Are you open to change? I HATE IT!

Posted on September 25, 2011 by mydailydetour

Change.

I hate it. Seriously, I really hate it.

I love exploring and discovering new things. It could be a city, a new restaurant, designer etc. I love finding little gems and sharing the experience with people. However, when I fall in love with something…it becomes part of me. It becomes a choice …and I become a creature of habit. I eat the same things at the same restaurants. I go to the same events and places ….it becomes traditions. Part of me.

When it changes….it really traumatizes me. I actually get overcome with sadness. It’s not just the change of a menu item, or a restaurant, or a staff member…..it becomes a loss, a break in a tradition— the end of a habit or an end of an era.

Today I woke up to a gray dreary rainy day in Chicago. My roommate is home for the weekend and I have the apartment to myself. There are a lot of things going on in my life right now…and I was cherishing and needing the solo time. Time for me. Time to think, make decisions, focus……just good ol down time. I decided I was going to walk Max and then go for an early brunch— take the book I am reading and lose myself for an hour in one of my new favorites finds. Grab a steamy cup of coffee and see if the rain was going to set in or clear up.

Let me introduce you to Eleven City Diner— it is literally right across the street from our building. http://www.elevencitydiner.com/

What I love about this Diner is that it is a flashback to his childhood memories. The owners name is Brad.

He is here on the weekend. His parents (whom I met this morning) literally work every saturday and sunday with him with the breakfast rush. The front of the menu holds his story. He created the Diner trying to bring back the feeling of family and sharing a meal. It is so warm and cozy. Packed all the time. Reminds of a good ol basic Jewish Deli/Diner in NYC. The food is AMAZING. Being the creature of habit I am, I always order the protein scramble (egg whites, with chicken and broccoli etc) but they do an insane French Toast on Challah bread with bananas, strawberries, toasted coconut and a dusting of powder sugar.

I have only been her 3 times— all for breakfast. I love having a dining partner— they can order the french toast and I get to take one glorious bite….but not today, I was solo. So I tucked myself in at the counter on a bar stool with my book. I loved sitting at the bar— it literally has all the makings of an old soda fountain—

So I settled in and just watched people. It was packed with Pre-Bears game people. The Chicago Bears were playing at home and our neighborhood is across from the stadium so the streets were FILLED with people in Bears gear. I could see the rain dance prayers dancing across their faces. I also watched families sliding in for brunch. Lots of couples from the neighborhood. I sat next to a darling little old man who has been coming here for years. His wife died a couple of years ago and he has breakfast here every Sunday. We chatted for a few…..its moments like this that warm my heart, makes me love living in a city. Real people and real stories. I watched Brad ( the restaurant owner) greeting people by name, asking about kids etc. It is truly a neighborhood joint. This is what I love–this becomes “the place I have to take you”….you count on them for the experience. I think I only read about 5 pages of my book, the rest I spent watching people and listening to conversations. The rain did not let up….and I didn’t care. I decided to continue on my Sunday plan.

Next stop was dropping off a couple of books at the library. The library is my new “thing”. I am working a new financial plan that allows me NO spending extra so I had to figure out how to feed my reading addiction. I am now a library girl. I learned I could go online and hold/order books, pick them up when I got the email they were in….VOILA! So I had 3 to return. Found a drop box outside the library…so I dropped them and continued on my journey.

Next stop: Marshall Fields State Street. I need a real umbrella. It has rained at least 3 times this week. My little piece of junk $5 NYC emergency umbrella does not cut it when waiting 15 minutes for a bus in a down pour. So off to the beautiful grand department store.

Marshall Fields ( which is now officially Macy’s but I REFUSE to call the state street store Macy’s….REFUSE) holds a special place in my heart. My parents use to bring my brother and I into this grand store at Christmas to see the windows. I can remember sipping hot chocolate from a street cart and walking around the city block and following the story in the windows. Every year there was a different theme…of course The Nutcracker will always be my favorite.  The windows were magical. All animated– mechanical and moving. Some would have dolls dancing, snow falling……pure magic. Then we would go inside. Santa would be up on the 7th floor along with THE GREAT TREE in the famous Restaurant The Walnut Room. My parents would wait for hours for a table in the room with The Great Tree. As a kid, I remember chicken pot pie….hot chocolate and the biggest tree you can imagine! We would get to pick out a new Christmas ornament for the year for our tree. It was a tradition. An experience. As an adult, I have gone back to this store MANY times with dear friends or my mom and enjoyed this tradition. A couple of years my mom and I even have invited a solo stranger to enjoy lunch with us….we have met incredible people from all over in that line for that magical lunch. Here is a picture of The Walnut Room (minus the tree–the rest of the year it is a fountain)

Today it was pretty empty. A couple of older couples enjoying brunch on the other side of the room in the windows. This store is also famous for its Tiffany dome–all the tiles were hand applied by Tiffany:

It WAS 7 floors of pure grandeur. The 3rd floor has an area called The 28 Shop….it used to have 28 huge private dressing rooms where the socialites use to come for fittings. The name is there….but the grand dressing rooms are gone. There was an amazing book store in the basement that was the largest bookseller in the city–no more. Now it is a couple of bookcases with the same name “Barbara’s Books”. There use to be a BEAUTIFUL bakery in the very lower level that made the most gorgeous deserts. Cakes they would put in white boxes and tie with string. At Christmas they had the most amazing huge sugar cookies decorated in the most intricate ways…..NO MORE….it now is a self-serve sushi place. There was a huge old fashion candy store…with jars of Jawbreakers, chewy candy—– and at Christmas it was full of ribbon candy. It is now a small area with Frango mints in boxes. The 4th floor had an amazing Bridal Salon. Fairy tale dresses…..places where you would sit and register for your China. Gone. I wandered all 7 floors….found tucked in a corner the history of Marshall Fields….found the original statement for what Marshall Fields stood for:

In my wandering nobody approached me. I watched associates staring off into space. Talking to each other— almost hidden in the back of the department. It just made my heart hurt. It has changed. The magic is gone— which of course amuses me to no end since Macy’s slogan has something to do with ” The magic”…..there was no magic. It felt like a glorified Target. Terrible customer service and nothing special. The building is still magnificant…and you can almost feel the old spirit in it….but the magic was gone.

