Shopping Nirvava

OK, I'm going to admit that it's pretty ridiculous that I'm actually posting something like this. It's petty, juvenile, snobby, snotty, trite, etc, etc...HOWEVER, I cruised thru the Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey on Sunday with a friend and I acted like a little kid in a candy store. I felt like a snob, but it was like Christmas wrapped up into an air-conditioned mall. Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Chanel, Saks, Nordstrom, Neiman, and Bloomies, (yes, all FOUR anchor stores!), and fan favorites Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and Williams Sonoma. Seriously, it was so much fun.

Oh, and I came out on top with a hot pair of Dolce & Gabbana shoes, my fav!

Say It Isn't So....

A few weeks back a few colleagues and I were fortunate enough to ride in one of these old checkered cabs on our way to a work outing. We had a blast, as Taxi Ray old stories of old; from personal military conquests to historic stories of NYC. Ray has been driving cabs for well over 50+ years, and this cab was a relic...it had enough room in the back for all 4 of us, plus maybe 1-2 more people, with two swivel seats that came out of the floor of the cab.

Ray was great...such a kind and sweet old man, and I could tell that he thoroughly enjoyed what he did. He didn't charge us a normal cab fare, but kindly asked us for whatever we wanted to give him for the ride. We even took a pic outside of the cab!

Unfortunately, poor Taxi Ray has come on hard times. It was reported yesterday that Taxi Ray has had his car seized. You see, Ray isn't registered with the TLC, and doesn't own a medallion, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Anyhoo, poor Ray! Here's a link to the article: Taxi Ray Has Taxi Seized.

Seattle - July 2007

Sorry folks for the unoriginal title to this post! I just got back from a 6 day stay in Seattle late last night. All Microsoft newbies are required to go thru a 4 day New Employee Orientation training in Redmond; aka the "Motherland." No, I didn't see Bill, but I did get to experience a few rainy Seattle days, and a handful of gorgeous and sunny days (see pic above, no clouds!!).

And just to round out my trip, US Air has lost my baggage. No word yet on when/if it will arrive!

Pics are uploaded here. They're a little tourist-y, but there are a few pics of work colleagues. And of course, I had to take a cheezy pic of the Microsoft sign! All in all it was a great time in the PNW!

The Hamptons...

Each summer MSN rents a house in the Hamptons, Westhampton, actually, for client entertainment. This year, I was fortunate enough to be invited to go up July 5th and stay for the night with one of our agency partners. As everyone knows, July 4th this year was miserable; lots of rain, and kinda chilly. Naturally, the weather carried over to our trip out east on July 5th; nonetheless, we hopped in our rented Caravans and made the two hour trek to the house.

I was completely amazed as I walked into the house...this was my first time to the "Hamptons" (said with snobby tone...hehe) and I wasn't let down. I was like a kid in a candy shop, in fact, we all were. The house was beautiful...and exactly what I would have expected from a nice multi-million dollar summer home right on the beach. I ran around and took as many pics as I could before everyone arrived; Hamptons House.

The weather did clear up on Friday, July 6th, and we were able to get in a few hours on the beach. What a life, huh?