Christmas Dinner 2010

This year, I am going out on a limb and doing something a little different. Since, Mr. 1969 eats so much chicken and seafood due to my non-meat/pork lifestyle, I have decided to make him a fabulous MEAT lovers meal.

The menu involves this:

A Prime Rib Roast. What could be better for my steak loving husband on Christmas day? The problem? Uh…I’ve never made one and right now, this is what I have sitting in my fridge:

So, I am online studying recipes and techniques so I can take the basic premise and run with my own version come Jesus’ Birthday. I am probably going to utilize a combination of Ina Gartner/Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse’s Prime Rib recipes infusing the 1969 twist.

I plan on taking pictures as I go so I can share the outcome. Don’t be afraid to try something new and take on new challenges. That’s my mantra for 2011!

What are you having for Christmas Dinner?

Stepping Out

Forgive me as I sweep the cobwebs out of this blog. I have been MIA for a minute but am back, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

This past weekend, we packed the Tali boys up and sent them off to their Aunt’s house so we could celebrate our anniversary. They had a great weekend and went to Hershey Park (after we had already taken them to Dorney in the same week!).  They spent time with their family and we were determined to relax.

Mr. 1969 and I checked in to a hotel and enjoyed time to ourselves. We woke up when we wanted, we ate whatever and whenever we felt like it, we walked around and window shopped, took in some sights, went out for cocktails and dinner….yup, it was great. The best part was being able to do whatever we wanted with no worries about the boys. No deadlines. No rushing home to cook dinner. No, this is fun, but we need to go pick up the boys. Of course, Sunday evening, we couldn’t wait to pick up our little men but it truly was nice to have a break from our everyday routine.

As I reflect on the weekend, I realized that it was good for the boys to have a break from us too. They had a ball and when we came to get them, they asked if they could stay longer. They enjoyed being with all of their cousins and they probably really enjoyed the break from us. It reminded me of being a kid and the summers we spent (me and all of my cousins) at my Grandparents’ house. I loved those lazy summer days spent playing outside, building forts, eating barbeque and watermelon and camping out under the stars in their backyard. While I missed my mom and dad, it was nice to not be around them for a few weeks.

So many of us are tied to our daily roles. We wake up, go to work and come home. We check our Twit.ter, our Face.book, our blogs and stay in our routines. Sometimes, it’s nice to unplug, shake things up, turn things OFF and step outside. You really do need a break here and there from your roles and responsibilities. As I get older, I am tied to more and more gadgets. A Black.berry that enables me to be found 24 hours a day. A laptop that I carry around with me so I can check in and respond to demands. Technology is great but sometimes, I need to unplug. I need to go missing. I need to breathe.

After this weekend, I am feeling focused and alive. I loved reuniting with my boys. I loved having a date with the man I married. I loved dressing up. I enjoyed going out with absolutely no agenda. I enjoyed living my life.

I stepped out for a minute. Now I’m back.

The Randomness

I ran out at lunchtime to do a little shopping. My trip is coming up and I had to find a few dresses to wear.  I found two dresses but what I am totally excited about is that I picked up this pair of shoes and they are indeed the HOTNESS. Did I mention I picked them up on sale for $25 bucks???

Ben Rothlisberger better get suspended. If Plaxico Burress got jail time for carrying a loaded weapon and then shooting himself in the leg. I’m gonna need Big Ben to at least ride the bench for his 2nd complaint regarding being drunk and allegedly assaulting a young woman. Let’s see what the NFL commissioner decides.

I love Michelle Obama. I really do. Her outfits this week in Mexico City have been fabulous.

My Grandmother fell coming out of the shower and had to get 9 stitches in her head. *sigh*

I watched the first episode of Basketball Wives. I need that 30 minutes of my life back. Not one of those chicks is an actual wife. We have ex-wives, ex-fiancees, ex-baby mamas and one currently engaged chick. All these women did was sit around and talk about how hard their lives are and how they can’t associate with one of them because she is too hoochie-ish. *smh* Uh hello, you are all young ladies plucked out of obscurity from the hood…now driving Range Rovers, buying $3,000 outfits and crying on tv about how much you have to put up with being in the limelight. GET REAL….Hell, GET A JOB!

“I’m on a boat!”

You want workout motivation? Go Bathing suit shopping days before a trip where you will be seen by co-workers.

Pollen sucks.

