Three overplayed songs I love no matter what you say...

Well, I am a Jersey girl and I love all those great Jersey songs. Plus here in the great Garden State we are lucky enough to have a ton of radio stations playing everything from Sinatra to the latest hits.

These are the songs that I hear over and over again on my jersey radio while driving around the state. And everytime I hear them I crank up the volume and sing along.

Brandy by Looking Glass

There is something about the "One Hit Wonder" that you always remember the words and want to sing along. This song is the one that does it for me. I know that I have heard this song many times and yet, just a month ago, heard two new words that I have been singing wrong for the last 30 years.

My family and I have a funny story about this song. Our Jersey station plays music on the weekends only. When we take family car trips this is our station. Now matter what time of day we get into the car, at some point during the trip this song plays. We could be taking a 10 minute trip to the store or driving to the shore, but we always hear it.

My darling husband like to call it the "song from Hell" as it never dies. I just love it!

Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi

Once I saw Bon Jovi live there was no going back on this song.

It is the ultimate sing along song that this group has ever done. I think sometimes they were trying to write a Jersey song - you know, a couple struggling to build a better life - and they succeeded. You can't help but blast this loud and sing. Stop at a red light and people sing with you. Go to their concert and be part of 15,000 people singing this song.

And then see Jon and Richie smile at the crowd.

And try not to love this song then. I dare you.

Bruce Springsteen by Born to Run

This is the ultimate Jersey song, by the ultimate Jersey songwriter.

What is it about this song that no matter how many times you hear it, you want to hit the reset button and hear it again? Is it the driving guitar, the sax work of the Big Man...or just the lyrics.....

"...let me in I want to be your friend, I want to guard your dreams and visions"

What jersey girl (or any girl for that matter) does not want their love to feel this way about them?

Who doesn't want someone to "love you with all the madness in my soul"?

I just know that when I hear this song, I get happy and I get to think of all those great summers hanging out at the shore with my friends looking for someone to love me this way.

And now I have it.

Zumba Class - Here comes Miss Coordinated

Actually that should be miscoordinated.

I just finished Zumba class, my 4th attempt at "the easy, fun, Latin based way" to exercise and lose weight. That's for coordinated people.

Which apparently I am not.

Now, my darling husband has been telling me for years that I am uncoordinated and I have to agree. I mean, when I was learning to ride a bike I fell and split my tongue and when I walk in high heels, it's always an adventure. Right now, as a matter of fact, I have a bruised knee from tripping over my own feet walking down a sidewalk in Philadelphia.

I want to conquer this class. And I love to dance. I am not going to give up yet.

But I am feeling like Holly on "Dancing with the Stars". Like a match - hot on top, but wooden on the bottom.

Does anyone have hips they can lend me?

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I'm adding a Newletter!

I have been working on marketing my Decorating and Staging business - Devonshire Design, Ltd. - and I am pleased to announce that we are now starting a monthly newsletter!

This newsletter is truly a labor of love. We will be including tips on decorating your home, getting your home ready for sale, staging tips and best of all special offers to do business with our company.

I promise not to send it more than monthly and I promise to make each issue very interesting and full of good things (sorry Martha).

Like fast and easy art projects, or quick tips for organizing those problem areas, or what 5 steps should I take before I call a Realtor about selling my home?

Don't those all sound interesting? We think so.

So I am asking those of you who enjoy my design/staging posts and want to learn more about it to please subscribe. It's easy - see that widget in the upper right corner? Just fill it out.

You'll like what you get in return.

And if you don't?

Well, you can always unsubscribe. But don't yet...okay?

Moving forward with Staging

This was a very good weekend for moving forward with my Staging business. I am more energized now than I have ever been before.

When I made the decision to really up my marketing of my Interior Decorating and Staging business I decided to focus on working with Realtors. So I sent out (and continue to send out) e-mails to select Realtors to ask them to meet with me and discuss the opportunity that staging could add to their business model.

I have had several great responses and was asked by one realtor team to visit their open houses this past weekend and provide feedback.

Now why didn't I think of this myself? What a terrific idea. Go to open houses take notes and then follow up with the Realtors after. A great opportunity.

So yesterday, I went to about 8 homes and talked to the Realtors (when I could). Today I will be following up with phone calls and e-mails to schedule an appointment to discuss my assessment and how we (my staging company) could help them.

