Ou est la bibliotheque?

I've been doing great with my no shopping emails New Years Resolution. Have not ordered one thing online in 2010 ::::: um, its only been 3 weeks, but still!

Hubs and I have also made a joint new years resolution, and that was to try a New Restaurant every month. It sounds very easy to do, but we had tried it about 4 or 5 years ago, and basically it ended on the last day of March which happened to be a weekday, and we were broke fresh out of college.. and I'm pretty sure we ordered pizza that night. The new restaurant we tried for January was Gaslight, Brasserie du Coin (which means Brasserie on the corner). I'd always heard great things about this place and was excited to drive into the city on a Friday Night. This french place looked gorjas inside and seemed like the perfect place to be on a Friday Night on a date. It felt like everyone stopped by to check in and see if they could get us anything (I swear we don't look like needy patrons at these classy places!)

I'm kind of a wimp when it comes to eating dinner. I never like trying new things, and when we go to nice restaurants, I don't understand too much whats going on with the menu. While everyones food looks tasty and amazing around me, I just went with the Rotisserie Chicken- which did not disappoint. And since it was a date, of course you have to split a dessert. We got the Chocolate Beignets with Creme Anglais. Translation= fresh crisp chocolate munchkins with a light creme dipping sauce. Oh- and there was a little extra chocolate stuffed in the middle. Um.. amazing. A must try if you go! FYI: PARKING at Gaslight was probably the most enjoyable parking experience ever in Boston- for real! There were plenty of open spots (for free) in the huge lot right next to the building. That is a big deal for impatient Massholes. Big deal.

Gaslight gets two thumbs up from me. And for those of you who attempted french for 4 years like I did in school: deux pouce ecouter! hahaha something tells me that is horribly incorrect. Ou est la bibliotheque?! <-- my go to phrase when anyone aks if i know French.

You're not ordering a pizza or buying a car.

Patti Stanger is my home-girl. When I heard she was on an all new Oprah today, I immediately googled how the heck I can DVR something from my desk- because I just had to tune in. Oprah has Patti Stanger team up with Nate to help a lady who's frustrated with dating.

BTW, Patti's Millionaire Matchmaker is back on Tuesday, January 19th on Bravo at 10pm! YES!

I love Patti because she's so spot on and blunt. She's not afraid to tell people why they are single. And you know what? I'm sure she'd look in on me and tell me I'm a crazy.

Another reason I love Patti is because its useful information for people who are in a relationship as well! Just because you are married or in a relationship, its not like you're like 'HA! You're stuck with me, sucker'. I think you should still 'date' your significant other. Fir sure.

Some pointers from the Oprah Show.

Expectations: The lady on the show had way too many expectations, thus Patti's response making the title of this post. Patti had her narrow the list down from about 20 things to 5 things. The new list looked something like this: honest, smart, passionate, funny/silly, successful. Good job, girl! That's a great list.

Number 1 place in the universe to meet good men according to Patti? SKIING. I tell my mom this all the time. *if anyone has a kick ass uncle, dad, dentist, or family friend who you'd like to set up with my mom.. let's talk!* Imagine if Julie Q was your Step Sister? I'm pretty sure we'd reenact the movie Step Brothers and play arts and crafts all the time. Alright getting back on topic...

Dating: Patti and Nate then set up a cute blond in her 40s up on a date. And helped coach her throughout by: telling her to get her hair out of a ponytail and stop 'dumbing' herself down (by being too cutesy).

The lady was not having it though because she thought her date was too old (he was her age). But Patti vows to set her up with one of her Millionaires, so hopefully she finds love.

Interesting point by Patti: The person whos asking the questions during the date is the person who wants the other one.

And last but not least: Patti's 11 Dating Commandments

The weather is here. Wish you were beautiful.

'Have fun... but don't get too attached to Charleston' -my mom after hearing me rave about how much I was LOVING our trip, within 4 hours of being there.

By Sunday morning, we were throwing around ideas about how to move there. But I think my Sweet Tea had been spiked with Happy Thoughts and Southern Fairy Dust, because as fun and amazing it was, we're true Massholes, and would not know what to do with ourselves in such a peaceful, simple, fabulous place.

So yeah, getting back to the birthday weekend. What a lovely time. We headed out on an early flight Friday AM, and were walking the cobblestone streets in Low country by 10:30am. We stayed at the Harborview Inn, and it lived up to all my expectations (High A/C Voltage and Sweet Tea was pretty much on the top of the list).

