Saturday, December 31, 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

United State of Pop 2011



DJ Earworm has been doing a mash up of all the biggest pop hits for the past years and today he released 2011's. Loooove it!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

BOOKS!

One of my 2011 Resolutions was to read more. With the help of a website dedicated solely to books and reading, I kept track of the books I read this year. All 19 of them! I read a lot of comedy, some series, and a little fantasy/sci-fi. I'd say there was a pretty good mix of everything in there.




2011


sTORI TELLING
Someday My Prince Will Come: True Adventures of a Wannabe Princess
Mommywood
The Help
Water for Elephants
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Uncharted TerriTORI
Sliding Into Home
Something Borrowed
Something Blue
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me
Bossypants
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay
A Game of Thrones
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
A Clash of Kings



Frances's favorite books »


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I thought I'd give you a round up of the books I read this year as I finished #19 last night and plan to start on #1 for 2012 tonight.

Autobiographical books read: Tori Spelling's "Stori Telling," "Mommywood," and "Unchartered Territori." "Someday My Prince Will Come" by Jerramy Fine. Kendra Wilkinson's "Sliding Into Home."
Favorite: "Sliding Into Home" by Kendra Wilkinson. This girl cracks me up. I knew a lot of her past going into the book so I wasn't shocked by much of it. I loved her voice throughout the book, too. As a fan of her show and Girls Next Door, I knew her personality and I could hear her reading it to me as I flew through the book in just a few short days.

Fiction (Non-series): JK Rowling's "The Tales of Beedle the Bard." "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky.

Fiction to Silver screen: "The Help," by Kathryn Stockett. "Water for Elephants," by Sara Gruen. Emily Giffin's "Something Borrowed."
Favorite: "The Help" was beautifully written and wonderfully transferred to film. It's getting a lot of Oscar buzz and deservedly so. I also love me some Emma Stone (who had an awesome 2011). The Help, both book and movie, had a wonderful way of being serious and getting the point across, while also having a fun element of comedy.

Fiction Series: "Something Borrowed" and "Something Blue," by Emily Giffin. Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games." George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire #s 1 and 2 (aka "Game of Thrones" and "A Clash of Kings".
Favorite: The Hunger Games. Hands down. Mainly because I finished it in about 2 and a half weeks while at camp. Suzanne Collins goes into a time well into the future (although she never says when and I'd really like to know) where the world has fallen into post-apocalyptic ruin and what was the US at one point is now Panem, a country divided into 12 districts each in charge of one product or service for the rest of the country, and the Capital. It's scary. It's relatable. It's amazing and I can't wait for the first movie in March!

Comedy: "Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me," by Friends of Chelsea Handler. Tina Fey's "Bossypants." "Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me" by Mindy Kaling.
Favorite: I don't think I have a favorite in the section. All of these women are hilarious. I read Handler's other books last year and knew that thins one would be a must-read when it hit bookshelves earlier this year. Tina Fey has been a favorite of mine since she and Jimmy Fallon were the Weekend Update co-anchors on SNL. And I love Mindy Kaling on the Office. Her character, Kelly, is pop culture-obsessed, boy crazy, and all in all hilarious. Not to mention Mindy has written a few of my favorite episode of the Office. I recommend all three of these ladies' books to anyone who loves comedy.

What books did you read this year? What books are you looking forward to reading next year?

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Oh, How Pinteresting!

Linking up with Vintage Apple again for...


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No theme this week. Just randomness.

Source: etsy.com via jess on Pinterest


Source: google.com via Staci on Pinterest

Can't believe it's been a year since I was on my way to California for the Rose Bowl.




So true. It's finally consistently cold here now.




I need something like this for Camp Closing at the end of June but no one has their summer stuff out yet (I need to start looking now before all the cute stuff is gone).




What are you pinning this week?

Monday, December 26, 2011

Music Monday: Nostalgia Edition

As a few of you may know, I was on drill team my senior year of high school. It was a blast and I loved the friends I made through it. Tonight the senior southern belles of 2006 are getting together for a little mini reunion. I think only about half of us are expected to show up, but I'm pretty excited. I think it's the first time we've done this in about 4 years. I thought I'd throw back to my senior year and give you a taste of what we listened to a lot.


Our jazz music for competition season. It was such a high energy, fun dance. I really loved performing it, but learning it was really difficult.


Probably the most gorgeous dance I've ever been in. After losing both of my grandmothers in an 8 month time span this dance made me feel like they were with me while I performed.


Have you ever seen a hip hop done in ball room heels? Neither had I until I was in one. So mcuh fun though!


Two of the senior girls danced a "duet" at one of our last practices before a competition as a joke to this. Made us all laugh and lightened the mood.


One of my favorite songs of high school was used for a dance at drill team camp. Love this song. It's amazing.

What songs bring back good memories of your senior year?

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas (Eve)!

From me and the pup!

Looking very handsome in his Christmas sweater by the tree.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Christmas Survey

Can you believe it's Christmas Eve Eve?! Where did December (and 2011) go?! Anyway, I've seen this survey on a few blogs and thought I'd partake in the festivities!

