Monday Musings...

a friendly reminder

Hope you are having a nice memorial day remembering those that have died while serving in the U.S. Military. We're looking forward to a memorial for one of our relatives here in DC in a few weeks. It's easy to forget the reason for the holiday when everyone is out making plans, rushing to the beach or the picnic ... the hustle and bustle. Don't forget no matter what you do, where you are or what you've planned for the day, you deserve a little r&r just for being you.

We've been spending the weekend trying to remember this (and making buttons -- look to the right!).

Have a great week!

feels like home: a weekend in LA

time stops

I spent last weekend in Los Angeles. I went out mid-week for work and extended the trip to spend some time with my friend K.Mala.

I used to live in LA and it always feel like home when I return. I'm lucky that I get to go back quite often, so often I can't even remember the last time I was there, or for what reason. I always say LA never changes. I'm sure it does, but it never does for me.

There's something about driving down the 10, palm trees blurred, sky full, KCRW blasting, that just feels right. Every time I walk out of LAX I feel a rush of memories and a part of me is found.

It's hard to plan time to see everyone I want to see, and usually I just have to pick a few people or plan a 'meet me at this bar', which only works sometimes given all my friends' busy schedules. I met my friend at the bar with a martini in hand. We finished it together and caught up. So much has happened since the last time we saw each other -- at Día de los Muertos pop up shop in San Francisco. She moved out of SF first, then I moved. Now we are on opposite sides of the country.     Maybe it's because I spent my formative years in Los Angeles, maybe it's because I fell in love in Los Angeles, maybe it's because some of my favorite moments happened in Los Angeles ... firecrackers in San Pedro, backyard concerts in Echo Park, late nights studying on campus, bonfires in Bolsa Chica, picnics at the Hollywood Bowl, sipping Starbucks on the Promenade, speeding through the canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains, dancing at parties before they were parties, developing a habit of making friends with strangers, jazz pickup nights, hotel cafe, places that don't exist anymore, places that will always exist, maybe I just fell in love with a city, and that, I know, will never change.

home away from home

After dinner at the Alcove, we headed out to Hollywood where we reserved an air bnb -- something I've never done before (even though I'm a huge fan of couchsurfing and have done that in a few different countries). The space was wonderful and the handmade furniture was gorgeous. Our host said he created it himself, which of course made us swoon. He was nice enough to go out and get us a fan as it was terribly hot the first evening.

out and about

First stop -- the Dresden. My absolute favorite place to start the night, or spend an entire evening. Psychobabble (now closed) - Greek restaurant/Alcove - movie theatre on the corner - Dresden - Fred 62s was a pretty regular habit of mine circa 2006. My tastes haven't changed all that much.

We met up with friends and ended up downtown, after passing a club called rhonda and the short stop--places I used to frequent but that now have lines that wrap around the buildings and are filled with people that don't dance.

The apparent ease of California life is an illusion, and those who believe the illusion will live here in only the most temporary way.--Joan Didion

The Bloody Mary Bar

The next day we headed to Santa Monica for brunch at Brick + Mortar. We needed bloody marys and some fuel for the day, as well as some ocean breeze. The bloody mary bar was by far the most amazing bloody mary bar I have ever seen. The food was great and the staff was nice enough, but the club-music and Marina-esque scene was a little much for our old souls. Nothing a bit of ocean-side driving could not cure.

Showrooms

Next stops -- The Row showroom + other Melrose Place locales. We had to check out The Row's new showroom. I was so in love I didn't even take photos (luckily, K.Mala did -- check out her instagram). Everything was so perfectly curated and the center pool centered the space and the room. The clothes were smooth and sleek and dripping in chic elegance. I loved them, but also knew none of them would fit my body type. We needed coffee.

Necessary things

Intelligentsia time.

xoxo These two photos are by K.Mala Studios.

The Meat Dancer

After first going to the old location of Kohn gallery and being really, really, confused, we eventually found the current location. The Mark Ryden show was spectacular, two full rooms with detailed oil paintings that will make your skin curl, and opulent custom-designed frames that will make you wish you knew a metalsmith. There's was even a collection of cover songs, a penny-to-play old school arcade carousel thing (don't know how to explain this) and sketches of Ryden's pre-painting work. Everything he does is so precise and so inspiring.

Making Friends on Sunset

We went to our new favorite stores: Reform School and Bucks & Does and made some friends. Bucks & Does was having an anniversary party and Reform School gave us some good bar recommendations. We ended up having dinner at La Poubelle and retiring to bed (after some instagram time -- we now have an instagram!). We were beat.

back to the east coast

The next day I had to pack. I hate packing, but luckily my Cuyana tote and Etxe wallet make it fun because I like putting things in pretty things. They are really the only two things I need to get onto an airplain painlessly - I just put my id in my wallet and everything else in my tote. I never have to dig in my tote when I'm passing security. We stopped for breakfast at food lab and this song ironically played as my friend dropped me off at the curb.

