Yankee Stadium, Here We Come!

New Yankee Stadium

Okay, let me preface this by saying I am not a Yankees fan.  Sorry but not sorry.  Being from Dallas I am a Rangers fan but I can appreciate the fact that the Yankees are the winningest team in baseball (and they certainly like to remind everyone of that fact but I guess that's why they call it "bragging rights").

Can't wait for a game!

At any rate, we are spending a weekend in NYC later this month.  We normally take in a play as neither me nor Stephen are huge on musicals but the plays this summer are dismal looking.  Nothing grabbed us so we were thinking of what else we could do in NYC w/o being too touristy or cheesy like a dinner cruise or something.  We then remembered that it's baseball season and, yes, the Yankees are playing at home so we will be attending our first Yankees game in Yankee Stadium soon.  I'm actually looking forward to it - taking the subway, eating ballpark food and doing it up like New Yorkers.

Will definitely have one of these at the game

We plan to get there a little early because (1) we have no clue where the hell we are going and (2) Steve wants to check out all the memorabilia and stuff around the stadium.

 

Should be a blast!

Latest Guilty TV Pleasure -- Below Deck on Bravo

I love Bravo.  I remember when Bravo used to have all these esoteric and high brow programs with Louis Theroux documentaries and Inside the Actor's Studio.  Then the adorable Andy Cohen started changing things up and gifted us with empty, vapid programs like The Real Housewives series, Millionaire Matchmaker, Top Chef and Long Island Princesses.   I love being able to come home, eat my sad food on my couch and completely veg out to mindless crap and the fake drama of these shows.  I got hooked on the Real Housewives of O.C. and New York several years ago.  Steve doesn't get it.  He doesn't understand how I can spend even 10 seconds watching these shows but I think it's like watching a cultural train wreck and I can't take my eyes off if it.  Occasionally I will watch the hot mess that is Real Housewives of New Jersey but it's gotten boring now that the nut job that was Danielle Staub left (aka, "prostitution whore").

Who doesn't love a good table flipping scene?

However, a new program has entered my life thanks to the programming geniuses at Bravo.  It is Below Deck and this show is awesome.  If you disagree then you are wrong.  Sorry.

Best new reality show.  Ever.

Basically it's about a high end charter yacht named "Honor" in the Caribbean and the staff that work on it and the uber-rich clients that can afford to rent it for their crazy expensive vacations.  Having been to the Caribbean several times, we have seen some of these yachts come into port andbring their clients to the beach and I've always been intrigued by them. Last year while on our cheap-o vacation in the British Virgin Islands, one of the biggest yachts I have ever seen came in called "The Lady Britt."  The charter in Below Deck, while very posh, is probably half the size of the Lady Britt that we saw last year.

Actual photo of the Lady Britt yacht from Google Images.  It can be all
yours for the modest price of $500K per week.

I looked up the Lady Britt on my ipad while sitting on the beach last year.  Let's just say I nearly crapped my bathing suit bottoms when I saw that it cost a minimum of $500,000 per week to charter it.  We watched the crew of the Lady Britt tender in their clients which consisted of the grossest, thinnest and fake-tannest woman I have ever seen and a group of teenage kids that I can only assume were a mix of her kids and their friends. I walked down the beach 3x trying to get a better look at her because at first I thought it was Donatella Versace but it was just a really thin, sinewy, tan, older woman.   We then watched the crew tender back and forth to the yacht at least 7 or 8 times to bring them things they kept requesting - more suntan lotion in different SPFs, fresh towels, an extra pair of sandals, more sodas, champagne, snacks, water toys they never used, etc...  It was ridiculous.  However, I guess when you pay $500,000+ a week you expect to be waited on hand and foot.  It is definitely how the other half lives.

Anyway, check out Below Deck.  I find the crew members to be hilarious and the clients are insane.  Rich people with no class and on vacation where they are drinking waaaaaaay too much makes for compelling reality TV drama.  Trust me.

Oops....

Weekend is over much to fast.  We had a pretty low key weekend even though it was actually quite busy.  Friday night was dinner with a work colleague, Saturday was running errands and afternoon/evening bookclub and Sunday was a trip to the mall to get a gift for an upcoming bridal shower, lunch with the hubby, grocery shopping and then prepping my lunches for the week.

The "oops" is because I realized that something was missing over the weekend and it is apparently lost and gone forever.  I have torn up my house and car looking for it to no avail.  My wedding ring.  I can't find it anywhere.


It's actually the engagement ring Steve gave me 12 years ago.  I think it fell out of my gym bag somewhere.  I'm positive that's where it last was as I always take my rings off and put them in a side pocket of my gym bag when I work out.  I looked for it there over the weekend and found the plain wedding band but the engagement ring was missing.  I looked in my car in case it fell out there but came up with nothing.  I double checked all the pockets of my shorts, looked all over the house just in case and checked every bag I have used in the past week but still nothing.  I'm not happy that I can't find the ring but I am not beating myself up over it too much either.  The ring wasn't insured but that's because it didn't need to be.  It wasn't very expensive (hey, we were poor when we got married), the diamonds weren't large or of very good quality and let's just say that I put a lot of wear and tear on the thing.  It wasn't a ring that anyone would notice but I am still sentimental about it.  Naturally, Steve is a little annoyed that I lost it but he can't say much given that he lost his wedding ring 2 years ago and went about 6 months without one before he finally purchased a new band.  So, that got me thinking about what ring would I want if I was going to replace it???
Personally, I am not a huge fan of the big round solitaires or the marquis cut.  I do like a square cut, the princess cut and something called a "cushion cut" ring.  I also don't mind gemstones instead of diamonds.  At any rate, here are a few that I like:









I guess now I will just have to save up to buy a new one at some point.  Sigh.....

Five on friday

Another Link up through April's blog again!

Woke up this morning to a gloomy sky and humidity out the wazoo here in Dallas but at least it's Friday.  This will be another busy weekend.  Have dinner with a work colleague tonight and am attending ladies' book club on Saturday night.  Sunday will be my only free day which will most likely be spent grocery shopping and doing laundry.  Plenty to look forward to, though!

1.  This dress I ordered from Tuckernuck, the cutest online store if you like preppy clothing:




2.  Getting back into my running routine

Not me

I pulled a ligament near my ankle about 3 weeks ago and it has really hampered my running routine.  I've had to take a solid 2 weeks off running and use the elliptical periodically until it heals up.  I think it is just about ready to take the pavement again which is great b/c I haven't been as careful about my diet as I should have been.  When you don't run 20 miles a week like you usually do but you still consume pizza and wine, it's amazing how fast the lbs come back on!

Thank God this isn't me

3.  Trina Turk on RueLaLa this week

Not to sound shallow and obsessed with consumerism but TT is one of my favorite brands.  Bought 2 new dresses online this week.  

4.  Book Club

Our book club took a hiatus for a few months as several people were moving, having babies, etc....Saturday we are finally getting back together so it will be great to see everyone again!  The book chosen was Olive Kitteredge, which was quite good.

5.  Making Healthy Snacks

Time to get back on the healthy food wagon.  We're going to New York for Labor Day weekend, which means I have one month to drop 5lbs so I can shop without feeling depressed about my love handles!

Tuckernuck - Cutest Online Shop!

I just stumbled across this site, Tuckernuck, while searching for some nautical earrings. They have the cutest collection of preppy, New England inspired clothes, accessories and shoes.  I already ordered three dresses.

Here are some of my faves:









So cute.  Can't wait for my order to arrive.  Check them out!

Weekend - Restaurant 560 and The Foundry

It's been busy at work again....seems like it never ends but here are a few highlights from last weekend.

On our quest to "do more Dallas-ey things", we hit some new spots.  Well, not new as in they just opened but new for us.

View of downtown Dallas from Restaurant 560

Saturday night we went with friends to eat at Wolfgang Puck's Restaurant 560 at the top of Reunion Tower in Dallas.  It's an Asian fusion restaurant that opened a few years ago but we finally got around to visiting.  I will say that it was very pricey but the food was excellent!  It really exceeded my expectations on all accounts.  I was expecting the food to be sub-par and overpriced but I think it was actually worth the high price point.  Definitely a special occasion type place, though.  We started with cocktails and a variety of appetizers, including tuna sashimi cones, lobster spring rolls and tempura green beans.  I then had the halibut with curry prawns and Steve had the Chinese lacquered duck.  My friend, Janet, is vegetarian and they have an entire separate vegetarian menu so she was thrilled!

Me and Steve at 560.  Look at that crazy cocktail!

Janet and Sean peruse the menu

The views from the restaurant are amazing.  The restaurant slowly revolves around the Reunion Tower ball so you end up with a 360 degree view of Dallas about every 40 minutes or so.

Another view

Adorable sashimi cones

Steve's lobster springrolls

Sunday was our typical grocery/laundry errands day and then we decided to head to North Oakcliff and try out a bar/restaurant called The Foundry.  It was 100% Austin, Texas in the middle of Dallas!  I loved this place.  Really laid back vibe with great outdoor seating, a stage for live music, a cactus garden and a great jukebox playlist.

The Foundry, Dallas

Best chicken fingers ever

Cool cactus garden at The Foundry

 I sampled two cocktails and Steve and I split an order of chicken fingers and jicama vinegar slaw.  I am not a huge fan of fried chicken in any shape or form but, dammit, these were the best chicken fingers I have ever had.  They weren't greasy at all but they were so juicy, tender and well seasoned.

We will definitely be returning to the Foundry again.

Unfortunately, I have got to get back on my diet.  I've taken some time off from working out due to a sore ankle and my diet has suffered as well.  I can tell the lbs are coming back on with a vengeance so it's time to cut back until Labor Day weekend.  Boo-hoo.

Five on Friday!

This has been the LONGEST week.  I guess the first week back after vacation always seems like the longest.  Naturally, I have been in meetings most of the week so that probably contributed to the drag. However, a few things that have been good this week or I am looking forward to this weekend!

1.  My new Prada clutch.

Isn't this the cutest little kelly green clutch?  Okay, it's not really a Prada.  In fact, I bought this from a street vendor in Pamplona last week for about $17 USD.  I really horse traded with the guy as he did not want to come off of his original $25 price tag.  Steve was getting so annoyed with me for spending time haggling with the guy but, hey, we do what we have to do to get a cute bag, right?

2.  ShowStoppers

buyshowstoppers.com 

I got some of these in my BirchBox a few months ago and finally remembered that I had these this morning.  I am petite but rather busty so I have a serious problem with "gapping" when I wear button down blouses - they always "gap" right at my girls and give everyone a nice good look at my bra.  That usually requires a frantic search around the house for a safety pin and then I inevitably do a horrible job trying to safety pin the gap closed and it ends up crooked or with the pin exposed in some way.  Enter Show Stoppers.  It's basically industrial strength double sided sticky pads that you can put on your clothes to fix gaps and other slippage issues.  These babies are magic.  They don't show at all, they stick like crazy glue and they are easy to remove and don't damage your clothes.  Go to their website for before and after shots.  I am wearing one right now and it's amazing.  What a life saver!

3.  The Foundry Bar in Dallas

Looks like Austin but it's not!

I've been wanting to check out this laid back, Austin-esque bar here in Dallas for a long time. It's not too far from where we live but in kind of a weird neighborhood.  What others might call "a neighborhood in transition".   Steve and I finally made plans with friends to stop by here on Sunday for a drink and some appetizers.  They get food from the place next door that supposedly does great rotisserie and fried chicken (I'll stick with rotisserie).

4.  Saturday Night Dinner at Wolfgang Puck's 560 Restaurant in Reunion Tower, Dallas

View of Dallas Skyline from the Restaurant

About a month ago we made plans to have a cheesy tourist dinner at Restaurant 560 and that weekend is finally here.  The restaurant sits at the top of Reunion Tower in Dallas and it actually slowly revolves so you get a 360 degree view of the city.  

Reunion Tower on the left or "the ball" as we say in Dallas

My grandmother used to take me here for lunch on my birthday when I was young but it was a different restaurant then and not very good.  Wolfgang Puck took it over about 2 or 3 years ago and now it's a high end restaurant but we've never found the time to visit.  Should be fun!

5.  New York Restaurant Planning

I guess I have food on my mind this morning b/c this is the other thing that popped into my mind.  The hubby and I will be spending a quick weekend in New York over Labor Day weekend and we're planning where we want to eat.  If you have any suggestions, I am all ears.  We're staying at the St. Regis and I hear that the concierges there can pretty much work miracles and get you into even the most exclusive "hard to get" restaurants so we plan one at least one splurge dinner.  Here is what is in the running right now as contenders:

Le Bernardin

Balthazar

Gramercy Tavern

The Little Owl

Blue Hill

Minetta Tavern

Prune

Daniel

Shake Shack (burgers)

Lombardy's (pizza)

Hopefully we'll find time to hit as many as possible.

Have a great weekend!!!

Dream Jobs

Being on vacation and then coming back to work always makes me think, "What the hell am I doing here?"  Oh, that's right, earning a paycheck to pay for said vacation.  I sometimes think about if I had a mulligan and could start over fresh, what do I think I would really want to do?  I know I would want to be doing something that I am passionate about and that inspires me and that makes other people happy and blissful.  Sounds corny but so true.  I would also want something where I can be creative, at least in my own way and where I feel I am always learning or experiencing something new.  So, without further ado, my dream jobs:

1.  Sommelier.  I love wine.  I love the way it tastes, the way it changes and the time and effort it takes to grow and tend the grapes, stress them to just the right point, pick them at the exact right time and then press, blend and age them to make something delicious and unique.   I used to dislike wine until I was in graduate school and then I had my first epiphany about wine.  It's not just a drink -- wine is food that goes with other food.  It complements food, brings out its flavors, balances it and makes it taste even better.  So, if I could do it again, I would love to have studied viticulture and developed a better palate for wine and then share that with others.  As for now, I am just a sad woman drinking zinfandel on her back patio.

Drink me.

2.  Travel Agent.  I've said it before and will say it again.  I. Love. Traveling.  When I am not on vacation, I am planning my next vacation.  When I am not planning a vacation, I am thinking about to where I might plan one  in the next two or three years.  It's practically an obsession.  I am such a dork that I study random maps of the world and countries to figure out where things are and what there is to see.  I flip through trip advisor reviews of places I will probably never visit for no real reason. Because Steve and I travel a lot, many of our friends have asked us for recommendations and advice on itineraries and places to go, eat and stay.  I've even made little booklets for some people on certain locations.  This was probably my real calling and would likely keep more sober than being a sommelier would.  Apparently I am missing the most critical element to being a travel agent and that is a headset.  Seriously, google "travel agent" on Google images and take a quick scroll.

Do you have a headset already?  If yes, then you are
well on your way to being a travel agent.

3.  Event Planner.  I love throwing a good party and entertaining.  Even if it's just for one other couple.  I am also big on theme nights or at least having some kind of unifying element to our parties (and yes, sometimes that unifying element is just plain beer).  I actually enjoyed planning our wedding and handled everything myself.  Okay, Steve had one job - rent the limo.  Other than that, it was all me and it never stressed me out.  It was enjoyable!  Since then I have gotten even better at figuring out do's and don'ts of party/event planning and spending other people's money on a party would be even better!  Pinterest has sucked me into this one.

Sigh.....if only I knew then what I know now.