Sweet silverbells

I really don't tire of the Christmas music. In all honesty, I don't listen to it a lot, so I pace myself for the season. I think that's the way to go! Here is a list of my Top 10 Favorite Christmas songs. Merry Christmas!

1. Oh Holy Night (I absolutely love this song, sung by anyone)
2. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
3. Last Christmas
4. Carol of the Bells
5. Baby It's Cold Outside (Elf anyone??)
6. Silent Night
7. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (you know you love it too!)
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
9. Angels We Have Heard on High
10. We Need a Little Christmas

Christmas movies

I seriously had my Fa la la on last night! I baked the cookies from the recipe I gave you yesterday for Peanut Butter Kisses while listening to the Glee Christmas album. If it sounds like it was fun, it was. I really have enjoyed baking recently. With a little help from Martha and the holidays, I just turn into Suzie Homemaker. I love it!

Each Christmas it's pretty much a given that cable TV shows Christmas themed movies over and over again. Although they show new ones, there are those classics that you just go back to each year. Sometimes, you even watch the same movie several times, in fear that you won't get enough of it before the holiday season is over. I get that way with a couple movies, but here are my Top 10 Christmas Movies.

1. Elf. I watch it every year a minimum of 5 times. I absolutely love it! I've already caught this one on TV twice this year. I own it, so I plan on watching it a couple more times. "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"


2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I watch this one at least 3 times each year. My favorite character might be Aunt Bethany, she is so funny! I love when she says the pledge of allegiance during grace!


3. A Christmas Story. This one is just a classic!

4. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. I've already caught this one on TV this year! I used to watch this movie at least once a week when I was in middle school. I can pretty much quote the entire movie, it's sad. "You was here, and you was smooching with my brother!"

5. Love Actually. This movie isn't really about Christmas, it is just set at Christmas time. Therefore, I feel it appropriate to watch every Christmas, duh.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The original cartoon, not the Jim Carrey version (I've never seen that version because I just really don't like him as an actor, sorry). This is a classic and a must watch each year!

7. The Polar Express. Not necessarily a must watch every year, but I put it on the list because it is just an amazing and remarkably done movie.

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas. Yet another classic that holds the spirit of Christmas.

9. The Santa Clause. I used to love this movie when I was a kid. It's such a great movie.

10. It's a Wonderful Life. Okay, I'm going to admit something, I've never seen this movie. It's on everyone's top Christmas list, so this is my year to watch it. I WILL watch it this year!

Christmas lights!

One of my favorite things about Christmas are the lights! I absolutely love going to look at houses with amazing lights. There is a neighborhood that I go to every year in which all of the houses set their lights to music. It is incredible! After I go to that neighborhood, I go to the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, Florida which has a wonderful display of lights as well. It's a yearly tradition. Here is a video of a house that has a lot of hits on YouTube, it is very cool. The music is actually my ringtone right now, Wizards in Winter by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (I jam out every time my phone rings!).

Weekend update

First and foremost, I would like to apologize for not posting this weekend. I had a very busy weekend and have a valid excuse for yesterday! ALL day Sunday I was at a radio station event in Tampa (97X Next Big Thing) where there were concerts all day of a bunch of awesome bands. I was so excited to finally see one of my favorite bands, Switchfoot (I don't know how I've never seen them before, they've been my favorite for years)! It was a great day with amazing weather! The only thing I regret is bringing my digital camera with me...I can't believe I forgot it, I bring it everywhere. Thank God for cell phone cameras!

The amazing line up!! I was very excited to see Switchfoot, Paper Tongues, Cage the Elephant, and the Black Keys. To my surprise, My Chemical Romance was my favorite performance! They put on an amazing show!

Janna and I waiting to watch some of our favorite bands

Switchfoot's lead singer. We were so close to him!

Fa La La La La La La La La

I am very strict when it comes to my Christmas music. I will NOT listen to it before Thanksgiving as a rule to myself. Well, now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we can officially welcome the Christmas music! There are some great Christmas albums that artists have released this year. Head over to iTunes and check out the new albums and albums that are on sale for $7.99! Here's a list of the top 10 downloaded songs on iTunes right now.

1. All I Want For Christmas is You - Mariah Carey

2. O Holy Night - Glee Cast (my all time favorite Christmas song!)

3. Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

4. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Glee Cast

5. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms

6. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee

7. Last Christmas - Glee Cast (love this song too!)

8. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

9. Christmas Canon - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

10. The Christmas Song - Nat "King" Cole

Albums to think about getting are: The Glee Christmas Soundtrack, The OC Mix 3 - Chrismukkah, Ella Fitzgerald Christmas album, and the Elf Soundtrack. I will probably be downloaded a few of these. I already have The OC one and it's great!

Thanksgiving leftovers

Just ask Ross and he will tell you how delicious Thanksgiving leftovers are. Thanks to Martha, here's a couple recipes that include your leftovers.

Chunky Turkey-Vegetable Soup 

1T olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2T tomato paste

1 large sweet potato, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and thinly sliced

1 can diced tomatoes with juice

1 can reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 pound cooked turkey breast, cut into bite size pieces

1 small head escarole (about 8oz), trimmed, leaves torn into bite-size pieces and washed well

1. In a large saucepan with a lid, heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste.

2. Add sweet potato, tomatoes and their juice, broth, 1 cup water, and rosemary; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Cover; cook until potato is tender, 12 to 15 minutes.

3. Stir in turkey; add escarole in two batches, waiting for the first batch to wilt before adding the second. Cover, and simmer just until turkey is heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

Turkey Reuben 

2t butter, softened

2 slices rye bread

2T Russian dressing (you can use thousand island too)

1oz thinly sliced swiss cheese

4 thin slices cooked turkey

3T Tangy Cabbage Slaw

2 dill-pickle sandwich slices

1. Heat a grill pan or a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Spread butter on 1 side of each slice of bread. Flip bread over, and spread Russian dressing on the other side of each slice. Place half of the cheese on top of dressing on 1 slice. Top with turkey, cabbage slaw, and pickles. Top with remaining cheese, then the second slice of bread, buttered side up.

2. Place on grill pan, and cook, pressing down occasionally with a spatula, until golden brown and cheese has melted, 3 to 4 minutes per side. (Cover with a heatproof bowl to encourage cheese to melt; use caution when removing.) Cut sandwich in half, and serve immediately.

If you were confused by my Ross reference, here is a clip from the Friends episode "The One with Ross's Sandwich."

Hire a stylist

There are some celebrities that obviously don't own a mirror. Taste is definitely something that money just can't buy. Here are some celebrities that need to either hire or fire their stylists. Happy Fashion Forward Friday and Harry Potter movie release day!!

Blake Lively usually has great fashion sense. This outfit is just too much.

I just don't understand Katy Perry's style. Tight latex dresses are not cute and her shoes definitely are horrible.

Leighton Meester needs to take some cues from her character on Gossip Girl.

Not terrible, but come on. You have access to all the clothes in the world and you show up in this.

Friends on Thanksgiving

One of my favorite shows of all time would have to be Friends. I watched the show religiously when it was on the air and love to catch reruns as often as I can. When I think of my favorite Friends episode, 2 of them come to mind. I absolutely love "The One Where No One's Ready," when Ross is trying to get everyone out the door for an event. There are so many great quotes in that one! "Look at me, I'm Chandler. Could I be wearing any more clothes?"

My favorite episode of all time would definitely be "The One With All The Thanksgivings." All of the Thanksgiving episodes on Friends are amazing, but this one tops them all. I love when Joey gets the Turkey stuck on his head!

I can hear the bells

Happy Top Ten Thursday!
Two of my good friends that I've known since high school are getting married this Saturday and I couldn't be happier for them! I wanted to discuss something about weddings for this Top Ten List, so here are the Top Ten overplayed first dance songs at weddings. I found this list a while back and I didn't realize how repetitive wedding songs really are. Though they get redundant and are extremely overplayed, they are classic staples for a wedding and I love them! Courtesy of Time.
1. At Last - Etta James. Who doesn't love this song??
2. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
3. I Only Have Eyes for You - The Flamingos
4. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
5. From This Moment On - Shania Twain. I used to love this song and pictured myself dancing to it (when I was like 12)
6. The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra. This song has been redone a million times, but I love it every time. I love the Michael Buble version. I'll probably be cliche and use this song.
7. Amazed - Lonestar.
8. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton. Love this song!
9. It Had to Be You - Harry Connick Jr. His voice is so dreamy.
10. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole.

