St. Andrew's Day

Being of Scottish heritage (we won't get into the question of "How Scottish are you?" because I know it's pretty insignificant when you break it into a fraction of my lineage), I enjoy celebrating what many consider to be Scotland's national holiday: St. Andrew's Day.

Who's St. Andrew? Even though I know who he is, I thought I'd ask this same question to Wikipedia  where I was told that he "is a Christian apostle and the brother of St. Peter." Understatement of the millennium. St. Andrew is pretty awesome, and I don't think he appreciates being put in the shadow of his brother Peter.

More important question. What does one do to celebrate St. Andrew's Day? Based upon my research, the day's festivities traditionally include: flying the flag of Scotland, wearing kilts, eating Scottish shortbread,  playing the bagpipes, and watching Sean Connery movies. Okay, I added that last one on my own, though I'm sure it's more than an acceptable way to pay homage to the great nation of Scotland.

Finally, and I believe this to be the easiest way to celebrate St. Andrew's Day and really the least you can do to honor Scotland (whether Scottish or not), drink Scotch whiskey.

 

 Source: Johnnie Walker

Homes with Taxidermy

Saw this article on The Huffington Post (link below photo) with a slideshow of houses filled by taxidermy. It's hunting season and the holidays, so maybe this is a logical fit for the season. Either way, all I want to say is, "wow." I've seen some interesting taxidermy before, but this assortment is something to truly behold. Again, I say, "wow."

I also have to appreciate an entire article about finding these kinds of photos on a real estate website. And I have to appreciate the fact that I'm writing an additional post about that article. Taxidermy is fascinating.

Source: Huffington Post

Powerball Lottery

Though the only source of this statistic is a casual office conversation (i.e. no idea how factual it is), I was told that you have a better chance of being elected President of the United States or being born with an extra finger than winning today's $587.5M Powerball. Among those three highly unlikely scenarios, I'd take the money.

But you can't win if you don't play, so I definitely bought a lottery ticket. What's even more significant here is the fact that I've never purchased a lottery ticket before, making this my first time getting a lottery ticket and hopefully my last time going into a bodega in New York City and excitedly proclaiming to a line of complete strangers, "I'm playing Powerball for the first time and don't know what I'm doing! But let's buy a Powerball ticket!"

Source: Getty Images

Melissa Rycroft

After Donald Driver won the previous season of "Dancing with the Stars," could you blame me if I didn't really think the All-Star edition of the show was quite as exciting. However, I had enough interest to at least check out who would win it all. Between Kelly Monaco, Shawn Johnson, and Melissa Rycroft, I can pretty much say I had zero preference for who should win, but when victory earns a disco ball (and to somebody that doesn't play for the Green Bay Packers), it's hard for me to make some kind of emotional investment.

Source: Access Hollywood

Congratulations to Melissa Rycroft! She went from Dallas Cowboy cheerleader to rejected contestant on "The Bachelor" to contestant on another ABC reality show, and she succeeds! That's all I've got.

Teamwork = Championships

My title is intended to say it all. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls of the 1990's were awesome, and though it doesn't take an infographic to tell me that, it kind of makes me feel validated.

Source: Fast Company

"The Best Tourist Attraction on the East Coast"

The holiday weekend is over, and it's time to go home to New York. After watching this, I sort of wish I was heading for a different East Coast destination. Either that, or it's time to gather up the crew and take a road trip. Judging my what I'm seeing here, it's totally worth the drive.

T.G.I. Friday's

Did you know that T.G.I. Friday's had REALLY great drink specials on Saturday nights? Me neither.

Daily. 4 to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close. Cheap drinks. Franchise atmosphere and restaurant chain mediocrity mean nothing when you pay less than $5 for a Long Island Iced Tea.

Source: TGIFridays.com

And did you know that the second "I" in the T.G.I. Friday's logo wasn't capitalized, unlike every other letter in the logo? Me neither.

Flow Free

I don't see my five year-old nephew too often and like to think that our limited time together will be special and precious. And when the first words uttered to me are, "Aunt Whitney, where's your phone?" I know that  these precious moment will involve me downloading and playing apps on my cell phone.

Ordinarily, he picks out some sort of counting or throwing, logic or puzzle-type game with farm animals or ninjas or something that I will play and pretend to lose for a few minutes before ultimately deleting the game and claiming my battery was probably dead. But this time, he got me. I'm hooked on this game and will admit my addiction.

Download it. If you dare.

Holiday Wine

What would two consecutive days of holiday posts be without wine to go with that cheese (see: yesterday's post)? And who doesn't love (and need) a little wine to go with all of the family festivities? Clearly, all this "Thanksgiving" business has just gone ahead and made me hungry... and thirsty.

Today, I'd like to introduce the world to two different wines from my two most recent former home states (as in, the last two states in which I lived), both of which I am unofficially claiming to be perfect holiday wines: 

 Jones Family Farms: Harvest Time Apple and Pear Wine

A wine of apples and pears grown entirely in Shelton, Connecticut can't be bad. The description claims it to be a "marvelously light fruity table wine with just a touch of sweetness," and all I can say in response to that claim is: Marvelously light and fruity? Yes. Touch of sweetness? If I'm drinking that wine and enjoying it, you better believe it's sweet. 

Side note: if you ever make it to Connecticut and can swing by the farm, they do a wine tasting of over 5 different wines in both the "dry" and "off dry" varieties that costs under $10. Let's just say it's worth it and leaves you feeling marvelously light with just a touch of buzz.. and also leaves you with a souvenir wine glass.

Spurgeon Bay Vineyards: Ruby Lady

This "sweet grape table wine" is basically like drinking spiked grape juice. Granted, that's pretty much what most wines are, but this one is a Wisconsin classic. And even if it's not officially a "Wisconsin classic," it's at least a classic at my Wisconsin family Thanksgivings. Drinking attire of a white turtleneck not necessary but highly recommended (Image Source: snooth.com).

Cheese (yes, cheese)

Made my return to the great Dairyland of America, and though I've made this same journey many times before, what still amazes me is the state's actual commitment to dairy products.

Tell me that after spending months shopping in the corner markets and basement grocery stores of the urban East Coast, you wouldn't also be amazed at this sight:

And let me be clear that this was not the only display of cheese at Gordy's Country Market but rather just one outpost within the massive landscape of packaged food products. Some might call it heaven.

Snapette / Nine West Vintage America

What I had originally intended to be a quick post on the new Nine West Vintage America store I visited this evening in SoHo was quickly stolen by the evening's featured social shopping mobile application, Snapette.

We'll get to that, but because I feel guilty that I'm not giving the collection and a few select items their fair attention, here are a few select items:

If my discretionary income didn't feel like it was continually getting smaller and smaller, I'd probably buy all of this. Not like I need another pair of heels to exaggerate the height discrepancy between myself and others even further, but I wouldn't complain if I was doing that in a pair of these heels.

Back to Snapette for a hot minute. If you're like me, the photo gallery on your phone has random pictures of shoes, clothes, and accessories mixed in with everything else, even though pictures of family and friends should probably beat out cute inanimate objects that you want to show people and possibly buy at a future date, if you had the self-control the resist them the first time around.

This is where I believe Snapette comes into the picture (pun intended). Yes, it's basically Instagram and Pinterest for only fashion finds, but I'm good with that. And people that don't want to deal with my random in-store photos on their Instagram and Pinterest sites will probably be good with that too.

My Favorite Oprah's Favorite Thing

The holidays are nearly upon us, and if you haven't started listening to "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer," drinking peppermint mochas, or watching "Love Actually," you definitely haven't started gift shopping yet. But have no fear, Oprah is here!

 She may no longer be on ordinary network television, but thanks to the wonders of the worldwide web, you can still stalk down the hit wish list of every holiday season known as "Oprah's Favorite Things." While I oppose her theft of lyrics from one of my favorite Julie Andrews musicals and criticize the outlandish and unnecessary nature of her selections, I fall into Oprah's product placement trap every year.

Right next to the bizarre yet stylish Dyson blade fan, the nouveau chic Microsoft Surface tablet computer, and the Josh Groban holiday album (not surprising) is the one item on the list that stood out best to me. The Corkcicle.

Source: Oprah.com
Corkcicle.com

Sky Mall-worthy and more reasonably priced than the $238 set of bar soaps, this gift simply screams "I'm perfect for people that drink wine and are classy enough to care about the temperature of the wine, because they can tell the difference in taste!" Took me awhile to figure out it's not actually frozen water, but I'd still say that it's perfect for people that like novelty ice cubes and throw practicality to the wind. So really, it's perfect for everyone.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2

Some have called this movie the "perfect ending" to the Twilight Saga , and I have to agree in the sense that I feel any end to this franchise is perfect for me. No offense to the so-called "Twihards" out there, and maybe it's because I have never read the books or seen any of the other movies beyond the first, but I believe it to be a wonder that Twilight is as popular as it is. And for having the kind of dedicated fan base it does, I have to give Twilight credit.

Source: Wikipedia 

Going out to see a Sunday evening movie and planning to pick upon arrival at the theater, the options that greeted us were essentially 80% Twilight. If we're going to talk supply and demand here, it was a super-surplus of Twilight. However, as the undisputed #1 film at this weekend's box office, I was not entirely unhappy to take part in the cultural phenomenon.

I was not surprised by thinking that the plot was a little ridiculous, but I was certainly surprised by the very passionate audience of fans. I have never heard such a positive reaction to the prospect of decapitated vampires or such a content and happy sigh in response to a werewolf creature in love. Even though I didn't entirely understand it, did I applaud right along with the audience? You bet I did.

And then, when the overly extended credits rolled at the end, did I sit through them in entirety with the rest of the audience? Yes. But only because they didn't turn on the theater lights until it was over, and I felt the darkness created unsafe conditions for walking down the aisle steps. 

"It's Thanksgiving"

Yes, I know that it's not ACTUALLY Thanksgiving Day. I also know that this would be slightly more timely if featured on the actual Thanksgiving Day. However, I think that bringing it to your attention earlier will allow you to (1) fulfill your Saturday night party music needs and (2) memorize the words prior to this upcoming Thursday as a way to impress your family (or at least fill some awkward voids in conversation).

Still thinking that Rebecca Black's "Friday Night" wins on bad songs, but this comes pretty close. Of all the holidays to write amazingly terrible pop songs about, you pick Thanksgiving Day?

Hostess Brands

This goes out to Hostess and some of the greatest snack brands of all time. I keep hoping that this is all a bad dream, and I'll be able to go to the grocery store and buy Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread. What am I going to do when I'm preparing for the end of the world in about a month and need Twinkies that won't expire during the apocalypse?

Hey, labor disputes. Thanks for taking away one of America's greatest treasures. Looks like this world record might be undisputed for awhile..

Pantone Spring 2013 Colors

As winter settles in, we begin to pull together our cold weather gear, drink hot beverages in seasonal flavors, and almost instantly think about how winter was fun for all of five minutes and it can end any day now..

This brings me to my point. The season of spring. Let's just skip thinking about winter and go straight to thinking about spring and a forecast of slightly warmer weather as well as a forecast of spring's best colors, courtesy of Pantone. Namely, THE color of Spring 2013: Monaco Blue.

Appreciate it. Soak it in. Start stocking up on clothing in this color and the colors that are the runner up colors to Monaco Blue while still remembering that the colors will change for the following season. You now have no excuse for wearing ugly-colored clothing.

Source: WWD

People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive 2012

Just when I thought the week of announcements couldn't get any better, People magazine announced Channing Tatum as Sexiest Man Alive for 2012! It has been previously reported that Channing Tatum cries during "The Biggest Loser." I won't say it.. but I'm going to say it. This makes me question only one part of his new title, and that's the word "man."

And while he's had some recent popularity from a couple of movies (let's be honest, mostly "Magic Mike"), let's all go back and remember when he was the love interest of Amanda Bynes. "She's the Man" is more of a classic, if you ask me.

Source: "She's the Man" Tumblr

(There really is a Tumblr for everything.)

UK Word of the Year

The moment you've all been waiting for. Better than Christmas. Better than Thanksgiving. Better than those other random holidays and celebrations throughout the November and December months. Today is the day that the Oxford Dictionary announces its word of the year.. 

Source: Oxford Dictionaries UK Blog

Yes, "omnishambles" is your 2012 word of the year.. in the UK. I don't know that there's a US equivalent, but I've decided to disregard it if it exists, because I like the word omnishambles. Upon further examination of the word, you'll see that at its root it essentially means "everything's a mess." Next step? Incorporate into everyday conversation. Easily done.

Final note. Spell check doesn't formally recognize the word yet (which is an outrage in the word world, I'm sure). Lots of red underlining as I type this, but it's a real word just like Pinocchio is a real boy.

Gossip Girl

The Monday night tradition continues. Since September 2007, this CW drama has increased national sales of headbands and inspired a generation of girls to believe that the Upper East Side of Manhattan is a magical place filled with eligible, wealthy young men and girls that eat their breakfast yogurts on the steps of The Met.

Source: Wikipedia

Disregarding any discrepancy between melodramatic primetime and reality (I live in the Upper East Side and prefer to eat bagels at The Met, thanks), I'd like to focus on how this is the show's final season. Filled with awkward romantic relationships, high school drama, been-there-done-that plot lines, and a little more Barry Watson (of "7th Heaven" fame) than I was prepared for, it's probably a good thing it's the last season.

I'm not impressed. McKayla Maroney is not impressed. What's that? London 2012 Olympics jokes are outdated? Don't care. Starting to think that Gossip Girl may be the same way. Less relevant than they used to be but I'm still going back for more. (And yes, I still think McKayla Maroney jokes are funny.)

Source: Bleacher Report

Hurricane Sandy Relief

After reading the title of this post, just know that the basic theme here is that people are awesome.

Only two weeks since Hurricane Sandy hit the shores of the East Coast, and it's still being felt in New York City. While you may walk through the streets of Manhattan and feel as though nothing is out of place, it only takes a ride on the Staten Island Ferry (and a trip down the local transit a few stops towards the shore) to show you something a little different on a neighboring island borough.

I was fortunate enough today to make my way to Staten Island with a major group of Big Ten Conference alumni to see the area and to help the people there with their recovery efforts. What impressed me, besides how super cool the Big Ten and Wisconsin alumni are, was seeing the amount of people besides us that were also super cool and also out to help. And even last week, while some ran the unofficial NYC "Run Anyways" Marathon, hundreds of other runners made their way out to also help others.

Source: Christina Wallace (Instagram: @cmwalla) via USA Today

Outside of just the groups of volunteers, there were people with extra working gloves and face masks to help us make our way into the homes of residents to clean debris from yards and pull down walls submerged by the water. People came out with clothing as well as donuts, coffee, and even meals that they gave away, and you'd be surprised how great a home-cooked cupcake can be. Everywhere you looked, you saw the damage of the hurricane. But what's amazing is that you also couldn't look down a street without seeing crews of volunteers working to clean up that damage.

Like I said, people can be pretty awesome.

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez

Don't panic. America's sweethearts (unofficially), Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, are rumored to have broken up. It's been quite the journey for these two lovebirds, but on the bright side, I'm guessing we might get some pretty great music out of Bieber from this.

By "pretty great music," I'm not talking about another Christmas album.

"Crazy In Love"

Don't read too much into this post. I just had a realization today that has me convinced this is not only one of the best Beyonce songs of all time but just one of the best songs in general. Tell me you don't hear that opening and want to stop everything so you can dance. Or tell me and know that I won't believe you.

Happy Friday Night!

Jimmy Kimmel Halloween YouTube Challenge

I'd say that these parents are all horrible to do this to their children, but I can't say I wouldn't do the same.

As someone that frequently employed the threat of boycott as a child whenever my parents did something I didn't agree with, I can really identify with the girl who claims she'll never trick-or-treat again. That will teach them a lesson. Don't bite the hand that feeds you, especially when that hand is feeding you fun sized candy bars.

"Skyfall"

Got into an advanced screening of the new James Bond film "Skyfall," courtesy of Klout and the Cadillac ATS (quite a natural partnership). Let me just say a few things. And I promise that none of these things will ruin the movie for you. If anything, I hope that it will serve as a delightful complement to your viewing experience of the film.

First thing of those few things I'd like to say. Go see this movie. It's good.

Source: 007.com

Outside of recommending this film (and it's not the free drinks from before the film talking here.. thanks again for that, Klout and Cadillac!), here's what I'd like to say. Seeing "Skyfall" made me want to (1) immediately download the Adele theme song, (2) drink Heineken, (3) watch other movies that star Javier Bardem while knowing that they can't compare to how amazing he is in this movie, and (4) buy a Scrabble mug. Start to finish. I was a fan.

No further questions, please. But listen to this song and tell me you aren't considering a change in career paths to become a British spy.

Suffrage

In other words, let's talk about voting. Voting is important, and voting is awesome. On this, the day of the 2012 Presidential Election, let's remember that. No matter who wins, we can all have a say in that winner if we choose. Allow me to repeat myself. Voting is awesome.

A good friend of mine has an unwavering passion for the history of voting, so much so that she dressed up as a suffragette for Halloween this year (you know who you are, if you happen to be reading this). And it caused me to think about how proud our American female predecessors would be to see our country as it is today. Where women can not only vote, but they can participate in democracy while looking fierce.. in fake nails, bling, and highlights. Beyonce makes democracy look good. 

Source: usmagazine.com

Redskins Rule

Happy Election Eve! Today I bring to you a fable as old as time itself (considering 1940 to be close enough to "old as time itself") that brings together U.S. politics, U.S. sports, and U.S. data analysis. Well, the data analysis could probably hold a number of national affiliations, but U.S. probably did this best. I'm feeling patriotic.

Wikipedia best describes this one: "There is a high correlation between the outcome of the last Washington Redskins home football game prior to the U.S. Presidential Election and the outcome of the election: when the Redskins win, the incumbent party wins the electoral vote for the White House; when the Redskins lose, the non-incumbent party wins." 

Source: Geoff Burke, US Presswire

In the Washington Redskins last home game, they were defeated by the Carolina Panthers. If we're going with that one, look for a Mitt Romney win tomorrow, folks. You're a disbeliever and not a Redskins fan? Well, at least the Panthers finally won a game. I'm Cam Newton, and I approve this message.

Unofficial New York City Marathon

Source: Robert Caplin, The New York Times

You can cancel the race, but you can't stop people from waking up early, putting on spandex, and running in circles to say they completed a marathon.. even if it's an unofficial marathon.

After the Friday announcement of the first NYC Marathon cancellation since 1970, the participants in one of the largest marathons in the world were left wondering what to do with their Sunday morning. I, like many of the other participants, did not need to wonder for too long. After a post-cancellation margarita, it seemed clear. Run anyways.

But more than loving the fact that thousands of other marathon runners from around the word flooded into Central Park to finish the race that has been a longstanding tradition in the great city of New York, you have to love the New Yorkers that also came to Central Park to cheer and support the runners with a little New York hospitality. You have to love the children passing Halloween candy to the athletes and the crews of Uptown-ers holding signs like "you've been training for this race longer than Kim Kardashian's marriage" on the side of the road. 

Mostly, you have to love that one guy in Harlem holding up a 2 liter bottle of Diet Pepsi and a Dixie cup yelling "Hydration!" and "You're almost there!" When you're running in circles (4.5 circles to be exact), it's hard to know exactly where "there" is.  I love New York.

Uniqlo

One of my favorite Fifth Avenue retailers and places to marvel at the excitement of khaki-clad tourists as they marvel at "New York City fashion," Uniqlo is an affordable and fashionable place to get every item you could probably ever need for your closet.

This includes "Ultra Light Down" winter jackets... and, though I couldn't find them on the sales floor, what appeared to be "Ultra Light Down" SKIRTS. Yes. Almost like a puffy vest, the mannequins of Uniqlo (at least the female ones) were dressed in puffy skirts. That's really all that I wanted to say.

I didn't get a picture, but that will force you to go to a Uniqlo to see. At that point, you will probably buy a few things, having made this post a source of revenue to that store location. You're welcome, Uniqlo.

Source: Uniqlo

Grana Padano

When you go to a marathon expo, because most people go to those quite frequently, you probably expect to see Gatorade and Adidas well represented. You probably suspect there will be people selling shoelaces and track jackets that would make Sporty Spice weak in the knees. But would you think to see wheels of cheese?

Me neither. But I didn't hate it. Seriously, this is some fantastic cheese. I'm from Wisconsin. I should know.

Kobe Bryant

(Photo: Jaime Valdez, US Presswire)

After a one month hiatus, I will guess that nobody thought my first topic would be Kobe Bryant. Well, it is. Even though Los Angeles added Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to their line-up (that's a big deal, for anybody who isn't a basketball fan), the Lakers haven't won a game this season. Out of two games. No need for alarm.

The fans are not happy about this 0-2 record, and elicited this response from the Lakers' guard and guy who took Brandy to his high school prom (yes, that happened and I'm bringing it up again):

"I just I don't understand. The city here, for me, not trying to bite my tongue and not calling them dumb, which I kind of just did, but they've seen us win multiple championships here playing in an offense that was tough to learn. ... They know how that stuff works."

"I won't say idiotic, but it's close."

I'm not saying this because I love Shaquille O'Neal, but I think that things really took a turn when Shaq left that team. I'd like to think that Kobe is channeling Shaq in the above finger wag (not Dikembe Mutombo, but guessing not many people know the difference, so let's just say Shaq and go with it). 

Who says the NBA can't be exciting??? Fear the Deer!*

*I'm a Milwaukee fan, and that's what Bucks fans say. In case you didn't know the Bucks had catchphrases... or fans.