Thoughts

NYC in March, teasing me with bright sunshine and chilly air. I can't wait to be on the ferry this summer, bound for the Island that I love. Melting Dusty Miller’s and family feet in the sand is what summer is all about. Oh, not to mention a light up dance floor with tunic clad white pants. Soon…xx

 

Sports Monday

It's over - the final buzzer. After ESPN commentator's filled my apartment all weekend with their play by plays, Kansas and UNC are out. I have to say that I am relieved to know that my strategically planned bracket was mirrored by many of the industry's most knowledgeable. Better to be part of the upset than the improbable pick. "A topsy-turvy, wildly unpredictable NCAA tournaments had its most surprising moment Sunday as 11th-seeded Virgina Commonwealth continued what must be the most improbable run in the event's history, beating top-seeded Kansas, 71-61, to reach the Final Four in Houston." The upset of the season! Although my closet won't be housing a new pair of shoes, I will be rooting for VCU. As an underdog myself, I can relate. It's what Zenyatta does. Much to the surprise of my friends, I now know what channel ESPN, ESPN2 and Sports Center stream on. Now all I have to do is learn what a free throw is and I'll be a pro. That will have to wait though, on to Spring Training and Joe Girardi's lineup. Go get 'em boys.

Legends

Timeless Ms. Taylor - remembering a legend of Hollywood glamour, beauty and film.

Thoughts

Stillness isn't nothingness. - Anonymous

March Madness

March has finally arrived and that only means one thing: BASKETBALL. I hope you all have your brackets filled out. I spent five minutes strategically picking each round - eenie, meenie, miney, moe. I have big money invested this year as opposed to past Madness. I guess anything is a lot compared to no participation. I have to admit that I always thought March Madness had to do with Spring Break?! So my investment in the activity this year comes as a surprise to me more than anyone else. Basketball is not my thing. To be honest, I think it's terribly boring. But in an effort to be a team player and learn something along the way, I said yes when recruited by my office to join in the fun. I think they are slightly amused in my involvement, especially after the Super Bowl pool, when I asked who was playing while handing in my dough. But they are determined to get me ready for baseball season (serious Yankee fans around here) and it's about time that I take an interest in how my good friend Joe Girardi's lineup is looking this year. At the very least, I can look uber sporty when sitting at a bar watching the game, rooting for Eenie or Meenie to win. Might just charm some guy into thinking I am equal parts sophisticated Lady to equal parts "girl who doesn't take herself too seriously and is willing to sit in a bar and watch a game." I am not sure when said watching of said game will occur, nor do I have any clue who is playing tonight, but hey, one step at a time. Just got an email updating me on my ranking among my colleagues - I am #2! Who knew I had such a gift for picking talent? March Madness might just buy be a new pair of shoes ;)

Happy weekend everyone!

Living like DVF

I read this list from Diane von Furstenberg in Elle Magazine. I love her ideas, her balance of thoughts. She has a passion for life, embracing the journey while enjoying the view from all angles.

Happy reading...xx

Diane’s 10 Rules to Live by (from Elle Magazine)

» Trust yourself. “The secret to feeling attractive, and to being attractive, is the confidence that comes from knowing who you are and what you believe in.”

» Accept the passage of time. “The older you get, the more you should learn to love life and appreciate the beauty that comes with age.”

» Document your days. “Carry a camera and create an inspiring visual diary of your life.”

» Your suitcase symbolizes your life. “The best way to know a woman is to open her luggage. If she knows how to pack well, it means she understands , and cherishes, how to live a simplified life.”

» Fashionable friends. “Choose fashions that make you happy. I hope the clothes I design will become my clients’ best friends. That way, when they open their closets, they will always encounter someone special.”

» Dress your personality. “Always choose styles that also accentuate your personality. Don’t use fashion to try and project a different persona. Authenticity is key.”

» Use your feminine power. “My mother taught me that being a woman is a privilege because the world revolves around us! It is a precious gift, and its power should be used in a subtle and respectful way.”

» Your handbag is your guide. “Before leaving home, check your agenda and organize your bag according to what you have to do that day. Keeping everything in order makes life easier.”

» Indulge yourself. “If you are like me, and don’t want to resort to Botox, book regular massages. I’m sure it helps to keep everything firm and in it’s place!”

» Lead a balanced life. “The best regimen is to keep moving! Never stop working, travelling and seeking adventure. Drink plenty of water, limit alcohol and sugar and get to your yoga class!”

Transportation Redux

I took the E train today. First time in my life. As a regular of the 4, 5, 6, I rarely venture out to try any other numbers, let alone letters. 90% of my footrpint is accessible on the Lexington line. But I am also lazy and I avoid being underground at all costs. Except for efficiency and cost. The bus I prefer but the rabbit in me gets frustrated with the turtle speed. For the most part, I consider myself to be a cost-conscious city commuter unless I am going to the airport, it's late at night or I have no idea where Mott and Livingston intersect. I leave those situations for a turban wrapped head in a yellow car that could easily be retired to the junk yard. But the adventurer in me decided today that spending $60 on a cab ride to JFK was worse than the $500 shoes I have in my closet. I needed the shoes, people. Today I needed to get to the airport. Today I was going to take the reliable and safe public transportation of New York City. Today I was going to be green and save some green.

I had packed only the necessities in my rolly bag to allow for the journey, leaving my walk to 53rd street an ad for T. Anthony. Escalators deposited me miles underground to wait. During those ten minutes, I was checking out and being checked out by my fellow passengers. A commuter in a suit and square-toed loafers, a family who was speaking in dramatic tones of Spanish, a man whose unfocused red eyes kept people at a distance and some others whose stories I began to write in my head. We all shuffled through the open doors when E arrived and claimed our territory on the blue plastic benches. Forty minutes of Gator's Dance Playlist later, we arrived in Jamaica. Jamaica, Queens. I followed the signs for the Airtrain, passing three police men on the platform surrounding a homeless man. An ambulance's sirens approached from the distance. I kept going, wheeling my belongings ahead until I reached the glass lobby of the Airtrain. The structure was impeccably clean and beautifully decorated with sunshine. The machine took my Metrocard and I walked a little further to wait just three minutes, working on my tan through the glass. The ride to each terminal was pleasant and scenic. I was surprised at the horizon out the window, the sun dancing its rays along the river with Manhattan watching in the distance. I looked below at the traffic that angrily moved by the inch. I looked at my watch. Thankfully my terminal was next. I briskly walked down the sterile and spotless, sunny white ramp. Luckily, moving walkways helped pick up my pace but it was a nice way to stretch my legs. About five minutes later, I was cutting the security line as they announced my flight's final boarding call. I threw every ounce of laundry, liquid and makeup on the moving belt, told the TSA guard that I swore I was an upstanding citizen as the beep went off above and ran to the gate. Ms. JetBlue was closing the doors as I threw my boarding pass at her. I found my way to 23F, politely bumping most knees on the way and opening every overhead compartment to coats falling on me. Finally I found a space for my rolly bag to the amusement of every passenger. I was the in-flight entertainment on the ground. My red cheeks and I climbed over Mr. 23D and Ms. 23E and I buckled my seat belt with my bag, coat and pillow on my lap. Florida.

Despite my terrible time allocation, I totally recommend taking the Airtrain. Just leave more time than I did. It's reliable, especially on a Friday afternoon, pleasant and easy. I will definitely take it again. So long as everything I need to pack fits in to Mr. Rolling T. Anthony. I mean, who can beat $5? Gotta go...I have some shoe shopping to do.