First 30 Days of 30: Day Thirty

August 24, 2012 By 3 Comments

                                                                   Source: rockettstgeorge.co.uk via Alexis on Pinterest

 

Whew! Posting daily has been a fun challenge since the big 3-0 birthday last month. I am so appreciative of Lindsay for inspiring me to do this series and most importantly, make it my own. I have a lot of goals for the next decade but today, I want to focus on Promises to my 30-Year Old Self.

I promise to…

  1. Take good care of myself physically and emotionally, even when life’s responsibilities make finding “me” time seem impossible
  2. Be a strong, fair and loving partner and friend to Mike, my amazing husband
  3. Enjoy every moment of aunt-hood and work harder to be a bigger part of Jackson & Olivia’s adventures despite being far away
  4. Learn to recognize my personal and professional stress triggers and work on ways to deal with them proactively
  5. Be the best mother I can be when the time comes to expand our family (and no, we’re not expecting. Sorry all!)
  6. Become more responsible financially, increase what I save monthly and take a stronger interest in our long-term financial future
  7. Read more books
  8. Find more time to volunteer and give back to causes we’re passionate about
  9. Always find a way to travel – near or far
  10. Nurture friendships, new and old, because friends are one of life’s biggest blessings and I certainly take them for granted from time to time
  11. Keep my grandma’s voice and kind spirit alive in my heart and the heart of our family
  12. Reconnect with my spirituality, even if it looks different from how I was raised
  13. Be happy with what I have, because we have a lot
  14. Worry less about what others think of me, especially with regard to big decisions in life. As long as Mike and I are happy, that’s all that matters
  15. Trust my gut

I know, without a doubt, my 30′s are going to be the best years yet. Yes, we will be challenged and will surely encounter many lows with the (hopefully) countless highs. That’s just life, and I look forward to embracing the roller coaster and growing every day.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my First 30 Days of 30 series!

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Twenty Nine

August 23, 2012 By 2 Comments

Just because it’s fun, today I want to share a few more Pictures from my Childhood. My mom was kind enough to scan these for me. I have a few more that I may share tomorrow for the FINAL series post. Enjoy the outfits!

My favorite picture of my mom

With my aunt and uncle in Hawaii

My dad and me after my first lead in a play. 8th grade

My cousin Joey and I covering ourselves in sand in Hawaii

Horseback riding in the Grand Canyon

Grandma and me. Another great 80's hat

Elizabeth and I goofing off. My first friend in the world.

Flying to Minnesota. Look at those airline seats!

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Twenty Eight

August 22, 2012 By 1 Comment

“If I Won the Lotto.”

Source: Someecards.com

An odd series theme for today? Maybe, but it’s a fantasy all of us indulge in from time-to-time (admit it!) and a mental “game” I used to play to pass time in LA traffic when I moved back home after college. It’s amazing how fast an hour in standstill traffic can be when you are spending various lump sum payouts of an imaginary lottery winning.

(Disclaimer: I actually never play the lotto unless it’s one of those national rushes for the Power Ball jackpot so my odds are VERY low).

In honor of turning 30, the first 30 things I’d do with my winnings (and I am pretending that I hit it big) are as follows, in no particular order:

  1. Invest, invest, invest…and listen very closely to a financial advisor to ensure I’m not being stupid with the winnings.
  2. Pay off my car loan and Mike’s student loans.
  3. Buy Mike a new car.
  4. Buy myself a Porsche Cayenne and some sort of convertible, probably a Jaguar. I’m from LA and I will fully admit that I love nice cars. Don’t judge.
  5. Buy a new house. Yes, I love our new home but if I hit a $400 million dollar jackpot we’re upgrading. Neighborhood is TBD, but I’d want to look in the foothills and definitely Boulder.
  6. Become a member of Exclusive Resorts.
  7. Buy a huge house for all of our family members to enjoy in Vail.
  8. Purchase plane tickets for out-of-state family to come play at the new Vail house (see #7).
  9. Hop on a jet plane to the beaches of Fiji or Bora Bora. While sunning myself on the beach, plan future travels.
  10. Give back to tons of non-profit organizations, including SafeHouse Denver, LiveWell Colorado, Tennyson Center, Colfax Community Network, the ALS Association and the American Lung Association among many others.
  11. Hire a hair stylist to be at the ready whenever I want my hair to be blown out straight.
  12. Hire a fashion stylist/guru and go to New York City for a closet makeover.
  13. While in New York City (see #12) attend all major Broadway shows, eat at Daniel and spend a weekend in the Hamptons.
  14. Set aside college tuition for all five of our nieces and nephews.
  15. Take entire family (both sides) to Disney World for complete and total Orlando experience. Buy nieces and nephews tons of Disney toys and whatever else their hearts desire.
  16. Help family members in the best way possible for each person — investments, paying off debts, helping pad retirement funds, etc.
  17. Go on a volunteer mission to somewhere in Africa or India.
  18. Buy floor seats to a Lakers game for all LA family members (including myself and Mike, if he promises not to root against the Lakers).
  19. Hire a private ski instructor for weekly lessons.
  20. Become a season ticket holder for the Denver Center of Performing Arts.
  21. Hire a private chef. Utilize this chef to help me host fabulous dinner parties at our new house.
  22. Buy something from Cartier, just because.
  23. Attend all Wanderlust Festivals.
  24. Send Mike on a heli-skiing/snowboarding adventure of his choice with all of his snowboarding buddies.
  25. Adopt another dog.
  26. Book Funkiphino (our wedding band) and pay for all of our family and friends to come back to the St. Julien for another amazing party.
  27. Throw fabulous 25th and 50th wedding anniversary parties for our respective parents – the sky is the limit!
  28. Attend Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week (I’m hopeful that I could buy a ticket?).
  29. Buy Jimmy Choo pumps.
  30. Attend the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

So, did I blow my $400 million with that list? A question my pops can surely answer!

Do you play the “if I won the lotto game?” If yes, what’s on your list?!

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Twenty Seven

August 21, 2012 By 1 Comment

Today I want to share a few words about Something Sentimental.

I have quite a bit saved, from pictures to birthday and anniversary cards, that mean a great deal to me. Obviously my engagement and wedding rings are extremely sentimental and dear to my heart.

But there is one item, of absolutely no monetary value, that I truly cherish. It is a small book of quotes entitled The Beauty of Friendship, by Kahlil Gibran. After my grandma’s funeral in 2009 I spent a few hours at her apartment helping to get everything together and packed. However, I really wasn’t much of a help as I spent most of my time sitting and staring, sitting and crying. When I did pull it together I started on her dresser’s top drawer. Her top drawer always held her few pieces of jewelry and as a kid I used to love to play with her costume brooches. The majority of her jewelry was very simple – from Target, Service Merchandise or somewhere similar. She even kept (and wore regularly) a safety pin beaded bracelet I made for her. I loved that drawer.

I don’t remember exactly where now, but I saw a small, hardcover book in a corner. It was a book of friendship quotes. But the true find was all of the signatures and words of love on the front and back pages written to my grandma. You see, when my mom found out she was pregnant with me my grandma decided to quit her job at a hotel (overseeing maid service – she worked very hard from what I am told) to help watch me. This book was likely given to her at some sort of going away party.

“Lorraine, take care of yourself and please stay in touch. All the best wishes to you and your family.”

“So sorry you are leaving us. I will miss you very much. Good luck in your future.”

“Lorraine, be good and god bless. The kids must be happy but I am very sad. Please keep in touch. You are a beautiful lady.”

“It was always a joy to talk with you on the phone. We will miss you.”

“To a very patient and good worker! Thank for all of your help, Lorraine. You will be missed in many ways.”

Some of the wishes are also in Spanish. To my knowledge she didn’t speak or understand Spanish, but then again, I never thought to ask.

It’s very strange to read notes to someone who you only saw in one way – she was a grandmother. But when you read these notes I am reminded she was a boss, a coworker, a friend. Every time I read it I also get a strange feeling because these people were wishing her luck with me, her first grandchild (I don’t even think I was born yet when she had her last day). A very strange feeling.

