Daisy, Chloe, Noodles & Petunia

Bringing My Blog Up To Speed

2011-12-10T14:02:00.003-06:00

When last we met, Noodles had completed his Fat to Fit competition. My former pudgy Pug finished in second place & I am so proud of him! Weighing in at 19 pounds, Noodles!!

Then in October, I turned _______7....fill in the blank.

There was cake and wine and flowers and cards and cupcakes and Disneyland and fondue and a white convertible.

Then it was Halloween. (Roxie Fox came for a visit.)

Noodles dressed up as a banana split for a party, but since his costume was too big due to his dramatic weight loss, on Halloween night he did a costume change and switched into something a little more comfortable, an orange t-shirt with fur trim! On Halloween weekend, my friend Jason of many, many years (friends since he was 21) turned 40 & there was party and more cake.

In the first part of November I drove down to Des Moines and saw Wicked with my friends, Amber and Angie, and also hung out with my other friend Jodan.

Now we skip ahead to Thanksgiving where my husband and I brunched at the Radisson and then went home to rest up for midnight shopping. I think there was football and the Macy's parade somewhere in the middle of that.

We also drove down to Iowa and took my mom out for lunch on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Here we are!

Now it is almost Christmas time. I decorated the tree with some help from my pals, and Noodles and Brie and Trista went to visit Santa.

***And that brings us current! I bet you thought I would never get caught up. Updating my blog--one more thing I can cross off my weekend To Do List.

Happy Holidays!!
Read more here and here.

New Pictures Coming Soon - I Promise!!

2011-11-17T11:02:00.000-06:00

For now, my favorite fall picture.

Read more here and here.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

2011-09-27T10:14:00.001-05:00

Or chop, chop - snip, snip!

I cut my hair two weeks ago!

Here is the BEFORE

And the AFTER

At the salon

And hanging with my pooch

And curly

I go back and forth on whether or not I like it, but I guess I better like it because I am stuck with it for several months! I had 8 inches cut off in the back and about 5 in the front. I was rather attached to my long hair but it seemed time to do something different. In fact, every September, right before my birthday, I get the urge to do something different with my hair - so this is what happens!

Read more here and here.

AuGUst

2011-08-21T18:02:00.002-05:00

My first attempt at dabbling in watercolor painting

Blue-Eyed Brie

Self-explanatory cuteness photo

Trista on zebra

Enjoying my veggie dog

Eric and I at the Iowa State Fair

Ferris wheel, sunset, Iowa State Fair

My fun tin chicken from Valley Junction

Con-joined gummi bears--attached by a web of gumminess for life, or until I eat them

Fall is right around the corner!

My hair and makeup team

Trista cuteness

You are so cute, yes, you are!

Pug cuteness

Chocolate fondue at Flame

A glass of wine and my dog, what else do I need?

Noodles and I at the neighborhood barbecue

Noodles does yoga!

Pugs have gone high fashion

My kitchen

A little blue nail polish

Self-explanatory - no SUV parking here

I stopped by Eric's office - don't I look like the Director of Information Technology?

My fun new Coach bag - from the Poppy collection

Read more here and here.

Happy Friday

2011-08-19T09:59:00.000-05:00

I will be back later with many, many photos and an update on Noodle's Fat to Fit contest. Until then ...

Read more here and here.

It's A Candle Contest!

2011-08-10T11:12:00.000-05:00

Stop by my "shopping blog" to find out how you can enter a contest to win a Thymes Verbena Bamboo candle, my favorite fragrance! Today only, August 10th.

Read more here and here.

Noodles - Fat to Fit

2011-07-22T10:36:00.000-05:00

Noodles is continuing his weight loss journey through the Fat to Fit Program and Contest at my vet's office. He is halfway through and is now weighing in at 23.7 with a goal weight of 23 pounds. Although I may adjust that to 22 pounds. Or rather the vet may adjust that--ha ha! Noodles was in second place but somehow he has now fallen to fourth. Insert sad face! He has lost 9.54 percent of his overall body weight but some of the other dogs have lost 13%. On the other hand, they had more fat to lose, I am just saying!

But none of the dogs are losers--they are all winners in the weight loss arena and will be healthier pets as a result. But having said that, of course I want Noodles to win--there is a Visa gift card, professional grooming & professional photography session up for grabs!

The best part is in September when it is all over, the dogs get to have a 'Pig Out" party at the vet's office. I already told Noodles he can also have his own private pig out party at our house with peanut butter and Beggin' Strips.

Dieting is hard work!

BEFORE

Almost There!

Read more here and here.

4th of July Flashback

2011-07-09T10:22:00.001-05:00

As we all know, the Fourth was LAST weekend and here we are on to another weekend. These pictures that I took over the holiday weekend were just taking up space on my iPhone so without further ado-here are a few glimpses of my 4th of July (or rather, my pets'!)

Noodles just chillin' by the river

Brie & Sophie = Double Trouble

Up, Up and Away - Someday I want to take a hot air balloon ride; who is with me?

I just loved these puffy weeds

Baby Deer spotted on my walk

Lazy days of summer

Even more lazy day up in the loft on my old loveseat

A view of the St. Croix river

Brie likes to groom Noodles

And back to the office, with a special visit from Roxie Fox!

Read more here and here.

Fabulous Mackinac Island

2011-07-01T07:44:00.002-05:00

I was on Fabulous Mackinac Island a few weeks back and I wanted to be sure to put up some pictures. It is just such a peaceful, relaxing and CUTE place in Northern Michigan.

First you must say goodbye to your dog

And from the Twin Cities it is about an 8-hour drive allowing for stops at the gas station and getting food.

Once you arrive at St. Ignace, MI, you take about a 15-minute ferry ride complete with mosquitos!

The island itself is wonderful and old fashioned - there are no automobiles allowed. Everyone gets around on foot

Bicycle

And by horse!

You make new friends

And eat a lot of fudge - shoot! I didn't get any fudge pictures, but trust me-it is good! I bought vanilla pecan, strawberry pecan and cherry cordial.

Someday when I am old and retired and rich, I want to spend an entire summer there just reading and writing and riding my bicycle and maybe I will live in a little condo like this.

Views of the harbor - so relaxing!

Example of the architecture - a pastel library and a some Victorian houses

Of course, I did a little shopping. You can read about that here.

Read more here and here.

Baseball, Veggie Dogs and Apple Pie

2011-06-18T11:34:00.001-05:00

There really wasn't pie, but maybe there should have been! Eric's parents visited us last week and here are a few pictures:

Eric and I at the Minnesota Twins game! (I had a veggie dog)

My in-laws, Jim and Mary, on a brunch cruise down the St. Croix River

I am on the boat -a nice but cool day in June. I love this top - it is from the Lauren Conrad collection.

The whole family watching the basketball finals. But not me!

Isn't my new daisy mousepad the cutest?

My co-worker, Carol, brought me these delightful white peonies from her garden. They are the quintessential June flower!

Sophie just chilin' in the living room window. She likes to watch for birds - we have 2 bird feeders.

A license plate I spotted--my motto in life!

I spied these red flowers when I was out on a walk. They were so much more vibrant that my camera is depicting!

Jacqueline, my real estate agent of 10 years and sweet friend, her baby Aurelia and my dog, hamming it up at Jacqueline's BBQ

One tired Brie - Happy Saturday!

Read more here and here.

iPhone Photo Catch-Up Day

2011-06-11T08:14:00.000-05:00

Yikes, I am here!! I have photos from two weekends ago to post. I was sidelined by a stomach thing--ugh!! But I am here.

Happy Hour at Woodbury Lakes

Buttercup!

My Butterfly Necklace

Happy Hour in Eagan with my friend, Sara

Lilacs

Irises

Tulips

My BFFs

Hello Noodles

Moi

Our yard finally looks like summer

Cat nap Brie

Dead dog

Let's go bowling

Happy Weekend!!

Read more here and here.

About Me and My Little Blog

2011-05-18T16:39:00.000-05:00

I recently updated my About Me Page. I am not sure if you have ever taken the time to even read it, but in case you haven't, here it is below in its updated form. I made a few tweaks and I also wanted to make you aware that this blog is primarily a vehicle for all of the pictures I take, sometimes on my digital camera, but mainly on my iPhone. I find that I can tell you a lot about my daily life just through pictures. So that's it in a nutshell. Someday I will get really motivated and maybe change the background and layout of my blog as one of my friends suggested I should do. Tina, I am listening. In the meantime, here is my udpated About Me Page:

My name is Lesli and I live just outside of Minneapolis-St. Paul on the Wisconsin side of the river in a townhouse with my husband, charming and delightful cats, and my wonderful, slightly naughty Pug, Noodles. I also have a green VW Beetle convertible named Daisy (and part ownership in a yellow car named Buttercup), and a fun pink retro bicycle cruiser called Petunia. Chloe was my Siamese cat who died in 2009 - she lives on as the guardian angel of all my blogs.

This is my daily life blog mostly told in pictures.

This is the third of three blogs I keep. You can visit me here where I talk about all things random like my cute pets, hairstyles, reality TV, books I read, restaurants I eat at--you get the picture and also here where I shop, covet and sometimes try to save money.

By day, I am a receptionist at the corporate office of a well-known bath and body company and elsewhere I am a shopper, blogger, vegetarian and bookworm who loves avocados and gummi bears and sparkling wine. I have an avid interest in anything to do with fashion and design and am a very visual person. In college I studied interior design and fashion history. I drink too much coffee.