Fresh, whatever happened to OSAG? *cough*

You ever have to work on a committee with someone who is “EXTRA”? Praying for the event to be over.

Why is this lady on Martha Stewart trying to explain what a Jolly Rancher is to Martha? Who doesn’t know what a Jolly Rancher is? Martha knows all 187 varieties of tomatoes but never had a green apple? C’mon son.

Where is Amadeo? *crickets*

Did I mention that my newly turned 8 year old son has three hairs under his armpit. I AM NOT READY FOR THIS.

Inspiring

I am sure most of you don’t watch Project Runway but I love this show. It continually amazes me how creative these contestants can be. They are all fashion designers and they want to win a chance to debut a collection at Fashion Week in NYC. In addition, they win a chunk of prize money to get their labels up and running.

Every week, they are given a design task and last night’s blew me away. They had to create an outfit out of NEWSPAPER. The winner totally impressed me. Can you believe she made this fierce coat completely out of newspaper?

Check out the other two dresses that were in the top three:

If you love Fashion, check out the show.

Goodbye old friend

It hurts me so much to part with you. We’ve been through so much together. Our first 5k, runs on the Drive, the gym treadmill in the winter, morning  rendezvous at St. Joe’s track. You have truly served me well. So well that it hurt me to throw you in the trash. I tried to talk myself into keeping you for housework and gardening. *sigh*

Unfortunately, I had to part ways. Cut you off cold turkey for another love. My first pair of non-Nike’s in 33 years.

I tried them on and it was love at first sight. I love any sneakers in either gray or black. I love raspberry pink. Did I mention the arch support? Ahhhh….the arch support.

I just came back from an afternoon run since I was out shopping this morning and yes, it’s official….I have a new love.

Stop The World

As I expected, I walked into utter chaos back in the office today. No time for blog hopping.

Let me share a few things running through my head.

The MJ funeral was extremely classy and a perfect mix of reflection and celebration. My heart goes out to his family, especially his mother and his children.

The Steve McNair situation….wow just wow. While details are still spilling out and we are not sure if this young lady was indeed the shooter, let me just say this. When you start a relationship with someone, recognize that individuals have feelings and some people can only be lied to or pushed so far before they snap. Be totally up front with your stuff. If that person is strictly physical…tell them that. Stop LYING and playing house with people that you do not plan on having a future with.  Be honest. I am so hoping his wife and children didn’t have to learn about this woman like we all did. *sigh*

And yeah, yeah…here is a Maxwell interview for those of you that care.  Not to mention, that cd is sold out EVERYWHERE. My girlfriend and I went walking last night and afterwards she wanted to swing by Target and get the cd….she was informed that they had sold out by 11am that day. LMAO! All over Facebook, people are saying the cd was sold out in their state. Love it!!! If you don’t have it, I am recommending it highly. Every song is perfection and when is the last time you bought a cd that you could just hit play on and walk away? If you have it…please know that he probably was dreaming of me when he wrote “Stop the World”……. don’t hate. Seriously, it’s HOT.

Lastly, my Mets absolutely SUCK. There, I said it.

Spring Essentials

I have been loving the re-emergence of sunshine here in Philadelphia and thinking about the summer season. Normally around this time of year, I go crazy trying to plot out all of my summer shopping. With the recession upon us, I am trying to scale back without sacrificing style and beauty. Today I am going to feature a few great summer items that I love for under $25.

1. Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen

For a great basic moisturizer with SPF under $10, you can’t beat this one. I actually also use the cleanser but that’s another story. Allure magazine (and many dermatologists) also rated this as one of their top picks for healthy skin. It is nourishing, doesn’t clog pores and has sunblock….what more do you want?

2. The Maxi dress

This style of dress is very flattering, absolutely comfortable and looks great at both casual events or something more dressy. You can rock it with heels or with flats. You can wear it with a ponytail and flip flops or with fab jewelry and a great clutch. Find a style that flatters your body and go for it.  This one is from Target and I saw it last week for $19. You can also score some great ones at Old Navy, TJ Maxx and Marshalls for under $25.  You can’t beat that with a bat.

3.  Metallic Sandal

Now, I am an admitted shoe snob. I HATE cheap shoes with a passion. However, I was in Tarjhay (actually buying a cute maxi dress) when I spotted these. First of all, they cost $19. The heel is covered in a great brown (they also come in black) canvas fabric…and they are beaded. I slipped them on and they are beyond comfortable (wedge heels). What a great shoe to run around in for the summer. They will look great with a sundress, jeans or shorts. Go get em.

