Last order of business

There is one final order of business before I go and rather than explain it to you, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsWrY77o77o
and check it out.
(I spent too long trying to figure out how to post the actual video here-couldn't do it-sorry)
It is HILARIOUS and so true.!!
Au revior!

OCPD..Aint that a B..CH!!

I love to travel to exotic and exciting locales, yet I HATE to pack. I am literally plagued by OCPD (obsessive compulsive packing disorder) and I stress and worry that I won't have enough or that I have way too much. Of course, I have to try everything on to make sure it fits, first. There's fat clothes and skinny clothes (I have to admit that right now I am leaning towards the fat ones), sexy clothes, cute clothes, sporty clothes and comfy clothes. I then have to imagine myself doing various activities on my vacation while wearing the ensembles I've put together. Can't forget the shoes, make up, toiletries and accessories, then there's reading materials, money, credit cards, passport,camera, computer, more make-up and a fabulous tote to carry it all in. A job that should take an hour or so turns into an all day affair. Thanks to my sister's crash course in folding clothes that I graduated from Suma Cum Laud, (she is the MASTER) I always manage to fit it all in to my suitcase. My Guy says I must have been a personal valet in another life and he enjoys the fact that when we are on vacation, he is accompanied by his very own personal valet.

I have to take into consideration the climate and plan outerwear accordingly. Dinner plans? Will we be eating fancy or casual? These are pertinent questions that need answers. We will be walking, biking, shopping, eating and there is an "order of the outfit" that accompanies each activity. I also have to consider leaving room in my bag for the purchases I make while in the City of Lights. This is essential, considering I already have a list from various family members who have put in their Parisian requests. What to wear when I go see Jim Morrison's grave? Dreads and a drug rug? Or a Doors t-shirt? I'll pack both just in case. The Eiffel tower? Maybe some Chanel, but I think Lulu Lemon would be more appropriate. (so many stairs) But as you've already guessed, I'll have both. Which brings me to the question, "Would Karl Lagerfeld wear Chanel while climbing the stairs of the tower?" Yes! he would. Problem solved.

Dinner last night!!

Thanks to Piece o' Coconut Cake for the recipe! I added diced chicken and both the ricotta and the romano! It was a huge hit with the family! You helped solve my daily dilemma-"What's for dinner?" (which pathetically sounds like a bad Donna Reed fantasy, but is so true)

I can't blog today because....

I can't blog today because there are fifty million other things I should be doing.

I can't blog today because it's 9am and I am still sitting at my computer in my pajamas. I need to get dressed and get a life.

I can't blog today because I am unemployed and I need to find a job. Although it would be way too cool if blogging were my job. Then I could stay in my pajamas and get paid. Any ideas?

I can't blog today because I need to pack for my trip to Paris on Thursday with my two best friend in the world. But I plan on blogging while I am there so you can all live vicariously through me. Yipee! I'll post pics and give you the latest on the City of Lights. It should be fun, so please let me know you are following along with me.

I can't blog today because I have to go to the supermarket and make sure my family has food while I am gone. I also need to get the ingredients for the fabulous new recipe I got this morning on another great blog so I can make it for tonight's dinner. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I can't blog today because it is back to school night tonight and I need to have all these other things done before I go. Including helping with homework and getting dinner on the table, yet here I still sit, the clock ticking away.

I can't blog today because I have to make sure the kid's schedules are all set while I am gone and everyone knows where they are supposed to be and why. I'm not worried. My guy is more than capable of being Mr. Mom for a few days while I go jet-setting off to Europe.

I can't blog today because I need to be working on my memoir. I set an attainable goal of at least 2 hours per day of memoir writing, yet I have logged way too many more that that daily, on my blog.

I can't blog today because I need to pay my monthly bills before I go away. This is key because I will definitely spend the bill money in Paris if I don't. But really, wouldn't you rather be blogging?

