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. 

Wedding Bells Rang!!

Hey world, I'm back.  Sooo there has been a lot going on - like mayjah things peeps!  Most importantly, my lil bro just tied the knot!!  This past weekend was a whirlwind of fun and emotions and coupled with the insanity I like to call work, things have been pretty cray.

So the wedding was gorg - despite the torrential downpours that happened.  It was raining sideways.  NBD. Here's a few highlights because to spell it all out would take like about 20 years…

- I drove up to Boston with my brother, SIL and 3 year old nephew.  Sat in the back seat.  We pretty much had the best time ever.  My nephew and I sat back there and chilled/chatted.  It was great bonding time.   Shared some snacks, NBD.  Don’t worry I pretty much had a bag of Goldfish with me the entire weekend and he actually said these words to the flower girls "are you guys hungry??  My aunt will give you Goldfish if you want them - she ALWAYS has them."  Sooo if you ever need them - you know who to turn to!

- I got a spray tan from Benefit which was amaahhhhzing.  Everyone complimented it and said it looked soooo natch. 

- We saw David Spade at dinner Thursday night.

- I saw my sister's wedding gown and picked out my bridesmaid dress!!

- As we pulled up to the church for the rehearsal a homeless man was peeing on the lawn.  Sooo that happened.

- My sibs & I made a slideshow that pretty much rocked the entire rehearsal dinner.  Just saying.

- We got our hair done and I was obsessed with my stylist.  We pretty much laughed the entire time.  including when I said I wanted a messy low bun and he said "honey I don’t do that.  let's not say 'messy'".  Ummm pretty much that's my "go-to style", but whatevs you can do whatever you'd like.  And I wound up with a low bun with "detailing".

- I had my first air-brush makeup job and it did not disappoint.

- My nephew wore a 3 piece seersucker suit.  Nuff said.

- My newest SIL looked like a doll.  She was amazingly gorgeous.  My brother looked so handsome and they were 2 of the happiest bride & groom I've ever seen in my life!

- Richard Simmons was staying at our hotel - the one where the reception was, too - there may have been pics taken by my relatives.  And there were a lot of sparkles.

- My brother's best man speech made me cry - like a small child.  It was so heartfelt and awesome.

- We pretty much rocked our faces off on the dance floor.  I may or may not have had a dance off with my brother's friend.  It was amazing and one of the best things I've ever been involved in - in my entire life.  He was quite the worthy opponent and at the end - we just joined forces and gave everyone the show they came out to see. 

- I heart my brother's friends.  Even though one of them referred to me as "medium-old".

- Sunday came wayyyy too quickly.  I can't believe it's all over!  Wahhhh!

This weekend is one Ms. Coco's baybay shower!!!  I'm sooo excited to see the girls, I'm in a bit of a withdrawl state!!  I'll have more to report in the  next few days!!  XOXO

Super Re-Cap

Happy Monday, my little pretties!!  I hope you all had fabulous weekends.  Mine was very low key and family filled.  I had a baby shower for my cousin and stayed at my parents for the whole weekend! It was just so nice to be home.  Sometimes you just need it - and it's like the best thing in the world!

So - GO BLUE!!!  Giants won!!  

Wahoo!  The first thing my mother said when they ended the game was…

Mom:  ugh - you'll have to take a cab home from work Tuesday!
Me:  why's that?!
Mom:  you know - with the ticker tape parade and all.  There'll be too many crazies and drunks.  I don’t want you walking home.
Me:  I think I'll be ok - but I do love you. 

Oh how she worries - gotta love her!!  Anyways….the game - ahhh the game!!  So good!  I love when it's exciting towards the end like that.  And I heart Eli.  Tom Brady - not so much.  And this picture just made me laugh.  

Sorry - Pats fans - but it did. 

Now onto the rest of the game.  Here are my take-aways:

1.  I didn't love the commercials.  The only one I can even really remember liking is the Sketchers one with the dog - I actually laughed out loud.  Too cute.

2.  Kelly Clarkson rocked my socks off with the National Anthem.  

I was so nervous for her and after last year's Christina fiasco - I was scuurred.  But she pulled through and did a phenom job.

3.  Miranda Lamberts pink microphone with rhinestones - totally necessary.

4.  Cee Lo is basically my hero.  Like who else can pull off that ensemble?!

5.  Madonna was ok for me - I think she was a little "flat".  I was just expecting so much energy and excitement and I really wasn't "wowed". 

6.  The men who were bouncing off the wires - like how did they find out that was a real "job"?!

7.  MIA - really not necessary to give the good 'ol U S of A the bird.  Keep it to yourself - this is a family show. 

8.  Nicki Minaj - you are incredible.  That's all.

 So who's watching THE VOICE?!  Season 2 - starting now!!  Cyrusly - I'm so excited!!!  OH and don’t forget - second installment of RHBH is on tonight, too!  OMG fab night of TV watching coming at me live!!  Until next time!