The book means a great deal to me. I hope one day to show it to our children and talk about her to them, always keeping her unbelievable kind spirit alive in our family.

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Twenty Six

August 20, 2012 By 1 Comment

Early in this series I shared my favorite song. Today I want to share the song that has been on repeat all summer. I tend to latch onto one or two singles every season and play them to death, usually resulting in me being totally sick of them. It’s an annoying habit for those around me — mainly Mike. It is especially annoying when the song on repeat is country, and Mike is not a country fan.

Blasting on my iPod all summer, especially when I am cooking or cleaning, has been Jason Aldean’s “Fly Over States.” I know every word and love belting it out American Idol style. Below are the lyrics and music video from YouTube if you want to download and sing along!

FLY OVER STATES – JASON ALDEAN

A couple guys in first class on a flight
From new York to Los Angeles,
Kinda making small talk killing time,
Flirting with the flight attendants,
30, 000 feet above, could be Oklahoma,
Just a bunch of square cornfields and wheat farms,
Man it all looks the same,
Miles and miles of back roads and highways,
Connecting little towns with funny names,
Who’d want to live down there in the middle of nowhere,

They’ve never drove through Indiana,
Met the man who plowed that earth,
Planted that seed, busted his ass for you and me,
Or caught a harvest moon in Kansas,
They’d understand why god made those fly over states,
I bet that mile long Santa Fe freight train engineer’s seen it all
Just like that flatbed cowboy stacking US steel on a 3-day haul
Road and rails under their feet
Yeah that sounds like a first class seat

On the plains of Oklahoma
With a windshield sunset in your eyes
Like a watercolor painted sky
Where like a water color painted sky

You’d think heavens doors have opened
You’ll understand why god made
Those fly over states

Take a ride across the badlands
Feel that freedom on your face
Breathe in all that open space
Meet a girl from Amarillo
You’ll understand why god made
You might even wanna plant your stakes
In those fly over states, yeah

Have you ever been through Indiana
On the plains of Oklahoma
Take a ride

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Twenty Five

August 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

                                                              Source: seaofshoes.typepad.com via Lara on Pinterest

 

In an early series post I talked about my favorite book. One of the reasons I never seem to make time for books is that I am totally obsessed with reading magazines. My perfect Sunday always includes an hour or two of magazine reading time, either in the morning with coffee or just before dinner with a glass of wine.

A few years ago all magazines in our house were fashion and celebrity related. Today there is not one of those around. Instead I choose to spend my money on food, home and natural health-type rags now. Currently I subscribe to: Food & Wine, Bon Appetite, Real Simple and This Old House. In line at the grocery store Whole Living, Natural Health and Vegetarian Times tend to suck me in as well.

The exception to the rule is the airport. For some reason when I am on a plane I still only like to read fashion, decor or celebrity magazines. I’ll often spend upwards of $15 on magazines at the airport when I have a stack of unread ones at home. Silly but true. InStyle is a must-have for flights.

My current mission is to find one other home decor magazine to read regularly. This Old House is awesome (our house was built in 1928) but I’d like to find a magazine that blends practicality with strong decor/design ideas. But, I do not want the suggested decor to be in the form of a $5,000 lamp. It needs to be attainable home decor! Any suggestions? What magazines are currently stacked up on your coffee table?

 

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Twenty Four

August 18, 2012 By 1 Comment

 

Today is about music. For anyone who doesn’t know, my favorite band is the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It shouldn’t be a surprise seeing that I grew up in southern California. Before my parents had cable I would watch MTV at my aunt’s house and I distinctly remember their early videos, like Under the Bridge. I didn’t understand half the lyrics at that age but I loved them immediately. I’ll never forget when my parents came back from a Rolling Stones concert and complained about some “pepper people…hot peppers” who opened for the Stones. I was SO jealous and they just thought the guys made a ton of noise.

I’ve seen the band live twice. The first time Snoop Dogg opened for them here in Denver. The show was outside and it poured rain. That night is easily one of my favorite memories. It was the summer before senior year of college, my most carefree summer ever. The second time was at a crappy venue in San Diego. It was still awesome to see them but the acoustics were horrible and the experience could never live up to the outdoor Denver show.

