A Web & Graphic Designer Inspired through Running & the Great Outdoors

Well, I am off to a not -so-good start, my second post for the Monday Funday column got postponed a day. My apologies friends, that’s what happens when you have way to much fun for your own good over the weekend.

Never fear, it’s here today!

And after all the FUN, we have a non-alcoholic drink on tap today. It’s a little detox for your kidneys and liver, if you need it like i need it, heck even if you don’t, it’s delicious, so why wouldn’t you?

Here’s what you need for your detoxifying green smoothie:

1/2 cup frozen mangos

1/2 frozen banana

handful of fresh spinach

1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

1/2 scoop whey protein powder

10-20 drops of liquid chlorophyll ( I use one from Whole Foods, similar to this)*

couple ice cubes

Just throw everything into your blender and whirl away. Pour into glass and enjoy the taste of detoxification!

 

And if you aren’t sure about the liquid chlorophyll the smoothie is teh best way to try it, you won’t even know it’s in there. After three days of using it every day, you should see clearer skin! I know I did. Yeah, I’m kinda addicted. I love it so much I just add it to water once a day if I don’t make this smoothie. I like the slight peppermint taste it adds to my water. Try it!

*Studies have shown that Chlorophyll increases our red blood cell count, helps fight infection, treat acne and improve the look of skin, and promote the health of our digestive track and immune system, among much more. You can read more here.

 

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately, and thus have a pile of books that I am reading, want to read and need to read when they come out. Here’s what’s on my list this month.

For the business side:

Since recently starting on the path to (graphic designer) freelance, I have been reading up on a lot of books for business. The first one I ever got when I was thinking about making the jump was, naturally, “Creative Inc.” by Meg Ilasco and Joy Cho. It’s my bible. Highly, highly recommend it to anyone starting out or veteran, there’s stuff in there for everyone.

The next one I want to read, but have not yet is “Design is a Job” by Mike Monteiro. Anyone read it yet? Let me know what you think.

And “Start Something That Matters” by the founder of Toms shoes Blake Mycoskie. What an inspirational story for business.

And of course, we can’t forget summer reading lists are coming out. I mean who doesn’t need a good book for the beach. And since I live at the beach, literally, I have quite the pile starting.

My book club just finished reading “The Fault in our Stars” by John Greene this month. What a great inspirational story about a girl falling in love while being sick with cancer. A tear-jerker in the end, but worth every tear. A definitely must read this year, great for the beach. It’s one of the fastest reads I have read in a while. I went through easy-breezy in a week, though some of the girls in book club said one day and they were done. It’s that great.

“Feeling the Shoulder of the Lion”, while not a light read, it supposed to help with the ego and open us up to the universe and our spiritual being. We all need to work on ourselves, all the time.

And after digesting all those books, light and not so, here’s one you can really consume this summer. Mrs. Lilien is one of my favorite lifestyle blogs around. And it’s only fitting that she came out with her first book, a “Cocktail Swatchbook” with delightful cocktails to flip through and make. It’s not out until the end of May, but worth adding to the list. I know it’s on mine.

What’s on your summer reading list? Recommendations?

Sooner or later to be on Saturday Night Live, today’s artist is a new favorite of mine, Of Monters and Men. They’ve been around since 2010, this Icelandic Indie-pop group recently released their first full album ” My Head Is an Animal” this year. And it’s just brilliant.

This was a No. 1 hit in Iceland last year, oh and this video just happens to be all sorts of amazing! I particularly love the gold lips and butterfly eyes… oh and guys there’s cool sea monsters and a psychedelic flying buffalo to boot! I dare you not to buy the album after a listen. It just makes me want to get outta my seat.

Happy Friday!

A live version of my favorite tune of theirs right now:

This week has been one of those touch and go weeks. Just when I think I have had enough, something great happens, and it lifts me right back up.

I am thankful for:

• friends that love fitness, makes it easier (and more fun) to stay in shape for sure

• an understanding landlord

• music, especially NPR and KCRW, they get me through it all when I am home working alone
(Image: Getting ready to BBQ a chicken on Cinco de Mayo with my mom, always a fun time)

Its National Moving Month, and it’s official, our movers are booked. So, I thought I would share some of my inspiration for our new interior decor.

A must have: bright couch or other focal point in a mostly neutral room.

A great clean room with some floral, yet masculine wallpaper or art decor.

Rustic reclaimed wood for the dining room table with mix matched chairs.

Some great unique and creative lighting options and plants in the bathroom! Love that idea.

Last but not least, a cozy outdoor space for our amazing view of the Marina and Venice! So fortunate I get to live here soon!

And if you want to see more of my inspiration for the new place, I am always on Pintrest!

[images: 1 \ 2 \ 3 \ 4 \ 5 \ 67 \ 8 \ 9 \10 \ 11 ]

I woke up today to blue skies and sunshine for the first time in a few days, one of the few downsides to living close to the beach, the marine layer in the Spring. Still never any complaints here. But the clear skies and calm waters always inspire me to workout.

Here’s what I am doing (and already have done) this week in workouts:

Monday: my favorite yoga class at my favorite studio.

Tuesday: Full Workout (10 minutes of abs, 30 minutes of hard cardio, 20 minutes of strength training, 15 minutes of stretching)

Wednesday: 45 minutes run with the girls in Santa Monica

Thursday: Yoga in the morning & swim at lunch

Friday: Quick 30-45 minutes cardio only workout in the gym

Saturday: Day off (bachlorette celebration in Ojai)

Sunday: Full Workout (10 minutes of abs, 30 minutes of hard cardio, 20 minutes of strength training gonna try this workout, and finish with 15 minutes of stretching)

And if you need more motivation read this.

Listen & Wear

I love the idea of incorporating some fashion/beauty into my blog. And I love music so much I thought I would mash the two up together, music I love into a fabulous outfit. If it’s a hit I might even start doing it somewhat regularly, you just never know…

Go listen to the entire album here.

(album cover image shirt | jeans | sandals | bag | Beach Oil | Lip tint)

Monday. Funday?

Who like Mondays?

Anyone?

Didn’t think so.

On that note, I have decided to dedicate Monday’s posts to a new “Beverages” Column. Being that today is the inaguaral post, I made sure it was, yep you guessed it, an adult beverage! Cheers!

I dont know about you, but I love artichokes. You know that infamous question what would your last meal before you die be? Well, let’s just say artichokes would be on mine. (oh, yea, and I almost got a tattoo of one as well, still might…?)

I digress, a friend of mine saw a bottle of liqueur with an artichoke on it and naturally thought of me.

Have you ever had a sip of Cynar? I hadn’t. It’s intense. I think it is an acquired taste straight, that’s for sure. But that will not detour me!

Basically, Cynar is an italian bitter liqueur made of various herbs and plants, the main on being artichokes (don’t worry it’s tastes nothing like artichokes). And it’s an aperitif, which to me means it’s healthy and must be consumed regularly! (He, he!)

Since I didn’t think I could do it straight, I was forced to come up with other ways to consume this amazing artichoke liqueur. There are many ways to do that, but this was my taste tasted favorite.

I call it the Cynar Sizzle, cause it’s perfect for summer, light, refreshing and good for your healthy swimsuit-ready body!

Here’s what you’ll need:

2 oz. Cynar

3/4 oz.  St. Germain

3/4  oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

2 oz. Selzer

Kumquats, for garnish

1st: Combine Cynar, St. Germain and Lemon Juice into cocktail shaker with ice.

2nd: Shake it all around. Shake. Shake. Shake.

3rd: Stain into Cocktail glass with fresh ice.

4th: Add Selzer and Kumquat slices.

5th: (and most important) Cheers! It’s Monday!

Today’s going to be a bit of a double header. Hope you don’t mind. Didn’t think so.

A few years ago, I saw the swedish indie/electro pop group, Miike Snow perform live at the Echoplex in Los Angeles. And opening for them another brilliant artist, British musician Jack Piñate.

Today I feature both. Mostly because I have been listening to Miike Snow’s sophomore album nonstop since it came out a few months ago. It’s just magical.

From his latest album “Happy to You” (and my two personal favorites, though they really are all amazing):

And one oldie but good, from the first self-titled Album:

And as it’s double feature day, Jack’s here too. And well, he’s just dreamy. Oh, And his music is also brilliant. Although he doesn’t have a new album out. His first two were great, you just must check it out. But don’t dismay just yet, he doesn’t have a delicious new single out called “No One Lied”:

And an couple oldies but goodies from his second album “Everything is New”:

Both, I can only imagine if they keep going up, can’t avoid SNL in their future.

Enjoy! And Happy Friday!

Hip Hip Hooray! I am posting my Thursday Thanks on time this week. There’s something to be thankful for right off.

But in all seriousness, I am heading home again this weekend, for various different reasons. The top being to see my grandfather who is recovering from a stroke. And also sto say hi to my mother who has been in Florida for the past month.

I am thankful…

• that I get to spend time with my grandparents

• for a mister that is so flexible with me and is willing to travel (aka Drive) home to Palm Springs with me, stop for date shakes at Hadley’s and play golf and tennis, it’s rough ;)

• for a budding freelance career and limitless possibilities, and wonderful clients

• for KCRW and Jason Bentely’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, it gets me through hours of work, joyfully

• May 5th, for many reasons: one, I am Mexican; two, I love beer and tacos (well all Mexican food really); three, it’s my grandparents 72nd, yes, Seventy-second wedding anniversary (inspirational)

Happy early Cinco De Mayo!

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