And I Quote...

"Life is much too important to be taken seriously." -Oscar Wilde

Image from wikipedia

The 2010 Gist List

The New Year usually brings a slew of resolutions often left in the back of your closet with your broken Manolo Blahniks and too-small-but-too-cute-to-throw-away summer shorts. But resolutions give us a chance to reflect the changes we want (or need) in our life, and then promise to follow through. I'm not talking about the 20 lbs you wanted to shed by February or the penny-pinching you promised your pocketbook. It's New Years, not a miracle. While we look to the past at the good times, we're looking forward to the coming year and the promises it brings us. Here are my resolutions for 2010.

1. Appreciate the people in my life for what they are rather than being frustrated by what they're not.
I surround myself with beautiful people, inside and out. That's a fact. And sometimes it's a fact I need to remind myself more often than blame others for my problems, and just laugh my problems away instead.

2. Maintain a sense of humor that carries me through all of life's little bumps.
It's not hard to make me laugh. I was reminded in the final months of 2009 that the right attitude takes you a lot further than the wrong attitude. Plus, a good attitude is contagious, just like a smile.

3. Follow through or shame on you.
I love making promises, and I love keeping them even more. But sometimes I promise too many things to too many people. This year I resolve to focus my energy, and to follow through with quality work rather than quantity.

4. Hear other people's stories.
I can talk and talk and talk all about me, almost anytime, any day. And while confidence is a trait I'm not short of, my listening skills are a muscle that need to be toned this year. Let others steer the topic of conversation rather than feel pressured to keep talking.

Image from fitsugar.com

Christmas Cheer

Now that I'm holed up in a hotel on an overnight layover due to flight complications during this holiday travel season (a la Home Alone 2), I've come to appreciate Macaulay Culkin's request for three scoops of ice cream instead of two. Now after spending almost 12 hours between Syracuse and Los Angeles in Philadelphia, I've had the luxury of watching various Christmas movies on ABC, FX, CW, and many many more channels on my 36" flat screen in my hotel room. Here's my top ten so far:

Elf (2003)
After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. Not only Will Farrell deliver in this instant Christmas classic, but he brought us Christmas cheer singing loud for all to hear. I'll admit, I pop in this DVD even outside of the Christmas season, and it's always the first one on my list to watch come the day after Thanksgiving.

White Christmas (1954)
My mother made my family watch this movie every Christmas Eve. It's not animated, with little kid-targeted humor, and the allusions and storyline went over my head back when I was ten. Then my mother insisted my sisters and I learned the "Sisters" duet. As soon as the successful song-and-dance team that becomes romantically involved with a sister act (and my mother) had me crooning along, how could I not love the movie. Growing up with this classic brings me back to my mother roasting chestnuts, and my father stoking the open fire (no joke).

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Inside a snowflake, like the one on your sleeve, there happened a story you must see to believe. Back before Taylor Momsen was Queen Bee on Gossip Girl, she was a funny-nosed Who from Whoville. And maybe now it's because I'm older and I understand the "grown-up" jokes going on in the film, but Jim Carrey divulged into the Grinch character and still has me rolling on the floor.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Though the number of "Home Alone"s have grown over the years (what are we at now? Number 5?), Number 2 takes the cake. A 10-year old runs around NYC with his dad's credit card while his family worries about his safe return. Sure, he doesn't have the home field advantage like he did in the first, but the witty kid still catches the bad guys in the end. And maybe I'm biased because I'm trying to make it home for the holidays like Macaulay Culkin, but I know I have my two turtledove ornament around here somewhere.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
A classic. I watched it every year growing up with my family, and it's still my go-to holiday movie. Heartwarming and simple, it always brings my family together. Because that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Though I would technically classify this as a Halloween movie, Jack the Skeleton lasts us from October 31st to December 25th. It's a original idea that Tim Burton animates and infatuates us with. While "Nightmare" wasn't originally on my list, my co-RA has this movie running on loop in our floor lounge, and it's definitely caught me up in discovering Christmas Town with Jack.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
It would be wrong to exclude the misfit reindeer and his friends who are looking for a place that will accept them. It's an elaboration of the Christmas tale of the red-nosed hero of Christmas that takes us on an adventure across the North Pole and back that never gets old.

Images from imdb.com

Holly Jolly Holiday Playlist

'Tis the Season

1. Bizarre Christmas Incident – Ben Folds

2. Rudolph – Jack Johnson

3. All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

4. White Christmas – Taylor Swift

5. Jingle Bell Rock – Aly & AJ

6. Run Rudolph Run – Hanson

7. Latke Clan – The LeeVees

8. Baby It’s Cold Outside – Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey

9. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – Maroon 5

10. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Rascal Flatts

11. The Little Drummer Boy – Sean Kingston

12. Ay Ay Ay It’s Christmas – Ricky Martin

13. Hanukkah Blessings – Barenaked Ladies

14. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Leighton Meester

15. Last Christmas – CASCADA

16. Carol of the Bells – Emmy Rossum

17. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – NSYNC

18. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen

19. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Tyler Hilton

20. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Miley Cyrus

Image from celebratestudios.com

Stuffed

Thanksgiving Leftover Panini

Like you're not still in a food coma from yesterday

Ingredients:

• 2 thick slices day old bread (or 1 loaf), such as ciabatta
• Cold gelatinous gravy
• Turkey breast, sliced
• Turkey stuffing
• Cranberry dressing
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 sage leaves, chopped fine
• Butter, softened

Directions:

Spread one slice of bread with a thin layer of cold gravy. Layer the sandwich with slices of turkey, stuffing, more gravy and cranberry dressing, to taste. Season with salt and pepper and top with chopped sage leaves. Spread a thick layer of cranberry dressing on the other slice of bread.