I found the umbrella….but I did not find the comfort and love of Fields. Change–and I hated it!

I continued down the street. Passing the Palmer House. I stopped. Shall I? I decided I shall. I turned around and went in. The Palmer House is the palace or castle….at least that is what it felt like to my brother and I. The Palmer House is where we would stay as a family when we would come to the city. It was where my mom and I stayed on my 16th birthday. She took me to Chicago for my first girls only trip. I had my first makeup consultation at Clinique at Marshall Fields State Street. She bought me my first skin care and makeup. We ate at Ed Debevics. Went to see one of my first professional theatre performances ” Sheer Madness” at The Blackstone Theatre.  We also actually saw Victor Victoria with Julie Andrews before she quit doing broadway too. Anyways, I digress……

I walked into the Palmer House on the street level. There use to be the most beautiful women’s boutique….my mom would buy the most beautiful dresses, scarves and handbags there…..GONE. It is now a Starbucks. Right next to is the escalator that brings you into the great lobby. I took a deep breath…….I will forever my brother freaking out the first time we came up it because of all the naked people on the ceiling….laughing. PLEASE, let there be naked people…..

Thank god for the naked people! So I took a walk around the lobby. There use to be an expensive fancy restaurant in the basement called Trader Vics— Gone. There was a GORGEOUS magical room called The French Court where we would always have Sunday brunch before driving home—GONE. Now a banquet room. There is ballroom off the main lobby called the Empire Room that I use to tell my mom that I was going to have my wedding reception at…..it is still there—-is that a sign?

There has been change at The Palmer House.

Such incredible memories….memories of childhood and dreams. Someday I want to live in Chicago……Someday when I get married……Someday when I have kids, I will bring them to see Santa here…….. it was an incredible morning in the rain.

I still agree with my first statement. I HATE CHANGE. When something, somewhere or someone becomes part of my world….it holds a special place. I don’t like change. I want to count on it. I want to revisit it. It is part of who I am. I love traditions.

Thank god for memories…today I pulled so many of them out of my mind, dusted them off, polished them up—-and then stuck them away for safe keeping. Finding comfort in the fact that I will have them there forever.

So….we leave this post with the idea of the opportunity for new. Time to add some new places and experiences to my collection. Time for some new traditions. I guess at the end of the day you are looking for that feeling. That memory to be made. That comfort. The feeling of love.

ELEVEN CITY DINER ……

you are my first new kid on the block….don’t let me down.

Stop in when you are in Chicago for brunch…..tell them Laura sent you!

xoxo,

Laura

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

GOT REGAIN?

Posted on August 29, 2011 by mydailydetour

RE-GAIN:

verb /riˈgān/

regained, past participle; regained, past tense; regaining, present participle; regains, 3rd person singular present

  • Obtain possession or use of (something)
    again after losing it
  • Reach (a place, position, or thing) again;
    get back to

Ummm…..yep, been there done that. Past, during, current, present—-I guess I will just pick:

D. All of the above.

Everyone hear about it. Everyone talks about. Many think it won’t be me. Never again. Those lbs are gone for good. I am “cured”. This not only includes weight loss surgery, but ANYONE that has every dropped a significant amount of weight.  When you are looking at that number on the scale, when you hit that goal weight or are in the ball park of where you want to be….you think NEVER AGAIN. So much easier said than done.

I had lost the same 100 lbs multiple times in my life. I lost it with Weight Watchers, with Richard Simmons….and then eventually with my gastric bypass. The day of surgery I weight in at 365. I said never again, and I will die trying to hold that true….however—– the lowest I ever saw on a scale was 178. That has been quite a while ago.

178 at that time was not healthy nor was it pretty. I was very gaunt, and pretty weak.  My nails were a mess, peeling and cracking. My hair was falling out. My face and neck was incredibly think and sunken in ( best way I can describe it). I was freezing cold all the time and soooo tired. I was thrilled to be that thin, was even wearing a size 10 pant ( just so we are clear, I think I had them on twice…lol) but I was nowhere near healthy. I was very gastric bypass post op. I had that WLS ( weight loss surgery) look, we all know the one I am talking about— the one I can recognize anywhere today.

Since then I have bounced around. The highest being 232. That was a really ugly time when I was living in Dallas, TX. When I moved cross-country to work for a gentleman that was doing a start-up Bariatric aftercare program. Ironic right….take a job in the community and it leads to REGAIN? I can laugh now, but I know it does nothing more than affirm what I know to be true—- Food is and can be an addiction. There is no cure. There is truly only management. Pound by pound. Day by day–and some days—-minute by minute.

As many of you know, I have recently relocated back to the Midwest. I am living in Chicago–closer to family and friends. It was a whirlwind move back–full of good, bad and really ugly….but I am glad to announce I am finally feeling settled. I spent a wonderful week with my family— and I truly believe I am where I am supposed to be in life right now. I closed out two storage units in Detroit that I have had for over 2 years. I finally have my things somewhat back in possession. Things are starting to fall into place….and it is starting to feel good.

It’s that time of year when people are finishing up their summer vacations, and everyone is getting ready to settle into fall. Back to reality. Back to a schedule. Time to get back to basics. I could not believe it when I realized it’s SEPTEMBER!!!! Where did the year go? I went back to my list of goals for 2011….so many things of changed so drastically. There was no plan of moving to Chicago! There was no plan of leaving Chanel. So many things yet to do……now what?  TIME FOR A NEW PLAN. Or I guess I should say–time to adjust the plan—-there was a detour so we need to remap the course.

So I grabbed a cup of coffee the other morning with Max and took it to the balcony with a pad of paper. Time to make a list. What is good about life right now? What isn’t? So we just started jotting things down. When was the last blood lab? Doctor visit? Dentist? Eye Doctor?  Am I taking my vitamins? What is my daily diet like? When was the last time I had a good work out? Am I happy with my job? When was the last time I spent time with the family or your friends? Did I have any idea what the scale would say? What are my priorities? What is important to me right now? How are my finances? What am I going to do with all of this stuff from the storage units? Do I need it? Do I use it? Do I want it?  The list just kept growing and growing…….

So then I got out my calendar. What did my schedule look like for the next week? Month? When can I make a trip home to see friends and family? What is on the social calendar? Need to find a gym and some class schedules–time to get back into a routine.  Where did I put that scale?????

Time to get back to basics.

Time to: REGAIN CONTROL.

So I pulled out the September calendar and wrote in the work schedule. Then I added a visit with my mom over Labor Day. Can’t forget Fashion Night Out on 9/8 across the country. Then my darling friend Emily Gomez is supposed to be in Chicago from Texas the weekend of the 16th. Add the huge Nordstrom Fall Trend Show on 9/17 ( our very own NYC Fashion Week show) Of course I can’t forget the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair in Centreville Michigan starting the week of 9/18. ASMBS is having a conference in  Chicago on 9/23-9/24.  WOW—-then it’s the end of the month. Peeking into Oct. I realized my Obesity Help Conference I am speaking at in Long Island, NY is right around the corner..10/21-10/23 …YIKES!!!

Time to: REGAIN CONTROL.

Time to find the scale. Face reality. Get back on a plan. Pick a number. Dig out the vitamins. Go to the grocery store. Time for a REALITY CHECK.

Here is what I know…..or I guess I should say what I feel…..my body feels “OK”….I however feel exhausted all the time. I need to be getting more sleep. A more sound sleep. I need to get back to whole foods–cut out the processed crap ( bars, canned soup, convenience, eating out etc.). Make sure I am drinking enough water. Make sure I am taking my vitamins. Am I eating enough grams of protein? How much sugar am I eating at the end of the day? Time to get out the food journal.

Has anybody seen the scale?

Here it is:

Sorry for the crappy picture….bad lighting this morning at 6:45. It says….210.8….we are going to just call it :211.  That is my reality today. 211. Going Back to Basics at 211.  So off I went to my handy BMI tracker…..

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/

and here is what I am—-

You have a BMI of 27.84.

BMI is between 25 and 29.9 (Overweight)
People falling in this BMI
range are considered overweight and would benefit from finding healthy ways to
lower their weight, such as diet and exercise. Individuals who fall in this
range are at increased risk for a variety of illnesses. If your BMI is 27-29.99
your risk of health problems becomes higher. In a recent study an increased rate
of blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease was recorded at 27.3 for women and
27.8 for men. It may be a good idea to check your Waist Circumference and
compare it with the recommended limits.

  • Underweight = <18.5
  • Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
  • Overweight = 25–29.9
  • Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

So by using the chart, that would make my goal weight 189—-which would put me at 24.9…..”NORMAL”.  Hmmmm…..189, that would be a loss of 22  lbs.  It has been a long time since I have lived under 200. For those of you that know me, or have met me….you know I am not a “petite flower”…laughing. I have no idea what a HEALTHY 189 would look like on me. You know what…..let’s do it. Let’s see what:

NORMAL

look and feels like—- I am up for a challenge. Who knows if I can be normal…or if I will like “normal” and be happy at “normal”. SO….I decided to get the party started today. Made the list, dug out the tools—– GOT ON THE SCALE TO FIND MY REALITY…..

Time to: REGAIN CONTROL.

I am going to Regain Control of the REGAIN. But then I said to myself…..why keep this party to myself? Am I not the proud Facebook owner of Bariatric Regain?  There HAS to be somebody else to invite to this party…….

INTERESTED???? 

Let me know!!!

I am putting together some details now.  Thinking a limited group of people who are SERIOUS about working to REGAIN CONTROL. I am thinking a 30 day test pilot program with a dedicated and focused group. It will run September 1- September 30th.  For more information email me at:

bariatricregain@gmail.com

I will send you the guidelines to the PARTY!!!

See you there!

xoxo,

Laura

Filed under: Regain Control | Tagged: , , | 4 Comments »

“HOME” is where your…

Posted on July 7, 2011 by mydailydetour

your heart lives?

Home is where your…..

job/career take you?

Home is where your….

-mom-

dad/family are?

How does one even begin to answer this question?I know a lot of people associate home to the place where their personal belonging live,well if that was true:

I still live in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

I have not been home in two years. I put my things into storage when I left Michigan for a job in Dallas, Texas.  My belonging are still waiting to catch up with my life–and I am more than ready for that reunion.

The last time I felt like I was “HOME” I  was living in my darling little bungalow house in Bloomfield Hills:

If I could go back and do it all over again….I would never have left.

But, here we are, and we cannot go back. We can only go forward. Regrets and living in the past only taint the future. I have made many wrong turn on my journey, taken quite a few detours–but have always discovered wonderful things on the trip. I have never been afraid of change, but I do know it gets harder and scarier the older you get. I am not so quick to make flip decisions. I think them through a little more, weighed the pro’s and the con’s….yet I will continue to DO and GO. I don’t ever want to look back on my life and make the statements ” I wish I would have….” or ” I wonder if I ….”. I really want to live my life to the fullest, take the chances and experience all I can.

What I do know for sure is:

My heart truly lies in New York City. It is where I feel the most alive. Where I fit in. I get the city and the city gets me. It is such a wonderous pulsating place. It is also incredibly expensive to live in, and not an option for me right now. In my heart I truly believe I will return one day.

My job/career currently is with Chanel here in Los Angeles.  I am a business manager for their beaute and fragrance category. I work in the Nordstrom account. I love working for Chanel, the history and story is so amazing. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was an incredible woman who changed the fashion industry. I have a small library on her life and the creation of her company. She was a savvy business woman. Almost every fragrance has a delightful personal story. I would consider her a mentor in my life. Chanel is one of the few beauty brands in the world that is STILL privately owned. I take a lot of pride and pleasure working for such an amazing company with such a beautiful product. However, I MUST remind myself–this is my “job”, this is not my identity.

My family lives in Michigan. My brother Paul who is two years younger than me, lives in our original hometown: Sturgis, Michigan. My dad lives about 20 minutes from him in a town called Constantine, Michigan. My mom lives another 45 minutes away in Niles, Michigan. They are all in the bottom of Michigan in small rural communities. When I think about moving home…the first thing that comes to mind is, “Where would I work?”….literally there would be nothing in my industries. These small hometowns are lucky to have a Wal-Mart, movie theater and fast food. I would have no idea what I would do for a living.

 I have two storage units in Michigan that contain the contents of my charming little bungalow house. I have been paying storage on them now for almost two years. The cost of moving everything to California has kept my belongings in storage. I was not going to make that trip until I knew that I wanted to make California my “Home”.

So Max and I have been living with the minimum. You definitely learn what you need versus what you want. I have a few token things that I brought on this journey: A mantel clock, a painting from Paris…these things bring me comfort and give me a sense of home….but most of my bedroom is furniture are things I have picked up on this journey.

Max and I are blessed right now to be living with my long time friend Rick. I have known Rick since high school. We lived together years ago– the good ol college days in Michigan and Chicago. We have kept in and out of touch over the last 20 years as our lives have taken both of us to many different places.  Our current apartment is filled with wonderful modern pieces ( he is an interior designer and has worked with amazing companies) so we have a great home.

BUT THERE IS CHANGE IN THE AIR——

Rick has accepted a wonderful new opportunity. He is moving back home to open and launch a new Italian furniture store. Back to the Midwest. Back to the windy (in the summer), beautiful and COLD (wait, I mean FREEZING in the winter) city of :

CHICAGO!

So the question now is….do Max and I head home with Rick or do we stay in LA?

It was not an easy question to answer. I have made so many pro and con lists that I can’t even keep track anymore. The weather here is absolutely amazing– I cannot imagine not having my morning pug walks surrounded by the beautiful flowers and sunshine. I will miss being able to jump in my car and go take class with Richard Simmons right down the road. My morning coffee break will not be the same without Mario Lopez shooting for EXTRA right next to me. No more book signings at Barnes and Nobles next door to work or waiting on celebrities in the store.

  I put in for a transfer with Chanel and Nordstrom to see if there was an opening in Chicago on Michigan Avenue….and low behold there is not. So I will have to leave Chanel, which is not something I am remotely interested in doing right now.

HOWEVER-

It is time to get grounded. It is time to center my life.

Here I come.

I will be staying with Nordstrom and working at their Michigan Avenue location, but I will not be with Chanel, as they are fully staffed. So there will be a new adventure at work. We will be living downtown in a new 30 floor highrise building that has wonderful facilities–doorman, gym, pool, dry cleaner, salon, spa etc. Chicago has a wonderful theater district and fabulous city cultural events. It is truly a magical city at Christmas. I grew up with yearly trips to Chicago to have lunch in the Walnut Room at Marshall Fields by the beautiful Christmas  tree—

It was a tradition.

 My mom is an hour away and my dad and brother two hours away–so I will actually be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. I am excited to explore the Bariatric Programs in the city and see how I can become involved in the community.

So will Chicago be “HOME?”

I think only time will tell. However,  I do know is Chicago is a place that will be full of love, friends, family and comfort. It is going to be a place for me to reconnect with my old life and establish a new chapter. A place to get grounded again.

We are leaving Los Angeles on July 28th— two people, two suitcases and a pug—-driving one of our cars cross-country–stay glued to Facebook (Bariatric Regain) for updates. If that doesn’t sound like a great reality show, I don’t know what does! We will be making a quick stop in Michigan to pack up the storage unit and visit family–then we are moving into our new building on August 5th in Chicago.

A new job. A new city. Another chapter for my book.

So….for now I will answer the questions like this:

Home is where your…..

pug is.

xoxo,

Laura

Filed under: Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

WELCOME TO MY NEW HOME

Posted on June 28, 2011 by mydailydetour

Welcome to the NEW home of My Daily Detour.

I am excited to launch a new polished home! While I loved my original home, it was time for a little face lift.  With the help of a dear friend, the logo was kicked up a notch, we switched platforms…..and VOILA –here we are. I will be transferring some of the old entries soon, but until then WELCOME. Make yourselves at home, and subscribe to the feed.

xoxo,

Laura

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Fabulous and 40!!!

Posted on June 27, 2011 by mydailydetour

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

What a day! It is 11:39pm and I am snuggled into bed with the pug, and just reflecting on the day. I literally will say it was bitter-sweet. Delightful surprises and a little heart ache for those that I miss.

The 40th birthday….it’s one of “those”birthdays. The ones that carry the significance— 16, 18, 21….40! The plans of how I was going to spend it have varied over the years. The one I regret the most not doing was spending it in Italy with my mom and Clinton. We always kidded that we would toast 40 in Venice–but, I will not give up. That will be a birthday before 45! We are just going to call it a stretch goal right now.

There had been a magical list of 40 things I wanted to do before I turned 40, and that list was aggressive! Needless to say, there were a couple of things that were checked off the list, but life got messy and busy in the last 6 months.  I will admit I lost some focus, but some great things also came out of it…like the formation of my partnership with HELP (http://healthyeverydaylp.com/). I have been to Vegas with the WLSFA and Orlando for ASMBS. Life has been busy. However there had been a plan for my mom and best friend Clinton to come to LA for my birthday. There was going to be a day by the pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel ( very old hollywood bungalow style ), lunch at The Ivy,  a workout with Richard at the studio, a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway in a convertible with the top down….and maybe even mother and daughter tattoos. Then there was talk of my traveling back to Michigan for the weekend — attending a writers conference with one of my favorite authors Wade Rouse (http://www.waderouse.com/content/index.asp) and spending the birthday at home. However, I could not take all the time off work to do that as well as ASMBS. So I invested in the future of HELP….and chose to back burner the birthday. That is the bittersweet part of today.

The delightful surprises were the unexpected things. I received an AMAZING box from my best friend Clinton a couple of weeks ago. It contained 8 little packages to be opened each day right before my birthday . IT WAS AMAZING….and it made me miss him like crazy EVERY morning for the last week.

Then there was the birthday package from Mom right before ASMBS. She sent me some comfy summer PJS to take to Florida with me.

They were perfect for the all night gab fests with Cari and Connie!!

I woke this morning, around 6:15— to my “darling” friend Cari De La Cruz ( www.bariatricafterlife.com) calling to sing Happy Birthday to me. Who knew that the Barbie could sing too….what doesn’t she do? She had brought a special birthday package a week ago when she met me for lunch.

It was pure BARBIE-LICIOUS love!

Then I opened up my Facebook to find a FLOOD of birthday wishes on Bariatric Regain and Laura Preston. I am going to tell you I was amazed. The birthday wishes came all day long. From close friends all over the country –NYC, Dallas, Michigan, Illinois etc. Old High school friends, to family to new faces in the Bariatric community. I was speechless. I made sure to click that LIKE button on each note…hoping everyone knew how much I appreciated them. I then proceeded to spend a quiet day with Max. We went on a long pug walk this morning. Rick ( which we will fondly refer to as the roommate often) made us breakfast in bed–well more like breakfast coming up the stairs–so we enjoyed a cup of coffee with him before he headed out to work. We then proceeded to CLEAN. That is right, tore up the bedroom and did some deep cleaning. Turned on some great music and just started sorting through all kinds of things…clothes, jewelry, files, paperwork….started up the laundry and washed the bedding, dog beds etc. Just took time to do the things there are never enough hours in the day to do. Then there was a LOOOOOOONG hot bath, a nice facial…..just some good ole fashion girl time. A quick bite for lunch— then off to pick up my birthday cake of choice….a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery.

Its true. It’s a cupcake. This precious cupcake has been THE birthday cake for years. All my years in NYC we would go to this charming bakery in the West Village, wait in line for an hour for a birthday cupcake. The most sugary delightful, old fashion kind of birthday cake you can ask for–just like mom and grandma use to bake. It is a tradition.

The good news is, the two women that owned the bakery, sold out to corporate america, and now there is a chain of them…..and we have one here in LA. It is literally less than two miles from the house. So I went to pick up cupcake for the birthday. While I ABSOLUTELY indulged….it was a bite. In my world it is guaranteed dumping to the 100th degree, trust me—I know—-it was the first thing I dumped on in NYC right around year 3 post op bypass. That was not a fun birthday experience in the hotel room—I swore I was dying. So I learned the hard way that a bite is PRICELESS, but a cupcake is DEATH.

Then Rick and I took Max on a walk later this evening to a great restaurant called Buddha Belly. Ordered a light dinner that we had on the sidewalk ( That way Max could join us)

and then we wandered back home. Watched a little TV and then retired for the evening….and here I am. The end of the BIRTH-DAY.

The day was very quiet and peaceful. I missed my family and friends back home terribly but I carried them in my heart. I spent a lot of time today reminiscing about birthdays past. I have such incredible childhood memories of birthday traditions:

We would get to pick out our birthday cake pans from Wilton and my mom would bake and decorate the cakes from scratch. I can remember a Cinderella cake, a Koala cake, a Panda Bear cake, a cabbage patch doll cake…she would spend hours baking those cakes.

There were always slumber parties. There would be party themes. We would rent movies, order pizza, swim in the pool, play games for fun prizes, stay up all night talking about boys, be tormented by my little brother and his friends, play stiff a board light as a feather, camp out in the tent out back…the list goes on and on with those parties.

When I turned 16 my mom took me to Chicago for the weekend. It was a girls only trip….just the two of us in a big city staying in a hotel. We shopped, ate at Ed Debevicks, I had my first makeup lesson at a Clinque counter, went to my first play. That is where I fell in love with the big city way of life.

Incredible birthdays spent with friends at amazing restaurants, sharing Carneige Deli cheesecake at wee hours in the morning on hotel balconies, high tea in beautiful hotels…the list goes on and on.

This is Birthday #38 with Clinton at one of my favorite locations ZINC in West Bloomfield. My honorary birthday bite!

Of course dinner was followed with singing the Birthday theme song out of the sun roof

Then everyone back to my house for Carneige Deli Cheescake special ordered by Clinton for my birthday—-did I mention how incredible he is?

What does remain constant is being surrounded by people who you love. People that you share experiences with, and make memories with—-that is what you have the rest of your life. Not the physical gifts. So while I was without those people today….I had them with me all day today–through Facebook messages, phone calls and memories. That I have realized —-is the greatest gift one can have—-memories.

40……I am here to tell you…..to me it is NOTHING but a number. I am setting out to make 40 one of the best years of my life. There is change in the wind. I am healthier at 40 than I EVER was at 20. I refuse to take that for granted. I sat down today and reworked a list of goals. Things I will achieve before 41. I expect that list to grow in the next year. I am actually going to even create a tab for it here on the blog. This year is going to count. I am stepping up to the plate. This is no dress rehearsal. I am going to take center stage and play the lead role : FORTY AND FABULOUS!!!!

