I know it's Monday, but...

Okay - I'm sorry - I know you're all eagerly awaiting part 2 of my Vegas Baby post...and I swear I have it pretty much written out (I'm having a hard time choosing which pics to post). However, I just had to get on here and tell you the strangest thing that happened today.

So here we were sitting in the lunchroom at our afternoon break. We're all tired since its the end of the day, just sitting around talking about random things, waiting for the work day to come to an end. It is a Monday after all...Anyways...

So...we have some temps working in our financial department and today, one of them came in to the lunchroom. We were in the middle of a conversation, so she sat down at the table and didn't really say anything, just listened to us. After a few minutes, she got up, tripped on something (I assumed it was her own feet) and walked out.

One of my friends, Melis, gave us a strange look as the girl walked out and said "That's so weird!!" I thought it was funny that the girl tripped, but I didn't want to acknowledge it because I saw her look at us out of the corner of my eye, but I figured she was just embarrassed about tripping.

Anyways, Melis says "She kicked over a cup of soup" so I got up to look and sure enough, here was this cup of noodle soup that was knocked over, contents spilled out all over the floor, noodles and soup everywhere. (Nevermind why that cup of soup was on the floor in the first place...we have random people working here) Anyways...so this girl, kicked over the cup of soup, looked at us to see if we noticed her and then promptly walked out of the lunchroom...and didn't come back.

Okay, how fricken weird is that? We waited a bit, thinking that perhaps she went to go get some paper towels or a mop, but she didn't come back! So we ended up getting up to clean it up. But all the while wondering...WHAT THE HELL?!

That's weird right?! Why would she just leave it? When she knew that at least one of us saw her do it? It's so weird I can't stand it.

Anyways...yeah.

Take a seat, this is gonna be a 3-part mini series...

Yes, yes, I know. I haven't written anything here since my last fairytale...

Well kids - I've been a busy bee and just now, I finally have the chance to write a little sumthin sumthin...mostly because I'm sitting at home sick fighting a cold and am at the tail end of my very first (and hopefully last) dreadful bout of Pink Eye!! I know what you're thinking..."Ew...gross!" My thoughts exactly...but a lot happened before this so let me start from whence I left off...

Fashion show fairy tale...blah, blah, blah...Lalloween, blah, blah, blah...Oh! Here we go...VEGAS.

So yes my pretties, I jetted off to Vegas the Thursday before last with my sister for a girls only weekend. Ironic because it was actually a Fight Weekend with our Fighting Pride of the Philippines Manny Pacquiao fighting Juan something Marquez. (Juan right? Anyways...) and you would think that this would actually be a perfect Guys only weekend...but too bad for them, my sister and I decided to go instead. I was looking forward to the shopping (of course), the relaxing, the celeb sightings, the clubbing and the eating. But mostly I was looking forward to spending time with my sister (pause for "awww..."). The days leading up to our trip were filled with daily texts of "What should I wear? Is this a good outfit? Does this look "slutty classy" enough?". As with any trip, there was a lot of pre-shopping trying to find the perfect slutty classy club wear, (Definition of "slutty classy": a hot dress or outfit: tight and cleavage-y but not hooker-y...or anything leopard-y or sequin-y. LOL! Yes. That's the official definition.) as well as the usual toiletries and makeup that you always seem to need to buy before a trip.

Well...finally the day came - we were leaving the guys and it just so happened that our other sister (my sister's sister in-law, Carol) was leaving for an all-girls Vegas trip with her girlfriends as well! Nine (including me and my sister) rowdy girls on a plane + 1 more meeting up with them in Vegas was going to for sure be a crazy weekend.

It was our first time goin through our brand new airport which was cool...but it seemed that once we got past security...it was still small. There was only one restaurant (TGIFriday's) and not even a full Tim Horton's! I wonder if this is just because it was new and they hadn't opened up everything yet...though honestly: 4 gates and it was tiny. But whatevs. A double caesar was on my horizon and we hadn't even gotten on the plane yet! Once on the plane, we saw Maria Aragon (the little wunderkind who had caught Lady Gaga's attention with her rendition of "Born This Way") who was on her way to Vegas as well, to what else, sing the Philippine National Anthem for the fight! Rumor has it she was asked to sing by the PacMan himself! Anyways, we knew we should get a pic with her - a precursor to all the celebs who would be in Vegas that weekend for the fight. We landed in Vegas to get our luggage and there she was sitting quietly with her mom...My sister and I both said "You go ask! No you go" and our shyness was getting the better of us (if you recall, this is why we didn't get a great pic of BSB when we saw them in the airport last year!) Finally, we asked and we got our first celeb pic.

We cabbed it to Aria which was going to be our home for the next 5 days and as soon as we walked in and smelled the familiar vanilla smell wafting through the lobby and casino we knew we were back. We checked in, grabbed some food (which we wolfed down) and quickly made our way to the Forum Shops. We wanted to check out NikeTown for some exclusie Pacquiao gear and on our way noticed Christian Louboutin had opened a boutique. I pointed it out to my sister who had decided earlier she was going to buy a pair, if they had her size in the nude Pigalle Plato Pumps. We walked into the sumptuous store and were enveloped in the beautiful, luxurious shoes. They had her size and she tried them on...of course they fit, and though she hemmed and hawed, I knew she really just wanted me to say "Get them because if you don't, you'll regret it". As she was paying, I wandered to the front of the store when suddenly, I saw someone who looked distinctly like Manny Pacquiao's wife walk into the store. I thought "WHAT?" And then I noticed there was some commotion, just outside the store and I thought "WHAT?! OMG, Manny is here!!!?" But then I looked again, scanned the crowd and said, "No, that's not who they are taking a picture with...OMG, THAT'S Manny's wife, Jinkee!!" (The girl who had come into the store and was looking around was her twin sister!) So I ran up to my sister, who was still standing at the till paying and frantically whispered "OMG. JINKEE PACQUIAO is HERE". So I ran, back and forth trying to figure out how the hell we were going to get a picture with her. I thought - it's now or never and there is no way we can pass up this opportunity! So after she took a picture with some other people, I quickly asked "Can we take a picture with you too please?!" She obliged and walah...Celeb pic #2 - Jinkee Pacquiao.

This was turning out to be quite the fruitful afternoon...and we had only been in Vegas for an hour! My sister and I excitedly walked over to NikeTown where they had a whole boxing display set up and a photobooth, where you could get your pic taken wearing a Pacquiao boxing robe and gloves - why not? So of course that's what we did. And while we were in line, we excitedly told the guys behind us that we just took a pic with Manny's wife. They were just as excited and said they did too. Then they asked where we were from, we said Canada and they said they were too! Then they asked where in Canada and we said Winnipeg and they said, one of the guys was from there too! Then he said he had gone to Sisler high school and my sister said she did too!! It was really funny! Then as we continued talking I thought the guy who said he had gone to Sisler began to look familiar. So I asked him if his name was Chris and if he worked at the Gap. He said yes to both. Then I asked him if he knew my husband and he said YES he did. What the deuce! What a small world.

