Rich & Elizabeth

Tis the season

8 Dec 2009

UP: First, before I forget, because I already have – I treated myself to a wonderful pedicure a few weeks ago! At this place called Embellish - it was the girliest of girlie. All pink and cozy – it felt like I was getting my toes polished in the comfort of my own home. The comfy chair, lap blanket, warm neck wrap and Notting Hill playing on the tele was very relaxing! And my toes looked great too!

DOWN: This weekend, we went to a new 24 hour diner downtown. We ordered the beer cheese appetizer. This is what we got:

Yes, that would be saltines, pretzels and a tipsy cheez wiz…(so gross, I don’t even know how to spell it). To their credit, yes, served with “saltines and pretzel rods” was on the menu description. But seriously??

BREAK EVEN: I sent an email to Starfish because I found bones in my tuna fish! Twice! So they sent me an email assuring me that this is a rare occurrence and followed up with two coupons for free packets of tuna fish (so that I can choke on more bones?) A reimbursement would have been preferred but points for the thought that counts. I mean, I am so paranoid about bones. Ever since my trip to the DR when I swear I had one caught in my throat even though the on-resort doctor just laughed and sent me on my way.

DOWN: Heartburn. Having never experienced this, I woke up this weekend and thought I was having a heart attack. No way burnin my heart!

BREAK EVEN: Yesterday, at Urban Outfitters, I went to try on a pair of blue denim and when I went to button them I realized, “There is no button.” Minus: It was the only pair. Plus: At least I did not pop the button off and have a mortifying moment (i.e., in one of my retail jobs, a girl walked out of the fitting room with the entire thigh split open!). Plus plus: I found a kitschy pair of acid wash denim.

UP: Dexter. Only one episode left and we have no idea how it is going to end. By far, one of the best seasons!

The BAIN of our EXISTENCE: Super Mario Bros for Wii.

DOWN: I went to get gas this morning and the pump kept shutting off every pump (as if it was already full after each pump but that is impossible because I was down to one bar and needed at least 8 gallons). So, I pumped and released almost a million times and by the time I reached 3 gallons grew frustrated (me?) and put the pump back in its holder and drove away (yes, I paid). Maybe I was doing something wrong (although highly unlikely)…

UP: This picture taken by Brand while he was in town this weekend:

UP: St. Nick’s Day! Rich was not aware of this holiday. The Smyth’s celebrate all holidays equally. Thanks for the pressies mom and dad! xoxo

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Tags: Embellish

Gobble gobble

In: Elizabeth

28 Nov 2009

Our First Thanksgiving in Austin

First, Richie came home from work with a harvest bouquet for me and it just made my day! He has surprised me with flowers twice now since we have been here and it is such a surprise that I never have a vase for them. I am thinking of buying one to tuck away but no not want to jinx myself.

Then, on Thursday morning, I woke up and turned on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and then Rich woke up and we went out for a walk around downtown. We walked faaar and even ran into a man from Buffalo on our way to Whole Foods for coffee fuel. We found lots of cute homes – the one we really like is 1.8 million dollars! But it has a great view of the city! Please click here to see it. It is pretty fantastic (and rather inexpensive compared to Amelia Bullock’s other properties listed – just food for thought while you are looking).

So then we came home and made breakfast and then I got cooking and I must say, I make one heck of a Turkey Day dinner! I even made a turkey – I wasn’t going to (I was going to cheat and buy a rotisserie chicken or employ a prefab turkey from Boston Market) but Gus was just the perfect little turkey at 6.66 pounds Rich got him out of the bag and got rid of all the “extras” and put him in the pan for me. We took turns basting him (when Rich “heard” the obnoxious, hard-to-miss-even-with-a-deaf-ear timer go off) and he turned out just sooo melt-in-your-mouth delicious! And it was so easy! There should be a national Semi-Annual Turkey Day celebration! We are almost out of leftovers. (Just a few bites of smashed baked potatoes left for Rich.)

