his father's garden.

V, his father, & his darling niece in his father's extraordinary

(and very winnie the pooh-like) garden

(can you believe how huge those hydrangeas are?!).

just picking flowers for his girl.

the luckiest.

hey, las vegas,

does anybody have a fabulous

1 bedroom/studio apartment they'd like to rent?

or

a vegas mansion they'd like me to housesit for the next 6 months?

i need a place to rest my head.

also needed:

• a great vet for stellita (who will undoubtably HATE the heat as much as i do)
• a good doctor or ENT
• somebody to do my lashes (for SUPER cheap...)
• friends
• a cool spin gym (already scoped out a physiquish class-i'll let you know how it goes)
• a tennis instructor (that & perfecting my spanish will be my new hobbies)

can you be of assistance?

i'm officially a jersey girl...

headed to las vegas....

where i'll be playing frankie valli's wife, mary delgado

starting in september

for the next 6 months (at least).

i'm really excited to join the jersey boys family (i've always loved this show)

after years of us missing each other

and am totally thrilled to be so close to my family in utah.

i'm not excited, however, to leave the city & man that i love.....

so it'll be rough.

come visit me, won't you?

(keep in mind, jersey boys has "authentic new jersey language " = there are many F-words. this is a true story about real people and this is the way these real people talk. )

VIVA LAS VEGAS!

i did love all of the guesses.... everything from elopement, to pregnancy (oh, hell!), to engagement, to ending the blog..... this is much less dramatic.... i think....

look for my audition story coming soon...

finally!

4th of july cupcakes with celebrity-stylist kristan

a cupcake worth eating in nyc!

as a connoisseur of sweets, i have to tell you, i'm not really into magnolia (unless you're talking ice box cake or banana pudding) or crumbs... i find them generally dry and grainy....

so i'm pleased that sprinkles has not only opened in nyc but has certainly lived up to the hype.

even stellie agrees...

look at that concentrated "leave it" face.

once i let her rip, the cupcake existed for maybe 15 seconds

i cleaned out my shoe closet!

a few of my favorites!

last weeks offerings are going SOON!

check my shop!

PRADA satin heels

GAP clogs

sigerson morrison heels

theory cropped leather jacket

{ the bachelorette } episode 9 | is solar panels a serial killer?

vim.

