My Weekend in Photos

Posted on July 16, 2013 by phjiao

This was a fun weekend…it went by too fast! Hope you had a great weekend! What did you do? Share your pictures with me! Here are some pictures from my weekend.

Friday evening, I did some power shopping in three hours! Found a few more gifts I needed for my hubby’s b-day and my nephew’s birthday party is coming up, found more gifts for him! I also bought gifts for two baptisms I have coming up. This should get me through shopping for the next few weeks, phew! I still want buy a Sulley stuffed animal that my nephew would like for his birthday. I managed to wrap my hubby’s & nephew’s gifts Friday evening. I will wrap the baptism gifts this week. I used to spend hours wrapping gifts in boxes and with gift wrapping paper – they do look nice, but lately I’ve opted for using gift bags 😉 They look nice, are practical, and much faster to wrap! I still wrap a few gifts…but, not all the time.

We bought this playset for my nephew on one of our trips (as a birthday gift), hope he likes it!

Saturday, we headed to the Bastille Day Celebration with my compadres! We had a wonderful time! Lots of laughs, good food, excellent wine, and most importantly great company!

Sunday was my hubby’s birthday celebration. We went to dinner with family at his favorite German restaurant (pretty much the only one in San Diego)…..Kaiserhof Restaurant. It was nice to see family….especially my nieces and nephews, and of course, to celebrate my hubby! My nephew selected the cutest birthday card for my hubby. He knows we have cats, so he got him a card with cats & even wrote a message inside himself (he is 4, which makes this super cute). My other nephew helped blow out the candles! We had a fun time and my hubby enjoyed his little celebration!

Best wishes to everyone…have a wonderful week!

Hugs,

Paola

Friendships That Warm Your Heart

Posted on July 14, 2013 by phjiao

One of my closest friends is my comadre Marissa (comadre/compadre is what parents call their children’s godparents in Spanish). We went to college together, were roommates one summer, have traveled together, we know each other’s families, and have remained friend’s for about 20 years. She is family to me. We have been through many stages of our lives together, we were in each other’s weddings, and I was honored when she asked me to be the baptismal godmother to her beautiful daughter. My goddaughter has become a niece to me. I will never forget the words Marissa used when she asked me to be the godmother, she said “I selected you because you are one of my oldest and closest friends, and I value your friendship. I want us to remain friends and involved in each other’s lives, for the rest of our lives.” She may not recall those words, but I do. They warmed my heart and have stayed with me since then. It was a special honor because in our culture and religious beliefs baptismal godparents are an important decision.

With our family commitments, careers, and busy schedules, we aren’t always able to see each other as often as we would like. Unlike with my other friends, Marissa and I don’t speak on the phone very often. We catch up on the phone a few times per year and those end up being about one hour conversations. We get together a few times per year, usually for our family birthday parties, holidays, and we schedule gatherings with our two families, to visit and catch up.

We are each individual and different types of people. Every friendship is different and how we nurture and maintain that relationship is different as well. I have learned over the years, that true friendships will be with you for a long time and to nurture each friendship differently. Not all my friends like to speak on the phone, not all my friends can change plans spontaneously, not all my friends are able to get together often, and that is ok. I have a handful of close friends and accept them as they are, just as they accept me as I am. I value the love, happiness, and sense of belonging they bring to my life and I value that. They have been there for me in good times and bad, and I for them. It is nice to know these women will be a part of my life, for the rest of my life….I hope they will! These friends are the family I choose.

Yesterday, we attended the Bastille Day Celebration (charity event) in Rancho Santa Fe. We had a wonderful time, so much fun! I also saw my friend Lucy at the event and we got to catch up! Here are a few pics of our outing. It was nice to spend time with my hubby, my compadres, and to see my goddaughter…and the memories of the laughs and good time we had will stay with me forever!

Who is your closest friend? Have you had a friendship that has lasted more than 5, 10, or 20 years? Tell me about it…stories about good friends are always fun!

Now, go call your close friends and wish them a happy Sunday!

Hugs,

Paola

PS – Creating Memorable Experiences with Friends.

