GOLDEN

I admit that I get totally wrapped up in the Hollywood awards season.  First the Golden Globes, then the SAG awards and last but not least the Oscars!  I love the red carpet and all the interviews.  I think next year I might try to see all the nominated films before these awards are handed out.  Sounds like an important goal.   

So here are a few of my thoughts about last night's Oscars:
________

I think Amy Adams looked amazing in the sapphire blue dress adorned with the emerald green drop necklace.  The dress could have used a slightly different cut but it was still great.

I think Natalie Portman, who won the Oscar for Best Actress, was wearing a dress designed by Rodarte.  I think all of her costumes in Black Swan were also designed by Rodarte. {Note: you previously mentioned Rodarte in one of your posts}

I think Gwyneth Paltrow looked amazing ~ very modern in her sleek golden dress and her stick straight hair.  She also looked really skinny.

I think Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are a great couple.  She always looks so beautiful and they are always holding hands.  They seem sincere.

I think Reese Witherspoon looked like a cheerleader.  Very plain black dress with a white band around the top (not very fashion forward) and she had a big, big pony tail that was swinging around.  Hmm.

I think Anne Hathaway did a really good job hosting.  She is just so cute and bubbly.  I love her.  I had no idea she had such a big singing voice.  A trifecta (hate her!).  Also, I think she grew up in a town in New Jersey next to where you live sister.  Crazy!

I think James Franco did a bad job hosting.  He seemed totally bored and diconnected.  Boo!

I think I fell asleep at around 10:15 pm and missed all the good parts of the dang show!  Including Gynnie's performance. 

I think I can't wait to watch some of these movies when they come out on Redbox.  I did see "The Social Network" and "The Kids are Alright" and I would highly recommend them both.   
________

There you have it sister.  My abridged version of a review.  We have to chat some more to exchange notes.  Until then.

Tracy

P.S. Happy Birthday to Henry!  Great day Buddy!

  Oscar?  Not!

But he is part of a fishing trophy.

News from the Frontlines

1. Did you ever experience a moment of serendipity, coincidence, or fortune? I just had one with me&t. Check out your photo Friday subject --> the vintage, wooden letters. I was just in a shop digging through letters to do the SAME THING for my photo Friday!!! (no, I am not shouting, just making emphasis) I couldn't find the "&" symbol. (drat) Anyway, I loved it. Well done. We both seem to collect these old letters once used in printing. Remember when you gave each of my children their first initial as a gift? Great gift.

2. At dinner last night, Henry announced there is a "curse word" for every letter of the alphabet. We started with A, B, C, and D..pretty easy to imagine. (although his C was crap and D was dang ~ which I do say on occasion) Well, of course, when we got to F, Henry said he would just spell it. Good idea. Upon inquiry where he heard that particular word, Grace chimed in, "(duh) we heard Dad say it today when he realized his phone was broken." (oooops!)

3. This is very difficult for me to write -- Emma, dear five year old Emma, with her bright eyes and sweet smile asked, "Mommy, are you having another baby? It looks like there is a baby in your belly." #%€£¥%!!! (avoiding words from above alphabet game) I respond, "Well, you know honey, I had four babies and sometimes a mommy's tummy stays like that." Husband throws in his two cents, "You need to do some sit-ups." Thanks. Deep breath. To be honest, I have been running my arse off, but the tummy is just going along for the ride. I have been considering some options truth be told. Options have gone to the top of my "to do" list. Summer is around the corner..

4. Speaking of running. Guess who joined the "club"? My husband finally decided to start running!!!! Hip, hip hooray for Ed! With the entire family in tow, we went to the local running store to get Ed some gear. He went on his first run (in almost 15 years!) with Henry in tow. Maybe the running sisters and Mikey Mike will have another participant in some of our spring races. Stay tuned.

5. Have you watched the movie The Romantics? I know you like Katie Holmes, who stars in it. It was a good, little film. Friends, from college, meeting over a weekend as two of them get married. Subtle, serious, and thoughtful..ended the way I thought it should. The soundtrack is really great too!

tb

PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!!! You are eight & I love you to the moon & back.

NOLA

Because of a work conference, I had the opportunity to go to New Orleans, a city I've never visited.  Obviously this region received much attention after Hurricane Katrina but I have always been curious about this city even before then.

The trip was quick ... arrived Thursday and headed home on Saturday late afternoon.  Here are some highlights. 

