Scooper Bowl.

I love ice cream. Did you know? It's here and here and really everywhere in knowing the most important things about me. Apart from everyday, I think the best parties involve ice cream ... I had ice cream at my wedding, think a sherbet-based punch at a baby shower is both kitschy fun and delicious, and a make-your-own-sundae party with friends is the best way to celebrate. Anyway, imagine my delight when I found out about the Scooper Bowl -- a cancer fundraiser they have in Boston every year. It's all-you-can-eat ice cream!  Do you live in Boston and have you been? If you have, please share details!

P.S. When I was thinking about art for this post, the first thing that came to mind was an ice cream drawing I made in college. I couldn't find it -- which is sad -- but it looked something like what I drew above.  In my first advertising class, our assignment was to create our own personal logo. And then we had to paste them on the wall for everyone to critique. I remember looking up at the wall and feeling so proud and happy -- "that is so me!" I exclaimed on the inside. But no one else in the class shared my delight. No one liked it, my best friend in the class laughed at me and the teacher told me it wasn't professional. It was such a strange dichotomy. But you know what? In hindsight, I still love it and don't care what any one else thinks.

Souvenirs from Rome.

I'm getting ready to finally do something with the trinkets I brought home from Rome. I think this summer will be a great time for fun art projects! Here are some of the things we picked up ... as told by my Instagram images.

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to bring home artful souvenirs. Don't get me wrong -- I like the kitschy stuff, too. I usually try to get something that's tacky touristy but hopefully in a fun way. I like getting a magnet or a Christmas ornament or a tiny little trinket for a bookshelf. But I love to bring home art. I collect vintage magazines so that's my favorite thing to try to find. Or something from a local artist. I usually make a list of things to keep my eye out for in advance (like the vintage sunglasses), but then I let myself be free to explore so something fantastic might catch my eye (like the old Italian leather album). I'd love to hear your ideas of what I can do with the stamps. I thought of making a photo frame but I think that's overdone. What do you think?

Smelly.

Have you guys ever not been friends with someone -- or not dated someone -- because of their smell? A friend of mine was telling me that the other day. She really liked a friend of hers but couldn't stand her smell. It wasn't necessarily stinky ... she just didn't like it.  I knew what she meant. I couldn't recall anyone specifically but knew that some people had turned me off just because of their own scent. I'm not talking about perfume, although too much of that or a scent you can't stand is a major turnoff, too.  And then I read this article in Marie Claire about a woman who didn't like the way her husband smells.  I can't even imagine that!  I think smell is an essential part of chemistry and attraction. Don't you? My husband's smell sometimes hits me like a Mack truck -- I can smell it when I walk into his closet or even when I open the dryer full of his clothes. Of course I love a tight hug where I can nuzzle my face into his neck and get a big whiff. A funny common thread amongst my best friends across the years is that they have loved the way I smell.  It's hysterical! But always a relief because I'm always afraid I'll smell bad (and maybe I do to people who don't like me). Come to think of it, my friends' smells have traveled with them to many different cities and homes over the years. What do you think? And what do your friends say you smell like?

P.S. Some other funny conversations about smells came up in another conversation recently. One friend said how much she loves the smell of gasoline. And I was saying how much I love the smell of horse poop.   Do you have a favorite smell that's weird?

{Photo found here}.

LA ♥ // El Matador Beach.

Just in time for summer, I want to share a rather famous yet off-the-beaten-path beach in LA called El Matador. You guys, it's stunning! It's actually in Malibu below a high bluff and has a smattering of picturesque giant rocks with sea caves. Whether you are looking down along the coastline from atop the cliff or splashing through the water down on the beach, it's a stunner. In my photo world, many people jokingly refer to this as Photo Beach because there's always a shoot going on there. And once you go there, you'll notice how often it's in magazine spreads and movies. Unfortunately the beauty comes with a price -- the porta-potties in the parking lot are stinky and the trek down the cliff to the beach is a doozy when you come back up. But it's worth it. It's a great place to take a book or a picnic ... and super romantic no matter what time of day you go.  The adventurous types can climb the rocks and explore the caves. And sometimes you have to be really adventurous because certain parts of the beach can trap you in high tide!

To get there, drive past Zuma Beach going north on the 101 (aka PCH). After  you see signs for Broad Beach, keep your eyes peeled for the brown signs at the top of a hill. The parking lot at the top is rather small and make sure you have cash to pay at the self-pay machine. If you don't want to make the hike down, even a sunset from the top is worth your while.

Find more of the things I love about LA here.

{Photos by me}.

Mistakes.

Summer Book Club!

I'm soooo excited about this!  Remember last week when I told you I was reading The Happiness Project and then asked if you would be interested in doing a summer book club? Well, at the time, I hadn't thought of doing a book club about that particular book. But then I kept thinking about what I was reading and just dying to talk about it. Then it hit me -- I definitely needed to do a book club with The Happiness Project! 

So, here's the deal ... we'll discuss a chapter every Wednesday this summer starting June 6th. We'll take the week of the Fourth of July off, and wrap it up on August 29th.  I'd really love the posts to be more than me leading the discussion so feel free to email me your thoughts before Wednesday so I can include them. Or if you feel really moved, you can write and lead that week's discussion! I'll leave that a little loose so we all have creative license to run it how we like it. Otherwise, we can chat away in the comments section and share favorite moments over on Facebook and Twitter (I'll use the hashtag #HappinessProject).

And just to be clear -- there will be no conference call or in-person meeting. This will all be online here at Hello, Moxie! And while I'll do my best to have it posted by 3 a.m. EST, there won't be a specific time to chat -- you can visit whenever it's good for you. But when you do, feel free to drink wine and savor some appetizers as you read and type so you get the full book club experience, OK?

Here's a description of the book ...
In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.

And let me just say that halfway through and think it's a great blend of funny, relatable, inspiring, smart and thought provoking. I can't wait to hear what you think about it!

Buy the book here. And visit the author's blog here. Happy reading! I'll see you back here in two Wednesdays ...

P.S. Remember this discussion? It's from this book!

Signet ring.

I'm LOVING this ring!  Get it here.

Funny Monday.

