Long Live the Prince!

Our favorite red-headed bad boy of Buckingham Palace is single again and in New York! My job search hasn't gotten me anywhere, but who needs a job if I marry a prince?

Going to royal balls, wearing flamboyant hats, holidays in Monaco, high tea at Windsor... sounds like my cup of, well, tea. With honey and lemon, of course.

Prince Harry has always been my favorite English royal. He's fun-loving, gets into trouble, curses, parties and has the most mischievous little grin on his freckled face. He knows he probably won't ever be king so he can get away with more than second-in-line Prince William. He looks just like the type of boy you could get in trouble with - except this ginger comes with a bloody castle.

Today Harry is playing in the Vueve Clicout Manhattan Polo Classic on Governors Island. And if you don't hop on the ferry and watch him and other gorgeous men jaunting around on horses, you are serious wanker. That would be just dodgy of you, mate.

While it's not the Queen Mary, the Governors Island ferry is free and leaves from downtown next to the the Staten Island Ferry. General admission tickets to the match won't cost you a pound either. You really have no excuse for not going nor do you have anything better to do on your Saturday.

The match begins at 3PM, and I suggest you arrive early because last year Wendi and I missed the last ferry and were stuck eating at Uno at Pier 17. Not nearly as glamorous as the Vueve Clicquot polo match.

Maybe English blokes don't do it for you. Fine. Insanely beautiful Argentine polo player and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras is captaining the opposing team. It's as if the Gods of Greece have come down from Mount Olympus for one day to entertain the mortals with their chiseled-jaws and athleticism.

I'm still in Phoenix, but I seriously considered changing my ticket to be present for this spectacle of Prince Harry, Nacho, Vueve and polo. Sarah and Wendi, you better get over there, meet some of Harry's mates and get us invited on the royal jet to London. I know you can do it dahlings!

Pacific Paradise

Hello friends and strangers! It's been a week since I've wrote on the Red Carpet, and I'm sorry for leaving you so high and dry without any notice.

Don't worry, I didn't get a job (yet). I've just been busy. And by busy I mean hopping around Hollywood, Malibu, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Venice, Hermosa and everywhere else around La La Land. Yes, unemployment is rough.

Part 2 of my home-cation consisted of staying at my friends' homes - rent free: no parents & no charge.

In case your parents don't live in a desert oasis like mine, the next best thing for an affordable vacay is to bunk with your friends who live in fabulous cities! You might not get the star treatment like your Mom gives you, but you'll party like one with your partner-in-crime.

The Memorial Day celebration started on Saturday in Manhattan Beach. My cousin Matt took me to his friends' BBQ on his astroturf patio right on the boardwalk. Talk about location. The day began with about a dozen surfer dudes and myself. Great ratio for me - I was pretty much in paradise.

Later, we watched the Lakers game at a beach bar and Matt introduced us to his favorite shot: the O-bomb. Take my advise and order one the next time you're out. You can thank me (and Matt) later.

Then I headed to Hollywood, with future Oscar-winning starlet and one of my best friends from SMU, Jennafer Ashley. My little aspiring actress showed me all around the hottest of hot spots for day and night. Our first night we found ourselves walking the red carpet into myhouse - the new "it" club off of Hollywood Blvd. The name of this club can get you into trouble; be careful when guys ask you where you're headed and you invite them to come to myhouse. They will think you already want to take them home before the night is over.

We didn't see any real celebs inside, but there was a Spidey citing out front. Except this Spidey is a skinny old dude with a bleached mullet wearing a SpiderMan suit. Same IQ as Spencer and Heidi combined.

We ended the night at the Hollywood landmark, the Roosevelt.... then followed the stars on Hollywood Blvd. to find our way back to Jenna's car. "Just look for Meryl Streep!"

The next day we brunched at The Grove, and we visited must-go spots such as Robertson Blvd., Rodeo, Melrose, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Fred Segal and more. We were exhausted but it didn't stop us from getting dolled up for the Sunday party at Hyde Lounge - conveniently across from Jenna's apartment. DJ Frankie was spinning and so were our heads.

