FINALLY!!!!

And about two months too late.  Tuesday night after watching him butcher his songs I vowed that I would never watch American Idol again if he didn't get kicked off Wednesday.  Sorry Jason, I'm sure you're really nice and you've got beautiful teeth, but you're just not an American Idol.

Friday night and Saturday

It's been a really fun last 24 hours.  Last night Curtis and I schlepped through the rain to the UES and tried a new restaurant, Zocalo.  If you're ever in New York and looking for a yummy Mexico restaurant I highly recommend it.  We both loved it.  They seriously had the best chips and salsa ever, and the chicken in the enchiladas was so tender.  Mmm.  After dinner we went to Union Square and saw Under the Same Moon.  It was a great foreign film.  Very touching.  We both shed a tear.

This morning we branched out to another new place for brunch.  We go out for breakfast on Saturdays a lot, and usually always end up going to one of a couple of the same places.  We finally branched out and headed to TriBeCa to eat at a place Courtnie recommended, Kitchenette.  It was adorable and the food was really good.  We shared mixed berry pancakes and cherry and vanilla french toast.  SO GOOD.  The restaurant was decorated really cute.  All the tables were made from old doors, and all the decor was from upstate.

After brunch we walked a bit and then headed to Union Square so Curtis could look for jeans.  We went to America Eagle, Diesel, and Filene's Basement.  He ended up doing really well there, getting a pair of Diesels and another great pair for $84 total.  I, on the other hand, spent a little too much at DSW.  I got four pairs of shoes though, and I'm super excited.  I'd been needing (almost) every pair.

Then, to top it all off, we went to Pinkberry.  Tonight Sara and Jenna are throwing a Pirate Palooza so everyone will be dressing up for that.  Should be fun!

Boston last weekend

Last weekend was such a blast.  My mom flew in Friday and got to come into my work to see the floor and meet some of the people I work with.  That night we saw Xanadu.  It wasn't the best show I've seen out here, but it was cute, and my mom really liked it so that made me happy.

Saturday morning we got up early and drove to Boston for Nadia's surprise baby shower!  I've been so excited about this for over a month but haven't been able to blog about it for obvious reasons.  Nad's adorable friend Jhordan planned the shower to be at Cheesecake Factory and then Brad brought her there.  Do you think she was surprised??

It was a great group, and so fun that Jane could be there since she'd been out with Katie who just had adorable baby Dylan.  

Jhord made the BEST sugar cookies.

Brad is so ready to be a daddy.  He and Nadia just can't wait any longer for Maddy to get here.  Me neither!

The adorable mommy and daddy.

As always, I had the best time in Boson (even if I did sleep all day Sunday Brad!)  I always have so much fun with the two of them.  Their little nursery is so adorable.  They are so ready for Maddy and I couldn't be happier for them.

On the way home from Boston on Monday I dropped my mom off at JFK and then had to drive the rental car back into the city from Queens.  I was super nervous, to say the least.  Seeing as how I don't drive, I don't know how to get anywhere.  I know New York City from under ground, not above, since I take the subway everywhere.  I'd printed off directions which were really helpful, but I was still nervous.

It's always inspiring to be headed into the city and see the skyline.  It's not the best picture since I was the driver and the photographer, but still, there's the Empire State Building.

Clive filmed Duplicity in front of my building today

Good promo for HSBC.  Julia (Roberts) wasn't filming today.  Good thing I've already seen her or I'd have to stalk this movie.

I was on Oprah!!

No, not in the audience (still hoping) I was actually on tv on the show!  See, today's episode featured the cast from Sex and the City.  Obviously I was so excited to watch it.  So they were talking about all the fans that would watch while they taped and how it was such insanity, and then showed clips of all the people and GUESS who I saw!  ME!  So crazy, I can't even believe I noticed.  I guess the fact that I was wearing a white headband made me stand out, not to mention being a head taller than everyone.

Anyway, when I saw it I just gasped, then screamed, then started cracking up.  It was just such a shock to suddenly see myself on tv when I totally wasn't anticipating it.  Usually when I've gone to things like David Letterman I'll come home and check the dvr and scan the audience for myself (I swear I'm not that obsessed, there's just something exciting about being on tv...don't act like you wouldn't do the same thing) so when I do catch an occasional glimpse, I saw it coming.  But this was just so out of the blue!  I know I know, so I was on tv for three seconds in the middle of a million other people, so what.  But really, do you know anyone who can say they were on flippin Oprah?  I love my life.

Once upon a time I went to Florida, and this is the amazing condo I stayed in

I can't believe it's been a month since I went to Florida and I still haven't blogged about it.  I have so many photos and I've just been overwhelmed with the thought of making a post about it.  I always have a hard time narrowing pictures down, and like to include a lot since I plan on printing it out into a book.

So Caroline's boss has a place in Bonita Springs and it was maybe the most adorable place I've ever seen, hence all the photos.  It was absolutely flawlessly decorated.  Everything was beachy down to the tiniest detail, I couldn't help but photograph everything.  The condo was stocked with everything one could need from towels to shampoo and everything needed for the beach.  Oh yeah, did I mention all furnishings are from Pottery Barn?

Master bath

Master bath

Master bedroom where Caroline and I stayed.

