suggested classic films: paris in springtime

Every Spring I make a point to watch some of my favorite classics which revolve around Paris in the Springtime – especially on a rainy Saturday afternoon (Or some may refer to as Spring showers).  I usually pair this event with a bottle of champagne, some fresh strawberries and hot fudge and don’t ask why, but a bouquet of colorful tulips to set the mood.  I call this escape much needed mental therapy. Of course getting rid of the family for the afternoon also helps the situation.

Happy Weekend!

new years eve movie night

Just in case you have opted to stay home for New Years Eve this year and are tired of watching reruns or  reality shows on television, then consider renting some of the films I have listed below to keep you entertained.

So, grab a bottle or two of champagne, pop some popcorn, turn up the fire, snuggle under a blanket with a loved one or not and enjoy a movie or two or three

1.  The Apartment (1960)

2. Breakfast At Tiffany (1961)

3. La Dolche Vita (1960)

4. The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

5. Holiday (1938)

6. High Society (1956)

new years eve decoration suggestions

A few things  to remember while hosting  a New Years Eve party are of course,  champagne,  party favors, an array of (silver and gold) decorations, at least for my taste (you can choose your own color theme as you wish)  around the living room and several funky clocks strategically  placed  at the buffet table and fireplace mantle alarmed and ready to go off at midnight.

In light of the New Years Eve decoration suggestions, I have included some photos to share. Have fun planning!!!

 

new years eve appetizer and dessert ideas

Although there are many parties or events happening around the world, in my opinion, there is nothing more rewarding than celebrating New Year’s Eve with loved ones and  close friends, gathered in someone’s home.

What I also like is when everyone is asked to bring a dish for the pot luck style dining. I think this is the only night I find myself munching into the wee hours of the morning (providing I am able to stay up that late anymore). So for this joyous occasion or celebration, I have included some quick appetizer and dessert ideas to consider, just in case you are either hosting a party or are invited to one where you are asked to bring a dish.

Above photo: Antipasto sausage skewers, click here for the recipe

Above: S’mores.  Recipe:  Graham crackers, chocolate piece, marshmellow and sprinkled with toasted coconut

Above: Cupcakes in Fancy cups: Dark Chocolate cupcakes are recommended, white icing and silver or gold hard candy drizzled on top.

Above: Various cheese and crackers  and dried fruits displayed on a fancy cheeseboard with decorative silver knives. Recommended cheese board, marble or wood. Visit a gourmet deli to select quality international cheeses.

chocolate hues in your home

Chocolate hues in decor can either be a hit or a miss ,if one is not careful while selecting the color to decorate a room. The wrong hue or a combination of chocolate (brown)  shades without accent colors can sometimes drive a person away from the room rather than embrace the environment.

I, for one, love the color and while contemplating incorporating it into a friend’s apartment theme, I put together the following photos for her to reflect upon in order to “get it right”.

Let me know what you think of using chocolate-brown in decor? Also, if  you have dabbled with the color in your interior decor, please do share your photos or links.

frozen yogurt craze

This past week I was in L.A. again and for the first time in a while I decided on venturing into one of those frozen yogurt shops popping up everywhere around the U.S.  I fought the urge for the longest time because I had heard some interesting stories about the makeup of the yogurt ingredients in the past, but for some reason the one I visited in Calabasas and Beverly Hills was really good and I suppose worth my dime (yes I meant dime)

It is called  Menchie’s Yogurt and the store is set up something like a Hello Kitty store with bright colors and characters. At first you think to yourself, is this place really for adults also? But when you actually go in and create your own yogurt cup, you start to feel like a kid again and it doesn’t matter much anymore after that.  They have about 10 different flavored yogurts which is sold by weight (very smart business practice) and you can mix them in a one size for all cup, delightfully labeled with how much of an expert you are considered by the lines along the side of the cup. So the more you fill, the more of an expert you are and the more money they make (cute).

The toppings are either candy or fresh fruits and of course they have about 4 different flavored syrups or sauces you can pour over the yogurt for that final touch and the extra weight necessary to make it about 7.00 for a full cup. I think the best part of it was when I walked up to the cashier and had her weigh my cup, she instructed me to remove the plastic spoon just to save a few cents. I laughed and obliged and then with my sticky hands sat down at a colorful table and devoured my vanilla flavored yogurt, with fresh-cut fruits and hot fudge chocolate syrup with a drizzle of marshmallow syrup.

Although, these yogurt shops are probably a fad or a phase, like most other eateries in the U.S., it is one that stands out among the other frozen yogurt shops with fruit or color names (like Melon, Canteloupe, Orange, Pinkberry, etc) because of the uniformity of the brand name and the consistency of their yogurt, which taste the most natural (in my opinion) from the others.  As a matter of fact, the live cultures had me going the three days I consumed the products.

