When I was born, the most popular girl's name was Jennifer. (The most popular boy's name was Michael and not Brad, but I'll get to that later.) In summer camp when I was 11 there were two other Jennifers in my bunk... out of eight girls! You learn to live with a little confusion and… Continue reading Gen X Jennifer, March 2nd

Between Christmas and New Year's I did a massive closet purge and house clean. I was able to edit over 100 items from my humble abode, mostly from my overflowing wardrobe. Some were donated, some trashed and some put in a pile to sell. And if you look into my still full closets you might… Continue reading Enough, February 9th

Ever notice how a marketing wiz at some big box retailer throws the word "Pro" onto an item and poof it elevates the model, gives instant credibility to the brand and catapults their status? Well KitKat had a hilarious comeback to a recent not much has changed over the years yawn worthy iPhone release. The… Continue reading Going Pro, February 2nd

I wish I didn't want what I want but alas I do. I have that annoying knack of usually picking out the most expensive item in any store. (I know, it's a gift. And a curse.) This is my retail reality. What can I say. The heart wants what the heart wants. When you think… Continue reading Retail Crush, January 19th

For those of you who know me personally, you know that I'm a bit of a shopper. My crave is not limited to clothes, shoes, handbags, hats, scarves and various wardrobe accoutrements-- oh no. I love housewares and lipgloss, packing essentials, gourmet goodies, serrated knives, and patterned sheets, just to name a few. And it… Continue reading Buy, Buy, Bye? January 12th

Like all of you I have a period of time during the day when I need a break and love to do something mindless and fun. New York City is such a dynamic environment that I enjoy walking everywhere I possibly can if time and proper footwear allow. But when I'm in my home office… Continue reading A-Ha! Moments, January 5th

I always say that the airport is such a great forum for observing human behavior. From the outfits folks wear right down to their interesting and odd choices of footwear (platform pink Crocs?!), to their carryons and handhelds, to who they travel with and what they do within the terminal, you can certainly learn a… Continue reading Travel Meal, December 22nd

I'm not attempting to break the bank when I visit Sephora, makeup counters in department stores or invest in minor cosmetic procedures. But it does take a bit of magic and tomfoolery to look like this, ya know what I'm sayin? And the glam purchases that constitute my routine are necessary ones, not luxuries. Keeping… Continue reading The Price Of Beauty, December 8th

Although we all try to remain composed when dealing with difficult situations, there are times when we just want to throw hands. When someone really gets our goat or pushes our buttons, steam emits from our ears and it's on! For someone like me, a scheduled planner who lives by the calendar I've created for… Continue reading Sticking To The Program, December 1st

I fly a bunch. Mostly to conferences for networking/business purposes but sometimes for personal trips and to visit family and friends. I always fly Delta because I love the miles, points, lounges, upgrades, service, timeliness and planes. I realize there are some infrequent fliers and I respect that. Not everyone needs to get on a… Continue reading Airplane Mode, November 24th

I have always been a purple fan. Growing up my bedroom had small lilac flowers on the wallpaper and my bedspread was all sorts of purple. Fast forward to my adult years and even though I'm a hard core New Yorker who favors black and blacker for my wardrobe, I proudly own a big purple… Continue reading The Color Purple, November 10th

Good morning and happy Monday. Let's jump right into some new things that make you say hmmm. So I read this recently and I wanted to throw it out there to see what ya'll think, because of course I have thoughts... What a fascinating debate question! Did A ask for a raise before discovering the… Continue reading Things That Make You Say Hmmm, November 3rd

Have you ever heard the term "pendrag" before? It literally means to drag your pen across paper, aka: cross something off your list. I, my friends, am a quintessential pendragger, nice to meet you. If your heart just skipped a beat, you're one of my people. Who knew there was a term dedicated to us?… Continue reading The Pendrag, October 10th

I have an announcement to make. I have come up with a new outlook on life that I'm calling The Tomato Philosophy. Intrigued? I'll bet. Me, too. The premise of this new vision stems quite literally from our fruit inclusive pal, the humble tomato. Many of course are aware that a tomato is considered a… Continue reading The Tomato Philosophy, October 6th

