I can't wear pointy shoes anymore...and 35 other ways my mid-30s differ greatly from my mid-20s..

1. My flats now officially outnumber my heels.

2. My freckles are combining to form one, large superfreckle.

3. I will never experiment with dark hair colors - gray is only well concealed by blonde.  Sorry my brunette friends.  It's a fact.

4. Vodka is (still) not my friend and more importantly, I am finally realizing she never really was.  Bitch.   

5. I rarely stay up past 11 or sleep in later than 7. 

6. I floss....more than once a day and without anyone telling me to. 

7. I unashamedly buy prunes at the grocery store and actually like the way they taste. 

If you buy this bag, you can trick yourself into thinking you're eating "plums" and not prunes.  Let's not get all attentiony to detailsy ok?  I know they're the same.

8.  My idea of a fun birthday is going to a midget restaurant and going to bed early enough that I can still make the Saturday morning market at 0730. (Seriously, that's what we're doing tonight.  Going to the "Hobbit House" - please try to tell me you're not jealous.  LIAR!)

9. My coffee maker cost more than most people's yearly salary in the Philippines. 

10. I still spend hours at the gym but I have realized life is too short not to have a piece of cake every once in a while. 

11. On the rare occasion I am spotted at "the club", I am usually trying to locate an empty barstool because...#12.

12.  I can't wear pointy shoes anymore....or let's be honest, ANY heels for more than 2 hours.  Screw you heredity and bad decisions!! Screw you!  

13. People are FINALLY doing the math.  She's 35?  Yeah...maybe she's really NOT having kids.  

14.  I think I'm in a different census bracket.  

15. My oldest nephew is in college....and has been for a while now.  This must hurt my sister worse than it does me. BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!  

16.  The outside of the card that my husband gave me this morning says, "To the 35 year old woman who lives with me." WTF?!?!  I shudder to think what it says on the inside.  Then again, it's atop a Hermes bag so how bad could it be??

17. OMG 17! I don't even remember you anymore!

18. I no longer tight roll my jeans although I did give into the skinny jeans trend some time ago.  I am ashamed....(yes, I know that tight rolling was not a 2003 kinda thing but a 35-item-long list is tough ok??)

19. My toes are perpetually polished....and almost always by someone else!  BAM!  I found a 35 year old perk. 

20. I cook.  Like....a lot.  Real meals and shit. 

21. I barely remember what it's like to live in Texas but I will never stop being a Texan!

22. I haven't cried at the sound of a Matchbox Twenty song in over 10 years but I still sing along (er...yell) with P!nk.  That bitch speaks the truf!

23. I no longer consider tight jeans and a halfsy top wardrobe staples.  That is HALF true.  

24. I am a responsible and dedicated pet owner.  Consider this an open apology to Harley, Chevy and Rufus - who I loved but didn't really know how to take care of. 

25. There it is - 25.  TEN EFFING YEARS AGO?!?!  What the hell happened? Well, everything, thank god. 

26. In six months, I will have been away from "home" for 10 years. 

27. I looooooooove grocery shopping.  I liked it in my mid-20s but I couldn't afford anything so, as you can imagine, not so fun.  Now I could (happily) spend a whole day at Wegmans or Harris Teeter or Kroger or Target Superstore.  Sigh...I miss 'Murrica. 

28. I am a wife...and a pretty good one most days. 

29. I regularly plan for retirement and can visualize the library I will build in our dream home....on a lake...surrounded by animals...and family...and....you get the idea. 
 

That picture is like porn to me.

30. I don't thoughtlessly destroy furniture on creative whims.  Hello decoupage!

31. I covet...and can actually afford a full set of Le Creuset cookware.  

32. I have transitioned into quality vs. quantity.  At least, in my mind I have.  Hard.to.let.go.

33. I am pretty good at keeping plants alive.  When I first started dating Z, he had me watch his cactus "Clint" when he went out of town.  I left Clint on the patio - in the winter - in Virginia.  Whoops.
 

RIP Clint

34. I realize I still have a lot of growing up to do but I try to be a better person every day because even though I hope I have a lot of livin' to do, you just never know. 