This is the basket my hubby won in the Silent Auction bid, a package for a round of golf at La Costa Resort and Spa. All to support a good cause!

PS – Fun getaway with another Silent Auction Prize we purchased: Weekend in Las Vegas!

Summer Healthy Snacks: Cherries

Posted on July 13, 2013 by phjiao

One of my favorite things about summer is all the delicious fruit that is in season! Walking into the grocery store & seeing all the bright colors & of course, tasting the sweetness of the fruit! I like chocolate (ok, love chocolate), but don’t eat many other candies. I think of fruit as nature’s candy! Plus, it is so beautiful! One of my favorite treats are fresh cherries! I snack on them and try to substitute them for other desserts or chocolate. I eat them fresh or freeze them. I take them to work pre-washed, so they are handy mid-afternoon when I get the urge for a snack (even though at work, cherries can be a bit messy to eat due to the pit, as long as you are at your desk – or the lunch room – and have a place to dispose of the pits you should be fine though, haha).

As you know, I try to be practical. I find fresh cherries to be very practical fruits to eat. All they need is to be washed. You can eat them with your hands and remove the pit as you are eating them, they are also an easy snack to take with you on the go. I try not to eat too much ice-cream because of the high calorie and fat content, so I freeze cherries and enjoy them as a substitute for ice-cream and other frozen desserts, such as frozen popsicles. Unless you make your own gelato, ice-cream, or popsicles, it is hard to control the sugar content and calories. Plus, I am a fan of fresh food vs. processed foods. Don’t take me wrong, I love ice-cream and do eat some, usually a few spoonfuls from ice-cream my husband will order as dessert when we are out for dinner. Freezing cherries is easy. Simply wash them, dry them on a paper towel, and put them is a freezer-safe container or a freezer plastic bag (Ziploc). I prefer the Ziploc option, it makes it easy to separate the cherries when I want to eat them and only take the portion I want. You can also pit them, but I just freeze them with the pit (just be careful when you eat them to not swallow the pit or chip a tooth if you bite a pit). Frozen cherries keep well for a few weeks. I have also purchased frozen cherries, but find them to taste less fresh & a bit mushy. So, I prefer to freeze them myself. You can also add them to smoothies, cereal, salads, meals, and cocktails. Cherries make a great low calorie dessert!

I know cherries can seem to be a bit pricey compared to other fruits, but I always figure it is better to pay more for fresh fruit than to spend money on processed food that may not be healthy for me (i.e.: junk food). I try not to eat too much dry fruit either, because it usually has some type of preservative and added sugar. I’ll do a separate post on dry fruit another day.

I looked up the health benefits of eating cherries (1 cup; from caloriecount.com): calories 74, vitamin A 1%, vitamin C 14%, calcium 2%, iron 2%, dietary fiber 2.5g, carbohydrates 18.7g, fat 0.2g, sugars 15 g, protein 1.2g.

According to nationalcherries.com, they are high on antioxidants, can help lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, as well as promote healthy skin and brain cells. They have anti-inflammatory properties (have been used as a medical aid since the 1950’s and to treat gout because they reduce the uric acid in the blood). They are also known to be a pain killer, athletes consume them for muscle pain. Sour cherries have melatonin, which can help regulate your sleep patters. Ever wonder about swallowing a cherry pit? Avoid eating the pits because they contain prussic acid which is found in cyanide (a very low amount but it is better to be safe).

The good = lots of nutrients, antioxidants, low calories, & of course, delicious, plus I think they are fun to eat! The not so good = some say they are high on sugar, but for me, natural sugar is ok in moderation (I am not going to eat a gallon of cherries in one sitting). I think natural sugar found in fruits is much better for you than the sugar in processed candy and food, and dare I say it, chocolate.

So, go out and get some fresh cherries! Eat them fresh, chilled, or frozen and start enjoying the nutritional benefits of this tasty fruit!

What is your favorite fruit? Have you had frozen cherries before?

