I may not be a movie critic, but I know what I like. Here's my list of the best movies of the decade. Most have been out for awhile so if you haven't seen them, they'll make great rentals over the holidays
1. Slumdog Millionaire
2. Crash
3. Blood Diamond
4. I am Sam
5. Passion of the Christ
6. Little Miss Sunshine
7. The Departed
8. The Devil Wears Prada
9. Happy Feet
10. The Bourne Trilogy
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
10 Gift Ideas for Mall Haters
Time is running out. The malls are packed. If you can't find a parking space or you just aren't cut out for mall shopping, here are a few ideas....
1. Shop local boutiques like Sanctuary of Davidson where you can find jewelry and other handmade, unique gifts from artists like Moondoonie.
2. Hit the grocery store for an inexpensive bottle of merlot. Toss in some mulling spices to make your wine gift a bit more festive. Make your friends and family extra happy by serving up some mulled wine! My friend Maria made some last weekend and it was delicious.
3. Christopher Radko ornaments to celebrate a 1st Christmas, honor a favorite teacher or to give to a treasured friend are available at Blacklion and a few other select retailers around the country.
and The Cultural Companies has debuted a line of multicultural ornaments in select Target and Lowes stores.
4. Hate waiting for your favorite shutterbug to share their digital photos? Polaroid is selling an instant digital camera called Pogo with a built-in printer. You can find it at Best Buy, Office Depot and Costco.
5. For the co-worker warming her feet with a space heater IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER, don't sleep on the Snuggie. Walgreens offers the best snuggie price in the land at $14.99.
6. The faithful (sorry Tiger, couldn't resist) golfer in your life will appreciate a round of golf at course nearby. Gift cards can be purchased for as little as $25.00
7. Dog enthusiasts and their furry children might like the biscuit of the month club. Its a cute, creative gift that shows up around the 5th of each month.
8. Those who can't cook can certainly help set the table. Order a beautiful centerpiece for Christmas dinner for as little as $29.99.
9. In this economy, Starbucks has become a major luxury. Help your favorite gourmet coffee lover enjoy the Starbucks taste at home with a Caramel Macchiato Kit. It won't put a big dent in your wallet for $9.95.
10. Moms love comfort and convenience. The older the mom, the more comfort she demands. Yes, they are "mom" jeans, but at least at least they aren't loaded with pleats. Order mom some bootcut stretch jeans. For $19.99 you can buy an easy care, easy wear gift for a mom who has trouble with zippers and buttons.
1. Shop local boutiques like Sanctuary of Davidson where you can find jewelry and other handmade, unique gifts from artists like Moondoonie.
2. Hit the grocery store for an inexpensive bottle of merlot. Toss in some mulling spices to make your wine gift a bit more festive. Make your friends and family extra happy by serving up some mulled wine! My friend Maria made some last weekend and it was delicious.
3. Christopher Radko ornaments to celebrate a 1st Christmas, honor a favorite teacher or to give to a treasured friend are available at Blacklion and a few other select retailers around the country.
and The Cultural Companies has debuted a line of multicultural ornaments in select Target and Lowes stores.
4. Hate waiting for your favorite shutterbug to share their digital photos? Polaroid is selling an instant digital camera called Pogo with a built-in printer. You can find it at Best Buy, Office Depot and Costco.
5. For the co-worker warming her feet with a space heater IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER, don't sleep on the Snuggie. Walgreens offers the best snuggie price in the land at $14.99.
6. The faithful (sorry Tiger, couldn't resist) golfer in your life will appreciate a round of golf at course nearby. Gift cards can be purchased for as little as $25.00
7. Dog enthusiasts and their furry children might like the biscuit of the month club. Its a cute, creative gift that shows up around the 5th of each month.
8. Those who can't cook can certainly help set the table. Order a beautiful centerpiece for Christmas dinner for as little as $29.99.
9. In this economy, Starbucks has become a major luxury. Help your favorite gourmet coffee lover enjoy the Starbucks taste at home with a Caramel Macchiato Kit. It won't put a big dent in your wallet for $9.95.
10. Moms love comfort and convenience. The older the mom, the more comfort she demands. Yes, they are "mom" jeans, but at least at least they aren't loaded with pleats. Order mom some bootcut stretch jeans. For $19.99 you can buy an easy care, easy wear gift for a mom who has trouble with zippers and buttons.
Monday, December 14, 2009
So Easy, Even Ramona Can Make It
Chef Billy, who was brought to town by Lowes Foods (http://www.lowesfoods.com/)
stopped by the show on Friday. If you have a recipe that just isn't working, contact him
at (http://fixmyrecipe.com/) and he'll help you get it right.
He backed up my claim that everybody can't cook and gave us a NO BAKE easy recipe for peanut butter/chocolate balls.
Combine 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1/2 cup of cornflakes.
Mix well and form into balls. Melt milk chocolate in a double boiler. Roll balls in chocolate
and let cool on wax paper.
ENJOY!
stopped by the show on Friday. If you have a recipe that just isn't working, contact him
at (http://fixmyrecipe.com/) and he'll help you get it right.
He backed up my claim that everybody can't cook and gave us a NO BAKE easy recipe for peanut butter/chocolate balls.
Combine 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1/2 cup of cornflakes.
Mix well and form into balls. Melt milk chocolate in a double boiler. Roll balls in chocolate
and let cool on wax paper.
ENJOY!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Christopher Radko rocks
Anonymous generosity
My favorite Christmas decorations
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Jasmyne meets Tiana
A grown woman really shouldn't be this excited about a Disney Princess, but I am. I've been shopping for Princess Tiana goodies for my god-daughter for months (I can give you prices on the wedding doll, the toddler doll and Tiana sparkle bag). Auntie Moma already knows where we'll be watching "The Princess and the Frog" on opening weekend! Now ask me if my god-daughter is excited. My answer? Nope. Jasmyne's mother has tried to pass along our Tiana fever and it just ain't workin.' I've heard the movie is destined to be another Disney classic, but that happens over a period of time. The kid sees the movie, plays with the toys, gets the DVD and then watches it hundreds of times in the car. I just want Jasmyne to love Tiana right now!
When I was a little girl my favorite princess was Cinderella.
http://www.littledressupshop.com/store/1608772/product/CIN325
We only had Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty (a.k.a. Princess Aurora) and Snow White back in those days. I cherished my Cinderella watch, but dressing up as Cinderella? I would've looked like a pint-sized L'il Kim (with less-than-desirable results I was twisted enough to dress up as June Cleaver for a Norfolk Zoo fundraiser, only to be mistaken for Florida Evans) With Tiana we finally have a Princess with a look that an African American girl can pull off and my god-daughter just doesn't care!
She has grown up with Zach and Cody on TV and the Obama girls in the White House. She sings Miley Cyrus and Beyonce songs. It doesn't matter that Tiana is the first African American princess. To her it's just another movie she hasn't seen yet and its good she feels that way. She doesn't know about Disney history.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcxYwwIL5zQ
She doesn't even understand the Disney marketing machine that sucks in kids and parents alike. It's okay!
It'll be nice to spend an hour or so reliving the Disney princess magic with a little kid. This week, girls night out consists of talking animals, beautiful ball gowns and happy endings.
When I was a little girl my favorite princess was Cinderella.
http://www.littledressupshop.com/store/1608772/product/CIN325
We only had Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty (a.k.a. Princess Aurora) and Snow White back in those days. I cherished my Cinderella watch, but dressing up as Cinderella? I would've looked like a pint-sized L'il Kim (with less-than-desirable results I was twisted enough to dress up as June Cleaver for a Norfolk Zoo fundraiser, only to be mistaken for Florida Evans) With Tiana we finally have a Princess with a look that an African American girl can pull off and my god-daughter just doesn't care!
She has grown up with Zach and Cody on TV and the Obama girls in the White House. She sings Miley Cyrus and Beyonce songs. It doesn't matter that Tiana is the first African American princess. To her it's just another movie she hasn't seen yet and its good she feels that way. She doesn't know about Disney history.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcxYwwIL5zQ
She doesn't even understand the Disney marketing machine that sucks in kids and parents alike. It's okay!
It'll be nice to spend an hour or so reliving the Disney princess magic with a little kid. This week, girls night out consists of talking animals, beautiful ball gowns and happy endings.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tiger Spin
If only Tiger had learned a lesson from David Letterman, he wouldn't look so shady right now. He's missing an opportunity to show his fans that he's a regular guy. The world's greatest golfer had just returned from a trip Down Under (pun intended) without his wife. She'd been left home to care for their 2 and 9 month old kids. He's ready to relax for a bit before jetting off to his charity tournament. Relax?!?! Leave again?!? The tabloids are embarrassing me and you expect to have some peace in this house?!?!?! You know what happens next
WARNING: the video link includes some nasty language from a ticked off mom.
http://www.videosift.com/video/Woman-Attacks-Husbands-Cars-With-Golf-Clubs
(now for the spin)
Elin doesn't attack Tiger. She attacks the one thing that he loves more than anything in this world HIS GOLF CLUBS!! Then she takes the putter she just bent and heads for his precious Escalade! Poor Tiger just made it worse by getting in the way and crashing into the fire hydrant and the tree. What now? Focus on the charity golf tournament. Tiger can't play, but reaches out to his celebrity superfriends who are hungry for attention (insert name of popular retired NFL or NBA stars) and they help raise a ton of money for (insert name of heartwarming charity here).
