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Jan
15
A few of my favorite things…
2010 at 11am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
With Oprah on the way out, someone has to take over the duty of sharing favorite items no one should live without, and I don’t see why it shouldn’t be me. So here we go, a few things I just can’t live without.
Whether I’m in the car, the kitchen, the shower, or the gym, the 17 songs on this soundtrack make me happy. It’s that simple. Like the perfect mix-tape, the music rises and falls in all the right places, from rock-out-and-scare-the-people-in-the-car-next-to-you booty shakers to soulful ballads and even the occasional showtune.
My personal favorites are “Golddigger” (track 3), “Bust A Move” (track 14—gotta love a white boy rapping), and “Sweet Caroline” (track 15), which, at 1:58 is quite a tease and makes me wish for the whole song every time, but really, the whole album is delightful, and if it were possible to wear a groove into an iPod playlist, I’d be doing it with my pretty-much-on-a-constant-loop listening.
Sure, it drives my husband a little crazy, but it could be worse. I could be singing the creepy “You’re Having My Baby” song from Volume 2.
The only thing I love more than curling up on the couch with a good book is curling up on the couch with a good book and a nice cup of tea, so when the good folks at Bag Ladies Tea offered to send me a sample of their new line of Novel Teas, I couldn’t resist. This English breakfast tea has a delicious flavor (especially when you add a little honey), and each bag comes with a quote about books, reading, or the love of literature.
Among my favorites so far are Louisa May Alcott’s “She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain,” which immediately reminded me of Dawn, and C.S. Lewis’s “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
There’s also “Where is human nature so weak as in a bookstore?” (Henry Ward Beecher), and if that’s not a sentiment we bibliophiles understand, I don’t know what is.
I’ve started looking forward to my afternoon moment with Novel Teas, and I’ll certainly be giving them as gifts in the future.
J. Crew Boy Jeans
I don’t have a link or image for these because, I’m sad to say, J. Crew is no longer making them. And oh, how I hope this is just a temporary change. You see, I lived in Express jeans all through high school and the first two years of college. Then Express did a redesign on their denim (presumably to make it better) and ended up with a bunch of styles cut far too low and far too tight, and I had to jump ship.
I searched far and wide for comfortable, relaxed fit jeans that didn’t give me a whale tail or a muffin top or any other unflattering silhouette problem named after an animal or breakfast food. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. I’m not high maintenance. I just want everyday jeans that will get soft and worn in without falling apart, that are available in short lengths (because at five feet tall, I find the standard lengths about six inches too long), and that fit my curves. And as ironic as it is, the boy jeans worked for a relatively curvy body.
And now they’re gone, and I’m sad, and no one is selling my size on e-Bay. *sniff*
My Steel Flip Straw Water Bottle from NathanSports
I like to listen to music that keeps me pumped up while I work out (see: Glee soundtrack above), and after soliciting suggestions for new workout music on Twitter and Facebook last week, I created a rockin’ new playlist I couldn’t wait to take for a test drive.
I got to the gym, strapped on the ol’ iPod armband, climbed up on the elliptical machine, and started getting down with my bad self. Then “I Wanna Rock” by Snoop Dogg came on. (Go ahead and laugh, but you know you listen to embarrassing music at the gym, too.) And I went to unscrew the lid of my wide-mouth Nalgene bottle to take a sip. And between the bopping of my head and the bouncing of the machine, I learned an important lesson.
Wide-mouth water bottle + Snoop Dogg + elliptical machine = Book Lady experiencing a major spill and trying to look as though nothing had happened.
But that’s hard to do when you have water dripping down the front of your wick-away workout shirt, especially when it looks like you’re lactating.
Something had to be done, so I made a trek to my local sporting good store the very next day and picked up this little beauty. It keeps my water cold and refreshing, and the straw flips down to protect me from myself.
Yes, it’s politically incorrect and culturally insensitive and a horrible misrepresentation of Italian Americans. But it’s also really freaking entertaining and the very guiltiest of guilty pleasures.
And come on, people, does anyone really expect MTV to present a balanced, measured, accurate perspective on anything? Especially in so-called reality TV?
Jersey Shore has it all: melodrama, fake tans, big hair, a cast member named Snooki, and a guy who refers to his oh-so-cut abs as “The Situation.” And you know it takes balls to be that blissfully ignorant.
It also gives me something to do while I rock out to Snoop Dogg on the elliptical and try not to spill water all over myself—I’m starting to daydream about getting back those six-pack abs I had in high school, and damn, you know they’re going to need a nickname.
What are you loving these days?