Hugs,

Paola

Beauty Benefits of Getting Enough Sleep

Posted on July 11, 2013 by phjiao

Do you get enough sleep every night? If you are like most of us busy women, probably not. We are all trying to get as much done as possible every day, we seem to be hooked on being productive – on being super woman. I often say, “I wish there were more hours in the day!” And, I mean that literally, between work, getting ready for work, driving, exercising, errands, making dinner, and spending time with my hubby and family, there isn’t much time left in the day. So, yes, I do wish there were more hours in the day….or that my body required less sleep. Sometimes, I wish I was one of those people that can function on four or five hours of sleep. But, I am not, my body seems to need eight hours of sleep. I can go three or four nights on five to six hours of sleep, but by about the fifth night of lack of sufficient sleep, I start to feel it and not even strong coffee can make up for lack of sleep. I have learned to try to relax and to get enough sleep – every night!

Some of you may be saying, “and she doesn’t even have children yet, good luck on sleeping eight hours when you have children” and you are right, I think about that too. For some of you, getting eight hours of sleep each night is a privilege due to your commitments with family, work, or school, and I understand. There are many health benefits to getting enough zzz’s…and beauty benefits too! According to Fitness Magazine, the optimal hours of sleep are between seven to nine hours. While we sleep, our body produces human growth hormones that produce collagen which helps our skin look refreshed and youthful. Night creams and serums penetrate better overnight when your body is resting. If you don’t get enough sleep, blood doesn’t flow efficiently, and skin will start to look dull and tired. According to WebMD, lack of sleep causes the blood vessels to dilate which results in dark circles under the eyes. Lack of rest can disrupt the hormonal and metabolic changes that naturally occur in your body when you sleep.

We re-charge our electronic devices to ensure they keep running properly. Well, sleep is the body’s way to re-charge. When we sleep the body goes into repair mode and skin renews itself naturally.

Best of all, sleep is FREE! Yes, this powerful beauty treatment is free, just lay down, close your eyes, fall asleep, and get the benefits!

So, try to shut down those electronic devices earlier, put your kids to sleep, and get enough zzz’s every night!

How many hours of sleep do you need? How many hours of sleep do you actually get?

Hugs…now, let’s go to sleep – goodnight everyone,

Paola

*I really wasn’t asleep when we took the picture and I was still wearing make-up from the day…to get the most beauty benefits from sleep, remove your make-up every night and put on a moisturizer and eye cream 🙂

Sisters

Posted on July 10, 2013 by phjiao

Do you have a sister? I do, her name is Monique, and she is a blessing in my life! Today is her birthday and I visited her to give her a hug, gifts, and celebrate her day! Our friends know that we are very close, and many have said they admire the friendship and special relationship we have. A relationship with a sister is a unique one. My sister is not only family, she is my closest friend, confidant, and supporter. She is one of the most important people in my life and that I love the most. I can confide in her about my most personal things, I know she will not judge me, and that our bond is very special and strong. She can understand and relate to what I go through, regardless of the situation. That is a nice feeling.

I am thankful to God for blessing me with such a wonderful sis! We see each other often and chat on the phone almost daily. Every time I see her, I automatically smile! If I don’t see her for a week I already miss her and my nephews! On special days, like today, I stop and reflect on how nice it is to have a sister like mine, of how fortunate I am.

My sis is only three years younger than me, so we have been part of each other’s lives since she was born – well, our entire lives! We shared a room growing up and continued as roommates when we moved back to San Diego in our early twenties – I was starting my career, she was studying at SDSU. She was my roommate until she got married. I remember that on her wedding day she got ready at our home (vs. our parents home). I got ready at her home for my wedding.I was her maid of honor, she was mine. I was in the delivery room with her when she gave birth to her beautiful two boys. I have been in the emergency room with her and she has brought me chicken soup when I have gotten sick. We have cheered each other on, celebrated our successes, and been each other’s shoulder to cry on or lent an ear when the other simply needed to vent. We have partied together and grown together, supporting each other every step of the way, through each stage of our lives. We can laugh, cry, and be silly together! Regardless of what life throws our way we say, at least we have each other and we are oh so thankful for that!

So, today on her birthday, I wish her the best – health, happiness, and pray for many more years of nice memories as sisters! Happy Birthday sis – te quiero mucho hermanita!

