Happy Birthday, Ryan Gosling!

"Sometimes I think that the one thing I love most about being an adult is the right to buy candy whenever and wherever I want."
-Ryan Gosling

Happy Birthday, Ryan!
You are one gorgeous man (you were cute even in "Remember the Titans").  You also seem like a real cool guy (or are your looks deceiving?).  Well, in honor of Mr.Gosling's day of birth I thought I'd share one of my favorite Ryan movies, "Lars and the Real Girl".  If you've never heard of it, trust me, you must make a point to watch it.  Watch it! Watch it!  It's a real different character than the one he played in "The Notebook".  Yet, it touched a soft spot in my heart (I'm mushy gushy, sometimes, only sometimes).  I don't want to ruin it so clear your schedule!  It will make you like this Canadian just a little bit more.  Trust me, eh.
xoxo

Gastritis, you lose!

"At a party, I am the kind of girl who will wait until the end of the night before I really get going. I'm a little anti-social at first, but I'm not immune to dancing on tables either."
-Emily Vancamp

Revenge, thank you!  If it weren't for Emily Vancamp and "Revenge" these past two days would have been hell (actually they were hell, but it'd be worst).  I have spent two very difficult sleepless nights.  Yes, two whole nights of no sleep (okay, very little sleep).  Remember that whole gastritis thing I mentioned?  You know, the whole reason for going on a coffee detox?  Well, the pain caused by acid indigestion has plagued me for the past 48 hours.  I've been making an attempt to be a little more optimistic, so, with that said, I have been able to catch up on all my missed shows (woo hoo!).  Thank you stomach acid?  Um, no thank you.  I have been absolutely miserable.  Miserable.  But, that is besides the point.

If you haven't heard about the show "Revenge" I suggest you check it out.  Like, right after you finish reading this post.  Do it!  Do it!  It is awesome.  Emily Vancamp plays Emily Thorne/Amanda Clark (you have to watch to understand) so incredibly well.  I'm really not big on spoilers (I dislike when others do it to me).  However, if you are into manipulation, scheming and juicy drama this show is for you, dear.  It is packed with drama, drama, drama.  Life has been a little hectic lately at mi casa (being a working wife is tough) so I hadn't seen any of this season's episodes (crazy, I know).  Yet, what can one do when one cannot sleep?  Catch up with "On Demand", duh!  So, perhaps I shouldn't be thanking "Revenge".  I should in fact be thanking "On Demand", though I am weary to do so.  I dunno about you, but, "On Demand" here at my house only works when it wants to.  Thank goodness it worked the past two days.  I'd probably have thrown a tantrum at 3 o'clock in the morning, for real.

Back to "Revenge", watch it.  You will love it.  Madeleine Stowe (she's amazing) is a super villain.  She truly is a deadly beauty.  Oh, and it doesn't hurt that everyone on the show is pretty to look at (pinky promise).

Toodles darlings.  After a long 48 hours this girl needs to find her bed.  Though considering the impact of 11/06/2012 I find that unlikely.  Cat nap?  Sounds like a plan!
xoxo

Told you so.  Absolutely pretty people.

Bye-Bye, Latte.

"I orchestrate my mornings to the tune of coffee".
-Terri Guillemets

Good-bye, latte.  For the life of me I cannot understand the reason why my stomach rejects caffeine.  Okay, well, maybe I do understand.  Darn you, gastritis.  Acid problems, got 'em!  I'll go weeks without drinking a caffeinated latte and I slip one time, ONE time and it's done.  Like today, silly me assumed that having a regular latte would be fine (it didn't take much convincing).  It wasn't.  Not even a little.  My stomach right now, burning.  Burning, I tell you.  Tums?  Doesn't work.  Alka Seltzer?  Hasn't done its job.  The worst part is that this pain, well, it normally runs for hours only stopping at around 6:00 in the morning.  I have to be at work at 8:30.  You do the calculation.  I've made many pacts with myself.  "Renata, NO MORE COFFEE (decaf or not), ever", but I am weak.  I falter when exposed to delicious lattes.  So, here I am, once again telling myself to stay clear of those yummy french vanilla drinks.  And, I figured that if I somehow shared my plight I'd be more inclined to avoid it all together.  Because, lets be honest, this burning sensation I have in my stomach is not a consequence I'd like to pay.  It just isn't worth it.  Delicious or not, feeling sick for hours on end isn't the way I'd like to spend my Sunday.  I am making a decision.  I am making a conscious decision to stay away from all things coffee.  I am sad, yes, very sad.  But, that is it for me.  No mas!  Tomorrow begins day one of my journey to a coffee detoxification.  I'll keep you posted!  Wish me luck!
xoxo

Smell ya later, baby!

"A woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting."
-Christian Dior

As Coco would say, "A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future."  Bravo, Coco, bravo!  The truest words ever spoken.  Some little girls paraded around with their mother's shoes.  I on the other hand took turns spraying all of the perfume on my mother's dresser.  Everyday a new scent.  Everyday a new me.  Perfume, it can do that to you.  It can transform you into someone you never knew you were.  A hidden you always scratching at the surface.  It can make you feel flirty and sexy and bold and daring.  Which is why I believe I haven't found my signature scent (and goodness I have tried).  How could I?  I am a person guided by her moods (like the moon, ya know?).  Each morning, each afternoon, each evening brings a new adventure.  Plus, who doesn't love a magnificently smelling woman?  And, let it be known that I am a lover of men's cologne as well, sometimes more so than a woman's perfume.  Weird, I know (it's those moods, they are cray, son!).  In the spirit of making all the women of the world smelling pretty, below are some of my absolute favorites.  Each and every one holds a little piece of my heart.  And, I am going to let you in on my little secret (lucky you).  You're welcome.  I mean, how often do you get complimented on how great you smell?  Me? Daily, darling.
xoxo

Chanel.  When it comes to perfume, Chanel does it absolutely right.
I love all Chanel, but, "Coco Mademoiselle" is my favorite.  Favorite.  Though "Chance" is a close runner up.  And, of course, "No. 5" for very special occasions.

Viktor & Rolf's "Flower Bomb" is the bomb diggity.  No effin' joke.  You must try!
Don't believe me?  Go to Sephora and buy the travel size.  You will not be disappointed.

As strange as this may sound I started wearing "Angel" in high school.  I used to tip-toe into my mother's room before school and bathe myself (well, that's what my mother claimed) in this sensual scent.  It brings back memories, sweet, sweet memories.

My mother gifted me with Prada "Candy" for my last birthday.  It was gone in less than six months, no joke.  I received compliments left and right while wearing it.  Literally, people would stop me to ask me what I was wearing.  It is that good ladies, trust me.

I was standing in line at starbucks, per usual, when the man standing in front of me turned suddenly to face me.  He had this look of awe on his face.  Needless to say, he freaked me out.  This man, the first words out of his mouth were, "I just have to tell you that you smell spectacular".  Um, thanks?  Okay, so, creepy guy totally flattered me (in a weird, please don't follow me, kinda way).

So, with "Gucci Rush" there exists a love/hate relationship.  I adore the scent it provides, but the memory it elicits, not so much.  Yet, I absolutely cannot deny its fabulousness.  Fab, fab, fab!  At the grocery line the other day the cashier stopped and asked, "What are you wearing? You smell amazing".  Yes, this is yet another one of those "must have" scents.  You'll have heads turning, no doubt.  However, it has been discontinued.  So, run, run, take your keys and hurry.   If you find it, snag it.  You won't regret it.

November, won't you stay?

"In London November isn't a month, it's a state of mind."
-Antal Szerb

Just stop.  Stop right where you are and savor this moment.  The last minutes of the first day in November.  November, the most fabulous month of the year.  With your beautiful colors and your crisp air.  Stay for awhile, please?  Bittersweet, November.  November, you bring the commencement of a new year.  A new year of life and a new year of marriage.  November, you bring along Thanksgiving and the anniversary of the day I was blessed with a little sister.  The second to last month of the year.  November, I love you.
Yeah, so, I may be a tad biased.  If you haven't figured out the day of my birth is in November.  November, you are filled with warmth.  A warmth I am unable to fully describe.  It's a feeling only felt by being surrounded by the purest form of love.  Love, it truly makes the world go round.  And, yeah, I may eat a little more this month than all the others.  Let's recap:  my birthday (cake), my anniversary (cake), my sister's birthday (more cake) and Thanksgiving (and yes, we eat cake here too).  I come from a family that finds that any occasion is an occasion for cake.  I am talking about extraordinarily delicious French cake.  From like a French bakery (if you want the deets, just ask).  Oh, yeah, amazing.  November, for you I will indulge.  It's all about feeling good, right?  Duh, of course I am right!

Let us welcome November with happiness.   November, welcome!
(I'll keep you updated on all my November shenanigans)
xoxo

Image courtesy of october-glory.tumblr.com

Taking applications for a house cleaner, takers?

"No woman gets an orgasm from shining the kitchen floor".
-Betty Freidan

Exhaustion.  That is the only word that can suffice what I am feeling at this moment.  Honestly, I can't even tell you where it stems from.  Iron deficiency, maybe?  A friend of mine said it's because I am being lazy (I beg to differ!).  She said, and I quote, "You had a good night's sleep, you can't be physically tired, you're just being lazy".  Um, excusez-moi?  I just laughed it off and asserted my original statement.  Nope, I think I just haven't had a sufficient intake of iron (that is my story and I am sticking to it).  Okay, but seriously.  How do you working mommas do it?  HOW-DO-YOU-DO-IT? Let a sister in on the secret (please?).  My world feels like it's always toppling over me.  Work, dinner, dishes (somehow I can't stop the urge of hand washing my dishes, crazy, I know), I barely have time to sleep.  Should I schedule sleep?  Like in my planner?  Soon I may have to.  Whoever decided 24 hours in a day was enough is crazy for cocoa puffs (I need like 30).  Everyday there is something left undone.  Everyday.  Right now I am pretty positive there is laundry to put away, laundry to fold, laundry to clean, laundry, laundry and more laundry.  It never ends.  Can you point me to the closest nudist colony?  The more clothes I wash the less I want to wear them.  I'm a bit extreme, and?  I am in the middle of reading two books and can't seem to find the time to finish either one of them.  When I do have time it is almost midnight (uber late for this gal).  And, to some of you night owls that may seem early, but, I need my sleep.  Particularly an uninterrupted eight hours (I hear my bed calling me now).  Is it really that horrible that I want a house cleaner?  I mean, like, I am at work five days a week, eight hours a day (life is tough, man).  Who wants to have a little get together?  Anyone up for lessons on becoming a domestic woman?  You'll clean and I'll supervise?  I am an awesome instructor, trust me, awesome.  Well, if you change your mind, let me know!

(And, even though that isn't MY bed, it is a pretty accurate description of what my bed does look like-every morning.)
xoxo

Photo courtesy of daydreamlily.com

Get Your Dirty On.

"Me? I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of what I saw, I'm scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you. "
-Baby

Ah, this movie.  Dirty Dancing is the movie that no matter the time or day, if it happens to be on I will stop everything to watch it.  By everything I mean everything.  Like, I think I would forego a night on the town to watch it play on Lifetime.  I was the proud owner of the VHS, truth.  I made my mom watch it more times than she will admit, truth.  I used to pretend I was Baby and make my mom catch me in the pool, truth.  I had the biggest crush on Johnny, truth.  I still use the line, "Nobody puts Baby in the corner", truth.  Ugh, what can I say, movies with Patrick Swayze getting his dance on make me swoon.  And, trust me, it definitely gets better after the 700th time you've seen it.  Trust.  Lifetime, you've been slacking.  I can't even remember the last time you aired a version of "Dirty Dancing".  I feel the withdrawals starting to kick in.  Grey and Swayze were the original star crossed lovers.  Rich girl meets working-class boy, they fall in love, blah, blah, blah.  Obviously they end up together.  Then again who wouldn't stand up to their daddy when you've got a Johnny waiting for you?  Exactly.  And, though I adore this movie and its original cast, I wouldn't mind a remake.  Hmm, I can already imagine who would play my 2012 Johnny.  Who do you think would fill the shoes of Grey and Swayze?  
xoxo

Yeah, like this post WASN'T going to include the above picture.  Puh-lease.  That ending is what made the movie.

'Cause I've had the time of my life...
And I owe it all to you...