May 2012
5 posts
5 tags
Be Better at...Life.
Hi lovelys,
I’m off to an 8 day road trip with Cali boy…we are making our way through the South East with reckless abandon. I won’t be blogging this week but I will be instagramming at @calexander1985 and tweeting at @chinaealexander…so if you want lots of biscuit photos and pictures of alligators, check me out there!
To give you a little insight into our...
8 tags
Be Better at...Meeting People.
I am very aware that I am about to get a lot of panties in a bunch with this post. But, ladies and gentleman, stay with me. Unclench. Breathe.
At one time I was mystified, when seemingly hot, normal, fun friends of mine would never get approached by the gentleman kind…and then why some who were less-hot, significantly less funny, and kind of a bore, would be beating men off with sticks. I...
10 tags
Be a Better...Dresser.
About a month ago, I was pissing and moaning about how I didn’t go to Coachella, and blah blah blah. Then comes the torture of perusing all the “Top Ten Best Looks at Cochella” blog posts that make me want to hang myself with a sueded-fringy bag’s strap. Soon after, I swore to bestie Becky that I would bring my own Coachella to NYC via flower head piece. This may or may not...
7 tags
Be a Better...Bartender.
I’m hosting my largest event of the year at our showroom this weekend…and please, pray for my sanity. Saturday, 1000 design professionals (and at least one homeless person) will flood the walls of my space, eating and drinking to their hearts’ content.
Since this week is so f*cking busy, my post is kind of a tease but I’ll leave you with two cocktail recipes that...
8 tags
Be Better at...Social Media.
Instagram Edition:
I have an addiction. And that addiction is Instagram.
Surprisingly, I almost like it more than Facebook. The perks? You don’t have to hear about people getting pooped on by their own babies, the quinoa bullshit someone ate for lunch, or how often someone is hitting their cardio yogalates class every week. BUT, warning…you may have to visualize some of these things...
April 2012
6 posts
6 tags
Be a Better...New Yorker.
Mish-mosh post Edition:
I love New York. We all know this…but this week I’ve gotten a little overwhelmed with a couple things and it’s time for a rant. I haven’t ranted in a little while, because my life is f*cking awesome, but today, I’m feeling especially generous. So here we go.
The following list are just some things that are REALLY annoying and they need to be...
10 tags
Be a Better...Bartender/Giver.
I am very excited to announce that the non-profit I support and donate my time to, Alegria, is hosting their annual Benefit of Hope this Monday. We’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this event and we hope that you all can make it to Soho that night for a good cause and of course, some cocktails and yums!
ALEGRIA inspires and empowers the most underserved youth and their...
7 tags
Be a Better...Beauty.
Attention Eyebrows Edition:
I am half-asian so this means I pretty much have half the eyebrows of anyone else in the damn world. Literally. They stop right smack in the middle of my brown bone and make me look constantly surprised. There’s nothing better than that, except everything else.
I shouldn’t complain though, I know some of you are dealing with a Frieda Khalo...
6 tags
Be Better at...Life.
Friends, Lovers, Haters…this week’s a biggie. Two of my very best in the whole wide world are getting married.
To each other.
This is them. Absolutely the cutest. Meet Becky and Victor.
Here’s my week in a nutshell:
Tuesday+Wednesday: Gym, Tan, Laundry…and cleaningfest 2012
Thursday: Bachelorette Party aka “The Day I’ll Get Pretty Drunk and Tell Becky I...
8 tags
Be Better at...Moving.
Moving might be my least favorite thing in the world. Thanks parentals for making me do it every 3-4 years of my life until I was 22, if I become a weird hermit by 30, I’m blaming you.
Anyway…by the end of my adolescence, I just learned a fun little trick…throw everything away and you can always get another one if you’re desperate enough. Well that was all good and well...
7 tags
Be a Better...Dresser.
Neon + Neutrals Edition:
We’ve all heard that neon is the “thing” currently…or now some fashion gals are starting to say neon is so “over”…this pretty much means that stores we can actually afford, are starting to carry our fluorescent friends. Here’s my thing…I love neon, mostly because it makes me feel tan, and feeling tan means feeling...
March 2012
8 posts
8 tags
Be Better at...Shopping.
I’m from Texas, and once a year, the state offers a weekend of tax-free purchases on clothing, school supplies etc. I have seen parking-related brawls, have witnessed a near eye-gouging over a pair of BCBG white jeans, and have since vowed to never step foot into a retail establishment when this time rolls around. Think…NYC on any culturally significant parade day (I love you Puerto...
9 tags
Be Better at...Business.