1. egg nog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate, please.
2. does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Santa wraps all his presents now, but once upon a time he left a few unwrapped.
3. multi-colored or white lights on tree/house?
White on the tree. Multi-colored or white on the house. Unless it's icicle lights, then those are always white.
4. do you hang mistletoe?
I think my dad and step-mom do.
5. when do you put up decorations?
My mom usually does it the weekend after Thanksgiving but this year we waited a bit since we were unsure of Nappy's reaction. (He's done very well, if you're dying to know.)
6. what is your favorite holiday dish?
I love all the cookies and sweets! I have the BIGGEST sweet tooth of anyone I know.
7. favorite holiday memory as a child.
My grandmother used to have this old stuffed Snoopy that she'd dress up for Christmas and Easter. I loved walking into her house Christmas Eve to see him in his Santa suit on the piano. I love Snoopy in general.
8. when did you learn the truth about Santa?
What do you mean? ;)
9. do you open a gift on Christmas eve?
Most years I open presents at my dad's on Christmas Eve. When I was younger we always went to the aforementioned grandmother's house for presents.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
My mom's tree is all Santa ornaments. My dad and step-mom usually have two trees, one with angels and the other is ornaments my step-sisters and I made and random cutesy stuff.
11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
Never comes on Christmas in East Texas (except two years ago I think it was, we had flurries on Christmas Eve - it was crazy). But I love it! I'm dying for it to snow so Nappy can frap through it!
12. Can you ice skate?
Not. At. All.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Excellent question. I honestly don't know.
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Having time to spend with family and friends.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
I'm good with a simple sugar cookie haha
16. what is your favorite holiday tradition?
24 hours of A Christmas Story on TBS Christmas Eve and Day.
17. what tops your tree?
I don't think any of my family's trees have anything on top... I told my mom I'm going to get her a Santa hat for her topper next year.
18. which do you prefer: giving or receiving?
Giving - especially if I know what i'm giving is what the person wants! But I love getting gifts, too - I won't lie.
19. candy canes. yucky or yummy?
I'm just not a huge peppermint person and candy canes are just fancy peppermints.
20. favorite Christmas show?
A Christmas Story and Elf are my top two favorite Christmas movies, for sure.
21. saddest Christmas song?
Are there sad ones?
22. favorite Christmas song?
Santa Baby, Baby It's Cold Outside, and All I want for Christmas is You.

Now it's your turn!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Oh, How Pinteresting!

It's Wednesday, which means...


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I thought with Christmas being this weekend, I show a few of the things on my wish list...

Source: amazon.com via Kacie on Pinterest


Source: etsy.com via Sandra on Pinterest

I'll need a cover for my kindle and this was the first thing that showed up when I searched on Pinterest for "kindle cover," which would be fine with me. I LOVE HP.



Had to add this one in. Our bowl game is tonight! GO FROGS!



I hope I get a little bit of money. I know I've got $10 already (family friend always gives me a book of 10 brand new 1$ bills).



Highly unlikely, but I can dream, right?


What's on your wishlist this Christmas?

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas Cuties

I watch Good Morning America every weekday morning and the have this segment called Play of the Day where they show a video. Today they had three and this precious video was one of them.



I mean really, how cute are these puppies?! Makes me miss how little Nappy was when I got him in July.

Little Napster eating the day we brought him home.





















If that video doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, then you must be the Grinch.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Music Monday: Christmas Edition

We're under a week left till Christmas! I've been done with Christmas shopping for over a week now but some people I know (*cough-my dad-cough) are not done. Or weren't this weekend. But that's beside the point. The week of Christmas is here and it's time to listen to NOTHING but Christmas music because in a few short days, it won't be socially acceptable to listen to it 24/7 and my Holiday XM stations will disappear again.














Will you be watching 24 straight hours of A Christmas Story Saturday and Sunday? It's a family tradition with my family. We're a tad obsessed. It's definitely my favorite Christmas movie. I dare to say of all time.

What are your favorite Christmas songs and movies?






PS - A Little bit naughty and a whole lot of funny just came on my iTunes shuffle.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Excitement!

So, it's no secret, where I live is not that exciting of a place. I typically eat out at the same 7 restaurants within a week and a half span (sometimes less, I'm a creature of habit, deal with it). Don't get me wrong, Tyler is vastly improved since I graduated from high school, but after living in the "big city" of Fort Worth, Tyler can still continue to improve, and it is, however slowly.

Next spring something exciting is happening. Blue Man Group is coming. Not to Dallas. To Tyler. They'll be performing less than a mile from my mom's house. My best friend, Kendall, has seen the THREE times. Twice in their home theater in Chicago and once in Dallas. She's obsessed. I've never seen them, but I got really excited over the summer when I saw they were coming. They were originally only scheduled to perform ONE night. I freaked out last week when I realized a whole week had passed since the ticket purchase date. But then, I saw a glorious billboard that told me they had added TWO nights. Today I bought our tickets for it.

I'm pretty frickin' excited.



Now I'm doing research (on YouTube) to watch their awesomeness. I'll have to update you on it after we go.

Have you ever seen Blue Man Group perform?

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Oh, How Pinteresting!

As I posted yesterday, I'm obsessed with Christmas lights! Uhhb-sessed! So My Pinteresting post is dedicated to Christmas lights!


google


Source: flickr.com via Joii on Pinterest










How cute of a Christmas card would this be?





What's something you LOVE about Christmas time?