Top 10 Things I am Thankful for This Thanksgiving

Because that is what it is all about right...

1. That my whole family will be in the same house that night: and all the things that go with that. From all our dogs to all of us it usually gets pretty funny pretty quick.

2. I get to try a new Truffle and Roll Recipe: Yes I am a cooking nerd and I am excited to try these recipes, and figure out what a double boiler is by then hopefully.

3. Heidi is coming back to NM: Which usually means too much food and shopping and well who hates that. I am sure we will also discuss very important issues like why we love The Vampire Diaries so much, who is bothering us, and whether those jeans make our bums look good or not.

4. Dad’s Pancakes the day after: So good!

5. Real Mashed Potatoes the Day of: Also Very good and pretty much the only time I get them all year.

6. Break: As in no work!

7. Excuse to Bail: As in sorry I will be out in the mountains that day.

8. The Parade: Fun every year and tradition- which I believe in.

9. The Hi-Jinks at Wal-Mart the Day Before: Yes me and my mom are going to get most of the groceries the day before at Wal-Mart. Some would call this a suicide mission I would agree but what are two very busy people to do.

10. The fact We are a Month away from Christmas: I got 2 words for you Sparkly Lights!

Top Ten Tribute to My Boys

I figured now that I have ten boys on my list (just mine mind you, not the undecided ones) that I would do a little tribute to each one of them. And give me a chance to stare....

If you don't like them....I don't even know what to say then.

 Zachary Quinto - First seen and noticed in Star Trek, then totally adored in Heroes. Yes he's the bad guy, the aloof one, but that's what draws me in. You can just tell there is more going on behind his eyes and you just want to sit and watch him.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers - Um I don't even know when I first saw him but in The Tudors....um wow. They were all slutty but that just meant that there was more of him to see. And then in August Rush the boy sings and you kind of just want to melt. Just pretty.

Christian Bale* - First seen in Newsies. Captured my heart then and there. He sings as well which I just can't get over. Then in Little Women you're totally on his side until he marries Amy! All his movies are amazing because he gets so far into character. His Batman is my favorite aside from the weird fake voice when he's actually Batman...

Ryan Reynolds* - First seen in Van Wilder. So sarcastic and funny and witty. He would just be the guy you sit with all day and it can just be chill and you can just laugh about anything. And then he's just beautifully defined in all areas. Totally just melts my heart with how sweet he is in Definitely, Maybe. So cute.

Cam Gigandet - First seen in the O.C. Oh my yum this kid just epitomizes bad boy and makes me want to do drugs and drink and move out of my house at 15.... If you can't tell already I'm just a dang sucker for abs and his I think are just the very best. Yum. And then his Gap ad....I just want to go buy Gap Men's clothes so that the guys I know can look like that too. Plus he is just adorable with his daughter.

Robert Buckley - First seen on Lipstick Jungle. He totally exudes confidence and just seems like the kind of guy who would treat a girl like gold. And again with the abs....Am I a broken record here or are they just that good?!

Ian SMOLDERHALDER(Somerhalder) - First seen on Vampire Diaries. Um bad boy much. I have to quote my sis in that he just looks like he would break your heart, he would enjoy doing it, and I would enjoy letting him do it because just one look in my direction with those beautiful eyes and I'd be gone....

Bradley Cooper - First seen on Alias. If there is one thing I love more than abs (and he has good ones too) it's laughing. And Bradley Cooper just has the face that is made to be smiling and laughing. It would never be a dull moment, and you'd have some excellent arm candy.

Wentworth Miller - First seen on Prison Break. I love the intenseness of this boy. Some might call it brooding but I love that it means that, even if he isn't, it seems like he's thinking, and hopefully he's thinking that intensely about you!

Zachary Levi* - First seen on Chuck. It could just be his character, but he's a nerd. A really good looking nerd that doesn't think he's cute or smart or capable of saving the world. He's just so humble and unassuming yet confident in who he is. Cuteness.

And just to shake it up, instead of a couple boys I don't like, some more boys that I do like...but haven't been able to pry them from Cor yet ; ).

Top 10 Shows You Should Have Watched

Because then we might still have them...

1. Alias: Jen Garner will always be Sydney Bristow to me which I why I always believe she could kick my a**. This show was amazing and introduced the world to not only Jen Garner but also Bradley Cooper! It lost its footing a bit at the end of the third season but at the end it gave the fans what they wanted. I would try to explain this show to you but like Lost it would take a whole lot! So here is a basic description Jen Garner is a secret agent working for the CIA, we follow her, her handlers and team members, and all the regular folks in her normal everyday life who have no idea what she does. Oh and there are like a million twists- not an exaggeration.

