The New York Family

Oh How I Love The Gays!

2011-05-30T00:29:00.009-06:00

This is just a real quick little post. I've been wanting to do some awesome "Favorite Things" posts like my fabulous friend Kristen Rucker. She Always has the best blog reads! If you aren't already following her, go check her out at www.kristenrucker.com.

So to start off my series of favs, I'm going with... My Favorite Gay! However, because I know so many amazing homosexuals in life :), I decided to keep the selection for this post strictly notably famous gays. So without further ado, here they are in no particular order:

1. Tim Gunn

I wish all the time that I was talented at clothing design. Not because I have a great passion for it and would love to work in the industry, but because I want to go on Project Runway and meet Tim Gunn! I really want him to say to me his signature, "Make it work!"

2. Clinton Kelly

Wouldn't it be fabulous to have a friend like Clinton Kelly? I would always look amazing under his tutelage. Just don't put me on your show and tell everyone how horrible I look on my own ok?

3. Neil Patrick Harris

I was never an avid watcher of Doogie Howser M.D., but Neil Patrick Harris has become a huge favorite! What's funny is his character "Barney" on HIMYM is the complete opposite of a gay man, and he is legen....wait fo it...DARY! He totally makes that show for me. Add in his musical talent and the fact that he did a project with Joss Whedon (Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog), and he's won my favor.

4. Darren Criss

To be fair, Darren is not actually gay in real life. He just plays one on TV. He plays the role of Blaine on Glee. I'm not sure if it's his boyish good looks, his amazing singing voice, or my love affair of all things prep school boys that made me want him on this list, but whatever it was here he is.

5. Ellen Degeneras

I'm not as knowledgable about the ladies in this arena, but who doesn't know (and love) Ellen?!? She is so quirky and fun she just had to be on my list. Plus I adore anyone, gay or straight who can think on their feet in such a fast and hilarious way.

So there it is my favorite famous gays. Hope you enjoyed. :)

Maybe A Little Overdue...

2011-04-13T23:23:00.005-06:00

Soooooo.... two years ago. Yeah that was the last time I posted a blog. Am I a slacker or what? Although it's not like anything important happened in that time right? I just had a baby, that's all, no big deal. Well I'm here to correct the error of my ways. I've been inspired to share my thoughts more frequently and I'm committed to do so. BUT, I issue this warning... You asked for it.

To get started I want to share something that happened recently that was also long overdue, date night. But not just any old date, this was a super fancy, extensive date. My husband has recently been using his vacation time to take off work and go to various sporting events with his buddies. Which is all fine and good, except he was spending a lot of our time and money with other people and not with me or our son. So to make it up to me Chris planned out the following date:

To kick it all off, I came home from work to find one of those cheesy candybar posterboard notes that he put together for me. I say it's cheesy, which it is, but also very sweet and I loved it! PLUS, candy and chocolate, hello bonus! The note laid out all the activities that he mapped out for us the following day. I wish I took a picture of it because it was so awesome, but I was dumb. The best part was a Harry Potter Chocolate Frog at the end that had no link to the message. He just included it because I would love it.

The next day we dropped Gray off at Meemaw's house and then went and had a couple's massage, heavenly. I don't really get the point of a couple's massage because you don't talk to each other, or are even aware of anyone else's presence period. I guess it's just a shared experience, and it's cheaper than individuals! The place we went is called Solase, it was my first time there. I usually get my massages done at the Aveda Spa in the mall, but those are kind of pricey. The actual message part wasn't really any different from Aveda, but the overall experience wasn't nearly as pleasant as it is at Aveda. Still wonderful though and definitely more budget friendly.

When we finished there we moved on to pedicures at a place called Juicy Nails in the newly revitalized Riverwoods Shopping Area. We hadn't been down there since all of the renovations had been made and we couldn't believe how different it was. If you haven't been there recently, I strongly reccomend it. Chris got his very first pedicure. He said his favorite parts were the paraffin wax dip and the hot stone massage. I agree, they were great!

So by this point I'm feeling like quite the pampered lady, but I'm also famished, so we decided to break for lunch. We went to Malawi's Pizza which took over the old Magleby's building in Riverwoods. The super cool thing about this restaurant is that they donate a portion of the profits from every sale to feed orphans in Africa. So not only do you get to help feed hungry orphans but also...best pizza I've ever eaten, not even kidding. We ordered the Malawi Capri pizza which is described on the menu as having Alfredo with Pesto Oil, Fresh Mozzarella & Basil, and Garden Fresh Tomatoes. But what it doesn't tell you is that it also has these oven roasted tomatoes on it that were absolutely devine! I was nervous about it because I don't really like sun dried tomatoes and I thought they'd be like that, but no. I also ordered a build your own pasta dish which was quite deliscious as well. And Chris got a desert pizza which he loved. Here is a picture of my yummy pizza.

Next Chris took me to see Red Riding Hood. Definitely not my favorite movie ever, but I will watch it again. Chris seemed to like it too once it got a little more into the action part and less about the romance. Boys! Speaking of, both lead guys were great to look at so that was a big plus in my book.

When the movie got out Chris took me over too the mall where he bought me an assortment of my favorite See's chocolates and this purse.

To finish us off we went and had dinner for the first time at the new Texas Roadhouse in Orem. We've really wanted to eat there for some time now and it didn't disapoint. It was good southern comfort food. I felt like I was sitting at one of my great aunt's house having supper. Great for the taste buds, good for the soul.

All in all an amazing day with a wonderful husband. He sure knows what I like! Sorry this post was soooo rediculously long. I'll try not to be so long winded next time.

Kiri's Birthday

2009-01-18T15:49:00.007-07:00

Thusday was Kiri's Birthday so Sarah and I took her to see Bride Wars that night. This is us at the movie.

The next night Kiri had her official Birthday dinner at The Pie with everyone.

Great food, great company, great time!

Die Evil Computer!!

2009-01-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

It is absolutely unbelievable how much I depend on my computer on a daily basis. This thought is not something realized until you have to go without it. My work computer caught a virus. And not just any little virus, we're talking computer cancer OK. In fact I have to use the dinky loaner computer for the next few days while mine is stripped down and rebuilt. Oh Joy. But this arrangement didn't happen until after I spent two days, first trying to fix it myself, and then without anything to do while it was taken over by someone who actually knew what they were doing. So after all this awful, hair pulling, frustrating mess! I would just like to say DIE EVIL COMPUTER!!

Daily Struggle

2009-01-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

Why is food so amazing? I wish eating could be merely an indulgence and not a life requirement. Something you could occasionally partake of but ultimately live without. Like going to the movies or 1,200 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. Unfortunately for me, food and I have a love/hate relationship. I love it, but it hates me. So with the rest of my new year changes I'm joining the ranks of the get in shape club. I've started to moderate my food intake and limit those truly dangerous sweets. So far I'm doing alright.
What I'm also starting is a "Walk your First 1/2 Marathon" program on the treadmill. So I actually went and bought a pair of real life, grown up, professional runner's shoes (the good kind, promise.) They cost more than any of my other shoes, and I have plenty of shoes. However it's made very obvious how they can charge that much after you've used them. What I don't like is how people keep throwing around the word "run" just because they're "running" shoes. WALK people, ok. I'm WALKING my first 1/2 marathon. Baby steps, c'mon.
So the plan is to lose at least 1 pant size in 1 month. Hopefully that goes well, but we'll see. Now we just need to get Chris to eat some lettuce once in awhile. Or at least just not a constant intake of pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches. :)

And we have finally arrived...

2009-01-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

The way I see it, you haven't officially entered into the "Married Life" until you've started your own blog. Or at least that's what I've been informed. So here we are, finally arrived. Married almost 4 months and with our very own blog to prove it. :) I'm not saying I will be good at keeping this up, but I'm giving it a shot. After all it's a new year and with that comes new ventures and commitments. This is only one of many. So I hope you enjoy our story as it progresses. Chris and Nicole: The new York family.