Life is Like a Batch of Pancakes

With all due respect to Mr. Gump, I had a thought this week that life is actually more like a batch of pancakes.  Well, at least *my* life is. 

Both MVP and I had off from work on Monday for Veteran's Day.  I was up before he was (as usual) and thought it would be nice to head out to the kitchen and make breakfast for one of my favorite veterans.  Before you go thinking how sweet that is, let me tell you that he was up about 15 minutes later and I made him come into the kitchen to help me.  What a sucker, he shoulda stayed asleep!

If you are anything like me, that first pancake is almost a throwaway pancake.  It's always misshapen, burnt on the edges, undercooked in the middle....or if you are REALLY talented, all three! But as you keep going, the pancakes get better.  You figure out your timing a little more each time.  You get more comfortable.  You get more confident.

And that last pancake?  Well, it is usually the most perfect pancake you ever did see.

As true English major, I have a penchant for analogies.  I use them often at work, with friends, and obviously here on this little old blog. I couldn't deny the life lesson in that batch of pancakes the other morning. 

It's OK if things don't turn out perfectly the first time around because if you just take each thing as it comes and have faith, they will get better.  Sometimes it isn't just more time -- your whole version of "perfect" may even need to be readjusted.  MVP is my favorite example of that.

I have felt like that in jobs...in volunteer efforts...in friendships.  Frustrated that it wasn't "working" at that very moment, but not having the strength or wisdom at that time to just keep moving forward and just keep making pancakes.  

And with time, things get better.  You have enough professional misfires and missteps to see them coming a mile away now and are able to work around/through them with more grace and ease.  You have enough balance and perspective to not allow the bad volunteer day/project derail all the good you do simply by caring, showing up and being consistent.  You realize that friendships grow and change over time and come to understand that is not always a bad thing. 

Just keep making pancakes.  Because eventually - INEVITABLY - they will get better. 

I Will Always Have Boogie Wipes

Remember that episode of Friends episode when Ross' son Ben was born?  Monica proudly proclaims through tears "I'm you're Aunt Monica....I will always have gum."  I'm that same way...except that instead of gum, I will always have Boogie Wipes.

I have previously professed my love of Boogie Wipes here on the blog.  Seriously, they are the best.  I am currently having a little bit of the sniffles and thankful that no matter where I am, I have stashed a pack of boogie wipes nearby. In the event I don't have Boogie Wipes?  Well, while that it a most unfortunate situation, I will most definitely have a back up of baby wipes/wet wipes.

Yes, I am THAT person with a Mary Poppins bag full of more stuff than you can shake a stick at. MVP and my friends have often laughed at me for this.  You know...UNTIL someone needs something.  Tailgating and going to brave the port-o-potties?  I'm the girl you want with you -- I will send you in with some wet wipes/napkins (just in case!) and when you return I will have you hold out your hands and will hit you up with some Purell.  That's me.  Love it or leave it.

Recently I had an experience that has really stuck with me....and will remind me to ALWAYS pack my Boogie Wipes.

The Columbus Day Holiday weekend gave me a chance to get up to PA and meet my cute little nugget nephew.  He is just so.....I mean there are no words.  I could have sat there and held him for days.  We also got to stay with MVP's sister for the night and get in a visit with his niece, who is 9 months old.  Even though she was a little under the weather and not feeling quite like herself, she was still too cute for words and I love seeing MVP get to spend time with her.  It was a niece and nephew two-for-one weekend.

Before our trek from PA back to VA we decided to stop at Franklin Mills Mall.  We had memories of it from when we were younger and thought why not, we don't have to rush to get home.  While we WERE able to score some good deals on some new Phillies and Eagles gear, the mall was....well, not *exactly* what we remembered it to be from 20+ years ago, let's say that.

Nevertheless, we decided to walk around just to see how it had changed.  As we walked, I noticed a little girl walk past us.  I looked at her and thought that her face looked red...like she had been crying.  I then became aware that there was no one else with her and told MVP we needed to turn around and follow that girl.  I called after her then hurried and caught up with her as she slowed down.  I crouched down and introduced myself, and asked her if she was ok.  She stared at me with wide sad eyes that made my heart feel like it was going to burst into a million pieces.

"Are you lost?" I asked her.

She nodded.

"That's ok," I reassured her.  "The same thing happened to me when I was a little girl. What's your name?"

"Mia" she said, her little lip trembling.

"Mia...that's such a pretty name!  My name is Deviled Megs and this is my friend MVP.  We're going to help you find your family so don't worry."
[Obvs I used our real name.s...I didn't need Mia to think her fate was in the hands of two weirdos!]

And while MVP went to flag down a security guard to help us, I pulled out my Boogie Wipes and helped little Mia dry her tears and blow her nose.  I asked her who she was at the mall with today and she said her mommy.  I told her I loved her pretty pink sweater and asked her what color shirt or sweater her mommy had worn to the mall today.  "Brown."

In less than 10 minutes we reunited Mia with her mother.  I really cannot even imagine the emotions Mia's mother must have gone through when she realized her little girl was lost but I was so thankful to be there for the happy ending.  The look in her eyes as she mouthed the words "Thank You" to me...well I don't know if I will ever forget her face.

Without getting too deep or philosophical about the experience, I really do feel like there was some divine intervention that had us decide to make that unplanned stop at the mall.  Some other force at work that had us decide to walk around for a bit...so they we could find little Mia and help her get back to her family.  And in all of that....I can say that there was a huge payoff for this childless 30-something and her penchant for Boogie Wipes.  It may not be exactly the kind of product endorsement they are looking for, but I will be a loyal customer for life!

Five on Friday

1.  Big news you guys....I am an Aunt! My brother and SIL welcomed a baby boy on Wednesday.

And this is obviously an even bigger deal because it is their first child and my parents' first grandchild.  He is such a cute little nugget and I am looking forward to getting to meet him very soon.

2.  Also, this kid is going to be S-P-O-I-L-E-D.  I may have gone a tiny bit overboard with the baby shower gifts.  I just kept buying things as I saw them over the last few months without keeping track...and had accumulated QUITE the collection by the time the shower rolled around.  But the thought of adorable little outfits and a whole new set of things to be monogrammed is just too much for me. 

I have spent too much money with Stellybelly for a woman with no kids

Lands End monogrammed totes....I just can't quit you!

3.  We have had Honeycrisp apples in the work pantry this week. This pleases me greatly.  For as many downsides I have found to my work/office over the course of my tenure, I will admit it IS a really nice thing to be able to go to the pantry and enjoy a snack.  Especially when it means I don't have to BYO apples.

4.  It's the freaking weekend.  Enough said.

5.  Today, MVP has the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.  I drive past Arlington Cemetery every morning and it is just such an awe-inspiring and moving sight to see all those white markers.  To say it gives you true perspective on what's really important in life is an understatement.  You think about all those people who made the ultimate sacrifice and the families and loved ones that mourned that loss.  I am really just so proud of the important work that MVP does and can only try to understand how meaningful today's event will be for him. 

OMGYG -- nailed it!

MVP was out of town for work for a whole week.  I got to have some alone time, dinner with friends and their babies, watch whatever I wanted on the TV, you know the drill.  It was me, my yoga pants and a whooooooole lotta Bravo.

One night I was looking at my sad, naked finergnails and rememebred I had a new polish product (a QVC purchase, obvs) that I had yet to try.  And Omigod!Omigod you guys! (remember when I thought that would help me post more regularly? Yeah, I had forgotten too) this stuff is a revelation. 

Julep's Freedom Polymer Topcoat is a total gamechanger.  I love gel manis -- that mirror like shine and the lack of drying time.  And I have even invested in all the tools and products so that I can have a DIY gel mani-pedi at anytime.  But the biggest PITA with gel polish?  Removal.  Second biggest? Limited color choices.

Enter the Freedom Polymer Topcoat.  The topcoat is "activated" by light, creating a unique polymer coat that prevents chipping and leaves your nails with a gel-like shine.  The quick-dry formula cures under regular light in 3-5 minutes.  Better yet? No more gel-removal hassle - any nail polish remover does the job.

And on the subject of color choices, I am in serious love with the shades offered by Julep.  Because I love my monthly beauty subscriptions (currently get Glossybox and Birchbox), I was intrigued by Julep's MAVEN service.  You take a quick quiz so they can get an idea of your style and tastes.  Your first MAVEN box will ship within three business days.  I promise you, you will LOVE coming home and being greeted by a little box packed with two polishes chosen just for you and some other beauty goodies. 

Each month I look forward to getting my MAVEN box with new nail colors, cult faves and other beauty products that are just right for me. Better yet? I am totally in control and can decide how often I receive my shipment and can cancel at any time.  But I have been obsessed with the colors they send me so don't see myself cancelling anytime soon.

Even better, Julep sends me a preview email so I can see what I will get in my next shipment.  If I take a peek and decide I want to try a different style, send my box to a friend (how sweet of an option is that?) or skip the month (and the bill), I just log into my account and submit my request.

Seriously you guys....Treat Yo Self.  You've been working hard....you deserve it.

Feeling Young(ish) again - 2013 MTV VMAs

I feel like I need a little “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” after the MTV VMAs last night.  SO much I did not understand.   

So much made me feel uncomfortable.   So much made me feel…..OLD.

To be fair, I know at my age I am not OLD.  Unlike some who should remain nameless, I did not need to Google “twerking” (love ya, MGD!) But I know I am NOT young.  I realize this when I get too little sleep or when I have that unnecessary last glass of wine.  It causes me great pain when I change out my winter/summer clothes 2x a year and come across jeans and dresses in sizes I know I will NEVER wear again, yet cannot bring myself to throw away.  I can *actually feel* my crows feet and brow furrows become more pronounced when I walk by a Forever 21.  Hell it happens when I pass the Juniors section in Target.   

So, IMHO,  my being not young = my being old. But for the brief period of time watching the VMAs last night, I felt....young again.  

If you watched most of the VMAs you may be saying “WTF, DeviledMegs?!?!” Anyone over the age of 25 felt old as DIRT at least once during that trainwreck of an “awards” show.  And I did.  BELIEVE me I did.  

I felt it when my first thought in seeing Miley Cyrus hump a foam finger was “What must her parents be think??”  

Via.  Don't worry Drake, I had to look away too. 

I felt it when Jared Leto announced a performance and as fans cheered for him, and I realized anyone under the age of 18 doesn’t even know that he was Jordan-FRAKING-Catalano.  

Nooooooooo

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees

And yes, the sheer fact that I had been giddy with anticipation since it was announced that there could be an N*SYNC reunion in the works was an indicator I was OLD.  [Says the woman who has also paid money –as an ADULT - to see NKOTB (TWICE) and the Backstreet Boys]  

Via

With nowhere to turn with all my snarky comments feelings, I went where anyone else would go who needs an emotional outlet.

Facebook.

And there were all my friends, from all stages of my life, similarly horrified by a skanky-beyond-her-years Miley.  We marveled at the wonder that is JT.  We commented on and liked each others posts.  I felt like I could have been 20 years old again, watching it in the chapter room of my sorority house.  You know, back in the dark ages where you HAD to watch things live because there was no DVR, and your friends had to BE THERE because you couldn’t text/tweet them. 

For a brief period of time….age was just a number. 

And yes, reality came crashing back this morning as I struggled to get my butt out of bed after staying up WAYYYYYY past my bedtime and had to put forth extra effort to get myself presentable and out the door to work.  But I am still laughing thinking about last night.  Thanks to those FB friends that made it more fun to watch….and helped make me feel not so OLD for one short evening. 

PS - We get it, MTV.  Tay Tay and Selena are just a couple of besties having a fun night out dancing (and perpetuating the sterotype that White Girls have no rythm) 

SO MUCH BAD DANCING

In addition to trashing your exes.  But did the camera need to show your reaction to every. Single. Thing?!?

5 on Friday

Linking up for Five on Friday.

1.  BB cream for your hair.
I am sure by now you all have become familiar with BB creams (BB = Beauty Balm).  heck, now we have even moved on to CC creams (CC = Color Correcting) and apparently DD creams are in the works.  Confused?  Fashionista provides an excellent breakdown of the difference between them all. 

Pantene now has a BB cream for your hair, and it is marvelous.  It touts itself as a 10-in-1 solution for things like manageability, heat protection and shine among others.  All i know is that when I use it post-shower, my blowdry looks so much better than usual (and dare I say takes less time?  Maybe I am imagining things).  Less frizz, movement and body to my hair.  It is a great drug store find for sure. 

2.  This picture of Charlie Manuel breaks my heart and makes me love him more all at the same time.  I know the Phillies felt they had to make some big changes, and firings like this are just how the business of baseball is done.  But I think I loved the Phillies *that much more* with Charlie as the team's Skipper.  He made me feel....safe.  I trusted Charlie.  He always felt like a Pop-Pop to me...I imagined a dish of Werther's candies set next to his favorite chair at home and could imagine him sneaking me a $10 bill when no one was looking, with a little wink to say it was our secret.  This pic also let me know Charlie is just like me.  He knows that when you are heading out of Philadelphia, you should stop to get some Wawa for the road. 

P.S. Coach is placing his bet that Charlie ends up in DC....and I must say, it would make it a little easier for me to root for the hometown team Nationals if that was the case. 

3.  Friday.  That means the end of this hellatious, craptastic, Calgon-take-me-away week is in sight.  Thank goodness because I am seriously running on empty when it comes to patience and composure at work this week.  I have found myself biting my tongue (literally...as in I almost drew blood) so many damn times this week to stop myself from just letting sh*t fly and telling people exactly what I thought. 

4.  The movie "Jobs."  I saw it last week and it's just kind of....*meh*.  I feel like Ashton Kutcher slapped together a bunch of mannerisms, threw on a black mock turtleneck and called it a performance.  To me is was just a drawn out impression of Steve Jobs.  I don't feel like I learned anything I didn't already know or got any insight into his life.  The movie was a somewhat glorified live-action version of Steve Jobs' resume.  The highlight for me was Josh Gad.  I just love him. 
Oh and the other highlight was also being able to see it in MVP and mine's new favorite theater.  This AMC theater revamped itself with leather recliners, reserved seating and a tricked out fancy coke machine.  You know, the kind that lets you pick from what feels like a gazillion choices.  Diet cherry ginger ale on tap?  Yes please! 

5.  Orange is the New Black.  Finally convinced MVP to give this Netflix series a try and I am hooked.  The first season has 13 episodes --we watched three in a row last night, and am fairly certain we will plow through the other ten over the course of this weekend.  This series is based on Piper Kerman's memoir about her own experiences in prison. 

Via

Aside from the novelty of this being nothing like any other show you've watched recently, the performances on this show are A-mazing.  I am also hooked by how they choose to reveal characters' back story, giving you little snippets here and there they not only give you insight, but make you go back and reevaluate things that character has done or said in a previous episode...sort of like "Oh NOW I get why she said that!"  I won't get on the "better roles for actresses" soapbox (and I know the series is set in prison, so by default characters will be outside of your run-of-the-mill TV actresses) but I love seeing women of all sizes, shapes, colors and ages on TV.  I am not sure if it is funny, sad or scary that I think the characters in Orange is the New Black look more like "real life" to me than those on most poplar series today.  If you have Netflix, you must give this series a try.  And if you don't have Netflix, Orange is the New Black and House of Cards are all the reason you need to sign yourself up and get your binge-watching on!

Oh Shift! Thoughts on the Lilly Pulitzer online sale

Yes, I am overdue for posting on here....work/life has been crazy as of late to say the least.  Soon though, I promise!

Pic via Facebook

My experience with yesterday's Lilly Pulitzer annual online summer sale has left me with thoughts and comments I need to share.  You know, with someone other than MVP who could really care less about a bunch of crazed ladies hitting refresh on their browser for 6+ hours yesterday.

As many of you know, I LOVE a good bargain.  Like, I get an incredible high from finding something I love at a crazy-low price.  I have often felt I would easily medal if bargain shopping (specifically online) somehow became an Olympic sport.  Just this past Sunday night, I amazed MVP with my skills -- he was interested in a pair of shoes, I offered a few online shopping suggestions and bing-bam-BOOM, he was able to get the exact pair he wanted for about $35 less than retail.  AND free shipping.  You're welcome, MVP.

So it is TOTALLY in my nature to look forward to something like the Lilly P sale.  I set aside a little shopping fund in advance of the sale so I can take advantage of as many bargains as my little pink and green heart desires. I make sure I am online in time for the 8am start.  And I also try to take everything with a heaping spoonful of reality. 

EVERY YEAR there are website issues.  Anyone who has shopped the sale before should already know that and keep the complaining to a minimum.  I will admit that yesterday's first day of the sale took things to a new low, as I heard that there were some possible security breaches on the site; shoppers logged into their online account (where they have saved billing/shipping info, payment info, etc.) before shopping the sale, only to see (well, those who were fortunate enough to notice) that even though they had entered their correct log in info, they were shopping under someone else's account.
[Side note, to my knowledge, Lilly Pulitzer has not publicly discussed or acknowledged the alleged privacy scare]

There were also issues with shoppers assuming that their transaction was completed successfully because they received a confirmation email AND their card was charged.  Only to find out later the order was not able to be placed BUT their card was charged, and they would have to wait 1-3 days to have the funds credited back to them.

However, what struck me the MOST yesterday, were some of the careless and cruel comments I read on Facebook, Twitter and so on.  Some of the comments I empathized with -- the inability to view what was in your virtual shopping tote, the frustration with the lack of real time inventory update, etc.

But the comments I had issue with....well they are still gnawing at me this morning.

First and foremost, it's an online sale.  These are brightly colored shift dresses and patterned shorts we are talking about here, not bread for your starving family.  Let's try to keep a healthy perspective on things.  Your life does not begin and end with your ability to score as much discounted Lilly as humanly possible.  Well, at least I don't think so.  If YOU do.....gosh, I kind of feel bad for you.

But that....well that was not the worst of it.  What made me cringe last night -- literally made me sick to my stomach -- were those women who voiced OUTRAGE at the sale being ruined by people who were not considered to be "loyal" Lilly shoppers.  As in, folks who are not regularly paying $200+ for a shift dress but flock to the online sale in the hopes of scoring some of those same fashions for under $100.  These women spewed hate, shame and vitriol towards others...basing their "worthiness" to shop an open-to-anyone-online-freaking-sale on their ability to afford the sale wares if they were listed at full price.

Pic via Facebook

Hell, even if you can afford full price Lilly, some people may not see VALUE in purchasing these same garments and accessories at full price, myself included in that group. 

While I had many problems and issues with the 2013 annual sale, it was this last issue that left the sourest of tastes in my mouth.  It has me not just questioning this sale, but the consumer definition of this brand in general.  Frankly, I would be hesitant to even wear any of my LillyP right now, because I would NEVER want to be associated to all the self-righteous and self-entitled shoppers yesterday who claimed they DESERVED more/better/preferred access to the discounted offerings as a reward for being "loyal" customers outside of this annual sale.  I'm not gonna go so far as to say wearing a Murfee scarf is the same as wearing a sandwich board saying "Proud to be part of the 1%"...but it's pretty damn close for me at this point. 

So for those women crazily hitting refresh and taking breaks to post on Facebook bitching griping about the unfairness of it all.....step away from your computer.
Take a deep cleansing breath.
Were you able to feed your family yesterday?
Is there a roof over your head? 
Do you have a paying job that allows you to make ends meet?
Are you fortunate enough to not have friends, family or loved ones currently serving in a war zone?
Are you fortunate enough to not have anyone you care about currently battling a life threatening illness?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then take a moment of GRATITUDE for all that you do have before posting ANY more comments about the myriad of perceived injustices associated with the Lilly Pulitzer online sale.

I'm going to practice what I preach and if anyone cares to join me, please do.  Since I did not make any purchases during this year's online sale, I'm going to take some of that money that I had dogeared for the Lilly Sale and donate it to a worthy cause.  They are people out there that need the support of charitable organizations MUCH more than I need a discounted shift dress.