"Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!"

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! That's our theme and boy is it true!

Here is a peak of our floats for the parade this year. My friend S took the pictures for me at float loading (where all the members come together and have a party while loading their beads and trickets on the floats.) I leave NYC for the South tomorrow and I CAN'T wait! My Mom is picking me up at the airport tomorrow night and the fun begins for a great weekend! Friday evening is our parade. We start the day off at one of our favorite restaurants in town and then we head to a local bar for drinks with our Moms. We gather at the Civic Center after that for some "pre-gaming." All the ladies (all ages from 21 ++++) get fired up and we get on our floats and ride around town. After the parade we have a huge ball with lots of great seafood, drinks and wonderful bands. Did I mention how much fun it is? Mardis Gras is one of my most favorite times of the entire year and it has been very tough for me to not be there so far. I have been counting down the days until I get to go home for all of the fun. Not too much longer now...


This is my Mom's float-Girls Night Out

A side angle of Chick Flicks More views of Chick Flicks...I'll be up top with S!

Chick Flicks

BEADS!! Float Loading 2008
MORE BEADS!!

Top of the Rock

Here are some great pics we took a few weekends ago from the Top of the Rock!

Reader Question

MMM,
I hope you are doing well. I love reading your blog and I wish I had more time for my own blog. I am coming to NYC the first weekend in Feb. for the gift show held at the Javits Center. I will be with two of my girlfriends and we will be there for two nights (fri. and sat.) We are staying at a hotel about 1 mile from the Javits Center. Do you have any suggestions for restaurants that we can try. We would like to do Italian one night and are open for the other night. The last time I was in NYC I went to Grammercy Park which was delicious and lovely, but would prefer not to spend that much on dinner. I appreciate any suggestions that you may have.
Thanks,
Reader Jenn

Hi Jenn,
I know you are getting excited about your trip. I'm still new to the city so I'm no expert on places to eat, but I certainly can recommend some of my favorites so far. For an overall resource I use Menu Pages (you can put in the type of food you are looking for and also the location you would like to eat). For online reviews (and you can also put in type of food and location) my favorite is New York Magazine.
To make reservations, Open Table is a great way to find the type of food you want and restaurants that are available for the day and time you want!

As for Italian:

I LOVE Frank. The food is fabulous and it is very affordable. The restaurant is small and I don't think they take reservations, but the wait has never been too bad for us and it is a great chance to enjoy a great glass of chianti at the bar. Here is a link to their website and a link to a review.

Some good Upper East Side options (my neck of the woods) are UVA. It is a great wine bar/Italian restaurant. For family style (read A LOT of good food for a group) try Tony's.

If pizza is what you are looking for, this one is my favorite!! Or, try Totonno's on the Upper East and John's in Times Square.

For your wildcard option I would try:

Rosa Mexicana or Mercadito for Mexican

Wolfgangs if you want the ultimate splurge that is so worth it!!

I'm not sure what Public is, but it is good and the atmosphere is so cool!

This is my favorite brunch spot and they have lots of locations.

For Chinese, head to China town. The Amazing 66 is one of our favorites, but almost all of them are fabulous!

For Peruvian, try Pio Pio. Don't forget the Sangria!

Or, if you are in the mood for a good burger...here is a great link!

Like I mentioned before, I'm still new and there are SO MANY wonderful options! Let me know where you end up and have a great trip!

New Chair?

I need some decorating help! I'm still on a search to find the perfect upholstered chair to go with my new sofa. We currently have the new sofa and a navy blue leather wing back chair. I'm trying to incorporate some fabric that will help tie everything together and will also add some color to the apartment. I love green so I'm trying to add that to the blue and taupe colors that are already in the room. The trim on the sofa is a buttery yellow with brown (see it here). This is what I've found so far:

I love this chair and ottoman, but the fabric I originally wanted it in isn't available anymore.




I could get it in this fabric (but chair above.) Close up of fabric.

Or, this one...



Or, this fabric

I really like this chair (see below), but does it go with my new sofa? Let me know what you think. If you have any other ideas, I would love to see some links (I am on a budget though so don't get me too excited if it is too $$$). My husband thinks this chair looks too slipcovery (is that an adj?)

Let me know if you have seen anything else that would look good!

Thanks!

