Friday, February 27, 2009

Jeni's Ice Cream- Worth Every Penny~


After mentioning Jeni's yesterday, I decided to stop by on my way home and pick up a pint. One pint quickly turned into 3 pints as I could not make up my mind. Spending time in Jeni's made me realize that my high school days of scooping Baskin Robbins were long behind me. (Jeni's is a very sophisticated ice cream shop!) Even Dean & Deluca is selling Jeni's! If you are curious about Jeni's, but don't live in Columbus, don't fret! They ship!

My current Jeni's selections are:

Hot Cocoa by the HearthEach bite is like sitting by a bonfire, hands cupped around a mug of hot cocoa with melty marshmallows...you'll feel like you spend the day sledding! *I have no idea HOW they did it but you can actually taste the smoke in the marshmallows.

Crème Fraîche with Amarena CherriesSlightly tart and super-smooth with the one of a kind italian specialty cherries. *I thought I had died and gone to heaven but if I can still blog I must still be alive and just must have really, really enjoyed my ice cream...

Riesling Poached Pear Sorbet The flavor and texture of a ripe juicy pear.

*One word- A-MA-ZING!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

The Candle Lab, take two


A few weeks back, I mentioned a terrible fire in our area that destroyed the building that houses some of my favorite local businesses. One of them was The Candle Lab. Each day I drive past the building on my way to work and it still makes me feel terrible for all of the displaced business owners. Then, last week I noticed a sign! The Candle Lab is back in business in a new location! Way to get back on your feet guys! Awesome! I am going to be totally cheesy here and say it: I AM FIRED UP! (Hopefully you get it, otherwise I am not sure if my humor sucks or people just don't get me...) Anyway, visit The Candle Lab in their new location at 1251 Grandview Avenue. It is just next to the Drexel Theater and a few doors down from Jeni's Ice Cream. Welcome back Candle Lab!!!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Temptation Day 1 (AKA- Lent)


Day 1 of Lent. In my email from RueLaLa is notification of the Diane von Furstenberg sale. Note to self and all other retailers: I gave up shopping for Lent. Go ahead Diane, make my day. Sure, I would love your cute little wrap dress so heavily discounted. Sure, I can feel the cardboard box in my hands delivered to my doorstep as I worked diligently at my desk to pay for it. And yes, I can TOTALLY picture the oh-so-cute kitten heels I would wear with my new dress. But no, I won't do it. Sigh... 39 days to go...


*Jane, I don't know how you do it!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Fat Tuesday


Here we go again. Every year for Lent I give up two things. One of them is always Pepsi. I LOVE Pepsi. On Easter morning I can't get to a can of Pepsi fast enough. The other one differs from year to year. I usually try to make it something that would mean something nice to someone else or better myself. A few years ago I gave up moving Brian's car keys. He always left them in a spot that annoyed me so I would put them where I thought they should go, and then each morning we would get into the "Where are my keys" tiff. And I knew it was going to happen each morning but I wanted the keys where I wanted them, not where he left them. So, I gave up moving his keys for Lent. This year, I am giving up useless needless SHOPPING. If you know me, this is pretty big. I have allowed myself cosmetic items, but only replacement items, not just new stuff I want to try. I am going to allow myself to buy stuff for the kids for spring break and I am going to be able to shop on spring break but not until then. I've kind of been on a practice run for this and the other day I needed laundry detergent. Now, I know that if I go to Target for detergent, I am going to leave the store somewhere between $50-$100 later. And I'm not going to have $50 worth of detergent but rather a few "must have" items from the dollar section, maybe some random clearance candle holder, a People magazine and who knows what else. So instead I went to CVS where I am not tempted at all and just bought the detergent. I can do this. I can do this. How about you? Do you give up anything for Lent or celebrate Mardi Gras?

Monday, February 23, 2009

Scenes from Soulard











This weekend was spent at a Mardi Gras celebration in St. Louis called "Soulard." It was a like a mini blog-fest including myself, Kimberly, Ally, Tracey, their dates/friends and my friend Kathy. I have to say it was a wee-bit cold to pull an all day outdoors experience but we managed. And we saw some pretty funky stuff, let me tell you. For your enjoyment I have included the girl who had her thong on OUTSIDE of her pants, some girl who wore a purple tutu and matching cowboy boots, and a ginormous turkey leg that appeared to tangle with some green feathers as it was tossed to the ground. And yes, my friend Kathy who was VERY into the experience and wore her green wig.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

More about me!

After seeing the Shopaholic movie for the second time I felt compelled to share a story. You know, you read a person's blog for so many different reasons. Maybe you are compelled by their story, maybe you have found a common thread, maybe you like their fashion sense. Who knows? The only thing I am consistent about is that I am inconsistent. That may be my segue into said story sharing. In the Shopaholic movie Becky and Luke are verrrry different people. Becky is just so Becky and Luke is very regimented and has a keen understanding of finances and fiscal worth. When Brian and I decided to make our relationship a serious one (as in we were engaged) he called me one day to let me know we should sit down and discuss our finances and our goals. Mmmm hmmmm. He let me know he would be emailing me his spread sheet so we could compare and come up with a plan. A plan. At this point I hit panic mode. This poor man was about to find out what he was up against. I had a feeling that some really cute things from Pottery Barn, Nordstrom and Sephora were not in his plan. Sure enough after reviewing Brian's actual Excel spreadsheet I knew I was in deep doo-doo. I would be very cutely dressed in the doo doo but still in doo doo none the less. I called a technologically savvy friend and asked him to help me create a spreadsheet that made my Longaberger baskets, handbag collection and loose change look better than it was. To this day I'm not sure how I got over that hurdle but I did. I can tell you there are days I feel for Brian. He faithfully reads Money Magazine, Fortune and Barron's. I'm hooked on US Weekly and People. For Brian, here is the best news. I have decided to give shopping up for Lent. 40 days of no shopping. Kroger and Target are allowed as they sell household and food essentials. Keep your fingers crossed. This could be the one thing that breaks me!
Oh, and again, if anyone locates the blue necklace Kristin Scott Thomas wore in the movie please please let me know. Especially before Lent starts while I can still squeeze it in!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Patricia Field is a genius!


Man that woman knows how to put together some amazing outfits and accessories. Here's what is ironic to me. After seeing the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic I came home and tried and tried to find the necklace Kristin Scott Thomas wears when she goes to talk to Becky at her parents house. The blue necklace. So today I was looking at my blog stats (because I'm like that) and the #1 search item that drew people to my blog was "Confessions of a Shopaholic necklace" Please, please if someone found that necklace let me know. It was AMAZING and I WANT IT. I did go to Patricia Fields' website but can't come up with the necklace. She also has her own line on HSN. Really, if you haven't seen the movie GO SEE IT! I can't wait to see it again. And if you find the necklace please, please let me know!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

I loved this so much I went back for a second look!


I was driving today and noticed that the front sidewalk of the flower shop by our house was strewn with rose petals. It really caught my eye! I loved it so much I had to go back home and get my camera so I could take a picture.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Confessions of this shopaholic...


So, I've been more than a little excited to see the movie. I read all of the books and loved them. And I get them. More than Brian would like for me to admit. But, like Becky Bloomwood my love of shopping goes way, way back. Recently, I reconnected with an old friend from high school through Facebook. (Don't knock it till you've tried it...) Angie lived just a few doors down from me and was quite possibly privy to more of my secrets than anyone. She reminded me of how I used to shop like a fiend in school and how I had to hide my purchases from my mother and smuggle them into the house. I was hooked on Ups N Downs (my fave clothing store of the 80's) and another brand called Units. Units were kind of like Garanimals for older kids with a sweet 80's edge to them. Swatch watches too. If you were around for the 80's, these stores will mean something to you. I remember clearly my first pair of Calvin Klein jeans in 6th grade. In 10th grade I accidentally got my shoelace caught in the escalator at the mall and was scared I was going to have to pay to repair the escalator so I went and returned the jeans I had just bought to cover the cost so my mother didn't have to find out. OK, flash forward about 20 years... there is a St. John necklace at a consignment store by our house that I have been coveting. And no joke, I've gone to visit the necklace a couple of times this past week. But I didn't buy it. But tonight, I NEEDED that necklace to go with my outfit for the Shopaholic movie. And I knew I had about 13 minutes (not that I was watching the clock) before a dinner reservation to make a bank deposit, a bank with drawl and GET THE NECKLACE. So Tessa and I go to the bank ATM and I put in the card. And somehow, I must have pushed the button for Spanish. And guess who doesn't speak Spanish? This girl. No habla Espanol. And did you know that the Spanish version of the ATM has more choices than the English version? So it wasn't like normal where at least I could fumble my way through and pick from two options. Oh no, there were LOTS of options. And I won't dwell on this but I held up the line at the ATM for about 5 minutes because none of those words looked like "cancel." Amazingly enough I was able to get to a screen where there were words and the option of $20, $40, $60, or $100.00. I chose $100.00 and moved on. I was down to seven minutes on the clock. The store closes at 8:00, dinner was at 8:00. The restaurant is no more than 2 minutes from the store. I can do this. I walk into the store and the girl is telling me that they close in a few minutes. No problem I tell her, I know what I want and where it is. So I point to the St. John necklace and the girls tell me how lucky I am, a few people almost purchased that necklace today. Then one of the girls tells me she recognizes me from looking at the necklace earlier in the week. It's mine now suckers! Brand new St. John tags still on! That necklace was around my neck before I even left the parking lot AND we got to the restaurant in time! And the movie was amazing. Loved it!
So if you liked that story, maybe sometime I'll tell you the one about where I accidentally purchased a new roof without talking to Brian about it... (I'm sorry, but sometimes I just get caught up in the moment...)

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Don't mess with Texas!


I'm not sure why I find this to be interesting but I mailed two packages to two different bloggers today- both of them in Texas

What That Girl Wears- Oh, say around 1992 I promised to send her some nailpolish. Yeah. I just got around to that.

V from Everyday Wear- She won the Michelle Obama fashion challenge and I had an AWESOME St. John pin for her as the prize. I'm not going to take a picture of it because I want her to be surprised when she gets it. And this way, maybe you will check her blog for the pic!

So these packages are not even related but they are both in Texas. And here I thought the only cool Texans were Buddy Holly , Joan Crawford and Chamillionaire.

Enjoy ladies!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

What the hail?!?!


In October 2006 we got hit by a hail storm that was so severe most of the homes in our neighborhood wound up getting new roofs and/or siding. Both of our cars were majorly damaged to the point of a $12,000 insurance claim for the repairs to them. Not including the damage to our home. One of the damaged cars was my beloved Volvo, the car of many quirks and possibly one of the Top 5 subjects on my blog. I knew we were expecting bad weather today. Major winds, rain and a tornado watch. Amazingly enough it is 60 degrees outside and feels great. What I did not know was that we were expecting hail. And guess what? Once again, the Volvo got thrashed by it. Last time I likened it to what it might look like had it been the victim of a drive by. (Not that I'm making light of drive-bys...) Brian already told me good luck turning in another hail damage claim on the car. Man do I love my Volvo.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A little musical interlude...

Since I posted about how hot I think I look skiing I figured why not post the music to go along with my life?
I haven't done a vote in a while so here you go. Vote for your favorite "In your dreams Katie" song to sum up how cute I think I am!
Don't Cha
Drop It Like It's Hot
This Is Why I'm Hot
Sexy Back
*FYI the last poll I did was on how many of you felt sorry for Brian being married to me and putting up with me! Amazingly enough I came out ahead! And I didn't even vote for myself!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Proof that I am hot, even in the snow...




OK, so I may be stretching things just a little but at least I amuse myself! My friend Kathy is the cute pink snow bunny and I am the other smokin' hot chick...

"F" is for....


Kimberly posted a fun little challenge where you are randomly assigned a letter and list 10 things you love that begin with that letter. I'm not going to lie, I got a little nervous when I got the letter "f" In all fairness, I think Kimberly did too! I'm going to do my best to maintain my composure and list off my 10 "f" words
1) Fashion. No big secret there. I LOVE me some fashion.
2) French toast. There is a place in Lakewood Ohio called the West End Tavern. Should you ever find yourself there on a Sunday morning get the blueberry cream cheese stuffed French Toast.
3) Food- I know, it kind of goes along with #2 but I do.
4) Friends- I adore my friends and I love making new ones
5) Fast cars- I love driving fast. When I met Brian he had the cutest little Lexus and I loved whipping that car in and out of lanes. I really can't believe I never got a speeding ticket in that car. The same does not hold true for the Volvo. What gives???
6) Ferris Bueller- Always have, always will
7) Fred Couples- See # 6. Same premise
8) French Polynesia- I want to go there. If anyone wants to contribute to the $5,000 airfare please let me know.
9) Faking it- Ha Ha- Did anyone wonder when I would veer off in this direction? I love tooth whitening products.
10- Flipping people off- I know this may offend some people but sometimes a little flip makes me feel better. And it is a nice way to get around using stronger language. And it conveys exactly what I need it to.
*So, if you want to be assigned a letter and haven't already done so through Kimberly let me know and I'll get you one.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Take me, please!




