The Dirty Martini Diaries

Life, Love, and a Big Splash of Olive Juice

Archives for October 2008

October 13, 2008 by: Lulu

Spotted-

This poster, around the corner from my apartment this afternoon:

GG has officially invaded my territory, and will be filming in my neighborhood tomorrow. They’ll be taking over the next block down, plus the park across the street from my apartment. I’ll let you know if I see anything!

xoxo

Gossip Girl Lulu

October 10, 2008 by: Lulu

I’ve Died And Gone To Dirty Martini Heaven…

A few weeks back, I was contacted by a gentleman named Eric, President of American Mixers, Inc. Eric’s e-mail said simply- “Came across your blog and feel it my duty to send you some free Dirty Sue – premium olive juice for dirty martinis”. This can’t be!? I thought. Eric volunteered to send me samples, which totally made my day. I looked into the product to see exactly what I was in for, and this is what I came across:


Dirty Sue

“Dirty Sue is twice-filtered olive juice brine made from premium olives and comes in an attractive bottle made to be stored alongside other bar staples such as Rose’s Lime Juice, sweet & sour and grenadine. It allows bartenders to simply grab and pour, instead of the spooning, scooping and handling of that industrial size jar of olives that sits behind the bar.”


How brilliant is that!?! It’s also a much more hygienic option than your typical Dirty Martini, if you think about it, because it eliminates the need for a bartender to use the brine he fishes his little fingers around in to grab olives. It doesn’t hurt that John Corbett (aka Aidan from Sex and The city) is their spokesperson.


I received the package this week, and was cautiously optimistic about trying the product. After 2 days’ worth of 12 hour work days in which I was in office by 5:45 am, I thought that last night was JUST the night for a taste test. I opened the box, and found 2 adorable bottles of Dirty Sue.

I uncorked the bottle, and took a whiff… Sweet nectar of the gods. The smell was indescribable, and made my mouth water instantly. I tell you, I couldn’t get that martini glass chilled fast enough! I pulled out the vodka (always standing at the ready in our freezer), and mixed my first Dirty Sue Dirty Martini.
Joy. Of. All. Joys.
Seriously, the best martini I’ve ever had. I was so enchanted with my Dirty Sue DM’s that I may or may not have had 3 in a row last night (an evening meal that I refer to as the Betty Draper Special). I’m now a complete and total convert. So much so, in fact, that this stuff will have serious representation at our wedding bar in April. I’m also thinking that it would be the cutest present for an engagement party, along with a pair of great martini glasses!
I seriously recommend that any of you dirty martini lovers check it out, and add it to your classic bar staples. I’d recommend keeping your eye out on my blog as well, for there may be a martini-related giveaway in the future…? Just sayin’.

October 9, 2008 by: Lulu

Halloween Costume Preview…

Guess what outfit-completing accessory I found for $15 at the street fair in my neighborhood this past weekend?

As my sorority sisters and I used to say… “Get exciiiiited…”

xoxo,

Lulu

October 8, 2008 by: Lulu

Must… Resist… Temptation…

Guess what just popped into my inbox, fellow blogsters:

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel – click *here* to go to find the goodies.

I’m especially loving all the holiday decor they have on sale for rock-bottom prices. Please buy everything up and post your wares… I’d like to live vicariously though your adorably decorated abodes since Mr. W and I live in a shoebox (and not even a Louboutin shoebox, at that).

xoxo,
Lulu

October 8, 2008 by: Lulu

Wedding Wednesday

Our Save-The-Dates are officially done! I’d like to thank Ms. Laura Hooper at Laura Hooper Calligraphy for making me the happiest bride ever by creating this wonderful map. Laura has honestly been the best vendor I have ever worked with, and that is saying a lot because coordinating with vendors is my full-time job! It overflows with fun details (hint-there are even ferrets on there!) and lots of personal significance. It is the ideal representation of us, and we absolutely cannot wait to send them out.



Without further ado, I present the Wonderful-to-be’s Save The Date:




You can see a full scale version here on Laura’s blog A Lucky Orchid Wedding, jsut click the map to enlarge. Thanks again, Laura!

xoxo,

Lulu

October 7, 2008 by: Lulu

My Big Date – Recap!

Sidenote- I originally started this blog last night waiting for the debate to begin, and took a time out to watch… Fast-forward to 20 minutes later when I fell asleep on the couch and snoozed through the ENTIRE thing… Sadness. Guess that’s what getting up at 4 am does to a gal… Anywhoo- without further ado, my big (belated) recap!

Since I’m waiting for my (other) main man JSM to take the stage right now, I figured I’d give you all a recap of my fabulous surprise date on Friday night. I met Mr. Wonderful in Times Square, as he said we’d be staying in Midtown for the entire evening. I have to admit, I was a little surprised at that point. You see, Times Square is really a fun sight to see… once or twice. I recommend that anyone visiting should spend time oogling all the lights, signs, crazy stores, etc. *However*, once you actually live in Manhattan, Times Square is probably one of the most nightmarish places you can possibly find on this island. It’s arguably five times as crowded as any other area of the city, and the general chaos makes it really difficult to get where you’re going if you need to pass through there. Mr. W and I avoid that area at all costs (he’s really not a huge fan since he has to walk through there each day for his commute to work), so you can imagine how curious I was that we’d spend an entire Friday night down there. Voluntarily.

One thing Mr. W and I always joke about is the fact that there is a *huuuuge* Olive Garden right in the middle of Times Square. It has all these garish Vegas-style lights, and just sticks out like a sore thumb. I’m of the mindset that if you’re actually traveling to New York City, one of the culinary epicenters of the entire world, that one should under NO circumstances be eating at a place like Olive Garden. Need somewhere to head on a Thursday night in your own city, when you don’t feel like cooking? Fine. But seriously, there are plenty of amazing little hole-in-the-wall bistros and such that will cost you the same amount of money out here; NYC has far too many interesting food experiences to be had that don’t include all-you-can-eat salad and breadsticks. Please don’t get me wrong here and think me a total food snob, Dear Readers- my very favorite restaurant happens to be this guy right here:

That being said, guess where Mr. W and I both suggested – simultaneously – that we spend our precious date time dining? You guessed it…

(image courtesy of flickr)

I have to say that it was a great experience. Not for the food or the service, per se, but for the fun memory we made that night. I had a few glasses of their finest box wine house wine, and Mr. W knocked back a few frosty Coca-Colas (he had to study after the date was over). We were seated at a great table, which overlooked the Hersheys Store and Morgan Stanley (we tried our hardest to keep our eye off the electronic stock ticker that wraps Morgan, so we wouldn’t end up losing our appetite). The only thing I ever eat at the OG is their mushroom ravioli (did I mention I’m a vegetarian?), and Mr. W rocked the Fettuccine Alfredo. Surprisingly delish.

After filling our bellies (and being treated like tourists by the waiter because, again, why would people who actually *live* in Manhattan be there on a Friday night?), we headed off to the “surprise”. Mr. W led me by the hand to “go catch the train up to Columbus Circle for our date, and I happily wandered through the streets with him. Clever Mr. W knows that I always forget where the correct uptown local train station is located in that area… All of a sudden, I look up, and Mr. W has turned and gone inside a building. I’m totally confused. “This isn’t Columbus Circle?” is all I’m thinking.

I’m pulled in, handed some paper, and ushered to my seat. What was in my hands, do you ask?

We were going to a Broadway play! Despite living in Manhattan for over a year, we’d never taken the time out to go see a show. It wasn’t just any play either, but a play that hasn’t even had Opening Night yet! It’s currently in previews, which I thought was just so much fun. Imagine getting to see a big Hollywood film before it’s been released in theatres yet? Pretty neat. Here’s the synopsis of the plot, courtesy of the New York Times:

“This black comedy is set in 1939 Warsaw, as Joseph and Maria Tura are about to open yet another smash with their theatrical troupe. As the German invasion gets underway, the theatre is closed by the censors, forcing the troupe to face desperate times. But when a handsome young bomber pilot enlists their help to catch a spy, what is a group of actors to do?”

I know it sounds heavy, but it was really quite funny! It even had an actor I actually recognized in it, David Rasche. You may know him as Robert Gardener from All My Children, but I recognized him as “Mr. McNerney”, Brittany Murphy’s grouchy, pretentious father in the movie Just Married. Very fun.

