All posts filed under: inspirational women over 40

Much Needed Time Off

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I did not realize just how much time away from a computer was needed until I decided Monday morning last, to simply not get online, or check work emails, or blog or write. There was a feeling of calm, even while running errands, and doing chores, the idea of not being plugged in made a world of difference in how I felt overall. So, I vowed to myself that – this sort of unplugging will be done several times throughout the year. Where I simply leave my phone on Do Not Disturb mode and my computer logged off and find joy in the simpler things in life. Like walking six miles across the city. Sitting by the ocean and taking in the views. Reading in a park. Lunch in a new farm-to-table eatery I’ve wanted to try out forever. Reconnecting with a solid friend and be completely entertained by her Schnauzer. Taking photographs of everything . Walking across town again, buying a new lipstick or gloss. Enjoy watching a herd of grazing goats for hire …

Friday Breakfast For A Family Plus one Doggy Visit

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I love spontaneous visits – as my home is always open to family and a handful of friends visiting from out-of-town. In this case, family + her beautiful German Sheppard I cannot wait to hang out with over the weekend. He’s adorable, but not at all interesting to my 15-year old Yokie, who although will have a tough time having T around, I am sure deep down he will be a great host. Here’s the thing about these visits – full on breakfasts and long conversations over coffee, while both of us are curled up on the sofas with our loyal companions at our feet. Best feeling ever, I can assure you. So I looked up  breakfast options to prepare – and this recipe popped up for me to alter a bit to fit our dietary needs: INGREDIENTS MAPLE CANDIED BACON    {I will be using Uncurred Turkey bacon from trader Joe – best I’ve had so far and bypassing the added ingredients} 1/2 pound thick cut bacon use peppered bacon if possible 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1/4 cup brown sugar …

Things You Should Never Say…

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I normally don’t shock easily – about the goings on around me or even around the world. But recently I’ve raised an eyebrow or twitched an eye at a few strange comments –  which I felt the need to share – to either put a smile on your face, or have your jaw drop. Never tell a middle-aged woman you see daily, ‘oh I see you are wearing makeup today,’ when she wears makeup everyday. ♦ At a retail store – while consulting with a makeup artist about a facial primer – he says ‘this one is used on dead people, so it is lasting and oil-free.  ♦ ‘This product will help your dull hair look alive, not like a young person, but you know, for your age, you should try it.’ ♦ Ordering a salad with no mention of fat-free in the ingredients, the gal behind the counter asks if I would like fat-free dressing?  ♦ Walking in through the front door,  you pre-warn you’ve had a bad day,  and he decides that moment …

All The Questions In The World

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Yes, it is happening again, where on a gloomy rainy day, I start to questions too many things. I think mostly on day two of a work week, while still trying to get adjusted to  sitting in the basement of a building not so retrofitted for a city built on sand and destined for earthquakes. I do cringe with every step I descent to the underground, and sometimes even hold my breath until I leave work. There are worst things in the world and I’m sure someone reading this is saying, how selfish of her to be thinking otherwise.  But in talking to the group of employees, who got the shorter end of the stick, about our placement, I realize that although no one is happy in the basement, they are not willing to complain about it. Which got me thinking about the topic of complaining. Is complaining really that bad?  Or is complaining a waste of your valuable time and something that should be avoided at all cost?   How to Complain Less is the …

In Love with the Idea of …

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This morning I woke up reflective, and the best way to explain the dozen or so views going through my mind after Saturday Bruch with much girl-talk, is that, I have come to the realization that perhaps humanity  is merely in love with the idea of…whatever they think might revive their otherwise neutral existence. Do you agree, or I am off my rocker? Feel free to offer up your take on the topic {image(s) source}

A Novel Giveaway Inspired by Roman Decor

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I watched a foreign film a few weeks ago on Amazon Prime, where I was completely immersed in the style of foreign film making and story telling, as well as where it was filmed (Roma).  But, nothing captivated me more than the apartment the main character, Claudio (played by Raoul Bova)  lived in – near Vatican city, with views of Castle San’ Angelo.  I have to say, it was the best two-hour escape in a long while, and I went to bed thinking about all things Rome.   Last night, while commuting home, I stumbled upon this Roman Residence and smiled, thinking how similar  this lovely space was to the decor in the film. So I decided to give away Piazza Navona – a novel I’ve written a few years back.  Message me to get your copy.   Paperback copy will be shipped to U.S. address only. 

Fashion: Oscars 2019 or Meghan Markle

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All day Sunday I wondered if there were more people following Markle’s fashion during her visit to Morocco or the Oscar 2019 styles the celebrity opted for last night? After watching everyone’s arrival on the red carpet, and photos thereafter, I had a difficult time liking some of the choices, perhaps the lighting wasn’t the best, or the angle the stars were photographed but…. Let’s blame it on the color pink, or different shades of sparkles – The safest fashion on the red carpet – and that’s a wrap – never to be spoken about again {featured image source}

How I Look Forward To Mondays

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Most of my life, I have never looked forward to Mondays until recently. Not because my weekends are boring, but because, as I get older, I am loving the idea of going to work. But even though that is the case, there are some sluggish start to Mondays, and that’s when I know I haven’t taken the right steps to prepare me for the day. By Thursday the week before, I have already planned what I need to do over the weekend to help recharge my mind and body, so that the days ahead would be as stress free as possible. You know, where the stress takes over every ounce of your being, elevating anxiety to about a ten – those kinds of days. First – Winding down on Friday night is important – where an Italian meal is in order paired with a good bottle of red  and two movies, comedy is a must.   Saturday early morning, wake the house up to a full-on breakfast, the kind you have no time for throughout …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Vietnamese Beef and Rice

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Although this recipe calls for crispy rice – I am going to go with the steamy brown rice. I am not a fan of crispy rice – it reminds of a time one summer, when I was staying with my aunt and she was busy on a telephone call and forgot about the rice cooking on the burner. Hence the crispy rice scraped from the bottom of the pot, she insisted was delicious. At seven I thought otherwise, and refused to consume another spoonful of ‘that stuff’ So, we are going with  steamed brown rice for this dish tonight: INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin or flank steak, cut into 1 inch cubes black pepper 2 tablespoons oyster sauce 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated crushed red pepper flakes, to taste 1/4 cup sesame or extra virgin olive oil 3 cups cooked white rice 1 cup shredded radicchio or purple cabbage  {cabbage it is} 4 carrots, shredded or cut into ribbons 1 …