Diagnosis Deferred

You knew I wouldn't be able to stay away, right?

2010-12-01T21:57:00.002-05:00

Find me here now. Ta-da!

It is with bitersweet feelings that I announce...

2010-08-05T16:18:00.000-04:00

the end of this blog. It's been so fun writing and posting and I've been so inspired by other bloggers. But, all good things must come to an end. My life has become busier and busier and I no longer have the type of job that allows me the flexibility to post and read throughout the day. That leaves the evenings and weekends to write, and truthfully, I've decided that time should be spent with my beloved Mr. DD, our precious new puppy and my darling girlfriends.

To be honest, I haven't even read a blog in months. So- I'm quitting while I'm ahead and signing off here. Thanks for reading and commenting and following for the last 2 years. Thanks for the great ideas, the recipes and the fashion. Thanks for everything.

And...That's all she wrote. ;)

I love a long weekend.

2010-07-06T09:31:00.000-04:00

Hope you all enjoyed the 4th! We went to Connecticut for some much needed R&R.
We partied with a celebrity, ate like fat people, watched some amazing fireworks and and spent lots of time with our puppy. She is the most precious thing ever and I have to keep reminding myself not to treat her like a baby. Is that weird?

She's finally here!

2010-06-30T09:26:00.002-04:00

Introducing, the cutest, smartest, most precious puppy in the world.... LOLA!!

She's pretty much consuming all of my time, energy and attention at the moment, especially since Mr. DD has been out of town since the morning after we brought her home. She's precious and I adore her.
And the moral of the story is this: enough whining/begging/pleading and your husband can be convinced of anything.

I've always dreamed of a bulldog, either French or English...

2010-06-16T09:28:00.001-04:00

But this photo has me wondering if perhaps I would be better suited for a tiny pig in rainboots.
"Miniature pigs are sold only as pets, and therefore we know that, as all pets are, they will be played with … its important that nothing particularly worries them or gets stressful."
From here.

A late weekend post.

2010-06-15T09:35:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. I certainly did. I went to spinning, I went to yoga, I purged and reorganized my closet and donated 4 trash bags full of clothes and I had 2 (count 'em, TWO) dates with my husband. Oh, and we learned to shuck our own oysters! Our oyster habit was getting a bit out of control, so we headed to my favorite place on earth, Chelsea Market, and bought a dozen oysters, gloves and a shucking knife. It takes a little bit of practice, but they were so worth it.

Another debilitating habit that I've developed recently is juice. For those of you who are not New Yorkers, allow me to explain. There are delis on every corner of this city. In many of those delis there are juice counters where you can pick your veggies and have them juiced right before your eyes. As much as I love the juice, the neurotic side of me has always wondered how well the veggies were washed and I've felt uncomfortable about the fact that they are likely not organic. So, this weekend, I busted out my 10-year-old Braun juicer and went to town. Totally amazing.

2 carrots, swiss chard, 2 apples and a lemon.

Voila!

It's a good thing that I realized all of these cost saving DIY tricks this weekend, cause there's nothing like a good closet purge to make you recognize that you need more clothes and shoes.

SYTYCD

2010-06-10T08:45:00.000-04:00

I am obsessed with So You Think You Can Dance. Really, truly, totally obsessed. The truth is, I sob every week as I watch (the guy with scoliosis, the twin brothers... the list goes on). Then I laugh hysterically as my husband tries to recreate the contemporary routines. Who knew you could be so moved by dance. Next to the performances, my favorite part of the show is Cat Deeley. Could she be any more adorable? I'm looking forward to an amazing season... and berating my parents for not putting me in dance classes.

Despite my hesitatations...

2010-06-09T09:30:00.000-04:00

I've fallen hard for the American Apparel interlock skirt. It's just beyond. And despite my self imposed AA boycott, I may cave and get one in every color. Fabulous, no?

I loved it then, I love it now.

2010-06-08T10:02:00.002-04:00

I'm not ashamed to admit that I loved SATC2. Despite the garish fashion, predictable plot lines, and cheesy one-liners, I always relate to SATC. I can honestly say that there was never an episode that did not in some way resonate with me and the movies have done the same. There's something I can relate to in everything Carrie Bradshaw Preston says and does. Call me cheesy, but I can't help myself. New York City is my favorite. Great girlfriends are my favorite. Sex and the City is my favorite.

It's Thursday morning...

2010-05-27T09:17:00.000-04:00

Photo from here.

And I have successfully completed my 3-day cleanse. I've lost 6 pounds and I feel surprisingly good. The best news though, is that I haven't killed my husband. I came close a few times. On Monday when he ordered Italian and on Wednesday when he brought home Mexican. But he's still alive... and so am I.

All in all, the BluePrint Cleanse wasn't terrible. I was never even really that hungry. Drinking a bottle of juice every 2 hours keeps you full. So full, in fact, that I was often unable to finish a few of the bottles each day. I did, however, start obsessing about food half-way through day 2. Like, very literally fantasizing... about chips and salsa.

I'm heading to West Palm this afternoon for a much needed getaway. And I'm feeling far more confident about putting on my bikini.

Have a fabulous holiday weekend. See you on the flip side :)

Cleanse me.

2010-05-24T09:32:00.003-04:00

A 4-day getaway to West Palm Beach with a yoga instructor will make you do crazy things. On Thursday, we leave for Florida to spend Memorial Day with some dear friends. She is wonderful and sweet and... a yoga instructor with a sick body that I have to lay next to in a bikini. So, I am using this trip as an excuse to finally try the BluePrint Cleanse. Three days, 5 juices per day. Nothing else. No caffeine, no alcohol, no solid foods.
Anyway, SJP is a devotee and if it's good enough for her, it's good enough for me. Wish me luck, the torture begins this morning!

(This weekend, I had to "prepare" for my cleanse but cutting back on caffeine and sugar and meat and dairy and alcohol, so cleansing was certainly on my mind. On Saturday night I dreamed that it arrived at my apartment and I opened the box to find cartons of cigarettes. I had mistaknely signed up for the "cigarette cleanse," where you smoke cigarettes all day every day, instead of the juice cleanse. I was so relieved to wake up.)

Who said one-piece suits are frumpy?

2010-05-21T09:36:00.000-04:00

I'm digging this one.

From anthropologie, like all the other good stuff...

2010-05-20T09:23:00.001-04:00

I love you, bad-ass clock:

I love you, cross-body bags:

Badgley Mishka

Anthropologie

Joe's Jeans

I love you, Stefon:

Imitating Americans...

2010-05-19T15:28:00.002-04:00

Sure, I can do a great fake Chinese, French, German and Italian, but I always wonder how non-English speakers imitate American English? Here's a hilarious and brilliant answer to the question. Enjoy!

I feel special!

2010-05-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

A lovely and flattering feature about Mr. DD and I on my wedding planner's site!!

Next to marrying Mr. DD, hiring this wedding planner was the best wedding related decision I made. There, I said it.

We (still) heart Vera

2010-05-18T16:28:00.000-04:00

Look who graced the cover of NY Mag!

Louisa Settee available at Anthropologie.

2010-05-18T09:53:00.000-04:00

As someone who dresses up to fly, I can totally identify with this cartoon.

From here.

Always here.

2010-05-17T14:35:00.000-04:00

Poor Mr. DD is required to complete a number of "residence weeks" during graduate school. Essentially he and all of his classmates are holed up in a hotel in Jersey attending classes from 8am-8pm for 7 straight days. Sounds like fun, right? Anyway- he leaves tomorrow and I won't see him all week. So close, yet so far away.

I love this, don't you? From le love.

A whole week without a post.... whoops.

2010-05-17T09:02:00.000-04:00

I'll be honest with you, dear blog readers, I typically write and schedule all of my posts for the week on the weekend prior. Occasionally, I will write something mid-week, but things get pretty busy around here. I'm lucky if I get a chance to read blogs, let alone write for my own.
So, as I mentioned, I flew home for mother's day and spent an amazing weekend playing quite a few rounds of this:

learning even more about how fabulous he is:

getting talked into camping out (on my mother's porch) with these two (we made it until about 4am):

and just generally enjoying the hell out of my family.

And I dare you to tell me this isn't the cutest rendition you've ever heard:

But alas, I didn't get to any blogging, which explains my absence last week. Hope you didn't miss me too much ;)

Oh mama...

2010-05-07T09:50:00.001-04:00

I'm hopping a plane to Virginia this evening to spend the weekend celebrating my fabulous mama and spending every moment possible with my rose and my wildflower. It's always nice to go back to what was home. It's always nice to come back to what is home. Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! Here's to mamas!

Ps: Don't you just love a peony? I'm obsessed. I can't walk past the bodega without buying a few bunches.

"This time baby, I'll be bulletproof."

2010-05-06T22:16:00.001-04:00

This is my favorite song of the moment and my personal mantra. I blast it on my ipod as I march to work every morning. Yes, it's been a few of those kind of months.

Lusting.

2010-05-06T09:49:00.006-04:00

Bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs. Someone's been spending a bit too much time browsing Bergdorf's lately.... But admit it, the bag is beyond, no?

(Just don't tell the hubs. He's not been pleased with my spending habits of late. Oooops.)

Met Gala: 2010

2010-05-05T14:16:00.000-04:00

Yes! Dear Blake, you are tan and lovely and your legs go on for days. That dress is right up my alley.

Yes! SJP, As far as I am concerned, you can do no wrong. Ever. Let's cut to the chase already and be BFFs.

Yes! Dear adorable-little-nugget-from-that-movie-about-the-awkward-teenage-magician, I've never seen your films, but you look adorable.

No! Sienna! What are you doing? He's a pig and a creep and I thought you already learned your lesson. Run for your life!

Ex-factor

2010-05-05T09:27:00.000-04:00

Photo from here.

On Monday night Mr. DD and I had dinner with his (extremely pregnant and beyond adorable) ex-girlfriend and her husband. We had the best time. I realize that some people find this kind of thing odd. Plenty of people look at me sideways when I tell them about encounters with exes. It seems that there are 2 very distinct ends of the spectrum. On one end there are those that stay very close to their exes and others that never speak another word after a break-up. Mr. DD and I find ourselves planted firmly at the former end. We love a good ex, actually. Now granted, some of our exes don't love us... especially mine. (What can I say? I'm a heart-breaker; guilty as charged.) There are even a handful that likely hate our guts. And of course, they are entitled to those feelings. However, it seems bizarre to me to spend any amount of time in a relationship with someone and then sever every last tie. I don't want to do it. And I'm glad that my husband doesn't either... because, frankly I totally love his ex. In fact, every time we see her, I find myself shaking my head in disappointment and saying to him, "Geez, you really blew it with her. She's super-great. You missed the boat on that one, sucker."

Girl crush

2010-05-04T10:06:00.000-04:00

I have a total girl crush on Kate Lanphear. And why wouldn't I, right?
Dream job: check
Dream hair color: check
Dream wardrobe: check
Enough said.

I jacked these photos from all over the internet. Just FYI.

Fannypack!

2010-05-03T14:44:00.000-04:00

When is the last time you thought of a fannypack?
I mean, there was that hilarious and ridiculous song a few years back by the group "Fannypack;"

but besides that, it's been years right...

Then, all of the sudden I started seeing them again. Very rarely, and mostly on European-looking tourists traipsing through Times Square, but I was noticing them. Then, the other day I met a friend for a pedicure and a picnic in the park. On our way out she grabbed a fanny pack and snapped it on... And I was IN LOVE. I had to have one. Hers was from American Apparel, a company that I refuse to support.

