Nobody Ever Told Me I Had A Blog!

     Well, well, well.  I'm back...for now.  Much has happened since I've last blogged: I moved from the city to the valley; I got a dog; I have an amazing boyfriend, who now lives with me; I've added some tattoos; and I just finished my third year of full-time teaching.  Needless to say, life has been good...real good.  Where I am is where I'm meant to be, and all roads - dark, scary, windy, bright, and smooth - have lead me here.  It's hard to believe I'm in the throws of another summer vacation, leaving behind my third year of teaching and, quite possibly, the best group of kids I've had so far.

    Say hi to Max, my almost-3-year old Bichon Poo!

    I rescued him from Bark 'N' Bitches, which is located

    on Fairfax, just south of Melrose.  What a face!!

     Now that the violins have stopped playing, I can tell you about some of the places and people I've discovered on my magical journey called "Life."

BARK 'N' BITCHES: By far and away, this is the best place to rescue a dog.  Bark 'N' Bitches works with Jimi's Angels to help save the lives of hundreds of dogs.  I had been toying with the idea of rescuing a dog for a few years, and I knew the time was right when I moved into a ranchion (better known as "The Villa") with a massive backyard.  I headed over to WeHo with my brother and his friend, Joey, and they helped me to find the most perfect pup.  Max is everything you could ask for in a dog: lovable, cuddly, silly, energetic, playful, cute, kind...I can't get enough of him!!  Everyone who works at Bark 'N' Bitches is super knowledgeable and helpful.  Max is one of three BNB rescues within my close circle of friends (what up, Benny and Jack?!), and all of these four-legged boyzzz are amazing, healthy dogs.  If you're looking to rescue, which I hope you are, then look no further.  You'll foster for two days, and then, if you're a legit owner, you can very well adopt!  Arf!  

BLAZING SADDLES: "Candy gram for Mongo!"  No, not that "Blazing Saddles!"  I'm talking about the spin studio, just north of Ventura and east of Woodman (on Allott, a couple of doors north of Ventura).  Blazing Saddles is purely a spin studio, filled with top notch spin bikes, a JBL sound system, and teachers who will motivate you and whip your ass in 45, sweat-filled minutes.  Each instructor I've been to is amazing: Susan pushes you to your highest potential; I love TC's music choice; Shirley has incredible energy; Joe has nice biceps; and Steve has a dry sense of humor that tickles you pink while jumping on a bike.  I always leave there covered in sweat (sexy, I know), feeling grateful that I subjected my body to torture with a groovy soundtrack.  Use your money wisely and buy yourself the $300 unlimited summer spin (expires 9/2/13).  Happy Birthday to ME!

LA CAVA: Courtesy of one of my families this year, I now have my favorite Italian restaurant in the San Fernando Valley.  La Cava is your basic Italian restaurant - nice, but not overly priced, with delicious food, a killer wine selection, and the humble service you'd expect from a small town.  The best part of La Cava?  They have gluten free pasta!  Hell-to-the-YEAH!  Hats off to you, La Cava, and don't judge me when I lick the Risotto de Contadino plate when I finish.  

ANTONIO MOJARRO: My cousin Rachel (a.k.a. Lil' Blumpkin) introduced me to the one-and-only Antonio Mojarro, tattoo artist and downright cool guy.  Antonio has done my past few pieces, and I love every one of them.  He's willing to work with you to give you the perfect design, is incredibly artistic, comes prepared with brand new (clean!) equipment, and is just so nice.

My most recent tattoo, on my left shoulder, thanks 

to Antonio.  "Where you are is where you're meant 

to be."  True story.  

If you have any itch for ink, contact me, so I can give you his glorious information.  He also has tattooed some of my friends, and all customers leave satisfied.  Oh, and yeah, he travels to you!

TAMMI SATIN-SHAW: My hair is H.O.T.T., hot, hot HOT!  Tammi is a mother of one of my former students, and she kills at hair color.  She took me from black to blond (with a hint of hot pink, a-thank you) in a couple fell swoops.  She works from home and makes you feel like you're at home in her leopard-print salon.  She gives a great cut, too.  If you're lucky, you may even get to meet her delicious daughter.  Tammi's located in the San Fernando Valley, so contact me if you're interested in letting her shape your locks.  Damn, girl, you look goooooooood!

As I sit here at my wobbly kitchen table, trying to muster up some more new ideas, all that comes to mind is the spin class I took this morning, the cupcakes and cornbread I baked this afternoon (yep, I can safely say that I inherited my mama's baking gene), and the shower that I should take before date night with my handsome man.  If all goes well in this blogging world, I shall be back soon.  Cheers!