Simply Colette

Still Alive!

2012-01-29T17:52:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

Sorry I've been gone so long. I haven't posted because I haven't set up my internet or cable yet, and I gotta say, it's been kind of nice. Going back to the olden days of reading and late night puzzles... kind of fun, oh and lots of baking!

What I've been up to... well the new job is great. I love my boss and working in a public health clinic with lots of women where I feel each day gives me purpose. I feel my roll is pretty important, my position is funded by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act with the Center for Disease Control. My boss and I are single-handily working on improvements for the way public health departments are billing for immunizations in the state of Nevada. Even though it's a big task and only been a few weeks, I feel like we are already taking vital steps toward making a difference. Plus I'm meeting lots of super cool ladies!

Did you hear about the big fires in Reno/ Washoe Valley again that occurred last week?

(This is a pic of the storm coming the day prior.)

Well, it was my first week and right in the heart of my commute, which led me to realize how important it is to carry emergency clothes at all time in my car. Then, I finally had my first drive in the snow and ice this week, (Tahoe has had a huge shortage of snow this year). But I can't complain, because I actually love my commute.

Kitty and I are getting acclimated in our new home, though it wasn't easy for her at first or my new sleep patterns, but we love it! We've just been hunting for a few more pieces of furniture, then everyone thing should be good and hopefully more regular blog posts again soon! I've gotten a few worried emails from you... sorry!

Moving Day

2012-01-13T20:49:00.000-05:00

The Day has come... finally! From wearing flip flops in Florida for over four years, to warm boots in Truckee for six months, I'll be walking in some new shoes soon. (I'm still on the hunt for them!) I can honestly say I never thought I'd live in Nevada. But each time I visit, I love it more and more, and tomorrow it will be home.

Looking forward to sharing the journey!

Changes

2012-01-10T16:34:00.000-05:00

I'm not going to lie, it's been a tumultuous couple of weeks. So I apologize for my absence.

I have a friend who is superstitious about a certain week of the year where bad things always happen to him, so he is always very cautious at that time. My bad week seems to be the last week of the year. Come to think of it the past few Decembers haven't been the best. This year was no different, and 2011 closed at midnight with a definite bang.

I had one quick rendezvous with the city (SF) a few days ago, just to make sure life in the big city isn't what I want, and though my visit wasn't under the best circumstances, it affirms I'm making the right decision to stay in the Reno/ Tahoe area for me. As I was driving back from SF, I saw a billboard for a local pizza parlor. "Life is like pizza. Enjoy every slice." Mundane advice, but sometimes it really is that simple. It was enough to remind me that everything will be ok.

On a brighter note, I am moving this weekend! So I'm busy packing up and after exactly 6 months and one day, I'll be leaving the nest again. Here is sneak peak of my new home...

Looking forward to future food posts from my new kitchen!

The Resolutions

2012-01-04T20:30:00.002-05:00

Everyone's talking about it this week. Either making goals to be a better person or shrugging it off because you think you may not hold to it anyway. Or maybe you will cram all your resolutions on the last day of the year like Michelle Pheiffer's character in New Year's Eve (loved it). I'm keeping mine simple this year, besides my personal mission statement: to rebuild.

1. To tackle my cookbooks. I have many that I get as gifts, collect for myself, etc. What I don't do... is actually try the recipes. So this year, I plan to get back in the kitchen and try out more recipes.

2. To expand my social circles. No, not social media. But to actually get out there, join some groups. To meet amazing new people.

There you have it. Just two.

I could go with the obvious. Health and weight loss. Well, since it is the first week of January, I will go ahead with bragging rights and say that just yesterday, I reached my lowest weight of 118 since my senior year of high school! Not bad for the first of the year. Good bye decade of laziness! It was one of those things, where I didn't realize I put on that much weight until hating all pictures of myself the past few years. So, my goal is to maintain which I have for the past few months.

Here is how I lost 15 lbs:

Exercise: Jogging an average of 8-12 miles a week has helped tremendously, not to mention provides clarity. It began on Monday evenings, just for stress relief. Then even if it was only once a week, I made it my goal to never miss a Monday for months. Naturally, I started to like the way I felt and began to jog 2-3 times a week for 4.5 miles each time. I went from a size 6 to a 2. On non-running days, once or twice a week, I do lite cardio with 3 lb weights for about 20-30 minutes. Yes, a good music mix is mandatory for my ability to stick with the program.

