Superbowl Party! Easy game day recipes!

I have volunteered to host our church's (Thads), annual Superbowl Party. I say annual because we hosted one last year and since the church has only been around two years it's annual!

I am not going to get fancy, because it is the superbowl and people want cheese hanging off of everything. No need to try and act high faloutin'!

Here's what I'm making:


Hubby's Chili with beans

Mac and Cheese
From Barefoot Contessa
Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.


7 layer dip




Sheilas artichoke dip (see recipes)

pigs in a blanket

Football PB and J's (football shaped PB and J's for the kids!)

Kathy's Fabulous Butterscotch cookies


and California Carrot Cake



* 2 cups sugar
* 1-1/ 2 cups vegetable oil
* 4 eggs
* 2 cups flour
* 2 tsp. baking soda
* 2 tsp. baking powder
* 1 tsp. salt
* 2 tsp. cinnamon
* 3 cups finely shredded raw carrots
* 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
* 1/2 cup raisins

Preparation -
Grease and flour a 9" x 13" baking pan Cream the sugar, vegetable oil and eggs together. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture. Stir in the shredded carrots, nuts, and raisins until well blended. Bake in a preheated oven at 350º for one hour or until a toothpick inserted the center comes out clean. Cool, in the pan, on a wire rack. When cool, frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

# 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
# 4 T. butter
# 1 box (1 lb.) confectioners' sugar
# 2 tsp. vanilla

Preparation -
Beat the cream cheese and butter together. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy. Chill for about 30 minutes before spreading on the cooled cake.

What are you having?

BINGO! Marshalls, too fabulous for words

The world was a nice place yesterday. People weren't driving like maniacs, they let me into their lanes, and the valet guy at my favorite restaurant Le Pain Quotidien ( if you live in NYC, LA, or DC you must go!), said he "missed"` me because he hadn't seen me in a while. Note to self, keep tipping well.

After lunch with a friend, I was off to Marshalls to find birthday presents for nieces and nephews and friends Oh MY!

I knew it was going to be a good day. My sister in law Marie usually calls my cell when I'm in Marshalls, which I call "church". 'Where are you right now?" "Church" I say, and she knows where I am. She calls fabulous finds at Marshalls "Bingos". Well B-I-N-G-O!

Here is the dress I got for my niece Rose (SIL's daughter, she never is on the computer so I can blog about it!) isn't it precious? And matching doll dress!!!! Dying. I think I need to have a girl next time around.























She loves anything pink or princessy so she will die!

Got her brother Gabe something for his bday too.




He won't care but SIL will looooove it. Greatest prices ever.

Polo shirts for $16! Love it.



Everything in that store was Lilly P and Ralph. I saw Lilly P bedskirts, Duvets and sheets! Wish I had a place for them! Also saw a Lilly P shift dress, Kelly Green, size 2T! Adorable. Again, I need a GIRL.

Tuesday Morning is right near by so I did check it out to see if the Lilly P Entertaining books were there. No luck. I have them anyway, was just curious!

By the way, since I live in the celebrity filled La La Land...I've started a new category called: Celebrity Sightings. I swear they are everywhere so I thought it would be fun to tell you who I see day to day.

God Bless Marshalls!

Weight Watchers Delight- Amy's Vegetable Lasagna


Okay people. Now we are talking! I try to keep each meal to around 5 WW points so I can snack a little and have a glass of wine. This is the best thing in the world and fills you up. Flavor is amazing and I'm telling you I don't even like vegetables!

Five points for a good size lasagna. O Trans fat- No MSG- No preservatives and ORGANIC!

Anyone else found anything amazing that feels like cheating? Speak up! I need inspiration!

One Fabulous Mom Interview- Jennifer Brinkley


Jennifer Brinkley is a mom who's got it all together. She is a mom who works outside the home as a lawyer, has two gorgeous girls, and an adorable husband. Here she is (fourth from the left) giving back to her community by working with Crisis Services of North Alabama, which provides crisis intervention and prevention to victims of domestic violence. How she manages to keep all her plates spinning is amazing!

1. How would you describe yourself?

Prayerful; grateful to have a fabulous husband, two precious daughters, good friends, loving family members and an interesting career.

