Celebrating My Birthday- Abroad Edition

Finally right?

When I went to NJ for my cousin, Kristin's daughter's 1st birthday party, we talked about going to Live! with Kelly a little bit.  She said she applied for tickets and I said if she got them I would definitely fly up and go.  Well in July she got the letter and sent me a message.  The Editor was out of town on business but I was pretty much decided to go a few minutes later.  Making it even more fun was the fact that the show we had tickets for was September 6th, two days after my birthday!  I booked my flights and then decided what to wear (thanks to everyone who voted!!), and hopped on a plane to Newark.

I'm not really one for surprises, but I don't like to ruin surprises either.  I'm kinda of a delay gratification type of girl.  Live! announces their guests about a week in advance but I didn't find out until Tuesday who the guests were on Thursday!  I did read all the spoilers about Michael Strahan being the new host though.  (And I'm  happy with that- he's great; Nick Lachey would have been good too).  This is Kristin & me's conversation about finding out the guests... (I'm the green, she's the white).

The guests ended up being Katie Couric, James Marsden, and two of the US Olympics Women's Soccer players.

The best thing about this trip was that I didn't have to think about anything other than how to get to Newark.  The Editor got a little more one-on-one time with Noah, though it broke my heart to leave him.  Especially at the airport when he said, "Baby going on the plane too?"  I had a few delays, but I was flying alone, with a carry-on only, and was reading Gone Girl so I was ok.  Another great thing about this trip was I got to spend time with Kristin's 15month old daughter, Paige one-on-one.  She's walking and talking and even learned how to sign 'more' while I was there.  So that was a lot of fun.

Thursday started early, I mean super early.  Our goal was to be in line around 7:30am.  Kristin's husband works in the city and takes the train every day.  So we were Going to Work with him and following his routine.  He got up around 4:30am, I got up at 4:45 and got in the shower at 4:50ish, and Kristin got up & in the shower 5-5:10am.  We were running about 10-15 minutes later than expected to leave the house at 6 but still doing great with time.  Kristin's mother-in-law watched Paige and arrived at 6am (Paige, like Noah wakes up at a more reasonable hour).  Before we left, I took our ticket to the show off the fridge and put it on top of all my bags.  We were going straight to the airport later in the day so I knew it would all make it into the car.

We drove to the Secaucus train station and got on a train for Penn Station.  While we were sitting on the train (still in the early early morn), Kristin started rummaging in her Louis Vuitton.  I had a feeling what was going on, but stayed calm.  I knew the Live! ticket made it into the car, certainly it was in her bag... or not.  So the ticket didn't make it with us into the city.  We got off the train and decided that Kristin's husband would go back to the car to look for it.  He had a monthly train pass.  So we stood around in Penn Station trying to be calm (not thinking that the ticket fell out of the car and blew away), trying to figure out what time we'd get to the studio, trying not to imagine having to sit (gasp) upstairs at Live!.  We decided that even if we didn't have the ticket we would go to the show.  We both had a photo of the ticket on our phones so we'd just give it a try.  No tears were shed but it came close.  In my mind I was thinking, "Really, I paid $250 to come here and not see Kelly???!!!"  But I tried to stay calm and blow it off like it was nothing.  This was a lot of thinking before 8am.  

We got a text that Kristin's husband had the ticket but the train wouldn't make it back to Penn Station until around 7:45.  We went up to check out the taxi line, ready to get in it and wait if necessary (luckily there was no line).  I texted the Editor (who was working before Noah woke up), and he Google mapped Penn Station to ABC Studios (1.9 miles, 10 min cab ride).  Still doing fine with time.

We got the ticket, got in a cab and started to have a little relief; expect for the damn seating in the studio.  We really didn't want to be upstairs, but at this point we were just happy to be going.  The taxi dropped us off in front of a line at ABC Studios and we jumped out.  Then I noticed the was for The Chew.  Seriously? Where was Kelly?  I remembered that when they show it on TV it's always on the corner so we went to the end of the street and got in line.  There were about 7 people in front of us and about 100 people inside the building.  It was 8:10am.  