{Source unknown. Spotted here}.

What are you reading?

Hi girls! It's a bright & sunny afternoon here in LA ... and even though I really don't like it to get too hot, I'm really excited for summer. I'd love to be outside reading in the sun right now! It's sort of fun to have the seasons change. For me that means less TV and more reading, ha!  Every book I've picked up lately has been rather disappointing. But I just started reading The Happiness Project and am LOVING it. There's so much I want to talk about so I can't wait to discuss it with you here. Did you read it?  I also picked up this book about the making of the Fleetwood Mac album Rumours. It's one of my all-time favorite albums. And of course I still haven't read 50 Shades yet. For some reason, it just doesn't seem to be what I want right now. So I guess I'm saving it for when I do, wink wink. If you've read something amazing lately, please share!  Would you be into a summer book club?  Let me know. I'm been thinking about that ... happy reading!

{Photo credit unknown found via OldTimeFriend}.

Time Magazine's Breastfeeding Cover.

I can't wait to hear what you guys think about this one!  Time magazine issued this week's edition today with the cover above. Shocking, right?  It's a mom breastfeeding her three-year-old son. I personally think it's a great cover. You know why? Because it's provocative and commands your attention. It's also real -- not a composite image -- about a topic that's been growing in chatter lately. I love it and can't wait to get it in the mail. Now, the topic -- that's whole other issue! I'm not a mom so I don't really have the experience to have an opinion. But I can't wait to hear what you think about it! Please, please tell me what you think.

P.S. One of the things I think makes the image so shocking is that it takes you a while to process that the boy is standing on a chair. Don't you think?  And he is a tall 3-year-old, right?  She's super pretty so I thought at first she must be a model. Look at the other choices for a cover here.

Roman Bath.

You know what was one of the best things about Rome? The bathtub in our hotel room. Are you as afraid of European showers as I am? I just don't get it!  How can you possible relax and enjoy a shower when there isn't a shower stall or curtain ... and you have to hold the wand?  It's always been a source of great laughter in all of my travels because no matter what I do, I can't get it right -- I flood the bathroom and leave more stressed than when I entered. My husband and I now just refer to them as scary showers.  You see, his childhood home in Germany -- the one his mom still lives in -- has a scary shower!  So imagine the stress I felt upon visiting it for the first time and not wanting to screw up.  I actually cried! But now we just laugh about it and get extra towels.

So I knew a scary shower was a possibility in our hotel in Rome. And there it was! The German went first and even he made a mess. So I made a decision right then and there -- I would only take baths when I was in Rome. And you know what, it was the best decision for a vacation!  I was never in a hurry and only really needed to look as good as I felt like looking. And look at that tub! It was such a beauty. Major inspiration for me. So every morning, he would run a bath for me (how cute is that?) and I'd slip in and hang out. It was so peaceful and relaxing. The bathroom was big with marble floors and big gigantic windows with beautiful streaming light. I'd sit there until it got lukewarm and then add more hot. It was dreamy.  Of course I love baths even at home but I take them at the end of the day to relax -- never to shave, shampoo and shine. There was, of course, some humor.  Trying to remain upright to shave my legs or wash my hair always ended in a slip and a fall under water. But I loved every minute of it. 

{Photos by me. You know what? Those photos look a little dingy -- I might think ewww if I was seeing it for the first time like that. But I'll try to give you a better perspective when I tell you all about the hotel and share lots more photos.}.

Creep Cover.

I just had to share this! Ashley, a fellow photographer and also a Mrs. to a German man, writes a great blog called Chasing Heartbeats where she posted this last week. I promise you this version of Carrie Manolakos singing Radiohead's Creep will blow your socks off! Pass it on ...

Home Sweet Home.

I'm back!  We had the most marvelous time! I can't wait to share all the highlights with you. But right now I'm in a post vacation hangover of bliss mixed with jet lag and I'm not moving fast. 

But here's a cute story -- on Saturday, Lucy and I celebrated seven years of living in our place here in LA!  It's always a sweet anniversary for me because I had just quit my corporate job, was trying to start a new life and was filled with equal amounts of hope and being scared shitless. We really have come so far.

Back then, I was coming back to LA and ready to make a new beginning here. I found the street I wanted to live on and thought I found what was the perfect apartment. It was soooo cute! But the landlord didn't accept dogs. I begged, I pleaded, I lost sleep ... and I even went to a psychic!  She told me she saw me moving into a place with lots of great light and much happiness and love.  And wouldn't you know it, the next day I stumbled upon an open house for the place we now live and moved in the following week!  It really does have amazing, inspirational light ... and lots of love because I met my husband while living here and now we all live here together.  It was just meant to be! And what's even more funny to me, is some friends of mine now live in the place I so desperately wanted a few doors down. They had a birthday party there a couple of years ago and my husband went to that party as part of our first date. Isn't that fun?!?!

But as I was cuddling with Lucy and reflecting on our time here, I remembered that I never shared some recent blog posts about my place. I was super honored with Lillian of Unstitched asked me to do a tour of my home on her blog. And then Sandra of Raincoast Cottage asked me to be part of a new column she was starting about where we create.  You can see those posts here and here.

Have a great week! I can't wait to catch up with you all ... and a big hearty THANK YOU to my friends who guest posted while I was gone. I love you all!

{Photos by me}.

Working 9-5.

Guest Post // Wendy Garrish

Have you heard the interview or read the recent articles on Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, and her confession that she leaves at 5:30pm every night and has dinner with her family at 6pm?  It is fantastic!  It is totally unthinkable and unspeakable in many industries to leave the office at a reasonable hour.  In high tech, where how late one works is considered a badge of honor, she totally bucks the trend.  And, her career appears no worse for it, as she is one of the most respected and powerful women in the Silicon Valley.  Bravo, Sheryl Sandberg, for setting boundaries, for blazing new trails, and for talking about it!

You can follow Wendy on Twitter here and Pinterest here.


Thanks Wendy! And with that ladies, I hope you take off early today and spend some time with yourself or people who make you happy.  A special thanks to all of my dear friends who contributed such amazing topics while I was away.  I'm back on Monday! Have a fun weekend ...