I am really excited and optimistic about this new opportunity.

Do you need any staging or interior decorating advice? Just drop me a note and we can discuss your needs.

Happy First Day of Spring! Yeah Right.

So you want to join the Today show and celebrate the First Day of Spring? Well here is how we are celebrating it here in Central NJ....

Don't forget - Free Rita's water ice today!

What are your food rules?

As someone who struggles with her weight, I am always scanning for articles that may help me find my "center" - you know that freaking lovely place that helps us go on the correct path?

Well, I found this great article in the NYTimes "Michael Pollan Wants your Food Rules" in which he discusses how he would like our food rules.

"Writer Michael Pollan, author of the best-seller “In Defense of Food,” has gained a passionate following by encouraging us to change the way we think about food. But for his next project, he wants your help. "

I find his writing really engaging and some of the rules already posted are very funny, but so true.

One of mine for example is "Have a glass of water in between every drink". Not sure if it helps alot, but well, it seems like a good idea.

Other rules already posted:

“ "Never eat more than you can lift." - Miss Piggy”— Peg Boyles

“ Don't eat anything that comes in a krinkly bag. ”— Betsy K

“ My dad always ate dessert with a tiny fork. ”— J. Laurent

So what are your food rules?

House Hunters

I love watching House Hunters on HGTV. As a decorator, I love to look at the houses and try to decide how I could redecorate them or stage them for sale. As a house voyeur, I just love to see houses and how other folks live. I like to guess which house they will pick and I enjoy seeing how they have changed it since moving in.

But what amazes me the most.....

Are the inane comments.

"Look at the light from these windows"

"Wow, it has hardwood floors even in the kitchen"

"Is this a tub?"

"I don't like the color of this room" (you have heard of paint, right)

I could just go on and on, but I won't. Because it might make your ears bleed.

And that would just be mean.

Random Thoughts - March

1) I met last week with a investor who has two vacant properties that need staging...keep your fingers crossed that this moves forward.

2) The marketing continues. I am sending e-mail to Realtors and following up with calls. I have an appointment next week to meet with a realtor team. Now, I have to keep working it. It's ongoing, it's a process.

3) Wrestling season is over and now golf season begins. I like golf season as it's something I can share with my darling son, as opposed to wrestling. Not a big fan of the headlock. Or the sweaty gyms. But I have to say, the parents are all so great. I am proud to be a wrestling mom!

4) I am doing well with my reading. I have finished Anthony Bourdain's book, am reading a biography of Elizabeth I, and I have just picked up Rashi's Daughters by Maggie Anton. I had the pleasure of meeting Maggie at the Women's League convention this past November and the final book is due this summer. Maggie is very interesting to talk to and her perspective on Jewish women's studies is enlightening.

5) We are a family who does not like dentistry and as a result, we end up going too long between visits and paying the consequences. Right now, my darling hubby has a swollen face from a sore tooth, my son is due for a checkup and I am about 6 months behind as well. No lectures please - I will get it done.

Oh and Think Thin Thursday? I have lost about 1 pound and I think I am finally moving back in the right direction. Let's leave it at that.

Wow! Another Award

Well, when it rains......

I was going through my comments and found that Island Girl over at Not Perfect, but Worth It has given me an award!

How sweet is that. Her blog is so cute and funny and makes me smile every time I read it.

Thanks, Island Girl!

Tote Bag Winner

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:18

Timestamp: 2009-03-11 10:47:45 UTC

© 1998-2009 Mads Haahr Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional Valid CSSWeb Design by TSDA

So our winner is.....Cera of http://laughingthroughthechaos.blogspot.com/

Congrats! Send me an e-mail to claim your prize!

Spring Fling Giveaway Day

Today is the great Spring Fling Giveaway Day over at The Secret in the Sauce. If you don't know SITS, today is the day to check out this great community of bloggers who comment and support each other!

But they are also asking us to give, so....

I am hosting a giveaway for one of these:

This is a Cart Caddy. The best non paper/non plastic tote you will ever see. It folds up small and then opens up and snaps on to fit any cart. Other features:

Folds flat for easy storage
Reinforced flat bottom, won't tip
Side pocket
Opened, measures 24"L x 9"W; holds up to 40 lbs
Fabric cotton/nylon; handles heavy-duty resin

Plus I will - as always - add in a cool decorating book!