Here is a brief synopsis:

Name: Lesli
Age: As young as I feel aka you should never ask a lady her age or weight
Location: Frozen tundra of the Upper Midwest, either sitting at my yellow Pottery Barn desk or curled up on the ottoman by the living room window (the better to snoop on my neighbors - kidding!)
Sign: Libra with Gemini rising
Marital Status: Happily married for the last 8 years to my husband, Eric, who is a well-paid IT geek. I admit I am slightly spoiled.
Kids: Of the 4-legged variety
Favorite Color: Lavender and yellow
Favorite Food: Cereal, macaroni & cheese, avocados, gummi bears, baked potatoes, cheese, cheese, cheese, chocolate of course. Cherries. I have a very balanced diet!
Top Places to Shop: Patina a local Minneapolis shop for gift-y things, Papyrus for stationery & cards, Nordstrom my mecca and Von Maur my second favorite department store, Forever 21 for cheap & trendy, and of course, Target!
What You Might Not Know About Me: I was engaged 4 times before I finally got married,
TV Show That is Currently Freaking Me Out: "Hoarders" on TLC. Sometimes I just want to shake those people. Other times, I worry that I am becoming a mini-hoarder. I do like to shop.

Read more here and here.

Spring Fling

2011-05-15T12:26:00.000-05:00

I think Spring is finally here!! Here are some photos to prove it!

Shopping at Linder's - Buying Lots and Lots of Flowers for our yard!

Birds are always a sign of spring! Not sure what this bird is; tell me if you know!

Tulips!

Ducks!

A fantastic array of tulips at my vet's office

Read more here and here.

Weekend Whirl

2011-05-15T11:57:00.000-05:00

This was a 4-day weekend that has passed in a whirlwind. On Thursday, Eric and I drove down to Des Moines to see the Bon Jovi concert.

It was fantastic. I had plans to meet friends for pre-concert drinks but as often happens with me, I was running late. So Eric and I just checked into the Radisson and had a wonderful Italian dinner at the hotel restaurant. It wasn't exactly leisurely as we had to book downtown by 7:30.

Here I am having a little glass of wine. It was white, sparkling and sweet. Richard did my hair before the show - a side ponytail with my pink flower headband. I later discovered there were about 27 pins stuck in my head!

I have to admit we bought our tickets last minute so we were pretty high up. Jon Bon Jovi was a mere speck!

But he sounded wonderful. He played a few of my most favorites, but I am sad to report he did not play "Never Say Goodbye".

The following day, Eric and I did a little shopping at Valley West Mall (Von Maur) and I found a cute skirt and cocktail ring in the juniors department. From there, we had lunch at Eric's favorite spot, On The Border and then we picked up my blogging pal, Amber (and also GREAT friend in real life) and we headed off to Kansas City for the Jen Lancaster book signing!

The book signing was sponsored by Rainy Day Books & was held at the Unity Temple in the gorgeous Plaza, which is a wonderful shopping mecca that includes Tiffany and Anthropologie. Sadly, no time to shop--we just had dinner at PF Changs and then it was time to take our seats for Jen!

She did a reading from her new book, If You Were Here, and did say at least one swear word in a church! She apologized.

Afterwards there was a drawing for such things as a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and pies and cookies. Shockingly, I did not win and I win everything! My mojo must have been off.

Then we got in line to have Jen sign our book. I only got to say two words to her, which were thank you, because I was so busy discussing how to use my iPhone camera with the lovely book store employee that I realized my moment had passed. I am such a big fan of her, too!!

Left to right, Writer Jen Lancaster, Amber and Me!

Then it was time to drive back to Iowa. We dropped Amber off at her apartment at midnight and checked into a hotel in Ames and got up at 6:00 a.m. to head back to Minneapolis because Eric had scheduled a neighborhood spring clean-up and barbecue. Unfortunately, rain cancelled those plans!

Saturday I was just pooped! So I hung out at home all day and played Word With Friends on my iPhone. If you play, please find me at Leslialison. Pretty please!

Today is Sunday and Eric is golfing. I think I am headed to Nordstrom!

xoxo

Read more here and here.

I Am Baaaccckk

2011-05-04T18:59:00.001-05:00

I have no idea where the time went and I have sadly neglected my 3 blogs, but I guess sometimes that is okay. I have to hurry and play catch up, mostly through photos!

We have a new car; meet Buttercup.

Buttercup is a 2006 bright yellow Chevy Cobalt, 2-door with a 5-speed stick shift. This is mainly going to be Eric's work car, to get him to and from his job in Minnetonka in a more economical fashion. But I get to drive Buttercup on Fridays to get my 5-speed fix. If you know me at all, you know I don't like driving an automatic--but my VW Beetle, Daisy is....you guessed it, an automatic.

Live and learn as they say.

Eric still has his SUV Rusty too. So we are a 3-car household with a 2-car garage so it will involve some juggling.

In April we attended a couple of surprise birthday parties.

And here are Noodles and me on Easter in a rare lovely spring day.

Otherwise, we had weather like this!

I attended 2 book signings. The first was Elizabeth Berg. She did a reading and signing in Wayzata. She told me she wanted my hair. I was in heaven!

The second one was last night in Madison, Wisconsin. Katrina Kittle spoke and she signed my book and there was lovely dessert and tables of 7 - very civilized and very ladies who lunch.

It was great to get out of town and go on a road trip. Here I am in my hotel room.

And here is the lovely yellow begonia I got to keep from our table.

Also, Noodles has lost 1 pound in the Fat to Fit Challenge.

That is my life recap in a nutshell!! Comment please if you read--I am sure I am such a bad blogger that I have lost my readers!!

Read more here and here.

Fat To Fit

2011-04-04T16:49:00.000-05:00

On Friday, April 1st, Noodles joined Fat to Fit at my vet's office - a dog and cat version of Biggest Loser, if you willl. Noodles tipped the scales at 26 pounds with a goal weight of 23-24. There are lots of prizes such as gift cards, grooming, photo session, etc., plus a longer, happier, healthier life for your pet! Noodles will be competing against 7 other doggies and 2 fat felines.

It is a restricted calorie diet which I began easing Noodles into over the weekend. The contest runs through the end of September. You can follow along here or on Facebook.

Read more here and here.

Bowling for ...

2011-04-03T19:33:00.001-05:00

Dollars?

Soup?

No, wine!!!

Let's Bowl!

I organized a little neighborhood bowling get-together at Pinz for this Sunday afternoon. Short story short--I sucked. Hard to believe that a mere two years ago I got a turkey, which is 3 strikes in a row. Today I did not get even one single strike--and I think I got one or two spares. I think.

I wasn't really taking the game too seriously. But it was lots of fun. And not to make any excuses, but I couldn't seem to find the right lucky pink ball today. And when I did find it, some little kid kept taking it from me!

Go me!

More pictures here.

Do you bowl? Are you good? Do you have a lucky ball?

Read more at my other blogs here and here.

I Met Susan Lucci!!

2011-04-02T21:18:00.001-05:00

I was so excited to get to meet Susan Lucci at her book signing today for her new memoir, "All My Life". As you must know (even if you are not a soap fan), she plays Erica Kane on All My Children and she has since 1970! I was a huge fan of All My Children in high school and well into my adult life. Even though I don't watch as faithfully now, I will still tune into AMC every now & again to see what Erica is up to.

She was at the Mall of America signing her book, answering a few Q & As from the audience, and looking amazingly beautiful. Let me just say, I was standing right by her and she is flawless!!! I saw her on Oprah and she says that although she turned 64 in December, she still feels like she is 36, 37, 38.

I got to the mall around 10 to buy my copy of "All My Life" and then stood in line for about an hour to get a wristband and then another 2 hours waiting for Susan Lucci to come out on stage. Although my husband might disagree (yes, he was there!) it was totally worth it.

Although when it was my turn to go up on stage and get my book signed, I was practically speechless. I just said hi, thank you, thank you, thank you sooo much and then walked away clutching my autographed copy of the book and forgetting my camera that I had handed to the Barnes & Noble employee who was snapping informal, unposed pictures. She ran after me to hand it to me and I swear I think I saw her roll her eyes at me. She was sort of a surly B&N employee, I am just saying!

And then Eric was down on the floor with my iPhone with instructions to also take pictures of me and Susan Lucci. He managed to get a very unflattering shot of my butt and someone's arm was blocking Susan. Last time I leave him in charge of the photos! I won't even bother to put up that picture, but if you want to see it, it is on Facebook.

Here are some photos that I took!

And to see the others on my Facebook album, feel free to click here!

Read more here and here.

Happy April Fool's!

2011-04-01T15:40:00.000-05:00

This is what my yard looked like this morning. The snow has since melted this afternoon, but you will still see those big piles off to the side that won't quite go away!

But Happy April anyhow!! Happy Weekend!

Read more here and here.

Flirting with 40 ... Degrees!

2011-03-29T15:14:00.000-05:00

I want this to be me!

Make the winter go away!!! Doesn't this look lovely?

Read more here and here.

Happy Weekending

2011-03-27T14:58:00.016-05:00

This hasn't been the most exciting weekend to write about! Remember during the week when the flu bug caught me? Well, now my hubby has it too. Last night he was in bed before 7:00 leaving me alone on the couch to watch Princess Diaries and then some weird shows on the History Channel while eating half a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Sometimes the shows on the History Channel have NOTHING to do with history.

Today we did manage to go out for breakfast at Key's (yummy 3-cheese omelet!) and we ran into some friends so that was fun, but now we are back home again. Eric is sacked out on the living room sofa watching golf aka snoring after taking all that cough syrup. I have changed into yoga pants and have worked out, read some of my Jackie Collins book (Married Lovers) and have been reading some blogs and updating my own. I think I might work on organizing my closet for awhile and then go work out some more.

In the meantime, here are a few pictures I took this week.

A snowy Wednesday morning commute in an unwelcome March snow storm. No more snow!!

I liked this personalized plate I spotted while in line at McDonalds to get my oatmeal. At first I thought it said Grab Life, but this is good, too!

Lazy Pug!

Sweet Kitty Nap Brie

Sophie Girl Trista (above)

Read more here and here.

Thankful for ...

2011-03-25T16:33:00.021-05:00

Awhile I go, I used to blog about 3 things I was grateful for each day, or was it 5? I can't remember! Anyhow I kept it up for awhile and it was a great habit to have! Today I am just telling you a few things I am thankful for ...

Pistachio pudding ice cream from Coldstone, the March flavor of the month!

Speaking of ice cream, I am also thankful for Ben & Jerry's new Red Velvet Cake flavor

My new lavender raincoat - I have a feeling I am going to need it in April

March is almost over - no secret, not my favorite month

SEE YA, MARCH!!

Buying cargo pants at Target - it is great to say to the fitting room lady, I will take the size 6, the 8s are too big (all that and ice cream, too!)

I am thankful I have a whole weekend stretching ahead of me and maybe I can finally kick this cold in its butt!

Happy Friday! Stop by my other blogs--I have some Fabulous Friday Finds and some favorite pictures of Carrie Bradshaw Fashion. It is SJP's birthday!

xoxo

Read more here and here.

Mother Nature is Confused

2011-03-23T14:06:00.011-05:00

It’s Spring, it’s Winter. One day I am wearing cute open toed shoes, the next I am schlepping through 7 inches of snow. Spring is a fickle thing in the Midwest and Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind. So I still go shoe shopping and I am still stubbornly wearing open toed shoes way before most of the population, but I don’t put away the Uggs quite yet. Or the parka and mittens.

The last few days I was at home sick. The flu bug seems to have captured me. I blame it on a visit to the dentist where some little kids were coughing without covering their mouths. So I stayed home and took gallons of Thera Flu and many naps with my pug and sometimes a cat or two when Noodles allowed their presence. I caught up on Real Housewives of Orange County and Million Dollar Listing.

Today was my first day back in the office and, of course, I had to drive through a snow storm to get here and it took me over 2 hours to go 25 miles and these are the days I remember why I want to move to Southern California!

How about you? What have you been up to? Do you live some place where it is spring? Can I come for a visit?

Read more here and here.

Wine and Cute Cars

2011-03-22T11:49:00.005-05:00

Over the weekend, my husband and I attended the Minneapolis Auto Show. It is held in downtown Minneapolis at the cavernous, giant Convention Center. To give you an idea of how big the convention center is, they were also holding a big bridal extravaganza and the 7th largest auto show in the country with room to spare.

We had lunch with friends at California Pizza Kitchen and then we headed downtown for the auto show. I love to walk around, sip wine and have my husband take my picture with my favorite cars.

Here are just a few. I love, love, love the Porsche 911.

And this Mercedes convertible!

The Porsche 911 was listed at 108,000 and the Mercedes a more reasonable 64,000. What is your favorite car?

Read more here and here.

Spring at DCN & P

2011-03-16T17:48:00.016-05:00

One of the first signs of spring is the crop of new books being released (to see two I am especially excited about, click here ) and all of the book signings that accompany new releases.

Last week, my pal Amber came up for a book signing for Jodi Picoult and her new book, Sing Me Home. A family obligation kept me from attending the actual signing, but I still got to to hang out with Amber for about 3 hours at Perkins (wine and cherry pie and shrimp for me!). Side bar: Yes, a Perkins that serves wine. I know, so great! You can read about Amber's visit here on her blog.

The book signings I plan to attend are first of all, the signing for Susan Lucci's new memoir! She is going to be at the Barnes & Noble at Mall of America on April 2nd. I am determined to stand in line and see Erica Kane live and in person!

Secondly, one of my favorite writers ever is Elizabeth Berg and her new book is Once Upon A Time There Was You. She is going to be in Wayzata on April 27.

And last, but definitely not least is the wonderful, Katrina Kittle, who wrote possibly my favorite book of 2011, Blessings of the Animals. She is going to be in Madison, Wisconsin so I will be road tripping it to the Wisconsin capital to meet her! She is fantastic and answered all of my silly emails!

So that is it for book signings! Then onto music - I am going to Des Moines, Iowa to see Bon Jovi in concert on May 12th. My husband very kindly bought us tickets and he is not exactly a fan. Awwww, that is true love!

And the spring weekend getaway that I am looking forward to the most is Mackinac Island, Michigan in June, sometime the week of June 13th. I love it there!

So it is not OFFICIALLY spring until Sunday, March 20, but meteorological spring started on March 1 and Lesli Spring starts as soon as I break out the ballet flats and open-toed shoes. That happened on March 14.

Happy Spring!!

So spring comes a little slow to Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the meantime, I have spring indoors!

Tulips & Hyacinths

My succulent garden!

Read more here and here.

Hello March!

2011-03-02T14:52:00.012-06:00

Well, February is gone and I have to say good riddance. When it was good, it was great, but when it was bad--let's just say it was really bad. Sucky!

It did have the fun parts--a new iPhone, a new Louis Vuitton bag and Valentine's Day. But it had more cold and snow in this unending winter of ours and then last week, the worst thing possible happened. It was so sudden and unexpected. Our cat, Baxter, died of a blood clot. It was just a normal, routine morning in every sense of the word. I got up, fed my dog, fed my cats, worked out, watched the news, had my morning coffee, got dressed, did my makeup, and was in the kitchen putting together a few snacks when I heard Baxter crying.

I knew he was in the living room in his purple bed and at first I just put it down to the normal complaining meow of a cat. Sometimes cats meow & complain for no reason. Although, come to think of it, he never really did that-it was more apt to be Trista or Brie who were the talkative ones. I stepped into the living room and immediately thought his legs looked funny. I yelled upstairs to Eric before he got in the shower.

He came downstairs and as Baxter struggled to stand up, we realized that his back legs were paralyzed. He was panting and breathing extremely hard and his tongue was hanging out. I bundled him up in a towel to take him to the emergency vet as our regular vet wasn't open yet. It was only 6:45 a.m. But when I picked him up, he had no bladder control and he peed all over me. I ran upstairs to change my jeans while Eric put him in his carrier and then we took off for the 20 minute drive to the emergency vet.

He died on the way. Of course, I had all of the second guesses--should I have taken the time to change my jeans, should I have held him instead of letting Eric put him in the carrier, etc., etc. But the fact is, after I spoke to my own vet, she assured me that once he threw a blood clot, there was absolutely nothing to be done. He was going to pass away. It was all so sudden and sad.

When Chloe died 2 years ago, I got to say goodbye to her. I didn't get to say goodbye to Baxter. I have often wondered --what is worse, a sudden, unexpected death or accident where you don't get to say goodbye? Or a prolonged illness where you get to say goodbye? Obviously, they are both hard and both extremely sad, but after this latest death--I am on the side of getting to say goodbye.

It has only been a week and, of course, I still miss our kitty. But I am trying to stay positive and hope for a good month in March. Last year I wrote about how I am not really a fan of the month of March. And I asked people to tell me good things about March in the comments section. You can read that post here.

And then tell me again in the comments section good things about March!! I am not really a negative person. Lately, I feel like Debbie Downer when I blog. What happened to Happy Go Luck Lesli!

BAXTER HELPING ME COOK - I HAD TO THROW THIS OUT & START OVER!

BAXTER & BRIE ON THE VALENTINE'S DAY RUG I FOUND AT TARGET

REST IN PEACE, BAXTER AKA BIG FAT CAT AKA FRANKIE

Read more here and here.

A Valentine's Day Post (just a little bit late!)

2011-02-20T16:18:00.015-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day! I couldn't let the week end without telling you all that!!

I got a box of yummy See's chocolates.

And this stupendous arrangement of lavender and pink roses, pink & white tulips, white freesia, white lilacs and pink orchids.

I got Eric a pretty cute card by one of my favorite illustrators, Bella Pilar. It featured a Chihuahua and a Pug. I hope Eric appreciates the pure cuteness of that card!

I also spent it with a couple of my other Valentines.

And Noodles had his own treats!

Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day!!!

Read more here and here.

Happy February!!!

2011-02-09T17:03:00.011-06:00

I am here, I am here! I have been taking a bit of a blog hiatus. Not intentionally--sometimes it just works out that way. I have been going through some personal, sad family stuff right now and I don't find that my blog is the place to put that sort of thing out there. I prefer to put it in my personal diary which I have been trying to be better about keeping. I used to be quite the profuse (is that the right word?) diary keeper in my early 20s. Trying to get back into that habit. At best, I have been sporadic with the diary and even my blogs. Anyhow I like to keep my blogs happy and light and everything can be very surface with me. If you know me in my real life, you know I am dealing with some heavy stuff right now. But anyhow suffice to say I am here and please feel free to drop me a line and I will explain more.

