August 6, 2014
The last few weeks have been looking a lot like the above picture—except I don’t have beautifully arranged flowers on my desk ($$$) and I certainly don’t sit at my computer armed with that many accessories. (Isn’t it harder to type with all that flare?) While I get a lot of fun freelance assignments completed—I’m so excited to share them when the time comes!—I’ll be taking a mini-break here and will be back on Monday.
Until then!
Image via
August 1, 2014
These days the news (and my Facebook feed) seems more like a barrage of sad and disappointing news from the Middle East and beyond. I’m not here to provide political analysis, but I am here to provide respite. Here are a few things that’ll hopefully make you laugh and serve as an escape.
Have a good weekend!
I’m a huge fan of New York Magazine‘s celebrity diet diaries, where a writer—usually the hilarious and talented Rebecca Harrington—spends a week living like an A-lister (her Gwyneth one is the best). This time Maggie Lange spends a week at a wolf refuge to live like Shailene Woodley. (New York Magazine)
Go, San Diego! A modern live-work space in the city’s Barrio Logan ‘hood houses nine units, each of which range from 450 to 595 square feet. It’s a great lesson in micro-living. (Dwell)
Apparently seven hours of sleep is the golden number that results in the best cognitive and health performance. Huzzah! That’s what I usually get. (The Wall Street Journal)
I just can’t come to terms with these Beyonce and Jay-Z break up rumors. Say it ain’t so. Also, just think of the headline possibilities! “Not So Crazy in Love” and “Shouldn’t Have Put a Ring On It” and of course “Everything You Own in a Box to the Left.” (The New York Daily News)
Research for a story I’m working on led me to this super interesting article about the coconut water turf wars that erupted in 2004 between Vita Coco and Zico. Sh– got ugly. (The New York Times)
Is there a love more pure than the one between a dog and its owner? This video of a schnauzer who passed out after being reunited with its owner who was away for two years is concrete evidence. Watch, cry—and keep the volume down because that dog’s squeal is as high-pitched as a dog whistle:
July 18, 2014
When it rains it pours, and this week felt like a monsoon. Not that I’m complaining! We freelancers have to take the ebbs with the flows, and having too much work is certainly not a bad situation. So I don’t have much to say except that I have some fun weekend plans involving the beach, a new coffee shop, and finally doing an outdoor yoga class. Oh, and work. There will be lots of that, too.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Image via
June 18, 2014
I told myself I wouldn’t do it, but I chopped most of my hair off yet again. The first time was back in 2007, during my senior year of college. I was going for a Victoria Beckham-inspired graduated bob—trust me, it was trendy at the time—and I loved it, except for the fact that it required frequent trimmings and was a mother to grow out once I was over it. (By the way, I’d get my trims at an Aveda school—very cost-effective!)
For the last few months, I had been kicking around the idea of lobbing it off, and it got to a point last week where it just had to be done. Last night I did it—with inspiration from here and here—and it’s like a weight’s been lifted. Sure, I’ll hate growing it out when the time comes and I’ll look 12 when I don’t style it properly, but I just needed to rid myself of the physical and emotional baggage.
June 11, 2014
My daily life involves a lot of writing, whether it’s for this blog or for magazine freelancing, but I recently realized that I’ve never talked about the root of my writing, which is actually reading. Writing takes practice, sure, but reading is what makes me better, hones my skills, and quite honestly, teaches me new words.
No snobbery here: I think magazines can be just as inspiring as books. (Though I do think of all that’s out there, it doesn’t get more smart and inventive than New York Magazine.) But for today’s post, I wanted to share the scoop on my recent book reads. The following are new in the grand scheme of things, but I actually read these after all the buzz. Life gets in the way, I fall asleep within minutes of picking up my Kindle before bed, and sometimes I really just want to watch Real Housewives. For all those other times, here’s what’s on my virtual bookshelf:
June 9, 2014
Wedding season continues! I spent the weekend in Oklahoma for Eaman’s sister’s wedding, and it was our first Persian one (for Eaman, too!). The celebration was an intimate ceremony and party held at his family’s home, and filled with traditions, dancing, and more food than you could imagine, including my favorite chocolate cake from the local bakery, La Baguette.
The above right picture shows the sofreh, an elaborate spread for the ceremony, known as the aghd. It’s decorated with flowers, candles, foods, the Koran, and more. The sofreh and the whole wedding itself was quite the DIY affair. As soon as I arrived Thursday night, we were working on flower arrangements, fruit baskets, and other details. It might sound like a lot of work, but I loved being able to flex my brain in a new and creative way.
It was also all a welcome distraction from a bit of a slump I’ve been going through. Work has been hard, I’m still adjusting to working from home after being in an office the last three months, and Teddy has been a mischievous, horribly misbehaved runt. Eaman was gone the whole week, so Teddy was all mine. And he yanked me during leash walks, wouldn’t listen to me at the dog park, and worst of all, randomly ran away at the dog beach which is totally unlike him. I actually had to jump in someone’s ATV to catch him. It was a nightmare.
But all of that was muted when I took Teddy in for a routine vaccination and found out he’s lost eight pounds in a very short period of time. He has been sick on and off since February with stomach issues, and we can’t seem to find a solution. We’re now waiting for some tests results that’ll hopefully shed light on the root cause.
The stress all just became a little too much, and on Tuesday I just melted into the carpet and had a good cry. (Teddy seemed to sense something was wrong and gave me a nice lick on the face.) Those tears were a long time coming, and it felt good to have that release.
I’m still working on fixing the slump, but the weekend was a good excuse to force negative thoughts out and put a smile on my face. Persian dancing will do that to you.
Onwards and upwards, as I’m trying to tell myself!
May 23, 2014
You’re either a.) twiddling your thumbs at work, b.) getting ready to leave work, or c.) have already left work and have no plans whatsoever to be checking blogs. So I’ll keep it short. Whatever your agenda may be—hitting the beach (like me and Teddy, above, at Imperial Beach last week!), sitting on the couch, eating copious amounts of barbecue, or observing the holiday—make this long weekend a good one. It’s the unofficial start of the summer!
Have a great weekend!
May 12, 2014
I’m not even going to try to fake it: I was exhausted this weekend and didn’t get time to write a proper post. Eaman, Teddy, and I drove up to L.A. to see one of my oldest, dearest friends, who just got engaged, just got a puppy, and is moving back to the East Coast. There was a lot to celebrate, but between the sun, laughing (of the ab-workout variety), and reigning in two maniac puppies, I came home Sunday and passed out for most of the day.
Usually I’d force myself out of nap time and get my work done. But for the first time in a long time, I took a break. I slept three hours on the couch. Then I did a DIY project (coming to the blog soon!) before crawling under the covers and passing out for another few hours. I actually turned to Eaman at one point and asked him, “When was the last time we even did this?” There’s always something (or someone) to take care of—or at least that’s how my restless brain perceives things.
So here’s to taking a break when you really need it and not feeling bad about it. Hope you had a good weekend!