Thank you everyone who posted such sweet comments for me yesterday. I survived the test and I feel much better today. It certainly is not a pleasant test, as those of you who have had one can attest. I slept most of the day yesterday and just took it easy. My family sent me a bouquet of beautiful pink flowers and my husband took the day off (in the middle of a big deal) to take care of me the entire day. I felt very loved! =)The good news is that my test was clear and I don't have Chrons like they thought I might. They bad news is that I will continue to have to have some more tests to figure out what is wrong with me. Moving right along...I'm ready for the weekend! We are going to dinner tonight and we have a going away party for our friends that are moving to Atlanta on Saturday night. I'm going to clean our apartment and try to get organized. A week from today I will be at home getting ready to ride in our Mardis Gras parade. I can not wait! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Thank you again for your support.

Don't Be Jealous...

Tomorrow I get to have yet ANOTHER test run to figure out what is wrong with me. Here's what I'm doing today...don't be jealous. I'm so damn hungry! My sweet coworkers have not eaten in front of me all day. I think they are secretly worried I would attack them and eat their food if they did. I've consumed lots of liquids (I had an $80 Fresh Direct Liquid order earlier this week-my husband thinks I'm crazy, but ladies I'm ready to go in the clear liquid department) I've peed oh...about 10 times already today. I haven't started my prep yet. I going to hold off until I'm at home. If I started now that would REALLY not be pleasant for any of us. My sweet husband will be taking care of me tomorrow. Please keep me in your thoughts...especially for the fun ahead of me tonight!

A recipe for a really rough afternoon and night:

COLONSOCOPY PREPARATION INSTRUCTION
MAGNESIUM CITRATE AND DULCOLAX

It is very important that you follow each step and complete all of these instructions or colonsocopy may have to be repeated.
**The bowel preparation will not work properly unless you drink plenty of liquids.**

Before starting your prep, obtain a 10-fl. oz. of Magnesium Citrate and Dulcolax Tablets over the counter from your pharmacy. The recommended dosage is: One (1) Bottle 10-fl. Oz of Magnesium Citrate and One (1) Box Dulcolax 20 mg (4 tablets, each 5 mg). DO NOT BUY RED COLORED MAGNESIUM CITRATE (CHERRY FLAVOR).

The Day Before Exam:

STEP 1 - Drink clear liquids only (NO SOLID FOODS) at least 24 hrs prior to the procedure.
Clear Liquids include:
· Water
· Fruit Juices without pulp (apple, white grape, lemonade, strained orange)
· Clear broth or bouillon (low sodium)
· Coffee or tea without milk or non-dairy creamer (sugar substitutes are fine)
· Carbonated or non-carbonated soft drinks (NO RED OR PURPLE)
· Kool-Aid or flavored drinks (NO RED OR PURPLE)
· Popsicles or Italian Ice (NO RED OR PURPLE)
· Jell-O without fruit or toppings (NO RED OR PURPLE)

STEP 2 - At 3:00 P.M.
· Take the 4 Dulcolax tablets with a full glass of water.

STEP 3 - At 5:00 P.M
· Take HALF of one 10 oz. bottle of the Magnesium Citrate
· Divide the laxative EQUALLY into three (3) empty cups
· Fill each cup with Gingerale (or any clear liquid of your choice)
· Drink each cup of the mixture every 10 minutes
· Drink First cup at - 5:10 p.m.
· Drink Second cup at - 5:20 p.m.
· Drink Third cup at - 5:30 p.m.

Individual responses to laxatives vary. This prep often works within 30 minutes but may take as long as 3 hours. Remain close to toilet facilities as multiple bowel movements may occur. Drink clear liquids for the rest of the day as much as you can - at least three (3) additional glasses.

Day of Exam:
At 4:00A.M. – FOUR (4) hours before leaving for your exam:
Repeat STEP 3 taking remaining HALF bottle:
· Drink First cup at - 4:00a.m.
· Drink Second cup at - 4:10a.m.
· Drink Third cup at - 4:20 a.m.

You may have clear liquids up to 3 hours before leaving for your procedure or up until the prep is completed.

Happy 22nd Birthday Little Sis!

Today is my sister's 22nd birthday! She is an amazing persona and I'm so lucky to have her as my little sis. Like any siblings we've had our our ups and our downs, but the older she gets the better friends we become. We are more alike each day and I know she'll always be there for me. She served as my maid of honor this past year and it was so much fun to share that special experience with her. I miss her so much! Cheers to the best sister in the world! Happy Bday A!

Preppy Puppy Valentine

Get this cute collar for your preppy puppy from A. Tierney. With 25% off code LOVE it's a great deal! Coupon Code is good until Jan 25th.

Neutral Baby Shower Invitations!

