This Moss is Boss

{My DIY marimo terrarium}

{You will need shells and a glass vase…I got my vase from Target}

{Marimo balls from Etsy}

{Ava and our finished zen garden}

One of my fondest memories as a child is cooking in the kitchen with mama — I guess you could say that any one-on-one time with my mom was and still remains a treasured time for me. As Hallmark-y as this sounds, with two kiddos of my own, I try to make memories that will leaving lasting impressions with them. So while I’m not the greatest cook, arts and crafts are for us. When I spotted about Marimo ball terrariums on Pinterest, I knew it was an activity both Ava and I would love.

After a little Googling, we learned that the marimo is a living moss ball found growing in lakes in Iceland, Scotland, Japan and Estonia. Each lake’s current swirls the little plant around and around so it grows naturally into a petite pom-pom shape. Its curious name is a portmanteau of two Japanese words, “mari,” meaning “bouncy ball,” and “mo,” a term for plants that grow underwater. 

This sweet, sphere-shaped creature is adored around the globe: the Japanese believe that it brings good luck, and in Iceland it is believed that a well-loved marimo makes wishes come true!

And you know I’m all about ushering a little good fortune into my home. Who isn’t?

So after some beach combing for seashells, a jaunt to Target for the vase and a little shopping for the marimo balls on Etsy, behold our marimo Zen garden. We placed ours atop the living room coffee table as it makes for a great conversation piece.

Here’s to hoping it brings good vibes our way and to you, too.

Hair Ye, Hair Ye, Listen Up

{I am not holding a state-of-the-art adult toy.

That device, my friends, is how I get my beachwave curls.}

A lot of you cool kids have been writing in, asking me, how I score my wavy locks at home…so I’m about to spill the beans.

Real-talk: When I can’t make it over to my girls at Blo Midtown for a professional blowout (AKA the best $35 a gal can spend this day and age), I fire up my Beachwaver by Sara Potempa curling iron and tap into my inner Ken Pavés (speaking of which, whatever happened to Jessica Simpson‘s main gay?).

Anyhoo, I discovered this DIY dream in one of the 235 glossies I read and bought mine on Amazon.com. Priced at $193, it ain’t cheap but the old adage, “You get what you pay for,” rings true in this case — because from hot rollers to clamp-less curling irons to flat irons, I’ve tried them all like a complete psycho fueled by the singular desire to reinvent Giselle Bündchen‘s mane on my own home turf.

This curling iron gives you perfect beachwaves with the simple touch of a button and is dummy proof (and when I say “dummy proof,” I mean it because I’m the least coordinated human I know). The barrel even rotates, so you don’t have to do a darn thang.

My one complaint? There’s definitely a learning curve on how to wrap the hair by the clamp so it doesn’t crimp the hair the wrong way for a frazzled look.

I don’t want to sound like an infomercial here,  so just peep this video below as it ‘splains everything.

Epic Last Call Neiman Marcus Shoe Sale This Week

{I so had to procure these buttery blue Balenciagas, OBVI}

(Louboutins…spotted!}

{She’s a lady after my own heart}

{Charlotte Olympias}

{Chanels galore}

{Valentinos, too!}

This Wednesday, tell your boss you caught the Ebola virus. Lie to your manager and tell ‘em you contracted a deadly case of Montezuma’s Revenge. Tell your kiddos mommy needs a time-out or she’ll have an EPIC meltdown. Give your husband a deep-tissue back massage. Beg your dad for some early birthday dough. You know, do whatever it takes to make it to any Last Call Neiman Marcus store nationwide because on Wednesday, March 27 at 9 a.m., there’s a super duper DESIGNER SHOE SALE, SHOE FREAKS (prices marked down up to 50%). For those of you in Miami, that means Sawgrass Mills or Dolphin Mall locations. Yep, scoop up Christian Louboutins, Blahniks, YSLs and Pradas for next-to-nada. Psst: Get to the stores early and wear your helmet — there’s a line. Every. Single. Time. And people go b-a-n-a-n-a-s.

Thanks to gal pal, Lorena, I was privy to the pre-sale over the weekend at the Sawgrass Mills store where I spotted the above bad boys in the shape of Chanel, Tom Ford, Valentino, YSL, Christian Louboutin and more. I scored the electric blue Balenciagas and leopard-print Charlotte Olympias. What’s on your must-have list?

The Coolest Nail Polish in the History of Nail Polishes

{KB Shimmer nail polish in Oh Splat!}

On a recent Pinterest bender, I discovered 143 Crock-Pot recipes (did you know you can bake a chocolate cake in that thingamajig!?), 32 future imaginary purchases (in the shape of baubles and Birkins) and the nail polish photographed above by indie beauty label KB Shimmer. I was instantly drawn to the polish’s white opaque base and splatter-paint effect. While KB Shimmer isn’t easy to get your paws on like Essie and OPI, I’m loving the crazy color and glitter combos this online retailer creates — I mean, with names such as “Clown Puke,” “Toucan Touch This” and “Band Geek,” these peeps get my vote for the next presidential election, OBVI.

Fly Girl

{That would be moi Fly Barre-ing in head-to-toe Lululemon}

Confesh: I took a break from physical training and guess what, kids? If you guessed I put on some poundage and cellulite — ding, ding, ding — you’re correct! Blech. With that said, Massi and I have commenced our three-workouts-a-week sweat sessions and today (Sunday — FOR THE LOVE OF GOD) I gave the latest workout craze to hit  South Beach — Fly Barre — a whirl.

 And while my lady parts trembled and wiggled in places I never fathomed could actually jiggle, I’m hooked on Fly Barre like I’m addicted to Bravo reality TV and IT handbags — like, obsessed.

The deal? Each 45-minute class ($25 each) is a fast-paced, high energy sculpting session systematically working each muscle group through a sequence of small-ass (pun intended) movements, or “pulses.” While the specific moves change frequently, every class is designed to target the arm, abdominal, thigh and booty regions (AKA my problem areas). Through these pulses and light weight lifting, the entire body will tighten and lengthen like a ballerina with the most immediate noticeable changes seen in the arms  and core — which I loooove.

Instructor Ashli Katz led the way  while groovy beats piped through the room, and while my muscles shook uncontrollably many times, I kept my eye on the prize: Scoring a taut ass, obvi. So for those of you seeking a new groove and tighter tush, give Fly Barre a try and register here.