On Tuesday, I'll be back in one of my second homes, Miami. When I tell people I studied at the University of Miami, a lot of them widen their eyes in astonishment. "Did you actually go to class?" Contrary to popular belief, UM is the highest ranked university in the State of Florida (surpassing UF and FSU) and a private institutiton with approximately 10,000 undergraduate students.

Now, with the beach 20 minutes away - I was privy to a climate and nightlife unparralled to most college students in the United States. 

Miami is a mecca of culture, beauty and music. I look forward to showing Gabe where I spent four years of my life when my best friend Erin marries her fiancee Alex this March.

Bienvendio a Miami.

The Delano

When my parents made their yearly visits to South Beach, they stayed at the acclaimed Delano Hotel - a gorgeous hotel that attracts the bold and beautiful.

Joe's Stone Crab

You can't visit Miami without dining at Joe's Stone Crab. I took my grandparents to the restaurant prior to my graduation. I'll never forget that night and the delicious food.

Coral Gables

Home of the University of Miami (Go Canes!), Coral Gables is an affluent suburb. Make sure you visit Miracle Mile for fabulous shopping and take a drive through the UM campus.

Bal Harbour

Want to break your bank account? Go shopping at the exclusive Bal Harbour. I couldn't afford much there as a student, but my girlfriends and I still perused the stores, nonetheless.

Key Biscayne Beach

If you're not up for the hustle & bustle of South Beach every day, make sure you visit Key Biscayne for a breathtaking and quiet beach experience. My girlfriends and I use to visit Biscyane frequently, albeit noticing it was a place JLo and her music video team frequented to shoot.

I had been an intermittent yoga student at the University of Miami. Practice became pretty much nonexistent when I started my job at CNN. 

That all changed In 2009 when I went through a very difficult break up. I decided to channel my negative energy in a positive way and that meant getting back into yoga.

With the help of my best friend Whitney Stern, I spent the next 6 months or so practicing. This meant taking 2-3 classes at Shakti East, my all-time favorite yoga studio. The owners of Shakti have three studios, but the Bellevue one is by far my favorite.

I became addicted to yoga, a good addiction you might add! I felt great when I got out of class and if I went 3 or more days without practice, I would start to crave it. 

As a petite woman, I've never felt as strong as when I practice.

If you follow my blog, you know that life has been pretty busy these past few years. And the first thing I neglected was my practice.

This past weekend, Gabe and I took a wonderful 90 minute class at Shakti East with Ravi. It was incredible. I felt the feeling of strength and peace all over again!

We're making it a weekly ritual because I'm never too busy to dedicate 90 minutes to the special connection between mind and body.

Namaste. 

Happy Valentine's Day! I've always loved the holiday since I was little a girl. My mother would buy me a pair of special Calvin Klein underwear every year. I loved this annual ritual and for the past 25 years or so, she was my Valentine! Last Valentine's Day was incredibly special. I never forget to tell Gabe how I still remember that night - from the way he smelled to how I felt when he built the fire and exactly the way we layed on the couch. 

Normally, I let my hair air dry, apply minimal make up and head into the office. For those tips, make sure you read my blog post - Go Glam With a Make Down. But, I wanted to look extra special today for my Valentine. So here it is!

You can't not wear red or pink on Valentines Day! I recently purchased this gorgeous Kate Spade Luna Dress in a size 00. And it's on SALE, which is always a plus.

Hand-made undergarments from Frenchy's Day Spa & Trashy Lingerie (it's not what it seems so make sure the next time you are in West Hollywood, you check it out!) They've created outfits for major Hollywood blockbuster films like Legally Blonde.

The show doesn't go on without jewelry. I complimented the look with tiny gold drop earrings like Blue Nile's Love Knot Drop Earring, my Rolex watch and a cocktail ring.

6:00 AM: Board plane at Sea-Tac (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport).
8:00 AM: Arrive at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport).
8:30 AM: Pick up Rental Vehicle at Thrify Car Rental.
9:45 AM: Call Thrifty to notify them that car is having problems and need a replacement.
10:00 AM: Meet with Rachel Zoe team at studio in Beverly Hills.
10:30 AM: Exchange cars with Thrifty on-call team.
11:00 AM: Early lunch at Joan's on Third. I had the tuna melt.
12:00 PM: Meet Aimee at Judith Lieber to talk strategy.
1:00 PM: Go to meet Lena Roklin of Luber/Roklin Management with Aimee.
2:00 PM: Meet with Lauren Gold and Ericka Kletzky at WKTPR. 
3:00 PM: Get eyebrows done by Nicoleta (Nicole Richie's aesthetician) at Jose Eber Salon.
4:00 PM: Go to William Morris Entertainment.
4:05 PM: See WME agent Chris Newman's assistant and drop off gift for Chris's wife.
4:10 PM: Have a nice chat with actor Rainn Wilson in WME lobby.
4:15: PM: Meet with WME agent Megan Silverman.
5:15 PM: Leave WME and head to return rental car.
6:30 PM: Drop off car at Thrifty and head to LAX.
7:00 PM: Have quick dinner at LAX.
7:30 PM: Board plane to Sea-Tac.
8:05 PM: Takeoff to Sea-Tac.
11:05 PM: Arrive at Sea-Tac.
12:00 AM: Bedtime.

I've been blessed with more than one great mentor. If you're able to spend just one day with a great mentor, you'll likely find yourself in a better position than you were before those 8 hours. I'd like to take a trip down memory lane and introduce my readers to the mentors who have given me so much. And a special thank you to Pete, Pam, Rena and Aimee for their support throughout the years.

Pete W. Moore

I took three Political Science classes at the University of Miami with Professor Moore. His passion for teaching Middle East politics and the challenges of Islamic fundamentalism helped shape my path to a career as an international journalist. Professor Moore was not only my teacher, but also my advocate. He encouraged me to audition for the university's Model United Nations competitive team where our team went on to win Outstanding Delegation at the UN National Conference in New York. The last time we visited, Pete and his family came to CNN for a behind-the-scenes tour in Atlanta. Pete now teaches at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.

Pamela Hegner

I met Pam at the University of Miami where she and her husband, Brian, spoke to a room full of broadcast journalism students about a career in sports broadcasting. I sat in the front row and listened intently to them speak of the competitive field of broadcast journalism. After a year and half of keeping in touch, I would later become a colleague of Pam's at CNN. I'll never forget her saying "Jessica, you were the only student from that talk at UM who stayed in touch." Pam and her husband, Brian, live in Connecticut where they are parents to an adorable son, Luke. 

Rena Golden

When Rena Golden hired me to help launch a digital newscast at CNN International, little did I know the impact she would have on my strength. Rena taught me what it meant to be a strong woman in a male-dominated field. She didn't take any BS and was 100% results-oriented. I admired her tenacity in a stressful executive position. When Rena left our network to join CNN.com as a VP, I left shortly thereafter with her blessing.

Aimee Carpenter

For the past 6 years Aimee Carpenter has been one of the top celebrity product placement PR representatives. She's also been my champion since I started in fashion publicity. Aimee, who does all the West Coast PR for Judith Lieber, has taught me EVERYTHING I know about what it takes to dress celebrities for red carpet appearances and premiere events. The past few years, she has taken me under her wing like a good "big sister" should. She's the hardest working woman I've ever met. We're a great team and I'm so lucky to have her.

Jessica L.

"Ping Pong Princess Cut Diamond Ring....I'll take one or two of these!"

Molly

"Garnet & Diamond Ring."

Amy

"I would like the Forget-Me-Knot ring in rose gold."

Honorary Member, Jessica P.

"Love" Diamond Pendant. Because I'm in love and want the world to know it.