Weekend Weho Roundup... On a Tuesday

Island time (and a wicked hangover) got the better of me ... so sorry. But I'm here now so let's get this going!

This weekend I spent only a little time in Weho, surprisingly. It's not that I went far, just enough out of the way to have felt like I wasn't "in town" that much.

Vroom, vroom.

A couple of weekends ago, my boyfriend got a gorgeous new toy - a convertible BMW 335is. It's seriously a sweet little beauty. Only time will tell whether or not we'll be living out of it in a few months; holla! Anyway, on Saturday we took it up the coast to take in some views of the surf on account of the high wind advisory.

We headed back to Weho on the 101 through the Valley and stopped at Yamato, the whole  chef a la Benihana shebang routine. Maybe I was having way too much fun, but to the left of us, there was this grandmother and granddaughter were out to lunch together. Both were on their smartphones the entire time, didn't say one word to each other (okay, maybe no more than twenty). Personally, I was surprised at the grandmother being so engrossed in her screen, but on the outside looking in, it was disconcerting to feel that, to some, that is what quality time has become. 

Am I wrong? Presumptuous? You can tell me. I am aware that the smartphone has changed the way people communicate but this was a bit too much to take in, in my opinion, knowing that not everyone is that bad of an offender.

Sunday, I met with friends for lunch at Magnolia in Hollywood, as part of the presently ongoing dineLA experience. The food was great, but service... horrendous doesn't even begin scratch the surface. Long story short: after waiting 20 minutes for drinks, and another 30 minutes for food (after making both orders at the same time and the restaurant being far from packed), I felt strongly compelled to write a Yelp review. Although they were very gracious to comp two bottles of champagne (a truthfully good move), I'd've almost paid full price to have had the satisfaction of expressing zero desire to return. Zero. You know that stuff wouldn't fly at Cafe D'Etoile.

Then, I decided last minute to extend last weekend's birthday weekend, and got pretty hammered at Micky's, dun dun dun. And behold, the unintended seven-hour brunch.

Weho is getting ready for the upcoming Super Bowl Sunday - which means having gotten charged up about the Tom Brady DeflateGate scandal and this awesomely hilarious cut video re: [foot]balls, which totally made my life. But that's about it.

Thanks for hanging out; I'll see you tomorrow.

Mini-Update: On Benedict Cumberbatch's Use of the Word "Colored"

In lieu of a long overdue weekend roundup post, please check out this post on my Facebook page and discuss ---

Many groups have "that word" that they find offense with. But sometimes "that word" becomes acceptable or something to shrug off by that community at large. For the black community, that seems to be the N-word, or even "boy" or "son".

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch recently used the word "coloured"/"colored" to describe non-white actors, actors who, in comparison, are starkly denied the same creative opportunities as white actors. I personally think his heart was in the right place and this was an extremely unfortunate choice of words on a huge issue based on racial politics.

His apology seems sincere enough and although I don't know the man, his prior intentions in haven't signaled anything other than being open and honest as you can be while in the public eye. Maybe that's what makes him a great actor; who knows?

What do you think? What words do you tolerate in private but not in public? Do you feel that society or your community has possibly imposed words or classifications upon you that you wouldn't have accepted otherwise?

Please feel free to sound off at my Facebook page, A Black Girl in West Hollywood.

How to Not Be Anyone's Bitch

Do you ever feel stretched thin? Have you ever wanted to be at a million places at be, or at least be able to schedule three to four appointments in a day?

As mentioned in a previous post, I've learned that traffic can be horrible this side of the hill, maddeningly so. As much as I want to be at three places in one day, it may not be physically possible - and not because I can't get myself there. It's just moving mountains - literal and figurative - is impossible. It's not worth making yourself sick and definitely not worth being anyone's bitch over.

Where does this apply?

1. Friends and family. If you feel like you're putting in a lot more effort than a friend of family member to make your relationship existent, let alone functional, maybe it's time to scale back and evaluate the state of your union. Whether you express this to them is your choice, but chances are actions will speak louder than words.

2. Work. Never, ever, ever go without a break unless it's imperative to a looming deadline and your teammates or otherwise are following suit. Ensure the legality of your right to a break, but also, your value decreases the more strain put upon yourself. Prioritize; say no, pass tasks down; push back. If anything, this can be considered "taking initiative" on your next review.

3. Places of business. Any establishment that requires money for a service can be questioned based on what is provided. If a package is late, or you were double charged on a credit card, call up and (cordially) express concern and what would rectify the issue. This includes banks, online retailers, in store mislabeling, and print advertising.

4. Significant others/new potential partners. It's 2015; let's be real - two halves do not make a whole when it comes to relationships. Respect and trust comes from self ownership and responsibility. Undue stress from being all things to one person has all the makings of being their bitch, and that's the stuff resentment is made of. That's the stuff that kills relationships, no matter how in love or infatuated you are.

Your time is valuable. Your health is valuable. You are valuable. Sorry to spill the tea, but to be all things to all people is a waste of vitality and space. It is not cute, it is not healthy. To paraphrase Mark Twain, be death and taxes' bitch, but all else is extra. I repeat: no one will love or pay you more for being their bitch. Comandeer your life, and you can be sure the rest will follow.

See you tomorrow...

Post-Birthday Recovery aka Juice "Cleanse"

I am far from a nutritionist, so please, don't quote me, but --- I am currently on a partial juice fast in an effort to recover from my birthday/prepare for a busy weekend of cavorting with friends (always a welcome problem to have).

Sans juicer or 6-8 fancy juices a day, I'm kind of doing things the makeshift, semi-Slim Fast way: juice for breakfast, juice for lunch, and "a sensible dinner" (greens, lean protein, and healthy fat). Dessert of fruit or light dairy somethin' somethin' is optional.

However, plenty of fruits and vegetables are on the menu, as are 2-3 liters of water, including herbal tea and the occasional cup of coffee.

I did this last week for five days in an attempt to fit into my birthday outfit, losing six pounds of reluctant water weight (and likely fat). Now I'm doing it for four days to help me get to the weekend. One day in and I already feel a bit more streamlined.

Go-to juice brands have been Bolthouse Farms, Naked, and Odwalla, and here's what I have discovered: having a juicer would be so boss, mainly because some pre-made juices are so sweet. Diluting the Naked brand partially has become a regular thing; Bolthouse's Daily Greens and Odwalla's carrot juice, on the other hand, are fine enough on their own.

What are your favorites? I'd really love to try juice smoothies or protein chocolate drinks, too, but they're rather caloric - at anywhere from 290 to 490 calories per 15.2 ounces, you might as well eat a candy bar. So it's "pure" juices for now in an attempt to ease back into being more physically comfortable as the weather warms up.

(Yeah, it's pretty much springtime in West Hollywood. Things really could be worse.)

And as far as exercise: when taking in less energy, putting out a whole lot of extra energy is a relative recipe for disaster. I personally can't not move around, so here's three ways to take it easy in a semi-challenging way:

1. High intensity interval training (or HIIT), with a timer set at 50/10 for anywhere between 20-45 rounds (here's my favorite timer app, free! and available on Google Play);
2. Vinyasa yoga for 30-60 minutes for stretching, strength, and balance (see a favorite video by Yoga by Candace below);
and/or
3. A long walk to clear the head, with or without music.

In the next week or so, I'm going to do a "review" of green juices, at the ready or self prepared, or of the dried variety. There's no escaping it, really - green juice is pretty much an accessory.

What are your favorite "cleanses", "reboots", "resets"? Is there anything special you do to get back on track, as it were? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments! See you tomorrow.....

Weekend Weho Roundup: Birthday Edition

This weekend was birthday weekend, the big Dirty 30, which means that I spent a lot of money, but you know something - there is a reason we all work, and part of that (I hope) is to have quite a bit of fun.

Bugatta Supper Club

I took Friday (my actual birthday) to myself; found myself a little caught up in work but headed to Century Day & Night Spa for a an amazingly relaxing time (my first time being in a mist sauna - fab). That evening I ended up in DTLA saying farewell to a good friend over glasses of wine at The Must. Excellent selection and ambiance.

Saturday night was birthday party time at  Bugatta on Melrose - what I love about this bar restaurant is that it is in between "the island" of Weho and the mainland Hollywood, a nice middle ground and not too out of the way when it comes to lounging.

Sunday brunch at Marcos again, which is a personal Top Five location for bottomless mimosas in WeHo.... Robert Forster had his usual table by the window, we had our usual more-champagne-than-juice bevvies. Then we headed to PUMP. Then we headed to Micky's. I really should have stopped with the mimosas, but then there wouldn't be fuel for the upcoming glorious post, tentatively to-be titled "The Seven Hour-Long Sunday Brunch".

Mine is bigger than yours!

Sadly, West Hollywood isn't a magical land where everyone brunches every day wearing fabulous sunglasses and frolicking around without a care. Sure, for some, it is, but physically there's only so much sparkling wine one's liver and pancreas can tolerate.

So yesterday I managed to get back into some semblance of post-birthday normalcy by doing chores, then indulging in a hot power yoga class at Hot 8 Yoga on Wilshire Blvd. I am still ridiculously sore from the awesome direction of instructor Aree Khodai - the cleansing twists, reaches, and ab work pushed the limits for a more effective practice.

And? It was completely F-R-E-E. How? I had signed up online a month or so ago to take one of the studios' $8 community classes (never got around to it) - but a couple of weeks ago I received a promotional email to take a class on the house either five days before or after (or on) my birthday. It was such a great class; I absolutely will be back.

So, even with that not costing me a penny, as mentioned at the outset, I spent way more money than intended - even managing to lose a few big dollar bills sometime during all the joyful noise, womp womp. Whether it ended up in a dancer's briefs or in the gutter, it doesn't matter, but it is definitely impetus to lay low - at least until Super Bowl Sunday rolls around!

What were you up to this weekend? Fill me in with a comment below....

Oscar Nominations 2015 - A Messy State of Affairs

The nominations for the Oscars were announced this morning, and already people are saying it's the whitest nomination season since 1998. That was the year headlined by Saving Private Ryan, Shakespeare in Love, and Elizabeth. I guess Whoopi Goldberg hosted for purposes of balance?

My love for the Oscars hasn't changed since I was a kid. I remember taking my Barbie dolls and making gowns for them out of fabric or paper napkins (yeah, I know). It was a fantasy of mine to be able to walk that red carpet in particular for one reason or another. Now that love is more a version of Super Bowl Sunday - meeting friends at Fiesta Cantina on Santa Monica Blvd, watching it play-by-play on giant screens, then seeing Elton John's helicopter land across the street at the Pacific Design Center for his after-Oscars party.

There are many contenders that I'm excited about this year, but it will not be as exciting as last year. I mean, hello, 12 Years a Slave. Queen Lupita. Bow.

But the lack of diversity - not only in ethnic representation, but gender as well - is disconcerting. 

List of non-white Oscar nominees, courtesy of The Huffington Post

Politics run deep everywhere and in everything. Often, the best person for the job is passed up for someone less qualified, but more malleable. Young Money's newest signee? All politics. This is more industry-related than Academy-related, but as a huge representation of that industry (and the most prestigious) this is pretty shameful.

David Oyelowo and Ava DuVernay, actor and director, Selma

This not to say that the nominees are not deserving and that the Academy should fill a quota to make sure all nations and ethnic groups are represented. Rather, how about addressing the source? Briefly put, I dare the entertainment industry on all levels to address: 

1. Filler or token roles. The best friend, the dog walker, the bus driver, etc. Someone who's always "happenin'" with some sort of "hip attitude". 

2. On a mainstream level, "[ethnic] people comedies/romances/dramas". Don't abolish completely but, look at Hollywood at large - there are a lot of types of people here. The all black, all white, all whatever universe is a relative myth in this city, in New York, in Miami... etc. It's possible to be both entertaining and realistic. 

3. Scripts written with a lead character of non-descript secusl orientation, ethnicity, or faith and hiring a lead that portrays the straight, white, and Christian "ideal". This has been a constant for who knows how long and it's a bit insulting on everyone's behalf. 

There are more issues than these, and a change won't happen overnight because it is so ingrained in global society. Global. Addressing these issues should start now, right now, and not stop until these issues are no longer because - I hate saying it, but - there is a whitewashing afoot and everyone deserves better.

Now, can we talk about the Gone Girl snub because as much as I stan for Rosamund, I am not a happy camper.... 

Swift Romance

I was a Taylor Swift fan recently, for about two weeks.

I've been a huge pop fan since I was a kid, from NSYNC, BSB and Britney Spears to Madonna, Whitney Houston and The Pointer Sisters. An electric, glowing track with airy sensibility and rocking undertones? I want it all. So naturally, a snippet of "Style" (from her latest album, 1989) played during a Target commercial and that was the end of that.

I loved about 65% of 1989, "Out of the Woods" and "All You Had to Do Was Stay" being standout tracks. However, I quickly realized that, on the whole, its framework kind of mimicked itself, save for difference in lyrics and background. Pop music in a nutshell; I totally got what I paid for. But for all the notable talk of her musical evolution, you'd think there's be something more ... evolutionary about it.

(For a scientific explanation of this, check out this this article from Mic.com, because science.)

I really like Taylor Swift. She is ridiculously charitable (recently giving a fan $1,989 to go towards student loans, among other good deeds). Her style is Lauren Conrad 2.0, and she seems self-aware and intelligent about her image and the world around her. (I know she received some flack last August for the video for "Shake It Off" being too 'white girl pointing at things in a zoo' - a POV which I understand, but disagree with.)

It's just that 1989 comes off as a bit subpar in depth compared to local talent playing a free show on a Tuesday at the bar. The power of branding and A+ production -- you'll sell a clean 500k copies before anyone is the wiser.

Maybe I am slightly outside the target demographic that stans her (maybe not so much as this poor person, although hahahahahaaa!!). But I love the hell out of pop music, so maybe not. I am conflicted, I tell you.

Yesterday there was a radio interview with Scott Timberg, author of Culture Crash: The Killing of the Creative Class, shining a light on the notion of a creative class in the U.S. itself, what its disappearance has done to the creative professional, and how it has affected the economy (the middle class in particular) in more ways than the obvious. I definitely plan on getting my hands on a copy.

There's nothing wrong with Taylor Swift™, or even being a die-hard fan, but I am personally glad to have snapped out of it in the further hope that maybe some horizons can be broadened for those not merely looking to make it big at others' expense.

Feel free to add to the discussion on my Facebook and Twitter pages or in the comments. See you tomorrow....

Naya Rivera Said....

Naya Rivera guest hosted on The View yesterday, and like on any old Tuesday, Twitter blew up.

There is no problem with her referencing dermatologists' findings that showering every day leads to dry skin and possible susceptibility to certain bacteria. I mean, BuzzFeed did a whole article on it recently and it was very informative; all else besides, it does make sense. People have been politely discouraged from washing their hair everyday; why not their bodies? In some ways, societal norms are habit rather than necessity. No argument there.

What is a problem, though, is that she refers to people in question as "white people" and "ethnics".

I do think she was trying to be funny and all-about-it, but I suggest leaving it to someone established who can take the heat - or the hit - towards their career. But really, why draw a line between ethnic groups? Why go onto Twitter and say, 

When you get out of the shower today, get a sense of humor. Love ya!
— Naya Rivera Dorsey (@NayaRivera) January 13, 2015

Naya? You're in danger, girl.

Get a reality check, and a shower because such thinking has all the makings of a mess.
There are too many prejudices in the world and sadly this contributes to them. Not because Naya is of that mindset, but because it can be easily misconstrued on account of lip-flapping.

Save it for conversation among friends, who know you mean well, so you don't have to explain yourself to a bunch of strangers who don't. Make an ignorant statement and you will get a response from anyone with ears, a brain, and a sense of history. But honestly, I want to thank you - thank you for igniting conversation even further about the space put between "white people" and "ethnics", and that this is still how a good number of people view the world at large. Look at movies, television shows, hair styles, cosmetic tips, mannerisms, ways of being. There is a particular mold that no one speaks about, and even though you were just trying to relate, trying to make us laugh, you further highlighted the divide. So thank you for providing an top-notch example of how to set multiple groups of people back even further, even if it was in jest.

What do you think? Were Naya's comments off the mark or was this random slip of the tongue? Are people right to be so upset or should they just let it go? Discuss in the comments, and don't forget to sound off on Facebook and Twitter.

Coming to Terms with Having a Booty

I grew up in a predominantly white suburb of San Fernando Valley. I currently live in a predominantly white corner of Los Angeles. I have a booty that I did not pay for.

It's taken me a while to come to peace with this fact. While Nicki Minaj, Kim Kardashian, Coco Austin and others have re-revolutionized having a thicker behind, it's not always the easiest thing to live with. Some days I wish I had the long, lithe legs of a Beverly Hills housewife, the tight, pert butt of a sugar baby, the thigh gap (yes, thigh gap) of someone freshly lipo'd and bound. I don't enjoy hearing that I have thick thighs, even if it is a compliment. My body, my feelings. (Although oddly enough I do like thick, muscular thighs on men, so....)

I am aware of my pear-shaped body, and while I love it most days, there are plenty of things that get in the way. Bodacious, juicy things. Some days, they might as well be detachable.

For the record, I do work out and eat well, but allow a 10-15% slack off like most normal individuals should if they desire. If not getting paid/sponsored for it, why be so stringent is all I have to ask? That said, I have come to terms with having a booty. That 10,000 butt implants were performed in the U.S. in 2013 helps, but it's not the sole reason why.

1. I like my booty because it is, in all truth, a ~booty~. Although streamlining with lipo is always an option, no matter what I do, it will always be there. Always.

2. I like my booty because it's my job to make it look good. I can't wear any old jeans or skirt because, as a friend put it lightly while clothes shopping, "it'd be a disservice to smoosh it". So it is my pleasure to make sure it looks its best, whether in yoga pants or a fitted skirt.

3. I like my booty because I am more than my booty. Media has definitely capitalized on the posterior, just like it did with breasts, pectorals, more angular noses, foreheads not moving, etc. I have fun with it, sure, in the right place at the right time (take that how you will). But it is a body part, like any other. In no way is it my brain or my heart, and thankfully, I am valued on account of those far more.

4. Finally, I like my booty simply because it's mine.  I have grown and changed with it, especially when it comes to diet and fitness. It has taken me on 100-mile bicycle rides, 13.1-mile runs, and intense hikes in Yosemite Valley. It has grown and changed with me, plushy in the winter and lifted in the summer. It has become a sexier, more athletic part of me, having learned exercise variations and testing its limit through strength and endurance (sing hallelujah). As much as I'd like to remove it sometimes, I can't - and won't.

To close, here are two of my favorite lower body routines; one standard, one yoga-inspired (click on images to enlarge):

Weekend Weho Roundup

This weekend was fabulous. Very busy, but fabulous. It's kind of funny how two days seems like an eternity during the week, but on the weekend it might as well be a hot second.

I laid low on Friday night, partly on account of everyone and their mother having some variation of the cold. On Saturday, however, I felt good enough to head out into the wild, and headed to the Valley to have lunch with my folks and younger brother. My family and I were really close during our younger years but have grown in different directions, which is fine so long as you keep in touch. And the older I've gotten, I've realized that there's nothing like having enough pause in a routine to enjoy time with the people closest to you. Thankfully that was the trend through Sunday night.

Socially, my weekend was as follows:
Drinks and small bites at State Social House (a little price-y but not ridiculous, considering its placement at the peak of the Sunset strip), brunch at Marco's (bottomless mimosas for $12 in huge, huge glasses), dinner and drinks at Echi Sushi (beer and sake on the relative cheap with delicious and imaginative dishes)... Surrounded by friends and conversation, getting a little more tipsy than planned, but feeling good all around. Monetarily, however, it was definitely one of those weekends where - as much as I prefer to be out and about - I will be super thankful to eat at home a few nights this week!

I mentioned before how much I love the absolute diversity here - from background, to social scene, to all around interests and industries, this is about as melting pot as it gets. There is is almost always some link to relate to, to find similarities within differences. However, no one place is perfect, and sometimes it can feel like one's presence is a novelty rather than belonging there without question. Sometimes, definitely not always. To an extent I dislike having the need to interject that I was the only black female present at many of the places I hung out this weekend (with the exception of a gorgeous LA Weekly promoter who surprised our table with free Coronas while at State Social House. Yeah, Coronas, and what?). At the same time, I don't, because maybe a little variety is in order. I'm of the belief that our city's flag is rainbow-colored for more reasons than one.

Anyway, I've decided this week I'm going to wear my hair "out"... Usually I wear it up in a slick ponytail but I let it out all weekend and will continue the trend, having bought some decadent curl pudding on Friday. Next post: I will talk about my experiences with said pudding among other things while figuring out my hair; never a dull moment! Also, I will share a weeknight-in recipe, and maybe some meal prep ideas for on-the-go Paleo snacks (Paleo having become much more to me than a no carb diet du jour -- veggies/fruits are carbs, people).

What did you do this weekend? It was a bit inclement so maybe a staycation was in order? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for visiting, and don't forget check me out on Facebook and Twitter!

Traffic - The Ultimate Pacifier

Monday through Friday, morning and evening, it takes me around 45 to 60 minutes to travel nine miles. Sounds like a lot - and it is - but on the whole, it's not that bad. It could be (and has been) worse.

Last night, I was pretty pumped to be Ms. Domesticity (list l'official: do laundry, clean closet, mop/sweep floors). I was ready, oh baby, oh baby. But by the time I'd made it halfway home from my day, I was already over it.

This is because traffic is the ultimate quelling of hopes and dreams. It quashes any motivation to travel anywhere other than what is familiar, inspiring exhaustion beyond comprehension. That's why I sometimes refer to traffic as being a pacifier - suck it, or suck it up. Learn to deal with it or it will eat you alive.

A friend suggested that I try meditating while in traffic - not with eyes closed, but with the radio off and the mind focusing more than normal. Mindfulness, or mindful awareness, is definitely challenging, but is a good exercise of presence, not falling into a habit of multi-tasking or drifting off into extraneous thought. In reference to traditional meditation, where one is encouraged to pause and be completely mindful of the body through breath, a similar approach applies in being completely aware of one's surroundings:

"The energy of mindfulness carries within it the energy of concentration. When you are aware of something, such as a flower, and can maintain that awareness, we say that you are concentrated on the flower. When your mindfulness becomes powerful, your concentration becomes powerful, and when you are fully concentrated, you have a chance to make a breakthrough, to achieve insight."

With recent updates about a certain retail/restaurant project at 8150 Sunset and its impact on an already crowded Fountain Ave, it seems like the above advice might come in handy (especially since that's a shortcut to my favorite sushi place, /sadface). Also, it does seem that a lot of Angelenos in general mistake productivity with doing everything but driving while at the wheel, from putting on make up to, I dunno, filing taxes? I know this mistake too well and instead plan on implementing some sort of seamless chill -- baby steps towards "peace and happiness", even among the potholes and roadwork. 

We Like to Drink

Okay, this sounds awful, but I love to drink.
Like to drink. I like to drink.
I enjoy it, okay?

One night my friend and I were at Micky's, him on his third vodka soda, me on my first. I told him, "You know that's vodka, not water, right?", to which he responded, "It's West Hollywood water."

When I go out, one of two scenarios commence: (1) happy hour for "a drink" aka two-for-one cocktails, or (2) brunch aka bottomless mimosas, then a trip to the bar. 

Kitchen 24 on a random Saturday afternoon

Honestly, the drink special is one of the things that West Hollywood has perfected on a ridiculous scale. It is to the point where any establishment sans-special sticks out like a sore thumb (I'm looking at you, PUMP -- it's not brunch if it's not bottomless). 

That said, have too much to drink and you will get sloppy. Slurring and tripping may make for great reality TV, but not so much for real life. In the last year I've hurt my foot, been carried up stairs, and been pinned as the reason why no one can touch the dancers at Micky's anymore (or so goes the rumor in jest du jour; I really don't remember). 

One of my goals this year is to not be sloppy. Here are my five best tips:

1. Alcohol is great, but water is essential. If it hasn't been made obvious by most every health column out there, hangovers are 90%, possibly 100% on account of dehydration. Having one glass of water for every drink keeps you a fun companion, not a slack-jawed fountain of "wisdom".

2. Know your bartender/server, and make sure they know you. Be on a first name basis with bar or restaurant staff, even with the bouncer. Not only will you be set libation-wise, but they might also keep an eye out for you. Granted, it's not their job, but it can come with the territory, and never hurts to be or know another friendly face. This is where a small town feel (and tipping well) especially comes in handy.

3. Don't keep up with your friends. Lovingly speaking, Weho is ripe with functional alcoholics. Don't keep up. Instead, order water with lime until you feel ready. Water looks like vodka, and the FAs will probably be too buzzed to notice or care.

4. Learn to say no. If not up for an afternoon or night out, don't be afraid to decline or take on an alternative. Sometimes a change of scenery is in order: have brunch in DTLA, Burbank, or Culver City; lounge at home; go wine tasting in Malibu (there's a Groupon for that). There's many a way of letting your hair down with a welcome barrier that inhibits getting trashed.

5. Listen to your body. You may have the tolerance of a thousand suns but every star burns out at some point. If you need to leave the bar, settle your tab and go. And if you must compete in the Booze Olympics, the real first place prize goes to whoever can get out of bed the next day without being trapped in a debilitating haze.

This is as bare bones as it gets. We like to drink, and that's okay, but it is really important to know your limits and to draw the line between relaxed fun and downright messy. Take care of both your liver and reputation -- sure, they can regenerate under the right circumstances, but you only get one of each.

Joan Williams Snubbed by Rose Parade Broadcast

A few days before the Tournament of Roses Parade aired this year, I was super excited to hear about Joan Williams, a woman crowned Miss Crown City 1958 but who was stripped of the title because of her African American heritage.

This evening, I was saddened (and a bit angered) to hear that Williams's monumental ride on the lead float of the parade went completely unacknowledged by the broadcast.

This is ridiculous because, as most long-time viewers know, Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards love to talk about everything and nothing during the parade broadcast. (I am not kidding. They are so fascinated by the sheen on someone's trombone that is as annoying as it is endearing. Which is okay if you're into that sort of thing.) But more seriously, this is a very intriguing story comprising past and present issues concerning prejudices on account of race in one fell swoop.

A sixty second summary could have been dedicated to explaining why she was riding the float, but not even that was given. Some might say, "She should be lucky that she was given an apology in the first place, and a place on the float; you should let it go." I disagree.

Appreciatively, New Year's Day is a time for reflection, celebration, and starting a new chapter, but it is rather unfortunate that a supposed platform wasn't utilized wisely to showcase a person's struggle that is representative of something that is faced - silently - by a lot of people. It was the responsibility of the broadcasters to tell her story, with respect as to why she was there in the first place. She might as well have been denied the honor altogether, without apology, without a granted appearance nearly 60 years later.

Since moving to Los Angeles proper, I have been made more aware of my "blackness", as it were. I love the people I have come to know and the places seen and experienced, but there is always some feeling involved in that no matter how at home I will feel, it will never really be my home. (I especially feel as such when running through Beverly Hills on their awesome dirt pedestrian paths, but I pseudo-digress.)

