LiLu Loves.

Well, it's finally here. The beautiful, spunky, vivacious and all-around too adorable for words Katelin and her beau are officially MAWWIED!!!!! (Congrats, lovebugs! Squeeeeee!)

By now you know all too well that they're off galavanting around Italy while we babysit her corner of the interwebs, so Hi! I'm LiLu from Live It, LOVE It, and I'm here to share with you my greatest love...

ANIMALS ON THE INTERWEBS.

I just can't help it. Nothing makes me smile like my morning email from I Can Has Chzburger. Nothing warms my heart like a puppy with too-big ears scampering across the kitchen floor as he trips on them. Nothing makes me squeal the way a woman (allegedly) should when a baby's around like a baby panda sneezing.

(Witnessing true love is great, too, I suppose. You guys are a close second, Katelin. But seriously... did you really think you could compete with these?!

Imma let you go on your honeymoon, lady, but these are

The Ten Most Painfully Adorable/Totally Awesome Animal Videos Of All Time.

OF ALL TIME!!!

1. Keyboard Cat

2. Boogie Boogie Hedgehog

3. The Mean Kitty Song

4. Skateboarding Dog

5. The Sneezing Baby Panda

6. Hampster on a Piano... Eating Popcorn on a Piano

7. Simon's Cat (see all the Simon's Cat videos here)

8. Standing Cat

click here for the "Zorro'd" version

9. DRAMATIC CHIPMUNK!!!!

And finally, just try to watch this without bawling:

10. Christian the Lion

A thousand congratulations to you both, and lady, I can't wait to bearhug you again soon. Or else.

Big wet (slightly awkward) smooches,

LiLu

Jess loves.

Hi everyone! I'm Jessica from My Everyday Adventures and I'm guesting posting because Katelin and Matt are off frolicking in Italy, basking in wedded bliss. How selfish is that? Kidding!

I'm so happy for them both and I'm even happier to be asked to guest post about things I love. Well, that is difficult for me to narrow down because I love a lot of things, food, music, movie-related, etc.

But I decided to narrow it down to a love list of movies, because I am obsessed with them.

So here is my list of 10 movies that I love (but are not necessarily about love):

• Love Actually (okay this is about love and it makes me tear every time I watch it)
• Julie & Julia (could Meryl Streep BE any more adorable? Doubt it)
• Casino (when you're single, sometimes you just want to watch sh*t get blown up rather than a rom-com)
• Never Been Kissed (made me fall in love with Michael Vartan. HOT)
• When Harry Met Sally (classic and still relevant)
• The Young Victoria / Sense and Sensibility (grouping period pieces together, who doesn't love a nice Victorian drama/love story sometimes?
• Notting Hill (great music)
• Speed (Keanu in a shaved head? HELLO! I know Katelin likes that look, rawr)
• Miracle (sports movies always make me cry)
• The Princess Bride (marwage is what bwrings us together today)

Yikes, it's tough to narrow it down to just 10, but I think that's a good mix of bloody, classic, charming, adorable, sexy and iconic.

And several of those words apply to Matt and Katelin as a couple too. I'll let you decide which ones apply :)

What are some of your favorite romantic or non-romantic movies?

Jamie Loves.

When one of your favorite people in the world asks you to guest post because they are GETTING MARRIED, you say yes. So here I am! I'm Jamie and I'm you're lovely hostess for the day.

One of the things Katelin and I both super love are celebrities and Hollywood gossip so I figured I'd make my top five post about that today. And because I'm nothing if not thorough, I'm even tying in getting married into it too because KATELIN MARRIED NOW.

I know, I know, overachiever much?

If you were anything like me when you were young, you pestered your mom and dad to buy you Bop and Teen Beat magazines. Then you tore out the photos and pinned them all over your walls. Your room was a shrine and you were convinced you were going to grow up to marry them all. Can you guess where this is going?

Top Five Celebrities I Loved And Thought I Was Going To Grow Up To Marry

Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Okay, don't EVEN tell me you somehow managed to escape your preteen years without crushing on JTT. I will straight up refuse to believe it. Everyone loved JTT. Probably had something to do with the fact that we could call him JTT too. It was just so catchy. He starred in Home Improvement and Man of the House. Don't act like you don't know. Confess your JTT crushes right now.

Benny Rodriguez (from The Sandlot). I don't even know his real name but I was in love with him and going to marry him. I played softball. He played baseball. He appreciated a good pair of shoes. It was just meant to be! Plus, how super fast and brave was he when he was going up against The Beast.

Devon Sawa. There was a boy who lived down the street from me who had blonde hair and blue eyes. His name was Richard and he was my first "boyfriend". He kind of looked like Devon Sawa so that's probably why I liked him so much. Anyway, Casper and The Little Giants, remember those? I adored him!

Leonardo DiCaprio. Along with JTT, everyone loved Leo. He was in Growing Pains, Romeo + Juliet and Titanic. I think I watched Titanic like 375 times and probably even made myself cry because it was Titanic and everyone was supposed to cry. I was so ridiculous. Unlike most of these other dudes, he still has a pretty killer career. And unfortunately a thing for Israeli supermodels. Thanks Bar for RUINING MY DREAMS.

Joshua Jackson. I know Katelin will love this one because she shares my love for Josh here. Pacey cemented my love for him, but I initially fell for Charlie Conway. Might Ducks! The Flying V! Quack! Quack! Quack! Josh is still looking good today and all I need to do is get rid of this Diane broad and then I can finally fulfill one of my childhood dreams. Call me, Josh!

So there you have it. Even as an annoying preteen, I still had fabulous taste in boys. It also seems I was really big on sports themed movies (not mentioned but just as loved: Angels in the Outfield with Joseph Gordon-Levitt).

While I might not be marrying any one of these dudes, I have a friend who MARRIED her best friend and I couldn't be happier for them both.