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That Snoop Dogg song would be too slow for me on the elliptical! LOL. I’m glad you took care of the water bottle because lord knows we don’t want you falling off of there.
My fave things at the moment:
Rosebud Salve
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=92191&catid=20&brand=48474&trx=PLST-0-BRAND&trxp1=20&trxp2=92191&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-BRAND
My Lavender Vanilla Pillow Mist
http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2966728
Ooh, very cool. I haven’t bought the Glee soundtrack yet, but I’m definitely planning on getting it soon. Is the second one worth the money as well?
The perfect jeans are nearly impossible to find for me as well. Every once in a while, though, I stumble across a perfect pair.
My kids and I love Glee. We’ve downloaded some of the songs. Nicole loves “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” mix the most. And, Jersey Shore… I’M TOTALLY ADDICATED! I loved it last night that we got 2 full hours of it. Bring on another season!
I had no idea that you were my height! It is very, very hard to find jeans that fit properly that are also available short. If you find a new company that does it well, please let me know, because I could always use jeans that fit properly!
Glee just started here in the UK so I’ve only seen two episodes, but I can already see myself owning that soundtrack!
My husband and I don’t watch alot of TV, so I’m probably the last person to watch Glee. I’ve been told there is no turning back once you see one episode. And at my book club last night, they were all talking about Jersey Shore. I did NOT know what to think by their comments! Eeek.
What do I love? I looooove my HP mini. I love Novel Teas alot! (Except I can only have herbal on Game On, but there is only two more weeks, then I’m back on.) Not that is a new thing, but I love Netflix. And I love my iPod. If I have those things surrounding me, I’m good.
I’ve got volume 1 and 2 of the Glee Soundtrack, and both are on my MP3 player. I finally gave in and tried the show after everyone telling me I was missing out. After watching the first 2 episodes, I decided it was ok, added them all to my Netflix and snatched up both CDs… okay, better than just “ok”
I love the Jersey Shore, too. It is so funny. Honestly, I think most people are intelligent enough to watch that show and know that not all Italians are like that. The show is a parody and I love it
Right now, I’m loving all the cheap sweaters I bought at the Gap. Can’t get enough of them
I’m completely with you on Glee Volume 1. Volume 2 is much more hit and miss, but Vol. 1 is a great compilation.
I have escaped the Glee mania so far, but my sister is after me to check it out. It’s actually a show I think I’d like, but I’m avoiding the “let’s add one MORE show to the DVR rotation” debate with my husband.
But as for Jersey Shore, fuggedaboudit!
For some reason, I was thinking you were on the tall side! You would be to me, though – but pretty much everyone is. I don’t even clear five feet.
I’m loving my new car, a 2010 Honda Fit. I’ve had it almost a week, so the honeymoon is still on
.
The second soundtrack is worth having, but as someone else said here, it’s much more hit and miss.
I think it should be you too… Oprah is so ….. yesterday. LOL
This is great and I love the NovelTeas…. I think that is so brilliant!
I’m loving the Novel Teas as well. Every time I pull a bag out it’s like opening a box of Cracker Jacks—I have to read the quote before I can do anything else.
So love GLEE — and in a bit of withdrawals right now — maybe buying the soundtrack would help in this time of transition between Season 1 and Season 2!
Yes, Susan, yes it will! It will also help you drive your family crazy (if you enjoy that sort of thing).
Last night I came home from seeing a live band that just wasn’t all that and was feeling kinda restless. I caught up on my Tweets, saw the one referencing this blog, hopped over and started thinking about my favorite things. My reply is a little long but it definetely pulled me out of my “fink!”
Favorite Things/Food:
Dark & Stormy Cocktail: Made with Goslings Dark rum and ginger beer; redefined my summer and replaced 2008′s preferred drink, mojitos. When I get around to writing about the audiobook, A HAPPY MARRIAGE (by Raphael Yglesias,) I have the ultimate preppy story to tell and D&Ss play a part in it…
Duck and Champagne: I don’t like eating poultry, much less dark meat and; outside of last summer’s preoccupation with D&Ss, I don’t drink that much; but I love duck and Champagne and oddly, I’ve had the opportunity to order it at restaurants quite a bit recently. Moet & Chandon NV Champagne in particular seems to go well with the duck if there is a pear or plum glaze or treatment (inre the duck) but that’s just an observation and I’m not picky!
Favorite Things/Gadgets: It’s hard to imagine how I got along without them now!
iPhone: Despite AT&T’s crappy coverage, I love the iPhone and simply don’t leave home without it. I actually panic if I don’t have it with me.
