Complete and Utter Fabulosity

The past 3 days have been amazing. Completely and utterly amazing!

Why, you ask?

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you:

With Evan Longoria, the phenomenal third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays! 2008 American League Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, and MLB 2K10 cover athlete! And my favorite baseball player. :-)
AND...

On the left, Mattias Ohlund ~ Assistant Captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning, member of the 2010 Swedish Olympic team, and mentor to... Victor Hedman (right) ~ star rookie defenseman for the Lightning, and my favorite hockey player!!
Unbelievably, we ran into Evan at the hockey game on Saturday night, after 1st period. He was behind us in the beer line, and got carded just like the rest of us! :-) He was extremely friendly - didn't even hesitate when Phil asked if he'd pose for a photo with me. I was a little bit star-struck, so unfortunately the first time I was photographed with him I could think of absolutely nothing intelligent to say. It took all my willpower not to pass out, in fact! The second time I was photographed with him (after 2nd period), I came up with a few intelligent words, luckily. But how lucky am I??

And yesterday, Ohlund and Hedman were at The Shops at Wiregrass doing a free signing. Since Victor is my favorite (along with my beloved Martin St. Louis), you know I was all over this. I got a new white/away jersey just to start collecting autographs, and Phil got a white hat. They basically limited it to 2 people at the table at a time, so I immediately started chatting the players up (I was much less freaked out than when I met Evan - probably because it was actually expected this time!). I congratulated Mattias on making the Olympic team and wished him luck. And I told Victor I am his biggest fan. To which he and Mattias laughed over the fact that another girl had just said the same thing. I said she was lying. :-) They didn't hesitate when Phil asked if they'd pose for a photo with me; they were both so very nice. Victor asked if I wanted to be in the middle and I said, "Suuuuure...highlight how short I am!" Ha! Then I congratulated Victor on his stellar season before floating right out the front door with Phil. YEAH!

So, like I said...the past 3 days have proven to be nothing but complete and utter fabulosity!! :-)

Oh - and FYI, here are the players' heights (I'm obsessed with height)...

Longoria - 6'2"
Ohlund - 6'4"
Hedman - 6'6"!!

I just knew 2010 was going to be amazing! :-)

Oh, for the record: my blue Bolts jersey (which is a Hedman jersey, by the way) shall forever be recognized as my "lucky" jersey. And it shall never be washed again! Hehehe

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Super Bowl XLIV ~ Where Our Loyalties Lie

We in the O household are Colts fans through and through, sooo...

GO COLTS!!

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Fashionista Friday: Business Trip Edition

Well, I'm late with my Friday post. I actually attempted to be on time, but I was having technical difficulties locating the photos that I had planned to use.

You see, on Friday I took the day off and actually went shopping! In addition to 2 Bikram classes and lunch at the always-fabulous Grape. But my main goal was shopping at International Plaza for a couple work-worthy outfits for my business trip to St. Louis next week.

Though it may seem that I am on the road for business quite often and that I should have plenty of appropriate attire, I assure you that is not the case. Seriously - working from home about 90% of the time wreaks havoc on the balance of business attire in one's closet. My closet literally consists of a 3-way balance among workout clothes, little summer dresses, and sports jerseys. I kid you not. Hence, the necessity of my shopping trip!

I did have success at Victoria's Secret (this qualifies!!) and Ann Taylor Loft. In fact, at Loft I got a great pair of gray pin-striped pants and the most adorable white button-down shirt with corsage detailing on it. {And I may or may not have picked up a cute little summer dress as well...D'oh!} The only issue? I couldn't find any darn pictures to post here!

So instead, you get photos of some items that I just got from my beloved J. Crew, which will also be accompanying me on this trip. Because nothing says stylish business attire like J. Crew! Also, their clothes are easy to layer - an essential requirement for travel to frigid St. Louis! So tell me what you think:

The Frances Cami

Bling button sweater

A perfect pencil skirt

LOVE this sash belt with flower details!

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Thoughtful Thursday: Lifted Truck Edition

OK, this won't be a long-winded post by any means.

I just have a couple questions that maybe someone can help me answer:

1. What is the deal with lifted trucks in southern Florida??


2. Is it really necessary to roll down the highway in what looks like a monster truck? Is it some sort of fail-safe in case of massive flooding?

3. How do they not tip over when some of their idiot drivers fly around turns?

4. Would driving a lifted truck make me cooler?? More attractive? More popular? ;-P

Let's try this on for size...maybe I could lift my Trailblazer so it looks like this:


OK, maybe not! Ha ha!

And with that, I will leave you with my favorite Bud Light commercial. Which, by the way, is just so apropos for southern Florida!

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The Bad & The Good: Some Updates

A few quick updates, as I've had basically no time for blogging recently...

~ I did not get to go to Gasparilla this weekend. Instead, I was stuck doing work, cramming to meet a deadline...

~ ...and yet I did not meet that deadline because other people are apparently unable to hold up their end of a bargain...

~ To make matters worse, "someone" managed yesterday to un-do about half the work that I did over the weekend.


~ I'm traveling to St. Louis on business next week.

~ I need a vacation.

~ I need sleep.

~ I need an assistant.

But on to the good:

~ Yesterday I completed class #27 of my Bikram challenge! I actually hope to complete 32 classes by Friday, which would put me at 32 classes in 35 days. Yeah!

~ Superbowl Sunday is fast approaching!! Let's Go Colts!!

~ Evan Longoria, who you know is my favorite baseball player, re-tweeted me again yesterday -- actually twice. Which brings me to a grand total of 3 "exchanges" with him. We're practically BFF. :-)

~ Somehow, despite my ridiculously packed schedule, I've managed to keep up with cooking nutritious meals for Phil and myself. And thank goodness he helps me with the housework, or we'd be lost amidst clutter!

~ There is a meet & greet with two of my favorite Lightning players, Victor Hedman (!!!) and Mattias Ohlund, on Monday night and I am totally going!

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Thoughtful Thursday: Gasparilla Edition

For those of you who aren't near Tampa, you may or may not have heard of Gasparilla. Basically, it's a Pirate festival that includes various events over the course of about a month. The most famous (or infamous) of which is the Pirate Invasion and Parade.

The invasion and parade take place on Saturday this year. And though I'm slightly worried about how bad I've heard it has been in recent years, I want to go and experience it!

Luckily, a friend of a friend lives near the parade route, and the plan is to get the party started early with brunch at her house. Then we can all walk to the parade route and see what's going on. Hopefully without losing any limbs or articles of clothing. :-)

But this does beg the question: What causes people - many whom I assume, like me, are relatively even-keeled during everyday life - to just go wild and let all guards down? I think there are definitely various levels of this. I mean, some people just don't care at all how they act when they're letting loose. I, on the other hand, still care what people think so although I'll definitely have some fun...I still hold back to a certain extent.

I suppose the pressures of everyday life just build up inside of us until we need some sort of outlet. Not necessarily a constructive one, either. For me, I need to let loose a few times per year. Often this happens on vacation, just not in Gasparilla grand style. But obviously, Phil and I had our fun in Vegas and Napa last year. Just having the opportunity to do things you don't have time for in your professional, everyday life is, I suppose, an opportunity to cut loose. Whether it be drinking an extra glass (or bottle) of wine, or lying on a beach to the point of sloth. {I may or may not do these types of things}

How do you let loose? Drinking, dancing, skydiving, vacation...something else? Inspire me! :-)

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Overbooked

And I'm not talking about that situation we all seem to face when waiting to board a flight!

I'm talking about me! This week is seriously insane. Here's what's glaring at me from my calendar:

Monday ~ Spinning, Bikram, work, Emerge Tampa Bay meeting, dinner w/Dad and friends at Cafe Dufrain

Tuesday ~ strength training, work, Bikram, annual Homeowners Association meeting, grocery shopping

Wednesday ~ cardio at gym, work, Junior League committee meeting, Lightning game

Thursday ~ spinning, work, Bikram, dinner w/Dad and Grandfather

Friday ~ Bikram, strength training, possible 1/2 day work, lunch w/Dad, Lightning game

And while much of this is good, fun stuff...I'm still counting down to the weekend. Because I seriously have committed myself to a wee bit too much this week! Anybody else??

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Fashionista Friday: Beach Edition

I'm a wee bit late with this, though I've had my Polyvore set ready for this post for a few days already!

Anyway, Phil and I have been discussing where to take our "big" vacation this year. We always like to go somewhere tropical, and that is even more true this year since we went to Vegas and Napa Valley last year. It's time for some fruity drinks on a beach! I'm currently honing in on Dominican Republic, but have to do a little more investigation into Costa Rica as well. We haven't been to either country yet, and this fits my desire to go someplace new. :-)

All this thought of vacation and tropical beaches has me in a very beachy mood!! So with that in mind, here is what I would be wearing if I were in the tropics right this very minute!

Feeling Beachy by southernmojo featuring O'Neill

Items in this set:
O'neill Dresses - Womens - Red Sea Maxi Dress, $55
Victoria's Secret - Beach Sexy® Swim, $22
Embellished Leather Flip Flops, $35
bamboo large wooden tote, $33
Mannequin Square Frame in Red, $195

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Thoughtful Thursday: Body Image Edition

One of my good friends mentioned to me that, following the Golden Globes, the NY Times had made some less-than-flattering remarks about some absolutely stunning celebrities. In particular, Jennifer Aniston. Whom, for the record, I believe is one of the most beautiful women in the world.

I had absolutely no interest in the Golden Globes and completely tuned out, so I was surprised to hear about all this and had to do some investigating. I found this article, was corroborates the rumor and links to this blurb by the NY Times writer/blogger in question.

While I didn't find the write-up over-the-top offensive, I am disturbed by a couple things. First of all, the writer is a female! And any female is keenly aware of how sensitive we all are to comments about weight. And though I seriously doubt Jennifer Aniston, or any of the other actresses targeted, will spiral into a depression over her words...I still feel that as females we should band together to eliminate the conditions that can lead to eating disorders and the like.

Second of all, what is the point of her so-called observation?? Not only is it ridiculous - even if the writer believes these females are "curvy," the fact remains that they are much thinner than average. But it also promotes the insane scrutiny of women. I mean, seriously...we're now going to start comparing photos of a person's upper arms over the course of time?

If so, I'd like to take a look at photos of the author, because I'd be willing to bet she has no room to criticize these beautiful females. But then again, I want to break this cycle for all of us. So how about this? No more comparisons, no more insensitive words. Let's judge ourselves by how we feel, and each other by what's on the inside. How about it?

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Mini Rant: Confrontation During Fine Dining

Good morning!

Something has been bugging me since last night, so I just had to jump on here and blog before I leave for Bikram!

Yesterday I mentioned that I was taking Phil to Mise en Place. Well, for the most part, dinner was fabulous. The food was excellent, and service was wonderful until...

Our waiter brought out our third course, and it dawned on me that he had never brought out the bottle of wine that I ordered. So as he set down our plates, I asked, "Was our wine going to come out with this?" And anyone who knows me knows that I asked this in a very polite, courteous manner. In fact, in the past I might have just not brought this up at all. However, I've decided that I'm tired of being a complete doormat, and I really did want my wine.

How I thought our waiter would respond was much different from how he actually responded. I imagined he would say, "Oh, I'm so sorry - did you order a bottle of wine? Let me check on that." Or something to that effect, anyway.

Here is how the exchange went (I'm quoting as closely as I can remember)...

Waiter: "Did you order a bottle with {other table server}?"

Me: "No, I ordered it with you when you took our dinner orders."

Waiter: "Oh, no. I asked you if I could bring more cocktails and you said 'not right now.'"

Me: "Actually -"

Waiter (interrupting me now): "No, remember? I asked if you wanted anything and you said no." Blah, blah, blah...he kept repeating this and basically calling me a liar.

Me (finally getting a word in): "I ordered a bottle of Petite Sirah."

He said something about checking - never with an apology - and walked off to the bar. Phil and I just looked at each other in amazement and I mumbled something about how awkward the situation had just become, and how I felt like I had to defend myself from the freaking waiter, of all people.

Our waiter came back a couple minutes later with the bottle of wine that I had, in fact, ordered. He did then apologize for the mix-up and for "basically calling me a liar." So I appreciated that. And they did not charge us for the bottle of wine. Which is also appreciated.

However - and maybe I'm making a bigger deal out of this than I should - I am still a little aggravated about the whole exchange. I mean, why would our waiter automatically assume that I was lying to him?! And also - he misquoted me repeatedly last night...I didn't say a flat-out "no" when he asked if we wanted more cocktails. What I actually said was "I think we will wait for our wine." So he failed all around.

One thing I do know: if we ever go back to Mise en Place, I will request a different server.

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