I do highly recommend the yogurt, if there is a shop in your neck of the woods but be careful, the $$$ add up the more of an expert cup filler you are.

marisa tomei suggests belly dancing and protein

Marisa Tomei (45) is on the cover of Shape Magazine ( August 2010) and not sure if she is airbrushed (yes I am sure she is, just my inner voice wants to believe otherwise ), but she looks pretty good.

According to her, when asked how she stays fit, she starts off her day drinking a cup of hot water with lemon and a boiled egg drizzled with a little olive oil or some fresh berries and granola with whole-milk yogurt. And since she loves to eat, she keeps high protein snacks on hand in order to keep her feeling full until the next snack attack.

She also belly dances and this I can vouch for myself, it is a very good form of exercise. (Note: If you are a patient of Kaiser Permenante, they offer belly dancing classes now as a form of excercise). It is something to consider if salsa dancing isn’t available in your neck of the woods.

She is a girl after my own heart because she also believes in playing, I suppose my interpretation of it is doing youthful things or being an outdoorsy person, but in her case it is going out dancing, drinking and having alot of sex. I wonder if I have it right or she does?

Either way, pick up the magazine and read about Ms. Tomei’s  advise and suggestions on being your best in your 40′s (she forgot to mention – not having kids also helps ).

midlife crisis in film

I watch movies like it’s going out of style. I enjoy watching and reviewing them and of course often offer my two cents worth on a good movie which in my opinion go unnoticed as a result of all the 3D craze. Here is one I highly recommend for the woman over 40 and even some under 40, which in my opinion, although pretty predictable, is an eye opener for all of us who go through the crisis in either denial or in silence.

The film is called The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, which probably lasted in theatres about a week or so and since it was an independent film, it wasn’t marketed like Avatar and Alice In Wonderland and so not too many people have heard of it. The film stars the beautiful Robin Wright Penn, who at the time the film came out was going through her own personal struggles with Sean Penn. It is a simple film, very touching and one that alot of women can relate to one way or another. My recommendation for watching the film however, is to either do it by yourself or have a girls night out, just to not freak out your spouses with your choice of film for a couples night.

I loved the film and was actually hoping Robin Wright Penn would at least be nominated for her performance in the 2010 Oscars. Anyway, if you have seen the film, please let me know what you thought of it.

venice beach for the woman over 40

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In the 80′s every time I was in L.A. I had to visit Venice Beach and be part of the madness. In the 90′s not so much. I used to refer my student travellers to visit Venice Beach but I stayed away. In the early part of this interesting decade, I had the wonderful opportunity to work and live in L.A. so occasionally I drove down to Venice and checked out the interesting transformation taking place but didn’t have the chance to see the finished product/project before leaving L.A.  So with this visit, I was determined to drive down  to Venice and check on the progress and sure enough as I parked my car and walked towards Main Street, I quickly smiled to myself because I knew I would love the results as I plotted my walk down the street.

Suburban Venice has transformed into a wonderful place for the older crowd (especially women over 40) to visit and actually consider spending a few days there in order to enjoy shopping, get a facial and a message  or perhaps create a personalized perfume.

The two streets for the 40 plus  crowd are Main Street and Abbot Kinney Boulevard, both about a mile or so long. Along both streets, there are boutique shops, spa salons,  quant restaurants and bars on for the passers by to enjoy. The most amazing part of both streets is that they are designed in eco-friendly deco and architecture with streamlined display cases and furnishing to showcase their products.

Being a fan of modern architecture and an avid supporter of  eco-friendly deco, I couldn’t have been more happier to walk down the streets and visit the shops and admire the window displays. I was happy to see they had  transformed Venice into a beautiful adult play land. I didn’t get a chance to eat at any of the restaurants but believe me after checking out the menus, this place is on my list to visit over and over again just to get a chance to indulge in Venice cuisine.

So if you happen to love modern architecture or eco-friendly decor, I recommend  while walking along Abbot Kinney Boulevard, to turn down Andalusia Street and check out the amazing newly remodelled homes in eco-friendly decor and landscape. In fact Venice is having an eco-friendly festival on July 10th weekend and if you happen to be in Los Angeles, make it a point to check it out.

Anyway, women over 40, I highly recommend including Venice on your list of places to visit while in L.A. and if you have the time, stay in a hotel in the area just to make sure you have the opportunity to visit both streets and enjoy the amazing cuisine along the way.

my playground

Going to my favorite playground for a week to kick off the 4th of July celebration and of course play tourist and a celebrity all wrapped up in one. I do this once or twice or even three times a year, it’s a fun and quick escape from it all, especially if you are on a budget.

So, happy 4th Americans and for all the tourists visiting the U.S. this week, enjoy our version of Patriotism with bbq’s, fireworks and the old red, white and blue cupcakes and popsicles.