Until next time Los Angeles ...

Here's a playlist that reminds me of LA; It's only half finished.

Are you a Millennial? Millennial Week DC may be right for you

Step 1: Are you a Millennial?

You're a millennial if...

This is how you respond to emails.

Your best friends have become your family and sometimes you say hi like this.

 

You binge watch your favorite tv shows, because you care.

  You probably need a quiz to help you out. Try this one, brought to you by the good people at Pew Research Center

If you're still not sure ...

Remember the Why Generation Y Yuppies Are Unhappy article?

Summary: Gen Y Protagonists & Special Yuppies = GYPSYs Our parents (who were told to build practical careers & worked hard for many years before they got their lush green lawn careers) raised us to be ambitious, wildly optimistic and follow our passions. Oh, and instilled in us that we are really really special--like unicorns.

So, we all grew up thinking we were going to be the unicorn with the lushest lawn of a career. After only a few years of hard work, of course.

But in reality, the bad economy, too high of expectations, delusions about our self worth, and taunting from image crafting on social media prevented these expectations to come to fruition. We are not the unicorn with the amazingly lush green grass career.

Unless we do something about it.

Step 2: This is where Millennial Week comes in.

Let's take control of our careers, do what we love, and be successful doing it. Okay? I'd love to & it looks like Millennial Week DC is going to get us started on figuring out how to do it.

We'll be checking out:

• Power Forward: Millennial Town Hall -- Tuesday, June 3rd
• Millennial Entrepreneurs Forum & Reception -- Wednesday, June 4th
• Millennial Day of Service -- Saturday, June 7th
• Innovator's Brunch -- Sunday, June 8th

Hope to see you all there!

... Or at least your media #MWDC2014

P.S. Don't worry Diddy still thinks you're a unicorn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTa7Bl_eUt8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTa7Bl_eUt8

Are you a millennial? Will you be attending millennial week? What do you think about millennials? Are you actually a unicorn??

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

6 essential apps to run your life

There are so many apps, yet so few that are actually helpful to daily life. Here are ones that we use everyday.

For managing your yoga, gym and barre classes:

For figuring out the most efficient (by time/price/calories burned) way to get around town:

For tracking your period:

For to do lists, grocery lists, packing lists:

For ideas of things to do:

For music loving:

April Birchbox

April Birchbox was filled with new, fun things. An eyeliner when I was in dire need, a color changing nail polish and a lotion that helps honeybees!

Color Club Gala's Gems Collection *****

I got my first Color Club polish a few Birchbox's ago and fell in love with the brand. The color goes on smooth and stays looking nice for at least a week. Oh, and some change colors in the sun! This polish changes from the color in the bottle, to the color of the sticker on the top. Yes, it really works, and yes it is awesome! This polish isn't the most drastic color change, but it's just noticeable enough to be really fun. Especially now that the sun is out everyday! High fives for summer.

Paula's choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant *

To be honest ... I'm still not quite sure what this does. It promised to perfect my skin if I used it on a clean and toned face. If anything, it reminded me to use my toner every day. Which is definitely a plus, but at $23.00 a bottle, it's not worth it. Sadly, I don't see this product doing much of anything for my skin.

BeKind Body Lotion ****

This lotion feels great, smells great AND every purchase from the BeeKind brand helps support a healthier honeybee population. You can feel you skin start absorbing the hydration as soon as you put it on. Who wouldn't want to help the honeybee's while also using a lotion that really works? I may have to purchase this one once I run out of my stockpile of gifted lotions.

Sumita Eye Color Contrast Eyeliner **

I was in desperate need of eyeliner when this showed up in my birchbox. It glides on smooth, lets you create a thin or thicker line, and stays on throughout the day. It's somewhere between a pencil and a gel. The down side ... I used up the sample within a couple days, so I doubt the full size product would last me very long! I've since bought an ink pot eyeliner instead.

KIND Healthy Grain Bars *****

Yes, this is an empty picture. I ate the Kind bar (with chocolate and cherry pieces) way before I had a chance to take a picture of it, and it was delicious. I was already a fan of Kind bars, they use real fruit and nuts and mostly honey to stick everything together. Kind bars are easy to grab at stores around me, so I doubt I'll buy them on birchbox, but I appreciate the sample!

That's all for now, stay tuned for my May Birchbox--it should be arriving any day now! And check out my February Birchbox review.