How to create a bachelorette type romance in your relationship

Although the Bachelor has been on for many years, I never got into it until a couple of seasons ago.  I just didn't get how one person could (genuinely) fall in love with multiple people at the same time. At first, I thought it was all manufactured for the cameras.  And maybe it is, but I also see how the circumstances could produce the strong feelings of attachment and connection with others.  After watching a couple seasons, I've identified a romance creation formula that seems to work with a high level of success. Unfortunately, when you remove elements the formula, the dynamics of the relationship changes. This may explain why the pairings have such a poor success rate after the cameras stop rolling and the formula is removed.

But even though the show hasn't yet mastered the formula for lasting love, I do think we can learn how to create spark and attraction in our current relationships.  What we have going for us, that they don't, are solid foundations.  The people on the show are just getting to know each other. You might have been with your partner for years. Your foundation has already been formed. Now it's about adding that layer of intrigue and excitement based on the Bachelor's formula from the experts at creating love.

Environment + Experience
One thing The Bachelor show does well is schedule a series of dates, each in a unique and special location.  The lucky couple gets to enjoy breath taking views and new landscapes.  Their dates tend to be centered around a fun activity or a new location/experience.  Why? Because these types of dates generate strong feelings of fun and excitement.  Couple that with the newness of the relationship and you have a recipe for emotions to form.

In your current relationship, think about the last time the two of you did something a little adventurous.  A simple change in environment can do wonders for sparking up excitement and romance.  Speaking of romance, the Bachelor franchise is known for putting together some of the most romantic evenings on television. Evening dates usually involve ball gowns, tuxedos and dinner by candle light.

Ask yourself when the last time you took your significant other on a date that the two of you will talk about for years to come. I heard a young man say once that one key to lasting relationships is creating great stories together.  Great stories are the wonderful experiences that you guys talk about over and over.  Ideally, you shouldn't let too much time go by without enjoying a "story creating moment."  The more frequently you have them, the better.

Attraction
When you fill the room up with attractive people, of course sparks are gonna fly.  Not only are the Bachelor contestants attractive, they look really sharp. Both men and women respond positively to someone who takes pride in their appearance.  Maybe subconsciously, they feel like you put in the extra attention for them and they appreciate it.  If you live with your significant other, it becomes too easy to fall into the rut of lounging around in bummy house clothes and messy hair.  I know that most men say they prefer you when you're dressed down, but don't get it twisted, if you put a little more effort in your physical presentation he'll respond well.  This doesn't mean that you have to wear a full face of make up and a sparkly gown. Just perfect your signature look even for those days when you don't have an adventure planned.

Scarcity
On the bachelor/ette, the couple goes on this wonderful date, then are separated for an undisclosed amount of time until they meet again.  You can pull this off during the dating phase, but if you live with your love, you guys see each other all the time.  Even if you're madly in love, some of the passion will eventually wear off.  To replicate scarcity in your relationship, supplement your life with activities that don't involve your significant other.  This creates a bit of independence which is attractive to men.  Men love the chase, which is why so many of them claim to fall in love with bachelorette. They love the thrill of competition to win the woman's heart.  You too should have other interests so your only focus isn't the guy in your life.  
  
Conversations
On the bachelor, whenever they have an exceptionally adventurous date, there's always a segment after the date, when the couple sits on a blanket and enjoys a loving conversation while sharing a glass of wine.  You will never see a bachelor date where they go to the movies.  That doesn't make for great t.v. and, more importantly, it doesn't allow for those moments where the couple expresses how they feel about each other.  If you're like most couples, you probably end most nights watching t.v. or laying next to each other while scrolling through your cell phones.  If you want to reignite the passion in your relationship, you've got to create opportunities to talk, otherwise you'll slowly morph into that older couple at the restaurant that eats their food in silence. The easiest way to create moments for conversations is to go on a simple walk.  You can also start your morning with great conversation before jumping out of bed.  It's all about sneaking in moments where you can speak to each other, eye to eye, as often as possible.

 When I used to coach managers on how to build a strong team, I'd repeat one mantra over and over again.  I'd ask them to think of their operation as best as complex as the human body.  Communication is like the blood that delivers nutrient rich oxygen to keep us alive.  Without effective communication, relationships die. On the bachelor, all they do is sit around and talk about how they feel about each other.  It's no wonder they fall in love with someone they've just met only a few months earlier.  When your reaffirm how you fell about someone, your feelings for that person grows.  Pair that with amazing experiences shared by two beautiful people and you have the recipe for a whirlwind romance.