There is room for a whole cast of people in this show…what part do you want? I guarantee you a standing ovation.

Filed under: Holiday, Uncategorized | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Meet one of my mentors: Brendon Burchard

Posted on May 19, 2011 by mydailydetour

  I had the pleasure of discovering Brendon Burchard through Chalene Johnson. She had suggested one of his books, and I have been hooked every since. They both have taught me so much about setting goals and dreams. About creating and designing the life you truly want to have for yourself. I quote and recommend them constantly. I have attending one of Brendons live workshops as one of my goals for 2011. I do a lot of his exercises online, I can only imagine how powerful it would be to experience him in person.

 Today I wanted to share this exercise with you…and I hope you will truly take a minute and answer the turning points at the bottom—-

Either Your Relationships are Truly Supporting You or They Aren't

By Brendon Burchard
Founder, Experts Academy, and author of Life's Golden Ticket

"One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are."
—Gail Godwin

The people in our lives who treat us with kindness, respect, honesty, and understanding have the ability to lift us to our highest heights. On the flip side, those who mistreat us, disrespect us, lie to us, neglect us, or abuse us often have the power to pull us down into the depths of despair.

Simply put, the people in our lives can either lift us up or drag us down.

That said, let’s take a look at your relationships. Think about the people surrounding you: your family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors, acquaintances, romantic interest. Are any of these people holding you back from being your best? Are any of them making you feel unworthy, unloved, and uncared for? Are any of them making you feel small, weak, dirty, stupid, or insignificant? Are any of them demeaning or disrespecting you by implying that you don’t deserve happiness, abundance, and peace in your life? If so, who are they?

And now to the most important question: Why in the world are you allowing these people in your life?

I say “allowing” because every relationship in your life—even those with your family members—is 100 percent voluntary and therefore subject to your influence. You can choose to maintain, build, minimize, or even break off any relationship at any time. You don’t have to call your parents, you don’t have to stay in the relationship with the abusive jerk, and you don’t have to put up with friends who try to keep you down to their apathetic unmotivated level.

Being subject to your influence, your relationships are turning out exactly the way you are allowing them to. Since you have the power to reward or penalize people with your level of commitment to the relationship, you are in essence continually teaching people how to treat you. If someone is treating you poorly, then it’s because you haven’t influenced or taught them to do otherwise. You haven’t consistently or authoritatively stood up for yourself or put your foot down and said, “Enough! I will never allow you treat me like that again!”

Much of the quality of your life depends on the quality of your relationships. Healthy relationships are those that support your well-being and growth. If you are in any relationship that doesn’t fit that bill, it’s time to candidly reassess why you’re in it and determine what you should do about it. Do you feel an obligation to be in this dysfunctional relationship, or are you just scared to be alone? Should you break ties with those who are hurting you, or should you at the very minimum lay down some new ground rules for how you expect to be treated?

Now this isn't just about getting RID of people who treat you unfairly, the truth is we all know that can't always happen — not everyone can ditch their mean spouses that easily. But here's the master's work: it's not so much about losing the bums as it is about having MORE supportive people around you. At my events we talk about having at least 10 super supportive peers and mentors around you who act as your cheerleaders and support personnel. Decide today that by the end of the year you'll have 10 new supportive friends and mentors and your life next year will explode with passion, joy and achievement.

Today’s the day you should decide to surround yourself with only those people who lift you higher in life—those who appreciate you, respect you, support you, and love you. A life of beauty is built by surrounding yourself with beautiful souls.

Transformational Turning Points:

□ The people in my life who are treating me poorly are…

□ I’ve allowed these people to treat me this way by…

□ If I ended or dramatically altered these relationships, I would start to feel…

□ The relationships in my life that are truly supporting my well-being and growth are the ones I have with…

□ Five people I need to approach to have as mentors and motivators are…

In friendship,

– Brendon

 

*** I hope this made you think about your own life and the relationships that you hold dear. I truly believe in mentors and motivators—I follow Chalene Johnson, Richard Simmons, Jillian Michaels, Brendon Burchard, Suzie , Oprah and Brian Tracy.

Who do you follow in your life?

What inspires you?

xoxo,

Laura

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Posted on April 16, 2011 by mydailydetour

Just flew in from an amazing conference in NYC.  Had a few A-HA moments. Have decided to do what I do best…focus the POSITIVE energy….and start sharpening the saw!

THEREFORE—–

This blog is officially under CONSTRUCTION.

Construction 

There is going to be some face lifts, updates, changes and a physical move…..

So, STAND BY TO STAND BY———

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

What is your guilty pleasure?

Posted on February 10, 2011 by mydailydetour

Barnes and noble  
 
I LOVE TO READ!!

It is true. There is nothing better than snuggling up with a great book and just losing yourself in the pages! I fell in love with reading at such an early age. What I found the most amusing about it …it actually was one of my worst subjects in like first grade. I can remember setting on my dad's lap in our living room in the big ole lazy boy chair trying to read "See Jane Run" books. I can remember crying with pure frustration. I also can remember going on  a family vacation to Florida and having to take along my reading books and having to read on vacation—it is so funny what you can remember.

However I remember about 2nd or 3rd grade discovering that there was a whole world of books out there. That is when I realized you could read about things you wanted to read about! That is when I became addicted. I grew up in a small town –Sturgis Michigan. I attended 2nd and 3rd grade at even smaller elementary school that did not even have its own library. I remember every couple of weeks we would have library day–where we would be bussed to another school to go to their library. I can remember the librarians name…Mrs Taylor. We would come in and sit on the floor and she would read to us. Then we would be allowed to check out a book. I can remember thinking how big the library was and how there were SO MANY books!!! I would always have such a hard time picking out books…I would want too many. I remember having to get special permission to take out the older, harder books….pictures books were not enough for me….I wanted the good stuff, the Laura Ingalls Wilder, Judy Blume, Ramona the Great series……or my favorite Ronald Dahl: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!!!