2. Veronica Mars: No one had as many great one liners as this show. About a teen sleuth who lives in a small town with some issues. Veronica is trying to solve her best friend’s murder. Equal parts family drama, mystery, teen drama, small town drama and hilarious. Just watch it you will love it.

3. Keen Eddie: An American Detective gets sent to England to solve a drug ring. He interacts with the British- that is all I needed! Mark Valley also not bad on the eyes, his English Partner witty & awkward as can be. And yes that is Sienna Miller as his annoying flat mate. Just thinking about it makes me want to pull the DVDs out.

4. Life: So how is this for Original an alleged dirty cop gets sent to jail for killing his partner & family, years later they overturn his case because it wasn’t him and part of his settlement he wants back on the force. Damien Lewis is the best in this show and you should watch it just for him. Not to mention him trying to solve the murder he was sent to jail for and a new case each week. Plus watch him reenter the world after being in prison for so long. Oh and that is just the surface.

5. Life On Mars: A remake of a British Show that has a cop fall into a coma and end up back as a cop in the 1970’s NYC. He is trying to figure out why he is there, live, and how to get back.

6. The Black Donnellys: Gritty & Dark & Dramatic about a set of Irish brothers who just keep making the wrong decisions. And in their neighborhood it gets dangerous. Tommy the smartest/responsible/legit brother tries to keep them out of trouble but just watch and you will see why he cannot. This is one of those shows where guys are always surprised you admitted you love.

7. Kitchen Confidential: Bradley Cooper again this show is based on Anthony Bourdain’s cooking career in NYC and the entire kitchen he puts together are funny characters.

8. Popular: You know that show Glee- that everyone is digging right now well Ryan Murphy created/ran this show first and it is even snarkier. A hilarious take on high school politics with a lot of crazy antics thrown in. I literally laugh out loud in every episode, and then feel bad for laughing at such meanness.

9. Buffy: I know we got 7 seasons but really that whole moving to the UPN thing-lame. And well you missed out so check it out and Joss Whedon’s current show Dollhouse which is also very good.

10. The American Embassy: this show was on all the way back in 2002 and only for a month. But it made such an impact on me I wanted this girl’s job so much! A young American woman takes an Embassy job in London for adventure and to get away from her family. It is the only show I can think of that was based in an embassy and I wish it had lasted longer. Plus the whole American Coworker CIA guy verse local British Playboy don’t you want your date nights to consist of that!

And 2 that deserved to get completely and totally axed!
1.The Beautiful Life: Really I am ashamed I wasted an hour watching this awful show with worse acting. But in my defense I was cleaning and it was the only thing on.
2.Wedding Cashers: this craptastic reality show replaced Donnelllys imagine my surprise when I tuned in. Really only Owen & Vince can pull that off guys and with real people’s weddings it is not as funny- just seeing the premise made me change the channel.

Top 10 Things to Love about Fall

I do believe this is my favorite time of year...so just more things that I love.

1. The weather getting colder. Sorry Cor but I adore having it be sunny outside but kind of chilly. So you get to wear cute coats and things but still have it be sunny!

2. Cute coats, boots, leggings, scarves or any other winter attire. It just adds so much diversity to your look and you can definitely have a ton of fun playing around with different colors, patterns and fabrics. I have about ten different scarves all kinds of colors (mostly plain color because that's me but patterns are adorable on others) and I just pick one to complement my outfit. The possibilities or look and cuteness are endless.

3. Leggings and Tights. This is a whole other one just because it's so awesome. Go to Target right now and they are having a sale on knee high socks, thigh high socks, tights, and footless tights (leggings). It's fantastic and they have all manner of patterns. I got some patterned tights and argyle ones just the other day. So cute to pair a dress you might have worn in summer with some cute tights/leggings and then into your fav boots.

4. Hazelnut Hot Chocolate. Okay Starbucks has this amazing thing called signature hot chocolate (why they even have the other kind I have not yet figured out....but) and then they add hazelnut flavoring into it. Just breath that sucker in. I don't like nuts but this is the perfect balance of the smoothness of nuts without actual nuts, and then chocolate. And I don't usually get the whip cream but it also adds a great deal! And then of course apple cider (YUM and my year round fav) and other kinds of hot chocolate. Perfect for chilly mornings.

5. Days when I can just rock the hoodie and sweats. Usually this is at night after I've gotten home from work but really, what is better than just sitting, sipping your hot chocolate, in a hoodie and sweats. Nothing that's what. I never get tired of the lounge pants and hoodies just make me feel so much better about myself because you can't tell whether I'm skinny or not!

6. Decorating my house. Although I haven't done it this year, in past years this is the best. Only in the fall do you have so many holidays to decorate for, and as a closet designer who has their future home all planned out, this is just pure fun. I mostly can't let myself going into stores like Micheal's, but when I do it's like a kid in a candy store, all the possibilities of making your home fun and festive. And you can do anything from really small (for just your room or apartment) to all out house extravaganza!

7. Music. I start getting excited about Christmas music in October. Don't worry all you sticklers, I don't actually start listening to it until after Thanksgiving, but I'm still excited about it long before then. I miss it so much through the year and listen to it almost non-stop during the acceptable time period. They're all the same songs but different people's voices change them so much! And of course the instrumentals like Manheim Steamroller are just classic quality that must be listened to every year.

8. Blankets. Wrapping up in a blanket or putting an extra one on my bed are a definite highlight. I don't have to worry anymore about being too hot to sleep. I get to be all cozy and cuddly and pretend like it's a snow day and I don't have to go to school or work.

9. Slathering on lotion. It becomes a necessity for me in the winter but I love it. I am forced to take extra good care of my skin and let it shine! Before you go to bed, get some heavy duty lotion, the kind you don't normally like because you feel greasy afterwards, slather it on your feet, put on some thick socks then go to bed. Your feet with thank you.

10. Making cookies. For the holidays it's somehow universally accepted that people make cookies for each other. This is the time I try out new recipes I have been thinking all year of doing. I take my sugar cookie recipe and get a really fun cookie cutter and just go to town. Ya it's a mess to clean up your kitchen but what's better than listening to Christmas music, or watching White Christmas, while you tear it up in the kitchen making yummy things and forgetting the consequences?!

And a couple of things that don't make fall enjoyable:
* Unpredictable weather, it's all cold outside so I wrap up and then it gets hot and I have to lug my coat around. Or warm in the morning so don't bring my huge coat then freezing the entire day!

* Worrying about my car being able to do everything it needs to when it's cold. Too much stress! And then dealing with mechanics who think because I'm a girl I deserve to be talked down to.

Top 10 Things to Do In the Fall:

If you don't get you should go visit it....
1. Wear Boots and a Sweater: I know it is fall when I start to pull the boots out from under the bed and am digging through my sweaters. A little trick I do to stay warm, because I loathe being cold- leggings as tights tucked into my boots keeps me really warm and comfy. I also do the knee socks and boots thing too, and the textured tights thing, and the jeans tucked in thing- what can I say I love my boots. I also have a thing for a long sweater I have at least a half dozen.
2. See a Play: You can do this all year long but it is more fun to dress up in the winter because you get to also do the amazing coat thing. And for some reason all the plays I want to see are in the fall. We have a local theater company, school troupe and a place where national touring groups come through so you can usually find something you like and in your price range.
3. Drink Cocoa: I make it, drink it for breakfast and just love overall. It really warms you up when you need it and screams fall at me.
4. Go To A Football Game: Yes the Lobos are not doing that great and you will freeze on those metal bleachers. But go and cheer and huddle together for warmth, and I am sorry as a girl who sat through a game in a hale/snow storm in a Northern state nonetheless, I have no sympathy for you.
5. Buy Some Ridiculous Flannel PJs: Or in my case have “Santa” gift them to me. So far I have ones with dogs in Christmas gear, traveling gnomes and Russian Nesting dolls on them. All from Target and Nick and Nora and all comfy as Clive Owen is hot.
6. Scrub, Scrub, Scrub: Have you ever had a salt scrub well then you have never been hurt so good? Can’t afford the spa (even as a present?) then make your own sugar scrub-Google it and you will get at least one you want to try. Otherwise I start to not recognize my own skin.
7. See The Nutcracker: Kind of falls under 2 but at least once in your life, ok at least once in your girl life you need to see The Nutcracker done right. Me I saw it by the San Francisco Ballet when I was 11, amazing is all I can say. Not an option rent it.
8. Pumpkin Patch: When I was a kid we all got to pick our own pumpkins and then carve them. I loved the power of walking around all these pumpkins at the patch and making my choice. My dad who is an expert carver puts us all to shame but we always got our own and could do whatever we wanted. It is a family tradition, my parents even did it the first year they were married.
9. Make Soup: I tend to go for Tortilla Soup or Potato Broccoli. It warms the house and the belly and there is nothing better with bread.
10. Snowball, Angel, House, etc.: Make one, throw one, commune with the snow. At least take your dogs out to play in it, or take some pictures. You only get so much!

And Here are 2 Things I Don't Appreciate Fall!
1. Snow on my car: Not the best present in the AM.
2. More Laundry: All those layers really add up.

Top 10 Current Obsessions 10/16/09

If these were people I would be a stalker.... this week link-ful click and be happy.

