Rise Up

While my sister's wedding was absolutely gorgeous and she looked spectacular and it was a blast, unfortunately we go hit with a curve ball on Sunday night. It was a fabulous wedding and we had a great time, but I'd like to discuss something a little more serious today.


I hope everyone reading this is safe and dry! This has been an insane past few days for all us New Yorkers, New Jerseyians & Connecticutites (not sure if any of those are "PC"). I've been overwhelmed by what Mother Nature has the capacity to do. While I know a lot of people out there have dealt with destruction and devastation, this part of the country/world has been awfully lucky. We are not in an "area" that is generally hit by these types of storms. Snow storms, yes, we'll take it and we're prepared. But this, this was just insanity.

I'm not going to pretend I had the worst, I was incredibly lucky. My parents still don’t have power and won't for most likely 10 days. They are in the same boat as others. I was lucky and still have power. However, my night on Monday night was incredibly scary. I live alone in a studio on the 6th floor. Basically my whole back wall is a 20 foot window. I was so terrified that it was going to just blow in. And the wind between the apartments was creating a wind tunnel of sorts in the hallway and all night my door was just banging. It was so scary - especially being alone.

When I woke up on Tuesday, I had no idea what to expect. The area around me was ripped through. I was walking up the FDR, which was crazy, it's always bumper to bumper with traffic, but yesterday, there was not a single car. It was really eerie.

I think what really got me the most was the devastation to my beloved Jersey Shore. It's basically washed away. We have so much to rebuild and put back together. There are memories, homes, businesses, that have just been demolished. Boardwalks are gone and streets are flooded beyond recognition.

I'm not trying to be all Debbie Downer and sappy, but as I was walking into work today I was listening to Bruce Springsteen's song "My City of Ruins" and I just started to cry. If you've never heard it, it was about 9/11, however it was so fitting for what is going on. And for Springsteen, he's a shore guy, it just really got to me. When you hear the lyrics (I also put them below), you'll get it…

"My City of Ruins"

There is a blood red circle

On the cold dark ground

And the rain is falling down

The church door's thrown open

I can hear the organ's song

But the congregation's gone

My city of ruins

My city of ruins

Now the sweet bells of mercy

Drift through the evening trees

Young men on the corner

Like scattered leaves,

The boarded up windows,

The empty streets

While my brother's down on his knees

My city of ruins

My city of ruins

Come on, rise up! Come on, rise up!

Come on, rise up! Come on, rise up!

Come on, rise up! Come on, rise up!

Now's there's tears on the pillow

Darlin' where we slept

And you took my heart when you left

Without your sweet kiss

My soul is lost, my friend

Tell me how do I begin again?

My city's in ruins

My city's in ruins

Now with these hands,

With these hands,

With these hands,

I pray Lord

With these hands,
With these hands,

I pray for the strength, Lord

With these hands,

With these hands,

I pray for the faith, Lord

We pray for your love, Lord

We pray for the lost, Lord

We pray for this world, Lord

We pray for the strength, Lord

We pray for the strength, Lord

Come on

Come on

Come on, rise up

Come on, rise up

Come on, rise up

Come on, rise up

Come on, rise up

Come on, rise up

Come on, rise up

Come on, rise up

Come on, rise up

We have a long road ahead of us - but we will "Rise UP" once again! Stay safe! XOXO

Sir Mix A Lot

My apologies...this was supposed to have been posted last week!!

Hello party people!  Things are getting rull cray to the cray over here!!  My sister gets married in T-4 days - ahhhhhh!!!  So this will be my last post until next week and of course I'll fill you in on all the deets. 

So as you know - I've been roped into joining Match again - which I'll say is gross (have I mentioned that yet?!).  last night they had one of their "mixer" events and I decided to go balls out and just do it.  I mean what is the worst that could happen - I have a drink and walk right back out.  I was so nervous - like sick to my stomach nervous.  I most likely should have had a strong beverage before I went.  Oh and btw I was going alone - I repeat I was going ALONE.  So I got myself looking good and off I went.  It was at this bar - nothing too special.  I got there a half hour late hoping that I wouldn't be the first/biggest dork there.  Oh and as I was approaching the bar there was a chalkboard sign on the sidewalk with this in ginormous letters "MATCH.COM" WITH AN ARROW!!  

I mean mortifying - I literally covered my face, walked in and hoped that no one saw me.  

When I got inside I, of course, made a beeline for the bar.  I wiggled my way up, there was a good number of people there, but I hadn't really scoped it all out yet.  The girl standing next to me and I started chatting.  Turned out she was in the same boat as me, came alone and was hating her life.  We of course became fast and furious friends.   So we found a spot and started to check out the scene.  EPIC FAIL. And by that I mean that there were 3 times the number of women there over men.  The men there were either creepy or about 5'5".  Have I mentioned that I'm 5'8"?!  So there's that.  We basically just chatted with each other and then finally I started talking to this guy.  I had made a rule in my head going in that I had to talk to at least one guy.  CHECK.  He was kind of a tool, but could at least carry on a conversation.  We talked for like 20 minutes and then he was like, "umm ok so I'm gonna go back and hang with my buddies".  Cool - so glad I just wasted 20 minutes of my life on you.  have fun with them. Just annoying - I mean I really wasn't feeling him, but he could have at least asked one of us for email/number/something.  It was just really awkward. 

