Just to mention it!

Treatment?

2011-06-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

I don't usually weigh in on politics, my last political rage had to do with that fool Sarah Palin, however the whole Anthony Weiner saga has my attention. First, the media is saying Weiner is going to get treatment. TREATMENT?? Listen the man took some photos and placed them on the internet!!!!! Who really cares? I am sure that Benjamin Franklin and Hoover liked to do some weird stuff back in the day, they just didn't have the internet! Is it weird that he would take photos in a government buildling, KINDA! Is it criminal? Does it mean he isn't an effective elected official? NO!!!!!!!!

The only issue I see is the lying about doing it! That is a problem! But then again, show me a man who doesn't lie when faced with an indescretion and i'll happily do your laundry! Is he a creep because he just got married and his wife is pregnant, ABSOLUTELY!

But therapy? that is insane, men are visual, they like electronic gadgets and they have tons of testosterone! In fact, recently batchelor number 1 (remember there were 2) asked me to take photos of my breasts and send them to him. Doesn't turn me on, but see how easy it is for a man to want that!

So does he need to resign? FOR WHAT? Does he need to apologize and perhaps not be sexting during work hours, YUP!

flip flops, cupcakes and middle sisters!

2011-05-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

I am not a sophisticated wine drinker. The first time I had wine I was 23 and on vacation with a friend from law school and we went to a winery in Napa. To this day, I can't manage to like red wines. There are lots of wine afficiando's out there who don't rely on marketing and branding but on their pallette.

Lately I have found myself drawn to wine based on the label and the gimmick! Does that say something about me, or about the necessity to market wine to novices like myself. But boy are they clever! Several years ago a friend and I organized a shopping fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen for the cure foundation. We had wine donated by Mad Housewife Wine and they even sent us a lady in costume to pour! It was such a cute kitchy idea and the shoppers loved it, to this day I have no idea if the wine was good or anyone went and bought a bottle!

In the past week I found middle sister wine at target! http://www.middlesisterwines.com/ , now if only I had a friend who was the middle sister to make a gift of this wine.

Next I read about the greatest pairing ever in the NY Times Sunday Styles cupcakes and wine!!! http://www.cupcakevineyard.com/!! I mean is that the best hostess gift, a bottle of cupcake wine and a dozen mini cupcakes! Talk about brilliant!

Finally, a wine after my own foot fetish! I finally have a job where I can wear jeweled flip flops every day and no middle management paper pusher can complain and so i'm thinking of gifting this wine to my old boss who really had a problem with it! http://www.flipflopwines.com/

Makes me want to go to the wine store instead of the mall!

I'm back!

2011-05-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

I know you have been waiting for this day! I know every night you went to bed and thought to yourself, if you were alone, or said to your spouse, "do you think she'll be back soon?"

Have no worries, i am back and here to stay! And i'm sure you know i'm never short on things to talk about! So, you might wonder what kept me away for so long. Well, let me tell you! It was sex and men! It is true, when it rains it pours and for many months I was trying to choose between two men! My girlfriends told me, "don't choose, when you choose, it'll be jinxed!" DAMN IT, i hate when they are right! You guessed it, i'm temporarily at ZERO men, but the good news is i'm inspired to bring you fashion, gossip, good ideas and most importantly my words! So buckle up and stay tuned! We are in for one hell of a ride!!!!!!!!

The commandments of blogging!

2010-04-10T17:49:00.000-07:00

When I started blogging, I wondered about the rules. I am not good with no rules. When I was a kid and they said, here is a some paper, imagine and draw anything, I wondered huhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! I needed the teacher to give me a hint or a direction! On the same note i'm terrible at movies that involve fantasy, remember Ghost with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze (may he rest in peace) it was pure torture for me. My mind just doesn't function that way.

I love this blogging thing, it happens at such random times. I can be at the gas station or the office or shopping and I see something or talk to someone and it gives me a spark of an idea to blog about. The problem is there are tons of things I'd like to blog about but I wonder, wow, is that appropriate blog content? That got me thinking, so I started to look at other blogs to see if the things in my head (kinda like that voice in my head, which i've learned not to act on, especially if I want to keep my job in order to continue paying my mortgage!!!) were being blogged about by others. NO LUCK! So, here are my commandments of blogging!

1. If you want to blog about someone that pissed you off, wait until you are officially no longer friends, so it doesn't matter if they get mad when and if they read it.

2. If you want to blog about sex with a partner, but you don't want them to know about it, you need to change a lot of facts so they don't figure it out, in reality, BEST NOT TO BLOG!

3. Write your blog the same way you speak, if people love your wit and your conversation they will love your blog if it sounds like your voice! (the great thing being punctuation won't matter!!!)

4. Don't blog about anything you don't want your parents or their friends to know about because their friends have big mouths ( my mom is constantly telling me that people are telling her what i post on facebook)!

5. Don't be afraid to be honest about yourself in blogging, as an example, there are people who would say I am tough and not particularly warm and fuzzy. I constantly remind my employer, they hired me to get a job done, not to be nice! That's why i'm good at my job!

6. Blog about what you know! I like to shop, I have a vast knowledge about xanax (I crack myself up!!) and I love travel, hotels, good food, good books, great websites!

7. Mix it up, nobody wants to cry everytime they read your stuff, believe me too many tears and they won't be back!

The power of a good quote. . .

2010-04-07T18:21:00.000-07:00

I have always loved a good quote. When I was in middle school and high school I collected advertisements, I loved the Nike Ads from magazines, they always made me stop and think, put hope in my thoughts. I enjoyed the clever play on words in Abosolut ads! I had a folder stuffed with torn pages from magazines, poems that seemed at the time powerful.

As I got older, I grew to love card stores, both garden variety hallmark stores but also little gift shops and book shops that held cards to buy and send. Cards that made me laugh, described friendship and heartache. My desk drawer to this day is stuffed with cards to mail.

I guess part of me was always destined to be a litigator by trade because I got to use words to tell a story, to pull on the emotions of people, and yes often to get the last word! I also found that words were important with my love affair with jewelry and gifts and clothes. Much of items you find at http://www.bdazzledjewels.com/ are filled with messages. Stationery with cute phrases, pads of paper, shirts.

I love scouring gift shows and accessory shows and am always fascinated by the creative side of the designers and never more so than when I see a display with quotes and words and images that pull me in and on some level resonate my own story.

So here are two of my new favorites. Lizzy Flannigan at Pieces of a Girl has the most beautiful necklaces, each simple and delicate but full of inspiration and hope and truth. I love selling her pieces because they translate to so many girls and women and to their stories in life. Another love of mine is Ben's Garden! His decoupaged trinket trays carrying phrases in vintage typeface are so delicate and special and I am so happy when a customer picks one up and just "gets it" right away!

So I hope you enjoy the two phrases that i've added to this post and that they stop and make you think and make you smile and fill you with hope, even if for just a moment!

What to do on Easter if you are Jewish

2010-04-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

It's easter sunday in Miami, well actually it's easter sunday everywhere! Every year I find that we forget most things are closed on Easter, it is of course a huge holiday to the majority of the world. As jews, we are used to Christmas, it's movies, chinese food and friends.

Here in Miami, if you are lucky and its a sunny day, it's pool or the beach. I have also found that Borders is open and so is Whole Foods. Movies are a good option too! Restaurants, last year surprisingly PF Changs was packed with people!

The bad news is, no days off until Memorial Day! At least then everything is open!

Once in ahile

2010-04-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

I like TV, even more so now that TIVO exists. It relaxes me after a long day at work, it brings me back to the days of college since I can still watch mindless Melrose Place, and relate to gossip girl, epecially late at night when i'm having trouble sleeping!

There are a few shows, that actually make me stop and think. They make me think not so much because of the storyline but but from a brief interaction among characters or from words to a song or for a proposition that they stand for. They remind me to be the best person that I can be, to stop and breathe and not sweat the small stuff when I seem so caught up in it.

The Good Wife is beautifully written, and one scene in particular really reminds me of why I chose to become a litigator. A firm lawyer is in federal court and he is out of his comfort zone, he appears before a Judge who is rarely reversed. The Judge is smart enough to know that if she does not rule on objections, then there can be no appeal since there is no ruling. The lawyer has done his homework and pushes in court to get a ruling and not let things continue on status quo.

It's a powerful scene, although maybe only to those who litigate and appear before Judges who have similar traits. The message to me comes through loud and clear, don't accept things just because they are, fight for what needs to be fought for, don't be afraid of the tough battles.

Parenthood is a new show that is also very moving but the best part of the show for me is the credits which roll accompanied by Bob Dylan's Forever Young. The song so powerful and true and such a reminder of how to live life! So, here's the lyrics for you:

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.

May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young
,Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

Copyright © 1973 by Ram's Horn Music; renewed 2001 by Ram’s Horn Music

Moxie the Dog

2010-04-01T16:32:00.000-07:00

Many, many years ago long before my husband and I were even thinking about having children, we adopted a wonderful dog. She was a precious beagle/daschund mix that a dear friend dubbed a Rare Himalyan Deagle. She was an AMAZING dog. She died a year ago last August. For several months now, my husband and the children, occasionally have been trying to talk me into getting a new dog. I resisted. Arguing that I didn't need anything else in the house to clean up after and take care of. It was my mantra.

But Saturday, I took a temporary leave of my senses and suggested to my husband that we go and take a look at a dog some neighbors had taken in and now were trying to find a home for. Needless to say, one look at that sweet face and it was all over.

We called her Sweetie for a few days, but I realized that not only did it not really fit, but couldn't imagine 10+ years of calling the dog Sweetie. And so, Sweetie became Moxie. And for better or for worse she has come to stay.

She got a great report from the vet, and as soon as she stops chewing on everything, I think we'll have a wonderful relationship. But I will say this, it is nice to have a dog in the house again.

cupcakes are the new taco's

2010-03-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

So i've always been a salt over sugar girl, chips to cookies any day! A few summers ago a friend of mine went to visit a friend who was renting a house in Malibu. That was the beginning of the end of salt! She came back with tales of karoake and cocktails and days on the beach with afternoon massages followed by trips to http://www.sprinkles.com/ . That sparked my interest and thus began my internet hunt for cupcakes. Her second trip to Malibu had stories of fancier houses, jewelry parties hosted by famous people and even better cupcakes at http://www.crumbs.com/ . Now CRUMBS was attainable, they shipped, they had stores in NY, NJ and CT.

A business trip last october took me to Orange County and I myself had the chance to experience SPRINKLES. Every cupcake has sprinkles on top! They were good and I enjoyed! Another friend traveled to NY, prior to her second baby being born and sent me picture mail, there it was the CRUMBS awning, (Just a little mean) she and her husband came home with tales of amazing red velvet cupcakes. On a trip to NY in January I finally convinced a friend she had to drive me to CRUMBS, (on my previous trip she insisted on http://www.browniepoints.com/ in the Short Hills Mall, NO COMPARISON at all! I picked up a 6 pack and brought home for a friend or two! I've been back to NY and tasted S'mores, devils food and a wannabe hostess!

Last week an elementary school friend started to post about cupcakes and then I saw her link about a new item in D.C. http://www.curbsidecupcakes.com/ and thought to myself, now that's a good one, a cupcake delivery truck, especially in a city like DC! Then i found http://www.daintycakesla.com/ which travels around Los Angeles!

For the love of g-d i've tasted the cupcakes here in Miami, mostly baked with a Latin flavor, send us something better soon!

And here we go

2010-03-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

So, that's an interesting coincidence. That Robin is serving as president of her condo board, and I am about 6 weeks away from being installed as PTA president. Hmmm.

Anyway, I am already dealing with my first challenge. There is a mom who has volunteered to chair the big fundraiser, and she is the ONLY person who has expressed interest in this position. So, what's the problem, right? Well, let's just say she hasn't been the easiest person to work with in the past. She actually told me that she likes to work alone and doesn't like to ask permission for things that she wants to do, and she has no interest in participating in board meetings, which IS a requirement of the position.

So, we are having discussions. I am trying to see if I can get some commitments from her that she is willing to operate under the guidelines and policies that EVERYONE else is bound by. I really don't want to tell her "No thanks. I'll find someone else." 1. There is no one else. 2. I don't think that's good "politics."

Oy! What have I gotten myself into.

I know there is a lesson somewhere to be learned!

2010-03-10T17:49:00.001-08:00

Patience is not my virtue, i'm terrible in traffic, long lines at the pharmacy counter make me insane and stupidty! Lately i've been tested by the challenge of being the president of the board of directors of my condominum association. I KNOW, I KNOW, I deserve every horrible thing that comes with the job for agreeing to it!
Now the job itself isn't that hard, i've done it before and with experience and age, i know to ask a lot of questions regarding budgets, monthly reports, and i've learned that when there is a subject I don't know a lot about to invite a very seasoned board member to get involved. I am wise enough that in this uncertain economic time we don't spend like drunken sailors and that we prioritize. I have 2 members of this board who really are on my last nerve. I don't begrudge the board members that are on the board and need to be explained 100 times what our governing documents require to change things, they mean well. What does drive me nuts are the ones that comes in and wantsto be the monday morning quarter back, wans to make NEW AND IMPROVED the motto, of course the new and improved only has to do with things that they thinks are important.
These are the same board members who don't bother to check their mail in the office for a month and then complain that they too have a roofing contractor who could submit a proposal. Or the guy who thinks the association should pay him for his office furniture and spend money to make the floor and walls of the loading docks travertine! Here's what these board members haven't asked, what is our annual budget, what amount of money goes into our monthly continegency account, how many unit owners are behind on maintenance and what are we doing to correct the problem, what are the ways in which we can bring in money if possible.
I'm trying so hard to hold my tongue, to not let my head explode at a board meeting when they want to talk about moving the gym into the recreation room so that they can look out onto the pool deck. JOIN A FREAKIN GYM you cheap bastard!
But, i think the lesson i'm learning is that good things come to those who wait and when I sit at the meetings and stay calm and they start talking and the whole room is chuckling at their nonsense I realize that at the end of the day, at least for this term logic and practicality will prevail!

Less is More in so many ways!

2010-03-09T19:16:00.000-08:00

Less is More really holds true on so many levels. First, less is more always when it comes to clothes and shoes and bags. I mean, i'd much rather have less crap and more of the good stuff! Think expensive shoes, good black dress and bag, beautiful pearls and a pair of fab boots.

But less is more holds true to purge the extra in your life that really doesn't give you much. Recently I parted with a friend, actually let me rephrase that, we had been friends, the kind who laughed, went to dinner, shopped. And then that friend did something that really clued me in that we weren't friends, and that's ok, but when I realized I wasn't getting much out of the situation and that all she really created for me was work, I was honest enough to say, maybe we shouldn't be friends because really its just a facade.

So here's to cleaning out your closets and looking at your list of friends and remembering its quality in life that matters in all aspects, not quantity!

News from Liz

2010-02-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

I agreed to be PTA president next year. That should give me a lot to write about.

New Things i find FAB

2010-01-13T17:11:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010! From time to time I find new and fabulous sites that I think are either hip and creative or are selling something good that I want to touch or taste or try!

so here is my first list!

www.crumbs.com the best cupcakes ever

www.milkandkrunchies.com i so want to taste these

www.kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com her stuff looks super cool and I wish i had creative in my bones!

I'll admit i'm a blogger stalker! I've found a few blogs and I'm just addicted to them, i'm hoping that someone out there feels that way about me!

But before I go, here's a sneak peak of a new top that I ordered!

2009-10-04T20:27:00.001-07:00

Can't wait to bring this great looking grecian styled top to you! More to come!

Heading to The OC!

2009-10-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting a trip to California, I love LA, and its no secret ultimately i want to move there. I've been lucky enough to go for B.Dazzled several times but with the economy, i've skipped the last 2 years of trips. I'm long overdue!

I'm not lucky, I say that all the time, never win raffles, certainly not lucky in love, at least not yet and usually not in the right spot at the right time. That being said, the stars must have lined up because tomorrow is my birthday and the day after i'm heading out to Newport Beach, California for a conference. I'm not 100% certain what the conference is about, except that is has to do with courts and children and best practices! What I am certain of is, i've got a car, have mapquested directiosn to South Coast Plaza, Sprinkles and Fashion Island. I've found restaurants and even a ferry ride and directions to Laguna Beach!

I've become a blogger addict!

2009-10-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not great at blogging here. Sometimes i'm funny, other times just boring. I think about putting out really juicy stuff, cause I know tons of stuff but then I wonder who will be mad or offended, even without using names. Juicy stuff just finds its way to me. For instance over the last 2 days I pieced together a big secret regarding a secret relationship! And yet, i'm keeping it to myself. So to those of you that always say i have a big mouth, TOUCHE!

So, instead of blogging about stuff, i've become addicted to blogs of others. And random blogs too! It started out with Stephanie Klein, (a shoutout to my friend Allison M in in NY, who got me hooked) and for those of you who aren't hooked its a good place to start www.stephanieklein.blogs.com. But it's mushroomed, i follow legal blogs, jewlery blogs, blogs of artists who i've met at tradeshows, blogs of people i know and friends of friends who blog about love, laugh and too often illness. And all these bloggers give you leads to new bloggers. I'm fascinated by their stories, i tune in every day, just like i tune into the news. I have a morning agenda, Yahoo mail, aol mail, facebook and my blogs!

Dating Fall Television

2009-09-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

It used to be that I only had to have a round of first dates with new tv series every fall, but somehow shows come out all year round nowadays. Fall still has the most releases and I make a point of dating each new show of interest at least once. I'm constantly looking in the newspaper in early august for the guide that talks about all the new shows. This fall i've started with The Good Wife, Mercy, Melrose Place, and The Beautiful Life (TBL). Sadly TBL has been cut already, and oddly I found it worth watching.

Another show i've found and am now obsessed with is Sons of Anarchy! Amazingly written show about a biker club in California. Believe it or not, makes me want to maybe meet a biker for a new experience!

when 3 inches is considered huge!

2009-09-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

Don't believe people who say size doesn't matter, it does! And in this case 3 inches was HUGE! Friday night baby g, my infamous silver tabby was running around my room like a maniac talking away. Well she'd found something and it was a 3 inch palmetto bug! HUGE! FREAKIN HUGE! Now, at least this cat is smarter than my first cat Lipstick. Lipstick once saw a bug and ran under the bed. This time I got a cat who could find and chase the bug but failed to get it!!!!!! I started to sweat, scooped up the cat and armed myself with scrubbing bubbles and a broom. i have no idea what i thought the scrubbing bubbles would accomplish but I had it. Then I called security, not sure what I thought they would do! So here's how it played out. Security showed up and the nice gentleman looked more scared than me. He couldn't find it, he suggested roach spray, a real genius! What i can't figure out is how that damn bug ended up on the 9th floor of a high rise building. I slept on the couch friday night, better than i'd slept in a week I might add. Saturday included a trip to TARGET for roach traps and roach spray. My room is now booby trapped for that damn palmetto bug, traps in every corner, spray along all the baseboards!

Hopefully i'll be back to sleeping in my bed soon. Because i'm dreaming about bugs, which is not a good thing! I wonder how long the palmetto can last inside. I googled the bug, which turned out to be worse than googling an illness because then i feared that the palmetto was pregnant and laying eggs!

ARGHHHHHHH!

Some days everything doesn't come up roses and daffidols!

2009-09-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

It's the Jewish Holidays. Time to start a new, repent, ask for forgiveness and the time to determine who shall be inscribed in the book of life. In the last two weeks I've been directed to the blogs of 2 friends of friends who have recently been diagnosed with and are fighting cancer. It makes me sad, no one deserves to get sick or have bad things happen to them. When I read their stories i am so inspired by the strength they personfiy when faced with the reality of literally fighting for their lives. I have them in my thoughts and prayers, and now on my favorite websites so i can follow their journey and root them on each step of the way! I'm a firm believer in paying it forward and every little bit counts!

So while in Gypsy everything was coming up roses and daffidols, not so much today!

Here's to a sweet new year for everyone I know!

Happy to Report i looked good and I have a super new item for all of you!

2009-09-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

NY was a success, my clothes were appropriate and even garnered a few compliments from the garmento's! Found some great stuff and wanted to show you the newest bracelets that will be arriving shortly they are INCREDIBLE and sold at Fred Segal, Bendels and Shop Bop!

My fear of looking like a farmer!

2009-09-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, actually that time of year happens twice a year for me. May and September. I go to New York and I dread the thought of what to pack, what to wear and sticking out like a farmer from Kansas. I like to think i'm pretty fashionable, but here in Miami it's 88 degrees on a cool day in September. It's not that it's cold in NY right now, but they are ready for fall, labor day is over and they are in transitional clothing and the women all look SO RIGHT! I fret about do i wear short sleeves and stick out, will I be hot in long sleeves, do i layer or is layering so 2008? Do i stick with basic black and white or do i go for fall color? Are they wearing fall color yet in NY? Do i focus on the accessories so that the clothes aren't the focus?

It never fails, i have the same problem in May, long sleeves, shortsleeves, light colors, what fabrics?

Here's the truth, NO ONE IS LOOKING AT ME, and this is all in my own mind, but it's stressful nonetheless.

Off to pack!

Ahhhh, this show brings me back to college!

2009-09-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

So tonight was the big one, the one i've actually been waiting for since my days of sorority formals, rush songs and off-campus apartments! Melrose Place 2009! Let me just say, it was good and i'm certain that many a ladies in their 20's 30's and 40's either watched or tivo'd! I'm not afraid to admit it! We went back because we have so many great memories of watching the mindless show with our friends, talking about it the next day and to be young and carefree again!

