Tunes Tuesday: Low

I refuse to listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. It's just not the same knowing there is one holiday to go. Thankfully, the holiday season is here!

I first heard this song on The O.C. many moons ago... And it hasn't gotten old since! 

Remember snowmageddon 2011?

The first snow has officially fallen here in Bloomington, IN! It was raining terribly earlier today, and now, thick flakes haven't stopped piling atop cars and covering the roads in a fluffy white blanket. Looking out our big windows, I can't help but feel like I'm stuck in a snow globe! 

Welcome back, Winter. You've been dearly missed.

(from a Denver Post blog)

Think this Winter will be one for the record books like snowmageddon last year? 

Looks like we're in for a treat!

A very happy holiday season

Welcome back, friends! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. Mine was full of lots of Modern Family watching, family bonding, and of course eating! For the first Thanksgiving ever, I was the only Grdina sister home. It was strange, but it made the anticipation for Christmas (the first time we will all be reunited since May '10) that much better! 

Allow me to share some of the fun... 

Look at that bird! 

If the Grdina family knows how to do one thing, it's a dessert table!

We were lucky enough to have some fam call over the iPhone. 

Nothing like technology bringing people together! 

Mom had everyone fill out grateful cards that included things like: my favorite food, who I am most thankful for today, and the like. My cousin Joey wrote he was most thankful for the rocket launcher my Dad plans to get him for Christmas. Haha! 

The night ended with a game of Blokus. I'm the undefeated champion. Ahem, was the undefeated champion... but let's not go there. 

Thanksgiving Break was such a tease, wasn't it? Only twenty-eight days until Christmas! And even less until the Grdina family is reunited! 

Tunes Wednesday: Awolnation

Sigh... Yet another Tuesday has passed us by, friends! For this Tunes post, I would like to share "Sail" by Awolnation. For some odd reason, it really reminds me of the scene in "Deathly Hallows" when Harry and Hermione share quite the awkward dance, yet it's always been a scene that stuck out to me. 

Thanksgiving is in the air!

I just might have to try making Giada's chocolate hazelnut tart from The Food Network. I'd much prefer having a dessert like this over a traditional pie during the holidays. Get the recipe here! 

And be sure to check out the New York Times's Thanksgiving Hotline for answers to everything Thanksgiving-related! Although Christmas songs might already be on the radio, it's nice to see this holiday's not forgotten by everyone! 

p.s. I might have to cave and try out this pie. Heavens! The layers! 

McDonald's sweet tea ad

I was at the gym the other day when this gem came on. I couldn't help but notice that the sweet tea cup is almost the size of this man's head! Oh, America. 

The land of the free and the home where everything is super-sized!

Design your own chocolate bar

Amazing. 

Build your own chocolate bar from Chocomize... and send me twenty! 

Tunes Tuesday: Nicki Minaj

Gosh, I should just call this particular series Tunes Wednesday. Before I know it, it's past midnight and another song has gone unposted.

For this Tunes (Wed)Tuesday, I have chosen "Save Me" by Nicki Minaj. It's considerably more mellow than her usual craziness. Just listening to this chill number while doing homework, I have a hard time picturing the rainbow-haired rap artist from Trinidad and Tobago behind the vocals, but I think she sounds great! 

Also, did you see she's launching a nail polish line this January with OPI? 

Theresa's* gonna be all over that! 

*Theresa = my mom and nail polish enthusiast

Anthroparodie

I love Anthropologie, but this blog Anthroparodie is just plain hilarious. Check out a clip below... 

Dating Abroad Service

looking for that special cultured someone?

with a sexy accent, rich customs, and - if you're lucky - an interesting hat?

look no further than anthroparodie's dating abroad service

for a true love connection

after answering a series of increasingly personal and alienating questions

we develop a character profile for you

then we locate a compatible match from a faraway land,

bribe him with farm equipment

or false promises of dowry

or a tunic

(whatever it takes, really)

and arrange a romantic adventure to meet him in his home country

get ready for your very own

happily ever after

$389 / month

airfare not included

Who's funnier: men or women?

Answer: men, but not by much. Check out this study published in Psychonomic Bulletin and Review covered by The New York Times.

Who would you think is funnier? 

p.s. I just started Mindy Kaling's book. Because I started laughing on only page two, I'd definitely have to answer women on this one... But that's just one girl's opinion! 

Football feature and design

It's no secret that I'm not the biggest fan of athletics, but this feature that follows a college athlete for one week from the Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation is nothing short of impressive. It certainly makes me look at the jam-packed schedule with a little more understanding!

 

The photos entice readers to click on each particular week's day where they will find exactly how running back Raymond Carter spent his day. Be sure to check out the print edition! It's chocked full of information, but the big photos and crisp timeline organize the week's events nicely. Although, I'd like to see a longer article, the package is sweet!

“I grew up with football. I’ve been playing football since I was seven. Since my dad first put a football in my hand that’s all I remember doing. I’m here because I love football. And to get a free education with it, you get the best of both worlds.” 