Living room

Adam stayed in this little open room off the kitchen.  The couch folds out.

Spare bathroom.

Love all the little knobs.

Even the night lights match!

Spare bedroom where Janice and Tammy stayed.

The view outside taken from the screened in deck.

I want to squeeze this child

Here's the Megster sporting her outfit I gave her for her first birthday.  Love love love this girl.

Nothing like a night out with the girls

About a week and a half ago Erin had a little dinner party over at her place.  It was fab.  She made enchiladas which were delicious, and the company was great.

After dinner just the girls went out.  First we went to a bar where ANTM was supposed to be throwing a party.  Some of the Giants were supposed to be there.  We got there around 11ish so maybe we were a little early, but we ended up deciding it was a bust and taking off.  Then we went to Buddha Bar.  The decor was amazing and the guys were hilarious.  Natalie was amazing, dancing up a storm.  We had a good time but I was super tired and kinda got over screaming small talk into the ears of random strangers.  We headed out, but once we got outside got suckered into stopping by Brass Monkey.  That was fun as well, but the best time was just spending some qt with some girlfriends.

Me, Erin, Jen, and Natalie.

General Conference weekend

General Conference weekend was a pretty eventful one, so being that I try to keep up with my blogging like a journal, I want to still blog about it.

Friday night it was a double header at the movies.  First was Stop-Loss.  I swear I've been seeing previews about this movie for like four months, not to mention have been reading about it ever since Rees Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe broke up.

It would make sense that it had a political agenda, but I just didn't think a whole lot about it.  It was definitely very anti-war.  Despite the fact that it was extremely liberal I could look past it and really enjoy the movie.  I liked it.

Leatherheads is another one I've been seeing previews for forever.  I was really excited seeing as how I love George Clooney (he's in my top 5), Renee Zellweger is one of my favorite actresses, and who doesn't love John Krasinski?  That being said, this movie was laaaaame.  I mean, I was really tired and struggling to stay awake about thirty minutes in, but still, it just a total waste.  I ended up surrendering the fight and went to sleep for most of the second half.

Saturday was a super packed day.  I got up early and schlepped up to West 95th Street to meet up with my fabulous new friend Adam, who'd rented a Zip Car for a few hours to head to New Jersey to go to Costco.  Since I was having a party that night Adam let me tag along.  Costco was great.  I've never actually shopped there for myself.  I mean, I've gone with my mom millions of times, but never have I personally bought anything.  I was able to get an amazing load of delicious treats for a super low price.  Thank you Costco and thank you Adam!

That morning I'd gotten a surprising call from my aunt Terry.  She and her husband Jon were in town for the day.  They'd been on a cruise and were staying the night in New York and wanted to meet up.  They were seeing Mama Mia! and wanted to know if I'd seen it.  I hadn't and they told me they'd get me a ticket.  Sweet!  

So as soon as I got my groceries home I changed and then headed up to Times Square to see the show.  It was kind of ironic because I never knew the story line, but the night before at the movies I saw a preview for the movie Mama Mia! and then here I was, seeing the show, twelve hours later.  I absolutely loved it!  I don't know ABBA's music, other than Dancing Queen, but enjoying it anyway.  It was super upbeat and funny.  Loved it.

After the show we ate an early dinner at Cosi.  I can't believe I'd never eaten there before this.  I'm officially obsessed with the chicken caesar and am so glad we have one by my work.

After dinner I headed home to get ready for the party.  This was something I was super excited about.  About a month ago I read a post on Amanda's blog about a party that sounded so fun.  They had an Enrichment activity where they had a Favorite Things party.  Basically everyone brought something that was their favorite.  It could be anything from a favorite recipe, to a favorite mascara, to a favorite hair towel.  Amanda said the party went really well.  It helped everyone get to know each other better, plus hear about a lot of super cool things they hadn't heard of before, and leave with a new little tricket.  I thought this sounded so fun and was meaning to tell someone in our Relief Society presidency that we should do it for Enrichment.  Then I got to thinking, we don't have to do this for Enrichment, we could just have a party.  I've really been wanting to get to know the girls in my ward better so I thought this was perfect.  I mentioned the idea to my roommate in the middle of the week and she mentioned that it was perfect timing since Saturday night all the guys would be a the Priesthood Session of conference and a lot of girls had been talking about getting together to do something.  So, we sent out the evite and it was a great turnout!

It was a really great party and there were some really interesting gifts given, that really helped me get to know interesting things about the girls.  One girl gave my roommate a gift, and while I don't even remember what the actual gift was, it was what was on the outside that was neat.  There was a super cool postcard (so we thought) on the outside.  Chels mentioned that she loved the postcard and I agreed, and then the girl who gave it said, "Actually I took that picture out of my window.  Photography is one of my favorite things so I thought I would include one of my pictures."  Super cool.

And maybe towards the end of the party we ended up blaring the music and having an impromptu dance party.  AAAAAnd Chels couldn't help but bust out this umbrella during Rihanna's Umbrella.

Sunday morning I made the General Conference typical Hope breakfast, Eggs on Toast.  MMM.  Although I can never make it as good as my mom's, it still was alright.  

We spent all afternoon on the futon and got a little bit of the sleepy sillies.  And, yes, that is my Ridge 04 shirt.  I still wear in proudly.