Food: Even though my goal is get back in the kitchen, I plan to choose my recipes wisely. I have gone extremely easy on dairy. That means limited cheese (very hard to do since I love gourmet cheeses, Cambozola is my favorite, but not figure friendly at all). I had it one day this year and although it was sheer ecstasy... I couldn't breath the next day. I also limit red meat and go even easier on the carbs and sugars. When I do go for carbs, I usually opt for rice noodles because they are gluten-free. My weakness is Asian food which can be healthier, but is high in sodium. I splurge maybe once a weak on Chinese and justify it as being better than a Whopper and Fries or a whole triangle of Cambozola cheese and loaf of French bread. When I bake, I give away about 97% of the goodies to others. :) But the main thing is I try not to let myself get hungry, because if I get hungry around 10:30 or 11, that's when the bad food cravings start for lunch. So, I eat oatmeal and fruit in the morning, and snack on almonds or the Asian rice crackers so I get my little dose of sodium, then I'm less inclined to go for anything really bad at lunch. But I never deprive myself of anything. If you want something, eat it, but try sharing it with someone else so you don't hate yourself after, use small plates, take home leftovers, whatever it takes. That's the key for me: I don't let my stomach growl and I don't let myself get stuffed.

Rice noodles with tuna, bell pepper, black sesame seeds, tossed in sesame oil.

Liquids: I drink tons of liquids (water and tea), which helps with not feeling hungry, and at over 6,000 ft elevation... drinking lots of water is mandatory to fight dehydration. Though I drink lots of hot tea... I occasionally just drink hot water to help keep warm, lay off the caffeine a little, and up the daily water intake.

There you have it. I didn't join Jenny. Just stuck to the basics and remembered one important thing. Did it to make myself feel better, not anyone else... just me.

Pumpkin Spice Bread

2012-01-03T21:13:00.000-05:00

Recipe

If you have leftover holiday items in your pantry... you might enjoy this Pumpkin Spice Bread... like I did!

Bon appetit!

Favorite Day of 2011

2011-12-31T17:34:00.001-05:00

Can you remember or pinpoint your favorite day this year? I can.

For me, it was the day after the Royal Wedding. I had been in London for a week. The whole week leading up to the big day was like nothing I've ever experienced. Journalists from all over the world camped out waiting for a glimpse or snippet of something to report to their countries back home. The whole world was tuned in... it was insane.

I kept randomly wandering into media situations, catching glimpses of the Royals and their guests. A lone Buckingham Guard slowly trotted by me patroling the Palace on his horse locking eyes with me. A true Cinderella moment.

Rather than being depressed the day after a big holiday, it was more like a big sigh after the ultimate climax. Though my time in London was expiring, my journey in Europe was just beginning.

But that day, I made no plans. I was over sightseeing. I just wanted TO BE in the city. So I hopped on the Tube and ended up in Piccadilly Circus.

I left the Nikon at home, only took my mini camera and iPhone with my leather journal. Sat in an uber hip coffee shop watching British men stroll by. I quickly realized I was in a location where they were only interested in each other and chuckled to myself, just content to embrace the moment writing in London and being a part of the city like it was my own.

From there I ventured to Fortnum & Mason where I browsed all floors of high end edibles.

I purchased a special expensive minature cake for one with a celebratory C&W honoring Catherine & William. So I took my chocolate wedding cake and ate it in the park.

Thirty minutes each day in the park was the BEST part of my time in London. While working day in and day out, I always fantasized about being outdoors laying in the park staring up at the clouds on a sunny day. In my daydreams it was always Paris or Versailles. But it was London that had the best parks where you could get lost in the soft grass. The sun had been shining all week, and everyone was outside enjoying the park in their own way. I would always choose a grassy knoll where I could peer through the trees gazing at the sky, practicing the art of doing nothing. Those peaceful moments were my best memories of 2011, not even the hay fever attacks from the pollen could steal it away.

To see the original post: A Day Just for Me & my YouTube video, click here.

Good bye, 2011!

Hello, 2012!

