Carinne: Woman of Mystery (Solved!)

I found her! The dress I blogged about on this post but could not Google. Her name is Carinne, and she sports this lovely Graffiti Mark print from DVF. Looks like it's pretty much sold out of everywhere--from Saks to Bloomies. I've yet to spot someone actually wearing it though, so once I'm ready to strut it hopefully I'll by flying solo style-wise.

Speaking of flying, nothing can be more appropriate when jetsetting than my (other) new DVF frock: the "Calzare," featuring airplane print!! I'll be sporting it in Miami later in March, if I can hold off for that long!

Misty Watercolored Memories

Looks like young seamen are out in full (dress) force tonight in midtown Manhattan for some function.

Brings back memories of my pre-beau hubby, who had asked me to be his date at the Cornell Navy ROTC ball. He asked me to be his girlfriend the next night, and the rest is history.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Google Proof

It's a mystery to me.

My company hosted a member appreciation event at Saks that luckily (though not for my wallet) snagged us an extra 15% off everything, including sale and luxury items.

One such luxurious item for sale was this beautiful DVF dress that appears to be Google proof. The print is Graffiti Mark, like the one shown in the Archie skirt in this photo. Maybe it's a Saks exclusive? Anyhow the dress was the last one there, and as the fates have arranged it, in my size! And while I totally would have bought it at the sale price, 15% off was total icing on the cake.

Of course I also bought a couple of moisturizers with discount off retail, which I feel cancels out the DVF steal. Or not.

Arrest Me for BUI

Someone save me from myself! I got into a little accident you see, and "accidentally" bought these two adorable, affordable Alice Ro dresses off Gilt.

My excuse? I had half a glass of red wine and some white and I'm still drunk? I feel sick and mixing caffeine and Cold-eeze is a hazard to my wallet? Whatever it is, I bought under the influence -- and need to lock up my bank card.

Baby Bling

Baby Blings It On: View the Tabblo...

It's a-Maze-ing

A couple of my favorite friends took me to Gordon Ramsay's New York City satellite Maze, at The London hotel. Fan-effer-rific!!! The place was bright, airy and sedate. The bathrooms were little pods of serenity (if you can get over the ick, it's a bathroom reaction) with nice-smelling hand lotion, and the food...the food! Creative, beautifully presented and delicious to the last bite.

We went for lunch, and there are two ways you can go: $28 for two courses, $35 for three. We went for three courses of course.

I hereby present our culinary adventure, in pictures.

My drink. At $20, it ain't no bargain by any means. But it was strong and the maraschino cherries were for real. Sorry, but the alcohol makes me forget exactly what was in this. Just know that it was goooooood.

Appetizer #1

Tortellini of beef short rib, escarole, trompette royale and dashi

Ok, so it looks like brain. But it definitely tastes better than it looks!

Appetizer #2

Smoked rainbow trout, avocado, sauce mousseline and fennel crisps

The smoky flavor is spot on and fills your mouth with that wonderful taste of...smoke.

Appetizer #3

Carpaccio of roasted eggplant, black figs, pickled chanterelles and hazelnuts

Totally a Dexter dish!

Entree #1

Pan fried Tasmanian ocean trout, orzo and fennel heart cassoulet with peekytoe crab

The trout reminds me of Arctic char, which reminds me of salmon. Leading us all to believe that ultimately, all pink fish taste like salmon.

Entree #2

Sablefish with braised leeks, Yukon gold with smoked eel, red wine sauce

Sablefish, also known as butterfish. Butter...yummmm...

Entree #3

Slow poached chicken breast, bulgar wheat with braised leg, shitake, tarragon jus

This was actually "Amish" chicken. But there's nothing Amish about the taste--it was sinfully decadent.

Which leads us to dessert. I guess big tastes call for big spoons.

Dessert #1

Concord grape crémeux, homemade yoghurt, olive oil gelato and granola

Crimey! This dessert made me love concord grapes even more than I already do. The granola is a perfect salty/crunchy companion.

Dessert #2

Lemon quark cheesecake with strawberry gelée and pistachio ice cream

That's a cute lil cheesecake drum.

Dessert #3

Pumpkin panna cotta, candied cranberries and gingerbread ice cream

Last but definitely not least. This particular masterpiece isn't on the online menu, and I forget what's in it save for the curry ice cream, which whet our curiosity. It was definitely a rewarding experience.

Shake It

Best time for Shake Shack? While any time is a great time to eat a Shack Burger, it's not so great to wait in a long-ass line for it.

Mid-afternoon, while it's snowing and gross out: No line!

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Caught with pants btw his legs

The guy in the red puffy vest. That's the crotch part of his pants between his knees. The way he was walking...priceless.

Meester Chuck

While his immediate response to anything Chuck Bass-related would be "That douche?!" I couldn't help but pad my hubby's wardrobe with this Bass-worthy blazer. I'm a sucker for navy menswear. And Gilt. And online shopping in general. (Ugh! Bad me! But it is returnable...)

Cold Comfort

Hawaii, here we come!

The Pocono Mountains, PA
January 2009

... See my Tabblo>

Pet Peeve of the Season

Winter.

Obama: Smoking Hot

I am one of the last people to condone smoking. Having grown up in a smoker's household, even the slightest whiff makes me ill. But for some reason, the image of Prez Obama with a stogie makes me burn to a cinder. I mean, Barry's a handsome guy, especially for a President. But Bad Boy Barack the Smoker? Hot!

Let the Winter Games Begin

Checking out the ski lift action at our vacation house in the Poconos. Looking forward to some snowboarding action this winter!

Hola Juan, Hola Esteban

Anyone who has ever taken Spanish class in grade school or high school would appreciate this. This is for you, Senora Maria Carmen Mayol Suchet y Zuzworski.

Pet Peeve of the Moment

People with nothing better to do.

Gilt-y, Your Honor!

Ok, so not only can you pimp your man (and yourself), you can also trick out your kids.

I'm a HUGE fan of dressing children like mini-adults. I call it "putting them on the right track," though I'm sure fiscally responsible people would disagree. But those same people probably let their progeny run amock looking like this, so how can I possibly take them seriously?

But I digress. Today, the "Children's Final Sale" on Gilt began. While I was tempted by nearly everything, I did manage to restrain myself to a couple of dresses for Cat and a snowsuit for Rion (which he actually needs).

At left is a sneak peak of one of Cat's outfits--I got them in larger sizes, so you won't be seeing them for another couple of years. It's from Lucy Sykes. Retail $78. Gilt $18.

It's a pleasure I don't feel (too) guilty about.

Update: Heavy Metal

In my previous post about Jamba Juice's new oatmeal, I had erroneously posited that the oatmeals are made with milk. Wrongo! They're made with water and soy milk. (I think I just heard cheers from my lactose-impaired friends.)

Fryes Are Delicious

As Fiona sings: I've been a bad, bad girl. I've been careless with my wallet, again. Just like that, my New Year's Resolution to be more practical and less, like the hubby calls it, "psychotic" with my online purchases, I go ahead and adopt this beautiful new baby, Adrienne.

Adrienne, whose biological parent is Frye, is black, buttery soft and will be replacing old, less stylish children I've outgrown. (Don't worry, I'm keeping Cat and Rion. They're still stylish, thanks to moi.) Isn't Adrienne gorgeous? How can I not take her home with me?

Now that I got you all jealous, you can get your very own Frye baby via Rue La La, yet another invite-only online storefront selling, you know it, hot designer goods.

You want in? ACT FAST, as the store closes tomorrow. Let me know, and I'll send you an invite.

Heavy Metal

Steel-cut oats. So I imagined metallic oatmeal whose silvery sheen glowed even as I broke my teeth on it.

But far from that. The Jamba Juice oatmeal (you heard me): starring 100% organic, steel-cut, slow-cooked oats and your choice of fruity a al Jamba toppings: Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry-Blackberry (my first pick) and Fresh Banana.

The verdict:

The oats kind of reminded me of barley. If you're orally fixated like me you like a bit of chew in your food. The blueberry-blackberry topping was more of a compote however, but at least you didn't get blackberry pits stuck in your teeth so I ain't gonna argue that. Best of all was the price point. The oatmeal is about the size of a small at your local corporate catering deli (Europa, Pax, Metro) but cost at least a buck less at $3.20. BUT: It is made with dairy though so, sorry, my lactose-intolerant friends! Then again, maybe they have a water-based one too that I just didn't ask about.

Overall it's tasty, healthy(-er than a donut), and hot--perfect for the winter months. Especially when you have a Jamba craving but can't stand the brain freeze.

Is there a doctor in the house?

It just so happens that there is! For your viewing/listening pleasure, Dr. Howser and the SNL Orchestra.

Pimp Your Man (and Yourself)

Is your dude a fixer-upper? Want to trick him out and show him off to your friends?

Then join Gilt Groupe, an invitation only online shopping site that features the hottest men/women/kids designers--and bling!--at up to 70% off retail.

And by hottest, I mean scorching: Ted Baker (that's a TB fella at left), Vera Wang, Kate Spade...the list is long and amazing.

So JOIN NOW...next sale starts at noon ;)

Little Boy Blue

In the Dinozo household, we believe in raising our children right. Our kids will grow to be strong of will and unbending in their beliefs.

... See my Tabblo>

Not Too Shabby, Baby!

I nominate my three-year-old, Catalina, for the Shabby Baby Picture Princess Contest because, having grown up with a camera constantly trained on her (courtesy of Mommy), she's practically a pro at letting her natural beauty and joie de vivre shine through without too many of those hammy moments you'd expect from kids her age. There's also the added bonus that clothes look great on her, and she's a fashionista in the making.

Happy, sweet, lovable and fashionable--Cat and Shabby Baby dresses are a perfect fit.

Above, Catalina is all dressed up for school (well, daycare).

But of course she already has a couple of Shabbies in her closet. In this photo on left, she sports Canary, which I think she looks best in. She also has Peach Cobbler and Vineyard.

Clearly, she likes her candy! Below, Cat shows off her Halloween loot.

Cat would sure look great in Shabby Baby's spring wardrobe collection :)

Pet Peeve of the Moment

Don't send me an email then right after call me or come over to "talk" me the email.

I. Can. Read. Thanks.

She Says Hello to the World

Wherefore blog? And why now? Because I wanted to enter this contest and because all this talking to myself was starting to scare people. At least, although no one will probably ever read this, I won't seem like such a sociopath (but we all know better, don't we?).

Anyway, I'll try to feed this once a day.

See you real soon! M-O-U-S-E