The Millionaire Matchmaker

OK, so I am totally hooked on the Bravo show "Millionaire Matchmaker". I'm not quite sure why. I'm happily married, but I still can't stop watching it. I think that Patti Stanger, the CEO of the company, really has some valid points when it comes to dating and relationships.

Most of the millionaires are men, and when I'm watching it, I can't believe what I hear sometimes from these guys. I am thinking that if I were single, I would never, ever date most of these guys, and I'm not surprised that they have not found love. And many of them are just plain cocky. UGHGHH!!! One guy actually asked a woman that he just must met how hot she thought he was. I would never go out with a guy like that, no matter how good-looking or rich. Another guy urinated during their date. Are you kidding me???? This other guy took his date to a "junk haul". I would just die.

Well, this is very entertaining, but at the same time, Patti really knows what she's talking about. She said that "men are like microwaves". They heat up in 5 seconds. They see a girl, and they want to be with her physically. Women are not so much like a microwave, but take some time to heat up slowly. I believe that.

I love that she's so honest and open and ruthless. It's sheer entertainment.

Lila.

Winter blues

Well, I have to say that I grew up in the Midwest, so I have always experienced winter, but I still hate the cold, driving in the horrendous traffic since Madison does such a crappy job of clearing the streets (my own opinion). Apparently, they try to only plow and use salt minimally for the sake of the environment. That's a great idea, but hopefully no human lives are lost due to saving lives of the fish in our waters. OK. This is not a political rant, so I will stop at that. I just wanted to say that the main reason I love winter is because of the fashion.

I mean, if we lived in California, we would never get to wear amazing coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, winter boots, etc. I mean, I do see some people in warmer climates wearing these items, but not the real deal. REALLY warm, thick, and fuzzy. Clothes that are functional and keep you warm. Would you ever see anyone in Cali wearing this coat? Not. Maybe only if on vacation.

And what about hats and scarves? Well, I am not a hat person, but check out these adorable headbands. Keeps your ears warm, and you look cute!!! I still haven't been able to pick out which one I want. And it won't ruin your hair as much!!!

Well, I really hated Madison when I moved here. I came from Chicago and felt that I was overdressed and that no one really cared about the way they looked. The first time I walked down State Street I was wearing leather pants, and my husband told me that he wouldn't be seen with me with those on here. Too bad!!! I've lived here for 12 years and have grown to "appreciate" Madison, but looking great and having a great style has definitely made the winter blues go away a little bit. I love hot chocolate, but I love coming home with a great sweater and enjoying my hot chocolate in it!!!!

I guess I'll always be a midwest girl. And I still wear leather pants down State Street.

Lila

Why a girly-girl needs a son.

Top ten reasons that a girly-girl adores having a little boy:

10) I am very well-educated in "boy" stuff like the latest super-heroes and other characters.

9) I am in such great shape because of playing baseball and football on a daily basis.\

8) I know all of the current sports greats, including the best pitchers, football quarterbacks, receivers, race car drivers, etc.

7) My son is great at math, since I have been quizzing him on batting averages and other scores in football and/or basketball.

6) He tells me that I'm "pretty for a girl".

5) For the first time in my life, I learned how to play video games.

4) I have accepted getting down and dirty, playing outside, in the mud, leaves, etc., whatever a little boy gets into.

3) He wants to live with me when he gets married, and he will only marry a girl who loves football like myself.

2) He's super cheap when it comes to clothes. Just t-shirts and jeans.

1) He loves me no matter what.

Lila
Madison, WI

shopping for fall clothes

It all started when I was almost a teenager, and all of my friends would go shopping for school clothes. Well, my parents didn't really believe in this concept.

First of all, they argued that nothing was on sale. Secondly, my father believed that we only needed one shirt(preferably an oxford), one pair of pants (an ugly pair of pleated khakis), and one pair of shoes (loafers). Well, he was strict in other ways too. He never let myself or my 2 sisters date; therefore, we always babysat; therefore, we always had plenty of money. We would go shopping (my mom was in on this too). We would come home, and one of us would distract my father while the other two hid all of our packages in the bushes. We snuck them in when he went to sleep.

This is not the end of the saga. We had to change in the car on the way to school since he would never let us wear what we purchased. Yes. This is how it all started. The beginning of three fashionistas. My sisters and I all have our own style now, and we still love to go fall shopping. It's so exciting to see all of the new styles, the beautiful new fall sweaters, coats, boots, hats. We also used to love the smell of our new clothes.

I don't know what it is, but there definitely is a new smell. I still love it. I have a daughter now, and she is starting to develop her own style. I've decided that I will not stifle it, and we go shopping together, and it is as much fun as I had always imagined it to be. It is very special. So many reasons to love fall, but this is the main one for me; well, except for maybe daylight savings time.

Lila
Madison, WI