Gossip Girl is back on!

Who else is excited??




**All video property of CW TV**

Labor Day thoughts

Because, of course, my college is likely the only one in the South that HAS class today. Case in point, my commute today was 20 minutes shorter than it normally is. Not even kidding.


I WAS going to make a POLYVORE... but apparently the site is down right now [stupid].


So... I will make a list of stuff and things going on in my life.



+ My Vera Bradley bag matches my outfit for today
- 70% chance of rain here in the Richmond metro area
+ Wearing cute-as-a-button white J.Crew skirt
- Last day I can really, "technically" wear said skirt
- Rebecca and Fisher hooking up on Greek. What a slut. Boo.
+ Mike last night grilled scallops and made a tomatillo roasted salsa for me for dinner
- Mike has today off (jerk!!! jk)
+ Pink polos look good on everyone
- Mike refuses to wear any degree of shade of pink, including NANTUCKET RED
- Reading the same assignment for 2 different classes. Yes, two different classes and teachers assigned the same thing... boringggg (but easy?)


Unlike Chuck Bass (drool. although he does look a bit too "fabulous" here with the scarf...)

...sigh

But so soon to a new season:


1. School picture: Liberal Arts College Review
2. Bag picture: Vera Bradley
3. Chuck Bass picture: CWTV
4. Gossip Girl clip: CWTV and E! Entertainment Television

Blair Waldorf

OMG!! Blair Waldorf's wardrobe is now on BlueFly.com !!! I am so excited!

Actually, it has likely been up for months but I just noticed this?]

Check it out: http://www.bluefly.com/Blair/_/N-axje/list.fly

I am totes drooling...

Tocca maroon floral 'Janet' smocked blouse
Retails at $250. On sale at BF for $112.99



Alice & Olivia silk chiffon dress
The color! The gathering! the asymmetrics. LOVES it.
Retails at $422. On sale at BF for $253!



MICHAEL by Michael Kors houndstooth coat
Don't you love houndstooth? I also love belted coats - they really can emphasize an hourglass figure! (like moi)
Retails at $350. On sale at BF for $157.99.



Yoana Baraschi cobalt silk blouse! Just plain gorgeous...
Retails at $284. On sale at BF for $119.99.



Nanette Lepore 'Precocious' pumps... I love the tassels on the toe!! I simply ADORE these shoes. As I work with lawyers all day, these would be fun to have when I am wearing one of my suits... It comes in four colors, but I think the color pictured - mahogany/chocolate - is the most rich... yum!!
Retails at $360. On sale at BF for $193.99.

How Rude & Some Humor

Jeez! I just hassled some USPS guys and they told me a package I sent Nantucket Dreams in the BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY... has been sitting in a distribution center in BALTIMORE. UGH! How rude! I sent something to arrive before Valentine's Day and it gets lost up there in the mail! I could've driven it to her and given it in person in the same time frame! Goodness. So annoying. Apparently it should be there, they said, in an estimation of a week... RIGHT. I just hope it arrives in one piece (as it is long overdue in general) : ( )

To make myself feel better, I checked on YouTube for some new Gossip Girl humor and found these hysterical numbers... check them out!:
Bass-Talk:

Notes: I love Chuck Bass. Not going to lie. I mean, I fear catching a disease from him, but he is the only one on the show with genuine metrosexual GQ-Esquire style!! And he is funny. I am so with Blair in her taste for me... oh jeez. But I love that last part with the sitcom humor overlapping the sitcom style of this preview!!


Ment-Whore:

Notes: Is Dan doing Miss Carr at Prom? Or is it a charity ball backstage? Anyone else notice that? EWWW. I mean, is Dan 18 yet? Or is it illegal in that aspect too? *gets sick*


Blairanoia:

Notes: Not anything unusual. Nelly Yuki getting the verbal abuse because she turned Blair in to Headmistress and Miss Carr. I really am wondering if anyone knows yet about Carr and Dan - that showdown needs to happen!! Also, LOVE Dorota going off on Chuck (and Serena? or is she just playing witness?) in Polish!! Har har!

