The Top 10 Things I learned in NYC

Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy

Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy

What started as an innocent on-line baby book to chronicle Jill's stay-at-home days with her children, (Lily, Ben, and Evan) quickly transformed into a vibrant community of parents, brought together by a common theme: Parenting doesn’t have to be perfect. Learn more here.
Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy

@scarymommy

NYT bestselling author of Confessions of a Scary Mommy and Motherhood Comes Naturally (And Other Vicious Lies). Fond of curse words, sarcasm and Diet Coke.
Do you know the “perfect mom”? I thought I did… #PerfectPortions http://t.co/3YsoyrpBHI - 2 hours ago
Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy

Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)

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1. It’s really fun to get away without the kids once in a while.

2. There’s nothing like meeting Uma Thurman to jump start a diet.

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3. Celebrities do not like talking abut their personal lives.

4. New York blocks are endless, especially when you accidentally walk around in circles.

5.  Minnie Driver is crazy gorgeous in person. Crazy. And really, really sweet.

Minnie Driver

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6. Press passes make me feel cool.

7. I must invest in oil blotting pads. Stat.

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8. My feet can only handle heels for three hours. Note to self.

9. Anthony Edwards is even nicer than you would hope.

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10. I really, really like my bed. Even if I only saw it for two hours last night.

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Around the web

{ 87 comments… read them below or add one }

1 JenniferG October 15, 2009 at 11:55 am

Jill, looks like you had an excellent time!
.-= JenniferG´s last blog ..Introducing “Disjointed Jen!” =-.

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2 courtney October 15, 2009 at 12:08 pm

How fun!!! I would like more deets on the “stars.”

So happy to hear Anthony Edwards is nice. Love him. Love Minnie Driver, she interviews well on television.

And Uma has always seemed a bit pretentious and bitchy. Am I wrong? Hmmmm……

You look PRECIOUS by the way.

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3 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:09 pm

I won’t argue with your assessment. She was fine, just not as warm as the rest… And, awww, thanks! :)

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4 Mariano October 15, 2009 at 12:10 pm

How awesome! Looks like a great trip. Next time you should look us up!
.-= Mariano´s last blog ..Find New Prospects with Twitter Search =-.

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5 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:09 pm

I’ll do my best!!

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6 Rachel October 15, 2009 at 12:11 pm

So excited for you that you got to have this experience. Can’t wait to hear your review of the film!
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..What Missy Calls Pretty =-.

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7 toywithme October 15, 2009 at 12:11 pm

I love NYC and you had me at getting away without the kids. Looks like you had a fab time.
.-= toywithme´s last blog ..Dear Redhead, My Girlfriend Is Fat =-.

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8 Ryan Ashley Scott October 15, 2009 at 12:11 pm

So glad you had fun (or at least it really looks like you did).
.-= Ryan Ashley Scott´s last blog ..O.P.I. winner, finally =-.

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9 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Oh, I did. I’m paying for it now, however!

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10 Tiffany October 15, 2009 at 12:12 pm

Oh, honey, YOU are absolutely gorgeous!!!!! I am so very very thrilled you had this opportunity!!!! You so deserved it! (and I am insanely jealous!!)
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..Childbirth; There Are No Refunds =-.

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11 Christine October 15, 2009 at 12:23 pm

I freaking can’t believe it!!!!!!! This is SO EXCITING FOR YOU!!!!!! WOW WOW WOW!
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Oh Happy Day! =-.

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12 jess October 15, 2009 at 12:25 pm

You look beautiful. I can’t wait to hear all the details.

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13 T Rex Mom October 15, 2009 at 12:27 pm

Wow! Super cool. I’ve never met a celebrity. I’m sure I would totally embarrass myself.

How fun to get away and experience some adventure.

It all sounded so glamorous! Glad your back safely.
.-= T Rex Mom´s last blog ..Halloween Sneak Preview…Panda Bear =-.

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14 christy October 15, 2009 at 12:42 pm

You look gorgeous Jill! And what fun it sounds like you had. Did you notice both of the celebrities smile with their mouths closed? Is this some new thing? Hope we get to hear more!
.-= christy´s last blog ..I’m pregnant! No, I’m ovulating! Wait, which is it?! =-.

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15 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:14 pm

I did notice that– funny, huh?

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16 Megan (Best of Fates) January 6, 2011 at 5:49 pm

I once spent a summer living in Tunisia where I knew this girl from Yale (the school, not a country you’ve never heard of named Yale – though she was actually from Bosnia, which I suppose would make a more interesting reference than Yale) who was freaking gorgeous and only smiled with her mouth closed.

I then decided I, too, would be cool and smile with my mouth closed.

Only I should have known I’d never be cool, and now I just have weeks and weeks of Tunisian photos with me looking like an escapee from a mental institution.

Though in my closed mouth’s defense, the rest of my face didn’t step up the plate either.

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17 Dani Webb October 15, 2009 at 12:45 pm

Oh how fun! What a great opportunity. What were you doing this interview for?
.-= Dani Webb´s last blog ..I Did It! =-.

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18 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:15 pm

Just as part of the film promotion— it’s a movie about a mom blogger, so it made sense. :)

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19 Lin October 15, 2009 at 12:49 pm

How fun, you got to meet Uma Therman! I love her!

Looks like you had a great time & you looked so pretty :)
.-= Lin´s last blog ..Favorite Movie Tuesday =-.

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20 Lynn from For Love or Funny October 15, 2009 at 12:51 pm

Too cool! You could be in pictures, too. Just as photogenic as the movie stars…
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..After you see this, you’ll never exercise again =-.

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21 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:16 pm

Oh, how I love my liars, I mean, readers. ;) Thank you, though. I appreciate it!!

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22 Colby October 15, 2009 at 12:54 pm

what great pictures! Glad you had a good time :) So i guess you and Uma are not immediate best friends now? I was really hoping she would be there for Passover or Yom Kippur next year!

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23 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:16 pm

Minnie is Jewish, so she’s a better fit anyway.

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24 Lori October 15, 2009 at 12:55 pm

I have always thought Minnie Driver was beautiful! She just seems to get more and more beautiful!

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25 Malia October 15, 2009 at 12:57 pm

How cool are you, mingling with all the A-listers.
.-= Malia´s last blog ..Flu… Party of Two =-.

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26 Lolli October 15, 2009 at 1:05 pm

It was amazing, and I am SO sore and SO tired. But it was worth it.
.-= Lolli´s last blog ..WordFull Wednesday–Frozen Smiles =-.

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27 Heather @ nobody but yourself October 15, 2009 at 1:29 pm

OMG you met Minnie Driver? I *love* her!!! Of course, had I met her and not been tongue-tied, I totally would’ve been trying to find out if Eddie Izzard is the father of her baby……… and I hear from a reliable source that celebrities don’t like to talk about their personal lives. ;)

You are way prettier than Uma Thurman. Seriously.

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28 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:17 pm

Ha! I look like I could have eaten her- she is soooooo tiny.

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29 Amy October 15, 2009 at 2:13 pm

In a pinch you can use toilet seat covers as blotting tissues. Works like a charm.

Uma is looking toasty brown for early October. Spray tan?
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Meatballs! =-.

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30 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:18 pm

Damn, that is a good tip. I didn’t think I looked quite as shiny. Time to get some new powder, too, I think.

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31 dawn October 15, 2009 at 2:14 pm

does minnie driver have the best skin or what?
I’m sorry I love Uma, but she looks waaaay too thin in the face: sunken like.
last year at this time I was in nyc at the marriot marquis living it up. I miss it there. glad you got out and had FUN momma.
.-= dawn´s last blog ..crème brûlée ice cream (w/ black cherries) =-.

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32 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:19 pm

She really did– flawless. And I just loved her accent. She was great.

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33 DCUrbanDad October 15, 2009 at 2:40 pm

What no pictures of Goose? Why you hating on the men?
.-= DCUrbanDad´s last blog ..How soon is too soon to blow your wad? =-.

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34 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:19 pm

I know, I know— he was just so real I hated to ask him. Kicking myself.

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35 american in norway October 15, 2009 at 2:43 pm

OMG! Stop being cool…were you not TOTALLY FREAKING OUT? (I would have been!)
Lucky lucky GIRL!
.-= american in norway´s last blog ..Janteloven… I need a "atta-girl" every once in a while! =-.

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36 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Not as much as I expected to be— it was really low key, and they were just… people, you know? Now, if it had been Brad & Angelina, I would have been speechless.

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37 Amber October 15, 2009 at 2:47 pm

So very cool!

I am jealous. I’ve always wanted to go to NYC.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..A Photoshoot with Natalie =-.

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38 WebSavyMom October 15, 2009 at 2:56 pm

–>I hope all this popularity doesn’t go to your head and you shave it like Brittany.
Thanks for sharing!
~deb
.-= WebSavyMom´s last blog ..Wordless Wedneday – The Eastern Shore =-.

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39 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:21 pm

I think we’re safe. :)

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40 Jennifer October 15, 2009 at 3:24 pm

Look at those beautiful women, and I don’t just mean Uma and Minnie. I bet that was so much fun. You get to go to all the cool places. I’m so jealous.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..One Year Ago Today =-.

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41 Loukia October 15, 2009 at 3:42 pm

OMG I AM FREAKING RIGHT OUT! Look at you Jill, with Uma and Minnie! You are gorgeous too, you know, just for the record! And Minnie is stunning… totally sooo cool! I want to know more! Like, did you hug them? Shake their hands? What did they smell like? What were wearing? What purse were they carrying? Did they talk about their children? Have they seen your blog? OMG… MORE DETAILS MORE DETAILS!!!! YAY YOU!!!!
.-= Loukia´s last blog ..Motherhood =-.

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42 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:23 pm

You crack me up!!! No, not only had they not seen my blog {I know, right??} but they’d never read mommy blogs at all. That was a bit surprising. I don’t recall them smelling particularly anything and they didn’t have any bags. High shoes though. And, damn, they are TALL.

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43 melissa October 15, 2009 at 3:50 pm

i love minnie driver. it’s a toss up between her and kate winslet as to who i want to play as me in a movie.
what an incredible experience.
you look beautiful…because you are, duh!!
<3

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44 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:24 pm

LOL, I totally agree with that!!!

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45 Maria @BOREDmommy October 15, 2009 at 4:00 pm

How exciting for you!! I adore Minnie Driver and Uma Thurman – they just seem to be as cool as they are hot mamas!! Thanks for sharing your pics!!

p.s. Shiny or not, you are a hot mama!!
.-= Maria @BOREDmommy´s last blog ..Word(less) Wednesday – Nintendo Shuffle =-.

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46 Jenni Jiggety October 15, 2009 at 4:21 pm

How freakin cool are YOU? I am so jealous!
.-= Jenni Jiggety´s last blog ..Jenni Jenni Bo Benni(Writer’s Workshop) =-.

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47 jen October 15, 2009 at 4:24 pm

looks like a great time!

NYC blocks *are* endless; and the one thing that we took away from there on our trip in ’03 was ‘when you have the opportunity to use the restroom, GO, whether you need to or not’!
.-= jen´s last blog ..all the pieces =-.

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48 brittany October 15, 2009 at 4:25 pm

WOOT! You look gorgeous! I am so glad you had a blast, and that list was SO FUNNY!
.-= brittany´s last blog ..Everything I learned about girls, I learned from the internet. I am pretty much a scientist. =-.

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49 Stesha October 15, 2009 at 4:26 pm

If I could photoshop my face into the photo with Uma, I would!

So jealous, in a good way:)

Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
.-= Stesha´s last blog ..Denim Gigolo =-.

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50 Belle October 15, 2009 at 4:28 pm

I loooooove Minnie Driver. Although I would never want to stand next to her. She’s too pretty.
.-= Belle´s last blog ..Way more than you ever wanted to know about Belle and I….or Me and Belle. =-.

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51 tracey October 15, 2009 at 5:01 pm

You lucky, lucky girl!! Looks like you had a great time!
.-= tracey´s last blog ..Icky, Yucky, Very Bad Day =-.

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52 Kate Coveny Hood October 15, 2009 at 5:20 pm

How fun! I would love to go to New York for the weekend… Especially if it included a movie screening. Hope you’ll write more about it!
.-= Kate Coveny Hood´s last blog ..A Few Updates and a Major World Event* =-.

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53 Seattledad October 15, 2009 at 5:49 pm

Uma….Jill….Jill…..Uma.

Been waiting to write that.
.-= Seattledad´s last blog ..Underwear Power! =-.

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54 Scary Mommy October 15, 2009 at 7:24 pm

LOL, was it worth it? :)

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55 Cara October 15, 2009 at 6:10 pm

You look awesome! I love how in the picture with Minnie you are all tilting your heads the same way. Looks like a great time!

My capacity for heels is about 14 minutes these days. In fact, I rarely actually make it out the door in them because I put them on too early and then hit my limit before leaving.
.-= Cara´s last blog ..Dos, Due, Deux…TWO! =-.

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56 Starnes Fam October 15, 2009 at 6:59 pm

What a fun glimpse into celebrity life. Happy you got to do it!
.-= Starnes Fam´s last blog ..Fall Favorites 2009 =-.

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57 3 Stinky Boys and Me October 15, 2009 at 7:26 pm

Oh, so fun! I hope you got to go shopping while you were there! I LOVE SHOPPING in NYC. I’m so glad to hear the celebs were nice. : ) Fun!
.-= 3 Stinky Boys and Me´s last blog ..Looping and Swooping Makes Tying Tennies Easy, but That’s not Really What this Post is About. It’s About Soda. =-.

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58 thatgirlblogs October 15, 2009 at 7:29 pm

serious celeb envy.

I mean it. I’m cramping.
.-= thatgirlblogs´s last blog ..McHooker (R) =-.

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59 Ann's Rants October 15, 2009 at 8:10 pm

I’m so glad you had a glam night. You deserve it, Mama!

xo

and you looked gorgeous!
.-= Ann’s Rants´s last blog ..Demotions =-.

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60 Brittany at MommyWords October 15, 2009 at 10:42 pm

Wow that trip sounds like so much fun! It is surprising that none of the celebs checked out any blogs before the filming considering usually they are all talking about the months of prep they do for roles. Oh well! At least I am reading your lovely little blog…heehee.

Seriously you look great and you are right that Minnie Driver is gorgeous. Also you are right about the height thing. I am so short and always in flats. You would have only seen the top of my head in those pics!

Can’t wait to hear if you liked the movie!

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61 angie October 15, 2009 at 10:56 pm

SO, SO fun. Wish I could I have spent the day with you and Lolli.

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62 blueskyhi October 16, 2009 at 12:26 am

This could only happen in NYC! You looked like you had a tonne of fun. And no I’m not jealous – ok, just completely envious.
.-= blueskyhi´s last blog ..Our NT/SA Camping Trip =-.

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63 Erin October 16, 2009 at 1:17 am

That looks like you had SO much fun! I’m jealous!
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Motherhood and Inspirations =-.

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64 Jessica October 16, 2009 at 8:09 am

What an amazing opportunity (and I thought it was just cool participating in the conference calls with Uma and Anthony). WOW! The pictures are amazing. I never realized how gorgeous Minnie Driver is, dang!

Love your top 10, very funny! Glad you had a great time in the Big Apple rubbing elbows with the stars. Very cool!
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..An Interview With Uma Thurman =-.

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65 Marinka October 16, 2009 at 9:00 am

You can tell I have kids in school because I’m looking at you in that picture with Uma and all I can think is “good Lord, their heads are close together. I hope no one has lice.”

You look gorgeous, as always. Glad you had fun!
.-= Marinka´s last blog ..Most of the Real Housewives of New York and Me =-.

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66 Live.Love.Eat October 16, 2009 at 9:02 am

Great pics girl!!!!! Minnie does look beautiful & Anthony much more handsome than I ever remembered. And you? Just as pretty as I thought :) Really, great opportunity you had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.-= Live.Love.Eat´s last blog ..Coffee Braised Pot Roast =-.

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67 Val October 16, 2009 at 10:09 am

Whoa! Those cardboard cutouts look like real live people!!!
I’m so jealous, I could eat cardboard…
.-= Val´s last blog ..You’re TOO kind… =-.

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68 Shana October 16, 2009 at 11:25 am

Thanks for sharing! Lolli’s pics made me miss home just a little bit more this morning!

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69 Shalvika October 16, 2009 at 12:34 pm

What lovely pics! And you look gorgeous!!
I’m so glad you’ve had a wonderful trip. NYC is simply amazing – love the energy and vitality the city emits. Would have loved to see some pics of you against the Empire state building :). By the way, how come your list doesn’t include “New York Taxi drivers drive like in a computer game!!” :)

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70 Angelina October 16, 2009 at 1:04 pm

I bet it was an amazing trip. & O M G Minnie Driver is beautiful!

