Tuesday, December 30, 2008

2008!!!


As 2008 comes to a close, I thought I would share with you my all time favorite blog posts :)




















And the best post of them all...




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Blogging has been such an amazing experience. I love spilling my words out on this digital page for all to read. I have always said I am an open book, and it seems that could not be more true now.


I have "met" so many wonderful people through blogging and it has given me and let me experience things I could not have even imagined!


I thank you to all my readers, who have become my friends. I look forward to what happens in 2009 and whish you all a blessed and fullfilled New Year!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Questions for my freaders :D


This is the first new years eve (in 6 years I may add) that Hubs and I will be partying it up! Normally, we go to a restaurant, drink some fab wine and just chill. However, this year, my neighbors have been kind enough to invite us to their annual New Years Eve party. I am totally stoked! Plus, I get to wear one of my new dresses...


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Hopefully, Hubs gets over the cold of death before Wednesday. Lord knows I had it for about 8 days and I am STILL not over it completely. Blugh! Oooohhh... and I have to bring an appetizer. Does anyone have a fabulous recipe that I can impress them with my cooking skills?


I have this Chihuahua (Mochachino) who is adorable, but stupid as anything. Actually, I think he may be smart, but he doesn't want us to know, just so he can do stupid things and we won't be mad. You know... like those guys who pretend not to cook because they don't want you asking them to cook dinner every once in a while? Sorry... I digress. So... lately (well, actually, ever since B was born) he has been peeing in our formal living and dining room. At first I thought he did it because our cat was peeing in there and we didn't know. But now that the cats are gone :( Stupid Mocha is STILL peeing. And I am FED UP! I have steamed cleaned the carpets and now I am having to keep him gated in the kitchen. He has access to his food and water, his bed, and the dog door. I still feel bad though, but I can't let him out and be a pee monster. Any suggestions? I am ready to call the damn Dog Whisperer. Ceasar... where are you?


And finally, I have so many new outfits and nowhere to go. I got scarves, dresses, sweaters, 3 pairs of shoes, earings and 2 new handbags, but I don't have anywhere fab to go? I feel stupid dressing nice when I am with B, because he wants to eat my sweater, my purse, and my earings. Do you think it is ok if I get dressed up and take B to the mall? Or do you have any ideas for me to get some use out of my new outfits?

OMG seriously, is anyone excited about the premier of The City tonight? I feel lke I am 14 and I have no idea why I love these shows, but I am totally excited :)

Hope you all have a fabulous Monday! Can't wait to read your answers! Ciao Darlings!!

Friday, December 26, 2008

This Christmas...

B, with one of his many new toys


My dad, the chef!

Just a couple of my gifts from Aunt S!



Was by far the bestest, most exhilerating, most amazing Christmas, of all Christmas past!


Being a parent during Christmas time is an unexplainable high!


It all started Christmas eve where we headed over the hubs parents house to start off the festivities. B, Hubs and I all opened our gifts while we waited for the rest of the family to arrive. I got so many tops, jeans and scarves. Hubs also got all the things needed for a PS3. But of course the main attraction... was B and ALL his toys! Oh. My. Gosh. He got SO MANY toys! Leap Frog tables and houses and banging, singing trains galore. I have never had more fun opening and hanging with family while watching B's face light up everytime a new box arrived :) Brilliant!!







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B, Grandpa and Hubs

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Me about to get a B delivery


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Hubs, B, and Uncle G



We got home around midnight on Christmas eve, and Mr Man was asleep upstairs, while we put together all his toys and straightened up the house for the next day of fun.

Christmas morning, Mr Man awoke at around 5 AM with those big blue eyes filled with joy and the biggest smile on his face.


I think he had an inkeling of what was to come, but he didn't want us to know ;-) We carefully brought him down the stairs and waited for my parents to arrive. We let him play with yesterday's toys and he was happily squeeling and dancing to all the songs.


By the time my parents arrived, there was coffee brewing, B was taking his morning nap and presents were waiting to be opened. We took the opportunity to open our gifts and let B take a good long nap.


