2 On Tuesday: Music

I didn't want to miss the 2 on Tuesday this week!  Especially because this week we talk about one of my favorite topics--music!


Today’s topic is music, with multiple questions:

What is the song you play when you want to get pumped up?

My get pumped up songs change all the time.  Recently, it's been Florence + The Machine's "Shake It Out."  But my very favorite one is Dark Blue by Jack's Mannequin.  I think it's the pounding piano that does it to me!

What is the song you play when you want/need to cry?

I hear Andrea on listening to music when I need a good cry.  A few of my favorites are:  "World Spins Madly On" by the Weepies, "Poison and Wine" by the Civil Wars, and "It's Been A Long Day"by Rosi Golan.

What is the song you play when you’re cleaning?

I don't have any specific songs, but I do best when I have music on when I am cleaning.  I like to just put my iPod on shuffle and let it go.

What is the song you play when you’re exercising?

Is it wrong that this question made me laugh out loud?  I don't exercise like I should, and if I do, I usually just let my iPod play on shuffle like when I clean.  I do prefer upbeat stuff, and even a little rap.

2 on Tuesday: Celebrity Fashion

What celebrities do you think have the best red carpet fashion? What celeb’s closet would you like to raid?

Oh my goodness!  This question should not be nearly as hard as it is for me!  I grew up watching every award show under the sun.  There's something that's so fun about seeing the celebs all dressed up, and I think even as a young girl I loved the idea of getting a shiny trophy.  I have always loved acting and the theater and especially the fashion.

There are several celebs that I think are consistently beautiful on the red carpet and beyond.  Two of my very favorites are ones that Andrea featured as well, Emma Stone and Dianna Agron.  Assuming that I was magically a size that would fit into their clothes, I would gladly raid their closets.

But if I were going to name my very top pic for red carpet fashion alone, it would have to be Lea Michele.  The woman is red carpet gold!  Here's a glimpse of just a few of her picks...

Love her or hate her, you have to agree that the girl has the red carpet down.  I'm also a pretty big fan of Blake Lively's everyday fashion.  (Though this is from Glamour magazine.)  I don't think I could be as daring as she sometimes is, but she does date the delicious Ryan Reynolds, so maybe I could learn to deal.

Who's your favorite?  Tell me in the comments or even better, join us over at My Chihuahua Bites!

2 on Tuesday: My Favorite Christmas Songs and Movies

This week, Andrea wants to know:

What are your two favorite Christmas songs? What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Picking my favorite Christmas songs was pretty easy.  My all-time favorite Christmas song is "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."  I have downloaded enough versions of that song to just listen to it all of the time.  My favorite cover of that song is James Taylor's.  (His whole Christmas album is pretty awesome.  You should totally check it out if you don't have it.)   My second favorite song is "White Christmas."  I guess I just have a thing for the sort of melancholy Christmas numbers.  An honorable mention goes to "Go Tell It On The Mountain," and again James Taylor's version is pretty much my standard.  (Meanwhile, did you all check out the Annie Moses Band?  Because I am a little bit obsessed with their Christmas stuff too.  There are a ton of clips on YouTube!)

My favorite classic Christmas movie is White Christmas, hands down. (You can read more about that here.)  Picking my favorite newer movie is a little more difficult.  I think I would go with The Holiday, with Love Actually coming in a close second.  While they are not completely Christmas-themed, like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (which is hilarious), they totally give me the warm fuzzies. 

I can't believe that Christmas is so close!  I can't wait to hear what everyone else's favorite Christmas songs and movies.  As always, you can leave yours in the comments or go and link up with the fun at Andrea's blog.

2 On Tuesday: Christmas Traditions

This week Andrea wants to know about our Christmas traditions.  I've been up since 3:30 AM for no apparent reason, so I figured now's as good a time as any, right?

My family is big on tradition, and my little sister is responsible for making sure that we don't miss a single one.  (She will remind us if we do, trust me.  But that in itself has become a Christmas tradition.)  On Christmas Eve, we go to my mom's side of the family and have Christmas.  It's always a little insane because that's the big side of my family so, depending on which kids, grandkids and great-grandkids are home it can be as many as 35 or so people.  We always bring lots of appetizers and desserts and the kids open presents and everybody visits and drinks the newest homemade wine.

When we leave, we go to my parents, where we open the presents from Mom and Dad.  This is usually two things, one of which will be pajamas.  This is also when my parents open their gifts from us.  Then, we go into the family room and stay up to mock the local choirs on TV (which may not sound festive, but totally is) and then wait for Mom to put out the stuff from Santa.  Yes, we are all in our 20s or now 30s (yikes!), but Mom loves surprising us with goodies.

Christmas Day, my dad's side comes over to my parents' and we do the whole thing over again.  And then, I usually go and visit Crys and now Sheena's family because Crystal's parents' house is where everyone who has come in for the holidays seems to congregate after their family stuff is over.