Most of you won't believe this, but the last episode of the original Melrose Place aired on May 24th, 1999. 10 Years! Sydney and Michael didn't look much older! That must mean neither do we! Ohhhhhhhhhh, the thrill of being transported back! So go ahead, kick off your shoes, curl up on the couch, invite your girls over for a glass of proseca and indulge! This time we are legal!

See you next tuesday!

Raised Brows!

2009-09-02T04:33:00.000-07:00

To me eyebrows are like toes, kinda ugly but ultimately require attention. Of course there are different levels of attention. You can do your own pedicure or opt for a Korean quickie or a luxurious spa pedicure. Eyebrows are the same, you can pluck in your mirror, go to the local wax-o-rama in your city, be hip and get threaded.

The eyebrows have always been a chore for me, but I have a solution for all and am telling you i am now a TRUE BELIEVER. Anastasia of Beverly Hills has outposts in Nordstrom. Besides selling all of her products, from simple brow pens to stencil kits (that is a bit much!) they do waxing right there on site with a registered aestitican. First they start by measuring your eyebrows, (they show you these drawings on your eyebrows, but don't be scared!) but within 20 minutes your eyebrows look great! they also wax anything above the neck, they tell me!

This is a must and really professional so I really suggest you check it out!

Taking Fashion cues from a Funeral

2009-08-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know me personally but read my blog, THANK YOU! But more importantly, what you may not know is that I'm from Boston, no worries i never had that accent. As a Bostonian who grew up on Cape Cod, i've got democrat running through my blood and like most have some Kennedy fever. As a little kid I got to stand outside the church on the day Maria Shriver got married, I'd seen Ted Kennedy walking down the pier to his boat and no visit from friends and family was complete without taking them by the Kennedy Compound. So i sat by my television last night watching the Celebration of Life at the Kennedy Memorial Library and the funeral today. Boy I picked up a lot!

First, pearls are the accessory of the season, every one of the Kennedy clan woman had long strands doubled. There really is nowhere good to buy a fashionable black suit if you live on Cape Cod, and HUGE bows are just not approrpiate at funerals, I mean the First Lady looked like a clown! I did see that Maria Shriver has fabulous color and highlights and impeccable taste in pocketbooks. Not so much for Caroline Kennedy, she needs a few tips on hair, makeup and accessories, I mean her mom was a fashion icon, you'ld think she'd have it a bit more together.

Vicki Kennedy looked visibly shaken today and my heart went out to her, but she got a 10 for looking like a lady through and through,

Was it just me or do you sense there is a little cousin a cousin rivalry between Maria and Carolyn? I think Rory is adorable but boy does Kara need some help!

What I know is this, there's a huge table up in heaven tonight, candles lit, candelabra and chandeliers and the boys are sitting at the table in white dinner jackets and Jackie is the hostess in a fabulous Chanel gown and they are toasting and welcoming Ted!

Rest in peace!

Sure Hits and Disposable Clothing!

2009-08-28T06:01:00.001-07:00

I've taken most of the summer to gather information. I am a huge believer in gathering! And here is what i can tell you are the fall hits; purple, any shade of gray, (ode to Liz the editor who will be happy I spelled it correctly), studding, sequins, grommets, fringe, ruffles, embellishments, vests and lots and lots of pearls!

Let me say that if you haven't been lately, take a walk into J. Crew, they have hit the nail on the head! I never wear J. Crew, in fact its too reminiscent of my childhood in WASPville MA, but when i walk in the store now i'm amazed. First off, who did they kidnap to design their jewelry because its FABULOUS! I want every piece of it when I walk in there! Second they have the right mix of feminine detail mixed with crisp prepster. The shirts and sweaters have great detail.

Now on the other hand, Banana Republic should just close shop until the holiday shipment arrives because the entire store is Blahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Nothing is noteworthy, the color palette is off, the jewelry which is usually great is dull. Time to hear a new design and creative team!

Another talent for the fall for you ladies that work is TALBOTS. I got a sneak peak of the fall catalog before it went public this past Monday and i must say its GREAT. Now, it might be that they focused on my three favorite fall clothing colors, orange, brown and green, but the shoes look SUPER and an orange plaid short jacket caught my eye, sweaters with silk printed ties, cords, yummmmmmmmmm can't wait to get to Short Hills Mall in a few weeks to gather some goodies!

Finally, disposable clothing. Stil chic! All summer i brought you girls long dresses at under $70. You girls bought, wore, looked amazing and felt great. These dresses were fun and flirty and easy on the wallet. Fall is bringing the same great style just not in long dresses. Nothing feels better than when we can buy hip new pieces for our wardrobe that don't break the bank and look just as good as the version in Saks and Neiman's that cost several hundred dollars. It's hip to wear disposable and save!

Exciting post was supposed to be about furniture only but Sarah Palin rained on that parade!

2009-07-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

Today was meant to be all about a great new store I found, www.eq3.com this is a canadian based sleek and modern store with great accessories to. According to the cheery sales associate who wanted to tell me all about the store (while she was applying lipgloss) they specialize in customizing furniture with fabric and leathers! That isn't what sold me but i did love the store and if you are local in Miami it's accross from Midtown! If you aren't local they appear to have their furniture in lots of stores in the statesm but from what I can tell, not too many free standing stores!

Now onto the bigger news of the day! Sarah Palin has decided to leave the good people of Alaska in the middle of her term. Her logic was something along the lines of since I'm not running again i don't want to be a lame duck governor, although the election is a far way off! I'm hoping all of the scandal involving the fact that she doesn't know any national publications, she has a new baby and grandbaby to raise and the fact that her husband is a political detriment have perhaps caused her to go out and shoot some moose!

Thoughts on The Hills Finale

2009-06-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

My absolute favorite scene was the one with Brody where he tells Spencer you are so full of it, you haven't changed. The wedding was so tv series and not a real-life wedding. She wears loaned jewels, Lauren takes a car service to the wedding, KRISTIN shows up, it comes together in a week, need I say more. Stacy comes! But it was delicious fun!

School's Out, Take One

2009-05-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

Well, today was the last day of preschool. Otherwise known as the end of "me time." I really did it up right, too, with a facial and polish change. That was my reward for running about 1,000 errands in the last week or so. I have been trying to tackle a monster to-do list in advance of leaving town. Why is it that everyone who learns of our summer plans gives me a look that screams, "You are out of your mind!"? Looking forward to a weekend away with the hubby before the family road trip begins.

Here comes summer

2009-05-23T20:38:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine had an interesting observation: When you are the parent of a school-age child, you think in terms of school years, rather than calendar years. So, even though it is just May, my mom friends and I are counting down to the end of the year. My preschooler will be done on Wednesday; my 4th grader the following week.

We are kicking off the summer with a two-week road trip to visit family and friends. Should be quite the adventure.

More Cuts- This time its Salary

2009-03-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

I'm addicted to the internet and all its subcategories, email, facebook,google! But i also love to read the newspaper, even though by the time i get to the newspaper at night, i've seen much of the news already from browsing online during the day.

This past week there was an article that I dound very disturbing. The Miami Herald is letting 205 employees go by July 1, 2009. They are allowing the people to retire and take severance and if they don't do that then the company will decide who goes. The BIGGER and UGLIER news is that all remaining employees will take paycuts. If you make under $50,000 you will get a 3% pay cut and if you make over $50,000 you will get a 5% paycut. Oh yes and the newspaper will shrink the margins by an inch so we get less news! I have a friend at a major medical institution and she also told me that the institution is facing huge deficits and one of the options is for employees to have their pay reduced! The School Board in Miami is still trying to negotiate teachers taking 3 furlough days without pay!

Now I try to put this into context, things cost more, people need to pay for daycare, after care, gas, and one of the current OBAMA cabinet members has said that pay has not risen at an appropriate rate for workers and now Companies have decided that the way to fix their financial problems is to give less money to the people who work hard every day!

Something is very wrong with this picture!

Its Sunday March 15th and depending on the city here is what they are celebrating!

2009-03-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

I grew up in a very small town 10 miles west of Boston, MA. It was very norman rockwell! We graduated high school on the town green wearing white dresses and a bag piper lead us in! I grew up with many kids who were second generation to our town and in fact are now raising their own children there.

I moved to South Florida for law school, and its a cultural divide from New England to say the least. Miami is a cultural melting pot, as an example when I walk into a grocery store blocks from the business District of Brickell, the cashiers speak to me entirely in spanish. I find that many of my sentences are mixed with spanglish phrases and while my conversation isn't great, i understand a great deal!

So today is Sunday March 15th! In Miami they are celebrating Calle Ocho on SW 8th Street, a huge parade and festival that celebrates the hispanic culture. In Boston they are also having a parade but with green beer and green carnations celebrating the luck of the irish!

And so many years later, i find that while I live in the South, I will always be a northerner in my heart!

Sunday Styles No Longer a Guilty Pleasure

2009-03-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

I have a ritual! I love sunday mornings, i get out of bed, open the door and bring in the NY TIMES and climb back into my fabulous bed to indulge! I read the Sunday Style Section First. It used to be filled with stories of fashion, new restaurants, grand parties and EXCESS! It was my guilty pleasure, what connected me to the goings on of the Fashion, Fabulous and Famous in NYC!

Lately when I open the Sunday Times I want to crawl under my bed instead of just under my amazing duvet! Take for instance last week, there was an article on how families could no longer afford to send their children to private school and instead were choosing parochial schools or public schools and how embarassing it was for the children! I don't know, i went to public school and it wasn't embarassing in the least bit! Another article was about how there was a huge job fair at the Sheraton, fewer companies participated and the room held 1000, at the last fair 2000 people showed up and at this fair there were 5000! They were lined up around the block of the hotel and it took hours for them to get inside!

I'm afraid to see what this Sunday will bring!

Violated and the customer service industry

2009-03-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

i went to the bank yesterday to discover that i had been the victim of identity theft! A pretty sophisticated identity theft in my opinion! Bad things happen in three's! This is the third bad thing that has happened in 3 weeks and i'm hoping that it's the last for me! Otherwise the bad things in three's theory is out the door!

In any event, aside from the complete violation of my personal information and the ridiculous hassle of cleaning up this problem, it reminded me about our great nation and customer service.

Ever tried to actually get a human on the phone at a bank? first its almost impossible, they make those dial and press deals so complicated, but when you finally get one, they have a very thick accent and are often in INDIA or PAKISTAN!

Several months ago I called an airline to follow-up on a delayed flight I was scheduled to take. The customer service agent was in INDIA and told me that my flight was scheduled to leave at 3:20 pm, the problem was that at the moment he told me that it was already 5:00 pm.

Its time to bring call centers back to the good ole' USA! Provide not only jobs to Americans who are suffering, but provide information to consumers that is relevant and understandable!

Valentines Day amd the End of Hibernation

2009-02-13T11:21:00.001-08:00

I have always said that i'd like to hibernate from the day before thanksgiving until the day after valentines day! Mostly its because I don't come from a big family.

There is no festive Thanksgiving celebration with relatives who travel from near and far and you are excited to see, in fact for my family Thanksgiving usually exists of a trip to avoid the reality of the weekend!

Christmas and New Years come with the same set of facts, but coupled with working for a government agency means no big extravagant cocktail christmas celebrations. In fact in our office its a pot luck and I have a thing about eating food which is cooked in other people's homes, who I don't know! New Years is always a holiday when if i go out i want to be on the road at 12:01 a.m.. to avoid the drunks!

And then Valentines Day, so much hype over a hallmark holiday! My parents asked me to go out to dinner for Valentines Day, how horrifying is that? Although, I have to tell you that the older I get the less I care about Valentines Day. In fact, I was on the phone today and mentioned to a guy who i occasionally hook up with to call me over the weekend since he was sans children. His response was definitely not on Saturday, i'm staying home all day and not seeing anyone its Valentines Day! I started to laugh and said who cares about that!

I guess i'm sort of like the groundhog who comes out on Feb 2, except I come out on Feb 15th every year and don't worry if there is a shadow or not!

The State of Affairs!

2009-02-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

I have been listening, reading, watching! What I gather is this, the first round of the bank bailout wasn't very successful, the banks put the money deep into their pockets and didn't use it to make loans super available, and the loans that they did make were only for people who could afford lots of money down and who had good credit! So now the Government is going to fund the next bailout to the banks, not so sure things will be different this time around!

From what I can tell, the new Administration wants to create 4 million jobs, how are those people going to get paid? And lots of pell grants for students, an extension of unemployment benefits, which in the State of Florida amounts to a maximum $265.00 a week! Luckily, I am not on unemployment but can't quite gather how if a family of 4 has only 1 working parent who gets laid off, how such little money will pay for their food, housing, electricity, clothing and basic needs! If you make under $70,000 (don't quote me on the exact #) you gate a tax rebate or if you are super rich you get a rebate!

Where is the stimulus for the majority of Americans? For the hardworking people, who aren't in foreclosure but every week and every month pay their bills but aren't getting ahead!

I read in today's paper that one of the Cabinet members finally realized that the problem is that salaries have never increased at the proper rate for people! I could have told them that!

Today's Paper also said that in Miami Dade County Florida, the school board has voted in favor of deferring part of teacher salaries until after the end of their fiscal year, which ends on June 30th, 2009. So teachers are going to work, and have some of their regular pay deferred, that of course is assuming that there will be money to give them their rightfully owed deferred compensation! How are the teachers supposed to pay their mortgage? Why would they do that to the very people who dedicate their lives to teaching kids in hopes of making successful and educated future generations! How about asking bankers and wallstreet suits and movie stars to defer their excessive salaries, as opposed to teachers!

I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel! I go to bed and hope every day that in the morning the light will be there!

Don't sweat the small stuff and just let go!

2009-01-19T16:43:00.000-08:00

I don't make new years resolutions, because i break them! But with the 44th President being sworn in tomorrow, I've decided that there are a few things that would make life so much more pleasant if we all just did them. Remember the movie, Pay It Forward, well I think its time for all of us to pay it forward! Let me give you an example.

This morning I was pulling into the parking lot to pickup / drop-off dry cleaning. The lot is bad, its small, and is home to a kosher grocery, Walgreens, a salon, and the drycleaner. There was a large truck that was pulled far over to the left and so i scooted by it, the lady started honking and i could see she was furiously screaming in her car! When I finally pulled around to park I noted that her truck was parked and hanging from the rear view mirror was a jewish star, clearly made by a child, likely in school!

First, how much time did she lose by me scooting around her, 2 seconds? No big deal! Second, that Jewish Star should have reminded her to be the best person she can be, to be patient and calm and kind and to heal the world! All the negative energy she exerted on honking and raising her hands and clearly screaming at me in her car, was really pointless in the scheme of things!

So here's my suggestion for all of us!

Don't sweat the small stuff

If someone cuts you off, and its not going to cause an accident, let it slide, all you really lost was a second or two and in the scheme of things, that's nothing!

Hold the door open for someone, say thank you to people who help you in the grocery store, be patient with people, speak to people the way you wish to be spoken to, when people are rude and treat you poorly, don't engage, you deserve respect! And realize, it takes so much more of our energy to sweat the small stuff then it does to let it go!

I think that's the change we all need to focus on, and I believe, just that little change will make day to day living so much more pleasant!

At the core, people are good!

2009-01-17T07:04:00.000-08:00

Like most of you, i've been captivated by the US Airways plane that went down in the Hudson River. The event has sucked me in for a variety of reasons, I fly from Laguardia often, I am on business on the west side of NY, right near and often on those very piers where the plane went down, and because its hard to imagine that a plane can really land in a river, and everyone can get out safely.

But what has really sucked me in is the fact that at the very core people are good and selfless. I think about all those people who run the ferry boats in NY, who immeadiately headed over to the sinking plane and helped to save every last one of them, dockhands, captains, even the ticket takers, they acted flawlessly and with ease, to just help!

It speaks volumes about human nature. I think it is an innate characteristic that we all have, but rarely are we tested on!

So i raise a glass to all of you, the people of the New York Waterways, and say KUDOS for not only a job AMAZINGLY DONE, but for reminding all of us, what teamwork, and selflessness and the goodness of mankind is all about!

A few Good Ideas!

2009-01-15T16:56:00.000-08:00

So i'm getting ready to head to New York next week for the NY International Gift Show! Its a daunting task, and for those of you have never been, picture a huge huge convention center set up with thousands of booths that are 10 x 10 filled with everything you can imagine. I have often thought of pitching a reality game show where you are given an empty house and then you and other contestants are given a certain budget and a time frame to race through and furnish the house, but not just with furniture, you must get everything, and the gift show has it all! Beds, bedding, towels, kitchen sets and placesettings, frames, mirrors, utensils, food for the cupboard, clothing, accessories for the living room and family room! At the end of the show, they deliver everything and they see if you stayed in budget! Admit it sounds sort of fun!

So the problem i face is, i'm out of ideas of new cool gifts to buy, so if you have a favorite product or gift you like to give, a keepsake that's so cute or something fabulous for the desk in your office, email me and let me know so i can find it!

Not sure where to start, so i'll take Revolutionary Road for 100!

2009-01-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

So the other night I saw the DiCaprio Winslet much ado about nothing movie Revoltionary Road, the big screen adaptation of Richard Yates' novel. It tells the age old story of people in an unhappy marriage. I will say, it was an excellent character study of the furiously bored. Here's what i take from the movie and can see it applied to so many people I know, but who keep it all a secret hush hush!

Many people think they are destined for something big, something important in their lives, career, philanthropy, world travel, fame, fortune! The truth is, really we are all just human, except for the very few who either by fate or by lots of hard work and devotion, and perhaps a bit of luck become bigger than themselves in life. Most of us go to college, maybe onto graduate school, have our first apartment and our first job, do the 20 something social scene. For some its just regular and for others, its a very impressive high life. But in the end, most people trade it in for a house in the suburbs, 2 kids, a dog, a husband who works very hard to provide a good life, a few trips and some great friends.

There are choices that we make and sacrifices. And in the end, some except the road they've chosen and realize that they are good and kind and hard worker, but really no different than the majority of people. For those that are different, we oooh and ahhh over their lives and sometimes feel a twinge of envy. The ones who suffer are the ones who can't accept who they are and what life is.

2009, full steam ahead!

2009-01-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I actually like New Years Day, much better than New Years Eve. I like to stay home, enjoy the peace and quiet, clean out the old, organize the new and get ready for the new days ahead. I don't believe in resolutions, mainly because I seem to break them much faster than the time it took me to come up with them. I'll make some general goals, which i'll share with you. Get to the gym more often, don't sweat the small stuff, release negative energy, don't surround myself with people who either stress me out or just make me feel bad, stop and smell the fresh air, aprreciate each day, BLOG MORE!

In honesty, i feel like New Years Day is my day at the Ashram, no talking, no working, no stressing, just being, just flopping in bed, reading the paper, reading a book, decluttering the mind and soul!

I hope you had the same type of day!

Bahumbug!

2008-12-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

So I braved the mall today! I wouldn't have gone, except i have a friend coming in and needed to buy new sheets and a new blanket! I must admit, second to a new lipstick, there is nothing like buying really soft sheets and a great blanket! And then i started to stroll, just for the hell of it!

Honestly, I have never seen so many people! Not in the stores, because they seemed empty but roaming the halls and standing in line to take pics with Santa! What struck me on my walk was just how many jean stores and beauty stores were there!

Kiehls, bath and body works, lush, origins, l'occitaine, fruits & passion, crabtree & evelyn, the body shop, aveda, sephora, mac and bare escentials! How much creme, soap and makeup can one buy?

Next up was denim stores, 7 for all mankind, AG Adriano Goldschmied, True Religion, not to mention, lucky brand, abercrombie & Fitch, then just the run of the mill, Gap, American Eagle, and 3 department stores loaded with denim!

Just You Wait!

2008-12-20T19:22:00.000-08:00

Here at B.Dazzled, i am done with holiday gifts. I'm a forward thinking girl and am hard at work getting ready to bring you great new stuff for 2009!

So, keep your cash in your wallet and some room on your credit card because I am about to bring you great new gifts and jewels to start the year off right!

xoxo

b.dazzled girl!

Escorts and Economics

2008-12-02T04:47:00.000-08:00

Last night i went to pick up food for dinner and in front of me was a very pretty young woman, who i am certain was an"Escort", she had lots of cash in her wallet, lots of shopping bags on her arm and a lot of bling! It got me to wondering, in this economic climate, are the prostitutes, dancers and Escorts, feeling the crunch as well? Most of us have cut back, fewer dinners at fancy restaurants, longer periods of time between facials and haircuts, less trips, less new shoes!

But what about the sex industry, have men cut back or are those girls still doing well?

Tis the Season!

2008-11-30T12:01:00.000-08:00

Bah Humbug! Ever since college i've had a mantra, i'd like to be rip van winkle and go to sleep the day before thanksgiving and wake up the day after valentines day! I hate to be so cynical, but sitting around and stuffing your face with turkey and staring at relatives just isn't fun! Shopping on the day after thanksgiving is a fate worse than death, parking lots, parking accidents, fighting for goods, leftover goods at that! I mean really, its not like it used to be where you got good bargains the day after thanksgiving, in fact this year, Saks had the sale before thanksgiving and going to the store now is just down right depressing!

Then the lead up to christmas, the parties, the gifts the food, the way i see it, is the money on clothes, the calories and the gifts for people you probably don't even really like! And for the people you do like, finding the perfect gift is really hard, i mean truth be told, we all shop better for ourselves than we do for others! And in this economy, what can we truly buy, even for ourselves!

