I associate various memories with certain cities I've lived in or traveled to.

Decatur, GA- Wonderful childhood memories.

Baton Rouge, LA- Favorite college memories.

Atlanta, GA- The best food.

Phoenix, AZ- Great shopping

Maui, HI- Favorite hotel and beach

Santa Barbara, CA- Favorite local getaway and spa

My most life changine memories though have been in Los Angeles. This where my kids were born, I established my early career, and I bought my first piece of property. But most importantly, LA is the city where I have re-discovered "myself". Fashion designer and Hot Mama Rachel Roy said it best:

"When it comes to matters of the heart, people get better with age. As you grow and become truly happy with who u are, you can then be happy with those around you."

Within the last year, I have grown so much spiritually and emotionally that happiness was inevitable. Once you open your heart and mind to new possibilites and remove negative forces from your life, being happy comes quite easily. I feel so fortunate to live in such a great city that is full of sunshine, smoothies, salads, and gansta rap. The year round beautiful weather keeps my spirits high, and body active outdoors. Being happy with myself has allowed me to be a better mother to my boys and a better friend to those around me.

I have nothing but pleasant and inspiring thoughts about the great city of LA. I LOVE THIS CITY! I just might get "LA" tattooed on my face!

People are always asking why I don't talk about my younger son as much as Mo.

That's easy. Bronson is 19 months. He doesn't really do much besides laugh, hide my beloved posessions, eat, and sleep. Nice life.

Sometimes when I write, he likes to play in the kitchen opening drawers, rearranging snacks in the panty, etc.

The other day I was writing and when I looked up, I saw he found Mo's arts and crafts box. Thank goodness those Crayola markers are non toxic.

At least he didn't write on the walls.

I love kid birthday parties. It means free cake, food, and bottled water for me. It means a playdate for the boys.

But with 20 kids in Mo's Kindergarten class, old preschool friends, neighbors, and friend's kids, that can mean a lot of birthday parties which can add up to a lot of money in gifts.

So, to cut back on expenses, I let Mo make his friends a birthday card instead of buying one. This serves many purposes:

1. It is cost effective

2. It gets rid of useless junk laying around (sometimes he glues on buttons, junk mail pamphlets, old stickers, etc)

3. It keeps him busy

4. His friend gets a gift from the heart

5. It teaches Mo that all gifts don't be expensive

The other day, I left Mo alone to make a special card for his #1 buddy, Max. Mo was excited because Max is one of his best friends from preschool. He's such a great kid, I adore his follks, and he has a younger sister in Bronson's mommy and me class. Mo was so excited to create something special for his friend and when he was finished, he was REALLY proud of his work:

The moral of the story: Do not leave your Victoria's Secret catalog by the kids' arts and crafts station.

BTW, still haven't heard from Max's parents. Not sure how this "birthday card" went over at the present unveiling ceremony.

Hmm......

Dear Mo and Bronson,

I know as you boys get older you will start to read mommy's blog. So let's just pretend we are in the future and approaching your 16th birthdays.

I'm guessing you'll be into cars and hip hop. That's cool. You might even watch the MTV hit, My Super Sweet Sixteen which showcases over the top birthday celebrations. That's fine also.

But even if mommy is rich and jet setting from Cali to Capri on a regular basis (oooh...the law of attraction), let me tell you in advance how your 16th birthday WON'T be going down:

*You won't be getting a $360,000 Maybach. You might get a Mazda (in which I'm gonna need to help for half as well as your car insurance).

*You won't have Fabolous, Jim Jones, or Lil Kim perform at your mega exclusive A-List birthday bash. You might have your high school gospel choir or Glee Club there to sing Happy Birthday. Or maybe one of my friends that had a record deal many years ago could possibly chime in a hook or 2.

*I will not hire a uniformed driver to accompany you home. I might dress up in a cute ensemble given that my boobs and butt are still decently in tact and drive you home to make sure you get there safely (and you better give me a goodnight kiss).

*I will not be handing you a check for $10,000 as a birthday gift. I might hand you the bill from the evening and offer to pay a portion of it.

