Our Newest Residents

     It has been a very long time since my last post.  In part due to buying a house and having a baby within the past year.  It's been a whirlwind experience to deal with the joys of home ownership and the joys of being a new mother all at the same time, but sometimes things happen that make you just stop and smell the roses.  In my case, I needed to share the story of the newest residents on Snowy Owl  - 25,000 new residents to be exact (give or take a few).

     Around a month ago we celebrated Rosh Hashanah - and a staple of the holiday is honey (to symbolize a sweet New Year).  It was around three days ago we discovered that we've got honey bees and in few short days they've created a hive at the highest part of entryway sofit.  The new addition to our house is about the size of a football.  This all occurred at a very interesting time for us because we're beginning a roof remodel and exterior landscaping and painting project.  In the chaos of dealing with three separate contractors and scheduling the jobs to occur in the right order we were thrown the curve ball of our bees.

     Our regular exterminators could not handle the job.  They directed us to a bee keeper who had to come to safely remove the bees, the honey comb, and the queen.  The process is an interesting one because the goal is to harm as few of the bees as possible.  I was very curious why you couldn't just exterminate the bees - honey bees are becoming extinct - who would have known?  Our bee keeper will then take the bees and the liquid gold that they produce and do something very interesting...he will lease the bees to farmers to pollinate their crops.  He will also sell the honey and honey combs produced to other companies. 

    As the bees newest landlord I figured great - they'll actually be paying us rent, but alas we will not see any of the profits from the leasing of bees or selling of honey.  We did receive an "eviction" bill from our bee keeper for $395.  A Happy and Sweet New Year to All of You!  xoxo

I Am Not A Spa Girl

I've recently come to the realization that I am not a spa person.  I am naturally high strung and have a difficult time giving myself over to relaxation.  I know that most people think that I'm insane - what normal human being doesn't like a massage?  I guess I'm just not the normal person.  Yesterday, I went with my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and grandmother-in-law to a Bliss Spa in South Florida.  We started out by having a great lunch at the hotel's restaurant - including some midday Prosecco beverages.  Then, we headed to the spa - got into our cotton robes and electric blue Haviana slippers and our spa day had officially begun. 

Part of the reason we went is if you purchased a spa facial or massage you received a free manicure.  Let me start by saying, the manicure was one of the best that I ever had.  I would gladly go back for the manicure anytime someone asked me!  I like getting manicures or getting my hair done because you get to sit and converse while you're getting pampered and after the pampering the end result is that you have noticeably nicer looking nails and/or hair.  After I have a facial I look like a tomato face and I get pimples that pop up for the next two weeks - and ultimately, whenever you receive a facial they hock you to China to buy a million different creams and cleansers they are peddling.  Generally, after a massage I am very sore, get bruises in random places, and feel leaving (relaxed), but greasy...I cannot wait to shower the butter cream off of me!

There is one spa treatment that I truly do enjoy (every time) and I have made up my mind that if I ever go to a spa again I will only elect to do this treatment: Reflexology.  The definition of reflexology is: "the practice of applying pressure to the feet and hands utilizing specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil, cream or lotion based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands with a premise that such work effects a physical change in the body."  The reason that I enjoy reflexology, when it is done by a trained professional, is you are asked prior to the session beginning what physical issues you may be having and the technician focuses on those particular issues during the treatment.  I've never had one done and not left feeling better. 

Marriage is Out!

My daily morning perusing of Yahoo's homepage led me to the following article that sparked my interest: "Four in 10 say marriage is becoming obsolete."  Some might say that because I'm married I'd completely disagree with the 40% of Americans (up from 28% in the 70's) that feel marriage is completely unnecessary, but you'd be wrong because I'm also a firm believer in different strokes for different folks.  I believe in companionship and spending your life with a partner, but I am having a hard time buying into the notion that just because you're married to your partner that your life is going to be better or more fulfilled.  Without getting all political or religious marriage is really something that should be a right to every human being.  Heaven knows there are plenty of ignorant and moronic heterosexuals that enter into marriage blindly and end up with a divorce or annulment 30 days later.  What's more disheartening is attending a wedding for someone and knowing in the back of your head and heart, "This isn't going to work out for them," etc, etc, etc. 

Any single parent would tell you that there is nothing harder than being a single parent, but marriage does not guarantee that you won't end up a single parent.  At least once a day you will hear a story on the news about a deadbeat or abusive husband and/or father.  A piece of paper saying that you are legally bound to one another is not going to make a lazy or philandering man suddenly a good provider or a nurturing partner.  Same holds true for women, just because you're a wife doesn't mean you're going to morph into June Beaver or Carol Brady.   

Recently, I was told that every marriage needs an unbiased third party (therapist/pastor/rabbi) that both partners feel they can speak with openly to work through minor and major issues.  I'd venture to say the reason that 40% of people surveyed feel marriage is obsolete is because marriage vows are really not adhered to - people lie, they cheat, they disrespect their spouses - and unlike 50 years ago society's regulations do not force us to stick around and try to make horrible situations work - you can go out and get a divorce.  Not that going through a divorce is a walk in the park - it's listed as one of the top 5 stresses that a person will ever go through. 

Perhaps, people are beginning to feel that the negative attributes of marriage and potential divorce outweigh it's positive attributes.  I'd disagree, life is about taking chances and marriage in modern times really is a huge gamble.  Do what makes you happy!

Fashion Find of The Week

As discussed in a previous blog I love button down shirts! Therefore, I'm always on the look out for new styles and brands.  Unfortunately, my pocketbook is limited these days to purchasing Elizabeth and James and Rag & Bone button downs on final markdowns at Saks and Neimans.  However, I do not fret because I've stumbled across a cornucopia of style and value at Express. 

Available for your consideration is a new must have item of mine, which is the Oversize Dolman-Sleeve Shirt.  Available in four colors (I own all but the gray) - this 100% rayon blouse looks great with jeans, leggings, and skirts.  Don't get grossed out by the 100% rayon, it is super comfortable and classy looking.  It's a great alternative to the traditional 100% cotton button downs and a great value at $39.90. 

Using the Promo Code 8684 you can take an extra $75 off your purchase of $250 or more, $50 off your purchase of $150 or more, or $25 off your purchase of $75 or more.  Happy Shopping!

MoroccanOil Where Have You Been All My Life?

Dear Followers,

I know that it has been a very long time (6 months to be exact) since my last post, but I'm back with a short little diddy.  Recently, due to stress, I've had some horrible side effects to my hair and skin.  Mostly, my long bleach blond tresses have started to fall out...a lot.  I've started taking vitamins, switched to sulfate free shampoo, and went out and splurged on MoroccanOil.  The reason I say splurge is because at my local Gables Beauty Supply, a 3.4 Oz bottle of The Original MoroccanOil Oil Treatment is $42.  You use a dime size amount each time you are done washing your hair so it does last a long time, but $42 was more than I'd ever planned to spend on a hair treatment at home.  Things are starting to get better, but MoroccanOil has changed my life.  Not only does my hair dry quickly, it's soft and shiny and requires less brushing to get tangles out - hence, not taking out too much hair. 

I'd also like to address some great products that I've been using for skincare - one is cheap, cheap, cheap and one is not.  My husband says my skin's been looking great.  Maybe some of that is due to my daily vitamin regiment, but I think these products are helping.  I've been using Olay Foaming Face Wash - Sensitive Skin, which I buy for less than $5 at my grocery store.  My splurge in this category is from Chanel - and it's $75 for 1.7 Oz, but you use two small pumps, two times per day, and I find that it lasts a nice amount of time.  BEAUTE INITIALE - ENERGIZING MULTI-PROTECTION FLUID SPF 15 is specifically designed for women 25-35.  It goes on light and smooth and it smells fantastic.  I've noticed my skin tone, complexion, and pores are dramatically different. 

With Hanukkah and Christmas right around the corner - MoroccanOil or Chanel Beaute Initiale would make great gifts to give or to receive.  I promise not to take such a long hiatus again from my blogging duties.  See you all again soon!

Accidental Tourists

It is a beautiful Saturday morning in sunny Florida.  I'm sitting at my computer and after paying bills, doing some work from home, and searching the web for homes in South Florida I've decided to write a little blog.  My husband's at work, but I'm trying to prepare for our little mini-adventure today when he gets home.  You see, we've decided to cruise the neighborhoods of Southeast Florida in an attempt to zone in on some that we haven't considered before.  Last weekend we traveled up to Boca Raton and Delray Beach (areas foreign to both of us our entire lives), but something just didn't feel right. 

You'd think that two native Floridians would know immediately where we wanted to call home, but alas we've turned into nomads over these past couple years.  I've lived in Weston, South Beach, Aventura, Hollywood Beach, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, and Plantation.  My in-laws live in Aventura (which my mother-in-law thinks is the center of universe - it is very nice) and my parents up and decided to leave Aventura and move to a golf course community in West Palm Beach a couple years ago (much to my dismay because I do not ever want to live in West Palm Beach - although it's very nice up there too). 

I'm often jealous of people that just know where they want to live.  Wouldn't that make our lives so much easier...to just know?  I think our problem is that we've lived in so maybe different neighborhoods as renters that we know too much of the bad or too much of the good and it makes it hard to just pick a place!  So armed with various listings from Hollywood down to Miami Beach, we're taking a driving tour today of so many of the neighborhoods that we've known well our whole lives.  We are going to be "accidental" tourists and look at these places with fresh eyes in the hopes that maybe we'll find something that feels right!

Keurig You're My Crack

     Hey out there - any other coffee-holics in the blogoshpere?  I love my coffee so much that I drink it black - it's truest and purest form.  I could drink it throughout the entire day and well into the evening.  I love my coffee so much that it is probably one addiction that is preventing me from even thinking of getting pregnant.  I recently read somewhere that women trying to get pregnant should not drink more than 300 mg of coffee per day or roughly 3 cups I believe.  Coffee, not only are you my crutch to get me through the day, but you are also another form of birth control. 
     All kidding aside, my favorite way to drink coffee is a nice, robust, coarse coffee blend in a french press.  Unfortunately, I do not have 10 minutes everyday to make one of my 4-5 cups of coffee.  Up until two months ago I would generally brew a pot each morning and end up throwing half of it away before I left for work in my little Mr. Coffee.  That was until my mom bought me a beautiful Keurig Programmable Brewer.  I can make a single cup of coffee as many times a day as I want - waste not, want not, right?  I travel to Bed, Bath, and Beyond with my 20% off coupons and purchase different K Cup flavors.  I must say that all of them have been good, but some of my new favorites, in no particular order, are: Donut Shop Coffee, French Roast Coffee, and Newmans Own Organics Special Blend Extra Bold Coffee. 

     I'm not being paid by Keurig to write this although, as with all of my product endorsements on this blog, some free coffee would be nice.  I've had some of their teas (not a tea person) and they come out fantastic.  I even like my milk chocolate K Cup for dessert some nights (It's 2 Points).  This is a perfect gift for any coffee lovers out there and if you don't agree with me just contact Keurig directly, they've got an awesome customer service department.  I thought my beautiful machine had broken the first week we got it because it would shut off automatically after each cup.  The lovely people at Keurig talked me through how to turn off the automatic shut off feature and didn't treat me like an idiot for not knowing how and worrying that I broke my favorite gadget since...I don't even know since, it's changed my life - and my husband's, he's making a cup for himself right now!