Thursday, February 28, 2008

Throw Back Thursday

Today I met one of our reps in Scottsdale who drove a black and tinted out brand new Ford Mustang. It looked just like the car on the new Night Rider show which aired a couple of weekends ago (yes, I actually watched it).

Seeing that car got me thinking back to the original Night Rider starring The Hoff, before he was The Hoff. My older brother loved that show. What kind of car was the first one, I think it was a Thunderbird? But I must say Magnum P.I. had a way better coolness factor and the car was better and the theme song was awesome. All I know is that Night Rider was up there with Love Boat in the cheese factor. If a car was really that smart, why would someone like the Hoff need to even in star in such show? Maybe for the sex appeal? Yuck, can not believe I just said that.

I do not plan on watching anymore of the new Night Rider episodes, however, I will not forget how proud that rep. was when I told him I felt like I was in that famous car today. I did apologize when I started referring to him as Hoff.

Greetings from Sedona


Arrived in Sedona this afternoon. Fell asleep in the car while the hubs drove the two hour drive from Scottsdale. The scenery up here is fricking amazing. There is supposed to be something about a vortex? I can not figure it out. Anyhoo, already taken some cool pics but for some reason my lap top is not allowing me to transfer photos so I will have to download them when I return on Sunday.

There are tons of little souvenir shops, I keep trying to convince hubs to buy a cowboy hat but he is not going for it. He is not exactly the cowboy looking type. My hair smells like smoke from the various bbq joints around town. It is so gross. I smell like you do after a weekend in Vegas. Hopefully we will get to a movie tomorrow. I am scouting for any celebrities, however they are probably still nursing their hangovers from the Oscars.

More news tomorrow...

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Packing, Shmacking....



I have the hardest time packing. No matter how much I plan out my outfits I always pack too much and feel like I don't have many options when I arrive. How come I can not think clearly when I am packing? Why do I always end up with too many pants and not that many shirts? I would think that after all of my travels I would have a good method for packing. I know a lot of my co-workers have a system where they only bring two pairs of pants, two pairs of shoes and more shirts and one or two jacket/blazers and can always shove everything into a carry on. I always have that goal in mind when I begin but I quickly fill up my full size suitcase. And why does it seem like men have it so much easier? No one notices when they repeat their pants a second day in a row.
Ugh!!!!!

My bottom line: Does anyone have suggestions because what I am doing is clearly not working?

Monday, February 25, 2008

Two Tickets to Paradise


Finally! The hubs and I are taking a trip together! The last time we both flew anywhere together was two years ago to Jacksonville, FL for his brother's college graduation, not exactly romantic or exotic. We have done a lot of work travel separately so this is much needed.

On Wednesday night we are flying to Phoenix where we are going to stay in Scottsdale for a night. I have to do some work for a couple hours in the morning and then we will drive up to Sedona on Thursday afternoon. One of our wineries is the wine sponsor for the Sedona Film Festival so we get to stay at a super nice resort for three nights, host a bunch of guests at dinners and get all access passes to the film festival. I have never been to Sedona but have been to Scottsdale and Tucson many times. I heard that Sedona, which the locals call "Red Rock Country", is breathtaking.

"gonna go pack my bags because we are leaving in 'two' nights"... I love Eddie Money even when I edit the lyrics.

Birthday Wishes

In just under a month I will be turning the big 2-6. Usually birthdays are not a big deal for me. I like things low-key (which I am sure is obvious). My dad's birthday is 4 days before me so we usually combine our birthdays together for one family dinner. It typically falls on St. Patty's Day so my mom makes up a full scale St. Patty's Day meal. So good. Nothing gets me drooling like crispy potato pancakes.

The hubbs usually asks for what I want and I say, "nothing" but secretly hoping he will get inspired and go on a shopping spree to spoil me. Does not happen, but he always gets me something very nice.

I have been catching myself surfing the net looking for things I can ask for from the hubbs and the family. For the past couple of birthdays, I have been getting house stuff but I am kind of over that whole thing. I am not trying to sound spoiled (which I definetly am not). I want something for me... not something for the dining room wall or for mowing the lawn (okay that was a bit exaggerated). People usually ask me what I want but I feel weird about giving them my list, but I think that is the way I am gonna roll from now on. I know I appreciate it when someone is direct with me on what they want. This goes for Christmas too. I know I may be too old to actually ask for things, but the reality is, my family is going to continue getting me gifts so they might as well be what I was wishing for, right? So in no particular order, here are some items which have tickled my fancy.

