Never satisfied....

So yesterday I made an emotional and somewhat irrational because it was impulsive decision.
I cut 14" off my hair.

That wasn't exactly my intention -- though I wasn't opposed to it happening either.


I just wanted a change. A better style. My hair was so long, and too long to wear down so I wanted to change. And knowing that I couldn't get into a stylist that I wanted to get to on such short notice, I went with a new stylist near the store. Great cut - but not what I asked for.


What I presented them with was this: If I was to keep my hair on the longer side and only take off a few inches - I wanted it all layered in the back - and layered around my face like I always do. If I was to go dramatically shorter - I wanted an above the shoulder bob cut, which would be something very fun and different.


What I got....was a shorter version of what I already had, just below my shoulder and all angled into my face. To say I don't love it - is probably an understatement. I mean, it's a nice cut - my angles are smoking, but the back is blunt and I feel like it's all disporpotioned. I almost feel like a Bichon Frise dog, with the round hair cut. I'm sure it's fine but the bottom line is that I didn't get what I was looking for.


I was every hair stylists dream yesterday: a blank canvas, just waiting to be created into a masterpiece. And it's a little disappointing that I walked out with just a very short version of what I walked in with.



It is, what it is. And it will grow -- rather quickly, actually.
And then....I can try again.

I'm a Barbie Girl, in a Barbie World...take two!

This afternoon Princess Petunia and I were playing "hair salon" with all of her Barbie dolls - and as I was restyling their already perfect hair, I found myself commenting on how beautiful their hair is - even when messy, and it triggered the memory of a post I wrote a few years back. Today is a perfectly apropos time to re-share it!

Without further adieu, here's the post and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

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So, the other day I was playing with my daughter and all of her Barbies. She's only 3.5 yrs old - and already has about 12 Barbie dolls. It's interesting, when I was young I might have only had one or two real Barbie dolls; they were very expensive and so I more often than not had the generic versions. But who knew, right? They're all perfect little people and I was just as thrilled with them as I was with any other trademark brand. But I digress....

As I was saying, we were playing Barbies with her Barbie Dream House - that ugh, takes up 3/4 of her room might I add. Which got me thinking as to all the different reasons why it would be fun to be a Barbie. I thought I'd share a few…

The Barbie Dream House: Um, hello - have you seen that thing? So not the Dream House from when I was a little girl. It's a flipping town house, and about the size of a real life one! The door bell rings, the stove works, the toilet flushes -- there's a washer and dryer in the unit! Three levels, and I'm sorry -- food! Wine glasses, cakes, pizza - just to name a few. And she's got a bedroom that is more like a boudoir with those really fun tuille canopies that ties off on each side. If only she had a good sound system with a little jazz playing and high definition television and an inground pool with an outdoor grill and fireplace it would be perfect! Moving on...


Barbie's Vehicles: Where else can a girl have a Pink Corvette, and still look hot? Between the Corvette, the Horse Drawn Carriage (because what, Barbie doesn't feel like a Princess every now and again??), the Hot Tub Barbie Bus (where she and all the other hot dolls get to hang out), the Beach Jammer, the Jammin' Jeep -- she has got it all. Who wouldn't be envious of that?

Fashion Sense: Barbie is the only girl that can wear teensy tiny short skirts - and not fear anyone calling her a tramp or any other negative name. And let's be honest, she looks adorable no matter what she wears! Barbie has the best girly clothes, the best workout gear, and hello -- her shoes are nothing short of spectacular. Her boots - to die for. And, it all fits her perfectly. Have you seen her hamstrings? She clearly is the more athletic Barbie of the Millenium than the skinny minnie dolls I grew up with ; sure they had a great chest, but really were lacking in the leg area. And let's be honest, a good pair of gams make any skirt and high boots look amazing.

The best hair...ever. I finally figured out why Barbie looks good, no matter how ratty her hair gets after a child has gotten a hold of it. You can twist it, twirl it - cut it even - and she looks gorgeous. You know why? Barbie doesn't need bangs. Even when she has them - they're almost an accessory - she doesn’t need them. She's got a perfect little forehead which makes her hair look amazing no matter what funky hair style you give her. Which is quite a challenge for those of us who are, um....working with an eight-head instead of a forehead. Yes, I guess I am a little bitter about that one....

Ken who? Ken, schmen. Who needs 'em. Barbie is clearly entirely self sufficient, maintaining several positions as either a ballet teacher or dog walker - maybe even an early education teacher playing with Elmo. Which leaves her plenty of money and time to hang out with her friends -- go shopping, take yoga - do whatever. Without having to answer to anyone about anything! I bet you that at some point, Barbie is going to come out with her own line of adopted children! Angelina Jolie has been the pioneer in the world of adoption with out a Daddy - I can so see Barbie jumping on that bandwagon! She's high speed, low drag. When you're a girl that looks like Barbie, and has the attitude that Barbie has -- men just bring you down.

