Curvily Yours: Oh How I've Missed the Bruises

So aside from a few muscle complaints and some adorable little bruises I don't seem much the worse for wear today. Woohoo! Yay for being able to do SOME form of exercise!

The fifteen minutes on the elliptical the other day actually seemed to be a lot rougher on me than my class. I find that odd. Or maybe it's because my class is mostly stretching but covers all muscle groups. I'll have to test that theory. I'm so excited to be able to take my classes again. 

But They're Good for YOU!

Even cat children don't like to eat their Veggies :) My cats refuse to eat the peas that are in their wet food. I'm actually quite impressed with their ability to eat around them. Sometimes all I find in the bottom of the bowl are the peas. 

Curvily Yours: Confessions

Ok, I admit it. I went to a pole class today for the first time since my accident. Did my doctor tell me it was ok? No, I just couldn't stand not going. And frankly, it felt fantastic. I've missed the movement, the freeing of muscles and limbs. There is just something about being able to feel each of your muscles interacting, engaging, stretching, pulling, pushing, that just makes you feel alive. That you are more than just breathe in a space. That we are not just here, just being. That we are meant to move, to do things. To become bigger and fuller. It is raw energy and release. And I love it, crave it. Cannot get enough of the feeling of power that comes over you. Power and strength coupled with vulnerability and trust. And it's not about anyone else, but you. You, and your body.

It was nice to feel reconnected. To be able to embrace my current limitations and move through some and around others. This injury has had me so detached from my body it has been extremely depressing. It was good to be home. It was great to see some of my girls as well. I have missed them and even though they have been texting and emailing. Hugs in person still just can't be replaced!

This song seemed very fitting for my first dance back...



My dance was delicious, it felt just like one gigantic stretch and yawn. Just what I needed today.

Positive Affirmations

One of the big things that Lean for Life taught me was the power of mind over matter. A huge part of your success when you are making life changes is your mental state. So in light of this they place a big emphasis on daily positive affirmations.

Here are just a few examples:

1. I can do this.

2. Never give up.

3.You never lose until you stop trying.

4. Never let yesterday use up too much of today - One of my personal favorites

5. Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm

6. You must do the things that you cannot

7. It's never too late to be who you might have been

8. The will to conquer is the first condition of victory

9. I respect my own uniqueness

10. I am a creative and talented human being - I like to change this one to I am a creative, talented, fabulous human being.

11. I am unlimited.

12. Success is living the life you want.

13. I am the master of my destiny.

14. Don't wait, the time will never be just right.

15. I deserve to be happy.

Since reading about these I've been applying them to many places in my life. When I am at the gym, when I am at the dentist, or anytime I just feel "not ok". I have found that just repeating to myself that "I am ok" can calm me down almost immediately. I am constantly amazed how much power my mind has over my body. I mean, I understand the fundamentals that the brain sends signals through nerves and all that. But I just never really utilized the simple power of thought.

So the next time someone tells you to "Think Positive". Give it a try, you never know what the outcome will be!

Adventures in Freelancing

You know you've dialed the wrong number for a conference call when the first thing the voice on the lines says is "Hey there hot stuff...how's it going big boy..."

Ensue moment of hilarity where all people in the room break into fits of giggles.

Always great to start the morning with a little laughter ;)

The Truth About Toothpaste

I bet you thought that toothpaste was just something you used to clean your teeth. Nope, it has so many other uses! What I learned when I was a Premier Designs Jewelry woman was that it is also an excellent silver jewelry cleaner. I wish that I had learned this trick while I was still in college, living in Pittsburgh. I cannot tell you how many pieces of jewelry that I ended up getting rid of because they completely blackened.

What you need:
1. Toothpaste
2. Washcloth or a Flannel
3. Water

Put a small amount of toothpaste on your cloth and just start rubbing! The darker the piece the more toothpaste. This can take some time, but the end result is well worth it. Once you've gotten your jewelry to that state you want it just lightly wet a clean cloth and wipe the toothpaste off. Dry thoroughly.

To keep your pieces from turning black again store them in a plastic ziplock bag with a piece of chalk.

Here are some of the results I've had:

Sister Hood

A couple of weeks ago I helped my sister paint and move into her new apartment in Silver Lake see more here. So this past Monday I had promised her that I would come over and help her organize her place. My sister is exactly the same as I was at 28. Nothing really has a home, everything seems to be disorganized chaos. It drives us both nuts. Housekeeping is truly a constant battle.

So after finally admitting defeat due to my back and fun daylong seasickness we ended up taking a walk around her 'hood. It's an interesting area. Tons of Vegan and Vegetarian restaurants, juice bars, coffee shops. All things that make my sister one happy girl. Did I mention she has a yummy Gelato place just around the corner from her? Also the weekly Farmer's Market takes place right outside her front door. I'd say she has a pretty fantastic set-up.

Checking out the stores. Lots of art pieces everywhere. Ended with a nice dusk walk.

Memorial Weekend Madness

Otherwise entitled The Things You Do For Family. My sister informed me last Thursday that I would be helping her move over Memorial Day weekend. Not only move actually, she also informed me that I would be helping her paint. What she failed to mention was that she hadn't even decided on her paint color, nor had she packed a single thing. Enter long long weekend here.

Fortunately she and our good friend did all of the heavy lifting. I mainly scrubbed her floors and carried all the light stuff. Since there were only a few of us there to help it took the majority of the day to get it all done. 

Cat Love: My Buddy

My cat Leo loves me.

Shh....don't tell the others, but he's my favorite too.

