News that's easy to read

I am jealous of people who can retain a lot of information because I am not that kind of person. I want to keep up with the news, but I find most of it dry and boring. A pal of mind recommended that I check out THE WEEK magazine. It has saved me. THE WEEK picks up articles from various newspapers and compresses it so it's easy to read and understand. Yes, it's "Cliff Notes" for adults. I love it. Plus it's super cheap–like $1/per mag if you subscribe.


www.theweekdaily.com

Val Day Gifts

We, as Americans, have this holiday. Valentine's Day. It's a day where couples feel obligated to do something for each other and singles wonder "what they've done wrong" to remain single. It's a bummer. I ask you to flip your views for yourself and for the people around you. Take this day and embrace it as a day that you are happy to have such wonderful people in your life. If you are in love, celebrate that love. If you're in like, embrace a new beginning. If you're alone (like me) spoil the shit out of yourself because you are awesome and you deserve it.

Maybe it's a day where you realize, I don't love you. I want something more. Or it's a day you realize, I am ready for marriage. Or maybe it's, I love my family....those people are my valentine. Try and work it in a positive spin. And then take a bubble bath with lavender and epsom salts.

Here are my gift recos, whether they be for yourself or a loved one.
JEWELRY!
I have a few friends that make jewelry. These are the ones that I have info on.
My friend Peter was a jewler a long time ago and has recently repicked up the craft.
As a professor in Lit, he also makes pretty things and one that I was lucky enough to get as a gift. I love his unique design and his exploration with different materials and stones. I LOVE my necklace (shown below). He's incredibly talented: peterhelff <> yahoo

My other pal Kim make an array of beautiful jewelery. I pretty much stare at her website in awe. http://www.krittjewelry.com/
I love the Collage and Web Necklaces. It's a tiny pict, but I really like this one:

For men?
PLANTS!
I love my Bonsai and Bamboo plants. It's not too feminine and can spruce up any apartment! They're just plane cool looking.


http://www.bonsaiofbrooklyn.com/tip22.html
http://www.bonsaigardener.org/ficus-bonsai-care.html

Are you sick too?

I've already been sick twice in one month already. Once with a cold and the second with a cold/fever/flu thing. This winter has been nasty on the illness and it's going around to EVERYBODY. Here are a few things I've learned along the way.

SNOT COLOR
clear: not infected, take clariton
yellow: infected, but fightable (go on antibiotics)
green: infected, will be hard to fight (go on antibiotics)
brown: super infected, you're screwed (go to the hospital)

TEA
Do ginger tea with honey for colds.
This particular tea ROCKS for colds and sore throats:

I found this in Korean town food store on 32nd & 6th
Honey Citron Tea


TAKE YOUR VITAMINS!
I have been neglecting mine. Vitamins are different for different folk. Don't be afraid to try different brands out. This is my preference:

I found it at my healthy food place
New Chapter Organics/Every Woman's One Daily

PREVENTION!
A lot of people do the airborn or the zinc chews, this puppy is my favorite. It has kicked many a sickness out of my system:

Wellness Formula found at GNC

Shop it to me!

Who doesn't love a sale? I am big time into bargain hunting. I am also lazy. Shop it to me helps me to continue my laziness while still getting the bargains. First you sign up for an account, choose the name brands that you like, choose the sizes you're interested in, and they'll send you an email (timing is of your choosing) letting you know the who/what/where of bargains. I think the best part is you can get this stuff in YOUR SIZE!

Make sure you keep a budget. You can buy a lot of stuff, but it adds up yo!

Sign up now:
http://www.shopittome.com

MBT Shoes

I have 2 herniated discs in my neck. I have been doing PT for over a year and the chiropractor for 6months. They have both helped with the pain but my MBT shoes have been AMAZING. The pain in my torn ACL diminished instantly and my back felt better. I can wear these shoes for an entire day and not be sore. That's seriousness.

I bought the black sandles and got the blue shoes for the fall. They are a bit on the pricey side, but it's worth every penny. You can buy them at BLISS, online and ebay.

You can also search for stores that sell their shoes on their website so you can try them on first. They all run around the same:
www.swissmasaius.com

They're for both men and women!

Animated Closet

I love this line. I came across it in Bryant Park, I was trying to find an awesome gift for my bestie and spotted this amazing bag:
They also have adorable shirts and skirts. They'll be in Bryant Park until Dec 30th.

