Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Bachelorette Recap: This Time, It's Personal

That's right ladies & gents, the Bachelorette is back. And guess what? We're related.


FOR REALS.

Here's the connection. My dad has a brother. He has a wife. She has a brother. He has kids. One is Emily.

6 degrees of Emily Maynard.

Full disclosure: I don't know her personally, I only know what I hear from my cousins. Might I find out who she picked before Reality Steve & the other spoiler blogs out there? Totes. Will I be sharing that here? Nope. Spoiler free zone. What I do know is the following:

1) She dumped Brad.
2) She likes being famous.

Because she's not blood, I can be honest: I think she's stiff as a board. This has the potential to be the looooongest, most awkward season of The Bachelorette ever. Which means it will be AWESOME TV.

Ricki Wears Her Name on Her Shirt:
Just so we're all clear on who she's exploiting, Emily's daughter Ricki opens the show in a moving series of vignettes where she feeds ducks, releases balloons (fantastic metaphor for her mom's dignity), and puts on make up. Her mom has set her up for 0.0 chance at a normal childhood.


Emily just wants a minivan full of babies, y'all. 
Instead of watching her interview with Chris Harrision, here's the net: Ricky died. Brad bombed. Third times the charm? Too soon to tell. You know what I do know? She's a thinker.


"I think you save engagement for someone really special that you want to marry." - Emily. For The Win.


Instead of looking through photo albums when Ricki goes to bed at 7:30, maybe she should read a book.

Let's get to the good stuff.

Double-Hug Central:
It's time for Emily to meet her suitors. First time up to bat and she is really knocking the fashion ball out of the park. I can think of nothing I'd rather wear to my own personal auction, than a dress best suited for a spin around the Disney on Ice rink.

Recently divorced C.Harrison is thinking "If these guys don't do it for you, pick me! I've grown accustomed to dresses with pantyhose netting up the back."

Remember Bachelor Ben (howcouldyouforget)? He was/is such a boob. Unfortunately for Emily, the pack of st(duds) ABC has lined up for her appear to have been picked from the same litter. We've got a mushroom farmer, an "MC", a luxury brand consultant (he's the male Blakely - may she rest in Bachelor peace), and a "fitness model". As a woman, I take some comfort in knowing that the guys they find for this shitshow are just as embarrassing as the "ladies" cast in The Bachelor.

Either way, I'm certain cuz Emily (insert awkward "te-hee" giggle here) will find someone to have a meaningful 72 day relationship with. Here are a few of my early favorites.

Doug:

The hook: Single parents unite!

Joe:

The hook: I'm gonna jump out of the limo and scare you. Also, I like monochromatic outfits.

Arie:

The hook: I'm kind of hot and also I remind you of your former fiancé.

Chris:

The hook: My eyes are close together and my neck is super think, but dontworryaboutit.

Jef:

The hook: I'm into conserving things. Including letters.

It's way too early to get attached to any of these "guys", but I'm gonna go out on a limb & predict that the bird who brought the egg is not long for this reality show world.

I really liked that one home ec project where we had to carry around bags of flour. 

According to the previews of THE MOST DRAMATIC SEASON OF THE BACHELORETTE EVER, here's what we can expect: Downton, Dolly, Desperate, Drama, Douche (bags)

See you next week.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Necessary Extravagance

I now live in a home with 2 - count 'em - 2 DVRs.


Know what this means? I can record DOUBLE THE SHOWS. AND I can watch my favorite shows - at my convenience - IN BED.



You could say that this new luxury is a sad reflection of today's society.

Or you could just say that it's pretty fantastic that I can watch "Game of Thrones" while DVRing "The Good Wife", "Mad Men" and "Veep". 

Technology!

Monday, April 30, 2012

Weekend In Pictures

Friday night impromptu pizza party with our favorite neighbors...


Saturday dinner at MK with Pete & Jennfier...

Two Bananas Walked Into A Bar...

Berry Round Up.

Sunday I dropped a stupid amount of money on cleansing my face & buying products that will keep me less red, less wrinkled, and less blah.

I gravitate toward all things purple and gray.

In my old age I seem to get red & flushed if there is a slight breeze. Allegedly, this helps.

We wrapped up Sunday with our first official BBQ on the new grill. Summer!


Friday, April 27, 2012

Weekend Happiness

Following the extravagance trend I've got going, this weekend I will be indulging in some beauty/spa/Princess Lauren time.

Where's my crown?

First up, Saturday cut & color at my over-priced salon. My hair has gotten so long it actually goes past my bra strap. According to the experts at Glamour, that means it's time for a cut.

Not quite, but almost.

On Sunday, I am getting a facial. Mama needs a deep clean. I look forward to sitting in the steamer, exfoliating, extracting, peeling, moisturizing, whatever. 

If I'm not refreshed on Monday, there is no hope.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Things That Make Me Feel Smarter

As previously noted, I like to watch TV. And I like to read. Unfortunately, the content I seek out is not the type to challenge my critical thinking skills.

Think more:


Less:


This:


Not:


This:


Not:


In the spirit of trying to combine a piece of what I like doing with something that might actually make me smarter, I've decided to make incorporate the following into my life:

1) 60 Minutes =  appointment TV. 
2) Reading Time Magazine and/or Newsweek cover to cover (even the boring parts about stocks 'n stuff). 
3) Incorporating a classic into my reading repertoire (current plowing through "Sons & Lovers").

No, I won't be writing a thesis any time soon, but after watching "Iron Lady"+ Oprah's interview with Chris Christie, I'm fairly confident I could hold an intelligent, timely conversation that has nothing to do with Peeta, who Killed Rosie & why neon is back.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

No Girls Allowed

Though not deemed mandatory, when looking for a new place, we determined pretty early on that having a 3 bedroom was the goal.

1 room for us.
1 room for guests.
1 room for Jeremy.

Design Headquarters.

I have to say, he did a really great job taking a room full of boxes & containers filled with who knows what and making it look like a pretty impressive office.

The art wall.

Organized chaos.

Without this third room...where would the bikes go?

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Dear Jamie Lee Curtis,

I'm not sure where your acting career has been for the last 10 years or so (as "True Lies" & "Christmas With the Kranks" were both delightful), but I have to commend you for hopping on the spokesperson train - especially since your product of choice is one of my most favorite things ever.

That's right, I love old lady yogurt.

Look, I know that no one wants to talk about yogurt or regularity or images such as this one:

Just so there's no confusion.

But I'm a big fan of thinking about food as fuel. Yes I want it to taste good (and I realize it can't always be healthy), but once I find something that is enjoyable and makes my body stronger (probiotics are great for building up your immune system), then I'm all in.

Besides, anything I can eat while looking this cool is a-ok by me: