Times are a changin

IN THE BEGINNING...
Being CEO of a household is a career that is both rewarding and stressful 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cooking, Entertaining, Cleaning, Shopping, Beauty (looking good), Exercise (feeling good), Being a good partner, Listener, Mother(i am not yet a mother but look forward to it). I will discuss my trials and tribulations of a career choice that is often overlooked by those that have a "9-5 salary" career.
NOW...
This was when I was CEO of "his" house. After all he was the one that "paid the bills." Now...I am no longer with him.  I will be writing about everything "house" and hopefully a new funny bit about starting over and being CEO of my house.  After all, I will still be Cooking, Entertaining, Cleaning, Shopping, Beauty (looking good), Exercise (feeling good) an much much more :)
TO BE CONTINUED...

Great finds for summer

I found the cutest beach/pool summer stuff at Old Navy for 40% off!!! Inflatable balls...rafts...swimmies :) Pier one is also having a great sale for patio... 25% off.  I found some really great things for the Memorial BBQ at great prices!! The decorating is almost complete :)

Have a beautiful day

out and about for a little retail therapy

We have decided to have a Memorial Day BBQ which means that I get to plan, organize, decorate and shop.  I love being creative and most of all I love a great excuse to shop.  I love shopping.  I love to look, to find great deals and I love the interaction with people in the different places that I visit.   For example, people at the grocery store give great tips and some look at me like... "is she really going to cook that successfully?"  I am completely consumed with anything for puppy right now... so I could listen for hours at PetCo about dog food (and I have).  And the trick to retail are skinny mirrors and a great sales person telling you just how fabulous you look in everything (even though you do not).  And we all know that a department store that has chose to use FLORESCENT LIGHTING can ruin your whole day so beware!!! I once said that I think everyone should work at a McDonalds and although I have never worked there I still think everyone should... at least for a day.  First for the experience... but most importantly because it is a well oiled machine that is constantly being simplified.  Whatever the experience, I just really enjoy being around a mix of people.  So I have my list of stores to visit and my menu made for the week.  Its time to shop till I drop or I have exceeded my budget. 

Have a beautiful day

I do not like green eggs and ham...

but I love Dr. Seuss.  I think that he had such a wonderful take on life.


“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”-- DR.SEUSS

dog whisperer where are you?!?!?!?!?!?!

Puppy is in a crazy mood today.  It is raining and she has played in the mud, dirt and puddles... into the bath tub she goes :) Fortunately she does not mind taking a shower.  However, what she does mind is not being able to go into the garden.  She just does not understand and is BORED.  She is acting out... the CEO of his business has a gash in his nose and I have a gash around my wrist.  Her razor sharp teeth make it look like I tried to slash my wrist open :(
PARVO is a deadly virus for puppies and in our area it is a  big problem.  So until her last round of vaccinations she is in quarantine.  She can not leave our house or go where other dogs go.  We do take her places and for rides in the car... but she can not walk around on the ground on a leash.  It is sad but only until June 28th that is how the cookie crumbles.  She is a good dog and is pretty laid back... but then all of a sudden she snaps and goes crazy sprinting from one side of the yard to the other and growling!! YIKES!! She is already retrieving, knows how to sit, and is down to about one pee pee accident a week (usually my fault).  She is very smart so I think that as soon as she understands that NO is a command and not her "name" we will be on the right track :)  Wish we were friends with the dog whisperer :)

Have a beautiful day!!

Order or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

I often hear myself and friends say "I am OCD."  Why do we label our cleanliness as a disorder... the disorder should be coined for the messy out of order people that make picking up and putting away a "repetitive behavior."  Why did the term OCD start being used so loosely? How did something positive like preferring a clean, uncluttered and organized house get labeled as a disorder.   I am by no means knocking anyone that actually has a compulsive disorder... I just think the term is overused.  The CEO of his business loves to say that I have "Select OCD," because I like to have everything in its place but some select things can be out of order.  First, the objects that are out of order are foreign, temporary objects that have been brought in and do not have a place.  Second, I have learned to give time and have a little patience before I start "nagging" or "complaining" about them being being left in a random place (usually right in the entrance of the house)... which has translated to the selective part.  Third, I have also learned that a grace period of a day or two is enough before I end up putting them away myself anyway.  Thank goodness for the garage which is our storage unit/"man cave."  That being said... I also have piles and messes that I make of things before they are ultimately put in there place.  And I always love having my "really" organized friends help organize.  I like to read tips on how to be more organized and strive to be the person that cleans out my closet often and organizes everything by color.  Not because I am obsessive but because I like things to be visually pleasing.  My closet is arranged by no sleeve, short sleeve, long sleeve, dresses (by sleeves and length), shorts, skirts, jeans, pants, juicy suits... so there is some order.   My shoe closet looks like a work of art... Oh how I love shoes!!! I keep his closet organized by color... but i just think that all of his clothes are easier to keep this way.  And the house needs to stay presentable at all times because there are people at our house most everyday.  I believe this is order... not obsessive-compulsive disorder.
I have been reading and recommend, "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui" By Karen Kingston. 

Have a beautiful day

Its not easy being green!!!

This has had me laughing and I thought I would share with the class :)

It is easy being green... poor Kermit :) These are a few of my favorite green things!! Arcona has a wonderful Green Tea lotion... and my favorite summer drink is the blended Moroccan Mint Green Tea with Boba from Urth cafe.  Green Tea has such great properties that makes it easy to be green... tea :) This is the list of benefits of green tea according to Healthmad.com

1. It is used to treat multiple sclerosis.
2. It is used for treatment and prevention of cancer.
3. It is used to stop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
4. It is used to raise the metabolism and increase fat oxidation.
5. It reduces the risk of heart diseases and heart attacks by reducing the risk of trombosis.
6. It reduces the risk of esophageal cancer.
7. Drinking green tea inhibits the growth of certain cancer cells, reduces the level of cholesterol in blood, improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.
8. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases
9. It is used to treat impaired immune function. .
10. Some researches show that, drinking green tea regularly may help prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria which causes the dental plaque. 

