Just Another Manic Monday...

"It's just another manic Monday, whoaaa whoaaa..." LOL ... every time I think of that song, I remember this mini tape player that I had in the '80s... I forgot what it was called, but it was small (about 3/4 size of a Walkman) and bright purple, and you could buy these mini cassette tapes with 2-3 songs on them to play. (Does anyone know what they're called??) My two songs were "Manic Monday" and "Walk Like an Egyptian" - I'll never forget!

Anyway, this is another crazy busy week at work. We just had a group meeting/conference call about all of the upcoming deadlines. Grrr... why does everything always have to be due at the same freaking time? I don't get that about companies!

While I'm ranting, can I just say that I get really freaked out when people use those miniature earpieces on their cell phones, and they'll be walking down the street screaming on the phone, but you can't tell they're on the phone? That always makes me jump!

On the same vein, it also freaks me out when people are on the subway, and they sort of get separated from their party or buddy, and then all of a sudden, they decide to start talking to their friend who's on the other side of the car. That happened to me this morning. The train was super-crowded, and I was standing next to this chick. Halfway through the ride, she decides to say, "So??" and I'm like half awake and non-coherent, and I'm like, "huh?" Turns out, she's talking to her boyfriend, who's hanging on like halfway down the car. He responds, "I'll tell you when we get out." Scary!

Speaking of subway rants, I hate holding on to those nasty poles and straps, right? They're just so gross... I feel like I need to hose myself down with Lysol right afterwards. Anyway, holding onto them alone is bad enough, but even worse is when someone is holding onto the pole above you, and their hand starts slipping, and they end up touching or holding on to your hand! Oh, so gross! That happened to me this morning with the psycho screaming chick. Yuck-o!

All right, I'll stop ranting and get back to work!! Have a good day, y'all!

Rainy, Dreary Sunday (w/cheerful FOTD pic)

Do you ever notice that when the weather is bad, you either do one of two things:

1. Dress like a bum or a slob
2. Try to make yourself look bright & cheery

For me, I usually pick #1, but I decided to do a more colorful FOTD to counteract the grayness - LOL!

Today, I am wearing:

FACE

• MAC Prep + Prime Face foundation primer (still working on the sample that I got at the counter... not 100% sure if I want to spend the $25 on it yet)
• Clinique SuperBalanced foundation in Breeze mixed with Giorgio Armani Fluide Sheer in #3 to darken it a little bit/add some shine
• BeneFit Hoola bronzer (courtesy of my sis :))
• NARS Gina blush (courtesy of a swap)
• MAC Iridescent Face Powder in Belightful (to highlight cheekbones - LOVE this stuff!!)

EYES

• NARS Star Sailor Duo (from Spring '06 collection - am loving this!)
• Stila Brow Set in Dark
• Maybelline Line Stylist eyeliner in Black Sparkle (pretty good, for a DS liner!)
• Benefit Bad Gal mascara (ok, but I wouldn't buy this again... can't wait to use it up)

LIPS

• NARS Honolulu Honey lipstick (my 2nd fave nude, next to Belle de Jour)

Happy Sunday... have a great upcoming week... hope that your weather is better!

My Cute Hubby! (w/pic)

Ack, what a gloomy, dreary day outside! It's rainy and icky, but of course, my darling hubby always makes the day brighter!

Here's a pic of Jarrett, outfitted in Juicy Couture! ;)

Great Weather Saturday (+FOTD)

It's Saturday again, and the weather is awesome! It was so nice to walk around wearing only a leather jacket and a light scarf. :) I'm definitely looking forward to spring, that's for sure!

To celebrate the warm day, I have a light & fresh FOTD. I am wearing:

FACE

• Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in #103 True Ivory (This stuff is great - it's transfer resistant, but so much better than Revlon ColorStay or even Estee Lauder DoubleWear.)
• Stila Perfecting Concealer in Level C
• Becca Sylph powder blush (sooooo pretty! It's like a pink version of NARS Orgasm)

EYES

• Stila Browset in Dark
• Stila Kitten eyeshadow (my all-time fave neutral)
• MAC Tarnish Eye Kohl
• Revlon Luxurious Lengths mascara in Blackest Black (don't really like this)

LIPS

• Marcelle lipliner in Baiser du Dragon to line and fill in (so pretty - courtesy of my friend Aurelie... I wish we had Marcelle here in the States!)
• Revlon Super Lustrous lipgloss in Champagne Dazzle

TGIF!! (+ another funny forward)

Woohoo! It is Friday yet again! Why is it that these weeks just keep getting worse and worse? Honestly, this week totally wore me out!! I can't believe that Friday night is approaching and all I can think about is going to sleep tonight? Geez!! I am SUCH geriatric patient!

The weather doesn't really help. It's SO cold and yucky outside! Grrr!! When is spring gonna come??

Obviously, it hasn't stopped our size 00 interns from wearing summer clothes. Very, very scary! One of the interns just stood in front of my office door and tossed her hair, made a weird noise with her lips, and then walked away. Scary! This is an office, not a runway!

Here is another foward from one of my friends. This one is especially funny to those of y'all from Atlanta... hehehehe!


Subject: FW: Life in Atlanta & Ga.

This is for anyone who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, has ever lived in Atlanta, has ever visited Atlanta, ever plans to visit Atlanta, knowsanyone who already lives in Atlanta, or knows anyone who has ever heard of Atlanta.

Atlanta is composed mostly of one-way streets. The only way to get out of downtown Atlanta is to turn around and start over when you reach Greenville, South Carolina.

All directions start with, "Go down Peachtree" and include the phrase, "When you see the Waffle House." Except, that in Cobb County, where all directions begin with, "Go to the Big Chicken." Peachtree Street has no beginning and no end and is not to be confused with:
Peachtree Circle
Peachtree Battle
Peachtree Place
Peachtree Corners
Peachtree Lane
New Peachtree
Peachtree Road
Old Peachtree
Peachtree Parkway
West Peachtree
Peachtree Run
Peachtree-Dunwoody
Peachtree Terrace
Peachtree-Chamblee
Peachtree Avenue
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
Peachtree Commons

Atlantans only know their way to work and their way home. If you ask anyone for directions, they will always send you down Peachtree.

Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola. Coke's all they drink there, so don't ask for any other soft drink unless it's made by Coca-Cola.

The gates at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport are about 32 miles away from the Main Concourse, so wear sneakers and pack a lunch. The 8a.m. rush hour is from 6:30 to 10:30 AM. The 5pm rush hour is from 3:00 to 7:30 PM. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday afternoon and lasts through 2am Saturday.

Only a native can pronounce Ponce De Leon Avenue, so do not attempt the Spanish pronunciation. People will simply tilt their heads to the right and stare at you. The Atlanta pronunciation is "pawntz duh LEE-awn." And yes, they have a street named simply, "Boulevard."

The falling of one raindrop causes all drivers to immediately forget all traffic rules. If a single snowflake falls, the city is paralyzed for three days and it's on all the channels as a news flash every 15 minutes for a week. Overnight, all grocery stores will be sold out of milk, bread, bottled water, toilet paper, and beer.

If you're told to go to Bankhead Highway and can't find it, it's because the name is Veterans Memorial but the locals still call it Bankhead. Also, once the road you're on crosses another road, the name of the road you're on changes. Some roads names change every half mile or so.

I-285, the loop that encircles Atlanta, which has a posted speed limit of 55 mph (but you have to maintain 80 mph just to keep from getting run over), is known to truckers as "The Watermelon 500." Don't believe the directional markers on highways. I-285 is marked "East" and "West" but you may be going North or South. The locals identify the direction by referring to the "Inner Loop" and the "Outer Loop." If you travel on Hwy 92 North, you will actually be going southeast.

Never buy a ladder or mattress in Atlanta. Just go to one of the interstates and you will soon find one in the middle of the road. The last thing you want to do is give another driver the finger, unless your car is armored, your trigger finger is itchy and your AK-47 has a full clip. Possums sleep in the middle of the road with their feet in the air. There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 live in Georgia. There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in Georgia, plus a couple no one has seen before. If it grows, it sticks. If it crawls, it bites. If you notice a vine trying to wrap itself around your leg, you have about 20 seconds to escape, before you are completely captured and covered with Kudzu, another ill-advised "import," like the carp, starling, Englishsparrow, and other "exotic wonders."

It's not a shopping cart, it's a buggy. "Fixinto" is one word (I'm fixinto go to the store). Sweet Tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're 2 years old. "Jeet?" is actually a phrase meaning "Did you eat?" If you understand these jokes, forward them to your friends from Atlanta, Georgia and those who just wish they were. Lordy, I love Jawja.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

You Know Your Job Sucks When... (+Funny forward of the day)

OK, so I'm not working my dream job or anything, but today was definitely enlightening, to say the least. When I was talking to my boss about going back to school for my MBA, he was really encouraging, especially when he heard some of my school choices. But then he said, "Yeah, so after you graduate, you can work for a real company and make the big bucks." It's pretty sad when your own boss disses the company where you work... and even sadder when you have to be reminded that you don't make that much money. Sad, sad, sad!

On a lighter note, I received the funniest forward from one of my friends! Now, now, I know it's not PC, and I'm probably perpetuating the stereotype of "my people," but this is really flippin' hilarious:

A Chinese couple gets married - and she's a virgin. Truth be told, he is not too experienced either. On their wedding night, she cowers naked under the sheets as her husband undresses. He climbs in next to her and tries to be reassuring. "My darring" he says, "I know dis yo firss time and you berry frighten. I pomise you, I give you anyting you want, I do anyting - juss anyting you want. What chou want?" he says, trying to sound experienced and hoping to impress his virgin bride.

A thoughtful silence follows and he waits patiently (and eagerly) for her request. She eventually replies shyly and unsure, "I want to try somethin I have heard about... numbaa 69".

More thoughtful silence, this time from him. Eventually, in a puzzled tone he queries... "You want... Chicken wiff broccori?"

Too funny!!

On that note, anyone want some Chinese takeout tonight? ;)

Fun Sunday (+FOTD)

Ah, the weekend is almost over... and on to another grueling week of work!

Here is my Sunday, relaxing, errand-running FOTD:

FACE

• MAC Prep + Prime Face foundation primer
• Tarte Smooth Operator in Veil
• Dior Skinflash in #002, Candlelight
• Stila Bloom blush (from BCA palette, courtesy of a swap!)

EYES

• MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Lingering
• Stila eyeshadow in Diamond Lil' on lids, and Heather in browbones (also from the BCA palette - so pretty!)
• Maybelline Line Stylist eyeliner in Black Sparkle (love this stuff!)
• Eyeko Black mascara

LIPS

• Revlon Superlustrous Lacquer in Beaming Pink (awesome!)

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Saturday, AND It's Warm Outside (+FOTD)

Woohoo! It's Saturday! How much do I love the weekend? And, the high outside today is 60 degrees! I am so excited!! No winter coat for me today! (Although, this weather is pretty insane for mid-January.)

I got my blue contacts today. They are the WJ Colorblend toric ones... I ordered them from Vision Direct, and I'm wearing them for the first time today...

Aside from the contacts, here is my FOTD:

FACE

• MAC Prep & Prime foundation primer (got a sample at the MAC counter, so I'm test-driving it today to see how it compares w/the Smashbox and also with Paul & Joe.)
• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude
• Rimmel Hide the Blemish concealer in Ivory
• Stila Illuminating Powder Foundation in 30 Watts dusted over the face w/a large brush
• NARS Cactus Flower cream blush (this was applied on top of the LM TM)
• MAC Iridescent Pressed Powder in Belightful as a highlighter

EYES

• Stila Eye Pot in Honey as an all-over base
• Lighter color from NARS South Pacific Duo on the lid and lighly along lower lashlines
• MAC Mulch e/s in the crease
• Shu Uemura IR 900P e/s in the inner corners
• Delux pencil eyeliner in Nilla Black in inner rims, top & bottom
• Dior Maximeyes mascara in Maxi Black

LIPS

• NARS Belle de Jour lipstick (LOVE this color!)

HAPPY SATURDAY!!

Almost Friday!

Hello! Man, has this been a long week or what? For the last 2 days in a row, my boss has been coming into and leaving from work early. What's up with that??

