Must-have items for 2013

Hello internet friends,

I’m currently in Belize on my honeymoon, which means I’m either:
A) Soaking up some rays (with my SPF 70 lathered) on a sandy beach
B) Eating delicious tamales, meat, beans, and rice
C) Sharing cocktails with Jonathan at sunset
D) Reenacting all of the date nights from Ben’s season of The Bachelor: Belize

Before I departed on my adventure, I did a bit of shopping and found some absolute gems I need to share with you.

First, and most importantly, is this Sugar Lip Treatment from Fresh (plum is my favorite shade so far).  I’m very particular about my lip products for several reasons.  Lip gloss is too gooey and doesn’t stay on for more than a minute.  Lipstick is often very dry and doesn’t have SPF.  Chapstick is my go-to product, but it doesn’t usually have color, leaving my lips pale and plain.

This product is the perfect blend of lipstick and chapstick with SPF that makes my lips feel fantastic!  It’s not glossy, but it slides on and stays for a long time.  They have a whole range of colors too!

Click image for original source. From sephora.com

This next one isn’t so much a product, as it is a TV series that you need to watch if you’re a 20-30 something female.  “Girls” is a funnier and more intelligent “Sex in the City” with more realistic characters.  I love it with all my heart.

Click image for original source. From wikipedia.com

I’ve never had a good pair of sunglasses.  Mostly because I have a tendency to step on, lose, and scratch every pair I’ve ever owned.  However, this year, some little birdie decided I needed to protect my eyes from the sun and got me these Maui Jim Palms for Christmas.

Getting a nice pair of polarized lenses will save your eyeballs, make you look professional, and teach you how to treat your sunglasses well.

Click image for original source. From mauijim.com

I normally buy the $2 flip-flops from Old Navy that bust about 3 months into wearing them, but these Teva Olowaho sandals are a much better alternative.  They have enough cushioning to keep my heels comfortable and enough give in the straps so that they don’t rub and cause blisters.  I have them in black, but I plan on getting a few more colors for summer.

Click image for original source. From amazon.com

The final product I found that I cannot live without is the Olive Body Butter from The Body Shop.  This bad boy has a mild smell compared to their potent fruity flavors, but I can’t get enough of the subtle earthy smell.  Also, the body butter is not greasy, which is a major plus.  This is a must!

Click image for original source. From thebodyshop.com

What products have you fallen in love with during this shopping season?  What do I need to have to prepare for spring?

-Mads

 

Winter break loves

It feels like a long time since we’ve caught up!  I am at a point where I have so many things to write about at once, that nothing is taking shape.  Tricky, I know.

Instead of regaling you with twisted tales of the winter course load I’m currently in the midst of (hello, domestic violence and drug abuse), I will keep things upbeat!  Here are some of the most fabulous things I fell in love with over winter break:

1) Immersion blenders

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I actually made soup specifically to test out the blender.  I don’t know when I’ve ever had that much fun in the kitchen.  A side note, this curry sweet potato soup is delicious.

2) Moonshiners

This is one of the most horrific shows on television, but I Can’t. Stop. Watching.  My eyes were glued to the tv for several hours while I watched the antics of Tickle and Popcorn (yes, those are their names) play out in backwoods Virginia.  Jonathan pointed out that they would probably increase profits astronomically if they legalized their business, branded it, and distributed it.  I’m not sure Tickle and Popcorn would ever come up with a solid business plan.

3) Hue Slippers

The image doesn't even come close to how adorable these are.

These were in my Christmas stocking and I haven’t taken them off since Christmas morning.  I plan on buying them in all colors.

4) Hanna

Uhm, this movie was AWESOME!  Child assassin, incredible soundtrack, great acting…what more could you ask for?  This is the best action movie I’ve seen in a while.

5) Wedding planning (the fun parts)

I will post the engagement pictures as soon as I get them in the mail, but for now, just know that we had THE BEST TIME posing for the camera.  I’m pretty sure we’re going to start part-time modeling for the photo frame insert pictures.

Also, taste-testing the catered meals is also a major highlight of getting married.  They practically had to roll us out of there.  Mmmm!

What have you recently fallen in love with?  What was your favorite holiday gift?

-Mads

p.s. I forgot to add Adele.  You probably already knew that I love her, but I really want to emphasize how incredible she is.  Seriously, I can’t stop listening to her music/singing in the shower.

Top 5 Fall TV Shows

I’ve been hit with the sniffles.  I know it’s not just me because Facebook and Twitter are blowing UP!  What is it about sore throats and runny noses that has people urgent to report their moment by moment health status?  I have no idea, but I’m guilty too.  So, my bloggy friends, I have a cold.

PW recently had a post on the fall tv lineup for this year.  So instead of Doing Things in the real world, I’ll be starting on my own new fall tv lineup.  We have some old faves and some newbies I can’t wait to try out.

Top 5 Shows This Fall:

1) Castle

Nathan Fillion plays a murder mystery author who pairs up with one of New York’s best detectives for inspiration. I can’t help falling in love with this crime fighting duo.  Nathan Fillion is as the intro states, “ruggedly handsome”, and his goofball antics are entertaining to say the least.

2) Dexter

This serial killer dad doubles as a blood-spatter expert for the Miami police department.  Oh, and he’s super hot.  I think we have a theme going with the attractive male leads…*ahem*  Dexter keeps digging himself into deeper and deeper holes and I can’t wait to see how he gets himself out of this one!

3) How I Met Your Mother

The show follows Ted through his late 20s as he retells his children the story of how he met their mother.  How I Met Your Mother is a funnier and wittier version of Friends.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved Friends, but this show’s humor blows it out of the water.

4) Parks and Recreation

Leslie Knopes works as a city planner and promises a community member that she will build a park where a dangerous pit currently sits.  The show is similar to The Office in that it follows the hilarious workplace ins and outs.  I had no idea how much I would come to love Amy Poehler and Aziz Ansari, but I can’t get enough!

5) Person of Interest

This looks like it’s the television version of Minority Report (which I LOVED).  J.J. Abrams (of Lost, Alias, and Fringe) and Jonathan Nolan (of The Dark Knight) pair up for this one and you best believe I won’t miss a minute of it!

Of course, I’m also pretty stoked for the return of Psych, Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, True Blood, Weeds, and Fringe.

What are you excited about watching this fall?  Do you plan on starting any new series?

-Mads

p.s. As usual, click on the photos for sources.  You will be redirected.

CSI: Long Beach?

Get on your fake boobs, spray tans, and white linen pants…”CSI: Miami” is filming in Long Beach!

“CSI: Miami” films most episodes in Long Beach, but today they are filming right outside of my apartment!  I told you I was a freak for celebrities and today is no different.

Found on flickr from a different day of shooting. I find it hilarious that you can actually see the "Long Beach Blvd" sign in the background.

My dislike of Horatio is epic, but you best believe I have already hopped downstairs for an opportunity to be in the background of a scene.  I also took Josie in case they needed a crazy pug stunt-double (she’s not trained enough to be a Hollywood pug star, but I have no doubt she could leap from burning buildings or do backflips if necessary).

Sadly, security surrounded most of the film crew/stars, but I did chat with a crew member very briefly.  Everyone on set had “CSI: Miami Season 9” t-shirts.  Maybe I should change my goals to simply acquiring one of those shirts.  Bad. A$$.

Apparently there are a lot of shows that film right down the block, one of my favorites being “Dexter”.

Michael C. Hall "Dexter" and Jimmy Smits "Miguel Prado" chillin on my beach.

*fingers crossed* I get to meet Michael C. Hall or maybe even Alexander Skarsgard, because apparently they film parts of “Trueblood” around here too.

Vampires? Yes, please.

What show would you Love to have filmed outside your house?  

What CSI is your favorite?  I’m a Las Vegas fan myself, but that’s because Gil Grissom does death puns the best.

-Mads

Semi-homemade cooking gone to sh!t

The Food Network is mostly about entertainment and not so much about “food”.

How do I know this?

Exhibit A:

Paula Dean’s English Pea recipe (thanks to Mama Pea for the link)

Paula’s general recipe format:

Take any object (doesn’t have to necessarily be food)

Add butter

Once you think you have added enough butter, double it

Serve with salt

Exhibit B:

I’m not even sure where to begin with this video.

Other cake-topping options when you are in a pinch:

-Kleenex oragamied into roses add a “je ne sais quoi” to an otherwise boring store-bought cake.

-The center of a bundt cake can be filled with a bottle of $2 Chuck (remember that the glass part of the bottle is not edible, so remove before eating).  Pour the wine directly into the “cakehole” for a modern take on the traditional rum cake.

-Easter cakes really sparkle when adorned with rabbit’s feet.  You can pick these up at your local craft store or you can slaughter 4-5 rabbits (depending on the size of the cake).

-Savory and sweet is such a wonderful pair, why not punch it up by adding some pepperonis in the shape of a smiley face?  Your kids will be sure to love!

I can only assume Miss Lee was doing her own version of “My Drunk Kitchen”:

Visit Kat’s site for more on this topic.  She tackles some really tough issues like how to prepare for Kwanzaa.

-Mads