We didn’t end up going shopping on Black Friday – Rich even said he would go with me but there wasn’t anything great worth going out. But, we did go out to see Blind Side and we really liked it! Then we went to Borders and Cavender’s (a cowboy boot store) and Central Market for dinner. I love Central Market – they have a little help yourself stand of beauty scrubs – I bought the Hibiscus Salt Scrub and it is wonderful! And they have my Stash licorice tea! (I still can’t find the Chocolate Mint one in stores.)

Today, we went to Mattress Firm to exchange our mattress. They have a 90-day comfort guarantee policy and today is day 88. So, since we do not like it, better late than never! We got a great deal though – we are getting the Cadillac of mattresses! Totally worth it so far. I can not wait until it is delivered on Tuesday. I think that I will buy new sheets and new pillows!!

Tonight we are going to sip on some Drank. What is Drank? It is a purple drink. Last week, while we were in Houston, Rich and his friends found it at Specs. They drank it and within about 20 minutes they were all fast asleep on the couch. So last night, we bought some melatonin and Valerian root but they did not seem to be as effective as the Drank. So today we stopped by Specs and picked some up.

The apartment is all decorated for Christmas! We bought a little tree and lights, wrapped the doors with paper and ribbon, put bows on the bar stools and hung tinsel garland everywhere! And guess what, at Michaels, they have Buffalo Snow! It is really called Buffalo Snow! (Rich asked if it is black and gritty.) Must have some!

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Weekend waltz

In: Elizabeth

17 Nov 2009

Look what I learned to do! Color! Woohoo!

Rich and I decided to start some hobbies while we are down here in Austin. So this past weekend, we took a ballroom dance lesson and learned how to waltz! It was a lot of fun! Very fast-paced but we caught on quick. The only thing we didn’t like was having to switch partners the whole time. We are all about making friends, but I don’t think this is the way we want to do it (or even the place). And, I have to learn how to be a better follower But beware, with practice, when we come home for the holidays, we will be waltzing circles around everyone in the snow!

Speaking of the holidays, I started putting out Christmas decorations. Tonight, we are going to buy a tree! One that is just big enough to fit all our ornaments. And stocking holders. Currently, our stockings are being held up by a couple pieces of Scotch tape. I think we can do better than that Plus, I do not think that the tape will hold our stuffers.

On Sunday, we went to see the movie 2012. The movie was okay. I didn’t really have any feelings of wanting to go see it but after seeing it, I still have no feelings of being glad that I did. But the movie theatre – my goodness. People brought their babies to the show! Not toddlers – babies, with bottles! If anyone needs a babysitter so that they can see a matinee, I’ll do it! And, in our row was a family with two young children and the parents let the children leave at least a dozen times during the movie (which meant stepping over us a dozen times during the movie) which I did not understand. And then, that same family – the man’s cell phone rang and he ANSWERED it and started having a conversation during the movie. This did not really bother me so much since he was sitting on my left, but really? During a movie? And then he passed the phone to his wife to talk too! It was like the bat boat tour all over again, except this time I could not yell at the man because he was not my Dad.

Yesterday, I need a little pick me up, so I went shopping! Rich took me to the outlets this weekend and he found lots of goodies! He is going to look sooo dapper this winter (which is more like autumn down here). Yesterday was my turn and I came home with bags in my hands (the holiday merchandise bags too!) – very satisfied to say the least. I think that I will head out again today to finish buying a few things that are on my list: a pair of booties (no snow here, so I can don impractical pedi-wear without the troubles of salt) and a couple pairs of leggings (so that I can keep wearing my dresses without sticking out like a Northern thumb who is comfortable exposing her legs to 75 degree weather – people down here are so acclimated that they wear sweaters when it is in the 80s! It is brutal trying to fit in when I am used to pulling out sweaters when the temperature drops below 40.).

Today, it is going to be 68 degrees. I might need to put on a coat to go out and buy faux snow to decorate!

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Tags: 2012

Fun Fun Fun

In: Elizabeth| We

10 Nov 2009

This weekend, Rich and I were going to go to the Fair! We saw a posting for it in our elevator and it sounded like fun. So how was it? Well, the parking lot (which we paid $5 to see) was…empty and the fair was lifeless. It was seriously like something out of a scary movie. Needless to say, we did not pay the $15 per person to enter the local amusement fest which I can say (I can’t believe I am saying this) – the Eden Corn Festival was more lively (and they had corn – my favorite). Who would have thought that corn could out shine another festival.

