Embroidery: Yes or No?

Should embroidery be done at grandparent age? Or can anyone, young or old, sew pictures onto cloth? I think embroidery is an ageless craft. It is relaxing and fun, if you are patient enough to do the details correctly. If you are into DYI crafts, you should try this one out. Let me know what you think about embroidery.

Manners at Macayo's

In Phoenix, Arizona, there is a Mexican cuisine restaurant called Macayo's. I went there on a night it was packed with customers. It seemed there were a few parties being celebrated at Macayo's. It took a while for my tablemates and I to get seated. However, when we were, our drink orders were promptly taken. By the time the drinks came, we already knew what each of us wanted. We ordered and soon after, complimentary chips and salsa were set on our table. The food took a while, but once we did, the service seemed to pick up. I had ordered the carne asada chimi that came with beans and rice and smothered in spinach and queso sauce. It was good, despite the sauce making the chimi a little soft. At the end of the meal we asked if we could split the check in two to pay with two coupons. The waitress smiled and said of course. Most servers would be a little annoyed about the extra work, however with the receipts came a big bag of their chips and salsa free of charge. And she offered to get us togo cups of our drinks. This great service was rewarded with a big tip. Services vary depending on the server there, but the food and general accommodations do make it a good option to consider.

Ruyi Express

In Kingman, Arizona there is a dive of a restaurant in a middle-of-nowhere town. When I first came upon this rundown building, I wondered if this was a good idea to eat here. I considered every possibility from disappointing meals to food poisoning. Luckily, neither extremes were the case. Once we entered the block of cement, I saw the interior decor was barely better than the outside. The only improvement was it looked clean and the fake plants with a wall of mirrors behind it was a nice touch. We were immediately seated and our drink orders taken by a bubbly waitress. She was very friendly, efficient, and did not rush the end of the meal. This was a nice change than many other Chinese restaurants I had been whose waiters and waitresses were keen on getting the customers in and out despite the fact that some wanted to linger. When she came back with the drinks and we told her what we wanted for food, she read back what she wrote to confirm she had everything we decided upon. Yet another nice change. Though the food was surprisingly good, there was room for improvement. The pork fried rice was not as greasy as other Chinese restaurants, and the taste was more delicious than the fatty fried rice you'll sometimes find. The chow mein was a  little bare and the noodles too starchy. The sesame chicken was flavorful, however its breading was a little dry. I was surprisingly satisfied with the restaurant and its service; definitely better than first glance. Just goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover.

Big Sur Oyster Bar

In South Point casino, in Las Vegas, Big Sur Oyster Bar has a happy hour of half off oysters and clams and a special on king crab legs. When I ordered the crab legs, I was very excited because crab is my favorite seafood meat. When the legs arrived on a plate, and I tasted them, I was less than unimpressed. Having been cut in half, the legs were cold and still tasted of seawater. Mostly flavorless and dry, I had to dip them in the melted butter they provided me with on my plate. As I ate, I began to understand why there was such a good deal and yet thought that $29 for  a 1.5lbs of crab meat was a bit expensive for what I got. The crab legs were a huge disappointment, while the oysters and clams had to be doused in lemon juice to ignore the gritty and dirty texture that signifies lesser shells. The chefs and servers were nice, however that did not make my experience much better. I come there mainly for food not because the waiters are efficient, which they weren't entirely fast either. I do not recommend the Big Sur Oyster Bar. There are other places you can get better oysters and clams that are worth the higher price than the ones at Big Sur.

Primarily Prime Rib

In Las Vegas casino, South Point, there is a restaurant on the second floor called Primarily Prime Rib. With very few windows, curved booth seating, and tables with velvet chairs, the alcove felt like being on a cruise ship. I went there with my ears still ringing from praises about this place. With my expectations already set high, I did not expect the food and service to be above excellent. My server was efficient, personable, and yet professional. When one of my table mates asked for no chives on her baked potato, the waiter immediately said "Let me get you another one," without a flinch or flicker in his happy demeanor. In fact, even his assistant was diligent; always keeping our drinks refilled without a purposeful look or question from me or any of my table mates. When the food came out, I had ordered a 26oz, thick cut, bone-in prime rib. I personally like horseradish with my prime rib, and the waiter, having already thought ahead, had brought out a mild and strong horseradish. Though the prime rib did not need any, it had enough flavor on its own, I like the kick the additive brings. The meal also came with bread, mashed or baked potato, and a soup or salad. I chose the split pea soup which was laced with carrots and ham chunks, and the mashed potatoes. Most mashed potatoes I've had always could've been improved. This one was fresh and lightly buttery texture; though I could see no butter in the food. By the end of the meal, I was completely satisfied with not only the food, but the service as well. If you ever happen to be in Las Vegas, Primarily Prime Rib is a must for those meat lovers reading this.

Dreams Are No Longer a Wish Your Heart Makes

In the past, people thought of formal wear as long ballgowns, cocktail dresses with a plunging neckline, and diamonds for days. When people would attend an opera performance, or a symphony or ballet, they would wear satin ballgowns with long silky gloves and a collar of diamonds or drops of rubies dangling from their earlobes. Places with chandeliers that seemed to glitter in the same way a stalactite in a beautiful cavern would, were respected and honored by women deciding what exactly they would wear to this event days in advance. Men would wear suits or tuxedos with their best dress shoes and women would don their most elaborate evening wear. This used to be a  reality, and not too long ago either, but this reality has been diminished to a fairytale vision.

Now, in modern day fashion, formal wear means "who can wear the least amount of clothing without looking trashy?" or "who can come in the most creative, non-fancy style?". I have seen people go to one of those symphony halls with the stacked chandeliers and velvet carpets in tank tops and a pair of nice jeans. This utter lack and respect to a place where about five to eight years ago was accessorized by women trying to out-do the others by dressing in layers of satin with straps on the shoulders or gone completely. Or wanting to walk into the magnificent lobby and everyone's eyes on her because she is the most stunning that night. Women donned with jewels and family heirlooms on the arms of men in their best ties so they don't look like slobs next to their partner.

What happened to the desire to be Cinderella for one special night? To dream of walking into the hall and everyone freeze to stare at you, as if time itself had halted in its tracks just for you. To wish your dream would come true. Bring that back. Honor a beautiful event by wearing something beautiful and elegant. Bring back the desire for that Cinderella moment.

Crocs Disaster

Crocs are not fashionable! I understand that some may be comfortable, but they should not occupy a woman's or man's closet space. The only acceptable time, if that, to wear crocs is when lounging about the house with no one around to see the horrendous fashion statement.

I have met a few people who wear crocs, but only one in particular stuck in my mind. Not because he's cute, in fact he's the exact opposite. It's because he wore them to ballroom dancing and they looked so bad, I took to calling him Crocs Boy. He was not a boy, he was late 40s. No one under the age of 80 should be wearing crocs, especially in public.

So if you have a pair of crocs, do yourself a favor and host a bonfire. Call it "Crocs Disaster Bonfire". Then, throw them in the fire and watch them melt with satisfaction.

It's the right thing to do.

Summer Fashion

Summer fashion varies on where you live. Arizona requires less material (i.e. mini shorts, skirts, thin-strapped shirts, etc.). California is a wild card for the most part. While California still has the bikinis, and mini shorts, some cities demand a little more coverage from the wind, such as San Francisco. New York, where some people consider it to be where fashion is strongest, the fashion varies on the month and the "in" clothes. What I'm trying to say is it just depends on the weather and the society you are in.

Some of you may be wondering, "Well what about the people who fly to places with a sunny warmth and a nice breeze?". I would tell them to look up the weather for where they're going and pack accordingly. The Caribbean suggests at least three bikinis and, depending on what island, summer dresses and skirts and shorts. Don't bring heels with you, and if you do, keep it to one pair.

