Civil unrest? I’ve got a mask for that…

30 Oct 2020 Leave a comment

by wifemothereventplanner in I need to tell you about this right now Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’m not trying to make light of things. I know next week is the election. I know people are on edge and this is no joking matter. I’m with you. I get it.

I don’t know if next week will be a big nothing burger and I should make my doctor’s appointment or wait to see if riots break out. Strange times. That’s why today I’ll give you a historic lesson on voting in America…not! The only voting I can fully explain is how an American Idol is picked.

Here’s what I can do. I can make you think about frivolity for just 5 minutes. Join me in a little distraction why don’t you. A little respite from reality. Not at a Kardashian level (that was crazy, did you see it? Private island! Holograms of dead dads! Nuts).

If you are like me, you’ve done a lot of online shopping during the past few months. I’ve done more than usual. And I buy all kinds of crap. In the documentary, The Social Dilemma (did you see this? Even scarier than the Kardashians fiddling away while Rome burns). Anyway one of the creators of Instagram says that social media is now just a mall. She’s so right. It’s just so easy. And there’s been nothing to do, and nowhere to go.

One of my best qualities is that I don’t discriminate where I buy clothes from. Did you know Costco sells dresses? I do. I’ve worn one to a big meeting at work. I’ve worn Walmart pjs as a dress too (no one knew). I have no shame. Online is no different. I’ll buy from Bergdorf’s, QVC, China – I don’t care. I’ll buy it all. It’s the same with beauty products. I’ll buy almost anything from almost anywhere.

So here’s what I’ve gotten recently and my two cents on it:

I’ll start with my favorite. My son Jack gave this to me as a birthday present back in May and I used it up in just a few weeks. I’m on bottle number 3 now. It’s so so good – exfoliates, makes your skin brighter, tingles a bit and smells like pumpkin! Very on brand for this time of year. Get yourself some asap. Worth all $60.

This stuff is AMAZING. Quai pronounced KAY? QWAY? QWO? I dunno. But it’s so good. Rose hair and body oil that I also use on my face. I’m like an oil slick at night. It’s attractive. This was like $16 – and a little goes a long way. It smells lightly of rose and sinks right into your skin and hair. Heaven. If heaven was a rose oil.

This next purchase happened because I follow Goop on Instagram. The first 1,000 times they advertised it I looked away. Then I gave in and got it. It’s $55 for a big fat tub. The ads had these really crunchy women in short shorts lathering on huge amounts. They seemed really moisturized. I am still using it, but it’s just meh. Just ok. I wouldn’t spend the money. My search for a good all body moisturizer continues. I’ll keep you posted.

This. THIS. Have you used it? Do you hate it? This came from my daughter’s stash. She tried it once and had to remove it immediately. It burned too much. If you know me, you know this was music to my ears. Burned you say? Like a layer of skin off? Sign me up! And she’s right. It’s highly uncomfortable. I love it. Reviews all agree with Kera. No one likes it. I’ll definitely be buying it again. $15. Go get it. I dare you.

We were late to this game. I know many of you already knew about this but I’d never heard of Dr. Bronner’s! Holy moly it’s good. Is it scary that I can use it as a body soap and then use it to remove soap scum in the shower? Why yes it is! But as stated above, if it’s tingly…it’s for me. Buy the bottle for your reading pleasure alone. A giant bottle is $10. I’ve been using this one since May. No joke

Last but not least. These cooling water eye patches are the best. And I’ve tried many. These are the best. They cool. They calm. I love them so much I put them on to write this blog.

Happy weekend everyone. Deep breaths. xoxo

Shaking sh&t up

20 Mar 2017 4 Comments

by wifemothereventplanner in Brave New World Tags: , , , , , , , ,

These past few months have been a cocoon of work and home and work. The biggest excitement I’ve had is finding a new show to watch (Atlanta!). Other than that it’s been the usual post holiday hibernation. Which I actually love.

But not today. Today I shook sh&t up.

That’s what my husband calls it. We’ve done it before.

Hey we’re in our 20s and have no prospects for the future… let’s have a baby!

Hey there’s a new job that requires us to uproot our family and move to a town where we don’t know anyone…let’s do it!

Hey husband…you should leave your crappy but stable job and start your own business!

You get the point.

So at 5:15pm today I went for it.

Only this time it wasn’t as crazy as moving or quitting my job.

I got a haircut. A big big haircut.

Like all my hair gone haircut.

This is what the salon looked like afterwards. Like a hair crime scene.

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It was so much hair that other stylists came over to talk to my stylist.

“I never get to have fun like that,” they said

“Ugh! My person wanted an 8th of an inch taken off,” they cried

Not me. You could have made a tiny wig with my leftover hair.

Why you ask? What made me do it?  I truthfully decided on getting this cut about 2 weeks ago.

Here’s the part where I share the story and you try hard to not think I’m crazy.

For the 25+ years I’ve known my husband he’s tried to get me jewelry. Sometimes it’s completely right-on. Most times it’s…off. This is not news for him to hear. I’m good at a lot of things, but one of them is not pretending. My face shows all my truths instantly. He’s had his heart-broken by my narly look after many an important gift giving moment. Christmas morning. Birthday dinner. Valentines…you get it. I’m horrible. As you can also imagine after years of this kind of emotional gamble – he’s stopped. And I’m totally ok with it. And actually our gift giving to each other has kind of faded. Which sounds sad but it’s not. It’s awesome. It’s a relief. Judging yet? It’s ok. I’d judge us too.

But two weeks ago he surprised me with a set of beautiful, dreamy, totally me earrings. These earrings were made for me. They are simply the best gift I’ve ever gotten from him. The. Best. Almost like he’s waited for a decade to get me the perfect gift.

Cut to today. I started thinking about Thursday, when I’ve asked him to take me and my earrings out for dinner. I can’t wait. But something was off. You couldn’t really see my earrings because my hair had gotten super long and super out of control.

So I decided there was only one thing to do. Chop my hair.

When I showed my husband he laughed and said,”Look at you. Shaking sh&t up”

Yep. Always. Just like you taught me.




 

 

 

 

 

Hello old friend

11 Jul 2016 Leave a comment

by wifemothereventplanner in Brave New World Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Because it’s been a really tough few weeks in the world and I think you needed laugh.

Because this is what I looked like the summer before I went to college and I’m feeling nostalgic with my oldest going away in the fall.

Because even though that outfit seems pretty simple, I spent HOURS thinking about it.

Because those earrings were as heavy as they looked.

Because those shoulder pads didn’t even come with that shirt – I added them!

Because I was rocking a matte lipstick way before the Kardashians (thanks to Wet n Wild).

Because that hairstyle needed those sunglasses.

And mainly because I probably still own and wear some version of this outfit.

That’s why I’m sharing this picture that my sister found of me….hold on to your 80’s cause here I am!

  

 

Day 4

27 Aug 2015 6 Comments

by wifemothereventplanner in I need to tell you about this right now Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Sometimes on a Sunday morning, when we aren’t traveling or visiting family I like to go to my favorite place of worship – the blow out bar. No offense to the other places of worship but they don’t make me feel as good.

Do you have a blow out bar near you? Are you hooked? I used to go to my hair salon to get this done – but I always felt a little guilty. Like I was under utilizing the joint. No cut, no color, just a quick 30 minute procedure. A few months ago a friend told me about a new place that opened up near us (ok not NEAR, but you know, next town over). It’s a dream. Walk in walk out.

During my last visit, the stylist told me that I should be able to keep my hair in good condition – no washing – for 4 days. Four days. 96 hours without a shampoo.

I know my sister-in-law Colleen is gagging. She needs to wash her hair every day. I know my husband is wondering when I find time to go (I make time), and I know my friend Howard is reading this post and asking,” what is this F’ing post about?”.

It’s about not washing my hair for 4 days!!!

Here’s how she she convinced me:

  • She said hair goes through cycles, it’s dry then oily then dry. We are so panicked when it gets a little oily that we jump to washing it. But those oils aren’t dirt – your hair needs those oils.
  • Unless you are sweating during a workout or in sand or actual dirt – your hair stays clean a long time. Sweating during a workout. That’s hysterical.
  • If you are really grossed out by day 3 – use a dry shampoo to help refresh (although she thinks it’s not needed)
  • What’s the harm in trying? And you can sleep 20 more minutes. Done.

So I’m on day 4. Does it look as amazing as day 1? No. Do I have to tease it a bit to get some life – oh yes indeed.

I don’t know if I’ll do it again – it was tricky to shower every day without getting it wet. My shower felt incomplete. But extra sleep and no blow dryer in the morning is awful tempting.

Here’s a pic of day 4 (today) – not bad right? Look ma no greys!

mi frizz es su frizz

16 Jul 2013 4 Comments

by wifemothereventplanner in Brave New World Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s hot here.  It’s so hot and sticky and uncomfortable that when you’re in the shade and it’s a cool 99 degrees, you think you’re happy. You are delusional my friend. It’s still awful. I’ve made thinking about, complaining about, whining about the weather a full-time job.  That’s probably because my kids are both away so I have to fill my days obsessing about other things. Although I’m doing so much better than last year – here’s my camp tale from last year incase you missed it!

https://wifemothereventplanner.com/2012/07/22/hello-muddah-hello-faddah/

Anyway – back to the present. Because my nights aren’t spent bossing kids around or driving kids around or driving them crazy – I’ve been doing fun stuff. Stuff like not doing the laundry. Do you know how much fun you can have when you don’t do laundry? I’ve also been not cooking, not cleaning, and not leaving the house. It’s been a hoot.

I’ve also gone totally nuts and started using my kids’ bathroom. Note to self: add “having your own bathroom” to your list of things to look forward to when the kids move out. Ofcourse part of the fun of using their bathroom is using their products. Truthfully it’s my daughter’s products. My son uses whatever bottle he finds to wash everything from his hair to his toes. He once used just conditioner for a whole week. True story.

So while plundering her products – I discovered this little beauty.

IMG_6078

If you have sleek, smooth, frizz free hair – don’t use this product. But if you, like me, dream of the non-brillo head without a straightening iron – this is for you! If you read this blog regularly (thank you so much if you do) – you know that I have been trying to go “free” with my hair. No products. No blow-outs. No nothin’. It’s been rough. I’ve been wearing a lot of headbands. And hats. And paper bags.

After one use of this amazing, great smelling product, here’s what my hair looked like. Air dried. No products. I swear on my blog.

IMG_6075

Come on! Where’s the frizz??  Not here baby!!

Things that make you go….f**##%@!

17 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by wifemothereventplanner in I need to tell you about this right now Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Not a post. Just a thought.

Unless a store runs out of gifts (aka merchandise) – they should not run out of gift boxes.

To all those stores who try to “sell” me a box….for shame. FOR SHAME!!!

(I know many sad things have happened in our world and this is nothing. But I need to focus on something or else I’ll go mad!)

Girl, Uninterrupted

12 Oct 2012 6 Comments

by wifemothereventplanner in Brave New World Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Yesterday was “International Day of the Girl”. Did you know that? I didn’t. I thought it was “International Day of the Conference Call”.

CNN.com asked some of the most impressive women in the world what they’d tell their 15-year-old self. I won’t tell you how many times I tried to link that article to this post and failed. Just know that I tried.  WordPress is getting under my nerves. I digress.

Here’s what I would tell my 15-year-old self if I could:

  • Even though they are driving you crazy right now – your family will be the most important thing in your life.
  • Although you’ve been plotting to get the hell out of Pennsylvania – in about 20 years you’ll be back – and love it.
  • Be kind to everyone. You have no idea what they are going through.
  • In 4 years you’ll meet the man you’ll spend the rest of your life with. Sorry. It won’t be David Canfield. You’ll do much better.
  • Go get your eyebrows waxed. Today. Now.
  • All the reasons you think you’re goofy, dorky and weird will be all the reasons why people love you. Lighten up.

Not as eloquent as Melinda Gates or Oprah – but there you have it.

I couldn’t find a picture of myself at 15 – but here’s one that’s close enough. Yes, that’s a maroon velvet vest I’m wearing. There may or may not have been a matching skort on the bottom.

La Jolla, CA and other things I love

11 Oct 2012 1 Comment

by wifemothereventplanner in I need to tell you about this right now Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

October has always been a busy month. Busy and fun and my absolute favorite. The weather changes, there’s plenty of birthdays and reasons to get together.  And it’s the opening act for November – my next absolute favorite time of year.

I say all this as a massive excuse to why my last post was so long ago.  What happened to daily posts you ask? Same thing that happened to my diet – it went off a cliff. Actually, I may have pushed it off a cliff. I’m tired!

Let me catch you up. Here’s what I’ve been up to:

  • Went to La Jolla, CA and fell madly, deeply in love with San Diego.  I think I’m really a surfer dude inside (without all the physical activity)
  • Although I was there for work – I had a life changing make-up/product experience. More below. Thank you Kathy the make-up artist!
  • I’ve decided that living next to the ocean needs to be in my future.  I’ll have to clue my husband in on this plan.
  • Came home and swiftly over decorated for Halloween.  I need help.

This should be everyone’s view from work…

 

 

Or this…

 

When not staring at the ocean, I was staring at all the goodies our make-up artist brought. Her name was Kathy. She set me straight.

For the majority of my life I’ve been searching for the perfect lip color. In high school I wore a bright red lipstick every day – cause I was cool like that. Then I moved to a more bronzy brown for most of my 20’s. My 30’s were obsessed with finding the perfect nude lipstick (damn you Jennifer Lopez).  In my 40’s I’ve given up and gone with chapstick. And then Kathy walked into my life. Or I ran into her make-up bag – whatever.

In one quick minute she told me,”you can’t wear a nude shade on your lips. It doesn’t look good. You need a plum. Let me help you.” What followed is tears, joy, and triumph. Too much?

Here’s my perfect color.  I would never ever have guessed it.

 

Although these pictures are blurry – I told you I was excited – it was important to show you.  This lip liner went on like butter and stayed on all day. I’ve already bought some. Thank you Sephora and Lisa Watier.

 

Here’s some other random stuff in her bag that was genius. Yes, I went through her bag.

 

To the left, antiperspirant for your face.  Even in full on humidity and heat – your face stays completely matte and dry. To the right, the reason everyone on TV looks like they have perfect hair. Sigh.

So that’s it. That’s what I’ve been up to, in to, at. That and you know, work, motherhood, wifedom, etc.

And here’s a look at our front door. Christmas sweaters here I come!

Event Planning 101

22 Apr 2012 4 Comments

by wifemothereventplanner in Yes, I'm an event planner Tags: , , , , ,

This picture was taken at The Ritz in Denver.  It was a sample wedding setting.  I thought it was hideous.  Almost painfully ugly.

I walked by it and snapped a pic so I could make fun of it later, in detail.  About a second after I had taken the picture, two women walked by and said, “omg, that is stunning!”  While we were there that night – at least 5 other women commented on how great it looked.  Maybe I had better taste then them.  Maybe they didn’t really know what style was…or maybe I just needed to calm down.

I keep this picture on my phone to remind myself that just because I think it, doesn’t make it true.  It’s my opinion, a preference – not bible.  Amen.

Uniform explained

19 Apr 2012 4 Comments

by wifemothereventplanner in Brave New World Tags: , ,

I wear the same outfit every day.  I love it.  Black top, denim skirt (or jeans).  When I’m at work, I jazz it up a little – but not much.  Sometimes on a hot summer day I break out the grey.  That’s about it.  I feel no need to change – ever.  This picture explains why.

For most of my childhood I was Rainbow Bright.  That dress I’m wearing – bright pink with a turquoise sash?  It was reversible – no joke – flip side was turquoise with a pink sash.

Now please – go off and wear your yellows and greens.  More power to you.  But with any luck, I’ll be 90 and still wearing my uniform.

Side note….

Just look at my mom.  She looks so hip and beautiful.  This picture was taken when we lived in Queens (all Indians must live in Queens at some point, it’s a rule). The baby on her lap is my cousin – who is literally 8 feet tall now – really.