Ah, New Years Eve! the pressure to be at a hip party or at a great restaurant! In reality, the restaurant is charging an arm and a leg for food that is never as good as it would be on a normal night, the service sucks and who wants to be out on the road driving with all the drunken idiots! Talk about playing russian roulette!

Then the follow up, Valentines day! The pressure to have a boyfriend or have your husband actually remember and either send you flowers or take you somewhere.

See, you agree, its easier to sleep through it all!

I'm officially old!

2008-10-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

I never feel old, in fact there are some days that i feel exactly the same as I did in high school or college. What finally kicked in the reality that i'm old, wasn't a birthday or a trip to the Dr.

I found a few strands of GREY HAIR!

I'm frantic, that's the telltale sign that i'm old. Now don't be mistaken, i've been highlighting, coloring, cellophaning my hair for years, to get that perfect shade of brown, honey, chestnut or whatever color du jour is on my mind! BUT NEVER, have i had to color to hide grey!

It happened in the car. I was looking in the mirror on my sunshield and i noticed light strands near my hairline. Odd, since my hair is a deep chestnut red at this point. I sped to the salon and ran right to my hairdresser so he could inspect! He confirmed my worst nightmare, i do in fact have grey hair!

Its all downhill from here!

The Fall TV interviews!

2008-10-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

Every fall there is a tradition in my house, I interview all the new shows to determine if they will make my TV lineup! I should note that I only watch 1 hour shows, with the exception of The Hills, Entourage and Californication!

I thought I'd had fall all lined up, I'd added, The Ex-List, The Starter Wife, Raising the Bar and 90210! I'm proud to say i don't really watch reality tv. Never seen American Idol, Dancing with Stars, etc.

BUT, i found a delicious frivolous show the other night and i'm hooked! The Real Housewives of Atlanta! Now here we have 4 exquisite afro-american women, and one blonde bombshell who spend, spend spend and live in CRAZY homes! They don't know from recession! Two are married to professional sports players, one in the process of a divorce from a sports player and the Double DD blonde has a sugardaddy named BIG POPPA!

Oh you must watch this show!

Chasing It!

2008-10-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

That fall cold! ARgghhhh! Today has included Zicam, cough drops, dayquil and robittusin, not to mention, pouring liquid vitamin C down my system! And all this to still feel tired and congested. Hate that feeling, you know the cold is coming, you can feel it in the throat and the nose and yet, there is no runny drippy nose yet, no coughing or full blown sore throat, its just a general malalaise! (I love the word malalaise, especially when i get to use it!)

I tried chicken soup yesterday, although does oodles of noodles in chicken flavor really count as chicken soup?

I'm home to nurse the cold with yesterday's episodes of gossip girl and the hills!

Trying to Balance the Budget! But seeing GREEN!

2008-10-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to balance the budget, not the greater budget of all Americans but the budget Chez Moi! Every month just when i think i'm ahead and there is actually money in the bank, i find a surprise! Sometimes the surprise is related to a flat tire, or others to an assessment for the new glass balconies in my buildings (which by the way, while beatuiful are over 2 years in the construction stage). I often find i rob peter to pay paul! And then there are the days when the budget is balanced and something catches my eye. This week the culprit is GREEN, no not money green, handbag green! I have an obsession with green, it started with these beautiful green patent marc by marc jacobs high heeled loafers! I have fought that urge! But just when i had fortitude in my strength something new and green turned up! I'll keep you posted but this might have to be mine!

Paris Hilton

2008-09-20T18:56:00.000-07:00

The other night i was watching TV and i saw an trailer for the new Paris Hilton reality show, "I wanna be Paris' New Best Friend", complete with her on a lounge chair swearing!

It reminded me that not so long ago when she was released fron LA County Jail she sat down with Larry King and told the world she wanted to grow up, invest back in the community, do charity work, and set a good example for young girls!

I guess that was just a bunch of junk because it looks like she's back to D grade reality television shows and being nothing but a spoiled rich bimbo barbie!

I hope next time she'll serve her whole sentence and the Hilton name and money won't matter.

TV Time!

2008-09-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

This is my time of year! Fall television is back with a vengenance. Now the networks don't know it, but for many years I have interviewed almost everyone of their new shows each fall to determine if it will make it into my tivo repetoire! I love when People magazine publishes its issue describing all the new shows, with glossy photo's and descriptions! When TV Guide comes out I keep the colorful chart that divides everything so neatly, day of the week, network, time, (ah, if only i could divide my complicated life into such a great chart! Of course that's a story for another post)

So, let me tell you, the networks have also thrown me tidbits over the summer, likely because the movies this summer totally SUCKED! I mean what is a summer without good movies!

So let me first say that there are some new little networks that have some great shows

TNT and USA and AMC came out with some surprises,

In Plain Sight about the Witness protection program is pretty good, although the plotline isn't that feasbile since every witness gets moved to Albuquerque, hey wait a minute, maybe those are the only people who want to live there, next season the show will be based in Wasilla, Alaska! Oh wait, this post isn't about that weasel Sarah Palin!

Mad Men about advertising men in the 1960's, although slow moving is superbly written and has great costumes!

Raising the Bar- great show about Young public defenders and prosecutors. I'm probably the only one who watches this show, and it'll be off the air soon, but I love it!

HBO has finally brought back Entourage and i'm still hoping that Jeremy Piven finally meets my friend Missy, because i am certain they were meant to marry each other! They also have a new show True Blood and while i'm not into science fiction, werewolves and blood sucking vampire shows, this one is pretty damn tasty! (no pun intended)

xoxo blogger girl!

p.s. i'm off to go watch gossip girl for those of you who missed the hint!

My commentary!

2008-09-09T14:23:00.000-07:00

For those of you that know me, i mean really know me, you've seen that i've been quite the political pundit on facebook of late! I don't normally pay too much attention to politics, i much prefer to talk about shoes, tv, movies and sex when i'm out to dinner, but the 2008 election campaign has me in a TIZZY!

First, let me say i'm a registered independent, i've voted for republicans, i've voted for democrats, and on the whole i'd say while I have liberal beliefs on some issues, I have very conservative beliefs on other issues. I'm pretty well balanced in that respect.

Let me also say, I completely understand that there are people out there who vote party lines no matter what, who are big business and stand to pay tons in taxes and so they vote republican, and there are people who are out in the trenches everyday fighting for the little guy and they vote democrat!

What i don't understand and can not even begin to comprehend is the people out there who aren't evangelical regligious fanatics who are going to tell me that Sarah Palin is a remarkable woman! What is remarkable about her is that she has chosen for forego the privacy of her pregnant teenage daughter and her teenage boyfriend turned fiancee so that she can be the vice presidential nominee. Additionally, it is remarkable that this "self proclaimed friend and advocate for special needs children" isn't spending the formidable months caring for her newborn child who has the bad fortune of having downs syndrome. The ultimate remarkable trait is the belief system she follows- pro-life, anti-gay rights, no ban on assault weapsons, and she loudly proclaims that her decisions are not only based in her faith but that our being in Iraq is a task from G-d! In August the leader of Jews for Jesus, was invited to speak to the faithful at the Wasilla Bible Church, Sarah Palin's fundamentalist congregation.
In his talk at Wasilla on August 17, 2008, with Palin in the audience, Brickner described terrorist attacks on Israelis as God's "judgment of unbelief" on Jews who have not converted to Christianity.

I'm also tired of hearing about her executive experience. From what i've read, she left Wasilla $22 million in debt, she never had a passport until 2007, she's under investigation in at least 2 seperate misconduct investigations in Alaska and she milked Alaska for 312 days of per diem expenses when she was in actuality at home on her sofa!

So if you want to vote republican, be my guest, but don't tell me its because Sarah Palin is remarkable or that she has any ability to lead a country if need be!

Baby G is a beauty fanatic too!

2008-08-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

It's Makeup Time!

2008-08-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

I am a makeup whore! I love makeup, the smell and texture of it! I love the packaging and the crispness of a new compact! I will also admit, while i have bought and thrown away more makeup than any gal could need in a lifetime, I rarely wear makeup! I love the idea of it, a finished face, the perfect nude lipstick, eyes that pop! In reality, i never look that together! I have good intentions every season to be the lady who leaves her house perfectly made up everyday, even if wearing jeans and a wifebeater, but i'm not her!

I have had relationships with them all, I've gone out With Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Vincent Luongo. Hell, i've even had relationships with the women, Bobbi Brown, Sue DeVitt, Trish McEvoy. I've broken up with all of them!

Today was my day to pick a new mate, and recently I had been seduced by Laura Mercier, I have been trying to avoid meeting up with her, but I lost today, despite my best intentions.

What i've realized is that the minute you walk into a store, you get sucked in. Ever noticed that every makeup artist tells you the following: you have the most perfect shaped lips and eyes, your skin is beautiful, your eyebrows are perfect and your lashes are so long! LIES! They all lie to you! They tell you a foundation looks amazing, but when you point out that every single PORE is showing, they immeadiately wipe it away and say, no that wasn't right for you!

The perfect store would have a makeup artist that walks over to you and honestly tells you, don't use this skin cream, your foundation is a shade too dark, that you really can't pull off smoky eyes!

So for now, i'm believing that Laura Mercier and I will be a perfect couple at least for a few months!

How it is supposed to feel!

2008-08-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

After many hours of delays due to weather and a small diversion to the remote runway at Dulles i have made it up to NJ, for a day or two of relaxation prior to the NY Gift Show. Its the kind of summer I miss in Florida, the days are long and lazy, the temp peaks at 80 without a touch of humidity, families stop at Magic Fountain to get a late afternoon ice cream and you can sleep with the windows open! The hint of fall can be felt at night when you take in the cooling air.

I heard it was 95 and humid in Miami yesterday, with Tropical Storm Fay chugging along!

Sorry i'm not in Miami sharing it with you!

Avoid all Stores!

2008-08-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

I know, you can't believe your eyes! I'm telling you to avoid the mall, avoid Target, just stay away! It's that time of year, BACK TO SCHOOL. The amount of people in the stores buying supplies and school clothes have made it unbearable to shop!

The other day I stopped into Sports Authority, that was a mistake! First of all, what a disorganized store, a big dark warehouse of a space with virtually no sales help and no discernable floor plan. Next stop, the mall. There is an interesting phenomenon in South Florida, the mall is always full of tourists wheeling HUGE suitcases around. It is almost impossible to walk around without having your foot run over!

Target, need toiletpaper, soap, soda, not this week! Getting in the parking lot is even a feat!

Time to shop online!

Fall Fashion is coming your way!

2008-08-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

Iknow its been a long hot summer! Your mind is thinking about getting the kids back to school, about getting to the repairs and renovations that you need around your house! Your summer trips to the Mountains were amazing, you've posted all the pictures onto your facebook page. That leaves one last thing for you to do. . . plan for all your fabulous fall wardrobe! Here's the top ten list!

