My LA-versary

Today I've been in Los Angeles for a year. It's been awhile since I've logged in, I admit my life has gone in a slightly different direction. I still write, but for my job at Dish Nation. I suppose once you start really writing daily for work, you spend your free time doing other things. Now, I dance and spend time with family and friends. And pretty much work any time I'm home alone!

But I do want to share what I've been up to in the past few months!

I got a job as Director of Digital for a TV show, Dish Nation! It reports on celebrity news and gossip and it on nationwide! Tune in!

I got engaged to Comic Con Guy! Next month we're "eloping" in Santorini, Greece! I will become Mrs. Comic Con!

I covered the Spirit Awards for work at my first big red carpet! I saw Emma Stone and other A-listers! Hollywood's biggest secret? Everyone is short.

I competed in the Pacific Pole Competition with the Vertitude team! I didn't place, but I won by making some awesome friends!

I colored my hair purple!! So very, very purple!

I've also purchased probably 20 pairs of leggings and suddenly own five beach towels. LA is treating me right, everyone should move here!

First Time Watching The Hills: Part 1

Since moving to LA, I've gotten slightly obsessed with watching & reading anything based in the City of Angels. Good or bad, fiction and reality, I've been consuming it all. So I now find myself watching "The Hills" for the very time in my mid-thirties...

Season 1
Wow, this is what Heidi originally looked like, huh? I remember when she debuted herself after her crazy day of plastic surgeries - she looked so plastic! It's sad that she felt like she had to get anything done, she's actually pretty cute.

And annoying as hell. She seriously is just going to show up while Lauren is working and ask to be let in? Speaking of, it's really frustrating that these girls have all these amazing opportunities just because they're on TV. And Heidi's realization that she actually has to do work is equal parts hilarious and makes me want to punch her in the face. But it does seem like Whitney earned her place as an intern, so I like her. And I'm glad she got to go to Paris when Lauren made the stupidest decision ever.

Audrina, on the other hand, feels like generic hot body thrown in to add in a brunette to the mix. Is this the closest they get to diversity? Really? I get that Laguna Beach (which I haven't seen) was a super white neighborhood, but we're in LA now. Let's make some black, hispanic, and asian friends, k?

Season 2

Ah, here's the infamous Spencer, already living up to his skeevy reputation by trying to date both Heidi and Audrina at once. It's funny, I know exactly how this all turns out thanks to The Soup and various gossip blogs, yet it's fascinating to watch it drawn out like this. Like a slo-mo accident.

Oooo, Brody Jenner! He's on Keeping Up With the Kardashians now, hahah. Yes, I watched that too, it was fun. But it's sad he hooked up with that Jen girl... I'm surprised Heidi was all for it and then pretended she had nothing to do with it. But we all know that she's pretty much doing whatever Spencer tells her now. You know, I don't super mind that she gave him a second chance, but he obviously thinks Lauren is going to break them up and is on the offensive. You'd think he would have tried a little harder to get back on her good side instead. Spencer comes off as a seriously manipulative jerk with crazy eyes.

Season 3
Hmm, apparently there was a rumored sex tape with Lauren and her ex, whats his name? And Heidi and Spencer probably started it? I never knew that, I just assumed it was just a general falling out between Spencer and Lauren, not that he acted that maliciously. Though I did Google it, and apparently now he again denies starting the rumors. Who knows..

And what's up with these girls dating idiots? Oh yeah, they're 21... I'm sure I dated my fair share of jerks when I was that young, but I specifically remember never chasing after a guy who wasn't committed. Audrina, you deserve better than Justin Bobby!! These girls are all surprisingly insecure... though I imagine a troubled relationship is key for getting more show time.

Wait a second.. it took me a few episodes, but yes, it appears Heidi has a new nose! I love how it's never mentioned. It looks good, but I think I liked her better before. It is nice to see her stand up to Spencer, though I already know it's not going to last..

Lord help me, this season never seems to end. Whitney (AKA the Likeable One) is doing well, now working for Kelly Cutrone! I remember meeting Kelly at NY Fashion Week, People's Revolution shows always had the best swag bags. Did she and Lauren get this gig because they're on TV? Of course, Kelly knows the type of publicity it's going to bring to her clients. But I have to admit, I do think both of them are hard workers.

Ugh, three more seasons? Ok, this is pretty addictive, even though this show is absolutely about nothing. Hmm, it's not the likeable people or the plot, maybe it's the "can't looking away from accident" syndrome. I'll have to think about it.

Thinking About: Acid Pastels

I've found myself extremely drawn to neon lately, particularly if it looks light the unholy child of a highlighter and cotton candy!

Packing For... Nashville

You heard me, I got back from Turkey less than a week ago and I'm already en route to Nashville for a week for work! So of course I needed to pull together a quick little inspiration board before I packed!

Generation Know: Truth, Empowerment and Myths

You may recall I got a chance to meet up with some fellow bloggers and discuss a tres taboo subject - our periods. Generation Know reaching out to young girls and showing them that being a healthy woman is empowering, not embarrassing. So I'm proud to get to show you the final products!
 Does watching these videos make you feel a bit uncomfortable? If so, you should ask yourself why! Ack, so weird seeing myself on camera, hahah. I'm simultaneously proud and embarrassed, but I stand by what I said - "Be the change you want to see in the world."  Do you feel inspired to join the movement? I would love to see the day when our periods are celebrated, not hushed up!

U by Kotex Brand is committed to empowering girls to change the way the world thinks about periods and vaginas through Generation Know, the first generation of girls comfortable asking questions, gaining real knowledge and spreading information about their health and bodies to others. To get the facts, learn how to make a difference and get a free Generation Know bracelet to symbolize your commitment, visit www.GenerationKnow.com. For every girl that joins, U by Kotex brand will donate to Girls For A Change to continue to create change.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by U by Kotex® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of U by Kotex®.

Packing for Turkey

Eeeek, today I'm leaving on a jet plane! I'm on my way to far away and exotic Turkey for two whole weeks! Of course I needed to create a little inspiration board for what to pack! Now my sister was a little worried since Turkey is a Muslim country, and wanted me to dress super conservative the whole time. I'm not opposed to that, but I did find plenty of Vogue Turkey editorials and fabulously dressed Turkish girls on Lookbook.nu all showing skin, so I'm not too concerned about that. However, I think I will still err on the side of more coverage. Besides, I'm going to be running around the Mediterranean Sea coast with a backpack for a lot fo the time.... jeans, t-shirts and sneakers will be my uniform!

Inspiration Board: Boyfriend Jeans

I've been meaning to buy a great pair of perfectly slouchy, slightly distressed boyfriend jeans for forever now! Of course I keep accidently buying other things instead, but they are so next on my list! How to style them, you ask? Why looky at my latest inspiration board!

I love the cuffed and paired with some killer heels! Strappy sandals work, but don't be afraid of an ankle boot with just a inch of skin showing. Ooo, and maybe socks until the weather gets warmer? And remember your proportions - slouchy on the bottom means you should go for more tailored, form fitted top pieces. But no need for body con, something in between tight and loose will help keep your look fresh. Add in some bright accessories and you're good to go!

Go forth and shop:

Generation Know: Behind the Scenes

Last week I had such an amazing opportunity! Myself, along with eleven other bloggers, got together for Generation Know to discuss women's health, body issues, taboo topics and empowerment! Hail to the V!

A blurry but fun shot of all of us!

We spent the day with two Kotex ambassadors, Dr. Vanessa Schick and Kat Lazo, talking about why women all try to fit into this preconceived notion of "perfect," and how women's health topics - especially our periods! - are still taboo.

The bloggers were: Liz from So Much to Smile About, Melanie from O So Chic, Channing from Channing in the City, Erin from Girl Gone Veggie, Natalie from Fashionably Broke, Lara from Pretty Connected, Janique from Her Goody Bag, Danielle from The Style and Beauty Doctor, Clare from Fitting It All In, Sherrell from Organic Beauty Vixen, and Caitlin from Healthy Tipping Point!

I admit, at first I was a little shy and uncomfortable, but it felt really empowering to open up and discuss things like first period stories, myths we still believed, funny nicknames (my period shall now be known as "shark week") and how we're all women who should be celebrating our health!

The morning roundtable shoot.

What was funny was that I totally forget there were men - the film crew - in the room! It was girl talk all day, and in the end, I felt excited to "be the change I want to see in the world." It's time to educate and make sure young girls are comfortable with themselves, have great role models (mine is Mindy Kaling!) and want to become healthy women, not reality TV stars.

U by Kotex Brand is committed to empowering girls to change the way the world thinks about periods and vaginas through Generation Know, the first generation of girls comfortable asking questions, gaining real knowledge and spreading information about their health and bodies to others. To get the facts, learn how to make a difference and get a free Generation Know bracelet to symbolize your commitment, visit www.GenerationKnow.com. For every girl that joins, U by Kotex brand will donate to Girls For A Change to continue to create change.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by U by Kotex® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of U by Kotex®.

Los Angeles Vacation

Last week I was in California and spent a few days in LA! Probably one of the best parts of LA was visiting the Getty Museum!

They had beautiful outdoor gardens!

I couldn't take pictures of the famous art work like Van Gosh's Irises, but  could take some snaps of the amazing furniture and decor. Could you imagine this being your office?

I love screens like this! I must have one in my future boudoir!

I could take pictures of some of the other artwork in the museum. Here is the Banquet of Cleopatra!

This could almost be a street style pic, don't you think? This woman is fabulous!

Also on the agenda was typical tourist things like the Chinese Theatre! Love how John Wayne didn't leave hand prints.. he left a fist print!! Boom!

I also got to walk around Rodeo Drive! Ooo, you fancy, huh? Strangely, there was a bebe and a Guess right on the main street... for the Kardashians?

I had such a blast on my trip... now it's time to fly to NYC for a day :O