To String or Not to String?

That is the question. What is it about string cheese that is so bizarre? I find it absolutely disgusting when people take a big bite out of Mozzarella string cheese. But why? It's a solid block of cheese just like any other variation......you don't have to string up Colby Jack or Brie before digging in. Then why is it if cheese is packed in a tube like shape and packaged in a peel back package does it have to be pulled apart before eating it? I know I'm not the only person who feels this way. Maybe I am just a cheese sheep and follow the masses in how I consume my favorite dairy product. But regardless, it just TASTES better when pulled into strings, don't you think?!

Think about it........

*Picture from Wikipedia.com

What's In A Name?

How much does your name really define you? If you could change your name, would you? I was recently faced with this question when I was asked if I wanted to take a stage name at my new job. And before you even ask, No, I am not a stripper.....It's a media thing. A little known fact to many is that famous celebrities....who's names are on marquees and blazed on the cover of magazines were not born with their stage names..... Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jean Baker), Natalie Portman (Natalie Hershlag) and my personal favorite Portia De Rossi (Amanda Lee Rogers) are some great examples. Norma Jean Baker sounds like a dumpy farmer.....not at all like the iconic Marilyn Monroe.....great career move on ol NJB's part.

So anyways I had this interesting situation placed before me. I could totally and absolutely re-create my moniker to totally define the essence of me. A glass of Pinot and a few doodles later, and nothing was speaking to me....aaaand I started to get indignant. I LOVE my name. I never want to change it. Everyone calls me by my last name and I couldnt imagine portraying myself in any other way. So I remain the same. For better or worse, I am now permanetly stuck with my birth name .....and could not be happier.

*The front runner for first names were Vala (pronounced vah-la) or Lia.......bizarre, possibly blacked out when considering those.
**This is also a great conversation piece. Its fascinating to see what some of your friends would name themselves if given the chance......
***If you get bored, google baby names. This WILL take up at least 2 hours of your time, so plan accordingly.

*pic from wikipedia.com

Meaningful Mondays.

Mondays can be such a buzz kill. You just had a fabulous weekend with your friends, Sunday is spent relaxing or maybe running some necessary errands and before you know it....back to the grind. Well leave it to Oprah and co. to inspire us all to make Mondays count and really set a good tone for your week. She has developed a new program called Make Mondays Matter, and it is very easy. These little ideas take no more than 20 minutes and are definitely worth trying. Some examples: Stopping junk mail and turning off your tv (both very eco chic). This week, we are asked to write a letter to a member of our military service. These brave men and women are the reason we live a free life, and they need to and should feel our gratification. We may be annoyed that our weeks start with meetings, angry customers or an exam but it is better than dodging roadside bombs or fighting insurgents. Sending this letter is not advocating war, but simply brightening the day of a selfless person who loves our country.

Here are Oprah's suggestions on how to get your letter out:
Select a soldier you know or one who is related to someone you know.

1. If you don't know a soldier, ask a friend, fellow student, co-worker, pastor, or military chaplain to help you make a connection. Make sure they provide proper mailing instructions.
2. Grab some paper, an envelope, and a pen.
3. Write a letter from your heart that expresses your gratitude, shows your support, and provides encouragement. Share a little bit about yourself and ask questions. Avoid such topics as death, killing, and politics.
4. Include your e-mail or mailing address in case the recipient wants to write back. You could even include a self-addressed envelope.
5. Send the letter.

My family has been sending care packages to a family friend who was in Afghanistan and trust me, your small act of kindness can really impact a soldier's time served. Get your friends involved, and before you know it....you may even be looking forward to Monday. For more ideas on how to Make Mondays Matter, go to Oprah.com

Nostalgia.

Sooo I finally took the plunge and got the I-Phone. Let me tell you something, this phone has more applications and random things on it than one person needs, but all the games and Apps got me thinking about a past time, a simpler time when we kids had one gaming opportunity.....Nintendo. Now I am talking old school, gray box Nintendo not its cooler younger brother, SEGA. When we were kids, Nintendo was Boss and the best part about it? Duck Hunt. Don't tell me you disagree, because your 6 year old self will definitely call you out. Being a byproduct of Mario Bros, you knew it was going to rock. I think my fav part of Duck Hunt glory wasn't the jazzy 80s music, the siren song of the gun shot or the way the screen would flash black once you shot. No, it was the little dog who would hold up your victim. Remember that? The dog popped out of the bushes hold a dead, limp duck. How morbid/amazing. If you have the IPhone I recommend downloading Sheep Launch. Its a happier, less violent version of our old favorite that is guaranteed to waste hours of your precious time.

Great Kate Vol 2.

Also on my radar..... Kate Earl. Her song Melody is currently the free download on I-Tunes and it is fantastic. She reminds me of a Sade/Fiona Apple/Corrine Bailey Rae cocktail. Her music is in the post work, "Im de-stressing with a candle and Kate Earl" genre.

Other notables include....Nobody, All I Want and my personal fav...Cry Sometimes.


Download some of her jams now....

Great Kate Vol 1.

Kate Somverville is my new idol. No joke, I want to be her. A younger, less drunk version of myself once paraded into college as a pre-med student with dreams of being a dermatologist.....but, sorority life prevailed and now here I am.

For those of you unfamiliar with this genius, she is the skin guru to a bevy of Hollywood stars like Debra Messing, Eva Mendes and Jessica Alba. Anyways, I LOVE her products....the Gentle Daily Wash, Clarifying Toner and Goat's Milk is my new 3-punch daily routine and I swear my skin has never looked better. I also use the clearing mask every Sunday as a nice detox from the weekend. To top it all off, all Kate products have these amazing push tops that allow you to get just the right amount every time you use them.

