Celebrity Baby Stalking II: Electric Boogaloo

So I don't know this baby's name which is probably a good thing. I'd get it wrong anyway. If you do please tell me, I will be stalking him and making sure he gets to hook up with Harlow. But did anyone else see and die over Drew Brees' little man? UGH SO CUTE! This picture doesn't do him justice but let's face it - I'm at work, it's snowing outside and I'm manning the phones! Back on track, check out this little bit of cutie pie heaven! Again this picture isn't as amazing as he looked last night with his dad welling up with tears while holding him and soaking up the moment. Drew you did good son!

The Brees Family • via

I'm over the moon excited for the Saints last night. I DO like the Colts and my heart ached a bit for Mr. Manning and his boys last night but you have to give it to the Saints coming from behind to take the Super Bowl and claim it as their own. I always like rooting for the under dog. All I say say is well played Saints, Who Dat? And all that business! I'm so excited for the city of New Orleans - I would have LOVED to have been there last night after they won. The Saints definitely FINISHED STRONG!!!

your questions answered: Super Bowl Edition

First I want to thank you all for some great questions and food for thought! I wanted to address two questions first since they both had something to do with today's big game! I'm still on a fence about who I want to win the Super Bowl but as of right this moment I'm leaning toward the Saints. After going to New Orleans, experiencing the town, and the cities love of their team - as well as how well they've done this year it was really inspiring. Don't get me wrong I like the Colts and I KNOW how passionate their fan base is as well - but I've never been there to witness it. We shall see. Bottom line The Who is playing the half time show and I'm completely stoked about that. (I love them!).

Your Questions Answered: Super Bowl Edition

Q: Would you rather be the worst player on the best team? Or the best player on the worst team?  This question came from the awesome - Monique

A: This was a tough one. I thought about it for a while and I might still be on a fence. My gut tells me I'd rather be the worst player on the winning team. My main reasoning is that if I was on the best team, surely I was surrounded by talented and determined players. I would hope my issue of being the worst was due to lack of experience and skill not for a lack of caring. If you're the worst player on the team because your lazy you might as well pack your bags and open the slot for someone with the hope of being a great NFL player. I would hope my teammates might help me work on my game and get better with time. I put myself in Hank Baskett's shoes when thinking about this. He used to play for the Eagles and was let go when the team decided to pick up Michael Vick (can't say anything nice so I won't Effing go there!). I would have been completely crushed if I was in Hank's shoes. Not long after  that he was picked up by the Colts. Last time I checked, the Colts were in the Super Bowl and the Eagles weren't. I'm not sure how much he gets to play, but the bottom line is he's part of the team, a winning team with a winning season. They may go all the way this year. He may not be the worst player but he is the newbie on a team with a lot of great players. If it's a team effort, even if you're the worst you're still a member and I would hope I'd have room to excel and not get dropped. That's the only big danger of being the worst on the team you become expendable - but if I could have Hank's luck I'd gladly deal with being the worst of the best or low man in the crew. (Again he may not be but he IS the new kid on the block).

On the switch side being the best player on the worst team might have it's advantages. Higher pay than the other players? More attention? But I doubt the endorsement deals roll in for guys on the Lions or the Redskins. (I hate to say that, I love the Redskins they were a huge staple in my home growing up but lets face it, they aren't doing well and haven't been for quite some time).

I guess I'm looking at it as a way to improve. If I was the worst player on the best team I'd have the coaching staff that would hopefully push me to get better. If I didn't improve know I would be at risk of being let go. If I was the best on a horrible team my only direction to hope for would be a contract to go to a better team. And that contract may not come because the entire team not doing well would reflect negatively on me, for the most part. Most of those better teams already have the people they want on the team - and the only reason they look else where is when something isn't working correctly and I'd be stuck.

I guess I'd rather be the worst of the best - with hope of one day being one of the best of the best on my team.

Q: What 5 celebrities would you choose to be on your powder puff team and why? (Yes, we all know Sandra Bullock can lay a bitch out like Sunday dinner...)  This question came from the awesome - Allyson

A: This question made me laugh and get excited about answering. I wanted to do a bit of a twist on the answer though. I am picking celebrities but I'm going with fictional characters they played. Allyson you will be happy to know I thought long and hard about this - while drinking a few beers, and watching and reciting the lines to The Waterboy last night. So here you go:

#1 Vicki Valencourt - The Waterboy

aka Fairuza Balk

via google

#2 Smashly Simpson - Whip It

aka Drew Barrymore

 

via google

#3 Bloody Holly - Whip It

aka Zoe Bell - Stunt Woman/Actress

via google

#4 Rachel Jansen - Forgetting Sarah Marshall

aka Mila Kunis she was such a bad ass in this movie!

via google

#5 Faith - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

aka Eliza Dushku

 

via google

Not only would these women bring in the crowd to watch the game - hellooooo they're hot, but most of them played extremely tough cookies in these roles. Zoe Bell alone is one bad ass stunt woman - did you see her in Grindhouse - Death Proof? I think I might do ok so long as Allyson didn't pick her powder puff team to have girls on it like Chyna from WWE or Wonder Woman. Both of which did cross my mind to add to this team. Then I thought about the lack luster sales of Chyna's Playboy debut and figured I better stick with hot chicks with tough sides... not just tough chicks with um... nevermind I don't want Chyna to hunt me down.

With all the hot ladies on the field we can't forget cheerleaders on the sidelines. That was always my favorite part of Powder Puff day in high school - the guys as cheerleaders! I would definitely enlist the entire cast of Jackass to cheer us on from the track. I can't help it I still harbor a mad crush for Mr. Knoxville. And yes, Wee Man would be the mascot! Tell me you wouldn't chuckle seeing these knuckle heads in cheer gear!

We've Got Spirit Yes We Do! 

We've Got Spirit How 'Bout You?

And I would want the National Anthem 

to be done by Lady Gaga in full character costume!

Ladies I hope I answered your questions well.

 Tune in next time - I've got a lot of great questions to answer!

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

Sunday. Sunday. SUNDAY!

 

It's been a while since I've posted tailgate recipes. Obviously when your college team wins the National Championship Game (GO BAMA!) And then your favorite NFL team doesn't get a chance at the play offs it gives you a bit of time to relax and not stress over what to make for the big games on Saturday AND Sunday. Trust me this whole having a love for both college and pro sports and having a great from watching them with true passion has been great for my heart, my mind and my "football ulcer".

The Super Bowl is this Sunday. Saints vs. the Colts. As I've said I'll be happy with either team winning. I watched a snippet of a news report about fans in New Orleans and it made me well up with tears - ugh. It might be PMS but truth be told it was REALLY touching. There is still so much of a mess down there from Katrina even this long after the storm but this team really has brought hope and fun back to the town that never sleeps, or gives up. We shall see.

M and I are going to make our grilled wings again for this game. Our friends Kooky and DRom are coming over to hang out to watch the game. I was excited about this. I hadn't planned to have a Super Bowl get together. I'm the only person that really likes pro-football. M will watch it and enjoys it but his passion lies with college ball. DRom seems to be a big fan of football no matter what so I was stoked when he said he was wanting to watch the game. Kooky will be making some cheese dip and she NEVER disappoints with that. 

What are you making for the big game?

I wanted to share with you a recipe that would work out great for the big game. I actually made this the other night for dinner and it was SO, SO, GOOD! If you don't make it for the big game I hope you will enjoy it sometime soon. If you love pizza and you love bbq chicken, trust me you'll like this meal.

BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA

Ingredients:

Please note there isn't an actual measurement to most of this, it's just toppings so make as much as you see fit to put on the pizza. If you have left over toppings you could always make lunch with left over bbq sauce, ingredients from this and bagels or English muffins! (or left over dough). This all would also taste awesome wrapped up in a warm soft tortilla!

2 Chicken Breasts (1 might even be enough - you can use chicken tenders too)

BBQ Sauce of your choice (thicker is better, so it doesn't make the crust soggy)

Green Onions (2 stalks rough chopped to the white bits)

Red Onion (enough for topping)

Green Peppers (enough for topping)

3/4 cup Gouda Cheese (shredded)

1 cup Mozzarella (shredded)

3/4 cup shredded Parmesan

Fresh Cilantro

3 strips cooked Bacon crumbled

1 Prepared Pizza Crust (I used a wheat thin crust)

NOTES:

Cheese: I know all these cheeses can get pricey. You can get away with plain ole' cheddar and mozzarella or even pepper jack. It's whatever you choose or like really. The Gouda is SO tasty but can be expensive.

Bacon: This was an after thought on my part and not critical. We had pepper crusted bacon left over from another meal I made earlier in the week with the other 2 chicken breasts (and it made my heart sing when we ate it - PW if you ever read this. I LOVE YOU!) I have been on a big kick of trying to use EVERYTHING I buy fully and without fail - you don' t have to add this to yours it was just another fun topping we had laying around that I wanted to use up.

Crust: The store bought crust I got was thin crust which I love. But I wasn't a fan of this thin crust whole wheat crust. It was way too dry for my liking and didn't work well with the flavors in my opinion. I would suggest buying your favorite crust or even better - making your own! I want to start doing this and I found a few great recipes in and round the blog world and on food websites. It takes more time but in the end you're in control of what goes into it and what you're putting in your body and to me that's a huge plus!

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to the directions on the crust label (or your own crusts recipe).
2. Chop up all ingredients needed for pizza.
3. Heat a skillet to medium heat adding some Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or butter if you choose) to heat up for the chicken. NOTE: If you are using bacon, go ahead and cook up the bacon first in this skillet you'll only need about 3 strips. Drain off the fat and cook up the chicken in the left over drippings. I don't recommend this type of cooking for every day but it's the Super Bowl unless your doctor gave you specific orders not to - I say live a little!
4. Saute the chicken until cooked through. Add your own spices (salt, pepper, red pepper if you like it hot, I always use my kickin' chicken - I know you've heard me rave about it before but that stuff is dare I say - dah bomb!)
5. Once chicken is fully cooked add some BBQ sauce to the pan to coat the chicken and set aside once it's coated. You want it to be covered but not dripping - just a few tablespoons should do the trick.
6. Now you're ready to dress your pizza! (again following instructions for your pizza crust - if you have to bake it first for a bit, etc., do that). I use a pizza stone that's been preheated with the oven and remove it from the oven and build my pizza from there.
7. Add BBQ Sauce first. Just a bit because your chicken is coated as well. Not heavily mind you but if you want a saucier pizza go for it. I like having some on the side to dip my pizza in. But it's up to you.
8. Add your cheese - as much as you like again this is your pizza.
9. Add toppings - red onion, peppers, chicken - I usually put a light dusting of extra cheese on the top but you don't want to cover the veggies too much since they are raw and will cook in the oven.
10. Place the pizza in the over per crust directions. And wait for the yummies!
11. Once pizza is finished take it out of the oven and top with the chopped Green Onions, Cilantro and Bacon if you made it
12. ENJOY!!!

*** I love burnt cheese so sometimes if it doesn't look "done" enough for my liking I will zap the broiler on for a minute or two to get the brown edges. The best part of using the raw onions is how the caramelize while cooking in the over. Super sweet and tasty - the peppers get a great crunch to them as well.

When finished your pizza will look like this and probably better!

HAPPY SUPER BOWL SUNDAY EVERYONE!!!

blog block.

I'm having a bit of writer's block. I can't seem to come up with anything clever to write about or anything I would think you would want to read about. With this blockage I figured the best way to free myself up and type about things you want to hear is to ask you.

What would you like to know?
Ask me anything. Get my creative brain waves going, would you?

I hope after this weekend I'll have a few great things to talk about. First off, I'm heading to my local theatre to watch a dear friend star in RENT for the first time, EVER! (DON'T GIVE ME ANY SPOILERS!). I'm really excited and proud of my friend, N for using his super powers for good and not evil. He has an amazing voice and M and I can't wait to see him and the entire cast nail this show. They had opening night last night and the reviews have been great!!! EEE So excited!

via RENT

Sunday is the Super Bowl and I'm extremely excited - mostly because I'll be happy with either team winning the title. I like the Colts a lot, (BIG P. Manning fan over here) and I really want to see the Saints succeed to get their first super bowl win ever as well! I mean seriously can you honestly say a single negative thing about Brees and his boys? I can't.  A little later I'll be putting up a fun recipe for tailgating that I hope you all will enjoy!

In the meantime - give me some goods. What do you wanna know about me?

another great idea & cause.

And another great reason to love ***Harlow's parents and many other celebrities as well! Oh thank heaven, for 7-11! Cups With a Cause and it's details are listed in the link before this. I think this is a great idea. You buy a 20 oz. cup-o-joe in a cup designed by different celebrities, sports heroes etc. and the proceeds from your daily cup of coffee to go the charity of the designers choice.  How easy and how fun is that? My only wish is that we had a 7-11 here in my small town, or state. If we have a 7-11 in Alabama I haven't seen one in all my travels north or south. We only have independent coffee houses, which is a plus because they are really good, but there is just something so wonderful to me about 7-11 coffee. (I'm not a Starbucks girl at all - I prefer 7-11 and Dunkin D's!).

So if you have a 7-11 handy - stop in, grab a 20 oz. coffee and support your habit and a charity at the same time! Why not buy a round for your office?

KUDOS TO STARS USING THEIR CELEBRITY IN A POSITIVE MANNER!

*** Look I got her name right this time!

to haiti with love.

Billy Reid recently set up a home office/hub/store in our local downtown area and it's been nothing but a pleasure working with him and doing various print projects for him. If you haven't heard of him, or seen is fashion please check out his website. While it's a bit out of my budget to purchase his clothing it's a real inspiration to see his ideas take shape. Don't get me started on his store designs, I love them. They remind me of my childhood home - covered in antiques and hand me downs and just, lovely is the best word that can describe his style and stores.

Billy Reid • Florence, Alabama   via billyreid.com

 

Today one of his employees emailed me a flyer they needed printed to display at their store. I was really thrilled to see another organization, CFDA - Council of Fashion Designers of America taking on the call for action in Haiti. I'm still beside myself when I see the images and footage.

T-shirts are being sold with the logo below on them for $25.00 to benefit Fashion For Haiti & the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. These T-shirts are being sold at our local Billy Reid store, and I would assume at most of the retailers here. (More information on this at the retail link). Proceeds will be donated to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund is raising funds for immediate, high-impact relief and long-term recovery efforts. clintonbushhaitifund.org.

via www.cfda.com

For more information on the Fashion for Haiti initiative, visit the link above.

In tragic times every little bit helps.