So, the search was on. I knew I could turn to etsy, the site that never fails me. And once again, I struck gold when I set my sights on this beauty from redbirdstyle:

And on moi!

the adorable pink interior:

The truth is, my purchase was met with some dissent from my girlfriends, though all the protests disappeared once they set eyes on this fabulous bag. I wore it all weekend and let me tell you, never have I felt freer than when I'm handbag-less. Highly recommend.

2010-05-03T09:44:00.003-04:00

Mr. DD and I attended a fabulous wedding this weekend. I honestly believe that the flower budget alone may have rivaled the budget for our entire wedding. Beyond. I mean, beyond. Never in my life have I seen so many orchids. Heaven.

Look what that naughty Neo-traditionalist made me do!

2010-04-30T13:31:00.000-04:00

After seeing this on the Neo-traditionalist, (my new fave blog) I couldnt' help myself.

In a battle between my willpower an a precious jumper in the perfect shade of summer.... presh jumper always wins. Anyway, I think I've been crystal clear about my love affair with a onesie, right?
Plus, $50 and free s&h. How could I resist?

Get your own here.

A yellow wedding dress?

2010-04-30T09:27:00.000-04:00

I say "oh hell yes."

PS: It's a Vera Wang.

Photos by the extraordinary Di Bezi Photography.

I need one.

2010-04-29T14:57:00.000-04:00

My burning desire of a french bulldog grows by the moment... Why should Ashley Olsen have one and not me?

Counting down...

2010-04-29T09:13:00.000-04:00

I just noticed that he is checking off every week he completes. Bless his heart. 8 weeks down, 37 weeks to go. Awesome. Kill-me-now.

Obsessing.

2010-04-28T12:03:00.000-04:00

I've always been a bit obsessed with bugs under glass. There's something remarkable about seeing them up close and personal. I just discovered BugUnderGlass on etsy and I'm dying. Their peices are amazing. And unbelievably affordable, there are tons of items under $40! Plus, it's a certified green company that uses only farm-raised insects. I see about a half-dozen of these in my future.

And tell me this next one wasn't just made for me...

"Don't do it!"

2010-04-27T15:35:00.000-04:00

Now through August 15th, thirty-one life-size bodies made of iron and fiberglass in the image of the artist, Antony Gromley inhabit the sidewalks and rooftops of Madison Square Park in New York’s Flatiron District.

“I’m thrilled to be working with New York: people and place,” says artist Antony Gormley. “I don’t know what is going to happen, what it will look and feel like, but I want to play with the city and people’s perceptions. My intention is to get the sculptures as close to the edge of the buildings as possible. The field of the installation should have no defining boundary. The gaze is the principle dynamic of the work; the idea of looking and finding, or looking and seeking, and in the process perhaps re-assessing your own position in the world. So in encountering these peripheral things, perhaps one becomes aware of one’s status of embedment.”

Suffice to say, these figures are creating quite a stir with the NYPD reporting multiple calls a day to report "jumpers." I personally love the idea behind them and every time I'm in the area I seek them out.

More about the exhibit and artist here.

2010-04-27T09:16:00.000-04:00

Did you catch this amazingly low-key wedding on Once Wed? Just as "extravagant" sometimes ends up garish, sometimes "simple" seems sad and hokey... but this couple nailed it. No doing the macarena and the limbo in a dingy church basement at this wedding.

Gorgeous, every detail.

She bought her dress at Loehmann's for $55 and carried a bouquet of handpicked wildflowers. Love it.

Happy Belated Earth Day!

2010-04-26T14:44:00.001-04:00

Once, I was in a drugstore and the person in front of me told the cashier that he didn't need a bag. The cashier nodded and replied, "save the trees, right?" The drugstore only uses plastic bags and I believe that her comment was made in all seriousness. But, I digress.

There is one green thing that I consistently do. I carry my own grocery bags with me at all times. With so many cute options, there's really no excuse. In fact, I'm always looking for reasons to buy more. These guys from baggu are my favorites:

Here's how they work:

Image above from here.

They've got baby baggus for your lunch and regular sized baggus for your groceries or gym clothes and big, huge baggus.. for something big and huge. All in adorable colors and patterns. And they fold up nice and tiny. Everywhere I go, people ask me where I got mine.

I figure reusing my baggus cancels out the occasional purchase of a bottle of water. Right?

Sick!

2010-04-26T09:02:00.000-04:00

Mr. DD and I spent most of this weekend terribly sick. Bad enough for me, but he had to be up early on Saturday to take a final. It got so bad by Sunday that we spent most of the afternoon trying to synchronize our fevers. I did manage to have some fun though. First here, then on etsy.com. More about my fabulous purchase soon.

My mother in law brought us amazing chicken soup, I had an excuse to eat sorbet straight from the container and I laughed so hard that I cried while watching this:

Hope you had a good one, darlings!

All white, please.

2010-04-25T19:08:00.001-04:00

I'm really obsessed with the idea of an (almost) all-white bedroom. Dreamy, no?

This is Gwyneth Paltrow's bedroom. From here.

TGIF

2010-04-23T07:59:00.000-04:00

This week:
1. I got fined for an outstanding parking ticket
2. I had a client attempt to throw feces at me (true story).
3. I caught a cold
4. And I spent a total of 14 minutes with Mr. DD... all week long.

Photo by Jonathan Young.

Here's hoping for a better weekend!!! :)

Still trying to figure out this shot...

2010-04-22T10:38:00.001-04:00

From Marie Labbancz

Maybe, baby.

2010-04-21T08:51:00.001-04:00

The other day, after a conversation with friends about the prospect of a Baby DD, Mr. DD looked at me rather seriously and said "Listen, I don't want to rush into having a baby because other people tell us it's time. I want to be sure that you and I get plenty of time together before a baby comes into the mix." And then, I fell in love with him, all over again.

