Let's Hear It For NEW YORK!!!

This weekend I'll be in NYC with these lovely ladies! (Flight leaves at 4:30 this afternoon!)

Amy, Stacy and I have been best friends since we met in Spanish class at Crockett Junior High. We are meeting up with Stacy's mom and sister to go shopping for wedding gowns. We also have some other fun stuff planned, and I promise full details upon my return!


And if I had an iPhone (don't get me started!), I would be playing this all weekend. Instead, I'm off to memorize all the lyrics, so I don't just get one line stuck in my head over and over again...





Watch out, New York! I love a girls trip! And I love to get rowdy!

These are my obsessions: Nail Polish Names!

I love a perfect pedi and like many of you, the name of the polish is just as important as the color itself! I always love to pick out OPI colors because their names are fantastic.

Currently, I have on a glittery, seductive black..."Baby, it's 'coal' outside" from their Christmas collection.



Of course there's the timeless classic..."I'm not really a waitress." Even Dell is getting on board with! Who wouldn't want their computer to match their nail polish?



Look what's coming out!!! Because the movie Alice in Wonderland is to be released in March, OPI has Alice themed nail polishes!!!

"Mad as a Hatter" has got to be my favorite of the bunch! (It's the purple one, third from the left.)

And, if that wasn't enough, there's a contest for you to win the whole set!!!
So enter between now and March 5!

Good luck, and if you win, make sure you bring me and the "Mad as Hatter" to your next pedi! :)

New Year's Resolution Check!!!

So, we're almost a month into 2010...how are those New Year's Resolutions going?!?!?

Last year, my resolution was no speeding tickets and no car accidents (the year before was NOT a good year!)...and I made it!!!

So, I'm adding to that (I'll still be trying to avoid those accidents!)...

This year...Get to work on time!

Here's a little confession (and this is no confession to my work friends :))...
It's not that I'm SUPER late, it's just that I seem to have the habit of squeezing in right on time. This results in often not making it right on time.

This little trend started several years ago when I began commuting about 20 miles each way. I would just kind of slide in and no one really said anything.

Well, this year, my commute isn't as bad, but I was still working out in the morning (I've moved now to the afternoon, but that's a post for another time! And has NOTHING to do with NY resolutions!), and I was just trying to squeeze too much into my time before I would squeeze into work (sometimes even sleep ;)).

So, resolution set! And it's been working!
I've been arriving a little early (just minutes, mind you! I didn't change my personality or sleeping habits completely).
Of course, there have been a few days that have been complicated (bad weather, or just today I arrived RIGHT on time), but for the most part, I think I might be nearly as successful as last year! And, if I'm late...because let's face it, I'm not perfect...there's always tomorrow!!!

Also, I've noticed my new resolution has reduced my morning stress and anxiety.
An added benefit to increasing my status as a responsible employee!!!

So, how are yours coming?

Just in case you are behind or need to start over, here are a few ideas from my favorite magazine, Glamour, which really has all the best advice you need for just about everything in life...

• If you can't find something decent to watch on TV, turn it off. (By decent, what are they saying about the Bach?!?!)
• From Sarah Jessica Parker: "Buy less. Am I really going to wear that pair of shoes? Am I really going to carry that bag?" (My problem, SJP, often the answer is just YES and YES!)
• Buy a "good decision" piggy bank. Pay yourself a dollar every time you skip the 3rd drink, go to be early or make the different phone call. At the end of the year, buy yourself a "good decision" present. You've earned it! (Love this one! And am thinking about making it an "on time" piggy!)
• And finally, (for those of you who can, AND should!!!), for every time he initiates it, initiate it twice ;) !!!

*I told you Glamour has fantastic advice!

Happy New Year's Resolutions Everyone...to you and yours! ;)

My life is now complete with a Cherry On Top!

One of my high school girls from church now has a job at Cherry On Top, a frozen yogurt place in Coppell. Cherry On Top is a California company. There's only one in Texas, so, this is very trendy!! Trend alert, for sure! It might be the Sprinkles Cupcakes of Frozen Yogurt! But much more reasonably priced!

I went to visit Madi at work yesterday, and I have discovered a new favorite treat!!!

