Griffith Park, Los Angeles

This weekend, hubby and I felt very "Angeleno": we went hiking at the Griffith Park.

Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America, and in there is located the Observatory, Hollywood Sign, Greek Theater, courts, places for picnics, hiking and many other activities.
It took us more than 3 years to do this, but since we're not an adventurous couple, it was not a priority. But the day was beautiful, the city was calm and quiet due to the holiday today, and the weather was great.
The trails are easy, not too radical (except the height!) and can be done by everyone: children, elderly, dogs etc. But since they have no signs, and there are several of them, at the very beginning we has to ask a hiker who was leaving one of them, if that trail could take us close to the Observatory (and he said yes). So off we went!

Less than 50 minutes later we were on the very top! Higher than the Observatory. From there you can see entire Los Angeles, from all sides. We stayed there for a while admiring the view and then we went down taking a different trail.

Two hours nicely spent (the time will depend on the trails you choose), breathing fresh air, sunbathing (don't forget sunblocks!) and walking. A very pleasant way to exercise and admire beautiful views!

Herb Gardens

I love the idea of ​​having my own fresh herbs, available in my yard or by my window. Until some years ago, if you wanted to grow your own herbs, you would need a house with a big yard or live in the countryside. However, nowadays there are nice herb gardens that you can keep indoors and with artificial light!
It's not difficult to find houses with these herb gardens by the windows in LA and, oddly enough, they look beautiful and kind of easy to use. If you are up to do this, and if you buy the right products (seeds, soil etc), I think it can work!
For those who might like this adventure, here are some cool options:

Officeoriginair

Bacsac's

AeroGarden

Sagaform

PS: I won't be able to post the next days, but I'll be back next week with more tips and news! A great week to all!

Ojai Valley Inn & SPA

Two weeks ago hubby and I went to Ojai Valley Inn & SPA in Ojai, CA.

Ojai is a small town less than 2 hours away from LA and is best known for this resort.
I've been hearing about this resort for a while but I also knew it was too expensive. However, I got a nice discount and this was the perfect excuse to finally visit this place that everybody talks about ... And now I know why: it's truly amazing! Lots of green, quiet, and great amenities.
The guests are usually couples and families, and they go there mainly to play golf and for the spa. But they also have swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness center with free classes etc.
We really wanted to enjoy the pool, relax and read. I didn't have any SPA treatment, but hubby played tennis with a professional and I did yoga outdoors!

About the food, they have some restaurants inside the property (a upscale, a pub and a healthy one), but only two are open late (I mean, 11pm). They are full at peak hours, but it is not a big deal (photo below is the dinner we had at the pub) and you can make a reservation or sip wine while waiting for your table.

We had an amazing weekend in this wonderful place, with beautiful sunny days and fireplace at nights! And look at that last picture of the sky during the sunset! Priceless!

If I have one not so good comment about the resort is that everything is a little bit overpriced (from the rooms - at regular price - to some services to food), but sometimes we have to let the money go and enjoy the good things of life, right?

Sweet Moments: berries and banana smoothie

Whether starting your day, in the afternoon, or before/after exercise, a homemade smoothie with berries (blackberry, strawberry, blueberry) and bananas - or any other fruit of your choice - is a great choice and super healthy!

Tip: whenever my fruits are over ripe and I know I will not eat them but I don't want to throw away, I freeze them, so I can prepare juices, smoothies or even cakes with them. I do it with berries, pineapple, banana, peach ...

October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A brief pause in happy posts to talk more serious: here in the U.S., October is also remembered as breast cancer awareness month.
During this month the campaign is even stronger and many events take place to raise donations for the National Foundation for Cancer Research and many other Foundations.
In Brazil, we have a campaign called No Alvo da Moda (Fashion's Target), made ​​by a big clothing company called Hering. Here, is the Pink Ribbon, and coolest thing is that several companies participate in creating products - in pink - with the income donated to the program (Avon, KitchenAid, Estee Lauder, Opi, Conair, Philosophy, Lacoste, Wilson, Sephora, Everlast, Donna Karan, Aveda  are some examples) .
The Foundation has an online store with a huge catalog of things for home, clothes, accessories etc.. Department stores like Macy's and Bloomingdales, besides products, they do special activities, for example: I received an email from Bloomingdales saying that if I "Like" the store on Facebook, they would donate $1 for the campaign. Great, right?
These are great iniciatives that should be copied and spread throughout the world, because everything is worth to win this fight!
Below you will find some TV commercials from American Cancer Society, entitled "Birthdays". They air them every year, and you can ask my hubby: I get emotional every time I see them! (I'm sure you'll be too!)
On the website you can find other artists and can help the Society by sending a song to someone else...

My wishes for a world with less cancer and more birthdays!

Spring has arrived! (and fall too!)

