Rumor has it...

I’ll have a website soon.

After MUCH delay, my developers are working out some (hopefully) final bugs and we’re actually getting close to a launch. There have been more than a few bugs, changes, revisions, etc. over the last three months, but they’ve really stepped up recently and we’re finally getting somewhere. In a matter of a week or so, I hope to be sending out the final stage version to some of you lucky readers and strong supporters (get excited!) asking for some last thoughts, after which we’ll go live...

To answer my beloved friend and family’s number question of the last seven months, I still don’t have a specific launch date. I’ve made the mistake of committing to a date too many times now – let’s all remember the first “coming soon - July 2009" placeholder, which has since been changed to “Fall 20009”, “Winter 2009” and finally “Winter 2010”. There’s nothing worse than over-promising and under-delivering – it’s my biggest pet peeve in life, so it’s been a tough pill to swallow that we missed our July deadline, and every month thereafter until what’s now looking like February 2010. That'll mark nine months since I've been working hard, and hardly working on the site - and with all of the time, money, and sleepless nights - she's definitely my baby.

I appeased myself by starting a facebook WHAT ARE THEY WEARING fan page (linked to our twitter whatRtheyWear and WHAT ARE THEY WEARING Linkedin groups) last fall. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you 178 fans so far.

It’s not that the site involves some form of rocket science, or is highly complex - (although I do think she is starting to look gorgeous) – but it’s common for web development to take what feels like forever. And I can't say I've been perfect in the process - I've learned A TON about things I didn't know existed. But everything happens for a reason right? Let's hope she’s worth the wait.

Stay tuned…

k

"If you want a rainbow...

... you have to put up with the rain." - Dolly Parton.

Yes, it rains in LA. Actually, I should say it RAINS. Right now California is RAINING. LA’s been hit with hard rain since Sunday of this past Martin Luther King long weekend - and it’s predicted to stay strong until Friday. Day 4 and counting… 3 to go!

Growing up in Canada, I’m used to the elements. I’ll admit to becoming fair-weathered temperature-wise since moving to Southern California, but rain and snow still don’t phase me. Living in San Francisco, I couldn’t believe how the state shut down with a bit of rain. People forget how to drive (those who knew how to begin with) – and everything slows right down. If something takes you 15 minutes when it’s dry, it’ll take an hour with California rain. I’m lucky to have my trusty SUV with all-wheel drive, so gratefully I feel just as safe in wet conditions as dry. But it wasn’t until yesterday that I took the rain here seriously… things shut down because as a usually DRY place, California is ill-equipped to handle abnormal amounts of rain – which is anything more than a light drizzle. The mudslides (winter’s answer to summer’s fires) are as dangerous as avalanches, not to mention the floods, and most recently a tornado hitting Long / Huntington Beach and Orange County so strong it flipped cars and threw boats in the arena 30-50 feet in the air. Not just another day in paradise.

There were small breaks of sunshine Monday and yesterday afternoons – my friend and I actually saw a rainbow in the Hollywood Hills as we walked threw knee-deep puddles. But a flood warning remains in effect for Southern California, freeways have been shut down, and after an appearance of hail late this morning, this afternoon we’re gearing up for more heavy rain (up to 1.5 inches per hour) and high winds (50 -60 miles per hour). It’s advised not to leave your home if you don’t have to – OK, home office!

We might be prepared for earthquakes (some of us more than others - I promise to FINALLY buy my “earthquake kit” this weekend) – but this amount of fog, wind and rain can in fact be DISASTROUS and isn’t to be taken lightly. It’s a good thing I have three pairs of Wellies.

Stay dry!

k

Martin Luther King Monday

There are a few things American’s have right – a long weekend in January is DEFINITELY one of them. This weekend marks the first US holiday weekend of 2010. It’s excitingly followed by "President’s Day" next month (oddly "Family Day" hasn’t come south of the border). My best friend interestingly pointed out that January is when a new President's inauguration happens, and February is “Black History Month” – yet "Martin Luther King Day" is in January, and "President’s Day" is in February. Hmmm. Like I said – they have a few things right.

In honor of Dr. King’s memory, I’ve included a link below to a 17-minute video of his “I have a dream” speech. It's worth a watch.

http://www.mlkonline.net/video-i-have-a-dream-speech.html

I wonder if he ever dreamt of having a black President... "Free at last!"

