breathe

I feel like an all new me. I just finished serving on the Steering Committees of two huge nonprofit events. I was so stressed I wasn't sleeping. Insomnia is not a pretty look for me. Can you say huge under-eye circles? But now they're done. I can breathe again. Dare I say it? I'm back! Woo hoo!

JFS's A Yellow Tie Affair

JLSJ's Eye Candy Fashion Show

acne

dear my face,

i am completely over you and your acne. in 2010 i turn 30 - totally okay with this! please know that i am not trying to relive my youth. i would, pretty please, like to return to my somewhat normal late 20s skin. the current state of my face - 15-year-old-acne-covered - is sooooo not okay! not okay at all. i'm sorry i ever complained about my 'old' acne. i'd like it back the way it was.

love,

the little wife

p.s. i still use the clarisonic every darn day. apparently my acne is now so awesome that it is no match for it. awesome. i just said awesome a lot. that's because i'm that enthused by my acne.

update

Purge update:

It is now January 13th. I posted the purge post on January 3rd. The clothes have been packaged up for days ... done by my amazing husband ... and are now sitting in the entry waiting. Waiting for me to drop them off. 11 days and counting. Tomorrow I'm actually working. 12 days and counting. Well, 13 minimum since I'm not going to even think about them until Friday. Crap. These bags are never leaving our house.

black

I decided to do a little New Year's cleaning this afternoon. I got rid of a ton of clothes. Man it felt good. Gone are 6 pairs of jeans (could have tossed out 2 more pairs but opted out), random pants, numerous skirts and sweaters, and some camis. I love it. Now I have to package them all up to take to my local battered women/homeless shelter. Right now everything is sitting in the dining room (along with hubby's discarded items). It feels like I'm prepping for the JLSJ Rummage Sale. I'm not. That's still a year plus away. I refuse to keep this stuff for that long. Hmm I wonder just how long it's going to take me to get the stuff to the shelter?

So the point of this story ... black pants. I don't own any. Unless you count the black jeans I found today. WTF. Black jeans. Who owns them? Me. What in the heck do I wear them with? Nothing. They've never been worn. They still fit (2 plus years after I bought them). But seriously, what do I wear with them? HELP

Back to the black pants. Or lack thereof. I decided what this means is that I'm not a serious person nor do I have a serious career. I'm never going to be a serious person. Just not happening. Ask the husband. He has a couple of personalities: business husband, husband around his family, husband around my family, friend husband, and just plain old husband (around just me - my fave of course). So how many personae do I have? One. The little wife. That's it. Again, probably why I don't have a serious career. Or a career at all. Oh well. That's probably best saved for another post.

Right now I want to get back to the fact that I own black jeans (which is so shameful and astounding it doesn't matter that I don't own a single pair of real black pants). WTF.

grey

A week after I turned 27 I found my first grey hair. Freakin' grey hair. What is a girl to do? Call a girlfriend and freak out. What girlfriend? One of my faves ... Red Head Jen! She gave me sage advice ... stop freaking out and just pluck those suckers out. Thanks Jen! Done and done!

Since that first fateful discovery, a few more have shown up randomly in the two years that have followed. Yesterday, two weeks after I turned 29, I found yet another grey hair. So not okay. This time I didn't freak out {okay, there was a little freaking out, but not terrible} ... I remembered Jen's advice and was ready to pluck that sucker out. I stood in the mirror for about 5 freakin' minutes attacking that gal. Guess what? No dice. That 1 1/2" long grey hair was not budging. Apparently she likes me and doesn't want to leave. I have a new friend. Maybe I should name her? Maggie the Naggy Grey (Maggie for short)? The name sounds great, the fact I lost this battle to Maggie ... so not great.

Maggie the Naggy Grey - 1

Little wife - 0

hanukkah

Happy 5th Night of Hanukkah, y'all*

If you're wondering what to get the fabulous Jew down the street, look no further. {note: I realize in some neighborhoods and groups of friends there are lots of Jews. That's just not how it works in our world}

Without further ado ... drum roll please ...

THE FREAKIN' MENORAH CORK!

How gosh darn amazing is this thing? One of my Junior League girlfriends {not Jewish herself - but engaged to a Jew} got one as a gift and decided to post its awesomeness on facebook.

Now don't everyone run out, google menorah cork, and purchase one for us. We've already ordered one {and ordered one as a present for hubby's non-Jew best friend who just happens to be dating a jew - smart guy, I know!} If you're just a hankerin' to purchase one you can buy one for my sister who lives in Philly. We were too lazy to order her one because we'd have to do transactions and pay double the shipping fee. Yah, we're all class. We're forcing her to pay $12.95 for her own wine cork menorah. Okay, I'm not a terrible sister ... we did get her Uggs for Hanukkah {which makes us awesome in my book - I bow down to Uggs}.