Not too many people entered the building after us, which meant there were a lot of people in front of us.  We all got different colored tickets inside. What did the colors mean? Were some for upstairs?  Where are we sitting?  There were also two areas for people; one had about 50 people, the other was where we were with about 100.    One highlight of standing in line was Michael Strahan and his beautiful wife walked right by us (5ft away!).  So his hands are huge, but he's not as big as I thought he would be (but our family is really tall so 6'3" is normal).  Which got us thinking again... Was Kelly going to walk in too? Should we look out for her?  Just about now, Kristin let out a gasp.  Kelly?!! (Um, no! Of course, she was in hair & makeup already it was 8:15am).  It was  Rangers hockey player.

Waiting in line.

Finally the line started moving and we were going in!  (We did not volunteer to be bikini dance girls).  We were literally some of the last people in line and into the studio.  They handed out numbers for the phone caller to pick from 1-216.  We were 212 & 213.  But there were seats downstairs!!!!  We sat down in the front row, near the stairs where the guests come in from.  The audience director told us there were better seats, so we stood up and hunted them down.  But they were not next to each other (instead front & back).  So we returned to our original seats; we wanted to sit next to each other.  I knew the other seats were better, so I went back over and asked if anyone would move so we could sit next to each other.  One person said no but the other said yes!  We had great seats now!

best photo of the day taken by Kristin

Photos of the show: Michael Gellman, Kelly Ripa, Michael Strahan, Katie Couric, James Marsden, Jeremy Irons, two US Olympic Soccer Players (I forget their names), Kelly pretending to be Gellman playing tennis, Kelly talking to the birthday man in front of me.

The show was fun and Kelly is so beautiful and so tiny.  And Michael is so friendly and funny.  They shot the live show and then shot a video ad, pictures for a print ad, and then a guest spot with Jeremy Irons for the next week.   During commercial breaks they would come into the audience and ask questions.  When Michael asked about birthdays I wanted to answer but the guy in front of me was celebrating his 50th so he got attention from our area.   The guests weren't really friendly, in out and that was it.  Though the soccer players did take a photo with a girl in the audience.

In a blur it was over.  As we were leaving people were taking photos with Kelly and Michael and I wanted to say, "It's my birthday! Take a picture with me!"  Kelly literally walked right next to me as she was leaving the studio and said, "Bye, thanks for coming" looking right at me.  This was my opportunity to get a photo; it was my birthday after all.  But I totally froze.  I just starred at her.  And she looked at me and walked away.  And I seriously almost cried.

The Editor captured us on TV 5 times (of course, he knew what to look for).

But it was the best time ever!  And even though the morning started rough, it worked out perfectly!  We went to Macy's to visit Kristin's husband and out to lunch before getting back on the train.  I was at the airport at 1:30pm for a 3pm flight.  I didn't get home until after 8pm due to delays (again I was reading Gone Girl so it was okay) though I promised Noah I'd see him and I knew that wasn't going to happen.  I did get to talk to him on the phone.

I took a taxi home and when I walked in Noah was watching Sesame Street On Demand waiting up for me!  And he said, "Momma was at Kelly's house."  I wish!

Fashion Friday- Help Me Decide

If you've been reading recently, you know that my cousin, who is like a sister to me, got tickets to Live! with Kelly (and co-host to be decided Tuesday) and invited me to come along.  I leave on Wednesday and we will see the show on Thursday.  I'm getting really excited but cannot figure out what to wear.  And I know it doesn't really matter what I wear, I am not going to be on TV but still!

Fashion Friday- Help Me Decide! Vote in my poll or leave me a comment below letting me know which outfit below (shoes/jewelry can be switched around or suggest me something!) you like best.  Excuse the hair (we have been at Into The Mist at the Life & Science Museum) and the 'I'm going to kill you' look (Noah did not nap today).

Which Outfit?

Thanks!!

In case you want to know where I got anything.