35. I am happy.  For real....really happy.

How has your life changed in the last 10 years?  Hey FB friends and family...feel free to respond on my actual blog.  I can ask you to do this because, dammit, it's my birthday! :)

Sorry Honey - I have fallen in love with someone else

....and her name is Nieva.  She is our housekeeper here in the Philippines but "housekeeper" doesn't COME CLOSE to describing what an asset she is already becoming to us.  She is quickly becoming a part of our little family.  Cassie adores her, Zach is beside himself that she makes him two sandwiches a day.  You know, in case he gets hungry later in the day.  "You're a growing boy Mr. Zach." :)

But you know how I knew right away that she was "the one" and that my love for her would quickly outshine my love for my dear husband?  She did this to my sock drawer: 

Please note, those are folded neatly AND arranged by type.  

And she did this to my t-shirts: 

I'd show you my underwear drawer because it's equally spectacular but that's a little personal even for how much I tend to overshare.

Makati Shangri La(AHHHHHH)

The Shangri La in Makati is a 5 Star luxury hotel in the heart of Makati (Manila's financial district).  It is also where we have a health club membership.  If we're feeling fed up with the traffic and need a release?  We go to the Shang.  Exhausted and could use some down time?  Da Shang.  Internet connection letting us down at our own hotel??  Shang to the rescue!  I don't think, after walking in the first time, I could have ever opted for an alternative.  It even smells lovely.  

It has everything you'd expect of a hotel of its caliber.  Beautiful pool, elegant high tea, and two of the best restaurants in town.  I love going there on the weekends and spending an entire morning/early afternoon.  Start in the gym, work hard, spend some time in the steam room (equipped with hot/cold whirlpools and wet/dry saunas), change into the swimsuit and relax by the pool with a beer and some good food. Tough life. 

I haven't tried them yet but Z swears the trainers are the best stretchy outers ever.  Apparently they'll bend you right to the point where you can't take it anymore and leave ya feeling like gumby.  

Anyway, here are some recent highlights of time spent at the Shangri La:

 

Coolest part about tea at the Shang?  There's an hourglass to time how long to let your tea steep.  When the sand runs out, time to enjoy.  Classy shit right?  I totally fit in.

No high tea would be complete without a string (and flute) band in lovely dresses...

....who kept playing on their way to break.

Some of the best poolside food I've ever had was served at the Shang.  That's a chicken sandwich on ciabatta bread (with a San Mig light in a glass of course).

This day did not suck.

Gaga for our Gaggia

Shall I start with a quick hello?  I feel that's fair after OVER A YEAR LONG absence.  So, Hi Howdy Hola but most importantly, MABUHAY!  Why Mabuhay?  Because my friends, "Mabuhay" is the tagalog greeting and in case you're wondering what tagalog is (as I was), it's one of the (many) languages spoken in the Philippines, primarily Manila and surrounding areas.  But still, why should you care?  Well, in truth, maybe you shouldn't.  YOU aren't the one moving to the Philippines in less than a week ..... but WE are! :) 

So, MABUHAY! 

A new member of our family will be moving with us.  You heard that right, we have a new child.  She is shiny and grand and requires constant attention.  She is still a newborn but seems to be learning the ropes quickly.  Sorry Mom, she does not have a heartbeat, curly hair, or my eyes.  "She" is our Gaggia Academia Espresso Machine and probably the most important thing that's happened in our lives since we adopted Cassie.  Here she is - feel free to gasp, exhale, ooh-ah...whatever you need to do....

Ok Ok - that's not really our girl.  But this is...

And boy does she turn some heads when she does her little coffee dances.  I mean, look at this purty concoction she put together when my sister came to visit:

Really - she is the most thoughtful "child" we have....sorry Cassie.

If you're in the market for an espresso machine, you can't go wrong with this baby.   She'll make espressos, coffees (long or short), caps, lattes, and the list goes on.  You can get all hands on with her or simply set her up to be responsive at the touch of a button.  Easy breezy.    She ain't cheap but she's worth it AND it's true what they say, she does get better with age.  Seriously, the thing gets smarter then more coffee you make.