Do you have special memories with your sister or a close friend you consider a sister? Share them here.

Hugs….to you and all the sisters out there,

Paola

Enjoying Yoga

Posted on July 9, 2013 by phjiao

For those of you that have followed me on Facebook the past few years, you are aware that I enjoy exercising. It is a part of my lifestyle. I have taken yoga classes before, then stopped for about a year. I was doing cardio workouts, mostly Zumba and speed walking. Recently, I found a yoga class at the gym that I like. It is not too hard, I find it relaxing, it includes simple poses, lots of stretches, observing your breathing, and just the right amount of challenge. I would usually pass on yoga for a class that would burn more calories. I looked up the info recently and you only burn about 200 calories in one hour of light yoga, which is not very high, but the health benefits are good. I have taken yoga once a week for the past two months, and I am really starting to appreciate it and look forward to the class. Yoga helps me de-stress, I really try to clear my mind, which is not easy for me to do. I was so relaxed towards the end of the class today that I felt I was dosing off a bit (ok, I was also a bit tired, haha).

One of the main reasons I like yoga is the awareness it helps create of our muscles, organs, and the importance of stretching and of breathing with intention. Have you noticed that unless you are exercising, you don’t really stretch throughout the day or take a breath with intention, let alone an exhale with intention? I try to stretch daily. I see our kitties stretch throughout the day. As humans, we go about our busy days and don’t stretch, resulting in tension and stress. According to MayoClinic.com, yoga is a mind-body practice that combines stretching exercises with controlled breathing and relaxation. Yoga can help reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and improve heart function. It can help improve your fitness through flexibility, balance, and strength.

So, if you want to de-stress and improve your fitness (who doesn’t?), you may want to give yoga a try. Don’t worry about the poses, you will learn those in time. You can go at your own pace and challenge yourself at your own level (don’t overdo it at the first class). If you are not a member at a gym or go to a yoga studio, perhaps try your local YMCA or community center. Many cities or local schools offer yoga classes for free or at a minimal cost. You can also buy a yoga video and try doing it at home.

Do you take a yoga class regularly? Or practice yoga on your own? Which is your favorite yoga pose? Share your comments about yoga.

Hugs….or in this case “namaste” my friends,

Paola

My Weekend in Photos

Posted on July 8, 2013 by phjiao

What did you do this 4th of July weekend?

This weekend was a whirlwind….with lots of fun, most were unplanned activities!

Celebrated the 4th with family, which is always a fun time, creating beautiful memories!

I worked Friday and ended up going to a meet & greet event for the Xolos soccer team. Thankfully I never dress too casual for work, not even on casual Friday’s, so I am always ready to go to a work function, meeting, or to appear in a TV commercial or segment at a drop of a dime (these have all happened to me in the past). So, even though it wasn’t on my schedule, I was able to go to the event and had fun!

Friday night, I went to the Fleetwood Mac concert with my hubby. When he invited me to the concert two weeks ago, I asked him what songs the group was known for, he started singing “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow,” to which I replied, “I remember, that is the song Bill Clinton used as his campaign song!” Haha, we both had a laugh about it. We had a fun time at the concert, it is always nice to see my hubby smiling. I even knew about 4 songs and now know more about this amazing band!

Saturday, I planned to work on my blog. But, destiny had other plans. My hubby asked me to join him for the day in Beverly Hills, he had to buy something up there and was driving there for the day. I went with him – we had a delicious lunch, did some shopping, and enjoyed Rodeo Drive. Most of all, I always enjoy road trips with my hubby, time spent with him is always nice!

Today, my hubby had a video shoot in the early morning. After his shoot, he called to ask if I wanted to go to brunch – I dashed to get ready. Instead of going to the typical breakfast places, we went to a new, cute, local restaurant that our friend Elsa recommended. All I need to say is “delicious food & super friendly staff!” It was nice to go to a small, local place, and we plan to return. Plus, they serve salads in a bowl! I LOVE, LOVE salads served in a bowl! Remember Elaine in Seinfeld and her salad in a bowl, that’s how much I love salads in a bowl!