Outfit 1: 

Top: Gigi's Boutique Raleigh

Jeans A: Ann Taylor Loft 

Necklace A: Bubble Necklace somewhere online
Shoes A: Kelly Green Wedge Franco Sarto

Jeans B: Hudson 'Beth' Jeans Nordstrom

Necklace B: Britta Bead Necklace Bridier Baubles
Shoes B: Nude Wedge Nine West

Outfit 2:
Top: Banana Republic

Jeans A: Ann Taylor Loft 

Necklace A: Bubble Necklace somewhere online

Jeans B: Ann Taylor Loft
Shoes B: Nude Wedge Nine West

Outfit 3:

Top: Ellison Bevello

Jeans A: Ann Taylor Loft 
Necklace A: Bubble Necklace somewhere online
Jeans B: Ann Taylor Loft
Belt: Ann Taylor Loft
Shoes B: Nude Wedge Nine West

Outfit 4:
Pants: Banana Republic
Top A & B: Ann Taylor Loft
Necklace A: Britta Bead Necklace Bridier Baubles
Necklace B: Bubble Necklace somewhere online
Shoes: Nude Wedge Nine West

Outfit 5:
Top: Banana Republic
Jeans B: Ann Taylor Loft
Necklace: Coco Necklace Bridier Baubles
Shoes: Nude Wedge Nine West

30+2 on 9-04

After Noah's birthday (and a cousin's birthday, a brother's birthday, a cousin's daughter's birthday, and my dad's birthday) it's MY Birthday!  I was due to be born on August 24th but am a September baby- happily.  When Noah was due on July 31st I wished, and hoped, and wished some more that he would be born in July.  My family has too many August birthdays, including one before his, but he was a late comer like myself.  

I actually really like my 9-04 birthday.  7 is my favorite number, but 9-04 is a close second.  Anytime I can catch 9:04 on the clock is like a little celebration. I actually say it out loud, even if I'm alone, "9-04!"  And by catch I don't mean seeing that it's 9:01 and then looking at the clock every so often to see if it's 9:04 yet.  I mean, happening to glance at the clock and see that it's 9:04 exactly.  And you know this happens at least once every couple of days.  I consider this very lucky because I'm a kind of a dork like that.

The best thing about my birthday is that it's always Labor Day week. So it's always a long weekend and short work week, even if my b-day doesn't fall on the actual holiday there are perks.  And it's always warm enough for the beach!

This year I'm turning 32 (yes, I'm a year older than my birthday twin- Beyonce).  Here are 3 things that I'm super excited about:

1- Jeffrey Lewis is returning to Bravo on Sept 4th for a new season of Flipping Out!  I LOVE Jeff Lewis and Flipping Out so I'm super excited.

2-  My cousin got 2 tickets to Live! with Kelly for Sept 6th.  I am flying up on the 5th and going to the show with her!  I love Kelly Ripa and watch this show (or DVR it) every day.  Noah loves Kelly too; he dances with her, likes the beach balls, the prize wheel, claps for her. It's too cute.  And now he'll get to watch to see if Mommy makes it on TV on Kelly's show.  I cannot even tell you how excited I am about this.  We found out about a month ago and it's all me and my cousin can talk about (who will be the co-host, who will be the guests, what is Kelly going to wear, will Mark Consuelos be there).  It's the perfect birthday present that just happened.  (Please help me figure out what to wear... I know ... not that it matters, I'm not going to be on TV... but still!)

3- Melissa Etheridge's new album is dropping on Sept 4th  Okay, I don't care about this AT ALL, but it's true and in keeping with my 3-2 theme I had to have something else.

And 2 things we are doing to celebrate:

1- The Husband & I have horseback ridden on my birthday before.  I rode for 8 years as a kid, so I love it.  This year, after scoping out Notes from a Mom in CH's fun day at Dead Broke Horse Farm I immediately said this is what I want to do on my birthday.  And we snagged a Groupon thanks to a friend looking out for me!  I cannot wait to ride a horse with Noah.  He's never ridden one before, but he did drive one in Raleigh after a visit to the Natural Science Museum and he loved it.

2- The Husband always gets me the most delicious strawberry custard cake with brownie crust from Goodberries for my birthday. It is so yummy, and I usually eat the whole thing over the course of two weeks.  This year I have requested asked nicely that he & Noah bake me some sort of birthday dessert (cake/cupcake/whatnot).  I cannot wait to see how this turns out! I am the baker in our family and as far as I know, the Husband hasn't baked anything before.  Luckily, Noah helps me out quite a bit and should be able to direct the Husband to where the Kitchenaid is and how to pour in the sugar.

Two weeks (and one day) until birthday!

EDIT: I just found out that Live! with Kelly is announcing their new permanent co-host on... 9-04! Another reason to celebrate!  Which means I'll be seeing their 3rd day on the job (officially). Who's it going to be- Nick Lachey or Michael Strahan?

Tuesday Love- Sunny Days

It's the last Tuesday of the month and I'm a little sad to say goodbye to my Tuesday Loves so I'm sure I'll be doing it again periodically in the future. I might even change the day from Tuesday!  Crazy wild, I know.

Between Live! with Kelly being on location in Oahu, Hawaii and two 70+ plus degree days here this week I am on a sunny summery kick.

1- Speaking of, I loved each and every one of Kelly Ripa's looks this week in Oahu.  Beautiful! And I really liked her extension hair up.  Holy tans- so jealous! Mark ain't bad either...

2- Little flippity flops for Noah along with sunny's!  I bought both of these from The Children's Place this week.  And madras swim trunks and rash guard from Gap- these are on my list for the next sale date. 

  

3- Rainbow sandals!  I'm in desperate need of a new pair- mine are at least 2 years old. I saw these 'Flirty" braided Rainbows at Nordstrom (when I was purchasing my new Toms ballet flats!) and they will be mine before summer comes around.  

4- Noah has always had little feet.  He still wears a size 5.5.  But I love his little feet and toes.  I have to give them lots of kisses every morning or whenever his feet are sock free.  I love that he crosses his ankles and feet when he eats in his highchair. But don't get me started on his toe nails- they are weird!

I feel like #5 should be a bonus edition- brace yourself.

5-  Rob Lowe.  That should be enough said, but I'll go further.  Frankly I can't resist.  While I love Rob all the time, I've been on a kick lately.    After reading Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy and seeing Rob co-host on Live! with Kelly recently I decided I had to see The West Wing.  I saw the first season on FX before Noah was born but that was it.  So the Husband bought me the first three seasons on DVD and I"m currently on episode 18 of season 2.  

So I've been seeing Rob pretty regularly on my TV but I found out this week that Rob was here!  In NC! In my town! He is taking his son on a college campus tour.  I totally freaked out and even though he took his son to Duke instead of UNC I was trying to stalk him. I actually watched the Duke VT game looking for him.  I was all over the Twitter.  I even Tweeted Rob- after much debate about what to say.  I asked the Husband if I thought Rob might call me (I don't really understand how the Twitter works).  I'm still waiting on a response; much in the way I'm still waiting on an email response from Tyrese regarding his BBQ circa 2000- but that is a story for another day.

I love Rob as Sam Seaborn and Governor Robert McCallister.  I started watching Brothers & Sisters because Rob joined the cast.  Something about adult Rob in a suit, though I do love 20's Rob in his playboy stage too.  

Favorite Rob movie- About Last Night

But I'm not a crazy super fan (or so I tell myself).  I don't always watch just because he's in it- though I do give it a look-see.  I do not watch Rob on Parks & Recs. I don't like his character and I cannot bring myself to watch the show.  I'm not a fan of Rob as Drew Peterson or as a mute in The Stand- CREEPY!

What's your favoriteRob movie or show?

And for those of you wondering if Noah wears his sunglassses?    

Flip flops to be determined...

