Yearly Archives: 2012

Ted and I aren’t big celebrators of Valentine’s Day.

I don’t expect flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals, an expensive dinner, or a card.

He doesn’t expect me to cook him a fancy meal or gift him a thoughtful present.

These are the kind of things we strive to do year-round for each other.

True, in our 3.5 years together he has never bought me a single bunch of flowers. But he has come home with a new pack of hairbands for me when he noticed I’d lost all mine. He has searched all of Michigan in late November for a new pumpkin for me to carve after a raccoon ate mine. He has surprised me the unexpected “just because” gift of something he knew I needed but wouldn’t buy for myself. He has unloaded the dishwasher, taken the trash out, folded the laundry, and threw in a pizza for dinner for us on nights when I’ve been swamped with work. And he does make me laugh every single morning with his weird voices and made-up songs while we get ready for work. I do all the same kinds of things for him – little surprises here and there, a dinner of all his favorite foods just because, running an errand for him when he’s busy, or making his lunch.

And it’s these little things that I love more than flowers and cards and all the Valentine’s treats in world.

But last night I got the best Valentine’s gift in the world – a night with my Valentine!

Ted was scheduled to work load-in until midnight, but he unexpectedly finagled his schedule to be home by 6:30 and surprise me with an evening together!

Of course, I ruined this surprise by taking advantage of his late work schedule to run some errands and not arriving home until 7…but the sentiment and our surprise evening together was the best gift I could have asked for.

We ordered in an extra large pizza to split. We drank wine and ate cupcakes. We watched TV and cuddled on the couch in our pajamas and played a board game.

It was perfect.

And isn’t that really what Valentine’s Day is all about? Spending time with the people you love and letting them know how much you cherish them? And you don’t need flowers or a fancy dress to do that.

Did you do anything special to celebrate with someone you love?

Happy V Day!

In honor of mushy love, I’ve compiled a list of my top three lovey-dovey Romance movies of all time!

(P.S. – For an extra dip of saccharine you should probably read this list accompanied by the sweet melody of Taylor Swift’s song “Love Story.”)

(P.P.S. And if you gag easily you should probably just skip this post altogether…killjoy.)

1.

“The Notebook”

OF COURSE.

As unbelievably cliche and girly and mushy and sickening as this movie truly is…it’s also my favorite movie of. all. time.

Knowing me, most people would not peg me as this kind of girl.

But, alas.

I was obsessed with this movie and watched it at least once a week when it came out in 2004, and I still love it to this day.

Plus I want Rachel McAdam’s entire wardrobe.

I even walked down the aisle to “On the Lake” – you know, that gorgeous instrumental song composed for the scene when Allie & Noah are in the boat and it starts to pour and she starts laughing right before the big rainy “It’s still not over!” steamy kiss scene.

Yep. I staked wedding aisle walk claim on that sucker instantaneously.

 Best love story ever.

Ideal for Valentine’s dates with yourself, a box of tissues, and a carton of malted milk balls.

Because no dude wants to sit through that crap for two hours with you.

Moving on…

2.

“Under the Tuscan Sun”

This movie kind of just wants t0 make you move to Italy immediately.

It’s romantic and funny and life-affirming and, of course, delicious because it’s Italy.

I like this one because it’s got all kinds of love – romantic love, family love, friend love, love of self, love of beauty, love of life, etc.

Share the love, people. Share the travel and share the love.

And finally…

3.

“P.S. I Love You”

Talk about a sob fest.

It is impossible to make it through even the first 1/16 of this movie with a dry eye.

You can only hope your S.O. would be so romantic, even in death.

Again, what’s with the travel?

Maybe it’s the combination of romance and travel that makes these flicks so darn appealing.

In the Romantic-Comedy category the clear winner is

“The Proposal”

While it’s technically a love story and can verge on romantic every now and then, it’s big selling point with us is that it’s laugh out loud funny.

Ted and I both think it’s hilarious.

We’ve watched it an embarrassing number of times for a rom-com.

Brilliant one liners.

And how can you deny the genius that is Sandra Bullock?

If you haven’t seen it, you really should give it a chance.

And lastly, in the I Hate Love and Romance and Therefore I Hate Valentine’s Day category my vote goes to

“All I Wanna Do”

If you’re not having any of that obnoxious love stuff then I would highly suggest grabbing some pals and popcorn and ice cream and sleeping bags and settling in for a night of laughs with this group of mischievous 1960s boarding school girls.

I love the casting and it’s a total girl power movie.

This is a definite go to for the down with love crowd.

Happy V Day, however you choose to enjoy it.

I hope you take the time to celebrate all the important loves in your life – family, friends, pets, coworkers, yourself, S.O.’s, and otherwise!

Ted and I saw this on Friday night at a little candy shoppe next to the aquarium when we went for Tom & Chee in Newport.

A. That is not a penguin. It is a walrus. Wrong animal, friends.

B. This could only be funnier if that walrus figurine were a sea lion.

Because sea lions eat penguins and it would be joyfully ironic if the sea lion were wearing a Save-the-Penguins ribbon.

My fail-loving heart would have been extremely fond of that image.

Hey, you!

I’ve got a project for you.

I promise it won’t take much of your time or effort.

Just 4 minutes and 59 seconds, and the click of a mouse.

That’s it. No biggie.

But the payout is a pretty big deal for these kids.

These so-called “kids” that I refer to are not really kids at all.

They’re hard-working lighting students at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music.

And they went all out designing, producing, and filming this really clever video

– all while attending classes full-time and keeping up with a highly demanding production schedule –

for a contest to win their school a new ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls) lighting console.

Those suckers aren’t cheap. And they could really use a new one!

I think you’ll be very impressed, as I was, with the quality and professionalism of their work.

It’s clear these kids put forth the effort and really want to win this thing for their school.

Each video will be judged according to its “ETC-ness” – enthusiasm, talent, and creativity.

None of which they are lacking.

Their work speaks for itself and whoops the socks off of the competition.

They did a TON of work to make this happen.

Alas, in an unfortunate turn of events, these guys had a slew of well-deserved votes…

…until the vote counter was accidentally reset during a website glitch.

The company has promised to add those lost votes back onto their tally total at the end of the contest…

…but still.

It’s disheartening for them to see a lackluster counter-number.

(and who knows how many votes were really lost?)

Their video exemplified “ETC-ness” to a T and really went above and beyond.

So, what can YOU do to help?

I’m glad you asked!

You can go HERE,

Watch their rockin’ video (I promise it’s entertaining and really informative – you’ll like it!)

And, most importantly,

Click the “like” button below the video to vote for them!

Let’s get those boys back where they belong – at the top!

So be a good sport and click “like” to vote for College-Conservatory of Music.

Thank you!

Now don’t you feel better for getting that weekly good deed out of the way?

If you have a blog or a FaceBook, be a pal and pass this on!!

(P.S. The guy’s face that they Pixelmapped is Fred Foster – the founder of ETC. Those clever kids!)

(via)

A delicious mojito – my signature drink.

(via)

Turtle cheesecake – dinner of champions.

(via)

Window shopping for gorgeous frocks.

Mojito, cheesecake, window shopping, and girl talk date with sweet friend, Allyson.

(via)

Recliner + Me + Blankets + Baby Mama = Relaxed & Sleepy & Happy

P.S. If you EVER find that C. Luce color block dress pictured above in a size small, you must let me know immediately because I will rejoice, squeal a little, hug you profusely, and order it so fast your eyes will spin. Finding that dress in my size is my new mission in life. If you’ve got super savvy online sleuthing skills, put them to good use…join my crusade, please!!

P.P.S The husband comes home tonight! Even though I worked my tail off non-stop and got a ton accomplished these past two days, I sure have missed that weird guy and I’m happy he’s coming home!

I’ve discovered a new favorite breakfast joint. Kolache Factory, you are my pride and joy!

My Super Bowl snack!

On Sunday I saw Ted off on his quick jaunt to Philadelphia, went to 8 a.m. Mass, mowed down on a kolache, deep cleaned the apartment, reorganized the pantry and fridge, took all our Christmas boxes back to our storage warehouse (Our tree came down on February 4th. Overachievers, we know.), recycled the recycling, spent five hours at Caribou Coffee sitting by the window drinking a sweet mango black iced tea while I prepared my acting & musical theatre lesson plans for this week’s teaching gigs (they’re pretty excellent), submitted multiple theatre job applications, and wrote someone a letter of recommendation. Then I came home for some Super Bowl action, planned our meals for the week, made the grocery list, clipped the coupons, printed all my lesson plans, scanned paychecks, did some research on a theatre company that has expressed some interest in us, and watched the Super Bowl.

Did I mention it was another glorious, sunny, mild day?

It’s amazing how much I can accomplish when I have just one full day off, to myself, to get stuff DONE.

Success.

And I saw a cat sitting on the windowsill next door. Which always makes me happy.

Speaking of kitties, my new favorite commercial is this Geico commercial with the rescue panther.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O1SX4x7uUE]

What did you do this weekend?

(via)

(via)

(via)

Avocado and hummus sandwich, a clawfoot tub, and A Year With Frog & Toad, the musical.

(via)

(via)

Aye Aye dress, Indian Brave hideout, and go with the flow.

Dear Punxsutawney:

(via)

Aghghghghgh!!! You are SO adorable!!!! When can I hold you!?

Would it help if I wore a top hat?

Anyhow, Phil, for as handsome as I think you are (and you are!), I’m not quite so sure about your six more weeks of winter prediction.

See, normally this would make me supremely cranky.

However, if “winter” is going to continue as it has of late with highs in the 60s, sunny skies, and lots of comfy breezes…

…then I think we can come to an agreement.

Again, thank you for being adorable beyond measure.

I intend to spend the rest of my day, whenever possible, looking up photos of how cute you are.

And also of the history of Groundhog’s Day because, bad American, I really haven’t the fainest idea where this tradition came from.

Sincerely,

I Would Like A Groundhog Please