Weekend recap: True Blood and No Doubt

Happy Sunday! First, I cannot believe BlogHer is two weeks away, um where did summer go? I'm so excited about it and spending time with some of my awesome bloggy friends.

Well let's get started with the weekend recap!

Red Wine and Vampires

Because I don't have HBO (stupid cable companies), I don't get to watch and enjoy the "cool" shows, like True Blood, so Friday I met up with Sarah and Liz to indulge in this guilty pleasure with pizza and red wine (or beer for me). To be fair, I was pretty beat after a long day at work, so my mood may have been off but the show was...meh okay. Sookie kind of got on my nerves.

I may be tarred and feathered for these comments, but from what I've seen of the show, I give it a C. Maybe it has to just grow on me more.

NO DOUBT!!!!

I don't talk a lot about music here because well, I'm not very "cool" when it comes to music. I like my iPod classic rock mixes and mostly mainstream hits. I don't know a lot of indie/alt rock bands and I would be awful to have on your musical trivia team. Honest.

But like everyone else, I have 2-3 bands that I go ape-sh*t crazy for, and one of them is No Doubt.

No, not Gwen Stefani via Hollaback Girl, I'm talking about No Doubt, her group before she came a solo star.

I have fond high school memories of Tragic Kingdom, dancing along to "Just a Girl" and screaming (privately) "F*CK YES I AM" along with those lyrics. Yes, there is a little punk/ska girl buried behind my preppy/clean cut exterior. I still daydream about dying my hair pink or wearing a crapload of heavy make up for no reason than to show I'm pissed off and rebelling against "the man."

So when I heard No Doubt was going on tour this summer, for the first time in almost seven years, I nearly lost my mind with excitement. But my indecisive nature kept me from doing anything because the venue was in the suburbs...and I have no car. FAIL. But after some very good blog karma, I got a ride thanks to Rachel and her friends and a ticket off of Craigslist for a very good price. I even got to see Molly there too! Hey, hey Chicago bloggers represent.

As you can see, everyone was excited to be there (I'll be wearing that next time)

And with the help of a 22 oz. beer (which I could legally buy, as opposed to last time I saw No Doubt), I was a screaming, dancing, hip-shaking, arms waiving, jumping up and down fool. For real. You would have been SHOCKED by my actions, given that I'm a pretty reserved, laid back person. My hips were shakin' like Shakira on a good day.

I love you Gwen!!

Oh and the girl I bought the ticket from, yeah we got upgraded VIP seats from a drawing we entered at the venue on a whim. I completely had a holy-shit-I-think-I-might-pass-out moment. And I got to see Gwen really close, and scream my love for her. GREAT NIGHT.

Fall into the Gap

Oh and my final piece of good news for this weekend, I found out I was selected to be a Gap brand enthusiast from Brand About Town. My super awesome "Born to Blog" shirt that the other ladies have been posting pictures of isn't here yet :( but my inner event planner is out in full force getting logistics set up for the party. I'll keep everyone posted on the details!

How was everyone else's weekend? Anything fun or exciting happen? Or what performer/band would you LOVE to go see if you had the chance?

I am SO excited that 500 Days of Summer comes out next weekend. I have already texted TC to discuss getting tickets.

Note: Thank you everyone for your sweet comments about my second date with JohnBoy. Really you guys are so sweet and I'll definitely keep you posted about date #3!! We've been texting while he is on vacation so we're staying in touch :)

Kicked off the pop culture island

I do love celebrity gossip and entertainment news, but there are a few things I've been hearing a lot about lately, or I've been hearing about certain things for way too long.

So let the tribal council gather because I'm kicking the following things off my pop culture island.

Speidi

I cannot begin to explain how much I loathe these two. If I had a nickel for every d-bag thing Spencer said, I could pay off my student loan and I don't like that. Between "the Hills" and "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here," I'm tired of hearing about both of them. Fortunately, E! is on the right track by going "Speidi-free" and now we need to rally other celebrity news outlets to stop talking about them too!!

John & Kate (and ALL the drama)

I won't lie, I'm not a Kate Gosselin fan, but I don't want to hear any more about them. I've had more than enough over the last few months (this picture as one example). And last night came the expected result: divorce. Who saw that coming??? Wha?

