10 Most Fascinating People of 2012: Part Deux

Pin It Alright, party people! Here is part two of two in my list of the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012. 

5. Amanda Bynes's Publicist

I don't actually know who this person is. However, he/she is a fascinating individual. Being able to put a spin on a few DUI's and pass it off as exhaustion? FASCINATING! Calling Amanda's stint in out-patient rehab a "spa get-away"? YOU DON'T SAY!. Seriously, I think I'm most fascinated because if they just came out and said, "Hey, Amanda Bynes has a bit of an issue and is suffering from post-child-star-traumatic-stress-disorder," I think we would all be like "alright. Cool. Amanda's getting the help she needs." Your client has probs, Mr/Miss Publicist! Own it, yo!

4. The Brown Family: the cast of Sister Wives




I will admit that I'm a pretty faithful viewer of the TLC series, Sister Wives. Polygamy is a concept that I don't really know too much about, and Mormonism is a religion that I am not all that familiar with. I really don't agree with the concept of polygamy, and I certainly do not agree with the way that Cody Brown runs his family, I still can't look away!

3. Mindy Kaling



I don't know what else to say, other than I kind of want to be Mindy Kaling when I grow up. She is beyond hysterical, and it's just the kind of humor that I appreciate...slightly quirky, sarcastic, and ironic. I think that she is the next generation in women in comedy.

2. Guiliana Rancic




Not only do I find this woman fascinating, but I also truly admire her. This woman has been to hell and back over the last year or so, with her challenges conceiving a child, being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, and undergoing a double mastectomy. However, I think that she is the face of resiliency in the face of adversity. I also think that she is a perfect example of the saying "God wouldn't bring you to it if he couldn't bring you through it." She and her husband, Bill, were blessed with their little baby boy, Edward Duke Rancic, via surrogate, this fall. Everything happens for a reason!

1. Baby Kimye






Oh, Kardashian family. You really are the masters at pop-culture and publicity gold. Announcing the pregnancy merely days before the premiere of Kourtney and Kim Take Miami? Like I said, PR GOLD. The spawn of Kim Kardashian and Kayne West will, undoubtedly, be the talk of 2013...so we'll name him/her number 1 on this blog and give the little nugget a jump start. 
Congrats, Kimye Nugget! You're fascinating!

10 Most Fascinating People of 2012: Part One

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Hey friends!

   Yes, I am still alive. I have been a naughty little slacking blogger lately.  Life has been sooo busy, but I am loving every minute of my new life as a "Mrs."!

So as you all probably know (unless you're into that whole living-under-a-rock thing), Ms. Barbara WaWa is getting ready to air her 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012. I have been an avid viewer of this annual special for several years, mostly because Babs typically has some humdingers that leave me scratching my head..."they're FASCINATING? Let's not get carried away here. *Ahem Justin Bieber ahem*." 

That being said, inspired by one of my favorite bloggers Taylor, over at The Daily Tay, I decided to compile my own list of the most fascinating people of 2012. We'll split this into two parts, because I know you'll be waiting with baited breath for the second installment (and mostly because I can't think of 10 people right now...because there are so many people I'm dumbstruck  fascinated by).

10. Andy Cohen, Bravo tv.

Ok, I'll admit, I love me some sweet, sweet Andy Cohen. I think that this dude, as an Executive Producer for the Bravo TV network, really has an eye for the mindless crap that will suck viewers in. And, Andy, you have made a believer out of me! Not only that, but, dear Andy, I have to commend you for sitting through all of those interviews with Theresa Guidice and not smacking her false eyelashes off of her face. Bravo, Andy. Bravo, indeed.

9. Antoine (aka, the dude that looks like an alpaca)

If you haven't seen this video somewhere on the inter webs  please take a moment to view it. I think my fascination with him lies in two parts-- 1) he basically coined the phrase "hide yo kids, hide yo wife". And 2) how many people have YOU seen that look like an alpaca? And I don't even say that to be mean. I mean, seriously, he OWNS IT. You work it, you little alpaca, you!

8. Hugh Jackman

  

Oh, Hugh. Sweet, sweet Hugh. Honestly, is there anything that you cannot do? I've been a fan of Hugh Jackman's for YEARS. Ever since he was in that little movie with Ashley Judd, Someone Like You, and I used to listen to The Boy from Oz, which he starred in on Broadway. And now, we've got him portraying one of the most demanding roles in musical theatre and film, Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables. I admit, I'll probably be one of those cookoo's that goes to see it on Christmas Day, and I'll probably cry through the whole thing, but you know what? I ain't even mad about it.

7. Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge

Full Disclosure: I'm kind of a geek about British History. Even more so when it comes to the monarchy. So, you can imagine the level of geek-dom that occurred when Price William and Kate tied the knot. And now, she's going to have a cute little royal nugget! I think Kate is fascinating for so many reasons, but among them, I think that she just seems so approachable. I find this so endearing because her grandmother-in-law is just the opposite, I feel. Additionally, I love her sense of style, and I also think that she has gotten William to chill out a little bit.

6. Mama June

I know that my girl, Babs, named Honey-Boo-Boo as one of her 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012. But, I truly think that her mom, Mama June, is the most fascinating. She is, after all, the originator of Go Go Juice and the brains behind the operation that IS Honey Boo Boo. Mama June likes to cool off in the local swamp on hot summer days, and also enjoys making lemonade with straight lemon juice and exactly one pound of sugar. Mama June also loves her man, Sugar Bear. Well you know what, Mama June? You make my heart smile.

Stay tuned for The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012: Part Deux!

Friday Letters

Pin It Today, I'm linking up with Ashley from Adventures of Newlyweds for Friday Letters!

Dear November: I can't believe you are here! Welcome back! Dear Bath and Body Works: I'm greatly excited that you have brought back your Holiday candles. Especially the Balsam one that makes my house smell like a Christmas Tree (since mine is fakey-fake). Dear Hurricane Sandy: I appreciate you holding off for one week so that my wedding went off without a hitch, but man! You were a beast. Thanks for not giving it to my friends in NYC too rough. Sending prayers to all of those affected by Sandy! Dear Netflix: Thank you for having Revenge! DK and I are now obsessed with this show. 

Dear DK: Thanks for being a good husband for the first 2 weeks. I think I'll keep you around. Dear Bank Account: This is your official warning that I will likely be tearing you apart in the coming weeks in order to finish out our registry items that we didn't receive. #sorrynotthatsorry. Dear Target: Thank you for giving me the biggest laugh of my week by coming over the loud speaker and announcing, "Ladies and gentleman, if there is a Savage in the building, please make your way to guest services. Again, any Savage, please head to guest services." This lead my sister and I to think that there was a terrorist in the building and we were about half a second from running and hiding in the aisle by the marshmallows. 

Thackary? Thackary Binx?

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Alright. I won't sugar coat this for y'all. I actually am not a huge Halloween fan. #sorrynotthatsorry. 

I think that much of it stems from the fact that every Halloween, our costumes revolved around what wouldn't look too stupid with tight/leggings and a coat and gloves. I can remember one Halloween when it snowed, and that was pretty much terrible. I can also remember my sister and I getting in a fight over dumb stuff every year, someone ended up crying, and then it was all downhill from there.

One thing that I did always really like was that my sister and I always had the best and most creative Halloween costumes. We rarely bought costumes from the store growing up..."Hi, I'd like a $49.95 Tinkerbell costume that my kid will outgrow in 4 months, kthxbyeee." 

Take, for example, this year. I will say this was not one of my better costumes (I was in that phase where I only wanted to be a ballerina and literally walked the neighborhood in my old pointe shoes...#woof).


I was going for Ballerina, however, I think I am more so channeling Wynona Rider in the Beetlejuice movie. My sister, however? A grocery bag!

While I was unable to find pictures in time for this blog entry, some other memorable costumes were me as the Pillsbury Doughboy, Tay as a Table (complete with her head as the center piece), Taylor and I as Raggedy Ann and Andy, and Taylor as a Laundry Basket (with a sock tied in her ponytail). I think my only good costume as an adult would have to be me as Audrey Hepburn circa Breakfast at Tiffany's.




To this day, the only thing I really like about Halloween? That Hocus Pocus is on ALL. THE. TIME. I mean you can't go wrong with that face:


And who doesn't like a good song and dance number featuring Bette Midler!?



And lastly, we have this cute virgin who lit the black flame candle...


ps- whatever happened to this kid!?

Thackary Binx turned out to be a cutie...which is good because he was kind of gross and sweaty and his nostrils flared when he was in that cage thing in the movie...



And this moment at the end?! Ugh! Thackary Binx! You heart breaker!




And so, dear readers, I leave you with a non-sweaty Thackary Binx in my favorite line from the movie...

Just a little Tuesday Happy!

Pin It Just a few things to, hopefully, make you smile on this Tuesday!

These are a few of my favorite (fall) things...

Pin It It's no secret that fall is my ABSOLUTE favorite season. Don't get me wrong, I truly love all of the seasons, and I'm fortunate that growing up in the Midwest, I'm able to fully experience all of them...from the sweltering heat of July, to the arctic tundra of February. BUT...who doesn't love this cozy-pumpkin-smelling-boots-and-sweaters-wearing-season!?