Halloween movies

Happy Top Ten Thursday!!
This week, I have compiled a list of some great movies that will get you in the Halloween spirit! I have actually made 2 lists - movies that are not so scary and movies that probably make you crap your pants. I'm not really a scary movie kind of person, I get very anxious and hate the feeling. Although, I have seen 6/10 of the scary ones on my list. I think for this Halloween I may attempt to complete the list, just for nightmares sake.

Top Ten Not-So-Scary Movies.

1. Hocus Pocus (my absolute favorite Halloween movie!)
2. Ghostbusters
3. Halloweentown series
4. Casper
5. Nightmare Before Christmas
6. Zombieland (not suitable for children)
7. Corpse Bride
8. E.T.
9. Harry Potter (any of them really)
10. Beetlejuice

Top Ten Scary Movies.

1. Rocky Horror Picture Show (more disturbing than scary) 
2. Sleepy Hollow
3. Silence of the Lambs
4. The Shining
5. Poltergeist
6. The Ring
7. Saw
8. The Omen
9. Orphan
10. Halloween

Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!!

Blood pumping

I work out every weekday and have experimented with quite a broad spectrum of music to exercise to. Some that I thought would be perfect I ended up hating, while some I over looked turned out to be the best running songs. I have a great mix of tunes that I usually just put on and let play that have been working great for me lately. Listening to the same songs in the same order everyday can be a little boring, but these are the Top 10 songs that I find get my blood pumping and I haven't tired of yet.

1. 1st Period: The Queen and I - Gym Class Heroes. This song is first on my workout playlist and is a great warm up song.

2. The Line - Battles. This was on the Eclipse Soundtrack and is a great song. It starts off slow, but then builds. Once it gets to the fast part I feel like I'm in a video game, running from the fire balls.

3. B.O.B. - Outkast. Oldie, but a goodie. It's super fast and gets you wanting to run really fast.

4. Teddy Picker - Arctic Monkeys. I do love me some indie music and I love the beat of this song for cardio.

5. Toxic - Britney Spears. I love this song and the beat.

6. Outta Your Mind - Lil Jon & LMFAO. They did a hip hop routine to this song on So You Think You Can Dance. If you don't like songs that curse, I recommend downloading the edited version.

7. Church - T-Pain. This song gets my hips swaying for some reason. Good tempo for jogging.

8. We Run This - Missy Elliott. I love this song! I love the "Tonto" music, makes me want to do the freeze poses for "Tonto, jump on it..."

9. Do It Again - The Fire and Reason. Fun girl band song to do cardio, etc.

10. Sweet Disposition Remix - The Temper Trap. The original version of this song is really slow, but the remix isn't. This is a download must!


10 songs won't get you through an hour long workout, so here are some more good songs you can download:
11. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes
12. She's Got The (Woo-Hoo) - Sugar Ray
13. Clap Your Hands - Sia
14. Fuego - Pitbull
15. Get Crazy - LMFAO
16. Imma Be - Black Eyed Peas
17. The New Workout Plan - Kayne West
18. Bang Bang - K'naan & Adam Levine
19. Ride to California - Paper Tongues
20. Percussion Gun - White Rabbits

Enjoy your workout! Happy Top Ten Thursday!

Did the little piggy cry wee wee wee all the way home?

Happy Favorite Things Tuesday!!

Sometimes there's those commercials that just make you laugh every time you see it. No matter how many times you watch it, it is always funny. Geico has had some beyond terrible commercials in the past (stupid cavemen anyone??), but they have really turned it around recently. My favorite commercial that's out now is the little piggy one. The combination of the little piggy wee-ing at a high octave then speaking with a deep-ish voice, and the fact that the piggy is holding pinwheels gets me every time.


My favorite commercial of all time would have to the be the Starbucks commercial that was aired a few years ago. It was for the Double Shot Espresso, and was to the song "The Eye of the Tiger." It was magical. I sometimes watch it online just for kicks.


Enjoy my favorite commercials!!

Top 10 shows

Happy Top Ten Thursday!

There have been some great shows on television, both still on and others that rest in peace. I thought it would be fun to list my Top 10 Favorite Shows that have ever aired. Keep in mind, these are my opinions, sorry if you don't agree!