I can still remember one of my favorite Christmas presents and one of my all time favorite Christmas memories…the year I got the Little House and The Prairie box set. I remember curling up on Christmas day with my mom on the couch…we each laid on one end and shared a big warm fuzzy blanket, and we started reading the series. We read all day long in our PJS—only taking occasional breaks for hot chocolate and cut out cookies. She read that whole collection with me…and then we would talk about our favorite parts. Little House in the Big Woods, On the Banks of Plum Creek— I can even remember the chapters—Laura met Almanzo, she got her first set of calling cards, Mr. Edwards going into the blizzard to bring them Christmas, baby Rose being born….it was a whole separate world for me. I was addicted.

My passion for reading has never changed. I have always been one to have a stack of books on the nightstand. Falling in love with a new author and then devouring everything they have written. My mom belongs to a book club today as well, so we will often compare what we are reading—and swap books. I have so many books, they are everywhere…..to the point that my roommate Rick brought me a NOOK for Christmas….so I could save money and just upload them, take them with me wherever I go….between you and I….I think he just didn't want any more books laying around :)

In this new media age I have also become obsessed with blogs. I love that fact that it is a cross with an online diary and almost a book. A lot of great bloggers share their personal lives with you as well as their passions…its like vicarioiusly having a new best friend. I love the bloggers that can do it full time and update daily or very often. It is such a treat to be able to grap a cup of coffee in the morning or a hot mug of tea at night—and peak into a couple of blogs and get updated!! Almost like a daily newspaper—but much more entertaining.

One of my favorite blogs that I have been follwing for years is THE PIONEER WOMAN by Ree Drummond. A client of mine at Lifetime Fitness in Michigan recommended her blog to me. I checked her out and fell instantly in love. She was a fabulous city Fashionista from LA that met a hot cowboy— and it changed her life forever. I  think she started her blog around 2006/2007….and I have followed her from almost the beginning. I have watched the blog develop into the beautiful site it is today. I have watched her kids grow up, her love of photography develop and her career take off. She lives on a cattle ranch with her "Marlboro Man" and beautiful family…and documents life and the journey of learning about country life. She shares tidbits of ranch life, great country recipes, her personal feelings….its is a masterpiece! So I am sure you can imagine how excited I was when her book was finally coming out in print AND SHE WAS COMING FOR A BOOK SIGNING!!! I could hardly stand it.

The Barnes and Noble at The Grove ( where I work) has had a poster up for months talking about her book signing. It has been on my calendar since December. The day finally came on Monday—- which happened to be my day off!! So I threw on my walking clothes early in the morning and headed out to get my wristband for the event that night….

 Line
I was excited to discover that my Barnes and Addicted …I mean Noble membership would get me a PINK wristband!! Only 20 members would get it— priority pass to the event later that night.

So I arrived, lined up and waited patiently…..

 

Wiating 

and there she was….The Pioneer Woman herself….in person……

D 

Could she be any more darling??

Then it was finally my turn. I had brought her a little Chanel goodie bag to take back to the hotel room to enjoy with her girls. They are on a week long tour—- so included just little things that girls love to pamper themselves on the road with…a little lip gloss, nail polish etc. She asked me what fragrance I had on…( Coco Chanel) and she said it was her favorite too!! See, I knew she was a Chanel girl at heart! She was so kind and appreciative—it was worth every minute of the wait!

Ree d 

My blogging mentor!!! 

Ree 

Now of course I am dying to tear into the book. The love story between her and Marlboro Man. Does it get any better? 

 

Photo (2) 

I love inscriptions. I love to give books as gifts, and I ALWAYS write in them…..it makes them so memorable and personable! Items to be kept, collected and cherished. Memories in time! 

Photo (3) 

 So I am sitting it next to the bed. It will be my guilty pleasure to tuck myself in with every night. I always like to read a chapter or two of something when I crawl into bed….helps me unwind for the night!!

Now, of course I have my eyes on the horizon for the next must have read….and of course I have found it……are you ready for this?

http://www.youtube.com/e/PSE8G-kGQuc

OMG….I think I am in love with them…..would love to be their neighbor!! He is going to be in LA to do a book signing in March with his new book….I am so there!!!

Until then, check out Ree's blog:

For The Pioneer Woman Blog CLICK HERE

Or go buy her books!!

Happy Reading Friends!!!

 

xoxo,

Laura

 

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

1/31/2011 WEIGH IN—January Close out!

Posted on February 2, 2011 by mydailydetour

January 31st 

HAPPY MONDAY TO ME!

With these results, one could make the claim that stress does the body good…laughing— but yet we know that is not true. I have to admit I was nervous stepping on that scale yesterday. I was not a 100% sure what I was going to find. It has been a crazy month–and week.

I put together a little grid to help me track my weekly weigh ins to see if I can establish any patterns…should be interesting.

START:215.6    GOAL: 175
         
DATE WEIGH IN RESULTS LOSS TO GO
1/3 215.6      
1/7 211 4.6 4.6 -36
1/14 211.4 0.4 4.2 -36.4
1/24 210.8 0.6 4.8 -35.8
1/31 208.8 2 6.8 -33.8

So that would be a total loss of 6.8lbs for January 2011. I have 147 days until my 40th birthday with 34 lbs to go….I think its time to ramp up the plan a little.

January was a really crazy month around here. It is the end of my fiscal retail year with Chanel, so there was a strong push to SELL and make every dollar count to close out 2010. We also did our extensive year end inventory at Nordstrom. To top it all off, I have two full time openings in our beaute—which is stressful but VERY exciting. It is an opportunity to hire two new rock stars to take the business to a whole new level in 2011. Now, the challenge of finding them….fingers crossed!!

Rick, Max and I also moved into a new home. It is beautiful….full of sunlight. Max can now be found snoring his days away on his bed basking in some California sun.

