Something Smells Citrusy!

Mmmmm, the smell as you drive into the parking lot of Corona's Dos Lagos is something that will send your appetite into overdrive. The culprit to the scentsation...the Citrus City Grille.

One Saturday afternoon, my husband and I had a day all to ourselves (Papa had the boys), so, we decided to head to my "happy place" to enjoy an afternoon of relaxing and enjoying a good meal. The scent of citrus and herbs permeated the air, and like true epicures, my husband and I allowed our imagination of taste to lead the way.

As we entered the Citrus City Grille, we were amazed by the modern decor; and yet, the Grille also had a very zen-like appeal. The restaurant, with its obvious upscale elements, also lead one to feel at ease and relaxed. As the hostess lead us through the area, and out onto the patio; we noticed many wonderful attributes about the eatery. There was an amazingly clean, open-view kitchen, which we were later told, by the manager, Willyum Gald, that this was created to help customers decide what to order, by first viewing the impressive plating of the entrees. We also strolled by the wine cellar which held over 150 selections.

Are dining area of choice was the patio area that was centered around a grass lawn (there was also a mini putting green). The most wonderful part about this area was the view, which boast the two lakes by which Dos Lagos receives its name. Serene, lovely...tranquil. Out on the grass where several plush sofas and chairs for persons to sip wine and sit quietly while enjoying the view and listen to cool jazz.

Our lunch was delicious and the service was impeccable. We were enjoying ourselves so much that we ended up just sitting and enjoying the scenery...uninterrupted for several hours. Hey, what's the rush...NO KIDS!

Oh yes, I must mention this wonderful feature: Just outside the bathroom was an area just for washing your hands. That's right, rather than going into the restrooms, the Grille created an area specifically for hand-washing. By the way, I took a peak into the potties...they were equally beautiful.

The Citrus City Grille will give you an excellent dining experience. Enjoy!

The Little Red Dress

Currently I'm obsessing over a little red dress (LRD) that I recently purchased from Ann Taylor Loft on clearance...approximately $24 to be exact! Sure we hear all about the glory of the little black dress; or LBD as it is commonly referred to in the fashion world. But, what about the LRD? I was willing to take on the challenge.

After bringing my new purchase home, I hung in neatly in my closet and began to wonder just how I would attempt to accessorize it. After much contemplation, I realized that the LRD isn't that hard to dress at all. After all, it is a primary color. I chose to view it as a neutral, just as I would black, and began to put my expertise into action.

1. My first choice was to give it an equestrian feel, Ala Ralph Lauren. A silk equestrian scarf tied around the neck, gold bangles, gold with rhinestone stud earrings, Ralph Lauren riding boots and to give the look a little sex appeal...a great pair of champagne colored fishnet hosiery. I love mixing sexy with outdoors.


2. The next look is more demure: Fishnet hosiery, pearl and black onyx necklace, a lovely chain belt with a decorative rhinestone flower; and a pair of black patent peep-toe slingbacks.


3. To give my LRD a little retro feel, I decided to leave its funnel neckline alone. Instead, I chose to decorate the dress with a silk champagne colored flower pin, a chunky red bobble bracelet; and my leopard sandals that wrap around my ankle. Meow.

When building my wardrobe, my general rule of thumb is to buy an item only when it will coordinate with three things in my existing wardrobe. I believe my LRD made the count!

The next time you're in the mood for a little color, don't be afraid of RED...it's hot, sexy and quite adventurous.

Happy Shopping!

Fresh Food For The Skin?!!

I'm convinced that there is definitely something special to the organic way of living. I've been on a quest for the best, and most luxurious of skincare products that is both gentle and therapeutic to the skin.

I discovered a company called The Body Deli (catchy name)! The name alone caused me to do further research. So, I jumped into my car and headed to the stores location in Palm Desert, California. Nestled in a strip mall on Hwy 111, as I entered the store, I was greeted by a well-informed employee that made my shopping experience both enjoyable and pleasant.

A delicious assortment of lotions, souffles and oils are aligned on the front counter so that customers can experience the scents and test the products before making a purchase. I sampled every scent that they offered: Tahitian Vanilla, Almond Joy, Coconut Cream, Desert Sage, Mandarin Infusion and Moroccan Mint; just to name of few. Each scent was mouth-watering. With the temperatures dropping and the air becoming dry, I was personally in search for a very emollient skin cream to keep my skin hydrated. I decided on the Tahitian Vanilla in the Phyto-Therapy Lotion. YUMMY!

One thing that I consider very important, when selecting skincare, is that the products use organic ingredients...I have very sensitive skin and I need to pamper it with tender loving care. The Body Deli's products are so fresh that they come with an expiration date; and some of them must be kept in the refrigerator. Some of the ingredients they boast are: avocado, Clary sage, green papaya, blueberries, pomegranate, tangerine, kale juice and kiwi. The products are absolutely chemical and synthetic free!

One more thing, the scent staying power is phenomenal! I nourished my skin with my new lotion in the morning and at 6:00pm I still had the scent of Tahitian Vanilla.

I highly recommend a visit to the Body Deli in Palm Desert. If you can't make the trip, visit them online at www.TheBodyDeli.com. You'll enjoy the experience of having deliciously scented skin that is treated like a delicacy.

Let the Desert Clean Your Face!

I was always under the impression that acne was strictly for the teens. Not the case. Every month my hormones rage out of control and leave behind a cluster of unwanted pimples on my face. Thank heavens for my monthly outing with my girlfriends. During our conversation, I told them that I had been under a great deal of pressure and had begun to break-out. Immediately my friends went into action by dousing me with a lot of questions..."What have you been eating?" "Have you been exercising?" "What are you using on your face?"...etc, etc. I didn't want to tell them that three days ago, I had just wolfed consumed an entire brownie the size of a brick; and then proceeded to wash it down with a large Coke...all this to drown my sorrows over some unwanted circumstances. Nor did I want to tell them that I'd been avoiding our monthly Bootcamp sessions because I hadn't been sleeping well and decided to use Saturdays as time to catch-up on sleep. You get the picture...STRESS had begun to make its mark...and on my face!!!

On our way home from our outing, one of my girlfriends and I decided to make a pit-stop at Trader Joes. While we wandered the aisles, she pointed out a product she once used on her now flawless complexion. It was National Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pads by Desert Essence. The Pads have been formulated with a combo of pure essential oils and herbal extracts. Each moist pad contains Tea Tree Oil (which is an inherent antiseptic plant extract), Lavender, Chamomile and Calendula. "It worked wonders," she said. "When you get home, take a nice relaxing shower; wash your face really good and then use the Pads. Then drink some green tea; and then meditate on the Word." What great advice!

It has now been 7 days since I began my quest for clearer skin and a less stressful life. My skin looks and feels more radiant...I'm ready to face the world!

If you're suffering from breakouts, try the pads. Available at www.desertessence.com.

100% Pure...You'll Smell Good Enough to Eat

After a long and tedious weekend, I wasn't quite ready to return to the work week. As I lay in my bed, I pondered the list of things that I needed to complete. As I reviewed my 'To Do' list in my mind, it was as if my bed began to drape it's loving arms around me. I looked toward my clock and watched as the time inched its way into the area that would cause me to become frantically late.

Then I remembered some very important advice that was bestowed upon me when I began my life as a career woman...Always have something to look forward too. It'll make your life seem less mundane and more exciting. "Something to look forward too. Hmmm. What do I have coming up this week?" Then I remembered...I had a envelope full of samples from 100% Pure!

Yes, I'm a sucker for delicious smelling body products; so, the thought of starting my day with a hot shower and the sweet aroma of a new shower gel sent my senses into another world. I emptied out my package; began to sift through the selection and contemplated what I wanted to smell like for the day. Did I desire Virgin Coconut, Blueberry, Pear, Vanilla Bean, Juicy Pineapple or Dark Chocolate (can you imagine having the scent of the very thing that people crave)? These are only a drop in the bucket of the many flavors that 100% Pure offers.

I made my decision, and Juicy Pineapple won! It was very difficult to climb out of my scented, steamy sanctuary, but I managed to do so. What awaited was the Juicy Pineapple Body Cream that felt equally delicious. When I emerged, I over-heard my family conversing about what smelled so good. One of my sons told me that I smelled like Pineapple Cream Ice Cream. My hubby stated that I smelled good enough to eat. What a way to start the day! As I entered into the world, I felt that I could conquer whatever lay ahead. I knew that if things became difficult, I would simply retreat to my package of scented wonders to ease my pain.

100% Pure was an absolutely delicious product that boast its name because it is indeed 100% Pure. The products are scented from real fruits, and pure essential oil absolutes. There are absolutely no synthetic fragrances or anything artificial. You can purchase this product from www.100percentpure.com. That is good news!

Try 100% Pure. You'll smell good enough to eat!

Nordstrom Runway Show at StyleWeekOC

Spending the evening under the stars, while watching a Nordstrom runway show, isn't such a bad deal for a nights work. Last night (September 13th) I attended the final showing of a series of various fashion shows for StyleWeekOC at the Irvine Spectrum Shopping Center, In Orange Country, California. With the ferris wheel as the backdrop, models displayed a tantalized array of fashions for fall and for the transitional styles of the season. I spent the entire night drooling over which looks I wanted for myself. The fashions were generally for the young, but if you fall into the category of "Young at Heart," then you would have found the styles to be very appealing.

The first looks out were very reminiscent of the sexy-librarian. Give this young woman just the right look and she's all yours. Demure, but very alluring. The garments left much to the imagination...perhaps that is what is so sexy about them...It would lead one to have to search to find out what makes the lady tick. At first look, I had to second guess the high-heeled penny loafers and mary-janes worn with ankle socks. Only the daring, yet stylish would be able to pull this look off.

The Native-American trend with a dash of Boho Chic really caught my eye...I wanted it all!

The fringed boots were, as my sons say, "Sick!" I loved the maxi dresses. The color combinations in the garments were really pretty.

Ok, let me not forget to mention the SHOES! OMG!!! The shoes were amazing. Sky high stilettos, booties and the most interesting details that one could ever fathom. One model almost took a fall. The audience applauded her ability to stay on her feet in the 5 inch booties she sported.

A great deal of Justin Timberlake's brand, William Rast, was sported by the male models. The look was a bit rustic with a touch of hillbilly (I'm not being brash)...but hey, it worked! The good looking models could have worn their jammies and looked hot!

Take a look at the fashion photos that my photographer, Fred Harrison, snapped for me. Enjoy the show:

Top Seven Picks in Fashion Accessories for Fall 2008

Oh the love of fashion accessories! Here are my top 7 picks for accessories for Fall 2008:

Fur Details: Michael Kors made the fur neck cozy and scarf look ultra retro in his runway collections. Whether faux or real, fur will jazz up any ensemble.

Art Inspired Shoes: Sure, hold on to your classic black slingbacks; but make room for the wonderful array of colorful and funky styles that are hitting the stores. Look for shoes with quirky details and interesting straps and buckles.

Leather Opera Gloves: The era of the 1950's and 1960's is upon us and wow am I excited! Leather opera gloves are so chic and will make any outfit look amazingly put-together.

Skinny Belts: Diane von Furstenburg really rocked the fall runway with the skinny belt. Rather than simply holding up trousers, the belts were used for cinching in cardigan sweaters and coats.

The Statement Necklace: Keep your strands of pearls for some occasions, but if you really want to add pizzazz to your wardrobe, invest in a edgy statement necklace...one that will really make your wardrobe pop. For the Vera Wang collection, she showed necklaces that were works of art.

Opaque Hosiery: Ditch the boring legwear for ones with interesting designs and jewel-toned colors. Your legs will look both fun and SEXY!

Clutch Purse: Not just reserved for the evening, clutch purses are fast becoming a wardrobe staple; thanks to Sarah Jessica Parker's character, Carrie Bradshaw, from Sex and the City. Now these compact purses come in a variety of styles, sizes and shapes.

Happy Shopping (wink)!