Charlotte Takes A Walk (one of her first!)

This is video of Charlotte's early steps. She just learned to walk last week and you can see that she is still very unsteady. I was worried she was going to revert back to crawling during my video but she stuck it out and made it all the way over. She's turning into such a clown now. If you do something she doesn't like, she just shrieks or shakes her head "no no no". And she seemed to be obsessed with my nose. Too bad her Aunt Diana has a major nose phobia. My heart started to palpitate and I had to end that game pretty quick. But just to hear her giggle, it was almost worth it. Almost.

Earlier this weekend, I met Saadia on Saturday for a much needed massage at Shizen. The technique was a little odd but overall not bad. I especially liked the big jacuzzi afterwards. After our massages, I met Sally and we went back to Mississauga to pick up my shoes from the bridal dress store and then shopped at heartland mall. Our intention was to do Christmas shopping but I don't think either of us ended up with many presents. (Other than the ones we purchased for ourselves.)

Tonight I decided to make (another) big dinner for one. There's just something about big Sunday dinners that I love. Too bad I have no one at my dinner table! I ended up making this great pot roast dinner with garlic roasted sweet potatoes and lemon madeleines for dessert. Unfortunately being a party of one, I barely made a dent in my dinner. Oh well, leftovers to last all week I guess! (Although I think I'm on my 4th madeleine. They turned out soooo good.)

This week I'm going to get a "crown" at the dentist. I'm not looking forward to it. Don't only old people get crowns? You never hear of teenagers with crowns. Hmmm, yet another sign I'm getting old..

My sister, the Balloon Handler!

Apparently the "Stamford Thanksgiving Day Parade" is the biggest Turkey Day parade next to Macy's and my sister got to be one of the lucky "balloon handlers" at this year's parade. I don't really know how you get to be a balloon handler, or what the qualifications are, but it does look like fun. She said it was harder than it looked because the big thing to do at these parades is "spin" the balloons. As you walk down the path, everyone yells "spin!" and kids even hold up homemade signs. So all the handlers have to start running in a circle as fast as they can in order to make the balloon spin in the air. Apparently a lot harder than it looks.

Anyway, this might have been my sister's 15 minutes of fame (its even broadcast on the local Stamford news!) so I thought it was blog worthy.

Sally, don't forget my shoes!!

Today's wedding dress shopping was a great success! Well, we didn't exactly buy a dress, but in all the times I have accompanied friends shopping, this was by far, the easiest. Wedding dress shopping is usually a bit of a stressful experience when you shop without appointments and just want to "browse". The salespeople are like vultures and usually all over you with a million questions by the time you step in the door and then pulling and tugging at you while you try dresses on. This time, by Mae's suggestion, we went to Elizabeth Stuart in Mississauga first. It was supposed to be very reasonably priced and you didn't need an appointment.

As soon as Sally and I stepped in, I knew it was going to be a good experience. There was not a salesperson in sight. In fact, they didn't even come to the front to greet us. We just started a browsing and then heard a voice in the back say "let me know if you see anything you like and I'll get a changeroom started". It was the best. We started with about 3 dresses and didn't feel any pressure at all. And as a bonus, all 3 dresses ended up being beautiful. I was in love with the first, until I saw the second. I was shocked we had such great success right off the bat but considering how apprehensive Sally was to go in the first place, it was a very good sign.

We left in good spirits and even decided to check out "vulture central" Windsor Bridal on the way home. Even though we saw some great candidates, we just needed a little more browsing to seal the deal. On our way to Windsor Bridal we found a new place called My White Dress. It was a big warehouse and they had tons of dresses, all for $300!! We had low expectations and just thought it would be a lot of digging but turns out they had some great finds. We found Alfred Sung and Pronovias raw silk beauties! Unfortunately they just didn't fit as nicely as dresses number 1 and 2, but it was still a great place (again, no vultures and relatively relaxed, they even let you take pictures of the dresses!). After that (I think I made Sally try on at least a dozen different dresses,) we were pooped and stopped for lunch at Katz Deli before heading home.

Oh yes, as per my subject line, I forgot my dress shoes at Elizabeth Stuart so Sally, please don't forget to ask Ron to pick them up next week! A small price to pay for a great wedding dress shopping experience. Can't wait til next weekend...

Dinner and a Movie!

Last night I met Huddy and Sally for dinner and a movie. Huddy also brought his new gf Kim who I've heard lots about but never got a chance to meet. She had a bunch of free movie tickets so we all got treated to the movie.

