Friday's With Cilantro

Nursery - Phase 1

2012-01-30T15:34:00.000-05:00

Wow, Mike and I worked our asses off this weekend to get things cleaned, laundered and ready for our little girl's arrival. I guess you can say we are officially in "nesting" mode.

The crib was delivered and assembled on Saturday which looks great in the space and matches the dressers we have perfectly! I'm so excited to finally get the bedding and wall decor up so I can share pictures with all of you!

Here a couple of pictures of Phase 1:

Stay tuned for Phase 2 pictures coming soon!

10 Things You Need...

2012-01-25T13:39:00.000-05:00

During Pregnancy:

1. a back massager - this could be a person or a tool

2. drawstring pants - to lounge around in and be comfortable

3. comfortable underwear - Gap maternity is awesome!

4. Jenny McCarthy's book "Belly Laughs" - thanks Ran and Cin!!

5. a pillow between your knees at night - I like the Boppy

6. Tiger Balm - for your swollen feet and aching back

7. cookies - any kind really

8. a blender - I am obsessed with smoothies

9. baby wipes - for you :)

10. a sense of humor - 9 months is a hell of a long time!

Showers Galore!

2012-01-19T16:00:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday our dear friends Matt and Josh threw Mike and I a "Jack and Jill" baby shower at their home on Capital Hill in DC.

It was so lovely and we are so thankful and lucky to have such great friends. If you're planning a baby shower for anyone I would totally recommend stealing this idea...

Instead of playing games they bought a birthday card starting from Year 1 to Year 18 of our daughter's life and had each guest write a card to her. It was such a sweet idea and everyone loved writing the cards. Now our baby girl has a card to open up from our friends for each year of her life until she turns 18! Love it! I can't wait to see what people wrote...

Here are some pics...enjoy!

Next up...NYC shower!!

Whoa Nelly!

2012-01-11T13:38:00.000-05:00

How my belly has grown...

It's actually pretty lopsided as well. I think she likes to press her little feet into the upper part of my tummy so it looks like there are aliens trying to make their escape...

Here's a recent pic.

Next up: pictures of the nursery!

Mish Mosh

2012-01-09T08:57:00.000-05:00

Wow! It's 2012. I hope everyone had a great holiday and is having a wonderful start to the new year.

Mike and I have been spending most of our free time getting ready for our little girl to arrive. The nursery is coming along - the crib is ordered and will hopefully be here within a couple of weeks, all of the other furniture is already in the room, we just have to buy some art to hang on the walls, letters to spell out her name, and some shelves!

I can't believe her due date is approaching so quickly. Anyway, enough baby talk for now...

So, my funny husband has a work retreat today and it's a potluck. Apparently the theme is Southwestern, so obviously you would think to make a dish like salsa, or taocs, or chimichangas! What does Mike decide to make? Mapo doufou of course! After all, it is a dish from the southwest province in China called Sichuan.

Whatta joker he is. It did turn out really well though. Here are some pics:

The doufu (tofu)

Ground Pork

Finished Product - Mapo Doufu! Yum.

Well kids, enjoy the start to the week - hopefully it'll be a fast one.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T13:07:00.000-05:00

We're here in NYC and already having a great time! Last night we saw Priscilla Queen of the Desert on Broadway and it was fantastically fun.

Today we're cooking and listening to Christmas music before the rest of the fam gets here later today...

I hope you are all having a wonderful day with loved ones.

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to all!

Would it be bad if I...

2011-12-19T11:43:00.000-05:00

took my pants off at work?

I can't sit in these anymore! Yes, they are maternity pants, and yes, they are supposed to expand with you as you grow, but I am just too damn big now and they are making my stomach ache. I just need to succumb and buy new maternity pants, as I still have almost 2 months to go...

ARG!

Seriously, I can close my office door and no one would know...

Delicious Treats

2011-12-09T12:04:00.000-05:00

Don't things start to taste better around the holidays? Cookies are sweeter, cakes are more decadent, and you can't beat the chocolate truffles!

My favorite sweet treats that I only indulge in once a year are these Belgian waffles and pastries from Lotus Bakeries. Lemme tell ya, they are so good!

Every year my mom orders a huge box load of these treats and I could eat about a billion. For the past two years she's been sending Mike and I a box of our own - thanks mom!!

Here's the lowdown on the assortment:

Chocolate Covered Belgian Waffles
Plain Belgian Waffles with Pearl Sugar
French Madeleines
Pommelines - Apple Pastry
Frangipane - Oval Pastry filled with Apricot Jam in an Almond Flavored Shell with Icing
Carre Confiture - Apricot Puff Pastry

I really can't choose a favorite. I teeter between the Frangipane and the Plain Belgian Waffles with sugar. They come individually wrapped so you can take them to work, to shop, wherever you want to indulge!

See, that's me in my office ready to enjoy my waffle! Yum.

Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend them as a gift to yourself or loved ones. You won't be sorry.

Happy Friday!

2011-12-02T14:31:00.000-05:00

Hey All! I hope your Thanksgiving was fabulous! Ours was quiet and full of good food and fun! We put up our tree last Sunday and have been enjoying it's delicious smell and all of our sweet ornaments all week!

I can hardly believe that it's already December, but it's gotten chillier here this week, so it's beginning to feel like the holidays...

I oficially entered into the third and final trimester of pregnancy yesterday at 28 weeks. CRAZY, I know! My baby showers are being planned and Mike and I are already busy decorating the nursery. I don't feel ready to be a mom just yet, but I'm starting to get really excited and also nervous for the actual labor part...ugh.

Anyway, I leave you with a recent picture of myself and my bump, and a picture of our Christmas tree.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Yay for Turkey Day!!

2011-11-22T17:51:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is almost here - yippee!!

Here's what's on our menu:
Deviled Eggs
Roasted Turkey
Roasted Garlic Smashed Taters
Broccoli Casserole
Sausage and Sage Stuffing
Pumpkin Pie

Here's what I plan to do for 4 days:
Eat
Sleep
Watch movies
Shop
Eat
Sleep
Sleep
Eat

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

How Annoying Are: People Who Read While Walking!

2011-11-16T17:48:00.000-05:00

What's wrong with you? Don't you have time to read your book, or your newspaper, or your magazine while you're:

A. Home
B. On the subway
C. At your desk
D. Somewhere that's not the sidewalk!!

I hate this. I'll be walking behind someone who is moving at a glacial pace and it's all because they are nose deep into their book. Stop reading while walking! It's hazardous! You are not paying attention and you could:

A. Get hit by a car.
B. Slam into someone else.
C. Trip over a rock and fall.
D. Meet my fist in your face!

Ok, I'm done now. I'm sorry if you are one of these people and I have offended you, but you offend me!

Thanks!

Where Did October Go?

2011-11-09T14:58:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it's already November 9th? What happened to September and October? I vaguely recall the first day of school and candy being on sale for Halloween, but seriously, time has been flying by lately!

Now I'm beginning to see Christmas commercials on TV! Each year it seems like Christmas starts creeping in earlier and earlier. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not one of those people that hates the holiday season or hates Christmas festivities, or the anticipation of Christmas. Quite the contrary in fact.

I LOVE Christmas and everything about it. I love the music on the radio, I love the trees in the store windows, I love the crispness in the air...

So, I may very well be one of those people who YOU hate because I'm so jolly! Haha...

Anyway, I still think time is flying by too fast. Next thing you know I'll be a mom...holy shit.

Today I Wish...

2011-11-02T15:46:00.000-04:00

I could do this.

Oh well.

How Annoying Are: CVS Automated Cashiers

2011-11-01T15:17:00.000-04:00

I don't know if this is happening in your community, but here in DC many of the CVS pharmacy stores have replaced actual human beings who used to check you out, with automated cashier machines and they are sooooooooooooooooooooooo annoying!

Why would any store think this was a good decision? Now the lines are doubly as long as they once were because of user error with these dumb machines. Also, the machines aren't as fast as we humans are, so let's say you have already swiped your Extra Care card but it hasn't registered this action yet, it will tell you to do so like 3 times!

The other day I heard this guy yell back at the machine for telling him to do something he had already done. He screamed, "I already did that!" That actually made me laugh out loud, but at the same time I could really feel his pain.

