Admittedly so, I had to think for a while about where on earth my local firehouse was. With the help of this handy website, I found it in a snap: http://www.localfirehouse.com/departments

Join me in celebrating and remembering the lives our American heroes this Sunday.

God Bless America!

“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrong doing. It does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes, preserves.” -Corinthians 13

A few photos of me, my Mom, and my Grandma. Three generations…just beautiful!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful women in the world who have had the chance to experience a Mother’s love.

“Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land that Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.” (Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895)

Book review: ‘Unbearable Lightness’ by Portia de Rossi.

Another reason that I truly admire Ellen and Portia, is because they are hugely compassionate about sparing animals from our diets. Sure, you do not have to be a vegan to be healthy, but some people find it healing to practice compassion and advocate for an animal-free diet and lifestyle.  Ellen offers her tips on, “Why Go Vegan?”

Just for kicks–and laughs–I thought I’d include Ellen’s recent CoverGirl commercial where she jokingly asks, “Why do models always look so mad?” …Enjoy!

I was watching CBS WUSA Channel 9 News last night and saw a clip on the rise in popularity of “Laughter Clubs.” …after watching people laugh themselves to tears, I decided this is something that I must try!

Laughter truly is the best medicine! There’s nothing like a good belly-aching, tear jerking laugh that goes on for minutes. I have a girlfriend that makes me laugh so hard, that I always look forward to being around her…as a matter of fact, I think I’ll call her now!

Laughter and love! XoX

I was at a bar with a guy I was interested in. I ordered two beers totaling up to a whopping $5. The bill came. I pulled out my money waiting for the guy to tell me that he insisted on paying. After all, it was just $5. He didn’t bite the bait so I paid for my drinks. Then came the tipping part. It was like the word tip didn’t even exist in the guy’s vocabulary. $2 tip for a $30 check.

Please, we’re not asking for you to make the headlines, just to be a nice date that does the right thing.

So what was the first thing that went through my mind? …I didn’t care how gorgeous the guy was, his charming smile would never make me forget how offended I felt. So it took one character slip up on his part for me to make an all-too-easy decision…he was completely off my radar. Adios my friend!

Check out this clipping in the article from The Sun about bad tippers:

Don’t you see guys? The tip says a lot about you. Bad tip? …You don’t really care about the random person who’s been serving you all night. That must mean that the attention we’re getting from you is completely staged until you get what you want from us. And as my boldest girlfriend would tell you outright… Sh*t ain’t happening.

So here’s my advice, especially for you gentleman that are concerned over how to secure the best women. Know your etiquette. Pay for the meal and then smile while you generously tip your server. That way you don’t have to invest your time trying to find another woman. Keep it simple. Keep the woman. There’s something so sexy about seeing your man’s sensitive side when he shows that he genuinely cares about people…especially if that person is a complete stranger! Who knew that a caring personality, especially in the restaurant,  could convince your woman that you’re the next Clark Kent!

Now go save your woman! Pick up the bill and tell her to save her money for the pair of heels she’s been dying to buy. If that doesn’t work on her, then she’s simply not into men…And that’s a whole different story.

Hugs + Kisses!

XoX

Now here’s the kicker, guys. Extreme attention to detail does not mean that you can perfectly explain to your woman what the heck is going on during the basketball game, the delta of one investment versus the other–unless you’re talking about the one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that we could buy if we would agree to invest in that tax free municipal bond for several more years, or even the the way you wax your car like it’s about to go to auction at Barrett Jackson. Let’s face it. Women go to basketball games to be seen, socialize, and cheer for the 6’7″ hottie with sweat dripping down his chiseled arms and legs. Women like instant gratification, so if you can’t sell us on compromise unless we understand what we’re getting back in return–aka jewelry,  a car, condo, vacation, etc. And on top of it all, you most likely don’t have a Jay Leno-esque car collection, so quit waxing your BMW every Sunday and take us to Fontainebleu for an afternoon cocktail and conversation.

