CUPCAKE TOUR

Anyone who truly knows me knows that I could and would eat an entire cake in one sitting. A pint of ice cream is child's play.  A dozen cookies or more at once?  Don't make me laugh.  I love my sweets and would eat them all day long if my grown up, anti-diabetes voice didn't take over and steer me in the direction of vegetables and whole grains.

It was obviously a no-brainer then to sign up for a cupcake tour of NYC.  A guide of where to find the city's best mini treasures including a sample at each one?? Check please!  I already had my favorite spot, naturally, but was willing to keep an open mind.

I had to cancel my first excursion because of an interview of all things. Trust, I would've rather have been stuffing cupcakes in my face.  My 2nd date fell right in the middle of the heat wave and while I wanted to reschedule, my grown up voice kicked in again and wouldn't let me flake.  I just hoped I could enjoy the deliciousness without passing out or puking due to the sugar/heat combo.  How embarrassing would that be?

I'm so glad I endured the heat because this was one of the most delicious and interesting things I've done in a while.  Not only did I try cupcakes from spots I've been meaning to check out, but our tour went through areas of town that I don't normally go to unless I have a reason.  I also learned that cupcakes were originally topped with fatty lard and that it was Winston Churchill who suggested putting a sweet frosting on top. That's a solid man right there.

Sadly, I couldn't eat my way through all of the treats (one cookie and one gelato stop included - cookie is Dutch for cupcake (or something) and the gelato was to cleanse our sophisticated cupcake palettes) and I know the heat had something to do with it.  My inner child was shaking her head at me in disbelief.  It's probably for the best as eating half a dozen treats, while delicious, isn't the healthiest thing to do in an hour and a half.  Granted, we walked a few miles in the process, but still.

Despite the heat and the fact that I couldn't "perform" the tour was wonderful. Our tour guide, Mallory, was super knowledgeable; she answered all of my random questions and was probably amazed that one person knew and cared so much about cupcakes. And the buddy I made for the day was sweet, though she didn't like cupcakes; she was there as chaperone only to her pre-teen daughter and her friends. I think that right there speaks volumes about my tastes...

Overall experience was great.  And I would totally do another tour again.  The company (Great New York Tours) has excursions of all kinds throughout the city.  Oh, and I have a new favorite spot. Molly’s Cupcakes down in the Village.

KNOW YOUR SH*T

I count things.  I like to count things.  There were 5 steps on the front porch of my house growing up, 4 on the back.  There are 6 houses on my street now with red awnings.  Mine is the second to last one.  There are 4 steps up to my house, and 13 up to my apartment door.

A little compulsive?  Ummmm, try totally.  But I can’t help it.  Maybe it’s my mind’s way of calming the noise.  I don’t know, I only minored in Psychology.  Counting has proven to be very helpful to me over the years though, I’ll tell ya.  And while I don’t recommend counting everything you come across, I do recommend keeping a running inventory of what’s in your house.  Whether you keep mental or physical lists or, at the very least, take quick peeks before you go shopping, you should know what you're sharing your space with.

This is what your life could look like if you follow my advice: out buying electronics and about to grab an extension cord?  Nope, already have 2 in the bin at home.  Buying false eyelashes for a friend (I seriously just got asked to do this) and need glue too?  No way, I have a whole bottle at home!  (Love me some fake eyelashes).

I’m not cheap, I’m aware - there's a difference.  Plus I hate creating waste.  I know what I need and what I don’t because I know my sh*t.  If I buy that extra cord or glue its only going to turn into the C word.  I don’t wear fake eyelashes THAT much. And I hate the C word. 

NO ONE’S GOTTA KNOW

I feel like we’re far enough into our relationship where I can maybe confess a secret without being judged. Ever see the episode of "Friends" where Chandler finds the junk closet of Monica, his OCD wife, and compares her to Fred Sanford?  My secret?  I, like Monica, keep things where people can’t see.

My coffee table with four drawers?  Filled with all kinds of random junk.  The remotes to my air conditioners (if I can’t get up and turn on my AC’s then we have other issues all together), my son’s wallet and cell (I mean…), the ex’s box set of "The West Wing" (seriously, take your crap already), and an old event rental book that I can’t bear to part with (what if I need a full size white dance floor or complete set of chafing dishes on a random Tuesday?) 

The TV console isn't AS bad: computer set up discs (I panic at the thought of throwing them away and then one day needing them), cleaning cloth for the TV (makes sense), and decorative objects wrapped in plastic bags (huh?).  For example: dented decorative fruit, glass beads, and scented potpourri that lost its scent oh, I don’t know, probably 5 years ago.

As I write this I'm realizing more and more that maybe I’m a little bit of a hoarder.  I don’t need any of these things.  None.  By the time I need the computer discs I’ll need a new computer.  AC remotes can go away, no explanation.  Decorative objects?  I was embarrassed to even let those words go from thought to computer.  And dented decorative fruit no less?  How much could new fruit cost should I ever be so inclined to decorate with it again??  As soon as I turn this computer off I’m throwing them in the garbage.  I motivate myself sometimes…

But for whatever reasons I can’t bring myself to part with these random items and there’s no place else for them to live in the apartment so I think these drawers are perfectly fine.  And I’ll eventually make my way through the nonsense.  Maybe magazines would be more appropriate since I started up a few subscriptions again.  Up until now nothing else was competing for the space so why not keep this stuff here where no one else can see?  If my guests rifle through the drawers when I’m not looking then it’s their loss really.  And, in my defense, its not an entire closet I’m hoarding so don’t cue the Sanford & Son theme music just yet.  

MHM! #obsession

Ah, what a lovely rainy day!  Due to the weather, I decided today's Must Have Monday needs to be an umbrella.  I went back and forth between a collapsible one and a "real" one and decided on a real, full sized one because they give better protection.  Sure, they can be cumbersome if you don't have a car to toss them into when not in use but I think the hassle is worth it based on the job they do.  And, yeah you can throw collapsible ones into your bag when you're not using them...but not when they're wet!

So today's MHM! #obsession is the Rain Rain Go Away Bubble Umbrella by Felix Rey. The bubble style drops low enough to protect as much of you as possible without going to the ground. (A full length umbrella is my idea of the perfect umbrella. Totally weird, but smart.)  And it's transparent so you won't crash into people on the street.  That's important.

Bloomingdale's has it for $65:  http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/felix-rey-rain-rain-go-away-clear-umbrella?ID=606421&CategoryID=20082#fn=spp%3D3%26ppp%3D96%26sp%3D1%26rid%3D52

WHAT NOT TO WEAR

(an addendum to Tuesday’s post "USE IT OR LOSE IT, SISTER!" because even I’m not perfect…)

I’m totally stealing the name while paying homage to one of the greatest informative TV shows ever created (airs on TLC, check it out).  Stacy London & Clinton Kelly's ability to make a person over inside and out is truly amazing and inspiring, and their ability to entertain while doing so is a bonus.  And their wardrobes?  Just stop it right there.  For fun, sometimes I go about my day pretending that I’m a renegade version of the WNTW team, ready to ambush the person next to me on the subway, for example.  Like, if I only had two seconds to help this poor sap, what's one thing I could do to make him or her look better?  It’s a fun game.  

But what if someone were doing this to me?  I’m terrified of the idea.  I’m not concerned about my planned attire for nights out or even for when I get dressed for neighborhood errands because I always put thought into what I wear (I was an Associate Buyer in a past life so I know how to make an outfit work).  I’m talking about the times when I don't think and I run outside quickly in an old t-shirt and pajama pants.  In my sick little mind I’m imagining Stacy & Clinton with hidden cameras watching and judging.  And maybe they should be; it can get pretty ugly at times.  Just the other day (this is really bad, brace yourself) I had on a faded drinking tee from freshman year of college (3 sizes too big because maybe enormous shirts were cool in the late 90’s?), a yellow flannel button down, paired with red flannel pants.  What the?!  It was chilly in my apartment, plus I have the circulation of a 90 year old woman, and it was really early in the morning...excuses, excuses.  I was about to take the trash downstairs but by some miracle realized what was happening and stopped myself.  There are commuters that walk by my house that could’ve seen me like this and I have a rep to protect!  So I left the trash on the top step just outside my door. 

Then panic set in.  Would my thoughtless wardrobe choices turn me into a hoarder from this point on?  I can see it now: family having to come in through the back windows of my apartment because the stairs become so clogged with trash.  “She was too ashamed to leave her apartment – the clothes were just too bad,” as they’re shaking their heads in both sadness and shame.  

This scenario is progressing too far too fast!  I need to get rid of this old, over-sized junk and vow to never mismatch flannel plaid again.  I don't care if I'm in the middle of the biggest nor'easter to ever hit the city and won't be leaving my apartment for days.  I'm dressing cute, always, so I can take out my trash with dignity and not live in fear slash hope that the WNTW crew is waiting in the wings to whisk me away on a shopping spree.  Ahhh, if only to spend a week downtown with the stylish team.  A girl can dream. 

USE IT OR LOSE IT, SISTER!

Spring cleaning is for the birds.  I go through my closets any time I get the urge…and whenever I’m stressed; I don’t need a season to dictate when to clean.  Hey, stress cleaning beats downing a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in one sitting, no?  Warning: purging always sparks a big shopping trip for me, so I'm telling you now – it can be dangerous.  You’ll get a sense of what your wardrobe is lacking while making room for the new stuff.  Helloooo?!  If that doesn’t say MUST SHOP then I don’t know what does.

There are those who hold on to old clothes dying for the day they'll come back in style.  From 60’s mod to 90’s grunge.  And it will come back, every style always comes back in some way, shape, or form.  But not necessarily how you’d like it to.  I’m not arguing vintage here; authentic vintage is cool.  I’m talking old.  You have to admit that Kim K (love or hate her) makes shoulder pads look WAY better than power suits of the 80’s did.  And I’m willing to bet your high school jeans won’t look as hot the second time around even if you do get back to fighting weight.  They'll just be mom jeans this time around.

Rule of thumb?  If you haven’t worn something in 1 maybe 2 years (I’m being kind with 2), you’re never going to wear it again.  You’re not, even if you have the best of intentions.  So give it away already!  But not to a friend.  Don’t you dare give those high school jeans to a friend!  Your closet will thank you.

MHM! #obsession

Don't judge, but I have really sweaty feet.  There, I admitted it.  They don't smell, they just sweat more than I think a normal person's feet should sweat.  I've recently contemplated Botox for my soles but I don't think the sweat is running my life in such a way that I need to go that route.  I tweeted last week about taking care of your clothes, and I think you should take good care of all of your things, shoes included.  So when I finally got tired of coming up with ways to keep the insides of my shoes as nice as the outsides, I realized I needed help.  And what I've really taken a liking to is "Odor Stoppers" cushion insoles for shoes...today's Must Have Monday!

I know there are more of you out there like me with a foot "issue" so don't pretend like I'm a freak.  I did my research and found that 8 million people suffer from sweaty feet and hands, so figure at least half suffer from sweaty feet alone.  So there.  And if you are one of those people, I highly recommend a product like this.  I buy the generic 2 pack for about $5, but I know Dr. Scholl's makes a similar product and I'm sure it's great as well.  The inserts can be cut to size (there's a chart right on the back of the insert) but then use whatever shoe you're wearing to trim to perfection.  You can even wash the inserts with soap and water so that you can wear them more than once. I'm not sure if I'd wear them more than a few times, but that's just me.  And since they're so cheap, it's not a big deal to grab some more when you need them.

Oh, and even if you don't have sweaty (or smelly) feet they'd be perfect if your shoes are just a little too big as they take up some room.  Sometimes a downfall if your shoes are already fitting just right.

I haven't quite figured out what to do with open toed shoes yet, maybe I trim the toe.  Maybe I do some more research?

LIVING LIFE

I made my way to Pottery Barn last Sunday for an Outdoor Entertaining Class as part of my Living Life to the Fullest exercise.  Keep in mind, I don’t have any outdoor space but I figure I will someday so I’ll need inspiration and I love this kind of stuff so of course I signed up.  Throughout the class though I couldn’t help but feel depressed, suddenly claustrophobic, and almost desperate to move. 

Thankfully the teacher, Leslie, had TONS of great ideas for bringing the outdoors in as well so class wasn’t a total flop.  I learned how to use low- to no-cook summer meals in entertaining so I can avoid heating the apartment unnecessarily with the oven, how to decorate with outdoor elements in ways I had never thought of, and (best part) how to repurpose things I already have (like glassware) so as not to waste valuable storage space in my NYC apartment.

My class mate was a woman about twenty years older than me who just bought a house in South Hampton for her family so I lived vicariously through her; planning her 4^th of July party and her husband’s birthday in mid July.  We brainstormed on favor ideas and on what food and drinks to serve, how to set the table, and what décor would work best.  It was great.  I was hinting at invites but I don’t think she was getting it.  It’s OK, I have other friends with outdoor spaces that I can mooch off of until my dream for fresh air space becomes a reality.  And when it does, you better believe that I’ll be ready to throw a doozie of an event! 

Experience Result?  Success!

So, I'm torn.  Do I post my experiences here and list them under Challenges and encourage you guys to tell me about your own experiences?  Or leave them on Facebook as I've been doing?  What do you guys think?  Or both??  Oy.

I GOT A GUY

There’s something to be said for having a strong rolodex of professionals to rely on to help take care of the day to day or the not so day to day when you’re handling something that’s way out of your comfort zone.  I’m talking about people you can call at a moment’s notice or run to with an issue when there’s something that you can’t handle.  Let’s face it, no one person is good at everything (and can’t be good at everything, hello…dry cleaning?) so it’s nice to be able to drop some of your “chores” on those who specialize in these certain abilities.  I’m talking accountants, mechanics, tailors, contractors, hairdressers, cobblers (yes, I used and will always use the word cobbler), event planners, bakers, and any other professional who’s good and reliable.  Someone you can trust to handle your business and handle it well.

Here’s just a glimpse of what you can get when you let go of some responsibility and pass it off to someone else.  Did the bottom of your heel wear out…again? (You city girls know what I’m talking about and hopefully already have a guy.)  Don’t get rid of your shoes, have the heel fixed by a cobbler for a mere $5 (depends where you live).  You lost the last of those annoying 5 pounds?  Congrats!  Don’t donate your old pants, have them tweaked by a tailor for about $15.  Think of the money you'll save by not having to buy all new pants.  Your car isn’t starting and you’re not sure why?  If you have a relationship with your mechanic they might just come to your house and tow it to their garage for free – never know.  You’ll have to pay for the repairs of course so it’s a good thing you didn’t buy new pants.  Event planners pass along discounts from vendors and they’ll handle all of the stressful phone calls and negotiations that you’d rather not.  They’re your instant BFF whether they want to be or not.  Oh, and accountants!  I won’t go into too much detail but I will say that instead of having to pay a couple thousand one year my guy managed to get me money back.  I mean that’s just magical right there.

The pros are in business for a reason.  Others are kicking down their doors because they’re amazing – isn’t it about time you found out why for yourself?  Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations or talk to local business owners to get a sense for yourself.  Think about it for a minute, what could you use help with in your life?  Baking for your kids school, work on your house, housekeeping (even though I write about not "needing" it, many people do), financial planning?  Stop trying to do it all and know when to ask for help.  However you get there, start building your own rolodex today and simplify your life.  Try it out, it feels good to say, "I got a guy".

I'M DYING

I’m kind of obsessed with ombre hair right now.  I feel like Annie on 90210 started the trend a couple years ago then Khloe K brought it mainstream, and now every other celeb and non-celeb alike is on the funky highlight bandwagon.  And I want to be on that wagon too.  Of course, if I don’t get to the salon soon I’ll save some cash because my grown out color could pass as a sad version of ombre (ala house of not being on top of my game, obvi).

Think about it though, it could quite possibly be how the trend started.  A lazy celeb didn’t get to the salon on time and all of a sudden it’s cool to look undone…again.  I remember seeing a pic of Lee Lo before she made the point of (hopefully not) no return with chipped black polish in some magazine.  The caption was like, Lindsay’s unmanicured and looking cool.  Seriously?!  Where was that photog all the times when my manicure was a week and a half overdue and I was shamefully hiding my nails in my pockets, refusing to shake hands with new people I met?  I mean, come on!!

Unfortunately for me, I’m not a celebrity so I realize that when I don’t keep up with my beauty regimen I won’t be lauded as a trend setter.  Instead I’ll merely be considered lazy.  So I’ve found the best way to stay on top of my maintenance (yup, like a car) is to make future appointments while still at the current appointment.  Picking up what I’m putting down?  So as I pay for my cut, I schedule a follow up 2-3 months later.  At the dentist (mine’s awful at sending reminders) I’ve taken it into my own hands to keep on top of my biannual checkups, and so on.  If scheduling so far in advance seems super nutso then set a reminder in your phone for a couple weeks out from the appointment, write it down somewhere, or have the receptionist give you a card to hang on the fridge (I hate and refuse these cards at all costs but do what you need to do, just don’t tell me).  The best part of this exercise is that you’ll get the best appointment day and time.  And true, you may not know what you’ll be up to in 3 months so it’s OK if you have to move things around if life dictates.

While you wrap your head around all this I’ll be calling my stylist to go ombre for real.  Because this is probably something best left in the hands of a seasoned pro, not poor planning.  And in the future I’ll be sure to follow my own words of wisdom more strictly so as not to have a Lee Lo moment (sans paparazzi and adoring fans, natch).

MHM! #obsession

Today's Must Have Monday is Oh So Fabulous!  Yeah, yeah, yeah I used to work for this event planning company (and may even be considered a Fabbie in some circles), but that's not why they're my MHM.  Wedding season is in full swing so I figured why not give a shout out to a company that's truly wonderful at designing and organizing high end and meticulous details for brides to be.  The Fabbies can make your ideas come to life in merely a few months time yet have your guests talking about your event for years to come.  And they don't just do weddings - showers, birthdays, parties of all kinds, and corporate events.  You name it, they'll have you covered.
Look them up today and I promise you won't be disappointed.

www.ohsofab.com

IF IT AIN’T BROKE

Am I frugal??  There’s no way; I love shopping too much.  I don’t know maybe there’s a chance?

A couple months ago, my bff picked me up for dinner and caught me as I was lugging my laundry back to my apartment.  So then at dinner she starts making fun of my laundry bag, of all things.  No joke.  “My laundry bag?  There’s nothing wrong with it!” I insisted.  “Um, what about the fact that you’ve had it since 1997?” she said.  I was totally busted.

Hear me out.  Yes, I’ve had the bag for 15 years but I mean, it’s not falling apart, I throw it in the wash every couple of weeks, and riiiight…I use it to transport dirty clothes to the laundromat.  So, what’s the problem?  Should it be designer or renewed every couple of years?  The laundromat is literally around the corner from my apartment; it takes a minute max to walk to.  Who’s going to see me?  Better yet, do I care who sees me?  Oh, and side note, the bag isn’t hideous or anything.  It’s a name brand ski bag.  I was willing to give in to my bff that it was weird that I use a ski bag for my laundry but, overall, I so wasn’t getting her point.  Am I practicing some sort of laundry faux pas that I’m not aware of?

I think I figured out that my friend is of the mindset that because the bag is old a replacement is just necessary.  Never mind that she loves shopping more than me.  What’s crazy is that I think tons of people fall into this trap of buying just because.  My point of view is, why spend money on something new if what you have works perfectly fine?  If it were a handbag I’d totally jump on the shopping bandwagon, but it doesn’t make sense to go out and spend X amount on something just because.  Maybe I’m being a little stubborn or maybe a little frugal (probably a little of both) but I don’t need one so I’m not getting one.  What I’m going to do is spend that money on some new summer shoes or jewelry.  Something that more people will see, not just the woman who runs the laundromat.  I’m sure she doesn’t judge my bag…does she??!!   

 

…breaking news!  No pun intended, honest.  My best friend would be happy to hear (and I’m actually laughing about this now) that after a long run – I’m talking brand new for my 6th grade school trip to NYC (yup, you heard right, 6th grade - I don’t play) my toiletry bag bit the dust.  I was in a mad dash to unpack after the 500^th trip home this year and I must’ve pulled the zipper a little too hard.  It didn’t break so much as got stuck in a weird way that won’t un-stick.  I don’t know if I was exhausted from the arduous week before or if I was truly sad to see my run with my peach flowered water color bag end but I sat on my bathroom floor and actually shed a tear.  Then I laughed at the fact that I’ve had this stupid thing since 1991.  1991?!  I mean, let’s get serious, this thing needed to break.  I’m actually looking forward to getting a new big girl bag and after checking out a few options I settled on this grown up floral version from C Wonder.  It should be here next week.  I’ll be obsessing ‘til then.

CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

Don’t worry, I’m not getting into religion here but cleaning is pretty close to a spiritual moment for me.  I’m not kidding.  It’s a rare time of quiet and calm, one of the few times of the week where I can zone out and be alone with my thoughts.  OK, so maybe I need another means of spirituality, but it’s zen.  Can I at least get that?

Most people I meet don’t like to clean but I think it’s because they’re going about it all wrong.  I have a schedule that makes it more manageable and truthfully enjoyable.  Yes, a schedule.  The first time I said I  had a cleaning schedule out loud the utter dorkdom of it all became abundantly clear, but the planning behind the schedule was necessary so hear me out.  First, the schedule was born when I stopped working fulltime and being a mom was my new job.  I needed more regimented days because that’s how I feel most productive.  Second, I found that doing a whole or even a half day’s worth of cleaning was daunting and definitely not something to look forward to.  I find that my friends who have “cleaning days” dread them and typically only follow through on them once, maybe twice a month.  And maybe their houses aren’t as clean as they’d like.  Or they end up using a cleaning service (hey, more power to you if you don’t mind spending the cash), but if you don’t mind doing a little work then you don’t have to spend your money that way.  I actually like me some cleaning – sometimes I think I was a really well-kept maid in a previous life. 

So the way my super dorky schedule works is as follows: I split up the big jobs throughout the week and deal with the even bigger jobs every other week.  Here’s a peek (I keep it saved in the calendar on my phone and delete each chore once it's done...if you were wondering): 

Every other Sunday: scrub & mop kitchen floor. 

Other Sundays: clean oven      

Tuesdays: dust & vacuum, clean mirrors

Fridays: dust & vacuum, clean bathroom

Last Saturday of the month: clean fridge

Broken down in this way the jobs go by quickly and next thing you know, you're settling in for a Real Housewives marathon or hopping into bed.  Of course, I constantly tidy as I go about my week so "cleaning" is never super strenuous but, alas, that's a compulsive story for another day.    

MHM! #obsession

Today's Must Have Monday is Kiss Nail Dress - a sticker manicure, basically.  I got more compliments from these nails than from any other manicure I’ve ever had in my life.  I went into my nail salon for a pedicure and even the manicurists couldn’t get over my fingers (I kind of felt bad showing them off).

Inspired by my nieces (trendsetters as kids usually are), I went out and bought these cute stickers for $8.99 in my drugstore.  They were kind of tricky to get just right for a perfectionist such as myself (plus I have skinny fingers so I had to cut every single one just so to fit each nail), but once I was done I loved the results.  And they lasted almost two weeks (including a beach trip with salt water and sand – not bad).  It was fun and different and a conversation starter everywhere I went. 

I saw yesterday that Sally Hansen makes a bunch of styles too.  I’m definitely up for it again, it’s only a matter of deciding which fun pattern to try next.

I took this picture JUST before the stickers came off (which was super easy) so you can see how well they held up...