In honor of all things autumn, here are a few of my favorite (fall) things:


Yummy smelling candles are obviously a fall staple. I've been bugging DK to go with me to Bath & Body Works just about every weekend to smell candles and wallflowers. It's also safe to say that our house smells like a combination of a pumpkin patch and a caramel factory, and I'm totally ok with that. This is one of my favorites! You can find it here!

If you're not really a candle person, you can also get this delicious scent in a Wallflower!




You can't get through the next few chilly months without some cuddly sweaters! This multi-way gem is available at Victoria Secret. You can wear it as a hoodie, off-the-shoulder, or as a cowlneck. And, it's available in 5 cute colors. Perfection.



If cable knit doesn't say autumn, then I don't know what does. This gorg sweater (which I just ordered two of...oops!) can also be found at Victoria's Secret. PS- it's on sale right now!



One of my other fall staples is tomato soup and grilled cheese...but look at this! Mac & Cheese made with a can of tomato soup! See the recipe below: (Recipe courtesy of ALocalChoice.blogspot.com).

Grandpa’s Mac & Cheese

Grandpa John always used a combination of cheeses, elbow macaroni and a can of tomato soup in his recipe. It sounds unusual, but it tastes like blending the classic comfort food combination of grilled cheese and tomato soup. PS it is even better the next day!

INGREDIENTS

• ½ lb whole wheat elbow macaroni
• 1 package (roughly 5 oz.) Blue Jacket Dairy Mountain Mist Quark
• 5 oz. Blue Jacket Dairy Ludlow, shredded
• 1 (10 oz.) can condensed tomato soup
• 10 oz. (roughly 1 soup can) fat-free milk

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Set aside 1 oz. of shredded Ludlow
• Place Quark in large mixing bowl
• Cook pasta in boiling salted water until less than el dente (about ½ the normal cooking time)
• Drain pasta
• Pour hot noodles over the Quark and mix together
• Stir in shredded Ludlow followed by tomato soup and milk
• Mix until fully incorporated
• Pour into 8x8 baking dish or individual ramekins and bake for 25 minutes
• Sprinkle reserved Ludlow on top and continue on broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbling

This is on my list to make this fall: Pumpkin Spice cookies...using only 2 ingredients! I plan on adding some chocolate chips to this. 




For those of us with a coffee addiction (such as myself), this is the perfect little addition to your fridge for those cool mornings! As much as I adore Starbucks version, this is much more wallet-friendly! 


And lastly, it just wouldn't be fall without the glitter, inappropriateness and fishnet stockings of The Rocky Horror Show: Live!. Insert shameless plug here.

Happy Fall Y'all!

And That's My New Philosophy!

Pin It In response to Sunday's post, I'm following in the steps of Jimmy John's and sharing my personal philosophy! What are some elements of your personal philosophy?

I believe...

• Everything happens for a reason, and everything ends up the way it is supposed to.
• That turquoise and sparkle are the happiest colors (yes, sparkle is a color in my book).
• 
• In marriage equality, and equal rights for ALL.
• That it's perfectly fine and acceptable to tap dance down grocery store aisles, and to burst into a random show tune or two as the mood strikes. Life's too short, y'all!
• That Starbucks Coffee truly tastes better than any of the other stuff. Plus, I like that little mermaid gal on the cups.
• In pumpkin spice lattes, cozy blankets, and a good read any day.
• 
• Fuzzy socks, year-round.
• In appreciating the humor in embarrassing photos from your awkward years.
• 
• The worst offense in the world of manners is tardiness. Buy a watch.
• Pearls are classy and an appropriate accessory option to wear with any wardrobe.
• In big hair. Ain't no thang!
• In sleeping in on the weekends. Abso-freaking-lutely.
• Siblings are best friends you were born with.
• 
• In "yes ma'am/sir", "no ma'am/sir", "please", and "thank you". ALWAYS
• In a good pedicure regularly. 
• In supporting local businesses.
• That there are few places happier than the following 3: Target, Starbucks, or the Starbucks within Target.
• In love.
• In being a crazy dog lady.
• 
• In being a life-long learner.
• In God.
• In the power of music.
• 
• In being overdressed rather than under dressed.
• In karma.
• That you can actually LOVE your job.
• In putting Christmas decorations out in the middle of November.
• In honoring your commitments.
• In the power of prayer.
• In planning and being a list-maker.
• In always saying "I love you" before going to sleep.
• In marrying your best friend (which I can't wait to do in 26 days!)
• 
• That a sign of a truly good friend is that person who you don't have to talk to or see every day, but when you do, it's like you never were apart and you can pick right up where you left off.
• That the art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.
• 

Wisdom from a Jimmy John's Sandwich

Pin It Holy crap! I have literally been gone for far too long. #epicblogfail

To be fair, I have been on the road for roughly 6 weeks on and off for work so time for blogging has been very slim.

But, I'm back. Let's get right down to business, shall we?

Last week I was in Jimmy John's waiting on them to finish my sandwich. In the meantime, I started reading a poster they had on the wall. It was basically their philosophy, or their "This I believe" statement. It was so thought-provoking, and inspiring, that I have to share it with you! 

I believe…

that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe…

that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

I believe…

that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I believe…

that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe…

that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I believe…

that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I believe…

that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.

I believe…

that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I believe…

that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe…

that no matter how bad your heart is broken that the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I believe…

that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe…

that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.  And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I believe…

that you shouldn’t be eager to find out a secret.  It could change your life forever.

I believe…

that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe…

that you should always leave loved ones with loving well wishes. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe…

that you can keep going long after you can’t.

I believe…

that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe…

that we don’t have to change friends, if we understand that friends change.

I believe…

that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe…

that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe…

that you either control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe…

that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, that passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I believe…

that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe…

that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe…

that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe…

that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe…

that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones who help you get back up.

Inspired by one of my favorite daily-blog-reads (who also did her "I believe" statements last week in her blog), tomorrow, I will be sharing my own "This I believe" statements!

Hope everyone has a fun and restful Sunday! 

Oh, how Pinteresting Wednesday!

Pin It

Linking up with The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!

PS- what would our lives be without Pinterest?!

I loooove tulips, and this would be such an easy way for them to brighten the house!

I love this...I'm thinking about putting this on a cute little card in the Welcome Bags for the wedding.

I love this! :)

Healthy and delicious...stuffed peppers with brown rice, garlic, onion, basil, grape tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella

I'm always looking for more efficient ways to pack my suitcase! Wrapping all your tops and bottoms in pillow cases? SMART. That will also prevent wrinkling!



Um, hi "dream" home office! SO organized, and unique to the owner. Love it.


And again, I ask you, WHAT WOULD OUR LIVES BE WITHOUT PINTEREST?!
hAPPY hUMP dAY!

If You Really Knew Me...

Pin It Ok, jumping on the blogosphere band-wagon of doing an "If you really knew me" post. Whateverrrr.

1. If you really knew me, you would know that I have a serious problem with over-descriptive language. For example, the words "moist" and "tender" can send me into a tizzy. Just don't say them in my presence.

2. My least favorite house-hold chore is emptying the dishwasher. Hands down.

3. My favorite city in the world is London. My next dream vacation(s) are Italy and/or Bora Bora.

4. I never really mastered the art of riding a bike. I just was never into it, so I didn't care to learn. I'd probably fall off if I tried it.

5. If you want to make me flip my lid, please tell me that my height (4'11") qualifies me as a "legal midget". I will go from cordial to ghetto in 2.5 seconds. Not only is that statement inaccurate, and rude, but it's not P.C. 

6. I used to want to be a fashion buyer, until I realized how much math was really involved. Byeeeee.

7. When I was in 4th grade, I got a perm, which was the biggest mistake of my life. Not only was it a disaster, but my hair remained a disaster until it was completely grown out. #woof

8. DK and I have attended the same schools since pre-school. We were dance partners in choir in grade school, and I HATED HIM. He was super mean and would never practice, and would just go play his stupid drums all the time. We sort of ignored each other from the time I was in 4th-9th grade, and started dating when I was a sophomore.

9. I love to read, especially biographies and historical fiction. I'm fascinated by Elizabethan England, and I love Henry VIII, tyrant that he was. 

10. I'm a sucker for the Kardashian & Real Housewives series. Whatever, I love me some trashy tv.

11. If I could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, it would be JFK and Jackie Kennedy. But I would want to do them separately because I'd want to get to the bottom of JFK's nonsense, especially with that Marilyn Monroe character, and I'd want to talk to Jackie about how insane her life was, and to talk about her clothes, duh!

12. The best gifts I've ever been given were 1) my engagement ring and 2) my little puppy, Bean.

13. I always swore up and down that I would never ever join a sorority, and I hated the whole idea because I bought into the stereotype of sorority women. Then I actually gained an understanding of how awesome these women's organizations were, and I was absolutely changed. 

14. My idea of a dream job? My current one! I work for an organization that I adore, and support their mission whole-heartily, I get to help and empower women, I learn something new every day, and I get to travel.

15. I believe that my sister and I were raised exceptionally well. We were brought up to be polite and well-mannered, and to appreciate all of the blessings in our life. We were provided with an exceptional education, had the opportunity to travel, and raised to appreciate the importance of family. My parents were pretty strict, and I hated it then, but I really appreciate it now.

16. My childhood crushes: John Travolta (current sex-scandal, be damned!), Billy Joel (I wanted to be his "Uptown Girl", obvi), and Patrick Swayze (RIP, Patrick!). 

17. My favorite song of all time is "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel.

18. My favorite childhood memory is of driving around Springfield and looking at Christmas lights, then going to dinner at The Fair View restaurant every year during the Holiday season.

19. I have lots of best friends, but the two that I talk to every day are my sister, and DK. I love all of my other best friends, because I know that I could go days or weeks without seeing them, but when we do see each other, things are just the way they left off, like we never spent any time apart.

20. DK gets told he looks like Matt Damon all the time. I get told I look like Snookie almost daily. #fml

21. My favorite drink is a dirty vodka martini, with blue-cheese stuffed olives, in a short glass. Martini glasses are cute, but I hate sloshing it all over the place.

22. I love animals, and I absolutely die inside every time those Sarah McLaughlin-ASPCA commercials come on. They make my heart hurt.

23. I can recite nearly every line in Gone with the Wind, which is my favorite movie (and book!).

24. I took 4 years of french, and the only thing I remember is the following phrase: "J'ai un rendezvous avec David dans vingt minutes." It means "I have a meeting with David in 20 minutes". I don't know who David is.

25. I'm getting married in 74 days eeeeeekkkkk!!

Let's do the time-warp...AGAIN!

Pin It Well Happy Monday, kiddies. I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. I spent the majority of the weekend trying to catch up on DVR, sleep, and emails from when I was out of the (home) office last week.
    Despite lots going on in October (and thanks to a very abridged rehearsal schedule that meshed surprisingly well with work travels, wedding planning, and life) I decided to audition for The Rocky Horror Show: Live!  Friday evening. I was in the production last fall, and it was, easily, the most fun that I have had on stage in quite some time. As an added bonus, we had the incredible opportunity to perform the show up in Chicago at 115 Bourbon Street in December. So I decided to give it another shot, and I was cast! I'll be one of three Usherette's (my sister is one of the other ones!), so I'll be able to dance, sing,  rehearse, get married in Key West real quick, come home, and perform!
   If you aren't familiar with The Rocky Horror Show, do yourself a favor, and DO NOT watch the movie. It's horrible, and I don't get it. But DO do yourself a favor and go see a local production (preferably the one in Springfield, IL or Chicago, IL!) around Halloween. It is crazy, fun, entertaining, sparkly, and hilarious. I dare say that one of the main reasons I decided to audition again was because of the INCREDIBLE make-up and hair design for the show. Love, love, love me some false eyelashes and sparkles!
  Here are some photos from last year's production, featuring yours truly as Columbia:

Photo courtesy of Sarah Chatham, at Peek-A-Boo Photos

Photo courtesy of Jen Wallner

Rocky Horror Show: Live, 115 Bourbon Street, Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy of Ric Major

I'll be one of these gals this year, along with my sister! :)
Photo courtesy of Sarah Chatham, Peek-A-Boo Photos

Photo courtesy of Sarah Chatham, at Peek-A-Boo Photos

 

Let's do the Time-Warp again, y'all!

I'm baaack! High Five for Friday!

Pin It Happy Friday, friends! I'll totally own that I've been MIA for about a week...but for good reason! Last Thursday, I was up in Michigan for my annual Family Reunion, then Sunday-Thursday, I was at Mabel Lee Walton House, aka Tri Sigma's National Headquarters for a staff meeting/retreat. Needless to say, I've been a busy little bee, and I'm glad to be getting back into the swing of things. That being said, let's 

Our cousin, Phil, who we neeeeever see surprised us at the Family Reunion!  His wifey is going to have a baby any day now, so we did not expect him to come. A wonderful suprise!

It was so great to see all of my cousin's at the family reunion! We are almost never together, so this was really special!

Catching up with old friends. It was so great to get to catch up with my dear friend, Sigma sister, and bridesmaid Anna! Check her out here. Ps, don't mind our wicked pale-ness. It was December, ok!?

Our beautiful National Headquarters in Woodstock, VA. Who wouldn't want to visit?!

 

Has anyone tried this!? It will change your life! You can have it on apples, toast, ice cream, whatever! You can find it in the peanut butter aisle at the grocery store. It tastes just like the Biscoff cookies, but in spreadable form. DELICIOUS.