Happy Christmas, Merry Always!

Merry Bright Zigzag Christmas Card

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Oh Joy!

Giving Thanks

November is a month that is full of giving thanks. Not only on Thanksgiving when we gather with our friends and families, but today, November 11th, we celebrate our Veterans, past and present and all of their sacrifices they made defending this great nation. A huge thank you and hug to my favorite veteran, my father in law, Don Burton! My family is blessed to have him as our leader, mentor, handy man, cook, husband, father, uncle and grandpa. We appreciate all that you do for us Don!

Here are some ways people are giving thanks today to all veterans with DEALS!!

• Golden Corral - Free "Thank You" Dinner for current and retired military members on 11/15/2010 from 5pm-9pm
• Applebee's - Free entree for Veterans on 11/11/2010
• Chili's - Free Select Veteran's meal for veterans during business hours on 11/11/2010
• Outback Steakhouse - Free Bloomin Onion & a beverage for Veterans on 11/11/2010
• Lowe's - 10% off purchases year-round for Veterans
• Hugo & Sam's Club - Free cane for Veterans in need of mobility assistance. Canes will be given away at Sam's Club nationwide on 11/10/2010 - 11/12/2010
• Hooters - All Veterans will receive 1 free entree off the specialty menu on 11/11/2010 at participating restaurants
• Uno Chicago Grill - Free entree of individual pizza to all Veterans on 11/11/2010
• America's National Parks - Free Admission for Veterans and civilians on 11/11/2010
• Dollar General - 10% off total purchases for Veterans on 11/11/2010. Must show military ID
• Home Depot - 10% off all purchases up to $2000 for Veterans on 11/11/2010
• Knott's Berry Farm - Free Admission to Veterans & 1 guest. Additional tickets $15 each. Valid through 11/25/2010
• Brides Across America - free wedding dresses to military brides.
• Fashion Bug - 20% off misses and plus size clothing purchases with military ID or spouses military ID
• Subway - Free 6" sub to Veterans on 11/11/2010 at participating restaurants
• TGI Fridays - Buy one get on free meals for Veterans with military ID from 11/11/2010 - 11/14/2010

Not the kind you find in a second hand store

It's finally getting cooler and I get to accessorize with my favorite pieces.... BERETS!!!! Love, love these beauties. They look adorable on anyone! Here are a few of my fave's :

Simple and Sweet at a great price from Target

Pic up this Jewel at Nordstrom. Hint to the hubby, this is on my Christmas list :)

Ultra chic in Cashmere, yes please! Thank you ShopBop

Nicole always nails it in the style department. Check out this funky sparkly number at BleuDame

Go ahead, get your Brenda Walsh on ;)

Mad About Plaid

Mac has figured out a way to make me want their entire cosmetic line all over again!

I love, love my Scottish heritage and am so very proud to have a family tartan. And now I am lusting for all things plaid from Mac. Officially on my Christmas list.

To give and to Receive.....

This weekend Nov 11th - 14th, The Give & Get is back!

Enjoy 30% off anything you buy at The Gap, Old Navy & Banana Republic all while giving back to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Retail Therapy for a good cause, yes please!

Just use the coupon below when checking out :)

Thanks Amanda!

Fashion for Less

you're welcome ;)

I want you all over me

Want a perfectly chic L.A.M.B dress to wear to your holiday party?!?! Who doesn't? Head over to Lady Warfield Presents for your chance to win this amazing little number....

XOXO

L

everyone loves a bargain

It's that time of year again! My absolute favorite time of year. The time when (usually) the weather gets colder, Starbucks switches from white to red cups and the time to start CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!! My company hosts a sample sale every year and I don't want you to miss out on some great deals! The sale features DVS, Matix and Lakai and will be held from

*Nov 18th - 20th*

955 Francisco St * Torrance * 90502

Tell your friends!

Don't Criticize it.....

Well California, today is the day!

Don't forget to head to your local polling place and cast your vote! I am a strong believer in exercising your right to have your voice heard and opinion matter and have not missed an election since I turned 18. There are some important propositions on this ballot, so please

read up, educate yourself and cast your vote.

Happy Election Day!

nail done, hair done, everything did.

Let's be honest, I have always had frizzy, somewhat curly and I would even say fluffy, hair. I have tried every product under the sun: pomades, creams, leave in conditioner, waxes, sprays, etc but nothing seemed to really get it under control. Then, one day a miracle popped into my inbox .... a Groupon for a Brazilian Blowout!!! Can this be the answer to my prayers? I decided to find out!

