Kvetch Friday

Kvetch: v.1 (Yiddish) to complain

My favorites from the Kvetching Board via The DTH

I made a rookie mistake and wore long sleeves at the end of October. What was I thinking?

Dear slow walkers at UNC: If Marcel the Shell could pass you, you need to pick up the pace.

... Sadly, today's kvetching board was quite weak.

Welcome Home

It's homecoming weekend! Look at all of the cute things you are missing out on if you aren't here. If you are coming... Get pumped.

I hope I see you on the hill!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

To the best mom in the whole wide world. LOVE YOU!!

What did the casket say to the other casket?

Is that you coffin?

What is a mummies favorite type of music?

Wrap!

Why did the ghost go into the bar?

For the boos.

Why didn't the skeleton dance at the party?

He had no body to dance with.

Hot Air Balloon

At the East 54 street fair, they had a hot air balloon. It was too windy so no one could go up in it which was a bummer. It did make me realize how much I would love to do this! I would be happy with a hot air balloon ride anywhere, but I would love to do it in Cappadocia, Turkey. I have heard too many times how breathtaking it is to ride over this mysterious landscape:

Not So Funny Henna

I know what henna is, but when I got this I'm pretty certain I heard the lady say it will wash off (I was at a kid-friendly event). In hindsight, she meant the top layer, not the ink. I wouldn't have a problem if it wasn't right on my hand. I'm a professional. It's doesn't look cool. I can't wait until it disappears.

Pumpkin Love

There is more to love on our double-sided pumpkin this year. This pumpkin is huge! He would have been the big guy at a pumpkin patch, but he was only $3.99 at Harris Teeter. I still can't even believe it.

A double-sided pumpkin is a concept I have really enjoyed. I get to see prettiness when I leave the house and spookiness when I walk up to the house.

*Recreated bow pumpkin inspired by LC.

LC

On Saturday Amy (amazing future sister-in-law) and I went to a book signing at Barnes and Noble to meet Lauren Conrad (reality star, clothing designer and author). We arrived at 9am to get a ticket. Once we were inside we bought our book, Style, took our ticket and didn't have to be back until 1:30. It was a super organized process.

LC was gorgeous! Super skinny in real life, so stylish, beautiful face, pretty hair... Loved her. She was an hour late because her plane got delayed, but it was worth it. Girls our age were crying after they met her!! Everyone kept saying the same things to her, and I was definitely the only one there in her clothes, so I thought asking her if she liked my top was cute. She said, "I love it. I was trying to put my finger on it because it looked very familiar," in her most adorable sarcastic voice.

I'm on hold for her books at the library, and I'm looking forward to her new show beginning this fall. Go LC, Go!

Dancing Towards A Cure

So sweet... Every view helps get closer towards a cure.

Crepes Veronique

A lady from Paris opened a crepe boutique earlier this year on West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Her menu includes ham and cheese which I would love for lunch today, as well as caramelized pear and goat cheese (among many others). All ingredients are organic, local and fresh. I've been craving a crepe ever since I had one for lunch in Greece:

I look forward to trying out this spot... Immediately.

Look What I Did At Work Today

"I'm a lobster look at me now." - Dad (Lobster Night on Cruise)

It's employee appreciation day, and I went in a photo booth (shown above), cash cubed it up, played some carnival games, listened to live music and ate some BBQ... A fun start to the weekend.

Greece and Turkey 2010 - Video Montage

A-DOG-ABLE in a Basket

This is a same-day local florist delivery selection via 1800flowers.com. I doubt it would look even close to this upon delivery, but what if it did? Your dog lover recipient would freak out it's so cute:

How Pumpkin Pies Are Made

This makes so much sense...

There is no way I will look at a pumpkin pie the same again.

Engagement Session

It's really hard for me to hold the suspense of seeing all of our engagement photos next week. I love our photographer. He's british, and he's hilarious. For almost two hours we shot just about everywhere on campus... So. much. fun. I will share here soon enough!

Quote Boat

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.

- Oprah

Battery Blues

My car battery died this morning. I made a lap around the neighborhood, and the last push of the gas petal got me right back into the driveway. It lasted two years more than it should have, so I can't complain. All the signs were there yesterday, so I could have prevented being car less today, but it is what it is. I think, man, what an unfortunate way to start my day today. Yet then I have to laugh because it could be worse. A man came into a store I was in and said, "My car just died. I was literally pulling in to get my car inspected, and it died, right there on the platform. How am I suppose to pass now?" At least I passed my inspection already... It can always be worse, and that's what we have to remember in every situation. One of my favorite quotes is, "If we all took our problems and put them in a pile for them to be redistributed, we would be much happier leaving with what we came with." Life is what it is... C'est la vie.

Get Lit - October Book Club

Here is a summary of October Book Club via Toasts and Roasts by Katie. How am I going to match this when I holiday host in December?

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

The weather is changing to fall, and Halloween is right around the corner. I couldn't resist creating a bit more than necessary for our meeting. Here is a list of my treats... No tricks!

Ghoulish Goodies:

Everything Cheese Straws

Mini Ginger Sausages

Avocado Quesadillas

Homemade Kettle Corn

Apples and Snicker Doodle Cookies with Pumpkin Dip

Veggies and a Creamy Dip

Sausage Dip with Ghost Tortilla Chips

Devilish Drinks:

Red (Vampire Juice) and White Wine

Spiked Apple Cider

Mini Ginger Cocktail Sausages (Better Homes and Gardens)

1/2 cup orange marmalade with 2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 cup whole grain mustard

1 tbsp garlic-flavored olive oil

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 3/4 cooked or smoked cocktail sausages

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a shallow baking pan with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients. Then add sausages, turn to cover. Arrange sausages which have been covered in mustard sauce on the pan. Cook for 25-30 minutes or until browned.

Easy Sausage Dip

1 lb Sausage

1 can Rotel

1 pkg Light Cream Cheese

Brown the sausage. Remove from heat and drain. Add the cream cheese. Once the cream cheese has melted, add the rotel. Mix. Make this the night of your event, or make it one night prior and heat it up day of in the oven. Serve with tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Creamy Veggie Dip (from Southern Living)

1 (8oz) package of fat-free cream cheese

2 tbsp fat-free milk

1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

4 tbsp ranch salad dressing mix

1/4 c chopped red bell pepper

1 green onion chopped (about 2 tbsp)

Soften cream cheese and combine all ingredients, chill and serve with favorite veggies.

I love that we all went home with homemade caramel apples in the above super cute treat bags that look like witch's broomsticks (Martha Stewart). My caramel apple was sprinkled with coconut.

Cheers to Get Lit!

Words with Friends

How late am I? I'm obsessed with this App... Words with Friends. Do you know who else is? John Mayer. Note to self, I need to find out his username so I can play him. If you have an iPhone, iPad, iTouch, etc. download this free App, find me on it at uncali, and let's play! It's super fun and leisurely... You'll be glad you did it.

Late Night with Roy

Late Night is a celebration marking the opening of basketball season at Carolina. Here I am playing on the cameras before the mad dash of people ran in...

We had some of the best seats in the house this year!

These seats put us up-close and personal for the skits, dances and scrimmages. Can I have these for the season, please?

Do we love Carolina immensely? Heel Yes!

Cute Bow Pumpkin

Crafty... via Lauren Conrad on Twitter

Kvetch Friday

kvetch: v.1 (Yiddish) to complain

My favorites from the Kvetching Board via The DTH

To the girl who itemized her sorority expenses - too bad all that money couldn't buy you some class.

To the State fan driving on I-40 who rolled down his window to stick his thumbs down at my mom's UNC flags on her car and lost his own State flag: Brilliant.

To the girl walking around campus with a stuffed unicorn on her head... Why?

To that guy I hung out with ONE time, stop calling me and take me out of your profile picture. You're creepy.

Lolita Bliss

Congratulations for being chosen as the winners of my Haunted Halloween Glass Giveaway! I just found out I won these four glasses through Lolita's page on Facebook:

These glasses are so fun... We're great together! Happy Halloween!!

I'm so thrilled I can't even contain it! This truly is spooktacular. I look forward to receiving these ghoulishly great glasses. Their arrival will make for a frightfully fabulous night!

Beachin' It

We had the best time at the beach.

This past weekend was about sleeping in late, long walks on the beach, delicious seafood, swimming, libations and live music.

I still can't believe we went swimming in October...

The principle business of life is to enjoy it (and we did).

Quote Boat - Travel

I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.

- Mary Anne Radmacher

Heart Disease

By Laurel Holden

Loofa Costume

I saw this halloween costume on Facebook. How creative!! She's a shower loofa... Too cute!

Mama's Song

So sweet...

Smile Friday

This beach bum is busy by day and beach bound by night.

On the coast of somewhere beautiful...

Longtime local farmer Rob Hogan dies at 54

Don't take today, tomorrow or the next day for granted, because it is not owed to us. Each day is a precious gift. To believe missing a single step could lead to this... So very sad.

The Carrboro Citizen -

Local farming-community stalwart Rob Hogan died Friday morning at UNC Hospitals after a three-week battle for his life.

Hogan, 54, had been in intensive care after he fell from his tractor on Sept. 15. He had been working in the field until 11 p.m. and missed the last step of his tractor while getting off of the tractor, landing with his full weight on his hip. Over the course of the night, Hogan's leg became increasingly numb and EMS brought him to the emergency room at UNC Hospitals in the early hours of Sept. 16.

The doctors determined that Hogan had developed rhabdomyolysis, a condition where injured muscle tissue deteriorates and releases myoglobin, which is toxic to the kidneys. Hogan had multiple surgeries, and while his condition had improved last week, his health deteriorated rapidly Thursday after a surgery on Wednesday.

Hogan lived on Hogan's Magnolia View Farm outside of Carrboro, where the Hogan family has farmed for more than 240 years. The farm is also home to Rameses, the UNC football team mascot.

Kvetch Friday

kvetch: v.1 (Yiddish) to complain

My favorites from the Kvetching Board via The DTH

To my staff member who said, "Erectile Dysfunction is a growing problem." You are amazing.

Last Friday someone kvetched:

Sundress: $50, Ray-Bans: $100, Cowboy boots: $80. Being the epitome of a stereotype: Priceless. There are some things money can't buy; for everything else, there's Daddy's MasterCard.

This Friday someone kvetched back:

To the idiot who thinks my sundresses only cost $50 (where do you shop, Wal-Mart?): Sundress: $500, Ray-Bans: $170, Cowboy Boots $450. Being better than GDIs: PRICELESS. There are some things money can't buy; for everything else, there's Daddy's AMEX... Platinum.

Hey Pirates, I bet our players wouldn't have to cheat if they went to ECU.

You know you're at UNC when as a liberal you say "damn liberals" every time you read letters to the editor.

Dear ladies of McCauley Street: I appreciate your sign expressing your enthusiasm for UNC, but for future reference, "Tar Heels" is not one word. (AMEN to that one!!!!)

To the girl carrying two grocery bags full of toilet paper in Lenoir: The food up there does the same thing to me, but you might want to be more discreet about it.

Oh DTH Kvetching Board... You get me every Friday.

October, You're Crazy!

Quote Boat - A Strong Marriage

One where each partner builds the other up to become the best version of themselves possible.

- LLL

Favorite Halloween Movie: Hocus Pocus

To me this is Halloween's Home Alone. I watch this movie each October. I think I appreciate it more now, because I know who Sarah Jessica Parker is today. This movie was filmed in 1993, five years before SJP knew how big Sex and the City would be! I wonder if she ever goes back to watch this movie too?

I think it would be super entertaining for her to do so.

Hump Day Hottie

I already HDHed them. These two are at the top of my celeb crush list, so much so, that a reappearance was necessary. How cute are they?

Vampire Diaries (Thursdays at 8) is currently my favorite show as well. It's hot! Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder play vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore.

Nina Dobrev (as Elena Gilbert) is one lucky actress to be in this tall, dark and handsome vampire sandwich ; )

They Tied the Knot!

I went to a wedding reception at the lake over the weekend. It had all of my favorite things, great food, family and friends and dancing! Here are a few highlights:

That's me with my guys!

"There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them."

Especially if it's me trying to remember the dance to Soulja Boy Crank That from 2007! P.S. How has it already been that many years ago since we were just learning this dance... Wow time, cool your jets!!

Mini Thanksgiving Dinner

I could wait no longer for some of the Thanksgiving staples like cranberries and stuffing, so we had a mini Thanksgiving themed dinner tonight! While there is no turkey here, the rotisserie chickens found at Harris Teeter, Sam's Club, etc. are a great (and cheap) substitute.

Boo!

The decorations are up:

I've always enjoyed Halloween. Then Hilloween in Chapel Thrill enhanced this love. Pumpkin parties, tricks and treats, oh my!