After a million conversations with many of my well-to-do single girlfriends about what bugs us the most about our past relationships, I decided it was time to spill the beans! With that said, here is the insider’s crash course guide on How to Go From Man to Gentleman:

Step 1: Never screw up your tie. We may not know how the to actually tie it for you, but you bet your bottom dollar that we know what the finished product should look like. Besides, this is the first thing I look at when I meet a man. It says a lot about them. Second thing I look at is shoes. Men: You must must must own at least one pair of nice dress shoes made by designers like Ferragamo, Prada, or Gucci. If I was a man on a budget, I would starve myself for a month just so I could purchase the shoes. That’s literally how important they are, especially to women.

Step 2. If it looks like we’re dressed in designer labels, then you ought to also. That doesn’t mean it has to be designer. For that reason, I have listed (below) some excellent stores for men who want the right look at an affordable price:

For a more tailored European-style suit:

For a simple casual cotton t-shirts:

For t-shirts with more of a “flare,” and great designer jeans for a steep discount:

For last season’s designer clothes:

Step 3. Always always pay for our dinner or drinks. If you can’t swing the $150 dinner at Morton’s, just tell us…we love to go for a cheap burger and fries or an extra large slice of pizza, too! In fact, if you play your cards right, the casual meal might even score you more points! Women like successful men who feel comfortable enough to not impress people with their ability to pick up an expensive bill. And if you don’t believe me, just check out what we eat when we’re alone (below). Who knew going from man to gentleman could be that easy.

Step 4: If you are trying to buy a woman jewelry, don’t buy anything cheap. It sends us the wrong signal: Either you put no thought into the gift, you were pressed for time and picked something up last minute, or we’re just not worthy of the best.

Simple rule: If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. We’re happier with a hand-made card than plastic pearls. Euuuuck!

Step 5: You can’t seal the deal without the proper handshake, right? So what makes you think you can score a beautiful woman without the proper etiquette?

Know how to dress for the right occasion. Know how to chew with your mouth closed, and speak when you’ve swallowed your food. Know how to take a woman to a baseball game and buy her ice cream, peanuts and beer, and also know how to take her to the theater in your custom tux and treat her to the city’s finest dining. Wash your hands. If you have to burp…just don’t…unless we do it first . And remember, if you’re not sure about the proper etiquette, then please educate yourself at one of the million etiquette classes that are always being offered.

Congratulations! You’re a step closer to becoming a gentleman! Now, put your valuable new education to use and go score a date with the classy hottie you’ve been trying to pick up for the past year!

Best of luck!!! I’ll be rooting for you!

XoX

]]> http://mlestyle.com/going-from-man-to-gentleman/feed/ 7 http://mlestyle.com/the-cutest-valentine/ http://mlestyle.com/the-cutest-valentine/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:04:28 +0000 MLEstyle http://mlestyle.com/?p=411 Over much deliberation, this was my favorite Valentine’s Day card…

And a cute second place….

I hope everyone had a beautiful Valentine’s Day! Hugs Kisses and Blessings.

“…Valentine’s Day is around the corner and I need some ideas on where to take the GF for dinner…now my knowledge of the city can’t compare with yours, so any suggestions would be appreciated, preferably in VA or DC.”

Well, to be honest, I really am not an expert on restaurants in our DC Metropolitan area. In fact, as a vegetarian, I would preclude all of the steakhouses that most couples in our area rave about, like Fogo de Chao, in downtown DC, or the upscale chains like Morton’s and Ruth’s Chris (Even though I ate chicken fingers the night we hung out at Mister Days–eeeek!).

I do have several favorite restaurants in the area, and before I tell you, I have to tell you that all the credit to discovering my favorite degustations belongs to Tom Sietsema’s Dining Guide…and to all the wonderful–and awful–dates that I’ve had in the area. So, now that the appropriate credit has been given, I give you my Valentine’s Day Restaurant Guide. I hope it’s a wonderfully fun and romantic evening for all of you!