And on that note…this very "un-Barbie" like real girl, is going to put some lip gloss on and prepare to go get herself a smoothie for lunch.

Ahhh but it's fun to dream….!

Are you kidding me...?

All day long people were in the store telling me how they were seeing other people in the bank all day withdrawing money from their account "in case" we get the hurricane.

Already some supermarkets have been emptied of water.

Really?

Because a hurricane only lasts a few hours anyway....not days. And I get that devastation left behind can be horrible, I'm certainly not downplaying the damage Mother Nature can cause.

Don't get me wrong, if we lived further south then it would be a different story. But up here in the North, storms fall apart long before they get to us.

We're New Englanders -- we're hearty stock.
What is up with all the hysteria?!?!

Retail therapy does a girl some good....

Today, finally - after two long years - I made it back to Wrentham.
And yes, the angels sang as I turned off the exit.

I was on a mission - this wasn't a frivolous shopping excursion. I had definitive goals: shoes, sneakers, sweats & clothes for school. The kiddies go back on Tuesday - which is right around the corner, and so I wanted to be sure that they had a good base to go back with.

Once they were done, I did pick G up a few shirts at Eddie Bauer.
And yes, Momma got a brand new bag.

I went to Ann Taylor and browsed, and browsed....I actually had a few hundred dollars in gift cards on me, and as much as I wanted that money to burn a hole in my pocket - I just couldn't! See, when I worked at an office I had to dress up all the time and so I had a need for new pretty clothes. But now..... well, the need for me to dress up is few and far between. It's more occasion driven now. I wear sweats and yoga clothes for my day to day at the store. I could wear nice jeans and shirts but not on days that I'm getting deliveries, which is 3-4 days a week typically; plus I can't wear heels any more unless they're wedges because I'm on my feet all day lifting cases and boxes, so....the days of my getting to look like a girl are fewer and further between. Well, a girly girl anyway.

So, out I walked and yes, I was sad that I couldn't bring myself to spend money on things I didn't need. Isn't that what frivolous shopping is all about? This is what happens when you're just not a frivolous shopper. Who am I kidding - I'm not frivoulous about anything, I'm serious. Moving on...

Coach was having this great sale; I went in just to browse but as I walked in, the sales girl shoved a "30% off" sale ticket in my hand. So as I'm looking - I wandered into the clearance section. I knew I needed a new wallet anyway, but imagine my surprise when I found a wallet that was on clearance AND I really liked it. Then even better, I found a purse that was also 50% off - and with the additional 30% - I ended up spending more than half of what typically one purse would cost! I tried finding a picture to link to but there are so many online and none of them seem to be exactly what I got. It's a brown signature cross body bag, with a poppy fabric strap and a poppy stripe on the bottom quarter. It's pretty....and though pink isn't usually my choice of color, there was something about it I liked. And the wallet is great, it's white and silver leather - no logo - which is nice because it's small and can go in any pocketbook without being "matchey matchey". I don't necessarily like that when it comes to purses and bags - I prefer classic versatility.

In any event, I felt great when I left because I got something for everyone - and I didn't spend all my money -- and yet I got alot. I can't wait to put everything into the kids closets and get them all resorted and organized.

Since we're having a hurricane this weekend- or so the rumor goes -- I think that is going to be my task at hand on Sunday. A nice cozy day in pajamas and getting the kids clothes all set and ready to start a new school year.

It makes me smile just thinking about it....

Monday's Musings....

1. Who gets mosquito bitten...in the face?!?!? Um, yeah...that'd be me. Seriously! I have three huge welts on my face right now. We were at a friend's house for a Tastefully Simple party tonight - and we were doing a little wine tasting in their fabulous backyard - when clearly, the mosquitos in the area decided to be more like vampires than bugs. I feel like I'm a True Blood character, but I didn't get the opportunity to choose between good vampire or bad vampire...

2. New York was amazing. Truly. We must've walked about 20 miles within 24 hours, between where we stayed in Carnegie Hill to all of Central Park, from the East Village and Chelsea to 5th Ave - we saw so much more than we expected to. We walked the High Line which is a MUST see if you are ever there. This visit was definitely an education in greenspace in the concrete jungle and I loved it. I do think that I'd like for us to see about buying a small condo sometime so we always have a place to go and stay....
2. Momofuku Noodle Bar rocks. Kudos to the staff for their very creative menu, attentive staff and talented chefs that we had the pleasure of sitting in front of. By the way - the buns are amazing. I haven't quite figured out the whole genre of the menu - it's almost Asian meets Indian meets Korean fusion; the person sitting next to me was eating this unbelievable Kimchee dish that someone had them custom create; I think the dish I had might have had Korean sausage actually -- I'm not sure. But whatever it was - it was fabulous, and a flavor profile that I haven't had before. I love creative and exciting cuisine and for what it was - this didn't disappoint. Actually - my expectations of a noodle bar were rather low, having not been before - so this was really a pleasant surprise.

3. I can't believe school starts next week! And yet I'm stil so behind. I have to take the kids to get their school supplies and backpacks this week - which isn't that big of a deal really. I'm going to Wrentham this week (fingers crossed!) to finish up their school clothes shopping and I can't wait. It's been a long, long, long time since the angels have sung to me as hit the city limit - and even though I'm not going shopping for me - I'm just going to be happy to be there. I love buying the kiddies clothes. It just makes me feel so happy.......they look cute and adorable, and I guess that just makes me feel good. Who knows what makes us Moms tick....

I'ma up at Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca...

Some folks like to get away
Take a holiday from the neighbourhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach
Or to Hollywood
But I'm taking a Greyhound
On the Hudson River Line
I'm in a New York state of mind

I've seen all the movie stars
In their fancy cars and their limousines
Been high in the Rockies under the evergreens
But I know what I'm needing
And I don't want to waste more time
I'm in a New York state of mind

It was so easy living day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
But now I need a little give and take
The New York Times, The Daily News

It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
Don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
I don't have any reasons
I've left them all behind
I'm in a New York state of mind

It was so easy living day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
But now I need a little give and take
The New York Times, The Daily News

It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
Don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
I don't have any reasons
I've left them all behind
I'm in a New York state of mind

I'm just taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River Line
'Cause I'm in a New York state of mind

You're not the boss of me now...

Bully
n., pl., -lies. , v. -ing

1. A person who is habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people.

2.a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.

3. Bullying is abusive treatment, the use of force or coercion to affect others,[2] particularly when habitual and involving an imbalance of power.

In my daughter's eyes...

Some people have a gift for art.
A knack for creativity.
Princess Petunia -- she has it.
Now while tonight's events aren't artistically driven - they are pretty darn well thought out and creative for a 7 year old.

She announced tonight that she has come up with a week's worth of activities for us, and it started this evening with "Glow in the Dark Dance Party". She found all these toys that light up and glow - right down to sneakers that glow that she can use as tamborines - and we danced to the latest hits on Kiss 108. She made a snack mix for us all - and brought us appropriate drinks should we get thirsty. Cute, right?

(Let's back up a bit. Before she announced what the event was, she changed her outfit - put on a black glove with cut off fingers, and had me curl her hair - but ONLY specific pieces. She then put on her most favorite hat and then said she "felt like a pretty girl". I'm so loving my tomboy turning girly girl. Back to the story....)

Tomorrow night is Game Night. Pictionary is on tap for apres dinner.

The following is Pajama Movie Night - complete with bowls of ice cream.

And I don't know what the following night is but I'm sure she's got it covered.

So I asked Miss Petunia what made her decide to come up with this fun little week long event and she said "I just wanted quality family time". Did I want to bite her cheeks right there and then?? Yes I did. Loved the answer. Loved it! I never in a million years would've expected her to say that.

Not that we don't try to instill that into the kids, but because -well, they typically don't regurgitate our words so much at this stage any more.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

Friday night lights....

dusky sky. fresh basil. citronella. laughter in the background. crisp, cold water. beginning of crickets chirping. wet cold puppy dog nose. red wine with hints of vanilla. turquoise & yellow accessories. tomato plants blooming with fruit. contentment and quiet.

Things that make you go "hmmm...?"

Okay, I'm not going to lie - I feel like I'm getting old.

See, in the a.m., I might have a fabulous idea on what to do a blog post on...and then by night time when I actually stop to write it, I can't for the life of me remember what it might have been.
So I'm just going to rant today on a variety of topics, but mostly the same ol' same ol'.

