My Favorite Things

Make-Up The Basics Part I

2011-10-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

So this weekend we went up to NJ for my brother-in-law and now sister-in-law's wedding (Congrats!!). It was so much. They looked beautiful and the day was great. My little hobby of playing with make-up came in handy too. I ended up doing not only my make-up but one of the bridesmaid's and the bride! :) I need to say I don't have any training - this is all stuff I picked up along the way from practice, magazines, websites, etc. And the one thing I am shocked about is when people say they are scared of make-up. When someone says this to me, I always encourage them to just play. It's not permanent. You can wash it off and start again. Take a Saturday morning and just do different things. Tear photos from magazines and try to mimic their make-up. Start small. Maybe do something like conceal dark circles or a zit. Then work on smokey eyes. There is nothing to be scared about - I promise.

So this is the start of a few posts. Make-up basics. I'm not going to teach you anything crazy just yet - just a little how-to of what you need. First up for the make-up rookies the basics of what you need. I'm not advocating rushing out and buying the most expensive make-up out there. Find what works for you whether that be drug store bargains or high-end splurges. I tend to mix and match. My photos are of things I use but you should try any and everything until you find the right fit for you. This weekend I used Lancome on them -I've never used it but I was super impressed with the consistency and colors. Proof you will learn something new when you experiment with different brands.

First up...

Moisturize

So important!! Your skin needs moisture. I apply moisturizer as soon as I'm out of the shower or after I've washed my face. Find what works for you and stick with it. Tip: Put moisturizer on a few minutes before you put on your make-up. This way it can soak into your skin and you're not damp before you start.

Hands down my favorite moisturizers are Eucerin (not pictured) and Estee Lauder (the little pink jar). Both come with anti-aging properties and sunscreen. For a girl whose always running late (me) it's perfect. I don't need multiple steps when I'm short on time. Loads of people swear by the Clinique moisturizer pictured (left) - I've used it off and on for years - this one was a freebie. For my skin it's not enough but my skin tends to be pretty dry. This is proof that you need to try different things - Clinique may be great because it doesn't break me out but I need a more heavy duty moisturizer. You may find their moisturizer works just find for you.

Tinted Moisturizer

I know I just said moisturizer but for non-foundation fans this is tool number one. The bonuses: if you have normal or oily skin you can maybe skip the moisturizer and opt for a tinted version (look for sunscreen and use a night cream (at night) to get anti-aging benefits) or if you're like me simply layer on over your regular moisturizer as your foundation.

This little beauty does the work of a foundation and moisturizer in one step and most come with some sunscreen protection - yay! It's not as thick as foundation but it evens you out a bit. I love this in the summer - lighter than foundation and perfect for hot days (or the beach) where you want a little help but not a face full of make-up.

Since they are not as heavy duty as foundations they typically don't come in a lot of shades - Estee Lauder's (which as been discontinued) came in light, light-medium, medium, etc. Try a few - even with diligent sunscreen use you'll probably see a little change in your skin tone from summer to fall.

Cream Blush

So you're moisturized and tinted - next try a cream blush. Easier to use (I think) than powder, I think. These blend in with your fingers and are great for layering on color. Start with a bit and amp it up until you get the desired shade. The three I pictured are from Maybelline (technically a mousse not a cream), Clinique and Sonia Kashuk's Target line (technically a liquid not cream). I think the Maybelline and Clinique are the easiest to use. Put a bit on your fingers and blend in. It should look like a natural flush - like you just finished a brisk walk or stepped outside in the snow. Don't go warpaint and paint stripes across your cheekbones. The trick with blush is natural. The Sonia Kashuk blush's motto should be a little bit goes a long way! This is more of a stain. One drop (I'm serious) is all you need for both cheeks. This is harder to blend but can look beautiful and since it's more of a stain will last a bit longer. (Next time I'll tell you my trick of making blush last longer).

As far as colors - I tend to go for rosy pinks, it's more natural with my skin tone but take a look in the mirror and see what color your cheeks tend to be. Maybe a bronze would look better or a peach. Practice!! Most make-up counters will let you try it out and CVS (last time I checked) has a great return policy where if you try it and hate it - you can return it!

Natural Eye Shadow

I'm a big eye shadow fan. I think it's the most fun product - where else can you put all that color. But if you're a newbie - I don't suggest running out and buying up a bunch of black, purple and blue eye shadow. Why? Simply because done wrong you could be stuck in a time warp or look like you got punched. You can buy them but practice first with some natural looking browns. It's the easiest to master. Trust me.

Start with a lighter shade (the one on the left). You want something subtle so look for something a shade or two lighter than your skin - you can try a matte or a shimmer - shimmers will give you a bit of a highlight but mattes can look a bit more natural). I run this all over my eye from lash line to eye brow. One it's a great base for the next color on your lids and gives your brow line a bit of a highlight. Next take the darker brown and run it over just your lid. Start about a pinkie tip in from the corner of your eye. You can do a V-shape along your lash line and crease or simply fill in your lid. I like to do a modified v-shape (my name for it). I do the V so the shadow is darker at my lashes and the crease (usually darkest in the crease) and then lighter of the rest of my lid. Go back to the lighter shade and blend everything. If it still looks too dark take your finger or Q-tip to blend some more.

This is one area where you need to practice what looks best for your eye shape!

Mascara

I cannot say enough about mascara. It instantly opens your eyes - making you look more awake and your eyes bigger. I like mascara on my top and bottom lashes. For the bottom open your eyes wide and simply swipe the wand down your lashes - use a Q-tip in eye make-up remover to get rid of any that hits your skin.

For your top lashes - I tend to press the wand as close to my eye as I can (any on your lid will look like liner - saves a step) and wiggle it to the ends. This helps get even coverage.

I'm not a fan of waterproof mascara for everyday. It's a pain to get off and I found made my eyelashes brittle and prone to falling out. Two of the ones pictured are Estee Lauder freebies I've gotten in gift packs the other is Maybelline. For the money I've found Maybelline makes the best mascaras. Another tip I'd give - go with a black mascara. Unless you have really fair skin and hair (and even then I think a soft black would look nice) I don't think brown mascara looks great. Black will give you a bit more definition and you can go as heavy handed as you want - for natural or a falsies look.

Lip gloss

I'm not a lipstick fan. I think gloss is a subtle easy way to do your lips quickly.

If you want to layer over lipstick dab the gloss in the center of your lip (top and bottom) and then press your lips together. The gloss should spread outward but the heaviest concentration will be in the center of your lips making them look fuller.

I tend to go for more natural colored glosses but here almost anything can go. If you're just starting out you'll probably feel most comfortable in something a shade or two darker or lighter than your natural lip color.

I would stay away from anything too sticky or shiny. You're going for subtle sheen not like you used car wax on your face. As far as sticky - I just don't like it clinging to everyone you kiss or your hair, etc. Test them out to find ones that work for you. Again there are great finds at all price points.

One last tip. I tend to use brushes and my hands a lot. If you're going to use your fingers - wash your hands! You don't want to spread germs all over your face. I personally think some make-up tinted moisturizers and cream blushes included go on better once they're warmed by your hands. And your hands are a great way to even out mistakes. As for brushes - invest in a quality set. Yes, it seems a splurge but you'll use them for years. I have make-up brushes from five years ago. Wash them regularly with face wash and set them out to dry before you use them again. Brushes are great for things like eyeshadow to give a better finish than those little sponges that come with them (keep the sponges for clean-up though if you make mistakes!).
Ok this was just a few basics. I wanted to get you started. I honestly think you could do a whole routine with just those products and look fabulous. Once you've gotten it down I doubt it would take more than 10 minutes. Have fun!

My Favorite Things This Week

2011-09-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

1. Tween music

It's just so catchy. I don't care if it's Disney pop and I have the play list of a 13 year old. It makes me feel good and isn't that all that's important?

And how gorgeous is her make-up. I want that smokey eye.

2. Capes.

I loved them last year when they were only made by high-end designers and I'm still in love now they are at Loft.

3. Grey nail polish

Less goth girl than black and previous year's dark purple. Essie's Chinchilly is just the right shade - not too light, not too dark. It almost changes colors in different lights. And did I mention I've gotten more compliments on it than any other shade I've worn recently?

4. Fall

I'm not a fall girl. I love summer. I don't even care if it's hot. I live in the south we grow up on warm weather and sweet tea - a hundred degrees is nothing an AC and a cute tank top can't fix. That being said, our AC is broken so a little cool breeze would be nice. I'm thinking jeans and flip flop weather. Plus there's something kind of fun about getting pumpkins and preparing for all the holidays.

Photos from a Google search.

5. This commercial...

I know it's old - it came out in the Superbowl. But I still love my Jetta and I still think this is the best commercial of 2011. And in honor of Jetta's being one of the top ten cars sold in 2011 - this commercial makes my list. Good job VW! :)

Hair Today... Gone Tomorrow?

2011-09-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

So first, I'm sorry I haven't written in forever. A little thing called life got in the way and I found myself super busy but I'm going to be better. I hope. So to jump back in, I figured I'd start small...

I've been growing my hair out for a few years now. Luckily it grows fast. I usually go into spurts of cutting it short, growing it out, back and forth. I've done chin length to being able to sit on it (although I was in elementary school then). Now it's about mid-way down my back. Call it an almost 30 crisis but I'm bored with it being straight and just there and kinda want to mix it up. So I've been searching things like "2011 hair styles" and "2011 hair trends" for awhile and this is what I've come up with...

Short

I have no idea who this is. But her hair is super cute. I'm not about to dye mine blonde but have debated adding a few strategic highlights to cover up my four or so greys that keep popping up. I love the bangs but I'm afraid the cut is a little short after being so long for well so long...

So these two I think my hair would do pretty easily. It's pretty fine and very straight. I'm not sure it would even flip like Nicole's without some serious product and time. But I think both of these are a little less drastic than the first and let me test the bangs without full on committing to them.

I know Kristen is back to long hair but this is so cute on her. I've had this photo saved for at least a year. I'm not sure my hair can do piece-y but worth a try.

A little longer bob if I'm not sure I want short short.

This looks a little high maintenance and short but more sleek than the first option.

Ok I'm seriously loving this hair cut. I like that it isn't too short and I love the blunt bangs - although major commitment. I like it's straight but a little messy. This might be my personal fav.

Basically this would be my hair lightened and slightly curled with bangs.

So what do you think?

All photos found from Google searches.

Shopping Trip: The Gap

2011-05-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

I went shopping this weekend - I totally deserved it because I spent the morning getting my car repaired and getting measured for a bridesmaid's dress - going to the dentist would have been more fun. I had been wanting to go to Gap (shocker because I haven't set foot in that store in the last five years and their previous look could best be described as girl scout chic)... anyway they've had some really cute ads recently and I figured what the heck - it can't hurt to look.

Kudos Gap - you've shaped up and gotten a little more fashionable. Yes, they still probably border on casual - khakis and button-ups (yuck and yuck - you can praise khakis and button-ups all you want but I can't stand them). But they've also taken a few tips from more grown-up stylish big sister Banana Republic. This trip has made me put them back on the shopping radar. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The prices are about in line with Limited or Loft but the sales were pretty good the day I went.

This is what I got:

Red shorts - super cute. I saw Lucky do an article on red shorts and how easy they are to wear and I fell in lust. Practical - I'm not sure sure but Lucky had four different styling options so I totally think I can work them into my summer look. Another Gap positive? The shorts ran big or the exercising is paying off because I fit into a smaller size than I had been before... Superficial to shop where I can easily fit into small sizes? Maybe. But it does make me think the gym thing is working and I'm kinda loving it.

For some reason I've been loving stripes this year. Something so European and casual about it. I thought it looked cute with the red shorts. They had it paired with a blazer and jean shorts in the store which looked super cute... perhaps for going out? I also got a white T - can never have too many, the price was good, it wasn't see-through and another red short option.

BTW how cute is her skirt. I may need to go back for some work clothes.

And last but not least this one on sale. It's hard to tell but there is beading on the neckline so it's casual and fancy - my favorite. I think I can dress it up or down. I almost got it in two colors but resisted.

I may need to make a repeat trip because I saw a few more things on the website (like the skirt above) that I liked. Case in point:

And...

I'm a sucker for black and white.

Happy Shopping!

Maybelline You Surprised Me...

2011-04-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

So I hate drug store make-up. Strong statement, I know. Why?

First off aside from the lower-end department stores, drug stores have horrible lighting. We're talking full on bright lights that know how to highlight every perceived flaw. Bad lighting and make-up just don't make a good match. I always end up buying things that seem like a good idea in the store but as soon as they hit daylight it's pretty obvious that the pale shade of pink is really full on florescent fuchsia. Not pretty.

Second, do you know how hard it is to choose make-up hidden behind plastic? Incredibly hard. As much as I hate the thought of everyone's grubby hands and lips rubbing all up on the department store testers, at least you can rub it on the back of your hand and hope for the best. In drug stores, you're stuck holding a plastic and cardboard container up to a tiny mirror in the hair department. Hmm I think this looks ok... And again in the privacy of your bathroom it usually looks like complete junk.

And third, I haven't been overly impressed with drug store make-up. It usually feels cheaper to me. Like a knock-off version of their more expensive sister. Snobby maybe? From experience, I've found the shades don't always look the way you would think (lighter or darker), the consistency isn't always as great, and the staying power isn't always there. I've had eye shadow fade out by 11 am and I work a desk job.

Still, my one hold out was Maybelline. I love their mascara. Swear by it. (I really like it but mascara is also the one thing I refuse to pay over $10 for). So the other day when I was depressed I couldn't afford to buy out the Clinique counter, I wandered over to the Maybelline aisle at the grocery store and I ended up buying an eye shadow and liner. I justified that the costs - probably $10 for both - was cheap enough that if I hated it - I could toss it.

The thing is, I was delightfully surprised. I've gotten their mousse blush before and liked it so I don't know why I was so terribly shocked. Maybe because I've tried other brand's eye shadows and been horribly disapointed? At any rate ... I found myself looking in the mirror today and thinking - wow that is actually really pretty. And, it's after 7:30 pm and it still looks just as good as it did at 7 am. So I had to go on here and brag about them a little bit. I mean hello, if you can save $10 over the department store, why not give it a try? I got Sunkissed Olive (see photo above) and I think it'll be perfect all summer. I mixed it with Maybelline Cinnamon Spice (a hint from the Clinique counter to tone down green with a copper color). I'm in love. It might replace Clinique's Beach Plum as my go-to this summer... or at least be my alternate.

I took the lighter color that came in the duo and ran it across my lids, up to my brows. I always put a lighter color in the inner corners of my eyes to wake-up a bit so this works perfectly (and not too much shimmer that you look like you're clubbing at 8 am). Then I took the green and ran along my upper lash line and in my crease. I took the Cinnamon Spice and filled in most of my lid (minus the green areas and stopping a little past my pupil). Then I blended and lined my eyes with a green/gold eye-liner. Actually also Maybelline but I can't find it on their site.

So, what's your favorite drug store make-up?

Spring Has Sprung

2011-02-25T15:45:00.000-08:00

I am all about spring right now. I can practically smell all the flowers. I can't wait for bright nail polish - is anyone else just sick of all the grown-up goth dark colors? Pinks and yellows and whites are just happier. So in a nod to spring - here are a few of my favorite things.

Oh Loft, I love you... This is gorgeous. Hot pink and ruffles. Swoon.

And how cute are these? Slightly Boca/Ladies that lunch with a cool twist. Get them here.

And I'm still loving rompers. This is a grown-up version of the little kid fav. Get it here.

I think this is the cutest dress I've seen all spring. It's been in loads of magazines if that pushes you over the edge. Get it here.

A new book. I loved Sweet Valley High growing up and I'm not afraid to admit that I'm dying to read this book. I'm only debating if I should buy it or try to find it at the library... I'm thinking buy it.

I'd also add to the list hot pink nail polish, nude lip gloss, bronzer and a new pair of sandals. And a vacay if we're dreaming.

Happy Friday - My Favorite Things

2011-02-18T04:35:00.000-08:00

So I'm waiting to get in the shower and actually get this day going but OMG People just made my entire day.

First there was this story, annoucing Tim Gunn is writing a third book. He's calling it a fashion bible. One word. Amazing. I love him. My dream fashion lunch would be with him. Think about it - inside scoop on Project Runway and fashion advice. Too bad the book isn't getting released to 2012.

And then there was this....

Britney's new video! The song isn't my favorite Britney song ever but it's catchy so I find myself singing it. I won't buy it yet because I'm waiting for the album. The music video - I don't know - I don't have my contacts in - it looks ok.... What do you guys think?

Time to Shop

2011-01-29T07:32:00.000-08:00

I am so excited that Spring looks are hitting stores. Good bye snow, hello bright colors and fun flirty outfits. The last few seasons, I haven't been that impressed with The Limited - gasp... not impressed by my one time fav store? I know right... but I think some of their new looks hit it out of the park - and I can't wait to update my closet with these lovelies...

First up... I love party dresses. Who doesn't need a couple of fun dresses littering their closet. You never know when you might be invited to a drop everything and go fancy party. And this dress is my number one want.

It totally reminds me of a more attainable version of this dress.

Which despite what a lot of critics say - I love. And I'm a sucker for a LBD (little black dress). I think this dress could be totally dressed down - through a sweater or jacket over it and no one will know it's a one sleeve number.

Next up...

So very Audrey or Grace. Over the years, I have made a conscious effort to pick classic elegant (My motto - what would Audrey wear) over trendy. Elegant you'll grab five years from now out of your closet, trendy will be sent to the Goodwill after a year. I can't find this skirt on their website. Disappointing. But I will stake it out at the store.

I've been big into mixing it up recently. Dragging out my teal sweater over a dress. Adding a pop of color with shoes. So how cute is this? I love the dress (saw it in the window display a month ago and wanted it then) and the little sweater - super adorbs... Plus this is really easy to wear anywhere - work, bridal shower, baby shower, you name it.

Ok this one I'd need to try on. I'm short and too much on the bottom makes me look - well shorter. But I love this skirt, ruffles and all. I am all about crazy skirts with understated colors on top. The belt is super cute too. I think I'm in love.

Another very wearable look. Actually I think I have all of this in my closet. Yellow and white scarf - check. Yellow sweater - check (actually it's a short sleeve cousin to this from The Limited last summer). Black pants - hello what Audrey Hepburn fan wouldn't own a half dozen pair of classic black pants.

What I love about this is I'm 90% sure it's the dress a few pictures up with a sweater over it. Anything I can mix into multiple looks is a huge plus. Unlike some looks with a dress used as a skirt - you totally can't tell and could pull it off on your own - without the help of Photoshop.

Anyway - I need to get ready... busy day. But kudos Limited. You won me back. And PS your bridal collection has gotten a lot better - you've come along way from two bridal gowns. Some of the dresses look a tad bridesmaid but I guess that's to be expected. But I love how costs effective it is!

Bigger is Better?

2011-01-28T19:35:00.000-08:00

So first... let me say I think this song is beyond annoying (does that make me old?)... Anyway, totally fits the post... so we'll go with it.

So, I have another secret... I'm also a hair product junkie. But I'm the most low-key hair product junkie in the world. My normal routine would be something like this - buy some fabulous new product promising "incredible volume" "super model height" or "big hair", wash hair, sit around for 10 minutes with towel on my head, put product in hair, flip head over and blow dry. Brush on the way to work in car. One of my irrational fears is that any future child of mine will have Taylor Swift curls. Not that I don't love her hair but can you be low-maintenance with curls? All my wavy/curly hair friends seem to beg to differ. I wouldn't have the first clue how to do curly hair. I have visions of days filled with straightening irons, curling irons and hot rollers. Seems like an absolute nightmare. Is straight hair dominant - I'll have to Google this?

Anyway... back on topic...

Needless to say, I'm massively disappointed in all so-called volume products. My hair is still stick straight and baby fine. Thank God I have a lot of it or I'd look like one of those people on What Not To Wear - the before where their hair is a scraggly mess.

It's not like I want hair like this...

or this....

But a little volume would be good.

My bathroom cabinet is testament to products I've tried and who have failed... these fallen comrades range from high-end to drug store basics. And the one thing they have in common? They don't cut it when I don't have someone professional do my hair. And since I'm not a Real Housewife... that doesn't happen very often... or at all.

So this week at CVS when I was supposed to by buying a birthday card, I ended up buying these. Specifically the John Frieda root booster and a mousse. I've tried it for a week now and I'm pretty impressed. I'm doing my normal routine and I actually think my hair looks like a little bit (dare I say) bigger? Elated! And it last almost all day. I do feel like my hair feels a bit stiff especially at the roots but a small trade off. I might even try to curl my hair one day.... well maybe not... we don't want to put in too much effort.

Any tips for volume (other than hours with a brush, rollers and hair dryer)?

On another side not - did any of you read the January Glamour (since I have so many magazines I'm a month behind)? Well they did this article on how natural is in. I got super excited thinking - heck yeah my hair routine is finally in style (I love when 60's straight is in because I can do that with no effort). Well the entire article is for you curly/wavy hair girls. It basically said don't touch your hair and let your natural texture show... I showed it to a wavy hair friend and she said it's not possible that her waves wouldn't look like the article's model if she just washed and went. They did have a small call-out box for my fellow straight hair ladies. Their tip to get waves was laughable... simple spray some texturizing spray into your hair and scrunch while you dry. News flash Glamour - that would do absolutely nothing to my hair. I might get one bent hair if I was lucky. To get anything resembling a curl, I have to load my hair with product, sit with hot rollers for practically an hour, take them out, don't touch any tight little curl on my head, maybe touch up with a curling iron and spray with hairspray. Within in twenty minutes of all of this, the curls will have fallen out to mediocre looking waves. So massive fail to Glamour on that article. Usually I love them though so no hard feelings.

