the kennedys

I'm slightly disappointed A&E scrapped the Kennedys project. But hopefully that means it's juicier and too good to just be any ol' documentary. I had heard Showtime was interested, but decided not to pick it up. Fingers crossed someone airs the project; the preview looks amazing!

gives me chills

Regardless of my old woman rants about Glee being too sexed up lately (I guess it is HS, but geez) the music is has still been amazing.

(I'm not sure why this is mirrored, but I couldn't find it anywhere else)




You can't beat the original though...

thoughtless thursday: Netflix obsession & C25K

OHHH How I needed this brain dump!!

I have spent the majority of my day trying to figure out what Netflix DVDs I want to arrive on Saturday. I have mere hours until they receive the two I shipped today. Preston normally requests we have a movie on hand, but when I asked him for any suggestions he rambled off some important football games. No prob. I'll pick two myself! I finally settled on the entire first season of United States of Tara. I'm relying heavily on the quality of this show since my precious two discs will both be the same show. Putting all my eggs in one basket.

I loved you in In Her Shoes, Toni Collette. Sometimes I feel as though I am Rose. That's a blog for another day...Anyway, don't let me down.

I'm Mexican Food-ed out. Never thought it was possible. There goes tonight's meal plan.

Back to DVDs. I've been on a huge television DVD kick. We've been watching Lost and Dexter together and I've been watching True Blood, Arrested Development, Pushing Daisies and Damages on my own. Gosh that's a lot of TV! I don't get a lot of tv time to myself since football season started. And I only watch one show at a time. I just started Damages. I'm so hooked to DVDs I gave up on the current season of Gossip Girl just to catch up when they come out on DVD. Any other shows I should check out?

Last night I completed Day 2 of the Couch to 5K workout. I didn't know if I was going to be able to get through it! I was hesitant to even try because I was sore from two days prior. (I'm out of shape. I know.) But it felt so good to finish. (And it was beautiful outside!)

The poor dogs barely made it. This is a good hour or so later.

Now I want some cute running clothes. I'm sick of the shorts up my butt. TMI?

 

randomness

image via Sweet Simplicity

• Last night I was on the verge of a major freak out as Situation was almost kicked off DWTS. Instead of  Bristol or Cho. I know he's ridiculous, and Jersey Shore's terrible for society (and my brain), but they make me laugh and I enjoy the drunken debauchery. Especially when chicken tits end up in their hot tub and the guys start tossing them around like beach balls. (I'm not the only one who enjoys him!)
• I am not a "design blogger". It sucks that all these design bloggers (and many more) were invited to attend the Nate Show and no appreciation was shown. Not even recognition. I think he's really done it now...Nate has no idea the power of bloggers on twitter/facebook/blogs! I haven't seen the Nate show. Once I heard it started and sucked, I chose not to waste precious DVR space.
• Glee was UH-MAZE-ING last night. Next week looks to be better!
• Another game day cook out this Saturday! Looking forward to smoked ribs. I have yet to decide on sides or desert...post to come later. Is it too soon to make fall themed deserts? It still doesn't feel like fall.
• Finally ate at Big Truck Tacos Monday night. (We have a hard time sticking to the menu) It wasn't bad! And cheap for sure.
• I wish someone would throw me an owl themed birthday party :)
• I will not be watching The Bachelor if they bring this guy back. And I mean it this time!
• Somehow I deleted all my wedding blogs. Can you suggest any good ones?

• Christine and I are actually going to do the C25K thing. Meaning, I've downloaded the app and made the playlist...tonight I need to double check my workout wardrobe. Start date TBD.

What's on the playlist you ask?! Well..

Happy hump day!

gleeked out

In the spirit of Glee's premiere, I wish I could pull off red lipstick as beautifully as Diane Argon.

photographed by Paola Kudacki

see all photos here

that's hot

I'm not a Mad Men lover, yet. (It's currently in our Netflix queue...if we can ever make it through freakin' Lost.)

But the dreamy Jon Hamm and stunning ladies of the cast are makin' me itch to see what this show is all about.

The most recent Rolling Stone cover is steamy hot.

This may be a lame comparison, but Christina Hendrix dress reminds me Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge. Am I wrong?

L&L's posted more pics from the shoot here.

friday faves

Preston and I are both doing fun, exciting things with friends and family this weekend. But I'm really going to miss him. Thankfully, Netflix is sending me season 1 disc 1 of  "Damages" and "True Blood" and I have a nice cheesy recipe to cook up to feed me while the cheese-hater is away. I've been watching "Pushing Daisies" which is so cute! I'm sad there are only 17 episodes, but I kind of see why it didn't stay around very long. There's not much character development. But I love Kristin Chenowith and the murder mystery, in a whimsical kind of way has been some crack I can't get enough of this week.

This week's favorites:
Amazing room inspiration
Black door love..planning to do this at some point in time.
Joi's DIY faux bois art. LOVE THIS!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! The weather is beautiful in Oklahoma and football season is finally here!!

friday faves

Favorite Fall Show
Gossip Girl starts soon!!! Thank you, Paloma for posting this seasons preview!



Favorite Photos
I wish I could create art this stunning :) Posted by the lil bee.

photos by slight clutter

Favorite Must Have's

The Look 4 Less and Erin both posted the cheaper Alexander Wang look a likes. But these are just too gorg.

A few other items more in my price range..

A Cup of Jo posted this scratch map.

Starfish and Sundresses shared these super cute, affordable crown hooks.

Have a good weekend!

try a little tenderness

"Try a Little Tenderness" always makes me want to move. The song just rocks me to the core...and not only because it evokes fond memories about the greatest show of all time...but just because the song has such feeling and soul.

I loved this piece on SYTYCD even though the judges weren't fans. What a way for Jose to go out!

all i learned about house music i learned from the jersey shore

Can't wait to watch the guys tear it up in Miami! This is definately a guilty pleasure..that I'm not ashamed to admit :)

friday faves

Yes- it's Monday. You haven't lost it...I had quite the weekend and many faves from last week, so I didn't have the time over the last 3 days to gather them up in a post. Let's get started.

Favorite Topic of the Week

Books were the thing to posts about last week.  Lavender & Lillies posted twice! Her summer reading list update and her late summer reading list. I love that she reads more than me!
Some books I stole from her list:
-Marcus of Umbria
I can't wait to read this story about a dog. The title reminds me of Um from Umbridge..name that movie :)
-5th Avenue 5 AM
All about filming breakfast at Tiffanys. Many bloggers have recommended this one.
-Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
Another one that has been all the buzz this summer.
-Spooky Little Girl
-The Summer We Read Gatsby
-Orange is the New Black
Caitlin at Sacramento Street also posted her summer reading list. I'm glad I've already read The Help, because people are still talking about it and I hate being out of the loop!Her mom loved it also. Caitlin and I had a few of the same books on our lists, including:
-The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
-My Horizontal Life
Probably not appropriate to take on Preston's family beach trip in August, but I'm hoping to get to this light read sometime soon.

Favorite Celeb Look

I am 80% Team Jill, but Bethenny has looked great post baby Bryn. And I've really enjoyed Bethenny Getting Married. (Bless her sweet,patient husband for putting up with her crazy, neurotic, PREGNANT self!)

The Look 4 Less posted a less expensive Bethenny dress look alike.

Favorite Room

The office of Erica from Urban Grace Interiors

Favorite New App

ShakeIt Photo App was so kindly shared by Kay at Apartment 412 and I'm obsessed. I'm cheap and got the free one that only has one effect but I may splurge the $.99 because I love it that much. I've been shakin' it on all my puppy pics.

Hope you had a good weekend! Pics from Saturday night's wedding coming soon :)

books & bachelors

I collect books. I swear I got it from my parents..who I think got it from their parents. I guess it's not the worst habit in the world. But in order to take control this weekend, I decided to make a list of books I own that I've read, and books I own that I haven't read, in order to weigh the levity of this addiction.

Well, it's not as bad as I thought. It was one page, no columns, just commas of read books, to one and a half pages, no columns, just commas of unread books. That's not bad, right? I'm taking myself off my book buying freeze and making a goal. Not sure what the goal is yet..but a goal will be made. I'll keep you posted.

I added the book lists to my new listography! I took the time Sunday to sign up and added a few lists. And I was right, I am in love. It's so easy to use, edit and personalize. My lists aren't private, so I went ahead and added my Barnes & Noble wish list. (B&N put a limit on the number of books you have on a wish list. How dare they cap my book buying dreams. Listogrpahy does not.) So if any of you (mom & sis) feel like checking out my book wish list or current library lists, there's a link in the sidebar :) There's also a link to my GoodReads profile, where all my wish list books have been added. (Obviously, lists are an addiction in addition to books. I am aware of this.)

I unmarked my page and put back on the shelf "Year of Magical Thinking". I just couldn't get through it. It was sad and blah. And I'm all about the sad and traumatic and disturbing but this book was just sad. Not messed up enough for me as a sad book.

So I've started "Olive Kitteridge" and hope to finish before our beach trip so I can start the books I've been putting off for months. I've heard it's kind of messed up. I look forward to it.

In unrelated news, Jillian and Ed done-zo??? I love Jillian. She's my favorite. I want to name my unborn daughter Jillian. And Ed, and his teeny, bikini swim trunks were so hot. I liked that he was kind of a jerk. I think Jillian enjoyed the challenge.

I'm sure they got to Chicago and Ed carried on in his slutty way...and Jillian wasn't into having a man whore as a hubs. Oh well. Another failed Bachelorette romance. Makes me sad. Best of luck to the both of you

I'm not even going to attempt to produce witty Bachelorette commentary like Lincee, but I have to throw in two cents  on this weeks episode.

- Deep V shirts a la Frank, NOT OK. I bet he manages an American Apparel or something trendy, but that pushes the boundary of "OK" clothing for men.
- Chris L. is pretty much perfect in my eyes. If his dog is named after "Forrest Gump"'s Jenny...I don't even know what. I'm moving. Today. To find him. (I really don't think Preston would mind either. He likes Chris too.)
- I want Roberto's mom's legs.
-Was anyone else offended when Kirk said "my adopted sister"???

A friend pointed out that Shaq tweeted "love is the only reality" last night. Obviously a Bachelor/Bachelorette fan.

I recently started following Lord_Voldemort7 on Twitter. Hilarious.

 

tv talk and a pork recipe

Don't forget tomorrow's blogging for Cohen!

Real Housewives of NJ
Who does Danielle think she is??? I know Jersey may be a scary place (after watching season 1 of Jersey Shore, I understand this) but why do you need a body guard at charity events or fashion shows with all women?? The chick is seriously on something. Just like everyone else, it's a train wreck I can't stop watching.

If I did have a mafia, I would want Caroline as my boss.

The Bachelorette
Bravo ABC with the saved voice messages on Monday. BRAVO.

So You Think You Can Dance (dance dance)
Have ya'll been watching this season? They're all so good! There's not really anyone this season that I don't like. (Besides the token young, bubbly, blonde chick. gag) I know everyone loves Kurt, but I think Robert and Billy and Alex...O M G. Alex blows my mind. I just die over the strength of male ballet dancers. I like a male dancer with some strength and manliness.

Alex & Allison


I wasn't sure how this new format was going to work, but in my opinion, if Neil is on the show any dang format could work. Just Neil dancing (shirtless of course) would be my ideal format, really.

Neil & Danny


Besides all the awesome guys on season 7, Ashley Galvan is my favorite. (I know, the weird cry on week 1 was kind of awk, but I think she's a great dancer.)

Ashley & Mark
 

Who's your season 7 favorite? Do you like having the all stars back?

On to the food!

This is one of those recipes that Preston so kindly emailed to me as some kind of hint. Well, I've taken the hint, months later, and cooked the meal.

Pork Chops with Apple and Thyme
Ingredients
3/4c chicken broth divided
2 tsp cornstarch
2 tsp canola oil
4oz boneless pork chops (we used bone-in Berkshire chops. They were oh so tender and yummy)
1 small onion sliced
1 tart apple (granny smith)
1/4c apple cider or juice
2 tsp Dijon
1/4 tsp thyme

Mix 2 tbl broth and corn starch in a small bowl and put to the side.

Heat oil in large nonstick pan over high heat. Add chops and cook until browned, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Reduce heat to med-high. Add onions to pan and brown in oil. Stir in the remaining broth, juice, mustard, thyme, and the cornstarch mixture. Bring to a boil and stir until thickened and glossy.

Return chops to pan and cook throughout.

Before

After

Preston and I just popped in the second Underworld movie. (Not sure what it's called.) This stuff if bloody!! P claims it's the blue ray that exaggerates the blood splattering but geez...I'm more of a Edward and Jacob kind of girl. Has anyone seen Eclipse? It was my favorite of the series. Can't wait to see it once the lines go down!

household help

1. Any tips on how to get nail polish out of carpet? (tag: personal care) I managed to spill a bottle last week. I let some dry while and I worked on some spots with nail polish remover. Well, now the areas I didn't touch isn't noticeable, while the places I worked on look like big huge "Cajun shrimp" colored spots. (Yes, the color is fabulous. Not on carpet. On your nails.) Help!

I feel like nail polish companies have a duty to provide a product that gets this out of fabrics.

2. I'm feeling starved of my shows this week. I haven't touched the DVR since we've gotten back. I know eventful things happen on "The Bachelorette" and the final episode of the RHoNY reunion. I really hope party planner Jen joins next season. I can't seem to get settled before 9 pm to watch anything. And tonight may not be any better since I'll be scrubbing carpet... I bet these ladies never have to scrub carpet. OR paint their own nails!