Glitter-ific!

Everyone needs a little glitter in their life--glitter makes everything better, don't you agree?

Luckily, my bestie That Pink Girl "gets" me and gave me ALL THE GLITTER for my birthday.

Glitter iPhone cover

And glitter tumbler in PINK, duhhhhh. (the beagle wasn't a gift, I already had her)

But these... these are a whole other realm of glitterific fabulousness.

Le swoon.

I think I will save my little pennies and buy them for my wedding to Mr. Jackman. Very "Aussie marries a cute redheaded Texan", right?

This is my point.

What's you're favorite color? Is it glitter? ;)

It's Great to be 28

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday! I spent mind jamming around New York City with family and friends which was just delightful but I am super happy to be home.

Yesterday was my birthday and I spent it flying home and then my bestie That Pink Girl came over for tacos and queso and then I did my traditional viewing of Les Mis 25th and started to decorate my house for Christmas. I still have loads to do, but, tis the season and all!

Our first night in the city, I forced my family up to 45th to see my favoritest favorite play on Broadway--Once. OH MY GOD I FORGOT HOW GOOD IT WAS. I'm seriously obsessed with this play and so glad I saw it last spring when it opened and that I got to see it again. I could literally see this every single day, it's so special. My family hated it, of course, but, it was my birthday gift to myself and all I really wanted. Well, besides Hugh Jackman.

I did my traditional Patti LuPone stalking, of course. 

On Thanksgiving day, my Madrid sister, Christy and I ditched the parade and marched over to a little Ukrainian restaurant for cheese blintzes and French toast and catch up. We need to see each other monthly or we have withdrawals, I swear!!

After breakfast we went to see Anna Karenina--so, clearly we continued our little Soviet Bloc day in New York City, ha! I personally loved the film! I hadn't read the book, but the film was different, lovely and unique--just divine! And the costumes! Oh the costumes! And Kiera Knightley was just ethereal. My favorite thing ever though, Christy says "It is a sin to make Jude Law so unattractive!". WORD. 

The kiddos had waaaaay too much Thanksgiving fun! From the time I went to the bathroom and came back, Jackie had passed out on the table. Naturally, we all took pictures and posted them online. Because that's what family does!

After dinner, we went to see The Radio City Christmas Spectacular--which was, of course, spectacular. I felt like I was cheating on my niece, but, it was really fun. 

Following day, aka Black Friday I took my sister to Central Park to go skating. 

The Plaza, natch. No tea this time, but, we got to wander past.

Skating sisters!

To finish off Broadway Birthday Hoopla we saw Annie, which, oh my gosh! So great!

Saturday the girls went skating again, and I took my stepmom up 5th.

Where we spent several hours in Burberry, of course!

Kate Middleton coat in black! NEED

The Omega window display on 5th. Daniel Craig, my love.

The Broadhurst. My favorite theatre on Broadway for obvious reasons! (it's where Les Mis once showed and where we saw HUGH!)

 On Saturday, we celebrated my birthday at John's Pizzeria on 44th and had a lovely time. My dad was joking that I was all dressed up for PIZZA. It's my damn birthday and I wanted pizza!

Boobs. Oops.

Birthday cupcakes from Magnolia. I didn't know there were candles and took a bite early--oops.

Traditional pose with the Phantom. And yes, I block out Christine. If I can't have him, no one can!

I ended the night out with my favoritest Ginger ever and we had waaaay too much fun, catching up with old friends in the East Village and then dancing our faces off in Midtown. Was a great way to ring in 28!

And the absolute BEST part of the weekend and my birthday? Getting this text from my bestie girl Sara--this is Mac's first Chipotle. Which, if you know her and I at all, you know that Chipotle is our mecca. So, Mac will not only remember my birthday but he'll know it was the best day of his life EVER!

Anyways, I hope you all had a great holiday and let's bring on Christmas!!!

xoxox

Thankful

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. A holiday I've never been a fan of because it always got in the way with my birthday (yup, I'm selfish) and well, as a girl who has struggled with her weight and appearance since birth, a holiday dedicated to food isn't ever going to be fun for me. Just let me have my apple pie and Diet Coke and I'm happy.

Also, you haven't lived until your father has put birthday candles in a turkey. You're welcome.

There have been a lot of crappy things this year, a lot that I am not thankful for, but, also plenty of things that I am thankful for.

I got to go to Madrid and run a marathon with Christy. I spent two weeks catching up with my Canuck, Rachel.

I went back to London with my cousin.

I spent time with amazing friends.

My best friend had a baby! I got to snuggle said baby.

I went to Maine and saw my Loves.

I collected ALL THE PASSPORT STAMPS.

I am thankful for all of you that have held my hand, dried my tears, made me laugh, upheld me and just been there. Thank you. Thank you--from the bottom of my cold, dark, Grinchy heart.

One Day More (I'm screaming)

There is nothing I can say other than:

OH MY SWEET BABY JESUS. You can probably hear my screams from your house.

Hugh. Russel. Helena. Sacha. I JUST AM ACTUALLY DYING.



(new Les Mis trailer featuring my favoritest song One Day More)

YOU GUYS

(MORE SCREAMING)

McDreamy Moment

When I get bored, or depressed, or lonely, or whatever, I tend to hop onto Netflix and re-watch old seasons of my one time favorite shows.

Currently, my house is all about some early seasons of Grey's Anatomy. Having a major McDreamy Moment these days.

But, I mean, how could you not?

Patrick Dempsey aka McDreamy

The hair. Just, the hair.

I've morphed into a total hair snob (take note, Hugh, I like you best with your longer Wolverine-esque hair) (also, what's up Bradley Cooper).  It's a real problem.

This is probably the only short haired man I'm loving right now.

Damian Lewis aka Nicolas Brody

Something about him being a redheaded Brit or whatever. Homeland for the win.

What are your favorites on Netflix? Who is your McDreamy?

(I have nothing else to talk about, leave me alone) (you know you don't mind looking at these guys)

(pictures from here and here)

La via en Grinch

This is me.

Source: google.com via Shabby on Pinterest

Every year.

Always.

And this year I am sure will be even worse. But, I am going to make a serious effort to counter that this year, to not be so Scroogey Grinchy. After all, I've a lot to be thankful and grateful for. I have friends that keep me laughing, family that truly "gets" me. A roof over my head and showtunes in my heart. I'm lucky.

And as I write this, I am jamming to my Harry Connick, Jr Christmas Pandora station, sipping a cider (holla Starbucks!) and buying ALL THE THINGS for my post Christmas pond hop. If that doesn't get me in the holiday spirit, nothing will!

(fully aware that it's November and I'm just skipping Thanksgiving, so sue me)

What are some of your favorite ways to feel festive?

November, November

Evidently, it's November. Or, so my calendar tells me. Wtf, 2012?! Seriously, this year, whoa (said in Joey Lawrence voice--y'all know you heard it).

Anyways. My birthday is in November. The 25th to be exact (start planning, kids). I was actually due on my big sister's birthday in January--which is why we're the same person--but, because I have always been going 17,000 miles a minute I just couldn't wait and landed my poor mother in the hospital two months early.

I could write some big soliloquy about what this year has meant and what the next year will hold and all that, but, mehhhh, not today. I'm sure one of those posts will appear, don't worry, but, until then, let's discuss the things I want for my birthday, yes? Because it's Nordstrom's semi annual sale and also, you know, materialism for the win!!

(I have no shame)

Source: society6.com via Shabby on Pinterest

Isn't that the cutest thing? I need it.

Or this one, duh.

Source: society6.com via Shabby on Pinterest

J Crew is my crack.

Source: jcrew.com via Shabby on Pinterest

I have this jacket in camel that I bought five years ago and wear it all.the.time, so, clearly I need this one too. I know I'll get my money worth! Y'all, it's seriously the best J Crew purchase I've ever made.

Burberry. The end.

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Shabby on Pinterest

I've waxed poetic about this cast before, but, this can't be downloaded on American iTunes, so, I'm requesting my UK friends to buy me this and send it my way--one item on my list? Check!

Source: amazon.co.uk via Shabby on Pinterest

But, let's be clear, this is what I really want.

Source: lesmis.com via Shabby on Pinterest

The only man who's managed to make Jean Valjean downright HOT. Sweet jesus, is it Christmas yet?

Have y'all started on your Christmas lists? What do y'all want? Who wants to go halvsies and buy Hugh Jackman with me? Surely we could pay him off, yes?

This little heart o' mine

Heaven knows my little heart has been taking a beating lately, and am rather exhausted from it.

I'm a giver, I dive in 120% to everything I do. There's a line in Eat, Pray Love that says "if I love you, you can have everything. My money, my time, my ass, my dog, my dog's money" and that's so true. I will give you whatever you want no matter what it costs me. I will spend $90 sending something UPS overnight because I want you to have it RIGHT NOW. I will stay up way past my bedtime to talk to you. I will miss a run, I will cancel plans, I will do whatever is needed if you ask me to.

I'm my mother's child. She was the most giving, loving, thoughtful person you could have ever met. But there's a fine line isn't there? A line between giving and receiving. Because how much of ourselves can we give away before there is nothing left? I'm still working on this ratio, fyi, but, when I find it, I'll let you know.

So, I've loved hard, which means I've lost even harder. I've had days where all I do is migrate from bed to sofa, to big chair and back to bed. I've had days where I've run my little brain out. Or had enough Diet Coke to kill an elephant.

And as much as the loss, the heartbreak, the whatever hurts (cause it does y'all, oh it does), I try to hang onto the positive. The blessings. The lessons. (in between bouts of wanting to prison shank people, but, that's neither here nor there)

"And remember, the truth that once was spoken, to love another person is to see the face of God". (Victor Hugo for the win)

I know that if nothing else, if I've failed at everything, that I have loved, and that is a blessing in and of itself. That, even through the pain, the tears, the core shaking emotions, I have seen the face of God.

And because of that, this little heart o' mine if gonna be just fine. Not today, not tomorrow, but soon.

This I know.

What the hell did we do before YouTube?

So, my bestie, TPG introduced this to me on Friday. And then I watched it like a zillion times and we started tweeted the lyrics back and forth--I mean, she and I do run our own gang--#97Hamsterz for those wondering--so, clearly, we're bad@sses.

I promise, this is the greatest thing you will see today. Unless somehow you're lucky enough to see some sort of sneak preview of Skyfall or Hugh Jackman in general. For the rest of us mere mortals, this is the best it's gonna get.



You're welcome.

Why I Can't Have Nice Things

Reasons One and Two

I'm sorry, these cushions aren't for the sleeping?

Reason Three

You're welcome, Mom. Now you know how much paper is on the roll!

Little jerks. Seriously, I can't have nice things, the destroy it all!

But, despite the crazy, I love them and they make my house a home. They're my buddies!

Musings & Monday

Hey, remember how like 17,000 years ago I was actually really good at these updates? Yeah, I know. But, la, la, la I'm running thin on crap to talk about, so, list format it shall be!!

1. I'm feeling super nostalgic because four years ago this week I rekindled my love for MY CITY and have been maintaining a long distance relationship ever since. We are truly meant to be, and our love is unconditional. For this, I am grateful.

2. I've been sucked into the newest Boden catalogues and rarely coming for air because BUY ALL THE THINGS. British tweed. The end.

3. Went back to Pure Barre the other day--I still hurt. And before that, I ran. So, good life choices, obviously. Ouch.

4. My big sister is in DC with my niece and this is the third year I have missed this trip by a hair! Boo. Y'all know I love DC.

5. Speaking of, it's Marine Corps Marathon weekend, aka my favorite race ever, and I'm a little blue I'm not running it this year. And then last night I couldn't sleep because my IT band was hurting so bad, so, then I am not so sad.

6.  Christy and I are going to run Dublin in 2013! Of course, I haven't decided if we're doing the full or half, but, either way, Dublin. A place where I fit in!!! Huzzah!

7. Apparently, I run again. Who knew?!

8. It's almost my birthday month. I want a puppy, fyi. Or, a diamond from Hugh. Or, a tiara. Or, a flat in London. I'm really not picky.

9. I've been living off Central Market tortillas and spinach dip--with a side of Diet Coke. It's all TPG's fault, really.

10. I  have sand caught in my eye. It hurts as much as you'd imagine it does. Womp womp.

Welp, that's about all I've got for today! How was y'alls weekend? What's going on? Am I mising any good TV??

xoxo

Revenge is a dish best served hot

I need to be banned from eBay, it's getting dangerous.

Although, can we discuss the fact that I only buy stuff on eBay if I am getting a steal? Serious, steals to be found there my friends.

And. Since I'm currently on a whole "look my hottest for my birthday and eventual holiday in the motherland with my cousin" kick, I clearly need some hot mama dresses? Obvs.

I mean, these babies should remind fools of what they missed out on, yeah?

Sincerely Paris dress via Anthro.  Duh. 

Kate Spade crack. 

Whoever said revenge is a dish served cold was oh so dramatically wrong. It's best served hot. Especially in winter.

Now, to lose a few pounds, tone up and spray tan the hell out of myself. Or something.