NYC insider tip- BEST candy experience...

Here's the deal, there are (as far as I am concerned) two amazing candy experiences in NYC and they are polar opposites in every way.

1. Economy Candy, lower east side, 108 Rivington St.

2.Dylan's Candy Bar, upper east side, 1011 3rd Ave.

If you like everything bright, shiny, new and clean and if you are a high end, top shelf type of person... head on over to Dylan's Candy Bar. 

My daughter's favorite NYC itinerary is a morning at Bloomingdale's, a walk through Barneys, lunch and ice cream at Serendipity, and then a trip to Dylan's Candy Bar. They have candy everywhere, gifts that are candy themed- even the decor is candy themed.  I warn you, this is a very pricey itinerary, (read-special occasion.)

If you want to feel as though you've discovered a candy insider's dream,  you like sifting through treasure, and you consider yourself a hip, sophisticate, (or a true New Yorker) ... get yourself to Economy Candy. 

It's a small store filled from floor to ceiling with candy. I'm talking candy from Europe, from the 1960's...you name it. But it is overwhelming... and exciting! But it is gritty too. By that I mean you have to take your time, really look. Well worth it. Our favorite itinerary is lunch in Chinatown or little Italy and then a six block walk to Rivington St. After we get candy and pick up a cup of coffee, we people watch. We are never disappointed. Price wise, economy candy says it all!

You don't have to actually go to NYC to visit these two great sugar palaces:

www.dylanscandybar.com

www.economycandy.com

Which is the best men's pea coat?

I know it is a bit hard to tell the quality of wool from pics, but here are the stats:

100% wool

lined

six button

Black

Here is the pricing: 

top-             L.L. Bean            $99.00

middle-      J. crew                 $190.00

bottom-    Burberry              $$1,095.00

So, my choice? For my sons the L.L. Bean because they are constantly leaving coats in bars, frat houses, or an old girlfriend's apartment...   For my husband I would choose the J. crew as he would be HORRIFIED at a $1,095. casual coat. To be honest, he is a field coat kind of guy anyway.

Which do you choose?

It is all her fault...

This lovely girl is forcing me to do it again... hit the stores. Where was she yesterday during my Black Friday orgy of shopping? She was getting her wisdom tooth out. ( and that is correct, tooth. She is an evolved individual as she only has one.)  So because she is at school until the 18th of December, she and I must go see what she might like for Christmas. On a Saturday. On the busiest shopping weekend of the year. I must really love her.

Not this time.

Unfortunately you will not be seeing my name in the New York Times this week. The interview I did was not used. Rejected. Oh well, such is fame... it comes and goes. be on the look out for more to come though.

That's a warning.

Thanksgiving togetherness...

These pictures were actually from Thanksgiving eve. Eighteen of us met at our local pub, a traditional reunion destination. Our family took a table for a few hours and then my sons commandeered it for the rest of the evening reuniting with all their high school friends.

Too. Much. Fun.

Update on me being famous....

So, you saw that I was recently interviewed on aol. That was fun and the reporter was great. Well get ready for another interview. This time it's a short couple of sentences in a column in the New York Times call Motherlode. I like how the reporter, Lisa Belkin writes and I am curious how she will use my short anecdotes . The topic is regarding how families adapt when the kids come home from college... and I think I know a thing or two about that! I gave her a couple of our more, shall we say, "funny" stories. I think it will be online this afternoon or Friday. I hope they use it!

Which is the best vest?

Ok, so here are three vests from stores I like to shop at and brands I like to buy. For once I think the most expensive is clearly the nicest and best looking. Do you agree?

 Here are the prices:

Top-          North face $124.00

Middle-    J. Crew       $79.00

Bottom-   L.L. Bean   $49.00  

Top

Finding "me" time during the hustle and bustle of the holidays!

I know most of you know I am a paddle maniac. It's true.  And when I am most stressed it is my go-to activity. This week we didn't have scheduled games due to Thanksgiving, so there has been a lot of ad hoc games... and I'm loving it!

