M Bar, Boston.

I met up this late afternoon with Frogger... With the initial intention of finding her a new look for a bat mitzvah she has to attend next weekend. But, when I pointed out that a really hot look right now is the "tuxedo blazer over sexy cocktail dress" look - she realized that she already had in her closet what she could wear to a black tie extended family event.

So, the "shopping" part of our afternoon took about five minutes. And with that out of the way, it left us an early "call time" to the lounge at M Bar, inside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

It was a cute space downstairs, at the street level of the hotel. When we tucked in at about 4:30pm, it was somewhat busy... But not bad. Frogger and I each ordered a martini... She an espresso one, and me a coconut one...



It's like we were drinking chocolate and plain milk!

And since you can't drink hard liquor on an empty stomach. we got a goat cheese plate and some vegetarian spring rolls...





Both were delicious. As was the New Zealand Pinot Noir and Prosecco we ordered with Bail when she arrived an hour or so later.

Definitely a good place, as far as cocktails go. The "scene" is very Euro-old-guy... But it was early afternoon and on a Saturday. We will have to go back on a Friday night to check it out.

"What Part Of 'God Wanted Me To Have It' Did You NOT Understand?""

Really, people... I am not a kleptomaniac. But when I come across an interesting item, sometimes I must insist on taking it. Especially when I randomly find the item on a seat, and no one comes by to claim the item during the four hours I am seated at the seat. After four hours, and no response from the owner? I think the item is up for grabs.

The item in question? A lovely and cashmere-y soft burgundy plaid scarf...



This beautiful scarf was on my seat when I arrived at M Bar this early evening for a cocktail with Frogger. We sat through a few cocktails, some cheese plates and veggies spring rolls... And a visit from Bail... And no one came by to claim the scarf. So I decided it was meant to be mine.

But..

When I got home... I got this long lecture from The Husband about "stealing stuff." He is not happy with me about the pillow incident. But I pointed out to him that this time it wasn't "stealing." It was, as Bail pointed out when I debated about taking the scarf, that it was "scarf karma."

The scarf was meant to be mine.

Truth is, actually... I wrapped the scarf around my neck during cocktails, and I forgot about it till after we walked out of the bar. And then I figured since no one had come by to claim it after four hours of sitting there, it was meant to be mine... Since I absentmindedly walked out of the bar wearing it.

It is a really great scarf. And I don't know that I would ever find a scarf as nice on my own at a boutique. I think this is a real find. Plus, it was free.

20-Minute Fish Tacos.

Sometimes I don't really know what to make for dinner... And when you eat meat, it can often take foresight or a willingness to leave the house... Because usually it means you have to defrost something or head out to the grocery store.

But last night I was able to whip together some veggie and fish tacos in less than 20 minutes, and without having to defrost anything... As I had the fish in the fridge from a few days before, after a grocery trip.



They look delicious... And have spinach, onions, carrots and avocado. Healthy, quick and tasty!

Springtime?

Is it Springtime yet?

I spent a good part of the afternoon out walking. It was an attempt to soak up as much of the mid-50 degree weather I could. It was fantastic being able to walk around outside without a coat. All I wore was a blazer, sweater, jeans and a scarf.

Proper Spring attire!

I went for a long walk. Through the Common...



Looking at all the signs of Spring...





Up through Beacon Hill and along the Esplanade...



And around Back Bay...



It's a shame that tomorrow it will turn cold and then snow on Sunday.

Dress Code: "Smart Chic."

Frogger and I have some shopping to do tomorrow afternoon.

Well, actually... I don't have any shopping to do for myself... We will be in search of some stuff for Frogger tomorrow, and have plans to meet up late in the afternoon for shopping and a cocktail. Since we'll be at the Copley/Pru/Boylston Street, we have decided that we should try out the M Bar inside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for our cocktail...

Their specialty cocktail menu includes a lot of fun-sounding martinis and high balls... Like the "Missing My Cereals" (vodka, meletti chocolate liquor, milk), "Aladdin's Love" (vodka, jasmine, green tea), "Singing Tokyo" (gin, limoncello, yuzu juice, raspberry puree), "Moscow Mule" (vodka, ginger beer, lime juice)... And if you like a good dirty martini, the M Bar makes it with vodka, dry vermouth, and an olive brine cube.

As for me, right now I have my eye on a New Zealand Pinot Noir they have on the wine menu. And since I think I have my drink choice out of the way, all I need to do is figure how to dress fr the afternoon. The bar, apparently, has a dress code of "smart chic"...



I think I have an idea of what that would be...



See! Who says the LBD is what you wear as the default for any occasion? It's jeans, blazer, blouse and heels!

Tom & Giselle Are Married?

According to US Weekly, they are.

Sorry ladies of Boston... He's off the market. And 99.99% of you have no way of competing with Giselle.

I wonder if she and I will ever run into each other in town, wearing the same shoes?



Can you imagine how awkward that would be? I look kick ass in these shoes!



She may be able to kill me in every other body area... But the feet? I have awesome feet.

Travel Books.

While out this afternoon, I finally decided it was time to pick up a much needed selection of travel books...



Frogger and I are still going to go to Europe in April, for the Amsterdam/Brussels/Paris trip. And with the move to Toronto in May, I figured I should go ahead and pick up a tourist book and street map for there.

I have six weeks till Europe, and about 12 weeks till Toronto. A lot of reading to do before then.

Music To Write To...

I bought The Husband an iPod two years ago for his birthday. I had it engraved on the bag to read, "For all of Humanity*." But he never uses it. That's because he doesn't know how to add music to it himself. He relies on me to do it, and he doesn't like the music I initially added to it. So I am trying to re-do it for him, as I would really like him to use the iPod I bought him.

While digging through all of our music, to change up his playlists, I was reintroduced to all my old CDs. CDs I had long forgotten about because I don't remember the last time I bought a CD. (I think was 2003. I buy all of my music, ad most of my movies, digitally.) And I found myself wanting to add a lot of songs to my various iPods.

"Some of these would be really good to have on in the background when I am writing," I concluded.

I am one of those people who needs a slight distraction when writing. I don't like just sitting around in silence and writing. I need "outside" stimulation to get the creativity expanding. So I put together a playlist and begin throwing songs into it. And I have discovered something...

I consider a lot of the following artists' music worthy of "creative stimulation":

• Dixie Chicks
• Pet Shop Boys
• David Gray
• Dave Matthews
• Madonna
• Beastie Boys
• Scissor Sisters

The only one that is odd, I think, is the Pet Shop Boys. I had long forgotten that they were one of my favorite all-time groups. I picked up their Discography CD as a freshman in high school, and I am surprised I didn't wear the CD out with the number of times I listened to it.

All in, I have 75 songs and 5.3 hours worth of music on my "Creative Writing" playlist. That should keep me writing for a few hours each day. Now to finish The Husband's list...

How Often Do You Color Your Hair?

I am always lagging on the beauty treatments.

I get my brows waxed only every four or five months. Bikini waxings happen a little more often. I stopped getting regular facials, but could use a more regular peel to ward off wrinkles. The last time I had a proper pedicure was late last Summer. And my hair color??? This is probably the worst.

I like to get my one-color process (to cover the grey, blonde and red) of brown every two months. But I usually wait till about three and a half or four months to get it done. I get side-tracked with trying to schedule the hair coloring around Bikram classes, and I just never get to it. Because once I get my hair colored, I can't go to Bikram for at least two days. The color would run out from all the sweat.

But I was curious as to how often otehr people get their hair colored. And if they do it themselves, or if they get it done professionally... The polls are to the right.

Christian Lacroix Ribcage Skeleton Necklace.

Not happy with your bone structure? I myself have always wanted a longer torso... And maybe if I wore this Christian Lacroix Ribcage necklace...



... my current torso would look longer in comparison to it.

Not a fan of it, though. And I haven't bothered to research the price, as I am sure it is quite insane. Would you wear it?

Healthy Dish For The Weak: Lentil Bolognese.

This is probably the most delicious dish I have made in... Well, I can't remember how long. And it's very healthy too.

Bolognese is, hands down, my favorite sauce on pasta. And quinoa pasta, rather than traditional semolina pasta, is a great source of protein. It is also gluten-free, which is nice too. So the spicy sauce and tasty pasta were a great combo. Not only that... Because I used lentils in place of meat, it was a fantastic and healthy combo too!

Ingredients

• 1/2 box of quinoa spaghetti
• 1/2 (large) jar marinara sauce
• handful chopped white mushrooms
• handful chopped baby carrots
• 1/4 chopped yellow onion
• tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup green organic lentils

Directions

1. Cook lentils according to the bag directions. This should take about 25 minutes. Drain lentils and set aside.
2. Cook quinoa pasta
3. Heat saute pan over medium high heat with olive oil.
4. Toss carrots in, heat till softened.
5. Throw in onion, heat till translucent.
6. Throw in mushrooms and heat till soft.
7. Toss garlic and lentils in, toasting for a minute with the rest of the mixture.
8. Add spices (basil, oregano and pepper flakes).
9. Add marinara sauce, heat through. Lower the heat to a "simmer."
10. Drain pasta, add to sauce. Serve it up.

YUMMY!

Tremont Starbucks: Timing & Positioning Are Critical.

No longer having to go to an office very much has its advantages for me...

• I can (and often do) sleep in until 8:30am.
• I can hit the 11:30am or 4:30pm yoga classes I like.
• I can train at the gym in the afternoon, when fewer people are there and The Trainer and I have better access to equipment.
• I can grocery shop for food each day, picking up whatever I am in the mood for at that particular moment.
• I drink a lot less coffee.
• I have time to read online news more thoroughly. (Including all the gossip sites.)
• And, last but not least, I can sit in Starbucks each afternoon and enjoy sitting at a table while writing.

I used to try to come into Starbucks on Tremont Street during the weekends... But it was almost always a useless effort. There were never tables available. From the time they open till an hour or so before they close, this Starbucks never has tables available. Even during the weekdays, it can be difficult to get a table at this location. But I think I have established pockets of time where one can actually snag a table on weekdays...

