in pursuit of lashes

For those of you who don't know me I have a slight obsession with eye lashes. For some people it's shoes, for some cars, for me - lashes. I don't know if my obsession stemmed from the pathetic eye lashes I was genetically bestowed or whether it built over time seeing friends with beautiful natural lashes (Sara, Patricia, Heidi you know who you are). What I do know is that I have done some pretty expensive and excessive things in pursuit of longer, darker eye lashes.

My obsession started with tinting. Not so bad you would think. In the summers I would tint them for those times I wanted to go swimming or to the beach and not have to worry about it. You have to understand things from my point of view. And those of you blessed with dark long lashes just won't understand. But having short white-blond lashes and white-blond eye brows makes your whole face look funny. It looks like there is something missing. Dramatic - I know.

Moving on, after tinting wasn't doing it for me anymore I moved on to fake lashes. A friend of mine from MAC showed me how to apply them and from that day on I sported the fakes more than my own (thanks Steph). Unknown to me at that time I had crossed a very thin line. There was no turning back.

After a few months of the fakes I saw a friend at a party and she was wearing fakes too! Only wait! They weren't fakes, they were extensions!! Hence a whole new stage of crazy was about to over take me. I found out where she got them and headed there within the week. From that day on I got lash extensions and LOVED them. In hindsight not the most sensible move I've ever made; however, in my lash desperation I had no hope of resisting. So for the next six months I sported long, dark, beautiful thick lashes. You'll notice I have omitted writing about the effort and expense involved in the miracle lash extensions, this is purposeful so that my one reader doesn't understand the extent of my craziness. (too late?)

Then one fated day I had an allergic reaction to the lashes. My eyes swelled shut and they were so itchy I wanted to scratch my eyes out. After suffering for a few days and many antihistamines later I came to the sad realization that they had to come off and I was destined to short, white lashes for my life. Depression ensued.

When I thought all was lost - an idea..I'd gone this far how could I stop now? Shameless! What is left you ask? Latisse! A friend who lives in the States has been using it for some time with great results! How have I not tried this yet? So off I go to buy the Latisse and I am 11 days in and already seeing the results. Nothing dramatic yet, but I was told when I bought it that it takes about a month for good results and two to ensure the best. Have I found a permanent solution?

Stay tuned.....and eye lashes crossed!

jackson james neiles

Just look at this face...

My best friend's baby - Jackson - turned 1 year old in October. I can hardly believe a whole year has gone by. Just look how big he is! Time is a funny thing. When you want it to go quickly it goes slow; and when you want it to slow down, it goes even faster. All I know is that this little guy has changed lives.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The new Harry Potter movie comes out in a couple weeks and I already have tickets! The Harry Potter movies evoke a lot of emotions from me. They are most often released near Christmas, so I get a warm and fuzzy feeling around that. My family all loves the Harry Potter books and we, for the first movies, went all together to see them so that we could discuss together after. That part is bitter sweet now that my dad is gone. We still try and go as a family, but as much as we love them, it is always a sad experience at the same time. For the same reason the movies make me think of dad and I love them for that. He died before the last book came out and that is tragic for me. He would have loved the end.

For many reasons I am anxious, excited, exhilarated and apprehensive to see the next one. It is the first of the two movies that will tell the story of the last book - and I will be sad to see the end of the Harry Potter saga.

The trailer is a great one: check it out> Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

new computer

So I came home the other night and I got a huge present! A new computer!! Den bought it for me for completing my half marathon - only, I haven't actually done it yet. Turns out he is as bad as me at keeping secrets so he gave it to me early :) And I love it! It's fun to put all the settings exactly as I want them. I suppose I have no excuses now to not be the best blogger I can be :P

Thank you honey, I love it!

Day tripping in Stratford

On Saturday Vic and I went to Stratford for the afternoon. Our purpose was to visit the store that one of our friends owns called Danna Nicole. Her story is inspiring and her clothes are fabulous!

