During the pandemic, I can safely say I’ve been trying out new and wonderful recipes, which I will share more of in the blog posts to come. I recently had the pleasure of trying out something new for me: a couple of cartons from Hope & Sesame, a protein rich Plant Milk made from sesame.
Of the five flavors, I got the chance to try Chocolate and Original. I tried the Original flavor one morning and I was surprised as how great it tasted with my favorite cereal! But what I loved even more was making my version of their “Mocha Truffle Latte”!
I love espresso, especially with just stevia as I love to savor the bold and strong flavor of the coffee. So rather than two packets of instant coffee, I made two shots of my favorite espresso and warmed eight ounces of the Chocolate SesameMilk and added a packet of stevia rather than sugar. The result was so rich and flavorful, great for mornings before work, and even better on cold nights with a warm blanket!
Thank you again Hope & Sesame for sending me your delicious SesameMilk, cheers!
Some great information from Hope & Sesame:
All our products are gluten-free, lactose-free and completely vegan, made with zero animal byproducts.
Hope & Sesame is free of the top 8 most-common allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat).
Each 8-ounce serving of Hope & Sesame sesamemilk contains:
All 9 essential amino acids
8g of complete plant-based protein (you’d have to drink 8 glasses of almond milk to get that much protein)
Twice the Vitamin D of dairy milk
30% less sugar than chocolate dairy milk
FTC Disclosure: I received the product for free, but not exclusively for a product review. Although I did receive product, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.
I can’t believe it’s been a year since the pandemic began. It was a little over a year ago that I went to my last event where crowds were not an issue and not a mask was in sight. I can’t believe the last concert I went to was in 2019 and that I haven’t been back to my hometown since then as well.
I’ve also been thinking about the world of being an influencer. I started blogging back in 2010. I did it because so many people would compliment me on my outfits and subsequently asked me where I shopped, or what brand I was wearing. I used it as a creative outlet and I was posting up outfits several times a week, sharing where I shopped and fun places I’d visit.
When I began as a blogger in San Diego, I made friends, joined networks, connected with people, brands and promotional companies, never worried about my numbers and just worried about good content and how I represented a particular brand or company. My social media numbers have always been lower than most, but I had built up such a great network of blogger friends and relationships with different local and national companies, having high numbers of followers were never an issue. I posted regularly and was often complimented on my content and brand representation. I was always busy and went to many events where I always saw my blogger and influencer friends. One of my most prestigious partnerships was with Legoland, because I have a friend who worked in media industry who recommended me.
My “influence” as it were, significantly changed when I moved to Arizona back in 2018. Although I had received some invites to events and was able to connect with Phoenix Fashion Week due to my wonderful friend Tiffany of Glitz and Glam by Tiff, I didn’t get any good traction with brands or companies out here. It really started to take a toll on my self-esteem because I went from heavily being a part of the influencer scene out in San Diego, to nearly no activity out here in Arizona.
So I did the best I could, posted as much as I could about local places in Chandler and The Valley, and developed a wonderful relationship with Phoenix Fashion Week (which I still have to this day). I received a few more requests for product reviews and felt a bit better when I joined a foodie network, meeting new influencer friends.
Still, I noticed how important numbers and followers were out here. I attempted to double my followers on Instagram, and tried to grow my followers on Facebook. I started to feel overwhelmed with trying to keep up and I have never felt my age and “maturity” more than I have in the Arizona influencer scene.
When the pandemic hit last year, it was right after I attended the “Suits & Sneakers” event with Phoenix Fashion Week. I had attended several food events up until then, including the Asian District Night Market. After that, we did more “take home” food reviews for my foodie network, which suited me fine. But I still felt like something was missing and that I just couldn’t get myself to feel the same about influencing.
I’ve been working from home since 2018, but once the pandemic really started to take hold, my husband started to work from home as well and our son began online learning. We decided to finally take care of all the “honey-do” things and decorated our guest room to be this mid-century modern haven. We added bistro lights and more furniture to our backyard, and bought a trampoline for our son. We also purchased dozens of board games and a billiards/air hockey/ping pong table. We definitely set to create a comfortable place to live and hang out, knowing we would be limited in what we could do outside of our home.
Our “mid-century modern” guest room!