Luckily, tomorrow is Friday, although that means more studying for the GMAT and all that.

I'm not feeling that great today... hope I'm not coming down with some illness! Grrrrr.... I woke up with a sore throat, and my tongue feels bumpy. *GROSS*

Well, I'd better go! My stomach is grumbling, and the delivery guy just came with the food. The sushi that I ate for lunch didn't do anything!! Roast chicken with veggies tonight!

'Nite!!

Chasing a Big Kit Kat Bar with Coke (NOT Diet, please!)

This work day is kinda/sorta almost over... I just had my 5-minute pick-me-up from the vending machine, which consisted of a giant Kit Kat bar (they were out of Snickers -- grrrr!), and a can of Coke. I don't know if my body is just over the whole caffeine and chocolate combo or what, but I am still drowsy! I'm about to doze off!

I tried to eat healthily today, but I don't think it quite worked... I even had skim milk with my Pop Tarts (also from the vending machine) this morning, and for lunch, I had a baked potato w/chili, and I even polished off a plate of red grapes at 5:00, but I think they only succeeded in making me hungry, hence my sugar/fat binge later on. What an endless cycle!

Speaking of endless cycles, I haven't yet made my New Year's resolutions. This year, I think I am going to be realistic! We all know I'm not going to go on the Lindsay Lohan diet and suddenly drop 30 pounds, so we'll take it one step at a time... baby steps...

So here goes:

PERSONAL GOALS

1. Find a volunteer activity and organization whose causes I espouse, and join! It's literally been 8 years since I've done any sort of regular, consistent volunteer work. Time for me to stop being so selfish and give back to the community.
2. Take the GMATs; do well enough to get into at least ONE of the b-schools where I am applying. (I'm only askng for one!!)
3. Save enough money for a decent down-payment on a property (or for something!)
4. Stop increasing dress sizes and maintain my current weight.
5. Continue reading and studying about economics, world affairs, and politics.

RELATIONSHIP GOALS

1. Reconnect with old friends; keep in touch with them... be a better penpal, email pal, and a friend who is there for the people that she cares about. I have so many great friends from the past that I don't keep in touch with regularly enough.
2. On the same vein, ditch the fair weather "friends" and those who are too self-centered to care about anyone but themselves. I don't need people who expect me to be there for them, but can't do the same for me.
3. Be a more supportive and encouraging wife - one who helps her husband achieve his goals.
4. Stay connected with the family members who care about me, and show them that I want them in my life.
5. Let go of those who continue to hurt me/do not express interest in having a relationship with me.

I guess that's all!! :o)

My "Today is a Holiday" FOTD!

Hi ya'll!
I didn't have to go to work today, which I definitely can't complain about! I got to sleep in, and then I had a dentist's appointment (fun...), and I spent the rest of the time running errands and also trying to catch up on my studying. I didn't have any cavities today (for the first time in 547 visits to the dentist), which I was happy about!

So, here is my FOTD... a more laid-back, casual look...

FACE

• Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation in Ecru (test-driving this for the first time today... it's pretty good, though a bit more coverage than I am used to, and also sort of matte, but it hasn't melted off my face... not that anything would in this kind of weather)
• Stila Convertible Color in Peony

EYES

• MAC Brow Pencil in Lingering (think this might be kind of light for me??)
• Stila Rose Moon (Holiday 2005) palette, with lightest E/S color from the lashline to the browbone, and the 2nd lightest color in the crease
• Lancome Like Mink E/S (I think that is the name... it was a GWP... a really pretty shimmery gray-taupe color) in the outer corners and blended into the crease a little bit)
• Laura Mercier Eye Kohl in Black Violet in inner rims only
• Benefit Bad Gal mascara on top lashes only

LIPS

• Revlon SL gloss in Glossy Rose (one of my fave pinks!)

Well, it is back to the grind tomorrow!!

First FOTD Pic!

Okay, here is my first published FOTD (face of the day) picture! Don't mind the hair in my face!

I am wearing:

FACE

• Chanel Teint Naturel in Ivory - #2
• MAC Select Moisturecover in NW20
• Stila Convertible Color in Lillium
• NARS Desire lightly dusted over the Lillium

EYES

• Stila Browset in Dark
• L'Oreal H.I.P. E/S duo in Foxy, with peachy-nude color all over lid, and dark brown in outer corners and along lower lashline
• NARS New Delight E/S duo, with shimmery peach color on lid (on top of the Foxy), and lavender-pink color on browbones and in inner corners
• Stila Kohl eyeliner in Onyx in lower rims, top and bottom
• Biotherm Open Eyes mascara in black with Cover Girl Lash Exact in Very Black

LIPS

• Stila Lip Polish in Flash

HAPPY SUNDAY!!

Icy & Cold Sunday

I guess old man winter is back again. It's sooooo cold outside! Brrrr! Luckily, we didn't get too much snow, but the sidewalk is icy. Luckily, I haven't slipped and fallen yet, but here is the pic of the ridiculous boots I am wearing today!

Monday, Monday...

What is it about Mondays that are just so horrible? I woke up this morning, all congested and with a scratchy throat... and then I noticed that my eye was killing me! Come to find out, I had a sty in my eye, a big one! Sooooo gross!

Needless to say, I took that day off from work... I'm sure my boss is really happy about that one... but what can I do? I have a low tolerance for pain, and there was no way that I could work like that. Even being on the computer just now is irritating my eyes.

Anyway... here's to another week...

Fashionable Faux Pas?

Ok, not to be totally mean or anything... but why would anyone wear quadra-colored pants?? Today, someone at work (who shall remain nameless, but he works in the Merchandising department, so he should be stylish!) was wearing a pair of pants that had bi-color legs, meaning... the front of the leg was one color, and the back of the leg was another. The four colors were blue, red, yellow, and green. He looked like a jester. SCARY!!!

And then, there are those who choose to wear stiletto heels... yet cannot walk in them. I swear, if I see and hear this girl stomp by my office one more time, I will scream!! Imagine a fairly attractive chick with a decent body, walking like she was a 250-lb. football player, with arms swinging like an ape, feet turned out, and legs about a foot apart. OMG!

Oh, and you can't forget overhearing about someone's experiences with Botox. Let me just start off by saying, Botox scares me. Botulism, I don't care what strain it is, should not be injected into your body. And that's that. What's even worse is hearing someone who's probably 45 (but looks more like 65) talk about how Botox changed her life, and about how she got checked out by all these guys on the way to work today. Whatever floats your boat, I guess...

So, it is the end of another workweek! Only 1 more hour, and here comes the weekend!! :))

'Tis the New Year!

Ah, yet another year has passed, and it's now 2006! One year closer to 30... scary thought! Also, perhaps even scarier is the fact that my high school reunion will be coming up in a couple of years! Has it really been that long since I was just a nerdy teenager, thinking of nothing but what colleges I wanted to attend, and reading the latest fashion magazines? One of my fondest senior year memories is sitting in my AP Chemistry class, eating rice cakes and reading the latest issue of VOGUE. Gotta love that!

Oh, wait... not much has changed!!

Except now, I've been thinking about graduate school... scary how it's been four years since I have graduated college, and I feel as though I've done absolutely nothing with my life? How can this be? This is definitely a quarter-life crisis at its finest. Yes, I am very happily married to my college sweetheart. Yes, I live in the city I always dreamed about. And yes, I have a decent job in an industry that, as a small-town girl in Norcross, GA, I could only have dreamed about. So what's the problem? I think that I'm not challenged enough...

I'm thinking of B-School... is that scary or what? Why am I considering the program that is usually reserved for engineers who wannabe something else, or i-bankers who just want to further stroke their egos (and maybe something else)... well, there are 3 reasons.

• I need a degree that has a broad range of applications
• I want to take my knowledge and skills from my work experience and develop them further
• I need a Masters program that is part-time

Well, at least I wouldn't fall into the given demographic of the typical MBA student... that is, if I can get into the schools in which I'm interested. Not that I don't think I'm qualified... heck, if nothing else, I do have some mad numchuck skills (kidding!), but there's that insecurity that I feel again... the one I had back in senior year of high school... so in all actuality, what has changed from the 18-year old Jean to the 25-year old?