Fortieth Birthday Party Ideas

Trolling the Internet I am disturbed by the lack of creativity for fortieth birthday party ideas. I for one think Forty is Fabulous and should be celebrated as such!

My girlfriend Alyssa threw a Seventies themed birthday party for her husband which was pretty fun. Everyone was dressed as their favorite seventies icon, the year of her hubby's birth. I was pregnant but the Mr. and I made a rockin' Captain and Tenille. I talked to Schneider from One Day At A Time most of the night, but I digress.

Last week I booked the place for my fortieth and instantly I had a theme. It's a Spanish tapas restaurant, so I am having a:

Fabulous Forty Flamenco Party!

You know it's gonna be good. Tapas, wine and dancing! Cannot wait.

Other ideas I was toying with?

Fortieth Party Ideas

Great Gatsby Fortieth
- Flapper dresses, deco decor, Dorothy Parker and bathtub gin!

White Hot Fortieth- Guests are dressed all in white, the party is modern and the disco ball would keep them moving.

Sex and the city fortieth- pink drinks, pink everything and fabulous cran-tinis, etc!

Lilly 40th- Imagine the preppyiest, palm beachyest, party ever. Oh and wearing Lilly OF COURSE.

Okay so I need your help. I am doing a little vote. You see, Papercourt Press is doing my invites. She did three fabulous samples.

A. Red Flamenco



B. Orange Flamenco



C. Dot Flamenco


Vote in the pole to the right and comment and let me know!

Olympics Here We Come

The winter Olympics are in Vancouver starting in February. I am so damn excited. Ralph Lauren is dressing our fabulous athletes, isn't it gorgeous? I swear I get so involved in the Olympics as if I am either the athlete, trainer or coach! I would love if Landon or Coco would be in the Olympics, Oh I know the hard work and sacrifice, but I'd get to go and bawl watching them!

The Olympics always make me think of what event I would love to compete in. Winter would be figure skating for sure. Summer would be pole vaulting. Oh you heard me.

Of course in reality the only events I could do well in right now are: parallel parking, shopping at Marshalls, or party planing. What are your best events?

PS Landon is doing very well!

Prayers For Landon

Landon has another arm surgery today, he will be having another skin graft and hopefully a tendon transfer. This is the marathon that is the healing of his right arm. We are trying to get him to have a grip in his right hand.

Some of you may remember sweet Landon was born with a blood clot in his right arm, it's a miracle he's alive.

We are so blessed by how far God has brought us, but we would like to go even further. please pray for his safety, calm and success of the doctors doing doing the surgery.


UPDATE:
We are home. Thank you for your prayers. Landon is sad, doesn't like his cast, but he is resting. Poor guy! Surgery was a huge success!

Expressing Motherhood- The Greatest Show On Earth

Here's how it started. My friend Nicole had done the show Expressing Motherhood, last year when it came to Los Angeles. She then told me about it and said I should submit a piece for this year.

At first I was hesitant. Me back on stage after almost 10 years? NO. Then I thought, I will be turning forty (remember how I am looking for new adventures?), and these are real stories of motherhood told by real mothers. I LOVE that idea.

Expressing Motherhood is a stage show conceived by Lindsay Kravet and Jessica Cribbs to combat the isolation of motherhood. It let's women share their stories of motherhood in a real and heartwarming way.

I thought of my "Hero Mother" post I had written, about Landon and a boy we saw at the mall. I thought it might be a good piece to read for the show. I submitted it and thought I'd never hear another word.

Then they emailed and said I was in the show.

Terrified, I acted like it wasn't really happening. Months went by, I had my tummy tuck, and then suddenly, it was rehearsal day. I was scared showing up that first day, not knowing the other mothers, wondering if my piece was good enough...

As the rehearsal began, and each woman told their story, I laughed, and cried through the whole thing. I knew this show was something special. That I was going to be a part of something wonderful. That performing with these fabulous mom's was a privilege. We were going to give a gift to some Mom's and Dad's, a night out where you feel loved, appreciated, accepted and understood. Plus there is wine. Can't beat that!

On opening night, the Mr, my neighbors and friends all were there to support me. I was so nervous, but I did it. I am so proud of myself. I am feeling like a Hero Mother. No better feeling than that.

Lindsay Kravet and Jessica Cribbs have found a way to unite mothers all over the country. Expressing Motherhood is now coming to Des Moines and Boston! Of course there are also more shows this weekend in Los Angeles. You can get tickets on the wesbite. Come and see!

Lilly Pulitzer- I'm back.

With the PPS (permanently pregnant stomach) plaguing me for 5 years I had relegated myself to Target for clothes. Now, don't get me wrong, I have found some fabulous things at Target. I am NOT knocking the TAR-JAY, But in my heart of hearts I am a J Crew and Lilly Pulitzer girl. I had to give up on both until my tummy was fixed.

So it was with great anticipation, excitement and joy that I greeted my new bestie Anna, at the Cabana store in Santa Monica, a Lilly Pulitzer store (THE ONLY ONE IN LA!)

