All I Don't Want For Christmas...

If I'm on your holiday gift list this year, which obvi I sure I am, I thought it would be fun to put together a lil list.  Here are a few things that I DON'T want.  Not to be greedy or anything or ungrateful, but I find these hilariously insane - so I thought it might be a fun post!  Especially since I really can't think of things I want this year - which is driving my mother absolutely BANANAS!!

Pajama Jeans

I'm all for comfort - but these look appalling!  I'd rather just wear leggings to sweat pants!  I mean are yoga pants that offensive that it's come to this?!  

I find these things so gross.  Oh and don’t worry - now they make them for men!

Forever Lazy

This is taking the Snuggie to a whole new level.  This is absurd.  And the best part is the commercial has people tailgating and going about their everyday lives wearing this thing.  

Oh and thing that is the cherry on top - you don’t even have to take it off to go to the bathroom!  Score!!

The Slumber Mitt

Did anyone forget a lil thing called a pillow?!  This is just so…I don’t even know.  So this is a "mitten" of sorts that you put on your arm - and you can rest your head on it.   

I mean - is it not just a small pillow??  And doesn’t your arm get more tired/cramped being forced in that position and having more compression on it?? 

Sobakawa Cloud Pillow

Speaking of pillows - this looks like one of the most uncomfortable situations of life.  I mean - do you have to lay like this?!  

I feel like she looks so awkward!

Dancing Fountains from WET Fantasy Gift

This is from the Neiman Marcus "Christmas Book", which I always get a kick out of.  Now first off - this sounds like a dirty gift.  Like straight from the Pleasure Palace.  But if you read about it - this is what it is - basically these people will come in to your house and install a "dancing fountain" like ones you see in Vegas, etc.  

Ok - now who needs that at their house?!  I'm just curious.  And don’t worry - it's only a cool $1,000,000.

The Sedu Icon Prive Dryer

Now I'm all for good hair care - but this brings it to a WHOLE 'nother level.  This hairdryer is $700 - yes you read that correctly.  

Unless it cuts, styles and colors my hair - I'll stick with my $30 Conair - athankyouverymuch.  I'll admit - I love nice things and girlfriend loves me some luxury, but this is just a lil much!

I hope you enjoyed this lil list!  Have a very Happy Holiday!!  

And here's another little New Year's gem!  

I'll be back next year!!  Haha - that joke never gets old!!  XOXO

Holi-DON'T

It's that time of year again for all sorts of holiday gatherings and celebrations!  I had my company party last week and it was relatively tame - no major stories to come out of it!  Except for when I became a Southern Belle for a fraction of a second and then was awkward.  Recap:

My Boss (passing me in the hall):  Hey Lizzie, are you going to the holiday party tonight?
Me (turning around):  I sure am!  (in the Southernest of Southern voices - aka I was from Savannah holding a parasol).
Then I turned on my heels, he looked quizzically at me and I awkwardly slow jogged back to my office.  Off to a good start!!

So that aside, all these parties that I've been attending/that I'm going to have reminded me of how NOT to behave at functions.  Obviously everyone should let their hair down a bit and have a good time, but there are a few things that you shouldn't do - let me tell you a lil story about a MAJOR don't at the company party…

At my last job we had this amazing holiday party every year - I mean it was like black tie-esque, at a hotel ballroom, dinner & a live band.  Sooo much fun!  We all went to someone's house before and pre-gamed…aka it was a show.  Let me also remind you that this was back in the day that Ruby and I worked together - so things got a lil cray to the cray.  We were each other's "dates" and were feeling pretty good before we even got to the party!  BUT we had nothing on what was about to ensue.  It was all going swimmingly, we were schmoozing with the "big guys" and having a lovely time.  The band was amazing - nbd but I may or may not have had a "tap dance off" with our top top guy. 

I mean I don’t wanna brag - but I broke my heel - I was that passionate about my dancing.  It was amazing. Anywho, it was dinner time and everyone was just relaxing, finishing up their meals, having pleasant conversations.  The music was slow.  When all of a sudden - IT happened.

Let me give you a lil back story - we had this receptionist - let's call her Mystic.  She was very "free spirited" and a lil off center.  Extremely nice, but just not "all there" if you will.  She had been with the company for a good amount of years, so everyone was pretty used to her antics.  But no one understood what exactly she was capable of. 

So back to the story…finishing dinner…everyone having a pleasant evening…cut to the empty dance floor and slow classical music being played (by a CD, not even the band).  All of a sudden Mystic takes the dance floor.  She begins what would be about 5 SOLID minutes of lyrical dancing.  

I'm talking full out LYRICAL dance.  All over the floor, flailing about, arms swaying, legs jumping.  Just when you think it was about to end…nope!  She runs and slides onto the floor on her knees, rolls on her back and does a few scissor kicks/fan kicks in the air.  Oh and did I mention she's in a dress?!  I mean - undies were flashed.  At one point one of my colleagues begins videoing and when I prompted him to stop, he replied "Are you kidding?!  This is going on You-Tube as 'what not to do a company party'".  Unreal.  Finally someone went out and told her maybe she should not be doing this.  

And if you were wondering - she didn't even care - she simply  informed everyone that she "never really had any training" - oh I'm sorry?!  Shocking - you NEVER had training?!  You were flailing about on an empty dance floor in front of 300 co-workers - and that's what you have to say for yourself?! Hilarious!

Soooo next time you get that itch to entertain 300 of your nearest and dearest on an empty dance floor … think of Mystic.  Please for the love of God  - think of Mystic!

Neti The Night Away

Hey everyone!!  So a quick little PSA post!  Then tomorrow - maybe a lil something fun!  It's been brought to my attention so serious issues about the Neti Pot!!  One faithful reader and another dear friend directed me to some new info about the Neti.  Apparently there have been cases recently linked to the Neti Pot and amoebas (ewww).  See article for more details:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2074957/Deaths-brain-eating-amoeba-linked-sinus-remedy-colds.html

SOOO basically what they are recommending (and what I've now switched to doing) is either use distilled water in your Neti Pot OR be sure to boil/sterilize your water first - then use it.  One reader sent me this great video that helps explain it all and the best/safest way to use the Neti Pot!

http://www.newsy.com/10236/

Thank you to all my loyal readers for sending this info my way - I had no idea until you brought it to my attention!!  Happy Neti-ing!!

Baby, It's COLD Outside!!

'Tis the season to be insanely busy and thus come down with a cold - gross!  

I thought this might be the perfect opportunity to go over a few of my cold remedies and see if anyone out there may have any suggestions if I'm missing something!! 

1.  Pre-Cold
-When I feel it coming on - I immediately start downing the Airborne.  

Not sure if it's technically too late at this point - but in my head I'm helping things.

-I use my Neti Pot like a lunatic.  

I Neti (yes I'm using it as a verb here) at least 2 times a day.  If you don't own a Neti Pot - I can't stress enough - GO OUT AND GET ONE!!  It's just a little "pot" that holds the salt water - you then pour it in one nostril and it comes out the other.  Sounds disgusting, is disgusting, but the best invention of life.  I usually do mine over the bath tub - things be getting messy!

-Again - might not be totally necessary (especially with the Neti), but I also use a saline nasal spray.

2.  COLD ALERT
-When all of my efforts have proven to fail - sometimes its inevitable - my only hope is to keep it going into a sinus infections.  This is when the meds come out.  I'm a huge Mucinex fan!  

Like obsessed.  I always get the one behind the counter - you know where you basically have to sign away your first born child to get some cold meds.  I think it works the best for me.  So I take that during the day.

-Night time - bring on the Nyquil!  

This puts me into a nice lil lull - it just lets me sleep while my nose is running off the chain and I'm  heavy breathing out my mouth - worst thing ever.

-Tissues - now I'm a very partial tissue person.  I have to use Puffs Plus with the lotion.  

They are so soft and delightful.  It makes the chapped nose that you get feel like you're just dabbing it with a cotton ball.  Sometimes I get the ones with Vicks - but I love the ones with lotion!

-Fluids - I down them like it's my job.  Green tea & water - best things for me.  I also throw in some OJ for good measure!  I love the Tazo Tea green tea - Zen flavor.  

It's just delightful and makes me feel happy and relaxed.  It's my fave!

-Soup - just that warm deliciousness going down is the best.  It just makes you feel good inside.  Like you're burning out all the bad germs!

-Sleep - I try to get as much sleep as possible!!!  No crazy shenanigans!

3.  Post Cold
-Plenty of Purell and try not to spread this thing around!

-I also make sure I take it easy - I don’t need that thing to rear its ugly head again!!

Hopefully you will not need these anytime soon!  But if you do - God's speed!!  Here's to "healthy" holiday!!  XOXO

A Random Little Post

So two very different things/thoughts for this post.  The first is about a homeless man I encountered last night and the second is a recap of Teen Mom 2.  So here we go!

Homeless Man:

Last night I was waiting for the subway when I heard a boisterous voice coming from a few feet up. He happened to be sitting not far from where I stand to catch the subway (I have it perfectly mapped out to let me off right by the exit…obviously).  It was quite a pleasant voice - similar to one you'd hear on the radio - and then I started to really listen to what was coming out of his mouth.  He was making convictions of sorts and these statements were quite bold…but perhaps not as beautiful.  Let me break this down for you - here are my top 2 favorites (despite his repeating some of them, he did have a few more, but they weren't as profound).

1.  "Love is never sweet like honey!" 

So there you have it!  Just when you think it's all sugar and greatness - it gets sticky and complicated! However - I'd challenge this because there are many a time that love is very sweet and quite enjoyable…just like honey!  I just thought this was an odd statement to be yelling from the bench, but who am I?!

2.  "If you're having trouble with a woman...find yourself a lesbian!"

Sooo about this.  Very interesting point…but…what the what?!  This makes absolutely no sense,  but he just kept saying it over and over again.  The  guy standing next to me couldn't stop laughing.  

It was the most insane statement ever!  What does it even mean?!  I was dying. 

Bottom line - you gotta love New York!  These hidden "gems" are all around - you just have to listen for them!

Teen Mom 2:

Ok so seriously - this might be the beginning of the end of me watching this season.  It really kinda annoyed me and I was bored in like .2 seconds.  BUT for those of you who did watch, here is my 2cents!

LeahOh Leah - you are trying, bless your heart.  If you could just lay off the tanning!  

Now she's gonna be working full time and hopefully the girls will be ok.  Corey is being a huge jerk and not supportive - I'm curious to see what their breaking point is and when they get divorced.  And that poor little pumpkin - they still don’t know what 's wrong with her.  So sad.  Hopefully they'll get that straightened out soon and Corey will grow up just a tad.

KailynShe seems to have her shiz together the most out of all 4.  It was good to seem her and Joe getting along.

And her new BF, Jordon, seems like a total nerd alert - but a pretty nice guy.  My only gripe with her is that she is such a Debbie Downer.  She seriously needs to stop with the faces and the constant angst look.  She always looks miserable and like she's about to cry or has just been pouting for about 7 years. Seriously - smile - just for a few minutes.

Chelsea
Seriously gurrrrl pull it together!  

That bum of an ex of yours is no good!  Adam is just trying to lure you back in and then break your heart AGAIN!  It's not just getting annoying.  And it's not like he has anything good to even offer you.  He's not cute, he doesn't make any money, and he's not even good to you & your daughter!  AHHH stop running back to him!!!  Ok now I'm getting all verklempt!! 

Janelle
Janelle, Janelle, Janelle.  Cyrusly - you're a train wreck.  

