"GONE GIRL": THE DARK SIDE OF MARRIAGE

"What are you thinking Amy? The question I've asked most often during our marriage, if not out loud, if not to the person who could answer. I suppose these questions stormcloud over every marriage: What are you thinking? How are you feeling? Who are you? What have we done to eachother? What will we do?"      -  EXCERPT "GONE GIRL" By  Gillian Flynn

I just finished reading "Gone Girl" a psychological thriller by best selling author Gillian Flynn (more on the book in a minute.)

Every night before I go to bed, I cuddle up to a book either on my Iphone or my Ipad. The electronic device is not as soft or pliable as a paper book but the convenience of reading on my Iphone is too tempting to pass up.

I used to read paperbacks and I had a little book light that I would have to clip onto the sleeve of the book, but the flaps were flimsy and usually I would have to move the light with my hands like a flashlight so it could light up the next paragraph I was reading.

The upside of reading on my electronic device: my Iphone has a built-in light eliminating the need for a book light, I store all the books I've purchased on my device so I can always choose to read two or three books at a time without lugging them around or having my nightstand look like a makeshift library, and finally if I happen to finish a book quickly I can buy another one instantly using my Ibooks app and read the reviews right then and there.

The downside: I can't let my sister or friends borrow the books I've purchased because its impossible to download the book on your computer, transfer it to a zip-drive and then let someone else read it. (I'm sure there is a way to do it but it also just doesn't feel right in this era of out-of-control DVD pirating.) Plus handing over a zip-drive doesn't feel as organic as does handing over an actual physical book and saying ,"hey sis, check out out this novel, it's a page turner."

Gone Girl, was a real page turner. I read it relatively fast because I couldn't put it down. There are lots of plot twists and turns and I really enjoyed the fact that Amy the main character is a strong woman. Well, strong in certain ways... if you read the book you'll know what I mean. My sister recently celebrated a birthday and I loved Gone Girl so much I actually went to a brick and mortar store, bought a hardcover copy and gave it to her as a gift.

I highly recommend Gone Girl, although I was a little disappointed in the ending, the smart writing and original plot still made it worthwhile. The book was acquired by 20th Century Fox and is expected to be turned into a Hollywood Movie by Reese Witherspoon's company, Pacific Standard. This is one movie ticket I will certainly purchase, but Im glad I read the book first.

Here is a link to Amazon for "Gone Girl"

Got Crabs?? Put on a bib and go get ya'some !

When my in-laws were visiting this weekend from Colorado, Tiny (my husband's nickname for his mom) wanted to take advantage of the beautiful California Coastline (and who can blame her) and have lunch somewhere near the water. Jeff my husband suggested The Crab Pot in Long Beach. !

We all ordered "The Alaskan" which is a big pot of King Crab, Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, Shrimp, Steamed Clams, Pacific Mussels, Andouille Sausage, Corn on the Cob and Red Potatoes! 

The best part about it: NO SILVERWARE NEEDED! The waiters literally drop the pot of seafood yummi-ness right on the table and you use your bare hands to get right into it! 

You also get to wear a cute bib, so in ways I felt like a toddler all over again- eating with my fingers and wearing a bib! I'm 8 months pregnant so I'm about to go through the "messy eating-wearing bib" stage with a real live baby in just a few weeks, so it was nice to feel like a kid again myself before I need to be a real adult and take care of a little one.

Eating here was a good way to have some great seafood, re-connect with the "baby" in all of us, and have an amazing time with my in-laws, husband and daughter near the beautiful Ocean. 

If you don't live near Long Beach California, there are Crab Pots in Seattle, Bellevue, Rancho Mirage and La Quinta!
HERE IS THEIR WEBSITE : The Crab Pot.

Hot Chocolate Cake and Celebrity Hot Spots

Matches!!

These are some matches i've collected from my favorite L.A. Restaurants... Morton's Steakhouse is also on my list but they don't give away matches.

 
My husband and I went here for Easter dinner, but I ate so fast I forgot to take pictures of the 12oz medium-rare filet  mignon he ordered or the Salmon with crab meat on top dish I ordered.

But...with dessert also coming, it gave me an opportunity to take a few snapshots of the splendid sugar laden sweets. We ordered their specialty "Morton's Hot Chocolate Cake"

Morton's Hot Chocolate Cake!

cake "before" 

cake "after"

Everything was delicious! If you're ever in Los Angeles, you want to stop at  Morton's Beverly Hills. It is also a popular celebrity spot, and the restaurant's walls are lined with pictures of all the famous people that have dined there. The waitress even took OUR picture... not to put up on the wall though, just as a keepsake! 

