Today the Florida Winter did its best impression of an Indiana Winter and I did my best impression of a High School Anatomy Teacher. The day was a wet, cold, gloomy one and I spent most of it in the company of a partially dissected cat in a formaldehyde bath, a smattering of human bones on lab tables and over a hundred hormonal teens. These are not the makings of an entertaining day.
In response to all of this, I followed my O Magazine “Pretty, Quick” Challenge Day Four instructions and got my Bobby McFerrin on. I “looked” happy, so as to benefit from the research which insists that this will make me “feel” happy. I must say it worked.
I’m ending my day in Orlando Magic sweats and some comfy socks. I’ve got the smell of a wonderful chicken casserole and a pineapple upside down cake wafting through my home. I’m listening to Harry Connick, Jr and my dog is delirious with joy at the very sight of me.
I recognize that this isn’t Chilean Sea Bass and a great bottle of wine with Patrick Dempsey on the Riviera, but, for today, it’s good enough for me. I didn’t worry. I am happy.
Cue the band….
Here is a little song I stole.
Don’t think Bobby’ll mind, but I don’t know.
Didn’t worry. Chose to be happy.
In a classroom I saw a skull
Thought…”Wow, this is creepy, but it’s sure not dull.”
Didn’t worry. Chose to be happy.
Found it impossible to keep warm
Because of a nasty winter storm.
Didn’t worry. Chose to be happy.
Went to the mailbox. All my bills are late.
Saw that some creditors want to litigate.
Didn’t worry. Chose to be happy
.
Ain’t got no cash. Working to get some style.
Ain’t got no guy to make me smile.
Didn’t worry. Chose to be happy.
Knew if I worried
My face would frown
And that would cause wrinkles, which would bring me down.
Didn’t worry. Chose to be happy.
Dealt with the kids, even those who were bad.
Their paper wads and texting didn’t make me sad.
Didn’t worry. Chose to be happy.
Here is a little song I stole
Don’t think Bobby’ll mind, but I don’t know.
Just had to sing it. Can’t be quiet.
Glad tomorrow is another day
This one brought some trouble
Glad I didn’t worry
And make it double!
Didn’t worry. Chose to be happy!
Got a smile on my face.
Nothing brought me down.
Didn’t worry. I’m happy!
Hope you are ending your day with a smile on your face too. Tomorrow’s challenge: Upgrade your eye cream. Hope to see you Sunday afternoon at Hot Heads!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Taking A Shine To My Cute Pink Nails
Today is day three of the O Magazine “Pretty, Quick” Challenge. It’s the day we were supposed to reinvent our manicures and consider applying a glittery topcoat. That’s just what I did.
Since about five thirty this evening, my fingernails have been all aglow. In fact, I’m almost blinding myself while I type - what with the light reflecting off of them and all.
I painted my nails a lovely, shimmery, golden pink color, which I bought a summer or two ago. It’s the kind of shade which would look perfect against the sand on the beach. That’s why I bought it. It had Spring or Summer home pedicure written all over it. (If only I would take the time to actually give myself one!)
I don’t often make time for home manicures either. When I do, I tend to go with a very low maintenance, very forgiving color. This is because I a) can’t paint a straight line and b) don’t want visible chippage. As a general rule, I’m a no polish or clear polish kind of a girl. At this point in my life, my fingernail goals are rather modest. If my nails are clean and somewhat similar in length and shape, I’m good to go.
On the rare occasions when I am invited to a “pull out all the stops” social event … the type requiring a party dress, baubles and show stopping footwear, I will splurge and have my nails professionally painted bright red or cranberry. I don’t think I possess the vavavoom sex appeal to pull off such bold colors in my everyday life. They’re kind of fun to wear at special events though. I can’t speak for anyone else, but when I have crimson fingernails, I find myself wanting to maximize their exposure. I want to pick up a bubbly beverage (prerably in a cut crystal champagne flute), stand near some lit candles and gesture.
This assignment had a similar impact. I had to complete some rather mundane tasks this evening i.e. pumping gas, washing dishes and doing a load of laundry, but because I got to look at my fun, pink, sparkly nails while I was doing them, they seemed much less dreadful.
Tomorrow’s Task: Look happy – even if you have to fake it.
**Three more days until the Hot Heads event. Remember if you plan to attend – and I hope you will – you should RSVP by tomorrow (Friday, the 4th) 407-671-0480.
Since about five thirty this evening, my fingernails have been all aglow. In fact, I’m almost blinding myself while I type - what with the light reflecting off of them and all.
I painted my nails a lovely, shimmery, golden pink color, which I bought a summer or two ago. It’s the kind of shade which would look perfect against the sand on the beach. That’s why I bought it. It had Spring or Summer home pedicure written all over it. (If only I would take the time to actually give myself one!)
I don’t often make time for home manicures either. When I do, I tend to go with a very low maintenance, very forgiving color. This is because I a) can’t paint a straight line and b) don’t want visible chippage. As a general rule, I’m a no polish or clear polish kind of a girl. At this point in my life, my fingernail goals are rather modest. If my nails are clean and somewhat similar in length and shape, I’m good to go.
On the rare occasions when I am invited to a “pull out all the stops” social event … the type requiring a party dress, baubles and show stopping footwear, I will splurge and have my nails professionally painted bright red or cranberry. I don’t think I possess the vavavoom sex appeal to pull off such bold colors in my everyday life. They’re kind of fun to wear at special events though. I can’t speak for anyone else, but when I have crimson fingernails, I find myself wanting to maximize their exposure. I want to pick up a bubbly beverage (prerably in a cut crystal champagne flute), stand near some lit candles and gesture.
This assignment had a similar impact. I had to complete some rather mundane tasks this evening i.e. pumping gas, washing dishes and doing a load of laundry, but because I got to look at my fun, pink, sparkly nails while I was doing them, they seemed much less dreadful.
Tomorrow’s Task: Look happy – even if you have to fake it.
**Three more days until the Hot Heads event. Remember if you plan to attend – and I hope you will – you should RSVP by tomorrow (Friday, the 4th) 407-671-0480.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wear A Great Red Lipstick - Check!
Today is day two of O Magazine’s 31 Day "Pretty, Quick" Challenge. The assignment was to wear a great red lipstick. I did, even though I had absolutely nowhere to go this evening. I had planned to go to yoga tonight, but I “couldn’t” because the three friends I was supposed to carpool with had to 1) decorate a Christmas tree 2) catch up on a work assignment and 3) draft an e-vite invitation for her son’s graduation party. (Heaven forbid that I would actually get in my car and drive to the gym myself.)
It has been quite some time since I’ve worn red lipstick and I’ve never before worn it while wearing yoga pants. I was curious to see whether the man in my life (my rock star wannabe son) would notice. He did. He took one look at me and said, “Where are you going and why are you wearing that?”
I do actually like this shade (Mary Kay’s Really Red) on me. I’ve had it for a number of years. It was a gift from the fabulous Nancy D, who is an expert in all things beauty and fashion. Anyway, I must say, wearing red lipstick around the house this evening made me hope I’ll find an invitation to some swanky event in my mailbox this holiday season. I would imagine that was the purpose of the assignment.
Guess I'll close with a fun quote from Gwyneth Paltrow: “Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-a** red lipstick” I do feel kind of cute! Thanks, Ms O!
Tomorrow’s Challenge: Reinvent your manicure. The specific instructions on this one are to switch things up a little on the fingernail front. If you generally wear red polish during the holidays, you are supposed to apply a sparkly top coat. OK… we’ve got our marching orders. Ready, set, paint!
**Four days and counting to the Sunday afternoon Hot Heads Event. Hope to see you there!
It has been quite some time since I’ve worn red lipstick and I’ve never before worn it while wearing yoga pants. I was curious to see whether the man in my life (my rock star wannabe son) would notice. He did. He took one look at me and said, “Where are you going and why are you wearing that?”
I do actually like this shade (Mary Kay’s Really Red) on me. I’ve had it for a number of years. It was a gift from the fabulous Nancy D, who is an expert in all things beauty and fashion. Anyway, I must say, wearing red lipstick around the house this evening made me hope I’ll find an invitation to some swanky event in my mailbox this holiday season. I would imagine that was the purpose of the assignment.
Guess I'll close with a fun quote from Gwyneth Paltrow: “Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-a** red lipstick” I do feel kind of cute! Thanks, Ms O!
Tomorrow’s Challenge: Reinvent your manicure. The specific instructions on this one are to switch things up a little on the fingernail front. If you generally wear red polish during the holidays, you are supposed to apply a sparkly top coat. OK… we’ve got our marching orders. Ready, set, paint!
**Four days and counting to the Sunday afternoon Hot Heads Event. Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Your Mission Should You Choose To Accept It!
At the beginning of 2009, Comedienne, Talk Show Host and soon to be American Idol Judge, Ellen DeGeneres, gave voice to a rather unorthodox New Year’s resolution. She decided she wanted to do something, that as of the beginning of last year, had never been done before by anyone but Oprah. Ellen decided that she wanted to be on the cover of O Magazine.
Of course, Ellen being Ellen, she launched a most amusing, no holds barred campaign to accomplish her goal. This included lengthy calls to underlings on Oprah’s staff, public on air appeals and comical mock ups of suggested cover designs. Unless you’re living under a rock, you know this multi-faceted approach worked.
You may have one of these kids’ calendars in your home. If you don’t, I’m sure you’ve seen them. There are a gajillion different versions of them, almost all of which feature a Christmas themed motif and numbered pockets or little doors designed to hide candy and/or small toys. They are quite popular this time of year and they are usually prominently displayed in the family kitchen.
The "Pretty, Quick" calendar in the magazine is not nearly so showy. In fact, it can be folded up and put in a purse or a nightstand drawer. The "Pretty, Quick" calendar consists of a schedule of thirty one activities, one for each day in the month of December.
Now, before we go any further, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that I’ve lost my mind to suggest that you add thirty one more things to your already jam packed December To Do lists. You'll stop thinking this when you see what's on the calendar.
Per the lead in paragraph in the article, each of the featured tasks can be accomplished in less than fifteen minutes per day and each is designed to improve a woman’s looks and/or to lift her spirits. Though I rarely do it, I’m all for the concept of pampering myself. If someone wants to put me on a schedule to make sure that I do more than address cards and bake cookies for other people this December, I say, sign me up!
Anyway, I’m going to do this and I think it would be fun if you did too! To make that easier, I will keep you posted on my progress every day and I'll remind you about the following day’s assignment.
Alright, at this point, I need to send a little love to a Chicago writer by the name of Robyn Okrant, who did something very similar to this in 2008, though on a much bigger scale. Robyn decided that since Oprah is always encouraging women to read certain books, buy foods from favored restaurants and make particular lifestyle changes, she would see how doing these things (yes, all of them!) would impact her life. She documented this journey in a blog called Living Oprah and she has since turned her experiences into a book.
When I first heard about Living Oprah, I assumed Okrant was a rabid fan. Not so much! She isn’t a hater or anything, but she does view Oprah’s admonitions with a healthy does of skepticism. In fact, one of her quotes encapsulates the basic premise of what she did and why she did it: It reads, “I’m not attempting to prove Oprah wrong or right, but I am trying to encourage women highly susceptible to the media’s influence to question the sources.” Duly noted, Robyn! :)
Guess I should preface these next couple of paragraphs by explaining my perspective. It's not that complicated. I’m an unapologetic fan! I watch the program. I read the magazine and I have her website bookmarked. I've been known to quote Oprah and on occasion, I will pratically beg close friends to watch a particular show if I think that show has merit.
I'm a fan, but I’m a fan with a brain! While I don’t take spiritual or political advice from Oprah and while I don’t blindly follow her (or anyone’s) suggestions about how to live my life, I will miss the show when it goes off the air in 2011. I think Oprah has done a lot of good for a lot of people. Even when I do disagree with her on a particular issue -and I do from time to time- I believe her heart is in the right place. I have learned a lot by watching this show over the years. I think she has done women a great service. I appreciate that she almost always takes the high road. I admire and respect her and I’m SO mad that my September trip to Chicago ended ONE DAY short of her big Season 24 Kick Off Street Party and Flash Mob. Did I mention that we had been staying on Michigan Avenue, where the show was filmed, and that they were already shutting down the streets while I was leaving to catch my flight???
To those who are not as enthusiastic about Oprah as I am, I have this to say: Lighten up! :) This is not about Oprah. This is about us.
Anyway, December 1st: Day 1 Today’s assignment is to organize. The specific instructions are to go through your daily make up supplies and pare them down to five items. The article suggests the following five: concealor, lash curler, black mascara, berry lip gloss and rosy blush. I have a few comments. For starters, I don’t see any foundation on this list and I sneeze when I attempt to apply mascara, so I’m switching those two. Also, I have no intention of throwing out any costly products I’ve aquired, particularly not before I attend the Hot Heads event this coming Sunday. Until then, I’m going to go with six items in a little makeup bag in my purse: concealor, foundation, blush, lip gloss, eye shadow and pressed powder.
Day 2’s Assignment – Wear a great red lipstick!
I’ll let you know how it goes. Have a great evening!
Of course, Ellen being Ellen, she launched a most amusing, no holds barred campaign to accomplish her goal. This included lengthy calls to underlings on Oprah’s staff, public on air appeals and comical mock ups of suggested cover designs. Unless you’re living under a rock, you know this multi-faceted approach worked.
Since I love stories like this and since I think a lot of both of these women, I had to buy this magazine. Inside it was an article titled, "Pretty, Quick" which really caught my attention. It proposed a beauty focused twist to the traditional child-centric advent calendar.
The "Pretty, Quick" calendar in the magazine is not nearly so showy. In fact, it can be folded up and put in a purse or a nightstand drawer. The "Pretty, Quick" calendar consists of a schedule of thirty one activities, one for each day in the month of December.
Now, before we go any further, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that I’ve lost my mind to suggest that you add thirty one more things to your already jam packed December To Do lists. You'll stop thinking this when you see what's on the calendar.
Per the lead in paragraph in the article, each of the featured tasks can be accomplished in less than fifteen minutes per day and each is designed to improve a woman’s looks and/or to lift her spirits. Though I rarely do it, I’m all for the concept of pampering myself. If someone wants to put me on a schedule to make sure that I do more than address cards and bake cookies for other people this December, I say, sign me up!
Anyway, I’m going to do this and I think it would be fun if you did too! To make that easier, I will keep you posted on my progress every day and I'll remind you about the following day’s assignment.
Alright, at this point, I need to send a little love to a Chicago writer by the name of Robyn Okrant, who did something very similar to this in 2008, though on a much bigger scale. Robyn decided that since Oprah is always encouraging women to read certain books, buy foods from favored restaurants and make particular lifestyle changes, she would see how doing these things (yes, all of them!) would impact her life. She documented this journey in a blog called Living Oprah and she has since turned her experiences into a book.
When I first heard about Living Oprah, I assumed Okrant was a rabid fan. Not so much! She isn’t a hater or anything, but she does view Oprah’s admonitions with a healthy does of skepticism. In fact, one of her quotes encapsulates the basic premise of what she did and why she did it: It reads, “I’m not attempting to prove Oprah wrong or right, but I am trying to encourage women highly susceptible to the media’s influence to question the sources.” Duly noted, Robyn! :)
Guess I should preface these next couple of paragraphs by explaining my perspective. It's not that complicated. I’m an unapologetic fan! I watch the program. I read the magazine and I have her website bookmarked. I've been known to quote Oprah and on occasion, I will pratically beg close friends to watch a particular show if I think that show has merit.
I'm a fan, but I’m a fan with a brain! While I don’t take spiritual or political advice from Oprah and while I don’t blindly follow her (or anyone’s) suggestions about how to live my life, I will miss the show when it goes off the air in 2011. I think Oprah has done a lot of good for a lot of people. Even when I do disagree with her on a particular issue -and I do from time to time- I believe her heart is in the right place. I have learned a lot by watching this show over the years. I think she has done women a great service. I appreciate that she almost always takes the high road. I admire and respect her and I’m SO mad that my September trip to Chicago ended ONE DAY short of her big Season 24 Kick Off Street Party and Flash Mob. Did I mention that we had been staying on Michigan Avenue, where the show was filmed, and that they were already shutting down the streets while I was leaving to catch my flight???
To those who are not as enthusiastic about Oprah as I am, I have this to say: Lighten up! :) This is not about Oprah. This is about us.
Anyway, December 1st: Day 1 Today’s assignment is to organize. The specific instructions are to go through your daily make up supplies and pare them down to five items. The article suggests the following five: concealor, lash curler, black mascara, berry lip gloss and rosy blush. I have a few comments. For starters, I don’t see any foundation on this list and I sneeze when I attempt to apply mascara, so I’m switching those two. Also, I have no intention of throwing out any costly products I’ve aquired, particularly not before I attend the Hot Heads event this coming Sunday. Until then, I’m going to go with six items in a little makeup bag in my purse: concealor, foundation, blush, lip gloss, eye shadow and pressed powder.
Day 2’s Assignment – Wear a great red lipstick!
I’ll let you know how it goes. Have a great evening!
The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!
Is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen? It's the mascot for Winter Park's "Winter in the Park" ice skating rink on the west side of Central Park. Kudos to whomever came up with it! There are now four places (that I know of) where we can ice skate in Central Florida this December: Park Avenue in Winter Park, Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando, UCF and, of course, The RDV Sportsplex in Maitland. I'll be lacing up my skates in Winter Park. Should be fun!
I am so excited that it’s December. This has been a very challenging year, not only for me, but for a lot of people I love. Turning the calendar page today indicates that 2009 is drawing to a close. Let’s think about it like this - if 2009 was a dinner, we’ve finished the liver and the brussel sprouts and we’re about to enjoy a luscious Crème Brule with a piping hot cup of coffee. I can’t wait!
I have always adored the month of December. For starters, December is when some of my very favorite people on the planet made their grand entrances. Happy Birthday Betsy, Carissa, Bev, Dad, Ericka, Cindy F, Kathy & Cindy R and I still miss you, Grandma! (Happy first Birthday to baby Cross, too, and I can't wait to meet you little Miss Marzolf! I think you've picked a splendid time to be born!)
Can I mention Christmas in this blog? I think I will.
I LOVE Christmas and everything it represents. Of course I love all of the fun and frivolity, the great tastes and smells and all the decorations. I love white twinkle lights…iced cookies…the Reindeer Run 5K in Maitland…real Christmas trees…homemade ornaments…cute pajamas with polar bears on them…kids Christmas pageants…living nativity scenes...gingerbread houses… coordinated neighborhood light shows…boat parades…the smell of cinnamon and evergreen… handwritten cards…eggnog…open houses….toy drives…gift wrapping for charity…The Rockettes (BTW, they performed for FREE outside of the downtown Orlando Public Library today)…Secret Santas…caroling…shiny glass ornaments…The First Baptist Church of Longwood’s annual Walk Through Bethlehem…poinsettias and red amaryllis plants…The First Baptist Church of Orlando’s Singing Christmas Trees…getting dressed up for parties…egg & sausage strata…the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at my church and pictures of my friends’ little girls in their velvet dresses, satin hair bows, leggings and patent leather shoes and of their boys sporting new haircuts, pressed pants, untucked dress shirts and little bow ties.
I love watching all of the classics on TV. I never get tired of that cute little dog, Max, with the weighty antlers on his head or of Cindy Loo Who getting up to get a drink of water. I love it when the Whos sing together on Christmas morning and when Jimmy Stewart’s George offers to lasso the moon for Mary. Every year, I look forward to seeing Rudolph blush when he’s around Clarice, to watching Charlie and the gang decorate their sad little tree and to witnessing Scrooge's epiphany as he finally discovers what life and love are really all about.
I love my Christmas music, especially Please Celebrate Me Home by Kenny Loggins. The minute I put my last Thanksgiving plate in the dishwasher, I change my car radio dial to Magic 107.7 and I leave it there until December 25th so I can enjoy the nonstop carols.
Call me crazy, but I even love Christmas shopping. I’m a last minute girl, so I often find myself on Christmas Eve morning in a sea of shell shocked husbands running OJ (1970s Hertz commercial) style through the mall in a last ditch effort to keep themselves out of the dog house. I love gift wrapping at 12:01 Christmas morning while I watch the Pope deliver the Christmas Mass in Italian. (You don’t have to be Catholic to be humbled and mesmerized by the beauty and the pageantry of that service.) None of this begins to capture what I really love best about Christmas though. What I really love about Christmas has much more to do with the true meaning of the holiday. It goes so much deeper than anything I can put into words.
I celebrate Christmas, but I love that some or all of Hanukah takes place in December as well. I think the Festival of the Lights is such a beautiful commemoration of the holy temple’s flame burning for eight days on one day’s worth of olive oil. Isn't that a beautiful image? Imagine thinking that darkness is looming and that there is no way you're going to make it through the crisis. Then imagine the joy and comfort you would feel when you realized that you did because God provided for you in a way you couldn't have envisioned. I love that! I really appreciate the fact that Hanukah has remained largely uncommercialized too. It seems like such a tradition rich and intimate holiday. I always feel so privileged when I’m invited into the home of a Jewish friend during this sacred time of year.
Anyway, I’m happy today and I hope you don’t mind that I chose to share that. As you know, I usually use this forum to write about more superficial topics. I make no apologies for that. I do believe life is about much more than what this year's hot color is, as I shared in this post. At the same time, I don't think there is anything wrong with focusing on style and beauty. Quite the contrary.
In my mind, fashion and design are forms of art. I also believe there is something very cool about embracing one’s gifts and talents and passions. In my mind, it is a great thing to do what you’re called to do and to do whatever that is well.
There’s also nothing wrong with wanting to look good. That’s my opinion anyway. The human body is exquisite. Showcasing it in a great new outfit or tastefully drawing attention to it with a wonderful haircut or sparkly jewelry is no different than framing a fabulous piece of art.
If someone’s ONLY focus is on how amazing she looks, that’s a problem. If, however, a woman smiles every now and then when catching a glimpse of herself in a reflective store window and thinks, “Good job, God!”; I, for one, don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I’m of the school of thought that we were given brains and bodies and talent and the ability to appreciate beauty and to see humor in things for a reason. I also think relationships matter - a lot! If we can have some fun together discussing hobo bags and great printed scarves, I say bring it on!
Anyway, like I said, I don’t often get so reflective or so personal about what I believe when writing this blog, but because it’s December 1st and because I do so love this month, I thought I’d color outside of the lines a bit today.
I guess I should say this though: These are my thoughts…. the thoughts and opinions of someone who happens to adore Hot Heads. They are not necessarily the thoughts of the Hot Heads staff. If you think they’re all hooey and if you think this post is nothing but sentimental drivel, which has no place on a style focused blog, I trust that you will just ignore it and jump back in later tonight when I revert to writing about fashion trends and fabulous hair.
In any event, Happy December! Hope it’s a joy filled, amazing month for you!
**Five more days to Sunday’s special event, which is scheduled to take place at Hot Heads from 1:45 to 5:00 pm. Is it on your calendar yet? Hope so! Aside from being wonderful for all of the reasons I noted above, December is also a month to get your glam on. Make sure you know how to do that the right way! Call your friends to clue them in about this event and remember to RSVP by this Friday, the 4th (407-671-0480). Did I mention that there will be door prizes too and that you get an extra shot at them if you bring a friend? :)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, December 6 2009 1:45 PM – 5:00PM
This just in.... There's a really fun event taking place at Hot Heads this coming weekend. I know I'll be there. Hopefully you will be too!
WHAT’S HOT?
FIND OUT…..
WHO: Interested in the hottest new looks in hair and fashion?
WHAT: See the hottest in haircuts performed with styling tips, great make- up tips and the latest in color techniques.
WHEN: Sunday, December 6 2009 1:45 PM – 5:00PM
WHERE: Hot Heads Salon Seminole Town Center Mall
Limited Space must RSVP by Friday December 4th @ 407-671-0480
DOOR PRIZES:
Hair Cut and Blow dry (one)
Color Service (one)
Make Over (one)
Products
*Bring a friend get an additional chance for a drawing.
Cyber Monday, Monday .... Just Another Day
Today is Cyber Monday, but you wouldn't know it if you looked at my e-mail inbox. There isn't an online receipt or shipping notice to be found.
Because of a considerably lighter wallet this season, I haven't bought a single gift yet. I did venture into The Seminole Towne Center though. In case you didn't, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite Black Friday sights.
Can there be a stroll through the mall Thanksgiving weekend that doesn't include sausage and cheese samples from Hickory Farms ? I think not!
While we're on the subject of free samples, look at this. A table covered with Hershey's Bliss candy. Free chocolate and great shoes in the same location? Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!
These never get old, do they? They make me want to go put on a pair of Candies and feather my hair!
I'm SO excited that the Seminole Towne Center has an H & M now. I've been hearing about this store for years and I couldn't wait to go inside and check it out! The clothes are all so fashion forward and the price points are reasonable too! Do you know they have their own line of Jimmy Choo shoes? When I do have money again, I will certainly be spending some of it here!
Godiva Chocolatier Guess what everyone on my list will be getting this year?
I LOVE the Macy's Believe promotion! Kids (and adults) can tell Santa their dearest wishes. While they're doing so, they can help some really deserving kids and their families. For every letter (up to a million) placed in one of these red Macy's mailboxes, $1 will be donated to The Make-A-Wish Foundation !
Mall Cop he wasn’t! I was not able to take a picture of the best looking thing I saw at the mall the other day. I’m sorry to be such a shallow girl, but I feel it must be mentioned that a George Clooney caliber cop spotted on the second floor near the food court was serving, protecting and raising the temperature of the mall by about ten degrees. I’m not talking about mall security. I did see a professional looking gentleman of a certain age in a crisp white shirt and a pair of black uniform slacks carrying a walkie talkie and making his rounds. This is not who I’m referring to. The man I am referring to is a member of Sanford’s finest and I do mean that in the truest sense of the word. I have never before seen a police officer who looks like this…not even in a movie. Honestly, it made me want to go commit a crime.
There is great new eatery at the Seminole Towne Center. It's called The Boston Coffee House . Of course, they serve all of the holiday standards i.e. Gingerbread Latte, Mocha Mint and steaming hot cocoa. They also have soup, sandwiches and cases full of decadent pastries on gleaming silver trays like the ones pictured above. YUM!
Coliseum of Comics You've gotta like an enormous green guy in a Santa hat who is confident enough to carry around a stuffed snowman and a little aqua elf!
I absolutely fell in love with this store! Love's Creation is an extention of a Sanford based organization called Harvest Time International . It sells all kinds of lovely, unique, mostly handcrafted gifts from around the globe. There are also a number of quality name brand items represented in the store as well. I found so many things there that I wanted to take home!
The best thing about Love's Creation is what they do with their profits. 100% (!!) of them go to help needy families. The second best thing about the store is how beautiful it is. Sometimes you want to buy something because it is for a good cause, but you have a hard time doing so because it is so unattractive. (School Fundraiser gift wrap, I'm talking to you!) The merchandise in this store is so well crafted and artfully displayed. Here is some of what I discovered:
Anyway, since I shared TEN favorite sights, I'll leave you with a Bo Derek quote: "Whoever said money can't buy happiness, didn't know where to shop."
If you're smart, you'll spend some part of this coming holiday season checking out Officer McDreamy, patronizing a few of these fabulous stores and allowing the great staff at Hot Heads to make you the belle of the ball.
Hope Thanksgiving was wonderful! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
