...tumbleweed...

ChooGirl

J9 has been a ghosttown this week. So, who wants to keep me entertained/sane  with a never-done-by-Choo-before game of ask me anything?

Keep my mind off the fact that one of my interweb friends just announced a pregnancy-- while using an IUD...

SBS0628

Well, in the spirit of your friend, are you planning on kiddos? When?

If you had to move away from the East Coast (specifically NY area), where would you move to instead?

What's the one thing you find most annoying about your hubby?

mamie329

Whatever happened to your friend samantha who used to post here with you? 

ChooGirl

SBS0628:

Well, in the spirit of your friend, are you planning on kiddos? When? We've discussed removing said IUD in fall/winter 2011. If money were no object, we'd probably start sooner, but we need to some time to recover from the RoLex wedding extravaganza haha.

If you had to move away from the East Coast (specifically NY area), where would you move to instead? I love, love, love San Francisco. Love. Alex is actually entertaining the idea of accepting a job position there, but I doubt he'll take it. He's an NYC lifer. If I had my way, we'd move to London or Paris until we're ready for kids. Shake things up a bit!

What's the one thing you find most annoying about your hubby? His compulsive need to work. I've literally never seen the man relax for more than a day. He even works when he is on vacation. SO annoying.

ChooGirl

mamie329:

Whatever happened to your friend samantha who used to post here with you? 

She's been super busy with work! We still email every day, but not with the frequency that we used to. I think that when things quiet down for her, she'll be back. And as hilarious as always!

mofe

How's the shoe business going? Are you designing the shoes or selling them?

Have you ever peed your pants from laughing so hard?

ChooGirl

mofe:

How's the shoe business going? Are you designing the shoes or selling them? Shoe business is moving along. I'm actually picking up our first two prototypes from the engineer on Monday. We're (my two partners and I) designing them and having them manufactured (on a very small scale right now) in Queens this summer/fall. Fingers crossed things go according to plan!

Have you ever peed your pants from laughing so hard? Absolutely. My best friend is one of the funniest/quirkiest/ballsiest people I have ever met. I have peed my pants (ok, my bathing suit) while rolling around on the grass in her parents back yard after one of her antics. I miss those days!

shagadelk7

What is the most amount of money you've ever spent on a spur of the moment purchase and what was the item?

ChooGirl

shagadelk7:

What is the most amount of money you've ever spent on a spur of the moment purchase and what was the item?

Oooh. Yikes. ::puts on flame retardant suit:: Back in the day when I was young, stupid, and working full time, I bought a pair of Lanvin boots that were $1500 without even thinking about it. I still wear them though!

Oh to be young and stupid. Sigh.

shagadelk7

Do you still have these boots and are they still awesome enough to wear?

hawkilady

Favorite movie?

Favorite baked good?

What do you listen to most often - AM, FM or satellite radio?

Which do you prefer - Atlantic or Pacific Ocean?

Do you pay for most things with cash or credit?

 

ChooGirl

shagadelk7:

Do you still have these boots and are they still awesome enough to wear?

Constantly in the winter. And yes, I still get so many compliments on them.

mofe

ChooGirl:

mofe:

How's the shoe business going? Are you designing the shoes or selling them? Shoe business is moving along. I'm actually picking up our first two prototypes from the engineer on Monday. We're (my two partners and I) designing them and having them manufactured (on a very small scale right now) in Queens this summer/fall. Fingers crossed things go according to plan!

 

That's so cool.  What made you decide to go into shoes? 

 

LarkNow

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

What job could they not pay you enough to do?

And, because I'm about to go get my breakfast, what is your favorite breakfast food?

ChooGirl

hawkilady:

Favorite movie? Annie Hall.

Favorite baked good? Pecan Pie

What do you listen to most often - AM, FM or satellite radio? Satellite radio. Love the lack of commercials while sitting in traffic!

Which do you prefer - Atlantic or Pacific Ocean? Tough call. Probably the Pacific by a slim margin. And only because the water is slightly warmer.

Do you pay for most things with cash or credit? We use Amex for everything (even our mortgage) and pay the balance off at the end of the month. Those points add up!

 

ChooGirl

mofe:

ChooGirl:

mofe:

How's the shoe business going? Are you designing the shoes or selling them? Shoe business is moving along. I'm actually picking up our first two prototypes from the engineer on Monday. We're (my two partners and I) designing them and having them manufactured (on a very small scale right now) in Queens this summer/fall. Fingers crossed things go according to plan!

 

That's so cool.  What made you decide to go into shoes? I cannot take the credit for the original idea. My crazy/brilliant/quirky best friend came up with the idea and brought it up over a bottle of wine about two years ago. I encouraged her to make them, and she asked me on as a partner (along with our other friend who has 10 years experience in fashion). Shoes kind of fell on my lap-- but it has been such a great learning experience. I feel really lucky that she included me!

 

shagadelk7

What mortgage company do you have? Most mortgage companies don't let you use CC for payments. I am pissed that mine doesn't, althought we just bought a house so I am hoping that my loan gets bought by a bank that does allow it.

ChooGirl

LarkNow:

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? An actress. I actually moved to LA for 6 months during high school to audition, and was planning on going to USC before meeting Mr. Choo...

What job could they not pay you enough to do? Hmm... probably an NYC garbage man in summer. I can't do hot, smelly garbage. ::dry heaves::

And, because I'm about to go get my breakfast, what is your favorite breakfast food? Challah french toast. Or homemade pancakes. Or mimosas-- do they count?

ChooGirl

shagadelk7:

What mortgage company do you have? Most mortgage companies don't let you use CC for payments. I am pissed that mine doesn't, althought we just bought a house so I am hoping that my loan gets bought by a bank that does allow it.

We use Chase, but we hate them. HATE. Worst bank ever. Stay. Away. They bought out our mortgage last year and it has been a horrible transition. Ugh. To be honest, Alex handles the big banking stuff (I do the day-to-day), so I'm not sure how it works. I could ask if you'd like. But seriously, the stories I could tell you about Chase would make your blood boil.

shagadelk7

I am actually curious about the Chase stories. I have a CC through them on which I carry a larger balance than I would like. I had a certain APR for life and waddaya know? They changed it on me. I got them to bring it back down to what they'd originally promised, but then I closed the card and am continuing to pay it off.

ChooGirl

shagadelk7:

I am actually curious about the Chase stories. I have a CC through them on which I carry a larger balance than I would like. I had a certain APR for life and waddaya know? They changed it on me. I got them to bring it back down to what they'd originally promised, but then I closed the card and am continuing to pay it off.

YES. The same thing happened to Alex's business line with them. After 10+ years as a customer with zero missed/late payments,  they unexpectedly changed his APR. Utterly ridiculous, considering how much of our life is now tied to that bank and our history of on-time payment.

I'll tell you one (of many stories) re: mortgage. When they bought it out, they reduced our home equity line, citing "a trend of depreciation of real estate in the US." So Alex called to inquire (we never touched the money, but wanted to know what was going on). They gave him the same answer. He responded with proof that our apartment has not depreciated, but in fact had grown in value exponentially since purchasing it in 2004 (by showing building statistics, average price/sq foot in the neighborhood/building etc). They wouldn't budge.

So Alex asked for a re-appraisal. They said it would be something like, $2,000. Alex obviously declined, but asked when a re-appraisal would be done without incurring fees. We were told a year. So... a year (to the date) goes by, and Alex calls again. We are then told that they have changed their policies (11 months ago) and that all re-appraisals are performed at the expense of the owner. Regardless of the fact that the same unit we own one floor up JUST sold for $400,000 above the original purchase price, Chase won't budge. And not only won't they budge, they are rude, disorganized, and incompetent in dealing with every issue we have encountered. Seriously, if it didn't cost us $30,000 to take our loan to another bank, we would. Which is why we're talking about selling.

Chase = on my shitlist

shagadelk7

That blows. Is the $30K some sort of loan transfer fee or something? Couldn't you try to refinance with another bank, unless your new closing costs with the refinance would be around $30K too.

ChooGirl

shagadelk7:

That blows. Is the $30K some sort of loan transfer fee or something? Couldn't you try to refinance with another bank, unless your new closing costs with the refinance would be around $30K too.

It looks like if we refinance, the new closing costs would be pretty close to that mark. Ugh. FrigginA. We're not planning on staying in this apartment that much longer, so it just isn't worth it. But blows, absofreakinglutely.

angelfire0412

Do you eat meat?

What toppings do you get on your pizza?

favorite liquor (vodka, gin, rum)?

favorite designer? 

 

chrissyvcm

Jeans or dresses?

Tea (hot or cold?) or coffee?

Favorite hanging out/downtime activity with Alex?

Proudest accomplishment?

"I watch what I eat" or "Diet who? I LOVE FOOD!"?

ChooGirl

angelfire0412:

Do you eat meat? Yes ma'am!

What toppings do you get on your pizza? I will eat any pizza they put in front of me, but if I had a choice, I'd do fresh tomato, mozzarella, and olives.

favorite liquor (vodka, gin, rum)? Gin, preferably Tanqueray.

favorite designer? Just one? What about every designer at Bergdorfs? Does that count? Argh. I cannot do it. I love Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Narciso Rodriguez, Ralph Lauren, Balenciaga, Alice & Olivia... I just cannot choose! 

 

ChooGirl

chrissyvcm:

Jeans or dresses? Dresses

Tea (hot or cold?) or coffee? Hot tea

Favorite hanging out/downtime activity with Alex? We love wine tasting. I love blowing off life to open a really nice bottle of wine on a random Tuesday night, lighting some candles, and listening to Alex play piano for me. Perfecto. Oh, and we l-o-v-e to ski. But that isn't really a chill activity to us...

Proudest accomplishment? Hmm... I mean, I could say graduating college, but I'm really, really proud of planning my wedding. Is that lame? Yes, yes it is.

"I watch what I eat" or "Diet who? I LOVE FOOD!"? A combo. I watch what I eat during the day, nighttime = anything goes!

angelfire0412

What's your favorite word?

Do you speak French? Does Alex (I am assuming he does?)

How many babies do you want? 

ChooGirl

angelfire0412:

What's your favorite word? Yes... haha. Kidding! I love the word quixotic.

Do you speak French? Does Alex (I am assuming he does?) Alex is fluent and I can undertand a lot, but my accent is so terrible (according to my MIL), that I refuse to speak French in public. So to answer your question, oui, je parle francais mais pas autour de la famille. 

How many babies do you want? Another tricky question. As many as we can afford to raise in the manner we want, living in NYC. But no more than three. I need to have a daughter. If my first was a girl, I'd be happy stopping there.