cbeanshop

Christmas in Marrakech, 2012

2012-01-20T09:14:00.000-08:00

We spent Christmas Eve enjoying a Moroccan dinner party surrounded by an international group of designers, artists, musicians and travellers. Once in a lifetime.

Apartment Swap in Paris, Christmas 2011

2011-01-29T09:24:00.000-08:00

It was the first time, but we are now addicted. Apartment exchanging is truly the way to travel!

We traded with a lovely Parisian couple who had a darling flat in the Latin Quarter. We spent Christmas Eve seeing the famous Moulin Rouge Revue, and midnight Christmas mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. Not normally a churchy kinda of gal, I made an exception for this once in a lifetime affair.

I'm obsessed: Awning Stripe

2011-01-07T17:14:00.000-08:00

Its soggy, cold and miserable in NYC. I'm dreaming of spring.....and cheery yellow awning stripe.

How much longer until spring???

What I am wearing to work tomorrow.

2010-11-10T19:07:00.001-08:00

working girl by cbeanshop featuring a waist belt

Hannyl Back Zip Dress
$315 - tobi.com
Theory dress »

The Cape
$389 - isabellaoliver.com
Double breasted coat »

Fiorentini and Baker Boots Eli
349 EUR - jades24.com
Vintage boots »

Michael Kors 'Bel Aire Chronograph' Watch
$250 - nordstrom.com
Michael kors jewelry »

VOOM by Joy Han Dangling Gold Owl Necklace
$78 - unique-vintage.com
Dangle necklace »

Ikat Wool Gauze Scarf
$148 - otteny.com
Wool scarves »

Firebird Leather Belt
125 GBP - julesb.co.uk
Waist belt »

Oliver Peoples Iconic Riey
$385 - oliverpeoples.com

Amazon.com: Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6" Display,...
$9.99 - amazon.com

Manhattan Puppies!

2010-11-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Don't know what it is about NYC but its *really* making me want a pet. Here are a few Manhattan dogs I adore. (One is actually famous).

SoHo dog (obviously)

East Village dog

Upper East Side Dog

Gramercy Pup

Tipsy Bowery Pup

Hallo-weenie Dog

Swatch. The most fashionable dog on TV.

Wardrobe PSA: Leggings are not pants.

2010-11-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

In a world of leggings, skinny pants, "jeggings"--- whatever you want to call it, there is one very important thing to keep in mind. TIGHTS ARE NOT PANTS.

(yes, I really snapped this pic)

Not only are tights not pants, here are some other key notes.

Leggings are not pants.
Leggings are especially not yoga pants.
Tights never replace pants.
Tights + dress = cute.
Tights + blouse = restaurant health code violation.
Flesh colored leggings are worse than going entirely pantless. OK. Maybe not THAT bad. Ultimately just super confusing.

....and finally....MAN-Leggings. It has come to this. Unless you have a kilt to go over those Peas and Carrots, please, puhleeeze....don't don the meggings.

NYC fact

2010-09-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

Annoying fact about NYC:

After a long, humid, space invaded day you can't even buy toilet paper and wine at the same store.

What really happens on set:

2010-09-03T13:24:00.000-07:00

I got the job!

2010-07-09T19:04:00.001-07:00

I think I'll wear this.

First day of work ensemble! by cbeanshop featuring Nine West shoes

What I wore to my first NYC job interview.

2010-07-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

What to wear to your 1st NYC job interview! by cbeanshop featuring Theory skirts

Day 10,841 Could have been my last

2010-06-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

"Really? I only got to live in New York City for 59 days before I am going to DIE?" I thought as the taxi I was the passenger in careened across the FDR, headed straight for the guard rail. We were a good 60 feet above ground and I was fervently hoping the force would not dislodge the rail which would have sent us to our demise. For a moment I saw the yellow hood of the taxi rise up towards the rail as the smell of smoking tires filled the car. I heard the sound of the driver screaming and crushing metal as the cab slid along the rail until we finally came to a stop. I cringed as I looked behind us praying we weren't in harms way, relief set in as I saw we had landed in a shoulder area against the guard rail, away from traffic. Shaken, but unscathed.

