Dream Boots III - The continuing saga...

So as I thought about what I could possibly wear to go with my VLG Dream Boots (VLG = Very lady gaga), one thing that kept popping into my mind was "MASK". Don't ask me why. Well, probably because I said that in my last post. Some kind of a cape or mask...I didn't have a cape so...

You already know where this is going...

I went downstairs to look for my craft supplies. Found my black cardstock, pulled out my scissors and went to work. Pieces of black paper flying everywhere..Before you knew it, I had my mask...

Well it was kind of late and I wanted to add some sparkles to it, but I was in a hurry. (I like to see the final results of things right away!) So I punched two holes in the sides and used one of my be-jeweled necklaces that had a black ribbon for a tie. Perfect. I changed into my most fabulous top (one I'm sure Miss Gaga would approve of), put on some liquid eyeliner and my famous merlot-y lipstick. Then I put the mask on... I was missing something...but what?! Feathers! I must have feathers!!! I searched through my arsenal of headbands...I knew I had one for just this occasion! Big, flowery and loaded with black feathers!!! Yes! My look was complete.

So what else was there left to do? Obvi, I had to take a picture of this look...

(LOL. I was going to post them, but OMG, they would be on the internet forever and I would NEVER live it down.)

However...if you close your eyes and imagine how I must've looked...it was even MORE awesome than that.

Oh, wait. I forgot to put on the boots.

Dream Boots - part deux

So it turns out that with "very lady gaga" boots, you need some kind of a lady gaga kind of wardrobe. Even though they are comfortable and stylish AND were on sale, I wonder where could I possibly wear these utterly fabulous boots? Let's see..Work? Too over-dressed I think. Shopping? They're comfy, but they ain't THAT comfy. To the club? Uh yeah...but when was the last time I went to a club here? I believe some of you were still in elementary school. (Yeah, that long ago). Church? Uh, no.

I love these boots, but what to do?   

It's funny. I've quickly realized that these boots are part of an ensemble...I mean, I at least need a cape or a mask of some sort (?) to complete my look. Something sparkly or with feathers...hm... 

But now that I have these boots, I will have to embark on some kind of mission to find something "lady gaga" enough to wear with them without looking like...well, Lady Gaga.

Hm... Perhaps I didn't think this through...UGH. 

This makes me think of you...

So on the way to work this morning my husband and I were listening to the radio. We have satellite radio because my husband needs to hear rap and hip-hop 24/7. (I keep trying to tell him he's not a "gangsta"). Anyways, we have like 6 pre-set buttons, 4 of which are his "cool" stations and 2 are my "nerdy" stations. (ie. The "Love" Station which plays slow jams and classic love songs and the "90's on 9" because I like to reminisce, and let's face it - major hits came out of the 90's. Hello, Backstreet Boys anyone?!)

So, guess what we were listening to?

Obvi, my station, because sometimes it's too early in the morning to listen to loud, angry verses talking 'bout hos and stuff. (Though there is this very upbeat song which is kind of funny that goes "Good morning, hay-hay-hay-haters") haha. Digression...okay, so back to the easy listening sounds of the Love station. My husband (despite what he'd like you to believe) knows ALL the words to slow jams and such because in the old days, in his very old T-bird, all he had was AM stations. Yes, we were forced to listen to sounds of the 70's, 80's and today for like the first 5 years of our relationship. Ergo, knowing the words to many Barry Manilow songs and such ("Oh Mandy"). This morning a classic was playing "On the Wings of Love". (NOt by Barry Manilow, but by Jeffery Osbourne) Now, I don't know if you all know this song, but let me tell you, its a classic karaoke song and we love it.  Hearing this song reminded me of my sister-in-law Belin's husband, Ramil, (because it's "his" song at karaoke, in addition to "Just Once" which I believe is another Jeffrey Osbourne classic) Anyways, this in turn reminded me of them, because it was their wedding song. Nice. This got me thinkin about other songs that make me think of other people. For example, "Amaze" (I think that's what it's called) y'know "Baby I'm amazed by you" - this song makes me think of my cousin Jeff and his girlfriend Tracy because it's "their song". (Sweet), even though its country and I don't think they're really into country. (Not that there's anything wrong with it...if that's what you like. Sorry - Tracy, tell me again why this is your song??) "Mo money, mo problems" reminds me of again my "famous" years at Scandals (ha! "Who's hot, who's hot?!") "Lean Back" makes me think of Ed & Kriz's wedding because of the way the whole bridal party got up and did the lean. (Plus it was in heavy rotation then) Then, I thought of "Pon de Replay" which reminded me of Laur & Mike's wedding! (good times) Plus, Mike's best man's name is Pons. (Not his real name, but that's what we call him).