We walk fast, we talk fast and we don't stop to take handouts from those rapper kids hawking "free" music on the street. We don't wait for green lights and the crosswalk is just a suggestion because anytime there's a break in traffic it seems like an invitation for us to cross. You've heard rumors… Continue reading Pushing The Limits, September 22nd

Some words just sound so perfect for what they represent, right? Especially those in a foreign language that almost need no translation. I think most Americans are aware for example of the schlep factor? No? Ok, maybe it's just New Yorkers that despise carrying heavy groceries, packages, dry cleaning, purchases, coats, water bottles or daily… Continue reading Not Lost In Translation, September 2nd

We all have go-to words or phrases that we use on repeat at different stages of our lives. "Gnarly" is a funny word spoken explicitly by the character Jeff Spicoli in the classic movie Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Who could forget Sean Penn's disheveled delivery? "Schwing" was a term coined by SNL characters Wayne… Continue reading Charlie Oscar Delta Echo, August 25th

With the rising cost of everything lately, I've been trying to stock up on items whose prices might dramatically rise in the near future. So I feel like I'm going broke saving money. Isn't that always the case when you're sale shopping or just browsing too? Sort of the finest edition of girl math, right?… Continue reading Going Broke Saving Money, August 11th

What we do after work, after the kids go to bed, after after is what counts. (Always a nod to Mr. Miyagi!) It's what we make time to do in the margins that determines our level of happiness because work is always just work. And even if you love what you do (like me), your… Continue reading Life In The Margins, July 21st

I've never been much of a gal for showy labels but I do like designers. Back in the 80s when the Benetton craze took over with those obnoxious shirts with the gigantic logos, I never opted in. I'm not totally silent label gal, a la Loro Piana (but I dream!) but I really like nice… Continue reading There Will Be Signs, July 14th

Aren't you amazed at some questions people ask without even giving them a second thought? Like those words just fly out of their mouths unfiltered and then they stand there waiting for a reply not realizing the gravity of what they uttered. Like when boundary crossers just trample that invisible line. Or when surveys ask… Continue reading Hell To The No, June 30th

Many people pull out their Rolodex to prove how popular they are. This can peacock in the number of followers someone has, the number of likes they may receive on social, the aggregate of connections they boast, the number of business cards they have collected over the years, the hours they bill for the year,… Continue reading Remember Me? June 23rd

I saw a series of phrases by Case Kenny all under the umbrella of Green Flags and instantly they resonated with me. So I wanted to share them with you. They are sort of life changing. When you think of your life like a traffic signal of Red, Yellow and Green, the statements below are… Continue reading Green Flags, June 2nd

If you're not up on your Chinese zodiac symbolism, let me educate you from what I've recently learned. The Chinese zodiac is a twelve-year cycle and assigns a different animal to each year. It is one of the cornerstones of Chinese culture. You'll find that distinct characteristics also pair to each animal. And it's fascinating… Continue reading The Year Of The Snake, May 5th

You know that song Welcome To My House by Flo Rida? "Welcome to my house. Baby, take control now. We can't even slow down. We don't have to go out. Welcome to my house. Play that music too loud. Show me what you do now. We don't have to go out. Welcome to my house.… Continue reading Welcome To My House, April 7th

As a little kid weren't you always told that you had superpowers and that adults were amazed by you? Running around in Underoos I almost believed the hype. Then as we grew older we were presented a stunning multiple choice question regarding a gift from the universe... Would we rather have invisibility, the power of… Continue reading Superpowers, January 27th

There are some restaurants in New York City that you just cannot get into. And when I say you, I mean me. (Ok, and you.) As in can't walk in, can't get a reservation even 30 days in advance because the Resy slots go immediately, don't know the manager, bar is packed or requires a… Continue reading Access Denied, January 6th

Knowing when to say when is an acquired skill. Like learning not to overstay your welcome when bunking with a relative or a friend. Or when to find the exit as a restaurant is closing up for the night. But the opposite is also true. Like for bottomless beverages or unlimited chips and salsa. It's… Continue reading Say When, December 30th

Growing up I was taught that you could never spend more than you had. So credit cards were a big no. I was not supposed to get into a situation that was punishable by debt. I could use a "charge card," but those I paid off in full at the end of the month. (Does… Continue reading Punishable By Debt, December 16th