The amazing benefits I experienced from regular massage sessions.

A few years ago, I purchased a spa package consisting of four 90 minute massages.  Then I landed a job with frequent travel and neglected to take advantage of the paid sessions.  Once I transitioned to working at home full time, the first thing I did was purchase another set massages.  When I envision my ideal life.  Some of what I desire includes weekly massages and other decadent experiences.  So I thought, "why not experience a slice experience of that right now?"

Turns out that the three remaining sessions from the years prior had not expired.  Immediately, I scheduled them for fear that they'd find out about the glitch and promptly void them.  Since then I've used those sessions and completed several more.  The difference between this time and when I got massages before is the frequency in which I experienced them.  Although, I didn't really expect it, I got some decent results as a reward for my consistency.

The first session was right around the time that I was working with a personal trainer.  My trainer was excellent at working various muscle groups that I didn't know existed.  Unfortunately, we didn't spend as much time stretching, post workout, as needed.  After my first massage, the young lady asked me "do you work out?" "Yeah, why do you ask?"  "Cause you had a lot of tension in your muscles, I usually see this when the person doesn't do enough to stretch out the muscles after exercising."  Although I hadn't felt any real tension in my body.  It was there. And this was at least a month after I stopped working with the trainer.

The next time I visited, the massage therapist performed an impromptu hot stone massage.  Probably because she noticed the tightness I was still carrying.  Tight muscles are not something you want to leave unaddressed.  Basically, it creates imbalances in the body that can eventually affect your range of movement.  Even when I wasn't working out, I always carried a bunch of tension in my shoulders.  This thanks to a high stress work environment. That stress builds up inside of you and just stays there, festering in your body.  But, because of  multiple sessions, my body was easily able to release the tension.  During my last session, the therapist rubbed my lower back and said that most people she massages have tension there that she could physically feel.  She let me know that I didn't have any of those stress bubbles. "That's 'cause I come here so often" I responded.   

Then there was the time I caught a slight cold and requested a lymphatic drainage massage.  I rarely get sick and I have a sneaking suspicion that my cold was a result of the toxins  released in my system post massage.  They say it's good to drink a lot of water after a session to release the toxins from the body. I figured a good lymphatic massage could accelerate the detox.  Days later, everything cleared up and I was back to my old self.  If you ever find yourself fighting congestion and sluggishness, consider massage as part of your strategy to bring everything back to balance.

There was another huge benefit I got from regular massages.  I notice less "popping and cracking" when I move around.  I sometimes hear cracking sounds (especially near my hips) when I moved suddenly or got up after sitting for a while.  Hubby calls me "old lady" whenever he hears the popping sound, and I was convinced that I'd need hip replacement surgery as part of my future. It wasn't painful, just annoying.  Recently, I noticed that popping is gone. There are no more trapped air pockets in my body (I'm assuming). Not sure when it happened, but my movements are now smooth and fluid, thanks to regular massage.

The message I want you to leave with is that regular massages aren't just some luxury deemed for the ultra-rich, they're actually really good for you.  And if you do them regularly, you may experience amazing benefits beyond just feeling relaxed and refreshed.  I did it to feel abundant never expecting tangible benefits.  You might even experience relief from pain, insomnia, etc.  If you're thinking about the cost of regular massage sessions, do what I did and find a reputable school that offers the full service experience minus the hefty price. The price I paid for four sessions was around what I pay for my cell phone bill, and completely worth it.

Now I wanna experiment with regular facials and see what unfolds.

Insta Moments.

A look back at this week's moments on Instagram. Don't forget to follow me @lifeasnadege.
P.s. Notice the image of Kashmir's Hair Botox.  I made a purchase and had a chance to try the botox treatment at home.  Review coming soon.

On Repeat // SZA + Willow Smith 9

On Saturday mornings, I love filling the house with music as I clean, cook and do other random chores. SZA's "Z" is one of my go-to albums.  So, when Youtube recommended that I take a gander and SZA and Willow Smith's collaboration, 9, I was more than happy to click.

I have to admit it, I was not all that impressed with Willow's singing ability based on her first single, Whip My Hair. But when I first heard Summer Fling, I immediately downloaded and have listened to it at least a hundred times.