Have a beautiful day

a few of my favorite things...

I was the girl that dreamed of entering my corner office in Manhattan every morning.  Getting dressed in the morning started with a nice bath routine.  A long marble counter top full of product and girl goodies.  Entering my walk in, room of a closet and slipping on beautiful lacy lingerie, then the perfect fitting "power suit," choosing the perfect pair of "power pumps," detailed accessories, and jetting out of the door.  Being pampered would be a weekly "task"... not luxury :) Hair appointments, laser, nails, facials, body treatments... everything to keep me in the game.  Funny how guys just think we look good effortlessly :)
However, the path I chose was very different.  I went to work for a great company that had a very relaxed atmosphere far from NYC, far from dressing up and "power suits"... more like "juicy suits."  I do have a great loft right in the middle of the city and a fashion forward group of friends.  No room for any relationships... because I just didn't have the "time" nor had I met the right person to "make time" for. 
Enter the next stage of life... Meeting the man I had always dreamed about and also being the girl of his dreams.  After the proposal, the nesting stage set in and I wanted more than anything to take care of him, be with him and make sure that he was happy... and still do.  We both work at home and this is great because we can travel, be spontaneous and be together.  However, when he is the breadwinner and it is "his" money how do you ask for the things that make you feel like a pampered lady or just extra spending cash?  Just as the dust, dirt and clothes bunched up on the floor magically disappear and become clean, freshly laundered, folded, ready to wear items neatly placed in his drawers... We need time and the means to clean, primp, pamper, dress, and take care of ourselves.  I have not yet become completely dependent on the CEO of his business but these are the types of issues that concern me. 
So then do you get back in the rat race? Spend valuable time away from your partner? Put baby making on hold? Cancel out any chance of more than 2 weeks vacation a year? Leave the cleaning and taking care of the house to someone else?  NO!!! If you are fortunate to be CEOofMyHouse and take care of your family then these are all of the things that you love about being a homemaker...and sometimes love to hate.  No matter your money situation, most girls know how to do this on a budget... but we need a budget.  When you are the CEOofMyHouse and your income is worth the same as Monopoly money, how do you come to an agreement to have your "own" money and not having to constantly ask.  Money is a hard topic to approach and most often uncomfortable.  Should the CEO of his business be responsible for making the money and sharing it?  Well YES!  After all, taking care of your partner, the household, yourself, and family(kids, employees, pets) is a nonstop job and should be appreciated and respected by the "bread"winner.  You may not sit at a desk all day and "make" the money but you are CEOofMyHouse and that is a very respectable title filled with many major responsibilities. If you have a successful or unsuccessful story please comment.

Have a beautiful day

Dinner time

This time the CEO of his business will be preparing my favorite meal!! Italian :) I just love nights like these!!! I appreciate it sooooooo much!! It was so thoughtful of him to go to the Italian deli and bring back all of my favorite things to cook and has promised to clean!! 

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

"Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected (e.g., "I have great respect for her judgment"). It can also be conduct in accord with a specific ethic of respect. Rude conduct is usually considered to indicate a lack of respect, disrespect, whereas actions that honor somebody or something indicate respect."-- Wikipedia

As CEOofMyHouse I think that it is time that the important things are defined... yesterday appreciation, today respect, tomorrow there will be another one.  Having respect for someone and showing respect can often be difficult.  It seems that so many people (if not everyone) have such a struggle within themselves.  We have a difficult time saying what we mean, meaning what we say and/or doing what we say.  I do think that we have so many ways of communicating... that at the end of the day if you respect or have positive feelings of esteem for people then the attitude behind what you say or how you act will show through.  If you have not been such a respectful person in the past, I do believe that you can become respectful... and if you have been respectful most of your life, I believe you can become bitter.  Wikipedia does not say anything about respecting yourself... I think that if you have a positive feeling of esteem for yourself (not to be confused with a cocky ego) and life, your attitude will be positive.  Finding or having someone or many people to respect is a blessing often taken for granted.  Try being a positive role model, respect yourself and others, be open to new things, educate yourself, communicate with others, respect others point of view.  If you find all of this overwhelming... then just smile!! After all... "A smile is the universal welcome." ~Max Eastman

Have a beautiful day

to appreciate

Appreciate means to be grateful or thankful for anything (wikipedia)... and yesterday there was a lot of appreciation for mom from children but was there appreciation for mom from partner?  There was an article that explained that the day after mothers day is one of the days that women cheat (or sign up on a discrete dating service).  They say that the day after Valentines and New Years Eve are first and third.  They also go on to explain why... saying that men cheat because they are looking for sex and women seek attention that they're not getting at home making them feel undesirable and unvalidated.  And for many women that already suffer from lack of appreciation, these days are a continuation of neglect and disappointment. 

I have to say, in the first place, that appreciation works both ways.  Communication and recognizing the differences between men and women also helps.  Positive feedback increases positive feedback... negative feedback increases negative feedback!! And asking for what you want usually leads to getting what you want... not saying anything and expecting your partner to read your mind (unless they really are a mind reader) will get you no where.  If you are feeling lonely then you should write a letter, sit, talk or "make whoopie." Why in the world would you want to seek someone or something else? You married, or are with, the man/woman of your dreams so why wouldn't you appreciate them and make them happy.  How can cheating make things better? It is an awful band-aid that covers the wound with negative, makes you feel bad about yourself in the long run, and in turn can only make everything worse.  If you are not happy and have given up on the relationship do yourself and everyone around you a favor and end the relationship before you start another.  I am so sick of hearing about cheating.   When trust is broken... you can't take that back.  It sounds so easy and really it is... love the one your with!!!  Relationships are hard work and are worth it, to have a great relationship with the one you love.  When I ask the people who have relationships that I admire, "why they think they have such a good relationship?" they always say the same thing... respect, appreciation and love.  They make good partners and they work together.  There are tough times but with respect and appreciation you can make it through and trusting that you will be there for each other is key.  Please say out loud or write a sweet note to the one you love today :) Smile at them and ask for something that you want! Appreciate them and give something in return!!!

