The Wrap Up

The Best of 2011!

Sometimes Blonde Most Viewed Posts:

I'm a Thief

The Pin-Up

Five Days Left

My Favorite New Blog Finds:

A Blonde Ambition

Run With Me

TexaGermaNadian

Tales of a Hockey Wife

A Day in the Life of a Hockey Wife

Basically just check the right-hand column over there >>>>>>>>>>>> :o)

The Best Style:

Hoods

Watches, and Rose Gold for that matter

Wedges

Lace

Websites (Not Blogs!):

Pinterest

lululemon

SugarBoo Designs

NY Times

Best Friends:

Best Kitten:

Have a safe and happy new year!

Assistir Filme »

Russell Brand and Katy Perry to divorce

Russell Brand is divorcing Katy Perry after 14 months of what appeared to be a storybook marriage.

"Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage," Brand said in a statement released to The Associated Press on Friday. "I'll always adore her and I know we'll remain friends."

Brand, 36, offered no other details, but in papers filed on Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, the British comedian cited irreconcilable differences.

He and the 27-year-old pop singer were married in October 2010 at a resort inside a tiger reserve in India, and their mutual affection had become a rather sweet feature of the Hollywood celebrity circuit.

The couple announced their engagement in January 2010 after meeting at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, where Brand hosted and she performed.

The comedian, who once struggled with substance abuse and sex addiction, was effusive about his bride while promoting projects earlier this year, saying marrying Perry has "given me much more strength in what I do."

Assistir Filme »

Pakistan rejects NATO attack report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected as bias the U.S. report on the last month’s NATO attack on its two border posts, which had killed 24 soldiers.

The November 26 NATO strike in Mohmand tribal region, bordering Afghanistan, has caused a severe blow to the Pakistan-U.S. relations.

The US investigation report has been rejected on the basis that with US Brigadier General Stephen Clark as head, the investigation can never bring out unbiased findings, the sources said.

Pakistan has dismissed the report as the head of investigating team Brigadier General Stephen Clark has been linked to the strategic team involved in the attack.

“Pakistan believes that General Clark is an inappropriate choice to carry out investigation as a neutral party”.

The U.S. defence department the Pentagon says that an American official in Islamabad had delivered the report to Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Kayani on Sunday.

The army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas has confirmed receiving of the report.

The full report from the joint US-Nato investigative team was not released publicly until Monday to allow time for the Pakistani leadership to read the findings first, the Pentagon spokesman said in Washington.

"We wanted General Kayani to be able to see the entire thing," he said. The approach represented "an appropriate professional courtesy" to Kayani, he added.

A military investigation has concluded that it took about 90 minutes for NATO officers to notify a senior commander about Pakistan’s calls that its outposts were under attack, underscoring a lack of timely senior-level “override” measures to avoid deadly cross-border errors like last month’s air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

But by then, military communications between the two sides had sorted out a chain of errors and the shooting had already stopped.

The delays — by two different officers — raise questions about whether a faster response could have spared the lives of Pakistani soldiers.

An unclassified version of the report, released on Monday by the military’s Central Command on its website, also revealed for the first time that an American AC-130 gunship flew two miles into Pakistani territory.

The United States and Pakistan disagree about the sequence of events in the cross-border attack.

Assistir Filme »

What I Ate Wednesday

#WIAW -- Has anyone seen this hashtag around Twitter? I just saw it this morning through a retweet. I decided to do a little digging to find out what it meant. I came across the WisdomIsAWoman handle but quickly realized that's not what everyone was talking about. It's the "What I Ate Wednesday" post/blog link up from Jenn over at Peas and Crayons.

The author of P&C is a little sickly these days (aren't we all?) so she's opted out of this week's #WIAW. But that hasn't stopped all the other lovely ladies from still carrying on the tradition and letting us all know how awesomely they have failed to stick to their diets, or how well they actually have stuck to them, the abundance of crap they ate over the holidays, and the recipes they were inspired to try lately.

Search #WIAW on Twitter (If you have it. Which you should). Find out what everyone else is eating today. It may make you feel better! ;o)

I'm also giving this a little spin. What I Ate in 2011! Place, or occasion, here they are. Also a little something I'm ridiculously looking forward to for 2012...or sooner!

What I ate...


...at the lake.
If you remember this post you'll see that I had a not so nutritious weekend at the lake. It looked a lot like this:

...all year long.
Or more like what I drank! Coffee!!

...at the start of this blog.
It's okay if you don't remember these cookies. I'm trying to forget them too.

...yesterday.
Salmon, duh. I posted about it. Sheesh, don't you people ever read?

...while training for my races.
Everything. I ate everything. I was running daily, in boot camp three times a week, and still lifting and doing yoga on my own at least three or four times a week. I was burning a lot and working hard and that meant I was always starving.

...in Denmark.
Denmark isn't exactly known for their cuisine. I'm not really sure what it's known for actually, unless you count super nice people. Basically there was a lot of fish, strange bread, and everything was pickled.

...in Italy.
Let's be honest.

...when I needed a treat.
Yes, I'd eat the boat.

2011 was definitely a good year for my tummy. I hope 2012 lives up to its predecessor.

Assistir Filme »

Five Days Left

I'm stealing this from Ashley at Run With Me who stole it from Life & Times of Alison & Justin. I think it's a nice way to start this week's blogging adventure. It's only five days until the new year, so why not take a look at what's currently awesome to me. This time next year I'm sure these answers will be very different!

Currently...

Current Book:

I just finished the 3rd installment in the Hunger Games Trilogy last night. Mockingjay! It didn't take me long to get through these three books. Between two jobs (even if neither are full time it's still two jobs!), working out, and spending time with Matt and Lucy, I can honestly say it only took about three days for each book. It's worth it. Put it on your Kindle.

Current Playlist:

I have approximately 10 songs on my iTunes. They're all Christmas. No wonder, it's Christmas time, right? So how about my YouTube playlist.

• David Nail - Let it Rain
• David Nail - Memphis
• Keith Urban - Long Hot Summer
• Billy Currington - That's How Country Boys Roll
• Brantley Gilbert - Country Must Be Country Wide
• Keith Urban - Without You (our wedding song!)
• Easton Corbin - A Little More Country Than That
• and so on and so forth .... Can you tell I like country?

Current Color:

I hardly ever paint my nails. A few weeks ago was the first time I've ever purchased nail polish for myself. Ever. In my life. No joke. If I had to pick something though, for the sake of it:

Current Drink:

Just water, and lots of it.

Current Food:

Salmon and risotto. That's what we had for dinner tonight. It was delish. I'm not a huge meat fan these days. A bite here and there and I'm good to go. However, I could still eat a butt-load of fish. So good.

Current Favorite Show:

This one is easy. I've been all over this since my cousin, Shelley, told me I needed to give it a try. It gets an A+ from me. Even a lot of the other couples here in Asiago are hooked.

Current Needs:

Cushioned socks for running. The too-thin ones I'm rocking these days are killing my tootsies. I'm feeling these Lululemon Ultimate Padded Run Sock.

Current Triumph:

It hasn't happened yet, but it will. My goal for the end of 2011 was to hit 250 miles. For my first year of being a "runner" of sorts I'm pretty happy about this. I'm at 238 and I have four days. I'm doing it.

Current Bane of My Existence:

This dry winter air. It's stuffing my nose, scratching my throat, and making me feel super under the weather lately. It also totally sucks because I have gotten bronchitis every January for the last three years and I'm not looking forward to being sick for another month.

Current Celebrity Crush:

Gerard Butler

Current #1 Blessing:

Matt. He's the best, really. He cooks, does the dishes (I HATE DISHES), plays with our wonderful kitten Lucy, laughs hysterically at Modern Family even though he watches every episode 20 times, is still rocking his Movember mustache, cuddles even after three years, surprises me with an owl statue that says "Our Family" for Christmas because he knows I've been loving owls lately and he "thought it would be perfect for our first Christmas together as a real family."

Current Indulgence:

Oh, Heavens me. Toffifee. A delicious little treat with a hazelnut in the middle of caramel, nougat and a tiny bit of chocolate. I allow myself one a day. They're the size of quarter and about a half inch thick. I brought back a pack of 80 from Slovenia and I'm down to five. Matt has eaten more than I originally said he could have. Now I'm wishing I hid them from him completely!

Current Outfit:

Guelph University hoodie and Yamamay gray sweatpants. Oh, and a ballerina bun. I'm not taking a picture for this. No one wants to see it.

Current Excitement:

Some of our friends will be here on Friday! They are only staying in our neck of the woods for two nights but that includes New Year's Eve and that's something to be excited about!

Current Mood:

I'm yesterday.

Current Favorite Holiday Decoration:

Candles that smell deliciously holiday-like. Cinnamon, vanilla, pumpkin, gingerbread. I love them all.

Current #1 Item On My Wish List:

To be able to go to France with the team. There has been a little hiccup in the plan to go to Paris, then Rouen to watch the Continental Cup. Sad face.

Current New Year's Resolution:

To double my mileage ran from this year. That means my Daily Mile total should equal 500 by December 31 next year.

Assistir Filme »

Rapper Common Uninvited to White House Event Amid Right-Wing Pressure

Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity criticized the decision to invite the controversial rapper -- whose violent lyrics have been directed at police officers -- to a poetry program.

After a couple of days of criticism from right-wing TV and radio hosts and bloggers, it appears controversial rapper Common has quietly been disinvited from Wednesday's poetry program at the White House.

The Daily Caller is reporting that when First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the poets who had been invited, she neglected to mention Common, and reporters did not see him at the event, which continues into the night.

It was revealed a few days ago that Common was among the poets that Michelle Obama had invited to her poetry session, and the Drudge Report and others immediately noted the rapper's history of violent lyrics, notably directed at police officers.

He's also rapped his advice to "Burn a Bush," a reference to President George W. Bush.

"The first lady's office declined to comment on whether Common will play a role in the event's evening session," says The Daily Caller.

Among those critical of the invitation were Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.

Beck ridiculed the White House invitation Wednesday morning on his radio show, for example, by saying, sarcastically, "The president and the first lady, of course -- of course -- are not anti-cop."
His rant -- if you can call it that, given it was filled mostly with disingenuous praise for the first couple -- went on for seven minutes. [Watch video below.]

Limbaugh on Wednesday called Common an "artiste" and suggested that only uneducated rubes would dare criticize his lyrics.

He was also being sarcastic.

Hannity, on his Fox News TV show Tuesday night, went through a litany of Common's alleged offenses. When a guest accused Hannity of advocating censoring poets, he responded: "I don't want to censor them. Should he be in the White House? Big difference." [Watch video below.]

Sarah Palin also weighed in by tweeting, "OH LOVELY, WHITE HOUSE." Common responded by tweeting, "SO APPARENTLY SARAH PALIN AND FOX NEWS DOESN'T LIKE ME."

Some police unions and support groups have also objected to the invitation.

Assistir Filme »

Merry Christmas

Assistir Filme »

Death by Consumption

We long for it all year and talk about the most memorable ones we've ever had. Our taste buds can't wait for what's about to come. The drinks, the feasts, the desserts. It's one big meal after another and it's one of the highlights of the holidays.

Yesterday marked the beginning of Hanukkah and my best guess is that your Christmas festivities are starting in the next day or two. This means over indulgence and a mess of wide, happy and forced smiles. Oh, the holidays. Isn't it exciting?

This year instead of completely derailing your diet and exercise plans in just one fell swoop, do a little pre-feast planning. You don't have to wait until the New Year to start with those resolutions of watching your portion sizes, sticking to just one bottle glass of vino, and making time for your workouts. Do it now. You'll feel better after the holidays, not worse. I promise.

Now, by no means am I suggesting your forgo your favorite buttery side dish altogether, or skimp out on that pumpkin pie. Heck no. Just watch how much of it you eat, of course. Portion sizes. I mentioned it before. Go for it. Or better yet - my advice - kick your butt into gear beforehand so that you're not second guessing taking that piece of pie.

Before you start the day with family and friends, wake up with a little work out. Get your heart rate going. If you're really into it, hit up the gym anytime. If you have guests and can't sneak away for an hour, try this in the morning:

via Pinterest

I also highly recommend some A.M. yoga! Stretch out your muscles and steady your breathing right from the start. A few Sun Salutations are all it takes to tighten your core, build strength in your arms and legs, and center your balance and breathing.

There you have it. A few early morning calories burned before you do anything else. Ten minutes is all it takes to get you started out on the right foot. Throw in these sequences a few times a day when you get a break and you're laughing.

Prep yourself with good food leading up to your get-togethers too. A few days in advance, more carefully, watch what you're eating. Cut down on carbs because you know there will be a bread basket at your grandma's. Skip dessert one night because of course the pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and cheesecake will be much better on Christmas Eve at your mom's. Even the Latkes at your mother-in-laws will be better than that extra heap of mashed potatoes you scarf down tonight.

Snack well too. It will keep you from over eating now and during the days when you have that big meal at night. Drink lots of water. Let's be honest with each other ... You need to stay hydrated in the tough Winter months anyway. Why not add an extra glass a day in before you take your first helping of the Who Roast Beast?

Why feel like a big, fat mess after this weekend, only to feel like a bigger crap, mess after you drink one too many on New Year's Eve?! Why should we always start the new year out on a good foot when you could go into the new year being amazing already? Enjoy your holidays because you've worked for it, earned it, and totally deserve it.

Assistir Filme »

Marilyn

Assistir Filme »

Lindsay Lohan gets 120 days in theft of necklace

The actress pleads no contest to a misdemeanor. Because of jail overcrowding, she's expected to serve only a fraction of the sentence, either in jail or on electronic home monitoring.

By Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times

May 12, 2011
Lindsay Lohan pleaded no contest Wednesday to misdemeanor theft for stealing a gold necklace and was promptly sentenced to 120 days in jail — time she may be eligible to serve confined to her Venice home.

Because of jail overcrowding, the 24-year-old actress is expected to serve only a fraction of the sentence, either in jail or on electronic home monitoring, beginning June 17. Her attorney Shawn Holley entered the no-contest plea at the Airport Courthouse on her behalf in connection with the Jan. 22 theft from Venice jewelers Kamofie & Co.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner also placed Lohan on three years' probation and required her to attend a shoplifting offender's program and receive psychological counseling. The actress must also complete 480 hours of community service at the Downtown Women's Center on skid row and at the county coroner's office.

The 120-day jail term is the same sentence she received for violating probation on her 2007 drunk-driving conviction. She will serve the sentences concurrently, Sautner said.

Lohan has applied to be part of a home electronic monitoring program, Holley said Wednesday.

"She is neither requesting or receiving special treatment," the attorney said at a news conference after the sentencing. Lohan did not appear at the courthouse.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said a 120-day sentence would be reduced to 71 days because of good behavior, and to about 16 or 17 days because of overcrowding. Electronic monitoring, if approved, would be for the shorter period, Whitmore said.

"It appears a person like Ms. Lohan will be eligible for home detention," he said, noting that she is a nonviolent offender without a serious criminal history.

In court, Sautner said she was "not about to battle" Sheriff Lee Baca on whether Lohan should serve jail time or home detention.

"It is like shopping at Costco" with a triple discount, the judge said of the notion that Lohan could end up with a short, monitored home detention.

Sautner said Lohan could not perform community service while on house detention.

The actress scored a major victory last month when Sautner reduced the theft charge from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Loyola law professor Stan Goldman said the community service and three-year probation term remain a real burden for the troubled starlet.

"A few more weeks under house monitoring is a lot easier than all those hours of community service," Goldman said. "Three years' probation is a long time. If she does something in New York, Chicago or wherever, they will hear about it."

Assistir Filme »

‘American Idol’: The Final Four Compete, Plus Lady Gaga

I’m not sure much could trump the appearance of tonight’s very modern mentor Lady Gaga and her fascinating two-toned hair and face-dot on tonight’s “American Idol,” but the contestants tried with some rock star performances.

America got a double-treat from the remaining four Idol hopefuls with two songs per contestant. The first was to be a song that inspired the singers and the second was a pick from the vast songbook of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

Round one: James Durbin was playing to the crowd (and Randy Jackson who has played this song many times before) as he sang Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” encouraging all to stand up and sing along . The judges were full of praise for James. “Great song, great performance,” said Jennifer Lopez. Randy compared James’ effort to an Olympic rating, “that was the highest degree of difficulty and you did it.” Steven Tyler told James he was getting ready for what was to come.

Haley Reinhart didn’t get the same love. A very growly rendition of “Earth Song” by the late Michael Jackson was Haley’s pick for round one and it caused a major stir at the judges table. JLo said, “I really felt that it inspired you,” but she said she once again questioned the song choice Haley made, which is “part of the competition.” JLo told Haley it was a tough song to sing following Durbin’s bar-setting performance. JLo got some big boos and so did Randy. Randy said, “it didn’t really suit you.” He wasn’t happy with how she “screamed” it at the end and said she needed to hit the higher notes to meet the standard of MJ. He was not loving her showing and it prompted Haley to fight back and defend her singing. Steven also fought for her. He said, “they’re both wrong…that song showed me that you can.”

Inspiring the ever-twangy Scotty McCreery tonight, was “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning” by Alan Jackson. Randy said, “I think it’s the perfect song choice for you…You set your mark on this stage this evening. You set your mark for super-stardom and I hope you make it.” Steven said, “ditto” and JLo said, “I’m in love with you.”

Maybe she was holding back until it counted, but tonight during round one Lauren Alaina mopped up with “Do It Anyway” by Martina McBride. Last week she landed in the bottom two, but tonight Steven said, “your voice is so pure and perfect and perfect pitch and you deliver a song like a blue plate special.” He went on to tell her he was digging her strappy shoes and leg-exposing dress. JLo defending the judge toughness in previous weeks and tonight with Haley and said Lauren did what she had to do: “a great vocal performance.” Randy, “Lauren is back in it to win it. That was hot. That was everything…amazing.”

The Haley shellacking continued after round one ended when Ryan asked the judges: “Who won that round?” Well, JLo sat on the fence and didn’t answer, but Randy said it was a tie between everyone but Haley, which got Haley very upset.

So she channeled her tears and anger and Haley made her comeback in round two with “I Who Have Nothing.” Her work with mentor Gaga paid off because she sang it with some some serious drama. The judges and the audience gave her a standing ovation. JLo, “This is why we can’t take it easy on you. Look what you’re capable of…one of the best performances of they year.” Randy said, “baby, you just had a moment right here..this is what’s going down. One of your best vocals ever.” Steven said, “This was a classic moment, with a classic Haley, you just Reinharted yourself into next week.”

It was wacky to pair the country boy Scotty with Gaga, who told Scotty to pretend the microphone was his girlfriend asking Scotty to stick his tongue in her mouth. And so that’s how he sang “Young Blood” by The Coasters, by using the humor and drama Gaga encouraged. Randy asked Scotty if he was having a good time on stage. Randy conceded he himself had more fun watching Scotty with Gaga. “I think we saw both sides of a Scotty concert – him having fun, him being serious.” Steven said, “dude you made Gaga’s Lala go YaYa.” JLo said Scotty hit his stride, but seemed to prefer the round one showing and said she’s looking for something different for next week.

Lauren’s second song was “Trouble” by Elvis Presley. During mentoring, Lauren struggled with singing the word “evil,” but Gaga and record producer Jimmy Iovine helped her get past the issue. Gaga said she was too weird at 16 to go on Idol, but that Lauren could pull this off. And she went with it and the judges loved it. Steven said, “I just loved it.” JLo liked the “performance quality” she saw from Lauren on stage. “We saw some maturity we haven’t seen from you.” Randy said, “you’ve got this rocker thing with a little attitude.” He liked her showing and loved the help Gaga offered Lauren.

James book-ended the show – both opening and closing with songs that rocked the room. His second song was “Love Potion No. 9,” which wasn’t destined for greatness until Gaga got up during rehearsal, stood behind James and moved his hips for him. He brought energy to the stage, but maybe not as much hip action as Gaga might have liked when he did it for real. JLo said that the song showed her James could sing anything. Randy said, “you are now what I love about sports. You’re peaking at the right time.” Steven called the performance “incredible.”

So who is going home tomorrow night? Did the judges hand Haley or Scotty a ticket off of the show with their criticisms?

Assistir Filme »

Winter Essentials

It's finally happening. This place is beginning to look a lot like winter! It's bitterly cold at night and dropping just above freezing during the day. We have been wondering for awhile, will Asiago ever become the place we envisioned?

Snow is on the forecast for next week but I'm hoping for a white Christmas. Doesn't everyone wish for that?

With the temperatures dropping and the wind picking up, your skin, hair, lips, and mind take a beating. Winter can be this amazingly beautiful time with so many fun things going on, but it can also make you feel like junk. I've put together a list of some essentials for the winter months. Things to get you through everyday, and things to give you a little pep once in awhile.

Take my advice ladies. My life revolves around the winter months because of hockey. You have to look great and feel great (or at least know how to fake it) no matter how much you want to curl up on the couch and enjoy winter from your window.

The List

1. A great chap stick. Not lip gloss, lip stick, or lip stain. Chap stick. There's nothing like a moisturizing coat of chap sticky goodness. I'll use myself as an example. Here are Matt and me at the slide park our first year in Italy. I'm pre-chap stick.

Now, after some light application ...

Don't we look so much happier? That's chap stick for you, ladies. It does wonders. I'm a big fan of the classic ChapStick brand as well. It's my go-to. Just make sure you still have SPF even in the winter months. The sun doesn't rest even if you think it's not giving you a tan.

2. An amazing exfoliant. Store-bought or home-made, whatever you prefer. Make sure it's not too abrasive but just enough to wipe away all the dry, dead skin. It's necessary to keep a little glow in the winter. Dead skin reflects light in a crazy way so you end up looking dull and pastier than your grandma's old china dolls. Get something you can use 3-4 times a week, depending on your needs, and use it everywhere!

3. At least one (but totally get more) oversized, knit sweater. Cardigan, pull-over, wrap, poncho, super stylish, old grandpa-ish, festive or not. Take your pick.

4. Amazing socks. Enough said.

5. A cozy blanket and your couch. They're essential to have together. It's what you do when you're sipping your morning coffee, reading the books you put off all year because you would have rather been swimming, and watching the movies that get you through those long winter nights.

6. A moisturizing shampoo is a must. Unless you want to look like you stuck your finger in a socket. Or maybe that's your thing? Probably not. I'm not a huge fan of fancy, pricey products for just about anything. Go to your local drugstore or grocery store and find amazing products at a fraction of the cost of a salon. My favorite that I found this summer, Renpure Organics. I used their volumizing 'poo and it was awesome. I highly recommend their moisturizing one as well.

7. Perk up and invite some friends over. Or invite yourself to their place. No one wants to be alone when it's cold, dreary, and statistically the most lonely time of year. Get together with friends and warm yourself up from the inside out!

8. Get an animal. They make you so happy and they're the best for cuddling. I recommend a kitten. Dogs are nice too.

Assistir Filme »