Congratulations Katelin and Matt! I love you both and wish you the best in the world. I hope you're having the absolute best time in Italy. xoxo

As for Katelin's readers? Share your crushes from back in the day!

P.S. OMG KATELIN IS MARRIED! YAY!

Allison loves.

Before I get started on my post, I wanted to thank my dear friend Katelin and wish her a happy wedding and I know she is enjoying her honeymoon with that cutie Matt.

When Katelin asked me to post about some things "I'm loving," I initially went right to fashion. (I know, typical girl, right?) With summer slowly ending, I've already been reading through my new September Lucky issue and drooling over the shoes.

Oh, how I love shoes. You can never have too many pairs of gold or black stilettos. I always find that perfect new pair. Let's look at the following:
Love this black Frye riding boots, but not the price tag, but that's not the point.

Because I live in Cleveland, we get to experience all seasons, including my favorite - Fall. Oh, how I love everything fall from crisp evenings to tailgating at football games. This Gap blazer could go great with the short dress, leggings and maybe even those tall boots.
I've always loved big jewelry. Big necklaces, big earrings and lots of bracelets. Anything that has jewels or sparkles, I instantly love and this Anthropologie one is calling my name.

I'm loving the boyfriend jean look. You can roll these J brand jeans up and pair with pumps or let them hang straight and add a fitted tee and a bold necklace.

With fall approaching, what fashion finds have you bought or adding to your list?

Amy Loves.

Hello! The gorgeous Katelin is freshly married and frolicking about Italy, and I, Amy, am here to stand in her shoes (footsteps?) for the day.

Katelin asked us to make lists of a Top 5 around the theme of love. And since I've been with my lovely boyfriend, Andrew, for three years now, I thought I'd share some of the things I love about love itself. So, here they are, my Top 5 Favorite Things About Love.

1. NOT DATING. Sometimes, I watch people on first dates or hear terrible stories, and I just think, HELL YES. I don't have to suffer through awkward conversations, weird dudes, or that nutty "getting to know you" phase. I know Andrew better than he knows himself, and I'm not subjected to constant awkwardness on behalf of the opposite sex. WIN!
2. Sweatpants. When Andrew and I were first dating, I felt the need to look pretty all the time. Now? I get home to our shared apartment, change out of my clothes and into my after-hours uniform of sweats and one of his t-shirts. I'm a lot more comfortable and since he already loves me? We're good to go.
   
3. Inside jokes/secret language. Nearly everyone I know who's in a relationship has a particular set of phrases/nicknames/words that might seem incomprehensible to others, but serve as a dialect within the relationship. Andrew and I can have a complete conversation without anyone else really catching on. Plus, I have a few nicknames that totally embarrass him, too. Always handy.
4. Presents! Not just getting them (I mean, that's obviously awesome) but having someone to do little things for. I like schmoop. I like surprising him with little gifts. I enjoy having someone to spoil with a nice meal or a little gift. And getting them in return ain't bad either.
5. Companionship. I think that for me, nothing tops knowing all the time that someone's on my team. I have a built in date, someone to listen to me 24/7, and a partner to laugh with. And living together is like a sleepover every night, with my favorite person. It's pretty amazing.
   

What do YOU love about love?

Nora Loves.

Hi everyone! I'm Nora from Walking with Nora, filling for Katelin todaywhile she enjoys her honeymoon, her husband and all things Italy. (I might be a lot jealous that she's in Italy right now!) I had the honor of meeting both Katelin and Matt in Vegas v.1 in 2009 and let me just say: they are adorable together.

Katelin asked us to talk about things that we love while she's gone so today I'll be talking your ear off regarding the top Five Things I love about being a Bridesmaid.

1. Taking "insider" pictures. I've always loved to take pictures but taking pictures of the behind-the-scene moments at your best friend's wedding? It's priceless. I love capturing their expressions as the day goes on, the random laughing, the moments that are on the verge of tears, exuberance, all of it. After the wedding is over I make a CD of the photos for the bride and her mother and send them so that they have perhaps different photos and a record of those little moments that make up their very big day.

2. Dancing. I know, you'd think I'd go to a dance club for this but it's not the same kind of dancing. I love runninng around barefoot in my dresses, dancing the night away to old school Madonna, Journey, Frank Sinatra and whatever else the bride & groom have chosen. The energy and positivity on the dance floors at weddings is just so overwhelming (in a good way), you can't help but smile. Bonus if you get to dance with one of the cute groomsmen or ushers!

3. The Vows. Standing up there next to the bride and her future groom I always get teary-eyed. Every single time. So much so that I know have a hanker chief (yes, that's right) that I wrap around the bouquet so that I don't pull an Alice Cooper when I walk out of the church and for pictures. I love to hear both the traditional, non-traditional and custom vows, see the emotions on their faces and be a part of that moment.

4. Insider Access. It's fun to go to a wedding for a good friend, but it's even more fun when you're in the wedding. You often get to help pick flowers, pick colors, set-up the rehearsal dinner, the reception, go to special parties, and overall? More time to hang out with your dear friend before the next phase of her life begins. I'm pretty much in love with weddings and am always thrilled when I get to be a part of the insider action and help the bride with one of her most special days. (Plus I like to think I'll be super prepared for my wedding someday!)

5. CAKE! I have a real sweet tooth when it comes to baked goods, especially cakes & cupcakes. I always take time from my bridesmaid duties to enjoy a piece of cake.

Have you been a bridesmaid? If so, what's your favorite part about being a bridesmaid? If not, what do you love most about weddings?

Alexa Loves.

omg, katelin and matt are married.

