Becoming a mom has been the hardest thing that I have ever done. When I got pregnant I was so excited about being able to have everything–the business, the baby, the book deals, oh and the travel. Well, things are not as easy as I expected, but I have found a few items that do double duty, and as a new mom, that is what I need. These items have made my life a lot easier and I’m sure that you’ll find them super helpful as well.
Ideally, I’d be at the gym every morning. But that’s not going to happen. I can barely get enough time to take a shower. I got a pair of MBT Ari’s. these shoe make you use your core muscles just by wearing them. They have a patented structure that make you use your bum, tummy, and leg muscles to keep balanced and moving. Just walking is a workout. I can throw on my MBTs, head to the grocery store and by the time I’m back home I can feel the burn in my lower body. It is truly amazing.
We live in a small apartment in San Francisco, so we don’t have room for a beautiful crib with matching furniture. What we have is the Graco Pack and Play and it is a lifesaver. My baby sleeps in it at night and she plays in it during the day. Then, we I send her off to grandma’s house, the system easily breaks down into a carry bag. It comes with a rod where you can hang toys and mobiles as well, which is great for little curious minds.
This stroller is not only a stroller, it’s its own verb. I can Orbit with my baby, not just walk. The stroller seat is also a car seat that snaps into an orbit base in the car. The Orbit system offers a bassinet on a rocker – which my baby slept in for the first 4 months. The bassinet clips into the stroller base as well. So, with a few pieces from Orbit, you have a stroller, car seat, and bassinet. For you fashionistas, you will be happy to know that the stroll comes in a variety of hip colors.
OK, I spend my day nursing, burping, and keeping a new human alive while juggling client calls and writing. I can’t fit into any of my pre-pregnancy clothes and I want something that feels sexy, but still lets me move with my not-so-hot body. Lululemon has some great clothes that firm and lift while looking tres chic. Kinda like body Spanx but way sexier. Some of the pants are reversible, so I can wear them a few days in a row! What is great about many of their designs is that I can throw on one of their darling sweaters over an outfit along with a cute pair of flats and I am good to go.
I’ve had Netflix for years. I enjoy getting movies in the mail and having movie night. Well, then I started breastfeeding and I was bored out of my skull. I can’t just stare at my beautiful baby for 45 minutes straight 8 times a day. So, I downloaded Netflix onto my iPhone. Now, I can put in my earplugs (a must) and watch movies to my heart’s content. Now, breastfeeding is not boring at all, actually I look forward to it!
These are a few items that have made my life much easier and have helped me be the best mom I can be. No, I’m not supermom, and I need all the help that I can get. I’m not too sure what I would do without these few treasured items, luckily I don’t need to find out!
Two of my passions in life are photography and the beach. Combine the two, and I’m in heaven! On a previous visit to Fort Bragg, California, I had the pleasure of meeting an amazingly talented photographer, Ron LeValley. Luck would have it that he teaches photography classes locally, and I basically ran to sign up! With an evening in the studio reviewing basics and a full day in the field, I came away with knowledge, more camera confidence and some cool shots.
Waves at Fort Bragg
Mallard duck at MacKerricher State Park
Great Blue Heron
While in the Fort Bragg/Mendocino area, you just can’t skip going to Glass Beach. As an avid sea glasser, there’s no place like it in California (If there is, please let me know!). I loved how this piece of bottle green found a perch on a rock. Way to stand apart from the crowd!
Glass Beach, Fort Bragg
For some delicious food to keep you going, check out Eggheads, right on North Main Street in the heart of town. Despite the somewhat odd decor (a tribute to the Wizard of Oz) you can definitely get some good home cookin’.
And if you have time left in the day, enjoy a lovely, easy hike along Big River. The aqua water, countless kayakers checking their crab traps, and the general foliage provide perfect shots no matter where you look!
Big River State Park Mendocino
If you have the time, you love the beach, love photography, and love the outdoors (or any of those items singularly), then hop in your car and head north from the San Francisco Bay Area! I guarantee that you’ll have a wonderful time.
Bloomsbury Coffee House is everything a coffee house should be. In the time of generic chains deeply lacking in personality, this creaky-floored, white-walled, basement coffee house is filled with character and excellent coffee. Perhaps the best I’ve ever tasted.
Bloomsbury opened in London on October, 2011, and has since gained a loyal neighborhood following. Owners Karl Geyer and Hannah Smith have lived in the Bloomsbury neighborhood for 10 years and saw a need for a neighborhood coffee house and meeting place.
“If we wanted good coffee, we’d just have to do it ourselves,” says Smith.
Smith has enjoyed building relationships with customers over the past few months.
“I’ve just enjoyed meeting different people every day. There are so many interesting stories to be told,” she says.
People gather around the old wooden tables to work, chat with friends, or to simply enjoy a good meal. The walls are decked out with hip paintings and vintage mirrors. It’s a quirky place that will never go out of style.
Bloomsbury Coffee House’s menu is small yet concise. Everything is homemade and all ingredients are locally sourced. Sandwiches, soups, and pastries are menu regulars, but there’s always room to experiment with the food at Bloomsbury.
“There’s no formula, the menu is different every day, and we literally do what we feel like day to day, depending on what’s available seasonly,” says Smith.
Bloomsbury is the kind of place to linger over breakfast (their granola and yogurt comes is a generous serving) or to spend an afternoon, with its relaxed, informal atmosphere. And seriously, the coffee is exquisite.
Cheers from London! After a three-week crash course in everything London (and of course many afternoon teas) I thought I would share one of my favorite afternoon activities. Notting Hill was on my London bucket list (I’ll admit, mostly because of the movie). I went on Saturday, when the Portobello Road Market was in full swing. Never in my market experiences have I found so many affordable treasures.
Remember the Sleeping Beauty story of your childhood? You know, that family friendly, romantic fantasy musical? Ok, now take out everything but the beautiful girl and the fantasy, add a lot of soft core and inexplicable behavior.
The 2012 Sleeping Beauty is a complete enigma. I suppose it’s about a young student exploring her sexuality, or maybe exploiting her body for financial gain. Ultimately I arrived at the conclusion that our lovely Lucy was searching for her true self. In the classic modern single gal mode she signed up for any and all experiences offered to her. All those drugs, unexplained relationships, just plain weird habits, and random sexual encounters added up to a modern upside down fairy tail. Instead of getting the prince, Lucy is searching for a genuine feeling. We don’t have a clue what makes her tick and neither does she.
For about an hour and a half you will be completely baffled by our lead character. Clearly she is working her way through college by taking odd jobs such as a test rat in white walled labs and office drudgery in a perpetual paper pushing office. Who could blame Lucy for jumping at the chance of making some big bucks when she hooks up with a kinky temp agency.
Initially she is hired to serve rich people food in some fancy private club. The catch? All the waitresses wear racy lingerie and allowed themselves to be admired/leered at by old men. But wait, there’s more.
Lucy keeps getting promoted to more challenging and lucrative assignments.
Finally the audience gets to see the sleeping beauty reference. Not to spoil things for you, let me just say she drinks a potion, she sleeps, and old men do mysterious things to her. Yes, human sexuality can be perverse. You will see many examples of this, some full frontal, and behavior including random acts of unexpected kindness and disturbing brutality.
This isn’t your granny’s Sleeping Beauty. Or if it is, she didn’t write a book about it so you’ll never know. Sleeping Beauty(2012) opens Friday, Jan 26,at brave independent theaters near you.
In the gorgeous countryside of Italy, there are two crops that the area is known for: wine and olives.
Following in the old world’s footsteps, California’s very own Sonoma Valley celebrates the lesser known olive market and season through their Eleventh Annual Feast of the Olive Dinner.
Standing as one of the season’s main events, this occasion boasts a multi-course, olive inspired dinner prepares by 18 of the area’s best chefs.
This year’s festivities takes place on Saturday, January 28, starting at 6 p.m. and hosted by the Ramekins Culinary School, with an goal of highlighting the valley’s bountiful food and wine offerings.
The meal is served family style, where guests dine at one of three tables, each boasting five dedicated chefs, and will be paired with award-winning Sonoma Valley wines.
Tickets are $150 a person and are available for purchase by calling (707) 996-1090 ext 108. Learn more about the Sonoma Valley Olive Season and the dinner by visiting their website.
Imagine your delight when you gain entrance to the super secret private art gallery located down an unmarked walkway along San Francisco’s Embarcadero. Tango Diva takes you on a sneak preview of the Pilara Foundation’s current show titled HERE, showcasing 34 photographers interpreting San Francisco. One highlight is the pairing of Eadweard Muybridge’s famed city panorama with a follow up 100 years later. Mark Klett’s panorama of the identical view fast forwards us through time. More info @ www.pier24.org
DAY 1 – Today I arrive at Optimum Health Institute with one goal: Heal myself so I can be a better mother. My pregnancy was tough, I gained 65 pounds and I was in labor for 32 hours. Now, I have a beautiful 7 month old, but the truth is that I am worn out and tired. I have not taken care of my body (the only one I was given!) and I have been super stressed out. Motherhood is tougher than I expected. So, I took a week to spend time to focus on becoming a better person by understanding what I need for my body, mind and soul.
DAY 2 – Letting go. What I learned today was that we cause so much stress by expecting others to changes to be what we want. We try to put square pegs in round holes and the truth is – we can’t change others. We can only change ourselves. Once we realize this truth we can LET GO of others and FOCUS on living our best lives. Accepting the fact that people have different values is key. If those values don’t meet yours, then perhaps it is time to step up and start creating the life YOU WANT….
“I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”
- William Ernest Henley
DAY 3 – Listen to your body. You talk to your body, sometimes negative things like, “I’m fat.” Your body listens and confirms what you say. So, be aware of your thoughts. What is great is that your body talks to you too. Every thing from gut feelings, sickness, headaches, and jitters is our body’s way of “talking.” What we need to do is listen. Take a moment in the morning and ask, “My beautiful body, what do you need today?” And listen. You might get thoughts like, “Rest, water, touch, or exercise.” If you’re about to do something that you’re not sure you really want to do. ASK! Your body will answer with a definitive YES or NO. Simple, yet powerful.
DAY 4 – Five Regrets of the Dying. We heard a story about a women who worked in hospice care for years and she listened to hundreds of people who were about to die. The regrets were always the same:
1. “I wish that I had the courage to live the life that I wanted.”
2. “I wish that I did not work so hard.”
3. “I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.”
4. “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”
5. “I wish I let myself be happy.”
Personally, I suffer from “letting myself be happy.” When I wake up, the first thing I think is not, “WOW another beautiful day!” My tasks and responsibilities hit me in the face and, if anyone ‘offended’ me the day before, I remember that too. I don’t want to be that way anymore. So, my commitment is to BE HAPPY when I get home. Life is pretty amazing and we are all blessed. Thanks for reading – I love you!
Day 5 – Live in the NOW. They have a saying her at OHI: “What time is it?” And the answer is “NOW.” There is nothing but the NOW. We get stuck in our heads, feeling regret about the past and getting worried about the future. But they don’t exist. In my life I struggle with staying in the NOW, I am always running off to some dark corner of my past or racing to a worrisome place in the future. One of the ways they teach us to stay in the NOW is to connect with our breath. 3 minutes without breathing and we die, so our breath is a powerful tool to use to get us back into our bodies and in the present moment. When you find yourself getting caught up in a negative past/future loop, stop and take 3 deep, conscience breaths and ask yourself, “What time is it?” The time is NOW.
DAY 6 – Celebrate Small Successes. Kyle Ruppe is here to change his life. On January 3, he was diagnosed with ALS: Lou Gehrig’s disease. This 29 year old is FILLED with joy and love. His smile lights up the room. He is here with his friend Chris who is his biggest fan (besides me!). Kyle saw Chris making his bed and asked him why he did that every morning. Chris said, “Because I like to celebrate small successes. When I make the bed I feel like I accomplished something, it’s a great way to start the day.” What a life-changing moment for me. Yes, it is time for us to take time and celebrate, no matter how small the accomplishment. I went back to my room and made my bed, and did a little dance to celebrate my success.
DAY 7 – I feel so connected to myself now. This week has given me an opportunity to rest, heal and learn. I am so grateful for this time. Now, it’s time to go home and implement what I have learned. My intention is give everyone I meet some joy, hope or inspiration. That’s it!
At the beginning of one new year or another, we’ve all vowed to take the plunge and get in shape, redefine our habits and get healthy. And, chances are, we’ve all failed a handful of times.
This year, shakes things up and stick your guns. Need a little help? Have we got the program for you.
Aimed at taking the stress out of planning a vacation, Escape to Shape boasts getaways that combine the best of luxury, culture and fitness, in destinations across the globe.
And in our opinion, what better way to relax then in a beachside paradise?
In this upcoming year, Escape to Shape is hosting trips to a variety of ocean locales. Our personals favorites include Indonesia, Mexico and Croatia. Here’s what each has to offer:
Escape to Bali, Indonesia: Coined “The Island of the Gods”, the exotic island of Bali offers a combination of eco-chic accommodations, rich Hindu traditions and temples, Balinese dance, music and art and a range of natural beauty. Guests that partake in this program will enjoy relaxing massages, surf lesion, and great shopping! Priced at $3,500 a person based on double occupancy, this 7-night March getaway includes three daily meals, yoga, Pilates and hikes, guided cultural tours, spa treatments and round trip transportation to and from the airpot. Visitors dwell in bungalows overlooking lush rice fields that are a mere ten minute walk to the beach.
Escape to Careyes, Mexico: Come to the adult playground of Mexico between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo: Careyes. With lodging in private villas, guests can experience the beauty of the Pacific ocean, while experiencing daily yoga, boot camp and hiking, yacht trips, Mexican cuisine and polo matches. Take a walk along the white sand teachers or traipse through the lush vegetation surrounding the cliff-side hotel. Priced at $4000 per person based on double occupancy, this April escape includes the amenities mentioned in the previous two, but only lasts 6 nights.
Escape to Dubrovnik, Croatia: Situated in the charming medieval city of Dubrovnik, Escape to Shape’s trip to Croatia is surrounded by amazing architecture, including churches, monasteries, fountains and public squares. Guests are encouraged to explore the Croatian coastline while they partake in daily Yoga, hikes, lessons on history and folklore, and traditional cuisine of the area. Visitors stay in a private villa on the waters edge, two miles outside the city. Also lasting 7-nights, this May program includes the same luxuries as the one to Bali, all with a backdrop of the turquoise waters of the mediterranean.
Working as a traveling spa, the locations change throughout the year, providing guests with the chance to explore the history, people, food and wonders of countries throughout the world, while focusing on shaping the body and mind.
Workout include yoga, Pilates, circuit training, hiking, kayaking and biking, paired with organic meals, spa treatments and cultural activities, such as dance classes, horseback riding and exploring local marketplaces.
This year’s designations also include Colombia, Cambodia, Morocco, Italy and more. Pick your favorite or pick a place you’ve never seen. Single occupancy is available for an additional fee. These programs admit a limited number of participants and fill up fast, so get your name on the list ASAP!
Everybody adores a good love story, and perhaps that is why ABC’s show The Bachelor, in its 16th season, is such a hit.
Luckily for fans of the reality program, ABC and the Waldorf Astoria, which is among the destinations of this season’s crew, are teaming up to offer four grand prizes in “The Bachelor Ultimate Giveaway Sweepstakes.”
The package also includes 3 days of skiing and equipment rentals at the resort, a private ski lesson for two, couples spa treatment at the Golden Door Spa, a horse-drawn sleigh ride throughout the resort and the Wastach Mountains, daily lunch and dinner and round trip transportation to and from Park City.
In their free time, guests can partake in a slew of activities, including a high-speed zip line tour.
To put your name in for this amazing contest, log onto ABC.com and enter the contest by March 19, 2012. Next thing you know, you and and your special someone could be one your way to an unforgettable weekend.