2. How do you continue to follow your passions and dreams while being a mom?

By accepting (1) passions and dreams evolve, especially once you have your first child and (2) you can follow passions and dreams, as altered, while still providing a happy home and being part of a thriving family. On a day to day basis? By watching the clock constantly! It is not perfect or easy, but I never expected it to be.

3. How has motherhood changed you?

Once the sleep deprivation thing COMPLETELY diminishes, I will let you know. (By the way, I don’t think that ever happens.) In a nutshell, motherhood has made me even more excited about the blessing and challenge of life because I get to watch it all unfold in the faces of my little girls, from day one, literally. Wow.

4. What do you do for yourself so that you can still be Fabulous?

Remember to brush my hair? Admittedly, not too much. I will work on that. Your blog helps!

5. What is the best mom advice you’ve ever gotten?

“Childhood should be carefree,” Frances W. Foley (my mom). It is simple, but I love that statement. It is a lofty goal, considering life’s challenges, factors beyond our control, our fallible human selves, and on the other end of the pendulum, the risk of spoiling the little ones. But if we are constantly working toward the goal of teaching our children responsibility while still giving them carefree childhoods to the best of our abilities and considering our individual circumstances, we have done the best we can do as parents.


6. What are your top five Fabulous must haves?

Peace. Quality time with children. Date Nights. Books. Home décor magazines. Or are “fabulous must-haves” supposed to be beauty products? I buy products but I forget to use them.

7. Complete this sentence: “Being……makes me One Fabulous Mom.

Being a circus-worthy juggler with low-maintenance hair...makes me One Fabulous Mom!

Meeting Hubby


Connecticut Charm did a great post about meeting her hubby and asked everyone to play along.

I was driving to a two year olds bday, JAKE, in the Hollywood Hills. I told my girlfriends in the car that I didn't think I would ever get married. This was not because I was bitter, I just felt like I had dated my share of guys and it hadn't worked out. I had even called it off with one guy who was perfect and about to propose but it didn't feel right. I told them I would have children and men in my life but never marry. Famous last words.

At this very HOLLYWOOD, kids birthday party there was pony rides, face painting, champagne and a DJ. Oh yes I live in Los Angeles. So I was milling around meeting people when I saw a guy dresses in an Izod shirt and khakis. This was in 2001 when the preppy thing was only still happening in truly prep places and of course living in my heart! So I was drawn to this red haired guy. I was making jokes and he could keep up with me with NO problem. This was rare. Usually I would tell jokes and have a crowd laughing but rarely could someone chime in and keep up! I was intrigued. He gave me his card, but he was there with another girl so we talked business. She gave me the daggers as we talked, but at this point I just wanted to be friends! I was not getting married remember?

He called a couple times but I didn't go out with him, it was group things he was inviting me too and I didn't know anyone else. Then he called and asked me to go on a double date with his friend Jeff and his girlfriend. I only said yes because I felt like going out to dinner!!!

We agreed to meet at the bar of the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica. I walked in the door, and saw him see me and start smiling. He smiled at me. He was so genuinely happy to see me that I literally said out loud, to myself, involuntarily, "I'm going to marry this guy".

We moved in together in three weeks.
We were married a year later.
We've been married five years this year!

Amazing! I'm tagging Magnolia Mama, Self Confessed Lamp Tramp, Workin That Preppy and Biscuits Are Never Boring!

The Nanny Diaries For Real


Do you have a nanny? Of course there are many levels of nannying, I have a nanny 3 days a week, some have one day, some have full time. Some are home with the nanny and the nanny helps, and some leave the nanny in charge.

I have a girlfriend who does the full time nanny and she stays at home. Even though she is there most of the time she has gone through four nannies in a year and a half. One was asking for too much money and being a bully, one she caught abusing her kids when she put a nanny cam in, and one is so lazy she's caught her sleeping on the job. NIGHTMARE.

The nanny thing is a very tough relationship. You want them to do things you way, but they can never really live up to your standards. You want your kids to love them but not so much they reject their mother! You want a nanny to make your life easier, but you feel guilty when you're not there.

My nanny was sick this week and a little last week. I am feeling the effects. I caught myself being very short with Landon and I felt like a monster. It was horrible. The fact is, nanny or not, if you don't take time for yourself and get away for a little while, you will not be a good parent. You will yell and feel put upon. I know not everyone can afford a nanny, but even a friend can give you a break.

My nanny being sick has made me appreciate her even more than I already do. She fits into our little family so well, she loves my son, and we love her. Boy are we lucky. The fact is that Mary Poppins is not going to walk through the door and be your nanny. There is give and take. Trust your instincts to know if the nanny is right for your family. A mother truly knows best.

Fabulous Find- Easy Scrapbooking!












I am an obsessive scrapbooker. I come from a long line of scrapbookers, and I had my first one made for me by Grandma as a baby. I swear I have a scrapbook for childhood, jr high, high school, college, after college, meeting hubby, marrying hubby, pregnancy, Landon's first year etc etc etc!!!

Did you know that Snapfish, will make one for you, bind it and let you write all the captions? It is fabulous looking and for a busy mom who feels guilty, or for one who hates scrapbooking, this is IDEAL!

Here's a few more sample lay outs:














My neighbor Sheila, (she's starting to be in every post!), even writes a little story to go with an event. For her daughters birthday she wrote all about who was there, what happened, how she and her daughter felt, what they said....it's such a keepsake, and in a lot of ways so much more detailed than a scrapbook or photo album. Easy and fabulous!

Prayers for Heath Ledgers Family


Last night at our bible study we said prayers for Heath Ledgers family. It is so sad his daughter will grow up without knowing him. Such a tragedy.

Fabulous Project- Drapes for the Dining Room

Nothing is better than the before and after pics! Also got these great sisal rugs for SUPER CHEAP from the love of my life Overstock.com.

The drapes were done by Calico Corners which is my new favorite place. I'll be heading there next for chairs!!!!




Okay so here goes!
Before:















After!












I am sooooo happy!!!!! Fabulous!!!!

Fabulous Pot Luck Dinner Party recipes!

This past weekend we had our neighbors over for a pot luck dinner. I had it at my house so I could put the baby to bed and still continue the fun! What made it better than average is that I picked an Italian theme. This gave everyone some direction and allowed us to drink plenty of Pinot Grigio.

We call ourselves the "Four Corners" because we are all on the corner across from each other. It was ten people ranging in age from 18 months to 70! It was a blast. The recipes are all easy so I have them posted below.

Sheila made her now famous Green Olive dip and Cheese and Artichoke dip here are the recipes:

Green Olive Dip:
2 10 Oz stuffed green olives with pimientos
1 15 Oz container of ricotta cheese
1 8 oz of cream cheese

Place all ingredients in Cuisinart and pulse until smooth!

Her Cheese Artichoke Dip was even better!

1 large bag (4 cups) of shredded cheddar cheese, Mexican blend
2 cans of artichokes in water
1 small bag( 6 oz) shredded Parmesan cheese
1 15 oz jar of mayo

Put all in a bowl use hand mixer or mixer to break up a little and mix
Put in large Quiche pan, mash down until flat
Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees
Serve with crackers or mini melba toasts
YUM!

I made the main course, I call it Chicken Puttanesca.


1 large can whole peeled tomatoes
1 pound of chicken breasts, pounded thinly
1 cup mushrooms sliced
3 cloves of garlic chopped
1 can black olives (no pits) and sliced
1/4 cup capers
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan- coat chicken breasts after pounding

In Large non stick pan heat olive oil on med high heat add chicken breasts when oil sizzles

Brown chicken on both sides (about 5 min per side) after first turn add lemon juice and swirl around

Remove chicken and set aside

Add more olive oil to pan

Add tomatoes and juice from can saute and stir on med high heat for 3 minutes

Add garlic (3 more minutes)

Add mushrooms stir until moisture released (about 8 minutes)

Add capers and olives and stir for about 3 minutes

Add chicken back in and saute 5-10 minutes on low

Serve with rice or pasta


Kitty brought cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory which made us all very happy.

So fabulous!!!

