So I was going to title this 'Summer Music vs. Winter Music,' but it's the middle of summer and just because it's 50 degrees, cold and completely gray outside, doesn't mean it's winter, right?? Anywhoooo, because it is sooooo cold outside, I find myself playing all sorts of tunes that I would never typically listen do during the warm summer months. And it got me wondering if there is such a thing as 'cold weather music.' Here are a few of my favorite 'cold weather' artists and if you have any that I should try, lemme know. This is how I stay cozy and just kinda run with this mid-summer-winter-thing that only happens in San Francisco.

1) Dido (i know, so weird!)

2) Annie Lennox

3) Seal

4) Michael Jackson

5)  The Cure

6) Alicia Keys

7) U2 

8) Pearl Jam 

I am totally and completely obsessed with the new DIORSHOW ICONIC mascara. This stuff rocks!!! I've tried more mascaras than I can bat a lash at and I have to say this beats my two long-time favorites (Diorshow and Chanel). Your lashes will love you forever!

1) Fun, unique handmade cards by Tyler Humphreys

2) Kinerase Extreme Face Lift

3) Diorshow ICONIC Mascara (i actually look like a got more than 5 hrs sleep)

4)  Having a fun Girls Night Out to look forward to this week!

5) Southern Living Secrets of the South's Best Barbeque (my new favorite cookbook)

Lovely Splendorinas, I need some help. I'm looking for some clever baby shower games and activiites that are good for a group of 20-30 fun girls. The best one I've heard is a custom mad libs (about couple, baby, etc.). Love that one, but need a few more (NO 'Smell the Stinky Diaper' or 'Baby Food Tasting Contests, please). Does anyone have tried and tested activiites that they AND the mom-to-be loved?? Please share!

I'm sure ya'll have heard it by now...the buzz word for the at-home vacation: STAYCATION. Well, I've just spent the last 7 days on my summer staycation and it's been some of the best time off I've ever experienced. If you're thinking of taking your own staycation, here are few tried and tested tips I'll share.

1) Have your home professionally cleaned the day before your staycation begins (makes you feel like you're some place special. just remember that cleaning lady won't be making your bed every morning)

2) Stock your fridge in advance with all the essentials for lazy mornings, impromptu gatherings and cocktail-ing at home

3) Make a wish list of all the things you'd love to see, do, explore (do this at the start so you don't waste precious time thinking about it)

4) Treat it like a real vacation. You know that it takes a couple of days to unwind, so plan ahead and give yourself the space to relax and totally check out.

5) Recruit a girlfriend, husband, etc. to enjoy at least one play day with you and make sure they understand your 'staycation' guidelines

6) Play games, watch the sunrise, take a nap at noon, have a cocktail at 2p, turn off your computer, don't watch the news...whatever you need to do to break out of your daily routine

Somehow my Wine Country staycation has turned into a true vacation and I still have three days left! I'll share a few highlights with you soon. Until then, I'm allowed limited computer time and I must go enjoy my day :)

1) Nine hours sleep on fresh sheets

2) My handy as heck husband (i'm wondering why he works in an office everyday.)

3) A trainer that tells it like it like is

4) Super cool melamine dishes (i'm totally obsessed with all things melamine!) 

5) Sunset Western Garden (this book is the BOMB for a new gardner such as myself. it's become my bible.) 

my husband just sent me a dozen roses for my birthday. they are pink and very pretty (no babies breath), but i'm over roses. so much so, that i had him rip up the rose bushes at our house this past weekend. this is such a sweet gesture and i love him for it...BUT did he not hear how many times i commented on how happy i was to be rid of roses and that there are soooo many other beautiful flowers to plant (or in this case give!). he even agreed and said he's never liked them either.

my girlfriends get it--sending me peonies, tuilps and hydrangeas, all of which are my known favorites. but roses?!? our anniversary is in a few months and and i'm trying to think of how i can subtly put the word out that it's time to look for another flower. ok, i know this is the silliest of all complaints and i probably sound like an ungrateful, bitch of a wife, but i figured if anyone would understand, it would be all my splendoritas. 

 i feel better already.

As I was tweezing my brows this a.m., I realized that I have unintentionally started down the path of DIY Beauty. I'm not even sure how I feel about this! It started a few months back when I couldn't make it in for my bi-weekly mani/pedi. And it's morphed into a full at-home routine. I think it's just a phase, but I'm gonna run with it for a while and see what happens. I still got my game and am feeling like a summer fox, so something must be working.

1) Brows: Damone Roberts Brow Kit and Jolen Bleach

2) Mani/Pedi: a shiny buff on my nails and Rasberry by Essie on my toes

3) Body Scrub: homemade Olive Oil and Brown Sugar

4) Tan: Jergens Natural Express Body Glow

5) Hair: Clairol Nice 'n Easy (NAW...I'm just teasing. I will always leave my golden locks to the master, Famous by Keith James)

6) Hair Removal: Veet. I'm totally obsessed and don't know that I'll ever go near waxing again. 

7) What else is left???

For all you Idol fans, here's a little inside scoop from the all-knowing Internet, on who has already won the final vote. Check it out.

I have a thing for men with beards! I know, it sounds kinda creepy. Even as I write this, I'm thinking to myself, 'Me, I like men with THAT much facial hair??' But it's true. Over the last few years, my husband's look has evolved from scruffy to a full on beard and now I get bummed when he shaves it. There's just something incredidbly sexy, professorial and bad-boy about men with beards. Trust me, when I was young and gabbing with my BFFs about our dream man, he didn't have any facial OR body hair to speak of. But times change and so has my idea of sexy. Now, as I look around at many of my BFF's husbands/boyfriends, I think I see a 'beard' trend taking hold...and I am all for it.