Tremont 647: $2 Taco Tuesdays.

Definitely worth checking out, people...

Frogger sent me a message at about 4:30pm today, wanting to know if I was in the mood for Tacos. I, being of Mexican descent, am always in the mood for tacos. So we knew we had to check it out...



The only tacos on the menu of four (pork, short ribs, seafood, lentils) that I could eat was the lentil ones. (The seafood had shrimp in it.) We also had the veggie quesdillas and the lime margarita special.

Quite good. Not a bad for less than $30.

Passport Adventures: Canadian Visa!

Hooray!

After surrendering it at the beginning of the month to a lawyer in Toronto, I FINALLY have my passport back... Complete with my Canadian Visa in it.



Yay!

This is just a temporary one. Once I pass through Immigration in Toronto in May, I then have to give them all this paperwork - which I have to sign in front of them - and put in for my permanent Visa.

I thought immigrating to Canada would be easier. Like, I just fill out a form... Show that having my husband and me in the country would be financially beneficial to Canada (his job is moving there, and I plan to shop in Canada - 'cept for jeans)... And then I would get like a big smiley sticker or something in my passport to show I was "in like sin" with our neighbors to the north.

I was wrong. I had to fill out an ass-load of paperwork. Then get poked and prodded by a creepy doctor in Brookline. Then more paperwork. A surrendering of the passport. And all of this took about seven months to do.

And, a sigh of relief is breathed by me.

"Whew!"

Picture Of the Day: Books.

Moving day is getting closer and closer. I have less than two months left in Boston. And tomorrow, we have a moving estimator guy coming to estimate how much it will cost to move us from Boston to Toronto. So I decided that early this morning would be a good time to go through all of my books.

I have quite a few... Some I have never even read. Some that I read two chapters and decided, "This is shit." And some that were forced upon me because of work. (I'm talking about you, stupid Dale Carnegie books that I never read!)

Here is a picture of what I am getting rid of...



They are being packed up tonight and donated.

There's a lot of shit-tastic chick lit in there. I won't lie.

SHIT: Just noticed I have some sentimental books in the "to-go" pile. They have been removed.

Weekly Poll: Staycation or Vacation?

My friend Frogger, who is a travel writer, had a relevant question posted over on Twitter this morning. And I thought it would make a fun weekly poll.

With the Spring season now here, and Summer just a few months away... I can imagine many of us are itching to get away from our home turfs. So I was wondering, which would your rather do:

Staycation - A period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions

Vacation - Leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure... Usually requires planning and possibly long-distance driving, train ride, bus ride, cruise or a flight.

The poll is at the right.

Carrie's Vivienne Westwood Wedding Dress.

It's Monday, which means the new goodies that have come into Net-a-Porter are posted. In today's edition of "What's New," we have a shorter version of the Vivienne Westwood "Lily" wedding gown worn by Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City Movie...



I wasn't a fan of the gown in the movie. It didn't feel "Carrie" to me. I thought she should have gone for the De la Renta or the Dior. But I am finding myself to be loving the shorter version of the Westwood gown.

Too bad I am married and it is "sold out" already.

I would make the dress super fun by going totally "1950s" with it... So I would pull my hair up into a high, bouncy ponytail... And I would get "virginal-vampy" with these candy-satin Dior peep-toes...



FUN!

Crystal Therapy: Gemstones To Heal.

Over the past few years, I began paying attention to jewelry that actually had a purpose beyond fashion. It's not enough for the pieces to merely make a statement or enhance my outfits. Now, I expect my jewelry to help heal me.

Many people, as do I, believe that wearing certain gemstones and crystals helps manifest and heal certain afflictions... From the serious to the mundane. I myself came to believe in this idea after visiting the Golden Door Spa in Carefree, Arizona for my 30th b-day trip two years ago.

At the spa, one of the treatments I had was a "Chakra Balancing." This required me to lie on a table, while a spiritual healer worked over me. She was a Reiki Master, and she was very kind. She used different crystals and gemstones as she cleared out each chakra. As I laid down with my eyes closed, she placed a corresponding-colored gemstone to each chakra in my hand... And then she shook various instruments (which sounded like "rain") and played various drums, all to help move the energy around within and out of me.