{Photo by Martine Franck found via The Constant Buzz tumblr}.

The Girl Who Kicked Cancer's Booty.

I'm super excited to introduce my friend Susan to you all today. But she's really not new to you because I talked about her here in this post. She's what you might call a psychic. I say she's an energy healer and an intuitive. But this wasn't what she thought she'd be when she grew up!  Cancer changed that. Her story is amazing and inspirational ... I asked her to share it with you here. Thanks Susan! xoxo -- denise

GUEST POST // Susan Moe

For several years, I worried about and dreaded turning 30. I just had all these ideas of what my life should have looked like by that “old” age, what I should have accomplished by then, etc. I’d been trying to conceive a child for several years and each year that ticked away made me more and more fearful that I wouldn’t ever achieve this agenda item.

About a month before I was to turn the big 3-0, I started having chest pains and ended up having a biopsy of a lump under my sternum two days before my birthday. I was originally diagnosed with a type of cancer that had a 92% death rate and a massively invasive surgery that only a heart surgeon could perform. Suddenly, turning 30 dropped to the bottom of my worry list.

I was completely perplexed by this turn of events in my life since I’d just moved to a new part of the state, started grad school, and established myself with a renowned infertility doctor a couple of months prior —all signs to moving forward in life, not an abrupt end. What on earth was God thinking? I wondered.

As it turns out, I had a different form of cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I’d do chemo on Fridays, recover as much as possible over the weekend, and be back in class in Monday. It was a grueling time, but one that brought me my greatest gift in life—awareness of myself as a spiritual being and not just my body, or more importantly, the sum total of my accomplishments or any of my external identifiers.

Before having cancer, I was addicted to achievement and the pursuit of perfection. I burned the candle at both ends trying to accomplish everything on my ever increasing to-do list and I worried about absolutely everything, everyone, and every situation—past, present, and future. It’s a miracle I was ever able to meet such a nice man willing to marry such a psycho case—although maybe the fact that we lived in different countries for three of the five years before we tied the knot played in my favor.

One day I was studying in the student center when I was approached by one of my classmates to whom I’d previously never spoken. By way of introduction he offered to make a visualization tape for me. I suppose being bald as a bowling ball gave my condition away. That an MBA student, male at that, would offer such a frou-frou gift really shocked me, but I eagerly accepted his kind offer and thus began my journey into the world of energies, mysticism, and spirituality.

I continued my western healing with traditional chemo and radiation, but additionally, did Reiki treatments and other energy work with my new friend’s wife, a talented healer. My body healed quickly, within a year’s time, but my real healing had just begun and this, I believe, was the true purpose of my cancer calling.

After several years of intensive training in energy work, spirituality, and meditation, I am not only more grounded, present, and relaxed, but have become a practitioner in energy readings for others. I’d always envisioned myself as the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and was initially embarrassed and reluctant to tell people what I did for a living, much less publish the title on professional social media sites such as LinkedIn. While my classmates were off traveling the world and pulling down six figure salaries, all I had to “show” for my MBA was $40,000 in student loans and a small client base, albeit rapidly growing.

But today, I’m more confident than ever, that each of us needs the chance to quiet the Engerzier bunny beings we’re socialized to be and have the chance to tune into our higher being, our spiritual selves. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to share my passion with others as my profession and am grateful daily for the lessons learned through my own spiritual healing—all resulting from that bout of cancer. Suffice it to say, turning 40 was breeze! And despite not ever cashing in on that graduate degree, I’ve still be able to travel the world!

Why I got a new puppy.

GUEST POST // Margita Thompson

I recently got a second dog, an adorable puppy who is now 4 months old. Some people think I am crazy for having done it, and when I wake up at 5:30am I don’t disagree with them. 

But the bottom line is that I am all about work, and always have been. I have had some great jobs -- like being Press Secretary for Arnold Schwarzenegger or Political Producer for CNN’s Larry King Live, and have thrown myself wholeheartedly into these positions. Before my current job, the longest job I had lasted 3 years. Not unusual for someone who works in politics; but it meant I had no roots.  

So I took a corporate job that is interesting and demanding, with the intent that I would start developing my personal life with the same zeal I had given my professional ambitions. I got a dog 4 years ago named Max and he changed my life. I come home to someone who loves me unconditionally and relieves all my stress the minute I walk in the door from work.  So work has been getting crazier as I get more and more responsibility, so I thought a puppy would force me to think less about work and get me away from the office. 

I got Carlie a month ago and she has rocked my Type A overachieving world, not to mention Max’s laid back existence; and while I’d love to see her figure out potty training ASAP I love it!!! She is sweet, fearless, demanding, and affectionate. 

I have more of an appreciation for what single mothers go through. As more and more women forgo having families to focus on their careers, pets are going to assume a bigger role in society as untraditional families include those of us who have pets for children. 

I can second that! I adopted Lucy ... and my life changed. I bought a house, quit my job and became a photographer. She's the best thing that ever happened to me.  Thanks for sharing, Margita! I think you are a pretty swell mom and can't wait to meet Miss Carly. xoxo, denise

What's your favorite workout?

Last summer, after what I thought was a sore booty after a Sunday afternoon bike ride, I found out that I had herniated a disc in my back.  It couldn't have come at a worse time but I feel super lucky to have met Meghan as a result. She had just opened a new pilates studio in my neighborhood. And along with touting her holistic approach and masters in Kinesiology, I knew I had found a gem. I ditched physical therapy and put my recovery in her hands.  Plus, we have the best time talking about life and solving the worlds problems!  Meghan also writes a blog -- you can check it out here. -- denise

GUEST POST // Meghan Pickrell

I was quite flattered when Denise asked me to write a guest post. Denise has been a client of mine at Mind & Motion for about five months now. She is a great client not only because she is committed to her health and wellbeing, but also because she really loves her workouts. Denise varies her workout participating in a variety of routines including, pilates, treadmill class, hiking and personal training.

