tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:16:04 +0000livingspiritualityentertainingfooddrinkstyletraveldesigngeneralhealth and fitnessLive the life you love and love the life you live, because it's Life. Inspired!http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)Blogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-8220219339399501325Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:32:00 +00002011-11-07T14:50:40.283-05:00generaltravel It  was a pleasant day for the 10th Annual Winter Park Concours d'Elegance until the rain threatened to put a damper on things, quite literally. Fortunately, it was short lived and the sun peeked out again to reveal another pleasant November day in Central Florida. In an impressive display of antique and modern cars, super cars and headturners on six blocks of the cobbled main drag Park http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/11/winter-park-concours-delegance-car-show.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-7323348031390820234Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:34:00 +00002011-10-27T10:35:13.426-04:00designdrinkentertainingfoodstyle It is very easy to glam up your soiree on a budget. Here are a few tips on throwing a fancy party on a budget: Light it up. For evening affairs, it is amazing what the right lighting can do. Candles provide a great glow that makes everything look more elegant and more beautiful – including people! (Your guests will thank you for that). Arrange them in clusters or individually, take http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/10/5-ways-to-glam-up-your-party-on-budget.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-3198808817316673215Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:37:00 +00002011-11-07T03:06:13.024-05:00livingspirituality Trusting and letting go and being assured that you will be ok in the end is a tough thing to do - especially when it comes to major decisions in your life. For people who like to have things planned, organized and controlled, this is a particularly big one. My life has been in a state of flux the last few months regarding the next stage of my life. Lots of decisions to be made, and not enoughhttp://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/10/trusting-goodness-40-things-ive-learnt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-5786339675603386471Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:55:00 +00002011-10-06T04:55:37.456-04:00designgeneralliving When I read a little while ago that Steve Jobs had died, I couldn't help feeling a certain deep sadness. I read this on Facebook, of course, on my MacBook Pro, before my CNN update showed up on my iPhone. Just so you know, I've been holding out on the iPad and turn green with envy when I see people with iPads. But I digress.... I was crushed, and astonished at my reaction. Ihttp://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/10/steve-jobs-connecting-dots.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-3230005457939055141Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +00002011-10-03T03:00:03.191-04:00livingspirituality Life is hard. And then you die. The title of this post may sound rather pessimistic, but it's not. Perhaps it got your attention.  (And for the technical nit pickers: forgive my use of 'hard' instead of 'difficult' in this post - it just sounds better here!) It's often said that the two things that are certain in life are death and taxes - let me add a third: tough times. Everyone goes http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/10/life-is-hardand-then-you-die-40-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-3012994849047928664Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:31:00 +00002011-10-02T11:41:43.109-04:00drinkentertaining I'm not sure if it's because I took some mixology classes, but there's something about having a nicely-stocked bar at home that appeals to me. But with so many kinds of alcohol available and so many brands to choose from, stocking a bar can be a daunting task for many. Here are some tips to help you stock your bar at home with an adequate variety of liquor for when you have guests. The first http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/08/stock-your-bar-everything-you-need-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-4956726477305429405Mon, 22 Aug 2011 07:07:00 +00002011-08-22T17:27:00.053-04:00entertainingfood Photo credit: sinfultommaso.com I love the Insalata Caprese, and for a recent party I had, I made a variation of that - Caprese Salad Skewers. The Insalata Caprese is a simple salad made with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil, usually drizzled with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. I first had it while on vacation in the French Riviera and for one who was not a big fan of http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/08/caprese-salad-skewers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-5937900564051708295Thu, 18 Aug 2011 04:10:00 +00002011-08-23T09:10:15.394-04:00drinkentertainingfoodHere are some more ways to save money on throwing a party: Buy lots. For certain items, it is smart to buy in bulk to get them at cheaper prices. This works for things you will be using anyway, and not just for the party. If you a member of Costco or Sam’s Club