Tuesday Love

Since Valentine's Day is next Tuesday, I'm going to try to give some Tuesday love out all month.  Things I am loving this week:

1- Bean Traders' Valentine's coffee menu- delicious! And of course, an added bonus is their play area for little ones which we visit at least once a week.

February Drink Specials

2- Spring Resort Wear spring lines for both Noah & me.  I need to stop myself before the only clothes I own are striped and boat necked.

Ann Taylor Loft 

The Children's Place  

3- The Yigal Azrouel dress Kelly Ripa wore on Live with Kelly Wednesday. (It can be yours for a mere $975)

4- The amazing hug Noah gives me each morning after I get him dressed.  When I pick him up from his crib he's too interested in trying to lay back down to give me any morning love; but after a diaper change and some new clothes I always get a great morning hug.

5- I LOVE that today is my baby boy's 18month birthday!

February 7, 2012

August 7, 2011

6- The last minute addition this morning- Noah called me 'Momma' for the first time today as I was walking to the breakfast table!

Spinning

Today I tried something new.  Spin Class!  I cannot think of the word 'spin' without thinking of Chris Rock and his joke on spinning rims ("They spinning, they spinning"), but that's unrelated.  I first started hearing a lot about spinning from Kelly Ripa on Live! with Regis & Kelly.  I'm a huge fan and always have been.  In fact, last weekend I finished Regis' book, How I Got This Way. I loved Regis with Kelly.  I think she is beautiful, smart, hilarious, a perfect representative of barely B-cup and under crowd, and incredibly fit.  She talks about spinning a lot and by the looks of it- she spins a lot.    Striving to be in amazing shape again, I've always thought about trying spinning.

Then, a few months ago a friend told me she got a spinning Groupon at a place minutes from my house.  A month later I found our babysitter spins here.  So I finally signed up for my first free class and had to wait two weeks for an open spot, and 11am on a Saturday morning would not have been my first choice!  My friend who is a regular was supposed to go with me, but had a scheduling conflict.  Now I had to either not go, or try it alone.  I hate going new places alone- I think I'm too self conscious.  It's easier with Noah- I have him to talk to, tend to, and be my buffer.  But Noah cannot spin with me... 

I was up late on Friday night watching Rob in The West Wing, which probably wasn't a great idea.  I hemmed and hawed all morning about being tired, and scared, etc.  But off to Sync Studio I went, and I was scared- both to try this intense workout and to go to a new place alone!  After parking I didn't turn off the car.  I just sat there; honestly, I thought I was going to turn around and go home.  I gathered up some courage and went in.  The Sync Studio people were so nice.  Jason got me set up on a bike after 3 tries.  The instructor, Kyle, came over and introduced himself and even the ladies in the class were super friendly.  There were a few men too, but it was 90% women.  Looking around, I felt comfortable.  Everyone was a different age and a different size and shape; I was happy not to see a bunch of Kelly Ripas!  15 minutes into the class I was beat; I swore I couldn't go on.  I did, but I wasn't paying as much attention to ups, downs, shoulder dips, left knee leads; I was paying attention to peddling- just keep peddling, don't stop!  It certainly helped that my foot was stuck in the peddle.  This is the hardest workout I've ever done hands down! I thought I was kinda fit- I am NOT.  I haven't been this tired in a long time- I took a nap today! But US Weekly said spinning burns 560 calories an hour, with a picture of Kelly no less (I saw this Friday at the hair salon).  Will I go back?  I should, I don't necessarily  want  to, but I do want to conquer the bike and get better. 

The Family tried something new tonight too.  We ate at Fish Shack when it was open and were sad to see it go, but were very intrigued to see Nanataco in it's place.  It's been our list, but when The Stir Crazies reviewed it last week we moved it up.  It was better than Fish Shack and we'll definitely be back!  Guacamole, Fish Tacos, and Chicken Tacos- YUM.  Plus we hopped over to LoYo for dessert.  Noah ate pineapple, black beans, a bite of chicken, and blueberries for dessert.  At least it was something- this kid doesn't know what's good.