I know Denise likes to talk about body image here on Hello, Moxie! But she doesn't talk about working out. So, let’s talk about it girls: What are doing for your workout??? This is a question I’m often posing to clients and friends, not to necessarily to put them on the spot (although some people may feel that way) but to better understand how I, as a Movement Specialist, can offer balance. With such a plethora of options available in today’s society I strongly feel that everyone can find a complementary exercise program that will strengthen and enrich their body. We have: hiking, biking, roller-blading, swimming, and running within our reach. The classes being offered include: yoga, ballet, salsa, zumba, kickboxing, pole –dancing (yes, it’s true), and my personal favorite, pilates. For the athletic types we have club teams: soccer, baseball, tennis…You see where I’m going. With this many options there is really something for everyone. I always think it’s helpful to try as many activities as possible and then pick a few that you really enjoy to incorporate into your routine. It’s nice to have two separate workouts: one that energizes you, and the other that calms you. I love pilates because we can really do both all in one hour. Whatever you choose, find something you like to do. Your workout should be an hour dedicated to YOU. How often do you get that? 

So, please share ... what's your favorite workout?

{That's Meghan doing pilates! She's pretty rad. Photo provided by her}.

Scarf love.

GUEST POST // Wendy Garrish

I love scarves and wear one almost every day.  My collection runs the gamut from casual to fancy, neutral to wild, and cotton to cashmere.  My perennial favorite, however, is the Vinyasa Scarf from Lululemon. It has been out for a while now, so perhaps you have seen it?  While I typically just use it as a circle scarf, it can be worn a myriad of different ways  since it has snaps on the short ends that allow for many variations.  I wear it on walks, to baseball games, and to all sorts of casual venues.  But, my favorite use for it is travel; whether as a blanket on a chilly flight or a pillow on a redeye, it is the absolute perfect travel accessory.  And the best part?  It washes and dries easily and quickly, so you can stay stylish and warm during your travels - all without airplane cooties!  I gave one to both my mom and MIL this past Christmas, and it was a huge hit.  You just might need one!

I want one! A friend at the gym wears one, too, and she always looks so cute. Wendy, I can TOTALLY see it on you! -- denise


You can follow Wendy on Twitter here and Pinterest here.

Photophile #015: Camera Cookies.

GUEST POST // Allison of Cirque du Sweet


Howdy, friends! My name is Allison and I'm the voice behind Cirque du Sweet. You'll find me posting about life's delights that put a smile on my face. I'd love for you to stop by and say hello! 

I'm honored to be filling in on Hello, Moxie! and I look forward to Denise stepping in for me when I hop across the pond this summer. The day I met Denise was the day I ate my first fried Twinkie, so needless to say, it was a pretty good day. We met at Alt Summit, and it was refreshing to meet someone who was so incredibly humble about their amazing talent. As someone who is dabbling in photography, I am absolutely blown away by her photographs and appreciate all of the tips and tricks she has given me throughout my learning process.

I should probably reciprocate with something sweet. 

These Camera Cookies from Manjar in El Paso, Texas would make a yummy gift for any photophile. My favorite is the Diana, a fun little plastic toy camera, but I think that the Polaroid complete with custom edible cookie pictures is pretty fun too! 

If you're a crafty cookie connoisseur or a true photo geek, you could even get the Camera Cookie Cutter Set  to make your own at home. You get three different cookie cutters in the set including an SLR, rangefinder, and an old-school twin reflex camera. How cute is that?

I mean, come on! These are the cutest things ever ... I'm buying the set, for sure. Thanks Allison! --  Denise.

{Photos courtesy of Manjar. Thank you! We love them. Layout by Denise}.

The diminishing marginal returns of accomplishment on the dating lives of women.

I'm over-the-moon to introduce my friend Margita Thompson!  She's super fun and wicked smart. Accomplished, too! Today she talks about the world's greatest mystery ... why some of the smartest, most amazing and beautiful women don't typically find a man to match them.  

GUEST POST // Margita Thompson

It is with sadness that I come to accept the fact that the more I achieve, the fewer men in my dating pool. This is not a phenomenon I have identified solely from my dating history, but as I look around me I have fabulous single friends who are accomplished, funny, good looking, educated and ... single. Maybe men find our independence emasculating. Maybe we bore them. Or maybe we don’t fit into their inherent need to feel like the preeminent providers in a relationship. But the bottom line is that accomplished women still need to feel protected even if not financially subservient, maybe we need to do a better job of showing it. It might be living in LA where most men seem more feminine that a lot of women. My high water mark might have been grad school where everyone was on a level playing field. Grad school actually may have ruined me. I came to love passionate debate and argue whatever side was the opposite of everyone else. That was great fun in school but apparently not so sought after in flirting situations.  Fortunately I have a great circle of friends and being an only child has made me perfectly content going solo. Hopefully Mr. Right is out there, but I know that he will have to be someone who relishes the good things that happen in my life. One of the greatest things about being ambitious is that hope springs eternal …

{Poster available here. Photo by Charles Fredrik found on LeLove blog}.

Project reconnect.

Do you ever have those moments when everything starts to align?  I've been having a moment like that with this first topic my friend Wendy Garrish writes about.  I've been feeling like I need to breakup with Facebook. And then last week Wendy sends me this post! I was so inspired by her ideas. The NY Times had a great piece over the weekend and I realized I'm not the only one feeling so disconnected by being so connected.  Kudos to Wendy for being ahead of the trend!  Here's how she's connecting with her friends ...

GUEST POST // Wendy Garrish

Isn’t it funny that the more we connect digitally, the more we forget to really connect with people?  I feel like I know what is going on with my friends now more than ever, since every move is documented on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, etc.; every great idea for their homes is identified on Houzz; and every great outfit, hairstyle, recipe, or birthday party theme is pinned on Pinterest.  In some respects, I know more about my friends than previously.  But, despite knowing where they had their last meal and their latest craft inspiration, I realized I don’t actually know what is really going on with them.

So, I made a big effort this week to reconnect with some of my good friends – “Project Reconnect”.  I took a walk one evening with a friend who lives around the corner.  I had a couple of girlfriends over for coffee one morning.  I actually talked on the phone (!!) with two other girlfriends.  And, I have dinner plans later this week with some of my college sorority sisters. It was a big undertaking and my general productivity this week has been less than stellar, but it has been rewarding, inspiring, and FUN!  A nice little reminder for me that life shouldn’t always revolve around my laptop and iPhone. 

