What to do for New Years . . .

I can't say I'm one for planning ahead. In fact I can definitely say I am the biggest smallest (reference to my < 5 ft stature) last minute planner in the world. So when New Years Eve rolls around it's no surprise that I have no plans two days before.

I ran to Giant Eagle Thursday night where I bought some pins for the awesome First Night program the Pittsburgh CLO throws every year downtown. Just a quick summary of what First Night in case your city doesn't offer it, it's a community and family oriented, alcohol-free celebration of the arts.


Me and Gary were lucky enough to be accompanied by my brother and sister-in-law David and Leah. We saw the shows given by local musicians House of Soul and the talented members of Cello Fury. It was so nice to have a wonderful night with family where we could enjoy ourselves without the need to be inebriated. And it was beautiful. 

Posing with Mr. Steely McBeam

Outside the Benedum Theatre seating. Can't see I'll be sitting in the orchestra seating every time though

Cello Fury!! Their hair aaaaalmost struggles to compete with their music for attention.

Farewell 2011!

Helloooooo 2012 and pretty fireworks!

I'm totally jealous of the pink boa! 

Outfit of the Moment: Leather and Loaded Up with Bling!

Chilling on Emergency Stair Case. Whatevs. Shirt: Urban Outfitters, Skirt: Wilson Leathers, Tights: Hue, Shoes: Chinese Laundry, Earrings: Boutique La Passerale, Ring: Wetseal

New Years I bring out all my bling

Sick Ring

The Boondock Saints and Launch Party

I'm watching one of my favorite movies of all time The Boondock Saints while I write this. They made a second one but it can never measure up to the awesomeness that is the original. Just be warned the f*** word is used a whole 246 times. There are so many reasons to love this movie

1. The detective is supaaa smooth and figures everything out while listening to opera
2. Seeing William Dafoe in drag
3. The brothers are in sync like telepathic ninjas
4. The brothers walk into an underground gun shed like its a candy store
5. On killing the mafioso "We're sorta like 7-11. We're not always doing business, but we're always open."
6. Finding out who "El Duque" is
7. No matter how many people they kill they do it more religiously than the pope
8. You love them because they are doing what everyone else wants to do: kill the bad guys.

Anyway back to fashion . . . . .

This post is really late because I was a lazy tuchus about getting the pictures together. My husband and I headed to Taste of Dahntahn . .. which is Pittsburghese for Taste of Downtown, to check out the Maniac Magazine launch party for their Dec/Jan issue where our business LaVida Massage advertised. We were so excited to see the issue in print!

Courtesy of Robert Hester Entertainment

Courtesy of Robert Hester Entertainment

Husband: Shirt & Tie: Calvin Klein, Vest: Basile, Slacks: Jos A. Banks
Myself: Dress: Eons, Earrings: Avalon Exchange, Headband: Target
Bracelet: (pictured later) Mikimoto (Orr's Jewelers)
Photo Courtesy of Bruce Straka

Checkin out our ad :-) in all its glory

Gorgeous mural in the background

Backseat Bingo: Candy Cane in a Glass
Clique vodka with creme de cacao, peppermint schnapps, and cream
mmmm mmmmm gooood!

Courtesy of Robert Hester Entertainment

Feelin swooshy in my swooshy full skirt

Contemplative

Nestled in Nemacolin Woodland Resorts

This weekend we were lucky enough to score two nights at the lovely Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. It's a hotel/resort located about an hour away from Pittsburgh that used to be the home to its own PGA golf tournement!

On the their hall of fame there are pictures of the Black Eyed Peas, Joan Rivers, Steelers players Troy Palamalo, Charlie Batch, and my personal favorite - Christina Aguilara. The resort has a landing strip for private planes and helicopters which was used in the summber by Michael Jordan. I hate to name drop but I just thought it was cool. It makes sense because the rooms, the grounds, the art, the spa, the food, the drinks, all delicously breathtaking!

The entrance

The Chateau

Menorah in the house!

Cigar bar filled with lovely and rich textures. Ladies this is not just for men!

Mr. Hardy, the owner of Nemacolin, has an art collection which is on display throughout the resort and is said to be worth around 40 million!

HUGE Hermes scarf on display. 

So yum and luxe!

Visiting the cigar bar  . . .again.

Bodyless piano man

This chair is so delicate and artsy.
Make sure to squint so you can catch all the details

Do we want to know how Mr. Hardy got this dress from Marilyn?

Prince, one of the many animals in Mr. Hardy's menagerie

Prince's mommy and daddy

Outfit of the Moment(s):

Shirt: Gap, Necklace: Express, Skirt: Target,
Tights: Birkshire, Shoes:Aldo

Blouse: H&M, Skirt:Rafaella, Shoes, 5/48, Cuff: Thrifted

Trying to prevent a Marilyn Moment

Details:

Aldo

5/48 . And dreaded toe cleavage

Hey I actually got my nails did! Ch-ch-check out my colors.

Latkes and Gift Ideas

DO NOT SHOW THIS TO MY HUSBAND. He did not receive all of his gifts yet. My husband is the hardest person to buy gift for. Clothes and ties aren't special for him, although I did cave and buy him some work out shorts because he would never buy them himself, he doesn't read, and he is not into video games or any techy gadgets. So this is a list I complied in hopes of delighting him.

Gift Ideas for Crush / Boyfriend / Lover / Husband

My reminder to light the menorah: 

Thanks Conan!

Latke Recipe:

5 potatoes
4 eggs
1 onion
1/3 c. flower
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
LOTS of oil

Simple simple steps to make yummy latkes!

1. Peel and grate potatoes. Once you finish grating them make sure to squeeze out the liquid to get a   tastier latke.
2. Grate onion and mix with grated potatoes and the remaining ingredients except for the oil.
3. Heat a pan (I used two pans to make them faster) and add oil until the bottom of the pan is covered with a thick layer.
4. Form flat pancakes with the mixture and carefully add to the hot oil. Like pancakes the latkes do not need a lot of time on each side so flip only after a couple of minutes. I also added oil to the pan whenever I noticed the layer getting thin.

Just like that you are finito banito baby! Feel free to garnish with apple sauce or sour cream!

Fry baby fry!

                       I will not tell you how many I ate. Let's just say it may or may not have been double the amount of what is in this picture

Outfit of the Moment: Fancy Riding Lady/Professor

Its been soo long since I've posted, sorry readers! Thanks for coming back! Today was the weirdest day. It started off raining cats and dogs! Since when does it rain in December - especially before days before  Christmas. I'm not complaining because by the end of the day there was a giant rainbow in the sky that my husband called To tell me about while I was buying him a gift. Happy Holidays Ya'll! I'll keep you posted with gift ideas for your guy and a yummalicious recipe for potato latkes. 

Amazingly Different Song! Love the sloow beats on this tune

Outfit of the Moment: Fancy Riding Lady / Professor Lady

Boring neutrals to reflect the yucky weather.

 I hate neutrals even though they compliment my coloring.

 I love my brights and my crazy colors  not matter how it looks :-)

Don't ask about the chair lol
Hat: Saks Fifth Avenue, Blazer: The Limited, Necklece: Express, Sweater: H&M,
 Blouse: Anne Taylor, Skirt:French Tube Skirt, Boots: Hunters

Peeking beneath my high roarin twenties hat

One last picture clooooooooose up

Funny Videos and Outfit of the Moment

First and foremost I feel I must share with you this amazing trailer of Sacha Baron Cohen's latest mockumentary, The Dictator. All his work is outrageous, offensive, and eye opening of human behavior.

The Trailer! I have been waiting for this forever! Too bad it comes out in June '12

Another one of SBC's alter ego - a suburbanite who imitates African-Americans 

Cruising the Streets in My Little Silver Honda Song

Outfit of the Moment: Print Wonder Woman

Headband: Target, Earrings: Charlotte Ruse, Jacket: Wetseal, Shirt: Urban Outfitters, Skirt: Target, Tights: Hue, Shoes: Ebay Store

Feeling like Wonder Woman in my Asos cuff