We took a few pictures from our parking spot view and then jetted off to find another adventure. Where did we end up? Lake Travis. We had lunch at the Oasis (a much wiser decision – both fiscally and nutritionally – and a much more scenic view). And what did the Oasis have besides a waaay overpriced “picture with a real live longhorn” souvenir? A metal spaceship just sitting there! So Rich and I took our pictures in that.

Then, we did some driving (Rich loved it – very hilly – the Civie got it’s exercise) and while we were cruising around I spotted something and thought I was surely seeing things because in the two months we have been here we have not seen ONE nor has one popped up when we searched for locations within a 50 mile radius. What is this wonderment that had me blinking twice and gasping excitedly? DUNKIN DONUTS! Yes – I shouted, “Dunkin Donuts” and the Civie quickly came to a halt and U-ied back down the highway. If we do not find another one soon (closer), we might just have to open up a franchise!

Sunday, it was rainy, rainy, rainy and the Bills had a BYE week. So Rich and I went to the mall. I wanted to see if the Hallmark store had an open house (because my mom was going to an open house) but it did not appear that there was one going on here. P.S. Mom – I want Rhonda too. I loved walking around – the stores are starting to decorate and there was even Santa sitting in the food court ready to listen to the gimmies! While were were there, we went into Williams-Sonoma and they were sampling Thanksgiving dinner! Yummy! I had a taste of everything and if turkeys didn’t gross me out (I mean, if they can make bacon out of turkey then I think that they can make a turkey without the – oh my goodness, I did not know what to call all the junk that gets pulled out of the turkey’s bottom so I googled it and, oh my gosh! – neck and giblets?! I need a moment…

Okay, moving on. Rich and I saw a picture of an Asian model and she had really big wide eyes. At first we wondered how it was possible and then I realized, “It is possible! She had the surgery!” What surgery? Well, it is called Double Eyelid Blepharoplasty and I had first heard about it on Oprah years ago and really really wanted it done. However, the thought of cutting my eyelids gives me the creepies. So until I get over that…there is eyelid glue! And tape! (Yes, Rich was intrigued so we googled the procedure and found products) However, Richie will not buy either for me, so…if you need a holiday gift idea, I want glue for my eyelids! (Make sure it comes with the poker so that I can get them to stick reeeal good!)

Onto a more serious note (not that double eyelid blepharoplasty is not serious) – Rich and I saw a few movies that we would like to review (0 = awful, 10 = amazing):

New York I Love You – my idea. Our combined scores give the movie a 5. I did not mind all of the story lines or the “unfinished business” aspect of each of them but each individual plot somehow leaves you wondering if you missed some greater intellectual concept. I heard that Paris Je T’aime is better, so maybe we will rent that one.
The Brothers Bloom – Richie’s idea. We give it a 7! We had never even heard of it before but I guess it came out months ago and had a really great cast! It kept you wondering what was going to happen, had funny moments and was very endearing.
Bee Movie – HBO’s idea. We give it a B+! It was unBEElieveably cute Might even take the cake for Finding Nemo (one of my favorites). So yes, the best movie of the week was a talking cartoon honey bee.

P.S. I burned my hand on the oven rack. Ouch. Again, please do not drop everything you are doing to rush down here. But as always, get well gratuities (or a full sleeve oven mitt) will be accepted.

It was the best of times…

In: Elizabeth| We

4 Nov 2009

It was the WURST of times…which is a good thing! This past weekend, my parents came to visit us. We took them to New Braunfels for Wurstfest! It was like a celebration of silly hats, yummy food and accordion music.

Richie with a Wurst-ka-Bob

Bethie with a turkey leg

And then we went to the most beautiful land of outlets. It was so magical, I would not be surprised if people got married there!

The first night my parents were here, we went out to dinner at Bess Bistro – my new favorite restaurant! I had been wanting to try it – I was told it was owned by Sandra Bullock! I had a delicious chopped cobb salad and…SPAETZEL! (which I say with an additional “ie” ) Ahem, Rich can take me there anytime he wants to.