Have a beautiful day :)

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/mothersday/why-moms-cheat-on-their-man-the-day-after-mothers-day-1410231/

Vibrate please

Phone etiquette... why is it that someone does not make some rules about this.  I was in a nice restaurant enjoying a great dinner with friends when this high pitched, ear piercing, ring tone from a phone kept beeping.  One time ok...maybe they forgot to turn it down but multiple times... not ok!! I got up from the table, walked over and politely asked her to silence her phone.  P.S. if you are in a nice restaurant, or anywhere for that matter, you should not have your phone out anyway... you should be enjoying the people that you are with or what you are out doing.  If you do need your phone then please put it on vibrate :) you can still know who is calling, texting or emailing but others do not have to hear it.  I do not know what happened in the last 10 years that now everyone thinks the world might end if they do not have their phone with them, out on the table and on the loudest possible ring.  Your friends will not unfriend you on facebook... promise.  There are always emergency situations and exceptions... but please turn your phone to vibrate or silence when you are out in public :) keep your ring tones for your personal enjoyment. 
On a side note... I had no idea that children are using text so much that they are not speaking or socializing anymore.  This may seem funny at first because they sit around and type, but it is really sad.  There is a fear that they will not learn proper social skills and so on.  They will not be the ones with the ringer on but they will not be making eye contact, communicating verbally or sharing active moments.  An acquaintance of ours was saying the other day, that he asked his daughter why she was not using any minutes? He had bought her an iphone and her bill was $0.00.  She replied she uses her phone all of the time... but not to talk.  He looked through the bill and saw 15,000 texts!! That is insane.

Have a beautiful day

great for mothers day and any day :)

I just found www.spoonsisters.com and think it is great!!  Fun gift ideas and cute things for friends, entertaining, home, and even man gadgets :)

Have a beautiful day

little miss sunshine

I got bogged down with settling in, learning my way around, moving 3 times in the last year, new jobs, new friends, new relationship, new responsibilities... Finally I am going to come up for air.  With everything changing the only thing constant was "nesting" and it is a lovely but dangerous comfort zone.  I am no stranger to moving and have been lucky to find good friends in each place that I have lived.  I am from Georgia (three different towns and college), lived in Paris, moved to Salt Lake City, and now live in California.  I moved to "his" town and miss my family and friends from all across the US very much.  I found that because I got so wound up in being CEO of my house I forgot to make time for my"self" and relationships with friends.  I love the CEO of his business very much and I enjoy being with him most of the time(we both work from home)... but taking time to nurture other relationships is very important as well and I pushed that to the side.  As CEO of my house I choose to invest in my"self" which in turn will raise the stock of this business... It is amazing how an hour or two girl talk can snap you right back into shape. You can't make others happy if you are not happy... So it is important to keep your"self" happy.  In honor of Sex and the City coming out at the end of the month... I would just like to say thank you to all of my girlfriends (especially mom)!! Thank you for being wonderful!!! Please come visit or if you live in this town... Let's have lunch!!! 
"And remember, no matter where you go, there you are."  ~Confucius

Have a beautiful day

Its in his kiss... thats where it is!!

So in the movie date night, another reoccurring theme was "lighting it up." And how at the end of the day when you have worked, cleaned, cooked, cared for children... just getting yourself in bed takes every last bit of energy.  Much less "Lighting it up."  We can all get stuck in routine sometimes but just doing something completely different , even something small, shows that you are making an effort to light it up.  What may work for me and the CEO of his business may not work for you and your partner.  For example, I have found that just changing my "PJ's" or lack there of... has "lit him up."  I am not talking about trashy just simple... classy lace or tad see through.  It is pretty... I feel pretty... and he tells me just how pretty he thinks I am :) I have always said that I am more the "funny girl" and less the "kitten"... but he finds funny girl sexy so there you have it!! Listen to what he wants... maybe he does NOT want you to wear a lot of make-up, maybe he wants you to wear make-up, maybe he likes a certain outfit, maybe just dress up for no reason, maybe he likes a massage, a fun text, or a love note.  Whatever it is... as "CEO of my house" it is your responsibility that your partner gets a proper ROI (return on investment).  Just as he should light it up for you and do special things that you like... flowers, communication, massage, surprise spa day, a cute little note, a fun text, a lovely love affirmation... And please do not forget to kiss each other!!! My friend told me once that kissing just did not happen anymore after 5 years of marriage and it scared me.  As CEO of my house I put kissing in the "mission statement" and am keeping my fingers crossed that it stays an important part of our relationship.
Visit Victorias Secret, by a new shade of lipstick, use a new perfume, break out the markers and make a love note. Whatever you do, it is springtime... get some pep in your step... wake up and smell the roses :)

Have a beautiful day

When the moon hits you eye like a big pizza pie... That's amore

We went to see the movie Date Night last night...it was funny!!!  There was a reoccurring theme in the movie... he never closed a drawer and she let it all out about the day to day things that are done around the house.  In this house, that also seems to be a reoccurring theme :)  Why is it that we are always closing drawers/doors, picking up clothes and tidying all of the time... because we care!!! I feel that this house and its appearance is a good representation of my"self"... ourselves.  I feel that often there is a fine line between being a maid and being "CEO" and that fine line is you don't get paid and you don't get to leave :) All kidding aside, the fine line is pride, maturity and getting respect from your partner.  After all, if he treats you like a maid then you probably are... "perception is reality."  I am proud of the CEO of his business and the roof that he puts over our head.  I want people to feel comfortable and be in a clean environment when they visit... we are all grown up and don't live "frat house" style anymore.    Respect and appreciation from your partner makes you feel great... similar to positive reinforcement you get from coworkers or your boss.  However there always seems to be some left field comment the CEO of his business can come up with like "Why did you use my brush and not put it back?"... Ummmm hello "why do you use everything in the house and not put it back?"  Some may say we are OCD but I am not sure why we need to make everything a disorder or disease... why can't we just be clean, organized and proud of what we have big or small.   In the movie another couple was shown in living a completely different lifestyle arguing about the same stuff.  My friend once said "We have similar emotions just different lives."  It always seems that there is a "breadwinner" and a "homemaker" one from Mercury the other from Pluto.  "Agreeing to disagree" and "meeting in the middle" are very much terms to live by when you are with another individual who will not always have the same views, perspectives and/or opinions and that is OK!!! If we all thought the same way life would be boring.  This goes for friends too... there will sometimes be arguments but with a little compromise and respect... the love is there no matter what.  
THAT'S AMORE!!!!  