• 9:15am
• 9:45am
• 2:30pm
• 4:45pm
• 7pm and on

The day here ebbs and flows with traffic where people are committed to sitting down. And some people (I'll admit, like myself) like to camp for a few hours at a table. But sometimes this requires knowing where the outlets are at this particular location, so that you can charge your computer...

Here's where I have found them:

• The small table to the right of the door, after you walk in... There's an outlet behind the condiment bar.
• The tables all the way to the back, near the windows and the second door. Their a re a few outlets back there, and you have to have a long cord to reach them... But they are there.

Any other tables, though, do not appear to be near them. So it is imperative that you be strategic when coming to Starbucks. Timing and positioning are critical to your enjoyment.

K'naan's "Wavin' Flag" Lyrics.

Don't you hate it when a song gets stuck in your head, but you don't know the exact words to it... So you try to look them up online... And you can't find them... Only half-assed horrible versions of the lyrics?

Well, I have had K'naan's "Wavin' Flag" stuck in my head. (If you haven't heard it, you should go to iTunes and give it a listen.) So I downloaded it, and decided to write out the lyrics here:

When I get older
I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom
Just like a wavin' flag

When I get older
I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom
Just like a wavin' flag

And then it goes back
And then it goes back
And then it goes back

Born to a throne
Stronger than Rome
But violent prone
Poor people zone
But its my home
All I have known
Where I got grown
Streets we would roam
Out of the darkness
I came the farthest
Among the hardest
Survival

Learned from these streets
They can be bleak
Accept no defeat
Surrender, retreat

So we struggling
Fighting to eat
And we wondering
When we'll be free
So we patiently wait
For that fateful day
It's not far away
But for now, we say

When I get older
I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom
Just like a wavin' flag

And then it goes back
And then it goes back
And then it goes back

So many wars
Settling scores
Bringing us promises
Leaving us poor

I heard them say
Love is the way
Love is the answer
That's what they say

But look how they treat us
Make us believers
We fight their battles
Then they deceive us

Try to control us
They couldn't hold us
But we just move forward
Like Buffalo Soldiers

But we struggling
Fighting to eat
And we wondering
When we'll be free

So we patiently wait
For that fateful day
It's not far away
But for now we say

When I get older
I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom
Just like a wavin' flag

And then it goes back
And then it goes back
And then it goes back
And then it goes...

When I get older
I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom
Just like a wavin' flag

And then it goes back
And then it goes back
And then it goes back

And then it goes...

And then it goes...

And everybody will be singing it...

And you and I will be singing it...

And we all will be singing it...

When I get older
I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom
Just like a wavin' flag

And then it goes back
And then it goes back
And then it goes back

And then it goes

When I get older
I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom
Just like a wavin' flag

And then it goes back
And then it goes back
And then it goes back

When I get older...

When I get older...

I will be stronger...

Just like a wavin' flag...
Just like a wavin' flag...
Just like a wavin' flag...

Flag...
Flag...

Just like a wavin' flag...

Healthy Dish For The Weak: Veggie Fry-Up.

Just stating it here and now... I am giving up meat for Lent.

No, I am not a practicing Catholic... But I still like to attempt to be disciplined and give up something during Lent. This year's thing: meat and poultry.

I will still eat fish... And lots and lots of veggies. I know most people like to give up vices, like coffee or swearing. But their ain't no way in Satan's finest den of hell that I am going to give up either of those things. So meat and poultry it is!

And while I don't have to worry about 86-ing meat and poultry from my diet for a few more days, when Lent begins... I decided I would just start it tonight... (Forgetting about the eggs and sausage that I had for breakfast today, of course.) And I made a veggie fry-up for dinner.



Ingredients:

• Carrots (a handful, chopped in bite-size chunks)
• Onion (half a yellow one, cut in slices)
• Mushrooms (half a container of sliced white ones)
• Basmati rice (1 cup of rice)
• Spinach (two handfuls of leaves)

Directions:

1. Make the rice according to the directions on the box.
2. Toss some olive oil in a saute pan, heated over medium high heat.
3. Throw the carrots in once it is hot.
4. Once carrots begin to soften, toss in mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Throw in the onions once the mushrooms begin to get soft too.
6. Once onions turn translucent-y, toss in the spinach and let it wilt for about two minutes.
7. Mix everything together and dump over the rice.
8. Serve with soy sauce.

The Missus Says: "8 Things About Me..."

Well, it only took me a month from idea to concept to creation... But I finally got my first podcast, complete with images, done today.

Yay!

What's not so "yay" though is the quality. It's my first attempt at it guys, so I apologize for it's "roughness."

Oscar Fashion: Some Good, Some Bad, Some Bad Hair.

Oh wow!

For the first time in a long time, I actually watched an awards show last night. Well, I didn't watch all of it. I went and took a bubble bath halfway through it, and ended up missing Heath Ledger winning his award. But I watched a lot of it. And you can bet I was paying attention to all the fashion "good" and "bad" going on at the show. Here are my thoughts:

GOOD

Tina Fey


SEXY! I love a writer who can dress and look hot!


Marisa Tomei

I would wear this as a wedding dress, myself. But she looked fantastic in it.


Frieda Pinto


As far as I am concerned, she was the big winner for the evening. I loved the color and the cut.


Anne Hathaway


Beautiful dress. Beautiful face. Beautiful voice.



Taraji P. Henson


Great color and great cut.


BAD

Jessica Biel


This girl just can not get things right when it comes to the big award shows! If I had her body, I would NOT be covering it up with an awkward bow down the front.


Amy Adams


BAD color for her hair. And the necklace makes things too "patchy." When you are a red head, you need to be careful with certain shades of red. A little is good... But a lot can be overwhelming.


Amanda Seyfried


She was an awkward presenter. She had no delivery. She also had no body in her dress. I am not liking the "bows."

Miley Cyrus

Honey... You are 16, not 60. This dress ages you, but not to 21... To retirement age.

Beyonce


No. No. No. Girl, you have hips, just like me. This kind of dress only accentuates what you have, and not in a good way.

GREAT DRESS, BAD HAIR

Sarah Jessica Parker


I love the Dior dress. Your boobs are "BAM!" And it has that "ballerina-tu-tu" feel. But the hair? Love the color, not the big curls and middle part.


Kate Winslet


The dress was great. Sexy. Sultry. But the hair? No.

The Expectations Of Some People...

Okay...

I worked in the search marketing field for about six years. And part of being a marketer where you buy media from businesses (like Google, Yahoo, MSN and other online ad networks) is that you get free stuff.

Sometimes, you get lots of ridiculously insane free stuff. Like:

• Ski trips
• Gaming systems (like PSPs and Wiis)
• Flowers
• Food baskets
• iPod Speakers
• Kick-ass hotel rooms in NYC
• Dinners and lunches at great restaurants
• Alcohol

I always liked the free dinners and lunches. There was one time where I got to stay in a great hotel because of a media vendor I worked with, and that was nice. And if I was out somewhere, and a rep wanted to buy me a drink, I would let them. But I never asked them and never expected them to. And I guess that's where I have a problem...

The expectations.

In this economy, I get irked when I see/hear about search marketing people taking advantage of and making it clear that they expect the freebies from vendors. I was just online and saw on Facebook someone had posted this as their status:

SO-AND-SO reminding media reps that i like free beer and knicks tickets.

WTF? Okay... First of all, you are a director-level person at an agency. You do NOT need the free stuff. Second, you are teaching the people that work under you that it is "okay" to expect and demand these types of freebies from media reps.

Sadly though, this kind of attitude and expectation is often seem throughout a lot of agencies. I had one director once tell me (when I was trying to get a bigger raise for one of my team members) that the "vendor incentives are considered part of the salaries."

"Yeah," I told her. "No, it's not. And that's not okay to make them think that. Free drinks every Wednesday night at Globe, courtesy of a vendor, is not going to help them pay their student loan bills and rent."

I think there needs to be a change in the attitude and expectations for search marketing and online marketing people...

A "gift" is a gift, and you don't expect it. When you come out and openly ask for something, that's just you being an asshole.

Hunter Wellies & Socks: $93.

I've been craving a pair of wellie boots lately. Since I saw Coraline earlier this month, I've loved the look of wellies and jeans.

Now, I am almost 32, not a tween... So I really can't pull off the bright yellow ones. But a pair of black or navy ones would definitely work for me. A pair of proper Hunter wellies. And lucky for me, I found a pair on sale for 50% off at The Tannery on Boylston Street...



I asked the salesman why all the Hunter Wellingtons were 50% (making them $58).

"It's because we don't have the boxes for them," he said.

Not that I really care about the box, but it did make me wonder where they received their supply of them from, if they didn't come in boxes. But they are real Hunter wellies. And they had them in a few different colors, all for 50% off the original price.

In addition to getting the boots, I also got the Welly socks...



These are fleece inserts that go in the boots, keeping your feet very warm in cold weather. So you can wear the boots year-round... In rain or snow.

But what a great deal! The boots and the socks cost me less than the boots at their original price!

Cankles: I Don't Got 'Em.

Just following up from an earlier conversation this weekend...

Cankle (defined): An obese or otherwise swollen ankle that blends into the calf without clear demarcation.

Some jealous person left a comment on my blog trying to give me a complex about my legs. He (at least it read like it was a comment from a "he") told me I had cankles based on this picture.



Umm... You can't even see my calves in this picture. You can barely see my ankles. So I figured I would take a different picture...



This was not easy to take. I had to take it in a mirror without the flash. But clearly, I do not have cankles.

Fashion "Eww": Shoulder Pads.

I sometimes fear for the sanity of fashion-forward celebs.

Normally, I dig whatever Mary Kate Olson wears. Other than her whole fascination with fur, I really like how she puts herself together... Messy, casual but still sexy.

However... I can NOT get on board with what she was sporting tonight at the Independent Spirit Awards...



Really, MK? Shoulder pads???

Ew!

Sleep? What's That?

Ugh!

This is the second time in two weeks where I find myself awake in the middle of the night. I went to bed about 10:30pm... And then woke up at about 1:15am. I laid in bed for over an hour, trying to get back to sleep, but had no luck.



So I just decided to get up and watch some TV. No use just laying in bed of you're not going to sleep, right?

Tomorrow, I will make an effort to tire myself out... In the hope that it will help me get to sleep more easily tomorrow night. I didn't leave the house till after 5pm today. (It was just too freaking cold to step outside!)

Sorry, "Anonymous" Cyber-Bullying Not Allowed.

For you jackasses who may not be aware... I have a policy for this blog.

"If you're going to leave a nasty comment, at least take the time to make up a fake name."

I do not allow negative "anonymous" comments. I appreciate all comments, even the kind that are left by losers who have nothing better to do than leave bullying comments. But you MUST leave a name. That way, I can efficiently address you.

As I have written before, I am perfectly happy with comments that disagree with my view on something. But comments that are only meant to criticize and not stimulate productive commentary are not welcome if left anonymously.

XOXO,
The Missus

Spicy Cacciatorini & Chilean Pinot: This Is My Yoga!

Hmm...

I picked up a Chilean Pinot Noir and some cacciatorini sausage from places down Tremont Street this afternoon...



I wanted something spicy for a late afternoon snack... And I wanted a juicy wine to compliment it. It was perfect!

So perfect, in fact, that I wanted more of the sausage and wine... For dinner!

Using my typical "go-to" essential for dinner lately (frozen pasta), I decided to "mix-it-up" with the "mix-ins."



I used the spicy sausage (crisping it up in a pan with some olive oil) and chopped green olives.

Delicious!

The Husband and I both agreed that this was one of the best meals we had ever had.

Shoes!

There are no words...



Squee!!!!!

(Please 'scuse the skanky pedicure. I haven't re-polished in over two weeks.)

"Obscene-Chic": Ridiculously Large Bag.

"Bigger is better." At least that's how we often assess things in our own brains...

• A bigger car is better.
• A bigger house is better.
• A bigger budget is better.
• A bigger diamond is better.
• A bigger ass is better. (Maybe it's only Sir-Mix-A-Lot who feels this way?)

But sometimes, bigger is not always better!

While out dilly-dallying on Newbury Street yesterday, I came across the most hilariously large bag I have ever seen...



The Deux Lux Kanoko Bag.

I saw it lying on a shelf; attracted to it by it's "sheeny" fabric. But then I realized how gigantic the bag was... And I was scared!

It measures 30 inches in length. And it is 20 inches high. A positive, though, is that the bag's strap is also 20 inches long... So you can easily fit it over your shoulder, while fitting everything you own in it. And the bag is only $58. So it's affordable "obscene-chic."

Rodarte Tall Leather Boots: Thin Thighs Needed.

I know... I know... I know... I've written a LOT about fashion this week. But it's FASHION WEEK, people! (Cut me some slack!)

And while we're doing some cutting... How about trimming a few inches off my thighs so that I can wear these bad boys...



The Rodarte Tall Leather Boots. YUMMY!

They have a "bondage" feel to them, with the leather straps lacing up around them. And your foot is elevated on a platform, so your heel isn't actually that much higher than the ball of your foot. The only thing is...

The elastic around the top of the thighs!

You must be skinny and thin in the thighs to wear these. Otherwise the look will just not work. So most of us will not be able to wear them.. But the looks is so severely cool.

Christian Louboutin Carnaval Peep Toes.

I want to go to Carnaval!

And, I also want to go to Barney's to try on these...

Peep toe Louboutins with silk feathers!  They are similar to the petal sandals we all loved but find completely impractical to buy. Only these would probably last you longer, as the petals are higher up!

Madewell Boston.

So... Yeah...

The much-hyped Madewell store opened on Newbury Street yesterday.  I got over there today to take a look at it and to check out the merchandise first hand.  

First, the positives:

• It's a cute space.  Very light and airy.  I've never been to Nantucket or the Vineyard... But in my mind, that's what it felt like.
  
• The merchandise is cute.  They sell Hunter wellies...  And I really loved these boots.  
  

(I just wished they were in black.)

Okay.  Now, what I didn't like:  The price points are mostly too high.  I am sorry, but they are... 

• Over $100 for Madewell jeans? (In some cases, $200!)  These aren't designer jeans the likes of Raven, Pine IV or Paige!  
  
• The sandals, in my opinion, were of the same quality you would find at Urban Outfitters, but priced way higher.  I found myself wondering, "How long till these fall apart?"  I would rather buy the the Deena & Ozzy Metal Gladiators from UO and pay a third of the price.
  
• Cotton tees for the same price you would find at J. Crew - around $35? (I was confused as to whether or not this was supposed to be a slightly less expensive line than J. Crew. That's what I originally thought it was.)

It's a good store, with a lot of "basics." But to be honest, you can find better quality basics at better price points.  And again, with the jeans... I honestly just know where they have the audacity to try to price their jeans that high.  You go see a real denim guru and get quality designers jeans at that price!

I will probably go back to Madewell... But I don't know that I will buy anything anytime soon. It's worth checking out though.

Miss Dior Gladiators On Giselle.

Okay.  I had to know what the deal was with those shoes on Giselle!

So... I went to the Copley this afternoon and peeked into the Dior boutique.  I spotted what I thought was them on a shelf in the back.  So I went in to get a closer look.  

I started chatting with the boutique manager about these shoes that I had scene in an advert for Dior, on Giselle.  I guess the advert is so new, they weren't aware of it yet.  I was explaining how I loved the shoes, but couldn't tell if the ones they had on the shelf in the store were the same ones Giselle's feet...

"But I have to know the details on these shoes," I told him.  I wanted to know what they were called and what the price point on them was.

They are new, and part of the Summer collection... Not the Spring collection, as some may have reported.  

They are called the "Miss Dior Gladiator Sandals," and they are in the same price range as the "Extreme Cut-Out Gladiator Sandals" that are still all the rage.

I Want Giselle's Dior Heels!

Saw this new advertisement for Dior with Giselle online...

And I really want these heels!

I will be spending part of the day trying to research these bad boys!

"Stimulus Maximus" Has Been Signed.

And everyone gets a pony!!!

Kidding.  Only Frogger gets (got) a pony.  (Inside joke.)

Seriously though...  President Barack Hussein Obama (I still get a kick out of writing out his full name - seven years ago, who would've thought?) signed the stimulus bill today.  

And while individually we may feel hesitant about certain parts of the bill (I personally do not want to see homeowners bailed out or the auto companies - sorry), I do like that most Americans will be receiving some kind of tax breaks of $400 (for individuals) or $800 (for couples).  It will show up in your paychecks beginning in June of this year, and is estimated to be about $13 less a week.

I also like that tax incentives will be given to consumers who purchase cars or are a first-time home buyer.  And the 65% subsidy for unemployed workers paying for COBRA... That is awesome! (If I had used my last company's PPO insurance, it would cost me about $680 A MONTH to continue my coverage. WTF?)

I think everyone needs to just take a breathe now, and remember that the only way to keep the American economy moving forward and strong is to go out and make comfortable and smart purchases.  Here are a few things I recommend:

• Starbucks stuff. It's an American company.  And I love their coffee, just not their soy milk. So I support keeping them in business.
  
• Clothing from small business-based boutiques. I love clothes, but enough with the mass-produced and over-priced chain stuff! Support your local small businesses.
  
• Local restaurants. Same as the clothing... Support your local small businesses. (Including the independent coffee shops that are not Starbucks.)

Need help finding legitimate businesses to stimulate the local Boston economy? I recommend the following sites to help you:

• Universal Hub
  
• Open Table Boston
  
• Jean Therapy
  
• Chowhound Boston
  
• Boston City Search

Anyone else have any good sites to get information on various local reviews or local businesses? Leave them in the comments, please!

Barbie's Fashion: I'm A Barbie Girl!

LOL!  How fun!

When I was a girl, I loved Barbie.  I had the Barbie townhouse, the Barbie dream cottage, Barbie motor home, Barbie McDonald's, Barbie and the Rockers Stage...  

I loved Barbie.  And because I loved Barbie so much, I also had a ton of Barbie clothes... All of which I wished came in my size.  

Well, flash-forward 20 years, and now I can find Barbie's clothes in my size!  Barbie had her very own runway show at Fashion Week!

My favorites are:

All the Christian Louboutin shoes worn by the models...

And the Diane vonFurstenburg outfit...

So very "Barbie." I want the shoes and the DVF dress!

Chanel Resin Cuff.

While out walking last week, I strutted past the Chanel windows on Newbury Street and saw this...

A yummy resin cuff.  Very "punk rock."  But then, I looked a little closer and noticed the price, which was taped to the inside of it...

It is $1,080.00.  YIKES!  So NOT "punk rock!"

I still love it though.  I still love it.

Core Synergy + Bikram = 1047 calories.

Today was the first day this week in which I attempt to hit a special class at the gym.  And I have to say, I chose very wisely.

Today's class was Core Synergy.  It's a mix of pilates and balancing, done on a few Bosu balancing tools.  The teacher, Emily was awesome.  I had taken a few yoga classes with her in the past, and her energy just radiates from her so strongly...  You always have a good class with her!

The class itself was tough, and really required you lock down your pelvic muscles and keep good alignment - which work the core.  If you didn't lock the pelvic muscles or keep aligned, you would fall over.

I burned 237 calories in the class, which I think is pretty good.  There was no cardio...  It was all working the muscles. So I think anything over 200 for that is pretty good.  Afterwards, I went to Bikram and burned another 810 calories in 90 minutes.  

Two and a half hours of exercise, and over 1000 calories?  Not bad!

Bondage: I Am Into It.

It's not what you think though!  For the "Weekly Fashion Fix," I decided it was time to talk about "bondage."

One of the big trends this season is "bondage."  Now, that doesn't mean you have to go all Lady Gaga or Madonna, circa 1991...  It's not about the act... It's about the fashion.

Perusing just a few of the March issues of the dozen magazines I read has made me fall in love with the bondage fetish...  And mostly for my feet.  I may not be able to pull off the Thakoon Shibari dress or the Herve Leger Tank Bandage dress...  But I can certainly do bondage-inspired shoes. And I just may!

Here is what I am loving:

Jimmy Choo Cutout Shoe Bootie

These look like they are made out of black licorice whips!  (How appropriate for a "bondage" shoe.)  they are made of leather and snakeskin, and the price really reflects that - $950.  YIKES! But "sexy" they are, and I would wear them in a heart beat!