Bats

On Hallowe’en, my mom made us a mini Thanksgiving dinner with a chicken because Randalls (still my favorite grocery mart) did not have a lil turkey – delicious! Then, we went on a boat ride one night to watch the bats fly out from under the bridge – can you see them? Underneath the South Congress bridge is the biggest urban bat colony! And every night they fly away to go huntin for bugs. It was a very cool sight.

Oh, and my mom brought down some St. Nick’s day presents for me and Rich! They are sitting in the coat closet…a very trusting move for someone who knows what a peeker I am. I am not sure how she is going to put things in our stockings though…

Speaking of Christmas. I have submitted my first draft of my list. Rich is still working on his…

Thanks for coming to visit! We had lots of fun! xoxo

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Tags: Bess Bistro, South Congress bats, Wurstfest

Reinvention of the housewife – Nestlette

In: Rich| We

2 Nov 2009

What? There is a Rich behind Rich & Elizabeth? You betcha! Okay so the Rich in “Rich & Elizabeth” has been fairly absent from this blog, but trust me that’s OK. Beth is a much better blogger than me anyway.

However, she has failed to mention her latest endeavor – Nestlette. Unlike me who shamelessly promotes my websites every chance I get (Radium, Sparkups and the T Shirt Galleries) – Beth is not one to toot her own horn. So that leaves me with no choice but to mention it for her.

So just what exactly is a Nestlette? Well according to the site:

A reinvention of the housewife – so much more than cooking & cleaning. She may be a wife, a mommy, even a bachelorette. Intelligent and charming, she is a Nestlette!

The multi-author site covers a range of topics of interest to the modern woman including fashion, recipes, products and a hysterical must read list of rules all women should live by.

So I encourage you to check out the site, share it with your friends and congratulate Bethie for launching another great blog.

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Tags: Nestlette

Where have I been…

In: Elizabeth

27 Oct 2009

Here I am! This past weekend, Rich and I continued our week old donut quest tradition and went to Gourdoughs! A shiny silver airstream of Big. Fat. Donuts. I think we have met our match. Rich got the Naughty & Nice donut which is sugar and cinnamon. I got the Bring the Heath with cream cheese icing and heath bar bits. Made fresh and served warm – puts Krispy Kreme to shame. We are trying not to make it a daily habit. Tempting because it is on the way to the office. Lucky for us, my parents are coming to visit this weekend and they simply must experience this yummyness one morning. As for following weekend, hmmm…maybe it will be National Donut Day and as patriotic observers we will have no choice but to indulge in another donut.

We also carved our pumpkins! Well first I should say that we bought pumpkins! At Randalls, my new favorite grocery store which is another experience that I had to share and made Rich come grocery shopping with me – everyone is just so genuinely friendly and helpful! Our pumpkins were buy one get one free and hearty as can be. Rich cut off the tops to scoop and then we made baked our pumpkin seeds and then we got to work. Here are our masterpieces:

Tooker-kin Tookie-kin

Rich made a longhorn and I made a bird which looks more like a turkey with a disappearing beak because my hands got tired from cutting.

P.S. Our apartment has no 13th floor. No button in the elevator. Just skips it like a pebble.

P.P.S. That Fuccillo sidekick, Tom – he is down here in Austin too, doing ads, selling cars…I had no idea he was such a commodity. It’s like ya can take the boy out of Grand Island, but…hehe

P.P.P.S. Yesterday, we watched an entire episode of the Doctors dedicated to clearing up myths about the swine flu vaccine and giving all the reasons why it is better to get it than get sick and then today, we see this:

Needless to say, I walked in on Rich Lysol-ing the apartment when we got home. No germs in our house!

