Whirlwind Week.

Hello darlings,

I've been missing blogging this week and craving some time at the keyboard as my week flew by with a few bats of my lashes. The 'off season' for us in event-world was slow and relaxing, making it harder than I thought to jump back into the game this week. We had our first event of 2010 last night at Raymond James Stadium (home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

In general, when you get out of shape in any sense of the word it's hard to get back. I had certainly gotten out of event shape. As I racked my brain for the little details that make the big picture come together, the came back slowly. But thankfully, the event went beautifully. It was special for me to have my small group girls present as volunteers (and two of them brought their families to participate and check out the VIP meet and greet). Always a special treat for me to work an event with Coach Tony Dungy. A dear friend of the family and an incredible man of God. Also, neat to have one of my fellow FPU (finance class) leaders bring his darling daughter out as well.

I'm ready to try'n take is easy this week after a weeks worth of 6am workouts, early to the office, late to leave, and juggling all my other commitments last week. This week will still have lots of workouts since I'm winning the Biggest Loser at my office so far (and I'm starting to like them - gasp). But my evenings will include reading, down time, a facial, etc. The calm before the next event storm - in prep for our Indianapolis Colts event May 14th. Hey Indiana, I'm headed your way!

Oh, after my jewelry party (Stella & Dot) I got to use some hostess rewards on a few things that will arrive in the mail TOMORROW and I had to share some pictures...

Aren't they fabulous? I can't wait to wear them. The 'bib' necklace is a trend I've been wanting to support for a year or so now, but hadn't found the perfect one (under $1000) yet. I should cut back on the In Style reading - I always have a trend I'm dying to try. Dave Ramsey says no maam to me and my expensive taste, regularly. I will say, play hostess for a night to get free items/discounts is a great way to add a new signature piece to your jewelry collection.

Anyone watch the draft this weekend? I was sadly, unable to be stalkerish for all rounds but I watched most of the first round from work while we did prep work. Did anyone catch the kid who went to Oakland in the first round wearing a black tee and having his dog with him? I didn't even know how to feel about that...Oakland makes sense. (Hey Tara - does he count for train-wreck Thursday?)

Sported my new (nerdy) green Bebe glasses today at church and they were a hit. Got several compliments. Hmm. I look forward to getting to a point where I have a little stash of cute glasses so that I don't feel boring wearing the same pair all the time (I have two now). I had a long debate about being practical or buying a fun colorful pair and finally determined to live on the edge with a fun green pair since my black and white Pradas are pretty practical and in their 3rd year of use.

So I'm not sure why I'm getting the hair dying itch lately - but I really want to go darker for the summer while I'm sporting my Florida (slash being part Hawaiian) tan. I finally went al naturale last year though, so I hate to rot my brain with hair dye all over again. Help! Is this just hair boredom?

Ok, expect more posts from me this week. I am back to stay for a week or two before I may disappear again during Colts event week.

Love,

B

I'm Up Late.

Normally I'm in bed by 10:00, so this is a late night for me (though I guess I do occasionally see midnight on weekends). I therefore take little to no responsibility for what is said in tonight's post - as I've been up since 6am and my eye lids are drooping.

I do have a few things I'd like to get off my chest before bed tonight. Starting with the fact that for a great number of reasons, I am not a Chad Ocho Cinco (formerly Johnson) fan. No, I'm not just saying that because he plays for the Bengals and not beloved Colts. It all started when for a hot minute I tried following him on twitter only to figure out that he's quite possibly the most ridiculous 'tweeter' (read: person) in twitter world. From sending pictures of himself in his boxers (in what looks to be a dressing room at the mall) to getting rejected from Eharmony (probably for being a creep) - he managed to grate my nerves on a fairly regular basis.

Why are people so scared of 'home sales parties'? I know I'm abnormally comfortable with most things that make normal people squirm but seriously people, you don't have to buy something. If you don't like it, say no. I hosted a double-whammy part tonight with a new friend who sells Mary Kay & someone from Stella and Dot jewelry (which I recently fell in love with). When I met A at a Mary Kay party hosted my a girlfriend of mine, I thought she's fabulous and not in the least bit pushy. I didn't buy anything (because I wasn't sure what I could add to my crazy skin care regimen) but decided to host my own party! I love a girl who's taking initiative and getting after it in the business world - why not help a sister out? The party tonight was glorious - loved it. Everyone who came had fun & without being pressured in the least, walked away with something they couldn't live with out.

The funniest part was that I had several people who wanted to order stuff but felt intimidated by coming to the party (which is entirely about hanging out and dabbling in cool loot). I did orders for them in advance but I couldn't help thinking it's a strange concept. You assume people are scared to come because they don't want to HAVE to buy something but then, come to find out, more people are scared of the actual party. Fascinating.

Anywho, while I'm on the topic if you want to checkout the jewelry I've been drooling over you can see it on their website here. And hey, if you find a piece (or 5) that YOU can't live without, go ahead and order and if you please, select me as the hostess so maybe I'll earn more freebies. We all know I looove freebies, yes? Looks to me, from here, that Stella & Dot is all the rage. Where have I been?

I need a new, light weight vacuum. Do you have any idea what my 5'3 self looks like wrestling my huge vacuum up and down 2 flights of stairs? Youtube worthy, that's what. Not to mention that it look me an hour to stop sweating afterwards. Gross. I should really do this a day in advance of entertaining. Whew, I'm getting tired (and sweaty) just reliving it in my mind!

Have you ever noticed that people ask you advice about things even when they know they're going to hate your answer? I've got a new tactic for handling things of this nature. Since I believe most people already know what they should do - I flip the question on it's head. I say, if you were me what would you tell yourself? Amazingly, they can usually give themselves better advice than you'd give them. If they're sad and misguided then by all means, set them straight. But it's more inspiring when one comes to their own conclusions about the usually obvious. This works abnormally well with dating related dilemmas. If they say in 5 seconds or less that they would never let you date the loser their dating, well, wah-la - answer. You will appear incredibly wise for being able to draw out of them their own intellect.

My blackberry is possessed. It has been randomly switching numbers in my phone under different peoples names. I jest not. This is incredibly awkward when you send a personal text to the wrong person, only to confuse them beyond explanation. Yikes. I'm about to quit team blackberry if this problem doesn't die off.

Ok, I can't stay awake longer.

Love,

B