1. Ritz Crackers- Umm I picked up a box of these at the store a couple of weeks ago and now must always have them. They are part of my just in case I forget my lunch stash in my desk and also very useful for the whole just in case I am freaking starving in the afternoon stash, same drawer other side.

2. Snuggies for Dogs: Yes this is what my dog will be receiving for Christmas and no I do not usually give gifts to my dog Lucy unless you count oh I don’t know feeding her.

3. Sonic Drinks: Yesterday AM I needed something I had $2 so I stopped here and it really help me make it through the day. My liver & kidneys I am sure are unhappy, but me good. Sorry H don't mean to rub my Sonic in your face.

4. Something To Look Forward To: Do it people and write it with a pretty pen on your calendar it will put some kick in your step.

5. Glee CD: Umm yay and all on one CD of lovely covers and perfectly harmonized voices- one gripe where is It’s My Life/Confessions?

6. Big Mama Blog: I have no kids and really who needs them at this point in my life! But this site is very funny and her comments on waiting and Friday Fashion posts are very realistic and useful.

7. Madonna Greatest Hits CD: Get into the groove boy you got move.... And tons more make me feel like a teenager although I was all of a toddler in the 80’s.

8. Balloon Fiesta: Kind of late but it really brightens my drive to work and this year was the first year I got to go. And even though the balloons did not go up that day- I still had fun. Highlight: the 2 teens with the Starsky & Hutch name badges. Oh I laugh.

9. The Satorialist: I am not a high fashion girl simply put in NM and on my budget with my curves it is not a reality. But I do like the classic silhouettes he photographs and really his photos are stunning, waste 5 mins or days at this site. By a guy who simply photographs what he likes on the street in Fashion.

10. Friends Who Call You Out: As in where are you? You need to be here! The absolute best.

And just so you don’t think I am all about the love, here are 2 things I Do Not Like!
1. Hand Sanitizer: I could give you a whole bio lesson on its evils. Simply put in a pinch it is great otherwise wash your hands normally and it is just as good.
2. Speed Bumps: I get your point still hate ya.

Top 10 Reasons to Go to a Concert

I am going to see U2 in Glendale in 4 days and just got my Jay-z tix and have also been lining up other shows. So in honor of that here are 10 reasons to go to a concert- like you really even need them. I have never regretted going to a concert only not going.

1. You Love them: Buy every CD, know all the words, follow them. Why not see them live?

2. You get the Story: As in I was wrote this song because of X. Or you get antidotes like I really am sick of singling this song because of X. Gives you another reason to love your fave song- I have never had one ruined for me.

3. Better- Live: Good Bands sound the same live in fact they sound better it is like going from your puny little TV and getting a Flat Screen.

4. Brings Friends Together: You would be amazed how many people you have no idea like the bands you like. And how many people were at that concert with you and you did not even know it. It also is something to do with friends that is different and new.

5. Makes the CD Even Better: I always end up pulling out the CDs before I go and then keeping them in rotation after a concert. Same old CDs with a new appreciation and new memories tied to it.

6. Sing Out Loud/Dance Along: Um you know the words sing a long, and there is no shame in shaking your hips like no one is there. Not only will it make it more fun but you will burn some calories.

7. Memories: From the corner of your mind… umm yeah remember the time we went to see No Doubt and everyone screamed “I’m Just a Girl.” Or the time Coldplay was like right there a row away from us and Chris Martin was all thanks for being such a great crowd and you really felt that. Or when I almost jacked my car trying to get out of Journal, its ok I can laugh now.

8. Rock God Love: Gavin Degraw is short he also never takes his hat off, so I have no idea what is going on under there. As a girl who is six feet barefoot and would tower over Gavin I find him adorable but not for me. Then I saw him in concert with his sparkly little piano and he sang his heart out and was quite endearing made me re-think that boy.

9. People-Watching: Did you just see the girl with the handmade shirt? What about the guy my dad dubbed “Tigger” because he was always bouncing? Or the girl doing the hippie arm wave like she is feeling the music for pretty much the whole concert? Wait a second I totally almost punched that drunken guy too! No oh wait you didn’t go.

10. Opening Bands/New Music: You like the band you are seeing maybe you will find some new music through their opening bands. Or maybe they have someone awful with them or someone you already know. Either way it is a great appetizer before the main show comes out.

And Here are 2 Things You Don’t Need At Any Concert
1. People who go and no dancing or singing and look at you like a fool for doing so. Why did you come poser why!
2. Sloppy Drunks: I am cool get your buzz on but the minute you get all touchy feely, fall down, and slosh your beer on me I might pull the B card. Drink like a man dude and learn to hold your liquor.