J.Crew Sweater Dress

Kate Spade purse

Tiffany & Co necklace

Cozy GAP sweater for Spring

Coach purse

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Throw Back Thursday

When I was 16 my dad brought me home an '88 Ford Tempo. He was so proud and was worried that I was gonna feel spoiled with his purchase. Right. Exactly what I was feeling. Especially when it started and the fan belt let a horrifying screaching noise and people looked around for a horse in pain.

The car's driver was not supposed to be a young high schooled girl, but a 80 something woman who frequented BINGO night. I especially felt spoiled when all of my friends were driving around their brand new honda civics (which actually started) or something nice that their parents passed onto them.

Needless to say, the car was a piece. It got so unreliable that I eventually started driving my mom's car which I ended up totalling when an asshole plowed into me in a nasty, nasty hit and run accident when I was 18. I think we ended up dumping the 'ol Tempo on some lucky family and I remember my dad giving them the pitch that is was a great "reliable family truckster". Right again, dad.

So in honor of my first car, here is a lovely picture of the same one (just imagine it in white). I can still picture myself driving from party to party with a bunch of my friends piled in it. I shared some good times with that car. What a gem.


Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Oldies but Goodies

I have a crap load of pictures on our computer. Here are some oldie but goody pictures I found laying around. Proof that I am neither 1) photogenic or 2) camera friendly. I had to throw in some pet pictures. I have tons of those.



Saddled up to the bar in Jamaica. I must be buzzed since my flip flop is barely on my foot and my eyes are looking heavy. Bartender, where did you go?

Umm...the camera is over here...

Where did my champagne flute go? Did I just get married?

My kitty Patty Pickles. She could do Hallmark cards or something.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Sleepy, Sleepy


I am exhausted. I was unable to focus today and almost started nodding off when I was meeting with my boss. I am sure that would of gone over really well. I don't know why I am so tired lately. I have not been doing anything different. I get about 8 hours of sleep each night and can barely get my ass out of bed after the 5th snoozer.

I even went on to Webmd today and punched in "exhaustion" in the search bar. The only crap that came up was something about heat exhaustion (which is clearly not the case). That got me far. I have a mild ear infection brewing too... yuck. Since I was so sleepy I decided that maybe a trip to the gym would get me re-energized. While I was there I felt great, as soon as I got in my car I was ready for sleepy time all over again. WTF?

I know I am grumbling, but I feel I am pretty tuned into my body so when stuff like this pops up, I want to know why and how to stop it.

My Bottom Line: I am going to bed.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Tag- I'm It!

Oh boy! I have been tagged by Linz! I copied her rules because since she is a teacher, she makes them sound very clear.

A) Each player answers the questions about themselves. B) At the end of the post, the player then tags 2 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

10 years ago:
I was a junior in high school, my hair was naturally blonde and I was a lifeguard at a local lake. I wanted to be a meteorologist or a journalist. I was starting to think about where I wanted to go to college. I was really into school spirit and participated in our Student Government class with pride. We also got to go off campus during 4th period and fool around. I drove a white Ford Tempo with the Ford sign ripped off. It was also known as the "pimp mobile". My curfew was 11:30 and I lived the furthest away from all of my friends so I had to leave parties extra early.

5 Things that were (are) on my “to-do” list for today:
  • Go grocery shopping (a gal's gotta eat, right?)
  • Pay bills (negative)
  • Wash my car (did not)
  • Do laundry (affirmative)
  • Make banana bread (made two loaves)

I Enjoy:

  • Reading
  • Spending time with my family and friends
  • Shopping (particularily purses)
  • Writing
  • Watching movies
  • Doing pilates
  • Eating
  • Cooking
  • Reading celebrity gossip on the internet

What would I do if I suddenly became a MILLIONAIRE?:

  • Pay off our house
  • Pay off anything else
  • Go on a shopping spree in New York City
  • Buy second home in NYC/Hawaii
  • Travel A LOT more
  • Revisit Jamaica as our honeymoon there was cut short by a frickin' hurricane
  • Donate tons to the ASPCA and the Humane Society
  • Buy a Lexus RX300-Hybrid
  • Cut back my work hours so I can actively volunteer
  • Have a personal chef on call for the nights I don't fee like making a feast

5 Jobs that I have had:

  • Snack bar clerk
  • Lifeguard
  • Sales Associate at the GAP
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Executive Assistant for the Prez at wine company

5 Things People Don’t know about me:

  • I was in a nasty car accident when I was 18
  • I don't like baths and only take them when I am sick
  • Both of my thumbs are double jointed
  • I push the snooze button at least 5 times (no joke) each morning
  • I am obsessed with weather. I regularily watch The Weather Channel

That was fun! Even though I sound very boring.

I now tag Christy and Jen.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Working Hard for the Money

I had to work on a Saturday, of a 3 day weekend. Boo. Let me just say I was not thrilled. I had to represent some of our wineries at a huge wine tasting event in SF. It was freezing and I was constantly bombarded with the most drunk of people.

I mean, the tickets cost $50, I would think that would set the bar a little higher fortthe kind of crowd. Now granted, there were plenty of constrained people, but by the last hour I saw nothing but slurring 20 somethings with dark red stains around their mouth.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy me a glass (or three) of wine. But when you go to those kind of events where there are 100's of wineries, you must sip and spit or else you will be tanked after the first row. I am past the point of public intoxication, i.e. college, but apparently there are still 100's of people who don't care less about marching up to your booth and grabbing a bottle and start chugging it.. This is not Oktoberfest people! This is the civilized wine industry!

Enough of my raving. Just glad it is Sunday and I don't have to have my butt back in my office until Tuesday.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Random Thought

I am so supertitious. I blame bad luck on a possible umbrella opening indoors, accidentally walking under a ladder or a black cat darting in front of me. I have no idea how I became this way. All I know I that I am constantly knocking on wood, making others knock on wood and throwing salt over my shoulder. I know, a bit over the top.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Oh Cupid...


Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Today was a good V-Day. I brought dark chocolate cupcakes into work and dressed a bit nicer than I usually do. It is a holiday after all. I love Valentine's Day although I think it is a bit over glorified.


I am so lucky to be married to my husband. Not only does he put up with my whining, sacrasm and smart ass talk, he sends me roses, takes me out to a nice dinner and writes me cute stuff in a card. I know some people have crazy Valentine's Days full of exotic weekends, loads of jewelry and everything else. But that is not who we are. We are simple. We wind up on the couch watching tv and heading to bed. I am good with that, in fact that is what I choose to do.


Sometimes people think we don't do much, they are right, we don't. We find the joy out of the simple things in life. We work hard and rest hard. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. As long as you are happy, which we are.


I hope everyone else spends Valentine's Day just the way they like to and not feel pressured to go above and beyond what they were planning on doing or could afford.


My bottom line: Valentine's Day is just another day, feel free to spend it the way you want to. I just prefer to spend it curled up on the couch munching on chocolate.

Monday, February 11, 2008

The Showdown: Cashmere Mafia vs. Lipstick Jungle



I am a fan of the books by Candace Bushnell (a la Sex in the City). Back in the summer, when I heard that Darren Starr (the producer of SITC) had created another similiar show for regular cable about four power women of NY, I knew I would be watching.


Fast forward to the beginning of January. Cashmere Mafia began. I instantly became addicted (cheesy one liners and all). The pilot episode was the so corny, but I quickly warmed up to each character and started rooting for them each week.


Fast forward to last Wednesday, Lipstick Jungle began. This one is put out by Candace Bushnell and follows three women (who are....wait... you guessed it... all powerful and in the top of their fields living in NY). Now I know pilot's are usually sloppy, but I was expecting more from the latter. Considering there was already a book written for it (which I read). I don't know, maybe it was something about the story lines , it just not as addicting as Cashmere Mafia. Plus the fashion is way better in Mafia. I heard the stylist on Mafia is the sameone from SITC.



Although right now I feel like Cashmere Mafia is about to win via knockout, I am still going to give Lipstick Jungle a chance just for the sheer pleasure of watching two very similiar but different shows at the same time. After this week's LJ, I should be able to get a better idea on how even the match-up will go week by week. But for now, I can not wait to watch both this week!