Here is the kicker...have you ever actually seen Kate Somerville? She is on QVC hawking her products from time to time and her skin is IMMACULATE. And her office/spa is exactly what I would want mine to look like if I had followed my Dermatological dreams.....

Like I said.....Can I be you?!?!?!

Fierce.

Who doesn't love Christian Siriano from Project Runway?! He basically coined the term fierce and rocked the Duck Butt hair-do far before that hag Kate Gosselin. Oh yeah and he is a bad ass designer. Well to own a piece from the Christian Siriano collection would cost you may-jah bucks, but fear not friends, you too can own your own little piece of the Runway. The creative genius has paired with Victoria's Secret and developed a makeup line. From the fantastic ruffled makeup bag to the Egyptian looking colors and packaging....Siriano worked it. Grab the shadow called Gilded Fierce, swipe it on and auf wiedersehen....your ready to ht the town.

Baby Statement.

I am on the hunt for the perfect Bib necklace. They are so ornate, and add pizazz to any outfit. You can wear one with a plain tee to go out with your friends, or throw one on under a tank/blazer combo for work. So far, this one from Banana Republic is inching towards my wish list....but the price tag is pretty heinous. I hate spending big bucks on jewelry because I change my accessories up all the time!

Woke Up This Morning.

Ok so I have been having a serious Showmance with The Sopranos. There has been flings here and there with other shows, but my family is obsessed with The Sopranos and I needed to get up to speed. I literally watched the debut through the finale in a 2 month period. Verdict? That may have been the best show ever made. It was dramatic, hilarious and intriguing ....Im super depressed that it's over. And what a lame finale. I know it's artsy and symbolic, but com'on does Tony get wacked? I NEED AN ANSWER DAVID CHASE!

I'm missing my daily dose of Paulie's comedic chops, and have been cruising to my parents house and having my Italian New Jersey mother cook me baked ziti an unusual amount....but overall I'm adjusting to post Sopranos life.

If you haven't seen this show, don't even talk to me....were just not even friends.

Mahvalous Mac.

Keeping with my new animal friendly eating habits, I decided to try a recipe from the follow up book Skinny Bitch In The Kitch. I chose the Macaroni and 4 Cheeses and to be honest, I thought it was pretty good! It was super easy to make, and you cannot really taste the difference in the Vegan cheese. However, some of the ingredients are quite expensive. The recipe does yield a lot of servings though, so you will have dinner for the entire week!

Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon refined coconut oil, melted, or safflower oil, plus more for the casserole dish

• About 2 tablespoons fine sea salt

• 1 pound whole-wheat or brown rice elbow macaroni

• 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen pureed winter squash

• 2 cups soy or rice milk

• 4 ounces vegan Cheddar cheese, shredded

• 2 ounces vegan Jack cheese, shredded

• 4 ounces (about 1/2 cup) vegan cream cheese

• 1 1/2 teaspoons powdered mustard

• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1/4 cup whole-wheat bread crumbs

• 2 tablespoons vegan Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 F. Oil a 2-quart casserole dish; set aside.

In a 4- to 6-quart stockpot over high heat, combine 3 quarts of water with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the salt. Bring the water to a boil, add the macaroni, and cook according to the package directions.

Meanwhile, in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, combine the squash and milk, stirring and breaking up the squash with a spoon until the squash is defrosted. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and whisk in the Cheddar, Jack, cream cheese, mustard, cayenne, and the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of salt.

When the pasta is done, drain it, then return the pasta to the pot. Stir the cheese sauce into the macaroni. Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking pan

In a medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and the 1 tablespoon of oil. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, then broil for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned.

Life Ruiner.

The first time I read Skinny Bitch I was so repulsed that I didnt eat meat for a year. I would probably still be a vegetarian without a snafu in the sports office of my internship last year....but we all fall off the wagon now and again right? Well after discussing my former dietary choices with someone at work, I decided to pick up the book, dust it off and give it another read. Once again....I am completely traumatized. Why did I think I could peruse the pages and laugh at their witty jokes in chapters 1-4 without stumbling into the treacherous "You Are What You Eat" section?! Well needless to say Im trying to avoid meat again at all costs. And milk?? Forget about it.

Synopsis- Skinny Bitch is a life ruiner....it ruins lives.

Superstar.

Last weekend my friend Brittany and I cruised to the Lupe Fiasco concert....and let me tell you, it was SO SICK. Lupe absolutely killed it. Rap concerts can be lame sometimes, without the pyro and dancing of your typical rap or pop show, but his songs and the environment was right on point. All the crowd favorites were accounted for ....Kick Push, Superstar, Go Go Gadget Flow, Paris Tokyo, Hip-Hop Saved My Life....I could go on and on just trust me on the fierceness of this concert. Annnnnddd he was live outside directly under the Arch...how cool can you get Lupe?

I CANNOT wait for his new disc, Lasers to drop. If the first single (Shining Down with Superstar phenom Mathew Santos) is any indication.....it will be epic.

Wearable Wang.

We all know Vera Wang is THE wedding guru of choice, but she has expanded her resume to include ready to wear clothes and jewelry. Her uber affordable line for Kohls has some truly badass pieces that can be worn everywhere from a wedding to happy hour. I particularly love this necklace (which I would wear with a long white tank and Boyfriend Blazer), these earrings, bracelet and cocktail ring.

Med e Tate.

We've already discussed the amazing powers of meditation, but what about Med e tation? With summer heat reaching its max...you will definitely need these towelettes. Just swipe them under your arms, or wherever you tend to sweat....and tada....complete dryness. Most people get botox shots to eliminate excessive sweating, and of course, leave it to the genius line DermDoctor to formulate a less expensive and painful alternative. Become a dry diva and get yourself some Med E tate here.