* I realize I was born and raised in Cali and have lived here almost my whole life - not counting the summer in Chicago - but one of my most favorite girlfriends is from Texas and I kinda picked it up. Gosh y'all is such a great word. I should do a post on y'all ... eegad sidetracked yet again.

clarisonic

Yes, that's right. I got a ridiculously expensive face wash thingy-magigy for my birthday and could not be more excited! Such a dork. After reading (stalking) about them on a number of blogs (Pretty In Pink Megan and My Blonde Reality + others) I convinced my mother to take pity on my adult acne and get me the pink beauty that is the Clarisonic Pro (part of the proceeds from the pink version go to breast cancer research).

I have used it a total of 3 times. Unfortunately there are not instant results (shoot instant results are my absolute fave). But my face does feel amazingly clean after washing (much more so than when I wash normally). I should probably take a before pic and then a few progress pics as I begin my Clarisonic-anti-acne journey. Now I just have to remember to do so. Yeah right. Me and my memory. Not a chance.

thanksgiving

I don't really like Thanksgiving. The food does nothing for me. Turkey especially. I REALLY dislike turkey. Also, I always overeat which makes me feel awful. Please note, I have a very funny tummy that likes to act up when I eat too much food or anything rich, funky, sweet, etc. I don't hate everything involved with turkey-day (see, it's a holiday also known as turkey-day which I already told you I hate). I do enjoy the holiday because it's a big fun family time. Plus, the husband and I have started an awesome bagel, mimosa, and football tradition. But that doesn't have anything to do with 'traditional' Thanksgiving itself. I'm totally rambling.

This year Thanksgiving was turned on its head. By what you ask. By fried freakin' turkey. Amazingly delicious. At hubby's family Thanksgiving a newly acquired family member came and deep fried two turkeys. OMG. Life changing. The hubby and I came back to my family, talked friend turkey up so much that we've convinced my mother to buy a turkey fryer. Next year the husband is going to deep fry turkeys at my family's Thanksgiving. I love finding new traditions!

Oh, and what am I thankful for you ask? My amazingly wonderful husband, of course!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving everyone!

** Please note: Chef Patrick Mould did not fry our turkey. That honor went to Mr. David King

lv

purse issues!

which one should I get?

lv montorgueil

lv batigonelles horizontal

lv neverfull (3 different sizes - I'd do the biggest)

birthday

Happy Birthday to me! Don't worry, I've been sufficiently pampered and loved on by my amazing husband!

fail

I consider myself a pretty gosh darn crafty gal. In fact, I'm known for it in my family and in Junior League. So it came as quite a surprise tonight when I completely failed at a craft. Actually it's more accurate to say that my craft went down in flames! Grrr ...

I was asked to make a prototype of a t-shirt for the JLSJ Fashion Show Steering Committee. Sure, of course. Easy peasy, I'm the craft queen. Not so fast Mrs. Mason.

I am ready to cut up my practice shirt and throw my iron out the window. Iron on t-shirts are hard! And this is my second attempt. I was so frustrated after the first attempt (printing issues and the same ol' iron issues) that I had to put the project aside for two weeks.

Now I just have to break it to the Fashion Show Co-Chairs that I'm not the gal for the job. Good thing we're also ordering the shirts from a screen printer. Though I know there are ladies that would like to have homemade ones. Hopefully those same ladies will thoroughly enjoy making them themselves.

It takes a grown lady to admit that they failed, right? Can you tell that I'm trying to find a bright spot in this gloomy craft night?

special

Monday I made my first visit to a dermatologist in forever, well, since I worked for a dermatologist back in the prehistoric era when my darling husband was merely my *special friend.* I lost touch with the fabulous ladies I worked with and have at times thought of sending them a card telling them that I married my *special friend.* My oh my, how I chewed their ears off about this fabulous yet mysteriously frustrating yet compelling man. I kind of want to tell them that our story did indeed have a happy ending. Oh well, I told it on the blog, that's got to have to do for now.

I went to the derm for two reasons.

1. I needed a full body check.

2. Adult acne

I'll address #1 first. My mother-in-law belatedly announced that she had a melanoma 5-10 years ago, at which point I demanded that darling husband go to the derm (his appointment is on Thursday). I felt that I should also get a full body check just in case (better safe than sorry). This was an incredibly traumatic and stress inducing prospect. I am modest. Incredibly modest. Being naked in front of a derm that I'd just met two seconds before. No thank you. Seriously, I think my husband is the only person I've ever stood in front of completely naked (childhood/babydom does not count). And even that took some time. Modest I tell ya! Anyway, it ended up not being psychologically painful (Could I actually be maturing and mellowing?). And not the point of this post. Actually, neither is #2. But I just need to vent about #2.