1. Hate that I haven't been working out. At all. Not even a little. HATE IT.
2. Irritated that the people we're dealing with on trying to hammer out a lease negotiation on a new store in Boston are just drama filled and ridiculous. It's causing so much tension and friction. Completely unnecessarily, might I add.
3. Very excited... to be visiting NYC in the immediate future.
4. Saw the "Smurfs" movie with Princess Petunia, which was probably the last kid's movie I'd ever want to see; I didn't like them when I was a kid - but I have to tell you, it wasn't all that bad. Even I was singing their "la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, laaaaaaaa" by the night's end.
5. I made a Lime & Cilantro Corn Chowder tonight...and I'm not going to lie - it was rock the house good.
6.Beyond irritated that we haven't sold our house - but even more irritated that now the house that we really wanted previously and then fell apart - G wants again. I can't keep up sometimes.
7. I think I've become a Nag Champa addict. Truth that.
8. Not only do I need to work out to get back into shape - I really need to find center again. There's a certain clarity that yoga provides, that if you never practiced- you won't understand. It's amazing how things won't irritate you as much and perspective is better held. I definitely feel as if I need to find ME again. I'm feeling a little, underwhelmed with myself these days.
9. Music is not finding me these days. I don't know why? I think because I used to love to go to Newbury Comics at lunch and find myself a hidden gem acoustic artist; and now, I don't leave the store so much -- I don't have that need to "escape" really, and it sort of bums me out that I'm not jazzed on any one special. Adele was my latest/greatest - but I need to find someone else to feel my soul with. Suggestions on who to try - lay them on me, I'm all ears.
10. Despite all my grumblings tonight.....life is but a dream - and if you don't have any, you won't aspire to anything. Keep reaching, aiming and soaring. If life hands you lemons - you have to make lemonade. Sure it sounds kitchy, but it's true. And I'm living proof.... if you believe in yourself, others will believe in you too.

It's cheap Chinese & Chardonnay....

So how are you celebrating the beginning of the weekend?

This girl is having cheap chinese food & a not overly impressive Chardonnay. It was going to be an expensive Chardonnay but I ended up going with one that's less expensive - but unfortunately, entirely unimpressive. Disappointing is truly a better descriptor. Note to self -- do not bring this one in to sell.

Moving on.

So we have another family party tomorrow, which is always a fun thing to have. It's so much fun to get together and have a good time, and it definitely makes for a fun weekend. Sometimes. it's lousy when you have something every single weekend - but this summer it doesn't feel like much of a pressure cooker, it's just fun.

I can't believe school is now less than a month away! This weekend I've got to take the kiddies to get their new backpacks and school supplies before the mad rush is on with all the stores. Last year I waited until the big sales and trust me - it was so not worth it! So if I have to pay a little more now to avoid mayhem later, it will be worth it.

And that's all this girl has got for today.... I hope you have a fantastic weekend, and whatever you do - I hope it's filled with laughter, and love.

Sometimes it just takes somethings that are fresh - to make you feel good.

Tonight was one of those nights that I just loved what I made for dinner. It was simple actually - breakfast, of sorts - but sometimes that's the best dinner to be had!

I made a fritatta with farm fresh eggs I got at the Farmer's Market today, and I added red peppers, mushrooms, chicken & apple sausage, onions & cheese. I made a simple salad with butter lettuce and cherry tomatoes, and I drizzled this really delicious Honey & Lavendar vinagrette that I also got at the market today. I made bacon and a small steak - and paired it all with a light white blend - and voila.

It was light, and simple and really very summery. Perfect for a night like this...

And as I sit outside listening to my neighbor's dog bark incessantly because no one is home and he wants so badly to get in - and despite the fact that my company at dinner was less than enjoyable tonight -- it's a pretty good night, and it all started with a super fresh dinner.

I get a little sicker each time.....

There has been such a rash of parents absolutely abusing their children.

A woman in Boston, was arrested for hitting her 1 year old child so hard he bled from his mouth. Prior to hitting him, she actually called him a racial slur! Are you kidding me?!?!

Poor little Celina Cass...who you know passed at the hands of her stepfather. Clearly the state is being quiet about their information so that they don't jeopardize the case. Trust me - the story will come out on that one.

Or the father in Malden who slammed with brute force his 7 week old infant onto the ground.

Or the father in Boston who also slammed his 3 week old infant to the ground.

Where is the justice system when we need it...???

I heard them ringing the bells in heaven and hell...

Lyrics | Patty Griffin lyrics - Forgiveness lyrics

Wide open spaces....

So, recently I've complained about not having an outdoor space to enjoy because I don't have much of a yard to speak of; I do have a deck, however we have never, ever utilized it.

Until now.

I am writing this as I sit on my deck, enjoying the view from my screened gazebo.
Wow, what a difference an iron structure and some mosquito netting makes!

My father helped me put it up on Sunday -- and thankfully he was here to help me because it took the two of us 2 hours; it would've taken me an endless amount of time I'm sure. And then I went to Lowes and bought some plants, a table & chairs, flowers for my deck planters - and voila! Instant outdoor seating area that I can enjoy.

It's funny how suddenly the yard doesn't seem quite so small. I don't know if it's because we're not just sitting outside exposed on a deck and more enclosed so it gives a feeling of being in a room - and overlooking the yard rather than being within it. I can't really explain it, but whatever it is - it works.

Even crazier is that I think it gives a better appeal to the back area when showing the house. Yes, we're still selling - and still looking. But in the meantime, while I'm here, I'm going to enjoy my new outdoor space.....