Balmain Crystal Panel Sandals

Shorts. I would definitely wear these with shorts in Summer.  Not trashy shorts, though. Sophisticated, work casual shorts.

Chloe Ankle Strap Sandals

I love the softness you get from the "ruching" affect the leather has on these sandals.  It makes it more feminine, but fetish-y at the same time.  And the height is totally doable with this shoe, as it does have a platform at the ball of the feet.  I would wear them with a more "flowy" dress.

Givenchy Crossed Strap Sandals

These are more serious "bondage" shoes... And they are not for amateur heel wearers!  There is no platform with these...  And you will tower 4 inches higher than usual.  So these are for total masochists who want some "pain" with their "kink."

They are severe... And I would rock them with a skirted business suit and rock and roll tee of some kind.

Alexander Wang "Blake" Foldover Sandal

You can't find these one for sale online just yet.  They are my favorite though... And I saved it for last!

According to the magazines that have styled this shoe in pictorials (which is pretty much all of them), they're gonna go for about $525.  I love the shoe because of the platform and the chunked heel.  They are probably so comfortable to walk around in all day!  And the piercing of loops on the front is bad ass.

That's it for this week!

Pearls & A Brooch... But Not Prissy.

I had a very important Valentine's Day dinner to attend.  Frogger and I wanted to hang out in the North End (her hood) and make fun of all the "lovey-dovey" couples eating Italian food all dressed up on super fancy dates.

I decided, though, that the evening out called for some fun jewelry.  Only problem, I spent the afternoon looking for funky jewelry to wear... And I found nothing.  So I came home and rigged up my own funky jewelry...

That's two cheap fake pearl strands from the Marc Jacobs store (about $10 each) and a cheap skull and crossbones brooch.  The pearl strands are just twisted around my neck, and then gathered at one point with the brooch.  

It is a super easy way to wear pearls and a brooch without making them look too "prissy." And it was, I think, the perfect accessory to wear in a sea of prissy couples.

The Four Day School Week.

Wow!

Was just on MSNBC and saw this story about an Arizona school district that was going to move to a four day school week for the next two years, in order to work within their budget.

I though the headline of the story would take me to information about one of the schools on the Indian reservations in Arizona...  Nope.  Turns out is the the school district next to the one I grew up to.

Things must be really bad for a school district to make this kind of decision.  This is not good. (Though the many kids in the district are probably all for this.  A four-day school week!)

Goals For The Week: Exercise Classes.

While out at dinner last night, The Husband and I got to talking about my "depression" lately.

I put "depression" in quotations because it's not the real depression, where you need medication to deal with it.  Mine isn't so much "chemical" as it is from "boredom."  I am so bored, I barely see a reason to leave the house.

Odd, I know.  But allow me to dissect.

See, when I was working, I had a reason to get up at a specific time each day.  I had a reason get dressed, fix my hair and stop off at Starbucks on the way to work...  I needed to look nice and I needed the energy from the coffee to get me revved up for the office.

But now... I don't have to get dressed up and out of the house by a certain time each day.  And I don't have to stop off at Starbucks to get myself perked up for the office.  So, in an effort to get me out of my funk this week, The Husband suggested I hit one exercise class (beyond Bikram yoga) each day this week and that I dedicate a few hours afterwards to writing outside of the home.

"That'll eat up a huge chunk of your day," he pointed out.  "And it will get you out of the house."

So, this week, I will try the following classes at the gym...

• Monday: Core Synergy
  
• Tuesday: Centergy
  
• Wednesday: Impact!
  
• Thursday: PowerNAP
  
• Friday: Studio Cycling
  
• Saturday: ZenMotion
  
• Sunday: Slow Flow Yoga

Back when I was working, I used to complain to The Husband that I didn't have the energy or time to try these classes... Especially if they were during the day.  But now that I am in a "forced retirement" for at least the next three months, I do have time.  And I might as well use it to try out all the things I wanted to do but never had a chance to.

BiNA Osteria Boston: AMAZING!

Because I am going out with a friend tonight for Valentine's Day, The Husband wanted to take me out last night to celebrate the day.  (Friday the 13th seemed like a much cooler day in which to celebrate love over Saturday the 14th anyway.)

We booked a table at a newer restaurant NOT in our neighborhood of the South End. (We decided for Valentine's Day, we wouldn't be lazy and just walk down the street.)  We booked a reservation at BiNA Osteria in downtown...

At a traditional osteria, wine is the main event, and the food is secondary to it.  But at BiNA, it's the other way around.  In fact, I didn't even have any wine with my dinner.  Just a great cocktail of elderflower and gin, and some bottled water.  The food was so good, I didn't need wine to enhance the experience.

BiNA has a prix fixe menu they offer, and it allows you a chance to taste quite a few different dishes.  The Husband and I weren't quite that hungry.  We looked at the menu and decided to try the following:

• Gnocchi - This was the best! The hand-roll the gnocchi in their walk-in freezer. This prevents moisture from getting into the pasta.  And it is so light.  It was delicious!
  
• Piccola Insalata - This was also a light starter.  And it had some beautiful watermelon raddishes in it.
  
• Spaghetti Carbonara - Spaghetti (probably my least favorite noodle nest to macaroni) was not used in this dish. It was actually angel hair pasta (my favorite pasta noodle).  They poach an egg and serve it right on top of the pasta, which has parmesean and pancetta scattered throughout it.  You break the egg when it is served to you, and it melts the cheese. It was amazing.
  
• Chicken Marsala - I have made this for dinner many times for The Husband... And my recipe is quite respectable.... But this one completely blew mine out of the water. 
  
• Chocolate Truffle with Hazelnut Gelato - We had to share a dessert, it being a date and all. The truffle (cake) was served freshly baked, and when you cut into it, chocolate would ooze out of the center... Missing with the hazelnut gelato on top. I don't think I have to tell you how I felt about this dessert.

It was definitely worth the trip on the Orange Line to Dowtown Crossing to get dinner there. You are crazy if you don't try this place.  And, it has a nice lounge area near the bar, making it perfect for cocktails.

Discounted Therapy!

Just a heads up, everyone... This is the weekend to buy jeans or business casual apparel!

Jean Therapy and sister store Therapy (which carries business casual and flirty apparel) is offering 30% off your purchase this weekend IF you email them by MIDNIGHT tonight.

Hmm...  I don't know if I need any new jeans...  But I may just go ahead and send an email to score my 30% voucher, just in case.  I recommend you do the same!  

To get the voucher sent to you, email to info@jean-therapy.

Flowers!

Yay!

I got a delivery this afternoon...

The Husband sent me flowers for Valentine's Day!

Yes, I know that the day is still two days away... But really, flowers are meant to be enjoyed as early as possible, so that they are in bloom on the holiday.

(Thanks Human!)

Learning Defensive Moves.

I got no sleep last night.  

My body was exhausted.  But my brain would just not shut off in order to get to sleep.  So I stayed up watching late night TV.  (And it's worth noting... There's nothing on television at 4am.)

The absence of sleep made working out with The Trainer this afternoon a somewhat painful experience.  It was "Boxing Day," and normally we spend the time throwing kicks and punches. But not today...

"You're not holding up too well today," said The Trainer, about 20 minutes into our hour.

And I wasn't.  I was way too exhausted.  My kicks were pathetic. My punches were so weak.  The only thing that was strong was my ability to do crunches.  So The Trainer decided to change things up...

"We need to give your body a little rest," he said. "So I am going to teach you how to dodge and duck on-coming punches the right way."

So we spent the rest of our time doing combinations where I would throw a punch, and then have to duck the on-coming swing he was sending my way.  It got dizzy having to pay attention to the exact direction of the swings.  Depending on how he swung I would have to slip to the side (when he was throwing a jab), lean back (when he was throwing a hook) or drop down and duck to the side.

Surprisingly, even with the low energy and easy-going workout I still managed to burn over 500 calories in the hour.  I guess when you're body is tried, it has to work so much harder just to do the simple things that it causes you to burn calories like crazy.

"Funky Boston" Attire: In Case You Were Wondering...

What I went with for this evening's event...

Black blazer, white button-down, black cashmere vest, smoky quartz necklace, Pine IV Jeans, Manolo MaryJanes and the Balenciaga Vermillion bag.

(Picture shot while tipsy in the bathroom of the Liberty Hotel in Beacon Hill.)

The event I attended was the Boston launch of Virgin America (a new-ish airline).  They will being offering flights today (Feruary 12th) from Boston to a few destinations domestically.  And they seem like a really good airline, the likes of (actually, even better than) JetBlue.

You get WiFi on Virgin America.  (NICE!)

I (courtesy of Frogger) got VIP access, and got free drinks and food... And an opportunity to see Sir Richard Branson (the main guy at Virgin) some-what upclose.

I also got to see this 6 foot 8 guy named "Gary" at the party who was married, but fooling around with a woman on the couch next to us who wasn't wearing a wedding ring.  I was so distracted by Gary's height each time he got up that at one point I made an effort to ask him...

"So, dude... Exactly how tall are you? Because my husband is like 6 foot 5....  And you are definitely taller than him."

Gary told me his height (which is 6 foot 8 inches and one quarter), and then went back to conservatively making out with "not his wife."  Eventually, he said to her, "You know where we need to go now? Upstairs!"

He then came over to me and wished me a "fond good night." And then he and the lady-friend left. It took me a few seconds to realize...

1. We were in a hotel, and "upstairs" meant a room.
   
2. He was also trying to pick me up as he left to go upstairs with her.

E-to-the-W!!!!!!!!!

Did I mention (no offense) that Gary was like 70?  And did I mention, "I am married!"  Oh, and did I also mention, "I am so not attracted to him?"

I guess (and this happens a lot in Boston) that if you just talk to a man (like, ask him his height), they assume you are flirting with them...  When in reality, you are actually amazed by their circus-freak-like condition.  

After a while, Frogger and our third companion decided to "call it a night."  But before I left, I knew I had to do the following:

1. Down the rest of our drinks (personally) because I thought we had paid for them. (Frogger had to remind me, "Hey! Those were free! You don't have to drop them! We didn't pay for them!")
   