We finally made it to bed around 5AM after some late night adventures with some interesting characters - fake accent and diamond earrings included.

Monday meant nursing our hangovers in Malibu. Then I was back in Manhattan... Manhattan Beach, that is. The biggest difference between our tiny island and this pacific beach: bankers vs. surfers. Bigger bank accounts or bigger biceps?

My long-lost sister/cousin Lindsay took me in, gave me a cold drink and a hot shower. She lived one street off Manhattan Beach and within seconds of great bars, restaurants, shops and COFFEE BEAN! I played nanny to her adorable Puggle, Lola, which made me re-think getting a designer dog anytime soon.

Lindz saved my life and let me borrow her car for the day to meet my Uncle George in hipster Venice for lunch at Gjelina. I have no idea how to pronounce this name, but it doesn't matter because my mouth was busy chewing the amazing food. We strolled down Abbot Kinney, a super-chic and trendy street located in the heart of Venice.

Back in Manhattan Beach, Lindsay and I were busy bar and restaurant hopping to all her favorite haunts. The darling beach town is just like Cheers, where everybody knows your name. Her bartender friends pour heavy and treated us to mucho Patron. Muchas gracias to the men of Mucho!

The week flew by when I think about everything that I did and all the places we went. It was a holiday to remember, thanks to all of my amazing friends and family who gave me a place to stay, treated me to a meal, danced all night with me, gave me a ride, showed me around and bought me an O-bomb. Cheers to you - and you know you have a place to stay in NYC should you need an East-coast escape.

Holiday at Home

Memorial Day weekend is officially here, which means it's time to finalize your summer plans (besides weekends in the Hampton's, of course).

But where do you go that is budget-friendly and still makes for a great getaway? Home, sweet home.

Think about it: no cost per night, complimentary maid/Mom service, unlimited buffet & free meals out, drivers, shopping trips, pampering... need I say more? You'll get the celeb treatment just for making an appearance.

I've been on holiday at home for the past 9 days in sunny and brutally hot Phoenix, AZ. It's basically like being at a spa... or rehab maybe. Either way, I could use the break from the fast-paced NYC life. The more time I spend away from home, the more I love coming back. 

My home-cation has been nothing but delicious home cooked meals, dinners at the best restaurants, leisurely days, nights out with friends and hanging with the fam. I've even re-created a luxurious Scottsdale resort in my very own backyard. It's a 105 degree oasis.... all I need are some misters or hot men waving giant palm leaves.

And having a car (that I don't pay to fill up the tank) has been fantastic! I don't have to walk to the subway or wait for the bus if I want to go somewhere - I can just hop in the car and drive! 

I am blessed with the most amazing parents, family and friends. They make it so good to come home - so good I could almost stay here and live like an A-lister. The best part about home is that the door is always open - no matter how long you're gone, what bag you're carrying or how much money you have (or don't have).

Recessionistas have to be smart about their vacations. This might not be the summer to cruise around Greece; however, it is the summer to head home, float around in the pool and go out for Greek food. Make your own Greece, and you'll be a Goddess of Budget Vacation.

Want to travel home for free as well? Click your red-soled Christian Louboutins three times and repeat, "There's No Place Like Home."

Sell Your Sole to the Devil

What is a clothing/shoe/accessory collector (aka: shopoholic) to do when her bank account is empty and her closet inventory is loaded?

She needs to part with her once fashionable and now unwanted/ill-fitting items that only take up space and do nothing for the figure. It's time to let go.

After being at home for a few days I went through my closet here and pulled out piles of dresses I haven't touched in years and jeans I will never fit into again, no matter how many hours on the treadmill I run. Let's face it, my high school body is long gone with my high school boyfriend. 

I had a mountain of Lacoste, Juicy, Diesel, Express, Guess and other brands that are not appropriate after the age of 20. Before completely donating these items to my younger cousins and family friends, I decided to take my stash to a second-hand clothing store and see if I could score some cash.

