Posted in: on Sunday, November 30, 2008 at at 6:28 PM 6 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: Roccapuccia Insider on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at at 1:00 AM 1 Comments Links to this post  

I pride myself on being relatively up to date on my celebrity gossip, (Yes, Paris Hilton does have confirmed gonorrhea... No, Madonna hasn't slept with Derek Jeter... Yet... ) but I did not see this one coming. In the celebrity wedding shocker of November, Heidi and Spencer eloped! Now, why is this a shocker? Well, I thought they'd FOR SURE pull a Star Jones and merchandise the crap out of it. Luckily, it wasn't stroke inducing as the great people from US Weekly were invited to the wedding and managed to get what I'm imagining was a very exclusive paid-for story. I'm not going to partake in this sham of a marriage and am boycotting US Weekly this week. By the way, WTF is with his "beard"? It's like half of the hair on his face realized he was a terrible douchbag and retreated back into his skin to hide. WTF? Also, is the quote "The minute we said our vows, I couldn't stop crying" really the best comment to have on the cover? I'd be crying too if I had just gone into marriage with Satan.

Posted in: Celebrity Pictures, TV, Weddings on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at at 8:10 AM 2 Comments Links to this post  

In wildly embarrasing news, I have to admit to you all that I'm taking a Pussycat Dolls dance class. What this means is that every Monday and Thursday evening, I get to be subjected to an hour of utter humiliation because, well, I can't dance and have zero rhythm. Take this evening's class, for example. The third week in, and we're learning "When I Grow Up" (You know you know the lyrics- "When I grow up, I want to be famous, I wanna be a star, I wanna be in movies... When I grow up, I wanna see the world, drive nice cars- I wanna have boobies") The first two weeks I showed up in my workout gear (which includes a baggy t-shirt and Lulu pants) and was ready to get moving. Everyone else apparently got a different memo, showing up in 3 inch boots and skinny jeans. I guess I also completely missed the "skinny" part on the class sign-up because I'm easily 20 pounds heavier than the next stick in my class. Anyways, I'm getting off topic. I have spent the last 2 weeks trying to fumble my way through these routines without stepping on someone's toes, falling over or getting hit in the head again by someone's butt. (Yes, this happened) I showed up this evening in boots and jeans, thinking I'd fit right in with the "cool" group. Yeah, I am no better at dancing in 3 inch heels than I was in running shoes. In fact, the boots made a "click" sound everytime I moved and highlighted the fact, very pronouncedly, that I am terrible at keeping tempo. Stomping was involved tonight- and I stomped all right- stomped my little heart- and balance- out. The boots were slippery on the floor and I landed, on my ass, on the floor of the dance studio with the thud that only the heaviest girl in the class could make. The instructor came over to see if I had dented the floor (Ok, she probably cared about if I had broken something, but I think the only thing broken was my pride) and stopped the music. Everyone looking at me. This is the point where you make a joke, right? Want to know my reply? "Screw the boobies... When I grow up, I want to be a better dancer" C'mon, wouldn't you have given me a pity laugh? Yeah, no one in the class even cracked a smile. C'mon people, give a girl a break! Anyways, I'm going to keep going back if for no other reason we always "warm up" to Britney Spears, and it makes me happy to be in a room where Britney is pounding and no one gives me dirty looks. You shoudl definitely check out the classes in your neighborhood- or you can apparently learn how to dance like the PCD on Wiki?

Posted in: Miss A Personal, Workout on Monday, November 24, 2008 at at 10:03 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Apparently, I'm an old lady because I'm mildly obsessed with Caesars. Fortunately, I'm not talking about the terrible haircuts of the early-mid 90's or the Roman Gladiator varieties, but the beverage. I think this is a wildly Canadian drink (in the US, they're called Bloody Marys... But I don't like the tomato juice in them) but I'm going to put it out there to you- I freaking love them. It's not the Vodka in them, but the taste and the spice... They may not be the most glamorous drink (I love me my Cosmos too) but they are definitely the kind of drink that you order and people say "Oh, yeah, that sounds great. I'll have one too!"

Mr. Roccapuccia, a very talented drink maker, has over the years perfected the Caesar for me. He makes it exactly the way I like it, and I thought I would share his most recent recipe.