Shortest Night Out...Ever

After he outed himself in a tweet. Which is a whole other story, a very old friend of mine let me know that he was in town last night and invited me out to a pre-E3 party at the Broadway Bar.

It took me a long time to decide whether I wanted to go out or not. Whether I wanted to deal with parking and driving downtown. Whether I wanted to change out of my comfy sweats and into evening attire. The party started at 7 but I didn't make my final decision until 8:45pm due to text reception delays. I didn't really know what to expect. Going out in LA is always a crap shoot, especially in downtown. I didn't really relish driving or walking around by myself in that area, not to mention finding parking. Then there was figuring out what to wear. As far as the attire goes, I tend to always be either overdressed or underdressed. I had just gotten a new dress in the mail and decided to break it in. At least I knew I'd feel good in it regardless.

So I may have only been out for half an hour, but at least I looked good doing it!

By the time I found parking and got into the party it was around 9:30, maybe 9:45. It was nice catching up, although it was warm and extremely loud so we probably only caught every other word that we were saying. It was nice to be reminded of a different time in my life, when I had guy friends who I would talk to for hours on end. That's right I said Guy friends.

About 10:15 my friend and his co-workers decide that they were done with the party and ready to head back to their hotel. My first thought was "Seriously? I just got here!" But then, I could have been there 2 hours earlier like they had been and really it was my own fault for getting there so late in the first place. We made our last round of the bar and then they very nicely offered to walk me to my car. Since Mr. Mine was working a late shift I offered them a ride back to their hotel, The Commerce Casino. Which was $50/night, but a $30 cab ride to get to.

I ended my evening around 11:30pm. When I finally reached my apartment a nice surprise was waiting for me :) Mr. Mine unexpectedly came home early! Yay for more Honey Time!

Ladies that Brunch!!! Royal/T Cafe

The delightful Royal/T Cafe in Culver City. Our KTG Group met for brunch this past weekend and decided to try out a new spot! I have to say I love everything about this cafe. It's a huge warehouse space, open and airy. Lots of bright colors, in addition to providing yummy food it also doubles as a art gallery, florist, dance floor, and novelty shop. We had so much fun!

We ordered so many delicious things. Fruit salad, omelets, salads, french toast, sauteed veggies and even a Lox plate.Yummy teas and mint lemonades too!

It just wouldn't have been Brunch without some Mimosas so we opted to try their signature Blood Orange ones.

When we were done devouring the deliciousness we decided to check out the space. Especially the novelty store. Loved all the little oddities.

So sad that there is a rumor this place will be closing in August. I want one of everything there!

Pillow Perfection

Meet the latest addition to the bedroom. It's taken me a while to find one that I thought fit well with our crazy color scheme. But I think this one finally works. Or works enough anyways :)

 

For more pics on the color scheme click here.

Honey Time

So Mr Mine has been working steadily crazy hours for the past few weeks. Which means he's at work 7 days a week up to 20 hours a day. So whenever there is a slight lull in the chaos we try to at least have breakfast together. Saturday was one of those rare days and we decided to head up to Melrose and our favorite breakfast spot, Blu Jam Cafe. Unfortunately when we got there the line was starting to wrap around the block and knowing that our time was short we decided to go with plan B. Which was to have a breakfast croissant at one of our old haunts. Driving there we started to pass a restaurant with the letters bld on it and Mr Mine mentioned that he had always wanted to try this place. At which point we both just looked at each other and then he pulled over and we jumped out. Bld stands for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which I am sad to say actually took me a minute (or 10) to work out. You can learn more about them here.

We got there at just the right time although we still had a long wait at our table. Of course since we were in a hurry it might have been only a few minutes, but it felt like an hour. We put in our order and eagerly awaited our first course. Which was an absolutely scrumptious chocolate croissant. I think this actually might have been the best chocolate croissant that I have ever had. I wanted to order a dozen to go, and would have if the hubby hadn't nipped that one in the butt.

Our main courses consisted of a delicious fried egg sandwich and wacky over the top stuffed french toast. Which was nothing I'd even think of putting together. Bacon, fruit compote, and creme fraiche inside, outside a delicate sprinkling of sugar powdery goodness.

One word: INTENSE.

Thank you for being a friend!

I love my friends. A big thank you to all of them. They have been rallying around me through this ordeal with breakfast drive-bys, emails, texts, phone calls, and even edible fruit arrangements!

Thank you so much for all of the love. I appreciate it more than words can say. This thing has me pretty beat down. It's different than anything I have ever experienced before. So all the support makes it just a little bit easier to deal with.

Physical therapy appears to be helping with my spine mobility. But my body is far from healed. And there are all these fun and unique side effects that have been popping up as well. The road feels like there is a long way to travel ahead. But I am trying to keep my spirits up and just taking things day by day.

I appreciate all of the check-ins! I don't know what I'd do without you all! xoxo

love and hugs,
Jess

Jessism of the Week: Marathon Runner

Ok, so maybe I don't run your normal average marathon. I'm more of a movie marathon runner. I run my own personal marathons on a regular basis. Whether it's watching an entire season of Bones, or maybe all eight Harry Potter Movies. I love Lie to Me and Bones marathons. And of course the dramatic world of Sex and the City. That show was just designed for ladies nights in. Most recently I did re-watch the entire Season 2 of Lie to Me and we watched all three of the Lord of the Rings movies( the extended versions).

My current obsession is with finishing Buffy. I started watching Buffy a long time ago with a good friend. I used to come over and we'd have dinner, watch three or four episodes and then I'd spend the night on the couch. Yeah this started when I was...25? Sleepovers just never get old. I think I just enjoy escaping into a world I enjoy for long periods of time. Like when you are enjoying a really good book.