Day 1181

I know, I know...it's been two weeks since my last post. But geez, these last two weeks have been so incredibly busy. The Senate came back in to start the Second Session of the 111th Congress, and I have been moving nonstop ever since. My house is a mess, my laundry is piled up, my fridge is empty...it's been a busy two weeks.

Last Wednesday, President Obama came to the Capitol to address a Joint Session of Congress and the American people for his State of the Union address. Cameras are strictly forbidden in the House Chamber, save a few professional photographers, but the real action is what goes on after the speech. The Congressional Press Corp fills Statuary Hall, and once Congressmen and Senators file out of the House, chaos ensues and the news stories come alive. This year, I decided to observe the moments just after the speech from the balcony right above outside a coworker's office...





But it hasn't been all work and no play. Last weekend, friends and I had a ridiculously fun night at my new favorite spot, George. And this Saturday, with the snow piling down on the city, I went out to watch the #7 Georgetown vs. #8 Duke game at the Verizon Center. It was amazing! Georgetown smoked Duke...Go Hoyas!...and we were sitting in this sweet box, right above President Obama and Vice President Biden.



I know the Yankee in my blood has officially come to life, because today I braved the ice and snow to pick up my cousin Jack and take him to see Avatar 3D. I wasn't really all that stoked about seeing it, but I promised him I would so off we went. And wow, was I more than presently surprised. It was SO AWESOME!!! Seriously, one of the coolest experiences watching it, so if you haven't seen it yet, run to your theaters before it's gone.

Oh yeah, and on top of all that, I've been trying to read my new book, "Game Change". Much more on this later, but it is very, very interesting. So now, I must get ready for bed and another busy week. Goodnight all!

Day 1167

I don't really care about who wins what at the Golden Globes tonight. I mean, there are my favorites for sure, but I honestly haven't really seen many movies or watched a lot of television this year to be too invested.

So why am I watching? The fashion, duh! The stars are dodging raindrops on the red carpet tonight, but that didn't stop them from dressing to the nines. There were so many amazing looks of the evening, but I picked a few favorites below.

And I should mention, many of the actors and actresses at the Golden Globes will be donating this evening's attire to Artists for Peace and Justice for an online auction beginning next week on eBay, where 100% of the profits will benefit the Haitian relief.

And now, my best dressed favorites are (drum roll please)...

Olivia Wilde in Gucci



Um, wow, AMAZING! She is just stunning, really. I need that dress immediately and the body to go in it.

Sofia Vergara in Carolina Herrera



I mean, she is absolutely gorgeous to begin with, but this dress just worked for her tonight. It hugs her curves exactly as it should. Love it and love Modern Family!

Marion Coutilliard in Christian Dior



Gorgeous. So French, so fabulous. Always stunning.

Courtney Cox in Victoria Beckham



I need to look that good in my 40s...what am I kidding, I need to look that good now at 30. She is definitely the Cougar I aim to be!

Jennifer Aniston in Valentino Couture



Jennifer Aniston always looks amazing. She's the classic, All-American girl and never disappoints. But tonight, she really wowed in this dress!

**I had to come back and amend this list to add some more amazing looks...there were just too many to name, but here are a few more.

Jane Krakowski in J. Mendel



I couldn't find this photo last night, but this is one of my favorite dresses of the night! I love purple, and this color looks amazing on her. The one shoulder was a big trend of the night, as was this color, but this was my favorite of them all.

Drew Barrymore in Atelier Versace



At first look, I was a bit unsure of this dress, but the more I looked at this, the more I fell in love with it. The dress is a bit daring, but that's what I love about her. Drew looks amazing...her hair, her skin, and this color looks fantastic with her coloring. Drew, welcome to my list.

Penelope Cruz in Giorgio Armani Privé



I had to add her, because although it wasn't my favorite dress of the night (but still very, very pretty), Penelope wins my award for the woman I always want to look like. Perfection, always, and once again, she showed the world what a Hollywood star really is. Amazingly beautiful.

And of course, we can't forget the dashing men. Gentlemen, this is how you wear a tux...

Gerard Butler in Dolce & Gabbana

Day 1166, Part II

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I decided to stay home and take it easy instead of head out this Saturday night. Problem is, I'm bored out of my mind, so I decided to start playing around with some of my favorite photographs I've taken over the past few years. I have a very large wall space above the couch in my bedroom that desperately needs brightened up, so I thought I may display a collection of these...what do you think?

