Jeannie's Obsessions

Aerolatte

2012-01-25T10:15:00.000-08:00

For Christmas Jeff got me an aerolatte.

You pour the tiniest bit of milk in a cup, warm it up in the microwave then use insert the aerolatte into your cup for about 30 seconds and you get a cup full of foam!

I have the stainless steel one and love it because it comes with it's own stand.

This picture is of the first time I used it and poured maybe a 1/4 cup of milk in my cup...way too much foam!

Treat yourself to an aerolatte today!

Oh! One hundred fitness dance studio

2012-01-24T08:19:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of the year I bought an unlimited pass to oh! One hundred fitness dance studio for a month.

Its right around the corner from my apartment which makes it super easy for me to go to tons of classes.

Last week alone I went to 7 dance classes!!!

I can't get enough of it.

I usually go to Zumba and ballet 3 times a week.

I'm awesome at Zumba and horrible at ballet.

My ballet teacher Maan teaches the the Zumba class and she is hard core.

We hold 1-3 lb weights for most of class which is crazy...I mean buckets of sweat.

I love this studio and my teacher.

This place is a gem and I was hesitant to share it with you all because I wanted to keep it my little secret.

The above photo is of when I went to a candlelit pilates class at the studio.

The owners dog is always around and she ended up on my mat!

She's actually really good at ballet, yoga and pilates...that dog can do anything.

Jaws Cupcakes

2012-01-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

I made Jaws cupcakes for our Thursday Evening Movie Club. (Click the link to listen to us or you can download us on iTunes.)

I followed Martha Stewarts vanilla cupcake recipe.

The icing is a vanilla buttercream frosting from the food network.

For the sand cupcakes I crushed 3 graham cracker sheets in a ziplock bag with a rolling pin to get the crackers nice and fine.

After icing the cupcakes I rolled them in the graham crackers then inserted a mini cocktail umbrella.

For the shark cupcakes I bought a bag of shark gummies from 7/11, dug a hole in the cupcakes and inserted the shark in the cupcake.

I used blue food coloring to make the icing look the the ocean.

At the last minute I remembered Jaws gets blown up in the end so I used some red food coloring to make the water look bloody and cut up the shark gummy.

These cupcakes actually taste better after being in the refrigerator for a day or two.

Blonde Roast

2012-01-19T16:49:00.000-08:00

I tried Starbucks drip coffee years ago and ended up throwing it away because it was just too strong.

Since then I have only gotten lattes.

Well recently I realized that lattes made me feel too full so I've been getting venti iced coffee with about a cup of milk added to it.

I really like how light it is without all that extra milk a latte has.

Well lately the Starbucks windows have been covered with the word blonde.

I love the word blonde and knew I had to give this drip coffee a try.

The verdict is I love it!

It's a very light roast coffee with a mellow finesse.

I still ask them to put 3/4 of a cup of milk in it because I like my coffee super blonde....like Gwen Stefanie blonde.

Maybe that's what I should say when I order.

"I'll take 1 grande Gwen Stefanie...thanks."

Randomness

2012-01-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

I have always been obsessed with Katherine McPhee.

I hope this show is good.

Our salt and pepper shakers are cows resting.

It always makes me laugh when I see them resting on odd objects.

Jeff made bbq with 5 pounds of pork shoulder.

Jeff and Brett wearing the same jacket.

They were both embarrassed.

I have never heard of Jazz Apples!

I finally put together one of my charm bracelets.

This one is made up of charms I got in my travels around the U.S.

I still have like 60 charms I need to put on bracelets.
Texans find a reason to put Dr. Pepper in everything.

For Christmas I made Dr. Pepper whoopie pies with Dr. Pepper Icing.

Mexican Ornaments

2012-01-02T13:38:00.001-08:00

A few months ago I came across these Mexican Christmas ornaments at the Macy's store by the River walk in San Antonio.

I immediately became obsessed with them.

They had a ton of different ones but these two were my favorite.

The top one is supposed to resemble a miniature donkey (or as I call them burritos) pinata.

The bottom one is Santa dressed up as a mariachi on a pinata. I loved this one so much I gave one to each of my bridesmaids.

Jewel Osco Wish Big Win Big

2011-12-14T08:53:00.000-08:00

I am obsessed with the Jewel Win Big contest going on now thru February.

I've always been a fan of the Monopoly game at McDonald's the only downside of that is that you constantly have to buy food at McDonald's.

The Jewel version is perfect because I go to Jewel practically every day.

I will say I've reached the point where now all I need is 1 game piece per prize.

In these moments I always wonder...."Is this game real?" "Are people winning these prizes?"

I was downtown Christmas shopping and the radio was on and they announced that 3 people had won prizes from the Jewel game: 2 people won LED TV's and 1 person won an iPad 2

This made me happy for a second because I thought "I guess the game is real."

Then I got mad cause all 3 winners lived in the suburbs.

I'm still playing and would love to win even the $2 cash prize.

Maybe I should start going to multiple Jewels around the city and suburbs to increase my chances.

Jeff and a little girl on the bus.

2011-12-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

Jeff teaching a little girl on the bus how to make a face.

Things I've baked recently

2011-12-08T08:45:00.000-08:00

I made my aunts favorite banana bread recipe.

Sorry old family recipe.

S'more brownies I made for our movie podcast. I don't recommend doing the last step where you put the marshmallows on the brownies then put them under a broiler. My entire pan of brownies caught on fire and I ran down my hallway screaming "Somebody help me!!!"

If you have one of those kitchen torches...I think that would be better.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/smore-brownies-recipe/index.html

I made a grape pie with the grapes my girlfriends and I picked at a farm on my bachelorette party.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/concord-grape-pie-i/

Spaghetti Squash

2011-12-06T09:20:00.000-08:00

I have yet to try a spaghetti squash but let it be known that I am obsessed with it.

I've heard tales that this squash not only resembles spaghetti in texture but also in taste.

It just sounds too good to be true.

One of my friends went so far as to say she served it to her husband and he couldn't tell the difference.

Legend says the whole squash is only like 100 calories.

The next time I go to the Jewel I'm going to buy one and prepare it like regular spaghetti.

I can't wait!

Breaking Bad Cake Pops

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

I bought my brother these handmade Breaking Bad cake pops for his birthday.

He got a big kick out of them and said they tasted delicious.

2011-12-06T07:32:00.000-08:00

My Deepest Apologies

2011-12-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

You guysssssssss!

I'm so sorry I haven't blogged in so long.

Just visiting my blog makes me so anxious because I know I should be blogging.

I figured no one even visited this page anymore but then I checked google analytics and as of yesterday 43 of you came here and once again saw I had nothing new up.

I'm sorry and I'm officially back.

I was getting married....good excuse????

Ummmm not really but kind of...I mean I just watched 3 episodes of teen mom in a row so you know where my real passion lies. (I'm not sure if that is how you spell "lies" in the context of that sentence.....now that is making me not want to post this blog because I don't want you guys to think I can't spell. No...I don't want to google how to spell lies...must press on!)

I will be getting wedding pictures this week and will post them but I wanted to share a hilarious article I came across months ago while in the full throws of planning our wedding.

Please enjoy Barbie and Ken's wedding album.

http://www.glamour.com/weddings/blogs/save-the-date/2011/08/real-wedding-album-barbie-ken.html

Oreo Triple Double and Camouflage Cups

2011-09-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

I heard on the news that the new Oreo triple double was set to debut soon.

The reporter was saying how some people are mad because these cookies were already bad for you before and now they are even more bad for you!

I don't care!

Everything in moderation.

I have looked everywhere for the triple double and finally found it.

It was really late at night so I didn't sample any but I WILL.

