Sunday is the premiere of ABC's new show "Cashmere Mafia"
I know I know - it's a knock off of S&TC, but still - a Darren Star creation? Now, would I rather watch this or Lipstick Jungle... ummm.. I'll go with this. Plus - Brooke Shields tends to get on my nerves. I've read the book Lipstick Jungle and this is along the same lines. Yeah, I know there's drama between Darren Star and Candace Bushnell, but my vote is with Darren. He did, after all, work on Melrose Place and was at the helm of Sex & The City.
Plus -any show that tells someone to "be good to [her] or we'll break every bone in your body" is a show after my own heart, as my friends will attest, I've uttered a similar line upon meeting a few shady characters that were dating my friends and it's worked. They treated the gals like gold.
For a longer clip of the show, check this out.
Tell me this - will you be watching Cashmere Mafia? Do you think it's worth checking out?
Labels: TV
Labels: Apt., Cooking, Entertaining, Random Mess
Labels: Cooking, Holiday, Random Mess, Shopping
Labels: Blog, Decorating, Random Mess
Labels: Cooking
Labels: Holiday, Random Mess
Labels: Holiday
It's Monday, and I really am NOT feelin' Christmasy.
Perhaps it was my Martha Stewart Meets Larry Mo & Curly debacle yesterday (more on that later);
Perhaps it was the nasty, mean, holiday cranky shopping bunch (and THAT WASN'T ME! I'm innocent - swear!);
Perhaps it was just the Grinch in me resurfacing when I got some pretty annoying news - but eeh - whatever. I'm over it. Other people, notsomuch.
Perhaps it was the woman who was wrapping a gift for for me going into IN DEPTH detail about her dog's c-section and how much it cost her, how her dog almost lost her intestine, how she only had ONE puppy at the cost of $900 and that's why her kids will have a light Christmas. (TMI TMI TMI);
Perhaps its just the whole bah-humbug mentality I've been feeling lately;
Perhaps its because I, along with many of my buddies, have to work today;
Perhaps its because I just really am watching the shopping and my bank account before it goes into cardiac arrest.
All in all - still - not feelin' Christmasy.
My dad and I will have our annual tradition of shopping on Christmas Eve. As a child, I always remember going to the mall as he would take me out to shop for my mother and the tradition of shopping on Christmas Eve stuck. Nowadays, I still go shopping with him, however the bulk of my shopping is done online and with cash back. This year, thanks to the student loan monster, my shopping had to be scaled back and I had to pay off a few things first. It's all good tho.
So, I'm sure I'll be more in the holiday spirit later but for now - blah!!!!!!
Signed,
~The Grinch of Altamonte Springs...
Labels: Holiday, Random Mess
Labels: Shadow
Labels: Altamonte, Random Mess, Soapbox
While browsing through my kitchen "Vogue" aka Sur La Table catalog, my eyes rested upon this interesting little device - an automatic martini maker. So, with the push of a button, you can get your martinis shaken or stirred. Cost for this nifty little item - a mere $99.99
What's YOUR verdict: Yay or Nay...
*BTW: Sur's site seems to be down today so I resorted to the next link that I knew had it. GRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Labels: Random Mess, Shopping, Yay or Nay
There's a new addition to the household.Labels: Holiday, Random Mess, Shopping
I get this lovely email from Sharebuilder today asking me ever so nicely to put them back on the "NICE" list and not leave them in limbo on the "NAUGHTY" list. I've been with them for over a year and every month, like clockwork, I invest some $$$ into my stock of choice: Starbucks. Yes, I have over 12 shares. Does that get me a discount at the local 'Bucks. Surely you jest. I also invest in a couple other stocks and that works out fine for me. However, last month during my financial drama with the ghosts from the past and my desire to break up with the student loan monster, I suspended any draws from my bank account and figured I'd resume in January/February.
Well today, here comes Sharebuilder whining in an email to take them back. So, I consider it and figure "Eeeh. I do have some OT moolah left" and then saw my account. It dropped over $73. So, here's my question:
Sharebuilder - in the words of Ms. Janet - what have you done for me lately? I mean, besides lose my money. Besides nagging me. Besides driving me to the poor house. I am giving you 2 months suspension. After that, I hope you have my $73 back WITH interest. Because seeing my money drop that low is enough to piss me off.
And I didn't get any shoes out of the deal either.
Labels: PF, Random Mess
Labels: Holiday, Random Mess, Shadow, Weekend
See, I rarely tell my friends, family and co-workers what I want because when I want something, I normally just buy it myself. I have the patience of a gnat. Plus, this is the first year I really feel like I have everything I want or need (outside of Loubous or a few other high end items but I want to, yes, buy those myself). My family is fine, my health is good, my bills are paid, I have a roof over my head, my car works well, my friends are great. I'm grateful. I'm content. I'm good. So, really I don't know what to put on that wishlist.
But I got caught up with a couple other things today with helping out some people here, lunch with a buddy and then I decided to log into my MSN.com and there, right on the front page, courtesy of one Ms. Bobbi Thomas, was a listing of hot gifts for the holidays and - what do I do - order them my damn self. My gifts to me from me. See - that's how I roll.
I don't have patience. I don't ever want to tell someone "I want this, this or that" because I feel greedy. Seriously, I do. I prefer people give from the heart and put thought into things. I mean, that's what I try to do.
My friends and family know me well enough by now to know my haunts. Yeah, people say gift cards are cheesy, but you know what - if someone gets me a gift card to, lets say, Sur La Table or Williams Sonoma, hell - I say "YIPPEE!" because that person knows me well enough to know that I haunt those places. Plus, knowing my picky nature, I get to choose what I might want, need or feel inspired by. I *heart* that. Now, don't get me wrong - if the same person sees my knife set and notices I don't have a Global Cheese Knife or a Electric Sharpener - I'm all over that too. That's paying attention. Or if they see me fondle the Ruffoni Hammered Copper Pots at Williams Sonoma, they know I'll adore it.
But if someone gets me a gift card to, let's say, Bealls or Kohl's, then that person doesn't know my inner shopping demon. If they find a gift IN Kohl's that they think is totally me - then that's perfect. But if they get me anything Rachel Ray branded (outside of one of her NON ORANGY POTS!) or some Christina (Spanish Talk Show host) flatware, I'm curious. I'm thankful but also aware that they don't know what I really like or prefer. Don't get me wrong. I do appreciate the thought and sentiment tho and I'm far from nasty about it. Again, I don't want to come off spoiled, just I am what I am. Does that make sense?
JZ once got me this cute little frame that, to this day, sits on my desk and I get compliments galore. One of the more, shall we say, rude people I know told me "Do you know that was only $X.XX at [whatever store]". "So what? And, your point?" is what I wanted to say to her but I just dismissed it. What I wanted to say was that JZ KNOWS I love photos and put some thought into the gift. I could care less the cost, coupons, or even if it was a re-gift. That doesn't matter. He knew it would be something I would like.
H. and his family once made me a huge Christmas card and they all signed it with messages, etc. in it. I still have that card to this day. It always makes me smile. They put time and love into it. That speaks volumes.
Reese made me a huge comfy blanket that I love to snuggle in (when Shadow doesn't try to pilfer it to her hiding spot). She took an amazing amount of time to make that and it just is so tailored for me. I adore it.
So, again, to reiterate the above - it's not the cost - it's really about the thought put into something that means alot to me. I mean, hey - if Reese can kidnap the Clooney and send him to my house this year, I'd be great with that too (ahem - hint hint. Again, I keeeed, I keeeed).
So now that I'm done waxing poetic on my theory of gifts (and NO I haven't done my wishlist yet - will do over the weekend *LOL*), you've got to see these lovely stockings from HoHoHeel that I covet which Ms. Bobbi pointed out are adorable. My gal Maria calls them hookah stockings, I just say "Have you SEEN the height of my heels - Hello!"
I also wound up customizing a cookbook over at TasteBook.com When I'm finished adding all of my favorite recipes to it. Well, a good portion of them because I MUST have my chicken soup recipe in it (well Real Simple's), my favorite Cable Car Martini recipe and this perfect potato recipe from Jacques Pepin. When I get the book in, I will take pics. Trust me you will love it - it screams me.
So - I'm sure I'll post over the weekend (with tree photos, promise), but enjoy yourselves and be safe out there! I'll just be having a Cable Car martini and think of y'all :)
Labels: Friends, Holiday, Random Mess, Shopping
Labels: Random Mess
In my email was a little gem reminding me that the 2008 Grammy tickets are now available and that our hard copy invitations are in the mail. The show is just around the corner - it's February 10, 2008. So, there goes my shopping budget. The only thing I really want to do this coming year is go to the ceremony with some friends and have a blast. It's the 50th Annual Grammy Awards so it should be a good time.
The one thing about the Grammys is while the awards are cool - the party is 200x better. Not to mention I want to visit Clooney's office Reese and the lot, network with some publicists I know and drag one my fave mentors out for lunch. I also want to go to my pre-Grammy dinner at the Ivy, visit some friends and maybe take in a bit of shopping. That, my friends, will be my big vacation of 2008. (Sorry Meowmix - I know I know). But after the developments here, I really need to put myself out there network wise and get back into the entertainment swing of things.
With a plan formulating and an aggressive savings push, I log into the member section of the website and lo and behold, I can pull my ticket order form online. Well, I need to prep the budget right? Therefore I need to see the costs. I mean I'm not ordering til January but still.
I see that the prices have gone up and there's new options. We can get 2 tix at Platinum, Gold or Silver level and an additional 4 tix at the cheap seats aka Bronze level. So this is the first piece of the puzzle we get to start with. Ticket prices are:
In addition, there is a $200 ticket per person for the swanky afterparty but you can't go to the party without going to the ceremony. Let's add that up - I'm going to be shelling out $350 per ticket package, plus plane fare, plus hotel, plus car rental, plus all other expenses. EEKS! Let's not even get INTO wardrobe. :::sigh::: I don't even WANT to think about that whole other debacle.
Over the next month, I'll be doing my research. I can get a room at the swanky Grammy endorsed hotel at a reduced rate but I'm going to see my options. As it's $189 a night, maybe I should just book the swanky hotel the night of the show as it's right nearby and that way we really don't have to drive much. As it is, I plan on flying in on the Friday before and leaving on the Monday after the ceremony. Or should I leave Tuesday - because more than likely, I'm going to be a tad exhausted from the party. See - TOO much to worry about. My head is going to be spinning worse than the exorcist!
I do know one thing. This time I'm NOT dying my hair brown before the show (Nor am I dying it at all, period). I don't want a Zebra stripe running down my head from a missed spot like I had 3 years ago. They can just realize I'm a blond with a brain.*
*Yes, that's really why I dyed my hair brown. Long story short - in the music genre I worked with, I found that many of the music executives are mainly men. And much of these male execs that I had to deal with tend to think that a blond with a brain is just not the norm. Therefore, I dyed it brown before the Grammys and also before a big music conference I had to go to - reasoning - to be taken seriously. Now that I look back at that, I have to laugh. If they can't take me seriously, that's THEIR problem, not mine.
Labels: PR, Random Mess, Travel
Last month, I got a letter reminding me that it's "Lease Renewal Time." (Insert smiley face after signature) Basically, if I use the "Early Bird Special" (their words not mine) and renewed my lease super early, I could save a nice chunk of change.
If you remember, I moved here in February 2007 (how time flies), and my lease is up January 31, 2008. Let me preface that with saying that the new management of the apartment complex is really upgrading this place and investing alot of money into the complex after the fire. We've got new breezeways, new parking lot, lots of improvements, clearer signage (you know, in case Pizza hut can't find the right building number), new security gates, etc. We've had quitea few bumps in the road, but it's an adjustment - kinda like when you get a new teacher in grade school mid-term or a new boss. You learn to work with each other, but there will be conflict. Now, things are better. I don't yell get cranky with the office every time I have to deal with them. I've made a conscious effort to give them a chance. Hell, I'm even nice and wave to the maintenance crew every morning. Keep in mind that while to those I'm friendly with, I'm more standoffish with people I don't know (some say I just look mean or crotchety). All in all, it's been an adjustment but we're at the stage where we are learning to play nice in the sandbox.
This gal at the office, M., has been amazing. She's the one who helped me get my lovely abode and took pity on approved me to move in. She sent me the letter and I see that if I renew by December 15th, I can get over $100 a month knocked off my rent. Because, yes, you know they are raising my rent to $1075 if I don't get off my ass and renew by December 15th. That's a pair of shoes, people. SHOES! And you know that your gal loves her some shoes. So to dip into my shoe allowance and I'd be spending an extra $1200+ a year for being lazy procrastinating. I. Think. Not. Bring on the new rent amount of $965. (I pay $955 now). Not to mention I now have to pay separately for water, sewer and trash. $37.50 in addition to the rent. And there's no meters so the crew packed into the one bedroom apartment below me will be paying the same. One bedrooms pay $37.50. Somehow I'd like to protest more but that's a losing battle. So, water for everyone! It's only fair that I use what I pay for, right?
M. assigned one of her worker bees on THURSDAY to draw up my lease and, as of Tuesday, I still did not get the lease to review. Because, you know I need to use my pre-law degree somehow and actually READ the lease. My lease last year was 2 pages, pretty much standard. In addition, there were a few addendums like Satellite TV, the Pet Addendum, the Rental Insurance you are responsible, the complex is not - even for an act of God addendum, etc. That was last year's packet.
Well, since time is a-tickin', I called M. for a little assistance and told her I needed the lease ASAP. M. saw that her worker bee didn't get the work done (surprise surprise - it's the one I always curse out in my head for being stupid) and M. stayed late, drafted my lease and left it for me to pick up yesterday.
No joke - this Apartment Lease Contract is fuggin' 25 pages long. Yes, you read that right - 25 pages of small print, like 9 pt. font. Basically I need a magnifying glass to read it. Here's a picture for you - I'm sitting at my desk, reading my working copy, highlighter in hand, with my nose basically on top of the paper. That's how bad it was. It's all standard stuff (read: cover their azz language) interspersed with various legal jargon, however they aren't slick. They attempted to pull few fast balls - which, of course, I caught.
Thank god I did reserve the right to review because last night the manager told me "Lys, you know you can just sign it now" like I wouldn't read it or anything. Ummm.. hello. Do you see "STUPID" in flashing neon lights on my forehead? I know I'm blond but geeze!! I'm not THAT much of an airhead. I was polite, laughed it off and said "[Manager], you're kidding, right? You know where I work. The attorneys are going to want to see this book now that it's an 'Apartment Association'."
M. and I need to have a "Come to Jesus" meeting re: a couple clauses and then I'll sign off on it. (Hello - they better not try PET RENT?? Shadow needs a job!) But seriously - I'm going to need a cocktail after this. Now I remember why I don't like real estate law. It makes my brain hurt!
Labels: Apt., Random Mess
Labels: Shopping
Labels: Memories, Random Mess
Black & White tweed-esque wide leg trousers with Red Bow Hookah Heels that I just so happened to come upon in the closet...
My new Betsey Johnson drop earrings to round out the outfit and...
My best friend - Mr. Blister Block because now I KNOW why those adorable Red bow Hookah Heels were hidden back in the recesses of the closet.
Clearly I should have remembered the pain they can instill. I'll be wearing my ratty flats as I run to 'Bucks.
Don't mean to toot my own horn but today is def. a cute day... Can't go wrong with that on a Monday. Even with a new blister forming...
Labels: Fashionista, Random Mess
I'm sure that once I evaluate the ornaments I have vs. the ones I just bought, I will more than likely figure out what needs to be returned. For now, I'll just sob silently and know I will have one heck of a decorated abode.
Labels: Fashionista, Random Mess, Shadow, Shopping
The holidays are really driving me batty this year. I feel like I have too many people to buy for and not enough fundage to do so. Between friends, family and co-workers, it's enough to make my head spin.Labels: Cooking, Holiday, Random Mess
Labels: Shopping
ShoeAddict had a great MeMe so I "borrowed". Should you care to get into the holiday spirit and play along - let me know in the comments... 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Depends on the time constraints. Plus - much of the time I love the bags with the tissue paper mixed with wrapped boxes.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. A Real Tree means Shadow will have to climb and then I might have a Hotfessional moment...(You must read both links!!!) Unfortunately if I throw a real tree off the balcony - it falls three stories and who knows what I'll hit. Then Lawsuit and then drama. Let's stick with the artificial. The world will thank me for it. Trust!
3. When do you put up the tree? I'm hoping this weekend if it all goes well.
4. When do you take the tree down? Around mid to late January. I'm one of those. If I have a Project Hell moment, try late January.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yup - but if so, can I have lowfat eggnog with a shot of Southern Comfort & lots of nutmeg. Thankyouverymuch!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie Dolls - my grandfather once got me a Barbie townhouse. I never forgot that.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope. I should but I haven't gotten around to it. Most of the ones I've seen have been cheesy and you know this gal does NOT do cheesy.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My father - he's a tough one. Also BR is difficult to buy for.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Me! j/k. (One for you, two for me, One for this one, umm.. one for me). In all seriousness - I'd have to say my boss (wine) and a few friends (also wine!). See the wine theme - pick a bottle and tailor it for whoever. Chardonnay for the boss, Beaujolais for another, Cabernet for another and so on and so on. Just call me Boozy Claus...
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Depends on my mail phobia ;) More like a combo of both.
11 .Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmmmm. It must have been so horrible I blocked it out ;)
12 . Favorite Christmas Movie? Nightmare Before Christmas (Shut up! I know its Halloween but still!), Rudolph and those cheesy quasi cartoons I loved as a child.
13 . Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, but I think before I recycle. I don't do it often.
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Pumpkin Pie - tho my Bampa made a killer chocolate pie for the holidays. :::sigh:::
15 . Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear. If I had to go with colored, I'd probably do a teal-y blue, but I prefer clear. Looks more elegant in my opinion.
16 . Favorite Christmas song? "Christmas Is My Favorite Time Of Year" by The Jets. Yeah, I know - I'm biased. But still - their Christmas album is a favorite.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I'm staying at home this year. My open toed shoes are too chicken for braving the snow.
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I think I can. Rudolph, Dasher, Donner, Blitzen, Cupid, Sleepy, Grumpy oh man - maybe not. Next thing you know, Santa will have the 7 dwarfs leading his sleigh.
19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning. I don't like opening them on Christmas Eve - I'd rather just wait til Christmas Day.
20. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People who carstalk you while you are walking back to your parking spot.
21 . Favorite ornament theme or color? I'm still on the Teal kick. So this year it will be teal, bronze and perhaps a touch of silver and gunmetal.
22. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I prefer to shop ahead of time and online with cash back. Due to some unexpected bills & expenses this year - I'm moving on the fly for this.
23. What, do you want for Christmas this year? A brain? Actually, Santa can bring me a gift card for Sur La Table if he so chooses this year. Or perhaps a gift certificate to Saks so I can apply it to my LouBous... Or perhaps...
24. Angel or Star on top of tree? I need a new tree top - I think I might go with a star.
25. What do/did you leave for Santa? As a child, it was cookies & milk, which always seemed to be my dad's favorite cookies. Hmmmmm. I should have caught on then! DOH!
Labels: Meme
Don't mind me - I'm in a Forrest Gump state 'o mind right now. But looking at the box of chocolates along with a picture of my Bampa on my desk, I was reminded of something I used to do as a child. When we would go visit my Nana and Bampa, I would often go watch TV in the living room while the adults talked at the dining room table. Which, of course, I never minded as I'm not one for politics, etc. Plus, by being in the living room, there was often a box of chocolates on the coffee table. Well, I never really enjoyed the fruit crème filled chocolate ones, so I thought I was brilliant. I would poke holes in the bottom of the chocolate and, if it wasn't what I liked, I put it back. Listen, I was a wee one at the time, perhaps 8 or 9. I think my Bampa got wise to me because eventually there was no longer a box of chocolates but a plate full of Hershey Kisses on the table every time we came over.
After remembering the above, I felt this urge to squish the bottom of the chocolate that I had picked. Perhaps I would have found a 2nd or 3rd choice instead. However, I wouldn't have put the damaged chocolate back in the box. I'm a bit wiser now.
Labels: Memories, Random Mess
Labels: Random Mess
Some bloggers 'round the way have been discussing the idea of exchanging holiday cards and yours truly has decided to overcome her Post Office Phobia (stop laughing!) and actually send out cards this year. Not just emails. Not just e-cards - actual Holiday cards.* Labels: Holiday
Labels: Random Mess
She's feeling much better now - but she wanted to kill me for putting the phone in her face. Labels: Random Mess, Shadow
Labels: Food Network
Labels: Random Mess
Labels: Random Mess
