Just call me Nicole...

I got my hair done (aka wig busted today) and while I was being shampooed my stylist mentioned that they now offer the Brazilian Blowout. I used to work at the salon during college so I am always interested in new trends and treatments.
http://nicolerichie.celebuzz.com/2009/03/you-have-to-get-a-brazilian-blow-dry/

I said it seemed cool and that it would probably be good for my stick-straight, yet coarse and frizzy hair. I didn't think too much more of it as I knew it was more money than I could ever spend on my hair!

My appointment was almost over when my stylist asked if I wanted to come in on a Sunday and have her do it for me as part of her "friends and family" list. You only pay the product charge... which is... $14! Yes, $14 for this treatment that's $300+.

How lucky am I? Bring it on Ms. Ritchie!

Not so much impressed with 2010 so far...

I really want 2010 to be a fantastic year in our lives but so far it hasn't exactly started that way.

Late in 2009, my grandpa was diagnosed with lung cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. He and my grandma spend their winters in Texas so when their trip was delayed for testing at the Mayo clinic, I knew they were not happy! Luckily, he is able to undergo treatment in Texas where they can enjoy the weather - at least.

Then in January, Brad's grandma on his mom's side died suddenly in her sleep. It was VERY hard for his entire family. She had SUCH a personality and is so missed!

This past week Brad's grandfather on his dad's side was taken to the hospital after he was confused about where he was, started speaking in German and couldn't get his body to move when he wanted to get up. Turns out he has a cancerous mass on his brain that is too big for surgery. We are heading out of town to go see him and the rest of Brad's family tomorrow. We aren't sure what the options are for him.

So, it's been a hard year so far. Live life to the fullest!

I'm a sad mac

Remember this episode?

Well, this has been me more times than I'd like to count these past few years. I admit that one time it was my fault when I got a virus trying to download a leaked version of Britney's new album! LOL. I think our desktop computer is officially a SAD MAC (okay, PC). We "backed up" right before we moved but we just lost everything since then, including New Year's Eve pics that I didn't get around to posting yet. Grrr!!

Right now I use one of my husband's extra laptops from work. I am trying to convince him that I NEED this one! And I love the OPI colors. It makes me want a pedicure real bad!

Awww! My first ever award nomination...

...I would like to thank all of my fans... Okay, just kidding. Save the speech, Halle.

THANK YOU to Jennifer over at and baby makes five! Jennifer is my decorating inspiration. Oh and I'd say she's got an alright gig going on with her fabulous self, cute dogs, cuter husband and the CUTEST little boy, Lucas! Her blog is SO fun to read! I hope some day my husband and I are as fun parents as she and her husband are! Check her out.

Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who nominated me for this award. (Sidenote: I did not JUST thank her because it's part of the rules! LOL)
2. Copy the award & place it on my blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated me for this award.
4. Share 7 interesting things about myself.
5. Nominate 7 bloggers.

Seven interesting facts:
1. If you know me at all, you know I'm obsessed with the Minnesota Vikings. I don't even know why or how this came to be. When we started doing well and I thought we had a chance at the Superbowl, I would cry during my commute home thinking of the winning moment. I also cried in bed the night before games. LOL. Okay, embarrassing. Also, I do like Brett Favre now. But the day we signed him, I recorded a video on my phone that said what I thought would happen. No one has seen this video... And it turns out... I was right. I also do all kinds of crazy superstitious things...

2. Which brings me to number two interesting fact. I am pretty sure I have OCD. I do weird routine things like re-write my grocery list 5 times, have to lay out all of my makeup in a certain way before putting it on, if I think of cleaning something, I HAVE to do it or it will drive me crazy. I am the wife who puts your glass in the dishwasher when you just put it down after taking the last drink.

3. I LOVE spicy food, in particular, buffalo wings. My husband thinks my stomach must be made of steel. I also think I should partake in buffalo wing eating contests but there never seem to be any in Minnesota. I can and do eat spicy foods for breakfast, too. I also eat hot peppers right out of the jar. I don't drink buffalo wing sauce but... maybe that's next...

4. In November 2009, I started a new job and moved into a new house in the same week. So, I woke up on Monday morning in a new house and drove to a new job. I'm pretty sure people thought I was insane. Now I'm trying to decorate this new home (we have 4 totally empty rooms!) and learning a job where I'm in charge of marketing for 40 dental clinics.

5. That stressful fact reminded me that every time I get a massage, the person doing my massage tells me that I am the most knotted person that they've ever worked on. My shoulders are like BRICKS. They have been that way for probably 8 years. I don't think they'll ever get worked out.

6. I am a win-o! I love ALL wine. I've never met a wine I didn't like!

7. Hmmm... this needs to be a good one. Oh, okay. I love SUPER ghetto music. In my car and when working out, pretty much all I listen to is Lil' Wayne, Young Jeezy, etc. I feel like there's a rapper trapped inside me or something...

I am nominating (I'll try to pick people who haven't been nominated already!):
1. The cuteness otherwise known as Amber at Amber's notebook.
2. Who gets knocked up after only ONE month of trying? Well, that's Shannon at Life After I Dew.
3. My inspiring fitness and fashion friend Kara with her cute little mini-me at Live Life Inspired.
4. Super hilarious and UBER wise 'Dee at 'Dee's Garret.
5. I-need-to-know-her-address-so-I-can-raid-her-closet-asap Nicole at Nicole's Guide to Style.
6. Super cute Lindsey at The New Mrs W. If she only knew how many times I've looked at her beautiful wedding pictures! They were my inspiration! I still wish I had copied them. LOL
7. Liz and her gorgeous family at Livin Like a Bea. Because who can forget the ponderance over a false positive preggo test?

Hoody hoo!!

Pimp my house

Oh, how I wish a show like this existed. I would even let Xhibit come into my house and pimp it at this point!

It was easy to get by the first couple of months without decorating a whole lot. We got a Christmas tree and plenty of Christmas decorations right away when we moved in. We even put lights on the outside of our house, obviously a first for us! Now all those decorations have been put away, as have our beloved Vikings decorations.

We got a new chocolate brown sectional that has been arriving piece by piece (another nightmare in and of itself) and I am feeling totally stuck when it comes to decorating. I think I want to do a light blue/grey and chocolate brown theme. We did get some pretty slate tables and bakers rack that I love. I just wish I could pay someone to come in and pick out all of the other little things we need! Okay, well, I know I could pay someone but I don't exactly have an extra $10k to spare! Here are a couple of things I am looking at for inspiration right now.

Now I like salt but...

... not when my black car looks grey and all of my boots are ruined!

This is the time of year when both my mind and body decide they are DONE with winter. Gone are the feelings of excitement over new, cozy sweaters, cute jeans and even cuter suede boots. My sweaters are pilling and my suede boots are ruined from salt. (I prefer salt in the form of salt and vinegar Pop chips!) My tan is gone as is most of my will to live. For the next 2 months, the only thing that will get me through is dreaming of being on the beach in Cabo.

Here's a start of what I'll need to bring...