Some Organizing Tips

The pink boxes are from Ikea, the plastic ones are the OXO containers and then the colored planters are recycled from plants I bought at Trader Joes.  Oh and the other boxes are old gift boxes so get creative.

If you're putting rice, cream of wheat or other products in these containers, don't forget to cut out the directions!

This weekend I took the advice of professional organizer, Amy Suddleson who told me that getting organized is as easy as buying a label maker.  So I bought a label maker at Costco and put it to work!  It changed my life.  It's literally taken me years to figure out the perfect way to organize stickers, markers, stamps, paints, pencils, jewels...  Everything my little girls need to create the perfect masterpiece.  Problem is all those visits to Target, Lakeshore and Michaels leaves me with a tons of great stuff scattered everywhere.  I know, it's overwhelming enough being a parent sometimes so when you add another layer of keeping the house cleaned and well organized, that's another story.  Problem is, not having your life organized causes stress, hours wasted searching for things and money wasted because you can't find something.  So I finally committed to organizing my life.

Apart from talking to Amy Suddleson, I bought a few great books.  One Year To An Organized Life by Regina Leeds and The Life Organizer: A Woman's Guide to a Mindful Year by Jennifer Louden.  First, it's important to note that both of these books give you an entire year to organize your life.  So don't set yourself up for failure thinking you'll get it done in a weekend.  It takes time to de-clutter and let go of your memories, especially if you're someone like me who still has boxes of old letters from childhood up until the Valentine's day card my husband just gave me.  This week I want you to start thinking about spring cleaning.  Think about places you spend most of your time.  A few weeks ago I started with my kitchen.  My pantry was a mess so I bought a bunch of OXO containers and started labeling.  You can buy the OXO containers directly through the site or use your Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons.  Also, make sure you check out the Container Store, One Kings Lane and Gilt Home.  Sometimes they'll have some nice containers on sale too.

Happy organizing!

Looking For Inspiration

I love this photo of Caroline modeling.  So grateful for her friendship and design ideas today!

How adorable is this outfit Caroline designed, along with the blanket.  Super cute and ultra high end.  It's all eco friendly.  If you're in the market to splurge, this is the line for you!

Today one of my favorite people, Caroline Cameron of OX Kids  was in town from NYC.  She always ends up in town at the perfect time, when I need her most!  She was the perfect answer to the freezing weather outside.  We always have the best time talking about everything and nothing.  Caroline is one of the most creative people I know.  Not only is she a successful clothing designer, but she's also an artist.  So who better a person to ask about decorating tips than Caroline!  Before you know it we were moving furniture, books, picture frames.  I now have a "wish list" of items for my home.  Thanks to Caroline, I put aside some clutter to give away and now my space feels lighter.  Today I just felt like giving a shout out to a wonderful friend, and a woman who inspires me every time I see her.  So next time you're looking for inspiration, she might be sitting right next to you at mom's night out or she's just a phone call away.

Shift your Fears into love

Image taken from Echoes of Love of FB.

Image from kalbarteski.com

Do you worry about everything?  Are you scared of loosing your job, getting sick or never getting pregnant?  Today's the day to shift those fears into love.  Whenever my mind starts to wander into a place of fear, I close my eyes and envision my daughters smiling at me, similar to the photo of the little girl above.  Then, almost like an airplane writing in the sky, I visualize the word love being inscribed over them.  This little exercise takes only a few minutes and no one needs to know what's going on, but it can shift everything.  It takes practice to tune out that fear, but it's also liberating.  Have a great weekend.

Embrace the Journey

Photo taken from Pure Nourishment on Facebook.

Photo taken from Pure Nourishment on Facebook

This afternoon I was feeling sad, scared, upset by some recent diagnoses.  I needed inspiration, something to lift my spirits and a way to send love to those in need of all the prayers possible.  This is what I found.  I love the photo of the woman standing on a single branch of this massive tree.  It shows us how really small we are in the grand scheme of things, and that sometimes the universe has it's own ideas of what's best for us.  So if you, your friends, and/ or loved ones are facing illness or terrible challenges, there's nothing we can do but embrace this journey together.  Sending love.

Low Maintenance Makeup

Healthy living is about feeling good from the inside out...  Like lots of moms and women in general, I'm so low maintenance when it comes to makeup that I only use a few things.  Every morning I use a tinted moisturizer with a high SPF, under eye concealer for my dark circles, some blush and that's typically it except maybe some mascara.  If I have something going on, I always carry around Sue Devitt's eye intensifier pencils.  They are so easy to use and look amazing!  I always carry a few colors on me, one darker that I apply as a liner and then a lighter color that I just smudge and it looks like eye shadow.  Plus, you don't have to worry about them breaking and creating a huge mess in your makeup bag or purse.  Oh, and sometimes they offer friends and family discounts, that's when I'll stock up!   Thanks to The Blonde, Kathryn Lebowitz over at The Blonde and The Brunette for introducing me to this product.  Feeling good about yourself and looking beautiful on the outside doesn't have to take a lot of work.

SHAPE Magazine - My Heart Story

Love this photo of me jumping in the Santa Monica mountains.  SHAPE magazine just used it in their latest issue and featured my heart story.  Photo taken by Kathryn Lebowitz

Last week I got a text from a producer I worked with several months ago on a project.  She was on a flight home, reading SHAPE magazine and saw my heart story.  I was so excited.  It's convenient my husband's office is two doors down from a Rite Aid because he bought every issue they had!

To think that eight years ago I was scared of everything in my life...  Fearful of dropping dead from my failing heart, fearful that I would never have children, fearful of never feeling normal again and really fearful of life.  It all felt so overwhelming.  But somehow I shifted all that fear into love and here I am inspiring other heart disease survivors and hopefully a few others along the way.  Click HERE for the entire SHAPE magazine article.

Thanks for all your support!

WomenHeart on KCAL 9

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I had so much fun this afternoon with my favorite KCAL 9 weatherman and friend, Kaj Goldberg.

This afternoon my friend and WomenHeart champion partner, Alisa Becket, and I appeared on KCAL 9.  We promoted our upcoming heart disease support group that meets the second Monday of every month from 7-8pm at UCLA's 200 Medical Plaza in the cardiac rehab center.  You can view the entire segment right here on KCAL 9.

Alayna's Beauty Talk and More

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo at the studio of LA Talk Live.  Here's one of me a few hours earlier at KTLA 5.

After my appearance on KTLA 5 last week I headed to the LA Talk Live studios for Alayna's Beauty Talk and More.  Alayna featured me as a guest on her show to kick off heart month.  We had the best time!  I educated her listeners about WomenHeart, a national organization committed to promoting education, awareness, advocacy and peer support for women with heart disease.  I also got to teach her about some of my healthy snacks and on the go lunch secrets!  You can check out the entire show HERE.

Heels for Hearts

Alisa Becket, Toshawa Andrews and I getting ready to strut our stuff.

Master P was one of the judges!

Okay this is impressive!!  

Today we strutted our stuff at the Beverly Center for Master P and other celebrity judges.  It was a fun event hosted by Macy's.  The department store has raised over 27 million dollars for the American Heart Association.  Prizes were given to the best female and male strutters.  I didn't take home any prizes, but I did get a chance to spend time with some of my favorite women!

Heart Month is Here!!

Loved getting to know these inspirational survivors more, and  thanks to actress Nia Peeples for lending her support to the cause.  By the way, it was so fun getting dressed by Macy's!

KTLA anchor Chris Schauble, a big supporter of the AHA stopped by  to say hi before leaving for the day.

It takes a lot to get me out of bed super early, especially because that's my snuggly time with my girls.  But when I was asked by the American Heart Association to appear on KTLA 5 to promote awareness for heart month, I couldn't pass up the opportunity!  Stylists from Macy's dressed all five of us and we attempted to strut our stuff:)  Click HERE to check out the segment.  Don't forget to wear red for Heart Month!