weekend in a blog post

Lu and I have both survived an earthquake and a hurricane..wahoo. What is next? Oh ya, getting my phone fixed at the apple store...not so much fun. Let's see if I survive that;)

Here are a few snapshots from our very low-key weekend due to the inclimate weather...

ENJOY


RAWR


made two batches of this gazpacho--this is the second...yummm yumm yumm


porque es so dark outsidez?


stormz make me sleepy

Calm before the storm...

So I'm currently lying in bed...blogging from my phone since I still don't have the interwebs set up in my new place and thinking "oy...how bad is this storm gonna be and I'm so glad I have enough gezpacho, hummus and semi-decent DVDs I rented from the $1 machine to last me the next two days."

Literally all of NYC has gone into panic mode. The shelves at grocery stores are totally wiped and businesses are closing early due to "the incoming weather." So I naturally stocked up on food last night and am charging any and every electrical device I have...ha! I really hope it doesn't hit the city too hard and pray everyone stays safe:)

I'll let you guys know how the weekend ends up. Oh and I also will be doing lots of laundry...wahoo!! When I get bored, I tend to clean, de-clutter and organize...Lulu will probably be getting a bath. Sorry booboo bear.

xo,

La

They're Real...

Happy Friday everyone...who is ready for the weekend? I have been a little under the weather the last two days, so I am hoping to have a chill weekend and use my fabbbulous and adorable new food processor--so excited:) Hopefully I will have some recipes and delicious photos to post next week!

Anywho, I wanted to share a quick beauty tip before the weekend begins. I have been searching far and wide for a new mascara--ran into some problems with my usual drugstore brand, which has always been so good to me. I figured it is was just time to switch things up.

After a little paroozing at Sephora last night--as they were locking the doors [cough cough]...I chose a new mascara.

I decided to go with Benefit's 'They're Real!' mascara in black. I am in love. My lashes feel light, long and are perfectly curled. See pic below.




I think it is important to switch up any beauty products that you have been using for a while, especially mascara. You should never use the same mascara if you have had it for more than three months.

You can always go back to your familiar and favorite products(i.e. mascara, concealer, shampoo, etc...) but it is never good to get stuck in a rut.

xo and have a wonderful weekend!

sister, sister

i miss my little short stack so much...had the best time.

excited to see you in a few weeks though.

xo

Before and After: Bathroom Edition

If you are anything like me, you love a good before and after. Whether it is someone changing their hair color, shedding weight or a complete home makeover...I am a sucker for before and afters.

When I moved to NYC, I knew my studio apartment would need a little TLC, which obvi equals a delicious before and after:)

So here is the dealio, I am fixing up a family apartment that has never been lived in permanently. It has always been a place to stay while visiting the city. That being said, it hasn't been touched since the 70s.

That is where I come in. I love fixing things up and I LOVE a good deal. So this project will definitely be done on a budget and reasonably--which I hope helps and inspires others looking to save a few pennies. I started with the bathroom--it is the smallest space in the studio and probably the easiest place to begin my remodeling journey.

With a little paint, new grout and a some lovin--my NYC studio bathroom is as good as new:)



BEFORE



AFTER









What do y'all think?

Funny Lu moment: During the bathroom remodel--the light bulb blew...perfect timing right? Lu sat by the tub the whole time I took a shower that morning. What a sweet little girl, right?

lip service

As some of you might know, I love beauty products--LOVE! I pass Sephora and it is physically hard for me to walk by without going in. A Bloomies makeup counter is practically like my heaven. Anything remotely related to a moisturizer, lipstick, nail polish, hair conditioner--you name it, I love it. I find comfort in incredibly pleasant fragrances, ridiculously perfect skin creams and the wonderful feeling I get after washing my face with 'just the right' cleanser.

Because of this, I have decided to incorporate a weekly beauty moment in my blog. This will include my own personal tips, suggestions or just 'aha' moments I am having that particular week.

This week, well I should actually say the last two weeks, I have been having an 'aha' moment with statement lips, specifically red ones. I know, I know...many of you fashionistas out there would say I am behind with the times, but I think this trend isn't going anywhere. I think you just need to adjust the red depending on the season.

I have been trying to work red lips into my look for the past six months and it has not been working out. After seeing one of my fabulous co-workers pull the look off with ease, I thought I need to re-visit my originally failed effort. She looked chic and gorgeous in her red lips.

So, I went to try on the lip pencil she bought (exact shade) and again I looked terrible and unsophisticated. I found out that I was searching in all the wrong shades. My co-worker is blonde, so she is going to look completely different in a shade than I would...me being a brunette.

I decided to try a slightly darker shade of red and voila!! I actually look chic and sophisticated [see pic below].

The color is NARS CRUELLA Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (fabulous and so creamy)

So go ahead and try a ruby red lip...and don't be discouraged if it takes a while!

HAPPY WEEKEND everyone:)

Happy Thursday!

My brother put up some new pics of Baby Elliot and I can't resist...I must share one with you. I don't have a favorite because I love them all, but I am obsessed with this one since it has both Stella booboo and nugget in the picture:)

ENJOY!

Sissy

Hello there! Sorry for the lack of posts...the days are flying by and I don't realize where the time goes lately. I'd like to give a shout out to my wonderful sister Jenny--she visits tomorrow!!

I have literally been counting down the days until she arrives and it is finally here. People say we look like twins lately--you be the judge (see pic below--we are in the middle)! I have so much planned for her visit. I wish Rach was coming too so that it was the 3 muskateers in action, but there is lots of time for that once they get settled in Boston.



Jenny and I will basically eat our way through this city--pizza, sushi, bagels...I have all the hot spots planned out already. I will make sure to post pics of our adventures.

Hey, Lu heer: Tia Jenny, I can't waitz fur u 2 visit. Girlz trip, wahoooozzz! C u soon sista!

obsessed

So lately I have kind of formed an obsession for a site called Etsy. Probably because Kimmy sends me all of these inspirational links to amazing things. I am sure a lot of you know what it is, but for those of you who don't--it is an online shopping site where you can find anything from handmade things to vintage items. It is all run by people who have their own shops via the website.

While recently paroozing my new favorite site, I came across this shop...[click on the link] I have no words I love it so much.

I am thinking we are going to need this and perhaps esto tambien.

Oh--sorry, for those of you who don't know. Lu is bilingual. She speaks both Spanish and her native tounge Puglish.

I hope you enjoy these adorable hats. It is going to be a hard decision on which ones I will choose. You would be surprised how hard it is to find clothing, especially head gear, for pugs. No offense Lu, but your shape is, well, unique. So I am pumped these are custom for your cute little self.

I think Lu definitely needs more than one since the winters up here are a bit harsher than what we are used to.

Pugs 'n' Kisses

Happy Happy Birthday to You!

I'd like to dedicate this post to Miss Kimmy Mann!! Happy Happy Birthday to one of my bestest friends in the entire world! You are like a sissy to me:)

I hope today is so special and wish I was there to celebrate with you and everyone tonight--ENJOY!

xo


Laughing at something funny I'm sure...





Aww...we were little babes there. Fun night:)p.s. please take a look at my outfit? oy


Ruthie's deb party!

Squirmy Von Squiggly Shorts

Hi everyone...and by everyone, I mean all 5 of you who follow my blog:) Sorry I haven't posted the last couple of days...my bad. eek.

So as many of you know, as of July 21st, my brother and sister-in-law became the proud parents of one adorable baby boy named Elliot Russell--oysh! Which makes me an AUNT! See below for a photo montage of the little nugget plus one additional photo of Lu--she is being a Jelly Belly and insisted on a cameo appearance [typical].







Elliot was born at 5 pounds and is the cutest little thing. He enjoys doing Yoga and loves snuggling in his mom and dad's bed. His best friend is his pup Stella and soon-to-be Avery when she is born [kinda important deets]. His nursery is two-toned green and yellow with Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit as a theme--DUH!

Bye for now...hope everyone is off to a great week!

ode to an obsession

I obviously miss a lot of things back home in Atlanta, but one specific thing in particular that I am missing and craving terribly is my dear friend Willy's Mexicana Grill--and yes I referred to it in its entirety.

For those of you who know me all too well--and, well, let's be honest I think that is everyone who reads this because I don't know any randos checkin' out this thing...

Anywho, as I was saying, everyone knows I am obsessed. I used to eat Willys about 3-4 times a week. I always switched up my order so I never got sick of it.

It is 11:59 and I could eat the paper clips on my desk. I am ravenous. Willys sounds amazing and I just wanted to give an old friend a shout out.

I miss you...

doppelgänger

doppelgänger: [according to wikipedia] is a tangible double of a living person in fiction, folklore, and popular culture that typically represents evil.

I don't get the evil part--I have always thought of it as your 'look-a-like'.

Anywho, in the last few weeks and since moving to the big city, Lu and I have been flooded with comments on our striking resemblences to two famous people--I use that word loosely since Lu's doppelgänger is obvi another dog.

So I am going to share with you what everyone has been telling us and see what you think...if you beg to differ or agree?

Lulu's doppelgänger=Frank from 'Men in Black'

Lu's opinion verbatim:

"This is roo...I iz a girl and not a boy, but he is a cutie, so I don't hate it. Pugs 'n kisses y'all"



Lauren's doppelgänger=Rose Byrne from Damages, Wicker Park, Bridesmaids

Lauren's opinion: "People tell me this all the time--such a compliment."

Bachelorette Recap

Hola friends. Last night Lu and I spent the evening with some Thai food and the season finale of the Bachelorette. Well, Lu ate her kibbles and I ate the Thai food, but you get it. I ordered from a place in my hood that is pretty decent. The coconut soup is nowhere near as incredibly delectable as Little Thai, but it got the job done.

Okay, you really don't care about my food...

So Lu and I got comfy and snuggly on the murph {sidenote: the murph or murph is my bed--he folds into the wall...and yes I am afraid of him/it}--Lu fell asleep in like 32 milliseconds. See photos below. She adores my bed--adores.





As usual, I really only care about the end of the show, but had nothing else to do so I watched the entire thing. I knew it was JP all along due to the fact that I read Reality Steve like 3 weeks ago. I know--I'm weird. I just really love the whole proposal and really love JP--so presh.

Then I watched 'After the Final Rose'--because I was going to go to bed and tried waking a certain someone, but got this. See below.



So I indulged in a little more of the bach while diva got a few more zzz in. For those of you who don't watch the Bachelorette/Bachelor--'After the Final Rose' comes on immediately after the season finale, hence the name. It is always supes awk because the person that isn't picked at the end comes back and has to face the Bachelorette/Bachelor--terribly awkward and hard to pull away from watching. This one with Ben was pretty sad, but I think he will find someone soon;) Those women in the audience were lovin' him.

Well, that was my Monday night--riveting right?

Hello, My Name Is...

Hello and welcome to my blog--a place where I will be sharing updates about Lulu's and my life in the big city, as well as funny things I come across throughout my day.

First and foremost, I would like to tell you a little more about us, who we are and what we love.



NAME: Lulu aka Lu aka Nugget aka Boo Boo aka Parmalot Von Squiggly Shorts Diva Pants [if I'm being really saucy]

AGE: 19 months

FAVORITE FOOD: Anything that I can nom on...but particularly organic and holistic dog food (duh)

BEST MEMORY: When my mom adopted me...duh times two

CELEBRITY CRUSH: JT...have you seen him in 'Friends with Benefits'? Neither have I...can you believe they don't let dogs in the theatre? Anywho...smokin'

REALISTIC CRUSH: A particular doorman who always gives me treats...okay his name is Louis or is it Lewis. Whatevs..love times twelve



NAME: Lauren

AGE: 23 years

FAVORITE FOOD: Hands down Little Thai in Sandy Springs, GA...have yet to find anything comparable in the big apple

BEST MEMORY: Combo of watching my little sister Rachel graduate HS and becoming an aunt--even tie

CELEBRITY CRUSH: Anderson Cooper

REALISTIC CRUSH: Give me some time...just got here