Operation Tubetop

I'm up! It is 7:30 a.m. on New Year's Day. Tired? Yes. But I'm feeling ready for this year! 2012 was an interesting year. I started working again, the Kid started daycare, the Kid infected us with a multitude of diseases. It was by far the most exhausting year, even challenging one, but I think 2012 was a "prep" year. Meaning, I think I've laid the groundwork for something absolutely awesome in 2013. Something, anything! And it wouldn't be a New Year's Day post without a list of resolutions. I like resolutions because I like lists. Lists keep me sane. I list everything. I list you not. 1) Get to my final goal weight! Over Christmas I set my mouth on high and hoovered everything on sight. Good thing we don't own rodents, they wouldn't have survived. I went a little nutso with the cookies and the cakes and the hot chocolate and the White Russians and the candy and the pasta and the pizza and the cheese and the... well... you get the point!

I love giving gifts. It truly is a joy for me. Yes, receiving is awesome but giving, in a way, is so much awesomer. I like to search for the perfect gift. I spend time thinking about the person I am buying for. Sometimes it is a challenge but that is the whole fun of it. Sometimes I make gifts because sometimes someone has everything they want so sometimes a handmade gift just fits the bill. It isn't about the money, it is the thought. I have received so many awesome gifts throughout my life. Just yesterday, during our office Secret Santa, I received a spectacular gift (it helps that one of my bestest friends in the world is a co-worker and happened to pick moi and she knows me so so so well). I got this! SQUEAL!!! Dresses for everybody! I'll Oprah you all with dresses! This book comes with patterns! I be so psyched!!! But yes, while receiving is great. Giving is awesome. Last year, I have to admit, I was disappointed with the Husband's gift giving. Before you call m

As women, we all have to do it. It ain't fun but it is neccessary. This holiday season I am reminding you to visit your gyno- it could save your life. Breast exams too, ladies! I had my appointment yesterday. In Austria you go every 6 months for a punani check up. I always feel like I should have had a couple of drinks before the appointment. I rarely let the Husband hug me until I've had a couple of glasses of wine and yet I'm expected to be completely sober while being fondled by an almost stranger? Where's the romance? I like to dress up before my appointments. My doc has an incredible looking waiting room, with incredible looking patients and I refuse to feel like a hobbit once again. See below for Winter outfit for gyno visit. Note the Chanel earrings. I do not have genital piercings nor the feeling of joy about seeing the dr. Going to the gyno is not fun and in Europe, it is even more awkward for this North American. They don't give you gowns. One time

I love Christmas films and I feel like I am cheated if I don't get to watch my favourite ones every year... And these are my absolutely must-see favourite ones! Love Actually- This film makes me bawl like a baby being raised by me. I watched this when the Husband and I were dating and the funeral scene gets me every.single.time... Oh and the scene with Emma Thompson listening to Joni Mitchell after she realises her husband (I forgive you Alan Rickman! I love you...) has cheated on her... oh dear. I die. Elf- My sister sent me this DVD a few years ago and it is already a classic... according to people on Christmas message boards. Will Ferrell is amazing as an Elf and some of the one-liners are incredible. Love love love. "You sit on a throne of lies." National Lampoons Christmas Vacation- I watched this on Monday for probably the 20th time. Juliette Lewis in her best role. Chevy Chase is still my closet crush. This film still makes me LOL and those reindeer eggnog mu

It was such an incredible weekend. A weekend I have been dreaming about since having birthed the Kid. Saturday was spent making cookies while the Kid spent hours opening and closing the fridge. At one point he tried to sit in it. Hot flashes, kiddo? We listened to Christmas music and played and it was all so Norman Rockwell Christmas perfect puke a candy cane some kind of wonderful. On Sunday we had friends over for dunch and we set up a wrestling ring for the kids. It was funny to see the Kid interact with another toddler on his home turf. Initially I was a little worried but at the end they seemed to have bonded. Our son, sigh, kept hiding the other kid's Hot Wheels in the fridge. We're so proud... For the dunch, I made baked fajitas, pizza in a Christmas tree shape, bagels and salmon (cause we got to represent the Jewism), quiche and salad. And of course, sugar cookies. Here is the Christmas tree pizza. There was a lot of dough left, so I made this innapropriate chee

I made this the past week and I was worried at first that it was a little too tablecloth-cult-tunic like but then I added the green ribbon belt and voila! Christmas dress. The colours are amazing but the camera doesn't show that. And the pictures aren't very flattering and I hadn't put on lipstick yet... But this is the dress. Second shot One colleague said I looked like something out of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy... vintagey and Mad Men-esque. I shall marry him one day.

