The Most Unfashionable Episode of the Bachelorette Ever!

I have talked before about my not so guilty pleasure, the Bachelor franchise. I've watched for years and get together every week with girlfriends. Last night we used "Ricky" as a buzz word for a little wine drinking game. Lots of sips!

While I'm completely bored this season with Emily and her beaus, I can't stay away! While Arie is the current fan favorite, Emily's rose ceremony outfit was our least favorite thing about last nights episode. What was happening? If you're going on tv you are opening yourself to ridicule- so here comes the style onslaught! She normally looks Barbie-riffic adorable, but this white one shoulder jumpsuit is a Bachelorette travesty! Is it from Chico's?? Not at all age appropriate! It's not just the outfit that's the problem, it's the hair and the jewelry. Fake pearl necklaces and fake hair that looks like a drapery tassel. All bad!!!

Not bad fake pony tail

What are you guys thinking about this season? Who are you rooting for? Any outfit thoughts? Stand out moments? Who were your favorite bachelor(ette)s from the past?? It's time for a Women Tell All!

Lately Loving: Furry Friends

Breaker

Yes, this is a gratuitous post about how cute my dog is and the funny things he does. I know we all think our little munchkins are the best or the cutest ever, and for good reason. Dogs all have their own unique and silly personalities and it's adorable! Breaker is an exceptionally cute little man and I know this because everyone who comes over falls in love with him. He will win you over even if you aren't typically a "dog person"- you will be a Breaker person! One of the funniest things Breaker does is that he goes nuts every time an animal is on TV. He barks at dogs (animated ones as well), elephants, horses, monkeys, etc. There are pretty few shows we can get through without one of his outbursts. We finally recorded this and now you can see our little dude in action!



What weird and amazing things do your pets do? Also, I'm on the hunt for a cute new collar/leash for the little dude- any suggestions?

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Lately Loving: The Bachelor

I can't let this season pass without talking about it! I have watched The Bachelor for years and am a faithful fan. Do I think this show's process will lead to an everlasting love? Well, I think we can look at the track record that clearly points to NO! Regardless, I love this show! I have a tradition of getting together with girlfriends for collective snarky comments- that's really what it's all about for me! I love spending the time with my friends and rallying around or against our favorite contestants vying for the heart of whichever Bachelor(ette) happens to be the object of their affection.

This season we have Bachelor Ben and his harem. This week he took the girls on fantasy dates to switzerland and is now down to 2 girls: Lindzi (with an "i") and Courtney. I don't particularly like Ben and I definitely DISLIKE Courtney. Lindzi can do better than this boy bachelor. I can't make it through an episode without yelling at the tv urging Ben to cut his hair or painfully having to watch Courtney purse her lips, talk about winning, and waving roses in front of her face. Ugh...she is the worst! What's the silver lining, you ask? Well, obviously Chris Harrison is the best and it's just so much fun to get sucked into this mess. Despite all this horrendousness, corny words that come out of Ben's mouth, and metaphors between pushing physical boundaries and relationships, I still love this show and can't stay away.

Do you watch Bachelor? What do you think of this season so far? Who do you want Ben to choose? What do you think about Emily as the next Bachelorette?

Lately Loving: Brad + Kate

 I hope you all had such a wonderful Valentine's Day and did something that makes you happy! Speaking of love- my love for Kate Spade runs true and deep. It extends to her line of housewares and playful attitude. Few celebrities scream playful the way Brad Goreski does! Are you watching his show, It's a Brad, Brad World on Bravo? I am!- and while I think Brad is just beyond adorable, I am also completely smitten with his boyfriend Gary Janetti (who reminds me so much of the amazing Austin Scarlett). I love Brad's style and the way he infuses personality into every outfit he touches. I am also very excited about his partnership with Kate Spade as their brand stylist. Take a look at the fun things to come from Brad as he works side by side with Deborah Lloyd this spring.

Image from Kate Spade

Image from Note to Self

I am loving the patterns, colors, and accessories coming our way! What do you think? Have you seen the Florence Broadhurst pattern- do you love it? I am falling all over that wallpaper!

Getting messy in the kitchen with my girls!

Watching the Bachelor has been a long standing tradition for my friends and I. Nothing is more fun than a night with the girls to watch these women throw themselves at whatever average joe is up for grabs. When deciding what to do for dinner beforehand, 2 of my girlfriends asked that I lead a little cooking class so they could pick up a new kitchen skill. Nothing fancy here, just an old fashioned, home made pizza party. I picked up all the ingredients from Trader Joes to make a few pizzas, brussel sprouts with bacon and a sherry shallot vinaigrette (modified recipe from Mozza cookbook), and bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese. Of course we had wine a plenty and something sweet for dessert. We had so much fun in the kitchen together and the girls made a delicious dinner!

The makings for bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese

E working on the dates

Blue cheese going into the middle of the date

Quartered brussel sprouts

Crisped bacon

Pizza dough

Roasted tomatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and shallots

M stirring the onions while the carmelize

Mid-caramelization

Sauteed criminis with thyme

Sous Chef, Breaker

The complete dishes:

Dates ready for snacking

Brussel sprouts with bacon and shallot vinaigrette

Pizza with mozzarella, artichokes, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, and salami

Pizza with mushrooms, carmelized onions, and goat cheese

Dinner time!

Macarons to finish off the evening

And then it was time to watch Bachelor Ben and the most dramatic episode ever!

Do you have a favorite dish to make with girlfriends? Are you watching the Bachelor? What are your thoughts, spill them all!!

Father/ Daughter ...and a special treat

I hope everyone had a great weekend. My Friday night was pretty special- chinese food and hanging out at home with R. Actually, perfect! I happened across a Hyudai commercial with a familiar looking father daughter duo singing. I immediately recognized them from a video I saw on you tube some time ago of them covering Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes' song "Home." The first time I saw this video I was laughing and crying at the same time- this is so cute and sweet and I just fell in love with them. I also love this song and it earned a place in my heart when I first heard it on KCRW a few years ago. So much so that I had "home is wherever I'm with you" inscribed on the inside of my husband's wedding band.



I also found this cover of them doing "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele and it's pretty great, again, this girl is too adorable. I wish my husband and I could play an instrument so we could have moments like this with our future children.



While sharing videos, I have to show you guys this Shmidt's online dating video (New Girl) because it's ahhhmazing!



Shmidt's kinda charming, I guess...in his own Shmidt way.

Bing Bong and Chickadees

This was a really good tv week. The Office was great, Modern Family never disappoints, but for me, the highlight was New Girl!

I really missed  Jess and the boys while New Girl was on hiatus. So happy to welcome my favorite Zooey back into my living room. This week's episode was amazing and literally laugh out loud funny. Accidentally seeing roommates naked makes for a great episode and Zooey is so adorable! If you aren't watching this show yet, please do, it's my favorite of this year's new shows.

Video clip here and complete recap here.
While checking out that recap, peak around HelloGiggles if you haven't already. It's Zooey's blog with her bff's.

PS- I'm really sad to hear about the Deschanel and Gibbard split. I had high hopes for them. :(

Past tv highlights:
Mad Men
Treat Yo Self- From Parks and Recreation

Mad Men

It didn't seem like too many of my favorite shows were on this week. Nothing really stood out. The lack of shows to catch up on only means 1 thing- more free time to get caught up on Mad Men!

 I'm in the middle at the end of season 2 and I'm hooked! I love and hate Don Draper. I love the opening theme song, the clothes, the furniture, and the realizations of things they didn't have that we do- like the internet, like knowing your child's gender before it is born, and bras that don't make boobs look triangular. It's such a good show and I have so many questions about various story lines and characters.

Do you watch Mad Men? Do you love it??

Treat Yo Self!!!

I watch a lot of television, an excessive amount might be a more appropriate term. I'm grateful to my DVR and to my husband who is my equal in television fanaticism. My favorite moment of tv last week, has to be from Parks and Recreation. I present to you, the annual Treat Yo Self day.

I like what this day represents so much that I think it's fair for us all to instate a treat yo self day. So whatever it is that makes you happy, just go ahead, go all out and TREAT YO SELF!