Friday's Five Favorites...summer flicks!

Beat the heat of the sweltering end of summer and catch a movie in a cold, dark theatre.  These are the five flicks I must see this August.  Click the links to view the trailers...

* The Help - I meant to read the book but forgot where I put it so I'll just watch the movie instead...yes, I know, it won't be nearly as good.  I'll deal with it...

* Chasing Madoff - The subject matter is fascinating!

* Our Idiot Brother - I adore Paul Rudd...I adore comedies...I adore Paul Rudd comedies...

* Shut Up Little Man! - I first heard of this on the Howard Stern Show...Some of the best works come from creative people with no grand plan.

* Midnight in Paris - this is kind of a cheat because I've already seen it.  But it's the best Woody Allen movie I've seen in a while and it's one of the best movies by any director I've seen in a while.  I basically need Woody to come out with a movie each month...

summer road trip...

I'm getting ready to embark on a 15 hour (if all goes smoothly) road trip with my husband and our newly potty trained 3 year old son.  An undertaking such as this takes some major strategery (thanks, Dubya) to ensure we arrive at our final destination in good spirits!

I've packed a cooler bag full of healthy snacks like apples, granola bars, Metro Mint water (a fav of mine), nuts, squeezable apple sauce packets, apple juice and the like so we can do our best to avoid the guilty road food of McD's and pizza.  Of course, I'll need to stop at every Starbucks for an iced latte...

I've also packed a "doo dad" bag of goodies and activities for the boy...new board books, Crayola Color Wonder paper and markers and never before played with Matchbox cars to keep him content and busy while confined to the back seat.  We drive overnight which helps get the bulk of the trip done while our little guy is asleep...this helps tremendously.

I try to be as comfy as possible when we do these long drives but I certainly don't resort to grungy sweats.  In colder months I'll do a tunic with leggings and cozy boots or slip on flats but since this is the hottest effing summer my regular uni will not do.  A mid length, jersey tee shirt dress will be comfy yet not totally dumpy during the day and easily serve as a nightgown when it's my turn to rest.  Of course flip flops are really the only choice for this occasion...

I don't wear makeup during the trip but I freshen up with a periodic spritz of face mist, a swipe of tinted lip balm and rely heavily on my extra large sunnies to make me appear more glam than I am.

I've downloaded great road trip media to my iPad in preparation:
* podcasts - The Bugle, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Radio Lab, WTF with Marc Maron and Get Mommy a Drink (really excited about that one)

* kiddeos (did I just make up this blend of the words kid and videos?) - the usual suspects of Thomas & Friends, Winnie the Pooh and The Polar Express (my kid loves trains)

* apps - Quick Sleep (to provide soothing, non car sounds to encourage the boy to be quiet already), Priceline (in case we do need a hotel) and Best Road Trip Ever in case we want to stop to check out offbeat attractions and resto's along the way.

* books - I'm just now starting Kelly's Cutrone's "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside" then I'll start "Film Flam" by Larry McMurty, the famous Hollywood screenwriter.

* music - I just rediscovered Matt & Kim so I bought their newest album "Sidewalks" which will keep me alert and engaged during my turn at the wheel.  Sidebar: I watched them perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and their enthusiasm is so infectious...

Now I just need to start packing...yikes!

what to wear to the ball park...

You don't have to dress as if you intend to play...you shouldn't dress as if going to a club...something riiiiight in the middle is most appropriate.

A clean cut pair of khaki shorts, a simple tee or tank and a team logo hat are the basics.  We poo poo the idea of heels at the park but a moderate wedge could be fine...a flat sandal or flip flops are our usual picks due to lots of time spent on foot.


All that being said, ball parks can be filthy and supremely sticky so wear whatever the f*** you want...it's only baseball (though we still strongly eschew any team gear with bling).

And fellas, we really can't think of a reason to ever wear a tank top...especially if it's really a tee shirt with the sleeves cut off!

Play ball!!!

maid of the mist...

When it's this hot outside we don't stray too far from the AC without a few essential supplies:

* ModelCo Cool Feet airbrush mist - this peppermint scented spray revives tired feet and cools on contact!


* L'Occitane Olive Tree Organic Toning Face Mist - a few pumps will calm hot and irritated skin...


* Aloe Vera moisturizing mist - the continuous spray action envelops skin in a chilly mist of moisture and helps to cool sun exposed skin.


* Body mist - store your standard, scented body mist in the fridge for a rejuvenating treat!

Remember to drink tons of water throughout the day to hydrate your body during these dog days of summer!  Stay cool...

Friday's Five Favorites...ice cream treats!

* Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches (for 140 calories) are amazing...mint is our favorite!  Available nearly everywhere, these treats are a quick and easy way to get your summer ice cream fix without the hefty calories.

* This might grab you as being a tad strange but Black Pepper Ice Cream is all kinds of wonderful...click here for a recipe courtesy of Sassy Radish.

* Dairy Queen Peanut Buster Parfait is our old school pick...and with 710 calories we'll be leaving it behind as a delicious memory...
* No ice cream list would be complete without our friends Ben & Jerry!  The names of their flavors are almost as tasty as the ice cream itself.  When in doubt, order the Chunky Monkey...

* Sorry to be a bit regional here but the best ice cream we've ever had is from Four Seas in Centerville, Massachusetts on Cape Cod.  Everything is made fresh on location and has been since 1934.  Hands down, absolute, no fail pick is the Fresh Peach...or the Peppermint Stick...or the Ginger...just trust that you'll want lick 'em all!