Author: MS

seasonal inspiration

Published by

As many of you may know, San Francisco, mostly outer, is probably the worst place to be during the summer months if you happen to be a sun worshiper.  It’s foggy, cold and somewhat uninspiring. This past weekend was the first reminder of how summer may very well be in the city, when I sat the entire weekend, working on my book, in my sweats, blanket, thermal socks, drinking hot tea.  Believe me I wasn’t happy. So, for those of us, stuck in this wonderful city, mostly in the avenues, I recommend, escaping at least one day out of the weekend, just to get inspired, while frolicking 🙂 in the sun.  I’ve already planned my list of things to not my spirits go dow. 1. Drive to Napa for a day to picnic in V Satui Winery- here 2. Spend a day at Burlingame Avenue shopping and enjoy lunch  in an outdoor cafe – here 3. Drive Inland, South or East anywhere there is water, sun and grass – here and here 4. Visit Muir Woods …

boutique hotel picks – royal hotel san remo – sanremo, italy

Published by

I can usually tell it’s time to plan my annual vacation, when all I can think about is, romantic destinations and the luxury accommodations that should go with it, especially for those of us over 40. I mean I’ve done my share of hostels in my youth, budget properties throughout my thirties. But now I seek luxury and romance, with an attached bathroom to my suite. In light of this fact, I have included my favorite property in Sanremo, Italy. A place I never considered vacationing until I saw the place in the film, The Talented Mr. Ripley.  So, I’ll let the photos do the talking and if you need to know more about the property, click here:

cannes film festival 2013 fashion for the woman over 40 or not

Published by

I, for one, don’t photograph well, not anymore that is. My photos don’t do justice to my face or body, so I can only imagine the pressure celebrities feel when being photographed after 40.  Because   in all reality, untouched photos don’t lie and sometimes they bring the worst out of you, no matter how unique  you want to appear.  With all that cleared up, I think celebrity over 40 crowd, particularly women, missed it for this year’s gathering.  

buying what i don’t need but want

Published by

Occasionally, I splurge on things, even though I tell myself to stay true to simple living. I can’t help it, I am a woman after all and the need to shop, eat chocolate, pamper my self as well as appreciation the finer things in life is part of my make up. So,  I put splurge happily and very carefully. This month, being my favorite, I have decided to shop and perhaps splurge on:  

five months of 2013 – goodbye may, hello june

Published by

I swear I was just toasting in 2013 and now all of a sudden it’s June. What in the world is going on? Has it always been like this. Where time flies, no matter if you are having fun or not. May was a busy month for me and one, although long, felt like it passed by in a flash.  I’m okay with that, because May really isn’t my favorite month of the year, June is :). Instead of looking back to what I have accomplished  in the month of May, I am going to, through photos, express what lays ahead for me in June:  Looking forward has always been my motto. 1. Graduation party dress from here 2. Bathroom inspiration from here 3. Anniversary Formal attire from here 4. Birthday destination idea from here 5. Birthday Cake from here

the need to tone my body

Published by

I’ve been watching what I eat for years. This is of course, after turning 40 and realizing I’ve started to finally put on some weight. But in talking to friends, about the best method, over a few cocktails mind you, they suggested diet pills. I refused naturally, since every single addiction, has an adverse affect. Then I read the book French Women Don’t Get Fat and learned a few things, but realized I didn’t have the luxury to follow it (due to my hectic schedule).  I decided to go with Weight Watchers ready to eat meals. After losing over 17 pounds in less than 2 months and hating every bite I ate, I stopped losing weight, because I got sick. High blood pressure and ailments I had never experienced before in my life. I was completely over it. The diet food, the idea of pills, not eating, eating too much fiber. I even tried vegan and gluten-free. Some worked, others were misleading. I know what you are thinking, this is sounding too much like an …

interior decor: bathroom plants

Published by

I’ve always had plants in my bathroom, no matter how small the space or how big. I just think, its therapeutic and a nice color to add to any decor. Mostly leafy greens that is. Recently however, I’ve tried several plants in my space and for some reason, they haven’t bloomed as I had hoped. Either it’s too moist for the plant or too dark a space. However, when I saw this idea here, I couldn’t help but consider copying the suggestion. It’s  simple, clean and hopefully will work. I don’t even mind seeing the roots. The only set back (maybe) is the fact,  I’d want to change the water perhaps. Either way I am going to duplicate the suggestion and see what happens. Have you any ideas you’d like to share, about plants in a bathroom and what works and what doesn’t.

happy blog anniversary from wordpress.com

Published by

Over the weekend, WordPress.com sent me a happy blog anniversary note, which was nice and I do appreciate it very much, since I’ve started this blog three years ago, but for some reason, this year has been the most challenging, in terms of blogging. Just to give you a bit of background. Most blogging sites offer you an option to track your visitors and determine which topics work and what really doesn’t. Year one, I was fine with the wealth of information and blogged accordingly. Year two my blog sky rocketed and I was completely and utterly pleased to know I was on the right track. January of this year, all of a sudden, the wealth of information provided from, what appears to be, all blog hosting sites, instantly diminished and have become inaccurate, disheartening and even discouraging. I am now unable to tell the accurate number of followers, interested in topics and much more. When I reached out to WordPress, they expressed it was something google had changed and not to pay too much …

interior design: dutch oil painting inspired checkered floors

Published by

When I was a child, maybe six or seven, I received a tin can full of wrapped candy in cellophane. Instead of being excited about the contents of the box, I was more impressed with the art work on the four sides of the box.  As a child I had no idea what it was but stared at the art work for years on end, impressed by the beauty of it. It was a dark room, with checkered floors and the only light was from a small window, reflecting against it. When my family was migrating to the states, I asked to take the box with me. I cherished it and it was the only reminder of my wonderful childhood. Since then, I’ve been to museums throughout Europe and have learned enough about art in school, to know that particular painting etched unto the four sides of the  box was  inspired by Baroque Dutch Oil Paintings. I was in love with the flooring then and I have remained that way since. Because of my fascination …