The Breakfast Club

Saw this band last night.....The Breakfast Club.

They are a great 80's tribute band.

They rocked everything from Whitesnake to Journey to Prince to Loverboy.

Good times, good fun.

Hibernating with the classics.

With the frigid temperatures and the Midwest covered in snow, I like to stay indoors where it is warm and toasty.  I generally have no desire to leave the house unless I absolutely need to, especially on the weekends.  One of my favorite things to do lately is snuggle up with Steve and watch movies.  Generally we peruse the offerings on movies-on-demand and find one that we haven’t seen yet.  This past month however we have begun watching old movies on TCM or AMC.  I grew up watching the old black-n-whites, but it has been awhile.
Here are some we recently watched and really enjoyed:
Great Expectations (1946).  I never tire of watching the story of young Pip and the heartless Estella, and who can forget the eerie Miss Havisham in her wedding dress and cobwebs?


Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)  I have to admit that this is the first time I have ever watched this movie, and hello?  What was I waiting for?  Audrey Hepburn is adorable in this movie.  My mom thinks the plot line is so sad, but Holly Golightly finds love in the end, and her darn cat.  What isn’t to love about that?
Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958)  Another first for me.  I have always loved Jimmy Stewart in Hitchcock’s Rear Window, but this one was almost as much fun.  The suspense, the intrigue, the amazing Jimmy Stewart with the dashing leading ladies.  Fun movie!


Wuthering Heights (1939)  How many times have I seen this movie?  I’ll have to stop typing and use two hands to count.  I love it!  Not only is this my favorite novel of all time, it is also one of my favorite old movies.  The story of Cathy and Heathcliff and their eternal love is so sad, so haunting, and yet so romantic all at the same time.  I cannot express how much I love this old classic.  *sigh*
 
There you have the old movies we have watched over the past 3 or 4 weekends.  There’s nothing like an old movie to stir the heart and set your imagination going.  Don’t get me wrong, I love today’s movies, but I could do without all of the unnecessary sex and violence.  Sex and violence will not keep me from watching a movie, and I really don’t have a problem at all with foul language, but sometimes it’s nice to just get back to old fashioned storytelling.  Great scripts and fantastic actors that can get it done without all of the “extras”  thrown in.
How about you?  Do you watch old movies?  What do you like to do when hibernating from the cold and the weather?

A trip to Anthropologie to cure the rainy day blues.

It’s been an unseasonably warm weekend here in Ohio with nothing but gray skies and rainy days.  Which is exactly why Steve and I did NOTHING yesterday and spent the entire day on the couch doiking (my mom’s word) in front of the television.
On Friday Lizzie and I decided a trip to the mall would be just the pick-me-up we needed.  It wasn’t just the local mall that we visited, but the one an hour from here.  Lizzie can usually talk me into it because she loves the designer stores and I love the fact that I get to visit Pottery Barn AND Anthropologie.
I will share a few Anthropologie pics with you, then I’m off to work on my taxes.  Yippy skippy!

 
The fake, sarcastic smile of a fifteen year old that hates when her mother takes her photo (especially in public).    It is always fun to see what new and innovative artwork that Anthropologie has in their window display.

Other than bicycle rims, can you tell what this hanging sculpture is made of?
Yep. Plastic soda bottles.


I snapped this last photo in Pottery Barn.  I love the cheese grater place card holder, and we both loved that they used Lizzie’s name in the display.  How fun!
Well, those pesky taxes aren’t going to figure themselves, so that is what I will be doing with the remainder of my rainy Sunday.
Before I click off, I just want to say a Thank You to my faithful readers for your words of encouragement.  It was comforting to hear from others that have ventured off into the working world after years at home, and I truly appreciate your kind words.
Peace out Girl Scout.

burnt toast

I am not one to indulge in material things for myself. Like many mothers I afflict upon myself the “burnt toast syndrome”.  Putting family before myself, choosing to put the wants, needs, and desires of my children before my own.  For whatever reason I choose not to spend money on things for myself (even at Target!).  In this cold Ohio winter you will not see me trudging around in Ugg boots, nor is the back of my right shoulder emblazoned with The North Face logo.  I do not own designer handbags, although there is a particular Coach bag I’ve been coveting lately. 

Don’t get me wrong, if I had the spare cash to spend I’d be first in line at the mall.  However, the extra cash isn’t there, so I don’t spend it.  Don’t feel sorry for me.  I, like so many mothers, choose this path willingly and with no complaints.  It’s a big whatev.

There is however one little indulgence that I do allow myself, and that is getting my nails done.  I have been a nail biter my entire life and a couple of times over the years I have indulged in acrylic nails.  In January 2009 I decided to take the plunge once again and headed to the local nail salon to get a “full set”.  Here we are one year later, January 2010, and I just returned this afternoon from getting a “fill”.  I didn’t think I would keep up with it this long but boy, do I love it!  After a lifetime of stubby, chewed upon fingertips, I feel so luxurious with my long nails.  I feel pretty.   I feel put-together.  I feel sexy. 

Getting my nails done is the one thing that I shell out the cash for on a regular basis.  It is the one time I don’t feel guilty for spending money on me. 

How about you?  Do you have a luxury that you allow yourself?  Maybe it’s a certain perfume?  or a favorite brand of shoes?  Or a regular mani/pedi ?  Do tell.

GLEE

So by now most of you have probably heard of Fox's new hit show Glee.  I have to be honest - I LOVE IT!  I saw the premiere episode last Spring and was intrigued.  Once the season began this past September, we were hooked. 

Glee follows the ups and downs of the members of a high school Glee Club.  The fact that it is set right here in the fine State of Ohio makes it all the more fun.  The misfits of the Glee Club are looked down upon by their peers, most noticably the jocks and the cheerleaders.  They endure teasing, harrassment, and slushies in the face all because they love to sing and perform.  The members of Glee consist of the theater types, the misfits, and even a few football players and cheerleaders.  This group of outcasts is led in song and dance by their moderator Mr. Schuster, a married man with a secret crush on the school guidance counselor. 

Who steals the show?  None other than Jane Lynch portraying Sue Sylvester, the highly dysfunctional coach of the championship cheer team.  She is out to destroy the Glee Club basically because she doesn't like anyone taking the attention (and school funds) away from her beloved "cheerios".  Jane Lynch gives her usual witty, wry performance and she couldn't be funnier.

I love the singing, dancing, and all of the 80's music.  I love that is crass, witty, irreverant at times, and always hysterical.  I love that it has all the drama you would expect in high school: secret crushes, OCD, fake pregnancies, and ruthless behavior (and that's just from the adults).

Glee is on break right now, but will be back in April with the remainder of Season One.
Until then you can catch up with full episodes on Fox.
Have fun!

Senior Jazz

I wish I had a video of this to show you, but alas I do not own one of those handy-dandy Flip thingys.

Therefore, I will have to brag with my photos instead.

Hit play on the youtube video below, this is the song that these lovelies dance to for their Jazz routine.

My daughter is one of them.  I love this routine.  It is my favorite one of this season.

  
 
 
 

They compete at dance competitions with this routine, and Nationals season begins in February. 

Wish them luck.  They deserve it, they’re amazing!

Love at first sight.

This is my polar bear.  Don't you just love him?  I do.  He doesn't have a name.  He's just known as "my polar bear".

He sits in my living room all year long.  I thought I would give him or her? a pretty red bowtie for the holidays.

Why do I love this polar bear so much?  Other than for his rugged looks?  Because my son made him for me.  Back in high school my son made this in his blowoff ceramics class.  I squealed with delight when he pulled this bear, wrapped in a pair of gym shorts, from his ragged backpack.  It was love at first sight.  A mother couldn't be more proud.  I wish you could see him up close.  He is shaped beautifully and has great muscle definition and big, oversized cuddly bear feet.  See?  I told you I was in love.

Here he is next to a pop can (yes, it's pop - not soda - I live in Ohio, remember?), so you can see how large he is.

Now he just needs a name.  Any suggestions dear readers?

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Congratulations to Kathy at Creative Home Expressions.  Kathy's comment was chosen by random.org as the winner of the $25 Macy's Gift Card.  Congratulations Kathy! 

Color my world.

This past weekend amidst all of the Thanksgiving goings-on we celebrated my neice Francesca's 12th Birthday. 

 I offered to bake the cake.

I have to admit it wasn't much to look at.

Until the first slice.

I didn't tell anyone ahead of time, so there was lots of oohing and aahing going on.

 

Francesca loved it.