So Many Things

Picture of the Day: Pissed off New Yorkers -

First off - Happy New Year! Late by over 2 weeks, I know, and don't hate me. I hope my readership hasn't completely given up on me! I hope all is well for everyone out there, I am trying to decide whether I will do one post or multiple posts just to save everyone from dealing with LENGTH!

As you all know, I LOOOOVE Gossip Girl - and I love Nikes - so, natch, this viral ad is so awesome!


I know I have some fellow post-Nsync tour days Britney Spears fans here - --- not sure if anyone heard about how her song "If You Seek Amy" could be submitted to radio stations after the FCC was done with it ...btw, anyone else think this is silly? She doesn't actually say F.U.C.K. M.E.? Are kids really this smart these days (that is the ones who aren't already taking sex ed classes?)


Haha. I love Jossip! "O Faces of National Anthem singers for the Super Bowl" ...I think the best one is JoJo, for one, because she must've been someone who used to exist in the pop world (i.e. 1997-2005) - and because I cannot even think of a song that she ever did. Anyone got any info on JoJo for me? Gracias chicas!



Picture caption: Gawker.com
Now, I don't talk politics a lot, but does anyone else feel insulted about all of the hootananny over this President-Elect? Does anyone even remember there previously being a President-Elect seal/sign on podiums? Does anyone remember there being so many special inaugural... whatevers... for all of the other great Presidents before our time and even to the present? Teddy, FDR, or whomever. Now, I think, Obama has even surpassed Kennedy - who had at least actually spent some time IN THE OFFICE - before people started fainting over his existance - and I find that offensive. However, let me conclude by saying, America spoke, and a majority of people found him to be the right candidate. I just am anticipating to see what it is he will do for all of us!

Check out my GF Jennifer from Calista Cove's Life in the Cove blog to see her post on car coats- I LOVE her taste, don't you?

Here are some more simple styles of what she was wearing:

from Bluefly.com, this Andrew Marc is delish:

It only comes in black, and the fur trim is raccoon, which I know sounds gross, but they are actually very soft!


This Nordstrom.com coat by Fleurette is a bit more luxurious:

I like the muted wing collar - this is trimmed in mink.

Please provide my girl Hopsy with some input on her jewelry case situation!! I told her I think her even wanting one is a great idea. It is such a tradition that has been forgotten. My Mom has several, one just for costume jewelry, and it is a big vanity - 3' tall! Yeesh! But def. fun for me to pick through when designers come up with accessories for the seasons. I "borrow" from MaMa!!

Does anyone else find it insane that Oprah, with all of her money, personal chefs, trainers, etc, cannot get the means to keep off at least most of her weight?

Is this legit:
If that is legit, then my brain just exploded. Just like it did in the middle of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade this past November!!!

Who wants to spend a Million on Barack Obama's old Chrysler (Barack Obama, 1Million $, and Chrysler in the same sentence just sounds wrong) ?


I already know about FOUR weddings occurring this year - on my calendar. HOLY CRAP!!! For real? This is totally crazy. I cannot believe that I already have 1/2 as many as I did for the total of 2008. I am afraid! Gah!

Speaking of weddings, does anyone have any input for my GF Muffy Martini? She is going crazy dealing with her invitations issue!


Shoot me now? And doesn't the "Mom" in this ad look like Lady Ferguson?? LOL

HAHA

I love Gawker. I read it throughout the work day because I can always find something to crack me up. I <3 to death their "Reviews" of The Hills and Gossip Girl episodes. I also enjoy the Open Caption feature, which I recently showed to my BFF Ray Ney who found it equally as amusing as I did.

Examples:

From entry titled: Gossip Girl: No Nookie for Blair and Chuckles:
"[. . . ] Lest I forget, Dan and Nate fell more and more in love. At first Nate was angry that Dan knew about the pauperdom, but then he came over for chili and Dan took him in his big strong arms and petted his soft, Leeza Gibbons-y highlighted hair, and all was right with the world. Little Jenny fluttered around like a bird in a Disney movie and Pa Humphrey, kindly old King Triton that he is, sang a low song while the boys danced together, fumbling—like fawns, or Lt. Dan, on new legs—ever closer toward ecstasy. [. . . ]"



Example 2:

Caption: "And you are saying I was married to this Thorton character?"



Example 3:
Caption: "Wind-Up Toy Walks Ceaselessly Into Wall"



Hysterically ridiculous, I know...! ha

Gossip Girl Season 2, Episode 3

Promo!!:


So, I am all about Gossip Girl still. Loving the randomness of this season. Although Dan and Serena's behavior is sooo much NOT on a high school level. Come on, too obvious!! Fashion still has me happy. And I am proud of Blair for still being elitist but also being all about blackmail (haha Duchess! Can we say "married up"?). And lastly, Blair and Chuck. I am all about these naughty two. They are steamy together. I just mentally age people about 5 years so I feel less-guilty for loving this show and being without the thought, "wtf, where are THEIR PARENTS?!"

xo

I'm back!

Okay, well, now that I am mentally recovered from losing a music idol who I had grown up with knowing well, I am back on track...

Recently went shopping with Mike to Short Pump mall, LOVE my subscription to Lucky because it includes those delish coupons from stores - got to use my Ann Taylor LOFT ones so here is the loot I got:



Striped Ruffle-Button-Down Shirt. $46.00
Hello I want to follow the "ruffle" trend of Fall without looking like a pirate!! and continuing my classic-preppy-with-an-edge style. This does it perfectly with it's wide, delicate ruffle down the front and around the collar, long classic dress shirt sleeves, and narrow, miniscule pinstripe pattern! Yay!




Crewneck Cardigan. $39.50.
I mostly bought this cardigan because I really enjoyed the style, found it significantly comfortable (I'm a 32D bra so I hate the buttons pulling look), and found it incredibly soft. I love the kind-of pearl polish of the buttons! It is great to layer with and have worn it 2x now, so I am thinking I may go back and buy it in a few more colors. I have it in grey, but it also comes in red, pink, orange, yellow, green, black and brown!


Michael and I are still doing faboo. We are big into staying-at-home-cooking-and-drinking routine. It's mostly because he works, yes, in the same building as me, but we maybe see each other once a workday. Also, he has a parking spot in the building, unlike me, so we cannot ride into work together (prohibited by federal regulations for his position), he trains 3x a week - Monday, Weds, and now Fridays and sometimes even Saturdays.
If I haven't explained it before, Mike is a purple belt in Jiu-jitsu from a Gracie school, has studied Muay Thai, and participates occasionally in Jiu-jitsu or MMA tournaments. He is incredibly skilled and regimental in his training from his military background and you wouldn't know it if you looked at him. I mean, you look at him and see him as a law enforcement guy, but you wouldn't be able to tell that he could break you in half. ha.

Anyway, so we like to spend time at home just cooking and hanging out. Especially now that I have started Paralegal School! Woohoo! So I am doing that 2 nights a week in Richmond and loving it. The classes are great and so are the teachers. I am really glad I chose this program to further my job prospects, etc. It's nice being back in a program where I am one of the "smart kids". I think there is no reason I shouldn't get an A in pretty much every class I take! I should be done with the degree in Spring of 2010!

Back to cooking:

Here is a recipe Michael made for me one night:

My Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Breasts, published in Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup milk
8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
Salt and pepper
One 12-ounce bag whole grain pretzels
2 teaspoons dried thyme
4 large eggs
2 pounds of chicken breasts (4 smalls ones is easier but 2 large pieces worked fine for Mike and I)
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Directions
1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisck in the flour and cook for 1minute, then whisk in the chicken broth and milk. When the milk begins to bubble, stir in the cheese and mustard. Season the sauce with salt and pepper; remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
2.Preheat the oven to 250F. Using a food processor, finely grind the pretzels. Transfer to a shallow bowl and add the thyme. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs. Coat the chicken with the pretzel crumbs, then the egg, then the pretzel crumbs again.
3.In a large skillet, heat ½ cup olive oil over medium heat. Cook the chicken in 2 batches, turning, until firm, about 3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels; keep warm on a baking sheet in the oven.

Yummy!


Here is a recipe I did the other night when it was an unexpected 66 degrees outside and raining!! PERFECT for when it gets to be cooler. I think Mike would've enjoyed it more with a beer (the flavor is a bit dull, like Chinese dumplings?)

RICOTTA GNUDI IN PARMESAN BROTH
from Everyday Pasta by Giada De Laurentiis
nude. That's the translation of gnudi, which describes this pasta filling without the pasta wrapper.

PARMESAN BROTH
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

RICOTTA GNUDI
21/2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese (I used 3 cups because I thought it needed more cheesiness)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 egg white
2 ounces prosciutto, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped, fresh flatleaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus 1 cup for dredging

Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the broth has reduced to 4 cups, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the gnudi. Bring a large pot of salted water to a simmer over high heat. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, egg, egg white, prosciutto, parsley, nutmeg, salt, and pepper and mix thoroughly. When the water is simmering and ready, stir the flour into the ricotta mixture. (It is important not to add the flour too soon; otherwise they will become dense and gummy, not light.)
Shape the gnudi using two large soup spoons; scoop up a large spoonful of ricotta mixture into one spoon, then onto the other spoon and back again, forming a three-sided oval. Drop the gnudi into the dredging flour. Form another 8 or 9 gnudi at a time, dredge in flour on all sides, and tap off the excess.
Slide the formed gnudi into the simmering water, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Remove the gnudi using a slotted spoon after they have floated to the top and have cooked for about 4 minutes total.
While the gnudi cook, create another batch of gnudi and dredge them in flour. Continue cooking and forming gnudi, transferring the cooked gnudi to a platter in a single layer, until you have used all the ricotta mixture.
Divide the gnudi among the serving bowls. Pour the reduced broth over the gnudi. Sprinkle with a pinch of the pepper and a spoonful of grated Parmesan and serve.


Relationships. Well, things have been rather fantastic for me lately, although I have still been having a hard time making time to spend with GFs and BFFs, etc. I am trying really hard to prioritize. I make sure to phone visit with both of my parents at LEAST once a week, even just send a quick text, email, or voicemail to a GF/BFF who I haven't seen a while but miss a ton, and keep work and school balanced. Shwew! I am doing all I can to not wipe out! But it is all worth it, I like being busy, I like having responsibilities. I just bought tickets on pre-sale to see Nine Inch Nails (I know, weird for me, right?) with my friend Emily (if she can't go I will likely invite Isabel!) in November, and Isabel and I are thinking we may do First Fridays around town with all of the galleries after work tomorrow. It is pretty fantastico, if you ask me!

I never thought I would get where I am with Michael, mostly because I was so far involved with Adam and so interested in John. Weird how things turn out, but definitely for the best. I know I have said it a dozen times but it still rings true!! Everyday I am grateful for the things I chose to do or not do, so I was able to get here and start my relationship with Michael. : )

On to more trivial things:

Gossip Girl was ehh. I loved the clothing as usual, adored Blair's poolside retro-glam bathing suit, and loved the new slang "motherChucker" and "Basshole", and was glam things were so cheesy for the end of the Season Premiere. But I hope things get better, because this "I am a Lord" bit is kind-of random and I don't want Season 2 of GG to be like Season 3 of The O.C. (weird, random, and WTF with all of the excess drama).

The Hills. Okay, lets actually have a storyline on Heidi and Spencer if you are going to include them. Come onnnn. And the Whitney storyline is just as disjointed. Can we please have some coverage of Lo not being a huge bitch and Audrina not being slung around like a purse. And Stephanie is so fugly. What was her problem back in the day? Her face tells me it may have been meth, because she just doesn't seem happy unless she is COVERED in makeup. Good golly.

90210. Didn't see it. Hello, RNC to watch.

GREEK! So glad the show is back. I am totally addicted. And I love how accurate all the Greek-i-ness is. It's quite adorable, but I really wish Casey would stop getting screwed over. Cappie and Rebecca still weird me out, but I can handle it when Rebecca isn't being too nice or too obnoxious. I like her natural bitchy self!

a true sneak peek!

Yay! So exciting!

yay!!!

I cannot wait. This show --- I love it. Fashion, storyline, everything!