So those of you who live in New York, pick up a Vogue and sift through to find the month's new "in" items. Those who live in California, beach chic. And you Arizonians, skimpy and flirty are the best choices.

Wherever you live, the important thing is dress for yourself and what brings you the ability to do more than one activity and last without getting heat stroke (Arizonians be careful of that) or getting a little chill (San Franciscans and Yanks). Fashion is more than just putting on cute clothes, it requires a confidence, but the right clothes can boost that if the connection between woman and clothes is there.

A State of Mind

Glamour, as some of you know, is more than what clothes you wear with what accessories, shoes, and makeup, it's a way of living.  It's confidence and hard work. Some of you readers may be scoffing at the fact that I think glamour is a difficult process, but it's true. Exercise and hygiene is a big part of glamour. It's taking the time to have style every second from the time you get up to the time you crawl into bed.

Spritz a scent on yourself before bed; get up early and exercise before you shower; dress with style at all times; wear shoes that match and possibly high-heels, even if they are uncomfortable (just use a big purse and stick a pair of cute flats, sandals, or flip-flops in the bag); take time to do your hair and makeup. I know people frown on this process and call the people who do them "high-maintenance". But glamour lifts people up and makes them feel better about the world. It's not too much of a stretch to say that glamour can save a person or change their lives.

I know some would argue that celebrities get into drugs and rehab all the time and they have glamour. I would argue back that those celebrities let themselves be dragged down by thinking of all the bad in their lives and making glamour into an evil by thinking of it as a job instead of their life. Glamour isn't only about the external--that only comes first--but eventually, glamour seeps into the way you think and feel. When you pick up a pair of shoes that you fell in love with and put them on, you feel better and taller and have a higher self-esteem. I know all the ladies out there have this feeling whether it's sneakers or a pair of heels.

It's a sad thing when you go to a symphony in a gorgeous building and you see people in spaghetti strap tops and jeans. I wish for the days when I would see people at the symphony in ballgowns. It was less than a decade ago that this was a reality. But now, people slum it and disgrace the meaning and feeling of going to a nice place (whether it be a restaurant or a symphony hall). The experience used to be practically sacred and now it means next to nothing to the people who go casual.

So bring back the days when beauty used to mean something to people and it lifted their hearts and made them desire and strive to be all that they want to be.

Scent Fanatics

The nose is, in my opinion, the most powerful sense of the five that humans have.  Our sense of smell can bring back memories, create physical/chemical reactions in our body, and increase the taste we experience when we eat something.  You know that expression, "It smells so good, I can taste it."  Well it is based on fact.  I personally rely on my "sniffer" a lot.  Smells, the right ones anyway, can give me a feeling of confidence, sensualness, sexiness, and make me feel better about myself and life.  My favorite scent in my entire collection of perfumes, body sprays, lotions, body washes, shampoos, and candles is Modern Muse by Estee' Lauder.  The feeling I get from it is re-enforced when people tell me that everytime they come near me, they breathe in deeply because I smell incredible.  Girls ask me what the scent I'm wearing is, and guys take a big whiff.  Some people like to have a signature scent, one they are known by, but I say that each situation or destination or outing requires a certain attitude and feeling within yourself, and therefore a different scent.  While I say there is no such thing as being obsessed with amazing smells, there is such a thing as too much scent.

Too much perfume or body mist can be a turn off as it is overpowering and overwhelming.  A guy or girl should only put just enough on to create a light aura around him/her.  For guys, you know you have a good scent when the girl smells it and scoots or leans slightly closer to you. For ladies, you know you have a right scent when it makes you stand taller, prouder, and creates more confidence in you.

So those of you who are such scent fanatics that you spray a small squirt of calming body mist over yourself every night before you get into bed, I say that is not overboard but a good thing to do.  Whatever the case, everyone who isn't a scent fanatic should become one, in my opinion at least.