Creating a functional team of workers is a complex web of personality clashes, professional experience, personal preferences, and technical skills that inevitably has to balance to produce a product or service that ACTUALLY makes sense for people outside the walls of said business. This is complicated. And rarely actually reaches equilibrium, but when it does…oh it’s a beautiful thing...
10 tags
Be a Better...Bartender.
Honey, Come Home Edition:
I don’t eat sugar or any form of natural sweetener….that being said, my body is made up of 82% Splenda.
BUT…with Spring comes thoughts of flowering plants, bees, and the gentle buzzing of a garden. Also, I was reading about some woman in Kinfolk Magazine that became a beekeeper, and then I wanted to be a beekeeper, and then I remembered that I f*cking...
8 tags
Be a Better...Wedding Guest.
My refrigerator no longer looks like a food-containing appliance, but rather, a save the date graveyard…chock full of your smiling/dramatic/lovey letter pressed selves.
Since you are all paying lots of money for me to come and eat over-priced food and drink your open bar dry…I feel like I need to remind myself how to be a good wedding guest. Mostly so I continue to get invited to...
10 tags
Be Better at...Seasonal Change.
Well…sorta.
New York winter was my favorite winter that’s ever existed. One day of snow, I can handle that. The only deep, dark, sadness was there were very few fur-worthy days this year….sigh.
Still, the mental and emotional change from Winter-Spring is drastic and needs some serious attention peeps. Here are some tips and tricks to get you de-winterized and motivated to be...
2 tags
5 tags
Be a Better...Girlfriend.
Lovers,
I’m on a blogging hiatus until Monday you crazy kids. The boyf is coming to town and I’m planning on showering him with all my ranty affection.
In your spare time, here are some things that you can do in lieu of reading my blog:
-Watch all seasons of Friday Night Lights
-Apply for a new hit reality show
-Find that perfect someone and then ruin it by getting drunk on the...
6 tags
Be Better at...Health.
Apple Cider Vinegar Edition:
So, I usually can’t stand the idea of “at-home” remedies, and I really HATE meds. I try to never take them, unless my forearm/face are simultaneously falling off, or I am on my period and have cramps that make me want to use Chinese water torture on pretty much, the whole world. BUT…I may be changing my tune. I’ve been doing a little...
February 2012
11 posts
10 tags
Be Better at...Getting Dumped.
Fourth Grade was a roller coaster year for me.
I made my first enemy (thanks Mary Liz), was totally mystified and subsequently grossed out when I found out how sex actually happens (again, thanks Mary Liz), got my first set of acrylic nails without my mother’s permission (thanks Tiffany Stotler’s mom), and experienced my first REAL heartbreak.
His name was Tony Pena. He had a...
7 tags
Be a Better...Beauty.
Make-Up Basics Edition:
Most of us are adult people, and need to be looking that way as well. As hard as it is to roll out of bed 5-10 minutes earlier, the cost of looking like an adolescent or a bridge troll is not worth it people. One of the most common topics that I get asked about in girl land is how the hell to look amazing, but not put too much work into it. This topic seems elementary and...
15 tags
Be a Better...Bartender, Beauty, Shopper, and...
It’s a mish-mosh sorta day around here…so I thought I’d compliment my scatterbrainedness with a mix-ey little post.
To start it off right…a new cocktail. Since it IS a Friday and all.
Asian Sensation: (makes 4 cocktails)
-1 Asian Pear
-Handful of Fresh Blueberries
-4 servings of vodka
-Club Soda
-Dash of Grated Fresh Ginger
In a blender, combine your diced up...
10 tags
Be a Better...Lover.
Since today is the official day of being all vomit-y and talking about love, I suppose my adoration of jumping on bandwagons shouldn’t quit on such an occasion.
But I’m not going to tell you how to impress that special someone, or how to pick the perfect V-day gift…because, seriously, no one wants to read that shit.
Instead, let’s dissect the easiest ways to absolutely...
WatchBe Better…at LIFE.
This is a video my friend Kasey shot after waking up to a very special surprise, hiding right in his sweatpants. Happy Valentine’s Day!
5 tags
Be a Better...Blogger. →
I’ve been spreading the Be Better love to a couple of other blogs lately. I thought you should know.
Here’s a new project I’m collaborating on with Ernest Alexander, a men’s fashion and accessory brand here in the Ol’ NYC. They make impeccable things and have so graciously allowed me to spread my sarcasm and sass over on their new lifestyle blog, the Ernest Alexander...
3 tags
Be Better at...Connecting.
I know you all probably know this shit already, but there are other places you can follow my travels or keep in touch.
Here we go:
Twitter: @bebetterblog or my personal twitter @chinaealexander
Tumblr: ummm you are already here. Press that cute lil “Follow” button if you’d like to keep up with me!
Other Blogs I Write For: Fucked in Park Slope and the Ernest Alexander...
7 tags
Be a Better...Beauty.
Going to the Salon Edition:
Finding a new stylist is like picking a therapist/guru/and pageant coach (whatever, I’m from the South) all in one. I’m aware that this sounds uber dramatic but seriously, this person has your head in their hands and they could do life-ruining things to you. Don’t fuck with the money maker, ya know?
Here are some things I absolutely HATE when...
7 tags
Be Better at...The Super Bowl (Part 3 of 3)
And now we drink. The real meaning of Super Bowl.
Here’s a alternative to slamming a case of Natural Light, although I have learned that the box does transition nicely into a hat of sorts around beer #13.
Game Day Ginger Punch:
***Makes 1 pitcher***
18 oz of Gin
20 oz of Ginger Beer
4 slices of Ginger
2 Tbsp of Lime Juice, freshly squeezed
10 Mint leaves muddled
Mix all the...
9 tags
Be Better at...The Super Bowl (Part 2 of 3)
So last time we covered not being a huge social pariah at your friendly neighborhood Super Bowl party…but let’s be honest, you can be a huge douche and totally redeem yourself by bringing really good Super Bowl snacks.
If you bring these things, I will ask you to leave the party immediately:
-Anything involving kale
-Anything with the word salad attached to it
-Quinoa
-Beets
...
8 tags
Be Better at...The Super Bowl (Part 1 of 3).
SUPERBOWL 2012 Edition:
I hate football (unless Tim Riggins is involved) but it’s that time of year where I feel socially pressured to actually visually ingest an entire round game of it, with a half-hearted smile on my face.
Now, don’t get me wrong…I love the idea of the Super Bowl. Getting together with friends, wearing color coordinated outfits, eating horrible junk food,...
January 2012
7 posts
8 tags
Be a Better...Traveller.
Pack It Up Edition:
I went home to Texas for Christmas and must’ve really packed in a hurry OR there may/may not have been vodka involved with the process. That’s not the point. The point IS, is that when I arrived and opened my suitcase, I realized that I had made some grave packing errors.
Here’s what my suitcase contained (other than Christmas presents for the family):
...
9 tags
Be a Better...Cook.
As most of you know by now…I don’t partake in the glory of carbs anymore. sigh.
Things I miss the most:
-Chips and Salsa
-Watermelon
-Tortillas (the Lard-filled kind)
-Free Restaraunt Bread
-Late Night Drunk Pizza by the slice
-Biscuits (preferably gratis Cheddar Bay Biscuits a la Red Lobster) (yes, I am a tacky tacky person)
Obviously it is good that I don’t eat...
5 tags
Be a Better...Bartender.
The fact that I am posting about a meat centric cocktail makes my brain explode, as these are two of my favorite things in the whole wide world. And the fact that that meat happens to be bacon, well, that’s just putting me right over the edge.
I’ve heard a lot of bacon-vodka recipes and as much as I like vodka, I just don’t think that combo wets my whistle. But whiskey, now...
5 tags
Be Better at...Branding.
Check out my slick new Be Better Business cards. Holla.
Come and get em’!
8 tags
Be a Better...Dresser.
An Open Letter to Animal Hat Lovers Everywhere Edition
I have kept my mouth shut partially shut for long enough. I must scream from the rooftops from this point on, or just rant via my very averagely traffic-ed blog…ANIMAL HATS ARE THE WORST.
This is a hard sentence to write, but I actually think I might be less offended if someone wore Ed Hardy branded Crocs to my wedding than donning...
6 tags
Be Better at...Technology. (Guest Post by Brad...
EDITOR’S NOTE: I have no f*cking clue about technology. I just learned what an external hard drive was like…15 minutes ago and I described it as a “cute, little black box with a tail”. So… I am leaving this SUPER tech-related post to my dear friend Brad. He’s knowledgeable about all things computer and there has been more than one occasion that I’ve called...
7 tags
Be Better at...The Internet.
Hey, welcome to 2012. It’ll probably be the same ol’ shit as 2011, but let’s add one more layer of snark and hilarity to your life with some fun Twitter action.
The Be Better Blog is getting all interactive on your ass this year, so I’ll need you to participate. Send me your photos and stories and if they’re funny…I’ll post them up on the @BEBETTERBLOG...
December 2011
6 posts
5 tags
Be Better at...The Holidays.
Ten Holiday Wishes From The Be Better Blog To You and Yours:
1) Enjoy those extremely (in comparison to New York City) cocktails you will be funneling down your throat at your hometown bar.