MARRIED.

this truly makes me happy because out of all my internet friends (yes, katelin is my long time internet friend) there isn't a more genuine/happy/deserving lady. and i'm so full of excitement for her and matt at the start of their new married life together - yay!

but let's not get ahead of ourselves as i almost forgot to introduce myself - i'm alexa and i write the blog cleveland's a plum :)

so before she went and got all married on us katelin asked some blog friends to share a current love list - any love list so i thought long and hard about what i should share with you guys until i finally came up with the following...

alexa's top 10 love songs

10. love song - the cure

9. i'm going down - mary j blige

8. (it's a tie!) trouble AND you are the best thing - both by ray lamontagne

7. ain't no mountain high enough - marvin gaye and tammi terrell

6. alone - heart

5. she's got a way about her - billy joel

4. never tear us apart - INXS

3. you're the one - the black keys

2. something - the beatles

1. maybe i'm amazed - paul mccartney

umm, that was a lot harder than i thought and i know i'm missing MANY wonderful songs - i'm positive i could have made this a top 100 list, easy.

i.e. honorable mentions go to waste by phish, crazy in love by beyonce, i will follow you into the dark by death cab for cutie and then came you by dionne warwick and the spinners.

so what am i missing? what would you add to the list?

Ali Loves.

Hey girls (and maybe a guy or too? Bueller?)! This is Ali, from The Way I See It, taking over le blog de Katelin for today while she is either a) drinking lots of vino in Italy b) seeing the sights in Italy c) smooching her husband in Italy or d) all of the above...in Italy. And truth be told, I couldn't be more excited to be here today. You see, Katelin holds a very special place in my heart, as her blog was one of the first blogs I'd ever read and to top it off, she welcomed me right into her group of amazing friends with open arms. And then there was that time we met for the first time in person over Dawson's Creek...but there's no time for that.

Okay, enough with the banter. Today, in honor of Katelin and Matt's nuptials, I'm listing off a few things I'm in lurve with (aside from Katelin, of course; sorry Matt).

1. Coffee
2. Joseph Gordon-Levitt

3. Good, truthful quotes that start with (my lucky number) 13 -- double whammy!

4. Turquoise anything (but especially cupcakes)
5. Breakfast

6. Quality alone time

7. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (peanut butter + chocolate = most genius combo ever)

8. Traveling

9. Sleeping (preferably with my dogs)

10. Reading (nerd alert, but I must speak the truth!)
Hope you're all having a wonderful day! And thank you, my dear Katelin, for letting me visit! Have a glass of wine for me, and feel free to bring back an Italian man in your suitcase...

Jen Loves.

Ciao, amici!

My name is Jen from Freckle on the Nose of Life's Complexion. Katelin's my BFF. IRL.

She used to be my best single friend. Then she was my best engaged friend, and now she's my best married friend!

She's Mrs. Matt! And at this very moment they are celebrating their matrimony in Italy, wink wink, nod nod.

If I didn't love Kate and Matt so much I'd be pretty jealous, yes sir. Instead, I'm thrilled! And a little jealous. But jealousy's not pretty, so let's talk about music instead.

My taste in music is pretty boring. I like my music the way I like my reading material: not too deep or intellectual. I don't like to look for symbolism or hidden meaning, just give it to me straight. I guess I can add lazy and shallow to my taste in music, eh?

Katelin has pretty great taste in music, so how are we friends?

(Because we have almost everything else in common including a love for Dexter Morgan, jumping on beds as an expression of happiness, and dinner selections - we live on opposite coasts and unknowingly had the same salad for dinner last week! Plus we're both corny enough to get excited over twin salads.)

Long story short, the name of the game this week is loooove, so here are some lyrical snippets from my top 10 favorite love songs.

You make the coffee I'll make the bed

I'll fix your lunch and you'll fix mine

Now tell me the truth do these old shoes look funny

Honey, it's almost nine

Now you be careful gotta go, I love you

Have a beautiful day

And kiss the happiest girl in the whole USA

- Happiest Girl In The Whole USA (Donna Fargo)

He's my sunshine in the morning

He's my fireworks at the end of the day

He's the warmest chord I ever heard

Play that warm chord, play and stay, baby

- My Old Man (Joni Mitchell)

The moment I wake up

Before I put on my makeup

I say a little prayer for you

- I Say A Little Prayer (Aretha Franklin)

All I want is you, will you be my bride

Take me by the hand and stand by my side

All I want is you, will you stay with me

Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea

- All I Want Is You (Barry Louis Polisar)

I can hear her heartbeat for a thousand miles

And the heavens open every time she smiles

And when I come to her, that's where I belong

Yet I'm running to her like a river's song

- Crazy Love (Van Morrison)

And you can tell everybody this is your song

It may be quite simple but now that it's done

I hope you don't mind

I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world

- Your Song (Elton John)

Some day, when I'm awfully low

When the world is cold

I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight

- The Way You Look Tonight (Tony Bennett)

We'll have a little girl, a little boy

A little Benji we call Leroy

But know one needs to know right now

- No One Needs To Know (Shania Twain)

If tomorrow never comes

Will she know how much I loved her

Did I try in every way to show her every day

That she's my only one

If my time on earth were through

She must face this world without me

Is the love I gave her in the past

Gonna be enough to last

If tomorrow never comes

- If Tomorrow Never Comes (Garth Brooks)

I don't want clever conversation

I never want to work that hard

I just want someone that I can talk to

I want you just the way you are

- Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)

Congratulations to my BFF and her hubster! Happy honeymoon!

(Do you miss Kate already? Me too.)

I posted a couple pics (stolen from our lovely friend Liz) on my blog, but I will leave the detailed recapping to Kate. Suffice it to say Katelin and Matt have always been a fun couple and their wedding did NOT disappoint. It was an absolute blast!

Salute, y'all!

Blog Swap: Summer Drinks with Prost to the Host.

Hello! I am a fellow blogger and maintain Prost to the Host. It is blog focusing on the entertaining side of life (ie. weddings, birthdays, dinner parties etc). It is a fun side project as I get to delve into the lives of my clients, but also get to plan parties without spending a dime.

