f*u*n

We had a very fun time at the much anticipated gala. I have never been on a red carpet or to a film premiere so it was very cool and very fascinating. There were beautiful people everywhere and I could have people watched all night long. There were tons of paparazzi there and though they were paying no attention to us it was still exciting to feel the buzz of energy. The film premiere was in Leicester Square. There was a cocktail hour prior which was fun. I sipped champagne and finally got to meet some of Brian's work colleagues, which was cool. The film was incredible. When it comes out you must go. The leading actress, Carey Mulligan, was amazing. A very talented young woman she is. I couldn't help but notice physical similarities between her and Katie H*olmes. The writer, director and cast all attended and after the film they came on stage for Q&A. Afterwards we went to the party which was just amazing. The night went by so quickly and before we knew it the clock struck one and we needed to head home to relieve Karina, our beloved babysitter.

Here are some pics I found online from lastnight's premiere.

We only have 2 pics of us. As you can see my hair did not go as planned (disaster, really) and so I wore it down. I had an appointment for a blowout and he pulled it back but once I got home I tore it out. It was too much of an "up do" and so after I took the gazillion pins out there was no time left for me to do anything with it. It looks huge in the picture below but I assure you that after a few minutes of being outside it fell and was not so poofy.

And here are the shoes I wore. They are 4 inch heels.

Have I ever worn 4 inch heels? No ... but I could not resist these beauties. Will I ever wear them again? Without a doubt no. In fact, as of November 9 I won't be wearing any heals for 12 weeks. I am having surgery. Will explain another day. I am still not feeling 100% from the weekend and will now retire to the couch. Brian is taking Kaneu to a football game tonight so us girls are on our own.

ouch

I don't know what is worse - having a stomach bug for 2 days OR the caffeine headache that comes from not having coffee while having the stomach bug for 2 days. BRUTAL!! Ruby was up all*night*long Thursday vomiting. Poor baby. I woke up Friday feeling the beginnings of what would become 2 days spent in bed. I am finally feeling better but my goodness my head is throbbing!!! No coffee for 2 days = massive headache. Ouch. I've had 2 diet sodas today and about 7 ibuprofen but I believe that it's going to take a cup of coffee in the AM to make this better. Sigh.

Anyways ... I found a dress! After much thought I decided to wear a black satin strapless number I have hanging in my closet. Elaine and I went out Wed and shopped 'til we dropped for accessories. I wasn't totally sold on the outfit but was content enough ... until I saw this the next day. It's cashmere and I just love it and so I bought it. Will wear it with some shimmery black tights and satin heels. Will also wear it on NYE with boots. And maybe V day too!

Now the question is this - hair?? Down? Sleek? Full? Up? Makeup will be subtle smokey eyes and red lips. Suggestions please!!

sick chick

I cannot believe another week has come and gone. Other than the "chicken incident" and a few celeb sightings it was a rather uneventful week.

What is the "chicken incident" you ask? Well, that is what happens when you are SO tired and are paying more attention to what your children are doing while they are eating than what you are putting into your own mouth. We were out to eat on Wed while Brian was at a work function. I ordered my usual brown rice risotto with tuna. Half way through the meal Elaine asks me what I was eating. "It looks like chicken" she said. And so she was right. About an hour later I was sick as a dog. I don't think I've eaten chicken for 15 years or so.

I haven't been so great about taking photos but I did take my camera out with us on Saturday so here are some cute pics of the kids while we were out and about in Chelsea. While having a late-afternoon-much deserved-glass-of-wine we saw this guy and a very young woman who I presumed to be his granddaughter. The photo is tiny so incase you don't recognize this rock legend - it's R*n Woods from the R*lling Stones and that is his 20 yr old girlfriend!! Scandal! You can read all about that here. In other celebrity news Brian spotted David Gr*y while he and Rubes were up the hill in Hampstead on Friday morning. He was walking behind him for a few blocks until Mr Gray went into his home. Wish I would have been there for that! And lastly on the celeb front - last night we went to see Ben T*ylor. He was really funny and the music was incredible. His voice is like like buttah.

I just bought myself a new camera bag so I'm hoping now I will take my camera out more. The other bag I have is huge and houses the various lenses, cords, etc but it's a pain to carry around. This new bag and I are going to have a lovely time together.

Sorry for such a lame and boring post. I am dog tired. I tried to do a little shopping over the weekend for this upcoming gala. No luck. Elaine and I will go out on Wed evening to shop 'til we drop.

sunday morning jog with dad - in their jammies and robes!

2 cm

this has nothing to do with the post - just thought it was cute!

Or .79 of an inch.

That is how much longer my right leg is than my left.

And that is most likely the culprit of my many ongoing hip, knee and foot issues.

Not to mention that I also learned that I am "swayback" and have a malaligned pelvis, both of which have led to other "issues" but my favorite one is the condition I like to call "my butt sticks out". I also have hyperextended and bowed knees, my feet pronate and the f^&*ing orthotics I got in the US are basically worthless ... and I could go on. I really could. The point is that I am actually relieved that I have received an accurate and thorough assessment. After years of seeing various doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists I am thrilled with my new physiotherapist - she is awesome. All of these things are impacting one another and she said it was going to be a lot of hard work including painful deep tissue massages which I had yesterday. Ouch! My quads feel like they were beaten with a bat. I am meeting with her again on Fri to learn some new exercises and stretches. Should be fun. If all goes well, she says, I should be able to get back to running in about 4-5 months. Sigh. Until then it's going to be lots of yoga, pilates and bike and eliptical.

Oh and get this - my new foot doctor does not believe I have arthritis!!!! I am having a MRI on Friday so we shall see what is going on with that. All in all it's not anything earth shattering and I am in great health, but I just ... feel ... old.

Other than that exciting bit of new we have not really been up to much. It's been raining here and all I can think about is chocolate.

I just came across this video. If you can get past how irritating my voice sounds and how messy our home is it's kinda cute at the end.

22 con'd

Guess who tinkled on the potty?

I noticed after she woke up from her nap that her diaper was dry. So I asked her if she wanted to try the potty and she said yes. After a few tries nothing happened and so when we were washing hands she told me "wee wee mama" so we sat again - and then it happened!! I think she was stunned. I was so proud!! We called everyone to tell them - Grammy Sue, Meme, and left messages for dad and Aunt Diana. Yesterday she told Brian she had to poop but by the time they got to the bathroom it was too late. And so it begins ...

c*o*l*d*p*l*a*y

One of the best things (there are SO many!!) about living in London is the music scene. It seems like we went to this concert ages ago because it was all the way back in September. (I just realized today that it's October!) It was incredible. So incredible. Jay*Z opened and was very loud and very, very good - no, great. I am a fan. A week after this show my friend Elaine passed Chris on her way home from our gym. Another beautiful thing about London - celeb sighting!! He was with his daughter who was riding her bike. How sweet! Did I mention that we are kinda neighbors?

this photo is obviously very blurry but I dont' care - we were SO excited and happy!

it started pouring just before they started and thankfully we were in covered seats!

"yellow"

mobile phone wave

I had two dates this weekend: Fri night w/Brian and today with myself. Last night's date left me feeling a little foggy - so while I wasn't feeling my best while on my date with myself I kept thinking about my fun night with my very wonderful man. We met at Selfridge*s and did a little shopping, then had drinks at the bar, I did a little more shopping and then dinner. I mean, I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Friday night. After what felt like a very long week it was the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Today I got my hair did and then I did something I have NEVER done before. I went to the movies. Alone. I saw Julie&Julia and loved it. I think it may inspire me to get a little more creative in the kitchen. It definitely is inspiring my appetite! If you haven't seen it you must go!!

Hope you're having a great weekend!!