Photo by Jose Villa.

We heart Vera

2010-04-20T09:43:00.001-04:00

In the late 1930s, Mr. DD's grandfather joined forces with the artist Vera Neumann right here in New York City to create the very successful Vera Company. Thanks to a recent revival of her work courtesy of Susan Seid, Vera and her famous ladybug are back. I'm lucky enough to have a collection of her scarves and an original signed piece of art that she had given to our dear friend Marie as a gift.

So fun to see her things for sale at Anthropologie.

And her things in print!

The furniture and rugs are quite possibly my favorites!!

And, I'm dying to pick up the new book about Vera from Anthrolpologie.

So much color, so much fun.

Design sponge post about her work here.

Official Vera blog here.

Fabulous Fridays.

2010-04-16T07:54:00.000-04:00

It's Friday! I hope yours is fabulous. See ya Monday.

Image of Kate Moss from here.

I'm so confused.

2010-04-15T09:42:00.000-04:00

Part of me loves the Petit Bateau Fall 2010 Lookbook. I mean, me and stripes... we go way back.

But another part of me is very distressed by the seemingly pre-pubescent model. Is it just me, or is this kind of creepy?

I laughed, I cried, I watched them again.

2010-04-14T09:37:00.002-04:00

Why yes, Tiger. You do... but not for that shot.

I'm so excited, I can barely stand it... and only semi-bummed that only half of it takes place in NYC.

Even more than the signing, I love the haircut.

Oh, and I may or may not have fallen a little bit in love with Justin Bieber after SNL this weekend... Just sayin'. I finally get it.

If I could be BFF with any New Yorkers,

2010-04-13T10:31:00.001-04:00

it would most certainly be the fabulous Hovey sisters, Hollister and Porter. These girls are tragically cool. It's as if Royal Tenenbaum's came to life.

The stars of the show:

Their Brooklyn pad:

(Please check out their headgear in the above photograph. Girls in costume, my fave.)

And more recently:

Oh, and Hollister creates the most creative gift guides:

And Porter takes a mean polaroid:

And she won Banana Republic's casting call for a walk-on role on Mad Men Season 4. Yes, I did my research.

More Selby

2010-04-12T20:37:00.001-04:00

Remember my Selby fantasy?

Well, looks like there is a clearly outlined way to make it happen. Woo-hoo. Bring it on.

Click the above link to see the diagram in all its detailed glory.

Because you hang on my every word...

2010-04-12T09:47:00.004-04:00

You may remember me mentioning a few Fridays ago that I had a "monumental weekend" coming up. Well I did, and it was... and I'm ready to spill the beans.

I took and passed the NY state licensing exam!! This exam has been looming like a storm cloud for almost a year. Over every late night out, every lazy Sunday, every lingering brunch I had to hear that awful voice in my head "you should be studying!" Well, I showed her!

This has been a long time coming. My road to a PhD began officially in 2002. Along the way I've had doubts and bad days and dreams of walking away from it all to become a yoga instructor. But here I am. I'm so glad I made it.

Promises, promises.

2010-04-08T10:10:00.002-04:00

Remember when I promised a tutorial for managing your hair in that awkward in-between stage? Well, I would never break a promise to you, my devoted readers. So here goes:

This is the look that inspired me. It was published in NY Mag's Look Book (another place I fantasize about appearing one day...) and I tried and tried to replicate it, but I could never get the volume quite right. It took me a few years to learn that the secret is a good old fashioned teasing.

So, in the spirit of recently published messy bun tutorials a la Cup of Jo and Cupcakes and Cashmere, here's my version of the messy bun.

Don't be fooled by the apathetic look on my face. I'm screaming for help on the inside.

The road to happiness is paved with a bottle of hairspray, a boar bristle brush, a hair band and bobby pins (pretend I'm holding those too.) See, I'm smiling already.

Step 1: Pull hair into a tight and high pony.

Step 2: Channel the 80's and get to teasing.

Step 3: Spray the hell out of that teased mess. Yes ladies... bigger is indeed better. (Take it from someone who knows.)

Step 4: Loop hair around and start pinning.

Step 5: Keep wrapping hair and pinning. There is no such thing as "too many bobby pins."

Step 6: Spray, a lot.

Although the finished product is not as good as I generally like it to be, this is about the time that my reluctant photographer had had about enough. So, these final shots aren't great. We were late for brunch and as he took the last shot he asked "you're not wearing your hair out like that, are you?" Thanks honey, glad you like it.

On the reading list.

2010-04-07T10:16:00.000-04:00

I'm feeling quite excited about two new books.

The first is "The Selby Is in Your Place," by Todd Selby. If you aren't familiar with Todd, he has photographed over 150 people in around their homes across the world, though there quite an emphasis on NYC, which after all is the center of the universe. He works out of a studio in the East Village and his photos are phenomenal. Don't believe me? See for yourself.
Sometimes, as I lay awake in my bed at night, I fantasize about having my place photographed by Todd. It could happen... maybe.

Next up, "True Prep." This is the incarnation of an old favorite "The Official Preppy Handbook." Growing up, this book was on the bookshelf in my house and I remember thumbing through it at age 7 and being so confused, thinking, "my parents are nothing like the people in this book, why would they own it?" Ah, humor, I was late in acquiring you.

Anyway, I grew to love the book and as an adult who enthusiastically embraces summering in Cape Cod and wearing Nantucket reds and Tory Burch flats (while simultaneously laughing at it all) I'm beyond excited for the new edition. From the amazon.com review;

"From the author of The Official Preppy Handbook comes a new take on the old world that Lisa Birnbach turned into an international best-selling phenomenon thirty years ago.

True Prep looks at how the old guard of natural-fiber-loving, dog-worshipping, G&T-soaked preppies adapts to the new order of the Internet, cell phones, rehab, political correctness, reality TV and . . . polar fleece.

