Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

One of my friends has the best side-gig... She gets to try products and write about them. (I want that job too!!!!)

Her blog BzzGirl is where she critiques the products (or things) she tries. And one of the things she came across was a website, 20Q. It's an online game of 20 questions. And it is an incredible "time suck." Lots of fun. (Just don't get caught playing it at work.)

I actualy played a few of the "Movies" version of the game and beat it. The first three attempts ("Sliding Doors," "Legally Blonde" and "Akeelah and the Bee") were not guessed by the system at all. It wasn't until I thought of "Sex and the City" that it guessed it... In 16 questions.

Fun times!

Gift With Purchase.

I'm always a sucker for the free gift with purchase.

Normally, when I get promotional stuff from Neiman Marcus for their "The Beauty Event," I throw ignore them and throw them out. When I got today's flyer in the post, though, I was very excited. There's a really good gift for purchasing at least $85 of beauty products. The gift is a tote bag (which I'll probably throw out) loaded with 11 product samples... Including:

La Mer Eye Balm
Estee Lauder Serum
Federic Fekkai Hair Repair
Fresh Face Mask
Marc Jacobs Parfum
Clinique Serum
La Prairie Eye Cream
Laura Mercier Lip Pencil
Ja Malone Perfum
Molton Brown Hand Wash
Orlane Paris Self Tanner

Now I just need to figure out what I need in my beauty regime that will cost around $85.

This Trend Is A "Croc."

I don't understand the draw to these shoes.



All Spring and Summer I have seen people wondering the streets in these shoes. I see them on the young and the not-so-young. But I really fail to understand the appeal of shoes that I think belong in the garden; not on your feet at brunch in a trendy South End bistro.

I recognize that I live in Boston. And the vibe in Boston is mostly "tres casual." But these shoes are just taking things to a new low here. They're horrible.

Having the Balls to Make the Decision.

You know how you sometimes have this dilemas in your life and you just don't know what to do about them? You're passionate about how you feel, but you just don't have the courage to drop the bomb.

I have felt this way about a number of things in my life, both professionally and personally. Like the decision on which college to ultimately go to... Whether or not to make that move... Deciding which career you ultimately want...

You worried that if you went one way you would be "okay" but not "thrilled" with your decision. And you worried that if you did what your gut is telling you to do, you may have made the wrong decision.

But, at least for myself, once I have had the opportunity to debate things in my head for a great while (maybe go to a few yoga classes to get my mind off the issue for a while), I usually go with my natural instinct of what I should do. After all, if I am feeling that passionate about something and it hasn't gone away after a few months of thinking about it... then I know it is time for a change.

It's that moment when I no longer fear the decision I am making. I just do it. And I then have earned a "calm" and "at peace" feeling about the decision.

"What am I getting at?" you may be wondering...

Well, no details (sorry)... But I've decided to go with my gut instinct about something I have thought long and hard about for months now. And I am at peace with it.

I just wanted to share that.

;)

66.75.

There are 168 hours in a week. Seven times 24.

Last week, I worked 66.75 of those hours.

Ugh!

The Bean.

I always forget how cool this site can be... But I love L.L. Bean.

It's my fashion super secret!

The prices are incredibly reasonable, and (especially this Fall/Winter) the pieces are very in.

We've all read repeatedly how chunky knits and leggings (LAYERING)will be all the rage this fall. (I mean. in preparation for this trend, I taught myself how to knit!) So, instead of dropping a hefty chunk of change on knits from my favorite designers, it will be nice to save a few $$$ so I can buy myself a Mac Book later this fall.

Check out this sweater I found on the site...



Perfect for the season! And a steal at $29.50!

It's on the list now.

Being a Trophy Wife Is Totally "In."

Or so says this jackass at Forbes...

Came across this article on Forbes.com through some blog reading this morning. This editor (a man) penned this piece on the website earlier this week about how men should avoid marrying "career women" if they want to have a happy marriage.

He defines "career women" as females who have at least a university-level education, work more than 35 hours a week and make more than $30,000 a year.

"What if you meet two of the three criteria in the definition?"
Seriously... I know plenty of women out there who work more than 35 hours a week and make more than $30k a year, but do not have a university-level education. I also know plenty of women who have a university-level education and work more than 35 hours a week, but do not make more than $30k a year. Additionally, I also know women who have a university-level education and make WAY more than $30k a year; but because they are phenomenal at what they do, they don't have to work more than 20 hours a week. Are these women not career women? Are they more prepared to succeed in the marriage game?

Is it vice-versa as well?
What about men? Do all of these criteria apply to men as well? As a bonafide career woman, should I have not married my university-level educated husband? He works more than 35 hours a week and makes more than $30k a year.

Are we totally eff-ed in the long term??????

What will the author teach his daughters (if he has any) or other female relatives?
Will he encourage the females in his life not to go after that college education, work hard and make as much money as possible? All in order to keep a happy marriage someday? Seriously, these are questions he should have anticipated and therefore, pre-empted with answers in his piece.

I realize that this piece was drafted by the editor initially through coming across the research that came his way. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and am going to say that he doesn't truly feel this way... He is merely pointing out what research says.

But nonetheless, he's a jackass.

Teen Drama.

Courtesy of YouTube...

I was "YouTubing" a few weeks back when I came acoss this vlogger, LonelyGirl15. I don't know what motivated me to click on the link, but I did. And I soon found myself mesmerized by the drama (similarly to what happens when I watch The Hills on MTV.)

About LonelyGirl15:
She's an only child.
She is home schooled.
She has lived all over the world.
She loved her stuffed animals.
She has a friend (just one), named Daniel.
Daniel is the one who taught her how to vlog.
Her parents and she practice some religion(haven't figured out which one yet) devoutly.

You'd be amazed how much drama a person can have in their life; even when they don't have any friends.

Karma... It's a Bi-atch.

Don't you love it when someone wrongs you (in the past) and it finally catches up to them in the SAME EXACT MANNER as they gave it to you in the past?

Personally, I LOVE it. (Even though my mother taught me it was wrong to take pride in this type of thing.) Despite it being wrong to LOVE it, a little piece of me it absolutely delighting in the karmic retribution.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

My Own Ruby Slippers.

The only good thing about spending so much time traveling this weekend is that I had the chance to actually read through the monthly fashion mags.

While flipping through the monstrous September Vogue, I came across these adorable ruby red square-toe "Wanda" flats by Jimmy Choo.



I LOVE them! Red is my favorite color. It also happens to be the "It" color of the fall/winter season. So these are definitely on my "To Buy" list.

Can I Say Something Bitchy?

Seriously... I have to be a bitch for a moment. (Some of you, who know me, may be thinking, "Just for a moment? More like 24-7!")

Anyway... I don't know if I am in a bitchy mood because I spent most of my three-day weekend traveling in a car with my in-laws (who are lovely people, but 10 plus hours or traveling time in a car with anyone is overkill)... Or if it's because I had really bad food most of the weekend... (I'm not a picky eater, but it seems like the things I hate most were all over the menu this weekend: hard-boiled eggs, salmon, fruit cake, rice pilaf pink chicken, canned tomato soup, peach pie)... But I am in full on bitch mode today... And anyone who get in my way is gonna get a full helping of it.

Even if you don't really get in my way... Say you're just sitting there, minding your own business... You're at risk of getting a piece of my bitch-tastic attitude.

I don't have any particular grievances as of right now for today... But I felt the need to openly be a bitch and make a comment to someone I work with about someone else.

Because people I work with read this blog, I can't give details about what exactly I said or who I said it to (though that would be quite humorous if you knew)... But the point is, I instant-messaged someone a little while ago and said (pretyt much), "I have to say something bitchy right now... ... ... (insert bitchy comment here.)"

The person responded with pure IM laughter ("LOL!") and then told me they love it when I am in "catty bitch" mode. They said they appreciated the comment, and that it made them feel good.

So I guess (despite what my mum taught me) it's okay... no, make that good... to be a bitch sometimes. I wasn't looking to make this person laugh. I was simply making an observation.

I should make an effort to be bitchy a little more often.

Yeah... You've Met Me Before.

I love networking events... Especially when they involve alcohol...

The past couple of weeks have been loaded with networking events for me. All involving open bars. And, as it is custom at these events, you get introduced to a number of people. So many faces. So many free drinks.

So, say you get introduced to someone and spend a significant amount of time chatting with them one evening at this event. You remember them... Of course you do! You may not remember their name, but you had a lengthy conversation with them about work-related stuff... Or, say models, as is the case. A few weeks (maybe months) roll by... And you're at another event... And low and behold, you get introduced to the same person again and start talking to them again for quite a while. Possibly even about the same thing.

Then this scenario keeps happening over and over again. Repeatedly. Every few months... It's a different event. But you get introduced to the same person and spend a bit of time chatting with them.

The kicker is, they never remember you. It's not like they remember you and forget your name... They just flat out don't recall your existence. They start off with the same questions when they are introduced... "Who are you? What do you do? You work with who?"

It makes a person begin to question how memorable they are. What kind of impact they are making on people. How serious people are taking them.

