Award time!

Under the Sheets-shhh was given its seventh award this week. I was honored to receive this award by the amazing Sasha at Everything Fabulous!

So, here are the instructions:
1. List seven things that make you awe-summm!!!
2. Pass the award on to seven bloggers.
3. Tag those 7 bloggers.
4. Don't forget to link the Queen that tagged us. (Everything fab!)
5. Copy the picture and put it into your sidebar.

My lovelies, here are my 7 Awe-Summm things (which I am also interpreting as 7 random things about me):

1) I have worked with autistic children as their shadow/counselor. The child that I worked with that touched my heart the most was only seven when her parents contacted me and asked me to help her better manage her autism. A year later, she showed signs of improvement. I was able to help her parents set more realistic expectations for her going forward.
2) In college, I taught my peers about eating disorders as the President of JADE (Joint Advocates for Disordered Eating). We held an event called the Mind, Body, and Awareness Week. We helped over a thousand people to learn to accept themselves for who they are.
3) At 27, I got the travel bug and traveled to Spain by myself (see here). Now, I can’t stop traveling. In the last two years alone, I’ve traveled around Kauai, Brazil, Toronto, Miami, Denver to name a few. I’d love to go next to Italy or to the Greek Islands.
4) I’ve had Brad Pitt, Heather Locklear and Donny Osmond call to wish me a happy birthday. My stepmother is a Hollywood makeup artist. She’s amazing and has worked on Spiderman, ER, Ocean’s Eleven. You should have seen my face when I heard Heather Locklear’s message.
5) I recently took cooking classes and think I’m pretty decent around the kitchen…all after the age of 29. We even took a cooking class while traveling this year to Brazil. Before the classes, I could make a mean mac & cheese.
6) I left a very serious relationship that wasn’t good for me and moved to San Francisco. I knew no one in the city, rented a room in a woman’s home and stored all of my furniture. Looking back, it was the best move of my life.
7) My hair was very thick and long when I saw a Halle Berry commercial a few years ago. It was then that I decided to cut all of my hair off just like hers. It was short, boy short. It felt very liberating to have removed all of the extra weight. I loved my short do, but hated the growing out stage.

And now here are the seven lovely blogger friends that I would like to give this award to. I think your all Awe-Summm.

It’s all make believe, isn’t it?
Inner Workings of a Real-life Barbie Doll
Mean Girl Garage
Airing my dirty laundry one sock at a time

Underfunded Heiress

Children of the 90s

Coffee and Stilettos

You all deserve this award for touching me each and every day with your words and creativity. Thanks again Sasha. Let me know when you are free to have a glass of wine in the kitchen together.

What's New In My Makeup Bag Today?

Natural beauty tarte cheek stain. This is a "water-based gel cheek tint that gives you a natural flush. " I bought mine at Sephora.






CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain, Revlon Age Defying foundation and lashblast waterproof are all available at drugstores and at Target.




Beauty trick: Laura Mercier foundation primer sets my foundation all day long. Plus its oil free which helps my skin. Don't you think that Laura Mercier has lovely products? xoxo

One of my favorite products ever! 'Rosebud Salve aids in the relief of chapped skin, diaper rash, blemishes, detergent burns and rough cuticles'. What a steal at only $6 a jar. Can also be found at Sephora.

So, what's in your Makeup bag today?

Put me in the game Life Coach!

Recently, over dinner, a close friend of mine made the suggestion that I should become a Life Coach. I wasn’t sure what to make of this. Was this a compliment or my friend’s polite way of saying that I try to help everyone? I had never thought about the difference between sitting with good friends discussing your life goals vs. doing it professionally.

I had so many questions. How do you decide to be a life coach? How do you decide if you need one? What’s the difference between a life coach and a therapist? How does a life coach market their service? I found myself looking for the answers. The ad below is a typical one for a life coach (source: www.mylifecoach.com)
~~~~~
Are you ready to be happy and fulfilled?

Life Coaching is for people that are truly ready to create a successful life for themselves. A life coach is skilled in helping you to make radical improvements in your life. If things are pretty good, but you want them to be great...Coaching is for you!

A Life Coach is not a therapist...more than a consultant... and not just a friend: Your Life Coach is your personal expert to help you realize your full potential!
~~~~~
I am a behavioral therapist by training. The main difference between a therapist and Life Coach is pretty simple. A therapist helps you work on your past and a Life Coach helps you work towards your future.

Do we wish we all had time to write down our passions, career goals and plans and know each step needed to get there? Yes, but we usually don’t have this luxury. In fact, people usually cite busy schedules and lack of time as reasons preventing them from getting to their real goals.

Who typically seeks out life coaches? Many are business people, entrepreneurs and people looking to transition in life. Life Coaching can be a guide to help push you through to the next destination in life. Would you go to a Life Coach?

Interview with Couture Carrie and Under the Sheets-shhh

Please meet today's guest blogger Couture Carrie. Go over to her site today, to see my answers to these same questions. For me, we changed question #6 to what my thoughts are on specific pieces to San Francisco.

1)Who are your fashion icons and whom would you interview if you had the chance?
My fashion icons include Chloe Sevigny for her individuality, the Olsens for their trendsetting

 knack, Sienna Miller for her ability to be cute and sexy at once, and Kate Moss for her easy chic. If I could interview a few designers, I would probably choose up-and-comers like the Mulleavy sisters at Rodarte, perhaps one Couturier, such as Christian Lacroix, and Norma Kamali, for her staying power in the industry. 

2)What piece of clothing could you not live without?
My skinny jeans. I wear them as pants or as leggings, year-round, and have them in gray, ink wash, ivory and black. My preferred denim designers are J Brand and Superfine... incredible fit, and they stand up to multiple washings (never put your skinnies in the dryer, darlings – it destroys the stretchiness!). On a budget? Try Silence & Noise at Urban Outfitters.

3)What is your definition of Couture?
I am a traditionalist, so for me, Couture is a very narrow category, defined by the iconic French and Italian houses where every piece is painstakingly created by hand, and typically custom-made for a particular client. Couture is delightful, fanciful, exquisitely wrought, and an art that ought to be preserved! Dior, Lacroix, Chanel, Valentino and Armani spring to mind. But there are lesser-known couturiers as well. This Bordeaux velvet embroidered coat was made by Couturier Franck Sorbier.

4)Your thoughts on east vs. west coast style. 
For me, East Coast style is more tailored, and often relies on darker hues. New Yorkers are notorious for wearing black year-round. West Coast style feels more easy and relaxed, with more casual fabrics, and a plethora of colorful prints. 

5)Your advice on how to be comfortable in your own skin.
Know your strengths and flaunt them. Never draw attention to your weaknesses. Appreciate your body as a well-oiled machine... Feed it properly and get plenty of exercise so that you always feel physically strong; it can help when you are feeling emotionally weak. Never feel bad for feeling bad. Trust that anything is possible and that your dreams CAN come true with perseverance.

6)Specific pieces for New York.
Blazers, and lots of them... from the latest boyfriend blazer to the peak-shouldered Balmain. High-heeled shoe boots. Asymmetric dress in a jewel tone. Ink wash skinny jeans. Wellies for rainy days. A killer clutch for evening and an oversize slouchy carry-all for day.

7)Growing up, what did you want to be? 
Initially, I aspired to be a gymnast. When it was clear that my height would be an impediment to this goal, I decided it would be more practical to be a novelist. As a teen, I changed my mind again and decided to follow in my mother’s footsteps and become a lawyer. Though I practiced law for two years, it wasn’t my calling, so I defected from the legal profession to become a teacher. I think I am still in the process of “growing up”, so I imagine there are a few more career changes in my future! 

8)Where do you get you inspiration for your posts?
Street style, celeb stalking, fashion glossies, runway shows, models, art & architecture, music, and nature. 

9)Blogging 101 advice. How to become successful in the blog world.
Be consistent. Include captivating photos. Give back to your readers by commenting on their blogs and offering exciting contests. Never let advertising overtake your site. Remember why you began blogging in the first place: passion for fashion!

10)How would you rock out on the catwalk?
I would stomp it out like a pro! Dream shows: Sonia Rykiel, because the models are always smiling; Christian Lacroix Couture, because wearing art is such a treat; DSquared2, because the mood is always so hip; Dolce & Gabbana, for the sheer drama and the exquisite corsetry. 

Perfect Picnic of my Dreams

Tune in tomorrow for my interview with Couture Carrie and Under the Sheets-shhh.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day my blogger friends.

~ Laura

Memorial Day Weekend Trip to the Zoo

I hope you get to rest and relax over this Memorial Day weekend. When your co-worker asks you on Tuesday what you did, you can tell them you went to a friend's BBQ, played ball in the park and we went to the San Francisco zoo together. OK? 

Go on... I promise I can keep a secret. 

Tell me, what's your favorite zoo animal that you always love to see? I loved seeing the giraffe feeding. The baby giraffe was only a couple of months old. So cute! And boy can they eat.

Wishful Wednesday Pictures

On this wishful Wednesday, I wish for things that make me smile, help my feet dance, 'grace' me with fabulous smell, a ticket (so I can go to my Canadian hometown), decorative gaiam yoga mat with matching bag and yummy brownies that make my mouth water. 

As another treat please go over to Fifi Flower's blog today to read my guest post called 'Backyard tour of San Francisco.' I enjoyed putting together my insider tips from a local's point of view. Let me know what you think...

Do you agree with my lovely wishes? What are your wishes on this Wednesday?

Dance, like no one is watching

Can you tell me where I can find a corporate desk job for ballerinas? I recently figured out the exact moment when I knew I would be a creative adult. The moment was when I got to freestyle in my ballet classes.

From the ages of five to fifteen, I studied and danced ballet. In class, we were taught about discipline, strength and position. My ballet teachers were usually very warm, but strict, so they could teach us the love for dance.

Each year I would train for months for one ballet recital and the always intimidating judge’s panel. To be able to move to the next prestigious level, I needed to perform in front of these judges, a list of ballet positions in the proper form, with grace.

All of the ballerinas (aka bun heads) would support one another through this stressful process. I actually looked forward to the panel, especially the freestyle portion at the end of the test. Others were afraid and, in fact, some planned their freestyle ahead of time, but not me!

Looking back, I must have looked like the actress in Flashdance, in front of all those judges. Except I was ten, and outfitted in a leotard, tutu and a bun. When it was time for me to freestyle, I smiled at the judges and waited patiently for the piano player to play a piece of music that I had never heard before. I closed my eyes, felt the music and danced all around the room like a free little bird.

Over the next few weeks, as I waited to receive my marks from the judges, of all the portions performed, I would wonder mostly about their thoughts of my freestyle dance. When I received my ballet certificate moving me to the next ballet grade, I looked first for the judge’s comments (just as I get excited to read your comments). I wondered if they liked it. Was I creative enough? Were they smiling, holding back their laughter? Or, did they see a promising pupil?

And this was the exact ballet moment that I knew I would need creativity throughout my life. What are some of the ways that you show your creativity?