During this time, my mom’s health started to deteriorate, and we weren’t sure what to do for her anymore. When it started to finally worsen, she was hospitalized and finally put on dialysis for almost three months. Slowly but surely, her health started to improve and she is thankfully out of the woods! She was taken off dialysis and has made a full recovery.
Going through this pandemic and experiencing this situation with a family member’s health has made me realize that my sadness about my influencer status was not the most important thing in my world anymore. I kept trying to figure out why I was feeling so down about it, and it really was my feeling like I was constantly on the outside looking in. I felt like I was always watching from a distance and not quite belonging to any group, whether it was as a fashion blogger or as a foodie. Being in the foodie network granted me some cool experiences and I’ve met some awesome people, but I still didn’t feel as included as I did with my blogger friends in San Diego.
I also started reading blog posts on leaving the “influencer industry” like this one called “Why I Quit Being a Social Media Influencer” by Catherine Taylor. It really resonated with me and she accurately described what I have been going through. I started to watch my Instagram posts decline from once a week to nearly none, and I started not to care. In fact, I haven’t posted on my blog since September 2020, and prior to that, I posted every few months rather than my regular two to three times a week. I couldn’t get motivated to post because it didn’t matter to me anymore, because I have been working hard to create a lovely home and take care of my family. I also feel like I need to do a social media purge like Catherine did, only following the accounts that I care about and actually want to follow, instead of following because I was in some kind of paid loop or out of obligation.
Still, I feel like I want to stay as an influencer, because it’s fun, and I’ve been missing it lately. I have a few post that I have obligations to load, but after that, I haven’t been making an effort to reach out or become available for anything. I fluctuate between wanting to stay and wanting to stop, and I have been in a quandary about it for the last few weeks.
So what I’ve decided, in order to maintain some dignity and to save my sanity, was to go back to basics. I needed an “Influenceur Redux” (French and Latin mixed I know), as I like to call it, and to just not worry about who was going to include me in the next cool event and to just do what influencers do best: influence! My friends, family and followers look to me for my opinions on what to wear, where there are great places to eat and what fun things there are to do. I’ve worked with brands on their products or local establishments because I am good with creating great content. If others choose to include me in their grand opening celebrations or special events, then fantastic! If not, that should be ok as well because I can’t let that define me or let it allow me to feel less of a person or influencer because I wasn’t invited. It didn’t matter before, and it shouldn’t now.
I know what I like, and my friends, family and followers know who I am and I can’t pretend to be someone I’m not. I’m feeling like I’ll be back, slowly but surely. But it will be in my own time, on my own terms, as it should be. Cheers to a new beginning!
Our backyard, with a view of the gorgeous Arizona sky
Hello! I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted on the blog, but I promise that I’ve been up to only good things!
One of the amazing things that happened recently is that I’m a crew member/rep for Baby Teith! Baby Teith is an amazing brand out of Arizona, created by Tiffe Fermaint, who started it in 2013 while expecting her daughter. What I love most about this brand is that there is something for your whole family and home (including your furry family members), featuring so many of my favorite bands and music, like David Bowie, Joy Division and of course, Depeche Mode!
As a crew member, one of the perks I get to share is a discount code! Use code ANY2NDNOW for 10% off your purchase at https://babyteith.com/
As an influencer, I have been so lucky to have met and interacted with amazing local brands and businesses, both in San Diego and now that we live in Arizona. In addition to fashion, I’ve become a part of an incredible network of foodies who care about patronizing and promoting local eateries.
I posted this on my Instagram today, because there are those who are unable to have the regular income that some of us are able to have during this uncertain time. Many are in the food & beverage industry, so a group of foodie friends and I are banding together to help raise funds to provide to some of our favorite eateries in The Valley area of Arizona.
Please see the information below, which includes a link to a site where you can donate, which is powered by Avontage.
Local Phoenix influencers are uniting to make a difference!
Due to the current financial climate of the world and the impact that the COVID-19 quarantine has had on small businesses and their staff. We are rallying our resources to support these workers struggling to provide for their families.
We would love your support as well!
Whether a:
⁃ donation through the @avontage link (see below); or ⁃ support of your resources; or ⁃ a share of our efforts;
We ask that you join us in easing this financial strain for thousands of Arizonans out of work. We have chosen 35 local small businesses to support!
Join us in our mission to support the Phoenix food & beverage industry in these uncertain times!
