Pretty Random Thoughts

Hi to My Pal, Kristie!

2009-12-09T23:42:00.004-06:00

Look how sweet this is!

You should check out Kristie's blog--she is a sweetheart.

Best of 2009 - 03

2009-12-09T23:10:00.009-06:00

3 Article. What's an article that you read that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you Delicious'd and reference throughout the year?

Okay, I read many, many fashion and decorating magazines. Many magazines geared towards women. At my job, we literally get dozens of magazines for the beauty and fashion industry that we are in, BUT my answer is going to be oh so lame, because not one single, solitary article stands out in my mind.

So you might say, oh, Lesli, that is just because you read shallow magazines about lipgloss and how to get your boyfriend to propose, but that is not true (entirely). I also read serious journalism and I can't think of any specific articles.

However, this has been an interesting year what with the economy and the job market and the sinking real estate market. So probably my answer would just have to be not one specific article, but all the articles on the economy. And not that I really want to keep reading about the poor economy. It is depressing!

Come to think about it, I would RATHER read about lip gloss. And celebrity gossip. It really does take your mind off the bad things that are happening in the world.

Now that I sound completely shallow, I need to go turn on CNN and get serious because I suddenly sound like I am in a beauty pageant and I am seriously failing the interview portion of the contest!! This was a really hard question.

Best of 2009 - 02

2009-12-09T23:01:00.005-06:00

Restaurant moment. Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind?

I have to always say my favorite Minneapolis restaurant, Joe's Garage, and it doesn't even matter who is there - it can be anyone as long as I have my mashed potatoes and Japanese cream cheese egg rolls. Oh, and wine.

If you are ever in Minneapolis, you should check out my favorite spot. It overlooks Loring Park and the atmosphere is sort of funky, hip, industrial. In the summer, there is a lovely rooftop bar with a view of the Basilica and Downtown Minneapolis.

And the garlic mashed potatoes are to die for, with a choice of many toppings, but I always get the blue cheese cream sauce.

WINTER STORM 2009

2009-12-09T22:41:00.013-06:00

What used to be my patio furniture, buried in a Wisconsin avalanche!

(click all pictures to enlarge)

The 2-hour commute home yesterday on I-94, as seen out the windshield of my VW Bug, Daisy

Noodles and my floral Uggs - safely back inside. Weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful!

Trista, the regal white cat - she is happy she doesn't have to leave the house ever. She is happy to preside over her kindgom on top of the refrigerator!

Best of 2009

2009-12-02T13:37:00.037-06:00

I got this idea from Amber (another idea from Amber - she has the best ones!). To find out about the Best of 09 Blogging Challenge, click here.

But I am not formally going to participate, and I thought I would just pick and choose which ones I will do for the month of December. I am all about making my own rules, you know!

December 1 is What Was Your Best Trip in 09?

I had to stop and think about what trips I took this year. I feel that I did LESS traveling, but I had to flip back through my calendar.

In May I went to Vegas. It was my first time there EVER. Eric and I stayed at the Paris Hotel and I remember eating a lot, drinking a lot, shopping a lot. Walking a lot. Going to see Donny & Marie (such a great show) and Cirque du Soleil. Hanging out by the pool. Meeting my friend, Will, for dinner one night. Going to the spa. A gondola ride at the Venetian. Playing the penny slots – a gambler I am not. But Vegas is about so much more than gambling. I think, like everything else in life, it is what you make it! And I made it about shopping, drinking, eating and relaxing!

Shopping At Chanel in Vegas

Over the 4th of July weekend we went to New England. We stayed at Eric’s parents’ house in New Hampshire for most of the trip, but we had one night in Boston and one day of shopping in Boston. Plus one fun filled day in Salem—well, it was fun til I tripped in the parking ramp and broke my toe! Otherwise, we spent time at the lake and watched the fireworks over the water.

Cutest Pet Boutique in Salem, Mass.

In August, Eric and I took a road trip to West Des Moines, Iowa - my old hometown. I got to hang out with Amber and we saw Julie and Julia (the movie). I did some shopping at Jordan Creek. I met girlfriends for lunch. I attended the Iowa State Fair. And I briefly caught up with another old girlfriend, my dear friend Leigh Ann who I recently got back in touch with through Facebook. It was my new car, Daisy's, first road trip and it was a blast. (Shockingly, no pictures???!! What the!)

And finally in October we went to Southern California for my birthday weekend. We stayed at the Radisson in Newport Beach and rented a convertible and I did my favorites- shopping, drinking, eating and relaxing. Got to hang out with one of my best friends, Jodan, in Laguna. Saw Marilyn Monroe and Farrah Fawcett’s graves in Hollywood. Had a delicious Red Velvet Cupcake from Sprinkles, of course.

Beautiful Laguna Beach!

Out of those trips, my favorite had to be the California trip because I always love going out there and just feel so at home, but all of the trips were fun and I am glad I took them!

L is for Lovely

2009-12-07T16:58:00.004-06:00

(click picture to enlarge & see all of its fabulousness)

Sometimes I will see a cute letter L, you know, made from fabric or wood or something at places like Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie or a local craft fair and I will think I need it. Then I will think but what do I need it FOR? Then I came across this fabulous use of the letter L in decorating.

Isn’t it soooooo cute? I also love that spiral open-air staircase. I used to have one just like it in my old condo and I miss it. If I ever design a custom-built home, it is going to have that staircase somewhere in the house.

This picture is courtesy of Beki at the fabulous blog Artsy Crafty Babe.

Tempting Tuesday Shopping

2009-12-01T16:47:00.013-06:00

Regrettably, I did not participate in this year's Cyber Monday. Shocking I know.

But I can't bear to think that I don't have any fun packages on their way to me so today has been dubbed Tempting Tuesday and I proceeded to use two of my gift cards from my birthday in October.

One was from Barnes & Noble and the other one from Macy's.

From Barnes & Noble I got the new 50th Anniversary Barbie book, "Barbie: All Dolled Up: Celebrating 50 Years of Barbie".

I already browsed through it at the book store and it is full of delightful pictures and replicas of rare memorabilia. I can't wait!

And from Macy's I chose a Betsey Johnson charm bracelet. It has a bunny and a snowflake and a mitten and a heart. How cute is that?

Here is the description:

Dress up with a little holiday spice. This Betsey Johnson bracelet features glass pearls, crystal accents and an array of charms including a bunny, mitten, snowflake and heart. Set in antiqued 14k gold-plated mixed metal.

Random Meme

2009-12-01T16:32:00.008-06:00

I borrowed (okay, stole) this from Amber at a Little Pink.
Hopefully, she won't mind!

Current Book(s):
I just finished 3 books, “How Starbucks Saved My Life”, “Home Safe” by Elizabeth Berg (love her writing!), and “Hungry” by plus-sized model Crystal Renn. All 3 were really good books. Now I am onto my next book, whatever that may be.

Current Music:
Satellite radio in my car – I split my listening time between Hits on Channel 1 and then I listen to the 70s, 80s and 90s, and also Lithium (alternative) and Boneyard (the really hard rock station—ha!).

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:
Internet shopping while at work. I am so bad! Kate Spade jewelry. McDonalds new Holiday Pie.

Current Colors:
Red as in my red Kate Spade bag, perfect for the holidays. And purple. I have a Kate Spade bag in that color as well.

Current Obsessions:
kate spade, little dogs, Anthropologie, Philosophy Eggnog Bubble Bath, and Christmas lights

Current Drink:
Caribou’s Apple Coffee Cooler—but pretty sure it is gone now that it is December – boo!

Current Song:
Leighton Meester’s new song “Somebody To Love”.

Current Movie:
There are two movies coming out that I want to see. The first one is with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” and the other one is Alec Baldwin & Meryl Streep called “It’s Complicated”. Both come out this month.

