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A Short New York Story
I recall getting ready for my first trip to New York. All the chatter was how dangerous the city was and how rude the people were. But I didn’t experience any thing of the sort. My first night in the city we went to a great little cafe in the East Village the waiter struck up a conversation with my sister and I. We told him it was our first time in the city so he set with us and gave us tons of advice about where to go and what to see. Sitting in Central Park, riding on the A train, at a coffee shop in Soho, the same…
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Poema Cava Sparkling Up Our Summer Vibes
A Tipsy Tuesday Summer Night, an open bottle, and a sweet treat, enjoying the setting of the sun with your bestie sipping on something soothing. There’s just something about Summer that has us all from 7 to 77 feeling like the night air is full fancy. The delicious seasonal fruit, warmer weather and longer days, bring out that youthful feeling in us all. Tonight we choose to lounge with the refreshing bubbles of Poema. To revive your inner child and maximize your Summer Vibes try our take on a Peach Bellini with Poema Cava. Serves 2 1 Bottle of Poema Cava 2 Peach Popsicles (fresh fruit) 2 Wine Glasses 1…
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Let’s Stay Home – How to Stay Sane While Doing Your Part
Although we are living in uncertain times, there is something we can do to help. Let’s Stay Home. While at home there are some things we can do to take care of ourselves and bring a bit of normalcy to the madness. Here are some tips on how to stay not only healthy but happy while we do our part to prevent the spread. Scheduling Your Day – Especially if you find yourself home from work Breathe – Deep breathing helps us to relax and sends a message to our brain to calm down Eat Well – Whole grains, Fruits and Veggies are great sources of Vitamin C and Zinc…
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The Olive RestoBar Our New Spot Off the Beaten Path
A restaurant with a downtown vibe without all the pretense. If you live in the LA area you have definitely found yourself sitting in traffic on either the 10 the 101 the 110 the or the 405 patiently or not so patiently waiting to begin your night out. If you’re anything like your Lunch break girls, that night out is going to start with dinner. No matter the final destination, be it a movie at the local cinema for two, bowling with a group of friends, or dancing the night away with your best gal-pals. The night must always start with dinner. And that’s where Downey’s not so hidden gem,…
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Mouthwatering Indian Street Food in the Heart of Santa Monica
Another sunny Saturday in July, walking west down Santa Monica Boulevard, as I get closer to the beach and closer to TŪMBI I pick up the scent of fresh naan on the ocean breeze. I walked in and was greeted warmly, the atmosphere was bright, trendy and full of life, the large windows were open creating an al fresco vibe while still protected from the hot SoCal sun. TŪMBI is not your typical Indian restaurant. Award winning Chef Imran Ali Mookhi was inspired by India’s street food, the flavors, the culture, the people. The restaurant is even adorned with photographs from his travels and it doesn’t get more authentic than that. In…
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Leaning in to Awkward Charm
I consider my awkwardness to be part of my charm. I refer to it as my awkward charm. I think people have many misconceptions about what being awkward means. I defy the definitions given in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. It doesn’t mean that you lack grace and skill or that you are difficult, its doesn’t mean that you aren’t comfortable with yourself; most often it means the exact opposite. It means you are completely comfortable with yourself, vulnerably showing up and being seen despite what other people think of you and being so, they may find it difficult to understand you. It means that no matter what grace or skill you…
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The Metamorphosis of Art
Every artist, no matter the medium inevitably feels tied to their work. However we all also know the feeling of having a project that for all intensive purposes is finished and at the same time we feel it’s never quite done. I have always felt this way, even if I’m happy with the “finished” product. I feel like there is always the opportunity for expansion, sometimes a part 2 or 3 or just another version or maybe a follow up piece that ultimately winds up becoming a series. In the past I have found this to be true when it comes to both my paintings and poetry. When painting it…
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The Detachment Realization
I write quite a bit of sad songs, sad love songs in particular which is not news to anyone that knows my music. However I realized recently that I can’t write a reflectively sad song when I’m in the thick of it. I now see that I have to be somewhat emotionally detached from a subject in order to be able to write about it. I am beginning to understand that when I write (songs exclusively this hasn’t been the case with poetry or prose) I do so with “an outsiders perspective” be it literally or even when I am the subject, in the sense that enough time has passed…
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Serendipity – Crazy Coincidence
I really want to share with you all something that I wrote about three years ago. I don’t really know why I never published it, its something that had a bit of a profound effect on me even though seemingly insignificant. I don’t believe in destiny or fate but this is definitely Serendipity. serendipity [ser-uh n-dip-i-tee] 1. an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident I just found out that my grandmother was friends with Huey “Piano” Smith and sung with his band in New Orleans. And that she was also friends with Guitar Slim. Then she starts telling me about this song that she helped Guitar Slim write and…
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Loss of a Friend
Years ago I was crazy about this guy he was fun, hilarious, talented and cute, so cute. I still remember the night we met my friend had a crush on his roommate and she brought me along to hang. We were still in high school and these guys were in their early 20’s so we felt so cool. He had a personality that drew me to him instantly and like magic he was drawn to me too. We wound up spending a year and a half ripping and running all over the streets of Los Angeles. He had dreams and passion that even surpassed my own and made me want…