We are considering that I should get another car…so, my hubby wanted me to test drive the car he is suggesting. I am not as enthusiastic as he is about getting a new car, but agreed. I really like my current car (lots!), so I feel like I need time to adjust to the idea of another car & letting go of this one. My current car is in great conditions, but I’ve had it for a few years now and it’s a large SUV, and no longer under maintenance coverage. It will cost me a pretty penny every time it needs maintenance. My hubby is German (& knows lots about cars), my car is British, let’s just say he’s not a big fan of British cars, haha! He’s right though. In the long run, it will be better. So, we went to Carlsbad, a 30 minute drive, for the test drive. They didn’t have the exact car I want, but the dealer will contact us when a match comes along. I am in no rush, it will give me time to adjust to the change.

Since we were in Carlsbad, we had to stop by the Carlsbad Fashion Outlets (of course!). I am not one to go to the mall every weekend. But, when I go shopping, I become a power shopper, haha. My friends have seen it – I scan the store, see what I like, try on quite a bit of pieces, and do some power shopping. I went to three of my favorite stores and found some nice items, which will be fun to wear them this summer! I’ll share more about my shopping experience later on in a post….and did I tell you, everything was on sale – the entire stores were on sale! Love it! The best part, I got to spend the day with my hubby!

So, sometimes the best times occur when we least expect it…..or plan it! Has this happened to you before – that you had a blast and it was spontaneous?

Best wishes for a great week everyone!

Hugs,
Paola

Happy Fourth of July!

Posted on July 4, 2013 by phjiao

Happy Fourth of July! Have a wonderful holiday with your friends & family! I am thankful to live in this wonderful country, where we enjoy freedom! Thanks to all of our military members for their service to our country!

Hugs,

Paola

Español – Feliz 4 de julio! Que tengan un excelente día festivo en compania de sus amigos y familia! Yo estoy agradecida de vivir en este país, donde disfrutamos de libertad! Gracias todos nuestros miembros militares por su servicio al país!

Un abrazo,

Paola

Reasons I Love My Career

Posted on July 3, 2013 by phjiao

Do you have a favorite charity or non-profit organization you support?

There are many reasons why I love & enjoy my career….one of the main one’s is having the opportunity to help non-profit organizations. We are making a positive impact & helping others. Today, I had the pleasure of seeing and interviewing one of my favorite people, Suzi Woodruff from the Salvation Army. She is a doll! I also interviewed Major Rosa Rodriguez, she is like an angel. The Salvation Army has many programs to help San Diegans in need, from the Door of Hope that helps battered & abused women, multiple community centers with programs for families, seniors, & children, the Kroc Center, the Thrift stores, & their annual toy drive, among other programs. I have volunteered on their Public Relations Committee for about six years now & it is heart warming to see how many people they help! So, if you want to make a donation to a good cause or volunteer, the Salvation Army is a good choice….and they always need donations & volunteers. For more info visit the Salvation Army site.

Did you know the Salvation Army has so many programs? Do you volunteer at an organization? Share your volunteer experiences with us!

Hugs,

Paola

Español: Tienes alguna organización de caridad favorita y que apoyas?

Hay muchas razones por las cuales me encanta mi carrera profesional….una de las principales es tener la oportunidad de ayudar a organizaciones sin fines de lucro o de caridad. Siento que estamos teniendo un impacto positivo en la comunidad y ayudando a otros. Hoy, tuve el gusto de ver y entrevistar a unas de mis personas favoritas, Suzi Woodruff, del Ejercito de Salvación. Es lindisima persona! También entreviste a Major Rosa Rodriguez. El Ejercito de Salvación tiene muchos programas para ayudar a San Dieguinos en necesidad, desde un centro para mujeres sin hogar o que han sido abusadas, centros comunitarios, el Centro Kroc, un centro de rehabilitacion para personas adictas a drogas o alcohol, y programas para niños y familias, y su jugueton anual. Yo he servido como voluntaria en su Comite de Relaciones Publicas por aproximadamente unos seis anos y me toca el corazon ver a cuanta gente ayudan! Asi que, si deseas hacer una donación a una buena causa o ser voluntario, el Ejercito de Salvación es una buena opción….siempre necesitas donaciones y voluntarios. Para mas información visita la página del Ejército de Salvación.

