Erin's Lounge

It’s Valentine’s Day! And for those of you who have a sweetie, and are still looking for something really special, there is still time to give the most thoughtful, meaningful gift you could ever imagine, a love letter.  I mean, how awesome would it feel to be on the receiving end of that gesture?  I am not a love letter writing expert, but here are a few tips that I think would help make a great modern day love letter.

Tip no. 1- Don’t deliver your love letter via email, hand write it. How impersonal is an email? So your love is supposed to print it out and hang it in their office? Do it old school, with a trusty pen and some paper. Part of the fun is seeing actual handwriting.

Tip no. 2- Write from the heart and let it flow. The best love letters come from a place many have trouble expressing verbally.  So say what you feel in a voice that sounds like you.  Don’t try to sound like William Shakespeare. Use your own voice. The result will be better received.

Tip no. 3- Make it unique to you and your relationship. Don’t be generic. Reference your relationship in your letter.  This can not be a letter just  anyone could have written.

Tip no. 4- Don’t take yourself too seriously. The idea of writing a love letter can be overwhelming.  It doesn’t need to be over the top.  You don’t have to proclaim your undying love or propose.  Just let your honey know how much you’re feeling them.  Don’t worry about being too perfect.

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It’s the last day of January, a month where everyone is making resolutions for the year.  Most people promise to lose weight, make more money, start that business, clean up their lives in some way, etc. This year I didn’t have the energy to put any of those thoughts to paper. I had so many things on my mind and current issues to deal with that the idea of making a resolution took too much energy.  Plus, I had nothing that I felt so compelled to commit to…at least for the first part of the year.

What I finally decided to do is to commit to some life resolutions. They seem as basic as breathing, but easy to overlook.

Life Resolution No. 1- Find happiness in the simple things.
So often we look for things to make us happy. A specific car, a specific house, a certain outfit or a pair of shoes. We find therapy in having these things. I love nice things as much as everyone else. But sometimes finding happiness in the simple things is extremely healing. Taking in nature in your surroundings makes me happy. Accepting a compliment from someone makes me happy. Cuddling with my dog is absolutely priceless.  Simple things are sometimes the very best things. Of course seeing that nature while driving up the coast in a Benz with Chanel shades on and Gucci handbag in the passenger seat makes things much nicer, but you get the point.

Life Resolution No. 2- Be healthy in mind, body and spirit
Of course we all want to have the best bodies of our lives, ready for springtime to hit. By making it a lifestyle decision, I take so much of the pressure off. I have no time limit to meet my goal.  I just live it.  So not only do I practice and teach yoga to keep me physically fit, my goal from here going further is to keep my mind focused on the positive and eliminate the negative. So my thoughts go like this…”It’s going to happen,” not “I hope it’s going to happen.”

Life Resolution No. 3- Love
Whether you’re in love, you’re looking for love or you’ve just lost love, don’t give up hope for love in your life. Make it a priority, no matter your current situation.

Life Resolution No. 4- Celebrate Friendship
I’ve found the most amazing blessings and joy in my friendships so I make it a point to stay in touch with friends. Don’t let those relationships fade away. I talk on the phone to my friends every day. From L.A. to Dallas to St. Louis to Chicago to New York and D.C. If you’re lucky enough to have great friendships (and I say this because I know so many people that don’t), nurture them.

Life Resolution No. 5- Laugh
My favorite thing to do! Do you know there are people who never laugh? I absolutely love laughing. The kind that makes me sick! I’m looking to do a lot more of it in the future.

Life Resolution No. 6- Learn
I love it when I meet new people and go new places. It always means I’m learning something new. I know nothing in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes just listening to my dad drop his knowledge is completely eye opening. I want to read more and meet more people and learn as much as I can…within reason. Be open to learning.

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The holidays are over, I’ve rung in the new year and now…I’ve got January blahs.  I get this way every year.  The excitement from December has dwindled, the weather in L.A. hasn’t been so hot and I’m back to the grind.  I’m looking back at my December spends and kicking myself and there isn’t a holiday coming any time soon that I can look forward to.  In the last week I’ve been taking advantage of friends and the city to snap out of it!  Here are a few ways I’ve been shaking up the monotony of my day-to-day to rid myself of this mood.

1. Change in my pattern. I’m a creature of habit, which can be good or bad depending on how you see it. The other night when my friend called me on her way home from work, at 9:30 pm, I was also on my way home from working.  My plan was typical, go to Trader Joe’s and then home to make something quick for dinner.  When my friend suggested we grab something to eat at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, I didn’t have the strength to resist. Roscoe’s is less than a mile from my house, but I never go…it’s dangerous!  Not only was it a treat to get some tasty fried chicken and a waffle (I always order the Country Boy, 3 wings and a waffle).  The best part of this outing was that it was unexpected, a little later than a usual dinner dinner outing during the week and it was a Monday night.  It may not sound like a big deal but a spontaneous change in plans improved the evening.

2. Let someone splurge on you. It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does, I graciously take the opportunity to be  taken out and I enjoy myself.  Some friends came into town and wanted to meet up.  Sometimes, when you have a case of the “blahs” like I’ve been experiencing, it’s easy for you to blow off an invitation and stay on the couch.  But even though I had to drive to Santa Monica, drinks at Casa Del Mar and dinner at Boa did not disappoint.  The company was great, the conversation was interesting, the meal was excellent and the energetic scene reminded me of why I love Los Angeles.

3. Switch it up. I’ve been in Los Angeles for almost four years and don’t do nearly enough hanging out and exploring in the city.  So when I got another opportunity to go out, I didn’t hesitate.  Sometimes, going out with different people and seeing new places can inspire you.  The suggestion was to meet at The Four Seasons Beverly Hills for drinks.  After circling through, underwhelmed, my friend and I left. But not without the $14 valet charge.  From there we headed to Nic’s in Beverly Hills, listened to some music and had a couple of martinis.  While it was a cool time, we weren’t completely satisfied with the evening, so we went to the SLS Beverly Hills.  We scored on that decision.  The bar was amazing, the mixologists really knew what they were doing.  The scene was chill but did not disappoint. That place just worked for me.  From the velvet curtains to the sexy gift store.  Seventeen dollar cocktails somehow seemed worth it. I just felt energized when I switched up my surroundings.

I have to keep this going.  Next week I’m planning to office at the beach for an afternoon and hang out at The Getty.

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