What do you think?  Any great ideas to remember to unplug get in touch – really in touch – with friends?   

You can follow Wendy on Twitter here and Pinterest here.


{Photo by Valeria Lazareva found on Rad Hatter tumblr}.

Introducing ...

As I'm packing and getting ready to take off, I wanted to make way for some of my friends who will be guest posting while I'm gone.  They are some of my favorite people in the world! Some are long time friends and others are brand new.  Most of them don't write blogs of their own so I'm very honored that we get to hear their voice.  And what they want to talk about runs the gamut from favorite purchases to dating, dogs, fitness, work, friendships, cancer and cookie cameras. Exactly what I want Hello, Moxie! to be about -- a place to discuss all of this and more.  One will be posted each morning and I hope you'll have the chance to say hello and chit-chat about their musings. Have fun while I'm gone!


{Vintage poster available here}.

Frozen Planet.

Holy cow, have you guys watched Frozen Planet?  I can't remember where I read about it but decided to record it ... and I thought maybe I'd watch it sometime this summer when I had a lazy Sunday afternoon. But I couldn't sleep the other night and thought I'd give it a whirl. You guys, I could not take my eyes off of it!  Not only is it stunningly gorgeous to watch, but it's fascinating.  I swear I was on the edge of my seat most of the time, screaming under my breath and marveling at nature.  There were a couple of scenes where I literally could not believe what I was seeing -- mostly the killer whales.  Their coordinated, strategic, cunningly smart maneuvers to hunt a single seal was more gripping than an episode of Law & Order SVU. No joke!  And I needed an instant replay to see what a fellow bison did to another bison to let the wolves strike the final blow. But then I laughed out loud with the penguins and how human their behavior was.  I could go on and on ... but I ended up watching the full two hours and not falling asleep as I had hoped. I'm glad I recorded the other episodes in the series and recommend you do the same. I can't wait to watch the one showing how they got all of that amazing footage. I don't think they are all available to record on your DVR but know it will be available on DVD soon.  Definitely watch it!

{Photo ©BBC/Chadden Hunter}.

LA ♥ // Cinespia.

Here's one of my favorite things to do in LA ... graveyard movies!  That's just what my friends and I call it but it's real name is Cinespia.  It's such a blast!  You pack a picnic, meet up with a bunch of friends and head over to the Hollywood Forever cemetery in Hollywood. You wait in line on foot or in your car -- make sure to time it just right because it sells out fast.  Once they open the gates, everyone heads for a large lawn area to spread out their picnics and watch old movies after sunset.  A DJ spins some tunes while the sun is setting ... and when it's dark, they play an old movie on the side of a large white wall of a mausoleum. Everyone asks -- no, you aren't laying on graves!  Can you imagine?  It's really not spooky at all, and it's not meant to be creepy either.  It's just a spirited picnic and an outdoor old movie.  I bring a low chair (don't bring a high one or no one behind you can see) and a lot of blankets to cuddle up.  Wine and yummies from Joan's is what we always bring.  When friends come from out-of-town, I always add this to the list because it's such a unique local experience.  You can find out more information here and check in weekly as they announce upcoming movies. This year, it kicks off in just a few weeks with Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train. Hope to see you there!

{Photos by me}.

How to use your iPhone abroad.

I'm getting ready for my trip! And I've learned some great tricks on traveling internationally with my iPhone so wanted to share. That way you can stay connected for about $40 without paying ridiculous roaming charges. And you can save all your money for more fun things. Here's what you do ...

A few days before you leave, call AT&T's international department at (800) 335 4685 and tell them that you'll be traveling abroad and want an international roaming package.  And then when you return from your trip, call them back and cancel it. There's no contract and you don't need to keep it for a certain amount of time. That way you are just paying for the time you are away.

You have three ways to use your phone abroad -- the phone, texting and data. There's a package for each and you can choose what works for you.

Phone -- The World Traveler Plan is $5.99 per month. Get that, and then you'll pay .99 per minute for both outgoing and incoming calls.  If you don't pay for this, you'll pay the totally crazy roaming and long distance fees! But it's important to remember that since you'll be roaming, a phone call is anything that uses your phone -- missed calls, rejected calls, you calling your voicemail, and others leaving messages on your voicemail. Isn't that wild?  So imagine if people don't know you are away and everyone keeps calling. Even if you reject the calls, they'll be .99 each. And how about those friends who call and have to tell you a very important story -- that just happens to take three minutes to tell? You'll pay for those three minutes while she's gabbing on and on.  So, I recommend you either transfer your mobile number to your home number and just call that voicemail as needed. That way, you are in control. Or you can just turn your phone off while you are abroad ... and turn it on once or twice a day to check in as needed. That's what I do.  But just checking voicemail can really add up.  And that's why I prefer to text ...

Text -- They offer different packages depending on how many texts you think you'll send and receive.  I usually choose the 50 text messages for $10. That's the cheapest, and they go up from there.  So, I tell my friends, family, work and the house sitter to text me if they need to reach me. I can also attest that texting is so much more reliable that phone connections.  As my husband travels internationally often for work, it's crazy how hard it is to keep in touch sometimes. But texts always seem to go through.

Data -- There are different plans for data, too. The cheapest  package which is $24.99 for 50MB. Huh?  I know! Who knows how much data they use?  OK, here's what you do ...

When you get on the plane to leave the US, do these things in your settings menu -- turn Fetch off (under Mail) and switch to connect manually. Then turn data roaming off (under General/Network), and then reset your data (under General/Usage). The first two will make sure your phone isn't constantly connected. And resetting your data will help you keep track of how much data you are using. So when you land abroad, your data counter will start at zero and you can use the other features as you need to check email and surf the web. Every so often, check in to see how much data you are using -- under General/Usage. Remember the 50MB above (or whatever package you choose)? That will help you so you don't go over that amount.  Someone once told me that 20MB of data is about 50 emails and 100 webpages.  You can also reset your data right now and then use your phone as you normally do at home. Then at the end of the day, or end of the week, you can recheck and see how much you used. If you are on vacation, you obviously won't be using as much but it's a good gauge and starting point to see what kind of plan you'll want.  Because the overages are expensive!  You can also connect via WiFi while abroad so your web surfing and email won't be counted against your data usage.

