Short & Sweet...

Mmmm sugar.

Yah, once in a while I get on these kicks where I become self righteous and think that I can eat whatever I want when I want. I think I have a problem. That's the first step right? Admitting you have a problem? haha. yah.

Not that serious of a problem, but one that will be hard to break. Addiction to sugar. There, I said it. I'm lucky enough to have a fairly fast metabolism so the immediate ramifications of my sugar habit won't be evident unless I continue on this path. Which I really want too. It's gotten to a point where a psychical urge comes over me until I get some sweetness in my mouth. That kind of sounded dirty. I made chocolate chip cookies last night. Could live off of Coldstone's Birthday Remix. Look forward to the times of my day when I know I can eat something sweet (usually after lunch/dinner) and look for any excuse possible to justify my obsession. Should I go to Sugar Rehab? Oh, wait. There's no such thing. Maybe I should invent it? I think people would take advantage of a service like that. hm. I'll think about it.
Speaking of sugar, I am in love with Paper Pastries. If you're a greeting card/stationary whore, you'll love it too <3 
Her blog is here. 

  Oh! I'm learning Lady Gaga's song 'Speechless' right now. Check'er.

A little bit of Justine...

Bonjour, je'mapelle Justine.

As our hunt continues for a new place to call home, I am reminded that yes, things could be worse. I think because I'm such a deep thinker, I try to break things down so that everything makes sense to me. For example, I was taught (as most are) to be honest, so I naturally want to be honest ALL the time. It's hard for me to hold anything in. I don't know why. Why can't we be honest all the time? If I have a thought, I just want to tell the world. Strange, huh? That being said, I am surprised at how much money landlords are asking for tiny apartments considering the state of the economy and the disastrous housing market here. At least fix the place up a bit? I know my standards are high, but the most important thing is obviously, cleanliness -- why would you show me a dirty apartment?

I promise from this day forward, I will not complain about the little things.

In happier news, I did have an audition for a hilarious play that I enjoyed so so much! It reminded me of how much I miss acting, and how I adore making you laugh. My fingers are crossed, but the experience itself was quite fun. I did get new headshots but we are going to do a re-shoot because we had limited outdoor lighting -- the day we decided to shoot was overcast in the sunshine state. Here's a sample of whats to come...

 If anyone in the LA area is looking for a great (and hysterical) photographer, please check out Jonny Marlow (this is his Facebook, he currently doesn't have a website however does have a portfolio on FB) He's fanfrickentastic. Oh! I have a new favorite blog... it's called Dottie Angel and is quite enchanting. I love blogs that are visually stimulating and attention to detail. I reeeaallllyyy love attention to detail.

Well folks, that's all I got right now... sending love your way <3

Save The Peak...!

SAVE THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN.

For those of you who live in LA (and those of you who don’t) you may have noticed a new message that the famous ‘HOLLYWOOD’ sign landmark has been sporting recently. It currently reads ‘SAVE PEAK’ from a distance or ‘SAVE the PEAK’ at a more up close view. This is part of a campaign that was started by Save Cahuenga Peak in hopes of raising enough money to save the land the sign sits on, as public space rather than having it bought by realtors and turning it into LA's "hottest" new neighborhood. The campaign needs to raise 12.5 million dollars in order to protect the land by adding it to the famous Griffith Park and maintaining it’s historic beauty.

There is always going to be a group of people that are “in it for the money”…it’s quite sad that this happens more often than not. That’s why the public must take the reigns and do what they can to save a piece of history. Who wants to gaze up at that magnificent landmark -- the landmark people from far and wide come to see – and instead see a bunch of over sized homes clouding the sign’s statement (and reminder)… YOU ARE IN HOLLYWOOD. The place where dreams come true (oh, wait… isn’t that Disney World?!) The bottom line is, we’ve got to SAVE PEAK!!!!! Please spread the word, follow them on Twitter, visit their site, and most important of all, donate what you can! Roughly about $4.5 million to go by April 14, 2010.