What are your family's traditions?  Leave a comment or join us over at Andrea's blog!

2 On Tuesday: Thankful

It's that time of year, but I should probably be taking stock of all I have to be thankful for more than just the week of Thanksgiving.  I am so ridiculously blessed!  And I don't say that to brag, but because when I look around this house and when I think about my life, I just can't believe how blessed I really am.

One of the things I am most thankful for is the blog community.  My blog has gotten me in a little bit of trouble lately with some people, but blogging is by far one of the best decisions I have ever made.  When I feel like I am the only person in the world struggling with an issue, there have always been people to say they are praying or that they understand because they find themselves in the same type of situation.  Realizing you are not the only single girl in the world is pretty awesome.  I know that there are trolls out there, but I have never really had a bad experience.  I am thankful for every ounce of love and encouragement I have received. 

On top of that, I get to glimpse into others' lives as well.  I've been a people watcher all my life, which is basically a first cousin to the blogosphere.  I certainly haven't met everyone I read, but I have gotten to know a few of you, and that's been a lot of fun!  Blogging started as a way for me to get out the things that were on my mind.  It was my therapy in the rough patches, and those posts serve as encouragement to me now.  It's the ultimate reminder of where I've been and where I am, and just who has been traveling along with me. 

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

2 On Tuesday: Pet Peeves

This week, Andrea wants to know our pet peeves.  This is a list that could go on and on, but I am going to do my best to keep it to my top two. 

1.  People not watching their children in public - Nothing makes me crazier than when parents release their children on the public, but don't really watch them.  Now in some settings this okay or even expected, but not in all of them.  It's particularly annoying when they are destroying other people's stuff.  Or throwing wild fits.  It's all I can do to keep the teacher in me from taking control of the situation.

2.  Music boxes - Okay, so I don't know if this goes under a pet peeve or just a pure unadulterated hatred, but I cannot stand wind-up music boxes.  Even thinking about them gives a level of anxiety.  My grandma says that it stems from the lullaby toy they used to play to get me to go to sleep as a baby (I was terrible about sleeping until I was 3 or 4), but I'm not so sure.  All I know is that whenever one starts up, I have to get out of the room or I will lose it.  (Yeah, I know it's super weird.)

Can't want to see what everyone else has to say!

2 On Tuesday: My Christmas Wish List

I'm trying to be less materialistic.  I really am.  But every girl should have a Christmas list!  And so, here's mine...

DVDs

I have an embarassingly long list of movies and TVon DVD.  Don't believe me?  Here goes:

Bones Season 5

Grey’s Anatomy Season 7

Designing Women Season 4

One Tree Hill Season 7

Glee Season 2

Parenthood Season 2

Lipstick Jungle Season 2

How To Make An American Quilt

Troop Beverly Hills

Newsies

Friends With Benefits

And that's probably not everything.  I haven't updated it in a while.  But I am the kind of girl who loves to put on a good movie again and again, and I do really like to see my collection all pretty on the wall of my office.

Lasagna Pan

I make one thing really well, and that's lasagna.  So I really want this pan to make it in.  (Thank you, Rachael Ray!)

iTunes Gift Cards

Nothing makes me happier than more music.  I can always find something else I want at the iTunes Store!  I mean, there's always a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff on my wish list.

If none of these appeal to you, I could always use a new car, a home renovation, or some jewelry.  I really like this.  (Talk to me, Harry Winston...)

But what I really want for Christmas is to get to hang out with all the people that I love, for everyone to get along, and to have a healthy niece born in January.  That's better than a diamond ring any day.  (Well, mostly.)

2 on Tuesday: Halloween Costumes

Tell me your 2 favorite Halloween costumes! Did you celebrate Halloween this year?

I was the kind of kid who was always playing dress-up, so I don't necessarily have a lot of difference between what was a halloween costume and what wasn't.  But I will gladly show you a few pictures.  This one is of my first Halloween where I was big enough to participate (about 13 months).  I like how unsure I look about all of this business.

If I were to pick a favorite costume, I would have to say it was this one.  I was Cyndi Lauper, circa 1985 (which made me five).  My mom cut the wig, I got to wear makeup and fishnets, and I don't even look skanky.  (Take note, child costume makers!) 

And this is your bonus picture, not because I was a particularly good clown (this was before Mom did the face painting), but because all I really remember about that year was that when my little brother saw me in my costume (his matched), he was so scared of it, Mom left him at Grandma's while I trick-or-treated.  (He was only two, so there wasn't a lot of psychological scarring or anything from not getting to go!)

 As far as this year, I celebrated the traditional way--you know, passing out candy to kindergarteners in the hallway before their costume parade and then going to a junior high basketball game last night.  I'm kind of over the whole costume thing, so this made for a perfectly lovely evening.  Both teams even won!  I do have to say that I can't wait until next year when my niece will be here and in costume! 

Two on Tuesday: My Favorite Restaurants

This week, Andrea asked about our two favorite restaurants, and instead of chains I wanted to pick a couple of local places that I really love. 

My first is a place called Flamingo Row.  It started as a bakery, then moved to a bigger place and added a restaurant, and then moved again to their very own building.  It's a bit of a trek to get over there for me, but it is totally worth the drive!  They have island-inspired food, and the best homemade bread.  My very favorite dish there is the Bamboo Stick.  It's bread stuffed with carmelized onions and cheese, with marinara and garlic buter dipping sauce.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it. 

The second is BG's Olde Tyme Deli.  This place and I go back to when I was little, maybe four or five.  Going there was a treat for when I had been good at the doctor or during my short-lived stint in gymnastics.  I can clearly remember watching Footloose (the original) there on the in-house TVs (they were probably one of the first places I remember having TV, now almost everyone does).  They still play great movies there and it makes me smile.  My favorite dish there are the potato skins.  I've never had any quite the way they do theirs!  Oh, the cheese!

I like chains just as much as the next girl, but there's something special about making the trip to a one-of-a-kind restaurant!

2 On Tuesday: My Biggest Fashion Mistakes

Bless me, Anna Wintour, for I have committed many a fashion sin.  (And probably still do, depending on the day!)  I would love to share lots of pictures with you all, but I've managed to make several of the worst disappear.  I grew up in the 80's and 90's, so most of my growing up was one big fashion mistake after the next.  Big hair, bold patterns, it was a mess. 

Consider these Exhibits A-C, but only a small portion of my overall offenses:

But when it comes to my biggest mistakes, the first one that comes to mind was the perm I got freshman year.  I like to refer to it as my water buffalo hair.  It was bad!  I should mention that I have a lot of hair, it's fine but very, very thick.  Like it took two bottles of perm solution thick.  Add on the fact that I didn't have any idea how to style it properly and I was a train wreck of fashion.  Good news though.  It was perserved forever in the yearbook for that year.  (And no, I'm still not going to share the picture!)

Otherwise, I can think of one major infraction, but several minor ones.  I remember wearing different colored scrunch socks a lot, usually in an alternating pattern.  I was also a big fan of overalls.  And loud prints.  (Which I am still a fan of.  In fact, friends often see things and say "No one could get away with that but Katie.")  I wore a lot of plaid, in an unironic, non-hipster way. 

I love clothes, and if I had a bigger salary, I would be out of control with the fashion.  I can't wait to hear what everyone else has to say!  I know there are a lot of you all about my age who will no doubt have some similar stories.  (And I hear that perms are making a comeback...)

2 On Tuesday: My Favorite Childhood Toys

What were your two favorite childhood toys?

 

I have always loved toys of all kinds but when I think of my childhood, two things come to mind.  I had a pink bunny blanket that I had from when I was a baby until I was five or six.  The thing literally decinigrated from being loved so much.  I had it with me all the time, and slept with it on the rare occasions that I slept as a child.  (My mom says that if I ever have children she hopes they don't sleep until they are three so I get a taste of what I was like as a kid.  I wasn't unhappy.  I just didn't like to sleep.)  That's my blankie on my head there.  What can I say?  I've always been a ham.

The other central theme of my childhood was Barbie.  Now I know that people try to tell you how Barbie warps your mind and maybe that's true, but I just don't think that's true for me.  Chances are, I would have wanted cool clothes, a house with an elevator, and a convertible anyway.  (I'm just kind of high maintenance like that! Haha!)  I was lucky enough to inherit my aunts' and my cousins' Barbie stuff, plus amass a collection of my very own.  Of all the piece I had, my favorite thing was a four story dollhouse with an elevator inside that was bigger than I was at the time.  There was just something fun about all of the clothes, the never-ending soap operas we would create, not to mention all the teeny shoes that you would inevitably lose or step on.  Not too long ago, I found a re-release of a doll I vivdly remember. 

Hello, 1985 Peaches 'n' Cream Barbie!  Isn't she lovely?  Can't wait to hear about everyone else's favorites.  Bet there are a few other Barbie lovers out there!  If you aren't already part of the party, join up over at Andrea's blog, My Chihuahua Bites.

Two On Tuesday: Shows I Miss

This week's question is: 

What two television shows that have gone off the air do you miss?

Because I have an unnatural love for television, this question is blissfully easy.  The first one is probably not a surprise--Gilmore Girls.  I miss the adventures of Lorelai, Rory and the crazy Stars Hollow crew more than I can say.  (Even the uneven 6th and 7th seasons.)  There's just nothing on TV that is that smart, heartfelt and creative.  Not to mention funny.  My favorite episodes are "A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving" from Season 3, Episode 9 and "Jews and Chinese Food" from Season 5, Episode 15 (I think?).   It's my life goal to get other people addicted to them, because I have all the seasons on DVD and love to share.

Designing Women is easily my second favorite.  Not those crappy episodes towards the end, but those four solid seasons with the four original women.  I always wanted to be Julia, with her rapid-fire speeches, grace and class.  But I am totally a Suzanne, with a little bit of Charlene.  Which is just fine, too.  My favorite episode is not "The Beauty Contest" from Season1, which features Julia's "...the night the lights went out in Geor-gia" speech.  My favorite is "Dash Goff, The Writer" from Season 2.   Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, and Delta Burke made a foursome that is just unmatched. 

I can't wait to see what everyone else has to say!  Tuesday's become my favorite day of the week!

2 on Tuesday: Fall Shows (Because I Know Nothing About Cleaning)

This week's topic fits perfectly into something I was already planning to blog about (way to go, Andrea!).  We've finally reached one of my favorite weeks of the year--TV Premiere Week!  Now, I know some people want to be all "TV rots your mind" and whatnot, and if you believe that then good for you.  You probably like roughing it in the wilderness and eating kelp too.  To each his own.

I, on the other hand, love TV and was raised in house that loved (loves) TV.  I have watched more hours of television with my parents over the years than I can count, and it's still one of my favorite things to do.  And premiere week gives us so much to talk about--what new shows look good, what returning shows have new characters or twists!  It's like Christmas morning every day for the whole week!

What two shows am I look forward to the most?  That's a tough pick.  First pick would probably still go to Glee.  The second season was uneven at best, but I am encouraged by the new energy the cast and writers seem to have, and the music and clips previews I've seen look great.  I'm really hoping that the third season brings us back to the glory of the first one.

(source)



The second show I am most excited about premiered last night, actually.  I am a huge fan of The Sing-Off.  This is a competition that celebrates talent and creativity and frequently leaves me speechless. (Plus, I love the judges--hello, Sara Bareilles!)  The first episode was great (loved Delilah and the Yellow Jackets), and I can't wait to see what's next! 

(source)

There are lots of other shows I am excited about:  The Big Bang Theory, Bones, Grey's Anatomy, New Girl, Raising Hope, Prime Suspect.  And I'm sure I'm leaving some off.  (Like I said, TV's kind of a big deal!)  Can't wait to read about what everyone else is watching!

2 On Tuesday: Deserted Island

This may be the week of memes.  Normally, I love talking to (at) you about the things going on in my life, but I still don't feel well, and I just don't have a great deal to say about much of anything.  Thankfully, Andrea had a great question for us today....

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what two items would you wish to have with you? (I know you’ll have more than two. I would have one million. It’s ok if you share more than two.)

I'm what some might call high maintenance.  The rest would probably just call a spade a spade and say needy.  Either way, this deserted island thing is going to require some packing.

Let's just assume that I had my beach gear on the plane and it washed up next to me, so sunscreen, towels, one of those umbrellas...all there.  And my Burt's Bees, of which I have one in all of my purses, my makeup bag and usually a pants pocket.

Of course, I will also need someone to um...talk to (I'm a family-friendly blog after all...tee hee).  Andrea stole my first-round pick of Ryan Gosling, and since she's hosting I guess I won't try to come up with a scenario where poor Ryan's rescue plan crashes, finding him on my island.  My second-round pick would be any one of the following three:  Chris Evans ("Well, hello, Captain America.  Fancy meeting you here."),  Justin Timberlake (he can sing, he can dance, he's adorable), and Stanley Tucci (He's my "old man crush."  Shut up.).

If I'm traveling, chances are I would also have my bestie, Amber, with me, though we would need separate huts so we don't get all stabby.  And besides, Chris/Justin/Stanley and I will need our alone time.

A few good hair ties and my iPod (and charger) and I would be good to go.  Well, good enough.

Two On Tuesday!

Even though I am a little late to the party, I'm linking up with My Chihuahua Bites! for some Tuesday fun (and after the Tuesday I've had, I could totally use it!)

This week's two is my two favorite things about fall, which is almost too easy!

#1 - My Birthday! 

This year I turn the big 3-0 and I am not at all freaked out!  In fact, I'm excited about what a whole new decade is going to bring.  I'd always rather see another year come and go than not see another year at all.  I think my thirties are going to be the best decade yet!

#2 - The Unbelievable Fall Weather

Where I live, we usually have two distinct seasons (summer and winter) and a couple of good weeks that look like fall and spring.  But after a few weeks in the 90s, I am loving the 70s.  It just makes me want to run through the fields and roll in the grass, neither of which I would actually do because my people don't run and grass makes me sneeze!

Can't wait to see what everyone else has to say!