Yes, the kids are cute and Kate's hair and behavior are beyond awful, but as a kid from a divorced family, this is the best thing for everyone. Kids pick up on their parents being unhappy, so I'd rather have them be apart and happier, which will ultimately be better for their kids. I hope they use the show's network-enforced hiatus to get back on track.

Scary pregnancy shows

These shows scare the absolute sh*t out of m. For example, TLC's "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant" or MTV's "16 and Pregnant." For me, the former is way scarier than the latter but both make me want to OD on birth control. In fact, I can't even really explain why these scare me because I'll start shuddering in a ball on the floor. I think the titles say it all

Melissa Rycroft

Getting dumped on national, live television is awful. I can only imagine how humiliating it was, especially after the man who dumped you, hooks up with another woman moments after you leave. That is awful, but you've done "Dancing with the Stars" and now you're on GMA and I think it's time life goes on. I'm tired of hearing how you got your "revenge."

Lindsay Lohan

I don't know what to say, she's a trainwreck. An absolute trainwreck. But I'm holding out for Britney shaving her head again so I am kicking you off the island. Oh and start wearing pants, leggings are not attractive on bony legs. And get your sh*t together girl, seriously.

Jennifer Aniston/Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie

Similar to my open letter to Jenn awhile back, why are we still talking about this??? Please, please stop and let them each go on being equally hot.

None of these things would ever be part of my desert island game. Ick.

Who would you like to vote off your pop culture island?

Guest post: Non-Bachelorette material

This hilarious post comes from Alexa at Cleveland's a Plum. And I have to say, ITA with her below that I could never be a reality TV star.

for many years i didn’t watch any of the seasons of the bachelor or the bachlorette because let’s be honest, it’s cliché as hell.

but for whatever reason my roommate and i really got into the last bachelor season with jason, melissa, holly and the second runner up jillian.

jillian is truthfully why we are watching this season’s bachelorette at all – we love her. the dreamy bachelor’s vying for her attention don’t hurt either (i’m looking at your ed and reid).

but after watching week after week I have decided that as much as I love the show i could never (EVER) be the bachelorette for a few specific reasons:

1. no one needs to make out that much with that many people. just image what would happen if there was a mono outbreak!

believe you me, i’ve been known to be quite the make out bandit in my hay day but having random lizard tongues flicking me at every turn would be a bit much

2. knowing that my family and friends would be watching me make out that much

the fact that at times I have to cover my eyes because i can’t watch the awkwardness of the smoochy boochy pillow talk and it’s people i don’t even know, i can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like for people that know me in real life

3. getting fed constant bullshit

there’s no possible way that every single one of those guys are falling in love with her, it’s bull caca. watching some of the contestants is like watching a slimy salesman selling themselves for sloppy kisses. (except for ed and reid, they can do no wrong)

4. “i think i’m falling in love with you”, “no i love you more”, “i never thought i could fall in love this fast”, “i don’t normally have feelings like this”

when i hear those phrases all that comes through is blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. i think there should be a drinking game associated with the bachelor and bachelorette that when any of those lines are uttered you have drink

and yet, I still watch – every. single. episode.

maybe i’m jaded, maybe i’m turning into a bitter old spinster, but i just don’t think i could be the bachelorette. that and the fact that the idea of me frolicking around a sausage fest in a bikini is something that no one deserves to see.

so what do you think - could you put yourself out there and be the bachelorette (or bachelor)? what about even just being a contestant?

Guest post: Guilty blog fodder

Why hello there everyone, it's Katelin here from gorgeous footsteps in the sand... and for

some reason Jessica let me take over her blog today. Really, I don't know what she was thinking, haha. But anyhoo, moving on.

So recently (aka today's post) I said there were some things that I would not write about on my blog anymore, but that doesn't mean I can't blog about them over here!! :)

Heidi and Spencer. Oh my gosh. They are probably the most annoying people out there right now, but also the smartest. Everywhere they go they make a spectacle of themselves and some media outlet picks them up! Ah. It's a vicious cycle! I can't stop reading all the craziness of their TV show adventures (even though I refuse to watch that ridiculousness) and their newest endeavors like selling shampoo. Seriously, gaaaaaaaaah. When will the madness stop.

