Ooh la la Halloween costumes

I finally decided what my Halloween costume is going to be....drum roll please...how does the green M&M sound? I'm off to the market now to pick up M&M's to hand out. One of my best friends and her honey are dressing up like Mr.Clean and his french maid. Ooh la la!




Introducing my little cousins; ages 10 & 6. Can't you just feel their personality through this photo? They have energy for days... Click here to see my interview with my little sister.



I love these creative Jack-o-latern face ideas. I just saw another creative San Francisco hotel that took an orange hazard cone, lit it up with a light and painted the front with a jack-o-latern face. What a great idea for Halloween!

And this cake is for the Halloween birthday babies. It must be hard to share your birthday with the ghosts and goblins of the world. My grandfather's birthday was on Halloween and I remember calling him every year. Happy Halloween lovelies and have a great weekend!

Older women with a younger man?

Do older women and younger men relationships work? Trust me they do. In fact, I'm marrying a younger man as Honey (click here to read more about our love story) and I are one of those couples. Shocked? Sometimes it's hard to not care what others think of our age difference. Sure I've seen the raised eyebrows, but I am happy and that's all that matters to me!

In every relationship we ask ourselves about the deal breakers. I had to ask myself if I was ready to be with someone that wasn't established in life yet and be there as he goes to Business school. Honey had to ask himself if he wanted to be a young father as I/we want to have children.

Picture from CBS show Accidentally on Purpose

Do we notice the age difference? I notice how much we laugh together. Yes sometimes it's funny when I quote a movie and Honey has no idea what I'm talking about. But we teach each other so much. Plus we have so much in common. We want to travel the world, spend time with our family and friends, cook together, become a family and continue to always learn.

I ask you, why it looks like older women with younger men know a secret that others don't. There seems to be a twinkle in their eyes. A twinkle that many of us wish we could bottle. When I was last in L.A. visiting my family, we went to the beach for my father's birthday. A woman from the party walked up to me to congratulate the engagement. She asked me how many years apart we were. I told her 7 1/2. She laughed because she was 13 years older then her husband. And she had such a twinkle in her eye...

Picture from ABC show Cougar Town

Am I attracted to his energy or his hopefulness for the future. I think it's a little of both. So now its your turn to weigh in. Do you think a relationship between an older woman and a younger man can work?

Wishful Wednesday: Vintage Halloween

On this Wishful Wednesday, I wish you happy memories of your favorite Halloween costume. Some of my fav vintage costumes were; when I dressed up like a deck of cards, dyed my hair pink and orange and became Cyndi Lauper and when I was older I dressed up as a pink genie and walked Castro Street. Trust me the men looked better in a dress then I did.

What's a Halloween without some candy corn? Well, a Canadian Halloween. I honestly do not remember seeing candy corn until we moved to the States. We so knew Reddi Wip though!

There was one house in our neighborhood that the children didn't like trick or treating at because the owner was a dentist. And instead of candy, we would receive an apple and a toothbrush. Don't you think it's time I got over this?



Work it, work it...Own it, own it!

Oh yum! Is this is cake? Hold on as I go and get a fork.

And our vintage Halloween wouldn't be complete without the mention of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. She was a character from my childhood. Yes, I know this explains so much!

Ah, I'm feeling so nostalgic. And even though I've lived in America for, gosh, 19 years I still wonder how I will stay warm in my Halloween costume. You see, I have to remind myself that I no longer live in Toronto and snow is not coming to San Francisco. What was your favorite Halloween costume?

Chicken with eggplant recipe

How many times have you been told to eat more vegetables? Well, try this chicken with eggplant recipe for a healthy dinner option. Some of the vegetable advice I've been given, is to try to incorporate as many colors onto my plate as possible. This is great advice, but what can you cook that is healthy and tastes great when you have very little time? Make this eggplant recipe and you won't be disappointed. Trust me, I just made this for dinner.... (I used this recipe and added some of my own twists).

You will need

2 large eggplants and cut them lengthwise into small bite size slices
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into small bite size pieces
1/2 chopped onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 gloves of garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 Roma tomatoes
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon of oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Basil leaves to garnish
* Add chili flakes for some spice

This recipe will make 3 servings

Directions

Place eggplant pieces into a big pot of lightly salted water and soak for 30 mins. Set aside. Hint: The eggplant will soak up the salted water and retain the flavor.

Next remove eggplant from pot and brush with olive oil. Saute eggplant until browned and place in a small oven safe dish. Set to the side. Next, saute chicken and onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in tomato paste, garlic and water, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 mins.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pour chicken/tomato mixture over eggplant. Add Roma tomato slices, season with oregano, salt and pepper and cover. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 mins.

After you remove the dish, add basil to garnish and enjoy. This chicken with eggplant recipe is hearty and healthy. I love serving this dish with a side of garlic bread. I hope you like this recipe. So, what are you going to make for dinner tonight? Click here for more delicious recipes.

Halloween costume or high fashion?

I must admit, I've seen some outfits and had to wonder if that was high fashion or a Halloween costume. Boutique and trendy fashion is one thing, but there is also a fine line for costume outfits. As Halloween creeps closer, thoughts like 'what should I wear' keep coming to mind. I'm trying to decide between two costumes. A racer girl or the green M&M...

You go Ellen, Lauren and Paris! You've taken your high fashion gene and turned it into a stylish costume. Short skirts, knee high stockings and Ellen dressed up like JLo...Halloween must be coming soon.

Could this picture be a mixture of a costume and high fashion? She's inspiring me to become a butterfly. Now where would I find those butterfly false eyelashes?