Yes, Morris and Bronson, this might be the fabulous life of Sean "P. Diddy" Combs's son, Justin's life, but not yours.

You will be lucky if I let you stay out past midnight (given I have a GPS tracker on you somehow). And don't even think about brining any little girls home.

Forget about it!!!!

Well, it's probably getting late. Don't forget to brush your teeth. And put that toilet seat down!

Oh, and Happy 16th Birthday boys.

Love, Mommy

I love Desperate Housewives.

I've seen every episode since the pilot aired October 2004. Big deal, right?

I've even hung out at my friend's house who lives across the street from Eva Longoria, the actess who plays my favorite character, Gabby. Ok, kind of creepy.

So, when I saw a full access set tour of the ABC hit show at a charity auction, I knew it had to be mine!!!!! When it comes to shopping, I rarely go home empty handed. I won the set tour (and helped a good cause).

I knew who I wanted to accompany me on the tour. My friend Kary is a fellow DH fanatic. Even though she works in the entertainment industry, she is just as goo goo for Gabby and the gang of Wisteria Lane as I am. We often sit around at kid playdates and discuss all the characters as if they're our personal friends. (Can you believe Susan let that bitch take her man?, Did you see how cute the new gardener is?, Ktherine went crazy on everybody....I can't believe Karl is bangin Bree now....etc)

The set tour was amazing. I couldn't believe I was standing on Wisteria Lane!!!!!! I got to walk in everyone's house, see the soundstages, and even hob nobbed at Craft Services with the crew (that was some goooood baked Ziti!).

**DISCLAIMER: If you don't watch DH, then you probably will not care about these photos/commentary.

**DISCLAINER: If you don't watch DH, you're a loser and I'm pretty sure we're not friends.

Hope you enjoy as much as I did.....

Mike the plumbers ride (he wanted to take me out to Scavo's pizzeria).

Lynette's car...I'm looking crazy bc I didn't realize one of the crew was sitting inside!

Lynette's house....I was snapping pix left and right. lol

Making Susan's specialty...tea!!! And everything on the sets are real. No props in the houses.

Hangin with Kary on Susan's porch.

We would sooooo fit in on Wisteria Lane. Kary was so "Lynette" following behind me on the tour muttering, "don't steal anything Nora!"....lol

Photos inside Gabby's house (told ya I was snapping everything)

Gabby's porch where she use to gaze at John the hottttt gardener.

Me striking a Gabby pose (I'm such a cornball).

Bree's house...those are all FAKE flowers BTW, but they look soooo real. (oh, and notice Orsen's ramp)

Gabby's bathroom. Her house was my fave inside. The kitchen is AMAZING, but was covered bc they weren't filming so I couldn't get a pic :-(

Bree's living room. Notice Orsen's w/c, I can't stand him!!!!! He's soooo annoying.

Bree's kitchen was pretty awesome too. Her house was so detailed inside. Everything was organized and labeled.

Bree's dining room. Looove the chairs. All the pics in the frames were really Bree and "family".

Lynette's kitchen. Scene of Tom's numerous emasculations.

Remember this episode? One of my favs, when they named MJ....there's a beautiful mural in MJ's room.

The globes from Susan's art class: Jaguars, Giraffes, and forgot the other one, but HILARIOUS episode...

The DH God himself, Marc Cherry. Creator, writer, producer= RICH! $$$$$$$$$$...super nice guy!

Who is YOUR favorite Desperate Housewives character?

I must admit, I forgot about the Golden Globe Awards this year. I don't know how how. I live in LA. They were held about 20 miles from my house. I just flat out forgot.

I don't actually watch the awards show anyway. I only watch the preshow and see what the nominees are wearing. I like to form my opinion on the ensembles before the "experts" weigh in. 

I never agree with them anyway. Seriously, they are so annoying. You cannot tell me some tiered, feathery, looks like someone just threw up on it, ball gown is beautiful just because it's a vintage Chanel or House of Dior. I could care less. Don't care who designed it or how many people it took to sew.