It was a lot of fun to make, but also a bit time consuming.  You basically prepare two box mixes of white cake as directed.  You then seperate the cake batter into 6 containers and add Wilton's Icing Dye found in the cake decorating aisle at Walmart - NOT the baking aisle.  Regular food coloring won't be bright enough.  You then make a six layer cake.  Here are Meg's directions which are a bit more concise than mine.

You are supposed to shave the top of each layer so it lays flat, but I didn't take the time to do that.

I am glad that I didn't.  I like my arched rainbow.

Here is the original cake that I found at Meg's Whatver blog.

She makes cupcakes too.

And look at the yumminess created by Amanda at I Am Mommy.  Pancakes.

Of course I cannot mention Francesca's fabulous 12th birthday unless I mention her sister Gabriella.

Gabriella's 9th Birthday was on Thanksgiving Day.

Happy Birthday girls!

Aunt Stephie loves you!

My Favorite Things

oday Melissa at 320 Sycamore is hosting a "My Favorite Things Party".  How fun is that?  It's like getting to peek into the cupboards and cabinets of your blogging buddies!






So, without further adieu....here are a few of my favorite things:

Diet Pepsi

Seriously, this is my all-time, numero uno, must-have, favorite thing.

I've been drinking Diet Pepsi since I was 16.

Gosh, what I must have done to my insides since then!?

Activia Yogurt

Speaking of insides,  I will describe my affinity for this yogurt in just 2 words:

Yummy.  Regular.

'Nuff said, right?

World Market dishes. 

I received these as a birthday gift in September from my parents.

Looooving them!  My last set was from when I was married...in 1990.

Love the colors, love the dishes!

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Food. Of. The. Gods.

If you don't have access to a Chipotle burritto in your area...

....you have my sympathies.

I love collecting my Buttons.

Bath 'n Body Works Antibacterial Soaps

Proof that you don't have to spend a fortune to have some classy, fragrant hand soap in your home.

These are often on sale for 3 for $10 or less.  Use a coupon, and it's even better.

I would pay just as much for a generic bottle of SoftSoap in the grocery store.

Our family favorite?  Warm Vanilla Sugar

Bare Minerals

This makeup may be a bit pricier than your average drugstore makeup, but it is so very worth it.

This is one of my little splurges that I give to myself.

It really does work just like the infomercials. 

It is so light, covers so evenly, and has even improved the health of my skin.  I recommend the starter kit.  It comes with all you need and even a instructional DVD.

Definitely worth a try.  You can buy online or in stores.  I get mine at Sephora.

OPI Nailpolish in "Cha Ching Cherry"

My fingers and toes have never been happier.

And my husband kinda likes it too!

Lucky Perfume by Jessica Simpson

I smelled it in the store.

I added it to my Christmas wishlist in '08.

Santa was good to me.

Divine.

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers

My all-time favorite album CD to listen to from beginning to end.

Yes.  I am a rockin' Mom.

(coming in a close second is Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell)

LOST

Good news?  Season 6 will be here in January.

Bad news?  It will be the last season.

*sigh*

Hello, my name is Stephanie, and I am addicted to Reality TV.

Not all of it, just the good stuff.

American Idol.  The Amazing Race.  Survivor.  Project Runway. 

America's Next Top Model.  So You Think You Can Dance? 

Tide-To-Go Instant Stain Remover

It removes stains.  Instantly.

This item is a Cheer Mom must-have.

Pandora Charm Bracelet

My bestie gave me a Pandora for my 40th Birthday.

I am having loads of fun adding beads.

I feel so "la-dee-da" when I wear it.

I love it!

Ferrero Rocher

Never had one?  Uhhh,  you need to get to the store quickly.

Go!  Now!  You won't regret all of the chocolate, hazelnut yumminess.

Your taste buds will thank you for it.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

I can't imagine there is a reader out there that hasn't tried this sponge.

If so?  You must know that they don't call it "magic" for nothin'.

Good and Plenty

Last but not least is my little guilty pleasure.

The Cheer Moms and I could not get through an entire day of

cheerleading competition without it.

Just when the day begins to wear on us,

one of us will break out these licorice babies, and we are good to go!

There you have it.  A list of some of My Favorite Things.  Now head on over to 320 Sycamore and add your own list of Favorite Things.

Come back tomorrow for a really cool Friday Driveby.
Have a great Thursday!