camille

I am addicted to this girl's blog. We really have zero in common besides the fact I can only WISH I had her legs but I find her so intriguing...so hip and cool.
Her name is Camille, she posts as childhood flames, and basically the blog is about what she wears that day. Or, what she wants to wear or who she wants to look like fashion wise or what she wants to buy.
Her profile states "...fashion and life belonging to a teenage girl stuck in suburbia."
Teenager?!
I'm hoping it's the latter part of the teens and not a thirteen year old with that much attitude.

I can remember at college when my sorority sisters and I would party at "Gin Mill" where the beer was flowing, disco was playing, and people were singing and dancing like drunken fools.

Every once in a while we would travel to another bar, "The Pace" but it was like a foreign land...the intellectual, mysterious crowd gathered to discuss the meaning of life, in dreamlike clothing with a style all their own, drinking red wine or scotch, listening to obscure bands I had never heard of and totally engrossed in conversation.
I think if I traveled back in time to The Pace today Camille would be there.
Although in reality I do realize that if I did revisit The Pace it would probably be just another bar in another college town and Camille just another teenager. But, I would still wish I had her legs.

You've seen it all over the internet by now-the Miley Cyrus photos in Vanity Fair.

You could easily say that "it's not that big of a deal" or "I've seen more skin on youtube or music videos" and you'd be right...but; is this how we really want our young women to be portrayed ?

And the truth is...the more you see the more apathetic you become with images such as the Miley/Leibovitz photo. Vanity Fair's website stated that all involved approved the images of the topless Cyrus claiming them "artfully done."

I scratch my head thinking that if I had the opportunity to work with a well recognized photographer such as Ms. Leibovitz at such a young age I would have wanted to do something powerful and to make a statement about my future. Or, is this the intention with this photo?

Such a tart

Congratulations go to good friend, Nicole , who expanded her bread and bakery business, Pangaea. She had a grand opening party with tasty tidbits and treats from her new line up, wine, and lots of friends offering their best wishes. Enjoy!

"Carrie-d" away

Wore this silk peony on a black vest over a graphic tee with jeans and you would have thought I was wearing a ball gown to the office.
Finally, it was a relief when one person said "hey, did you know the movie is coming out at the end of May?" and I thought....atleast someone gets it. I wasn't having a flashback of going to Homecoming in senior year of high school...it was a Carrie-wannabe moment.

Rice is nice

Sam’s Club, Costco limit bulk rice purchases
The limits affect 20-lb bags, not retail-sized portions

it will limit customers to four bags at a time of imported jasmine, basmati and long grain white rice.

my first thought was...who buys that much frickin rice at one time? And then...who eats white rice anymore? Isn't brown rice a more healthy alternative?

show me the money

Geez, life was a lot better and much more fun without this whole "recession" thing going on...

I mean...what happened people? We were having so much fun and throw in the frenzy with buying homes, building homes, land, clothing, trips, designer bags..and then...boom! or should I say BUST? Whassup with this?

And yes, I am one that will blame the media for all of this...I mean, why bring up a problem at all if we're all enjoying ourselves and spending freely and improving the economy? Why not just let us all enjoy the ride?

Yes, yes, life is in cycles but I, for one, think it was a much more enjoyable cycle when money was flowing like honey.

it was early....

True story. I'm enjoying my coffee on Saturday morning and relishing in the fact I don't have to get dressed for work while VH1/Top 20 is background on the television. I hear the girl announcer say something about "Duffy" and (here it comes...the stupid part) I'm thinking that Hilary Duff has come up with a new moniker for her singing career...color me clueless...BUT color me "in the know" now that I realize who this hot singing voice really belongs to.

when television enters real life

When I start having dreams about what Andrew Lloyd Weber song Carly should sing on American Idol (and by the way...my dream was "Memory"from "Cats" ...too perfect for her) and my husband has a dream that Steven Van Zandt, aka Silvio Dante of The Sopranos, is a home inspector in one of the custom homes he has built...I'm thinking that's the sign that we have been watching WAY too much reality television and Netflix in one week. God help us.

I love the things you can find and create on Etsy. Everyone I have ever worked with on the site is always more than helpful; they have great prices and creative designs ; and I love the idea that you are purchasing directly from the artist.
These are notecards for "audrey" from People St. Clair and come in a few other colors, other styles, and arrived in wonderful packaging ready for gift giving. Thanks Natasha!

I don't get this

I don't get this...it's not funny to me...it's not real life to me. If I were watching all this happen to a friend's car, a co-worker's car, a car I had no idea who it belonged to--I would be freaking out, yelling, telling anyone else in shouting distance to come and see what was happening. I don't get this.
I also detest the VW commercial with the horn blowing. I don't get that one either. Is the car sold and the sales people honk the horn for fun at potential customers to keep them away from the car? Do they think that potential customers will be amazed with a horn on a car? If the car is not sold...why honk the horn? Why do they want to confuse this couple? I don't get it.

new skin

When I was growing up in my teens into my twenties and then my thirties I really didn't like the type of skin I was born with. I've got Italian bloodlines with a healthy pinch of English ancestors in the mix. My skin was basically clear but it had (what seemed to me) an ever present "glow". I was constantly blotting and from the humid Midwest in my teens to Arizona summers where I live now I felt as though I would never have that effortless, matte, calm and cool complexion that I coveted on other women.

I'm in my forties and I get it now. I feel blessed to have this combination skin...especially living in the dry southwest. Virtually no wrinkles...no "marionette" lines...and I'm now enjoying that "calm and cool" look that I had always envied. Thanks to my dermatologist for always telling me that "one day you'll appreciate it."

Recently I found a great skincare line (at least for me) that is FABULOUS and you don't have to dig too deep in your pockets to enjoy. By Patricia Wexler available at Bath and Body Works. To be perfectly honest I had never been in one of those stores until I researched Wexler products and discovered that's where she sells...and a hearty thank you to Dr. Wexler for that as well. She could have chosen Nordstrom, Neimans, Saks and we would have had to pay double....cha ching.

My favorite is MMPi.20™ Skin Regenerating Serum ...sort of like a pink jello that slides on like velvet. Hope you find your new skin or enjoy the one you're in.

good day

How can you have a bad day when you see this face? Just too adorable.

feels so good

I had a massage today and so tonight I can confidently say that "Yes! I DO have a neck!" It's hard to believe that at one time in my life the thought of a massage totally freaked me out. I was a massage virgin.

It wasn't just the lying naked on a bed while someone else who I had just been introduced to started rubbing my body although that did give me the willies. Truth be told it was the guilt factor. How could this person allow me to have such relaxation while they did the work. Yes, they would be paid for their services but it just made me feel bad for them. Then, one day, I realized (after my massage therapist explained) that massage therapists actually get massages from other people as well...snip,cut, I was free from guilt.

The first time was intimidating yet intriguing, frightening but full of wonder...I was lucky to have a very gentle, sensitive, and kind massage therapist. She totally walked me through it and allowed me all the privacy I needed during our first hour session. I was hooked. I became a massage-o-maniac...I started booking massages twice a month and loved it.

Now, once a month massages are good. Enough but not too much and lets me look forward to the next....can hardly wait till next month.

flat belly

This actually seems to work...and it's all good and good for you. Here's the drive through/get it quick version: Oils, Dark Chocolate, Avocados, Olives, Nuts and Seeds, . Why? They're packed with monounsaturated fatty acids (also known as MUFAs, pronounced MOO-fahs), those good-for-you fats that protect you from chronic disease and, according to new research, can help you lose fat, specifically around your middle. Eating one serving of any of these foods at every meal will help reduce your accumulation of dangerous belly fat; control your calorie intake and you'll lose inches and pounds, too--especially around your waistline. Curious? Intrigued? Go to Prevention.com and let them fill in the blanks.

spring has sprung

In our little world one never knows if it is truly spring until a day like today. There was many an Easter my daughter, Audrey, would have to be schlepping her winter coat on top of a sleeveless Easter dress and we've even had snow on Mother's day...you just never know.

But, there have been signs and we've been paying attention. My husband has been tending to the atrium and welcoming all the plants in our "secret garden"who come back year after year; the honeysuckle framing the window; I planted basil today and it looks like sweet Zoe is ready for a spring cleaning

I was picked up!

Now, don't get the wrong idea...The Cupcakes Club book series was picked up by a very popular blog called Cupcakes Take The Cake. Thanks so much to Rachel, Allison, and Nichelle.

that darn cat

Yes, those little chip-munks are cute. But not so cute when the cat brings them in on a daily basis and enjoys watching you run around like a maniac with gloves and a net in hand to try to capture her offering. That darn cat.

Time

What age is it when a late night phone call meant a good time was going on and someone is thinking of you changed into "it's after
10PM and someone is calling so something must be wrong?!"

Can I have your autograph?

The Cupcakes Club was the book choice and I was the invited author to the newly created mother/daughter bookclub in my town. The girls wore their favorite sports uniform because the first book is about one of The Cupcakes trying out for a soccer team. It was fun-- although a little awkward when they voted on if they all enjoyed the book and would read another title by the author--yikes! And yes, they did and they would (these girls have good manners!)
The best part of the day was when one of the girls told her mom that she was expecting someone really old to be the author and she was surprised to see me :) sunscreen, girls, sunscreen.

summer legs

Hooray for science and my Scottsdale cosmetic dermatologist! I just had my legs "touched up" and although I'm in my mannequin legs support hose for the next three days I'm looking forward to summer with bare legs.
There were YEARS where I would dread summer because of the street map of blue spider veins on my legs. I would always tell other women, "Anything you can do, I can do better" in regards to what their "problem" area was...it was bad.
Now, with injections and a slathering on of Jergens Natural Glow I'm a summertime and the living is easy kind of girl.

cupcakes anyone?

My first publicity article and I'm feeling a little bit like Charlotte/Sex and the City in regards to her wedding picture in The New York Times. I'm not sure what it was (and thankfully it disappeared on the hard copies) but I wasn't eating popsicles that day nor did I put my lipstick on in a dark closet...
Enjoy the memories:
It’s here!
Not just her wedding day, but The New York Times.
Oh, my God! I have a moustache.
it’s an ink stain. But look at me. Now, that is a terrific smile.
This is a nightmare!
it’s probably just our paper. Anyway, who cares?We’re getting married today!
I look like Hitler!I’m having a Jewish wedding and I look like Hitler!
Hello?In your paper do I have a moustache?What?in your wedding section, does it look like I have a moustache?
Hang on a minute.As I feared, my fling had become a pain in the neck.You do not look like Hitler.Frito Bandito, maybe.The bad luck is starting already.Yeah.There’s a little something…but maybe it’s just my paper.And your paper.