¿Sabias que el Ejercito de Salvación tiene tantos programas? ¿Eres voluntario en alguna organización? Comparte tus experiencias como voluntarios con nosotros!

Un abrazo,

Paola

Birthdays / Cumpleanos

Posted on July 2, 2013 by phjiao

We all have birthdays. If you are like me, your days are pretty full and when asked about celebrating your birthday you may say, “not planning anything really big.” But, our friends and family want to celebrate us. So, every year, I end up having a four to five day celebration of my birthday, it’s become a tradition – between dinner with my hubby, a gathering with family, a dinner party with friends (thanks Lola!), a cake with work colleagues…and we have the best time! Times that create great memories of moments with friends and family, those moments that are priceless! It is nice to know you are loved and people want to celebrate you! Next year, just accept it and let others celebrate you….you will create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime!

What did you do on your last birthday? Do you have a fond memory from a birthday celebration?

Hugs,

Paola

Español: Todos tenemos un cumpleaños. Si eres como yo, tus días quizas esten llenos – entre el trabajo y compromisos, y cuando te preguntan si vas a festejar tu cumpleaños dices, “no estoy planeando nada en grande.” Pero, nuestras amistades y familia nos quieren festejar nuestro cumpleaños. Así que cada ano termino teniendo un festejo de cuatro o cinco días, ya se ha convertido en una tradición – entre cena con mi marido, reunión con mi familia, cena con amigos (gracias Lola), y pastel con compañeros de trabajo….y siempre la pasamos super divertido! Son momentos que crean bonitos recuerdos de convivencia con familia y amigos, esos momentos que no tienen precio! Es bonito saber que te quieren y la gente te quiere festejar! El próximo ano simplemente aceptalo y deja que otros te festejen….crearas recuerdos hermosos que te duraran toda una vida!

Que hiciste en tu ultimo cumpleaños? Tienes algún bonito recuerdo de un festejo de cumpleaños?

Un abrazo,

Paola

Exercise Buddy

Posted on June 28, 2013 by phjiao

Exercise is an important….and necessary part of my life. I have battled with my weight my entire life. It is not easy to maintain my weight, I gain weight easily and have to watch what I eat, as well as exercise regularly, otherwise my weight goes up quickly! I do not consider myself overweight (nor do the medical charts). Every year it gets harder to stay at my weight because well, as we age our metabolism get slower….fantastic, right? Luckily, I do like to exercise….but am not one of those people that wakes up with the desire to go for a jog….I have to talk myself into exercising. Exercise has many health benefits, physical and emotional, it helps me de-stress, feel more energetic overall, and I sleep better when I exercise regularly.

Over the next few weeks, I will share with you strategies that I use to stay fit & not gain weight. Trust me, it is not easy for me. Wish it was….wish I was naturally thin, wish I did not have an appetite for sweets & tortilla chips, wish it was easy to lose weight, wish there was a secret pill to stay thin…..but, that is not the case, haha. I can’t wish to be thin, I have to work at it….all my friends and colleagues tell me they have to work at it.

Meet Lola (pictured) – you will hear lots about her in my blog, she is one of my closest friends and the one I spend the most time with! I love this gal! She is not only an excellent friend, the best I could ever ask for, she is also my exercise buddy and helps me get motivated to exercise! We have been walking together for more than six years! We take long, speed walks, usually downtown by the bay. Our route doesn’t change much, but it is a wonderful, fun time, every single time! We call it “our therapy”- haha! It is our “amiguita/friend time,” we chat, we vent, we laugh…all while we exercise. The walk goes by fast, sometimes we walk around the block a few times at the end of the walk because we still have things to talk about. Before I was married, we used to walk together about two to four times per week, now we both make an effort to at least walk together once a week. It is our time to catch up and we value it. Every week we touch bases on Monday and set a day to walk that week. Once we set the day, we rarely change it and pass on other invitations which may seem more fancy (like dinner out)….because this is our time! I joke with her that if Jim and I have a baby (when we do), I’ll probably bring the baby along in the stroller on the walks with Tia Lola (aunt Lola)!