Octo-mom. Now it's been a while since I've talked about this crazy lady but with talks of her getting a TV show and saying crap about Kate Gosselin, yeah I'm going to try and avoid her like the plague.
The Gosselin drama. I haven't really talked too much about the family drama on my blog but it's almost getting hard not too. Every episode has been awkward and the family is taking over every tabloid like wo. But from here on out I'll avoid the drama talk and just stick to the cuteness of the kids and the show.

Twilight. Yeah right. I can't stop. It's like an addiction. Anything Twilight I have to read it! I cannot wait for the new movie to come out and I'll probably reread the series again and pictures of Rob Pattinson make me swoon and ummm I'll just keep being a spokesperson.

So is there anything you want to stop blogging about but can't? Or am I alone in my habits, haha?

Weekend recap: food, shopping and manual labor

Oh Memorial Day, the "unofficial" kick off for summer. And to celebrate this long weekend, I was back in Wisconsin, where it was a balmy 50 degrees by the lake and I was left with one coat, one pair of closed-toed shoes and a plethora of short sleeved tops. FAIL. It was like my packing fail for last year's BlogHer in San Francisco.

Despite the not-very-warm weather, I dialed the "relaxation" up to 11, stopped wearing make up and did a whole lotta nothing but bonding with my parents.

In fact, we bonded over four things: food, manual labor, shopping and television.

So let's recap the bonding that occurred this magical weekend.

Television/Movies

Due to my power outage last week, I missed Fox's Glee pilot, but thanks to iTunes, I downloaded it for free and enjoyed it this weekend. And OMG I'm obsessed with this show. I cannot WAIT for it to start up in fall.

First, Jane Lynch is one of the funniest people on TV right now. Woman steals every scene she's in. And along with my serious crush on Finn, here is my favorite part of the show:

I love Journey and I love the glee club version of Journey even more. It makes me want to rock out. If you haven't see this show yet, go download it right now from iTunes and enjoy. 

I also started watching The Fashion Show on Bravo. It's my short-term Project Runway-knock off fix. Kelly Rowland is tragic, Isaac Mizrahi works but I'm really shocked by the lack of talent from most of the contestants. Half of them can't sew? WTF? But I like that they focus on sell-ability, which PR doesn't do. 

Oh we also rented Taken with Liam Neeson. Damn that movie was intense. It make me want to kick someone's a** much like Liam did. Watch the unrated version, it's heavy but good. 

Shopping

My stepmom is the DEVIL to shop with because she is the biggest enabler I know. I learn from her! 

So we went to the outlet malls on Saturday and I got a little too close to sales of at least 40 percent off and a JCrew outlet store. It wasn't pretty. But here is a picture of my favorite new item, a gold scarf, which looks awesome with my new blue shirt and of course, the Coach sunglasses.

Manual labor

Nothing says "I love you," like manual labor. And that's what I got roped into doing this weekend. After we shopped and watched TV, it was time to work! The hardest job was bringing inside this new cabinet from the car. The thing is massive and weighs as much as I do. Fortunately I don't have to bring it upstairs. That will SUCK.

Food

In our house, Memorial Day = lots of cooking out. And because I don't have a grill in Chicago, I was ready for some grilled goodness.

Join me on my Memorial Day culinary journey.....

Friday: Swiss and mushroom cheeseburger (mushroom and cheese is stuffed inside the patty) with a pretzel bun, ketchup and mustard. 

Kettle corn from the outlet mall shops. I know, sounds crazy, but it was really good. Sea salt and sugar on kettle popped popcorn. Healthier than movie theater popcorn and just as good

Sunday: Sirloin steak on the grill with cooked mushroom and au jus sauce plus Yukon Gold potatoes with light butter, salt and sour cream. Truly amazing. Num.

Dessert: Brownie mix with Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips and nuts. I must stay away from this pan.

And after all that eating and activity, I basically laid around like a beached whale on a chaise lounge, couch, bed, chair, really any surface that allowed me to spread out. Heaven.

