Chorizo y Huevos

At any given moment there are between 1 and 37 different guys at my house building things. They come and they go, some stay for days, others have been here for years it seems, just like that painter on Murphy Brown. I don’t tend to interact with them much besides the usual pleasantries, “hello” “how are you” “would you mind moving your buzz saw out of the way” etc, etc. But this morning as I came back from dropping the boys off at pre-school I walked up on a group of workers having breakfast. I was mostly intrigued by the site of a hot plate. I mean, I haven’t even cooked in this house and these guys brought a hot plate just so they’d have warm breakfast!! I love it!

The Good Stuff

When they saw me walked up, they were a little confused but since they’re polite they asked me if I wanted to join them. Now, I’m sure this was just a precautionary be-nice-to-the-home-owner invite but I was WAY jazzed to eat tacos for breakfast and so I lined up with the rest of the guys.

Homemade Salsa

The filling was chorizo and eggs with a little onion and the salsa was a mix of tomatoes and (apparently) a chili with the full power of the sun because my eyes are still burning! Everything was homemade and fresh by Juan (the guy who installs my base shoe, whatever that is!) and it was SO good! It reminded me of our trip to Mexico when had those amazing tacos off the truck it also made me think of restaurants and how they have family meal. Have you heard of that? Every day the chefs in the back, make food for the crew, not stuff from the menu, just stuff that sounds good that day… it’s rumored to be the best food you’ll ever eat. This was like that. A bunch of guys from various places, all huddled over a hot plate sharing Juan’s tacos in the mid-morning sunshine.

Hot Plate Tortillas

I got a good breakfast, met some nice guys and learned that you can use avocado leaves to steam fish… Juan’s promised to show me how, apparently he’s quite the cook. It was a nice start to the day, and reminded to always be open to a new experience. A great meal, or a fellow food lover can be found in the most interesting places.

Photo By Juan

Who is Tank?

On Saturday I was at Target shopping for October’s birthday cards (happy birthday Heather) and I found this shoved into the slot where a birthday card should have been. I started to put it back, and then I couldn’t. It felt so odd to have some nameless faceless person’s shopping list in my hand and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by what they were shopping for. I realize I’m a weirdo, but there are so many unanswered questions I can’t help but be curious about.

First of all, what or who is Tank? It’s capitalized so maybe that’s a husband or a boyfriend and she’s made a list for him of items to pick up. A lover named Tank? This person just got WAY more interesting!

Also, I love how she has different items from different stores… a bargain hunter and a little OCD. My kind of gal!

The Target list tells us – she likes boxed wine… that makes two of us comrade! She needs tampons… kudos to Tank for being secure enough to buy these for her. Also, she needs a thank you card… this confuses me because on the Rite Aid list she needs a 70th Birthday Card. Why not get these from the same place? Does Rite Aid have the market cornered on great geriatric cards?? Another mystery.

Furthermore everything that’s on her list for other stores, could all be purchased at Target… does that seem weird to anyone else?

Regardless it looks like this mystery lady and Tank enjoyed a lovely dinner of boxed wine and bbq beef (which sounds like a nice Saturday night to me), but the other clues, like “CALIF” might never be solved.

Burn Baby Burn

Why recount these atrocities here? To remind you that you will NEVER be good at anything in life (especially cooking) if you don’t fail every now and again. You’ll never learn anything new, and you’ll never grow in skill without work. You’ll never accomplish that soufflé if you don’t destroy the soufflé a few times in the process.

I know SO many people who say they can’t cook, but have never actually tried. Or maybe you tried once and it was a nightmare and everyone got food poisoning… guess what? That’s life. You fell repeatedly before you learn to walk and the same goes for any other skill.

So I have to ask… what will it hurt to give it a try?? Start with something simple, start with something you know… can you sauté chicken?? Great, why not try a new marinade or an unusual spice?? Only proficient at pre-packaged dinners? Awesome, add some green chilies, or red pepper flakes, or some fresh vegetables… figure out ways you can add pizazz. It is only through experimenting that you’ll add to your repertoire!! If it’s terrible, you can always feed it to the dog (or the garbage disposal) either way, you tried something new and I’m proud of you!!

My Inner Child

Today I find the need to let you know what’s been going on in my world over the last several months, and to clue you in on my plans for 2010. In the last quarter of 2009, I felt my usual end-of-the-year burnout creeping in. The tough part was that while I’m usually able to shake this off, I just couldn’t pull myself out of this funk. That’s when it occurred to me… maybe this year, I wouldn’t try a quick fix, I would really listen to what my heart was saying. What was it saying? It was saying I’m exhausted. I’m mentally and emotionally worn out, and I’ve felt that way for so long I don’t even remember when I didn’t feel this tired. Sadly, I don’t think I’m the only one. I think all around me, friends and aquaintances are coming off a tough year and asking themselves “What’s Next?”

For me, I’ve decided what’s next is a lot more passion and a lot less work. I’m being extremely picky about the clients I’m taking on this year, choosing those that make me happy or let me affect something for the greater good. I want a year where I remember to feed myself, to walk my dogs, to read a book, or go to the gym (not because I’m trying to lose 5 lbs by Friday, but because it makes me feel good). I want to travel more, and cook more, and not work so much that I make myself sick (she says as she hacks into her tissue). I’m really looking at what I NEED this year. Turns out it’s not the image of the Under 30 Entrepreneur with a client list a mile long and the loft downtown… I’ve had that, and going into year six of this company I realize how much stress and hours it takes to keep that up; and you know what, I’m just not interested anymore.

So what does this mean for My Chic Life?? It means that this blog is going to be a lot more personal going forward, a lot more about my life… me trying new recipes or going on hikes, or party tips for parties I actually have time to throw! I want to figure out how to cook quinoa and make my Grandma’s plum jam, I want to take more pictures and do more things worth taking pictures of! You see, I’ve always loved the word “Chic” because Chic is the PURSUIT of something better. It’s not a state of being, it’s a state of becoming… so I’m not changing the title, because Chic definitely applies. I’m just changing my beliefs about that title… because instead of just writing about having a Chic Life, now I plan to actually start living one.

So stay tuned… starting tomorrow I promise to get back in the blogging saddle and share some stories on my journey into a happier new year!

Sincerely,

Rachel

What I mean by that is most top stylists always look so grungy. Most top hairdressers usually have bad hair. I do have an exception however, and his name is Tom Ford. I was afforded the privilege of standing two feet away from this universally renowned designer, and all I can say is that he is breathtaking.

Not only was he so chic in his tailored suit, but he simply glides across the room with his elegant face and *surprisingly* friendly demeanor. All I could do was stand there and hope I didn’t look like an absolute dirt bag, because truthfully I became so self conscious at that moment. All joking aside, this is the man who revived the Gucci label and who brought back Yves Saint Laurent to the mainstream – to the point that we’ve abbreviated it “YSL”. A true genius is Tom Ford.

BRAD PITT'S STACHE

Okay, so RACHEL is gonna hate this one, but whether she likes it or not, The MUSTACHE is back in business. Earlier this year I shaved myself one of these little flavor savors because I thought it would be funny, but actually thought it was boyish and classy. So it turns out, I was totally right and I just had to know exactly how to shape my style. After moving to San Francisco, I was dumbfounded by the amount of mustaches. From the STRAIT men with CHIC urban duds, right down to the fixie riding hipster… everyone is partaking in the fuzzy little landing strip! Teen heartthrob (and not so teen), James Franco sported a little painters brush style mustache in the Oscar winning movie Milk. This was a marketing overhaul for our lip warming friends. The list of celebrities who have been photographed with different variations of the stache include Brad Pitt, Jude Law, Robert Downy Jr.,Collin Farrel, George Clooney…. and the list goes on and on.

Now I know what your thinking, but just ask your parents…. The mustache has always been a form of male stature. The earliest mustache ever reported was on tablet drawings from ancient Greece in 300AD depicting men of stature fighting wars with nothing on but Sandals and a Handlebar. (I don’t even want to know how the treated razor burn in 300AD). In the 20′s, the mustache represented class, and status. Skip ahead to the 70′s and the mustache was a right of passage (hence the porn refrences) . In the 80′s Tom Selleck paired up with his furry little friend and fought crime once a week on the show Magnum PI. This, in my opinion, is where the world found its negative association with the mustache. The mustache has had a great vacation, but now after 25 years in hiding, its back and more diverse than ever.

MY NEW STACHE

Clearly the mustache is not for everyone but if you feel inclined to explore your face (or your mans face), check out the different styles you can choose from. Now, I know some women agree with Rachel and think, “no way on the stache “, but let your man give it a shot… It only takes a couple days to grow back. You never know, maybe your just scared because your excited.

Let us know what you think….

Kama Sutra

Ever since Diane Von Furstenberg (one of my personal idols) came out with her Sutra Bracelets I’ve been obsessed. Every time I see her wear them I die a little in adoration. They’re so big, so chunky, so freaking gold! Oh my God, I WANT this bracelet!!!

Here’s the thing though, this bracelet, is $14,000.

Did you just throw up in your mouth? Yeah, me too.

I’ll bet you anything there are pretty good knock offs I could find for a great deal less, but the thing is, I’d rather hold out for the real thing. I know that splurging on a bracelet that costs more than my first car isn’t possible anytime in the near future (not unless I want my husband to divorce me) but I think holding out for something aspirational is good for the spirit. It’s motivating and a beautiful dream (maybe for you that’s a Harley, a bottle of Dom, or a First Class trip to Europe) but we all need to believe in our own ability to achieve something lofty.

