Little Monsters

I love theme parties. I was packing my apartment up this past weekend and taking my clothes down to my car. In one stack of clothes I had a Santa Clause outfit and a 70’s Disco one piece. My instant reaction was not, “I feel a little strange about this,” it was, “I need a theme party in my life, right now.”

To my luck, Halloween is right around the corner. While I will be out of town for the actual Halloween celebration, I am hoping to get some dress up time for the annual “Wig Out” party. (Watch out Oklahoma. The tradition is coming to a city near you.) This is a time to put on your best wig and carve pumpkins and just wig out.

Below is a picture of our 2007 Wig Out Winner! Recognize her? Me neither.

The purpose of this post is to talk about 2010 Halloween Costume Trends. What will people be wearing at your costume party… or Ghostland Observatory show?

Top Trends, according to Party City:
1. Lady Gaga – I could have told you that one. Nobody better show up with fresh meat.

2. Vampires – again, duh. When did America become so obsessed with vampires? Stupid Edward Cullen.

3. 1980s…say what?

4. Jersey Shore Cast Members – go Snooks

5. Roman and Greek Inspired Costumes

6. Movie Inspired – think iron man 2, toy story 3, avatar and Alice and wonderland.

7. Immigration Costumes – probably politically incorrect, but there are some real jokesters out there. Think border guard costumes.

8. Celebrity Scandals – Think Paris Hilton “and her friend’s purse”

I missed Halloween last year, due to a 4-week prior bender of weekends. I had to put my life on hold for a weekend to relax, and that weekend just so happened to fall on Halloween.

Due to missing my favorite holiday, I began thinking of costume ideas November 1st, 2009. Here are some great ideas: be one of those fruit ladies- get a basket of fruit and put on your head. Or… be a red hat lady. Wear all that purple and red glitter jazz and get a group of girlfriends… or be a McDonald Character. I have always wanted to be one. (but not Ronald)

One of my worst Halloween costumes: I was going to be a “fat tourist.” You know that one piece that is khaki shorts and a Hawai top with a hula hoop in the middle? It was terrible. I had to return it… to only get a store credit. …. Oh and that year I was a German beer girl. Costume gone all wrong. BIG SIGH……

Word to the wise: don't go for the "sexy." Original outfits are best. And you can never go wrong with a "humor" costume.

Bored?

I had an immature moment this morning, and as the newscaster was talking, he said something that set him up for a true, "That's what he/she said" scenario. I found myself rolling with laughter.

It amazes me that this "one line" can turn an ordinary sentence into something amazing and worth laughter. It got me thinking- is there a website with these great one liners? There is.

http://www.twssstories.com/

Personally, I think these are just okay... but if you are bored at work, knock yourself out.

I long for the day I have a Dwight Shrute in my office. Be sure to treasure the 7th Season of the office, as it's Steve Carell's last. Season premiere is September 23rd.

Trip Advisor.

I would be breaking a W.W.A.G.S. rule if I did not give you a full recap of my last vacation. I have been busy, looking busy, and I have not had time to catch you up on my Labor Day Weekend trip to the great city of Chicago. Souvenirs were had, let me tell you.

We arrived in the Windy City on Friday morning. First on the to-do list: Shopping. We stayed on Michigan Avenue, so getting around to the stores was very easy. We lunched at Ralph Lauren Café- and I highly recommend this cute little place. It was the cutest/peppiest café, and it was quite tasty… but one Bellini led to two Bellini’s… which led to a broken glass and Bellini all over our table. (moms) Beware if you use their restroom. To use the restroom, you must go down an elevator which opens on both sides. I did not realize this, and all of a sudden someone came up behind me- I screamed to the top of my lungs. Thankfully, I could warn my traveling partner (mom) before she entered.

Friday was filled with more shopping and the John Hancock Signature Room. There’s nothing like $15 drinks and a view off the 96th floor. I am not even being sarcastic when I say, I think the high priced drinks are worth the view. Saturday evening was spent consuming more food at Giordano’s Pizza. After a few beers, and 4-inch thick pizza, I wobbled back to our hotel room.

Then came the dropping of temperatures. Whoever told me that I would be fine in summer clothes in a cardigan should have to pay my Gap bill. Wind picked up, and temperatures dropped. We had to invest in new, warmer clothes while we were there. Trying to be efficient, we purchased sweat shirts that were on sale… but the sweat shirts were the same…..

Saturday, we woke up, put on matching sweatshirts, and headed for the Architectural Boat Tour. Another one of those things that I think are a MUST DO. I learned so much on this 90 minute boat ride. This tour guide knew his stuff. It was cold, but it was worth it. And if you are thinking about going- you can drink on the boat. It was 9am, and I was cold, so I opted for a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

After the boat tour- it was CHICAGO CUBS time. GO CUBS GO. My mom and I are not the biggest sport enthusiasts, but there’s nothing like a Cubs game. It’s just a staple when you go to Chicago. The stadium is so unique and such an experience. Hot dogs and beer led to souvenir shopping, one of my favorite pastimes.

