Wow, Just Wow....

Hi friends,

I generally try to keep my blog light, positive, and most importantly, free of all things politics. For the most part, I have accomplished this. But today, I just have to touch on something that is more than just a political issue and has really pissed me off. It's about ignorance. More specifically, about how frustrated I get when I come across a person who is in a position to have access to knowledge, but ignores it in favor of ignorance. Oh and to make things worse, that person is in a position of leadership too (sigh)...

Enter Gabriela Saucedo Mercer and her remarks about Middle Easterners. If you haven't heard about her or her comments yet, and you're not interested in reading the linked article, here's a snippet, "And those people [Middle Easterners], their only goal in life is to, to cause harm to the United States. So why do we want them here, either legally or illegally?" (Please note, these words were not uttered by a person living in a cave, but by a congressional candidate from Arizona...scary.)

To that comment, and other similar and incredibly ignorant comments made by Ms. Saucedo Mercer, I say:

In response to your belief, Ms. Saucedo Mercer, that Middle Easterners only aim to hurt the United States and that they should, incidentally, not be in America even legally, I introduce..........(drum roll)....(wait for it)....me!

I am an Iranian-American, meaning that I am from the Middle East. I love this country and value its laws and constitutional principles above all others. I love it so much that I became an attorney.

My husband, he's Iranian-American too. He is a cancer researcher and develops drugs that will one day save the lives of millions and millions of Americans.

My mother, she was a Middle Easterner and a bio-chemistry professor. She educated and challenged the minds of college students that will one day go on to make this country and world a better place.

My in-laws, they are Middle Easterners too, one a mathematics professor, the other a corporate executive.  They contribute to society daily and make this country a better place.

My bro, he's a Middle Easterner too and the CEO of his own successful media/ad company. He takes his success and turns it into good by donating often and generously to charities...American charities.

And if my family isn't enough to make my point, let me introduce you to some of my fellow Middle Easterners:

Actress, Director, Producer Salma Hayek

Singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, choreographer, model, Philanthropist Shakira

Nasa Systems Engineer and protagonist of Nerdy, But Purdy Bobak Ferdowsi 

So I say to you, Ms. Saucedo Mercer, a Mexican immigrant and likely victim of discrimination yourself, if looking in the mirror doesn't already educate you enough, please step outside and learn a little bit about how ignorant it is to stereotype and discriminate.

x

UPDATE: More thorough list of Iranian-Americans, courtesy of Dr. Love:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_American#Notable_individuals

Fallin' In Love

Sorry to disappoint, but this post has nothing to do with Dr. Love. I know, I know...disappointing...

But wait! This post does have 100% to do with my current obsession with all things fall.  I have been picking up various fall essentials and showstoppers in the past weeks that I cannot wait to wear! I have also been checking the weather daily praying to come across an expected rainstorm. I'm pretty sure that I'm the founder and only member of the "please please please let it rain!" club. I was just sharing with Dr. Love that my one dream purchase in life (if I was to suddenly become a baller) would be an automated rain machine that I would have installed above our house. Then I could stop stalking www.weatherchannel.com and just click a button...and voila...there would be rain. No luck so far on becoming a baller or on the rain pouring down naturally. Although, today, I saw five little drops fall on the window. Stupid sky teasing me.

Okay, so I can't control the rain (yet!), but I can control whether or not I feel fall-y. How you ask? It's easy. In addition to adding some seasonal attire to my wardrobe, I have also been sporting some autumn appropriate nail polish shades.

Here are my fall/winter faves:

Essie "Forever Yummy", OPI "You Don't Know Jacques", OPI "Siberian Nights", and OPI "Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ"

"Forever Yummy"...my fav polish of all, regardless of season.

"Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ"...what I currently have on.

Last weekend, Dr. Love and I went to our friends' 10 year anniversary party, which took place outdoors on a night that was a bit chilly (woohoo!!! getting there slooooooowwwwly). So I pulled out my favorite trench, added some brass and burnt orange accessories, and pretended like it was fall.

Please excuse our old tv monitor behind me...time to get the old guy onto Craigslist and out of my living room.

One last thing that I just love love love...and that has nothing to do with fall (for all you fall haters...crazy people)...is the AMAZING smell of fresh basil. 