10. It's all about The Color Purple!
9. Leather bags in warm colors, think, gold, teal, fuscia
8. Embelishments adorn the neckline of tops
7. Leather cuff bracelets
6. Layering with long cami's
5. Slate is the new black!
4. Long necklaces are still the way to go
3. short dresses for nightime are glam!
2. Lots of great solid color tops
1. The Maxi dress is here to stay!

Back in the Groove

2008-07-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

I've been out of the groove. I was out of the gym groove, out of the great sex groove and out of the blogging groove. I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loving the equinox gym and have decided i'm going to post more for all of you that have started to tune in. But i'm going to do it with less of a censor, maybe more sex, more clothes, more my interpretation of why humans are all crazy! So i bet you are wondering if i'm back int he sex groove!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you that are married to a great guy, one you met in high school, or the guy you met when you had the most fabulous job in the world, i'm sure your in your groove! I have yet to find the man who can keep me in the groove. I find that if the sex is mindblowing with shooting stars, he can't hold a converstaion and thinks The Economist is a minor league baseball team. If the sex is decent, he's funny and smart but he can't keep my eye from wandering. And of course if he's handsome with a quick wit and keeps me on my toes, he can't find my G-spot! I'm trying to find him, so i'd say my groove is currently like I-95 during rush hour, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC!

When it rains it pours

2008-06-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

They say bad things happen in threes. Although they also say that sneezes come in threes, so i have no idea if its true or not, but i've had my three.

THE FIRST BAD THING:

The last month has been full of wisdom teeth and root canal issues. I must say, i am a pain wimp, except of course for the strong slap accross the tush by my current "friend with benefits", but it wasn't bad at all on the mouth. Hurt the wallet and the pre-pain was excrutiating.

THE SECOND BAD THING:

I have a jewelry designer out of LA that makes great stuff. I put a few of her necklaces online and lo and behold the bulldogs for Van Cleef are after me. I didn't advertise it as Van Cleef, didn't use the word alhambra, which I might add was a word long before Van Cleef began thinking they were the only people in the world who could make a clover. So i went to an older version of my current friend with benefits to represent me, all i can tell you is i'm not eager to being sued in Federal Court.

THE THIRD BAD THING:

Today, i was going through my morning computer ritual, email on yahoo, email on aol, facebook, Stephanie Klein Blog and then my online banking (i know, odd order). To my surprise, my accounts appeared overdrawn and when i went to the details, i noted that there were charges for over $2,700 for 2 home depots and a glass company. PANIC! I call customer service and get a pakistani, ARGGGGHHHH, (i'll save that for another post). I hang up and run to the bank, where they proceed to deactivate my debit cards and smile and tell me I now need to call the fraud department, "and thank you for banking at WAMU" ARGGGGGHHHHH.

Fraud Department tells me that the transactions are pending and until they go through there is no claim that can be initiated.

Tell me good things come in SIXES!

Old Magazine Pet Peeve

2008-06-04T18:04:00.000-07:00

Its funny how when you aren't looking for an inspiration, one pops up. I'd been thinking about what i wanted to blog about and nothing came into my very busy brain. So, i stopped thinking about all of you bloggers out there and went about my daily business. My daily business, unfortunately has taken me to the Oral Surgeon and the Doctor in the last few days. And there, in the waiting room of both offices my next post was born.

I don't know about you, but i'm a major stressball when i go to any doctor or dentist, and while i'm sitting in the waiting room, I like to occupy my mind by flipping through magazines. The problem is, the magazines are ALWAYS a year old. Why would i want to read People or US Weekly from a year ago? And that's assuming that those magazines are even at the office. Usually i have to pick through Boating Magazines, Parenting Magazines or Cooking Magazines. The Cooking magazines really push by blood pressure up, they have big halloween cupcakes on the front cover and Memorial Day was last week.

For G-d sakes, get some new magazines, that are timely! At this rate, i'll be going to my annual gyno appointment in February and there i'll find TIME magazine announcing that Barack Obama won the democratic nomination.

Paper Whore

2008-06-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

I admit it, i'm a paper whore, and i'm glad to tell you i am back in the land of the living (post wisdom tooth extraction) and have had the chance to fully outline, checkmark, highlight and dogear every catalog from the national stationery show! Boy are the shoppers at http://www.bdazzledjewels.com/ in for lots of treats in the next few months.

I found several new lines that just made me PAPER HAPPY, even though they weren't all necessarily paper. First, be on the lookout for great new stuff from uncommonwares. Then i found this totally Kitchy artistic company that literally had my pulse racing! I mean what more could i ask for, art, words, ribbon, wall decor! And of course for the list maker in all of us I couldn't help but fall in love with whomi's new every day list pad!

A few of you know i'm a total geek at heart and so i've been online and in magazines for days following up on all my great leads figuring out what i love best, because after all, if i don't love it, how can i convince you to love it? So here's to LOVE!

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

I'm a New Englander, through and through. Circumstance and reality landed me in Florida and so I blog with knowledge of both worlds. As a New Englander, summer is a big deal. We celebrate Memorial Day with parades and barbeques and dreams of what a glorious summer we will have. We mark the mid-point of summer with July 4th celebrations, swim contests, watermelon, lemon meringue pie and corn on the cob. August ends with a bittersweet labor day, sweatshirts, campfires, s'mores and school looming. NEW ENGLAND knows summer holidays.

Here in Florida, we have summer all year round. And so, it is with sadness and nostalgia that Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day really fall into 2 categories; backyard beer fests or sale days at the mall.

Don't get me wrong, i love Florida in the winter when my friends are stuck with an icepick trying to defrost their windows and they are bundled up and freezing, but I MISS THE REAL SUMMER HOLIDAYS!

I love paper

2008-05-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

So, i finally went alone to the National Stationery Show. I was certain that I would spend many more hours at the show than when i'm there with a friend. Friends rush me, they don't get the allure of notepads, and stationery and clipboards and post it notes. They don't indulge in the packaging and the crispness of a new paper.

So much to see, adorable desk accessories, great inexpensive just thinking of you gifts. Cool innovations for your office and organizers for your junk. I picked up so many great catalogs and am enjoying being at home on my sofa, under my magic blankee reviewing all the great options I have for products for www.bdazzledjewels.com

Oh yes, even alone the show only took me 3.5 hours! But worth its weight in every envelope and sticker!

The last laugh in Weather

2008-05-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

So, i'm back from NYC. Great trip, i highly reccomend The Empire Hotel, if your travels take you to the West side. Its actually right accross from lincoln center, has a starbucks and a duane reade right outside the front door and has an amazing rooftop patio where you can enjoy the fresh air, grab a drink and for the ludicrous price of 150.00 enjoy a cabana with 2 towels, flip flops and a flat screen t.v., you get to use the cabana from either 9:00 a.m.- 4:oo p.m. or 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., what a bargain! Only in NY!

Now onto the weather. After stressing over having nothing to wear that would be NY appropriate in May, i arrived to a sunny day, with temps in the high 50's. By 5:00 p.m, it was windy, somewhat gray in and in the low 50's. Day 2 brought rain and wind and cold weather. And then it hit me, New Yorkers are so happy there is no snow and that the temp has climbed out of the 30's and 40's that they think May is beatiful. Oddly enough, they wear their trousers and jackets with flip flops and still have on moderately heavy winter coats.

NEWSFLASH- May in NY is not summer and really not even spring! IT'S DAMN COLD!

It never fails in May

2008-05-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

Every May i head up to NY and as i'm about to get ready to pack a few things, i open the closet doors and feel like i might cry. NY in may sucks, its not quite summer, and its not really warm and yet you don't want to whip out the same sweaters you wore up to NY i the winter. It involves days in the 60's which feels so good when you come from florida, where it was 95 out today, and yet nighttime is in the 50's. Jacket? Sweater? Closed toe shoes? Tee Shirt? How to not look like a tourist!

argggghhhhh!

What a lot of nerve!

2008-04-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

My almost four-year-old, while totally cute and absolutely delicious most of the time, is VERY strong willed. Any time that things are not going his way, he starts completely freaking out, screaming, crying, etc. Moms, you know what I am talking about.

One day last week, we are out having lunch in a kid-friendly (of course) place. He starts freaking out because I tell him he can't sit next to me in the booth and he needs to stay where he is on the other side of the table. Every parent knows that the way to stop tantrums is to absolutely NEVER give in to them. So I begin to tell him he needs to calm down or we are going to have to leave, which only makes him cry louder and harder. I keep repeating, "You really need to calm down and stop crying." Eventually he does, and we have a fine lunch.......until:

The mom who was sitting at the booth that backed up to ours decides to tell me what a horrible mother I am! First, I want to point out that she had her back to us. During my son's tantrum, I could see her glancing over her shoulder at us. When she gets up to leave, we make eye contact. I give her the mom-solidarity smile, which she sort of returns. Then, she gets right in my face and says something along these lines:

"I have something that I really want you to consider. I live with a man whose spirit was broken as a child by his mother, and it is really hard. Don't break his spirit." I was sitting there speechless. Then she continued: "You need to work on your anger." And with that, she turned and left.

I suppose in her house the children get to do whatever they want, she doesn't care and no one ever raises their voices, but at my house IN THE REAL WORLD, things are different. I don't know, maybe she thought I beat him in the bathroom or something. I am still in shock that someone would be that bold AND so off base.

For the record, when I repeated this story to my family, my nine-year-old daughter was ready to go hunt this woman down and punch her for suggesting that I was a bad mom. "You are a great mom," she told me, which, of course, is really the only opinion that matters. But to that mom out there who just couldn't mind her own business: Thanks for your input, but you don't have any idea what kind of mom I am...my kids think I am pretty great!

Old Friends

2008-04-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like your old friends. How many of us are lucky enough to still be friends with someone we grew up with? I am! My best friend from growing up is still near and dear to my heart. While we live far away and have vastly different lives, we still treasure our friendship. She's the one you did silly childhood things with, sang to Madonna, flirted with older boys, shared your dreams and your fears, used your fake id with. Unfortunately, life get the best of all of us; work, kids, errands, family, bills, stress, spouses, boyfriends, the list is endless. But when you finally connect, none of that seems to matter and everything is simple and clear. So the lesson is, don't wait so long to call or email, because nothing fixes the blues or boredom like connecting with your best friend!

The war close to home

2008-04-10T05:45:00.000-07:00

Today as i read the morning paper, i read an article about a soldier from South Florida who died in a blast. As i read further, about his dedicated service to the U.S. Army and his family, I realized that he was the son of my accountant. Besides being shocked and feeling pain for her family, her son's wife and 2 young sons, I spoke to myself about believing that we don't belong in a war in Iraq. But then I paused. . . .

This was a man who attended a military institute and met his wife there. A man who had followed in the footsteps of his father who was also in the Military and a man who had chosen to prouldly serve in the U.S. Army since 1996. He could have chosen a different path, one with less risks, one that was more lucrative. Instead, the path he chose was to proudly serve the United States.

