I don't care how comfortable crocs are...

I am not a fan of crocs. You can find comfortable shoes that aren't plastic and that you and a 7 year old don't have in common. I saw today on facebook you can join the group, "I don't care how comfortable crocs are you look like a dumbass." Glad there are others out there that agree. Buy some Merrells, Clarks or Sketchers. Ugh.

Holiday savings

Visit freeshipping.org for hundreds of free shipping codes and coupons...amazon, Nordstrom, Macy's, etc.

First order of business

First order of business for President-elect Obama, get Michelle a new dress. Seriously, she thought this was good? Yeah, I know it was Narciso Rodriguez but it still sucked. It made her waist look terrible! It screamed hey, here are my boobs and belly! Ugh.

Scrunchie rules

No, you can not wear a scrunchies all time. As I lecture friends, there are only certain times one can wear them.
1) the gym, golfing, other athletic activities
2) home - doing chores, washing face, etc.
3) Halloween
4) 80's party

You cannot wear them out to dinner or work. Now you can wear other hairbands that are scrunchie-like but not puffy like scrunchies. I have friends who have wooded or beaded ones that are very nice. If you need more data, please sex Sex & The City Season 6.

Who says ladies don't watch football?

Sunday afternoons I spend, yes, watching football. Sundays are quite fun in that the gals and 1 guy, yep we allow 1 husband to join I mean it is his house also, get together and watch the games, make some dinner and actually talk football. TM, the one guy, loves having his harem over to watch the game and admits, we really do know something. The most fun he has is on Mondays at the water cooler spouting off about "Yeah, my ladies were over watchin' the game...."

Now, being gals, we do throw in a little chick talk. For instance, I cannot stand Bill Belichick and his lame sweatshirts. He always cuts the sleeves off his sweatshirts, even if he is going to wear a long sleeve tee under it, nope, sleeves must be cut. Sometimes he rolls them as in this past Sunday, sometimes no, they flap in the wind. This is just bad football fashion. Of course, this is the part where TM rolls his eyes and just laughs. Hey, we might love football but we are still fashion conscious chicks.

No, no, no

I cannot stand the comeback of boat shoes. If you don't believe me, check out Nordstrom's shoe department and you'll see all the new styles of topsiders. I've even seen teens wearing them with their tiny shorts. I've had two very anal, can only be described as sooooo white, bosses who love to bust them out on casual Fridays. Their pairs are so old the rubber sole is yellowing. Give it, let it go. We are not in the late 80's and you don't own a boat. Get some manly shoes.

Sullivan's in the Heights

Sully has opened a bar in Peoria Heights called...shocker...Sullivans. It is about equal in size to the old place, so nice and quaint however it does have tables outside and he is planning to build a beer garden in the back. Same great atmosphere, same good beers and food we had was good. Wonderful fries and we also had the brie du jour platter which on Friday was warm brie with balsamic vinegar and strawberries served with fruit and bread. Bread was not our fav. They also have burgers, warm sandwiches which included turkey or chicken on foccacia all for under $10. Worth checking out. Its on Prospect right next to Jim's Bistro. Look to get Jen as your waitress. She has recently moved there from bartending at Granite City.

Daily Candy

I love, love, love Daily Candy. Daily Candy is a free daily e-mail from the front lines of fashion, food, and fun. Sign up to get the scoop on hot new restaurants, designers, secret nooks, and charming diversions in your city and beyond. I sign up for the Everywhere & Chicago editions. I have found so many great new restaurants in Chicago due to this service. NPR even recommends it!

Meat Tooth

It's that time of year...if you like meat and good beer, hit the Hofbrau. Preferably with friends to 1) enjoy the food and beverages and 2) to walk you to the car as it is not located in the best part of town.

If you are not familiar with the place, Peoria's Hofbrau is located off of Adams right across from Komatsu, near the Ice Cream Shack. It has delicious German food and wonderful beers and being this time of year, the Oktoberfests are in. I should mention they do have some seafoods items on the menu as well. Service wise - be ready for some sassy waitresses but you can always eat at the bar. The place is tiny so be ready for a wait.

Warning: beers come in small and large sizes...larges will catch up with you. Enjoy.

Skinny Bitch

I have friends who are trying to get pregnant or pregnant & while lounging around their homes, I browsed a book called "Skinny Bitch Bun in the Oven." The two gals have written a few books with the first being Skinny Bitch - stop eating crap and start looking fabulous. They have a good website - go to it and click on the blue spot that says products we love. It lists out some great organic ice cream, energy bars, breads, etc. Now I will just have to scour Ptown for them.

Meow, a sexy blog...

Em & Lo, regular contributors in Glamour, are the self-proclaimed Emily Posts of the modern bedroom. Check out their blog, Daily Bedpost. They've co-authored five books & I'd suggest checking out "Sex - How to Do Everything" which you can find at Barnes & Noble. I recently gave it as a bachelorette gift and the crowd went wild, even grandma! The website is fun and written in a modern fun language. You'll be entertained.

Yeah, Kirby is back

For those of us who watch Lipstick Jungle, we were all hoping Kirby, Nico's boy toy from her affair, would be back this season. Great news, he is and starts the season off without his shirt! What a great season opener. I won't give away the plot line, but tune in...looks like Kirby will be around all season and hopefully sans clothes! By the way, you can watch the episodes on nbc.com

The omnivore's top 100

For those of us with a meat tooth, check out the following blog: http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/uncategorised/the-omnivores-hundred/

I love how a Big Mac meal is on there along with head cheese!

New products

My friend G and I joke we grow old gracefully due to many expensive eye creams! Good news - Skin Dimensions is selling a ton of new ones.

Try Peter Thomas Roth Un-wrinkle with snake-like venom or the mega rich intensive eye cream. I just started using the Peter Thomas Roth stuff and do like it. The undereye cream really works. If you don't believe me, check out G at her class reunion in Sept - no wrinkles on her!

Mackinaw Winery & Music

Saturday nights - check out Mackinaw Valley Winery for wine & music. Last weekend was Jammsammich and it was incredible people watching! The winery is very pretty, overlooks a lake, they have a gazebo, a stage and a large hill you can sit on and watch the band. It turns out that every weekend they have bands and you can bring your own chairs, tables, tents, and food. You purchase wine and beer there. And by 9 pm, people are up dancing and getting crazy.

White pants

While I am sad to see summer ending, I have had my fill of people in white pants and the wrong panties.

Undergarments - I suggest wearing some panties but you MUST check them out in the mirror. No panty lines and no big thongs - you are going to have to get a g string. If you don't know the difference between a g string and a thong, I or Victoria's Secret can help. And it should be nude - NOT WHITE.

If you are not going to wear undergarments, your pants should not be riding up your ass and giving you a huge wedgie. Ick - totally witnessed this at a baseball game this weekend. This woman must have been getting a little pleasure in the front as these things were riding so far up. Also, if doing no undies - watch the chicken feathers. You don't want to zip those up.

You know what, just put them away for the summer. Go shopping for some new fall jeans.

Side dishes

This weekend Jammsammich is playing at the Mackinaw winery. Bring chairs and snacks to share, music starts at 7 pm.

For those of us who want a creative side dish but don't want to cook, go to Cyd's in Junction City or Kroger on North Knoxville. Cyd's has a great variety of fun chips, dips, cookies (mmmmm a chocolate chubbie) or hit Kroger's who has a really good prepared food bar. I like their couscous, orzo salad and wheatberry salad. Great olive & cheese selection also.

In addition, both places have items out to sample!

Summer of Sangria

I've made summer 2008 the summer of sangria. I've tried a few recipes and here is one of my favs for white sangria. Still could use a little work but summer is not over yet so I'll keep trying. It worked very well being sipped by the pool. Plus, you can eat the fruit & according to me and my friends, yes, that counts as one serving of fruit for the day!

1 bottle white roja wine (found it at Friar Tucks)
4 oz brandy
4 oz peach schnapps
1/4 cup powdered sugar or superfine sugar
1 each - lemon, orange, pear, peach (peeled)
sparkling water

Slice up fruit, place in pitcher and add sugar, schnapps & brandy. Stir & macerate a bit to get juices flowing. Add wine. Refrigerate for several hours. Add sparkling water to your taste and serve with a few ice cubes.

If don't feel like making for yourself, I heard One World on University & Main makes a wonderful one but I believe it is a red sangria. Sounds perfect for the fall!

Po boys - try it y'all

Just tried Po Boys last night and it was very good. I highly suggest you try it. You do have to use the same entrance as the Bingo parlor which provides so good people watching but they have a good beer selection and the chicken etouffee was very good as was the cheesy crab dip. It is like New Orleans but doesn't smell like urine!

My diva day

Took a half day today and got a facial at Five Senses. I've gotten a massage at Five Senses and would highly recommend Matt there (he gives it to you hard...meow) but facial, eh. Last quarter, my facial was at Empire Spa in Bloomington and it was incredible. I saw an obvious difference and even thought so the next day. I would highly recommend them. Five Senses uses Aveda and it was a little oily for me and my gal pal got oil in her lovely, long blonde hair. We need a chic chic spa in Ptown. If you know of any I am missing, let me know. Five senses does have the chocolate fountain though as you wait. Last time I dropped a pretzel in it...whoops. It was quite funny to see it keep circulating through!

What better way to follow up a facial than with drinks and shopping (sale at Banana)!

Some fav restaurants

Some great restaurants to try in Ptown from chic chic to cheeky:
Seven - my favorite, in the Heights, they make the best cosmos in town, you feel like you are in Chi-town, I love, love, love the tuna!
Ponte Vecchio - a wonderful Italian restaurant in Sheridan Village, a seasonal favorite each month, great wine list, they buy their produce from a local organic farmer, and Tim is a wonderful host
Khaki Jacks - who doesn't love an ice cold beer and buckets of peanuts, this is place my golfing gals and I hit, wonderful fries, great burgers
Basta - great Italian place in the Heights, giant portions though but I guess that can be a good thing
Oyster bar - yummy martinis and great apps and as I have stated before, cute bartenders
Jalapenos - I love these guys, they make me a mean margarita, great salsa, quick service and I love Mexican food!

Just a handful...

As The Smiths stated in song "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others". I am the other. Most of my friends are not. I have recently found some products which are miracle workers and I tell my busty friends all about them (and the guy in Mexico who works at VS and the people at the gym...I love to spread good news!). They are kind enough to listen and then say...if I could give you some of mine I would...ahhh, what good friends.
1) The itty bitty bra website http://www.ittybittybra.com/ Bras for tiny boobs in sizes from AA to B! Yeah for B cups!
2) The Victoria's Secret Infinity Edge push up bra with Gel Curve. OMG, this bra has it all; underwire, padding, and a gel pack. It is truly comfortable and I now have some cleavage! To quote a friend after I shoved my chest in her face and said look, "people are going to think you got a boob job." Yeah!

Summer TV

New episodes of My Boys starts on TBS on June 12. It is a great, fun, summer show based in Chicago about PJ, a female sports writer, and her friends, mostly guys. Jim Gaffigan (famous for hot pockets comedy sketch and the open door pooper in S&TC) plays her brother. Go online and watch old episodes, especially the douchebag intervention episode. Check it out!

I love this moisturizer

Of course I frequent Sephora and recently got a sample of Bliss, The Youth As We Know It moisturizer. It is wonderful and I really do think it works. My skin was smooth, well quenched and I thought it worked on wrinkles. Plus, it smells like cake!

Sephora's description:

The Youth As We Know It
An extraordinary age-fighting moisture cream that has it all, including MMP Inhibitors, Wrinkle Reduction Peptides, Visual Facial Fillers, Cellular Respiration Boosters, Hyperdermal Destressors, 7-Day Hydrators, Barrier Repairing Ceramides, Wrinkle Relaxers, Multifruit Complex, and Vitazyme A.

What else you need to know:
The Youth As We Know It is a one-stop shop for wrinkle renovation, exfoliation, oxygenation, binding hydration, surface line relaxation, cellular respiration, and collagen and elastin regeneration.

Formulated with the ten most effective antiaging ingredients, Bliss' experts have found in over ten years of giving "great face," this moisturizer is truly beyond your wildest "creams."

Cat Fight

I tuned in to CBS Saturday night for the MMA fight. I have a girlfriend who will watch, cheer on the roundhouse kicks to the head and then yell at the tv, oh come on, just get it on and get it over with! Thus, I thought I would give it a try.

The fight I was amazed at was the chic fight. Pictured here is Gina Carano, the female face of MMA. What killed me about the fight was they announce their weight for all to hear (cringe) and then the announcers kept taunting her because she was 4 lbs heavier than her competition! She is so out of shape, this will be tough for her since she is 4 lbs heavy! Whatever, like they never had a binge weekend and put on some lbs...like my recent long weekend trip to Mexico filled with guacamole and margaritas...lots of margaritas. More on that later.

She did not care though, she kicked some booty and won....but then said, I am a little out of shape and need to get back in the gym. Whatever girl, you kicked ass and looked good. Own the body and work it!

Euro Jacks closed

If you have not heard, Tim (owner of Jim's) sold off the Euro Jack's building to Big Al's. I have heard they are going to re-open at some point but right now, no more delicious burgers and ranch fries.

White Jeans

I did it. I went out on limb and bought white jeans at Perfect Pear in P.Heights. They have some really cute pairs there with some fun detailing but I went with plain James jeans. I really do love them and I think they will be a good summer edition with some colorful tops. If Cameron Diaz can pull off, why not me!

I don't get it...

What is with wearing a piece of wood in your ear instead of an earring? I don't understand why 20 somethings here in Illinois want to stretch out their earlobes. I was in Starbucks and this beautiful girl working there had big pieces of wood in her earlobes to stretch them.

Good idea if you are a Masai warrior, bad idea if you are a white kid in the states.

Hottie at the EP Panera

Great lunch today - not only did we celebrate a friend's bday but also had a hot guy spotting. Yummy. Hey, I am not the only one that noticed him. My girlfriend also did a double check and said "hello, who is that?" I mean come on, at the EP Panera, there is usually not hotties there for lunch. This guy was maybe 5' 10'', tan, dressed in nice flat front pants, a crisp white shirt and very nice brown leather shoes. He was very good looking with a chiseled face, a bit of 5 o'clock shadow and ok, I looked, a cute booty.

Happy sightings to the rest of you!

A great product

Nice weather is coming...is your skin ready? I just recently got some new body scrub to get my arms and booty nice and smooth and rid of all dead skin and I highly recommend it. It is from Target - Boots almond, pistachio, and olive scrub. Good smell , not too heavy on the scent, a good grit level, works wonderfully and doesn't clog the tub! All for $10!

Fun blog

If you need a good chuckle, check out this site
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/

Manners are dead

It frustrates me to no end. Is it that hard to be polite and try to show a little class through basic manners? I was at Beerfest this weekend and it reinforced this point...I know, shocking.

First of all, I pulled into the parking lot at 4 pm and spotting a very attractive woman wearing a nice black sweater dress and high boots...urinating in the parking lot. Red undies by her boots and her boyfriend watching. Then I saw her inside later...really, couldn't wait for a restroom? I stood in line for a taste of a lovely Belgium beer and these guys just cut & pushed me and a friend aside. Hello - uh, excuse me. A guy went to spit in a trash can and missed and I got a little on my 7 jeans - super gross seeing as I am a bit of a germ freak. He did say, oh, sorry. Ugh. I've noticed all over town, people don't hold the doors open for people anymore, they bust in a door without letting someone leave first and no one lets a lady order first anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a hopeless romantic. In fact, I've become quite cynical lately even stating I don't know why people get married anymore, what are the benefits? That is a whole other blog though...I just think manners would be nice and make this town a little more pleasant.

I am .....hot!

I just got this new perfume at Skin Dimensions, I am.... eau de parfum. It comes in 12 different fragrances from I am passion to wild to naked to hot! I got I am hot; scents of vanilla, fig and woody spices. It smells so sexy, like you have been snuggling up to a hot man.
Ladies, go check out all the scents and men, if you are looking for a good gift for your gal, this would be wonderful as you can pick out a scent that matches her personality.

Why this movie won't work...

Gerard Butler has a new movie coming out...Nim's Island. His last highly successful movie was 300 and if you have not seen it, it is so worth it for the half naked men. Rent it, asap.

