Eating, Drinking & Being Merry

Cocaine Princess here.

I've had kind of a sluggish week, actually it's been a sluggish month. I'm relieved the month of November has come to an end. It was almost as if a big, dark, gloomy and depressing cloud attached itself with the month. I haven't always felt this way about the 11 month of the year but I'm happy I made it through and excited the month of December is one short day away. I love the holiday season. Seriously, what's not to love about eating, drinking and being merry?

Our decorations and trees (yes, we have more than one) went up during the 2nd week of November. A little early perhaps but that's just the way it's always been. And of course there is always that one house in the neighborhood who decorates their house the day after Halloween à la 'Clark Griswold' style. Actually it isn't all that bad. Sure there are so many bright and colorful lights you could land an airplane and all the decorations make you feel like you've been transported to Santa's magical wonderland but hey it's the season to be joyous.

Some of the things I love about December:

Eating Peppermint Bark Chocolate.
-Yes, I can eat this year round but there's something different about nibbling on this sinful, minty delight during the festive season.

Buying Gifts
-Isn't it fun driving to the mall and then trying to find a good parking space that's closet to the mall entrance doors and then battling the crowds while getting pushed, shoved and elbowed. Nothing says peace and joy like being body checked for the last item on the shelf!

Animated Holiday Specials
-The constant animated re-runs you never grow tire of watching even as an adult: "A Charlie Brown, Christmas," "How The Grinch Stole Christmas," "Rudolph" and "Frosty."

Holiday Specials
-It doesn't get any better than "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" or "The Holiday." I love snuggling on the couch while the fireplace is crackling and watching these films.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
-The annual show will be broadcast on December 4th.  I love seeing what the latest fashion in bedroom wear is and guys take note- girls love lingerie and diamonds.

Holiday Songs
-Hmm, it truly isn't the holiday season until Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas"  is heard at least 10x a day.

Parties
-I love the glitz and the glam of getting dolled up in sparkly dresses and jewels while attending the weekly dinner parties. Unfortunately there is a downside: the fatty yet delicious foods = hibernation weight.

What are some of your favorite things about December?  

Oh yeah I nearly forgot, there's also that pesky little thing about the Mayan calendar. According to the Mayans the world will come to an end on December 21st 2012. Damn, talk about bad timing. It's 2 days before I leave for my annual winter vaycay!

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My loyal and dear readers, it's finally Friday.

Whatever your plans are have a brilliant first weekend of December. ~x

XOXOXOXO,

Cocaine Princess

November 27th

"No matter how old we are, losing a mother

is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can

know, but her goodness, her caring and her

wisdom live on..... like a legacy of love that

will always be with you."

Dearest Mom,

Words can't describe how much I miss you and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you. I wonder sometimes how different my life and things would be if you were still here.

There’s so much going on that I keep to myself-- I wish you were here so I could talk to you about it and ask for your guidance on what to do but I know you’re watching over and sending signs to guide and help me. Thank you.
 
I don't need a certain day to remember you. Each day, throughout the day there are constant reminders of you but out of all the days of the year, November 27th hurts the most because it was the day you left this world.  Thank you for continuing to surround me with your unconditional love. 

Te amo. Le falto. Le necesito. Deseo que usted estuviera aquí. Amor por siempre,

XOXO
Princesa Colombiana
XOXO

Cocaine, Cupcakes, Black Friday

Cocaine Princess here.

Here's a brief rundown of a few of the thrilling things I did this week.
 
Sister had requested that I do a favor for her: to call up one of the bakeries in town and put in an order for 2 dozen cupcakes-- something about a school thing and cupcakes were required. I must have tried calling the bakery at least 20 times but I wasn't getting through. I couldn't even leave a message due to their voice mailbox being full. I googled their name and found their website along with a text number where customers could text their order and receive a response within 6 to 12 hours. Perfect, I thought! Sure I could have easily driven to the place but I wasn't really in the mood to go out on that particular day. I sent the bakery sister's order via text message.  Later that following evening I receive a text message reply.

