Forever Young

When my friend M came to visit last month, she commented that I never age. This is a comment I get from southern friends a lot and I never feel like spilling my secrets. Well today I have finally decided to spill. One major thing I do not do, is get consistent sleep and my youthful look is definitely NOT genetic. I do the regular things like always wear sunscreen, sunglasses, moisturize, and take vitamins. But here are the things that really distinguish me from my aging friends.

5. I don't have children. I want them more than an Hermes Kelly, but I don't have them.

4. I have never taken work home with me. Law school was immensely stressful and I'm positive it will be responsible for taking many years off my life. Aside from that, I have never consistently worked long hours. When I had sensitive accounts as an accountant in the music industry, or when I have held clients' financial well beings in my hands, I have always kept a clock in/clock out mentality. I work to live, something I learned from my parents, and not very New Yorkerish of me. Compartmentalizing is key.

3. Diet. I eat at pint or more of blueberries at least twice a week. Blueberries are so cheap these days and I have convinced myself that they are the perfect food. I don't eat any meat at all. I'm not vegan, but I only drink rice milk. The number one vice keeping me from looking my best is cheese. I also stick to whole grains. The key here is that my parents raised me on whole grains, and to abstain from meat, coffee and alcohol. It is sticking to these things consistently rather than adopting them as an adult that makes all the difference in my opinion.

2. Something terribly sad happened to me last night so today I watched Chris Rock being interviewed on Inside the Actor's Studio. I make sure I watch or read something funny at least 6 days a week. Laughter is the best medicine. People who smile more live longer. There are very few comedians who can make me laugh. It is a short list: Kathy Griffin, Chris Rock, Dave Chapelle, Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy and Carol Burnett. That's it! I watched the Hangover and didn't laugh one time. I have high standards. I watch Modern Family, The Office, and Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List. I read the Boondocks and Fox Trot. It helps.

1. This is the most important of all. I didn't start wearing makeup until a few years ago. I never ever go out in the sun in makeup.

Now you know.

Purging

My dad bought land on the beach in Liberia a couple of years ago. He had this crazy idea about moving there and starting a school and blah blah blah. So he wants me to once again go through my closet and pick out all the things I don't want. That is a huge problem for me. I can be a bit of a hoarder. My clothes are all classic, so unless they don't fit or they get stains on them, I want to keep them forever. One thing I can get rid of is shoes. I am going to let go of every pair of heels that is uncomfortable. That means every pair that isn't Kate Spade. One day I want to have a walk in closet so that I can see all of my lovely clothes on display. Then I will know I have really made it.

Lucky #7

So my Karolina collection is racking up rather quickly. I need to stop, but I am addicted to comfortable heels. The other night I walked from my office on 50th and Lexington to the Yale Club, in the rain, with no discomfort at all. The Soho store was totally sold out, so when these popped up on the website again I nabbed them as quickly as possible. They are a total party on my feet. Love.

Hollywood Dreams

I am still recovering from the sleep deprovation that was last week. I went to my friend J's wedding in downtown Los Angeles and it was a lot of running around. (I cannot even begin to explain how much I love J and how much I loved her wedding so I will not even try.) Coming off of the past three months of being busy busy busy I decided I would take this week to slow it down by catching up on some reading and watching tv. I think I am gonna try going home more after work next week too. Also, I stayed over for a couple nights at my friend S's apartment in West Hollywood. I want to move there. Seriously. I am looking into it. I know it would mean having to buy a car and having to drive that car and having to parallel park - yikes! But, for it to be sunny and warm so often. To be situated just north of LA, just east of Beverly Hills, and smack dab in the middle of Hollywood. Wow. Los Angeles is the only place other than the city where I've ever gone and felt immediately at home. It's the only other place where I can look at its residents and think of how lucky they are to actually live there. Two places I would love to visit again: Porto's Bakery in Glendale has some awesome pastries. I still need to go back and try the guava and cheese that J was raving about. The Griddle Cafe on Sunset Boulevard was listed as the best brunch in Hollywood and it did not disappoint one bit. My other friend J and I loved it. I need to go back here so I can try the red velvet pancakes. We wanted to return but ran out of time. We also went to the Scarlett Tea Room in Pasadena which was also lovely. Next paycheck, I will start saving for a car.