So how do you win this? Leave me a comment for one entry and follow me for two more (if you already follow, just tell me so). Be sure to leave an e-mail if you are not linked otherwise.

Contest closes tonight at 11:59 DST (Eastern) March 10.

Is it just me....

So I have been kind of addicted to reruns of the last two seasons of "The West Wing" being shown on Bravo every morning.

Addicted to the point that I refused to schedule anything prior to 10:00 am.

Addicted to the point that I think I forgot how to exercise in the morning.

But today the last two episodes were shown. And as I was watching them (and drooling over Jimmy Smits!) I could not help but notice the similarities to our most recent election cycle....


A Democratic minority candidate who came from Congress with no international experience running against a Republican candidate who is much older and may be perceived as too old.



A national crisis that galvanized the Democratic candidate but made the Republican look weak (nuclear accident - tv and economy -real life).



A young family on the campaign trail with a wife who may accidentally say the wrong thing, but who is perceived as a "hot mama".



The President-elect choosing some of his strongest opponents for cabinet positions (Secretary of State - even the same position).


The President-elect pushing his agenda forward before taking office (education on TV - recovery plan in real life).


So, did the Obama camp study the successes of "West Wing" before making any moves? It is a bit bizarre the similarities. Or...

Is it just me?


Apparently, I am not alone in this thinking...here is an article I found while looking for a picture to post..here



Jimmy Smits, who played the West Wing's Matthew Santos, with Barack Obama in September 2005. Photograph: Chris Greenberg/Getty

The Swap Package arrives....

So as you all know, I stumbled across Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap and of course I just had to be part of it. I was luck enough to be paired with Daryl of OntheM104. She and I have been e-mailing and were just so eager to get our packages!

I was so excited to come home from a long day of schlepping to find this on my door step:

Of course, it was in another packing box, but this is the money shot! So pretty isn't it? And even prettier inside!

How can you not like a package all wrapped in pink...it's only like my favorite color of all time. It seems that my swap partner likes to be pampered and therefore I got to be pampered as well.

So what did I get? A great Ginger bar soap from Origins, Quick Dry from China Glaze (I am a manicure freak), Foot Petals "ball of feet" cushions (so good for high heels), A stress relief set from Bath and Body works, Pink and Orange clips for sealing bags (ohh pink again) and finally for the glamazon in me - a green sequin small clutch/cosmetic bag.

This is all so lovely and I am just so grateful to Mamarazzi for hosting and to Daryl for the package of goodies!

Off to work he goes....

As those of you who have been reading my blog for a bit, you know that around the same time that I was screwed by the large uncaring corporation laid off, my dear husband was waiting for news on a promotion - that he did eventually get - although not quite what he wanted, it was a very good move for all involved.

But the past few weeks have been very tough on him. Someone he worked closely with for the past three years had to be let go. It seemed somewhat cloudy (the reasons at least) for why he was let go, but as time moves forward that may change.

That's not the point however.

When he was let go, there was a pile of work that needed to get done and my poor hubby was stuck with the brunt of it. He has been working way, way past 5:00 and it's just wearing on him.

I couldn't stand it. So I reminded him...

I have an accounting degree. I can do A/P and cash receipts.

I can help.

So yesterday, I went into his office and spent a few hours entering cash receipts and making up bank deposits.

It was a small thing, but I felt so good doing it. And I know it helped.

How?

He was home by 6:30.

So, how'd it go?

Well, it's over. At least for this year. What - you ask?

You know, that big event that I have been agonizing over for the past few months and really tearing my hair out over the last two weeks.

After all of that....

It went really well.

The weather cleared up, the speaker made it from NYC, we started late, but were able to end a bit early. The food was good and there was so much left we were able to donate it to a shelter.

So as I reflect on the event I have a few questions:

If you know you need a reservations, why would you show up at the door expecting a seat?

For that matter, why do people wait until 5 days before the event to send in their RSVP?

Why do people change seats and move chairs from one table to another?

It's so frustrating, whether planning a wedding or a large event, to see how manners have flown out the window. I wish that it wasn't true, but manners seemed to have disappated over that last 25 years.

Here is a recent article that discussed this issue...

I am really glad that the event went well, and maybe next time - easier.