What I'm Reading...

2011-01-18T19:16:00.000-08:00

Since I haven't done any book reviews or recommendations recently. I thought it might be nice to tell you what I'm reading/read this past week. I'd love to hear what you're reading as well since I am always on the hunt for a good book.

1. My Name is Memory, Ann Brashares - This was really good. Surprising me actually because I read her last adult fiction book and thought it was barely ok. Apparently this is the first in a line of three books and I cannot wait to find out what happens next.

2. Sh*t My Dad Says, Justin Halpern - Laugh out loud funny. Probably the funniest thing I've read since Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea. Super quick read - you can finish this in a night and still have time for The Real Housewives...

3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith - Somehow I missed this in high school and book club has ignited a passion in me to read a bunch of classic books "you should read". I wasn't a huge fan at the beginning - it just sort of dragged along - but I'm over halfway through and hooked. I read Angela's Ashes a long time ago and this reminds me of that (although I guess it's the other way round since this came first). Same premise - poor family growing up in NY trying to make ends meet.

4. The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog and of his Friend Marilyn Monroe, Andrew O'Hagan - Ok I had heard a ton of good things about this but I got close to halfway through and just wasn't loving it. I couldn't get into it at all. The dog has somewhat interesting stories but spends half his time spouting off philosophy... I ended up returning it unfinished.

So that's my list so far. I'll try to keep you updated.

All That Glitters...

2011-01-15T14:20:00.000-08:00

I have been obsessed with glitter and sequins this season. So shiny and sparkly and fun! The thing is if it's hard to find capes... it's even harder to find glitter and sequins done right. Everything I found looked too young, too dance costume, or too expensive... What's a girl to do?

And magazines aren't helping my obsession (see below for proof - sorry the images are so darn blurry - but camera phone and trying to take a quick photo at lunch -- obviously doesn't make a good blog post!).

How cute are those heels? I want a pair of sparkly shoes so badly!

Well I did finally nab an awesome Loft cardigan with a sequin trim. Love! And I have an old pink Express cardigan with sequins on it - I mean the thing is circa 2004 and still looks amazing. It pays to take care of your clothes people! But that was the extent of shimmery entering my wardrobe.

I figured I'd try to find a perfect nail polish instead. Cheap. Easy to change if I don't love it. And I love nail polish colors. I will try anything at least once (which is crazy funny because in high school when it's perfectly acceptable to wear randomness on your fingers all I wanted was baby pink)... anyway I digress...

I looked high and low for glitter nail polish. But didn't love anything I found. Either they didn't have a color I liked or it wasn't enough shimmer... But this weekend I solved my dilemma. I found China Glaze Fairy Dust. It's basically clear polish with glitter in it so you can turn any of your polishes into a glitter polish with an easy top coat of this stuff. I tried it Friday and maybe a royal mess of my nails (too rushed trying to go out and get the perfect mani)... but I tried again and although not perfect (as evident by the photo below) it looks pretty darn good. I layered Fairy Dust over China Glaze in Avalanche for a cool grey with sparkles - perfect for all this cold winter weather. I'm in love! Let me know what you think!

Avalanche is the left and Fairy Dust is on the right.

I can't wait to try Fairy Dust over all my fav colors to see the results! And now I'm a happy camper until I can find some awesome glitter shoes...
Just a word to the wise before I sign off - the girl at the beauty store talked me into a base coat... ok unless you have more patience than I do - totally not worth it. I think that's why my nails didn't work out Friday. It took forever to dry with three coats (base, grey, glitter)... augh. I don't keep polish on long enough to worry about it. It worked perfectly fine with a nice solid coat of grey and a light coat of Fairy Dust on top. Happy Painting!

Little Red Riding Hood... aka I Love Capes

2011-01-12T19:08:00.000-08:00

I am in absolute love with capes this season. I keep hoping and praying one will turn up at Loft, Limited or Old Navy (surprisingly or not ON is a great place to find trendy winter coats) but no such luck. So I'm stuck lusting after this one... that's crazy out of my price range and green...

I stopped watching Gossip Girl this year. I just couldn't keep up and I need the extra night of no TV to do other things. But I still heart Blair and her chic updated Audrey Hepburn looks. This green cape and yellow shoes are simply delish. source: www.thelovecollage.com.

Do you know how hard it is to find pictures of capes? Apparently the only places that remotely sell them are stores that charge more than my mortgage payment for one. And when I do a Google search - all I get is crazy things like Halloween costumes, examination bibs for doctor's offices and other non-relevant information.

So would you wear this trend or not?

Yay! New Britney Single!

2011-01-12T17:26:00.001-08:00

Did I mention that Britney Spears is only my most favorite singer. So excited for March!

It's all about the shoes

2010-10-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

I feel like fashion this fall has just been ok. I've only bought one thing that I was craving - this cute little sweater jacket from The Limited. But while fashion disappoints - shoes almost never do... These are ones on my Christmas wish list. All shoes from http://www.ninewest.com/.

I really want grey ankle boots. I'm not sure why but they're just soo cute. These aren't the exact pair I saw at DSW but close enough.

I saw a girl at a wedding wearing similar shoes... I think hers were from Nina (I've seen them before). But these are on sale and still super cute. They scream garden party.

I have enough solid black shoes for now so I'm gradually adding fun shoes to my wardrobe. Fun includes anything multi-colored (which is surprisingly wearable!). I'm also drooling over a pair of bright blue Steve Madden's (will post another day).

Falling safely in the who needs practical shoes category these are on my wish list. I want them so badly the only thing stopping me from driving to Macy's right now is that they're closed. There's something so little girl fabulous about all the sparkles. And I think the shoe could be surprisingly day wearable if you pair it with toned down black pants and top. I would wear these to work and dare anyone to say anything about them. Sooo cute!

My Favorite Thing: Fall Fashion

2010-09-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

I hate to see summer end. Sure it's about a hundred degrees in the shade but summer is by far my favorite season. The beach, more things to do, the bright colors, the white manis, sandals, flip flops, white pants, easy make-up... My second favorite season though would be when the seasons change. There's just something so great about all these fabulous new clothes hitting the stores. I pour over the quarterly fashion mags to see what's "in" for Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer... you name it. So with fall teasing us with cool mornings my favorite thing of the moment is all this fab fall fashion hitting the stores.

Here are a few of my favorites - let me know what you think.

Can I talk about how much I love this cardi/jacket? It's so Jackie O/Chanel/Audrey... I tried it on probably three times before I just gave up and bought it. And that's huge for me because my rule is don't buy it full price when you can wait for a fab sale. And of course it's from where else but The Limited.

Super cute tweed skirt from The Limited. I haven't bought it yet but don't think I haven't been eyeing this up as the perfect companion to the jacket above.

I love this lace skirt from The Limited. I'm trying to be good and wait for it to go on sale but every ounce of self control I have is forcing me not to run out to the store right this second and snatch it right up.

I've really gotten more into Ann Taylor Loft recently. I've snapped up a few good purchases at the end of summer sales and spent some time scoping out what I want when the sales start to hit. Here are a few finds...

This outfit is so super cute. I love the hat. The skirt, the jacket, everything. I want it.

How cute is this whole look? I'm loving her hat, the skinny jeans and the tweed jacket. The boots - not so much but you can't win them all. Target had a similar hat to both of these in a commercial for probably half the costs so I make snap that up just in case I find I'm not much of a hat girl.

One thing I'm loving about Ann Taylor and Loft is they carry petites which is huge if you're like me and barely 5'4. I hate having to get clothes hemmed. It costs even more money and is just a huge pain in the neck. If I can buy pants that are the perfect fit - amazing! (I will say my only problem is there are times when it's close - I'm not quite a regular but not quite a petite - nothing screams lame like high water pants that aren't intentional).

Ok this is it for now - I think I hear a netflix and glass of wine calling my name. I'll try to post more later of some more favs for fall - Ann Taylor (Loft's more expensive older sister) has some fab skirts and dresses and of course my jean favorite Old Navy has some really great skinny jeans for cheap. What are you shopping for this season?

I have a secret...

2010-09-02T16:04:00.000-07:00

I started a new blog. I'm officially cheating on this blog.

The thing is - I read this story on CNN a few months ago that basically said you couldn't have a blog about everything. It just wouldn't work. (That was a bit of a downer). So I got it into my head - I could have a new blog. A blog about growing up or maybe it's just getting older...

So here it is: http://secretsofarealgirl.blogspot.com/

Check it out - follow if you like - and let me know what you think. I'm still going to post to this one because now I can officially have my cake and eat it too....

Travel

2010-08-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

I have to travel for work. Weird things always happen when I travel. I seem to have a sign that says "strangers please talk to me". I'm not saying I'm opposed to a little friendly banter on a plane ride. I'm just opposed to it going any deeper than what to do you, what are you reading, etc.

For example:

1. On a train ride to NJ - my seatmate told me he was a fighter with an HBO fight coming up. I had a sneaking suspicion that he might have been hitting on me. Unfortunately, he followed up the conversation with the fact that he had eight children. Not that I was interested to begin with but deal breaker. Besides which afterwards, K and his brother tried to find him on HBO and couldn't.

2. On my recent plane trip. This lady comes up to me as we're boarding and says I look familiar and was I from Montana. I said no and she walked away. My seatmate and I chatted a bit during the flight (normal conversation that you'd have with someone you don't know). The plane stopped at one stop before my stop and he got up and left. The woman who had come up to me when we were boarding sits next to me and says "I've been wanting to talk to you all flight." Red flag. She then proceeds to blabber about how I look like her neighbor or something and how she's traveling on vacation to WV (ok...) then to see her son and that gangs are after her - wait... what?? Yes, she's in a bit of a rough spot but don't worry she has a restraining order out. And by the way did I think my seatmate was legit? She thought he stared at her funny in the airport then looked away scared and she thought he might be in a gang. Really?

3. This one couple on another plane ride. I thought the woman was travelling with her father (so sweet). She slept most of the flight and he talked my ear off. Then right before we land - the two of them start making out hardcore. Gross.

That's all I can think about right now. But I have a lot of time tonight so who knows... Does this stuff ever happen to you?

To Greige Or Not To Greige...

2010-08-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

As far as beauty treatments go, nail polish is one of those things I like but don't spend a lot of time on. I'm not much of a mani/pedi girl (talk to a dermatologist for five minutes and you'll swear off them for life), I can't keep my nails from chipping past a day or two, and I just don't like the hassle or base coat/top coat/polish/polish remover. I'm tired just thinking about it. But I like how polish looks - especially all those cool trendy colors. It's like this quick and cheap little statement about yourself - like hello I know what's cool and it's this $7 bottle of color.

So I've been reading a lot about greige polish. Funny name for basically a grey/beige combo. It sounded kinda perfect since grey has been what I've secretly been wanting to paint my bathroom forever (that or lime green - big difference). But grey sounded like a hard color to wear - you don't exactly want to look dead. But then I saw an article that said if it had a pink tone to it - you'd nix all that pale vampire look and get a pretty complimentary color to your skin tone. Worth checking out if I do say so myself.

While at Target picking out a wedding gift I swung by the nail polish aisle and scooped up It's Possible be Nicole for OPI. OPI is by far my fav but I don't have time to swing by Trade Secret every time I need polish and Nicole works just as well. So I tried it out. After a few mishaps (I was trying to get dressed and do my hair for the wedding and paint my nails) I had a pretty perfect set of polished fingers.

The color? A pinky grey/brown with just the right amount of shimmer.

The verdict? I don't think I look as tan as when I wear white polish and it's not as summery as my bright pinks and corals... but it's a pretty color and much more work appropriate then my bright blue nails of a few weeks ago. I would say it's actually the perfect trendy color for a job interview. It looks professional enough you can skate by without calling attention to bright purple tips.

What do you think? (I'll try to post a photo when I can).

Update

2010-08-22T17:42:00.000-07:00

So obviously I'm not good at weekly resolutions anymore than a yearly one. And maybe that just proves that people can't follow a resolution for a year. Sure you start it with good intentions but halfway through you're just bored. The sad thing is I have a list of 52 I made up at the beginning of the year but it's on my old computer and it's too much of a pain to switch back and forth between the two... the old one is unplugged and not connected so it takes forever. I've just felt busy too. Which can be a good thing.

But I'm going to be better about posting - that is my latest resolution and maybe my last. If I get back to the weekly ones I'll back track for all the weeks I missed. Until then though... have fun making your own resolutions and let me know how you're doing.

Week 28 and 29 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-07-31T15:57:00.001-07:00

So I've been a bit MIA recently but I was on vacay for a week in lovely NJ. And you can say what you will but NJ is very nice and I had a fab time (thanks for asking). So I just got home and want to post something so here we go:

Week 28 - read something for fun - you read the hard book so now read something you want to read. I'm going to read Chelsea Handler's book which I've had forever and keep putting off in favor of library books.

Week 29 - this relates to my last post about starting a new blog - I'm pretty much sure I'm going to start one - I just need to finalize my name and tell everyone. But the main reason is I'm going to use it to talk about things that I don't talk about here... more on that later when I intro it. But this all got me thinking about a Cosmo article I read on the ride home - it was all about moving forward with your life. You can't sit back and hope things are going to happen - you have to take steps to make things happen. And the first step was keep a running list of things you like or things that make you happy. You keep the list for a week then look for a commonality. Maybe you like things that are creative, or you like math (haha that won't make my list but maybe if you secretly dream of being an accountant...), or you like taking photos... I don't know. So I'm going to keep a list and see where that takes me.

I don't expect to move forward tomorrow or next week even but it has been playing in my thoughts a lot recently about where I see myself in five years, ten years, etc. And yes, part of me sees myself sipping cocktails on a Caribbean island somewhere (rich and carefree) but the realistic part of me is striving for the next best thing (a successful career and home somewhere near a beach in the US). So I know part of my list will be researching beach-front living on the east coast and see where that takes me. Where do you think your likes would take you? Let me know what you come up with.

Week 26 and 27 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-07-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hello All! Sorry for the delay but just forgot about this and I'm debating starting a new blog... more on that later.

So week 26 - read a classic. I picked Lady Chatterley's Lover. I've never read it before and they had it on a shelf when I first came in the library. So far it's ok. Not nearly as boring as I expected but not as racy as anything today either. I also have a Tree Grows in Brooklyn (I think that's the name). I haven't started that one yet but I've always heard about it... so we'll see.

Week 27 - I'm hoping to get the beach again sometime this summer. And as luck would have it - I do have to go for work in a few weeks. So this week - I'm all about my new medicine ball and this ab video I have... so I'm going to make my resolution the week to do my ab workout at least once a day. K says I have to do at least 100 a day to see any kind of results. So here's to a flat stomach in a few weeks!

Week 25 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-06-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

This one is more for me but feel free to tweak to make it work for you. I have a few writing contest coming up that I want to enter and I need to make myself get motivated and buckle down. Procrastination may be an art I've mastered but there comes a time when a girl has to get serious. So this week my challenge is to write ten minutes a day. Ten minutes! That's cutting out blow drying my hair every morning or not checking my email or having a twenty minute lunch - I can do this!

The thing is you can do this too. If writing isn't your thing - try something else. Work out, go for a walk, sing, paint, whatever... rekindle a passion you had for whatever hobby you want. Ten minutes isn't much a commitment and that's the entire point. I think if you sit down and say I'm working on this for three hours you probably won't even try. You'll think to yourself - three hours - I don't have three hours - I need to clean my house, meet friends, cook dinner, etc. Three hours is ridiculous. But if you say ten minutes completely to yourself. You can shut the door with confidence and stay in there ten minutes of three hours (if you get caught up). So good luck!

Excuse me are you pregnant?

2010-06-24T15:23:00.001-07:00

Remember a while back we talked about annoying things people say... well one of them is "Are you pregnant?" Let me start by saying unless someone was about to drop a baby on my foot I don't think I'd straight up ask them. What if they said, "No I'm a bit bloated today." or "I swallowed a basketball for breakfast."? Embarrassing.

So today, I wore a cute sundress to work - bright purple and white and empire waist. I love empire waist stuff - one it highlights most women's skinniest part of their waist - right under their breast - two it highlights your breast in a non-sleazy way (I'm sure there are sleazy ways but....) - and three they are so comfy!! No need to worry about eating light with these babies on.

I walk down to the cafeteria because as usual I'm running late and didn't have two minutes to heat oatmeal and ordered a sandwich. And this really nice lady who I see everyday (hence you should realize that I wasn't looking pregnant Monday) asks, "are you pregnant?"

Augh! Really? I'll admit I'm no Kate Moss in the skinny department but I'm not walking around with a basketball up my skirt either. So embarrassing for both of us. Of course I said no. Then she played it off that I've been married for awhile and I'll be pregnant soon if not today. Wow... there goes me wanting to scarf down a breakfast sandwich. I'll just have a skim milk and cereal. Starvation diet here I come.

The funny thing is though - empire waist dresses are everywhere!! (Maybe because they are so darn comfortable/flattering).

Here are a few of my favorites:

All images are from: www.anntaylor.com and www.anntaylorloft.com.

Book Review: The Swan Thieves: A Novel - by Elizabeth Kostova

2010-06-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

So I picked up this book because I saw it in a magazine and then it was on the past best-sellers cart at the library. I had doubts because I read Kostova's last book The Historian and thought it was just ok. Ok meaning - slightly boring at times and a bit too long - and I don't really remember it. A good book I can remember. A bad book I can remember. An ok book just sits there in no where land and every now and then I'll be like did I like that or not and the answer is usually not so much. Still I took The Swan Thieves home and started reading because it was on a 2 week loan and the book is long!

The story flip flops between a few characters: Marlow, Mary, Kate and Beatrice (who lives in the late 1800's) and revolves around Marlow trying to figure out why a painter Robert Oliver went crazy on a photo called Leda and tried to stab it. Mary and Kate are his ex-lover and wife respectively and Beatrice is a painter who Oliver is obsessed with. Following me still?

First - the mystery is pretty easy to guess. Kostova gives a pretty big clue in the beginning of the story and Beatrice pretty much confirms it as she goes along.

Second - the story is long and kind of boring (hence why I didn't like The Historian). The book could have been shortened by a good 150 pages at least. Kate and Mary's parts aren't that interesting - they just highlight how Oliver went off the deep end and half of what they say could be summed up - do we really care how they met and the painting classes Mary takes (I didn't). I found myself actually skimming over their parts and the endless descriptions of useless stuff. For example, Marlow visits some painter in Acapulco and Kostova spends forever describing the hotel, the area, the painter's house... skim, skim, and more skimming.

I'm only hoping no one in book club picks either of her books and I'm stuck rereading them because I can guarantee I'm going to read Amazon reviews and random websites for a summary. Three out of five stars at best - I'm actually more inclined to say two but I don't want to be too mean. The story is actually interesting and the mystery if you don't pay attention or maybe with fewer clues is a good one - I just think it could have been better done and in a shorter manner.

Week 24 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-06-22T18:11:00.001-07:00

So I know late again. I promise to be better. I just need to de-stress first. This week - try something new. I've already got my new thing planned. I'm going white water rafting on Saturday. How fun, right? So I'll let you guys know how it goes. I really want to take a camera but a. don't want shots of me in a bikini unless I photoshop my head on Jennifer Aniston's body and b. I don't want to damage my camera. I'm thinking I might get a disposable water camera - if I do I'll post those - minus the bikini shots of course!

And speaking of cameras for my birthday gift to myself I got a new camera (yay). I've been wanting one forever and had my eye on two Nikon's. I did all the research and I got... a Nikon I didn't research. The deal was great though - it does everything the camera I wanted does except the zoom is 7 instead of 10. But the camera came with a case and a memory card. It's so much smaller than my last camera and takes amazing photos. I'll try to take a few to post soon. But if I was doing a favorites post today - my favorite thing would be Nikon. I've had two digital cameras and one film camera from them and they all still work perfectly (ok one digital camera is like three days old so I hope it still works)! I've never had a problem with any of them. I was actually wishing my digital would die so I could have a reason to buy a new one!!!

Week 23 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-06-15T18:54:00.001-07:00

I know late but I have a valid excuse this time... personal stuff I'm not getting into on her. lol.... Anyway, I have a great idea for a week but again I have to save it because I just don't have the time or energy this week. Sooooo frivolous and easy it is. I don't know about you but I am a magazine junky. I'm probably who magazine people want in focus groups. I will subscribe to magazines like they are candy. Those puppies aren't cheap. I currently have 4 subscriptions going - although one was free and ending so I'm on the prowl for a new magazine (I'm debating between Shape and Self - thoughts anyone???).

So with all these magazines lying around I got to thinking how often I actually try something other than a recipe in them. And came up with the challenge this week.... drum roll please. Find a magazine and try one suggestion they have - whether it be a recipe, a friend date, a sex tip, a make-up tip, a hobby idea, I don't care... you can pick whatever you want.

I've already nailed a few options. Glamour (my current magazine of choice - I'm only hoping one day they'll read this and see what a brilliant guest columnist I'd be and that they should give me free mags for life) - had how to do an easy messy updo and since my pin-straight hair is usually down - I gave it a whirl on Saturday. I haven't worn it out yet because I feel a bit like a ballerina but it was super easy and I loved it for summer. Basically it's a bun - what did you think I'm going to actually curl and pin it into something elaborate??? And I also tried the "it" nail color of turquoise - I do have to work so it's on my toes and I'm not sure I love it as much as my go to dark purple in the winter but it's a cute unexpected alternative to white. On the nail polish note - I swear I think these mags have a deal with OPI because the "it" color changes more frequently then change socks. It's green, it's yellow, its grey, its purple... hows a girl to keep up.

One thing I'm not trying? Cosmo (a magazine I'm debating dropping) suggested that a hot make-up tip for summer was different color lips, red on bottom, pink on top or some other combination. If the model can't pull it off - I know I can't. Seriously whoever thought that up was ridiculous. It's def. a runway thing that cannot be pulled off in real life. She looked ridiculous.

So let me know what you try. I think this one could be fun.

Book Review: The House at Riverton

2010-06-10T15:21:00.000-07:00

So for Book Club we read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. The book was ok - I thought it dragged a bit but overall interesting. The funny thing about book club is some books I come in thinking good book and leave the meeting thinking not so great book. That's how I ended up feeling about The Forgotten Garden. There were some flaws that other members pointed out that I hadn't thought much about before.

Anyway - I read Kate Morton's other book The House at Riverton after the meeting.

First off - The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden are pretty much the same book - family mystery, bad mothers, flashbacks to tell the story, something shocking happening, etc. The endings on both are both pretty easy to figure out although The House at Riverton you are left guessing until the end exactly who does what to whom. This is disappointing to me. I know most writers have a style but it just reinforces my belief in not reading multiple books by the same author.

That being said The House at Riverton isn't a bad book. I actually liked it better than The Forgotten Garden. The story follows Grace, a 98 year old woman remembering her time at Riverton where she meets the daughters of the master of the house - Emmaline and Hannah. I can't tell too much about the story without giving the entire thing away. The story takes place both when Grace is in her late 90's about to die and when she's a servant at Riverton and later for Hannah. The mystery you find out pretty early on is that Robbie (a poet) presumably kills himself during a party Hannah and her husband are hosting at Riverton... but what really happened?? Cue dramatic music.

Another mystery (which is very similar to The Forgotten Garden) follows who is Grace's father. The reader can probably figure out after the first couple of chapters but it's not really the main point of the book and Grace figures it out much later (she seems a bit naive).

The problem is Hannah and Emmaline aren't likable. Grace is ok as a character but her younger self is naive and does some pretty dumb things because she's in "the service" to the family. The book would be better if you cared about the characters instead of wondering why they were doing something.

Apparently some of the Amazon reviewers are up in arms over the fact that Morton uses a cuss word in the book - I say BFD - get over it prudes. It's not like the characters are dropping curses left and right or there's endless sex scenes. It's only ever implied that characters are having sex (which is pretty hard to do since I'm fairly certain Emmaline was in some sort of early porn flick). People need to start worrying about more important things other than whether there are curse words in a book.

Overall, the book is good. Maybe three out of five stars. I wouldn't reread it. The story is entertaining and moves fairly quickly - although there are parts you want to just skim over (mainly Grace in present day). The mystery although a who-dun-it isn't like normal mysteries of today with intrigue and spies and lots of fighting scenes. At it's heart the book is a family drama with a bit of a mystery.

My Favorite Things: Under Armour

2010-06-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

I haven't done a Favorite Things post in forever mainly because I couldn't think of anything good enough that I wanted to talk about. But I got home early and was changing for kickball (I signed up for an adult league this summer)... and I got out my new Under Armour workout clothes and it hit me. I love love my Under Armour workout clothes - they are super comfy and totally worth the splurge but what I love best is my sports bra from them. Glamorous - I know... but hey sometimes function over glamour. Anyway - here's what I love: Sports bra are usually the most unsexy underwear you can own (aside from armpit high granny panties), they give you either no boobs or uniboobs (where you have one big squished looking boob - sorry boys!) - the Under Armour bra while not sexy (I mean can a sports bra be sexy??) it certainly still gives you curves while also giving support. There are actual built in cups to keep the girls lifted and separate while the sports bra part keeps them tightly in place -haha I can't think of a better way to say this. So the bra??? I can't find a name on my tag it just says Women Heatgear... the website (after my computer - augh!!) finally pulled up the page (stupid internet not available message) says its called Strength. Here's the link. I think you'll love it!!!

Week 22 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-06-07T16:16:00.001-07:00

This week is one I've been toying with for awhile. For a couple of reasons 1. budget and 2. time. But I'm going to go with it and say "plan a weekend road trip". Reading it you don't even have to go - I could plan a trip and decide later never to actually leave so it's perfect - budgets remain in tact. But I will say planning this takes like little to no effort. K and I took a random Thursday off last week and went to the beach for the day. Costs minimal. Planning next to none.

Also this will get me to look into a surprise for K's bday. I really want to take him somewhere - hopefully some friends can tag along too. Anyone have good ideas? I'm thinking if we drive a nice skiing trip (early December so early in the season) - maybe rent a cabin, get a ski pass, go to a winery (are they open that time of year??). If we fly then I want somewhere nice and warm where I have no worries except where to go for dinner, whose making margaritas and how long to lay on the beach. Both sound delightful in their own way.

And if I can't make it work - I do want to plan a trip with friends for next summer. I feel like we're slowly creeping our way into adulthood (ok maybe we've been there for awhile but the reality of it is sinking in). I think part of me still thinks I'm 21 but now everyone is getting married, having babies, etc and I feel that I'm closer to 31 than 21. And I haven't done a friend vacation in a really long time. I just think a big group on the beach or going to some new location to explore sounds amazing. Now I just need to win the lottery.

But hey - I can start to plan now and worry about saving later!

Week 21 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-06-02T14:25:00.001-07:00

Sorry - very late with this post. I've been feeling stressed and a bit burned out lately. I could really go for a nice spa day - a facial, massage, some relaxing water with limes, a hair cut.... ahhh (oh and a vacay to somewhere tropical). I can tell I'm stressed: I forget things, I start snapping at people, I retreat a bit - reading more, spending time alone, my face breaks out like an angry 14 year old and my energy wanes. I felt pretty good this long weekend - I wanted to relax - no plans - nothing. I went to the gym three times for 45 minutes to an hour each time. My legs ached in a good way, my blisters in a bad way. So now I need new running shoes and to lose a few pounds before I have to prance around in a bikini I'll be doing good.

So this week's challenge... it's going to have to be something quick (since I didn't post on Sunday) and something relaxing (since I obviously need a break). Let's go with try meditating. I know you could say it's stupid but I did find when I was doing yoga a couple times a week things seemed to slip away more. I find myself stuck between an extrovert and an introvert in real life - my mood changing with the scenario and the introvert in me benefited greatly from all the meditation. So this week - take sometime to be alone and be quiet. Or if you're more relaxed dancing in a club with pounding music and lots of people do that. Both are probably beneficial in their own ways. As for me I've already decided to play hooky tomorrow from work. There's something so delicious about being off randomly in the middle of the work while everyone else is slaving away. I'm really looking forward to it.

A Rose By Any Other Name...

2010-05-26T16:18:00.001-07:00

Do names matter? I've always been curious about names. I'll Google name meanings, studying the list of popular baby names and because I write bought a baby name book that's not just the meaning of names but what people think when they hear that name.

K and I don't want to have kids yet but I've had a list of baby names going in my head for years. Names float in and out and names I liked at 12 - like Elizabeth - wouldn't make the top 50 now. I gravitate towards names that are unique, not-popular (anything in the top 100 of popular baby names makes me cringe) and slightly old-fashioned (names my great-grandmother and maybe even my grandmother would have loved). I loved Ava for the longest time until Ava cracked the top 10 list and I don't want my future daughter to be Ava X for the rest of her life. I guard my little list with a vengence and am fearful of telling anyone incase they steal my name (ala Rachel in Friends) - I may not need it for ten years but I want it there just in case.

This brings me to my point - I will read any story that talks about names. And today, CNN had a story asking "Does your name shape your destiny?". There are a lot of studies that say yes. One of the studies they cite talks about how babies with names that start with C or D do worse in schools than their A/B named counterparts. You have the question are the teachers just lazy or is little Colin destined to be worse at math or English than say Abigail. Another study found that women named after states (like Virginia for example) are more likely to move to their namesake. Coincidence? And in Freakonomics, the authors discuss naming - everything from what a child's named to the education level of the mother, to lower income and less educated people naming their child after what the middle class children who in turns parents named them after the upper class children.

So does your name mean anything? Lets take a non-scientific quiz of my own design for a second to prove a point... that at least you name will prejudge you. I'll write the name and you say the first thing you think of. You don't have to share. No one will judge but I bet you think of something for each one.

Tiffany
Amber
Floyd
Sandra
Fabio

Ok the last one was a bit of a joke. I doubt there are many baby Fabio's running around but you did get an image - right?

I like names. I thought of something different for each one in my list. Tiffany's parents are wanna-be's they fall into the same category of parents that name their kids Mercedes, Crystal, etc. Maybe at one point some rich person somewhere decided to name their child after a car but now all I can think of is someone whose trying to hard to be cool. Amber is probably a stripper along with her sisters all named after gem stones. Floyd makes me think of an over-weight older gentleman, probably a bit country. And Sandra is probably a middle aged woman.

To further prove my point that you prejudge someone based on their name. In college Bush was president and his two daughters are Barbara and Jenna. I'm sure they're both very nice girls. A friend and I were talking about it one day and he said something to the effect of if given a choice he would always take the blind date with a Jenna because a Barbara sounds like an unattractive librarian. According to him, Jenna sounded like a hot girl who likes to party. The thing is Jenna could be a plain Jane bookworm and Barbara a hot party animal but before they even walk into the door my friend had already decided who they would be.

So I do think that names mean something. I don't know if they shape your destiny. That if you're parents pick a weird name for you that you're destined to be a loser. But I do think people will judge you based on past experience or stereotypes. What do you think?

And if you're curious - here's a link to the top baby names of 2009. Congrats Jacob and Isabella you're parents love Twilight and there will probably be ten of your friends with the same name.

Get Reading II

2010-05-25T16:56:00.001-07:00

I realized that I haven't published one of these posts in forever. Read the first one here. So it's time for my second list of books that I loved.

1. Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas - pure fluff romance at it's best. I think I cried through half this book.

2. Watership Down - maybe because I love rabbits but I love this book about a colony of rabbits - not as boring as you may think.

3. Anna Karenina - I remember having to read this in advanced high school English and loving it. I've actually been thinking I should add it my pile when I need something to re-read.

4. Freakonomics - so insanely interesting. A collection of topics that range from baby names to crime in NYC.

So only 4 this time. I can't give them all up right away. Oh and the book club book is the Forgotten Garden. Of course I'm waiting to the last minute but I'll start it tonight and let you know what I think.

Book Review: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson

2010-05-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

A couple of co-workers were talking about how this book was really good. They sold it as a mystery which immediately made me think - great I won't like this one (I'm not a huge mystery fan). But I looked on Amazon and the reviews were all favorable. I'm going to have to say I didn't really like it. Maybe 2 out of 5 stars.

The book dragged for me. There were endless descriptions of things that didn't really matter. He took practically two pages to describe the interior of a cabin. The whole story seemed convoluted. Was it a murder mystery? A corporate thriller? Was Larsson trying to make a point about how often women are abused? I don't know... the book tried to do too many things. The funny thing is if he had stuck with the murder mystery it would have been good. I liked the parts where Mikael and Lisbeth are trying to unravel what happened to Harriet. It's the rest of the book that bogs it down.

I'm struck by how violent the book is towards women. Lisbeth is raped by her guardian. Harriet is raped by her father and her brother. And SPOILER: The Vanger family has a history of murdering and ill-treating women. If I'm reading this book correctly, then half of the women in Sweden have been abused at some point. Doesn't exactly read as a tourist advertisement for a Swedish vacation. The thing is - I felt like some of the mistreatment was gratuitous... there for the reaction or the shock value. Larsson goes into detail of Lisbeth's rape and the aftermath yet in the end the rape has little to do with the plot of the story other then to illustrate the fact that Lisbeth feels cut off from "normal" society. Maybe I'm not into mystery's because of the violence but within moderation and when it enhances the basic plot I wouldn't be gasping and making a point of it in my review. The violence in the book was over the top and I felt like often only used for shock value and not to help the plot.

Speaking of more unnecessary parts of the book - Mikael basically sleeps with any and every main character in the book if it happens to be female. There's absolutely no point. I don't feel like he's in love with any of them. I don't even really like Mikael or his one sex partner - Erika because Erika is married and her husband finds it acceptable that every now and then she and Mikael still have sex - what??? Really? And honestly, none of his sexual escapades again have anything to do with the plot other than to tie up another 50 pages of nonsense.

The corporate thriller part of the book dragged for me. The bad guy (I can't remember his name because all the names are Swedish) is obviously dirty. You learn pretty early on there is a spy working for Mikael. And really you can assume from the beginning that if given the chance Mikael will take bad guy down (sorry - I'm too lazy to look up his twenty character Swedish name).

Apparently there are two more books in the series. I already have the second one - had placed it on hold before I read this one. I'm not sure I'm going to read it. I'm not sure who to recommend this book too - maybe if you like mystery's but the mystery in my opinion is just okay. There's really no satisfying reason as to why the guilty party or parties were committing the murders (SPOILER) other than the fact that they were sociopaths who got off on that sort of thing. I feel like it was a bad six part episode of CSI where at the end you find out the killer was the lady next door and she did it because she was bored. Lame.

Note of warning - aside from the graphic rape scenes. The book is written in Swedish and translated to English. Meaning - it reads like a book that wasn't written in English, and you have to try to struggle through a lot of place names and character names that are Swedish. The author gives you a family tree in the beginning of the book but a map of Sweden would be helpful. I never knew whether Mikael was going down the block or four hours away.

So no, I'm not going to rave about how great this book is despite the many reviews saying they think it is great. I feel like it's one of those books that people read and after struggling through you sit back and think that's interesting and then immediately toss it out in the yard sale bin but brag to all your friends you read it because it happened to make some best-seller book club pick somewhere. Have you read it? What did you think?

Week 20 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-05-23T20:16:00.000-07:00

So how did we all do with the fruits and veggies? I'm not sure I got exactly the right amounts each day but I was more aware and tried to eat more fruits and veggies so that counts. I'm hoping I can keep it up. I really need to get my butt in gear and get to the gym if I want to lose a few lbs before bikini season is here (I mean is it really next weekend - yikes!). I will say keeping with the get healthy theme - I've been reading lots of magazine articles about how great all these fruits and veggies are for you. One was bragging about watermelons so I had to go out and scoop up one of those - super yummy! I'm sad strawberry season is pretty much over - what was that one week?? - but I'm going to be on the look out for other good summer foods.

Anyway... onward to week 20... a new challenge that I need to make up and try my hardest to follow. This week - well I'm already feeling a bit burned out and I feel amazingly (good in a way) that my days are fast filling up through July. I was going to pick a hard challenge this week but we'll hold it for a week that I feel more inspired. And we'll go with no junk food. 7 days of zero junk - no candy, no cookies, no chips. Yikes. I was really enjoying my hummus on whole wheat chips (I might have to slide a bit on that one... I mean whole grain is healthy right??).

I think I'm good on the sweets front. I'm not much of a sweets girl. I can easily say no to ice cream and cake but that big bowl of Fritos might be chanting my name. That being said... since I'm big on moderation - I'm going to say I can have one day to cheat if I need to. Need to meaning bad day at work that is only solved by scarfing down a handful of chips and hummus. haha love that my go to bad food is semi healthy. So anyway... get to eating healthy and keep me posted on how you're doing!

Book Review: Sweet Little Lies Lauren Conrad

2010-05-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

Why did I read this book? Hmmm I kind of have to ask myself the same question because I wasn't a huge fan of the first one. The writing was mediocre, the plot just ok and honestly I spent more time trying to figure out who was who and hoping for some great Hills dish than getting into the story. But still, when Sweet Little Lies popped up at my library I figured what the heck at least this time I wouldn't have to buy it (LA Candy never made it to the library).

Thoughts... if I'm being generous three out of five stars. Probably leaning more towards 2 1/2. It's not horrible but it's not by any means great. It got four out of five stars on Amazon and frankly I think the only reason it did was a bunch of teenagers or Conrad's friends went in and ranked it a five so the honest reviewers didn't stand a chance.

The plot is ok. The book picks up where LA Candy leaves off. Lauren... I mean Jane (yawn what a boring name ... all you authors out there this is the time you can really go for it on names don't go with Jane...augh)... anyway... Jane is in Cabo with Madison (who clearly is supposed to be some form of Heidi) after photos of Jane cheating on her boyfriend were leaked to the press. Jane has gone from the good girl to this tabloid sensation. Apparently, she gets all this press about her hooking up with Braden (I hope I spelled that right). First... I don't know - I know Lauren was big in her prime on the Hills but seriously a ton of covers? Maybe the not so classy mags but I doubt People or Entertainment Weekly is rushing to publish a story about a reality TV star cheating. And two, even if they did publish it, it's going to be in the back or the very front like a two second blurb - not a cover and maybe only one week not week after week like this nonsense dragged on. (Don't get me wrong I liked the Hills and think Lauren is great but I just doubt her character's ability to land so many covers...). Scarlett is trying to convince Jane that Madison leaked the photos and is a huge bitch. Gaby (another girl in the story) is just there to fill space, as is a girl at Lauren's work who is memorable enough that I forgot her name.

Basically, all you learn about The Hills - is gasp the producer tell them what to talk about. Wow. Come on Lauren, I'm guessing a good percentage of the people reading this book are doing it to get some gossip and that's all you're going to give us?

Problems I see with the story:

1. Jane gets back together with Jesse even though there is no reason she should. Jesse acts like a jerk and she stays with him for 2/3 of the book. I felt like there was no reason why she would stay with him, even if for some reason she decides to get back together with him.

2. She tries desperately to make Madison likable but I think fails miserably. And honestly why is Madison targeting Jane - so she can be a star? I don't know. Madison is a little too one dimensional for me. She's not likable because I don't care about her. I have no reason to feel like she is remotely justified in what she does to Jane.

3. All the characters aren't very likable. Jane is ok - she's the main character you're supposed to like her but like you sometimes feel watching Lauren on The Hills - she's the nice girl that's just there. The action happens around her and sometimes too her but what's she really like. I will say though Lauren has a certain charisma (I stopped watching after she left) that doesn't come across with Jane. You root for Lauren because you want her to succeed - she's the every girl in her early twenties (just with better clothes and more money), clubbing, trying to find a job, trying to find love, friend drama, etc.

I think the book is filler to get to book 3 (sort of how I felt with Twilight - only I felt like books 2, 3, and 4 were filler and could have been summed up in 1 but that's a different topic). This one leaves off with a cliffhanger - will Jane continue on LA Candy, will Madison be the star, will she chose her high school boyfriend or Braden or someone new... cue dramatic music.

So... in conclusion, it's a good beach read. It took me maybe a day to breeze through. But it wouldn't be my first choice read.

Week 19 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-05-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

So still part of my get a bit more healthier... and perhaps Britney abs (circa 2000) for the summer... this week's goal - eat more fruits and veggies. More... being?? Well apparently the food pyramid is no longer one size fits all - thank God because I was never going to be able to eat like 10 cups of fruit a day - ridiculous! So you have to go over to www.mypyramid.gov and click on My Pyramid Plan. You fill out like maybe four questions and then it spits out your own personal chart. Pretty nifty if you ask me! So mine says 3 cups veggies and 2 cups fruits. I love fruits a lot more than veggies and honestly I was hoping this goal could just be I eat the 5lbs of strawberries I picked on Saturday. But alas I need more vegetables.

So Sunday I was probably ok - I had mixed veggies with dinner and a piece of corn. Lunch I had leftovers from Sticky Rice which was mainly carrots and snow peas... so maybe 2 cups?? 1 1/2 cups that day. Fruits - does eating your body weight in strawberries count? Easily 2 cups.

Today... Veggies - I'm going to say tomato sauce and more leftover Sticky Rice counts so I'm probably at 1 cup if I'm lucky. Fruits - again a round the clock diet of strawberries (even my yogurt was strawberry flavored).

So it's def. a challenge.

One note on The Pyramid - maybe you guys are better than me but I have no clue what 7 ounces of grains are - seriously can't they just say you can have 2 slices of bread or 1 cup of pasta. I don't have a scale and I'm not about to get all anal and weigh every piece of food that goes into my mouth. More people would get healthy if it was easier to understand all this nonsense.

Book Review: House Rules: A Novel

2010-05-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

I started reading Jodi Picoult with My Sister's Keeper. It took some very difficult topics (what obligation do you have to your family, is it ethical to have another child to save your first child, etc) and made them compelling and easy to read. It was an emotional roller-coaster. I quickly read pretty much every other book she ever wrote. I came to the realization that My Sister's Keeper - while still a great book - follows a strict Picoult formula and House Rules is no exception.

Rule 1: Emotionally charged topic with lots of grey area (things can't be black and white - that would make it too easy).

Rule 2: The story told from multiple viewpoints.

Rule 3: Surprise endings.

Rule 4: Make you think but not too hard.

Rule 5: Stressed but very attractive women who will usually sleep with someone that is at least mildly inappropriate.

Those would be the basics. Rule 5 may or may not happen but I've noticed it in a few of her books and if the woman doesn't sleep with said person she will be described by multiple people as being strikingly pretty. And really this has not much to do with the plot except for the fact there are few books (or movies, or TV shows) about incredibly not-good looking people.

How do I feel about House Rules? Let's start with 3 out of 5 stars. If you've never read Picoult before then you'd probably go with 4. I think it was average. I don't hate it but it followed a formula and pretty quickly you could guess where it was going. I'm glad I didn't buy it - I wouldn't read it again (Shout-out Library!).

The story follows Jacob, a teen diagnosed with Asperger's, his family and others that are dragged into the murder case of Jacob's social skills tutor. Jacob is a strange character - on one hand you feel bad for him because he is so socially awkward but on the other (and I'll admit I don't know much about Asperger's) he's cold, awkward and surprisingly functioning for someone who has panic attacks when paper gets crumpled. His brother Theo - another character - doesn't have Asperger's but he's living with the affects it has on his family because of Jacob. Theo is breaking into houses, stealing minor things, he doesn't fit in, etc. The thing is I felt bad for Theo but I didn't feel like he was developed quite enough for me to care too much about him. Emma - is the mom, she's gorgeous, stressed, poor. Then the other two narrators are Oliver (Jacob's lawyer) and Rich (a police officer who arrests Jacob). For me, the characters in this book weren't as well developed as some of the others. I wasn't drawn to them in the same way as I have been with her other books and like Jacob with his Asperger's - socially the characters all seem awkward (the point perhaps?).

I always read the reviews on Amazon when I decide to get a book. Yeah, sometimes the people are dead wrong but a lot of times they are pretty accurate. A lot of the people were complaining the story just ended without any resolution to the case. Well, one I think it's pretty easy to figure out early on what happened to the social skills tutor. And the case, I felt like it was all just background for the family to all come together. And honestly, I cared about Jacob but at the same time he didn't think through his actions, didn't explain what happened to anyone, and so you can't feel that bad (ok maybe because of his Asperger's because no one asked him to explain, he didn't... I don't know if I buy that). And the non-ending is pretty typical Picoult. It's basically what do you think happened? Was Theo arrested? Did Jacob get convicted? Etc...

Have you read it? What do you think? My next book is Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad - I'll let you know if I like it, the first one didn't blow me away so I'm not having high hopes.

Packing Quiz

2010-05-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

K's mom sent me this today and since it was short and I thought it could be fun - I did it. Here's the link http://www.independenttraveler.com/packing-quiz/. It's a packing quiz - what's your packing style?

My results:

You Are a Systematic Suitcase Stuffer
Your motto: always be prepared. You probably write long lists of everything that could come in handy on the road, and you add more and more items to the list as your departure date nears. You have rarely, if ever, forgotten to pack something important -- in fact, your travel companions regularly ask to borrow things that they've forgotten to pack. But you also tend to carry a fat, weighty suitcase and you may have been subjected to extra checked-bag fees while flying.

Your tendency to plan ahead is a great packing strategy. Learn to lighten your load in order to save money on baggage fees (and save room for some souvenirs!).

It's probably a little accurate... or a lot. My packing strategy is to take everything I own "just in case". What did you get?

Week 18 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-05-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

Since summer is around the corner and with that brings bathing suits... my next few challenges are about getting healthy. I did some research early this weekend and can't find an exact amount of water that you need a day - does anyone know? It appears that some people think enough to replenish what you lose, other says 8 oz 8 times a day and then there was a third site that was saying it depends on the person. Since the 8 x 8 is the rule I've heard most often - I'm going with that. This week - we'll even start Monday - the challenge is to drink 8 oz of water 8 times a day.

I already have my favorite water bottle ready. It's 26 oz so to make it easy on myself (if my math is right) I need to drink to drink 3 whole bottles of water from it a day. Not too bad - right now I typically go through 2 full bottles a day... I'll just increase my trips to the water fountain by one.

Good luck!

Race for a Cure

2010-05-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

Remember this week was to get outside... I try to take C for a walk fairly regularly and I wanted to step it up. I read outside. Today, we weeded our flower beds and planted some new additions (tired!). And yesterday, I had signed up to run in the Susan G. Komen 5K. Work had sent out an email asking for participants. Typically I ignore these volunteer things... I'm not sure why. I guess because its always a bit easier to do what I want and not give up my precious free time. But this time I really debated about it. I sent it to my mom - did she want to run with me - my dad said he would walk it. So I signed us up for the non-competitive 5k.

We had to be there at 7am. I was not looking forward to an early start (I got up fifteen minutes before my dad was picking me up). The first hour was a lot of just standing around. Then we went to the race starting point, they had an announcer, vendors, music. It was different. It was emotional. It was fun. I actually felt like this could really make a difference. I can't put into words how great I felt afterwards.

Things I learned:

- 1 in 8 women will have breast cancer.

- If caught early I think they said the survival rate is 98% (that's amazing!).

- This all started with Susan Komen's sister who vowed to do everything she could to fight for a cure. What an amazing sister! The organization is now worldwide.

- On a less serious note, I need better running shoes or thicker socks - both my heels have massive blisters (we're talking swollen and the size of quarters - flip flops for the next week for me).

Before the race we all milled around, we decided not to pick up any of the giveaways until after so we didn't have to hold them. They did a survivor parade. Then they told us to go line up. We didn't do the competive timed part so we were near the middle of the pack. When we got up hill and turned the corner to head down across a bridge, it was so cool to just look out and see a sea of people in front of us and behind us. And for something so emotionally charged (people had on their shirts who they were racing for - in celebration of or in memory of) there was so much life happening. People were laughing, talking, kids running around, music playing, people cheering us on, and the shirts and costumes some people wore were hysterical.

I would do it again in a heart beat.

Here's the song that kicked off the race. Enjoy.

For some reason YouTube doesn't show up for me so if it doesn't embed right (let me know) and the link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEZHISEL4lk

Rompers II

2010-05-08T09:51:00.001-07:00

So I went to The Limited last night - I had to get a Mother's day gift and to try on a romper. They totally reminded me why I love that store. I figured out what's wrong with the other rompers I've seen and tried on. Most are one pieces with no zippers or buttons or buttons only at the top near your chest. The piece is meant to be pulled on up over your hips and then slipped over your shoulders if there are straps. Meaning it has to be big enough to get over your hips (which I don't know about you but are the widest part of my body). So in the end you get what's the equivalent of a sack.

So I went in and picked up the turquoise one. They had sold out of the one shoulder one!!! I tried on a large which was way too big but I wanted to see if it was even halfway cute. I'm in love. The turquoise I tried on a small. There was a zipper on the shorts and buttons up each side of the top - allowing the fabric to open enough to slide over your hips and butt. The turquoise one is super cute on - I still had a butt. haha.... the only thing I'm not crazy about on that one is that it hits pretty high on my chest (much higher than on the model). So I didn't buy either one but I'm going to order the black one later and will give you a final assessment then.

But my tip if you are going to dare a romper - pay more and get one with sides that can be unzipped or unbuttoned - the extra give will allow the piece to still be form fitting once closed.

Happy Shopping!

My Favorite Things - The Limited

2010-05-06T15:24:00.000-07:00

Was this a secret? If so, poorly kept. Especially if the sales people recognize you when you walk in and point you to the new stuff. Since I'm trying to be good and not spend money (see post re. new computer) I haven't been in forever but The Limited is torturing me with $15 coupons and emails about their newest clothes. I swear I think it's all a trick to get me back in the store (obviously).

Anyway, a while back I talked about wanting a romper. I've been pretty discouraged because most said rompers are a. hard to find (this isn't exactly CA or NY) b. incredibly unflattering (i.e. gives you no butt or diaper butt) or c. don't fit properly (diaper butt/no butt excluded, I've found the bottoms are tight, the tops too big, etc....). But guess what popped into my inbox a few days ago....

A turquoise romper (which is what I wanted) at my favorite store ever!!! For half a second I debated calling in sick to get to the mall but that would be just silly... right? Well anyway, they have three options... turquoise above for $69.50.

This option which I love - how cute is the one shoulder look? It's $79.50 (a little steep I think).

And this... not sure what to think.... I don't know I'm not so much a fan but I might try it on. You can never tell in photos. This one is $69.50.

So I'm going this weekend even if I have to sneak over there and hide the package in my car for a month... or maybe I can tell K The Limited had a special buy one get one free deal??? I'll admit all the prices are a little high for what's really shorts but I do have the $15 coupon, plus a few others floating around that will help. And really - these things might not even fit right!

Anyway, what do you think? Would you wear a romper?

Week 17 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-05-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

These are getting harder to come up with so any feedback or help let me know... because hello 52 resolutions no matter how big or small is a challenge to even think up much less do. So the savings thing - I totally forgot to change my automatic deductions (I know - bad)... but I'm going to go in and do it now - I haven't been in a real computer mood recently. It's too nice out.

So this week the challenge... drum roll.... get outside. Enjoy all this nice pre-summer weather. Take the puppy for a walk, go to a festival, sit and enjoy a glass of wine on the deck... all the perks of summer before it's full on too hot to do anything but lay in front of the AC. Enjoy!

Inside a Make-Up Junkies Bag I

2010-05-01T15:46:00.001-07:00

This is a new topic for me which I'm going to try and see how long it lasts. With summer fast approaching (if not already here) in the South, I'm changing my beauty routine a bit. It sounds strange at first but I tend to wear powder (mineral) foundation in the winter and tinted moisturizer in the summer. You would think my skin would want the extra moisture in the winter but I have to rave that Bare Minerals looks completely natural without the cakey-effect that I feel like some foundations leave. And you already know I swear by Eucerin face lotion.

Anyway, I switch to tinted moisturizer in the summer for one reason - it's easier. Who wants to put on a bunch of make-up when it's three hundred degrees in the shade? Winter is the time for the arsenol of beauty products - concealer, foundation, bronzer, powder. Summer is the time for quick and easy. My one true love in tinted moisturizer comes from Estee Lauder. It's called Day Wear Plus Multi-Protection Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 - I get light medium 02. I actually wear it with the Eucerin because short of the product getting discontinued I'm not giving that up and I don't feel like my face gets too greasy. That being said my skin tends to crave moisture so unless you have super dry skin I would try it alone first and see how your skin does.

I can't say enough about this product. Clinique used to make a tinted moisturizer and I had used that forever until it got discontinued - but Clinique's loss is Estee Lauder's gain because I would not switch back and it has opened the door to my trying out more of their products.

I wear this instead of foundation. Dab a bit of concealer around your eyes if you need it. Throw on some blush or bronzer and mascara and you're set. You can even wear it to the pool or the beach and get a tiny bit of cover-up without looking like you're wearing a full on mask. The price isn't horrible - $36 range - about the same as regular foundation at the department store and it last forever. You only need a dime size amount.

What's in your summer beauty bag?

Week 16 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-04-26T17:40:00.001-07:00

This week is a little bit harder - because we can't have them all easy or where's the challenge? My computer is a dinosaur - in computer years it should have been extinct about three years ago. Nothing is wrong with it per say except the monitor died last week and its incredibly slow. I had to turn it off today for a storm and I just waited fifteen minutes for it to boot up and load Internet Explorer so I could write this blog. Yawn. I almost gave up. Anyway, K and I decided to bite the bullet and let my cousin pick out a new computer for us - its supposed to be coming this week - yay! Of course computers are crazy expensive and I never know what to get. I feel like its one of the most confusing purchases ever - what's good, what's bad... and everyone has different opinions. Anyway, K and I are splitting the costs and for my half I'm going to use the money I was going to put towards Bride's wedding but since she kicked me out.... well..... money is now going towards the computer and it will actually make my life easier. However, I still need to kick in extra money to cover my half, not to mention K is paying me back in installments, so.... my already tight budget just got tighter. That brings me to this week's challenge.... Save more.

What? How can you save more when there is barely anything to save to begin with? Remember back a few weeks ago, we made a budget (or we were supposed to make budgets)... well now, try to cut something. I don't care if it's $5 you would have spent on lunch or coffee. You have to start somewhere. I'm going to increase my automatic deductions by $10.

Let's talk automatic deductions - I love them. It takes the guess work out of savings. I don't have to remember to transfer money or squirrel it away under my bed.... just kidding - that's not safe and you're not earning any interest! I set up my accounts to take money out as soon as my paycheck is deposited - it's like it was never even there! So, before Sunday, I need to go in and increase the amount. Tough - I know - but I figure I can eat lunch at my desk one more day a month and cover the additional money. Plus, I can't stress enough how important it is to save for down the road.... which could be retirement, a vacation... or yes, even a new computer.

Good luck!

Books: Romance

2010-04-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

This is kind of a review, kind of a favorite thing post. I'm going to admit that I like romance novels. I'm not talking Nicholas Sparks romance, I'm talking the books with the embarrassing covers of muscular men and beautiful damsels in distress. There is something so deliciously forbidden about them - obviously you can't cart that novel off to the gym. Yet at the same time I love slipping into that world - where ladies are elegant in fancy clothes, and men are a little rough and tumble.

I recently read pretty much every book by Deeanne Gist (a Christian romance writer for all those faint at heart) and Sabrina Jeffries.

I received the Jeffries book for free last year from a book festival and took it home laughing that I might read it if I was bored. Well, boredom came and I grabbed the book - I can't remember the title but its from The School of Heiresses series - and I loved it. It was well-written (i.e. not just about bodice ripping encounters with fluffy dialogue as filler) and really captured my attention with the story. Sure romance stories are always a little far fetched - beautiful intelligent women falling for men that don't always seem to be the best match - but Jeffries make it so easy to fall into their character's world. I went to the library and quickly scooped up every Heiress book I could find. Sure some are better than others - that's the way of novels - but all of them are interesting stories with a little bit of sex. I can't even pick a favorite. I did join her fan club so I get random emails and I bought her latest book The Truth About Lord Stoneville - I'll have to let you know if it's any good.

Gist is different - I read one of her books a few years ago - A Bride Most Begrudging - I actually picked it up thinking it was just a regular piece of fiction - not realizing it was romance or Christian romance at that. I was reluctant to read it thinking it would be all scripture and Bible study - but its not. Obviously, she works that into the story but most of the time it doesn't seem forced. The only two books of hers I wasn't really into were Deep in the Heart of Trouble and Courting Trouble a series about Ellie. Ellie just isn't that likable to me - its not because she has premarital sex (gasp - apparently this has gotten Gist a lot of flack on Amazon) - but I don't care about her. She's ahead of her time (the book takes place in the late 1800's) - she believes in women's right, loves biking, helps run a company but can't find a husband. The stories were just ok - Ellie spends way too much time harping on the fact she gave her virginity to a scoundrel and now she's not pure and no man will want her (not to mention she's decided she's going to be married to God).

Do you read romance novels? Are you too embarrassed to admit it if you do? I'm almost tempted to pick one for Book Club just for fun of course.

Christian the lion

2010-04-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

Week 16 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-04-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

I know I need to get better about actually posting on Sunday. A lot has been going on recently and I haven't felt the desire to keep a running log of it. Extra stress makes me collapse into a really good book and I hope to poke my head out once it's all over. So this week the challenge is to stop and smell the roses. I get this idea because my Real Simple from last month was all about time - more time for what you love, less time for the mundane, getting more time, and taking more time. It was a nice reminder that sometimes you just need a break - those precious five minutes where you just breathe in and be thankful that you're alive.

This is the best YouTube video I've seen in awhile. Check it out - here's the link in case embedding the video (see Christian the Lion post) doesn't work (never shows up on my computer so let me know if you can see it!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btuxO-C2IzE

A Lesson In Being Nice

2010-04-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

I thought I was doing really great this week with this whole be extra nice to others thing... I hadn't written any mean emails, I had smiled at strangers... I had basically done a whole lot of not going out of my way to be super nice.

SP is having a cook out tomorrow. I had said I would bring a side dish. Since my computer died on Tuesday (lovely... thank God for work laptops) and I'm hoping to track my computer expert cousin down tomorrow morning I had to go to Kroger today. A part of me loves grocery shopping - just pushing the cart up and down every aisle and imagining all the yummy things I could make - the other part of me hates it and wants to get out of there as fast as I can.

The check-out people are always nice - asking how your day is, sometimes complimenting you on something, etc. But as I was leaving the man that packed all my groceries in my bag stopped what he was doing and said "do you have small kids at home" and he held out a lollipop. I smiled and said "no I'm sorry." Although why I apologized I'm not sure. He handed me the lollipop and still smiling said "that's ok, have a sucker anyway, it's Friday." I had replied that I hoped he had a great weekend. He told me his name and said to let him know if there was anything in the store he could ever help with and to have a blessed weekend, too.

It really made my day. It was so simple. And yet he didn't have to do that. He could have just said have a great weekend or hi... but this simple two minute if that exchange left me feeling happy. It actually even made me want to go grocery shopping there more often (shout-out Kroger)... And it made me think, how simple things like giving someone a lollipop is all you really need to do to step out of your box and be a little bit extra nice.

The thing that struck me is to do his job all he had to do was say hi and have a good day. He didn't have to give out lollipops (they don't say Kroger on them), he didn't have to offer help next time I was in the store. He simply had to do his job and smile occasionally. But he did more than that and that is what makes a difference. I hope that in my last two days of this challenge I can make a difference. That I can take that extra step to make someone else smile and maybe influence them to do something nice in exchange for nothing in return.

Week 15 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-04-13T03:33:00.000-07:00

I forgot to do this Sunday and with all the drama yesterday I didn't do it then either... so this week is appropriate I think and pretty easy. Be nicer.

Nice always gets a bad rap. You're looked at being the girl (or guy) that gets walked all over. Or maybe the second choice as in, girls may date the bad guys but they marry the nice ones. But we could all stand to be a little nicer. My mom always used to say to us growing up - if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all.

So this week, or what's left of it, I'm going to try to be nicer. Which means I won't type back an angry email to Maid (see previous post). I won't scream nastiness (even if it's just in my car) to the bad driver in front of me. And I'll try not to say anything unless I have something nice to say. This does not mean I'm going to let myself be walked all over and there are sometimes when you just have to stand up for yourself - but if that happens - I'll say it all as nicely as possible.

Oh and as for Maid, I did a trick that helps me vent, I typed up an email of all the bad and not so bad things I would say to her - starting with I want an apology for your rude and uncalled for behavior and I hit delete. Tip - if you are going to do said email to someone you know - don't actually type their email address in the to field. You may accidentally hit send and regret it later.

Going to the chapel and going to get married… but first… it’s all about the bride…zilla.

2010-04-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

I try not to write about things happening in my life for fear that someone somewhere might get offended but today… well, I think it could be something everyone could relate to. Monday was going as planned until a friend of mine (let’s call her Bride) shot a group email out to her bridesmaids basically accusing us of not being her friends because we weren’t interested in planning or paying for parties for her. She then proceeded to kick us all out of the wedding while praising another bridesmaid (let’s call her Maid) for being the only one that cared. I was pretty much in shock.

Let’s rewind a bit…. A few months back I had sent an email to all of Bride’s bridesmaids and said hey – can’t wait to meet you… typical pre-wedding chatter, what are some of your ideas for the shower and bachelorette party. Maid responded with an email about trips to places like Vegas or Key West. Myself and a few other bridesmaids were a little taken aback. We were all for a fun girl’s weekend but the airfare and hotel for those types of places would kill us. I talked to Bride and she seemed shocked that Maid would write that to everyone and assured me she was fine with a beach trip somewhere more local or a night out on the town, etc. I wrote Maid back and she promised to look into other ideas and let us all know. Now at this point, to be fair, I probably could have offered to do the research or followed up with her, but she’s a big girl, I figured she would get back to us and I also felt like if she wanted help, she would let us know. So I dropped the issue. Bride’s wedding was a few months off.

So that brings us up to today. I get the email at 830 and like any friend (who can’t just call because of working in a cube), I swallowed my anger and typed back a respond all that I was sorry she felt that way, respected her decision but my budget would not allow me to go on crazy getaways but if she wanted to do something smaller we could do that and I was still planning on doing the shower, etc. A few minutes later, Maid responds that we don’t need to worry about it. She and Bride are going away together somewhere secret. Basically accuses us of being lazy bridesmaids that didn’t want to do anything other than go out in Richmond or VA Beach and puts everyone on blasts implying she’s the better friend and if we didn’t have the money we never should have agreed to be in the wedding. I’m sorry when did this become a bridesmaid competition? I swallow all the bile I want to type back at Maid – including where to shove her trip. And wait for Bride to respond. Which eventually she does… the thing is she never apologizes for the first email, or her rogue Maid’s email, her apology if we want to call it that was for the fact that we were bombarded with emails. And so this all leads me to the topic….

What is acceptable to expect of your wedding party?

Now we can go look at etiquette books about who does what, who pays what, etc. But let’s talk real world for a minute. I’ve been in two weddings, three if I count my own. And what is assigned by rules or etiquette to certain people and what actually happens are two different things. In my wedding, my mom and sister (matron of honor) threw my shower and no offense to my sister but it was at my mom’s so I’m assuming she took on the brunt of the work and costs. My bachelorette party was coordinated by all my maid’s but we stayed in my house, went out local, and instead of a limo (I had said it was too expensive) my pregnant sister drove us around in her jeep. But it was fine. It was more about being with my girls, hanging out, laughing, drinking, dancing… having fun. K – who I sent the email to – agreed with my just having fun with friend’s statement. His bachelor party was in NJ at his parent’s beach house but he said he never expected or asked any of the guys to pay for anything (of course with guy’s there is never even half the drama as with the ladies). It wasn’t a crazy Hangover style trip. My other wedding experiences – pretty similar. It wasn’t about what you could pay/give to the happy couple – it was about hanging out. My friend J in NJ her bachelorette party was dinner out with the girls and her shower – I couldn’t even make it because I had to drive home that day. And the thing I remember most about J’s wedding was she was always concerned with how much we had to spend. She let us pick the bridesmaid’s dress that we wanted and I selected a floor-length halter. When the David’s Bridal girl announced the price (I can’t remember now how much but I’m thinking $250 to $300) she kept asking if that was ok, did I want to look for something else, etc. Now we can’t all have as easy going of friend’s as J – although I wish!

My idea, and I could be off, for a wedding, is for the bride to take into account who her friend’s are before she sets her expectations for the pre-wedding celebrations (and even for that day). If you’re Jennifer Anniston and all your friends are multi-millionaires then yeah a week in Paris and designer bridesmaid’s dresses isn’t a big deal. If you’re an average Jane Smith and you’re friends are in their mid-late twenties with average jobs then maybe you need to scale back your expectations.

Your bridesmaids are your bridesmaids – they are there for you that day, to help with minor wedding planning, to help plan pre-wedding festivities, etc. they are not your servants or your punching bags. It’s simply not acceptable to turn all bridezilla on them and force them to cut their hair, get fake tans, lose weight, etc (I know this happens – I’ve seen the show Bridezillas and what those people put their so-called friends through is ridiculous).

Bridesmaids are expected to buy a dress that they will never wear again but said dress should be somewhat reasonable in costs. My experience is the dress is typically going to run with alterations right at or under $500. Bridesmaids are also expected to plan some sort of shower (although in my experience the mom’s and family typically help), some sort of bachelorette party, buy shoes for that day, although not a requirement hair and/or make-up for that day is usually expected. In addition, to any gifts, photos, etc.

And if the bride has a problem with a friend's behavior, pick up the phone. You liked them enough to ask them to be in your wedding so you should have the balls to call them when you have an issue. It's all about communication and I'm a firm believer that emails and IMs (and yes, blog posts) don't always do justice to what can be said face to face. You're much more willing to write things that you wouldn't dream of saying to someone's face and your words can be misread as being nastier than you meant.

Am I missing anything on expectations? What has your wedding experience been? Am I out of line on the trip?

As for the situation above... Maid, I've debated sending her a nasty-gram back but that serves no purpose and as S said - take the high road on this one. Lets just say if I ever do meet her I'm not planning to be BFF's and a cold shoulder might be in order. And as for Bride, I'm not sure what I want to do. I know weddings are stressful times and all the planning can make even the most level-headed bride crack every now and then but at the same time I feel attacked by Bride and Maid and an apology is in order. I've asked Bride to meet me for coffee to talk but as of yet she's refused and I've got a meeting in a bit so I can't call her tonight.

So today's lesson - brides be nice to your bridesmaids - at one point you were friends. And everyone out there, don't send nasty-gram emails in the heat of the moment because you might regret it later.

Book Club Update

2010-04-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

So book club was amazing - we had two new people show up - yay! I always get excited to think how far we've come in a year... just that we're still meeting is a huge accomplishment. So next month is my month - we're a little off because of adding some new members so I get to pick again pretty quickly. So I picked The History of Love... As always read along if you like and let me know what you think.

Do You Want Fries With That Shake?

2010-04-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

I get a little fired up about people not taking responsibility for their actions. Hey, be a man (or a lady) and fess up to your actions. Case in point, CNN had a story today about has the fast food industry gone too far? Basically, so you don’t have to read it the story talks about all these really fattening foods that fast food places have come out with. KFC being the most recent offender with a bunless sandwich which is two slices of fried chicken, cheese and bacon. Needless to say the thing is loaded with calories and fat. But hello, did anyone think eating fast food was good for them? I didn’t think so. You know eating fast food is bad for you and we do it anyways and then when we’re fifty pounds overweight we’re whining about how it’s McDonald’s fault… Really? Did Ronald hold a gun to you head and make you eat those French Fries?

It’s not just fast food, our country takes a stance against anything that could be potentially harmful because they think we’re a country of brainless idiots who among other things don’t know that smoking could cause lung cancer (better make sure Big Tobacco can’t advertise that will stop people from smoking), that eating junk will lead to obesity (lets tax fast food restaurants – that will make people think), that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol leads to bad behavior (prohibition anyone?).

Now, don’t get me wrong… I’m all for programs that educate people about the dangers of all these things. Go for it, cram Truth commercials down my throat. Start programs to get people to start exercising. Post food pyramids. And I don’t think people should be eating a ton of empty calorie foods while smoking a pack of cigarettes, drinking a case of beer and driving without a seatbelt… (By the way don’t drink and drive)… BUT if people choose to eat French Fries everyday it’s not my problem that they’re four hundred pounds. And nothing makes me madder than the people who do all those things and then whine about how they’re obese, have lung cancer and liver problems. Really???? Who says the line - you can't fix stupid?

Maybe my problem is I’ve always been the type that can just walk away from food. Sure I crave a good burger sometimes or a glass of wine (no cigs here) but I know that everything is better in moderation. Self control people.

So CNN, in the answer to your question, has the fast food industry gone to far? Probably but is it our place to step in and shake our head at them and say “bad KFC for selling fat” – I don’t think so. Money speaks louder than a bunch of complainers on CNN’s wall jumping up and down about how bad the fast food industry is. KFC can make all the bunless fried chicken sandwiches they want that doesn’t mean you need to rush out there and buy five of them for lunch. If no one buys the junk the company’s won't keep making it. It's all about the dollar and if what they're selling doesn't sell then they'll rethink their business plan.

Maybe we should really be shaking our heads at the parents that think an okay meal is two pieces of fried chicken washed down with a soda. I don’t have kids but I know enough to know that it starts at home. My parents didn’t let us eat junk food, no sugary cereals, limited candy, no soda, limited fast food (like maybe once a month). And you know what? I don’t eat that stuff now. I can’t even tell you the last time I had ice cream in my freezer, I don’t crave sugar like a strung out druggie, I rarely drink soda. I still eat healthy and drink loads of milk like they said. Am I perfect? No. I love Ukrop’s fried chicken like no other. Pizza and take-out Chinese are on my phone's speed dial. But I know I can’t eat it that stuff every day or every week. My parents told me not to smoke or drink. They told me to eat veggies instead of chips. But they also led by example. They practiced what they preached and that’s the biggest lesson of all. Sure you can say kids don’t listen to their parents but I will say some of those lessons stick. And the others, sometimes you have to try things for yourself and figure out that maybe mom and dad were right.

Moderation is key people. I will jump up on my soap box and scream it over and over. You know what’s bad for you and what’s good for you. Make smart decisions. And own up when you make bad ones. It’s not anyone else’s job to moniter and protect you from all the baddies out there. Sometimes you have to put on your big girl panties and think for yourself.

Book Club

2010-04-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

So I have to pick the book for next month - suggestions?

Here are my three choices so far (could change):

The Reliable Wife - I've heard mixed reviews. Amazon gave it three stars - usually not a good sign.

Olive Kitteridge - mainly because I bought this book for a $1 at a library sale and haven't read it.

The History of Love - I saw this in a magazine and they were raving about it.

K suggested Great Gatsby (love) or The Pit and the Pendulum... This has gotten me thinking of maybe picking a newer/older book - Fitzgerald maybe?

Anyway, leave your suggestions and I'll of course let you know what I end up picking. Book club falls on Cinco de Mayo - so I could make guacamole and salsa and do a Mexican theme for the food... yum.

Final Five Project Runway Style

2010-04-04T19:27:00.001-07:00

If you can't tell by now I follow Project Runway with a mild obsession - meaning I would love to go to lunch with Heidi and Tim (call me!) and watch it On Demand as soon as it pops up (meaning I can't stay up late enough to see the end and I like being able to fast-forward through commercials). So they are down to the final five and here are my thoughts.

Anthony is soooo super funny. Spoiler - Maya ends up leaving because it's too hard, she's not ready, blah blah blah... and they bring back Anthony - who got kicked off last week. I don't know if he's the most talented but his personality kills - he's just outgoing and bubbly and funny and you can't help but want him to win. His dress for Jessica Alba was pretty hot too (for being a pretty simple looking black and white dress). One of his other awesome dresses is on this month's Marie Claire magazine.

I wish I could find some of his quotes but apparently no one posts any of the really good ones. Needless to say they wouldn't come off as funny in writing anyway. I look forward to when the show focuses on him.

As for Maya - I didn't really like her fashions but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity suck it up and at least wait to get kicked off!

Other thoughts:

The only girl left Mila - not a fan. I'm not going to say someone isn't talented - I mean obviously you're to this point - but I don't really like what she does. It's a bit of a one-trick pony... oh another color-block dress (yawn).

Emilio - He does pretty cool designs (minus this hideous bikini thing he made one week). Heidi was gushing over his dress this week - some sequin thing and although sequins aren't really my thing the dress was pretty gorgeous.

Seth Aaron - I could see him winning. It's not my style - punk rocker chic but he's good and he's constantly being innovative. He knows who he is and what his line would be about which I like. Plus, I'm always curious to see what he puts out because it makes you think - wow I wouldn't have thought to pair that with this, etc.

Jay - He could win too. He always does these pretty technical pieces. This week was just ok a corset like top with this big skirt...

As you can see, Anthony has by far the biggest personality so I tend to focus on him more. Seth Aaron a close second...

Are you watching? Thoughts?

Week 13 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-04-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

So how did you do on reading the news? A big fat fail for me. I seem to have this mental block to the news - like my brain immediately shuts down while chanting boring and flashing pictures of Project Runway or entertainment blogs... I know real up on current events... I do go check news sites at lunch everyday and I was trying to pay more attention to what the articles said and not immediately click on the about town links or entertainment. So I will say I read the headlines a lot more, I didn't immediately start to twitch when K tried to watch NBC, and I watched the Today show during breakfast on Friday (which totally counts because they talk about news for about .5 seconds).

So this week - we're going with exercising at least three times. And by exercising - I mean any physical activity for at least 30 minutes. Walk around the block, go to the gym, play Wii Fit, do 15 minutes in the morning and 15 at night... I'm not that strict so any and all of the above count. I'm on this workout kick because I went two days in a row (slight miracle) to the gym and walked C both days. I figured combined that's a lot of exercise - I'll look like a V.S. model in no time (lol). I got a bunch of work-out DVD's so will give me an excuse to break one of those bad boys out and maybe even review them if I like it...

So good luck! Here's to getting bikini ready.

Glamour Magazine

2010-04-02T14:24:00.001-07:00

So can I tell you how much I love my Glamour magazine subscription? First Posh Spice, then April was Leighton Meester on the cover and now I saw on their website that LC (Lauren Conrad) is on the cover of May. They look amazing! And I will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of said Glamour in my mailbox.

My favorite Gossip Girl on March 2010 Glamour.

Love the Wizard of Oz ruby slippers - fitting since I just saw Wicked - although I'd never wear them in real life...

April 2010 Glamour. This guy on Cocktails with Patrick met LC recently and said she's beyond gorgeous in real life (although a tad too skinny he said). He was lmao funny detailing everything - what he was wearing, what she was wearing, who said what, where, etc. Can't wait to read her article - I haven't watched The Hills since she left.

The ladies from The Hills.

Photos from www.glamour.com.

Splish Splash II

2010-04-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

Well all those new sexy suits I'm craving need one thing (well after my tote of magazines and SPF)... a new cover-up. If I love anything more than bathing suits its a cute cover-up. I personally don't love sarongs and go more for a cute dress or short cover-up but I won't discriminate. Once again all images are from http://www.victoriassecret.com/.

I love these baby doll smocked top dresses... sooo comfy!

Did I mention I want a romper this season?

I am dying for a romper this season and this although not a romper has the look and the color I want. Super cute. I think you could wear it off the beach too.

This is super cute. I may need to cash in my VS gift card on this or the turquoise number.... or both.

Do you know how much looking at all these beach scenes makes me want to go to a tropical vacay???

Splish Splash

2010-03-30T07:33:00.001-07:00

It's going to be in the 80's for Easter weekend. Summer is right around the corner and my favorite summer clothing (aside from sundresses and cute tanks) is bathing suits. I'm mildly obsessed with them. I'll readily admit I don't look close to Marissa Miller or Heidi Klum in a bikini but a girl can dream that just the right one will give you super model curves.

I think ever since college, I've bought one... or three... bathing suits a season. I keep them all tucked away in a hat box in the guest bedroom and each summer I pull them all out and just breath in the smell of beach and chlorine that lingers no matter how many times you wash them.

Here are a few I found on www.victoriassecret.com that I could spend the rest of the summer lounging by a pool or on the beach in....

I am a sucker for details around the waist... belts, ruffles, pattern, you name it. I feel like it cinches everything in.

Proving there can be an old-Hollywood sexy-glam to a one-piece. Maybe you don't need a bikini to look like a beach goddess.

I love that it looks a bit naughty - like you slipped out of your shorts and shirt and took a dive in your bra and panties.

I have always wanted and am terrified of a white suit. There's always that is it see-through factor. I love the turquoise accent color though.

Week 12 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-03-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

Hanging in there? Are you even still doing these? Ok I'll admit I kinda skimped on last week - I partially did a puzzle at lunch... does that count? So this week - read the news and find three current events each day. Why? Because you should know what's going on.

Thoughts on Mansfield Park Thus Far

2010-03-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

So I’m reading Mansfield Park for book club. I was reading like a mad man this weekend thinking book club was this Wednesday but I am saved and can once again procrastinate as book club is next week. It has gotten me thinking though and I don’t know if I’ll bring up at book club or not – am actually afraid to bring up here as I know a lot of people are die-hard Jane Austen fans. But here I go (don’t be too mean in the comments).

Is Austen as good of writer as everyone claims or is she really the seventeen hundred’s version of say a Nicholas Sparks? I read a lot and I’ve read a lot of Jane Austen books (if not all at this point at least 90%). And reading this one I’ve struck with the thought all her books are pretty much the same romance bundled up and packaged under different characters and different names. Girl meets boy, is somehow unworthy of boy or not interested in boy, girl realizes she is deeply madly in love with said boy, randomness happens (usually something to do with what’s proper and not or social classes), boy and girl get together. I tried to google Jane Austen critics but got a bunch of literary reviews that I didn’t feel like reading and none that screamed in the Google site description – same story over and over. Are they well written? Sure – better than half the dribble current authors put out at lightning speed. But that doesn’t change the fact that pretty early on you can guess where the story is going.

Maybe this is just the way it is with romance – I recently heard a romance writer talk and she said publishers want the heroine and hero to meet in the first chapter and if you can do it on the first page even better. Have romances not changed in 200 years?

It makes me mad though when I fall for a writer and slowly come to realize after devouring a few of their books that it’s the same stories repacked in a shiny new cover with a few new names. I can name a list right now: Janet Evanovich, Nicholas Sparks, Danielle Steel, practically any romance novel, Jodi Picoult, Sophia Kinsella (although I’m still addicted to the shopaholic series)…. They all have a stick – Nicholas Sparks is guaranteeing some tragic event, Danielle Steel is most often some down in her luck heroine with expensive things meeting an unlikely price charming, Evanovich with her Plum series is all about an unlikely bounty hunter and the scrapes she continually finds herself in… And Picoult, who used to be a favorite of mine is all drama wrapped up in a social commentary of sorts - school shootings, the death penalty, suicide, it’s all fair game and it’s all likely to be an open ending.

Is it the curse of a prolific author to be drawn to the same story over and over? Maybe. I truly believe you write things you want to read. But I also think some of it is pure laziness - it's easy to repackage something that already works. Hell, half my job is to think of a new way to sell the same products. There's only so many ways you can write a love story.

So get to discussing... I'm interested on your take.

Book Club April Book

2010-03-23T17:20:00.001-07:00

So I don't think I told anyone but the book is Mansfield Park by Jane Austin. I just started and it's ok... in all honesty I haven't been motivated to read so that could be it. I'll let you know what Book Club thinks but if you read it too - I'd love to hear your thoughts.

2010-03-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

So I have an interview on Friday and I'm basically procrastinating doing this writing assignment they want (by tomorrow morning). First off the assignment is a press release but I don't feel like there is enough information in the document they gave me to write anything substantial and I'm not sure if we're supposed to go on the website and get more information... I mean a little instruction here would be nice.

So I had to go by an outfit because one I always feel more confident in something new that I think is totally fierce. And two because I'll take any good reason to go shopping.

This is what I got (http://www.thelimited.com/):

What do you think? Obviously would look way better if they would shell out a little extra money to have real people in their clothes but I thought it was cute. It's different - not your standard black suit (hard to tell but there is a pattern and a slight sheen to the material) but not so crazy they'll take one look at me and shut the door. I'm thinking a white cami underneath and my pearls because it's expected. I don't think an interview is the time or place to break out my glass ring and purple nail polish.

So I'm confident about the outfit now I need to wow them with this writing sample and interview. My goal - make them know they can't live without me. Wish me luck!

Side note about a model in the clothes - I was thinking about this after I hit publish. And maybe no model is good. I'm not distracted by some 18 year old, 6 ft, 100 lb model and I can really judge the outfit. Usually I'm left pondering - ok well Marissa Miller looks amazing in that bikini but could I pull it off being that I'm probably a few pounds heavier and a lot of inches shorter (and I don't have professional hair, make-up and a spray tan).

Week 11 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-03-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

I'm getting bad at this posting on Sunday stuff - but in my defense this weekend was a little busy. So I'm going to cheat and make this week easy. All you have to do is some sort of brain teaser puzzle - Sudoku, cross words, word search... I don't care. Just pick one and do it. I'll try to find an article to link to but it's good to keep your brain active and learning.

Week 10 Update

2010-03-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

So I didn't go to the book festival. I know... I know... I should have. Think outside the box and all that... Well here's the thing. The weather here was gorgeous. I'm not talking about just an ok spring day where the weather is somewhat sunny and warm. This was full on spring with a hint of summer. I couldn't make myself sit inside all day. So I took the time to run some errands instead.

One thing I got into last year was growing my own herbs. It sounds like such an English garden - I love it. Plus I have fresh herbs for all my new recipes. So I went to Home Depot and although its a little early picked up a pot of Lemon Thyme to plant in a spare pot. So far I have, English Thyme, Lemon Thyme, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Sage and Rosemary. The Rosemary has done the best - maybe because I use it the most in recipes. It's huge! I also had Basil but the bunnies ate it about a week after I planted it. Last year I had two Cilantro plants - yum! My mom had said Cilantro was an annual that dies about mid-summer. I had let it go to seed thinking I could use the seeds to plant next year (did you know Cilantro seeds are the spice Coriander?). Well this morning when I was adding a few new plants to our beds I noticed all these baby Cilantro plants coming up - Surprise! :) I was so happy. I've been googling it all morning and apparently it is an annual - the only thing I can think is because I let it go to seed some of the seeds sprouted. So happy for all the tacos and salsa I can make.

So my getting outside of my box?

I've applied for and I have an interview for a new job. I don't want to jinx anything so we won't discuss it right now but I'm excited and nervous. And I had to go get a new suit - which is super cute - I'll try to find photos later.

I bought a lottery ticket - I never buy lotto tickets. It's such a waste of money but I was hoping I would suddenly get a shot of good luck and win - but alas... I didn't.

I think that's everything I can think of right now. We're going to see Wicked tonight - so excited. I'll try to do a post tomorrow about it.

Book Review: The English American

2010-03-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

I picked The English American because the author will be at the book festival I've been thinking about going to this weekend. It sounded like it could be interesting - a story about an English girl who was adopted from America.

So what do I think? This book is interesting to me - part of it made me want to keep reading and I devoured the first half quite quickly. The second half of the book dragged. I found myself wanting to shake Pippa. She seemed to naively bounce along and do exactly what everyone else wanted her to do just because she was English and apparently English people don't stand up for themselves and hide their emotions.

I think this book tried to be too many things:
- A take on the cultural differences between Americans and British people. The British according to Larkin are reserved, quite, don't share their feelings, etc. Americans by contrast are loud (most in the book are downright obnoxious), pushy, and overly emotional.
- A slight political rant on whether or not England and the US should be in the Iraq war.
- The feelings an adopted person goes through growing up and deciding to search for their birth parents.
- A romance.

There are probably more subplots but that's all I can think of at the moment. I think the book would have served a much better purpose to pick one or two things and go with that. The part about Pippa being liberal and against Bush and the war really served no purpose in the book other than to have a few spats with friends and her birth-father.

The romance in the book feels contrived and the "surprise" ending wasn't much of a surprise. It was pretty much romance book writing 101 - does she fall for the jerky guy she's been lusting after or the friend who is always there for her. I won't tell you who but I'm sure anyone who has read much Chick Lit can figured it out.

I felt like the ending in general was a major let down - it was this big build up to will Pippa finally wake up and realize who she is and fall in love, etc. and the book quickly wraps everything up in about twenty pages.

The cultural differences were interesting but very stereotypical. I just don't think every English person is reserved and quiet and all Americans are brash, arrogant over-sharers. As an American, I felt like we were painted in a very bad light. Larkin has apparently spent time in the US but was raised elsewhere. I would hope her experience with Americans has not been so crazy. It would be as if I wrote a book about typical stereotypes of English people or Canadians, or French people... it was a lot like a horoscope to me - all Americans are this and all British are this. I've read other books by British authors and never came away with quite the same take on the British (who in this book I felt came off in a bad light as well - as a bunch of push-overs who quietly go along accepting their lot in life). I liked the language differences a lot - the difference between a pocketbook and a wallet for example - and the fact that apparently Fig Newtons don't exist in England.

Although it says in the back of the book that the author Alison Larkin was adopted as well and shares a similar story to Pippa - I felt like Larkin had read a book on how adoptees feel and tossed every stereotype imaginable into the work. Pippa loves but feels unconnected to her family (the ones that adopted her), she has issues with abandonment, she doesn't let people close to her, her (adopted) family doesn't understand her, she feels guilty for talking to her birth family, her birth family when she meets them suddenly get her and love her instantly... It felt contrived.

Let's talk about Pippa's birth parents for a second. Pippa finds them and meets them - Billie and Walt. Walt is a self-centered politician (they never really say what he does but he works in DC in the government so lets just say politician). He's cheated on his wife with Billie, who ended up getting pregnant and they gave the baby up to not hurt his career. He claims to have loved Billie but later you learn that he had a son with his wife the same year Billie had Pippa. Pippa is immediately infatuated by him despite the fact that he seems stand-offish and is obviously a people user. Billie on the other hand, works with art somehow - her job seems very fluid. Pippa is also drawn to her. She moves in with her shortly after meeting her - which just seems weird. Billie is from Georgia and from the very beginning seems like she has some sort of mental disorder. She's spacey, she over-shares, she's downright trashy. If I was Pippa I would have been on the next plane back to England. But instead she tries again and again to make it work with them and suffers through both of their antics far too long.