Make sense? I promise it's not as overwhelming as it sounds.  When I first did it, I printed out notes and took them with me to remember ... so you can just print this out and you'll be good to go.

Happy travels!

{Photo by The Gentleman Amateur found via OldTimeFriend tumblr}.

Mundane Monday.

Hi Girls! Did you have a good weekend?  Please share if you did fun things! Mine was just OK, I think. We saw this movie on Friday and I was so disappointed! The trailer looked so good. And then I fell asleep to this movie on Saturday. The German said it would have been much better as a radio show because it was just the dialogue that was interesting. I volunteered for the Heart Gallery on Sunday. Have you heard of them? They help get foster children adopted into forever homes with the photos we take of the kids. This weekend it was at The Gentle Barn which I was super excited to see (I think I liked the horses and cows more than the kids). But mostly I was at the computer trying to launch a new website for work.  Could I be more lame at technology? Probably not. You'd think it would be fun with all the photos and tinkering and design and such ... but nope. It's pretty agonizing. I absolutely positively have to get it launched this week! So please, think good things for me.

P.S. I have some other things going on that I really want to talk about. But sometimes being blog fancy takes time.  But here's a tease -- I'm trying to replace my love for non-fat with healthy full fat stuff, I'm loving this game in bed at night, and I'm trying to put off reading this book until I get to Rome.

P.P.S. Speaking of Rome, if you have an inkling to write for Hello, Moxie! while I'm away, we'd love to have you as a guest writer!  Please email me if you are interested.

Have a fun week!

{Art found via Cubicle Refugee (yes, I love that tumblr & do use it a lot, thank you very much!) The Monday comment is all mine. The cute book is “The 400 Blows” (Les Quatre Cents Coups) by Jacqui Lee}.

Ashley Judd's Puffy Face Moment.

Have you guys been following Ashley Judd defending herself against the media who trounced on her?  I'm really glad she's saying something about it. I like what I heard from her on NBC last night and I really hope she stays with it and is able to force some change.  Her op-ed that started it is really rather wordy but if you like what she's saying on TV, you should check it out. She's starting a trend called "What's Your Puffy Face Moment?" which sounds sorta silly but we all have them so I want to give it momentum. I shared mine on Twitter. I'm sure I have dozens but the biggest one that came to my mind is my mother constantly telling me that whatever outfit I had on "would look really good if I lost 5 pounds." No blame to her, she's been influenced unfairly, too. The cycle just continues ...

Would love to hear what you guys think about it all!  And be honest ... did you think wildly negative things when you saw her doing press last month?  I thought the change was obviously noticeable and assumed she just gained weight.  It actually thought it was sorta cool to see someone having a rather normal moment that we all experience.

P.S. I'm a big advocate of being positive and real. Here are some similar posts here and here in a topic I have devotes to Our Bodies ... because I think it's important to tell each other how amazing we all are.

Boom boom boom.

Maybe it's the 80s girl in me but I'm loving this cool boom box from Paul Smith.

{Spotted in Vanity Fair; polkadot artwork by me}.

Girls.

I did a crazy thing and just added HBO to my TV service just so I could watch this show.  Have you seen the publicity for it?  I've been mesmerized ever since I saw this awesome photo on a billboard on my way home from the gym last week. I love that the writer/director is 25 years old and also stars as one of the main characters. And that Judd Aptow is the executive producer.  It looks honest and real, and that's just THE best.  Amongst other smaller things, that's what I want most from this blog here -- to connect in a honest and real way with girls. I hope the show is a good voice for Gen Y girls the way Sex and The City was for Gen X girls. I remember my girlfriends coming over late on a Sunday to pile on my bed to watch it. Everyone was too poor to subscribe to HBO and by some crazy miracle, I got it illegally on the TV in my bedroom. But all of us piled on top of each other made watching it even that much more special -- I think we would have preferred to watch it that way even if we could all afford to watch it on our own. So, Bravo to this new series! It starts on Sunday. Will you be watching?

FRIENDS.

There is a GREAT article about Friends in this month's Vanity Fair -- an excerpt from a book that's coming out soon. Are you a fan of the show?  It's one of my absolute all-time favorites. I've seen every episode a countless number of times -- yet somehow when it comes on TV, I can't turn it off.  It's still so funny, so real and really defines a generation. There's something comforting about it, like home or something. I feel the same way about Sex and The City.  I even recently told my husband that we should get both sets of the series DVDs so we could watch them even more often (which I know is not a good idea).  So, if you are a fan, too, make sure to read the article.

{Oops, I don't have photo credit for the above photo. I remember when it ran -- and thought it was so perfect -- but can't remember the publication or photographer. If you know, please tell me! Thanks}.

Magic carpet ride.

Good morning!  I haven't been very inspired and have been super distracted lately. Sorry for the lack of posting! I also caught that cold that everyone seems to have -- it's turned into a super sexy cough that just doesn't seem to ever want to go away. You can hear a little bit of it in my voice in this video here. It's of my dog Lucy getting a magic carpet ride from my husband. Because of her skin allergies, we have to give her a bath once a week. And she hates it! She'll do anything she can to avoid it ... including laying down and not budging. She's super strong so there's no making her do what she doesn't want to do. This time she went to one of her beds and you can see what happens next.

Have a great week! I hope to be here more often ...

Tuskegee.

I'm geeking out big time with this new album from Lionel Richie -- it's all of his famous songs performed as duets with country performers.  It's my latest guilty pleasure and I can't stop listening.  Download it here.

The News.

Hi girls! Guess what? Today is my one year anniversary of writing this blog!  I decided it's my anniversary because a year ago today I made the decision to leave a group blog and start my own. That blog was never really public, and I didn't tell anyone about Hello, Moxie! for about four months ... but I thought my blog-a-versary should be celebrated on this date for making that big move.