Then for my wedding, it was very romantic. And I will never forget it... "Get Busy" by Sean Paul.

Yes.  Shake that thing Miss Annabella, shake that thing.

I'm going dental mental (what? it rhymes!)

UGH. I'm just SO not in the mood today. I'm just annoyed about everything and everyone. I've been sitting here wondering what it is that is just pissing me off...and I think I've figured it out. It's the fact that I have to go to the fricken dentist today.  I can't stand going to the dentist. I've hated it ever since I was a kid. Sure, it's gotten better - no more awful pink tablets to chew to show where your plaque is or 4-hour "rain coats" that make everything taste like rubber afterwards or cheap plastic rings that are supposed to make you feel better. (Really? A blue happy face is supposed to erase the pain and the drool all over my shirt?!) It's the worst! I hate going to the dentist!!

Although...actually I have to say that my newest dentist is not TOO bad. Its a stylish, modern, little office. The girls at the front are all nice and happy to see you. There are bottles of water and tea available. Free pens! Complementary Wi-Fi. And you get a cute little gift bag after your appointment with a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and the aforementioned bottle of water. The actual appointment isn't awful either. I mean, they had my last filling done in 10 minutes. It took me longer to get there than the whole appointment! The hygienists are young, hip and nice (Minus the fact that the hygienist LOVES to ask me questions while she has her hands in my mouth and then expects answers to her questions! They aren't even "yes" or "no" questions...but whatever). My dentist is pretty cool. I suppose the whole experience isn't too bad. In fact, it's pretty good.

Hm...perhaps I'm just grumpy.

I'm on the A-lyst

Greetings and happy Monday! (Or as happy as a Monday can be) The weekend is over and a new week has begun...But let's recap. This past Friday, one of my very fabulous friends officially launched her invitation business!! I'm so jealous, yet SO happy for her!! She took the leap and is now actually doing something she LOVES to do - create beautiful handmade cards and invitations. Her business is called Alyst by Abbey Sanchez David and her stuff is awesome. She invited us along with her family and other close friends to celebrate at the Winehouse! We had some delicious appetizers, delectable sushi and of course an array of wines. Now, I'm not normally a wine drinker, but the wines that she chose were pretty good. I'm slowly (very slowly) trying to get into drinking wine. I would like to be able to order an "adult drink" once in awhile. LOL. However, as some of you know, I'm a cheap drunk. So, we will see how it goes. A couple of capfuls of Sourpuss and I'm usually good. (haha).

(L to R: Abbey, me , Belin, Aldin's hand, Sharon)

Photo courtesy of Alyst by Abbey Sanchez David

Anyways, We had a great time!!! If you or anyone you know needs invitations or stationary or any sort, please take a look at Abbey's website. She makes everything by hand and caters to any budget...(this is part of my "spiel" from the wedding show). Congratulations, Abz!! Can't wait for another one of your shindigs!

PS. There are more pics on her website! Check it out!!! (Read: there are more pics of ME on her website. LOL)

I think you're super-delicious

I wasn't going to write today because I'm kind of in a grumpy mood. (Obvi, hair is not cooperating today!) But, then I thought I would just write about something that always makes me feel better. Food. More specifically, food from one of my fave restaurants: Bistro 7 1/4. It's a little restaurant on Osborne (out of the village) but its an AWESOME place. The chef cooks right in the middle of the restaurant and you can either sit at the bar and watch him work his magic or at one of the few, highly sought-after tables in this cozy french bistro. I discovered it when I started taking the bus to St. Vital Shopping Center (or St. Vlts, as I call it). The bus would go past and I would be intrigued by the twinkling lights in the window...so one (day after) Valentime's day I made a reso for me and my husband and it was SO good. So now, it's kind of a tradition to go there for either the day before or the day after Valentime's! This year, as last, we went with my sister and her husband.