Sadly, Lady Gaggia is on her merry way to Manila and we probably won't see her...or her wonderful caffeinated brews .... for several months.  We will try to endure but no doubt will suffer some pangs along the way.....and headaches. 

Indulgence of the day....IS MINE!!!!!

Zach was very proud of his wrapping job.  Note the curly ribbons...

Woot woot!  Look at those pretty blue boxes!  In my opinion, it's a better shade of blue than Tiffanys.  It's La Mer beeotches!

Look at that, I am flushed and dewy with joy! LOL  And Zach is wondering why he spent so much money on soap suds and lip balm.  BUT WE LOOOOOVE HIM FOR IT!!!!

That's a $5 kiss right there. Zach says there must be unicorn horn dust in there for it to be so expensive.  At first I was upset at the thought of ground up Unicorn horn on my lips...then he told me not to worry, that their horns grow back.  You know, like a lizard.  ;-)

Bwah ahahaha

Super bwah ahahaha.  Mine mine mine!!!  I have clearly crossed the border into crazy town but that's ok, I would take up residence in looneyville for this kind of indulgence anytime.

 

Indulgence of the Day

DACHSHUND NECKLACE!!!

This is totally without justification but.....me want!!  Ok ok, I realize this might not qualify for EVERYONE's indulgence of the day list but it certainly does mine and occasionally this little blog is all about yours truly and I really love this little necklace.  

However, I think this little necklace is adorable and would look lovely on just about anyone's neck.  Of course, I think I'd have to have the gold one to match my Michael Kors watch. :)  Unfortunately, or fortunately if you're feeling flush, this little "puppy" will cost ya $105 in silver and $115 in gold.  eek.  Not to worry though, I KNOW you're worth it!!

In an effort to make peace with all non-dachshund owners, check out the designers look book.  All designs are from Brooklyn design house Odette New York and I think you'll approve.

Indulgence of the day!

For just $45.00 dollars, you too can own .32 ounces of La Mer lip balm.
Before you think you're reading that wrong, that's POINT THREE TWO ounces...NOT, repeat NOT 32 ounces.  Who are you kidding if you think you'd get 32 ounces of anything made by La Mer for $45.00 dollars.  Hell, if I were following their business model, I would charge you for even thinking about buying a La Mer product. 

Now that I'm done ranting I will admit that I want this.  I am not sure if I want it because it's decadent or because it's the only La Mer product under $50.00.  Either way, I suspect I won't be running to a Saks any time soon to pick some up. But who's to say you can't "want" something right?!?!?

 

On the flip side, I will TOTALLY be picking up (or ordering) Victoria's Secret's  Pro Smooth Lip FX scrub and balm.  It's a third of the price and it comes in this cute little tower.  What more could you ask for??  I've read some reviews that said the scrub actually tastes like sugar!  Where do I sign?? 

Dedicating this post to my bestie in support of her addiction to all things lip balm.  Hmmm...on second thought, it's a dual dedication to bestie and sis in law.  Both are chapstick addicts.  Enjoy ladies!

Indulgence of the day - Ferragamo style

PEEP THIS!!

I'm feeling all growed up today and peep toes are my very favorite type of heel.  They're flattering and you can wear them in just about any season.  These little cuties BELONG on my tootsies, don't you think?  Well, even if you don't think...you have to appreciate their simplicity.  I love Ferragamo shoes.  Elegant but still somehow sexy.  I don't actually own any...sigh...so I can't speak to their comfort but I'd be willing to bet they're not too shabby in that department either.   These little peep toes are made of goatskin and are part of the spring/summer 2011 platform shoe collection.  Not sure how they consider these platform shoes but I'm certainly glad they're NOT...otherwise, I wouldn't even dream of putting them on my feet! 

 

And how fun are these!?!?   Leather so soft, I could lick it. 

If you're feeling flush, buy the dang things (Ferragamo Women's Shoes) just please, please, please don't tell me about it.  Ok, do tell me!  I can take a little bitter sweet as long as there are great shoes involved.