Ahhh good old evil #2. Adult acne. I've had some hormonal problems most likely related to multiple birth control trials, errors, and switcharoos. To put it nicely, my face has been freaking out. Which has left me in a state of grumpasaurisness. Not to worry, the derm gave me a light dosage of antibiotics, a new face wash, and two prescriptions for topical acne treatments. Hallelujah. So excited. Bye, bye adult acne.

So why I'm really telling you about this ... I was referred to this derm by a girlfriend who really liked the doc and her PA. However, she also warned me about the quirkiness of her receptionist/admin. I think it was something about how she's a bit much. (Note: I adore this girlfriend but she's a bit serious/mellow. So much so that I try to keep my crazy under control in front of her). Anyway, when I went into the office the receptionist was extra cheery, but not too bad. Either her craziness was in check or my girlfriend has a sensitive crazy meter.

I asked the doc about the Clarisonic because I'd heard great things about it from above girlfriend and from so many fabulous bloggers. The doc said it would be great and I could incorporate it into my new skincare routine for better results. I wasn't ready to plunk down the cash for it (plus I had the Sephora Friends and Family 20% off coupon - sorry I can't figure out how to link to it - email me if you'd like me to pass it along) but the doc conveniently put one up at the front desk just in case. I had to explain to the receptionist that I was just asking about it and not actually purchasing it. I asked her if she had experience with it at which time she replied, "no, but I've heard great things about it. I tend to go overboard on things so they won't allow me to use one." (Meaning, crazy lazy would probably get sores on her face because of over usage). Wow, the crazy that my girlfriend warned me about finally came out.

Not good. When I worked at the derm the PA had to give me super mild products because of overuse (several times I made my face peel badly because of what I'd like to call acne removal eagerness - and would promptly get in trouble). I actually overheard the PA scolding one of the nurses for giving me too strong of a product saying, "you know you can't give that to her, it'll end badly." I am obviously the equivalent of the crazy receptionist lady. Scratch that, I am the lady my girlfriend warned me about. Typical.

rude

Yesterday I went to Cole Haan to attempt to salvage a pair of my hubby's shoes. Don't ask me what he did to them. It's somewhere in the realm of murder. He totally murdered them. Well, almost. I'd say they are on life support. So I took them into Cole Haan to see if they could resuscitate them. The sales girls were fabulous. They were showing me what they were going to do to them and what I'd have to do to them every few weeks (they are in serious bad shape). I was super excited because I could use one of the products to spiff up a Gucci purse that I haven't been using because it needed some TLC that I just didn't know how to give. Plus, I could take great care of my new Cole Haan boots that I got last week (love love love). And finally I can use another product to waterproof everything, including my Uggs (everyone knows how much I adore Uggs). Excited (said in a sing song voice - that's how you know when I'm really truly excited).

So I'm standing at the cash wrap getting all the info when a, I'm assuming miserable, man decided he needed to give me a few pointers. Namely that I shouldn't be taking care of my husband's shoes for him now nor should I do the continual maintenance on them. I should make him learn how to do it himself. When I told the man that my husband a) doesn't have much time (works full time and attend grad school) while b) I'm essentially a housewife who was shopping at 1pm on a Friday while my husband was at work and c) he isn't that detail oriented, he rudely told me not to make excuses (he really said that!). Then he asked me if I was my husband's mother. Um no. To which he replied to himself, "you obviously are, many men want to marry their mother." I curtly told him that I was nothing like his mother (not that I don't love my mother-in-law, we're just nothing alike), gathered my goods, and walked away. I did hear the flabbergasted woman next to me say "good for you" (which I loved). What was that guy's problem?

Sir, please mind your own miserable business. Thank you.

When I told the husband about it he was livid. He hates it when people are mean to me. He's quite protective - only one of the many reasons why I love him and am willing to fix his shoes for him.

eta: Cole Haan is amazing! His shoes, when viewed from 6 inches away, appear new! Amazing results! My husband was thrilled - mostly with me for making it happen :)

spinning = death

That was my facebook status update on Tuesday. Spinning really does equal death in more ways than one. "Adding insult to injury" would also apply.

I took a spinning class at the gym on Tuesday afternoon and wanted to die. I spent the majority of the time staring up at the clock willing the hour to be up. First of all I hadn't worked out in about two weeks (bad me - I did go on dog walks, and had a couple of mellow trips to the gym, but nothing hard core). Second, the spinning instructor (who I've never taken from before) had the worst music playing. Where was the fun pop music to help me escape from my spinning misery? I don't know. But it was replaced by what I can only call old lady music. Awful. When I walked in I was wondering why a woman on a bike behind me had her ipod in a case on her arm. Hmmm curious. Not anymore. In order to make it through that hour that genius woman supplied her own music. Genius I tell you. I'm totally stealing that move! My previous spinning experiences have always been challenged by the music. This week's experience was the worst. Haha spinning instructors, I will outsmart you ... with the help from above mentioned lady.