Something Fun

Something fun for those of you with a day off! Click this link to find out more about your birthday, ie moon, who shares it, what was happening at that time. Super Cool!

www.paulsadowski.com/birthday.asp

MLK Day


Today is MLK day and I have to acknowledge the great man that he was. His speeches are so relevant even today.

As I was on the elliptical this morning at the gym, a reporter did an interview with Osama Bin Ladens son. It was a fascinating interview, because he was in the training camps when he was 14 and then later decided to leave. He thought his fathers fight was misguided and getting to out of control. His father respected his decision and they are not in contact. Imagine having the last name of Bin Laden? He is trying to put together a race for peace but is having a tough time getting sponsors.

When asked if he thought his father was a terrorist, he said no. He knew his father feels he is following his religious views. He said he wished his father would find another way to "Help". Whoa. All I can say is look to Dr. King. He protested and stood up for what he believed in without harming innocent people. He tried to bring peaceful change in a world of hatred. If Bin Laden wants to make changes in the world, he needs to do it the right way. What Osama Bin Laden is doing now certainly is not HELP.

Sanity Break- Write a letter



I love letters. I love getting them in the mail, looking at the stationary they've chosen...I love stationary. It feels so old world now. I am always looking for newer, better or more classic versions. I love the idea of hand written notes and thank you notes. In a world of emails, it is so special to get a letter in the mailbox. Writing a letter to someone really shows you care.

I have saved a bunch of letters from my grandmothers, and mother. They are in my scrapbooks and are easily the most telling and visual pictures of who they were. My "grandmommie" on my mothers side, was a painter and would sketch little pictures on her letters to me. They are priceless.

A letter is a personal reflection of you. Your taste, style and wording allow someone a deeper look into who you are. When's the last time you wrote an actual letter? Not a thank you note, but a letter? It takes commitment to sit down and take the time to write.

I sometimes I fantasize back to a time when the only way to communicate was through letters. Like in the movie "Dangerous Liaisons", when their deepest feelings were sent by messenger on paper. The way they would write in that gorgeous ink with their quills...It makes me want to give up on email all together and take up letter writing full time!

Writing a letter to someone who is close to you is a treasure for you and them. It's the perfect sanity break, especially if you have a glass of wine or cup of hot tea by your side. Surprise someone you love by writing them a letter this week! Make it descriptive, heartfelt, funny...make it you.

The Yin and Yang of Motherhood


Seriously, could he be any cuter? I cannot handle it.

Yesterday was a horrible day, anything and everything went wrong. Went to a birthday party for one of Landon's friends, got lost. Really lost. 45 minutes of lost, lost. Bad times. Landon's crying in the back, even when I find the place (indoor playroom), I couldn't find parking. Then after I pulled every last hair out of my head and got inside, realized I forgot the birthday gift. I had gone to such trouble making sure I had it together and perfect and forgot it. Did I mention I had to pee so bad in the car when I was LOST I almost gave myself a bladder infection?

Then tonight, I was giving him a bath and he was having a ball, saying his new word "DUCK!". He was so cute. I mean I could just kiss him all day long! Then later in the evening in his room he kept trying to tackle, I mean HUG the cat. I was smiling watching how patient the cat was and how cute Landon was trying to snuggle!
The best part of the evening though, was brushing his teeth. We have just recently started this and Hubby usually has to brush his teeth at the same time for inspiration. Tonight Hubby was out shooting with friends, so I was on brushing teeth detail. He had so much fun brushing his teeth he wanted to do it over and over! He was making the funniest face thinking about the feeling of me brushing his teeth. I laughed my head off.

Isn't this the Yin and Tang of it all? Motherhood is not at all what I expected. I didn't know hard it would be. I didn't know how wonderful it would be. I didn't know how little time I would have for myself. I didn't know how much time I'd want to spend with him. Wow.

Baby Shower Idea-Safari!


I have a few friends who are pregnant and I know the baby shower planning has already begun! It reminded me of the shower my mother and sister had for Landon. Usually baby boy showers are all blue and sometimes BORING! Why should the girls have all the fun?
What about a SAFARI SHOWER!

I loved my shower and the attention to detail made all the difference.