Current TV Shows:
Million Dollar Listing, Real Housewives of Orange County, Gossip Girl, 90210, Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives—that is my line-up right now.

Current Wish-List:
A second dog, a white Louis Vuitton bag, and a Porsche. That’s about it for now! Oh, and diamonds.

Current Needs:
I need someone to get the tar off my car (I ran into some road construction). Poor Daisy!

Current Triumph:
See below—I triumphed over that zit. Thanks to a good dermatologist & an emergency appointment.

Current Bane of my Existence:
A big zit. But a little cortisone injection can work miracles.

Current Goal:
I don’t have any goals right now. I sort of want to be goal-less.

Current Indulgence:
Mince pie with brandy sauce, McDonalds holiday pie, chocolate covered cherries and marshmallow Santas. Tis the season.

Current Blessings:
My friends, my husband, my pets (not necessarily in that order!)

Current Slang or Saying:
Happy Holidays, of course. (I am a receptionist!)

Current (Fav) Outfit:
Any dress over black leggings with my low-heeled black suede boots.

Current Excitement:
Hmmmm…. I NEED something to be excited about. I don’t have anything right now. But I will. Don’t you worry.

Current Mood:
Fidgety + a little sleepy – ready to go home. Oh, and run to Target. When the sun sets so early it makes me tired!

My Twitter Cloud

2009-11-30T16:44:00.008-06:00

According to Tweet Cloud, these are the words I use most on my Twitter account. And probably the words I use most on my blog, too!

Kinda fun!

Maiden Minnesota - 2009

2009-11-25T16:28:00.045-06:00

As someone who enjoys shopping and drinking wine and socializing and jewelry and fashion and candles, etc., etc., of course I had to attend the Maiden Minnesota Event a few weeks back. I meant to write about this a few weeks ago....but as you may have noticed, the theme of my blog lately is procrastination. I don't know what has happened to me.

So to recap, Maiden Minnesota is to benefit the arts and showcases the designs and wares of women-owned companies in the Twin Cities area. This year it was held at the super-elegant Graves Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis.

I was especially in love with the Eggnog Latte candles by Illume. Love it! So yummy for the holidays. Illume candles are available at Anthropologie and Bloomingdale's.

And the long fingerless gloves by Annie Fink. (Similar to those below, but not exactly.) Actually, Annie's are called arm sleeves and are much longer, and were worn by Lindsay Lohan on "Ugly Betty". Click on the link to see what I am talking about and read more about Annie. Each of her sleeves comes with a tiny red heart sewn on the inside of the wrist!!

And, finally, all things Hollywood Fashion Tape. Yes, they are based in Minneapolis, which I never even realized. They are the "stars' secrets to preventing wardrobe malfunctions" and they have everything from body shapers to oil blotting papers to ballet flats. Click here to see their shapewear model! Yes, she really did walk around all evening dressed like that. But she was darling. She was a model!

It's The Little Things - Giving Thanks

2009-11-25T14:27:00.005-06:00

For the entire year of 2009, I have been participating in Days of Grace 365, in which I listed 5 things I was grateful for each day. I often fell behind and then would play catch up, but I did it for approximately 240 days and then I really fell behind in September and tried just listing 5 things for each week. And eventually I gave up.

Not that I am not still grateful—I am. I just learned that it is really hard to be disciplined enough to write down 5 things for each day. So, hey, I fell short by 125 days, but that is better than nothing….and it really did make me stop and take notice of the little things that make me smile. I consider it an experiment.

Here and there, I still plan to tell you what I am grateful for. I just don’t want to follow such a strict schedule. I am bad at anything too regimented!

But as this week is Thanksgiving, I definitely need to give thanks and tell you some of things in my life that I am grateful for.

Without further ado:

I am grateful for kittens, cupcakes, fashion blogs, blogging friends, all friends, old friends, new friends, chocolate covered cherries, snowflakes, little dogs, dogs in clothes, dogs in handbags, shoe shopping, clothes shopping, on-line shopping, fun packages and cards in the mail, thank-you cards, birthday cards, Christmas cards, just because cards, watercolor paintings, fashion illustrations, sea shells, falling leaves, sunsets, thunderstorms, shiny hair, skipping, laughter, hugs and the sandpaper tongues of cats.

And those are just a few of the little things I am grateful for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Thursday I plan to get up and watch the Macy’s Parade in my pajamas. Friday my mom will be here for a weekend of shopping and pie and wine.

Hope your holiday is full of the people and things you love!

California, My Birthday, Etc.

2009-11-25T14:37:00.035-06:00

I started to write this post well over a month ago. But what I can say, I have really been procrastinating! I found it in my notes.

Over the weekend of October 10, I was in Southern California, one of my most favorite areas in the country and where I someday will live. It was my birthday weekend and my husband and I flew out there to celebrate California style!

We flew into LAX , rented a Mustang convertible (a really pretty burgundy colored one) and then drove to Newport Beach where we spent 3 nights at the Radisson. I probably go out to California at least two or three times a year. For one thing, my husband has an office in San Diego and if he gets sent out there for work, you don’t have to tell me twice to tag along. So as a result, I am pretty familiar with the area. I know how to get around and where to shop!

This trip was not supposed to be a work trip for Eric but he did schedule one teeny-tiny conference call, which turned into a 4-hour phone marathon. Not to be daunted, I took the convertible to Fashion Island in Newport Beach and also paid a visit to Sprinkles Cupcakes. When I got back we TRIED to go to lunch at Eric’s favorite Mexican place in Irvine, but on the way there he got an emergency call and he literally spent the whole meal on his phone with his laptop on the table tapping away—ugh!!!

Later that night he made it up to me. No, not like that—ha ha!! He took me to South Coast Plaza and I got a new charm for my Tiffany bracelet and a new watch.

JODAN AND I IN LAGUNA

I also got to spend one of our days in Laguna Beach with my good friend, Jodan, and her boyfriend, Donny. They live in Ontario (east of LA?) and drove down to spend some time with me, celebrating my birthday. We had a really nice lunch at Las Brisas, overlooking the Pacific, and then we walked around Laguna for part of the afternoon window shopping. Okay, I am the only one who did some ACTUAL shopping. One of the things I bought was a really yummy smelling soy candle by Makana Candle Studios in Laguna. The fragrance I got was Coco Mango.

After a stop at Starbucks, Jodan and Donny were on their way

JUST SOME PRETTY SHOTS OF LAGUNA BEACH

In the evening, Eric and I went to Downtown Disney and it is always just fun to walk around there. Of course, I had to get a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. Yes, of course, it is pink.

I KEPT RUNNING INTO DAISY'S CALIFORNIA COUSINS!

On our final day, I decided it was important to visit Westwood Cemetery. I wanted to see the famous wall crypt where Marilyn Monroe is buried and in my research, I discovered that Farrah Fawcett is buried just across the lawn.

MARILYN MONROE'S CRYPT - PEOPLE PUT PENNIES IN THE NAMEPLATE

FARRAH'S GRAVE - SHE HAD A DOZEN RED ROSES - FROM RYAN?

So that wraps up my birthday trip to California. I am ready to go back! Maybe at Christmas?

I Seemingly Skipped Over Halloween!

2009-11-25T15:53:00.007-06:00

I know it is Thanksgiving tomorrow.

I DID celebrate Halloween.

I DID hand out pre-packaged joy to all the neighborhood ghosts and goblins. Until the handle on the screen door broke & Eric announced Trick or Treating 2009 was over!

I DID dress Noodles as a Hot Dog Bun.

Below are some belated pix (as always click to enlarge):

I Am Famous

2009-11-25T16:09:00.006-06:00

(kidding!)

But my little bio is on AliShops.com now. The picture is still a big red X, but her web designer is working on that.

I am officially a shopping assistant. I thought maybe you would want to see the bio:

Lesli LeJeune grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa and moved to the Twin Cities to attend Lowthian College of Design where she studied interior design, fashion history and fashion merchandising. She's a receptionist at the corporate office of the Thymes, a Minneapolis-based bath and body company and lives in Hudson, Wis. with her husband, four cats and a naughty Pug. When she isn't working, blogging or caring for pets, Lesli loves to shop: Nordstrom, Von Maur, Anthropologie, Target. Ridgedale is her favorite mall; 50th & France is her favorite neighborhood. But any place with Kate Spade bags or Nanette Lepore dresses is worth the drive.

Two Fashion Blogs I Am Loving

2009-11-11T15:48:00.019-06:00

I recently (as in really recently, like this past week!) came across not one, but two fabulous fashion blogs and I am in love with both of them.

Check them out!!

Glammed If You Do, Glammed If You Don't

&

The Chloe Conspiracy!

You will thank me for referring y'all to these two blogs.

You're welcome!

Mitten Fail

2009-11-10T21:29:00.007-06:00

So I have checked Bloomingdale's multiple times today and they are still not letting me order the Kate Spade mittens, although it says they are in stock. But I contacted customer service and the very, very nice lady (excellent Bloomies customer service) informed me that there were zero available to order NOW, but to keep trying. So I did keep trying, but so far no luck.

And while I will try again tomorrow and the next day and the day after that, I am going to need some cute mittens pronto so how about these Betsey Johnson mittens with the cute, dangling pom-poms?? Would you believe I tried to order them twice at the office and both times the website locked me out? WTF???

But I think I can order them now, from home. Wish me luck.

Kate Spade Mittens

2009-11-09T21:03:00.004-06:00

I wanted these mittens and now BOO they are sold out. They seem to have been sold exclusively at Bloomingdale's because I can't find them on the Kate Spade website nor at Nordstrom, Von Maur or Neiman's, and now Bloomingdale's has zero to sell. I know, because I called the Bloomingdale's customer service.

How cute would these have been?

I am not giving up!!

A Fashion Set

2009-10-07T16:57:00.019-05:00

(CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE)

I made this fashion set today. It represents my favorite color purple and a lot of things I would really buy. I am especially a fan of Rebecca Taylor and Marc Jacobs.

You can go here to make your own and be entered in a contest to win a $250 gift card from Piperlime. The judge is Rachel Zoe. Love her!

I know I could have done better, but this was just my initial effort and just for fun!

Items in this set

Shoes: Steve Madden Merriee - Purple suede
$90

Rebecca Taylor Date Me Top - Vintage lavender
$260

Wrap Star Hand Stitch Embroidered Scarf - Pansy
$47

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Little Hobo - Grape ape
$158

Rich & Skinny Bellissima Flared Jeans - Patriot vintage
$176

Rebecca Taylor Ruffle Me Up Long Cardigan - Oatmeal
$295

All items available at piperlime.com

Super Secret Project - Part 2

2009-11-02T14:10:00.013-06:00

Way back in June I wrote about this.

And then I heard back last week and I met Allison Kaplan of Ali Shops for coffee!! She is so nice and is living my dream--she has parlayed shopping into a career!

And my exciting news is I will now be working as an unpaid intern for Ali. I am going to try my hand at reviewing a couple of local stores, and will be helping out at an Ali Shops holiday party at Spalon Montage in Edina.

I am so excited. That is perfect for me, don't you think?!! You should all go check out Ali Shops!

Current Obsessions

2009-10-28T14:45:00.018-06:00

I got this idea from Amber over at Girl with the Red Hair about what she is obsessing about.

I personally am currently obsessed with ...

Million Dollar Listing on Bravo TV - I love Josh

Candles - I have to have them burning on my desk at work and at home

Dragonflies - I have decided they are magic

Pie - this month Bakers Square comes back with my favorite - mince pie with brandy sauce!

Twitter - I have the urge to constantly update with the most random thoughts

The reed diffusers at Yankee Candle in the autumn fragrances

Ugly Betty -it is good again

Eyebrows - I think everyone should have well-groomed eyebrows

Over The Top!

2009-10-28T14:49:00.029-06:00

I got the Over The Top award from Amber all the way back on October 17 so I am just now accepting it-thanks, Amber! Of course, you are Over the Top, too!!

1.Where is your cell phone: It is on my desk, to the left. It is a pink Blackberry. I have a contract with Verizon until March 28, but I desperately want to break it and get an iPhone!!!

2.Your hair: Brown with lots of blonde & red highlights, not quite halfway down my back anymore—not quite. I had 4 inches cut off in September. Still long though.

3.Your mother: I love my mom, but half the time she makes me crazy. But I love her tons—all these years later I am learning to deal with her. The secret—don’t tell her anything to upset her!

4.Your father: He died right after the New Year in 2002. I miss him everyday. He was my hero.

5.Your favorite food: Anything to do with cheese and potatoes!

6.Your dream from last night: It was horrible—I dreamed that my Pug, Noodles, was lost, just roaming around all these hills, and I was calling him and I could hear him, but I couldn’t find him! I was really glad to wake up and find him snuggled up next to me!

7.Your favorite drink: Non-alcoholic: Coffee & Dr. Pepper; Alcoholic: White Wine or Peach Daiquiris

8.Your dream/goal: To live in Southern California with my husband and lots of pets and a convertible and a fun career in interior design, or maybe writing for women, or to somehow find a way to incorporate shopping for a living into my life.

9.What room are you in: I am at work (hey, I can multi-task!)

10.What is your hobby: Reading, writing, blogging, traveling, decorating and shopping.

11.What is your fear: Huge fears of house fires and blindness

12.Where do you want to be in 6 years: See #8 above!

13.Where were you last night: At home with my husband, he was watching football and basketball and then baseball—he kept switching to all these games—boring!! I was taking a nap.

14.Something you are not: Pessimistic or cynical or unfriendly – I am a very positive, open, outgoing person.

15.Muffins: Are best with cream cheese

16.Wish list items: A white Louis Vuitton bag, a huge diamond ring from Tiffany, a Porsche convertible, another trip to Hawaii, a Shih Tzu dog, and a beach house.

17.Where did you grow up: I grew up in Iowa, at first in the suburbs and then later on a farm and then back to the suburbs.

18.Last thing you did: Folded an invoice and accepted a courier package.

19.What are you wearing: I am wearing a floral top from Nordstrom’s junior department, a short black sweater over that, a jean skirt, leggings, and my 4 inch-heeled Jessica Simpson black leather boots.

20.Your TV: We have 4 – a big-screen plasma in the living room, another TV in the bedroom, one in the basement by the elliptical, and then Eric has one in his office.

21.Your pets: cats and a Pug—I think I will always need to have at least one of each

22.Your friends: I am lucky to have so many!

23.Your life: Is pretty calm right now—I think it is about to start to get busy with the holidays. But it will only get as busy as I let it—I plan to enjoy myself!

24.Your mood: Okay for a Monday—just getting back in the work groove and getting used to the time change

25.Missing someone: I miss my dad and my cat, Chloe, every single day and know I always will

26.Vehicle: In August I sold my 2005 silver Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible and bought a light green 2008 W Beetle convertible that I named Daisy. But I still miss my stick shift. Daisy would be perfect if she wasn’t an automatic! But I am loving her heated leather seats this time of year.

27.Something you're not wearing: Underwear. JOKING!!!! I am not wearing earrings. Or socks.

28.Your favorite store: Nordstrom, Von Maur, Anthropologie and Target

29.Your favorite color: Pink, lavender and yellow

30.When's the last time you laughed: I laugh all the time.

31.When's the last time you cried: I don’t remember offhand—probably reading a book, or remembering something about Chloe.

32.Your best friend: I don’t have really one best friend—I think that I have a lot of best friends.

33.One place you go over and over: Target—I swear I am in there 4 or 5 times a week!

34.One person who emails me regularly: My friend, Sttaci

35.Favorite place to eat: Joe’s Garage—I love their mashed potatoes with blue cheese cream sauce, and their Japanese egg rolls—dee-lish!!!

I'm going to pass this award on to:

Sttaci at Yes There Really Are Two Ts

Andie at Sweet Southern Spirited

Kate at East Coast Girl in a West Coast World

Janet at Slice of Pink

Michelle at Just Jump

Bad, Bad, Bad Blogger

2009-10-28T13:53:00.014-06:00

I am a bad, bad, bad blogger. This is how bad I am.

I have not done my gratitude list since before the week of Sepember 21st. I am not good at doing it daily like Michelle. Although I have routinely fallen behind before, I've always managed to play catch-up.

But this time I am 5 weeks behind and instead of putting extra-added stress on my brain (ha!), I had the brilliant idea that I would just do gratitude for each of those weeks, five per week, instead of five per the last 35 days.

That might be seen as seen as cheating, but it is my blog, so my rules!!

Week of September 21 I was grateful for:

Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting
Apples with blue cheese
60s fashions
Fall
Libras

Week of September 28, I was grateful for:

Visiting my mom in Iowa
Fall leaves
A great job performance review (although our salaries are frozen)
Rainy days
Plane ticket to California

Week of October 5

Jelly Belly jelly beans
Birthday emails for free coffee, ice cream and lip gloss
Pink Snuggie
Surviving Warehouse Sale
Actually having fun at Warehouse Sale – I was a natural on the cash registers!

Week of October 12 (my birthday week)

Grateful for:

My birthday spent in Southern California
Sprinkles Cupcakes
Shopping at Fashion Island in Newport Beach
Many birthday cards, presents, and wishes
My new Tiffany bracelet charm (this one is a handbag)

Week of October 19

A zebra print Snuggie
A super important email (to be revealed in a further post)
Good news for my friend, Sttaci!
A successful day of shopping on Sunday
60 minutes on the elliptical – woo hoo!

Finding It

2009-10-28T14:38:00.003-06:00

I just finished Valerie Bertinelli’s latest book, “Finding It”, her follow-up to her first best-selling weight loss memoir, “Losing It”.

I did enjoy the inside glimpse into her life and everything she did to lose 40 pounds. This book was more about the maintenance aspect of her weight loss and her figuring out what had caused her to gain the weight in the first place, and how she is going to keep it off by working at becoming the best person she can be.

I admire her and like her whimsical writing style and her sense of humor and optimistic outlook. I plan to leave a great review for her on Amazon.

One critical reviewer said on Amazon of her latest book:

One gets the impression that she dots each handwritten "i" with a smiley face or a heart.

And to that I say, what’s wrong with that??!! I mean, I do that, too!!

New Perfume Launch

2009-10-28T14:25:00.008-06:00

Hello Kitty Woman is a fragrance aimed at adult women not children. It was devoped by perfumer, Corinne Cachen, and includes notes of toffee apple, vanilla, grapefruit, raspberry, plumeria, rose and licorice.

This perfume is launching this fall, but I have yet to figure out who will be carrying it. I think the bottle is a little plain for Hello Kitty, but I admit I am curious—I do like a good, sweet perfume and, of course, I am a big fan of HK!

Can this compete with my favorite, Pink Sugar?

Zazzle!

2009-10-28T14:12:00.005-06:00

I think I just like saying that name, Zazzle!

They sell many things on this website, such as T-shirts, bumper stickers, mugs, etc., but one of the best things they sell are customized postage stamps. You know how sometimes the postage stamps you get at the post office are just a little bit boring?

At Zazzle you can make your own stamps from photographs or their selection of holiday stamps. I had to get these cute vintage-inspired Halloween stamps. It is true they are slightly more than you would pay for regular stamps. I think I paid $18.80 for a sheet of 20 stamps (you do the math!) but they are worth it because they are so cute!