I bought this super cute blazer at Zara but have only worn it about two times. It is a size 6. It looks like a simple black blazer but it has the prettiest lace detailing at the cuffs. As I am not using it I would love it if someone else could. If you'd like to add this to YOUR closet let me know! I would be more than happy to send it to a new home where it would get used. (Tessa modeled this for me against her better judgement- she wanted to make sure I added that disclaimer)

Not too shabby...











Tonight was the Father/Daughter dance at our church. (Yes, I did the right thing and put Caroline in Sunday school) This dance has caused major excitement in our lives as Caroline has practiced her dance moves daily (she loves to "raise the roof") and also asking each day if today is the day. Finally, today is the day. We picked the cutest dress from Shabby Apple. If you've never shopped Shabby Apple check it out. They have very cute dresses for girls and they are a nice change from your typical girls dresses. So here is my sweet Caroline in her the dress she is "raising the roof" in.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Today, I went on a magic carpet ride...


I went skiing today. For the first time ever. No joke, I don't participate in snow-related activities. I don't make snowballs, snowmen or go sledding. I'm sure those things are fun, but they don't interest me. But for some reason I've decided I am curious about skiing. My friend and neighbor Renee invited me to a fun ski club event so I went and took Tessa and Caroline along. And it was fun. I can picture why people like it. Everything was awesome. I actually did it! We all got a lesson and I really, really paid attention and followed the directions. And being a non-ski person, I had NO IDEA they have these fun little magic carpet rides that take you up the hill. Did you know that??? Pretty nifty. So the instructor had us get on the "magic carpet" and ride it up. Up. By the time we got to the top I was a little nervous. After I got off I looked down that hill and asked him how I was supposed to get to the bottom of it. And let me tell you that man was smart (ass). He told me "ski". WHAT? WHAT? THAT my friend is a hill. I was pretty good at skiing when we did the stuff where you turn your ski's around, go down a little slope and use the poles. I was AWESOME at that. Honestly, I was. But I knew I was not getting down that mountain on a pair of skis. I panicked. And then I walked back down the hill with the ski's in my hand. I guess I answered my own question of how I was getting back down the hill. Boy. Skiing was fun. I think I'll go again.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Sisterhood...


Well, this is going to be a goofy statement, but as an only child I never had a sister. Or a brother for that matter. Anyway, it was kind of fun to find out that Jane from Work That Wardrobe passes along a sisterhood award to me. She awarded it to me based on my energetic attitude. Thank you Jane. I certainly have not felt energetic this week. I feel like old Punxsutawney Phil shoved me in his cold dark hole in the ground and left me there. So, without further ado here are the peeps I would like to pass this along to along with the deets on how to pay it forward:



1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.


1- La Belette Rouge- She shares more of herself than anyone I can think of and in such an honest way

2- Wendy Brandes- Thanks for the laughs and creative ways to string bad words together.

3- Of A Certain Age- Karen, I would kiss you out of gratitude for healing my chapped lips but they aren't quite 100% yet

4- Ally at Cute on the Cheap- It's all Ally, all the time in her world and I get that!

5- Kimberly at Fab Finds Under 50- Your perfect hair irritates me but you don't.

6- JMoney at The Typing Makes Me Sound Busy- Your Superbowl video is one of the best things I've ever seen.


Thursday, February 5, 2009

Did you know Gladys Hardy has a website???


AND that you can get the I Love Jesus But I Drink A Little t-shirt???? Holy smokes! Um, would it be SO predictable if I got one of these? Anyway, check out Gladys' website!

(Tessa, honey, would it bother you if I wore this t-shirt on spring break??)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

One more reason to love Ellen DeGeneres


Have you SEEN this? The "I love Jesus but I drink a little?" caller? Oh no she didn't! Oh yes she did! Love it! So, no joke. Ellen had a contest a while back where you could invite her to do something with you and she picked a winner and spent the time doing whatever they chose. I love Ellen SO MUCH I entered. I think I made my mother in law a little nervous on this one because I invited Ellen to Caroline's birthday party. As a back up plan I gave her a second choice of tailgating and going to an Ohio State game AND I even invited her to Thanksgiving. THREE CHOICES I gave Ellen. I didn't win. Maybe I need to find Jesus.

Yet another great book- Still Alice by Lisa Genova


I really can not tell you the rhyme or reason as to how I pick my books. I can tell you that when you read 3-5 books per week you wind up with a wide variety on your hands. Last night I finished Still Alice by Lisa Genova. This book was incredibly touching and well written. It is the story of a Harvard professor who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 50. I had a hard time putting this book down when I started it the other night but was thrilled to be able to pick it back up last night and finish it up. At times the book is witty, factual and also poignant. Very, very touching as it details the struggles of Alice but also her professional and family relationships. I don't add every book I read to my Shelfari bookshelf but this one is definitely going on!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

When I grow up...

When I was much younger (around 2nd grade and living in Youngstown Ohio) I wanted to be a nun. I was fascinated by nuns. I can clearly remember being in church one Sunday and all of the children had to get up on the alter and announce what we wanted to be when we grew up. I was the only kid who said "nun." I voluntarily went to church each and every day before school until 6th grade and I sang in the choir each and every Sunday. At the end of 5th grade my family moved to Indiana. I was so brokenhearted that I went to church and tried to get them to let me stay and live there.
After our arrival in Fort Wayne Indiana and my first dose of public school I decided I would be a librarian instead. I volunteered at my school and local library and anxiously awaited my local bookmobile when it came to our neighborhood. I had always (and still do) love books. One of my proudest moments came when I won an award for volunteering more hours than any other school aged volunteer. For all I know that was a made up award but they still gave it to me.
By high school I had decided to be a journalist. Our high school paper was called The Northerner and I loved that paper! I learned more from my journalism teacher Mrs. Thiele than I have ever learned from anyone. Man she was a tough old battle ax! But fair. I have very fond memories of working on that paper. And I was just devoted enough to be proud of lettering in journalism when many of my peers were lettering in volleyball, basketball or cheer leading.
As my 20th class reunion approaches and everyone is electronically reacquainting themselves I have been asked a few times if I have ever done anything with my writing. No. But, I do have to show off my fine skills and years of love for the written word along with my quick wit and charm. As the manager of a multi-family community I often have to deal with less than desirable situations. And this is no joke, but I recently had someone who hung a noose from his front porch. No joke. A noose. So, I wrote this note:

Dear So and So (Name has been changed to protect the idiotic)

Your noose is creating a nuisance. Please remove it.

Signed by yours truly-
KT

*When I grow up, I want to be a break dancer. Or a personal shopper.

Michelle Obama Rocks!


I'm kind of bummed out today. Today is the Michelle Obama fashion challenge at Thrifty Muse and my camera and I ARE NOT getting along. My camera does not seem to understand how terribly cute I look today in my kickin' skirt from Club Monaco. I purchased this skirt on my yearly trip to the Toronto International Film Festival when I went shopping and purchased just about every item I took into the dressing room. No joke, I kind of broke the bank on Day 1. Oops! (I am a sucker for Club Monaco. I have very few reasoning skillz when it comes to shopping and that place makes me lose the ones I do have!) So, any-who- Here is my Michelle O lookbook. Super cute swing/pleated/sassy Club Monaco skirt, twinset and necklaces from Tristan and America (another store that renders me financially dumb) and Ann Taylor Loft. And just for fun, today I was feeling a little like Ru Paul (would a cross between Ru Paul and Michelle Obama be a Rubama???) in Supermodel.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Hey Beyonce, check this out!


So, about a week ago I was out with some friends one night having dinner and drinks. My friend Kathy showed up with this ring that I decided I MUST HAVE. And while I was having fun with my friends, I could not wait to get home and get online to order my new ring. So, here is what happens when you combine a night out with friends, the Internet and my debit card. And yes, I know this ring may be a bit on the big side, but I have never been known for being subtle so why not?

Sunday, February 1, 2009

So much to say this Super Bowl Sunday!


1) Let's talk make-up. Or to be more specific one of my all time favorite things: Free Shipping. So... Sephora is offering free shipping thru February 02. Use promo code SUPERBOWL at checkout.

2) If you live in Columbus and are interested in the Opera, or a beginner series such as Opera for Dummies you can attend a rehersal of Puccini's Turandot this coming Friday, February 6th at 7:30-9:45 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Upper Arlington. Afterwards La Chatelaine on Lane Avenue is having a meet and greet with the cast. You need to RSVP by February 02 to jsimons@operacolumbus.org in order to attend. The cost is $10.00.

3) Enter the Michelle Obama Wardrobe Challenge at Thrifty Muse. If you do so, let me know cause guess what? I've got a little freebie for the winner. Who doesn't like a freebie? So bust out your best Michelle O and show us what you've got! You can email me your deets/pics for your chance to win!


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