Sundance Part 2

Sundance Part 2 was just as superb as Part 1. The last weekend was Thursday evening through Sunday evening. More movies, meals and more!

Dinners at new restaurants- new experiences for me.
J&R Grille at The St Regis
The Farm at The Canyons
The Foundry Room at Sundance Resort
Prime Steakhouse on Main Street

The eggs Benedict with chorizo hash at brunch was amazing and the filet I had at Prime was honestly the best steak I remember ever having in my life. Yum! Really, really delicious Park City meals. I highly recommend he steaks at Prime.

All movies were pretty good too.
Low Down (drama)- pretty decent
Camp X-ray (drama)- excellent
They Came Together (comedy)- super funny
The One I Love (drama & comedy)- pretty good, interesting too

Good Q&A with Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd & Max Greenfield after "They Came Together". Fun!
Also had good times at the spa, shopping on Main Street & walking/shopping at Sundance Resort. Loved it. All of it.

Shannon and Vanessa were excellent company at Sundance Part 2.
Thanks Mr. Redford for an absolutely sensational Sundance 2014.

Sundance 2014

Sundance 2014 is living up to the expectations. Part 1 Thursday through Tuesday with Amy & Jen.  Movies, meals, celebrity stalking...

Friday- 2 films
"Whiplash" and "Through A Lens Darkly"
In between, Jen and I bar-hopped  while Amy napped

Saturday- 2 films
"Frank" and "Young Ones"
In between, spa time

Sunday- 2 films
"Documentary Shorts" and "Infinitely Polar Bear"
In between, shopping at Sundance resort

Monday- 2 films
"Bottle Rocket" and "White Bird in A Blizzard"
In between, relaxation time

Tuesday, shopping before airport drop off.
Wednesday, Darien time before the next round of girls arrive tomorrow.

Some of the celebrities sited include Miles Teller, Maggie Gyllenhall, Robert DeNiro, Gwenyth Paltrow, Luke Wilson & Shailene Woodley. Great movies- very Sundance Style.

Weather is great- sun shining in the mountains. Meals have been delish! Next up, Sundance Part 2.
Coming soon....

Organization of the New Year

6 days- less than 1 week- into 2014. I spent New Year's Day organizing my home and self (in general) for the new year. What does that mean.. Well, cleaned, organized closets, updated new calendar, planned vacations, ran all errands, created a new budget and when that was all done... Washed all rugs, organized all kitchen cabinets, cleaned out all drawers. You get the point. Feeling ready for the new year for sure.

Now that I am not traveling again for another 6 days, aside from work and sleep, not much to do. Of course, eat and exercise. But, as I watch TV, play Candy Crush and stalk on Facebook, I keep creating more lists in my head.

First list:
Beauty Products I Love & Cannot Live Without


Kiehl's Argan Hair Pak
The Body Shop Peppermint Foot Scrub & Foot Lotion
Moroccan Hair Oil
Yes To... (Blueberry, Grapefruit, or some other fruit) facial wipes
Cetaphil (good old basic sensitive facial cleanser- dermatologist recommended!)
Kiehl's facial moisturizer (basic or others)
Kiehl's flavored lip balms (love cranberry)
Kiehl's eye gel
The Body Shop body butter (love coconut)
OPI nail polish 
Fresh & Fresh Sugar perfume 
Cosmetics by Bobbi Brown, NARS & Urban Decay
          Faves are Bobbi blackberry lipstick and tinted moisturizer 
          NARS Orgasm and Sin blushes
          Any eyeliner or eyeshadow by Urban Decay
Bath & Body Works Anti-bacterial foam soap (love peach)
Secret clear gel deodorant (any fruit scent)
Almay oil-free eye make-up remover pads

As you can see, no shampoo or conditioner listed. Since my obvious favorite of Kiehl's, I love their hair products too,  but also switch between Aveda and Bumble & Bumble. Good stuff.

It's great to find products you love and can rely upon- and that are not crazy expensive. Some at the drug store and others at a specialty or department store- or on-line too.  Fun shopping.

With this said, you are now invited to look into my overloaded linen closet. Looks kinda like a Kiehl's and Body Shop factory!

New Year's Eve Planning

As my friend Steve says, New Year's Eve is for amateurs. I tend to agree so, my plan is usually to stay in- sometimes with friends and sometimes on my own (yes, with my little kitty- no crazy cat lady jokes please). She is a cuddly kitty.

As I was looking through Facebook, I noticed there is a "Happy Endings" marathon on TV.  Hmmm... Suddenly an evening of sparkling wine, sweats, TV comedy (love Casey Wilson!) & the ball drop at midnight sounds like the perfect way to ring in 2014.

After work, my plans are set!
Happy Pre-New Year everyone.
Be safe. Be happy. Be sparkly.

Henri Bendel Fan

For the past year plus, I have been obsessed with Henri Bendel. It's started with a bracelet I saw in In Style magazine that I requested for a gift from my Mom. She bought it plus more. Bracelets plural plus a ring and a coffee mug and a beach bag...

www.henribendel.com

This Christmas it looked like Henri vomited in my living room (thanks Mom & Dad!)
Jewelry, iPhone case, hair accessories, more jewelry, candles, purse.... AND luggage! The main event.
All in the recognizable brown & white striped boxes with brown & white polka dot bows. I'm in love.

I have been to the flagship store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan twice. Complete kid in a candy store.
Last time, Vanessa tagged along and bought jewelry for her girls. Of course with my approval.

There is no Henri store in Northern Cal, but there are a few in So Cal (work trips), Las Vegas & Mall of America in Minnesota.  Yeah. But I am partial to 5th Avenue.

Fashion galore. The website is great too. I can peruse for hours...
Check out the site on the link above.
Happy Shopping!

Merry Christmas To All &...

I love the Christmas season- Christmas Eve & Christmas Day especially. This year was no different.  Mom & Dad are here from Minnesota.  Work leading up to these days is very hectic, but once the holiday arrives, a input that behind me.

This year has been no exception. Some of my Christmas 2013 highlights:

Wine tasting before Christmas Eve dinner
Taco bar as a new Christmas Eve dinner (yummy)
Mom's cookies and pies
Lots & lots of fun Henri Bendel gifts
Hawaiian coconut & pineapple pancakes for Christmas breakfast
Rest and relaxation with the family

That's what the holiday season is all about to me. The joy of fun events and spending time with loved ones.
Next up, New Year's Eve...
'Tis the season again

All Around So Cal

Orange County, Inland empire, San Diego, the Valley, Burbank, Universal City... All places I spent time over a 6 day period last week.

It all kinda runs together, but let's see what I can remember as some recommendations.

The OC is not always as great as it sounds. I always thought "beach"- blame in the the shows  "The OC" and "Laguna Beach". It's not that exciting in general. But Disney is there.

Inland Empire... Found a great new place. Slater's 50/50. Burgers half ground beef and half ground bacon. Wow. Plus they had 102 bears on tap. Wow again. Did not experience either- just had wine- but will return. Burgers looked amazing.

San Diego was rainy. Bummer. Wish it was not... But after all, it was work time. Another time...

Thursday drove the coast the San Louis Obispo. Such a gorgeous drive. I think I could live  there.

LA weather is grand. Sites are pretty. Traffic sucks, but you deal with it. Love it there.

Good week- give Slater's 50/50 a try folks. I guess that's a wrap.

Malibu County Mart

I am in love with the Malibu County Mart. Ever since we hung out with Pierce Brosnan at the movies. Volcano I think.... Years ago. Anyway, something about it haunts me in a good way.

Oliver Peoples sunglasses. Planet Blue clothes. Malibu Kitchen. Marmalade Cafe. Across from the beach. Stopping to enjoy The Coffee Bean. Gelato. More boutiques. Heaven. Pure heaven.

This trip I picked up a new pair of Olivers. Imagine that. Plus the softest bell-bottom lounge pants from Planet Blue I have ever touched. Can't wait to lounge now.  Christmas?

Take a trip down the PCH. Worth it.

Holiday Weekend in LA

Chelsea Lately taping. Yummy dinners. Shopping. Grinchmas at Universal Studios. Malibu fun.

That is what this weekend has in store for Shannon and me in our Holiday in LA. Fun stuff.

After work Thursday and Friday, we played. The Chelsea taping was a bucket list item. Loved it. Chelsea. Chuey. Comedians. Thanks Shannon for getting tickets.

Last night we hung at The Grove. Love that outdoor mall- especially during the holidays. So festive. If you are there this week, check out the cork art honoring Cougar Town (show on TBS). And the fountain. And people watching.

For now, work is done for 2 days. Off to the gym so we can enjoy more tasty eats. Falalalala....

The Christmas Month

December 7... The first week of the most festive month of the year is also most complete.  I am lucky to be enjoying it in Honolulu, Hawaii. Yeah.

I do travel for work almost 3 weeks out of every month- give or take a few days.  People who do not travel for work think it's glamorous. For those of us who do, 3 words. IT IS NOT.

However, I do make the most of it. When I can. And I often have hilarious stories to boot. This beginning of December Hawaii trip is definitely on the "most of it".

Thanksgiving came and went in my retail whirlwind. Although, I did make a big turkey that was moderately successful. Worked all weekend and then off to Hawaii for work.  After 4 days of punching the clock, I get 1.5 days of blissful fun, sun & more in Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Yeah me!

After a fun evening, it's time for some exercise, beach, shopping, eating... Ooh-la-la!  Can't wait for more.
Happy December to all.