Cinque Terra, Italy, 2003



Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy, 2003



Florence, Italy, 2003



Jack Shooting Hoops, Washington, DC, 2009



President Barack Obama, Presidential Inauguration, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC, 2009







U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, Washington, DC, 2008



Democratic National Convention, Denver, Colorado, 2008







Lovey Dovey, Teddy Bear Donnellan, Washington, DC, 2008



My Favorite Subject, Donnellan Kids, Florida, 2008













Cherry Blossoms Near Washington Monument, Washington, DC, 2008



U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC, 2008



U.S. Capitol Building in Blizzard, Washington, DC, 2009

Day 1166

Haitian Relief Events in the Washington, DC Area

I just wanted to post two events being held in Washington tomorrow to support Haiti. The first is a survival kit drive, the second a prayer service...both ways to support those in need if you may not have cash to donate.

Haitian Embassy to Hold Survival Kit Drive Tomorrow



From DCist:
The National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians will be collecting donations this Sunday, Jan. 17 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the embassy, located at 2311 Massachusetts Ave. NW. The list of items they are asking for include: baby formula (dry/powder), baby wipes, baby bottles, diapers, baby clothes, toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste), hand sanitizer, vitamins, first aid kits, over the counter medicines, socks, blankets, mosquito repellent, flashlights, batteries, candles, flip flops, T-shirts, pants, lightweight jackets, and non-perishable food items not in cans. If you are able to donate any of these items, simply bring them by the embassy on Sunday, or call 202-904-9070 with any questions.

Strength through Unity -- L'Union fait la Force: A Service of Prayer for Haiti



Sunday, January 17, 2010; 6 PM, National Cathedral

Participants & Guests:
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, offering a sermon;
Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane, offering the invocation;
Auxiliary Bishop of Washington Barry C. Knestout, representing the Most Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, archbishop of Washington;
Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III, offering the welcome; and
The Cathedral Choir of Men and Girls
Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
His Excellency Raymond Joseph, Haitian ambassador to the U.S.

Gracious God,
I lift my voice in prayer with all the people of the world.

Surround Haiti and her people
with your loving embrace
that they may be:

supported by the world in the work of rescue and recovery;
comforted as they grieve;
strengthened as they bury their dead;
healed as they tend their wounds;
restored in faith and the
hope of things unseen;
and transformed through newness of life in Christ.

Make me an instrument
of divine love, of mercy, of hope, and of new possibility.
Give me eyes to see,
ears to hear, the will to act, and a discerning and generous heart
that I may serve you and those who suffer in whatever way I am able.

In and through the power of the Holy Spirit, I pray. Amen.

Day 1163

In light of Haiti's tragic earthquake yesterday, and the large aftershocks continuing throughout today, I feel compelled to post relief organizations accepting donations toward efforts to help Haitians survive through this deadly disaster.



Haiti is already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and was still recovering from deadly 2008 hurricanes when the quake struck. Port-au-Prince, Haiti's Capital and just 10 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake, is a city of over 2 million people.



Due to the loss of infrastructure throughout the country, and therefore no place to store your collectibles (clothes, bottled water, etc), cash is the best donation to give. Cash allows professionals to get exactly what they need and does not use up scarce resources such as transportation, staff time or warehouse space.



There are many reputable organizations accepting donations now:



Catholic Relief Services
https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3181&3181.donation=form1

Also, as Haiti is a predominately Catholic country, Catholic Relief Services has an office permanently in Port-au-Prince, and its blog, http://crs-blog.org/, is publishing updates from their staffers in Haiti as they can.

American Red Cross
Text Haiti to 90999, and a donation of $10 will be added to your next phone bill. The organization is also accepting donations through its International Response Fund, http://www.redcross.org

Wyclef Jean's Haitian Yele charity
Text 501501, and $5 will be added to your next phone bill.

Clinton Foundation
http://www.clintonfoundation.org/haitiearthquake

Wal-Mart
http://www.walmartstores.com/haiti

Oxfam
http://www.oxfam.org.uk

CNN.com also has a link which breaks down organizations to what they provide: Basic needs, shelter, medical aid and food. Many of these organizations already have an office in Haiti, and I'm told it's important to try and donate to an organization already down there to help get immediate funds to the country.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/

Below is the American Red Cross video...just tragic.



And if you just cannot donate money to help, prayers are needed.

Day 1158

Baby, it's cold outside! I can't complain, I know. While Washington is in the 20s and 30s, the rest of the country is suffering considerably more. Even last night's snowfall didn't drop the temperatures as bad as I anticipated. Still, when I saw the snow falling down last night, and then woke up to black slush this morning, I became officially D.O.N.E. Done. I need Springtime, and I need it right now.

And since I've decided to brighten up this blog a bit, I thought I'd start by brightening up all of our days!

Sadly, the first signs of Spring in Washington won't appear for at least two more months, when the Cherry Blossoms beautify the city and fill our souls with some serious Spring Fever.



Oh, the Cherry Blossoms, they make me so happy. If you've never seen them before, it is a must at least once in your lifetime.

In April, my favorite, favorite flowers start to bloom...peonies!



I love them so much, and if I had a garden, a peonies tree would be the first thing I would plant in it. All colors are gorgeous, but these pale pink ones are my very favorite.

Another favorite? Poppies. My grandfather grows stunning orange and pink poppies in his garden, and seeing them reminds me of him. But red poppies, they are my preference. I've never seen a sight more beautiful than when driving through the Italian countryside and seeing fields and fields of red poppies. Breathtaking.



And of course, what girl doesn't love roses and orchids?



These yellow and red roses remind me of college...Chi Omega colors are cardinal and straw, so our mail room was filled with these on a weekly basis.



I just might have to go out and buy an orchid just like this favorite of mine...reminds me of very happy days. I need to add some color to my house now that my Christmas decorations are packed away, and I think this beautiful stem will keep me happy well into Spring.

Feel a bit warmer now? I do! Since I'm instilling the budget (damn), I'm going to have to come stare at this post the next few months until the sun starts to shine and Mother Nature delivers some gorgeous blooms to my door.

Day 1157

I'm trying to get in the habit of planning and cooking healthy meals, which will help my wallet, diet and peace of mind (cooking relaxes me, yet I never do it...surprised?). Yesterday morning, I got a fillet of cod out of the freezer to thaw for dinner last night. The plan was grilled fish, brown rice and veggies. Sounds yummy, right?

But for some reason, by the end of the work day I was CRAVING Mexican food. Not surprising either, since I'm always craving Mexican food. However, trying to not waste food and stick to my healthy living plan, I came up with an alternative...fish tacos!

I'm sure many of you, especially down South, are gagging at the thought of this dish. I didn't know of them until I moved to DC and then went out to California for the first time. I assure you, though, they are excellent and can be made very healthy! Since this was a spur of the moment meal, I used what I had, but you can add all sorts of veggies, salsas and spice to create a really tasty and healthy meal. Here's what I did:

Sprinkled the cod with salt and pepper and placed it into a hot iron skillet coated with a bit of olive oil. Since cod is a really mild fish, it's a good one to try for those that are not exactly fish fans. As soon as it started cooking, I squeezed a fresh lime over top to add to the flavor. Then I added green bell peppers and onions for even more flavor.

Looks yummy, right?



Once done, I put together my tacos: fresh green lettuce, then the grilled peppers and onions, then the fish, and then topped it with salsa and a tiny bit of cheese.



It was so delicious, quick and easy to make and very healthy...two of these tacos were enough for a meal, and only equaled 8.5 Weight Watchers points.

Next time, I'm thinking about making a mango, avocado and jalapeno salsa to put on top of the fish instead of the regular tomato salsa, lose the cheese and maybe adding some cumin or cayenne pepper to the rub to give the fish a bit more kick. I like this, being inventive in the kitchen! Tonight I'm trying for a healthy version of vegetable fried rice! Mmmm...

***Oh yeah, and in case you're blind and didn't notice, I'm playing around with my blog layout...trying to brighten it up a bit. I figure since I'm really not so much in mourning anymore, my page shouldn't be either. What do you think? I'm liking the color scheme, but think the layout is a bit lacking. Feedback anyone? I feel like I never get comments anymore!