Ironically, I haven't run across anything stellar in the past week that I wanted to share. BUT ... I am rather obsessed with the news again and would love to chat with you about these three things:

1. That pilot that freaked out on the JetBlue flight. Geez louise ... doesn't it seem like a lot of people who shouldn't be freaking out are totally freaking out lately?  There's this guy, and earlier this month it was a flight attendant on American Airlines. And while it wasn't on an airline, I think the American soldier who killed the 17 Afghani citizens freaked out too. It's got me thinking that everyone is really stressed out and not dealing with things well. Something's going on. What do you think?

2. And speaking of that military guy, did you see the interview with his wife?  It was rather unexciting ... yet shocking. First of all, he never told her he had a brain injury while on a previous tour in the Middle East!  Can you imagine your husband never telling you something like that?  AND THEN she said she didn't believe he shot the Afghanis. What?!?  She said she thinks it might be mistaken identity. Holy cow. I wonder if she really knows her husband very well at all ... or she's in total denial. I'm dying to know what you think, please share!

3. And finally, the story that I've been obsessed with since it broke early last week -- Trayvon Martin. I'm in the camp that he was hunted down by a gun happy guy with a wanna-be police officer complex. I've signed petitions, tweeted about it and am bugging anyone I run into to talk about it. I troll news sites all day to see if there's anything new.  I don't care if Trayvon fought back -- he was being stalked and clearly didn't need to be shot. And I always wonder -- if you have to shoot someone, why don't you shoot them in the leg or something? I don't think Zimmerman needed to shoot to kill. Anyway, I could talk about this one non-stop.

And on a totally random note, I've been shopping a lot this week for some upcoming shoots and NEON is everywhere. EVERYWHERE!  I think a little pop her or there is fun, but not all over the place. I wonder how long this will last ... or if it will crash and burn soon?

As always, I love love love to know what you think! Please share. I hope you are having a fun week otherwise ...

Movie: Friends with Kids.

This is my favorite kind of movie. Great, timely topic. Fantastic writing. Funny. Touching. You laugh, you cry. Superb cast. Hunky men to look at.  Remember that super cute cop in Bridesmaids? He's in it! If you are looking for a movie night out, definitely go see it. It's written by Jon Hamm's real-life girlfriend, Jennifer Westfeldt.  She's such a great writer!  (Did you her first film, Kissing Jessica Stein?  It's so good. You will especially love it if you are single.) Anyway, you know I love surprises and don't like to give anything away ... so read here if you want to know the plot.  And let me know what you think after you see it!

LA ♥ // Larchmont Beauty.

I love this place so much I just call it Shangri-la. That's what it is to me! I know we all love beauty supply stores -- can't you just get lost for hours?  But this one is different. It's not bigger, it's not cheaper and they don't serve champagne ... but it sure does feel like it. It's family owned and operated -- the dad and his sons are always there and they always remember you and say hello. And they have everything. If you read about it in a magazine, chances are you'll find it here. If you don't, you can just ask them and they'll let you know when they are getting it in (sometimes they'll say "oh, we tried that - it's no good"). And they actually have a couple helpers roaming the aisles offering their assistance.  I always stock up on nail polish, fancy conditioners, hair clips, candles, bubble bath and Kiehl's. They've got all the professional gadgets, too. It's like Target -- you can't get out of there for less than $100. You'll find everything you never knew you always needed!  Alone or with a girlfriend, it's a blast. It's usually great people watching too. Always a bonus! Have fun ...

Fishes Eddy.

Have you guys ever been to Fishes Eddy in NYC? I stumbled upon it by accident when I was there more than 15 years ago. And each time I step inside, I get the same high.  I don't know if New Yorkers love it or if it's a tourist thing but I don't care.  They've got great stuff and it's typically really cheap. I'm a sucker for a bunch of stuff just randomly piled and stacked everywhere -- silverware, plates, bowls, cups, you name it. They used to have old china from hotels -- all mismatched and such. LOVE. I haven't seen much of that lately -- just a lot of white. But it's still super fun. I dream of buying a loft in New York and being able to stock up on my kitchen essentials there.  Have you been?

{Photos by me}.

Sun City Poms.

I can't remember where I heard about these amazing ladies ... but how cute are they? I love that they don't let age define them.  They are all retired and perform at sporting events and parades. We get so caught up in stereotypes and what we are supposed to be and I just love their spunk to buck it all. So refreshing. Bravo, ladies!

{Photos from their website; layout by me}.

Photophile #014: Second Chance Photos

I know you guys had to have seen those amazing underwater photos of dogs in the past month. They just blew up on the web! Aren't they amazing? But when I read more about the photographer who shot them, I learned that he's also from LA and he has an AMAZING charity called Second Chance Photos.  Their goal is to help animals get adopted by giving photo equipment and training to shelters and volunteers in the rescue community.  We all know that a better photo means the dog or cat is more likely to get adopted, right?  I absolutely LOVE this! Isn't that the best idea? You can donate here.

P.S. How delicious is that diva above?

{Photo by Seth Casteel and taken from his website Little Friends Photo. Go here if you are interested in having him photograph your pet}.

Movie: In the Land of Blood and Honey.

I recently watched this movie and it's not really what I expected. You guys, it's a war movie. Did you know that? I mean, I sort of knew that but I just didn't think it would be that intense. I thought it was going to be more of a love story set against war ... with maybe a better cultural understanding of the reason for the war and a look at the culture. Nope. Really bad things happen to women (and children). It's unsettling. And not a relaxing way to spend a Friday night. But if you know that going in, I think it's a pretty good movie. I absolutely loved the lead actress. She's beautiful. I also thought the lighting was gorgeous at times. And as I was watching it, I could recall hearing about the war a couple decades ago. I definitely didn't understand it then, and I'm not sure I understand it now. Angelina Jolie is clearly talented, but next time I hope she's inspired by her kids or something more positive. Did you see it? What did you think?