A collaboration of two of my favorite voices is heaven to my ears.  The slow melodic sounds served as a perfect back drop to my gym workout.  Not the kind of work out where you're on the treadmill running your heart out.  I'm referring to those moments, in the weight room, where you're concentrated on maintaining correct form with each rep.  It's the kinda melody that should fill the room as you get ready for the new day that lies ahead.

Using Sunday to Create a Perfect (stress free) Work Week

Sundays used to be a mixed experience for me.  On the one hand, enjoyed the day off which allowed time to spend with my family. On the other hand, I would often experience anxiety on Sundays as I thought about the week ahead. The stress levels became too much.  That's when I decided to do something.  After a little bit of experimenting, I realized that I could shift the course of the entire week with just a few small tweaks to my Sunday afternoons.

With certainty, I can predict the type of week I'd have if I made the most out of Sunday.  At first I thought that Sunday night anxiety was just something that happened to me.  Turns out that Sunday night anxiety or sunday night blues, is a real issue for  many of us.   But don't worry,  you can overcome the Sunday night blues with just a few small changes.

@layllahstyle

Taking 15-20 minutes on Sunday to plan out your entire week is probably the most effective strategy there is to alleviate stress from the week ahead.  I first heard of this technique from Steven Covey or David Allen.  Basically, you take a little time to review the results of the current week and set up new goals/actions for the week ahead.  You write down your wins, your losses and what you will do differently next week.  Planning on a Sunday is powerful.  You're doing at a time when there are no deadlines, no emails coming in, no phone calls.  You can get as detailed as you want or you can plan at a high level.  It's really up to you.  This process of unloading everything from your head and putting it down on paper is a such a stress reliever.  Your mind can rest at ease because it doesn't have to constantly remind you of what you need to-do.  Every time you are reminded of something that you can't do anything about (at that moment), it causes you stress.  When I plan my week, I'll start with a list of random things I want to do, then I calendar that list so it's scheduled.  It's rare that I do everything thing on my weekly plan but I can guarantee that I accomplish much more than if I operate without one. A written weekly plan pretty much secures the success of my week.

Once you have a plan on paper, you can take it to the next level by taking a few minutes to envision everything on your list.  See yourself being productive, confident, and whatever else constitutes your ideal outcome for the week.  By envisioning your week, you work towards removing mental barriers that can sometimes stop you from taking the action you want.  There's much less resistance and the actions come easily.  Creating a mental picture is probably my most effective strategy at overcoming procrastination.  It's like once I create a mental picture, my mind wants to carry it out in reality.  Make things much easier for me.

Subconsciously, one concern I have about starting a new work week is that I feel I've neglected myself all week. Once Monday comes, I'm back to the grind of doing tasks for other people.  Deep down, I resent that fact that my needs are put on the back burner which leaves me feeling that I need more time before Monday rolls around.  Before the new week begins, it's important that you carve out a little time to pour back into yourself.  Which makes Sunday a perfect day to conduct your beauty rituals or do anything else that brings you personal joy.

Hair Tonic Tea | Bamboo Tea + Ginger + Cayenne Pepper

Maybe that means going for a leisurely walk, or fixing a warm cup of soothing tea while while flipping through your favorite magazine.  Maybe you allow a few minutes to meditate, allowing negative thoughts to leave you.  When I used to counsel people in my previous role, one of the questions that I'd often ask over-stressed employees is what they did to pour back into themselves.  The more stressed out they were, the less they poured back into themselves.  The best thing I can do  on a Sunday evening is to conduct a ritual to bring balance to my stress levels.  I'll light my favorite scented candle, play calming music in the background, take deep breaths, and allow the stress to float away.  By the time I head to bed, I'm whole again and ready to take on the new week ahead.

Then there's that heaviness you feel from having to go to a job where you no longer find joy.  If you dread Mondays because of having to return to a job you dislike than a weekly plan is even more critical.  The plan, my friends, is the key to you making progress on your path to freedom.  Freedom can mean finding another place of employment, getting a promotion, or working for yourself.  If you don't block out time during the week to work on your freedom plan, you prolong the experience that you dread.  Without intervention, you are doomed to repeat the same week over and over again.  Even if you are taking tiny steps each week, it's better than standing still. Nothing changes when you stand still.    We have 52 Sunday Nights in a week. Each Sunday is an opportunity to create a fresh start for the week ahead.  Before you know it, enough Mondays pass for you to actually experience your freedom you long for.  Then you'll truly know what it's like to have stress free Sundays.