When we got off the plane, a huge wool blanket of humidity wrapped itself around us, welcoming us to the South. Usually I am an overpacker, but this was the first place where I wore every. single. article. of clothing. Due to the wardrobe changes you'd have to do about 3 times a day, since you'd be sweating after you walked 2 blocks in the sun.

Oyster shooters!!

View from our Hotel Lobby.

All the shops, restaurants, sites and bars are within walking distance.

A few more fun/hilarious parts of the trip:

I call her the Lacoste Dog, because she hugged herself around the Water Bowl the store had put out for doggies on such a hot day! Yes, we travel all the way to Charleston, just to shop at a Lacoste :) we hit up local shops and Margaritaville as well (where I bought a notepad that had the post title on it.. classic!)

This place had the most amazingly potent frozen drinks in the wall. Ambiance = excellent.

Some mansions in Battery Park.

The horses were nagging each other during this tour.

Kenny Powers made an appearance on the Jet Ski.Hubs and the statuesque Mr. Calhoun.

Ofcourse.

'But how does that thing fold up into a little tiny car?!' -checking out the Transformer-esque thing in the background.

We were on a boat! We went for a 2 hour sailboat ride in the Harbor. Saw some war stuff, hungry pelicans, and a celebrity sighting.. a DOLPHIN!

We finally caved and hitched a ride with a Bike Cab after the Schooner ride. $9 for .4 mile ride!! I was shocked, but then suddenly okay with it, because I was in Charleston.

So many fun Rooftop decks in Charleston. These 2 pix were taken from the Vendue Inn, where they have a sweet bar and a fabulous view of the Harbor. This roofdeck was setting up for a wedding (1 of 4 weddings I saw over the wknd)

Hotel had Champagne waiting in the room on Friday Evening, with a note wishing me a Happy Birthday.. I dont even remember telling them it was my bday!

Fresh Milk & Cookies served 9pm every night. As well as a Wine & Cheese party every day at 5pm.This almost looks healthy, am I right??

I noticed this Rickshaw driver had a Rickshaw tattoo on his calf. Frickin' awesome! I should get a blog tat.

And if you're still reading this post **ridiculous alert** I saw a chick getting arrested for shoplifting! She was getting escorted out of a shop on King St. (rhymes with Shmurban Shout-hitters) Hubs was like 'OMG' when I busted out the camera and started taking paparazzi pix.

I think everyone should hit up Charleston for some rocking out and relaxing. And if you do, shoot me and email, I'll send you a link to the rest of the 200 gor-jas pix I took over the weekend.

talk soon. Carolina Girl

Cape Cod-a-wanna!

Some Things I did during my Cape Cod Vacation...

- entered the house on the first day like I was on Big Brother or The Real World. Running into each room wondering which one I should claim... we obviously got the one with two twin beds since the other two couples have been married for 28 and 34 years..... at least we had an ocean view!

-made friends with a killer cat. Hubs grabbed me and said 'hey look at this cat!' I walk over and see the cat is about to pray on a little cute rabbit. 'OMG, stop this from happening!!' i shriek. When hubs goes to warn the rabbit he's going to be someone's dinner, the rabbit gets distracted, the cat pounces, and carries the rabbit off. CRAZINESS.

-tried to make friends with these people on this yacht, hoping they'd pick me up on the dock so I could reenact Bill Murray in What About Bob. 'IM SAILING!'

-created a signature shot at The Port. When asked what I like by the bartender, my reply was 'I like white wine, dog lovers, blogging, and reality television' after chuckling at my description, he came up with this pink amazing shot. I told him I named it The Pink Stink-eye but am guessing they didn't add it to their menu.

-drank about 3,204+ fun fruity drinks (mojitos, margaritas, sangria, beer, you name it)

- Danced to 'Shout' in an epic dance party. 4 iPods total, that could not be any more different. DJ Gus did his best to please the guests.

even broke one of my favorite J.Crew necklaces while I was dancing. Boo!

-ate lots of delicious food. some healthy,

some not so healthy

-caught up on all my books and magazines while sitting on a sweet dock in the backyard.

- got vacation pedicures with my sister in law, she gets the BEST tan ever, so she went with the bright coral. I stuck with the signature hot pink.

-bought a few great cape cod souvenirs. All from Shiver Me Timbers.

ended up getting the 'Oyster Pond' sign in the first picture. Hubs veto'd getting a 'No dumping' sign for our yard, because there's a very good chance the dogs would not follow it.

-found out that our Cape House owner was obsessed with Mallards almost as much as I am!!! It really felt like home. Such cheesy awesomeness.

- was nice to relax and hang out with my hubs & his family. Now getting ready for my birthday trip to Charleston coming up!!