That low life gross BF of yours has gots to go!  And the sneaking around?!  What part of you did not think you were going to get caught?? Especially when you loan him your car!  Are you that dumb or were you trying to get kicked out?? And that poor lil one Jace - stuck in the middle of all this insanity.  She should not be allowed to go near that child - she should be banned from the house and just have the mom raise that little boy.  He has the fear of God in him every time the camera is on him.  I just feel bad for him.   And then pretending to cry and be all sad that your mom took him away?!  Not a pretty sight!!

She's such a disaster - she needs serious help! 

Ok - week is almost over!  Almost Friday the time to party!  And tis the season to partay!!  I have a great weekend coming up - I hope you're whipping those plans into shape!!  XOXO

European Adventures - Part 6: Take It Home!

Ok here's the next…and FINAL…installment of my European travels!  Hope you've enjoyed the recaps and you've lived vicariously through me!!

Day Nine

Ok so as mentioned - actually I don’t know if I did mention this - we had one more Gaudi thing to do!! We left bright & early in the morning to go to the Casa Batlló.  This is it from the outside…

And the inside did not disappoint.  The colors were spectacular and his visions were just unreal.  I seriously LOVED this house - like I didn't want to leave/want to live there forever.  We did an audio tour which I was pretty much obsessed with.  I'm such a nerd - but I love learning about these things!! Here are some pics:

After we were done there, we just wandered around and did some shopping.  Sydney and I both purchased a bag from this store Hakei - the bags were gorg!  AND my sister, Sydney & I also ALL bought the perfume - smells so good - I mean it's sure to hook me a boyfriend…any day now…

The night was low key, Sydney wasn't feeling that good, so my sister and I had a nice dinner at this little hole in the wall restaurant.  It only sat about 20 people and was so dark and cozy.  Had some great wine and food!!

Day Ten

The next day was our last day in Barcelona (insert sad face).  We went  to the Picasso Museum and theJoan Miró Museum.  I enjoyed both - but they were not my favorites/ not what I expected.  Definitely worth it - if you're looking for something to do - but I just liked the other stuff better.  After the Miró museum, we went to see the Magic Fountains.  Now this is more my speed.  It was INCREDIBLE!  It was like Disney, beauty, water, craziness, music, all rolled into one!  The show was about 20 minutes and I loved it!  Basically it's this huge fountain and they play music and change lights and put on this spectacular situation.  Here's a pic and some video:

Then we were all depressed and sad that we had to go home.  So we went back and packed and tried to be excited to be returning back to the good 'ol U S of A!

Day Eleven

Came way too fast!!  We had to get up bright and early (6 am) in order to be at the airport in time for flights.  Our cab driver had to drive down Las Ramblas to get us to the airport and it was strewn with people just making their way home - amazing.  We saw drunk people, crazy people, prostitutes, etc. - it was great - a good variety!  We all made it through security without a hitch and the flight back was pretty seamless (minus the extra 2 + hours we had to wait on the tarmac due to "scheduling issues"). 

And if you think Steve Wozniak wasn't in front of me at customs in Newark - you're wrong.  And some idiot got in trouble for taking a picture of the 2 of them - so dumb.  The cop flew over and started screaming.  So we got through, got bags, said our good byes to return to our designated cities.  Just when I thought my travels were ending - they were just beginning - much to my dismay.  I jumped on what I thought would be a 2 second ride on the Airtran to go to the NJ Transit station - to head back to Penn Station - oh I'm sorry - it's broken!  

AND you're stuck there because you can't walk/go anywhere to get a cab.  So you have to wait until its fixed.  No worries 2 1/2 hours later - it was up and running! So you can imagine how angry, tired, had it, I am at this point.  Finally got to NJ Transit - get on train - stop…held for another 20 minutes because of something I don’t even know.  Get to Penn Station - fly onto an elevator - hit the buttons…we move…doors open…we're right back to where we started.  It's only letting off at one stop…exactly where a homeless man is laying across the exit - obviously.  So I hoist my suitcase up…cursing the whole way…get out in the completely opposite side of Penn that I need to be.  Careen my way through the station and out to the taxi line.  45 minutes later I get in a cab. Finally - I'll be home in 10 minutes.  Oh how wrong I was!  Don’t' worry - Batman is filming on my street - right by my apt!  Bumper to bumper traffic - is this some kind of sick joke?!  It took me an hour and a half to get home - I repeat an hour and a half!!  At this point I literally started crying in the cab - I had just had it.  

Could. Not. Take. Anymore.  My cab driver was so sweet - he was like "please don’t cry I'm trying my best ma'am - I'm gonna get you home as soon as we can".  FINALLY we pulled outside my building - home at last!!!  I ordered food and took a nice hot shower and went to bed! EXHAUSTED!! 

It took me a few days to regroup from the jet lag, but it was totally worth it!  Such an amazing trip and I highly recommend it!  If you ever need suggestions - just let me know!!!  Enjoy your weekends!! XOXO

European Adventures - Part 5: Gaudi Day

Please excuse my brief hiatus.   I've been having an awful migraine situation - basically since last Wednesday!!  It's been insane and I feel like I'm pretty much losing my mind.  Do any of you out there suffer from migraines?!  Seriously - the WORST!!  I've been getting them since I was about 10 years old - so you can do the math - but it's been a long time sufferin'!  Anyways…back to the final installments of my European travels and THEN next week we'll start fresh with some other things!! 

Day Seven

It's Gaudi day!!  It's Gaudi day!!! By far one of the best days on this whole trip!!  I didn't know a lot about Gaudi before I went to Barcelona, but now I've become completely OBSESSED with him.  Like I'm in love.  We started the day with a quick breakfast at the hotel and then went on to catch the bus up to all things Gaudi.  We began the day at Park Güell.  Seriously - I've never seen anything like it.  It was like a fun architectural dream park.  Absolutely amazing.  Here are a few pics of the park:

Part of the "bench area"

This is made to look like the inside of a wave...pure genius

The columns

The ceiling of the "column area"

The Lizard

Entrance to the park

Seriously - if you ever find yourself in Barcelona - this is an absolute MUST!!  It's filled with gorgeous colors and "ideas" - just breath taking.  And if you think we didn’t get our picture taken with the "lizard" that stands in front of the park - you're seriously wrong.  We also had a delightful lunch in the park and just enjoyed our time there immensely. 

After our stroll through the park, we headed down the Passeig de Gràcia (a fantastic street to shop on)to Gaudi's apartment.  Again - the architecture in this place was not to be believed.  I normally don’t get all "omg" over buildings - but this was like nothing I've ever seen before.   We walked up the crazy amounts of stairs and finally arrived on the roof.  The view was spectacular and you could see a good portion of the city.  Here are a few of the pictures:

Apartment Building from outside 

Inside the lobby looking up

Rooftop Statues

More art on the roof

The view

More view

From the top looking down

After this we just strolled around and walked down the Passeig de Gràcia, in and out of stores.  I also snapped this shot of the tallest/shortest duo I've ever seen.

We also had a nice afternoon snack at this place called Qu Qu - a lil wine & tapas never hurt anyone in the middle of the afternoon!  Then back to the hotel to regroup and meet up with sister #3! 

We walked over to dinner after my sister got there.  She took us to this amazing little tapas place - the food was so good.  It was all very fresh/organic and I basically licked my plate clean.  Then we headed to a bar that was basically like a Rain Forrest Café for adults - nbd.  It was so cool!  Umm pretty sure I haven't said "so cool" since '97, but it seemed fitting.  It's called El Bosc de les Fades and again - it's a "must" if you're in Barcelona.  Here are some pics:

After our busy day - we were exhausted and even more excited that we actually had to spill Gaudi day into another day (actually it will turn out to be another one, too)!!!  I know you're psyched!