Garmin: I suffer from global disorientation, which means I can barely find my way out of a grocery store parking lot without help. I set my Garmin to the female British voice which I find has the no-nonsense appeal and authority of a female M16 director like Dame Judi Dench in the Bond movies (but not Dame Judi Dench.) Bonus round: My daughter learned to tell her “left” from her “right” at an early age because of the Garmin. Unfortunately, my daughter has also learned to chime “Recalculating” when her mother occasionally tries to navigate without the Garmin and takes “the scenic route” home!
Favorite Things: Clothes:
Converse army green canvas purse/bag + Jansport black mesh backpack: I put the Converse bag inside the backpack and create a backpack with lots of accessible interior pockets or another way to look at it, a purse that easily slings over the shoulder without a strap digging in. I can also double my cargo load by removing the Converse bag from the backpack.
Travel Socks: Due to a packing miscalculation, I did not have clean socks to wear on my trip home this past Christmas, so I wore no socks at all until I got to the airport. At Hudson News, they sold Travel socks in packs of two (pairs.) There isn’t a natural fiber in these socks but they are THE softest, plushiest, most comfortable socks I have ever worn. They keep your feet warm without becoming sweaty. Unfortunately, they aren’t sold in the airport shop in Medford, OR or I would be over there buying them out.
Levi’s 501 Black Jeans: Incredibly versatile, I can wear them to work and to a club by just changing out my sneakers for boots, they also have the benefit of making me look thinner.
Fair Isle Sweater: Actually from The Fair Isle! I got it in Scotland while I was trekking around the Northern Country a few years ago. Because everyone there seems relatively tiny by American standards, I had to look hard to find and get the size I wanted (GINORMOUS!) It’s mauve/rose pink and may be the only pink thing I own besides the tiny swooshes on my Tretorns. After 13 years, the knitting on the cuffs is extremely worn, but it’s still amazingly warm and virtually waterproof.
Favorite Things/Foofy Stuff: I’m not a girly type but these things make me glad I’m female:
Honeysuckle and, Sweet Pea fragrances at Bath & Bodyworks: Back at the old house, the back yard had a hedgerow of honeysuckle, sweet pea and roses. During the summer, I would open up the windows at night and the most glorious, delicious smell would fill the room. I put both B&B fragrances on and only wish they would come out with a subtle rose fragrance as well.
Baronessa Cali Tarocca Blood Orange Soap, Baronessa Cali Oliva Foot Scrub and, L’Occitaine’s Lavender foot lotion. Indulgences and worth every penny.
That would be “helped me out of my funk!” (not “fink”)
I need to order some ov that Nove lTea!
I just love this list! I think it’s something you’re going to have to keep doing forever. I was very glad to see some Glee love. I have BOTH volumes (and you’re right, “you’re having my baby” is super creepy) and just love the show. And while I have yet to actually see an episode of Jersey Shore, I am well acquainted with “the Situation” and think there’s no doubt that his abs alone make for quality tv.
You know I love me some Glee! I have both soundtracks and got the DVD (which I promptly watched in its entirety) last weekend. I can’t believe we still have at least 2 months until new episodes!
Speaking of episodes, I just can’t get into the Jersey Shore phenomena. I’m sure it has entertainment value (though likely not in the way it wants it) but seeing these kids plastered all over the place repels me more than attracts me.
This is a great list, Tanya, and it reminds me that I’ll have to talk about my Garmin in the future. I would follow that thing into the pits of hell.
[...] A few of my favorite things… [...]
I’m just loving the remixes of songs on Glee … and being exposed to songs I never heard before (like “Defying Gravity.”) I see this album in my future.
Love Glee!
And I think I only wore Express jeans in high school. Then they changed them and told me they didn’t change them but they didn’t fit me anymore. I’m still searching for a jean that I love as much all these years later (actually, tilt is the closest I’ve come, but I have issues shopping at PacSun now that I’m a “grown-up”).
Oh, Michelle, we might be kindred jeans spirits. I worked at PacSun in high school and had a great pair of jeans from there (but I think they were O’Neill brand, like the surfwear) that I wore until they fell apart.
Thanks for reminding me. I’m getting bag lady teas for my Mom for her birthday.
Hmm, I think I *have* followed the Garmin’s directions into the pits of hell … I definitely rely on it too much!
Thanks for the info on the flip-top stainless bottle. I’ve been using Camelback (with flip straw), but have looked at the stainless (just cuz, you know, I have to be wary of the plastic in the current bottle … it has a #7 recycle symbol, which is BAD!). I hadn’t see one with flip straw (definitely needed!), so I’ll look for this specific brand now …
remember that part in zoolander when derek and hansel had a walk-off? i have no idea why but this reminded me of that.