Did You Hear The Story About My Bandages?

I didn't get a chance to wrap up my final days of the State Fair of Texas thanks to an unexpected hospital visit. I've been resting up all week on the couch, but it will be a 6-8 week recovery for my wounds to heal. What happened? Well, read on after I photo dump my final days at the fair for you:

In previous years, I have indulged in the soft serve.  This year, I only had one cone.....

My State Fair of Texas boyfriend, Julian, AKA my co-worker's son!  He greeted me with a "Burtt" every day, it was kind of awesome being one of his favorites.  

This was my co-host's favorite activity, jumping the Traxxas truck over me during the show.  I do my own stunts!

The best thing I ate at the fair, Deep Fried Pumpkin Pie.  Yum!

What is going on with my hair in this photo?

A great reminder that if you eat too much fried food in Texas, you wind up as big as this:

We had an early Halloween party the last week we were there.  Matt and I made a quick trip to CVS.

So, Toyota Live went as CVS witches.  I actually love this photo.

My CVS purchases:  my hat, my cup, and my Peanuts purse.

The start of the show!

Last night in Texas.....and a trip to the emergency room.  The waitress at the hotel accidentally dumped a catering tray of hot water on my legs.  I knew it was bad when I stood up and dropped and F-bomb as I am not someone who swears that much.  I then tried to remove my jeans in the middle of the bar....uh, yeah, the pain was that bad.   My left foot and calf all wrapped up.  

And my right thigh all wrapped up.  I wound up with 2nd degree burns.  Not a fun way to end my trip, but I am going to be okay.  I was so bored waiting for the doctor that I tweeted much of my hospital visit. (Go back to October 23rd if you want all of the morbid details.) A big thanks to everyone who pitched in to help that night:  Matt, Kyle, Tina, Josh, Evan, Carolina, Christina (Tina), and Jessica.  I appreciate it!

The hotel staff all heard about the big incident the night before and one of the valet staff made me a balloon flower while I waited for the airport car service.  I couldn't wait to get home.  

A big thanks to my agents at Productions Plus who sent me this beautiful bouquet.  It looks great in my dining room. 

My Top 3 Travel Tips

It's no secret that I travel a lot for work.  Two weeks to a month on the road are not uncommon for me, so it's always important for me to be comfortable when I am away from home.  On my recent trip to Paris, I realized I needed to amend some of my U.S. travel rules.  Here's what I learned:

1.  Luggage:  Take your big suitcase and put it back in the closet.  If you are going to Europe, chances are you will be taking a lot of public transportation.  It is easier to drag around a medium to small-sized suitcase versus your big, oversized American suitcase.  If you wind up buying lots of gifts and go overboard on the shopping, then you can buy an extra bag for the trip home.  I wish I had my medium suitcase after lugging my big suitcase through the umpteenth train turnstile.  I always like a gym workout, but not with my suitcase as my dead weight.

Yes, there will be a shoe post coming soon. I bought 3 pairs in Paris and these are the beautiful Repetto shoes I coveted. 

2.  Shoes:  Unless you are going on a 5-star vacation, leave your Carrie Bradshaw heels at home.  Pack your flats and your sneakers and get ready to hike around the city.  Don't decide to break in your new shoes on the trip, you will regret it later.  In fact, my flats didn't even make it home from Paris.  They were so worn out by the end of the trip that I threw them out.  I left my flip flops in China in 2005 and my sneakers in Costa Rica in 2009, it's a good way to make room in your suitcase for the trip home.

3.  Sleep:  My trip essentials always include my sleep mask, a travel blanket, and ear plugs for a restful sleep.  I travel way too much and I find it is easier to make it dark, quiet, and cozy with these three items.  I don't need to go into the germ factor about hotel blankets, so bring your own.  It's small and easy to use at the hotel and on the plane.  The best eye masks and blankets are made by Nap and are available at any Brookstone store. (According to a Sherman Oaks Brookstone employee, they are discontinuing this line. Be sure to stock up while you can!)  My earplugs were purchased in a value pack from CVS.  If I lose a set, there is always a back up available.  Some hotels have thin walls, so you will appreciate a little soundproofing from time to time.

Those are my top 3 travel tips from my recent jaunt to Paris.  I did really well with Tips #2 and #3, but failed miserably with Tip #1.   Do you have any good travel tips to add?  Share them with me in the comments below: