Macaroons and Bubbly

Last night I kicked off the weekend indulging in macaroons, champagne and clothes at the Joie boutique in Fashion Island.

The Dry Bar was also there and my hair received some "beachy waves"

Then I went home to eat a grilled cheese with a glass of Caymus.

The entire night made me happy.

This is going to be a great weekend.

I can just feel it.

Sir, this is not your room!

I have anxiety.  We all know this.

Well, that is not true.  If you are new to visiting you haven't been lucky enough to read about my anxiety but you can catch up quickly here and here.

But back to my anxiety.

Here is word for word what I said to my hubby prior to leaving for my business trip to Las Vegas last week.

"My biggest fear traveling alone is someone trying to break into my hotel room."

This is extremely typical of me (I am a worst case scenario type of person) so my hubby responds with "Babe, that is not going to happen".

Fast forward to Thursday morning at 4am when I am woken from deep sleep with someone trying to open my hotel room door.  I , LEAP, JUMP  FLEW out of bed and ran to the peephole to find one man trying to get into my room with a hotel key with another one standing next to him.

Here is our conversation...

ME: "Excuse me, this is not your room"

HIM: "Yes it is"

ME: "Um no, it isn't"

He continues to try to use the key

ME: "SIR, THIS IS NOT YOUR ROOM!"

HIM: I am not Sir, I am ___ and this is my room

Obviously this man was drunk and was completely avoiding the fact that my voice was coming from inside the room so I ran to my phone and called hotel security.  

I have to give it to Vegas for having amazing security because three people were surrounding him (other guy had apparently gone to his own room) within 2 minutes (if that) asking him questions, checking his ID and the room card he was using.  Apparently this guy was too drunk, was actually three rooms down and they escorted him to his room while I was moved to a completely different room on a completely different floor.

Nothing like roaming a Vegas hotel in your pajamas with a suitcase at 5am.

Might I note that this is all after having a panic attack on the plane for the first time ever and trying to maintain a "I am a successful, confident business woman" while I was FREAKING OUT on the inside.

Moral of the story?

My anxiety is alive and well and thanks to the A-hole trying to get into my room, it had peaked for a few days following.

It is okay though because it taught me two things.  One, I learned that when something I am extremely scared of happening actually does, I handle it like I should and do not completely freak out.  Therefore, I should not be so scared.  And two, my anxiety is going to peak at moments (like on the plane) that I cannot explain or control but I can make it through it.

Win win for me, right?

There you have it.

Crazy story right?

Jewels

Now that Fall is here for the majority of the country (we are still in swimming pools and sun bathing with our 100 degree heat), I am trying to update my accessories to fit with Fall colors and some recent purchases of sweaters, pants and boots (all which are sitting in my closet with the tags on thanks to this weather).  Stella & Dot seems to always come through with great pieces that are not only gorgeous, but also very well priced.  Here are some items that I recently ordered and one that I have added to my wish list.

Limited Edition Fox Necklace from the Alice by Temperley Design Collaboration
I had mentioned how excited I was to see this line launch!  Love this piece.

Serenity Stone Drops
I was a fan of these earrings in the green stone but this brown color is even more my taste.

And what is on my wish list?

Limited Edition Admiral Bracelet from the Lara Bohinc Design Collaboration
I adore this bracelet.  Love the mixing of metals and how chunky it is.
I can see myself wearing this all Winter long.

"Making a Difference"

Last year was my first Camino Health Center Fashion Show and Luncheon and I remember saying that day that I would absolutely be there again next year.  And now here we are.

The 28th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon benefitting the Camino Health Center is next month I am doing all I can to build awareness for this great event.  It will be held Tuesday, November 20th at the Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel.  South Coast Plaza sponsors this event and they pull out all the stops when it comes to producing a New York fashion show in Orange County.  Not only are designers such as Tory Burch, Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karen, and Marni (just to name a few) showcased, the silent auction might be the best one I have ever seen, flooded with donations from numerous boutiques in South Coast Plaza.  Add some champagne, the food, fab raffle prizes and the Ritz and you have quite the afternoon!

 When I was asked to attend this event last year, I knew very little about the Camino Health Center and the Foundation that supports it.  Of course I knew that it had the reputation of an incredible clinic in San Juan Capistrano, providing free services to those who cannot afford insurance or, due to the insurance they have, are not able to financially afford the speciality services they need.  But that was about it.  Over the past year I have increased my involvement with both the Camino Health Center Auxiliary and the Mission Hospital Foundation and I continue to be touched by the people that work so hard to help others.  

If you are looking to attend an amazing event while supporting the Orange County community, you can purchase tickets by clicking here.  I would love to see you there!

Beer-Battered Apple and Onion Rings

What do you do when it has hit the middle of October and the weather is still in the 80's?

You pretend it is summer and host a BBQ!

Saturday night we had some friends over to celebrate the summer that never seems to end.  The hubby was handling the main course, prepping ribs, beans, kale and cornbread.  The only job I had was handling the appetizers.  Yes, I could have gone the healthy route but that would have been no fun at all.  Instead I went the complete other direction and went for the deep fried option.  I made Beer-Battered Apple and Onion Rings and I am not going to lie, all the calories were worth it.  The apples tasted like apple pie (they would make a great dessert too!) and the onions were a perfect compliment with the salty.  As I suspected, two fried foods are better than one.

Work

Photo and Subject don't seem to go together do they?

I arrived in Las Vegas yesterday for a conference and will be here until tomorrow.  So it works!  

Since I am here, why not look back at my recent visits to Sin City.

September 2010 - A Girls Weekend that was OUT OF CONTROL and AWESOME.

November 2011 - With the entire family on our way to the Polar Express

October 2012 - Work Conference

This is what I love about this city.

It never really makes sense why you are here.

But you are.

And it is awesome.

And then you leave, unsure as to when you will return.

But you will.

Cause it's Vegas.

I am going to take tomorrow off from posting so I can hop on my jet plane and get back to the hubby and little ones so this is my weekend farewell.

I hope you all have a fab weekend!

Sponsor Highlight: SugarSNAP

"They're Here!"

No, I am not referencing one of the scariest movies of my childhood but that the ladies of SugarSNAP have joined the Juggling in Heels family.

After making two appearances on the blog for their fabulous Files and my new obsession, the Car-Go System (it has saved me more than once in the diaper department), they have set up shop as a sponsor of the blog and I could not be more excited to have them.

The SugarSNAP files were developed to help moms organize their diaper bags so that they were no longer bottomless pits but actually served the purpose we need them to serve.  These files led to the Car-Go System, to help organize our cars while we play Taxi Driver to the family.  I know I keep saying this but if you haven't taken a look at these two products, you really are missing out.  

I have had the pleasure of getting to know the creators of SugarSNAP, Stacy and Tarah and they are incredible examples of women who had an idea, pursued it and have ensured it became a reality, all while managing a household of twins!  Plus, if you visit them over on Facebook or Twitter you will also find that they are extremely funny.

In case you missed my previous reviews, here they are...

The SugarSNAP Files

The Car-Go System

In addition, these lovely ladies are offering 20% off your purchase for all my readers through October 31, 2012 simply by using the code: JUGGLING.  You can click here to order.

Welcome SugarSNAP!