Fortune Cookies Don't Lie

Last week I had a fortune cookie. There may have been an obscene amount of Chinese food before that but now that I type it I realize that it's not relevant to my story.  Inside my fortune cookie was the following fortune:

Yet Friday night came and went and there was nothing exciting about it. I watched King of the Hill. That cartoon?...show?...animated series is hilarious and I don't care what anybody says. But not exciting. Thursday night was exciting though. We went to Zanzibar in Santa Monica. Every Thursday night they have Afro Funke night where you will hear the best music ever. Great night, lots of dancing and laughing. The AC was leaking over us but we didn't care.  We ended the night with eating at Swingers. I think I finally fell asleep at 4am-ish.

Lauren was whipped around by a sweaty, Asian little person...

Girls Night Out and also Date Night :)

But now I realize.... the fortune cookie didn't say Friday NIGHT it just said Friday. After midnight it was Friday and it was a very exciting time for me! Therefore fortune cookies don't lie. Even if you get get a lame non-fortune like "You are wise and courageous." Uh, I already know that, where's my fortune?

♥always,
Marisol

I love: Zico Coconut Water

I may have found a new obsession. Actually, I think I have official passed obsession and have landed on addiction. I'm addicted to this stuff. Zico Pure Premium Coconut Water. I hijacked my local Trader Joe's for some today. 

I remember when my mom would buy coconuts at the store and crack them open for their juice. You didn't get much but it was so yummy. Then I would take a spoon and scrape the white stuff for a snack...yum...every time I sip this stuff, that's what it reminds me of. Plus apparently this coconut water is really good for you too. Well, the marketing says it is... no time for research must have a drink!

 These are self portraits with an iPhone camera so please excuse the grittiness...although I like it so lets just say that I'm artsy like that and did it on purpose. For some reason I now have this song stuck in my head: 

You put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up,
You put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up,
You put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up,

♥always,
Marisol

Over The Weekend: Hand Stamps and Headbands Oh My

Guess what? We got matching tattoos! Well, no not really. That would never happen for a number of reasons.

1. Neither one of us is remotely interested in getting tattoos 
2. They look like they hurt...I'm a wimp 
3. We could never be talked into getting matching tattoos.

 Matching hand stamps? Sure! Friday night it was time for Dance Downtown. It was salsa/ cha cha cha night. There is a lesson and then a live band plays. Super fun night and they have a different one every two weeks all summer long, check out the link for the schedule. Oh and it's free! We learned the basic salsa step... correction we re-learned the basic step. Some day we will get this salsa business down, some day! We also enjoyed some delicious tacos. Seriously good. So good I had to ask the "chef" how he makes them. I promised I would make mushroom tacos for a certain someone even though I hate mushrooms.  We also noticed some kind of line being formed for a photo booth so we got in line. We got to take two photos and received a copy right then and there. This is also where we received our matching tattoos stamps.  The Digital Photo Booth, has them uploaded on their site and I also found them on Facebook!

 Saturday was followed by a lovely power walk at the Ballona Lagoon. Yes, there is nature in LA. Pretty cool little trail to take a walk. It's an easy walk, about 2.5 miles, no giant hills or steep hikes here. It's not crowded at all either. I might have been a tad overdressed for the occasion. Seriously, there was even an Goody Secure Fit Headband involved as part of my outfit. But I rocked my outfit proudly all the way over to the 3rd street promenade. Seriously...

  I walked around with this on...

♥always,
Marisol

Over The Weekend: Cold Massage, Flea Market and Sore Throat

I'm exhausted. How I'm functioning right now is a little bit of a mystery to me. This weekend I left my house around 11am Saturday morning and didn't come home until 11pm Sunday night. I would really love to explain all the madness that was this weekend but I physically cannot. So the best I can do is share a list and my favorite photo of the weekend.

I think my favorite is the Christmas PJ, belly button ring, and purple hair wearing Troll.

