Tag:

beverly hills

A Life of Distractions

{sunny skies in Los Angeles}

Life gets hectic. Projects fall to the wayside, self-care less prioritized, hobbies take a backseat, laundry piles up, house chaotically clutters — a reflection of our minds overly-stressed from numerous tasks and obligations. Neglecting my blog for the last 2.5 months was an unfortunate bi-product of accomodating my piling “to-do” list these past few months (in addition to less workouts and a messy apartment).

Awareness is key, followed by figuring out how to shift/balance your priorities (a tough task, though it’s possible). Hence, my waking up a half an hour earlier today to write a blogpost in order to reclaim my passion towards writing.

Which important activities (or people) do you pay less attention to during your most stressful, overwhelming moments?

{one of my fave places to think – the fountain at Beverly Canon Gardens}

November 8, 2011 1 comment

Food Psychiatry Travel

Organizing Thoughts

written by freudandfashion

After returning from a child psychiatry conference in LA, I had a busy week adjusting to a new work schedule and became overwhelmingly anxious trying to multitask solving patients’ problems and my growing list of “things to do.” Last night I realized that if I had a patient with a similar situation, I’d tell them to write an actual list of “things to do” (I tend to to be lazy to write lists and instead take “mental notes” which clearly didn’t work for me last week) and rank them in terms of priority. I wrote a list this morning and already checked off two items (change my tires, drop off dry cleaning) and up next includes laundry and cleaning my messy apartment. Lists should also include relaxing, rewarding activities as well (balance is key!), so after cleaning I’m off to a pedicure party and dinner with girlfriends. I’m looking forward to tackling the upcoming work week already.

Here are some pics from my most recent trip to LA:

{Liquid Nitrogen Caipirinha at The Bazaar}

{liquid olives–I”ll never think of an olive the same way again}

{an amazing $8 cup of tea}

{dessert display at the SLS Beverly Hills}

{Rodeo Drive at night}

February 6, 2011 0 comment

Fashion Psychiatry Travel

5 Ways to Look Older

written by freudandfashion

{yummy Spanish latte at Urth Caffe, Beverly Hills}

1. Wear black.

2. Be around a group of friends who look at least 5 years older than you.

3. Wear professional clothing.

4. Pile on the makeup (especially foundation and smokey eye shadow).

5. Listen to NPR to stay up-to-date with current events talk (and not so much on the latest celebrity gossip & what’s hot on the fashion runways).

For my birthday, I contemplated cutting my hair short, dyeing it black, and wearing a professional black outfit in attempt to look closer to my age. I can say with confidence that I look at least 20 yrs old. For the longest time, I got offended each time someone looked shocked that I was a doctor, every time someone told me I look like I just graduated from high school, each time I was asked if I was a nurse despite wearing my lengthy white coat. In general, I get commented on how young I look almost every other day. On my way to celebrate in Los Angeles this weekend, I was carded at the wine bar in the Portland Airport, then carded the following day at Pizzeria Mozza in West Hollywood. Yet, after my birthday, I had an epiphany. This time around, I wasn’t so bothered…if anything, I fully embraced the fact that I look younger for my age and profession. In fact, if I’m still carded at the age of 40, I’ll consider it a major compliment (and a genetic accomplishment).

Tip of the Day: Embrace who you are. If you change aspects of yourself, do it for your own happiness, and not for the sake of convincing others of the type of person you’re expected to be.

May 31, 2010 0 comment

Fashion Psychiatry therapy Travel

To eat, or not to eat?

written by freudandfashion

Los Angeles…home of the trendy, superficial, and fit. Last week I was on vacation and spent the week back home in southern California. In preparation for my trip, I packed my most stylish outfits and made reservations for the most trendy, new restaurants in Hollywood. I spent the first day back with my boyfriend out in Beverly Hills and made a goal to have my favorite Sprinkles or Crumbs cupcakes. It wasn’t until I noticed the presence of tall, model-esque girls at my every turn that I changed my mind about indulging in decadent desserts. Later that night, my mood turned from excited and confident to irritable and self-conscious. I tried on the cute outfits I had packed and felt horrible when I looked in the mirror. I have a BMI in the normal range, yet I felt moderately obese compared to those girls. I was reminded of feelings growing up in southern CA at the age of 7, when I first began to diet and count calories. Now that I look back, I realize that I met criteria for a nonspecified eating disorder, considering that I lost significant amounts of weight eating only lettuce and water for weeks at a time. At the young age of 7, I believed I was fat even though my weight was considered normal.

Tormenting myself recently about not being 5’10” and a size 0 lasted only a few days. Overall, I feel happy about my temporary loss of self-esteem. I’ve treated a few patients with eating disorders and can’t help but relate my experiences to theirs. An estimated 1 to 2 million women in the United States meet criteria for bulimia nervosa; 500,000 women meet diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa. More males are also seeking treatment of eating disorders now compared to the 1980s. A number of factors (biological and psychological) are noted to be associated with the disorders, including preoccupations with a thin body and social pressures about weight.

I tell myself and my patients to eat healthy, but that it’s okay to give in to small indulgences (a small piece of dark chocolate after dinner, a cup of frozen yogurt for snack, etc) once in awhile. So, after a run through Santa Monica Blvd., I took my own advice and walked to Crumbs in Beverly Hills. I ate half of my lemon cupcake and felt both confident and guilt-free as I walked passed the skinny fashionistas on Rodeo Drive.

the remaining half of my delicious Crumbs “Cupcake of the Week”

the gorgeous lobby of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel

February 22, 2010 2 comments