WHAT'S YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION?

Lots of people say they don't like to have New Year's resolutions because they are "constantly improving themselves all year-long". Well, I DO need that re-start button at least once a year to remind me that we can continuously be re-invented, re-newed, and re-born.

To me, January 1st does represent a fresh start, a clean slate.

So what am I planning to improve in 2012?

1. EXERCISE. Be more consistent with my workouts. Its amazing how radically you can change your body when you commit. You can loose your job, you can loose your partner, but no one can take away the work you put into yourself, your health, and your body.

2. CLEAN. Pick up after myself more often (I'm like a Snail, I leave a trail of things behind everywhere I go). The trunk of my car has been a trash can for the past year.  Oops, I forgot to dump that apple I packed back in May. I have plenty of "JUNK IN MY TRUNK" that needs a cleaning.

3. KIND. Be nicer to myself. The world is harsh enough as it is. If you are not nice to yourself, no one else will. This year I realized that no one will take care of your interests more than you. Love yourself, we can't do enough of that. Don't judge yourself to much. Don't compare yourself to anybody. Like they say, "the Sun shines for everyone", and I truly believe that.

4. PARENTS. Be better to my Mom and Dad. As teenagers we blame everything on them, and sometimes we forget to shake it off even in adulthood. They are human too and one day, they will not be here anymore.

5.THINK. Breathe and think before I react. I've lost friends and opportunities for over-reacting and being overly emotional. I've seen people lose their jobs because they lost their cool. As humans we are emotional creatures so kick the walls, destroy your pillows, pick up those boxing gloves and punch way, but do it when your home alone.

6. THE PLAN. Have confidence with Gods Plan, the Universe's Plan, Buddha's plan, whatever you are into. I truly believe their is a Plan for all of us and when you feel a lull in your life, the Powers are just working out your plan. Be patient. The architects may be doing a re-haul on your life and they are figuring out where to put your new kitchen, your new den and that nice pool.

7. ENJOY. I have had a career that has taken me to the best Hotels, Cities and Restaurants of the world, but believe it or not sometimes the best moments of my life have been the simple ones. Cuddling up with my boyfriend near a crackling fire. Watching my daughter overwhelmed with Joy at the park.  Having a nice dinner with my mom. Yes, its cliche but cliches reflect deep truths. Everything gets old, even 5 star Hotels, and Limos. I know Im probably sounding crass right now but I am writing from my heart. We watch reality shows and we glamorize their lifestyle. If only we lived in a million dollar mansion, if only we had that great body, if only we made as much money as they did. Everything is relative. How many people in third world countries wish they could live OUR lifestyle? I have running warm water, enough clothes for this season and next, and hey, last night I ate Sushi for dinner! Now, thats pretty fancy to some, and if we don't ENJOY these things we are missing the moments. WE are the STARS of our own lives.

8. DON'T JUDGE. We are so quick to judge people before we know whats going on in their heads and in their lives. At the end of the day, most of us have deep fears of everything from losing our jobs to losing our health. We as humans, are all in this together. Lets support each other. If someone doesn't say hello back or ignores you, maybe they are dealing with something, give them a hug not a frown.

9. LEARN. I've been putting off Rosetta Stone's French Language DVD's. In Los Angeles we spend so many idle hours on freeways, might as well learn a new language and learn to tell the guy that just cut me off a word or two in a different language and then say "oops Pardon my French!".

10. LET GO. So a guy you dated a million years ago was a stupid A-hole, that Ex-boss was totally gross, condescending and not so smart, your old friend really hurt you. LET THEM GO, they obviously let YOU GO!  We have all come across  these kinds of gnats (GNAT: definition: an annoying insect that sucks blood from humans). Set them free, they were not good enough to stay in your life. Look around you and you will see that  the quality of the people around you NOW has improved after these pests exited your life.

11. KEEP my  New Years Resolutions.

***SOME OF YOU MAY BE JUDGING ME right now, so please refer to Number 8, 10 and 3 .
HAPPY NEW YEARS!
What are your New Years Resolutions? (comment below)

Bohemian-Chic in Stacy Sterling Jewelry Designs.