1. Barworks class - I have new respect for ballerinas and how hard they have to work out. I'm sore.
2. Apple Store - Is this place ever not busy? I need to make an appointment.
3. Old Navy - Remember when the sandals where just $1? Now they are $2.50 or $3. I have stained heels from my new bronze sandals. 
4. REI - I need to get outdoors more. 
5. Just Massage - This would have been a great massage if only the AC hadn't been on blast. I think here is the beginig of my sore throat. 
6. Salvation Army Thrift store - In between junk an treasures, you can always find something here. I found a serving bowl I didn't even know I was looking for.
7. Rods Burgers - Good mom and pops place. I did however have an upset stomach for the next 24 hours. 
8. Gap - 40% off!
9. Veronica's House - Always a good time at your house Vero! Cant believe I was there till 2 in the morning wearing a Peruvian beanie.
10. Time to sleep, finally - I was comfortable but there is nothing like your own pillow.
11. Fairfax Blvd. - This one deserves a spot on the list because it took 40 mins to drive through what should have taken 10 mins. 
12. Melrose Trading Post - AKA flea market. I can't even begin to explain what you can find here, left just say, anything. Today's Photo of the Weekend comes from here. 
13. Hansen's Cakes - good stuff! 
14. Borders - by this time I am so tired and hazy and barely have any recollection of what I did there.
15. 99 Cent Store - Seriously the best store ever! I hadn't been there in a while.
16. Ariana's house - Nap time!
17. Claudia's house - Party time. 
18. The Boyfriend's house - TV time.
19. My House - Theraflue time. 

I'm sick. Last weekend was unexpectedly busy but nothing like this. I'm wiped. I need a  new weekend to feel better right now!

♥always,
Marisol

13 Random Facts about Friday the 13th

I'm not a very superstitious person. I have on occasion said, "knock on wood" but I'm not even sure where that comes from. Today though, looking at my calendar, I noticed something:

Yes, I mark my days with a pink highlighter and no, I did not get scared because it's Friday the 13th. I did start to wonder, what's the big deal with this date? But instead of giving you all a boring history lesson, here are 13 random "facts" about this date:

1. If a month begins on a Sunday, there will be a Friday the 13th.
2. The extreme fear of this date is called:  friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia. - Personally I like friggatriskaidekaphobia because it sounds friggin cool!
3. Tupac died on a Friday, September 13th, 1996.
4. Fidel Castro was born on Friday the 13th, 1926.
5. President H. Hoover suffered from friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia or maybe even Triskaidekaphobia (fear of the # 13.)
6. Today is the only Friday the 13th for 2011 but there will be 3 in 2012.
7. There is a study by the British Medical Journal called "Is Friday the 13th Bad For Your Health" their conclusion "Friday 13th is unlucky for some. The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52%. Staying at home is recommended."
8. There are 12 films in the Friday the 13th Franchise. A 13th film is  supposedly in the works.
9. According to an old National Geographic article an estimated $800 - $900 billions are lost because people wont fly or do business on Friday the 13th. 
10. Thomas Lawson wrote a novel about a corrupt broker trying to cause a crash of the stock market using the bad luck associated with Friday and the number 13 titled, Friday, the Thirteenth.
11. The day Friday is considered unlucky and so is the Number 13 so logically Friday + 13 = Really Unlucky!
12. The Andes Plane Crash occurred on Friday, October 13, 1972. They were rescued 72 days later.
13. Creepiest myth associated with this date: If you cut your hair on this date someone in your family will die.

I'm having a lovely day, how about you?

♥always,
Marisol

I Love The Coffee Bean

Did you guys get your free drink yesterday? You know I did!! I went with the Mocha Mint Chip.

It was delicious!! You know those Andes mint chocolates you get at the end of a meal in restaurants? Well throw in some coffee to that flavor and you got this drink! 

 My co-worker suggested we sit and enjoy the sun while we enjoyed our drinks...I have the slight sunburn to prove we really did. I also really seem to be enjoying this mustard yellow cardigan it's like the 4th time I wear it in two weeks.

Meet Hayley, my coworker.

Totally worth the $1 that went into the tip jar!

♥always,
Marisol

Feliz Dia De Las Madres

Today is Mother's Day. Well only to those born of a Mexican, Guatemalan or Salvadorian Mother it is. Being Guatemalan I qualify. Growing up I always thought May 10 was Mother's Day. It wasn't until I was like a teenager that I learned that here, in the US it's the second Sunday in May. So my Mom gets two.

 This is my Mom. I know what you are thinking...yes, this is where I get 50% of my good looks. Seriously, look at that shiny brown hair, the creamy complexion. That wrinkle free face (she's going on 51 by the way), the sweet smile and well you get the point. What else did I get from my Mom? An expensive eye. If you give us a list of items we always end up choosing the most expensive thing, it's really weird. We also seem to have a fascination with bread. While my temper, character and personality are a mix of a little bit of her and a lot of  my Dad's, I'm most like her in that we both are super sensitive. Seriously, we can cry over anything and really easily too.  Movies, news, sad stories, happy stories, commercials, other peoples sad stories and happy stories and anything that has to do with our Dad's. She's also a Daddy's girl.