Diane herself is the author of one of my favorite qoutes, she said

“I was very lucky, to have become the woman, I always wanted to be”

Isn’t that devine?

So I hope you keep dreaming your big dreams readers, and I’ll keep dreaming of becoming the woman I always wanted to be… the one who buys herself the DVF Sutra Bracelet in Bold.

Alright Chic Readers…. I’m not gonna lie, I’m so excited about this product I could just spit. Just keep in mind I do not work for this company, nor does Chic Events. If you go and burn off your hand or take out an eye… its your own damn fault.

In the 8th grade my voice dropped 3 octaves and my days of being jealous of Warren Davis’s pre-mature armpit hair were over. Puberty was dawning and it was glorious. However, no one really prepares you for a side effect of growing up that is different for everyone, ACNE!!! I have been lucky enough to never have dealt with severe acne or facial scarring however up until last year I had a problem with Papules. These Papules are the pimples you feel coming sometimes days in advance. They are sore like a bruise, and no matter what other people see on your face, you feel them 100 times more. About a year ago at the age of 29 (which is the new 19 btw), I ran across a product called ZENO at my local target store. I went home and did research on the product reviews because at 100 bucks, (plus 20 bucks for a replacement head every 45 treatments), I wasn’t about to through down for something that may not work. I ‘m not Jenny from the block after all.

After a week and 2 more zits approaching, I decided to take my chances… I was dealing with an all out Paris and Nicole war on my face. At some points I could have sworn they were taking on heartbeats of their own… I purchased the Zeno and after 1 treatment using the infrared heat directly on the problem area… my pain was gone. I continued with two more treatments every 2 hours on the same area and with 24 hours, all traces of the blemish were gone. I have been Papules free for over a year now and have lent the product to a few friends who have also had success! The bottom line is Zeno changed my life.

After more research, Zeno is the same technology that dermatologist used to charge up to $400.00 a visit for when clearing skin. Now you can buy that technology and keep it in your book bag, purse, or if your a hipster; your canvas tote. I know its sounds crazy and to good to be true but I am walking proof. I now have a deep voice, body hair, and thanks to Zeno clearer skin…. I am officially a man….. Chic is Zeno!

wwwmyzeno.com

Deep in the Heart of Texas

As I type this, I’m flying God-knows-how-many miles above the earth, headed for Dallas Texas, and I’m struck at how much has changed in my life since the last time I came to Dallas 4 years ago. For one thing, they didn’t have wireless internet on airplanes back then and I was cramped in a center seat in the back of the plane (unlike the decadent First-Class Lazy Boy I’m sitting in now). More than that though, is the amazing transformation my company and my career have undergone. 

4 Years ago I was still rather green in my field and headed to Texas (on my 22 birthday) to attend The Special Event Show conference. For those of you not in my industry, just imagine the Super Bowl of event planning conferences and you’ll get some idea. At the time I had hired my first “real” employee and brought her along on the trip as a “perk”… never mind that I really couldn’t afford the expense, I believe in education and growth and wanted her to get both. At the time I did 98.9% social events and charged far too little for all of them. At the time I still worked out of my basement and fantasized constantly about what it would feel like to finally “Make It”.

I don’t know if I’d say that I’m “made it”, but I will say that I find it so spectacular that my career (and my company) are right where I’d hope they’d be. I’m headed on this business trip to shoot another episode of the show I’ve been hired to host (debuting this spring on WE tv) and I’ve left behind an office of incredibly talented (and more importantly, competent) employees who will continue to keep the ship afloat in my absence. We have a docket of events lined up that are not only exciting but PROFITABLE (imagine that!) and I somehow have managed, (at least this week) to get to the gym often, put down the blackberry (occasionally) and not drink quite as much wine as the week before. So… from my perspective, which is legitimately, the 50,000 foot level, I’ve come a long way baby and I’m excited to see what lies ahead!

underage and overdressed

…but seriously???? Miley Cyrus on the August cover of ELLE is a little preposterous.  Don’t get me wrong…I’m totally Team Miley. Love Hanna Montana. Lover her jams. Yet, to be honest, her serious teeny bopping face on the cover of ELLE kind of weirded me out. I mean, come on, SHE”S SIXTEEN. The fact that she’s on the cover of ELLE at all is a little ridiculous but then they had to make her all high fashion and solemn and shiz. I get that she’s launching a line at Wal-Mart so the whole fashion magazine spread makes sense but the expressions she makes kill me. Come on, let the girl smile a little. 

Am I the only one completely annoyed by this????  Check out the rest of the ELLE spread on and let me know what you think.

Maybe I’m just jealous