You can also shop online:
www.animatedcloset.com

I recommend heading to Bryant Park ASAP! Some of their stuff is ON SALE!!!!!

August: Osage County

It took me a bit to settle into the story, but it was good once it really started to flow. There is a lot of conflict among the characters (between themselves and each other), this isn't a peachy happy family. The language sometimes gets a bit wordy, but the humor is how the words are played among the characters.

I loved Barabara Fordham (played by Amy Morton) as soon as she stepped onto that stage. For me, the play really started with her. Amy was a breath of fresh air to watch as an actor. She completely gets lost in the character and the environment. LOVED her! I also loved watching Mr & Mrs Aiken (Rondi Reed & Francis Guinan).

This is a nitty gritty play that laughs at the world and the characters within it. There are a lot of layers that unfold as the acts go by, as long as you have the patience for it...it is worth to see.

my favorite scene; the family dinner

Dang it's Chilly. COVER UP!

My coat is the bomb. I get so many compliments on the color (it also comes in boring colors, if that's your thing). The outer pockets (which are lovingly hidden) are lined in fleece so you don't really need mittens. There are 2 inside doubled pockets on either side of the front. Plus the hood is detatchable via snaps. The best part about the hood is how it's designed, it doesn't mess up your hair and it won't fly off when the wind hits it. The coat sorta looks poofy, but it's REALLY light weight.

Also, Land's End is the bomb, cause if the coat gets damaged, you can mail it in and get a new one FOR FREE! It's a pretty dang affordable coat on top of all this awesomeness, plus Land's End has other great coats if this one doesn't fit your style.

www.landsend.com
http://www.landsend.com/pp/DownChaletLongCoat~148651_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::RIB&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000142&origin=index

Scary Olsen Picture

I was searching for movies playing in theaters and there was a Mary-Kate Olsen headline.
She looks crazed.

Toothpaste that makes you BRUSH

Toothpaste lasts forever. You buy a tube and it lasts for like, 6 months. I ran out last week and bought Colgate Luminous Mint Twist toothpaste, 2 tubes for $3. Not bad. The taste of the toothpaste is normal toothpaste minty taste BUT the aftertaste is HORRIBLE! I'm not talking direct aftertaste. I'm talking, after I've had breakfast and maybe lunch, I noticed that my mouth tastes gross. Guess what that makes me do? BRUSH! Now, I not only brush a lot more during the day (I usually do once in the morn and once at night), but I've been flossing more too. It's toothpaste with motivation! I want to say don't get this toothpaste, but it's been making me brush more and floss. So I'm conflicted. I don't want a bad taste in my mouth or bad breath, I don't think I have nasty breath or anything. I think I'm just not used to the left over flavor.

So get this toothpaste if you want inner conflict and cleaner teeth:
And get these individual Glide floss picks (I love them! I don't feel like I'm gaging myself when flossing the back teeth):

More info - Writer's Strike

From Greg Fitzsimmons myspace video:

Why We Fight (The WGA)

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Support the WGA Strike

Flyers that were being handed out while I was helping out today.

Free 1/2 hour massage

My chiropractor has a team of massuers in his office. They're really great. Right now the office is offering a free 1/2hr massage with NO follow-up obligations. They do have a membership if you want to join.

2 Half Hour Massages $39/mo
2 One Hour Massages $79/mo
4 One Hour Massages $149/mo
(no initiation fee)

Call Tina to make your free appointment: 212-688-2900
235 East 49th Street (and Lex)

Chin Tucks

I have two herniated discs in my neck. As you probably have guess, they hurt a lot. My physical therapist (pt) has me do this exercise to alleviate the pain. She thinks that everyone should be doing this exercise because most people’s posture is messed up. Think about it, look at all the bad postures around you. I’m guessing that 90% of the people you know work at a computer and lean forward. That leaning puts a strain on your back and more importantly, your neck. Your neck is abnormally pushed forward which throws your whole body out of balance.
Your head is not light and your neck should have a curve where your head lines up with your shoulder blades (which also have a tendency to hunch forward). The following exercise will help get your body back in place and will strengthen your neck muscles. It is my physical therapists dream to see everyone doing CHIN TUCKS while she’s waiting for her train to arrive. Let’s make this dream a reality!

My fave YouTube Kitties

Face Time

This time of the year is terrible for me and my skin. So I want to post my favorite products to share.

MURAD

I break out like mad crazy, ever since I was 4. Murad is the first product that has cleared up my skin immediately and kept it clear. I use it only at night, during the day I use their Energizing Pomegranate Cleanser along with their Vitamin C eye and skin lotion.

You can get Murad at Sephora and online: www.murad.com

SERIOUSLY, I BREAK OUT

It's gross. I hate it. I've tried everything (even the Murad stuff). The ONLY stuff that's worked on my full body parts is a wonderful product by BLISS. I actually got this product with last year's Christmas gift package. I effing love it. It's the only thing that's scrubbed my body clean for good! BLISS SUGAR SCRUB (sweet orange + spearmint) I can't find it on their US site, only their London site: http://www.blisslondon.co.uk/shop/detail/BLISS-014/

DRY SKIN? BABY OIL!

No joke people. I have not broken out from doing the baby oil thing after the shower...you think you would! It's so easy: After your shower, slab some baby oil on and then lightly towel it off. Don't go for the skimpy generic brand, spend the extra dollar and get the good stuff.

These products are also helpful:
For chapped lips (I don't have to reapply 5 times throughout the day. It's great.)
Fresh's Sugar Lip Balm - Neosporin for dry cuticles - or Bliss's Manicure's best friend, for dry cuticles:

Then, when you're done pampering, get these socks. They rule.
www.worldssoftest.com

Tori Amos

She is still amazing. It boggles my mind how one person can keep being a genius for so long. This woman has been writing and signing since, forever. Tori was the first concert that I got to choose to see (my parents have taken me to a lot of country concerts since I was a kid). I saw her in Madison, WI in 2003 and she really made a dent in my inspirational bubble. I decided to see her again this past weekend. I'm in the middle of a big career change with things piling all around me in a mess. Tori did it again. The concert was awesome. She beat the crap out of that piano. The stage lighting is amazing. It was great to see her having so much fun doing what she loves. I even got to run up to the pit!

Tori Amos.
Unstoppable.

Xanadu

This entry is way overdue, but I saw this musical in June and was delighted.

My favorite segment was the choreography with the phone booth. It was done cleverly and without error.

I really loved Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman (they're on each side of Kerry Butler). Wonderful comic geniuses. I adored every bit of them.

Overall I was not impress by the choreography and the staging could have been better. It was still a lot of fun to see in the orchestra pit!

A Year of Magical Thinking

If you want to see a REAL actor at work go this is the show to see. Vanessa Redgrave is nothing short of amazing. At first, her dramatic pauses annoyed me. Then, somehow they made sense while she was telling Joan Didion’s story and I didn’t notice them anymore. Her delivery is so smooth with the extremely complicated writings of Didion. She goes from happy memories to sad memories in different years of time to the present without jolting the audience. Come prepared, it is a story about grief and loss. One way or another she will get to a part that will strike a chord with you. If that doesn’t do it, the light sniffles of the audience will.

The simple transitions of the staging are well designed. However I wish the background had a little bit more of a purpose. Because of the vagueness, it became a bit of a distraction for me. I kept trying to figure out the meaning of each of the backdrops.

The lighting and direction was great. They also play a little bit with the sound which integrates lovely with the story.

I highly recommend seeing this piece not only for it’s work of art but to remind yourself that we are all humans and in no way perfect.

www.magicalthinkingonbroadway.com

Legally Blonde – the Musical

Even surrounded by droves of teenies I loved this musical. It took the heart of the movie and got to the meat from the very first song. They kept the basic story line and structure of the movie and really focused on the fun moments. The stereotyped roles are written classic wit and humor that even a straight man would laugh. Nell Benjamin & Laurence O'Keefe wrote the songs that will easily get stuck in your head. My favorite song was “Is he gay or European.”

The set changes with great fluidity, that doesn’t make you nauseous. There was only one time where the cast reunites in an empty space, which made it seem like a weird transition for me since they had a set for every single scene.

Laura Bell Bundy is the best Elle Woods ever. She even matched Reese’s voice pitch from the movie. Laura is a triple threat. She kept up with all of the choreography without blinking out of her character or missing a note. I’m the jealous girl that wants to be her. I’ll work with Jerry Mitchell (director/choreographer) any day.

You will be surprised that this does not suck.
You might not be surrounded by teens either. My friend went the other night and she was surrounded by “old money.” Yeah. This musical touches all kinds of hearts.
Go see it! It’s very very funny.
I think they still have $40 balcony seats.

www.legallyblondethemusical.com