More on that later. Two steps forward, one step back is all I have to say.

What say you?

Spirit Animal vs. Spirit Friend

To be honest, I'm still not sure what a spirit animal is, so here's a definition via the always reliable urban dictionary:

Online, saying something or someone is your spirit animal is a statement that said person or thing is a representation of you or what you want to be.

That's cute.

I love living here, but sometimes you have to go through a lot of fake friends to get to the real friends. Lauren Conrad may have said as much on The Hills, but I digress.

I'm talking about the "spirit friend". This is the friend that is there in spirit. In fact, they are in spirit so much that they might as well be a figment of your imagination.  If your only interaction with them is via social media, that might as well be true.

The spirit friend knows a lot of people but has the unique ability to make each person feel like they are besties and confidantes. Unfortunately it can be a little easy to turn into the spirit friend, child, lover - you work, you play, you play harder then clean up the mess. 24 hours in a day is rarely enough and at the end of that day you may not have the time to listen to someone else's day or problems, even though you really want to.

There is a huge difference between being a busy person and a spirit friend. Here are a few reasons:

1. The spirit friend is reliable in their unreliability. To be in their presence is so rare and elusive that you don't know when you'll next see them, or if they'll really care.

2. The spirit friend is all about what is new and shiny. Even if you've known each other for years, have seen each other without eyebrows or endured each others' ugly cry, those moments barely amount to who can guarantee free entrance to Greystone Manor, bottle service, and a complimentary photograph.

3. The spirit friend says they're available, but never is available - to you. In this respect, the spirit friend is the ultra friend on paper, but never really makes concrete attempts to see you. Always says their door is open, but never is there to open the door - although you can see or hear them every so often on the street, at a bar, or wherever else. (Please see reason #2 for emphasis.)

A busy person makes time, even if it's five minutes, even if it's in silence, to be there in some capacity. A busy person adores leggings-and-sweatshirt you AND wolf whistles winged-mascara you, H&M realness and all. A busy person texts novels and is insulted when you don't do the same. In short, spirit friend behavior is best in theory, but not reality. It may be cute at first but after a while it's like a grown adult speaking in baby talk - frustrating and difficult to understand.

There are more than enough spirit friends in this small town, thanks to how engulfed it is by the entertainment industry - don't add to the numbers! That said, it is possible to experience priceless, close-knit relationships that you think would only be possible somewhere like Minden, Louisiana --  and that is a huge reason as to why leaving isn't an option.

Just yet.

Megan Fox's Eyebrows Changed My Life

I've lived in West Hollywood for almost three years, and if there's anything I've learned, it's that eyebrows are super important. I would almost consider them to be an accessory more important than a pair of rare stone earrings or a funky necklace. I may leave my apartment without my sunglasses, but I will never leave without my eyebrows.

Here are my eyebrows before I cared:

And here's how they look now:

I know, right??

It's not that I never cared about them before - I just never realized how much they impacted one's face. Like any other feature, eyebrows have a huge hand in defining the face you present to the world. And in an effort to keep my friends from reminding me (with love and in jest, I'm sure), I take care to ensure that they are en pointe. Unless I'm sick with the flu or something.

Like most of the world, I never noticed Megan Fox until the first Transformers film in 2007, and sure, she had a great body, long hair, and beautiful eyes. Her actual talent was as much a factor for me as it was for Michael Bay (read: zero), but her eyebrows? Her eyebrows changed my life forever. 

There are days where I feel like a blob, like I could stand to lose 10 pounds, but if my eyebrows look good, well... hell, I might as well be Megan Fox.

Make no mistake that there have been countless celebrities whose brows have shaken the beauty world - Audrey Hepburn, Angelina Jolie, Emmy Rossum, Cara Delevigne serving as major players. For my generation, however, I can confidently say that Megan Fox is the reason why I keep two dark brown kohl pencils in my purse and one in my car. Who has forever inspired your look?