As I was setting down my pieces one-at-a-time on the "Sell Back" table, I saw my life flash before my eyes - well at least little flashes of fashion memories. The red Lacoste reminded me of my days at SMU. The black dress I wore to a ball in Los Angeles. I bought the Diesel jeans in NYC with my best friend Kyndal after graduating high school. The pink Juicy "Ditch Him" shirt my Mom bought me sophomore year as a hint to dump my then-current frat-boyfriend. (I did.)

But I couldn't let my sentimental side get in the way of my need to clean out my closet and boost my Bank of America balance. So I kept going and didn't look back. 

A sky-high pile of memories, fashion mistakes and darling outfits waited anxiously on the table to be judged by the sales girl with bleached-out hair and jeans without pockets on the butt. How could this girl know what was cute when she looked like she belonged in a Hot Topic store? 

I watched her pick up every piece, stare at them, check the zippers and buttons and ponder whether or not it would sell. I stared intensely like a mother watching her children be tested by a team of psychologists. There is nothing wrong with my kids! They are perfectly normal - better than the other children!

She chose about 2/3 of my collection and started pricing them. After punching in numbers on her calculator and adding up 30 pieces she presented me with the grand total: $105.14. I almost choked on my Diet Pepsi. $105 for 30 pieces??!!!! 

Out of curiosity, I asked her what my lime green Juicy suit sold for: $16. OMG. I bought that suit at Neimans for $150 three years ago. And now it's going for the price of my lunch at Chop't.

I was sick when I left the store. I felt like I had just sold my children to the Bulgarian slave mafia. 

Would my babies have a good home, someone to love and cherish them as I once had? 

I called Kyndal when I got home to mourn my loss; I wanted someone to comfort me and tell me my clothes would be in a better place. She was quick and to the point: "At least now you're $100 richer than you were before." More like $100 closer to digging myself out of my current hole, I responded. Nonetheless, point taken.

I can only hope that some girls (and confused adolescent boys) will find my clothes, love each piece for what they are, and have even better memories wearing them than I had.

Show Me Your Tweets

This weekend my girlfriends and I went to the current hot-spot in Scottsdale: the rooftop at the W Hotel. While scanning through the $30,000-millionaires wearing Ed Hardy shirts and True Religion jeans, we ended up running into an SMU alum and found that his friends didn't fall into the typical Scottsdale-guy category. 

After talking to one of the guys for a while and doing the whole small-talk "where did you go to school/where do you live/what do you do" conversation, we moved on to a more important topic: Twitter. 

I won't bore you with our re-tweet questions and @ reply answers, and I will just get straight to the end of the night. That's when the real fun happens, anyways.

Instead of asking for my number or even my BBM pin, TwitterGuy asked for my Twitter name. What the Tweet!?

Although in this case it made sense for him to follow my Tweets rather than get my digits, I called him out on his TwitterCrime. 

"Look at where our generation is - we have found so many forms of 'communication' that we have forgotten how to actually communicate with each other."

TwitterGuy agreed with me as he emailed himself my Twitter name on his CrackBerry.

I didn't even have to wait three days for him to call - I mean, follow me! The next day my CrackBerry was blinking with a TwitterEmail informing me of my newest follower! 

I would classify this TwitterCrime as very low offense because it was somewhat appropriate, but I'm wondering if this is going to become the norm. Pretty soon we are going to start introducing ourselves with an @ before our names. Things are getting so backwards; as if Facebook didn't make things complicated enough. Now I'm going to have to sensor my Tweets, too.

So TwitterGuy gets to see my Tweets without having to take me out. What a lucky Twittstard.

Maybe I should starting Tweeting with protection.

Pay What You Wish

I've heard on the news about restaurants offering "pay what you what" menus in the New York area. Pay what you think your meal was worth/what you can afford and go on with your day. Sounds delicious - why can't Gramercy Tavern offer this?

Since I won't be paying what I want for a six-course meal at a five-star restaurant, I'm going to head to the Guggenheim for "Pay-What-You-Wish-Saturdays." You decide what you pay from 5:15 - 7:45pm. 

The current Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit looks at least worth a couple Frappuccinos at Starbucks.

