RESCUE ME!

Meet Rescue Remedy, my new best friend. We have been hanging out for a week while James was getting his life all packaged and shipped to New York. Yep, he left on the red eye early this morning. Waaaaa He is going back home to NYC to conquer his childhood fears and become the man that had been beat down many years ago. He was given a raw deal by LA in the restaurant biz so I know he was over it. I only wish him the best and he knows I am still here for him. I am going to visit in December so until then I am taking it day by day and luckily my new best friend is always in stock at the Whole Foods (moments from my house) and they even have a coupon for one dollar off! It's the little things....Happy weekend people.

Shecky Shoppy!

Anna was down the mountain last night at around 4:00 in her new Jeep Liberty. Inspired by the evening of drinking and shopping, she made record time. We ate some tacos and were on our way to the Palladium.
We picked up our goodie bags and immediately hit the bar for some green alcohol! I was suddenly distracted by the smell of chocolate that was oozing from a fountain surrounded by bowls filled with all things that go with chocolate but really, what doesn't go with chocolate? I jumped in and managed to scarf down a rice crispy treat, banana, pretzel, marshmello and Oreo before Anna returned with our cocktails!
Now we were ready to shop!

It was easy being green 

These cute little bra and bloomer nighties were from the only true bargain booth that we found. Anna got a cami and bottom of an animal print number. After circling the un naturally lit floor (very weird to not have a band on the stage with lights dark) and having another round or 2 of green cocktails, I spotted more stuff put out on said booth and ran to grab up another set , this one of a little tank and boy briefs with deer on them. Super cute, oh and another pair of white bloomers and a nighty that can also be worn as a cute summer dress next season. Other than that, all the designers were interesting to see what styles they had going on but nothing we couldn't live without. The best part was the people watching. Girls from all over the city and I would suspect, some that made the journey into town like Anna.

Now that is some responsible drinkin! 

The goodie bags were stuffed with samples of hair stuff and a couple bottles of nail polish, a Jet Blue discount coupon (not the best day to promote Jet Blue but could've been worse) a discount coupon for Steve Madden shoes, hair spray, hair mask, bath cream, sugar scrub, little things you put in your shoes so they don't slip, Anna got a cute necklace and I didn't have one in my bag, (bastards) 2 books, 2 magazines, a cd, a complimentary Crunch workout (as if) and other crap I can't remember. I managed to grab a few of the lavender cold hand towels (like at sushi but not hot) to take home since I donated all my towels and washcloths for Katrina victims and haven't made it to buy more, I can finally wash my face! Haha All in all, some useful stuff.

More drinks! Nooooo Okay. We met up with Murphy at The Dime which used to be Max’s. I hadn’t been since it was Max’s and Murphy has become a fave regular of the staff. Could it be that he is entertaining?

Trouble makers. Good thing Anna lives far, far away.

Shopping Extavaganza!!

Tonight I will be joining Anna for a shopping party at the Palladium sponsored by www.sheckys.com . Anna means business as she is making the trek from Big Bear. We have purchased the advance tickets of which half the proceeds go to the Red Cross for Katrina and I’m sure the other half will go to Midori and Amstel for the 5 hours of free cocktails! Not only will we be liquored up and surrounded by booths full of clothes and all things girly for up to 75% off retail but we will also be given what I call a ‘Bag o Crap’ that is supposedly worth $100. (I will be the judge of that) Even if I don’t have the intoxicated urge to purchase things that cannot be returned when sober, It will be fun to see what those designers are up to while catching up with my Big Bear girl, Anna.

Weekend Recap

My Saturday was spent taking a field trip to Burbank to the Fry’s to buy a CD-rw drive for my computer since my read only cd drive decided to never close. It took eons for James and me to get to the place but we both managed to find what we needed. (he purchased an external hard drive)
By the time we got home, it was time to get ready to go to Mai’s Birthday dinner at Pastis on Beverly. They had a new chef and there would be 11 for a prix fixe menu. The food was tasty. I had the tuna tartar appetizer, skate fish for my entrée’ and the chocolate mousse for desert. All very tasty. We also enjoyed the free sangria. James had the same
dinner as I did, minus the sangria.
The other diners who had pork chops said they were a bit tough and the frisse salad was so-so and the lavender crème brule was too heavy on the lavender so I guess my choices were good. We were all planning on maybe going back to Mai’s to watch a movie when we all started getting a tummy ache, all of us who had the free sangria! And to add insult to injury, we all got to split the bill equally and ended up paying for those who had ordered wine and didn’t get ill. I find that this is always the case in this town but what are you gonna do? It was for Mai and she enjoyed herself. (until the sangria hit)

Sunday, James did the yard sale thing again. I felt crappy so I skipped it and installed my CD-rw in my tower instead. I was feeling all computer geek like and proud that I didn't kill the computer in the process. ( it is actually too simple to install.) I then connected the power, etc. and fired it up anxious to try out a cd and then burn some picture to another.
No dice! The thing made some odd noises and nothing happened. The door stayed closed.
WTF! I tried a couple times and then went for the paper clip in the hole and that didn't work either so I opened the tower again (yes, with power off) and opened the face of the cd and lo and behold, the cheap plastic gear that opens the door was just sitting there unattached and upon further inspection had been snapped off at the impossibly tiny point that should fit into the mechanism that makes it turn because the little rubber band was apparently too taut for such a cheap piece of plastic. You've got to be kidding me! I wasted my Saturday afternoon schlepping to Burbank as that is the closest Fry's and the only thing to get my computer back in business is a piece of crap! I loathe the fact that I have to make the pilgrimage back to Burbank to return the thing but I tell you, I am going to the Comp USA down the street to get a CD-rw /DVD combo for a few bucks more and this one better work or I am gonna have to cut someone!!!
Sunday night was spent doing my favorite thing, eating and chatting with friends. Lori and I went to meet Michele at McCormick's at the end of her shift and we walked over to Tim's restaurant, Prego. We had a couple glasses of wine, a salad and a couple pizzas. Tim took care of us, what a nice guy. We headed over to the $15 clothes store (in Bev. Hills!) and I managed to find a cute jacket and Lori bought a top. We went with Michele to check out an apartment but the manager didn't show and it looked exactly like the place she is moving from so we left. I hope M&M find an apartment in the hood cuz I would miss going to stitch n bitch with Michele or just walking over to hang out and do snacks and Tivo.

Last Chance

A visit to Pheonix wouldn't be complete without a shopping spree at Last Chance though not fot the faint of heart. This is truly an experience to behold, die hard bargain shoppers, stylists, boutique owners and fashionistas all ready to pouce on the steals rolled out of the back room by the poor stock girls. This place actually has rules! You can't take anything off her rack until she has hung it up and no grabbing and only a certain amount of some items allowed per customer like Coach bags or Juicy Couture sweats. All the booty has made it's way to Last Chance via Nordstrom but for waaaay cheaper. Sure, some of it is not suitable for wearing and has sustained damage (maybe from being fought over) but I can aways find something I can't live without. This time I was going for the shoes but no luck. I did manage to get out of there with a Michael Kors bag, Betsy Johnson dress and everything else you see minus a double breasted fitted white denim jacket I forgot to take a pic of but for all this I paid $135!!! That's right so get your cheap fare on Southwest Airlines, rent the car, go to last chance and still pay less than you would at Nordstrom and when you are done, hit Oregano's for lunch! Enjoy.

I Want A Pizza Cookie!!

This is the Arizona famous, Oregano's Pizza Bistro and the most fun job I had while living in Scottsdale. I made loads of cash while working in a t-shirt and shorts, feeding great pizza and food to the masses who would hang out for 2 hours on the weekend waiting for a table (I know, crazy) while drinking beer and taking the abuse of the servers and managers (think Ed Debevic's) all in fun. This location was the flagship and in the 8 years since I have moved, Mark Russell has opened 6 more in AZ, not bad for a former flight attendant. He knew he was on to something when Pepsi Co. approached him 6 months after opening this site. If he would only open one in LA! When I am in Pheonix I always make time for a meal or 2 or 3 at Oregano's and I highly suggest you do as well. Check out the menu on the Oregano's website. It's yummy!!

Picatso

Dexi in her do rag ready to help. I would say that I am looking forward to the weekend but I will be in yard sale hell. Who doesn't love to drag everything that has been sitting collecting dust for who knows how long down a flight of stairs at the crack of dawn for all the masses to pick through? Me, that's who! I am especially a fan of those losers that will haggle over that dollar item and get pissed when you say you would rather donate it to someone who clearly needs it and that is where whatever is left will be going as well as some of the profits, to help the poor humans and animals devastated by Katrina. I just might have to have mimosas whilst getting rid of the clutter, mimosas always help!

I am still digesting the fact that our government, who's job is supposed to be SERVING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE and not their own agenda, had seriously let thousands of Americans down and is responsible for many deaths as a result. Had it been The Hamptons, I highly doubt the response would've taken days. Now George W. is going to have a national day of prayer for the victims, how dare he think that the world's prayers have not been with the victims from the moment Katrina took aim. Maybe George should pray for himself and his inept administration while we all pray that he doesn't screw anything else up while in office and LA especially pray that the BIG ONE doesn't happen because the cavalry will not be coming.