So, if you can, exercise with a friend…..it does wonders for the soul! The calories you burn are just extra….better said – part of the benefit!

Do you have an exercise buddy?

Hugs,

Paola

Today’s Outfit: Versatility

Posted on June 28, 2013 by phjiao

I like clothes that is versatile, can stay in my closet for more than a season, & are easy to care for. I do buy some trendy items every season, but have many pieces that have been with me for years. This dress was a gift from my sister-in-law & nieces (& my brother I guess ;)). I have been able to wear it on several occasions, including a few times to work (always with a jacket) and once to emcee a luncheon which was casual attire, during the summer. This dress is also useful for trips because it is easy to pack & does not wrinkle easily. It can be worn to dinner or for drinks if you put on heals, for a summer barbecue in sandals & a hat, or a casual occasion with a cardigan sweater. It is polyester, so I can wash it at home and lay it flat to dry. When I buy dresses, I try to visualize, “how many ways can I wear this dress?”….to work, on-air (TV), a business dinner with my husband & his clients, a baptism or semi-dressy occasion, lunch with the girls, or for a casual look with sandals…..will it be easy to care for and wash (or does it require dry cleaning). That is how my mind works, I tend to be practical even with clothes and want to maximize my wardrobe 🙂 In Spanish we call it, “sacarle jugo,” which means to get juice out of it, as in the most uses possible.

I wore this dress to work today with a white Ann Taylor short sleeve jacket & black wedges. I put on a thick black belt – also from Ann Taylor (it is probably my favorite belt, I seem to wear it at least once every week). I added some black accessories (black jade necklace & earrings, both gifts from my friend Lola), and a silver cuff bracelet (from Macy’s). I selected a few of the different ways I have worn the dress, to demonstrate its versatility. We can all maximize our dresses and wardrobe by mixing and matching to create new outfits.

Do you have any dresses that you mix and match so you can wear them to different types of events? When you are shopping, do you visualize the different ways you can wear an item?

Have fun wearing your dresses this summer….& next time you are out shopping for a dress, ask yourself, is it versatile?

Hugs,

Paola

Time to Relax

Posted on June 24, 2013 by phjiao

I love a weekend when I am not working or away from home. Don’t take me wrong, I enjoy my career & we like traveling, but those weekends when we are home are relaxing! I try to sleep in, make breakfast for my husband, get stuff done around the house, read a book….and of course enjoy my cup of coffee in the morning!

It is just nice to “be”, without a set schedule, no make-up required, and enjoy our home. With our busy careers, our schedules can lead to long work days, so on weekday mornings I usually give my husband some toast or cereal with orange juice. Luckily, he isn’t much of a breakfast person on weekdays (phew!). Dinners are also kept pretty simple on weeknights (I really don’t eat dinner, so I make it for my hubby and I just nibble on something pretty small). On weekends, I like to make him a hearty breakfast and a nice lunch or dinner. We try to sit in the kitchen nook and enjoy the view, as well as each others company. Hope you are all having a great Sunday! I am having what I call a lazy Sunday, that is just because I am not working.

What is your favorite part of the weekend? Do you have lazy Sundays?

Hugs,

Paola

Best Purchases: Saeco Espresso Machine

Gallery

Posted on June 23, 2013 by phjiao

This gallery contains 3 photos.

I have what I call – “Best Purchases I’ve Ever Made!” My husband chuckles every time he hears me say that. They are those items that are not only useful, they also bring joy to your life and they are … Continue reading →

Amazing What a Book Can Do

Posted on June 23, 2013 by phjiao

This is a picture of our library at home. My husband and I greatly enjoy reading, as inviting as the chairs in our library are, we usually read in our bedroom or on flights. When I arrive at home after a long day at work, I usually go straight to the kitchen to make dinner for my hubby, or to our bedroom to change and begin relaxing. Between the both of us we probably have way too many books – we keep more books in our offices and our nightstands – and seem to have a hard time detaching from them. We do buy books as gifts. We have books in English, Spanish, and German (as well as Italian, French, Mandarin, & other languages from our travels). My husband reads all sorts of subjects. I mostly read non-fiction books – I really enjoy biographies, leadership books, history, fashion, and self-improvement topics. I think I’ve only read two novels, even though I do like watching movies often (just for entertainment). I love visiting libraries and regularly check out books. Reading is one of my hobbies, a guilty pleasure. I can spend an entire weekend reading a book cover to cover. For the most part I am reading two to three books at a time.