1. Lost. The.Best.Show.Ever. So sad to see it go, and I am probably one of the few that actually liked the way they ended it. That show got my mind working, constantly wondering what the heck was happening on that island! Plus, I loved Jack. A lot.

2. Friends. I absolutely love watching reruns of this show. They are funny after the 10th time. Everything in life can be related to Friends, I guarantee it.

3. The Office. I've never watched the British version, so this is pertaining to the American version. The shinanigans that go on in that office are just so great!

4. Modern Family. A great new show, that even won an Emmy! It is hilarious and comparably funny to The Office, in my opinion.

5. Gossip Girl. I love the drama and fashion of this show. XOXO.

6. Glee. Who the heck doesn't love Glee?? I can't help it, I'm a Gleek at heart!

7. The OC. I watched this show when I was in high school. I would race home from youth group to watch it (back in the day before DVR). All of my friends made fun of me, then they converted. I don't blame them, how could you resist Seth Cohen?

8. Gilmore Girls. I can relate this show to my life with my sister and mom. We are very much like them when we are together. Loved it and love reruns!

9. Ugly Betty. I was so sad to see it go. Like Gossip Girl, I loved the fashion aspect of the show and the drama was hilarious!

10. So You Think You Can Dance. Dance. Dance. What a great show! Did I mention that we saw Neil and Dominic while waiting in line for the Price is Right? I was 'dancing' with 'glee'! (puns intended.)

Those are/were some of my favorite shows on TV, how about you?

Ready, set, DVR!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, it's not Christmas yet, it's time for Fall TV premieres! A time where you can come home from a stress-filled day of work, quickly eat dinner, then live vicariously through the lives of people funnier than you. A few have started this past week, but the majority begins this coming week...and I'm so excited!! There are a lot of new shows premiering too. However, I'm so loaded up with shows that I've been watching, that I can only add a couple to the mix. Not that I don't want to add more...my DVR can't record more than 2 shows at once! Here's my line-up!

Mondays
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) 8pm
Lone Star (FOX), 9pm (I might give this one a try)
Gossip Girl (CW), 9pm

Tuesdays
Glee (FOX), 8pm
Life Unexpected (CW), 9pm

Wednesdays
Better With You (ABC), 8:30pm (a new one that looks funny!)
Modern Family (ABC), 9pm
Hellcats (CW), 9pm
Cougar Town (ABC), 9:31pm
Tosh.0 (Comedy Central), 10:30pm

Thursdays
The Vampire Diaries (CW), 8pm
My Generation (ABC), 8pm (I'm gonna give it a try!)
The Office (NBC), 9pm

Other shows I am anxious for the return of:

Pretty Little Liars (ABCFAM)
Greek (ABCFAM)...when the heck is that gonna come back??
The City (MTV)
True Blood (HBO)

I also record The Doctors everyday at 3pm, but watch it whenever I get a chance.

What shows are you watching this Fall?

8 things

I stole this idea from my friend Brittany's site. I just thought it was a great idea. So here we go...

8 TV shows I like to watch:
1. Lost (so sad it's over)
2. Modern Family
3. The Office
4. Gossip Girl
5. So You Think You Can Dance
6. Friends (I could watch reruns forever)
7. Vampire Diaries (make fun all you want...)
8. Glee

8 fav places to eat & drink:
1. Frenchy's
2. Sweet Tomatoes
3. Chipotle
4. Ozona Blue
5. Momo's (in Tally)
6. Crepe Vine (also in Tally)
7. Round Up (the title says & drink!)
8. Carrabbas

8 things I'm looking forward to:
1. Trip to Cali in August
2. My sister visiting in October
3. Visiting Hogwart's
4. Howl-O-Scream
5. Moving out and being on my own
6. Eventually moving to Cali
7. Spending as much time at the beach and/or pool as possible
8. Having a great summer with Mandie and Michael

8 things that happened yesterday:
1. Made an egg mcmuffin at home for bfast
2. Watched tv
3. Surfed the internet
4. Went to subway
5. Went to Adventure Island for the afternoon with Brooke
6. Had Moe Monday's with the fam and Brooke
7. Went to Publix to get Mikey a cupcake
8. Added some blog posts

8 things I love about Summer:
1. Hot weather
2. Going to the beach
3. Laying by the pool
4. Going out on the boat
5. Sundresses
6. Sunny days and blue skies
7. Summer music
8. Wearing sunscreen

8 things on my wish list:
1. A nice leather bag (I have my eye on a Michael Kors)
2. More bands for my awesome watch
3. Trip to Las Vegas
4. New flat screen for the living room
5. More gummy vitamins (going to get that today!)
6. Clothes (who doesn't want more?)
7. New cosmetic bag
8. Summer OPI colors

8 things I'm passionate about:
1. Family
2. Friends
3. Music
4. Movies
5. Shopping
6. Spending as much time in the sun as possible
7. Being optimistic
8. Robert Pattinson (what can I say...I have taste)

8 words or phrases I use often:
1. Seriously? or Are you serious?
2. Holy crap
3. What the crap/hell/heck?!
4. It is what it is
5. Whatev
6. Damn it
7. Are you frickin kidding me?
8. OMG/gosh/goodness

8 places I would love to go visit/see:
1. Greece
2. Hawaii
3. NYC
4. Colorado
5. Alaska
6. Australia
7. Germany
8. Ireland

8 current fav songs (all must downloads):
1. Heavy in Your Arms - Florence + the Machine
2. Hello Good Morning - Diddy, Dirty Money, & T.I.
3. She's Got The (Woo Woo) - Sugar Ray
4. Drummer Boy - Debi Nova
5. I Can Talk - Two Door Cinema Club
6. Winner - Jamie Foxx and Justin Timberlake
7. Magic - B.o.B
8. Ride to California - Paper Tongues

I like these kind of posts, they are fun! If you decide to add this to your blog too, leave me a comment so I can read yours!

Same site, new feel

Sorry about the confusion folks, I decided to revamp my site. Same ole' crap, just a different layout. Also, the song now playing is "Heavy in Your Arms" by Florence + the Machine. The song is featured on the Eclipse soundtrack, and is my favorite track by far...so enjoy!!

The soundtrack is here!

I was pleasantly surprised when I was browsing iTunes today. I completely forgot that the Eclipse soundtrack was coming out! I'm a little late, seeing as it came out last week, so I downloaded that bad boy right away. The music definitely does not disappoint. I absolutely love the first 2 soundtracks, though I prefer the softness of the second over the first. This album is right there with the New Moon soundtrack, with awesome alternative rock bands that I know and love. I'm so excited to listen to this and to know the songs during the release of the movie!

97X Backyard BBQ

Today was a lot of fun. I went to St. Pete for a bunch of concerts hosted by 97X. A couple of the bands I saw were American Bang, Needtobreathe, and Paper Tongues. Needtobreathe was fantastic, but I must say, I really enjoyed Paper Tongues the most. The lead singer was so entertaining and was dancing around the stage all funny. It was great. It was so unbelievably hot, but thanks to hose man who sprayed the crowd, it was worth it. Here's a couple snap shots from my fun adventure.

iPod excitement

Exciting news today! Well, I'm excited at least. I am officially back in the iPod world! I had been waiting for my tax return money to come, and this was to be my first purchase with extra money. I'm super excited to play with it, and to also use my new arm band at the gym. I know it's probably retarded, but I think the coolest thing about it is that I can shake it and it goes to shuffle. It's the little things in life that matter I guess.

Also, the song that has been playing in my head (and constantly on my car radio) this weekend is "Hello Good Morning" by P. Diddy feat. T.I. and Dirty Money. It has such a good beat and is wonderful to work out to. A must download!

Baby, there's a shark in the water...

This weekend was a nice, relaxing one. Right off the bat on Friday after work I pampered my feet (it was severely needed!) I decided to be sophisticated for once and go with a french polish, which was an excellent decision. Friday night, I got to catch up with some old friends, which was wonderful :) Here's some silly pics. Whitney and I obviously didn't want Brooke and Jessca to take a good picture.

Saturday morning I babysat the most beautiful baby in the world...whom I also get to be her nanny soon! I spent the afternoon poolside, then boogied my way to the Round Up that night. Yesterday, I spent some time with my momma, and all in all it was a great weekend! SIDE NOTE: If you haven't heard the song "Shark in the Water" by V.V. Brown, you should! It's been in my head ALL weekend!