How to be a World Traveler (on a budget).

If you recall correctly, one of my intentions is to travel to new and exciting places.  My last job required me to travel so often, that whenever I had free time, I just wanted to spend it at home.  But I have this friend who I would categorize as an International Woman of Mystery.  Whenever we connect, I usually begin our conversation with "what country are you in right now?  Or "where are you planning to travel next?"
This young lady has traveled to many countries including Korea, Japan, Spain, Italy, France, Puerto Rico (multiple times), Columbia, Canada, and has a trip planned to the Dominican Republic in a few weeks.  We're not taking into account the countless weekend road trips.  I've known the girl since college and I've never once asked her about how she manages to travel so frequently.  I always had this perception that visiting other countries would be a strain financially.  But I also know that she's is pretty cost conscious.  So I invited her to lunch for an interview on any tips she has for us who wish to become world travelers.

Ever since she was a little girl, my friend has always has a desire to travel.  She remembers watching shows as a child and wanting to explore those for off places.  Her venture into the world of travel began years ago with a series of short cruises.  While she enjoyed the experience, she felt it a bit too restrictive and wanted the freedom to explore on her own.

The very first step she took was to open frequent flyer miles accounts with all of the major airlines.  Then she signed up for rewards points with a major hotel (Marriott).  She often took weekend trips to the beach ensuring that she always stayed that a Marriott to rack up points. To further leverage points programs, homegirl would use her American Express points to increase her sky miles.  This was a big eye opener for me as I hastily have been using my points for hair product purchases on Amazon. If I implemented delayed gratification, I can use my points towards a higher purpose.

Between bites, my friend constantly restated how the Law of Attraction plays a huge part in her travels.  First, she declares her desired intention to visit a certain country, then she allows everything to fall into place.  "I speak it to life.....if I want to go somewhere," she stated with a firm belief.  "I said to myself, I want to go to DR (Dominican Republic), and I don't want to pay a dime."  A short time later, she receives an email about an inexpensive flight (for which she has enough points).  Tack on the free room at the Marriott and she's pretty much set.  Intention Manifested.  "And when I travel, she says, the hotel usually offers free breakfast and sometimes provides other perks, so I don't spend a lot of money on food and drinks."

Perhaps the law of attraction provided her the job opportunity where she took short domestic trips for business reasons.  On one occasion, she visited Phoenix for meetings.  After realizing that one of the gatherings didn't start until early evening, she arranged to visit the Grand Canyon (a few hours away) and returned back in enough time to attend to business. Once the Phoenix trip was over, she took a quick flight to L.A., for a day or two, then a short cruise to Mexico before returning back home again.  In one trip, this girl managed to fit in so much. Meanwhile, all I did on my trips to California was visit a few boutiques.  That goes to show you how important the right mindset is.  Someone who truly desires to travel will create opportunities from every situation.

Another key to her world traveler lifestyle is being known as the girl who loves to travel. For example, her trip to Korea was the result of another friend who travels internationally for work and invited her to tag along.  People will often bring up the topic of travel with her which provides the perfect opportunity to offer them the use of her Marriott Rewards number as a friendly gesture.  They're happy to enjoy the perks her status, she gets the benefit of more points which means more free stays.

The way she broke down her strategy for how to travel without having to spend a lot of money was eye opening.  Once I realized how easy it can be as long as systems are put in place, I became excited about the possibilities.   If you have any other tips for world travel on a budget, please share in the comments.

Tea Time.

A few weeks back, I found my way to one of the last remaining book stores in my city.  With a stack of magazines in hand, I headed to small in house coffee shop and ordered the smallest size chai tea on the menu.  The cup of warm tea set me back several dollars but I was grateful for the experience.  There are few things I love more than a cup of chai tea.......well except for bamboo tea.

So I made a decision that will change the course of my life forever!  I headed over to Amazon to see if I could purchase my own set of plastic "coffee shop" cups.  My intention was to replicate the euphoric experience in the comfort of my home.

A few days later I received the stack of cups. Within minutes, I was brewing a large batch of chai-bamboo tea.  Just one or two bamboo tea bags was sufficient to produce a full half gallon of tea. The chai is a blend I purchased from Tevana. The Once done, I placed the half gallon glass mason jar in the fridge to chill while I conjured up the many ways I'd use this cute little cups.