Stress is a part of our everyday lives. In big cities with high expectations and even greater demands, the anxiety level can be obscene. So it's on all of us to strike a work/life balance and take care of ourselves and in many cases our families as well. How do we unwind, unplug and relax… Continue reading Going To Pieces, December 9th

Does anyone remember the hilarious and relatable movie from way back in the early 90s called Singles? It was a Cameron Crowe picture featuring an ensemble cast including Kyra Sedgwick, Matt Dillon, and Campbell Scott. All the characters were in their early 20s pondering love and the challenges of adulthood. Bridget Fonda played the warm,… Continue reading Reading The Signs, December 2nd

Opening those double doors wide and staring at the choices before me, one thought usually crosses my mind… I have nothing to wear! It’s packed pretty tight in there too so it’s not for lack of options. I am sure cuties are hiding. Some newbies (gasp) still have tags! I can’t easily find favorites. I… Continue reading Out Of The Closet, November 18th

Living in NYC and being surround by millions of people, it's amazing the things you hear! And read. And observe. On this fine Monday morning, I thought I'd make your day more amusing with some things that have been "overheard" lately... And isn't it hard not to absolutely laugh out loud when you overhear something… Continue reading Have You Heard? October 21st

Much as I try to understand the pitfalls of materialism, I hate to say it but I am a material girl living in a material world. Whew. I said what I said! Why inanimate objects thrill me is actually beyond my scope of understanding. But alls I know is, they have that power. Not all… Continue reading Possessed, October 14th

Long ago I worked with a very funny gal named Roxanne who looked stereotypically Bridge and Tunnel. For those of you who live outside the New York Metropolitan area, this is a local slur referring to those who have to (gasp) take a bridge or tunnel to enter the mecca that is Manhattan. The funny… Continue reading Get Over Yourself! September 9th

When I was but a neophyte in my 20s, I was seated at a fancy restaurant waiting for my early stage relationship to arrive-- we were on date number four and he was a handsome investment banker. The weather was stormy and Jon was running late so I busied myself staring out the window, mesmerized… Continue reading Quitting Is For Winners, August 12th

Motivating yourself on a Monday morning to attack the workday can be a real challenge. Especially after a glorious weekend of spectacular weather where you relished the great outdoors, snacked on some delicious treats and enjoyed the company you kept. But a weekend where you lounged around like a lox and did nothing to speak… Continue reading I Had To Laugh, July 22nd

It's that time of year when school is out and kids are untethered and showing up in places you might not be used to seeing them. Like at trendy restaurants for lunch or fancy evening concerts. Some of these rascals are so out of control and sadly their parents seem to be oblivious to their… Continue reading Here’s Looking At You, Kid, July 15th

NYC has a bad reputation. Some think the general population of my fair City isn't very nice. My reply is that if you'd kindly MOVE to the side of the street so that we busy peeps CAN JUST PASS, collectively we might be a little friendlier, hon. (I didn't mean to scream. But yeah.) So… Continue reading Mood Poisoning, July 1st

Everybody has an opinion. And with the way social media works today, random folks can pipe up with raging opinions to either support or trash others when they feel compelled to contribute. You don't have to even take sides to appreciate the humorous people that write in with the most hysterical commentary. Lately I've been… Continue reading Horsing Around, June 24th

"You'd better check yourself before you wreck yourself" is a quote I heard a lot in my 20s. Obviously it had and has various meanings and is certainly open to interpretation so feel free to let your imagination and your humor run wild. What I do know for sure is that I'd so much rather… Continue reading Checking Out, June 10th

Much earlier in my creative career, a slighter older boss of mine didn't know all that much about his job or mine (ya!) but he gave me one nugget of advice that has carried me through my entire adult life. And that was, "Know your audience." Simply put but so true. I think the "Don't… Continue reading Know Your Audience, June 3rd

Don't you just love it when someone says to you, "Can I be honest with you?" What were you doing this whole time, Janet? Am I now supposed to question everything you said up until this very moment? What about when you said you loved my new haircut?? Or my pink satin bomber jacket? (Janet,… Continue reading Let’s Be Honest, May 28th

