New Years Commentary.

I've never been a new years eve kind of girl. It's always the coldest night of the year and way overrated. So overrated that by the end of the night you're usually even more depressed than before. At least that's how it's always been for me anyway.

I imagine big things, thats my problem. My expectations are generally very high. So when I'm dreaming of a yacht in Ibiza with 20 of my closest friends, and you're giving me a house party, sorry not sorry that I'm not that excited.

So what am I going to do? I channel that energy into my work. My work doesn't stop on New Years eve, if anything it PICKS UP speed. Because I am even more motivated to get out of my situation.

My situation is not terrible, I live in a studio in the financial district of SF. And it's pretty darn cute. The problem is the freedom. The freedom to make my own decisions . I am constantly finding myself trying to please others and I need a break, we all do.

So therefore, tonight, I will work even harder. I will complete a vision board, a goddess ceremony, and a few more posts to get ready for the busy week. This is no time to relax ;) One year it will be, but not this year.

So cheers to a BETTER you, whatever that may be. Don't be shy to stay in this year and work on yourself. That's what I will be doing.

Forever & always.

xo

Bella.

Rich Boy.

So here's my long embarrassing story. One that I never thought I would tell.

But here I am, almost 33, still a single female, LOVING it, and wondering where the fuck all the other single 33 females at?!

This starts off as your traditional tell-all, but it doesn't end as expected. So stick around.

 It all started with Match.com. Yes, before there was tinder, I told you this is going to be embarrassing. I went on my first online date in Irvine. With a guy that was in his early 30's , while I was only 24, I didn't realize how gross this was at that time, his pic was SO foggy I could barely see it. Online dating was so new at this point that even my sister went to crash my date - only for 2 minutes - to make sure this guy was A-Ok.

The date was cool, from what I could remember we ate and then went to the arcade. He was super nice and the conversation was great - BUT - I just wasn't attracted to him. After he kept texting me I started to ghost him. I thought it was nicer than telling him I wasn't attracted to him.

Backstory to my first boyfriend who was a total babe - I hope he will be happy to read that I said this about him - and hopefully he can laugh now about what I laugh at - which is our ridiculous relationship when we were 16 through about 19. He was my first love, a total mutt - Hawaiian, Mexican , and I don't even know what else. Big lips, dark skin total pretty boy etc. In other words, #babe.

Date #2 was Sasha, from Hermosa Beach. Very good looking. We met up at a bar, had a great conversation. He even texted me that same night and scheduled another date. So far so good.

Second date with Sasha: We met up at a bar in Hermosa and he started to take pics of the "stage" where I could have sworn he was taking pics of these cute girls right in front of us. It was weird. But honestly, the underlying truth was again, I just wasn't attracted to him. So I kindly told him I wanted to leave. He was upset, and honestly I felt bad.

Date #3 was with a lawyer from Santa Monica with mommy issues. Date #4 was with a midwestern transplant that started calling me babe and honey way too soon. Date #5 was with a doctor from Palos Verdes, I'll tell you more about him later. Date #6 was with a football coach that barely spoke and was awfully timid for someone who was 6'1". Date #7 was with a guy from Long Beach that looked WAY hotter in his pics than in real life.

You get the picture?

So I took a break. But not for long. Because soon after, tinder came into the scene. And it had so many cuties I didn't know where to start.

But let's go back and discuss that Doctor I never told you about. Date #5. It's gona be a long sad story, with breaks in between so here it goes. My biggest.heartbreak.ever.

We went on a first date & I was the bad date. He showed up in his matte black ferrari with his smoken hot smile and I turned into a zombie. I am certain that was his worst date ever. But miraculously he texted me for a second date. It must of been something I said "wink wink".

So we went on a second date and again I couldn't brush off this new found silence that overcame me when he spoke. It's like I was so overwhelmed by him that it made me timid. And unfortunately I think he liked that about me. But it wasn't me, do you understand? I'm not timid , I'm fearless I'm blunt as fuck and I have no filter. But around this man I was someone else. And I can't say that after 5 years of us on and off again that he ever really got to know ME. He would take me on many many dates, lots of dinners, lots of walking around, lots of texting. But I never met his friends. And I never met his family. And I know what you're thinking...stupid girl, you should have known better.  Right? Thats what your thinking.

But I was 27 and he was exactly what I wanted. And I fell in love with him, with the way he spoke, intellectually, and the way he pushed me around verbally. So yes, I stupidly stuck around while he just wasted my time. In a way I wanted him to push me. To push me to be a better version of myself. It's a very sadistic way of improving yourself, and I don't recommend it , but it was my way. I saw him as this great grandiose human being that I thought could help mold me into someone better. Because you see, he would correct me when I would speak. He would give me financial advice. He would ask me how I was doing at work and then give me advice on how to ask for a raise and promotions. This isnt information that you can get from just a simple guy. And for that I put up with the bullshit. I knew in the back of my mind that THIS was what I was in it for. And he was using me just as much as I was using him. As much as I have been using all my men.

But let's fast forward to Rich Boy, cause it's a lighter story. And cause this was my forever lesson.

Rich boy only posted his nice cars on his tinder profile. And I mean NICE - ferrari, mclaren etc. Plus one smoking hot pic of him when he was younger. He was about 5'10", big middle eastern eyes, tan skin, and the sweetest lips.

After we connected on tinder we didn't say hello right away. That was the tinder game. You had to wait for who was going to say hi first. Finally a few weeks later, I get a random hi from him. At this point I figured he was a lost cause so he surprised me. Not only did I get a hi, he wanted my phone number and we started texting right away. He wanted to meet me - on Valentine's day!

To be continued......

So Here’s my game:

I date these rich disgusting bastards. Not because I want to end up with them. But because I want to be them. I want their lifestyle. I want in on the secrets. So i need to learn their ways. They think they are wining and dining me. And i play dumb ;) . I play your typical - oh i had no idea it was like that card. What’s that saying? If you want to beat the devil, you have to play with them. Or is it, “In order to fight evil , sometimes you have to BE evil”. 

Background: I am a very good girl at heart. But good girl’s need some bad tricks in order to move ahead. Being whimsy and submissive is going to get you nowhere.

Stay with me, and I will teach you their tricks. By the time they learn who i am , I’ve moved on . There's PLENTY of them ladies, PLENTY. So don’t think for one second that you’ll never find another guy like him again. Barf!!! 

A few tricks I learned this week:

• Stay kind. Stay sweet. No one is going to give you anything for being mean.
• Rich men think that a salary of $100k is CHEAP. WOW. Really/? OK. Then ask for 300k ;)~ . I heard that out of the mouth of a man making 6 mill a year!! 6 mill?? Do you know how many shoes i can buy with 6mill??
• Rich men won’t hire you if you play with your hair. LMAO. I mean, i hate that i heard this out of the mouth of a general manager of a fucking hospitall. BIGGEST douchebag on the planet. I mean the shit that i heard coming out of his mouth i don't have the heart to repeat. 
• His exact words to me were “I didn't hire her as a director because she played with her hair too much”
• Umm excuse me?! I will play with my fucking hair all day and all night and be a fucking director all day err day for the rest of my fucking life. 
• #HAIRFLIP
• invest in stocks - like as much as posisble. In addition to 401k . You must have a stock portfolio!  - i. e. Ellevest (low risk) . Merrill Lynch / Schwab (higher risk)

More of this story next week..........

5 best new years eve outfits

5 best new years eve outfits

1. The black slinky dress from the Line by K,

2. Anything by Adriana Sahar but especially this "Dinner & Steak" dress, oh my:

3. The pleather red skirt from Matte Brand

4. Dress by Are You Am I 

5. This bodysuit by SugarPuss Clothing

Gluten Free & Vegan - Simple Veggies & Noodles

4 small zucchini's
1 medium eggplant
2 tomatoes
1 entire bag of Rice noodles
Salt
Pepper
Curry
Peanut Sauce
Soy Sauce (gluten free)

Steps:

1. Chop all veggies.
2. Pour 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a pan.
3. Place zucchini's, eggplant, and tomatoes in pan
4. Put a dash of salt, pepper, and curry over the veggies.
5. Cover the pan and let the veggies steam for 20 minutes while you cook the rice noodles separately.
6. Boil water in a separate pan & place the rice noodles. cook the rice noodles for no more than 10 minutes - you want them to be soft but not too soft!

After the rice is complete - place in a serving bowl. Top the rice with the veggies. Add peanut sauce & soy sauce for extra flavor if needed. Toss & serve!

ENJOY!

xo

Annabella

SIMPLE Vegan & Gluten Free Wraps

Ingredients:

2 Tomatoes
1 Onion
1 Green Pepper
1 Red Pepper
2 Corn Husks
1 Pack of Corn Tortillas

Place on stove top in a pan OR crock pot:

All veggies, chopped
Water (the water as high as the veggies sit - so you are essentially making veggie soup)
Salt
Pepper

Steps:

Step 1: Boil chopped veggies in water w/ salt & pepper (or grill if you prefer)
Step 2: Heat corn tortillas
Step 3: Put as much veggies on the corn tortillas as you wish! AND EAT!

How easy right?! Cooking doesn't have to be so messy and complicated or time consuming!

BOMB Vegan AND Gluten Free Pancakes

Ok seriously, the best vegan & gluten free pancakes. They taste great & (best part) they won't make you feel bloated after . 

Ingredients:

1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour ( I use Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Flour - I think it is the best on the market because it is made with garbanzo & flava beans which is sweeter than rice flour)

• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (flax meal) (I use Bob's Red Mill Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal - super buttery)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder.
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.
• ¼ teaspoon salt.
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or sugar or honey) 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce. ( you could also use any other fruit as a substitute here - I also use 1 ripe banana when I don't have apples)

The best way to prep the mix is to mix the dry ingredients all together first - and mix the wet ingredients together separately. 

Then, slowly mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. 

Cook for 1 to 2 minutes over the stove ( I use vegetable oil, but you can use whatever you wish!)

ENJOY!

x

Annabella

Feminism Marketplace

Is anyone over feminine marketplace yet?

I'm a female. I am 100% girl power. But I think it is important for people to respect us monetarily , not just in "theory" . I don't think it is appropriate to use the movement for capitalism, especially if there isn't a particular woman that is profiting from it. Because too often, do I see men succeeding too easily. And I am definitely not a man hater, don't get it twisted. I love men. But I do see the advantages that they have in the work place and in society. It's more important now, to MONETARILY support women. And not just theorize about it.

Super simple RAW Vegan Salad 02

Ingredients: 

Measurements ? What's that?! ;) However much you like of any of the below. I usually make enough to last me an entire week and I LOVE sugar snap peas, so I use an entire bag. 

Red Cabbage
Baby tomatoes
Sugar Snap Peas
Shredded Carrots
Cucumbers
Chives
Basil
Avocados
Seeds (any really - I personally use an assorted seed mix from Trader Joe's)
Optional: Rice noodles

Dressing:

Peanut butter sauce (thai versions from the international isle)
Lemon

Simple right?! Enjoy! Namaste!

so..

you know those dreams....
where youre running and running and running...
but you dont get anywhere??

yeah...its kinda like that

Simple RAW Vegan Salad !

For those of you that follow me on insta & know that I love raw vegan salads:

SALAD INGREDIENTS :

1. Chopped baby peppers 

2. Chopped Cucumbers

3. Stringed broccoli & carrots

4. 1 Avocado 

5. Seeds (whichever kind you prefer)

6. Baby spinach & arugula

7. A handful of cilantro & dill

8. Mushrooms (your favorite - dry cooked, no oil/butter)

9. Chopped sugar snap peas or green beans - pick your fav

DRESSING:

1. Vinegar

2. Lemon

3. Salt & Pepper

4. Thyme (raw is really great)

5. Honey

ENJOY!

**I try to stay away from oil, but it's up to you ! :)

TU!

Annabella Z.

BEAST ANGEL PART 1

The bold babe walked into her cavern in all her glory. Her bed was made up of clouds . Her treasure chest at the foot of her bed held all her secrets. No one understood her, she didn’t look like the other girls. The other girls, the stellas, had short straight white hair, and were twenty five feet tall. Beastie had long brown hair and skinny skinny legs. She was only 13’ tall. But with abs of steel, of course. She was a performing arts dancer at the local broadway where the humans would go to watch her. That was her skill. She was full of emotion, which she thought was unfortunate. The stellas were blue and cold like ice. There were more of them. They were of a higher society , and would generally hang out at the Sono house by the water. 

Beastie was more venal. Her circumstances made it so. Her byzantine but refulgent features were so alluring. Her big eyes, big hair, dark skin. The stellas thought she was ugly. She was obstinate though, she never listened to her mom or anyone about improving her looks. She thought she was perfect. She spent a lot of time gathering empirical data on those around her, to help ensure herself of her greatness. Her eyes were limpid. She was more advanced than her age. She was untroubled, serene.

The munificence of some of her human followers was commendable and heartwarming. The stellas would only ever be generous if it benefited them. She was very quixotic , due to her upbringing in the trees. She had a huge imagination which was often crushed by human ideals. 

She had to demur those ideals. 

2016 Retrospect

Hey!

Just a note about 2016...SO glad it's over. I think our human population is definitely moving towards being on the same wavelength, which is a great improvement, because it not only proves that we are all the same, but it means we are moving towards a better world. The fact that so many people are officially "OVER" 2016 - that mean's more than just those memes you are seeing - it means progress, and learning, and growing. YAY humans!

On a personal note - I had an amazing year of gratitude, forgiveness, a stronger focus on education & self. I am much better this year than I was last year around:

I am in a much happier workplace - have wonderful coworkers that I look up to - whether they know it or not ;).

I am healthier - having done yoga 3x a week ALL YEAR LONG & wanting to continue my study of the practice. It has definitely helped me focus better and have a clearer mind. It is also a great substitute for ballet - which is so hard to find !

I am stronger - in regards to dealing with personal issues I may not have handled so well in the beginning.

I have the BEST family and friends - which I have helped myself curate. I CHOOSE the best of friends, who uplift me, make me smile & inspire me. Throw any bad friends away - life is too short.

I have a new niece, which has taught me to slow down and appreciate the little things - she's so little & cute ;)

Ok, enough of my chatter. Does anyone even read these things?? ;)~

Here's to 2017!!!!!!

TU!

xo

A