While at the grocery store I came across these camouflage plastic cups.

I thought they were super cool.

I also didn't buy them that night but I WILL someday...maybe before a hunting party?

Whoopie Pies

2011-09-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

I had my first whoopie pie in Bar Harbor Maine.

I continued to have a whoppie pie pretty much every night during my stay there.

Above is a picture of me devouring one in '07.

Well Jeff went to Bar Harbor without me this year but he remembered my love of chocolate whoopie pies and he sent one to me in the mail.

Here is a picture of me about to devour one in 2011.

Thank you Jeff!

Group Therapy T-Shirt

2011-09-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite passenger t-shirts was this one.

I saw a little old woman wearing a bedazzled version the first nigh of the cruise.

She was ready to party.

Last Kauai Day

2011-09-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Our last day in Kauai was probably one of my favorites in cruising history.

Bud, Jeff and I went on a tubing excursion.

It was my favorite excursion ever.

We didn't take our cameras along but above is a picture of me sitting in the actual inner tube.

They were huge and comfy.

We drifted for an hour down a man made ditch and through miles of dark tunnels.

I came across my favorite quarter candy dispenser machine.

They are little sweet and sour spheres.

I have no idea what they are called but I have enjoyed them my whole life.

We ended the night with an amazing game of mini golf.

It was epic.

Jeff beat me by one stroke.

Aquarium Sink

2011-09-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

I have never wanted an aquarium until I saw this awesome aquarium sink!

Mini Grater

2011-09-02T18:01:00.000-07:00

How adorable is this?!

Smarte Carte

2011-09-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

The last time I was at the airport I was dragging my luggage around with me from the Starbucks to the bathroom to the candy store and so on.

You see I was 7 hours early for my flight and in Hawaii they don't open certain terminals until 1 hour before the flight leaves.

I was so exhausted pulling and pushing my stupid luggage around when I saw a luggage cart out of the corner of my eye.

Now I have seen these before... but have never used them nor thought to use them.

"I'm not paying a $1 for that." I think to myself.

"Those are for old people or at least people with tons of luggage."

Well I had to use the bathroom again and did not feel like dragging everything down the elevator again so I put it all on this cart and rolled away.

It was heaven.

Why haven't I been using these all along?

My Encounter with Jeffrey Tambor

2011-08-29T14:28:00.001-07:00

I love Jeffrey Tambor so much.

He is one of my favorite actors of all times.

I watched the Larry Sanders show almost every night for two years.

When my brother visited me on the cruise ship I started watching the show again with him because he had never seen it before.

Jeffrey Tambor's character Hank Kingsley quickly became his favorite and all week long we were doing Hank bits.

So I found it positively providential that as I was checking into the airport to fly home from Hawaii I actually saw Jeffrey Tambor in front of me.

My heart began to race.

I knew I had to say something...I didn't want to be an obnoxious fan but it was all too perfect!

I had to tell him that Hank Kingsley was my favorite television character of all time.

I waited till after he got his tickets fixed and then I raced up to him and his wife.

Me: "Mr. Tambor?"

Man: "No...."

Me: "Your not Mr. Tambor?"

Man: "No..."

Me: "Oh..I'm sorry."

I was so confused.

Jeff was like "What did he say?"

"That's he's not Jeffrey Tambor" I replied.

We thought about it for a long time...thinking how maybe Jeffrey Tambor just pulled a fast one on me.

But then I googled Jeffrey Tambor 2011 and he does look much older than the man in the airport.

This is all extra hilarious because the night before we had just re-watched the episode of Larry Sanders where Hank has a big fan and he ends up looking exactly like Hank.

I guess there must be thousand of Jeffrey Tambor early 90's look a likes out there.

I was bummed it wasn't the real one.

Little things I'll miss about Hawaii

2011-08-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

The restroom signs.
All the Japanese characters in menus.

The mystical Menehune people.

Spam for breakfast.

My Last Hawaiian Shaved Ice

2011-08-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last three summer in Hawaii and probably only got shaved ice 3 times.

I was just never in the mood or was too full from lunch.

But I treated myself to one my last week in Kona and it really hit the spot.

My syrups where: mango, passion fruit and pink lemonade

Pizza: Delivery at Sea

2011-08-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Our last week on the ship they implemented Pizza at Sea: for $5 you get a large homemade pizza and it's delivered to you by a real pizza man wearing a Pizza at Sea uniform.

I always fall for new marketing techniques and wanted to get one right away.

Jeff didn't let me get it until the last night.

It actually was pretty good and it had tons of pepperonis on it.

I'm glad they weren't around for my whole contract otherwise I think Jeff and I would have gotten it at least 3 times a week.

Weighted Silverware

2011-08-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago backstage my cast mate Rich and I came up with an idea: weighted silverware so that you can get a workout while you eat.

Well Rich sent me an email the other day...apparently someone beat us to the punch.

Greeting Card, Giant Leaf, The Coolest T-Shirt of All Time

2011-08-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

My friend Becca sent me this awesome card in the mail.

I love it so so much.

Look how huge this leaf is!!!

My friend David was wearing the coolest t-shirt I've ever seen in my life last Saturday.

I loved it so much I was hoping I could buy it from him.

It's one of those pictures in a picture.

It goes to like the fifth degree.

I asked David where he got it...Japan...of course!

I want a dog that looks like an Ewok!

2011-08-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know what type of dog this is?

I want it now!

Rave Run

2011-08-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'll miss running outside in Maui with Jeff.

It was the hardest workout I'd ever done in my life.

8 miles under the blistering Hawaiian sun.

The first time we did it I was a mess: crying, yelling at Jeff...I even kicked a plant.

I can run 13 miles on a treadmill but running outside is a completely different story and I was so upset with how bad I did that first run outside.

But Jeff and I stuck to it and during our last run I did just fine and said I was going to miss it.

I treated myself to an Icee afterwards to try and cool off.

Funny Groupon Picture

2011-08-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

For some reason this Groupon for an improv show in Baltimore used a picture of Jeff in their advertisement.

My friend Adal came across it and sent Jeff and I am email that said "Jeff you finally made it!"

Tuna Salad Roll, Poke Bowl, Coffee Bean Card, Beaker Ornament

2011-08-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

When I was in Japan I ate these tuna salad rolls all the time.

They had them everywhere in Hawaii and I will miss them.

Step 1: Open the roll

Step 2: Roll the rice with the tuna salad onto the seaweed and roll it up.

Step 3: Enjoy

I will also miss the poke bowls in Hawaii as well.

I finally got to get my free drink at The Coffee Bean.

I filled up my stamp card...such a proud moment.

I saw this awesome Beaker Christmas ornament at Hallmark.

He's my favorite muppet.

The Strokes

2011-08-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

You guys I finally discovered the band The Strokes.

It only took me 10 years.

I'm never really up to date on the latest music but I happened to be watching SNL a few months ago and watched this group perform their latest single Under Cover of Darkness.

It's so catchy!

Saturday I remembered to look them up on iTunes and I ended up buying their new CD Angles (which I misread as Angels until Jeff corrected me).

The entire thing is fantastic and so great to run to because its all upbeat.

Listen I have no idea what the lyrics are to their songs but I don't care.

When I sing along I just mumble.

But for some reason these guys really get me going and make my runs so enjoyable.

And I mean how cool are these guys?

Their lead singer Julian Casablancas is like way too cool for school.

First of all his last name is Casablancas, I mean come on now, what a cool last name.

I am so obsessed with them I told Jeff I want to go to one of their concerts.

I never want to go to concerts.

For whatever reason their latest single reminds me of a ski trip I went on in 11th grade.

The coolest guy in the school went and I had a major crush on him.

We sat together on the bus ride there and back.

I used all my good material on him.

Like I saved specific jokes and stories just for him.

I had him in stitches!

He lent me his sweater, took pictures with me on the slopes with one arm around me and gave me his ear warmer head band.

And yet even after he showered me with all this attention he ended up kissing every other girl that weekend except me.

I remember sitting next to him on the bus ride home thinking "Why am I still wasting all my good material on you!"

I mean I even told him all my ramen noodle jokes!

Those are priceless!

I have no idea why but every time I hear this song I so vividly remember that ski trip.

You should totally download their new album.

Who knows what memories it will conjure up in you.

Hot Springs Story

2011-07-31T16:22:00.000-07:00

Jeff sent me this iPhone app a week ago and I'm so obsessed with it I think I might have to delete it.

I play non-stop and into the wee hours of the morning.

Basically you build your own spa and are constantly trying to invest in peoples projects so that they come visit your spa and give you high ratings.

When your popularity ratings get really good you get more add ons and a higher clientele.

The game goes on for 16 years (yes I have already completed my first 16 years) and then gives you a final score.

I had a tough go my first time through and I didn't understand that in order to attract more people I had to invest in their projects around town.

To get more business to your spa you can invite beauticians and cafe owners to stay a night and then they decide if they want to start up their business at your spa.

Well I never invested with these people.

I just kept inviting them to my spa and they came and were so RUDE!

I literally got a note from one of them that said "I see no point in starting up a venture here."

Every time you invite these people to spend the night at your spa you have to pay them $400 and I had no idea that they were mad at me for not investing in them and their friends around town so my popularity ratings were super low.

But they came every time and walked around my spa with a sad face and ate at my 5 star restaurants with a sad face and got my best room (the western one with a great view of the bamboo forest) and still gave me the harshest reviews ever.

It actually really hurt my feelings because I love spas and I was really proud of my spa.

I just wasn't getting the business angle.

So I decided to start fresh with my new spa Relax Max (you get to name your spa).

I've invested with everyone around town and my popularity ratings are through the roof.

Maybe just maybe I'll invite the beautician, architect and cafe owner back to spend the night.

I'm sure now they will be dying to do business with me!

And of course I will because I love the Japanese but boy they are hard to please in this game.

GU Energy Gel

2011-07-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm writing this...because even though I log a minimum of 30 miles a week I still have trouble considering myself a real runner...but I actually have come to a new place in my running.

I am now one of those runner who needs an energy boost on a long run.

I can't believe I am now one of those people.

What am I doing buying energy supplements?

That's for people like Lance Armstrong not me!

Well I am here to tell you that these GU energy gels are not only DELICIOUS (seriously the mint chocolate tastes like a chocolate bar that has been left in the sun too long) but they actually HELP.

After about an hour of running (who am I Katie Holmes Cruise?) my legs start to get a little fatigued.

While running I slurp one mint chocolate GU gel and almost instantly my aching goes away and I can run for another hour.

It's like magic!

And they are only 100 calories each.

I've only tried the mint chocolate but I plan on trying other flavors in the future.

Shokudo Honolulu: Dessert Toast!

2011-07-28T14:51:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday our Honolulu friends took us to an awesome Japanese restaurant called Shokudo.

The atmosphere of this place was so sleek.

For starters I indulged in pumpkin tempura.

I had never heard of such a thing before and I have been eating tempura since I was eight.

We all know how much I love pumpkin...so it was my favorite dish of the day.

I also somehow convinced everyone to order an All in One sushi roll.

Or as my friend Jay called it "the aquarium in your mouth roll."

It was chef recommended!

It tasted so good and you could actually taste each individual fish.

I don't know how they did it.

And for the big finale: dessert toast!

Homemade sweat bread which they slice thick.

They cut out the inside and dice it up into chunks then add a scoop of ice cream.

You have to fly to Honolulu and get some.

This should be on your bucket list.

I got the cookies and cream one!

Big Monopoly Winnings!

2011-07-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I made so much money playing Monopoly.

It was crazy.

Phil and I were losing really bad so we decided to join forces.

I owed all the green properties and he owed Boardwalk and Park Place.

I know what you're thinking, how were we doing so bad with such great properties.

Well we were last in the dice roll order and everyone else bought all the houses.

So we had to pay like $600 in rent to people and when they landed on our spots they only owed us $50 because we didn't have any houses.

So Phil and I made a deal that we would split all the rent we received on our properties.

It kept us alive and soon other people went bankrupt and we scooped up those houses and in the wee hours of the morning started putting hotels up.

At one point someone landed on one of my green properties with a hotel on it and they owed me over $2,000.

I ended up with the most money but Phil and I decided we would share the victory.

Winter's Coming...

2011-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am beyond obsessed with Game of Thrones the new HBO show based on the best selling books by George R. R. Martin.

I had two friends recommend the books to me but I was deep in the throws of The Hunger Games.

Jeff started reading Game of Thrones and said he couldn't really get into it.

Its kinda written in that old english language with tons of characters.

So we got the t.v. series instead and just finished season one.

It is so fantastic.

What I love about it is it has all the makings of a typical "we want to overthrow the king type storyline" with betrayal, adultery, incest, ect.

There are 7 kingdoms who all think their region should be the one ruler to oversee the others.

All the kingdoms are guarded by a giant white wall that was constructed a long time ago because there where creatures known as walkerlings who killed tons of people.

The walkerlings look and act like zombies and everyone thinks they are extinct but they're not.

Also winter is coming... that's what everyone keeps saying on the show.

I guess it hasn't been winter for 9 years and now everyone is worried about it.

So I love that man is fighting over who should rule when there is this even bigger zombie threat lurking.

I feel like next season everyone is going to be running around screaming "Who cares who the King is there are zombies out there!"

Everyone on the series is fantastic but my favorite actor is Peter Dinklage.

I'm so glad he's is getting more notoriety.

I think I might try reading the books now that I know who all the characters are.

Jeff told me that there are currently 7 books out and the series still isn't finished.

Everyone is nervous because I guess it took the author 8 years to write the last one and he's really old and people are worried he's going to die without finishing them.

I can't wait till season 2 comes out.

My Annual Birthday Tea Party

2011-07-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

My annual birthday tea party at Tea @ 1024 in Honolulu was the best yet!

First I was greeted outside my cabin by these jokesters!

I love my cast.

We walked to the tea house and met up with all my Honolulu friends.

Then everyone picked a hat to wear.

John's hat was the most ridiculous.

Scott played a hilarious asian business man who was eager to establish trading.

Jen was pretty in pink!

Jeff was a pirate who complained of land sickness the entire party!

Petit fours anyone?

Monica played a Madame and didn't like talking about her brothel business in public.

Squires hat might have been my favorite, he looked like a sheik and I wished I had thought to have chai tea for him.

Holly's hat was the largest of the day!

Phil was a real class act.

Here's a picture of the whole gang!

Thanks for a great birthday everyone!

Beverages

2011-07-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love everything lilikoi...except this soda!

Gross!
I am still obsessed with The Coffee Bean and my current drink of choice: iced blueberry peach green tea latte.

They don't actually use milk they just mix in french vanilla powder.

I'm addicted and I have to get my fix while I'm still here because there are no Coffee Beans in Illinois.

American Eagle Glitter Shorts

2011-07-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

One of my best friends Melanie had these amazing glitter jeans in college and I always dreamed of owning a pair.

A few weeks ago I saw an amazing pair of glitter denim shorts at American Eagle and vowed to buy them for my birthday.

Last Monday I went in and tried them on and they were so short I just couldn't allow myself to buy them.

I still want them but seriously I would have to lose like another 30 pounds before I could ever get them.

So long glitter jeans...

Birthday Wrapping Paper

2011-07-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

Jeff wrapped all my presents in this paper.

I said "Jeff it looks just like my blog wallpaper!"

This can't be good!

2011-07-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

The other day I was on deck 4 of the ship and I pressed up and this is what the elevator showed before I got on it.

Vegan? Raw? Mochi?

2011-07-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

This entire contract I have been eating lots of vegan/ living/ health food.

It's all delicious!

I never know what I'm eating but I really like it.

The above is some imitation curry chicken wrap with tons of living sprouts.

I would eat this way all the time except I have no idea how to prepare food like this.

Bubbies in a homemade ice cream place in Honolulu that specializes in homemade mochi which is ice cream wrapped in sweetened rice paper.

I finally decided to try one and got red velvet.

Really good and cheap only $1.50.

Random Photos with Obsessions

2011-07-04T15:37:00.000-07:00

Every year Chicago hosts the "Jeff Awards" which are non-equity awards given for excellence in theatre.

Last year someone on Facebook posted the above pic of the Jeff award with my Jeff's likeness on it.

It cracks me up to this day.

Where were these gift cards when I was obsessed with Farmville?

Is anyone out there still playing Farmville besides woman who work in offices over the age of 40?

The dermatologist I have been seeing has a photo of herself on her prescription sheets.

I think its adorable.

She has a flawless complexion.

Jeff got this as his fortune the other day and its true.

My little brother is coming to visit us my last week on the ship.

I took this picture of Jeff attempting to do stand-up in his sketch class.

Lauren Conrad dyed her hair.

I love it.

Ranch Dressing

2011-06-30T20:50:00.001-07:00

I LOVE RANCH DRESSING!

I have grown up eating it with all my veggies.

In high school I learned that ranch goes great with chicken fingers and french fries.

Till this day I only eat ranch dressing on my salads and I do NOT partake in non-fat ranch or low fat ranch dressing.

Actually it makes me really mad when trainers are like "Eating a salad with dressing is the same thing as eating a burger and fries."

I just don't believe that statement.

Everyday I eat a salad with 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing and I haven't gained any weight from this practice.

I also run a lot...so I know that helps keep my weight down.

However a salad with low fat dressing is just not appealing to me at all.

So I try to limit my ranch intake to 2 tablespoons which I believe is around 140 calories.

I will say that my salad only contains veggies: lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers.

Veggies that have hardly any calories so I can enjoy my ranch.

For example I don't often add egg, avocado, cheese, olives or croutons because that would really add up.

I make these small sacrifices so that I can have my beloved ranch, which is often called "fat girls ketchup."

Obviously there are others out there who share my love for ranch.

I found this photo online of a ranch fountain someone put out at a party.

I want to take a bath in it!

I want this ranch fountain at my wedding.

Let me know if you love ranch dressing!!!

I want these shoes!

2011-06-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

I just randomly came across these shoes!

I love anything that has that Mexican blanket look.

These Vans shoes were part of the 2010 collections and I can't find them for sale anywhere.

Boo!

Help me find them.

Short Circuit

2011-06-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

I recently watched Short Circuit for the first time.

I was going through my cast mate, Phil's DVD collection and I pointed to Short Circuit and said "Is this Wall-E's Dad?"

Phil insisted I watch it and I did and I love Johnny Five.

Everyone else in the movie was awful but that robot is so adorable.

Wall-E looks so much like him but Jeff looked it up and apparently the animator of Wall-E had never seen Short Circuit before.

A few weekends ago my Hawaiian friends took me out to get pho soup.

I've always wanted to try it so they took be to a Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of the China town in Honolulu.

My good friend John and I got egg creams which were pretty good.

The pho was amazing.

It's similar to ramen except the broth has a basil, lime flavor.

Island Way Sorbet

2011-06-27T17:34:00.000-07:00

These are so good.

I just finished eating a coconut one and the sorbet came in a coconut!

Each sorbet is served in its natural fruit shell.

Looks like you can buy them at Costco.

Gnome Doors

2011-06-22T19:38:00.001-07:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Big Bang Theory

2011-06-20T16:52:00.000-07:00

I don't watch network comedies.

That's right I'm one of those people.

So when I caught Jeff watching an episode of The Big Bang Theory I was super judgmental.

Then I sat down and watched the rest of it with him.

I laughed out loud so much I knew I was hooked.

Not only do I own all the DVD's of the show but I also have in my possession two BBT t-shirts: The Friendship Algorithm one and the one that says Bazinga!

Give this show a chance.

Everyone does a great job however my favorite character is Dr. Sheldon Cooper played by Jim Parsons.

I love him so much.

The show is about a group of extremely intelligent nerds who all hang out together.

Much of the comedy comes from the clashing of worlds between the nerds and Penny, the hot girl neighbor.

I love Kaley Cuoco who plays Penny.

I think she does a fantastic job and I love that she laughs a lot on camera.

I first saw Kaley in the Lifetime movie Fat Like Me, where she plays an attractive teenager who dons a fat suit to see what high school is like for overweight people.

It's one of those so bad it's good, made for T.V. movies.

Now in it's 5th Season I still thing the show is going strong.

Jeff thinks the first 3 seasons are the best.

It's one of the few television shows that makes me laugh out loud every episode.

I love these guys.

Here's a short youtube of Sheldon saying his signature catch phrase "Bazinga!"

Here's Wolowitz playing Dance Dance Revolution.

I wish I could put more Youtube clips up but most of them are blocked so just go watch the show for yourself!

Rolo McFlurry

2011-06-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

Don't you feel like sometimes you deserve a treat?

I give you the Rolo McFlurry.

It is so delicious.

I love Rolo's and ate them all the time when I was little.

The McFlurry mixes pieces of Rolo's with clumps of delicious caramel.

Treat yourself to one today.

And they are only around for a limited time so you better act fast!

Monkey Movie!

2011-06-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

If you know me...or my blog you know that I love MONKEYS!

And there is a new monkey movie coming out...I think it's called Rise of the Planet of the Apes...but I just refer to it as the monkey movie.

I am both excited and terrified to see it.

I remember watching the original Planet of the Apes with my parents a long time ago and I don't remember anything about it.

I love monkeys so much but I know how smart they are and I'm afraid this movie will make me fear them.

Why it was just the other day that I watched a youtube video of a gorilla playing pacman.

He knew to avoid the ghosts and everything.

And of course the monkey movie stars James Franco.

I can't seem to get away from that guy.

I wonder if those Frango mints that I love so much in Chicago will soon be named Franco mints.

Seriously James Franco is stalking me.

He even gave an interview in Costco Connections, a magazine that my parents get from Costco's.

Monkey Movie!

The Hunger Games

2011-06-07T16:54:00.001-07:00

Stop what you are doing and go buy The Hunger Games!

I am so obsessed with this book that I read it in one day.

It reminds me a lot of my two favorite short stories: Shirley Jackson's The Lottery and Ernest Hemingway's The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber.

I ALWAYS judge a book by its cover and had my reservations about this one.

To me the book jacket screams FUTURE, ROBOTS, CREATURES WITH WEIRD NAMES.

And while some of this is true the writing is terrific and you are hooked after reading the first page.

Listen guys I have been waiting for a book series like this to latch onto.

Sure I've read Lord of the Rings, a few Harry Potters, The Twilight Saga and yes even all 7 books of the Pretty Little Liar series.

I mean they were all alright.

I guess my favorite being LOTR.

And yes its fun going to the Twilight movies even though they are awful.

But now I have a series I can get excited about!

And get ready folks because the movie comes out next year starring: Jennifer Lawrence!