If I wouldn't want to wear it, then it's ugly (why would i want to wear a ball gown though? I don't go anywhere except PTA meetings and mommy/me class).

So, of course I get really excited when the mom celebs look hot, and I'm glad that my 2 favs are both moms.

Halle Berry took a risk, and although I though it was a little skanky for the Golden Globes and for a woman with such obvious beauty (why show so much skin?), she's so radiant and confident that she made it work. She's 43 years old and has a toddler. Her dress is by Kaufaman Franco.

My other fave is Kate Winslett. Not a big Kate Winslett movie fan, but she's a mom, 34 years old, has 2 kids, and she looked amazing. I loved the chic simplicity of her (Yves Saint Laurent) dress and the Tiffany jewels were classic and breathtaking.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Everyone's kid "tests" them at some point or another out in public.

If it hasn't happened yet, it will.

It could be at the grocery store when you get in the checkout line and your kid starts whining about how they want a chocolate bar that is so convienently placed at kids eye level.

Or at restaurant after you order him a pizza and he declares he wanted chicken nuggets.

Or at park when you say it's time to go home and he decides to do a public meltdown in an attempt to get 5 more minutes of playtime.

What do you do? Do you give in? Do you ignore them? Do you beat their azz? lol....just kidding

I have been pretty lucky in this department. Mo and Bronson haven't really had major incidents. BUT, on a recent airplane trip, Mo finally did it to me....

We were flying 20,000 feet in the air when the beverage cart came wheeling down the aisle. Mo's eyes got really big when he saw the color assortment of soda cans, especially since he had just mentioned how thirsty he was.

Perky flight attendant (to me): What can I get for you today?

Me: I'll have an apple juice please.

Perky flight attendant: And for your child.

Mo (interrupting): I'll have a Coke.

Me (looking at Mo like he just slapped me): Excuse you....

Mo (giggling): Pretty mommy, can I PLEASE have a Coke?

Me (oh no he didn't pull the "pretty mommy" card): Um, NO!

Slightly agitated flight attendant: Ma'am what should I get for him?

Mo (grinning): COKE

Me (clenching my teeth): you can have apple juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, or cranberry juice.

Mo: Well, my DAD lets me drink Coke all the time. You're mean.

Me (is my kid trying to make this a good guy/bad guy thing): Do I look like your dad? Do you think I have a penis?

Mo (giggling at my use of a potty word): No mom, but it's really not fair that dad gives me soda and you don't.

At this point, all the passengers around us have diverted their attention from their in-flight satellite tv monitors and Mo and I have become the feature presentation...

Me: Here's your choice Mo, either apple juice or water.

Mo: That's not fair. Before you said I could have all those other juices.

Me: Oh well, you lost your privielege. In a minute, it's only gonna be water, and then nothing.

Mo: You're the meanest mom in the world.

Me (to the now annoyed flight attendant): He'll have a water.

Mo: OK, OK....I want apple juice.

For a split second, I almost caved. I had visions of Mo throwing a tantrum and our flight. Then our plane being escorted to the ground by two federal B-57 bombers and Mo taken into military custody and sent to bootcamp for his behavior.

It definitely would have been easier to just say yes and give him the Coke. But, what kind of message would that have sent to him? In the end, it would have done more damage than good because the next time he wanted something I disapproved of we would have gone through the same process.

Stick to you guns folks. Remember WE are the parents for a reason.

Living in California, makes me very conscious to earthquakes. I've been through a few minor ones, but none the magnitude of the 7.0 earthquake that shook Haiti on January 12, 2010.

I can only imagine the devastation to a country that is desperartely poor and politically unrest.

Without the help from other countries, it would be incredibly challenging to coordinate mass relief efforts from such a major natural disaster.

Haiti might be a small country, but it is mighty. The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804), the successful slave revolt against the French, established Haiti as the second independent country in the Western Hemisphere. There is no doubt the Haitian people are resilient, but international help is essential for a new beginning.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, 80% of Haitians live below the poverty line. It also has the highest rates of infant, under-5 and maternal mortality. 