Thanks everyone :) Hope your week is going well.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love. Love. Love.


Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope your day is filled with love (duh!) candy (duh!) and more candy. Phil and I are celebrating with friends tonight at one of our favorite restaurants. I bought a fun Vday inspired outfit that I will sport with my Michael Kors heels! It has been beautifully warm in California the past couple days and the sun is shining brightly. I hope wherever you are, the sun shines brightly in your heart... <3


I leave you with a quote...

"Love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear; the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: the truth more first than sun, more last than star..." 

e.e. cummings

XO.

I hate apartment hunting...

This sux.

Today, I hate apartment hunting. A lot. We gave our notice so we have to be out of our current residence by March 1st. 

That's in 2 weeks. 

LA - you are too expensive and if I want a place up to my standards, I'll have to fork out WAY too much money. More than you're worth.

The weather may be nice here, but guess what?! You're a little overrated. 

Please get over yourself. 

Rise above the typical here.

Thank you.

Wish us luck.

*better post to come :)

My beauty secrets...

Confidence is beauty.

Since not every woman was raised by a  beauty-loving mother, I wanted to share some of my beauty secrets so that you too can age gracefully and look radiant doing it. My mom has worked in cosmetics and various salons/spas for most of my life so I have been taught from a very young age to take good care of my skin. This means start using anti-wrinkle cream as soon as possible ladies! Most women wait until their 30's and 40's to start battling the aging process, however, the earlier the better to prevent fine lines from appearing in the first place.

Secret #1: Skincare Line 

A good skin care line might cost more than your average drugstore brands, but if it's important to you, it's well worth it! Of all the lines of skincare my mom has used, she now swears by a beautiful line called Environ. It is one of the only lines that specializes in Vitamin A. You start at the lowest level of Vitamin A and work your way to it's purest form. It is the only line I've used and seen dramatic results in my skin. My mother agrees! We use the "Original" line and you will start of with the Debut day/night cream. I also recommend the C-Boost which is an added boost of Vitamin C that goes under your moisturizer, usually just at night. Then of course, the very important Eye Gel! This a must to battle those crows feet and any other eye wrinkles.You can purchase discounted Environ here.

Secret #2: AFA Gel 

I use a great AFA Gel (which are potent antioxidants) that I apply every night that slowly exfoliates and draws out bacteria from the skin leaving you with a clear complexion and smaller pores. It is an amino acid skin care program that uses the natural moisture system of the skin as its primary base. The specific serum I use comes in Mild, Plus, and Max depending on your skin type - I use the Mild because I have such sensitive skin. It was recommended to me by my trusted esthetician because I scar easily whenever I have a break-out. This product is the most expensive I've ever gave in to, but I would only need to purchase it every 6-9 months. So it's worth it to me. It was about $85 - and again, I've seen a HUGE difference in my complexion. Smooth as a baby's bum.

Secret #3: Regular Facials

I try my best to get regular facials, usually once every 3 months is good. Sometimes I do stretch it to once every 6 months. Facials are a fantastic way to deep cleanse the skin, pamper yourself, and do extractions. You don't need to spend tons of money or go to a fancy spa to get a good treatment. A basic facial will do as long as the therapist takes their time and is concerned about the condition of your skin. You may break out in the days following your facial, but just wait until the week after! Your skin will glow and be clear as a window is after being cleaned with Windex.

Secret #4: Good Foundation 

My top 3 foundation products to give yourself a glowing, natural and flawless look are the following...

Smashbox Foundation Primer ( full size: $36 / travel size: $17 )

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation ( one size: $40 ) 

OR 

 Bare Minerals Foundation Powder ( one size: $25 )

Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Powder *SECRET WEAPON* ( one size: $35 )

You would apply a moisturizer, the foundation primer, a foundation (either liquid or a mineral powder) than the illuminating powder which gives you that added glow.

<3

These are my top beauty secrets! Let me know if you have any questions... I hope my secrets can help you look and feel your best - naturally!

Avatar: more than just a movie...

My thoughts on Avatar.


Beyond the marvelous effects, touching story, and regurgitation of James Cameron's brilliant imagination -- Avatar was an answer. For me at least. I'm one of those people who never stops trying to figure it out. They say "ignorance is bliss" and I can't seem to get there. I wasn't brought up with a specific religion -- I wasn't given any religious rules or guidelines... you could say I was brought up knowing that I was loved and capable of anything; it was as simple as that. I like to look at things from a very neutral perspective. I think we make life out to be more complicated than it is. Here are my simple understandings: 

-we are all human (the same)

-we are created by something much more intelligent than we (the way our bodies heal itself is a small piece of evidence)

-no one is more "special" than anyone else... we all have the exact same equal potential

-since we were created by something brilliant, we have that same brilliance inherent in us, however, it is up to us (free will) to decide to bring it forth

-regardless of race, ethnicity, language etc. we are all given the same tools (instincts) in order for our survival.

-we all need love

-what I mean by all of us are equal is this: since we are all human, and all are given the same instincts (to survive) and the same potential for what I like to call enlightenment, than any human to ever exist never possessed anything more than what I (or you) have the potential for (there's that word again)...this means, Jesus, the Buddha, any prophets, saints, etc.

-these people, in my opinion (regardless of what any man made book says) were enlightened enough to show us (the "ordinary person") what we are ALL capable of...if we so choose.

-the purpose of the human being is to use free will (we have the power to choose good or evil, to harm or not to harm, to be enlightened or ordinary...)

How this has anything to do with Avatar...

For me, the story of Avatar is a metaphor for what life is. Let's face it - (and this will be hard for some to admit) none of us know the truth. I am fine to admit that, however, I am trying to come from the most neutral standpoint possible. Until God (I use "God" for lack of a better word) itself comes down, looks me in the eyes, and tells me whats up -- everything else is hearsay. Do I believe that God inhibits the body of man?! Yes I do, in each and everyone of us. Do I believe that only one or few human beings are/were selected to inhibit God? No, I don't. We are all the same. God does not favor. 

For starters, I don't know why it was written in history that God is a man, The Father, He, His, a male etc. It was brought up beautifully in Avatar (and in The De Vinci Code) that women are the ones who give life. We are closer to God than any man. We bare human beings (and go through hell doing it) -- why wouldn't we naturally assume that God is female? A Mother? The Na'vi people (in Avatar) refer to Eywa as The Mother. The Creator. The Na'vi people are like the enlightened version of humanity. They "get it". What they "get" is the truth inherent in all life -- we are deeply interconnected to our environment, we depend on each other, and we are all in this together. "We are The People" (all of us! around the world!!!!) I wish everyone understood this... The ordinary humans in the movie (the "enemy") don't "get it" -- they are fueled by greed, selfishness, and hate which is the other end of the spectrum. But aha! - they could choose not to be. What I also liked about the story, is that mankind had to move to Pandora (another planet) because they had destroyed Earth. We are self-destructive. If this world ends, it will be because of our doing. We have to fight against that.

There is a pivotal moment in the entire movie that took my breath away. The answer I've been looking for. Without giving anything away -- there is a moment when Jake (the lead character) is asking Eywa (substitute for God) for help as the war between the Na'vi people and the ordinary people is about to begin. His Na'vi girlfriend Neytiri approaches him and reveals this -- "The Mother does not take sides. She protects the balance of life." Whether their talking about Mother Earth or our Creator is irrelevant, it struck something in me. There has to be a balance... in everything. Of good and bad, births and deaths, love and loss... This answered a question I've been pondering for a while. It's a beautiful message and I hope an eye opener for many. I sincerely hope we (the people) keep promoting peace, helping each other out whenever possible, and protecting our Earth. It's all up to us :) Keep rockin' everyone...