or any of the bulk discount stores, you can take advantage of that. You can buy candles and decorations that you can reuse multiple http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/08/cheap-party-5-more-ways-to-throw-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-4600902859371594586Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:22:00 +00002011-08-22T17:28:25.420-04:00drinkentertainingfoodThrowing a party, whatever the occasion, can be pretty expensive if you let it, and many times, the little things add up pretty fast! Thankfully, there are ways to throw an elegant shindig without breaking the bank. Here are 25 of my favorite tricks of the trade: Look ahead. It might seem like a no-brainer, but many people do not really plan out their events. Of course, we will decide when to http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/08/cheap-party-25-ways-to-throw-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-461281314705999022Sat, 06 Aug 2011 02:06:00 +00002011-08-23T09:11:54.715-04:00livingI'm quite sure you've heard tell of how money cannot buy you happiness, or health, or class, or love, or a host of other things... And in many ways that is true. Having money, in itself is not a guarantee to happiness. Happiness is not a reward for hard work or earning money; it is a consequence of a series of choices we make each and every day. I have found that the main reason having a lot http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/08/money-can-buy-you-happiness-40-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-6980428397346417256Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:27:00 +00002011-08-03T14:27:56.639-04:00 Los Angeles is famous for the movie industry, celebrities, and Hollywood. But how well do you know the City of Angels? Here's your chance to win three City Walk iPhone applications to cities of your choice, courtesy of GPSmyCity.com. Correctly answer all ten questions about Los Angeles below and e-mail them to quiz@gpsmycity.com for your chance to win! ; 1. L.A was founded as a http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-well-do-you-know-los-angeles-ca.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-3851047101451076695Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:56:00 +00002011-08-23T09:13:16.393-04:00livingIn my first job - an unofficial and unpaid internship - I learned very early on, the importance of being indispensable. I didn't set out with that intention - it was actually a by-product of something else. I started out with the task of organizing an abandoned file room - a task I finished in 3 days, much to the dismay of my supervisor. I kept asking for my things to do. What I wanted was more http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/be-indispensable-40-things-ive-learnt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-4761934613178493034Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:15:00 +00002011-08-22T17:31:02.131-04:00livingAs a young boy, I was rather obsessed with following the rules and doing everything right. For me it was avoiding the embarrassment of disapproval or punishment. My mother, bless her heart, was quite the disciplinarian. I needed to have the approval of my parents at all times and if they so much as looked at me the wrong way, my soul was crushed. So when I was punished for anything I'd done at http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/break-rules-40-things-ive-learnt-in-40.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-5631595408426965984Mon, 25 Jul 2011 07:46:00 +00002011-08-22T17:31:28.347-04:00livingSex. The very thought of it is enough to conjure up visions of hedonistic abandon and heights of incredible ecstasy... ...or not. It is amazing how sex has changed for me over the years. Time was, when sex had but one objective: the surreptitious foray through the nether regions to reach the intoxicating heights of Mt. Olympus - the mount of the gods - if only for an all-too-brief moment. It http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/sex-40-things-ive-learnt-in-40-years.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-468123574950152653Thu, 21 Jul 2011 07:58:00 +00002011-08-22T17:32:02.983-04:00drinkentertainingfoodEnjoy this video: http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-host-dinner-party-cocktail.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-3675074506415044809Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:55:00 +00002011-08-22T17:32:28.070-04:00generalThis is an interesting concept for the (near) future...What are your thoughts? http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/day-made-of-glass.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-5734330109186234171Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:42:00 +00002011-08-22T17:32:52.708-04:00livingspiritualityIt's amusing to watch kids even in pre-school fight over toys crying, "It's mine, it's mine!" tugging at whatever toy both got their attention and their right of ownership. Due to some very interesting socialization process, we teach kids a sense of ownership. It's my toy; my bed; my mummy; my whatever it is. As adults, we extend that to people as well. I am - as you might imagine - very http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/ownership-40-things-ive-learnt-in-40.