 A few minutes ago, I was out on the patio tending to the plants when I saw and pinched off a few damaged basil leaves. And now, my friends, my fingers smell amazing!!! I may never wash them again...oh wait, I have to pee...sad.

I leave you now with a little flashstormback.  Enjoy :)

x

A Few Pages A Day Keeps Illiteracy At Bay

Hi friends!

So my fam and I had a great time in the sun last weekend:

With my wonderful aunt.

Pool time with my cousin, Mali.

With 2 of my cousins.

Happy times with cousins and aunts.

Only for sweet Mali :)

Cooling off in the pool with my fam (bro in background).

Had such a great time with all of my fam this past weekend. I can't wait to carry-on the good times with my cousins when we begin our next book in our book club series. Yes, we are nerds. Each and every one of us are nerds, some more than others, but still...all nerds. And we love it!  I'm super excited that my cousin who was visiting from D.C., Shay, has decided to join our book club (created by yours truly to encourage my younger cousins to read and write more (I make them write essays) and to master said skills). 

The youngest cousins and I are just finishing our latest book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The general consensus is that we enjoyed our last book, The Girl's Guide to Homelessness, a whole lot more.  

Now, our mission is to find another great book to begin. Any book suggestions for a book club where the members are 15, 19, 28, and 29 years old?  

Remember friends, as I always (never) say, a few pages a day keeps illiteracy at bay ;). 

x

In Full Bloom

Hi friends,

Hope you all had a great weekend, Monday and Tuesday, and that your Wednesday is going well too!

Dr. Love and I had a wonderful family time packed weekend which was capped off with a party at our house on Sunday with all of my fam and Dr. Love's parents and bro-yo.

The whole weekend was so much fun and Sunday was the perfect end to it. While everyone has gone back home now, I still have the following beauties to enjoy in their absence. (Although, I wish I had photographed them a few days ago when they were at the height of their beauty...they're a little past their prime right today).

Tulips c/o moi.

My faves, hydrangea c/o of moi.

The most beautiful fuschia orchid plant c/o my uncle's mom.

I am kicking myself hardest for not capturing these beauties in their prime. Beautiful long stem roses c/o my step-dad.

Beautiful lush plant c/o Dr. Love's parents. 

While I was the hostess on Sunday, my family gave the "mostess". Aside from the many beautiful flowers that we received, we were showered with the most amazing gifts ever (I'm pretty sure I have the full Arthur Court Grape set now...my favorite that I've been collecting for years!!!!) Also received a stunning set of Waterford wine glasses and a beautiful antique candle-holder.  Silly, generous family...don't you know that your company is more than enough for me?!  Thank you and love you all!!

Hopefully, my outdoor plants will look as stunning as my indoor plants as soon as the heat wave we're experiencing dies off. It has seriously been way too hot for this girl. I'm really really really looking forward to fall weather, and more importantly, fall fashion. :)

How about you guys? What season is your favorite, and why?

x

 

Summer Lovin'

Hi friends!

My apologies for being MIA the second half of last week...I was busy doing this:

Legal research for a friend's new company while sipping on a warm cappuccino (I know, ridiculous choice in this heat, but I couldn't resist).

And celebrating not one, not two, but three very special bdays...

My beautiful Aunt turned 50!! I know, I can't believe it either...I hope I'm a hottie like her in 20 years!

My cousin Matthew turned the big 21!!! (With my bro, cousin Matthew, and Dr. Love).

My beautiful cousin is celebrating her 15th birthday today!!! Love her to bits!

I was also busy spending time with my aunt, uncle, and cousin who are visiting from the east coast:

Trying to stay cool at the beach. (With my cousin, Shay).

Dr. Love and I are having all of my side of the family (and his parents and bro-yo and L.E.Robins) over on Sunday. We're going to be bbq-ing, but I'm thinking that I may whip together my famous fettuccine alfredo pasta with shrimp (and post the recipe next week), as my fam loves that dish. 

I may not be back with another post this week, as Dr. Love and I celebrate three years of wedded bliss tomorrow. 

Have a great week and stay cool!!!

x

Nerdy, But Purdy

Hi friends!

There's no use in denying that I'm a sucker for a nerd. While it doesn't hurt for a guy to be handsome, he just doesn't do it for me unless he's got a huge brain.