I think it's bad ettiquette on the forgetter's part. And I don't like rude people.

The Most Important Question of Today.

I know everyone asks themselves this question from time to time... This is why I felt the need to rsearch and explore it myself... The question for today is, "Do Ninjas need love?"

Here is one dynamic character's perspective on the matter... (It's quite funny.)

The Healing Power of Bikram.

So, a few months ago I decided to put off going to Bikram for the next year for medical reasons. After I stopped going though, I began drinking more coffee, staying up late and being stressed. I also developed sever joint pain in my left wrist.

I didn't want to admit that all these symptoms were due to me stopping the Bikram... But I decided to just go to a class on Saturday to see how I felt afterwards.

I felt SO WELL RESTED immediately after the class. I wasn't stressed about anything. I was tired. I barely made it through dinner at a restaurant with my husband later that night. I wanted to just fall into bed and sleep.

This was glorious! Restful sleep!

The next morning when I woke up, I realized the searing pain I had been having in my left wrist wasn't there anymore. It had disappeared. Completely. I could push on a door with my left hand without feeling like it was going to give out.

I went back to class on Sunday (yesterday.) I felt energized for the rest of the day. It was great!

I'm going back tonight. Time to cleanse the body.

Friday Night Ritual.

Another Friday night... Another evening spent in my typical Friday-night manner.

At the end of each work week (about five seconds after the clock on my computer hits 5pm) I head out of the building and over to the Barnes and Noble in the neighborhood to pick up the week's magazines. Today I grabbed the following:

Marie Claire (New editor in charge there. She has completely revamped the magazine into something somewhat more respectable. Less bubble-headed.)

Harpers Bazaar (UK Version)

Shape Magazine

Vanity Fair

Jane Magazine

Every Friday night I spend in my home-office reading each mag and sipping coffee. this may seem tres boring to some people... But I spend most of my days (and some of my evenings) socializing with other people. By the time Friday evening rolls around, I need a nice long night to myself without having to think about work or hanging out with others.

This is my way if decompressing after a week of researching complicated client questions and creating content.

Inconceivable!

My friend, Brevitt, posted this to his blog a few months back. I came across it on You Tube yesterday and got a kick out of watching it again.

Who doesn't love the Princess Bride? More importantly, who wouldn't love such an enthusiastic and passionate re-enactment by a young fellow as such?

I Can Sympathize.

One of my favorite online reads is Opinionistas.com. Very enjoyable and fun to read. I was catching up on my reading of it while at home sick yesterday, and came across this entry on digging through the ice cream in the freezer and eating all the chunky add-ins that get put in it.

My husband has this exact complaint of me and my ice cream habits as well. Whenever I get a pint of Phish Food, I di through it for the caramel and chocolate chunks. I don't really eat the ice cream. With a pint of Cherry Garcia, I only go for the chocolate chunks too. Same with pistachio ice cream. I like a little ice cream and a lot of pistachios.

My argument to my husband would be (and has been) exactly that of Opinionistas... I did the grocery shopping and picked up the flavor of ice cream I wanted, so I get to do with it what I want. I don't like the flavors of ice cream I buy for him and don't touch them. But I can do what I want with the ones I buy for me.

It also bothers him when I buy neapolitan-flavored ice cream (which I LOVE) and only eat the chocolate and strawberry sections of it. I leave the vanilla section because it is very, very boring. But I don't know what the big deal is... He likes vanilla. He should be happy I left it for him.

You Know What Really Sucks?

This song by Fergie (from the Black-Eyed Peas) called "London Bridge."

First of all, the song is awful. Fergie can barely rap in time to the beat. She should stick with singing and looking pretty. (Oh snap! No I didn't! Yes, yes i did.)

Second, the bridge featured in the video is TOWER BRIDGE in London. Not London Bridge. Also critical to note (as one of the You-Tubers pointed out), London Bridge does not "go down." Tower Bridge does.

So that's two strikes against the song/video. The beat sucks and it makes no sense.

The Lunch of Champions!

You know how you get in a "total groove" with your work sometimes and forget completely about lunch?

Well, that never happens to me. Sorta.

If I don't remind myself at about 11:30am to eat lunch each day, I won't eat until dinner. I caught myself today though... At 12:30pm I noticed the time and relaized I ahdn't lunched yet. I mentally told myslef "I got it at 1pm."

Then, before I knew it, it was 2pm. And I told myself, "Self, eat in the next 15 minutes because the caff downstairs closes in 30 minutes."

Next thing I know, it's 3pm and I'm chatting with someone who was telling me about this wicked hot girl he saw when he was out at lunch at B. Good. (It makes sense that the healthy, pretty girls would eat there.) I mentioned to him that I hadn't eaten yet and that I needed to find something to eat. He noted that the caff had already closed, so if I wanted something, I had to head outside the tower.

About 30 minutes ago I decided, "Yeah. I'll go to Starbucks and grab a coffee and salad for lunch."

Yeah... Instead of a salad though, I got a monster M&M cookie. I went with this choice over the friut salad or lettuce salad offerings because I remembered that I am supposed to go out with my team from work in about two hours to get martinis at 28 Degrees. So, I needed something more substantial to soak up the little booze I can hold. A salad won't cut it. I'll be drunk after two sips. With th full cookie in me, I'll make to at least ordering a second drink.

I Look Forward to Sleeping with You.

If I ever write a book, I think I will name a chapter that.

Anyhoo... We came across another "instant classic" at You Tube this afternoon. This one's called "The Truth in Advertising."

Good times. Enjoy!

High Tea in da Parlor Makes da Ladies Holla.

I love going You-Tubing. So much fun. KT sent me this video... And if you're a New Englander, it is eff-ing hilarious!

Enjoy!

Countdown to Fashion!

Oh heck yeah!

Finally had sometime this weekend to catch up to all my emails hanging out in my inbox... And I discovered one update from the Fantasy Fashion League telling me the new season starts at the end of this month! Yikes! It was time to sign up!

Yay!!

And We Thought K-Fed Was the Stupid One...

Turns out, he's probably the genius of the two!

Check out this video of Brit and Kevin talking about the "meaning of Britney's life" while eating (what else?) fast food.

She has GOT to be high on weed. Or angel dust. She freaks out at some point. Maybe Ecstasy? I don't know drugs. My friend ACE does though. Maybe I should ask him.

Boston Knit Out...

I know what I'll definitely be doing on Saturday, September 24th... Boston Knit Out and Crochet Too 2006.



I'm new to the knitting scene, having completed two scarves so far this summer. And with chunky knits expected to be all the rage this Fall/Winter, I am definitely picking up the trend at an ideal time.

It will be cool to see what other people, who have been practicing longer, can do.

Who is Visiting My Blog?

About a week ago I installed Google Analytics on my blog. It allows me to see all kinds of cool things about the people visiting my blog. One of the coolest things I like about it is the Geo-functionality it has on it.




On any given day, I can see where people are located when they viewed my blog. I appear to have some international people checking it out as well. I LOVE it!

I highly recommend, if you have a blog, you sign up for it and install it.

I Don't Think I'm In Arizona Anymore... Or Am I?

I grew up in Arizona. So I am used to the triple-digit temperatures. They don't scare me. (In fact, little does, except some bugs and clowns.) But even though I am used to the heat, the AZ heat is nothing compared to the sweltering temps we've had here in Boston yesterday and today.

After working in the air conditioning all day yesterday, I left to head to the gym in my neighborhood. It has a lap pool, and that was the perfect way to end my long day. So I sawm for a good 30 minutes. A I was leaving the gym to head home, the sun was still out; therefore it wsa still very hot outside. And as I was walking out of the parking lof area of the gym, I saw an elderly Asian woman fall to the ground REALLY hard. A guy standing in the parking lot also saw her fall, as did the parking attendant. We all ran up to her. She was shaking, but her eyes were open. She had numerous electrodes (from a hospital machine) still stuck to her arms. She also had a bandage on her arm and her finger, indicating she had recently given blood. I kept trying to get a verbal response out of her, but was unsuccessful. She wasn't talking. One of the guys ran and got her some water while the parking attendent called 9-1-1. The lady started to stand-up and take off her socks and shoes. She stuck on of her feet into her purse and kept refusing the water we were holding out infront of her. The police showed up a few minutes later and the lady was trying to walk away from us. They determined that she likely spoke little or no English. They asked me to hold her purse while they held her down in a chair to keep her from bolting. They radioed her description and ID information we found on a medication bottle in her purse to the local hospital.

Turns out she had been picked up about two hours earlier for falling in the streets. She passed out from the heat. An ambulance had taken her to the hospital... But she just walked out of the hospital when no one was looking. She was confused and suffering from heat-related problems. The cops decided to just take her back to the hospital, rather than wait for the ambulance to come and get her. She put up a good struggle as they were trying to get her into the back of the cruiser. I wondered if she had anyone at home that could be called. Anyone that was wondering where she had gone.

Today is even hotter than yesterday. I keep hearing sirens down below from the 23rd floor of my office building. I'm wondering how many other people are out there falling victims to the heat-dimentia.

Today is definitely a day to stay inside.