Andrea: Movie Reviews As I see it

So yes, I realize that it has been one of the most amazing weeks weatherwise and I have been indoors at the movies not once but twice this week. And while nothing really beats fun in the sun, the movies that I saw, Tropic Thunder and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, where both worth a few hours away from sunshine.

The first movie I saw was Tropic Thunder. Now I had no expectations for this movie at all and was not sure I even wanted to see it but my friends were going so I did too, (no I am not going to jump off a bridge if my friends do) It was more entertaining than I thought it would be and I did actually enjoy the movie. It was funny in some parts, not so funny in other and there were surprise familiar faces in the movie that I had not seen in the trailers. But the most surprising and enjoyting to me was Tom Cruise, the part he played and how funny he was. I actually might be starting to like him again. His character was hilarious and so not what we have seen him do before and who knew Tom Cruise could dance! I think it is worth going to see just to see him dance and play this funny guy. But that is just my opinion.

The other movie I saw was Vicki Cristina Barcelona. Again another movie I knew nothing about, I had not even scene a commercial or trailer for this movie but I heard people talking about it and it was highly reccomended by a friend of mine. I loved it, I can't really tell you why, maybe because I spent some time in Spain earlier this year, or maybe the story and the way it is told, but for me it is one of those movies that I have not stopped thinking about since I saw it. I would reccomend this movie and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Okay that is about all I have to say on the movies I have seen this week, but since this has been a summer of movie seeing for me, I am sure I will have more movies to write about soon. So for now, thumbs up, sit back relax and enjoy the show, turn off cell phones and see you at the movies.

Andrea - We're blogging now

So you have a business, you have to a website, okay check, got that (http://www.mytimeforme.com/ in case you don't already know). Then you learn if you have a business and you have a website, you have to have a blog. Okay we can do that, add blog feature to website - check. Okay now blog - oh boy.

What do we blog about? anything and everything - okay, that seems easy enough. How often do we blog? Best is to do it everyday - gulp, everyday!

Okay so quite the challenge we have here! Now to know me is to know that I am quite the talker and hopefully once in a while I spin a witty antidote amongst the crowd (hopefull being the operative word here) but to write something everyday that is entertaining and maybe a bit informative that will keep people interested enough to check back - OH BOY!

So here I go, game on, challenge taken, mission accepted. Maybe you will join me on this journey, maybe you will comment (favorably I hope) on what is written, maybe I will succeed, maybe I will get into the groove (that is what I have my fingers crossed for) and write everyday or on some sort of regular basis. Maybe this will be fun for all of us, maybe I will entertain and give folks a chuckle and maybe just maybe I will have another thing to add to my list of things that I have done or do. I blog.

Andrea- What a summer for MTFM!

I love summer, it is really my favorite time of year and I so far this has been one of the best summers I have ever had. Not only for the regular summertime things like picnics, days at the beach, boat rides, sun dresses and flip flops and a great tan, but also for the dreams and visions we have for MTFM that have cocme true this summer.

The first vision we saw come true this summer was the honor of having been voted the Best Of the Gold Coast CT as best social networking for women and to have displayed at the party last night. It was great to meet so many new people and make connections with the great women of Fairfield County, as well as meet the other winners. There was great music, food and giveaways last night and the energy in the air was electric and contagious. To see a list of the other winners, pick up a copy of Greenwich, Westport, or New Canaan Darien & Rowayton Magazines on newstands now. You are sure to find some great new things in there that you will have to check out!

We also are excited that our long standing vision of a membership program to My Time For Me is being launched this summer. We have put together a wonderful program with lots of gifts and benefits and discounts not only to MTFM events but to other wondeful businesses in the area. To see all the great benefits check it out here. If you have a business of your own and would like to offer a discount to the ladies of MTFM click here to learn more about it.

With a few more weeks of summer still ahead I am grateful for all that has happened so far and look forward to what is still to come.

Andrea - My Affair with Books

I am obbsessed with books, buying them, reading them, discovering new ones, having them all around me and of course reading them. On a bad day a trip to the bookstore is a sure way to perk me right up. On a good day, it makes is an even better day.

I often joke that I cannot afford my habit - my book habit. I have more unread books than I can read in 6 months, yet I keep buying more and it keeps making me happier and happier. My wishlist at BarnesandNoble.com is always at the max of 25 books and everytime a coupon arrives in my inbox I use it, and of course I buy more than intended so I can get the free shipping! I know, I know I can go to the library and I used to all the time. In fact my library card holds a place of honor in my wallet, it is one of the first things I see when I open my wallet, but borrowing books is just not the same as having for mine for always.

If I hear of a subject that interests me and I know nothing about it, off the the book store or internet I run. Have a new project I want to tackle, let me find a book to help me learn about it. Having a hard time with something in my life, surely there is a book about how to get through it, or what someone else experienced.

The other day I was at my house and I heard the clump of feet on the stairs and the ringing of the doorbell that made me run to the door with glee where I knew I would find my recent order of books. How happy that made me, for the rest of the day, wherever I was in the house, the books were with me, reading them, checking out the cover art, figuring out which book I was going to start first. Working in my office, the new pile of books was right next to me. Later on while watching a movie, they were piled prominently on the coffee table where I could see them and the tv screen. That night when I went to sleep, they joined the pile of books next to my bed that I am currently reading or going to pick up next. Yes I have a pile of books next to my bed, it is almost like my security blanket, as long as I know there is a selection next to me, I am comforted that at anytime I can step into whatever world I feel like at that moment.

I have a great talent of being able to read multiple books at one time. People find this strange, I find it normal, depending on what mood I am in, there is a book I can pick up to fit. In fact just writing about my books makes me want to take a little break, sit outside in the sun (another one of my favorite things) and read for a bit. Hmm now which book should I take with me?

Andrea's Blog - Velcro Rollers - I never knew

Yes I am writing about velcro rollers. I know seems strange to me too but it is something new in my life that I feel I must share with all women who have ever had a bad or questionable hair day. These little, or big if you so choose, rollers can work miracles in your hair! Really I did not believe it but after one use, okay 2 after I learned how to really use them, I am hooked!

They are pretty inexpensive, can be found in many sizes at any store that sells beauty products and they can give your hair the bounce and the flair you may need for a special occasion, a night on the town, or at the end of the day when you need to a hair pick me. They are also great on those days when you just don't feel like blow drying forever to get the style you want. With these little beauties, leave your hair a bit damp and roll them in and style galore! Yes I promise it is just about that simple.

Really you just roll sections of your hair in these miracle makers, spray on some hair spray, maybe give it a quick shot with the blow dryer (helps but not necessary) and leave em in for maybe 10 minutes and you have bounce and body! They are not the easiest thing to store or travel with but I tell ya, it is worth it. And other than maybe using the blow dryer, no electricity is needed and there is much less chance for mishap with these things than there are with a hot flat iron or curling iron. I know you all know what I mean there.

So yes I just wrote a blog about the beauty of velcro rollers and how important they are to me. Interesting topic huh, but since they have been such a help to me, I thought how could I not share. Happy rolling (velcro rollers of course).....

Andrea-Happy Blog

A handful of years ago I was going through a challenging time in my life. I was on the precipice of a new life. Some of the changes I wanted, some I didn’t and some were much needed. During this time I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go on a long weekend vacation with 2 of my closest girlfriends. Although I was sad and had a lot on my mind, that trip to this day is one of my happiest memories.

During this vacation I was standing on Fisherman’s Wharf with my two girlfriends on a beautiful sunny day and I looked at my friends and said “I am so very happy at this very moment!” My friends both looked at me and started laughing, what the heck I thought, here I am having an enlightening moment and they are laughing at me. They looked at me and said, well here we are, on our way over to Alcatraz, one of the least happiest places there is and you are bellowing about how happy you are.

Later on I thought about my declaration and their comments and how I was able to stop in the moment and appreciate it for what it was and the goodness of it. I started doing that on a regular basis, finding the good in the moment I was in no matter what was going on. I found during that tough period of my life, my days were better than I thought they could be, because although I had a lot going on, I focused on all the good things happening throughout the day instead of the bad. At the end of each day as I lay falling asleep going over my day, I realized how good the day had been because I focused on and recognized the happy things. Some of them as little as the tulips blooming outside or a great cup of coffee I had to bigger things like the time spent in a great city with great friends.

To this day I employ this theory of happy all day everyday, some days are harder than others, but those are the days that end up being the best because I faced adversity, hardship and trials and came out with a huge smile. “I am so very happy at this very moment” has become a joke amongst my friends, but any time we spend together is not the same unless I say it at least once and my life, and I hope others as well, is much happier for that moment of realization on Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco with my friends.

So my advice to you today is be mindful of the moment you are in and find the happy in it. You will see that even during the toughest times, there is still happiness, and during the happy times, there is gratitude. Each making everyday a good day.

Tracy-Done With Detox

It was quite a journey, with some lows and many more highs, but without all the support and enthusiasm of those around me I could never have succeeded in completing the detox. The reasons I decided to do the detox were many, from learning more about living and eating better/healthier to weight loss to determine the cause of my chronic cough to just proving to myself that I could do it. Going through the program was actually easier than I expected and what I enjoyed the most was cooking creatively using the allowable foods. I can up with some great recipes and even started sharing recipes with others who are following a similar diet (quinoa pancakes, anyone?). The benefits I’ve received from finishing have been a clearer sense of focus, a feeling of accomplishment, better skin, weight loss (12 pounds) and over a foot and a half loss in overall measurements! It certainly feels good to wear pants I have only been able to look at in my closet for the past two years. So, my best advice to anyone interested in doing the detox is to time it right for your lifestyle, gather support from family and friends, plan activities during the 28 days that don’t focus on food and drink (I went on an art gallery tour, got massages, finished books I had started months ago) and take the time to notice the changes in your mindset about food and food choices. Of course, now I’m one of those annoying people ahead of you on the line at Starbucks ordering the half caf/half decaf soy cappuccino, but, hey, that’s the way it goes!