Massage On-The-Go

This morning during my massage, Mike (aka: Hulk Hands), was shocked to find so many golf-ball sized knots in my back.

"What's going on in your life dear?," he asked. "It's pretty rugged in there."

Yes, Mike, it's a war zone. When he asked me if I was taking finals, I just said no without explaining the whole my-company-was-shut-down-in-the-worst-economy situation. I'll take it as a compliment that he thought I looked young enough to be taking finals, as long as he didn't mean high school.

It was probably the most painful massage I've ever had. I was clenching my teeth the entire time as he dug his hands deep into my knotted neck and back. He told me I was a "Stage 3," which I'm guessing is the worst. 

Then the inevitable question came: "When was your last massage?" Why do masseuses always ask this? They make me feel bad for not being able to afford monthly massages. Can't you tell it's been ages, Mike?

If you're like me, and not one of the fortunate who have the pleasure of getting a Swedish as often as you pay your Visa bill, don't fret - there is a solution.

Tiger Balm has created an amazing pain-relieving cream to soothe your sore neck and shoulders. This massage on-the-go is perfect for our busy and stressful lives. I've been using the cream and it feels like heaven. 

Imagine thousands of minuscule hands rubbing your neck and shoulders while you ride the subway, finish that proposal or search for a job that doesn't exist. It makes all your troubles go away, and won't make your wallet as sore as your lower back.

Tiger Balm is only available in New York right now, and can be found in Duane Reades in the NYC area. Take that, L.A.

The cream smells like a spa, and I'm thinking next time I use it I will pour myself a glass of cucumber-infused ice water to create a "serenity now" experience.

 

Obama Snubbed by ASU?

President Obama, please stop following me. 

I just arrived in Tempe yesterday, and today Air Force One is landing here too. Obama is speaking tonight at Arizona State's graduation ceremony, and for once the university is getting media attention other than for topping the list of party schools.

Maybe AZ is still bitter about McCain's defeat? Whatever the case, ASU is breaking tradition by not giving the President an honorary degree for delivering the commencement speech.

Instead, the university is creating a President Barack Obama scholarship program to help thousands of financially needy students gain an education.

Although the media is attacking ASU for their decision, I don't think that Obama is going to cry over this loss. He alrady holds degrees from Columbia and Harvard Law.

                                                    

Boost the Economy

Retail sales drop in April.

That means I'm doing a good job of staying away from Bloomingdale's. I should reward myself -and help the economy.

Free Rides

Now is your chance to be Lance Armstrong for a few hours. Put on your LiveStrong band, get down to the South Street Seaport and let the Tour de New York begin.

Starting today and going through the rest of summer, you can rent a bike for FREE and cruise around for 2.5 hours. All you need is a credit card to rent a bike, and you will not be charged upon bike return (in one piece, I'm assuming). Reserve your bike in advance here.

For amateur bikers, be cautious of those Central Park racers. They are vicious and if you get in their way I'm not so sure they wouldn't run you over.

Craig's List Scammer

Last week during one of my Craig's List job scans, I came across a posting for an "Office Manager for a Restaurant/Lounge."

Out of boredom, I opened up the ad and further read the very vague details about the position. The name of the restaurant was not given and there was no address or direct contact email. None of these good signs.

However, in an act of desperation I sent in my resume. Oh what the hell, I never hear back from 95% of things on Craig's List.

To my surprise the next night I received an email from someone named Sophie via her Gmail account. Sophie told me to come by a specific Chelsea address on Saturday May 9, between 12 - 4pm. I still had no clue as to which restaurant this was for. Whatever, I read the email on my BlackBerry and got back to watching The Office.

When Saturday rolled around, I had no plans for the day and was still trying to decide if I should go to this 8th Ave address and see what the job was. I didn't really even want the position, it was now pure curiosity that motivated me to walk across town. Who is this Sophie, and why is she being so mysterious?

My friend Sarah will vouch for me that I didn't actually want this job; she walked part way over with me on Saturday and the entire time we talked about skipping our Saturday plans and going for brunch. I didn't dress up; I wore a black romper - clearly not interview attire. I figured it would make good material for the blog, which sometimes I think is more important than finding a job.