This is the an actual pic of my hair right after my hairdresser, Rex, worked his magic:

I know right?!?!??! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!! Rex is honestly amazing! He is also extending his Groupon rate of $99 (!!!) to anyone that tells him they were referred by me. Check out his website here.

Get yourself fancy and thank me later :)

I know it's been a while, but I'm glad you came.

Today is the day I am returning from my long vacation from blogging. My life was here and there and everywhere when I last posted and I just needed to take a break while my life reset. So much has changed in the last year and I am finally ready to write again.

Good, good things have happened since I have been away. I met my (now) husband Jared while playing softball with the Karate Kids. Exciting! We got engaged last december 23rd and were married this past May. I was in a planning frenzy, planning every last detail of our 300+ guest wedding, at the same time planning our 10 year high school reunion and I threw one of my girl friends a baby shower all at the same time. It was fabulous! I realized that I absolutely love being busy. Like crazy busy. After our wedding, Jared and I honeymooned in Cancun and Cabo, where Jared was a groomsman in one of his best friends weddings. It was an amazing way to kick off summer and start our life together as Mr & Mrs. You also might have noticed the name change of my blog :)

The second half of 2010 we finished remodeling our first house into a home, which we had started at the end of last year. Jared and his dad pretty much tore the house down to the studs and completely rebuilt it. I will post more on that later because there are soo many fabulous details to share. We are really proud of the way it turned out and I love

We are now approaching my favorite time of year - HOLIDAY SEASON!!! So I will be posting a lot in the weeks to come, can't wait!

XOXO

L

Family Vacation 09

This year I decided to go on spring break with my parents to Sedona, the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam and Vegas. I haven't been on a "spring break" since I was in college, which was 5 years ago, so this was a special treat for me!

Our first stop was Sedona. We got to stay in an amazing 3 bedroom/3 bath timeshare that had gorgeous views of the red rocks. We went hiking, off roading in a jeep (it was scary and I screamed) and did a lot of sightseeing and picture taking. I am still learning how to use my camera but my dad is a photography buff and was trying to give me pointers and tips along the way. Thanks Dad!

Here is my step mom Peggy enjoying the view from our patio in Sedona:

On our first hike:

My dad and I:

This is called the "Devil's Kitchen". Our jeep guide told us that it got its named because when the rocks collapsed it made a thunderous noise and sent a huge column of red dust into the air making the local people think that the devil was cooking something out in the middle of the dessert. That huge rock at the bottom is called the "Grand Piano" (for obvious reasons).

My dad, my step sister Jill and I at the Grand Canyon. It was beautiful, but freezing! The day we went there just so happened to be a snow storm passing thru and it was 29 degrees and snowing! So we would park at each picture taking spot and run out and take a few pics and then run back to the car to warm up. 

Last stop was vegas. This was a different Vegas experience for me since Jill is only 17,  I couldn't do what I usually do which is gamble, drink and hit up the clubs, so we did family friendly things like shop, eat and go to a show. My dad really likes magic and illusions so we went to see the Mentalist. He is a guy that can tell you what you are thinking and mess with your mind. Here we are posing with him and his assistant after the show. It was a pretty fun show and I was entertained. Jill and I were even picked to go on stage for one trick and assist him. After the show my dad was able to tell me how he did each trick. :( Buzz Kill dad! 

Over all it was an amazing family vacation and I am thankful that I got to go and bond with you Dad, Peggy and Jill! I love you!

Follow me on Twitter

I finally got a twitter account. I will most likely post more often on there so follow me....

Because I Can

All of my life I have been able to find the perfect songs to listen to that describes exactly what I was going thru at that moment. I would listen to the songs over and over until the situation had passed and the phase was over. Lately I have been paying attention to what music I have been playing in my car (not radio, mostly Ipod and CD's) considering my situation now. If you don't know, feel free to email you and I will explain. I decided I am going to put up lyrics to some of the songs that are currently playing in my life. Kind of like a journal, only using someone else's words because they can better describe the feelings. If someone knows how to add a music player to this blog, please let me know. I would also like to add a playlist to this page. thanks!

One Way Ticket (Because I Can)         

In our Hearts. Tommy D.

