The perfect pair

Last year we started what has become a tradition in which we celebrate the 12 days leading up to Christmas by exchanging a stocking stuffer a day. It's fun and brews excitement for the big "C", and who doesn't like to open presents!?!

I went above and beyond the call of duty last year. Not only did I create a scavenger hunt for each stocking stuffer by providing clues to each gift's hiding spot, I coordinated that particular day within the 12 days with the gift. For instance, on the second day of Christmas Hal got a pair of French hens. Just kidding. He got a pair of boxers though. Instead of 11 pipers piping, I gave him 11 scratch off tickets. You get the drift. As fun as it was to be creative with both the gifts and the clues, it was a bit exhausting coordinating it all.

This year, the holidays seemed to arrive all too quickly and I have been feeling a bit rushed. We're still doing our 12 days, and yes, it's still a scavenger hunt but Hal's lucky to be getting even one gift a day as I'm feeling supremely disorganized. Hal claims to be without the creative mind to create a scavenger hunt for me but he did manage to create a really nice surprise for our first day of Christmas. I received the following email at work on Monday:

On you first day of Christmas when you arrive home this evening come in and find the flashlight on the shelf next to the tree. Try not to move it but turn it on. The light should point to the first part of today’s joy and merriment. As you’re looking on with X-Mas joy try to take in the whole scene and maybe you’ll find the second half of your surprise.

It was a clue! To say I was excited and intrigued is an understatement. When I got home that evening, I went to the strategically placed flashlight and clicked it on to find it shining on one of the cutest ornaments we've ever had.

The bride and groom marshmallows are actually sitting atop a piece of chocolate and a graham cracker, the makings of a s'more! Not only is this ornament perfect because it's our first Christmas married, but I had introduced Hal to his first s'more ever. I hugged him with sheer delight because how often does a single gift encompass so much sentimentality.

Then Hal mentioned that this ornament felt incomplete and I should continue looking to find the "missing piece" to our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. And there they were!

I have to admit, I look at Hal like that quite often. He's so sweet and thoughtful, he's simply irresistible. Our holidays were off to a good start. And with these two additions, our tree is finally complete.

Happy Holidays!

Obvi

I realized after reading over my last post that I really stated the obvious with the captions but I guess that's my way of gushing...

Little creatures

I found these adorable crocheted items by Sabahnur on her Etsy store. I'm really trying to avoid accumulating chachkis but these are so sweet looking and I want them all.

Hootie hoot, I'm cute!

It's a tiny hedgehog

A lovebird with a huge heart

A festive chick

There are a lot more crocheted creatures that just personify cuteness. They just make me smile every time I look at them.

All photos compliments of Sabahnur.

Lights, Camera, Christmas!

This past Sunday we bought out Christmas tree! It stands over 7 feet tall and has sturdy branches - perfect for hanging lots of ornaments. It's our fourth tree together but our first one as newlyweds so it feels a bit more special this year.

Getting ready to put the lights on as
Miss Kitty (looking quite possessed) stands guard.

Rascal, looking equally possessed, decides to take a more stealthy position. I even saved this photo as "satan kitty"

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I even bought us a new tree skirt to commemorate
our first Christmas as a married couple.

"Fun"ctional gifts

I've been doing some research online for this year's gift giving season and came across some items that put the "fun" in "functional" (wow, I really did write that didn't I). These would be great gift ideas for a certain husband that may or may not be seeking assistance while he's looking for Christmas gifts...I'm just saying...

I'm not always good at hiding what I feel as it tends to get written all over my face. So I figured why not wear what I feel too. I LOVE BBQ! And thanks to this cute shirt from CafePress, I can tell everyone.

I actually think these insulated mugs from West Elm are pretty cute. A lid to keep the heat in but a silicone band to keep from burning myself - how practical! Plus, the reindeer looks a bit like a funny little character raising its arms and cheering. And why shouldn't it cheer, it's so darn adorable.

I guess this one is for the kid in me who also likes to create pretty things but is not always motivated to do so. This fun coloring book from Amazon looks like just the cure for those days I'm feeling artistically inclined but not creatively inspired.

One of the best gifts I could receive is feeling organized. I realize a feeling is hard to wrap up and stick under the tree so I'll stick to the tools that help me feel organized, and the prettier the better. I usually keep all appointments in my iPhone as well as on a wall calendar in my office but I never turn down just one more way of keeping my life in check. Kate Spade seems to have the answer with this cute desktop calendar. In addition to the usual form and function of a calendar like this, there are also 12-months of spirited suggestions designed to surprise, delight and inspire. I wouldn't mind being surprised, delighted and inspired in 2011, especially if I don't get that coloring book.

My little helper

I’m in the midst of the laborious task of writing the thank you notes, the ones from Hal and me. And yet I’m the one crafting what to say, writing them out, addressing the envelopes, stuffing and stamping them. But there’s no “I” in team, right, and Hal and I are now a team. So last night I asked my teammate for help.

Task 1: Seal the envelopes, please

After 6 of them were completed…

Hal: I’m done with the envelope sealing.

Jenn: What do you mean? There are more to go.

Hal: I just gave myself a paper cut from licking them.

Oye.


Task 2: Place return address labels on them, please

Jenn: On second thought, maybe I should do this.

Hal: Why?

Jenn: Last time I asked you to put stamps on for me, they were kind of crooked.

Hal: Well how would you like them then?

Jenn: Straight!

Nevertheless, Hal took on the task and was doing a fine job. I had forgotten that I had placed half the envelopes upside down so that the pile would sit evenly. My bad.

Hal: Whoa, whoa, what are you doing to me?

Jenn: What do you mean?

He pointed an accusing finger at the upside down envelope.

Hal: You can’t throw me off like this. If I hadn’t noticed this, it could’ve been disastrous!

Oh boy.

It was a good effort but maybe these tasks were too much for my teammate. I mean, after he was done he did settle back onto the couch looking rather exhausted. I have a feeling that for the next round the team is going to consist of me, myself and I. This way all potential disasters are avoided and there are no injuries on the job.

PS, Hal was still nursing the paper cut on his lip this morning...

Last licks

When Hal and I returned from our honeymoon it was already the beginning of November, way past peak leaf-peeping time. But we've managed to soak in what's left of autumn with a couple of local nature hikes. The colors are still somewhat vibrant allowing me to enjoy the last looks of my favorite season.

Hook Mountain hike

Hal looking very seasonable during our walk around Talman Park

Honeymoon

So with nearly 3,000 photos to go through from our honeymoon, where to start is a daunting question. Hal didn't even have his camera in Athens and he still managed to take more pictures than I did. If you look at most of our photos, they're mainly scenic shots. But we managed to get in a few if only to prove we visited these places together...