"We are not that kind of business!!"

What the hell? They're a bakery and they don't bake cupcakes? How strange but forget that, their reply to me was a little uncalled for, right? Talk about harsh. Couldn't they have been more polite about it? Was it really necessary for them to add not 1 but 2 exclamation points at the end of their sentence? How rude.....and then I understood why they did.

Oh boy! I texted or so I thought the following.

"I would like to place an order for cupcakes, two dozen." 

And then I hit send.

Without me knowing auto correct changed CUPCAKES to COCAINE.

Oh my God! I sent a text message indicating I wanted 2 dozen orders of cocaine. Seriously, how stupid is auto-correct?! 

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We pulled out our Christmas decorations from storage. I can't believe Christmas is almost a month away and a brand new year is right around the corner. Aside from the traditional decorations: Christmas tree, garland, wreath, poinsettias, lights etc. we also put up our awesome Peanuts display. Check it out: 

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Today is Black Friday and for the first time the land that brings you maple syrup and Justin Bieber will be celebrating Black Friday. It's really just a ploy to keep Canadians from driving across the border. I'm not too sure what to expect because for the past week many malls have been promoting Pre-Black Friday sales and Black Friday is not just a one day sale, it'll be going on until Sunday, aka Black Friday Weekend. Secondly, it's not a holiday here so I don't predict it's going to be wild and crazy like south of the boarder with manic mayhem, people trampling one another and lining up hours before the stores even open.....but then again who knows, maybe it will be. 

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My loyal and dear readers, it's finally Black Friday.

Whatever your plans are have a tasty long weekend. Gobble Gobble. ~x

XOXOXOXO,

Cocaine Princess 

With The Palm Of My Hand I Smacked My Forehead....

 

Cocaine Princess here.

Have you ever been searching for something only to realize the very thing you've been looking for has been right in front of you the whole time?

This was the case with my cell phone. Earlier in the week I lost (or so I thought) my cellphone which had me in a panic. I had just taken a shower after finishing my morning run but before heading into the shower I turned on the fireplace in the family room and then removed my hoodie and left it on the couch. After my shower I headed back into the family room to retrieve my phone from my hoodie's pocket but guess what? No phone.
 
Where on earth did it go? It couldn't have just snuck out of my pocket and walked away nor could it have fallen out during my run. My pocket was zipped and even if it wasn't I would have heard a loud sound resembling a clunk or a thud if it indeed had fallen.

I must have retraced my steps at least 101 times. I felt somewhat naked and so disconnected without my phone as it rarely ever leaves my side. Panic began to set in and at one point I had trouble breathing. Hours had gone by and I literally felt my life was coming to a near end. Apparently there is a name for this feeling: "Nomophobia." 

It's funny how in these days you can't live without your cell phone. I honestly can't even remember the last time the home phone rang or for that matter when I picked up the phone to make a call to a friend. It's all about texting! I had to rely on my laptop for my social media fix. It was bloody awful! Don't get me wrong I love my laptop too but you can't exactly carry it around with ease or fit it in your pocket.

Later that day sister came home from a day of teaching and noticed the upset look I had on my face. She asked:

A: What's the matter, darling?

ME: I'm so upset ---

She cut me off before I even had a chance to explain.

A: Why, what's wrong-- did they discontinue your favorite shade of lipstick?

ME: Ha-ha. No, that's not why I'm upset.

Although that is a legit reason to become upset, right? Ladies, don't you hate it when that happens or when they stop making your favorite bra? Getting back to the post, I told sister the reason and while explaining how I literally searched the house from top to bottom from her work-bag she pulled out her cell phone. 

A: Did you try this?

Sister dialed my cell phone number. With the palm of my hand I smacked my forehead and said the following phrase made famous by Homer Simpson: 'D'oh!'
Good God -- why didn't I think of that with the home phone?! Since it was set to vibrate I had to listen real carefully to the 'buzz' sound. I couldn't believe where it had been the whole time.

It was on the fireplace mantle right next to the fireplace remote. Of course, when I had come in from my run I turned on the fireplace, removed my hoodie but not before taking out my phone. For reasons unknown to me that's the one place I never bothered to look. Again, with the palm of my hand I smacked my forehead......

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Last week I posted about the Victoria Secret's Fashion Show. The show was pre-taped last week but will air in December. Here's one outfit that won't be televised because it apparently ruffled a few feathers in more ways than one. Karlie Kloss wore an American Indian headdress. Shortly after the pictures from the show hit the Internet, many people took to the brand on Victoria Secret's facebook page to complain how disappointed they were in the company's lack of cultural respect of traditional sacred items in the Native American community.  

Victoria Secret's has since apologized by releasing the following statement: "We are sorry that the American Indian headdress replica used in our recent fashion show has upset individuals. We sincerely apologize as we absolutely had no intention to offend anyone. Out of respect, we will not be including the outfit in any broadcast, marketing materials nor in any other way."

Personally, I didn't think it was offensive but that's just my opinion. What are your thoughts?

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My loyal and dear readers, it's finally Friday.

Whatever your plans are have a sweet weekend. ~x

XOXOXOXO,

Cocaine Princess

All For Love....

Cocaine Princess here.

*Sigh* No real good news in the sleep department. I'm lucky if I'm able to get 3hrs a night of sleep these days. One late night while channel surfing I became entranced by some type of cooking utensil device which is strange considering I don't have a domestic bone in my body. It was then I realized no more late night TV for me, at least no more infomercials.  As I continued channel surfing a movie was about to begin that caught by interest. A movie I had been wanting to see but just didn't get around to it: "W.E."  A film by Madonna.
 
The film tells the tale of the infamously scandalous affair of King Edward VIII (played by James D'Arcy) and Wallis Simpson (played by Andrea Riseborough) for whom, in the 1930s, he gave up everything for, even abdicating the throne of England. Being a twice-divorced American, Wallis Simpson was a woman the monarchy would never accept, and because of that, King Edward left everything behind for love. The film concurrently takes us back to 1998 and Wally Winsthrop (played by Abbie Cornish) a woman who was named after Ms. Simpson by her Wallis-obsessed mother and who also finds herself in a marriage that is not living up to the magic she expected it to be, a fact which is brought more to life by the flirtations of a Russian security guard she encounters at an auction of the Windsor Estate at Sotheby's.

Before the film was even released it was bashed by the critics and given harsh reviews simply because it was connected to Madonna. I'm not saying this because Madonna happens to be my all time favorite singer but I really loved the movie. In my opinion the movie is brilliantly directed and written. What I liked most is how the timeline presented in the film ranges from pre-World War II England (1936–37) to New York in 1998, and the storyline swaps between these two eras. Madonna decided to use the Sotheby's auction of Edward and Simpson's estate in 1998, to flash backward from. Using archival pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier recreated the jewels Edwards showered Wallis with while designers like Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Madeleine Vionnet and Elsa Schiaparelli and London's Savile Row recreated the costumes. It's noted in the film that Ms. Simpson was a fashion icon and couture client well before meeting Edward. 

The pop Queen decided to make this film because she was trying to understand the nature of their love story and trying to figure out if there is such a thing as "perfect love." She investigated the history behind the abdication and tried to understand what led Edward to leave his royal throne. 

So my lovelies, would you give up everything for love?

The song "Masterpiece" for which Madonna received a Golden Globe for "Best Song" plays during the film's end credits. What beautiful lyrics they are....

"And I'm right by your side
Like a thief in the night
I stand in front of a masterpiece
And I can't tell you why
It hurts so much
To be in love with the masterpiece...."

....And Madonna's voice for this song is so angelic and flawless. 