I love her!

She is perfect for the role.

I will be at the midnight showing wearing my hair in a long braid down my back carrying a bow and arrow and when my friends who haven't read the books turn to me and say

"Why are you dressed like that?"

I will answer "No reason."

I'm starting book 2 tonight.

Don't fail me now Hunger Games!

Vintage

2011-06-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with the word "Vintage" and really don't know what time period I'm referencing when I say it.

Sometimes I'm referring to the Edwardian era other times the 1960's.

Either way I can't stop saying it.

* I have no idea of the picture I used in this blog is vintage.

The Colony on Discovery Channel

2011-06-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

Do you like Survivor?

Then you'll love The Colony on Discovery Channel.

My friend Rance introduced Jeff and I to this show last year.

We just finished season two and it was just great.

Much better than season one except I recommend both.

The Colony throws a group of people together in a post apocalyptic world and sees if they can survive.

People get busy building water filtration systems and energy sources on day one.

You know what I would do day one of the apocalypse...CRY.

I am too lazy to go up to the buffet on the ship when I need a drink, there is no way I'd build a water filtration system.

The show really makes you wish you had gotten your degree in chemical engineering or physics.

A theatre degree will NOT help me in a post apocalyptic society.

Although this season had a model and she did o.k.....well actually something really really bad happens to her.

Check it out if you need a new show!

Tom Brady, Skinny Cow Bars and More

2011-05-30T18:54:00.000-07:00

These Roxy "New Wave" sandals are super comfortable.

I wear mine everyday!

When I get home I really want to make a tie dye cheesecake.

Have any of you ever made one?

Happy accident yesterday when I bought one of these peanut butter Skinny Cow Heavenly Crisp.

Only 110 calories and they are DELICIOUS.

I went back to Walgreens and bought 5 more.

This blueberry peach green iced tea from Coffee Bean is so refreshing.

Perfect for summer.

I love this picture of Tom Brady going down a water slide.

He looks like a little girl.

Lilly Pulitzer Animal Crackers

2011-05-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for a "Special Edition" anything.

However I was shocked when I saw these limited edition Lilly Pulitzer animal crackers.

I was first introduced to Ms. Pulitzer my first year at UVA.

My school was very preppy and I was intrigued by all the pretty print dresses and bright collared shirts all the slim blonds were sporting.

I asked a girl in my American Government class where she got her cute sundress and she said "Lilly Pulitzer".

I had no idea what she was talking about and made a mental note to look out for it the next time I went to the mall.

Sure enough there was a small selection of it at a near by Macy's.

I picked up a sundress and checked the price tag...$300.

What?!!!!!

I immediately put it back.

Now a $2 box of animal crackers....yes please!

I can't tell any difference?

What makes this cracker...Lilly Pulitzer?

Milk Maid Braids

2011-05-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

I attempted to do my hair in milk maid braids yesterday trying to follow The Beauty Departments instructional video.

I failed miserably.

Did I mention my hair is twice as long as the girls in the video?

Why can't I get it?

Also in the video they say you should only need 1 bobby pin to secure each braid.

Look how many I needed.

5 Obsessions to make up for the fact that I haven't been blogging

2011-05-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

I went to a real running store in Kona and bought new shoes.

I've only ever bought gym shoes at Foot Locker and since I started running I've only used the Nike Bowerman series.

They've been pretty great but now that I've been running 6+ miles (yes I'm bragging) my feet really started to hurt.

As soon as I went in the store I told the sales guy my problem and he recommended the Brooks Glycerin shoes for woman.

The store only had yellow and as soon as I was about to ask for a different color the guy said "I can't stand it when people only care about the color of the shoe."

"I know" I said retracting my question.

I LOVE my shoes and can now run 7 miles in them (again I'm bragging).

They were pricey like $118 but the way I think about it is running keeps me slim and if I gain weight I'll have to buy all new clothes so it evens out.
I am loving the new A&E documentary Heavy.

The show takes morbidly obese people and puts them on the right track to losing weight.

For phase one they people move into a super nice weight loss resort on Lake Austin for 30 days.

They have no phones or T.V., all there food is monitored and they work out for like 5-6 hours a day.

I love when the trainers go through everyones bags the first day looking for contraband.

One guy had so much candy hidden in his bag and his trainer was getting so mad at him.

His trainer thought he had found all the candy and was like

"Is that all the candy Aaron?"

And poor Aaron was like

"I don't know I think I got one more snicker bar in there."

And he did.

The trainer went ballistic.

For phase two the people are sent home to lead there normal lives except they are each provided with a trainer at their local gym.

For phase three they have to do it all on their own.

It's a really inspiring show and I have to admit peoples excuses for eating to0 much can be kinda funny sometimes.

"It's this east Texas heat. That's why I gained 14 lbs back cause of all the humidity down here."

No it's because you just ate 3 medium pizzas from Pizza Hut, but nice try.

I watched the entirety of the last season of the Bachelor a few weeks ago.

When Brad Womack didn't pick a girl his first time through I was like who cares.

He doesn't have to pick someone if he doesn't love them.

So I was all about giving him a second chance.

But something seemed off about him from the beginning.

I just don't believe him ever.

So when I watched the reunion episode of was so upset to hear from sweet Emily that Brad had a temper problem that he called "The Beast."

Get it together dude.

You may be attractive and successful but you are a walking ball of problems and Emily deserves better.

Run Emily....RUN.
My parents visited me last week and my Dad bought me this sweet tiki mug from the best restaurant in Hawaii Mama's Fish House.

I love it so much!
What little girl didn't want to be a mermaid in the swimming pool?

Now its easier to be one with this mermaid fin from Sky Mall.

I kinda want one but I'm afraid I might drown with my feet all bound up like that.

Ruby!- The best reality show on television

2011-05-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to blog about Ruby for a long time now.

I just finished season 2 and in my opinion Ruby is the best reality T.V. show.

O.k. so the premise of the show is about Ruby's inspirational journey as a 700 pound woman trying to lose weight.

"That's sounds like the worst show ever." Says Jeff and my other cast mate Phil.

It is the BEST show ever and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Ruby is southern and sassy as all get out.

She has the "it" factor and knows how to work it.

She is hysterical and even makes up her own words for example:

1.) Hacky- a combination of happy and wacky; Ruby only says this word when she is really feeling good.

2.) Nerdous- nervous; Ruby says this word a lot before her weekly weigh ins.

3.) Sinsi- sensitive; Ruby says this when her friends make her feel good about herself

4.) Bertha- what Ruby calls her behind

5.) Fins- friends; Ruby calls her friends fins

"This definitely sounds like the worst show ever." Says Jeff Griggs

STOP SAYING THAT JEFF.

I love Ruby with all my heart.

She has the greatest fins and family in the world.

I want Georgia to be my best fin!

She has a toxic relationship with her ex-boyfriend Denny.

Y'all Ruby is down to 300 pounds.

It's been a long year for Ruby and she has had many set backs but she is still smiling and going strong.

She makes me laugh out loud every episode.

Do yourself a favor and give Ruby a chance.

She will grow on you so fast.

I feel like me and her are old fins.

I'm currently downloading season 4.

"Season 4???? This show is still going on???." Says Jeff Griggs

Tim Riggins is back

2011-05-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

I just finished season 2 of Friday Night Lights.

Oh Tim Riggins....how is it you get cooler ever episode.

You guys Tim didn't have anywhere to live this season.

He seriously jumped from house to house and still woke up every morning looking like a model.

How does he do it?

I've never seen him eat...he only drinks beer.

How is he buying beer he's only 17?

He wears the coolest boots and his jeans are the perfect length.