I walked away from the treatment, after 90 minutes, feeling very relaxed. And after that, I began studying crystals and gemstones with regards to healing properties. There are a number of books out there on the subject, my favorite is Angel Medicine by Doreen Virtue.

In Angel Medicine, she has pages at the back dedicated to listing out the ailments each crystal and gemstone can help heal. Here is a small list:

• Turquoise: Blood Pressure, Infections, Stress, Throat
• Smoky Quartz: Anxiety, Fatigue
• Rose Quartz: Broken Heart, Calming Feelings
• Moonstone: Decreasing Appetite, Child Birth, Menstruation Issues, Menopause Issues, Performance Anxiety, Fallopian Tubes, Pregnancy, Shock
• Coral: Child Conception
• Jade: Spleen, Money Issues, Legs, Kidneys, Creating Abundance
• Garnet: Child Conception, Dealing with Change, Gallbladder, Infertility

Here is my collection of crystals and gemstones...



I have some smoky quarts, turquoise, garnets, coral, rose quartz and a moonstone. I'd like to add some jade to my collection as well, just to have a well-rounded collection.

I Must Have Been Craving The Protein.

It's Spring... And I was craving Spring veggies - leeks and asparagus. So I made a crust-less quiche:



Yum... Eggs, asparagus, leeks, Gruyere. And I ate a good chunk of it. I think I needed the protein, so I don't feel guilty.

I love Spring veggies. Even more than Summer veggies.

REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask.

It appears, to my dismay, that Murad is no longer manufacturing the Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask To Go.

Dangit! I loved that thing! It was so perfect for exfoliating so much more than your face. And the little packets yielded so much more than one application... So you really got a great deal with them. (A four-pack was $10.)

But in my tears of sorrow, the Sephora sales associate was able to point me in the direction of (what appears to be) a far superior product:



REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask.

It's a fruit acid and enzyme mask... And it's supposedly pretty intense. So I will be very careful when I try it for the first time later today. It's paraben-free, contains no sulfates, petrochemicals, fragrance, synthetic colors or silicones. Additionally, it comes in a vacuum-sealed container, never having been touched by humans.

I will be posting a review of it later this week. But so far, it seems promising.

Numerology: Personal Year Calculation.

Someone wrote in asking how to figure out their "personal year." I have written about it a few times, but I figured it was worth another posting.

To get your current "personal year number," you combine your birth month, date and the current year you are in all together, until you have it down to a one-digit number. (Example, my birthday this year is 4/12/2009. Combined, those numbers equal 9.)

4+1+2+2+0+0+9 = 18

1+8=9

Once you have figured out what "year" you are in, here are the definitions to help you get an idea of what to expect:

#1 - Can be a difficult year You're starting in a new direction. You could possibly meet a strong male or female who will play a significant role in your life.

#2 - This year is all about partnership. Can be a difficult year because success depends on another person and well they cooperate with you.

#3 - The happiest and luckiest year to be in. People help you. You meet a lot of interesting people. Watch out for respiratory issues and communication issues though. You may take short trips or move a short distance.

#4 - The hardest year physically. Physical weaknesses will come out in this year. May feel depressed and trapped. Overworked. People around you are stubborn. Put your energy into your health and your job, as it is the best thing to do.

#5 - Anything from the previous year that was challenging is moving out of your life. You don't have much control in your life though... You may feel restless and bored. You want excitement. You could move and do some traveling. Easy to meet someone of the opposite sex.

#6 - Year of commitment, family and responsibility. Others depend on you. You are a "peacemaker." Society rewards you if you're responsible and playing your role.

#7 - Strange year. You may feel alone or abandoned. You feel you're not getting the attention you should. This is the year of studying and gaining professional experiences. You gain knowledge and spiritual wisdom. May have a spiritual revelation.

#8 - This year can be a money year or a year with big debt, depending on how the first seven years went. Possible conflicts with authority figures, family members, work, etc.

#9 - This is an end of a cycle. So something or someone leaves. You need an ending for a new beginning to occur. Could be a death of a loved one or a divorce. Long distance move and travel is possible.

It will be exactly two weeks from today (Easter Sunday) that I enter into my "9 Year." Woohoo!

Happy Birthday, Human!

Since it is now after midnight, it is officially the birthday of The Husband ("Human").


(FYI: This is, swear to God, the bobble-head version of Human that was made a few years back. And it looks just like him.)

Human is now 33 years old. In the past year, he has gained a few additional gray hairs - likely caused by "yours truly." I met Human eight years ago, when he was 24 going on 25. Other than the gray hair, the only thing that has changed about Human is that he is married to me. His wardrobe, personal style, spending habits and music tastes have all stayed the same.

So see, people, marriage doesn't have to change you!

Anyhow... With people near and dear to me, I like to post numerology information about their "Personal Year." And with Newman's b-day, he is now entering in to the "Personal Year 7" according to numerology.

I was in my own "7 Year" two years ago. It's a year of personal reflection and thought. It's a "strange" year. It can be a year where you feel depressed and a little alone. But it's really a year about gaining professional skills. It's also a year of gaining spiritual wisdom. Often, there is a spiritual revelation of sorts. You often have to "face yourself" in a year 7.

I find it interesting that The Husband is going into a "7 Year" right now, as a lot is changing for him at work... Though, for the better. He loves his job, and he is incredibly talented (though quite modest) with what he does. And he has "matured" into a position as of this week where he will likely need some time to marinate and get used to his new role. So this will be a pensive year for him, work wise at least.

More information on the "Year 7":
If you're thoughtful, quiet, meditative, studious and patient this year, you will gain from its energies, for nature designed the Personal Year (7) as a "time-out" from the grinding progression of life. It's a time to search your soul so you will begin to understand your place within the coming universal scheme of things. One shouldn't brood over the past, but learn from its mistakes. Try to relax, rest, wait and plan, rather than try to force the issues. Try to understand and accept the fact that the delays you confront this year are meant to aid you in understanding the self (to help you rechart your future course). Nourish your soul now, seek inspiration, take a personal inventory, create a new action blueprint and get ready to implement that plan during your (8) year in 2010.

Happy birthday, Human! I love you!

XOXO,
The Missus

Girlfriends Dinner: Mostly Vegan Mediterranean.

Since The Husband is out of town for the weekend, I had Bail and Frogger over for dinner, wine and "Earth Hour" this evening. I wanted to test out some new vegan recipes that I had in my repertoire...

Pizza with Walnut Sauce & Mozzarella (Which is the only un-vegan part of the evening).




Bruschetta Pizza.




Angel Hair Pasta with Spicy Marinara & Artichoke Hearts.




Macerated Strawberries.




We promptly turned out the lights at 8:30pm, in recognition of Earth Hour. We played our "Key West" mix of music from the laptop, operated by battery power.



It was a fun evening! I got to try out some new easy (and delicious) recipes... And I got to chat with my girl friends. Oh... And did I mention there was red wine?

God bless red wine.

Afternoon Snack: "Hot" Chocolate and Pinot.

I don't know if they should go together... But they tasted delicious together all the same!



It's a sliver of dark chocolate with chilies in it - "hot" chocolate. And I drank a few ounces of Pinot Noir with it.

Healthy Dish For The Weak: Sherried Mushroom & Potatoes.

I am well into week five of my vegetarianism, and doing quite well... Thank-you-very-much! And with The Husband away, visiting his parents in Florida, this means I don't have to really consider what he wants for dinner.

Now, some of you may be wondering what kind of vegetarian I am... "Do you eat fish?" "Do you eat shellfish?" "What about eggs?" "Are you completely vegan?"

Here's how it breaks down, for me:

• I don't eat mammals. (Anything that has lungs.)
• I don't eat anything with feet. (So shellfish are out.)
• I do eat fish, but only certain kinds: Cod, Snapper, Tuna, MahiMahi, Certified Chilean Sea Bass
• I do eat eggs.

Today, though, I didn't have any fish or eggs for dinner. (Though I did consider making a "Spring Quiche" with asparagus and leeks.) Instead, I decided to use up some of the veggies I had lying around...



Mushrooms, potatoes and onions!

First, I sauteed (in some olive oil) quarter-inch sliced baby Yukon golds. When those were cooked and golden on both sides, I took them out and added chopped white mushrooms and a quarter of a (large) white onion into the pan with some more olive oil. When those were nice and soft, I poured in some really dry sherry and let that cook off for a few more minutes.

Everything got tossed together in a big bowl, and dished out. I have left-overs for lunch tomorrow. Healthy and vegetarian. Yum!

Dyson Ball DC25: Most Amazong Suction Ever!

"WHY won't this open?" asked The Husband.

He was grunting and struggling. He was in another room, but I could hear him from my front home office. He walked into it, moments later, carrying the detachable canister from our Dirt Devil upright vacuum cleaner.

"This won't open," he wailed. "I want to vacuum, but I am getting no suction. It needs to be emptied, and it won't open!"

I just looked at him with humor projecting from my face.

"This is why," I began, "we need to but a new vacuum cleaner. Just like I have been telling you for months!"

And I had been telling him for months that we needed to replace the cheap and lousy vacuum cleaner we had bought over two years ago. It didn't get all the dirt up. It was difficult to clean - and messy. It didn't work well on bare floors. And when you used it, it would leave an odor of burnt rubber in the air. (We don't know why it did this.)

The Husband is frugal (in a good way), and doesn't like to replace things too soon. He'll use something (jeans, tee shirts, gym bags, electric razors, jackets, vacuum cleaners, George Foreman grills that smoke when you plug them in) till it has completely fallen apart. He had now hit his "frustration max" with the vacuum cleaner... And he agreed to let me get a new one.

So I did. The very next day, after he left for a vacation with his parents in Florida.

I walked all the way to Best Buy and picked up the Dyson Ball DC25.



Have you seen the commercials for this thing? They make you go, "Holy shit! I want that!"

Additionally, I knew of at least four other people who had purchased this Dyson model. All were enthusiastically in favor of the thing...

• "The technology behind it is cool!"
• "It goes in any/every direction!"
• "It's easy to use!"
• "It sucks up EVERYTHING! It's orgasmic!"

When I got it home and snapped it together, I had the intention of only doing our living room carpet. But the thing is so amazing that I ended up vacuuming every piece of floor (carpeted or hard wood) in the house.

I loved vacuuming!

Now, this love does not come cheap. This Dyson model sets you back just over $500. I could have gotten the Jimmy Choo Hunter Rain Boots AND a new pair of Lululemon Yoga Pants. But we needed proper suction more than we needed designer rain boots and ass-enhancing yoga pants.

It Must Be The Bikram?

Monday, I hurt my calf muscle. Badly. I couldn't really walk. No swelling. Just pain while walking. And I had a cankle. Only one.

Tuesday, I woke up and still walked funny... But it hurt less. Still no swelling. The doctor gave me crutches and told me I had likely "torn my right calf muscle." He said it would "take weeks to heel." I was told to use the crutches. I used them only outside, not at home. By the end of the day, I was able to walk - funny - with no pain.

Wednesday, woke up. Went to Starbucks. Went to train with The Trainer. Walked around the Pru. Walked to dinner at Sibling Rivalry. Was mostly able to walk with no hobbling. Had no pain, except for the occasional "deep stretch" feeling when I walked to quickly.

Thursday, woke up. Went to Starbucks. Went to the movie theater - was too late to see the movie. Walked across the park, down Newbury Street, to Best Buy. Bought a vacuum cleaner. Carried it all the way home. Walked without a hobble. Walked with no pain.

I think the Bikram - which I haven't been to since last week - helps the body to heal faster.

Jimmy Choo Hunter Wellies.

I was casually flipping through the latest issue of Vogue the morning, while taking my early-day soy latte at the neighborhood Bucks, when I saw these bad boys on the last page...



Sure, they may look like your average Hunter Wellies... But holy hell, they are NOT! Wanna know what they are???

JIMMY CHOO HUNTER WELLIES!!!

This is serious shit, people! Jimmy Choo and Hunter paired up together to produce a freaking phenomenal pair of rubber rain boots that are "crocodile embossed," to give them that luxurious look and feel.

Wanna know the cost?

They are $395. For rain boots! But you know what? If I ever came across them in person at the local "Choo-tique," I would totally buy them.