In Cannes, France overlooking this very exclusive resort city that is also home to the best (and only) French macarons we've ever had .

View from the Ponte Vecchio. A rainy day in Florence made for an adventure in staying dry and trying to keep the rain out of our eyes as we looked at Il Duomo and the Piazza Signora.

Yes, that's the Parthenon in the background. What you can't see is how terrible Hal is feeling thanks to some food poisoning the night before. He was such a determined trooper though, managing to tour the Acropolis and Cape Sounion without a bathroom close by.

The ruins of Ephesus were all around us at one of our favorite stops during the honeymoon. The restoration work was just so impressive. We look like such tourists.

Ah, Santorini. The reality of this place lives up to every image and picture you've seen of it. It feels like a wonderful escape when you're surrounded by such a beautiful and picturesque landscape of azure water.



Somehow we forgot to take a photo together during our tour of Herculaneum in Naples so I had to improvise. Herculaneum, a town also affected when Mt. Vesuvius erupted was like a huge playground for us where we could wander freely amongst most of the ruins, much of which was remarkably preserved by the mud and ash that had settled there. This is a mosaic that was still very much intact.



And one more photo just to prove we actually did take a cruise and spent some time on the ship.

Reality bites

A reminder that not long ago all I had to worry about was my camera running out of battery life.

View from the Acropolis overlooking Athens

Kudos to the husband

I just have to give props to my husband for being so resourceful. In trying to determine if our suitcases were over the 50lb weight limit, Hal realized that we could weigh them on our Wii fitness board.

The suitcase had a BMI of 7.18. Glad we're doing something useful with the Wii.

And now we're off on our honeymoon adventure!! xoxo

The excitement is brewing

Soon we'll be sailing to far off lands where adventure awaits us - the history will be ancient, the food will be scrumptious and indulgence will be required.

And once I get through this whole packing thing, the excitement will be overflowing!

When it comes to apples, I welcome the low hanging fruit

Last Sunday, we went on our annual apple picking outing - our first time as a married couple (yeah, those "first's" haven't gotten old just yet) - and we easily picked an entire bag's worth. Even though most of the apples were low hanging, Hal still got the picking pole since that really is his favorite part of this experience. The trees were filled with Macintosh and Red Delicious and I was in my glory.

The branches appeared so laden with apples they reminded me of bunches of grapes.

Hal using his picking pole.

A happy Hal gets the goods.

And as usual, I find myself reaching for all the good ones.
They were worth the stretch.

One week and a day

That's how long we've been married, but who's keeping track.

Our first week off from wedding planning was a shot back into reality. Your coworkers may be happy for you but the work itself doesn’t care about recent milestones reached nor does it stop to let you bask in wedded bliss. So we’ve had to steal those moments for ourselves.

Since the wedding, Hal and I have been eating pieces of the 8” round version of our wedding cake the bakery gave us to enjoy. I think we’re supposed to freeze it and eat it on our one year anniversary, but the idea of defrosted wedding cake didn’t appeal to either of us so we’ve been indulging ever since. We’ve actually gone so far as to slice pieces together as if we’re at our cake-cutting ceremony all over again. Admittedly, I get a kick out of it every time.

On Friday we received our marriage license in the mail. We were so excited. Hal was the first to see the envelope and called me immediately because he knew whatever my mood, this was going to make it even better. It kind of felt like our officiant was pronouncing us husband and wife all over again.

Most of the time, the every day is very similar to pre-married life but those moments when we’re reminded that we’ve just celebrated a life-changing milestone are surreal in a refreshing, almost exhilarating way. The other day, Hal realized that he didn’t even feel his wedding band, he’d gotten so used to it already. He was really excited about that, which didn’t surprise me since it’s always the little things that make us so happy. I went out Saturday night to pick up pizza and almost became giddy when I got to tell the pizza guy that my husband was being really indecisive about what he wanted.

They say don’t sweat the small stuff but there’s nothing wrong with appreciating the small moments.

Dum dum dee dum

19 days to go...

Last week I was exhilerated becuase it was wedding month and now I'm like oh my crap, it's wedding month and I've got less than three weeks left. I’m really trying to enjoy the million and three things that still need to get accomplished and not stress too much since I know I’ll miss this once the big day has come and gone. It's all about taking deep breaths. Hal’s just hoping I’ll stop watching bridal shows after the wedding. I'm not making any promises.

Friday we went for our marriage license. I must have looked like a kid on Christmas, I was just so excited. The woman at the town clerk's office was supremely nice, and when she turned to Hal and asked him, "Is this your first and last marriage?", he didn't even bat an eye as he confidently said, "yes". "Wow," she said as she looked at me, "He didn't even hesitate. He's a keeper!" Yes he is!!!

The process took less than fifteen minutes and we were handed a paper that would legally bind us as husband and wife, with the help of our officiant of course. I was so happy I could've skipped to the car when we were done but I was holding Hal's hand and he's not a skipper. Standing in the middle of the hallway, Hal and I looked at each other, smiled and realized this is real. We're going to be Mr. and Mrs. very soon.

As the big day gets closer, the wedding bells in my head get louder and louder. I just can't wait!

Ahh, domestic bliss..

I walked into the kitchen last night to find our dinner dishes washed and the kitchen looking clean, almost.

Jenn: Thanks for washing the dishes!

Hal: You’re welcome!

Jenn: Hal, why is the coleslaw still sitting out?

Hal: What?

Jenn: Why didn’t you put the coleslaw away?

Hal: I didn’t want you to feel left out of the cleaning up process.

If you believe that, then I've got a bridge to sell you.

It's really not just a look

Even though Hal often, and quite literally, tells me how much he loves his little Asian fiancee, sometimes I wonder if he forgets that Asian is a race and not a look. I'm so Americanized that I think I forget too sometimes. However,I'm often reminded when other Asians come up to me hopefully, asking if I'm Chinese (yes, this does actually happen). When I tell them I'm Korean, they optimistically ask, you speak? When I tell them I don't speak Korean, it feels like I've just told a kid there's no Santa. They look so damned disappointed!

It's nice to think that those who know me and love me become "colorblind" to my ethnicity and don't apply stereotypical expectations. For the record, I'm not a math whiz, I don't worship Hello Kitty and I hate karaoke. And if I ever tried to dress like a Harajuku girl, I'm fairly certain Hal wouldn't let me come home. But that doesn't mean that the rest of the world wears blinders, and I need to remember that.

Anyway, I digress. Here's one of our after-midnight conversations where I have to remind Hal (and myself) that not everyone likes a tiny, cute Asian.

Hal: Would you rather live next to a white supremacist or a Hasidic Jew?