View from the road, note: tire tracks

"Are you okay, what happened?" Were the first words out of my mouth to the driver. I had thought at some point while we travelled from the fast lane to the shoulder that he must be having a heart attack. There were no other cars around us, we hadn't been hit, I couldn't figure out how he lost control. Sitting in the car against the side rail, he put one hand on the steering wheel and spun it; like the wheel of fortune. It kept spinning and spinning. Steering wheels are not supposed to spin that I know of. The steering wheel stopped working while we were driving at 50mph. He said, "I don't understand, I try to drive, I can't steer. I try not to hit any cars and stop. I have a baby and a 3 year old. I don't want to die". We sat in the car together, both trembling, speechless at times, and other moments talking about our loved ones, our families and friends. Both acknowledging our astounding luck.

There are a million ways the driver and I were so fortunate. We were on a busy freeway and at the moment the steering ceased there were no cars around. We drifted to the right shoulder and hit that guard rail instead of the fast lane divider. We were near an exit so there was ample space where we crashed to not be in the way of oncoming traffic. The cement rail withstood the impact and kept us on the road. We came to a stop out of oncoming traffic and were able to remain there until assistance arrived. I generally hate to use words like "blessed" because I don't think one person can be more blessed than another, however in this circumstance I will say both the Cabbie and I are blessed beyond belief to be able to walk away from that one. And I also owe him my sincerest gratitude for somehow guiding the runaway car safely off of the road. I have no idea how I would have reacted if I were driving. It truly feels like a miracle and once again I am reminded how fragile we all are.

Skyline in Spring

2010-05-23T08:06:00.001-07:00

Goodbye LA.

2010-05-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

Growing up in a minuscule town in Northern California I yearned for excitement. I took for granted all of the serenity the Santa Cruz Mountains and Bay Area. All I knew is I wanted bright lights. San Francisco was too close. New York was too unknown. That left the glamour of Hollywood, the City of Angels.

Los Angeles was good to me. Twelve years flew by and the city blessed with me with all of the career success I could have hoped for, the husband of my dreams, an eclectic and hilarious group of friends, and the distance to learn from, love and appreciate my family. Los Angeles was my first real home; the place where I set out with a few dreams......and they came true.

But after the goals were met and the excitement of a big city wore off I was left wanting something else. It was either time to buy a house and make some babies....or....go on an adventure. We opted for the adventure.

So with all the gratitude I have for Los Angeles, I cannot say goodbye. Simply, 'till we meet again.

Its up to you, New York...

2010-05-12T19:58:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK!

After all of the drama; going/not going/delayed......we are finally here!

17 days in...I am in love.

And it hasn't been easy.

My fabulous Eloise fantasy went out the window at about day two. There was no time for endlessly roaming the swanky Bowery Hotel for my own city adventure, we were homeless and decisions needed to be made swiftly.

I like to think that I was somewhat realistic in what several thousand dollars per month could get you in Manhattan for a home.....but I was sorely mistaken.

Depressing spaces with windows that looked straight into brick walls. Dark, dingy, crooked rooms with crooked neighbors to match. Where was the views of the skyline? Central Park? Where were the cobblestone streets and friendly neighborhood bistros?

It took 4 days and 7 crazed real estate brokers until we found "the one". Granted she wasn't exactly a beauty. A little rough around the edges, but she had charm. And more importantly; sunlight. Located in the East Village on a charming block with two quaint Italian restaurants, a corner market, a fortune teller and a custom fang store. We knew this had to be it.

Relief set in and I began to think of all the amazing things I could do now that we decided on a home. A little shopping in SoHo perhaps? An afternoon visit to The Met maybe?

Nope. It turns out painting and cleaning is not always done before new tenants move into an apartment on this coast. So naturally, I, as the unemployed one, was delegated the task of deep cleaning and painting. Neither of which I consider my specialty. I learned how different cleaning can be when it is not YOUR dirt you are tending too. It is so much.....dirtier! I was the lady out on my fire escape wearing a pink bandanna and fireman yellow rubber gloves scouring the windows while covered in Benjamin Moore 'Linen' paint splatters.

With my new home-ec skills firmly in place I was ready for our next step: the movers.

To be continued!

Hollywood in the rear view

2010-04-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn dreaming

2010-03-27T21:26:00.001-07:00

Faced with an opportunity to move to New York City I decided to take a trip out with my friend and co-worker Tiana of Valley Bazaar.

I'll share with you a few snapshots from the trip.

Butcher at Marlow & Sons in Brooklyn

Infamous NYC street art

Nora Ephron on New York

2010-03-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

"I'd known since I was 5, when my parents forced me to move to California, that I was going to live in New York eventually and that everything in between was just a horrible intermission. I'd spent those sixteen years imagining what New York was going to be like. I thought it was going to be the most exciting, magical, fraught-with-possibility place that you could ever live in; a place where if you really wanted something, you might be able to get it; a place where I'd be surrounded by people I was dying to be with. And I turned out to be right."

-Nora Ephron

Afternoon 10,599: Paso and Pismo with Love

2009-10-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

A wonderful reason to escape from LA and the madness of the costume department last weekend was an out of town wedding for my good friend from high school.

We drove up the 101 to the town of Paso Robles in Central California. We got in just in time for a few wine tastings in the area and a delicious dinner at a Thomas Hill Organics. We were lucky enough to have accrued some Hilton Honors points so we were able to enjoy a free night at the Paso Robles Hampton Inn & Suites. Normally more interested in boutique hotels or B & B's were weren't too excited about the Hampton Inn, but our stay turned out to be quite enjoyable. Offering complementary wine tasting in the evening as well as upgrading us from our (free) basic room to a suite for no charge were pleasant surprises.

After check in we headed to the wine trail leading to the stunning vineyards a few miles away.

Our first stop was Eagle Castle Winery. First spotting the faux-medieval fortress from the road we both were thinking, "what the.....?" so of course we had to go check it out. Getting out of the car and crossing the moat made me wonder just how many weddings must take place here. It is like Disneyland for winos. After doing a tasting and meeting the owner he confessed that the building was designed to attract women.

We drove down the road to a few other tasting rooms but unfortunately because it was a week day and we got a late start, most of the ones we had hoped to visit had closed. We decided

to drive into town and get dinner. I had heard great things about Thomas Hill Organics as well as Artisan so we visited both to see a menu and check out the vibe. We decided to go with THO. We made an excellent choice. We were impressed with the seasonal menu with most fruits and vegetables coming from the owners organic garden. We ordered a Persimmon, smoked duck and mixed green salad which was unique, light and decadent all at the same time. We also had a Pizza made in the outdoor wood burning pizza oven.

During our dinner the owner Debbie came over and introduced herself and told us about their farm and the concept behind the restaurant. We fell in love with the place. Now if only they could put one in LA!

The next morning we woke up early to drive the 40 minutes up to Hearst Castle. As a California native I am afraid I have taken for granted the beauty that is the Highway 1 coastline. It is interesting how the more I travel the more beauty I see in my own home. So for a change I tried to see the California Coast with the same eyes I saw the rigid Irish coastline for the first time. Mesmerized by the striking jagged perfection I realized that the two coastlines are actually very similar in appearance.

Driving up on a clear warm morning ensured that we would get to see the wild zebras that live on the land just outside of Hearst Castle, once part of William Hearst's private zoo.

There are few architectural images in California as striking as that of the Hearst Castle Neptune Pool. There is a rumor that once a year employees of Hearst Castle get to have a private party at the estate where they actually get enjoy the castle as well as swim in the pools. I have got to get me invited to one of those parties.

After the tour of the estate we raced down the Highway 1 to get to Pismo Beach in time to get changed and ready for the wedding rehearsal. We checked in to our hotel, Pismo Lighthouse Suites. Upon arrival to the sweltering room we went straight for the AC but noticed that they didn't have AC. We called the front desk and they encouraged us to open the windows and use the "ocean breeze". It was an unseasonably warm weekend and unfortunately the only breeze was a hot one. In a hurry to get ready to go I was going to jump in the shower...but the shower didn't work either. So I sponge bathed myself while waiting for maintenance, then hit the road.

The wedding rehearsal was standard as rehearsals go but the real treat was seeing friends I haven't seen in ages. Girlfriends from high school who grew up to be such amazing women, I am so proud to call them all close friends. One has been living in Bali and Indonesia for the past 5 years, finally home for good. The other newly pregnant living in upstate New York with her brilliant wife. And the bride- lover of all things pink and Hello Kitty grew up to be an ass kicking detective.

So here we are all grown up with husbands, wives, careers and the first baby on the way. The time just flew by....and now we all enter the next phase of our lives. Which for the bride begins tomorrow as she marries the fireman of her dreams.

Cute Outfit of the day:

2009-10-03T15:18:00.001-07:00

I didn't catch his name- but this boy was our sever at Elf last night and he is sporting the most adorable sailor-meets-waiter ensemble. On the bottom half he wears tight white jeans and a long white apron with white chuck's.

What I saw go down in Target.

2009-10-01T21:10:00.000-07:00

Just minding my business shopping in Target where I hear a voice singing. Then several. Before you know it a group of "customers" break out in song and dance. Pay special attention to the security guard.

Faces of Sunset Junction

2009-09-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

Sunset Junction is my favorite street festival of all time. It got a bad rap and was almost cancelled this year because many of the local businesses and residents were concerned that it

had become too commercial. The Junction had originally been formed as a way to promote diversity and to unite the gay and Latino residents. Many people feel like this is not the goal any longer and now it it a big money making machine. I did not go to Sunset Junction twenty nine years ago when it first was created so I cannot compare that to my experiences.

If the goal was to create a bridge between two different communities that did not often coexist, I would say that goal has been achieved. Maybe the original goal of Sunset Junction is no longer needed and the new generation of Silver Lake has been handed the torch.

Whatever the case, Sunset Junction is diverse. Its fun, its a little bit gay, a little bit hipster, part family oriented and part debaucherous. I look forward to the bad margaritas and fabulous outfits year after year.

Searching for "The One"?

2009-08-21T00:20:00.000-07:00

Dan Savage my imaginary BFF sums it up.

Meet me in Paris?

2009-07-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

Growing up I had always felt far too sophisticated for the life that I had received. I often thought that surely God must have mad a mistake when he placed me with my family. This is why (in addition to other more logical reasons) I decided that God was a silly invention by some very bored predecessors. Because how could it be that me, this refined pre-pubescent teen was born to K-mart shopping, pick-up truck driving, Coors Light drinking, layaway using common folk?

I counted the days until my 18th birthday when I would be free to move onto the fanciful life that had been waiting for me. "Paris? Mais oui, I would love to join you...." I imagined myself saying to some intellectual types over martinis while wearing Valentino Couture.

So imagine my disappointment when after an unfortunate accident I arrived to student housing for College in Los Angeles wearing an unsightly orthopedic leg brace and was sans voice. All of the excitement had somehow caused me to lose my voice and then a separate injury caused me to tear valuable ligaments in my knee just days before my glamorous reinvention was set to take place. I was mortified. I met my new roommate and thought surely she must think I am the biggest loser on the planet. This would not be the biggest shock in the world as growing up overweight and poor at the same time generally classify one to the "loser" category as I had come to learn. But this was different. This was the day that my past did not precede me as a person. That day I met my new roommate but also my future closest friend. We began a life that was not Martinis and Valentino but was just as fabulous with cheap wine and Forever 21.

October 2nd will be eleven years since the day it all began. There have been parties, babies, travel, Cedars Sinai ER, Minnesota, Arizona, wine and weddings. I am incredibly lucky but mostly incredibly happy. I grew up to have a life that is even more spectacular than I had envisioned. And although I don't spend too much time fantasizing about Martinis, Paris or Valentino these days I would not at all be shocked if at some point in the near future Andrea of Savvy Sassy Moms and I joined by our incredible husbands will find ourselves sharing a bottle of Bordeaux in a Parisian brasserie probably laughing about something highly inappropriate.