I would say the book is 2 out of 5 stars. For me it would have faired much better as young adult literature or if Larkin could have tightened up the story a bit. The book starts strong but flounders miserably halfway through. I only finished it to see exactly what happened to Pippa and I won't say I wasn't tempted to just skip to the end.

Get Reading I

2010-03-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

If you don't know by now that I love reading then you haven't been reading this blog too closely. I've been thinking back to that post on the BBC book list and how the point was that most people hadn't read those books or even a portion of those books. Anyway, I figured from now on I'm going to start posting a list of a few books a month I think are decent enough you should give them a read. Some may be more fluff than substance, some might be classics... it's whatever I'm feeling and whenever I get around to it (hey I'm not committing to a day on this - sorry!).

So here's my first list. Read them all or pick and choose. I will say I will have read every book that makes my Get Reading Lists just I might not have read them recently.

1. Gone With The Wind - I have to say this is one case where I like the movie better than the book but it's a classic - you have to have read it once.

2. My Sister's Keeper - I think after awhile Jodi Picoult books get to all sounding the same but that being said - this is the first book of hers I ever read and I think it is probably one of the best ones she wrote.

3. The Time Traveler's Wife - My book club gave this mixed reviews but I still love it.

4. Persuasion - I did not want to read this book one bit. But I loved it. It is by far one of my favorite Jane Austin books.

5. Wuthering Heights - Love it. Hands down one of my favorite books. Who wants to go see the movie?

Week 10 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-03-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Only 42 more weeks to go! So this week I'm going to be slightly selfish and make the goal something that might force me to do something. This week you have to do something you wouldn't normally do.

This could be saying yes to drinks with an acquittance. Buying that camera you've been eyeing (that's me but not sure I'll pull the trigger). Signing up for a yoga class. Whatever... think outside of your box.

For me? Well the camera could make my list but I'm not sure I want to spend the money. And I did pull the trigger on a piece of art at the craft show yesterday (I can't pick it up until May) but still that was big for me - usually I'll say I'll think about it and then never do anything.

But what I'm really debating about (and I can't say I would never go) is there is a book festival and writing classes next Saturday about an hour from here. The classes I picked are free so it isn't the costs. Its forcing myself to do something alone (I don't really know anyone that's as hardcore into writing that they want to sit through classes most of the day). Their website and my writing group all make it sound very interesting and pretty unique that they have writers teaching classes for free. And my goal this year is to actually write something I can start editing to be published, so this could really help me. The thing is if the classes/festival were in town I wouldn't think twice about going. Since I have to drive to a new city and figure out the hotel, etc. I'm a bit more nervous. So I'm hoping this goal will force me to go - or I might just have to go buy a very expensive camera so I can say I completed it.

Glamour = Posh Spice

2010-03-10T17:27:00.000-08:00

I love my Glamour magazine subscription. Until maybe three years ago I was a Cosmo girl through and through. For some reason (maybe I'm getting older) but Cosmo doesn't have the same allure it had when I was sixteen. I subscribed to Glamour when I moved back to VA and could no longer take advantage of S's free leftover magazines. So how does this relate to Posh Spice?

Let's back track a bit. It's the 90's. The biggest band on the planet (or in my planet) is the Spice Girls. I loved everything about them - what can I say I love cheesy pop music and glamorous clothes. The Spice Girls would probably fall in line somewhere after Britney Spears in my all-time favorite bands/musicians. You can boo all you want that the songs aren't great and that they might not be able to sing without computer help but I love them. I love each and every cheesy song. And from the beginning Posh Spice was my favorite (followed closely by Baby and Ginger, the other two not so much).

What was not to love about Posh? She didn't really sing all that much but was in a hugely popular group. She wore great clothes (for the time - mid drifts and chunky platform heels aren't that great anymore). She was gorgeous and had a cool accent.

So I was pretty thrilled when my Glamour arrived and who should the cover model be but Mrs. Beckham (aka Posh) herself. So here are a few of my favorite photos (pick up the March Glamour or visit http://www.glamour.com/ for more).

Love her or hate her - you have to admit she's got an amazing figure (although sometimes too skinny) and amazing clothes. I know people are always all about Lady Gaga and her boundary pushing style but normal girls wouldn't wear that. Victoria pushes the style boundaries but in a way that makes average women sit up and say I want super short hair, or I want five inch stilettos and a pencil skirt. I think a trendsetter is someone that pushes the rules but is still somewhat attainable.

Movie Review: Law Abiding Citizen

2010-03-10T15:53:00.000-08:00

This was K's pick on Netflix. I'm going to go ahead and rate it now and get that out of the way and then tell you my likes and dislikes. I'm going to say 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Likes: Interesting concept. Decent acting (Gerard Butler is pretty hot and gets naked in one scene which has everything to do with his acting ability).

Dislikes: I was able to figure out what Gerard's character was doing before everyone else so it was a little bit of a let down. Case in point: Judge's (who had chastised Jamie Foxx for using a cell phone in court) cell phone rings - I say to K - $10 that phone is going to blow up. Judge answers phone. Phone blows up. Just too predictable for a supposed top-notch spy who no one is supposed to know his next move. Really? I guessed every single one of them.

I never understood why Gerard's family was targeted in the beginning. I did think a twist would be why the bad guys (Darby and Ames) killed Gerard's wife and daughter (no big spoiler this happens in the first five minutes). But alas, it was a random act of violence. I guess this makes it worse and why Gerard felt like he needed to get revenge (that and he felt he got crummy treatment from the DA) but I felt like there needed to be a reason why they killed his wife and daughter and was let down at the end when it was just random.

My other dislike was I started out feeling bad for Gerard's character. His family is brutally murdered. The police messed up the evidence so they have to plea the bad guys down (basically offer one a deal and get the other death row) and the main bad guy that actually killed his wife and daughter was the one that got three years for murder (can that happen?). SPOILER: So Gerard takes out the two bad guys. I don't think any jury would feel bad for a death-row inmate and a convicted murder/drug dealer. But then he gets all crazy on the Pennsylvania legal system and starts just randomly killing anyone involved with the case. I went from feeling bad for him to feeling like he was just a crazy weirdo in need of some serious therapy.

Overall a solid movie. I wouldn't buy it - I think once you see it you're not going to watch it over and over.

Week 9 Update

2010-03-10T15:37:00.000-08:00

So this week is all about getting back in touch with people you may not have talked to for awhile. If you're anything like me you have the same two people on speed dial and everyone else seems to be catch up when you can. It's not that I don't love my other friends - I simply don't have the time.

So I started this week by leaving messages for KR - she's been in school and moving so it's been hard to find time to catch up. We still haven't actually talked but I think a voicemail totally counts. I did catch up with S. S and I used to talk practically every day but I've been busy recently and she just had a baby so it's been harder to catch up. It was nice to just touch base and reconnect.

And today, which I'm totally counting. I talked to O. Ok so he called me but it counts. I met O my freshman year of college. He knew my roommate and had a huge crush on her. So we ended up hanging out a lot and he became one of my best friends. The funny thing is later when I met K it turned out he and O were roommates - small world. O is one of those friends that I can go months without talking to him and its like we're right back where we started - sitting in a dorm room gabbing about anything and everything. I will say it is nice to have a guy for a bff. Sure you're not going to discuss girl issues but you can talk about pretty much anything else and you get a guy's perspective in return. Plus (sorry gfs) with guys you never get the petty drama that sometimes engulfs relationships with other girls.

So tonight has so far been good. I meant to take C for a walk (our nightly tradition now that its warm) but I sat on the porch and chatted away until O's phone died. K made beef stew this am so I don't have to cook. Life is good.

Week 9 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-03-08T03:24:00.000-08:00

This one is easy. I forgot to post anything this weekend so you're a day short for this challenge. Basically all you have to do is call someone you haven't talked to in awhile and ask them what's new with them (or some variation) then just listen to them. I'll even let you define "awhile" the only stipulation would be you can't have talked to them in the last few days. So good luck - more later!

Week 8 Update II

2010-03-05T04:55:00.001-08:00

This is a little late but I haven't had time to post. Tuesday night I was all amped up to try another new recipe. The potatoes weren't really a recipe so I wasn't sure if it would technically count. So I picked this pasta recipe that sounded pretty good. Basically a lower fat version than full on Alfredo sauce. So it was called Spinach Pasta with Cheese. First off anything with cheese in the title gets my attention. And K loves pasta so I thought it was a good compromise.

It smelled good cooking so I got even more excited. I decided to make dessert too to surprise him. I hardly ever start cooking before K gets home. Usually I'll play with C, go through the mail, check all my usual websites while trying to keep C from destroying random papers on the shredder, call friends, etc. And then when he gets home I'll lay around for ten minutes asking "I don't know what do you want for dinner" secretly hoping he'll finally cave and say we have enough money to go out (again).

In the end, the pasta recipe was no good. The sauce never really became watery. Basically it was a ball of spinach coated ricotta cheese that I tried to mix in with the pasta. I thought it was gross from the first day. K liked it but he ate it again on Wednesday and said it was gross. Oh well - a mad face goes in the recipe book.

You never know if you don't try.

What I'm Watching - Undercover Boss

2010-03-02T15:54:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this show? I see it on Demand a lot (my source for TV when I'm bored). Anyway, it comes on CBS and I'm thinking the one time I actually caught it on TV it was on Sunday.

The premise is a CEO goes undercover in his own company to figure out what's good and what's bad. Basically it's like an hour long pr commercial (hopefully) for said company. The first one on Waste Management was interesting. I think it's getting a little old at this point for a few reasons:

1. Your CEO shaved off his beard and slicked back his hair and you expect me to believe no one recognized him. Have you ever googled the people that work for your company or I don't know gone on your company's website? A little hard to believe.

2. They always meet people with massive problems (failing kidneys, blind children, etc). I think the people are selectively picked (it didn't take rocket science to figure that out) - I don't think Joe CEO randomly runs into Cindy Down-On-Her-Luck.

3. The people are always quick to share what's wrong with the company. Again - really? It's not something I'd blurt out on someone's first day in front of camera crews.

I'm sure there are other reasons. The show is entertaining but call me spoiled and jaded half the time the CEO's "help" for these people is a little weak.

For example:

1. I saw White Castle's episode last night so it's sticking out. But the CEO started a wellness program because one of the employees had a hard time losing weight and thought she was going to have a heart attack and die. All nice and good but to me a wellness program sounds like a manual or a brochure you'll get twice a year and a email reminder once a year that you should exercise. Lame. (Although I don't know White Castle's program - maybe it's amazing, like free gym memberships, I don't know).

Here's another hard to believe element. The CEO of Hooters went undercover a few weeks ago. He didn't realize that some people thought Hooters was degrading to women.... Really?? You have girls walking around in tight clothes, short shorts and your restaurant is called Hooters - I don't think you're talking about the Owl. Let's be honest for a second and you knew full well that Hooters is degrading and you don't care but want to seem like a nice family guy so you're like "oh really?"

Or the 7/11 CEO who was surprised when a store clerk said there was no where to go in the company. I mean come on half these people are there to hold them over until they finish school, find something else, etc. I'm not sure many people say hmmm I really want to work at a 7/11 store my whole life. I don't think there's anything wrong with it if you do but I'm just thinking most people say I want to be a doctor or a lawyer...

I will say the show is entertaining. It's interesting to me that some of the CEO's come across as complete idiots and you have to wonder how the hell did they get that job. To be fair maybe they weren't trained well at entry level positions but... I'm just saying if I was CEO of XYZ Company - I'd make damn sure I sounded eloquent and looked intelligent on TV.

Also interesting - the behind the scene's (although scripted) look at the company's.

Final verdict - worth checking out if you have nothing else to do.

Week 8 update

2010-03-02T15:49:00.001-08:00

So how is the cooking coming? So far I made one new thing but I didn't have a recipe - so does that count?

I sliced (ok K did) potatoes up and put them in a frying pan with oil, a little butter, salt, pepper, seasoning salt, basil and garlic powder and cooked them for dinner last night. Super yummy.

Last week I made a taco salad - I had a recipe but I tweaked it. Here you go (my version):

1 lb ground beef
1 cucumber
approx 1 head of lettuce
2 Roma tomatoes
onion (to taste)
garlic (to taste)
cumin
salt
pepper
onion powder
3/4 cup French dressing
1 cup salsa
whole grain tortilla chips (broken up)
Cheddar Cheese
can of black beans (drained)

Ok this is super easy. Cook the beef. Towards the end add onion, garlic, spices and beans. Heat through. Meanwhile, wash all the veggies and put in a bowl. Cool the meat mixture a bit and then put on top of veggies - combine. Top with cheese and chips.

In another bowl combine salsa and French dressing to make your salad dress.

First off I never would have thought to combine salsa and French dressing but it was by far one of the best dressings I've ever had. Highly recommend.

I'm debating tonight making a new pasta recipe - I'll let you know how it goes.

Random Thoughts for a Monday

2010-03-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

I think Mondays are always hard. I'm one of those people that would be perfectly content being independently wealthy (ok really who wouldn't be happy with that?). So I'm always a little sad when Monday rolls around and I have to go to work and I can't just do what I want to do all day. So there's that.

Monday started ok though - my boss emailed me this really nice compliment about me from another employee. (Basically giving me kudos for a job well done last week - how awesome is that?!?!) Life was good.

Then about 8 am we get a company wide email that basically read blah blah blah blah no raises this year blah blah blah. Wait... rewind. No raises this year? This sent everyone around me into a does this include us or not discussion. I was going to think with the glass half full approach and go with it doesn't include us.

Afternoon rolls around we get a 2nd email that says the first email does include us. This led to more discussion about how much work sucks and people just generally complaining.

Here's a thought - I know this was probably planned. I mean I don't think the bosses woke up this morning and were like hmmm no raises for anyone today. So why would you send out such a morale killer on a Monday? You have an army of depressed weekend craving employees and you're going to launch their week with great job but no raises? Really? Why not send it out on a Thursday so we can all go out drinking and bitch about it at least? J/K - sort of. I just don't think Monday was a great day to tell people.

I'm telling myself what I told K when his company said no raises. At least you're better off than all those people that are getting laid off or the people getting salary cuts, etc. but part of me is a upset three year old screaming in the corner. It stinks. I sometimes really feel like I'm beating my head against a brick wall. This is my Monday venting session for a few minutes then we'll go back to the regularly scheduled program of fashion and other frivolity.... I guess growing up part of me was naive enough to think I'd be like the people on Friends. I'd have a great job, a fabulous apartment and designer clothes. Instead I feel like I did all this work to just be stuck like a hamster in a wheel - running like crazy but not going anywhere. My job is okay but there are days where I want something more but I can't really put my finger on what it is - like I'm at point A but I really want to be at point B. The thing is companies have us (and they know it) by the (excuse the expression) balls. They can do what they want, treat us like they want and they know if you're smart you're probably not going anywhere just yet.

So what can cheer me up? I don't know... but this list is usually a start:

1. A Margarita - at least for a few minutes I can dream I'm in Mexico lying on the beach. If I ever win the lottery I swear I'm moving to another country and just playing in the ocean all day. Until then a Margarita will have to do.

2. Shopping. I guess this is like a binge eater except when I get stressed or upset I don't eat. I shop. I crave candy colored dresses, jeans, shoes that would make Carrie Bradshaw weep with desire... I literally had to stop myself from heading to the mall after work. If I'm not getting a raise I can't afford to blow my budget on Loft and Limited.

3. Writing. There is something so therapeutic about it for me. I tend to write better fiction when I'm running high on emotions. It sounds weird but its like this little release for all this pent up energy that I can't get rid of.

4. Exercising. If I can make myself detour the mall and go to the gym instead... I did take C for a walk when I got home and it felt nice to just be outside.

5. Venting. Who doesn't want to vent for two seconds about how crappy everything seems? Sometimes it feels good to let it out and just scream or cry or tell your bff that life sometimes sucks.

Week 8 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-02-28T08:37:00.000-08:00

This one is another easy one. Try one new recipe this week. Go through a cookbook and pick something you've been dying to try or google something your favorite restaurant makes and figure out how to do it yourself.

Since getting my house along with home improvements, cooking has become something of a hobby. I'm not going to pretend I'm a great chef and I don't make anything fancy but I've learned it's ok to just try and if it doesn't come out so great there's always Papa John's.

So get out there and make something new! And be sure to keep me posted on what you make - I might want to arrange a recipe swap!

Week 7 Update - Giving Back

2010-02-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

We all know giving back is important. It's not even all about the money although it would certainly help a lot of people right now. It's about doing what you can to help out something you believe in. So far I've donated money to both my undergraduate college and my graduate university. I'm debating donating money to the humane society (I entered C into a contest but you have to pay to win).

Today after work I had to run errands, one of them being going to the library to pick up a few books. One of the librarians and I got into a conversation and she mentioned that they heard there were budget cuts and they didn't know if that meant people would get laid off or if they would cut hours or close the library an extra day. This got me thinking about trying to figure out a way to help in my community. I don't know how and maybe there isn't anything I can do but I love that library. I've been going since I was a kid and I know a lot of the librarians just from stopping in so often. I need to do some research but my conversation really got me thinking. Just thought I'd throw it out there to all of you. Any ideas how I can help?

Just One Look

2010-02-26T14:48:00.000-08:00

Stores fall into four categories for me.

Madly in Love - the name says it all. If these stores were people we'd be bff's. We get each other. I seek them out.

Deep Dislike - these are the stores (obviously) that I would rather get a cavity filled than venture into. Or the stores I didn't click with.

Ambivalent Acquittance - Take it or leave it. These are the stores that I don't feel strongly one way or the other.

Why did I describe this to you? Because when I'm am ambivalent acquittance it's pretty hard to win me over. I might walk into your store occassionally and look around but I don't crave what you sell. You don't have top of mind for me when I'm thinking about what I need next.

I just spent the last few days up in NJ celebrating a belated Christmas. It's not bad to spread the holiday out a bit but I will say it loses some of its charm when you take away the ceremony, the tree and all the fattening food. Anyway... NJ is my favorite place to shop - you get all the trends of NYC but minus the mobs of people and the sales tax. I plan my shopping up there days out - which places I have to go to and which I'm on the fence about.

This brings me to J. Crew. J. Crew falls solidly into ambivalent acquittance - I have a few things from there but for me they always fell squarely into a more expensive version of the Gap for me - aka old-school preppy with boring khakis and button ups. I have K to thank for my latest obsession (and by obsession I mean stalking J. Crew's website and trying to figure out if I should wait until summer to order stuff or just head out to the mall now). We were at the Outlets and K had to go to the bathroom. It's too cold to wait outside and J. Crew was next to the restrooms so I said I'd wander in there thinking even khakis can hold my attention for a few minutes.

I walked into a summer in Key West - bright colors, cute sundresses, shorts and tops that had me drooling. I didn't actually get anything - I can't justify paying full price for shorts that I won't wear for another few months but they really got me thinking (and obsessing).

So thanks to http://www.jcrew.com/ for the following spring/summer loves to get us through this chilly post-work Friday.

I Go Back...

2010-02-23T10:28:00.000-08:00

I was thinking today as I dream about possible vacation spots about some of my favorite memories so I thought I'd share a bit.

The smell of Irish Spring soap always makes me think of the beach house in Manasquan. K's mom always has Irish Spring soap in the outdoor shower. So now, every time I smell it I am transported back to lazy summer days at the shore. It's probably one of my all time favorite US beaches (I have to say US because nothing competed with the sugar sand of Cancun or the tropical paradise in Bermuda). It's just a quiet family beach with cute little houses. K and I like to walk up and down the beach at night dreaming about which beach-front home we'd buy if we won the lottery. With only a handful of bars and no boardwalk it's a far cry from the hard partying Seaside Heights of Jersey Shore fame.

Fresh pineapple and white chocolate cookies remind me of Disney World. On our second trip we stayed in the Polynesian (which if you're going to go and if you have the cash I would highly recommend). All day, everyday there were cookies and fresh pineapple out to eat. I don't think I've ever eaten so much pineapple in my life.

There's the feeling of accomplishment that rings inside me every time I look at my photos in Mexico. K and I took a tour to Chichen Itza a Mayan ruin near Cancun. Sure it was hot (it's the middle of July in Mexico we didn't expect anything else) but it was so worth it. One of my favorite pictures from that trip is one we took of the two of us on top of the pyramid. We're slick with sweat, our faces are red but we're smiling. If you go, you have to climb it - sure it's a little scary (no handrails, a hundred people swarming around the top of a pyramid) but the view is amazing.

The funny thing is I remember a lot of vacations for things that went wrong.

The trip to the Poconos as a kid for one. My dad found this "cabin" at a "resort" so we packed up and went. I remember someone saying what's with all the tool sheds (or maybe my mom said outhouses) when we drove in... surprise that's your cabin. It was literally like someone had taken a tool shed, made an addition of a bathroom and a second bedroom and slapped a bunch on the hill. There was even a crack around the door where you could see outside between the room my sister and I shared and the bathroom. Not to mention the air conditioning was only in my parent's room - so they were freezing and we were blistering hot, the 7,000 stairs to the dining hall, the indoor pool that smelled funny... but we had fun. We went sight seeing, we played a lot of shuffleboard (I could probably beat any 70 plus year old Florida resident still), we road bikes.

Then there was the trip to Tennessee where the van key got stuck in the ignition and we were stuck at the Casey Jone's Train Museum for what seemed like half a day. It was 300 degrees in the shade, the only locksmith was an hour away, and the museum (while I'm sure is quite lovely) loses something after the first hour or so. I remember my parents took turns with us inside the gift shop while someone else stayed with the van. I still have a framed antique postcard of a guardian angel that I bought there though.

