I’d love to tell you that I am this fearless, fun adventure girl.  But, you don’t want to hear the bullshit… right?  When it comes to travel, I typically do say yes.  But, I always follow the rules, go by someone else’s plan.  At a minimum I read a ton of books and make sure I have every second planned out. Last week that changed. I got adventurous in of all places, NEW FREAKIN’ ZEALAND !!

I was there for a 20TH CENTURY FOX work trip.  I got to go to the place where LORD OF THE RINGS was filmed and do my own work.  Yes kids this carpool loving, working for the weekend Mom filmed an action scene for an upcoming movie.  I put on the ‘ motion capture’ suit and delivered my best CYBORG.  The good people of Philadelphia will get to see that treat in the next few weeks. PREVIEW: I KILLED IT !!

 

 

Back to the adventure.  I flew in early and made my owns plans in a world that is 18 hours and a whole damn day ahead of us.  It was scary at times but very cool.  I wanted to see NEW ZEALAND the way I wanted to see it!!   I wanted to explore, see the nature and meet the people.  The nature was cool. Very JURASIC PARK meets San Francisco and Ireland.

The people were even better. They are happy and they love us! They love the life they are living in a world that is miles and miles away from Disneyland and New York City. I think they love NEW FREAKIN ZEALAND because it is all theirs… no one is judging how they live or why.  They don’t care that it’s windy there all the time. SO DAMN WINDY. They don’t care that most Americans will never visit. They love their country and again … they love us !!

Now, due to my time constraints (I did leave behind two kids & a husband who was draining our bank accounts getting daily deliveries from restaurants instead of pizza shops) I was not able to have a month or two ” Eat Pray Love” type of deal.

What I did was arrive a day earlier than my colleagues and hit the eco tour and downtown areas of Wellington, NZ. I learned that they have a spot called Zealandia which is basically a walled off area where scientists are trying to re-capture the way NZ looked 500 years ago.  No mammals, no snakes and no kangaroos or goats. Lizards, bugs and birds are the priority and you have to make sure you are NOT bringing any critters in on your way inside Zealandia.  They check your bags and make you go through several gates and doors … I told you there were some Jurassic type details.

I also learned that Kiwi’s ( that’s what they call themselves) like to jump off of any kind of sidewalk or construction bin connected to water.  It’s amazing and fearless like them.

This is their summer after all.  You should know that I was in Wellington for most of my stay and it was perfect. Small town with a big city vibe with all the lamb & Rugby anyone could ask for. 

More on my new buddies. They love beer and wine ( Sauvignon Blanc)  and they DO NOT CARE if the wind is blowing their hair all over the place.  On the way to work. On the way to parties, their hair and mine was blowing all over the place and guess what? It’s totally fine !!  ( I do wonder what happens on their wedding days…)

My final wild and crazy move happened on my way home.  I had a 6 hour layover in the Northern city of Auckland.   Typically I would sit my ass in a terminal reading all the US Weekly & People I could find in an attempt to make sure I didn’t miss a flight.  This time I said NO WAY!

I stored my luggage and hit the streets of Auckland without a single plan.  I shopped a few streets and then did ‘another something’ I never do.  I took myself to lunch.  No kids, no friends, no one but me.  I left the drink choice up to the bartender and had an amazing hour to myself in a town where I had zero responsibility.   It was magic.

I promised zero bullshit, so, here you go.  I was super scared at times that I was going to be driven someplace and left for dead with zero cell signal.  My Uber driver did take me thru a tunnel that was 20 minutes long and again I was a bit anxious.  But, it all worked out and I have these memories that are amazing.  Sure I have shared them with you guys, but , really they are all mine in my tiny little brain… I own this trip in a way I have not owned a memory in a long time.

TAKE THE RISK – TAKE A CHANCE – GET OUTSIDE AND EXPLORE !!

ps. Want to see some cool video from the trip ??

Check out my @youtube channel !!

Yo grown-up – what are you afraid of??

If you live in the NORTH and you have kids you have a few options. Get ready to go to 47 movies, bounce places and pottery classes OR GET THE HELL OUTSIDE.  No, it is not easy hearding the wild animals known as YOUR kids.  But, in the end, it’s totally worth it.

 

Skiing, tubing and snowboarding are the best options.  No, they do not have to be expensive.  See those wild ladies up there ??  In Pennsylvania they can all ski and snowboard for FREE. They can take lessons and rent stuff for free too.  All 4th and 5th graders are part of the plan.  There are plenty of coupons, deals and discounts to get you and the wild animals out of the house this winter.

There’s more … if you can trick some of your Mom friends into joining you the whole deal gets even more fun !!

Now, you will have to try the stuff yourself if you want the kiddos to be successful. I myself was not a huge fan of tubing. But, these dummies ( above) would not take no for an answer.  Candidly, I am glad they forced me into it…

 

There will be days when it is freezing. There will be days when your kids are crying because you packed the green socks and they wanted the blue ones. But, they would be complaining about something else even if they were sitting on your couch or bouncing away in a high priced bounce house.

I do hate a freezing cold, cloudy, yucky weekend.  But, I also hate people who complain and do nothing about it.  PICK A LANE PEOPLE – WHO ARE YOU ?

And remember… your friends love you.  Even if they suggest tubing or some other ridiculous activity when it’s 10 degrees outside.

TRY SOMETHING NEW ! GET OUTSIDE ! SHOW THE KIDS HOW FUN YOU CAN BE!

It’s October 13th.  Last night I ate sausage and drank beer our of a stein. Why? IT’S OCTOBER DUMMIES !! Pretzels and apple strudel were also on the menu and this is the damn problem. At this rate we will all be up 6 pounds by Thanksgiving.

Let’s face it, the leaves change in the Northeast, we all say f#$k it … let’s eat and not go the dumb gym!!  For the past few years I have gained about 6 pounds between Halloween and the Superbowl. NOT THIS YEAR PEOPLE !!

I have already gone to the dumb gym a few times this week (see above) and I have opted out of the pizza in the newsroom and eaten a healthy lunch 5 DAYS IN FREAKIN ROW.  I don’t think we all have to be ‘bikini strict’ about this , but, there are some things we can do.

1. SAY YES TO THE PARTY !!

When you have stuff to do … wearing Halloween costumes or NYE cocktail dresses (yes you too guys) you want to look and feel your best !!  I am going to let my social plans motivate my diet strategy this Fall.

2. Let the people around you know you are trying to be ” be good”

My main workout Coach/ friend/motivator is Holly … above…   You might have noticed she is EXPECTING A BABY soon.  Does she eat pizza every night ? Sadly no because I then I would have an excuse.  Holly knows I am trying something new this season and while she is preparing for baby #2 she is eating healthy & sending me emojis and other fun texts. If a pregnant lady can eat well during the fall-o-days then I can too.

3. RELAX

We all have kids to drive around … work that drives us crazy and friends we want to drink beer with !! You can do it all.  When you do … take a minute to notice.  I slipped in a workout earlier this week when I had to be in 3 places at once.  I took this selfie to remind myself that I got it in.

BOTTOM LINE: we can do this !!  It won’t be super easy, but, it won’t be super hard if we all stay consistent.  Like I tell my kids ( who never listen)

A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA GOES A LONG LONG WAY !!

I’M HEADED TO THE STUPID DUMB GYM TODAY … what are you doing to survive the ‘fall-o-days’

So, I think every kid growing up near an ocean needs to explore the water.  Looking for shells, walking on the hot freakin’ OUCH sand, and, yup, surfing !!  My daughter ( Who is growing up an hour away from the NJ shore) did not like the idea of the surfing … so, I forced her to try it !!  ( I’m an asshole Mom that way)

I tried it the easy way. I asked her buddy… seen surfing next to me to and convince her.  Some nice beach lifeguards also tried. But, at the end of the day, I bribed her to try it !! Yes, my friends the promise of a giant unicorn can work some serious magic.

So where did I start? I tried to go it alone as SUPERMOM.  Landry Jane and I walked this huge board out into the surf. A wave came, she went flying, I stepped on an underwater crab and I screamed HOLY SHIT.  My sweet 9 year old was understandably terrified.  I have no pictures of her bawling her eyes out so I give you this cute picture of the “after”

… ohhh you want to how did we got to the surfing success after the nightmare start?

Well, I found the right teacher.  Surfing can be scary. The waves can crush even the strongest, most brave swimmers. Plus, if you are someone’s parent, you likely already know you are ‘not eligible’ to teach that kid a new trick. ( I forgot that part)

Good thing I know a yoga teacher, surfer, nice guy named ANDY MAGNER.  He’s someone’s Dad.  But, not MY kids Dad. Plus, I promised her a giant unicorn.

Andy was (is) awesome.  He not only agreed to drag a giant ( easier to learn on) big board over to our side of the beach and work with my unicorn obsessed – yet – still terrified daughter.  He was calm and kind. As you can see, he talked her right into becoming the cutest 9yo surfer in our family.

I don’t LOVE that I had to bribe her. But, I do LOVE that it worked. Discovering the ocean is a lifelong journey.  Overcoming a fear is something we all need to learn to do.  We can’t walk away from something just because it didn’t go right the first time.  How many times did it take to learn how to ride a bike?

Bribing your kiddos isn’t always the best way … but, sometimes it is the ONLY way.

face your fears

force your kids to do the same

you will thank me

promise …

 

So, the first thing I hear when someone meets me in person for the first time is … YOU’RE SOOOOOOOOOOOO TINY !! Well, I don’t feel tiny.  I feel loud. I feel obnoxious. I feel old, tired, less stylish, less sophisticated than most of my peers and friends.  But, being tiny has never worried me. Never impacted me. Nope, not even when my favorite interns are looking down on me like …………..

I do think size matters. I can’t reach the shit in my kitchen that I need. I might have asked you to get something for me at the grocery store.  But, in terms of height … it has never impacted me in the confidence department.  Here’s the crazy thing … I think being smaller than most adults makes me more adventurous.  I’m not afraid to jump on top of stuff.  Yes, typically I ask permission first!!

 

It’s a no brainer that I am shorter than some of your favorite basketball players.  These guys have back problems because of years of trying to fold themselves into the seats in airplanes.  Plus. aren’t you SUPPOSED TO BE TALL to play basketball??

 

 

 

Bottom line, commenting my height has always puzzled me. And ladies and gents, here’s the craziest part of it all.  My daughter? She is going to be VERY TALL.

People are already telling me “don’t let her play basketball because she will be labeled as a tall girl”  WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THAT ?? Does it look like my sweet but tall Landry Jane is sad because she is taller than her adorable awesome pal Marley ?? I was stunned when someone first said that it was ” too bad” she was ” soooooooooo tall”

 

With all of the real issues I could have with a kiddo. (born with one arm etc) I am NOT going to apologize for having a “tall girl” in the family !!  Here’s today’s message … height does not matter.

As I have said before… kindness matters.  Do you have wine in the fridge ?? THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT MATTERS TO ME !! Here’s to the tall girls and the tiny.  Let’s kiss the big guys and the smaller ones. Cheers to all of us … big – small and somewhere in between !!

 

 

So, here in the Philly area it’s a wet soggy crappy morning.  It’s Memorial Day weekend and all we want is some ‘friggin’ sun’ … it’s kind of like friendship.

I want a nice, fun, smiling supportive group of buddies. Not a crew of high maintenance diva back stabbers.  I crave nice girls in my personal life because my work environment is not always “girl friendly”.  A TV newsroom can be like a beauty salon mixed with middle school.  Everyone is so unsure of themselves and yet they want to be the most popular, the smartest and, of course, the prettiest. (even the men)  There are anchor women who will tear you apart just tossing to the weather guy when it was “their turn”  I have tons of terrible “girl on girl” stories of how female co-workers tried to destroy me and my reputation.  But, today I want to deliver a ray of light ladies.

Years ago SHEINELLE JONES and I were hearing about a third woman talking about us and some of the other women in the newsroom.  Sheinelle is one of the nicest and most candid women I know.  I looked at her in the make-up room and I said how about we try “no girl on girl crime”?  I said if enough of us think it’s cool to be nice to each other … the one or two mean girls will have to see it and try to be nicer… right?  I don’t throw it out there a lot because it can be hard to explain.  But I was recently talking to women who star in the movie “OCEANS 8”    

I said ” YOU GIRLS TOTALLY HAD EACH OTHERS BACKS IN THIS MOVIE… LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS NO ‘GIRL ON GIRL CRIME’  The women you see pictured above … Sandra Bullock , Mindy Kailing and Sarah Paulson  instantly got it !!  Sandra said, ” that should be a t-shirt”

It’s not always easy to be nice.  There are days when even my closest friends piss me off. But, on those days, I use a direct approach and a sprinkle of kindness. Hey, your pictures on FACEBOOK looked so nice, I wish I was invited to that party … blah blah blah  Sheinelle and I were soooo straight with each other that I could say, ” I am so jealous that you get to do such and such … but make sure you wear this dress”  I was willing to admit that I was jealous , but, instead of destroying her opportunity I was also willing to help her make the best of it.  When I see her looking fierce on THE TODAY SHOW I tell her.  When Kathy Orr ( our FOX 29 weather anchor) looks great … I send her a text during the 6pm news.  Sue Serio has a great outfit on ? She gets a text too !!

As women it is our responsibility to help each other … being nice is not boring !  It can be so damn fun to see your friends win.  I love women who are getting attention for the positive cool stuff they are doing.  I do like when my friends say nice things to me.  I also like it when they are willing to show me where I have made mistakes.

It’s easier than you think … and , by the way, our sons and daughters are watching.  It’s one thing to say ” be nice”  It’s quite another to set a regular example.  Remember, NICE IS NOT BORING.  Ride the roller coasters … just wait your turn… be nice even during the craziest days.

So, as I was watching the ROYAL WEDDING today I was reminded what a ROYAL PAIN IN THE ASS it is to try to look cute.  Last week I primped like it was my ROYAL WEDDING … Diddy, Fergie, Taraji and Ryan Reynolds were in my future and I was determined to look less carpool more …. well, less carpool.  Step one hair and skin. ( see below)

Yes, I went and had a face scrub aka dermawhatever at DEME.  Then, Rosa at Salon Rosa M in Narberth cut in some layers … she later called to see if I was able to do my hair with these new layers.  A sign that she has zero faith in my glam skills.  Next I spray tanned and got some eyelash extensions at CRYOMYST THERAPY LOUNGE in Haverford. My kids asked if I was auditioning for Jersey Shore Grandma division. KIDS – YOU SUCK !!

It was A LOT of primping. The most primping , scrubbing, lotion-ing I have done since … well … it’s been awhile.  Why am I telling you all this ? The point is it takes a ton of work to look “ok” … I have no clue what it takes to deliver “amazing”. Once I was all lotion-ed up I went to NYC to interview a ton of bigshots and attend a few FOX related events.  When  I returned to our Philly newsroom my bosses and friends said I looked cute when I was working with the celebs.  But there is something they have not seen yet…

… working with these celebrities means working 20 hour days. I was on hour 17 when it was time to talk to Diddy and Fergie. What my bosses, friends and Rosa the hair stylist have not seen yet is that at one point I did quit trying to look good.  In the middle of the day I got so sick and tired of looking cute that I just gave up and put my hair in a damn ponytail.  Diddy appears to love the look … AM I RIGHT?

Whatever Diddy, Fergie and I obviously bff’s now.

But, honestly, after I took this picture I felt terrible.  Like all that damn primping was a monster waste of time and money.  I wanted to just put on my jammies and order room service ( truffle fries obvi) and cry.

But, I didn’t.  I went back to my hotel and re-fixed myself up AGAIN.

I got back on track people !!

I can do this !!!

I then took my re-glammed self back out and walked the Red Carpet for the Deadpool 2 premiere.  I re-glammed with some crap I found in the bottom of my purse and the hotel q-tips.  The dress selected by Alisa Frederico ( our station stylist) delivered a boost of confidence too.  I would have never picked this dress. I was worried about wearing it. I thought about NOT wearing it.  I’m not known for wearing sexy shit like this.  At the end of the 20 hours .. 4 outfits later, it was my favorite look of the day. Guess it’s time for me to re-examine my closet. (guess that’s AF is so popular in our newsroom)

The lesson? You (and me) can do this glamazon routine without going to 9 spas to have 14 treatments.  We can do this with the Pantene in the shower and the weird mask we bought last year at Sephora (it’s right there under your sink … I know it is)    Also, I wanted you guys to know that there is no super special hair and make-up team for all the girls you see on TV.  Some do have a squad , but, most of us do not.  We are finding talented help right in our own hood.  So, shave your legs. Seriously, shave them today. Throw on some self tanner and show those girls in carline that you are dead sexy !! You can do this … if I can EVERYONE can.

CHEAP , SCARY & FUN !! That’s the kind of nonsense I like to drag my family into.

A few weeks ago, during Spring Break, we hit the Myakka State Park in Florida. Inside one of the rivers there were dozens of gators.  My Dad, husband and two kids were in there too! Yes, some people were at Disney. No, we are not that type of ‘family’.

Bottom line, this is the time of year for scaring the crap out of yourself and the kids !!  The weather is finally getting nice & no one is on vacation in these cool spots just yet.  State & County Parks have all the gear you need to rent and all the bugs and animals we all need to see.  Yes, I know it’s weird to encourage you guys to seek out gators and bugs. BUT, WHO ELSE IS GOING TO DO IT?? Go check out the sharks, dolphins and red fox too !!  This time last year my crew and our kids were walking and we literally found a horse farm tucked away into a neighbor’s property. INSANE, YES?

Seriously, you can drive just about an hour from any neighborhood and find this stuff.  You have to use common sense , of course, when you are dealing with gators and water sports.  But, even a bike ride through a deer infested field can give you a little thrill.  We all (me included) need to get off of our phones and back into the world around us.  A great challenge can make you feel like you are back in charge of your life.  Forget the Boss. Forget the friend across the street who just got a boob job & a new car.  The world is waiting for all of us to explore.

I do know that for some of you living in the Northeast a weekend trek to Southwest Florida is not exactly easy.  But, I am telling you there is plenty to see and do in your own backyard.  YOU WILL THANK ME IF YOU ACTUALLY GO TRY SOMETHING NEW.  That lady with the boob job will still be sitting around taking selfies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK… so a lot of people have been checking in.  Typically they are checking in as I am pressing a drink to my lips or throwing some food in my belly WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE ??

The truth is … it’s been about 3 weeks and I have lost 2 1/2 pounds .. almost 2 pounds !! I’ve stopped eating Cheetos at 10am.  Cut my gummy bear habit down to one serving ( like 15 gummys) twice a week and I am eating more veggies. I’m even eating those pre-mixed grocery store salads. I’m eating more veggies each day than I have in years … like since I was since I was preggers.

SPEAKING OF BEING PREGGERS. I ain’t but I was …

When we women get ‘knocked up’ we tend to follow all these rules. No wine. No sushi. No processed meat. WHY AREN’T WE DOING THAT AFTER THE BABY ??  Sure, you tried and hopefully succeeded in dropping that baby weight , but, you ( like me) probably ditched the diet when the baby started eating the good stuff. WE LOVE THE FRENCH FRIES, TATER TOTS, and CHICKEN NUGGETS the kids leave behind… right?  Well, put that crap in a to-go container and don’t touch it. DO NOT TOUCH IT !!

What else is working ?? I am avoiding the chips, pretzels and Oreos in the snack cabinet by eating a half or a whole yummy avocado with sea salt each afternoon. It’s 250 calories but it fills me up and it’s “healthy” fat.  Honestly, I am not eating too many carbs at all… especially at night. (except the vino)   Bottom line – I am not going too crazy I am just being consistent and… IT’S WOOOOOOOORKING.

TRUST THE PROCESS PEOPLE !! TRUST THE DAMN PROCESS …

I think the more weeks I am doing this – the easier it gets.  Love having you all here for the ride.

PUT THE CHIPS DOOOOOOOOOOWN.