End-of-Summer Party

My agency had its summer party yesterday at Crissy Field. What a blast! We did the whole "Olympics" themed event, but slacker-style! One of the things I love about advertising is that creativity is king...and this event was no exception. I'm exhausted...but it was so great to see all our planning and hard work pay off! (and let me just say...having the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop just makes everything more amazing!)

Have a great weekend! I get to spend time with my sister! Yay!

This year's coat...

It seems silly to be thinking about TYC (this year's coat) with the weather hovering at a very warm 75 degrees in the city right now, but, it is, after all, almost October and the stores are FILLED with fall fashion loveliness.

Shopping with my sister and my mother is always so much fun. Mostly because even though we all have different tastes, we know what looks good on each other. And if we find something good, we all encourage each other to get it. It's fun! The other day we were in Macy's and all the cold-weather coats were out and on sale. Of course, my mom and sister don't need coats living in San Diego and LA where the weather never dips below 80 degrees, but I, definitely, have fallen in love with bundling up when the fog rolls in here in SF.

So, I was the center of attention as they helped me pick out and try on a number of options. It didn't take long for my sister to pick out THE ONE...TYC...bingo! Hilfiger. Hooded. Details. Fit like a perfect glove. Red. This picture doesn't do it justice...namely because to do so, it would have to be a picture of ME in this coat...since it was clearly MADE for me! Ha! I must say, I looked GOOOOOD! And I knew it was TYC because between my mom, sister, and me, our voices suddenly got louder, our speech faster, as the giddyness of finding THE ONE took over. I didn't buy it then and there due to airline luggage restriction issues, but I am off to Macy's this weekend to get it!

I will say, if I had the need and the pocketbook for a 2nd TYC, I'd definitely go for this trendier Manoush option...a nice offset to the traditional Hilfiger one...:

I am obsessed with owning a Burberry bag at some point in my life. And though I was able to blissfully purchase Heaven-in-a-handbag this past weekend, I can't help but long for this new Burberry tote:

Ahhhh, Fall...you've reawakened my shopping desires. OH...and I need a pair of black boots...and a trendy new pair of ankle booties...and a cashmere wrap would be divine...and a new umbrella would come in handy...and some gray wool tights...and...and...and...

Refreshed...

What a lovely weekend! I spent some great time with my family both in SD and LA and just feel renewed (Martin will be happy to hear it...he's bore the brunt of my grouchiness of late!).

And, let me just say, if heaven were a handbag, it would be the gorgeous new Dooney purse I bought...in the most phenomenal plum color!

This could end up being a really great week. Lots of stuff going on. Wish me luck. (If the Chargers win tonight on MNF, it's a sign of good things to come...)

The Big 1-0-0!!!

That's right, folks...it's the 100th post!  I stressed over what perfect thing to write about, but threw it all out the window and decided just to say...YAY FOR ME AND THIS BLOG!  Ha!  Happy 100th!

• I'm off to SD for the weekend to spend time with the folks. *big, big smile*
• Congrats to Emily and Rob on their wedding tomorrow! Em, I'll miss you and your blog for a month! 
• I took a test online about my real age and come to find I'm actually 5 years older. Reasons: a don't eat enough red meat (what?), I don't know my actual cholesterol level (who does?), I don't have enough close friends (duh...haven't you read my blog), and I don't have a dog! Ack. I've gotta do something about this...I need a dog!
• I get to see my nephew for a little bit tomorrow...and watch him walk on his own! I can't tell you how pleased I am!!!
• I called out sick from work today. I thought I'd relax and pack and get ready for my flight later tonight. But, they're doing construction on the building next to me and right now I just want to pull out my hair. 
• Monday nights are off-limits. Do not try to contact me. Between Monday Night Football, Gossip Girl, Prison Break, Dancing With The Stars, Heroes, The Hills, and Jon & Kate Plus 8, I will be engrossed in the lives of others while trying to forget my pathetic self strapped to the TV. ha!
• I just finished "The History of Love" by Nicole Krauss. You should read it. It's sweet. 
  
• I miss my LA girls.  I wish I had time this weekend to see them.  
• Thank god the market turned.  I was really beginning to think I'd lose my entire 401k.  

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!  ENJOY!!!