2) That you avoid as many awkward high school acquaintance interactions at said, hometown bar.
3) That you get through the list of electronic/technology questions your parents have saved up for...
9 tags
Be a Better...Traveller.
(Warning, this post is fueled with frustration and general MTA related angst)
Mobile Body Positioning Edition:
We all have to get to work somehow. I really am thankful that I don’t have to actually think/drive to work…we are lucky to jump on a moving box and just have to exist for 20 minutes and then get pooped out at our location. It’s great…unless you plan on sitting...
6 tags
Be a Better...Cook.
Got a fatter ass than usual this holiday season? Want to avoid people fawning over your non-existent pregnancy at the Christmas Eve service? Yeah, me too.
How?
Well, my poison is low-carbing. One of my NEW favorite low-carb weapons is Almond Flour/Meal. Yes, mofos…Almond Meal. Straight from the mean aisles of Trader Joe’s.
Essentially Almond Meal is for lazy people, like me. I...
6 tags
Be a Better...Bartender.
So yesterday I ranted told you how to make sure your holiday party doesn’t suck. Part of that was making some boozy concoction to share. Here’s a great recipe from my friend Nate that certainly greased my proverbial wheels this Thanksgiving.
CRAN-APPLE Cider
SERVES 16
1 Gallon Jug of Apple Cider/Juice
4 Cups Cranberry Cider
4 Cups of Orange Juice
1 Bottle Captain Morgan’s...
7 tags
Be Better at...The Holidays.
Every night during this time of year there seems to be ANOTHER f*cking holiday shindig to attend. Now, I’m not complaining…but you’ve really gotta make stopping by your event worth it for people. I can’t count how many holiday events I go to and end up wishing that I could crawl back into my non-existant time machine and forget that I ever went.
Here are some rules to...
7 tags
Be A Better...Gift Giver.
Another F*cking Gift Guide Edition:
Yeah, I know.
Another gift guide…sigh. Listen, let’s change this from a gift guide to a “stuff I think is decent and wouldn’t mind getting from someone that feels obligated to buy me something” guide.
I already have these but kinda want another pair. You give me shorts that I can wear in the winter, and I’m on board....
November 2011
9 posts
6 tags
Be Better at...Money.
UPDATE #2: First Week!
I have been slacking…I now write for a handful of other blogs, have a full-time job, and a very full-time social life so I apologize, this post is WAY overdue!
(If you need some backstory, see the idea behind the Single Benjamin Project HERE.)
My week started out with a bang, getting grocery shopping outta my way, and getting things prepped for being the girl who...
6 tags
Be Better at...Holidays.
Thanksgiving 2011 Edition:
Thanksgiving: it’s a holiday weekend that really starts with a bang on Thursday, but leaves us having to figure out what to do with our stuffing-stuffed selves for the next few days. Here are some helpful hints of what to do post the Turkeypocalpyse:
I hate leftovers. I mean, I can eat Thanksgiving Round 2 about 12 hours after I consumed it the first time,...
3 tags
Be Better at...Money.
Update 1 1/2:
I am alive.
I’ll be back with a full update and wrap-up tomorrow!
A sneak preview as to the outcome of the one week…I have 17.00 left.
F*CK YES. I think I shall live another day.
Talk soon,
Chinae
4 tags
Be Better at...Money.
Day one has come and gone. I lived.
Actually…I didn’t really notice too big of a difference in daily life minus the fact that everything I eat is now in some sort of Ziploc bag and the coffee I get to drink (and am very thankful for) tastes like poop. More on that in another post.
So just to recap for those of you who didn’t catch yesterday’s post, $100 spending cash,...
6 tags
Be Better at...Money.
The Single Benjamin Project:
With great disdain, I regretfully inform you, dear readers, that I think today is the day I have to become an adult. Sigh.
I have traversed puberty (although it was a rocky start), have figured out that a red eyeliner + Jnco jeans combo are not the epitome of sexy, have obtained a degree from a reasonably respectable educational establishment, have maintained a...
6 tags
Be a Better...Bartender.
Local Liqueur Edition:
Besides the loopy after effects and mouth-numbing flavors of cocktailing…I have come to appreciate the origins of alcohol and how it got from a plant/grain/fruit straight up into my mouth.
One thing in particular that fascinates me, is that each country, sometimes even as specific as a city, has some original, iconic beverage, liquor, or libation. This weekend...
Be a Better...Girlfriend.
The boyfriend is in town…so therefore, all Be Better Blogging shall have to wait until he leaves on Sunday after the epic Schwartz-Sturman wedding weekend.
Enjoy!
xoxo Chinae