Anyways, after we got back to the hotel, we barely had anytime to rest before getting ready to go out to our first club - Marquee @ the Cosmopolitan. My sister and I were on a guest list but we figured we should try and get there at the time we were told to be there. Yeah. We were an hour late. But it didn't matter - 2 girls on a guest list was no problem :) So we got to the Cosmopolitan which was just a hop, skip and a jump away from our hotel and tried to figure out which line we had to get into. After walking around we found the "Guest List" line. We moved pretty quickly and once we got in, were ushered into an elevator (with a bunch of guys - haha) and ended up at a bar - there were several directions we could have gone, so we went up the stairs...at the very top was kind of a lounge-y area with a pool table it looked like, but we didn't go in because they were playing "Gloria". Yeah, like from the 80's. So that was a no. Then we went down to the Main club where they were playing house/dance-ish music. We were like "eh". So we went up half way, I believe it was called the "Boom Boom Room". We felt like goldilocks and the 3 bears. This room was juuuussst right. The music was good and my sister and I got our drinks. As we stood there and watched the club scene build around us, it seemed to me that all the guys around there looked like they were from Far East Movement...lol. I don't know why. They all seemed to be the same height and dressed the same way. It kind of made us chuckle. Anyways, we had a great time drinking and dancing till our feet hurt! But the highlight of that night was probably when we were standing there, having a drink, this stocky, body-builder-ish guy in front of us, who seemed to look like he was by himself, bobbing his head to the music, suddenly looked like he was flexing for us (which, trust me, we were trying hard not to look at because we would laugh) but then he did something even better. He took a picture of himself with his iphone. OMG. We almost died laughing right there in the middle of the club.

We went back to the hotel satisfied with our first night in Vegas. We decided to soak our feet in the jacuzzi tub and after a little rest go down to get some food. Well...we fell asleep. We woke up around 4:00 in the morning starving and ordered room service. Ahh...what a life.

To be continued...

Part Deux: The Fashion Show…

So where were we?

Ah yes, the faux princess was getting ready for her fancy night out, courtesy of her fairy god mother fashionista (fgf). Her outfit had a decidely "Mad Men-esque" look as she had chosen to wear the perpel dress since she had the shoes, which were absolutely FABULOUS. She curled her hair, did her make-up and was ready to go…

She met her fgf (who happened to be wearing the most wonderful moss green Burberry coat, over a short, beaded paisley 3.1 Phillip Lim) @ the hotel   and together they walked over to the ballroom where the fairytale was to begin…As they got their tickets, she could see the line-up of all the other ladies waiting to look at the amazing prizes . As they walked closer the buzz of excitement got louder. To her left, a Bobbi Brown make-up station.  To her right, the line up of silent auction prizes.  And all around, women in their party frocks, ready to have a good time…

She peeked into the ballroom and right there was the runway in the middle of the room and all around it were tables with big, flowing centerpieces of white feathers , pink roses and mirrored lamp shades.

The princess (for she felt like a real one for the evening) and her fgf looked at the prizes and went in to find their table. They found that they had one of the best tables in the room, right at the end of the runway! They introduced themselves to their table mates and one of the ladies said “Do you know so-and-so?” and the princess said “So-and-so? No, I don’t think so. Did they go to my school?” And she said, “Oh. No. But her friend looks exactly like you and she has the same name.” WEIRD, thought the princess, maybe I DO have an evil twin! (Or good twin, depending on which one she was. haha)

Then dinner began. She knew it was gonna be a good one because instead of having the usual whipped butter for the bread, there was olive oil & balsamic vinegar…The salad consisted of vegetable cannelloni with baby greens dressed with an olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. The main course was a hot, delicious breaded chicken breast, stuffed with fontina cheese and basil butter which was accompanied by a delicate cream sauce, asparagus spears, zucchini and roasted red pepper. Divine!! The meal ended with a duo of sherbets – strawberry and chocolate in a yummy shortbread cup. It was wonderful…

But now, the main portion of the evening was going to begin…

One by one, the models came out in sumptuous designer fashions: Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and so many more...jewel toned evening gowns, shining sequin party dresses, beautifully tailored coats, and furs…glorious furs in every color! They carried Python handbags, leather totes, sparkling clutches and beautiful minaudieres.

The princess was in heaven…her favorite outfit of the evening was the perpel ostrich feather skirt, topped with a cute perpel cashmere short sleeved sweater. It was so fabulous she thought she would die!

When finally the last girl walked down the runway and the show was done, they got up to leave but the princess took one last picture of her and her fairy godfashionista…

It was the end of her fashion fairytale, but she would have the vision of that perpel ostrich feather skirt outfit in her head forever…

The End.

PS. BTDubs, Thank you to my fgf, Erin. You're awesome.
PPS. Sorry, the pictures are so blurry - I only had my ipod with me. I didn't want to look TOO excited. :)

A quasi-fairy tale based on a totally true story…Part Une: The Princess and the Phone Call

Once upon a time there was a girl who thought she was a princess.

She wasn’t a real princess of course, but she liked to imagine she was. In real life she was just a normal girl who went to work and hung out with friends and shopped and gossiped like normal girls do.

One day, she was at work, as usual, when she got a call from her “Fairy Godmother” who asked the (so-called) princess whether she wanted to attend a fancy high end fashion show with her! There would be cocktails and dinner and of course the fashion show with all the lovely fashionable things the princess could ever imagine! The princess was beside herself with excitement!! However, she was nervous at the same time. She wasn’t sure if she was “princess-y” enough to go. Would she be able to hack it in the REAL princess world? After thinking about it and asking the advice of her sister and friends, who all said “Uh…YEAH!! OF COURSE you have to go!!” She decided that she would swallow her insecurities and become a real princess for an evening…so she called her Fairy Godmother back and told her “Yes! I would love to go! Thank you for thinking of me, fairy godmother!”

After she got off the phone she had another thought though…what was she going to wear?! Her sister advised her to wear something fashion forward. Something involving fur, leopard and booties…Her fairy godmother told her to wear a dress. Something that you would wear to a party. So she settled on her famous perpel dress! She even knew what shoes she wanted to wear with it: High platform, perpel velvet shoes embellished with a jewel and feathers. The only problem was she didn’t have them yet. She did have a back-up dress in case she wasn’t able to get the shoes, but she needed to wear some tights with them…which she also didn’t have. She was not going to have too much time after work to get ready for the fashion event. The timing was going to be tight and she would need to be as efficient as possible. However…she was able to work some of her own magic and convinced her dad to pick her up after work. They were going to pass by the mall to pick up her shoes...

Everything was starting to come together! But then she looked down at her hands and alas, her nails looked terrible and were in dire need of a manicure! She had been planning to have one, but had not had the time to schedule it. As luck would have it though, she worked close to downtown. She decided that she would use her lunch hour to find some tights, nail polish remover, cotton balls, and some nail polish and would hopefully be back in time to actually have some lunch and do her nails.