This post is to celebrate the begining of Spring season in Brazil. A delightful season that marks the end of cold, rain, bad mood (for some), weight gain (for many others...) and brings the sun, light, joy and flowers to prepare us for summer!
This last spring I thoroughly enjoyed the flowers. I stopped to look at them andI took lots of pictures (the photo above is from gardens here in the neighborhood)

If you, like me, love to bring the green into the house, take good care of them: before putting the flowers in the vase, cut the stems diagonally, remove the leaves and change water frequently. You can use traditional vases, vintage glass glasses, porcelain, plastic, pots of jam (cleaned, of course) and so on.

  

   

In the case of plants, do not be afraid to get your hands dirty, especially if you have a balcony or garden. Replace the soil (this second picture is of me in action!) and be careful not to water too much, because water in excess is the most common cause of death of indoors plants. But if you do not want to take any risk, call an expert!

Here is a little Feng-shui moment: never leave old and wilted greens inside your home. It doesn´t bring a good energy! If they are not full of life anymore, get rid of them and buy new ones.

Anyway, I hope that everybody in Brazil (or any other place in Spring season) enjoy you Spring a lot. Here in US it is my time to enjoy the autumn. I will keep you posted on everything that happens here during this also great season!

Pics: personal archive, Country Living, Real Simple and Leif.

Effective and multi-use moisturizer: Embryolisse

This tip goes to those who, like me, suffers from dry skin all year round: facial moisturizer Lait-Crème Concentré, from the French brand Embryolisse.
During researches for my trip to France, I discovered that this moisturizer is a must for many people because on top of being a super moisturizer, makeup artists and models use it also as a primer (before makeup) and makeup remover as well. I bought it and loved it! And I have - so far - just used it as a moisturizer...
As the name says, it's concentrated, but the texture is very light. Leaves the skin great, neither oily nor sheen. On their website you will find other options of incredible products not only for the face but for the body too.

Always hydrated!

Keep you baby warm with Bundle Me

I know that winter is almost over in Brazil and here it has barely begun, but the news for the season are coming out. To my mom readers who live in cold places or want their babies ultra protected this winter, I found these cute Bundle Me by JJ Cole's.
Designed to be attached to the stroller and baby carrier, Bundle Me is much like a sleeping bag lined with plush or sheepskin and it is available in several colors (they also have a water resistant version, perfect for snowing places). With it, you no longer need to be carrying blankets, and it is machine-washable. Ideal for babies and children up to 3 years.

  

 

 Sure bet for bitter winters!

Chipotle Mexican Grill - Part 2

For those who liked the post I made on Chipotle, here's a beautiful video produced by them showing their concern for the way animals are treated. And due to that, the way the company chose to work.

The soundtrack is Back to the Start sung by country music legend Willie Nelson.

Chipotle rocks!

California Baby

California Baby is an amazing line of products for babies (or anyone sensitive to chemicals) 100% natural that started with just one product that is popular even today - the Calming Shampoo & Bodywash - and it pleased so much that the company currently has a extensive catalog ranging from moisturizings and baby powders to aromatic sprays and bath oils.
The company is eco-friendly, uses recyclable packaging only, and its products are biodegradable, organic and totally natural. The prices are very affordable and you can find information about the products on their website which also offers tips and a blog.
They are so concerned about the environment and the products considered "natural" available on the supermarket shelves that the company actively participates in committees and associations that support natural products, sustainable enterprises and regulate the market.
Success well-deserved!

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle is a Mexican fast food chain that you can build your own burrito, taco or bowls.

With several stores in Los Angeles, they are different from other fast food chains simply because they are healthy! How come? Even though it is still fast food, the food is fresh, bought locally, and most of them are organics (40% of the beans used by them are organics). And everything is prepared in location. Nothing is pre-made!

The company is also concerned about the way animals are treated, so they only work with family farmers who raise the animals naturally, grain/grass fed, and no hormones nor additives.

The stores are packed, the service is fast and they are always trying different things (the website is very interesting and, through it, you can also place your orders). I've tried the burrito and I can say that you can notice the delicious taste of home cooking food!

As they say: "It's not just a burrito. It's a foiled-wrapped, hand-crafted, local farm supporting food culture changing cylinder of deliciousness".

Yoga for all!

Last Sunday I had a really cool experience that I'm going to share here, because I think it may serve as a model for other companies, I had yoga class in the middle of a yoga/workout clothing store, on a Sunday morning, with a great teacher and for free! This is a iniciative of Lululemon that hires teachers from different gyms to teach for free. They do this every Sunday and anyone can join. And at the end of the class, berries and crackers were available also free. In addition to this yoga program, they also offer other free activities during the week. I loved it and I will definitely go back. When ideas and intentions are good, we have to be part of it!

The Beauty Detox Solution

Today is Monday, also known as cleaning/dieting day. So it is worth mentioning the "it" diet here in the U.S.: the Glowing Green Smoothie developed by celebrity nutritionist, personal chef and yoga instructor Kimberly Snyder. According to her, clients who's drunk the juice regularly started experiencing visible skin improvement in just few days.
This March she released a book called The Beauty Detox Solution on diet, health and beauty. For her, proper nutrition has the power to leave the skin brighter; hair and nails stronger; increase energy and get the body you desire. The recipe and other tips can be found on the nutritionist's website.

Details...

Delicious parfait!