Books have been a part of my life since I was a child. We went to a catholic school and they had a program with a local library to encourage children to read more, when students reached a goal they would get ribbons and a free personal pizza from Pizza Hut. Funny the things we remember from our childhood. Reading lead to spelling contests, my mother says she was proud her little Latina daughter would win spelling contests in English. Growing up I don’t remember thinking I was Hispanic or different, not even encountering racism. I played with our neighbors, was involved in clubs at school, became a Brownie and a Girl Scout, we were perfectly assimilated. I think being born here and learning the language at an early age helped.

I have learned so much from books, about so many topics….a book can transport you to another country, teach you about other cultures….and even take you to another world! I have many favorites….the Oprah Winfrey biography has been inspirational, as have the Jack Welch books, and more recently Lean In…..too many to list! Now, even with tons of information at our fingertips via the internet, I love to curl up with a good book, to feel the pages, and get lost in the story….trying to find some type of a learning experience from every book!

Happy reading to everyone!

Did you have a favorite book growing up? Do you have a favorite book or which was the last book you read? Any suggestions you recommend on good non-fiction books?

Hugs,

Paola

New Adventure

Posted on June 23, 2013 by phjiao

Welcome

Hello everyone!
Welcome to Happy LIfe And Style (formerly Latina Life And Style) – Blog by Paola Hernandez-Jiao. For me, life is about constant growth, about learning, it is a journey, one path leads you to another, about happiness and enjoying those moments that are priceless, as well as those that are simple and mundane, don’t just let life pass you by “experience your life and experience it to the fullest”. I often have what I call “Life is Good, actually GREAT!” moments, moments when I say to myself “How did I get here?!” (in a good way, of course it’s been through hard work and persistence), and more than anything they are moments of “appreciation, gratitude to my family and friends, life and God, and feeling very, very blessed!”

I have come to realize that life is to be enjoyed and valued because we will never get today, yesterday, or last year back. It is good and healthy to sometimes sit down, take a break (get enough sleep), and surround ourselves by positive people that love and/or appreciate us. The things I most value in life are my family (including the best husband I could ask for, who accepts me as I am, quirks and all), wonderful friends (including the best sister in the world and a handful of close friends), health (mine and my loved one’s), a satisfying career (which has given me many opportunities to live interesting experiences over the years), and experiences that enrich us (such as travel, aha moments, and learning). I now understand that the advice my grandmother has given me will forever stay with me, and I am a better person for it. That there is no sense crying over spilled milk, it can easily be cleaned up; there is no sense in having regrets, you can’t change the past, but you can learn and grow from life’s experiences; that some things are just out of my control and all I can do is pray; and that sometimes, something’s gotta give….we are not super women to try to do it all, please everyone, and all at the same time, and that is okay as well.

Many people, including my husband, suggested I start a blog so I could further connect with my friends, other women/girls, and share life lessons I have learned over the years, my experiences as a Latina, favorite things, beauty and style tips, and my “joie de vivre” (joy of life)….as well as learn from you. I feel fortunate to live in this wonderful country that offers us so many opportunities and comforts and also to be a Latina, I get to enjoy the best of both cultures, being American and Mexican, actually of many cultures through my travels, friends, and now my husband (he is German-American). Thank YOU for joining me on this new adventure……let’s see where this path takes us and learn from each other….from our joys in life and how we moved forward from the not so joyful moments. Remember, this is not a dress rehearsal…..this is a “live” show and no matter how many times you replay moments from your life in your mind….it will only be live once…..now! That is the beauty of life, it is so precious & priceless!

Hugs,
Paola

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