How was everyone else's Memorial Day weekend? Do anything or fun or grill out? Or did you go see any good movies?

Reality show guilty pleasures

I love watching the news and TODAY show, but lately, it's been kind of a downer. Recession, storms, murder, etc. Not exactly something pleasant to start the morning. Oh and the good television is going on hiatus now for the summer, so that's a double FAIL.

So I'm finding comfort and fun in total fluff television, aka reality shows.

And lately, the ones I cannot seem to stop watching are The Real Housewives of [insert city], Millionaire Matchmaker and Make Me A Supermodel. I blame the last one on the lack of Project Runway in my life. Fortunately that will be fixed soon.

So why do I love these shows, it's simple. Pure 100 percent entertainment without an ounce of thought.

I don't have to think about why Kelly is crazy or what lead her to be as absentminded as she is. I can just bask in the fact that she enjoys jogging in the middle of NYC traffic and dressing like a hippie when she should be wearing a bra.

And I don't want to know more about Simon and Alex, I enjoy watching them tactlessly decorate their brownstone like a bordello or vampire lair and laugh as their children remain unparented and running amok. It's great!

Now the Real Housewives of New Jersey has started and I'm sure I'll seamlessly move right to that series too. And those women are k-r-a-z-e-e too. I've never heard the word "bubbies" used so frequently in one period of time.

Oh and Patti from Millionaire Matchmaker is my total hero. I always enjoy watching her sass some woman "auditioning" for the Millionaire's Club or telling some spoiled man he's white trash. Sure it's harsh, but when it's not targeted at you, it's just fun!

So while I'm reality TV obsessed, I refuse to start watching the new VH-1 show, New York Gets a Job. That's just a gimme for teasing and I don't think I could stomach it.

What reality shows are you obsessed with right now? Or what shows are your guilty pleasures? Is anyone else looking forward to Project Runway coming back?

Key learnings, Star Trek and pop culture commentary

Happy Sunday and Happy Mother's Day! Well, I've watched the Mother Lover video from last night's SNL far too many times and while it's inappropriate, I can't help but laugh. Let's just hope I don't sing it out loud at work tomorrow.

So let's hit the key learnings before I am moved to sing out loud again.

Key Learnings:

• Yes, you can be buzzed after only two beers (it's called "that time of the month" + low tolerance. Works every time)

• Going out on Friday night gets to be more difficult at the end of a long week

• Try to be subtle when asking if your friend is dating a guy you think is cute

• Boobs are fun to look at, but not if you're a woman out at the bar. I didn't order a side of boob with my beer

• It's always "beer-thirty" time somewhere

• Kate Gosselin is a cold-hearted b*tch, but damn those kids are cute

• I do not believe for a second that Kirstie Alley gained all that weight from butter

• It's easy to mishear the word "hair straightener" for "strainer." That or I'm going deaf

• Going shopping with friends is a must so you can get a verdict on clothing choices (it is the most honest opinion)

• No matter how many times I do it, eyebrow waxing always hurts. And it never helps when your "girl" tells you it's going to hurt more because you waited too long between visits

• Renter's insurance is a MUST HAVE. Two friends recently shared stories of either being robbed or knowing someone who was robbed, both without renter's insurance. If you don't have it, don't wait!!

Star Trek: The New Generation in Hotness

Oh yes, this weekend my buddy TC and I boldly went where few women have gone before...voluntarily to the new Star Trek movie. And it was ab fab! I even teared up once (I'm a sap).

Yes, we packed into a crowded afternoon showing of the movie and began to watch the Trekkies stream in, while each eyeing which male moviegoer that could become future Mr. Jess and Mr. TC.

One guy's shirt identified him as a "future astronaut" (promising!) while another man had a shirt that said "beam me up Scottie" (ambiguously cosmopolitan!). 

So while I'm a huge JJ Abrahms fan (loved Felicity and Alias, and of course, LOST), I won't lie, I mostly went for the eye candy.

Trust me, the USS "Hottie" Enterprise can beam me up any day. I'm ready now! Let me just grab my purse.