When  I play paddle I am so focused and in the moment, the minutia and detritus of my life cannot creep into my brain. I liken it to the way yoga affects me, relaxing me mentally and physically.

One of the many reasons I like platform tennis is that it is a very social game, requiring 4 players in a small space.

We really get to know each other. I really like the type of women that are drawn to paddle. They have the same interests as I do, they like to be outdoors in winter, they want a good workout and they like competitive sports. 

And, we all like to socialize after our matches or games. During the day that could be an amazing lunch with soup and salad or something as simple as coffee.

At night, Beer, wine, and potluck usually rule.

All good.

100 interesting and amazing things about ....

I have been challenged by my niece to name 100 things about me. I have enjoyed reading my sister's, Katelyn's and Ina's, so here goes:

1. I have been married 24 years.
2. I was born with two teeth.
3. I love to read.
4. I am an avid tennis player.
5. I am addicted to platform tennis.
6. I love babies
7. I hate when certain people rub their knives and forks together-bad sound.
8. I am a ski instructor.
9. I have lived on my own since I was 19 years-old.
10. I went to college in Florida
11. I was a bartender for many years.
12. My favorite color is green.
13. Coffee with milk, only.
14. Cooking relaxes me.
15. Cannot sing, but love to.
16. I use to hitchhike a lot-don't tell my kids!
17. I wear a lot of black or very colorful clothes... no in-between.
18. I am a francophile.
19. New Orleans is one of my favorite cities, before and after Katrina.
20. I know NYC like the back of my hand.
21. I feel as though Utah is my second home.
22. I sneak cookies.
23. Yoga is my favorite luxury.
24. I can still do cartwheels.
25. I consider myself VERY intuitive.
26. We eat very healthy, or as my older son said, "When did you all start eating all this crazy ass food?!!"
27. My husband is one of my best friends and has been since I am sixteen.
28. I love going anywhere and doing anything VIP.
29. I cried my first day in Paris because it took me until I was forty to get there.
30. I enjoy chick flicks.
31. Although I listen to music when working or while cooking, I rarely play music while driving. I usually meditate.
32. My favorite show is TrueBlood.
33. My best friend committed suicide when we were in our twenties. I was so sad. I had a dream where she comforted me and when I woke up... I was in complete understanding and was never sad again. One of the most surreal experiences of my life.
34. I have a glass of red wine most evenings.
35. I like to light a scented candle while I cook dinner.
36. Massage is important to me.
37. I still miss Seattle.
38. My husband makes us coffee every morning and I am always grateful.
39. I love when all my children are under one roof.
40. I can read french, but barely speak it.
41. I did not have acne as a teenager, but did in my early forties!
42. When I was 17 I saved for two months to buy Frye boots.
43. I consider myself very independent.
44. I am the eldest of five daughters.
45. I still cannot watch anything about 9/11 without sobbing.
46. I love the Jersey shore.
47. I always splurge on shoes, always.
48. I cry at parades when the Vets march by.
49. I always miss my Mom and Dad when they leave.
50. I only shop out of necessity, but when on vacation, I love to shop!
51. I collect images of stars.
52. My husband and I dance well together.
53. My favorite season is autumn.
54. I wish on stars.
55. I like to vent.
56. I need the sound of a fan to get to sleep.
57. My sister's snoring is one of my worst memories of childhood. (we shared a room)
58. I am not impressed by wealth.
59. I am impressed by achievements.
60. I say a prayer whenever I am on top of a mountain.
61. My friends are important to me.
62. My family is the most important thing to me.
63. I read the paper every morning.
64. I check my email VERY often.
65. I love owning my own business.
66. I prefer funny people.
67. I do not tolerate bullies.
68. My book group is important to me.
69. I wish I could freeze the ages of my children.
70. I collect snowmen.
71. I like to hike.
72. I hate being late, but I am.
73. I wear head bands a lot.
74. I never turn on the TV if it is light out.
75. Soup and a salad is a meal I could have every day.
76. I am a registered Republican, consider myself a conservative democrat.
77. I am a liberal Catholic.
78. I do not understand prejudice.
79. Music inspires me.
80. I nursed each child.
81. I love when my kids talk in their sleep.
82. I admire my husband.
83. My daughters understand me.
84. My sons appreciate me
85. I do not like to drive long distances.
86. I told my mother I was going to marry my husband when I was sixteen, the night I met him. (more than intuition!)
87. I like little dogs.
88. Cats scare me, mine included.
89. I have had nightmares about tidal waves all my life. (what does that mean?)
90. I love blue eyes.
91. I am an optimistic person.
92. The room must be pitch black for me to sleep in it.
93. I plan on being a vegetarian in the future.
94. I want to live in the country some day.
95. I love dark chocolate with almonds.
96. My husband nurtures me.
97. My favorite book is The Red Tent.
98. Organizing things relaxes me.
99. I hate to clean but love a clean house.
100. I always feel lucky and blessed.

What do you call man Uggs?

Kevin had asked for Ugg slippers for Christmas and I asked him which ones and he said, 

"Man uggs, you know, Muggs!"

 I thought that was hilarious and so perfect.

 So from now on any Uggs for men?  MUGGS!

Along the same vein. My husband is very skinny due to an intense cardio work out daily. We tell him he is manorexic! 

Clever, huh?

Innocently reading upstairs....

While his wife was "gaming" away he was innocently reading Divine Justice, the best book he has read in years. That's good, because his wife may be busy with a little something called "Wii."

Ok, so I'm kinda famous....

check out:

 http://living.aol.com/holidays/christmas/gift-guides/doorbuster-secrets

You didn't know I was that kind of crazy, did you?

XOXO

Doorbuster Diva

They say certain traits skip a generation...

I am the daughter of a gamer. Yes, video games. And, although I do enjoy my computer solitaire and certain Webkinz games, ( caffeine court, you are not the only one!) I am nothing compared to my mother pictured above with Kevin. Well, now he has introduced her to the Wii. This is not good.

We may never see her again.

fair isle sweaters-everything old is new again

Yup, that was me in the late 1970's. Fair isle sweater, t-neck, jeans and clogs. It was my winter uniform. I am seeing Fair isle sweaters again with a twist. The top picture is fair isle 2008, the bottom is too but more old school, Which do you prefer?

The saboteur strikes again...

I am ready to....

SKI!!!!!!!!! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Ask me in March and I may say something different though.

6th picture game

I was tagged by Ina J. Offret to do the "6th picture game."

How to? Go to your 6th photo folder, find the 6th picture, remember the details and tag 5 others to do the same.

So, this was in my 6th folder. A great day. 

My son Josh had started out at Stanford University in California with major league ambitions. By the end of sophomore year he realized he would never get the playing time he needed to ever go pro. After the draft he was certain- so in a panic and way after deadline he was able to transfer to U Penn. He had to give up his scholarship and start all over on the baseball team... it was a very stressful time.

He ended up second team all ivy and one of the captains of his team. this picture taken at his graduation was the sum of all his hard work.

 He looks so happy and relaxed. We were ( and are) so proud of him.

Now I tag:

Frau West

Jill at Caffeine Court

Mrs. D.

The Sunny Side

Abnormally Normal

PS I want to re-tag Ina because I love her pics, Lecia too (except she was already tagged!)

Also 10nisne1-but she doesn't blog! I also want to introduce Frau West, (my sis who just began blogging from her new home in Germany!)

Ever have backstage passes?

I have!

 Jethro Tull. 

I was a married woman with two small children and I must say- very cool experience.

How about you?

What was your first concert?

Rolling Stones baby! 1974

Big seller today, I hope!

I'm off to sell at a hospital auxiliary sale. it is being held at a country club nearby. i am hoping that my tennis and paddle covers fly! The covers pictured above are not mine. I sell toiles and florals. Check out www.preppyplayer.com if you want to see what I carry.

 Wish me luck today :)

Goofy glasses can be so much fun!

Etiquette question...

So what is the proper response when you are playing tennis or in my case, platform tennis, and someone hits you with an overhead-not once, not twice, but THREE times?!!

I came in for the short ball, had to pop it up and was walloped!

 I tell you- it was more of an effort for her to hit me than to avoid me.

I am no novice and this women is a fine player... I'm positive she was trying to keep me off the net, to intimidate me. She also has a reputation for doing this to others.

What would you have said to her?

if you tell me, I'll tell you what I said :)

PS We kicked their butt!

Sleep disorders and Autism

     My in-laws are educators and recently hosted a conference on autism for other educators. It is a  series over the course of the year with different speakers on topics all related to autism. My mother-in-law was telling me about one of the topics at this past conference, which was Sleep disorders and Autism. Apparently there is a high incidence of insomnia for this population, in particular, kids with Asperger's and high functioning autism. 

     I had never heard that.

     Can you imagine these poor parents and kids? I know how cranky my children are when they have a poor nights sleep.  When you have a child with so many issues compounded with lack of sleep, can't you just predict the behaviour problems?

if you are interested in learning more, here are a few links:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1479331

http://autismaspergerssyndrome.suite101.com/article.cfm/autism_and_sleep_disorders

Have you ever heard of a photo saboteur?

saboteur

noun

1. someone who commits sabotage or deliberately causes wrecks.

Meet Kevin. He is a true photo saboteur. He specializes in group photos. Just when you think you have everyone ready... he starts mugging. There are very few pics that he does not sabotage and there are very few photo occasions when he isn't being hollered at. But I have to admit, he is pretty funny and I want you to know that I am very thankful for digital photography.

I will occasionally post Kevin's sabotage photos, never a dull moment.

Perfect Fall Coat, which do you choose?

The neutral color and classic style of  this quilted jacket is a winner with me. They look so similar, but one costs $99 and the other, $395.00.  Which do you choose?

 L.L. Bean or Burberry?

In case you were wondering... the top one is L.L. Bean.

NYC Monday

     On Sunday we decided to take a drive into NYC to see my son who lives on the VERY lower east side. There wasn't any traffic and we were there in twenty minutes, making us wonder, 

why don't we do this more often?

The parking is very inexpensive in that part of the city and sometimes you can even find parking on the street. 

So, we met up with my son and walked down to South Street Seaport, looked around and then walked back up to Canal St. ( lots of police keeping the counterfeit purse people under control!) and then through Soho back to the LES. (cool shorthand used for Lower East Side) We had brunch at a cozy little cafe called Alias. Good food, good prices, quick service.

I know this area has become a destination for the young and trendy and my son loves living down there, but I couldn't believe the crowds flocking to the Bowery for brunch! It seemed like every person we saw was between the ages of twenty and thirty.

 I felt like I was in Europe for many different reasons.

1. I was THE only person I saw that day wearing tennis shoes. ( I knew we were doing a lot of walking!)

2. Cool haircuts on both men and women.

3. NO matching outfits or colorful clothing.

4. Many, many different languages being spoken.

5. Other than our walk thru Chinatown, my kids were the only kids I saw on the LES.

How about that? Twenty minutes away and a whole other world!

Whole Foods/ Whole paycheck

C'mon, do you know some creative nicknames?

Neiman Marcus/ Needless Mark-up

Target/ Tar-jay

Let me know! Please.

New items, too cute!

I went up to Ct. today to one of my favorite manufacturer's showroom. I usually buy tennis and paddle covers... but today I saw these boxers and I knew that I had to buy them. I bought them in many different designs, my favs are the ones shown above. I plan on selling these like crazy next week. I am always looking for fresh items for my teen/collegiate crowd and these are it. The price is great too, $16.00.