Hubs got a PS3 (as I said earlier), baby bro was smothered with presents including a gaming chair, some wolf pictures, and a BB gun. Mom was given VIP seats to a Tony Bennett concert (with my dad) and Dad was given more golf stuff than he knew what to do with! I got some amazing gifts as well... I got 2 more (that's right Uncle R) signed G-men photos, Antionio Pierce and Osi, AND I got the Sports Illustrated cover of when they won the Superbowl. Not to mention
a BEAUTIFUL platter, table, curtains, and CD from my parents. Overall, it was too much to even recollect. We were all very blessed this year!



After all the excitement we ate a beautiful Frittata breakfast, piled on the couch and watched Mama Mia, and started cooking all over again! (All the food from yesterday is on the food blog!)




Overall, it had to be on the top 10 Christmas' ever!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Some fun in the snow!


Well not really, since it doesn't snow down herah, but... this week should be one fun week!


Of course there is the obvious... Christmas... WOOT! And Christmas Eve, which is a big night of presents in hubs family.


But other than that... today we are finishing our shopping, raking leaves and finishing cleaning our house. Plus it is supposed to be 75 degrees outside. Score! Unfortunately, I woke up and lost my voice. Which is utterly bizarre because it was fine last night... just a tickle. Weird?


Then Sunday a frigid cold front is supposed to come, so we should wake up to about 20 degrees and windy. Brrrrr! However, my G-Men play Carolina and they better win! Otherwise, I have no problem flying to NY and spanking each and every one of them with a wooden spoon. Hee hee! Serioulsy though, what the heck happen to them? First they lost to the crap-tastic Eagles (sorry Rachel ;-) then the freakin Cowboys, and I swear if they lose to the Panthers, I am going to cry.


Monday is a day with the ladies. Hubs family (all the women) are having a brunch in the morning and then I get to have my hair done in the afternoon. Aaaahhh, what a relaxing day.


Then finally Tuesday I am headed to the mall with B so he can Santa (again!) And hubs aunts, grandmother, and Mom can get to get some pictures. It should be fun. Lunch with the ladies :)


I hope you all have a fabulous week!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Fight Against Fakes!

This morning, while drinking coffee, I opened and browsed one of my favorite magazines... Harpers Bazaar. As I marvelled at Victoria Beckam's impeccable figure, incomprehensible outfit and unique tattoo, I took a look at myself.





I had no makeup on, PJ's wrinkled from the previous night's sleep, funky glasses, with my hair a mess on top of my head. Yes... you could say I was slightly jealous.






Normally, with Harpers Bazaar, I get cute outfit ideas and look at the new trends for fashion. But this morning I stumbled across an amazing article, one that touched me to the core.






It was called The Fight Against Fakes. Being from NY, I am no stranger to fake handbags, and on the occasion I have purchased some. But to be honest I had no idea!!






This is an excerpt:






Every time I give a talk on the luxury business today and I get to the subject of counterfeiting, the same thing happens. The room grows absolutely silent as I put forth the facts: It is estimated that up to 7% of our annual world trade - $600 BILLION worth - is counterfeit or pirated; that fakes are believed to be directly responsible for the loss of more than 750,000 American jobs; that everything from baby formula to medicine is counterfeited, with tragic results; that counterfeiters and the crime syndicates they work with deal in human trafficking, child labor, and gang warfare; and that counterfeiting is used to launder money, and the money has been linked to truly sinister deeds such as terrorism.






I recall the raid I went on with Chinese police in a tenement in Guangzhou and what we discovered when we walked in: two dozen sad, tired, dirty children, ages 8 - 14, making fake Dunhill, Versace, and Hugo Boss handbags on old, rusty sewing machines.






After reading this, I truly broke down. I, like many others, thought it was a victimless crime. I thought the expensive retailers, like Gucci and Prada, were just mad someone made a copy. I really had NO IDEA. I thought... they make copies of Tylenol and hair products, why not this?






This is from the book Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster:






"I remember walking into an assembly plant in Thailand a couple of years ago and seeing six or seven little children, all under 10 years old, sitting on the floor assembling counterfeit leather handbags," an investigator told me... "The owners had broken the children's legs and tied the lower leg to the thigh so the bones wouldn't mend. They did it because the children said they wanted to go outside and play."






I am utterly dumbfounded. I ask you this... is fashion at a cheaper price really worth this? Maybe I am sensitive because I am a parent of a young child and I could not FATHOM my child having to go through this, but this makes my heart truly bleed.






Please re-post this or get the word out so that people know!! I will be the first to say, I am a changed person knowing this, and could not, and WILL NOT be buying any more of these purses. I would ask you to do the same!! For the sake of the children!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

8 MONTHS!!!




I know I say this every month, but seriously... where has the time gone?




I marvell at how much Mr Man learns and does every day.




He is doing so many things, I don't even know if I can recall all of it, but I will try. So here we go:






  • He is eating all sorts of things, like cheese puffs, bitter biscuits, zwyback toast, all sorts of vegi's and fruits






  • He is crawling, pulling up and almost walking






  • He will stand for about 3 seconds (un-assisted) until he plops to his butt






  • He says "Hi" and "dadda" very well and has said "I got that" and "love you" every now and again. He really just mimics the sounds of the last two, but it is cute none the less






  • He dances by moving his little body, every time Handy Manny sings a song






  • He will kiss you and hug you if you ask him to!






  • And he gets really pissed when you take away something from him.




Every day I just look at my little man and thank God for the blessings he has bestowed on us.




Happy "Birthday" baby! Mommy and Daddy love you so much, and we are so proud of all your progress!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Thank-Christmas

My beautiful parents and B about to eat my mom's broach


My mom and B. Isn't she beautiful for 50???

B, waving the flag

The Grand Puba!

B, very excited about our rain check Thanksgiving

Since my parents were out of town for Thanksgiving, we all decided to have a "rain check Thanksgiving" this weekend. I have to say, it was probably the nicest thing we have done in a while! We all got together, had turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy and pumpkin pie :)


As hubs put it, "Just what my waistline needs... another Thanksgiving in between Thanksgiving, NY and Christmas." But it really was a blast! It felt so special the way the table was set and everyone dressed up.


Not to mention, my parents bought B a high chair, so he got to sit at the table and enjoy the festivities. It was such a special day!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Mommy Mode


My best techy friend sent me these awesome websites.


If you are a mom, these are great additions to your favorite sites!


http://www.handmedowns.com/ - this website is like Craigslist for baby gear. It has stuff you can buy, sell or donate. It is so awesome. Just look around and you will be amazed. It is like a consignment store right in the comfort of your living room. Score!!


http://www.keepaboo.com/ - this one is too cute for words. It is a place where you can jot down everything your child says, does and experiences. It is a website for the mom, but also for the child. You can mark their growth, their first tooth, or even a cute expression. Not to mention, when they get a little older, you can take all the pages and print them into a book. How adorable is that??? I totally love this one!


Thanks E for sending me such adorable ideas.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Today...

My brain is jumbled. I have a splitting headache and I think I am still in detox from my cheese coma.

Here are some things:

  • The Giants play the Cowboys this weekend and I am desperately (especially after last Sunday's debacle) hoping for a repeat of their last game.

  • I am having lunch with a great friend tomorrow for Christmas. So fun!

  • Everyone seemed to love our Christmas cards, which always makes me happy!

  • I have to go to the grocery store, horribly bad. I mean, we have no eggs, cream, bread or anything. Not to mention it is like 2o degrees outside (colder than NY I might add) and I hate dragging Mr Man out in this crazy weather.

  • This headache will not go away... damn you headache.

And to top it off, here are the rest of the pictures from NY. We had such a fun time and miss everyone already!

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Early Christmas presents rock the world!


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Yes, my very NY grandmother is a die hard Cowboys fan


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Uncle R and B, so freakin cute!

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Oh the food. I love it!!

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Cousin C and Baby B

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Uncle R feeding Mr Man

Hope you all have a fab Thursday!!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

I've been Elfed!