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71 shi~ October 16, 2009 at 2:00 pm

What an awesome trip! Luck girl..But I agree your own bed is Totally PERFECT!…
.-= shi~´s last blog ..The BUCK stops here! ~ and Give me your BEST shot~ =-.

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72 Adriane October 16, 2009 at 2:08 pm

Looks like you had fun! Mimi Driver DOES look gorgeous in these photos! :) Fabulous!
.-= Adriane´s last blog ..Gap Casting Call =-.

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73 scrappysue October 16, 2009 at 2:33 pm

you went to new york? without me? tell me more! i’ve missed so much!!!
.-= scrappysue´s last blog ..photostory friday: mr and mrs scrappy’s big adventure: by the numbers =-.

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74 Harlem October 16, 2009 at 2:39 pm

WOW lucky you, that is so cool! You fit right in with those celebrities!

http://harlemshaterade.blogspot.com

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75 Kacey R October 16, 2009 at 2:58 pm

Oh it looks like a wonderful time! I cannot believe you got to meet everyone!!! OH SO JEALOUS! {But only in the best of ways!} Glad you got some time to yourself in one of the best cities ever too! ;D

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76 Single Mom Seeking October 16, 2009 at 3:05 pm

Go Mama! (We were on the Uma Thurman conference call together on Monday, weren’t we?)

I just voted for you on The Bump!
.-= Single Mom Seeking´s last blog ..Slots of fun? =-.

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77 Mrs. Call Me Crazy October 16, 2009 at 4:10 pm

You are so lucky! You are linked to the Motherhood film. How cool is that? Congratulations to you Scary Mommy!

Meredith

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78 LZ @ My Messy Paradise October 16, 2009 at 4:39 pm

What a great trip that must have been! Lucky lady! I can’t wait to see this movie.
.-= LZ @ My Messy Paradise´s last blog ..Aloha Friday: Break out the Crock Pot! =-.

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79 Jennifer October 16, 2009 at 6:21 pm

WOW.! New York! I have always wanted to go, and you got to see so many great people. How much fun!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Things Kids Say Thursday #5 =-.

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80 complicated mama October 17, 2009 at 10:46 am

GREAT pics!! especially the one with you and your Nikon!

It could be a Nikon ad, so professional.

Im sad I didnt see Minnie Driver- she’s great.

Sadder we didnt get to meet up! :(
.-= complicated mama´s last blog ..Motherhood & Bloggers: Why do we get a bad wrap? =-.

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81 Angie October 17, 2009 at 1:28 pm

God, Minnie Driver is gorgeous. I always hated it back in the day when they would say she got fat for “Circle of Friends.” Her fat is my goal.
.-= Angie´s last blog ..Hair don’t. =-.

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82 CaseyDeuce October 17, 2009 at 10:52 pm

Effing pissed. I was so supposed to be at the Motherhood premiere… Yeah, me, jealous much? I missed my invite email by like thismuch… Glad you guys had a great time!!
.-= CaseyDeuce´s last blog ..My take on the Ninja Launch NYC =-.

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83 JulieBouf October 17, 2009 at 11:07 pm

I think it is so awesome that you got this experience! I’m jealous! Hope you had a great time (despite the lice ;)
.-= JulieBouf´s last blog ..11 Months Old – Monkey Man (*Edited) =-.

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84 Trenches of Mommyhood October 18, 2009 at 6:23 pm

YOU are a rock star!
.-= Trenches of Mommyhood´s last blog ..Signs of Autumn in the Trenches =-.

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85 Life with Kaishon October 18, 2009 at 7:57 pm

All of the celebrities are pretty! Especially Minni! But you were the prettiest girl there! Fer Realz! : ) and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your bag!

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86 Mammatalk October 19, 2009 at 12:44 pm

What an amazing trip!! I am so excited for you! Great pics!

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87 Unknown Mami October 20, 2009 at 10:12 pm

Looks like lots of fun was had. New York blocks are crazy. I live in San Francisco and walk like nobody’s business, but New York busted my feet.
.-= Unknown Mami´s last blog ..Unknown Mami a.k.a. Scary Mami =-.

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