Mr. Roccapuccia's Very Spicy Caesar Recipe
(Measured for a beer glass, cause I'm a classy lady)
One big shot of Vodka
Rest of the Glass full of Clamato Juice
Lots of dashes of Worcestershire Sauce
Lots of dashes of Tabasco sauce
1/2 tbsp Horseradish
1/2 tsp of Dill Pickle Juice
Pepper, to Taste
Garnishes of your choice: I've had carrots, celery, beans, olives and jalapeno peppers

Mmmmm....

I think it's incredibly awesome to have a signature drink that you order time and again. Nothing trashy like "Whatever you have on tap", but a real sophisticated drink order. Mr. Roccapuccia likes Rye and Coke, and I have other friends who have signature drinks like Jack on the Rocks, Mojitos and White Russians.

Posted in: Domestic Diva, Recipes on at at 9:27 PM 1 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: on Sunday, November 23, 2008 at at 10:18 AM 0 Comments Links to this post  

...Recently... Baby was born on August 24th. This means she looks like VS Angel material again in... What... 3 months? Grrr. Don't know how she did it, but I imagine being in absolutely perfect shape before baby really helped?!

Posted in: Celebrity Pictures, Dieting on Monday, November 17, 2008 at at 11:48 AM 1 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: Miss A Personal, Your $ on at at 10:13 AM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Or does anyone else agree that of all of the people in this picture, Beyonce does NOT have the best legs? My vote goes to JT! From Saturday's SNL.

Posted in: Celebrity Pictures, TV on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at at 7:45 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: Frugal, Gift Guide, Shopping on Friday, November 14, 2008 at at 8:32 AM 0 Comments Links to this post  

If you're anything like me and watching the downed stock markets and trashed Retirement accounts, you're questioning yourself on alot of decisions you've made and will make. One of the tricky questions I've asked myself recently is what is luxury? Is it OK to still want it? Is it OK to talk about it when we're in a recession? I've come to the startling realization that I don't think luxury can be defined anymore by the handbags worth thousands of dollars (although I'm not naive enough to say that isn't something I would love love love to have) but more by the things that are luxuries in terms of being items that can smooth out the roughness around the edges of day to day life- as I've heard someone say- "to smooth life's rough edges". I like this definition, it doesn't make me feel guilty about wanting luxury in my life. In fact, one of my favorite recent quotes about luxury is

"Luxury without guilt sounds like a slogan for sociopaths, or a Smiths song. It
would look good on a T-shirt, but anyone who dared wear it would have to know
that dismissing guilt is the most luxurious thing you can do."

I love it! I think that everyone's version of a "luxury item" has changed given the recent changes in the market- and I think that's exciting. It doesn't matter what your version of luxury is (Be it an Hermes bag, or a bathbead infused bath- do you remember bath beads?) I think it's important to infuse your life with little items out of the ordinary everyday and to remember that you're worth it! (No royalties paid to L'Oreal for that line)

Posted in: Luxury, Your $ on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at at 11:26 AM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: Movies, Technology on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at at 12:54 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: on Monday, November 10, 2008 at at 10:27 AM 1 Comments Links to this post  

Madonna looks like... Well... A Tired, 50 Year Old 'Roided Out Rock Star and Britney Spears looking tame, reserved and incredibly, well, good!
Incroyable!

Posted in: Celebrity Pictures on Friday, November 7, 2008 at at 8:01 AM 0 Comments Links to this post  

I recently got a sample of the 5 Harajuku Lovers perfume- and despite my feelings about Gwen Stefani (I'm not really into her style per se) I was pleasantly surprised with a couple of the scents. I really best Love and Lil' Angel, and have to admit that the bottles are cute and look collectible, even though they're way too Sanrio Hello Kitty for my taste. However these are not, by any stretch of the imagination, high quality perfumes- but what can you expect from a drug store perfume? They are decent and not the Tribe or Jovan Musk you normally would find at a drug store. Love is the light floral scent and was too musky for me, but definitely wearable. Lil' Angel was the fruity one, and I liked that I could smell raspberries (I think?) Overall, I think these are pretty good perfume options for a budget and if you're looking to try a bunch of scents to figure out which is right for you... But definitely not for you if you are an experienced perfume nose.

Posted in: Beauty, Perfume on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at at 4:47 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

I am obsessed.. with the puppies on US Stream, link here! (Thanks dListed) I can't stop watching them.

Posted in: Pets on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at at 10:27 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

I know I have lots of American readers, and I hope that you all take the time out of your day today to head to the polls and vote. While I believe that there is a right and wrong choice on the ballot, just getting out and voting is, in my opinion, something that every eligible voter should do.
I know I'll be spending the evening watching to see what your votes will lead to!

Posted in: on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at at 12:22 PM 2 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: Roccapuccia Insider on Monday, November 3, 2008 at at 9:44 AM 3 Comments Links to this post  

I thought this was a Halloween prank... But turns out it's actually just a 16 year old from England getting married. I guess this is probably pretty close to what you'd look like if you were 16, getting married and having your dad shell out $200,000 for the wedding. I was shocked that the dad, a driveway paver, had that much money to blow on this wedding. didn't think it could get any better- but them... It did. She also lives in a caravan.

Posted in: Holidays on Friday, October 31, 2008 at at 7:18 PM 1 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: Roccapuccia Insider on at at 4:57 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Tom Brady!

Posted in: Holidays on at at 4:31 PM 1 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: Celebrity Pictures on at at 8:37 AM 1 Comments Links to this post  

Last April, I wrote an article about how Sean Avery was going to work for Vogue. I wondered why on earth Anna was hiring a rough and tough, loud and obnoxious hockey player as an intern, and I apparently wasn't the only one who wondered. In any case, he went to the hallowed halls of Vogue magazine and completed his internship before returning to the 19,500 arena of the Dallas Stars and talking to pretty much anyone who will listen about his new career aspirations of becoming a fashion editor, like the editor of the Dallas Morning News.

Posted in: Fashion, Men's Style on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at at 5:25 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Stress is not a fun thing to deal with- and I think it's something that many people are dealing with nowadays given the state of the economy, the uncertainty in world politics (Obama or McCain?) and the general mass hysteria going around about the recession. Seriously, I spent a couple of hours the other day watching my stock portfolio go up, up, up, down, down, up, way down, way futher down, up a little, down a little... and I had to stop. It could drive a sane person crazy. I'm terrible at dealing with stress and it comes out in me by my not being able to concentrate, being snappy at people, being very tired all of the time and worst of all is always having this feeling of uneasiness about everything going on. For me, I haven't been able to pinpoint exactly how to fix this problem. I've tried yoga (too quiet and my mind races), meditation (again, too much time to think and I can't "slow my mind"), reading (can't concentrate on reading), watching mind-numbing TV (where you feel a hundred times worse after because you've literally solved nothing) and pretty much anything else I can think of. I've yet to come up with the perfect way for me to de-stress, which is going to be very important as I've realized that being a grown up is not the walk in the park I thought it would be growing up (Seriously, I thought being a grown up would be awesome, with VISA cards and fun jobs and bank accounts) and it's stressful. I'm extremely lucky in life- I have a fantastic Mr. Roccapuccia, wonderful family, food on my table, roof over my head and live in a country that is free and democratic- but somedays it's really easy to forget all that you have and are thankful for when you're stressed about a problem. Anyways, a tangent to ask if you have any tricks or ideas for de-stressing? I recently signed up for a sewing class as an attempt to get out of the house and clear my mind (and love it, but have no room for a sewing machine currently, so it may be one of those "wtf" moments) and love it, but it's only one night a week and ends in a couple of weeks, so I'm on the lookout for more. So here are my random de-stressers which, although unconventional, are seeming to work for me in moderation now. Still haven't had the "Ah-Ha" moment yet though.

Posted in: Life, Miss A Personal, Your $ on Monday, October 27, 2008 at at 9:36 PM 4 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at at 6:56 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

In case you hadn't heard (and I'm not sure I've mentioned it) but I've been taking a sewing class recently to try and learn more about sewing and actually knowing how to use a machine. Above is a picture of my very famous pouches, made on my first day with the machine. I secretly (well, not really much of a secret now, is it?) love it. I like the fact that I'm making something specifically for me- my project for the class has been a drawstring skirt which I must admit is fabulous. I'll take a picture when it's done, hopefully this week. Do I think of myself as a master sew-er? No. NOt even remotely. But I enjoy the class and look forward to it every week, and maybe one day I'll become a genius seamstress?

Posted in: Fashion, Miss A Personal on at at 11:16 AM 2 Comments Links to this post  

From another blog I read that wishes to remain anonymous... Here is my first attempt at Blog Tagging!

4 Things I Did Today:
- Went looking at open houses
- Whined and complained about my short haircut and wished I could have my beloved ponytail back

- Listened to T.I.'s "Whatever You Like" song at least 5 times

- Took Roccapoochie for a walk

4 Things On My To-Do List:
- Start Christmas shopping, or at least think about what to buy people for Christmas
- Organize my clothes closet into a much happier state so I'm not left yelling "I have nothing to wear!" every morning...

- Clean my house

- Paint my toenails- one of my least favorite things to do!

4 Guilty Pleasures:
- US Weekly Magazine
- I subscribe to Real Simple magazine in a constant effort to be more domesticated

- Online shopping. I could spend days doing nothing else

- Starbucks

4 Random Facts About Me:
- I take baths at least 4-5 times a week

- I love spaghetti, it's my favorite food
- I love NFL football

- I name all of my purses and cars. (My car's name is LaBeamer and my purses are Black Marc Jacobs, Salvatore, Firenze, Jake-ee and Dior)

I'm tagging... Robo (Robo's Ramblings), Elizabeth (Pearls and Purses) and CWM (Finite Style).

Posted in: Miss A Personal on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at at 5:51 PM 1 Comments Links to this post  

While it's people like this that make their houses affordable for people like Mr. Roccapuccia and I, I still have to wonder how someone-anyone- could live in this house with this as their bathroom? And since when was yellow a fashionable color in appliances? Oh, that's right. NEVER.

Posted in: Domestic Diva on at at 5:26 PM 2 Comments Links to this post  

I thought leggings were done? Then I saw the Sartorialist took a picture of this woman in Milan. I guess the key is the high heels and not the boots that most people love (I'm as guilty as you are, c'mon) and working the look into a more fashionable new getup... Thoughts?

Posted in: Fashion on Friday, October 24, 2008 at at 10:10 AM 3 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: Roccapuccia Insider on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at at 2:44 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Ah... Dreams...
Picture from Wardrobe Oxygen

Posted in: Shoes on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at at 2:58 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Apparently I missed the memo that said underwear-ish type garments were stylish. Oops! Unfortunately for me, I will never look like Gisele does in the underwear-ish type garment so... I will not be stylish this season if this is what stylish means.

Posted in: on at at 9:44 AM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at at 10:34 PM 2 Comments Links to this post  

Based on several e-mails I've received, my beloved readers are apparently curious what a girl like me keeps in her "emergency kit"... So here it is, all layed out on my kitchen counter:

Items included are.. Blister bandaids, perfumes (x2), mirror, tampons, safety pins, hand cream (x2), Tylenol, Dramamine (Non-drowsy Gravol), Listerine tabs, SD card, USB SD Card reader, Hair Clips, Lipsticks (x2), hand sanitizer, gold necklace, Tide Pen, Claritin, wet naps, kleenex, lint brush, Gas-x, aromatherapy oil (?) and the bag itself. I normally have other bandaids, hair elastics, dog treat and gum.

Posted in: Miss A Personal on at at 1:28 PM 3 Comments Links to this post  

If you remember last week I discussed the recession and having bottles and bottles of stuff that I am forcing myself to use before I buy new stuff? Well, here is a picture of the moisturizers and random face creams that I need to use before getting new ones. Completely excessive when you look at it from this angle- or any angle...

Posted in: on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at at 8:41 PM 1 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: on at at 7:18 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: Roccapoochie, Shoes on at at 9:38 AM 1 Comments Links to this post  

Mascara has been a hot topic around here- everyone is trying to find their favorite or the ultimate mascara. Well, Sephora has obviously found that people are trying to do this and they should probably help somehow- so they've created the Lash Stash. Featuring mini-tubes of 10 different kinds of mascara- Smashbox, Sephora, Vincent Longo, Tarte, Lashes 4-1, Too Faced, Make Up Forever, Urban Decay, DuWop, Corres and Cargo. Unfortunately, this kit doesn't have my version of the ultimate mascara, Imju Fiberwig- or the industry standard favorites, DiorShow or BadGal... But everyone is looking for something different in a mascara so this kit may have your new favorite in it! It's only $35 too, so it's a good deal.

Posted in: on at at 9:23 AM 1 Comments Links to this post  

Halloween is coming... You know what that means, don't you? You will spend the next couple of weeks trying to figure out the proper costume and trying to decide exactly what you will have to do create said costume. Well, Winona at DaddyLikey has taken it upon herself to make our lives all easier- she has a $100 contest for the best halloween costume story and she'll be posting Halloween costume ideas. If you haven't heard of Daddy Likey, you need to absolutely stop everything you are doing and read it NOW.

Posted in: Holidays on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at at 12:22 PM 2 Comments Links to this post  

The Roccapuccia Gift Guide? Every day between now and Christmas I'll be posting gift ideas for all kinds of people on your lists, and at all different budget price points. Be sure to check them out!

Posted in: Roccapuccia Gift Guide on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at at 10:57 PM 1 Comments Links to this post  

I was recently challenged by another Blogger to list the 5 things I Couldn't Live Without and think I am finally ready to tell you all what they are. Now, these 5 things can't be people, places or emotions- they can only be inatimate items which I dearly love and couldn't imagine functioning without. She graciously allowed me #2 on the list seeing as it's not really an inatimate object, but we couldn't come up with anything better to classify it as.

1- My Rings

2- The Internet

3- My Laptop

4- Imju Fiberwig Mascara

5- Marc Jacobs Black Purse *

* Let me clarify something- this is not my favorite purse. In fact, on the purse favoritism scale (Yes, this exists at my house) Marc Jacobs black purse is a solid #4- but this bag is the bag that schleps my belongings with me everywhere I go on a daily basis. It can carry small dogs, several pairs of shoes, a notebook, a wallet, waterbottles, sweaters, lunches, shampoo bottles... You name it. It's full of things that I use on a daily basis (and 5 tubes of lip balm, 3 lipsticks and 3 hand creams) as well as my emergency kit (If you've never seen my purse emergency kit, you are missing out). I love the bag for it's pure utility and the fact that it carries around my life. Thanks Black Marc Jacobs (that's it's name- I can't think of anything more suitable)

Posted in: on at at 10:02 PM 3 Comments Links to this post  

Oh, if only I had $2,350 laying around with nothing else it could be spent on... I would definitely be purchasing the Hermes Kelly Long Wallet, as seen here in orange from PurseBlog. I am on the hunt for a new wallet, and despite my very best shopaholic convincing mechanisms, I just can't seem to be able to justify a very expensive wallet right now, and what's the point of wasting money on one I don't want only to still lust for a new one? I'm waiting for the perfect one to come along with the perfect price tag or commission check to match... I wonder if maybe, just maybe, if I post that I will sell my soul to Hermes in exchange for a Kelly Long Wallet and a Birkin like Victoria Beckham's, they will decide to send me them... Hmmm... Yeah, I know it will never happen- but a girl can dream, can't she?

Posted in: on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at at 8:01 PM 0 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: Trends on at at 4:13 PM 1 Comments Links to this post  

Check out the picture of Kate Beckinsale with her daughter, Lily, from Popsugar. Her daughter is sporting mini skirt and yet Kate is wearing a coat that looks like it could be ready for Alaska on the coldest day of January. They're in freaking Los Angeles, how cold can it be?

Posted in: on at at 9:39 AM 3 Comments Links to this post  

Posted in: on Monday, October 13, 2008 at at 7:54 PM 1 Comments Links to this post  

It's been a rough few weeks on the stock market- and a rougher few weeks if you've been actively watching your investment portfolio or home value slide down in value. There's not really much any of us can do other than try to cut back on our own personal spending to save money should, knock on wood, anything happen to us where we will be in a tough position. What I've been doing is not buying any new beauty products. This doesn't mean that I'm not washing myself or I am not using any products- it just means that I'm trying to use the piles and piles of beauty products I've got in "storage". It will be good on two areas: One, I don't really need to be buying any new stuff when I've got stuff that I've completely forgotten I own and two, it will be clearing out much needed valuable space in my tiny apartment. While going through my stash, I found a never used jar of Fat Girl Slim (which has never been more appropriate), literally dozens more bottles of half-used random items I had forgotten about and I still have my full size "wedding present" of Annick Goutal Petite Cherie Creme Genereuse. I'm sure that every woman has this problem- so why not take advantage of the money you've already spent and put the extra pennies into a savings account to save for a rainy day?

Posted in: on at at 6:09 PM 3 Comments Links to this post  

Here's a picture of my Thanksgiving table, set with my fancy plates and Thanksgiving colored flowers. Hope you all had a great day!

Posted in: on at at 6:23 AM 1 Comments Links to this post