Lesson here is that you can't replace people with machines because it just doesn't work. Human beings may have bad days and poor attitudes, but we are never "out of order"...

Just Another Reason...

2011-10-28T11:48:00.001-04:00

to want to move back to NYC! My favorite Thai restuarant in Portland, Oregon called Pok Pok which I posted about here is opening up two restaurants in NYC within the next few months.

One is on the Lower East Side of Manhattan at 137 Rivington Street and will be called Pok Pok Wing. The other, called Pok Pok NY, will open in Brooklyn near Cobble Hill at 127 Columbia Street.

I'm so jealous! I will definitely have to try them both next time I'm home. You should try check them out as well. The noodle soups are to die for and the pork belly was super yummy!

Below are some pictures from Pok Pok Portland...

Have a great weekend everyone!

God Luck Cat! Waiting for a table...

I was very excited to eat!

Pork Lemongrass Tumeric Meatballs

Kao Soi Kai Soup - SO GOOD!

I Endorse: Trader Joe's Frozen Indian Meals

2011-10-25T13:28:00.000-04:00

A question that I am always asking myself and never know the answer to, is what is my favorite type of cuisine? Is it Chinese, Italian, French, Greek, Japanese, Mexican, Indian? There are so many amazing cuisines to enjoy, and I love, love, love them all, so it's really difficult for me to choose a favorite.

Living in DC though, I have to say that it's slim pickins for some of my favorite foods. In my humble opinion there are no good Italian restuarants here, nor are there any great Chinese places to eat, which is a really big bummer.

I have found good Indian at Heritage India, but lately I've been feeding my craving for good Indian with Trader Joe's frozen Indian meals! Wow, I sound like an infomercial...

Anyway, they actually have a nice selection to choose from like Chicken Tikka, Chana Masala, Palak Paneer, and Lamb Vindaloo. I just had the Chana Masala for lunch, which is a dish made up of stewed chick peas in a delicious spicy sauce, and it was extremely tasty and totally hit the spot!

So, if you have a hankering for some good Indian, but don't have the time to sit down at a restuarant, try Trader Joe's frozen goodness! I doubt you'll be disappointed!

And, no, Trader Joe's is not paying me for this endorsement.

Muleh Opening in NYC!!!

2011-10-24T12:28:00.000-04:00

This is such exciting news! Muleh, which is my favorite store in D.C. for both fashion and furniture is opening a store in NYC!!

Muleh carries labels like Ports, Philip Lim 3.1, Vivienne Westwood, Autumn Cashmere, and Rozae Nichols and has the most amazing selection of modern, eclectic, yet functional, furniture which will be sure to catch your eye and the eyes of many!

If you are in NYC this is not a store to miss!! Check it out!

Muleh NYC
30 Gansevoort Street
New York, NY 10014

Is it Bad...

2011-10-20T14:53:00.001-04:00

if I eat two bagels with cream cheese in one day? This is a question that now goes through my mind on a daily basis, no scratch that, on an hourly basis. Not so much about bagels per say, but about food in general.

I have come to realize that I am ALWAYS hungry now that I'm pregnant. I know it's normal and that I'm supposed to gain 30 pounds throughout my pregnancy, but I'm constantly thinking about food and what I can consume next - and the thoughts are consuming me!

I've never really been a snacker, but now it's like my favorite thing to do. A cookie here, and some crackers there, a pickle or two before dinner, and a pickle or two after dinner...

My sweet tooth has also come out, and I am suddenly a huge fan of strawberry ice cream with these brownie cookies from Trader Joe's...DEELISH!

Oh well, I know that this is all for good reason. I'm happy to gain weight, and eat lots and lots of ice cream as long as it's to benefit my little girl...

I just hope that I can fit into my AG jeans again after she's born!

How Annoying Are: Slow Internet Connections

2011-10-19T15:06:00.001-04:00

Remember when we all had AOL and we had to "dial up" to get onto the Internet and it took FOREVER? Well, we have come a long way my friends! Today, connecting to the Internet is quick and easy...

Unless of course, it's not...For example, I can't stand how long it takes for my parent's computer to connect to the web, and they are supposed to have a "high speed" package...the waiting makes me CRAZY! And on certain days at work when my Safari or Internet Explorer is being finicky IT DRIVES ME MAD!!!

Take yesterday for example. I literally could not get any work done for about an hour because my Internet connection was so slow and I just kept logging off and logging on again, hoping that something would change. I'm sure there is something else I could have done, but I am not an IT expert and I just needed to send a few emails out!!

Have we become too dependant on the web? I wouldn't even be writing this right now if my Internet was down...

Something to ponder I suppose...ok just got a bunch of emails I have to respond to...I hope my internet doesn't crash.

It's a GIRL!!!!

2011-10-10T11:49:00.000-04:00

Wow! How wrong was I? Mike and I found out this morning that we are going to be the proud parents of a baby girl!!!

Daddy was right and Mommy was wrong...there's a first time for everything, I suppose.

We are thrilled!!!

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far...

2011-10-07T11:49:00.000-04:00

I would like you all to take a good look at this picture:

This is my father pretending to be choked by my husband who is tying his crab bib around his neck while we were out to dinner.

Pretty funny huh? I guess I'm just thinking about having a child, and because I feel so strongly that this child is going to be a boy, I'm thinking about the most important men in my life and how this child will have personality and character traits that come from them.

It's really fascinating to think about! I hope he has my father's sense of humor and quick wit. I hope he has Mike's passion for learning and meticulous manner. I also hope he is caring, kind, and selfless as both of these men have been to me throughout my life.

I love you guys! Now let's hope I'm right about the gender...

Holy Sh*t!

2011-10-05T15:54:00.000-04:00

I am beginning to understand why couples stop going out for dinner after they've had a child. No, it's not because they're tired. It's because they're FLAT BROKE.

Do you know how many "necessary" baby items Mike and I will have to purchase in the upcoming months? Several hundred. It's really insane.

The names of these items are nutso as well. Here are a few of my favorite:

The Boppy Newborn Lounger
The Maxi Cosi Car Seat
The Newborn Rock n Play Sleeper
The Diaper Genie

OMG, I'm seriously never going to be able to shop for myself again. Goodbye designer handbags and shoes! Goodbye fancy dinner dates and nights out on the town!

It's ok though, it's all worth it, right? Besides, that's why grandparents exist! To buy the things you can't afford and to babysit when you want to go out...

Yay, now I feel better!

5 Days!!

2011-10-04T16:10:00.000-04:00

Guess what people?! In 5 days Mike and I will find out what we are having, and I can't hardly stand waiting any longer!

Boy or girl? What will it be?? The anticipation is almost too much to bear. What's also funny is that I think it's a boy and Mike is positive that it's a girl. Well, one of us is right ;)

I mean, really it doesn't matter at all. As long as we have a healthy, happy, little one, I don't care. The thing that's killing me is the name! We are responsible for naming this child. A name that it will carry for the rest of its life. Hopefully a name that it likes and that others like as well.

This is a huge responsibility! That's why I can't wait anymore. As soon as we know the gender we can narrow the name choices down, and make a decision - ahh, so exciting!!

I'll keep you all posted!! What do you think we're having???

TGIF and First Day of Fall!!

2011-09-23T17:41:00.000-04:00

It's FRIDAY everyone!!! Finally. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend planned!

Although it's the first official day of Fall, it sure doesn't feel like it here in Washington D.C. It's like 80 degrees, humid as usual and rainy - bleh!

Oh well, at least it's Friday and I can go home and relax for two days!

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!!

Bella's Birthday

2011-09-19T20:11:00.000-04:00

Today is Bella Boo's 6th birthday!! I can't believe that we have had her for 6 years. Time really flies so fast. So, in honor of her big day, Mike and I threw her a little birthday party last night complete with all her stuffed animal friends and some delicious steak au poive and duck confit leftovers from our dinner Saturday night, mixed in with her regular food. She was so happy!

Here are the pictures from the bash...

Happy birthday Bella, we love you!!!!

DC Gripes

2011-09-14T19:46:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've really complained about living here in DC, so I figured that it was time to gripe a little!

Here goes nothin...

The DC metro is the most nauseating mode of public transportation EVER! Now that I'm metro-ing to work I can officially say that the metro conductors are awful drivers! All they do is brake every two seconds and then brake super HARD when approaching a stop - BARF CENTRAL!!!

Then, when you get off the vomet-ro relieved that you didn't hurl, you have to deal with the escalators not working! This is very bad for older people who have trouble walking, people in poor health, and tired pregnant ladies!! ARG. Fix the damn escalators DC!

Ok, so the next gripe is about the mosquitoes. I'm not so surprised that they are swarming (and have been ALL summer) because that's the way it is EVERY summer in this swamp land, but this summer is out of control. This summer, they are out and on the attack, and are attacking me! And, to top it off I just heard on the news that because of all the rain we've had recently, and flooding, that the mosquitoes will be around for at least another 3 weeks! Mosquitoes in October? NOT OK!

I guess I'll be riding the metro with my mosquito bitten legs, trying not to puke for the foreseeable future. I hate DC.

Avoiding Maternity Clothes

2011-09-09T16:27:00.000-04:00

Hi guys! Happy Friday! So here's a little secret that I've been keeping from you...I'm preggers! Yup, 16 weeks yesterday, and whatta ya know?! My jeans don't fit me anymore!

Ugh. Seriously, I am thrilled to be having a baby, but at the same time my favorite fashion season is approaching and I can't wear any of my cute clothes - ahhhhhhhhhh!

I can still fit into some of my jeans with this contraption called the "Belly Band" which is basically a tube top that you wear over the button and zipper of your pants - which are both undone! It fully just holds your pants up while you are busting out of them. Here's a picture:

I'm wearing one right now with my AG tomboy jeans, which I am obsessed with, and it's still not that comfortable..boo hoo.

I am waiting for a pair of maternity jeans to arrive from the Gap, so we'll see how they work out, but I really don't want to have to buy a whole slew of maternity clothes! I know that I'll have to buy some pants for work, but hopefully not an entire new wardrobe.

I really would love to just wear leggings and long sweaters and high boots all fall and winter long...I'll keep you posted on my growth and purchases! Wish me luck!

Labor Day Weekend: Southern Style

2011-09-05T18:52:00.000-04:00

Happy Labor Day everyone! I hope your long weekend has been as enjoyable as ours. We've relaxed, watched movies, shopped, cooked, and had really good eats all weekend long.

Here are some pics of the southern style supper we cooked up on Saturday night. On the menu: baby back ribs, collard greens, and curly fries....soo good!

How Annoying Are: Home Repairs?

2011-08-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

As I sit at work today, there are three workmen in my home busting through the walls of our guest bathroom in order to fix two leaks in the line of our H-VAC unit. Don't ask me what that means. All I can tell you is what they explained to me when I inquired.

This is so annoying! What this means is strangers going in and out of my home for the next two days, bringing in tons of dirt and filth, and leaving behind what will inevitably be a huge mess for me to clean up. ARG!

Seriously, we pay too much rent for this to have happened. We've gone without air conditioning for the past two weeks. Luckily the weather has cooperated and at night it's been breezy and cool, but a week ago it was still in the 90's, and it was blazing hot in our apartment.

Anyway, at least they'll get it fixed this week and we won't have to worry about it anymore. At least until the next thing stops working...

Just another reason...

2011-08-26T17:30:00.000-04:00

to be mad at Summer - hurricanes!

All East Coasters - please stay safe and dry this weekend!!

I hear Irene's a real biotch.

Go Away Summer!

2011-08-25T12:39:00.000-04:00

I know I'm a bad blogger and I haven't blogged in forever, and most of you readers out there probably aren't reading FWC anymore..(insert boo hoo).

But, for all of you loyal fans out there, like my husband and other members of my family, this rant's for you!

Dear Summer,

You need to go away and go away quickly. You've been around since late April and that's entirely too long! Do you know what it's like to be outside when you're around? It's miserable! Not to mention your bitchy wicked sister Humidity always looming about. Both of you have made the past 4 months unbearable. Sweaty clothes, frizzy hair, sticky-icky-ness all over...

I'm also sick of all of the clothes associated with you. I'm ready to trade in my sandals for boots! I'm ready for chunky sweaters and done with flowy dresses! I'm also ready to get back into my jeans! It's really to hot to even attempt wearing them when you're around.

So Summer, if you have any decency at all, any respect for my wishes, please lay off and allow Fall to grace us with her presence. It's time!

Thank you.

Yours,
Christina

A Piece of Apizza in New Haven

2011-08-12T14:31:00.000-04:00

Did you know that in New Haven, CT their pizza isn't called pizza, it's called Apizza? That's pronounced like A-Pete's (no "A" sound at the end). And, did you know that New Haven style Apizza is made with thin crispy crust and a variety of delicious sauces and toppings?

Well, in a recent work trip to New Haven I got to try some authentic Apizza and it was fantastic! That's a lot to say coming from me as a tride and true New York City pizza fanatic, but it really was good. We went to Frank Pepe and ordered a small white clam pie, a small fresh tomato, a small original and a liter of Birch Beer, which is a lighter version of Root Beer and it's a New Haven thing - Yum! Here are some pics:

White Clam Pie

Fresh Tomato and Original

The white clam pie was my favorite. It tasted like linguini with clam sauce on a pizza without the linguini. The clams were really tasty and fresh and the crust was nice and crispy. The summer fresh tomato was really good as well. The original wasn't my fave because it didn't have any melted cheese on it, just sauce and some grated parmesan. It was good, but not as good as the other two.

Overall, a great apizza experience in New Haven. I highly recommend!

TGIF!

2011-08-05T12:00:00.000-04:00

Did this week seem extra long to you, or was it just me? Oh well, all I know is that I'm thrilled that it's finally FRIDAY and the weekend is almost here!!!

I hope you are all doing something fun this weekend.

Have a blast!

It's Hard to Admit...

2011-08-01T15:52:00.000-04:00

but I am more obsessed now, than I ever was with The Real Housewives of New Jersey! I don't know about you, but this family feud between Teresa and her brother Joe is the most entertaining fighting I've seen on TV in a long time! It's fantastic.

Ok, ok, I know that I'm killing precious brain cells by watching these idiots yell, curse, and talk sh*t about each other, but I seriosuly can't help but tune in time and time again. It's like watching a horrible car crash!

So, do I think Teresa is the smartest person on earth? Gimme a break. Does watching her rant and rave bring me joy and make me laugh hysterically? Ab-so-lutely!

Who needs brain cells anyway?

RIP Amy

2011-07-25T17:59:00.000-04:00

Another addition to the 27 club...such a shame.

We will miss you Amy!

The Finger Lakes

2011-07-12T13:39:00.000-04:00

Countdown to vacation! Two more grueling days of work and DC heat to deal with until Mike and I are officially on vacation!!! It could not have come at a better time. Both of us are exhausted from work and are so looking forward to spending some QT together in Upstate NY.

There are so many quaint B&B's in Upstate NY and especially in the Finger Lake region. There are also antique markets, cute little towns, hiking and wine tasting galore!

I'm especially looking forward to the cooler weather around the lakes and the jacuzzi tub in our B&B suite! We're staying at the Abner Adams House in Bloomfield NY....I hear they cook up a mean breakfast for us every morning, which I'm also looking forward to!! Our room is named Ele's Escape - too cute.

I'll make sure to take lots of pictures while we're there.

Have you done any traveling this summer?

Fourth of July Feasts

2011-07-04T14:27:00.000-04:00

Happy Fourth of July everyone! Here are some pictures of all the amazing food we've made and eaten over the holiday weekend...

Spreading the potato dough for the gnocchi.

Herb pesto

Kneading the potato dough.

Potato dough with egg wash.

Gnocchi with herb pesto!

Mike's Zucchini Bread Loaves

Homemade pizza with pesto, fresh mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, black olives, and fresh basil.

French Fry Appetizer!

Hope you all had good eats this weekend!

Enjoy!

Today I Wish I Was...

2011-06-28T09:48:00.000-04:00

here.

Alaska

It's so hot and humid here in DC - yuck!

Gay Marriage in NY!

