Pardon me - I have one anger feline waiting for me

Yes, I've been bad - the last time I blogged was back in July and here it is September 2, 2010. Sorry things in my life have been in turmoil - I've been the victim of ID theft and getting my life back in order has been nothing short of a nightmare.

Anyhow, since I'm getting back to normal or as normal as one can get after having their life invaded and stolen from them... Here is what I found absolutely interesting today...

I signed into my Twitter account for the first time in God knows when and it turns out I have nearly 300 followers. Strangely enough most are women, well, I guess it isn't so strange, after all - when you hit a certain age there are always more single women than single men - even with the high divorce rate.

Anyhow, if you'd like to follow my Tweets - be forewarned, I don't use Twitter often, my link is: http://twitter.com/swf42

So if you have been kind enough to follow me - you will now find that I am following you. Thank you for your loyalty and readership.

Of course I have other things happening in my life but for now this is all I will blog. I'm actually on my way out to the food store. I am out of cat food and I'm dealing with one very impatient feline at the moment!

Stay tuned... I'll be blogging more as Fall and Winter set in

Project Runway Season 8: And Sew It Begins - tonight at 9pm Eastern on Lifetime

I probably shouldn't have to tell you this but tonight begins Season 8 for Project Runway. It looks like it might be a fun and promising season, and, if you click the following link you can get a sneak peak at this season's designers (a rather large group this time): http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway

And if you've been living under a rock, Fashion Week will be September 9 - 16 this Fall. If you don't have your press pass by now, you're out of luck - just remember to register earlier next time.

But, I digress and return to Project Runway. What is it about this show that makes it so much fun? Is it trying to predict the winner based on the first night's competition? Watching the designers each week and slowly learning their ideas and personalities like last year's very memorable Anthony Williams? You can see Anthony's current collection on his website at: http://www.anthonylwilliams.com

Did you have Seth Aaron Henderson selected as the Project Runway season 7 winner? Seth Aaron also has a website where you can see his collection (which is outstanding): http://sethaarondesigns.com/home.html

I don't know about you but I'll be in front of the television watching the fun tonight!

QM2 World Cruise 2012 unconfirmed announcement date is in July, 2010

It's been a busy weekend, and, I just received unconfirmed information that Cunard will be releasing full itineraries and information for the 2012 World Cruise of QM2 on July 16, 2010. Of course, right now this is second hand information but circle that date and stay tuned. The minute I get confirmation this information is true, I will announce it again on here.

Fashion's Night Out is September 10 2010

Ok girls (and the occasional guy) circle your calendars for the evening of Friday, September 10, 2010 from 6pm to 11pm. It's Fashion's Night Out.

What is it?
Fashion's Night Out is the kick-off event for New York Fashion Week which is co-produced by Vogue and SPEC Entertainment. According to Vogue this year will boast 200 top models showing trends for Fall 2010.

The 2009 FNO (Fashion's Night Out) had more than 800 participating stores across the five boroughs of New York and brought out thousands of shoppers who supported the fashion and retail industries.

The 2010 event is expected to be bigger and better than 2009, and, you should register now to receive information first. If you are a retailer who wants to participate click the following link: http://www.fashionsnightout.com/register/ and if you are a consumer/fan/shopper then please click this link: http://www.fashionsnightout.com/ and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click where is it says "Attention Shoppers". A pop-up box will allow you to register.

A percentage of the sales from the Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt will be donated to the NYC AIDS Fund. Be sure to check back in August for retailer information and locations.

I'll be there and I hope you'll join me.

Photo provided by nitrolicious.com

Positano anyone?

Funny, I was just discussing the Amalfi coast with a friend yesterday, and, today I find out that I am heading to Positano sometime next year. And, while it's a tough, I'll be staying at Le Sirenuse.

I just have to figure out how to extend the stay! Who wants to go with me? (As if I already don't know)

Now, as I was just discussing with a friend, if you want to see a fun movie that has a lot of great Italian scenery, do yourself a favor and rent "Only You" with Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. This movie didn't win any awards and most critics tore it to shreds, but, it's a nice movie - a fun movie on many levels. Not a lot of laughs but a light hearted film. Here's a trailer if you're at all interested: http://www.videodetective.com/titledetails.aspx?PublishedID=5346

Now that you've seen the trailer, who wants to go to Italy with me in 2011?