2011: A Year in Review

2011-12-30T01:56:00.006-05:00

A Year for Following Dreams & Facing Reality...

Last New Year's Eve, I decided that rather than having any New Year's resolutions... I would chose a theme or motto, a simple but powerful one: To Be True to Myself. It took massive courage, but in all my choices and major life changes this year...that is what I did.

In February, I left my job in the financial industry to pursue more creative ventures. After pouring my soul into Photography Getaways, I faced the hard facts that the business just wasn't quite ready, so I focused on a dream trip to Europe which did serve as 'research' for Photography Getaways.

When I tried to purchase my ticket abroad, Travelocity had a glitch charging me for two tickets, but with no confirmed reservation. As fate would have it, the next day I was contacted by HomeAway Vacation Rentals encouraging me to enter their BlogAway contest for the Royal Wedding. I jumped at the opportunity! Within a week, I was a Top 3 Finalist. I fought my heart out on Facebook and Twitter for votes. With the help of friends, family members, and loyal blog readers (especially my Dad and cousin Olivia) I won the week long trip to London for the Royal Wedding!

So, I extended my stay in Europe afterall, visiting one of my dearest friends, Sheila, a woman I met on a spontaneous trip to Switzerland in 2007, after opting not to get engaged. This allowed me to spend a week with her in Birmingham, UK... a town I quickly grew to love.

From there, I flew to Paris where I rented an apartment for 10 days. Though the dream was fulfilled I realized the city streets were not Hollywoodized like in Midnight in Paris.

After Paris, I got in my little rental car and ventured to the Loire Valley for a week... and had my own little driving scene abroad like in The Holiday. It was the bravest thing I've ever done, as silly as it sounds! Learning new traffic signs in a foreign language, while having a Frenchman come to my rescue after getting stuck on a narrow village one way road, denting the bumper and not getting that thing called rental insurance... I needed the whole day to recuperate at Chateau de Les Sablons eating wine and cheese in the private courtyard. Yes, I stayed a week in a French Chateau!

On my way out, I stopped at Chateau Villandry... where the French Gardens are almost as exquisite as Versailles. It was an emotional day, because I had changed my ticket to come home earlier from Nice instead of continuing with my planned 8 weeks to Cinque Terre, Rome, Tuscany, and then Switzerland.

I was exhausted, lonely, hadn't spoken much English to anyone, was stressed about getting to and from with my luggage, and the dollar wasn't going as far as hoped. I lost 8 pounds (currently 13 lbs!) because I couldn't enjoy all the fabulous French food.

So I pressed on to Dordogne, where I stayed with a fantastic English couple at Les Quatre Piins, and made wonderful friends who were so hospitable to me. Maybe I had given up too soon. Things were looking up... though I was desperate to get rid of that rental car. But I saw all the places I dreamed about... visiting Domme, Beynac, Le Roque Gageac, and Sarlat. It was remarkable... though I wished I had someone to share it with.

I traded in the car and took the train from Cahors to Nice and stayed in my first hostel... Villa St. Exupery. It was so much fun! I should have incorporated more hostels into my trip all along. I knew I didn't want it the entire time, but it would have saved money and offered more socialization.

So I boarded the plane on June 5th, from Nice to Fort Lauderdale, content that I had followed my dream. Even though France had chewed me up and spit me out... it was eye opening, and I'm proud of myself for following my dreams.

As soon as I landed in Fort Lauderdale, it felt like home for the first time in five years. But when I got home... the problems in my personal relationship hadn't magically worked themselves out like I hoped. I gave it everything I had for over three years. Love wasn't enough. It was time to walk away

with my kitty... and time to return home 3,000 miles away. After 11 years of living in a different state than my Mom, it was the perfect time for a mother's love to heal all wounds in Truckee, California.

The second half of the year I found balance. I spent more time away from the computer and social media. More time on excerise, developing friendships, and catching up on family time.

I found a new guy quicker than I planned, and finally I'm not fearful of commitment, but just content and optimistic to see how things ride out.

I've almost completed my novel... a dating/ relationship memoir. A difficult task to face the past, but I'm finally ready to face the end!

The most important thing I learned about Being True To Myself... is I should have done it all along and much sooner. This goes for everything: jobs, dreams, relationships, etc. Because the bottom line is you have to live for yourself, you are responsible for your own happiness, and once you're happy from within, things will work out the way they are supposed to.

It is too late to live with regret, but because I wasn't true to myself sooner... My Mandatory 2012 Resolution theme or goal is: To Rebuild.

Rebuilding will take time. I'm starting from scratch again. But I'm greatful for all I've been gifted this year. My belief in fate, faith, and spirituality has improved by leaps and bounds this year. When I really needed guidance through prayer... it was there. I never prayed more than when I was in Europe... or these past few months. Courage and strength from within, and signs I couldn't ignore appeared when I desperately needed it.

My real Christmas gift (not the movie Runaway Bride my parents jokingly got me...yes, Eggs Benedict are my favorite) came a week early... a new job for the Department of Health & Human Resources for Carson City which will begin mid January. Social services will be a whole new field for me, and I feel it will be rewarding, giving me more purpose to help people. I'll also be getting my own place again for the first time in five years in just two short weeks! So, I couldn't ask for anything more than starting 2012 with a new career and a home of my own.

Thanks for sharing the journey with me this year!

Have a Safe, Happy, & Prosperous
New Year My Friends!
Remember YOU have the power
to make it ANY kind of year you want!!

If you are new to the blog and wish to read about my month in France,
click here.
Or read the tales from the Royal Wedding,
click here.

To see my 2010 Year in Review segments, click here.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

2011-12-24T20:20:00.001-05:00

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!

Old Fashioned Holiday Street Festival

2011-12-21T14:14:00.000-05:00

Christmas Market

When I heard about the Victorian Christmas held in historic Nevada City, a town filmed in Hallmark Channel's The Christmas Card. It was a must for me to check out this quaint town an hour away from me. The festival was filled with all kinds of Christmas charm like:

* roasted chestnuts on an open fire *

*strolling carolers*

*hot buttered rum*

*carriage rides*

Only four days left til Christmas!

Weekend Brunch

2011-12-17T12:03:00.000-05:00

Herbs de Provence Omlette
on a bed of Organic Arugula...

2 eggs
1 tsp Herb de Provence
3 fresh leaves of chopped basil
1/4 fresh shaved Parmesean cheese
1 1/2 tbsp finely chopped purple onion
Pinch of salt
1/2 tbsp of butter for pan
Arugula
Cherry tomatoes for garnish

Stir ingredients in a bowl and cook in skillet for a few minutes until your personal liking. Serve on a bed of arugula with cherry tomatoes.

Bon appetit!

Home for the Holidays

2011-12-16T17:44:00.000-05:00

Who is ready for Christmas?! I admit I'm not in my usual holiday spirits this year... it could be because I hiked Humbug mountain in Oregon two weeks ago, the fact that I opted for a fake tree when I currently live in Tahoe and am surrounded by hundreds of thousands of pine trees, or the fact that I put off purchasing a plane ticket to Tennessee because of job interviews & it's now cheaper to fly to Europe, but mainly it's that I'm too distracted on which direction to go after the holidays. However, this week I've been putting my best efforts forward by watching countless cheesy Hallmark, Lifetime & ABC Family Christmas movies with Mom, making handmade bows for the tree, designing our holiday cards, and getting a start on some baking projects.

My Christmas plans still aren't definitive...

but it's looking like Mexican tamales will be a part of it!

Oregon Coast III

2011-12-15T20:44:00.000-05:00

After spending a few days in Eugene, I decided to return to Gold Beach to spend some time with newer members of my family. Have I mentioned how much I heart the Oregon coast?

This lovely place can give so much perspective and clarity.

Frost

2011-12-14T16:02:00.000-05:00

You would probably be surprised to discover these shots were taken while driving on the interstate. I realize the risks are probably way worse than texting and driving, but when you see everything through the eye of a lens, you just always have to be ready and do whatever it takes not to miss the beauty.

Photos taken on I-5 between Ashland and Medford, Oregon.

Hope everyone is having a joyous holiday season!

Oregon Football

2011-12-08T12:41:00.000-05:00

I'm back! I apologize for my very long absence. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I left on Black Friday for an 11 day trip to Oregon. My main purpose on traveling up there again so soon was because my amazing friend gifted me a ticket to see Oregon vs. Oregon State! Here are a few pics from the game...

The game was a blast... I'm just bummed I can't make it to the Rose Bowl.

Go Ducks!

I'll be posting all about my trip this coming week...

Have a great day!

Candy Stripes

2011-11-23T20:02:00.001-05:00

Fashion

I had just enough time for this post in front of our sacred Indian rock near home. I've been cramming in some writing, running, and running last minute errands like gathering bakery rolls, marble popcorn, and making a veggie tray for Thanksgiving. This will be my first Thanksgiving in 10 years with family! That sounds horrible doesn't it?! But that's why I'm super thankful for it!! It is also the first time EVER I will be bringing a guy around too for a holiday with my family! Double thankful!

Confession...

I've never braved the early shopping hours for Black Friday,

& this Friday will be no different.

I'll be on my way to Oregon again so soon!

My friend / former roommate gifted me a ticket to the Civil War game to see my alma mater

Oregon vs. Oregon State!

I'm super excited to be headed back up to my old college town and favorite restaurants.

I may just make a whole Northwest vacation out of it and hit up the Oregon Coast, Portland, & Seattle while I'm at it!!

So I may not be able to post very much next week.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Hospitality

2011-11-21T14:29:00.000-05:00

We received some harvest goodies from our neighbors this week including persimmons and a homemade sweet potato pie! We are also hosting a blue-eyed furry beauty in our home this week, but my green-eyed feline has not been the perfect host. So I'll be enjoying some pie, while mediating the battles between the princesses!

Have a great Thanksgiving week!

P.s. Here is a post from last year on Sage Butter

for your holiday table.

Breaking News & Where I'm at...

2011-11-19T15:09:00.001-05:00

I thought it was about time to share a bit of my personal life, answer some questions you may have been wondering, and tie it in to some current local events that recently made national news.

Burned barn off Highway 267 between Truckee and Sierraville.

Why Cal- Nev?

Technically my address reads California, but I spend a good portion of my time in Nevada seeing as Reno is the closest city for shopping, and I cross the California border patrol less than five miles away. Which is frequently since our expensive little community charges $4.29 for a gallon of gas versus $3.69 in Reno. This is also the case for groceries and other amenities. Plus, a new special person in my life also lives in the Carson City / Reno area.

How it all ties together...

It started on September 7th when I drove home for lunch and turned on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (not an everyday event), but as I was prepping a tuna sandwich, I heard a Breaking News report about a gunman who went into the Carson City IHOP and starting shooting throughout the restaurant and parking lot. It stuck with me being only an hour away and knowing it would make national news. I turned up the volume and watched the report, without realizing I was probably staring at the man I would meet just a week later.

I wasn't really ready to meet anyone seriously. I was still grieving a broken relationship that I wasn't even fully sure in my heart was closed. But I also didn't see any point in letting myself becoming a spinster either, and figured it would do me some good to get out there. So I signed up on Match.com again more out of curiosity, and eager to get out of the house so my parental figures wouldn't drive me crazy.

Why Match.com?

Because I don't go to the bars, if I did I wouldn't want to meet anyone there for a serious thing. Girls want to feel special and I hate to be hit on. I'm not a forward or aggressive girl, therefore never pick up on a guy. Though I've always had the fantasy of meeting someone at a book store, let's face it... it rarely happens. So, it becomes easier to browse the local area like an online shopping cart. First "the item" has to grab your eye, then you have to ~~read~~ scrutinize the description. Let's just say the whole caliber of men in my current location is.... hmmm.... slightly different then what I was used to in South Florida, not that it's a bad thing, just very different. But after a couple of weeks of browsing and just about to blow the whole thing off, there was a reserved guy that expressed some interest in me, and I thought he may be worth at least meeting. He was wearing my favorite outfit in his photo, just a plain white tee and jeans. He had the high receding hair line I've always been secretly attracted to. He had a kind smile and dreamy arms.

So on September 16th, as I was nervously rushing to get ready to meet him face-to-face for the first time on a Friday after work, Mom yelled at me while I was curling my hair. There was another Breaking News report, this time it was a crash at the Reno Air Races. That's how I remember when we met... within the hour of the crash at the Reno Air Races.

I had butterflies in my stomach when we met at Sand Harbor Beach on Lake Tahoe, mainly because it was my first 'first' date in about four years. I never thought when I first stepped foot on the beautiful Sand Harbor Beach two years prior or returned two weeks prior that I would be meeting someone for the first time there who would become an important part of my near future.

He was a little rough around the edges, a former competitive bull rider. Super easy to talk to, mellow, and I knew I instantly liked him. As the sun set behind the mountains glimmering over the lake, he told me he was part of Carson City's law enforcement and confided in me that he was one of the first few to arrive on scene to the IHOP shooting the week before, and how devastating it was to walk into the restaurant within a mile from home and see the innocent people laying there before any ambulance had arrived. His eyes captivated me and I knew I was smitten after a few short hours.

The past couple of months have flown by, and I'm feeling more settled in this area, which I never thought would happen nor planned on making this area a permanent stop. After all, I'm accustomed to wearing flip-flops year round... but as the months have gone by I've grown to love segments of Reno more and more, and I'd finally come to love a particular area where I could have maybe seen wanting to put down some roots.

Until the night before last, as the high winds kept me up from falling pine cones hitting our roof. This storm we were bracing gave me an unsettling feeling. I woke and discovered more Breaking News of the exact neighborhood I'd been scouting last week with hopes to possibly move to was in a state of emergency due to a 400 acre wildfire, not to mention one of the streets where my guy sold his house one year ago. Though his old house suffered only a little bit of charred paint... but 25 other homes nearby were burned completely, and the neighborhood I thought about settling in is no longer on my radar.

As far as my next chapter, it's still very much up in the air... but just thought I'd share what's really been going on in my life the past few months.

Kate Spade

2011-11-18T13:39:00.002-05:00

Holiday Wish List

We're just one week away from the biggest shopping day of the year! Black Friday. With winter on it's way, I'm thinking lots of color from the Kate Spade collection would gear up any girl for the holidays! It is a wish list after all...

The Flicker Melinda bag ($345) would be a great choice for beating the winter blues.

The problem is deciding between dark spearmint, berry, or firefly!

Left: Crystal Kaleidoscope Bangle $178. Right: Latrice shoes $298.

From top left counterclockwise: Short bow gloves $125, Karolina shoes in Dark Spearmint $298,

Prizeball Thermos $35, & Karolina shoes in Berry $298.

What's on your wish list?

Sir Francis Drake

2011-11-17T15:23:00.000-05:00

Travel Thursday

I've got San Francisco on my mind with the Write-a-thon this weekend, though it doesn't look like I will be attending, though I'm officially over the half-way mark on the novel in just two short weeks! However, I did want to share one of my favorite places in the city... the Sir Francis Drake hotel, a Kimpton Hotel in Union Square.

I treated my Mom a few years back celebrating a landmark birthday, and we had such an amazing time! Nothing says girl's night like cocktails on the 21st floor overlooking the city at Harry Denton's Starlight Room. Anytime I go to San Francisco, the Sir Francis Drake is at the top of my wish list for places to stay.

Cheers!

Work Space

2011-11-14T16:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! Yes, it's pretty happy for me in fact. After waiting about 5 long years, I've finally made a commitment... to a desk and chair! I'm so excited... Plus, I had an interview this morning with Vail Resorts, and crossing my fingers for the job. Who has heard of "ski breaks" for a benefit? (Two hour ski break on the slopes!) Sweet!

Details about the work space:

Desk - Micke from IKEA

Chair - Verner from IKEA

Recycled pencils & Flower Pencil from Anthropologie

Snow Postcards & magnet of Chenonoceau (my French inspiration for Photography Getaways & the chateau I was driving to when I had my fender bender in France).

Mason Jars from my dad's canning goodies.

Little penguin from my sister-in-law.

Bamboo with rocks from the Oregon coast.

Rocks from Mono Lake.

A copy of when I was in the Good Morning America crowd from the Royal Wedding.

One drawer for my photography card making, I store my photos in a Magnolia Bakery box from NYC.

A drawer for writing inspiration, including a draft of the first portion of the first novel I started.

Have a great week!

11-11-11

2011-11-11T11:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!

Hope everyone has a great weekend in store. Here are some of my favorite internet findings this week...

Image via DailyMail.

