Ten on Tuesday: TV

I used to have one, if not several, tv show to watch for each night of the week when I was a teen. Even now, during a time where I do not have cable, I manage to keep up with my favorite programs with the help of Hulu+ and Netflix Instant. Some of my preferred shows are super cheesy but I love them all the same.

1. Grey's Anatomy: I've watched this show since day one! I love the characters and the crazy plot lines and the tangled relationships. They keep coming up with even more scary situations and I can't get enough of it all.
2. LOST: Oh...my...goodness. If you haven't seen this show, you must! The twists and turns this show will take you on will blow your mind! The whole reason I started watching this show in the first place wasn't because it looked amazing in previews; it was because Dominic Monaghan was cast as a semi-main role. *Swoon*
3. Dexter: A modern-day murdering Robin Hood. Dexter is always adrenaline-inducing and that rush I get from watching him in action is just too intense for words.
4. One Tree Hill: Here's where it gets super cheesy. This is another show that I've watched since the beginning. I am so happy that it's on Netflix now because I can rewatch the old episodes with Peyton and Lucas.
5. Gilmore Girls: One of the best shows of my lifetime, hands down. I feel that my mom and I are very similar to Lorelei and Rory. We're just a tad a less crazy.
6. Pushing Daisies: I LOVED THIS SHOW and it was cut too short. The costumes, the scenery, the story... everything was perfect! Brian Fuller is one of the best show creators, in my humble opinion.
7. The X-Files: The sexual tension between Mulder and Scully is palpable. Aside from their relationship, I've always enjoyed the paranormal and this show feeds into that interest.
8.Modern Family: What really gets me is that the writers and actors do a really great job of driving home a genuineness that isn't found in a lot of shows these days and that one of the main ideas of this show is to laugh at our mistakes and be who we want to be. It is brilliantly written and the jokes are very well timed and I find myself laughing out loud whenever this show is on.
9. Boy Meets World: Do I need to even explain this one? I grew up with this show, like many others, and I can't help the love I feel for the characters. Mr. Feeny is one of my favorite teacher characters EVER.
10. How I Met Your Mother: Another hilarious show about real life and relationships. NPH and Segel are so fraking funny! If you watch it, be ready for a bunch of shenanigans.


Honorable mentions: HOUSE, Mercy, Jeopardy, Top Gear, NCIS, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars + Chloe King, Revenge, The Office, 30 Rock, The Simpsons...

Ten on Tuesday: Movies

Whenever my dad and I watch particular movies, he'll tell me about his Island Top 10 movie list. (You know what I'm talking about, right?) Most of his list includes classics from the 1950s and movies like Animal House. If I happened to be stuck on an island with a comfy chair and a television that could play DVDs, I would hope that these movies would be available to me (in no particular order):

1. Singin' in the Rain

2. Elizabethtown

3. Lord of the Rings Trilogy, extended editions of 1, 2, 3. 

4. The Holiday

5. Pride and Prejudice 

6. Roman Holiday

7. Garden State

8. Meet Me in St. Louis

9. V for Vendetta

10. You've Got Mail

As you can plainly see, I love movies about finding true love, overcoming obstacles, being true to yourself and supporting others. Oh, I'm such a sap. What's on your Island Top 10?

Until next time,

PS - If you haven't had the chance to see In Time, starring Amanda Seyfried and Justin Timberlake, you should hop on your bike or whatever and scoot on down to your nearest cineplex. I thought it was really well done. This movie really puts the importance of time into perspective. Let's all sieze the day more often!

PSS - Did you know that the phrase carpe diem is actually part of the longer phrase carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero. The latter means "Seize the Day, putting as little trust as possible in the future." It's just something to think about.

Ten on Tuesday: book worm

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet today with links to some of my fave books (in no particular order). 


1. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe: A Novel by Fannie Flagg
2. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes 
3. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 
4. Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
5. Diary: A Novel by Chuck Palahniuk
6. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
7. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
8. Sleeping in Flame by Jonathan Carroll 
9. American Gods: A Novel by Neil Gaiman
10. Bleachy-Haired Honky B!tch: Tales from a Bad Neighborhood by Hollis Gillespie


1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

Have you read any of these? What are a few of your favorites?

Ten on Tuesday: all you need is love

10 things I'm absolutely LOVING today are, ahem:

1. Chilly autumn weather has finally arrived! I awoke at five AM for work and immediately knew that sweater weather was right outside my door. That alone has made my day awesome.

2. A waffle with boysenberry syrup is one of my favorite meals. It is so simple and delicious and downright heartwarming.

3. Reuniting with a peer from elementary school days can be either scary or exciting. We ended up both working for the same company but at different locations, and I must say that she is still as sweet as she was when we were seven. We ended up talking about our siblings and when I mentioned that my lil bro is in high school now she just about died. "I remember when he was born," she said. How crazy is that?! 

4. One of my favorite things to do with J is watch British television. We especially like the crime dramas and it can be said that we are addicted to "Blood in the Wire." The main character has many of the same idiosyncrasies that the beloved Sherlock Holmes has. 

5. Numero cinco on my list is actually a person! We laugh, we cry, we bake, we eat, and we "die" whenever we discover "the best thing ever." Mandy, you are my shining star. I love you very much! 

6. I can't get enough of design blogs. I really want to recover one of my chairs (looks sorta like this, but it's a powder blue color) in a rich velvet and pipe the seams. OH, that would be beautiful. I wish I could upholster. 

7. This weekend I was gifted a few heirlooms by mama. She gave to me a beautiful chocolate brown pitcher to use when I am mixing drinks. It belonged to my step-grandfather and is about 50 years old. 

8. I know this may make me sound like a crazy but I am actually loving that I have two tests tomorrow. I get to study what I love (relationships) and then I get to leave class early! (I don't sound mad now, right?)  
9. For the last few weeks, ... okay, it's been months, I have been desiring a new hairstyle. Lately, I have been loving the long layers and blunt bangs look. I think it would be just the right amount of change for my hair.

10. Last but not least, I am loving the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy and I cannot explain how thrilled I am that The Hobbit films will be released in a couple years! If this makes me a nerd, that's quite all right; I can accept that.

What have you been loving today?

Ten on Tuesday: Comfort food take-out

10. Egg Flower Soup from China China restaurant in Chula Vista is the most delicious, simple soup I've ever had and always comforts me when I am feeling ill.

9. Mashed Potatoes from KFC are so fluffy and yummy. Usually, I wouldn't go for totally smooth potatoes, but when I'm down in the dumps, I go for KFC's fluffy cloud in a styrofoam cup.

8. When I am interested in getting an ice-blended coffee drink, I drive to Redlands to partake in something great from Augie's. The mocha is my favorite! You should try it some time.

7. Village Pizzaria in Coronado has the most ah-mazing fried artichoke hearts with OH MY GOD SO GOOD garlicy butter spread.

6. Every time I am in a state that has a Cracker Barrel, I have to stop in and get Eggs in a Basket, which in turn makes me think of "V for Vendetta" and then I want more. :)

5. Two Guys in San Bernardino has the hands down BEST pasta and bread. Seriously, try it. You'll think so, too.

4. It's not take out, but a good grilled cheese makes me feel oh-so-good in return. My favorite: roast beef, sharp cheddar, bleu cheese butter and caramelized onions. Mmmmm...

3. Thai Peanut Chicken from Papaya Bay, also in Redlands, served with an appetizer of "money bags" are another favorite meal. I can't tell you how good these two things are together... life changing dishes, I swear.

2. My Delight Cupcakery in Ontario lives up to the name. The cupcakes served here are absolutely delightful; the breakfast cupcake is a must try!

1. When I want a great sub sandwich, I will go to My Hero in San Bernardino or BK subs, which has three convenient locations in the tri-city area. Stand aside Quizno's and Subway, there's a new sandwich in town! Anything with avocado is usually my choice.

Now that I am thoroughly hungered, I am off to complete what seems to be a daunting to-do list. I have a lot to do before work today! I hope a nap is somewhere in my future... toodles!

Ten on Tuesday: Home Items Edition

I'm taking a page out of MaGodard's book and picking my top 10 favorite items that can be found in my house. The majority is rather uninteresting, but that makes sense since I am probably most happy when everything is uncomplicated. (These are in no particular order.)