It's taken years of refinement, but I'm proud to say I've entered a new era... my "Senior Years." I am a certified badass. I took a class. Earned a certificate. And now I'm registered with the board of Don't Even Think Of Messing With Me, Sweetheart. I've graduated from all the previous levels and now… Continue reading Senior Years, May 13th

There are a whole lot of synonyms for people who are notably unsmart. A box of rocks is an expression I use often, followed by my runner up fave, a bag of hammers. But when life is a shitshow and you want to throw in the towel, take comfort in knowing that some people were… Continue reading A Box Of Rocks, April 29th

We all know how excited we once were ordering that new sofa! Remember the day of delivery? Yeah, me, too. A million years later we hate the living room behemoth with a passion and dream of a fresh start. But how to remove it and what to get next plagues us. It's such an expensive… Continue reading Redecorate, Renovate or Move? April 1st

Ever have a not such a good friend who, the minute she sees you, fires a million questions in your direction back to back back and tends to avoid answering any of yours while also avoiding eye contact? A hanger-on who likes to observe and take mental notes (maybe?) but rarely comments out loud. Instead… Continue reading Busy Bodies, March 18th

New York City is certainly not for everyone (and I can understand why), but it's definitely for me. Mostly because I love the diversity, the commentary of our outspoken and hilarious residents, and of course the food. So did you know that Ralph Lauren has a vintage green coffee truck that parks near Rockefeller Plaza… Continue reading New Yorkers Speak, March 11th

Remember this childhood choosing game some of us played as youngsters to decide who goes first, or who empties the dishwasher, or who tells Mom that one of us broke the vase from an indoor game of catch we weren't supposed to be having in the first place? Fast forward a few decades into a… Continue reading Rock, Paper, Scissors, March 6th

Remember when Nike came up with that fabulous slogan, "Just Do It?" It was way back in 1988 when Dan Wieden who worked on the Nike account put those three powerful words together. Since then that inspirational line has spawned generations of motivated people determined to do just that. As an exhausted middle ager, I… Continue reading Just Don’t Do It, March 4th

I love living in New York City, however, I dread when the weather gets so cold that doing critical errands becomes especially challenging since we go store to store on foot. You all know that anyone who is lucky enough to HAVE a car in the City, doesn't ever USE their car to actually drive… Continue reading Baby It’s Cold Outside, February 26th

I know I write a lot about traveling. It does seem that I'm never home. And when I am, memories of my last trip coupled with planning for my next one flood my consciousness. I never thought that I'd be this much of an adventurer, but here I am... packing again. And I'm pretty sure… Continue reading Plane Jane, February 5th

Because I live in NYC and I am sort of a self-proclaimed neat freak with a way too keen sense of smell, I've never had a kitchen garbage. What I mean by that is that I take out the "temporary trash" every single day. So I don't own an under the cabinet garbage pail and… Continue reading Bag Lady, January 29th

I think I was the last of my age group to start coloring my hair. I purposely got into the game as late as possible for a few reasons. Most importantly because it's expensive, and once you start, you're on the ol' perpetual hamster wheel, a slave to the process every X number of weeks.… Continue reading Don’t Say G(r)ay, January 1st

It's been a long while since my friend KLB and I have shared our conversational memefest. So we are long overdue to let you in on a hilarious back and forth. Our topic for discussion today was all about housekeeping. So welcome to our chatter that of course ends on a great holiday note. And… Continue reading Meme Girls- Housekeeping On Christmas, December 25th

I know we are all conditioned NOT to laugh when a young kid uses an inappropriate word in a completely appropriate manner. We are not supposed to have a big reaction because this can encourage the wee one to keep using that "bad" word. But it's hard to contain your hysterics when a small person… Continue reading Those F*cking Kids, December 18th

When we are young and inexperienced we think we know absolutely everything! And nobody should dare try to convince us that we don't. We especially know more than the grownups (teachers, parents, clergy, doctors, police) who are trying to impart their knowledge to us. And I never realized how much actual adults knew until I… Continue reading Touch The Stove, December 11th

For serious shoppers, there are really only two peak days during the retail calendar to score the best in person deals. They are considered "day after sales." The first one is the day after Thanksgiving and the second one is the day after Christmas. And the hot spot to capitalize on these sales, to really… Continue reading Getting Malled, November 24th

All of us gals fall into a variety of foodie categories, either self-imposed or by society's direction. I think we can break these categories down into a few bite sized chunks. And naturally there is some crossover. But let's explore some of the top titles to which female foodies might be assigned. Little Miss Excited… Continue reading Little Miss Foodie, November 20th

Lately the world seems so dang polar. And it's almost unthinkable that an opinionated talker like me would back off a good debate to suddenly zip it. However, in the current climate I do find myself happily withdrawing from some conversations. In my more seasoned years, I understand that as good as I might be… Continue reading Conversationus Interruptus, November 6th

Like clockwork, just prior to that first crisp day in early October, I tend to mentally reevaluate the contents of my closet, usually horrified with last year's favorites. I then look judgingly at my ol' reliables and ponder, what was I thinking? Did I really believe puffy sleeves looked so well on me? How many… Continue reading The Adjustment Bureau, October 2nd

You know the term, "call a spade a spade"? This idiom originated in classical Greek literature but found its way into the English language in 1542. Famous writers such as Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, and Jonathan Swift have all used this famous concept in popular works you may have read. This phrase of course means… Continue reading Calling A Spade A Spade, September 12th

Lately I've been watching some of those house flipping and house hunter type shows. Lots of them show Megamansions with multi-levels and huge garages for a literal fleet of expensive vehicles. They boast sweeping double staircases and fireplaces, fire pits, pools, and more columns than a complicated Excel spreadsheet. Some have so many bathrooms that… Continue reading Size Matters, June 19th

Back in the day I used to glean most of my cutting-edge fashion news from the monthly home delivery of too many glossy magazines. I remember racing into my apartment building lobby close to the 20th of each month, small gold key in hand, anxious to open my rectangular gateway to style-- my mailbox. I… Continue reading They See Me Scrollin, June 5th

For all of you fashionistas out there who frequent the schmancy stores and stay current with the hottest new styles, it's time for a shoe review. Cue the music! I give you the Comic Balloon Pump from the Spanish luxury brand Loewe. Apparently there is an actual shoe hiding under all those party favors. In… Continue reading A New Loewe, May 24th

If you were ever a fan of the TV show The Flintstones, you'll remember Gazoo-- the quirky little alien that used to magically appear to mess with Fred and Barney. When he popped into view, he'd always begin his salutation with, "Hello, dum-dums." Gazoo was always witty and pithy and Fred and Barney were thick… Continue reading Meme Girls– Common Sense, May 15th

A friend mentioned recently that the infamous Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin used to hold rallies and had his henchmen carefully watch the clapping crowd to see who stopped clapping first. After one of Stalin's speeches, people were so scared to be the first one to stop that the applause went on for eleven minutes! Eventually… Continue reading Clapping Is Mandatory, May 1st

When I travel, I usually wear some sort of cool sneaker that is ultra-comfy and can get me from the drop off outside Terminal C at LaGuardia to the gate with no issue at all. My outfit is always smart casual and hair and makeup are minimal but professional. Once inside, I avoid the moving… Continue reading Thirty-Six Thousand Feet, April 17th

If you're a fan of the HBO smash Succession and recently tuned in to watch the Season 4 opener, you're already quite familiar with arguably the best few lines of the episode. In fact, they'll be hard to beat. I'm of course talking about Tom's absolute shanking of Cousin Greg's date's handbag. The scene takes… Continue reading Succession Plan, March 29th

I have a friend who maintains his strict diet all week-- meaning no carbs, no sugar, no alcohol, and absolutely no processed foods of any kind. And then when Saturday rolls around, Jonny lets loose and goes absolutely ape shit. We're talking a couple of bacon egg and cheese sammies for breakfast with a side… Continue reading Day Of The Weak, March 20th

If you're just tuning in, yours truly finally bit the bullet and joined a weight loss program called Noom in December. If you're not familiar with Noom (and probably you're healthy and in great shape so you've never heard of it) it's a subscription-based app for tracking a person's food intake and exercise habits. The… Continue reading I’m A Loser! March 6th

