how to actually work from home

Hello, hello. I hope your Sunday is treating you well! Did you do anything fun this weekend? Mine was busy in the best of ways: a romantic tapas dinner, hueveos rancheros brunch, a new book, warmer weather stroll, a gorgeous modern dance performance, and a fabulous new apartment party. And after sleeping in quite late this morning, I feel ready to take on another workweek. Although I realize my work situation is a bit different than most (read: I work from home on most days), I also know that many of my friends have to be productive outside of the office from time to time, so I thought I'd share a few tips and tricks I've learned so far:

Eat regular meals. When I used to commute to an office, I'd make myself breakfast in the morning, pack my lunch and a snack, and come home at night to prepare myself dinner or head out to meet friends for food and drinks. At home, I have full access to my fridge, stove, and all other cooking utensils and appliances all day, every day. Although I could graze all day, I don't; keeping myself satisfied with three full, balanced meals honestly makes it easier to concentrate in between meal time. I doubt anyone could get much of anything done with a hungry body or undernourished brain. It's even been proven we can't. 

Plan your day. Making lists and schedules may not be fun helpful for everyone, but it certainly is for me. I've found that I'm most productive in the morning hours, especially after exercise, so I start taking care of my work responsibilities by 8:30am on most days. I've also found that I tend to lose focus after lunch (1pm-ish) so that's the time I usually head out to a local café. It's impressive how much a change in environment can help! And in addition to organizing my day around work-related efficiency, I include blocks of time to not be productive as well. The break may be as quick as running downstairs to get the mail (and discovering a care package from this special lady) or as long as taking a midday yoga class, both are beneficial. Your hard working self deserves a rest every now and again.

Reap the benefits. For as challenging as it can be to work from home--and trust me, no matter how idyllic it sounds, it is--I think it's important to remind myself why I enjoy it so much. I love being able to leave a good soup simmering on the stove all day and take care of laundry at a time when my neighbors are out and about. On special occasions, I also love being able to meet friends for lunch or drop into a museum for a bit. I'm hoping to go to a matinee movie by myself one of these days, too. As for when the solidarity gets to me, I have a simple solution: crash a friend's office happy hour or invite my cousin over to make dinner :).

the best of paris

Ah, the City of Lights. It seems it has been too long since I've last been in Paris. Somehow, I managed to go four times from 2006-2009, but I haven't been since. I miss it. There's something special about Paris; something my dear friend Gillian Young understands even better than I. Lucky for us, she's decided to contribute the latest in my Saturday series, Plates from Around the World:

When I think of the best food I've ever eaten, I think about Paris.

I think about breaking through an almost burnt candied sugar into a warm and creamy creme brulée at Les Philosophes, digging into the best steak of my life at Joel Robuchon, eating a country style foie gras pate at Le Polidor and of course, biting into my first unctuous macaron from Pierre Hermé.

I lived in Paris for a year as a teenager and returned after university for 6 months to finish work on a guide book I'm still piecing together in my spare time.  I've visited several times since, and even though we've been through our highs and lows, Paris will always have a special place in my heart.

It's the city where I matured into the young woman I am today, where I shed tears, sang in the streets, and experienced some of my best as well as some of my loneliest memories. 

When I walk the streets today, my eyes gloss over thinking of some of the darkest moments, or the good moments with a friend I lost years ago.

And even though sometimes I hate the attitude, the divide between classes and the cold grey days, it always manages to seduce with its charm.  Nowhere else in the world has ever offered me such a large gallery of everything I love: food, fashion, art.  I can't help but love a place where pastries are made with care, scarves are tied with grace, and meals are eaten with appreciation and elegance.

Now, pour yourself a glass of wine and butter yourself some bread, because you may get hungry as I share my favourite bites of Paris

Best Steak: Joel Robuchon and Entrecote

Joel Robuchon has 26 Michelin Stars- more than any chef in the world. I could attribute this to the steak I had at Atelier Saint-Germain de Joel Robuchon. My advice - skip the dissapointing filet mignon (tournedos) and go right in for the kill with l'entrecote a la plancha. The most beautiful, flavourful steak I may have ever bitten into.

My family and I are all suckers for the perfect steak frites. It is no surprise that we have an affinity for Relais de L'Entrecote, a French chain that serves the same set menu to every diner: a salad to start, and plentiful steak frites as your main course. I've been told the sauce is secret and made in a laboratory. In fact, there are whole clubs made up of people trying to re-invent the sauce, as well as newspaper articles trying to figure our the secret ingredients (it may involve chicken livers). Regardless, it's worth the trip, very affordable, and my brother and I have been known to go here two nights in a row for dinner.

Best Comfort Food: Le Polidor

I have been going to Polidor since I was little. This cozy French restaurant first opened it's doors in 1845 and hasn't changed much since. The food is simple and served on long wooden tables that you'll share with strangers. Make the most of it, share a big pitcher of wine, and don't skip dessert. The bathrooms are also from another time, you've been warned.

Best Macarons: Pierre Hermé

While the tourists often flock to La Durée for macarons, a more moving experience awaits you at Pierre Hermé. Known as the Picasso of pastries, Pierre Hermé has a talent of taking food to another level. His macarons, in flavours that range from traditional chocolate to blackcurrant and crème brûlée, eating these delicacies is an experience I think everyone should have at least once.

Best Candy Store: L'Etoile d'Or

L'Etoile d'Or is something out of a storybook. Run by Denise Acabo, a radiant older woman who wears a traditional school girl outfit, this tiny confectionary shop is what dreams are made of. Denise is famous for carrying hard to find items like Bernachon chocolates, CBS caramels, and a selection of the best chocolate from around France. She wraps treats in comic book paper and charms you with her youthful outlook and pride in what she does. Don't leave without a sweet treat.

Best Speciality Food Store: Bon Marche Epicerie et G.Detou

The Bon Marche Epicerie is one big gourmet grocery store. It's the best place to find foreign items, sauces and spices and specialty liqueurs. I also love the little cafe upstairs to stop for a mid day café crème. G Detou is a play on words meaning “I have everything“, and it really does. The small shop has everything a baker and cook can dream of, with shelves lined with bulk chocolate, flavored syrups, tea, sugar, honey, dried fruit, nuts and more.

Best Turkish Food: Bosphore

Bosophore is my favourite restaurant in the city. It is owned by a Turkish family who let me live with them for months on end in Paris and never let me go hungry. Not only is their warmth and charm enough to come back for, but the food is incredible. Warm lamb, soft bread, smooth hummus and hot Turkish tea linger in my most delicious memory. It's incredibly well priced and you can even grab a box to go to take up to the Sacre Coeur to enjoy the view.

Okay. Who's ready to escape to Paris with me? We'd only need a one-way ticket. We could blame Gillian Young and the delectable suggestions above. How incredible would that be?! Right. Well, admittedly, now is not the best time for me either. Until then, why not participate in the Plates from Around the World as well? Simply email me your favorite foodie memory place with a description and photos. That, and/or have a fabulous weekend. I'll check in again soon.

now

Oh, darlings. It is a good day. Why? Because, now is the best moment of your life. Yes, now. And now, too.

Please bear with me. When I found myself in between jobs and living at home last year, I got into the habit of watching primetime television with my family. Since then, you can often find me anywhere but in front of the TV at 9 at night, but I'll admit I always catch up on the episodes later on Hulu. In this Hulu-watching phase of mine, I also often watch episodes of shows I don't follow; some of which are only available online. One in particular is the anything-but-intellectually-stimulating "Dating Rules for my Future Self." During the last episode, Lucy (the protagonist) came up with a mantra and finally gave advice to her future self rather than the other way around: Now is the best moment of your life.

Truth be told, I kind of absolutely love it. Now is the best moment of my life? Really? Well then, I guess I better start making the most of it.

I really should make the most of it, as should you. For however normal it may be to worry about the uncertain future and wonder "what if?," life is happening right now. What will be, will be. And what already has been... well, I think you understand where I'm going with this. Now is the time to take chances, follow your dreams, be who you authentically are, or at least move in that direction. The only thing holding you back is you. And not only do you deserve to be happy and fulfilled, you are capable of doing what it takes to make you feel that way. Sure, take care of your responsibilities, but never forget: Now is the best moment of your life. In doing so, I have a feeling you and I are going to be a lot better off.

Whew and whoa. Somebody woke up ridiculously inspired this March 1st!