It's been a few days since my discovery and I've consumed well over a gallon of tea. I keep a full cup in my office, next to my water bottle.  When I've got to hit the road for errands, my nifty cup of tea comes along with me.  With every sip, I relish in how much money I'm saving by brewing large batches while avoiding the coffee shops.  I'm also enjoying strong nails and thick new growth, thanks to the silica content of the bamboo tea.  Since the bamboo tea is so mild, I only really taste the spicy chai flavors,while reaping all of the beauty benefits.

But I'm not stopping with tea, these cups are perfect for making smoothies on the go.  In the past, I'd use small plastic mason jars for smoothies but when I'm out and about, the empty jar would sit in my car and get all yucky.  That's why I love the convenience of these disposable cups. I love them so much that I'm headed back to get the larger size.

Enjoying Life | Conquering your bucket list

My workout sessions with the personal trainer are coming to an end.  Not only am I fitter, I also learned a lot about myself as a result of the experience.  What's most exciting, about the ordeal, is that I got to experience a small part of my life's bucket list.

Now I have the taste for more.  To experience the "luxuries" I thought were only possible if I reached a certain financial status.  But since my time with the trainer was so rewarding,  I now desire to carry out other items on the wish list.

If I could design my life, luxury experiences like facials, massages, personal training, amazing dinners, weekend getaways,  etc, would be common place.  But I've held the belief that I'm not financially capable of enjoying these experiences on the regular so I've put them on the back burner hoping that one day I'd be in a position to make them a reality.  But a wise man (my dad) once said to me, "your life is like your home, you choose where everything goes. If you don't like where the couch is positioned, then move it.  If you don't like something about your life, then change it."

By saying yes, I got to experience working with a wonderful trainer who challenges me in ways that  benefited me tremendously.  Now, I'm ready to conquer the next thing on my bucket list.  In my mental fantasies, I live a life where I enjoy weekly massages.  Not just for the sake of getting massages, but also for the benefits.  Areas of stress would be released.  That hour of relaxation would take away months of tension build up.  Full body massage is an excellent way to increase circulation and clear out the lymphatic system.  It stimulates a full body detox.  A study was done on participants who received massages 1-2 times a week vs. those who didn't.  Not only did the stress hormone (cortisol) decrease,  those who received weekly massages also enjoyed a boost to their immune system.

There's a professional beauty school, on the other side of town, that offers a great price on the purchase of a series of massages.  They use high quality botanical products and take great measures to create a truly relaxing experience.  This week, I'm gonna treat myself to a four session package as a reward for reaching a milestone in February.  And in doing so, I will be chipping away at a limiting belief that I have to reach a certain status in order to enjoy weekly massages.  Then, maybe in April, I book a series of facial treatments as well.

The goal is to remain in a constant state of creation and not to put things on a someday list that can actually happen right now.  It's all about choice.

Life happens once.  Sometimes we make choices that create a life that looks very different from the life we say we want.  This year, it's about being intentional and taking small steps to paint that exact picture I have in my mind.

Weekend Wishlist | Surround yourself with beautiful things.

"This house is 100% me, I've created every inch of it.   My surroundings are everything. 

I have to live in a place where I feel inspired and [that's] a sexy space. Otherwise I can't do what I do"  

"If you surround yourself with beautiful things, beautiful things will come to you. You have to live in abundance to attract abundance."  -ASA (Shahs of Sunset)

............................................................................

Take a moment to look around at your home surroundings. Where you spend the most time.  Do you feel absolutely inspired by your home environment?  Or do you at least have a place in your home where you can go to refresh, refuel and create?

If not, then you have some work to do.  Your homework for this weekend is to create a space where you feel inspired, peaceful, energized!  Why?  Because your environment pretty much impacts who you are and everything you do.  You want to change your life? Change your environment.  Your environment is comprised of multiple layers.  There's your internal environment consisting of your thoughts, health, and physical well being.  Your external environment which includes your home, car, and people you surround yourself with.

Today, we'll focus on your home environment.  Here's my experience.  When things are out of place and clutter builds up. My mind gets cluttered, my thoughts aren't clear, anxiety builds, and I'm uninspired to do anything except surf the internet mindlessly.  It's a viscous cycle.

Why I allow myself to live like this when I have 100% control over how I operate when I'm at home?

Because I don't make is A PRIORITY to control my environment in a way that brings me the experience I want.

 Creating an inspiring environment should be the very first thing I do on a daily basis.  I'm reminded of the movie "Limitless" where the star of the film consumes pills that help him access 100% of his brain.  The very first thing he did after walking into his apartment was to clean + eliminate clutter.  Once the work was complete, he was able to write a book that he's been putting off for years.   Steven Presfield, author of "The war of Art," talked about overcoming writer's block by tackling a huge mound of dishes that were building up in his kitchen sink.

Clutter in the house creates blockages to our creativity.  Your home is a place of creativity whether you realize it or not.  At work, you're told what to do but at home, there are no boundaries.  Anything is possible when you are in a place with no constraints.  But if the environment doesn't inspire you, then your home becomes a place where you EXIST versus a place where you LIVE.

This weekend, invest some time in creating your ideal environment (whatever that means to you).  Decluttering should be at the top of your list because creating space in your home invites a new type of energy.  Declutter to the point where you notice a positive change in your mood when you look around.

 Once you're there, you can move on to the little extras like rewarding yourself with a new favorite candle or buying fresh flowers or a new plant for the home.  Maybe you play some soothing jazz music to travel throughout your home.  Whatever makes you feel good......do it.

What's most important is that we PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT at all costs!  Steve Jobs, when he first returned to Apple, requested that everything be painted white.  He realized that an all white background is free from all distractions which is the baseline for creativity.   The fewer distractions around you, the more you can create.  Consider creating a ritual on Thursday or Friday evenings of cleaning + decluttering your space in preparation a beautiful and most inspiring weekend.

New In.

 I loved these Aldo Harrup heels so dearly that I had to take advantage of the sale and purchase in the lighter color.  They're like this perfect shade of soft grey that kinda reminds me of freshly laid concrete.  These heels enough to go well neutrals and may even pass of as white when styled correctly.  I've always wanted a white pair of shoes but sometimes white shoes are too white, if you know what I mean.   And after wearing my black pair comfortably all day, I knew I had to invest in a second pair.

 On my wish list was a quality black cross body as an everyday bag.  I stumbled on this beauty at a boutique and fell in love with the monochromatic look. The gunmetal hardware and the rugged finish is reminiscent of my Balenciaga City Bag and, when the sales lady demonstrated how this Botkier bag can also double as a clutch by simply removing the long strap, I was sold.  After arriving home, I freed the strap and hooked it on to the Balenciaga.  In an instant, the Balenciaga transformed to a cross body.  I was elated. For a while, I'd silently repeat to myself how much I wish the City Bag was a cross body. Now I finally have my wish.

Newly added to my collections of brown nude lip liners is Covergirl's Sublime lip perfection pencil.  Not only do I adore the color, but the soft, non-drying texture is perfect for lining the entire lip.  Really love this lip pencil.

A few posts back, I mentioned a moto jacket as one of my craves.  I'm happy to report that I stumbled on a perfect fit from cute online shop called the Lookbook Store.   The price was right so I took a chance.  Turns out the quality was great and the jacket fit like a glove so I'm happy.

My goal is to invest in accessories and statement pieces. I intend to keep my clothing choices pretty basic and style them in different ways with unique jewelry, interesting bags, the right pair of shoes. That way I can keep my closet small and my wardrobe simple.

How to become an International Woman of Mystery.

MICAH GIANELLI

                        EARCUFF | COAT | RED LIP | HEELS | NAILS | 

A friend of mine tells the story of how she entered the world of marketing and brand development.  While working at a local sign company, a customer walked in that immediately drew her attention.  The woman was dressed impeccably from head to toe.  Her modern style was unlike others she seen around town.  The mystery woman had an air of confidence that caused others to want to know more.  

Not wanting to miss this opportunity, my friend had to ask this woman "where are you from? You don't look like you are from here." "New York", the mystery woman answered, then she went on to talk about relocating to the city to build her advertising firm.  Long story short, the two exchanged numbers which ultimately led my friend to an new opportunity in the world of advertising.  

Remember the post on attractive people dressing well?  The mystery woman I spoke to talked about the multitude of opportunities came her way as a result of caring about how she presented herself to the world.  She reminded us that international women of mystery present the version of themselves as a celebration of life. Perhaps we're not ready to dress like this 24 hours a day, but I believe that we should all have essentials that can quickly elevate us from girlhood into womanhood in a moment's notice.

