missing mine...

Sunday is Mom’s Day, so now’s the time to STOP PROCRASTINATING and PULL IT TOGETHER FOR MOM.

If you’ve got one, love her up.
If you don’t, find one and make her smile.
If you are one, hug your little honeys (big and small)!

You don’t have to do anything huge. THOUGHTFULNESS is what really counts with Moms… oh and of course…

show it!

My Mom was big on Finding the Funny, so here are links to some Funny-Sweet Cards from Etsy.com that my Mom would’ve gotten a kick out of –

10 “FIND THE FUNNY” MOTHER’S DAY CARDS –

“pls txt ur mther”

“if nature had arranged that husbands and wives should have children alternatively…

“thank you mom for not leaving me somewhere in a basket”

“i’m awesome, you’re welcome…”

“now that i’m a mother too i understand why when i was a child you would…”

“to me you’ll always be the cool mom” 

“you’re the cheese to my macaroni”

“i’m sorry for my last umpteen years…“

“mom i love you even if i sometimes roll my eyes at you ”

“i have the perfect mother’s day present for you…

JibJab eCard FUNNY FAVES –

Don’t forget  JibJab, awesome eCards that you personalize with photos of yourself or your Mom. JibJabs come with guaranteed giggles when you’re making your mini masterpieces and LOLz when Mom watches. Check ‘em out!

So right now, whatever you’re doing STOP and think of something your Mom will like.  C’mon… it’s day after tomorrow! Even if she’s a little psycho, she’s still your Mom! (You can give her restraints — just joking! ahaha!)

Liked that? Check out:

• Super Powers of POSITIVE QUOTES
• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012
• Resolutions Revisited

if you mean it, say it!

Feeling Appreciated –

• motivates us
• moves us
• connects us

When we FEEL APPRECIATED, we want to go the EXTRA STEP; feel that good feeling again. It’s such a HUGE element in just about every relationship and it can make the difference between THINGS WORKING OR NOT.  When we stop feeling appreciated, we feel like giving up—or finding something or someone  else .  Feeling “Taken For Granted” is the BEGINNING OF THE END.

I mean, listen to your friends complaints about almost any relationship… (does this sound familiar?) –

• He doesn’t get me
• She doesn’t appreciate all that I do
• My boss doesn’t know how hard I work
• I never hear what’s right, only what’s wrong.

Relationships (connect or disconnect)

I’m beginning t think that the biggest reason people break up is because we stop feeling like our other half “gets us”. Tyrell, the ER Radiologist can look at an X-ray and see exactly what’s wrong, but when he looks at his wife, he doesn’t get that she’s exhausted and unappreciated. He just sees her as a nag, — when all she wants him to do is appreciate that she’s killing herself to raise two little boys, hold down a part-time job,  take care of their house, stay in shape and be a GOOD WIFE. I keep telling him, she needs to feel like she did when they met – when he couldn’t get enough of her,; say enough cute things to her or smile whenever she walked into the room. Smiling is one of the simplest signals of appreciation, ‘cuz it shows that you’re happy and that maybe someone else in your world has had something to do with that.

Work (motivate or discourage)

The point of Volunteering in the ER is not necessarily so that someone will appreciate me, but I must say, it goes a long way in keeping me there and motivated. When a stressed-out Nurse gives me a hard time, I can’t help but wonder, “what’s the point?” Yesterday I had the opportunity to go up and help a patient I took upstairs to Labor and Delivery and I couldn’t believe the difference in the way the Nurses treated me as a Volunteer. They kept saying how nice it was that I was there and that I was really a big help in calming the anxious Mommy-to-be and I must say I wished that I could volunteer in Labor and Delivery instead of the ER (my patient has a girl, btw.)

Auditioning (nurture or destroy)

Weirdly enough, when I’m in Auditions, the best motivator for me is when the CD’s and producers LAUGH (I mean if it’s comedy, obvi) — but that’s how I know I’m being appreciated and doing my job. I don’t even have to be cast for the role, if I know I did well in the room.  Naturally applause and a call-back are the ultimate motivators (oh, and a paycheck) — but just feeling like someone’s glad I’m there helps… it really does.

Doing well in the room – whether it’s acting, working, loving –

is what makes us want to do more. So if you want to motivate someone, show a little sincere appreciation. Focus on what they’re doing right not wrong. It’ll go a very long way, trust me!

P.S. – I really appreciate you for reading this! Thanks!

Liked that? Check out:

• Finding our Way (with a little help from our friends)
• Programming My LIfe
• GOSSIPS: Fanning the Fire

so many feelings, depending...