I can't blog today because I could waste the better part of an hour blogging with my sports friends about my beloved Red Sox and their Division Series win last night in Boston. Go Sox! Oh no wait, I did that already this morning.

So, really I'm so sorry... because I absolutely can't blog today.

Today's Special:Beauty Q&A

Q: I am attending a 40th birthday party for my friend. I wanted to get her some nice beauty products but I am not quite sure what colors she likes, or what colors look best on her. Any suggestions?

A: When buying beauty products for someone other than yourself, unless you have specific names or colors of things he/she likes it's always best to stick to fabulous, decadent body products. One of the best received gifts I give to people has come from the Fresh line and it has become my go-to-gift when I am not quite sure of the recipient's tastes.

My recommendation is Fresh's Sugar Lemon Body Lotion and Sugar Lemon Bath and Shower Gel. The light citrus scent of lemon is infused to perfection with these products and the partnering of both the body lotion and the gel give your gift recipient the option of layering the fragrance in the shower to out of the shower. (I am all about layering!) It's not an inexpensive gift, at $28.00 each the combo will run you well over into the $50.00 price range. If you budget is tight, choose one and make the gift wrap spectacular! Or try the Lemon Sugar soap for $13.00 and the Fresh Sugar Lip Balm with SPF 15 for around $25.00. Either way you will be guaranteed a hit. I can't tell you how many people I have given this gift to have told me how much they love it and are now giving it as a gift themselves. The products can be found on Fresh.com or at your local Sephora.

Q: I have acne prone skin and I want a light make-up that will cover up my blemishes. Is that possible?

A: Fear not, anything is possible in the cosmetic world. But before I recommend a make-up for your skin-type, I want to give you a "prescription" for your problem:

By far, the best products for sensitive and skin prone to breakouts is Mario Badescu. You can go to their website mariobadescu.com and fill out a questionnaire. They will match your products to your skin type and even send you lots of fabulous samples to try. Not only are the products the best ever, but the price is unbelievable. This is a high quality product for less. I can't say enough about them. They can set you up with a three step daily skin care regimen you can follow to get your skin back to looking it's best. And when your skin looks it's best your make-up will follow. If you get the occasional "eruption" as we call breakouts in the biz-you have to try the drying lotion and the buffering lotion. The best spot treatment!! and a must have for eruption emergencies. Take about 2-3 weeks with your new skin care regimen and follow religiously, both morning and evening, and I guarantee you will see a difference in your skin's clarity.

In the meantime, I suggest you use a foundation, mineral powder or a tinted moisturizer in OIL-FREE. Laura Mercier has the just about the best in the industry. As I was telling my blogger friend over the weekend, Mercier became a cosmetic industry super-star because of the loyal followers of her moisturizing tints. The tints will help to even out skin tones and the coverage is sheer with an SPF 20. For a light weight, luminous glow, try her mineral powders. I receive compliments on my SKIN every time I wear it. Moisturize you skin accordingly, apply a primer according to skin type, and apply evenly over the face with a short blending brush. The finish is more matte, so if you have dry skin make sure you moisturize and prime skin before applying. And for an added bounus, the Mineral Powder has an SPF 15. These products are not cheap-$35.00 for the Mineral Powder and $42.00 for the Tinted Moisturizer, but they will last-at least two to three months with everyday use. Go to lauramercier.com to view and purchase products or your local high-end department store cosmetic counter.

That's enough for now but if you have any additional questions please feel free to comment and let me know. You may see your posts in a future Special on the Daily Dandy.

The Rachel Zoe Project: Trainwreck, Transvestite, Trashionista or just plain Talented. You decide.

I spent Friday night uselessly watching back to back to back episodes of the Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo.(not a total loss all together; I am blogging about it) My best friend told me she religiously watches and I was a little more than curious when I noticed there was a Rachel Zoe marathon on Bravo, and the kids were out of the house for the evening. I settled in with the clicker in hand and entered into her world. For those of you who dont know her, Rachel Zoe is the controversial stylist to many hollywood stars, who had a famous and somewhat embarrassing fallout with Nicole Ritchie last year. Never the less, she has been credited with creating some of today's Hollywood's stars signature looks and responsible for starting countless fashion trends. Hence, she has been rewarded with reality show about her life and her work.

Her LA studio was flooded and the fabulous designer gowns she houses for her Hollywood clients were water damaged. Needless to say panic ensued and Rachel's new assistant Brad, dropped the ball when responding to the crisis. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in couture gowns were left hanging in a couple of inches of water while her two styling assistants played a clever game of "it's not my job, it's yours" with each other. Of course it all got figured out, the crisis was handled and the gowns salvaged and sent to the dry cleaners, but not before Brad was given a strict repremand from Rachel and a warning that he had just recieved his first of the "three strikes and you're out" policy she employs. Good TV. We can all relate to that dreaded moment when your boss calls you into their office and issues you a reprimand. I was instantly hooked.

Three hours later, and I found myself traveling to New York with Rachel and her crew for fashion week. Again, good TV. We actually got a taste of what it's like to be a fashion insider in the whirlwind that is New York Fashion Week. Rachel has quite the reputation in the biz and she proves that she is every bit the celebrity herself as the clients she styles. Her pre-show visits to the designers houses and the private preview she enjoys of the show pieces illustrate her "heavy hitter" staus with her equally "heavy hitter" clients.

She is no bigger than a minute with a huge mane of scraggly hair and rediculously oversized sunglasses. It is rumored that she provides some of her clients with miracle drugs to help keep them thin. She even joked about it on one episode and keeps a close eye on what is written about her. She is said to be in her early thirties but she looks MUCH older and occasionally get's dubbed as "transvestite looking" in the press, the effects of her stressful career have not been kind to her face. She looks like she has been used and used hard. (sorry Rachel) Most likely the result of the constant fashion 911's that go on daily in her world.

Despite all of this, I couldn't help but respect the hell out of her and what she does every day. It seems she has undeniably got to where she is now simply because she posesses the talent and drive needed to survive in the cut-throat Hollywood world. She rules with an iron fist but has a kind heart and I found myself rooting for her and her crew. Even her husband Roger, who is adorable, lovingly cuts her the slack she deserves as she begins to create the Rachel Zoe brand and empire. You know he's got her back. Kudos to you Rachel! I'll keep watching and I reccommend you do as well so you can decide for yourself.

Top Ten Reasons Why He's My Guy

In honor of tonight's dinner conversation and to see if you do occasionally read my blog, this one's just for you:

10. He's waaay cute! There are a million more sexy adjectives to describe the way he looks but I will save them for our private discussions.

9. He's a great conversationalist. I am never at a loss for things to talk to him about. And because he loves me he will even engage in girl talk from time to time. Within reason, of course.

8. He gives great advice. I never make a big decision without bouncing it off him first. He is so smart and nine out of ten times he calls it correctly. Which can also be annoying because he's aware that he has a winning percentage. He does the math.

7. He has a Porsche and I drive it more than he does. Enough said.

6. He's a sports fan. A pre-requisite for my guy. Although he hates it when we get into a lively debate about sports and occasionally I end up being right. He also knows I love Tom Brady and he's OK with it. Sort of.

5. He is generous. With his time, his love, his possessions, his wisdom and his life. My children and I are so lucky to have found him.

4. He loves my children unconditionally. Even when they are hard to love, he makes his point firmly while trying to show them that there is a better way. Most of the time they get it, but sometimes they don't and he doesn't give up. He offers them solutions so that they can make better choices.

3. He is tolerant. It hasn't been an easy road and he has been beside me every step of the way and sometimes he has carried me.

2. He has integrity and he is honest. I couldn't ask for a better role model for my children.

And the number one reason Why He's My Guy:

1. The love, friendship, companionship and life he shares with me make me a better woman.


I love you!!