Have a beautiful day

comfort food

The weather has been cold and gloomy here and that really calls for comfort food.  The CEO of his business loves Shepherds Pie and Rachael Ray makes the easiest and best version.  I also added an easier step that makes this a fabulous recipe. 

• 2 pounds potatoes, such as russet, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons sour cream or softened cream cheese
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 cup cream, for a lighter version substitute vegetable or chicken broth
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
• 1 3/4 pounds ground beef or ground lamb
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup beef stock or broth
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire, eyeball it
• 1/2 cup frozen peas, a couple of handfuls
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Skip making the potatoes and pick up mashed potatoes in the deli section (whole foods has a mind blowing truffle mash!!
Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and pour them into a bowl. Combine sour cream, egg yolk and cream. Add the cream mixture into potatoes and mash until potatoes are almost smooth. 
While potatoes boil, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to hot pan with beef or lamb. Season meat with salt and pepper. Brown and crumble meat for 3 or 4 minutes. If you are using lamb and the pan is fatty, spoon away some of the drippings. Add chopped carrot and onion to the meat. Cook veggies with meat 5 minutes, stirring frequently. In a second small skillet over medium heat cook butter and flour together 2 minutes. Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and vegetables. Stir in peas.
Preheat broiler to high. Fill a small rectangular casserole with meat and vegetable mixture. Spoon potatoes over meat evenly. Top potatoes with paprika and broil 6 to 8 inches from the heat until potatoes are evenly browned. Top casserole dish with chopped parsley and serve.

Have a beautiful day

Bright Ideas

I am constantly amazed at everyday inventions that make our lives so easy.  When "why didn't I think of that" crosses my mind... It often makes me wonder who did!! For example I was thinking about the fitted sheet and I looked it up... Giselle Jubinville, a Canadian,  invented the fitted sheet in 1990!! YES... 1990!! I was so amazed at this fact and how new the invention was that I thought is was definitely blog worthy.  A major linen company paid her $1 million for her idea.  Your ideas could be great too!!

Have a beautiful day

for those of you who still shave....

I will never use a lady razor again!! Men's razors are made so much better... and I am not sure why that is?!? I understand packaging to women and men and that is wonderful.  We want to feel feminine and they want to feel masculine... but cant we have the same razor? The CEO of his business has a Mach 3 and I LOVE IT!! It is about 500% better than my Venus razor... so I finally broke down and bought my own :) Now we can by the 100 packs at Costco and use them up together and every time he wants to shave his face it will not be dull from me :)

Have a beautiful day

Staying cool in the hot seat...

"Tension is who you think you should be.  Relaxation is who you are."  ~Chinese Proverb
 Every CEO (home and business) should "clock out" and enjoy life.  It is hard to let someone come in and stir things up especially when you know that you are going to have to clean up the mess.  But without life's little blunders... what would give you experience?  A new CEO is like someone with new money. They want to flaunt the power and ego uncontrollably... unknowing that they could loose what they have at any minute.  An experienced CEO has grace and moves fluidly without haste or bother... seamlessly getting the job done.  These are extremes of course and I think the greatest CEO sits right in the middle "controllably uncontrollable."   Everyday you are still learning, but are able to show what you have learned.  I have grown up watching and being very close to successful CEO of the house and business... and as a new CEO I am learning how stress and attitude gets you nowhere fast.  I have had a very stressful last two weeks with people in the house, new puppy and travel.  I have lost my cool on occasion and realize that if I had it all to do it over again... I would have taken a deep breath, put on a happy face, and ENJOYED life a little more.  My fault and greatest attribute is in planning and details.  When it involves our home, I completely fall apart when something is not prepared or I have not had time to think about it and organize the basics.  Today is a new day and I am starting to be recharged and things are getting back to "normal."  I work great under pressure because I am prepared... but stress is not a friend of mine.

Forbes.com Battling CEO Stress (side comments provided by CEOofMyHouse)
1) Find an outlet (shopping, exercise, beauty...something for you)
2) Get a massage (yes!! mani/pedi count... go pick color!!)
3) Get your zzzzzzzzzzz's
4) Have a sense of humor (laughter is the best medicine)
5) Lead a healthy lifestyle
6) Have an understanding spouse or partner (appreciate each other)
7) Learn how to delegate (we all need help)
8) Make money (CEOofMyHouse may or may not bring home a "paycheck" but our work is priceless... especially when you raise children)
9) Meditate (even if it is when you are putting yourself to sleep)
10) Schedule vacations (if you do not have a large budget have a day vacation... it cuts down on hotel bills and travel expenses)

Have a beautiful day

girls just wanna have fun

I was in Sur la Table and spotted these shoes across the store... immediately ran up to them and said are these for real?!? The guy that works there said... you would be surprised how excited some women get!! I replied... I am definitely that girl!!

Slipper Genie Microfiber Cleaning Slippers for $12.95.  These are practical and so much fun... I love sliding around from room to room on them!!

V is for Vinegar

White distilled vinegar is a must have for your home!!!  My dad always used vinegar to clean the floor and although it was not the greatest smelling at first it always got the job done.  Now I am learning why he thought so highly of it in the first place.  I have been seeing a trend in how often I have been using vinegar in very different ways.  When I started looking up more ways to use vinegar... I was amazed.  Vinegar works with laundry, garden, cleaning, your health, cars, pets, and cooking.  Because of the high level of acidity,  vinegar kills most mold, bacteria and germs.  Vinegar makes things shine, deodorizes, removes stains, build up, and even removes stickers and decals off walls and doors.  Vinegar works with pets!!  There are a number of ways that vinegar can be used for training your pet not to bite, to help with housebreaking and to stop barking.  White distilled vinegar is becoming my household "go to" product.  If I were "mayor of my house" I would give vinegar a key to this city. 

Have a beautiful day

Skin soooo Soft

The secret to soft glowing skin is exfoliate, circulate and moisturize.  You can not moisturize dry skin!!!!  You must remove it and protect the healthy skin.  I have worked at some of the best spas in the US and I can promise you this is secret information.  You do not need to buy the real expensive gadgets to get the skin you have dreamed about.  Use a dry brush before you get in the shower. Work in the direction of your heart... feet to chest, fingers to chest, neck to chest. The dry brush works double time because as you brush each stroke (same stroke as shaving) toward your heart you create friction which causes circulation.  Circulation brings fresh nutrients to the surface of your skin...tightening, toning and increasing cell renewal. We take care of our face by buying fancy creams and exfoliating, but leave our body "hanging."  As CEO of your house I know that time is valuable and the benefits from this 3 minute addition (every other day) to your morning routine will be priceless. 
My favorite treatment in the world is the Body Enzyme treatment from ARCONA.  This is an amazing product that will leave your skin soft like butter and glowing for weeks.  At home, try a sugar scrub (once a week) from the store or make one yourself.
Do your body a favor and pick up this brush the next time you are at the drug store.  It is summer and you will want to show off your glowing healthy skin!!!

Have a beautiful day

sponges should be for sponge cake

I can hear my grandmothers voice in the back of my head as I pull the paper towels from the roll... "why don't you just use a sponge."  I know in this day and age it is not very "green" of me to dislike sponges BUT... I feel as if I am just wiping bacteria all over the counter.  The smell after a couple of days is just gross and then it stays on your hands even after a good washing.  People say put it in the dishwasher (and this seems to be the best method) but I just do not like sponges enough to give them all of this special attention.  I love the scrubby brushes with the dish detergent in them and a nice paper towel.  I will use a sponge for certain things but i toss them after a couple of uses.  I keep a sponge that is just dedicated to the wooden cutting board (no meat on the wooden cutting board) and use salt (and sometimes lemon) to keep the cutting board clean.

Have a beautiful day

finding a rhythm method

So the song "Money" by Pink Floyd keeps going through my head!! Not the lyrics but the beat.  I keep going from one thing to the next to the tune of the cash register in that song.  Chez "my house" is under construction!!! Unpacking from such a wonderful trip, still potty training the pup (who is getting into everything) and making sure the future mother-in-law is having a lovely visit.  That translates to lost of laundry, cleaning, organizing, folding, putting away, and cooking!!! At least I have found a rhythm for this project... thanks Pink Floyd!! I think music helps so much when taking on a larger than normal task around the house!!

have a beautiful day

Calgon take me away!!!!

I will start new posts on Tuesday April 13th.  I am in over my head and to my great dissatisfaction... I am having to admit it.  I am stressed out and have too much going on... there I said it.  After house guests for the last week (did I mention that we have one bathroom and half?!?), new puppy, no sleep, my face is breaking out from stress, no internet connection, future mother in-law staying in house, and packing for a trip!! Calgon take me away!!! Now for the positives... I have a loving partner who has been amazing through this emotional, stressful time for me and I get to look into the eyes of the cutest, sweetest puppy in the world.  That being said... I need order and routine to be restored in this house.  Hotel "this house" needs to be closed for remodeling.

Have a beautiful day

and puppy makes three!!!

We got our puppy last night!! She is a 5lb, 8 week old goldendoodle and I am in love.  She is already teaching me so much.  It has been a long time since I have had a brand new puppy.  This is going to be a great exercise for me in paying attention to the smallest details. 
Have a beautiful day!!!

Bathroom Etiquitte

The smallest room in the house seems to require the most attention.  As CEO of the house we keep the toilet, sink, tub, tile, fixtures, and floors clean... and delegate the "little" things that should be done by everyone in the house such as... pick the towels off the floor, put the dirty clothes in the hamper (not beside the hamper but in the hamper), taking the empty TP roll off and replacing it with a new one (not just leaving it out), flush the toilet (not a fan of little surprises... but it happens), put grooming products back in the cabinet (or wherever they live), close the shower curtain (this prevents mold), use the trash can, if you trim your hair over the sink wipe it off with a little water, put toothbrush back in the holder, and please put the toilet seat down if you lift it.  "little things make big things happen."  The man of "this" house is pretty good about doing his part but I still find myself doing a lot of it day after day.  We are like starting a new business (family).  Right now I can do most of it by myself but when this business starts to grow (i.e. pets and/or children) and responsibilities grow... one person can not do it by her/his self.  As CEO I should feel comfortable asking for help and delegating responsibilities... even though this is difficult for me!! I trust my partner and know that we are constantly working together to build a successful business with big bonuses and great benefits :)
Have a beautiful day!!

reading the labels

I mostly drink water but...when I am at the grocery store I usually treat myself to a cold diet mountain dew.  I do not feel guilty because I was once told that it is actually a "morning beverage."  After all, the second ingredient after water IS orange juice!!! And also for inquiring minds... Dansani water has an ingredient list on the bottle that includes salt.  Those sneaky guys at coca cola added salt to water to make you more thirsty.  I love Windex...there really is no substitution!! It makes everything shine!! Today, we were in Home Depot and I saw the new Windex "POWERIZED" and I had to have it.  I am not sure how what makes it powerized but it sounds great!! My personal favorite is "new and improved"... If it is new then how can it be improved and vice-versa.   Just a couple of funny things because I love reading labels and how marketing is used to persuade us to buy this or that.  I appreciate the really great ones!!  Its Sunday... Its Easter... and we just had an earthquake!!! Hope everyone is safe!! I love my family, friends and fiance very much!!! Thank you for reading my blog!!

Have a beautiful day!!!

Airing my dirty Laundry

I received my first request to talk about my crazy laundry methods!! You may think it takes up too much time but I have been doing laundry this way for so long I can not imagine doing it any other way.  I think it saves time because colors and similar clothing/other items are all together and make putting away these items more efficient.  I believe this saves your clothes and keeps them looking better longer.  If you invest in quality items you should invest in the care.  I think quality products produce quality outcomes.  With so many products on the market... eco friendly, sensitive skin, natural products, etc it really depends on your personal perception of quality.  It may seem to be a bit costly with the initial investment, but with the extension of the life and quality of your items... I think it is all a wash (pardon the pun). Here you go...

The Products
Tide
April fresh Downy (blue liquid)
Aloe Downy (the white liquid)
Bounty dryer sheets (these also work well to pick up dust and freshen a room)
Bleach (i am horrible with bleach and get it on everything but it is necessary)
The least expensive detergent (look for sales and buy one get one)
Woolite
Woolite Dark

Is there method to my madness...

I separate whites, lite colors, bright colors, dark colors, blacks and navy, jeans, Juicy (i wear a lot of juicy it is like my house uniform... cute and comfy), bath towels, bed linens, light delicate, dark delicate, bath mats, dish towels, cleaning towels.  Sometimes I will consolidate upon my discretion and the correct products will be determined.  Dry clean only and shirts go to the cleaners.  I do not Iron. 

*Whites, bath towels and bed linens (which are all white) get Tide, Aloe Downy, Bleach and dryer sheets.  Bath Towels and bed linens get sanitary setting.
*Light colors, bright colors (reds, pinks), dark colors (everything except blue and black) get Tide, white or blue Downy and dryer sheet.
*Blacks and navy get Woolite black, blue Downy and a dryer sheet.
*Juicy gets seperated into light and dark.. and delicate clothes are thrown into this pile as well. Woolite for the light and white pile, and Woolite dark for dark pile plus dryer sheet.
*Jeans get Woolite dark and an extra spin cycle.
*Bath mats, dish towels and cleaning towels get the cheap detergent and bleach.

Have a beautiful day!!

coming undone at the seams....

I am convinced that the difference between the girl who wears a dress and the dress that wears a girl... is a seamstress and of course confidence.   There are so many great sales but often they are on sale for a reason.  SO... make friends with your seamstress!!! Or better yet take a sewing class (on my "to do" wish list). If you find yourself saying, "I would love this but the pockets are too bulky"...have them removed.  If it is too long... have it shortened. If it needs to be fitted to your body type... then have it fitted.  If something does not fit you the correct way then you do not feel confident... and if it is too tight please put it in the trash or back in the closet!!  I just racked up on savings at old navy.  The summer dresses are $15-$20!!! Great fabric, great ideas and a cheap china (or wherever) manufacturer that just did not make it "great."  I took them to a seamstress and had the pockets removed (the pockets just added bulky material around my waist, where I did not need it).  It cost me $5 (plus the original $20) and looks great.  I also have empire waists shortened so that it is an empire waist and not the hemline that extends to the top of your natural waist line.  I have a crazy rib cage and that cut just does not work for me, but they love it at Jcrew and I love Jcrew!!! And I have dresses shortened... not age inappropriate but not tea length... This is a length often on sale because it is extremely unflattering on most!! So come undone at the seams and add your special touch to a new dress or a dress in your closet. You will look great and feel confident... because it was made for you!!  Oh and while you are there you can drop off or pick up the dry cleaning... multitasking is such a important part of being CEOofMyHouse. 

Have a beautiful day

a public service announcement

In preparation of the 4 different people that will be staying at Chez "our house" at 3 different times during the next 7 days....I would like to thank them all for being good house guests in the past, and share some of the things that every house guest can do to receive an invitation to stay again in the future.   I think that some people have been "guests" only by the way they impose on your space and others are angels sent from heaven.  This covers guest that come over for dinner, an evening or day with guests, or overnight guests.  Even a simple gesture of kindness or help can go a long way.  As CEO of the house we are used to cleaning and picking up BUT when you have more people there is obviously more work.   When guests arrive it is wonderful!! However, your normal routine is put on the back burner and you need to entertain more, cook more, clean more, more laundry, more, more, more.   The more the merrier if you have good house guests... BUT NOT more the merrier when you have to clean up after everyone.  Of course you want to have company and of course you want your guests to feel welcome!!! OF COURSE!! I was raised in the south and brought up to be a good guest and a good host. The home is an extension of your"self."  I am also a Cancer sign and love having friends and family around.  I feel that some people are used to being a "guest" and not the host.  Of course there are exceptions to every rule but the basic remain the same.

Tips for making "more the merrier" when sharing the same space for a short amount of time...

1) First and foremost... the heads of the household should discuss, agree on the guests and outline the expectations of the guest(s).  How many meals will be prepared at home, what will they be doing while they are here, will the have transportation, will they need entertaining,  will they have already made other plans, and so on.  It is nice to have a "plan" and be on the same page... communication is key.
2) When you come to stay at someones house make it clear how long you will be there.  I personally like the 3 day rule.  Although if you are family or have traveled far... exceptions are made.  Three days usually gives you enough time to spend together and short enough that you still like each other at the end of the trip. 
3) Offer your help... but if the host has it handled respect that and get out of the way!!
4) Don't try to rearrange or redecorate.  If you don't know where something is or where something should go then...ASK!! 
5) Help set the table, clear the table and load the dishwasher. 
6) Pick up after yourself... keep the environment looking like it did when you arrived.
7) Respect sleeping hours
8) Make your bed in the morning.
9) Don't leave your towels and clothes on the floor.
10) When you leave strip the sheets, gather your towels and "place" them in the washing machine.  I say "place" because if you are OCD like me you have your own way of doing the laundry. 

Enjoy,  Laugh, Eat Well, Don't drink too much (or you will have another mess to clean :)).  If everyone in the house "chips in" with the basics then you will have much more time to spend together doing the things you enjoy with the people that you came to visit. 

skin

Your largest organ is skin so you should take care of it.  I am a product junkie... although I do not really wear make-up.  Call me crazy...I am a believer that SPF is what causes skin cancer and make-up causes wrinkles.  There are always exceptions of course!! For example, make-up is heavy and mostly toxic and you put globs of it on your face... weighing it down day after day.  Your skin needs oxygen and gravity is already pulling us down so stop piling on all that make-up all of the time... you are pretty without it and i think your partner would agree too!!  Don't even get me started on what I think about Botox... wake up and smell the botulism toxin people.  Besides when you get too much...you cant even express yourself.   Men do not wear make up and Voila... they have great skin.   Of course, we "need" it sometimes and there is a time and place that we would not leave home with out it... understood. 
Onto the SPF, you do not want to get burnt because that is not good BUT you should not put a man made chemical on your largest organ everyday to prevent something  you need... SUN.  You should get 20 minutes a day in the sun to get your daily dose of vitamin D.  If you work inside all day long, then get in your car, then go somewhere else inside you are probably not getting enough sun.  If you are putting SPF on every day then your skin is just soaking up more chemicals than our polluted environment feeds you anyway. You need vitamin D to prevent cancer and bone health, among many other things... and HELLO we need the SUN!! For what ever you believe in GOD or the Universe has put it there because we need it.  Enjoy being outside... do it with you partner!! go for a walk... have a nice chat... listen to each other and enjoy a minute together.  In order to be a good CEO you should listen to the people you work with :) Make time to comment on any concerns you may have and also listen to any concerns you partner may have.  We are not mind readers and we all have something to say.  It is nice to be heard and a lot can be learned from listening. 

And take care of your skin!!! Find whatever works for you... I can not recommend ARCONA products enough.  They have transformed my skin and they smell great!!! if you are on a small budget, dont have the time for a spa break or you just like to do things yourself... dont throw away any amount of fruit, yogurt, egg whites, tomatoes, avocado. Take and thrown it in a blender and put it on your face and relax at the end of your day!!  Make sure you cleanse and exfoliate first then apply mask. 

Banana-Avacado Mask

• 1/2 over-ripe banana
• 1/2 over-ripe avacado
• 2 Tbsp unflavored full-fat yogurt
• 1 tsp olive oil

Mash banana and avacado, combine with other ingredients, and mix well. Apply liberally to face and neck. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

are you looking for a "side business"...

I wish that there were more people following me because I have some very important questions. In light of recent events with Sandra and husband, and also many other wives and husbands... At what point did anyone decide that it is "OK" for the committed man to go to a strip club.  It seems that there are affairs with strippers all of the time and affairs in general (committed women too).  It is one thing for a man to look at pictures or watch videos... but to have a tangible women with all of her stuff rubbing up on him and the choice to go to a private room?!?! WHAT? I guess there are women at anytime that could seduce a man... or a man could find someone to cheat with at any given time AND vice versa.   How do some cultures (like polygamists) disregard the social stigma of cheating?  Why is there such a gray area with cheating... why are you with the person you are with if you desire other people? Why don't more people talk about this? Who is really to blame? Are you both at fault?  I consider myself to be a realist and I guess I never really cared because I always thought that I was just dating someone... and if they found someone else or I found someone else then it was not meant to be and move on.  Now, I have found the man that I want to spend the rest of my life with... and we are making a commitment to be together forever.  At the end of the day,  I guess my old philosophy is still in play but the stakes are higher.   The lady and the man of the house have to become partners... this is a lifelong business deal filled with high risk and security.  CEO of my house and CEO of his business must merge and have a confident partnership involving, but not limited to, communication, respect, loyalty, meetings (quality time), compromise,  appreciation, deadlines, responsibilities, expectations, contracts, heated argument that generate productive outcomes, deal breakers, growth, the bottom line, and "fringe benefits."  These attributes of business are the same for any relationship.  Relationships are work.... and in this case lets hope that you really "like" your "work"!! That you would only go into business with someone that you trusted in the first place and that you didn't settle for something because it was comfortable and had great benefits.  If you are partners in making your dreams reality then you will not be looking for a "side business." 

do you hear what I hear?!?

Communication is so important and so amazing. With so many cultures, so many languages, so many backgrounds, so many definitions, so many generations, so many feelings, and so many different ways to perceive a situation... it is a wonder we can get a long at all!!! When you have that moment when you can look in someones eyes, communicate and "get it" it is truly an amazing experience. 

a little bit of this and a litle bit of that...

"Organized Chaos" best describes my every day life.  I have a place for everything so everything is put back in its place and also makes things easier to find.  However, I can never seem to find my keys... that could be a blog all on its own.  I have a routine for the "basics"... making the bed, picking up towels and clothes off the floor, sweeping, dishes, laundry, breakfast, clean kitchen, lunch, clean kitchen, clean a room, dinner, clean kitchen,  pick up things and return to its "place"... repeat.  you all know what I am saying when I say these are the "basics" because there are many more things :) And I don't even have a child yet... my appreciation to you mothers!!! This is the organized part... the rest of the day is chaos!! I am not just CEO of my house but I am also a producer, help my fiance with his "home run" business AND work at a spa 2 days a week.  This may sound like a lot but it is just chaos!! I only produce when I have something to produce... and since the recession, TV is not how the company I work for prefers to spend their marketing budget.  For example,  we have not filmed this year.  I help my fiance with his work and really enjoy it... until i mess up and feel like I let him down :( So i try not to mess up!!! Helping with his work and running the house fulfills any doubt I had about earning my keep!!  "paying your part when your not the breadwinner" or "how to calculate your "worth" when you do not get a paycheck" would be good topics!! Of course I think that my contributions are priceless ;) Back on the subject... working at the spa is sporadic because I am on call and may or may not go in on those 2 days.  "Organized Chaos"... I shall get back to it now :)

Have a beautiful day!!

home improvements...our little sanctuary

Spring has sprung and luckily we both love to be with friends and BBQ.   This year we have a new house with a huge patio/garden so let the entertaining begin.  We had a small budget and most was spent on the grill... so DYI on a shoestring :)  The table with four chairs and a fire pit is already there and the rest is a blank canvas.  The two major problems... limited seating and no light after sunset.  So I went to Target :) I found a string of lights for outdoor use and I used them to line the perimeter of the garden.   I neatly tucked them behind the foliage or brick so they would not show.  At $11.69 a strand this was a great idea and I only needed two strands!! Result... relaxing, dimly lit, romantic, everyone looks good, lighting!! There is a pile of bricks that line the wall and create a nice foundation on their own so I decided to turn this into a seating area. I bought a chair cushion and garden pillows and there you have it... a lovely bench seating area!! My fiance has a green thumb and when he added the finishing touches of an orchid, some side tables from storage and green moss... Voila! It is our little sanctuary.  Not only do we BBQ and entertain but we enjoy breakfast and/or lunch here practically every day. 

Notice the lighting in the bottom of the plants in the first two pictures...

Bringing it to the table...

There are certain things that we love to do and some things that become chores.  Even the things we love can seem like a chore sometimes!! I love laundry and have a very "special" way of doing laundry.  I have also always loved cooking and now it is new in so many different ways.  Before, I loved to occasionally cook for friends.  I would make big pots of spaghetti (homemade sauce of course), pot roast with veggies,  homemade beef & veggie soup, or taco night.  This was about it!! I can make these dishes blindfolded.  When I became CEO of my house i had to cut my portion sizes, cook three meals a day and add variety... it is the spice of life :) Luckily I got a head start... before I became CEO of my house I went to the gym every morning and watched Rachael Ray. I love the Rachael Ray show that is on in the morning and although I did not do a lot of cooking at home for myself I loved the show.  She taught me lots of tricks and that you don't have to be a "chef" to be inspired by food and make really great dishes.  My fiance likes to eat really good food and so I am challenged everyday to bring something good to the table... literally.  After trying fancy cookbooks, cooking shows and wasting to much food... I feel that I have a great system... I buy what I need for what I am making.  I start by going through and marking the recipes that I would like to cook (which is almost everything).  Then I start to create my menu for the next 3 days.  You can create yours for as long as you want.  Buy frozen shrimp, have veggie dishes for the later days.  I like to go to the grocery store every 3 days so that the veggies I pick up are fresh.  I write the day and B, L , D below each day.  I fill in the blanks... this also makes my shopping list (please see picture).  The magazines that work best for me are Cooking Light and Every Day with Racheal Ray. I can easily follow the instructions and have a tasty meal in about 30-45 minutes.  We have enjoyed every meal from these magazines and with monthly issues... I get variety.   If I write my list and prepare then I feel that cooking is enjoyable and not a chore.  If I am not prepared dinner is not very inspiring.

Have a beautiful day

Lemon"aid"

Raised by a single mom in Georgia is probably not the most "cookie cutter" environment for learning how to take care of a husband/household.  What she did teach me is that giving equals love.  I was raised by such a giving mom who sacrificed so much and gave me everything (mostly love, friendship and support... we did not have a lot of money).  And giving is exactly what you do when you are CEO of the household... you give a lot of your"self".  Being in a small town in Georgia taught family values... and I grew up with friends that had great "mom & dad" families.   Everything else I learned from the Brady Bunch, Flintstones and the Jetsons?!? Make sure the house is clean and cook and the husband will love you... I thought this sounded great.  As I got older, I did not see this lifestyle being an option.   I am motivated, somewhat independent and craved the 9-5 "suit" job where you get respect because you worked hard.  I have worked really hard, worked with really great people and because of my own choices I now get to do what I do best...Take care of the person I love.  Being CEO of this house requires a lot of work and patience (not quite as easy as TV made it look LOL) and at the end of the day it is rewarding.  Have I mentioned that he works from home too???  Getting engaged after knowing each other a month, moving into HIS house soon after, jumping into the role of CEO of this house, and learning how to work together as a couple that spends practically every minute together IS BLISSFUL INSANITY... and also creates a lot of material for me to blog about!!   I would not trade it for anything!! We are fortunate to be able to live the lifestyle that we live and still enjoy each others companionship 95% of the time :) Meeting new couples in this new city with similar situations, helps me to realize that hiccups are pretty normal and with a little humor life is good.  So when life gives you lemons... make lemonade, relax and enjoy it!!!

Ginger Mint Lemonade

juice of 4 large lemons

1-2 tbsp of fresh ginger grated (ginger is great if you get sea sick and to settle your tummy)

12 mint leaves (muddle to release essential oils)

1/2 cup sugar or honey 

fill the rest of the pitcher up with water

Simple Surprises

Set up blog, registered domain names and now have writers block... Murphy's law and the story of my life. 

Simple Surprises...
Yesterday we went to cooking class at Sur la Table.  May I recommend this to anyone.  You get to cook, interact with great people and eat!! When I first became CEO of this house, I did not know how to poach an egg... or really make breakfast unless it was a bowl of cereal (still my favorite).  My fiance loves breakfast and his favorite thing... poached egg on a muffin.  Scared of failure and the egg, I said "I am not going to poach an egg... you can make your own breakfast."  A few days later he was in the kitchen teaching me how to poach an egg and it is not scary at all!!! It is surprisingly easy.  So yesterday... we made crab Benedict with lime infused hollandaise and most of the people in my class did not know how to poach an egg. While watching my fiance teach our classmates as he taught me... It reminded me of how much I have learned and how much more there is to learn about running this household.  I do make breakfast, lunch and dinner almost everyday and I enjoy breakfast most of all. 

Poaching an Egg

Fill a shallow frying pan with water and over high heat bring to a boil
Once you see bubbles turn heat to medium high
add tbsp of white vinegar
crack an egg into a bowl and pour gently into pan (repeat if you want... i usually put 2 eggs in at a time)
set clock for 3 minutes (for runny)
take out with a slotted spoon and absorb water from underneath the spoon with towel or paper towel (so you do not have a soggy English muffin)