Shine On!

A few weeks ago, I got invited to go to Good Housekeeping magazine's Shine On event as a seat-filler.  I got an email asking if I would want to take part and it said they were only inviting their VIP's.  I have NO idea how I became a VIP seat-filler, but apparently I was somehow bestowed with that honor and it's one I'll definitely try to maintain.  Hopefully, it means more and more invites to cool red carpet events.

I went to Shine On last year, but I bought a ticket to it.  It was actually better this year and it didn't hurt that we (Megan went with me as my +1) were filling seats on the very center of the 3rd row at Radio City Music Hall.  Amazing!

This event is very similar to the Glamour Women of the Year Awards I've gotten to be a seat-filler for the past 2 falls.  This one wasn't quite as celeb-packed, but close.  We had an absolute blast!

Ashley Tisdale kicked things off

Eve - she's beautiful!

Rebecca Romijn was the hostess of the show

 Goldie Hawn!!

Lee Ann Womack -

that's her daughter on the right singing back-up vocals

So excited when Gwyneth came out!

 She presented to Christy Turlington, who I also love

 Ali Larter

 Alexis Bledel, my fav Gilmore Girl!

 Bridget Moynahan

Fran!

Lake Bell

 Meryl

More Rebecca after a costume change

 Trisha Yearwood on stage.  The girl on the front row is 

Sara Rue.  She was SO skinny.

Heather Graham

 Kathy Ireland & Camilla Belle presented together.

They also sat with Megan and I on the 3rd row.  We

were sandwiched between these two and their entourages.

K'Naan performed his song that was used as the theme

song for World Cup...it was really good!

One of my favorite award winners of the night was a group of 4 girls from Harvard who have invented the Sockett Ball.  It's a ball that can be used in under developed countries...the kids can play with it all day and it will save the energy that is created from play.  At night, it can be used as a sockett to provide light or whatever else might be needed.  It is SUCH a cool product.  Several young girl soccer teams were invited to the event and did a song/dance performance at the end of the show - it was really cool!

Amazing Love

Okay, so I kind of stole this from Raechel's blog, but these words are bringing tears to my eyes today.

My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought -

My sin - not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

-"It Is Well with My Soul"

Horatio Spafford

Things I am looking forward to on this Good Friday :

- Having the afternoon off work!

- The Good Friday service at my church tonight (it's gonna be an awesome one...string quartet, great music, dancers!)

- Celebrating with friends on Sunday the miracle of Jesus' resurrection and the life, hope, peace, love, and joy wrapped up in that event.

Adoption

Little ones without parents to care for their everyday needs is something that has weighed heavy on my heart for almost as long as I can remember.  I don't talk much about it and have shared even less on this blog.  But, I heard the story of a little boy last week that really tugged at my heart and tonight learned that his situation has become even more urgent.  Read his story, pray, and pass the links along so that it might reach someone who is able to save him from a dire situation.

You can read the original story I read here....
http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2011/04/help.html

And for a little more information on the urgency of the matter....
http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/04/so-so-urgent.html

As I was reading the update tonight, I realized...I've read about this family before!  Part of the story of their most recent adoption is an amazing one and I'd love for you to read it as well...just make sure to have some kleenex nearby ;)  
http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/02/redeeming-love.html

Five Years! Seriously? Yes.

When I moved here, I really didn't see 5-years in the city in my future.  I expected it to be more of a shorter-term adventure.  I didn't realize that I'd fall more in love with the city as time passed or that I'd never get through the never ending list of things to do or see or eat here.  You all know I love it and I probably don't need to tell you that again.  I feel very similar to how I felt when I blogged on my first four anniversaries, which you can read here, here, here and here!


I still have no plans to move and definitely want to hit 5-years at the NHL (January 4th is the day!).  After that, there's a lot of question as to if I'll stay or if I'll go.  I know I would miss it terribly and it would literally break my heart to go, but there are some decisions to make and praying to do.  We'll see...no rush to make any decisions today, just plan to continue enjoying this place each and every day that I am here!

NYC : Full of Foodies. Making Foodies.

I babysat tonight (I occasionally babysit for a family on the UES-two kids, boy who is 4 and girl who is 7).  It's a super easy job that usually involves me lounging on their couch with a book for hours after the kids are in bed - that's money making I can't turn down!  The kids are always eating dinner when I arrive and they always watch TV while they eat.  (I am pretty sure they usually eat as a family, but on babysitter nights they get to watch TV).  It kind of drives me crazy because they won't look at me or speak to me when I arrive...they are totally zoned out!!   Anyway, tonight, the show of choice was Chopped All-Stars.  Leah loves Food Network!  It was fun to watch the show with her - she had plenty of opinions about all of it!  Afterwards, we talked about her love for sushi and how she and her parents have an upcoming dinner date planned at Nobu (super fancy, delicious, expensive sushi restaurant).  What a (seven-year-old) Foodie!!

New York Weekends

Some fun things I've done the past couple of weekends....

-- Brunch with book club at DBGB.  This is yet another recent brunch find!  I love this restaurant.  Food is great, there isn't a long wait, nice atmosphere, etc...  The book club members liked it, too!

-- After brunch at DBGB, we went to see Jane Eyre.  This was the last book for club, but I chose not to read it.  I just assumed that I wouldn't like it very much and knew there was no way I'd ever be able to finish it (especially with how busy I was at work last month...two 2AM mornings, if that gives you a clue).  I also assumed that I would not like the movie.  It just falls into a genre of movies that I typically find boring.  But, I was surprised.  I loved it!  It almost made me want to read the book (which, of course, everyone else thought was way better than the movie).

-- Dinner with Mindy at Five Napkin burger.  I've been wanting, yet not wanting to try this restaurant out.  Some people have had good things to say.  I wasn't so sure because it is a big restaurant that, although new to the city, has multiple locations.  It just screamed chain-restaurant to me.  And with all the excellent burgers in NYC, I just didn't see how it could compare.  But, I'd heard from more than one person that the burgers are good, so when Mindy suggested it, I decided to give it a go.  And now we know.  I didn't like it.  I mean, it was fine, but it wasn't great.  I'd rather save my burgers for Shake Shack, Burger Joint, or Corner Bistro...the best in the world!

-- Brunch at BlueRibbon Bakery.  BlueRibbon is a place in the West Village I've been wanting to try for a while.  It was so great!  Rosella and Alejandra were happy to go with me and we all loved it.  It was so cute and bright and sunny inside and the food was delicious.  They're kind of known for their poached eggs and we each ended up ordering a different kind and we all loved them.  I had the poached eggs with salmon, caviar, and rye toast.  It was so good that I can't imagine ever going back there and ordering something different.

-- After BlueRibbon, we went to see Mike Birbiglia's newest show, "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend".  Oh, I LOVE this guy.  I think it was my 4th time to see him live...saw him do stand-up twice and I saw his last play "Sleepwalk with Me".  He is so funny without being to crass or raunchy.  I was happy for hours & days after seeing the show.  It's good to laugh for 80 minutes straight.

I've got some more fun things planned for this coming weekend so stay tuned!

Sunday/Monday with the Girls!

Birthday weekend continues!!  Somehow, I managed to take no pictures of our Sunday Funday. But it really was a fun, picture worthy day!

We went to Tea at my favorite, Lady Mendls. It was my 3rd time there and the food, the tea, and the whole experience is all so fabulous. I can't wait to have another reason or out-of-towners to go with again!

After Tea, we caught a subway to the BK to check out the Brooklyn Flea. There are actually 2 locations for the Brooklyn Flea - one is indoor and year-round and one is outdoor, just in the summer. I went to the outdoor location last year and wasn't super impressed. I was still excited to see the indoor version and I loved it!! There were so many great vendors and interesting things. Each of us bought something while we were there.  I ended up with some super cool vintage sunglasses (probably too cool for my face) and a bracelet.  The BK Flea is also known for its food...we were stuff from Tea, but next time I head out there, I need to make sure I'm hungry for lunch! Jenifer did buy a 6-pack of cookies courtesy of Momofuku Milk Bar (they're known for their cookies!). They are weird flavors, but they were mostly good!

We spent quite a bit of time at the flea and then went back to Manhattan for dinner at Max Brenner followed by church. Love my church and fun to share it with some of my Dallas church friends. Plus, the music that night was amazing (it usually is, but I got chills this particular night - so good)!

I worked on Monday while the girls continued to play. The did the West Village Food Tour - it's so great and I'm glad they got to do it. I met them later for dinner at Patsy's Pizza (pizza was great...waitress was horrible). Then, we headed home for a Bachelor Watch Party! I was so excited when I realized their weekend trip was going to coincide with the Bachelor Finale - couldn't have planned it better if we'd tried! I had a little bit of decor ready for the watch-party and I also picked up one of my new favorite treats - mini cupcakes from Baked By Melissa. These cupcakes are tiny, but packed full of amazing flavor! So good!

Added some Bachelor Decor to the Armoire

 Brooke came out to watch the show with us!