Friday Flashback - Wedding Edition

While I am no Anglophile, I did have a passing curiosity with today's royal nuptials. Like any girl, it's hard not to be awed by the concept of being plucked from relative obscurity to become a living, breathing princess. And it's impossible to not like beautiful Kate Middleton. She just oozes class & sophistication which is sorely lacking from a pop culture universe populated with such fixtures as Snooki, Lindsay Lohan & Charlie Sheen. I sort of doubt we will ever hear about Kate going to rehab, videotaping non-sensical rants with her "Gods" or giving a crotch shot getting out of a limo, and for that I love her.

She looked incredible, no surprise there, but like my darling T at Curly in the City, I couldn't help think about my own wedding. While it was no royal wedding at Westminster Abbey, it was and will always remain the most perfect wedding I ever attended. It was beautiful and heartfelt and filled up with love, the way any good wedding should be. I've noticed that since I got married, any other wedding reminds my of my own: how that day felt, the love that surrounded me, the vows I took and helps renew them in my heart and mind. To that end, here's a flashback to that wonderful day, almost 3 years ago when I made the best decision of my life.



And for the record, I did manage to pull off wearing a couture bridal gown...so Kate and I do have that in common. ;)

XOXO,

Love is all you need.

And I LOVE this little face so much that it literally takes my breath away sometimes.




XOXO,

There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

I heard this song today (in the elevator no less) and it instantly made my morning. I love the Byrds and I love Fall even better, which we've quickly transitioned into here in Chicago. Not even 2 weeks ago it was in the 90's, 100% humidity (just ask my hair) and mosquitoes sent straight from Bon Temps, LA. Cut to this week, we are finally in what is my very favorite season here in the Midwest, Autumn.

I love these crisp mornings that turn to beautiful sunny but not hot days. I spent a quiet hour just walking around at lunch yesterday, because I know very soon I'll have either a baby and/or a blizzard to contend with! Here are some of the things that rock my world in the fall:

Pumpkin Spice Lattes:



I normally try to avoid Starbucks in favor of more local coffeehouses (I miss you Brothers K.) but there is a Starbucks in my building and let's face it, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is just about perfect:

Butternut Squash:



I can't wait to make a big batch of butternut squash soup. I put crisp pancetta & thyme on mine because really, when is bacon not awesome?

The answer is never.

My Kickass Frye Riding Boots:



I sometimes just open my closet and look at these boots. These aren't the exact pair I have, mine are a lovely Cognac brown with studs up the back. My husband still doesn't (and never will) know what I paid for them (hint: a LOT), but they are so worth it. This is one of those 3 things I'd grab in a fire.

(Ok, ok, I'd grab my husband, baby & dogs. Sheesh.)


And lastly...Halloween baby hats:



Sadie darling, you may want to start getting used to the fact that mommy is going to put you in all sorts of funny hats as soon as you make your grand entrance. 'Tis my god given right and payback for you pushing your way through my loins.

So there you have it. See? Elevator music isn't all bad covers of R&B and Jessica Simpson.

XOXO,

Media Monday: Team U.S.A. edition

I am an Olympic whore. I really really really love the Olympics. I love the Olympics so much so that yesterday I watched curling. For two hours. The strangest part of the Olympics is that every two years when they arrive, I go from a tree-hugging, bleeding heart, liberal citizen of the world to a red blooded, profanity laced xenophobe who says things like: "You skated that Kraut under the table, Evan!" or "If it weren't for us you'd be speaking German, Frenchie!".

I don't get it. I love Germany and France. They are two lovely countries filled with even lovelier people, but this means nothing to me come Olympic time. When the French swimmers were taunting Michael Phelps at the last summer Olympics I boycotted French fries. And last week when the Russian men's figure skater badmouthed Evan Lysacek I muttered something about a "Borscht eating commie."

(For the record, I am not proud of these things.)

So, if you aren't horribly offended and care to keep reading, I am kicking off a Media Monday with my current media obsession:

1. TV: The Olympics



Love 'em. We have recorded and watched every event, even the weird one where they shoot things on skis. What is that? I want to try that! My favorite so far has been the aforementioned ass kicking in Men's Figure Skating by the incredibly attractive (and straight!) Evan Lysacek. I also would like to give a shout out to Johnny Weir who was totally low balled by the judges. I remain convinced that they are all jealous they can't rock a hot pink tassel like Johnny.

I also am eagerly awaiting more hockey now that team U.S.A. upset the heavily favored Canadian team. I don't know...I smell something special on the 30 year anniversary of the Miracle on Ice! You better watch your back Canada...we're comin' for ya.

No Olympic recap would be complete without mentioning the incredible Shaun White. As my uncle put it, "Shaun White is to snowboarding what Michael Jordan was to basketball. A whole other level." I'm not sure what is more awesome about Shaun White: his skills, his hair or the fact that he seems like one of the coolest dudes you could ever meet. I think Mr. Valentine has a dude crush on him, which I wholeheartedly support.

2. Non-Olympic TV: Big Love



This show is incredible. According to the writers, they decided to use a polygamist plotline as an allegory for homosexuality and gay marriage. I appreciate the blending of real-life news tie ins (i.e. the FLDS raids in Texas, the Sinaloa drug cartels in Mexico and the hypocrisy of "family focused" politics.) along with an awesome cast of characters. It borders on soapy, but the kind of self-aware, well written soapy that keeps you coming back. Every actor on this show is sublime and the cameos are brilliant. Harry Dean Stanton? Sissy Spacek? I honestly think it's the best show on TV.

