just around the corner.  And while in recent years, my pattern has been to go to dinner and then fall asleep long before midnight... I will say that if I had the energy and the connections (and wasn't married), I would get all decked out in a fancy dress and some fabulous shoes (like these) and kiss a celebrity.

Which celebrity?  Hmm...  Well, here is my list. In ascension of preference.

5. Jason Segel
4. Johnny Dep
3. Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison AS Edward Cullen.)
2. Ryan Gosling
1.  Ryan Reynolds

Which celebs would you want to plant your Tom Ford True Coral lips on at midnight?

Favorite Thing: Lady Grey & Coconut Milk Creamer.

I know it's totally not how you're supposed to take it, but I love Grey tea with cream and sweetener.

No lemon for me. Just a Splenda and some coconut milk creamer.

Christmas Dinner.

Here in NYC, I am without all my fancy kitchen accoutrements that I have in the Toronto house.  This makes it more difficult to do all the cooking and baking that I love doing. However, since The Husband agreed to do Christmas here in the city with me, I agreed to cook dinner as I usually do.

So I made it as easy as I could.

While I love the idea of cooking turkey for holiday dinner... I have never cared for the actual cooking of the beast.  So instead of turkey or nasty pig ass (also known as "ham") I decided to make lamb chops.

Slather a mixture of garlic, balsamic vinegar and grainy mustard on them. Let them sit for a couple of hours. Then throw in a 450 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes.

I served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus.  The garlic and the asparagus I roasted right beside the lamb.

While the dinner wasn't completely vegan, as we did have medium rare lamb... I did make it dairy-free.  The mashed potatoes were made from scratch with olive oil instead of milk or cream to keep them moist.  And then for dessert, I made a very easy and healthy version of an apple pie...

Poached apples with vanilla bean coconut milk ice cream.

If you discount the time I let the lamb rest with the marinade before cooking it, the whole thing took under an hour to prep and cook.

I don't do "high maintenance" cooking.  Not even on holidays.

Happy NYC Christmas.

I realized last evening, on a walk home with The Husband from our traditional Christmas Eve movie and dinner, that this was the first Christmas I have ever had in NYC.

The last time I lived here, eight and a half years ago, I never stayed for the holidays. I always went back to Arizona for Christmas.  It wasn't till after I got married that I stopped going back to Arizona every year for Christmas.

This city doesn't really shut down on Christmas.  The yoga studio, my gym, my neighborhood bagel shop and Starbucks are all open.  As are all the other cafes in my neighborhood. And the grocery stores, except for Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. Even my regular Sunday doorman is working in my building.

NYC is a city of convenience. I celebrate this. Not because I am a "cynical heathen" and think that the real reason for Christmas is less about the birth of Baby Jesus (even though he was actually born in Spring) and more about the commercialization of Christmas (which I actually approve of, as it is what helps create happiness and spirit in even those who do not believe in God or who happen to live and breathe a non-Christian religion)... But because NYC life is perpetual. And intuitive. And even on what many people consider to be one of the holiest of holidays, it allows you to celebrate and live in exactly this way. Doing what you want and need... And making it easy to do it.

I find New Yorkers to be some of the happiest and kindest people I have ever known. And I am grateful I had the opportunity to at least slow down and not rush out of the city to go someplace else for the holiday.

Shellac & A Thoughtful Surprise Gift.

About two weeks ago I went in for my first Shellac Manicure.  One week in, I took a steam shower at my home in Toronto... And after I came out, part of the color on the left thumb nail rubbed off.  Other than that, though, this stuff rocks.

True, I had heard people were split on liking it... Mostly because to get it off you have soak your fingers in some hardcore nail polish remover.  But that doesn't bother me.  So today I went back in for a second one.

Liking the finish on this stuff.

While there, a guy who came in two weeks ago with his wife popped into the nail shop.  They seem to be regulars there and are very sweet. They both get manicures and pedicures together.  It's very sweet. Today he was popping in to pick up a last minute Stocking Stuffer gift for his wife.

"I'd like to buy her six Shellac Manicures," he requested.  "That should keep her set for a while."

All the Asian women working in the salon started to swoon.


"He's such a good husband."


"Have you met his wife? They are so sweet. They have been married six years."


"Very lucky woman."

