Harper Valley

Halloween Costume Contest

 

Yesterday was the day.  The day of the office Halloween costume contest.  I haven't dressed up in years because I'm old and lame now...and not on the Halloween party circuit like I used to be.  So I was really excited to create an alter ego and be goofy for a day.  The majority of the team dressed up, so the creativity was abundant and the laughs were contagious. 

I dressed up as *Red Riding in the Hood* complete with fake nails, a boom box, tattoos, and of course my red cape.  I was on my way to my grandma's house in the Bronx.  Check out the winners below, and be sure to catch my video at the end for the full effect of our crazy day.  Halloween is so rad.  I heart it.

Red Riding in the Hood: I ain't scerred of no big, bad wolf.

Most Original: Michael Jackson, Before & After

Most Accessorized: Jem, the 80s cartoon rock star.

 
 
Scariest: Mini monster..scrappy and scary indeed.

Best Overall: Octomom, the ultimate multi-tasker.

 

Most Comical: We had a tie between Jeffrey, the creepy country club guy and Madea, everyone's favorite mama.  To break the tie, they had a dance off to Boom Boom Pow.  Check out the video below and crank up the volume! 

 

Have a Spooktacular Halloween!

A Night in NYC

Business travel is bittersweet.  It's usually a welcome distraction to get out of the office and break up the everyday monotony.  But while you're out schmoozing, the e-mails stack up and the voice mails linger.  The piled up work is always anxiously awaiting you.  But who cares about all that when your work trip lands you just 20 minutes from New York City?!?!?!

So after a full day of client visits and kissing babies, Steve and I darted to the city for some down time.  We only had a few hours in the Big Apple, but they were awesome.  We ran into a local guy in Midtown who gave us the scoop on a hot spot where lots of Broadway actors hang out.  It was one of those incognito places with no door sign to throw off eager tourists like us.  When we arrived, I thought the hostess might ask us for the secret handshake, but luckily she just directed us to the last two empty barstools.  So we settled in and tried to act cool. 

The crowd: Chill.  The bar snacks: Wasabi Peas.  The drinks: Pricey.  The TV entertainment: Classic Hollywood Films.  The celebrity: Keanu Reeves.  He wasn't in the bar, but he was outside on the curb.  Some of the locals at the bar pointed him out to us.  I commented that he just looked like a good ole homeless person with a big coat.  They said...yeah, that's how he rolls. 

Here are a few pics from our jaunt through the city after we left the no-name bar.  I would have taken pics there too, but we were trying to act like locals and not blow our cover.  heehee

Our first encounter in the city was with Ebony & Ivory Santa Clauses.  Apparently, they traded in the sleigh for these nifty donkeys.  Looks like they should be more careful with their Viagra.  They done grown horns!

Next up...the corner market.  Still open well after midnight and full of fresh flowers.  I LOVE this about NYC.  Somehow, the royal blue-tipped roses at 7-11 just don't compare.

 

We couldn't leave the city without pizza.  Even their bad pizza is good.

 

Extra grease for me, please!

 

After a ridiculous amount of pizza, we hopped on the last bus out before we turned into pumpkins.  Note to self: do not arrive at the bus station with a full bladder.

 

Limoncello Martini

I was invited to a wedding this weekend.  So I thought it would be fun to have a few pals over for a little pre-wedding happy hour.  The five hours of free drinks at the wedding reception just wasn't enough for us.  No, no.  No sir.  We just HAD to get started early with these lemony libations. 

If you're not familiar with Limoncello..it's an Italian lemon liqueur.  It's very sweet, not sour at all.  So the pure lemon juice in this recipe helps balance out the flavors.  Hope you savor these as much as we did.

Limoncello Martini

• 2 oz citrus vodka
• 2 oz Limoncello
• Juice of 1/2 large lemon
• Sugar

1. Rub cut lemon along the ridge of a martini glass.  Dip glass edge in sugar.
2. Fill a martini shaker with ice.  Add vodka, Limoncello, and lemon juice.  Shake until well blended.
3. Pour mixture into sugar-rimmed glass, and serve with a lemon rind twist.

WARNING: This is what happens when you drink multiple Limoncello Martinis.  And these are the good pictures.  Proceed with caution. 

