Standards: Have them

Many of us get used to things that we truly don't deserve. Personally I hate settling and lowering my standards in all aspects of life whether it be settling with an outfit, car or guy that truly doesn't deserve me, I have promised myself to always stick to my standards and never settle. Most of my friends see it as having too many standards or possibly even thinking too highly of myself, but it's not about that. It's about respecting yourself enough to know you deserve better, and that you're worth more. For example: it's your birthday, and you have been dying to treat yourself to a beautiful day at the beach or massage session, but your significant other doesn't want to accompany you due to the fact that he or she isn't really into whatever you have planned and would rather stay home. UM, Bye? It's your birthday, instead of planning your day around them, the day should be about you. Many of you may read this and think obviously you would just choose someone else to go with, but many girls sad to say don't think that way, they would rather lower their standards and settle for whatever agenda their significant other has planned. Im no relationship expert, but I do know that settling and lowering your standards will only set you back and hurt you in the road ahead.

Things to keep in mind when you're in a relationship:

1. There has to be compromise. It can't always be your way, just as it can't always be his way.
2. Don't ever settle based on the fact that you're afraid you won't have the chance to meet someone new or someone who could love you more, because you can.
3. If you're accustomed to a certain lifestyle because you've worked hard and you deserve it, don't apologize and feel guilty. You just need to meet someone who's on the same level and shares the same lifestyle. 
4. Do you. At the end of the day if someone can't accept you for who you are then it's time to move on and focus on you and the right guy or better yet the guy who is gonna treat you right will come (or so I've heard). 

I know this topic will be very controversial for some people as they might not see where I'm coming from, but for those of you who do, I salute you, and as the classy, Coco Chanel once said "Keep your Heels, Head, and Standards High"

Are You Down?

I’m that girl that everyone calls whether they wanna go horseback riding, painting, or just good old road trips. I’m always down. Being down is a form of spontaneity, it helps me feel alive, young, wild, and free. Having strict, Jewish, Middle Eastern parents I have always felt constraint to certain rules and guidelines. For example: coming home early, not going out on Friday nights, and refraining from getting tattoos or piercings, and I feel like being the girl who's always down to explore, adventure and accompany others has been a cool outlet for me to have some sort of freedom. Don't get me wrong, there are things that I will never do like camp out in the middle of nowhere without a tent, go swimming with sharks, or reply to guys on tinder who ask me if I'm DTF (down to f*ck), but it's honestly liberating to be spontaneous and go with the flow. Life is full of stressors, and sometimes you need a day, maybe a couple of hours, or just a moment to let loose! Take it upon yourself to say "yes" to at least 2/5 of your friends spontaneous quests. If you are ever in the mood to go to a random concert, or go on a trip to a random destination like Ireland or South Africa, don't forget about your girl. Let it be known that you can always "Count Me In!" 

Top 5 Sandwiches In LA To Obsess Over

The perfect couple doesn't exist in the real world, but it sure as hell exists in food; it's called a Sandwich. Bread and some sort of filling in between, and you've got a marriage that can't be duplicated. The love I have for sandwiches comes from my middle eastern roots. You name it and we'll manage to put it in between bread. My typical Sunday brunch is a slice of Barbari bread, with some scrambled eggs, a slice of tomato, cucumber, and of course a thick slab of Feta cheese,  (Just thinking about it gets my mouth watering). My Jewish roots on the other hand, make me crave bagel and cream cheese, Shwarmas, and deli sandwiches all the time. Lets not forget about the most famous sandwich of all time: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, or in my case Peanut Butter, Banana, and Honey Sandwich (weird I know, but so good)! 

Think about it though: What's not to like? Bread (whatever kind you prefer), with some sort of filling in between (whether it be a protein or cheese); it's never disappointing. Unless you're on a diet, lord knows we all are, a sandwich is a perfect meal that will leave you full and ready to conquer the world. Some may say "Give a girl the right pair of heels, and she will conquer the world." I say "Give a girl a hearty sandwich and bes' believe she will conquer the world." 

There will be a day when my hubby will tell me to go into the kitchen and make him a sandwich, and I'll probably roll my eyes and hand him this list that he can order from. Who am I kidding I'll  probably make him the sandwich and then have him pick me up one of my favorite sandwiches that I have listed below.

Top 5 Life Changing Sandwiches:

1. il Trammezzino- Grilled Breast of Chicken: sun dried tomato, avocado, provolone cheese and basil garlic sauce
2. R+D Kitchen- Dings Crispy Chicken: baby swiss, sliced tomato, and vinaigrette slaw
3. Ta-eem Grill- Falafel in Pita: pick your own toppings and salads
4. Eggslut- Fairfax: soft scrambled eggs and chives, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and sriracha mayo in a warm brioche bun. 
5. The Carving Board- Spaghetti & Meatballwich: paghetti griddled together like a bun, house made meatballs in marinara sauce, thick slice of melted mozzarella 

Trust me when I say these pictures do not do the sandwiches justice, so make sure you get off your ass and drive to one of these spots for some finger-lickin-good wiches'. Bon Apétit , Beh Tahavon, and Nooshe Jaan. 

Live, Love, Lokai.

Many of you may not know me personally, but for those who do, know that I have had to overcome many obstacles to get where I am today, all the while managing to keep a smile on my face. Fake it till you make it right? Lokai is balance. Lokai is for when you're head over heels in love one day, and get dumped by your boyfriend the next day. Lokai is when you feel on top of the world because you're about to graduate college, but then remember you're in a shit ton of debt. Lokai is working out 5x a week, but eating a cheeseburger with animal fries for your cheat meal. Lokai is work hard, play hard (like the Wiz Khalifa song). Lokai is loving something with every inch of your soul, but having the strength to walk away from it (window shopping; story of my life). 

Some of you may ask "What do the black and white beads on the bracelet symbolize?" The White bead on the bracelet is filled with water from Mt. Everest, to symbolize when you're at the highest point in your life, and the black bead is filled with mud from the Dead Sea, to symbolize the lowest part of your life. No matter what kind of day I'm having, I can always count on my Lokai Bracelet to lift me up and remind me that life isn't always the happiest place on earth, but its also not consistently difficult and gloomy. As the old adage goes "This too shall pass" and "Better days are approaching" according to my fortune cookie.

I purchased my Lokai bracelet a couple weeks after a hectic period in my life. Like the founder of Lokai, my grandmother had also been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and had recently passed away. Once I had noticed the common thread I felt an instant connection with not only the product, but the inspiration that sparked the idea of this motivational bracelet. When I look down at my Lokai bracelet, I am reminded to stay humble in times when I feel like I'm "Ballin," and to stay hopeful, keep the faith, and know that there is nowhere to go but up when I feel like I have hit rock bottom. 

Lokai is whatever you want it to be. So go out there, get yourself a Lokai bracelet, and remind yourself to enjoy every struggle and every success in the balancing act we call life.  

Stay Humble && Hopeful,

Mel