He then took out a gift he had just come from buying for her. It was a beautiful antique ring.

"We have seen it in a nearby store for a few weeks," he said. "We are going to go by there in a few minutes to buy it for her for Christmas. But I've already bought it and am going to surprise her on Christmas morning with it. So she will be sad tonight... But very happy in two days!"

The women started to swoon again.

Even I - a woman with a heart of stone - was swooning a little.  The 6 Shellac Manicures alone cost about $180.  Then she gets an antique ring on top of that? Lucky girl!

Bikram 101, Day 1: Return To The Light.

"You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis

The Winter Solstice was today. Yesterday was the longest day of the year... And from here, we start heading into the lighter days. I think the tendency in Winter is for one to think of bleakness. Especially after the holidays wrap up.  It often feels like all that lays ahead of us is cold and doldrums.

I know these feelings well. In the past few years, too well.

But today, I decided I would kick off my Bikram 101 Challenge. Last time I did this was two years ago.  I made a whole blog (with the help of others) about it. I wanted to do it again this year because I need it. My practice has gone to complete crap. And I have built up a lot of "junk" mentally and feel shredded physiologically.

I was in the dark. And it was time to return to the light. For my soul and my body.

Tom Ford True Coral Lipstick.

I had been reading about Tom Ford's jump into makeup for a while now.  All the glossies had written about it.  And even a few bloggers, like Yummy Mummy.

My interest was sparked.

Being as busy as I am in New York though, I rarely have time to shop. And certainly haven't had much time to head uptown to the likes of Bergdorf's or Saks to try any of it out. But while in Toronto this week, I was able to investigate it a little.

I live in a neighborhood in Toronto that is right next to a high end department store.  They don't always carry lines you can find in stores in the States. And even if they do carry a line, they don't always carry everything in that line.

This was the case with Tom Ford's makeup. They only carry the perfumes and the lipsticks.

So while popping into the store, I had them try a coral-colored lipstick on me. Yummy Mummy had written about Wild Ginger.  So I was keen to try that one. However, when I got it on, I wasn't a fan of the way it looked on me.

The gentleman assisting me said that if I wanted to go with the orange-lipstick trend this season, he would suggest I try True Coral.

"It will bring out your eyes," he promised.

When I got it on, I was surprised by how much I actually liked it. I normally don't wear lipstick that is noticeable.  But this one really worked with my complexion.

The quality of the lipstick is fantastic. It's very rich. And the color is potent. Love.

New Years Resolution FAIL.

I have already failed at one potential resolution for the new year...

Bikram 101: It's Time Again.

Alrighty!

Two years ago I made the decision to complete the Bikram 101 Challenge.

I had done a few 30-day challenges and even a 60-day challenge. But before I went to Bikram Yoga Teacher Training, I wanted to do a 101-day challenge.

Just refresh you memory... That's 101 consecutive days of Bikram yoga.

My policy (which, admittedly, is more lenient than the "hardcore" practitioners) is that if you skip a day, you have to double up on another day.  The overwhelming thought of doing two classes in one day is more a "mental" than anything.  And for me, the reality is that there will be days in which I will have to double up. My schedule isn't going to provide me with the opportunity to practice every day... At least not on days when I have to travel.

My challenge begins January 8th this time, as I will be away on vacation from the 1st through the 7th.  And this time, I'm adding another dynamic to the challenge:

I'll be doing it vegan.

Last time around, I ate whatever I wanted. It was the first time I had done so much yoga. And having to think about what I was putting into my body just wasn't going to happen. But this time, I am in a better state. I know what to expect, having done it already AND having been to teacher training.

So here's to the new year and the challenge! Who else is in?

Shit That Only Happens To Me...

A movie came out this weekend that I have been looking forward to seeing for a few months.

The cynic in me was looking forward to this... And had planned to wrap my holiday shopping this afternoon just in time to catch the 5:40pm showing in Union Square.  There aren't too many movies out that I want to see this season.  

Especially those crappy bullshit Garry Marshall films... Which I gave up watching in my 20s. (Though, I will watch Pretty Woman whenever it is on TV... Because the 13-year-old in me appreciates the nostalgia.)  Those chick-flick movies (Valentine's Day, Runaway Bride, Raising Helen...) I absolutely eff-ing hate.

