Life vs. Sudoku

I've become quite the jet-setter as of late and am always finding new ways to entertain myself in-flight. I was thumbing through a Delta Sky Magazine and found a few Sudoku puzzles towards the back. I fished out a pen from my Longchamp and began to play. Sudoku always calms me. I used to play it before I went to bed in an effort to relax. (I'm a terrible sleeper.) I don't do it nearly as much now - once in awhile on my BlackBerry or if I find it on a discarded newspaper. And besides, there are few things I love more than a challenge.

I got to work and realized about a third of the way through how the way I play has changed. I used to fill in the spaces quickly, carelessly. I'd make mistakes and not realize it until it was too late. My mind ran a mile a minute and so did my hand. Not this time. Things were different.

I worked slowly, carefully. I filled in numbers only when I was absolutely sure that they were in their rightful squares. I made one mistake and realized it seconds later, fixing it immediately. I sighed when faced with an infinite abyss of blanks and felt small surges of joy when I scribbled fours and eights and got closer to the end. It made me think about how not only the way I play has altered, but the way I live my life has as well, and how parallel the two concepts are.

One of the few things I love more than a challenge is the promise I make myself upon completion. A trade off. If I can do this, I'm going to do that. The plane began to descend and I told myself that if I finished, if I won... good things were going to happen for me.

I solved the puzzled with time to spare.

'Cause you gotta have friends...

I just returned from a great girl getaway and I am feeling so refreshed and rejuvenated. I cannot believe that this time next year, two of these beauties will be walking down the aisle.





These girls are so much a part of who I am. We have seen each other at our best and worst, been to hell and back and will be in in one another's lives for always. We danced, we sang, we laughed. I bubble wrapped a big bottle of Veuve Clicquot and surprised the girls with it. We toasted to one another, to the past, present, and future.





And then I stomped on bubble wrap a la LD, Curb season 3. If you can make the correlation, I am impressed.





I am honored to call you three sisters and friends. Thank you for making my life so much sweeter.

This one's for the girls

I've been thinking a lot about my girlfriends this week. I am so lucky. I have more amazing ladies in my life than I do fingers and toes.

I don't have one group of friends, but several. The girls I grew up with, my sorority sisters (many different sub-groups in that group), my work friends, my blogging friends, my Junior League friends... the list is long!

Today I sat with one of those girls and we laughed 'til we cried. It reminded me how happy I am to have so many gal pals that I can do both with. We share our neuroses, we eat, we drink, we dance, we sing, and of course, we share many smiles and tears. Often simultaneously.

This weekend, my three best friends from college and I are having ourselves a little reunion trip. Two are engaged, one is also happily in love, and I am the Carrie Bradshaw of this scenario... neurotic writer, consummate single girl, and constant comic relief.



We haven't all been together since graduation over three years ago and I am over the moon for the four of us to be reunited - and that we are all still part of one another's lives.

Wishes for a wonderful weekend to all of my friends and readers! Thank you for stopping by and being a part of my life.

Putting faith in fate

I woke up this morning and thought to myself, "What do you want to do today, Teddi?" And I did just that. I laid in bed with a bowl of Special K and watched Curb Your Enthusiasm episodes on demand, laughing loudly. I went to Starbucks for an iced vanilla latte and got a pedicure. It was heavenly.

I pondered mid-adventure how selfishly I live my life. I try to do good... I volunteer for my sorority, plan to be active on my Junior League committee, give money to good causes, and make small random acts of kindness part of my daily routine. But I'd be remiss if I didn't admit that the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning is myself. What's going to make me happy? What's going to get me through today? In large part I am a people pleaser. I always want to make sure that everyone around me is comfortable and happy, but I certainly haven't forgotten about myself. I'm a Teddi pleaser too.

I know that if the time ever comes that I meet someone, I can no longer be this selfish. Everything changes. And as wonderful as this is, I've been on the other side of the fence and know that it's pretty fantastic as well.

It occurred to me sitting in that pedicure chair, tan legs hanging off the edge and toes wiggling in the water how God damned fortunate I am. I lead a very lucky life and I don't want to waste another minute.

So much is happening and I can't predict the future. All I can do is put my faith in fate. And wait - but have a good time doing it.

Friday Five

Five things that made this week great...

1. I got a $50 gift card to Tory Burch at the Martha show! I think I'm going to use it to buy a pair of snake print Reva flats.

2. I got to meet the man who was the inspiration behind my DTR post, and what a delight he is!

3. I have been using Moroccan Oil for a few weeks now, and I'm starting to see the difference in my hair. It has a bounce and sheen to it that honestly wasn't there before. This product is pricy, but oh so worth it!

4. I had dinner with a dear friend at the new Atlantic Grill in Lincoln Center. The service was horrific, the food was fantastic (amazing sushi and creamed corn with white polenta) and the company was wonderful.

5. I finally (I've been waiting for years) got my very own Hermes belt.

Wishes for a wonderful weekend! I'll be fasting, praying and atoning for my sins. I will return to you next week a new woman!

More Martha!

Today, I once again had the esteemed honor of sitting in the audience at The Martha Stewart Show. Some of you long-timers may remember that I went a year and a half ago for the Lilly Pulitzer episode - in fact, some of you long-timers were there with me!

There was a special section reserved for Tory Burch fans in honor of Fashion Week and I was so excited to be invited!





I found this dress at a sample sale last Winter. I am not positive but I don't believe that it was ever produced and is therefore likely one of a kind. I am in love with the print - elephants and cheetahs. The elephants are even branded with the Tory T! The gold detail near the neck is from a 2008 print - I actually own a top in it by complete coincidence! The shoes are snakeskin wedges that I purchased three years ago!





I ran into a few friends, which is always fun!





I love the studio. It's so fresh and friendly!





Martha had chef and restauranteur Jean Georges on. Here she is chatting wih him. (Sidenote - I am DYING to try his new restaurant, ABC Kitchen.)



Seeing Martha again was truly a treat. Thank you to all of the great folks at The Martha Stewart Show!

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

I sat down to watch the One Tree Hill season premier this evening and couldn't help but think that it feels like yesterday that was I was watching last season's finale.

Then, I sat down to re-watch the Glee season finale and had deja vu... was it just three months ago that I was crying to the beautiful lyrics of "Faithfully" and "To Sir, With Love", much like I did tonight?

Summer was long and trying. So much happened and yet, here I am, sitting on my couch, laptop in lap, and not much has changed.

I think that if I can get immune system back in check (I've already been sick twice this month and it's barely half over) I think Fall could turn out quite nicely.

I just have to keep believing that somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue.

I firmly believe...

...in wearing beautiful underpinnings even when I'm the only one who sees them.

...that 11:11 is the most magical time of day.

...turning off my BlackBerry for a few hours every once in a while helps me bring me back down to Earth.

...in Lauren Conrad. Nice girls DO finish first.

...my level of sanity is directly related to the state of cleanliness in my apartment at any given time.

...crushes are still just as fun as they were in middle school.

...shoes can make or break an outfit.

...in Moroccan Oil.

...that what people say about you says far more about them.

...there are few things that Flintstone vitamins, cinnamon tea, Advil PM, a flat iron, Real Simple, a pen, my parents, a great scarf, a good cry and a good laugh can't fix.

I hope this isn't telling of what's to come

Wishing a happy and healthy new year to all of my Jewish readers!

I toasted 5771 with family and friends yesterday evening but unfortunately spent the rest of the night and all of today violently ill. Not exactly how I envisioned ringing in the new year.

Trying to keep my chin up and my anxiety level down.

Wishes for a wonderful weekend. I hope to return to you next week recharged and renewed!

Is this the little girl I carried?

My little sister started her senior year of high school today. Yesterday, I twirled her around and sang "Sunrise Sunset".




I was an only child for 8 years. When I turned 7, I asked my parents for a little sister. I should note that I always got everything I wanted, but that my sister is by far the best gift I've ever received.




She is my best friend, fashion consultant, and the apple of my eye.




I just hope she knows that she has the proudest big sister in the world (even if I am also the pushiest).




I'm actually sitting here crying with my face in my hands, because I just can't believe it. She's so beautiful and so grown up, but she'll always be a baby to me.




I don't remember growing older... when did she?

Out East

This weekend, I traveled to the Hamptons with my parents, sister, Godmother, and one of my dearest and oldest friends. It was the most amazing, carefree, and fun trip. It was truly the vacation I stuck out all Summer for, and it was worth the wait. Here are a few photos I want to share...





Double fisting my favorite iced tea in the whole wide world from The Golden Pear. My dress, cardigan, and bag are Lilly Pulitzer and my shoes are Jack Rogers.





Jumping for joy! My bikini and cardigan are J. Crew.





My little sister took this one. Very Hamptons, no? :)





Getting ready to go out for lobster rolls! My shirt is J. Crew, my shorts are Topshop, and my shoes are Prada.





Hanging out in Bridgehampton with the girls. My glasses and top are Lilly Pulitzer, my shorts are Taylor New York, and my shoes are Jack Rogers.





Outside of Harvest - one of my favorite restaurants on Earth! My dress is Calypso.




I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Mine was the perfect way to bid Summer adieu.

RABBIT RABBIT!

Happy September! Here's what I have planned this month.




Lots of sitting on the beach, drinking wine, and relaxing in the Hamptons!




Spending time with The Nana, who is coming to visit for the High Holidays!




Praying and atoning for my sins (AKA the Jewish High Holidays).




Fashion's Night Out with my Mommy! Bergdorf Goodman is definitely on the hit list.




Going on a girls' getaway with this bevy of beauties - my best friends from college!



Rabbit Rabbit to one and all! I have a feeling September is going to be a good one.