A small sample:

• Wardrobe: Recent prep brands we are forced to recognize. How to tell Casual Friday from, say, Saturday.
• Money: We never talk about it.
• Food: Does the Food Network mean we’re going to have to cook? Bake? Now you’re going too far.
• Scandals: Poor Mrs. Astor. When Mummy’s plastic surgery goes terribly wrong. Rehab and the slammer: the new prep schools.
• We’re outta here: When to name something after yourself, and when not. The right obituary. What to do with your dogs if you predecease them.
• NO TEXTING AT THE TABLE, PLEASE."

True Prep promises to be a whole new old sensation.

If me at 24 could see me at 30...

2010-04-06T09:55:00.001-04:00

If you had told me in 2004 that in 6 short years I would be married to a banker from Connecticut who spends his weekends playing golf in shorts with whales embroidered on them I would spit in your face. Mention that Sunday dinner would be spaghetti and (turkey) meatballs and I just might have set you on fire. Life is funny, no?

This was dinner on Sunday night. Adapted from here.

I heart NY

2010-04-05T14:34:00.001-04:00

I don't watch Law & Order. I will never see this episode. But, the fact that it's being filmed on my street makes me smile.

A long weekend.

2010-04-05T09:10:00.001-04:00

What a weekend...

Very recently, we decided to indulge and hire a cleaning lady. As she left on Friday, I asked her (in broken Spanish) if she would consider marrying me. I think she was more alarmed than flattered, but I didn't care. I'd never seen my apartment cleaner and I want to shout my love for her from the rooftops. If you are looking for an indulgence, I would highly recommend a cleaning lady, preferably one who does not speak a word of English and measures in at 4 feet, 6 inches. At least that's what worked for me.

To celebrate I bought flowers from the bodega and decorated the place. You can't beat a bunch from the bodega.

We spent the weekend eating out and enjoying the weather. I had a drink next to Ben Stiller on Friday night. Everyone at his table was laughing loudly and often. And on Sunday, I didn't even complain that Mr. DD had to bring work to the park with us. His computer screen made for a nice backdrop for a photo.

(Hey DC, I see your cherry blossoms and I raise you even more beautiful cherry blossoms....Don't mind me, I'm just bitter cause you seem to have so much of Mr. DD's time these days.)

On Saturday I skyped with my youngest niece, the wildflower (not to be confused with my older niece, the rose). We discussed why throwing things at her teacher was never a good idea when trying to avoid nap time and when I asked her how old she thought I was. She guessed "60?"

Sunday was not easy. We visited our dearest 104-year-old friend who is not long for this world. If you ever need to fall totally and completely in love with your husband all over again, watch him as he holds the hand of an 80 pound woman and tells her how much he loves her as she lays unconscious in her bed. If that doesn't do it, I don't know what will...

Happy Monday, y'all :)

"I don't want to beat you with rumors, I want to beat you on the track... with my skates."

2010-04-01T11:10:00.000-04:00

I am totally not the roller derby type. I'm more into gentle sports like swimming, tennis and riding in a golf cart. But, damn, I enjoyed the hell out of this flick. Oh, to be a badass. Not in this lifetime, but maybe in my next... there are a few girls I know who are in need of a good ass whooping.

It's the simple things in life...

2010-03-31T09:42:00.000-04:00

That make me happy. Like a stocked fridge after two long weeks of takeout every.single.night...

A very sad "Before"

Much better "Afters"

I hate Kate.

2010-03-30T18:40:00.001-04:00

Don't get me wrong, I hate Kate Gosselin as much as the next guy, but watching her latest tragedy (DWTS) unfold makes me almost feel sorry for her. Almost.

TGIF.

2010-03-26T07:49:00.000-04:00

It's Friday and my exhaustion level has reached previously unconscionable heights. This 9-5 thing is really tiring. There's gotta be a better way to do things, right?

This is a kind of monumental weekend for me, in a personal sense. I will be very relieved when it's all over, to be honest. More about that very soon.

Have a good one!

Really?

2010-03-25T08:47:00.000-04:00

I know it's not right to speak ill of the dead, but I just don't get the Alexander McQueen shoes from the Spring 2010 Collection. These are exactly what people who bitch about fashion being "unattainable for the average woman" are talking about. I laugh every time I see them. They're ridiculous. They belong in a gallery, not on the runway.

2010-03-24T13:09:00.000-04:00

As someone who works in the field of mental health, I am very sensitive to issues related to suicide, depression and all mental illness. However, I've found that if you can't laugh, you just might cry. So, let's laugh.

Mix it up

2010-03-24T08:20:00.001-04:00

I have not always been a fan of mixing metals, but these days, I'm loving the idea. Gorgeous, no?

Necklaces from The Glamourai.

*Boo! In the days since I wrote this post, the above necklace has sold. :(

Speaking of hair

2010-03-23T14:27:00.000-04:00

My reluctant photographer is in DC this week, so the hair tutorials will have to wait til next week. Stay tuned!

Babies in wigs

2010-03-23T09:12:00.001-04:00

As far as I'm concerned, there is nothing funnier than the idea of a baby in a wig. Sometimes, randomly, an image of a baby wearing a wig will pop into my head and before I can stop myself, I've collapsed into hysterics. A baby of my own is years away, but rest assured, as soon as Junior is here, he'll be sporting a wig of his own.

Happy Monday!

2010-03-22T09:50:00.001-04:00

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We sure did. Spring skiing is my fave. My poor husband has to deal with a wife who refuses to carry her own skis, put on/buckle/remove her own ski boots and requires frequent snack breaks, but he's such a good sport that he tolerates it all. I make up for it with a good apres ski cuddle.