 

I like looking back at my childhood photos and seeing the cute dresses you hand made for me. I like how I can still ask you to make me a sandwich because I'm too lazy on the couch to make one myself. I love your food, you are the best cook ever! I love how obsessive you get with opening the windows to let the light in, it cracks me up. I love how gullible you can be sometimes, it has provided plenty of laughs for all of us, I think my favorite is still the "magic maxi pads". This is a total inside joke that she would be mortified to know I mentioned on here. I like that my love for shoes was something I probably also inherited from you. I love that you like to dress up and look good, even if you annoy me by asking me to put on some makeup or wear something nicer before I go out the door. I don't love your choice in perfumes, they make me gag, but sometimes when I find a sweater of yours and and the scent has diffused and only a little bit of it lingers that has mixed with your scent, I find it comforting.

Feliz Dia de las Madres, Mami! I love you so much!   

Over the Weekend: Dance Attack, Sushi and BAD Movies

I love busy weekends like the one I just had. The only little problem is that I feel tired all day Monday. I suggested nap time at work after lunch but my boss just didn't go for it.  Co-workers were disappointed as well.

I'm going to start with Saturday night. Only because this is my favorite picture of the weekend! I went to dinner with my friend, Marissa at Hara Sushi. Best sushi EVER!! It's this small, crowded and loud place in LA but so worth it. Plus very easy on the price! We then went to the west side pavilion to watch Something Borrowed. It was funny but not original. Very predictable and obvious. In the end we felt conflicted rooting for Jennifer Goodwin's character, she slept with her best friend's fiance. He cheated on his fiance with her best friend. No matter the situation, that is not OK. They played it well though, because Kate Hudson's character is very vain, selfish and not likable. Oh well. Still had a good time with my friend and was entertained.

I started my Saturday morning by working out.............. now that you are done reacting,  I got up and went for a run at the track on Aviation. Of course by run I mean jog....or walk a lot and run a little. Hey, the point is I got up and got moving! Around 11am we (we includes The Boyfriend and his nephew aka The Nephew) headed over to the Santa Monica Festival. We were planning on just taking The Nephew to go see Ozomatli do their Ozokids music show and then leave but we ended up staying the whole day. There were lots of vendors, giving free samples, lots of arts and crafts for kids and of course the always present food trucks. Some of Gerardo's friends also joined us that day. We of course took the nice fancy camera to take lots of photos but some one forgot to bring the memory card. So all I have a few iPhone shots:

The Nephew had a grumpy "I don't want to be here" face for most of the morning until he was promised a new transformers toy to have fun. When asked what his favorite part of the day was "Throwing the man in the water."

I call this one, Firemen on Break.

We stood in line for half an hour just to get a hot dog. You gotta love those food trucks. We laid down on a blanket to have lunch only to have front and center view to the Dance Attack show. Um...let's just say there were men in cheetah print leotards and hot pink unitards prancing about. If you don't know what a unitard is then you don't ever need to. We left tired, but happy. Oh and I scored new pretty hand made jewelry thanks to my date :)

Sunday did not go according to my plans but it was still a pleasant day. Late morning, went to two mother's day lunches (more on this later). I spent the evening watching a really, really, really bad movie. If anyone ever asks if you want to watch "Cyrus". Run! I'm serious. Overall this entire weekend was mostly not what I planned but sometimes it can turn out better that way.

♥always,
Marisol

The Day After Cinco De Mayo

It's May 6th. Or more appropriately Seis De Mayo. Nothing special is celebrated today - Correction - I Just found out that 6th of May it is actually International No Diet Day!! Now I don't feel bad for having a plateful of burrito/quesadilla/nachos for lunch at work. Plus, how appropriate is it that I woke up craving chilaquiles (a Mexican breakfast dish) on both days? But alas, there was no time for me to make some. Nor do I actually know how to make some. Good thing I have plenty of great friends, three whom so kindly have promised to make me some. The competition is on Karla, Veronica and Doreen!! But I will probably love all 3 anyway.


Speaking of food, Mexico and friends... We had a mini Cinco De Mayo dinner last night. Everyone made/bought food and we sat around listening to Veronica tell her horror travel stories. Listened to some Mariachi and ate a lot of food. Specially, a lot of beans! For some reason, Veronica decided that a giant pot of beans was necessary. And some gooooood flan for dessert.

There was some confusion on what I was supposed to bring. They were all under the impression that I would be "making" ceviche. Well, I made the time to go buy some so it counts.

Doreen, drunk of Horchata!

Dont bother us, we're eating!

Yes It is!

laughing at Veronica s comment...You had to be there!

That may or may not have been my third helping of beans...

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Lots of fun and great home cooked/store bought/ restaurant ordered food was had by all :)

And please, please tell me that you know what was celebrated yesterday. Please tell me that you know it was not Mexico's Independence Day. That would be September 16. I will let Wikipedia inform you some more. What? Wikipedia is reliable!

I still don't understand why it's such a big deal in the US, there will even be a parade around my neighborhood this weekend. ut whatever, fun is had, food is eaten and plenty of drinks are had. Que viva Mexico! Hope you had a great Cinco De Mayo and Seis De Mayo aka International No Diet Day! And while I'm at it Siete & Ocho De Mayo.


♥ always,
Marisol

Color Me Spring

Like I've super overstated I'm not trendy. I'm comfy! But working for a cosmetic company i learned a little something about color casting, and color trends. Oh yes, I feel super cool. I know what is "hot" and "in" right now. Not that I'm actually incorporating said trends. The problem is I'm such a sale shopper that what I buy probably was last seasons I suppose. Oh well!

But for you all that are curious and a lot more fashion conscious than I, here is the Spring report:

First you begin with the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Spring 2011. Apparently, this is where anything that has to be color updated take their cues from, fashion designers, interior decorators, cosmetic developers ect.
Here are the colors:

Well now that you know what colors to wear, how do you wear them?? I have no idea. But I have noticed that Honeysuckle in every single lipstick/ lip gloss color for every brand. Also the Lavender and Silver in nail polish and the Blues and oranges in dresses.

There are also trends in what to wear, here are my favorites for spring!

It's about the whites:

D&G Spring 2011

  and florals:

               D&G Spring 2011                           JOHN GALLIANO Spring 2011             
and stripes:

 

                PRADA Spring 2011                      VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Spring 2011

and that 70s style:

               DEREK LAM Spring 2011                MARC JACOBS Spring 2011


You get the picture :) I have it on good authority that you will also look super fly if you are sporting some rocker inspired wear (think studs an spikes), wearing fruits prints (seriously, like a jacket with lemons on it), Knitwear (bring out those crochet needles, people!), sheer fabrics (please wear a bra or a cami underneath!), and denim (think lean, clean lines, not 80s revival).

So there you go my friends, a little fashion advice. Hey, you wear what I say not what I wear, OK! I feel like Andy from the Devil Wears Prada, you know the part when she finally can dress all cool an fashionable, take that Miranda Priestly!!

♥ always,
Marisol

Sunny May Day

Mayday! My blog has been screaming this for a while now. I haven't had the urge to blog. Seriously, not even to publish stuff I've already written. I lost my mojo. my blog mojo. :( Bu I promise I'm working on it!!

On a happier note how  beautiful was the weather today???!!! It was snowing in Minnesota. SNOWING, people!!!!!!Oh and  how cute is my dress? I know I sound totally into myself, but it's new and it was on sale. My favorite type of dress! So is the sweater...I may or may not have gone a recent shopping spree.

I brought up Minnesota because I was there this past weekend. If you still don't know why i go, it's for work. But I've yet to share what exactly I do there. Well, right in the heart of Eden Prairie, Minnesota is the Shop NBC Network studios. SNBC is an at home shopping network. My company sells cosmetics products on air and we do this about once a month. I fly in at least a full 24 hours before the show and we start preparing. I book the models, I prep the items that will be used by the models and by my boss on air. Then we have the actual show day. These shows are live, so I'm there acting like a production assistant around the clock for like 27 hours. I make sure everything from our end is running smoothly, plus I prepare the models before they on air, like put on make-up or prep them with our products. The shows are live so it's stressful, tiring and your adrenaline is pumping, plus i learned a whole new definition of the word multitasking! I get some breaks in between hours so I either try to sleep or eat (bad, bland food). Although sleeping is not possible for some reason. Could be the super uncomfortable pillows or the adrenaline, who knows.The following day I fly home. It takes me an extra day to recover.

Today would have been my recovery... and normally I would not go back to the office. But I just had so much work to do I had to come in. Standing on top of this wall should not have been something I do on a normal day, let alone on a day I'm tired. See how gracefully I stepped off...good thing I was holding on to that fence.

I didn't mind coming in today though. That means I have a free day I can take off at another time! Oh yeah, high fives! The photos were taken by my co-worker, I explained they were for my blog but she just looked at me like I was a crazy person and clicked away.

- Marisol