So I walk into the theater, which is surprisingly packed. But I find a spot to sit in (since I am flying solo on this) just as the previews start. It is in the middle of a row.  But people kindly let me pass by their legs... And I tuck in and get into my dark humor mood that only Diablo Cody can seem to pull off lately.

"I've been looking forward to this movie for a few months now," I say to the girl and her boyfriend sitting next to me. 

"I know, right?" said the chirpy girl.  "I watched the trailer like a million times.  I even made him watch it!" (Pointing to her gentleman friend.)

I laughed.  This girl had a great sense of humor.  The Husband would roll his eyes if I made him watch the Young Adult trailer.

The lights get even darker... And the movie's first scene starts to open.

And then my internal dialogue starts to flip the shit out.

I realize that I am NOT in the theater to see Young Adult. I somehow managed to park myself into the theater for New Year's Eve.

FUCKING NEW YEAR'S EVE!

The one movie I absolutely DID NOT WANT TO SEE!!!

And seeing as I was stuck in the middle of the row, it wasn't going to be easy to get up.  And since I had just spent a few seconds telling the chirpy chick next to me how much I had been looking forward to seeing this movie...  My pride wouldn't allow me to get up. I had to save face.

"No God! No!" I screamed to myself.  "WHY?!?!  WHY!?!? WHY DID I NOT PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE I WAS WALKING IN TO?!??!"

The movie... It was awful. I mean, if you love shit that Garry Marshall does... You will love it. I always pretend that I do... Because I have lots of friends who do. But the reality is, I pretty much do not. 

I would rather have the most God-awful menstrual cramps without being allowed access to Advil or alcohol than sit through these movies.

But even more... I didn't want to cause a scene getting up and leaving after I had just sat down.

I plan to try to see Young Adult next week when I am in Toronto. Next time, I will pay way more attention. 

Holiday Decorating - City Style.

Every year, the holidays roll around... And I am a bit reluctant to actually decorate. This is because I usually don't spend the holidays in my own home. So I don't really feel up to putting much effort into the decoration of the space.

But this year, The Husband and I will be in NYC for both Christmas and New Year's.  We will be traveling, instead, the first week of the new year.  So I am going to decorate a little. Very little. There  will be very minimal effort.

Here is the magnolia wreath I put on my front door...



And here is my"Christmas Tree."

A decoupage twiggy thing from West Elm.  I bought some ornaments to go hang on it.  And already have a few presents tucks under it.

This will likely be as "seasonal" as I get this year.

"Eff Those Guys!"

Like a broken record lately... "I am going to get back into my Bikram practice. I promise." 

I keep saying that over and over again.  But yet, I still seem to only make it to class once a week lately.  And that is pathetic.

Tonight's class, to my un-surprise, was a tough one.  Again. Puking almost happened.  I was actually sweating for once... Something that has happened in a long time -- a proper sweat.  And I couldn't do any of the forward-bending poses.

I wanted to puke that badly in class.

The postures that I was able to kick ass in... The thing that kept me going in them was this phrase in my head: "Fuck those guys."

It just sort of popped in my head out of nowhere. But I didn't know whom I was saying it about exactly.

"Why am I so angry? And whom am I angry at?" I asked myself. Anger is an expression that is contained in your Solar Plexus.  Which is your "torso" area.  Which is the main area you are compressing in forward bends.

I have no idea what I am holding on to, anger-wise. I don't have anything to be angry about... I think.  But maybe tonight when I sleep, it will come out in my dreams.  And then maybe, hopefully, tomorrow night's class will be better.  And I will be able to actually do some forward bends.

Aspirational Wish List.

It was a long week. Been quite a few long weeks.  But last night I slept 13 whole, straight hours.  And it was super awesome.

I woke up this morning, feeling complete.  And decided to practice the Spanish art of doing absolutely nothing on my agenda. (With the exception of the 30 minutes I spend doing work stuff. Can't help it sometimes!)

While in my afternoon bliss of doing nothing, I spent a nice hour at the Grumpy Cafe down the street.. Where I was able to get lost in a Flat White coffee and a glossie.

I was able to day dream of lovely holiday gifts I would buy myself, if I had all the money in the world.  And here they are...