In over my head...

Life is spinning these days and I'm not feeling quite grounded. Does everything have to make sense for you to feel settled? I wonder...

I went to the September gathering of the LAC yesterday and had a blast. How weird is it that I, a complete stranger, was invited to someone's home to enjoy great company (the ladies are all amazing) and be taught how to use spherification by a visitor from Germany while drinking champagne that was sabered? Ummm...

On the way home, I took the F line to transfer to the 19 bus. I got on the 19 going in the wrong direction and ended up in one of the worst parts of town. How weird is it that instead of getting off, I decided to try and ride it out...for over an hour...and after realizing I was no longer in the city, I asked the bus driver what to do and without exaggeration, he dropped me off, in the middle of nowhere underneath a streetlight, and by faith that another bus would come in the opposite direction, I got off and stood there? It took me 2 hours to get home. Ummmm....

This is post 99 for me. My next one is the big 100! How weird is it that I started this blog back when I first moved to the city to keep my friends and family up to date on my life and I am now receiving emails from readers as far away as Finland? Ummmm....

I'm in a rut. Or maybe I'm in a funk. Or maybe I'm just dizzy. Or maybe I'm just blah. Ummm....

Things I just don't get...

• I don't get why people in Galvastan did NOT evacuate. They stayed behind. And now rescue workers are risking their own lives to go and find them.
• I don't get why people think its ok for John McCain's campaign to tell blatant lies about Barack Obama.
• I don't get why we can all laugh at the truth in jest at what we saw with Tina Fey doing Sarah Palin, but it doesn't sink in to a huge, huge number of people.


• I don't get why I'm still single. I am, after all, a really, really good catch. ha!
• I don't get why I'm only meeting total idiots
• I don't get why the dress I'm wearing today was SO CUTE in the dressing room, but now looks like a potato sack.
• I don't get the company I work for and how they can justify some of their practices and live with themselves.
• I don't get why more people don't order groceries for delivery. Ha! In a terrible fit of laziness, I went online and ordered a month's worth of groceries from Safeway and am paying $14.95 for delivery. It would've cost me more to rent a zipcar for 2 hours to do it myself!
• I don't get how the Chargers are 0-2, each game lost on the very last play and by only 1 point.
• I don't get how this blouse could POSSIBLY by $1,195! And yet, I want it so badly! It would look really great on me!

Shaping up quite nicely...

Yes. The weekend plans are coming together. 24 hours ago, it was but a blank canvas. And now, I'm quite excited for what's ahead.

• Tonight, drinks with new acquaintance/potential suitor #1. The best part, he lives in my neighborhood. If all else fails, he'll be the neighbor buddy I've always wanted. Whoo hoo!
• At least 10 programs on my DVR waiting for me to watch. I'm giddy with anticipation!
• Grocery shopping...which hasn't been done in almost TWO MONTHS! I will be overflowing with food options! Yippee!
• Sunday early morning football preview over coffee and croissants. My "me" time...and I love it.
• Brunch with the girls from work...the "young" girls...should be simultaneously fun and exhausting. Hooray!
• Afternoon football at Jillian's meeting up with new acquaintance/potential suitor #2. He's a lot older. I would have NEVER done this if it weren't for the fact that I just finished "Eat, Pray, Love" and she goes off and marries a guy 17 years her senior. No, he's not THAT much older. But, old enough that I'm frightened...and for me, that means he's at least older than 30. ha!

And just enough down time in between it all for me to feel rested and filled with the appropriate amount of laziness that I require for a weekend to feel successful! :)

See you Monday!

That's BA-NANAS!!!

How obsessed am I with Rachel Zoe?! LOVE HER! "Shut it down, she owns it, I die!!!" And now she's got her own show...and I get to see her as she loves over all things fashion and talks to the designers and sheds a tear when her clients walk out in gorgeous gowns. Ah, Rachel. I heart thee!

But I WANT it!!!...

I'm getting one of the new ipod nano's. I have no need. I have the video ipod (old skool...I love it!) and I have the shuffle. This new Nano?...I like it. And I want it. So I'm gettin' it. Now for the hard part...what color? Methinks lime green...but the orange could be cool...and the yellow...

