Sidewalk Chalk

I love Sidewalk Chalk! Here are some samples from my little artisans named Jackson, Tanner, Saylor and Brooklyn.

Saylor called this "Haven with a lollipop"
Jackson's colorful spiral
She's just cute!
Working away
Saylor called this "Sunset"

Gwen! Pregnant?

Gweny Gwen Gwen is apparently pregnant with baby number TWO! Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani have adorable rocker tike Kingston and I'm looking forward to seeing another cute offspring of my favorite Hollywood couple.

Music Monday 9

Just watch!!! You'll be glad you did.

He BLOWS my mind...

It was sometime in Junior High when I saw him first in The Crucible...and I was mesmerized by his character John Proctor.
It was just recently that I finally saw Gangs of New York! Once again, I couldn't take my eyes of his character...Bill the Butcher.
Daniel Day-Lewis
The Last of the Mohicans...my older sisters introduced me to this movie when I was young and I immediately understood why it was one of their favorites.
Now, most recently, There will be Blood has blown me away. Go see this movie. You can't take your eyes of him. His voice is irresistible, his intensity is, well, intense, and he's just a down right remarkable actor.

New York Inspiration...

When I was in Brooklyn in September my sisters and I dropped in to this cute children's boutique. The places was so simple and fresh. I loved the wood flooring, the beautiful french music in the background and the details in everything. It was nice to go into a boutique that wasn't overcrowed with stuff. Here is something to inspire..

Not much to say about this...

Except it is incredibly awesome.

Jewelry

A fairly new hobby of mine...but I'm really excited about it. I took my first jewelry class a week ago at OC Beads here in Orange County. I had so much fun. I came home and immediately went to work. I made the earrings for my mom and a bracelet for my sister. I keep dreaming about new designs and ideas. 

Music Monday 8

Coconut Records
Jason Schwartzman (I know what you're thinking...I'm thinking it too...he's very good looking:) )came out with a solo act in 2007 called Coconut Records with the album Nighttiming. You'll remember Jason Schwartzman from the band Phantom Planet and from movies like Rushmore, Marie Antoinette, and the recent The Darjeeling Limited. I just watched an interesting interview with him talking about this solo act and I find it all so fascinating. He got friends together to clap, laugh, sing, all for fun. He was creating an album that wasn't meant to be heard. So he just did what ever he wanted. I think that is the beauty of this simple album, is it isn't music that is dumbed down and morphed for a radio hit. Also super cool...he sends a Polaroid with each album purchase. Yes PLEase! It's just beautiful music with lots of genres in one. Please listen to "West Coast", you'll be happy you did.

The coolest guy in Hollywood? YES.

Gavin Crew Porter turns 4!

A Birthday SHOUT OUT to my boy Gavin (G. Crew) who turns a mighty ol' 4 today. I love this kid with all my heart. He has a smile that kills and an attitude like no other. When I go to visit he always suprises me with a new sassy phrase. He is growing up so fast. He loves being chased and carrying around house gadgets. I love you Gavin.

Just saw...

And I loved it. I went with my older sister and a bunch of her lady friends. We were pleasantly surprised to have it be a laugh out loud...slap a knee type comedy. I thought Katherine Heigl (characters name was Jane!!!) and James Marsden (Eye candy) were terrific. And very natural. Go grab your best gals and head to the movies to see 27 dresses.

A few of my Favorite things...

Homemade Popcorn is the best treat! I eat popcorn almost every night. I also really love this 100 calorie kettle corn. Perfect portion and a nice mid-day snack. I got Bobbi Brown lip liner in my stocking this year and I love it. I've never been a lip liner or lipstick wearer. But, this lip liner adds a punch with all the lip glosses I have.

Pinkberry is the most glorious thing that happened to me (food wise) in 2007. My first experience was in New York. I' m hooked. A surprising taste that is so refreshing and leaves you wanting more.
Thanks to gal pal Maggie, I am a believer in this Loreal mascara. A 2-step process that leaves your lashes feeling full and looking lash-cious! Oven Smores! Also an everyday desert when I have graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips on hand.
I actually buy the Target take-on of bene tint. It's a roll-on blush that stays on all day and gives a great color on cheeks.

Must SEE MOVIES

I love movies as much as the next person, but honestly I don't watch them that much. I go to the theater for movies worth the $10, I rent them when I'm bummin it on a weekend night, and I rarely buy them unless they are classics in the $5 bin. The problem I've run into when I go to rent a movie or even buy one is-- what are the "classic"/"must-see" movies? I went to Blockbuster.com yesterday to check and see if 'Into the Wild' was released yet and stumbled upon 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. Jeepers Creepers I had a good time. They were divided by years so I went to the most present and then backwards. I started a list with movies I have not seen but have heard of, or heard great things about that I really want to see.