Butter each side of the sandwich on the outside, then toast on a preheated sandwich grill or in a cast iron skillet, pressing the firmly on each side golden brown.

Image from foodnetwork.com

Giving Thanks

We have so much to be thankful for this year: family, friends, health.

I for one am thankful for our friends who keep us posting for you -- YOU! -- and of course I am very thankful for you. Chances are if you're reading this now, you're a rather regular visitor, and we love love love the opportunity you give us to grow and play and celebrate. For this I'm thankful.

Now that we've all eaten a little too much and are falling into tryptophan-induced comas, remember what Marcie said in "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving:"

"But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown."

Images from imbd.com

Gold Digger

You were always a bit starry-eyed.

Luckily, golden eyeliner has the cosmetic power to make you the little starlet. Applied correctly and with the right pair of shoes, and you're the shining star of any party for the holidays.

Urban Decay boasts little pots of gold in Smog, Honey, or Lucky easily under $20. Try Showgirls from NARS's liquid liner collection that'll cost you a little more, but is worth for the lash-thickening effect and cream base for control and longevity.

Because the liquid liner comes in a bottle rather like ink, the capacity for a dramatic finishing touch relies on your steady hand and patient application. But don't worry, a few little tricks will keep it clean like a shooting star, rather than a meteor shower.

Forget the continuous line with liquid eyeliner. It is easier to paint small dashes along the lash line, gently adding a stroke every 3-4 millimeters, and then connect them afterward. If you want a thicker line than this initial thin one, build it up gradually. Start at the middle of the lash line and draw towards the outer corner. You can extend the line slightly past the outer corner of your eyelid. Add a little mascara.

And you're golden.

Images from amazon.com and bellasugar.com

Caped Crusaders

Sure you played house with your Barbies. But you were never below stealing your brother's comics (on the pretext of making paper dolls...) and they quickly became your new BFFs. The Monarch of Motion, the Golden Avenger, the Wallcrawler. You were always had a thing for the Metropolis Marvel, anyway. And you and the Blonde Bombshell? Peas in a pod.

But those coordinating costumes aren't just for the Dynamic Duo anymore. Capes are the perfect way to bundle up this winter season, and they come in every shape, size, color, and fabric.

Holy fashion wonders, Batman!

Fendi goes fur with this caplet, but if you're looking to avoid the $7,400 price tag, Forever21 have fabulous finds. MaxStudio has a gorgeous army tan cape, perfect for layering sleeves and sweaters underneath.

This unique take on winter coats translate from LA to NYC without needing a telephone booth. While different cuts boast swinging hemlines with wide sleeves, other exnay the sleeves and offer a couple of slits in the trapeze silhouette instead. And never fear! Forgiving forms are here! Capes are absolutely perfect for every body type, proving even further that this fashion trend truly has superpowers.

So take that Human Whirlwind, Emerald Crusader, and Boy Wonder.

Images from shopstyle.com

Sugar Rush

What's made of sugar, helps you burns calories, and is a cross between Perez Hilton and Shape magazine?

The answer is FitSugar.com, a branch of the Sugar bloggosphere. The blog caters to everything you need for a "healthy happy you."

Entries range from celeb sightings at their home gyms, to exercise pointers, to foods worth splurging calories on. Check out their article "8 Ways to Start Your Week Off Right" to keep from falling off the healthy wagon. They offer low-cal recipes for high-cal treats (like pumpkin-carrot bars with cream cheese frosting--sign me up!) and include the benefits of such indulgences (Vitamin A and guilt-free calorie count). The website brings you unique workout regimes (trampolines, anyone?) and the latest technologies in exercise equipment. Polls, gift ideas, and celebrity fitness tips keep FitSugar interactive and fresh; the perfect site for both hardcore gym junkies and those who believe eating food in front of the fridge doesn't count.

Hasn't fulfilled your web-browsing cravings yet? Check out sister sites PopSugar.com and FabSugar.com: the network of Sugar-y sites expands into fashion and celeb gossip without needing extra-stretchy pants. Make room for dessert, because this is definitely one sweet treat you won't want to pass up.

Get you sugar rush here FitSugar.com

Images from fitsugar.com and happyhomemaker.com

Bromance

I am not below stealing t-shirts from my boyfriend. But sometimes that one borrowed t-shirt turns into a soft button down or two. Or three. And then a cardigan. And before you know it, "His and Hers" takes on a whole new meaning.


Why are boys clothes so appealing? Well, they're warm and soft and baggy for one. Maybe they smell like your Mr. Man. But at the end of the day, they are the comfiest damn thing in your closet.

Thank goodness this winter season is granting girls with the gift of men. Unisex styles are popping up all over the place. From over-sized organics to fleeces in gender-neutral colors, it's time to fall in love with boys all over again. Take a page out of Cameron Diaz's book a la "Charlie's Angels" and rock those tightie whities with your regular sleep shirt. Bundle up with a flannel, skinny jeans, and sleek boots (just because you're dressing like a boy doesn't mean you should get sloppy like one). Take an over-sized button down from your boyfriend or brother, roll up the sleeves, and belt it: insta-shirt dress. Baggy sweaters and cardigans look great with leggings and flats--and feel great too.

Try American Apparel, notorious for their unisex styles in everything from shorts and shirts, to cardigans and underwear. Urban Outfitters is the place to go for flannels (in women's and men's sections--I'd nab at least one in each, the cut is different so you can add some variety and shape to the trend). Even Forever 21's Heritage for Men have great sweaters that ladies can steal.

So when boy meets girl, girl needs to try to restrain from tearing that buttery soft top off his back.

Images from Forever21.com, urbanoutfitters.com, americanapparel.com