You know I am not a foodie but I ate at two John Besh restaurants.  I really didn't know who John Besh was but apparently he is on the radar as a top Chef.  I ate at Domenica which serves more of an italian fare and the restaurant was actually located in our hotel, The Waldorf Astoria (sounds fancy, doesn't it).  Then just by chance, the next evening we ate at his restaurant called Luke, which has a German / French menu (kind of an odd combination if you ask me, but seriously, what do I know).  I'm not going to give a food critic review because I'm so not qualified but I will say the food, atmosphere and service in both restaurants did not dissapoint.

Check him out here:
Chef John Besh

Next, you cannot go to New Orleans without stepping foot in the French Quarter.  After dinner on Friday night, our local host gracioully took us to Bourbon Street.  Crazy is all I can say.  The street was packed with people and it was such a mixed crowd.  The younger crowd gathered on the balconies above with beads in hand.  Ready to toss them below.  I think what surprised me the most was the music resonating from the bars.  More hip-hop and not so much jazz.  After walking for a bit, we did settle down into a small bar, ordered up some hurricanes (a must have drink I was told) and we listened to a local jazz band.  It was great.

The next morning a bunch of us met up and headed back to the French Quarter to check it out during the day.  As I wrote about before, we started at Cafe Du Monde.  Then spent quite a bit of time walking the streets of the FQ.  It was fantastic!  The sun was out and the temps were rising.  The architecture is just beautiful ~ French Creole.  There were alot of random performers and musicians just hanging out in the streets doing their thing.  Shops, art galleries and even local artists set up around Jackson Square.  I didn't want to take a break for lunch, camera was in hand and I just kept clicking away.

We did eventually take a lunch break and definitely needed to each the local fare.  We all ordered a Bloody Mary and I split a Po-Boy sandwich and a Muffeleta sandwich.  I favored the Muffeleta (I believe it is ham, salami, etc. with olive tapenade spread on the bread).  Yum! 

I was told there are many great neighborhoods to visit.  But there was just not enough time.  And I also picked up a brochure for a "swamp tour".  Too funny.  Maybe next time.

I think sister we need to put New Orleans on the list of girls' weekend destinations.  I have a couple of other cities in mind as well.  And I did get you a souvenir.  So look for it in the mail.

Enjoy the photos below.

Tracy

P.S. NOLA is a nickname for New Orleans (in case you didn't know, because I didn't)

French Quarter {night}

French Quarter {day}

French Quarter {signs}

Photo Friday No. 15

pretty books in

New Jersey

wood letters in

Pennsylvania

On My Radar

1. For starters, I hope you stole the "Cowgirls are Forever" sign in Colorado!! Did I say steal? I meant purchase. ;) You have a "thing" for signs and that one is super cute. Maybe next year you can tuck some tools in with your ski gear.

2. I know -- another book. Must be all of these cozy, snowy, winter days. I just picked up "I Love Your Style - How to Define and Refine Your Personal Style" by Amanda Brooks. Even if you simply cruise through the amazing photos and captions, it is a great read! Ms. Brooks takes the reader through styles (classic, bohemian, minimal, etc.) and shares her style icons (think Jackie, Carolina, Tory.) Finally, she outlines the basics of building a wardrobe from t-shirts to handbags to evening dresses. A few of my favorites...Ms. Brooks advises one can get by with one, maybe two (!) handbags, she adores her "chicken cutlets" (no explanation needed), and she adores vintage. I hope you read it soon...you'll love it too.

3. Check out the blog "My Parents Were Awesome". Readers submit vintage photos of their awesome parents and, if selected, they are posted on the blog. It is a trip down memory lane..the hairstyles, clothing, vintage vw bugs, and so on. I think I have a photo of our awesome parents in front of a Corvair sporting a beehive and penny loafers. Hmmmmm.

4. How about a great gift idea? I know both you and I are "gifters". Jane Mount is an artist who illustrates a row of books on a bookshelf. She has themes like children's favorites or classics or cookbooks. For the ultimate gift, she will create a personal version of your recipient's all-time favorite books!!! What an amazing gift. I would have a hard time selecting my favs, to be honest. I first heard about Jane Mount on 20x200, but you can find her on etsy and I believe she is transitioning to her own site, Idealbookshelf. Happy shopping!!