ROMANTICALLY-INVOLVED  or NOT – February 14th is almost here. <3-Day = the ultimate “Chick” Holiday… obvi!  We get our hopes up in early January, feel anxious in late January and start to make Plan-B-plans by February 1st (Comedy Club anyone?)  Guys, except the rarest of the rarest, think it’s all “hype” and feel totally PRESSURED — to the point of catatonic-ness!

Making a SONGLIST for someone is a pretty safe bet (as long as you don’t get too mushy in the selection).

Here’s mine for this year (and last year) –

24 Songs — To put you in the mood…

• met before – chairlift
• too much in love – chris willis
• pretty lil’ heart- robin thicke/lil wayne
• one mint julep- sarah vaughan
• i misunderstood- richard thompson
• crew love- drake/ the WeeKnd
• night air (ramadanman remix)- jamie woon
• stay away- charlie xcx
• from now on- the features
• hold on- alabama shakes
• daydream- youth lagoon
• somebody i used to know (tunnel remix)- gotye
• the reflection of you- bear in heaven
• the night- school of seven bells
• no strings- mayor hawthorne
• diego garcia- you were never there
• call me back- the strokes
• lonely teardrops- jackie wilson
• i would do anything for you- foster the people
• ashes & fire- ryan adams
• love in motion (feat. mayor hawthorne)- sebastian
• if i had a boat- james vincent mcmorrow
• home again- michael kiwanuka
• walking in the sand – hollie cook

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHsLWGiIeFk

Liked that? Check out:

• Searching for a SOULMATE
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• Has Texting Replaced Talking?

if only I could affect the future

Last year I tried out a few New Year’s Superstitions (NOT all 20). If nothing else, I had a good laugh.  I opened all of the windows — let the old year escape, danced around a tree, and let my dirty locks flow through the air (oh yeah, I was a sight to behold!)

The Jury’s Still Out –

I have no idea if they worked or not, but things could be a lot worse! I’ve just researched 20 more and figure they’re worth trying. You never know…

WEAR NEW CLOTHES on New Years Day and you’ll get more during the year –
(isabel marant? vanessa bruno? barneys? hope-hope!)

NOISE MAKERS:. Blast the Fireworks, Ring Church Bells — scare away the meanies –
(time to blast Briana!)

MIDNIGHT KISS that person you’ll want to rekiss all year –
(guess I’ll be working the ER night shift…hmmm…)

DRAIN THE BOTTLE and good fortune will come your way –
(a little suggestive, isn’t it?)

JUMP SEVEN WAVES and THROW FLOWERS INTO THE SEA for good luck –
(if you’re not near the ocean, you might have a problem)

SCATTER COINS around the house so money will come your way all year round –
(this seems pretty obvious — just look for it in your house)

HIDE KNIVES in the house for 24 hours so no one will be hurt and the fortune will remain undisturbed –
(sounds like the beginning of a horror flick)

LIGHT UP the house so the coming year will be bright –
(this sounds like something my mom would’ve made up)

WEAR POLKA DOTS – anything round signifies prosperity –
(this might be tough to pull off, unless you’re a clown)

JUMP 12 TIMES at midnight to increase your height –
(maybe do this before you drain the bottle, otherwise things could get messy) 

EAT STICKY RICE, to make good fortune stick in the New Year –
(I love Asian food anyway)

WORK IT OUT: Do a sample of the work you’d like to have loads of in the year –
(I’ll be making a tape to send Jason Reitman!)

FIRST FOOTING: The first person to enter your home after the stroke of midnight will influence the year you’re about to have –
(i’ve got an emergency —  a certain doctor needs to stop by!)

FILL YOUR POCKETS on New Years Eve you will never have an empty pocket in the New Year –
(i need a pocket full of miracles)

WALK YOUR LUGGAGE out of your house and around the block encourages travel in your New Year.
(or travel to the nearest mental facility if anyone notices you doing this)

EAT GREENS and you’ll have lots of green money in the coming year.
(La Scala chopped salad?)

THROW RICE GRAINS at midnight and you’ll have an abundance –
(of what? Rice? Weddings? A mess to clean up?)

Put a GOLD RING in your champagne glass and you’ll have prosperity –
(unless you swallow it — then life will be a lot shorter)

CLIMB A CHAIR 12 times will make you find a boyfriend or girlfriend next year –
(wait.. how do you climb up a chair?)

BE UNDER THE TABLE and WEAR RED UNDERWEAR at midnight and you’ll get married next year –
(I’m not telling you what color underwear I’ll be wearing, but if you’re under the table with me, you might find out! ahaha!)

(What superstitions do you follow on New Year’s Eve?)

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• Being Stuck
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cute card from zazzle.com

OMG! We’re here already! HO HO HO and Hanukkah are happening simultaneously – Ready or NOT!

