Plastic Surgeon

So I've finally gotten to the last topic on my post-it note.  The Plastic Surgeon.

I have a cabinet full of potions.  Some of them were quite expensive.  Most of them did nothing to CHANGE the effects of sun/age on my skin.  Although, some of them have probably done quite a bit to prevent the effects of sun/age damage progressing.

I went to an open house with The Voice of Reason last week.  It was at a plastic surgeon's office, and they were talking about Botox and liposuction of course.  BUT...they were also talking about lotions and potions and things that I'm very interested in.  One woman (a rep for Obagi) informed me that her potion for under the eyes was THE VERY BEST THING OUT THERE!  Here's my question....Says who?  I wanted to ask her that, but I was being trampled by women frantic to get the last few bottles of her potion.  I felt like a fish out of water.  I just wanted to ask a question. 

Here's the thing.  I have Obagi products.  Quite a few of them.  If you have ever purchased them, you know they aren't cheap.  I've got the Vitamin C Serum because the aesthetician at Dr. S's office told me that if I used this I would never be able to go without it!  So, I bought it.  I'm not sure what was supposed to happen?  I've used the whole bottle and my skin looks exactly the same. 

I also got conned into buying the Obagi Blender.  Same story.  And then there is the Obagi version of Retin-A.  A 25 year old girlfriend (with absolutely gorgeous, flawless skin) swears by this stuff.  She has been using it since she turned 21.  I have used 1.5 tubes of it and nothing has happened.  Okay, perhaps I've peeled a little bit, but that's it.

Then there are the chemical peels I have recently had.  My thoughts on those....Eh.  I mean I sure did peel.  I think my pores are minimized a bit, which is always nice, but that's it.  The "radiant glow" forgot to show up.

Please don't think that I've got anything against Obagi, because I haven't.  I also haven't got anything against chemical peels.  Or microderm abrasion.  But come on.  Have I just got skin of steel?  Is there nothing that can rejuvenate my skin? 

The purpose of this post, again, is not to trash any line of products.  The purpose of this post is my curiosity as to whether or not any of you have tried any of these things.  Have they worked?  Do you wonder yourself what really is "worth doing"?    If so, get ready...because I'm going to share.

I am forever preaching to MK and WIMP about using potions (they are younger than me).  I am always happy to share the potions I have used that are working.  I am also sure to tell people what I have used that didn't work.  So, if you absolutely do not care please vacate the premises.  I'm about to start talking potions :)

My very favorite night time creams are:

RoC Retinol Correction Deep Wrinkle Night Cream which I purchase at Walgreens.  I don't have deep wrinkles, but for some reason I feel like if I use the maximum potencey...perhaps I never will.  Have used this for years, and I've not aged any further while using it.  

RoC Retinol Correction Eye Cream which I also purchase at Walgreens.  I use this every night around my eyes.  Sometimes during the day too! 

My very favorite day time creams are:

Aveeno Positively Radient Moisturizer with SPF 30 which I purchase at Walgreens.  I read about this product in a magazine somewhere.  One of those articles where dermatologists rate the best "drugstore products".  This product has soy in it.  Which is supposed to be good?

Garnier Skin Renew Anti Sun Damage Daily Moisturizer with SPF28 which I purchase at Walgreens (are you seeing a theme here?  lots of Walgreens shopping.)

I recently saw a new product collection by Garnier called Garnier Ultra Lift Pro.  I'm tempted to give it a try.  The thing is, as I've said before, I've yet to really use any of these products (Walgreens purchased or Obagi) and see a CHANGE in my skin.

AND THEN........


I was reading a blog today, and then I clicked to another blog, and another.  The point is, I can't remember where I ended up.  BUT..it was on the blog of a woman who is a beauty editor for some such place.  One of those positions where they send you all of these free potions to try out and then rate?  And she did.  And she told me all about it.  And now I'm going to tell you.  I'm going to tell you that I've purchased a whole line of beauty products that contain cow placenta and other such gross things.  Because this woman told me they would work.  And now I'm wondering....will it really work?  Will anything work on my skin that appears to be immune to all things? 

