Monday, December 15, 2008

It's Christmas Time in Las Vegas!!!

I woke up this morning to... SNOW!!! Yep, it snowed in Las Vegas, and by the end of the day there were a few inches of perfectly white powder covering our neighborhood and the mountains nearby.

The freeway near our home


The Mr. and I had a very nice day of Christmas shopping in the snow/slush/rain, although by about five o'clock I was absolutely tuckered. It doesn't take much for me to "shop till I drop," especially with holiday crowds and weather that is best observed from under a blanket. Chilly holiday shopping always makes me want Vietnamese Pho, spiced beef broth soup served with fresh cilantro, basil, lime, bean sprouts and hot chili sauce to warm you up; although tonight I had to settle for a nap and a late sushi dinner date.

Thankfully our Christmas shopping is almost done, and now all I have to worry about is making sure my house is clean enough for company! But I did finally get the Josh Groban Christmas CD to keep me in the holiday spirit!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

My Mini Vacation Prescription

For the past few weeks, and today especially, I've felt anxious and worn out. I've tried to focus on eating healthier and working out more, but I still feel lethargic (if a little slimmer). What I really need is to escape from everything weighing on my mind--the family problems, coworkers, and household chores that are always there-- and find balance again.

The Mr. and I started taking mini vacations to Disneyland a few years ago to de-stress, and now we try to make it to California at least a few times a year. The best thing about our mini vacations is that they are just for us; we don't worry about what we should be doing or wearing (or in my case how out of control curly my hair gets!), so we focus on what is important to the two of us.
He makes sure that I get to eat Swiss Oatmeal at the Corner Bakery Cafe every morning (because I would seriously consider getting up at three in the morning and driving to California for breakfast if I didn't) and we thoroughly enjoy our time together with no cell phones and no distractions. It's not that we don't enjoy our weekends together at home, but there's something about being "On Vacation" that makes me giggle a little more and worry a little less.

I sorely need a vacation right now! If only I could wiggle my nose... I would whisk us away to a beach front house in San Diego for a week of relaxation and healing. As much as I avoid the sun, I absolutely love the ocean and fresh humid air; I can't think of anything better than an early breakfast on a deck overlooking the Pacific and some beach front yoga.

Image from rentalspetfriendly.com

Monday, December 8, 2008

The Perfect Coat

Last winter I found the perfect coat at H&M. Black, with an empire waist and a peter pan collar, it was the epitome of lady like chic. There was only one coat left and in my size nonetheless! Yet somehow between my putting it on hold and the Mr.'s Christmas shopping, it was sold to somebody else; instead I ended up with a great Volcom trench coat that he picked out all by himself (did I mention that he has pretty great taste when it comes to clothes for me). I love it and it's very Katherine Heigl!

Then tooday while doing a little bit of harmless browsing on Victoria's Secret, I came across this.

And it even comes in Black! And it's even on sale!
Perfect, no?


But then I found this beauty...


and this...


I mean, how's a girl to chose from three perfectly ladylike (and on sale) winter coats!?!