Onto other things, here is a picture from a brunch a few weeks ago (Jan. 23rd). From left to right, my pal Kala, me of course, my girlfriend Souvanny whose birthday we were toasting, and my long-time friend, Donna. We were brunching at Cheesecake Factory. So fun!

And here a large portion of our office wore red for Go Red Day on February 4 to increase awareness of heart disease in America. It is the number one killer of women.

Do you see me and Noodles? My t-shirt has red hearts on it but you can't really tell in this photo. But I am carrying a 27-pound red accessory!

I submitted the above photo to The Melting Pot Facebook page and I was lucky enough to win this cookbook!

Hope everyone is having a great week & staying warm wherever you are.

xoxo

Read more here and here.

Scenes From A Weekend

2011-01-17T16:56:00.009-06:00

On Saturday I found some time to be a couch potato with some of my furry friends.

And then I went to Spalon Montage and Elise gave me big, bouncy, fabulous curls. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of that to share. And then Eric and I had a yummy dinner at Red Lobster.

On Sunday I had an early breakfast with some of my girlfriends at Key's Bakery in Roseville. And then I went shopping.

Welcome back to the week. Today, January 17, is supposedly the most depressing day of the year whereas June 17th, a Friday, is the happiest.

Read more here and here.

Thursday Randoms

2011-01-13T15:21:00.010-06:00

I bought some blooming daffodils to cheer up my desk in gloomy January!

And this is my cat, Brie, all warm & cozy, indoors. The only place to be in the winter, I say!

Pillow by Target.

Noodles models his new threads purchased from a gift card I received from Tina at Park Avenue Chihuahua in her wonderful Holiday Pet Hop contest. Thanks, Tina! xoxo

TGIF

2011-01-07T10:49:00.006-06:00

Today is my half day in the office this morning, but then I have soooo much to do this afternoon. I was off all day yesterday, but the majority of my day was spent dropping my kitty, Trista, off at the vet for dental surgery, then I got a brow wax, and then I went to see “Black Swan”. I plan to do a review of this movie on my other blog. And then picking Trista up and making sure she was comfortable after having 3 teeth extracted – poor baby! And what I noticed after I brought her home is that she just wanted me to pick her up and cradle her in my arms like I would a baby. She did not have a good day.

Anyhow this afternoon I have to drive out to Eden Prairie to meet my husband for a quick lunch. I chose Wendy’s so it will be fast and I can also park my car where I can see Noodles sitting on the front passenger seat. I worry about dog nappers—that is a fact! Then after I get my usual baked potato and Strawberry Frosty, I have to drive to Burnsville and drop Noodles off at Woof-Dah for a half day of play. Then I am going to visit a friend in her new apartment. THEN I have to fly off to Edina to get a much-needed, long over-due pedicure. After that I am picking Noodles up from his play date and I am going home and putting on my pjs and doing nothing for the rest of the weekend.

Okay, I exaggerate, but I am going to keep everything very low-key this weekend. We are in for another sub-zero weekend and I just don’t want to do anything or go anywhere! Eric and I are just going to order in pizza tonight and then sadly take down the Christmas tree. It is time. I haven’t turned the indoor Christmas lights on since January 2nd or 3rd, but the outside lights are still on. Yes, it is time to bid adieux to the Christmas decorations.

Happy Friday!

New Year's Eve Recap

2011-01-04T15:15:00.019-06:00

Happy New Year!

I spent New Year's Eve weekend in Iowa. It was my husband's idea that we first drive down to Northeast Iowa and take my mom out for her birthday which falls on the 30th. So we dropped Noodles off at doggie daycare (Woof Dah) and made sure the cats had plenty of food and water and spent New Year's Eve in Decorah. The weather started out being a little sketchy - a little foggy, a little icy--but overall not too bad and we made it safely to our destination.

We had a fantastic dinner at Albert's in the Hotel Winneshiek, which is a very upscale restaurant in an elegant, historical hotel. I love the old-fashioned element--like we had stepped back in time. I think it is important to preserve old buildings.

I had sparkling wine, shrimp cocktail, French onion soup and some kind of grapefruit almond goat cheese salad. Whoa. Back up! I hate despise detest loathe goat cheese. I didn't realize it was a key ingredient of the salad so I gave it to my mom. If I had realized it was in the salad, I would have ordered something different. Live and learn.

Dinner was fun and my mom talked about when my dad took her to the homecoming dance when they were in high school. She asked him out and she had a boyfriend already. She just needed an escort. Except they ended up talking for hours after the game and dance, and she really liked him. The rest is history. I love when my mom reminisces like that--it makes me see her as the girl she was.

The only annoying part of the evening came when we had finished our desserts (creme brulee for me) and I decided I wanted an after dinner drink. A coffee drink with some Kahlua. But it ended up taking forever and they had to brew a fresh pot of coffee and my mom was getting impatient to leave - I think she was worried about the roads being bad or she really needed a cigarette or she thought she was going to turn into a pumpkin at 8:00 p.m. if she didn't get home.

Well, behind my back, she had the audacity to go find the waitress and tell her to cancel my drink! I was decidedly annoyed at her. And we still sat there for a good 20 minutes waiting for the bill so I could easily have had my coffee drink.

By the time we left I was a little sulky about the coffee drink and Eric offered to stop at the gas station and get a cup of coffee and then stop at the liquor store for the Kahlua. That was sweet and everything, but it was beside the point. It was a moot point. The point was I wanted to sit at the restaurant and enjoy an after dinner drink--not concoct something in my mom's kitchen made from Casey's coffee!

I guess the other point is, my mom never fails to take a perfectly fine evening & find some way to ruin it. She just does. I wish I could take the high road as Eric says I should do--but I tell you, sometimes it is tough. She never fails to make me feel like I am 17 years old again.

Me with my champagne and my mom with her grasshopper - before she cancelled my coffee drink!

Eric and I went back to our hotel after dropping my mom off. I had given up on my idea of playing games & eating snacks at my mom's house. I watched Andy Cohen's New Year's show on Bravo with several of the Real Housewives as his guests and phone calls into the show from Sarah Jessica Parker and Kelly Ripa--two of my favorites.

And then I was asleep by 11:40 so I did not see the ball drop or ring in the New Year properly. Some years are like that.

The next morning we were off to Des Moines for the next part of our weekend. Some shopping at Jordan Creek and Valley West Malls and visiting some of my friends. I had dinner with Jodan, Amber and Shannon - so much fun! And then breakfast the following day with Laurie and Coleen. It was a very brief, whirlwind trip back to my hometown and I didn't get to see half the people I should have. I even felt a little guilty like I had snuck into town and snuck back out like a thief in the night. But I will be back.

How was your New Year's Eve? Did it live up to the hype? Hope it was fun and happy and safe!!

Happy New Year!!!

2010-12-30T12:26:00.004-06:00

I hope everyone has a very Happy and Safe New Year's! Please stop by my other blog at Pretty Random Thoughts. I just spent quite a bit of time reviewing & recapping 2010. Wow! It has been a really interesting and great year!

Remember When It Was Christmas? That Was Fun!

2010-12-26T08:40:00.005-06:00

I am always a little sad when Christmas is over, but I admit I was going a little stir crazy being stuck in the house yesterday. I am ready to get out today and hit some of the sales. I like to stock up on wrapping paper and decorations and Christmas cards. Plus, this year I really think I want to find a purple or white tree for next year!

So happy shopping today! What are you doing?

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-25T07:02:00.002-06:00

Holiday Gatherings

2010-12-23T10:19:00.018-06:00

I am blessed to have many holiday gatherings to attend this season. Here are two of them.

My neighborhood get-together at the fantastic Italian restaurant Mama Maria's in North Hudson, Wisconsin. I truly have the BEST neighbors!

Eric, me, Chris, Jen, Rob, Andrew, Michelle and Josh

The amazing dessert tray at Mama Maria's

And this is a holiday brunch with my girlfriends at Granite City in Roseville, Minnesota. Bottomless mimosas.

Left to right Souvanny, Angie, Sara, me and Kala

Booze

Happy Holidays!!! It is the Eve of Christmas Eve. Please stop by other blogs - I wrote out a list of my Christmas Loves & Hates, and a post about Kindness & The True Spirit of Christmas.

Santa Paws

2010-12-17T15:24:00.005-06:00

I just wanted to share a few pictures of Noodles visiting Santa this past week.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

P.S. Be sure to stop by my other blogs. I did a book review, a little Kate Spade Christmas shopping for myself, and I won 4 giveaways! (Other blogs - over on the sidebar.)

My Anniversary

2010-12-16T15:54:00.034-06:00

I was going to write this post on my actual anniversary date of Monday, December 13th, but when I remembered it was 11:57 p.m. and my head had already hit the pillow and I thought, nah, I will do it tomorrow. And, of course, now it is Thursday afternoon and I am finally getting around to doing my post.

Anyhoo--I got married 8 years ago on December 13th. I got married on the beach at sunset on Maui. My dress was elegant and I wore a tiara and flowers in my hair and I carried a bouquet of white orchids and yellow plumeria. Eric was pretty casual in his Hawaiian shirt.

