Tag Archives: French

New Perspectives

I am feeling a bit down in the dumps because A. I’m disappointed we couldn’t go hiking this past Sunday and B. I weighed myself on Wii fit today *after what I thought was a kickass workout* and I’ve gained .9 lbs!! Of course January is the month of nonstop Weight Watchers and fitness center commercials and somehow my DVR is conspiring against me by mistakenly recording an episode of I Used to be Fat. Well, I still am and I must do something about it. I am usually not so wrapped up in my weight, calorie counting or exercise but I have a new perspective, Olivia. Like it or not, I am her role model. What I eat, how I behave and my image will one day become mimicked by Liv. As confident as I may feel inside *I’m fabulous and I own it*, I don’t want to continue poor nutrition and lack of fitness habits that Liv may one day pick up. I am so thrilled she is loving her veggies but now she is staring me down while I eat ice cream or chips with a look of astonishment. Can I please vote for being pregnant for 2 years?? I actually lost weight *I know, I’m a freak of nature* whilst I was preggers. You could see in my face *only 1 1/2 chins* and my back how much slimmer I was 7 months ago. I was eating whatever I wanted and noone was looking at me with disgust. People opened doors for me with a smile and the clothes….heavenly, maxi dresses, loose tunics, leggings everyday. Now when I wear a maxi dress it looks like I’m modeling a tent. I adore having Olivia here but I miss those carefree eat/nap all day preggers days. Not to miss the point, I have a new perspective, start buying food with the same care and thoughtfulness as I do our daughter. I wouldn’t give her anything non-organic or fresh, so why not us? I think juice will rot her *non existent teeth* yet I’ll consume gallons of CranGrape and lemonade *the yummiest nectar on the planet* I am no longer going to be a contradiction. I hated when my own Mother gave me the “Do as I say, not as I do” creed, so I’ll have to change my act before Liv gets any older. I want to be successful not for vanity, but I want to practice what I preach. When I bought the Beaba Babycook, everyone asked me if I would be eating the same veggies I prepare for Liv. I told them no way, GROSS. Now I get it! *Light bulb flashes over my head* I definitely want to set an example for my kid but I’m not gonna lie, I don’t want to live the rest of my life avoiding fast food or having to bring my own snacks to a party *that is mega weird* That’s why Weight Watchers and diets don’t appeal to me. I want to enjoy food not stress over it. I want to be spontaneous, not have to eat the same boring salad everyday at noon. Well, the only reasonable answer I could come up with is to try to find balance. Eat what I like but less of it. As I mentioned in my resolutions, no ordering large servings. Only drink water during the week *both has been pretty easy to abide by*, no more late night meals and snacking, and eat more veggies!! I really enjoyed working out with the Wii fit today *until I weighed myself* so to avoid discouragement, I will only weigh myself once a week. I am excited to start going to volleyball again and I know when I start seeing Gilli *when Antz Mom returns from Mexico* she’ll get my body readjusted. I am actually glad I am surrounded by all this weight loss propaganda, it’s quite the motivator! I even found my muse, this chick is fucking rad and I want to be her….

 

Good news is we may have a wedding to attend in September and it would be pretty rad to fit nicely into this little number by then, the dress happens to be on sale too.

While I’m at it, this head piece by Band.o is looking pretty sweet

 

I love a simple, chic chignon!!
I forgot to mention, I practiced French today and I actually retained a few phrases. I can say Check Please, I am allergic to and excuse me excellently. I still want to buy that Rosetta Stone from Craigslist, s’vous plait!!

It’s begining to look a lot like New Years!

Christmas was lovely, our little girl destroyed the wrapping paper and was only slightly amused with her presents.

 

She really enjoyed eating her phone

We went to Aimee’s house to hang out and a torriental storm came from nowhere. We ordered some gross thai food *Boo* We drove past the Venice Canals but it was too rainy to enjoy the houses.

Yesterday we returned from visiting my Mommy and Antz & I discussed my resolutions *and my likeihood of achieving them* I feel very motivated and positive about them all with the exception of Francais!! I have some sort of mental block that will not allow me to retain *and correctly pronounce* le French. I have an app I downloaded on my iphone and I listen to the words but I can’t pick up the accent. I also have a Nintendo DS game but I am much better at written French than spoken. I seem to be the only one who thinks I’ll learn using Rosetta Stone. I even made about 50 flash cards a year ago but I have to find them….sigh! Well, we spent the past 3 day at my Mom’s and I did something that is so random yet amazing! I cooked! I not only cooked but I cooked a complicated recipe and it was super yummy. Antz couldn’t get over how delicious it turned out.

 

Lizzie’s Louisiana Gumbo
It’s funny because this was not only my first time cooking gumbo, but also my first time eating it. The roux was pretty tricky and I cooked it much longer than 30 minutes as the recipe stated but it somehow turned out perfecto.

We had a rad time at my Mom’s, we played Scattergories *hilarious* and I got to sit by the fire *makes me wish our fireplace worked* Early Tuesday morning guess what woke me up?? An owl!! It was hooting right outside our window. It was too dark to see it but that’s pretty gnarly. We went to Target *I like the one by my Mom’s house* and I was looking for some good deals on clearance Christmas decor but I didn’t find anything. It wasn’t too cold in Apple Valley but it is supposed to snow so much today that the freeway to get to there will be closed. I did take this lovely shot on the drive.

All the surrounding mountain peaks were covered in snow. I really wanted to drive to Lake Arrowhead *40 minutes from my Moms* but Antz needed to have snow tires and Liv didn’t have any super warm clothes and shoes *Gah, I must buy her Uggs!!* When we came home yesterday I did some cleaning but I need to take apart all the kitchen cabinets, the laundry nook, linen closet and my closet and organize, donate and clear out all our clutter. I have a big problem with saving boxes but we sell so much of our stuff that I like to have the original box, but they take up so much space. I wanted to start a project while Antz is off but painting or sanding the cabinets may have to wait until March when it’s not rainy. I started a bathroom mood board but it isn’t finished yet *still searching for new paint*

I was pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive the floor tile is. I am pretty confident that we can install it ourselves but I’ll have to rent a wet saw for cutting. My total bathroom budget is under $5k. We should be starting in March because we have to clear out the garage first so we have space for storing the tools. I feel so Design on a Dime!!
Our lovely ball of sunshine is 29 weeks
I couldn’t get one pic without her chewing her shoe
I must get dressed *Lizzie BE ON TIME!!* we are meeting my friend Aura at the Long Beach Aquarium today!!

New Years Shmeshalutions 2011!!!

Nothing sucks more than making a bunch empty promises to yourself on January 1st *only to pig out by January 15th*, stop going to the gym by January 29th *because it’s too cold to work out* and stop saving by February 1st *you were going to save when you got your tax refund, but you needed that new purse, shoes, jeans, etc… Don’t give me that look, we are ALL guilty of it!!

So I refuse to set myself up for failure this year. I want to promote a new year, a new attitude *finger snap* new thinking, new living! Sounds good right? Herein lies the rub, I am an excellent starter. If there was an award for being motivated, starting off with enthusiasm and being organized and proactive, I win that bitch!! But, I quickly lose interest, energy and will-power so I move on to the next big scheme. Prime example, Mix Tape Fridays, 30 days of Thanks *what the hell happened to them?* How do I conquer this vicious cycle?? Well, I am asking you, lovelies, to help gently nudge, subtly remind and kick my ass if I fall of the wagon!! I am going to keep my goals realistic, and sensible, just kidding, I just need any and everything I do must contribute to getting into my Dream Home by 2014 *so I can shut up about it already!!* Deep breathe, let’s begin….

1. Here’s the most obvious one…I must stop eating like a meth-tweaker!! I resolve to stop ordering anything in Large portions. Large food = Large Liz!! Start eating fruits and veggies *gag, I know* and I will only drink water Monday through Friday. Please give me lemonade on weekends. I also have to kick my cookies & cream chocolate bars addiction. I know how wrong it is on so many levels and that fact that I looked smaller when I was preggers speaks volumes!! I really have to kick start my fitness regime *like going from zero fitness to moving my lazy blob* Weekly walks *in Atwater Village, yay!* volleyball of course, hikes on weekends, start Rock toddler classes at HeartBeat House and get back to using my Wii Fit, which Antz loves to remind me how I had to have it and I never use it.

SO NOT CUTE!!!

2. Manage my money like I’m Oprah *meaning, think rich, save rich!* If I stop spending $68 on frames and Hello Kitty MAC eyeshadows *that I never wear* I would have a down payment by the time Olivia starts kindergarten in 2014. I need to send a cyborg into the future to stop me from my poor spending habits and shake myself when I make poor financial decisions *$337 to see a horse show, WTF??!!* I know it’s as likely as Lindsay Lohan to get clean and sober, but all I need to do to give myself an intervention is look across the street at those loud, trash, ignorant fucktards!! Those bastards even ruined my rainbow yesterday

eye sore of a satellite on top of their crack house

3. I would like to eliminate all my plastic debt by next Christmas. Yep, I said it here, get off the crack/plastic by 12/25/2011 I should have a $0 balance. It’s time for me to put my money where my mouth is. I really, really want to move to Atwater Village *duh, you never shut up about it* and if I want my Dream house, I need to be ready when the opportunity presents itself. I can do anything I put my mind to *I met Björk, won the Price is Right, had a bebe, married the man of dreams, I even went to London and Paris with $200* so selling this house and buying a new one shouldn’t be that difficult. I would like to invest any profits from our Etsy shop into stocks. Savings accounts and CDs are a joke *I’m earning like 1% for every $1,000 we have in savings* and Money magazine tells rich people to invest in stocks so I need to start behaving like rich folks so *lifts pinky finger* Keep my eye on the prize!!

4. STOP THE PROCRASTINATION!! Now, generally, I am organized, I have never been guilty of not planning ahead and I consider myself as thoughtful. It’s all lies! I need a vast improvement in so many areas. I am so last minute, I never call people back, totally forget *or apply a DADT policy* for my friend’s birthdays, appointments, I stay up all night trying to come up with a last second gift and I will stand for it no longer. In the year 2011…I shall have presents, not only ahead of time but wrapped beautifully *no longer re-using old gift bags* or giving gift cards to anyone *how impersonal, I may as well write them a check for $20, Grandma-style* I will think of others when I’m in a cute store and instead of just thinking….so and so would like that. I will actually follow through and buy nice things for my amazingly rad friends and family. I will also stop flaking on plans. I’m not as guilty as Antz is on this one but I’ve got a serious issue with being on-time. I have a mental defect that somehow prevents me from getting showered, hair/makeup and fully dressed BEFORE I need to leave the house. I know it takes me over an hour to get decent, and yet I fuck around until 15 minutes before we have to leave and then I’m all grouchy because Antz is rushing me. I also end up returning to the house *often more than once* because I forgot something *usually sunglasses, coupons, my wallet, my phone, Liv’s coat, etc.* Stop the insanity!! I resolve to manage my time much better!!

5. Fix this house so we can sell the hell out of here!! I could have all the money *Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton & Snookie {our society can stoop no lower} have *tell me again why they have money when they are obviously lacking brains* and still be stuck with this house. It’s a cute house, has great curb appeal *if you turn a blind eye to the dungeon across the street* but we need to make some serious improvements. I need to stop going for the cosmetic changes and get some big issues resolved *I’m talking plumbing, paint the hallway, remove the popcorn in the hallway and living room, replace broken electrical outlets, replace our *Prehistoric* water heater, fix the broken light in Liv/Antz closet and the floodlight on the front deck, either replace or repair the back door, remodel the garage, kitchen and bathroom* basically get this house Designed to Sell. I could sell, donate and trash about 40% of our belongings and not really miss anything. With such small footage, I need to create the illusion of large, efficient space. If we took as much time, money and effort as we did in Olivia’s nursery, our house would be majorly awesome, I wouldn’t want to move. I would love to invite our realtor, Debora over to get her professional assessment of where we should spend our money and how we can market our house for sale. The last time I spoke to her, she told me to wait until the market stabilizes. Our neighbors on our right side are listing their house in February and I am soo anxious to see how quickly their house sells and for how much. They do have an advantage because they just spent $100k getting their foundation repaired, brand new chimney and retaining wall and they have a guest house over their garage which gives them much more value than our house. The good news for us is if they sell for over $500k that will increase the neighborhood’s value. I really would like to apply the countless hours of HGTV and DIY network I have been watching and actually do a 48 hour renovation. I desperately want to redo our bathroom floors and refinish our kitchen cabinets *both projects should be under $500* Time to get this house in Angelina Jolie shape *without the husband-stealing and army of minority children*

*Sand/paint cabinets white, new knobs, new backsplash and NEW PLUMBING!!*

Hexagon tile floors, new pedestral sink, new storage cabinet, new paint and replaster the tub/shower walls

