Weekend Excursion

As much as I am in love with this city right now, I took the opportunity to get outta dodge this past weekend. A co-worker suggested we head to the LIRR and head to the beach. I admit that I wasn't overwhelmingly excited as I should have initially been because, well, let's face it, North Carolina has some of the most beautiful coasts in this country. How could the beaches here be as lovely? Well, they are.

We got up early Saturday morning and met at Penn Station, bought tickets and were on our way to Long Beach in no time. We hit the coast after a short and easy 45 minute train ride. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I got off the train, but it was definitely magic to my nostrils. The salt-watery air hit my lungs and I drifted off for a brief moment to my own corner of heaven.

We spent a leisurely afternoon basking in the sun acquiring a nice glow to forego the near transparent tone originally acquired at birth. Well, that was just me. My girl friend has gorgeous, olive skin and could be a relative of Sofia Vergara from Modern Family. She has a great personality as well. Dang her! By this time of year, the locals were tan and leathery and tipsy by 4:00. Their New Jersey accents were flying by then! It was a wonderful cultural experience! HA! I can't wait to go back.

Catwalk & Cartwheels

In this city, you never know who you are going to see just moseying down the street at any time of the day. So far, I have seen Ivanka Trump (stunning and the perfect shade of blonde hair), Keri Russell (gorgeous and seemed very down to earth - she was doing her own grocery shopping), Emeka Okafor (former Charlotte Bobcat), some other basketball star (I have no clue who he was. He was coming out of the Four Seasons, he was super tall, and looked like he could've been a baller), and Kate Hudson. I am sure I am leaving someone else off the list.

Today, on my way to work, I nearly passed out! I saw THE Betsy Johnson! Her signature dread-lock hair gave her away (not that she was hiding) and her blue, leopard-patterned dress confirmed that it was her! Her designs are never dull or drab. It was so strange that no one else seemed to notice. OR, if they did, they just didn't care. Dang! I should have talked to her! She didn't seem like she was in a rush. She was just strolling down Madison Avenue with a bag in tow. My friend over at Polka Dots and Protein Bars and I spent a good 15 minutes this morning trying to figure out where she was going. In the end, we decided she was going to a meeting. Not super glamorous, but that summation was a safe bet.

Betsy Johnson designs really fun clothes in a myriad of colors. Her runway shows are upbeat and full of life. She has even been known to down a cartwheel on the catwalk at the end of the show. I think I might want to be her when I grow up.

Cookies!!!

I L-O-V-E food. I have an obsession with food...good food...fresh food. Given this statement, you would think that I would enjoy cooking as well. WHOA! Let's not go overboard! Food tastes so much better to me when someone else prepares it and I truly appreciate the skill that went into creating the end result. In addition to this, it is innate to any member of my family that you will think about the next meal even before finishing the one you are currently consuming. HA! You must also discuss how "fresh" everything is. Nothing much is said if the food isn't "fresh."

Tonight I made cookies and burned them. I don't care. They were the best cookies I've had in a little over 21 days. You see, I've recently finished a fast which was pretty strict in the food department, although there were a few days when I wasn't as strict. Foods not included in the fast include:

• Sugar and sugar products (desserts, soft drinks, etc.)

• Drinks including caffeine (coffee, tea, etc.)

• Bread, grains, and rice

• Meats, fish, poultry, dairy products, eggs

During the fast, I focused on what God was trying to tell me through what I was reading in the Bible each day or when I was craving sugar. I also prayed when I was going through caffeine withdrawals or when I had an incredible urge to go with my friends for a milkshake. In the end, as I dunk my burnt cookies in a cold glass of milk to celebrate the end of a 21 day fast, I feel more focused and have a rejuvenated mind, body and spirit. I know my challenges from this world are never going to end, but at least I feel more prepared to handle them. Keep in mind that we all face challenges, but they make the victories sweeter and the race worth running altogether.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great

cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that

hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance

the race marked out for us.

Hairball

I am trying to grow my hair out. Enough said.

Actually, let me expound upon that. I love having short hair. It's soooo much cooler in the summer and it's so easy to style. I literally have wash and go hair right now. My biggest gripe is with the color. I have either highlighted or dyed my hair since middle school so I really can't tell you what color it naturally is anymore. Also, I went from platinum blonde to a deep-dark brunette within a year's time. I love dying my hair, but I'm searching for the natural shade. I think I am close now. I am brunette with a splash of red. Yep. Red. Oye. I used to have the prettiest blonde hair.

Question: What caused this desire to grow out my hair...again?

Answer: Buns

I really like the new messy bun fad.

I like the polished ballerina bun.

I like the low, nape-of-the-neck bun.

I enjoy the high, loose bun.

I have cut my hair and grown it back three times for Locks of Love and each time was more rewarding than the last. The hair is donated to make wigs for children suffering from cancer. It's such a small thing anyone can do for a child in need.

I have a long way to go. Say a prayer for me. I need my locks to grow, grow, grow. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to make this process go faster?

Until then, bottoms up and keep bringing the fresh O.J.

Weeeeeekend

Weeeeeeeee! What a great weekend! My Hero and I enjoyed a wonderful weekend visit from my aunt and uncle (a.k.a. The Nomads - they can't sit still!). For as long as I can remember, my aunt and uncle have enjoyed traveling mainly within the U.S. and they love trying new things. Also, I was fortunate to go to college only 20 minutes away from them. It was nice to have the occassional family meal. They also made sure that I was still alive and studying for four years. After my My Hero and I graduated and moved three hours away from them, they would charter a plane and fly to have lunch with us for the afternoon. Oh yeah, did I mention that my uncle is a great pilot! They just love to travel.

We managed to squeeze in a ton of things in just a few days. Here is a pictorial entry of our fun! ENJOY!

We ventured toward Madison Ave. & saw the huge purse (a.k.a facade)

covering the entrance of Dior.

Uncle Rick - The IBMer

St. Patricks Cathedral

Inside St. Patrick

Taking a break outside St. Patrick

Dragon made of Legos inside the Legos store

near Rockefeller Center

Wall of various colored Legos

Great view of the city from the top of Rockefeller Center

We had such beautiful weather! You could see the entire city!

A visit to Grand Central Station

A visit to the NY Public Library

Such beautiful lighting and architecture inside the library

Ralph Lauren's daughter's candy shop

Aunt Beth trying to make a decision. There was so

much to choose from.

We saw this play Sunday afternoon - PHENOMENAL!

We visited the Pop-tarts Pop-up Store in Times Square

Chocolate Fudge Dipped Chocolate Chip Cookie-Dough Pop-tart! YUM!

Neck Lace

I've always had quite a fascination and slight obsession with jewelry. My metal of choice is primarily gold, but I have gone through phases enjoying silver as well. I have always loved a good silver lining in life. Thanks to my incredibly smart mother and grandmother, I was taught to love things in small packages. Something shiny might be inside.

Now that I work for a very prestigious jewelry company, I am consumed with jewelry. I have never been one to spend money on good (a.k.a. non-costume) jewelry unless I truly love it. That generally means that it has to have lasting potential. I take more risks when it comes to my clothes than I do with my jewelry. I want to be able to wear my jewelry for a long time instead of simply for a single season.

I have been longing for a new necklace for a while...specifically one similar to this one:


I love the way the letters are so elegantly laced together and, of course, I love the monogramming. Monogram+Gold+Jewelry=LOVE!

Latest Love

Fall is just around the corner. This is so hard to think about since the weather has been HOT HOT HOT! BUT I know I must start saving for fabulous fall finds because the colder weather will be here much quicker and last longer this year for me. Being from the south, I am used to Fall extending nearly into November and Spring kicks back into gear in late February or March. Now that I am in the north, I better get used to longer winters and plan accordingly to extend my wardrobe that far as well.

There are several things on my list in the apparel department, but would love a new handbag as well. Considering how much I tend to cram into my bag on a daily basis (i.e. phone, make-up, iTouch, work heels/shoes, lunch, pens, various work related papers, wallet, umbrella, etc), I need a bag that is large enough to carry all of this, durable enough to outlast the elements and fashionable enough to carry with numerous outfits.

After making a recent purchase of a vintage Dooney & Bourke bag at a flea market, I have become a fan of the brand and have realized that this is a well underestimated bag maker by younger generations. I feel that this brand used to be WAY more popular, but other brands have taken the lead over the past few years. I recently visited a D&B store in the city and fell in love with the juicy spring/summer bags now on sale and the rich colored bags made for fall and winter that are landing on the shelves. Here are a few of my picks: (Juliette Bag: You can literally load everything in here! It comes in a gorgeous green as well that is perfect for adding a pop of color on a drab winter day) (Cosmetic Case - Every girl needs a cute cosmetic concealer. How cute are the ducks!) (Multi-Functional Zip Around - Perfect for carrying your ID, Credit Card,
Metro Card and Phone. Cat prints are so in this season.)

(Classic Satchel - This is such a classic style, but the orange gives it a modern edge. The bag comes in classic colors as well in case you want to use this more of an everyday bag.)