Thanks Sterling!!! You are a man of good taste.  Not because you are addicted to my cooking and baking, but because you love my sister.

ciao for now, Paula

POLISH is an exquisite body, hand , and foot parlour for men and women. It is focused on carrying all natural nail polishes and giving all hand and foot treatments as naturally focused as possible. They carry Sheswai nail lacquer, Zoya nail polish, as well as others.

Sheswai is my new favorite and Debbie comes up with some really great classic colors that look phenomenal on any skin tone!!  All that and her products do not contain any formaldehyde, toluene, and dbp’s. Not to mention the color lasts!!!  Zoya is my trusted second…all the colors and quality are what I can’t get enough of. They too have no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP’s, and Camphor!

The scrubs and lotions are all by Persephenie. This line, no lie, has such a unique and calming scent that you will not stop smelling your arms.  The Persephenie scrub is not super oily so you will love how because of the natural oils included it leaves your skin well moisturized but without that greasy feeling.

All Sheswai, Zoya, and Persephenie products are available for purchase at Polish as well!!

The interior is immaculately designed by the owner, Mariko McKittrick. The aqua hued floors, reminiscent of tropical destinations, was a gutsy move that proves Mariko must always listen to her gut instinct! She explained,” It took 10 different samples to get just the right color I was envisioning.” All the fixtures and frames are flea market finds! Lets face it, Mariko is genius with interior design!

It is the perfect place to discuss ideas and carry on casual conversations with friends or others in the salon receiving services from the staff.

The extremely comfortable chairs for the treatments make it difficult to want to get up and leave.  She prides herself in the quality of service and experience.  I can admit that I have made this my home away from home.  The staff is extremely nice and LOVE what they do!  There is a sincere difference in their work because there is integrity.  My nails never looked so good!

This room is perfect for a private party such as bridal showers, birthdays, and other smaller events.

Mariko is an art enthusiast and you can tell by her taste in hand sketched figures and oils she has placed in the parlour.  This sketch is my favorite of them all…

Mariko discovered the artist, Kirk Shinmoto, who is so talented.   When Daily Candy came in to do a feature story on Polish Parlour,  they came back to specifically do a story on his work!  All of his work is available for purchase in the parlour as well!!  You can also get a sketch done of yourself for a very reasonable price.  Call Polish and ask for Mariko for further details.

Ism…Everyone needs to go to Polish to get a real experience of quality!  If only more nail spas would think as effortlessly as Mariko has when it comes to design and service!!  I have a feel a sense of comfort and inspiration when I am there.

ciao for now,  Paula

The big 35!! Hello Kitty chose to celebrate her birthday in LA this year @ Royal T Cafe in Culver City.  The party was beyond pink and fabulous…it was PURRFECTION!!!!!

We surprised Aires with this event and coincidentally she wore a Hello Kitty/H&M collab jacket…funny.

Glad we were one of the first in, by the time we left these were all empty!

LOVE the two ladies with the essential accessory for any Hello Kitty celebration!  Any and all things Hello Kitty were exhibited at the event…

My daughter added this bike to her Christmas list.

Hello Kitty is active all seasons of the year!

Every girly girl’s dream bedroom.

Hello Kitty bathroom.

the toilet seat cover is the best!

Thermos’, teapots, plates, forks, spoons, knives…

I don’t golf, but I am about to take it up so I have an excuse to use this golf club!

…my man would never let me have one of these, but I think my floors would be cleaner since it’s Hello Kitty.

Look at that smile!

Lady Gaga loves Hello Kitty.

Nerds are the coolest!

Saporo?

She even has her own pink champagne… anyone?

The oh so popular H.K. bling.

Lady Gaga showing an unorthodox way of rocking the H.K. necklace.

Hello Kitty Candy? Gum?…I love how the little girl to the right is in shock and amazement!LOL.

The MAC makeup collab/ what Paris Hilton rocked/ and Katie Perry Hello Kitty corset style.

Hello Kitty playhouse.

Hello Kitty loves oreo cookie, red velvet, and vanilla cupcakes apparently.  A collection of different artists contributed to the exhibit…

Our fav’s out of this is the Flava Flav and Cindy Lauper Hello Kitty.

This one looked like our Louis…

Hello Kitty Mona Lisa…and the most grand Hello Kittyism was the Airstream!!

everything inside was pink!!!

Look at Hello Kitty peaking through the window!

Aires Amor hearts Hello Kitty!

I had to get one with her as well.  Love the Kimono H.K.  And we bumped into some friends at the party!

Tarina Tarantino…known for her jewelry designs like the necklace she is wearing.

Aires is a huge fan of her hair accessories and jewelry.

Aires with Paris Hilton….

Aires with Ming Lee and Aoki Lee Simmons, daughters of Kimora Lee Simmons whom has her Hello Kitty jewelry line.

We had an absolute Hello Kittylicious night!  What girl hasn’t grown up with Hello Kitty in her life? What girl still doesn’t want Hello Kitty? It was one night that my daughter and I will never forget.  And you know we dreamt that night about living in a pink world with everything Hello Kitty!

Ism…Everybody loves Hello Kitty!  and to think it all started with a little white kitty who wore a big bow on top of her head.

ciao for now, Paula

I consider myself to be truly blessed that I have had the pleasure of talking with Mr. Lear on numerous ocassions, and that we also share a birthday!! Mr. Norman Lear is such an accomplished, wise man who has been a positive influence to so many generations in our society.  Norman Lear is a man who has not let boundaries or limitations in this world, dictate how and what he has achieved in his life. Like he says, it is INFINITE what you can achieve at the moment of commitment!

Thanks Norman for continuing to be an inspiration and motivation to me and so many others in the world.

Ciao for now, Paula

MILK is one of our favorite lunch and dessert spots!!   I can’t help but stop and wonder if anyone thinks of the couture designer, Richard Tyler, when they walk in there.  It used to be where his store was for YEARS…One of fashions finest tailors…..anyhow let me pull myself out of my fashion gloom!

The Manchego Cheese and Whole Wheat Grain Salad hits the spot everytime!

And my niece, Chloe, is apparently “allergic” to salad…at least that’s what she says.

The kids menu is all the classics….Chloe decided on the hot dog/ ceasar salad side. Notice the salad is untouched. She almost didn’t eat the hot dog because the salad has cooties! Where does she get her facts from??LOL

The deal we made was eat half your hot dog, (since they are ginormous), and 1 bite of lettuce and you can have ice cream. I couldn’t hold in my laugh when she gagged on the bite of lettuce….she said, “I TOLD you I was allergic TiTi Lala!” I let her spit it out, like any good auntie would do and threw in the towel….

And so here is Chloe waiting in line, like a big girl for her ice cream.

She was a sucker for the presentation…a fresh strawberry/blueberry/vanilla push-up! Look at her Uncle Kenny Mac smile!

Ism…The moments you share with loved ones are priceless.  Make the most out of them!  For Chloe and I, it was about eating and enjoying conversation over some yummy ice cream.

Love, Paula

The view from ABH at Beverly Hills Thompson rooftop is one of the best in Beverly Hills. You can see all the hills and by looking in the other direction, all of Santa Monica and Downtown LA.

So I had lots of work to do as usual, and I was trying to make the last few warm days of Cali summer weather worth while for my daughter. So I had the most brilliant idea!!  I need to sharpen up my color, while working on some business.  And Aires and her BFF, Sanaa, can have a party in the pool….and it will all be gravy baby!!!

First things first, ordered their famous Strawberry Rhubarb infused Iced tea with fresh Mint! We will be parched from playing in the Sun.

The Lobster Tacos are Aires’ favorite….

My favorite is the Ahi Pizza with Truffle Oil drizzled on top of spicy radish sprouts. OMG!!! Heaven.

Well now that everyone got fed, time for Mommy to get to work!

Magazines for “research”, MAC, CrackBerry, notepad for notes, notepad for sketching…

My view while I was working…I LOVE to see my baby smile!

I have to admit it was a brilliant idea. The girls had a ball. I got some work done, and solidified my bronzeness for the fall/winter. Everyone had a great day.

Ism…Be creative when it comes to spending time with the kids and getting work done.  It isn’t easy to do, but it IS possible to do both.  You just have to think outside of the box! Multi tasking is what EVERY MOM has to do now-a-days.  I make sure I keep my eyes on what’s most important, my Aires Amor, whenever I have to do *D. all of the above.

Dr. Alkaitis is one of the best lines of Holistic Organic Skin Care around.  I am in love with his Eye Creme!  It is not greasy, and with it being Aloe Vera based it is very lightweight.  I saw an immediate difference with my bags under my eyes after applying for the first time!  I tested it with my concealer and all was in tact.  If you are in LA area, I picked up my product from VERT.

Ism…If you can’t eat it, why would you put it on your skin?  Your skin is the largest organ you have.  Treat it with the same care and quality you do everything else you find important in your life.  You just get one body in a lifetime. Love yourself!

Love & Blessings, Paula

One Sunday afternoon, I was starving and didn’t feel like leaving the house…so I literally pulled things out of the fridge. I created a quick and easy masterpiece that was somewhat healthy, but tasted delicioso!!

5 whole leaves of Romaine Lettuce (chopped)
2 Frozen Breaded Tilapia fillets
1/2 cup of shredded Manchego Cheese
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup of cubed Mango
1 can of Cuban Black Beans
tortilla chips for garnish
1/4 cup of Cilantro Salad dressing/or Ranch Salad Dressing

I added 1/4 cup of salsa, but didn’t photograph it because the idea came as I was done making the salad…whoops!

Set your oven to BAKE for 375*. Place the fillets on a cookie sheet lined with foil and place in oven for 15-20 minutes. While the fillets are baking, place chopped salad into a large bowl.  Then add beans, red onion, mango, cheese. Mix together slowly by folding in towards the center of bowl. Add dressing and fold 2 more times. Top with salsa and Tortilla chips. The fillets should be done by then. Cut them into 2 inch slices and place around the outskirts of the salad.

Voila!!

Ism…There is a solution to every challenge you are faced with.  I was hungry and didn’t know what to eat.  I didn’t think I had anything to eat in my kitchen!  And what do you know…I created something from a bunch of nothing.

Ciao for now, Paula

My lil’ cousin was such a sweetheart and sent me this AMAZING candle.  I have to give it some attention and I am of course, obliged to show my cousin some gratitude and love, for her thoughtfulness!!!  ECO Naturals candle burns slowly and as soon as I took it out of it’s packaging my room was engulfed by the notes of Lavender and Rosemary.  I know that the difference is the essential oils in the wax that give it  a heavenly aroma. The fact that it is a natural wax candle means it burns without emitting the pollutants that regular candle wax has.

Ism…I Love Candles.  They emanate a mood and refined elegance to a room no matter how well furnished or minimal it may be.

Peace & Love, Paula

During NY Fashion week Keisha and I were able to hangout and we had too mush fun!!

Thanks Keisha for the wisdom!!

Ciao!, Paula