Gavin and Stacey

I realize I talk about Gossip Girl non-stop on this blog but in all honesty my *favorite* show on TV is Gavin and Stacey. It's on the BBC every Tuesday at 7:40 and follows two people who met on the phone for work and their friends and family. Simple premise but it's their best friends - Nessa and Smithy who make the show (and incidentally, write the show). We're only two seasons in. I just read that they are not doing a third season which honestly kills me. I look forward to this show every week. They are doing a Christmas special and actually running a marathon of the first two seasons today I believe. At any rate, even if there are only two seasons, if you enjoy British comedy - at all - you should check it out. I giggle the entire show and mention to Steve at least 15x during the show that I should have been born in England because we have the same sense of humor. He rolls his eyes.

Actually - I know most of you have seen "Love Actually." Stacey is the blond "body double" ...

Also, because it's Thanksgiving, here's my list I'm thankful for:

Turkey, Steve, football, booze, soy chai tea lattes from Starbucks, turkey balloons, humidifiers, our family, text messaging, great friends, Vinney, George, vitamin E, Steve, kongs, slippers, democracy, Netflix, the Chicago English Bulldog Rescue, 93.9 for playing non-stop Christmas music and ... Steve.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Make sure you let the people you're with how thankful you really are too!!

"If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it .."

I ordered I Am .. Sasha Fierce last night and obviously - I am loving it. The ballads are good - Beyonce has an out of this world voice (I think) but the Sasha Fierce side is just a ton of fun and reminds me a lot of DC. And I love DC. "Diva" is the best song although "Single Ladies" will get stuck in your head. Both are fun to sing. Not sure if you saw Beyonce and Justin on SNL this weekend doing a video for Single Ladies. NBC apparently yanked the feed and I can't find it anywhere. It was great ..


I really should take a minute to mention that Steve does like Beyonce too. I go on oprah.com - oh, every once in a while and possibly might have written a page essay (which I will not post) about how much I loved Beyonce and how badly I wanted to be on the show when she was there, for all the various charities she donates too, her wonderful voice, her quiet relationship with Jay, Destiny's Child. I must have been too late because I did not get the call.

Another one of my favorite artists is a country singer named Carrie Underwood. I didn't really use to like country that much but Karrie and Steve have helped me see a small, dim light and she is one of the reasons. I loved her on American Idol and have since loved her CD's. She should really still be with Tony Romo. I like her confidence, even if it comes off cocky. I like that she didn't endorse a candidate. I like that she seems incredibly normal even though she is as famous as she is. But I do not like her fashion choices, especially at the Country Music Awards. Please see below:

This really isn't that bad. It's the color that's a miss to me. The dress is beautiful but I kind of hate the belt and if anything, her hair should have been up. Also, it does nothing for her figure ..


Wow. I mean I saw this come out and thought - is that what we have in store for tonight? Cause it could get dicey. Talk about nothing for your figure. And she's playing too much to the - I'm an American and I'm at the CMA's so I MUST sparkle. The jeweled piece is much worse up close but I can't find a picture.


The one dress I liked. Until I saw the chop sticks in her hair. Are we eating egg rolls later? I would always be in short dresses if I had those legs.

BUT, at least we've graduated past the jumper ..

Who will win America's Next Top Model? I mean McKey kind of seems like a shoe-in with those legs but I have a major soft spot for Samantha and that hair. And I swear she wasn't my inspiration. I can't stand "the other one." I can't even say her name. (Shiver.) Stop wearing the peace sign during panel. WE GET IT.


Seriously - how cute is Samantha?? Nigel said this could be a Calvin Klein ad and it really could be. All for now ..

I'm Good Now

So M had an extra ticket for Bob Schneider last Friday night at the Double Door in Bucktown so I decided to tag along. Now - I would have never even *heard* of Bob Schneider if it were not for LB who is insanely in love with his music and told me to check out some songs. I did, and I liked everything I heard. She said he was good live but a 10 pm start time (that's when the opener goes on) on a Friday night is kind of hard to stomach. What did that mean? We just wound up drinking a few more cocktails next door at the Blue Line before we went in. He started at 11:15 and was worth every minute. Take away the fact he is a very, very lovely to look at man his music just makes you move. Funk, soul, folk, lounge, rap, punk, country - you name it - the guy plays it all. I would highly recommend checking him out the next time he comes anywhere near you. You will not be disappointed.

Will someone tell me next time they have an NFL game on Thursday night?? I totally screwed myself in my picks this week because of it.

Also, it's FREEZING in Chicago right now. My temp said 25 outside this morning when I walked Vinney. We did not get far. Also, Vinney graduated from his obedience class this week. He even received a diploma!

Hotel Cafe Tour

Jo and I went to see the Hotel Cafe Tour last night at the Park West. Shockingly this was my first time there and I really loved the venue. So much better than the Vic and there is parking right next to it. Or maybe it was just better for this type of a concert? Who knows. Although, I did not enjoy them actually measuring out my shot of seven. I guess everyone is cutting back??

I really went to see Meiko who I saw at a Joe Purdy concert earlier this year at Schubas. I loved her set (I had a few of her songs already) and then throughout the 45 minutes she played Steve and I both realized she in fact had the exact same sense of humor as Andrea. She did not disappoint last night and sounded fantastic. We were on the hair-in-the-face-side, which she apologized for but of course that doesn't matter. My favorite was her new song - Real, Real Sweet.


Jaymay played and I realized I did have a few of her songs (Gray or Blue). I thought her set was kind of forced energy and really didn't pay too much attention. Jo and I talked more about her trip to Korea coming up. Alice Russel had just flown in from the UK and is definitely trying for the big jazz feel of Amy Whinehouse and Adele. Her voice was amazing and I think I could see myself listening to her a little. She also did her version of Seven Nation Army which was pretty cool.

Rachel Yamagata was the "surprise" guest that everyone knew about. I realized it was her for sure when we walked in and she was standing outside smoking a cigarette with a fan. I love that about her. Last time I saw her the House of Blues (quite possibly the worst venue in the city) she was doing the same - walking around and talking to everyone, though trying to avoid her crazy stalker fans. She played a little off her new CD Elephants and I realized I will need to get it, or bum it from Melissa who I'm sure has it.

Then our surprise of the night - Thao Nguyen. What a presence on stage! That girl can rock. We had two uber-fans of her next to us too which kind of helped because it got us excited too. And she can beat-box! How cool is that?? I've already gotten on itunes this morning to get her CD which is fantastic (check out Bag of Hammers). Jo and I really would like to just be friends with her. I wonder if someone can make that happen.


So if this show comes to your city - go see it!! Well worth it. It was an all ages show and it started right at 7 (and went till 10), we were a little late. Don't be! They all play two each at the start and then they go back through and do three each. Rachel Yamagata did the encore and Thao Nguyen was sitting right in front of us hanging out with some friends for it.

Also, I take back what I said about Rihanna, because I think Lil Wayne is making more appearances than anyone. And I LOVE it because I think he has just about the coolest sound out there right now. Very original. My two favorites right now that he's on are "Lost" by Gorilla Zoe and "Let It Rock" by Kevin Rudolf. And while I really like Lil Wayne, I would rather not run into him in a dark alley, you know?


Great article, exactly ladies, exactly.