Easter cookies 023 
What I treasure the most with the move is I can still walk to work. I hardly ever drive anymore, it reminds me of my old NYC life. At one end of the street we have the neighborhood Starbucks (Melrose) and the other end is The Grove— where one can find pretty much anything including my Chanel counter. It is quite charming.

Grove 

Of course you will find Nordstrom, a great movie theatre, Barnes and Noble, great restaurants, Whole Foods and a Farmers Market….what more do I need?

Nds 

But it does get a little bit like an adult disneyland at times…..

Disney 

Not only have I had the stress of a move and craziness at work this month, but I also have had a really personally challenging week this week.

FIRST I MUST SHARE:

I had amazing parents growing up. They were really true role models, which I think is so lacking in families today. Having children is such an amazing gift but also a huge responsibility. I am so thankful for the way I was raised and my childhood. We were taught so many lessons —my brother and I were truly blessed to have our parents. One of the biggest lessons we were taught growing up was…."If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." We were taught that everyone has their opinion. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Expression and debate is a good healthy thing. However—do your homework and base it off facts and not emotion. Words are very powerful—and can be very hurtful. Choose your words and actions wisely— for they will not be forgotten. Yes, you can always apologize or ask for forgiveness later….but it is out there. It was spoken. It was heard. It is rarely forgotten.

My mother is the most honest, patient,kind and gentle soul. I have always said the mold was broken after her. My dad has so many of the same qualities…but patience is not one of the them. So let's just say, like father like daughter :) I have no patience. It has been a struggle my whole life.My mother always had a rule. When you are mad, hurt or angry— STOP—-and think about it. Give it a good three days. Write it out if you have to—but don't react. Chose your thoughts, words and actions wisely. If after 3 days you still feel the same way, then go ahead and react. However, in many cases you will see it in a different light, or you may react in a different way. I have failed miserably at this exercise my whole life. I tend to be very opinionated and passionate about everything I do—so I usually react. I am very black and white. I love it or I hate it. It is good or bad. I am not a gray kind of girl. Typically, you will always know exactly where you stand with me—what my thoughts and opinons are—-MY thoughts. I express and move on. Moment or situation over. NEXT!

-HOWEVER-

This week was a MAJOR test for me. I don't remember the last time I felt so much anger and disbelief. A couple of  times I sat back just dumbfounded by some actions of others. I found myself to be a writing fool. At first it was attempts to respond in multiple forums…but I would type away….then stop myself…and walk away. Finally I talked myself into writing out EXACTLY what I wanted to say in a word document..word for word…example by example…it just poured out of me. I would finish and click save. I did it for 3 days….writing down every thought and expression.

Today I spent a wonderful day training with Chanel. They do an amazing job of making their employees feel spoiled and special ( more on that in another post) but lets just say it was a beautiful day. I got home early and walked Max, thinking about the post that I needed to do tonight for my weigh in yesterday. The 3 days were long done, so when I came back into the house….I opened that word document…read it..and I found myself smiling. I still felt exactly the same way, down to every crossed T and dotted I….but I realized what a waste it was— not worth my time and energy. This is not part of my plan…..this is a waste of precious time. I am better than this— I have very specific goals for 2011– pushes to follow my dreams and passions. In no way, shape or form did any of this play into the plan. This does not deserve another minute of my attention. I will not bend down to that level. I am going to keep my eyes straight ahead, focused and pushing forward.

So Mom…..THANK YOU.

Mom4 

Life lesson learned…..and applied.

Big plans for February. Raising the bar!! What are you goals and pushes for February? Are you on track for 2011? I can't believe we are already one month in—- 11 to go!

xoxo,

Laura

 

 

 

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

It’s Official—-We are going to VEGAS baby!

Posted on January 26, 2011 by mydailydetour

Wlsfa-las-vegas-logo3-300x218

EXCITING NEWS!

I have been asked to speak at the WLSFA conference in LAS VEGAS!!!

 

10:45 am – 11:30 am

 Laura Preston
Laura Preston is a 6 year gastric bypass patient who has maintained a 150lb weight loss. She had her surgery in March of 2005. She has had the pleasure of speaking for Obesity Help, working as a national spokesperson for a bariatric company and being the kick off speaker/ribbon cutter for the OAC NYC Walk from Obesity.

Join me as I share with you how I found my PERSONALIZED passion for fitness. Meet some of my dearest mentors and friends in the industry. I will share my story on how I fell in love with fitness..and how you can too!

Speakers Topic: The key to success—being the change you wish to see

The official Agenda Link!

There is an amazing group of speaker with SO MANY fun events included.

I can't wait to hear Connie and Connie speak!!

Yvonne is a DEAR personal friend of mine I have known from the beginning.

Cari De La Cruz ( Formerly the Barbie we all knew and loved!!) in person!

Bo McCoy is a guaranteed good time!! One of my favorite speakers!

 A BURLESQUE SHOW WITH DIVA TAUNIA??? Does it get any better?

WAIT….of course it does…..VIC from CELEBRATE Vitamins!!!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!!

WHEN: May 13, 14 and 15, 2011.
 

WHERE: Palace Station Hotel and Casino!

  • Welcome Night Reception
  • Meeting Hall with lots of goodie bags and free samples and time to meet your WSL community!
  • Sit down WLS friendly lunch as well as refreshments.
  • Fun, Educational and Interesting Speakers.
  • Awards, Contests, Silent Auction and Games and more!
  • Vendors with lots of great WLS products to try and buy!
  • Surprises Galore!

This year WLS Peeps will gather in huge numbers to share Meet, Learn,Laugh, Hug and maybe even shed some tears of joy and make great memories to last a life time at the Mother of All Meet and Greets!

 
This is a guaranteed good time!!

Click here to buy your ticket RIGHT NOW!!!

 

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.