2011-06-27T17:09:00.000-04:00

What a fantastic weekend it was for NY and for everyone fighting for marriage equality!!

I'm so proud to be a New Yorker and wish I could have celebrated in my city over the weekend...

Here's a slide show of some of the festivities!

Slideshow: The Gay Pride Parade

Happy Friday!

2011-06-24T14:11:00.000-04:00

This Sunday is my big 3-1, so we are planning to celebrate with cake, wine, more cake and more wine!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend too!

Enjoy!

How Annoying Are: Loud TV Commercials

2011-06-23T17:10:00.000-04:00

I'm a bad blogger, I know. It's been way too long since I posted, and I apologize.

So, how many of you out there watch TV? I'm betting that most of you watch a lot of it. Well, have you noticed how freaking loud the commercials are nowadays? It's insane!

Everytime Mike and I sit down to the dinner table, inevitably one of us has to get up and run to the TV, to turn the volume down when the commercials are on.

Why is this happening? Are advertisers that powerful that they have contracts with all broadcasting stations which allow them to blast their commercials at such loud volumes? It's really gotten ridiculous. And no, I don't need to hear the annoying Aflac duck say anything when I'm in the bathroom with the door closed - thank you very much!

Thank god for DVR and the ability to fast forward, or Mike and I would have to mute all the commercials and sit through them, waiting in agony for the normal volume to return with whatever show we're watching...

Is anyone else annoyed at this, or is it just me, getting old and crotchety?

Finally Friday!

2011-06-17T14:53:00.000-04:00

Another week bites the dust! What's on the agenda for the weekend?

Yoga
Housewarming Party
Watching Black Swan

Eating
Drinking
Sleeping
Cooking

Bliss! Kind of like when I was in the mountains of Switzerland!

Rothorn Mountains

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Love or Hate: Flip Flops

2011-06-15T11:55:00.000-04:00

This is very upsetting to me. I used to be able to walk around for hours in shorts, a t-shirt and a pair of flip flops. Well, I can still wear the shorts and t-shirt, but the flip flops - not so much.

How did this happen? Flip flops used to be my go-to shoe in the summer. Great for scooting around town, great for the beach, great to wear to BBQ's... Now, I can't even stand still in them for more than 15 minutes before my knees and lower back start hurting!

So I've entered into a love/hate relationship with all of my flip flops, and like any girl would, I have about 10 pairs of them! I used to love my Havaianas, but now even those are uncomfortable after a short wear! I've also tried Fit Flops, which are supposed to be cute and comfortable, but I found them to be hideous and not-so-comfy between the toes.

Ugh! Will someone out there point me in the direction of a cute, functional, comfortable pair of flip flops that won't fall apart if I wear them daily, won't give me blisters, and won't make my lower back hurt after a half hour?!

Any and all advice is welcome!

Pride!

2011-06-13T17:11:00.001-04:00

Some pics from the 2011 Capital Pride Parade...

Dancing Boys!

Skating Boys!

A few Man Boobs!

Someone isn't wearing underwear! My friend Cal took this one!

Ok, so the dude with the body paint is a little bit freaky, but the parade was a blast as usual!

It's Friday, Friday!

2011-06-10T09:42:00.000-04:00

Awesomeness. This has been a long week, so I'm very happy that I made it to Friday - yay!

I hope you are all doing something fun and staying cool this weekend.

Tomorrow is the Capital Pride parade and festivities which is always a great time, and on Sunday Mike and I are touring the West Wing of the White House!

I'll be sure to fill you in on everything I see...

Enjoy the weekend!

Hungry for...

2011-06-02T17:48:00.000-04:00

good Chinese! Here are some pics from a meal Mike and I recently had with my parents in NYC...

Fatty Pork with Spinach

Shrimp with White Leeks

Beef with Bamboo Shoots and Scallions
and
Leafy Green Vegetable with Garlic

OMG, salivating right now. I miss good Chinese food. There isn't really a good place for Chinese in DC, although we did venture out to Northern VA for Chinese New Year and had a rather enjoyable meal.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my food cravings with you all...

Happy Thursday!!

I'm MMMMMEEEEELTING!

2011-06-01T16:10:00.000-04:00

Weather Talk:
Scattered Clouds
Temperature - 94.1 °F
Feels Like - 102 °F Wind(mph)

Translation:
Humid as all hell
Clothes sticking to your body
Feels Like - You are walking through a never ending sauna

Summer in DC sucks!! Are you all melting yet?

Happy Long Weekend!

2011-05-27T15:33:00.000-04:00

Mike and I outside of Notre Dame

From us to you!

Paris for the Day

2011-05-26T12:33:00.000-04:00

This Saturday I'm very excited to report, that Mike and I will be having a very French themed day.

First we will take Bella for a nice walk towards Dupont Circle, which is DC's largest circle and is reminiscent of a park you would see in Paris (in no way shape or form am I comparing DC to Paris, but I have to take what I can get, right?!)...we will enjoy the fountain, and the people strolling, and we will pick up a couple of croissants along the way.

Later in the afternoon, we will head to the theater to see Woody Allen's new movie, Midnight in Paris, which has gotten great reviews and looks like it's going to be really whimsical and fun. Hopefully we will feel like we've been transported back to the banks of the Seine in that grand city we love! Here's a sneek peek...

Then the pièce de résistance will be dinner at Bistrot du Coin for a little foie gras, perhaps some moules-frites, and plenty of good red wine. A nice Côtes du Rhône sounds lovely.

Ahh, Paris...

How Annoying Are: Tuesdays

2011-05-24T16:07:00.000-04:00

Tuesday is my least favorite day of the week. Although many of you may think that Mondays are the worst, (and trust me, I'm not a huge fan either) I have to say that they are not nearly as painful as Tuesdays. Here's why.

On Monday you've just come off of the weekend, so (hopefully) you have some extra energy to expend, and maybe, just maybe you're ready to jump into the week head first! Okay, maybe not, but at least you're resigned to the notion that the weekend is over and you have to go back to work...

By Tuesday though, your enthusiasm (if you had any) has plumitted and you have succumbed to the fact that there are still 3 more grueling days ahead of you, including Tuesday itself (which I guess makes 4 grueling days) - ugh!

Wednesday is obviously far superior to Tuesday being that you have reached "mid-week", "hump-day", whatever you want to call it, and usually this is the point in time where you begin to think about and make weekend plans. Thursdays are amazing because the weekend is fast approaching and your week is slowly but surely, winding down. Thursdays are also really awesome for me because I indulge in happy hour with friends after work, which is always a good time. And...Fridays are clearly the best day of the week for reasons that I think we all know.

So, are we all in agreement that Tuesdays generally suck?

Savage Beauty

2011-05-23T11:18:00.000-04:00

What can I say about the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibit at the Met, other than, it was fantastic. As you walked through each room it felt as if you had been transported to another world. In fact, it was like you were inside the romantic, yet extremely dark mind of Alexander McQueen.

We weren't allowed to take pictures, but Mike and I bought the book which describes and has images of all of the pieces that were on display. Some of my favorites are below.

Saraband Collection

Plato's Atlantis Collection

Jellyfish Ensemble from Plato's Atlantis Collection

Highland Rape Collection

Please, please check out the Met's blog about this exhibit to learn more and to view some of the amazing pieces that are on display. And, if you can go, I highly recommend it. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Consignment Shopping

2011-05-19T10:41:00.000-04:00

I'm very excited to report that there is a new consignment boutique opening up in our neighborhood called Current Boutique. I really love good consignment stores because you can find great deals on clothes that are still in style and are in good shape. From their website, it looks like Current is going to carry some really great labels, so that's extra exciting!

Another great thing about consignment stores, is that you can bring in all the clothes that you once loved but haven't worn in a while and see if they sell! If you're lucky, and another woman buys your consigned clothes, you get 50% of the profit! Awesome.

I will definitely be checking out Current Boutique next week as I have some clothes I'd like to try and sell, and you know I'm always looking to expand my wardrobe!

Do any of you love consignment shopping?

P.S. I'm dedicating this post to my sister in law's student Martha Spieker, who from what I hear, loves consignment shopping and has great style!

McQueen at the Met

2011-05-17T10:35:00.000-04:00

This weekend Mike and I will be going home to NYC to soak in a little culture and fashion. I am so excited to visit the Met to see the new Alexander McQueen exhibit "Savage Beauty" which showcases over a hundred of his fantastic designs.

Watch this video for a montage of McQueen's runway shows which were always spectacular.

From the water to the ice skating, and the spray paint, McQueen pushed the boundaries of what a runway show could be. His shows and his designs were actually living, moving art. Just superb!

Are all of you McQueen lovers?

Gaga

2011-05-16T10:06:00.000-04:00

Last weekend my mom and I watched Lady Gaga's concert from NYC on HBO and as no surprise, she was amazing. My favorite part though was at the end when HBO took you backstage to Gaga performing "Born This Way" acapella. It's such a great song, and this version showcases Gaga's amazing voice and raw talent.

I love it.

Happy Friday Everyone!

2011-05-13T14:30:00.000-04:00

TGIF - It feels like this week has been dragging on forever! There have been some good parts though...

Highlights:

Playing Words with Friends on my new iPhone -- I'm completely obsessed!
Watching back to back SATC episodes last night
Enjoying the fabulous spring weather we've had
Cuddling with Bella

I hope you all had a good week too! I leave you with this silly picture of Mike and I, perhaps after a little too much wine ;)

Cheers!

The LongChamp Challenge - Get in the Game!

2011-05-11T17:04:00.001-04:00

If you live in a city and commute to work, there is a good chance that you've seen one, or several in fact. Yes kids, I'm refering to LongChamp totes, the Le Pliage style to be precise.

I see at least five a day, and that's on a slow day. I mean, I see the appeal. They come in a variety of colors, and sizes, they can hold a lot of stuff, and the price point is just right for women looking for a name brand bag that's trendy and functional. I have a really old one in bright orange that I use to wear quite often.

Anyway, here's the fun part of this post. Due to the fact that there are so many LongChamp totes being carried around here in DC, my friend Joanna and I have devised a challenge. See details below:

The Challenge:
LongChamp totes, ever present in the not-so-trendy, but always practical, Washington D.C. area have become a “fashion” staple. It goes to follow that much fun can be made of this spectacle. As such, the following challenge has been issued: who can spot the most, and the most rare, LongChamp totes?

The Objective:
The participants receive points for every LongChamp tote they see in public. The number of points a participant receives for seeing a tote correlates to its perceived rarity.

Common colored totes (Taupe, Chocolate, Beige, Black, Navy, Graphite) are worth 2 points;

All other solid colors are worth 5 points;

Seasonal totes/Special Designs are worth 10 points.

The Rules:
All fun must be contained (enhanced?) by rules, so here they are:

1.) Points must be reported to the other participants within 24 hours. The reporter (Christina) will keep a tally of the points and make participants aware of total point accumulation on a regular basis. The tally board will be kept in the office space of the reporter.

2.) The only geographical limitation is a closet. A participant may not count a LongChamp tote being stored in his or her closet.

3.) All participants must become intimately familiar with the LongChamp design and colors- we cannot have people confusing Beige and Taupe or wondering if a specific color is currently manufactured. Please refer to the LongChamp website.

4.) All totes counting towards a participants score must be owned and used by a single person (i.e.- stores, street vendors selling bags, etc. do not count)

5.) In the event that two or more participants are together:

a. If the tote is seen by one participant before the other, the points go to the participant who verbally recognizes the presence of a LongChamp first.

b. Neither participant can add points to their score if a tote is seen at the same time, but the color must be checked off of the master list as having been “seen” if it has not already been spotted.

6.) While the color/pattern of the totes change from season to season, it is quite possible that style/material of the tote may have evolved too--- the only totes that can be counted towards this challenge are the simple, classic fold up, but it can be in any size.

Our game starts tomorrow, and I can't wait to kick some ass. I'll let you know who wins.

Now get out there and play!

Matchy Matchy

2011-05-10T14:33:00.000-04:00

I saw a woman today wearing a very matchy matchy outfit. She was dressed from head to toe in aqua blue. Aqua capri pants, an aqua blouse, an aqua jacket, and a pair of aqua colored sandals.

At first, I thought "how tacky!". It reminded me of Juicy outfits like these below - yucky!

But then at a second glance I realized that she looked kinda cute in her color coordinated outfit. I'm not sure how I feel about being too matchy matchy. I usually like to wear things that complement one another, but that don't necessarily match perfectly. Like this...

Jil Sander Spring 2011

I love that color is back in a big way, but should we be wearing all color coordinated outfits? Hmm, something to ponder...

Yay Friday!

2011-05-06T13:11:00.000-04:00

I hope you are all doing something fun this weekend and spending some quality time with your mothers!

Enjoy and see you next week!

Cinco de Mayo!

2011-05-05T11:31:00.000-04:00

I love cinco de mayo for many reasons. First off, it's usually a nice sunny day, so people are in a good mood and are looking forward to celebrating Mexican heritage! Also, it's a great excuse to indulge in chips, guacamole, salsa, and lots of cerveza of course! I actually prefer to indulge in margaritas, so that's what I'll be doing later after work.

One other reason that I am excited about today being cinco de mayo is because I can finally upgrade my phone! Mike is at the Verizon store as I type purchasing my new white iPhone! I know I'm like the last person on earth to get an iPhone, but better late than never, right?

So kids, many reasons to be happy on this 5th day of May! Get out there and par-taaaaay!

Happy Friday!

2011-04-29T10:38:00.000-04:00

Perfection.

How Annoying Are: Bad Hair Days

2011-04-28T16:06:00.000-04:00

I'm having one today. A bad hair day that is. I hate when this happens! Granted, I didn't do anything to my hair this morning to deserve a good hair day, but must it look this awful?

That's it, it's settled. From this day forward I will never leave the house without using a round brush when blow drying my hair. I know that I've made this promise before, but I mean it this time!

Goodbye bad hair days, and good riddance!

Floral Prints

2011-04-26T12:13:00.000-04:00

It's a gorgeous Tuesday in DC and it feels like summer is here. I've been really excited about the warm weather arriving (notice how I used the word warm, not scorching!) and even more excited to purchase some new summer dresses that I can wear for work and play.

I'm loving all of the floral prints that are everywhere right now. Here are a few floral print dresses that caught my eye:

Aqua Scoop Neck Belted Dress

Anthropologie Gathered Hemlock Dress

Anthropologie Blurred Hydrangea Dress

Topshop Cream Rose Wrap 50's Sundress

If you're loving floral prints too, Topshop has a great selection. Happy shopping!

Happy Friday!!!

2011-04-22T14:22:00.000-04:00

Bella wishes you all a great weekend and a Happy Easter holiday!

Enjoy!

How Anoying Are: Men with Bad Facial Hair

2011-04-21T11:35:00.000-04:00

I'm sure you know one -- a man with bad facial hair. Whether it's a scraggly beard, or an outdated goatee, bad facial hair is out in abundance!

I saw a guy this morning rockin the super thin goatee where it's really just hair lines outlining the cheeks and chin and around the mouth -- GROSS! I thought that look went the way of the hammer pants back in the early 90's!

Here are some really bad offenders:

Ludicris facial hair!

This is what I saw this morning! Awful.

Scraggly and pathetic.

Oh Jonathan! It's just not working.

So, have you encountered some bad facial hair today?

Nude Shoes

2011-04-19T17:29:00.000-04:00

My favorite pair of shoes are my Ferragamo ballet flats that are gold with a ivory colored buckle at the toe. No, they are not the ones that you see everywhere with the bow, they are better.

Anyway, the point is that they are gold and they go with everything! Black, neutrals, color, you name it. They are super versatile and I love that.

So, now I want a pair of nude platforms that I feel will also compliment all outfits. Here are my favorites:

Jimmy Choo peep toe platform

Prada bootie

Miu Miu platform

Christian Louboutin double platform pump

Fendi pleated platform

Sergio Rossi peep toe platform

I think the Sergio Rossi's are in the lead, although those Prada booties are to die for...

Which one's do you like? Have I missed your fave?

Happy Passover!

2011-04-18T11:29:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures from the seder we went to last night...yum!

