they are right, everything is BIGGER in Texas

I was in Dallas this past weekend.. This wasn't my first trip to Texas,... but it was my first in my let's say "adulthood" (post college).

So, I was there to spend a quick Friday night- Sunday afternoon with my dear friend who is getting married in a month- do you need the background? long story short- she has A LOT ON HER PLATE RIGHT NOW.. bless her heart. AND, to all of you who have a lot on your plate.. she should be your role model.. anyone can handle anything is my new motto.

So, whenever I travel (which is a lot in my lifetime).. I even have blogged about this, food is a major tell tale experience in a new place. Well, the pictures to follow will prove that even about a little quick trip within our own country!

Texas is so unique.. I had a professor tell me one time "MOVE TO TEXAS".. and if I still had that professors e-mail, I would e-mail him today- and say.. I am thinking about, NOT!!!!

So.. this BOGGLES MY MIND, there is so much sophistication and old world money in Dallas, not trashy noveau riche people.. old world, traditional, educated people, with old money. WHICH I LOVE.... BUT,
why why why, do they choose to live in the middle of flat texas? I am sorry, but my common sense kicks in and tells me, why do these people spend tens of millions on these homes in the middle of nowhere with no natural geographical beauty? and crazy weather? Why not go to Palm Beach, Newport Beach, hell.. New York? The Hamptons? South Carolina? ANYWHERE WITH NATURAL BEAUTY?
I think I am missing something..

but I will say, TEXANS ARE KIND... and they love them some steak and some jesus! AMEN...

I also will finish with: even though my friend was having a hard time with a lot going on, those are my favorite kind of trips, you eat a lot, you go on walks, you shop, you do what the locals do in a luxurious way ;), and you sort of get a real feel for life...
and the irony of it all: I packed all bedazzled jeweled numbers, thought I would glam it up the whole time, I ended up in leggings and a sweater and her fiance's gym shoes half the time.. thats LIFE!!!!

Gotta hand it to Texas, they are patriotic, they are kind to their neighbors, and they love glitter and BBQ!! I could get behind all those things... 

DREAMING OF...

I need them! 

Perfect

I came to a realization..

I DON'T LIKE PERFECT. I am not drawn to it, and I am not motivated by it. I think people LOVE to see perfection.. not me. I am all about unedited, raw, what you see is literally what you get.

just a quick snippet. I could dive in with examples, but maybe you should think of your own. get dreaming... what is your definition of perfection?

MINE: perfect to Sabrina; the moment that you are in seems like nothing could be better, and you wouldn't change one thing about it. That is perfection....

YOUR TURN!

AGE-ISMS

So... I turned 25 on Sunday, YIKES. This might be the last age I actually admit my real age. I FINALLY GET IT, I get why women for decades, centuries, all of time, have lied about their age. AGE SUCKS.  PLAIN AND SIMPLE... NOBODY LIKES TO GET OLD, yes we can blossom and embrace life, make the most of the years, and even thrive with time.. but that doesn't mean that you still don't reminisce about old times, and love youth.

that sure was a wise man who said- YOUTH IS WAISTED ON THE YOUNG.

I already feel that way. ALREADY.

SO LET'S BE HONEST- I can joke that I am having a quarter life crisis, but I am doing pretty well, 25 I have a job that I don't hate, I might even go as far as to say, that it is a pretty good fit and that I feel good about it, I am married, and I have a great apartment.. I guess Carrie Bradshaw might say "can we have it all?" BUT... yes I have done my fair share of experiencing life.. traveled a great deal, accomplished plenty, but.. isn't there always more..

THE ONE THING I NEVER WANT TO BE IS THAT PERSON WHO IS ALWAYS SAYING "I WAS AN ALL-AMERICAN IN COLLEGE" "I LIVED IN EUROPE WHEN I WAS 22"
you get the picture?

I WANT TO APPRECIATE AND EMBRACE MY PAST AND ALL THAT I HAVE DONE.. but shouldn't I keep doing?

REAL LIFE BEGINS... bills become a reality- phone bill, water bill, electric bill, credit card bills, student loans, rent, I MEAN.. these things really take over, and this is from a girl whose parents still pay her insurance costs, car and health... thank goodness. Did I mention they even pay for gas? eek. But... I am still struggling. IT IS CRAZY!! HOW DOES ANYONE DO IT ALL ON THEIR OWN?


moral of the story- for some reason I was a little hesitant and un-celebratory about turning TWENTY-FIVE. and as I began to share this with people.. EVERYONE STARTED TO TELL ME THEIR..

"SCARY-AGE".


EVERYONE HAS ONE.


for most it is 30, 40, 50, 60, the decades. BUT FOR SOME REASON, 25 to me.. is just like 30, 25 sounds like,
OK GIRL, YOU ARE NO LONGER IN YOUR EARLY 20'S YOU ARE NOT FRESH OUT OF COLLEGE, YOU ARE NOT HELD AT A LOWER LEVEL, you are an ADULT, a full fledged functioning member of society expected to pick up the pieces and be a mover- and a shaker. What you do now, COUNTS.


I am accountable. ACCOUNTABLE. what a word.

SO GRAB HOLD OF 25, or any age that you are, (if you are above 25 ;)) and start acting it, NOW IS OUR TIME TO MAKE CHANGES IN OUR WORLD.. TO BE THE ADULT WE ALWAYS SORT OF SHIED AWAY FROM BEING... NOW IS WHEN OUR YOUTHFULNESS IS STILL ALIVE, BUT WE HAVE THE POWER TO BE ADULTS AND MAKE CHANGE!!! and no, not the kind of change you all fell into with Obama.. the real kind, the kind that makes you feel proud of your everyday actions.

go make those dreams reality... HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY GIRL, NOW GET MOVING!

The Office

I have never been one to watch 'The Office', and trust me, I have my own fair share of TV addictions.. good and bad,... BUT- lately after working in an office building, and doing the commute at normal human being working hours... and taking a lunch, basically being a member of functioning society, instead of my dream life of sleeping till 11, lunch at 2 or 3, dinner past 8.... I HAVE SEEN SO MANY SCENES I WANT TO MAKE INTO A TELEVISION PROGRAM.. AND THEN I remind myself.. this must be why 'THE OFFICE' is such a it, they do this shit! just a thought.... Should I share my funny, freakshow office encounters for a laugh? the elevator stories, or the people in the other suites that I have to deal with.... could be quite humorous, but also mean and malicious, they are just trying to pay the bills, I GET IT.. BUT MAN O MAN.. ok back to work.. @ the office! :)

How to evaluate and cover the last month? FOOD.

So... I was trying to figure out how to put into words all of the experiences I have had in the last months.. THE HOLIDAYS, my first marriage anniversary, etc. etc... and then I was scrolling thru the pictures on my blackberry, and I went.. BLOG THE FOOD PICTURES!!! so here we go, a quick little recap... via some of the food I have eaten...


Jake's in Pasadena is the best, it is the grungry old like train, on Colorado Blvd, in the middle of old town and you can design your burger!!

Classic... LaScala chopped, you can never go wrong! 

I loved this obviously... a little french pattiserie at the Spectrum of all places, ugh, to die!! 

One of many spreads I woke up to while sleeping at my parents. I am literally ready to move back in, with my husband that is! 

Just a divine Ribeye platter I grilled for dinner one night!! DID YOU SAY STEAK?!

 A ritz Egg and capucinno mushroom soup. google it. The Ritz, Newport Beach. HOLIDAY HEAVEN.

 At my dear friends boat parade party, she had MADE THESE CUPCAKES!!! SO CUTE!!

 My mom and our best family friends mom, BAKE ALL DAY/NIGHT for christmas... this is the Neiman Marcus cookie, "worlds best cookie"

                                              

Self-explanatory. Read the sign.

Clam Chowder in a bread bowl on a little dock in Monterey. Kind of earthy... but still nice. eh.

 Room Service. Need I say more? Something about room service for me.. makes ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING seem like heaven. My happy spot is a hotel bed with room service. BAM!

 Some chinese food room service from China Town in San Francisco, too sick to go and enjoy, might as well order in to the hotel... NO BETTER WAY, RIGHT?

These things were seriously to die, Trader Joes has the best peppermint treat selection EVER!!!

 Cookie decorating!!!! Always a holiday favorite!

I have so many more, and lots of better ones, but I get lazy, and how much food can you look at? Well, I take that bake.. sometimes I look at websites devoted only to food, and heck, watch a channel on TV for hours.. called... THE FOOD NETWORK. I take it back, more food to come....


DREAMING OF MORE FOOD ENTRIES!! XOXOX

MattMorrison

THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY!! DREAMING OF IT BEING ON GLEE!

Ho-Ho-Ho

So like I mentioned before, I had an urge to entertain. SO... I started decorating, (we) for weeks, sent out the cutest little online invitation (USE THEM.. instead of evites they email out these simulated cards, that look like real invitations, and.. they open on someone's computer) candy cane themed invite.. so we found all things candy cane and went with the theme. Trader Joe's, Costco, Ralphs, Pavilions, 99cent store, Bristol Farms, CVS, all were frequented for this party. That is always my tip with life.. mix and match high end and low end items.. there is nothing wrong with a shirt from forever 21 and shoes from target if you have a good purse, or a nice piece of jewelry.. same goes for a party, a Christmas tree, EVERYTHING IN LIFE.. it is all about presentation and pride. REMEMBER THAT! if you are proud and present it well.. then that shines thru! also, STAY CALM... everything always works out. Anyways, with a little help from some elfs I think the party was a hit. Lots of champagne, of course other alcohol is readily available, sparkling cider, and then tons and tons of appetizers (pigs in the blanket, spinakopita, a full cheese platter, homemade brie en croute... so easy :::get a round brie, and decide sweet or savory and go to town.. I did strawberry jam and preserves, dried strawberries and berries, some brown sugar.. bing bam boom, wrapped it in pastry and WHALA!!:::, trail mixes, etc. etc. etc) and food (salads, pasta casserole, bread, tamale pie, blah blah blah), and plenty of sweets (pumpkin pie, gingerbread cookies, homemade cranberry bread and apple spice bread, cupcakes, peanut butter bars (thanks Ally), homemade chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin surprise... etc. etc.) I THINK YOU GET THE PICTURE.. SO HERE ARE SOME PICTURES.. did I mention there were some VERY aggressive ornament snatchers out there,....

Too lazy rotate... and didn't get enough pictures.. but here is a little taste of some of the party-goers and some of the excitement!! so much more holiday celebrating to come.. DREAMING! 

COSTCO.

QUICK MENTION... My husband has been very disappointed to find that many Costco's no longer carry Hebrew National hot dogs, well, well... LOOK WHAT I FOUND IN THE DESERT WHERE ALL THINGS OLD PEOPLE LOVE ARE- 

did I mention Costco in the desert also sells... CASKETS. oy