Remember This?

Does everyone remember the Chandra Levy case? This happened while I was still in college, but I remember pre-9/11 that this dominated the news.

The Washington Post is doing a special 12-day series, "Who Killed Chandra Levy?" It started on Sunday and is incredibly interesting. I highly recommend reading this. They did an amazing job putting this together.

Here's the Post's description:

The Washington Post spent a year reconstructing the disappearance of Chandra Levy and the investigation into her death. Reporters interviewed police officials, investigators and suspects, many for the first time, and obtained details about dozens of previously unknown private conversations and events, including former Rep. Gary Condit's first interview with the newspaper in seven years.

The Post's examination of the case will unfold in a 12-chapter serial and epilogue in print and online. The serial will show how the sensational nature of the media coverage quickly overwhelmed the investigation. It will expose the fleeting acts that later loomed large and will reveal undisclosed clues, meaningful and false: a DNA swab in a dark parking lot, Chandra's last computer search, a conversation with a jailhouse informant who said he had the key to the case. In the end, the serial will reveal how an enormous effort by the D.C. police, the FBI and prosecutors was undercut by a chain of mistakes, a misdirected focus and missed opportunities that allowed a killer to escape justice.

Food-filled Birthday

In honor of my birthday, Dan and I both took the day off yesterday. it was a perfect summer day, and I had an amazing day.

I think I can classify this birthday as "day of food." I am still full - a good 15 hours after our dinner last night.

Dan started the day by cooking me breakfast - bacon and eggs. He even served me and did all the dishes. Good man, isn’t he? I actually didn't do any cooking or kitchen labor of any kind yesterday. We even went out for morning coffee.

For lunch, we went to Zaytinya. It is a tapas-style, Greek/Mediterranean restaurant. It was really tasty.

I ate sauce people!

For anyone who knows me – or even reads this blog – knows that I eat most things plain. But most of the dishes we ate had yogurt-based toppings, so they didn't resemble a traditional condiment. I’m so brave!



Fast forward seven hours to dinner. We went to Charlie Palmer's steakhouse. We had a gift certificate that we got from my coworkers before we got married that we still hadn't used so we figured we should finally do so! I'm sure I left the place about 5 lbs heavier.

The fun thing about Charlie Palmer's is they kept on bringing out complimentary tastings from the chef. A small crab-apple salad and a plate of truffles for dessert, but also a plate of mustard for our steaks. (it went untouched obviously!)



I'm not sure I could even be paid a large sum of money to eat what lies on this plate!

All in all, I had a really awesome (filling) birthday.

DIY Mani-Pedi

I was in a girly mood yesterday, so I decided to pamper myself and treat myself to a pedicure and manicure. Do-it-yourself style!

Now I've been known to plunk down some dollar for shoes and I love my beauty products, but I feel so darn guilty paying money to get my nails done. I really see it as a treat and hardly ever get a salon pedicure or manicure. Maybe once or twice a year? Seriously, I even saved a gift card Dan got me for a pedicure once and it actually expired. I was so mad when I finally went to use it!

So yesterday I sat down with my Ped Egg, nail clippers and file, scrubs, creams and a bright summer polish. My sister got me a pedicure kit for my birthday, and that came in handy for this. It even had toe separators!

There's something about polished nails that makes me feel so put together. I used a polish from Essie's Neon Collection called Bermuda Shorts. I love Essie polish because it is very fast drying and you only need one or two coats to achieve the bottle color. I used two coats on both my hands and feet and used a top coat to get the shine factor.

It's much brighter in person - think Barbie fuchsia

Now I have to try my best to remain chip-free all week! I've got a date on Wednesday with my husband - he's taking me out for my birthday:)

All in the Family

I think I started a family trend. My sister Tammy started a blog this week!

She blogs about life and family, but also on her love for fitness! As she calls it - obsession of the fittest.

My sister is doing a triathlon on Sunday - her second one. Actually, my non-blogging sister Tricia is doing it as well. I feel so pathetic compared to them - I'm really impressed with my sistas!


Tammy (left) and Tricia. Co-matrons of honor at my wedding. Sexy dresses, yeah?

Welcome to the internets Tammy! And good luck on Sunday - not that you need it of course:)

Bobbi Brown Does it Again

I’ve professed my love for Bobbi Brown before. I’ve also mentioned that her long-wear gel liner is a must-have in any girl’s makeup bag.

Seriously, the stuff rocks. It glides on like magic and stays on forever. I wear it on the hottest, most humid days in D.C. and it doesn’t crease or smudge.

I’ve sort of developed a tiny obsession with these liners. I also am a big fan of Clinique’s Brush-on Cream liner.

My collection. It keeps growing.

Bobbi Brown recently released her Fall 2008 Mauve Collection. It’s very pretty and – you guessed it – a new liner was released as well! Ms. Brown gave us a real treat with the new Black Mauve Shimmer. It’s a black mauve color infused with bronze and gold pearl pigments.

I say the color is a mix of brown, black, plum and bronze. I’m not sure how you define “black mauve” but I say it’s just beautiful. It has a lot of dimension and isn’t your typical matte shade.

I highly recommend this shade. It’s very versatile and can be layered with shadows or just by itself with a coat of mascara. I promise your eyes will pop!

Shoe Lust

It’s starting to happen! Fall collections are rolling out and I’m falling hard and fast.

Never mind that it is a hot summer day and only July! Sure I like sandals, wedges and fun summer shoes enough, but my true loves are boots and pumps.

A few shoes in particular are calling out to me right now.

First we have the Calvin Klein Nana.

The description is spot on!

"A unique and sassy leather pump, this shoe has a stiletto heel with strips of leather sewn together over the vamp for texture. The straps are met with black loops on the outside of the shoe creating a funky effect. The peep-toe gives this shoe a flirty feminine touch. "

I’ll stalk these for awhile – wait to find a good coupon or sale and then BAM – they’ll be mine.

Next, we have a gorgeous shoe from Michael Kors. It was love at first sight when I saw these yesterday in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog I got in the mail.

The sale starts next Friday! They are available in this beautiful red or in coffee or black. I’m pretty sure I am going to make these mine next week.

What do you think – coffee or red?

Why DeAnna, Why?

I feel so deceived!

Anybody tune in to the finale of The Bachelorette last night?

This season has been so good - maybe the best - in my opinion. Last week I was devastated after she dumped Jeremy. I thought about it for days, but decided that it was okay because she would pick Jason.

Hot, sexy, sweet, romantic Jason.

Never in a million years did I think she would pick Jesse. Don't get me wrong, he seems like a nice enough guy but I didn't see the connection during the show. They just shared their first kiss practically and now they're engaged!?

That said, his proposal was heartfelt and when she was describing her feelings for him I gained new perspective.

I just didn't think she'd go for the long-haired, no-lips, no-job snowboarder. And I was mad at her for letting Jason get down on one knee. I hope he or Jeremy gets to be the next Bachelor.

Anyone watch the After the Final Rose? I went to bed after seeing Shayne and Matt (who by the way are really cute together!) What was the big surprise announcement?