What’s your dream?

k

So Type A…

I recently became obsessed with finding out my blood type. Mostly because I didn’t know it and I think this is a VERY important piece of valuable information for everyone to have, but also because a month into my vegan-macrobiotic transition, things aren’t going so smoothly. I haven’t had any animal products or byproducts for four weeks, and my body doesn’t seem to be reacting very well to this significant change. A few wise people asked about my blood type, explaining that some types need animal protein more than others. So I set to find out. My Toronto doctor said she couldn’t run the test unless I was pregnant (no!!) or needed a blood transfusion, but I could find out by giving blood. So I tried to donate blood in Toronto the next day, only to find out you can't within 24 hours of a dental cleaning. That ruled me out as I’d just seen my dentist. Back in LA, I contacted the UCLA platelet centre and after passing the initial prescreening, set up an appointment to donate. Unfortunately after explaining to a young technician that Nepal is a country, and Mount Everest is in fact a Mountain – I was denied as a donor until January 2011, because Nepal has a high risk for malaria. Explaining the elevation of Everest didn’t help, but at that point I wasn’t sure I wanted her putting a needle anywhere near me. I then ordered an online typing kit and put my grade 11 Biology skills to work, only to get an inconclusive result. Awesome. My last resort was to see my LA doctor, who happily did the typing test right in her office (sorry but I love US healthcare). Two days later she called me to let me know I’m Type A (negative). Classic.

Anyone who knows me, or who has read this blog, likely knows I’m a typical type A. It’s a funny coincidence that this now has more than one meaning for me. Not surprisingly, the A blood types are described as having fragile digestive systems – again anyone who knows me, knows this is an understatement, primarily thanks to my fantastic global travels (worth it!). It’s actually recommended that I have a vegetarian diet – but in adopting a “Eat Right for Your Type” diet, there are all kinds of other things it suggests I eliminate. A negative is a rare type outside of Africans (which works out well for me as I’ve always wanted to be African) – and is only prominent in about 7% of Canadians.

Dare to be different right?!

k

Happy New YOU!

I stole that from a Kellogg’s Special K ad I saw in Melbourne last January and I kind of love it. There’s something magical about this time of year. I’m not nearly as into Christmas and the December festivities as I am birthdays (thankfully those come every day) – for the most part I could take or leave the holidays. But I do love starting a new year. It’s a cleansing and refreshing feeling. A fresh start. A blank slate. I love making resolutions, setting goals, and well certainly adopting a few changes – 2009 was definitely one for the books in that respect.

Last year on December 21^st, 2008 – I flew from Toronto to LA en route to Singapore, and eventually Nepal and (finally) Mount Everest. This year on December 21^st, 2009 – I flew from LA to Toronto to spend 6 days with East Coast friends and family. Last year on December 31^st, 2009 – I spent New Year’s Eve with my Nepalese guide and sherpa, neither of whom I’d known for more than a week – as well as couple of other trekkers I met that day. This year on December 31^st, 2009 – I spent New Year’s Eve with new LA friends I met this fall. Last year on January 1^st, 2009 – I trekked to Base Camp, and Kala Patthar - an excess of 20,000 ft. It was minus 40 degrees celsius without the wind chill. I woke up on New Year’s day (at 5am) to a frozen hot water bottle in my sleeping bag. This year on January 1^st, 2009 - I hiked Runyon Canyon – maybe 2,000 ft above sea level at its highest peak. I woke up (at 10am) to 20 degrees celsius and my warm bed. What a difference a year makes. From one extreme to the other, one thing remains the same – it’s a new year!!

Happy 2010. Make it your best year yet.

k

"Life isn't about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself." - Unknown

What I've learned so far in la la...

- Saying “I’m cold” becomes a relative statement very quickly.

- It’s not uncommon for salespeople to hug you hello & goodbye – ok admittedly, after you discovered you were separated at birth.

- Visitors are as good as a visit "home".

- Don't rely on having cell service at LAX, Dodger Stadium, the Rose Bowl - or anywhere with thousands of Los Angelians.

- Spanish is second nature for anyone who grew up here. French really throws people.

- Asking where the washroom is is the same as tattooing a maple leaf on your forehead saying "I'm Canadian".

- You can mapquest things on foot.

- Beware of “boot camp” classes & exercises called “GI Janes”.

- The beach is well worth the price of time and loss of patience sitting in traffic to get there.

- It’s worth the drive to Laguna.

- The yoga in California isn’t always better, you’ve got to find it.

- San Francisco isn’t necessarily a 6-hour drive...

- Fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters are a given.

- When you hear & see a helicopter circling overhead, it’s probably not the next celebrity wedding – there was likely a murder.

- Don’t always trust your GPS.

- Avoid Santa Monica Blvd, Fairfax, and a few other choice streets like the plague – they’re all anyone's GPS knows – and 95% of the city is using one to get anywhere. Beware of congestion...

- There are places you just should not go - EVER. Don’t let the gas light come on when you’re Southeast of anything.

- Runyon is almost always the highlight of my week.

- Boys in LA date date date.

- My trainer would use another word for date…

- If someone wears a blue or red bandanna, they’re likely a blood or a crip. If you ask them and they say no, go with your gut.

- More than half of the cars on the road are ones you’d want to own. People just need to learn to drive them!

- Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.

- Rain REALLY shuts the city down.

- What goes up, must not always come down.

- Whole Foods should be called “Whole Paycheck” - if you have one!

- You could eat out every night and never tire of the restaurants here.

- Nothing beats Rodeo. Avec holiday decorations - even better!

- The Grove really is heaven on earth – or "adult Disneyland".

- Time is different here, 15 min late is on time. Don't ever be early, you'll be kept waiting.

- Anything in the car takes at least 3-4 times longer than mapquest, googlemaps, or your GPS says.

- Valet is cheaper than parking tickets.

- You don’t really appreciate free apples until they’re gone.

- Ryan Seacrest really does run this town. And I love him.

You can take the girl out of Canada, but you can’t take Canada out of the girl. Who'd want to?! Please.

k

PS - That's it for this year... and what a year it's been.

Happy Holidays!! See you in 2010 - with bells on. xoxo

Not so Clueless...

I recently bought and read Alicia Silverstone’s “The Kind Diet”. It caught my eye from its initial release this fall, but having mixed feelings about veganism – I held off. Well I bit the bullet last week, and I read it last night – all of it – in one go. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at meat or animal/ by-products the same way again... I’ve read many books on diet, wellness, cleansing and so on – but this one really resonated. Animal cruelty issues are one thing – but the hormones and other toxins in the highly processed food we eat are another. I haven’t eaten red meat since I was 15 (aside from a few unenjoyable instances I can count on one hand) – I initially cut it out for health reasons. And then as you can imagine, if you try eating something your body hasn’t seen in over a decade – it well – rejects it. Ewa. I don’t miss it, and I rarely crave it. Although filet mignon was my favorite meal until age 15.

Having issues with dairy, I’ve wanted to become vegan for a few years. My main concern being that also having sensitivities to corn and gluten – once you take out chicken, fish, turkey, eggs & anything with animal by-products - there isn’t much left. Reading Alicia’s book, she said a lot of people who adopt a vegan or macrobiotic diet are able to reintroduce whole wheat and gluten products after they’ve practiced clean eating. I’ve never seriously considered macrobiotic. I know Gwyneth and Madonna are fans and clearly look fantastic – I also know they have personal chefs and the extraordinary resources to hardly notice such an extreme and dramatic change in everything they put into their bodies.

Without quoting the entire book – Alicia raves that she easily lost excess weight when she changed her eating and has more energy than ever. Her struggle with acne vanished, she sleeps better and hasn’t been sick once. The list of health benefits seems is endless. The lighter footprint of organic and locavore eating (making an effort to eat only foods grown or harvested within a 100 mile radius of your home), and the cruelty-free animal existence are all added benefits.

So after careful thought and consideration, I’ve decided to try going macrobiotic, and primarily vegan for 2010. A close friend was diagnosed with celiac last year and swears she doesn’t miss the foods that used to make her so sick – food for me is a daily struggle and I’d love to get to a place where it offers more than taste. If you’re going to do something do extreme with everything you consume, LA’s the place!! I’ve looked into a macrobiotic meal delivery service – for a somewhat reasonable price you can have 5 entrees delivered each week – allowing you to add variety, convenience, and ease to your new clean existence.

Some notable celebrity vegetarians, vegans and macrobiotics are:

Macrobiotic fans: Kim Kardashian, Madonna, Gwyneth

Vegans: Ellen Degeneres & Portia de Rossi, Woody Harrelson, Ginnifer Goodwin, Tobey Maguire, Alanis Morrisette (also Canadian!)

Vegetarians: Anne Hathaway, Anna Paquin, Brooke Shields, Claudia Schiffer, Kate Winslet, Brad Pitt (yum)

So yeah - I’m officially LA crazy... Go clean or go home.

k

What did you do last weekend?

Cuz I got bangs. And to those who remember my highly publicized decision to first get bangs last May – it was talked about for weeks… months for a lucky few! And sadly after the big unveiling - no one noticed! They weren’t really bangs at all. Having the same blunt hair cut since I was 15 (after unsuccessfully trying the Rachel – Jennifer Aniston layered look a few times and realizing it doesn’t work with my wavy hair) these small decisions are more than a bit major for me.

Sidebar – like most young girls I had bangs from an early age till I finally grew them out at age 12. They basically started at the crown of my head and complemented my bowl haircut very well. I’ve blocked it out. I don’t want to talk about my first true bang experience thank you.