The whole thing was just awkward.  Not pleasant.   But I mean I had a glass of wine out of it and that girl and I exchanged numbers - haha I love how those are the "digits" I came away with.  We both decided that we'd try one more event, maybe something a little more structured, and at least we'd be together next time so it won't be as daunting!

So we left and I was walking away realizing I was in major shoe pain, so I stopped to change into flats. This guy approaches me and he's like "oh did you just come from there" - points to the bar.  I mean did I have a sign on me that read "loser who belongs to match.com"?!  I was like "yah I did - enjoy!".  I had no interest.  Again with the shortness and then I was kinda creeped out because he kept asking to go to coffee with me and I didn't know what to do, so I did the obvious and said "oh sorry I'm on my way home I have a bunch of work calls I have to make".  What - that clearly does not even make any bit of sense!  Why do I do things like this?!  He then asks for my number so I bargained with him and gave him my match name.  actually I accidentally gave him the wrong one - but don’t worry he found me! 

So basically out of this evening I gave my info to 2 people - one female and one total stalker creep.  All in all I'd say it was a successful hour and a half. 

Some Housekeeping Items

Ok so a few quick things that need to be discussed…

1.  I saw  "Pitch Perfect" and I'm completely obsessed.  Here are some takeaways:

- I want to marry the lead actor/character - his name is Skylar Astin.  

I've never really seen him before this, apparently he had a cameo on "Girls" (HBO).  Umm it's not normal how obsessed I am with him - I'm like a love struck teen.  And it's not even like he's the hottest thing around - his personality in this movie is just perfect.

- I love Rebel Wilson.  

She is a comedic genius and is really going places.  I think she's completely hilar and I want to be her friend.

- I awkwardly admitted afterwards that I wanted to watch it again and write down all the songs they performed so I can go buy the ones I don’t have.  It was like a blast from the past that I thoroughly enjoyed.

- I can't wait to see this again.  I need to watch a second time to capture things that I missed while I was laughing.

- Why are you still reading this and not running to your theatre to see it?!

2.  Is it weird that I didn't watch the debates last night (expect 10 minutes) and instead thought that "Giuliana & Bill" would be more important?!  I’m kinda over all this political stuff - I just want November to be here so I don’t have to deal anymore!  I mean you all know I'm overly obsessed with America - but all this back and forth and lying/not lying craziness is driving me nuts!

3.  My sister is getting married next weekend!!  AHHHHH!!! I can't believe it's almost here!!  I have a backless dress (I know major scandy) and I'm thinking of wearing my hair like so…how do we feel about it??

4.  I had another annoying "people don’t understand special issues" the other day.  I was on the bus and there were open seats everywhere.  I sat down on the end seat, so there were 2 seats to my right.  This woman gets on and sits directly next to me.  And then puts her bag on the seat next to her.  

Umm really?!  Why are you on top of me?!?!  I was like heavy breathing mad.

5.  The Real Housewives reunions were hella nuts!  NJ and NY are two of my faves and both just wrapped this past week.  I don’t even know where to go!  All I can say is - omg Joe Gorga was a stripper - dying.  Teresa needs to check herself.  Ramona is still Ramona.  I love Heather.  Jacqueline needs to stay awake.  I wish Kathy didn't get a nose job - she didn't need it!  Caroline - preach is sista.  Andy - you are a saint. 

Ok so that's all for now.  One more thing - I'm back on the exercise circuit.  Don’t worry the desk person at the gym gave me a "judgy" look when I checked in yesterday.  You don’t know my life - stand back!

Working for the Weekend

Ugh - so here we are again.  Monday.  You are my Everest. 

 I hope you all enjoyed your weekends.  I managed to squeeze some fun out of mine!  Friday was another ridiculous co-worker extravaganza.  Once again I found myself out until 2:30 am with some work peeps.   So that happened.  I don’t even know - so ridiculous.  Saturday I wasn't as bad as last week, but managed to be a complete POS until about 1 pm when I actually decided to get off my couch and embrace the day!

I had a day of "me" on Saturday.  Honestly - I think it's so important and every girl should have one, at least every few months.  I knew I was having my lil bday swaray (by swaray I mean I told friends to meet me the Rusty Knot on Saturday night), so I wanted to get myself dolled up and ready to go.  my first stop was Denim Habit on the UES.  I know I've discussed this place before, but I'm so obsessed.  I literally stood in the doorway pathetic and said "dress me".  Well challenge accepted - I walked out with a bagful of new clothes!  Including an outfit for the night and a new pair of jeans that I'm obsessed with.  This never happens.  Jeans shopping for me is up there with bathing suite shopping - actually I might even think its worse. But these girls know their shiz…they nailed the style and size in the first shot!  Here's what I got…

Henry & Belle's Super Skinny Ankle

Luxe Junkie camis - UNREAL

Zoa shirt - you can see the look better with the pic below - but i got this color

After that I went to Benefit to get some new makeup.  They proceeded to just do my makeup.  The girl was really sweet - a lil bit of a flake/wing nut.  For example when she started doing my eye make up she got pretty far along and then freaked out, wiped it all off and started over.  She was a treat!  But I got a few new things that I really enjoyed using this morning…

Amazing eye primer

Pore-fessional - it's great to put under moisturizer

Amazing concealer - Boi-ing

My last stop was a blow out.  I'd never been to one of those places before - so it was really fun.  I went to Fix Beauty Bar (Vicky did my hair).  It was so nice to just sit back and let them do it for me, but also not have it look "done".  I also had a manicure while I was getting my hair done which was amazing - time saver and you just felt pampered!

I then took myself home and got dressed to go out.  we had dinner at Frankie 570 which was delish, not too $$, but great food/drinks.  Then we proceeded to Rusty Knot and Automatic Slims for a lil dancing action.

Sunday I did my closet - worst task ever!  I hate changing summer/winter stuff.  It's such a process and I dread it every season!  That is one thing I can't even wait to have - a closet big enough that I don’t have to partake in the ritual every season!  I finished my weekend with a fab TV line up of…Big Rich Texas, Revenge & RHONJ Reunion.  Umm can we discuss the reunion - did not disappoint.  Love it - and some people are still continuing to just bring on the cray-zay!

Oh Ron...Do Go ON!!

Hello friends!  Happy gross Tuesday!  It's raining and not pleasant here - so hopefully it's a lil nicer where you are.  How were all the weekends?  Mine was pretty solid!  I'll recap for you.

Well my bday was on Friday, so there's that.  I woke up, got out of bed and said - make this a good day!  I didn't feel like doing anything, but I was trying to pump myself up.  So I took extra time doing my hair & makeup, put on new outfit, and embraced the day.  I left my apartment and it was kinda misting out, but not too bad.  I literally didn't even make it up the block and the skies opened up - TORENTIAL down pour.  I was like a drowned rat. 

I had an umbrella but it didn't do a thing with the sideways rain that was going on.  I finally got to work and I was basically wearing no shirt because I had on a white button down.  So it was like I was just wearing a skirt and my bra.  One of the "head guys" at work who's about 78 years old was like "umm do you want a shirt, I have an extra in my closet".  Totally sweet, but I just stomped passed and mumbled "I'll be in my office wringing myself out - see you in an hour".  And then my secretary scurried in and gave me her desk fan which she set up for me so it would blow in my face and try to dry me off.  Oh and did I mention that my hari was a rats nest and I had makeup streaming down my face?!  Oh I didn't - well that happened!  And don’t worry I'm still using bronzer to pretend I'm still tan from the summer - so my face was basically half brown/half white and I had mascara dripping down.  So that's how the day started - awesome.  The rest of the actual day didn't improve by much.  And all my friends here weren't going to be here that night, so I planned on just going home and wallowing. 

So I left work, went and got a mani/pedi - trying to salvage the day.  After that a girl I work with (who was supposed to be going out of town) texted me and told me to meet them at this bar because she was going to stay in the city after all.  So I was back and forth and then forced myself out.  And I'm glad I did - it wound up being a great night!  Just a few work peeps and a lot of alcohol.  We went to a few different bars and things were getting a lil cray.  We randomly met these 2 men from Haiti who were amazing.  They were older and talking to us for awhile.  Oh this was after some other man spilled his glass of red wine down my leather bag (that I got in Barcelona) and I almost lost it/burst into tears.  Anywho…the one guy, Ron, was quite a character.  At one point I was standing with my work crush (oh don’t worry he was there all night buying me drinks and having fun) and this was our exchange with Ron:

Ron:  Are you 2 brohter and sister??

Us:  (giggling/shocked because we look nothing alike) umm no!

Ron:  Well good because you 2 need to date!

Us:  (laughing awkwardly, giggling, me looking at the floor/turning purple, etc.) 

So basically we're married now - at least according to Ron.  Soooo after that we wound up at this dive bar. Really fun - and this is when things start to get hazy.  I know I invited myself to a co-workers wedding (awesome) and I know I took myself home around 2 am.  I also know that I changed my shoes on the sidewalk. I also know that I woke up on my couch in a t-shirt and undies around 6 am with the TV & lights on with Whole Foods mashed potatoes in front of me.  So choose your own adventure as to how my night ended. 

Then Saturday morning came and I felt atrocious.  I was heading to West Chester, PA to see some of the girls.  I made a miraculous recovery though by the time I got there and it was all good.  I was able to power through and have another fab night!  We went to a great dinner, caught up, and went out to few fun bars.  All of us pretending we still "have it"!!

All in all it was a great weekend - despite it being my birthday!  Happy work week - we're almost there!!