Fantasy Vacation: Paris, France during Christmas

For a new idea, I thought that I would share places that I dream about visiting.  Places that I love and would love to visit but DO NOT have the means to visit at this time.  For my first post, I have been thinking about Paris, France.  During Christmas.

Travel and Leisure names it one of the 10 Great Places to Spend Christmas and I couldn't agree more.  The romance, the lights, the shopping, the champagne.  Can we all take a collective sigh?  I mean, come on!

Here are a few options for what to do during the holiday season, including attend a Midnight Mass at Notre Dame, take a stroll down the light filled Champs-Elysee, and admire the beautiful chocolate displays by Patrick Roger.

I'm not sure if this could get any better.  Softly lit avenues, champagne, cobblestone streets, Christmas Carols in French.  (I'm not sure if this last one exists, but imagine it happening in my dreams).  Ahhhh, one day. C'est ci bon.

Enjoy! 

Happy Thanksgiving

 For those of you traveling this holiday season, I wish you a safe trip home!  Here is a little something to laugh at while you are waiting for a flight.  Thank you Saturday Night Live!

Cupcakes and Leaves

So this is a much belated post, but I felt it worthwhile.  With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, and 2010 coming to a close, I am finding that my much loved blog has been ignored.   I apologize.  I'm not sure if anyone out there actually reads this blog, but for those that do, I am sorry that I have been avoiding you.  Okay, so here goes nothing!

Over a month ago Travis and I visited New York City with two of our best friends Andrew and Jill.

I was so excited to visit during the fall because I have been when it is bitter cold (after Thanksgiving and March) and I have been when it is muggy and sweaty hot (July and August), but I have never been when the weather is actually bearable and lovely.  Such was the case the third week of October.  If you ever get the chance to visit, visit during this time because it is perfect!  50-60 degrees during the day and low 40's at night, absolutely the perfect fall weather.

On top of that, the leaves were starting to change and we were able to experience it in the best of all places for fall foliage, Central Park!

When we arrived around lunch time on Thursday we headed to lunch and then had a great walk down 5th avenue from 44th street all the way to Central Park.  We took pictures in front of the iconic skating rink at Rockefeller Center and made a mandatory stop at much loved Magnolia Bakery at Rockefeller Center.  With multiple cupcakes and lattes in hand we headed straight for Central Park.

Perfection!  Beautiful weather, tasty cupcakes, and friends!  It was a moment that I will think about for years to come.  It was simple but special and exactly what I wanted in the trip.  I suggest you try the same someday!  Enjoy!

OU/Texas: Domination

Two weeks ago, like the majority of Norman, we spent the weekend in Dallas for the OU/Texas game.  The past four years have been a little rough for the Sooners, and we have suffered losses that always put a sour note on the weekend.

This year though, was our year!  We won gloriously, beating the Longhorns 28-20.  I must say, the score sounds close, but we dominated the majority of the game.  Winning makes the weekend about fifty times better.  We even stayed Sunday afternoon in Dallas and did a little shopping.

Before the game, we did what all do before the game and frequented the State Fair of Texas.  The State Fair of Texas is like any good fair.  There are numerous amounts of strange people to gawk at and there is always a bevy of fried food available for consumption.  I really dislike that you have to stand in line to get tickets for food at the State Fair of Texas.  I don't want to play games, I just want to eat some sinfully bad food.  When you wait in line for 45 minutes for tickets, it takes the fun out of the food.  Luckily, I had some company so it didn't make it quite so bad.  

Tati's half cooked bbq.  Ugh. 

After the game we hung about the fair for a little bit, using up our leftover tickets for beer and more fried food.  While looking for cabs after the game, Tati's eagle eyes spotted an ice cream man selling food from our childhood.

Brandon devouring Michelangelo.  The eyes are the best part. 

Giddy.  It had been a long day. 

There are a few purists out there who think that the OU/Texas game should be played at the Cotton Bowl because of the history.  They say that the atmosphere of the Texas State Fair is part of the game and that it wouldn't be the same without it.  I am not one of those people, because frankly, the Cotton Bowl sucks.  The bathrooms are disgusting and it is impossible to get anything to eat or drink.  Also, it takes FOREVER to get inside of the game.

The sea of Texas and OU fans waiting to get inside the stadium. 