This morning marked the passing of a great family friend, Tommy Donfrio. He will be forever in our hearts and truly missed. I am very glad that we all got a chance to see him this past sunday and talk with him and share some memories. To my surprise he was the same Tommy, smiling, laughing and telling jokes the whole time. He talked about how he couldn't wait to sing with the band again as soon as he could get his voice stronger. I pulled his bio from my dad's band website - Cheap Sax:

Tommy Donfrio, Vocals, Drums

Long before he ever laid a stick on a snare drum, there was the simple `tap-tap-tap` of a young boy's fingers on the wooden church pew. Trying to add a beat to the drone of a gospel hymn played on a sleepy organ at Sunday mass, little Tommy Donfrio annoyed churchgoers with a rhythmic fingertip-and-knuckles mini-percussion. He didn't know at the time that it would be the beginning of a life-long love affair with music.

Tom Donfrio, a.k.a Tommy Dee (after all this is rock'n'roll) got his first set of drums at age 13. It was an old and battered Kent set that his Uncle Tony from Rochester New York tried to sell, but after several mocking laughs and giggles from prospective buyers, decided heroically to donate the set to his anxious nephew.

Tommy's first band, The Rejects, played their first gig to a throng of at least ten teenagers at a 13th birthday party. His musical career was off and running. The band played many local parties, backyard barbeques and soon thereafter even got to play on a local TV show. "Engineer Bill's Shake Shop."

The `Rejects` eventually lived up to their name and Tommy moved on. The bubble-gum got even stickier when he and current Cheap Sax keyboard player Rick Avenatti hooked up with an all-girl band called The Jaggz. They hopscotched around town performing at teen center dances, USO shows, and Battle of the Bands Spectaculars. It was during this period that Tommy developed sensitivity. In other words, he always let the girls have their way. He also discovered that a wonderful by-product of playing rock and roll was having a lot of girls around. If the music wasn't up to his expectations, he could always take comfort in the environment. Even so, when his friends began to refer to the group as "The Powderpuffs," Tommy knew it was time to exit.

It was on to Montebello High School where Tommy had the good fortune to back up rock'n'roll legends The Coasters and The Drifters. Tommy's excitement was hard to contain, but his overuse of the word "groovy" wasn't conducive to R&B and soon again he found himself to be a drummer without a gig, until 1971, when Tommy co-founded the country-rock band Pequod. That same year they recorded their first album and promoted it by playing local clubs and a cable TV show.

There was a virtual drought in the L.A. music scene in 1973 when Tommy latched on to a Japanese Pop Rock band called Free Flight. Tommy's best memory of this band was that for the first in his life he felt tall. In 1976 Tommy was once again reunited with Rick Avenatti and current Cheap Sax guitarist, Doug Macoll in a group called Higher Ground. The band's biggest claim to fame was a four month stay in Hawaii. Oahu clubs and military bases were the band's bread and butter for their tour. Unfortunately the group was saddled with a rowdy reputation by Military Police (MP's) during their stay. It seemed whenever they played a base, the brig was filled by morning. Go figure.

By 1980 there was a New Wave of music washing over LA, and Tommy's creative juices were flowing. He and Doug left Higher Ground, and along with current sax player, Gary Pluchino, formed The Rev, one of the hottest (and best-kept) secrets on the LA music scene. Perhaps due to an excess of testosterone, the group evolved into The Balding Brothers, and they enjoyed six years of playing local clubs and opening for acts like The Del Tones, Billy and the Beaters and Al Kooper. It was during this time that Tommy met Jeff Cool, current lead vocalist for Cheap Sax. In 1990 Cheap Sax was born and has endured and flourished to the present day.

Tommy is married to his number one fan, Amy. To their own bewilderment and amazement they have raised a lovely daughter, Lindsey, who's pent-up anger and hostility has manifested itself in creative musical talents of her own. Along with Jeff's and Gary's daughters Lindsey will often front the band singing a lovely ballad or noteworthy rock and roll classic.

When he's not pounding out great sounds from his vintage 1969 Ludwig psychedelic red drum set or his Roland electronic drums, Tommy Dee will Jekyll and Hyde himself into Mr. Donfrio, the Director of HR for Montebello Schools. Tommy has been mentoring kids for most of his adult life. So if you're having trouble with your kid's test-scores. see the drummer.

Tommy's musical resume is long, but not as long as his musical memory. If you were to ask him about his favorite moments performing, he would list a host of unforgettable snapshots in time, and somewhere near the top of that list would be the simple "tap-tap-tap" of a little boy in church trying to create a better beat for all of us.

R.I.P Tommy.

"Things to do"

I am stealing this list of "Things To Do" from Mandy's blog for 2 reasons: 1. I haven't posted anything in a really long time, sorry about that faithful readers. And 2. I always say that I can check off "running a marathon" off of my list of things to do, but never really had a complete list. So here it is.

*** Everything that I have done is in BOLD***

1. Started your own blog
2.Slept under the stars
3.Played in a band - i played the flute for 5 years when i was a kid
4.Visited Hawaii - many times, i love it there
5.Watched a meteor shower
6.Given more than you can afford to charity
7.Been to Disneyland
8.Climbed a Mountain
9.Held a praying mantis
10.Sang a solo
11.Bungee jumping
12.Visited Paris
13.Watched a lightning storm at sea
14.Taught yourself an art from scratch
15.Adopted a child
16.Had food poisoning
17.Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18.Grown your own vegetables
19.Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20.Slept on an overnight train - thanks to my mom i took a train all the way to CO when i was a kid, worst sleep ever
21.Had a pillow fight
22.Hitch hiked - one of vanessa's bright ideas...
23.Taken a sick day when you were not ill
24.Built a snow fort
25.Held a lamb
26.Gone skinny dipping
27.Run a Marathon - San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon - 6/3/07
28.Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29.Seen a total eclipse
30.Watched a sunrise or sunset
31.Hit a home run - not even in my slow pitch softball league. how sad!
32.Been on a cruise
33.Seen Niagara Falls in person
34.Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35.Seen an Amish community
36.Taught yourself a new language - spanish
37.Had enough money to be truly satisfied - almost.
38.Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39.Gone rock climbing
40.Seen Michelangelo's David
41.Sung Karaoke
42.Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43.Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44.Visited Africa
45.Walked on a beach by moonlight
46.Been transported in an ambulance
47.Had your portrait painted - I sat for my friend scott in college and he sketched me, almost lifesize, for his art class. it took 14 hours! 
48.Gone deep sea fishing
49.Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50.Been to the top of the Eiffel tower in Paris - how about the one in vegas? LOL
51.Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52.Kissed in the rain
53.Played in the mud
54.Gone to a drive-in theater
55.Been in a movie - does a tv show count? cause i have been in a few.
56.Visited the Great Wall of China
57.Started a business 
58.Taken a martial arts class
59.Visited Russia
60.Served at a soup kitchen
61.Sold girl scout cookies
62.Gone whale watching
63.Got flowers for no reason
64.Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65.Gone sky diving 
66.Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67.Bounced a check
68.Flown in a helicopter
69.Saved a favorite childhood toy
70.Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71.Eaten Caviar
72.Pieced a quilt
73.Stood in times square
74.Toured the Everglades
75.Been fired from a job
76.Seen the changing of the Guards in London
77.Broken a bone
78.Been on a speeding motorcycle
79.Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80.Published a book
81.Visited the Vatican
82.Bought a brand new car
83.Walked in Jerusalem 
84.Had your picture in the newspaper
85.Read the entire Bible 
86.Visited the White House
87.Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88.Had Chickenpox
89.Saved someones life - I was a lifeguard back in high school and I saved a couple drowning kids.
90.Sat on a jury 
91.Met someone famous
92.Joined a book club
93.Lost a loved one
94.Had a baby
95.Seen the Alamo in person
96.Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97.Been involved in a law suit
98.Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Been in love

41/100... 

Some of these things i dont really want to do - i.e. hold a lamb? not that important to me - travel to every state in the US - that is more important to me. So I am revising my list!

Eat More Chicken

We were at Chick-Fil-A with the Grovers we ran into their cow and we had to take pics. LOL

Back in the Water

Every year over Christmas break my high school water polo team hosts our annual alumni game. I have skipped playing a couple years for various reasons. But this year I was SUPER excited to get in the water and play.

I was the oldest player this year, representing class of 2000. Kelly and Jess played for '01 and then a lot of younger girls that i didnt know. I scored 3 goals but our team lost to the current varsity team. oh well. there is always next year. and it got me itching to play more polo. stay tuned.

ready for the sprint... sort of.

driving to score

of course i made this one

coach jeff with us. just like old times.

jess and i

kelly, jess and i

Champions!

My softball team - The Karate Kids - won the championships! woo hoo

Here we are with our huge trophy: