I am in LOVE. With a shell.

maybe this belongs on Own It? I mean, does Marcel own it or what?

Blading Beauty

This is what I did on Saturday...

Do I resemble Rollerblading Barbie?

Or does she resemble me?

I'm IT

I've been tagged by one of the most fabulous bloggers, Ann from Daily Ann-tidote. Remember when we met IRL? How sacot are we?

Well, Ann was tagged to answer some Qs and then she tagged yours truly. I'm copy/pasting her post so I can be as lazy as possible about this. Don't worry, I'll be sure to change the answers. Otherwise I could be arrested for plagiarism or something.

1) What's a perfect styling for you?
I have no idea. I do love wearing classics and anything reminiscent of Jackie O, so lets go with that.

2) For what do you spend most of your money?
Going out to eat. In fact I have another afternoon food-tour planned today. Planned to lighten my wallet I suppose.

3) What's your favorite song at this moment?
Ours by The Bravery... and countless others.

4) Which excellences do you think you have?
I don't understand this question. I'm excellent all around Don't you think? I know!

5) And What are your failings?
Failings? Really? I'm an Uptown Girl. If I had to choose something I'd say procrastination. Right now I'm supposed to be cleaning my apartment.

And now I tag these bloggers:
Liza (or any contributor) at Own It... duh

The Lady in Spain

Felicidades España!

I adore Ingrid Michaelson. Spain winning La Copa del Mundo is as good an excuse as any to play this delightful song.



I can be
anything that I see
I can be anything that I
anything that I see...

I'm sure these lyrics are all the rage in Spain as they revel in their World Cup gana. No doubt.

I posted...

I posted over here at Own It today.

About this "real size" model.

Check it out.

Ran my 10K

I did it. I ran my race and I won! finished.
I even ran at a faster pace than I expected. Less than 11 minute miles. Yes, this is fast for me! Most runners would say this is pretty slow, but for me it is an improvement.

As I ran I thought about all that stuff I said in my last post and I was so grateful for the ability to move and run and enjoy it all. I also thought about the finish line and my peeps waiting there and cheering me on (thanks peeps). My mom even came into the city and surprised me by coming to my race! It was a very sacot moment and I had a wonderful day riding that high I always get after races.

This 10K was my running goal for the entire year. A milestone. I did it and I'm super excited and proud of myself (as always, wink wink). It was pure raw ownage.

Thanks again for all of your encouragement and love. In return I would like to encourage you:


Also, when my lovely Mom figures out how to download from a digital camera and emails me a picture (she took about 200 - true story) I promise to post an uber sweaty and gross shot of me after the race... you're welcome ahead of time.

Fairy Tale Time

Once upon a time in Blogland... there were two celebrity bloggers... Ann-tidote and Uptown Girl.

They were connected by Liza, one lovely lady who knows how to own it. Liza happens to be Uptown Girl's sister and Ann's bestie from college. They were also connected by one lovely blog (linked above, started by Liza) where they both contribute. Where they both got their start as bloggy babies, if you will. Oh you will? Great, let's continue down memory lane.

Ann is an aspiring uptown girl and Uptown Girl is an aspiring fashionista and shoe collector. They were destined to be friends since they were both fabulous in their own right (and had much to learn from one another).

The time finally came. These two star-crossed bloggers sealed their fate when they partied in NYC. As fate would have it, when these two met, dreams came true.

Here are the pictures to prove their meeting, and to prove that they are now real life friends in addition to being virtual blog buddies. Success!

Ann-tidote, Liza, and Uptown Girl

-The beginning.

date recap

I went on 2 first dates in February. I haven't mentioned much about these dates because they were one-time-wonders. But, out of the goodness that is my heart, I'll fill you in on the deets.

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The first first date was a very talkative gentlemanly teacher. Cute and sweet and not for me for the following reasons...

1-Bachelor #1 is pretty way-into Broadway shows*. I like shows too. But as my Georgia Peaches will tell you, it isn't really my thang. I just usually have something else I'd rather spend my $$ on rather than the ticket. This dude comes from the suburbs for Broadway. I can't be bothered to leave the Upper Eastside for it. [*clearly this would be a workable and horizon-broadening issue if we clicked]

..

2-Bachelor #1 doesn't eat carbs or sweets or cheese or fatty meats. We went to a great Italian restaurant for dinner and he ordered a salad. What now? He is a little neurotic about his food. So am I, but in the opposite direction. Snacking is my best sport.

..

3- Bachelor #1 yapped my ear off about multiple topics and referred to future dates ad nauseum. And yet he never set one up! This turns out to be a good thing since I enjoy pasta and ice cream more than I enjoyed the date.

Moving on.

The second first date was with another gentlemanly and talkative guy. A pilot. A cute pilot with broad shoulders (broad shoulders equal uber swoonable in my eyes) who eats every meal like it's his last. A healthy appetite. My kind of guy but not for me for the following reasons...

1- Bachelor #2 lives pretty far out there. About an hour away in the boonies. I would be forced to leave the UES regularly if I dated this man. I can't write more on this because the sheer thought is making me hyperventilate and I now need a brown paper bag. Excuse me.

2- Bachelor #2 never called. What the heck?? I am perfectly happy when a guy I don't like doesn't call, but if I like you even a little bit you should call. kthanksbye.

I can only assume that Bachelor #2 either died or he is intimidated by my beauty and elite status. It's a toss up. Maybe both. How sad. Although I am an Uptown Girl and socialite heiress, I do have feelings. I know, I know, catch your breath, is this like reading the magazines with the "celebrities are just like us" sections? "They drink Starbucks." "They pick wedgies." "They carry Kleenex." And now you are thinking, "They have feelings, too". True story. I have feelings just like regular girls in small towns everywhere. And, am I right or am I right when I say that it is disappointing when the guy you like doesn't call?? Yes, I am right.

It was just one date so I'm not verklempt or feeling anything severe. Just temporarily disappointed. Babs. But my pity party is over friends. Over I tell you. It is now time to embark on something I like to call owning it, "ALWAYS reaching for more, choosing joy in situations and not letting the situation determine your joy!"- Mary T.

Just like Tenley, I deserve a guy who sees my worth. And I now see that pilots are over-rated these days. This season, the Bachelor tv show drilled that point home thoroughly.

I'd prefer to date a hunky millionaire anyway. I'm destined to be a lady of leisure you know. And an Empress.

Happy Day for Alice

As the blogger program is being naughty again and is somehow preventing me from leaving a birthday message over on Alice's blog...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Here's to being another year older more FABULOUS!
The staff here at Uptown Girl Diary would like to wish Alice many more happy healthy years of life and love!
*keep owning it*

Oh yeah and Alice- I made you this cake. No big deal. And not to pat myself on the back or anything, but I have to admit that it is pretty D-lish. Wish you were here to try a slice! But alas... I guess I'll have to eat more than my share like every other Thanksgiving-Birthday-and-Christmas treat.

xoxo,

Uptown Girl

run it

Last night I had my third running class. 3 down, 7 to go. woohoo...

After the first week was too easy, I switched groups from 'basic intermediate' to 'intermediate'. I really must be on the cusp because while that first class was easy peasy, my new class pushes me to my limit. And then some.

It reminds me of gym class. Or any sport I ever played. Or that memorable effing Field Day in 8th Grade when I got voted off the team. While humiliating, it was truly a relief to be removed from the team by a jury of my peers. Because then I could stop embarrassing myself and causing our team to lose by dropping eggs off of spoons, scoring baskets for the wrong team, missing the baton hand off in a relay, and whatever else I did in my attempt to be an athlete.

Yes, my running class reminds me of all of these times that I felt inadequate, lagged behind the rest of the group, and singlehandedly made my team lose in an athletic event. This happened quite often throughout my life and put a huge damper on sports in my mind.

Did you read that right? I said in my mind. I thought about it too much and too seriously. Never enjoyed the game, the fun, the camaraderie because I was too busy worrying about how stupid I looked. I was uber self conscious and aware of how completely uncoordinated and lamespice I was.

I found this quote a few months ago and may or may not have previously posted it on Own It... "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. " ~Pierre de Coubertin

In my running class I am reminded of those times in my life when I had trouble keeping up with the group physically, and when I would mentally give up (and physically give up whenever I was allowed). But as of today I am owning it. I've been owning it with my running since February and I am so proud. I run to be physically fit and to challenge myself. I run because I can. So many of my patients would kill to be able to run (or walk). I run because I am grateful for my life and for my health. I don't want to look back one day and think "why was I so sedentary? why didn't I just get out there and use the life in me?"

It should come as no surprise that I am the very last runner in my group. Yep, I'm the slowest. I spend all 4 miles trying to keep up and not get left behind. Last week I ran right behind an old man with white hair (maybe 65-70 years old?) until the end of class when he smoked me. I told myself that "hey I may not be able to keep up with these young whippersnappers in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, but at least I can run like a 70 year old". Apparently I was mistaken. I don't run like anybody but me. Yesterday that old man was in a faster group...and I missed him... like the desert missed the rain.

"The most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle". Well, I'm struggling with my running. But I do think it is important in my life and so it is worth the struggle. Sort of reminds me of a book Lovey has been telling me about, the Kosher Sutra, living in the now and embracing the tension of life.

Also, I bought new kicks last night. I ascribe to self-bribery tactics. If shopping for sneakers gets me on my feet and moving... how can I not?

on my soap box

I am supporting Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty one bar of soap at a time. I just found out that if I go on their website and enter my UPC code they will donate $1 to self-esteem programs for girls. Considering I spent $1.85 for my bar of soap, it seems like a pretty good deal to me.

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I always forget to buy more soap until I'm down to a tiny sliver of nothingness. I'll be in a grocery store, a pharmacy, whatever, and walk out without more soap. It is a subconscious phenomenon commonly known as Wannabe Dirtyandgrossgustingitis. Anyways, oddly enough I remembered that I needed soap (badly) while out on the town on Saturday night. At about 1:30am I stopped in the nearest bodega and asked for a bar of soap. And I made sure to buy Dove.

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Yeah, my adorable clutch wasn't big enough to fit the box of soap. So I had to carry it in a yucky plastic bag to the next VIP venue and for the rest of the night! You think that sounds awkward? I do too. But at least I can now lather up properly in the shower while I fund self-esteem for my protegees.

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**excuse me while I pat myself on my back that is both cleaner and softer than a baby's bottom**

Check it

there is a lot going on over at OWN IT these days.
The ladies are posting about our dignity and worth and beauty as women. But our culture seems to promote negative self-images and self-loathing. So clickity-click on over to OWN IT, watch the videos, and join us in owning it, showing it off, and making it sparkle.

And if you are wondering what "it" is... see above... it is your dignity, worth, beauty, and amazingness. Obvi.