Shirodhara at Burke Williams

The other night I had a dream that I was riding a bike down a hill and wanted to stop or slow down but my brakes weren't working so I had to use my feet to slow down the momentum.  Maybe it's just me (although I suspect it's not), but it seems like these days we lead such busy lives that it's hard to know how to slow down.  Aside from working fully time, my youngest son has auditions, rehearsals, dance classes and improv classes that keep me going nonstop.  As if that's not enough, I'm starting a new job on Tuesday and I thought it might be fun to throw a class in at the local community college (a math class at that!).  Oh and did I mention my husband is still deployed?

One of several sitting rooms, featuring a cozy little faux fireplace. 

Mac x Teraji Collection

The internet is abuzz with news of Teraji P. Henson's collaboration with Mac Cosmetics in a collection hitting stores in less than two weeks.  The Empire star took to her Instagram page this morning to announce the news of the release on September 6th and share a sneak peek with her followers.   

The collection will include Strip Me Down (a deep beige matte lipstick) and two skin finishes each selling for $33: Highlight the Truth (soft bronze with gold shimmer) and the appropriately named Teraji Glow (reddish-brown).  See below.

Lululemon Summer Workout Festival

You ever feel like you need a new workout plan?  It could be that your plan to get your body beach body ready by summer fell through or perhaps you've gotten bored with your regular workout.  Whatever the case may be, it's good to try something new every now and then which is how I found myself at the Americana at Brand once again...

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BINGO Under the Stars

Last night was a cool, clear summer night in Los Angeles.  The perfect setting for BINGO Under the Stars with Bingo Boy and Deven Green at the Americana at Brand in Glendale.  The event happens about three times per year and it's a pretty hot ticket that always sells out.  Why shouldn't it?  A mere $15 buys your a delicious prix fix menu selection from one of the Americana's finest restaurants along with your bingo cards which you play in a beautiful, posh setting with some the best and most fun bingo callers in the business. 

#mybeautymysay

It happens in lunchrooms with classmates or co-workers.  While watching athletic competitions on television in mixed company.  Amongst family.  Countless times I've personally observed men and women commenting on the physical appearance of female athletes.  "She looks like a man."  "Look at her ass."  As if she's her abilities are secondary to her aesthetics. 

I remember being in high school I developed way too early and began wearing heavy coats to cover my body because I didn't want the attention or commentary my womanly form might bring.  I can only imagine how much that feeling must be magnified for a female athlete has to get out on the field or court in front of onlookers who are judging her body or picking her apart when she just wants to play the game. 

It's not ok.  Especially when the media is perpetuating the negative commentary which seems to desensitize the masses and make it feel okay to talk about women in this way.  I stand with Dove in their #mybeautymysay campaign to change the way female athletes are depicted and discussed in the media.  Hopefully it will impact the way the rest of the world views female athletes so we can focus on their abilities.  Not their appearance. 

Mauve/Dusty Rose/Soft Begonia

Victoria's Secret Pink calls it Soft Begonia

I've always loved pink but I could never get away with wearing it- it just doesn't seem to compliment my skin tone or whatever.  However, sometime last year Victoria's Secret released several items from their Pink line in a color they called "Soft Begonia."  I tried on a high neck tank in this hue and to my delight it looked great on me!  So I bought a racer back and then a tee in that color.  Whatever I could find!  

Back to School

Some moms do a happy dance on the first day of school.  Not me.  No, I'm a big punk.  I didn't cry but I came pretty close.  Sending my youngest off to middle school was harder than I imagined it would be.  It was confirmation that there are no more babies in my house and a reminder that time does, indeed, fly by way too fast.  I take solace in the fact that I know we made the most of summer, creating the kind of memories that will spark nostalgia whenever he smells ocean air or tastes kettle corn...  

Staples FTW

It's that time again!  Summer is over, school is starting and your kids need new school supplies!  Is it just me or does that list longer and longer every year?  Not to worry!  Staples has you covered with everything you need.  The best part though?  They offer 110% price matching which means you don't have to drive to seven different stores to find the best deals (you can even do it in person or online).  Check out their Less List for great prices on everything from notebook paper to Kleenex (teachers can't get enough of that stuff- it's always on my classroom wish list).

I apologize if I sound like an ad.  I promise I wasn't paid or compensated to say any of this- I'm just really excited about all the ways Staples is helping me save money. Oh, and time too!  You can order online and pick up in store in an hour.  Boom.  You're welcome!

A Toast 2 Artistry

It's Friday night and you need to let your hair down after a hectic work week.  You want to hang out with the girls but you've outgrown the club scene and dinner's been done.  What do you do?  If you're me you seek out something a bit outside the box which is how I ended up at A Toast 2 Artistry in Los Angeles tonight for some wine and painting with a great group of ladies. 

Suicide Squad

Let me start by saying, like most of you, I heard all the negative reviews by critics prior to seeing Suicide Squad and for a brief moment I nearly let it deter me from seeing it opening weekend.  Nearly.  I'm glad I didn't though because, while I did find it to be a little all over the place, I enjoyed it for the DC comic book movie that it was. 

The action scenes were decent.  Visually it was pretty cool- I felt like I was reading a comic book while watching the movie, if that makes sense.  And I enjoyed the characters (especially Harley Quinn) a lot.  This is coming from someone who hasn't read the comic books or know their backstories.  I think the movie did a good job of presenting them to us enough to tell their story- who they were, what they did and why they're on the Suicide Squad.  So I wasn't lost in that respect.  It was more so the story line that didn't seem to be rooted in a solid plot that threw me off here and there but that was minimal.

The bottom line here is its a fun ride and if that's what you're looking for, I wouldn't let the critics pans sway you. 

McDonald's New Menu Changes

If you're anything like me you grew up on McDonald's food.  Nothing made me happier than opening a Happy Meal box to find a six piece box of Chicken McNuggets and crispy, golden fries waiting for me inside.  Of course, this was the 80's, prior to nutrition labels on everything we eat and before we became incessantly curious about how are food is grown, sourced and prepared.  These are all fair questions and I'm glad that McDonald's has taken note of the fact that consumers are more savvy when it comes to the food we eat.  I spent my Friday afternoon at Blogher 16 in Los Angeles learning a pretty good deal about their existing and newer practices. 

We were joined by Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, Marion Gross, and Director of Culinary Innovation, Chef Jessica Foust, RD.  Something I always wondered was why can't fast food companies just use whole foods and prepare them fresh every day?  It's something they touched on and essentially it comes down to the availability of products, cost to keep prices relatively low, and whether consumers will actually buy the products.  Look, fast food is fast food and it will never be nearly as good for you as fresh, whole foods prepared at home.  The general sense I got is that they're striving to meet consumers half way by making a concerted effort to improve practices for the benefit of their consumers.

Blogher 16

Hello friends!  I just got home from my first Blogher conference and I am both incredibly exhausted and extremely pumped. What a great first day!  I wasn't quite sure what to expect but everyone is so nice and there is really so much to learn.  I look forward to sharing a more in depth account of my experience with you all (and why you shouldn't miss the next one) soon but for now head over to Instagram @anlamamablog and follow me as I continue to explore all that the conference has to offer! 

Cabinet of Curiosities

Starting this weekend, on August 6th, Downtown L.A.'s historic Union Station will unveil a new art exhibit,"Cabinet of Curiosities" in its Grand Waiting Room.  The original installation will feature the works of local artists Tanya Brodsky, David DiMichele, Ashley Hagen, Noel Korten, Keith Lord, Cecilia Minucchi, and Andre Yi viewed through peepholes, giving patrons a unique vantage point into the artist's vision. 


Cabinet of Curiosities, part of Union Stations 1st annual Summer Entertainment Series, will be on display through August 31st and will include an artist's reception on Sunday, August 7th.  For more information, visit unionstationla.com.