Off To Christine's Wedding!

Christine is getting married this evening, so TR and I and Andre are off to Westport for the festivities, which apparently will include a 14-piece band.

Photos, etc. will be up tomorrow.

At Meg's wedding, August 2007. It was insanely humid that day.


Here are Christine and I with Liz, last weekend's bride, at a party in early 2006.


Here they are again, at Meg's wedding in 2007. All anyone does around here is get married.

André -- Six Weeks Old!

André in his Boppy, originally uploaded by thomasr9.

Where does the time go?

It's Liz And Jared's Wedding!

You know it's business as usual on Planet Pauline when I'm busting out the hot rollers and cocktail dresses to go to a wedding. Last night Liz and Jared were wed, and it was one of the best weddings I've been to in a long time. Also, we left Andre with La Madre in Manhattan, so TR and I could tear it up sans baby. Full set here.

Who let this guy out of Savile Row?


In the cab to Grand Central. Off we go to Whitby Castle! And the open bar!


The Metro North was an abysmal experience, as usual. Right outside Mamaroneck the train had some "electrical problems" and I was only slightly surprised the whole thing didn't burst into flames. The good news: They reupholstered many of the seats.


I've known Liz since the sixth grade. I think I told her about one hundred times how wonderful she looked. Best. Bride. Ever.


Liz and I caught up in the ladies' lounge before the reception.


Amazing band.


Everyone loves wedding cake!


Hello, champagne. It's been a while, old friend. I don't know what kind was in the champagne toast, but it was eye-poppingly good.


With Lauren and Meg. Old skool friends from Norwalk.


Lauren et Meg. No one ages on Planet Pauline


Lauren et moi. There simply wasn't enough time hear all her stories about her nine month jaunt crossing the African continent. Kenya to South Africa. (Lions and elephants and wildebeasts!) Those highlights, by the way, are courtesy of the sub-Saharan sun, not a bottle.


TR et moi et les fleurs


End of the night -- still lookin' sharp.

Happy Birthday, TR!!

Age 32, and already a husband, big poppa and a friend to all cats.

Last night, at dinner. These photos look suspiciously like the ones we took last year, except we didn't have a kid.


Nothing gets between a man and his giant lobster.

Photos From Around Town

I make a point of leaving the apartment at least once a day, just so that I don't go stir crazy. Of course I always have my camera with me.

TR and I have a few weddings to go to over the next few weeks, and so I stopped into the Housing Works thrift shop to find a dress, since I'm still a little doughy and I'm not paying a lot of money for something I won't wear in a few weeks.

This dress was on a huge rack of evening wear. I pity the bridesmaid who had to wear it. What's worse, Housing Works wanted $450 for it, since it's from some kind of bridal couture designer. Also: a size 2! The thing is, this dress would actually work if it weren't Pepto Bismal pink. Black, green, heck, even white would be fine.


A million struggling writers audibly groaned when they saw that Mary Jo Buttafuoco got a book deal and they didn't. The title's kind of genius, though. Who on earth would buy this?


Taking the whole pop culture vampire theme too far. This ad doesn't even make sense.


Peppe and Val, plotting their escape from 21 stories up.


One of these days...one of these days...

Keeping with my recent theme of questioning self-help books, this is Sarah Haskin's latest bit on Current TV about dating advice books. It's hysterical, like all her videos.

Seriously, though. There are only two dating books any young woman needs to read in order to stop the shame spiral of making an ass of yourself when it comes to men. It's called a formula because it works.

Although I've never read any of her books, I always agree wholeheartedly with anything Patti Stanger, from The Millionaire Matchmaker has to say. She's harsh, but usually spot-on.

Wicked Game: Why Do Almost All Men Love This Song And Video?

Apropo of nothing, this morning TR blurted out, "Wicked Game! That video is so hot!" My head almost imploded, because he is the umpteenth guy I've known who has felt exactly the same way about that video. I've also never known a guy, born in the 1970s or earlier, who didn't own Chris Isaak's CD (yes, I just said CD). Or, for that matter, James Brown's greatest hits. What does that signify?

What is it about this video and song? It does nothing for me, mostly because I think it's far too typical of early 90s, black and white videos that try too hard to be arty. Also, the song drags a bit. Then again, maybe I have no appreciation for the Art of Seduction. Judge for yourself.


Personally, I like Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do" video much better, which looks spookily similar and is much more digestible. It's got a good beat, and I can dance to it. Janet's never looked better than she did in this video.


And while we're on the subject of black and white, early 90s Janet Jackson videos, "Rhythm Nation" must get a mention. Amazing on so many levels, from choreography to concept to direction.

Everyone Naps On The Bed -- Except Me

All my fellas took a Sunday afternoon nap. 80% of the household, and 100% of the males, fit on a full sized bed. Don't mind me, I'll just curl up on the couch. No worries!

Andre -- one month old now! -- and Valentino

I'm Confused. What Power Do I Need?

Oh, self help books. You are a constant source of comic fodder.

If you need some self help, here are the only two phrases you need, according to me:

Do or do not, there is no try. -- Yoda

Make it work. -- Tim Gunn

If you are a young woman, read He's Just Not That Into You and then never again complain if a guy doesn't call. If he likes you, he'll call.

If you ever want to get married, read Closing The Deal and pay special attention to Chapter Five, which is about emotional maturity. Basically, it says that if you're an emotional spaz, no man will want you, so dry it up and act like a lady.

Dont' you feel better already?

Peppe Got A Lion's Cut!

What? You don't shave your cat? He's lookin' sharp for summer!

, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

I don't know where this photo is from (I found it on Twitter) but it's awesome.

When Am I Going Back To Work? Who Said I Ever Left?

I barely had Andre a month ago and people are already asking when I'm headed back to work. Truth is, I feel like I never left, since I've been fielding phone calls and e-mails since back in June. In fact, while I was in Labor & Delivery and waiting for the Pitocin to kick in, I got emails from several people, including a past client who just wanted to tell me how much she loved the apartment I found for her.

Today I dropped off keys for an exclusive that I have down on Sullivan Street that I need to rent by August 1. That said, if you or someone you know needs a one bedroom on Sullivan and Bleeker, let me know. It's $2795 and no fee. It's perfect for a young professional or a student. Elevator and laundry in the building. Great closets.

The bottom line is that it's summer, and it kills me to be out of the game. I do, however, realize that I have a kid, so I'm most likely limited to taking clients out on weekends. Serious clients, of course. No one who just wants to look to see what's out there. Sales clients are ideal, but summer is the season of rentals, and I can rock a rental like it's no one's business.

Unrelated: Apparently if I'd named my boy Ivan, like I initially wanted to, he would have become a common criminal. Boo.

The Quotable TR: Monday Edition!

Me: Once you have your house with enough room for a chicken coop, maybe you should consider some free roaming peacocks as well?

TR: No. No peacocks. I don't like peacocks. They remind me of Liberace.

I Don't Say Enough Nice Things About My Office

I took Andre by the office yesterday and he was a big hit.

My office is a busy, albeit nutty place. Since it's in Chelsea it's one of the higher-producing offices in the company. At times it can be loud and the jokes and antics can make even me blush, and I'm the queen of the inappropriate joke. After working there for over a year I think I would also transition well onto a trading floor, if based only on my ability to make crude wise cracks back at a room full of men who are all trying to make money.

Nom. Nom. Nom.


Here is my assistant manager Kim and I back in November, after we stumbled upon a German restaurant on Second Avenue near 86th Street. They served a mean schnitzel.


Here is Vasilios, the old family friend who suggested one day over brunch that I go into real estate because I would make more money than in journalism. He was right! I gave him that Chia Head as a thank you.

Pop was in town for a few days, so he got to meet Andre. Andre was quite the crowd pleaser.

Future conductor or evangelist?

Andre at Strawberry Fields

, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

Seinfeld Ugly Baby Episode

I always fear that this is what people say after meeting Andre. Ha!

Seriously a great episode, and I'm not a hardcore Seinfeld fan, either.

Disney Marrige Proposal

I'm not sure if this is the sweetest or the weirdest marriage proposal I've ever seen. How do these videos even find me?

It's long, but well worth watching if only for shock value.

Classic Fourth of July Photos!

Under normal circumstances I would have pics to share a few days after the Fourth Of July of the parties and BBQs that I went to. This year, there are slightly different circumstances and I was not able to go to any.

Keeping up with the spirit of nostalgia that's been all over this blog lately, I went into the archives and dug up some fave shots from Fourths of July past.

But not to worry! At the end of the month I'm headed to two weddings, and wedding photos are what started this blog in the first place. Def stay tuned!

In 2005 I ping ponged around the tri-state area on Fourth of July weekend. I went to Connecticut and then to Mattituck and then came back to Connecticut. I would like to know how, on a journalist's salary, I managed to pay for all those bus and train tickets.

My friend Jon on the beach in Mattituck. I took this shot with a disposable camera.


Same sunset, different angle. Still a disposable camera.


At Jon's house in Mattituck. Why do I pose like this?


Pensive at 2:00 a.m. at Jen's place in Fairfield.


Watching fireworks on my roof on 20th Street. I don't know why I had so many black and white photos in 2005.


2006. Completely sober at fireworks in Old Greenwich. I took my five-year-old cousin to them.


Coolest little cousin evs.


A few days later at a family party in Connecticut. That's La Madre and my two brothers and I.


My brother Rob and I. Growing up, everyone thought we were twins. We're actually 18 months apart.


Why do I have no shots from 2007?

Impromptu jazz at a backyard BBQ in Brooklyn in 2008.


Jen et moi.