Brisket

Matzo Ball Soup

Kugel

Gefilte Fish

Potato salad with dill

My favorite Jewish Penicillin

Smelly Cat

2011-04-14T14:18:00.000-04:00

It's a beautiful day here in DC and my parents tell me it's lovely in NYC as well, so that makes me happy! I know since it's so perfect out, that I should be posting about something spring related like the colors of the new budding leaves, or the aromas of the lilac and tulips...unfortunately other aromas have been permeating my nose recently and they aint pretty!

Here are the 5 smells I encountered while at the gym yesterday: CAUTION, some of these are nasty...

Cigarette breath - Um, if you just finished smoking a pack of Marlboro 100's, I doubt the stationary bike is going to improve your health.
Strong cologne - Why people, why? Please don't take a bath in your designer imposter cologne before working out -- it's offensive!
Burnt hair - Ladies, I understand that you want to leave the gym looking fabulous, but must you blow dry your hair and then use the curling/straightening iron as well? Geez...
Booze - I don't really understand this one. I would never want to work out after having a few cocktails. Maybe he still smelled from the night before...
Fart - UNACCEPTABLE period.

Ok, I'm done now. Back to thinking about spring...

April Showers....

2011-04-13T14:40:00.000-04:00

better bring May flowers! It's been raining here since Sunday night and as you can imagine, my walk to work has been chilly and wet -- yuck!

It's hard to dress for these rainy spring days. For example, yesterday when I left the house at 8:45am it was overcast but warm-ish in the 60's. By the time I got to work the rain started coming down in buckets and it even hailed a little -- needless to say the temp dropped into the 50's.

I've been trying to layer a lot, so that I can either take off or add depending on how mother nature decides to act. During this time of year I love wearing really lightweight sweaters and cardigans. Here are a few of my favorites:

Kate Young - CARDIGAN

Autumn Cashmere Ballet Neck Dolman Tunic

Autumn Cashmere Empire Ruched Tank and Striped Drape Neck

What are you wearing this time of year?

Night and Day

2011-04-11T17:47:00.000-04:00

There are certain rules to follow when it comes to dressing appropriately. More specifically, there are rules to follow around night-time versus day-time apparel and even your overall look.

Here's a quiz to see if you know right from wrong:

Bright red sequined top - Night or Day?
Dark smokey eyeshadow - Night or Day?
Flowery dress with pink cardigan - Night or Day?
Six inch platforms - Night or Day?
Tight black pants and halter top - Night or Day?

Answers:

Night -- saw a woman wearing this today and it looked wrong.
Night -- save it for a night on the town! Not a great look for 10am staff meetings...
Day -- a woman at an evening "cocktail attire" event I attended was wearing what looked to me like a summer day wedding appropriate dress. It was weird.
Curveball question -- I'd say either, depending on the outfit and the color of the shoe.
Night -- I really don't need to see you in your club outfit when I'm walking to work...

How'd you do?

TGIF

2011-04-08T14:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday everyone!! It's a yucky, rainy day here in DC so Mike, Bella and I are going to stay warm and dry and order in tonight. Tomorrow night we have an event to attend called Fashion for Paws which is a fashion show fundraiser to benefit the Washington Humane Society.

I still don't know which dress I'm wearing, but I'll be sure to take lots of pictures of both the human and canine models strutting their stuff on the runway!

Here's to a fun filled weekend. Enjoy!

Ching Chong!

2011-04-06T16:47:00.000-04:00

I know that this is old news already, but I was thinking about the idiot student from UCLA that posted her rant about Asian students in the library, on You Tube, and then got kicked out of school. Really, what a dumb ass thing to do. Anyway below is her rant if you haven't seen it yet. Be forwarned that she is an idiot of the utmost caliber...

The only good that came from this rant was a response from a very talented, smart, hysterical guy who also happens to be Asian. He wrote and performs a song that really cracked me up, and totally put this idiot in her place. It also just makes me happy....

Did you enjoy?

Delightful Denim

2011-04-05T10:09:00.000-04:00

My jean shopping experience this weekend was great and I ended up with two new pairs of really soft, comfy, and stylish jeans. We went to Saks which had a great selection to choose from.

I must have tried on about 7 pairs and decided on a soft, darkish blue pair of Stilt's by AG which are basically cigarette style, and a pair of soft, lighter colored, St. Barts's by Hudson, which are a more relaxed fit. Seriously though, both pairs are made of some of the softest denim I've ever felt! Makes wearing jeans a dee-light!

AG Stilt

Hudson St. Bart

I can wear both cuffed and they can be dressed up or down which is excellent!

Next up...summer dresses! Stay tuned...

Sunday Night Bites

2011-04-03T21:21:00.000-04:00

Ahh, Sunday. The day I that I am hot and cold about. All I know is that Sunday always means a yummy dinner!

Easy salad with cucumber, red onion, carrots and celery

Roasted new potatoes with garlic, lemon, and olive oil

Roses for the table

Beaujolais

Baby lamb chops with rosemary

Happy Sunday!

The Weekend Means...

2011-04-02T22:51:00.000-04:00

Awesome! Tasty, and keeps you thin!

Blue cheese, duck pate, Parmesan, and cornichons...yummy!

Bella Boo

Nap time.

More wine please!

New Jeans

2011-04-01T16:30:00.000-04:00

It's that time again! Time for some new jeans. Jean shopping is a dreadful activity for some women, but I am actually really excited to get to the stores and try a bunch of different styles on. I find that a person's jean style says a lot about what kind of person they are.

Whether they're Levi's, Earnest Sewn, AG (my faves), or Seven's, (and obviously there are soo many more) I think that jeans should be flattering to the figure and comfortable to wear. Right now, I'm sitting in a pair of dark blue, skinny, tapered, Earnest Sewn's and to be completely honest, they are a little too tight for my liking. They still look good, but my style has changed and I now prefer a more comfortable, relaxed fit.

My favorite pair of jeans are my AG Tomboy's. The color is great, the denim is high quality, and they are super flattering and are really comfortable to wear all day. I want like 10 pairs!

So, we'll see what I end up with this weekend. What's your favorite jean brand? Style? Any advice?

How Annoying Are: Can Openers!

2011-03-30T11:33:00.000-04:00

Mike and I were making dinner last night, as usual, and I grabbed the can opener so I could get started on the tomato sauce for our tilapia, and whatta ya know? The damn opener gets stuck mid-way and the top of my canned tomatoes is nearly impossible to get off without slicing my finger off.

ARG! Why do can openers suck so bad? We can put a man on the moon, but we can't invent a decent instrument to open cans with? This boggles my mind.

For all you cooks out there - is there a decent can opener on the market that actually works, and will continue to work after 10 uses? If so, let me know please!

Sunday Dinner

2011-03-27T21:09:00.000-04:00

It's a cold Sunday night here in DC, and Mike and I decided that an easy, yet satisfying Sunday dinner was in order. So what did we have? See below!

Eggs for our chicken cutlets

Our blend of Italian breadcrumbs

Cutlets ready for the oven

Fresh spinach with garlic and olive oil


Penne pasta with spinach, garlic and oil and chicken cutlets

So, whatever you had for Sunday dinner I hope it was yummy! Enjoy what's left of the weekend!

How Annoying Are: Backpacks

2011-03-24T10:01:00.000-04:00

I officially decided yesterday that backpacks should only be worn by people on camping trips and school aged children, period.

It's confusing to me that a grown man wearing a suit, on his way to work, would choose to throw on a giant, overstuffed backpack rather than carry a nice briefcase, or cross-body messenger bag. Day after day I see men and women walking to work with these ridiculously large, ugly backpacks on, and I think to myself, that's a really awful look.

Not only do they look unprofessional, but they look immature somehow. Like they're on their way to 8th grade biology class. Not to mention that fact that if they turn around too fast they make knock a few people over with their monstrous pack...

A word to the wise people...backpacks are good for carrying food stuffs when hiking, or camping. They're also good for carrying books and pencils when you're a student. But they are not good for adult professionals to wear while commuting to work.

P.S. You know those teeny-weeny backpacks that some women also carry? Yea, I hate those too.

Happy Spring!

2011-03-21T10:49:00.000-04:00

I sense some shopping on the horizon! Lightweight cardigans, cotton dresses and skirts, being able to layer and peel off your clothes throughout the day to reveal another great look...