I finally get to 25th and 8th and I'm seeing no signs of an office. As I looked for the #290, I thought maybe it was actually at the restaurant. Ok, cool. Maybe it would be fun to work for a hip Chelsea restaurant. My hopes and curiosity perked up. But only for a second.

I found my number, an old door to an apartment smashed between a deli and a gross Chinese restaurant. There was no signs, no people; just a dusty door leading to a dark hallway. I should have turned around right then, but the little white buzzer was calling my name. There goes my curiosity again.

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring Ring. Nothing. Just me and the door.

I waited around to see if people came in and out, but there was no sign of life to #290. Then as I went to push the buzzer again, I came to my senses and remembered a recent Craig's List killer. And here I am, standing on 8th Ave on a Saturday ringing a buzzer to go into a seedy apartment to see someone named Sophie. Right, Sophie. I'm sure Sophie is really Chuck with a roll of duct tape and a machete.

I got away from there as fast as could. Clearly, I was not thinking and my curiosity took over my best judgement for a second there. You know what the say about curiosity.

So to all my unemployed friends, please be careful to the interviews that you accept. Do not let desperation or curiosity get the best of you. No job is worth dying for.

Free Beer Tonight

Now that I have your attention.

Who knew that beer and stalking could go so well together?

Tonight from 6 - 8 pm Slane is offering free draft beer to anyone who broadcasts their location from the bar using meetnowlive.com from their CrackBerries or iPhones.

I had no idea what this Web site was, so I did a little investigating. From first glance the site is a way to tell your friends and possibly random strangers where you are, and you are also able to see "where the party is," according to their homepage. I thought that's what Google Stalker was for.

Seriously, can't we just text our friends to let them know what we're doing? Forget calling, that has been out of style since 1998. Now we are getting so impersonal that we just look up our friends' location by a signal from their phones. No need to ask.

All of these stalking applications are freaking me out. Imagine Google Stalking someone you're dating - how sketchy is that. Once you accept them, you can never lie about what your doing. And when the relationship is over, someone is going to be staring at their phone searching for the location of that person. Just. Plain. Creepy.

Our communication skills are going down the gutter. Between Facebook, Twitter and Google Stalker there is almost no need to personally contact someone. I enjoy these networks as much as the next Joe, but I'm reluctant to make them my main form of communication. I used to think texting was an excuse for guys not to call. Ha! Those were the good old days; now all they have to do is Tweet at you, or worse, find your location on their digital map.

So go get your free beer, broadcast to a network strangers where you are and see what happens. Don't bother calling to tell me - just update your Twitter status.

Snaps for Snapple

One of my spies informed me of a Snapple tent @ 22nd and Broadway handing out free bottles of the new Natural Raspberry and Peach Tea flavors.

I'm sure Snapple is just one of the drink companies feeling the heavy competition from the Vitamin Water craze, so the brand is promoting it's new Natural flavors.

If you're in Flatiron area, stop by for a thirst quencher. Just don't call me The Snapple Lady,

please.

Legalizing Pot?

"This Recession Will Legalize Weed Before It's Over"

Since we're on the subject of Bob Marley & Jamaica, what do you guys think about legalizing marijuana in California?

Jamaica'n Me CrAzY

Here's a little blog I wrote

You might want to read it note for note,

Don't worry, be happy

All of these grey clouds are making me blue. The cure? Sunny blue skies via jetBlue.

Get your rasta hat ready, mon, we're jetting to Jamaica. Starting May 21, jetBlue will offer non-stop flights to Montego Bay, home of the turquoise waters of Doctor's Cave Beach and lush greenery.

This week jetBlue is offering special packages around $700 for a round trip ticket and 4 nights at various all-inclusive resorts. Ya mon!

I hear JFK's new jetBlue terminal is amazing - now is your chance to check out T5 and take a vacay, Bob Marley style. I'll leave that meaning open to your own interpretation.

What was that? Oh yes. You're concerned about job security, spending money in this economy and catching the Swine Flu. My friends, I leave you with the wise words of our favorite rasta man:

"Don't worry about a thing, every little thing is gonna be alright."

There is Hope

Looking for a job?

This is promising.

The War of the Sandwiches

Get your plastic knifes ready.

Sandwich chains Subway and Quiznos continue to fight to the death to see which "deli" can produce the best and cheapest sandwich.

First Subway came out with the campaign for the $5 Footlong, which they originally warned was only for a limited time. However, when the market tanked and people were pinching pennies Subway saved our lunch breaks with the cheap and filling sandwich. Finding a good lunch in NYC under $10 is almost impossible, and with a deal like theirs, Subway has probably tripled their profits. I'm not so sure this is only for a limited time.

Subway: 1. Quiznos: 0.

So what was Quiznos' answer to the popular $5 Footlong? Not to be outdone by the competition, Quiznos created the $4 Torpedo.

The name of the sandwich sounds like a pool toy I played with when I was 10, but I joined Colin and Nate today to see what they thought of the new Torpedos.

Upon first observation, the Torpedos were much smaller than the Footlong and the bread was not as soft. The sandwiches were not as full of veggies and other add-ons, but the guys seemed to be somewhat satisfied. They reminded us of the skinny sandwiches you find in the European cafes - but they just don't taste as good when you're not sitting in a quaint spot overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

Will the Torpedo live up to the Footlong? Spend $4 and decide for yourself.

Free Drink at Hudson Terrace Tonight

I think Patrón is still running in my bloodstream from last night because I'm still speaking Spanish, but you might be ready for more drinks.

'Tis the season for rooftop bars (well it should be but this rain hasn't stopped), and Hudson Terrace is celebrating open-air city views and over-priced cocktails. But at least tonight the HT is paying for your first drink.

Send your name to info@hudsonterracenyc and enjoy your free drink while you take in views of the Hudson River and.... New Jersey? Ok, well maybe there will be a hot Brazilian bartender to stare at.

For every other night, the Hudson Terrace offers a great 2-for-1 happy hour for speciality drinks and flights & pitchers of mojitos, sangria, caipirinhas and margaritas from 5-7 pm.

Just might be the next best thing to that South American holiday I wanted to take this year.

¡ViVa MeXiCo!

Mexico is really taking a beating lately. Drug wars, kidnappings, swine flu outbreak and even an earthquake in Mexico City.

Which is why we need to support our favorite Spring Break spot by celebrating Cinco de Mayo like true hombres: with tequila and tacos.

An Arizona native, I'm used to delicious authentic Mexican food - something hard to come by in this city that specializes in every other ethnic cuisine. So which restaurant do you wear your sombrero and hospital mask to tonight?

Elizabeth. No, it doesn't sound very authentic. But today I'm going to excuse that because the NoLita restaurant is having an unbeatable especial tonight. Listen up amigos, from 5 -7 pm grab your spare pesos for 50 cent Tanteo tequila shots, 50 cent pulled-pork tacos and 50 cent tequila-flavored sorbet. Cash only, por favor.

Don't fret about the pork, the W.H.O. assures Swine Flu isn't spread by eating pig-products. But that's your call. You can always stick to tequila shots and sorbet, which will probably make you sick anyways.

Hopefully if this rain stops, you can enjoy your chupitos y comida at Elizabeth's outdoor garden space. But I'm sure a sombrero acts as a decent umbrella... it would in Mexico.

Free Spa Treatment

No gimmicks, no games. Just a free spa treatment.

Has Christmas come early?

Vada Spa is hosting a Cinco de Mayo party in honor of the tequila-flavored holiday. Today only, the spa (located at 387 6th Ave) is giving away free treatments from 12 - 7 pm. Here's what's on the menu:

FREE- Laser hair removal- for the Lip OR Chin OR Underarm
FREE- Eyebrow wax OR Lip wax
FREE- Organic Face Mask- Pomegranate Martini OR Strawberry Coconut
FREE- Mini Acupuncture
FREE- Margarita Foot Scrub- Coconut/Lime OR Papaya/Mango

Plus, 30% off all services booked today and 30% off gift certificates.