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Do you guys have code words? You know, when you need to communicate something secret to others when you are in public so the unsuspecting people won't know?  Well, I fancy myself a secretagentrockstar so of course I have one for me and my husband. And I must say, it's brilliant. I wish I could tell you what it is because it's so good. Really! It is. But I used it for the first time a couple of months ago and it didn't go so well. He totally forgot the code word and and it totally threw him off -- in such a way that I could not be rescued. No, I wasn't kidnapped. But our plumber was talking my ear off forever and I literally couldn't escape him!  And then last week I was watching my favorite, Law & Order: SVU, and one of the bad guys used a code word for the other bad guy to escape. It was very exciting! Even though it was the bad guys. ANYWAY, it revved up my need to get the code word embedded with the husband. We discussed it again and all the ways we can use it. Let's hope he doesn't blow it next time I need to use it.

Here's a funny story I can tell you -- some good friends of mine say "banana" when they have a celebrity sighting. That way you aren't going "OMG! There's Jennifer Aniston! Check it out!" You are cool and collected and you just say "banana." Then the people you are with can calmly look around, see who you can see ... and then you can talk about it later without creating an embarrassing ruckus. Isn't that fun? Except we usually get nervous and start screaming "banana banana banana!" And then you create your own embarrassing ruckus anyway.

Another good trick that I've kept since my sorority days during rush -- if we were talking to a girl who was boring and you needed to be rescueed, you sent a signal to one of your sorority sisters by playing with your necklace.  You need one with a chain and a charm so you can move it along the chain. It's such a normal gesture that everyone does and the person you need to escape is none the wiser. We used it in bars with guys, too.  It was so fun. And it worked!

If you have code words you can share, please do!

P.S. I used to have this chart and this chart on my wall at work because it was so exciting to look at when I was bored.

Oh crap.

Just a little funny for your midweek ... it's genius.  Can't you totally relate? And how cute is that dinosaur's expression? Talking animals always make me smile.

{Comic & art work by Regan}.

LA ♥ // Joan's on Third

One of my favorite places in LA is Joan's on Third. It's such a great neighborhood spot ... but also a great destination for people who visit. You might think that it's sort of like a European market, or something you'd see in New York. But it's totally LA.  They've got everything -- a great display of freshly made meals and side dishes; made-to-order salads, sandwiches and egg dishes; a bakery of yummy treats and gelato; a charcuterie; and a market with upscale finds and fresh sauces to take home. There's wine, too! It's simply amazing -- very homey, comfortable and a great meeting spot (I see Joan herself most times I'm there). You can sit at one of the communal tables inside (they just added another one) or at one of the tables outside. Sometimes it's tough to get a seat. A lot of times, I just run in to get something for dinner, or stock up on some of  my favorites to have throughout the week. We'll often go there on our way to the Hollywood Bowl or to a picnic on the beach.  I have so many favorite things to eat but almost never leave without the grilled artichokes with balsamic vinaigrette, lima beans with pecorino, and forest mushrooms with walnuts. Some of my friends swear by the Chinese chicken salad and the mac-and-cheese. I can't resist the caramel covered marshmallows that are at the checkout (in fact, I have one while I'm waiting for my food, and one afterwards). If you need a great gift, it's fun to make a gift basket of all their fun candies and snacks, imported grocery items and wine. The only bad thing is their hours -- I wish they were open later. Most times they close at 7pm. Go for breakfast, brunch, lunch, a treat or dinner. You won't be disappointed.

{Photos by me ... even though they don't allow photography. I was sneaky! Oops, forgive me}.

The Layover.

Have you guys checked out the show The Layover on the Travel Channel?  It's really fun -- for foodies and adventurers alike. It's hosted by Anthony Bourdain (my book club read one of his books that was a wild ride), and while he eats a lot of weird shit, there's enough that looks fantastic. The premise is what to do when you have a layover -- granted it's a 24-48 layover -- in the best cities around the world. So it's a fast-paced zigzag around town, experiencing the culture and learning about the best (and sometimes unknown) places to eat. They have a new iPad and iPhone app that is AWESOME.  You can see mini videos of all the places he highlights, track them on a map, make your own notes and save your own photos.  I love it.

{Screengrab from the iPad app, Rome}.

Lana Del Rey.

I think I'm in love with her. That voice! Those lips! That look! She's got a sultry, sexy, breathy voice that is beautifully sweet and haunting. I heard about her on SNL and then I read an article about her ... but I kept forgetting to really check her out. Then I became intoxicated when I did. Watch her video here. And watch her perform it live on Letterman here. There were a lot of people talking smack about her after her SNL performance so Kristin Wiig did this parody response which is genius! Download her album on iTunes here. And then email so we can obsess together, OK?

Who am I?

Hi girls, I need your help! Pretty please ...

Any time I try to explain this blog, I am tongue tied. I have absolutely no idea how to describe it!  That's where I need your help -- how would you describe it?

I usually say it's what girls talk about. Or it's about being a girl. And that's just rather lame. And not very descriptive. So sometimes I experiment and I say it's where adventure meets charm. Or where life meets curiosity and adventure. Say what?  Many of you have said it's like GOOP. And holy cow, that's super flattering ... but I don't want HM!'s brand tied up with someone elses. You know?  It's really inspired by my love of talking to my girlfriends about all we love to talk about -- movies, books, it things, heartfelt topics, boys, shopping, funny things, the news, travel, inspiration, life. Some have said to say that I write a "lifestyle blog" but that just doesn't do it. I need an elevator speech, a tagline. A life and style about what?

I've got my eyes set on a refreshed design and I'd love to be able to describe it better. So, if you've got some ideas, I want to hear them. Please!  Don't be shy -- lay it on me.

Thank you!

Sweater comb.

Just wanted to share this new tool that I love. It's a sweater comb to get rid of all those balls and fraying on your sweaters. It's mostly on my cashmere sweaters -- I live in them so needed to find a way to keep them happy. I had an old-fashioned battery operated thingy that sort of zapped and pulled the balls off. But it just didn't work very well and sometimes pulled the thread.  Then I got a sweater stone and it felt so clumsy to use. So when I saw this on the J. Crew site, I snatched it up. It did just the trick! My sweaters look so much better! I definitely recommend it.

P.S. My new thing the past two years has been sleeping in my cashmere sweaters.  You guys, it feels so luxurious! And it's super cozy snuggly. I can't claim to be a diva -- it came from just falling asleep in what I was wearing and waking up feeling so comfortable.  Maybe that's why they are such a mess before I found this thing.