- Raymond Carter

This is the exact kind of piece my football-crazy friends at Notre Dame would love!

Almond M&M's

Heavens! M&M's now make almond M&M's. 

My roommates and I recently rated peanut butter as the best flavor, followed closely by the pretzel variety. Just ask a friend about their favorite flavor, and a heated argument is bound to ensue. Also, did you know they made coconut flavor? Crazy! 

Chocolate covered gummy bears

Hmmm... I don't know if I'll be asking for these in my stocking.

 (via Cupcakes and Cashmere)

Express sparkle dress

My sorority's formal is this weekend, and of course everyone has been talking about what they are wearing. This sparkle dress from Express is to die for! 

Be sure to check out their newest holiday dresses if you have a big event coming up.  

Tunes Tuesday: Ellie Goulding

Anyone else an Ellie Goulding fan? 

Her song "Lights" has been remixed countless times, and the album is on sale this month on Amazon.com for only $5!  This song "The Writer" has been my go to while I've been studying lately. It seems like she has lots of different styles for lots of different moods. She also sang the song for the first dance at the Royal Wedding! 

P.s. Be sure to check out "Wish I Stayed." 

Cookie Good

What's better than homemade cookies? How about homemade cookies shipped right to your door! 

We have a place here in B-Town called Baked that has an insane amount of doughs and toppings to choose from, and then they deliver them right to your door within minutes (still warm, too. Yum!). They're perfect after a long night of studying or during a girls night in!

Cookie Good is the same idea! They caught my attention with their sweet pie flavored cookies pictured below - apple pie, pecan pie, and pumpkin pie. 

 

Or how about a Birthday Cake flavored cookie? 

Maybe you're feelin Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chunk? 

They even have Rocky Road! 

And although it's getting too cold for a bonfire, the s'mores flavor would make for a nice treat at the day's end! 

Don't forget to check out their incredible brownie selection too! And they even make gluten free cookies, as well! With flavors like Cinna-Bun and Red Velvet, I just might have to ship some to a friend... or perhaps a very lucky sister in Korea.  

Designer Jess LC

Check out these sweet leather goods from designer Jess LC!

Jessica and her friends work out of Chicago in a private studio apartment where the business is run. They have three collections ranging in everything from necklaces and bracelets to ipad cases and clutches - what a perfect find for Christmas shopping!  

Love this girl's glasses. I have similar ones from Urban. Only something tells me hers are probably prescription. 

 

NYC Marathon & IUDM

Know anyone running the NYC Marathon tomorrow? This Glamour article about editor Anne Sachs is a great Q&A from the perspective of someone training.

Some of my friends are very serious runners, which I always admired. The article added at the end that you can send virtual encouragement of FB wall posts, videos, and messages. The best part? All of it is shown on the screen as your running buddy passes. So cool! Sometimes I think I could use that motivation even just during my 30 minute run! 

Similarly enough, this weekend is Dance Marathon at IU - a dance marathon run entirely by students who raise money for Riley Children's Hospital. (It's the second largest student-run philanthropy in the nation!!) It lasts for a total of 36 hours, but this is the first year it was broken into two shifts. Our girls just got home an hour ago, and everyone in the house is so proud of them! However, there are girls on committees and even some dancers who stay for the full 36 hours and are still there! 

Here are a few shots from the first time we stopped by to drop off Polar Pops and words of encouragement! You go girls!  

(Love the photobomb in the background...)

Have a celebratory kind of weekend

How beautiful is this photo from Snippet and Ink?

 Check out these crazy wedding moments snapped on camera at just the right time. 

Some friends and I just have a thing for weddings, and this ruffly cake from Martha Stewart Weddings is bee-yoo-tiful! Now how it could be recreated on a cupcake... 

Weekend Jams: Hunter Hayes

Well, it's not Tuesday, but I always get a little upset when I realize it's 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, and I forgot to post on Tunes Tuesday. 

Therefore, I would like to share this little diddy with you. This fine young gentleman opened for Taylor Swift's tour. He sounds this good both live and recorded; and I am proud to say it is the only post I will ever make about country music. Sorry, friends, it just ain't ma thang! 

p.s. Watch the Meet Hunter Hayes YouTube clip. He wrote his first song when he was six years old! "It became a channel for me." - Hunter (Not to mention how great he looks in that little black henley of his...)

  

Have a cozy week

My stats professor brought it to our attention this morning that it is officially red cup season at Starbucks. Hooray for delicious seasonal blends like the peppermint mocha! 

(via Starbucks store)

A friend of mine recently tweeted that Starbucks is even playing holiday music already. Dang! It's funny how Thanksgiving is in the middle, but doesn't get nearly half the hype of Halloween or the winter holidays. Also, who has started Christmas shopping? Target now carries Starbucks hot chocolate and coffee roasts that would make excellent gifts, or I love/ recommend the plastic tumbler. They are ideal for cold drinks!