She left work, all ready to begin her lunchtime adventure. But she must’ve had some bad timing because there were no buses in sight! She waited and finally she caught the first bus she saw. Unfortunately, it wasn’t going by the store she was planning to go to. But she took it to get to another bus stop that she knew she would be able to catch more buses. She got off and got on another bus, assuming that this bus would take her to her destination. This bus however, was going to turn off at the wrong street. This adventure was beginning to look like a bad idea. Finally she got on the right bus. By this time her lunch was almost half done. She finally got to the store…which had recently been renovated and she didn’t know where everything was! Once she finally found the hosiery department, she circled the aisles but couldn’t find the tights she was hoping for. Finally she decided to give up and went to look for the nail polish remover, cotton balls and nail polish. (Which luckily, she found quickly.) She was trying to decide what kind of polish to buy, but decided she should just get the remover and cotton balls and be on her way. Time was running out and she had to be back at work in 17 minutes! She got in line to pay and…every line for the check-out was so long!!! And as she scanned what people had in their hands (thinking, that none of their purchases were as important as hers) she started to get nervous. The lady who was at the till when she got in line was still there, looking for coupons or change or some such thing! The lady was taking forever and the faux princess was starting to freak out! She wondered at the random stuff people bought in the middle of the day. She looked at her watch… it was 12:48. She had to make a decision. There were still 4 people in line ahead of her and a couple of them had full baskets. She decided to leave the line – put her stuff down and run to catch her bus. Luckily she caught an express. She finally got back to work at 1:03 but was so upset she had missed lunch AND had nothing to show for it!

She called her sister, who agreed to pick up the ultra-fabulous shoes for her (they would totally make her outfit) but her sister warned her they were high and that she might have trouble walking in them. “Let’s hope you don’t trip” she said…Tripping however, was the last thing on her mind, as she thought about how she was going to do her hair and whether or not she was making the right decision about which dress to wear.

The afternoon at work was going quickly and slowly at the same time, as she watched the clock thinking about not making a fool of herself at the fashion show. She was nervous and excited and couldn’t wait for the end of the day…

To be continued….part 2: The Fashion Show

That is so...high school

So tomorrow is my high school reunion. I don’t know if I’m nervous, or excited or both? I mean, I haven’t seen most of these people in AGES. I’m not gonna say how long, but suffice it to say, Vanilla Ice was still rapping and not renovating houses at that time. Anyways, whatever I feel, I must be internalizing some kind of stress because just like in high school, I’ve started to break out. Yeah. Like zits. Ugh. What the heck? Then again, maybe it’s something else…who knows? Whatever it is, it’s annoying. I mean, I know I don’t wanna look all old and haggard when I see my old classmates, but teenage acne is not the way to go. Seriously. I thought I was all past this zitty stage in my life? In fact, I haven’t had a break out like this since high school...Apparently just thinking about high school brings you right back...

For example, this week, with thoughts of the upcoming reunion on the brain, I was inspired to wear some good outfits, because when I was in high school, I loved to wear “outfits” – I’d scour Seventeen or YM magazine, watch music videos and try and emulate the cool outfits of my teenage idols…There was no Selena Gomez in my day (in fact, I’m pretty sure she wasn’t even born yet – OMG, how OLD AM I??!) but there was a Debbie Gibson and she knew how to rock a hat, with a t-shirt and funky vest, a skirt with mid-calf leggings underneath, hi-cut Converse chucks with slouch socks, and of course wayfarers! This was one of my most fave outfits at the time and let me tell you, I felt pretty cool whenever I wore it. I loved wearing ensembles…I'm pretty sure I talked about this before. Yes, I have.

On Tuesday, it was a perfect, sunny, Fall day. A perfect day for me to wear this outfit that had been hanging in my closet for like ever. It consisted of: some dark bootcuts, my brown suede Madewell desert boots, a sheer, flowery blouse, gold hoops and bangles,  and…the pièce de résistance…my brown faux beaver fur vest! Trust – this outfit was totes inspired by Kourtney Kardashian in a recent issue of INstyle magazine…(or was it People Stylewatch?) It was a good look…although some people asked me if I was a Viking. (Whatevs. I say “Victory!!!” like Drama on Entourage when he was on “Viking Quest”) 

Yesterday I wore the vest again (What? Twice in one week? Yes.) But this time I wore it as “outerwear”. I threw it over a camel cardigan and gunmetal grey legging pants and tank then topped it off with my leopard print scarf. Seriously, I love this vest! It’s so luxe. 

Anyways, here I was looking all luxe…waiting for the bus. (Haha, yes, I know it’s total oxymoron, but hey, I’m “environmentally friendly”…not. I just don’t have a choice – Aldin takes the car to work, I work in downtown and don’t really like to drive anyways…I’d rather be driven around...and...hmmm. That was a bit of explains.) but I digress…

Anyways…here I was waiting for the bus in my luxe faux fur vest and this little girl, maybe 8 years old, walking with her mom, passes by me and says in an excited voice “I love your outfit!” (and then whispers to her mom “I love her outfit!”)  It was so cute. I felt so “Pan Am (stewardess)”. AH…validated by an 8-year-old. 

Today, my look is all “Rock concert!”…or at least “Rock Concert Organizer!” (LOL) 

I’m wearing my dark slims with one fold, David Dixon platform heels, Rolling Stone t, and black blazer with folded sleeves. However, the thing that makes me look all rock-concert organizer-y?? My work pass. It’s on one of those lanyards and I look all “VIP Access only” which kind of makes me crack up. Haha!! I just need a headset and a clip board.

Anyways, I still can’t believe its been so long since I graduated from high school - but this week has almost brought me right back, what with the zit break out and outfit wearing...I wonder if anyone else had any high school flashbacks? I guess I will find out tomorrow...wish me luck friends!     

If it smells bad...don't eat it.

I guess I’m having a bad week – First my water gets stolen at the gym then…

Well…let me tell you all about it.

It all started out good. We were going to Bistro 7 ¼ to celebrate Aldin’s b’day. We got there on time and our table, the Star Table, was ready to go. (Note: I like to call any table that’s in the middle of the restaurant, the “Star Table” y’know – the place to sit, to see and be seen, etc…because I’m so famous. Yeah.) Anyways, the restaurant was bustling as usual and on our way there I had already decided that I would have my usual moules et frites (beer, bacon and cheddar). But, when I got there, I recalled a conversation that I had with one of the guys @ work earlier in the day. Dennis (his name has not been changed to protect his privacy), recommended the “stinky mac and cheese” and he even made the “closing the eyes while describing how good it is” face. So as I looked at the menu, I thought to myself “Why not try something different?” I had always wanted to try it. Mac n cheese? Yes please! I just wished there was some meat. (I can’t just eat “sides” as a meal). And as I scanned the menu, I saw that I could add lobster to it! Done. I imagined some creamy cheesy goodness, topped with bread crumbs…and red lobster claw meat, glistening in big chunks all over the bubbling dish…like on TV! Mmmm...

Aldin ordered his usual hammerchop and his fave appetizer (what he and Chef Chris Cosentino, lovingly refer to as “God’s butter”). Anyways, we got our drinks (beer for him and Pellegrino for me) and pre-dinner bread (warm with butter, tomato compote and sea salt) and discussed whether we would order dessert or not. He got his appetizer (and he also did the “it’s so good I have to close my eyes” face while eating it). I tasted it, but I don’t really see what all the hype is about. I noticed there seemed to be a lot of mussels and fries going out, and for a split second I wished I had ordered my usual. But, I quickly talked myself out of it saying “Dude, you’re getting LOBSTER”. Anyways…after waiting what seemed like ages (and seeing bowl after bowl of mussels and fries going out) our food finally came. Aldin’s was the usual (if not a bit smaller) hammerchop, with cauliflower gratin and sweet potato fries.

And mine…was a tiny bowl of stinky mac n cheese with a lobster tail sticking out of it.

First, let me say…I LOVE cheese. I’m all about cheese. I may be slightly lactose intolerant, but I love the stuff. I love any kind…except maybe blue cheese.

Apparently “stinky” mac n cheese is made with blue cheese. Which I did not know. And for some reason, did not think to ask. But I thought to myself “well…it looks creamy. Creamy usually = good”. Or so I thought. I had a bite…it wasn’t terrible. The distinct taste of blue cheese was there, but it wasn’t completely overwhelming. I figured I could handle it. Plus I had the lobster tail! So I pulled the lobster tail out, since it was just sticking up out of the bowl and…there was no meat in it!! I thought to myself “I’ve been robbed AGAIN! There must be some mistake!” I was all ready to call the server when I looked closer at my bowl and noticed a few white chunks…could this be my lobster?! No one said anything about mixing it in with the mac n cheese!! This was definitely NOT what I had in mind when I ordered this dish. I was so disappointed. But I ate as much of it as I could (since I was paying a whopping $27.00 (12 for the mac, 15 for the non-existent lobster) but after awhile I couldn’t go on. The “cream” was more soupy than creamy and the taste of blue cheese, not so strong at first, was suddenly all I could taste AND smell. Stinky, indeed. I had already eaten the few little chunks of lobster (definitely not 15.00 worth, btdubs) and finally just gave up. I tasted some of Aldin's hammerchop, but I didn’t really care for it that much. So he gave me his cauliflower gratin. (Hmm…I guess I did end up eating just “sides”…BOO.) I didn’t even want dessert anymore after that. So I left the restaurant wholly unsatisfied…I guess I should have already known from the name of the dish that it wasn’t going to bode well. I only like good smelling food! What was I thinking?

In the end, though I regret my choice of dinner and will probably never order it again, I’m glad its something that I can stop wondering about. I will still go to Bistro 7 ¼ …but just for the mussels and fries.

Also, I’ve decided to never listen to someone else’s opinion about food again…even if they make the “closing the eyes cuz it’s SO good” face.

CSI: Goodlife

Tonight I was the victim of a crime. 

And it happened literally behind my back in front of my face! 

Here I was all excited about my zumba class this evening (Wednesday classes are the best!) and my good friend and gym partner, Suze and I were all pumped and ready to begin. It started out as usual...But unbeknownst to me, things were going to take a strange and unexpected turn. 

Now, you've heard me complain before, how I can't stand when people get all up in my grill and don't know the meaning of personal space. (This is MY space. That's YOUR space.) I also can't stand when someone rips a "SBD" (silent, but deadly) in the middle of class and then tries to pretend it wasn't them. (Yo, I know it was one of you fools, cuz it wasn't me!) That's a crime in and of itself. But no, this was not what happened to me tonight. I was a victim of pure and utter THIEVERY!!!! 

We had just finished a new cardio routine and I walked over to grab a drink of water from my water bottle and....it wasn't there! It was like it vanished into thin air...except that it didn't. I turned back to Suze, with a puzzled look on my face - confused as to who would have stolen another person's water?! My friend looked at me then quickly looked at the other women around us...it had to be one of them...but who? Unfortunately, I didn't have time to figure it out because the teacher quickly began another cardio set...But I was completely thrown off. My usual coordination was gone as I pondered why anyone would want to steal someone else's water? I mean, I get it, it's a crazy workout and you do get thirsty (Trust me, I know - at this point, I was completely dying of thirst) but why the hell would you take someone else's water?! It just didn't make any sense! If you come into class without a water bottle, and then begin drinking someone else's water...how does one do that? Or, if you come into class with your water bottle, how do you mistake it for someone else's? Anyways, I pondered this while we continued on...

Suze, who had previously been a victim of this crime a few months ago, suspiciously eyed the rest of the class and understood all too well this feeling of violation.  At the end of class, as she collected her water bottle, we noticed my water bottle had been returned, sitting innocently as if it had never happened!! So strange. But I (already annoyed, feeling violated, uncoordinated and completely parched) wondered aloud "Is THAT my water?!" I didn't drink it because WHO knows what kind of cooties the water bottle thief had backwashed into there?! Ugh. I was so irritated. I mean, if it was an honest mistake I could understand...the culprit should have said "I'm sorry, I accidently took your water - I thought it was mine. I'm an idiot" But there was no mea culpa. Just the water bottle back in it's place at the end of class mocking me saying "Maybe you're crazy". But I'm not crazy (well, not about this at least). I know someone stole it and they tried to pretend they didn't. I hate that shit. Anyways, I've decided to write my name on my water bottle with a permanent marker. 

I hope the H20 Thief doesn't have the same name as me.

Two things...

Two things irritated me last night (actually there were 3 things, but the 3rd thing is pretty much my own neuroses, so I’m not gonna discuss that one).

Anyways, the first was zumba class. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE zumba. I always get a good workout and I feel good afterwards. The thing that irritates me is the other people in the class. No not everyone – I know we’re all there to workout and feel good about ourselves. It’s not those people. It’s the ones who don’t have any sense of space. Seriously. I cannot stand it when people are all up in my grill when there is so much room in front of them. Can’t they tell they’re about to knock me out with their jumping jack hands?!? Finally yesterday, I politely said to the girl in front of me “Do you mind moving up a bit?” She didn’t say anything except give her friend a look then moved up an inch. Gee, thanks. Then again, the girl in front of HER was in her space as well, so I could see that she couldn’t really move up either. However, that girl, totally could have moved up! Seriously by the end of the class I was up against the back wall, hitting my hands on the post everytime we had to throw our hands up. It honestly gets my goat and it’s getting ridic. I’m to the point where I’m like “I am NOT moving and if you hit me, then I’m gonna throw down.” (Then again, yesterday I felt bad after telling the girl to move up because it was only really half her fault). But still…doesn’t anyone have a sense of the space around them? I’m always aware of where I am in relation to the other people around me. Why can’t everyone else be that aware? Seriously annoying.

The second thing that irritated me was Glee. Oh, I know, I should have been excited – it was the season premiere and it started out very promising with perpel pianos and Sue’s perpel adidas track suit…but it quickly descended into boring-dom for me.

I was annoyed with a number of things in last night’s episode: Boo to Quinn’s faux “bad girl” persona. Boo to the fact that Sam was just written off with pretty much no warning and that promising “Mercedes/Sam” thing was over before it started. Boo to Mr. Schue kind of creeping me out with the whole “Guess who woke up before I did?” line (and what was up with the “Glitter bombing” thing…is that a thing now? Boo.) And also boo to that “when you see a piano, sing a song” thing – really? I dunno. That seemed like a bad plan from the get-go. Boo to a lot of the song choices in this episode (Yeah, they got all up in there with “We got the beat” but it was still kinda meh to me…) Boo to Santana liking being in Glee club and then later sabotaging it (However, I was kinda surprised by Mr. Schue kicking her out…it redeemed him a bit), and of course boo to Sue being mean because…she’s Sue (eh, I’ll accept that one).

However there were some things I did like: Yay for Blaine transferring to McKinley (but as one of my gf’s noted: does this mean the Warblers are done? Boo.) Also, yay to his “transfer to McKinley outfit”, it was cute in the gayest way possible! (I personally loved the red pants and bow tie combo juxtaposed with the Cheerios back-ups) and to his Tom Jones classic! Yay for Tina looking nice in this episode as well – her hair and her outfits were kinda cute. Yay for Coach Bieste – just because. Yay to the Rachel and Kurt doppelgangers AND their performance too! And yay to Sugar what’s her name and her terrible singing (“I’ve got self-diagnosed Asperger’s) LOVE IT.

Anyways…I’m hoping I’ll be saying yay to more things in the upcoming episodes this season..

And…I suppose I should try and be more patient with my fellow zumba-ers because maybe my “spatial paranoia” isn’t confined to just thinking the cars driving beside me are too close? I’ll try not to throw down in tonight’s class! Haha!

S’later dudes.

Promises, promises

Okay. So I lied. I know I promised to write more often and I said my “creative juices were flowing” and I had all these posts ready to go and blah, blah, blah…but apparently, the juices weren’t flowing fast enough or strong enough because here it is – September and the last post I had was like 3 or 4 weeks ago!! Ugh. I’m sorry. If you’re still reading my blog (and I hope you are) don’t give up on me please!! I still got lots to say…I’m just so busy (aka: lazy) that I just never get around to it!!


Well, if you’ve forgiven me, then read on. I have some thoughts on a variety of subjects.

First – where the hell did summer go? Wasn’t it just yesterday we were walking around with tank tops and flip flops and now, we’re all pulling out our sweaters and socks? And why is it so dark by 8:30 now? Why, why, why?! Summer 2011 was an eventful season and I’m so fricken sad that its coming to an end. Strange because I normally LOVE fall and look forward to it. Don’t get me wrong, Fall is still my favorite season, and I can’t wait to wear my fall clothes (I even bought a “back to school outfit” for myself) but I’m just sad that summer is ending…it was quite a fun summer! Chillin out, maxin relaxin all cool (and shootin some b-ball outside of the school)
Anyhoo…We went to like 4 weddings this summer – 2 of which I was in. But all of them fun…well except maybe that one where there was no A/C and we were all dying of heat stroke. But it was still a lovely wedding nevertheless (minus the sweat). I think we have one more this October and then we are done for awhile. Thank goodness, because damn! Weddings are expensive!! But it’s all good. You can’t put a price on love…(I hope you all remember that when I have my future fantasy weddings with my 3 wedding dresses…)

Second – what is it with girls and shoes? I have SO many shoes I need this year. Not want, NEED.

Okay here’s my list:

1. Leopard print shoe booties (obvi) – I saw the perfect ones @ Town.

2. Leopard print flats/skimmers. (Truthfully, I have the perfect pair of leopard print peep toe skimmers but I’ve used them to the ground and I wish I could just have another pair of those ones, because they were perfect.) I did see some nice and comfy leopard print flats @ BCBG, but flats are just SO flat, and since I’m already short, it doesn’t really help my cause…I need something with just a little heel.

3. Black wedge desert boots – Via Spiga has some cute suede ones…

4. Fuschia pink short Uggs. I have these awesome green ones and I absolutely LOVE them. I like the shot of color. (Even though every year I wonder if this is the year that Uggs will totally be OUT). I mean, I suppose they kind of are, but they keep coming out with them, so I’ll prolly keep buying them. I feel like I need a new pair every year.

5. Biker boots – Yes. You heard me correctly. Specifically I want these Burberry biker boots and I’m completely dying for them. Literally, because I know I can probably never get them…unless of course they get marked down 90% from 895.00. But ah…they’re completely wonderful.

6. Black/grey or brown shoes – not flats, but a short wedge would be good. I just need them for a comfortable “everyday” type of shoe.

Hmm…I suppose that’s it for now. That’s not too many is it?

Third – jackets/coats and winter outerwear. Every year I look for the perfect “dream” coat. Last year I didn’t get one…but this year, there’s 4 that I want so far…

1. Leather (or faux leather) slim biker-ish jacket – to go with my biker boots, natch.

2. Army green peacoat – there’s a nice one from Joe and it’s dirt! I can SO afford this one and now that I think about it, I think it would go good with the biker boots as well….hmmm…I’m just thinking now, that perhaps if I have enough stuff to go with those boots, I can justify spending that much?! Oui ou non? Prolly non.

3. Brown/camel or brown tweed coat/jacket – seriously, every year this is on my list. It’s like my unicorn. I can never find it! I have a vision in my mind of what I want it to look like, and for some reason, NO ONE ever designs it. Come on…someone – put out a brown or camel or brown tweed coat/jacket for me…

4. An actual winter coat – like Canada Goose or North Face or something that will protect me from our crazy freezing winters.

Fourth – Tv shows. How sad are you that Entourage is over? Such an awesome show! (though the past couple of seasons weren’t as great as the first few seasons…but that’s how it always is). I feel almost as sad as I did when Sex & the City ended! (Aldin is taking it pretty hard…I think I saw him tearing up when the credits started to roll. I’m not hating, I get teary whenever I see Ari crying). However, if you watched the closing credits, you probably saw Ari receiving a tempting phone call which could possibly mean…a spin-off?? Let’s hope! Well, whatever it turns out to be, everything else was nicely wrapped up (but leaving it open-ended for the movie, I guess), but it did seem kind of rushed. Anyways…I guess we’ll always have re-runs…
I am happy to say that “How to Make it in America” is coming back for a second season – I hope this one lasts!! It’s a good show and I can’t wait to see what happens with Cam and Ben!

Big Brother is coming to an end and though I can’t say I’m an actual Rachel fan, I do hope she wins, because now matter how annoying she was, she really pulled it out in the competitions when it mattered. Plus, I really can’t stand Porsche. Seriously. You’re named after a car. (I bet you her real name is spelled Portia but she just changed it for tv.)

There are a bunch of new shows starting again this fall, but I’m looking forward to my faves: Gossip Girl, Glee, Greys, How I Met and Big Bang. I wonder how that X-Factor show is gonna turn out? Anyways…sometimes I kind of feel exhausted when I see all the new shows coming out…I feel like I don’t want to commit to any new ones because I already have so much I have to PVR! Also, I’m getting old, so I feel like I fall asleep earlier and I’m never gonna have enough time to watch everything!

Plus, I feel bad about neglecting my poor little blog. I want to promise that I will write more often, but in my case, I think it’s better to just do it then promise to do it…Because obviously, I can’t seem to keep my promises…Thankfully my cousin Charz (shout-out!) is the blog police and when I don’t write, she sends me a guilt text to remind me that someone is waiting for my sage words of wisdom (or nonsense). Thanks Charz. And thanks to you guys who still read even when I don’t write. I will definitely try to have a more fabulous life so that I can keep telling you about it. Promise.

Team High Maint

So you know how when a big event comes up you have to totally get everything done? I'm talking, "nails done, hair done, everything did"? (Oh yeah, cuz I'm fancy, huh) So that's pretty much what I've been doing since Thursday. I have an awesome team of girls who keep me at my high maint best. 

On Thursday I got my hair did. For the summer I usually like to have blond highlights with a nice caramel-y brown undercolor. (In the fall, I usually go darker and become my "Evil Twin" muahahaha!!) This summer, was no exception and it seemed that my hair was even blonder than usual. Great, except for the fact that my dreaded roots would come out with a vengeance after a few months. (Why does it look cool on celebrity hair?!) Since it's now August and summer is slowly (quickly?) coming to its inevitable end, I decided to still have the blond highlights, but just toned down. Not so "California beach girl". My hairstylist mixed a wonderful color and we both congratulated her on her excellent colorizing skills. (I say "both" because she was pretty impressed with her own mad skills. LOL. Note: Nora! Write it down!) Anyways, we were discussing how I definitely needed to upgrade my hair straightener and she told me about a new straightener that was really good. Here's how our convo went:

Me: So I think I need a new straightener

Nora: What kind do you have?

