“Masochism is a valuable work trait” – Chuck Palahniuk
Today, I’ve written a 10 page paper and created my first Youtube video. Holy smokes. That was hardwork.
Anyways, have a go and I hope you enjoy it. Thought I’d share my secrets because everyone deserves to have great skin. (Fake or not – like boobs! Hahaha.)
Today was supposed to be just another ordinary Saturday. Ordinarily, I head to the mall/grocery store/someplace that wants my money, because I’m bored out of my mind at the house and I don’t want to stare/worry/despise the messes that I haven’t got to cleaning yet.
It’s 11:00 am and Serramonte looked fairly normal, as suspected. The hip-hop wannabes decked out in their colorful gear, the old men and women on their way home from The Mall Fitness club, and the all the time, every time, extremely packed side of discount-shopping-mecca Target. (Seriously? All the time.)
But, heeeey, there was something different. There was a zig-zag of orange and black colored people standing in line on the side entrance which was spanning around the corner wall near Jamba Juice.
After going inside for (God knows what!), making a deal with my persistent son, (that if he could spell the 5 words that I asked, he could get a train, which he did!) and grabbing, then putting back, then grabbing, then putting back another unnecessary (or maybe I should ) can of Unscented Aqua Net – I passed by The San Francisco Giant’s Dugout store to buy myself a little bracelet – a bracelet which I have wanted forever and now wanted even more since Jonathan Sanchez pitched a no-no last night.(Woohoo! My heart melted with his pops being there.)
Since he stopped to greet me, I asked the dugout guy what the line was for. He replied that Andres Torres and Sergio Romo were going to have a meet&greet at 1:30pm and if I wanted to buy a ticket, I could, over around the corner (where I saw the ridiculous tiger colored man line) I politely refused, walked in, grabbed my bracelet, was rudely cut in line by a little kid, which took a little more time since little kid had to ask how much every pencil and pen on the counter cost - which was really all good, fine, and dandy since the stall was actually a blessing in disguise.
As I was collecting my change from the dugout girly, I noticed her off in a daze as she handed me my change. I turned to see Andres Torres entereing the store. Smiling, greeting, and getting the low-down on what was planned for his event. As I was walking out, he looked my way and smiled… I smiled back, only to be courteously bumped into by the other, much bigger, burlier, and wider dugout employee (who was absent-mindedly also in a daze staring at Torres, no worries though, he apologized very kindly)… Which totally knocked me off track. At that point, he (Andres Torres) was literally standing about two feet away from me and so I… I walked out the door. It wasn’t even close to 1:30 pm. Gosh! He was there EARLY – it was like 11:45 am and, really, I am a big poohead that wasn’t about to go freaking bonkers about this totally adorable and normal guy that so happens to just play baseball on national television for a living. Even of I did, and always do have my Canon on me. But…
Seriously, a smile will do.
I passed by the humongous and never ending line thinking “neener, neener, I got a smile. For free.”
Hehehehe and the little baseball fan inside me said that that was COOL! I witnessed that he was just so nice, and friendly, and human(and so gosh darn cute!)
hehehe…
So, this ordinary day turned into something a little extraordinary. With my chance encounter with Andres Torres and my four year old being able to spell all five words – FOX, RAT, DOG, CAT, and BOX.
(I know, he’s my genius. He deserved like a thousand trains for making me so proud.)
Life is pretty good.
xoxo
Go Giants!,
M
This recipe is excellent when you are “cleaning” out the pantry. Great when some old bread and old salad bags (spinach or arugula) are ready to be switched for some new/fresh stock.
This version is vegetarian. If you want to make it, what I call, “husband-friendly” I suggest adding bits and pieces of some bacon crumbled on top.
Bake the bacon, simultaneously, on a sheet pan. (Take out a few minutes early and drain on some napkins – If you don’t have a wire/drain pan thing. Obvioulsy, I don’t, because I don’t even know what it is called. blush*)
Brunch is served. 
Ingredients:
Sourdough
Garlic (The kind that is pre-minced in a jar)
Better than Eggs
Defrosted and drained Frozen Artichokes
Arugula (The kind that comes in a bag pre-washed/chopped)
(I Can’t Believe it’s Not) Butter
Salt and Pepper
Cheese – Any kind you like I used Parmesan and American
Butter a shallow baking pan
Cover the bottom with sliced sourdough
add about two layers of Arugula and Artichokes
Scoop and spread a couple of tablespoons of minced garlic (I did about 3, I love garlic!)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Pour some Better eggs over the mixture and top with your cheese.
Throw in 375f degree oven for 20 – 35 minutes. The eggs should be fluffy, cheese melted, and slightly toasted.
It’s been awhile since the SF Beauty pages have been graced with a beauty-junkaholic shopping list. Honestly,nothing has really caught the watchful beauty junkie eye of mine this past week. No “gottahaveits” or “gimmedats” – I, sadly, have doled out more cash for loot at Trader Joe’s ( $5.00 Champagne and Blueberries are in season! ) than I have at any department store this month. But lo and behold, this morning has dusted me with a few exciting new additions to my bottomless caboodle and never-ending desire for more beauty rockin’ booty.
1. Urban Decay’s Stoned Poison Ring – She who does not get sparked with even the slightest bit of interest by this ring has a fashion style of capital B-oring or is nowhere near a city that boasts fashionista advocacy. How can someone not think that this is just plain gorge!? And I know, that we’ve all seen our fair share of lipgloss rings dating back from the early 90’s but, come on, Urban Decay’s Stoned Poison Ring wins the International Lipgloss Beauty Pageant hands down. It has three interchangeable lipgloss colors and comes in the cutes – cutest! – satin purple box, which makes it almost worthy for a one knee proposal. I said “almost.”
3. Sephora by OPI Nail Candy collection or “GO GIANTS!” nails.
Sephora and OPI came out with a fabulous bright, candy-inspired nail collection. Perfect for summer and all the sunnery days that we, here in San Francisco, will be enjoying in September to October. Haha!
Also, If you didn’t know that I was a huge GIANTS fan, now you do. I’ve been goin to the home games off and on, and I thought – since we’re doing pretty great with our ace pitchers – next game I was going to dawn an orange and black tiger stripes manicure. Fun, right? Here’s the tutorial, just in case you’d like to do it for your team, too or just think the tiger-stripe look is freaking cool.
Still working on a 3. – Will update soon. xoxo
You’de have to be absolutely allergic to kitchen techniques if you were to completely screw up this salad.
Super easy. (Did I say that already?) Goes great with burgers and french bread.
Ingredients:
Fresh Mozzerella
Fresh Basil
2 Ripe Roma Tomatoes
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
(Capers, Olives, Baslamic Vinegar, or Anchovies optional)
Chop, drizzle, sprinkle, and serve. The real trick is to use excellent quality olive oil, the best mozzarella you can find, and fresh ripe tomatoes.
Ed Hardy is an icon, the “Godfather of the modern tattoo.” Since the young age of 10 years old, Ed Hardy recognized the energy and beauty of tattoo art. He incorporated a Japanese tattoo aesthetic, mixed in his vibrant Southern Californian perspective, and dominated a historical craft that in turn praised, demanded, and popularized his tattoo mastery.
Today, (July 9, 2009) at the SFMOMA, Ed Hardy will be signing copies of his new book “Ed Hardy: Art for Life” in The Schwab Room starting at 6:30 pm.
Free and open to the public.
Books are available for purchase in the SFMOMA Museum Store.
For more info: Don Ed Hardy, SF MOMA
Everyweek, as a part of my SF Beauty Writer column, I am going to showcase one fabulous individual and their 5 must-have, shoot-up-a-public-place-if-they-discontinue items that they use, are willing to share, which I will expose world-wide on the San Francisco Examiner website and here, on Makeup and Chocolate.
To get things started, I’m going to lab test my own personal must-5 list, right here, right now, with no holding back and in no particular order. Relax and layback as you read and discover the truth about my mere mortal needs, like Superman to his Kryptonite, I would crumble into a hot mees with out these 5.
1. Pur-mineral’s Mineral Brow Perfection: I have very little brows and the very little that I do have, like to go in every which way they can. This ingenious creation (which I have religiously used for the last four years) has helped me create the most perfect arch to frame my eyes with. It is the easiest and most fool-proof way, my four year old could probably do it. With a handy stiff brush, trace your brow w/wax (against the grain of your brow hair growth) and then trace again (with the grain this time) using the universal powder (spot applying in the sparser, tweeze-fever created areas) - and wala! You have the most perfect eyebrows that would make even Marlene Dietrich envious. I swear to you, it is that easy, and it is that fabulous. I’ve changed many-a-lives for the better with this handy little thing.
2. American Apparel Unisex V-neck shirt in black. This is my life uniform. I worked, cleaned, slept, and partied relying on this keeper as my go-to outfit. I may own double-digits of them. (Buy them in bulk through Ebay, I kid you not.) They go with anything/anywhere. A birthday party, a special preview showing at the Embarcadero theatres, even the SF’s swankiest Union St. bar (and you are not single, mid you.). With blue jeans, to black skinnies, to slacks, to 24/7 leggings, sky-high stilettos, and slouchy boots. My days of “I have nothing to wear” were over when these wardrobe miracle entered my life. The color and seam also allows for fool-proof accessorizing.
3.My Canon Poweshot: Just sayin’. With a rapidly growing son and a crazy lifestyle - I love it and I get great professional-like results almost every shot, when I need it most. If I want to buy something, want to remember to write something, or are just plain feeling photographerish, I whip this baby-out and it acts like my recorder, notepad, and memory all in one. Now I just gotta get the balls to start creating some tutorials. Still workin’ on growing some ball for that.
4. MAC Viva Glam IV – Just the smell of MAC lipstick instantly perks up my mood but this not too simple and not too loud shade is perfect for daily-use, my skin tone, and stands for a great cause.
5. Tejava - Since I learned that my overuse of coffee and analgesics were aleading cause to my daily migraines, i cold turkeyed both and switched my Starbucks to Tejava. It’s light, crisp, and not sickeningly sweet. When it’s cold, I warm it up in the micro and add some milk and sugar. Yum…I’m totally converted.
A few other “almost-made-it’s” were Eckhart Tolle’s “A New Earth” (which i read as-I-go to shake off any negative thoughts and people) and my Marc Jacob’s “Stam” Frame bag…
So, there you have it my loves. My 5 MUSTS.
and I wouldn’t shoot a public place up if any of these items completely stopped existing, what I would do is go on an insane man-hunt all over the Bay Area and pay ridiculous amounts of money in order to retrieve stock again. (Happened with a Smashbox lipstick in Socialite, numerous exchanges at the Mac counter, and $48.00 on Ebay- FOR A TUBE OF LIPSTICK! – to make a long story short.)
Hey, I’m only human.
xoxo
Mira
I’m a beauty editor for the San Francisco Examiner. I write about all things beauty. From celebrities to the latest drugstore miracle face cream, I investigate and execute articles that inform my readers of the W5’s. (Who, what, where, when, and why.)
I hate furry peaches, love rooster kitchen decor, and own two closets full of books, four large size cosmetic caboodles, and only one credit card. I also write, paint, and Loooove with all my heart.
5 things you don’t know about me:
1. I can down a whole family-size bag of Doritos in a sitting.
2. I’m a mom.
3. I’m a slave to sunblock. SPF 30 or higher. You should know why. Shame on you if you don’t.
4. I’m an avid vintage shopper. If they had a frequent-shopper program for all the vintage stores in San Francisco, I would be top list. No doubt.
5. I can never pass up a Target, Trader Joe’s, or a Nordstrom…Ever. (Because we always need something from Target, I love and live for good healthy food, and, well, Nordstrom is Nordstrom.) I pass every single aisle at the grocery store, browse every single level at a department store, thinking that the restocking crew are hiding something special from me.
So, keep in touch gorgeous women, as I write about all kinds of material I find along the way of my merry chaotic-life.
Never be afraid to share some ideas and news (e-mail torresmira@yahoo.com)
and let’s be friends!
xoxo
Mira
Me, in a bathroom. Haha…
I have pretty ecclectic taste in music. But away from my diversity in taste, is my inability to switch my playlist without getting bored or feeling music buyer’s remorse. Often, I will listen to the same two or three albums in a span of months because nothing else is appealing.
Music that moves me, drowns me in emotion, and takes me, well, anywhere else but where I may be standing at that very moment in time. These are the banal requirements of my Ipod playlist. Sometimes catchyJustin Timberlake beats and/or tounge-in-cheek lyrics just don’t cut it enough for me to not click the delete button.
But in this moment in time, I think I’ve found the girl that will keep me posted until my next anthem of albums show up.
Right now, in the darkness of a sheet covered living room at midnight, I’m listening to Anjulie.
Perhaps a byproduct of social networking fame. Unsure. She does have a myspace account that serves as her website. Which could surely be dead give away that she is. But I’ll leave that for Wikipedia to decide.
Anjulie is said to be the “next big thing.” Her debut album will be dropping via the Starbucks/Ipod franchise collaboration.(You know you can almost gaurantee a million new fans with that formula.) Expected sometime during this summer.
I actually “found” her in the free playlist via Nylon Summer ‘09. (Read previous blog for details, pls.) So far, three songs are available for purchase.
The Rain
Boom
Love Song – which is my fave.
Anjulie is just absolutely refreshing. In a see of tattoed men and either carbon copy or trying real hard to be “hard” women, it’s nice to see one that can be happy, stay cool, and thrive in her own unique sound and skin.
Free facials, free music, and sunshine! Life is good…
Wouldn’t we rather arrive at our destination glowing, rather than washed out from a dehydrating six hour flight? On July 16, those of us headed out of San Francisco, via SFO Airport, can defy the air travel dooms and enjoy a free facial at Harmony Pharmacy by the Repechage team.
Repêchage will celebrate the opening with a special skincare event at Harmony Pharmacy and Health Center where customers will receive free skin consultations and express treatments with Repêchage licensed estheticians and meet Repêchage founder and CEO Lydia Sarfati.
What: Harmony Skincare Specialist Event
With Lydia SarfatiWhen: Thursday, July 16, 2009
12PM- 4PMWhere: Harmony Pharmacy & Health Center
San Francisco International Airport
Terminal 3, Boarding Area F, HUB, Location F.2.012
San Francisco, CA 94128The fabulous thing about Repechage, aside from the luxurious seaweed-based ingredients and superior results, is that all of their assorted products are TSA-approved sizes. Which allows ladies and gents to stock up on skin care, body care, and cosmetics that will get through security, and onboard an aircraft, with no problem.
And fear not loves and lads that won’t be at the SFO this July. Still enjoy the summer from the comforts of home, cubicle, or out for a jog with a few little extra vibes and boogies from Nylon Magazine and their free Summer Playlist 2009. Which can be downloaded FOR FREE from their website (via Itunes.) Just click here. It’s 22 magnificent indie pop and rock songs from the Plastiscines, Anjulie and many more.
You’re welcome and enjoy the summer!
For more info: For information about Harmony Pharmacy & Health Center, log onto or www.harmonypharmacy.com.
For more information about Repêchage, log onto www.repechage.com or call 1-800-248-SKIN and http://harmony.repechage.com/