Happy Halloween

Well this weekend turned out a bit differently than I expected, I'm sitting in the Bryant Park Hotel right now waiting for a friend to arrive from out of town. This is an old friend whom I've traveled all around the world with from the pink sand beaches of Bermuda to "Old Town" Dubrovnik in Croatia. We're going to do a few fun things this evening including the Halloween Parade in the Village - provided the rain holds off and right now that doesn't look too promising. So I hopped online to see what movies are playing but kind of slim pickings...maybe Amelia but we shall see. Sometime the best thing to do is just wing it - something tells me we'll end up just going to dinner and talking until we're blue in the face. It's been over 3 years since we last saw each other.

And my friend just appeared so I am signing off and going to great him.

Oppps - haven't posted in a while

There was personal drama, work - more work - the end of a friendship - more work. So that's where I've been the past few weeks. Fall is a hard time of year for me, very depressing. I find it sad to see the end of yet another year coming to a close, and, it does make me depressed. I often find myself thinking about the things I didn't get accomplished and the goals I failed to meet. I also think of lost friends and family who will no longer be celebrating the holidays with me. So, instead of allowing myself to wallow in the sadness for any length of time, I keep myself busy - super busy during the Fall so that's why I haven't had time to blog.

Fact of the matter is that it's 6:30 and I'm still at work and have been here since 7:30 am. And, I've been doing this for 6 days a week for the past few weeks and, it will not let up until after New Year's Day.

On the bright side of things, I've made a great new friend, and, if he's reading this - you know who you are and I look forward to cruising with you this summer (wink). And, addition to the cruise with my friend I have several other great trips lined up for 2010 including one I will reveal later in the year. I'm holding off because once it goes public I am sure it will book up fast and I am waiting for answers from family and friends before announcing what it is that is planned. All I will say is that involved travel, a well known chef and tv personality, and, it will be taking place in Europe.

Intrigued? Stay tuned!

Snow in October in NJ? Guess it's the season...

Photo credit: Robert Sciarrino/The Star-Ledger

Yes, you are reading correctly it is officially snowing in Sussex County, NJ and the date is October 15, 2009. And, yes, this is HIGHLY unusual. You know, it's amazing but being a life long resident of the greater New York City tri-state area - to see snow (even if it is on tv) this early in the season is a bit of shock. New York City's high temperature was on 40 degrees today... Here's the link about the snow: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/flurries_hit_sussex_county_mar.html

As for me, this is a night to skip the gym and head home and make a big bowl of pasta. Oh and if you're curious - yes, I make my sauce from scratch. And, no, you can't have my recipe. It's from my Italian Grandmother so you know it's got to be great and it is... :P

Michael Kors: Spring 2010

The Michael Kors collection for Spring 2010 is one of my favorites of this Spring 2010 show. Michael Kors goes for pastels, blacks, and, hems are being shown just below the knee. The show featured cuts out, geometric shapes and angles along with more traditional garments once again proving Michael Kors knows his audience and how to please them.

There is one way to sum up Michael Kors - it's wearable. And this writer is grateful to him for it!

The Last Day of Fashion Week

It has been a week of celebrities, fashion, parties and sometimes bizarre behavior. The clothes have been a mix of classic elegance to artistic to a few leaving many to wonder what the heck the designer was thinking.

Stay tuned as things wrap up for Fashion Week: Spring 2010 comes to a conclusion.

Narciso Rodriguez

I'm on my way to the Narciso Rodriguez collection this evening. I am posting now since it promising to be a long evening. The show is being held in "The Tent", and, I'm sure he'll need the room. It's no secret that First Lady Michelle Obama is a fan (as well as some celebrity power-houses such as Sarah Jessica Parker) and that has helped Rodriguez's popularity, and, hopefully will give his business a much needed boost.

Rodriguez was able to purchase back 50% of his name in October, 2008 when he signed a deal with the Liz Claiborne empire in May, 2007. I think this is a sign that Narciso is indeed on his way back to the top, and, I'm personally hoping that is where he remains. He is one of this writer's personal favorite designers and, I am looking forward to tonight's Spring collection. And with that, this writer is running out the door to the show!

Back from the Long Weekend

Back from the long weekend and gearing up for fashion week, dates, and a busy fall schedule! Stay tuned, it's going to be an interesting week!