This brings me to my next topic today…our complete and utter lack of live music-going tendencies. Denver is a pretty musical town and almost all of my coworkers see shows on a weekly or at least monthly basis. In the summer Red Rocks hosts dozens of amazing acts and the Denver Botanic Gardens is another popular outdoor music venue. I’ve been to ZERO shows since moving to Denver in 2010. It’s pathetic really.

Yet we love music. Mike plays the drums and has thousands of songs on his computer. But concert tickets isn’t something we budget for and I actually never even research who is playing. My lack of concert-going is now a fun joke among a few friends, all in good fun of course. I make fun of myself!

“Next summer we’ll go to more shows” is the excuse I give ourselves. But in reality, I think we just need to be dragged to a couple of show so we remember how amazing live music can be.

Any suggestions of bands or artists we should try and see if they come to Denver? We like bluesy rock and I personally am a huge fan of country. I am determined to change our ways!

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Twenty Three

August 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Yesterday was a fun (at least I thought so) reveal of celebrity “freebies.” After I hit publish on that post I realized I forgot David Beckham (sans his squeaky voice). My bad!

But we all know that it’s perfectly normal to have a girl/man crush as well. My girl crush changes but always high on my list is Kate Beckinsale.

 

While getting my hair done yesterday I read her recent cover story in Women’s Health. She looks amazing and after years of intense, body-breaking workouts, she spends a lot more time doing yoga. As someone who is still relatively green to yoga, it was great to read about the reasons she favors yoga at her age and how it has helped her avoid injury, stay long and lean and reduce stress. Plus, she still looks like a badass in her “kick butt” movies. Though I prefer her romantic comedies ~ give me a rainy Saturday and Serendipity on TBS anytime.

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Twenty Two

August 16, 2012 By 1 Comment

I can see the home stretch of this series, which has been all about revealing and sharing quirky and hopefully somewhat interesting things about myself in celebration of the big 3-0. Taking a direct cue from Lindsay’s series again, I’m going to have some fun with “freebies.”

A PG definition of a celebrity freebie from Urban Dictionary: A celebrity your significant other would let you be with, without repercussions. So here we go…and no judgement! (Disclaimer: Mike has freebies too of course! I’m pretty sure it’s the entire line up from the Victoria Secret fashion show).

Christian Bale. Yes, he’s not known for being the most polite guy on the planet, but c’mon. Look at those features!

Source: toppics.ozziesworld.com via Nanji on Pinterest

Ryan Gosling has been on my list since The Notebook. The rowboat scene in the pouring rain? Swoon.

Source: goo.gl via shelia on Pinterest

Jon Hamm. I’m not sure if I am more into him or his Don Draper character, despite Don’s wandering eye. Yum!

Source: via A C on Pinterest

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Twenty One

August 15, 2012 By 1 Comment

Today’s theme plays into the major travel bug that bit me this year. Below is a map that represents the States I Have Visited.

Growing up my family always found a way to take a trip, big or small. I appreciate that commitment more than ever now, as I have a clear understanding of the cost of travel (by air or road) and how precious vacation time is at work.

I have also gotten to travel quite a bit for work over the years which has been a lot of fun. My favorite business trip (aside all trips to NYC) was to Boston. I had never been and even though it was a whirlwind trip in and out, my boss found two hours for us to go on a Duck Tour. I remember it being a great break from an exhausting day and a wonderful way to see the city’s landmarks in one go around. I went back to Boston several times after that but have barely scratched the surface on what Massachusetts has to offer. The Cape is calling my name!

Ideally I’d love to get to all 50 states in my lifetime, but my top priorities currently are:

  • Louisiana…for jazz in New Orleans
  • New Hampshire…I hear Portsmouth is incredible
  • South Carolina…Charleston looks like a little slice of heaven
  • Oregon…to take in true Pacific Northwest coasts
  • Maine…to eat copious amounts of lobster

Louisiana is truly #1 because my cousin and his wife live there currently and I know they’d show us an incredible time. We had big plans to visit them this year but vacation time and budget did not allow for that trip. Hopefully 2013 has a Big Easy visit in the cards!

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