Me: Hot Styler. 

Nora: Uh...YEAH. You definitely need to upgrade! Chi is good...oh wait, there is this new one that's really good!

Me: Better than Chi?

Nora: Well, maybe not better, but really good...it vibrates. 

Me: What?! (LOL)

Nora: Seriously. See? But it only vibrates when you run it up and down the shaft...

Me: Aww...too bad. 

Both of us: BA HAHAHAHA!

(Oh dirty minds...) 

Anyways, she used the new straightener on my hair (ohhhh yeaahhhhh...lol. JK) along with this Big Hair powder that gives you mad teasing volume and I was done. Too bad I was just goin to my parent's house for dinner. (PS. Yesterday I was sitting on a bench outside of a different hair salon, waiting for some friends and I heard a knock on the window behind - it was one of the stylists and she was mouthing "I LOVE YOUR HAIR" to me. Aww, shucks.)

On Friday, I got my eyebrows done. I love getting my eyebrows done. Besides the obvious grooming and uni-brow stoppage, its like I get to have monthly session with my shrink. I lay down on this massaging table/bed with fluffed up pillows, and while Chawna applies the warm wax to my eyelids, one of us will tell the other about our latest deep dark secrets. I swear Chawna knows so much dirt about me, she could probably write a novel...I'd be worried, except that I know just as much dirt about her! And her dirt is better. LOL. Seriously, I have the best time in there. We get so wrapped up in talking that I don't even realize when she's pulled the wax off. (However, there was this one time we were in a discussion about something crazy and my eyes flew open in disbelief. She was like "Sweetie! No! Close your eyes!" but it was too late and my eyelashes got stuck in the wax and I was like "I can't! I can't! OMG!!" and seriously, I thought we were both going to die of laughter! We were howling and at the same time freaking out because I couldn't blink or close my eyes! Thank goodness she had the presence of mind to grab a wet washcloth to try and ease the wax off. Honestly, we couldn't talk for a good 10 minutes after that because we couldn't stop laughing and she was pretty much crying. That time, I came out of there with slightly uneven eyebrows (and a few less eyelashes) But man, that was one of the best laughs I ever had.

On Saturday, I got my eyelashes done. I absolutely LOVE having my eyelash extensions! I can never not have them though because I look terrible without them. The girl I go to is awesome. Tina has the steadiest hands ever, as she dips each individual lash in the glue and applies it precisely on my lashes. I come out of there with thick, long "come hither" lashes that I can't stop batting. And if I tell her I'm going to a party, she puts even more lashes on. She must've put on a lot extra yesterday because one of my friends was like "I could see your eyelashes from across the parking lot!" Wunderbar!!

Tomorrow I'm going for a pedi but unfortunately the girl that usually does it is away. BOO. and lastly, I'm going for a shellac mani on Wednesday...

Yes, I know...I'm extremely high maint. 

But how else do you expect me to stay so fab??

What do Justin Timberlake's butt, fascinators and bridesmaid dress disasters have in common?

They're all in this episode of: My Totally Fab Life! :)

Hey everyone! Remember me? NO? Well it’s probably because I haven’t blogged in like AGES.

I know, I know – I keep apologizing and I really should just do it…but I’ve had a busy summer doing…hmmm..what was it? I dunno. But I feel like it’s been busy.

So let’s see…what have I been up to? Well, I see that I haven’t finished off my last day in Minneaps post about the best place to eat (I still have to do that one!)…and what else? Oh, I’ve watched a couple of movies this summer: Transformers 3 (snore…well, the beginning at least. There was a lot of “SYD” in that one) and more recently Friends w/ Benefits with JT and Mila Kunis (one word: JT’s bare ass!!) Wait, that was like 3 words, but HELLO, his BARE ASS. Oh, I love JT (sighing dreamily…)

We’ve attended a couple of friends' weddings (and will soon be attending 2 more!). Speaking of weddings, I’ve decided that if I ever get married again, my wedding dress is going to have white ostrich feathers on it. I just saw the pics from recent fancy shmancy wedding and yeah. I want a dress with feathers on it. As you all know I have quite the affinity for anything with feathers.

Actually if I could, there are a couple of dresses I would want. Okay. 3 to be exact. Well the first is the one with the feathers, (obvi). Then I would want a simple strapless form fitted one with a deep perpel (aubergine) ribbon belt and flower (I saw it in the window of a wedding store) and last, a simple strapless ball gown, with a simple diamond(ish) encrusted belt (with pockets) Trust. It looks nicer than it sounds. Obviously, my bridesmaids would have to change as well. First they would be wearing perpel (magenta) with big apple green cymbidium orchids and green calla lilies. Afterwards, they would change to perpel (aubergine) and teal (half of them wearing aubergine, half wearing teal). Then probably back to magenta, but a different style, with big camellias in their hair. Yep. Got it all figured out…just in case. Haha. And you know what else? Ever since the Royal wedding, everyone’s been abuzz about Fascinators. You know, those fancy hats/headbands that women wear to Royal weddings?! In fact, for my cousin’s wedding shower - you know how people usually make those silly hats out of paper plates and ribbons? Well my mom decided that my cousin’s fiancé was going to have a fascinator instead and she ingeniously used a Styrofoam bowl (instead of a plate) and then only used color coordinating ribbons. It was the most fashionable Styrofoam fascinator I’ve ever seen (That’s kind of the first time I ever heard that term, but now I love it.) Kudos to my moms. Who knew? Anyways I think I would definitely need a feather fascinator for that first dress….then another one for the next dress, with a big perpel flower on it…and lastly a big camellia one for the last dress (to go with my bridesmaids dresses). Hmmm….

And while I’m on the subject of bridesmaid dresses, can I just tell you what craziness it’s been with the bridesmaid dress that I got for my friend’s wedding? Well we went to get measured (first let me say, there is obviously no point to this which you will soon see as you read on...) and the girl at the bridal store measures me and tells me that they’re ordering the dress off of my hip measurement as that is the widest(?), largest (?) part of my body. (I guess there was no real reason to measure my bust or waist). She tells me that based on that measurement she has to order a certain size (as that is what the manufacturer “suggests”). I tell her that size is going to be HUGE and its obvious that I will need alterations. She says, “Oh yeah. For sure” (cha-ching, I guess?!) Well, in my head I’m already thinking “oh HELLZ naw am I going to be getting alterations at this store”. Anyways, she tells me she has to get this size and that this size is going to cost me an extra 40.00 (due to the extra material). Umm…wait a minute. So I’m getting charged extra material on a dress I KNOW is going to be humungous on me, and then I have to pay for alterations to get it taken in? Well, this was questionable, to say the least…but I figured these girls know what they’re doing when they order because they do it everyday…So I pay for the dress. A few months later (because it apparently takes months to make a non-custom made dress with no measurement sense whatsoever) I get the dress. Well as predicted, the dress is huge. But hey, it fits in the hips…kind of. It’s fricken long too (the dress is supposed to be just past my knees). It’s covering my feet. I seriously don’t know what kind of hat this so-called bridesmaid dress manufacturer pulled these measurements out of, but for damn sure no one with boobs huge enough to fit into this dress is gonna have my hip size. Unless of course I get a boob job and make it one of those Double G size ones and wear 10 inch heels. Seriously? Seriously. Like, I can buy clothes at normal stores and they more or less get the sizes right…these bridesmaid dresses are technically supposed to be “custom-made” dresses…isn’t that why you get measured and why it takes so damn long for them to come in?! I mean, okay, I can understand some alterations…take it in here, raise the hem a bit there…but come on. I have to basically pay 100.00 more to take off all the extra material they made me pay extra to put on!!!! I’m basically paying for ½ of another bridesmaid dress!!! Bridesmaid dress manufacturers are out to get you. I’m sure of it. FOR NO APPARENT REASON. This is redunk. “What you’re not a bride, buying a $10,000.00 dress? Well why don’t you just pay a ridic amount for a dress you will for sure never wear again (no matter WHAT anyone says) and while you’re at it, buy the biggest size imaginable so that you can pay us to take it in for you?!”

One of the other bridesmaids was also fitted to her hips. Apparently that meant her boobs and thighs were non-existent. The dress that the manufacturer (and therefore the salesgirl) “suggested” for her was apparently Barbie-size. Oh yeah, it fits her hips. Just not anything else.

So anyways, my friend, the bride, is going to talk to the owner of the Bridal salon to see if there is anything she can “do” for us. I don’t know if it will help since their policy is “Order the dress that will for sure not fit”. Eh. Guess we'll see what happens.

Anyways, I apologize again – I’ve kind of taken the summer off but it’s already August and before you know it our beloved summer (that we all love to complain is too hot), will soon be replaced by crisp fall weather (which I personally love due to the plethora of fabulous fall “back to school” clothes) and then winter will be a hop, skip and a jump away…boo. But fret not, my fab lifers…my creative juices have started to flow again and I promise I already have a few posts lined up for ya! Stay tuned...

Arguments with my hair

I think my hair is mad at me.

We normally get along, I mean, of course we have our good and bad days. What relationship doesn't? I may neglect to keep up its color once in awhile and the angry roots will come out, but we both hate “the Greys” so we usually band together and fight the common enemy. I wash it daily (though I’m not supposed to) but I like to keep it happy and clean. I’ll get trims when I see the ends are starting to make like bananas and split…(BAHA HAHA, I know it’s a terrible joke, esp. because you know how I feel about bananas) but for the most part, me and my hair – we’re pals.

However, lately, not so much. I think I can probably blame a lot of it on the weather. We both don’t like it so hot and humid. I’m like “It’s hot” (and not like Paris Hilton “It’s HAWT” either) and my hair responds by doing whatever it wants to do. Which means, curling where and when it wants to and hanging straight and getting frizzy in other places. All at the SAME TIME.

So to combat this, every day I have to decide if I want to curl it or straighten it. Apparently, neither seems to appease my hair… when I curl my hair now, it can’t seem to hold the curl – it begins to unravel even before I leave my house, so that by the time I get to work, the perfect ringlets I took the time to individually curl have become uneven waves, hanging limply around my face.

When I decide to straighten it, most of the hair will listen…except for those naughty strands in the front hiding underneath the right side of my forehead. I call this “The Cowlick gang”. They’re mean. And they’re kind of like gremlins – don’t get them wet because then they start getting curly and not in a good way. This is especially frustrating when I’m trying to have straight hair because that little bit of curl in the corner ruins the whole look. I can feel the Cowlick gang mocking me:“Haha! Try and keep us straight! You can’t do it!! All we need is a little bit of sweat (ahem, excuse me – I don’t sweat, I “glisten”) and your look is DUNZO.” Yeah. A mean bunch of hairs, that Cowlick gang. I’m constantly complaining about them to my hairstylists. But they can’t seem to tame them either. I think the Cowlick gang and the humidity are in cahoots. The rest of my hair wants to listen, but a few of them will start to frizz and be like “We want to be free!” and they get all crazy and start sticking out and standing up. Ugh…and after I spend so much on them to get them all nice and light for the summer too! That's gratitude for ya. 

Well, the only good thing is that on special occasion days, like weddings and parties, my hair is usually well-behaved. It pretty much does what I want it to, so I suppose I can’t complain…

Then again…it’s always a crapshoot. Especially with the Cowlick gang always ready to cause trouble.

PS. Speaking of hair – I just watched that Justin Bieber movie “Never Say Never” and don’t laugh…but I’m a total Belieber. Yes. I said it. I’m a true JBiebs fan now. No seriously!You can’t hate on this kid – he’s the real deal. Talented, driven and genuine. I don’t care what anyone says. If you watch this movie, I’m sure you will become a fan too. I’ve just pulled out my JBiebs cd again and can’t stop listening to “Baby”.

Plus, hello, his fave color is perpel.

Minneaps - Day 3

Sorry, I know it's been awhile and you probably forgot already...

And now back to our regularly scheduled program…Minneaps – Day 3 “The Food”

I’m naming this day “The Food” because seriously, this day seemed to be ALL about food. As I mentioned, we were on some kind of quest to eat everything off our Minneaps Must-Eat list. Therefore, in anticipation, I woke up early to go the gym (while my husband was still sleeping, thank you very much) so I could go for a quick workout. (You may be wondering why I keep writing that I went to the gym? Well it’s because I want to record this for proof. I have pretty much NEVER in my life gone to a hotel gym. This is momentous.) Anyhoo, after that, I came back and he was still sleeping. Ha! (I’m also writing this down because he always used to make a big deal about getting up to work out while my lazy ass was still in deep slumber.) Finally he woke up and decided that for breakfast we were gonna have White Castle. I know what you’re thinking “A Crave Case for breakfast?!” Well it’s not unheard of (See: Harold and Kumar) but no, White Castle actually has a yummy little breakfast slider composed of an actual fried egg, crispy bacon and cheese...all slider-fied (ie. teeny tiny) so it doesn't make you feel bad when you eat like 10 of them. (they also have sausage ones). So...I was all excited for b'fast until Aldin came back with...breakfast sandwiches. Composed of the same thing but on actual bread. Boo. Apparently the girl at White Castle heard him wrong and that's what they gave him...He tried to convince me they were just as good. (Plus he wasn't gonna drive all the way back there), so that's what we had. Eh, they were aight, but I was really craving the breakfast sliders.

Anyways...we got ready to go to a different mall this day - Southdale, which was just across the bridge on the other side. It was a nice little mall and of course, I came out handed...which is to say, the shopping gods were smiling upon me. (My husband on the other hand, must've angered them somehow because he was getting NUTHIN). After a few hours of shopping, of course hunger began to set in. This was the day Aldin was looking forward to the most, because we were going to venture out to St. Paul to look for this burger joint he had seen on an episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives". (Do you guys ever watch that show? Note - don't watch it on an empty stomach because you will inevitably find yourself driving around the city looking for a greasy burger). So after plugging it into our GPS, we set off to find "The Blue Door Pub". Their specialty: The Bluesy Burger - a thick juicy burger stuffed with blue cheese (or whatever kind of stuffing you like). We found it easily (thank goodness for GPS!). It seemed to be in a quaint little neighborhood surrounded by houses and little antique shops and boutiques. It was packed which was a good sign! We got in and sat at the window counter which looked out onto the street (and front patio tables). The server was really nice and suggested some interesting beers (they have quite an array) which my husband chose from.