Now on to the insult and injury.

Injury = it is now Thursday and my legs and toosh region are still hurting. 

That would be fine except:

Insult = after my spinning class I gained 2 lbs.

Unacceptable. I worked my butt off for what? Nothing! Only to gain 2 lbs. That is definitely adding "insult to injury." Grrr to my chubby life, grrr to awful spinning music, and grrr to the injuries and insults I have to endure.

present

The husband and I have really been trying hard to cut down on our spending. So when I announced that I was getting the hubby a present last week he was not so thrilled. Cue husband making a sad face. But then I added that it would be a free present. Cue husband's sneaky happy smile.

What is this present? Yes, a new, FREE, remote control. Complete with metallic bows. Hahaha.

Two weeks or so ago he let it be known that Mr. Mason would require a new remote control for football season. It sounds a little demanding. But let me tell you, we were living quite ghetto-fabulous here in San Jose (I was just too lazy to do anything about it). Multiple important buttons didn't work. These important buttons include necessary football watching buttons. Mr. Mason is quite the football game flipper.

Needless to say, the husband was thrilled! Both with the free price tag and the fabulously perfect gift!

sleep

... or lack thereof. So annoying. Last night I was wide awake at 3:30am. Yup. AM. Gross. If this were a once in a blue moon occurrence, fine. But no. It's quite the regular fun event around these parts - 3 times in the past 3 weeks. Boo! I don't feel that stressed outwardly. Apparently my body is telling me that I'm super stressed. Calm down, body. Calm down. Everything is great here with the Mason family!

see-through

This afternoon, after a trip to the gym (and without me showering and changing), hubby and I walked over to our little Italian Festival on the main street of our neighborhood. After taking time out to giggle at strange looking folks - most notably the lady wearing plastic stripper heals and super short shorts (hello lady, you will be walking up and down a three block stretch) we found him a delicious lunch. Hooray. That would be a lovely and quiet end to this weekend blog posting.

Nope.

It turns out the workout capri pants I was wearing were see-through. Yup. See-through. All through the tush and crotch region. Great.

All I can think about is the fact that stripper-shoe-short-shorts lady and her shirtless boyfriend were probably giggling about my outfit. Effff.

diaper cakes

My life last week. Two words. Diaper cakes (Oh and a third word - golf - but that's a separate hubby related word). Today I helped a girlfriend host a dual baby shower for two Junior League girlfriends. Two of my contributions can be seen above and below. After reading preggie-new mom blogs I'd gotten it in my  head that I too wanted wanted to make a diaper cake. Here was my big chance! Where did I turn? Google (of course). And from there YouTube (totally not of course - the diaper-cake-how-to was my first ever YouTube video). Whatever, I was able to create my first two cakes. I think they turned out pretty darn great, if I do say so myself! Gawd I love crafts! Luckily I get to make a third diaper cake for a college roommie's baby shower this Sunday - think purple and green. Sorry, this post was totally about diaper cakes and not about the fab shower for two amazingly gorgeous mommies-to-be.

attacked

A few nights ago when I came home from my Junior League Fashion Show meeting I was attacked ... by a plant in our front yard. That darn flower bundle you see above attacked my shirt. The shirt happens to be a fab green Ella Moss - one of hubby's faves (sad). Anywho, I was innocently walking by, okay, I was hurrying by. I was home late - the hubby just finished his last summer school class final, and I hadn't seen him all day. I was willing to sacrifice clothes to spend even 30 more seconds with the hubby - priorities people! 

There I was, stuck to the plant standing outside my house laughing hysterically. I was fumbling with the strings on my shirt trying to get them untangled. But as you can see in the above pic, there are tons of stupid spiky things for the strings to wind around. Ahh! Luckily my hubby heard the Prius (somehow, those darn cars are so quiet - maybe the dog alerted him) and came outside when I didn't come into the house in a timely manner. He couldn't get my strings unwound (of course, patience and intricate things are more my forte than his). Sooo, in order to extricate me and restore my honor ... my courageous hubby slayed the plant. All that is left is a headless stem (okay, there are many more stems with flowers, but this is the one that attacked me). Hubby saved me ... my knight in shining armor!

Shirt status report: the shirt is a bit pissed but will probably be able to be salvaged.

addicted

I am completely addicted to Forever 21 and H&M accessories. I can't tell you how many times I've been to one or both of those in the last month. Countless!

And, I just finished a DIY project. A ribbon decorated cork board that now houses my fab cheapie accessories! Loves it! The cork board is on the wall next to my closet and above my craft table/scrapbooking collection in the office/craft room. Did I already say ... loves it? Well I do!