Moving Forward

I am not usually the one to make New Year’s resolutions. To me they feel artificial and forced. Maybe that is the reason why only about 8% of resolutions are actually achieved.

However, I have always been a huge proponent of setting goals and taking action towards them. A year seems like a reasonable length of time to accomplish a realistic goal. Thus, this year I have decided to resolve. I have resolved to simplify. 

Randomness: Stay Strong

Feel as if your willpower is weakening? Make a fist to help boost it. Research shows that this simple tactic really works: Because we tend to unconsciously tighten our muscles when we need more physical or mental strength, our brains have learned to associate the act with greater self-control. Clenching your fist becomes a cue to renew your willpower whenever you need the resolve to choose an apple over a doughnut or to get to the gym when you’d rather sit on the couch.

      - Iris Hung, Ph.D., a professor of marketing at Fudan University in Shanghai and a coauthor of a study about how muscle contraction influences self-control.

Source: Shape magazine, September 2016. #bossofmybody

Have You Ever Been to NYC?

Happy Thanksgiving! This year I am thankful that I live in LA. Russians have a saying - everything becomes known in comparison (everything is relative). The truth is I was so used to my perfect life that I was completely oblivious to how good I actually had it. I have always deemed Los Angeles to be my dream city and always enjoyed living here. However, I did not fully realize how much I love it, until I visited New York.

Invisalign: Let the Journey Begin

The main reason that I got my wisdom teeth extracted a couple of months ago is in preparation for Invisalign. I would hate for them to start causing problems when my smile is all perfect. ;) 

26 Facts about the Science of Friendship

This is fascinating.

Fact 9: People who can name three friends who are also co-workers are 96% more likely to
report extreme satisfaction with their life.

LASIK: Recovery Day 10 (aka One Perfect LA Saturday)

My eyes feel so normal now, that I am starting to forget that I am not supposed to touch that area for another week. I catch myself on attempts to seriously rub them, especially in the shower or when washing my face.

I was out and about all day, but only had to use the artificial tears a couple of times throughout the day. It was kind of a cloudy morning, but in the end it turned out to be a fabulous day.

How to achieve discipline and moderation

As an INTJ, I am intrinsically motivated.  I do not look for help from outside world to make me want to do things. I have an innate desire to constantly grow. I draw motivation directly from my goals and my vision of myself. I synthesize a strategy and make lists.   

However, since there are three extroverts to one introvert, most of us do require a social aspect to motivation and to keep disciplined. According to this article, "temptation bundling" is the answer to our prayers. 

http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2015/11/stop-procrastinating/

The Most Beautiful Song of All Time

If only I was brave enough to get married again...

ALLURE: Laughing Power

A simple way to enhance your social life: Share a laugh.

It's known that laughing along with someone makes both people feel more positive about each other, increasing feelings of closeness, attraction, and cooperation.  Now a study has found there is even more of a payoff after the moment is over.  Todd B. Kashdan, an associate professor of psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and his colleagues collected information from 162 volunteers about their interactions with others over two weeks.  Those who experienced laughter with another person tended to feel "greater intimacy, positive emotions, and enjoyment" in encounters they had later that day with not only that person but also anyone else, the researchers found.  Interestingly, having good feelings for others in the first place did not necessarily make people make more likely to laugh with them.  Laughter may cause people to experience a rise in levels of the hormone oxytocin, which promotes social bonding, the researchers point out.  "Our findings show that laughter benefits more than the person laughing," they conclude.  

Source:  Allure magazine, July 2014, page 84.

Science of Sexy

I came across this TIME article during one of my internet "research" endeavors.  You have got to read this. Although I am utterly convinced that sexiness is the essence of a woman (not what you say or do, I found this "science" very convincing. I guess I will continue to believe.

http://time.com/2859728/science-of-sexy-5-things-that-can-make-you-irresistible/

And another piece of science that is absolutely brilliant.  Confirms all of my prior beliefs.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/humor-sapiens/201105/laughing-all-the-way-the-bedroom

Ellen Show Tips

I went to the taping of Ellen Show on May 5th.  These is what I learned from the experience.

I love my Frappuccinos!

So I had to re-blog this infographic.

Color of 2014: Radiant Orchid

In case, you thought I forgot to look into this.
Also, in case you were wondering, I do pronounce "Pantone" like the word is French.  Because really - all fashion is from France.

Source:
Pantone.  http://www.pantone.com/pages/index.aspx?pg=21129

LA Art Show 2014 (The Art Goes On)

There were quite a few fascinating works at the show.  One post definitely won't do it justice.  Just as photos do not do justice to meeting the art in person.

LA Art Show 2014

I love art – anything and everything.  I take every opportunity to broaden my horizons – museums, galleries, theater, ballet, opera, whatever.  Last weekend I went to the LA Art Show 2014.  It is been organized for 19 years and features historic, modern, and contemporary artists. It was huge and very exciting.  In one venue you were able to admire and/or purchase classical works of artists that lived in the 18^th century as well as artists that appear to reach into the future.  Even Volvo took this chance to showcase their vehicles. 

For the Love of Baking

As you may know, I love to bake.  Usually I do make a lot of goodies around holidays.  And I love to try new recipes.  Thus, I would like to thank my co-workers for being such great guinea pigs, as this year I also made quite a few sweet things.

Happy Xmas!

Oh Christmas in LA!

Will I ever get enough of the 80 degree Decembers and palm trees?  And the tan so golden - people lose their minds trying to guess my race/ethnicity. Priceless!

Hope all your dreams come true as well. XOXO

Another Fabulous Fashion District Find

Have I mentioned I love love LOVE Fashion District? :D  I don't visit it as often as I would like to.  However, every time I do, I inadvertently come back with another terrific find.  I should post them here more often.

Once again - perfection does exist...  even if you have to search for it for a few years...  It's even more satisfying for only $5.

UPDATE: Currently Craving: High Heeled High Tops

The 08/26/12 Currently Craving is the most viewed post on this blog.  So I know that you remember my search for the perfect high top sneakers.  I wanted them to go with leggings, skinnies, and, of course, with all my fabulous skirts that I wear all the time now, since the weather is always beautiful in sunny California.
Well... perfection does exist...  even if you have to search for it for a couple of years...

It was love at first sight, even though I had to wait for a couple of weeks to order them (since I just bought a tooth.  Yes, all the way down to da root!).

By the way, Currently Craving is now on Pinterest.

RANDOM QUOTE: Winnie The Pooh

Winnie The Pooh makes me think of my sister.  Maybe that's why everything Pooh always makes me happy.