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Fashion Friday News

If you recall I posted an entry about actor Brad Pitt becoming the 1st ever male spokesmodel for the perfume Chanel No. 5. He was paid $7 million dollars to appear in an ad that was ridiculed. If you haven't seen it yet, trust me it's worth a good laugh-- click on the above highlighted link to see it. Anyways, the perfume is now facing a possible ban because of an allergy-inducing ingredients it contains.

This past Wednesday "Victoria's Secret" held their annual spectacular fashion show. The show featured Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars as musical guests. Is it me or is there something odd about Justin Bieber on a runway alongside models at the world's most famous lingerie show? Click here to see those pics.

The show stopper of the night featured Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio (seen below) wearing a $2.5 million dollar "Fantasy Bra" that featured 5,200 precious and semi-precious stones including amethysts, sapphires, rubies and white, pink and yellow diamonds.  The show will broadcast on Tuesday, December 4th on CBS right in time for the holiday season. 

 

 

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This up~coming Sunday is Remembrance Day, a day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Lest We Forget.

My loyal and dear readers, it's finally Friday.

Whatever your plans are have a cheeky weekend. ~x

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

Hmm, A Case Of Snobbery?

Cocaine Princess here. 

History has been full of rivalries, for example:

Van Halen vs. David Lee Roth vs. Sammy Hagar
Batman and The Joker in "The Dark Knight"
Michael Myers and Dr Loomis
Bret Hit Man Hart and Shawn Michaels

And my personal favorite:

Raf Simmons and Hedi Slimane.

You can now add another to that list of rivalries: Big Mac versus Prada. In an unlikely fashion showdown the world's most popular fast food restaurant McDonalds is battling one of Europe's most famous fashion houses, Prada for a spot in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy. For nearly 20 years the historic building Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II has been home to Mickey Dees which is located in a prestigious shopping district that is frequented by locals and tourists. The Galleria is the oldest shopping mall in Italy, housed within a four-storey double arcade in central Milan. The Galleria is named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy and is now a shopping arcade containing luxury retailers selling haute couture, jewelry, books and paintings, as well as restaurants, cafés, and bars. Last month McDonald's was prevented from renewing its tenancy in the mall and in its place a second Prada store, an outlet will be moving in which will sit directly across from the Prada boutique.

And now the gloves are off-- McDonald's is calling the move "unfair" and is now suing the landlord— the city of Milan for €24 million euros in damages over being kicked out of a tourist-packed shopping arcade and being the only business in the Galleria not to receive a right of first refusal on a new rental contract. Many are calling the decision of McDonalds not being able to renew not only a snobby one but a case of  discrimination. I'm guessing for stores like Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton having a fast food joint located directly across from them didn't sit too well. In McDonald's defense they were situated inside a 19th-century marble-floored shopping mall which I think is a pretty sophisticated place to be selling big macs and fries. Take a look at the pic below:

During its last few hours of operation, the restaurant offered free food and drink to over 5000 customers. On the McDonald's Italia Facebook page, dozens of comments recalled shared laughs, first kisses and regret at the closure.

So my Lovelies, what are your thoughts on the matter? Is this a case of snobbery and if you had to choose would you prefer "Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions – all on a sesame seed bun" or a brand new pair of Prada shoes? I don't think I have to tell you what I would select however let it be known that this Latin Princess has been known to frequent the Big M every now and then while wearing her designer clothes. What can I say-- I love their Mcnuggets!

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Halloween 2012 came and went. {Click here if you missed my Halloween entry} It was a little drizzly but that didn't stop the little ones from Trick or Treating. The most popular costume seem to be zombies and/or anything that had to do with zombies such as a zombie bride and even a zombie surgeon. Last year instead of wearing a costume I decided to get dolled up. This year I opted for a costume. I went with "Naughty Cop." Hey, that's what was written on the label inside. By the way, how do you like my handcuffs?

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My loyal and dear readers, it's finally Friday!

Remember we turn our clocks back this weekend allowing us an extra hour of sleep.

Whatever your plans are have a tremendous 1st weekend of November. ~x

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess