mondays.

Hi all! I am sorry for my absence this past week. Time got away from me and the days flew by. My reader is filled to the brim so I have some catching up to do! Cannot believe that tomorrow is the first of February! 2011 is sure off to a speedy start.

How did everybody spend their weekends? Mine had its highs and lows. I was able to float my MLK holiday to Friday and take a 3 day weekend to head down to VA. Aside from the necessary maintenance of my car and my hair {two very crucial things} I hung out with my roommate from college. We had a yummy dinner and saw Country*Strong. 

SO GOOD! I had wanted to see it since I first saw the previews so I was glad that it lived up to my expectations. Let me just say that if/when Gossip Girl ends {I won't miss it too much} Leighton can definitely have a career as a country singer. And I wouldn't even hate it if her and Garrett*Hedlund got together off the big screen because they had such chemistry in the movie. But then again that very well could have just been good acting. Who knows. The evening took a turn for the dramatic after leaving the theater. I guess things like that happen in small towns. I won't dwell on it too much because I have given too much of my time and energy to a pointless situation. And I am officially through.

I missed the SAG Awards due to my drive back up to NY but I heard that those expected to win did in fact take home the trophies. I wanted to make it a goal this year to see all the movies nominated for Best Picture for the Oscars but I don't know if that will work out. I have only seen 4 of 10 at this point {10 seems like way too many in my opinion}. I borrowed Inception from my brother so that one I can knock off the list soon, but I only have until Feb 27th to see the rest. Can I do it? Probably not. Not with work, gym, and studying preventing me from being a permanent couch potato. But that's probably for the best.

Hope your weeks are off to a wonderful start!

the kids are not all right.

The title of this post was the clever title of last night's episode of Gossip*Girl. I have to tend towards agreeing with them if they continue to push the envelope even further into the unbelievable with this show. Serena plotting a hostile takeover of her mother? Puh-lease. I think I am on the verge of un-loving this show. Anyone agree?

In other news, I fell into a bit of post-giveaway writer's block. Nothing seemed too relevant or exciting the past couple of days. This weekend was sort of low key. A lot of New York is in mourning over the Jets losing. I am not a Jets fan but I am an anyone-who-plays-the-Steelers fan, so I was slightly bummed. 

Friday night I stayed local and went to dinner and a movie with one of my sorority sisters. Black Swan, anyone? I was terrified. I am a huge wimp and when anything jumps out at the screen I literally lose it. Regardless of my nerves, the movie was great. It was dark, thought provoking, and twisted. I have no idea what really happened, so I was a bit frustrated. I know this sounds like a negative review, but those who have seen it will understand where I am coming from. Bottom line is that you should definitely see it! 

Saturday night met up with my cousin and had too many margaritas at Dos Caminos. Why did I do this? I do not know. Especially since it was bitterly cold outside. Frozen drinks? I wish I had a reasonable explanation. But they were quite yummy! As was the guacamole. The night got ahead of us as is often the case in Nueva York, but I shocked myself {and the free world} by getting up hangover free Sunday morning. I headed down to the Lower East for my dear friend E's surprise birthday brunch. She had no idea, so that just added to the fun of it.

The weather is down right depressing. I may pack it in and head to the tropics. Open a tiki hut and shack up with a beautifully bronzed surf instructor?

i just google image searched 'paradise' and came up with this. uh, yes please.

drumroll please!

The time has come everyone to announce the winner of the giveaway! I put all your names into an Excel spreadsheet and generated a number between 1 and 64 using random.org {take my word for it, I am too lazy to screen shot all this stuff}.  and the winner is....

#58 - jMe from Brunch at Julie's!

*julie, shoot me an email at chelleybelle3@hotmail.com with your contact info!*

I wish you could all win, but this was too much fun I might have to do another one again soon. Maybe 150 followers?
 

Happy Friday to you all! I think this weekend is going to be much less packed than the last. I am going to see Black Swan tonight! I am sure it will be just as mind boggling as I have heard.

150.

This is my 150th post! How exciting?!

A quick thank you to Little Miss Can't Be Wrong at how i met your father {with a little help from the wonderful Audrey Hepburn} for inspiring this post today. Will you all think less of me if I confess to first having seen Breakfast at Tiffany's this past summer? I know, for shame. It's one of those things that I have always intended to do and never done, but finally snagged it out of the $5 DVD bin at Target. Kind of like skiing, I have never been skiing. Or eaten a bowl of cereal. But let's not get off track here...

This quote of Audrey's really struck a cord with me.

"I have to be alone very often. I'd be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That's how I refuel." 

I am not one bit an introvert. I love me some people. I talk all the time, often in circles. I went on a date with a guy two summers ago who told me I had conversational ADD. I have yet to find a reason to disagree with him, but am trying to hop less from subject to subject. That being said, people are often shocked when they find out that it's just me and the dust bunnies in my apartment. {Literally, I have never seen more dust in my life.} "You live by yourself? Aren't you lonely?" And to be frank, I don't really have time to be lonely. There are so many upsides to living alone. No one expects you to tell them your comings and goings. You don't have to worry about anyone borrowing your things without asking. You can leave anything you want anywhere because it's ALL YOUR STUFF. You can come home from a long day at work and not have to explain anything to anyone. If you want to talk it out you make a phone call or shoot a text. And finally, forgive me if this is an over share, but its the honest truth... clothes are totally optional. 

What's Up Wednesday.

It's that time of the week again! I can tell you are all just bursting with excitement. Well here you have it!

*I saw a guy driving a red VW Beetle last night. Probably one of my biggest pet peeves. And then I got to thinking that clearly there will be a post in the future about things guys should never be caught doing. Of course wearing Hunter wellies and driving punch buggies will be atop that list. If you have any no-no's to add, please do!

 *i dont think i would mind a guy driving the classic style, just not the newer girly model*

*I cannot even believe the success of this giveaway! I am so glad that you all like it. Just a few more days, spread the word!

*Face*book is really about to, if they have not already crossed the line. After 'friending' someone on Sunday, my newsfeed informed me that "You and So-and-So are now friends after attending the same event on Saturday". Yes we were both there, but why are you reminding me? I didn't see you there, Face*book.

*There are two levels to my gym. Apparently this is a problem for some people. I always feel as though stairs are similar to a highway. You follow the rules of the road. If you were driving on the wrong side of the road, you wouldn't expect people to move for you, correct? So if you are walking up THE WRONG SIDE OF THE STAIRS do not stare at my like I am supposed to move. You are in the wrong, buddy. Step to the right.

*Regis*Philbin is retiring from Live! I am so upset. I just adore that man and he is true television royalty. I cannot even begin to imagine who they will have replace him on the show. They have huge, Bigfoot, monsterous sized shoes to fill. Any suggestions?

*LOVED this story of Emily & Ryan in the NYTimes this week. It really does read like a romantic comedy script. Too cute!

*I am starting to think more and more about spring. Perhaps that's because my mailbox and inbox are inundated with catalogs and email promotions for adorable floral dresses and it's only January. Unfair.

*No matter how hard I work out or how healthy I eat, it is clearly impossible to get the scale to budge during that time of the month. Thanks a heap, biology. 

*Speaking of which, Rachel*Ray recently had a show about makeup made for men. I had to laugh, but was also a bit offended. That's not part of the deal whatsoever. We have the kids so therefore we {and only we} get to cover up our imperfections. Plain and simple. Guyliner? Gimme a Kit-Kat sized break.

I think that's about all folks. Do tell, what's up with you today?