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-8846532123539978336Mon, 18 Jul 2011 07:57:00 +00002011-08-22T17:33:19.925-04:00spiritualityIt just hit me the other day that God isn't who I thought He was. I'm not sure what went wrong along the way, but I was given a heavy dose of the wrong God. And no, it is not because someone decided to misinform me - because everyone that has crossed my spiritual path has had the best of intentions. God Then...I was raised Catholic, went to a Catholic grade school and became the Catholic Chapel http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/god-isnt-who-i-thought-he-was-40-things_18.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-4395077658665193203Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:01:00 +00002011-08-22T17:33:56.836-04:00livingConfidence is a mental state of mind that sets you apart and makes others believe in you. Confidence is the veneer that makes you appear unstoppable even though you might be feeling scared out of your wits. Your perception of yourself has an enormous impact on how others perceive you. In a way, perception becomes the reality — the more self confidence you have, the more likely it is you’ll http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/8-secrets-to-walking-and-moving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-1929094282428943362Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:17:00 +00002011-08-22T17:34:33.886-04:00livingThe older I've grown, the less I want to work. The hard kind, at least. Don't get me wrong: I love the work I do and I'm a very hands-on person, but I've paid some dues and am throttling back. Years ago, it was cool to work hard, doing the things I loved to do for just a pittance; right now - not so much. Many of you might be familiar with Pareto's 80/20 principle - get 80% of your work done http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/work-smart-not-hard-40-things-ive.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-5270971710013785967Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:41:00 +00002011-08-22T17:34:51.106-04:00food Those of you who have been following my blog and Facebook page might have noticed that I have an incurable sweet tooth. I love cakes and pastries. Unfortunately, I have not seemed to be able to acquire the skill of creating a cupcake that remotely looks adult and elegant. The other day, I was excited when I was forwarded some information about these wonderful cupcakes. Even better is knowing http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/cupcake-fetish-british-style.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-3730775170867300897Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:53:00 +00002011-08-22T17:35:13.416-04:00livingspiritualityI think I am pretty weird when it comes to jealousy, especially in the context of relationships. I know many people who subscribe to the thoughts of St. Augustine: "He that is not jealous is not in love". I have a fundamental problem with that because of what it suggests. The quotation that somewhat expresses my sentiments is by François, Duc de La Rochefoucauld: "In jealousy there is http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/envy-and-jealousy-40-things-ive-learnt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-300399115222118158Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:32:00 +00002011-08-22T17:35:34.854-04:00livingspiritualityIn my country of origin Ghana, a phrase that is oft-repeated is "forgive and forget". Ghanaians are generally a non-confrontational people, but I have wondered if the concept of forgiveness has really been understood. Just about everyone of us has been hurt by someone else's words or actions (or inaction). It could close friends, family or someone we were romantically involved with. Whatever http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/forgiveness-40-things-ive-learnt-in-40.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-157715967125021761Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:54:00 +00002011-08-22T17:36:20.995-04:00foodhealth and fitnessI try to eat a balanced, healthy diet each day (except for my self-confessed sweet-tooth cravings), but more from a perspective of moderation. I don't cut out huge swaths of food types or try to stay on a strict regimented diet. For an acknowledged foodie like me, that doesn't work. Neither is it fun. I believe my diet should be sensible and work with my lifestyle as well. But a friend of mine http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/you-are-what-you-eat-40-things-ive.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238030066530910913.post-2182914456068804831Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:46:00 +00002011-08-22T17:36:44.616-04:00livingspiritualityI've always been told I'm a good listener. I enjoy listening to people's stories - stories of triumph, joy, sadness or pain. Admittedly, sometimes I hear more than I need to know or even want to know, but it's par for the course. By listening, I learn so much about human nature and the world around me. I once heard a speaker talking about the difference between hearing and listening and I found http://ayiteokyne.blogspot.com/2011/07/listening-40-things-ive-learnt-in-40.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Lifestyle Maven™)0