I am obsessed with Village Vitamin E and Coconut All Over Body Cream. In the winter my skin is horribly dry, scale-like if you will. After trying out various types of body creams, I finally discovered Village a couple of years ago and every Winter I slap this shit on allover. It is thick and takes a few minutes to rub in but it doesn't leave a greasy residue or make it difficult to open door knobs. I love this stuff. The Husband hates body creams, face creams, and lip gloss. It's his kryptonite... Winter is a cold and lonely place for him. On the other hand, I'm all supple and coconutty.

The Christmas markets are absolutely spectacular in this city and while we used to go all the time every Christmas season, it is harder with a toddler and we have avoided them for the most part. Crowds, carriage, angry two year and a crowd hating Tova is not a good combo. So I decided to ask the Nanny to stay later so that I could surprise the Husband with a date night at one of the Christmas markets. We met up at 6, had some Glühwein and picked our ornaments. As a kid we used to do this at the German and Austrian markets and now The Husband and I do it every year and now for the past 2 years we pick an ornament for the Kid as well. This is the one I picked out. I lurve it. But anyway, after the market we headed to our favourite local restaurant and had dinner. It was snowing and it was so freaking perfect. I've realised that even though we spend plenty o time in the evenings just the two of us, it makes a huge difference to actually go out and enjoy each other's company

The other night I was tucked in bed and thinking about Christmas. I freaking love Christmas and well Hanukkah, too. Hi Mom. But Christmas growing up was always amazing. We would open gifts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meant a Santa gift as well and Chinese food in the evening (that's Jewish right there). Santa gifts were great and I can't wait for Raphael to be aware of Santa so that I can blackmail him in the months leading up to Christmas. "You touch that lamp one more time and Santa won't come. Or he'll come and take Teddy to work in his sweatshop. That's right, walk away from the lamp. Sucker." But as I thought about Christmas past, I came up with a theory as to why Santa usually stays clear of Jewish houses... Two words: Jewish mothers. Think about it. Santa's pretty successful. He's got a multinational corporation, staff, and is famous. Ergo, the perfect son in law. Picture Santa showing up at the Rosenbaum's. Mrs. Rosenbaum wou

As I mentioned previously, this week's goal was to complete 3 Pinterest things I had pinned. I got to do 2. This was the original idea: So cute! But all I had was a long camel coloured V-neck sweater so I decided to do a slight change. I cut out a heart shape in the back and attached the ribbons there. It was so super easy to day and I love it. See below. Now I must find more sweaters! MORE!! I'm going to be doing this for days! Maybe I could do a men's verision... instead of ribbons, maybe leather and sweat. Love.

Day 4 of being a housewife. The Kid is at daycare and our super duper Nanny picks him up at 3. I'm living the dream kids, living the dream. For the past 4 days I have dropped off the Kid, headed to the gym and have gotten my fitness on. It feels incredible and I am going to use every minute of these 3 weeks to do what I need to do. In other news, I did almost have to smack a bitch yesterday and I am not a violent or confrontational person. At the gym, in the women's section, there are 3 crosstrainers. 2 have "handles" to pump your arms and one doesn't. Even though I usually don't use the arm things I prefer the machines that have them. 35 minutes in, a woman came over and told me I should use the one without handles since I was wasn't using them anyway and she needed to use them for her workout. I gave her my glare and told her in my scary voice that I would be done shortly and continued on for another 5 minutes. Fuming. I got off slowly and headed to th

So I made the supposedly best White Chicken Enchilada ever and I have to say it was pretty darn good... The one downside, I don't think I can eat cheese again for a while. The dish is sinful and I think it might be a once a year dish. I actually followed the recipe to the letter and I am currently suffering heart palpatations. You can find the recipe  here  and down below is the picture of the finished product. I don't think I can look at it right now. The cheese, it kills. I plan to spend the afternoon making low fat blueberry muffins and searching for my Spanx.

Day 2 of not working and I am in Heaven! The Kid's lung infection has cleared up and he is back at daycare and I have all the time in the world. Yesterday I hit the gym, met friends for lunch, made quiche and then met a friend for drinks. So this is what A Real Housewife does! Bliss. On Saturday night we (I) decorated our apartment for Christmas and it is rocking. Please note pictures below. If you have a white fake Christmas tree, you might as well go over the top tacky. And the Husband picked this up on Sunday for me... He knows me so well. As I mentioned last week, I's got some Pinterest stuff to do. Tonight I am making the so-called best white chicken enchilada eva and I am curious if this is true. I will post my review tomorrow. The rest of today will be comprised of a gym visit, Christmas card writing, shopping for Christmas gifts and most likely a quick stop at a Christmas market because Mommy hasn't been to one yet. My life rocks!!

As I have mentioned before, I am hooked on Pinterest. But having so little time, I am unable to do, like, all of the things I have pinned on my recipe board and craft board. But, come December, I will have a lot of time and these are the things I will be trying. Stay tuned for updates. Pinterest Attempt 1 This bow on a sweater. Looks easy enough. I think I will try to make that next Wednesday. Pinterest Attempt 2 Redesigned t-shirt. Might have to steal one from the Husband. Might get in trouble. Pinterest Attempt 3 Apparently dubbed the best chicken enchiladas ever. We'll just see about that. Making those on Tuesday.... yeeeeahhhh. Tomorrow is my last day of work for a few months. I am a little sad to be leaving a great place but am pretty hopeful that I will be back come Spring. But I am also grateful to have all this free time to do shit and what not and be a lady who lunches, in front of the TV, drinking, alone. Tonight I am heading to a friend's pla

I'm a rookie parent. My son is just under 2 and I have just one child so I am by no means an expert on parenting so don't think I'll be offering advice. I know shit all. But I was thinking the other day about what I imagined life would be after the Kid came a long and realised even though I thought I knew what to expect, I really had no idea. And so, here is my list of what to really expect. Expectation: Exhaustion . For years I have heard friends and countrymen go on and on and on about how tired they are due to their children's sleeping habits. I knew, that once the Kid came along, sleep would not be as available as before but I thought, how hard can it be ? Reality : How hard can it be? How hard can it be?!! I am a mother loving zombie. I sometimes even wonder if I remembered to put on a bra before going to work. Or even pants. There are moments on the subway when I will look down and thank the deities I am wearing shoes. I shit you not. Bone tiredness my frie

It was a rough weekend. I had a stomache bug, then the Kid got sick (and he is still sick) and the Husband was sick and oi vay. Need a holiday. The best part of the weekend was the Thanksgiving dinner we attended Saturday night. Even though I could barely handle any food, I had a great time and enjoyed a fireplace, good company, some fine wine and a chance to drool over an Hermes belt. The Husband and I are comfortable financially... Not in a I can buy whatever I want and ha ha take that Lindsey Lohan  but in a oh! A sale at H&M! I shall purchase a couple of things today. Yay . And to be honest, I feel very blessed. But, when we win the lottery soon, I have pagemarked 3-4 things that I must own. After I give money to charity and go to a dermatologist for a little microdermabrasion/wrinkle zapping/caviar-gold facial, of course. And here they are!! Dream Purchase: A Burberry Trench Such a classic. So perfect for European weather. I promise to wear very little under it if

I told the Husband that I was in need of a new winter coat. I haven't actually worn a winter coat in a couple of years and I felt the time was right for one this winter. 2 years ago I was knocked up and couldn't justify buying a maternity coat so I lived in layers and a cape: the look was a mix of European chic and Kathy Bates in Misery... more Kathy Bates, though. I was aiming to spend around 180 Euros on a new coat and set out yesterday morning in search of one. I stopped in at Mango and found not one, but two COATS that I FELL IN LOVE WITH AND I NEEDED TO TAKE THEM HOME WITH ME SO I COULD LOVE THEM AND BRUSH THEM FOREVER AND EVER. The best part of this story is that one coat had been reduced from 99 Euros to 79 Euros and the other coat was a laughable 39 Euros! And so I bought both and explained to the husband Tovanomics: Tova has 180 Euros to spend on one coat. She buys two coats which comes out to 120 Euros. Ergo she made a profit of 60 Euros . Tovanomics. Whenever

So I did this in two steps. First, I darkened my hair last night. Then, I slept with a coconut oil hair mask. And then this morning applied the lightening agent. I am actually pretty happy with it. I didn't use foils or a brush, just my gloved hands and blended it in starting from the middle length of my hair and bringing it to the tips. I added a couple of streaks in my bangs to help blend it. Here are the products I used: Total cost: around 15 Euros And here is the goofy vintage-style My Space shot And here is the money shot I give it an 8 out of 10. Not bad....