It was nice to spend some quality time with him this weekend, since we've been so busy lately. We were in the company of lots of fun people, so although it wasn't as perfect as alone-time, it was just as fun. There was lots of food, a number of impromptu dance parties, twister, finals basketball, hot tubbing and of course, skiing.

Happy weekend!

2010-03-19T10:07:00.000-04:00

Off for a weekend of Spring skiing with 18 of the best friends I never knew I had.
They are predicting temps of 60+ degrees in Vermont. Should be an interesting weekend!
See you Monday, muffins!

Coming up

2010-03-18T09:44:00.000-04:00

My hair is super long and out of control. I'm deep in the throes of growing out my bangs and I have no intention of cutting as much as one inch.
Be on the lookout for tutorials for what to do with a head of unruly hair by yours truly.
(Forgive the amateur photos. I took one myself and Mr. DD took the other and he doesn't have much patience for photos at 8am, so it was tough to get a good shot.)

Envelope, please...

2010-03-17T20:33:00.001-04:00

The Le Creuset giveaway winner is Gigi! Enjoy your dish and enjoy your dessert.

By the way, fabulous name, my dear.
Please send me your email address.

Hot. Fabulous. And busy.

2010-03-17T09:44:00.002-04:00

If you're anything like me (see title of this post), and let's be honest... if you 're reading this blog, you probably are, you may not have had time to enter my giveaway just yet. Hurry, hurry, hurry.
I pick a winner the moment I get home tonight. Good luck, bunnies!

Twitter.

2010-03-16T14:42:00.000-04:00

I returned home from literary society last night to find Mr. DD sitting at the computer with my Twitter page open. He turned and grinned at me; "And you say I never read your blog!!"
A 20 minute explanation of Twitter ensued and I'm still not sure he gets it...

Current etsy obsession

2010-03-16T08:44:00.000-04:00

I've decided that once I'm rich and famous (either for fabulous blogging or for curing Autism) there are a list of must-have's that will require immediate attention. At the top of the list (right under "personal florist") is an in-house calligrapher to do things like address envelopes and transcribe grocery lists and crossword puzzles. I wonder if Primele will take the job...

Tipped off here.

It's Monday...

2010-03-15T08:05:00.000-04:00

You deserve a giggle. I can't decide which I love more, the idea of the "stache" dog toy, or the bulldog himself.

Found here. Available here.

Keg Design Giveaway!

2010-03-14T11:18:00.000-04:00

Just came across this awesome giveaway. Forget the messy chalkboard paint... just apply this 27.5" h x 22.6" w chalkboard sticker to your wall.
Enter here!

Don't forget.

2010-03-12T15:30:00.006-05:00

It's Friday.

I'll cry if you don't enter my contest.

Photos by the always amazing, sometimes controversial Jill Greenberg

Don't I wish I lived here...

2010-03-12T09:21:00.001-05:00

Gorgeous!!
This is where Juliet Totten, of Poppies and Posies, lives on the Upper West side New York City. It's a brownstone apartment, featured on design*sponge.

More here.

PS: Here are the other wonderful things that Poppies and Posies do:

This isn't the post where I bitch about my mother in law.

2010-03-11T09:24:00.000-05:00

I arrived home this evening from a long, tiring first day of work to a message from my package room that there was a delivery for me. Not only was I exhausted from the day, my butt was also sore. See, this morning, I missed the last step as I left my building and I fell directly on my ass. Luckily I wasn't hurt. I was even able to laugh about it... but not as hard as my doorman. After helping me up he pretty much became hysterical. I mean, he literally couldn't stop laughing. His face turned red and he snorted a few times. I had to eventually intervene on my own behalf, "Yeah, ok, Frank. It wasn't that funny... No seriously. Stop laughing. Stop it!" Not to mention this was the second fall I've taken this week. The first taught me the valuable lesson that I need to either put that rubber stuff down under the new rug or stop taking the corners so fast... but, I digress.

The stargazers on the left are from my hubs... cause that's how he rolls.

The point of the story is that my in-laws (read: my mother in law) sent me a gorgeous bouquet to celebrate my new job. 'Cause that's how she rolls. I got so lucky in the in-law department and I'm sure of this because I have plenty of friends that didn't. My in-laws are thoughtful and generous and accepting and just generally wonderful people. Despite the fact that my mother-in-law is a phenomenal and accomplished cook, decorator, flower arranger, garderner, bird watcher, dog lover and travel enthusiast, she heartily applauds all of my (often lame) attempts at all things domestic. She's also a voracious reader and more knowledgeable about everything from world events to real estate than almost anyone I know. I heart her.

A big day.

2010-03-10T08:36:00.002-05:00

So, today is a big day for me. Not only do I start a new and very exciting job today, but today also marks my 200th day of marriage. I know, I know, everyone says it, but these last 200 days have been the best of my life. I so heart Mr. DD.

In honor of my personal celebrations, I've got something pretty sweet to giveaway to one of my lovely readers!!

The winner of my giveaway will be announced one week from today, March 17th. The prize is a Le Creuset 12" x 9.5" Rectangular Dish in Cobalt. Who doesn't love Le Creuset?

Here's how to win:
1. Subscribe- you can't win unless you are a subscriber!
2. Leave a comment telling me the first thing you will make in your Le Creuset dish if you win.
3. Double your entries by tweeting about this post.
4. Triple your entries by posting about the contest in your blog and linking back to this post.
5. Don't forget to tell me if you've done #3 or #4 so I can give you credit!

CSN is hosting this fabulous giveaway. They have over 200 sites that sell everything from kids beds to kitchen gadgets. Best of all, their "SALE" sections are fabulous. Get access to all of their stores here.

Good luck, my lovelies!

Vera Farmiga

2010-03-09T17:40:00.000-05:00

Not only is one of the most uderrated actresses in Hollywood, she is also one of the most beautiful.

Listen, you and I both know that the Oscars have been blogged and tweeted about ad nauseum. So, this is all I am going to say. Her Marchesa dress was better than gorgeous. It was a ruffly slice of heaven. I die.

Couldn't you just die?

2010-03-09T09:37:00.000-05:00

I have had "a thing" for Ms. Kate Headley for quite some time now. Doesn't she take the most striking photos?

Have you seen the birthday party she shot for the most adorable boy in the world? Enjoy...

See more from this amazing birthday soiree here.

Mama needs booze.

2010-03-08T19:05:00.000-05:00

I used to wait for Mr. DD to get home from work before I began imbibing.

Yeah...I don't do that anymore.

Am I a bad wife?

Toxic.

2010-03-05T10:36:00.000-05:00

This queen of the beauty product was recently delivered some devestating news. It came in the form of one of my besties admonishing me for my use of spray tan. Seems counter-intuitive, no? I laughed at first, shaking my head at her. "Silly girl, tan in a can is clearly safe because it's the alternative to a real tan, which we know is not safe at all. No wrinkles!! Follow me?" Never, ever had it occured to me that this stuff could indeed be poison.

Then she sent me the following link: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
This site enables you to search every single product in existence and provides you with a rating of its toxicity as well of a list of all its ingredients and their harmful side effects. The news, my friends, is not good. Just about every product I use from my face wash to my shampoo to my deodorant fall within the moderate-high hazard range. And what's to come of my weekly manicure in light of this news: "Reduce your use of nail polish. It's one of the few types of products that routinely contains ingredients linked to birth defects. Paint your toenails and skip the fingernails. Paint nails in a well-ventilated room, or outside, or avoid using nail polish altogether, particularly when you are pregnant. Browse our custom shopping guide for advice on nail polishes that contain fewer ingredients of concern."

What the hell is a girl to do? Turning hippie is simply not an option. As much as I love working with children with Autism, I'd prefer to reduce my chances of giving birth to one. And don't get me started on cancer...

So, what do you think ladies? Is this hyper-vigilance extreme or is there merit to reducing the use of products in our best interest?

I love you.

2010-03-04T14:44:00.009-05:00

I love you, my fabulous, fabulous city.

The Sandpit from Sam O'Hare on Vimeo.

I love you, my little sandman. No seriously, Dream Water changed my life.

Buy it here.

I love you, my little mouse tracker.

12 hours in the life of Teresa. Click on photo for details. Make your own here.

And last, but most certainly NOT least. I.LOVE.THIS. Hooray for DC!

The District of Columbia became the sixth US jurisdiction to allow same-sex unions after the Supreme Court threw out a last-minute legal challenge.

Real Housewives of New York City

2010-03-04T09:46:00.002-05:00

I'm only a little obsessed.
The truth is, I would love to suffocate most of the women in their sleep (except Bethenny, of course), but I cannot avert my eyes from every last second of the show. I'm so excited for the new season.

Image from here.

There is a god...

2010-03-02T10:55:00.000-05:00

and he wants me to laugh very, very hard.

I just ate my cereal with a grapefruit spoon...

2010-03-01T10:12:00.001-05:00

Because I can't be bothered to empty the dishwasher/make the bed/do the laundry/clean up this mess.

My typically tidy apartment is in ruins and I don't really care. I'm too overwhelmed at the moment to be bothered. Mr. DD and I keep looking around and shaking our heads and concluding that "we'll get to it." At least he can escape. His time is split between the big apple and our nation's capital. At least a few nights a week he sleeps in a swanky and well kempt hotel room where someone else can take care of his mess. When I need to escape, I bury my head in a pillow.

Enough complaining. I did have one major success this weekend... the PERFECT brownies!!! I'm so excited to have discovered Roost. Tons of phenomenal recipes to try. These brownies made my husband overlook my shameful housekeeping skills and love me for culinary prowess instead. Best brownies ever.

I didn't get to the heavenly Mac and Cheese from The Pioneer Woman, but perhaps when Mr. DD gets back from DC.

Was anyone else terribly sad to say goodbye to the Olympics? I cried a little during the closing ceremonies. All the drama and the excitement of the last two weeks have been almost too much to bear. However, if I'm being honest, I think the most valuable lesson that I've learned is that Johnny Weir takes impeccable care of his skin. It's truly phenomenal. Let that be a lesson to you, Evan Lysacek.

2010-02-26T17:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday, muffins!

I'm snowed in with my husband, and I couldn't be happier. The Olympics, a bunch of Netflix and lots of red wine. Sounds like a perfect weekend to me.

Making this recipe from The Pioneer Woman for dinner tonight...

And these brownies from Roost tomorrow

Have a fabulous one!!

2010-02-25T14:25:00.008-05:00

Speaking of the winter blues, this is what I do to beat mine. A bright manicure and a lot of spray tan.

Perfect for days like today:

Stella McCartney for Gap Kids.

2010-02-25T09:48:00.002-05:00

She makes me want to have a baby just for the sake of the wardrobe.

Hell, I'd have one for the tutus alone.

Way, Jose.

2010-02-24T10:44:00.002-05:00

There really doesn't seem to be anything that Jose Villa doesn't do exquisitely. I mean...

Landscapes:

Babies:

Engagements:

(I think these are my favorites. If I hadn't already been engaged twice I would do it again just for photos like these!)

Polaroids (!!!!):

and of course, Weddings:

Talent like that, my god. I can't even imagine.

Winter blues.

2010-02-23T14:03:00.003-05:00

I've been experiencing them lately. Have you?
How about this video to get focused on sunny days to come.

NYC Fashion Week- Badgley Mischka

2010-02-23T07:56:00.002-05:00

If I owned these pieces, I'd wear them. All day long.

Lots of greys, silvers, beiges and blacks. My kind of collection.

Actual conversation with the Actual Mr. Diagnosis Deferred.