2. To steal the "British Flag" pillow on the couch we were sitting on...
   
   
   

I stole it for Frogger... As she said she "really liked it."

What are friends for???  She got me into the party, with VIP access, and I stole her a kick-ass pillow in return. 

As far as I am concerned, we're "same-sies" in the "effort" department for the evening.

Starbucks Red Velvet Cupcakes: OMG!

I had seen these red little things in the display case at Starbucks for a few weeks, but never felt like trying them.  I mean, Red Velvet cake is easy to screw up.  It is amazing when you get it right, but if you don't get it right, it is "puke-city."

But the Twitter chatter lately had alleged that they were "the shit."  So I decided to just throw caution to the wind and go for it.

These are the best things on the menu!!!

Look how red they are!  And the frosting isn't obnoxious, like I thought it would be!  It was so good!  Very creamy and fluffy.

Wow Starbucks, you certainly are becoming more to me than just coffee and shitty soy milk.

Jason Wu On Net-A-Porter.

Looking at What's New this week over on Net-A-Porter, and I see that Jason Wu now has a spot in their luxury merchandise offering.

There are only a few pieces available through the site... And while I am mostly underwhelmed by the man who designed Michelle Obama's inauguration gown, there was one piece that I do love quite a bit...

The Isadora Yellow Dress.

I love the flow and the cut of the dress.  It is fun and young. perfect for Spring/Summer.  I am not, however, too confident in the price point of the line.  Just because you aspire to be a cross between Chanel and Vince does not mean you get to price yourself at the higher end of the price point your first step out of the gate.

I think nearly $3,000 is too much for this dress.  But someone will pay it, because he did dress the First Lady, after all.  And there will be mileage to be had for that feat alone.

Watch out though! Before you know it, the cost of J. Crew will get even more hefty too!

That Kid Is HIGH!!!!

Holy shite!

I went to the dentist A LOT when I was a kid.  Had a lot of cavities in the back of my teeth...  Had a lot of novocaine, never any gas, to numb me.  But I never felt like this kid coming back from the dentist!

David After Dentist (Original) - Watch today’s top amazing videos here

I don't think I've ever been that "high" from  liquid percocet or alcohol!  Sweet lord!

Octo-Mum Website.

Okay... So, I wanted to hear the woman out before I jumped on the "judgement train" and started saying "WTF Lady?"  But after watching last night's interview on Dateline, I am probably the engineer driving her choo-choo to "Internet Back-Lash" town.

Dear Nadya Suleman,

Seriously, lady, what the hell is wrong with you?

Don't get me wrong... I know what it's like to have a (passing) yearning for a child of your own. And I am more than happy that IVF worked for you... the first few times.  But when you have no job and no means to support yourself and the children you already had, you need to be kicked in the head for pursing IVF for yet another round.

When someone chooses to become a parent, they have to consider what it will take to be a parent.  Especially if they have to be a single parent.  Here are some of the questions you should have been asking yourself:

• Do I have a job?
  
• Should I burden my parents with the expectation that they have to help me raise the children I already have plus the additional ones I want to have?
  
• Realistically, what kind of job can I get once I do finish my degree that I am still pursuing?
  
• Is it ethically acceptable to use my student loan money to raise my family?
  
• If I had savings set aside to pursue IVF, is it okay that use student loan money to raise my family?
  
• How much attention can I give all my current children, especially the three that have disability problems - for which I receive state assistance?
  
• Is it okay to just have a child in order to feel "loved?" Or does that mean, perhaps, I should maybe pursue other methods (that I can afford) to make me feel better about myself?
  
• Who will help me raise these children, should my parents pass away early?

I don't think these are questions you truly asked yourself, Nadya.  I wish you no ill-will...  But I certainly do NOT think that you should be receiving hand-outs from anyone.  And I certainly find it beyond "gross" that you have put up a website to solicit donations.

You are not a responsible adult. I get that you love your children, and who wouldn't? They all seem sweet and magical - just like most children are. (Though I have met quite a few "asshole" children in my day.) But you have just pissed off a lot of Americans - many in your state, who will have to be the ones to support you and your family - in a time that couldn't be economically worse.

I don't think you'll be receiving quite the donation gifts you may be hoping for, as legitimate charities out there are hurting for donations these days.  How can the charitable givers who use Paypal to give you money be confident that you will actually use the money on your children... And not on something that - I'll just say it - is selfish?

I wish you luck... Because I think you will need it.

Kind regards,

The Missus

Healthy Dish For The Weak: Lemons, Olives & Chicken.

I wasn't feeling too well this afternoon.  So instead of going to yoga, I decided to take more time to make dinner tonight.  

Since The Husband is a HUGE fan of green olives (whenever we order a pizza, it has to have green - not black- olives on it), I decided to try out a new recipe.  Well, new for me... I pulled from my full collection of Martha Stewart Everyday Food and made Chicken with Roasted Lemons and Olives.

Lemons are a Winter fruit, so you can get them fairly reasonably during the season.  

I had never paired them with green olives before, so I wasn't sure how the salty olives and the tangy lemons would go together.  But once I combined the chicken, garlic, olives, lemon juice, wine and broth together...

Things started to smell fantastic in the kitchen!

I paired the dish with some jasmine rice I have had on hand for a few weeks now...

I love how the roasted lemons turned out! They were so tasty too, because you season them with salt and pepper before you roast them.  

Very healthy... As there is no butter and only a small tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil that you use. I will definitely be making this again, when I have time to.  It's not a quick dish... It took about an hour to get it all done.  But it was very much worth it!

"Funky Boston" Attire?

I have an event coming up soon, and the dress code on the invitation reads "Funky Boston." Anyone have any idea what that means?

I am definitely think dark jeans. And carrying my funky boho Balenciaga vermillion-colored bag.  But everything else? Jewelry? Top? Shoes?

I have no freaking idea!

If you know what "Funky Boston" is, please let me know.  I would be most grateful.

New Starbucks Breakfast Value Meals.

I don't know if you heard about it last week, but Starbucks is looking to compete with breakfast deals you can find at other fast food places...  And yesterday, they revealed what would be in each$3.95  meal combination they offer.

• Tall latte and oatmeal
  
• Tall latte and reduced-fat cinnamon swirl cake slice
  
• Tall drip coffee and bacon/egg/Gouda sandwich
  
• Tall drip coffee and ham/egg/cheddar sandwich
  
• Tall drip coffee and peppered bacon/egg/cheddar sandwich
  
• Tall drip coffee and sausage/egg/cheddar sandwich
  
• Tall drip coffee and reduced-fat turkey bacon/cholesterol-free egg/reduced-fat cheddar sandwich

For $4, these are pretty good (though, fattening) options for breakfast.  I would be most likely to partake in the latte and oatmeal combination, if I was a working professional still.  These new breakfast value meals will begin being offered March 3rd.

For now, I'll just enjoy my daily Starbucks trips where I get my two free hours of wireless and my grande Americanos.

Numerology Year 5.

It is someone I know's birthday today.  (Happy birthday!) And this someone is entering into a 5 year in the 9-year numerology cycle*... And according to the charts, this is what is in store for them this year:

You can expect change, travel, growth, expansion and release from the containments and frustrations you experienced last year. During 2009 there will be a breaking up of the old conditions in your life... the obstacles, delays and frustrations of the past year (2008) will slowly lessen and disappear. One usually responds to this liberating (5) energy by moving, changing jobs, interests, attitudes and even love or friendship relationships. The changes may be surprising, but are needed.

The Personal Year (5) can either be a hectic year (since the change may not be welcomed or expected) or an exciting one (if you're ready for something new)... the year will not be uneventful. There's simply more personal freedom and more of an opportunity to express your individuality without hindrance or delay.

The key is to flow with these changing conditions and let the old connections fade into the chronicles of the past... to be adventurous, take some risks and be willing to try something new, the unexpected and the challenging. Nature has opened the door for your growth. Don't disappoint it. Be careful though; don't go to extremes, since the rapid and frenetic energy of the (5) can lead you to extremes of emotion, passion or speculation. Be constant, logical, consistent and steadfast, but be willing to change and release things that have outlived their usefulness. This includes relationships.

So it sounds like an exciting and adventurous year ahead for them!  Good things abound!

*Just a reminder, to calculate what Personal Year you are currently in, simply add your birth month and day to the year of your last birthday. You keep adding till you have one number.  So, my last birthday was April 12, 2008...

4+1+2+2+0+0+8=17

1+7=8

So I am currently in a Year 8.  I will enter in to a Year 9 on April 12 of this year.

If I Were To Get A Stimulus Check...

And I won't be... Even if they are given out, so let's just dash all hopes now... BUT, if I was given one, here are a few of the things I might do with it:

Cape Town, South Africa

Now that I don't have a job, I would have plenty of time to book a trip and head to Cape Town for a few weeks.

Dior Extreme Cut-Out Gladiator Sandals

These are just an instant classic.  And I would be very tempted to shell out the $780 for these. They would be so comfortable to wear (given that they have a platform base) and they are just so incredibly sexy.

Bikram Yoga Centre Annual Membership

Since I will be moving mid-May, I will need to purchase a new annual membership pass for my Bikram practice.  The cost in Canadian dollars is $1300, which is about $1,062 USD.

Don't forget my poll to the right... What would you do with a stimulus check from the government?

Weekly Poll: How Would You Spend A Stimulus Check?

I am just sitting here watching President Barack Hussein Obama do a press conference with a main theme of the "economy."  So I am just curious, "If checks were issued, how would you spend your stimulus check from the government?"

The poll is on the right and will be up all week.

*The last tax refund I got was in 2001 when George W. Bush pushed a stimulus through.  I got back about $250, and I spent it on an airline ticket to visit a friend in Fort Smith, Arkansas. 

Bikram Challenge Day 1: Do-Over.

I had to restart my 30-day challenge today because I was sick last week.  So sick that I didn't get out of bed for most of Wednesday and all of Thursday.  

I was still sick today... But most of my illness was limited to a slightly runny nose and a "stuffiness" in my head when I was in inverted positions.  But, because I am still sick, I was very well hydrated before going to class.  So there was no "exhaustion" in class.

