November 14, 2007
The glamorous life (not)
No, we were not eaten by an alligator in the swamps of Florida. However, after what we’ve endured the last few days, the mouth of an alligator sounds rather comforting.
Without going into all the horrific details, we’ve just escaped from the worst experience of our life. If bugs creep you out, you should probably just close your browser right now—but if you think you can handle it, we’ve recapped our last 48 hours in bullet points below (because sometimes we like to be succinct). (This is where you laugh because—JUST LOOK AT THOSE BULLET POINTS. Each one is a novel.):
- Attended the ISPA Opening Reception and had a lovely dinner with our friend Kristen.
- On the way back to our Disney waterfront hotel, we spend nearly an hour on the phone with our other friend Michelle from All Lacquered Up (who we’ll be meeting up with tomorrow in NYC along with several other rockstar beauty bloggers for an event we can’t wait to tell you about).
- We finally go into our hotel room and see that our husband and 5-year-old have fallen asleep together while watching cartoons. Not wanting to wake them, we get comfortable on the other bed, answer some emails and eventually fall asleep.
- 2:30 am we wake suddenly—feeling very itchy—and find ourself being eaten alive by tick-like bugs crawling between our sheets.
- After screaming, we frantically pull back the sheets of the other bed (where our husband and daughter are sleeping) and find more bugs.
- Big. Fat. Bedbugs.
The next day is a blur of hotel staff disposing of our luggage, quarantining our clothing (all of it) and forcing us to walk around in Disney-logo attire. (This part is quite funny as the sight of our husband in Mickey Mouse sweatpants is priceless. We tried to capture the moment with our Nikon, but he made damn sure that didn’t happen!)
We’re happy to say that while we’re still covered in annoyingly itchy red bites, our nightmare is over and we’re on our way to New York as we type.
If you happen to be at La Guardia airport this evening, we’ll be the one with the Disney luggage wearing a Pirates of the Caribbean sweatshirt. However, thanks to MD Skincare and the amazing facial treatment we received at ISPA, we have super glowy skin, which makes any outfit (including Disney) look better.
oh gosh, that sounds so horrible. im a native floridian and i cant believe that happened to you. we have some crazy weather here and the bugs and staying on a waterfront property doesnt help that much. so sorry to hear about your bad bug experience.
Comment by marci — November 14, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
i’m so sorry to hear that. You can use tea tree oil to relieve the itch.
Comment by Rubii — November 14, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
i hope those bites go down quickly…=[ topical benadryl should help too
Comment by Wendy — November 15, 2007 @ 12:34 am
oh yuck!!!
Your trip sounds fabulous though!! Can’t wait to hear details about the event you Rockstar Beauty Bloggers attended
Comment by Tammy — November 15, 2007 @ 2:01 am
So sorry girlfriend. Remember don’t scratch. Wish I was there with you, but I’m there in lip gloss spirit.
Comment by Julia — November 15, 2007 @ 4:02 am
I am so sorry to hear that this happened to you! It sounds awful!
Comment by Amy — November 15, 2007 @ 6:10 am
Oh man…I’ve been hearing more and more stories lately regarding bed bugs in hotels. They really need to get that problem under control.
SO sorry you had to go through that!!
Comment by Amanda — November 15, 2007 @ 6:34 am
oh the traveling and hotel horror! (one of) my worst nightmares!! sorry abbout that experience =(
Comment by kia — November 15, 2007 @ 7:01 am
I have just one word: eeeewwwwwwww!
Comment by Lisa — November 15, 2007 @ 7:09 am
SICK! I’m so sorry!
Comment by Julia — November 15, 2007 @ 7:53 am
Sorry about the bugs! But atleast you can look back and laugh about it, right?
Comment by Nevin — November 15, 2007 @ 8:04 am
Oh. My. Gosh. That gave me the creepy crawlies! As if I weren’t already freaked out enough about staying in a hotel, what with germs and mystery residue and questionable cleaning processes. Blech.
Comment by corinneyb — November 15, 2007 @ 8:20 am
Oh my gosh. I literally would freak out. I hate bugs! So sorry, but at least you have glowy skin.
Comment by HEIDI — November 15, 2007 @ 9:36 am
Oh my- that sounds horrific! A while back in college, I had the experience of dealing with a swarm of termites in my room. I can definitely relate!
Looks like you will be in my hometown of NYC today! Stay out of the gloom!
Comment by Adina — November 15, 2007 @ 9:40 am
that sux AND it’s gross. my sister got ringworm from a hotel bed once. just make sure to check your matress because people really do stuff dead bodies in there…..just sayin’.
Comment by Ami M. — November 15, 2007 @ 9:42 am
Oh no..ugh. Sounds like they have a bug problem. I can’t believe the hotel staff wouldn’t notice those just changing the sheets. Apparently they can be seen, and stay in the sides of the mattress at the seams…
Comment by Rebecca — November 15, 2007 @ 11:02 am
yuck! That is the worst! Don’t forget to fumigate your suitcases too as they might “hitch” a ride with you back home.
Comment by Courtney — November 15, 2007 @ 11:23 am
oops nevermind- just read they did confiscate your original suitcases… what a nightmare!
Comment by Courtney — November 15, 2007 @ 11:27 am
That is just HORRIBLE! I hope you never have nightmares!
Comment by Kari — November 15, 2007 @ 11:33 am
The Beauty Bug just got chills reading that.
Comment by Beauty Bug — November 15, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
Yikes! I think bedbugs are my worst nightmare! Bugs are bad enough, bu the idea that they come out when you’re asleep …
Comment by Susanna — November 15, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
EWW! I’m soo sorry!
Hope you get bite-free soon!
Comment by Karen — November 15, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
Oh my goodness! I hope ya’ll are okay. After that I hope Disney took very good care of you. I hope NY is better!
Comment by Betsy — November 16, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
Do I hear free hotel stay…plus?
Comment by David@MakeupBeat.com — November 17, 2007 @ 10:27 pm