L: What is something that has inspired you recently?

F: On Monday night, I went to LA Film School’s Q&A with all the writers nominated for this year’s Oscars. I think this was one of the best years in film and I have really come to fall in love with film as a medium (much to Albert’s delight). That night was incredibly inspirational to me because I have so many friends in LA that are writing or trying to make movies. I left that night feeling like we are all headed in the right direction.

L: What are your favorite pizza toppings?

F: Pizza, Pizza! My favorite pizza toppings are capers, artichoke hearts and mushrooms. Yum!

L: What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?

F: The best concert that I have ever been to was Arcade Fire at the Larimer Lounge in Denver, Colorado. It was 2005 – almost a heartbeat before they completely and utterly blew up. There were about 60 people at the show and we were essentially in a small basement. The drummer played on the pipes and the guy at the door asked me and my friends if we were the opening band. It was the best concert I have ever been to, hands down.

L: If we could hang out this weekend, what would you want to do?

F: I don’t even know where to start. If we were in NYC, I would say that we would have to go to L’il Frankies or Sauce. We would have a wonderful meal with some wine. I would love to go dancing at Manhattan Inn until 4am. I would also like to go to MoMA or maybe even stay home at your place the entire weekend and do nothing at all but laugh (or cry).

L: Have you discovered anywhere new in L.A. lately?

F: I wouldn’t say that I discovered this, but I recently went to the Venice Pier for the first time and I was amazed. I had no idea that LA was in such a bay. When you are at the very tip of the pier, it feels like LA is wrapped around you in the most beautiful way. It was a whole new perspective on the beach that I have spent so much time on.

Imperfect

By Farrell

February 11, 2014

Inspired & Inspiring

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I would prefer to never been seen without makeup.

I have been reading Brene Brown’s book titled The Gifts of Imperfection and each time I read a chapter or two I feel a little bit more insightful.

In the most recent chapter I read, she discusses her research on perfectionism.

Here is are some profound thoughts on perfectionism:

“Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, live perfectly, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgement and blame.

Perfectionism is self destructive because there is no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal.”

I read this as an outsider looking in on something I felt was not me. I can think of many people I know that are obviously perfectionists, but never thought I was one.

Then I realized that of course I have many levels of perfectionism, in whatever ways that means to me.

Here are some of Brene’s thoughts on how to cope and heal from perfectionism:

Self-kindness, common humanity (“I am not alone” type thing) and mindfulness about your habits of trying to be PERFECT.

Of course nothing is perfect and reading some of these thoughts was a great reminder this week.

Picturesque

By Farrell

February 10, 2014

Pictures

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Here are this weeks pics:

Farrell – Los Angeles, CA

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Sunset football at the beach

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Double Volley

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Bike ride through Venice Canals

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Lauren – Philadelphia, Washington DC & NYC

Flower market in Philadelphia’s 30th Street Train Station

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View of the U.S. Capitol from Washington’s Union Station

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Back in NYC for haircuts and hang with our mom!

我不知道

By Farrell

February 6, 2014

Pictures

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For Realz

By Farrell

February 4, 2014

Inspired & Inspiring

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Last week, we had friends in town.

It was one of those visits that you didn’t know you needed until you experienced it.

Lately, Albert and I have both been feeling a bit down. There have been times when we wondered why we moved so far away or what we are doing with our lives. There were other times when we couldn’t quite put our finger on what exactly had us down.

Either way, we weren’t really helping each other out. There was only so much strength and positivity that one could hold for so long.

Then our friends came.

It wasn’t a crazy kind of visit – the kind where you feel exhausted and like you need to do a juice cleanse after. It was more of a retreat. A little pocket of time when we made good food, shared stories, sang that one song and really connected.

While it was happening, Albert said to me, “It is so good to have really good old friends.” And it couldn’t have been more true.

We both felt so at ease and in turn we felt honest and authentic.

Thanks for the wonderful visit Julie and Dave.

Picturesque

By Farrell

February 3, 2014

Pictures

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Yo, hope you all had a nice Super Bowl Sunday. Here are this weekend’s pics:

Farrell – Los Angeles, CA

Teddy insisted that we watch the Puppy Bowl during half time

Half way up a 6 mile Saturday afternoon hike

One of the best pizza parties yet!

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Lauren – New York, NY

Chinese New Year celebrated in my hood

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Quiet Sunday afternoon at home

One Word, Two Ways: Energy

By Farrell

February 1, 2014

One Word, Two Ways

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THE CORE STAR

CHAKRAS

BIO-ENERGY FIELDS

LIFE-FORCE ENERGY FIELD

Harness it

Bottle it up | Label it well

Pick your poison, residual swell

Spend it | Invest it

Go back to the well

Coast to Coast

By Farrell

January 30, 2014

Coast to Coast

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My morning commute

L: What did you have for dinner last night?

F: Funny you should ask because my dinner last night was fantastic. Albert (Master Chef Silverlake) made me lemon and garlic mahi-mahi, sauteed brussel sprouts in a white wine sauce and a green salad with homemade dressing. The whole meal was phenomenal.

L: How did you like the Zumba class you went to last week?

F: Zumba, zumba, zumba. This was my second time around and it was ok. It is a full hour of dancing. It is actually pretty fun, but there is something about me that can’t take it seriously. I want to dance around and do my own moves and laugh. That’s pretty much what I do anyways. We are all going again this week, so I will keep you posted.

L: What curly hair products are you using lately?

F: I am still using Deva AnGel. I have never found a product that has made my hair look better. That being said, I would like to change products as this one dries out my hair too much. It was fine in NYC, but in LA the air is so much dryer.

L: What app on your phone do you use the most?

F: I am so disgusted by my Instagram habit. I was going to call it an addiction, but that is not what it is. It is simply a habit. A nervous tick. Instagram is my most used and then Waze, which is an app to get you places the fastest way possible. It’s the best in LA.

L: If you could go to one place for six-weeks, where would you go?

F: Ah! There is no ONE place. My first instinct is to tell you Hawaii. If it was 6 weeks, I would want to be somewhere where the food is fresh. I would also love to go back to Turkey for a while. Cuba has been my primary focus lately. I will go there.

Empathy vs. Sympathy

By Farrell

January 28, 2014

Holistic Living

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I have been meaning to watch this video that my mom sent me for a while. This morning, I finally did. I was pleasantly surprised that it was Brene Brown’s voice. I just love everything that she says. I felt so touched by this video because I have experienced both of these scenarios in the past couple of weeks. Sometimes not know what to say is the best thing to say.