Day 1156

I've been thinking even more about these New Year's Resolutions I've come up with, and decided, although they are great goals to set, they are a bit broad. I feel like I need something measurable in order to fulfill these goals, hence the following addendums:

1. Take control of my finances.

Since I put a strong emphasis on my shopping habits, I figure what better way to reverse this than to resell some of my mistake purchases. I know, I'm a genius. Patting myself on the back as you read. Well, just so happens, one of my blog favorites, Capitol Hill Style, has an online resale shop, Capitol Hill Style Resale Salon.

There is always really cute stuff for sale on there, and I already have an eye on one or two slightly worn items that I can contribute. For starters, I'm thinking these Kate Spade Giselle shoes.



They are really cute, and only worn twice, but I have another pair of black patent leather peep toes I like better, so I wouldn't cry if someone took them off my hands.

So that is project one...clean out my closets, find items to sell and also items to donate to charity. I think a clean closet and fresh start will help me keep focus on what I don't need to spend money on. And if I'm lucky, I'll make some cash back too.

2. Getting healthy...mind, body and soul.

Motivation and follow through is always my problem. Always. So what better way to combat this than with a little friendly competition, right?



My friend Beth and I are both bridesmaids in another friend's wedding in August, and so to motivate us to get in amazing bridesmaid dress shape, we're competing to see who loses the biggest percentage of weight in the next 8 months.

Each week, we are tracking our weight loss, and then each month are tracking our percentage for the month. The loser for the month treats the winner to a pedicure. Once again, I know, genius. Actually the brilliant mastermind behind this plan was Beth, but I'm very excited about it 1) because I'm uber-competitive and 2) because I think this will be the motivation I need to keep going for 8-months. Bring it Beth, it's on like Donkey Kong.

3. Getting back to my roots.

Okay, I'll admit, this one I'm still working ideas, but I have a few improvements I'm trying to make already, including:

**Adding more photographs to my blog. This counts for creativity, right? I just know that blog posts with photographs are much more bright and interesting (even if I have to pull it off the internet). And to help with this, I bought this little number when I went to Disney World...the world's tiniest camera!

Canon Digital ELPH PowerShot Camera



Okay well maybe not, but it is pretty teeny tiny, and takes great pictures, so I no longer have an excuse for not toting around my enormous camera. It even fit in my itty bitty clutch I took out on New Year's Eve. Highly recommend it.

**Taking at least one yoga class a week. I suppose this also could be added to goal #2, but I'm putting this here because it's both spiritual and incorporates challenging body movements which I've always loved to do (don't read too into that one filthy minds. Or do. Whatever). Since a monthly membership is out of my budget, I figure one class a week will have to do for now.

So that's it for tangible goals as of now, but I hope to continue adding to these as the year goes on. I feel that putting them out there will really inspire me to stick with them. Fingers crossed this works!

Day 1154

Today is my sister and brother-in-law's anniversary. Happy one year Lindann and Neil! Last year, I didn't post about the wedding since I had zero pictures until months later when they came back from the photographer, so today I'm reflecting back on the day.

It was such a beautiful ceremony and reception, and a true testament to the love and hard work of our family. A bit of background...my mom is one of ten kids, and all but one family made it in for the wedding, as did all of Neil's family & loved ones from North Carolina. And as soon as they got to Little Rock, they were put to work! We did the food, the flowers, the reception decorations...my uncle even sang with the band!

Anyway, it was a fun-filled week, with both the New Year's Eve celebration and the wedding after party at my mom's house. Even my grandfather stayed up late night to talk with us. And the reception was SO much fun...and we have the pictures to prove it. It reminded us that there is nothing like celebrating a joyous event with family and loved ones. Even with dad gone, we felt his presence there, and know he was with Lindann and Neil on their special day.

Enjoy our celebration, and congratulations on your first love-filled year Lindann & Neil!



Mom walked Lindann down the aisle.



Dad was here with us too.



Wedding ceremony was at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Downtown Little Rock. Beautiful.







The newly Mr. and Mrs. Day









I told you our family is big...many were even missing from the picture.





Getting down at the reception.





After we sang Shades with all the Chi Omegas.



There are so many photos I don't have to share, but I'm sure you can tell from these it was a beautiful, joyous day. So happy for my sister and brother-in-law...I wish you a lifetime of wonderful days as this. Love you!