I'm helping host a shower for my friend A this spring. She is not finding out the gender of the baby and let me tell y'all there is limited selection on the neutral baby shower invites. Here is what I've found so far...


Baby Bottles by Whitney English at Invitations and More
25 for $90.00


Reaves Engraving Polka Dot Bottle

Stylish Mama by French Blue
$1.20 each
25=$30.00



Baby Bag at Paper Buzz

30 for $58.50

Mom Baby? at Paper Buzz

30 for $60.00

Carriage of Presents by Picture Perfect at Paper Style
30 for $90.50

Baby Carriage by Sweet Pea Designs at The Paper Cafe

25 for $72.50

Umbrellas by Sweet Pea Designs at The Paper Cafe

25 for $72.50

Yellow Expecting by Hicks Paper at The Paper Cafe

25 for $79.00

Green Bottle by The Paper Menu at The Paper Cafe

20 for $30.00

Green Shower by Hicks at The Paper Cafe

Diaper Bag by Putnam House at Sunshine Paperie

20 for $69.00

Shower Me Card by Putnam House at Sunshine Paperie

30 for $78.00

Rattle by Ink Well at Sunshine Paperie

30-$115

Stroller Stack by Ink Well at Sunshine Paperie
30-$54.00

One Rattle by Ink Well by Sunshine Paperie

30 for $54.00

Stork Invite by Ink Well at Sunshine Paperie

30 for $54.00

Baby Chick by Paper Menu at The Paper Cafe

20 for $30.00

40 for $60.00

Green Pram by Paper Menu at The Paper Cafe

20 for $30.00

40 for $60.00

Happy 3rd Birthday Daisy!

Puppy Love!! (click on the collage to make it bigger)

Happy Wednesday and More Preppy Puppy Pictures!

Hi friends! I hope y'all had a great weekend. We enjoyed our company from Germany. They arrived on Saturday and left yesterday morning. It was fun to show Isabell around because it was her first trip ever to the United States. Felix brought us some wine from his vineyards as a thank you gift for letting them stay with us. It was a little tight with four people in our one bedroom apartment (I was really missing my old 3/2 in the South). But, we still had a good time.

We went here on Sunday. The weather was perfect....cool and clear and we enjoyed walking all over the city. To warm up we stopped by Starbucks and I got my 1st skinny latte. Have y 'all tried them yet? I got the Cinnamon Dolce and it was FABULOUS! I tried the Vanilla yesterday. For 90 calories, I'm pretty sure I'll try all the flavors in the next few weeks. I also really want to try the new Milky Way Hot Chocolate from Duncan Donuts. It has been calling my name as I pass by it each morning, but I'm scared to look at the nutrition facts. I love their regular hot chocolate!

We stopped by the MOMA and had a great time seeing all of the new exhibits. I took lots of pictures and will share them with y'all as soon as I upload them. We brought them to lunch here (it was really just for the cheesecake though). The food was not that good, but their cheesecake is the best in the city. We had a great dinner here, the latest stop on my Mexican tour of NYC. I really liked their steak tacos and margaritas!

On Monday, I had to go back to the doctor. I have to have MORE tests run. I have one tomorrow and they are waiting to schedule the other procedures. I was pretty freaked out on Monday, but I've calmed down now and am just glad I'm in the care of great doctors. They think they are on the right track to figuring out what is wrong with me...so that is good. Hopefully this will all be over soon!

I have Monday off and I am so excited! Because of my husband's new permanent position his hours are really late and I don't think he'll be off. I was hoping to get out of the city. I would love to go skiing. I lived in Breckenridge, CO for a year after I graduated from college and I LOVE to ski. I know New England skiing is different, but I really just love to be on the mountain. Does anyone have any suggestions of great places to try?

I'm also counting the down the days until I get to go home for Mardis Gras! I can't wait to hang out with my friends and since we are all going to be on the same float this year it is going to be so much fun. I got my costume in the mail yesterday and it is too funny! I think I mentioned the theme of our parade is "Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun" and I'm on the Chick Flick float. We are all dressing up as characters from our Chick Flicks and I'm doing Legally Blonde. I have a really funny blonde wig! It is going to be a blast!

Well, that is it for now. I hope everyone is doing great and I hope you all have a wonderful day!


More Pictures of Daisy though the years...

Hanging out with her sister Lily (from the litter before her) and Scarlet. Lily and Scarlet are my parent's dogs.



Glamour Dog

Smile!

Hanging out in the sun on our old back deck (oh how we both miss that deck).

Also with a stuffed animal in her mouth!

Checking out the Crabs!

Boat Riding