The Frenchy with tempura'd green beans - Yum-o!

However...we were here for the boigas. I ordered the "Bacon Bluesy" which was stuffed with bacon and cheese, with a side of tater tots. Tots!! I love tater tots!! Aldin ordered the "Frenchy" which was stuffed with cheese, onions and mushrooms and came with au jus to dip it in. He had the tempura battered green beans as his side. Money.

Afterwards, I convinced him to go to MOA one more time...I really wanted to have some dessert at Tucci Benuch in the mall because I knew they had creme brules and I love me some creme brules! So we went and because he felt bad for the server, he decided to order a dessert too. So I ordered the creme brules (obvi) but they kind of changed it to butterscotch or some such flavor, and even though it was still good, it wasn't what I really wanted :( Sad times. However, the tiramisu my husband ordered was quite yummy!

After this, we went back to the hotel for what else - a nap! What an idyllic life I lead when I'm on vacay...

zzzzz....

So guess what I woke up to? "I Love You, Man" again...and guess what else? We were havin dinner at Cheesecake Factory, so we were leaving at the exact same spot in the movie where we left the day before...we were never gonna be able to see the ending of this movie.

And of course, no trip to Minne is complete without a dinner at Cheesecake Factory with their humongoid menu of great food, not to mention their extensive selection of cheesecakes! The last time we went to Cheesecake Factory was in Hawaii. Unfortunately, the "island" menu was different from the "mainland" menu. Meaning, they didn't have the Chicken Bellagio (among other things). I know - out of all the ten million items on the menu, we wanted the one thing that wasn't on it. LOL. Of course. Anyhoo, since we were on the "mainland", Aldin was able to order his beloved Chicken Bellagio and I ordered the Bistro Shrimp pasta.

For a starter we tried the Ahi Tuna Tartare.



Ahi Tuna Tartare

It was good, except perhaps I would suggest asking for the soysauce on the side next time. But the tuna and avocado were awesome! Oh, and since it was our last night in Minne, I splurged on some San Pellegrino to drink while Aldin had a mojito. Good times. Also, I should mention that they give 2 kinds of bread - one is plain sourdough I believe and the other one, is this sweet kind of dark brown pumpernickel-y bread. It's so good. We got our food, which was great as usual (except that when I had ordered this Bistro Shrimp pasta in Florida the shrimp were much bigger). Anyways, after dinner we obvi had to order a cheesecake, but we decided to get it to go because it was the NBA finals and we wanted to watch the game. 

So out of all the cheesecakes that we couldn't agree on we finally settled on a special: Pina Colada. Yum.



Nice face. "Huh?!"



Back at the hotel we watched the game and when the Mavs beat the Heat we celebrated with the Pina Colada cheesecake and some coffee from our in-room coffee maker :) Another day of good shopping and good eating.

Now...if only we could finish that darn "I Love You, Man" movie...

One more day...and the best lunch on the trip...to be continued...

Minneaps - Day of Lucky #2

So where was I? Oh yes, Minneaps - Day 2: Mall of America

The day started out beautifully - sunny, and warm with a breeze...I even got a quick workout in (What?! Who said that?! haha. I've changed). Then we were off to the mall...

I won't bore you with the minute details of each and every store I visited, but suffice it to say my Day of Lucky continued and I got some very nice stuff...

Urban Outfitters is a really cool store to visit - I don't look at the clothes so much as the other fun things they have there. There's a great selection of books and albums, and cool little toys (like a lot of KidRobot stuff) and other novelty items like Moustache bandaids or PB and J key covers, or magnets that look like Iphone apps. I love junk like that! For guys they have a really funny and electic selection of t-shirts...like these ones:

(But we didn't buy any this time...but yeah, aren't they funny?! I love them)

Anyhoo...this summer I also seem to be very into harem pants, so I bought another pair...I hope they're still in this fall (lol). I also got a dress from Gap, who happened to be having an extra 30% off the lowest price sale. It ended up being...$5.58. Yeah. For realz. And it's a nice dress - like, something I can wear to a party even. I love shopping in the States.

For lunch we decided to eat at Crave in the mall. The last time we were here we had this shaved rib-eye pizza that was SO good. So of course my husband had this restaurant on his must-eat list this trip. (I had checked the menu online previously and I didn't see this pizza on it, but I didn't have the heart to tell him that it might be gone...plus I didn't know for sure if it was gone, so I figured we could ask when we got there...) So when we went he scanned the menu and couldn't find it...uh-oh. So he asked and of course it wasn't there anymore but he did end up having this steak sandwich which he was more than satisfied with.

I just had some chicken mushroom fettucine alfredo pasta which I guess my husband didn't deem good enough to take a picture of (haha) but was delish nonetheless. We walked off our meal with more shopping but this time for gifts...

And then, in our quest to pretty much eat everything off the must-eat list we had a little shnackeroonie at The Magic Pan. This place is in the middle of the mall and always has a line-up of people because they have really yummy crepes. They have savoury ones such as Chicken Divan or Ham & Cheese, but we needed to satisfy our sweet tooth so we ordered a strawberry crepe, which was filled with strawberries, and whipped cream and the banana nutella crepe which was bursting with bananas and drizzled with nutella and topped with whipped cream as well. Now normally, I don't care for bananas. Ask any one of my girlfriends at work, who usually have bananas at break. Seriously, they all eat bananas at break. They all tell me that bananas are great and they're pretty much the best fruit because they have everything nutritious in them and they're cheap. I really just can't stand the texture or how they sound when people are eating them...or even the smell. Seriously. If you have bananas (my husband always buys them for himself) and you put them close to bread or anything like that, it starts to smell like bananas. Bleh. No tanks. Don't get me wrong, I do love a good banana bread, now and then...though for awhile I was totally turned off from banana bread because my mom made it constantly...because our bananas would get totally ripe and no one would eat them and so she'd of course make banana bread...etc, etc...How the hell did this post turn into a rant about bananas? ANYWAYS...

so the banana nutella crepe is one banana thing that I will deign to eat :) It's delish. I think it's because of the combo of nutella, crepe and whipped cream though.

Again, he didn't bother taking a pic of my strawberry crepe. But it's prolly cuz I demolished it immediately.

After this sugar high, I crashed quickly and needed a nap, stat! So we went back to the hotel so I could sleep for a bit...shopping and eating is hard work I guess. I woke up to "I Love You, Man" on tv. We hadn't really seen it, but it looked pretty funny, so we watched it for a bit before leaving for...what else? Dinner. What a life, huh?

We decided to go for sushi at a place not too far from our hotel that we'd previously eaten at before. We lucked out because they were having a special of 1/2 price sushi for the summer! Normally their speciality rolls were around 15.00, so 1/2 price was a pretty good deal! And we weren't disappointed. It was great quality and tasted wonderful. Mmmmm....sushi...

So another great end to the day...we were hoping "I Love You, Man" would be on again (since TBS loves to repeat their movies) to make the day perfect, but alas it was not to be. Oh well, perhaps tomorrow...

2 more days of eating and shopping...to be continued...