Here it goes...it's short but prone to grow.

Cry, the Beloved Country (read the book a year ago....A Must Read)

Hoop Dreams (The synopsis sold me)

Philadelphia

Rain Man

The Untouchables

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid

Once Upon a Time in the West (Watch the Arcade Fire music video 'My body is a cage' they use this movie)

The Graduate (Thank You Simon & Garfunkel)

Ben-Hur (Saw some of it when I was a kid with my parents)

North by Northwest (Anything for Cary Grant)

Okay...now this list is meant to be added on to...What Movies do you think I MUST see?

Music Monday 7

I just finished reading Into the Wild which really drew me to feature my next artist for Music Monday...

Bon Iver. I just read this fascinating article on the man behind the artist name. Reading 'Into the Wild' has led me to ponder the effect of nature and the effect it has on people. There are individuals who find that they need to isolate themselves in the beauty of the world by leaving everything they know behind to be with-the-earth.

Take a read..."Justin Vernon moved to a remote cabin in the woods of Northwestern Wisconsin at the onset of winter. Tailing from the swirling breakup of his long time band, he escaped to the property and surrounded himself with simple work, quiet, and space. He lived there alone for three months, filling his days with wood splitting and other chores around the land. This special time slowly began feeding a bold, uninhibited new musical focus.This slowly evolved into days filled with twelve-hour recording blocks, breaking only for trips on the tractor into the pines to saw and haul firewood, or for frozen sunrises high up a deer stand. All of his personal trouble, lack of perspective, heartache, longing, love, loss and guilt that had been stock piled over the course of the past six years, was suddenly purged into the form of song. The end result is, For Emma, Forever Ago, a nine-song album comprised of what's been dubbed a striking debut by critics and fans alike. "

I suggest you take a listen, I enjoy "Skinny Love" myself. The article concludes "the record was created entirely by Vernon with nothing more than a few microphones and some aged recording equipment. This homemade aspect shows itself in sections as creaks and accidentals are exposed in the folds of the songs, but is hidden well by the highly impressive and almost orchestral sound that Vernon managed to produce by his lonesome, within the creaky skeleton of his father's cabin."

Pretty unique...I think you will like.

California and the Porters

Annie and the family came down this week to play at Disneyland. Before they headed off for there 3 days at the Happiest Place on Earth we spent a day shopping and going to the beach. We went down to my favorite place in Laguna The Montage. The kids didn't mind the cold water one bit....well....not until they got out and had to walk back in their soaking wet clothes. Turns out the Utah kids want water as much as the California kids want snow. Go figure!

Last night we met them at Downtown Disney and ate at the Rainforest Cafe. Kid friendly. Good food. Great time

I recommend..

I heard about this product recently and purchased it at Target the other day. Lately my face has been feeling white, oily, and zitty. I decided to pay the $13 and I am SO glad I did. I wondered whether I should go for light/medium or medium/dark and my sister convinced me to go light/medium. My face as felt moisturized all day, my makeup stays on all day with out getting oily and blotchy. Next time I go to Target I'm looking for the body lotion!
Also a Target purchase, I use this mouthwash after every teeth brushing. Although my teeth aren't as white as they are when I use white strips, I get the cleansing feeling of mouthwash and the brightening of the whiteness. Try it out! p.s. I heard Ryan Seacrest has mouthwash in his glove compartment. Great idea for much needed freshness.

Music Monday 6

Spoon. Their new album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is as incredible as ever. Take a listen to "The Underdog", "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb", and "Don't You Evah". There is something addicting to Britt Daniels pipes! Well matched lyrics to a variety of instruments. You won't regret it.

I want to try...

I was just watching Extra and they were featuring Jessica Simpson and her hairstylists product Hairdo. A friend uses it and says it is fantastic. I say...Life is too short to use cheap products on your hair. I'm no moneybags either...so I'm hoping it is in my "price range"!!! Anyone tried this stuff?

Kite Runner

I read this book about 2 years ago or more and LOVED it. I've raved about it to everyone since. I fell in love all over again with Khaled Hosseini's second book A Thousand Splendid Suns. Yesterday I went to a matinee with two of my sisters to see Kite Runner and it was fantastic. It's a heavy movie with a powerful message. A must see movie that is emotional and heart wrenching. Read First, See Second.