Every episode he wears the same shirt but you can never tell.

He still loves the woman who betray him and is all about "making memories" as he puts it.

Tim is Mr. Fix it and could fix your cable box in a heartbeat.

He does tons of crunches before school.

I never even knew what a crunch was till I was in my 20's.

Plus who works out before school?

I'm worried he could die before the end of season 3 and I know he's still searching for faith but believe me Tim all the woman in the world have faith in you.

Waiting for Superman and Crazy Lady

2011-04-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed this movie.

It pretty much reaffirmed what I already thought.

It's really hard to find good teachers.

It also made me realize I need to start saving NOW for my kids education.

Also my parents were so influential in my educational upbringing.

Making sure I did my homework, helping me when I needed it or getting me tutors.

The movie is dense with lots of layers depicting a horrible cycle of education in America.

Reminded me of The Wire season 4.

As soon as the movie ended I turned to Jeff and said "Well our kids are going to private schools."

On a separate note...this woman comes into Starbucks every time I'm there.

She literally rearranges all the furniture to her liking.

Picks up any trash and cleans all the tables in counters....(she does not work there) then puts flowers everywhere.

I know she means well and is probable supposed to be making me feel at peace but she scares me.

Deep Schwa

2011-04-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

My all time favorite improv team: Deep Schwa.

This is a little video I took of them the last Sunday I was in Chicago.

They pretended to be a group of homeless men putting on a musical.

Blake Lively's New Look

2011-04-28T21:39:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with her new hair color!

How did she get more beautiful?

The Golden Age...Obsessed but this will get stuck in your head

2011-04-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

30 for 30 The Fab Five

2011-04-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

Jeff showed me another great basketball documentary last night about The Fab Five Michigan team.

So good.

I can get so into sports.

Maybe I need to go to school for sports broadcasting!

I love ESPN 30 for 30 movies I have seen a few of them and they are all so well done.

The Fab Five is my favorite one so far.

Seriously even if you aren't into sports watch it.

Also while looking up a picture of The Fab Five online I came across this photo:

GQ- Dutch Baby's

2011-04-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

I read all of Jeff's men magazines.

Men's Health, GQ you name it.

I read them cover to cover.

A few months ago I came across an interesting recipe for these huge, airy pancakes called Dutch Baby's.

The recipe looked super simple so I tore it out and vowed to make them for Jeff sometime during our break.

Well we were really busy our entire break and I still hadn't make Jeff the pancakes.

It was his birthday week so I went to the store and bought all the ingredients to make them but then we ended up going to two Cubs games, having rehearsals and late night meetings with friends and I still hadn't made the pancakes.

So the night before we left for Hawaii we decided to have a Battlestar Galactica game night.

If your lucky the game only lasts 5 hours and we hadn't even packed yet.

I was a little bit stressed and Jeff said "Hey are you going to make those pancakes?"

I was about to snap!

I was doing laundry and trying to get myself together before everyone started playing BSG.

I pulled out all the ingredients and hastily made 3 dutch baby's.

Literally I think I spent 5 min. making the batter and they each cooked for 18 min. or so.

They came out so wonderful and were absolutely delicious.

I'm really glad I made them even though I was at my breaking point!

I remember pulling them from the oven and Jeff saying "I think you need to put more powdered sugar on them." and I shot him the look of death and everyone started laughing.

Here's the recipe:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Melt 3 tbsp butter in a 9 or 10" pie plate or oven proof skillet...in the oven. Remove when melted.

Mix together 2 beaten eggs, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp. sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Whisk and pour into pie plate or hot skillet.

Return to oven and bake for 18-20 min. till puffy and evenly browned

Remove and sprinkle with lemon juice and powdered sugar.

My new Cubs hat

2011-04-23T16:59:00.001-07:00

I am obsessed with my new Cubs hat.

It took me a while to find the perfect one but it was worth it.

I wear it all the time and so far I haven't seen anyone else with it.

Go Cubs Go!

Next time I want to get the Fukudome tshirt with his name in Kanji.

Vintage Vanities

2011-04-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

I've decided the next time I get an apartment I am treating myself to an old timey vintage vanity.

Just a nice glass vanity with a mirror and chair.

A place for all my beauty and hair products.

I've never had one before and I really want one.

I will be this woman someday!

LC Does it again...

2011-04-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

LC just launched a new website called thebeautydeparment.com

Websites like this make you believe that you too can perfect the art of hair and makeup in the comforts of your own home.

I'm currently drooling over this site even though there is a voice in the back of my mind shouting "These tricks don't actually work."

I mean they work for rich people who actually have all the items necessary to perfect the look.

For example to achieve vintage hair you need:

1" barrel curling iron

setting clips

hair spray

and a paddle brush

I don't own any of those things.

And I know they aren't necessarily expensive but what I'm just supposed to go out and get this stuff to achieve one look?

Another example is the new ombre nail look.

Easy enough right....except do you have 5 different shades of blue nail polish in your make-up bag?

I didn't think so.

So while I will continue to visit this website daily...it goes without saying that I won't be walking around town with a messy fishtail braid telling people "I did it myself!"

LC stop making me think I could be you!

The Decemberists and She and Him

2011-04-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

I don't know much about what the cool kids are listening to these days but I am loving The Decemberists and She and Him.

I have both She and Him albums and the latests Decemberists album.

I love the sound and style of the music but also I love that I can listen to the entire album.

It's so satisfying.

I encourage you to download all 3 of these albums now!

This just in....

2011-04-19T17:22:00.000-07:00

My friend Jo just told me she disagrees with my obsession with Just Bitten lip tints by Revlon.

She apparently is having trouble getting more tint out of hers.

I told her that sometimes I have to shake mine and hit it against my wrist to get more to come out.

She claims she has tried that and it didn't work.

Mine is still rocking and rollin and hers sadly is not.

Take what you will from this discussion.

I still say you should get some.

Zooey Deschanel's Cotton Commercial OBSESSED!

2011-04-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

Do you have wavy hair?

2011-04-16T17:27:00.001-07:00

My hair looks best after I blow dry and straighten it.

But I just can't do it all the time.

It's exhausting trying to keep up with my long hair.

So I am embracing my semi-wavy hair with a product called Curlwise by Redken.

Here's what I do:

1.) Shampoo hair and rinse.

2.) While still in the shower flip my hair over and put conditioner in it upside down.

3.) Wash it out with cold water while still flipped over, begin getting excess water out by scrunching.

4.) Get out of shower with hair still flipped over.

5.) Grab towel and begin scrunching my hair .

6.) After towel has absorbed most of the water keep scrunching with hands.

7.) Wait 3-5 min.

8.) With hair still flipped over apply Curwise by scrunching it into hair.

9.) Flip over and put a little more Curwise in.

10.) Keep scrunching periodically for the next 15 min.

Just Bitten by Revlon

2011-04-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

Listen I never buy makeup from drugstores because let's be honest it's just not as good.

Well recently I took a chance and bought a Revlon Just Bitten lip tint pen.

I always have to kiss someone on stage and I never want to get lipstick all over them.

I had been using Benefit Posie tint but I hate that it gets all over my fingers and I also hate Benefit employees.

So I took a chance and it paid off.

Just Bitten lip tints are great.

They stay on real well and they look great.

I own the bottom two in the picture above and love them!

Clever Restaurant Names

2011-04-13T15:18:00.000-07:00

Puppies, Cake Stand, Joe Canale

2011-03-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

This is the puppy I want.

A miniature shih tzu.

They are only 3 pounds!

So sweet and docile and they look like Ewoks!

Joe Canale remains my favorite improvisor of all time.

He even posed for a picture with me a few weeks ago.

Jeff reminded him of all the times I tried to tell him that he was my favorite improvisor only for him to ignore me.

Jeff: "Joe do you remember calling the production studio Jeannie used to work at?"

Joe: "No"

Jeff: "Well you did asking about a pay check and Jeannie picked up the phone and said Mr. Canale it's me Jeannie. I just want to tell you I'm your number one fan. And do you remember what you said back?"

Joe: "No"

Jeff: "You said, Can you just connect me to payroll."

We all started to crack up.

Joe: "What a jerk move."

I love this cake stand!

Jeff grossed out

2011-03-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

We went and ate at a really kitchy restaurant the other night and the bill came to us in a high heel shoe.

Jeff was really grossed out.

Cute Stuff

2011-03-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

While I was browsing a craft store this formation of dinosaurs caught my eye.

I hung around a while and caught the culprit.

How cute!

Also, who remembers making these funfusions?

I used to love going over to other people's houses and making these ugly chotchkies.

Candy Dishes

2011-03-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

When I grow up I want to be one of those woman who have a lot of candy dishes on display throughout my house.

Who doesn't love a candy dish?

My opera teacher even had hidden candy dishes.

She would open a little drawer and say "Here have a ginger candy."

Then she would shove one in my mouth before slamming the drawer shut.

I view woman who have lots of candy dishes in their house as being magical, cool and fun.

Lofthouse Cookies

2011-03-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

I remember the day.

It was my brother's eighth grade graduation and I spotted these pillowy looking cookies on the refreshment table.

They were the best cookies I had ever eaten.

For the rest of the night I kept getting more pretending each time that it was my first one of the night.

Nowadays I usually only buy them around Halloween.

I get way out of hand with my Lofthouse cookies.

One time I bought them for a class picnic in college and ate half of them in my dorm room the night before.

How embarrassing.

Bill Miller BBQ

2011-03-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

I tried Bill Miller BBQ for the first time ever on my last trip to San Antonio.

I guess you can call it a local chain restaurant.

They have them all throughout the San Antonio area, as well as in Austin and Corpus.

My Mom took me there one day for breakfast and I got the sausage and egg taco and it was delicious.

Really great smoked sausage.

We ate it there and I just think the whole restaurant is so cozy.

During breakfast they also had a nice salsa bar.

I took Jeff to Bill Miller the day he left and we had lunch.

So good and you get to keep the cup!

Doll House- New Orleans

2011-03-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

The Doll House was my top priority of things to see in New Orleans.

A father built his daughter a miniature replica of the house they live in for her to use as her play house.

I spotted it from across the street and immediately got excited.
It's the smallest house in New Orleans that receives mail!

Wares found in Marshalls

2011-03-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

I really like this old, worn library card catalogue dresser.

I also love these little men!

I want then everywhere: bathroom, kitchen all over the place!

Gingerbread house in a gingerbread house!

2011-03-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

A mini version of the gingerbread house inside the gingerbread house.

I LOVE stuff like this!

I LIVE for stuff like this!

I also love that they used fruit strip gum and smarties for the walkways.

Valentine's Day

2011-03-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

I have always loved Valentines Day.

This year I had fun baking coconut cupcakes from scratch.

I think they were the best thing I have ever made.

Here is the recipe.

It was cool using my iPad to follow the recipe.

This huge box of chocolates was marked down from $50 to $30 the day after V-Day.

I really wanted to get it but I didn't.

The beautiful box of chocolates Jeff bought me!

Alcatraz

2011-03-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

One of the aisles in Alcatraz is named Broadway.

One of the dancers cheered and said "I finally made it to Broadway!"

He then pointed out this fancy lipgloss.

"They had lipgloss back then?" He said pointing.

Hilarious.

Beautifully Plated Desserts

2011-03-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

My Dad bought the dessert sampler at Maggiano's.

It was to die for.

Dad's Birthday Dinner

2011-03-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I made my Dad his birthday dinner and it consisted of food we were obsessed with in Columbia.

Jeff made delicious salmon with a brown sugar and butter sauce.

He also made homemade plantain chips.

I made the frozen, minty lemonades.

Jeannie's Obsessions Featured In Sabra News

2011-03-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

My blog was featured on Sabra's blog.

The best hummus in the world!

Hurricane Simulator

2011-03-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

For $2 you too can experience what it's like to be in a hurricane.

I actually saw a kid go in here and the wind was blowing really fast!

Boursin

2011-03-23T15:10:00.001-07:00

I was introduced to Boursin cheese spread on my last ship.

Jo and I would often make ourselves cheese plates and then sneak them down to Jo's cabin to eat while we watched Real Housewives.

We love cheese and the Boursin was our favorite onboard.

It was always the first cheese to go.

The buffet opened at 5 and by 5:10 all of it was gone.

Our last week on the ship Jo and I got there exactly at 5 and took the whole thing.

So indulgent.

As soon as I got home I asked my Mom if I could buy a whole case of them at Costco.

She let me and I ate all 3 tubs pretty much on my own.

So very very indulgent.

Whenever I eat Boursin I think to myself "What a spoiled little girl you are!"

Go buy some.

Odd pictures from New Orleans

2011-03-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

At the Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar there was this old man walking around taking photos of people on one of those instant polaroid cameras.

Then he inserted the photo in a piece of printer paper, wrote a little message and was selling them for $10.

People were actually buying them.

This father brought his five year old to Bourbon Street.

Since it wasn't that late at night things weren't insanely crazy but still not a place for kids folks.

One restaurant was cooking a delicious smelling pot of soup outside.

Look at all those lemons!

I bought my brother some of this.

He laughed and showed my mom.

Taco Fortune Cookie

2011-03-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

I just discovered these on my last trip to Texas.

I wonder how long they have been around?

Hilarious, I love them!

Ruby!

2011-03-15T20:21:00.000-07:00

I can't get enough of Ruby!

Ruby I love you.

Ruby is a reality show about a woman struggling to drop from 500 plus pounds to a healthy weight.

The difference between this weight loss show and others is Ruby's personality.

She is a hoot!

I love everything about her and I wish she was one of my best friends.

I've only watched season one and am saving the other 3 for the ship.

What I love about Ruby is that despite all her hardships she always puts her best foot forward.

She has awesome friends and they all have so much fun together.

I'm cheering for you from my living room Ruby that you reach a healthy weight.

Yankee Candle Lip Balm

2011-03-15T19:48:00.001-07:00

When I first started doing improv I used to mention Yankee Candles a lot.

I did so many scenes where I named so many Yankee Candle.

I actually have never owned one because they are too expensive.

Now I don't even want one because I like the candles at Anthropologie better.

The other day at a Hallmark I saw these new Yankee Candle lip balms.

They caught my eye but I feel like its something an older person would buy.

John?

2011-03-15T19:47:00.001-07:00

Thank you to John for all the comments!

Which John is this?

Secret People

2011-03-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

I enjoy keeping a few of what I like to call "secret people" in my life.

Secret people are people I know and remember from some walk of life who I now see existing in the world around me yet I never bother to go up to them and say "Hey I remember you from such and such do you remember me?"

I just let them exist around me.

Me knowing who they are and them having no recollection of me.

I never forget a face or a name.

I acquired my first secret person while I was in college.

My Hinduism class which I was taking to fulfill some sort of requirement to graduate was a smallish class.

Under 100 people I would say.

I saw this girl over and over and I was like why does she look familiar?

Suddenly it dawned on me.

We went to middle school together.

Now my family moved around a lot and I only went to school with her for maybe 2 years but still surely she would remember me.

One day after class I did the ole "Hey I'm so and so do you remember me from middle school?"

"Sorta" She said.