Personally, i oppose our prolonged presence in Iraq. Today, its not about my opinion but rather a day to honor a man who believed in our Military and dedicated his life to the military. May he rest in peace and may his life not be forgotten.

Baby G

2008-04-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

Baby G

2008-04-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me, at this point you know I have a passion for cats! Unfortunately, while allergic to some extent, my family has had cats since I was 7. My current cat, Glamour Girl Molan was saved from a rescue center at Petsmart. She was a beautiful silver tabby sitting in her cage, head tilted, but when you want to talk to her or put your finger in the cage, she would swat at you like crazy. The volunteers tried to persuade me not to take her, at that point her name was Nirah. They told me she was strong willed, not socialized and mean. But what i saw was spunk and attitude, not unlike myself. As you can see, Glamour Girl, or Baby G as we call her, has taken over my home and my heart. She's a love bug when she wants, although she gets very fussy if you try to capture her and hold her.

Comfy

2008-04-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

Nothing beats hanging out at home, on your sofa in comfy mode. My new favorite way to be in comfy mode is underneath a big faux animal fur blanket from Pottery Barn, you too can now have this amazing experience, cheaper than i got it i might add, just go to http://www.potterybarn.com/ and go to the throws section, Caramel is my favorite! The problem with this blankee, or more affectionately as i refer to it, the Magic Blankee, is that the minute i'm under it i fall asleep for hours at a time, which often then disturbs my nightime sleep!

And what better way to to be comfy than to indulge in new loungewear from http://www.bdazzledjewels.com/. We are full of loungewear from pj salvage and scanty and assure you, no matter which style you pick, you'll be so comfortable! Often, we run our errands in these great sets.

Facebook frenzy

2008-03-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

I have a new obsession, FACEBOOK. My friend Missy invited me to be her friend and ever since then, i can't get enough. Now, i'm not that enthralled with the applications and games and music type features. What truly reals me in is the 6 degrees of seperation aspect of it. So far i have 82 friends. Some are people I haven't seen since elementary school or high school and others are neighbors and business accquainances. What's most amazing is how somehow someone I know can be linked to someone I once knew and poof with the click of an invite key i'm re-connected.

I also sometimes feel like a cyber stalker, looking at profiles of people i know and then at their list of friends and so on and so on, kinda like the old shampoo commercial, she told a friend who told 2 friends and so on and so on. I can also watch and see who my current fling is friends with and when he signed on.

The largest group i've connected with is people from college, in fact, some people i only knew in passing in college but somehow here in cyberspace we've become connected and friends. I also am mesmerized by the adoption of a beautiful little girl from China, by a high school classmate!

It all just boils down to another site for me to check every morning before work, and another reason i'm always running late!

Everything on Easter

2008-03-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night I realized almost everything would be closed on Easter, even the grocery store would be closed so the usual sunday trip had to be pushed up. Great, sunday would be a sleep in day, with no errands to run and time just for me. Well, as murphy's law would have it, i awoke at 8:15 am and couldn't fall back to sleep. By 11:00 i was desperate for some activity and headed to walgreens. Let me tell you, Walgreens looked like Bloomingdales on the day after thanksgiving, it was PACKED! We never realize how used to modern life we are, the ability to run to the mall, the grocery store, the cleaners, the deli etc., whenever we want.

Easter is a bummer of a holiday for the Jews, because unlike Christmas when we head to the movies and eat chinese food, we don't have much to do on easter. And to top it off, here in sunny south florida it rained all day!

Its enough to never take medicine

2008-03-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

So i hate to tell you, i'm stuck this week with a UTI. Never had one before, which when i told the Dr., and the Nurse, they were amazed that this curse had never befallen me before. In any event, i'm a total hypochondriac. So after i picked up my prescription at Walgreens, i decided to see how much money i'd saved with insurance. Yes, i'm a geek, i enjoy always tearing off the facesheet and reading how much money i saved on medication (makes me believe i can go spend it on shoes). But, after i read about the savings, i turn to the side effects. Now, i have to tell you, i'm a pretty smart chick, but. . . when you read the side effects, my g-d you stop and think, should i ever take medicine again? Shortness of breath, rash, fever, sore throat, blackening of the stool, diahrea, abdominal cramping, fatigue. . . Shoud I continue or are you getting the picture? Basically if you take medication you will get a whole new host of symptoms and illnesses. Do they want to scare us to death? So you go home, you take the medication and wait, do i feel my pulse racing? is my throat scratchy? is that a rash on my stomach?

ARGGGHHHH!

All things Baby!

2008-03-08T06:57:00.000-08:00

I went to visit my friend Lisa yesterday, and her new son. Adam was beautiful and tiny and so peaceful while he slept! I don't hold babies until they are 9 months old, EVER! Its a hard and fast rule of mine, i'm afraid i'll drop the tiny perfect creatures, who weigh less than my cat. 9 months seems like a time when they will have a little weight on them and have the ability to look you in the eye, smile, coo or scream but at least give you some indication that everything you are doing is ok.

In any event, a true shopper, can find shopping love in everything. And being a true shopper, instead of looking at shoes and shirts on this visit to my friends' apartment, we admired all things baby. Beautiful frames, ralph lauren onesies, trumpette socks http://www.trumpettesocks.com/
framed art work and magnificent burpie clothes. Of course, Lisa sent me home with a list of websites that i spent all night scouring, amazed at everything. Now if i just had more friends having babies!

News from my World

2008-02-27T21:27:00.000-08:00

Here's what we've been up to lately.
www.neighborsgo.com/stories/11406

Its Not My Hour

2008-02-27T18:25:00.000-08:00

Several years ago at a function I attended, a Rabbi spoke about Lashan Horah (evil tongues). Of course speaking evil of others is something we should avoid, however, the Rabbi said we should start with just an hour where we not only speak no evil but think no evil. Among my friends, we preface any gossip with the phrase, "its' not my hour", that absolves us from any sin!

So, let me start by saying, not only is it not my hour, its not my day! Did you ever know someone that was pure evil, the person was really insecure and horrible but the way they presented themself was so over confident? I have a work association with a woman like that. Outwardly she portrays herself as wealthy, happy, smart, always dressed in fashion trends (even though she could use makeup and a good hairdo), however she can't be happy unless she is vicously complaining about other people, how they are stupid, lazy, incompetent and not as perfect as her, in fact it seems that she has all day to sit at her computer writring emails about people just to tear them apart. I might add this woman has broken up three marriages by having affairs with men considerably older than her (Freud would love her!)

All of this brings me to the question, they always say, what goes around comes around, but when? when does that happen?

Blackout!

2008-02-26T13:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Miami's blackout of 2-26-08. On normal days, especially in hurricane season the power goes out and no one in Miami freaks out. Today, almost all of Miami lost its power! And unfortunately in the post 9/11 world, when the power goes out everywhere in your world simultaneously, its hard not to think, WHAT IF!

And then you start to think, maybe its not so far removed, with a city, actually one of the largest counties without power, what could happen. CNN actually reported that the power outages ran from Jacksonville to Miami and even impacted the west coast of Florida in Tampa, there were some 6.6 million people without power.

They evactuated my office building, men with flashlights came and told us we had to leave and they would assist us down the interior stairwells. The traffic lights weren't working, and the streets were full of honking cars, and gridlock prevailed.

It makes you realize, that we used to live such insulated lives, where we never ever contemplated that there was someone or something out there that would ever dream of threatening the good ole USA. And maybe we're paranoid, but when you realize they used Commercial Airplanes as bombs and flew them into the World Trade Center, its not hard to conceive that cities could be crippled with massive power outages and then who knows!

I for one, don't mind being a bit paranoid if it makes me more aware of my surroundings and a bit more cautious!

Catching up!

2008-02-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

Wow, i've been slacking with the blog, so i'm going to catch up! First, congrats to Lisa and David on the birth of their first son, Adam Logan! Couldn't be happier for them! i've finally settled on a baby gift, but if you are ever looking for a great baby present check out http://www.babybunch.com/.

Now on to my fashion news- i've already given you the news that yellow is the big color for spring. Having walked every square foot of the tradeshows in Vegas i have a few more fashion tidbits, so get your pens ready. First, eyelet is a very important part of your spring and summer wardrobe! Second, be sure to stock up on burn-out and dip dye tees! I found some great new jewelry lines while I was in Vegas and can't wait to sell them on http://www.bdazzledjewels.com/.

The brazilian- so lately i've been fascinated by the topic of brazilian waxing. I've spoken to so many women who have given me their prospective, from painful to a piece of cake, and some who had tips like, bring a tube of neosporin, take a tranquilizer! What intrigues me most is, actually the waxer herself. Now, i don't know what the proper term is, wax lady, aestitican, hmmmmmmmmm. In any event, who would want the job of waxing ladies privates all day long? Is that a calling? Do they compare notes with their co-waxers? UGGGGHHHHH, the price of being a woman!

Some fun things to buy

2008-02-10T15:56:00.000-08:00

So i'm back from the NY show and even i can't believe i'm off again to Vegas for MAGIC to buy for fall. While in NY i found some really great stuff, that while i may not carry at http://www.bdazzledjewels.com/ i just might have to have.

First, on the bus in the city i was enthralled with the conversation of three very waspy looking girls, think, Buffy, Paige and friend. They were dressed in skirts and baubles and heels and jewels. I hate to admit it but as much as i'd like to look super chic at tradeshows, i was wearing jeans and an old navy tee. In any event they gave me the card for their store, http://www.juliska.com/ so if you don't live in Stamford and can't make it to the store check it out!

Next, i fell in love with a line that is decoupaged frames, plates, paperweights etc that can be customized http://www.marye-kelley.com/ everyone needs one of these frames for their fancy beach house!

Baby and pet stuff up the yazoo at the show. Found a few keepers http://www.babybunch.com/ and http://www.babyjar.com/. For pets i loved the cleopetra line of charms for dog tags, check it out at http://www.trixieandpeanut.com/ under accessories and jewelry. I might just bling out my cat Glamour Girl!

I loved http://www.copperewe.com/ they had twig letters that come boxed with any saying you want!

and an old favorite with great personalized items is http://www.lexingtonstudios.com/

About that airplane and the NY Gift Show!

2008-02-06T04:53:00.000-08:00

I know you've been waiting to hear about my trip, just dying to know if HE did in fact sit next to me. First let me tell you, there were so many chances because before i actually made it to NY, i sat on three different planes due to bad weather, mechanical delays and such. The answer is NO! He wasn't there! Not on any flight and to make my odds even better, i was stuck in the middle seat!

The good news is, although exhausted from my trip, i found some great new stuff at the NY Gift show! More news to follow!

Hoping tonight my life will be that movie

2008-02-01T05:33:00.000-08:00

Ok, i'm off tonight on flight 1700 from Ft. Lauderdale to Newark. I'm going to let you in on a little secret. You know all those movies and t.v. shows where the girl gets on the plane and the person who gets on the plane to sit next to her is cute, friendly and ends up marrying her. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE!!! Or maybe it does, and I just have no luck. I don't even need him to be cute! I just want to one day get on a plane and have a guy who is smart and not a senior citizen sit next to me, chat about life, politicis, movies, music and maybe just maybe ask for my phone number. So far, i've gotten, foreign nationals, ladies with young babies on their laps who are constantly touching me, people with really loud iPods or smelly food.

So keep your fingers crossed that maybe tonight will be my lucky flight!

Sing Along all day long!

2008-01-31T18:14:00.000-08:00

I am the internet queen. You want to know about someone or something, i'm your go to girl. I can find property records, divorce decrees, criminal infractions and obscure clothing lines. Every once in awhile my friends surprise me and come up with something i myself just didn't find. I am grateful to those friends, because they keep me grounded.

So i'd like to acknowledge my friend Barbara from http://www.shopbarbara.com/ for 2 great sites.

First, for those of you who love music, try out http://www.pandora.com/ you can create your own music stations, genres etc., and play them all day long. I have hooked everyone in my office, and move from office to office listening to everyone's favorite picks. Sometimes i even sing along,

Second, for the shoppers out there, this is a goodie. http://www.retaildish.com/ wow, talk about down and dirty, you can search by state and find out which of your local stores don't pay for their goods and aren't responsible in their buying! OUCHHHHHHHHHH! No worries, B.Dazzled is not on those bad boy lists!

Etsy!

2008-01-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

My whole world has changed, with just 1 click of my computer. First let me say, i have not a creative bone in my body. in kindergarden, my stick figures had 3 legs and my clouds and trees were never right. I have always envied those who could whip up an invitation, create a scrap-book, sew, (although does anyone sew anymore?). Then it happened! The other day the solution to my problem of having not one ounce of creativity appeared in a flash. I was wondering the web and came across http://www.etsy.com/. Now at first, i admit i stumbled upon it, the way you keep clicking through one link to another and had no idea the magnitude of my find. And then a day later there it was a whole world of creative people who could cut, paste, sew, bead, decoupage, string and were willing to sell me these pre-made goods! I've placed a few orders already, (i'm a bit compulsive when I find something I like)

try it you'll love it!

Its going to be a bright bright sunny spring!

2008-01-11T19:17:00.000-08:00

Back from the spring trade shows in NYC. And here's what i can tell you about what you'll be shopping for this spring. Lots and lots of yellow. From simple cotton tee shirts to Silk dresses and going out tops, Yellow is the color of spring. Follow that purchase with eyelet. Not just white eyelet dresses, but shirts and pants and shorts, Eyelet in bold colors, even eyelet in madras print. Burn-out is back and your choices are plenty for tanks, tops, dresses in every color of the rainbow.

For jewels, you'll be seeing lots and lots of enamel bangle bracelets and bright colored stones.
Engraved disc necklaces are going to be popular too!

I'm happy to report that the weather was like spring this past week, so for a girl like me who lives in Florida, it was no jacket required. But what i quickly realized is, that in order to be a city girl, you must own knee high black boots! Doesn't matter if they are black patenet or suede or leather, stilletto heal or wedge, but the black boot MUST be worn to be considered New York chic!

Third Avenue haunts and fashions predicitions

2008-01-05T14:55:00.000-08:00

So i'm off to NYC on Monday for spring tradeshows. Flying up with the "vice-president" (otherwise known as Mom, or Nadene to those of you who know her). This is the first trip i've taken on spirit airlines http://www.spiritair.com/ . The flight was so cheap, we are hoping there are seats in the plane! We are also staying at Ian Schraeger's Paramount Hotel in NYC, http://www.nycparamount.com/ what a bargain, we got a winter rate of 139.00 a night. Hopefully there are beds in the room and a bathroom. My mom loves to stay in Times Square, not me, i'm an east side girl, through and through. What beats the Third Avenue staying near Bloomies, the original Scoop http://www.scoopnyc.com/ and Citarella http://www.citarella.com/ and gracious home http://www.gracioushome.com/ and kate's paperie http://www.katespaperie.com/ and of course dylan's candy bar wwwdylanscandybar.com ? With such great hotels as The Dylan, The Benjamin, The San Carlos, The Alex and The Sofitel.

But i digress, i won't make it to any of those locations on my quick trip, so here are my fashion predictions for spring. Still going strong on bangle bracelets, but this time in enamel. One of my favorite designers, Rachel Leigh http://www.rachelleighny.com/ is breaking out some fortune cookie necklaces, and i for 1 can't wait to see them. Color, hmmmm they always seem to show yellow for clothes for spring and while it looks fabulous and fresh, i never see it translate to stores when i'm actually shopping in the spring.

Pizza, games, bargains!

2008-01-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

We are in the final days of winter break, and I just knew I had to get out of the house with the kids today for everyone's safety and sanity. Chuck E. Cheese seemed the perfect option. The kids were excited enough, and I was looking forward to having the older one act as the perfect big sister chaperon while I chilled at the table with the book I have been trying to read since October. I am happy to report that everything worked out exactly how I had planned. Imagine that! It must have been my lucky day.

The icing on this cake of a day were the free tokens offers I discovered at the Chuck E. Cheese web site. I absolutely never go to Chuck E. Cheese without a coupon in hand (you shouldn't either!), and I had gone online to print one out. Not only did I find the coupons I was looking for, but I also learned that you can redeem good report cards for tokens! Better still, they have these downloadable "rewards calendars" covering everything from potty training and ending thumb sucking to using good manners and doing homework. Totally genius. Check them out before your next visit to the house of the rat: www.chuckecheese.com/promotions/rewards-calendars.php

After all these Years!

2007-12-27T09:08:00.000-08:00

Anniversaries are hard! What do you get your parents, people who have traveled everywhere, eaten at all the good places? This year i solved that problem with a great gift from www.seekaonline.com A mezzuzah for their new home. I also used this great site for a wedding gift of an ahava tzedekah box.

Now, i have friends, and my partners in crime, who will be married 15 years this January! 15 years! Amazing! So now, what do i get them? While not a foodie, i enjoy a great meal in any city. I'm a huge fan of www.opentable.com, www.menupages.com. I tried to trick my partner in crime and tell her that i had a friend traveling to Dallas for business and needed restaurant suggestions, but just couldn't seem to find anything I loved for them. And then i did what i'm great at, internet browsing! And i found it, my favorite restaurant in Vegas has opened up in Dallas and i'm sending them there for a hip dinner date for their anniversary. Good food, good wine and no little kids! Hopefully, once they go, they'll even post a photo of their dinner date and celebration of 15 years! So here's to you Liz and Adam, the gift certificate is on its way! Enjoy www.n9negroup.com

In search of a better job title

2007-12-26T21:17:00.000-08:00

Most people would call me a stay-at-home mom. I suppose I meet all the necessary criteria. I am the primary caregiver for my two young children. I employ no nanny or even a regular babysitter, and I have no paid employment. So, stay-at-home mom would seem to fit. Except for one thing, I absolutely loathe that expression.

For one thing, I find it to be a highly inaccurate description. Seriously. I spend very few daylight hours actually in my home. Stay-in-the-car mom is more like it. That is where you are most likely to catch me. Either driving to school, waiting in carpool, running an errand, etc. Hmmm errands. How about back-at-Target mom? Not crazy about that either.

Another good one people like to use is full-time mom. As if there was such a thing as a part-time mom.

Out with the Old!

2007-12-25T14:08:00.001-08:00

So, it's that time of year, we purge our lives and our closets and make a list of all the things we want to do next year and all the things we no longer want to do. It's Christmas day and i've been home fighting a cold for three days. In anticipation of a friend from college making her annual New Years Eve trip to visit, i've spent the last three days PURGING! It 's hard enough purging my personal clutter but now i have to purge the clutter of www.bdazzledjewels.com. I swear i've dumped at least 27 bags of garbage and I only live in a 2 bedroom condo. So, my first resolution for next year is to buy less stuff. Less stuff for myself and less junk to sell! I really do believe that saying, "Less is More," now if i can only put it into practice.

I envy the women who always look like a million bucks, I have a friend like that. No matter what she wears, she looks perfect for the occasion. ARRRRGGGGHHHHH, she picks me up to go shopping and i look like a rag and she looks ever so perfect without the least bit of effort. I pick her up for thursday night girls dinner, i'm disheveled from a long day of work and she is in the perfect girls night out chic outfit. Even her closets are perfect thanks to www.closetmaid.com. Never will i be that organized and perfectly ready for every event!

But i can try!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas

2007-12-23T18:24:00.000-08:00

Here in sunny south florida, it hardly looks like Christmas. Just yesterday i went to the grocery store and it was sunny, 80's and the people sitting outside collecting money for the less fortunate were wearing shorts and a tank top. I miss Christmas with snow and hot chocolate. Luckily for me, I'm heading up to NYC the first week in January for the spring tradeshows, so i'll get my taste of cold air, hot apple cider and slushy new york sidewalks. This trip to NYC will include dinner at BLT Steak www.bltsteak.com, a stop on broadway to see Young Frankenstein www.youngfranensteinthemusical.com and a stay at Ian Schraeger's Paramount Hotel www.nycparamount.com. I'm partial to a few other hotels, but rates are SKY HIGH this winter.

As my partner in crime on this blog likes to point out, I am not the creative writer of this dynamic duo. Bear with me, while perhaps not as creative, i certainly will let you know the hot spots to visit when you travel, the up and coming shops, designers, website and clothes to wear. I might even throw in a story or two about the trials and tribulations of being single in miami.

Stay tuned, this blog will be full of fashion and fun tips, and most importantly, Just to Mention It will be real!

Welcome!

2007-12-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

Gosh, can you believe it's almost 2008?! As the new year starts, I am starting some new things as well, namely this blog, which my great friend Robin and I will be writing together.

Robin and I were friends in college, but then lost touch only to reconnect many years later at the wedding of a mutual friend. It was as if no time had passed at all, and we were able to instantly pick up where we left off. Don't you just love friendships like that? That was almost 8 years ago, and we have been in pretty much constant contact since them. And although we live half-way across the country from each other, I consider Robin one of my closest friends.

Our renewed friendship also led to the creation of www.bdazzledjewels.com. A fun little online boutique that combines Robin's fashion savvy, my knack for writing and my husband's mad web skills. If you are interested in checking out the store, now is a really good time because we have just discounted a lot of great pieces.

Do you have friends you have lost touch with? I have been reconnecting with so many people from my past lately at places like Facebook and Linked In. It is great fun, but unfortunately, I think I have been spending a little too much time on the computer at the expense of household chores. My New Year's cards are still waiting to be addressed and mailed.

With that said, I think I need to unplug for a little bit now and attend to other issues. So, Good Bye for now and best wishes to you for the New Year.