1.Inn at Little Washington (VA) – Now this special place requires some serious planning, and more importantly, mucho su dinero! This hidden escape in Washington, VA is a truly special and magical place to spend time with someone you love. The attention to every last detail, is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. You might think you know 4 stars, but this place certainly redefines luxury.

2.Zaytinya (DC) – Fun, open atmosphere, yet still cozily romantic if you get a booth seat. There’s something very appealing about sharing Greek tapas with someone you can’t take your eyes off of.

3. Rasika (DC) – A dimly lit very upscale, yet reasonably priced, Indian food restaurant in the Penn Quarter. If you’re a foodie, like me, there’s something alluring, even deliciously sexy, about unexpectedly enjoying the tastes of a new fare. For me, the “ah-ha!” moment at Rasika was a shared hors d’oeuvres called, “Palak Chat,” which is crispy (lightly fried) spinach with sweet yogurt, tamarind, and date chutney.  The dish will definitely leave you and your date wondering how on Earth someone could possibly prepare spinach like that.

And if there was ever a doubt that the restaurants I mentioned just aren’t, “the right place,” trust that you won’t find me offended. That’s why I’ve included for you and your boo-bear (oh, you’re the exception to the “Cuddle-bear, Love-bug, Sweety-pie, Shnooky-poo Syndrome?”), The Washington Post’s Most Romantic Restaurant’s Dining Guide.

So cheers to YOU, for planning your Valentine’s Day in advance. Nothing says, “I love you,” like a little thought, effort, and planning.

And while we’re on the topic, I thought I would share with you a Valentine’s Day nightmare, so we all know what to avoid as the big day starts to creep up on us:

My Last Minute Valentine

At the time, I had just graduated from college and I was long-distance dating this charming man that I was hitched with at university, and I drove six hours to see him for Valentine’s Day. When we talked on the phone several nights before I left, he made it clear to me that I should bring my nicest dress because he wanted to take me out on a romantic date. How fairytale. So Valentine’s Day came around, and I was practically dying to know just what this guy had up his sleeve. I was almost admiring how well he was keeping his plans a secret from me. Oh, how I just adored him (choke choke).

I remember waiting alone in his parent’s gourmet kitchen thinking, “Great! It’s nearing dinnertime. Guess I should go upstairs and start getting ready for our big evening. I want to surprise him when he gets back from wherever he has secretly run off to.I’m sure he’s just making sure the plans are all set for the night.” And it was just as I had started to carefully unzip my Neiman’s hangup bag with my favorite low-cut black dress, when he walked into the room in his faded blue jeans and his favorite t-shirt, handed me a last-minute flower bouquet from the local convenience store, and asked, “Are you really getting dressed up?”

“Am I really getting dressed up? Are you out of your mind??!” I thought. I halfheartedly smiled at the “oops, I forgot it was Valentine’s Day” withering bouquet of roses and looked up at him as I pursed my lips out of irritation. I put my hand on my hip and thought “Okay, was that ridiculous question supposed to be indicative of what was to happen that evening?”

And though I kept my mouth shut, it almost like he could hear my thoughts, and he answered, “We’re going to Mexican with my parents. I figured all the nice restaurants in town would be too busy to really enjoy.”

And so the evening continued, sharing the town’s best guacamole (for the price), drowning myself in cheap margaritas, and “oohing and ahhing” on command when Prince Charming and his parents talked about how unconventionally romantic our last-minute Valentine’s Day decision was.

Aye yeye yeye. A Disaster Date indeed.

So to everyone planning to celebrate February 14th with someone else, someone else’s family, or sitting in bed alone with a box of chocolates watching Audrey Hepburn movies, I hope you spend your day doing exactly what you want. I know I will be.

Hugs + Kisses to all of you!

XoX

Courtesy of Cory Topel

And even if you’re one of the lucky women who are absolutely and positively sure that your man is being exclusive and honest, I still recommend keeping this bad boy around the house for protection.

Here’s my advice: make sure your man sees you store it away neatly, as if you were planning on using it (for some of us, again), this way he knows that you’re preserving it for a, “Just-in-case I do something wrong,” moment.

How it works: When your man crosses you, cheats on you, lies to you, or simply forgets to bring home the groceries he promised before he left for work, you pin this bad boy up above the front door for the entire neighborhood to see. Okay, I know it sounds totally Desperate Housewives, but think about it, what man really wants to come home with the entire neighborhood gossiping about what he did to get put in the dog house?

Who ever knew keeping the Tiger Wood’s syndrome at bay was that easy.

Muchos besos! XoX

  Mujeres In the Club  by  MLEstyle

Being in the front row at the Wisin Y Yandel concert is mega exciting. You can feel the sweat dripping off of the singers and dancers, and everyone in the house is moving their hips and bouncing around to the strong Latin beat; it’s no wonder why their shows get so caliente!

So as I said before, mega exciting. Take my word for it. Now here’s the humor in it all. Yes, I was in the front row, and yes, I was at least a head taller than everyone at the concert! So you can imagine that I stuck out like a sore thumb! Note to self: When going to Latin concerts, wear flats. My natural height is 5’8″…now with heels (the kind that I wear), I’m 6’0″ or 6’1″. And that’s how tall my mystery man is too. So there we were, two towering people in the front row, and I was just waiting for the crowd to start yelling, “Down in front!! Down in front!!” Fortunately for us, that never happened!

Now, as some may know, I grew up with a French Stepfather. The closest Spanish speaking relatives that I have are Janette and Jasmine, who really aren’t blood related, but rather they’ve worked for my family for so long that I feel like I grew up with them. Needless to say, the ladies are so so so sweet and hardworking that they always make a concerted effort to speak to me in English. So, my Spanish is basically at the beginning of the beginner level. Encouraging.

With little or no knowledge of the Spanish language, I danced my butt off with a huge smile on my face, with my mystery man on my right and a group of middle school kids on my left, to songs that I later found out were saying things like, “tonight is the night for sex…” Uhhhhhh, OMG. Can you say, “Drew Barrymore in the movie Never Been Kissed when she’s dancing with the pink boa in between her legs on stage,” moment?? Kuuhhhraaaahhp. I’m sure the whole, “I’m waaay taller than everyone here at this concert and standing in the front row,” really helped the, “I’m dancing with a smile on my face to a song about having sex tonight, with middle school kids next to me,” scenario. What a debacle.

And as the concert and fun began to wind down, I realized that my ears were ringing unusually loud! Like, hello…I was nearing deaf. I turned to my mystery man and all too loudly exclaimed, “THIS CAN’T BE GOOD!!” And he put his finger over his lips and attempted to tell me, “Shhhh!” When all I heard was, “RiIiIiInNnNnNgGgGgG!!!” You know when you used to listen to your CD player (omg…that will date me in years to come!) with your headphones on, as you were trying to concurrently hold a conversation with someone else? And the first bit of feedback you always received was, “You’re talking too loud!” Well last night, for me, was one of those moments.

As my mystery man dropped me off, I told him to call me when he got back to his place. And he did. Except I couldn’t hear him!!! So after a struggling bedtime phone conversation, I called it a night and told him we’d talk in the morning, when my hearing would certainly be better. Right? Wrong.

How do deaf people wake up to their alarms in the morning???! I let my alarm go off for 10 minutes before I actually heard it. What an excuse to be late for work. It’s almost as bad as the old, “my dog ate my homework,” trick.

So it’s the morning after the concert, my hearing completely sucks, I’m trying to take phone calls at the office and it seems that I’ve asked every caller, “could you please speak louder,” and, “could you say that again, please?” My guess is I’ve used the word, “huuuhh?” in one morning alone, more than I would in several weeks. I’m deaf.

So as I spend all morning learning these:

And investing in a pair of these:

You can spend your time looking at these:

Now, because the drive home from the concert was a piece of cake and I have no great stories about driving down 95 South at midnight, let’s jump to the pictures! Remember, no cameras allowed in FedEx Field, so you get my BlackBerry camera phone pictures…. You lucky ducks! Enjoy!!