Notice the animal print table cloths, not campy but fabulous. And copper silverware to add a rustic feel. The centerpieces were based on the stuffed animals my mom had bought and after the shower they went into Landon's safari themed room! I think it's a great idea to find out how the baby's room will be decorated and go with that theme. It makes things practical and special.



The beautiful location is my sisters house in the Hollywood Hills. What a view! Another special touch was they had it catered from my favorite restaurant The Farm. The food was amazing and then the chocolate cakes were my favorite dessert from Marmalade Cafe. That cake is the best thing ever!

Here are some Safari themed invitations from Paperbuzz! FABULOUS!





Fabulous Beauty Products For Busy Moms!

I am always embarrassed when I go get a facial. They technician will always ask about my "Beauty Routine". I'd like to say I'm lucky that I keep a fairly clean house, I dress as fabulous as I can muster, and my son is well taken care of. That's all! As for a beauty routine, if it's not easy to maintain I just won't do it at all! That's why Ponds Exfoliating Clean Sweep Cucumber Cleansing Towelettes

are my new favorite product! I never want to wash my face at night, I am always too tired! These are so fast and easy. They have a travel pack too!



To get the rest of the make up and mascara off I follow up with Almay Oil Free Eye Make up Remover pads. This is good for the morning too if you have any make up still under your eyes.
Mom's need to keep it as simple as possible and you can't get any easier than this. Now that's a fabulous Beauty Routine!

Fabulous Fashion- Spring Planning

I love clothes but sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of what's out there. I have devised a little plan to help me get into and feel good about each season. Each season I pick a color to be focused on and try to acquire a few key pieces that will add a little punch to my wardrobe. I realize this is almost like dressing in "Garanimals", but hey it works for me so I'm sharing!
Last summer I picked Kelly Green and I got a Kelly green V-neck cotton sweater and Kelly green flats, as well as a Kelly green and white leather bag. I felt sassy and everyone complimented me!
For this winter I tried Navy. I got a gorgeous Navy fleece wrap with pom poms on the edges, a cute navy shirt and some navy patent leather flats with gold buckles.

My color for spring? Yellow!

I have seen a couple things already that I LOVE at J Crew! Hope I can pick up a few!










I mean please. It's like they're conspiring with me! Great minds think alike! I love me some J Crew. What's your spring fashion plan?

Fabulous TV- Cashmere Mafia


I made a point of catching the pilot episode of Cashmere Mafia, not just because I miss my Sex and The City (Movie coming soon!), but because it's written by Darren Star (hellooooo...he wrote Sex and The City, Miss Match, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place etc!!! Please don't make me go on).
I knew it had to be sort of good because what it takes to even get a show on Television is a serious miracle these days. I am in the writing biz so I know! The show did not have me "at Hello", but after about 10 minutes I was hooked.
It takes place in New York City (I grew up outside of the city so I Love NYC) and follows the lives of four successful fashionista women who've know each other since business school. Think Devil Wears Prada meets Sex and The City. Lucy Liu plays "Mia", who's in publishing, the other girls are an investment banker, a COO of a hotel chain, and a marketing exec for a cosmetics firm.

Lucy Lui
is adorable and does well as the very driven, yet looking for love "Mia". Bonnie Summerville, who plays "Caitlin", is hysterical. More rude and in your face, she is just realizing she might be in love with a woman! "Zoe", Frances O Connor, is juggling kids and career and had some scene stealing moments as she lamented over her nanny being from the I.D. generation (I deserve), and when she arrives late to her daughters dance recital she practically knocks over the whole set trying to get to her seat. The greatest scene of the whole pilot however, goes to Juliette Draper who plays Miranda. Once she hears of her husbands infidelity, she whispers to him during a charity function that not only does she "know" about the affair, but he should "look around the room" at their friends because she will be taking one of them as her lover and he won't know where or when it's happening. He downs his glass of wine as she goes to the podium to accept her charity award.
Priceless.
These girls talk and act how we wish we could. We may not really want their lives but we can live vicariously. So much fun and Fabulous TV! Catch it Wednesday nights on ABC!