Jenn: Hasidic Jew.

Hal: Why?

Jenn: At least a Hasidic Jew would leave me alone.

Hal: What do you mean?

Jenn: (pause) Have you forgotten what I look like, and that I'm Asian? I don't think the supremacists like my kind.

Hal: Oh. Right. Well you're very white on the inside.

Jenn: I don't think they care about my insides. I'd rather not have a cross burning on my front lawn every night. It's not good for the grass.

Hal: Good point.

and Good Night...

Why?

I owe Hal an apology. I inaccurately described the shirt in my last post as having flames along the bottom but alas it only has them on the sleeves.

Still, you look at it and you have to ask yourself, why?

When you can't burn the shirt, "burn" the shirt wearer

For his groomsmen’s gifts, Hal’s thinking of getting the guys Hawaiian shirts. It’s so apropos that the second he suggested it I thought it was a fantastic idea. Yes, that is my fiance’s signature style, the (crazy) Hawaiian shirt. I don’t mind them to be honest and to a practical extent, I could see the appeal. They’re extremely soft, meant to be a little baggy and very comfortable. In comparison to some I’ve seen, Hal’s shirts are not too wild and crazy; they don’t burn my eyes or give me a headache when looking at them, and they’re worn infrequently which helps. Hal recalls getting most of his collection at Kohls actually (I don’t remember Kohls looking like a tiki hut surrounded by white sand on the island of Maui, but who cares about authenticity). But alas these are not part of their 2010 summer line.

So we started looking online for Hawaiian shirts since apparently that’s not the popular style to carry in any store that’s not called Tommy Bahama. And while Tommy Bahama may smell like Hawaii, sunscreen and mai tais exploded in it, their shirts seem exorbitantly overpriced for a style that is so clearly not everyday wear.

Hal wasn’t liking anything we saw on the Internet. It got the point where he seemed to be arguing with alohashirts.com.

Hal: These shirts are supposed to tell a story! And the front is supposed to be one flowing image when it’s buttoned, not broken up like this. And what does the back look like on these shirts?! The back is supposed to have a design too! Let me show you.

Hal dragged me to his closet and started pulling out shirts from the larger than expected collection, starting with a white shirt with a rather subtle Hawaiian pattern running along the bottom of it and on the sleeves.

Hal: This is my first shirt. Someone gave this one to me. See how faded it is.

There was a glint of pride in his eyes at this moment. And I crushed it.

Jenn: Babe, it's not faded. I think it’s inside out.

Hal: Oh.

The showcase kinda went downhill from there.

Hal pulled out a much more colorful shirt with blue skies, green palms, maybe a beach and some waves, and then on the back there was a 50’s style pinup girl lounging in a martini glass surrounded by bubbles. (I recognize that visuals would help here but I didn’t have the energy to take pictures)

Hal: See what I mean, these shirts tell a story.

Jenn: What story does this tell?

Hal: It’s a woman in a martini glass. Women and martinis, these are good things don’t you think?

Jenn: I think you don’t know the definition of a story.

Burn number 2 from the future Mrs. Skelley.

After looking at most of the collection, Hal suddenly got very excited upon realizing that he still had one of his all time favorite shirts tucked in the back of his closet (for good reason!!!!). So excited he put it on.

This is not a Hawaiian shirt. This is not an acceptable shirt to be worn in public. And it does warrant a photo so one will be posted tomorrow, but I’ll do my best to paint the picture now. It’s a black button down, possibly velour; it’s soft like curtains you might find in a bordello. It has red and orange flames on it, coming up from the bottom with a matching set along the sleeves. The shirt used to be worn with matching orange pants. I know, yikes! We’re not done yet. Accompanying the shirt on the hanger is a vinyl, faux leather jacket with what looks to be a permanently popped collar. There are matching pants to this jacket as well but I was told that they had to be thrown out since they got “stuck” to something. Like how you can get stuck to vinyl booths at a diner?

With the shirt and the jacket on, Hal posed while I looked on with mild amusement.

Hal: See, I look like…I look like…

Jenn: You look like True Blood meets Euro trash!

Final burn. End scene

Not for forever stamps

When Hal offered to pick up stamps for me I thought, how sweet of him. Not sure why I was expecting the Forever stamps but I was a little surprised when I found these waiting for me...

Jenn: (literally looking perplexed) What are these?

Hal: The stamps you asked for.

Jenn: Oh. Why did you get these?

Hal: Why did I get the stamps you asked for? Because you asked for them.

Jenn: Why didn't you get the forever stamps?

Hal: What are forever stamps? You didn't tell me there were specific ones!

Jenn: But why did you choose these?

Hal: Why not? (he's starts to look a bit defeated)

I could hear my own voice echoing in my head...he tries to do a nice thing and this is what he gets

Jenn: It's okay. I love them!

Despite the fact that they take up one fourth of a notecard envelope, they're starting to grow on me...

Let them eat cake!

And we will. After this past weekend, we now have a pretty and delicious cake to serve to our wedding guests as well as an officiant to make it a wedding and not just a really expensive party.

The Officiant
As his closing to all of his emails, our officiant writes “All Ways, Rev Stuart”. The “All Ways” refers to his open-mindedness and willingness to perform pretty much any type of ceremony. Rev Stuart is his name and marrying peeps is his game. Don’t worry, I made up that line; it’s not part of his shtick. Upon meeting him, both Hal and I got a good feeling about him instantly. The Rev is down to earth, all about the love and the commitment of marriage, and easy to talk to. He’s also a jazz musician and I have this feeling he may carry around a comedy routine tucked in his back pocket just in case. In case of what? Who knows but he strikes me as the type who’s ready to entertain at a moment’s notice. He brought to the table some unique ideas that we could integrate into the ceremony to make it special and our own, which I appreciated. As we were leaving, I jokingly commented that now that we have an officiant, Hal has to marry me. The Rev laughed and said, “You bet he will if I have anything to say about it!” I think I like the Rev more and more.

The Cake
Initially, we considered going with something more exotic and by exotic I mean red velvet cake or something with chocolate mousse. We had the opportunity to try out three different cakes and fillings and we were pleasantly surprised to find that the yellow cake with strawberries, vanilla custard and butter cream was delicious. It’s considered a “basic” cake but why mess with a good thing. Then we had the design to consider. I asked for Hal's opinion on the cake design and even though he feigns disinterest, he certainly knows what he likes and doesn't like. Hal and I have differing tastes, and the cake design evidenced this once again. I liked the smooth look of fondant with a very simple but contemporary cluster of flowers toward the top tier. It looked very clean. Hal preferred the grapes cascading down the length of the tiers, and buttercream. In the end, we compromised and found a middle ground with a nice balance of buttercream and flowers and no grapes. I'm happy. He's happy I'm happy. And with the extra 6" cake they provide the bride and groom on the side, we can have our cake and eat it too!

68 days and counting

With 68 days to go, we are definitely in wedding mode. This Saturday alone we’re meeting with our officiant for the first time, doing the cake tasting (yum) and trying out a potential restaurant for the rehearsal dinner.

Yesterday we met with our DJ, David, for the first time since booking him. We chose him because we appreciated his passion for DJ-ing and he brings an immense enthusiasm to the wedding process. I think he truly loves weddings, and couples and all things DJ related. He loves the love story.

David’s also very meticulous and detail-oriented, which is what he asks of his couples to some extent. I don’t mind this one bit. He’s essentially in charge of the flow of the event so he really should know what’s happening and when, and who’s involved. Makes sense. He also prides himself on being an energetic Master of Ceremony, an entertainer if you will. While I truly think this is a good thing, it worries me at times. My image of the entertaining MC is the corny, in-your-face guy at the Bar Mitvah with a firm grasp on the microphone and sweat beads dripping down his face from being in the spotlight so long. Not exactly subtle. There’s creating a sense of fun energy (good thing,) and then there’s creating nervous, awkward energy (bad thing). Obviously I’m hoping he comes from a school of fun energy, and so far it appears that way, thankfully.

At one point we discussed contingencies for if there’s a lull during the evening. I fear this possibility, when small talk dies down and all you hear are forks hitting the plates, so I’m certainly open to his ideas. One of his go-to solutions, however, is a game with the table centerpiece as the prize. All he had to say was “game” and I’m cringing inside, and probably outside too since my poker face is nonexistent. I squeeze Hal’s leg, better than choking David before he can continue. He proceeds to run through the scenario which involves dollar bills, knowing your right from your left, and somewhere along the way he claims hilarity ensues. Hal nods his head the entire time and I can’t quite tell if it’s an automatic response or if he actually thinks it’s a good idea. Even when Hal says, “I like that,” I hope he’s just being polite.

David recognizes my lack of enthusiasm over this insertion of “fun” into the wedding day and quickly emphasizes that it’s just an option, just an idea, and not at all a reality. I think the dollar game is out along with that round of musical chairs (which is never actually suggested but I was bracing myself for it). Other forms of entertainment are suggested which leave a better taste in my mouth and I end up having much to digest from this meeting.

All in all, we were productive, more than enthusiastic, and excited to check another thing off the list, always knowing that with every task completed, it brings us closer to the big day!

Summatime

Sometimes you just see something that personifies summer. I think this does it!

How mouthwateringly beautiful does this look?!? The green stuff is a basil granita. And it's so neatly packaged. To make your own delicious summer creation, go here for the recipe.

Welcome to Mee-am-mee

I actually wrote this on a piece of paper (I know, who uses paper anymore?) in the Miami airport while waiting for my flight back to NY.

It seems weird to be writing about my trip and first impression of Miami as I’m sitting at the airport getting ready to leave. The flight to Mee-am-mee, as the locals say it, was uneventful despite intermittent bumpiness and the woman who kept kicking my seat. Past the age of five, the seat kicking thing is unacceptable as the dirty look I tossed her way expressed, ineffectively I must admit.

While still sitting on the Newark tarmac, I noticed three very tan, metrosexual guys boarding the plane with their perfectly coiffed, flammable hair and their shiny Ray-Ban sunglasses that glistened like the rest of them. Dressed in fitted jeans with brightly colored polos that popped against their bronzed skin, they didn’t look over the top which is why I assumed they were not of the Jersey contingency. They were clearly headed home to South Beach, which is exactly when I realized that I dressed like Morticia Addams on a casual day was not going to fit into the SoBe lifestyle.

First impressions…Miami is hot, from the weather to the beautiful people that bare it all, it’s a steamy city. I was sent down to South Beach on business and while I was actually resistant to going, I’m glad I finally got to see a snap shot of this very distinct cultural mecca, strewn with art deco. As I assumed, Miami has a heavily infused Latin flavor, but there’s also a clear European influence where they make a life of leisure look incredibly chic. And the people are confident, in a nutshell. From the bare-chested homeless man playing on his bongos while showing off his toothless grin to passersby, to the women walking around in their bikinis down in the shopping district, relying solely on the humidity to keep their bathing suits glued to their bodies, the people in Miami are comfortable in their skin. And even though there were some you wished had chosen a cover up before stepping out that day, that kind of confidence is admirable.

Miami is a sensory experience, much like NYC, but what your senses pick up sound, smell and feel completely different. If I think of Manhattan, I can smell dirty (hot) dogs in a second. Miami smelled like an open bottle of Banana Boat suntan lotion. In NYC you can hear the nonstop energy of people constantly moving and doing. The traffic, the footsteps, the subways, you hear constant momentum. In Miami, you hear music and the sound of leisure, be it laughter, ice cubes rolling around in a glass or rollerblades hitting the pavement by the beach. NYC is not without these sounds but what your senses predominantly pick up is often indicative of the kind of lifestyle that surrounds you.

South Beach was certainly a change of pace with a different kind of energy that exudes a love of life and a good time. Why wouldn’t I want to be part of this all the time? Truthfully, the girl that embraces black, is far from being a sun bunny and hates humidity (did I mention how hot it was?), enjoyed the snap shot but would happily take the smell of dirty dogs to sun tan lotion any day.

PS, if you've never been, one should stop by Mangos in SoBe. It's a bar with a dedicated tropical theme. There's dancing on the bar...even the men...without shirts! It's fun for everyone!

It always happens in three’s

FIRST
It began on Saturday when I was sitting on the toilet lid and leaned over to the pet Miss Kitty. I went forward while the lid slid back in an unnatural way. Hal witnessed the whole thing and we both realized that I had broken it. But when he asked me, did you just break our toilet? I looked him square in the chest and said, no. Yet, when I went to stand up and had to push the lid back into place, I succumbed to the guilt even while repeating, it’s fine, it’s fine. I guess a trip to Home Depot is in order.


SECOND
Anticipating a hot weekend, Hal put in all of our air conditioners last Thursday. The mother of all our ACs sits in a large living room window, is 12,000 btu’s (I really don’t know what this means but I know it’s a good thing) and has been effective at cooling off our entire area. So Sunday, when it was disgustingly humid and everything felt sticky and damp, Hal went to plug in the air conditioner. But the reset button wouldn’t reset making our relatively new AC defunct. Understandably, Hal was frustrated since it’s only two years old and trying to get it serviced is as convenient and cost effective as purchasing a brand new one. He of course took the machine apart (because why wouldn’t you?) but there was no blinking light signaling “I’m the broken part”. I guess a trip to Sears or Costco is in order.


THIRD
I needed to print out something for the wedding, a piece that required Hal’s pagination* skills. We struggled with this piece between laying it out, printing it straight and cutting it to size. During the process, I was getting more and more frustrated but my very patient fiancé managed to talk me down from the ledge long enough to remind me that we’re only going to do this once so we should enjoy this time. Just as we hit our groove and like a well-oiled machine things were progressing smoothly, our printer stopped working. As Hal put it, there’s no power going to it. All I heard was it’s broken. At that point I just wanted to yell, Nooo, not the printer tooo. I guess a trip to Staples is in order?? Nope! Fortunately, Hal managed to use his wits and talent to fix our finicky printer and half past midnight we were back on track. Thank goodness for levelheaded fiancés who know how to rally when their brides-to-be are not feeling this special, special time.

And at the end of the day, after everything seemed like it was breaking and technology and toilet lids wouldn’t cooperate, Hal sat me outside to stargaze for a moment. And that’s when we saw a red moon! It was very low in the sky and gorgeous. I’ve never seen that before. After this frustrating trifecta of mishaps, this crescent of a fireball in the sky was like being given the cherry on top of a melting sundae. And I thoroughly enjoyed it.


*Pagination is the system by which the information on a newspaper, bookpage, manuscript, or otherwise handwritten, printed or displayed document is laid out. I know, there’s really an official name for this, and it’s considered a system!

And then there was that time...

I was shopping in Urban Outfitters back during the Beantown days of college when the 20 bucks in my pocket was for lunch, dinner, and a shopping “spree”. It had to be the end of winter since most of the warmer clothing was on sale. I pulled out this soft, very thick furry piece of clothing whose purpose was indeterminable at the time. On the hanger, it looked like a very short skirt made out of the fur of a blond bear. The top opening was slightly narrower than the bottom, it had no visible zippers, and while it was definitely mini-sized I figured with thick tights, it could pass for cute. Did I mention how incredibly soft it was?!

I waited in a very long line to try this on, like Disney World long. I noticed a couple of people including the Outfitters peeps eyeing my find skeptically. It’s not a good sign when the people at the store look unsure about their merchandise. In the dressing room, I confirmed there were no zippers so I just pulled it on up to my waist. I felt silly immediately, and if it weren’t for my utter, overriding curiosity for answers about this bear hide, I wouldn’t have stepped out of the dressing room to show my friend and the rest of the Urban world my “outfit”.

My friend just kind of stared at me. Neither of us could really find the words to express the ridiculousness of it. But one of the Outfitter’s salespeople managed to speak after looking at me up and down.

“Um, sweetie, that’s supposed to be a tube top”.

Oh. So I guess I’ll have to wear more than thick tights to pull this look off…I actually wasn’t as mortified as I probably should’ve been. It was more of an “ah ha” moment, riddled solved, I now feel closure about this furry apparel. All is well with the world again.

Nowadays, the only soft, fur-like pieces I own are blankets but I occasionally think back to that "skirt" and wonder if I could've rocked it anyway.

Hair! Flow it, Show it

I went to get my hair trimmed yesterday. It needed it as the ends were getting a bit tired and worn. When I told my hair dresser I only wanted an inch cut off, she looked displeased. “Alright…” she said in a tone I found rather judgmental to be honest. It was like she was channeling my mother who always wants me to get my hair chopped off short, like a cut I had circa 1991, and my requested proverbial inch was such a disappointment.

And then the hairdresser asked me, “does Hal like it long?” as if that was the reason I’ve been keeping it this length since 2003 (four years before I even met Hal). When I said yes, because he actually does like it long, she nodded her head knowingly, that’s what I expected. I wanted to explain that Hal’s opinion really doesn’t influence what I do with my hair. The only opinion that matters is mine quite frankly, and I love it long. Please let me repeat, I love it long.

If Hal told me tomorrow that he would love to see my hair short, I would say so would my hairdresser and my mother but it’s not going to happen.

It’s funny how people will provide their opinions on everything especially when they’re unsolicited. And when you don’t agree, they get miffed. I don’t get that. Why is it people feel that their opinion of your appearance (or job, or lifestyle, or life choices) is more important than your own? As if they know better.

It makes me wonder if people, by sharing their opinions and suggestions and judgments, are really seeking validation, and even in the most innocuous, inconsequential situations. If I suddenly decided to cut my hair short, would my hairdresser feel more influential and therefore more empowered, at least at that moment because that’s what she wanted? What does it matter? Ultimately, the length and shape of my hair has no real impact on anyone else’s life but my own.

Maybe the roots (pun intended) of this issue do not run so psychologically deep at all and people are not that complicated. Maybe it’s just about being able to say, “See, I was right.”

So at the end of the trim, when she said, “Alright Jennifer, we didn’t cut much off but it does look beautiful,” I thought to myself, See, I was right.

The mouse

It was after midnight when we arrived at the beach house in Virginia on Sunday (well technically Monday I guess). It’s located at the end of a dark, desolate road that Hal’s grandmother aptly describes as spooky, especially at night. The house itself was lit up, a comforting welcome at the end of a long trip.

When Ariel, Hal’s aunt, is there we’re usually greeted by her dogs, but this time we were met with just the sound of the waves hitting the beach. That alone seemed to make the drive worth it.

The house had been vacant for a while and it was somewhat evident of that, but we didn’t care. There were beds waiting for us, and the beach was a stone’s throw away. What more could we need?

We were just about to head up to bed when I saw it, a small mouse that had gotten stuck to one of those sticky pad traps (the worst kind by the way). The poor little mouse with its huge terrified eyes was helplessly scrambling to get his two back feet free from this torture trap. Hal and I looked at each other and we both knew we needed to help it. They say there’s no rest for the weary; well, there’s also no rest for the guilt stricken.

A few months ago, Hal had actually researched how to remove a mouse from a sticky pad after this very situation occurred at my office. Unfortunately, that mouse’s fate was doomed at the time, since none of us thought to Google how to save a mouse from the most inhumane trap in existence. But this time, Hal and I were armed with a solution.

Canola oil. Hal had read that cooking oil would release the mouse from the trap so we carried everything outside and I attempted to dab his little feet with the oil. Even though his feet managed to become unstuck, he started to scramble rapidly causing other parts of his body to stick to the pad. What an unfortunate sight. Eventually, we just poured the oil onto the pad in hopes that the underside of his body would become so coated he’d just slip right off. And indeed, this tiny fur ball broke free! I “Yay-ed” with glee and much relief. Of course, after all that the first thing the mouse tried to do was run back inside the house, unsuccessfully. Crisis (and guilt) averted.

The next morning, we awoke to a cool breeze and the serenity of the beach, and the hope that the little mouse was also enjoying another day of scurrying about along the sand.

And then there was that time…

Hal decided he’d practice his karate moves on me. In an effort to swing his leg over my head, his foot caught the side of my head and hit me with a thwack. While the force didn’t render me unconscious, we definitely both looked at each other like, did that really just happen?

That may or may not have also been the time Hal put on all his black Under Armour gear which is skin tight, including the head gear, and pranced around our house like a ninja. Do ninja’s prance? I know there were attempts to leap out and scare me as well as spontaneous kicking.

How is it we don't have our own show on Bravo yet...

Rolling on the river!

While attempting to get to the Tappan Zee Bridge this morning, I noticed the man in the car in front of me seemed agitated. He was shaking his fist about and flailing his arms in what appeared to be frustration. I even said out loud, "It's too early to be this angry". Then he turned his head to the right and I realized he was belting out lyrics to whatever song was keeping him company in the car. His flailing was him grooving to the music, I guess. Seemed like angry music based on his movements but hey, whatever gets you through the commute.

I in turn chuckled, found Proud Mary on my MP3 player and attempted to dance like Tina Turner, which is not easy when one foot is always occupied. If the guy in front of me looked like an angry person, then I looked like a crazy person. As usual, I didn't care. I've choreographed whole dance numbers while on my way to work. And let me say, Tina is a fantastic motivator in the morning. In case you didn't get your Tina fix, here she is performing Proud Mary in 2000.



At 2:20 mark she starts to sing and at about 4 minutes, all hell breaks loose. It's fantastic!

A lady unless the game's on

I’m generally the sports spectator in our family. Hal is not a big fan. He claims to like watching hockey and basketball at times but I have never caught him doing either. When the Giants played in the Superbowl a couple of years ago, I was glued to the game with a couple of his friends while he and his buddy were putzing around on the computer. When there was loud cheering (a cue that something good has happened), Hal would come over to watch the replay and cheer with us, again.

Truth is I’m extremely grateful he’s not a sports fan as it keeps me from becoming a crazed sports widow. But there are the occasional moments (like during last night’s Yankees-Red Sox game) when it would be nice if he felt more engaged in the game, like I do. By engaged I mean, you exhibit moments of loud clapping, whooping and a string of profanities yelled at the television. This is me watching a baseball game in the comfort and privacy of my own home. I like to call the pitches, and subsequently yell at the umps when I think the strike zone is ridiculously too wide. I comment on nearly every play and display extreme exuberance when the Yankees have done something favorable. This may involve leaping to my feet and clapping in a deafening manner. And when things go wrong or not to my liking, I say things that no lady should utter. All the while, Hal just gives me a look that says, Just so you know this is not the pretty side of you. This is not the side of you I fell in love with.

I hid this side from him for a while until he caught me one night a few years ago. It was top of the 9th, Mariano Rivera at the mound attempting to get a save and secure a win for the Yanks. There were two outs, one man on second and Rivera’s pitching balls. Three to one count and I’m screaming at the television, yelling at Rivera to do his job, get the batter out already, throw a damn strike! Like I said, it’s not a pretty sight. Our bedroom, which is usually our sanctuary, has the energy of a downtown pub as if a brawl is about to start. Hearing the spew of a frustrated Yankee fan, a sound foreign in this household, Hal yells to me, “Are you okay? Who are you yelling at?” Everything’s fine in fact. This is status quo for a game, which doesn’t ease the situation for Hal one bit.

So last night as we sat on the couch, Hal with his laptop while I’m glued to the baseball game, the fun began and I adopted the personality of a truck driver.

He gave me that look again – Really? It’s just a game. I don’t even know who you are right now.

But before he could put me in a padded room, I made my case.

Jenn: Look, one of us has to teach our children how to yell bad things at the tv during baseball games.

It’s never just about the game, or my love of the Yankees, or the fact that I hate the Red Sox. It’s that wonderful feeling of being invested in something that holds no real bearing on your actual life. It’s great…until your team loses.

But the Yanks pulled it out last night and got the win. So suck it Boston!!

Sound of (Monday) Music

After less than 4 hours of sleep and not enough coffee, this video was just what I needed this morning. It proves happy energy is infectious.

Plus - not only is this the first time I've heard a song from the Sound of Music remixed, check out how they pay a brief tribute to the macarena....fantastic!




So after I found this, I searched "flash mob dance" on YouTube (because that's what this is called apparently - spontaneous choreographed dancing by a huge mass of people in a public place), and so many fun things came up!

If you've ever seen the video with the inmates in the Phillipines who dance to Michael Jackson's, Thriller, these flash mobs are all kind of like that except they don't take place in a prison yard, and the seemingly ordinary people participating are not all wearing matching jumpsuits. I'm also fairly certain that these flash mob dancers aren't being carefully watched by armed guards.

So in love

Some of our engagement photos have been posted on our photographer's blog. We don't look too dewy or flushed as previously feared considering it was hot and humid! We look happy and in love (and very serious at times thanks to some artistic posing by our photographer), and I am even more in love with our setting, Fort Tryon Park. I can't wait for our wedding day since I know our photos are going to be fantastic. A small sampling below, or go to http://dantewilliamsphotography.blogspot.com/ for more!

This is what I dubbed our Adam and Eve shot...with clothes on of course.

I just can't get enough of him...

Like kids again

Hal and I had been talking for weeks about how we’d been craving a Friendly’s Reese’s Pieces Sundae. I actually was craving the Cone Head sundae you got as a kid - vanilla ice cream with hot fudge-dipped sugar cone, whipped topping and Reese's® Pieces® candy (description courtesy of Friendlys). My favorite part of that sundae was the way they used to sneak Reese’s Pieces candy in the bottom of the dish so when you ate all the ice cream there was a wonderful surprise waiting for you. So good.

So we agreed to go get Friendly’s on Saturday. Following a few hours in Fort Tryon Park smiling for the camera in 80 degree weather (yay for probably looking dewy and flushed in our engagement photos), then a long nap, and numerous complaints about it being so hot, we finally headed over to Friendly’s. It was like taking a step back into my childhood.

The smell of the grease was ever so familiar and hit me like a wave of nostalgia. The restaurant was loud with families all enjoying their sundaes, Fribbles and kid’s meals. The floor was predictably sticky. As we sat down in the booth, I was excited to note that the ever-present sundae and ice cream menu was exactly how I remembered it. Thank goodness some things never change.

We indulged just like everyone around us at that restaurant, young and old. Hal enjoyed every morsel of his grilled cheese while I couldn’t put enough ketchup on my waffle fries. He got a Reese’s Pieces Sundae (that-a –boy!) and a Fribble (oh my), while I actually opted for a Happy Ending sundae (yes, that’s what they call it) – 2 scoops with whipped cream and your topping of choice. I would’ve opted for the cone head but alas I can no longer pass for a 12 year old. We enjoyed every bite, mostly because the experience was exactly what I hoped it would be – satisfyingly unchanging and a tasty reminder of how carefree childhood can be, where sticky fingers are acceptable and calories just don’t count. As I watched a kid in the booth next to us ponder between bites of his quesadilla what kind of sundae he wanted, I thought to myself, I kinda miss the days when the biggest decision I had to make was choosing between ice cream flavors.

At least the cherry on top still makes me giddy even if pigtails are a thing of the past.

Say Cheese!

Tomorrow, Hal and I are having our engagement photos taken, a year and 12 days following the date we actually got engaged. We didn't procrastinate so much as life and then winter time got in the way and we finally had a chance to schedule the shoot. I'm very excited since it's been almost a year since we've seen our photographer so it will be nice to get reacquainted with the man who'll be responsible for capturing all the memories of our wedding day (no pressure). I'm also a little nervous. Truth be told, I don't love to have my photograph taken, and Hal and I aren't ones for the spotlight. So why are we doing this? Really it's to hang out with Dante (said photographer) in Fort Tryon Park (love it there) and have a collection of nice photos of the two of us (as compared the the usual ones taken with one arm outstretched where someone's head always gets cut off). It's a 9am shoot which should be interesting since neither of us is at our best in the morning, but it's going to be fun and I'm sure if Dante can't get me to smile, Hal will!

Less than 5 months before the big day. How did that happen?! Dum, dum da dum...

Stars shining bright above you

Every once in a while, usually after 9pm, I’ll look up to find Hal walking towards me, carrying my coat and shoes. As he hands them to me he says, “I need you to put these on and come with me”. His serious tone is offset by the glint in his eyes and I know exactly where we’re going.

This “stop everything” moment happened last night as I was putting together my lunch. It’s a familiar scenario as I quickly put on my jacket and boots, while Hal goes to get the binoculars. We shut off all the lights in the kitchen and he tells me to close my eyes as we head outside onto the back deck. We sit together on one of the chairs and I wait for my cue to open my eyes. “I’m just letting our eyes adjust. We’ll open them soon”, he says. Cozy and contented, I don’t really care when we open our eyes. I could probably start dozing but then Hal nudges me and I open my eyes to see a perfect crescent of the moon, so bright in the sky, surrounded by lots of stars. It’s beautiful and I’m reminded of just how much I love to stargaze, especially with Hal.

Hal lifts the binoculars to his eyes while I admire the night’s sky with my naked, nearsighted eyes.

“You can really see the dark side of the moon”, he says excitedly. I anxiously wait my turn with the binoculars, and suddenly we become excited kids discovering the solar system for the first time.

And like the sap that I am, Mama Cass’s version of “Dream a little dream of me” starts playing in my head and I begin to hum and sway as Hal moves around our porch trying to get a better view of the stars. This is pretty typical of us, me the romantic, him the explorer. But we’re both enjoying the moment together…and continue to for a little while, despite the mysterious animal that scampers out from beneath our deck.

And in your dreams, whatever they be...dream a little dream of me....

A little extra something

First, some exciting news: Hal and I booked our honeymoon! We’re going on a 12 Night Mediterranean Greek Isles cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, which begins its voyage in Barcelona and goes to Provence, Florence, Rome, Athens, Ephesus, Santorini and Naples/Capri before heading back to Spain. I’m so excited!! The booking agent and I shared a woohoo once we finalized the down payment. We have a room with a balcony on the left side of the ship which will hug the coast as we travel from Barcelona to Rome. We haven’t taken an extended vacation since the summer of 2008 so I absolutely cannot wait!

Now the actual post...
I’ve come to the realization that in the past month I’ve put on the dreaded comfort weight. It’s the weight you put on when you’re feeling all nestled into a relationship and you feel comfortable enough to eat your way through a Costco bag of pita chips while he holds the container of hummus out for you. At some point in the relationship it’s inevitable, like the freshman 15. I’m kind of surprised it came 3 ½ years into our relationship.

It may also be a result of a stressful March. I don’t generally turn to food when I’m stressed (I turn to coffee), but I do take a lot of shortcuts when it comes to choosing meals. The faster the better, which generally results in the less healthy option. Or, you end up dining out more frequently in the name of convenience. Currently, I have only put on a few extra pounds but when you’re 4’10”, it feels like the freshman 15. It’s a reality no woman loves to face or really talk about, but I did, with Hal…poor Hal.

I refrained from asking him, “do you think I’m getting fat?”, and instead gave him options.

Jenn: Do you think the weight I’ve put on is due to gaining muscle or fat?

My question is met with silence. Shocking.

Jenn: I want your honest answer. It’s okay, really. I won’t be upset.

Is there an honest answer?

Hal: I think you look beautiful.

His answer does not help either of us.

After we talked about it (and Hal handled it rather sensitively and diplomatically), we chalked it up to what most weight gain is a result of: unhealthy eating and lack of exercise. In my mind, I considered more specific things that I could credit.

My love of:

• Carbs
• Dark chocolate covered pomegranates
• My couch
• Cheese
• Sleep (in lieu of exercise)
• Did I mention carbs, and I think they’re usually the complex kind

And I hate: Running on the elliptical

For me to feel better about myself and be healthy, the weight needs to go. So beginning in April, Hal and I started this new exercise regiment: P90X. The “X” is for EXTREME!!!! We’ve done a series of exercise sessions already and they range from manageable to sheer torture.

More to come on just how extreme we can get before it renders us immobile. More importantly, we'll see how much, if any, of the extra pounds it sheds in hopes of feeling less like one of those marshmallow snowballs...which sounds delicious right about now.

Hello blogging world, it's been a while.

The trade show madness is over and warm weather has arrived...life is good.

Flowers are starting to bloom which brightens everything up, and Hal and I have certainly been taking advantage of the sunshine and longer (more leisurely) days.

Taken during a walk around Rockland Lake as the sun was starting to set, which explains why we're being blinded. We smiled through the pain.

Trip to Fort Tryon park to scope out sites for our engagement pictures. Right before this was taken, a girl got yelled at for climbing on the rocks. Five minutes earlier and that would've been me getting reprimanded.

And with the simple touch of planting pansies, spring is making an appearance at our house too.

I love our mushroom and sleeping gnome. Just the right amount of cuteness.

All grown up

I feel so accomplished. For the first time ever, I did my own taxes. Equipped with a pencil, a calculator, lots of forms and a helpful fiance, I sat down in front of a roaring fire and went to it. 2 hours later and a pair of burning eyes, I was done with the hard part. I felt triumphant and it helped that Hal was my cheerleader through the process.

It only took me 28 years to put on my big girl panties and fill out my own taxes. Who knows what it will be like filing next year. I'll be married and we may have a house...and I may be the one cheering Hal on as he fills out our 2010 tax returns.

Fit for radio

Ah, morning talk on the radio. A few headlines caught my attention enough to send me searching for the news story online once I got to work.

Woman sleeps with 900 men in 9 years

Victoria Betteridge, a 28 year old British woman revealed that she has slept with 900 men in 9 years. She was quoted as saying, “Men do it all the time, so why shouldn’t women?”

I’m getting tired of this argument being used to justify any kind of behavior. Men also pee standing up but there’s a reason women shouldn’t. She’s obviously proud of her sexual history or she wouldn’t be boasting about it to the press. That’s fine, but don’t be surprised when the judgments start rolling in because there is no fair play when you let your bedroom antics hit the billboards.


Restaurant, Klee Brasserie using wife’s breast milk to make cheese

A chef at a trendy New York bistro is letting diners munch on cheese made from his wife's breast milk.

I have nothing to say to this.


Botched butt jobs

Six women in Jersey were hospitalized with infections caused by a black market butt job they received. They were injected with a cocktail of stuff including household caulk!

I could make a really bad, tasteless joke about filling cracks, but I won’t go there. Suffice it to say, one should stay away from anyone claiming they can perform plastic surgery while they're wearing a tool belt and using a work bench in their garage as an operating table.

An Oscar Haiku

I was surprised but not crushed when I realized Sunday morning that ABC had indeed "gone dark". Gone dark - sounds like it was some rogue mission to the save the world when in fact it was just two greedy companies who were having a spat in the sand box. I didn't realize that channel 7 came back 15 minutes after the Oscars started until well after 10:30pm, which is when I started watching them. And it still took 45 minutes before they announced any winners that I remotely cared about. I have to admit, I was more interested in seeing Avatar lose than finding out who won. And since I put almost every acceptance speech on mute, ignored the 20 minute presentations for announcing any winner of any category, I thought it best to be brief, an approach the Oscars will never attempt.

My 17-syllable summary of the Oscars.

JLo’s dress. Um. What?
Nobody likes blue people
Sandra made me tear

I could tell you, but then I'd have to...

So I've been purposefully remiss in sharing my latest form of distraction even though I've declared this blog a 'no judgment' zone. Sure I'm swamped at work and the wedding to-do list won't get itself done, but amidst the growing number of stuff to accomplish over the next few weeks, I've managed to find one more thing to occupy my time: Mafia Wars on Facebook. I don't consider myself an invested participant since I'm not willing to "friend" complete strangers to grow my Mafia, unlike a certain fiance who got me hooked on this game. I don't "fight" people because I usually lose and have no defenses. I basically do jobs and earn millions of mafia dollars by owning property - I wish it was that easy. When you master jobs you go up a level, which is supposed to be gratifying, and I have to admit, it is kinda. And it's a new activity that Hal and I can bond over.

When I first started, Hal walked me through the lay of the land. He showed me where I can go to buy property, do jobs and where to find my inventory of stuff. You know, the must-haves of the mafia: crowbars, various pistols, a hacksaw. Nothing was especially challenging about any of it, but it was all very new to me having never played anything like this, until I went to the inventory page.

Hal: This is where you can see all the weapons you own and how many you have. It's all listed on the side.

This looks familiar!

Jenn: Ooo, it's like a wedding registry!!

Hal: (rolling his eyes) Yes, yes it's exactly like that.

Jenn: This is gonna be fun.

Hal: Oh brother...

My inventory

You just can't register for a good crowbar at Crate and Barrel. Add a couple of place settings and a pizza stone, and we are set!

Strange TV

The only reality shows I watch are the ones usually on TLC, Discovery or A&E about people leading "interesting" lives, for lack of a better term. From women behind bars and life as a Hell's Angel, to 'I have a 60 pound tumor growing out of my face' or the 600-pound virgin, I'm fascinated by the sordid, challenging and in some cases, downright crazy lives people lead. This interest really began in college when my roommate and I would plant ourselves in front of the tv in hopes of catching a marathon of medical mysteries, murder mysteries, plastic surgeries gone wrong, etc... So when she suggested a new documentary that I "just had to see", I didn't hesitate to search for it online.

It's called "Strange Love: Married to the Eiffel Tower". Part one may be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STCOo9Hh5lE. And part two at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5Yuc7XSCJ4&feature=related. It is a documentary about women who fall in love with inanimate objects. Strange – yes, like the title says. Addictively intriguing – absolutely!

You really have to see it to believe it.

More brain candy

I no longer window shop. I web browser shop.


1. Banana Republic's Leather Knotted Belt



I'm not a big belt fan since all my shirts sit past my waistline so I always think, what's the point? But I recently bought this cute dress that begs for a belt, and this one has a unique design beyond the standard look. However, I hope the more intricate design is not indicative of a complicated buckle. Another possible reason I've stayed away from belts...


2. Elva Fields Bright and Possible Necklace


I'm starting to love all things green. Admittedly, I don't wear a lot of it, but it adds a certain pop and makes for a perfect accessory color. Unless it's a drab olive or outdated forest, green looks cheery and reminds me of spring in bloom. Others must have agreed since this necklace is completely sold out. Oh well, it's still fun to look at.


3. Michael Kors Uptown Astor Sandal



Don't get me wrong, I love Michael Kors with his fake-and-bake, orangy glow (as seen on Project Runway) and those melodramatic, sardonic critiques he likes to dole out. But I have to say, when I look at this sandal I think "yikes". Between the studs, the animal print and then the rubber sole (which is the part I appreciate most about this four-inch heel), I just think it looks like he's trying to accomplish too many trends in a single shoe, making it look a bit tacky. I'm sure the Housewives of Orange County already have their pairs.

Damn those macarons! Please, stop being cute

So I've been very upfront with my feelings on macarons and their (somewhat) incomprehensible popularity. Well, Bakerella and her annoyingly creative abilities (yes, I'm going to be a hater for a moment) with all things sugary on a stick may have started to sway my opinion. How cute are these?! Besides the fact that I have a developing festish of miniature foods, these macaron pops personify all that is adorable and delightful.

Dare I try to make them with the recipe provided on bakerella.com. Nah, I'll just stare at them with a cheeky grin and wish I had the patience to draw little hearts on little cookies.