She is one of those people who has achieved her dream. She wanted to one day own her own store, be her own boss, make the decisions, be the buyer and now she's done it! And her store is great! I buy fun accessories and dresses for work from her mostly.

While we were in Stratford Danna suggested a little chippy for us to eat at (Fish and Chip joint for those non-Brits). So we went to Simple for lunch. What a super cute place! And best of all, they offer gluten free batter for all their delicious dishes. So I ordered giant shrimp, fries (home made of course) and coleslaw. Vic had traditional fish and chips and we both loved it!





























The food looked much better when it arrived to our table before I adulterated it.

Den's 30th Birthday Party

Dennis decided that the best way to celebrate his 30th birthday was to go bowling. Seriously. So I planned a part at the local Palasad and we ate, bowled and played video games all night. It was really fun!

Here are some of the photos (once we figured out how to use the flash...)

The birthday boy preparing for his shot...














Me and Jenny













Yummy birthday cupcakes!

My New Love

A few weeks back I got a new truck and who knew I would love love love it so much! I think it looks pretty slick, I like being higher up and it's great on the highway. Thanks for hooking me up honey!

Uncle Frank - we're twins! (except you have the high roller version - one day I'll catch up :)

30

On Feb. 8th I turned 30. Now this seems to be a big step for some people; now that I've lived through it, I agree. Turning a year older while you're still in your twenties - no big deal. But when you turn a new decade you start evaluating things. I'm one of those people who had a list of things I wanted to do before 30. Well, looking at that list, now that I'm 30 - disappointing. So what to do? Bump all those things I didn't do to the To Dos before 40 list? Or make a new list entirely? I think now that I am thirty and feel like I should be more mature, more accomplished, more together - while waiting for these things I will start my new list:

Not in any particular order:

THINGS TO DO IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS
- Run a half marathon
- Go on a real vacation - somewhere I've never been before
- Learn how to invest
- Have a better attitude
- Yoga!
- Be patient
- Be healthier - holistically

THINGS TO DO BEFORE 40
- Climb Kilimanjaro
- Visit Asia
- Learn Korean
- Have a family
- Career Success

Let's get to work.

The year ahead 2010

According to the stars, here is what the year ahead has in store for me...

After the last few hectic years, most Aquarians feel like checking into an asylum or a monastery. Not so fast, my fastidious friend. Although this year it may be a bit tricky finding your bearings, this is a setup of cosmic proportions and in January, Jupiter, the planet of luck and good fortune, will lend you his energy for the next 12 months. Yes, with a little tact, grace and your famous diplomacy skills, by the end of this year, you will have your life back on track.
Although anyone who challenges your authority or expertise tends to rile your temper, one of your 2009 challenges will be to keep your intuition tuned in and at times play the game by someone else's rules. And if you take a look at the big picture and understand exactly what is at stake, you will know that this is a very small sacrifice to make. Your first test will be during the January Aquarian eclipse.
Restrictive Saturn will add new responsibilities that may feel limiting but in reality are designed to help you redefine your hopes, dreams and wishes. With this combination of visionary and stabilizing star power, you can reinvent your career or even fall in love. And one of these new responsibilities could turn into a job, promotion or life-long passion.
Take advantage of even the smallest opportunity or idea and follow through. This year Gordon Parks' words should sum up your attitude: "The guy who takes a chance, who walks the line between the known and unknown, who is unafraid of failure, will succeed."
2009 Aquarius Love Match: Serious love matches become more fun, loving and solid, but don't forget that a marriage is like another job and takes attention and work to succeed.

LOOKINNG FORWARD!! AND FINGERS CROSSED

My buddies

These two are my best friends. Tish and Katie. The three of us went to elementary school together and high school, then Kate and I lived together at Queens. Some friends you know you'll just have forever!

I am now waiting on Tish to produce a little baby for me to spoil stupid and Katie to get married so I can buy a new dress. Chop chop ladies! : )