My Shoes Are My Life


As a woman you are required to have at least 20 pairs of shoes or they kick you out of the female club. Still, we get attitude when we buy a new pair of shoes. Our male counterparts see endless pairs of shoes and cannot figure out for the life of them why we would need another. Truthfully, and I'll never admit to this in person, it's not about the shoes.

Okay, don't get your Manolos in a bunch. Yes, every woman loves to buy the latest and greatest style, something to make another girls mouth water, but I believe there's a bigger motivation.
Men go through life with a limited amount of roles. Sometimes they are playing Daddy, or husband, or Mr. Fix it. Sometimes they are playing business mogul, or macho athlete. This requires shoes of course. Fancy cross trainers, shiny black dress shoes, or suede loafers. That's it for him. Other than a pair of flip flops so he can play beach bum, that's the extent of his shoe collection.

Women are a totally different story. Think of all the roles we play. Sure there's the obvious, wife (nice Prada loafer anyone?), Mother (me and my Uggs!), and worker bee (heels), but as a woman, there is much much more.

You play psychologist, accountant, chef, chauffeur, sexpot, den mother, coach, gardener, man catcher, man killer, man marrier, socialite, hostess, fashionista, soccer mom, mom with a nanny, dog walker, financial analyst, maid, public servant, lady who lunches, community activist, nurse, church goer, party planner, life guard, teacher, lover, business woman, legal consultant, peace maker, sometime athlete, serious athlete, decorator, scrap booker, activities director, personal assistant....

Need I go on? Doing all these tasks is like living many different lives. You never know what the day will bring. For instance, in one day you may make breakfast (chef), take the kids to school (chauffeur), walk the dog (you get it now), work out, balance the check book, clean the house, have lunch with the ladies, work from home, host a dinner party, put the kids to bed, and have sex with your mate.

You can't expect that the dog walker wear the same shoes to the ladies lunch? Or the chauffeur to wear the same shoes when she hosts the dinner party? Well of course not. We need different shoes to fill all the roles we play. So men out there, instead of looking in a woman's closet and saying how could you possibly need another pair, realize that each shoe represents a job she has to do. Instead you should be asking how does she do it all? Instead of complaining about the money that was spent, maybe this lady needs a vacation! Or at least a pair of "vacation" shoes.

Sometimes we even need to put on a pair of shoes to help us step into a role. A lot of my date nights have been salvaged by putting on my Dolce and Gabana leopard heels. Shoes give you confidence. Hey, if the shoe fits...you can do it!

Shoes give us the strength to move forward. With my son in the NICU, I struggled to show up each day in a cheerful mood. I wanted him to see my smiling face. My black Via Spiga kitten heels made me feel like I could make it through the day. I was dressed and ready to face anything. Those shoes were my ammunition. My insurance that I could still make everything work in my life.

Shoes are the barometer of our lives. How many Oprah show make overs have I seen where when they look in the woman's closet she hasn't bought a new pair of shoes in a decade? If you haven't bought a new pair of shoes in the last six months, you are either depressed, very sick, or in a coma. If all your shoes are old and worn out what does this say about you and how you're feeling? You guessed it, old and worn out.

Shoes tell us what we need. If you have no heels in your closet, you need to glam it up a little more and give yourself a sexy makeover. All heels? Slow down and relax a little! Buy some Bernardos Sandals and take a vacation! All new shoes? You have a spending problem! Reign it in! You can really tell who someone is by looking in their shoe closet. Note to self: sneak off at each dinner party and spy on hosts shoes...

Shoes help you not take life so seriously. If you only have black and brown shoes you need to let loose a little! How about a pair of silver ballet flats? Pink kitten heels? Plum high heels? Don't play it safe! Live!

Think about the times in your life that were the most important. In most cases you can remember the shoes you were wearing. Shoes are a scrapbook of your life. They represent who you are and where you've been. The next time your husband, boyfriend, or best friend says you have too many shoes, you just tell them: "those aren't my shoes, they're my life."

Funny Friday!- Five Funny Things About Me



Just for fun I am doing five funny things about me. Maybe they're just strange. Who knows. Here I am at about six years old. I swear I look the exact same now. Does that count as a funny thing? I don't think so...here are the real ones!

