Things We Like: Sbux

Though the doctor recently told me to lay off the Starbucks. (how did she know?) This is really the only thing I can come up with for my Xmas list. It's the one thing I wish I had more of. And really feel treated when I get. This week. In the midst of the biggest recession of my generation, my neighborhood Starbucks increased their prices. Did yours? Give me some numbers. How much is the new Carmel Brulee latte? Cause that's clearly what I'm after. Even if it's skim/no whip. I think it's still worth the almost $4. Ok, I don't really know, BUT I will know after my Sat. morning coffee date! Counting down the hours! (42 aka The reason I babysit on Sat. nights.) I LOVE Starbucks.

And so I wonder. Is the rise in prices a sign of a turning economy? Or a sign that Sbux has become an inelastic good. (Defined as "Addictive goods such as tobacco, alcohol, gambling and Super Bowl tickets, because the addicted consumer will buy them even at higher prices.") Am I an addict? There's part of me that also wonders if when times are tough. And people are cutting out the expensive clothes, the extra vacations, if a small little pick-me-up doesn't help bring on a smile. Is that justification for rising prices?

How much is your Starbucks? I "think" our holiday Tall Lattes are $3.55....Peppermint Fraps are an even $4. But you can practically call that one a milkshake. Right?

Worth every penny.

Still Road Trippin

So the "blog trips" have taken a longer pause than planned. I forgot my camera when I went to Nashville! and who wants to hear about my trip without seeing pics of the lil faces? No one. One day I will share that trip. Until then. Congrats to Nashville for getting their first Chipotle. I will visit you soon. Promise.

For now. Enjoy some lovely pics of our "I Heart NYC" adventure. With CARLA! I know you've all missed me talking about Carla. But she was there. And it was awesome. Highlights include, but probably won't win me any fans:

1. Shake Shack: Which (though Mac says I throw around the word) is NOT my favorite. Please visit us in DC for some Elevation Burger.

2. Billy Elliot: Again. Not a fave. (I promise the trip was awesome!) But if you get the chance to see something on Broadway. Trust Julie, not Tony. You'll thank me.

3. Sharing my fave city with 5 special friends and 38,000 kinda friends, running the NYC marathon.

4. Sharing my fave city with 6 fairy tale princesses and CARLA on Halloween. Pic included.

5. Going into the men's restroom at Norma's. Assuming CARLA was in the stall. Fixing my hair in the mirror. And running out after the large (stinky) man emerges. Pic included.

6. It was awesome.

Too Pretty

Honestly I can't get enough of young Hollywood girls crying out bc their looks have gotten in their way of success. They are TOO pretty. The latest (and yet perhaps prettiest) to cry pretty-wolf is Megan Fox. I mean, is that even her last name? Bc if it is. She had a leg up from birth. I will give her that when I talk about her (yes, i know, why am i talking about her), but when i do. it's never super nice. poor girl. BUT it's not bc she's too pretty! I'm not jealous of her looks. I'm jealous that she's famous. And I'm pretty sure it's her looks that got her there. They aren't the thing holding her back. Or Jessica Biel. Or Jessica Alba. Or Jessica Simpson. Or Jessica Megan Fox. (It just seemed like they were all Jessicas.) Perhaps Jessica is synonymous for high self esteem. Or low. Poor girls. Poor poor pretty girls. If only they could act.

Tis the Season.....Gifts

I'm not the best with gifts. (Even if I am needy when it comes to the other four love languages.) I really struggle with gifts. Namely surprises, which kills, what we'll call "most" of the fun for the gift giver. You can watch our home videos for proof. It's not something I'm proud of. But I can't even fake it. Not that I'm not excited. Or thankful. It is just super tough for me to handle receiving a gift/knowing someone has spent money on me, if it's not "perfect". I admit that as I've gotten older and money has gone to grown-up things like mortgages and eye glasses, opening a gift, even if it's hideous, sounds somewhat appealing. Mac is the opposite. I swear he's never seen a gift he didn't like. And then we just pay for alterations on things that are too big or buy different versions.....when he could have exchanged. But he does have a way about him that I'm sure gift givers appreciate. I struggle with wondering if it is fully selfish to want other people's money to be spent on what I want. What part of me is responsible for just being thankful?

So let's get down to it. Here's where you can help!

What is an appropriate gift for co-workers? You know, the people you spend your whole life with. The people who make you want to run to Xmas vacation. The people you feel like you already give everything to. I realize this is more of a token gift, but how big of a token?

And there's parents. The people you care about the most. Who since you have known them have given to you. And you try to give back. You try all year. But then there's this one day that reminds you that you don't really try hard enough. What gift do you give to the people who seem to have everything.....and hopefully on top of that, a little extra gas money every once in a while. Do you just give them back the gas money? This tanks on me?

Don't even get me started on the spouse. Cause I'm pretty sure whatever he gives me is really actually from me. And in theory, the gifts from ME should be the best! But is this where the "just be thankful" lesson could teach the most? Do I really think Mac thought I couldn't live without the dress that was 2 sizes too big, or was it just the first (read only) one he saw when he walked in the store on my actual birthday? Shame on me?

As you can see. I'm in a tizzy. That will most likely not be resolved in the next 45 days. And I know I said I hated gifts. But give me just this one! Help please!

Cotillion Rules

So I never did cotillion. And no one would ever call me grace, despite my 15 years of ballet. But this weekend we head to Chapel Hill for Homecoming. If we wake up in time we will stop by the Kappa Delta house for brunch. I used to love this brunch when I was in college bc I heart breakfast food. But I haven't been back since. When I think about sorority life I have found memories of great friends. And thankfulness for lessons learned. For instance.....though I don't usually believe in sharing sorority secrets.....and kinda wonder since my blog is clearly so famous if I could somehow be reprimanded by some "supa sista" if such exists.....newho, I am so thankful for learning.........a way out of small talk. I hate small talk. I'm so bad at it. For this reason I'm super awkward at......most social events. But during Rush they teach you that if you are done, just rub your arm, and someone else will come in to take over the conversation. Is there a life symbol for this? Do most people I encounter think I have a rash bc I just rub my arm praying to be "bumped"? I know. It seems odd. I'm an outgoing introvert. I can chat my friends' heads till they spin, and tend to do this at home every night. But don't make me small talk. And if you do. When I rub my arm. You know what to do. Bump please!

What is the appropriate "exit" when small talking? Can you just say "ok i'm done"?

Too far

So I admit that I've been drowning in "self" posts. And I do have a few more trips to report back on. But for now, on to the important stuff. I voted on Tuesday. I wasn't planning to, but I went solely to cancel out a colleague's vote. Whatever gets you to the polls. I also love (confessions) to vote on gossip web sites. When I vote online I get so excited to report back to Mac (who clearly cares) on how America and I always vote the same. Even when political elections confuse me. Me and America agree on some things. But this time. I'm left confused. The poll is "Has Gossip Girl Gone Too Far?" Their next episode will include a threesome. The first season of this show was ah-mazing. The second season=slightly raunchy, so I started yoga on Monday nights. But this season, I'm at home....and shockingly have found it more wholesome than certain Tuesday night television. The show moved to 9 pm (from 8 pm), BUT am I really supposed to believe their target audience is 18-34 year olds? The show is called Gossip Girl. IT'S ON THE WB! I wasn't born yesterday. In fact I was born and fall directly into their average age target viewer. But I also know that my aunts let my cousins watch the show bc Julie does. I admit I cried the first time Mac told me for this reason alone I shouldn't watch. Not bc I didn't think he was right. But bc I was angry that the writers had taken away my show. The group that has been fighting this content asks the network “Will you now be complicit in establishing a precedent and expectation that teenagers should engage in behaviors heretofore associated primarily with adult films?”

What happened to TGIF? I think I've decided that when I have teenagers I'm going to watch the shows that they watch. I realize this will be easier for me than some parents....I don't meet too many shows I dislike. But I watch Gossip Girl and I ask my cousins.....is this what high school is really like? It's eye opening what teenagers face. What has become normal. And I have about ten more posts on this subject regarding the book "Eat, Pray, Love".

What do you think? Has Gossip Girl gone too far? 50% of People.com readers say No.

Love at First Sight

So I'm told that when you have a kid and it pops out (I'm hoping it's that easy), you just love it. More than you can imagine. Which is why I don't try to imagine. (Waste of time if it's impossible) But if it didn't pop out of you. I think you can still love it more than you imagined. It might not be love at first sight. Bc you didn't see it first. But there's that moment. When you get that email. And you open the pic. And it's love.

Mooooooooo! Happy Halloween!

More pics to come!