Back to Life, Back to Reality

I'm back to life, I'm back to reality. Where have I been the last 10ish months? Hard to say. Here, there, everywhere. Actually, not here. Definitely not here. But there and everywhere for certain.


It's embarrassing, really. I've got no excuses. Except I had a baby. And then I had the wind taken out of my sails. Then I had a husband who decided to go back to school. And I had to move. So I had to settle in. And then I had to enjoy a winer without snow. Wait a minute, did I catch a winer in there? I meant winter. Certainly not winer, and definitely not whiner. If you enjoy whiners let me know, cuz I've got a babbling girl I could certainly send your way for the winter.


Anyway, the point is I'm back. And I'm ready to party. Preferably in these:






But more than likely, I'll be wearing these:
It's just how I roll these days.

The New Me

I used to be a (somewhat) chic lady

who wore designer clothing and heels every day

and a spritz of this

as I walked around effortlessly in my sunglasses and scarf

Now, most days

I wear a different version of the same non-dry-clean-only outfit

and smell like this

with a hint of spit up

and I feel like a donkey packhorse lugging all Baby Lu's gear around

But...

I still haven't entirely given up my heels

sometimes they're the thing that keep me going

but sometimes

I just give up and wear flats

Reason #2 I Haven't Been Blogging

I feel like Cosmo Kramer.

Remember that episode of Seinfeld, where Kramer tries to replicate Da Vinci's sleep methods?

He sleeps for 20 minutes every 3 hours.

That was me for the the last 3.50 months.

Until 3 weeks ago.

Now, I'm a new woman.

Reason #1 I Haven't Been Blogging

Lucienne Rose

aka Lu or Lulu

How can someone so

eensy beensy

teeny tiny

itty bitty

manage to consume so much of my time?

I'm a smitten (albeit tired) kitten.

How About Orange?

Reason #49 a woman who is 6 months pregnant shouldn't wear orange to work:

Your so-called friend will exclaim "You look like the Great Pumpkin!" as you walk in the door.

Reason #50 a woman who is 6 months pregnant shouldn't wear orange to work:

Your so-called friend (who also happens to be a visual merchandiser) will get wise and magically turn you into an actual Great Pumpkin.

Here's an extreme close-up for anyone who cares:

Tickled Pink

Lately I've been such a bump on a log. A bore and a snore. No fun. No energy. No blogging. No exercising. Definitely no swinging from the chandeliers. Or hula hooping. Mostly I've just been hanging out. Feeling sick. All the time. ALL THE TIME. Like I said...a bump on a log. Turns out I've got a bump of a different sort.

Yesterday G sent me a lovely arrangement of pink roses at work. I blushed. Whatta guy! I immediately called to say thank you for the beautiful bouquet. "They're not for you" was his solemn reply. Huh?!? What the?!? I sat in a confused state of silence. "They're for my little lady" he said. Ahhhhh.....yes, that's right. Of course they are.

Yesterday we also found out we're having a little girl this winter. In suddenly blurting this out, I realize I've neglected to even mention my pregnancy prior to this point. I've been keeping this little secret (mostly) to myself. But now it's out and about and been around the block.

So while I'm still wrapping my head around having a little baby, this little lady is slowly wrapping G around her itsy bitsy little finger (he must be really ticklish).

Leaky Faucet

When the going gets tough, the tough get tape---lots of it. This is how we fix broken sinks at our house. Apparently this one is out of commission until December...but I'll see about that.

xoxo, I Love You

Today it's blustery outside. Odd for the month of June. Feels more like winter than summer, and I'm actually pleased to spend the day inside. Something about days like this make me wish I had someone to write a love letter to with this charming ruby red rose-scented ink. There's something so enchanting in the idea of opening a hand-written note that is scented with ink. Something of a lost art.






I could write one to G, but he's so practical, he may think I'm a bit loopy for spending $30 on ink to write something down when I could have just told him to his face.

The Day I Died and Went to Heaven

Was the same day I ate a roasted turkey leg with my bare hands (cuz I'll do anything to fit in),

Chugged 2 Red Bulls in under 5 minutes and then smashed them on my forehead (to show my fellow fans my extreme devotion),

Wore an Old Spice hat and was so serious about car racing I didn't even crack a smile (hey, if you think I'm stern, check out the dudes behind me...they were so intense they started to brawl), and then I cheered Tony Stewart and the #14 car on to NASCAR victory (almost...it was actually the #18 car that won).

Sheesh, it's good to be back. At least I hope to be back...for a while. And no, this post is not a joke. I'm for reals.

I Left My Heart (and my chocolate vowels) In Saint Remy

I got these wonderful chocolates little chocolates from southern France.

I thought they were pretty neat cuz they had letters of the alphabet on them based on key ingredients. So I got to thinking of all the fun things I could do/words I could spell/jokes I could play with these little alphabetical wonders.

I guess I thought they were pretty tasty too. While thinking, I started nibbling, got a wee bit ahead of myself and accidentally ate every vowel in the box within minutes. Hugs and kisses was the only communication I could come up with. And for all you smarty pants out there...yes, the 'O's are really upside down 'D's. I ended up giving the sweet sentiment to my lover, G. But he didn't even like them. The chocolates that is.

CAUTION

You've seen these before right? Big blower fans.

As the result of some water leakage problem, they've been blowing around my office all week long.

This is what the sign above them says:

This is what the sign above the fans should say:

Back In The Saddle

Lately, I've had a hitch in my giddy-up. Please standby for the latest/greatest.

*hitch = turning 30*

Condo Update: Let There Be White

White here, white there, white white white everywhere.
I'm sososo close to moving into my new digs, I can almost taste it. Tastes pretty good too. Everything is coming together quite nicely and I'm beyond thrilled with the results. Even this photo of my lovely light-filled white kitchen cabinets is quickly becoming outdated. Woohoo!

Hopefully, that will leave me with more time devoted to blogging. That would be nice.

xoxo, your shower drain

I woke bleary-eyed one morning in Chongqing, China, and had to rub my eyes to make sure I wasn't still dreaming.


If this rosy shower drain could talk (or write a letter), here's what I think it might say:


Dear Shower Friend,

I am so small. Just big enough for love---that's all.
And maybe a bit of world peace.
Some water too.

xoxo,
Your Friendly Hotel Shower Drain

I Like China Because of Good Treats

Ba da ba ba ba....

I loved it!

I Like China Because I'm An Economist

Economists are all about charts, graphs, and efficiency. I didn't see many charts and graphs in China, but I did see efficiency.


Step 1: Arrive at airport, roughly 1 hour out of the city by car

Step 2: Buy ticket for sooper dooper fast magnetic train

Step 3: Board train, taking note of current time and speed



Step 4: Enjoy the ride, levitating your way into Shanghai


Step 5: As you begin to slow down, note current time and speed

Step 6: Exit train and enter Shanghai 7 minutes and 1 pleased economist later.

SATC

Saw Sex and the City less than 24 hours after I touched down in the states (an offer of besties and clothing candy is just too good to refuse).
Love love loved it.

In love with these clothes:

Oh yes, and these blue Manolo's:


But not as much as I lalalaloved these words to Beethoven's Immortal Beloved:

Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.

ever thine
ever mine
ever ours

Gone Away

If you think I don't blog enough as it is, things are only going to get worse I fear. For a little while longer. I'm getting on a plane to the far east, and I won't be back for a few weeks.

So, zai jian for now. You should see all the ugly shoes I bought for my journey. Hopefully the ones I come home with will be cuter.

Swamped

Sheesh. Between heaps of work, a busy social agenda, out of town visitors, condo decisions, and prepping for a whirlwind trip, lately I've been feeling swamped.

With the itty bit of sleep I've been getting I probably look like the swamp woman too.

I Love You, Shoe

Let's become best friends. If you promise to always look your best and show off my tootsies to the best of your ability, I promise to reserve you for special occasions and fancy parties, and provide you with a good home. Feel free to stop by my place sometime to chat about it. Preferably in a size 5 1/2. Maybe even a 6.

27 Inches and 6 Months Later

Only miss the ponies.

Don't Forget

If I had my own house with my own bathroom with my own mirror (which technically speaking, I do---I'm just not living there yet), I would have this taped to that bathroom mirror. As a daily reminder. Kind of like a different way of saying "Don't forget to stop and smell the roses." It's the words I like. But the photo is pretty sweet too.

David

Went to Target yesterday.

Smelled this.

Kinda liked it...for dudes, obviously.

I'm only a teensy bit ashamed.

I like the Beckhams.

Details

of a favored spring jacket.

peter pan collar

silk polka dot lining

lightweight knit

ric-rac lace trim

flap front pockets

bracelet sleeve

big buttons

tailored

Seeing Stripes

I've got my zebra print cardigan on today. It's still one of my most favorite purchases/successful experiments. While I think that my plain black reeeally reeeally big black sunglasses go best with it, I can't help but covet these zebra print sunglasses. They would complement a plain black cardi quite nicely, no? They'd also be a great addition to my ever-growing collection of ridiculously large sunglasses.

So So Good

This new flavor is so so so so delicious and makes me so so so so happy.

But the addition of these nearly blew my boots to outer space. I can't find them in my local grocer mart, so I'm thinking of buying them online in bulk.

Thoughts On A Sunny Day

jacket

sunglasses

first flip flops this year

top down
music up
first breeze thru my hair this year



smiles
laughter
first glimpse of sunny days this year

Yesterday

Breakfast:

Lunch:



Dinner:

I love sugar, yes, I do
I love sugar,
how 'bout you?

Obviously, I'm one of those people who likes to bake her cake, and eat it too.

Blueberry

I'm not quite sure why, but the first thought that popped into my head---literally at 5:30 a.m.---this morning was Violet Beauregarde. All morning long I've been thinking of her.

Maybe it's because of the 3 course meal chewing gum she eats at Willy Wonka's Candy Company (I'm still waiting for that to come to my local candy store). Or maybe it's because I was craving blueberries.

I've been on a serious sugar high this week.

Got The Giggles

I'm reeeeeally reeeeeally into home decor lately (for obvious reasons). I came across this Moustache Self Portrait Mirror and got a serious case of the giggles. I want it sosososo bad.