The conversation feel very flat after that.

She wasn't being mean she just didn't care.

Then I felt like she thought I cared.

Which I really didn't either.

I mean it was a coincidence but I didn't expect us to be best friends or even friends by bringing it up.

We never really spoke after that and I'd wished I'd kept her a secret person.

After her I noticed another boy on campus that I went to middle school with.

This time I decided not to say anything to him.

It was kinda funny to see him from time to time run around campus.

And I would think "I know him and he doesn't know that I do."

After I moved to Chicago and started working at Bloomingdales I briefly joined Weight Watchers.

I think I went for a month.

Anywhere there was a girl in my Weight Watchers meeting who not only worked at Bloomindales but also went to my college.

We never knew each other.

I just remembered her face from some committee and she worked on a different floor in Bloomies that I did.

Yet once again I sat there observing her thinking I know so much about you right.

My favorite secret person of all time was a girl I used to play basketball against in Japan.

She was the biggest center/ forward I ever had to guard.

She terrified me.

She also happened to live on the same street as me in Chicago.

I kid you not.

I actually found her on Facebook and she confirmed that she did in fact live on my street and that I should have said hi.

She has since moved.

I made the mistake of sharing my obsession with secret people to a friend of mine and now she went and blabbed to my current secret person that the two of us should say hi to one another!

I got a message the other day saying "So and so says I should say hi to you."

So I currently have no secret people around me.

But I hope to come across someone soon!

Cupcake Bath Bomb

2011-03-02T23:07:00.001-08:00

Do Not Eat!

That's what the label said when I picked up this cupcake shaped bath bomb while browsing a plantation gift shop in Louisiana.

Pricey little bugger too.

Thankfully Jeff bought it for me.

So let me get this straight the people living in the plantation didn't have running water and had to pee in buckets under their beds yet they used bath bombs?

Seriously everything in that gift shop was so modern.

Surprisingly enough the bath bomb did not smell like a cupcake.

It smelled more like a bouquet of lilies.

I found that little tid bid out long before I dropped in my bath tub however.

As Jeff was purchasing it the lady behind the counter looked at it fondly and declared.

"Oh your bath water is going to smell so good. Why your bath water is going to smell just like lilies. You are not going to want to get out of your bath water."

Is it just more or do the two words "bath" and "water" put next to each other make you want to vomit just a little in your mouth.

Needless to say the bath was most enjoyable.

Samples @ Cosco

2011-02-24T14:00:00.000-08:00

I am a sucker for a free sample at Cosco.

So much so that the other day before getting out of the car at Cosco my Mom said "What are you doing?"

"Just taking out my retainers incase they have any samples out" I replied.

There was this one time I went into Cosco with my retainers in and left my purse in the car.

Big mistake.

So many samples to try and nowhere to put my retainers.

So now I know to think ahead about these things.

I love a free sample of food or drink.

However.....

I'm terrified of the people who give out the samples!

You see...even though I love samples...I'm not actually going to buy what they are selling.

It's my parents membership and I'm not about to come waltzing back to their cart with a 50 gallon jar of chipotle mayo just because the little old lady on aisle 52 said it goes great in anything.

I do however aim to please and I hate letting down the sample makers.

This could be why you might find a 50 gallon jar of chipotle mayo on isle 39.

I ditched it there because I didn't want to leave the sample station empty handed however I knew I wasn't going to buy it so I discretely left it in a different aisle.

Have I mentioned I'm in my late 20's?

I love hitting up a sample station that has tons of people at it.

I know I can get in and get out no questions asked.

But if I find myself at a Cosco on a weekday I know I'm in big trouble.

I try to pump myself up before I reach the small, fold out table.

"Jeannie just grab a sample and walk away. You don't owe this woman anything."

I try to keep my eyes glued to the food but as I get closer I start to morph into another person.

I squint, even though I have perfect vision, at the little sign in front of the sample station.

Then I begin to mutter to myself loud enough for the person working the station to hear.

"BBQ Little Weenies" I say as I put my hands on my hips.

"What will they think of next" I add on to sound legit.

"Would you like to try a sample?" the woman asks.

I then make a face like I really shouldn't, I start to walk away, I turn back around.

"Why not? You only live once!" I say with enthusiasm while the little Jeannie sitting on my shoulder shouts "What are you doing? Who are you right now? You're blowing it!"

I inhale the weenie ooohing and awing better than Bob Wiley eating dinner at Dr. Leo Marvin's house in What About Bob.

I mean its a tasty weenie but this isn't my last meal.

Why am I trying to impress this woman?

She didn't make the weenie she just heated it up.

I'm blinded by the lights of my own performance and press on.

"That was delicious thank you so much." I say and begin to back away.

"You can buy a pack of 300 for just $16.99" She says tapping the box.

"Do you barbecue?" She asks

"Yes"

I lie.

"These little suckers go great at a barbecue" She assures me.

"You got kids?" She asks.

"Yes"

I lie.

"You can microwave these little devils up as a great afternoon snack" She insists.

"Would you like to buy a box?" She asks.

What does she work on commission I start to think?

She is selling to me hard, she must work on commission.

Is there a poster somewhere in Cosco's employee break room that charts who the best sample station seller is?

Do they get bonuses? Pay increases?

All this information is running through my head and I start to panic.

"Ummm you see" I start to stammer.

"Well I'm shopping with my Mom and I better check with her. It's just that's a lot of weenies and I don't think we have the freezer space and we don't even eat meat that much. I mean we do but not all the time. And this would be a big commitment and there are only 4 of us and I just feel like it would be like a food time bomb. Like you better eat it because its going to explode if you don't. Its a race against the clock."

I begin shouting at a woman a few feet away from me.

"Mom...hey Mom did you want this...No...put it back o.k."

The woman I just shouted at is not my actual Mother and looks at me perplexed.

I turn back to the woman at the sample station feeling super guilty.

"I guess she doesn't want them" I say in the saddest voice ever.

The sample lady looks down super disappointed.

I picture the floor manager approaching her after I've left saying "Peggy...I'm afraid we have to let you go."

"I'm sorry" I say and walk away slowly pretending to look really upset.

I keep going pushing my heavy cart down the rows until I hear those magical words again "Would you like to try a free sample?"

I take a deep breath "No thank you, I better....well sure why not?"

Miniature Obsession Failures

2011-02-17T16:57:00.001-08:00

You all known how much I adore the little people community.

I can't even bring myself to watch the last 5 episodes of Little People Big World because I can't live without that family.

Well while we were at the rodeo there was a booth that read "World's Smallest Woman...50 cents"

My whole family was like "I'm sure it's a scam...one of those things where you go in and its a doll or something."

"Well I'm going in anyway" I said prepared to be duped.

I paid and rounded the corner whistling and then came to a dead halt.

THERE WAS THE TINIEST WOMAN I'D EVER SEEN SITTING IN A TINY LAWN CHAIR.

(I found a pic of her on the internet!)

I didn't know what to do.

I hadn't anticipated this happening at all.

"Hello" I finally managed to say.

"Hello" She said back and gave a wave.

"God bless you" I said back.

"Thank you" She said.

And that was it!

I walked out and was like "Jeff it wasn't fake there was a really nice little lady in there."

"Why didn't you talk to her more?" He asked.

"I got nervous I wasn't expecting anyone to actually be there" I replied.

We continued walking and came across another booth "World's Smallest Horse...50 cents"

"Oh no!" I shrieked

Jeff started laughing really hard "Go ahead" He said.

Poor little horse didn't have much room to walk around.

I know its hard to tell but he was smaller than a pony.

Speaking of ponies the fair people didn't let me sit on the pony and take a picture.

How embarrassing!