My bottom line: Both are like eating kentucky fried chicken, you know you should stop but it just tastes so good!

New York, New York!


I mentioned awhile back (about a blog ago) that I love New York. Just thought I would share why.


Don't know what actual event triggered my on going lust for NYC. Maybe it was when I was a kid and I watched Ghostebusters (one of my favorite movies) for the first time. I loved the scene where they all are running out of the NY Public Library after they see the first ghost. Or when Rick Moranis' character is getting chased by that crazy dog thing and is trying to get let into Tavern on the Green and everyone ignored him.


Either way, from a young age I wanted to visit. It was not until fall of '06 when I got the chance to go by myself for work. I only had two nights and I knew I must take full advantage of every second I had to spare. The first night we ate at Nobu and I saw George Lucas and Claire Daines. It was a group of 7 or so and we ordered bottle after bottle of wine and dined on such great sushi. Talk about a great first night! Then in May of '07 I got another chance to go, this time staying for 5 nights! We went to the 21 Club, the Top of Rockefeller Center, walked through Berdorf's and drooled over the shoes, ate at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central and had a blast. Of course, those things were outside of our meeting time.


Then I went back in October with my mom for a girls trip. We hit up all of the tourist spots and had a blast again. Then! I went last month for work again.


As you can see I have been quite a bit within the last year and I am thrilled. I love New York. I love the smells, the food, the people everywhere, the tall buildings (so cliche), the many languages being spoken, the energy and of course the shopping.

I love just wandering around on my own, trying to fit in and act like a real New Yorker. I love the people watching. I love it all. I know why people who live there are so proud of the city they live. I would be too. I hope to be visit there soon! Maybe during Fashion Week?

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Skanky Navy

Yesterday was a fabulous day. It reached about 72 degrees. Yes! 72! We usually get a warm spell some time in February only to get crushed when the rain returns for another three months. Anyways, the parks were full in our neighborhood. People had dusted off their summer shorts and were showing off some extremely white legs. I however, still through on my winter clothes knowing this was only a tease and not to get comfortable.

I decided to do what is typical for a nice day, go shopping. Actually, it was a regular run to Target and Trader Joe's with a quick stop by Old Navy. I had the intention on picking on some basic tees. Walked around and found my way in the back of the store where the pajamas are located. then I noticed all of the lacy panties on one table circa Victoria's Secret angel line. I did a double take and thought to myself "since when did Old Navy get into the lingerie business?" I then noticed on the same table a bunch of bottles of massage oil. Massage oil at Old Navy? The land of perfomance fleece, polos and flip flops? I was widely confused and decided I would only be buying those kind of things (which I don't) from a respected massage oil retailer, are there even any?

Just a random thought.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Fashion Fiend


Only a couple weeks into blogging and I am already slacking. Been caught up with some personal items which I will fail to mention as they are unpleasant and not interesting. I have also been consumed with the 2008 Mercedes Benz Fall Fashion Week in New York.


Let me start of by saying that I love fashion, New York and pop culture so New York fashion week(s) is my favorite time of year (aside from major holidays). Daily I am reading my Glamour blogs, New York Post fashion week coverage, In Style Coverage, etc. I love it all. I think it really started last May when I was in New York for work, I stayed at the Bryant Park Hotel. Fashion week is always held in Bryant Park so the hotel I stayed at is the closest one to the madness. I did not stay there when the week was going on, but my tv had a channel which showed all of the designer's shows from the previous fashion week. The hotel revolves around the fashion elite. I became enthralled with watching the shows on that special "fashion channel".


While I love fashion, I am not the most trendy. I tend to choose classic pieces and dress the outfit with cute and different shoes, belts, scarves, etc. I love a great bag, especially Kate Spade.


Someday I will attend Fashion Week as a spectator. Don't exactly know how I could get in unless it had something to do with my work. I have brought up the idea before and it was not rejected (which is always a good sign). Anyhoo, until then I will continue to salivate as I look at pictures of some shows like Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Max Azria (see photo), Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs. I will visualize what I would be wearing to such events and who I would like to see in the front row. Would I be able to go to any of the after parties? I guess it would depend on who I knew. Until then, I will wish and keeping studying the pages of my magazines.