I was there not to buy jewelry, shoes or something for Coco. I was there to try on clothes. I was going to buy something. FOR ME.

So I did. Bought this fabulous "Joy Knit Tunic" in "Limeade, Coral Me Crazy!".

What I also wanted was this fabulous dress below as well, but alas I am on a budget (waaah waaaahhhh!). It's the Harper dress in dirty Shirley!



Karma is fabulous though, because today, at Marshalls I found a fabulous Lilly P tie for hubby! Pink King of hearts!

Resolution 2010!! Bra Intervention!!

Remember Oprahs shoe and bra interventions on her show? Well I have been wearing an old crappy bra from COLLEGE, because my boobs have gone from breastfeeding (Hustler Magazine) to back to normal after kids (no one wants to see!). I was sure I knew what my bra size was, and yet my bra was killing me!!!!

Enter the Nordstrom angel Brandy Peoples at the Grove. She is a certified fit specialist (thank you very much), and all around best gal pal. Now Brandy knew when she looked at my sad, droopy, college girl bra (who needs under wire when your boobs are that perky! BARF!), and she knew she was in trouble.

I told her I was a 38 C, maybe even a B.
She looked at me and said "You are no B".
Well! I never!! hahhaa!

So what size am I? A 36 D! Call Hustler Magazine! Mama's back! I got two gorgeous Natori bras that do not hurt, fall down or pinch. And the staps stay on my shoulders! A miracle!

To stage your bra intervention head on over to your Nordstroms and get measured. Or go over to the Grove and talk to Brandy. Tell her the Mrs. sent 'cha.
PS You are right. Elizabeth!!!

Top Baby Names for 2009!

These names are always affected by movies that are out, TV and media so I find it so fascinating!!

Kinda think Ethan is a cool name, can't believe it's number one. Never met one! Isabella on the other hand I have seen and met 1000 times on the playground! I can believe that one is number 1! Are your kids name son there? Do you like to stay off the list? I do! But, wouldn't let being on the list stop me if it's a family name or one I just loved. Is your name on there? Mine is!!!! If you don't know me...GUESS!

1 Ethan Isabella
2 Jacob Emma
3 Noah Olivia
4 Aiden Ava
5 Logan Sophia
6 Jackson Madison
7 Jack Chloe
8 Ryan Abigail
9 Jayden Addison
10 Matthew Emily
11 Liam Ella
12 Joshua Lily
13 Tyler Mia
14 Benjamin Grace
15 Gavin Alexis
16 Alexander Avery
17 William Samantha
18 Evan Elizabeth
19 Michael Hannah
20 Nathan Natalie

Best Turkey Burger Recipe EVER! From Donald Trump Maralago Hotel!

Thank you for your sweet comments yesterday, you guys make me feel so good!! We are gearing up, starting yesterday, on the healthy eating. Cause even with the flat tummy I have a few pounds to lose! This turkey burger blew my mind. It takes some prep time, but is easy and DELICIOUS!!! Hubby and I served it on Mimi and Pop's last night in town. We served it with sweet potato fries!

Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger
Oprah's favorite turkey burger from the Donald Trump resort.
Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger Photo
Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients

* 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
* 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
* 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
* 1/8 cup canola oil
* 4 pounds ground turkey breast (lean)
* 2 Tbsp. salt
* 2 Tbsp. black pepper
* 2 tsp. Tabasco® chipotle pepper sauce
* 1 lemon , juiced and grated zest
* 1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped
* 1/4 cup Major Grey's Chutney, pureed

Instructions

1. Sauté the scallions, celery and apples in the canola oil until tender. Let cool.
2. Place the ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add sautéed items and the remaining ingredients.
3. Shape into eight 8-ounce burgers. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
4. Season the turkey burgers with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated, lightly oiled grill. Grill each side for 7 minutes until meat is thoroughly cooked. Let sit for 5 minutes.
5. Serve with a side of Mar-a-Lago Pear Chutney and your favorite toasted bread, pita or hamburger roll.

Tummy Tuck Diaries- Day 27 What a difference a month makes!

My tummy is flat. Yes I am still swollen and it will come down more. Yes I have to have my stitches out, but my tummy is worlds away from where it was. I will show you bare tummy after pictures when I get my stitches out at the end of January. For now, here is the before and after with the sweater on.

I am wearing a brace to help with swelling and bruising ( I have no bruising at all!)

Helps that my hair has been blonded and styled too. You can see by the picture I am pretty damn proud of myself. And I am!!!

I am so glad I did the surgery. The pain was minimal compared to the mental pain of having been asked every day WHEN ARE YOU DUE!? I am so happy those days are over.

I cannot thank enough the people who helped and made this possible. Hubby, my Mom, step Dad, Dad, step Mom, Mom in Law, Dad in Law and most of all:

DR. ANDREW ORDON!!!



He is the handsome devil from the Doctors show. He and his partner Dr. Chopra in Beverly Hills, did such a fantastic job and are sweet as can be. So nice to be in such capable hands!!

I feel like I can finally get on with living my life. And what a sweet life it is!

Lobster New Years!