Day Eight

Day Eight was quite a busy day!!  I mean we really packed it in.  We started out at La Sagrada Família. Another one of Gaudi's masterpieces.  It was gorgeous.  The intricacies in his work are not to be believed.  Here are some pics:

There was an option to go up into the towers (18 stories high) and you can look out and then (this is what they forget to mention to you) you have to walk down the 18 stories down a spiral staircase that is about as wide as 2 large pizzas and basically pitch black.  Well me and my sisters thought it would be fun and I was trying to "challenge" myself on this trip so off we went.  Aggain - not knowing these details.  Well we got to the top (via elevator), they drop you off - you look out at the view for an second and then you're off to the races.  Wellll guess who didn't want to "accept this challenge" anymore - yup that would be me.  Shockingly enough I had a migraine that morning and I had to take my medicine - which can also make me a bit anxious/uneasy…so couple this with these specs and that equals a bit of a problem.  I was shaking like a leaf and sweating profusely…I just wanted to get down.  Thank God my sisters were with me and they were so good - they bookended me in and got me down.  All the while my younger sister motioning to people that we were trying to pass (with extreme difficulty) that if they didn't move I'd throw up on their heads.  Sisters are great!  We finally reached the bottom and I couldn't run out of there soon enough.  I sat down and about 3 guards came up to check me - so nice.  I was able to compose myself and we finished touring the rest of the church. 

When we finished up there we grabbed some lunch and then had one of the best sweet treats of live. Churros con chocolat…

It's like hot chocolate you can dip sugary greatness into.  Unreal.

Then we headed out to see the beach - don't worry I took my shoes off and put my feet into the Mediterranean Sea - it was a necessary thing.  We walked around down there.  My sister took us to this gorg park with this inside…

Crazy that these things are just "around" there.   We also saw The Arc de Triumf:

Afterwards we headed home for another lil nap/downtime.  We had a big night out with Sister #3 and her friends!  We went to this place on the water for dinner.  It was the best paella I've ever had in my life.  Randomly, our cab driver told us to go there after we told him where we wanted to go…he said "No no no…I take you to Salamanca…best paella in town!".  Sooo we didn’t have much of a choice - we just kinda went with it.  We met my sister's friend there, too - they go to school together so we know her - she's great.  We had a fabulous meal of paella and sangria - does it get much better?! 

After dinner we headed out to my sister's favorite Wednesday night bar - La Ovella Negra (translation - The Black Sheep - translation - what my family calls me).  I was pretty much obsessed.  And don’t think that we didn't get this to drink…

Because we did.  It was great - it's all picnic tables and relaxed - I had so much fun.  We played games and just hung out.  We got to meet some more of my sister's new friends.  And don’t worry we got souvenir mugs on our way out…NBD.  After this my sister wanted to take us to this place called "Raz Mataz"…yup just as you'd picteure it.  Now let me break this down for you - she's still in college and doing the college thing - which don’t get me wrong I'm all over - BUT when you're NOT in college and you all of a sudden go into "mom mode" things change a bit.  On our walk over with the "group" this is what we experienced:

-A girl fell and totally exposed her situation because of the shorter "skirt" she was wearing
-3 girls were trying their hardest to not tottle off their 8 inch espadrille wedges
-Someone's hair almost catching on fire because of a girl flailing her cigarette around
-An ambulance/ EMT people huddled around a guy that was sitting on the sidewalk - so drunk he peed his pants and didn’t know where he was
-People trying to "get us on the list" so we didn't have to wait 8 years for the pleasure of getting into said bar
-A lot of yelling/screaming/obscenities

NOW I'll reiterate - I'm not saying I was never like this - because the Good Lord knows another song - BUT at this point in my life - I feel more protective and I just wanted to scoop all these kids up and bring them home to bed - because NOTHING good (looking back when you're my age) was going to happen at good 'ol Raz Mataz.  Sooo my sisters, Sydney & I headed back to the hotel and passed on the second bar.  I think it was the best decision we made our whole trip.  The best part - my two sisters went out and bought us McDonald's "wedges" - not produced in the states - they were amazing little morsels of potato.  God I love BARCELONA!!!