Eff me gently with a chainsaw! I don't know if I could restrain myself around them.

Murad Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask.

Arghh!!!!!!

For weeks I have been popping in and out of Sephora looking to restock these in my home cabinet...



The Murad Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask.

But for weeks now, they have been out of them. So this week I went to the Sephora website and decided I would just suck it up and order the $10 mask packs. But even they are out of them!!!

Arghh!!!!!

I am DYING for a fruit peel... And not for my face. I love using these on the backs of my hands, neck, backs of my upper arms and shoulders. They're WONDERFUL for removing dead skin cells and getting things to turnover, looking younger.

Recession Chic: Creative Work Attire.

Amanda Dawn is a true creative type. Mom, graphic designer and professional photographer... The lady is mad busy! And she write me last week requesting some help for an upcoming event she has to shoot...

In the beginning of May, I have a fashion show I will be attending for a client. (http://www.ovationsforthecure.org/events/events_up_cmv09.php). I will be working (photographing) the show, but I have no clue what I should wear. A dress or skirt is out, and if I do heels, they will likely need to be kitten. Oh, and as you know, I am on a shoestring budget. I'd like to wear something with color, royal blue or a red or something like that. What would you suggest?

Now, this may sound like I am beating a "dead horse"... But, I still think the chicest outfit for us creative types is: Blazer, Blouse, Jeans, Funky Jewelry and Heels.

And because the event is at the Liberty Hotel in Boston, I think this outfit is even more appropriate! (I was just at the Liberty Hotel in February for an event myself... And the space is SWANKY! I wore this same type of outfit to my event too.)

Also, since the event is a charity one, I did some research on the designated "color" for ovarian cancer... And it's TEAL. So it would be really cool to bring the color into the outfit either through jewelry or through the blouse. Red and royal blue are fantastic... But I think since it is a charity event, wearing the charity color would be a great sign of solidarity.

So, here is a montage of what I think would be fantastic for a photographer to wear to this event:



The blouses and the blazer can be found at Old Navy. The white one is $20. The tropic blue one is $15. The black blazer is $39.50. Each of these items are "basics" for a professional wardrobe and can easily be worn again and again. The jewelry is basic and can easily be found at H&M. They have the earrings there, and they're less than $5.

With jeans, they absolutely can be worn in a professional environment. When I worked at The Evil Empire a few years back, EVERYONE wore jeans. They were very stylish when paired with a great top and shoes. Photographers wore them everyday, no matter where they were.

As an added bonus, I think the "teal" colors would really bring out Amanda Dawn's eyes... As she has soft blue/green eyes. And the sleeves of the blazer would be "ruched" up, giving it a funky but chic look.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Now I Have ONE Cankle!

I know, I've been absent the past few days. But I have a reason!

Most of Sunday was spent getting from Key West back to Fort Myers via the ferry boat in a very bumpy ocean. (Not fun!) I flew back to Boston from Fort Myers yesterday morning. And while unpacking in my apartment yesterday afternoon, something happened.

I was simply WALKING from one room to the other when I felt a "snap" in my right calf... And then some pain. I knew what had happened... I had pulled or torn my calf muscle.

I immediately wrapped, iced and elevated it. I could still walk on it...But I was moving very slow. And I couldn't move to fast, otherwise I would feel a pain in my muscle... Similar to a very deep stretch. This morning, after waking up, I went to the walk-in clinic at Mass General, and they gave me these...



I have to use my calf muscle as little as possible while it heals. The healing process will take a few weeks, at least. I'm not in any pain. And I can walk on it without the crutches without pain. And the muscle itself is not swollen... But my foot is...



Not pretty.

And now, I find my one of my legs to have taken on a "cankle" look.



No yoga, running or fast walking for a few weeks. I can, however, still train with the trainer. I can do abs, some lunges, squats and anything with my arms. I will just have to take it slow and light for now though.

On the bright though... Now that I have crutches, I will totally be taking them with me to Europe next month. I am thinking that if I walk up to the check-in counter with them, and ask for a seat change with "more room" that I may be able to get an upgrade to business class.

Woohoo!

An Afternoon On The Water.

Yesterday can't be called "life-changing" for me... Not quite. But it was an amazing day.