6. LEARN FRENCH!! If I had a dollar for every New Year’s resolution I have vowed to learn French I’d have $10 *which I would spend on hair bows, wait!! that’s old Lizzie talking, I would invest it into a blue chip stock* This must be the year that I can say more than Bonjour or Merci. I have been going on and on about sending Olivia to a French speaking school, what kind of looney am I to send our kid to a school to learn a language that when she comes home she wouldn’t have anyone to speak to with? *EYE ROLL* I have bought books, iphone apps, computer programs, and only used them once. I am going to have a big craigslist sale *purge my closet, get rid of my beauty school textbooks, once and for all, and sell all my preggo stuff I no longer need {Liz, you are a HOARDER!!} and buy Rosetta Stone {well, maybe go halfsies with Aimee} and learn French once and for all, Sacre Bleu!!! *I only know that from Pepé Le Pew {who is obviously based on Hugh Hefner} on Looney Tunes*

So there it is dear friends, short and sweet. It’s all about quality not quantity. I am stoked to get this list knocked out. See how I begin with gusto, check in on me in April. Who’s taking bets?
New Years in Las Vegas 2005

Busy Bee, yesh that’s Me!!

I have been running nonstop today *oh bed, how I miss thee*. I woke up early and did some laundry and cleaning while Liv slept late *yay*. I was totally ready on time to go to meet Aimee at her therapist office when Liv decided she wanted to eat *and she wanted to eat NOW!!* so I left the house 15 minutes later than I planned to *although I won’t blame Liv for my lateness, I am perpetually tardy no matter how early I leave the house*. I made the mistake of taking the streets to get there and I was in serious Friday traffic jam. I was super irriated and by the time I got to that side of town I was 30 minutes late! I felt awful since I’m meeting her shrink for the first time and I’m supposed to be her reliable BFF!! Despite my late arrival, Caroline was awesome, she is great and we had a good *yet short* session. I really felt proud of Aimee. So she had time before work so she accompanied Olivia and me to lunch at the Beverly Center and Target *I go there sooo much it’s gross* but I had to buy litter and some random things I forgot the day before. I was still looking for a teapot but the ones they had we a bit too masculine-looking. I’m lusting after this beaut from Anthropologie.

So after running errands, I took her back to her car so she could get home to take a quick cat nap before her late night shift. Liv and I decided to check out this place I had heard about on Robertson The Treehouse Social Club

*since we were in the neighborhood* and after I found parking, got her in her stroller *no easy task* fed the meter and walked 1/2 a block I was stunned to see it was closed! What place closes at 3pm on a Friday? Hmmph! I really want to take the Parent & Me French class *tres chic!!* but it’s 1 – 2.5 yrs old. So I disappointedly drove home only to spontaneously make a stop at Camelot Kids in Silverlake.

I have been wanting to check this nursery school out since I got preggers but I lurk on the website and have been waiting until the next Open House to go. Well, I dropped in since I saw it was open and I thought since it’s after school hours there would be someone there to give me some info on admissions. I met the Asst. Director, Missy, and she was super cool! She was playing with Liv and she told me I was good if I put my name on the waiting list in February *when they have their Open House* for admission in 2012. Missy told me there was Discovery Program *Mommy & Me classes* I am planning to take the French class in June *at the Treehouse* and then start the Discovery Program in January of 2012 when she’s old enough *18 months*. Wow, I am super excited to go back to school!!
chiennes de bonne nuit!!

Weekend Party Antics

Saturday started off relatively chill, Antz and I were fully intending to venture out for nursery shopping and I wanted to use my 15% discount coupon from Anthropologie but that didn’t seem to happen. We mucked about the house, using our laptops and wandering about in the backyard. By the time we even got dressed it was 7pm and we got ready to go to Antz friend from work’s party. I know Mia from facebook but we never met in person. She just had a baby 4 months ago and her husband also works with Antz as a *FRENCH* translator! Antz kept trying to get me to speak French with Adam but I sounded like a total idiot. They live in a huge house *6 bedrooms and 2 fireplaces* in Altadena. When we arrived we hardly knew anyone but Antz knew a guy who was setting up to do silkscreen prints for everyone. It was pretty rad watching this guy, Carlos, show us how to make our own silkscreen. Mia and Adam are super nice and funny, we hung out with them all night by the fireplace. Our friends Tom & Jes were there and we laughed all night long *while they all drank like crazy*. I love Mia’s home decor style, she had her nursery featured on Lil Sugar.com Mia’s Nursery. Her baby Kaia is ADORABLE! She let me hold her for a little and with all the noise and people there she was so chill. Antz was grinning from ear to ear because I got to hold her.

*Baby Kaia and her Papa Adam*

*We played with their doggies, can’t remember their names*

*Jess, Liz and Antz*
I met a bunch of cool people and I can’t wait to have playdates with Kaia and Olivia in the future. Today we took Stephen and Leslie to breakfast at Dish. Leslie liked the same dress I did so she said she’ll order it for us.

We talked a little about the baby shower and made sure they had all the important dates, I’m just mega bummed that they will be going out of town the week I give birth. May 30th is their anniversary so I understand, I guess 🙁

*I look fatty*
After breakfast Antz and I got our cars washed *finally* and then we scampered over to Pasadena with no specific agenda. Happened to drive past Bellini on Mission Street so we went in *I have been wanting to go to this store for a year now* I was fairly impressed with the furniture. There was baby portraits all over the store so I picked up about 5 flyers from photographers but Mia told me she knows someone who did her baby portraits for less than $500 so hopefully I can use her. We went to Anthropologie and bought a yummy smelling candle for Olivia’s room. Since today was the first daylight savings it was lovely outside, we decided to go to the Arcadia mall. We ate at the food court and thought let’s see Alice in Wonderland but sadly it was sold out. We walked around a bit and went to Old Navy, Antz convinced me to try on the dress I found for the baby shower. It looked so nice I decided to buy it and I got a new hoodie too.

I hope I don’t find something I love more by May but this dress is the perfect size, there’s plenty of room for the next two months of growing tummy and I bought these silk flowers in yellow from Ban.do to contrast nicely.

Cravings…

So you may think I am referring to food cravings but I’m not. I’ve got nursery cravings! I was up late last night checking out babycenter forums and everyone in my June Birth club seems to already have most of their nursery furniture. Arrgh, I thought we were on schedule but I am ready to no longer see that office/storage room and see our daughter’s room. Now that I bought the curtains and the rug, I’ve got a taste of the shopping bug. I am craving this jewel from Anthropologie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t know if it will fit the french door but I love it! This weekend is exciting because Antz is removing the popcorn which has been a huge obstacle in transforming my room. We also had good responses from last night Antz put our Ikea Klippan couch on craigslist for $60. I think it may be gone by tomorrow. Hmmm what shall I spend that $60 on? I found a great price for a Flip camcorder on Amazon for $154.99 *regular price is $199.99* so I am waiting until we get our tax refund to buy it.

Antz Mom came by to hem our too-long curtains. She has a sewing maching that pre-dates WWII but it works look a dream. I knew she was a talented seamstress but she completely blew me away. She hemmed the curtains better than Pottery Barn did. We used the orange thread leftover from my goldfish Halloween costume and it matched perfectly. I tried to learn as much as I could but I would need a ton of practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It took her about an hour to hem both panels. I can’t wait to see them hanging in the room after we paint.

You know what’s bumming me out today, I haven’t spoken a single bonjour since New Years. I should be studying and on my way to having a conversation in French by June. I need a tutor so badly. I can’t think of a single French person who can teach me. Maybe I’ll start listening to my Learn French podcast every night.

Oh bon!

bonne peine!

I really, really want to learn French. I want our child to be fluent in Spanish and French. His Grandmother will teach him Spanish. I took 7 years of Spanish so I can speak it adequately, but I want to speak French to our bebe. For some reason, I have not been able to retain French, I have made flash cards, read countless books and listened to French podcasts. I enrolled in a French class at a community college last year but I felt out of my element and it was quite difficult without any prior French basis. I dropped out the first week. Maybe at my age, my ability to learn a new language is slowing. I am considering the Rosetta Stone software, I hear it is very successful.  Ideally, I would learn if I spent a year in Paris *sigh*. When I was in Paris I didn’t attempt French at all because every person we came in contact with spoke English.

The Seine River with Notre Dame in the background

On top of the Eiffel Tower
Me and Aimee in front of Notre Dame (257 stairs!)

 

Hopefully, I will learn it before our bebe is born *that gives me 9 months* Such an optimist!  My Mom may be coming into town next week but this week is at a stand still. Antz is playing volleyball tonight, I have not decided if I will go watch him play. It gets annoying when everyone asks me why I’m not playing. Saying I’m sick doesn’t seem to be enough, they want to know what is wrong and when will I be playing again. I just want to scream I MAY BE PREGGO!! so staying home is an easier option. We have been talking about a much needed vacation but I really want to start saving for the 2012 London olympics and if we spend any money that will mess up my savings plan. If I could go anywhere *without financial worry* I would go to Hawaii. I would love to spend our 10 year anniversary there. However Alaska is peaking my interest as well. Oh well, I’ll be happy if we get a weekend at my Godfather’s house in Palm Springs.

Au Revoir