a day of silence for cohen

Like so many of you, I have followed sweet Cohen's story and have been touched by the strength and grace of his parents, Megan & Brent.  Tomorrow will be Cohen's memorial service.  In memory of Cohen and in support of his courageous parents, I will be participating in a moment of silence for baby Cohen.  The details are below:

What: Moment of Silence for Cohen

When: Thursday, July 1st from midnight to 11:59 pm.

How: Bloggers participating will post the Cohen banner (below) or simply post Cohen’s name in large letters on their blog.

Why: On July 1st Megan and Brent will be holding Cohen’s memorial service. The moment of silence is an opportunity for Megan’s blog community to stand behind her and support her on this difficult day. Linking up will give Megan a chance to see the support at a glance.

Participating bloggers can link up on July 1st at Send Love To Cohen.

seriously celebrities?

I'm not usually one to read US Weekly or keep up with the latest Hollywood gossip, but sometimes I catch a celebrity headline or story that must makes me stop and wonder, "What were they thinking?"  Since Britney's stopped swinging umbrellas and taking clippers to her head this hasn't happened as frequently, but recently I've seen quite a few. 

I can't help but ask "Seriously celebrities?"

The first offender:  Three-time Super Bowl MVP, Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana.  The man played sixteen seasons in the NFL.  He won FOUR Super Bowls.  He's arguably the greatest quarterback ever to play the game. 

So, what's Cool Joe up to these days?  Promoting Sketchers Shape-ups.

Yep, Shape Ups.  The weird looking shoes that are supposed to give women, and now apparently men, a cute butt.  Seriously, Joe?  You're stumping for Sketchers?  LA Gear would be so disappointed to hear this.  There is so much more I could say about this, but The Onion has already done it for me.  Read and enjoy. 

Our next offender is a bit more predictable. 

Tori Spelling is no stranger to the Hollywood rumor mill and makes frequent tabloid appearances.  Usually it's her skin & bones physique or an outing with kids captured by the paparazzi which earns her a mention on Perez Hilton.  This time though, she's really outdone herself. 

Turns out, Tori Spelling can speak to the dead.

Or so she claims.  Tori Spelling says Farrah Fawcett contacted her after death.  That's right.  Apparently, through nutjob medium/physic John Edwards, Farrah reached out to Tori from the beyond and asked her to relay a message to Farrah's son.  Riiiiggghhhhtttt.

I have to ask, is she bat shit crazy or just trying to sell books?  Given her past reliance on the advice of a voodoo priestess {please, tell me you've read her books?}, I'm leaning towards batty.  But that's okay Tori, I love you anyway.  Your books are hilarious and if you make 10 more seasons of Home Sweet Hollywood, I'll watch them all. 

And finally, our last duo of offenders are a bit of a blast from the past. 

Break out your Trapper Keepers and slap bracelets ladies because Tiffany and Debbie Gibson are back!

In a duet that comes twenty years too late, Tiffany and Debbie Gibson have teamed up to "star" in a SyFy Saturday night movie to air next year about snakes on a mother fucking plane in the Everglades.  The movie is called - no joke - Mega Python vs. Gatoroid.  Seriously.  I can't make this stuff up.

If they were looking to revive their careers, I'm pretty sure they would have done better touring small time arenas in middle America sporting acid wash denim and taking turns singing "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Lost In Your Eyes."  Now that would be a show.

I know two people who should fire their agents. Immediately.

There you have it, the latest edition of "Seriously celebrities?"  With all the good material coming out of Hollywood, it probably won't be the last.

turning a page

I'm still here.  I realize it's been a while since I've posted.  Every day this week my mom has said "Did you have a chance to write a blog post yet?"  Look Mom - a blog post! 

Unfortunately, I don't have jack to say. 

Guess that's what happens when you spend all your free time reading.  In the past two weeks I've read four books and started a fifth. {The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, The Profiler: My Life Hunting Serial Killers and Psychopaths by Pat Brown, and Mommywood by Tori Spelling.  Now reading Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin.} All that time spent nose-in-book hasn't left much time for blogging. 

I'd say I'll try to do better but Jen Lancaster just did a three part series on her summer reading recommendations.  I now have more than enough books on my "must read" list to get me through Labor Day.  {Any book that gets the Jen Lancaster seal of approval is a must read for me.  She introduced me to the Twilight series.  'Nuff said.}  If  you're looking for a good summer read, head over and check out some of Ms. Lancaster's recommendations.*

But enough about books.  I'm sure I can come up with a few other things to ramble on about until I rediscover my blogging mojo.  How about TV?

Who's watching So You Think You Can Dance?  How stinkin' cute is Kent?!?!  I just love that kid.

Everytime he opens his mouth I love him just a little bit more. 

I'm also into all things vampire.  True Blood is amazing, as always.  But have you seen The Gates?  If not, here's the gist:  The Gates is a gated community {duh} filled to the brim with vampires, werewolves and assorted crazies.  Think Desperate Housewives meets Twilight.  Sounds terrible right?  It is, sort of.  It's completely ridiculous but totally entertaining.  I can't wait for the next episode.

I'm also hooked on Bravo's Top Chef DC and Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List.  I'm a big Kathy Griffin fan.  I know she's not everyone's cup of tea but the girl makes me laugh.  She came to Orlando last summer and we got to see her stand up act live.  It was hilarious!

Throw in a little World Cup Soccer and College World Series and that's what I've been watching. 

What are you reading and watching this summer? 

*If you're not reading http://www.jennsylvania.com/  add it to your reader immediately.  I love, love, loves her.  And I think you will too.  You can thank me later.  I like donuts, but also accept cash.  If you're feeling appreciative, please send both.

product psa

Moroccanoil Hair Treatment

You. Need. This. 

All the hype you've heard about Moroccanoil is true.  This is one fantastic product.  It adds tons of shine without leaving a residue or weighing your hair down.  Those fuzzy ends you get from flat iron abuse?  This will smooth them right away.  My hair has never felt so soft.  And it smells  ah-may-zing.  Like, "I wonder how this would taste drizzled over ice cream?" amazing. 

Get you some.

ETA:  Some of you have asked where to find Moroccanoil.  I purchased mine from my local salon, but you can go here to search for a salon near you that carries Moroccanoil products.  If you can't find it in a salon near you, it looks like it's available on Amazon too. 

*I was not compensated by Moroccanoil for this post.  They've never heard of me.  This is just one shiny haired girl's uncompensated opinion.

mud pie

*

Are you a Mud Pie fan?  If not, what's wrong with you?!?!  Coffee ice cream, Oreo cookie crust, fudge and pecans - what's not to love?  Even better, it's so simple to make. 

I made my first Mud Pie a few weeks ago when my sister requested one for her birthday.  I scoured the Internet in search of the perfect recipe but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for.  So I combined a few recipes and created my own.  If you're looking for a cool dessert to enjoy this summer, give it a try!

mel's mud pie

For the crust:

15 Oreo cookies
4 T. melted butter

For the filling:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped pecans, divided
2 pints Coffee ice cream, softened, divided

Process the cookies in a food processor until they are finely crushed. (Or you can go old school and throw them in a plastic bag and whack them with a rolling pin until crushed.)  Mix the Oreo crumbs and melted butter.  Pour the mixture into a 9 inch pie pan and press into the bottom and up the sides of the pan to form a crust.  Set aside.

Heat powdered  sugar, chocolate chips, butter, corn syrup and cream in a saucepan over low heat; stir constantly until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract. Cool until only slightly warm.

Pour 1/3 of the chocolate mixture in the bottom of the Oreo crust; sprinkle with 1/4 cup of pecans. Spread half of the softened ice cream over the chocolate and pecan layer. Freeze until ice cream hardens, approximately 1 hour.  Repeat with  half the remaining chocolate mixture, 1/4 cup pecans and remaining ice cream. Drizzle with remaining chocolate mixture; top with remaining nuts. Freeze for 2 hours or until firm.  Serve in small slices - it's rich!

The birthday girl gave this Mud Pie two thumbs up! If you give it a try, I think you'll agree! 

*Please excuse the non-Martha approved disposable pie tins.  The dessert had to travel and I wasn't bringing my good ceramic pie pans to a bar. 

work in progress

As you can see, my blog redesign is under way!  I'm so thankful for Lindsey from Sweet Simplicity Designs - she's incredibly talented and wonderful to work with!  Don't you love what she's done so far?  It's a work in progress, but I'm so happy and can't to show you all the finished product! 

greatest thing since sliced bread

The bee's knees.

The cat's pajamas.

The bomb dot com. 

Okay, enough with the ridiculous idioms.  On to the point.

My library rocks my socks off.  {Yes, you read that right.} 

In case you were wondering, yes, people were allowed to read on the roof during Library Week. And no, that's not why my library is awesome.  It's because of this:

Those are books.  On my front porch.  And they were delivered there, free of charge, by my public library.  {!!!}  How amazing is that? 

Until recently, I had no idea this service was available.  A couple weeks ago, I went to the library website to find out whether a newly released book I wanted to read was available.  {Full disclosure: I'm lazy and didn't want to walk the 1/4 mile to the library at lunch to find out whether the book I wanted was checked out.}  I entered my library card number and password at the website and I was in business.  A quick search revealed that the numerous copies of the desired book were all checked out.  However, at the bottom of the page, I spotted an innocuous little button labeled "Request".  Being a newb to the library site, I figured "what the heck?" and clicked it.  I thought maybe I could put my name on a waiting list and perhaps get a call or email when the book became available. 

This is when I made the discovery that will save me hundreds {and hundreds and hundreds} of dollars per year. 

By "requesting" the book, I was placed on the waiting list to receive the book.  And once the book became available, it would be delivered to my front door.  Free of charge. 

What?!?

Turns out, it isn't just for unavailable books either.  I can request any book in the library and have it delivered to my front door.  I'm sorry, but I think that is just the greatest thing I've ever heard. 

I can't fathom spending $249 on a Kindle or Nook and $9.99 per book when this service is available.  And the book or two that used to find its way to my cart on every Target trip?  A thing of the past, I declare!  Oh the money I'll save.*  And sharing books instead of buying new will help to reduce my liberal guilt carbon footprint.  Win, win!

Orlando Public Library, you've made me a very happy lady. 

Does your library offer this service? 

ETA:  I was asked which books I ordered - my first shipment included: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, Mommywood by Tori Spelling {I know, I know, but she makes me laugh} and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.  I received Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin on Wednesday.

*Don't think for a minute this will stop my marathon trips to Barnes & Noble, scouring the stacks for new books to read, Starbucks latte in hand.  Never gonna happen.  A girl's got to have a little fun.  But I'll try to make a list and order my finds from the library instead.  nopromises.

time for a change

My blog needs a makeover.  When I started this blog almost one year ago, I really didn't think I'd stick with it. Follow through has never been my strong point.  Not wanting to waste money on what I feared would be a short lived endeavor, I found a free background and started writing.  Ten months later I'm still writing.  I think that deserves a legit blog design. I'm tired of the boring background {yawn} and I'd really like a three column layout.  And some color!    If this blog was an outfit, it would be mom jeans and a cardigan.  Gross.  I'd really prefer something more akin to a fun, flirty sundress. 

Unfortunately, I'm completely clueless when it comes to all things computer/html/graphic design {are those even the right words?} so I'm definitely not the right person for this job.  I'm going to have to staff this one out. 

This is where I need your help.  I know there are so many talented blog designers out there - who do you recommend?  If you know of a great blog designer, please help a girl out and leave me a comment with their name.    

Thanks for the help friends & Happy Saturday to you all!  The Mister and I are headed to dinner at a new Mexican restaurant tonight.  So looking forward to eating my weight in guacamole spending a night out with my husband.

temptation, thy name is inbox

The internet is a beautiful thing.  I can feed my compulsive need to worry by self-diagnosing a cold as cancer on WedMD.  I can Skype with my brother in Boston without leaving my living room.  And I can find the perfect recipe for coq au vin to impress company. 

But sometimes, the internet gets me into trouble.  Like when I manage to spend hundreds of dollars from my couch. 

My inbox can be a dangerous, dangerous place. 

For me, checking email is akin to taking a stroll through the mall.  And stopping in every store. For every email I receive from a friend, I have three from retailers. Offers of "Free shipping" and "20% off a purchase of $100 or more" abound.  There are shoe sales and furniture sales and free gifts with purchase.  Tory Burch and Kate Spade want to show me their new arrivals. Crate & Barrel has great deals on outdoor furniture - "just in time for summer!"  Based on my previous purchase of 12,000 food magazines, Amazon thinks I might also enjoy "bon apetit".  Victoria Secret is offering $10 off their deep plunge, super cleavage skank-o-bra and a free tote bag with swim purchase.  J. Crew is introducing its new line of $600 cardigans and Lands End Canvas just won't leave me the hell alone.

FOR THE LOVE! 

It's more than one girl should have to resist before 8am.  Most days I've barely got a cup of coffee to my lips before the retail assault begins. 

Oh sure, I could unsubscribe.  But then I'd miss out on things like this:

So many cute new things!  Must have these adorable yellow pumps for summer.

And this clutch is too darn cute.  What if I had missed this?!?!  Oh no, I can't unsubscribe from Ms. Spade's emails. 

This was sent to me by my friendly neighborhood liquor store.

$15 off $100 of wine? Yes, please! Do you all have Total Wine by you? I hope so. It's like Toys 'R' Us for grown ups.  Aisles and aisles of wine, champagne, liquor and beer - and at dirt cheap prices.  If Dorothy had been to Total Wine she probably would have clicked her heels together three times and said "There's no place like Total Wine."  

Just when you think it can't get better?  A shoe sale. 

Neiman Marcus delivered this little gem to me this morning.  I just had to take a peek. 

And somehow these ended up in my shopping cart. 

Pink crocodile TB Miller flats? To quote Ms. Zoe, "I die."  I've yet to pull the trigger but I'm sure thinking about it.

Not to be outdone, Nordstrom is having its Half Yearly Sale for Women & Children

and is also offering this Trina Turk make-up bag & goodies with your $75 Clinique purchase.

Williams-Sonoma suggested I buy my dad the Vinturi Wine Aerator for Father's Day.

I'm not sure Dad would love it but I know I would.  I'll take one for red and one for white, please! Happy Father's Day to me!

So you see, with all these fabulous offers, I couldn't possibly unsubscribe.  I'll simply have to soldier on and hope my credit card and I can make it out of the Galleria that is my inbox without too much damage.