During this uncertain time, I know more and more people are in a situation where they must work from home. When we still lived in San Diego, I was commuting to work, like most people do, but quit when we moved. After we moved to Arizona, we decided that I needed to rejoin the workforce, but I needed to work from home. I have been very fortunate that my employer in San Diego afforded me that opportunity, and I have been doing so for the last two years.
Working from home is a definite lifestyle change, and I can admit that it wasn’t that easy at first! There are many distractions at home, and it could be so easy to give into them because, let’s face it, your home is your comfort zone! But there are things you can do to ensure you are productive and successful working from home. I’ve learned a few things in these last two years, and I hope they will help!
1) Really try to create a space where you know it’s a work space. If you have a room where you can make it your “office” do it! Purchase an actual desk and office chair if you can, and create a space that you know is your home office, and don’t do anything else there. I would really try to avoid making your bedroom an office. To quote John Mayer in a recent post on his Instagram, make a distinction between work and your “Gentle Hours”, between daytime and night time. Your office space should be where you are in the day, and your bedroom is where you retreat to at night. If that isn’t possible, do your best to remove or turn off any TV’s in that room, to minimize distractions.
I have an actual home office (pictured above). My desk and office chair were less than $200, and I only use it for work. When we bought our home, the additional room that we turned into my office came with windowed French doors. I can see out, yet have privacy when needed. This means that when I’m done, I literally leave the office, turn out the lights and shut the doors behind me. I only have listening devices in my office, so that I can enjoy music, but I do not have a TV in my office. Sorry Dr. Phil!
2) Be sure to wake up at the same time you did when you were going to work remotely. Do not change your routine. Shower, brush your teeth, make your coffee and/or breakfast and change clothes (well, if you want to), so you feel like you’re going to work, because you are!
3) Inform your household when you have meetings, to minimize noise and distractions. Go into a room and close the door and have others close their doors.
Also, I really suggest not multi-tasking while in a meeting. My supervisor once told me that she could tell that I was giving meetings my undivided attention, and that’s because I made a conscious decision to not do other work while in a meeting, which can easily be done when doing phone conferences. I feel that I need to be extra focused because I’m not physically in a board room or meeting room, and I can do my part by eliminating as many distractions as possible.
One more thing about meetings: TAKE NOTES! I’m better at remember things when I write things down in a notebook or on Post-Its. Whether you physically write them down or type it up in your computer, always take notes when in meetings. With everything going on at your home office, it’s easier to recall information when you have it written down or typed somewhere.
4) Make time for scheduled breaks and lunches. Set alarms or email alerts as needed and take them! Do your best to not work through your breaks, because we all need them, especially at home. Make time for your lunch and physically step away from your work space, even if that means that you only go to your kitchen, eat lunch outside, or go for a walk.
5) If you have young kids, give them homework, reading, or a schedule that emulates school. Make sure they get up and have breakfast & lunch, just like if they were in school. Make the distinction between vacation and school hours, like you do for your work space. Our son finishes his Spring Break this week, and he will be home indefinitely. He knows that while he won’t be in school for an extended unknown amount of time, this is no longer a break or vacation. We informed him that when he wakes up in the morning, he will have breakfast, then I have math and reading for him to do, in addition to practicing his trumpet.
6) If you work under a manager or supervisor, inform them of the work you accomplish daily. If you are your own boss, make a schedule and a to do list, and make sure you check things off! I send my supervisor a daily “Tomorrow’s Tasks” email, explaining what I accomplished during the day, and what I will be working on the following day. She let me know that she likes those emails, because she never has to wonder what I’m doing each day.
And there you have it, my tips on how I work successfully from home! I hope they helped in some small way, and please, let me know if you have any other tips and tricks as well. Cheers!
I’m diving back into posting again by way of fashion: I’ve been asked to give my “Top 5” picks for Phoenix Fashion Week’s Spring Into Style Editorial Trend Photo Challenge for 2020! The Spring Into Style event is so much fun because it not only showcases amazing fashion, but challenges designers and stylists to think about what they are presenting and how it represents themselves and their brand. I’m so excited as this year’s challenge was a bit different for the stylists and designers. They have been asked to style 20 different trends, and to create a photo editorial of that trend, in anticipation of the upcoming runway show. While all the photos are simply amazing, I have selected my top 5 according to photo style, and presentation of their trend.
TREND: Draping &
Wrapping
Brand: Activ Intimates by CJ & Laurie
Of my top 5 picks, this was by far the most visually
stunning. I felt that the trend was met
head-on by the way the garment draped and flowed. The background had enough light to add drama
and contrast to the photo, and I felt like the photo had movement to it. I also really love when blues are presented
with black, because the transition is subtle, yet you know it’s there. The statement earrings give just enough
detailing to the outfit, without overpowering it. Beautiful picture!
TREND: Color Clash
Brand: IndiStyleU by India Purnell
This 80’s girl loves anything to do with vinyl records, so
this automatically caught my eye! But
what I love is that it definitely presented the trend well by bringing together
red & purple. The color blocking in
this photo is styled well, bringing in the red in the accessories, popping
against that great deep purple color. This
outfit would brighten up any party, and turn heads in the process. I also like that the belt and gloves have the
same matted shine, which looks chic and luxurious.
TREND: Rugby Shirts
Brand: Being Dapper by JC Donaldson
Rugby shirts are a great wardrobe piece for men because it’s sporty yet chic, and this picture shows that trend so well. The yellow coat makes the outfit pop, and Chelsea boots are always classic. This is a well put together outfit, with a vintage feel because of that amazing setting. I can see this gentleman walking in, all eyes on him because he is so stylish, yet casually having drinks at the bar. He owns the room in a big way!
TREND: Red
Brand: Christine Adar by Christine Ammon
I remember this dress from the Phoenix Fashion Week 2019
fall runway, and it was a show stopper!
I know that the dress is hand painted and the shades of red are bold and
beautiful. What
I especially love is how the red jumps out against the black fabric, really
highlighting the trend.
TREND: Bad Romance
Brand: Melissa Torres Designs by Mia Torres
I really like the pink contrasted with the black in this lovely
photo! The black statement necklace and
headpiece are what make this trend come alive, especially against the flow of the
garment.
Thank you Phoenix Fashion Week for asking me to pick my Top 5 for this year’s Spring Into Style Editorial Trend Photo Challenge! For all of the photos in this challenge, please see the Phoenix Fashion Week Instagram Page. I can’t wait to see these all on the runway soon!
I’m all about having a great cuppa, but a cup of chocolate tea? I recently had the pleasure of trying this flavorful tea from the Cacao Tea Co and not only does it have an amazing chocolate taste, but it’s rich in antioxidants and flavonoids. This tea is 100% organic, as well as gluten-free, caffeine-free and sugar free!
The delicious chocolate taste is so robust because this tea is actually made from cacao husks, so it’s not infused. I added a bit of stevia to mine and I swear, it tastes just like hot coco!
If you would like a bag, they can be purchased directly from the Cacao Tea Co website for $17.50, and they ship worldwide! If you live in the US, they can ship your tea with in one business day!
Check out my slow pour video below, and let me know in the comments if you love it as much as I do!
FTC Disclosure: I received the product in exchange for a product review. Although I did receive product, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.
I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted here on my blog. Quite a bit has happened since last summer, but I feel we are finally at a place where I can actually settle down and get creative again.
First of all, we bought a new home! Last year, we lived in Chandler, Arizona. While staying in a lovely rental, we searched all over The Valley to find someplace that we could call home. We finally found our forever home in Mesa, at a brand new development near the Queen Creek area! Our new home has four bedrooms and a “flex” room, which means we all have our own rooms, and we have a guest room (even my mom has her own “wing”). We bought it as a “spec home”, which means the house was move-in ready. It’s also a smart home, so the appliances are all wifi capable!
A new home in a new neighborhood meant a new school for Dominic! Dominic’s new school had it’s inaugural year last year, and it is literally around the corner from our house. So being a new student was shared by everyone in his school, and all of his new friends are within walking distance from home. It’s so great to know he will grow up with these kids, and hopefully build lifelong friendships! Not only that, Dominic has played soccer in the fall, has a new team this winter and is also playing the trumpet in his school’s band!
My husband, Deon, has been quite busy himself! He did a lot of home projects: installing lights all around the house, ceiling fans in every room, a backsplash in the kitchen, added shelves and a work area in the garage, and designed our backyard (built by Mesquite Landscaping), which our puppy, Joey, enjoys it immensely! He has also been busy with work, going on a few fantastic business trips, including Denmark and New York.
As I mentioned earlier, we have a “flex” room, which we could easily have turned into another bedroom or opened up the doorway for another living area. But we kept the French doors and turned it into my home office, since I work remotely for the same company I did when we were in San Diego. I’ve truly made it the room I never had in the 80’s, filling it with all of my music, Funko Pop figures, retro knick-knacks, and even an arcade game! While I’ve created an area to concentrate fully on my job that is separate from the rest of the house, it’s also a space where I can create, and I’m starting to rediscover myself as a blogger and influencer. Recently, I did most of my influencer work microblogging on some of my social media platforms. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see that I worked extensively with Phoenix Fashion Week, and I joined a foodie network. But I truly have missed blogging, because it allows me to write creatively, which I really do enjoy.
As we are finally settling down in our new home here in Arizona, I will continue to share our adventures and my thoughts here on the blog. Thanks for continuing to follow along, and cheers to all to come in the new year!
I have felt so lucky to have met some amazing people, designers and artists since moving to Arizona. After having lived in California for so long, I wasn’t sure how I would acclimate to my new home state, but I feel like I’m truly doing very well out here, trying to live my best life, as the saying goes!
I’ve had the opportunity to go to several fashion events out here, and at one of these events, I met the folks behind a great new local clothing company. Frankie Pina, owner of Arizona Life Apparel, was born and raised in Arizona and wanted to create a clothing brand that would celebrate everything he loves about his home state.
When thinking about Frankie’s passion for Arizona, I wanted to have a photo shoot somewhere unique to where I currently live, like the Chandler Museum.
Speaking of budding artists: My son Dominic took all of these amazing photos!
Outfit: AZ Life Flag Tee (Black/White) c/o Arizona Life Apparel; Izod jeans; Ash sneakers (no longer available); Zeelol glasses; Mesh Coffee Watch c/o Capitola (with discount); Marc Jacobs Saddle purse
FTC Disclosure: I received the product in exchange for a product review. Although I did receive product, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.
(Post title: Lyrics from “Rainy House Nights” by Joni Mitchell)
I celebrated my 49th birthday this month, can you believe it? I used to fret each year that I got older, but with all of the wonderful changes that have happened already this year, I’m looking forward to many more new birthday adventures right here in Arizona!
I mentioned on Instagram a couple of weeks ago that I’ve found so many great birthday deals or freebies on my favorite brands, restaurants and stores, simply by signing up on their official sites or joining their loyalty programs. Here’s a list of one’s I was able to partake in during the month of May. Hopefully you’ll find something you like and celebrate your birthday all month long!
TORY BURCH
This birthday deal was by far my favorite and gets first mention: These are the coveted Miller Sandals that I’ve always wanted. It’s not that I didn’t just want to pay for them outright, but more so that I’m always looking for that great deal, and it happened in the month of my birthday! This lovely pair of tortoise shell printed patent Miller Sandals were already on sale, but the purchase was made sweeter with an additional birthday gift certificate of $50 off any purchase over $100! So these lovelies went from $198, down to $139, and was knocked down to just $89. Happy birthday to me!
LE MADELIENE
This is a deal that can only be used east of California, as Le Madeleine is located more in the Mid-West. I signed up for their rewards program, using their app and scanning it at every visit. Just for signing up, I’ve already received a free lemon madeleine, free butter croissant and a free pastry of my choice on my birthday! I chose the Strawberry Napoleon (pictured next to my mom’s Key Lime Cheesecake), and lunch was complete!
YOGURTLAND
My son and I got to enjoy this treat because if you sign up for Yogurtland Real Rewards, you get a free 3oz yogurt just for signing up and another free 3oz yogurt on your birthday. The treats for you and your favorite person!
CVS
I have had a CVS ExtraCare Card for years and have always taken advantage of their wonderful discounts and free bucks. But I didn’t know that they had birthday rewards until one showed up on my app: a free bottle of nail polish!
MADEWELL
Like the Tory Burch birthday certificate, Madewell offered their own $25 one for joining their loyalty program called Madewell Insider! I bought these sneaks, plus a cute checked shirt. With both on sale, I paid a mere $15 for the remainder of my birthday order!
ADDITIONAL DEALS
Here are a few more deals that I received. If it’s your birthday, have a great one, cheers!
