Best Laid Plans

We spend so much time planning life - planning our careers, weekend getaways, weekly meal plans, you name it. I am a planner. I like to know when I am supposed to be certain places, what is expected of me, etc. Still, this weekend reminded me how much fun things going against the meticulous plan can be a true blessing in disguise.

The plan - I would head down to the Culinary Institute of America with three friends for a fun filled day of good food and great company. I had looked at the website many times to prepare, and I was excited for the day. The one thing I didn't do (the one thing none of us going on this adventure did) was click on the link that listed the closings for the CIA. We drove almost 2 hours to see a barrier across the entry way and a sign saying they would open up August 3rd. We drove around a bit (until the security guard asked us to leave) and then needed to find a new adventure.

If I had been with other people, with other personalities, this would have been a disaster. It wasn't, though. We stopped at a historical site and a facebook update helped me connect with a friend I hadn't seen in over 10 years who was nearby, and we met up for lunch. We all laughed a lot. After lunch, we did some shopping, found a great Mexican restaurant where they made the guacamole at the table for you, and did some more shopping. It was a great day, and I think I can speak for everyone involved that we had a blast.

Sometimes, planning is overrated!

Self Help Books

As many of you know, Borders is closing. This is very sad for me - I love a good book, and spending some time searching for my next treasure in a bookstore is a favorite activity of mine. I know, I should be supporting local bookstores (which I do), but Borders has been my go-to large bookstore for years, and I'm sad to see it go. (I'm also an avid kindle user, which I also know is one of the things that has made Borders a soon to be thing of the past).

Anyways, where I am going with this is actually a rant about self help books. I decided to hit up my local Borders to check out their deals as they go out of business (I am sad to see them go, but I'm a sucker for a good deal). They have bargain books in front, and one of them was a self help "find your inner and outer beauty" book/manual/guide/faithful companion, etc. And... It was only $3.99 (plus 10% off that!!!)

So I bought the book. On the way home, though, I started thinking about all the money I have spent on books to better myself, even though I have to say I really like who I am. I'm know there are things I would like to change - I could lose a few pounds, I could drink less caffeine, I could learn to be a little less stubborn and independent, blah blah blah. The key is, I know what I would like to change, and I also know how to change these things through determination, but I'm overall happy with my life and who I am, so I don't bother. So why do I keep buying books that have quick fixes in them (that never work)? Maybe that is what I need to change about myself - stop spending money on self help books!

I may read through this book, or I may add it to the pile on my coffee table (right on top of a weight loss book for busy professionals I bought at Marshall's for $3.99) and forget about it until I make room for it on my book case. I'll let you know how I make out.

In the meantime, I was able to resist a 2012 calendar full of pictures of shoes (it wasn't a great deal), so if anyone wants to pick that up for me feel free.

Happy weekend!

Parking Lot Madness

I went to the ballet last night (which was amazing by the way - if you get a chance to see Jewels go). The company was great, the dancing was breathtaking, and once it stopped raining the night was gorgeous (if a little chilly and buggy). Overall, successful evening. Until I got in my car to leave...

People tend to complain about "younger drivers" being overly aggressive, not knowing how to drive, and so forth. Well, the majority of the drivers in the parking lot were not "younger" (not that they were old), and they did not know basic concert parking lot etiquette (let one car out, go a ways, and possibly let another car come out, and so forth). If everyone is courteous and calm, the cars will easily get out with minimal waiting. This did not happen last night. There were cars right on other car's bumpers, and no one wanted to let others out. There were cars trying to back out of spots. It was overall a mess.

So, although the "younger drivers" may have some bad habits - we can learn from their concert parking lot exit etiquette.

Birthday Gifts

It's my birthday month! Birthdays are an awesome time to celebrate everything that is exciting about life, and I find there is more and more to be thankful for each year. Yes, there are things I would like to change about my life, and things I wish I had already done, but I am genuinely happy with where I am in life, and I'm excited for what the next year will bring. So I'm not going to let any regrets or thoughts about what I have yet to do get me down at all.

Besides, how can you be at all down when your favorite stores are sending you amazing gift certificates to entice you in (where you will spend more than the certificate is for, but you have the joy of shopping). I received my Starbucks drink card in the mail today - that is definitely a favorite of mine. All of the love coming my way from people who don't even know me - it rocks!

So I bought myself my first birthday present today - which was (of course) shoes. They are adorable and comfortable, and I can't wait to wear them to my friend's wedding this Friday. Life is good and I am thankful for so much. What do you think about my new shoes?

Horoscopes

I am the type of person who reads multiple horoscopes until I find the one I like, and I assume that one is right, so I prepare for what it says my day will bring. Obviously, I don't put too much faith in these predictions, but I do find them fun (and one horoscope last week told me to buy shoes, so that is definitely my favorite to date). I have to admit, though, there are some times that the horoscope I find strikes me - whether helping me feel better about something or clearing things up for me.

Today is one of those days that my horoscope rang true for me. Yesterday, I thought of someone I haven't talked to in almost 10 years. It is someone from when I first started my career. She was a strong influence for me, but we parted ways and I haven't talked to her in a long time. I know that a portion of the parting, possibly most of it, was because of me. I am sorry that I didn't try harder to keep her in my life, and I hope she is doing well. I was missing her yesterday, but I have no way of getting in touch with her, and I don't even know if she would be interested in talking to me now.

So today, I read my horoscope, and it stated "Going back in time and undoing (or redoing) something you did would be nice, but it's just not possible." Although this is a little negative for an eternal optimist like me, it makes sense. I can't change what happened in the past, but I can send some happy thoughts to my friend, wish her well in my mind, and enjoy (and hold on to) my current friends. I can't change my actions in the past, but I can learn from them and be a better person moving forward.

8 Inch Heals???

My friend sent me a link to a Today Show section on super high 8 inch heals (check them out below). Now how can a blogger who is obsessed with shoes not write about these spectacular, if 100% impractical, shoes. They are very pretty (although a little awkward and I wouldn't even want to put my feet in them). Still, I wish they came in a pale pink color. The shoes were auctioned off to benefit the English National Ballet. I don't know who bought them, how much they went for, or if they will ever be worn, but it doesn't matter - they are a work of art.

The ballet connection is obvious, and it makes me wish I had learned how to dance, although I am not the most graceful person in the world. I am sure I wouldn't be able to wear them, but they would look great on display at my home. Some day...

In the meantime, I'll have to settle with the picture. Enjoy (and be careful when you wear your heals, particularly if they are 8 inches high!)