Cake Batter Frozen Yogurt! Oh, and it's non-fat (whatever that means in the FroYo world).
Shut up! It is so delicious!
But they have a ton of other yummy flavors!
Peach tart, Vanilla bean, Peanut Butter Cup, Cookies and Cream, plus more!!!

Once you select your flavor, you get to select toppings!!!!

Look at all these toppings!

Go to the website to see the variety!

I, of course, was drawn to ALL of the toppings that are colorful and sprinkly.
Madi said my cup looked similar to a child's, and she had NEVER seen anyone select the cotton candy crunchies! What?!?! That was my first choice!!!

After you fill your cup with yogurt, toppings, and drizzle caramel, chocolate or marshmallow sauce on top, they weigh it to determine your bill. I had all of my dreams fulfilled for under $3.

Oh, and their main color is HOT PINK :)

So easy, fun and yummy!

I'm sure this isn't a new concept. I just want you to feel comfortable with the experience, so you'll feel right at home!!! Of course, feel free to call me if you go...I'm already craving that Cake Batter again!

Some fantastic things you should know!

Friday night started with a fun happy hour at RA Sushi at Legacy and the Tollway in Plano.
Now, I know you are thinking, that's super far from where I live. WORTH the drive towards Oklahoma!

And with the new 121 Tollway opening up, why not?!?! So quick!

They have drink specials, 1/2 price sushi and 1/2 price appetizers!

All delicious!

I particularly enjoyed the apple Saki.
AND Tashies enjoyed the manager who brought us a free Saki. ;)



What started out as a 6PM happy hour turned into 4 happy hours!

So much fun with these ladies!

My roommate Tashies and I...
We were trying to take a roommate picture...
we got distracted...
Finally! Roomies!!! :)

Saturday, I started out with lunch at Breadwinners with Messina, and we headed out for a little shopping!

This is the other thing you need to know...

J. Crew - 30% off all sale items
Banana Republic - 40 % off all sale items
Cute stuff also at Nordstrom! (But that's just a given!)

Tonight I'm off to a birthday party in one of my cute finds, of course!!! :)

from Banana Republic...minus the hat, plus skinny jeans and tall boots!

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Paul and Nathan!!

A little advice from Daddy...

My father called tonight with some advice...

Here's the short of it...

He had seen the blog post about the wine cabinet.
He was glad I liked it.
He thought I should change my profile picture.

I think the open mouth picture shows you are having a good time.
He finds it unflattering.

I have heard this before...

So I've changed pics...

Just so you understand...my daddy's advice isn't always way off target...but it usually comes with it's own style...a little ruffly, if I do say so myself ;)

While most is directed right at me, I thought I would share a few nuggets I have heard over the years in case you choose to glean any wisdom from these words yourself...

Advice: Don't dance on the table you eat from.
Translation: Don't date people you work with.

Advice: Mary, men are like buses. If you wait long enough, another one will come around.
Translation: Get over it.

Advice: When are you going to enroll in those doctoral courses?
Translation: Get your doctorate.

Now, you can't tell me, with advice like that, I should have left my profile picture the same...

Read, Read, Read!!!

As promised, here are some of the winners of the YOUTH MEDIA AWARDS...

It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading.
Something that will stretch their imaginations- something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.

-Katherine Patterson, Children's Literature Ambassador, author of Bridge to Teribithia and much more...

As a former librarian, I have to admit I just love finding out the award winners! Last year was particular fun when my friend Rose was on the Newbery selection committee (not that she gave me any inside info, but isn't it great to know someone important?!?!?!).

My friend KK will be on the Caldecott selection committee next year, and I'm so excited for her!

The 2010 Newbery Medal goes to...

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Four mysterious letters change Miranda’s world forever.

By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner. But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:
I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.
I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.
The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late.

The Newbery Honors include:

• Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
  
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
  
• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
  
• The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

Pay attention those of you with young children or children in your bellies!!! :)
This section has some great selections!!!

The 2010 Caldecott Medal goes to...

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he'd planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher's trap. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning pictures speak volumes.

Caldecott honors include...

• All the World illustrated by Marla Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon
  
• Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Joyce Sidman

My friend Debra was on the 2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for most distinguished beginning reader book.

Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! written and illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes

What will Benny and Penny find when they cross the line in The Big No-No? Benny's favorite pail is missing, and there are mysterious muddy footprints. In this charming whodunit, Benny and his little sister Penny team-up to investigate, braving the dangers of the new neighbor's yard, and finding something unexpected on the other side of the fence.

Congratulations to all the award winners!

And thank you for indulging me as I name dropped who I knew on the award committees. :)

More details can be found at the American Library Association website.

How wonderful to connect children with books!

These are my obsessions... Evites!

So, I have a slightly obsessive personality. Not so much with cleaning or counting...more with like getting really excited about something...

One thing I love is an Evite! I love to create them, view the different templates, receive them and of course, check them over and over until the event...just to see who as responded, viewed and will be there.

Currently, I'm checking this one...

Rob and Tiff's Annual Mardi Gras Party this February.

Other past favorites...


My first party in my new house...with vodka tonics for everyone!


Hosting the high school girls I work with at church for cookie decorating!


A baby shower brunch for my friends Haley and Stephen in from Scotland.


A work holiday party.
I was particularly proud because I won a battle with the technology department over this one.
Really, blocking the Evite site?!?!


Friends over for Easter brunch


A single girls Valentine's party where I did shove a cupcake in my mouth and didn't make any friends when I asked, "So, why's everyone single?" Hello, I thought it was the obvious question. They just stared at me!


A seafood extravaganza with Paul, Kristine and Pirate Punch!



My 31st birthday party that far surpassed my 30th!


A reminder to start working on my invitation for this year's Oscar party!

So many on the list! And while I love paper products and think paper invitations are the way to go for many things, I do love the Evite!

My first Evite was sent in 2002 when one of my friend's ex-boyfriends moved to California.
I had to look at the guest list to figure out who the Paul in the Evite was and why we were celebrating him heading to the coast.

Not only are they fun to view, but the past evites allow you to take your own little walk down memory lane. Click on "View my past events" and enjoy your journey!

Happy MLK Day!

(Click the banner for more info on the MLK Day of Service)

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

This MLK Day show some love to Haiti.

American Red Cross

UNICEF

A list of organizations helping can be found here including Doctors without Borders and Habitat for Humanity.

A present in the mail...assembly required!

This wonderful new wine cabinet arrived today :) Well, actually it most likely arrived yesterday and sat on my porch until I discovered it today. (Luckily, my neighborhood is apparently not a shady as my roommate claims.)

Only an hour and a half of assembly, and this lovely cabinet is in my kitchen!

Thanks, Daddy and Kathy for the Christmas gift card!!!

Now for a Saturday nap to recover from all that manual labor!

Hello, Boston!!!

I'm a little heart broken! This weekend many of my library friends will be in Boston for the American Library Association Mid-winter Conference. I will not!

On Monday, they will be some of the first to hear the announcement of the winners of the Caldecott Medal, the Newbery Medal, the Prinz Medal, and other prestigious book awards!

So lucky!!!

Here are a few images of last year's Mid-winter Conference in Denver!

Late night drinks! Hey Lisa, Karen, Tim, Debra, and Caroline!

In the snow with Rosie!

Have fun, friends, and stay warm!!!

I'll be sure to post some of the winners of the big awards next week, so you can be in the know!
And, of course, add the winning books to your favorite child's library!

Hey Cupcake!

Hey P&K!

This weekend when you are in Austin, will you please run by Hey Cupcake! and pick me up...

A Double Dose (chocolate, chocolate and delicious!)

AND

A Vanilla Dream (vanilla, vanilla, pink with sprinkles!)

??????????

I'm so excited!!!!

And, thank you very much!

Hiding from life?!

Well, if you need something to pass the time and help you forget a bit about the reality of your situation (whatever that may be), I strongly recommend some quality time at the movies.
(This is in addition to the massive amounts of literature you might be consuming.)

This weekend I saw 3 movies in 2 days...and one of the days was Friday...and yes, I went to work.

First...Inglorious Bastards

It will likely be nominated for an Oscar, so of course, this can be justified as 'getting ahead' for my Oscar party.
Extremely violent. Quentin Tarantino.
Has some great characters, and Brad Pitt's character is pretty hilarious (in a dark sort of way).


Next...The Ugly Truth

I do love a chick flick!
One of my favorite movies is Wedding Crashers.
There's a similar table scene. Hilarious.
Not bad for a renter!





Finally, I had a little girls movie night with It's Complicated.
I love Steve Martin.
I thought the movie was funny and awkward all at the same time. I do love a disaster.
I recommend it, and I know the 70 year old man sitting next to me enjoyed it as well.




So, that's what I've been up to! What about you?

Volunteer, anyone?

Well, my mother sent me an email today asking me to volunteer to work a local race on Saturday, January 16. The Rotary Run has selected the charitable organization she works for to benefit from the race, but there's a catch (isn't there always?!?!)...they have to have 30 volunteers. So she emailed and asked if I would work a race at 6:45 on Saturday morning (the early morning is another little catch). Of course, I will say yes...the woman knows I can't say no to a good cause...but of course, there's another catch...she asked me to bring friends! So, anyone up for a little volunteering!?!? :) Email me!

And speaking of catches...

A free ticket to Disney anyone!??!?!!?

Well, you have to VOLUNTEER!!! (See, there's a theme!)
Click here!

(On a super serious side note...if you are planning to go to Cali or Florida this year, you should so take Disney up on this ticket offer! I have been multiple times in my life and have loved it every time. The last time is pictured above! My free ticket came from a publisher at the American Library Association Annual Conference. The catch, I had to purchase a large amount of their books ;) . Totally worth it!!!)

So, see you Saturday?!?! :)

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I just finished reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Loved it!!!

I gave it as Christmas presents, but still hadn't read it. Luckily, my friend, KK, let me borrow her copy that she borrowed from her friend Debbie.

This was the book I read...
And this is the book I gave...


Same book...different covers.
KK informed me that Debbie picked up the borrowed copy on a trip to England.

While I know they change certain things about publications when they send them back and forth across "The Pond" (i.e. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone vs. Sorcerer's Stone), I do wonder why the difference in the book covers. What do you think? Which one do you like better?

Have you read it? What did you think?

If you haven't read the book, here's a review from Publisher's Weekly...
(a starred review, none the less...)

"...Set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history..."


Read it and enjoy!

Let's Go To The Movies!!! 2 months and counting...

Mark your calendars!

Oscar Night is 2 months away!
March 7, 2010!!!

I'm so excited, because I'm already planning to roll out the red carpet for a fantastic Oscar Party!

But there's lots of prep work to do!!! And I'm not talking about the decorations and menu!

It's time to go to the movies!!!

A little inspiration... (I especially love the Rockettes around the 4 min mark!!)



And then we're off!

Early Oscar Buzz....


So far the awards that are pre-cursers to the Oscar nominations have announced their nominations and the top 10 are as follows:

1. With7 nominations: The Hurt Locker
2. With 6 nominations: Inglourious Basterds
3. With 6 nominations: Precious
4. With 6 nominations: Up in the Air
5. With 4 nominations : Avatar
6. With 4 nominations : An Education
7. With 4 nominations : Up
8. With 3 nominations: Invictus
9. With 3 nominations: Nine
10. With 3 nominations: A Serious Man

(Thanks Entertainment Weekly! You can check out their Oscar Buzz Blog for up to the minute updates!!!)

Also, I have read Meryl Streep might be nominated for Julie and Julia...so that's an easy rental if you haven't already seen it!

I have only seen 2 of the above so far (Up In the Air and Invictus), so I have some work to do!

I'll start coordinating movie times! Who's in?!?!!?

Boots with the fur...

It is FREEZING in Texas. Things aren't looking good!

They look like this!

That's tomorrow...the coldest temps in over a decade according to WFAA Channel 8 News!

However, things are looking up thanks to my Christmas present from mom! :)

She bought these cute little button Uggs for me for my upcoming trip to NYC
(The trip I purchased a ticket for today for $200!!!),
but who knew these would be so necessary in TX!??!?!?

Between the snow on Christmas, the snow the week after Christmas and these record low temps, it really is a Christmas miracle that these showed up under the tree!

And oh my goodness!!! They are so comfortable! Like pillows on my feet, I tell you!

Another Christmas Miracle!

I will be wearing them tomorrow and Friday!
We get to wear jeans to work because of this chill!

And no, I'll be leaving these at home...