Hawaii is absolutely magical--one of my favorite places on earth. If you haven't been, you should! I especially think it sounds wonderful when it is 18 below zero in Minneapolis and I am wearing both tights AND leggings under my skirt! Everywhere we went during the day was warm and fragrant with tropical flowers and then at night it got a little chilly and I wore a sweatshirt and there were tiki torches lit up on the beach. We rented a convertible and drove all over the island and there were just flowers everywhere. Which seems extra amazing when you come from the Midwest in the middle of winter.

Anyhow Eric and I got married on the beach and were gone for 10 days so it was more like a vacation. At the ceremony, it was just the two of us, the officiant and the photographer. My dad had died earlier in the year and if I couldn't have my dad walk me down the aisle, then I didn't want a big church wedding. It was sort of like eloping but we didn't do it in secret and we told everybody. When we got back, we had a reception at our house with just a bunch of friends and cake and appetizers and drinks.

This is one of my favorite pictures from our wedding.

A funny story about our time in Hawaii was my horrible case of food poisoning. Okay not funny ha ha. I think I ate some bad bananas after we went horseback riding and I spent 2 days pretty sick. It was dreadful. But the bright side is I lost about 5 pounds and my dress zipped up quite easily! I think all I ate for 3 days was some mango sorbet and strawberry popsicles.

Now we have been married 8 years and here is to 80 more years! Okay, we would both be really, really old. Hey, it could happen--what with all of the advances in healthcare and medical science but probably not. I have a fluttery-y heart--I always think I am going to have a heart attack!

I got these flowers delivered to my office on Monday.

I wanted holiday flowers and so I cheated (yes, I did! what??). I gave Eric a list of good flowers! I can't help it. I worked at Flowers By Bachmans for 10 years. I know too much about flowers. My list mentioned dogwood branches, red hypericum berries, white roses, white hydrangea, white tulips and pink amaryllis. Maybe some seeded Eucalyptus and evergreen branches as well. I got everything plus some pepperberry and red orchids.

And a Tiffany necklace. It is from the key collection.

The Tiffany necklace was a complete surprise. I figured I would get one for Christmas, but when Eric presented me with that little blue bag I was totally surprised--and it is not easy to surprise me!

Snowed In ...Again

2010-12-11T18:53:00.005-06:00

It's our second weekend of snow and third snow storm of the season and it is only December 11th. Today was the real thing though--a real blizzard. We have something like 18 to 20 inches of snow with blowing and drifting, and tonight the temps are dipping down to below zero. I think it is supposed to feel like 25 below tonight. But I don't really need to find out what that feels like!

My second cookie exchange has been rescheduled for Tuesday night. In the meantime, it was a great day to stay in, watch some Christmas movies and take a nap!

Except for when we HAD to go outside!

Had A Bad Day

2010-12-08T16:53:00.008-06:00

You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime and I don't need no carryin' on
Because you had a bad day, you're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know, you tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day, the camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day, you had a bad day

Yes, just like the Daniel Powter song, I had a bad day.

I like my blogs to be fun, happy places so I don’t normally get too serious or personal. As I have said before, I dump all that other stuff into my personal journal. But sometimes I just have to vent and this is one of those times.

I am having a really crappy week! I can cry at the drop of a hat and last night I went to bed at 8:30 because I had just had enough and I figured my warm , cozy bed with a Pug curled up at the foot of it (and a cat or two jumping on my head) was the best place to be, where nothing else bad could happen.

Of course, my husband walks in the bedroom and wants to know what exactly is wrong. He knows I am having a bad day because I had alluded to it but I didn’t tell him specifics. He just knew when we ordered in a pizza and a garden salad for me and the salad came with bacon that I, a vegetarian, was about to lose it.

Suddenly I was crying and pouring out everything. It all started yesterday morning when I was driving to work and I heard a sad story on the radio about animal cruelty. I won’t tell you the details because I don’t like to spread around further sadness. But when I hear anything sad about animals or someone being deliberately cruel and/or neglectful, it breaks my heart and a cloak of sadness just comes over me. Animals are so innocent and they really can’t defend themselves from a lot of the bad things and bad people in this world. We have to be their guardians.

So my day started with that “cloak of sadness” and I really tried to change my energy into something more positive, but I couldn’t. So no surprise when I got a call from the most horrid woman that it pushed me over the brink. Just a little background, I work at a wonderful bath and body company as a receptionist. I love being a receptionist and I love the company I work for. After being a receptionist at insurance companies and a collection agency, I can tell you that working in the corporate office of an upscale bath & body company is infinitely preferable with generally nicer, more pleasant callers. Generally.

Occasionally I get a mean caller right out of left field and it throws me for a loop. Some people you just cannot please and they are going to lose their marbles and start screaming at you—that was what happened yesterday. I know it can happen to anyone who works in the service industry or in retail. Especially this time of year – the fruitcakes and grinches are out in full force.

I wish people would just take a moment to step back and be kind to the person who is trying to help them or serve them or wait on them. There is no point in yelling or hanging up on someone. I have answered enough phones and worked enough retail and spilled enough drinks on people in my cocktail serving summer to know just how rude and downright mean some people can be. So I have total empathy for anyone in the service industry and I think it should be mandatory that everyone have a job or two like that just so they develop empathy.

Anyhow so there was the sad cat story, the mean caller, the bacon in my salad (yes, that was a tiny thing), the zit on my chin (not so tiny!), and also my little fiber optic Charlie Brown tree that has been with me since 2001 decided to choose this time to conk out. I think I cried for my tree too because although it has been relegated to a secondary tree that sits up in the loft while the 7-foot tree shines in the living room, it had a special place in my heart from those days of my condo in Woodbury and it was my cat, Chloe’s (r.i.p.) first tree.

So at that point, everything conspired to make me cry. So I cried last night, but I wasn’t done crying either because I cried again this morning at my desk. I think I am having a mini meltdown because of other sad things that have happened the past few weeks – the death of a friend’s mom and the sadness of a good friend & former co-worker who is now having to move to assisted living.

So it helps to cry. It helps to vent. Hopefully, back to my normal cheerful self tomorrow!
xoxo
P.S. As I said on Facebook, please tell me jokes and send me flowers or cats or cupcakes or something!

Cookie Palooza

2010-12-05T18:19:00.036-06:00

You should know that yesterday, December 4th, was National Cookie Day! And coincidentally, it was also my Minnesota Blogging Friends cookie exchange.

We had all made arrangements to meet at Jake's in Eagan - the one in the Promenade Shopping Center with the Byerly's and the TJ Maxx, the Old Navy, PetSmart and Barnes & Noble where you can get all of your errands ran if you are so inclined.

The funny thing is Jake's is right next door to Houlihan's and really those two restaurant/bars could be interchangeable--they even share a parking lot. But the really funny thing is how Margaret and Michael wound up at Houlihan's while the rest of us were at Jake's. Right next door. Those two were all indignant that we had stood them up and cancelled without letting them know. And the rest of us were seriously wondering how they could be so late!

About the time that I decided to check my phone to see if anyone had called, they realized they were at the wrong restaurant and we were all reunited. I admit I kind of blamed Michael--I thought maybe (like me) he was not exactly the punctual type! Sorry, Michael!! You are exonerated!

Margaret and Michael and a special little guest - they finally made it over from Houlihans!

Anyhow once we were all in the same restaurant at the same table, drinks and appetizers were ordered and cookies were exchanged. There were all kinds of cookies--my blogging friends make really yummy cookies. In my bag of cookies, there are cherry date balls, little butter cookies, eggnog cookies, chocolate orange pinwheels, chocolate chocolate chip, ginger snaps, sugar cookies, cookies with Hershey's kisses, and chocolate chip cookies with cherries. And I am sure I am forgetting some!

Cathy, Me and Marcy - my fellow bloggers & cookie bakers

Lisa and her daughter (mini Lisa!)

Cathy, Lisa's delightful daughter and me

p.s. You can read about our other blogging get-togethers here and here.

Going Retro

2010-12-02T16:41:00.017-06:00

Hello, everyone! (Okay, my 4 or 5 readers of this newly hatched blog.)

(newly hatched chicks - get it?)

I miss my other blogs so I have decided I am going to keep them going as well, but I don't want to give up on this blog either. I have some vague ideas of what I am going to do. In a nutshell, I want to keep this blog for my daily goings-on and what not since it is supposed to be about my life.

And then Pretty Random Thoughts is going to stay just that--my random thoughts on the usual - Kate Spade handbags and pets and hairstyles and the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. You know, just off the top of my head!

And Girl in Kate Spade Mittens - well, it is a given that I will focus on all my shopping on that blog.

So I ran this idea past just a few of my friends - one did not comment (ha ha!) and the other thinks it is a lot to keep up on. But I am sort of a multi-tasker and I am used to having a lot going on. I think I can handle it! I am up to the challenge. I have already written a few new posts recently on Pretty Random Thoughts, and my next project is updating the look of this blog some more.

So bear with me. I hope you will read at least one of my blogs, but I would love it even more if you read all 3. They are always evolving.

Yes, I know I said I wanted to condense the other two blogs into one blog (this blog) but honestly, plans change and I can change my mind at the drop of a hat.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like ...

2010-11-28T20:13:00.003-06:00

... Christmas!

The lights are lit, my stocking is hanging, the trees are up...just need to put the ornaments on!