Day 10,486 4th of July Eve Recipe

2009-07-03T15:31:00.000-07:00

My late great grandmother, Rose La Rosa was a first generation Sicilian mother of 7 sons and 1 daughter. They were a family of immigrant farm workers in Louisiana where money was tight and resources scarce. Cooking for the large family required an abundance of creativity on her part. Without the ability to read or write she was not able to follow recipes which meant that she just made up her own. This did not hinder the culinary brilliance that flowed from her kitchen. She was successful in using every asset available to create delicious Creole-Italian concoctions. She did not use measuring spoons or cups and cooked by taste and availability; A dash of this, a bit more of that until....perfection.

As a little girl we often spent weekends at her home where she fed hoards of hungry grand children, cousins and friends. There was a long communal table where we all sat under the watchful eye of Jesus and assorted saints as we ate fig cookies baked fresh from the figs growing in the back yard. It was always a delight to help her fetch eggs from the chicken coup and watch the hens scatter while this tiny Italian woman in a floral house dress, apron and knee-hi stockings several shades too dark for her chased after them cursing in Italian in a Louisianan dialect.

My mother said to me recently, "you cook like Nana", which is an honor. I was never interested in cooking for so long until recent years when I have found a peaceful focus in the kitchen. I would never say I am a great cook but I would say I am creative and resourceful, maybe like Nana. Friends have asked for recipes of a couple dishes I have made and I have never taken the time to write down how they are made. Subconsciously, I picked up Nana's knack for making it up as I go. Although I am blessed to be literate and be able to purchase recipe books and supplies I prefer to do it her way. There is a nostalgic seventh sense of the food I ate on those days at Nana's and it is one that will never be replicated. There is something wonderful about that.

But I however am still alive so this morning I made a fantastic dish and took the time to write down what I put into it. Its an easy salad perfect as a side dish for 4th of July BBQ's. Also it is fat free & vegan/vegetarian. Now what to call it....

Spicy Bean Salad

4 cups black eyed peas (cooked & chilled or canned)

4 cups yellow or white corn

1 large red onion

1 small jalapeno

1 medium bell pepper

1 bunch cilantro

1 small tomato

4 medium limes

1 small lemon

Chop all vegetables and mix together. Use a food processor or finely chop cilantro. Add cilantro to vegi mix. Rinse corn and beans. Put 1/2 contents of corn and 1/2 contents of black eyed peas into large bowl. Add 1/2 of vegi & cilantro mix to large bowl, mix with spoon then squeeze juice from 2 limes, add salt & pepper and blend again. Add the rest of the corn & beans, the rest of the vegi mix add salt, pepper and squeeze last 2 limes and the lemon. Toss and chill for 2 hours to let the spices and flavor settle. Garnish with sprigs of cilantro or avocado.

This will serve 8 people.

*you can adjust the amount of jalapeno if you are sensitive to spicy foods.

Bring to a party and BBQ and enjoy.

Have a wonderful and safe Independence Day!

Day 10,443

2009-05-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my friend and I went to the Shecky's shopping party in Santa Monica. I had always heard about those and had never been so we went to check it out. Shecky's is a fashion and beauty event where you get to shop sample sales of accessories and clothing with cocktails. As shopping and cocktails are 2 of my favorite things I thought I would really enjoy it, however I was slightly disappointed. The items for sale were mostly things you would find in the Santee Alley for half the price. I guess the silver lining is that there is not free cocktails in the Santee Alley, nor would I really want to consume anything down their despite the temptation of the bacon wrapped hot dogs.

My friend and I each did end up making a purchase as well as imbibing the specialty cocktails that were offered by the male model/bartenders. It was slightly embarrassing to order a drink called "The Fashion" and "The Glamour" when we all know its really a greyhound and a sea breeze. It was fun though for the kitsch factor, and to watch some cougar types getting tipsy and flirting with the spiky haired model boys.

After the event we went down the street to Bar Pintxo on Santa Monica Blvd for some tapas and wine. The place felt very authentic Spanish, and my friend who spent a month in Barcelona recently was very impressed. We sat at the counter and shared some small dishes before calling it a night. The only problem with Bar Pintxo is that it is in Santa Monica which might as well be a different state when you live on the east side!

Afternoon 10,437

2009-05-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

Dad clocked in at just shy of six hours. And he's back in the pickup truck with Bruno the dog headed home to his mountain shanty up north. He even stopped at Target to buy my nephew a toy so he wouldn't have to come back in July for the birthday party. I don't blame him really, until Chuck'e'Cheese gets a full bar a party full of three year old's and overzealous relatives is pretty insipid.

While he spent time with the grand kids, the husband and I did my favorite loop around the Portola Trail in Elysian Park. Its a quick 40 minute hike/walk that is mellow enough to be ran as well. If you feel like something longer there is another leg of it that goes all the way from Echo Park to Chinatown, but I suggest doing that one with a friend and leaving one car in Chinatown- its pretty long. The loop has nice views of downtown, Glendale and Dodger Stadium and after the walk sometimes it is nice to picnic in the park. This is the only LA park I've been to that allows grilling and it has grills at each picnic table.

After the walk we went to Gingergrass in Silver Lake which is a divine restaurant for lunch. It is Vietnamese influenced with Pho, tasty salads, shrimp springs rolls and more. Everything is very clean and fresh tasting and it has modern decor with an ethnic twist. After lunch we went across the street to Silver Lake Wine to stock up and with the warm weather we were thinking Rose. On the way to the car we stopped and got a coffee at Silverlake Coffee Co and sat outside to enjoy the beautiful day.

Since our house guests are no longer staying with us we have our night open. We both want to see the Star Trek movie, also there is a gallery reception at Monkeyhouse Toys in Silver Lake 5-9 and it looks like Cache will have some pieces up. I absolutely love Caches chickens with messages all over Echo Park, they are so colorful and friendly so I'd love to check out some new pieces. Then at Ghettogloss there is a multiple artist cocktail reception from 8-12. Quite a bit to choose from, but for now all I can think about is a nap since I got up at the crack of dawn.

Day 4

2009-05-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

This is somewhere around day 4 of my little life. That's Dad and Mom, 24 and 19 without a clue in the world....

Day 10,436

2009-05-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

The fashion show last night was a blast, and the gift bag was even better. We followed that up by a pizza and a mandarin & soda at Jones Restaurant in Hollywood. I love Jones for many reasons- they serve tasty food until 1:30am, the crowd is always a mix of 30-something professionals, hollywood types, and a neighborhood crowd. It manages to be hip without the douchebag factor of many hollywood bars and restaurants. Oh yeah- and I love it because my cute husband works there.

My husband and I met on day 8,736 working at a restaurant together. I was finishing school at FIDM, getting my union hours at Western Costume and paying the bills by hustling burgers to drunk hipsters until 4am. It sucked, but meeting my Mr Big made it all worth it.

We have a lot in common, for instance we both think the Dave Mathews Band is insufferable, that California should have equal rights for all (i.e. same sex marriage), we don't care about American Idol but absolutely love Chelsea Lately. Our courtship was a lot of getting off work at 5am then going to his Koreatown apartment and sharing a bottle of wine talking and laughing until the sun came up. Six years later we still stay up late talking and laughing but now we have real jobs so the party ends about 11pm instead of 7am.

This weekend we will have more of my family in town to check out my sisters new baby. I think my DH is getting pretty tired of all of The Bean's staying with us so I think this may be the last weekend of playing inn keeper. We may escape to the beach on Saturday, my personal favorite is Will Rogers State Beach in Santa Monica, aka Ginger Rogers state beach. It is kind of the unofficial gay beach and therefore incredibly clean, not too crowded, and is filled with bronzed bodies in speedo's. This is highly preferable to Venice Beach down the street over crowded by overweight tourists from Arkansas, hippie drum circles, fortune telling cats and pan handlers.

There are also a few parties and events going on in our neighborhood that might be worth checking out as well so we are keeping the options open.

Barneys Co-Op Fashion Show at the Grove

2009-05-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

So what to wear for summer? Lots of crepe de chine! Silk shorts, jewel tones, and the relentless Steven Alan shirts. Gladiator sandals are back but this time with more flair. Layers of gold chain necklaces and the natural waist seems to be making a come back. Waist belts, and nipped dresses were all over at this show.

Morning 10,435

2009-05-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Today on my agenda is a hike on the Portola Trail here in Echo Park with my husband, a doctor appointment in Beverly Hills, then going home to get ready for the Barneys New York fashion show at The Grove.

In case you are wondering I do actually have a job usually, however I have been unemployed since March 28th and I go back to work May 28th. I will be costume designing a horror/comedy movie. That will shoot for 14 days then I will go back to my regular job as costumer for a big ABC show.

Since I have been off I have really tried to make every day count. I went to Ireland with my husband for 9 days. Neither of us had ever been before and we found plane tickets for $380 each round trip including all taxes/fees. Since it was the off season we found pretty decent deals throughout the country as well. We arrived in Dublin and stayed at the Paramount Hotel. It is a hip boutique hotel in the city center. Every morning we woke before sunrise and went for a jog around St. Stephens green.

After our jog we would go to Bewleys Oriental Cafe for a scone and Irish breakf

ast tea. We toured the Guinness factory of course, and spent our evening in the Temple Bar district drinking beer and listening to traditional Irish music.

While in Ireland we also visited Dingle which was my absolute favorite part. Dingle town is a tiny fishing village with colorful rows of shops and cafes, friendly people and

something else I found particularly odd but convenient. In dingle pubs there are these little box rooms near the entrance with a bench or two, a door, and a little window to the bar. They are about a seven foot square. I could not for the life of me figure out what they were. My husband joked that they were probably there so that women had to sit in them in the old days. We both laughed, then looked around. I was in fact the only girl in the pub. A few minutes later a few ladies walked in and I thought how great that was so I wasn't the only lady in a bar of old fisherman. Well the ladies walked directly towards the box room and closed the door. It seems that my husband was right, however these rooms were still used today! What a great idea if you want to spend some time with your girlfriends and have a pint without being hit on or bothered. And of course if you chose to you could sit in the main bar as well.

Day 10,434

2009-05-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

Driving home from spending the day with my nephew and my brand new niece who was born on Sunday I began to wonder how many days I have been alive. My new niece is only 4 days old. I learned that I am 10,434 days old. Odd how that really doesn't seem to be all that much. I feel like I have had so many specific memories of days that surely there has to be more than that.

I remember one day- probably around day 2,190 of my life I was performing as Bambi in the 2nd grade class school production. I was cast as the lead. My very first starring role which at the ripe old age of 6 I thought was only the beginning to my jet set, Hollywood, fabulous life. And to some degree it was, its just all about how you look at it.

While giving my most important monologue, I remember looking for my family in the front row and I spotted my mom, sister and grandmother. My sister was 4 and was pretty much an enormous pain in my ass. What I saw in her hand was the brand new astronaut Barbie. I was immediately jealous- how did she get that? Who bought it for her? Did I get one too? I became so preoccupied that I forgot my lines. My teacher had to whisper them to me and it was so embarrassing. This was the end of my short lived Hollywood acting career.

After the play was over while I will still in costume (a brown unitard with cotton

balls glued to my butt- oh so flattering!) I ran over to see my family, and more importantly where my astronaut Barbie was. My mother explained that my grandmother had bought the gift special for my sister only and I didn't get one. She said next time maybe I'd get the special gift (this never turned out to be the case). Of course I was pissed and decided that from that day on my grandmother was pretty much crossed off my list. When I was rich and famous she would be real sorry she played favorites.

Although I am not rich and famous I still think my grandmother is an asshole and in fact when I got married last September I did not invite her to my wedding.