Merriment and Melancholia

I love the holidays. I hate the holidays. We drive ourselves crazy; go into debt; reminisce about how things used to be; miss our loved ones who aren’t here…  Still, we CELEBRATE Holidays year after year!

LOVE

• Discovering thoughtful and unexpected gifts
• DIY Creations
• Sparkle-y lights everywhere!
• Wrapping Presents
• Baking Cookies and Cupcakes
• Decorating  (I’m one of the Light Bulb Store’s best customers)
• Cold weather (even in Los Angeles it’s BRRRR… this year)
• Great movies
• Dressing up
• Christmas Parties
• Connecting with people I love
• Internet shopping (sooo much easier!)
• Having an excuse to do something for a certain doctor

HATE

• Aggressive drivers (hey Man, we’re all in a hurry – chill!)
• Running out of time
• Crowded stores
• Picked-over merchandise
• Stressed-out people who snap at me.
• Disappointing anyone.

I wish no one had to be sick or in the Hospital. I wish disadvantaged people in bad situations could go POOF! and make it better. The Holidays can’t be happy for everyone at the same time. But…. even with the Love/Hate situation, the thing we all LOVE MOST about HOLIDAY GIVING is that it brings the people we love together. And that’s really the BEST PRESENT OF ALL, right?

Merry Merry/xo!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVaFoAIVzok

(what do you love and hate about the holidays?)

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Let 'em roll!

The best part of Holiday Shopping is in the DISCOVERY. When you happen upon a SPECIAL FIND you know it.

I love gifts that make people smile or Oooooo and Ahhhhh or go –

“Wow, how do you find this stuff?”

Gifts don’t have to be expensive. They just need to be THOUGHTFUL– and CAREFULLY SELECTED, so the recipients know you “get” them. (When someone “gets” me, I feel all glittery inside — ‘specially a certain someone!)

12 FUN FINDS (most of which I wouldn’t mind getting btw, ahaha!)

• BANTER BANNERS  @$10 (“Good Times” ,“Celebrate” , “No Place Like” –  everyone LOVES them!)
• QUOTABLE MATCHBOX PACKS @$11.95  (“Shine Eternally”, “A Great Flame Follows a Little Spark”)
• JONATHAN ADLER SUGAR POP CANDLES  @$38 (a yummy companion to the quotable matchboxes)
• JAMES PERSE T-SHIRTS for Guys @$45+ (soft and comfy like the faves he can’t give away)
• SPLENDID TANKS FOR WOMEN  @$38+ (great colors and styles for every shape)
• MEN’S SOCKS FROM BARNEYS @$19+ (solids, stripes, designer-y to classic, from England and Italy for every closet and budget)
• ANTIPAST SOCKS FOR WOMEN @$30+ (the ultimate in cool Japanese style — I love the lacey-netty-sparkly ones)
  
• SUE DEVITT LASH INTENSIFIER TREATMENT AND LENGTHENING MASCARA @$49 (for fabulous flirtatious lashes – promise!)
• Macally Mini 7-Port USB Hub @$19.99 (seriously, I don’t know how I lived with out this before – it gets all of those ugly computer wires off your desk)
• MAGIC TRACKPAD @$69 (when I upgraded my Mac to Lion I got this and it’s just like using an iPad, or iPhone — so much easier)
• TRUZZLES $69.99 + (French, fabulous and the perfect table accessory for anyone who lives in style or wants to)
• Dexter Ice Truck Killer Thumb Drive @ $39.95 (you MUST know someone you’d like to give the finger to, ahaha!)

Thumbs up!

(Please share your SPECIAL FINDS in the comments — I’d love to know about more!)

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• HALLOWEEN & the Scary Job Market!
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Feelin' it

Life is not exactly according to plan…still…there are so many reasons to say “Thanks!

Hug everything and everyone you have!

I’m THANKFUL that –

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Halloween Holly

October 31^st feels frightening, even if you’ve got a job. BUT… if your next gig is as invisible as a ghost, get CREATIVE!  When the door creeps open, step into the unknown.

Last Thursday I go to a BIRTHDAY DINNER for my firecracker-sports-agent-cousin-Jaimie at that new SBE (Katsuya group) restaurant next to Dan Tana’s: Mercato di Vitro.  As I pull up, I’m relieved to see that Kirsten Dunst’s Prius is even dirtier than mine. I head over to a table covered with family style platters of Artichoke Chips, Hen of the Woods Whatever, Buffalo Mozzarella, Osso Bucco, Primi Pastas…FUN, FATTENING and DELICIOSO!

Unexpected Opportunities for the Unemployed!

During dinner Jaimie starts stressing about not having enough time to get her “Holly Go Lightly” ensemble together before the Soho House Saturday Night Halloween Party. She asks what I’m gonna be –

Your Halloween Stylist!

