Magic, Mischief and M.A.C

I can’t tell you how excited I was to receive my invitation to the M.A.C make-up cocktail party and unveiling of the holiday collection. I am a self professed M.A.C. addict and I flip for any excuse to get dressed up! Magic, Mirth and Mischief was the theme of the event and the theme of the new holiday collection. The event itself was tons of fun and there were cocktails, appetizers, and of course lots of make-up. The invitation said to dress mischievous so I threw together the below ensemble.

A vintage sequin and beaded blouse my mother bought me for my birthday, a Jonathan Saunders for target mini skirt and a pair of hand-me down black pumps my little sister gave me. I love this vintage blouse and felt as though I was wearing chainmail because of the weight of the beading. My sister Alana was unsure of my look at first, but I went with my gut instinct on this one. She felt the wild print of the skirt warranted a plain solid color top. My sis-in-law Gianina said my outfit was festive and that “it goes” quoting Stacy London from What Not to Wear “ it doesn’t have to match, it just has to go.”

When I walked into the M.A.C store and was greeted by a 7 foot model in a baby pink sequin mini dress I knew I made the right wardrobe choice.

The holiday collection debuted a new “cremestick lipglass” lipgloss that is matte in color and dense in texture as compared to the original glossy sheer lipglass glosses. The collection featured mineralize eye shadow duos in dreamy sparkly colors. I was instantly drawn to an iridescent purple/gold combination called “under your spell.” Of course I took it home with me. We got to preview and purchase the holiday collection early before its official release nationwide in M.A.C. stores.

One of the most fun parts of the night was an adorably hot (possibly gay) male model who walked around the room with two silver balls asking the guests to pick one. It was obvious he really enjoyed walking around talking about “his balls!” Inside each ball were a stack of truth cards and a stack of dare cards. The highlight of my night was watching my Mother complete her dare by singing to the model and “staring passionately into his eyes” as the card demanded.

All in all it was a pretty fun night with my favorite girls and my favorite products, and I got to wear a fun and festive outfit. Maybe it was the cocktails, or the hot “boy bait” at the party but when I got in my car to leave the zipper of my blouse came all the way down and fell off my shoulders! That’s the risk of wearing vintage I suppose, the constant threat of a wardrobe malfunction ..talk about dressing mischievously!

Instant Gratification

It has been a hectic and emotional week for me. On friday I got to pick my dad up from the hospital after his three weeks there. As wonderful as it is to have him home its also alot of work and stress because he needs constant care and its hard to see him in bad shape. On saturday I met up with my friend Sarah and her daughter Marlee for a last hoorah before they move to Louisiana next week. This has been a really hard idea for me to get used to losing two of my bestfriends and their daughter who is the love of my life to Louisiana. I couldn't help but be extra emotional this week especially last night after saying my goodbyes.
I don't normally let myslef wallow or feel bad for myslef for too long so I have been trying to think of ways to snap out of my rut.
In following the secret I know the best thing to do to stop focusing on the negatives in your life is to focus on the positives and that means making a gratification list. The excersize is to list 100 things you are grateful for.. then when looking at all the great things in your life it makes it harder to focus on the few negatives.
Although its hard to come up with that many things I still find its a helpful process ..so here it goes !

1. My Dad being home!
2. his successful surgery
3. My mom keeping her sanity through all this
4. Alana being my comic relief
5. My brother being the man of the house
6. My sis in law going above and beyond...even calling the hospital for us to get info on my dad.
7. My brother's in laws ( The Giandurcos) for visiting my dad in the hospital and being concerned 8. My office/co-workers for being supportive and flexible with my time off to help dad.
9. The new puppy we got Alana for her bday
10.My cousin Mina for listening, sharing her bed, and her free dinner coupons

11. Samara for listening to me whine

12. Kim and Keiko for conference calls that make me smile

13. Gianina for telling me about the Dirty Dancing Dance I will perfect

14. Roshashana for starting new

15. My new Salsa friends for keeping my busy this past month and making me smile

16. Eisley and Elliot for constant cuteness and snuggliness

17. Having friends like Sarah and Dallas to miss

18. Marlee my little angel

19. our trip to halloween horror nights next weekend

20. My new salsa shoes which our in the mail

21. having two hello kitty halloween costumes to choose from

22. Mychelle for early morning driving to work convos

23. Amrita for anytime/anyday peptalks

24. Valarie for sending me pics of her exciting life in Hawaii and travel around the US.

25. The Office on DVD

26. Matza Ball soup

27. my adorable 290+ students

28. Having a job that has such an impact on peoples lives

29. Salsa dancing keeping me sane

30. Glee
31. Greek
32. South Park

33. New season of the Office

34. the clothes on Rachel Zoe

35. Project Runway

36. The small success of http://www.elliotandeisley.com/

37. My yoga class on monday/saturdays

38. My Pilates class on Wed/sundays

39. My amazing sense of humor

40. pumpkin spice lattes

41. meeting some awesome new friends

42. the sewing projects I cant wait to work on but never have time

43. The jewelry prjs I cant wait to work on but never have time

44. Alanas 23rd bday on Wed.

45. massages

46. sushi

47. plum wine

48. Harrypotter and the Deathly Hallows (78 pgs in)

49. My magazine subscriptions

50. my car running

51. the secret

52. G-d for giving me the faith to never give up hope

53. not having to drive to Miami to see my dad anymore

54. the excitement of whats to come

55. being able to laugh at myslef at least 10 times a day

56. fancy shoes

57. My memory foam mattress pads

58. Having people who care to read this blog

59. Gabys hispanic influence making me better at salsa

60. having every episode of Sex and The City on dvd

61. A new Sex and the city movie is being filmed

62. not being sick for once in mylife (lol)

63. satin sheets

64. Micheal Cera

65. Hello Kitty

66. Care Bears

67. the stack of books I cant wait to read next to my bed

68. being financially responsible

69. Mac Makeup

70. AVEDA and Vanessa for taming my hair

71. wearing mini skirts again

72. the beauty of Florida

73. being sent to Puerto Rico Twice for free

74. Target

75. my extensive wardrobe

77. Thrift store shopping

78. my raise

79. getting praise at work

80. sunbathing in my pool

81. the cheeseburgers at Le Tub

82. Indie Music

83. My theme song ( paper planes by MIA)

84. Dancing in my car

85. the steam room at the gym

86. Pedicures

87. being comfortable in my own skin

88. Jessica and her 4 yr old Jack who wants to marry me

89.hopefully getting to Hawaii this year

90. living 20 mins from the Beach

91. Having more than 10 absolutely amazing Best Friends

92. knowing every day has the capacity for greatness

93. almost forgot Family Guy

94. Forever 21

95. St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach

96. being inspired every day

97. the poetry of Dorian Laux

98. Jay-zs new album

99. Dashboard Confessional in concert in Nov.

100. Finding 100 things that make me happy

Hello Daddy

It is said that life happens while your making plans. Well when life happens blogging doesn't.... at least not in my universe. My life has been so unbelievably insane lately that the last thing I have had time to do is blog (sorry). I wasn't planning on blogging about this subject because it is so personal but it would feel wrong to blog about anything else at a time like this.

My dad has cancer.

And it has kinda been my whole life lately.

If you follow my blog then you may already know my belief in positive thinking but when I heard about my Dads kidney cancer I had no idea how to handle it. How do you process cancer positively?

After one initial long wander around Target dumbstruck and one hour long sob in the bathtub I got myself together.

The secret actually does cover the whole tragic circumstances topic, and so in following the secret I kept my dad focused on positivity and only allowed myself to think about his surgery and cancer as thinking about him healthy and happy after a successful surgery.I didnt cry and worry for the two months leading up to the surgery (which was 2 weeks ago) I kept strong with a steadfast belief that there was nothing to fear.

Even with my good thoughts and his positive outlook its still takes over your life and the stress effects you either way...for me its been a deep set tension in my back, an innability to have restful sleep, and a complete loss of appetite.

He had a successful surgery (thank G-d) ! And they believe the whole tumor is gone.

He even has kept up an upbeat outlook...but he has had some complications with his stomach and heart which will keep him in the hospital longer than expected and basically scared the stuff out of me. So I wanted to post some of my favorite pictures of my dad and hope that if anything the blog will generate more positive thoughts his way! I call this one "Hello Daddy" My Dad and his favorite cat Chance The morning of my dads biopsy he cut his hand and all I had was Hello Kitty bandaids that everyone at the hospital noticed.

The Runt

So it’s more than official that I am the runt of my litter. Both my siblings have always been in impeccable health and I have been plagued with issues even since childhood. As a kid I would get chronic bronchitis, the kind that took you out of school for two weeks at a time. And bad asthma that I used an inhaler for which eventually took me out of soccer. Then in middle school I would get sick so often that eventually I was rushed around to a number of ear, nose and throat specialists. Finally they concluded after 160 needle pricks to my arms and back that I was allergic to basically everything. I have allergies to trees, pollen, grasses, smoke (my mom is a smoker), alcohol, dogs, at the time cats (we had seven) and foods including corn and corn syrup… good bye regularly processed foods hello diabetic candy. No fun for a thirteen year old.
I was put on twice weekly allergy shots, which controlled my allergies pretty well for awhile, but soon the doctors decided I was in need of surgery. So at fourteen I had surgery on my sinuses, removal of my adenoids (like your tonsels) and to fix a deviated septum to improve my breathing. Baby pic of me and my immunity superior brother
During this time my siblings were happy and breathing fine. I am the only one of us who has ever needed surgery. Fast-forward to February of 2007. I was driving out of my office parking lot when I got t-boned on the driver’s side. The other driver was speeding and my car spun around and ended up in the other direction in the opposite lane of traffic. Honestly looking at the damage and direct hit of impact I probably shouldn’t be here. But I survived and had a torn spleen and managed to put my back into spasm. It took 3 days in hospital 30 days in bed rest and 3 months of twice weekly physical therapy but I made a full recovery.

Car wreck
I was doing fine until 2009. Then it seemed like everything in my body has just given up on me. I literally have been sick this entire year. I don’t even want to think about what my health insurance statement will look like at the end of this year with the amount of Dr’s visits and antibiotics I have been on.
I have in the last 7 months had two pelvic ultrasounds that revealed cysts on my ovaries, which means horrible issues relating to my cycle, too long too painful..bleh
Follow that up with having seven teeth drilled in January :(

Then in February the real problems began. This story is proof that even one small misstep can lead to months of problems.
I fell in January and cut my shin, arms, and legs. Soon after the fall I got this horrible infection on all the wounds. The doctors did everything to treat them, tests, multiple biopsies, and basically three months of increasingly strong antibiotics. Eventually while the other two healed one wound on my leg ( I nicknamed bubonic plague) got much worse. And nothing was working to make it better.
They considered cancer and staph infection. And one day I was actually sent home from the school I work at and ordered to see a doctor immediately because they swore I had a staph infection. And then they started doing all sorts of blood work wondering if there was something wrong with me that would cause it not to heal, diabetes? Something worse?
Honestly this was a horrible time. I was physically ill (nausea, vomiting) as a reaction to the antibiotic and it made me exhausted. And I had a huge disgusting painful wound.
Luckily the wound eventually closed and is still healing, they say up to a year before it fades. I stopped the antibiotic but even still two months after stopping the meds I have had a hard time with my tummy. Eat the wrong thing-vomit. It was like my tummy cant digest foods the way it once had. I tried to fix the problem myself by avoiding different foods because the last thing I wanted to do was go see another doctor.
Then this weekend I get the worst hayfever ever.. yay for allergies.
I basically try every allergy medicine I can find. Nothing helps. My nose is a faucet, my eyes are watery and I am hacking like a 80 yr old smoker. Sunday I tried zyrtec and right before bed capped it off with a generic liquid allergy medicine. This happy out door moment probably caused the hay fever
Monday 4:30 am body rejects allergy medicine. Uncontrolled vomiting, shaking, weakness, cold sweats.
This continues every two hours until Tuesday afternoon.
Back to doctors .. where I make a joke about always being a mystery because again she is baffled. I convince her there is no way I am pregnant and she does a white blood cell count and a virus check and decided my tum is in bad shape. Probably from antibiotics burning through it for so long. She put me on nexium… and it helped!
Still have crappy sinus/allergy whatever going on.. still dehydrated from not having anything in my system for two days but yay I can drink water again.
She said all the gastro-intestinal problems have pissed off my appendix so I am lucky it didn’t burst. Hopefully a month on nexium will improve the environment in my tummy and my appendix will like me again.
Let me remind you again that all this started with a trip down one stair in February! And that I am so the runt puppy of this family.

The Secret

So it has been a very long time since a post. Reason being I have been so busy living my life that I havent had time to document it in this way. Still I wanted to bare my soul just a bit .. i got the blogging itch today.

So I recently re read the secret and I must say I am a bit obsessed with its message of positive thinking. The whole positivity thing is not a new concept for me, as I had learned a few years ago that attitude truly is everything. But there are some foreign concepts I am trying to utilize in my daily life.

The first is un wavering belief. I suppose this what most religion is based off of but the unwavering part is what I have really been working at.

To believe against all opposition that the whole world is on your side, that no matter how bleek things may get the things you have asked from the universe are coming to you .. just keep belieiving.

I am trying. And so far the secret has paid out a few of the things I have asked for.. is it coincidence I suppose you can chock it up to that if you want but then you would be wavering in your belief right??

So far I have converted a few friends... and I guess only time will tell if it will have a profound impact on their lives.

But I wanted to share it with those of you who take the time to read this, especially those who will read it even though my posts have been few and far between.

Oh and here is a mini-update:

1. I have kept up with my New Years resolution to get back in shape ..down 20lbs! not gonna lie I miss my boobs :(

2. I have been reading.. havent read fifty books yet... but I read simultanueosly .. I am currently reading fifteen books... I know I am a freak.. but seperate from the secret I also finished the reader ..which was surprsiningly erotic and provocative.. I will watch movie tonight to see which was better.

3. http://www.elliotandeisley.com/ is doing very well.. I actually have been slacking in messaging people back and need to do some work on it this weekend.

4. As far as being more brave/outgoing in the boy dept.. I think I am doing okay .. but I still admit I am a 14 yr old when it comes to dating.. and I prob still have no clue when someone shows interest.

The secret is all about gratitude and focusing on what your thankful for in life over the few minor setbacks so I will leave you with some of my gratitude list....

my laptop and my kitty Eisley

My siblings- Alana, Adam , Gianina, Gino, and Gaby

Jack my four yr old Fiance.. its nice to have a back up plan

The Beach and fridays watching the ocean

My little neice Marlee and any time I can spend making her smile

Fashion Icons

So if it isnt already obvious I am very much a fashion addict. I think I was influenced by my idol Carrie Bradshaw, but I tend to be very experimental/expressive with my clothing options. I love dressing up and trying new things, with little regard for trends or what others may think of my fashion sense. (I have been called out for wearing an apron as a skirt, but seriuosly it was too pretty to stay in the kitchen!)

Make it Work

So last weekend I had the great fortune of meeting one of my fashion icons... the amazing Tim Gunn. My friend Christina invited my sister and I to the mall to the opening of a new Kate Spade store...and surprise Tim Gunn was the host of the event!

I was so overwhelmed with excitement that I basically rambled on about how much I love him and project runway and I wished I could have worn cuter outift...Tim assured me I did look cute(you can be the judge in the picture above) Tim was so nice and so sweet and the entire experience was pretty awesome.

Since I was blogging about Fashion Icons I thought I would include some more of my personal icons. Below are some pictures of me in clothing that my good friend Keiko designed. They are from her line Postlapsaria which you can find at www. postlapsaria.com.

Me ..my two baby neices and Keiko's adorable dress.
An adorable skirt Keiks made me

The above is a photo of Keiko, our friend Kim, and me (in my own clothes) messing around during their december trip home. This is what we do for fun seperate from making headbands, and watching twilight...We are all overgrown 5 year olds.

I was born in Manhatten Newyork (Fashion Central) and one of my parents neighbors was a fashion designer by the name of Lloyd Williams. Well last year I got to return to my roots and old neigborhood and when I got to my Brownstone, Lloyd was still on the directory, so as my Mom instructed me I rang him and said that I was the daughter of his old friends who had moved twenty years ago. Lloyd invited me and my friend Amrita up to his gorgeous apartment (note his satin couch) and we had a lovely conversation about New york, 911 and design.

A few months later while thrifting I came across this amazing vintage blouse and sure enough it was one of Lloyd's designs! The blouse meant even more to me considering how kind the designer was to me during my visit to the old neighborhood. I get compliments on this top whenever I wear this to work.

Dance Magic Dance

So it has been a long standing joke in my family that I dance like Elaine from Seinfeld....




which ofcourse is a damaging lie!!!!

Recently, though my name was cleared ... as after my brothers wedding in March both of my parents said I blew them away with my dance skills. Seriuosly, they were impressed..and i must say I have to agree... see for yourself....below

My humps...my lovely lady lumps..check em out

My first attempt at ballroom dancing

So as a Mothers Day gift I am taking my mom for salsa dance lessons. She has begged me for a year to go, and now I am the one who is really into it. I have wanted for awhile to take an actual dance class so that i can hone a skill, and have control of my body movements.

Salsa is way harder than I thought it would be, tonights class was level II which was much more intense than Level I. Funny enough my issues in my personal life, are the same as those on the dance floor. I have been told I cannot follow lead (IE too independent) and also I do not get close enough to my partner (IE I have my guard up at all times). I think that this dance class, in which you have to constantly switch partners and meet new people will open me up, and hopefully help me overcome my need to be in control and let someone lead on the dance floor, and maybe in life.