3. Book: The Financial Lives of the Poets



Brilliant. Funny. Sad. Socially Relevant. My father in law lent me this book and his rave reviews were spot on. It's a wry and wise take on the current American economic situation and the responsibility that we all carry for it. This is a great book.

4. Movie: The Hurt Locker



I love the Oscars almost as much as I love the Olympics. (Apparently I have two alter egos, red-blooded American jock and fabulous gay man.) I always try to see all the Best Picture nominees before the ceremony, but since there are 10 this year I probably won't. I knew I had to see this one though and it did not disappoint. It is an amazing snapshot of a specific group of our armed forces that I didn't even know existed. I really pull for this type of movie over the "Avatar" types. I just think the intimate quality of a film like this is a true accomplishment.

So there you have it, all the media I am currently consuming. Hope you all have a good week and say it with me: USA! USA! USA!

And to my Canadian friends, I apologize, I won't be this way much longer.

XOXO,

you like me. you reeeaaallly like me.

I am pleased to report that one of my very best e-friends, the lovely and saucy jCam has given me my very first blog award! Cue the choir of angels and check out my new hardware:



I always hoped my first major award would be an Oscar for my tour de force performance in "Valentine's Choice: Not Without my Brie", but this will do just fine. So, in order to be a gracious winner (no James Cameron antics)I have to complete the following checklist:

A. Shout out to jCam: Thanks Boo! I'm so glad that the Internet has brought our kindred spirits together. I can't wait to meet baby coconut, both virtually and one day in real life! (I've taken to calling jCam's bambino coconut since she keeps comparing him/her to legumes. It makes me hungry.)

B. Link jCam's bliggety blog: if you haven't already, start following jCam's "Freakin Awesome Blog" if for no other reason to watch the progress of her adorable sock monkey nursery. HerFreakinAwesomeBlog.

C. Copy the award to my blog. Done. I totally did that first because I LOVE ATTENTION. What do you expect from an only child? Restraint?

D. List seven interesting things about myself. This was harder than I thought but I gave it a whirl:

1. Apparently I reached the peak of my physical beauty at age 3 when I moonlighted as a baby model. Once I was in People magazine modeling baby evening wear (naturally) with a bunch of other children whose parents were famous (side note - mine are not famous, I was the one "normal" kid of the bunch). I remember that Lynn Redgrave's little girl was a horrible brat and kept eating the jelly beans out of the martini glass I was holding as a prop. The photographer yelled at me and I cried. In retrospect this might have been the beginning of my unhealthy relationship with martinis.

2. I hate ice cream. When I tell people this the reaction falls somewhere in between an audible gasp and a look that screams, "What? Do you kick puppies in your spare time too?" I just don't like ice cream. It's cold (hurts my teeth), milky (not a fan) and usually just obstructs my path to cake. In short, ice cream sucks and you can't convince me otherwise.

3. I collect vintage books. The star in my collection is a first edition "To Kill a Mockingbird" with intact dust jacket. I also have my eye on a first edition " Wizard of Oz" at my local vintage bookstore; I just have to convince Mr. Valentine this $400 is totally justified. I'll do it...just you wait. (Insert menacing laughter.)

4. I have never seen the movie "Dirty Dancing". I don't find this that odd but other women my age have a hard time believing it. I've tried. It's boring. Plus, I like my Jerry Orbach as a grizzled detective or a dancing candlestick or no way at all. RIP Detective Lenny Briscoe.

5. I've been in a couple of bar fights. I can't really elaborate but suffice it to say it is NOT a good idea to try to swipe a beer out of my bucket while my back is turned.

6. Although I am a certifiable OCD nut job when it comes to cleaning, I have a junk closet in my house that is a disaster. Sometimes I open it and just stare. It's totally like Monica's secret closet in "Friends". I'm not sure if it will ever be cleaned, but a little clutter is good for the soul I suppose.

7. One of my happiest moments was the second I told Mr. Valentine that I'd scored four tickets to the White Sox World Series. They sold out in under eight minutes and I managed to get four at face value! He thought for sure that I hadn't been able to get them since they went so quickly and I'll never forget the look on his face when he found out! We had an amazing time at the game we went to, a grand slam AND a walk off home run to win it. They went on to win the series and I was able to give my husband a gift he still talks about to this day.

So that's it! Now I have to nominate seven bloggers for this award. I'm sure some of them have gotten them before but I don't care:

My gorgeous lil' sorority sis at i.me.mine

The beautiful & hilarious Jamie at His 'n Her Towels

One of my real life best friends Taylor at Curly in the City

Carrie at Laugh, Love, Eat Ice Cream, she makes me want to move to Washington.

Lauren at With Two Cats whose idea boards are to die for.

Leslie at Twice the Fun Twice the Love whose adorable twins make me grin from ear to ear!

And finally Buckin at The Garden Gourmet whose recipes make drool and garden makes me envious! She's probably gotten this award a million times. She's like Queen of the Blogoshphere.

I do have an honorable mention as well: Jeanne at Cheese Underground. Yep. It's a blog about cheese. Are you really that surprised?

XOXO,