12 Easy Handmade Holiday Ornaments & Decorations

Glamour in the Skies: Behind the Scenes at Virgin Atlantic Stewardess / Steward Training Facility.
Only red lipstick allowed!

Making Me Hungry! : From Emeril's Table this week - Chicken Cutlets in Dijon-Tarragon Sauce with Classic Lyonnaise Potatoes. Also the standard salad dressing that takes me back to France. Shallots, dijon mustard, and one part red wine vinegar to three parts olive oil. Mmm!

Ladies... Can it get any better than baking bread with Martha Stewart & People's 2008 Sexiest Man Alive -Hugh Jackman? I'd vote for him every year.

I'm over 20,000 words on the novel! So excited, and having a blast writing. Next Sunday is the Write-a-thon for National Novel Writing Month in San Francisco. I'm trying to raise $250 by then to benefit young writing programs.

Donate here!

Have a great weekend!

Oregon Coast II

2011-11-10T13:17:00.000-05:00

Wildlife on the Coast

Here is another series of photos from my Oregon Coast Getaway...

Have a peaceful day!

Villa Saint Exupery Gardens

2011-11-08T17:02:00.002-05:00

Nice, France
Travel Tuesday

It occurred to me that I never shared one of the best bargains of France. After traveling solo staying in a Kensington Flat in London courtesy of HomeAway Vacation Rentals, in an architect's home with a charming English garden in a neighborhood covered with wisterias in Ozzy Osbourne's first wife's neighborhood of Birmingham, my own 17th Arrondisment Paris apartment, an old chateau turned fencing museum turned into the affordable but peaceful Chateau des Sablons, then the quaint Les Quatre Pins B&B in Dordogne... I finally decided to try a hostel in Nice.

Photo via VillaHostels.com

I spent less than $100 dollars for 3 nights, and had a fantastic time. Of course, Villa Saint Exupery Gardens (an old monastery turned hostel) set the standards high for my first hostel experience, as it was in beautiful Nice, and rated The #1 Hostel in France in 2010. The food was fantastic, affordable, and so easy to meet people in the dining/ bar area.

In this month's newsletter, they mentioned they had 2 marriage proposals there this year, 3 babies born from parents who met at the villa, 148 couples still going strong after visiting, and millions of friends who've stayed in touch over Facebook. I realized I was one of those statistics as I am also now Facebook friends with two fabulous girls I met during my stay.

Point is... if you want to do the French Rivera in an affordable fashion... Villa Saint Exupery Gardens is definitely the way to go! If I had designed the rest of my trip to Europe this way, I may have never come back!

Happy Traveling!

Let it Snow!

2011-11-04T15:02:00.001-04:00

It's here. Winter in Truckee that is. Glad I got my run in yesterday afternoon, because this morning I woke up to the sound of my step-dad snow blowing the front driveway at 5:30am. So I got up, made some more of those yummy Pumpkin Waffles for my parents before they went to work and snapped my surroundings.

By the way, I was working for the housing development my parent's live-in...

I'm now understanding why construction "slows" down in the winter.

Happy Friday!

National Novel Writing Month

2011-11-03T17:53:00.002-04:00

Today is the first day in about 4 months that I have the house all to myself, as ~~unemploymen~~t freedom begins today. It couldn't have been timed more perfectly either, so I can begin my book for NaNoWriMo, which started on Nov 1st. (For all you writers, who have ever wanted to write a book... join us!)

So as I sit listening to Pandora, taking myself into that whole deep mysterious writer mode wearing pj's (still at 2:00pm) and my cold winter boots (we are expecting snow tonight) and try not to contemplate the next steps in life, but rather concentrate on writing a kick-ass non-fiction book. All I can say about my project is, it is the yin to my yang. Complete opposite of the blog. Things I have wrote about in the past, stopped for years because of being in a relationship, and now feel liberated to write about whatever I want again, with no feelings to take into consideration. I promise you will want to read it.

I'm hoping to attend this year's 2011 Night of Writing Dangerously Write-a-thon in San Francisco. Something I've wanted to do for the past 2 years and considered flying all the way from Fort Lauderdale to participate. Now I only live 3 hours away, but need sponsors to attend. So... if you feel so inclined to donate a teeny amount, I would be so appreciative!! :)

DONATE HERE!