Tomorrow the Husband is out so I am going to use that alone time to Ombre my hair. As you are probably well aware, I have no fear when it comes to experimenting with my hair. I am now a brunette but I feel like I need to "lighten up". Ombre hair is big right now which is probably a sign that it is totally untrendy now. Whatevs. Here are some examples of ombre that I like Also, my friend Alix suggested to check out Kandee Johnson's video tutorial. If you haven't heard of Kandee (Alix also suggested her other videos) you should really check out her make up tutorials (she is adorable and talented. Bitch). Link below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPVsWpC0wps And so dear friends, wish me luck! I will most likely post pics on Wednesday... well, only if it turns out well! Stay tuned

It is a dreary day and we've decided to stay in and eat croissants and watch reality tv. We were expecting the mother in law and her visiting cousin to come by for coffee but the cousin is sick so the apartment is already clean... awesomeness. Sundays are great days to look at magazines and dream and ignoring all the things that say "Price Upon Request". I hate that crap. If I have to call, I probably can't afford it. Stupid beautiful things. In other news, I've been having a blast with the Pinterest boards I have been making for friends. I'm on to my 7th Board and it keeps getting more fun. I am trying to look for clothes that are flattering to their body types and will match their lifestyles, ie. stay at home mom, working woman and everything in between. As well as finding affordable pieces. My offer still stands! If you want a board follow me on Pinterest at Tova Marr-Spatz and send me an email at tmspatz@gmail.com and I will virtually build you a look.

We had guests over today (an old colleague who I became friends with pretty much immediately and her boyfriend). They are Italian and crack me up to no end and the 4 of us always have a great time. Hosting has become more challenging now that we have the Kid but I was happy to see that we are able to have people over between the hours of 2:30 and 5:30 without any meltdowns (this includes me). The reason I mentioned that our guests were Italian is that I always have to avoid making "Italian" food when they come over. I can cook Italian but I can't cook chest-beating, Armani wearing, Sophia Loren in a tight dress Italian, so I always have to find alternatives to my lasagne, pizza, pasta, caprese salad specialities that I oh so love to make. This time I decided to make Moroccan chicken, saffron cous cous, tandoori potatoes, falafel, pitas and hummous. It was a mixture of several cultures and hot damn, Moroccan chicken in the crockpot is just amaaaazing. Here is the healt

I love Mad Men and it will always remind me of my son as a baby. The night before my C-section, I was checked into the hospital and had my mini-DVD player. I watched the first season late into the night, nervous as hell but anxious to meet the little man in mah belly. I also had a Mad Men themed baby shower. When my son was about 4 months old, the show was finally shown on this side of the pond, and on Monday nights the Husband and I would watch two episodes in a row and we were hooked for months. But I digress, because today I want to talk about Joan. Joan Holloway, aka sex on a stick. Men want to be with her. Women want to be with her. Her figure is outrageous. Her clothes are to die for. And now I want to be a redhead... again... for like the 10th time. So here are some pics of my absolutely favourite looks that Joan has worn on the show. Gawd I was born in the wrong decade (kind of). I am very grateful for moderner medicine and somewhat equal rights. Vive the 21st Century! Dres

Yaaay! 5,000 views since June 5th! Thank you to everybody who has checked out Operation Tubetop over the past 5.5 months! Even if you clicked it by accident, thank you to you too!!

I wear foundation everyday. It isn't because my skin is a wreck, it has more to do with the fact that I blush or get overheated and turn very very red. I hate it. Ever since I was a child I have had the curse of blushing skin. Ergo, I wear foundation all the time. I am on to my third favourite right now and have to suck it up and buy my second favourite since I am out. Here are my top 3 favourite foundations: Number 3 Revlon Colorstay This stuff is good and really really really lasts long. The only problem is that if my skin is dry (as it usually is in the winter) this foundation tends to seep into the lines. Stupid lines. Hello Botox. It is a good cold weather foundation. Heat and Colorstay is not a great combo. The best thing is that this foundation is reasonably priced and fairly easy to find. Number 2 Chanel Lumiere My friend suggested trying this one and I am hooked. It is light and liquidy but not greasy. It provides good coverage but not as heavy as the R