AMGEN Tour of California!

This world class event - is in it's 4th year. It is the most professional cycling race in the United States. The race took place from February 14-22. Cycling enthusiasts were able to watch the race live on the web at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. They were also able to track riders by GPS-derived data, listen to insider race commentary and view detailed information about the race and its 136 exciting riders.

Richard and I love to travel. And sometimes just a weekend away is enough to fulfill that travel “Need.” Every year for the past four we have been following the “Tour of California” bicycle race.

As you might guess with my job I do follow the race and “work” many of these days. But for this particular weekend Richard and I enjoyed being spectators and following along with the riders and crew.

Yep, we are Leipheimer fans. We did notice that Lance Armstrong had joined the race this year. But we did not wain our enthusiasm for Levi.

I took more than 800 photos and 40 minutes of video on the tour.

We actually attended the opening night gala in Sacramento (a perk from the job of sorts) and there we were introduced to the teams and insightful information on the ride itself. We were able to mix and mingle meeting riders, team crew and coaches as well as many of the sponsors and supporters of the sport. Here is a photo of my favorite team is Rock Racing...

We were there early the first day of the race on stage one in SANTA ROSA, CALIF. – There were record crowds, once again, on hand for Stage 1 of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California to watch the world’s top cyclists travel from Davis to Santa Rosa, culminating with a climactic finish in downtown Santa Rosa. It rained that day, at points it rained pretty hard.

But it culminated with the biggest victory to date in Rock Racing’s three-year history was delivered in a huge way Sunday at the Amgen Tour of California. And then it was back to Loomis and repack to get back on the "Tour of California" Monday...for work this time. http://www.tourofcalifornia.com/

Richard being the more technical of the two watched the race via the Tour Tracker, an immersive Web application built using the Adobe Flash Platform and Adobe LiveCycle®, that incorporates live video, audio, and real-time data streams of the event, delivered in the browser with Adobe Flash Player or via a downloadable application powered by Adobe® AIR®, the Tour Tracker ensures fans that they won’t miss a moment of the race.

About the Amgen Tour of CaliforniaThe largest cycling event in America, the Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course. Building on last year's third-annual stage race, which attracted 1.6 million spectators, the 2009 Amgen Tour of California will be expanded to cover more than 750 miles over nine days from February 14-22, 2009.

Favorite Travel Companion Bernese Mountain Dog

My husband Richard and I love Bernese Mountain Dogs. You might

even say I am a little obsessed. In 1996 we adopted our first “Berner” from a breeder in Arizona and named him “Tyrone.” He was the center of all our family activities and really “one of the kids.” He died of cancer Christmas 2007 (11 years old.) After I felt enough time had passed we were ready to bring into our lives a new Berner dog. I began to search for a dog to bring home into our now now empty nest family.

We didn't necessarily want a puppy as we were open to anything. (By the way, we do not show dogs this is a family pet.) A local breeder was referred to me as she has a few dogs for sale and one dog that needed to be re-homed. Well, the dog that needed to be re-homed – was and that is our 10 month old “Berner Boy” named OLIVER or OLY for short. (Yes, we did keep his name.)

Oliver has been a joy. Though he is a little shy, he makes up for that in his exuberant love and devotion to the two of us. If your not a dog lover you will never understand the depth and breadth of love a dog has for you, and that you share with your dog.

Will keep you posted on little Oliver’s progress..

UPDATE!

It has been six months since Oliver came into our lives. And as far as I can tell it is going great. Oliver has a huge fenced in area courtesy of Richard and he is enjoying how active our family is. He has no problem jumping up onto our bed when we are out of the room or tormenting the cat when she ignores him

Oliver loves to "go for a ride" and we have found to keep our sanity we bought a Doggy Travel Hammock, it's a great way to protect the back seat of our car and give him greater comfort.

A Perfect Little Vacation Getaway Set!

