The Zero Waste Home: Highlights of my week

The Zero Waste Home: Highlights of my week: Hiking at Muir Beach I owe you, faithful readers, an apology for not being very active on the blog recently. I'll give you an explanati...

Lauren Conrad Jeans Review

I purchased a black pair of Lauren Conrad jeans from the Kohl's website on September 29, 2011. I have worn these jeans many, many times since I've purchased them. Here is the link that shows the jeans still currently for sale. 


The fabric seems to have stretched out and lost it's shape over time. Also, the color of garment has faded significantly. I did purchase this in a regular size with a short inseam of 32" However, I am 5'2" and needed to hem them as my inseam is 27". 


Here is a picture of the jeans that I purchased. 

Note: I hemmed the jean's to ankle length. 

Final Comments: 

• Will not purchase LC Lauren Conrad jeans in the future
• These jeans lasted about 5 months for me. Other jeans that I purchased have lasted much longer than this. I find that it's better to spend more on quality items. 
• Sometimes, getting something on sale is not always the best long term option. I must weigh my options more carefully. 
• I am happy to announce that these jeans will longer be in my wardrobe and will donated to Salvation Army. 

Elephants and Feng Shui

Today, I finally decided to hang up the gift I recently received. Its'a blue evil eye elephant from Turkey. I hung it in the living room on the North facing wall in order to promote career stability. The trunk of the elephant is facing inward to the room in order to attract chi energy. The elephants should have their trunks facing upwards as that represents prosperity, good luck and victory. The elephant can be used as a guardian and protector of the household. It can be seen as a symbol of many great attributes, here are just a few of which I really admire wisdom, success, and strength.  Of course, there's also the evil eye which is also a great protector. 

The elephant is hanging next to a painting that I have acquired back in 2010 from the Kush Gallery in Laguna Beach called Eye of the Needle. This painting is a symbol, to me, that anything is achievable if you believe it can be. Lastly, the bag hanging is an antique piece from Turkey. It was originally a donkey bag.

 

Stack of Books and No Time to Read

I currently have 20 books and 1 DVD movie checked out from the library. I am only really reading one of those books, it's called "Goodnight Tweetheart." It's a very entertaining conversation between a man and a woman chatting on Twitter. I am on chapter 12 out of 16 so far. A serious turn of events is happening now in this chapter and definitely is encouraging me to read on! I am wondering now if this couple will ever meet or what is going to happen to them?

The movie I have to watch is "Megamind." It's just something to watch, in my opinion. For the most part, I think it will be funny since Will Ferrell is starring as the super villain.

As for the other books that I have, most of them are either about creating graphic novels/comics or selling on eBay. I have a few other miscellaneous titles as well. My purpose for getting the comic and eBay related books is because I want to write a comic book and also sell on eBay. But in no way, are these two relating to each other. They are two totally different ideas that I want to create.

Also, adding to the list of ambitious ideas, I am preparing to launch a women's clothing collection by next Autumn/Winter 2012! There are 18 pieces in the collection so far without any editing. The following pieces are: 4 long dresses, 4 short dresses, 1 romper, 3 tops, 1 pair of shorts, 1 capri pant, 1 pair of leggings, 1 skirt, 1 sweater, and 1 jacket.

Recipe: Picnic Caviar

Great Summer Recipe! This vegetarian recipe is low in calories and fat and it is high in protein and fiber.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon sugar
2 gloves garlic (2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
15 ounce can white cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
15 ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
2 ears of corn, boiled and cut
2-3 bell peppers, red/yellow/orange, finely chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions:
Mix together vinegar, oil, sugar, garlic, oregano, and basil in a large bowl.
Add beans, corn, bell pepper, onion, and cilantro. Finish the salad with salt and pepper.

Option: You can add other spices such as tarragon and/or mint.

Pair this dish with a grain such as quinoa or millet for a healthy balanced meal.

Pasadena Chalk & Music Festival

Yesterday, I went to this event and it was so much fun! I walked around Old Town Pasadena and saw the Chalk Festival and various DJs & bands playing. Mustafa & I also ate some dinner &dessert at the Corner Bakery Cafe. The highlight of the event for me was the B Side Players. I also liked DJ Stomach Punch, Looking For Trouble Band, and Rocky Duwani Band. I stopped by to visit my friend Christina who started & owns the Majestical Roof Boutique. She has really cool items for sale.

Check it out: Pasadena Chalk & Music Festival Photos & Videos

The Forgotten Ones

I was just thinking over time how I've met people and exchanged phone numbers or email addresses and nothing has transpired between us. There are so many people that I've met and never contacted nor they have contacted me. And I was just thinking, why don't I just delete their numbers in my cell phone or delete those email addresses in my email accounts? I almost have some sort of nostalgic feeling for those times that I've met the people and favor the possibility of connecting with new people if I feel the need to. Why is it that others feel so obligated to ask for my  contact information and never bother to respond? Why are people so compelled to feel the need to connect with others and then not follow through? I just don't understand this. 


I really want to change this behavior in myself. I want to feel good about meeting people and exchanging information and actually follow through with further contact. Or just not exchange information and feel okay with this as well. I want to have strong convictions in my own belief system. I want to only connect with the people whom I really did make a strong connection with and be strong with the ones I didn't and say so to them. Does this situation really need to be politically correct? Do I really need to lie to others or not be my real self just to seek approval of others? No, absolutely not!


And really, how many times do I need to keep asking others if they want to get together before they say yes to an opportunity? Once, twice, three times? Come on, enough already. The correct term in this case is "dicking around." Stop saying oh I can't but do continue to ask me. Yeah right, and then one day I will be ever so delighted that you'll answer yes and hang out with me? Oh please, life is too short for this kind of torture. There are so many people to connect with. 


So yes, these are the forgotten ones I am speaking of. The ones I've met and never called, or met and hung out only a few times, or met and hung out for years and lost touch with...so many kinds of forgotten ones. One yearbook line I always thought was so cheesy is "Keep in Touch." Yeah right, who really does keep in touch? It's almost impossible with today's world. Or is it? Sometimes I wonder if I really can make the time or I just don't want to. Perhaps, it's not high on my priority list. 


I know for a fact that my family doesn't consider me high on their lists. I hardly ever receive calls from them. I used to call them all from time to time and see how they're doing. And sometimes when I called, their response was very sharp and short as if they really don't want to talk to me. Ouch, this is so harsh! My own flesh and blood, what did I ever do to you to make you spite me? 


The only time I seem to speak to them is when I go back home to visit and this is becoming a rare event for me as I get older. I just don't see the value in these relationships anymore. Do they really care? What if I died today? How long would it take them to find out? I know for a fact that they wouldn't call so my guess is there would be some paperwork that states my parents' names and then they would be notified of my death. That is the only way. Sad, but true. Such is life.