WALLET | COIN POUCH | FRAGRANCE | 

An international woman of mystery immediately captures the attention of others in any environment she enters.  This woman is not afraid of the attention nor is she impressed by it.  She understands that it's human nature for others to be drawn to anyone or anything that is beautifully presented.  She also understands that this level of attraction creates new opportunities.  And she's ready for it. As we voyage into womanhood there are certain things every girl should aspire to.  Your signature scent should not only attract the interest of others but should also elevate your mood each time it enters your nostrils.

Before I invested quality bags, I first made the decision to purchase a designer wallet.  My previous wallet was low quality, worn and falling apart.  It wasn't until I was told by a friend that "the place where I keep my money should represent abundance" that I decided to upgrade.  First to a nicer wallet, then eventually to a designer brand.  Things have never been same.  It didn't stop there.  A well constructed wallet is just the beginning.  Let's not forget that a quality handbag is part of the international woman of mystery's uniform.  If you don't yet have a handbag in your possession that makes you smile every time you look at it, then you yet haven't reached mystery woman status.

This woman doesn't need to follow the latest trends. Instead, she's invested in classic pieces that maintain their quality through the years.  She has a high sense of self worth so she invests time and money in herself knowing that her investment will bring a hefty return.  It's all about standards. The woman of mystery sets high standards for herself and works hard to maintain them.  She eats well. She speaks her mind. She's attracted to anything that's visually stunning.  She enjoys buying herself flowers for no reason at all. She constantly draws new people and experiences into her life.

You may be thinking, "I'm nothing like this woman you describe."  But remember, this woman has created her international life of mystery, one decision at a time.  You too can draw elements of this woman into your every day routine.   Start small then work your way into becoming the woman that everyone wants to know.

Day in the Life | An afternoon in L.A.

Last week, I was fortunate enough to take a quick trip to L.A.  Since most of the trip was dedicated to work, I only had a few hours to dedicate to exploring the city.  I had to act fact so I reached for my Yelp app and searched for the nearest "boutiques" and found Shopaholic Sample Sales.
Quickly, I made my way over there hoping I'd find something I'd be able to afford.

After perusing the sales floor for a few minutes, I stumbled upon some must have jewelry items and a few potentials for my wardrobe.  My bliss was interrupted by a super friendly sales girl who inquired about whether I was ready to try on my selections.

Once I let her know I was ready, she led me to a "community dressing room"  where several women were trying on clothes.  Never in my life have I tried on clothes in an open room with others so I was taken a back by the experience.  I tried to play it off by acting as if this was a normal occurrence for me.  

After the shopping was done, I once, again asked my trusty Yelp App for  sushi recommendations.  Much to my delight, the was a location nearby that featured black rice sushi!  Ever since I was first introduced black rice, I've been on the lookout for a local restaurant that offered black rice as an option, with no luck.

Luckily for me, Slowfish gave me the chance to have my wish.

I enjoyed two black rice rolls as a perfect ending to a wonderful afternoon.  Having seen black rice sushi with my own eyes, I have the confidence to recreate them at home.  Can't wait to go back.

Sunday Market

It's been unseasonably warm this week so I decided to head out to the local Farmer's market to enjoy the weather.  Every time I go, I'm guaranteed to get and eye full of interesting art along with ample opportunities for people watching.

I couldn't believe that it reached the 80s today.  To keep comfortable, I opted to wear a light weight, olive green dress paired with my beloved B Makowsky bag.

While there,  I was caught a glimpse of some beautiful heads of hair.  My attention was immediately caught by a young mother and her gorgeous little girl. Both of them with stunning tresses.

As soon as I snapped the pic, I looked across the lawn and saw this girl with her group of friends.  I think I noticed her huge ponytail before anything else.  I wish I could have gotten a closer shot but I didn't want to appear any creepier than I already was.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

{Crab dip & Camouflage} A leisurely Sunday afternoon

Lately, my work schedule has been out of control.  So by the time the weekend comes around, I'm completely ready to enjoy it.  Today I decided to go to a favorite spot in town for brunch.  For once we got there early enough to grab a good seat before the Sunday crowd formed.

I ordered one of my favorite appetizers, a crab artichoke dip.  This time, however, the skimped on the crab so I vowed to learn how to recreate my own version of it that I can enjoy with as much crab as I want.   Look out for the recipe once I get it down.

After brunch, I strolled the shopping area on the hunt for any cute finds.  Unfortunately, I came up empty handed this time around.

Wearing camouflage jeans from GAP.  Similar pair here. Fergie heels. Top from H&M.  Next weekend is The Makeup Show!  I can't wait.