Dinner was at Jack Astor's at Yonge and Dundas. I decided to take the subway from work since it was so cold. Leaving Dundas station brought back all kinds of ryerson memories. The station has changed since then and it was strange to see such a huge exit now (but that would have been very helpful during our school days where you would be squished into the crowd trying to get up the stairs.) Dundas Square was beautiful with all the Christmas lights. After dinner we watched the rest of the Raptor's game at Milestone's and then watched "Body of Lies" with Leonardo DiCaprio. I quite liked the movie but it was very long. I think we were the only ones in the theatre too. I guess its not so popular anymore.

Now Sally and I are getting ready to head out for our first visit to the wedding dress stores. I'm sure this will be one of many and I'm very excited to see Sally try on dresses. Its like something we've pictured when we were kids and now we're actually doing it for real!! Sally isn't keen on clothes shopping normally so we'll see how she does. I've made her promise to try on at least 3 dresses before she gets tired and wants to quit. Wish us luck!

KeBAB?

Last night was WND at Norm and Mel's. It was Norm's turn and his theme was keBABs! I should've known considering it was all he could talk about on Friday night at Mae's house. There's something about the way the English pronounce that word that we just couldn't let go of. Its not a "keBOB", its a "keBAB". Luckily, Stuart doesn't mind our endless "English" jokes!! Dessert was a deeleecious dulce de leche cheesecake from President's Choice. It was very good. Too bad I still didn't work there so I could "steal" a few from work!! Definitely miss those days...

Thanks for another great WND chef Norm! Looking forward to next week at Ev and Stu's.

COSTco!

Tonight Evelyn and I went to Costco. I emphasized the word "COST" in my subject line because that's mostly what I end up with whenever I go. Tonight I wanted to get a head start on my Christmas shopping. I managed to get 4 presents plus a couple of stocking stuffers so I guess I didn't do too bad but of course, I ended up spending over $200. (Had to throw in a few steaks, some gum and treats for the office too.)

After Costco, I got home just in time to watch my favourite tv show this year, "Privileged". I'm totally addicted. Its one of those girly romantic shows where I literally hang on every word, I can't even run to the bathroom during commercial just in case I miss a minute. I don't know what it is about it, but its just really sweet. No violence, no (major) sex, just girly relationships and romance. What more can I ask for? Plus I noticed that Megan, the main character, was wearing the exact blouse I just bought from Anthropologie last month! I wonder if that means it will be out of season by the time I wear it next summer? Oh well, I'm still wearing clothes from highschool!!

Tomorrow is WND, wonder what Chef Norm will be cooking...

Dog Days...

Just thought I'd post a few pics of my dog-sitting days. Oh, to be a dog. Kahlua was carried to and from work every day since she refused to walk and then spent the day lounging around the office with Diego, the other office dog. Then she'd get her "lift" home only to spend the rest of the evening as per the photos above.

And I thought I was a princess...

Birthday "mi-yuk"

As per Korean tradition, its not a real birthday celebration until you have the traditional birthday soup. Its a seaweed soup made with either beef, chicken or anchovy broth. I'm not usually a fan, but seeing as how it was Charlotte's first birthday, I thought I would celebrate with my niece by having a bowl. Turns out its not as bas as I remember and Charlotte seemed to love it. She downed the whole bowl. Then we re-lit her birthday candles from the party yesterday and sang her her song. Turns out she's 100% Korean, she loved the "mi-yuk" but spit out the chocolate cake as soon as it was put in her mouth.

Happy Birthday Charlotte!

This weekend was my niece Charlotte's birthday. Her actual birthday was today but my brother and sister-in-law threw a big birthday party yesterday at Shilla Korean restaurant (the same place they had their wedding reception coincedentally.) The food was deeleecious and the kids were so cute. I was the official mini cupcake baker and bingo leader. I managed to eat just enough so that I would have room for 2 pieces of cake (there were so many to choose from!) plus squeeze in a few mini cupcakes here and there.

I can't believe she's 1 already, she can already stand on her own, clap her hands and give kisses on command. She also likes to pick up dirt and give it to you. (I wonder if my mom taught her that?) Happy Birthday Charlotte, can't wait for the years to come!

Its time to VOTE!

There may be a BIG election going on in the U.S. right now but I need your vote on a very important matter here at home. Yes people, we are talking about KNOBS. I bought some new knobs at Anthropologie and I'm not sure if I like them. You've seen the pic of my new cabinet, now I need your opinion on two options. Option 1 are the new white knobs with yellow flowers (first pic). Option 2 are the original coppery knobs that the cabinet came with. There will be 6 knobs in total.

Please vote. Thank you.