Anyway, this new movie is not going to work. A hot guy who has had a successful movie without his shirt on, needs to stick to movies, without his shirt on. More hot bodies, less dialogue. Another reason 300 was awesome. There is a direct correlation between the success of a movie and hot guys with their shirts off.

Cupcakes

I have a huge sweet tooth so I was thrilled when I found this blog - all about cupcakes. These gals love their cupcakes and there are some great recipes in time for St. Patrick's day.

Accesorize please!

I have to say, when Lipstick Jungle first came out I was not really into it. However, I now enjoy watching the show for the accessories. Those gals can accessorize! I love this picture of Nico and how she wore a blue necklace with a gold accent against a brown dress, gold earrings and then a ring. I love, love, love it! I so want the necklace and I am not a gold person.

I feel many people forget to accessorize and it is soooo needed. It is so great when someone comments on your unique bracelet, earrings, fun ring, etc. Anyone can do it. One of the best accessorizers is my friend who is a young mom. She loves brown, orange and green and always has an amazing bracelet or necklace she'll pair with a unique shirt. This completely dresses the outfit up and she always looks fab. I should also say she gives me great bracelets as gifts.

Longer necklaces, colorful necklaces, bangle and cuff bracelets - give them a try. You can get some great cheap pieces and they can really make an outfit pop. Check out anecdotes in Junction City for some fun and affordable bangle bracelets. Perfect Pear in Peoria Heights has sassy bracelets and earrings too.

I'm back in with Baby Jesus!

I think I have secured a spot in heaven...makes up for past incidents...see entries below.

Long story short...really drunk woman walked into the restaurant we were at tonight, stumbled into the bathroom, she had no coat, no keys, $3 and needed a taxi. She was sooooo drunk. Taxi was going to take 1 hour so my husband and I used TomTom (love it, my new fav gadet) and drove her home. Unfortunately, her own kids did not want to let her in and I had to yell "I have your mom out here" a few times before they let her in.

Rosemary

OMG...if you did not see What Not To Wear Friday night you missed the best transformation ever! Rosemary looked fabulous and to quote Christian from Project Runway, FIERCE. Stacy & Clinton proved once again, they are truly talented and looking great builds self-confidence. And, Rosemary is a freak for cookies - you have to watch her shriek for a cookie!

I soooo want to do some makeovers at work. My gal pal and I have a list of people who are worthy of a makeover by us. Now if I could just get paid for pointing out to people they look hideous and I can help.

Matthew McConaughey without a shirt

Movie worth seeing: Matthew McConaughey without his shirt..aka Fool's Gold. Not great, not terrible but most of the movie he is not wearing a shirt and you get to see 1/2 of his butt. Oh yeah baby. Mommy loves. Worth my $7.

Rod Stewart

I am infamous for nicknames...I give them out very freely....McSpooky, McChesty, SuperTan, Big Turd, Deputy Combover, Sanchez,...the list goes on and on.

I was just going through files on my computer and rediscovered this beauty. Last year on vacation in Puerto Vallarto, I found Rod Stewart. Not kidding, this is the hairdo she would wear to the pool. It was so bad! This do and a bikini = quelle horror!

Bitchez

So I got hooked on the following phrase "Hey Bitchez!" My friend Pinks turned me on to the phrase.

So, my gal pals and I golf and our focus is not so much on golf as it is making friends and enjoying our beverages. We've forced men to pull down their pants on the course and yes, one year we won the "most spirited" award. The spirits were beer and cactus juice..ugh!

Anywhoo, we did a fall golf event at Weaver Ridge. After many beverages we made it to 18 and the dinner event. My friend won an thing-a-majig that you can use to personalize your golf balls. We decided we needed to make a "bitchez" ball. Unfortunately, we had been drinking and you could only press 3-4 letters onto your golf ball at a time. Our ball ended up coming out saying chizbit...because we were drunk, did the bit first and then thought we had the chiz at the end but we did not! We laughed so hard we dropped the ball and it is now lying somewhere at Weaver Ridge. If you find my chizbit ball, please return to owner.

My Secret Life

My gal pal and I joke we need a secret life...for all the fabulous dresses we buy but don't get to wear much.

Exhibit A) I just bought this fab dress at White House Black Market. It looks so great on and covers my juicy booty! And it has pockets. I am obsessed with dresses with pockets. I heart them. I did not think I would like dresses with a bubble like hem but hey, I gave it a try and it worked out.

Unfortunately, I don't hang with high society and have big parties to wear such dresses to so I usually end up wearing them out to dinner or a happy hour and my husband says "why are you so dressed up?" Ugh, because I am fabulous...duh!

Do your part... 1 bag at a time

I have one friend who is very green conscious and she is rubbing off on me. Thus, I recently purchased reusable bags from 1 bag at a time. It is a great site, you learn a little, and you can order the bags which are on sale right now. Ten reusable grocery bags are on sale for $15.99 and they come in very fashionable colors! I went with chocolate brown - it will match my boots, my ballet flats, etc, etc!

I'm going to hell...but at least my friends will be there with me

Yesterday we ventured to Champaign to our alma matter and watched U of I mens basketball lose to Purdue. We then went to Murphy's on Green Street for burgers and beer. Next time you are over at U of I, stop by Murphy's - they have delicious & cheap burgers and fries!

Anyhow, there was about 6 of us so we grabbed a table at the window looking out to Green Street. As we were staring out, we saw that across the street right on the corner there was an extremely slick spot. For a while a homeless guy stood there and told people it was slippery and then asked for some change so some passerbys were cautious. However, he left and the youngins kept coming. Thus, we and the other tables near us starting watching intently and started calling out who we thought was going to wipe out. At first we were all doing this independently but then realized we were all playing the same game!

Yes, other's misery was our entertainment. It was hilarious though. It took a while for someone to totally biff - those college kids are agile and can stay on their feet...legs and arms flailing! You should have heard the whoops when someone finally wiped out and then took out her friends. Note: no one took a huge fall and cracked a skull or anything, we defo weren't wishing for that or would laugh at that.

At the end, we did go notify the store owners of the slippery corner and karma paid us back...my husband ended up wiping out on a different street corner!

Gene Simmons called, he wants his boots back

This fashion atrocity was spotted last weekend at Starbucks. I apologize for the pic, not as clear as I would like. I had to borrow a friend's phone to capture this horrendous boot. Look at how thick and high that heel is...oh my eyes!

Unless you are going to a KISS concert and you are dressed as a KISS member, these shoes are not allowed. Plain and simple - chunky heels are out. Ladies, if anyone has a pair of shoes like this in your closet, get rid of them now before I spy you wearing them around town!

Project Rungay

OMG...Check out this blog...my friends and I have had these exact same conversations. I so heart this.

Miss America

My gal pals and I decided to have our Girl's Night Out...In with a theme. We gathered at my abode, ate, drank, and watched Miss America all while wearing our comfy clothes and crowns of course. On our menu: a bellini bar (with sparkling juice for our pregger friend), pear & gorgonzola tart, mushroom wasabi wontons (rocked!), fondue (yum...hello cheese), risotto balls, gelato, and cupcakes. There was even a prize for whomever had the correct picks. Everything a girl could want on a Saturday night. So plan your next Girls Night Out...In with a theme.

To sum it up:
The host was atrocious. He won't be invited back. While it was harsh when they told Miss Iowa she was out and would not be performing her baton twirling routine...it was no shocker. Miss Texas' Fosse number was atrocious and made us vomit a little in our mouths. Miss Indiana did wear a Project Runway's designer's gown for her Spanish song but somehow to our shock, Miss Michigan won it all by performing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in this atrocious number ...

(el pouffy butt) and accepted her crown wearing a barely there gown. Nice. Where can I get one of these! Ok, she does have a rockin' body

I did just found out though from TLC's site...she is missing a tooth which she can pop out for show and tell. Too funny! I guess she does represent the average American woman!

Fred or George...you pick

It is your choice but if you don't have Fred or George in your life, shame on you.

I enjoy buying beautiful, quality shoes. I have some gorgeous Italian black leather boots, red suede pumps with a leather sole, some brown Cole Hahn mary janes...I could go on but the point is, I spend good money on shoes so I spend good money keeping them in their best shape. Taking a look at my shoes, I apparently walk on the outsides of my feet and scratch my pointy toes like a chicken. Take a look at your shoes. Is your heel getting run down to the nails, do they need a shine, do they need the suede cleaned or the salt removed? How about a toe cap for us pointy toe chicken scratchers?

Visit Fred's Shoe Repair (two locations, one on University - my fav and yes they know me there, or one on Prospect). If you are downtown, George's Shoe Shine. At the most, this will cost you $15-20 and keep your shoes fantabulous for much longer. You and your shoes are worth it.

Skin Dimensions boutique

If you haven't heard, Skin Dimensions has opened a boutique at Grand Prairie. It is a nice setting away from Soderstrom (can't say I have heard many good things about them) and I can now get my bikini waxes at GP and then shoot over to Banana for some shopping!

The boutique offers a ton of great products. I am currently trying is an organic facial line called Eminence. I am trying the stone crop products. So far so good and they smell wonderful. They also carry Bare Escentuals products. I got the Smokey V Eyes II Tutorial kit and it rocks. It comes with a super cool v eyeshadow brush and I love, love, love it.

Head out there and check it out. Shana works there and is super friendly, cute and very knowledgeable on the products. While out there you can get a facial or a bikini wax or both...I know, a strange combo but next week I am going for my wax and then an Eminence facial! I love being a girl.

No one wants to see your belly button at work

Warning: ranting below

Seriously, no one wants to see your belly button and muffin top at work! No one! I got this comment from my gal pal and from a male coworker. It is just wrong and inappropriate. It was spotted the other day a woman wearing a suit jacket with her belly button showing. The horror!

A little advice: if you have to keep tugging at your shirt or suit jacket to keep it down & to cover your gut, this means it is time to buy a new shirt that fits you. You are not a hot 21 year old with a concave tummy. Let it go!

A strange epidemic

I was talking to a friend of mine and we've discovered a strange new epidemic - women coming to the gym in full makeup. Not just a little, a lot - like from 20 ft away you would say, wow that is a lot of makeup. I have seen this full makeup at the gym at 9 am and at 6 pm. Here is what we have witnessed: way too much blush, bronzer, blue - yes, seriously - blue eyeshadow and red lipstick. Red, shiny, glossy, lipstick. Did I mentioned these are young women in their 30s?

What is the deal? Why? I just don't get it. I mean I get coming from work, you have some make up on, but don't touch up makeup before you enter the gym. The woman at my gym is young and married so she is not trying to pick up anyone . And, the full makeup won't work. I picked up my gym boyfriend with very little make up on and my hair pulled back in a headband. Story to come at a later time...

Ladies, knock it off. We are at the gym "working on our fitness" and to show off our cute work out clothes and shoes! Not to show off our blush or red lipstick. Ugh, it just is going to make me stare at you and give you the stink eye and my friend and I can give really good stink eyes!

Now let's discuss undies...

Ok, I blogged about bras, now let's talk undies. Ladies, look in the mirror, turn around, stick your butt out a little, move your hands down your butt, give it a feel, and check if you have vpl - visible panty lines. If so, first ask yourself, are your pants just way too tight to begin with? If not, think about purchasing the following:

1) Thongs: While a little annoying, there are some decent ones out there. There is a difference between thongs and g strings so if you don't want dental floss up your bootie, go with a thong. Victoria's Secret has some good ones out there right now that have a fuller lace piece and truly are not that uncomfortable. Check out their Very Sexy Line. Von Maur and Nordstrom have some other nice, classy ones also.
2) On Gossamer: Pictured here. Wonderful underwear that truly don't show through pants. They are ultra light and sheer and really do work. These come in bikinis, boy shorts and of course thongs. I buy mine at Nordstrom.
3) Jockey No Panty Line Promise: These are available at JCPenney and cheapest of the above options. They do work but if you wear low cut pants they sometimes have a higher rise in the back.

Don't, I repeat, don't go commando. As my friend says, who wants to risk getting their chicken feathers caught in a zipper?

From those of us who have to walk behind you, I thank you in advance.

Adult Tots

I love tater tots and they are not just for kids. The picture shown here is the adult tater tots from a restaurant in Vegas called Stack in Mirage. I've been there, eaten them and they were great. They are homemade with some fancy cheeses in them. Plus, how cute is the presentation.

Here in Ptown, if you have not tried Bar Louie's loaded tots, you must. They are in no way good for you: deep fried, topped with a spicy cheese, bacon, and giardiniera. Bar Louie also has a great selection of beers but be aware, their martinis are a little too sweet for me...again, I like my booze and I have to remind them to go light on the juice.

Get out and try them. It is a great place to go with girlfriends and get guilty pleasures like the tots and multiple martinis and share.

No black bras under tan sweaters

Ladies - I am watching you. I was out to lunch today and spotted a very well dressed professional woman wearing a black bra under a tight thin tan sweater. Next time I will have a camera.

Everyone has a mirror, look in it. If you can see your bra through your shirt, go back to start.

If you don't have a mirror, do what I do...call my gal pal, tell her I need to come by her desk immediately and she has to tell me if I look slutty. Yes, I have done this and I am blessed she is very honest with me. To date, I have not looked slutty at work...or so she tells me.

Almost cocktail time...

Friday is almost here and I am ready for a cocktail. I thought I would share my favorite - a cosmopolitan made with Grey Goose Orange. Second favorite, Absolut Mandarin with cranberry juice and a splash of club soda. I love orange vodka.

Best cosmos in town - Seven. At Seven, located in Peoria Heights on Prospect, I get their cosmo and don't ask for orange vodka, just go with the bartender's recipe. He shakes it for so long and you get the perfect little ice crystals and it is the perfect balance of vodka and cranberry. Some places use way too much juice and I need my vodka! Picture above is an example of way too much cranberry, not enough booze.

Second best cosmos - Jonah's oyster bar. But if you go to Jonah's try their Raspberry Martini - made with fresh raspberry juice. They are not very strong but delicious. And there is a super cute bartender there too! Eye candy and martinis = wonderful night!

Foodie blogs

While the Food channel can be inspiring - who doesn't want a body like Giada's and the free clothes she gets from anthropologie - check out these fun food blogs:

Chocolate & Zucchini - cute Parisian chic who shares her passion for food
Smitten Kitchen - Don't type in smitten kitten by mistake like my mom did, "the site wants me to click this box that I am over 18, should I?" screams of No in the background....this blog has the best pics of food! The caramel cake pic is such food porn.

Christmas 2008 - Tree Lighting Tip

Tear, taking down my Christmas stuff today. I love, love, love Christmas. I love searching for the perfect gift, the food, putting up my tree and my super cutey ornaments gathered from the old Post and Pillar, the annual Agatucci's pizza party, and yes, wrapping gifts.

This past year, we went to a Christmas open house and the lighting on their tree was amazing. Here's what he did - instead of just wrapping the lights around the edge of the tree, buy double the lights and on each layer of the tree weave the lights in and out, like a zig zag pattern as you move around the tree. Thus, the tree has this incredible depth and just looks amazing.

So sad as I am to see Xmas go, I am already looking forward to next year and my superbly lit tree. Maybe I'll even share my Pumpkin Pie Martini recipe with you to to make it an even merrier time...

Ptown's Top Fries

Ok, we cannot be healthy all the time. If you are going to splurge go for the best fries in Ptown. This recommendation comes from a great friend of mine and believe me, she knows her fries as she's been sampling them all over town for the past 10 years.

Favorite fries - Khoury's Cuisine. Fried to crispy perfection and to date, never had "mush fries" from them.

Favorite loaded fries - Loaded Waffle Fries from Granite City in EP. They are unbelievable, covered in melted cheese, and most importantly, they remain crisp even with all the toppings smothered on them!

Sushi & Soy Paper - A winning combination

Seaweed wrappers can be a bit much to me and overpowering. At Sushigawa (my fav in Ptown since the food is wonderful and they regularly pass health inspections with scores of 99 or 100!), you can get your rolls with soy paper! No seaweed taste, it does cost $1 extra but best of all, soy paper comes in beautiful colors so your rolls will be in a pretty pink or sunshine yellow paper.

Top pics: California, Boston, Hawaiian, and the Spicy Crab.

So next time skip the fast food for lunch and make it sushi.