The birds are chirping, the breeze is refreshing, and the sun is warm, but not blistering. So, get out there and enjoy Spring!

Spring shopping report to come soon...

Girl Time

2011-03-15T10:07:00.000-04:00

Remember the episode of SATC when Carrie is in Paris and looks into the window of a cafe to see four girlfriends sitting together, laughing and gossiping, and it reminds her of her best girlfriends back home in NYC? Well, lately I've been missing my girlfriends back in NYC and it just reinforced the fact that girl time is essential to a woman's life!

Don't get me wrong. I love my husband and I really enjoy spending time with him, but sometimes I just need to be with the girls and that's just the way it is.

So, I'm dedicating this post to all my girlies back home in NYC!! And to all the ladies out there -- spend some QT with your girlfriends today...they're the best!

Not too Farfetched!

2011-03-10T16:45:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite shopping websites, farfetch, is highlighting the hottest new looks straight off the runway of Paris Fashion Week. What I love is that when you go to the website, they give you an overview and brief history of various French fashion houses and designers like Balmain, YSL, and Givenchy. There is also a French style guide so you too can obtain that oh so chic Parisian look!

I think this is way cool and I'm looking forward to learning more about these iconic designers and then shopping their designs!

You can learn more too here.

The Ugly Shoe Train

2011-03-09T19:48:00.000-05:00

I know that I may sound a little bitchy when saying this, because they stand for a good cause and all, but I hate Toms Shoes! They are so hideously ugly and they are EVERYWHERE.

First came the foot shaped running shoes, which made me want to hurl, and now it's the classic canvas Toms shoes that I'm seeing women wear everyday. What's up with this? These Toms shoes look like really bad fake versions of Classic Keds -- which I totally endorse, by the way. At least Keds are classic and they actually have some structure to them.

The only style of Toms shoes that I can stomach are the canvas wedges. They, I will admit are cute and reasonably priced.

Okay, okay, I know that with every shoe you purchase from Toms a child in need receives a new pair of shoes, which is really a great movement and I stand behind it, but good lord, can't the shoes they sell be any cuter?!

All right, I'm done, and now I feel terrible. Maybe I'll jump on the ugly shoe train for a good cause...then again, maybe not.

Compliments

2011-03-08T15:58:00.000-05:00

Do you own an article of clothing, or a favorite accessory that you always get compliments on? Well, I do. I'm wearing it today and I call it my Spring sweater because it's bright yellow with white stitching, and to me yellow and white are fun and fresh Spring-y colors.

Every time I wear my Spring sweater, I get tons of compliments, which I love! Today a girl in the bathroom at work was just gushing at how adorable my sweater is. "Where did you get it?" she asked. I told her it was from Anthropologie and that it's at least 4 years old!

Anyway, it just goes to show you that well made, cute clothes are timeless and make you feel good! Here are two picutres of me in my Spring sweater. These are from our engagement pictures almost three years ago.

The sweater is by Moth -- isn't she cute?

I realize that I am making a funny face here, but I had just heard a very funny story...

What do you own that you get tons of compliments on? And don't the compliments make you feel great?!

Back to Reality

2011-03-07T15:06:00.000-05:00

I wish I was on that boat on warm waters, sailing into the sunset...

It's amazing how fast a person can become wound up again after being completely relaxed for 4 days. My walk to work today was extremely trying on my nerves. Although it is sunny here in Washington D.C. it is also very windy and rather chilly. I guess temperatures in the upper 40's will seem cold to someone who has just returned from a place where the high's were in the mid to upper 80's.

Anyway, our trip was fantastic and I suppose that I'm just bitter about being back in the office and back in the cold. The good news is that Spring is just around the corner, so it won't be cold for much longer.

The problem now is, how do I get my tan to stick around?

Old San Juan

2011-03-04T16:35:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was another great day in PR. We spent the morning at the beach and pool, and then headed into Old San Juan for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Old San Juan is a beautiful place. The architecture is colonial style and all the houses are painted bright pinks, yellows, greens, and blues.

Old San Juan was once completely walled and what were once fortresses where armed soldiers kept a lookout for enemies arriving by sea, are now publicly accessible, and really fun to visit. The city is very European-esque with winding blue cobblestone streets and outdoor cafes.

Definitely a must see when you travel to PR. Here are some pictures from Old San Juan.

Castillo San Cristobal

Cannon balls

View from Castillo San Cristobal

San Juan Cathedral - the oldest cathedral in the Western Hemisphere

Cementario Maria Magdalena de Pazzis and El Morro in the background.


A sidewalk cafe menu.

Hasta luego!

Hola!

2011-03-02T16:21:00.000-05:00

Here we are in lovely, sunny Puerto Rico! Last night for dinner we tried mofongo stuffed with ropa vieja and it was dee-lish! We are having a great time so far. We've been laying by the pool all day, and tomorrow we'll head into Old San Juan for some sightseeing and shopping. Here are some pics from our hotel. Hope you're all enjoying your Wednesday!

One of the four infinity pools looking out onto the ocean.

Other hotels along the beach.

From a balcony.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

2011-02-28T21:27:00.000-05:00

2011 Oscars Best Dressed Actress:

Cate Blanchett

Cate looks stunning in Givenchy

Best Dressed Actor:

Jude Law

Here with RDJ, looking perfect with his white tie ensemble.

Mission Accomplished

2011-02-28T13:38:00.000-05:00

Mike and I went swimsuit shopping yesterday and I ended up buying two really amazing suits. Both are bikinis, which I wasn't expecting to buy, but the all the Becca tankinis I tried on were a little too loose fitting on my torso, so they actually made me look larger than I am.

We found both suits and the best selection at Saks, which was surprising, as I was expecting to find better options at Bloomies, but their selection was lacking in a major way. We also went into Everything but Water, which is a swimsuit store with a huge selection. I tried on a two piece Nanette Lepore swim suit with a matching cover up tunic, but in the end the selection at Saks won me over.

I tried on 7 suits at Saks, and all of them were super cute. Some of the brands I tried on were Milly, DVF, Shoshanna, Vix, and Robin Piccone. I wish I could have bought them all! Here are the two I chose:

Leopard print with turquoise accents by Vix. I chose a black bottom instead of leopard on leopard.

Bandeau one shoulder top, except the one I got is camoflauge, and really fun. Also by Vix.

So, now it's off to Puerto Rico and I am really excited. Here's to fun in the sun and a great tan!

Countdown to the Oscars!

2011-02-24T17:29:00.000-05:00

The Oscars are on this Sunday, and I'm really excited. There are some fantastic movies that are nominated for awards, and this year Mike and I have actually seen most of those that are nominated for Best Picture.

My vote is for The King's Speech for best pic and for Best Actor, Colin Firth. He was outstanding and the movie was just superbly done. I also happen to love him...

Anyway, moving on...I'm sure that Natalie Portman will win for Best Actress for Black Swan, which we haven't seen yet, but may try to squeeze in this weekend before Sunday night's show, and which I've heard is amazing.

Obviously the Oscars are about the actors and the movies, but they're also about the fashion! I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone is wearing on the red carpet this year. The Oscars are the most glamorous of all the award shows, so we should see some amazing gowns and tuxedos...I love it!

Below are some looks from the 2011 Golden Globes.

Elisabeth Moss, Natalie Portman, and Angelina Jolie

Ann Hathaway -- 2011 Oscar Host!

To be honest, none of these blew me away and I have to say that I was a little bit bored with the GG's red carpet. Hopefully the Oscar fashion will step it up!

Happy viewing, and fingers crossed for my Colin!

Swimsuit Shopping

2011-02-22T17:20:00.000-05:00

We're off to Puerto Rico in 6 days and I need new swimwear. I'm beginning to think that I shouldn't be wearing teeny weeny bikinis anymore, but I'm not quite ready for the full coverage one piece either.

Here's why. Although I am a petite person, I feel like most bikinis are either for teenage girls (ie. too loud and frilly), or for swimsuit models who have perfect bodies and can pull anything off. Needless to say, I do not fit into either of those categories. On the other hand, a lot of the one piece suits I see are a little too old for me (ie. solid dark colors and kinda frumpy).