Because Frogger is working on an article here in Key West, we were both given VIP passes for activities on the island. When the PR company that gave them to her told us what they included, we didn't think we would use them. We didn't actually look at the passes, and we wanted to explore the island on our own.

However, we quickly learned that the island is not that big. And we learned that the VIP pass actually included some really fun stuff. And yesterday, we spent the entire afternoon and early evening out on the ocean, courtesy of the pass.

In the early afternoon, we hopped on a boat and went out to go view dolphins in the wild. Not only were we out there to view dolphins, we were out there to go snorkeling in shallow water over some sponge coral.

Way cool!

I had never snorkeled or seen dolphins in the wild before, and I was surprised by how relaxing it all was. We sat up on the front of the boat with our cameras, looking out for dolphins in deep water. We found five swimming together. We saw one of them shoot water out of his breathing hole... And we saw him flap his tail on the water. They played for a while for us...



After that, we then went and snorkeled...



I never thought I would ever go snorkeling in my life. I don't swim often, but actually do know how. I don't like getting water in my ears, so I have never been a fan of it. But once I was in the water with my fins on, I found it very easy and relaxing!

You just float on your belly and stick your face in the water!

I saw a lot of sea grass, baby fish and small blobby things in the water. At one point, Frogger swam over to me and pointed to a fish under the water that had some good color. It was the only one we saw that had some.

After the dolphin and snorkeling excursion, Frogger and I booked ourselves on an evening sunset cruise, courtesy of the VIP pass. This time, we were on a huge catamaran. And there were free cocktails...



And we got some amazing shots of the sunset...



Then, we noticed a storm off in the distance...



And we spotted some "rain funnels" in the clouds of the storm...



It was very cool.

The captain took the boat back to the dock, and we all got out.

The rain eventually rolled in, onto the island. And the amazing day continued But that's a story for later...

I Can't Get Wasted Away In "Margaritaville."

Okay.. I know Margaritaville is supposed to be a "state of mind"... But I am likening it to Key West, as this is one of the places Jimmy Buffet has chosen to open one of those Margaritaville bars...

I must confess... The drinks in Key West are WEAK. Even for me, the girl who gets drunk off two glasses of wine.

Seriously, today I had a pineapple margarita at lunch... And I had gulped down part of it before we got food in us.



I felt nothing after drinking this.

Then, we stopped off and got the mojitos for $2.



They were strong-tasting... But I achieved no euphoria with them.

Then, at dinner, I got a strawberry margarita...



NOTHING!

No buzz. Not warm tingling feeling in my hands. I could still feel my teeth.

The drinks are cheap in Key West, which is probably why they are weak. I don't think I'll be spending any money on any more drinks while I am here. I'm not looking to get drunk... But I was looking forward to a nice buzz.

Disappointment with tequila and rum? This is new... :(

The "Fry Guy" Of Key West.

While walking down Duval Street, back from our evening out, Frogger and I came across an outdoor bar that had a really great performer. We decided to pop in and have a Diet Coke.

Little did I know, the Coke I was drinking wouldn't be my only "coke" reference for the evening...

After we had been sitting down for a few minutes, we saw a guy walk in to the performance area with a cup of beer in his hand. He was swaying and really into his own "beat" with the music. He seemed harmless, so we just sat amused from a distance. But the distance wouldn't last long...

The guy decided to come over and tell us "not to worry" and that he had "only done coke once in his life" and that he "wasn't high on coke." A table to young guys near us told us they thought the guy was on LSD...

"That's totally what people act like when they're on it," the guy said.

I wouldn't know... Because Nancy told me to Just Say No. So I took the guy's word for it. But the "Fry Guy" on LSD was so funny, I had to catch some video of his weirdness...

Beautiful Sunset.

Frogger and I did what everyone who comes to Key West must do... Walk along the boardwalk and Mallory Square to see the sunset.



I couldn't stop taking pictures...

Key West: $2 Mojitos!

Frogger and I got into Key West just after noon today. We took a "high seed" ferry that not only lacked "high speed" Internet, it also lacked a fast trek from Fort Myers to Key West. It took over four hours to get here. Ugh!