Designer Stacy Sterling (in the Middle) and friends wearing her designs

 I recently went to jewelry designer Stacy Sterling's "Catch your Spirits Glow" Launch party held on November 10th in Venice CA because I love her jewelry line!
Here I am wearing a layered feather necklace. Every time I wear it I get compliments and I feel so earthy yet chic.

Naibe Reynoso (me)wearing Feather Layered Necklace

Daniel Nuguyen, Naibe Reynoso, Jeff Hodsden (supportive boyfriend)

Her designs, which are handcrafted are ethereal and bohemian with a sophisticated flare. She gets inspiration by the vibrant colors and textures of natures beauty, her pieces speak to those with both a glamorous and free-spirited soul.

various feathered necklace, bracelets, and earrings.

colorful skull inspired latches 

Feathers+ rocks+metal = cool

Models wearing Stacy Sterling ( in grey shirt) wearing her designs 

Designer Stacy Sterling and Me!

Stacy Sterling is truly talented. No wonder celebrities like Debra Messing, Hayden Pannetiere, and Hilary Duff are fans! Although "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend", its jewelry like Sterling's made with passion, love and patience that truly makes a woman feel Beautiful!
FOR MORE AMAZING DESIGNS CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE:
www.stacysterling.com

I'll show you mine.... my TOP TEN Favorite APPS

I love ME my IPhone Apps. They put a little bit of fairy dust on an otherwise dull business and emergency-only device: the phone (okay maybe I also use it for the occasional gossip call). When I was a kid, and I used to see "businessmen" on their phones, I thought yuck... who wants to be on that thing for hours on end? But now thanks to all the fun apps that smart phones have, I want to be on my phone for hours on end!

Here is a LIST of my top TEN favorite apps.

1. Facebook/Twitter-
 We can instantly Facebook/Twitter via our smart phones when something pisses us off and save tons on Therapy! EXHIBIT A:

BTW: follow me on Twitter @naibereynoso

2. MAPS -Can I say Hallelujah! Just when I needed a Trader Joes all I got to do is Map it in and Voila! Who knew I was only 3 minutes away? Who knew there was actually a Trader Joes here??? Im the GREEN dot, and all I have to do is get to the RED dot. Easy. Men... are you reading this?

3. Yelp! Its like Yellowpages and Help all rolled into one.. Need I say more?

4. Nike plus GPS. Love tracking my Miles while I run. It also comes with a built in cheerleader that congratulates you every time you reach another mile... gooooo Nike!

 for MORE INFO ON NIKE PLUS GPS click here

5. iBooks.  I never got the Kindle and I almost sleep with my Iphone, so might as well "cuddle" up with a good book while I'm at it and kill two birds with one stone right? Here is my library, what does yours look like?




















6. Pandora. Its Free. You create your own radio station with your favorite music.  There are NO disc jockeys. I mean I don't want to hear Ryan Seacrest anouncing my favorite Adele song or interviewing his celebrity friends. It totally kills the mood when im dancing in my underwear. Hope the next hit is "Pandora killed the radio star".
http://www.pandora.com/

7. Celeb for a Day. In this era of instant fame everyone wants a piece of the pie. With this App you don't have to sell your soul or get married then divorced in 72 days to make headlines. You create your own Fake Magazine cover. Here's mine:

8. TOON PAINT. Everyone is cooler as a cartoon character. This app is free and uber cool. Look at my before and after's:

9. INSTAGRAM. Make your drabby pictures works of art with this app that provides different filters to make your snapshots pop. The app is a social site which allows you to share pictures with other Instagram subscribers and make comments . Here is a before and after INSTAGRAM.

BEFORE INSTAGRAM 

AFTER INSTAGRAM 

BEFORE INSTAGRAM 

AFTER INSTAGRAM

10.PERIOD TRACKER. Okay this App is just for girls. But I love the fact that it reminds you when Aunt Flo is scheduled to arrive etc. eliminating the need for you to write embarassing notes on your calendar. This App does all the "dirty" work for you.

***BONUS app
11. AGE FACE. we all need a reality check once in while. With the swipe of a finger this app ages your current photo. Yes, even botox and facelifts will not save you from eventually looking like this: so might as well "Face" the music.

Before AGE FACE 

AFTER AGE FACE! Yikes!

OKAY, i've showed you mine, now you show me yours What are your favorite apps. and why?