Today is filled with un-packing, re-organzing and getting our lives back to this snowy southern state. I hope you all had a great week. More re-cap to come :)


Got this off a friends blog, and Oh My is it funny!


Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Monday, December 8, 2008

Can Cheese put you in a Coma?


I guess if you are lactose intollerant and you decide to eat cheese and cream with every meal it may be possible.


Don't get me wrong folks, I LOVE NY! I love the food, the smells, the people... of course the people. But OH. MY. GOD. the food! Oi vey IS it good.


Every place we go, they have cheese, pepperoni, procutto, cream cake, crumb cake and of course coffee with real milk or cream. Mmmmm.


However, today, I am literally exhausted and my face feels like it is puffing.


Yes, you read that correctly, I am a lactose intollerant Italian. Isn't that sacreligious? I swear, what sick person thought that it would be a good idea to make a person a nationality that they celebrate cheese holiday, lactose intollerant? That is just plain mean.


Normally, I am a soy based girl, but this week it has been nothing but coffee with cream, cakes and cheesy goodness.


I am sad to go, but at least tomorrow when I board the plane, people may think I am Angelina Jolie and want to take Paparazzie pictures. Unless they put me on the cover of National Enquire because they thought I was a fat Alyssa Milano. Oh God.


I need to stop now, I feel like some cream cake :)

Saturday, December 6, 2008

A Smashing Time!

So far, we are having a blast! Mr Man is a hit with all the relatives, as we expected! It is so good to be home and to see everyone.

Here are some pictures so far ;-)



B and I, on the plane. Parden his hat hair :D

The cute couple!!

Uncle C and B. It's like they have known each other forever.


Nan and Hubs at the Dinah!


Auntie C and Hubs withe some really old liquor


Uncle F and I

Baby F and B


Uncle J and B

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Going Home...


Well, not really home. But, as they say, home is where the heart is. And my heart... is definetely in NY!


This Friday, hubs, B and I are heading to NY to see my 84 yr old grandmother and all the rest of my family.


I am so nervous about packing all the stuff I have to pack for B. I feel like I am packing our lives. Portable crib, clothes, bottles, food, bowls, spoons, etc., the list seems to go on forever.


I know it will be a blast though.


No one up there has met Mr Man, so I can't wait to take a bazillion pictures, and get some great memories.


We are all getting older and I know time is short.

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Yesterday was a sad day, as my hubs great aunt passed away. It is weird, because even though I have only known her for 6 years, I feel like she was such a special part of my life. She always told Hubs to take care of me, he had caught a good one, and those simple comments, are so cherished. She will surely be missed!

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Then, the day before (Dec 1 - my Poppy's birthday) my cousin had a baby boy. Little Anthony was brought into the world. I am so happy for them, and I can't wait to meet the little guy. What's funny is that my dad was on a business trip, in the same city they live, so he was the first family member (on our side) to meet the little man.

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It seems in this time of growth, so many things are changing. We are getting older, Mr Man is getting older and wiser, and it really makes me sit down and be thankful for all the blessings in my life.


The truth is, we all get old, and we all die. But to have those special memories, that special time with the one's you love, just means the world to me!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Brilliant Comments by Hubs!

B: grunting...

Hubs: Wow buddy, are you havin' a hard time there?

B: GRRRUuunnnting... Face getting red.

Hubs: WOW bud... I dont' think I have ever tried pooping standing up. I don't think I could. How about you pop a squat?

B: Sitting on his butt

Hubs: Ewww, it probably just spread.



LOL!!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Say Cheese!


Today is a bitter sweet day. In my family, we have always celebrated today with a birthday, but unfortunately my Poppy is no longer with us, so I have to quietly celebrate. You can read more here.


It was a happy day though. B and I got to spend time with my mom and...


Santa!!


This was his first Santa picture. Santa wasn't very photogenic, but B was smiling proudly.


He went right to Santa and tried his hardest to eat his beard. He wasn't scared in the least.


Oh Mr Man, you are really growing up!