We usually start with some apps - in this case, we had a cheese board (which I am starting to really get into -  St. Andre is my fave!) and  my sister had french onion soup while I ordered the Coquille St. Jacques (a V-day special). They were all good (except my scallops were SO hot that when I cut them open they were still steaming! ie. hot came out!) But still so good. (I forgot to take pics of our apps).

Then we got our meals. The guys always get "The Hammerchop". Sounds daunting, doesn't it? Well it is. It's a huge steak on a huge bone...it reminds me of the Flintstones! But the guys swear by it - it's a "man's" meal - though one of my friends have ordered it and she loved it as well. It came with creamy cauliflower gratin and sweet potato fries. Mmm....

I usually order the mussels and they have a bunch of different ways you can have them prepared. This day I chose: beer, bacon and cheddar. With mussels? You might be doubtful. But no, seriously, I think it is one of the best concoctions ever. The broth is amazing and they use this thick, thick cut bacon...Does bacon not make EVERYTHING better? They serve it with these fresh cut, shoe string fries and mayo. My mouth is seriously watering...

My sister ordered the special for the evening - Chicken. ( I can't remember what the "official" name was, but it was to die for as well.) It came with fresh, green beans, tempura'd leeks and roasted potatoes with this delightful white wine cream sauce.

We didn't have room for dessert!

Delicioso!

So if you get a chance to go, you should.

Tell them Lee sent you. (Though they probably will look at you strangely and say "okayyyyy").

I'm so vain, I probably think this song is about me

I'm loving my "look" today. My hair is cooperating and my lipstick matches my outfit! I'm wearing gun-metal gray pants, black wedge boots and my perpel sweater with 3/4 bell sleeves and a long grosgrain ribbon tie at the back. Love it. I'm going to have to make it a point to walk in front of people at work today (lol).

Isn't it great when you're in a changing room at the store, you try your stuff on and you smile at yourself in the mirror and think "Nice." Yeah, we all do that, don't even try and deny it. That's what I did, when I bought this sweater. I put it on, turned around and admired myself from behind...(because of the ribbon!). I did that until the salesperson called out "Lee, how are you doin in there?" which snapped me out of my reverie. I thought to myself, "What the...how do you know my name?!" Oh yeah, it's because of this new practice of salespeople asking for your name and writing it on the door (sometimes I think I will give them the wrong name and then they'll keep calling me, but I won't answer because I don't know who they're talking to.) Why can't they just leave me alone to try on my stuff? I will call you if I need another size! Don't try and bring me stuff that you think I might like! I would have brought it in myself! And while I'm on the subject of changing rooms, I hate ones that have curtains for doors. I need a door with a lock on it and not one of those, you go out for a minute and it locks you out so you have to actually go back out into the store and call the salesperson to let you back in. A nice simple lock you control yourself, from the inside. And BTW, all dressing rooms should also have full length (3-way, if possible) mirrors INSIDE the them, so you don't get locked out looking for one in the first place. I once went into a dressing room that had a mirror (like a vanity mirror), so you could only see half your body, and it had a desk and stool. Like, am I sitting down to write a letter or something? What is that? And communal dressing rooms -  Really?! You don't need to see me...and I really don't want to see you.

Anyways...I'm not going to let dressing-room rage ruin my day! A good outfit/hair day = a good mood = a good day. So, if you see me today, I will probably be happy. Especially if you let me walk in front of you. : )

Celebrity Boyfriends

So I was just sitting here watching the Olympics and a commercial came on promoting BC (I guess, on account of the olympics) and there were all these canadian celebrities who came from Canada or BC and...one of them was my new "boyfriend", Ryan Reynolds! Seriously, how hot is he? He is a relatively new boyfriend. I really started to notice him in Blade 3, but then he was in Definitely, Maybe and of course, now I'm fully on the bandwagon because of The Proposal. Wowza! Damn that Scar Jo!