4.  Cotton Pajamas

 

It’s going to be hot…what are you sleeping in (Fresh and Slish…don’t even answer, we already know)? I will be rocking these cotton pajamas for $22 bucks from Vicky Secrets.

5. Great swimsuits

Now the hardest thing to shop for in the summer is always the swimsuit. They are always overpriced. ALWAYS. My typical go to place for a marked down designer swimsuit is either TJ Maxx or Daffy’s. Recently, someone made me aware of the great swimsuit deals at Newport News (owned by Spiegel). Now, I have yet to order anything from this site and the clothing looks  suspect (if you shop from them and can shed some insight into the quality, let us know)….but a swimsuit for under $25? Why not? It’s something you only wear for the season right? Besides, this brown one piece with a little bling action on the top is very cute. I say it’s worth a try.

Wild Style

I don’t know what style is but I know I have my own. I don’t have to wear what everyone else is wearing.

Ugg boots? Nope, not my thing.

$250 name brand jeans? Only if I love em to death and I can find them on sale. Otherwise, nope.

The things I do love? Classic pieces. One great fitting pair of jeans. One classic fitted blazer. A great pair of boots or shoes. A nice bag.

IMO, when you have the basics, you can always pull a look together. I tend to incorporate my funkier pieces as accessories. I like a trendier bag, sometimes a trendy shoe or a great piece of jewelry. But my actual clothes are usually not anything screaming notice me.

I love good fit and I love color. As a caribbean woman, I have always been comfortable wearing colors. Yellows, greens, oranges, pinks, purples…..I love bright as long as it’s paired with neutrals. Tan, Chocolate, White, Gray, Navy or Black.

For example…..Today I wore my bright, kelly green trench coat over a tailored black suit. It’s not for everyone but hey, it’s my look and I love my pop of color.

Last night, Mr. 1969 and I were looking at pictures online from an event he went to last weekend. We were looking at some of the outfits.  Several of the women looked great and I complimented their outfits. A few were …AHEM….reminiscent of last year’s Holiday Party (remember the red and black bumblebee hair?). We started talking about individual style.

I told him that being overtly se.xy is not my look. You know how some woman can rock a skintight dress with killer heels and every man in the place will turn around and stare? Not me.

Then you have the trendsetters. They look like they just stepped out of the latest magazine? Everything hot in fashion is on their body? Not me.

So we were discussing what my style was. I told him that I wasn’t sure what I would call myself.

He laughed and said that I dress like an Uptown New Yorker. He said I can rock jeans, a shirt, a trench coat and sunglasses and look like I stepped out of a Starbucks on the Upper East Side. See, that’s why I love my husband. He gets me. So we have determined that I am Urban chic.

What is your personal style? Are you bohemian, park avenue, soccer mom, vintage? What vibe do you give off? Are you happy with your current style? And men, do you have a style?

Keeping up with 1969….

1969 is currently reading:

I just finished this book and loved it. The book is about Oscar, a 400 pound, sci-fi nerd from the Dominican Republic…living his life in New Jersey. It focuses on the story of his family and the fuku (curse) they are living under.

It appeals to my East Coast, Caribbean upbringing and my love of all books with rich, lush descriptive narratives weaved in with historical themes. Fabulous story.

1969 is currently listening to:

You know how you hear an old school song on the radio and then you have to dig the cd out of storage and start listening to it for the next two weeks? Yup….I am back in love with EPMD. LOL

Nothing beats pulling up to your Bougie Sorority meeting in your car blasting “So Whatchu Sayin?” and stepping out in your sharp diva outfit, with your pinky in the air……LMAO! I know my sorors are like….”WHO THE HELL IS THIS GHETTO CHICK?”

1969 is currently ROCKING:

Shorter Hair!

Curly:

STRAIGHT:

I heart….

Tina Fey

Tall black Riding Boots

A great pair of jeans

My son’s EVIL face….LOL

Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia

Swiss Fudge Cookies

Keith Olbermann

The New York Football GIANTS

Coffee

Steel Cut Oatmeal

Godschall’s Turkey Bacon

Nike’s

Maxwell (concert in two days!!!!!)

Crystal

Wolverine

Puppies

Hoodies