I just didn't like that Chris Pine was beat up so much. Hit him below the neck! That's valuable merchandise up there! Oh let's be honest, watching him get ruffed up was hot. And Zachary Quinto had a certain...hidden preppy charm. Talk Vulcan to me baby. I'm listening.

I have nothing to contribute to Star Trek history, storylines or Romulan genealogy, but let me just say this, I like watching attractive men do battle on the screen, so bring it on! Oh and Winona Ryder, I missed you!

How was everyone else's weekend? Did you do anything fun for Mother's Day? Or did you see any good movies this weekend to recommend?

An epic night at Target...with Chuck Bass

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I had a big night last night, so let's cut the witty intro and get right to it, eh?

This week, Target opened a pop-up store (the Bullseye Bazaar) on Michigan Avenue and it's only open for three days. So, as a city girl with no car or Target nearby, I nearly wet myself with excitement. That is until I was invited to attend its VIP event last night, which is a sneak peek at the store before it opened today. Yes, then I nearly wet myself.

So my joy about attending this event compounded on Wednesday when rumors started spreading on Twitter that Ed Westwick and Jessica Szohr from Gossip Girl would also be attending the event. Well that's when the insanity really started on and off Twitter. The event was supposed to be invite-only, VIP, but suddenly everyone in Chicago was invited. Okayyyyy, not exactly VIP or what I signed up for but alrighhhhht.

Cut to post-work, with pouring rain and lightening in Chicago. Suddenly my perfectly selected outfit was covered with my damp coat and my coiffed hair was a frizzy mess. FAIL.

But I met up with some co-workers and my buddy Jenn to head over to the Bazaar and bask in the goodness of Target.

And check out the awesome interior! Look at this, even the chili peppers love Target!

And of course, after a quick glass of champagne, I dove into the racks of stuff. I'm pretty happy with my new treasures! One note though, the hat, which is adorable, has pink stains on it. So that will definitely be going back. But otherwise, everything fits. That's a miracle.

Oh heck, let's get to the really good stuff. So rumors flew that Ed and Jessica would be at the event, then we heard they weren't going to be there. But this girl (aka me) knew better. And sure enough, not long after we got there, the media section start lighting up and suddenly Kate Walsh from Private Practice is talking to reporters.

So I try to wedge my way back there (tastefully) and when I'm denied, I actually say, "blogs ARE the new media." Wow, bitchy, I know. Didn't mean it like that. But it gets me back there (after I flash my bloggy business card) and after more pushing, I get this picture.

Yes, she's gorgeous in person.

Then the main event happens, we hear Ed is in makeup and suddenly he's THERE. Chuck Bass, the man I would like to take advantage of me after we shop at Brooks Brothers is THERE. So we move into more pushing and shoving and I get this money shot.

SOOOOO dreamy.

And then Jessica shows up. She is so nice and personable and petite in person! Jealous. But I'm obsessed with her necklace, which matches my JCrew bracelet, so it should be mine right? Right? She's also from Wisconsin. We're meant to be best friends.

Anyhow, I grabbed her after all the interviews and got this photo, which her publicist seriously could not have taken any faster. Thank god it turned out.

So after some more loitering around/shopping, Jenn and I see Ed again and basically stand around and wait to see if we can snag a photo with him....WHICH WE DID. OMG and I told him I'm a huge fan. Could I be any more of a dork?

*insert angels chiming*

Oh an our outfits match. We're meant to be :)

Best. Night. Ever. Here is a link to the set of photos on my Flickr page too, where all the photos are posted (there are a lot!)

I'm so thrilled and excited that I got to go and get to shop before the store opened to the public. Once I exchange that hat, I'm ready to rock it outside.

Of course, there are a few things I have to share too. First, this was a great evening and I'm so glad that I got to go. And I know this little blog and I are not that special, especially compared to Metromix or Chicago Magazine, but being invited in to the media area to take some pictures, only to be kicked out for more important people, isn't cool. My parents think I'm special!

Same with the amount of shoving and pushing to get us to move back so the celebs could come in from the street. I'm all for fire safety, but being pushed back to make room for a walkway that's already there, is also not cool, especially when you block my shot and shake your head at me. I'm not cattle. Don't herd me.

So despite a few hiccups. I had a great time. And now I'm ready for a quiet weekend :)

Thoughts? Or any other big Target fans out there? Big weekend plans? Happy Mother's Day!

Why I will never be a beauty queen

The Miss USA pageant was a few weeks ago and looking at the women, so statuesque and curled, sprayed and tweezed within an inch of their life (while I sat on the couch in glasses, face mask and retainer in), I realized, I will never be a beauty queen.

And I am okay with that.

It's looking beyond the scary pageant mom and coach, but from my peek at pageant life through reality TV and movies, those women are kra-zee!

Here is what makes me non-beauty queen potential:

• I am not eloquent. I have a tendency to "um" and "ah" and "errrrr" my way through answers to questions

• I don't like to smile all the time

• I will not put Vaseline on my teeth

• I don't prance around in a swimsuit. But I will prance around in an evening dress willingly
  

• I have no talent. I don't play an instrument, dance, sing or work with animals, but I can do stand up comedy and accessorize

• I can't cry on command if I win. I could try, but no promises

And if asked my feelings on world peace, I might stumble over my answer.

Yes, I do want world peace, but I'd also like our economy to stabilize, my 401k to get it's act together and cancer to be cured. Then we'll get to world peace.

That is my declaration tonight, that I am not beauty queen material, but I do love playing dress up. I guess I'm more Miss Congeniality than the MTV pageant reality shows.

Now, I don't mean any offense to those who were in pageants or are fans of them. I'm merely saying I'm not that kind of girl.

So I guess the question for tonight is, are you "beauty queen" material? And if not, what kind of beauty queen would you be? Me, I'd probably be the smart a** one who giggles and acts immature. It happens.

Key learnings, reality show filming and trekking for food

Happy Sunday! It was a great weather weekend in Chicago, mostly because the sun was out and not drop of rain. I even pulled out all the new spring clothes so I can start wearing them ASAP.

So while I'm mentally delaying the start of another week, let's hit the key learnings.

Key Learnings:

• I hate the sound of car horns honking. HATE it

• The two of the most distinctive sounds are: glass shattering and someone's car being hit (people sure don't like that)

• Netflix needs to start sending me happier movies. My latest selections: The Reader, The Wrestler, Rachel Getting Married and Doubt. Geez

• Mussels and fried eggs are my new favorite foods, along with gnocchi

• A beer headache is not a good way to start a Friday, especially when you have work to do

• Adjusting yourself in public is never appropriate or appreciated by women

• I am obsessed with taking pictures of flowers

• E! producers are serious when they say "no flash photography"

• Muffin tops are out in full force and show no signs of stopping

• Even on a summer-like day, someone will always be outside wearing a down jacket

• I am SO tired of hearing about Swine Flu

• I really like having a Blackberry, which means, I can never go back to life without one

Reality Show Taping

Today I went to the gym and was greeted with a large "NOTICE" sign on the front door. 

Swine flu? No, turns out E! was there filming Bill and Giuliana Rancic's new reality show. And the notice was to tell us that by entering the premise, we consented to possibly being filmed. So despite my mismatched outfit, glasses and unwashed hair, I walked in and did my workout, sneaking away to watch some of the filming.

I even took a few photos of the filming (Mission Impossible-style) before I was caught and asked to stop by a swarm of not-so-happy producers. Dude, I'm a blogger, you can't stop me!!

Oh yeah and Saturday night I went to The Publican, rated by Chicago Magazine and TimeOut Chicago as the best new restaurant. And it was a decadence of pork and meat. Sarah and I trekked down to the West Loop to meet Ray for a lovely night out. And somewhere between the chef's selection of three hams, farm roasted chicken, frites with fried egg, and lemon and chocolate gelato, I died and went to heaven. My parents even gave me the third-degree about my dining experience, which means a return trip with them could be in my future. Plus, when you see a restaurant sign with pigs on it, you know it'll be good!

How was everyone else's weekend? Do anything fun? I hope the weather was as nice by you as it was here! We have so earned it!

Reader note: I really enjoyed everyone's comments on the "petite" post from Thursday. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only petite person out there that feels bittersweet about my height. Everyone was great to share their thoughts on this and I very much enjoyed them :)

Defining my taste in men

I am a total prep at heart. I love JCrew, argyle, bright colors, cardigans and sweater vests. I'm one step away from a polo match and having a friend named "Muffy."