(Courtesy IMDB)

I especially loved the ladies’ hair, makeup, and wardrobe, which had a great retro feel. I’m such a sucker for all things retro, so it was a total dream to see their gorgeously set finger waves and ruby red lipstick! I also thought it fitting that the theater in which it played was originally called The Biltmore, which is the name of our reception venue. Talk about kismet!

We topped off the evening by sharing a bag of Garrett’s popcorn on the train home,(the bag was a mix of caramel corn and cheddar, which actualyl tasted quite nice together!), and then off to bed for me and off to study for Mr. W. It was a sweet, thoughtful, magical evening with my best friend. Couldn’t ask for more.

xoxo,

Lulu

October 7, 2008 by: Lulu

My First Awards!

I know I have a whole weekend, including my amazing surprise date(!), to catch you up on, but wanted to give proper posting… er… props to Daisy over at Dugout Daisy, who gave me not one, but *two* awards (and my first, to boot!). Daisy always sends me fun and thoughtful comments, and her enthusiasm for all things Dodgers and the Twilight series is infectious:

I feel doubly honored, as I received the award below from Daisy AND from Hopsy over at Monograms ans Manicures. Hopsy was one of the first blogs I followed religiously, so it’s a real honor to be thought of. In my humble opinion, she is the epitome of a Classy Kappa, and I’m proud to call her a sister!



Characteristics for the Smile Award:

1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (I try to take after Mama Martini in that regard)

2. Must love one another. (Makes sense)

3. Must make mistakes. (Don’t we all?)

4. Must learn from others. (Always)

5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world. (Working to get there someday…)

6. Must love life. (Hope you can sense this already?)

7. Must love kids. (Wouldn’t babysit twice a week if I didn’t!)

These are the rules for the Smile Award:

1. The recipient must link back the award’s creator.

2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.

3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.

4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.

5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.

6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.

7. You must thank your giver.

I’d like to give both of these awards to:



Miss Nina over at {Nina’s Blog}! Nina, your comments always make me smile, and nobody can “holla at a playa” in pearls the way you can 😉

Naturally Caffeinated Family – I’m just getting to know her and her blog, but I really enjoy the way she writes! I’m looking forward to reading more soon.

Carrie over at Buzzings of a Queen Bee – I’m just bowled over by all her great home projects! I can totally appreciate her sense of style (and organization!)

Broke-Ass Bride – First off, her blog title always makes me laugh (I think all brides feel that way at some point!) . I’m looking forward to reading more about her creative wedding plans.

New Girl from New Girl On Post – I really enjoy reading about her adventures (and misadventures!) as a newlywed stationed on an Army base.



I apologize for not thanking you sooner, Daisy, but I’m still trying to find the balance between everything going on in my life (insert blog subtitle here) AND juggle blogging all in the same day. You daily posters are an inspiration for me! Hopefully I’ll find the balancing act soon.

This little martini needs to hit the hay now, as part of the awesome job requires me to be in the office, ready to go, at 6 am at least once a week. Awesome Boss and I have to hit the road no later than then to head out to Greenwich, CT, where he’s designing a 24,000 square foot home (and no, the comma is not in the wrong place!) That translates to a 4am wake-up time for me, so I’d better wash the face, brush the teeth, and slip on my little sleeping eye mask. Mr. Wonderful is still studying at the desk, so I’m going to do my best impression of Miss Holly Golightly in order to get some rest.



Night, ladies!

October 3, 2008 by: Lulu

Date Night!

Guess who found out she has a surprise date night planned for her this evening…?!? Hooray!

I have NO idea what Mr. Wonderful has planned for me, but I’m floating through this day just thinking about it. There really is nothing better than a cute boy with a surprise up his sleeves, is there? I’m especially excited for tonight, as date nights with Mr. W are a serious rarity right now. On a scale from 1 to 10, I’d say they’re just a few notches lower than receiving an e-mail coupon for 50% off at Louis Vuitton. I kid.

But seriously gals, we really don’t get to spend much time together these days, and for good reason. Mr. Wonderful is a rock star. Not a real rock star, like the get up on stage and perform to thousands of screaming fans kind (though I do have a girlfriend who IS married to a real life rock star, so I just that life vicariously through her)- Mr. Wonderful is a GMAT rock star.

One of the biggest things going on in our lives right now (except for the wedding, of course!) is that Mr. W is in the throes of applying to grad school. Mr. W is looking to go back to school in the fall of next year, in order to pursue his MBA *and* a Masters in Foreign Policy. I think that guy is just the cat’s pajamas, and couldn’t be more proud of him!