High fashion for sure! This sequined top and gloves by Giorgio Armani; Lace bodysuit by Emilio Cavallini.

Victoria Beckham strikes a pose for this Elle magazine cover shoot. I'm not sure if I could keep a straight face while wearing the middle orange frock. Could you?

This picture is way high fashion and just stunning. Do you know yet, if your Halloween costume is going to be ghoulish or high fashion? Comment below and let me know.

Letter to my noisy neighbor

San Francisco is known for its small apartments and high rents, but I feel honored to live in such a beautiful city that I use as my playground. Sure, I can get stir crazy from the small space known as our apartment. I’ve also gotten use to the street noise and tour buses looking for Lombard Street. In addition to all of the noise that comes with city living, I also get to hear a noisy neighbor that likes to sing several times a week.

And, if I could write a letter to this neighbor, this is what I would say...

Dear Noisy Neighbor,

We’ve never met formally, but I'd like to thank you for teaching me what Korean rock is. You serenade me between the hours of 4p.m. and 8p.m. and your concert is filled with songs I’ve never heard of. And yet, you seem to sing these same songs over and over. And if we ever meet, I’d like to give you several things. One my iPod with earphones so you can sing a little quieter, two a song list with other song choices and three some dance lessons. You might be asking yourself why dance lessons? I believe, we should have several hobbies =)

I'm sorry to say, that I’ve had to close my windows when we’ve had friends over for dinner. It's just so we can listen to our choice of music, but after a couple glasses of wine I've enjoyed your singing immensely.

If you think it’s only me in our apartment that feels this way, then you are incorrect sir. I have passed people in the hallways, at the front door and even at the local coffee shop that feel the same way. And one night, when I went to shut my windows, I saw another neighbor doing the same thing.

Neighbor, rain or shine, thank you for being there for me!

~Laura

And people say that blogging isn’t a form of therapy. Phew, I feel so much better. Wait what time is it? I really have to go as my noisy neighbors concert is about to begin. How would you handle a situation like this one? Have a great weekend lovelies! (Click here for more posts about SF landlords).

My favorite teacher

Why do certain teachers stay in your heart, no matter how many years go by? Teachers salaries are usually paid in hope for their student's futures. Also teachers stay in our memories and help shape the people we become. My favorite teacher, Mrs. Katz, taught me when I was ten years old. She seemed to reach into me and pull out my thoughts that were needed to succeed. She also touched all of the other children in my class.

Every day, I looked forward to seeing Mrs. Katz. She was young, stylish and never talked down to us. I would try to sit at the front of the class and reach my hand, high into the sky, to answer her questions. Yes, I was that kind of student. She was my favorite and I looked up to her.

I remember one day, her fifth grade class noticed she was gaining weight.

My classmates and I, had serious huddle talks and debated whether Mrs. Katz was just gaining weight or maybe pregnant. We tried in our ten year old selves, to tactfully hope she was just gaining weight because otherwise we could lose our favorite mentor.

My classmates chose me to ask Mrs. Katz about her sudden weight gain. We were all nervous about her response. Mrs. Katz stood at the front of the class and finished her lesson. I walked over to my teacher and blurted out, “Mrs. Katz are you pregnant?” and to my surprise she said, "Yes." And the entire class clapped for her.

When the dust settled, the class realized we could be losing her. Soon, she would go on maternity leave and we wondered if she would return to our school.

After she had her baby, Mrs. Katz left our school, but brought her baby to meet us. And do you know what I heard her tell her new daughter? That we were her favorite fifth grade class. Thank you Mrs. Katz. Tell me, what was your favorite teachers name?

Wishful Wednesday: Day at the office

On this Wishful Wednesday, I wanted to create a perfect day at the office filled with design and fashion. There's something so crisp about wearing a white and tailored shirt to work. Pair this with a blue necklace and some red shoes and you'll be stylish all day. What would make me even happier, is wearing this shirt the entire day without getting it wrinkled! I also love the color of the retro and home offices.

That's it! I'm going into the office tomorrow and posting every sticky note I can find. Does this mean I should include sticking myself? Well, I'm going to need a lot of post-its!

Isn't this the best home office you've ever seen? If you don't have the room, then just make your office out of a closet.

Wouldn't this be a perfect picture for today's harassment lawyers?

Pearls can make any casual outfit into stylish work clothes. Designing your office space, can make you feel comfortable and get you through the day. I loved this Wishful Wednesday at the office, didn't you? How will you spend your Wishful Wednesday?

Boutique Vegas Sitscation

Mondays are always difficult! Now imagine what it must feel like to get up on Monday, with rain outside, and just after 2 days in Vegas baby! I really enjoyed Sitscation for the amazing women that I met, the presentations and the discussions on blogging for good. (#blog4good). Not to worry, Honey and I also had a blast playing as well. Who goes to Vegas and finds the classy and boutique spots? This girl!


During the conference, I loved the idea that the bloggers of today are the pioneers of tomorrow. Ten years from now, everyone will be writing and blogging and we can say, "We were there when..." But, what scares me is to think that my grandchildren will google me one day and could see this blog instead of a family album.



The Venetian hotel welcomed us home, but we truly did get lost several times. Damn you Vegas - we kept ending up at the casinos. And every time I asked someone what the time was, they told me 3 am.

These boutique flowers, butterflies and lamp fixtures were all at the Encore hotel. Just stunning!

And you know you're in Vegas when on the menu at a restaurant there's a section that says morning cocktails. Trust me, I thoroughly enjoyed my boutique Las Vegas vacation. Did you win big the last time you were in Vegas?