That's all my reminiscing for now - what were your favorite or most memorable vacations?

Wasting Away Again In Margaritaville

2010-02-22T12:40:00.000-08:00

Well not quite but if I get to go on vacation this year that's my plan. Here's the thing - I don't know where we should go. We had talked about going with friends this year to Vegas and/or California for a week (maybe a little longer). I'm afraid though that their budget isn't in the same ballpark as mine - as in I want to stay at the Best Western and they want to stay at the Ritz. So my other option is to plan something alone. I'm thinking maybe Miami and Key West.

So here's my thought for all of you - what should I do? Go along with the original plan - which was either Vegas and LA or LA and San Francisco. Do plan b which we're thinking would be Miami and Key West. Or plan c - which is something else altogether - stay home and save money, mini-vacations, or where should I go?

Here's my thing with vacations. I love them. First off you have to be crazy not to. It's like summer vacation in some exotic location where all you have to do is sight see, eat and drink (margaritas are optional). I would save all year for a week somewhere fun.

I'm lucky enough my parents took us to a lot of places in the US growing up and K and I have gone on a few nice vacations (Bermuda and Cancun would be my two favorites with him). But somehow it was easier when your parents planned the vacation. All I had to do was pack and get in the car. Now, it's searching travel sites for ideas, reading books on what there is to do there, getting advice (good and bad).

I like hearing where other people suggest going but I hate hearing that a place I really want to go is a bad idea. Half the time, the person hasn't even gone to that place it's just something they heard from some email chain or some acquaintance somewhere it wasn't fun. If someone told me they wanted to go to Iran for vacation I would probably think in my head - what do you have a death wish - but would smile and say something like oh that should be interesting. I don't get why you have to say "I would never go there." Well, I didn't ask you to go so it shouldn't be a problem.

However, let's say I really want to go to VA Beach and stay in a hotel you know is a dive then speak up. I have no problem with real advice - like I went to xyz and don't eat here, or you have to see this. I think that's being helpful. I wrote a long email to K's brother about places to go in Bermuda.

The problem with advice is what I like to do might not be what you like to do. For our honeymoon we picked Aruba. We were there a long time - maybe too long if that's possible. It was perfectly fine, I don't hate it but we went for a few reasons but one reason was a friend bragged up and down about how great it was. We had built it up so much I don't think the real Aruba could compete. I liked it but I felt like there wasn't as much to do and I didn't like that you couldn't lay on the beach without trying to brave a sandstorm.

I know from experience K is the beach bum, happy to lay by the pool or the ocean all day. I'm the explorer. I need five magazines to get through an hour at the pool. I like to be doing - I think that's why Cancun and Bermuda were better picks for us - I felt like there was more to do outside of the beach and shopping. (Another thing about me is I may love to shop under normal conditions but not on vacation -I feel like unless it's a local store I can get all of it at home so I'm wasting my time).

Part of me is leaning towards Florida - its certainly cheaper and it could be fun to spend a few days in Miami then head down to the Keys. The other part of me is dying to go to California - I've never been there for one and LA and San Francisco just sound like a big adventure. Vegas I could take or leave. I'm not much on gambling and I don't have the money for shows every night.

So where would you go on vacation? Where should I go?

Week 8 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-02-21T16:50:00.000-08:00

This one should be easy. Give back. Find something you believe in and donate your time, your money, anything. I'll even go easy on you and count clothing donations to the Goodwill. I personally already wrote a check to my undergraduate and just printed the form to write a check for my graduate university as well. I'll keep you posted if I do anything else... I do have a few bags of spring cleaning that need to make their way to the good will.

Getting Started: Elementary Branding

2010-02-19T05:50:00.000-08:00

I went to my writing group Wednesday and it always leaves me with a ton of topic ideas. Since make-up reviews aren't for everyone and I'm postponing doing other things. Let's discuss one of them.

The writer suggested creating your brand and someone in the class asked what is a brand? I'm not going to kid myself and say I'm a brand expert but I studied brands in school and just went through a brand tweak at work for the last year and a half so I think I can at least give an elementary overview of the topic.

A brand is a lot more than a logo and color, it's more than who the company says they are, it's also what the customer thinks the company is. A brand is a living breathing thing and always changing. Company's do their best to manage their brand but in my opinion the brand is nothing if the customer's don't agree.

For example: I could own XYZ Coffee shop. My idea of what I am is I have low prices, friendly service, and lots of books and magazines people can just sit around hanging out. I could talk to my customers and find out they think Starbucks is cheaper (wow!), that the magazines and books are beat up and old, and the customer service just ok. Obviously what I think I am is not what everyone else perceives.

I would really suggest if you're serious about branding yourself to read up on the topic. Read books on branding, websites on branding, look at company's brand books. Obviously if you're branding yourself as a master blogger or a great writer you don't need a 100 page brand book but you should have something written out so you can concisely tell people the different aspects of your brand.

I would suggest figuring out what makes you different, what are you trying to sell and how does it relate to others. I think Target and Nike do awesome jobs.

Nike is trying to sell exercise clothes and shoes, their slogan is "Just Do It". It's all about how buying their stuff will help you just get on with your life and tackle your next big race or win that tennis game. You can show someone their logo and people instantly know who they are. But they back it all up with a great product. They could have done the same thing and had shoddy shoes that gave you blisters and fell apart mid-race. Do you think people would have the same respect for them?

Now you all know my love affair with Target. Target quickly positioned themselves as (I'm going to say) the anti-Walmart. A big box store with great customer service, low prices (but they didn't hinge on this as much), everything you could ever want but more upscale. You know the bulls eye. You know the dog. You know the red shirts. It's all part of their brand. It's all part of their overall brand. They're building an expectation and meeting it (I think).

Walmart (if you haven't noticed) has been desperately trying to re-brand themselves - new logo, new colors, the store near me was redesigned. The thing is for me they can't bounce up and down and yell about how upscale they are and how they aren't just a low-priced boxy warehouse with unhelpful employees but for me I'm not going to set foot in the store unless I absolutely have to - I've had too many bad experiences. Their brand to me is cheap prices, unhelpful employees, warehouse feel, and NOT WORTH IT. I'd rather pay $2 more and stay safely tucked away in Target.

So you're probably saying? What does all this mean?

1. Find out what makes you different. Write a mission statement, your values and your vision and then you can start working on your brand. Your brand will reinforce your mission and values and help you reach your vision.

2. Come up with a mini-brand book. If you're a writer - I would suggest knowing a font you want to use in your book (different fonts have different readability, come across meaning different things). The brand book should spell out what you want and what you don't want. For example, at work we want life-style photos in our ads (people living their life) not just shiny-happy people (you know the glassy-eyed stock photos of someone holding say an apple and smiling like they just took a fistful of anti-depressants).

3. Be rememberable. Use what makes you different and become top of mind to people. As I said a logo is part of a brand but flash up say the Target bulls eye and there is a feeling associated with that (perhaps joy that everything I could ever want was crammed into one big building). You want people to look at something you do and instantly associate with you. A test I like to do at work, is cover up our logo/or anyone's logo and say - can I tell who is advertising this? Is it immediately clear that this is Nike, Target, The Limited... etc.

4. Be good at what you do. Become a source for what makes you different. Put yourself out there. You can't be a brand if no one knows who you are.

5. But limit yourself to only things that fit your brand strategy. Don't participate in things that don't strengthen who you are. I don't like her but Paris Hilton does a pretty decent job of branding herself - she participates in things that enhance her image as a carefree party girl. She goes to club openings, sexy commercials, etc. You don't see her on a poster for Free the Whales or giving talks about the state of the nation.

Make-up Review: Almay

2010-02-19T05:33:00.000-08:00

Ok I can't write the whole product name in the title because it's like three thousand words long. Seriously. Ok so this review is for Almay Intense i-color powder shadow trio for greens [eyes]. What? I don't have green eyes... I bought this one because the one for brown eyes was gross and this one was greens and purples.

So what does it look like? It's three shadows - a light green, a dark green and a dark purple. I was on a kick of getting something that I don't already have and it was also free with the mascara purchase see here.

I will have my disclaimer here - I've tried it twice. One, I don't wear green eyeshadow a lot and two I've been super lazy recently and been using my Bare Minerals Heart (purple color) and Blush (pink color) shadow. Super pretty if you just need some quick color. So anyway, yesterday I tried again.

Here's what I've found each time. The shadow goes on bright (as in wow are you wearing green eyeshadow?) but quickly lightens and a creases by the end of the day. You could say why don't you wear eyeshadow primer? My answer, I don't wear primer with any of my other shadows and they don't crease. I usually run concealer over my eyelid and then powder to set - my other brands are always okay with just this and frankly and I don't want to add the costs or time of primer to my list.

Bad: the eyeshadow fades and creases.

Good: The colors are really pretty - however the creasing and fading is annoying - I don't like looking like Mimi from Drew Carey in the morning just to have color by 5 pm. I'd probably try to find similar colors in other lines next time.

Price isn't bad - I can't remember how much it was since mine was free but I want to say typical drug store line $8 range.

My advice? I can't say buy it - I don't feel like it held up. Eyeshadow to me should pretty much stay put. It's fairly inexpensive so if you want to try it with primer be my guest. I would rather invest my money in products next time that I know have staying power - I know Clinique and Bare Minerals both have greens and purples in their lines.

Weekly Challenge Update

2010-02-18T15:26:00.000-08:00

So I know SP has done something nice this week - she told her neighbor that their car lights were on. What have you done? Are you sitting around not doing anything nice without thinking about how it will benefit you? I hope not!

So this is what I've done (it's nothing major but that's ok):

1. I bought a King Cake for Maudi Gras to surprise K. He loved it. He had never had it before and wanted me to get another one - too bad they're only out once a year.

2. I cooked dinner Tuesday night. Usually I wait for K to get home and ask him to help me - I will say this one was partially because I was starving but I did cook and clean up with no help and no "I did all this and you're just sitting around..." talk.

3. I let a guy out of his parking lot on the way home earlier this week. Normally I stare glassy eyed ahead and try to breeze through yellow lights. I slowed up and felt good that I was putting out all these good vibes.

4. I'm letting my mom borrow my work-out DVD. This is big for me - I hate sharing. I have this irrational fear that I'll give you my DVD (or whatever) and never see you again. That and my mom made me share as a kid ("it's nice to share" she used to chant at me) so now that I have a choice I'm the kid screaming "Mine" anytime someone gets close to anything semi-precious. So this is pretty big in my universe.

So I think I'm off to a good start.

Movie Review: Rear Window

2010-02-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

I haven't done one of these in awhile. I've been too tired and honestly I fall asleep or don't pay attention to half the movies we rent.

I love old movies. I'm not sure why. I think it could be because my parents used to make us watch them growing up. Or maybe my love of Audrey passed over to other movies in her generation. Whatever the reason, I flooded K's Netflix with classic movies (lets be honest here the new movies recently have not been that good).

So the first one to arrive was Rear Window with James Stuart and Grace Kelly. The brief summary would be: Jeffries (Stuart's character) has broken his leg and spends his time looking out the window of his apartment into the lives of all his neighbors. What a concept - I mean who hasn't at one point or another "spied" on their neighbors. Be it listening to your upstairs neighbor on the phone or looking out the window as your neighbors scream at each other across the street. There's something so deliciously naughty about the concept and the fact that most likely you won't get caught.

Jeffries comes to believe that one of his neighbor's has been murdered by her husband. And I'll leave it at that. I don't want to give it away!

It's not my favorite movie and it's not even what I expected. I was thinking more along the lines of hiding under a blanket scary. The movie is a suspense. Did the neighbor kill his wife? Is Jeffries going to be found out? But that being said I liked it.

I will say I thought Kelly was a bit stiff. Maybe it was the character. I never fully believed that she and Stuart were meant to be together or in love. I'm not sure Jeffries even believed - he spends part of the movie trying to break up with her. I also never believed she'd give up her plush apartment to traipse around the world with Jeffries (who was a struggling photographer).

I will say I was surprised that Kelly's character talks about spending the night with Jeffries. The movie was made (according to Netflix) in 1954. I would have thought "good girls" were not spending the night at their boyfriend's apartment in the fifties. You never actually see them in bed together (sleeping - get your mind out of the gutter!) but she tries on a nightgown for him and says she's staying over. Who knew the 50's were so risky.

Interesting tidbit: Hitchcock (the director) always has a cameo in his movies. Look for him near the begining in the piano player's apartment. He's dusting a clock on the mantel and turns towards the camera for a moment.

So overall, 3 stars out of 5. I know I'm probably in the minority - people all over Netflix were rating it all fives. I think it's one of those movies you have to see but I wouldn't say it was my favorite "classic" movie.

Oh Baby!

2010-02-16T03:23:00.000-08:00

Ok so I think my post yesterday came across a little anti-baby and I'm afraid my mom might read it and have a heart attack or something. So here is what I'm going to say on the topic.

1. I don't hate kids. I just don't want any of my own right now.

I think a lot of people have kids without thinking it through (see Teen Mom, Sixteen and Pregnant for references). They're people that for whatever reason: poor planning, the biological clock is a ticking, whatever, that don't think through the whole baby thing and then the baby arrives and surprise - I didn't know babies stayed up all night crying, I didn't know babies costs more money, etc. It's like they live in this dream world and when the bubble breaks its up to everyone else to clean up the pieces.

So here's my thoughts on when you should/shouldn't have kids:

1. When you're unselfish enough to give up things you love so they can do things they love. This is big for me. Children, like dogs, have their own likes and dislikes. I can't force C to do things she doesn't want to do and it's not fair to her to lock her up 6 days a week so I can play with her for an hour on the 7th because it suits my schedule. A baby/child is the same way. This is a living breathing human being with their own needs, likes, dislikes, etc. You can't just keep running around doing exactly what you want to do with no thought to what they want to do. You have to sit through boring dance recitals and help them learn the Declaration of Independence. So if you have any ounce of selfishness still left - I don't think now is the time.

I know some people are going to argue that you'll change but most people I know don't change so....

2. You have money. My dad always says if you wait until you can afford it you'll never have kids. Yes, that's true. BUT if you're strapped for cash and don't know where your next meal is coming from then maybe you should wait a year or two to get back on your feet, save up some money. Come on, a year or two won't kill you and you'll probably be glad you waited. You'll be able to enjoy the baby more and stress about finances less.

3. You have to really want one, not do it because it's the "next step." I talked a lot about the plan yesterday. And I think a lot of couples think there are natural steps to a relationship. You meet. You date. You get engaged. You get married. You buy a house. Now what? I need a big life event that I can tell all my friends about.... oh I know let's have a baby. Stupid reason. If you're not ready a baby is not the next step for you at this point.

4. All your friends are doing. Great reason. And if all your friend's jumped off a bridge - would you? Don't let them peer pressure you into baby fever. Ask yourself - are you wanting a baby because holding theirs for two hours is super cute and fun and you can go to Mommy and Me classes together or do you want one because you really want.

5. You both want to take the baby plunge. I don't believe in tricking someone into have kids. You're going to end up with a resentful partner. So make sure - are you both on the same page.

There are probably more reasons but I don't have time right now. My main point is no one else can decide for you when is the right time. And they shouldn't peer pressure you into it because of some clock they have in their head. It's not that I hate kids. I'm realistic enough to know at this point in my life they don't make sense for me.

The Plan - Are you a follower or do you do you do your own thing?

2010-02-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

Can I tell you something that annoys me the most? People asking about your relationship and not in a caring how are things going way but in a nosy next door neighbor way.

It never ends. When you're dating you're going to get the question - when are you getting engaged. When you're engaged - its when are you getting married. When you're married - it's when are you having kids. When you have a baby - it's when are you having more kids. Back the F off people.

Here's how the plan goes: Boy and Girl go to college. They meet at college or shortly there after. They both have successful jobs, nice places to live, lots of money, lots of friends. Shortly after dating (let's say 6 to 12 months) they're engaged. They quickly plan a wedding (within a year) and are married. They go on a fabulous honeymoon. They sell their bachelor pads and buy a house in the 'burbs with a picket fence and dog. Six months after they get married they happily announce with ultrasound photos or a Facebook post that they're expecting. They are quickly on their way to the 2.5 kids in no time.

Writing your own story is more of a chose your own adventure - you may or may not go to college, you may or may not meet "the one" right away, you may or may not get married, you may or may have kids.

People get very nervous if you don't follow the plan. They start to ask you questions. I've come up with a few reasons why they harass you... um I meant...ask you:

1. They're your close friends and family and generally care. These people if they ask constantly are still incredibly annoying.

2. They are just nosy as hell and want to know what you're doing so they can gossip to everyone else they know about you.

3. They want to feel better about their own choices.

I've timed it, you can date about a year maybe two (a little longer if you're in school) before people will ask when are you getting married. If you go longer than about four they're probably going to give up on you or ask with hints of desperation - "don't you want to get married?" Once you're engaged, if you don't set a date and start whipping out bridal magazines every chance you get - you're probably going to get "well when are you going to set the date." And once you're married you have about six months to a year before you will get "when are you having kids".

I've fallen safely into all three categories. Why? Because K and I choose the adventure path. We don't follow the plan of relationships. In our defense we met in college, our first years dating we were in school, living with parents, starting out etc. There are people from our graduating class who have already been married and divorced in the time it took us to get married. Now that we're married we're in no rush (REPEAT NO RUSH) to have kids. I have a four legged child (C) and there are nights I'm ready to give her back (love you C).

I was asked twice this weekend if I was having kids. I basically take this as "are you having unprotected sex?" It's just as nosy. If I could say anything I would answer with the following:

1. Smile happily and reply, "We're not having kids. As in ever. We hate them. They're like slobbery monsters that wreck your house, steal your money and you can never have fun again."

2. Break down crying. "We tried but we can't."

3. "I'm waiting until my twenty year supply of birth control pills runs out... wouldn't want to waste money."

4. "Why are you going to pay for them to go to college because I sure as hell can't afford it?"

5. "Thanks for reminding me. I knew there was something I forgot to do this year."

6. "Not anytime soon. So how's your sex life?"

7. "I've been watching so much Sixteen and Pregnant I think it's better to wait until I can afford it, am more prepared and not loving MTV shows about pregnant teens."

8. "Could you explain the birds and the bees to me... I think we're doing something wrong."

I'm sure I could think of other great comebacks but it's been a long day.

I think it's ridiculous that I got asked that question twice in one weekend. I know it was Valentine's Day and people are thinking love but I personally don't think of love and screaming infants in the same sentence. My biological clock is on snooze at the moment and is perfectly content living my kid-free selfish life.

So I don't want this to come across as me hating kids. I don't hate them. They're perfectly fine when they're someone else's. I'm sure eventually I'll want kids. But I don't like getting asked all the time about what we want to do. I felt the same way about the marriage question. It was just as annoying. Just as nosy. I finally started saying, we're committed but we're not planning anything yet. Or the defense teen approach - I don't know. I wasn't pushing for a ring. I was happy. What we had was working for us. Our adventure said not yet...

The thing with the kid question - I get it a lot more in the South then I ever did living up North. They were talking about the Baby question on Cosmo one day and they said they thought it was a regional thing. In NYC it's nothing for a first time mom to be in her late thirties, the girls proclaimed. In TX, she's probably considered an old maid and dried up by 25 if she's single and childless. I'm not going to say everywhere down South or in the Mid-West is pushing their daughters into a MRS degree. But I will say culturally small towns are probably more accepting of younger moms.

So here is my final thought. I know this is a long post. Have some tactic people. There are ways to ask the question. If you don't know the person a simple - "oh are you married yet? do you have kids?" will suffice. If you know them and you're just dying to know - it's ok to ask once or maybe twice.... but time it right - say you're watching a commericial with babies in it, a baby walks by, you see an engagement ring, you're at a wedding, etc. And if you ask and the person snaps back at you to mind your own business you can't be upset. The question is kind of nosy.

Week 7 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-02-15T03:24:00.001-08:00

This week - do something nice for someone you love without expecting anything in return.

This means: pay for someone's lunch, send them a card, call them just to listen (no interrupting with your advice, stories, etc), buy someone flowers, help someone move, anything but you can't accept anything in return.

So it doesn't count if you go to dinner and you pay and then they buy dessert. Or if you help them move and then they pay for your lunch. You have to do it completely and utterly no strings attached.

It can be as small as saying something nice to someone (you look nice today) - it doesn't have to be big or cost money.

And you're not technically doing something for nothing. You're going to feel good about doing something nice so you are getting something out of it.

Good luck!

In Honor of V-Day Lets Talk About Love

2010-02-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

Let's talk about love. Why shouldn't we? Today is the day when it is perfectly acceptable to walk around like a bunch of lovestruck teenagers. You can tell your significant other you love them every other second and they won't think you're trying to hit them up for a favor. And you can pig out on all the yummy food and desserts you want because Valentine's Day is technically a holiday.

There are a lot of advice books and magazines out there all aimed at getting and keeping a mate (I say mate here because we're talking men or women but going forward we're going from my POV so we're saying bf). So here are my "rules" for dating and staying in love.

1. Be yourself. You're fabulous so why would you ever pretend to be anything different. The thing is you can pretend to be someone else but after awhile he's going to catch on. So don't lie and say you're a huge baseball fan when really the thought of going to a game bores you to tears and don't say you never shop when the mall employees know you by name. Be yourself and if he doesn't like you then he wasn't Mr. Right.