10. Zester/juicer - It's hand held, it's lime green, it's two-in-one. This little fellow comes in handy when making orange sauce for chicken and dressings for salad. It's one of the best gifts I've ever received from J.

9. The living room curtains - My wonderful mother sewed some rather wonderful curtains for J and I earlier this summer. The fabric consists of a great mustardy green background and a repeating cream-colored blossom pattern. See for yourself:

8. Books! - I must have over 100 books by now. They range from cook books to fiction novels to texts on different religions. I think winter may be my favorite season because I love to curl up with a good book and a blanket while I listen to the rain.

7. The "Elvis bag" - I just recently purchased this adorable blue bag from Payless Shoe Source and it has quickly become my favorite handbag despite it's tinyness. Somehow it manages to fit my rather large wallet, my keys, the blackberry, a small pouch full of discount cards, and still has room to spare! I swear it's a Mary Poppin's bag.

6. Desk - I've had it for about 7 years now and I still love it. It features 3 tiers (top = lamp, palm/apple painting by MaGodard and button storage space; middle = MacBook and cute storage boxes for paperwork and journals, bottom = usually for a keyboard, currently for extra storage for randoms) in a light woodgrain with curved metal legs with what looks like ladder rungs. It's pretty nifty.

5. Bread box (Blue) - This was an impulse purchase from the almighty Target (as were many other things). I love old fashioned items with a purpose! I hate keeping bread in the cabinet, where it takes up valuable space. This baby stays on top of the microwave for now (until we get a microwave that goes above the stove :). 

4. Baked goods - Okay, so currently we have none in the house because our oven door still won't open, but usually there is a little something on the dining room table, whether it be berry crumb bars or cupcakes. However, we will be breaking out the bread maker (get it? Breaking ... bread... :) pronto, so the house will smell delicious soon enough.

* Blueberry Crumb Bars - They look EXACTLY like the picture and they are SO, SO good!*

3. Ward sewing machine - This item was given to me by the Mom. I'm in the process of several little projects right now. All of which I will try to share with you!

2. Kat Lassie - This little ginger snap is J's childhood cat. She's usually very sweet but if the humans somehow wrong her, she'll let them now. She's quite quirky; she'll only drink water out of glasses, she'll lay on your chest while you're sleeping and she likes to have conversations. 

1. Record Player - Some evenings, when I have to work late, I'll come home to a delicious dinner of pasta and red wine with Ella Fitzgerald or Death Cab or The Beatles or whatever playing on the stereo. I can't tell you how nice this is. It's one of my favorite things that J does; I'm not sure if he even realizes it.

So there it is! The Top 10 items that can be found in our humble abode! Until next time!

DIY or DIE

Hello there. So, maybe I'm being a tad dramatic with my post title, but I am serious about DIYing. After I complete a few fleece blankets and some aprons, I will move on to some of these projects. You can find information for all of these delights below.

1. This dress is one of Colletterie's new patterns. I love the cute little sleeves! 2. Wouldn't it be great to use maps from past road trips to line your dresser drawers? 3. I think mingling moss, something very organic, with a favorite saying is so fresh. 4. These balloons are from an LA company, Geronimo. The metallic tassels and delicate ribbon makes these great, round ballons look so animated. It would definitely be a treat to receive a balloon like that. 5. Coraline is one of my favorite movies. Peanut butter cookies are delicious. Combining the two = most adorable mini-cookie ever. 6. This citrus salt body scrub is actually courtesy of Paula Dean. And no, there is no butter in the recipe. Believe me, I checked. 7. Oh, how I wish I kept all of my old house keys. This little shadowbox is definitely a great idea for someone who calls many places home. 8. GIANT KNIT BLANKET. The instructions call for 1.5" PVC piping as the needles. How crazy-awesome is that?! 9. I've become really interested in jewelry construction and it seems that beaded/braided/weaved jewelry is becoming a major trend again. The nice thing about this specific one is it can be worn both as a bracelet and as a necklace. 10. Bokeh photography is something I have not yet attempted but this lens sheet DIY seems totally easy and is super cute.

What's your next DIY project?