Just dizziness!

Enough With The Harem Pants!

U-G-L-Y!

I just can't make it any clearer how I feel about Harem pants.  Not familiar with this yuck-tastic trend?  Please, allow me to update you.

These are pants that baggy, and tapered towards the calves or ankles.  And lately, more and more high end designers are indulging in this trend for their Spring season.  Here are a few versions that I found on Net-A-Porter just this week...

Seriously? Would you pay upwards of $300 for these? 

Or upwards of $1000, as is the case with these McQueens?

INSANE!  I just don't think they will be flattering on most body types.

Fresh Flowers.

I am trying to attract an early arrival of Spring...  I am just very much over Winter, even though we are only halfway through it right now.  So to help me attract the warmer season, I went out and bought Spring flowers...

Tulips!

Please, Spring... Come soon, and for good.

Haute Look: Chanel 2.55 Available?

How have I not heard about this site, Haute Look?

I woke up this morning, checked my Twitter stream and saw a friend post about this site... And how there was a (Decades Two) "Chanel" sale at 8am PST.  

Now, despite loving fashion, I own no Chanel (other than make-up).  It's the one line I have yet to really splurge on that I really want to.  Every time I get an "itch" to throw caution to the financial wind and scoop up a bag or other accessory...  I "chicken out."

"Where would I carry this?" I ask myself. "This wouldn't be a practical purchase in this city. No one carries real Chanel in Boston, except for old rich ladies."

The "cost per wear" would never justify the purchase price, for me.  But Chanel-on-sale could.

So I will wait patiently for the next little while, till the sale starts.  And then I will peek in and scoop up what I find that is "splurge-worthy."

I am really hoping the red Chanel 2.55 bag they have on the advertisement is actually available...

11:11am UPDATE:

I logged into the sale... There were two patented Chanel 2.55 bags available...  But they were going for $1400 a piece.  Not worth the splurge.  Additionally, once I was able to finally log in, everything good had a status of "On Hold."  All that was left was the over-priced crap.

Sleep Away The Extra Weight?

Was watching The Today Show while helping The Husband get ready for work this morning.... And I saw a segment called "Snooze And Loose! Sleep Away The Weight!"  It was all about these women and a study that showed the correlation between getting a decent amount of sleep, the hormone "ghrelin," and your appetite.

According to the segment, in order to effectively lose weight, all one needs to do is subscribe to the following activities:

1. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, and try to get at least 7.5 hours of sleep. Okay, so I am not really much of a night owl.  I am usually in bed and asleep by midnight at the latest (lately).  But I have been random with my wake-ups times, mostly because I was sick last week.  I was sleeping till nearly 10am most days.  But today I was up by 7:30am.  So if I am asleep by midnight each night and up by 7:30am, that is a consistent practice.
   
2. Start a routine for "bedtime."  Stretching for a few minutes...  Hot bath... Reading... I do all of these before bed already.
3. Control caffeine and alcohol. They recommend no caffeine after 2:30pm, and no alcohol at least three hours before bed.  So, given that I should have one glass of red wine a day, that means that I should have it at lunch time now? Or late afternoon?  DONE!

They say that by following these "best practices," your body is able to better control the hormones that prompt you to eat a little more each day than you need to, in order to stay awake and energized. And because you are using rest to help keep you energized (rather than coffee drinks), your body is able to stabilize the weight loss, making it more natural and permanent.

New & Hot Fashion Fix: Spring Classics That Will Last.

New feature here that I will be doing each week.... A round-up of all the new fashionable items I find online, or in town, that I think are worth checking out.

I think I must be going crazy.  The weather here in the Northeast is showing signs of being bipolar, and it's causing me to act the same. 

Do I put the fleece-lined Winter boots away and bust out the ballet flats, because the 40-degree temps have broken free? Or will the cold return, bringing along the nasty inches-upon-inches of snow we've had to endure?

Well, I am not going to put away my boots just yet... But I am thinking forward to Spring trends. And I found a few classic pieces that I think are worth taking a look at and possibly investing in:

Lightweight Cotton-Wool Men's Cardigan

I know... You're probably wondering why I included a men's cardigan...  Truth is, I often peek in the men's section (and boys' section too) to find pieces that I think might work for me.  I like the way men's cardigans hang over women's cardigans.  Women's cardigans tend to be too tight... When what I am looking for is more of a "relaxed" and "comfy" fit.

Anthropologie "Illumination" Sandals

I have been craving gladiator sandals since I landed in Melbourne around Christmas.  Everyone was wearing them "down-under."  But I haven't been able to zone in on a pair that I really love enough to spring for...  And who knows if I will?  I did, however, find these nude little beauties... And I love the sheen they have to them.  They could work perfectly with shorts and dresses for Spring/Summer.

Joie "Sima" Henley Dress

I am such a fan of the Joie line lately.  I love their tunic tops, and this dress could work in a variety of stylings... With bare legs, over leggings or even with skinny jeans!  

Theory "Gabe" Blazer

Theory is all about "classic" pieces.  This blazer is the perfect example of that.  I like that it is a one-button blazer. It's much more flattering.  Pair it with white jeans for a real "Spring" feel...  And be sure to "ruche" the sleeves up!

Burberry Ivybridge Trench Coat

One of my pals (Yummy Mummy) has this piece.  And it is fantastic! It's $$$$...  But I can't even begin to tell you how much wear you will get out of a Burberry trench coat.  These things LAST AND LAST.  (Provided, of course, that you do not leave it on your airport chair prior to boarding an international flight.)

Toronto: What To Pack For Three Months?

I realized something when I was out to dinner with The Husband last night...  

When we move to Toronto, we will be in a temporary place for the first three months.  All our belongings will be in storage till we find a place to buy or rent in our preferred neighborhood. This means that I will have to pack, in a suitcase, everything that I need/want for the first few months.

Holy shit!

This now calls for me to be strategic.  It will be late Spring/early Summer when we move...  So I can probably get by with one season (Summer) in terms of style of clothes.  But this will require me to be very careful with everything I pack.

So here's my first stab at what I will definitely need the first few months:

• Yoga mat. (Can I even fit this in a suitcase?)
  
• Three pairs yoga shorts, three yoga mat towels and three yoga tops.
  
• Three pairs of yoga pants and three workout tops (for the gym).
  
• Gym shoes.
  
• Six pairs of jeans. (I own 12.  So I think taking half is justifiable.)
  
• Tank tops - All 12 of them.  (I wear them every day and under every thing.)
  
• Two hoodies.
  
• Two pairs of ballet flats. (I wear these all the time in the Summer.)
  
• Two pairs of Havianas. (Ditto, above.)
  
• Two casual cotton dresses.
  
• Make-up. (I don't wear much. So it's a small  bag.)
  
• T3 blowdryer with diffuser. (THANK GOD Canada has the same outlets as the U.S. Ditto for Mexico! No more blowing up T3 products with converters!)
  
• Laptop. (Can only bring one, will pack the other away till we find a permanent home.)
  
• iPod Speakers.
  
• Sex and the City DVDs.
  
• Harry Potter DVDs.

Oh holy hell. 

I just freaked out and went and told The Husband I didn't know how I was gonna pack everything I need for three months. 

"I guess I will just have to buy a new wardrobe when I get up there, and pack less clothes," I decided.

"Um, now," said The Husband.  "I will pay the extra baggage fare for you to check more than one suitcase."

"Yeah," I agreed. "I guess that could work too."

I still have to be strategic about what to bring though.  This will require some serious analysis and study of what I think I will wear and what I will actually wear.

Buddhist Punk ACDC Tee.

I love tees.  Especially rock and roll tees and club tees.   (I rock my CBGB tee at the gym at least once a week!)  But there is a limit to what I will pay for a t-shirt.  And unfortunately for Buddhist Punk, anything over $65 is too much for my wallet.

Witness the $130 ACDC tee shirt by Buddhist Punk.

Don't get me wrong... I love the tee.  The sleeves and the bottom of the shirt appear to be finished with a nice, even stitch.  And the lettering of the band logo looks very strong.  But it's a cotton t-shirt.  One that has to be hand washed.  

I am one who usually understands why things cost what they cost, specially when it comes to luxury goods.  But I am really failing to see why a finely-stitched cotton tee shirt costs $130.

Could someone please explain?

Coraline Trend, Grown Up.

I put this together this evening...

It's my interpretation of Coraline's fashion, but matured about 15 to 20 years.  Raincoat... Wellies... Cap...  Button bracelet...  Star sweater... Skinny jeans...

So much fun!

Coraline Is Left-Handed!

There are so many movies out right now. So many that I have not seen, but need to see. (Revolutionary Road, The Reader, Frost Nixon, Milk...)  Yet, when I found myself at the theater  yesterday, it was none of these award-nominated movies that I wanted to see.

No. I wanted to see Coraline, in 3D.

Coraline is the story of a little tween whose work-absorbed parents up and move her from Michigan to a hillside in Oregon.  She is bored and living in a very old house that has been split up into three separate apartments.  In the sub-level are two old actresses who are eccentric and a bit intuitive.  In the attic apartment is an older gentleman who was formerly part of a circus act.  None of the neighbors pays much attention to Coraline; they can't even get her name right - constantly referring to her as "Caroline."

Not living in the building is Wybie, a boy the same age as Coraline whose grandmother used to live in Coraline's house as a girl.  Coraline becomes Wybie's reluctant friend.

Coraline, tired of being stuck in the middle of nowhere with two busy parents, finds herself drawn into an alternative world connected to the house through a secret doorway in her living room.  

She ventures "down the rabbit hole" in search of a cure for her boredom and for her feelings of being unimportant.  In the alternative world, she is the center of the universe to her neighbors and her parents.  And everyone gets her name right.

I loved this movie.  The details, the 3D effects and little Coraline's fashion sense (raincoat, wellies, blue bobbed hair and barrette) were well-crafted.  She is a creative child, something I picked up on right away when I noticed she was writing with her left hand at the beginning of the film.

But, despite seeming like a children's film...  It really isn't for younger children.  It is very dark. And can be quite scary.  In fact, now that I think about it, the afternoon showing I was in yesterday was all adults.

MNG Closed? I Hardly Knew Ye!

About a year and a half ago, when I first noticed the signage for the MNG store in the Prudential Center mall, I was excited.  I had heard great things about the brand and was looking forward to them coming to Boston.

The space, in prime position - next to Saks, sat empty with signage for many months.  When they did finally open, I was very unimpressed with what they were offering.  It seemed like all they had were old season stuff.  Nothing seemed to be current at the time.  And when it seemed that they never did catch up to carrying the current season's stuff.  

They just weren't that into capturing Bostonians' fashion interests...  Because now, it appears the store has closed...

Windows frosted over...  Store empty - except for those stupid mannequins in the red t-shirt dresses screaming "SALE!" on them.

I am not at all surprised it closed.  A lot of what they were carrying was dated and when you got a close-up look at it, you discovered that it was really shoddy in quality... But yet, the prices weren't reasonable for the quality.

So many shops in the area are either scaling down and moving, or they are closing altogether.  It's sad, for the most part.  But MNG was never a good fit.  I never saw anything in the windows that was really worth going in to visit.

Macadamia Nut Pancakes!

I was watching a show on the Food Network earlier this week and saw someone making pancakes with macadamia nuts in them.  I got inspired and decided to give them a try myself.

Macadamia nuts aren't cheap... But I think they're more for baking and mixing in to stuff than actually snacking on individually, like peanuts.  When you chop just a few up...

... They make enough to sprinkle in to some pancake batter!

The soft crunch of the nut in between bites of cake is delicious.

Raven Denim Question: True To Size?

Well, I must say... This is probably more of a question for the Denim Mafia from Jean Therapy... And I invite them to comment regarding it...

A reader (LeeAnn from Denver) wrote in with an inquiry about Raven Denim (one of my favorite denim brands):

I love the trouser jean look, but most brands/styles have legs that are absurdly wide and just aren't that flattering as a result.  I noticed in your post about the McKenzie style that you don't feel that the legs are too wide, so I'm thinking of ordering a pair of my very own.  However, since I have no experience with RD and don't know of any place in Denver that carries the brand, I thought I'd hit you up for sizing advice because I will most likely have to hunt them down online.  In your opinion, does the McKenzie style run true to size, small, or large?

In my opinion, the McKenzie style runs fairly true to size...  But then, I tend to wear my jeans on the tighter side - which is how a true denim guru would tell you to wear them.  We all know that jean brands can definitely differ from brand to brand...  And I actually wear a size smaller in Raven jeans than I do in other brands, like Paige and Red Engine.  (But again, I wear my jeans tight - as denim stretches.)

I hope that helps answer your question, LeeAnn!  And I think other readers may be able to point you in the direction of where to best buy Raven either in Denver or online.

Sex & The City First Season: Just Bad Writing.

I am a big fan of Sex and the City.  

Have been since 2000, when I moved to NYC, got HBO and watched the first episode of season 3...  You know, the one where the four girls go to Staten Island (ugh!) to watch Carrie judge the firemen's competition?  I loved everything about the show... The characters, the fashion, the attitude, and most of all - the writing.

It wasn't until after season five that I got around to catching up on the first two seasons of the show - which I had never seen.  And now, I own every single season and have watched all the DVDs so much that some of them don't work anymore.  It may be time to upgrade to the pretty box set.  But while watching season one yesterday afternoon, I realized something...

Season one of the show was a complete mess writing-wise!

Now, to be fair... I only made this assessment after watching the rest of the seasons so many times and seeing the superb writing... I mean, it's clear that the first season - which has the  standard level of witty writing you see in other TV shows - was just where they were trying to establish the characters and find the flow of the show...  But it's just difficult to watch now.

I mean, how can you go from watching, in season six, a story line that involves The Russian being overly present with the romance and "ick factor" where he scores her a designer dress and takes her to the opera...

... To an episode in season one where Carrie whines on and on about how Big won't introduce her to his mother...  Constantly wondering, "Where is this going?"  Yet, he wants to whisk her away to the Caribbean for an romantic holiday.  He seems like a pretty romantic guy to me.

It really shows the spectrum of the character's journey...  But watching that first season yesterday... Especially the first episode...  It shows that Carrie and her friends really lack self-confidence when it comes to romance.  And by the time the six season rolls around, they really have things under control... And are more aware of who they are and what they want. 

Maybe it's just that I don't like who the girls are and the decisions they make in the first season? I don't know, but the writing makes me want to slap all of them.

I myself am about to turn 32 in a few months - the same age Carrie was in that first season. I guess I am just being super critical of myself lately, hoping that I am doing a better job of defining who I am moving forward.  And not basing it solely around what I have and don't have. Because I don't want to do that. And I don't want to be that girl.  I do not want to be Carrie.

Unless I can have her shoe collection from seasons three, four, five and six.  Because those were damn fine shoe seasons.

I Must Escape!

I have spend the past day and a half in bed, in the same PJs, with a box of tissues, NyQuil, Theraflu, my laptop and the entire Sex and the City series.

That is how I do "sick."

I still have a very runny nose, and a feeling of "stuffiness" in my head...  But I have no fever and no sore throat anymore.  I have slept so much in the past few days that I don't see how it is possible for me to sleep anymore. (Yet, I could so go for a nap right now.) But I am tired of being sick...

So I am now out of the house!  I am at the Starbucks down the street, having a coffee - yes, real coffee - the first in days!  In a little while, I will head down town to go to see Coraline.  I refuse to stay inside today.

They're Not Fat, They Just Can't Dress Themselves!

I am surprised no one has really brought this up...  

A while back, when Jennifer Love Hewitt was getting grief for those pictures of herself in a bikini on a beach, I was shocked by how quickly people were jumping to call her "fat."  

Toned arms.  Slightly toned stomach.  Umm...  She wasn't fat.  

And the same with Jessica Simpson and the performance she gave at that chili cook-off a few weeks back...

Toned arms. Thin thighs.  She doesn't have a weigh problem. 

No... In both cases, the two women can't be convicted of being the dreaded "F-A-T" word.  The only thing they are guilty of is not knowing how to dress their bodies.

Seriously people... You could be a size six, and if you wear something that cuts you the wrong way, it is going to throw you off proportionately and make you look odd.  

Jennifer Love Hewitt... She shouldn't have worn a bandeau bikini top.  These things, in my opinion, don't look good on anyone.  They flatten you.  And if you have a B-cup or bigger in the breast area, it's not going to give you the support you need.

Who wants droopy boobs before you've even had kids?  

And Jessica Simpson... OMG!  That girl has the most random style.  Sometimes she hits it dead on with what she wears... And other times, she fails so miserably.  Like with the high-waisted jeans, topped with a wide belt and a tight tank top... This is not a "forgiving" look.  If you have curves, you have to be very careful with this kind of look.

So media, in the future, can we not be so quick to toss around the "fat" word and maybe make this a more "educational" experience for readers on how to dress for their body types?

PMS Buddy?

Do you become a total lunatic bi-atch right before your "time of the month?"

No? Me neither. I have no idea what the hell people are talking about...  I am always the same sugar-sweet person, 24/7/365.  

But in case I ever do develop a bitchy side associated with my menstrual cycle, it is good to know that I can rely on PMS Buddy to keep everyone I know and care about up to date on where I am in my cycle.

From the website...

PMSBuddy.com is a free service created with a single goal in mind: to keep you aware of when your wife, girlfriend, mother, sister, daughter, or any other women in your life are closing in on"that time of the month" - when things can get intense for what may seem to be no reason at all.

Woah...  I wouldn't exactly say things get "intense" for "no reason at all"...  And I wouldn't want people keeping track of my cycle...  I like to keep people on their toes.   Keep them guessing as to whether it's PMS or just me being a bi-atch for the fun of it.

With a program like this, it could ruin my liberty to be a bi-atch and always blame it on PMS.

It's Official!

I hate Winter!

Eleven degrees?  I am not leaving the house today at all.  AT ALL!

Cafe Yogi: Bikram Yoga Community.

I love Birkam yoga.  Most of you know that. 

I was introduced to Bikram over five years ago.  I read about it in a magazine, and searched online to discover that there was studio in Downtown Crossing I could practice at.  But a friend of mine discouraged me from practicing...

"I know so many people back in San Francisco who have had really bad experiences with hot yoga," she said.  "Don't do it."

Well, I let her warnings keep me from giving it a try for a few months.  But eventually I said, "screw it!"  I had to give it a try.  I loved heat. And after looking at the yoga postures online, I saw that they would be challenging but not put too much pressure on my weak wrists.  

So off I went to my first class in October 2004.  I really enjoyed it.  And since then, every class has been a serious challenge.  No class is ever the same.  And the heat feels so good.  

Looking back, I wish I hadn't let my friend talk me out of giving it a try sooner.  I wish there had been a Cafe Yogi back then...

Cafe Yogi is an online community for Bikram hot yoga enthusiasts.  But it's not just for people who are currently practicing... It is for anybody who wants to learn more about Bikram.  Topics include teacher training, 30/60/90 day challenges, advanced postures... All kinds of things.

Give it a try!  "Party time!"

Healthy Dish For The Weak: Ginger-Lemon Tea.

"I'm siiiiiiiiick," I wailed to The Husband this morning.

He asked if there was anything he could for me or get for me.  I let him know there wasn't.  I just needed to rest. 

Yes... A nice long sleep and some herbal tea is all I need.  Some herbal tea I make from scratch myself!

I decided (and coincidentally, had all the ingredients for) some home made ginger and lemon tea, with honey.

Very soothing.

It's a small chunk of peeled ginger, which is grated to pulp dumped at the bottom of my tea pot. I then dropped in two chunks of a sliced lemon, and poured boiling water over it all. I let it steep for five minutes, then poured myself a cup with some honey.

I will win the battle against this illness in no time!

Comfort Food: Meatloaf.

I hadn't had meatloaf in ages!  And with me being sick today, I needed comfort food.  Warm comfort food.  Stuff that takes time to fix.  Stuff that, until recently, I didn't have time to fix.

So I improvised a meatloaf recipe*, made some mashed potatoes from scratch and pan roasted some zucchini to go with it...

Yummy!

*Meatloaf

• 1/2 pound of ground beef
  
• 1 cup of chopped white mushrooms
  
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  
• 1 tsp soy sauce
  
• 1/2 tsp dried sage
  
• 1/3 cup of oatmeal
  
• 1/4 cup of  small yellow onion, chopped small
  
• 1 clove of garlic
  
• Splash of soy milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients in a bowl with your hands.  Pile into a sprayed loaf pan.  Cook for about 50 minutes.

Castillo De Molina Cabernet.

The other night, Frogger came over to watch the Super Bowl with The Husband and I.  

Now I normally wouldn't care to watch such an event... But since Arizona was playing in it, I decided I should watch it. 

Since watching this type of game wasn't a typical occurrence, I refused to serve your average "Super Bowl" fare during the game.  There was no pizza. There were no wings.  There was no beer.  Instead, I made turkey tacos, sophisticated guacamole and served lime-salted chips. Frogger brought a selection of sweet treats from a bakery down the street and a lovely bottle of Chilean wine...

She had a reason for picking this particular wine...  And to my surprise, it was delicious!

I normally don't drink Cabernet... They are taste too rough to me, and I can only manage a few glasses.  But this particular one was really good.  Smooth.

I shouldn't be so surprised though... Given it's name.  (Hee! Hee!)

Ugh! I Am Supposed To Be Getting Better!

I woke up this morning feeling really siiiiiiiick.

This really bites!  I mean I had the flu shot from the scary flu shot lady back in November... I shouldn't be sick with the sore throat/cold flu symptoms!  I feel very cheated.  Was that even a real flu shot I received?

Bottom line: Never trust a foreign HR team (who probably never even been to your city) to set up a flu shot clinic for your office.  And also, never volunteer to be the first one to receive the shot in the office, from scary flu shot lady.

I will go to Bikram today, for day 3 of my challenge.  I probably won't move around much, but it will be nice to go and sit in the hot room.

Now, I feel a sneeze attack coming on...

Who Waits 181 Days To Return Something?

I'm not a big returner of stuff.

When I make up my mind to buy something, 99% of the time, I happy with my purchase.  In fact, with the exception of the Europe trip (Which we had to cancel for health reasons - otherwise I would be dying to still go!), I can't recall anything I have returned in recent years.

I know that returning things is a huge hassle, but if you wait longer than 30 days to return something, I really don't think you should be allowed to return it.  (Don't hate me for saying it!) 

So you can imagine my shock when I received the new return policy for Neiman Marcus via email today, explaining that they are "tightening up" things up.  See below...

So... You can wait 61 days and still get 75% of the purchase price is you go to return it?  And you can actually return Last Call and Clearance stuff within 30 days?  This is a very GOOD return policy!

Of course, keep in mind, I am saying this, and I never return anything.  So, I may be crazy in thinking this is a very generous return policy.  But this would only make me want to shop with them more.

That's My Starbucks Table, Whore!

This is day seven of my new schedule where I sit at Starbucks writing for a few hours day...  And I have noticed a few things...

• This isn't only a popular place for the neighborhood mailmen, it's also a popular spot for the neighborhood UPS men to meet up and chat.  Though, it should be noted, they don't sit anywhere near each other.  In fact, they sit on opposite sides of the shop.  And as the UPS men walk out to leave, the mailmen glare at them as they walk down the street. (It must be some kind of delivery rivalry.)
  
• They have added a new breakfast item to the menu that kinda freaks me out: Maple Sausage Scone.  It's a triangle maple scone with a sausage link baked into it.  The one they have in the case looks dry and scary.  (In fact, it kind of looks like dried dog poo you often see on the sidewalks here in the South End, when lazy owners neglect to pick it up.)
  
• Other writers (I am assuming they are also writers - since they have their laptops with them) do the same thing I do when I walk in here... Scout out where all the outlets are, in case you need to begin recharging your machine.  There aren't many at this location... But I do know where they are, just in case.
  
• The most popular website to view while here seems to be Boston.com.  I've seen it on at least three other laptops today.
  
• When people decide to conduct "informal" interviews at Starbucks, it's always kind of awkward.  Especially when all the tables around you can hear the entire conversation... And hear you try to convince a candidate on what is really a shitty sales job.
  
• The school bus stops right in front of Starbucks on Tremont Street to let kids off from school. A few of them pile in here to collect an afternoon treat.
  
• When you come in to Starbucks and want to sit at a table, you have to throw your stuff down on the table and then go up to the register to order something.  If you just get in line first, without claiming a table, there could be a mad rush while you are in line, and by the time you get your drink, all the tables will be gone.
• Once you have claimed your table and stood in line to get your drink...  If you come back to your table and see someone trying to commandeer it, you simply say, "That's my Starbucks table, whore!"  Actually... You just explain, nicely, that you have claimed that table, which is why your stuff is on it.  They will move.

Bikram Challenge Day 2: Flu = Bestest Bow Pose Yet!

Seems like a few people have the flu, not just me.  And it seems like everyone wants to get into class to sweat things out before they get really bad!

I wasn't the only sick person in class today.  There was another girl in there who was sick too... And funny enough we were both the first two people in the room before class started!  Something about the heat that just makes you want to lay in it when you are sick... It's comforting.

I noticed in today's class that I seem to do standing bow pose really well when I am sick.  When I was arching my back and kicking up my leg, I could feel my nasal passage ways and throat opening up... Making my breathes come more easily to me.  

I got my leg very close to being straight... Or so it felt that way.

Can't wait to get back in tomorrow and continue to sweat this thing out!

The Jackie Bag: A Gucci I Can Get On Board With.

I am not a "Gucci" girl.

I can appreciate the cut of the clothing...  The shoes I am not a fan of though.  And while I would never be caught dead carrying one of the many logo-covered bags they make, there is one I would carry...

The Jackie Bag.

Named after Jackie Kennedy Onassis, this bag is perfectly bohemian and yet very sophisticated. It is a classic.  And I love it!  

I love the red color... The tassels...  The ergonomic effort of the hobo shape...

I am in love.

Bikram Challenge Day 1: Sick? Sweat It Out!

This afternoon was Day 1 of my Bikram yoga challenge.  And the sore throat and flu-like symptoms did not make for a nice class.

I was shaking by the balancing series.  And very dehydrated, despite downing lots of herbal tea this morning.  But it's all part of "sweating it out."  I felt great after class... And I will be able to recover from this illness in just a few days.

Day 2 is at 9:30am tomorrow!

Gmail Themes: Ninjas.

A few months back, Google Mail (Gmail) added a new feature...  You could now "theme" your mailbox.

There were quite few themes to choose from...  But ultimately I chose the "ninja" theme because I was in a "scrappy" mood, as usual.  As I the weeks went by, I started to notice that with every few email mesages, the picture at the bottom of my screen would change. 

There was always a ninja and geisha in the picture... But they would move around and do different things.

"How fun!" I told Bail.  She had the theme too.  

"I like how the picture changes, showing them doing different things" she agreed.

I began to wonder exactly how many different movements the two characters had, and I started taking a screen shot of each variation.  Here they are (there are seven)...

Sumo Wrestlers...

Having tea...

Fighting and dancing...

Flowers...

Eating...

Bowing...

Playing music...

These appear to be all the different scenes.  Though, I hope Gmail will continue to create more for them to do.

McQueen On Gilt Groupe!

Hooray!

Gilt Groupe is having an Alexander McQueen sale tomorrow at noon!

I can NOT wait to see what goodies they have!  

Please let there be a pashmina Skull scarf!!!!

Dream: Sea Horses & Stolen Cars.

I don't know about you, but I always seem to have very vivid dreams when I am getting sick.

When I was eight years old, I had a dream one Friday night about running in a race.  I was tired from running, so I went just off the course and hid in a large rabbit hole.  I could see everyone else running by, and some would wave as they were on their way.  The next morning, a Saturday, my parents took me to a German mall (we lived in Germany at the time) to go shopping for a new swimsuit.  I ended up explosion-vomiting in the middle of the mall.

Eww.  I know.

Well, since I appear to be in the early stages of illness, I had very vivid dream last night...

The first part of the dream, I was in the small town where I grew up.  I went to a store to pick something up, and when I came out, the car that I had borrowed from my parents was gone from the parking lot. It was stolen.

In the next part of my dream, I was trying to take a bath.  And when I would step into the water, violet-colored mini sea horses would appear in the water.  Me being scared of sea creatures of most kinds, I freaked out...  And jumped out of the water.

Here are what the main elements of the dream mean...

Stolen Car - To dream that you car has been stolen, indicates that you are being stripped of your identity.  This may relate to losing your job, a failed relationship, or some situation which has played a significant role in your identity and who you are as a person. 

Sea Horse - To see a sea horse in your dream, signifies the power of your unconscious. It may also indicate a new perspective or different outlook in life. If the sea horse is invisible, then it  suggests that there is an emotional issue that you are not acknowledging or recognizing. You may need to gain a new perspective or a different outlook in life.

Violet - Denotes high spirituality, religious aspiration, purification, affection, gentleness, charm, and peacefulness. There is a sense of intuitive understanding and a feeling of intimacy.

Talk about "wow!"

I just did a post, and had a in-depth conversation with people the other night, about how I (well, most of us) identify so much of ourselves in our jobs.  And despite not working now, I am very calm about it.  But I keep thinking, "Oh! I should just put my resume out there and try to look at some search jobs that maybe I could telecommute doing."

I think this is a sign that maybe it is, in fact, time to move on from doing search marketing.

Getting Sick...

I began having "flu-like" symptoms late Saturday night.  Yesterday, I woke up with a sore throat that disappeared once I got my day going.  Then, this morning, I woke up with a  stuffed throat and an achy head.

WTF?  I had a flu shot only two months ago!

Off to drink lemon tea now!  

And then Bikram later today - I have to sweat this out.

Time For A 30-Day?

I think it is!

Yes! It definitely is!  It is time for another Bikram yoga 30-day challenge!

Starting tomorrow, that's 90 minutes of hot yoga each day for 30 days.

Yay! Detox! Detox! Detox!