Or, should I just call Dr. S and sign up for some Botox and Juvederm and a mini-face lift while I'm there?  Not that i really need those quite yet I don't think...but seriously...it would be nice to see something "work".

I will be sure to update you all on what I think of my cow placenta, once it arrives, but do let me leave you with one strong recommendation.

Do you have sun damage on your face?  Have you lost that perfect porcelain complexion?  Do you have a broken capillary or two?  If so, let me recommend:

IPL (Intense Pulse Light) For Skin Rejuvination 

IPL is something I like to have done once a year after my tan has disappeared.  Usually in October.  It doesn't hurt really.  It's done in an aesthetician's office, and takes about 15 minutes.  The light pulses feel like tiny rubber bands are being snapped on your face.  The minute the process is done the pain goes away.  For the next few days you will have "dots" on your face from where the sun damage is being forced up and out.  It's painless, but you look a little funny.  And then, walla!  Perfect complexion :)

Now that's my kind of "plastic surgery" :)

T

Caught in the Act!

I'm still a busy bee today, but just found this picture and wanted to share :) 

AND......I've reached 100 followers!!  More on that when I've got a few minutes.  I think I have an idea for a wonderful giveaway (thank you Beth from Social Climbers...I got your e-mail :)

The other night Louis was not put in his crate at bed time.  We were at TEN's house, and sometimes Louis doesn't make it into his crate when he stays there.  He does very well, and behaves like a gentleman.....most of the time....

Sunday morning I walked in to TEN's living room and guess what I saw!  Louis on top of an end table!  He could hear me coming, but he couldn't figure out how to get back down in time :-o

(please notice his tail wagging like crazy!)

Naughty pup!

T

I'm Hiding My Feet Under My Desk Today

It's the last day of my selling quarter, so I'm super busy at work.  BUT...just wanted to share a little funny with you....

I picked out a cute outfit for today.  A blue and white tunic, Seven for All Mankind jeans, red coach flats with a gold buckle, a red necklace and a red, white & blue headband.  I was up early, so I spent some extra time playing fetch with Louis in the back yard this morning. 

When it was time to head to the office I hopped in my car and called Daisy (we usually catch up on our morning drives into work).  We chatted all the way to work.  I got out of my car and walked to my office building.  I got onto the elevator with another girl, and when we arrived at my floor I smiled and said "have a wonderful day!".  She smiled back.  She also glanced at my feet.  I stepped off of the elevator knowing that she was most likely admiring my fabulous Coach flats :)

I looked down (because I enjoy admiring their cuteness too!), and let me just tell you what I saw:

No cute red Coach flats.  Ugly orange Crocs!!!!!!  EGADS!  I have worn my Crocs to work :-o  How did I not realize this??

So much for my cute outfit :(

T

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall...

Well, okay.  There aren't 99 bottles of beer on the wall, but there are 99 followers of my blog! 

WHAT?  SERIOUSLY?

I feel so very honored that there are 99 of you out there that read my blog and enjoy the absolute ridiculousness that is my life.  From Match.com dating to TEN to Louis and so on.....

I really have been slacking lately.  I've just felt rather bored...with myself.... 

However, today I woke up with a new outlook on life!  Not sure if it's the weather or what?

Regardless, I'm feeling spunky...and let me just tell you, this blog is about to get exciting!  Well, I'm going to attempt to make it more exciting anyway :)

Now, back to my 99 followers.  I'm trying to think of something lovely to do in celebration of the day when I officially have 100 followers.  A giveaway of sorts?  Hmmmm....

T

"I'm a Westie Pup and I've Got Rice On My Nose..."

It seems like everyone around me has some sort of sickness.  Either they've got a head cold...OR...the dreaded stomach bug.  EEKKKSSS!  Louis seems to have both.

Well, technically I think his head cold is allergies.  He's sneezing constantly, and his nose is running.  I've read that I can give him Benadryl, but I'm going to call the vet to make sure that is the best route to take.

AND....technically, I think his upset stomach is due to my changing his food about 15 times in the last week.  Okay, I'm exaggerating, but I've been trying to find just the right thing...and I've compromised his feeling well in my attempts to have a healthy pup.  So, he's been eating home made chicken and rice for the last few days.  He's feeling much better, and I've started to mix in a little bit of  his new (and final) hard food.

I snapped this picture on Friday after I gave him some of his chicken and rice. 

Have you ever heard the hippo song?  It's about a hippopotamus with noodles on his back.

 

I know, I'm weird.  But it makes me laugh, and when I looked at Louis with this rice on his nose I kept singing:

"I'm a westie pup and I've got rice on my nose, rice on my nose...."

It's the little things that make life so grand, no?

T

Smart Puppy

When TEN and I came back from our Gatlinburg vacation, I forgot to share a story about Louis.

The woman at doggie day care (which is also where I boarded him) took my Visa, settled my bill, and then said:

"Louis is a very smart puppy". 

I beamed, of course, and said "yes, he is isn't he?"  Because he is my baby, and I do know he is the smartest and best westie in the world.  (To those of you bloggy friends who have westies, you know this is just "mom-speak" of course!).

The conversation ensued as follows:

Woman:  Oh yes, he really is.
T:   (huge smile, grin, wink at TEN..my puppy is THE BEST!)
Woman:  He figured out how to let himself out of his suite.  So, we moved him to a loft.  But...he figured out how to get himself out of that as well.  So, we put him in a room by himself and barricaded the door shut.
T: (jaw hits floor.  bright red face.)  Oh.  Well.  Gosh.  I'm.  Sorry.  I.  Well.  He doesn't do that at home.  I'm sorry. 
Woman:  Oh, it's fine.  We just haven't ever had to do that before.  Here, let's walk over to the larger dog section because that's where Louis is right now.  I've bathed him, and he's in the dryer.
T:  Excuse me?  In the dryer? (apparently there are "pet dryers" that I am not aware of)

TEN and I wait patiently to pick up the most clever pup in the world, apparently.

Woman:  Well, his rear is still wet because he had himself turned so that the air would blow directly into his face.  Apparently he likes that.

Yes, apparently.  Apparently my puppy is very clever and very much likes to have the wind from the dryer blown into his face.

Perhaps I shouldn't have blamed the cleaning lady for letting him run lose in the house that time?  Perhaps I DID close the latch all of the way that one time when I came downstairs in the morning and LW was running around the house?  Hmmmm....

T

Justified

What do we think about this new show, Justified?  I'm undecided.

"JUSTIFIED is the story of Deputy U.S. Marshal RAYLAN GIVENS (Timothy Olyphant), a true-blue hero and something of a throwback, given to wearing a Stetson and cowboy boots, carrying his sidearm in a hip holster – a weapon he only draws when he has to, and when he does, he shoots to kill, because, as he sees it, that’s the purpose of a gun.



Raylan was born and reared in the hill country of eastern Kentucky. It was in Harlan where he played ball, chased girls and dug coal. And it was from Harlan, at age 19, that he ran, determined to become a U.S. Marshal. Now, years later, after shooting a gun thug in a Miami hotel and thereby incurring the wrath of his Marshals Service superiors, Raylan has been sent in punishment (and by fate?) to the one place to which he vowed he would never return – Kentucky.....


.....But, being back in Kentucky, Raylan will also have to confront a past crowded with enough skeletons to choke a graveyard. There’s his old friend and fellow coal-miner, now fugitive bank-robber, BOYD CROWDER (Walton Goggins - The Shield). There’s AVA CROWDER (Joelle Carter - Monk, CSI: Miami), the cheerleader from his youth he always had a crush on. There’s ex-wife WINONA (Natalie Zea - Hung, Dirty Sexy Money). And, looming largest of all in Raylan’s past, there’s his career criminal father ARLO (Raymond Barry - Cold Case, Training Day)."


I think I like it.  But that girl...the one who shot her husband in the first expisode...Ava.  Yea, that one.  She bugs me.  She's a little bit on the trashy side, if you get my drift, and I have a feeling the Marshall is going to end up with her. 

The thing is....I kindove want to know if that happens.  Or, if it doesn't.

So I think I'm hooked.  Tuesday's at 10 on FX.

T

Ummm...Google! What gives?

I'm not publishing my posts at the moment due to the fact that Google is all a mess and you can't see pictures.  Boo hiss!

Reading blogs is clearly not nearly as much fun without pictures.

Hmph,

T

Randomness...

Was just reading MCW's post entitled "Really Random", when I looked down at my "to blog about when I get a free moment, or am on a really boring conference call, etc." sticky note.  It says:

Sorry folks, not gonna happy today.  Hopefully tomorrow things will slow down just a tad :)

On a positive note, please feel free to call me "The Rainmaker" today.  I've closed two deals and the day isn't over.  Wahooo!

T

"Style is a sign of creativity, of knowing who you are." - Lynn Wyatt

Imagine my surprise when I arrived home from my lovely vacation to find I've been crowned a socialite!!!! 

Charmed, I'm sure :)

Thank you ever so much Bethany from Maryland Pink and Green for bestowing this great honor upon me.  I'm speechless.  Well, perhaps not completely, of course....

THE RULES:

• 
  
  Click on the above button and paste onto your blog/website
• 
  
  Answer the questions below
• 
  
  Pass onto 10 bloggers that you Love, go to their blog and let them know they've been tagged

1. Who is your style icon? C.Z. Guest

2. What is your favorite socialite lit book? I don't really read socialite lit...but my absolutely favorite book EVER about socialites, and where it all began, is High Society.

3. Favorite party theme? Red, White & Blue

4. Go to Halloween costume? I don't really have a "go to" Halloween costume.  I ADORE HALLOWEEN.  I always have a new costume.  Every.  Single.  Year.  My friends and I start planning our costumes mid-summer.  I've been so many different things, and have always kept each and every costume!  Anytime a friend can't decide what to be for Halloween, they come shopping at T's house.  It's like a Halloween costume shop after all of these years :)

5. Extravagance you cannot live without? Nice hand bags.  My mother once told me that investing in a nice hand bag was never a mistake.  If you take care of them, and they are classic, you will be set for life!

6. Living person you admire?  Lynn Wyatt.  Just read about everything she has experienced in her life in New York Magazine.  To have that much money, and to be so "famous", but to be known as someone so kind.  To never speak ill of those who speak ill of you, and your love ones.  I aspire to be someone that others can say that same thing about.  (well, yes, the millions would be nice...but it's the nice part i'm after at this point :)

7. Greatest Fear? That I am not doing with my life what God has intended.  That somehow I've taken the wrong path and don't realize it.  That there is something wonderful I am supposed to be doing with my life...and I'm not.

8. Trait you deplore in yourself? I'm going to borrow this one from Bethany because it is truly my answer as well.......Being overly critical of myself:(

9. Which talent would you most like to have? I would love to be able to sing.  To have a beautiful voice!  Not to be a famous singer or anything like that, but just to be able to sing without knowing that people are thinking "awww..listen to that poor tone deaf girl try to sing" :(

10. Greatest Achievement? Taking care of my father when he needed me most. 

Now, I'm going to pass this award on to 10 other bloggers that I enjoy reading every day!  Before passing this award on, I thought I should probably brush up on the definition of a socialite.  This is what I found:

A socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained.

Well, that surely does define me!  I believe there is a little bit more to it (like having gobs of money and marrying someone with even more gobs of money), but let's just pretend...shall we? 

Alrighty then, gather round, I hereby crown the following bloggers socialites:

mrs.mfc (let me just tell you this young lady is one of the best hostesses i know!  i've learned so very much from her :)

Meg from The Way I See It (meg is currently planning a party for 1,100 people...and if that doesn't = socialite status i don't know what does!  someone also recently blogged about her blog recently...which is so fabulous!)

Whitney from The Pink & Green Puppy (whitney has a puppy, loves pink & green and pearls and monograms...need I say more?)

Blackeyed Susan from Susan in the South (susan finds the CUTEST clothes for both she and her beau before I even know they have been put on the racks.  she has great style, and loves horse races.  she's a shoe in...obvi)

Laurnie from Some Wine With Cheese (because she's neat.  and cool.  and i like to know what's she's up to.  always :)

MCW from Saving the Best For Last (because she lives in NYC.  and goes on dates that result in great stories.  and has amazingly cool friends...from what i can tell anyway.  and because a little part of me wants to be her.  so there!)

Brittney from Running in High Heels (because she's beautiful, and kind, and smart, and strong.  she, much like many socialites, is going through a tough time.  she has handled her situation so very gracefully, and with such class, that i want her to know how much i respect her for that.  because it hasn't been easy.  i know...)

Polka Dots and Protein Bars (because she's fashionable, and a designer, and witty, and one of the first bloggers i started following...which should tell you she really is worth knowing!  ha!  she's awesome, and she was featured in a magazine for her designs.  TAKE THAT TORI BURCH.  just kidding.  hugs tori!)

MRM from Preppy Girl Meets World (because she's a jet setter, and a shopper with impeccable style, and she has nerve, and she's a strong woman, and she's funny, and i want to win her give away and am hoping this will give me another entry or two...JUST KIDDING!!!! REALLY..well, mostly :)

Lauren from Lovely Life of Lauren (lauren is a new blog read for me, but someone i've actually met IRL.  pretty exciting, considering i haven't had the honor of meeting most of my bloggy friends.  lauren has great style, precious pups, a stellar man and keeps me in the loop on some of the latest trends and styles.  so glad we found each other!)

Congratulations ladies!  Don't forget to curtsey :)

T

Louis' New Friend!

Imagine our surprise when we arrived home from our vacation to find a package for Louis!!  We quickly unwrapped the package, and the most amazing Easter "friend" tumbled out :) 

Isn't Louis the luckiest pup ever?  Julep, Derby & Katie from Westie Julep sent little Louis an Easter prize!!!  It's a precious lil duck that squeaks :)  AND...it's bigger than Louis!!!

Let me just tell you....they have become fast friends!

TEN was being silly and put the duck in Louis' crate, but  Louis was NOT PLEASED.  I believe he really does think that duck is alive!

So, now Louis and his new buddy Ducky cuddle at night in front of the TV.  Every now and again when Ducky acts up Louis will bite one of the duck's "paws" and the duck will protest with a squeak :) 

Video to come!

Katie, Julep & Derby...thank you ever so much for Louis' new friend Ducky!!!  You are so very kind to us :)

T

Pancake Houses & Go Carts

My mini-vacation was absolutely glorious!  I've come back to the office to a not so glorious situation, but I'll fill you in on that later.

TEN and I packed up the car and took Louis to day care Thursday morning.  We were on the road by noon, and enjoyed a relaxing 5 hour drive (we did stop a few times) to the cabin in the woods!  I will say that the last 30 minutes of the trip were most entertaining.  We were told that we came in "the back way".  I'm not sure exactly what that means, but we definitely turned at a store called "AJ's 3-Way" and passed some very questionable characters :-o  By the time we arrived at the cabin we already had some fun stories!

(the drive up to the cabin)

(where we sat outside on the upper deck enjoying cocktails!)

(our room...please excuse the mess...)

(the bathroom sink!)

(a whirlpool tub in each master suite)

We knew two of the couples who were also on the trip, but the other two we had only met in passing.  They turned out to be so much fun, and I definitely consider them new friends :)

(the main living area in the cabin)

Thursday night we cooked dinner, got into the hot tub and basically just got to know each other.  We enjoyed the awesome 80 foot outdoor movie screen too! 

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Friday we all went on a wine trek together.  TEN and I ended up buying bunches of wine from one of the wineries, and have already enjoyed two bottles!!

(this winery focused on very sweet fruit wines...BLECH.  we didn't buy any here)

(this winery focused on Italian style wine making, with a focus on champagne or "sparkling wine".  YUM.  we bought bunches here!!!!)

(check out the size of champagne corks before they are inserted into the bottles.  HUGE!)

(this winery was okay.  the woman who handled our tasting was called Tammy and she was rude, tacky, and mean.  she rushed us terribly, and was rude to S when he asked a silly question!  if you ever head to Mountain Valley winery in Gatlinburg and Tammy tries to help you, RUN!  or, at least request someone else.  she's scary.  true fact.)

(the boys were obsessed with these bottle holders.  personally, i found them a bit tacky...and i think everyone else did too.  BUT...for some reason i ended up with about 30 pictures of these things on my camera.  hmmm....)

(every time i see a bear now it makes me giggle.  more on that later...)

(TEN showing the bear who's boss)

(when pigs fly....)

(Titanic anyone?)

Friday was a big day for us.  We saw some very interesting things, and it was all we could do to get ourselves home and relaxed.  Needless to say, we've been laughing about Tammy, the flying pigs and The Titanic ever since :)

Friday night we cooked a huge surf & turf meal at the house, and continued to enjoy the hot tub and movie screen.  Let me just say....Rock Band on an 80 foot screen is something you just have to experience in person. 

The guys definitely enjoyed themselves Friday night, and the girls did all they could to keep them in order.

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Saturday we broke up into groups to venture out on our own.  TEN and I had decided that we wanted to head to Ober Gatlinburg to ride the Alpine Slide AKA the bobsled. 

Also, I wanted to get one of those old timey black & white photos made.  Don't ask me why...it's just something I've always wanted to do :)  Our friends S&J and L&S decided to join us.  This was by far the most fun I've had in a LONG TIME.  Everyone agreed!

On our way in to town we passed Hogg's & Honey's.  You know it's going to be a good day when you pass one of these :-o

We finally arrive at Ober Gatlinburg:

(everyone getting excited about riding the Alpine Slide!)

(the chair lift ride to the top of the mountain)

(good lord!!  this is serious people!!!!)

(the "team" getting ready to take off!)

(the boys met an old man in a bar who had one of these hats.  the boys needed them too.  obviously)

(extra large rocking chair anyone?)

(another bear makes an appearance.....more on that later...)

We finally have our old timey photo:

(can you find TEN and I?)

AND THEN..............

The Little Mountain Church Wedding Chapel!!!!

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!

(see, they did it too :)

After a truly amazingly fun/funny day we headed back to the cabin for dinner with the group.  On the way to the car the boys found sunglasses to add to their disguises.  Looking back now it was all pretty ridiculous, but at the time I dare say I thought it was the funniest thing ever!

(TEN giving "the bear" a smoke.  sorry sweetie...i couldn't resist :)

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It was so hard to believe the long weekend was over!  In some ways it seems like we were gone for two weeks.  We had so much fun, and did so many things.  On the other hand, TEN and I weren't quite ready to go home :)

We decided to stop at two wineries on our drive home.  One that we weren't able to visit back in September coming back from JLB's wedding, because it was closed, and another that was a favorite.

When we finally rolled back into Smalltown, VA Sunday evening it was time to pick up little Louis!  Boy was he glad to see us :)  At least I think he was?  You can never tell with that little pumpkin...he loves his day care so!

All in all....a very lovely long weekend.  Thank you S, for including us on this wonderful trip!!!

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Now, about the bear(s).  When we first arrived at the cabin there were statues of black bears everywhere.  That made sense to us, as we were up in the mountains.  Probably just a great theme for a log cabin, right? 

Hmmmm....yea.  Especially when black bears regularly visit the cabin.  Along with raccoons, wolves, etc.  TRUE FACT!  Clearly none of us were exactly sure what to do with this wild life situation.  We got up Friday morning (after various bear sounds were heard outside the night before) to investigate.

Here is what we found:

(evidence that the bear broke into the garbage!)

(Can you imagine how big that bear's claws were to rip this wooden garbage container open?)

(Look here! The bear ate the garbage can with it's teeth, and drug it out into the driveway! EGADS!)

(Look at the doors two nights later. Do you see all of the paw prints? EEEKKKSS!)

We all decided that we were going to set a trap for this sneaky bear!!  No more standing upstairs in the bathroom looking out of the window for hours trying to catch him/her.  Oh no.  We were far too smart for that :)  I made TONS of bacon on Saturday morning.  We saved all of the grease and set it strategically outside the front door, across the driveway, up on a low limb of a tree. 

Have a look!

T