Viva Vada Spa!

Spending Habits

Last week I received my tax return in the mail, and I swear I felt like I had just won the New York Mega Million Jackpot.

My first reaction was shopping spree! New shoes! New swimsuit! Where I can take a trip? Basically, how can I spend this nice little check from Uncle Sam.

And then I came down from the clouds and remembered I don't have an income, so this extra boost to my bank account cannot be spent frivolously. It's basically a month of survival money. Well that's no fun.

I wonder how many other people felt the same way as me this year. Things are different now. Not as fun.

During the 2007 tax return season when the economy was booming, most people were not too concerned with saving. The market was high and the spending was higher. Living beyond ones means was a way of life - just put it on the credit card. Especially in New York, on a famous street named Wall.

I've dated my share of finance guys and have friends in the industry to know that they were treated like royalty before the recession hit. Private jets, $1,500 dinner tabs at Daniel and lavish hotel rooms were standard. It was pretty ridiculous the way these people threw away money. They had no worry about saving for harder times.

The excess of spending started at the top of the kingdom and trickled all the way down to the commoner - even the poor man was driving a car and living in a house he couldn't afford.

And now look where we are. The Bear Stearns partner had to sell his $4 million penthouse on Park Ave and the blue collar worker is now living in a tent in Sacramento. We got way too ahead of ourselves and we didn't think about any repercussions.

I've never been too good at saving, even though my Dad has drilled it into my brain. Instead of putting aside some money, I had to have a new pair of jeans. Because having 20 pairs just wasn't enough.

When this recession is all over and the job market recovers, will people go back to their unnecessary spending habits or will they be more cautious having survived the crash of 2008?

A couple months ago, my Mom and I were eating at an authentic German restaurant and an older German woman was helping clear our table. We had not finished our meals and the woman scolded us for not eating everything, because we had paid for it. She made us take home our leftovers and finish our beers - not to be wasteful, she said. Clearly, she is a product of WWII when having a meal on the table was a blessing.

At the time I laughed at the old German woman, but I later thought that we could all learn something from her - and I'm not talking about finishing our beers.

We've witnessed things go from bad to worse in our economy, and I hope that it doesn't sink to catastrophic for all of our sakes. We've seen enough that we know things can drastically change and our lifestyles are directly affected.

I'm trying to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, but once we get there I hope that we can remember what life was like in the dark and think twice before swiping our credit cards.

Birthday Girl

Thank you to all my wonderful amazing fun friends who helped me celebrate the big 2-4 this weekend. It was a blast and the gummy bears were a total HIT! (Good call, SGS.)

And thanks to all my friends and family not in NYC that also made my birthday special!

Love you all!

Brazil-Ready

So much work goes into getting in bikini-shape. First there's losing the extra pounds you packed on during the winter and conveniently hid under your puffy coat. Then you have to work on taking your skin color from glowing white to shimmering bronze, which is an extremely difficult task when the sun hides behind sky scrapers all day.

Now your ready? Think again, sister.

Does the word "Brazilian" ring a bell? And I'm not talking about that beautiful guy I met at Cain.

I cringe just thinking about it, but luckily American Laser Centers are here to ease the pain. During the entire month of May, American Laser Centers is offering 30% discounts for featured packages, and if you say you're a Daily Candy reader, you will receive an extra 20% off. Book your appointment by May 31.

So that's half off treatments such as laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation & tightening and cellulite reduction therapy. Just please don't videotape it like Kim Kardashian.

Holy Hamptons, here I come!

A New Flava Flav

In honor of my birthday tomorrow, Red Mango is launching their newest flavor in the nonfat frozen yogurt frenzy - TANGOMONIUM.

And because we share the same birthday Red Mango is giving away free small yogurts with one topping from 12pm - 4pm this Saturday May 2.

I'm already planning what topping will go best with the new citrus flavor. Mandarin Oranges? Fruity Pebbles? Decisions, decisions.

It's going to be a very sweet birthday.