So… The Biggest Loser. I am a Biggest Loser fan. Since day one, actually. My mention of the show probably won’t sit well with everyone: it usually doesn’t. I’ve participated in many debates over the years–in real life and on Facebook–about whether the show and the people behind it are “right” or “wrong”. It seems to me that there are just a few types of people, where viewing the show is concerned: 1. I have seen it and think it’s amazing and inspiring. 2. I have seen it and think it’s not only ridiculous but sends the wrong message. 3. I haven’t seen it. I am, of course, part of…
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A Cupcake Haiku
Cupcakes are so sweet Spongy baked goodness melts me Icing-induced high. Um yeah. I promise to resume regular programming in the next day or two, but I’m a little preoccupied right now, what with all the sugar I ingested today. If you’re interested in learning about the behind-the-scenes tour of Sprinkles Cupcakes Chicago I took today, check this out. In the meantime, I’m off to bed…the sugar…is…wearing……..off…..zzzzzzz
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Ferris Bueller: Still Looking Good After Twenty-Five Years
Unbelievable as it is, to me anyway, it’s been twenty-five years since “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” hit theaters for the first time. The film, one of John Hughes’ best (in my opinion), features Matthew Broderick as the high school senior who decides to skip school for the day and enjoy some fun with his best friend and his girlfriend, acting on his belief that “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” One of my Facebook friends asked me how many times I’ve seen the movie, and I replied that I thought I had seen it two or three…
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Cruzing Chicagoland: Threadless Headquarters
I had heard that the Chicago headquarters of the Threadless T-shirt company is one of those epic, must-see places. I’ve seen a couple of pictures in magazine features about it, and was thrilled to take a ride over there in the 2011 Chevy Cruze that General Motors loaned me for a week (Disclosure: GM is the major sponsor of my Chicago book launch event), to record a tour for your enjoyment. What struck me about the headquarters is how extremely laid-back the place was, even way more than I expected. The place exudes a vibe of “Fun” rather than “Work”, and had I not actually witnessed employees busily doing their…
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Cruzing Chicagoland: The Bristol Renaissance Faire
Mention that you’re visiting a Renaissance Faire and you’ll be met with a couple of different reactions. One of them is a raised eyebrow and a slightly alarmed look. That usually comes from someone who thinks of a Ren Faire as a weird Star Trek-ish convention for 16th century fanatics. (No offense to the lovely @dearbadkitty, who is a Trekkie.) The other reaction is a wide-eyed, “I’m so excited for you” expression of happiness. That one comes from someone who has been to a Ren Faire. I took my trusty sidekick Michelle with me to do a “Cruzing Chicagoland” video shoot at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, which is located on…
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Like A Horse And Carriage.
I had the most spectacular day. I had various appointments in the city (now, doesn’t that sound important?) and needed a sidekick, so I called upon my hilarious, awesome friend Margaret. I met Margaret all the way back in February of this year when I took her Chicago Pedway tour (her tour company is called Chicago Elevated, and it ROCKS.), and we became fast friends. Margaret and I made our way around the city, talking non-stop. The weather was PERFECT. We had a great time, we both learned a few things, and the day flew by. (Uh, for me, anyway.) Our lunch was one of my favorite parts of the…
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So, @thepioneerwoman Came To My Local Book Store Last Night…
I totally forgot that she was going to be signing books in my quaint little downtown book shop, due to the fact that I’m preparing for, ahem, my own book’s release next week. After I was reminded about her appearance by a dear, gifted friend, and considering the fact that I was mere minutes from being on my way to another store in my quaint little downtown, I made the snap decision to go, buy a couple of Ree’s books, and get them signed. Let me just say that going to a Pioneer Woman signing is a GREAT idea, but a better idea would be to plan to attend ahead…
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Going To The Abbey And They’re Gonna Get Married…
It’s Royal Wedding Day! Woot! I slept on the couch last night so that I wouldn’t be getting out of bed before 3:00 a.m. and waking up Jim, who wouldn’t be able to get back to sleep from the disturbance. Naturally I woke up early, in anticipation no doubt. My eyes sprung open at 2:37 a.m. This day, much like my hair after sleeping on the couch for the last 4.5 hours, will not be pretty. Let the live blogging begin… 3:01 a.m. I’m watching the coverage on NBC. I’m a Today Show junkie. Just learned that the titles bestowed on the newlyweds by the Queen will be the Duke…
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Live Blogging The Royal Wedding: It’s A Dirty Job, But Somebody’s Gotta Do It.
That’s right, I’m doing it. When the engagement was announced, I giddily recorded a video exposing my terrible “secret” and excitedly spoke about how I would make “big plans” for the wedding. I had intended to have some friends come and spend the night, or get a hotel suite in the city (seriously). Unfortunately but also very fortunately, my life’s bigger plans got in the way of making those big plans, and now here it is, less than twelve hours before Catherine becomes the newest Royal, and I’ve got nada. I had to plan SOMETHING. So I did. Due to the fact that I have a feeling Twitter is going…
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The Day Burt Reynolds Kissed Me
Okay, so it was an air kiss, but I was right next to him at the time and not only was it meant just for me, but there was full eye contact. Let me tell you about it. There are two theaters in my area (one in my town, and one in my sister’s town, right next door to mine!) that are the kind where you sit in comfy chairs and order from menus (real food, if you want, like burgers and pizza and chicken, but they also–of course–serve popcorn and other movie treats), and servers bring stuff to you. These theaters also host events at least one or two…