So, what to do, what to do? Here are some tankinis that I like and some modern, fun one pieces I have my eyes on.

Becca Wild at Heart Tankini

Nanette Lepore Rhumba Seductress

Nanette Lepore Parrot Key One Piece

Becca Wall Flower Tankini

So, what do you think?

Obsessed with Angry Birds!

2011-02-21T14:19:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. I blame it all on Angry Birds! Mike got his iPhone last week and I haven't stopped playing since.

It's totally addicting! The craziest thing about it is that everyone I know is also addicted! It's insane. Last night Mike and I were at dinner and the couple sitting across from us had their iPad out and were playing at the table! Mike was like, "is that angry birds I hear?" and it totally was. You couldn't mistake those tweets and chirps for anything else.

I'll sum it up in three words: best. game. ever. If you're not playing angry birds, you need to start immediately. And good luck getting past 4-13, damn pigs! Hee hee...

OMG! Anthropologie Bridal!!

2011-02-15T15:29:00.000-05:00

Check it out ladies!! Amazing stuff.

BHLDN

So much better than JCrew!

How Annoying Are: American Apparel Ads?

2011-02-15T15:15:00.000-05:00

Ok, so all you bloggers out there know what I'm talking about. We follow The Sartorialist, and Garance Dore, and other fashion blogs out there, and what happens as soon as we click on the link to those blogs? BAM! an American Apparel ad is in our face. Actually, it's more like a scantily clothed young girl in our face.

What's up with that?! It's really disturbing. These girls, and yes, they are young girls, are wearing see through garments that barely cover their ____________(fill in the blank...) and I'm supposed to want to shop at this store?

It's also really annoying because the girls are posing in different positions and are actually moving in the ad, so it looks like you're watching a video of a teen taking her clothes off, when really you're checking out a very decent fashion blog (this does not look good at work!).

Arg! Trust me, if I ever get to the point where I have ads on FWC, I promise not to have American Apparel ads....they're just wrong.

Our Foodie Valentine's Weekend

2011-02-13T16:20:00.000-05:00

Mike and I celebrated Valentine's Day all weekend long by cooking, eating, and drinking good wine. Saturday night we made white lasagna with spinach, mushrooms, ricotta and mozzarella cheese and a creamy bechamel sauce. It was divine.

This morning Mike made french toast with a loaf of brioche we bought and a side of smokey bacon. Again, it was divine. Tonight for dinner, we're having steak with grilled vegetables and a nice chianti. I can't wait.

Here are some pictures we took of our delicious meals:

Lasagna right out of the oven...nice and bubbly!

Brioche french toast with butter and maple syrup.

Bacon goodness.

Hope your Valentine's Day is as good as my weekend was! Enjoy!

I'm beat.

2011-02-08T19:35:00.002-05:00

Can't wait until March 1st. (See post below).

Also, happy Chinese New Year.

So does anyone know where to find the best mofongo in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico, Here we Come!

2011-02-03T15:13:00.000-05:00

It's booked! We're going to Puerto Rico in March, and I'm so excited! The warm breeze, the soft sand, and a pina colada in each hand!

Now, what to pack, what to buy?? I definitely need a few new bathing suits, and maybe a nice colorful tunic to wear as a cover up by the pool.

Whenever I think of beach and sun, I think of Calypso. I love their dresses and tunics, and I'm really loving their kaftans. They're all so ethereal and flowy. I love how the color palette this season is a little more muted than in the past. I love wearing whites and light pinks and yellow when I'm sunkissed and tan.

On the other hand, there's Trina Turk. Bright happy colors abound! I also really love the nautical look right now. I can see myself strolling down the streets of Old San Juan with my floppy straw hat and a blue and white striped top and white pants on, and my red flats of course!

Here are some of my favorite looks:

Calypso tunic

Calypso kaftan

Trina Turk sailor tank

Trina Turk Acapulco Gold tunic

Yay! I seriously cannot wait! Where do you shop for a beach vacation?

Seattle Shopping

2011-02-02T13:53:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend Mike and I were in Seattle for his best friend's wedding. As you know, wedding weekends are chock full of fun stuff to do with the happy couple, so Mike and I only had a few hours on Friday morning to walk around town and do what we do best -- SHOP!

When I think of great shopping destinations, Seattle doesn't usually come to mind, but the past two times we've visited, I have been overwhelmingly surprised by the cool independently owned boutiques that are popping up all over town.

The three stores that stand out in my mind so far are, Ketch in Ballard, Butch Blum in downtown Seattle, and of course the Flagship Nordstrom, also in downtown Seattle.

I'll start with Ketch. Definite cool vibe in this boutique. Brands like Rebecca Taylor, Joie, and WHIT are what attracted me to the store. They also carry Michael Stars tees and jean names like Seven, James, and J Brand. Also awesome jewelry. A lot of hammered gold and silver earrings and necklaces, which I'm really into right now.

With a completely opposite vibe there's Butch Blum. This place feels more like Barneys with adorable Delman ballet flats, amazing dresses and tops by Jean Paul Gaultier and Moschino, and the most fantastic Blumarine coats. They also have a pretty stellar men's selection with Zegna and Armani suits and ready to wear apparel.

Last but certainly not least, the Flagship Nordstrom. What an amazing store. Elegant and inviting, bright and warm. The sales people are friendly but not pushy, and make you want to buy whatever they're selling. They also carry Chanel, which most other Nordstrom's don't. This gave them many bonus points!

Overall, a great and super fun shopping experience in Seattle. I'm still deciding whether to buy this Blumarine coat with a chinchilla fur collar from Butch Blum. It's 50% off, and I save tax when having it shipped -- cha ching!

Lovely

2011-01-25T10:04:00.000-05:00

I recently fell in love with Valentino's Spring Collection 2011. The clothes are feminine and playful, yet still sophisticated and elegant. There are a lot of earthy tones like camel and celadon, and there's a lot of lace, which I love!

Not to mention that I am completely obsessed with the Rockstud line of bags. They are amazing. I tried on the smaller one in black and it made me swoon. I have to admit though, that I was not and am still not a fan of the Rockstud t-strap that everyone was wearing at the fashion shows. See below.

There's just too much going on here

But the Rockstud bag collection is a thing of beauty! Here's the one I got my eye on:

I love the stud details and the clasp. Comes in black too!

Well, my 31st birthday is only 5 months away! I'll keep my fingers crossed...

It's Thursday and I Need a Drink!

2011-01-20T17:47:00.000-05:00

When the ball dropped and 2011 arrived, Mike and I made a resolution to detoxify our bodies for one month. This detox entailed avoiding all dairy, alcohol, refined sugar, and caffeine.

Needless to say, we lasted about one week. What we've done instead is try to stay away from alcohol and refined sugar (notice how we dropped the caffeine and dairy) throughout the week. And, the weekends are fair game and we can eat and drink whatever we want.

My question is, does Thursday count as the weekend? Please say yes. Here's why: I don't ever feel like I need to have a drink on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or even Sunday, but when Thursday rolls around I need a big ole glass of wine.

Maybe it's because the week is almost over and I'm exhausted from work. Maybe it's because the tolerance for my job and all the stress involved comes crashing down towards week's end. Hell, maybe I'm just programmed this way. Whatever it is, it's Thursday and I need wine. Period.

The only question now is, red or white?

Once an Asshole...

2011-01-13T21:55:00.000-05:00

Remember the episode of *SATC when Miranda meets and agrees to go out with a guy that Carrie used to date even though Carrie warned her that he was a huge asshole back in the day? Well, Miranda goes out on a few dates with the guy, and whatta ya know? He turns out to still be a major asshole, just like Carrie said.

I recently lived through a similar situation. A guy that Mike and I knew several years ago, who was a big asshole then, has now resurfaced in our lives. The details are irrelevant, but as soon as I found out that we would be associating with him, I began to wonder if he was still an asshole or if he had matured and changed.

Well, I should have known better. Turns out that he's still just as much of an asshole as he ever was. No, as a matter of fact, he's worse now! It just really makes me wonder...once an asshole, always an asshole?

*Also, I just wanted to point out again that EVERY episode of SATC pertains to my life in some way!

So, what do you think?