"Hunker down"

was my favorite expression used in regards to Irene.

Photo Credit

We survived. There were rains, there were winds, but the island of Manhattan remained rather unscathed. We didn't lose power and I slept right through most of the storm. Areas in BK, Queens, LI, and areas just north of the city were hit pretty hard, but here in the city, we survived. My main concern upon seeing the sun come out was, "Will there be Sunday brunch today?"

Poor VA was hit pretty hard. Luckily everyone is safe, but A TON of trees are down all over and they're being told they'll be out of power for 2 weeks.

Thanks a ton for checking up on us with all the calls/texts! I'm lucky to have the most thoughtful friends and family! I love you all and I'm glad to hear everyone is safe and sound.

Love,

~Kare*

Rock me like a hurricane

This is what I remember from the last tropical storm we experienced:

Flooding.

23 people staying in our tiny tri-level.

No power for 2wks.

High water/mold lines.

Bene being preggers and uncomfortably sleeping on our love seat. And crying over her apt flooding.

A tree falling through Toya's roof.

The boys wearing poncho's and heading out in the truck to rescue people.

Going to my first day of work the next day in Ben's scrubs only to find out we were closed.

Those of us who decided to stay in the city and brave it out may very well be just plain stupid, but hopefully we're over estimating Irene's strength. The city's mass transit was shut down today at noon and lower Manhattan has already been evacuated. I'm about 2 blocks away from any evacuation zones and am prepared for no power. And by prepared I mean, I have showered, washed my hair, blow dried it, curled it, and baked cookies. That's right. The epitome of emergency preparedness. My 42hr kit consists of some bottled water, PB&H, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (seriously, this may be what it takes to get me through that damn book). Sadly, Va has already had 2 deaths related to Irene, but my parents are safe & sound without power, but with close friends, a chief, and two cute puppies. Brace yourselves NYC, this could get ugly.

On that note, Ryan Gosling, Jason Sudeikis, or any other attractive, funny, & successful men who may have to evacuate their apts... you're welcome to come stay with me. I have cookies. I'm at 96th and Lex... See you soon.

Love,

~Kare*

THE BIG 5-0!

Let's talk about something I just brushed right over.

Kerny's 50th!!!

I had plans to go home to celebrate with her over jewelry making and sun bathing, but Beyonce kind of trumped a 6hour bus ride and so Kern's birthday got hi-jacked.

Seriously, it's not my fault. I blame Beyonce.

Kerny is like Sean Connery. She doesn't get older, she just gets better.

I know they don't understand it, but this picture of my parents is one of my most favorite pictures of all time. I just love seeing my mom laugh SO hard that she's about to lose whatever she's chewing/drinking on. And I love that it is my Dad (with his custom-fit goofy-teeth) that is making her laugh so hard.

Kerny,

Thanks for always coming to visit me in NYC.

Thanks for going with me to my first Michael Buble concert (even though it was 4hours away and we didn't even sit together in the end).

Thanks for always fixing my jewelry, and buying me pretty things.

Thanks for thinking I'm funny... at least sometimes.

Thanks for always wanting to shop with me and always wanting me to shop with you.

Thanks for being possibly the most thoughtful person I know.

And Kern, thanks for giving your whole self, and practically your whole life, to your children and your husband. It's all you've wanted since you were a little girl was to be a mom and wife and I'm sure we take the fun out of it and let you down from time to time, but you still show us all the love & support you have to offer, no matter what. That, I believe, is what you call the opposite of selfish and it is an amazing example to set. My only trouble is following it... sometimes, but I continue to try.

Love,

Your Kare, Your Legs,

Me*

A 'Happy Hour' with John Mulaney

(Yelena is the one to credit for this front row shot)

One mic, one stool, one man, one hour, TONS of laughs.

About a month ago, Diddz and I signed up for tickets to a Comedy Central filming of comedian John Mulaney's stand-up show, 'Happy Hour.' Diddy was the lucky recipient of 3 tickets. Luckily, whether she likes it or not, we're besties... so I still got to go! AND we might be on TV!

When we got into the theater, there was this crazy, intense, bossy, booking/audience lady looking people up and down and seating people where she saw put. She put us in the third row (YAY)... then eventually upgraded us to the 1st row (YAAAYYY)! We were convinced that it was because of our dashing good looks, which would have been our GREAT redemption from the drunkards behind us at Fryin' Pan grading us as 3's & 0's on a scale of hotness (RUDE). However, we shortly realized it was because we abided by the requested dress code and wore dark colors... Color me deflated. But it's ok, because we had a great view and A LOT of laughs... I was crying at one point I was laughing so hard! Anyway, I'll let you know when it's airing so that if our taping gets chosen, you can all watch us go into the ugly laugh on cable television. Y'welcome. There were two tapings and I'm assuming they'll pick the best out of 2. Hopefully our taping will get chosen!!!

(::crossing my fingers::)

Also, we saw many, many SNL cast members at this show including Jason Sudeikis and Seth Meyers. J-Suds and I had a full-on conversation with our eyes that went something like this...

His eyes: My love?

My eyes: 'Sup.

His eyes: I love you, but I don't want your friends to make a scene.

My eyes: It's cool. Lets just walk shoulder to shoulder until we're out of this crowd and ultimately go in different directions.

His eyes: I'd like that very much.

My eyes: Peace out.

His eyes: Don't leave...

...or something like that.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that he's totally in love with me.

Lots of Laughs,

~Legs*

Finished Pottery

This example made the pottery painting experience really awkward for me as I was expecting to be an African-American boy after all was said and done.

Jk, jk.

For real though, I present to you... our finished products.

Let's just say that if this were a contest, Yelz won by a long shot... Or should I say, "with flying colors!" Pun intended.

My dish however, will make the perfect serving dish for guac and/or tortilla chips and salsa. I obviously received NONE of my mother's artistic ability and I hate. But that's ok. There WILL be a chance for redemption with a round 2. And possible 3, 4, or maybe just a year-long membership. We definitely had a blast and cant wait to go again!

Love,

~Kare*

A real life conversation with Yelz...

Me: "Oh look that's TWO Ryan Goslings on that magazine!"

Yelz: "REEAALLY?! Because I'm totally more attracted to that one." (Pointing to the silly Ryan on the right)

She then proceeded to shop for her wedding dress in BRIDES (mag).

This is all totally normal behavior... Not.

And this was all after seeing the romantic comedy, "One Day," and before the three of us (Diddz was there too) took a romantic stroll along the East River to couple watch.

And we wonder why we're single...

-Please note the use of Easter colors on Yelz-

Love,

~Legs*

Pottery on 2nd

It's a shame that the best two dates I have ever been on/possibly will ever go on happened in the same day. And with females. (P.S. This is a post about my morning on the day of the Beyonce concert)

Remember this post? Apparently, Yelz has been wanting to go to a pottery place for YEARS... and since I'd never been either, it was the perfect 27th Bday pressie to her, from yours truly.

It took us forever just to pick out what we wanted to paint and then even longer to decide on our color schemes. Let's just say that Yelz is generally drawn to an Easter-themed range of colors whether it be wardrobe, interior design, nail polish, or... coffee mugs apparently.

The smocks were a bit of a necessity in my mind, but Yelena CHOSE to wear the child's penny-like smock intended for 5yr olds. Adorbs.

We were there a while and in that time we heard A LOT of Britney Spears and Celine Dion. They were both being looped on constant rotation and it helped us discover that a girls' Vegas trip to see Celine in concert definitely needs to be in our near future. I digress...

5 HOURS later... That's right. 5 hours after getting there, we were finally finished with our creations.

Listen, I didnt want to have to be the one to say it, but we sure showed up those 7 yr olds at the table across from us. Amateurs. Seriously.

Our things will be ready on Monday and I'll post the final products after we've retrieved them.

~Legs*

I wish I could figure out why these images appear a bit grainy on here. They are crystal clear on my camera and uploaded to my iphoto?... mind-boggled.

Bootylicious

"I want to sparkle like a sexy baby on toddlers and tiaras."

That's how the conversation went regarding my attire for the Beyonce concert. Laura probably wanted to break up with me at that very moment - I dont believe she realized what she'd gotten herself into by inviting me along to the aforementioned, sold out, Beyonce concert! I believe Beyonce had this same request though... I'm sure of it. Just look at that dress!

I dont think I mentioned it in the last post, but tickets to this concert, "An Intimate Night with Beyonce," started out at $350 and sold out in 22 seconds. It was to be at the Roseland Ballroom which is TINY in comparison to the venues B usually sells out... like Madison Square Garden.

The Roseland holds something like 3000 people where MSG seats I think 175,000... I dont know. Dont quote me on those numbers, but let's just say it's a big difference and it was a privilege for Lu to think of me when she got the email offering her tickets. I'm a lucky girl!

Here's a shocker: turns out, I may love B more than Jay which was surprising even to me, but it's true. Granted when I went back stage at Jay-Z, it all happened so fast [I'm lounging in my underwear (per usual) when I get the text from Sam to "hustle down to MSG... there's a sticky-pass @ the employee entrance with your name on it."] that I had no time for build up. Knowing that I was going to the Beyonce concert had me on clouds for DAYS leading up to the main event! I even canceled on my plans to be home for my sweet Mamma's 50th Birthday (and 'The Worst Daughter Ever Award' goes to...), but in the words of my sweet Dad, "Karen, you'll be her mother everyday for the rest of her life. Beyonce only comes around once in a lifetime." True Dad. Harsh, but true.

Can I just say that this concert was everything I'd hoped it would be and more! She (Beyonce, duh) started with a little background info on her life and career, which meant Destiny's Child, which of course meant she sang a bit of my adolescence. All of the oldies (but goodies)... like... Yeah Yeah Yeah, Say My Name, Bills Bills Bills, Independent Woman, Bootylicious, Survivor. I was a mad woman! A crazed fan, singing every word as if it were still 1998.

Then she moseyed on into her solo career which included Me & My Boyfriend (her first collabo w/J... swoon), and an AMAZE rendition of Crazy in Love that killed me and then brought be back to life again with booty-pops. You know, kinda like how Tinkerbell is brought back to life with clapping (on the stage version anyway), Beyonce slowed down the intro and made it all melty and gooey 'til I died. Then came the chorus and the booty-pops and BOOM! I'm alive! You don't understand, or maybe you do, that I LIVED for the Dangerously in Love album as a teenager... and still kinda do! She then went onto Bday and let the audience sing practically every word of Irreplaceable... she maybe sang two words. And then she showed us her 4th album which was all unfamiliar to me (except Who Run the World). My faves were a song with a little Chi-Lites sample and a second, totally fun, retro-funk/motown, dance song. Then I kinda loved Countdown too, which I believe is what she ended the show with if my memory serves me correctly.

Sometimes it is almost just as fun getting ready for nights like this as the night itself. Laura and I tried different hairstyles, outfits, jewels, and heels, before deciding on our final looks. You know I'm going somewhere when I bust out the iron. I dont even iron for weddings.

BTW, at an "intimate" beyonce concert is not the best time to tell your girlfriend that you have a crazy fancy digital SLR camera that you "just never take out anymore". I'm an idiot.

(Click on those to be larger)

Lady Gaga showed up a little before the show started and when the DJ started playing her music, she was dancing and waving to the crowd like a good sport.

She's Lady Gaga, right? So of course she showed up in a HUUUUUUUGE Miss Muffet hat. I call it that because it looked like the tuffet Ms. Muffet sat on. Or a push pin cushion. She was on the balcony with us (ahem... and all the other VIPs, NBD). As soon as the show started, the Gags politely took her hat off - probably so the people behind her could see - and enjoyed the show with the rest of us. She was standing on her stool and fist-pumping like the little guidette that she is. Beat that beat, Gaga. Seriously, she was just as much a fan as anyone.

Other attendees were JHud, Kanye, and Jay-Z, however, I didnt see any of them. I did see Duffy who is just as dimply and wide-smiled as you'd expect her to be. Seriously stunning, that one.

Thank you Lu for taking me!!! It was the perfect New York City night for one of the most exciting events of all time with one of my best girlfriends! Be warned, I will possibly never be able to return the favor being as nothing this cool ever happens in dentistry.

Love,

~Kare*

P.S. Photo credits are a majority due to Laura seeing as my point and shoot was taking terrible pics and I didnt bring out "the big gun."

Let me take you on a trip to Westchester

On Saturday morning, after Yelzie's bday celebration, Diddz and I headed up north to see Minners (little Jeanna) in Westchester. It is such an easy, relaxing, and BEAUTIFUL trip that we really must take more often. It's only an hour long train ride, for crying out loud!

The first thing we did upon arriving to Minnie's sweet little hometown was attend the Italian festival that was predominantly in Spanish. Confusing, I know. We ate lunch outside in the GORGEOUS weather that was Saturday, roamed the street fair, and went in some cutie little shops.

Good to know Elvis is alive and well via all-in-one accessories in Westchester.

After the fair, we went to meet up with Ms. Zoey - Jeanna and Steve's cutie pup.

Then we headed to a lookout spot at Bear Mountain for some perspective on life.

Apparently life is over rated.

(That is my absolute favorite picture of the entire weekend. And it makes me laugh. EVERYTIME.)

The plan for that night was to head to Connecticut for a Bluefish game and to hang with the boys afterwards. They left us tickets down at the gate and we had great seats behind home plate. Thanks boys! The game however went on for over 5hrs start to finish and went 5 innings into overtime. Needless to say, we headed straight home after saying hello at the clubhouse. They did win in the end though, so go Bluefish!

Collin batting...

Chris pitching...

After the hour trip back home (thanks guys for sticking it out that long), we fell asleep to the rain and slept with the windows opened all night. It was the perfect out-of-the-city, over-night.

In the morning, we awoke to Minnie's magical view from her bedroom. I would have no problem waking up to a horse-filled pasture EVERY morning! No problem at all (sadly there are no pictures of that).

After a slow morning, a breakfast out, and a romp at the Goodwill, we stayed out of the rain and curled up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn to look through Jeanna's old family photo albums.

This is how we curl up on the couch. That's normal, right?

Jeanna's family photo albums are amazing! Truly! One of the best gems was a picture of her school class on halloween. Out of a line of girls dressed up as a princess, a flapper, a bride, and a ballerina, Minz stood out in her Peacock costume. She's a winner. An adorable, adorable, and miniature (hence the nickname) winner.

Also, any picture of her with her bro, John, is priceless.

Dont you feel like/wish you'd gone on this trip with us?! It's safe to say that I love Katonah, and these girls, {thiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much}.

It's more than it seems, I promise.

Love,

~Kare*