Author Archives: LA Blogger Gal

Spent Sunday at Unique Los Angeles

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Originally uploaded by ktafoya

I got the spend Sunday immersed in the glorious world of KLEAN Bath & Body at the Unique Los Angeles. It was cool as hell. Kind of a cross between a craft fair and a trade or gift show. And considering it was held in the California Mart, it felt like a giant sample sale. Cool I tell ya!

I feel in love with about 13 different necklaces, but managed to walk out of there without purchasing one. I couldn’t decide and well, let’s be honest, I really didn’t need yet another, long silver, open-linked chain. I did leave with a way cool tee for my nephew from Johnny Cupcakes (I was a sucker for the packaging more than anything else). And if I had kids, I would have spent a small fortune on the adorable, yet funky and sassy stuff they had available.

Smart gal that I am, I made sure to wander around and pick up business cards. I’ll shoot out emails after the holidays to some of the vendors to see if they’d be interested in hosting contests for ’09. This could be a darn good thing. You know…when I find the spare time and all that.

Making the Christmas Cookies

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Will someone kindly tell my cat (and his partner in crime, the dog) that cats do not like raw chocolate chip cookie dough? Please.  He’s driving me nuts.  Everything I get my hands in the batter to drop the cookies, he comes running into the kitchen meowing up a storm (all while the dog is at my feet begging and praying for me to drop the entire bowl).

Maybe it’s the cat’s fault for my overly flat cookies.flat-cookies Or it could just be because I forgot to add half the flour.  See, all that Food Network TV has paid off…I know that flat cookies = too little flour.  Who needs that Masters degree?!?!  Worse case, we crumble them up into ice cream.  All is good.

I’m also planning to whip up some cranberry oatmeal cookies for the hubs.  Then again, I don’t have enough sugar or butter, so I must head out to the grocery store first.  Technically, I must finish baking the chocolate chip cookies first,  seems as how I can’t trust the hubs to keep an eye on them, even with a timer, while he’s prancing strutting around playing his guitar – I’ve learned this lesson the hard way.

So what holiday cookies are on your list this season?

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not-so-flat-cookiesEDITED TO ADD:  Much better since I added the extra flour


‘Tis the Season For Holiday Parties

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I never really got to experience the mythical Holiday Office Party.  When I was a young’un, I worked in retail and well, that’s the busiest time of the year so no holiday party for you!  When I was a teacher, the official holiday party was held during the school day, in the library – not the most exciting, I assure you.  As a therapist, well, that’s pretty solo-oriented, though our boss did take us out for a holiday lunch each year.  Then when I worked as a behavior therapist here in LA, our owner hosted a totally lame, mid-day party one year and nothing the second year (we the staff arranged a pot luck ourselves – and then the wife pitched a fit because we didn’t invite her…whatever!)

Since I left that last job, I’ve been working on my own from home (I hear some folks call that freelancing – LOL).  I belong to a couple organizations, so I always had a few chick-focused parties to attend without the hubby.  But still, I never really got to attend a real live office party.  This year, seven years with my husband, I’m finally invited to his office party.  It’s at the Roosevelt and totally classy. I’m so excited.

Yeah, too bad he decided the other night that we’re not going this year afterall *grr*

He’s shooting the Los Lobos show and can’t attend both the party and the show.  So of course, since Los Lobos is one my husband’s favorite bands (and one of my least favorite live concert experiences EVER – that I will never repeat, no matter how much you pay me) he’s decided that my very first office party (at.the.Roosevelt.) just isn’t as important as shooting the show.

Now instead, I get to sit at home, eat frozen food (or delivery) and entertain myself.  Talk about lame!  At least we got to go to the New West Records party last night.  I must say, it was quite cool.  Much cooler than some recording studio party we went to a few years back.  They’ve got this great space, kind of a cross between a loft and a garage and they really went out.  We had delicious wine and passed hor d’oeurves (no Hooters wings at this place – I told you that recording studio party from a few years back was lame!).  Of course, passed hor d’oeurves does not a dinner make, so we headed on over to Kate Mandililni’s for dinner afterwards.  Overall, it was a fun evening with the husband.  Especially knowing that it would be our only holiday party together this year.

So tell me, what is this mythical holiday office party really like?  Is it as cool as they make it look in movies?  Or am I really not missing anything afterall?

I’ve Been Bamboozeled! Good Book, My Ass!

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Let’s talk books.  I’ve posted a time or two before when I was looking for new books to read (and despite what you’re about to read, I’m always open to suggestions).  This time around though, I’ve got a huge stack of books to be read and just want to comment on the one I just finished reading…Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld.

I was warned that it would be very angsty.  But I was also told that it was awesome.  Imagine my disappointment when I found out that it wasn’t all that awesome.  While I could handle the emo-filled, teen angst, I just couldn’t get over how slow moving it was.  It was downright boring.  Once again though I stuck it out.  I figured if it’s getting rave reviews it’s got to be good, right?  Um…not so much.

You’d think by now that I’d realize that if I hear nothing but raves for something…for months or in this case, years…that maybe I just shouldn’t bother.  I’ve found that rarely do the books and movies live up to the hype.  Especially Forrest Gump.  My god I hated that movie. Or I just need to stick with what I know and love…my chicklit.  Rarely does it disappoint.  It’s the perfect amount of escape needed in a book.

So I ask you two things…

One, have you ever watched or read something that got such rave reviews that you just felt compelled to read or so, only to be left feeling like you were bamboozled?

Two, do you have any suggestions for teen books? My thirteen year-old niece is finishing the Twilight books and I’d like to get her something else to read.  Part of me wants to go with the Gossip Girl series since I know she watches the show.  On the other hand, if she’s digging the whole vampire thing (and it is its own genre nowadays), maybe I should stick with that.  Any suggestions?

Happy Holidays – Let’s Pimp My Friends

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I don’t know about you, but I’m just so not really feeling the season this year.  Maybe because I’ve been crazy busy since before October.  Or maybe it’s because it’s a slightly shorter season this year.  I don’t know. But I do know that folks still need to shop and buy gifts for friends and family.  So in light of that, I’m here to pimp out my friends.  Here are some cool things you might want to check out…

  • KLEAN Bath & Body – You all know that I love, love, love KLEAN bath and body products.  They have the yummiest scents and it’s just good stuff all around.  I think my favorite product, something I just recently got the chance to try, has to be the body polish. I used to live on the body scrubs, but then I realized that the oily residue in the shower drove me nuts.  With the body polish, this is not an issue.  Plus it’s great for shaving.  If you’re looking for your new favorite scent, I enjoy the Pommegranite-Fig, Yuzu, Satsuma Glow, and Brown Sugar.  I’m personally not a fan of foody or dessert scents, but folks rave about her scents.  Check it out, you won’t be sad. an
  • Sommer Designs – Carrie has some awesome, handmade aprons and bags. If I didn’t already have an apron, I’d SO be sporting a gorgeous Sommer Designs apron.  They’re that sassy and retro.  It’s the perfect gift for that Martha-Wannabe, entertainer friend.  Beautiful, I’m telling you and her sense of style and color combinations will wish she could come over and decorate your house.
  • KangarooBoo – Jennic has some fun, fun toys and products for the young ones.  I love her stuff so much that when we first started taking advertising on ConstantChatter, we offered up free ad space.  And to make it even more enticing for you, they’ve got a great sale going on right now where you can both save 10% and get a free Mini Puppy Key Chain by Plan Toys (while supplies last using colde “CCH10” from now until December 31, 2008.  And if you get the chance, check out her blog to learn a bit of her incredibly fascinating story.  You’ll be inspired.
  • Caffeinated Elf – I’ve raved about Rachael as Caffeinated Elf before.  She’s helped me with my business site and she created our ConstantChatter contest ad.  She’s got a fun offer for you, especially if you really don’t want or need any more things this year.  She’s offering a special on a new banner/header design for your blog.  Normally, she charges $125, but right now she’s offering the holiday price of $100.  She’s also offering a 2-fer special (one for you and one for a friend, or both for you)  you can get TWO headers for $150 together Her holiday discount is good through January 1st, 2009 using the code: HOLIDAY.
  • See Rhi Knit – Who doesn’t love handmade gifts?! And check out those clutches…adorable!
  • Katie James – One of my all time favorite gifts to give new moms are pretty burp clothes. You know what, Katie James has them.  She also has some adorable travel jewelry bags and dog treat bags.
  • Sorting With Style – I don’t know about you, but I love, love, love office supplies.  And the prettier, the better; folders, fun staplers, scissors, clips, all sorts of organizing tools…I love it all.  I only wish it would help me to be a bit more organized – LOL.  Keep is snazzy and keep it fun!

Hopefully this list will open your eyes to some new gift ideas this season.  And just think, you’ll be supporting someone you know (or at least someone that I know) instead of the local big box store buying stuff from China.  Either way, happy shopping!!

I’m Calling Today a Productive Day

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You know, without the obligation of posting daily, I can sometimes go for days without blogging.  Mind you, I can’t go days without Twittering, but what can I say.

I may not be able to account for all of my time today (seems like I may have zoned out or over-focused a time or two), but boy howdy have I been productive — see, I’m so productive today, I even found an image to accompany my post about productivty.  Go me!

No really.  I woke up and started working on redesigning my client packages (it’s a work trade with a fellow-LWLer).  From there I took a moment to answer a LinkedIn blogging question.  I liked my answer enough that I added to it and turned it into a blog post.  Then I added to that and decided to turn it into an article.  Woohoo!!

I also got booked for a speaking engagement, cleaned out my LWL inbox, responded to some LWL emails, caught up with a few friends after talking business, did the laundry, had a coffee break (needed it to survive the laundromat), cleaned up my end table a bit (rediscovering a missing e-book in the process), pre-wrote some blog posts, wrote tomorrow’s blog post for CC, twittered, went to the bank, bought cat food, threw a bunch of crap into the recylcing bin (stupid holiday catalogs every other day!), paid the bills, finished next week’s CC contest stuff, started on the remainder of the contest stuff, contacted winners, send out the newsletter opt-ins to the folks that provided product up ’til now, and well, hell, some more errandy, mind-numbing other tasks.  But yeah, productive dammit!