So it is likely no shock that the kind of man I'm attracted to is a preppy, clean-cut, Republican-looking (I said looking) man.

Some co-workers tease me about my taste in men, describing it as "clean." I'm not quite sure what that means but personal hygiene is important to me.

I've mentioned on here that the image of Hugh Jackman shirtless in Australia (mediocre movie) and in a tux at the Oscars made my heart flutter because, well who doesn't like a big, strong man dressed up or with his shirt off?

Good lord look at those arms!

Heart, flutter, flutter

Of my immediate co-workers, I'm the only one who isn't attracted to the rocker types, so hearing about leather vests and rock n' roll doesn't appeal to me. But I nod along when they gush about it, and saying "agree to disagree" when they ask if I think certain men are attractive. I can be supportive, even if I don't play for that team :)

I was attracted to Brandon over Dylan, Dawson over Pacey and find Nathan more attractive than Lucas.

No, I'll take my frat boy, early Abercrombie-looking man any day. I'd rather see a guy fill out a polo shirt rather than a pair of leather pants (unless it's Hugh Jackman) and talk politics and pop culture over a lovely Chardonnay or Savignon.

Yes that might have made me sound a little douche-baggy but I like my clean-cut boys with briefcases and polished look. Sighhhhhhhh. Actually, a guy in a dress shirt and khaki's gets my pulse racing.

But there is one preppy bad-boy that makes my heart swoon, Chuck Bass. It's the best of both worlds, prep glamour (and bold fashion choices) along with bad-boy mystique.

There is something about his bad-boy ways and philandering that I find irresistible. And I don't know why.

Oh Chuck Bass, call me, we'll shop Brooks Brothers before you take advantage of me in your penthouse.

So are you more of a "bad boy" or "All-American" kind of woman? Or guys, are you a Betty or Veronica kind of guy? And feel free to let me know where you fall on the Dylan/Brandon, Nathan/Lucas, Dawson/Pacey scale too.

Movies I quote on a regular basis

I am a total movie fanatic. I watch a lot of movies, go see movies on a regular basis and, well quote them just about every day.

You can incorporate any of the below tweets into your day: at the office, on the bus, driving, talking with friends, flirting with a guy. It's a solid conversation starter!

Oh and it's been a long week, which is why I'm keeping the topic light for everyone tonight.

So I thought I would share with everyone the movies I tend to quote regularly with friends, primarily my buddy Ryan and my brother. We're a regular comedy routine.

Actually I watch a lot of these movies when I need a laugh, or just feel like watching something that doesn't require a lot of thought.

"You know, a lot of people go to college for 7 years"

"I know, they're called doctors"

"That is so fetch!"

"I can't go out"

"Boo, you wh*re"

"Follow me or perish, sweatermonkeys!"

"When in Rome!"

"I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly"

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

And of course, there is one TV show, outside of the Office, to add to the mix.

"I just blue myself"

"There's gotta be a better way to say that"

And of course, the latest addition to this quote list, "totes magoats" from I Love You Man.

What about everyone else? What movies or TV shows do you love to quote? Or even just love to watch for the one-liners. Let me know if I'm missing any!

The truth about cramps

Being a woman is tough. Let's look beyond the whole "glass ceiling" discussion and get down to what sucks the most, having your period. Because that includes cramps.

Thanks to my "no baby pills," my cramps are better than in high school, but lately, I think the media has been giving cramps a bad name. Tonight I saw a Midol commercial and felt like a freak. Mostly because I wasn't nearly as miserable as those ladies, who could barely find the will or desire to move, dress or do anything other than bitch about pain.

Man up ladies, pop those pills and move on. If I took a day off when my cramps were bad, I would be out at least two days a month from work. I need to use vacation time, but I'm not using it for something like that.

Yes, I have been in cramp-induced pain before where I can barely eat, sleep, think or focus, but I don't whine about it, or do as the ladies in the commercial do. They walk around the apartment whining like a little b*tch, stand half dressed in front of the mirror poking at the bloating like a jellyfish and struggle to get their pants on.

While this may be a reality for some, these women in the commercial are adults. That's high school behavior. And aren't cramps a sign that eggs are making their way through your fallopian tubes? That's a good thing, quit bitching.

Oh and pass me some salty chips, my cramps need some. Kthxbye.

I won't ask you to share personal cramps stories, but let me know if I'm off-base in my review of these commercials. I just find them so comical that I had to write about it.

What commercials do you find to be totally ridiculous?

Reader note: Thanks everyone for the great comments about high heels. I'm glad to see I'm not the only lady, and petite one at that with this issue. I plan to get the Foot Petals and Dr. Scholls this weekend and try them out. Maybe it's time for a foot-insert showdown?

The Desert Island game

Okay, I'm in final prep for a busy weekend full of birthday parties and weddings, so I'm keeping this one light tonight.

I love the Office and in season two's episode, "The Fire," Jim and everyone play a game called, "Desert Island," where they list the top five movies, books, television shows they would bring with them to a desert island. Oh and I have a little version of the other game they played "who would you do?" too at the end ;)

So to kick off the weekend, I thought I would play this game with all of you!

Here are my answers:

Movies:

• Tommy Boy
• Casino
• Enchanted
• Bridget Jones' Diary
• Love Actually

Books/Magazines:

• Anything by Jennifer Weiner or Emily Giffin
• Vanity Fair (makes me feel smart)
• People
• Us Weekly (I need my gossip)
• Twilight series

Television shows:

• Office (yeah, that's not a surprise)
• Arrested Development
• 90210 (original version)
• O.C.
• Colbert Report

Now the question is: Who would you rather do? (aka "hook up" with)

1. John Krasinski - Robert Pattinson

2. George Clooney - Brad Pitt

3. Jon Hamm - Joe Jonas

4. Larry the Cable Guy - Stewie

My answers: 1 - John Krasinski, 2 - George Clooney, 3- Jon Hamm, 4 - Um, do I have to pick?

I'm curious to read everyone's answers! 

This weekend is the wedding I mentioned yesterday and Miss Jamie's birthday. I'll have pictures and stories to share!

What is everyone else up to this weekend?

Exceptions to my dead inside nature

I may be dead inside, but I still cry during certain books or movies. I'm really not a big crier but sometimes certain moments or scenes just really get me and I've become so engrossed in a character or story that a turn of events just hits me hard.

And because I have grown exceptionally sappy in my late 20s, I still can't control the urge to cry from certain movies and books.

So here is a list of books, movies, etc. that have made me cry. Two of them in particular made me cry so hard that I had to stop watching/reading, get myself together and then go back to finish it.

Steel Magnolias

The funeral scene gets me every time. D*mn you Sally Field!

Terms of Endearment

The last quarter of the movie make me cry every time. D*mn you Shirley MacLaine!

Bridges of Madison County

I can't believe I am admitting that I cried reading this book. Shame

Time Traveler's Wife

One word: SOB. Another two words: convulsing sobs

Eclipse (book #3 in the Twilight series)

I might have been hormonal when reading the end of this, but I cried so hard I couldn't fall asleep afterward

Titanic

Outside of the cheesiness, the ending was sad, seriously

Armageddon

The scene with Bruce Willis and Liv Tyler gets me. Breaks my heart

My Girl

Loved this movie and the funeral scene, just heartbreaking

So what have I learned from this. I am a S-A-P, much like I'm a S-I-S-S-Y. You may not agree with me on all of these, but there are a few that, well, if you didn't cry, you're the one who is dead inside. Kidding!

Updated: I forgot to add too that I'm a nasty crier. Like my face gets all red, eyes are puffy and makeup runs. During Juno, another movie I cried in, tears started and when my friend Liz looked over at me, I actually said, "look away!" like I was a monster.

What books or movies make you cry every time you watch/read them?

Well tomorrow if Friday and I am wicked excited about this weekend. That's right, wicked. 

Be sure to check back for a full weekend key learnings recap, which should be interesting because on Saturday, Chicago celebrates St. Patrick's Day! Let me know you are all doing anything fun to celebrate.