Saturday afternoon was spent doing a little more shopping- by Saturday evening, we were both worn thin. We went to dinner at “Bandera,” which is owned by the group as “Houston’s.” It was much like Houston’s, so it was great comfort food.

Sunday, we woke up and hit the streets of Chicago once again- first on the to do list- go see the BEAN. I have always wanted to see the Bean, but when I finally saw it, I wasn’t as excited as I thought I would be. It was kind of one of those things- “my aunt went to Chicago but all I got was this lousy t-shirt” kind of moment. I went all the way to Chicago and I only took 2 pictures at the Bean. We did a little more sightseeing and headed on home.

It was a great weekend, and I was the ultimate tourist- I had my Chicago book in one hand, and my “to do” list on the other. I know I am leaving a ton of the weekend out, but I have had a big weekend since Chicago….and maybe, just maybe, lost a few brain cells.

Back to work.

Unspeakable

Although I usually choose not to speak about this man, because it literally makes me ill to think of him, I believe I should mention him today. Mark David Chapman was denied parole today for the sixth time since 2000. He is currently serving a 20 year to life sentence in New York for the murder of John Lennon on December 8, 1980. I believe that the world was robbed of a very special soul on that day, almost thirty years ago. I often imagine what the world would be like if he was still around, and I truly believe that it would be a more beautiful place. John's message was so simple, and so true. He wanted nothing more than for everyone in the world to understand that we are all deserving of love and peace. Mark David Chapman broke the hearts of so many people when he took the life of one who can never be replaced. I believe his parole was very rightfully denied.

John Lennon, I wish you were still here today.

Cookie Monster (in my best cookie monster voice)

Cookie monster. That’s what I am. I love a good cookie, and I have been ripped off lately. Eatzis failed me, Starbuck’s failed me (thank goodness the pumpkin spice latte did not fail me), chips ahoy fail me every time I stoop low and have one, and this “Carol” cookie semi-failed me this past weekend. Yesterday, I decided to take my cookie obsession into my own hands. I was determined to get a “worth the calorie cookie.”

And guess what, I WON!

They are called “Brookies.” They are 1 part brownie, and one part cookie. You see, you make a box of brownies, and then you make the cookie dough. (must let dough chill) When you go to roll the dough, you use a larger than normal amount (about ½ cup of dough). You make an indention in the center of the cookie dough and insert a baked brownie in the center. (1” x 1” cube will do) After the brownie has been inserted in the center, you pull the dough over the entire brownie, so it’s hidden in there. Only 6 will fit to a pan, but since you are using so much dough, you will probably only have 2 pans worth.

The end result: HEAVENLY.

What could make it better? A scoop of Vanilla Blue Bell Ice Cream and some hot fudge. I would suggest using this cookie recipe for the dough- it never fails me: (can use any brownie box recipe)


(Recipe may be halved):

2 cups butter

4 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups brown sugar

5 cups blended oatmeal (measure oatmeal and blend in blender to a fine powder)

24 oz. chocolate chips

1 tsp. salt

1 8 oz. Hershey bar (grated)

4 eggs

2 tsp. baking powder

3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

2 tsp. vanilla

Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar and nuts. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet..Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies..

And the rumors are not true- the “Cookie Monster” still eats cookies- but now, he eats his fruits and veggies first, and then divulges in the cookie. But I have to tell you, after watching that new workout show on Bravo last night- I don’t want a cookie. (I think I am lying) It took the contestant a long time to burn off 2 cookies.

Hope the “Brookies” are a success in your home. And yes, I feel a little fatter after this post.

**Thank you ppppffffftttttt for providing the Cookie Monster pic.

BOOMER SOONER

I can't wait for tomorrow :)

90210

September 2, 2010, or 09.02.10. Today I can't help but think about Brandon, Brenda, Dylan, Kelly, Donna, David, Steve, and Andrea. I miss the 90s. I bet Kelly Taylor doesn't, she had a lot more problems then. Has anyone ever wondered how so many weird/bad things could happen to one person? Even in tv land she went through a lot. I always admired her though. She always bounced back. And, in the end, Kelly was the only one with a big part on the new CW version of 90210. I guess girls who have drug problems, stalkers from rehab, are assaulted in an alley, and even dabbled in a cult can turn out alright. In fact, she is a counselor at West Bev helping all of those super skinny kids with their problems. I bet she is really good at it too, you know, because she has been there done that. You know what this gives me? Hope. Here's to you original cast of 90210. New cast, you aren't as important...yet.

Happy 90210 day everyone!

SES