Now I just need to 1) find folks that can provide content for the CC blog, 2) finish all the contest stuff so I can focus on other projects and 3) record at least one MP3 to get on my site.  Oh yeah, and find something to wear to next week’s holiday parties (but that’s an entirely different post).

So what about you?  Have you done any holiday shopping?  Wrapping?  Shipping?  Cleaning?  Are you decorations up yet?  Me…none of the above, but it’s on the schedule 😉

PS-I’m planning to do a “Pimp My Friends” holiday shopping suggestion post on Monday.  So if you sell soemthing and would like to be considered, please shoot me an email (info*labloggergal*com) with any discount code you might currently be running and I’ll work it in the piece.

Get the First Aid Kit Ready, ‘Cuz Mama’s Gonna Cook

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Those are the very words that just came from my husband’s mouth.  This would be quite funny, as I’m a pretty decent cook and baker, but sadly, I have the wounds to support this statement.  Let me recap for you…

Thanksgiving Day

  • I broke one of the Reidel wine glasses because I wasn’t thinking, plain and simply.  I put a stoneware casserole dish on top of the glass in the drainer, so it really wasn’t a surprise – though that didn’t mean I didn’t curse.
  • I dropped half a dozen eggs on the floor.  Mind you, I needed each and every one of those eggs.  Luckily, since it was for cooking later and they’d need to be broken anyway, I salvaged the cracked ones.
  • I was opened a can for the corn casserole and thought it would be smart to put the trash into the can and sliced my finger something fierce.
  • I went into the one and only pantry (apartment living sometimes sucks!) and was looking for my can of creamed corn for the casserole and managed to knock over the fish sauce and spill it all over me.  Thankfully, I was wearing an apron.

Friday

  • I helped my friend out in her shop.  It was my job to mix the dry oil sprays.  I managed to get scented oil into my wounded and unbandaged finger (that I sliced just yesterday – see above).  Not related to cooking, but still hurt like a mutha!

Saturday

  • All was good since I didn’t cook at all.

Sunday/Today

  • Spilled grease all over my own work space in the kitchen.
  • Nearly dropped the dirty frying pan…on me!
  • Noticed the handle to the can opener might be too near the fire.  I pick it up, meant to smell it to see if it smelled like it was melting and burnt my lip!!  Seriously, it’s a nasty burn.

There were other various incidents this weekend, but to be honest, it’s all just one big injury-filled blur to me.  So yeah, since I plan on making some cookies to ship to my dad this year, I think I might be better off if we do dig out that emergency kit.  Or maybe I should just cheat and buy the pre-made cookie rolls from William Sonoma and call it a day.

Black Friday Madness: Sweepstakes & Freebies Fun

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giveaway, sweepstakes, freebieIn light of things I’m grateful for, I feel the need to repost about this (again, and again, and again).  What can I say…I think it’s turned into something amazing that I can’t help but be proud of and it’s all in the spirit of GIVING and sharing…

Constant Chatter’s 50 Days of Giving.

As a way for us to give back to the community (in this case, everyone we may have met or not yet met via the Internet), we’re giving away thousands of dollars worth of merchandise – toys, books, cds, dvds, jewelry, a pearl necklace, video games, candles, clothes, skincare, you name it. It’s truly amazing the support I was able to get from the various vendors.

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN – NEW GIVEAWAYS DAILY

Now it’s time to spread the word. So please, pass along this incredible opportunity. Tell your friends, your family, your co-workers and your cohorts. Share the news with your network and your tribe. Post about it on your blog and in your tweets. Let everyone share in the joy that comes from winning something fabulous and FREE!

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GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL

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Contests.ConstantChatter.com

PS – If you need copy to help to get the word out, just drop me a note and I can send you some. Thanks!

Behind the Scenes at KLEAN

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I was practicing the fine of of Thanksgiving today – you know, where you GIVE and the recipient says THANKS? Well, I thought it would be fun to take a brief (ha!) procrastinatory (yeah, I make up my own words, what of it?) break and head on over to the KLEAN Bath & Body headquarters to visit with their CEO and VIP, Jennifer. Nothing like enjoying a CBTL tea latte amongst friends.

So while I was there visiting, I just had to take a peek at all those holiday orders. Lo’ and behold, my bloggie friend Carrie of Sommer Designs (her blog) had placed and order and Jennifer was filling it. So I just had to get a photo of the behind-the-scene action. The best part, the whole licking-the-bowl experience…no licking, but got to slather on the leftover lavender lotion.

Better still, I was lucky enough to leave with some hand lotion and body polish.  What a deal – More giving and more thanks!

KLEAN HEADQUARTERS!
Behind the Scenes at KLEAN