Fashion Week September 2010

If you're wondering why I'm laying low, I will be involved with Fashion Week which begins September 10, 2009 in New York City. So stay tuned and have a wonderful and safe Labor Day Weekend!

Christmas & New Year's on QM2 in 2010

In 2010 I will be spending the holidays aboard Cunard Cruise Line's QM2.

Itinerary:

Day	Location	Arrival	Departure
Sunday, December 19, 2010	New York	--	06:00 PM
Monday, December 20, 2010	At Sea	--	--
Tuesday, December 21, 2010	At Sea	--	--
Wednesday, December 22, 2010	Grand Turk	08:00 AM	01:00 PM
Thursday, December 23, 2010	Tortola	09:00 AM	06:00 PM
Friday, December 24, 2010	St Maarten	08:00 AM	06:00 PM
Saturday, December 25, 2010	At Sea	--	--
Sunday, December 26, 2010	Curacao	09:00 AM	02:00 PM
Monday, December 27, 2010	Grenada	09:00 AM	06:00 PM
Tuesday, December 28, 2010	Barbados	08:00 AM	06:00 PM
Wednesday, December 29, 2010	St Lucia	08:00 AM	06:00 PM
Thursday, December 30, 2010	St Kitts	08:00 AM	06:00 PM
Friday, December 31, 2010	St Thomas	08:00 AM	05:00 PM
Saturday, January 1, 2011	At Sea	--	--
Sunday, January 2, 2011	At Sea	--	--
Monday, January 3, 2011	New York	06:30 AM	--

Care to join me? Email for details and pricing as well as travel agent contact information to book. Group amenities and pricing apply.

SWF42email@gmail.com

Life's Curve Balls - Putting Things Into Perspective

Looks like I'm heading to jolly old England next May for a short trip on Cunard Queen Victoria. It's only a 5 night cruise but, I am very much looking forward to it since it is visiting some of my favorite cities in the world. I'm also looking forward to the pre-cruise stay in London before heading down to Southampton. No, I'm not taking requests for someone to join me, I've already been bombarded with my half joking request to have someone join me for The Nutcracker.

*Sigh*... A friend of mine just returned to England and not for the best of reasons. Her beloved brother died of cancer last night - he was only 45. The worst part is that he couldn't hang on until my friend got home to say good-bye to him - she was mid-flight home when he passed, and, I received the terrible news this morning.

It's times like these when life gets put into prospective a bit. The little annoyances just don't seem so troubling after receiving news like the death of someone too young to die.

So if you find yourself having a rough day, put things into perspective and somehow it probably won't seem so bad. ..

Gentlemen Please Only Respond If...

Well, I have an email box full of my half joking request to have one of you join me for the Nutcracker in December at Lincoln Center. I appreciate that many of you ladies would like to accompany me, and, while I do agree with the argument that going to ballet is very much a "chick thing", I would much rather the company of a gentleman.

A gentleman is defined as "a man of noble or gentle birth b : a man belonging to the landed gentry c (1) : a man who combines gentle birth or rank with chivalrous qualities (2) : a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior d (1) : a man of independent means who does not engage in any occupation or profession for gain (2) : a man who does not engage in a menial occupation or in manual labor for gain"

So to the rude, blunt man who thinks me hanging off the back of his Harley is my idea of a good time, thanks but, no thanks. There was much more to his vulgar email which isn't fit for public reading, simply use your imagination for such a person.

To the rather cocky UES doctor who apparently thinks he is God's gift to women, to you I also thanks but, no thanks. While tales of romantic escapes might be enchanting to some, it is only a turn off to me. Anyone who has more than 50 partners in his past and has yet to reach 50 years of age is not for me. I wish you luck in finding your next victim, I mean date.

To the 23 year old. You are absolutely adorable. If I was 22 there is no way I would be able to wait until December. Alas, young man (and I do mean young man) I am not a cougar nor do I want to be one. And so I toss you back into the dating pond.

To the snide guy from the Midwest asking who I think I am or what do I have to offer, my reply is this:

1. I am well traveled and will continue to be well traveled. Why is this important? To quote Mark Twain "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." I have been to over 25 countries in the world (including 3 of the 7 continents). I can hold intelligent conversations about many countries and cities around the world.
   
2. I am not a fat couch potato. I walk at least 3 miles every day and go to the gym at least 4 times a week. My body is toned.
3. If you had followed my blog from the start or had bothered to read anything about me, you know I will not reveal my profession. Rest assured I make a very good salary.
4. My looks might not appeal to everyone, but, I do seem to be appealing to the majority of the population including the professional modeling agency who approached me in my younger years. Oh yes, they were from a very real and legitimate agency; and, yes they approached me, not the other way around.
5. I can converse on many topics from music to real estate to equine related topics, and, those are to just to mention a few.

And these are just a few of my qualities. I made a promise when I started this blog that I would at least write back once to anyone who wrote to me. I am continuing to keep that promise, however, if you don't hear from me again, you simply couldn't hold my interest.

The invitation to the Nutcracker with me was meant tongue-in-check. In other words, it wasn't meant to be taken seriously. However, apparently more than one of you did take it seriously, and, if someone out there truly thinks he might be a match for me then by all means please email me at SWF42email@gmail.com

A Full Social Calendar Gets Fuller

As we continue through this summer (and lets face it for those of us in the Northeast, it hasn't been much of a summer), it's hard to believe we're going into August. This year has zipped by with incredible speed and, as the year progresses, as per usual, my social calender continues to get fuller and fuller. It didn't help when I read this article this morning: http://www.examiner.com/x-18067-NY-Budget-Hotel-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d30-Planning-your-2009-Holiday-Trip-to-New-York-City--Ideas-and-Suggestions-for-Sightseeing-and-Hotels which is all about the holidays in NYC and in turn reminded me of all my upcoming events.

Soon I will be doing my yearly mad dash to go shopping for outfits for various holiday occasions, and, accepting invitations to parties and other events that I have not already RSVPed. Slowly but, surely the stores are beginning to get their Fall clothing lines in and, coats are beginning to replace swimsuits in the seasonal departments. I have noticed puffed sleeves seem to be making a come back. A good balance for those of us not build like boys who have curves but, are by no stretch of the imagination overweight or fat. And, no that isn't a dig at anyone overweight, I've been battling the bugle all my life and, it's a daily struggle to maintain my size 8 to size 10 dress size. Believe me, I've ballooned as high as a size 22 and have never been smaller than a 6. However, I digress to my point of why certain mainstream designers refuse to cut their outfits for women who are as flat as ironing boards without a butt or bust to speak of... In a society where the average woman is a size 14, it makes absolutely no sense. I'm sure many of you feel my frustrations...

Well, Im off to the NJ shore for the weekend, Atlantic City to be specific. So until next week, stay cool!

Yes I am fine, Yes I am ready to date someone else

I'm back at work today, I have an appointment with my doctor after work. I'm not feeling well at all but, I want to save the remainder of my sick days for the year since it's only July, and, I get a cold in October like clock-work.

The Spanish cheater has attempted to call no less than 2 dozen times, and, left half a dozen messages that he is sorry, that he simply gave in to the lust of the moment (and here's the best one - that he was longing to make love to me so badly, he gave in to his ex-girlfriend but pretended it was me the whole time.)

I checked my driver's license. Nope. I wan't born yesterday!

I have a lot to do today so this is a short entry. Bottom line - I am emotionally fine. And, yes, I am ready to meet someone new. To the person who emailed to ask if I might be interested in meeting him - send a photo, tell me about you, and, I will do the same. My email address is located on the upper right hand corner.

Yes, that goes for anyone else interested too. Emailing doesn't guarantee a date but it does guarantee a response.

Thanks

No post

I'm really sick so I might not post for a day or two. Very, very bad cold this time - you name the symptom - I have it, worse than the one that I started out with. Not too close I'm contagious.

I dot anoder bad dold (translation: I have another bad cold). However that isn't going to keep me down, I'm in Spain, I have a great love, and, I adore his family and apparently they adore me. They are already asking us "when is the wedding?" I'm not going to attempt to write that in Spanish. I am amazed how much Spanish I've retained, I don't use it as often as I would like, but, I guess it's like riding a bike, you never really forget.

Now if I can just rid of this stupid cold once and for all, I'll be very happy. Tomorrow we head off to Majorca Island, Spain. If you are unfamiliar with Majorca, it is an island located off the coast of Spain. It's very beautiful.

Well a nap for now, tapas later, and, depending on how everyone is feeling, we might head out on the family boat for a bit. It's been a wonderful vacation, I just wish I could have enjoyed it without a cold, make that two colds.