Month: July 2010

4 surveys and you’re out

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Funny thing happened to me  this week, which at first I didn’t think much about, but after receiving 4 survey emails in 3 days, all I could do is  laugh because I knew that even if I decide to complete them, nothing will change by the company conducting the survey. They will still hire careless customer service reps, with no decision-making skills to NOT answer our concerns and questions over the phone. They will not improve their service no matter how sorry they say they are that we experienced the problems that we did when we contacted them in the first place. And for GOD’s sake can you please stop saying “is there anything else I can do for you” towards  the end of a call, when you haven’t done anything in the first place. So the question goes like this: Why the heck are you conducting the survey in the first place? My first guess is: It is a technique used to discourage the customer from complaining. They figured if they can SURVEY you …

treat yourself at anthropologie

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Some stores may be intimidating or just not the right style for some woman, so they simply avoid going in for the fear of the unknown or the lack of interest in experiencing something new. In my opinion, all women need to experience  Anthropologie and if you happen to live  in a city or town or a country where there is an Anthropologie store near by, please consider going in and buying yourself something just for the fun of it. The store reminds me of  a cross between a French Provincial boutique with a hint of a shabby chic theme and although I am a fan of modern decor, I simply love walking through Anthropologie  and admiring all the colorful displays and products from ceiling to floor. I often buy myself a neatly wrapped bar of soap from France or a bizarre hook for my bathroom and even a costume jewelry piece with unique or unusual compilation of beads and colors stranded together. Kitchenware is also fun to look through and can be incorporated into any …

getty museum garden envy

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Nature, gardens, plants, trees and flowers, you name it and I am there to enjoy it and take pictures of. One place I completely love to visit is the Getty Center (Museum) Gardens in Los Angeles. It’s an inspirational place to say the least and an extra ordinary maze to walk through while enjoying over 134,00 square feet of pathways lined with exotic, amazing, colorful, beautiful plants, flowers and trees as well as streams of waters flowing down toward a neatly arranged sitting area under Bougainvillea vines intertwined inside several oversized wicker planters. Everywhere you look, there is another rare flower in bloom and foliage in every shape, size, and color imaginable. Each plant is so strategically planted in order to get the proper light or shade necessary  for them to flourish to their full potential. There is nothing out-of-place and not a scent too strong. The feeling one gets walking about the gardens is unexplainable and yet recommended for everyone to experience at least once in their lifetime. What I also find fascinating is  watching …

shoes for me – oh you shouldn’t have

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Shoe shopping has become a chore for me, now that I am in my 40’s. I swear every time I go to the mall, I hyperventilate when I need to shop for shoes because of  today’s Salvador Dali-ish approach to shoe design. But you know, one of the most amazing things happened to me the other day while I WASN’T actually shopping for shoes. I found a pair which I can actually wear in public and on my feet and be able to walk in them and actually feel sexy. Oh thank heaven, Virginia there is a Santa Claus!!! Anyway, the shoes are made by guess who? Guess of course and are only 98 or so U.S. dollars and you can find them at any retail store which carry the Guess shoe brand.  They felt comfortable, sexy and seem actually doable for about 2 or so hours outside the house. And ladies we all know that having a good pair of flats (please no flip flops or bare feet) on hand is always useful when …

a walk, two bottle of red, and a cupcake

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While in Los Angeles, I had announced to my travelling companions that I intended to walk every morning since I was accustomed to the habit while at home. They laughed at me, but decided to partake in the adventure no less since they noticed how serious I was about my daily ritual. One morning I drove up to Griffith Park and decided to tackle the five-mile walk toward the Hollywood sign. I put my i-pod on as usual and began trekking. My companions decided to converse and walk while taking photos, making the climb up the course much more difficult. I kept looking back only to discover the gap between them and myself getting further and further apart. I shrugged and continued my trek until I could no longer see the two of them. I stopped midway atop the mountain and waited for them. After a long while, they showed up and announced they could not continue on the five-mile trek since they both felt flustered and exhausted and in my opinion completely bored. They asked …

venice beach for the woman over 40

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In the 80’s every time I was in L.A. I had to visit Venice Beach and be part of the madness. In the 90’s not so much. I used to refer my student travellers to visit Venice Beach but I stayed away. In the early part of this interesting decade, I had the wonderful opportunity to work and live in L.A. so occasionally I drove down to Venice and checked out the interesting transformation taking place but didn’t have the chance to see the finished product/project before leaving L.A.  So with this visit, I was determined to drive down  to Venice and check on the progress and sure enough as I parked my car and walked towards Main Street, I quickly smiled to myself because I knew I would love the results as I plotted my walk down the street. Suburban Venice has transformed into a wonderful place for the older crowd (especially women over 40) to visit and actually consider spending a few days there in order to enjoy shopping, get a facial and …

a pretty woman moment no doubt

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I had experienced 4th of July fireworks along the cost in Los Angeles about three years ago and it was amazing (minus the traffic jams afterword of course), so I decided since I needed to be in Los Angeles the week of July 4th this year, I could go a day earlier and experience the fireworks along the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) once more. Three years ago, we parked around Malibu near Pepperdine University and waited in the cold for hours until the fireworks kicked off around 9p.m., so I decided this time I would park the car along the PCH and walk over to the beach and hang out until sunset and then sit in my car to watch the fireworks in order to avoid being cold. I parked my car somewhere between Getty Museum and a winding street leading up to Bel Air. Without second guessing myself I walked down the sand toward the ocean and began walking along the sand while enjoying the views. Within minutes a security guard ran over to …

my playground

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Going to my favorite playground for a week to kick off the 4th of July celebration and of course play tourist and a celebrity all wrapped up in one. I do this once or twice or even three times a year, it’s a fun and quick escape from it all, especially if you are on a budget. So, happy 4th Americans and for all the tourists visiting the U.S. this week, enjoy our version of Patriotism with bbq’s, fireworks and the old red, white and blue cupcakes and popsicles.

eat, pray, love in reference to the woman over 40

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Another one of  my favorite reads last year, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, is being made into a movie with Julia Roberts playing the lead role.  Although the true story is about a woman in her 30’s, Julia is portraying the role while in her 40’s, which in my opinion require much alteration and revision to the film to fit the make up of a 40 year old woman’s lifestyle.  I am not really sure how good the film will be but the book is a recommended read for any woman who hasn’t read it yet. The book can be considered a motivational book and although geared towards the woman in her 30’s, some of us beyond that decade can learn a few things from it here and there. The only downside for the woman over 40 is that, if she were to consider using the methods in the book to self discovery, she must be childless to accomplish the challenge. But either way, it is a solid book and since it is based on a …