Archive | April, 2008

This Recession is actually good for Lounging…

Everyone I know seems to be affected by this economy, especially my entrepreneur friends. But even those who aren’t on the entrepreneurial grind must be feeling the pain of this recession in some way, if nothing more than these crazy gas prices! In L.A., we’re pretty much at $4 per gallon! I put $30 in my little VW the other day and got a half tank! In my book, that’s a reason to stay in and chill at home a little more often.

My plans over the next few weeks definitely don’t include too much of the L.A. traffic scene. I’m learning to make the most of this recession so that my time lounging in is the best it can be. Here’s how I’m doing it…

First…knowing I’ll be cooking in more, and looking to save, I have begun shopping at the local Latin grocery store here in Hollywood, Farm Fresh Ranch Market. While the loitering outside is a bit of a deterrent, the prices can’t be beat. The produce was awesome. It was so cheap I couldn’t believe it. Yesterday, I got a bunch of tomatoes on the vine, some yams, russet potatoes, broccoli and bananas for $4.98! It’s perfect for stocking the fridge for time spent in.

Second…most of the time I go grocery shopping, I’m so worn out by the drama, I’m in no mood to actually cook what I bought afterward so I just want to get right to my lounging. That’s when I condone a good pizza or Thai food delivery to accompany my glass of wine. I tried to go cheap last night, and I was very disappointed so it’s okay to get what you want rather than trying to be super cheap. I mean, you are, after all, staying in rather than going out. Nothing you get delivered could be more expensive than going out in L.A. My cheap pizza last night was equivalent to what I would have spent valet parking if I would have went somewhere.

Finally…if you’re too busy to take advantage of Netflix, like myself, my basic DirecTV service has become more than enough entertainment for me. My Tivo stays full of stuff that I need to catch up on. But ordering Pay Per View or making that rare trip to Blockbuster has got to be cheaper than the $13 movie ticket, $6 popcorn and $4 coke at an L.A. movie theater. Not to mention parking.

Lounging in and relaxing at home during this recession may be the only positive thing that comes out of it. I highly recommend you take advantage and de-stress, rest and preserve your youthful beauty. I’m in for the night, clothed in my knotted chemise and wrapped in my throw with my Westie Wesley Jon. Good lounging. -eb
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Living the Dream of “Loungewear Queen”?

I have to admit, that I love what I’m doing.¬† Designing great loungewear for women, getting positive feedback from those people who love it and support me, running my own business from my home office in the Hollywood Hills.¬† It’s great.¬† But I need my fellow lounge lovers to get me through the crazy, tough days of being an entrepreneur from time to time.¬† Today was a mess of sales calls, emails, production drama and driving to and from Long Beach!¬† Give me a shout out every now and then.¬† It really means a lot.

Tonight, after I finish watching who got voted off of Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Top Chef¬†and America’s Next Top Model (yes…I’m still watching and loving Tyra’s show!), I plan to get my lounge on in a big way.¬† I admit to being¬†a total TV whore!¬†I just changed my sheets to my favorite 1,000 thread count crisp clean whites.¬† Somehow white sheets are just more comfortable to me.¬† I’m going to pull out some deep reading for about 10 minutes, Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. It totally changed my life and gave me a completely new perspective on how I think and live.¬† I have to pull it back out from time to time when I get sidetracked in my life’s journey.

Outlander PhotoAfter that,¬†I’m going to break out the third novel in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and just escape¬†(you absolutely have to get into this series.¬† The book has over 1200 reviews on Amazon and still has a 4.5 star rating!).¬† But not before rubbing on my favorite relaxation aromatherapy, Aveda Blue Oil. ¬†If you’re on a budget and can’t afford a bunch of expensive lotions and candles, this stuff does the trick and will last for months!¬† At least it can get you through until you can get your favorite candle. Maybe you can do without all of the TV, but whatever it is you do, if it works to wind you down, do it!

I’d love to hear what goes into your relaxation ritual.

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