Here is the perfect little Vacation Getaway Set. It comes loaded with the best in travel-sized essentials - plus expert travel tips. It includes all these Mary Kay® products at a great price: Waterproof Mascara, Travel-Sized SPF 30 Sunscreen* and After-Sun Replenishing Gel, Eyesicles® Eye Color in Island Bronze, Mini NouriShine® Lip Gloss in Beach Bronze, and two refillable travel bottles, $25.

What a deal!

valueforthejetset

To check this out and other great products contact my independent beauty consultant's (and daughter's) web site at:

www.marykay.com/strain.jenna

Organize Your Jewelry!

I found these instructions for a cute fabric-covered jewelry board. I decided to make one this weekend. What fun! Here are the instructions if you are interested in getting a little more organized!

How to Make a Fabric-Covered Jewelry Board:

It's hard to find the right necklace or bracelet when it's all jumbled together in a jewelry chest. Displaying these vertically keeps it all in view and speeds your selection. Here's how to make a fabric-covered board to hold jewelry.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• ceiling tile or old cork board
• fabric
• stapler
• pins

Step1

Find a ceiling tile or an old cork bulletin board. Select a piece of fabric with a fairly plain pattern. Too much detail in the fabric distracts from the jewelry.

Step2

Wrap the fabric around the front of the tile or bulletin board. Staple it to the back with staples or thumbtacks. This part won't be visible, so don't worry much about the appearance. Just make sure the fabric is stretched smoothly over the front part.

Step3

Hang the finished piece on the closet wall or in the bathroom or bedroom. Figure out the most convenient space for you. The board filled with jewelry can even serve as an art piece on the wall.

Step4

Now the fun part is arranging the jewelry on the board. Any straight pin will work to hang the jewelry, but think about hat pins or get quilting pins with colored heads too.

Step5

Larger, heavier costume jewelry may need support from two pins. Hang smaller pieces inside larger ones to use all the space.

Step6

Hang bracelets and dangley earrings on the board as well. Decorative brooches or pins can just be stuck into the bulletin board.


Here are some other fun organization techniques I use to display/organize my jewelry! I had so much this weekend working on these fun projects! Please post comments or pictures if you try out this project too!

Did I Tell You I Love Gardening?

Especially with my grandson Beau and our dog Oliver! Here is an adorable video of them helping me out this weekend!

Keeping it Real! - Casino Night with friends

Casino night is a great way to share an entertaining evening with friends or co workers

A few weeks ago Richard and I joined friends and co workers for an elegant evening out in Old Sacramento. The event was held at the famous Firehouse Restaurant

Built in 1853, The Firehouse was the first building in Old Sacramento to be restored and is designated a historical landmark. History, food and wine menus and online reservations
http://www.firehouseoldsac.com/

After excellent starters and some fantastic roast beef the tables were warmed up and Richard and I began our luxury fun casino night entertainment. This Casino night action is a great way to break the ice and create interaction between our group. We were able to mix, mingle and enjoy the sophisticated surroundings of our authentic fun casino evening. The theme was very real as the professional dealers wore tuxedo vests and bow ties! The emphasis of the casino evening is to have fun, it's not about winning. The dealers will even teach you how to play and when to hold. Something real casino's would NEVER do. Casino Night fun would work for any party, birthday (regardless of age), anniversary, engagement party or special evening event. It's great that you can dress up and this provides a more formal atmosphere. And creating just the right atmosphere to mix and mingle is important when you have people at the party that do not know each other. Our party had many popular games to chose from: Texas Hold "em* Black Jack* Craps* Roulette* Poker* I think Richard is now hooked on Craps (see him at the craps table in photo.) After two hours of just-for-fun gambling, we all cashed in our chips for raffle tickets and had a prize drawing. You could have each guest couple bring a raffle prize to make for more prizes. We really did have a great time and hope to get out and do it again soon.

Be Sustainable -- REUSE!

The CTTC Green Group presents a Sustainable Style Clothing Swap!

Recycle, Refresh and Rejuvenate your wardrobe!

CTTC Green Group wants to bring our fellow staff, family and friends together to recycle, refresh and rejuvenate our wardrobe and relish 'new-to-you' items while raising awareness, helping our community and being kind to our planet. SWAP is the fun, fashionable, philanthropic and eco-friendly to reinvent your stylish self and refresh your wardrobe in minutes. Clothing Swaps allow us to practice the art of sharing and kindness as we select garments for ourselves and others. Simply bring clean, gently worn and new clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories that you no longer wear or use. (Most people bring a garbage bag full of fun items.) SWAP and take home your favorites for free. All unclaimed items are donated directly to local non-profit shelters and charities to help those in need.

Sustainable Style Clothing Swap is for BOTH MEN and women . All sizes will be swapped: maternity, plus sizes, petites, shoes and accessories! Designer, business suits, jeans, casual and workout clothes.

Bring your items clean on a hanger and ready to swap! Collect your better clothing cast offs, bring a friend who would like to donate and don’t forget to extend the invite to your significant, wife or husband! You can drop off your bags of clothing to Amanda E in the office anytime.

· Date: April 22^nd, 2009

· Place: CTTC Office- Los Angeles Conference Room

· Time: 5 pm- Doors open, wine and cheese reception & clothing drop-off

7pm- SWAP!

RSVP and pay for the swap by April 20^th and pay only $10.00!

Walk-in: $20 per Swapper

All fees will provide purchase wine and cheese for reception, door prizes and remaining funds will be put toward CTTC Green Group initiatives.

SIMPLE+FUN+SAVVY= CTTC SUSTAINABLE STLYE SWAP

Feel free to forward to your style savvy friends and family!

Will History Repeat?

Fashion is so fun to speculate over. I simply LOVE the classic Jackie O' dress or who can't resist some of those slim Audrey Hepburn jeans or a wonderful Grace Kelly dress. But the era I have most been thinking about these days is the 1930's depression era.

I can't help but wonder if fashion will again dramatically change. Once again, America finds itself with an economy on the brink of destruction. And though we are not in a "Great Depression", like in the 1930's, our economy is spiraling downward with each new day.

Fashion of the 1930s, influenced by the great "Wall Street Crash" of October 24, 1929 and what lead to the Depression. The autumn, 1930 Sears Catalog admonished, "Thrift is the spirit of the day." Reckless spending was a thing of the past. The beginning of the the 1930's saw women sewing more. Clothing was mended and patched before being replaced. Less ready-to-wear garments were purchased, even though styles were dramatically changing.

As the months and years went on a softer, more feminine style replaced the boyish, flapper look of the twenties. At the beginning of the thirties, hemlines dropped dramatically to the ankle and remained there until the end of the thirties. Necklines were lowered while torsos were sensuously molded beneath squared shoulders. Darts were replaced by soft gathers. Dress waists returned to the natural waistline. Moderately full skirts accentuated a small waist and minimized the hips. Dress bodices were designed with inset pieces and yokes. Necklines received dramatic attention, often with wide scallop-edged or ruffled collars.

As we are in our own depression of sorts I am noticing more interest in Clothing Swaps, thrift shopping is now being refereed to as treasure hunting and the Goodwill 2nd hand store has never been more popular.

I wonder...will we be mending our garments and sewing our own clothes now that we are feeling the money pinch? If you are interested in the 1930's style as I am check out these links below:

Web Sites about 1930s Fashions and Culture

RETRO: The Tip Tray
http://www.retroactive.com/tiptray/30shair.html

Ladies Fashions of the 1930s
http://www.Emurrayontravel/carolnolan/fashionhistory

Big Girly Exchange

Want to find out the best sources for everything from cosmetics to contractors, clothes to cafes. Why waste time or money? Eliminate the trial and error process. Get to the good stuff immediately. In one evening, you’ll know where to shop, what to buy and why plus find out the best places to go to rejuvenate from your hectic life.

This is a great idea for a fun girls night out. It would be a great way to meet new people and also a great resource. I can't wait to try it!


Here are the details:

* Meet at Coffee House
* Each one brings samples and notes
* Invite 10 people

Make everything as “Show and Tell” as possible. Bring actual stuff and put names and phone numbers on paper.

Here are the categories:
Show & Tell: Bring and share your most recent cool “finds”.

People Bank: Share the names of people who performed services you were wildly satisfied with. Bring names and phone numbers. Favorite contractors, caterers, cleaners and masseuses names will be passed around.

Retail Therapy & Best Buys: Share places where you've scored great things or particularly enjoy shopping; a place (or person) that provided a great shopping experience, or places that had great deals.

Renewal: Share the names of places to go where you’ve been transformed. They can be faraway places, getaways that occur in just one day, or things that transform you in an hour. This can include pieces of music, yoga studios, books, etc.

Food/Health: Favorite restaurants, recipes entertaining ideas whats in season, cookbooks, not-to-be-missed vendors for organic produce at the Farmer’s Market. Remedies for allergy sufferers.

Roundtable: What's new in your life (This should be a follow-up get together).

Packing for Vacation!

I am preparing to go on vacation and want to make sure I am ready to go and all prepared when I finally set sail. I have included my packing list for those of you who are like me...organized...yet forgetful.

Packing for a week in California!


Tops
2 blouses
1 jacket or blazer
1 sweater
2 tee-shirts/short sleeve
If cold add
1 turtleneck
1 polarflece vests

Bottoms
2 pants
1 short
1 skirt

Dresses and Ensembles
1 basic black dress or suit



Accessories
belt
jewelry
scarves

Outerwear (If cold)
coat
gloves
hat
scarf/shawl
umbrella

Activewear
athletic shoes


exercise wear
swimsuit/cover-up

Shoes
1 casual shoes
1 dress shoes
1 flip flops/slipper

Lingerie
Bras
camisole
nightgown
panties
pantyhose/socks
slip

The key to packing light and tight is to think about versatility above all else: A large scarf that doubles for a swimsuit cover up. A reversible skirt, basic knit pants that can be paired with a belt and jean jacket, or an evening sweater and heals are the perfect multi use travel clothes to include in your packing. A tank top for the head that can be layered over a collar shirt as a vest.

Here’s a few easy steps I’ve collected in my research to lighter and smarter packing:

Start with the basics. One color like brown, navy, black, white or Khaki. Next pick a few great shirts that match with all the basic pieces. Then add accessorize, shoes and scarves. These colors go with many things, dress up or down, and don’t show dirt easily. When its cold out opt for the darker colors, and when it is warm, you might want to think about light colors for sun resistance.

How versatile is it? I like to pack a pushma shawl to use for evening and with my jeans. I even use it as a blanket on the plane. I have a reversible travel skirt that is black on one side and floral on the other. I enjoy having several looks with one skirt. For an evening bag I pack a soft sparkly cover that zips over my travel purse. I also always pack an eco shopping bag that scrunches into a wallet. I keep it in my purse so as I make travel purchases I have a place to put them.

When I travel I think about layering my clothes like short and long-sleeved items that can be worn together for different combinations for different looks. I use a lot of accessories to extend my fashion– large scarf that double as a blouse at times under my suit, or a bathing suit cover uop. Smaller silk scarves, 2 larger jewelry pieces, braclets, one hat.


Reversible items get you two styles for the price of one, you also increase your options when combining them with each other. Why not lay everything out on your bed, and start taking away: remove anything that does not go well with everything else, or that you are not sure you will wear. Pack smart - learn to not try to plan for absolutely everything, maximize the versatility of the items you do pack.

Don’t add extra weight at the last minute – keep shoes, heavy reading materials, and toiletries light. Ask yourself, Do you really need it?

Don’t forget to follow the TSA 3-1-1 when flying. Make sure your toiletries you carry onto the plane fit into the proper baggie. Look for smaller containers, sample toiletries, makeup of products you might normally carry as liquids (like hand soap, foundation make-up). (TSA tips on this blog)

California Tourism Commercial!

I love this commercial and I thought I would post it. Let me know what you think about it! Do you recognize everyone?



When Can You Start?

TWITTER!

I just made a TWITTER account so that I can enjoy communicating on the go. I am amazed at how much time all this stuff takes and how much I enjoy it!