In the meantime, I guess my cat, Trista, can serve as the loveliest decoration!

And The Winner Is ...

2010-11-26T20:55:00.013-06:00

I went shopping today. It was Black Friday, but I didn't really get up early or go for the early bird sales or door busters or what not. I got up at a perfectly respectable 7 a.m. and left the house by 9 for a pedicure. Then after getting my nails all sparkly and festive for the holidays, my husband and I went to PF Changs for an early lunch.

Then I bought some snuggly Snoopy flannel pajamas at JCPenney's (and they were actually door buster priced til 1:00 p.m.) and actually Eric bought them for me because he was feeling generous and was buying new shirts for work.

Then we went to Macy's so I could get a sugar cookie & an eggnog flavored coffee and admire all of the Christmas decorations.

From there we went to the Galleria so I could visit the Louis Vuitton bags and check out the new color Nook at Barnes & Noble, and also Tiffany's so I could show Eric a few items I might want for Christmas. He gave in and bought me an early present - a Tiffany key charm for my Tiffany bracelet.

After that we went to Bachman's so I could get a couple of poinsettias - I got a peach one and this sort of red & white one. I think I want about 7 big poinsettias for the living room. And tomorrow we are putting the trees up.

So now to announce the winner of my Thanksgiving Giveaway. In a random drawing I chose Liz. Liz, please send me a personal email at lesli13 at hello kitty dot com and let me know your mailing address so I can get your goodies out to you next week. Please tell me which candle you would like. You can read the descriptions here or just let me tell you myself. The Royal Pomander is a fall candle, all kind of woody and bonfire-y smokey (to me). Thankfulness is yummy and caramel and vanilla. And Frasier Fir is definitely a Christmas tree come to life. Also, please tell me which $10 gift card you would like - Target, Barnes & Noble, Sephora or Starbucks. Liz, I would like to give you a week to claim your prize. If I don't hear from you in that time, the runner-up is Cathy!

Thanks for everyone who entered!

xoxo

Daisy In The Snow

2010-11-24T20:42:00.004-06:00

Here comes more snow! I took this picture of my car this afternoon behind a tree full of berries and see the big icicle hanging down in the right side of the picture? Neither rain nor snow nor sleet nor dark of night was going to keep me from going to Baker's Square after work to get my mince pie with brandy sauce. And I also had them throw in a slice of pecan pie.

I made it and am now safely home after a 90-minute commute.

Thinking About Shopping ... What Else??!!!

2010-11-24T10:05:00.023-06:00

What I am reading now

I love all of the Becky Bloomwood books and actually consider myself a bit of a real life Becky Bloomwood. I definitely see a lot of myself in her! This book is a delightful way to pass the time on the elliptical machine, making sure I don't gain any weight from Thanksgiving indulgences!

In other news, I own 2 Louis Vuitton bags

This one which was a Christmas gift from my husband in 2006

And this one, which was an anniversary/Christmas/I bet my husband Tiger Woods really did cheat on his wife gift - December of 09

But the point of this is I decided to RENT A BAG! Can you believe that? I decided to rent a Louis Vuitton bag from Bag Borrow Steal now known as Avelle. I decided to rent it on a whim yesterday and today, ta dah, the UPS man delivered it right to my doorstep aka my desk at work.

That is some fast service!

Louis Vuitton Ellipse Petit Modele

Has anyone rented a luxury handbag before? What has been your experience? I am curious!

And we are only two days away from Black Friday. Is anyone planning to shop? Where? What time are you getting up?

I originally had plans to shop with some friends. We were going to get a hotel near the mall the night before and have a slumber party, eat pizza and watch movies & then get up early to shop. Those plans fell through due to some conflicting family plans on their part. So now I am on my own. Well, I am dragging my husband along! And I am not getting up early, unless it is to go out for breakfast and first of all I am having a pedicure. And then we are having an early lunch at PF Changs at the mall. It is Eric's second favorite restaurant so that is my concession to him going shopping with me - and I can have some crab wontons, garlic noodles & a Pear mojito.

Then we will do some shopping. I want to check out the new Color Nook at Barnes & Noble since it is on my wish list and Tiffany's - again Tiffany jewelry is ALWAYS on my wish list.

Speaking of shopping at the mall, I am a big fan of the new Merrier Shopping blog. June is fabulous and she has shopping advice and crafts and recipes and GIVEAWAYS. And she is very merry and super creative.

And also, have you checked out the new shopping website Boutiques.com? It is a shopping, style and search website launched by Google this week. When you register, you will need to spend some time taking a pictorial quiz to figure out what your style is (I am romantic) and then fill out a survey with your sizes and preferences in silhouettes, designers, etc., and also which colors your hate (I hate camouflage) and which designers you can't abide by, then tah dah you will have a boutique to shop from full of your favorite designers, colors and styles. Addictive!

Don't forget tomorrow is your last chance to enter my Thanksgiving Day Giveway. I am giving away a delightful holiday candle, chocolate AND a gift card to somewhere wonderful. Just leave me a comment & tell me what you are thankful for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Simply Adorable

2010-11-22T09:50:00.011-06:00

I found this really cute reusable holiday shopping bag at JCPenney's over the weekend. You can be green AND cute while doing your holiday shopping.

One side is NAUGHTY

and the other is NICE

Featuring a really cute cat and dog!

Love it! Only $2.00 per bag.

Cozy Cats

2010-11-21T20:04:00.004-06:00

Two of my cats snuggling up for a winter's nap. It is definitely winter here with snow & ice and cold. Tis the season!

What I Did on a Saturday in November

2010-11-20T21:22:00.011-06:00

Today I saw this movie

and finished reading this book

And ate a lot of these

With a lot of this

And then I went to see this

And the lighting of this

What did you do?

Happy Friday, Dream Closets & Don't Forget My Giveaway

2010-11-19T16:59:00.018-06:00

CARRIE BRADHSHAW'S CLOSET

Yesterday I organized my walk-in closet (well, began organizing) and gave away 6 bags full of clothes to charity. But I am still not done and this morning I worked at the office for about 4 hours and then I had a free afternoon so I was THINKING I was going to work on my closet some more, but somehow I turned into Lazy Lesli and started watching MTV's Return to Fat Camp and then the Tyra Show and then Oprah's Favorite Things. Yes, I spent my afternoon on the couch

with my

Pug!

But someday I want to my closet to look like this!!

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Thanksgiving Giveaway below. I am giving away a delightful candle just in time for the holidays, some delicious Godiva chocolates and a gift card to somewhere fun--really it can be anywhere you like - Target, Starbucks, Sephora, Barnes and Noble--wherever!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

JUST FOR FUN - MARIAH CAREY'S CLOSET!!

Dog Pajamas

2010-11-18T22:10:00.002-06:00

I found these cute candy cane festooned Christmas pajamas for Noodles. How cute is this?

Thanksgiving Giveaway

2010-11-18T15:59:00.023-06:00

It's a week til Thanksgiving and I promised to have a Giveaway if I could reach 25 followers by that day. I really just need 5 more BUT I am feeling grateful and generous and thankful and blessed and all of that, so I am going to go ahead and do the giveaway anyhow!

What am I giving away? Well, a seasonal candle (purchased from my own company with my own money as a gift to one lucky reader), some Godiva Gems (I tried these at the Sephora party & they were delish), and a few other things I haven't thought of yet like maybe a gift card to somewhere cool!

Here is how you can win. Please leave me a comment telling me what you are thankful for. If you tweet about it, I will give you an extra entry and if you blog about it and link to me, another entry, and finally if you are a follower--that is an automatic entry as well-as long as you comment so I know you are really interested in my drawing & giveaway.

So that's it--you have 4 possible ways to enter. I will draw a winner on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Good luck!

I am giving you a choice of one of the following candles: Thankfulness, Royal Pomander or Frasier Fir. Click on each link to read about the fragrances and see which one you would like the best. These candles retail between $26 - $28 at high-end boutiques.

A Secret

2010-11-18T15:08:00.020-06:00

I have been keeping this mostly to myself; for reasons that will be obvious, it had to be between me and my diary. But now I can talk about it since everything turned out A-okay!!

Two days after my birthday, my husband lost his job. Now if you remember my birthday it involved two bouquets of flowers - one from Roger Beck and the other from Spruce, and a fabulous dinner at the Melting Pot. Now fast forward two days after my birthday to Friday, October 15, a beautiful, sunny fall day as I was driving home from a baby shower for my friend, Kate and her soon-to-be twin girls and I got the phone call. Eric had lost his job. Sidebar: We had dinner plans with two other couples at Cheesecake Factory that evening (he somehow made it through the ordeal) and I also threw him a surprise birthday party the following week. Talk about bad timing.

Now I can't say it came as a complete shock because thing were not really going that well at -- well, let's call it Company D -- where my husband had been employed since the spring. He took that job after having been at his other job for 15 years. He felt he had gone as far as he could at Company A and that maybe Company D presented a better opportunity. But he would tell me he felt he was making a mistake even as he proceeded to accept the job.

Now if you know me from The Girl in Kate Spade Mittens, I am kind of spoiled. I have had a really easy, comfortable life. And I quote from my About Me section of that blog:

"Well, here’s the thing—-my husband has a really good salary, he has a 6-figure income, so that kind of made me spoiled. I KNEW he could pay all the bills and the mortgage and the utilities and the groceries, etc., and I would have my little receptionist job and everything would be just dandy."

Well, I realized that my house of cards was about to coming crashing down around me. I am someone who likes to go out to restaurants 2 or 3 times a week and go on 3 or 4 trips a year and I never really count the cost. Suddenly, I realized that we were not going anywhere for Christmas this year, no Laguna Beach or Key West; heck, we were not even going out to Perkins unless we had a coupon. Okay, that is a slight exaggeration but not too much.

Eric told me I would have to tighten my belt a little and I considered getting a part-time job in retail for the holidays or as a receptionist at a real estate office, but I didn't have to do that. We would be okay for awhile because our mortgage is not that big--Eric is not someone to flaunt his money--therefore our townhouse is small and cute and affordable and his car is paid off.
Unlike me, he likes to live a little below his means. Even so he only had about a month of expenses saved up and I will say his unemployment check while comparatively small to his prior income, was a blessing. And thankfully we did not have to tap into any of our 401k plans or IRAs - they were to be a last resort.

Fortunately, three weeks after he lost his job, Eric was offered another job with an equal salary and a huge office in a gorgeous building and things are back to normal. I know I am very blessed. If anything this has taught me to appreciate what I have even more and definitely has made me cognizant of the importance of having savings. Ironically, before this happened I had opened 3 savings accounts and as always was trying to be better with my money.

So this past month has been a whole new experience for me. I was able to tell a few of my friends and some of the people at my office, as well. But for the most part, Eric wanted to keep it to himself. He is proud and he gets a lot of his identity and self-worth from his career, as do a lot of men. If I lost my job, I would tell all my girlfriends because I would need sympathy and we would need to hash over what had happened. But Eric was more stoic about it. Heck, it took him almost a week just to tell his mom & dad. I am sure he felt like he had failed in some way, but it just wasn't the right job for him and he seemed to know that going in.

Of course, I wanted to blog about it - writing is how I deal with things, but except for my diary and a few obscure messages on Twitter and Facebook, I couldn't say much.

I have a new respect and empathy for people who are out of work. It can't be easy out there right now. But at the same time, I know how lucky I am because I have a roof over my head and food and friends and pets and fresh water and resources. So a week before Thanksgiving, you can bet I know what I am thankful for this year.

P.S. I am not pretending to even know what is like to really sacrifice - I have still been going to brunch with the girls and still been shopping at Nordstrom. But I just wanted to share a little bit of this with all of you.

Food!!!

2010-11-15T18:10:00.038-06:00

For any Twin Citians who read my blog, here are some restaurants where I dined this weekend. First of all, my husband and I went to Flame on Friday night after an afternoon of trudging around the big Craft Show in Shakopee. As far as the craft show went, it was a little under-whelming this year – nothing really dazzled me, but I still had fun. First thing upon arriving, I enjoyed a pretzel

and a glass of wine

since I was starving. The only thing I bought were some Christmas tree ornaments but later I regretted not purchasing some of the really yummy fudge

I sampled. Oh, hindsight!

Anyhow after the craft show we went from one end of the Twin Cities to the other to Flame

which makes its home at Rosedale Center in Roseville. I chose this restaurant solely based on the fact that they have fondue desserts. S’Mores and Chocolate Fondue? I am there! It was a little steak-y for me being a vegetarian or rather a pescetarian (vegetarian who eats fish) but I managed to really enjoy the sherried shrimp and tomato bisque which was the soup of the day and they had also had delicious side dishes of macaroni & cheese and mashed potatoes (yes, carb overload). And for dessert, chocolate fondue – rice krispies treats, marshmallows and strawberries to dip in melted chocolate, what could be better?

Plus, if you are even a little bit obsessed with fire, there are fires everywhere from the big torch on the door to the many fires shooting out of the kitchen – not sure how it works—maybe gas jets?

Saturday morning we then went out for breakfast at Woodbury Café. It was a snowy morning here in the Upper Midwest. Woodbury Café is cozy and I can always depend on them to have a yummy breakfast with scrambled eggs with cheddar, whole wheat toast & marmalade, and hashbrowns with lots of ketchup and a side of sour cream. Warmed me up before we ran around doing our errands in the cold and snow.

Sunday morning we had Sunday brunch at Pier 500 in Downtown Hudson, Wisconsin. Of course, this time of year you cannot sit on the patio and look at the river, but you can sit by the fabulous fireplace and have 99 cent mimosas as well as cream cheese scrambled eggs and French toast with Fuji apples. They do have a really wonderful chef; reservations are recommended.

And then last night I baked chocolate chip and pecan snowballs.

And this morning I still had not gained an ounce, which is honestly a miracle after my weekend of non-stopping eating, and can you believe that next week is Thanksgiving already? I cannot even begin to tell you how obsessed I am with mince pie with brandy sauce!

SNOW!!!

2010-11-13T15:28:00.004-06:00

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like ...

2010-11-13T07:59:00.010-06:00

Christmas!

Especially this Saturday morning with 5 to 10 inches of snow hitting the Twin Cities of Minneapolis St. Paul.

Here is what I bought at Sephora this week!

Gingerbread Girl!

Melting Marshmallow

Cherry Christmas lipgloss

I also bought my signature fragrance Pink Sugar and received a free Sephora tote bag and these delicious new Godiva Gems!

Thrifty Thursday

2010-11-11T16:16:00.009-06:00

Tonight is the Kick-Off Party for a weekend of savings at Sephora for VIBs (Very Important Beauty Insiders). Somewhere along the line this past year I spent so many dollars at Sephora that I crossed from a regular Beauty Insider into VIB, which brings extra savings, exclusive gifts, special invitations and sneak peeks, early access to new lauches, etc. This was probably the beginning. Read about it here on my old blog.

Anyhow tonight I have a savings pass for 20% off as well as a free tote bag and samples of Godiva chocolates. Going to run over to Sephora after work and stock up on a few items. I can bring a friend. Who wants to go with me?

Wealthy Wednesday

2010-11-10T09:16:00.004-06:00

I think I will continue to try to incorporate some of what I did in "The Girl in Kate Spade Mittens".

So today under what I got for free:

A cup of hazelnut coffee at Bruegger's. From opening time this morning until 2:00 p.m., they are giving away a cup of free coffee, but please donate some money to Children's Miracle Network while you are there!

Book Nook

2010-11-10T06:12:00.013-06:00

I just finished reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.

I know I was a little late in the game to discovering this book, and I had so many people tell me I should read it. But it wasn't easy to get my hands on a copy - there was a HUGE wait at the library and so I decided to wait to get my copy from a wonderful co-worker whose book club had read the book BUT I had to wait for her to get it back from someone else which might have taken a month or so.

But then I finally got it, oh, 3 or 4 weeks ago but by then I was also reading about 3 other books so at first I was not able to give it my undivided attention. So I would say the book started out a little slow, but that might have been my fault. Once I started reading it and only it, it got really good and I could NOT put it down.

Without really giving anything away, the book takes places in Mississsippi in the early 60s during racial tension, segregation and the fight for civil rights - the time of Martin Luther King and the Million Man March. It is told from the perspective of two African-American maids, Aibilene and Minny, and also "Skeeter", the daughter of a plantation owner who has just graduated from college.

Skeeter is extremely tall and has never felt pretty and has frizzy hair and a controlling mother and has never had a serious boyfriend. She wants to be a writer. She comes home from college and finds that the maid who practically raised her and who she saw as a second mother has left her parents' employment under mysterious circumstances.

The book is a lot about Skeeter's search for Constantine her childhood maid - trying to discover what happened to her, but everyone from her parents to the other maids are very close-mouthed about what happened. It is also about how the maids were treated by the country club set, and it is a story of courage as well.

Anyhow I don't want to give anything else away, but Skeeter does find love (for awhile) and does become a writer. But you should read this book if you haven't already. It is an incredible and very disturbing time in history. I learned a lot! And I enjoyed the book so much that I am going to buy a copy for my mom--I think she would like it as well.

Has anyone else read "The Help"? What did you think?

A Day at the Office

2010-11-08T16:49:00.005-06:00

Today I was so excited to have Noodles, Roxie and Anna visiting me at the office. Noodles is, of course my own dog and Roxie is a dog I get to dog-sit frequently. I think I must have had her a total of 3 weeks over the summer. She belongs to Anna, the cutest little 9-year-old girl who is the daughter of my co-worker, Susan.

Anna is super-creative and crafty. You should have seen all of the cute things she made me for my birthday including a dog book. Today she brought me Reese's peanut butter cups and gummi bears because she know they are my favorite in a purple jar she made because she knows I love purple. She also made a card!

And she wrote a poem about Noodles. I have to share the poem:

Noodles, Noodles, Noodles

Noodles is not a poodle

He snorts all day

But he does not eat hay

He is Lesli's dog

And he likes to chase frogs

He is a cool dog!

She got to sit with me for a lot of the day and while I tried to find little projects to keep her busy, I think she decided I don't do much in my job! She told me I have an easy job! I think she realizes what I basically do is answer the phones and stuff invoices!!

I am going to add photos tonight so stay tuned!

Anna Roxie Noodles & me

What I Believe

2010-11-06T08:34:00.007-05:00

Another posting idea borrowed from Amber at A Little Pink in the Cornfields.

Here is what I believe.

I believe in karma. I believe in the Golden Rule - do unto others. I believe in random acts of kindness. I believe in making everything pretty.

I believe in astrology - not the silly, just for fun horoscopes but actual astrology. I believe in being a vegetarian. I believe that friends are the family we choose for ourselves. I believe that a house without pets is not much of a home. I believe in journaling - just the act of writing things down is so therapeutic. Of course, I believe in retail therapy.

I believe in smiling more, laughing harder and worrying less. I believe in the power of love. I believe in the power of positive thinking. I absolutely believe you get back what you put out there in the universe.

I believe in pink! I believe in Santa Claus. I believe in never saying no to a third glass of wine (as long as I am not driving!). I believe in eating healthy 80% of the time. But if I want cookie, I will have a cookie.

I believe that reading is knowledge. Yet, I believe that imagination is more important that knowledge (per Albert Einstein & a greeting card I once saw at Neiman Marcus). I want nothing to do with your religion unless your cat and dog are better for it (an indirect quote from Abraham Lincoln). I believe in little black dresses and Tiffany jewelry.

What do you believe?

Crack Dip

2010-11-05T18:23:00.002-05:00

I posted this on my original blog last summer, but just thought I would re-visit this in case anyone wants to make dip this weekend! It is dee-lish!!

I got my yummy dip recipe from my friend, Andrea, probably 10 years ago and since then I have probably put it on my blog two or three other times. It is a very popular dip recipe and everyone is always asking me to bring it to parties, barbecues, showers, potlucks etc.

I am not sure what the real name of this dip is, but for as long as I can remember my friends and I have called it Crack Dip because it is so addictive ... like crack. It is our party drug of choice.

First you will need two 8-ounce packages of cream cheese

I prefer Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese and the full-fat kind. No fat free for this recipe. That goes for everything else too. Full fat! Andrea told me she tried to make it with fat-free ingredients once, but it turned out too runny. This dip needs to be fairly thick.

Blend the cream cheese - it helps to let it sit out at room temp for a while.

Then add 16 ounces of Sour Cream. My choice is Daisy. SIDEBAR: Daisy Sour Cream is really not thick enough for this recipe. I have since switched although I love Daisy Sour Cream for everything else!

BLEND

Next add 16 ounces of Salsa. I prefer Pace Chunky Salsa in Medium.

BLEND, BLEND, BLEND

Finally add in 8 ounces of Shredded Cheddar (I prefer sharp cheddar).

The cheese is the final step so make sure everything is completely blended.

TAH DAH

It tastes better than it actually looks in this picture. Serve with tortilla chips or veggies.

It helps if you have 2 Junior Chefs like Roxie and Noodles!

So in a nutshell:

*16 ounces of cream cheese (not the fat-free kind)

*16 ounces of sour cream (again, not the fat-free kind)

*16 ounces of salsa (the chunky Pace kind is the best)

*8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese

Blend together the cream cheese, sour cream and salsa with an electric mixer until it is smooth & well blended. Add shredded cheese & stir in.

Chill and then serve with tortilla chips or veggies

Goals

2010-11-05T17:51:00.006-05:00

I got this idea from my pal, Amber at A Little Pink in the Cornfields.

I am not sure I am exactly a goal-oriented person. I often tend just to go with the flow and fly by the seat of my pants and see where life takes me. But I do like the idea of having goals and, of course, I do have them. I also believe you can have all of the goals in life you want, but life often has something else in mind for you!

Daily Goals:

I almost always have a To Do List going in one of my many notebooks, both for work and personal

I love crossing things off and then looking back in satisfaction with what I have accomplished, or conversely cringing at what I have not yet accomplished!

Every day I try to work out for at least an hour although over the summer I was working out 2 hours per day

I keep a food diary and make a very concerted effort to eat no more than 1,260 calories; of course, some days I go over and then I just make up for it the following day

Each day I try to remember to take my vitamins

Put on anti-wrinkle eye cream each night

Floss

Incorporate fruit & veggies throughout the day

Drink water

Blog every day (yeah, right!)

Journal every day

Weekly Goals:

I just like to look back and be satisfied that I have worked out every day and not gained weight

Monthly Goals

Put money in each of my 3 savings accounts which is actually easy because of automatic deposits

Equally important, do not take money out of savings!

Drive to Iowa and take my mom out to lunch once per month

Yearly Goals:

To have paid down my credit cards

3 vacations or fabulous trips per year

To contribute one percentage more each year to my 401k Plan; for example next year I want to start contributing 5% of my salary instead of my current 4%

Lifetime Goals:

To someday own a Porsche - I don't want to let 14-year-old me down

Write; still not sure what - a memoir, fiction??

To live in Southern California

To do something with my interior design talent

Retire to Hawaii

Most importantly, be happy!

Reminder!!!

2010-11-05T17:42:00.005-05:00

I just need 11 more followers by Thanksgiving and then I will do a give-away! Spread the word! 3 more weeks.

Included in the giveaway will be a Thymes Royal Pomander candle and a few more fun things. I love to shop!

Belated Halloween Recap

2010-11-05T17:12:00.016-05:00

Everything is belated with me lately! Last week I shared my super-adorable photos of Noodles at his Halloween party and costume contest (and also some photos from years past), and I certainly did share plenty of Noodles Halloween photos on Facebook. Some would think I might be obsessed with my pug! Nah!!!!!!!

On Saturday I attended a baby shower (in a bar) immediately followed by a fire pit/belated birthday party/potluck/ costume optional but encouraged party at my friends, Sttaci and Michael's house. I was cooking up a storm the day before and the day of since I offered to bring my famous crack dip, crockpot macaroni & cheese, potato salad, and homemade peanut butter cups.

So on Friday night I made the potato salad and peanut butter cups, and then on Saturday morning I made the dip and started the macaroni & cheese in the crockpot. It was a lot of work. I always forget something crucial about the potato salad and have to call my mom because it is her recipe, and I have my husband chop the potatoes and onions because that is his forte.

I got the peanut butter cup recipe from my Alicia Silverstone book, the Kind Diet, which is all of her vegan dishes. Only I did not make mine vegan--I made it with regular Nestle chocolate chips and JIF crunchy peanut butter and I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. Sorry, Alicia! Not sure my friends are ready for vegan desserts!

Anyhow here I am at the baby shower. In a bar. That inevitably reminds me of Reese Witherspoon's line in "Sweet Home Alabama": "You have a baby. In a bar."

Already dressed as Hello Kitty. I found white cat ears at one of those Halloween super stores and I found the Hello Kitty hair band at Claire's. I drew on whiskers and a yellow nose and added a Hello Kitty necklace and black Hello Kitty t-shirt that says, I Can't Be Good All The Time.

Eric met me at the bar and then we took 2 cars over to Sttaci's firepit party. Only 3 of us had costumes, but dressing up is fun! Right, Eric?

FIRE!!!

On Sunday, the actual day of Halloween, I relaxed around the house watching a Lifetime TV movie about a woman who gave birth to a demon baby and then it was time for trick or treaters. I traded Hello Kitty for a witch with purple hair.

A Witch and Her Familiar

Official Greeters of the Trick or Treaters

Waiting for the Trick or Treaters

Halloween Part I

2010-10-29T08:47:00.021-05:00

Last night Noodles attended the 4th Annual Halloween Party & Costume Contest at his vet's office in Woodbury. In years past, Noodles has been a clown

a bumble bee (which won him Most Humorous at a Halloween party just for pugs)

a pig

and a hot dog bun

This year he is done with hoods and any costumes with velcro closures (he just pops out of them) and the hoods fall off. He went with a simple orange tank embellished with spiders and bats and black fur trim. Later, my husband informed me that I had bought my boy dog a Halloween dress for girl dogs--ha ha ha! I still maintain it is a shirt!

Here are some pictures from the party:

Check out the rest of the album here.

Bribery

2010-10-28T10:55:00.004-05:00

I am not above bribery to gain followers for my new blog! Please become a follower and if I can reach 25 followers by November 25 (yes, Thanksgiving) I will do a festive holiday giveaway of the new Royal Pomander candle. If I can get to 50 by December 13 (my wedding anniversary), I will give away a Frasier Fir candle. How is that for bribery? And I will throw in some other fun things as well!

I Am Starting Over!

2010-10-13T16:42:00.011-05:00

In 2007 I started Pretty Random Thoughts with all my random thoughts about shopping, pets, reality TV, getting my hair done, handbags, etc. And then in 2010 I started The Girl In Kate Spade Mittens as an off-shoot as I attempted to not shop and save money and cut out all credit card usage. That plan sort of crashed & burned in May when I went to Vegas and fell in love with a particular Kate Spade straw clutch. So that blog sort of morphed into more about what I bought and what I wore!

Now I am finding that it is impossible to do justice to both of my little blogs so I would like to combine then into one new, fabulous blog called Daisy, Chloe, Noodles and Petunia. Daisy is my cute little VW Beetle convertible, Chloe is the best Siamese cat in the world (r.i.p.), Noodles is my slightly naughty but wonderful Pug, and Petunia is my pink retro cruiser bicycle complete with a basket, flower and bell. So that is where the name came from.

And this blog will continue to be my random thoughts and also have lots of posts about shopping & what I wore. And I want it to have the same birthday as me. October 13th!

I hope everyone will stop by my "new place" and to get things started I would like to have a Giveaway, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, I am still busy tweaking this blog and adding personal touches, so be patient.