RPattz is my boy and has been for quite awhile...ever since I finally gave in to Twilight. (sigh, Edward Cullen...okay, like in New Moon, when he's walking towards Bella and she kind of bites her lip and you can tell she's thinking "DAMN". Sigh...) I love when he runs his hands through his hair, then leaves it there. Also, his photoshoots are pretty hot. Can't wait to see his new Details shoot. (although I hear he hated all the nakedness happening in it - the girls, not him). I haven't seen it yet, but I'm also hating the nakedness that was happening around him. Get away from him girls - he's MINE.

I liked Channing Tatum from when he was in Coach Carter. I have yet to see his newest movie, Dear John - but I actually had a dream about him last night and I kind of got annoyed with him. He was kind of aloof and snobby and for some reason he was wearing a hoodie and a jean skirt for men (?) with leggings and Uggs. It was just not right. It wasn't like a kilt or anything, it was a jean skirt! (Do I dream in high fashion?) Anyways, I woke up and I have to say, I was pretty annoyed with him! Anyways, he's on the backburner, until I see his movie. Perhaps he will move up again...

Let's see...I loved Josh Hartnett for the longest time. I think he was from Minneapolis, so I felt very close to him. I thought if we ever got together, then at least he was in close proximity.

I had a brief "fling" with Sasha Vujacic of the LA Lakers during the finals last year. I even wore his jersey during every game. It turns out I had to defend his shooting everytime he came on court and it got tiresome. He cut his hair, so hopefully that will help this year. I will have to re-visit this crush if when the Lakers make it to finals this year. I hope his shooting has improved.

Nobody, Nobody but You

For some reason this song by the Wondergirls was in my head. So I youtubed the video and there is some kind of dance that goes with this song. My new goal is to learn this routine. This song is seriously catchy, I can't stop singing it. I don't really know the words, except for the chorus which pretty much repeats "Nobody, nobody but you". I'm going to memorize the words too.

Here is a link to the WonderGirls video - it's in english. They are korean, and this song was originally done in korean (with the chorus in english). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA7fdSkp8ds
Don't be fooled by the very beginning - just be patient and watch it. It's actually pretty funny!!

Anyone want to learn this with me?! You have the chorus in your head now don't you?

Soaps

How easy is it to get addicted to soap operas? And first of all, isn't it funny that they're even called "soap operas" or soaps for short? I thought it was because in those days, housewives usually watched it while they were doing laundry in the afternoons. But upon further research, it seems that it began even earlier than that, when soaps were broadcast on the radio and were sponsored by soap companies. (This is an educational blog as well. lol)  Anyways, there's always something happening on a soap. Just when you think one drama is ending, another one is in development. There's something about it, that makes you come back time and again. One might think that a soap opera is just something easy to watch. Something you don't have to concentrate on. It's not like a multimillion dollar movie, or an evening drama. But, it asks something even more of its viewers - it constantly asks you to S.Y.D. (Suspend your disbelief). How else can you accept the fact that if someone dies, it doesn't necessarily mean they die, but might be re-incarnated again as an evil twin, or how a kid will go away to summer camp, and then come back as a high school senior, getting ready to run their father's company? Or a couple who gets married and divorced, then marries people who used to be married, then got divorced, then divorces them and gets married again?(I'm talking to you, Victor and Nikki!) Its all so confusing. Yet, we are all usually able to keep track of everyone's relationships, no matter how convoluted they get. In fact, we as the audience are the only ones who know what's going on. We know who slept with whom, who the real mother is, who's behind the crimes, who has amnesia. How can all of these occurrences happen in this fictional town? How many times can someone be kidnapped? But everytime, after every hour, we are on edge, waiting for the next episode...what will happen? It's pretty easy to get sucked into watching one again, even if you haven't watched for years. You will get caught up in a few weeks if not days and you will once again know the lives of the characters who never seem to change or age. (Except of course when they were kids, and grow up to be adults). Sometimes I find myself yelling at the characters on tv saying "How can you not know? It's so obvious?!" I get so mad or excited and it's because I know these characters. I've lived with them for so long, I want to know what's going to happen to them and even though it never seems to resolve, once in awhile, your favorite characters are happy...until something or someone comes along to make their lives miserable and it all begins again...

That's it for today...stay tuned to see what I write about tomorrow...

