Love Her? Or Not??

I am about one inch away from being sick of Rachel Ray and I can't explain why.  I am fully aware that she has legions of fans so I am prepared for whatever criticism you throw my way...I just have to voice my opinion on the subject.

I was once a huge fan myself.  I faithfully tuned in for 30 Minute Meals (which I can still accept) but then there was $40 a Day, and another traveling food show of hers.  Then she came out with her own cookware and now she has her daytime "talk show."  When will it end??

I used to understand her appeal but now I find her awkward and somewhat crazy.  Does she smoke?  Not that it matters but her voice has REALLY changed over the years.  I will give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that she just gets hoarse while taping her multiple shows. 

AND, did anyone see the pictures she did for FHM (I think it was FHM)?  I give her props...IF she ever really looked like that.  The RR I remember was not someone I would picture in a men's magazine.  I will stop now...I just cannot figure out what is so cool about her!

Fill me in! What is your opinion on the whole thing??  Are you a fan??  Did you USED to be a fan??

Solar Power

I am amazed...I got a ton of comments/emails about solar nails!  A lot of people had never heard of them and they are definitely one of my beauty faves.  I know these exist in the North but they are way more prevalent in the South.  Now for my "Solar Nails 101."

*Solar nails are an updated version of acrylic nails and are usually a two step process (which makes them a tiny bit more expensive).  Most of the time, I leave mine with French or American manicure and skip the paint...for this, BOTH pink and white powder are used so no need for french paint.  Goodbye paint peeling!

*Acrylic nails are more opaque and less natural looking and can yellow over time.  It is usually best to paint acrylic nails after your first set for this reason.  Solar nails dry crystal clear and do not yellow with sun or tanning bed exposure (perfect for summer).

*Solar nails are much more durable than acrylic so unless a freak accident occurs, you should not expect any breakage.  Depending on how quickly your nails grow, you could wait almost 3 weeks before needing a refill - I go every other week but my nails grow super fast.

*Solar nails are much easier to shape.  I like mine square/round and usually keep them relatively short.

So there you have it, Solar Nails 101.  I thought I would throw it out there for those of you that asked.  DO NOT be fooled by the hideous pictures on the web...they are so EXTREME and nothing like what good nails should look like.

XOXO

Rascal Flatts Winner(s)!!

It is time to pick the winners for the RF giveaway...that's right, WINNERS!  I let Random Line Picker pick two lucky winners this time.  The CD comes out on April 7 so once they go on sale, I will snatch a couple copies and send them your way!

And the winners are...

Memphis Mama and Meg!!

Ladies, feel free to send your address to shleeblog@gmail.com.

Thanks to everyone who entered!!  XOXO

I'm Such an A-Hole!

Grenade...mid-meow

So obviously Martini Monday did not happen but it was due to my own idiocy!!! Last night, I let Grenade out on the porch because he was begging to go outside…and then I forgot about him!!!! I am horrible.

I don’t know what spurred my memory but all of a sudden it hit me that he had been out there for over an hour. I opened the screen door and he was gone. Initially, I wasn’t too scared but when he didn’t come when I called, I started to get a little worried.

Drew and I looked all around for about 20 minutes with no sign of Grenade! I felt so horrible…if something had happened to him it would be MY FAULT!! My next strategy was to get the food bag and shake it, hoping that he would come running. No Grenade. We called him for a while longer but still no Grenade.

Just when we were getting ready to go back in, I heard a faint meow and I knew it was him. We couldn’t pinpoint where it was coming and it wasn’t getting any closer so we started to think the maybe he was hurt somewhere and couldn’t get to us.

We kept following the meow and FINALLY…there he was. Where was he you ask?? He had climbed to the THIRD floor of the apartment complex and was sitting in the corner soaking wet (it had been raining) and basically crying in the corner!!!!! Nothing was wrong with him; I just don’t think he knew how to get down.

Relief! I felt so bad that I gave him some tuna (his favorite). He went immediately to sleep. I’m a bad mom!!

I’m STILL Mad at J. Crew.

*I have already received 9 emails asking about the wedding!! haha..a hot topic, I suppose. Hope I don't dissapoint!! XOXO*

Remember the travesty of a dress that J. Crew sent?? I don’t – I have blocked it out of my mind for good. I am still planning on taking a picture of the hideousness that was “the dress” but unfortunately, my camera seems to be dead for good. I guess it was time for a new one anyway!!

I spent ALL of Saturday morning shopping for a “springy” outfit to wear. I shopped until the last possible minute, put the outfit on in the Express fitting room and peeled out to the wedding. You can take a look at it above! I loved Drew P in his pink tie…

The wedding is over and they are…well…married. It was an interesting experience to say the least but I’m afraid to put too much of it in writing since you never know who is looking around at the old blog. If you want to know more, feel free to email me at shleeblog@gmail.com. ;)

OK…back to work. Have a fabulous day!! Martini Monday to come…

I've Made Up My Mind About Summer Time!

OK ladies, it is soooo time for me to get going on the "bikini preparation."  Summer is right around the corner and I refuse to hit the beaches while worrying about how I look in a bathing suit...I want to be comfortable and healthy!!

*You may have noticed the new addition to the top of my blog - I decided to put it FRONT AND CENTER so that I am forced to look at it and hopefully it will help keep me accountable as well.  Feel free to send some heartfelt and STERN encouragement my way as it is much needed.  :)

*Time for honesty - last year with the help of Weight Watchers I lost 17 pounds but have gained 5 of it back since Thanksgiving of last year.  I am now 12 pounds away from my goal weight (hence the tracker above).  I feel like this is very attainable before summer!

*I will continue to do my WW, but today I started the 30 Day Shred to help jump start this whole endeavor.  It.kicked.my.butt.  THE END.

I will post updates on Tuesdays (this is my weigh-in day) and I will hope for the best!!  I know I can do it, I just have to start NOW.

Thanks for supporting me on this and let me know if you are doing the same so I can cheer you on!  

J. Crew...I will kill you!!!

J. Crew you better run for your life!!!!  The dress I ordered is NOT, I repeat IS NOT, the dress that came in the mail that I was supposed to wear to the wedding TODAYYYYYYYYY!  You lied to me and must be punished.  The dainty little yellow dress that I saw on your website is a far cry from the 1980's NEON yellow/green reptile-esque print that I opened this morning.

You will receive a roundhouse kick to the head...

I blame myself almost as much.  I should have known that the sale couldn't have been that good AND I should have opened the dress before now!!!!!!  I got what I deserve, I guess.  I will put on the hideous dress later and post a picture but it will NEVER be worn!  Ever!!  

I am outraged, can you tell?!?!  Now I must peel out to the mall for a dress....

XOXO

A Little Bit of Everything!

A couple of things…

#1. I have this (in black)…

But I want this (in black)!! Donations?? I do love my Mustang, though! Ford – please don’t question my loyalty! I don’t even know why I want it – I have always had a thing for cars that look “modernly vintage” if that exists…

Dodge Challenger

#2. Last night we took Drew P on a shopping spree. It was so cute. He got some new work suits, shirts, ties, etc. He looks great in bright colors which I would usually think were weird for men but he somehow pulls it off and looks totally handsome. He even got a pink tie that I am in love with! I think he is going to wear it to the wedding which is TOMORROW so I will try to post some pictures if my camera cooperates.






#3. TONIGHT is the rehearsal dinner and the weather is looking pretty horrible right now. I hope it clears up before the evening begins or else I will have to go to the dinner with hair like Alf. Haha…that made me laugh out loud…Alf. Wish me luck!





OK, I guess that is it for now. I will check back in after the wedding tomorrow to let everyone know how it went. Have a great FRIDAY!!!!

Deflated...

I now fully believe that anything that claims to plump your lips is a complete scam!!!  Sure, it may make your lips FEEL bigger (enter tingly feeling) but it sure as hell does not make them LOOK any bigger.  I guess my lips are average size and don't need plumping but shouldn't products actually DO what they SAY they say they will do??

Anyone ever come across one that actually works?

What to Wear??

Update:  Dress it is!  I think I will wear a royal blue dress with a black cropped jacket thingie from Express.  Thanks for the advice!

So the wedding is this weekend which means tomorrow night is the rehearsal dinner. Wait – before I go on I should probably mention one tiny detail…

The person getting married in this post is my STEP-BROTHER! Makes things a little complicated, huh?

Anyway, that part has already been decided so I will move on to what to wear for the rehearsal dinner?!?!?! It is at a nice Italian restaurant downtown, Grotto Ristorante, and usually I will wear a dress of some kind. Should I go more on the dressy side or should I wear slacks and a cute top? I am never good with these things so I need your advice.

Whatever I wear, I just hope it all goes well. My step-mom and step-sister have been wonderful and have planned an absolutely fantastic evening that I am very much looking forward to.

Let me know what you think on the outfit dilemma.

XOXO

Drunken Rollercoaster Rampage

Some how I got signed up for local news alerts (???) via my work email address so every so often, I get a little email filling me in on the day’s events. Well, I’m glad this particular story was grouped in with the “Breaking News” section.

Effective this weekend, Six Flags will begin selling Beer. Radical headline, huh?

#1. Is this really considered breaking news? NO.

#2. Who wants to ride roller coasters and such after consuming numerous beers?

I don’t know about you but I do not want to INCREASE the chance several times over that I will become violently ill on the rides.

Six Flags, how you’ve changed…

Giveaway for my Country Girls!!

OK, so this may not appeal to everyone (or hardly anyone for that matter) but if you are ANYTHING like me...you kinda, sorta LOVE Rascal Flatts.  They have been my favorite for years and they finally have a new album coming out in early April!!!!!!!!  They have the kind of songs that you can put on full blast and can get you through almost anything!   

I know I'm definitely buying the CD ASAP but I want to give one away too!!

Leave a comment to enter and tell me your favorite RF song while you are at it!!!  You don't have to be a follower or anything unless you just want to!!  I'll throw in one of my favorite martini recipe books too!!

I'll pick the winner on March 31...stay tuned!

XOXO