GETTING THE JOB DONE –

Friday I’m up early and online – printing Audrey pics, searching for her LBD. Luckily The BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S dress is “THE dress” right now, so I find versions at every price from Theory to Bottega Veneta. Thankfully Jaimie is flexible about price ‘cuz she’ll wear this dress to her gazillion business events afterwards.

I start out on 3^rd Street Promenade. First stop: Forever 21 for jewels. The price is right, but the look’s not quite. So I move on to TIARAS at a kiosk, where I get recognized (embarrassing!) Next I go to the Tobacco Shop, but they’ve just sold out of their last cigarette holder (F___!)  I walk a few blocks and snap shots of LITTLE BLACK DRESSES, POINTY PUMPS and DARK SHADES at Fred Segal Santa Monica (knowing Jaimie has back-ups at home). I get into my car and head over to Ursula’s Costumes at Wilshire and 26^{th .} Never ever go to a costume store the day before Halloween weekend. I wait in line outside for twenty minutes, but when I get in I find a gold cigarette holder, yay!

Feeling jewelry-challenged, I go to Wertz Brothers Antique Mall and discover original multi-stranded pearls with rhinestones and the perfect earrings from the 50’s and 60’s. I email pics of the best to Jaimie and she makes her selection.

When I get home, on youtube I find a How-To Do Holly’s Do and send the link to my cousin. Jaimie Is THRILLED with my performance as a STYLIST (even though she doesn’t go for my Burberry Trench idea or borrow her friend Sarah’s cat).

I’m waiting for a debrief on the party (if she’s still sleeping in, it’s a GOOD SIGN.).

Even though I’ll be an ER Volunteer again for this Halloween, I feel less worried about the job situation.

If Acting doesn’t work out, I’ll just be something else next year. Ahaha!

Happy Halloween!

 (what are you gonna be?)

Liked that? Check out:

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rocking out at molto

My intro to Rome is via the driver from the airport to the hotel. He asks where my Dad and I are from and when we answer “L.A.”,  he says “Marlon Brando” and proceeds to whistle the theme from the Godfather. In-between whistling, he points out sites like the Mouth of Truth (um, maybe not), the Coliseum and some cool spot where they used to have chariot races. I’m thrilled that I can now say I’ve done the culture thing so I can proceed to sites like Prada, Bottega and Cucinelli. Um, fashion is culture too, right?

I feel a super strong bond with Rome since we both have a history associated with RUINS – ahaha!

ROME Musts:

• Maxxi
• Pasta
• Garden Tables at Molto
• Bocca della Verità
• Morning runs among the ruins
• Mini sample cones in the gelaterias
• Jerusalem artichokes from Piperno
• Awesome everything at Gente (for women)
• Limone Granita
• Jogging through the Borghese Gardens
• Brandy Melville
• Burrata
• Real Italian pizza
• The purple piano at Hotel de Russie
• Gorgeous flowers everywhere
• Tiramesu
• Prada
• Bottega Veneta
• Massage at Wonderfool
• Dries Van Noten sunglasses at Nia
• Italian flirts

Brandy Melville = affordable style

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My Dad is–

• my Rock
• my Mr. Mom
• my up when I’m down

When I was little and we’d go on vacations, he’d call my room pretending to be “Throckmorton” my secret admirer (and I totally bought it!)  When I was at camp, he’d send me letters cut up like puzzles or written backwards (when everyone else just got boring normal mail.)  In middle school we’d brainstorm into the night, creating award-winning projects in his workshop.  And he was always super cool — taking me to concerts like STING, MICHAEL JACKSON and JACKSON BROWNE.

My friends are all jealous, but they love him to pieces and many have actually asked to be adopted! Seriously! I mean it. He’s really that awesome!

When I get hurt, he’d makes it all better. When I book a job, he’s be my biggest FAN.

My Dad taught me –

• How to balance my checkbook (still kind’a working on it)
• How a man is supposed to treat a woman
• How to barbeque a perfect steak
• That problems are often small pebbles of sand
• How to turn the lights off when I’m not in the room
• How to use a labeler to organize life
• How to swim
• How to make the world’s best pancakes
• How to be thoughtful
• How to fix a broken toilet
• How to be generous
• “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right”
• It’s okay to look goofy when you dance
• “Problems are never as big as they seem”

He’s a hard act to follow –
Smart and Handsome (with a touch of “dork”) –
he makes me laugh when I’m sad…
and cry when I’m happy.

I’m about to go bake him his favorite: – PECAN PIE –
And tomorrow I’ll go remind him how lucky I am.  ♥

Liked that? Check out:

• Hearing Voices or Am I Just Getting a Headache?
• Back to the Grind: VOLUNTEERING IN THE ER
• Has Texting Replaced Talking?