I will admit that the new "shake to shuffle" function kinda scares me a bit...but I'll figure it out...cuz I want it!!!

Sick to my stomach...and a little bit of wackiness...

Everyone has the right to vote for whomever they want. But, I am really, really sickened by this all. Apparently, in the latest polls, Obama, who had a double-digit lead over McCain among white women, now has a double-digit deficit...a 20 point swing...since Palin's speech at the convention. Please...don't any of you want to know WHAT she has done to deserve this or to prove herself capable? If McCain wins because people support his policies and have more faith in him to be Commander-in-Chief, so be it. But if he wins because of anything having to do with Sarah Palin...I'm leaving the country. ha! Each morning I watch the Today show, and because of the news lately, I actually end up getting to work SO GROUCHY! Urgh.

Enough politics...how about some randomness?

I got this catalog through the mail at work: The Vermont Country Store

I started flipping through and after seeing the expected plaid hunters' shirts, wooly terry cloth robes, slippers, rakes...I was ready to toss it. Until, I came across this:

Ummmm...what the heck is this "intimate massager" doing in this country store catalog? Intrigued, I flipped through more pages and found all kinds of crazy stuff!

A foot brush so you don't have to bend over to scratch your feet!

EZ Lift Handle so you don't have to touch the toilet seat when lifting and lowering!

NO WAY!!! Who remembers this? Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific shampoo!!!

And the one that really caught my attention:

Apparently, these foot pads are used to detox your body of all the yuckiness. You put it on before going to bed and in the morning, the pad has all that brown crud on it that came from your body! What the? I'm so curious, I may HAVE to try this!!!

Definitely go and check out this catalog online. There's even more crazy goodness there than I had time or space to post!

Is it too much to ask?

I did something really...weird...

I wanted to see Sarah Silverman's stand up show this past weekend and had no one to go with. So, in a brief moment of insanity, I posted on Craigslist personals (WHAAAAT????) for someone wanting to go with me. Posted, and didn't think about it again...until i checked my email the next morning and had over 100...that's right over 100...responses! I've had success on Craigslist finding employment opps, finding job candidates, selling furniture and "things"...but never really considered the personals...mostly because it's all kinda dirty and way over-the-top sexual!

But I posted a little about myself and mentioned "friends only" and I am really shocked at some of the seemingly quality guys that responded! I'm floored. So, I'm moving forward cautiously and actually gonna meet up with a couple of them. Have I stooped so low? Apparently. Oh well.

With the great variety of men out there, I realized that I need to figure out what it is I'm looking for. Not necessarily this list of perfect qualities...but as e-harmony puts it, your "must haves and can't stands". Hmmmm...

In any case, I did decide that if I could create the recipe for the perfect man, it would be:

• Part Wentworth Miller, but he's not allowed to smile (must be brooding at all times)
  
• Part Hayden Christensen, but he's not allowed to speak (must be silent at all times)
  
• Part Gus Hansen, when he goes "all-in" with a Q - 7 (its a fools hand, but he has confidence written all over his face...sexy)
  
• Part Vince Vaughn, when he goes off on one of his jibber-jabber rants...cracks me up!
  
• Part Justin Timberlake, when he's bustin' his super-fly moves
  
• Part Daniel Craig, when he's sportin' a perfectly fit 007 Hugo Boss suit...or not...hee!
  
• ...and finish it off with all-things Mark Darcy, both "Pride and Prejudice" and "Bridget Jones' Diary". Dreamy.
  

*sigh*...WHERE ARE YOU? ...ha!

Attack of the runaway balloons and killer eyebrows...

2 things both scared me a little and cracked me up a lot yesterday.

Andrea Mitchell, who I adore and respect, was attacked by balloons at the RNC last night. I found it horrifying and hysterical!

I met this guy (who turned out to be my trainer's roommate) who 1)is "into Asian girls" (ugh...one of those guys) and 2)quite frankly, had some out of control wooliness on his face. I really don't want to be mean because he was very friendly. But, dude...something has to be done about those.

(I've concluded that the reason I am single is a kharmic response to my being a terrible person who makes fun of perfectly nice people. I suck.)

It's HOT today! It may hit 90 in the city!

Weekend plans? LAUNDRY and FOOTBALL! Bliss!

Bad hair day, month, year...

Look, I know what it's like to wake up and not have the time or the desire to do my hair. My coworkers can tell you that more often than not, I show up to work with a ponytail. But, I make an effort every now and again and try to change things up at least 1-2 times a week. I will keep all other political rants regarding Sarah Palin to myself (protection, lest I have a heart attack and die from my rage...), but I would be remiss if I did not address the hair. Honey, please. Switch it up! Bring yourself up-to-date. Do something! The eyes of the entire world are on you. It's time to at least TRY. ARGGGG...I feel the blood pressure rising.

Freakin' Target...I love you!!!

Holy cow! Look what I found at Target!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!On the left, Steven by Steve Madden ($129)...(which by the way are knock offs of last season's fringe sandals from Christian Louboutin). On the right, Target's version ($28). I am floored. I'm getting them. They're hot. On the left, Steven by Steve Madden ($139)...(very similar to the Madden's I bought at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale). On the right, Target's version ($29). No brainer. I'm returning my $100 ones and getting these.

As easy as it is to ruin your shoes in this town, and as quickly as some of this stuff goes out of style, I'm ALL over the poorly made, uncomfortable Target versions. Whoo hoo!

The search for Mr. Right among all the Mr. Wrongs...

It's been brought to my attention that I haven't blogged recently about my dating life.  Sadly, not much to tell.  Mostly because I'm still kinda sad over cutting things off with MM and also because there just hasn't been anyone that interesting to come along.  If you'd like to have a good laugh at my expense or cry alongside me, here are the details...

TS (Tall Scientist) and I met up twice.  Both times he was more than 20 minutes late without calling.  The 2nd time, I finished my drink that I had ordered 10 minutes before he even got there and left 10 minutes afterwards.  We haven't spoken since.  (Source:  Nerve)

CD (Christian Democrat) was interesting and nice enough...definitely a cutie...blond, blue-eyed, tall.  But, I had the feeling he was a bit too conservative for me...not politically, but socially.  He doesn't drink.  I never thought that would be a deal-breaker in my life, but I think it would be an issue since I'm a borderline alcoholic.  Ha!  I haven't heard from him in a week so this could all be a moot point.  (Source:  friend of a friend)

BG (Big Guy) is this big, boisterous, loud guy that walked into the pub I was at, proceeded to insult me by telling his friend that he doesn't want to work with "uptight people who think they have it all together...like this woman over here".  After he realized I was offended and annoyed, he serenaded me with Mick Jagger, bought me another beer, and asked for my number.  I gave it to him.  I'm an idiot.  But, he made me laugh.  We'll see if he calls.  (Source:  "met him at a bar")

MB (Mr. Bell) is this guy that reminds me of my 4th grade teacher (Mr. Bell).  I read his online profile and liked him immediately.  I reached out to him and we've since exchanged 4 lengthy emails.  Finally, when I suggested he email me outside of the dating website, he stopped writing.  Huh?  He starts a master's program this week and could possibly have been out of town for the long weekend.  But, I refuse to obsess like I typically do when I like someone.  He's my only viable option still in the running.  (Source:  Nerve)

GB (Grocery Bagger) and I met because he bought my camera that I posted on Craigslist.  He was really funny and witty when he responded to the ad.  We emailed each other about 10 times before we even set up a time for pick up.  We have a TON in common!  It was kinda freaky how much.  BUT...he's 33, still going for his degree...and I found out he works at Whole Foods.  Yes, at this point in my life, that kinda bothers me.  When we met in person, he was decent looking, but I couldn't get over the grocery thing.  He asked me out every day this past weekend and I've always "had plans".  Pass.  (Source:  Craigslist Classifieds)

ND (News Director)...I haven't met this guy in person yet, but he reached out to me through the online site and has been very timely and persistent with his communication.  Nothing stood out to me about him except for the fact that he's 6'3 and sports a mustache (which is just ballsy and stylish), and I'm curious what news station he works for.  We'll see.  We're on our final stage before we can send messages freely (it's eharmony's "guided communication")  (Source:  eharmony)

So, that's it.  Nothing to write home about...just to write a blog about.  Ha!  Doesn't look like my single days are anywhere near over...but still, I'm having fun...