But, we are here now. And the ferry was an excellent opportunity to catch up on some rest, reading and "Entourage" episodes I had downloaded into my iTunes. I'll be creating a podcast next week covering the trip. But I will say that so far, it has been a very cheap trip for me so far...

We've been able to find good deals on food and entertainment. Including an incredible "Happy Hour" deal: $2 Mojitos at the Island Dogs Bar.





They were strong and minty! And they got 'em every Monday through Saturday from 4pm to 8pm.

Hermes Motorcycle-Esque Boots - I WANT!

Ohhhh...

I have been on a mad hunt for a pair of really good, really cool, flat motorcycle boots for a while now. And my hunts have turned up nothing. At least, nothing in my searches have turned anything in a reasonable price range.

And while a the airport today, waiting for my flight, I saw these awesome bad-boys on Giselle in the new issue of Harper's Bazaar.



A closer look at them...



I love the buckles and the slouch they have. They are gorgeous! And $$$$. Even if I bought them at Hermes in Paris next month as a "when in Paris" indulgence, I still couldn't justify buying them.

Picture Of The Day: Taco Bell, A Modern Marvel.

Today's picture is from my Jet Blue flight from Boston to Fort Myers. Allow me to set up the scenario for you for a moment...

I am sitting in seat 21D. Frogger is in seat 6D. I am enjoying my complimentary Diet Coke and free small bag of chocolate chip cookies (only 130 calories!)... Watching DirectTV and indulging in a guilty pleasure of mine: The Real Housewives of Orange County.

All of the sudden, someone is bending down beside me. It is Frogger. It jolted me for a moment, as I wasn't expecting her to appear suddenly at my side.

She speaks...

"I came back here to tell you," she said, "that The History Channel is airing a show about Taco Bell."

She turned around and walked back to her seat. She understands what Taco Bell means to me.

I quickly moved up a few channels... But I was too late. This was all I was able to catch of the episode...



I really think Taco Bell serves far more tortillas than this.

Fort Myers...

Frogger and I have landed in Fort Myers, and we will be on our way to Key West (via a ferry) tomorrow morning.

Fort Myers is a lot like Arizona. At least it feels that way. It's easy to drive. There are superstores, like Super Target and Costco. And we passed about five different McDonalds on our drive from the airport.

We are now sitting in her parents backyard "cage," listening to the swimming pool and watching the golfers on the 16th hole yell at each other in their orange shirts. I've had a glass of red wine and made guacamole. And in a few minutes, we'll be going to an Italian restaurant for dinner.

PIZZA AND A SALAD!

Yum!

I'll write more later...

Picture Of The Day: My Packed "Hero."

I leave for Key West tomorrow morning.

Today has been a busy day. I had a training session, then had to grocery shop for The Husband (since I will be gone for almost five days), had to give myself a pedicure so that I will not have "skanky" toes while wearing flip flops... And I still have a Bikram class to go to at 6pm... But you know what???

I am all packed!



I was surprised by how much I was able to fit into my McQueen "Hero" luggage! The zebra-print drawstring bags really came in handy when packing my shoes, lingerie and clothes.

I am ready to hit Key West and have a few margaritas this weekend!

Petal Satin Evening Bag.

Wow!

I am so NOT the "fancy evening bag" type. I didn't even begin carrying a purse until I moved to NYC at the age of 23. But seeing this bag makes me wish I was the "fancy evening bag" type.



It's the Christan Louboutin Petal Satin Evening Bag. And it matches the Petal Sandals and the Carnaval Sandals.

But that's not the best part of the bag. No... The best part of the bag is the clasp at the top...



Squee!!!

I LOVE IT!

Picture Of The Day: Irish Red.

It's March 17th here in Boston. That means three things:

• It's the Denim Guru's b-day.
• It's Evacuation Day.
• And it's the holiest of holy holidays in Boston, St. Patrick's Day.

And in honor of the last one, but also in celebration of the first two, here is today's Picture of the Day...



An Irish beer, courtesy of a local brewer.

I snapped this while coming out of Bikram yoga this morning. There's a liquor store next to the studio (which I think is perfect - as who wouldn't love a wine, spirit or beer right after Bikram?), and they appeared to be stocking up for the day's festivities.