2. Be yourself but monitor yourself. What? I thought you just said I'm supposed to be myself in all my fabulous glory. Well, you are... sorta. Here's the thing - there is no reason on the first date or the first month to mention that you once were in a fan club for any TV show, that you don't floss your teeth daily, or that there are some days where you are perfectly content never to get dressed. Be yourself but don't announce all your crazy idiosyncrasies right away. He'll figure most of your quirks out eventually and you don't want to be dubbed the crazy cat woman of Match.com.

3. Don't be too busy. What? All the women's magazines proclaim you should make him work for it. You should prove how popular and fabulous you are by never being available. Sure and then he's going to dump your ass for a girl that has more time for him. One thing that has stood out to me on this subject is something K said a year into us dating. When we first met I was super busy, it was my second semester at college, I was in a few clubs, I was constantly doing things. I decided to drop one of the clubs (not because of him but other reasons) shortly after we started dating. Anyway... he said "I'm glad you dropped that club. I never would have asked you to but I felt like you never had time to do anything and it was frustrating." Guys want a chase but they don't want to chase forever. Slow down a bit. You don't need to see your bff every day of the week, you don't need to be involved in every activity that comes your way - learn to say no to everyone else and yes to him. This doesn't mean give up everything you love, just give up the things you only sort of care about.

4. Keep separate likes and dislikes. K loves sports. I like them more than I used to but sports and I have a happy tolerance level of I'll go to a few games a year and the rest of the time he can happily watch alone or with friends. I like to write and read. K probably hasn't read a book since college. Be your own person. You don't have to do everything together. I know in 3 I said not to be too busy but 4 is be busy enough. You won't have anything to talk about if you sit around and watch CSI together three days a week. So find that happy balance that only the two of you will know. It probably means some relationships and activities will suffer but the ones you really care about will stick around.

5. Don't play games. This is so super huge I don't know when girls and guys will learn. Games are for little kids not for adults. If you really like someone there is no three day rule to prove you're fabulous girl/guy about town with a life, there's no I can't call him this time because I called him last... There are no games because your relationship is more important than who can one-up the other person.

6. Make time to just talk. This is also a biggie for me. K and I pretty much launched our relationship long distance and every night without fail we would talk online (IM was huge) or on the phone. We were never a lets text three hundred times a day couple and we weren't calling every five minutes but every night we would make time to just catch up. So just take a second to talk - find out what each other likes, dislikes, dreams about, etc.

7. Don't listen to other's for a timeline in your relationship. Do what feels right for the two of you. There is no one-size fits all timeline. Inevitably if you've been dating for any length of time you'll get the: are you serious, are you getting married, are you moving in together, are you having kids... questions. Don't look at what your bff is doing or what the Jones's are doing down the street. This is about the two of you. If you want to get married in three months and have a baby nine months later - do it. If you want to date ten years then have a baby five years after getting married - do it. It's what works for you. You don't have to answer to anyone.

8. Do things together. Couple dates are nice and going out with friends alone are great but you need time to do couple things. There's nothing quite like a weekend away to learn about each other. He could be content for hours on the beach while you need ten magazines just to make it through five minutes. You could be big into sightseeing and he prefer the hotel bar. It's a great learning experience out of your natural habitat.

9. Stop looking. I know you're going to say all married people say it happened when I wasn't looking but I think it's true. People who are looking usually read desperate and no one wants to date desperate. K mentions it sometimes - he'll say X tries to hard. Or Y needs to slow down. Or look at that girl over there. Guys can sense desperation a mile away. So slow down and take a deep breath and stop looking. Have fun. Go out with your friends. Live life. Love will happen on it's own time. And it does just happen.

10. Know when to give up. This means know when a relationship is over. Know when to walk away from a fight. Relationships aren't all about winning. It's about letting go of the little things. I try to say that to myself everyday - does it matter if he leaves his clothes on the floor? I'd like to say I never ask him to pick them up but there are somedays when it's just not worth the argument. It really isn't hurting anyone. And on the same token, I know some couples that make each other absolutely miserable - why live like that? So know when it's just not worth it to win or start a fight and know when some relationships are past the point of saving.

11. There are no rules. What? There were just 10 other rules that said there were rules. Yes and some of them are probably true but each couple is different and what works for me might not work for you. Find what works for the two of you as a couple and do exactly that. Rules are meant to be bent or broken. So have fun and just relax.

So what are your "rules"? I'll try to think of more for next Valentine's day. :)

Love Your Love The Most

2010-02-13T13:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Early Valentine's Day! What are your plans? Well to get you in the mood - here a few current songs I think are perfect for the big day of love tomorrow. Enjoy!

Chris Young - Getting You Home

Song gives me goosebumps and that excited first date feeling every time I hear it.

Eric Church - Love Your Love The Most

Sinner's Like Me is probably one of the best country cd's I've heard in a while. This one is from Carolina and I haven't heard all the songs but the ones I heard are amazing. It's a good rock out love song because not everything has to be Barry White and candles.

Luke Bryan - Do I

So it's really about love that may or may not be ending but it's an awesome song. Makes me want to scream to K - I love you.

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

Probably my favorite song of the moment.

Colbie Caillat - Falling For You

Perfectly captures that feeling when you first fall in love and you're not sure you should tell him because what if he doesn't feel the same...

Colbie Caillat - Realize

So the song is more about star-crossed lovers but the video is so perfectly cute with the two writing each other letters and driving to see each other you just want them to make it.

Boys Like Girls and Taylor Swift - Two is Better Than One

Because we all need to remember what it felt like to love someone so completely as these group of teens.

Ok that's all I can think of right now... what would you add?

5 Words of Wisdom for Driving in the Snow

2010-02-11T15:55:00.001-08:00

VA is the New Antarctica. Since Southerners (yes we're Southern despite what all the Northern VA people want to believe) don't have experience driving in the snow here is my advice for safe travel.

1. For all the Northerners and Mid-Westerners that moved here shut up about how VA never plows the road and in my state we do this... This is what I hear: I'm a big jackass that thinks I'm important. Let me rant about something that is out of my control and out of the control of anyone I'm talking to. You have a problem? Take it up with VDOT. Or better yet, if you liked your state so much - move back.

If you decide to stay here, then this is what you need to know: we stock up on enough bread and milk to last two weeks, we hunker down and don't go out in snow, and no we don't plow. Why would we need to plow? No one is going anywhere.

2. For all the people with 4-wheel drive who think they jumped out of a truck commercial. News flash - see that fine print at the bottom of the screen as that SUV takes on a snowbank and wins. It says professional driver on a closed course. You're not a professional driver and there is no reason for you to be driving 80 mph and tailgating me when it's snowing. Do you see those cars in the ditch? Slow down or they may be you.

3. If your normally drive like a jackass - i.e. tailgating, honking your horn, cutting people off - please stop on a snow day. Everyone is going slow. You know the lane ends so just move over. People can't stop on a dime in bad weather and if you cut me off and I slide into you - my feeling is it's not my fault.

4. Again everyone with 4-wheel drive - if you see a car sliding in front of you, you probably shouldn't try to pass them in the same lane. They aren't in the shoulder - they're sliding off the road trying to correct themselves. You passing them would probably mean you're a jerk. The driver of the car doesn't need your ass distracting them as you blow past them with a cellphone and Starbucks in hand and since I'm in the next lane - I don't want either one of you plowing into me.

5. Don't jam your brakes or your gas. Ok this is a real tip because I want everyone to be careful and not plow into my car. If you jam the brake or the gas you'll probably slide and lose traction.

Would you rather...

2010-02-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

I get invited to random conferences, educational seminars, etc. on a fairly regular basis. I actually secretly like them – one because I like to learn new things (otherwise I wouldn’t keep trying to go back to school) and two because it breaks up the day a bit. I just got invited to a lunch meeting next week.

Let’s sidebar for a second and talk about lunch meetings. Here is my acceptable list of food for a lunch meeting: Panera who doesn’t like a regular old turkey sandwich or some other variety of deli meat, chicken breast with some sort of vegetable (thinking green beans or carrots – something a lot of people universally like), hamburgers or hotdogs (had them at one conference, it’s different I’ll go with it), salad, pasta… Basically the point of a lunch at a conference is basic universally pleasing food. This isn’t the time to test your new cooking skills on a captive group of 50 plus attendants.

So I clicked on the registration form and started to sign up. I got to meal choices: seafood crepes with shrimp and crab, potatoes and asparagus or the vegetarian choice of mushroom soufflé and asparagus. This is what I heard in my head would you rather eat bugs or dirt, worse or worser. Sick! I almost decided against going to the conference.

First off let’s talk about why these are bad choices: 1. People are allergic to shellfish – as in people die from eating it. 2. There are people out there (me being one of them) who avoid seafood at all costs. I am very proud of the fact I haven’t eaten seafood since I was 5 years old. It smells funny. I see no point in eating it. I’m perfectly happy with chicken. I don’t need to eat over-grown head lice (Google it – I read somewhere head lice and shrimp are related, as are crabs and spiders). If that doesn’t make you want to throw up then I can’t help you. 3. Mushrooms – really? I also don’t eat mushrooms. I think they’re sick. I know I’m not alone. Offer someone a Portobello burger or a hamburger and watch how many choose option 2. And 4. Asparagus? I know a lot of people who hate asparagus (again me being one of them). What did good old green beans do to you that they can’t be on the menu?

I don't think I'm being picky here. I think seafood crepes and mushroom soufflé are basically up there as classic do not picks for lunch meetings. I get you're trying to be fancy and sophisticated but you couldn't dress up a good old chicken breast?

Basically in my head this menu sounds like my worst nightmare (aside from any weird things they eat on Survivor). It was basically that game of Would You Rather and someone rattles off two horrible choices and you have to pick which you’d rather have happen to you. I picked mushrooms. But I plan to not eat and grab a burger on the way back to work.

And to make it worse, this same group had lunch a few months ago where they weren’t kind enough to tell you their sick menu choices in advance and so I had selected non-vegetarian option. They sat in front of me a non-descript piece of meat with a slice of lemon on top. Chicken or fish? Chicken or fish? Ran through my head. It didn’t give off any weird fish odor but didn’t look like chicken. I was not taking any chances. I picked at my roll and drank lots of water. The waiter came by (and let’s say he was trying to be nice and helpful) but I felt like he was basically screaming “what you don’t like fish?” to everyone. I begged off that I was allergic and he ran back with a vegetarian lasagna which in the scheme of things was okay (better than mushroom soufflé).

Make C Your Superbowl MVP

2010-02-07T11:01:00.001-08:00

Well not quite but she could be Bissell's MVP... vote today! And for those of you that have - THANK YOU!! :) If the link doesn't work search "Charlotte" under this week's pets.

Week 6 of the 52 Week Challenge

2010-02-07T10:57:00.000-08:00

So how did day dreaming go? That was pretty easy right. I actually found myself stressing a bit that I wasn't day dreaming enough. But I did find that my mind tends to wander on the drive home (safe) and in the shower. I think through my day or just escape to someone a little less cold and snowy!

So this week, lets think spring and Spring Clean Your Closets. I was in cleaning mode already (due to being stuck in my house the last three weekends) so I have a nice pile for the Goodwill. I got rid of a few things that I've been holding on to for awhile - slip dresses will make a come back one day! Most of the things I started to purge were long since overdue. I haven't worn them in awhile and holding on to them is only taking up room I could be using on fun new clothes.

So this week go through at least one closet. Throw stuff away you don't need. Give away clothes you don't want. Or you may find you need absolutely everything - in that case... call that show where they make the hoarders throw out their collection of newspapers from the last ten years - you may need help.

HGTV Now Staring Me...

2010-02-06T12:33:00.000-08:00

Well ok not quite. But I have to say I wouldn't mind if they came to my house and helped me spruce it up a bit!

Shopping for a house was the most stressful and exciting thing I have ever done. S had told me before we started looking "you'll just know". I thought I would never "know". We went in at least forty houses. Some were really nice. They had all the requirements that went in my head - at least three bedrooms and two baths, a laundry room, a good size kitchen... check check check... but I never felt like it was the right house. I would nitpick over their carpet (in my defense one house had all pink carpet). I dreamed about this house I had called Kiwi for the name of the street. K and I had visited Kiwi at an open house and I loved it. It didn't matter Kiwi was probably at least $50,000 over budget. I dreamed they would drop the price or tried to think of ways to get rich quick. Alas, Kiwi sold to someone else.

Then there was the house, let's call it Almost Perfect, that had everything we wanted. I walked through getting more excited with each room. A huge front porch, a dining room, a good size kitchen, a laundry room, four bedrooms (what I would do with all the space who knows), upgrades... then we went on the deck and the backyard was the size of a post-it note. Literally I could walk off the back deck and into the neighbor's yard. I wanted to cry. I couldn't give up the yard. I didn't want a crazy big farm property but I was moving to the suburbs so I wasn't settling for a lot I could get in the city. Plus, I was thinking resale in a mostly family oriented neighborhood - the lot would never fly.

Then we saw our house. The one we bought. I remember it was at night. It was winter so things got dark quick. Inside the house was almost a mirror image of Almost Perfect - minus a bay window and big porch. And Our House had the yard - a pretty good size one in fact. Except, Our House wasn't upgraded - and by not upgraded I mean not polished at all. Builder's grade everything, mismatched appliances, hideous paint choices, tacky wallpaper, stained carpet. I had walked away from houses for less than this.

"I want it," I proclaimed. I think K almost died of shock. "This is it." I knew it was the one. I could see past the gold and purple dining room, the dated wallpapered kitchen. I could see us here.

Our House has taught me a lot over the last few years. One, once you have a house all your money suddenly gets spent at Home Depot and Lowe's. There is always something to be done. Check one project off (replace the rotting front porch) and add another - get new lighting. HGTV becomes one of your favorite channels. Decorating tips - check, home improvement ideas - check, property virgins stumbling over houses - check, lawn and garden - check.

But most of all I've learned about myself. I've always had a "it can't be that hard" attitude. But I never really helped out that much at my parent's house. I would drag my feet and complain about raking leaves, argue over picking up my dirty clothes, etc. But suddenly I was spending 9 hours a day at work and driving to the new house to rip down wallpaper (vinegar and hot water works way better than any chemicals you can buy), painting, learning how to take down and replace lights, oh and did I mention there was a good foot of leaves and debris in the backyard that had to be cleared out.

This weekend I replaced four more lights - two by myself to surprise K. My hands and back ache but I feel accomplished. Two years ago, I would have complained loudly that I didn't want to or know how to do it, this morning I woke up ready to make the changes and just get it done.

Am I master carpenter? Hardly. But I've learned there's nothing like asking someone how to do it and Google to quickly become an amateur. And the feeling that I'm the one who gets to polish this house up a bit is priceless. I can see it going from neglected to a sparkling diamond and I'm happy to fork over all my extra cash for improvements. I feel satisfied when they are done and I'm loving all the results. Sometimes I walk by Almost Perfect. It would have been easier to move into that house with it's nice paint job, upgraded appliances and lighting, and newer bathrooms, but I don't think I would have had quite the experience I've had with Our House. If everything happens for a reason then Our House was here to show me I can do it and with a little elbow grease I can turn this house into perfection.

Dating Friends

2010-02-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

No this isn't a relationship post... well not that sort of relationship post anyway. I want to talk about how you go about making friends or keeping the friends you have... Some magazine I read a while back compared meeting a new friend to dating a new guy. Their take was you have to "date" the friend just like you would the potential bf.

SP and I have talked about this so I'm not the only one who read this and was like "Um yeah that's exactly right." Basically meeting and keeping friends is the same as meeting and keeping a boyfriend or girlfriend -there's just no ring, white picket fence and dog at the end of it. But you will have years of memories to laugh about in the nursing home.

I will say from experience I have had potential friends "date" me that left me wanting to run for the hills. For example:

I've had the "jealous ex-boyfriend friend". Jealous was fine when I had basically no other friends but her. We were great. We would meet for dinner, chat about life, and were generally on the path to bff-hood. Then I met some new people. Suddenly I didn't have as much free time. I tried to include Jealous but she didn't want to come. We started to drift apart. Jealous would call me and ask what I was doing, was I hanging out with so-and-so again. She didn't think so-and-so liked her. On and on. I finally stopped returning her calls. I felt guilty about it but then I realized I didn't need the drama or the feeling I had to check in with her.

So what's a girl to do when she meets a fabulous potential new friend? You can't come on too strong and start planning your friendship out for years to come. You can't call constantly and invite said potential friend out every chance you get. But you can't hang back and wait for her to call you because what if she doesn't call?

My thought - you treat it like you would a potential new bf or gf. You "date" them. You want to be that fun, fabulous girl she can't live without. The goal is to be (like on a first date) a more fabulous version of yourself. She can find out all your bad traits later after your established. You go slow and figure each other out. Said potential friend might end up being totally not your type. Maybe you're into walks on the river, bottles of wine and cheesy TV and their more of the sitting in the recliner, drinking beer, and watching PBS type of girl. Or potential friend could be your new BFF and soon you give up on the games and the waiting three days to call each other because you can't wait three seconds to tell her all your good news.

Here are my ideas for some good "Friend" dates. Let me know yours and what you think!

1. Invite her out to grab a glass of wine after work. It's low key and you can easily skip out if things don't go well. If you find that you have tons to talk about stick around for dinner.

2. Do something active. Invite her to your Zumba class or for a walk. You'll feel good about yourself for doing something healthy and it's an easy way to get to know each other.

3. Invite her to participate in a shared interest. Say you both like to write (I say this because I do). Invite her to your writing group. She'll meet other people with similar interest and you could grab a coffee afterwards and catch up on all the fun stuff you learned.

4. Grab coffee before work. Again, it's a quick mini-date so you can get out of there if things are heading south. As an added bonus, you'll feel refreshed that you did something fun in the morning while everyone else was sleeping.

Things to avoid:

1. Movies - you can't talk. What's the point until after you're established.

2. Shopping - can be good and bad. She may love all your favorite stores or you may find yourself dragging around for hours to places you can't stand. My advice on this - eye up her wardrobe. Does she dress similar to you - you may have a new shopping companion. No? Then go alone.

3. Inviting her out with all your other friends to Saturday night bar crawl. Sounds fun - why would you not invite her? First off, you don't really know her and a crowded loud bar isn't the place to get to know someone. Second, do you really want to invite a potential weirdo to meet all your friends. Sounds shallow but wait until you know her a bit better and then invite her into the group.

Vote for Charlotte

2010-02-05T04:02:00.000-08:00

So followers please do me a huge favor and vote for my dog (C) on the Bissell site. If the button doesn't work... try this link:

http://mvp.bissell.com/mvp_PetDetail.aspx?id=8589975779

I would super appreciate it plus you get to see her cute picture.

Love you guys!

I'm Day Dreaming of Warm Weather....

2010-02-02T18:17:00.001-08:00

Since VA has decided to turn into the Arctic, I for one have been daydreaming non-stop of Spring and Summer. My dreams revolving around a pool, vacations and less layers. Never again will I complain about 100 degree weather. Anything is better than all this snow!

I will say all this snow has inspired my Spring fashion - as in anything rainbow colored, the brighter the better. I went shopping after work for snow boots - apparently like sleds all the snow boots are gone until next year. But the shoe store happens to be next to Old Navy so... let's just say major props to the window designer at Old Navy. What better way to attract customers sick of all this cold weather, big puffy coats and dry skin then a bunch of brightly dressed mannequins screaming for you to come in and just slip into something a little bit brighter. And slip in I did. I quickly gathered up a bright florals, lime greens, lemon yellows, cool greys and scurried off to the dressing room.

I have to say I've always loved Old Navy. The clothes are relatively inexpensive. Slightly trendy but leaning more on comfortable. And their jeans fit me better than anything else I've found. So, I ended up buying more things than I should have and normally I totally would have waited for a sale but for some reason I couldn't make myself part with any of it. Besides which, due to all the snow my budget is looking pretty good. You can't spend money if you can't leave your house!

So what I'm loving after this trip - aside from all the tropical colors - grey jeans (they also had some super cute baby pink ones but they were cropped pants which don't look good on anyone under 5'6"), bright summer/spring scarfs, ballet flats, slightly 80's vibe t's... they also had some cute purses/totes that were very earth friendly looking but with a "painted" design on the front. For the jeans I think the spring colors were much easier to wear than the previous neon jeans that paraded around summer/fall '09. They had a grey, white, pale blue and baby pink. I actually found a second pair of grey ones on the clearance rack - even better!

So think spring people! Oh and if you know a place where I can get some snow boots asap let me know.

Book Review: Hotel On The Corner of Bitter and Sweet

2010-02-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

I read a lot and by a lot I mean on average at least two to three books a week on a slow week. I like a lot of what I read but since I read so many different books it takes something really different to stand out and make me say wow that was a really great book. I can count on my hand the number of books I've read in the last few years that were those wow books for me. Hotel On The Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford is one of them. I literally got chills today reading one of the chapters.

I was going to wait and review this book after book club but I can just add a new post once we discuss - maybe they felt differently. My feeling? Five stars, hands down one of the best books I've read in awhile.

A brief plot summary: Henry is a Chinese boy growing up in Seattle during World War II. His parents want him to be more American so he goes to an all white school. He doesn't fit in with the white kids, the Chinese kids or at home. He meets Keiko, a Japanese girl, at school. Eventually they become friends. And from there I won't give any more a way.

My one problem was the story starts when Henry and Keiko are 12 and we're supposed to believe that they are in love. I don't know about you but maybe kids grew up quicker back then. I can't imagine falling in love at 12. I'm willing to overlook their age though because the book is so well-written. It really drew me in - there is conflict on so many levels. Henry and his family. Henry and the other students. The war. Chinese vs. Japanese. The Japanese internment in the US. Finding the long lost record. I was rooting for Henry and Keiko to be happy and to some how make it all work.

So if you have only one book to read for 2010 this would be my pick - although its early in the year anything could happen.