latest list: things I'm loving

Happy Friday! I know everyone is freaking out about Christmas being upon us, but I'm sort of meh about the holidays. Don't get me wrong, I love walking through the decorated streets and seeing gorgeous trees in brownstone windows, but I feel like the holidays are a big marketing ploy these days. And then NYE comes, which is always so anti-climatic. Then we have to hunker down for the next 3 months until warmer weather (and vacation days) finally comes. Ok, enough with my old-person cynicism! On to my latest loves:

Essie Forever Young polish

I've finally found the perfect red for my skin tone - Essie Forever Young - from the 2008 collection. Big Spender, one of my favorite summer colors (an almost-neon purpley pink), is part of the same collection, so I'm not surprised that I love Forever Young. It doesn't have too much orange or blue...it's really a true red. The formula is highly pigmented as well...I could have gotten by with just one coat (rare when I use deep colors), but did 2 lighter coats along with Essie's 3-Way Glaze (more on that below).

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Essie 3-Way Glaze

Can be used as a basecoat, topcoat, and nail hardener. I use it as a base- and top-coat. It takes a while for nails to dry when I do this, but I seriously do not get chips for at least a week (I also keep my nails super short to avoid chips). It's really glossy as well.

Free Sudoku on the Droid

What I love about this game (aside from the fact that it's a FREE app), is that you can choose from a number of levels to play at. The easy level is great for the morning commute, since I can finish the game by the time I reach my stop on the subway. It times each game as well, so you can compete against yourself. Winning the game each morning and trying to beat my time is a great way to start the day on a good note.

Nordstrom Cashmere-lined leather gloves (on sale for $59.90)

The one thing about Brooklyn in the winter, I've learned, is that it gets crazy windy. Especially right around our apartment, which is a block from the water. My old trusty J Crew wool gloves did nothing to protect my hands from the wind. After a bit of research, I bought these gloves from Nordstrom. They're pretty reasonably priced for a great quality pair of gloves, and the reviews are fantastic. They are super warm as well!

Angry Birds

If there is one other game you need in your life, it's Angry Birds. I realize I'm a bit behind on this craze, but I totally get it. The birds...they're angry. These nasty pigs stole their stuff, and they want it back. The pigs are all like 'come and get us b*tches!' and hide in these elaborate fort things. And the crazy birds use kamikaze tactics to bust 'em down. The sound effects are hilarious, and it's just a feel-good kind of game. It's $0.99 on the iPhone but FREE on Android phones.

Photo credit: NYT article linked above

Uniqlo

I usually make it a point to avoid this place around the holidays because of the constant throngs of tourists, but recently made an exception to pick up some basics. I love this place! The prices are fab and the quality is pretty great. I am loving my 2 new pairs of the Skinny Straight jean (a great year-round style), and Jeggings (they call them Legging Pants) that are perfectly stretchy and pigmented with a mid-rise, smooth waistband, and all the details of an actual jean (all for a solid $19.90). They're currently giving them away on sale for $9.90 (the Skinny Straights). Oh and Uniqlo does FREE hemming. They also vanity-size like crazy, which is such a mood booster. I'm also obsessed with the Heat Tech products - my savior in this cold snap (especially the tops and socks). If you're in the market for a great stand-in for the classic Patagonia fleece jacket, they have them for men and women, for around $20. New Yorkers - run....Out-of-Towners - make this your first stop on your next visit.

confession: I'm still watching project runway

Yes I realize I'm a week behind on this, but I finally caught last week's Project Runway from my DVR. A few thoughts.

1) Is anyone still watching this, after the switchover to Lifetime and the last abysmal season? I think the talent is definitely superior to last season, but not as good as other seasons (I happen to think Season 4 where Christian Siriano won was THE best - I LOVED Jillian's designs).

2) I want to punch Emilio's smug look off his arrogant face. I hope he gets sent home, but is clearly going to be in the top three. I think the producers have a shady hand in this - especially with sending my beloved Anthony home!

3) To say Michael Kors is becoming bitchier is putting it mildly. Watching him ridicule Jonathan and basically laugh in his face was kind of hard to watch. Not sure if he's being egged on, but it's getting old.

4) Best line of the episode: You don't have to have the crown to be the queen. -Anthony upon exit.

5) Gawd I heart Tim (from his Blog on the Lifetime site)

Emilio wins. Please note that I do not include an exclamation point (!). I can't be insincere or duplicitous. Emilio's win left me questioning the critical objectivity of the judges. Let's begin with the print. I was underwhelmed by the scale, color and hand-drawn execution; it looked sloppy and childlike. There was no semblance of sophistication. Furthermore, I was extremely put off by the narcissism demonstrated by the use of his initials (though I had no idea that that's what the script was until he told me), at least at this stage in his career. Gucci? OK. Louis Vuitton? Fine. But Emilio Sosa? Not yet. There is a way, however, that he could have pulled this off; that is, by winking at us through the use of wit or whimsy. But I don't believe that he has the capacity to understand those nuances.


Jonathan created a beautiful textile that was all about subtlety and nuance. It was also about sophistication, as was his design. The dress was polished and elegant, and the corresponding jacket was a nod to innovation, which he needed...Imagine my incredulity when the judges descended upon him like velociraptors, using words like "appalling" and "catastrophe" and terms like "a disco straitjacket." Was that really necessary? I was proud of Jonathan for pushing back at them and standing his ground. As I remind all the designers: Chacun à son gout — it's a matter of taste.

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Obviously, this is amazing:

cadbury gooey goodness

Husband and I LOVE Cadbury Creme Eggs (CCEs). Possibly because they have such limited availability (February through April), much like Girl Scout cookies, Candy Corn, and Peeps. Possibly because they are so satisfying to eat, giving a chocolate fix and pure sugar rush from the fondant. We seriously need to exercise control when we visit the drugstore. Anyway, since I'm torturing myself getting in shape for my upcoming Mexico trip, I'm trying to limit the number of eggs I consume this season. I did some research and found some surprising info:

*CCEs are available year-round in the UK.

*CCEs sold in the US are smaller than those sold abroad.

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*McDonald's in the UK have a Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry (genius!)

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*They have been deep-fried (sweet Jesus...we need one of these!)

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* They have a strange Facebook page (is it a game or a tribute?)

*There is an EHow describing how to eat one (it's complicated business, I know). Some choice lines (is there a hidden message here?):

~ Remove all of the foil at once, or just a little bit at a time if you want to nibble at the egg so the chocolate doesn't get all over your fingers. ~ Bite off the top quarter of the egg. Stick your tongue inside the chocolate shell of the egg to lick out all of the creme filling. ~ Pop the whole egg in your mouth, if you are too impatient to nibble, and relish the squish as the chocolate bursts open to let the fondant spurt out. ~ Challenge yourself to nibble most of the shell off first, leaving the creme filling balanced on a tiny piece of chocolate. Practice until you can leave only the tiniest bit of chocolate possible. ~ Enjoy the brief energy rush that comes from eating 161 calories of sugar.

Regardless of the form you consume them, I hope you get to eat plenty of these before they're gone until next year (or at least eat a few for me)!

she's back (round 2)

Ok, so after my battle with the stomach bug and some other issues, I had the pleasure of getting food poisoning. Good times. Hopefully the worst is over, and I can resume regular blogging.

This made me smile pretty much all week. I love it...probably a sign of how much my musical tastes have devolved over the years. Watch it 5 times and I dare you to get it out of your head.



Also loved this...as a kid I was obsessed with all things Muppet. Did anyone catch the Muppets Take Manhattan on Thanksgiving Day? Anyway, this vid is kind of brilliant.



Finally, now that my GI is returning to some semblance of normal functioning...take in this picture of bacon-y goodness. One of my top food weaknesses. Yum.


I've got a bunch of recipe reviews coming up, some updates on the changes to my fitness regimen, and of course...gift ideas for the holidays. Yay!

i must confess...i still believe

Possibly the best news I've gotten all month. Britney's added more tour dates! And just as I'd originally hoped, she's actually coming to the Garden this time, instead of just through NJ. Tix go on sale June 19, and you better believe I'm buying as soon as they do!

Breaking News: Brit's added tour dates in North America late summer!

To tide me over until I have tix in hand, I'll continue to listen to Unusual You on repeat. I love when she dabbles in more of an techno-y sound, which she did with Breathe on Me from In the Zone and the lesser known And Then We Kiss from B in the Mix: The Remixes. Even Radar from the infamous Blackout has that electronica feel (if you're really in a fun mood, take a listen to Toy Soldier from the same album).