My favorite four letter word is love... although you might not be able to tell based on how I can artfully sprinkle the f-word into sentences like it's parsley raining down on some fancy chicken parm. I grew up always being told that I was loved by my parents, especially before bed. Love was a… Continue reading That Four Letter Word, February 14th

Whether your focus is banking, accounting, real estate, travel, law, medical devices, data solutions, staffing, or software usually a key component of your job involves bringing in new business. Laugh out loud as you read this incredibly relatable story of my friend Lisa who just attended her annual corporate kick off meeting. (I promise it’s… Continue reading The Kick Off, January 30th

According to Wikipedia, The Four Tops were an American vocal quartet from Detroit who helped to define the city's Motown sound of the 1960s. The group's repertoire included soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, doo-wop, jazz, and show tunes. You might remember "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" or "Baby I Need Your Loving,"… Continue reading The Four Tops, January 23rd

Usually a gap is associated with something missing. Synonyms for this word include hole, breach, crack, interruption, hiatus, interval, variance, mismatch, chasm, or space… among others. These examples usually require specific attention in order to be fixed. Potholes in the road for instance beg for repaving. A breach of security might require a changed password.… Continue reading The Gap, January 16th

If you're just tuning in Happy New Year and welcome to the blog. This is another installment of a series called Meme Girls that started last year. The posts are based on banter between me and a very good friend of mine named KLB. I wrote to her recently that I was just so tired.… Continue reading Meme Girls, The Beauty Edition, January 2nd

I was having dinner a while back with my dear friend Phyllis and we were catching up on all topics. For many years we met on a very regular basis to run the Loop in Central Park, but due to my back injury I've been sidelined for months so I haven't seen her very often.… Continue reading Hitting The Lottery, December 19th

If you follow my blog, by now you know my hilarious friend KLB. The whole Meme Girls concept came to fruition because she texts me the funniest blurbs I've ever read. So I try to one up her (mostly unsuccessfully) with witty banter and funnier memes in return. Welcome to the Laughfest-- just some insanely… Continue reading Meme Girls– Laughfest, November 16th

Ok, what exactly is going on with the pipes in my building? Is anyone else experiencing serious issues on the homefront because so many people are working from their primary residences these days? For the second time in four years I had a massive kitchen sink overflow. And the scary part of this little adventure… Continue reading You’re A Mean One Mr. Sink, November 7th

We all know pen clickers, key swingers, nail tappers, foot shakers, gum snappers, coffee slurpers, knuckle strummers, bracelet adjusters, phone checkers, paper shufflers, and shoelace re-tiers. Lately I've been observing certain personal behaviors of the people in my orbit. And when I've noticed specific patterns repeating, I've been tuning in even more closely. Like for… Continue reading Snap, Crumple, & Tap, October 31st

According to the Wall Street Journal, The Isley Brothers' “Shout” is one of the earliest and best-known party songs. Immortalized by the frat-house dance scene in the 1978 comedy film National Lampoon's Animal House, “Shout” was originally conceived by Ronald Isley during a 1959 concert in Philadelphia as a way to extend the audience's excitement. And did… Continue reading Shout! September 29th

I remember when I saw the movie Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time. I've actually seen this stunning film countless times and Rami Malek's portrayal of Freddy Mercury is still so convincing that I'm completely captivated with every single viewing! There was a scene in which Brian had just written a new song and he… Continue reading Audience Participation, September 26th

Why is it that when some styles call out to us we are powerless to resist? I remember the tube top craze when I was in eighth-grade. I HAD to have one. It was a pale lavender color and I wore it under a rainbow button down that I carefully tied in the front. This… Continue reading Fashion Weak, August 29th

The Meme Girls are at it again! In this addition of everyone's favorite blog, the topic is murder. Who knew rage was such a big seller? I'd never, but I've thought about it and I do love this mug so I sent it to my meme-friendly pal, KLB... She wasted absolutely no time in replying… Continue reading Meme Girls- Risky Business, August 23rd

If you live in NYC, it's an absolute guarantee that you will see street vendors showcasing their wares on makeshift tables or sprawled out blankets all over Fifth Avenue in midtown. These temporary buffets of luxury are set up as ten second grab-and-gos in case the police decide to visit. Almost all of them operate… Continue reading Faking It, August 9th