5. Now dig through your piles of photos and get ready to create a unique piece of artwork! Check out "Kiki and Polly"..also on esty, but you want to visit their own site for a one-of-a-kind creation. You submit photos of your kiddies, choose the "style" of your piece of art, and submit it to Kiki and Polly to work their magic! I must admit, I haven't done any of the aforementioned because I am having difficulty deciding. I like them all! I do think I will opt of a "group" shot of all four of my children ~ although the single portraits with the fun backgrounds are tempting. Hmmmm (again) What do you think??

Hope you are having a wonderful week ~ spring is around the corner! (fingers crossed)

Tricia

STUCK

I am just about ready with my New Orleans post but something happened today and I can't resist.  Here is goes.

This ski season I decided to buy a new jacket. Something hip but mature. I honestly shopped around but nothing grabbed my eye.  But while we were picking up our ski passes, the ski shop on the mountain had a great selection of coats, pants, etc.  I made a purchase.  White Burton coat with thin plaid and a super cool army green lined hood.

Here's the kicker ... on several occassions my husband so lovingly pointed out other skiiers wearing the same jacket!  Really?  And those skiiers looked about 20 years old (which I am not).  Ready for this, in Colorado in the lift line, some other chick was wearing the same jacket.  I almost cried.

So today I stopped by Sports Authority because rumor had it they were having a sale.  Kate needs new ski pants.  The pair I bought her this year are the bib style (thought that was a good idea so they wouldn't fall down).  Turns out they are tight around her belly so she refuses to zip them.  You can only image how she looks.  While checking out the sales, I stumbled upon the adult jackets.  A grape purple coat with some fur around the hood caught my eye.  So I try it on.  The little tab on the zipper was missing.  No biggy, I get the zipper up.  Problem ... the zipper would not come down!  I literally was stuck in this jacket.  I couldn't even pull it up over my head.  Totally stuck.

This has never happened to me before.  Ok, I lie.  Do you remember sister the bridesmaid dress I wore in your wedding.  A gorgeous two piece ensemble.  The top had really shear cap sleeves and slipped over top.  Our seemstress felt that dresses should fit and show ones curves.  So after she altered my top, I tried it on and it was stuck.  She had to cut it off me and add a zipper.  Yikes.

Back to today ... so I am stuck in the grape purple coat with fur around the hood.  WTF.  I slink up to the counter and patiently wait while others finish checking out.  Still wearing the grape purple coat with fur around the hood.  I proceed to tell the salesperson that I am stuck.  She very calmly takes a little plastic zip tie, puts it around the zipper pull and bingo.  That zipper went down smooth as butter.  Amazing!

Here is the lesson learned.  If your kid's jackets ever lose the tab on the zipper, just add the little plastic thing.  Other lesson learned, try not to get stuck while trying on clothing in the store.  Super embarassing!

Tracy

P.S. New Orleans post will be up on Saturday!

note very popular ski coat and an example of the

little zip pull that might just come in handy

The Blessing of a Skinned Knee

How is this for a coincidence? Remember the book you and I read, "The Blessing of a Skinned Knee" by Wendy Mogel? I think you recommended it to me and we read it at the same time, sharing little bits of wisdom about parenting as we went along. Somehow, I passed it along to a friend and then, the book went missing. Fast forward a few years, and I was thinking about this special book again. Specifically, I could use a refresher course on raising self-reliant children. Miraculously, my friend returned my book and the rest is history!

Here are just a few gems from the book that resonate with me..

"Strive to be a "good enough" parent, not a great one. It can make everyone in the family relax and paradoxically make life richer."

"Every child cannot be good in everything, and no amount of encouragement or teacher talent can make it so."

"Consider that "good enough" can often be best for your child, because when life is mostly ordinary and just occasionally extraordinary, your child won't end up with expectations of herself and those around her that can't be met on this worldly plane."

"But as our children mature, we need to withdraw from smoothing their path and satisfying all their wishes. By giving them a chance to survive some danger and letting them make some reckless or thoughtless choices, we teach them how to withstand the bumps and knocks of life."

Are you ready for more coincidence? My book group chose "The Blessing of a B-" this month. Yes, Wendy Mogel wrote another book with even more parenting wisdom!!! Hallelujah!!! I can't wait to get her second book. And, I hope you are sitting down...Wendy Mogel is speaking about her new book in my town this April!!! Signing books too. I just love a coincidence. Don't you?

Tricia

PS don't worry ~ you know I will get a signed copy of the new book for you. :-)