At this stage in the applications game, I’m a full-on GMAT widow. It’s really not as awful as it sounds though, I promise. He studies each evening and full days each weekend, which gives me a ton of free time to babysit for extra cash and iron out the wedding details. What it does mean is that we currently don’t get much 1-on-1 time. Free time with him means time that he’s not studying, and it’s in both of our best interests to see that he gets as strong a GMAT score as he possibly can. He takes his test on *October 25th*, so I’ve basically written off any free time with him until the test deadline is safely behind us.

I actually found out about our surprise date night by accident… I booked a last-minute babysitting gig for tonight with one of my 2 regular families, since I didn’t already have plans. When I woke up Mr. Wonderful this morning, I casually mentioned the fact that he wouldn’t be seeing me again until way later tonight, as I’d be heading straight to babysitting from work.

Girls, I have never seen that man wake up so quickly in my life. A look of terror washed over his face, and all he could muster out of his mouth was a quiet “Wait…. noooooo…” I was terrified for a second that I forgot someone’s birthday dinner, or something of that sort, as Mr. W clearly already had a date with GMAT for the evening. He quickly stumbled through something to the effect of “but you can’t have plans tonight because I made plans for us tonight because I planned something for you and it was a surprise and I don’t know if I can reschedule because I don’t even know when we’re supposed to be there and do you think you could cancel because I know I’m supposed to be studying but I wanted to make special plans for us…”

My heart just about dropped right then and there. The love of my life had just planned a date night for us, even though it was supposed to be test study crunch time, and I had completely blown it. Devastated. There is a happy ending, as my babysitting family was TOTALLY cool with me cancelling (and happy that we had plans, since lately I spend more “date nights” with their 1 year old son than I do with my fiancé… lol). Crisis averted.

I’m looking forward to sharing my surprise with you soon!

xoxo
Lulu

October 2, 2008 by: Lulu

My Original Blog Crush

Happy Fall, ladies! The air has turned crisp here in Manhattan, and the leaves are slooowly starting to turn! In honor of Fall’s official arrival, I’d like to let you in on one of my most decadent daily reads.

Girls, I’d like to introduce you to my original blog crush, the gal I hope to be like when I actually have a cosy domestic space of my own to call “home”, Jaimee Rose of the Arizona Republic. Ms. Rose is a writer for my former hometown newspaper, and is a younger, chicer version of Miss Martha herself. I’ve spent many an hour reading Jaimee’s blog posts on AzCentral.Com (click the link, and then scroll down to ‘blogs’ to find the latest post), wide-eyed with amazement and admiration. Jaimee is also a Fall-aholic and a complete addict of all things pumpkin, so the beginning of Fall always reminds me of her fun little posts. I’ve sampled a few of the posts I think you’d appreciate most below.


Last year’s Glitter + Pumpkins = Joy has a KILLER Fall project I think we all need to copy, stat:


Also, to get you in the mood for the holiday season, I’d like to share with you some of her drool-worthy holiday projects:

Domestic Explosion – can you imagine doing this on a large scale, and giving away as holiday gifts? Mind-boggling…

I Am NOT Martha Stewart’s Daughter – speechless.

And, if I *had* to pick a favorite (SO hard to do!), I’d like to highlight her talent with wrapping. Ladies, prepare yourselves… Fair warning- you may go into a paper-induced joy coma here. (and yes! she wrapped these all *herself*)

Obsessive-Compulsive Gift Wrap, Part 2

Unreal, right?! I thought you’d appreciate. Happy crafting, everyone!

xoxo,

Lulu

October 2, 2008 by: Lulu

A Day In The Life Of…

Enter Scene: Lulu, 15 minutes late for work, is frantically scurrying about the tiny ship galley of a kitchen while juggling a hot mug of coffee and throwing fistfuls of lettuce and sliced tomato into an oversized Tupperware container.

Mr. Wonderful: We’re running late, honey. What are you doing?
Lulu: Go ahead and take the train without me, I need to pack a lunch today.
Mr. Wonderful: Ummm… Why? (appropriately questioned as Lulu has never taken the time to do so)
Lulu: Because I’m broke and I’m fat.

End Scene.

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