Moving Day: May 23rd.

The Husband came to me this morning, before he left for work...

"We need to decide exactly when in May we are moving," he said.

"Hmm," I thought for a second. I opened my Macbook calendar widget. "Let's do it Memorial Day weekend in the U.S. That way, whoever the new tenants are, they can move in a week early."

Decision done!

Picture Of The Day: Minutes Before Bikram.

Today's picture is of my towel and mat, just minutes before Bikram class began today...



Notice how nice, clean and deliciously dry the towel is?

Trust me, within 10 minutes of class beginning, there is a large damp spot on the towel, under my feet... Courtesy of the sweat dripping from my body... And by the end of class? You could wring the towel out with all my sweat.

A dry towel = torture awaiting you.

A wet towel = torture session done.

Random Thoughts Today...

A peek into what's on my mind today...

• Why was I able to squat really deeply, all of the sudden, when working out with The Trainer today? It was odd to be able to squat so lowly.
• Why do I always forget the kettle bells are in kilograms when I am forced to workout with them? I carried the equivalent of 52 pounds today while doing a circuit. And I had to carry it with one hand, walk 15 feet, while not allowing my core to tilt to one side of the other.
• Am I turning into my mother? I have had a few realtors bring clients through to look at the apartment... And every time they do, I always scramble around, thinking the place isn't clean enough... But really, it is.
• I would love for AIG to not to pay the bonuses they are contractually obligated to pay... But I do not think there is anything that can be done. Lawsuits will ensue, and we will spend more money dealing with it in court than it is worth.
• Anxiously awaiting the return of my passport... It should be back by the end of the week. Fingers crossed.
• Thinking dinner tonight will be pizza: a thin mult-grain crust, half plain cheese, half pepperoni and green olives.

Now I must get ready for yoga.

Key West On Thursday.

Yikes!

March is going by so quickly! It's been almost two months since I left my job, and almost two months since I was supposed to originally go to Key West with Frogger for a story she is working doing. We rescheduled the trip for this coming weekend, and I haven't given a thought to what to pack!

It'll be in the upper 70s and possibly a little rainy while we're there. So, I will definitely be bringing an umbrella. But what else? Here's what I will be fitting in my inaugural trip with the new McQueen "Hero" Carry-On...

• 1 Pair Jeans
• 2 Summery/Spring Dresses
• 1 Short-Sleeved Cardigan
• 1 Pair Black Flat Peep-Toes
• 1 Pair Bikram Shorts (Cuz you never know when you might need them!)
• 1 Bikram Tank Top (Did I mention that Bikram practice clothes also make excellent beach and pool attire?)
• 1 Pair Haviana Flipflops
• 4 Varying colored Tank Tops
• 1 Lululemon Hoodie
• 1 Fun Juicy Top, Black w/Ruffles
• 1 Fun Anthropologie Top
• 1 White Blouse
• 1 Cashmere Sweater Top

With my bag of face stuff and make-up, I think it will all easily fit into my "Hero"...

L'Oreal EverPure Smooth Shampoo.

I finally got around to washing my hair tonight. I wanted to give plenty of time for the color to stick from my hair coloring earlier this week. And when I washed it, I got to use the new L'Oreal EverPure Sulfate-Free Shampoo.



It'll be a few weeks before I know for certain if it is helping my color last. However, unlike with other sulfate-free shampoos I have tried, this one lathers really well... Which helps you spread it throughout your hair. So you only need a small dollop for ridiculously thick hair like mine, and you can cover your entire scalp with lather. And the rosemary and herb combination adds a nice aroma to my tresses.

Thus far, I give EverPure a "thumbs up"... It gets the hair clean, and you don't have to use that much.

Picture Of The Day: St. Paddy's Mint Tea.

A new thing I am starting today, on the Ides of March... "Picture of the Day" will be a picture I take each day and write about...

Today's picture is of my afternoon mint tea from Starbucks...



Hmm... Fancy, with the verdant, large green leaves and silk bag.

I didn't go to the St. Paddy's Day Parade in Southie this afternoon. I favored going to Barnes and Noble, drinking tea and reading a magazine. Then going to Bikram class.

It beats rowdy people, bad green beer and general obnoxiousness.