As a mother, seeing pictures of children alone and scared really resonates with me. That could easily be me or my kids. Perhaps one day me or someone in my family could be in a position that we could benefit from the kindness of strangers.

For those interested in helping, something known as "text donations" have been popular. You simply type a code in a text message to a number and the dollar amount is added on to your cell phone bill. I have done this and it is highly efficient and very easy.

You can do this with The Red Cross and Yele (an organization established by entertainer Wyclef Jean).

Text "Haiti" to the number 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross. 

Text "Yele" to the number 501501 to make a $5 donation to Yele.

Other organizations and sites to make donations or get information are:

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross, which is almost three-times bigger than the next-biggest charity listed here, is providing support to Haitians affected by the earthquake. 

Food for the Poor Haiti Earthquake Relief

Food for the Poor is providing emergency relief to earthquake victims.

World Vision Haiti Earthquake Relief

World Vision is distributing relief supplies – including food, clean water, blankets and tents to children and families impacted by the earthquake and aftershocks in Haiti.

Care Haiti Earthquake Relief

Care is sending helping to rescue people from the rubble, and providing food and water.

UNICEF Haiti Earthquake Relief

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is providing immediate support, even though its own offices in Port-au-Prince were devastated by the earthquake. At this writing, the UNICEF USA donation page is down, though.

Samaritan's Purse Haiti Earthquake Relief

Samaritan's Purse dispatched a team just hours after the quake to help with water, shelter, medical care and other emergency needs. We will focus on medical help, shelter, clean water and hygiene supplies.

World Food Program Haiti Earthquake Relief

Friends of World Food Program works in the U.S. to support the U.N.'s World Food Programme, which is supplying food to Haitians during the crisis.

Global Giving Haiti Earthquake Relief

Global Giving has launched an emergency earthquake relief fund that will provide emergency assistance.

Fonkoze  is providing emergency relief to earthquake victims.

Fonkoze is Haiti’s alternative bank for the organized poor. It is a family of three institutions working together towards a single compelling mission: building the economic foundations for democracy in Haiti by providing the rural poor with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty. 

Partners In Progress

Partners in Progress help the organized poor of Haiti help themselves to increase human capacity for living with dignity by promoting and advancing a Fondwa community  model of (sustainable) rural development through educational outreach and resource networking.

Since I live in California, it's pretty much bikini season 10 months out of the year.

As wonderful as it is, it can also get costly and painful. Help is here!!!!

Treats For The Face is the only place I go when it comes to body waxing.

Many women hate going for a bikini wax, me included. But, Treats For The Face truly make the experience as painless and unintrusive as possible.

In addition to being endorsed by tons of LA celebs (Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale are regulars), they have been featured in Allure, People, and US Magazine. They have earned Citysearch's "Best Place to Wax" for 3 years. They definitely deserve it. Here's why:

2. They use a low-heat Chocolate Gummy Bare wax. Let me tell ya, this wax is amazing. It's oily and they don't use the paper strips to remove it. They just peel the wax off by hand. It is way more painless than ripping it off with those paper strips. It also makes the treatment go by so fast. I was in and out in less than 4 minutes.

3. Veronica, the owner is so professional, yet nurturing. I remember once I went and was a "little" dramatic (gasp...imagine that) and let out a toddler scream...she looked at me sweetly, and said polietely, "Honey, relax and take a deep breath", and before I could exhale, I was finished. She is such a warm person with a calm and friendly demeanor that she puts you at ease in a situation that can easily be uncomfortable (especially for someone shy like me :-) ).

4. Their prices are reasonable at $60 for a Brazillian wax. And because I love you, here's a $5 off coupon.

5. They offer much more than waxing services. They do hair extensions, hair color, eyelash extension, airbrush tanning, and facials. They even have a boutique that sells cute/hip clothes, beauty products, and cool fun fashionable must haves.

No waxing is 100% painless, but Treats For the Face makes it as pleasant, quick, and painless as possible. Besides, when you're looking and feeling great in your swimwear or whatnot, it is totally worth it.