So these bangs 2.0 aren’t your long layered swept behind the ear type of thing. They are just below my eyebrows, still side swept – but only falling about 4 inches from the top of my forehead. They aren’t deep (I’d say they’re between a quarter and half an inch from the front of my forehead back) - it’s a small and somewhat subtle start, and definitely noticeable. Especially when they decide to stand straight up… I kind of love them, and kind of hate them. They are the change I wanted. Although I’m not sure I need more help looking about 18 – still carded – everywhere! And let’s all remember when I took my California road test back in birthday month, I was asked if I was just getting my license for the first time. Uh – yes, 13 year ago that was the case.

Overall I think we’re in a natural adjustment period. They’re higher maintenance - which was to be expected, requiring a daily blow-dry to cooperate – and I use that term loosely. Working out with them is also a challenge. I’ve tried my lulu headbands (with the rubber grip – I added the faux denim navy one to my collection this weekend in their honor - LOVE) and they do the job for as long as it’ll stay on my head. Next will be the plethora of bobby pins and clips I plan on buying at the Grove.

I won’t include a picture as it'd conflict with my poor attempt of keeping the anonymity of “Style Guru” in tact. That and we’re still adjusting. ☺

k

"Holiday" High Tea

My favorite Christmas movie of all time is “The Holiday” (2006) – actually it’s easily on my short list of favorite movies EVER. A surprising admission, because I don’t like Jude Law… but his character – and Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jack Black - all more than make up for it in this fantastic flick. If you haven’t seen it – watch it. You'll love it. Really. The story lines take place in LA and England over the holidays – two of my favorite places. And I can say that Cameron Diaz’s movie wardrobe is by far the BEST OF ALL TIME. From the Miu Miu white and wool cashmere coat, TSE and Ralph Lauren cashmere scarves and sweaters – to her chocolate brown and white Dior shearling coat. It’s all just fantastic.

With yesterday marking the first Sunday in December, LA is in full-on Christmas-mania (The Grove started this epidemic weeks ago...) – it’s on and it’s time to get festive. With this in mind, my best friend, her boyfriend and I had “Holiday” high-tea at the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills yesterday. The list of famous movies filmed here (for $14,000 USD/ day) fills an entire page. The most exciting for me being “The Holiday”… but not at a small price. The Director, Nancy Meyers, wasn’t happy after the first day of filming so the studio paid another $14k to get it right. You really do have to spend to save.

After an hour and a half of chatter over tea, biscuits, various treats and champagne we went on a tour of the mansion– seeing the “dining room” where Cameron Diaz and Jude Law shot the scene where he takes her to lunch (ironically set in England in the movie). It was pretty cool. Some other notable favorites in good company were Ghost Busters, Air Force One, and The Bodyguard. The park ranger who lead the tour said when you see the white and black marble floor in a movie it’s a dead giveaway – I’ll definitely be looking for it in movies to come.

Feliz Navidad!

k

thank you, thank you, thank you, you’re far too kind

After a quick trip to T, I’m back in LA - already home. Thankfully it was unseasonably warm on the East Coast for late November – but that didn’t stop me from wearing SEVERAL layers at all times. It wasn't just an excuse to enjoy my winter wardrobe. I refused to get sick and waking up Thursday morning I could not get warm – eating breakfast with a hat, scarf & earmuffs was quite the sight for my beloved parents. Miss me? ☺ You’d think after 40 below on Everest I wouldn’t turn fair-weathered so soon... Think again. My four days were a whirlwind, the highlight of course seeing as many of your beautiful faces as possible.

Thanks to RH for an incredibly warm, albeit short homecoming and an offer to have my old spot back starting yesterday – greatly appreciated (DUN for life), but it looks like the team is doing just fine… congrats G!! Thanks to the girls for closing the rest as I knew we would, R for brunch “just like old times”, JC for a house I thoroughly LOVE, and MRT for well… Triple T!!! PAW for my fav downtown spot (syrup all around!). K, miss you despite talking every five seconds…. love, love, love AKC, need more of her in my life – Dr PhD, you rock – KRob & JS who isn’t reading this, love you both. LKA you're the BEST. Little red ballers – thanks for th entertainment as always. JD, JF & co - Tgiving 2.0 avec la familia was tres fantastique. M/N thanks for filling my bags - I made it. And L – my #1! Forever & always.

The tough part about seeing people after four months is it makes you miss them more – the silver lining being that I’m back in December for the holidays in uh... three weeks today. We won’t talk about the fact that after that it’s unlikely I’ll make another appearance until cottage season 2010. There will be MANY boathouse roof dates required.

“Good friend are like stars… you don’t always seem them, but you know they are always there.” - Anonymous

Thanks for being my stars, love you!

k