2010-02-22T16:49:00.003-05:00

Mr. DD: Quit studying and come watch the Olympics with me.
Mrs. DD: I'm not studying. I'm blogging.
Mr. DD: You're what?
Mrs. DD: Blogging.
Mr. DD: Huh?
Mrs. DD: BLOGG-ing.
Mr. DD: What are you doing?
Mrs. DD: BLOGGING!!
Mr. DD: Blogging? I thought you quit that after we got married...

He doesn't even know my blog address. I have no idea why, but I find this is terribly endearing.

NYC Fashion Week favorites- Christian Siriano

2010-02-22T10:50:00.003-05:00

Of course.

Some structure, some softness. Lots of ruffles. He never disappoints.

Find of the week!

2010-02-20T09:34:00.002-05:00

$3.80 at Forever 21. Perfect for keeping lipsticks, pens, receipts, etc in order in your handbag. Lots of fun colors!

"I wear the feathers in my relationship,"

2010-02-19T10:20:00.000-05:00

On "The View" this week, Victoria Beckham shared her thoughts on the costumes of some of the male skaters. She insisted there was "nothing good" about their over-the-top costumes. "If David came home dressed like that - could you imagine? Terrible."

(I am obsessed with Johnny Weir, (not so) secretly wishing we were BFFs.)

In an unexpected turn of events, I find myself completely disagreeing with Ms. Vicki Beckham. I don't think this has ever happened before. Typically I die for her style, her husband, even that tiny little bobble-headed body of hers... But this time, she's got it all wrong. This is skating! These are the Olympics! These boys are allowed some pizazz! Lighten up, Victoria. I adored every last sequin, tassel and feather. Every sailor outfit, farmer get-up and bizarre skeleton suit. Amen.

Still obsessed.

2010-02-18T08:40:00.005-05:00

My mother taught me that when you fall in love with a material thing, you should wait at least a week. If the week passes and you're still in love, then and only then should you buy it. 'Cause it must be true love. I've been obsessing over these since before my wedding.... I think it's time.

Did I mention that they're made of vintage silk. Oh my.
Get yours here.

Are you kidding?

2010-02-17T09:12:00.002-05:00

The Olympics, Westminster Dog Show and American Idol all on the same night. Is this some kind of sick joke? I'm hyperventilating already. When I say my prayers tonight I'll be thanking baby Jesus for DVRs.

(my favorites!)

Oh, and don't think for a second that I've forgotten that it's fashion week. I'm closely monitoring every moment. More on that later.

2010-02-16T10:10:00.001-05:00

I love you:

Best.concealer.ever.

I love you:

My favorite person on my favorite reality show.

I'm totally obsessed with you:

I'm losing sleep over the Olympics. I cry at every personal interest athlete piece. I cannot stop watching. I wish the Olympics were every year.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

2010-02-12T09:22:00.001-05:00

Can you believe it's taken me this long to see Breakfast at Tiffany's? I'm embarrassed to admit it, but it's true.

Mr. DD is away for a week on a well-deserved, fancy-pants ski trip in Telluride. That means I'm home alone and left to my own devices. My days have been full of working and studying, but my nights have been completely my own. My husband is away quite a bit, so I've learned to take advantage of the times when I'm flying solo. I drink white wine over ice, eat Lean Cuisine's on the sofa, leave dishes in the sink, watch sappy movies in bed, hog the covers, and catch up on my self-tanning. All the things Mr. DD hasn't got much patience for...

I've gotten very good at arranging our Netflix queue according to his trips. This trip it was time for Breakfast at Tiffany's. Truthfully, I found the storyline kind of trite and predictable and the male actor (I don't even know his name), bored me to tears... but Audrey... I fell completely in love with all 90 pounds of her. The hair, the costumes, the props. Love, love, love.

Long before Sarah Palin got her mitts on this look, Audrey perfected it.

I hate a cigarette, but her props were undeniably fabulous.

I find it hard to believe that she ever ate a donut in her life.

I always thought I was too old for pigtails, but if Audrey can do it...

For $24.95 this sleep mask can be yours. A measly $5.99 and you can have the earplugs too!

I love you, I hate you.

2010-02-11T09:35:00.000-05:00

I love you:

Not cheap, but a great product. As usual, Origins does not disappoint. Buy it here.

I hate you:

Who is this Kesha character and how the hell did she get a record deal? Her lyrics are beyond asinine. I feel embarrassed for her.

Winter shorts

2010-02-09T10:29:00.001-05:00

I love the idea of shorts in the winter. Have I had the guts to wear them yet? No, of course not, but in my defense, it's been frigid in NY these days. However, when the time is right, I plan on sporting a sexy pair.

Images from here here and here.

Perfect Valentine's Day gift for me and Mr. DD?

2010-02-08T10:14:00.002-05:00

I mean, come on. What could be more perfect for us!?

From here.

Hello, old friends.

2010-01-26T12:39:00.000-05:00

If "thinking about blogging" counted as "blogging," 40 days certainly would not have passed since my last post. But, alas... it does not.

I took a bit of a hiatus from the blog-o-sphere, and to be truthful, I've not yet decided whether or not to return. Since my wedding, I've felt a bit lost for content. I'm no longer spending hours trolling the web for wedding related inspiration and as a result, I've felt less inspired to contribute to my blog. What the hell is there to talk about anymore? I highly doubt "What I ate, What he ate" is terribly riveting material that my readers would miss sorely.

Plus, I recently got a new job (Hooray!) with lots of responsibilities and I'm studying for a licensing exam in my field. Mr. DD has added an Ivy League Executive MBA program (I'm so proud of him.) to his already full plate, prompting me to busy myself with friends and projects and extra-curriculars so I'm not sitting in front of the TV eating my dinner off a tray and drinking red wine by the bottle every night of the week.

Decisions, Decisions...