1. I love Richard Simmons. I don't weigh 300 pounds, I just love him. From his afro hair to his short shorts I seriously adore him. If I met him I'd probably start crying.

2. When I work out and listen to my Ipod. I look around the gym and make a music video in my mind. I literally film the whole thing in my head with the vingettes I see at the gym!

3. I love the Carvel Hard Shell topping on soft serve ice cream. I think Smuckers has a take home brand called Magic Shell. I seriously love it. Only the Butterscotch or Cherry though.

4. No matter how many times someone tells me or explains it I do not understand how planes, as heavy as they are, can fly. I do not get it!

5. I love The Music Man. Oh I know you think you love it to, but I have memorized most of it.
Like when there's trouble in River City "...and the next thing you know your son is playing for money in a pinch-back suit. And listening to some big outta town jasper, hear him tell about horse-race gambling! Not a wholesome trottin' race no! But a race where they set down right on the horse! Like to hear some stuck up jockey boy sitting on Dan Patch? Make you're blood boil? Well I should say. Now friends lemme tell you what I mean. You've got one, two, three, four, five, six pockets in a table, pockets that mark the difference, between a gentleman and a bum? With a capital B and that rhymes with P and that stands for pool!"
Oh yeah...I love madam librarian too! "What can I say..my dear..to make..it clear.."

Sanity Break- REUNION! Celebrate Good Times Come on!


I am soooooooo excited. So excited I am invoking Kool and the Gang! It's on the books. A reunion for myself and my sorority sisters from College. What's amazing about these girls is they are all successful, married great guys, and are fabulous friends. We were all Thetas and you know what they say: "Theta For a Life Time!" So here we are, fifteen years later, still getting together and having so much fun. I love my sorority so much that I had a Theta Meeting in my hotel suite the night before I was married! We had Dom Perignon, Chocolate covered strawberries and a real chapter meeting. The invitations had pansies all over them (our flower) and was were very mysterious. You had to be let in by giving the secret knock!

These girls and this time in my life means so such to me because it's when I figured out who I was and what I was good at, all with the encouragement of my sisters. These girls have supported me through an acting career, in vitro, and 52 days in the hospital with my son. They are irreplaceable.

Getting together with your girls for a weekend away is not only needed, it's required for your sanity. I know it's hard to leave husbands and kids behind, but if you don't do the things you love to do, it will change who you are. Don't you want to be able to show your kids that you value yourself and your friendships? I hope and pray Landon has a great group of guys that he will always lean on. It will make his life richer than he can imagine.

We will be meeting up in Palm Beach Florida for some fun in the sun. Actually we will be going to Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Steinmart and PF Changs, and maybe sun if we feel like it. The recipe for a fabulous weekend.

Fabulous 40th Bday Gifts


I have a good friend and a sister in law who are both turning 40 next month. What's a good gift to give? I know this is no regular birthday. I need some fabulous gift ideas! What do you guys think? I do not think any "over the hill" gifts are funny at all. I'll be 40 one day and I wouldn't like it!!! I did a fabulous DVD for my dad, pictures and his favorite songs from his growing up and mine, that was for his 60th. I don't have many pics of sis in law so that's out. Tiffanys? A silver something? Sis in law is a pediatrician and fabulous mom. Friend is insurance honcho and neighbor. Chime in please!

Fabulous Finds- The Preppy Handbook Sequel and More Books That are FABULOUS

Okay so you all know and love the Preppy Handbook. What about the sequel? Tipsy Madras is full of great bar recipes. It's definitely more for the cocktailing crowd but very fun!



Here are some other favorites of mine!

A Privileged Life- THE coffee table book...



What Southern Women Know- a "how to" book on how to make the most of your femininity...


Confessions of a Sex Kitten by Eartha Kitt- a biography on who Orson Wells considered "the most exciting woman in the world".


All of Slim Aaron's books are wonderful...a lot of clothing designers scour them to come up with ideas for their collections. It's great inspiration for decorating, or designing. Here are two of them I love.

Once Upon A Time, shows how life was and should be lived by the rich and fabulous.


Pool Side With Slim Aarons is gorgeous.