The media gets wind of a generous check from Tiger. It covers the cost of the hydrant he hit and will help repair a few busted hydrants in another part of town. The paparazzi get a well-planned shot of Tiger talking to the arborist who's planting a mature tree in the neighbor's yard.
Next stop Letterman! Dave and Tiger trade brutally funny jokes about living with a angry woman. Dave quips that Tiger's GM got smashed by his Nike.
http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2009/11/tiger-woods-endorsements-after-his-car-crash.html
Oh, how we laugh! A few months down the road Cadillac promotes their smash-proof window technology and Nike features Tiger in an ad for the most durable clubs money can buy, "Your Wife Will Hate Them... Just Do It." Elin also gets hooked up with a Tag Heuer Diamond Fiction watch
http://www.tagheuer.com/the-collection/women-collection/diamonds-fiction/index.lbl?lang=en
and the Tiger Spin is complete.
WARNING: the video link includes some nasty language from a ticked off mom.
http://www.videosift.com/video/Woman-Attacks-Husbands-Cars-With-Golf-Clubs
(now for the spin)
Elin doesn't attack Tiger. She attacks the one thing that he loves more than anything in this world HIS GOLF CLUBS!! Then she takes the putter she just bent and heads for his precious Escalade! Poor Tiger just made it worse by getting in the way and crashing into the fire hydrant and the tree. What now? Focus on the charity golf tournament. Tiger can't play, but reaches out to his celebrity superfriends who are hungry for attention (insert name of popular retired NFL or NBA stars) and they help raise a ton of money for (insert name of heartwarming charity here).
The media gets wind of a generous check from Tiger. It covers the cost of the hydrant he hit and will help repair a few busted hydrants in another part of town. The paparazzi get a well-planned shot of Tiger talking to the arborist who's planting a mature tree in the neighbor's yard.
Next stop Letterman! Dave and Tiger trade brutally funny jokes about living with a angry woman. Dave quips that Tiger's GM got smashed by his Nike.
http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2009/11/tiger-woods-endorsements-after-his-car-crash.html
Oh, how we laugh! A few months down the road Cadillac promotes their smash-proof window technology and Nike features Tiger in an ad for the most durable clubs money can buy, "Your Wife Will Hate Them... Just Do It." Elin also gets hooked up with a Tag Heuer Diamond Fiction watch
http://www.tagheuer.com/the-collection/women-collection/diamonds-fiction/index.lbl?lang=en
and the Tiger Spin is complete.
Gift Giver Bill of Rights
Mailed gifts deserve acknowledgement. Gift givers shouldn't have to pay extra for delivery confirmation to know you received a present
Gift givers who don't get to spend a lot of time with your kid deserve hints.... sizes, favorite colors, games
Gift givers on a budget deserve some low cost suggestions. Your kid may want a $50 video game, but if you know Memaw's fixed income only allows for gifts in the $10 range, suggest cookies or another favorite treat.
http://www.life123.com/holidays/birthdays/party-games-for-kids/homemade-gifts-for-kids-16-low-cost-project-ideas.shtml
Gift givers deserve a heads-up on contraband. If you don't allow certain toys or clothing let people know. Don't leave grandma feeling like a criminal because she purchased a nerf gun. If you have a no toy gun policy drop it into a conversation.
http://www.toysafety.org/worstToyList_index.shtml
Gift givers who don't get to spend a lot of time with your kid deserve hints.... sizes, favorite colors, games
Gift givers on a budget deserve some low cost suggestions. Your kid may want a $50 video game, but if you know Memaw's fixed income only allows for gifts in the $10 range, suggest cookies or another favorite treat.
http://www.life123.com/holidays/birthdays/party-games-for-kids/homemade-gifts-for-kids-16-low-cost-project-ideas.shtml
Gift givers deserve a heads-up on contraband. If you don't allow certain toys or clothing let people know. Don't leave grandma feeling like a criminal because she purchased a nerf gun. If you have a no toy gun policy drop it into a conversation.
http://www.toysafety.org/worstToyList_index.shtml
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