1. ok, the one and only reason to be on the bachelorette is for these incredible trips.
2. "true love".... why do people say that? as opposed to what? un-true love? false love? weird
3. that outfit is cute in theory, but isn't executed well...
4. yikes! wet hair? looks damaged from all the color changes.
5. true confessions: i'm fast forwarding thru that boring recap.
6. journaling. good girl.
7. primping shots are so awkie.
8. is your mirror face as fierce?
9. pursed lips & all!
10. old solar panels ! back for more humiliation.
11. wish it was bentley.
12. he looks stoned.
13. WHY is he here? man, these producers are desperate for spice.
14. he's walking like he has just put in a suppository.
15. what?! so any wierdie can come back a knocking in a cool location?
16. kick em off and get rid forever!
17. i have sick feelings for his mom. what torture to have to watch your son make an idiot of himself on tv.
18. "i'm 31 yrs old! and if this stalker move worked to get jake pavelka to be the bachelor, then, hell! why not me?!"
19. yeeeah, you called chris... i'm so sure.
20. please just say NO. please just say NO. please just say NO.
21. i can't take this cheeseball.
22. she's not into it.
23. vim. vim. vim.
24. "hi" ooooooooh!!!! sick!
25. NEVER say "hi" mid-makeout. it's the most awkward cheeseball thing to say/do....
26. you're welcome.
27. cute kini.
28. oooh sweet! his shirt matches his face.
29. for those of you wondering WHY it's incorrect to say "It's effortless for ashley and i." let me give you a little grammar tip. just think: would i use I or ME if i didn't use ashley's name in the sentence. would you say "it's effortless for I" or "it's effortless for me?" it makes sense to say ME, doesn't it? y'welcome.
30. he FOUND himself on the bachelor, folks. who needs therapy?! just go on the bachelor....
31. a chest massage while he mounts him? totally normal.
32. wide necked v neck shirts on boys makes me uncomfortable.
33. that hair....
34. guess ash didn't feel like she needed to fix up on this date... no makeup? not the best move.
35. there it is! per-FACT.
36. he really likes her without makeup. just give him the rose and let's keep moving...
37. please don't say i love you, cavegrob. please don't.
38. ok..... that was a nice skirt steak of the issue.
39. nice of her to put makeup on for the interview.
40. that suite is pretty cool.
41. ugh. future husband, please don't ever carry me like a baby. thanks in advance.
42. cute little outfit, ash
43. oooooh those natives sound SOUR!
44. yes, connie... you do need a haircut.
45. wow! that's quite the helicopter reaction!
46. "really? this is only your first helicopter ride? cause i've been on one with a different guy n' stuff. brad stole my heli-virginity..."
47. aaaahahahaha! that creeper! just standing and looking at the helicopter.
48. guarantee there was no heli in the sky and they just staged the shot.
49. um... she's just not that into you , dude.
50. oooh we're getting zack morris hair out of him.
51. oh sweet. the first "falling" reference- which is refreshing. i feel like we hear that 10 x on the bachelor series cause those dudes OK all the stupid extreme sports.
52. i'm not a fan of the mis-matched bikini look. nope, not a fan. match that action.
53. ash... re think that center part .... on both of you...
54. ew. don't bring up ben!
55. i like his style.
56. he's not telling her what she wants to hear.
57. um... mr. president, are you really going to cut into my bachelorette time?! how will i know what happens! i'm on DVR!!!!
58. i don't know what is stressing me out more: the deficit or missing the end of the bachelorette.
59. wrap it up, mr prez! we have roses to attend to!
60. drop it like it's hot, ash....
61. but he's pretty awesome.
62. shoot.
63. sans ugly hair.
64. awkward tongue. she's mad at him.
65. woah! it's really happening!
66. go connie!
67. i like him.
68. well she's not really that torn.. she has 2 others and crazy ole solar panels.
69. please let her call SP for a booty call in the fantasy suite.
70. nice dramatic read of the FS card... as if she didn't know what it would say...
71. he's a solid dude.
72. can't even sleep the night? gotta pack up and move out immediately?
73. that's a cute little dress. perfect for her body.
74. please bless she goes back to the fantasy suite alone and pushes the rose petals off the bed so she can sleep on it.... THAT'S drama.
75. well that was convenient! he's here to fill the empty slot.
76. oh my gosh! he totally reminds me of this freak i used to BRIEFLY date.
77. i may break out in hives.
78. nice "natural energy" geyser shot.
79. he's delusional.
80. nice "anxious fingernail" shot.
81. honestly. watching this freakshow is making me so uncomfortable.
82. just sincere nods, grins, and head shakes.
83. oooh! what a relief! i thought she was going to give him a chance.
84. that's some serious bronze/blush on ashley.
85. oh man! somebody stop him ! push him in the water!
86. keep saying "it'll happen" and the only thing that will happen is your straight jacket tightening....
87. not. a. fan. of that strange urban outfitters tribal print half top.
88. he's a cute little monkey!
89. i'm bored.
90. another plane... boring.
91. soaring music. boring.
92. he has nice big hands.
93. this family review sounds so strange.
94. that girl is finally learning how to flatter her assets.
95. she must be watching the dailies...
96. this conversation is so boring.
97. they're both wanting the other person to say the L-word. bored.
98. are you kidding me?!
99. thanks, Obama.

ok, kids... what happened?

i'm guessing a big fat nothing? nobody was sent home... what do you think?

i think she picks ben.

. happy pioneer day .

traditional utah pioneer day pancakes (with blueberries from the garden)

made by a wonderful greek in cape cod

this weekend, V took me to cape cod to see the place he spent his summers

and to play with the people he loves most.

(i certainly know how the kennedys feel.....)

i had the greatest time & have loads of pix but i'm so sleepiness......

but happy pioneer day to you!

what is pioneer day? click here

what have i done for pioneer days past? click here

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love a sparkly jewel.

as their gift to you, simply leave a comment telling me what is keeping you cool

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good luck!

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thanks CTR COUTURE and to everyone who entered!

i have a secret.

and i'm not very good at keeping secrets......

i'm like that kristen wiig sketch-seriously, i can't hold it in!

so this is really really hard.

but i'll tell you soon.

this secret is good

and wonderful

and scary

and sad

and exciting

and fulfilling

and blessed

and angsty

and hurty

and faith-filled

and prayed-for

and immediate.

and it weighs heavy on my heart and lifts me at the same time.

i'll tell you soon, i promise.

it'll kill me if i don't.

i do not own a full length mirror.

and many days, that is a BIG mistake.

i know, i know.

you pegged me to be more vain, right?

i do not have the space for a full-length so i use my elevator for all my mirror needs....

in theory, if i dislike my wardrobe choice on entry,

i could simply return to my apt and change....

but i usually just hate my outfit all the way down to the lobby then have to live with it all day.

this day, i left the house looking like cinderella in her scullery maid phase.

"sing, sweet nightingale!"

i'm a cleanin' out my closet!

i'm doing a major deep clean and simplifying my closet situation.

so i started a little shop on ebay to sell some of my worn and un-worn treasures.

nanette lepore jacket

catherine malandrino silk tank top

new matt & nat wallet

hope you have as many fabulous adventures as i have!

wear my clothes & wear them well.

{ the bachelorette } episode 8 | "i's" isn't a word. thanks.

i was really dreading watching this... because i'm BORED.

then i realized it was hometown dates... and i was slightly excited.

then i watched the episode... and i'm, again, bored.

1. wait, why did i think ashley was from canada? or a canadian-friendly city?
2. am i off? why am i thinking that?
3. ben f is a "real guy with the fugliest hair on the planet."
4. and what's with his sparse wanna-be stache?
5. cavegroban twin #2: slightly better hair- still bad.
6. ugh. don't remind me of the "prom picture" kiss hold.
7. you know ames was totally wasted when he decided to do that elevator kiss.
8. that dawg is teeny.
9. vim. there she goes again... matching the eyeshadow to the shirt. sick.
10. ooop. she's a skipper!
11. she has such a hankering for josh groban!
12. he'd honestly be cute.... with a short haircut.
13. greeks selling italian is like chinese/mexican fusion restaurants. wrong.
14. this press is gonna be great for the family business.
15. those servers are living for this.
16. those uncooked breadsticks just look wrong.
17. he's trying so hard.
18. she's freaking brilliant! he's more comfortable at home?! what a novel observation.
19. she missed her true calling! psychology!
20. that humidity is not helping her hair.
21. "chemistry between constantine and i."
22. i think they should give these bachelor/ettes grammar lessons along with their media training.
23. do you think connie owns the restaurant? or mom and dad?
24. oh they're so cute and greek.
25. see -thru front doors make me uncomfortable.
26. i don't want the people inside to know i'm peering.
27. that's the most generic family compliment: "i can tell there's a lot of love in this family. "
28. sister is adorable, but the streaky highlights are not my favorite..
29. i love that his mom is equal parts greek and southern.
30. i love the name elleni.
31. yikes!
32. relocating! way to lay it down, mom.
33. i always think asymmetrical necklines look bizarre with necklaces... also halter neck + necklace. strange. unnatural.
34. i'm loving his dad.
35. oh my! it's a greek bum rush!
36. eeew! creeper parents!
37. who is directing this? and WHY so many creeper shots?
38. nice blue boxers, ames.
39. ooop still poking out.
40. oooh that family resemblance is strong!
41. lots of little ones.
42. he's so awkie right now.
43. amsie had another oompa loompa spray tan.
44. oooh just east coast white pants.
45. my bf is obsessed with me wearing white jeans in the summer (too hot!).
46. another asymmetrical neckline + necklace... it's an epidemic!!! prepare yourself!
47. ooooh ash isn't giving sister the sparkle vocabulary she's looking for.
48. ames is so intense.
49. i'm both turned off and totally into him.
50. oh that poor mother! losing 2 husbands to cancer?! tragic.
51. the sister is cool.
52. that rooster is freaking me out.
53. mom is sweet. they're very east coast.
54. very "appropriate" sitting room.
55. ash isn't having it.
56. oh sure! lets take in interview in the library with a glass of wine in the old homestead.
57. ames always looks like he's not processing the conversation. sort of blank.
58. he sort of talks like he just got his braces off... you know that strange lip thing that usually comes with veneers... or braces...
59. i like serena.
60. ashley's outfit is adorable. like the skinny belt and bold color.
61. i see london, i see france, more of amesie's underpants.
62. i LOVE a magnolia tree.
63. sorry ames, i'm distracted by your completely natural orange skin.
64. please tell me ames went to choate.
65. she looks at him with a little bit of pity, don't you think?
66. giddy up, amish horses!
67. another idiot: "ashley and i's"
68. really cavegrob twin?
69. when in doubt, seriously, ask yourself: "is i's a word?"
70. sonoma is so gorgeous.
71. ben, please talk about the "notes" and "undertones" of the wine.
72. he's slightly serial killer'y right now... crazy eyes. like he could kill her then let the vino flow to cover up the blood then get off- casey anthony-style.
73. i watched 3 min of HANNIBAL last night, can you tell?
74. how many different hair colors have they played with this season?
75. ash is now orange.
76. are they sitting in front of a giant Lincoln Logs cabin?
77. lots of dads who have passed on.
78. so...that wasn't his house? what if it was just some random's and they thought they weren't home?
79. another "ashley and i."
80. cute sister and mom!
81. his hair is his "THING"?!?!
82. oh no! we're encouraging this!
83. nooooo
84. he looks so greasy and strange!
85. how could his classic sister allow that?!
86. tender mother/son talk.... i tuned out. sorry.
87. wait, didn't he say he loves her?
88. oh this dad talk is killing me.
89. so is she just wearing a tunic and skinny belt to EVERY hometown? i mean, it's a good look, but.....
90. pretty garden.
91. she is working that fuchsia lipstick.
92. yeah, roller SKATING would stress me out.
93. ooop the lipstick is already gone.
94. kissy kissy kissy
95. ladies, the giant swooping horizontal R on the rock'n republic jeans makes your butt look Wiiiiide. thank ashley for pointing that out.
96. yes, find your light then make out.
97. good robots.
98. she is more physical with him than any of the other guys.
99. i keep thinking that would hurt my back. i'd want a backed chair in that picnic.
100. i hope his fam is super staten island.
101. blah blah blah.. stop analyzing this.
102. notice ash's red chin...... makeout burn.
103. girlfriend of the brother is LOVING this! she hit the TV jackpot!
104. his mom is adorably jewish. so sweet.
105. i want her to lay on the meddling jewish mom action thick.
106. yes! get all the hardball questions, mom!
107. jp is cute.
108. he'd better not propose.
109. i wanna know who this girl is who broke his heart! she's getting a lot of press!
110. i'm bored... moving on....
111. she's into jp.
112. i see it as jp, ben, grobtwin #2, ames.
113. yes! bar mitzvah kirk cameron moment!
114. good, jp. glad he's not saying he loves her.. because that would be just weird.
115. another new hair color?
116. ames is totally going home.
117. i'm fast forwarding... let me know if she says anything interesting...
118. ew. why are they hazy filtering the flashbacks? as if we didn't already know?
119. i'm so in for bachelor pad..... but i don't think i'll write about it...
120. what is constantine wearing?! he looks like a clown!
121. did i tell you that V hung out with REED from the bachelorette this week? small world.
122. oh ames! he's totally going home.
123. his little hopeful face is breaking my heart.
124. yup. as i predicted.
125. shoot! ames, come play with my friends. we'll take care of you.
126. oh! he's a gentleman and a scholar.
127. and that speech confirmed for her that her decision was right.
128. oh poor guy.
129. "a lifetime of adventures with myself" : GREAT autobiography title, ames.
130. somebody should do a drinking game whenever she says "you guys."
131. ugh. i want to go to fiji!
132. oooh family disapproves!
133. oh my!!! this is good stuff!

ooook. we're getting close. i think it's JP.

what do you think?

two things i'm loving about summer:

1. generous friends who clean out their (well-stocked) closets and give me never-been-worn Lanvin dresses because they're "too mormon" (ie... too long-it barely skims my knee and i'm a good 6 inches shorter)... thanks subsy!!

2. and another trip from kara and jeff and more imperial woodpecker snoballs!!

my favorite flavor there is green apple... somehow my old favorite "tigers blood"

doesn't hit my tart spot anymore.

what's your favorite snoball flavor?

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as their gift to you, kindly choose which

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happy monday!

xoxo

celebricurly

met my celebrity hair twin tonight @ the soho house.

naturally (in true-to-form natalie fashion),
i didn't know he was a "celebrity" (reality)

and like most "curlies" do,
we talked hair products.

then cancer- because that's what you generally talk about at a
"see and be seen" party.
he's an impressive guy and has done a lot for the cancer world.

and i say yay!
curly cancer survivor-survivors are the coolest.

coney island { nyc on a budget }

next stop: coney island & luna park

we had a grand time riding rides (my favorite/one that hurts the least is the steeple chase --and refused to go thru the cyclone torture again)
and eating corn dogs & orangeade @nathan's.
you guys, i'm seriously in a very committed relationship with nathan's corn dogs.
the. best.
(in ny-- totally different from the disneyland corn dog---yes, i realize it's embarrassing that i'm a corn dog connoisseur)
kara and jeff lived for the cheese fries as well.

but a word to the wise, eat AFTER you ride.

joe's shanghai { nyc on a budget }

sister kara and her husband jeff are living in philly for the summer.
last weekend, they finally came to nyc for a visit & since we're all on a budget (students & the unemployed), we did an entire weekend on the cheap.

first stop: joe's shanghai

subsy turned me onto this amazing & famous chinatown treasure!
the line is eternal, but the soup dumplings (and everything else)
are so worth it- i'm jonesing for it right now...


subsy has now met the entire hill contingency.

the orange chasers are pretty great ....but i prefer a little bubble tea & a cheap massage after.

before you go to joe's, be sure you watch this video instructing you how to eat the famous dumplings or you'll be sorry.....

kismetized

breakfast in kismet.
don't judge. i needed it.

just returned from a weekend in fire island with subsy.
we had a very fun and incredibly bizarre time.
i was horrified to receive my first (dead serious) invitation for a 3-way (?!?!?!) among other horrifically funny (in hindsight) awkward encounters.

guess i'll choose to be flattered?

some people!

{ the bachelorette } episode 7| you peed on my love lantern.

1. ugh. matchy matchy lip & eye makeup to that skirt. bringing it back 90's style, ash!
2. these pondering shots with a "home video camera" are so awkie.
   
3. was that woman doing tai chi or just standing in a solid plie while a bunch of americans barrel past her?
4. honestly, taking a week off from these stories has made me lose interest completely.... (i say as if i had any real interest at all..)
5. yes! i love the "grr!/curses!" shot from solar panels.
6. oh no, jp. are you gonna look crazy?
7. for those of you who didn't follow my twitter, did you realize that SUBSY KNOWS JP?! aaaaahhhh!!!! i could potentially meet him.... unless he proves crazy... which is likely-- as he is on a reality dating show....
8. fugly hair and an arizona boy plaid short sleeve button up on connie.
9. he is always so shiny!
10. "are you looking for love on this trip?" what kind of a stupid question is that?
11. i want to go to the lantern festival! it's so gorgeous!
    
12. i see absolutely no chemistry btwn them.
13. solar panels is losing his grip.
    
14. i like that they added a bunch of random "Taiwan-looking" fabric to the hotel suite to orient it up a bit... you know that hotel was a little more streamlined....
15. aaah and a decorative orient fabric on their private dinner.
    
16. what do i see in you? well, i love josh groban and i love cavemen and you're kind of a mix of the two and that's really the most important thing. ... you know, you raise me up!
17. ugh. what is happening with his hair?!
18. is his family straight up greek?
19. he could be smoking hot wit a shorter haircut.
    
20. she was totally going thru the motions at the beginning of this date and she's just now checking in as he pontificates about "love" in nearly every cliche in the book.
    
21. yes!! the "soarin' over califoria" music on the lantern lift off.
22. what is this strange kiss position? formal hand holds?
23. perfact! perFACT!
24. also perfact that poor taiwanese PA's had to hold that lantern light cue forever but it was TOTS worth it for the "Tangled" moment.
25. ooop! another one hand hold kiss.
    
26. how can she keep these two guys straight?!
    
27. he just looks sweaty.
    
28. wrong way, homeboy.
    
29. like that he at least referenced "dumb and dumber."
30. what if he was a sucky moped driver?
    
31. "wind blowin' in our hair (thru the helmet?)"
32. that bridge is giving me Mulan feelings....
33. just one disney scene after another!
34. what is that strange elbow gesture, solar p? is that a WWF wrestling move?
35. he is having his own moment over there.
    
36. i want to kick ben in the shins for saying he's in love with ashley.
    
37. she's down for hometown.
38. lotta love talk, kids. lotta love talk.
    
39. oh jp! take a taiwanese xanie and simmer down.
    
40. that hat and hair flip looks so ridiculous.
    
41. he looks like Dax Shepherd in that one stupid movie where he's a model.... didn't see it... just saw the shorts.
    
42. oh man, the dramatical Asian wedding shoots are hilarious. i see those kids ALL OVER NYC.
    
43. suck it in, tex. satin doesn't really flatter your beer belly.
    
44. wow, ames. poor guy always dressed like a fop.
    
45. pretty dapper, jp....but that bow tie is gonna swallow you.
    
46. is jp a scorpio? he's a moody little bugger.
    
47. very "painted veil," ash.
    
48. ew. all of those photos look super kiddie candid.
    
49. is that a B or a G photographer?
50. are they posing in front of a blown up photo of MOAB?
51. so bizarre.
    
52. as is that strange choker on ash.
    
53. why are they so awkward?
54. the bachelor's "final" casting event?! what?! we getting canceled?
55. poor girl looks pretty scary in all the pix.
    
56. why does ames just happen to have 4 x 6 photos of his family on this date?
57. look at amesy in his "nantucket reds!" what a jaunty old sport!
58. jp is losing his mind.
59. squeaky wheel gets the grease!
60. i'm bored. i'm bored.
61. i like that backless shirt, but you have to either be 2 yrs old or completely flat chested to pull it off.
    
62. yes, lady with the SARS mask in the background.
    
63. oh SP, you are such a total cheeseball.
64. those gardens are beautiful.
    
65. oh you freak. i wouldn't be able to spend more than 4 min with him.
    
66. i couldn't take him seriously.
    
67. oh good. she's not buying it completely.
68. i am vimming. i can't handle him at all.
    
69. nice. get a big ole plug for your company.
    
70. when i think romance, i think water heater talk.
    
71. go ash. be honest.
    
72. look at the shock on his face?
73. oh no. the plead. the lip quiver.
    
74. he's fighting the lump so badly.
    
75. he's touching her bare back and it's making him so sick.
76. i love it when they cut to the chase and just send them home pre-rose ceremony.
77. yes! a dramatic walk off with moans and expletives? what a treat!
78. that's right, ole boy. back on your mark.
    
79. what was that eye focus?
80. and the award for most dramatic/ pathetic send off speech /wandering montage goes to SOLAR PANELS!!!
81. he must have been talking for a while cause the sun has SET!
82. you WILL, sp! you'll be a GREAT dad! you're ready-made!
83. ooh i kinda like that dress.
84. please don't send ames home! you KNOW his family will be a kick.
    
85. i think she needs to shoot the texas guy home.
    
86. good. no cocktail party... boring.
    
87. i'm so tired right now, i'm literally squirmy.
    
88. ew. why is she doing a creepy bridge walk behind them?
89. like she's a creeper ghost or dead bride.
    
90. now that dress looks super vegas.
91. blah, blah, blah.... ashley. just spit it out.
    
92. yeah, yeah. the cavegrobans are in. no surprise there.
    
93. i knew it'd come down to these two.
    
94. the hopeful faces look just like stella when i leave the apt. "take me with you?"
    
95. sorta pitiful.
    
96. yeah, lucas. this was your time....
97. because i couldn't even remember your name.
    
98. woah, JP. you didn't expect that? that's sort of insulting, no?
99. that was a gracious goodbye.
    
100. he's adorable. and kinda boring.
     
101. oh, this poor girl. she's clearly torn.
     
102. yesss! the return of emily!
103. thank you, ashley for being so speedy so we can have this breaking news (re: old) update!
104. not a fan of that tank top & silk shirt combo.
     
105. there's a lot going on with that outfit.
     
106. oh no, emily. don't cheapen yourself with a bentley phrase.
     
107. i think she poked the bear one too many times.
     
108. oookay, she's said the same thing about 7 different ways and hasn't revealed anything new.
     
109. i need juice bar!
110. sometimes, chris harrison looks like an eagle.
     
111. they're totally grooming her to be the next bachelorette.
     
112. that poor thing having to trapise around in high heels.
     
113. oooooooh! that was the best clip of the entire bachelor franchise!!!!!
114. that dog is amazing.
     
115. that's how we all felt about this episode!!

all in all... boring.

what do you think? will em be the next bachelorette?

become a MIM sponsor!

mim is now accepting new sponsors (sorry, took a little hiatus) and was
recently featured in crain's --read about it { here }!
thanks, shabby apple!

if you have already inquired about rates,
expect a response tomorrow.

if you are interested in becoming a mim sponsor,
kindly email
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few things are better than

bananagrams + visiting family + sunset + my roof deck + james taylor pandora station.

who wore it better ? { 4th of july edition }

y'all. i PROMISE i didn't plan to match my animal...and didn't realize it until DD pointed it out.
does that mean i've officially turned into a "dog lady?" eff.

nugget and i had a low key 4th of july which was fine with me.
v was in cape cod with is people (sadly i couldn't attend this year) and i spent the 4th with "the ropers" (kristan and doug) for brunch @ sarabeths,
then stellie had a playdate with her new best friend, lyla- laura osnes's new nugget (we're not sure what she is... definitely chihuahua & german shepherd? dunno..)

even the girls have matching sailor wear.
(which, for the record, i think is strange. dogs are animals. not people. they don't need to wear clothes...but we were giving lyla some hand-me-downs and found that they have matching outfits so stellie happily donned her sailor-suit... holy crap... i've just put the most eternal justification for dressing my dog in a dress. obviously, i'm a freaky dog person with blatant guilt. ugh)
stellie was really sweet with miss ly and little girl quickly learned how to fight back. that baby has some moxie!
then DD and i made homemade strawberry ice cream (a hill family 4th of july tradition)&
watched the fireworks from the 43rd floor.....

could have watched from the convenience of my air conditioned apt, but that just didn't feel festive.
wasn't the firework show grand?

do you have any fun independence day traditions?

jenna kim jones @ wiseguys { winner! }

congrats!
just email jkj@jennakimjones.com and tell which show you'd like to attend!
for the rest of you, GO!
it's THIS friday and saturday.
jenna is hilarious!
you won't regret it- and it's super cheap!

snowballs and sparklers! a very happy independence day to you.

when i was little, my dad had an original hawaiian shave ice machine that he had brought home from his college days in hawaii.
in the summers, my sisters and i would sell shave ice street side and we became incredibly serious and discerning about our ice.

i've always wondered why nyc didn't have any shave ice shacks! ? (they still do not, for the record....)
in nawlins, they call their sno cones "snowballs" and cute NOLA transplant, neesa, has opened her very own snowball shack in the west village called imperial woodpecker snowballs.

it's fantastic and adorable. go neesa!

hooray!
it's about time!

no better way to bring in the 4th than with low calorie sugar ice!

happy fireworks & homemade ice cream (at my house)!

hope your day sparkles!
xoxo