For example, check out my brainy mister, Dr. Love, who also happens to be quite the hottie...

Okay, so that pic may not have shown off as much of the "purdy" in Dr. Love as it does the "nerdy." Let's try again...

[At a Shahs of Sunset themed party, thus the gaudy gold watch and bracelet on Dr. Love ;) ]

Now we're talking!!

Anyway, if you are also a fan of the "nerdy and purdy" combo, and also like tall, dark, and handsome (coincidentally, Iranian-American too!), check out Nasa technician, Bobak Ferdowsi. Not only is he super nerdy, but he's super purdy...oh yeah!!! You're welcome, in advance :)

Have a great rest of your day!!

x

Home

Hi friends!

I'm going to refrain from too much verbiage in today's post and just get to the point...

While I don't love Phillip Phillips' (of American Idol fame) name, I am absolutely in love loVE LOVE with his song "Home."

If any of you have been watching the Olympics on NBC, you will recognize the song, as it has become the network's unofficial Olympics song.

For those of you who have not yet heard the song (and those of you who have and like it), enjoy:

There's something so raw and pure about his voice. The lyrics are comforting and the melody is uplifting. Overall, I love it...hope you do too!  Have any songs that you're loving right now? Please share in the comments.

Have a great weekend!

x

Tinted Sunscreen/Moisturizer

Hi friends!

As you all know, Dr. Love is the main man in my life, and while I love him to bits, there is a new doctor that I'm pretty smitten with recently. Who you ask? (I'm sure Dr. Love is curious to know too :).) While I'd rather keep this new love a secret, I guess I'll share it with you all, as you are my dear friends.

The new doctor in my life is none other than beauty and skin-care brand Dr. Brandt! (Sigh of relief from Dr. Love, hehehe). Recently, I was doing some online research about the best sunscreens out there and came across Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream. Most of the reviews were positive, so I decided to give it a go and boy am I happy I did. [NOTE: I am not being compensated in any way for this review and anything stated herein is my individual opinion as a result of purchasing, trying, and loving the product.]

Have you ever tried a new skin care product that actually makes your skin feel better during and after wear than before you used it? Well, that is exactly what this product has been doing for me. When I read through the reviews online, I noticed that some people commented about the chalky color of the product (it comes in one color that is supposed to adjust to your skin tone), the difficulty they had spreading the product onto their skin, and the breakouts they experienced from using the product. As a result, I was initially hesitant to buy it. However, I came across a good amount of positive reviews that dissipated any concerns I had and motivated me to try it out.

And boy am I happy I did! While the product is a little difficult to apply (I apply my regular moisturizer first, then apply the product on top...you may also be able to combine some of your moisturizer with the product before application to water it down a little), you get used to the fast drying speed and learn to spread it out faster once you've applied it to your skin. I mentioned concerns about the color of the product, and while it does appear to be a grayish color when squeezed out of the tube, it actually turns into a much warmer tone on the skin. In all honesty, the final color is a bit more pinkish tan than my actual skin tone, but it's definitely not chalky on me.

Finally, not only does the product not make me breakout, but it actually clears whatever breakouts I'm experiencing at the time. I have tested it out three times now on days when I have blemishes and each time, my skin is clearer at night time when I wash the product off then in the morning before I applied it. Amaze-balls!!!

Here's my one complaint about the product (and this may just be something I have to deal with when using a skin product with SPF in it)...my face becomes pretty shiny when I have it on. As a result, I dab on some pressed powder over it to matte out my look. I also use blotting paper throughout the day to keep the oiliness at bay.  Oily skin is pretty annoying, but the oiliness that this product creates on my skin is easy to manage.

Other than that, I have to say, I'm totally crushing on Dr. Brandt and the way he it makes me my skin feel and look. It moisturizes, lightly veils, and provides sun protection, while providing my skin with anti-aging and brightening vitamins and minerals. Also, I'm sort of in love with the name ("BB"), as that is the nickname one of my good friends calls me by...it's as if the product was made for me. Like a poem written by a lover, or a sketch drawn by an admirer...but, you know, a dermatologist's version of romance.

My final verdict...this is a welcome addition to my makeup/skin-care routine and I recommend it to all you peeps (especially if you're looking for a lighter alternative to thick foundation in the summertime)!

x