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Tags: Gourdoughs, Randalls, swine flu

Punkin weather

In: Elizabeth

18 Oct 2009

The leaves down here may not be changing (the only reason why the trees are any color other than green is because they have been deprived of a lil H2O) but I know that it is perfect punkin weather somewhere. And last weekend, I saw pumpkins at the farmers market across the street. Rich said that he wanted to go to a real pumpkin farm for pumpkins where we could drink apple cider and munch on powdered donuts. Sold! (He knows my weak spot – Starbucks’ Caramel Apple Spice) So this weekend, that was our plan. I woke up yesterday morning, excitedly hopped on my ‘puter and googled “pumpkin patches in austin” only to find that punkin patches in Austin are few and far between and the closest one was 45 miles away. These results resulted in this:

Grumble This would be the look of a lifelong member of the only child club. Not my proudest, but as an only I can not feign my utter disappointment when things do not go exactly (and by this I mean exactly – which for Only’s holds a meaning far beyond anything you will find in Merriam-Webster) how I expect them to go.

101_0806

So where did we end up? Well, since we would have to drive far out into the middle of nowhere to a punkin farm, we decided to make a day out of our drive and Rich took me to San Antonio instead. Here we are at the Riverwalk which is totally awesome! I felt like I was at Disney World (which again, for an Only, is more than mouse ears and flying Dumbos – it really is the happiest place on earth) and for a few sunny hours down here in Tejas, I found a happy place (that was not between a Nordstrom and a Borders). Speaking of shopping, there is a mall in downtown San Antonio and Rich and I did go ’splorin that too. Conclusion: It is the place that stores go to rest. i.e. there was a Sweet Factory and a Sam Goody (even Batavia let Sam Goody go).
Elizabeth at the Alamo Rich at the Alamo
Oh, we also saw the Alamo – guess I can check that one off the list d’histoire (or historia). Conclusion about San Antonio: It is a warmer, flatter Clifton Hill. Complete with haunted houses, mirror mazes, a wax museum and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Rich and I woke up this morning still craving the powdered donut we had been looking forward to all week long. Again (and surprisingly I must say), Google results for donut shops in Austin were hard to come by and no where to be found downtown by us – aren’t donuts a staple? – especially for law enforcement and down here there are metermaids on the prowl everywhere! So we took a gamble and drove out to Shipley’s Donuts and it was a great way to start a Sunday morning! I had a glazed buttercream donut. I think. I am not sure because Rich thought I was taking too long to decide and made me pick one. Whatever it was, it was delicious and fresh Rich went with the basics – glazed and chocolate glazed

Medical update: Last week, while I was making philly cheesesteak-stuffed garlic bread (which was an awesome hit with my number one enthusiast), I sliced my finger along with the top of the loaf (so unfortunately, I may not be making this again anytime soon). No, no, please don’t be too concerned and drop everything to make sure that I am okay* even though two days prior I bashed my other hand on a grocery basket (yes, a grocery basket – I still am not sure how my knuckle came in contact with the basket…) which created quite a mess at the checkout line which I blamed on poorly packaged beef…needless to say, it has been a painful week for my hands but I am happy to report that after three days of bandages and neosporin, I think that I am going to survive and merely have a couple battle scars.

*get well cards, flowers or care packages will be accepted graciously.

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Tags: Riverwalk

Feelin kinda Sunday

In: Elizabeth

11 Oct 2009

While watching the Bills game this afternoon, Rich thought that the color was off because the uniforms looked pink. But it was not the tv, Rich was right – the uniforms are pink! His cousin Nick told us that selected NFL teams will be wearing pink to recognize breast cancer awareness for the month of October! While searching for a photo, I found photos of other professional sports teams in pink too. But since we are from Buffalo, here is one of T.O. (and his opponent) donning pink gloves.

topink

While I am strongly strongly opposed to pink sporting attire*, I very much like how the NFL and other sports teams are accessorizing their uniforms with the pink gear – from pompoms waving over head to shoelaces running plays down below. In addition to supporting a great cause, I absolutely love the shade of pink they have chosen – more of a jewel tone rather than the pastel, which is very hot right now. If only the Bills could take us to a win…There are two minutes left and I just heard Rich yell at the television. I do not think today will be the day. But at least they look good! And (look like) they care!