Happy Valentime's Day!

Yes, I realize it says Valentime's. That's what I call it. Actually me, my sister and my 2 sisters-in-law call it that. I don't really know why. It's like how we call Halloween > Lalloween. There's no rhyme or reason. It's like a Monet painting...(that's what Rose says in Titanic when she's describing the painting to the maid who unfortunately does not make it in the end...) Anyways...I started thinking that we made up a lot of words/phrases during our "famous years". It was 1997. We were The Sisters (lol) and we were saying things like "Why you do?" (Translation: Why did you do that?) and "It's on you if you want to climb trees" (Translation: It's up to you if that's what you want to do) or if we went shopping and someone bought something they were "handed". As in: "I went to the mall and came out totally handed." I don't know if we were the ones who coined "What's the haps?" because I believe a lot of people say that, however...if we were, then that's awesome. My parents even say it - "Hey Tet, What's da haps?". We probably weren't. But we did come up with "I'm a bit of..." or "It's a bit of.." ie. "I thought he was down, but he wasn't, so I'm a bit of damaged" (Translation: I thought he liked me, but he didn't and now I'm upset) or "I wanted that bag because it had good swing, but it's a bit of expense" (Translation: That bag looks good when I carry it, but it was too expensive") LOL. I'm laughing as I write this because I can totally imagine us saying it. If we were at the bar and some guy was talking to one of us too long, the other 3 would take off their watches and give it to whoever the guy was talking to. A symbol that he was taking up too much of our precious time or that we were taking too long. Ah, my famous years - it's always fun to reminisce. Even if no one knows what the heck I'm talking about.

Glee

I've just listened to the playlist of the Glee 1 & 2 CD's and I absolutely LOVE IT. Seriously! It's genius. Okay, I've only watched the first episode of this show and a bit of another show, and I kept wanting to watch it, but I never knew when it was on! (When is it on?) My friends keep telling me that this show is "so my kinds" (which means, it's something I would love) and listening to the songs from the CD, it SO is. (Seriously, when is it on?) I'm not kidding. "Don't Stop Believin" brings tears to my eyes. (Don't be fooled by the scowl on my face - I'm secretly a very emotional and overly sensitive person.) Has anyone watched this show? Can someone tell me about it? I have to go out and buy the CD's AND the first season. No wonder the cast are the darlings of the awards shows this season! They're amazing!!!

Now I'm listening to "On My Own" and yep, tears again! I don't know what it is - maybe its just that I'm so overcome with happiness and emotion? Wow, I'm a total blubbering fool. Then again, whenever I watch "You've Got Mail" and Somewhere Over the Rainbow starts playing at the end, when Cathleen (Meg) finally realizes its Joe (Tom) I'm sniffling already. And also at the end of "Selena" when the first few bars of her song plays at the end and the doctor comes out and tells her family she's dead, and then her husband, who is so overcome with grief... it's so upsetting! I cry every single time. Oh, and what about "A Walk to Remember" when Mandy Moore is walking down the aisle to get married to Landon (what's his name in real life?) because you know that after that, she's dunzo! Tissue, I need tissue. Don't even get me started on Phantom of the Opera, the movie version, when Gerard Butler (?!), who's the Phantom, is singing/crying because all he ever wanted was to be loved (is that SO wrong?!) and Christine picks the fool who can't remember to put his hand at the level of his eye or whatever, so that he doesn't get strangled by the tortured Phantom. And of course, Miss Saigon. When my husband took me to see it, I was just so happy to be watching it, that just hearing the overture and then the sound of those damn helicopters was enough to start the waterworks. But I love it. My heart swells with so much emotion, when I hear music that is so good, that I can't help crying. I can't wait to get those Glee CD's. I hope Kleenex is on sale.

Lipstick

So yesterday I went to the mall to pick up my "very lady gaga" boots (yay!) // sidebar: they were the last ones and in my size - best feeling in the world!// Anyways, my sister texted that she was at the mall too, trying on eyeshadows at MAC. So I went down to see her and the girl applying the eye makeup had a perfect shade of perpel lipstick! It was almost a nice deep merlot-y perpel (If you don't know by now, I call most shades of purple, perpel...an explanation is forthcoming in future posts). So I immediately had to try it on - unfortunately, it didn't look merlot-y on me. In fact, it looked more like cooking sherry. No thanks. So she went about trying to find me another color that would suit me because as she said "I love your lips. People with big lips should wear color! I hate it when all they want to wear is nude!" (Thanks, I think.) So she found one for me, it was called Media and I totally loved it. Topped with the Lavender Wind LipGlass and I had the merlot-y look I was looking for. So I went home all happy about it and guess what? I have the same fricken lipstick already in my collection. Not only that, I have another one, that achieves the merlot-y look without the extra LipGlass (that's what MAC calls their lipgloss). So...I guess I will be wearing this color for awhile. Thank goodness for my big lips.

Lists

I'm all about lists. Love them. I use them for everything. Work, chores, what to do after work, what to do after chores (btw, do people still say "chores"?). My favorite list is my "Wish List". Sometimes I name it after the season, (ie. Fall/Winter 2009) but generally I just call it my Wish List. It usually contains stuff I aspire to buy (LV Odeon GM), stuff I'm planning to buy (Breaking Dawn, when it comes out in trade paperback), stuff that I will buy just as soon as I get around to it (OPI Nail Polish in Pamplona Purple (or Perpel, as I like to say - more about this later)), and stuff that I'm on an ongoing search for (my "dream" brown spring/fall/winter jacket/coat).

I have a post-it on my desk at work with my Wish List written on it. It's also in a couple of notebooks at home and on my berry. The reason I have it in so many places is because...it makes me feel that much closer to having the items on the list. It's like when you're a kid and you cut out pictures of the stuff you want from catalogues...When I was 8, I really wanted this Pretty Curls doll. I found a picture of it in one of those Christmas catalogues and cut it out and made a little bed for it and carried it around until I actually got it for Christmas! Obvi, the real thing was the best, but even that little piece of thin catalogue paper was enough to tide me over until I got the real thing...
Anyways, I also make lists so that I can cross things off of them. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment. Like "Ooh, I bought it! I can cross it off!" However, I don't think I've ever been able to cross everything off my list. I got close once, in the Summer of '06, but that black ribbon trimmed cardigan wouldn't go on sale and when it finally did, they didn't have size. (UGh, that is one of my pet peeves, more about this later). Anyways, inevitably what happens is that I cross something off my list, only to add something new that I've discovered that I need and can't possibly live without.

Sometimes, I get things that weren't even on my list. In that case, I put it on my list, then cross it off. Don't pretend you don't do it, we all do. It's that sense of accomplishment. Like for work, I have an ongoing list of things to do. If I do something not on the list, it's added, then crossed off. I did it right? So I need a record that I did it. However, for work I have a new thing that I do for my lists. Instead of crossing stuff off, I put a little box beside stuff that I have to do. That way, if the box is not checked off, I know I haven't done it yet. It may sound obvious, but seriously, this revolutionized the way that I get things done. I am not always able to make a nice, neat list. So, when I make notes, I can just put a box beside stuff and when I look back at my notes, I'll know if something was done or not. How awesome is that? I don't know, but it makes me feel good.

Ah, blog for today. Done. Cross that off the list. :)

Dream Boots

Every year I look for my "dream" boots. It's basically "the perfect boot" and I am in search of it every year...Usually its a pointy toed stilletto heel that's not too high in soft black leather...and if it comes in brown too, even better! This year I found a great pair, that is not a pointy toed stiletto heel. It's an almond toed, wedge and surprisingly comfortable! Love them. They also come in brown suede...which reminds me - I still have to pick those up. So yesterday...I was browsing (or as I like to say to the salespeople "just looking") when my eyes happened upon a wonderful pair of black suede wedges. They were ridiculously tall wedges, but ankle height and slim and awesome. I tried them on...comfortable, stylish and on sale. The trifecta. Nice. So I was holding on to them and the sales guy says "Those are beautiful" and I say "Yes, they are surprisingly comfortable." And he says "I love the high wedge" and I say "Yeah, they're not a cheesy high wedge" and then he says the thing that seals the deal for me " Yeah, they're very lady gaga". OMG. I'm so buying these.