 

Birthday Spa Trip

 
I've been hitting the spa on my birthday for about five years now.  But when I discovered the Ritz Carlton spa a few years back...my birthday celebrations skyrocketed to a whole new level.  I usually make the birthday spa journey by myself, but this year, my friend Gaybrielle joined me since her birthday is just 10 days after mine.  It was so much more fun to celebrate with a fellow Libra. 

The day was full of giggles.  We cut the fool from the moment we arrived.  Everything was just funny.  Everything!  Throughout the day, we thought of zany things we could do to shock our fellow spa-goers.  We wondered how people would react if we rolled up to the spa pool with some bright pink noodles, snorkels, and some flippers.  Then we tossed around the idea of bringing our own Lean Cuisine meals and asking the pool boy to heat them up for us.  Wouldn't that be a riot?  Wonder if they'd kick us out?

We used an insane amount of towels, which also struck our funny bone.  I think we used around 12 each over the course of seven hours.  But that's what the spa is for--indulgence.  We partook in every indulgence available - massage, sauna, snacks, hot tea, shower, pool, lunch, drinks, dessert, hot tub.  Gaybrielle kept saying throughout the day...I could really get used to this life...I'm meant for this! 

On the way home, we got a little depressed because the perfect day was nearing it's end.  Gayb had a great idea that a spa day should be a yearly requirement for every female alive.  I agreed and added that it should be part of our annual gyno exams:  Morning at the doctor...afternoon at the spa.  What do you think, ladies?

Here I am, anxiously awaiting my East Indian Lime Scalp & Body Massage.

Fellow birthday spa friend....

 One of the ladies lounge areas.

Moroccan bird cage in the upstairs lounge.

This is how many towels I used.  Literally.
 

The $14 margarita. 

Somebody got very sleeeeepy.
 
  

View of the Spa from the hot tub.  It's three stories, people!

 

 

Blog Fluff

I am excited about the following......

1. Sweating profusely at Bikram Yoga
2. My next redesign project
3. The new Big Lots in my hood
4. Pumpkins
5. My new flirty dress for an upcoming wedding
6. Sweaters {a delusion of grandeur for Florida Fall}
7. My DIY/Bathtastic debut
8. The permanent absence of my DVR
9. My annual Ritz Spa birthday indulgence
10. Teenage vampire love

Thank you for indulging me on Blog Fluff day.

Maple Sweet Potato Puree with Caramelized Onions

Just in time for Fall....my favorite new recipe.  Sweet and savory.  Just scrumptious.  It's from Food Network's Claire Robinson (Five Ingredient Fix).  This is a cinch to make, but looks and tastes very fancy.  Claire recommends using a food processor, but if you don't have one {like me} then just use a potato masher or a fork.  Hope you love this dish as much as I do.  Claire says it serves eight, but at my house..it's more like four.

Ingredients

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into rough chunks
• 1/4 cup grade B maple syrup, plus 2 TBSP
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided in half
• 2 tsp kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
• 2 TBSP butter
• 1 large Vidalia onion, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place sweet potatoes, 1/4 cup of the maple syrup, 2 TBSP of olive oil, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp pepper in a large mixing bowl.  Toss to evenly coat and place on a sheet tray.  Roast in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until sweet potatoes are soft.  Be sure to check on them after 15 minutes and stir, if needed.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter and add remaining 2 TBSP or olive oil.  Add the sliced onion, 2 TBSP of maple syrup, and season with salt/pepper to taste.  Saute until deep golden brown, about 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and set aside. 
4. Transfer sweet potato mixture to a food processor, and about one TBSP of hot water.  Pulse until just blended and then add half of the caramelized onions.  Pulse until desired consistency, adding more hot water for a smoother puree.  Fold in remaining caramelized onions, reserving some for garnish.
5. If you don't have a food processor: Mash cooked sweet potatoes with potato masher or a fork, and garnish with sauteed onions.

Bookshelf Redesign

Check out these before/after shots of a large bookshelf that I redesigned today.  Using the homeowner's existing accessories and books, I artfully arranged her items to create a fresh new look.  The best part?  She didn't buy anything new.  It's all her stuff.  Do your bookshelves need refreshing?  Contact me today! 

BOOKSHELF BEFORE

BOOKSHELF AFTER