Yeeeaaahhhhh 2-8!

Beer, Penguins, Truffle Fries, Nick Cannon and Cousin Mandi!

If you didn't buy me a birthday present, may I suggest a new camera!?

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And the Oscar goes to...

Sunday, Feb. 22 is Hollywood's biggest night...or at least that's what the media dubs it. It's Oscar Night - or the Academy Awards!

All the newspapers and blogs are a buzz with Oscar party tips. But it really gets me wondering...do people realy have Oscar parties? It's on a Sunday, the awards typically run late and if you start with the red carpet, it's a really long party. Well if there are people out there who do host these shin digs, I've just never been invited!

If you are preparing for a Sunday night drinkfest to watch the stars, here are some fun tips to make your party the talk of the water cooler on Monday.

* Keep your red Valentine’s table cloth out to create the look and feel of the Red Carpet. Add star placemats and gold accessories.

* Recreate the Hollywood Walk of Fame on your sidewalk leading up to your house or apartment hallway. Purchase or cut out gold stars and affix them with your friends names.

* Hand out Oscar ballots with your guests invitations. Tally up scores and award the winner a prize.

* I LOVE the idea of asking guests to come with their best acceptance speech prepared. Give each person 60 seconds to delivery their best speech and award the winner with a gift card to a local movie theater. Bonus points if you set up a podium with a replica award and video your friends!

* Popcorn is a MUST. Order a variety of bags from Dale & Thomas. Empty the popcorn out of the bags and fill different sized hurricane vases for a cool look.

* Slumdog Millionaire is one of the most buzzed about movies this year. Create a radical millionaire-like game to play during commercials.

* Play paparazzi - when you open the door to let a guest in, snap the camera unexpectadly. The shots will be great in your post-party Kodak Gallery or for a new Facebook profile pic.

(Sources: InStyle, Photos: Associated Press & hollywoodnews.com)

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TMI - too much info

So I read something on a blog last week about identity theft. Then this past weekend, I signed up for something where I had to answer a lot of security questions. So it sparked what I am going to write to you.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU POST ON THE INTERNET.

Those little "25 things about me" and "My senior year" things going around Facebook. Guess what? When you answer and post those, you are basically giving away the answers to your security questions for things like your bank, etc.

For example, the thing I signed up for asked me...

* High school mascot

* First job

* City where you were born

* Mom's madien name

* First car


Go on facebook (if you have an account) and look at someone that did one of those Senior year things. Almost all of my security questions are in that thing!!!!!!!!!

I know what you are thinking...these people on facebook wouldn't steal my info, blah blah blah. But seriously? I remember those people that were mean to me in high school. I'm not evil and after pay back, but there are some crazies out there.

I hate social networking.

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Fantastic Plastic: Barbie Turns 50

This year, one of the world’s most iconic toys is turning 50th. Barbara Millicent Roberts, also known as Barbie, is celebrating her golden birthday with a number of glourious pink parties. Her official birthday is March 9, 1959 for you trivia buffs.

When I heard the planning that was going in to Barbie’s 50th birthday, I was immediately hooked. Yesterday, I spent time between V-day celebration of champagne & bowling to scour the Internet for pictures of the Barbie-poloza kick off at Fashion Week. Let’s say this show did not disappoint.

Mattel, the makers of Barbie, commissioned 50 designers to create pas, present and future looks for the lady of honor. A-list names like Nicole Miller, Juicy Couture, Nanette Lepore, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger, Dian von Furstenberg, Marchesa, Bob Mackie, Catherine Malandrino and Vera Wang proved they were ready to play – sending models down the runway with bright pink, 4-inch Christian Louboutin heels.

I would take a guess that at least 60 percent of my readers have owned at least one Barbie. Here are some facts from Mattel:

* 90 percent of girls between 3-10 own at least one Barbie doll.

* Three Barbies are sold every second

* The original Barbie, created by Ruth Handler (the wife of Mattel creator) made is debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. The first doll wore a black and white zebra swim suit.

* A series of books about Barbie were published by Random House in the ‘60’s. Barbie’s parents were George and Margaret and the family lived in Willows, Wisconsin. Barbie is one of six children. Her siblings include Skipper, Tutti & Todd (twins), Stacie, Kelly and Krissy.

* Since 1961, Barbie has had an on/off relationship with Ken Carson. After 43 years together, the couple made headlines when they split in 1961 on Valentine’s Day (obv. Some big PR stunt created by an agency, ah hem). The couple appear to be going strong again.

* An animal lover, Barbie has had over 40 pets including cats, dogs, a panda, lion and zebra. Her first pet was a horse named Dancer.

Look out for a blow out bash at B’s Malibu Dream House ; )

(Sources: Barbie.com, Wikipedia, Photos: Barbie.com, AP-Diana Bondareff)

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Seeing Red

Red is a popular color in February. It’s Heart Health Month, Go Red For Women Month, Valentine’s Day, all of the U.S. businesses are in the red…

Toast the good, and bad, times with some red cocktails.

Very Cherry Martini(Bartender MichaelWurster, Icon at the W New York via Cosmopolitan Magazine)
- 1 ½ parts Martini and Rossi Rosso vermouth (chilled)
- 1 part cherry juice
- 4 parts Martini and Rossi Prosecco
Combine the vermouth and cheery juice, along with ice, in a shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled glass. Top with the Prosecco.

Berry Blush Martini (right)
- 4 Mint Leaves
- 4 Raspberries
- 2 oz. Skyy Berry Vodka
- ½ oz. Raspberry Syrup
- 3 oz. Sweet & Sour
Shake all ingredients together and strain into Logo Martini glass. Garnish with Mint Sprig and Lime Twist

Pama Martini

- 2 oz. PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

- 1 oz. Vodka

- ¼ oz. Orange Liqueur
Pour pama into a shaker over ice. Add vodka and orange liqueur. Shake and served in a large martini glass with a lemon garnish.

(sources: pamaliqueur.com, Rachel Ray magazine, Hard Rock Café Atlanta via girly-drinks.com, nicegesture.com)

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Stupid Cupid

I get it. You are probably thinking “Brandi* - stop being so anti-Valentine’s Day. My (insert significant other’s name here) will hate me if I don’t do anything on Feb. 14th. If you MUST celebrate Valentine’s Day, here are some Brandi* approved ways to approach the “holiday.”

* Support the Post Office. It was just announced today that want to raise postage to 44 cents and reduce the mail days from six to five in an effort to cut costs. So show your support by sending friends those cheesy Valentines you used to receive in grade school. Seriously, they cost 99 cents at CVS.

* Feeling sociable? Make some cheap Valentines with construction paper and glitter and deliver them to your neighbors and those little people like your Starbucks Barrista, door man, secretary, etc.

* If you are attached this holiday, challenge your honey to spend only $14 on a gift for you. I’ve seen this idea in multiple places, but the most memorable time was during an episode of “The Newlyweds.” I think Nick & Jessica’s spend limit was $50, but let’s face it – they’re rich. Don’t let the outcome of their relationship stop you from having some fun with this idea.

* Make dinner at home. Spice things up by making a full menu of items that either you or your friend have never made. If they work, you can use them again. If you get sick, trash the recipe.

* Screw having a girlfriend/boyfriend. Buy yourself some chocolate, flowers and a new pair of designer shoes. Embrace being single and not having to explain to your better half how women’s shoes and clothes are double the costs of guys.

(photos: someecards.com and dzr-web.com)

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Don't Be That Girl

Back in 2004, there was a lot of buzz about the book He’s Just Not That Into You. Once I read the previews, I knew I had to have this book. It reminded me of my dating style – if the guy doesn’t like you, kick him to the curb before he can dump you.

Although I was in a happy relationship, I went to my local Boarders to purchase the book. The lovely clerk said, “Oh honey, I heard this book really helps.” I told her I was in a relationship, thank you very much.

I was pleased when I heard that they were creating a movie based on the best-seller. While I haven’t seen the movie, I thought I would share some wisdom’s from the book – just in time for Valentine’s Day.

* He’s Just Not That Into You If…he’s not calling you. With the advent of cell phones and speed dating, it’s almost impossible not to call you. (100% of men polled said they’ve never been too busy to call a woman they were really into)


* He’s Just Not That Into You If…he’s having sex with someone else.


* He’s Just Not That Into You If…he only wants to see you when he’s drunk. You deserve to be with someone who doesn’t have to get loaded to be around you.
- If you don’t know where a relationship is going, it’s okay to pull over and ask.


* He’s Just Not That Into You If…he’s breaking up with you. If he’s not calling you to tell you he hired a U-Haul to come pick up all your stuff and move it back into his house, then consider yourself a nice, downy, little pillow cushioning him from his fear of loneliness and loss that he’s not fully ready to deal with on his own.
- Don’t be flattered that he misses you – he should miss you.
- Deciding to get back together with someone is a complicated and difficult decision. Just remember that the person you are getting back together with is the same person who, not long before, looked you in the beautiful face, took full stock of you and all your qualities, and told you that he was no longer in need of your company.
- There’s a guy out there that wants to marry you.
- No answer is your answer.
- Don’t give him the chance to reject you again.
- Life is hard enough as it is without choosing someone difficult to share it with.
- Don’t be that girl.

The last tip just might be my favorite. That is something the older girls used to tell us when we joined the sorority and were getting ready for our first big frat party. Don’t be that girl.

And remember ladies, just because Hallmark, 1-800-Flowers and restaurants want to rack in some extra dough this weekend, it doesn’t mean you need to be all depressed just because you are alone on V-Day. Go out and get wasted. The holiday is still dumb when you are in a relationship…or even engaged.

P.S.- When I opened my copy of the book to write this post, I found a boarding pass from 11/16/04. That was my flight to Chicago to interview for my job. Just another reminder I’ve been there way too long!
(Quotes taken directly from “He’s Just Not That Into You” by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo; Photos: iwatchstuff.com, reelmovienews.com)

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Sue's 21st...err 50th Birthday

This weekend, my mother celebrated her golden birthday with a party that was...let's just say in the words of Blogo..."Effen Golden."

Here are some of the details of the bash.

The MUCH talked about birthday cake. This was all my dad's idea.

Cookie tables - my Aunt Stacey has learned from the best - Grandma Dolly! The tables were adorned with old pics.

Dad's Nacho Bar - he was really proud of this.

My simple, inexpensive and handmade party favors:
Gumballs - "I hope you had a ball at Sue's Birthday"

Red Hots - "Sue's 50 and Still Red Hot"

Gram tending bar for Brady and Jill.

I wish reader Bubba would have got a better video of my and J Bo's interpertative dance to "Like a Prayer" but I know there is a Souja Boy one that exists.

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Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary

This year, the Super Bowl is somewhat “overshadowing” Groundhog Day in a few ways. First, Phil lives in Punxsutawney - which if you are a fan of the movie “Groundhog Day” you know is close to Pittsburgh (80 miles northeast). Secondly, speaking for the residents of Chicago, I think we feel that whatever happens, we are still going to be stuff with winter until like April. Ugh.

Regardless of Steelers’ “Six-pack” win, Phil did still grab a bit of the spotlight this morning when he saw his shadow.

For those of you mid-westerners not familiar with the “holiday,” Groundhog Day is simple – if the hog doesn’t see his shadow, winter will soon end. If good ole Phil emerges his borrow and sees his shadow, then the misery of winter will continue for six more weeks.

From what I hear, the party in Punxsutawney used to be a big kegger. That’s probably because history shows that the first hog day started in a city called Morgantown (Berks Co., PA) on Feb. 4, 1841. A storekeeper’s diary said, “Last Tuesday, the 2nd was Candlemas Day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate" (wikipedia).

Sir Phil loves a good PR stunt. While researching this blog posting, I found a number of good Phil Facts:
• Stats say that Phil is right 70-90% of the time.
• Phil’s a boozer. During Prohibition, Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the United States if he wasn’t allowed to drink.
• An All-American Hog, Phil met President Reagan in Washington D.C.
• Considered the mecca of coolness, Phil appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey” show in 1995.
• The dudes with the top hats are the “Inner Circle.” It’s a group of local dignitaries who carry on the hog tradition. They also care and feed Phil year round.
• Phil’s home is called “Gobbler’s Knob.” On Groundhog Day, the gate to the Knob opens at 3:00 a.m. and Phil’s Prognostication begins at 7:25 a.m.
• Phil’s full name is “Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary."
• A trip to Punxsutawney should be on your must do list. In preparation for Groundhog Day, there are a number of can’t miss events like the Prognosticators Ball, weddings, sleigh rides, scavenger hunts and music.

Here is Phil’s official 2009 forecast courtesy of PunxsutawneyPhil.com:

Phil Says Six More Weeks!

Hear Ye Hear Ye

On Gobbler's Knob this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2009

Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators

Awoke to the call of President Bill Cooper

And greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths

After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,

Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time

And a bright sky above me

Showed my shadow beside me.

So 6 more weeks of winter it will be.


(Sources: groundhog.org, wikipedia.com, and about.com; Photo from Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette)

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