* a) girls don’t need a cliche gimmick to be interested in sports

* b) if sports want to make a profit off of female spectators, focus on an anti-boxy fit that is flattering to the female form and softer cottons

* c) the tacky, gummy-pink color does not compliment any skin tone

* d) better yet, forget about athletic tees that are not up to Chip and Pepper code – how about athletic inspired accessories for the female market – red, white and blue silk scarves and cashmere gloves would be great in the Buffalo burr and cashmere is never a regrettable purchase even if our team is down for a loss in the last 20 seconds and silk is very soft for wiping away the tears brought on by letting ourselves get too excited – again.

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Coming up roses

In: Elizabeth

8 Oct 2009

This past weekend I went to Raleigh to visit Stephie, meet Ben and do lots and lots of shopping! Ben was such a good lil shopper on the days he came with us (He is the sweetest! And I am not just saying that because I am his favorite Auntie Bethie – I think you would all agree I had lots of fun and snagged some great steals that I would like to share with you.

First, my Betsey Johnson sandals. I am wearing them now and absolutely in love with them – glittery pink bottom, wooden platform, skinny heal and a bow! Found them at the Saks outlet on clearance with an additional 40% off which made them only $35! I checked my luggage just so that I could bring them home in their bright pink box. Also at Saks, I got a pair of Sevens for a little over $60 which was such a great surprise because I did not find them on the clearance rack and was expecting to pay full price. They are getting hemmed now and should be ready to wear on Saturday anytime after 5. If you have a Saks outlet near you, I highly suggest going. And if the sales lady asks you if you want to sign up for a More card, do it! It is not a credit card, just a rewards card. You save 20% immediately and receive more discounts in the future without having to search for coupons.

Next, a review of my Ulta goods. Japonesque Precision Lash Curler – a must have for straight, sparse yet stubborn Asian eyelashes and a treat from Stephie. Honestly, the best eyelash curler I have every met. And yes, I have met plenty of eyelash curlers that I have not liked. These freshly curled lashes are topped with a coat of Prestige Lash Matrix mascara and my eyes just look and feel a whole lot brighter. This mascara is much better than the overpriced Too Faced Lash Injection mascara that was recommended to me and just as good the Fresh Supernova mascara that I enjoy but about a third of the cost!

After I came home, I was still on my shopping high and decided it was time to treat my hair to some chemical dyes and sharp snippers. So, as usual, I did my last minute search and call around to find someone who could take me immediately on short notice. And, as always, my only option ended up being a salon in the mall. At home, it was the Aveda salon – Euphoria. Down here in Austin, it is Toni & Guy – best known for their Bed Head and Catwalk haircare products. I spent most of my afternoon there but had a very pleasant experience. Everyone was very friendly from the moment I called to make an appointment, to when I walked in, while I was waiting until I was leaving. And as an added bonus, the S-factor haircare line is also part of TIGI and all sulfate-free! Oh, and btw, I am a brunette now!

The best part of coming home was seeing my tooker AND this:

Roses

Rich had roses to greet me p.s. check out our new website – T Shirt Galleries! Where you can buy art that you can wear! Also, a great place to get gift ideas (ahem, birthday – ahem, t-h-i-r…TEE) – Rich picked out all of the tee shirts himself!

And now for an update on a couple of missed purchases that I mentioned in previous blogs. I am happy to report that while shopping the Streets at Southpoint (one of the many great shopping malls in Raleigh) we popped into a store called Light Years and while I was purusing all the fun items, on a shelf on the back wall of the store I found…my Matyroshkas measuring cups by Fred! And today, I went to Target (the one where I found that tablecloth dress, put it back and it was gone the next day when I went to buy it) and as I was walking by the clothes to the checkout, I looked over and there it was! Just one, in my size, totally meant to be – I held on to it this time and now it is hanging in my closet just waiting for the proper occasion. I will see what Richie says when he gets home but I sent him a picture of it from the store with a big smile on my face and he text me back telling me to get it with an exclamation point (he never uses those unless he really means it so, who am I to argue

Yesterday, I put out my Halloween decorations (mini KitKats and Twix and peanut butter M&Ms in pumpkin dishes) and it made me so excited for…CHRISTMAS! I even have my Austin-ite appropriate Christmas cards ready to be signed, sealed and delivered! But Rich said that I can not send them yet…I wonder if he will let me put up a tree if I decorate it with pumpkins and turkeys…

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