To keep things somewhat in the lines of entertaining, I thought I would share a few of my favorite drinks with you. Summer is just around the corner and I am feeling the grayness of Portland, Oregon. Thus, something fruity, chilled and bright is exactly what I need to help me get through the last of this rainy winter/spring.

Strawberry Daiquiri {a la Epiciurious.com}

{Photo by Tara Doone}

• 1/2 cup crushed ice
• 5 large strawberries
• 2 ounces white rum, such as Bacardi Light
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed strained lime juice

Combine the ingredients in a blender and pulse. Pour into a large, chilled martini glass. Top with garnish (fruit skewer, orange curl etc). Enjoy asap.

Tip
Bottled lime juice can be used instead of the fresh, but make sure to strain it first to ensure that its clear.

Classic Margarita {a la Epiciurious.com}

{Photo by Elissa Wiehn}

• 2 ounces tequila made from 100 percent agave (preferably reposado or blanco)
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Salt for garnish

Combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Moisten rim of Margarita or other cocktail glass with lime juice or water. Holding glass upside down, dip rim into salt. Shake and strain drink into glass and enjoy.

Tip
Using a tequila that is 100% agave makes the drink smoother, easier to enjoy.


A prost to you, the host. Now sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Cheers!

Engaging questioning during your engagement!!

Hello Katelin's freaders!! I'm Lacey Bean, from Perks of Being a JAP, and the lovely Katelin has asked me to guest blog while she's dancing up a storm at yet ANOTHER wedding. Seriously girl, how many friends do you and Matt have?? Anywho, she asked me to guest blog while she's in O-HI-O, and specifically, to chat about life before "I Do." So, with T-6 months until my wedding (HOLYCRAP) here I am!! I figured I wouldn't give tips about being engaged, because really, everyone's different, and who the hell am I to give tips? So instead, I'm going to let you know all of the repetitive questions that I've been asked whilst engaged. 10 bucks if you're engaged/already married, you've been asked them too!

Are you changing your last name when you get married? As much as I'm all for WOMEN POWER! RAH!! Yes, I am changing my last name. With this one thing I am very traditional. My mom kept her maiden name, and while I grew up with it, so I was used to it, it's kind of a pain explaining to people that her last name is different, she chose to keep it, etc. While I'll miss my last name, and am a little sad because I am the last one (there are no males left besides my dad to carry it on), I am excited to take Dave's (my future husband's) last name. Also, its MUCH easier to spell than mine! WIN!! And no, I won't hyphenate to keep my last name. Too much trouble.

Are you going to move into a house after the wedding? Like, the day after? No. Hopefully a few short years after? Yes. I love that people think we're automatically set to move out of our apartment and into a house just because we're becoming a married set. Do you think that once you get a marriage licence, they hand you keys to a new house too? Doesn't work like that, sorry!! So eventually, yes, we will be getting a house. But right now? No.

Are you going to be a Bridezilla? First of all, even if I was going to become a bridezilla, would I admit to it? :) And no, I am not a bridezilla. (And neither is Katelin, you Negative Nancys who called her one. Jerks.) I am probably too laid back as a bride-to-be, but I figure it comes with the territory when I plan events for a living!! Plus, my friends and parents and Dave would KILL ME if I became a bridezilla. Trust me, I would have no one left in my bridal party!!

Are you excited? No, I'm dreading it. Really? What kind of question is that??

When are you having kids? WHOA SIMMA DONNA!!! Can I get married first? Please? Plus I can barely take care of myself right now, let alone a small child. The fact that I can pay my own bills is still a source of amazement for me. Procreating will have to wait just a little bit.

OMG is everything different now? Different than what? And no. At least not for me. Yes, its exciting that we're getting married and I can't wait to be Dave's wife and OMG why isn't the wedding here now?!? But otherwise, we're the same people that we were before he proposed, and we'll continue to be the same people after we're married. I mean, we were already living together, so the only different thing is the ring on my finger. For some people I can see it being a huge change, but for us, it's just the natural progression of our life together.


What about you lovely people? Did you get the same questions over and over again when you were engaged? Any ones I didn't cover? :)

16 things I've learned from marriage - by apricot tea.

Hello Pretty Sandy Feet readers! I'm Ev`Yan, & I blog over at apricot-tea.com (I also blog at askapricot.com, where I give advice about love, fashion, beauty, & life).

Perhaps you already know who I am. If so... hello again! If not... so nice to meet you. :]

When Miss Katelin -- soon to be Mrs. -- asked me to be a guest blogger for her while she's out of town, I was absolutely flattered! I normally don't prefer guest posts (I find them rather intimidating & slightly evasive), but... Katelin is an exception, because I adore her.

(FYI: Did you know that Katelin & I live about 5 minutes away from each other? & while we've managed to hang out several times all over LA -- even in Las Vegas! -- we have never actually hung out at each other's homes? I find that absolutely hilarious! You'd think we'd run into each other at the store, or at Starbucks, for Heaven's sake! But no such luck. [Note to Katelin: Your readers as witnesses, you & I are hanging out, inside one of our apartments, STAT. No more of this nonsense!])

I only found out yesterday -- or perhaps she had told me before & I just forgot -- that Katelin is going out of town to go to yet ANOTHER wedding! She's been to more weddings this year than I have since birth! (I've been to only two weddings in all my 22 years; not including my own.) & not only is Katelin getting lovingly smothered with love & romance from others' nuptials, she is also getting an epic amount of practice for her soon to come wedding next August. (Which seems far away, but in truth, will here before you know it; because how fast has this year gone by? Holy crikey.)

My own wedding was nothing too extravagant, but was everything spontaneous. Jonathan & I eloped to Las Vegas on Christmas night, completely on a whim, but still thought about enough to know what we were getting ourselves into. This was almost 2 years ago... & within those 2 years of marriage, I've learned a lot of things...

1.) I’ve learned that it IS possible for men to be like they are perceived in the movies. They can be romantic; they can be sweet; they can be intuitive. & they really do pick flowers for you while they walk home from work.

2.) I’ve learned that my husband is truly the only person that can quiet my overactive & extremely obnoxious hypochondriac tendencies. Example:

Me: Babe! I think I’ve got tooth cancer!!!
Him: No, you don’t.
Me: Well, does this look like a tumor to you? [opens mouth]
Him: No, it doesn’t.
Me: Well, maybe I have a flesh eating disease; do you think so?
Him: … Probably.
Me: Hey! That’s not funny.

3.) I’ve learned that even though a man’s genitals are not very pretty to look at, we can still be friends… with benefits.

4.) I’ve learned that I’ve earned a special right to browse & buy books in the Love/Sex section at the bookstore.

5.) I’ve learned that my husband is usually 20 degrees warmer than myself, & for that, he makes the best foot warmer. Sticking my popsicle toes down his pants (while watching a movie, for example) suffices my freezing feet perfectly.

6.) I’ve learned that in spite of your husband (Jonathan) blatantly wearing a wedding ring, with his wife (me) standing right beside him, people STILL think the wife (me!) is “just a friend” along for the ride. Perhaps it’s because we’re an interracial couple. Nevertheless, there is no valid excuse for ignorance. & we all know what happens when you assume! (As my father says: “You make an ASS out of U & ME.”)

7.) I’ve learned that when my husband does something — be it tightening a screw, slicing potatoes, or opening a jar — he does it just slightly better than myself.

8.) I’ve learned that every night is date night. Even if my husband & I are at home, in our pajamas, playing old school Nintendo, while eating chocolate truffles, it is just as thrilling as a night on the town, because there is no where else I’d rather be.

9.) I’ve learned that men’s magazines are just as fascinating as women’s magazines. In fact, I’m the only one that reads them. Jonathan will only look at the pictures, comment on how air-brushed the male models are… & then pick up a book about Eastern philosophy.

10.) I’ve learned that there is nothing more adorable than when you are tickling a man into oblivion; so much that he is giggling, snorting, writhing, & completely red in the face.

11.) I’ve learned that going to bed angry is okay sometimes.

12.) I’ve learned that the smell of my husband’s sweat, combined with his patchouli deodorant from LUSH, is like Heaven to my nostrils. I actually prefer that sweaty smell to cologne.

13.) I’ve learned to apply makeup according to my husband’s specific displays of affection. I know that he likes to put his hands on my cheeks, so I make sure not to wear heavy foundation. I know that he likes to kiss my eyelids, so I know not to wear too much eyeshadow. I know that he cannot pass me by without kissing my lips, so I never wear lipstick/lipgloss.

14.)I’ve learned that my husband’s critique is valued immensely, even if it hurts a little. Example:

Me: Honey, how do I look?
[Jonathan gives me "the look."]
Me: Really? I thought I looked nice…
[Jonathan gives me "the look."]
Me: Alright, already! You don’t have to be nasty about it.

15.) I’ve learned that in spite of me vowing to always remain somewhat lady-like in front of my husband, I can usually out burp him… most of the time.

16.) I’ve learned that my husband really couldn’t care less about Brazilian waxing, thong underwear, or high-heeled shoes. He has been kind enough never to request or allow me to partake in any of those things. For that, my vagina & my feet are forever grateful.

:]



(This has been published on my blog before, but I felt it was absolutely appropriate to re-post it here, considering this blog just oozes love & marriage & all over goodness. I hope you all don't mind! & Katelin, thank you for letting me guest post here today. Have a great, safe trip.)

Extreme Home Freakout

As you readers know, Katelin is in Chicago this week partying it up with everyone at Blogher. She has asked me, Rachel from Mom in Real Life, to write a guest post for her. I was COMPLETELY lost on what to write since I already had to come up with a 20sb blog swap post, a guest post for Free and Flawed, and a top secret post for Friday.
Seriously, my brain was fried.
On top of this Dan and I qualified for a home loan!!!

I know not all of you know me that well, but please feel free to do a happy dance for us right now.

I'll wait.

Thanks.

Anyways, my every waking moment was spent looking at houses, dreaming of remodeled kitchens, learning about property taxes. Blogging was far from my little brain.
Tuesday morning I woke up to a tired Dan, sitting at his laptop (since 4am!) scrolling through MLS #'s. He grunted something along the lines of;
"I find houses. Look. Now."
I looked over the ones he found and many of them had similar problems;

1) PEOPLE! I'm sure the thought of having a bar in your basement sounds "cool" or "totally awesome" but 99% of the bars I saw suuuuuccckkkkkked. To keep these in my future house would require me to be constantly drinking the same number of beers (12) that you had when you built these retched things!
2) I didn't realize so many people had pools. I tried those temporary pools last summer. All I managed to do was grow myself an army of Lagoon creatures.
3) Hi, house owner? 1970 called. They want their wood paneling back.

But one house stuck out. It was old and it had character. I mentioned it to Dan and he said that he had been thinking about the same house. As the day progressed we built the pedestal for this house higher and higher. By the time we went to see it we had pictures of Pottery Barn photo shoots dancing in our heads.

Once I stepped in I knew it was all wrong. The house had been abandoned giving it a Zombie movie feel. Drinking glasses still sat out. A baby bouncer was in the other room. A litter box (still with cat shit) sat by the back door.
I won't get into all the structural problems *shudder* but Dan did discover one MAJOR things.
"Um Rachel. There's no showers."
"No shower heads?"
"Nope, no showers at ALL. Just tubs...."
At this point I grabbed Diana and sprinted out of the house.

As I sat in my car, trying to scrub the smell of the house off of me, all I could think was;

"Oh man, this is going to make such a good blog post."

Food I cannot resist

Hey everyone! It's Jessica from Everyday Adventures of Me in the City here guest posting for you today while Katelin is chillaxing with me in Chicago for BlogHer (oh yes, I saw her today).

So if you're joining me from my blog, I mentioned there that I love food but that I find some foods I absolutely cannot resist. Like, if you put it in front of me, I won't be able to resist myself.

It's not a scary sight, trust me :)

Now, let's take a look at what I can't resist.

• Garrett's popcorn - local Chicago popcorn shop. I'm not lying, people in my office have pushed people to get to leftovers of this. The cheese/caramel corn mix is like dying and going to heaven

• Rotisserie chicken - yeah I can't resist this. I walk by the chickens cooking at the store and I'm like a puppy for sale in the window (slightly sad)

• M&Ms - plain or peanut, I love them. Especially when they are slightly chilled in the fridge

• Strawberries - see, not everything I like is bad for me! I love fresh strawberries and fruit in summer. Yum

• French fries - cheese sauce is optional but I love fries. So addictive

• Dunkin' Donuts Munchkins - yeah a coworker used to bring these as a Friday treat and I could not resist them. I like the cake donuts best. Seriously tasty

So the question for tonight is, what foods are irresistible to you?

Oh yeah and I did use the tag "my friends kick ass" because I do :) Ask Katelin.

friday share v3 - dream edition

whoa, so this is what it feels like to be a footsie friend of katelin's? i can get used to my feet in the sand, that's for sure. excuse me while i get comfortable - there's the spot.

HI, i'm alexa and i write the blog cleveland's a plum. yes, THAT cleveland, the one in ohio, the city with LEBRON.

anyways, so recently i've started a friday feature on my blog where i share something then YOU share something. hence the ridiculously catchy and original title of 'friday share', (that's why i get paid the big bucks), and this friday i'm bringing it over to katelin's.

considering katelin is so well versed in all things hollywood, living in LA and all. i decided that this would be a good place to discuss a hollywood themed dream i had on wednesday. which goes a little something like this...

picture it, cleveland ohio, my apartment downtown. it's evening and i'm sitting on my couch reading a book while halfway listening to entertainment tonight. when there's a knock on my door.

i answer it and to my surprise it's BRAD PITT and his children. and i'm talking ALL of his children: maddox, pax, zahara, shiloh, knox and vivienne. i'm standing there in disbelief when he says,

"i have an emergency and i need you, alexa, to watch my children"

"me? why? how did you know where i live?", i said.

"i know everything about you", brad creepily said while pushing his brood into my apartment.

and with that he was off, walking away from me down the hall. all the while i was yelling, "but where's angelina? can't she watch them? don't you have a nanny!!?!?"

i close my apartment door and turn around to see the kids standing there staring at me.

"hi guys", i said, "do you want a popsicle?"

i received a unanimous yes and headed to the fridge to grab some freezer pops, handing one to each child. i show the ridiculously well behaved children to my deck and we sit outside and catch fireflies.

seriously, fireflies. and then i woke up.

do i or do i not have the most boring dreams?

i mean this dream had the potential of being awesome. hello -brad pitt at your door! that alone can go in so so so many pleasant directions. but what happens? i get left with his kids, not him, sitting on my deck eating popsicles.

apparently my boring life is even forcing its way into my dream life. lame-o.

so what have you dreamed about lately? it's got to be better than mine.

15 things that might rock your socks off

Well hello there!
As you dedicated readers know Katelin is off in Houston doing fun things and because I am THE fantastic little sister, I'm taking over her blog for the day :)
I know, that nearly made you explode with excitement, just try to keep it together until the end.

So, for those of you familiar with the Facebook world, there has been a "25 things" note going around. Once you're tagged, its near unavoidable and alas, you post 25 random things about yourself for all to read. That being said, I've decided to post 15 (becuase 25 is a TON) random things that relate to my sister somehow. It is a definite possibility that I will make your day 15 different times by the end, so get ready.

And we begin...

1. When we were little, we had a variety of pets. When it comes to the turtles we tell two completely different stories. She says we had 2 whereas i am convinced we had 4 that were named after the ninja turtles... To this day I think she's wrong, but I mean... she remembers random things wayyyyyy better than i do.

2. Katelin is the ONLY person I know that doesn't like strawberries.

3. We both have a mild obsession with long tanktops from Old Navy. I'm pretty sure she's stolen some of mine. You suck for that, but I love you cause now I'll buy more :)

4. In our old house, two neighbors of ours across the street had birthdays that were on the 25th day of the month, so we called ourselves "The 25th friends." (January, February, April and November... holler.)

5. I love that she incorporates the word "hark" into conversation almost every time we talk.

6. One day I will get her to get a tattoo with me (I have 4 already and aim for 7 by the time I'm done). I might have to bribe her into it with some lavish gift, but knowing she cant even get her ears pierced, this might be a phenomenal experience.

7. I once thought of asking her to write one of my lit papers for me since I know she's way better at it, but then i thought her response would go something like this: "Hahaha... No." Mean? maybe... typical of an older sister? Definitely.

8. <-- My favorite number :) And my favorite random thing... We were driving home from some event at night, and like 200 yards from our house there was a cat in the middle of the street. It sort of did this dance thing where it was so confused and didn't know which way to go, and like 12 seconds later it finally bolted left. For some reason we thought this was HIlarious and we still laugh about it whenever it comes up. In fact, I'm laughing right now and I'm sure she will when she reads it. Yes, we're that cool :)

9. Packing for her to come home from Denison after graduation was riiiiiidiculous! I've never seen so much stuff fit into 12 suitcases. My flight was delayed 14 hours for some random reason, so good thing I had her pillow.

10. I came home last weekend and made shrimp risotto for the family. I gave her leftovers. She loved it. She told me so. She also just loves leftovers in general.

11. Her 13th birthday party was quite interesting... I won't tell the story now because she might come after me, but it's worth guilting her into telling you.

12. She took me to an O.A.R. concert a while ago and it was amazing. Now, I know all the words and can sing along to every song with her :)

13. When I was a freshman in high school and she was a senior, there was a day when seniors were supposed to pie their freshman siblings. I, being the natural butthead that I am refused and I think she'll hold that over me forever. So in return, I've agreed to get a pedicure with her (I haaaaaate hate hate everything about feet and mine are way ticklish so trust me when I say thats huge...).

14. She looks amazing in blue... and green... and red... and black... and like, everything. curse you older sister! But not :)

15. She and "Le Boy"/Mateo/Bananana/Matt are perfect.


Tadaaaaaaa. 30 minutes later, 15 wonderful things, i fantastic sister. Love love love it all. Hope you all enjoyed that :) You stay classy bloggers... and thanks for stopping by... but mainly, stay classy <3

jealous much?

I had actually was saving this for my blog but once I talked to Katelin about guest posting, I knew it belonged here! Oh, this is Jamie, by the way. I'm filling in while the regular keeper of this blog is hanging out in Ohio.

When I was little I was a huge New Kids on the Block fan, just like Katelin. I mean, I had posters, bed sheets and even dolls. My prize possessions though were my NKOTB slippers.

Yes, they were sneaker slippers. Big puffy sneaker slippers with neon pink and green all over them. I lived in those things.

Want to see what they look like?

Of course you do!

Let's check out little Jamie with her amazing NKOTB slippers.



Okay, you got me. That's not really me. I never was a little blond girl. I had a little help doctoring* that photo because it was the ONLY photo I could find of those slippers.

They are awesome though, right?!

So I shared my slightly embarrassing, but still AMAZING, memorabilia with the internets. It's your turn.

I know you have some Menudo shirts or Spice Girls dolls hiding in the back of your closet that you are just dying to share.

Spill it!


* this guest post wouldn't have been possible without Christophr's super cool photoshopping skills.
** dude, while tagging this entry I realized Katelin already had a tag called "Jamie is awesome". This further proves that we should be BFFs. But really, I am awesome so go check out my blog.

It's a Takeover

(While I'm away I have given control of my blog to the smart, sexy, athletic, sexy, still smart RS27. He writes an awesome blog called Your Beard is Good which has been nominated for many blogging awards such as greatest blog with the words Beard, Good and Your in the title. Seriously girls, he's a good catch. In fact, if I wasn't taken I would so go for him. For real.)

That's what I imagine my opening would be like if I didn't write it myself.

I always like reading Katelin's blog because she's so happy all of the time. If any of you have read my blog you realize that my blog is most definitely not happy most of the time. As one famous Cleveland Blogger says I am jaded. Well I disagree totally with that statement. I'm not a pessimistic at all. I always hit the urinal when I'm in the bathroom.

Oh, PESS-imistic.

Got it.

So to prove that some things do in fact make me happy and in honor of Gorgeous Footsteps in the Sand (that's the blog you're reading if you didn't know. Seriously, if you didn't know I understand. I confuse everyone) here is a list of 7 things that make me happy.

1. Fruit Rollups- I would like to meet the inventor of this delicious candy. Candy? I don't know what you would classify Fruit Roll Ups as other than awesome. So many different ways to eat them. You can ball up the whole thing and put it in your mouth and pretend that you're chewing tobacco like your favorite 1970s baseball player. All the fun, but without the cancer! And it's fruity! If you get the ones with the shapes you can take them all out and stick your tongue through it and your nose and be fruit roll up man. Genius.

2. Girls in baseball hats- I don't know if its the pony tail through the back of the hat, the sign of I just don't care what you think, or the brim covering the eyes, but I love me some girls in baseball hats. Except Star Jones. I don't like her in anything. Sorry Star, let's be friends. In 10 years.

3. Bill Cosby- Say what you want about the man. He may be creepy. He may be old. But without him a whole generation of people would never be able to say, "You have the THEO and the ROOO-DY with the puddin' pops." A whole generation of kids would never have learned how to draw. And there never would have been a movie where the Dad is dead and is a ghost. I think it was called, "The Dad that Wasn't Around." (Props to Homer Simpson).

4. Cool Runnings - I'm sorry but if you don't like Cool Runnings you must before we can consummate a friendship. A Jamaican bobsled team coached by John Candy?!?! Characters by the name of Sanka Coffee and Yul Brenner?!?! A movie with an actor so nice they named him twice (Doug E. Doug) ?!?! Yes sign me up. Not to mention that no one believed. But they believed in themselves. A country came together and realized that yes Jamaicans can sled and sled they did. They get me every time. A true cinema classic. You can have The Godfather. I will feel the rhythm and the rhyme.

5. Hockey- Yes I like hockey. Yes I am brown. Yes this doesn't make sense. But hockey is awesome. They hit each other, they score goals, the action is fast paced. Not to mention where else can you take someone and actually hear them utter the words, "That was disappointing. No fighting. I came here for blood. "You don't really hear that in the line at the In and Out Burger. Unless you're at a Fight Club In and Out. Those are scary.

6. Olympic Celebrations- 4 years of hard work culminate in a win in your event and the emotion is always so real. Like that little robot 11 year old Chinese girl. They somehow programmed her to cry. It was amazing. There's something so special to see people's dreams coming true in real time. When my time machine gets built I will be bawling like a baby. Let's hope there are some cameras on me because I will definitely be wearing a Foam #1 finger.

7. Los Angeles- Yes, I know the people here are "fake." Yes, I know everyone pretends to be "rich". Yes I know there is a "Hollywood." I get it. But deep beneath La's plastic exterior are some wonderful things. People that I thought I would never meet. Sun that I thought I would never see. Houses I could only dream of visiting. I love LA. So take that. All the haters can, um, um...hate? Whatever.

There you go. See I can be happy. In fact, if Bill Cosby was in a remake of Cool Runnings that was set in Los Angeles with the plot being a group of kids playing hockey winning an Olympic gold while their number one fan was a girl in a baseball hat eating a fruit roll up I would probably laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of that sentence that you came up with.

Come on, that's so not possible.

But my time machine will be able to make it a reality.

Let's Play A Game!

Hey there fellow Katelin lovers! While our girl is off listening to never-ending Pomp and Circumstance as her boy graduates, I am here to offer some insights as I channel Katelin's pop culture vibes. Who am I? Oh yeah, I am Tipp from A[tipp]ical Thoughts, a fellow 20something blogger who usually blogs about books, friends, all things Nashville, music, and life. I am convinced that the one reason Katelin picked me to guest blog is because we both love Country music, and well, because I have pretty feet too, right?! Or at least my footprints look gorgeous, high-arch and all!



So, in honor of the weekend we are going to play a little game. You all know it, you all love it, it is Who Would You Do Celebrity Style. Now, here are the rules. You must pick four people (yes, people, no animal, vegetable, or minerals) from these categories:

1. Good boy/girl or Good boy/girl next door type

2. Bad Boy/Girl or the Rebel type

3. A Rocker

4. A Cowboy/girl

And since I know that you are all dying to know who this old married woman has on her list, here we go. And yes, like Ross in Friends, mine is pretty much laminated and set in stone. Has been for quite some time. Hey, I am a creature of habit and I like what I like!

1. Anthony Rapp-Good Boy or Boy Next Door Type

Yes, the guy from RENT, A Beautiful Mind and Twister (yes, Twister look it up!) There is something about his boyish good looks, his innocent Mark-like demeanor and his scruffy beard that makes me tingly. Too bad he is gay. In my (dream) world he is totally available.

2. Christian Bale-The Bad Boy

Basically perfection in a man. My obsession began with Newsies, then I stalked him through Empire of the Sun, Little Women, (where I officially parted ways with Winona Ryder for breaking his heart, reality check much?) and now to present day CB hotness, they made him Batman! Well, strap me down and call me Catwoman or Batgirl or whoever it is who is playing his love interest, or better yet his current real life obsession. He is No.1 on my list over everyone! Perfection I tell you. Perfection.

3. Joe Perry - The Rocker

Now, this is the one where I throw you for a loop. Yes, I know how old he is, yes, I know he is married. (It is a game-remember?) There is just something about a man who can work a guitar. I have officially been in love with him since me and my BF Jen sat in the fifth row at an Aersomith concert and watched him play Crazy on that guitar. Yeah, good stuff. He even sweat on us. I have been hooked ever since.

4. Keith Urban-The Cowboy

Yes, Sunday's daddy. I am aware he is not nor does he wear a cowboy hat, but you don't have to wear a hat to be a cowboy. He 1) lives in Nashville 2) sings Country music and 3) plays a mean guitar as well. The accent doesn't hurt either. He is all around beautiful to look at.

So, there you have it! Now your turn! GO!

Oh Noes - The Foot Edition!

Hey everyone! It's The Ex from Ex-Everything here filling in for Katelin the Greatlin while she's off having fun at a wedding. Did you hear that? Fun? At a wedding? Crazy talk! I've only been to a few weddings and never ever have I had anything that could be construed as fun. I hope in the next few years as my friends start to get married (or...you know...if I ever get married! Are you listening hypothetical deity?!) that I'll be able to go to a wedding and party like a rockstar or at the very least like Katelin.

Unfortunately, as of 1:30am on Wednesday June 26th, 2008 the fun in my life has officially died. Last night I went to happy hour at Black Angus with my work buddy turned real life friend Sara. We got there at about eight and enjoyed a few hours of karaoke (not me!) and 1.50 drafts. We left at around 12 and I (soberly!) drove home and went to bed to catch as many Z's before I had to get up for work. There are a lot of good reasons to get out of working but hungover isn't really one of them. I woke up at about 1:30 and went to the bathroom where I promptly tripped over a cat (or something) and fell to the floor. I knew that I had hurt my foot but it's been broken before and sometimes if touched the right way it still hurts. So, I went back to bed.

And then this morning came and I swung my legs out of bed and tried to stand up but instead crumpled to the floor! My right foot was in so much pain that I was pretty sure I was about to either pass out or throw up. All I could think was, "My foot is broken! My weak sauce foot is broken for the THIRD DAMN TIME!". I was pissed at my foot, furious if you will.

I called my mom to take me to urgent care where they confirmed that I did infact "subtly fracture my fifth metatarsal". The doctor looked at me like she couldn't believe that not only had I done this by falling in my own bathroom but that this was the THIRD in a string of unbelievably stupid foot injuries (the first being a tragic monkey bars incident in third grade and the second being the time I fell off a step that was approximately four inches high). I'm not graceful. Obviously.

The truth is that I fall more than any one person should. I trip over my own feet, I teeter and stumble off of heels, I'm completely useless at walking, running or really anything that involves my feet working in coordination with the rest of my body. People always make fun of me because GUFFAW I bet you can't even walk and chew gum at the same time! The worst part is that I CAN'T. OKAY.

And so, here I sit with my uncoordinated, weaksauce right foot elevated, swelling and slowly turning purple. I may not be able to walk, drive or shower by myself for the next six to seven weeks but I'm not going to have any trouble parking my ass on a couch and letting everyone wait on me.

Epic foot FAIL but damsel in distress WIN.

Thanks to Katelin for letting me guestblog! And thank you for reading! If you don't already read my blog? Then maybe you should start. I post like once a week and it's usually boring so CHECK ME OUT, yes? Lovelovekisskiss. Have a great weekend!