It's a Holiday!

Did you know that today is a holiday? Your calender may not highlight this sacred celebration, but today marks the start of National Toss Your Makeup Month!

When I looked at the list below I cringed on a few of the items I am still using that according to Good Housekeeping are way past their expiration date. It looks like it is out with the old and in with the new. At least this will give me an excuse to go makeup shopping. . .one of my favorite passtimes!

Here is a quick "when-to-toss-it" timeline so you'll know what you can keep and what you can replace.

- Every season: toss your mascara and liquid liner.

- Every six months: toss your skin-care regimen, sunscreens and liquid foundation.

- Every year: toss your hair products

-Every two years: toss your powder-based cosmetics (pressed powder & shadows), lipsticks and nail polish.

Imagine All the Glitter

{The framed Imagine poster that is above my desk at work that reminds me
anything is possible if you just imagine.}

Once you have gotten to know me, you will find out that I like to surround myself with things that inspire me. I want the places that I spend the most time in to mirror not only my decorating tastes, but to also have some sort of personal meaning to me. At work, it is very easy to be inspired without any decorating at all; simply by interacting with the wonderful families that are in need of our hospital's services, you can't help but get that warm fuzzy feeling when you are here. However, here are a few things that make me happy in my office.

{The glitter Lava Lamp that sits on my desk sending cheerful sparkles throughout the room. A girl can never have enough glitter!}

{A large cork board with pictures, cards and trinkets given to me from patients.}

{A jeweled plaque with one of my favorite sayings that is displayed by my office door where I can see it while sitting at my desk.}

{A fun caricature of my hubby and I done at a company Christmas party,
with adorable bride and groom bears sitting near.}

{A romantic stone carved paperweight from my hubby that is a reminder of the
amazing love we have in our marriage!}

Stop and Smell the Flowers

Today I received the prettiest pink hydrangea arrangement as a belated bday gift from a very special volunteer at the hospital where I work.

My morning has been filled with impromptu deadlines, photo shoots, clown visits to our patients . . . it's been non-stop, and the afternoon isn't looking any slower.

So today's blog is much simpler than I would have liked, but this is really the first time (on my lunch break) that I have had time to log in today.

I hope your day is going well and even in the chaos, I hope that you will remember to stop and smell the flowers. . .thanks to my volunteer I will!

When Harry Met Jamie

My husband and I have much in common when it comes to music, especially our love for big band and jazz style music. One of our favorite performers is the multi-talented musician and actor, Harry Connick Jr. In our 10 years together, we have seen Harry in concert a number of times; each performance leaving us awestruck by the talent on the stage.

His most recent performance in February of 2010 however would certainly be the most memorable for us both. We had purchased our tickets within minutes of them being available for order and with that excitement I had an idea. You see, I work in PR for a local children's hospital. What if I could reach out to Harry's PR person to see about his visiting our patients?  I would be lying if I said this quest was solely with the betterment of our patients in mind.

In a matter of minutes searching online, I was able to locate his managing company and without hesitation I put in my request. Hopeful that I would receive a response, but not counting on the acceptance of the invitation I waited. The next morning I had a reply from his manager, "Mr. Connick would be delighted to come to the hospital to visit the patients. As his schedule becomes clearer we will be in touch to work out the details." Was I reading that correctly? Harry Connick Jr. was going to be coming to the hospital? This was a dream come true!

As the date of the concert approached I was in close contact with his manager. Everything seemed to be a go. Then the bad news struck. The day before the concert I received a call stating that Harry was sick. The concert was still a go for the next day; however, he would not be able to visit the hospital. As much of a let down as it was, I knew we were still going to be seeing him in concert the next night. "We feel really bad to have to cancel on such short notice. I know that you and your husband are going to the concert tomorrow night. I'd like to put you both on the VIP list to get to go backstage to meet Harry after the show." OH MY GOD!!!! Was this really happening? I gladly accepted and couldn't wait to call my husband with the news.

At the concert we nervously went to the ticket office to pick up our back stage passes. What if there was a mistake? What if our names were not on the list? When it was our turn in line we told the clerk our names and that we were there to pick up our VIP passes. Without hesitation she handed them over. I think we both felt like Charlie with his golden ticket from Willy Wonka!

The show was AMAZING as it always is. Harry performed songs from his newest album, told jokes (He is so funny), danced and played a number of different instruments. My husband and I sat hand in hand, enjoying the talents of Harry and his band.

After the show had ended and the lights came up in the theater we were instructed to put on the VIP sticker and head to a door that led to the backstage area. Butterflies were in both of our stomachs. I remember saying to my husband, "OK, I'm not going to act all star struck or like a crazed fan. I'm going to call him Mr. Connick."  We were in a line of fifty people or so. As we inched closer to the greeting room we both kept commenting on how surreal this experience was. We had seen him in concert so many times, watched him in different movies and on different TV shows and now we were going to be face to face with him.

It was finally our turn to meet Harry. He had changed from the suit he had been wearing to a track suit and baseball hat. As we approached he had a huge smile on his face as he said hello. My initial plan of saying, "Hello Mr. Connick" went right out the window; "HI HARRY!" in a high pitched squeal of excitement is what came out.

The three of us talked for a few minutes like we were old friends. Working in PR, I have met a handful of celebrities and hands down Harry Connick Jr. was the most down to earth, friendly and welcoming that I have met. He asked us if we wanted to take a picture, which of course we both said yes. 

 

We left that night with memories that will last us a lifetime, a picture with one of our favorite artists and best of all, bragging rights to our friends and family.

Keepin' It Under Cover

Is your plunging neckline revealing a little too much? No problem – reach for Miss Oops Boob Tube for a very reasonable $14.99! Made of a 95% rayon, 5% spandex blend available in a lace or solid option and in a variety of different colors, this modern day bandeau gives you just the right amount of coverage without the added bulk of another layer.

My biggest problem has never been having too much showing. . .I unfortunately am a bit lacking in the cleavage department; however I am also short in the torso (Double whammy!). So any neckline that is too wide in the shoulders or cut too low I would fidget with all day long. Pulling it back to raise the neckline so my bra would not show, no matter which kind of bra I would wear. 


I get so frustrated when I go shopping only to find many of the styles today for woman are made to accentuate the bust line, and that just doesn't work for me. I don't need a turtleneck, but for goodness sake, you don't need to see my bellybutton either.

Another option for a bandeau style top is the nylon rayon spandex blend Seamless Bandeau Strapless Tube Top for a mere $5.50 by FineBrandShop on Amazon! A few months ago I purchased both the black and white version to see if this might be the answer to my fashion struggles.  

I was thrilled with the results it gave me and for $5.50 I wasn't passing that deal up! I have now purchased or been gifted with nearly every color available. I no longer have to worry if a top or dress is cut too low, and mixing and matching the different colored bandeau tops with my outfits is almost as fun as adding a stylish accessory. 

I'm 33!

I love birthdays! I always have. There's just something special about waking up to a day that will celebrate and be all about YOU! I was fortunate this year to share my birthday with Easter. In my lifetime my birthday has never fallen on Easter, and it just felt a bit more special for my 33rd yr.

There seems to be a running tradition with my husband when it comes to celebrating my birthday. I don't just get a birth"day" I get a whole week of celebrating (I'm not complaining!).

So throughout the week there has been the aforementioned black raspberry ice cream find. . .not really a planned birthday gift, but I'll take it!

The homemade birthday dinner made for me special by my parents. It was my choice. I could choose anything I wanted. My choice? My mom's pot roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli, rolls and salad. My mouth is watering again just thinking about how good it was.

The to die for Publix birthday cake in my favorite yellow cake with butter cream icing flavors. It was decorated in such a pretty Spring theme.

The Easter lilies I was given at church at the Easter service.

A glittery Easter card from my hubby, with two more birthday cards that came later in the day with the sweetest sentiments. I love the blingy-ness of this card!

An adorably wrapped birthday gift from my grandparents.

An abundance of gifts from my wonderful hubby.

And what did hubby get me you ask? Ed Hardy's "Born Wild" bath set.

and the 3rd season of The Big Bang Theory. . .a must see if you haven't already!

The celebration continued into the evening with a lovely steak dinner at the Texas Cattle Company.

Remembering I mentioned I get a birthday week right? The festivities will continue on Monday with a birthday lunch held for me by my most fabulous co-workers and friends and at the end of the week, a special birthday present delivery from my parents. . .details of that to follow.

With another year behind me and a new one just beginning, I am reminded of just how blessed I am. I woke up to over 50 happy birthday wishes on Facebook with more added throughout the day, phone calls from family and friends, Twitter birthday wishes and more hugs, kisses and birthday celebrations than a girl could ask for.

32 was a great year for me. Looking back there were quite a few large events that happened: I became an aunt for the first time, I was an extra in a major motion picture film, I met Harry Connick Jr, Morgan Freeman and Kris Kristofferson and I started "I Look Good Today" just to name a few. 

For my 33rd year I am hoping for big things. I'm hoping for new revelations in my life. I'm hoping for self growth and enrichment.

I have been blessed with so many wonderful people and things in my lifetime and I thank each and every one for making my #33 such a memorable day!!!

7 Things

Things I’m Passionate About

- My hubby

- My family

- A home cooked meal

- The 2 goats (the boys) that live close to my house.

- Watching lightning bugs come alive as it starts to get dark.

- Perfume

- Being a woman of God, not just by title.

Things I Say Often
- “Well there you go”

- “Hmmmm”

- “You’re so cute”

- “I’m so excited about . . .”

- “Dear Lord!”

- “Exactly!”

- “Hi Honey”

- “I love you”

- “Watch me!”

Movies I Can Watch Over and Over

- Dream for an Insomniac

- Clue

- My Big Fat Greek Wedding

- Birdcage

- A Christmas Story

- Rocky Horror Picture Show

What I want the world to see when they look at me?

- I’m ambitious.

- I’m smart.

- I love my husband, my family and friends.

- I'm dedicated to the people and causes I love.

- I want to help people.

- I won’t let my disability stand in my way.

- I want to make a difference in the world.

Things that attract me to my hubby

- He makes me laugh daily.

- He doesn’t see me as having any limitations.

- His amazing smile.

- His “Little Jamie” voice that only I get to hear.

- He gives good hugs.

- His love of animals.

- His huge heart.

Songs I Can Listen to Over and Over
- Ordinary, Wayne Brady

- Because You Loved Me, Celine Dion

- The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra

- It Had to Be You, Harry Connick Jr

- I Know the Plans I Have for You, Martha Munizzi

- Goodnight My Love, Harry Connick Jr

- I Want You To Want Me, Letters to Cleo

- Bye Bye, Jo Dee Messina

- Someone Else’s Star, Bryan White

- Feels Like Home, Leann Rimes

Things I want to do before I die
- Take vocal lessons. I love to sing and have been in choirs, but I've never had one-on-one training.

- Learn to speak a second language; preferably Italian or French since that is my heritage.

- Travel to Italy, Australia and Ireland.

- Write and publish a book.

- Do my hair myself without any help.

- Own a dog.

- Make sure all of my loved ones know just how much I love them!