I would be happy watching the game at the Cowboys Stadium.  But, that is just me, and I'm sure it will be at the Cotton Bowl for many years to come.

Saturday Night Live

I have been a fan of Saturday Night Live for as long as I can remember.  Waiting up on Saturday nights for the show when I was little was a highlight of my weekend.  I remember watching the Spartan Cheerleaders and Sally O'Malley.  Now that I am older, watching SNL on Saturday nights is again one of my favorite things to do.  Lately, SNL has been extremely funny and I would love more than anything to visit a live taping.  Just for fun, here are a few of my favorite sketches and digital shorts. 

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/digital-shorts/videos/51547.shtml

  http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/the-barry-gibb-talk-show/280543/

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/nprs-delicious-dish-schweddy-balls/2846/

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/rockettes-open-audition/2847/


Next week Travis and I are going to NYC with some friends and we just realized that there will be a live taping while we will be there.  And to make matters even better, one of my favorite bands, King of Leon will be the musical guest.  I have never been to NYC during a taping and we are going to try our best to get tickets to the show. 

After a bit of research, we figured out exactly how to procure tickets to SNL.  For those who live in the New York area, you can enter a lottery pool in August and maybe get tickets.  For the rest of us, you can stand in line at 7am on the day of a taping and hope to get standby tickets. 

Now, I am not holding my breath for tickets, but we are going to try our darndest to get four standby tickets to either the dress rehearsal or the actual taping.  It would absolutely be the highlight of my trip next weekend.  Send good thoughts my way on Saturday morning, because we will be up at an ungodly hour hoping and praying that we somehow get tickets.  Happy travels!

Cry For Help.

I am going to start this post with a few clips that I think show New York in its best light.  The first is from the movie You've Got Mail.  The second is Jay-Z's video for "Empire State of Mind".  I realize that these clips are completely opposite, but I like them.  And they get me excited for my trip to New York City in a few weeks. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ACWi-Jm-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8

While I am there, I plan on doing a few things that I have never done before.

1.  Take the cruise around the harbor.  Hopefully this will be my awesome view of the city.  

2.  Walk/ride through Central Park in the fall.  I am looking forward to bright foliage.  (P.S. I think this last comment really ages me.  I know that I am 27, but my #2 thing to do in NYC is look at fall foliage.  I think this is a cry for help). 

3.   Eat at good restaurants and go to some cool bars.  (I think this makes up for #2). 

Okay, so #3 is a call for assistance.  For all of you New Yorkers, where should I eat?  Where should I drink?  I like a good dark bar that has comfy seating and delicious beer.  Nothing too snazzy or club-like.  Something neighborhoody.  PLEASE, tell me where to go!  I would love your suggestions! 

Cheers!

Lusting for Fall

I cannot express enough my love for summer.  The flip-flops, the days by the pool, three months vacation...  It it truly hard to beat.  But by September when the days are still 95 degrees and the mall is starting to put out sweaters and boots, I start to really jones for some fall weather.  So I thought I would share with you a few things that I am lusting after this upcoming fall.  I realize that most of you could care less about what I want to wear this fall, so really this blog entry is just a glorified excuse for me to window online shop. 

I really want these red Hunter boots.

Wouldn't they just be perfect for rainy gamedays?  Also, they could serve as my snow boots for the five days it snows during the winter in Oklahoma.  And they are just really cute.  Anyone know where I can find some for waaay less than $125?

I also want this dress from Anthropologie.  Big shocker that I like something from this store, but they just have the cutest clothes that are perfect for teaching.   Casual but still polished.

I especially like shirt dress aspect of it.  Corduroy is perfect for fall and the nipped in waist always looks put together.  Sidenote:  Isn't corduroy the weirdest word?  It is not how you expect it to be spelled.

I love a good scarf.  As soon as it is cool enough for me to bust one out, you can bet that I am wearing one.  While I was in Italy, I got this cute pink/red scarf that is just wispy enough to wear in 60-70 degree weather.  Perfect addition to any outfit. 

But, I also like this scarf from Anthropologie.  Isn't it cute? 

I like that it has lots of colors in it that could match pretty much any outfit.  And it looks cozy. 

Well, that is it for me when it comes to shopping.  If you have any must have fall items, feel free to comment!  I would love to see what you like to wear too!