Nuance

Yesterday I went to the Mac make-up counter to purchase some new blush. They have a new mineral line and I bought the color, Nuance, which is a peachy/coral blush. It's really pretty!
I like the Mac make-up counter the best because I feel like they really help me pick the color that is best for my skin. I used to shop Clinique, many moons ago, and I always felt that they would match odd colors to my skin or just try to sell me their new product even though it didn't look all that great on me.

I wish I could afford all Mac make-up, but it really is pricey. So I just get the stuff that I can't figure out by myself. For instance, foundation, blush and lipstick...I can never tell what the color will look like on me so I can't just go to Walgreens and pick a color out there. So I always get those pieces at a make-up counter. But eye shadows, lip gloss, eyeliner and mascara I can get at Walgreens to help save some moolah.

Yeah for fun new make-up!

Dreams From My Father

For the month of July, I listed to the book on tape of Barack Obama's Dreams From My Father. I was really enjoyed listening to this book and learning more about Barack's history and his life growing up. I appreciated his honesty about drinking, skipping school and being a normal kid. Even though he experienced things that aren't all that normal, such as living in Indonesia for 5 years of his young life.

Obama has a great storytelling ability and knowing where he came from makes me appreciate him as a presidential candidate, even more.

I like that he wrote this book years and years ago because it doesn't come off as a ploy to gain voters.

It's a great story and, in my opinion, the sound of his voice did add to the story, so I would recommend hearing it over reading it.

Definitely, Maybe

I watched the film Definitely, Maybe last night. It was actually pretty good! The little girl annoys me but most child actors do. Ryan Reynolds was really good in it. It's nice to see him in something other than slap-stick comedy.
And I heart Isla Fischer. She has the most beautiful hair.

This is a Netflix-er!

What They Said Was True

So I think it's about time I give props to my mom, my sister, Sarah and Karla. These are all women who over the past 7 years have encouraged me to leave bad relationships and promised me that someone better was out there waiting for me.
For the past 7 years I've spent time wondering if He would call again? If He was the one? Can this be it? Even with the disappointment? Is He supposed to be this selfish? Is He supposed to smoke this much? Is he supposed to have zero social skills? Is He supposed to be shorter than me?

I spent so much time talking with these women and asking these questions, which had such obvious answers. And they have been extremely patient with me as I went on one bad date after another. Extremely comforting when I would call them crying after realizing that He wasn't the one. Extremely loving as they told me it was going to work itself out.

And what they said was true.

It's funny looking back at all those other men. I just shake my head and laugh to myself, because I gotta be able to have a sense of humor about this. :)

See finally, I'm with someone who loves me for who I am. Even when I'm bossy. Who doesn't question why I am opposed to paying for a sandwich at a restaurant, when I can make a sandwich for free at home. Who thinks about me at the most random times and then does something like buys me herb cheese, cause he knows I like it. Someone who saves me a seat at church but respects my independence enough to introduce me to others as Olivia, so people can see me for more than just his girlfriend. Someone who embraces my love for cooking and has mastered the art of mashed potatoes. Who agrees that we need to take responsibility for this planet and joined the Meat Share Program with me. Someone who knows how much I love to travel so began planning a trip to Greece for us. Someone who doesn't mind seeing me with my Invisilign in. Someone who is genuinely concerned when I say my sister's basement has flooded. And genuinely happy when I tell him my friend got the job in the city. Someone who's family is amazingly wonderful and someone who thinks my family is just as great.

And what's so much more surprising and wonderful...I love him just as much, right back.

So what they said was true. When it's right, it's easy. The joy just pours out effortlessly.

Theology on Tap

Chris is leading a small group, called Theology on Tap, through my church Holy Covenant. It's a group of people who meet on Sunday nights at a local pub to discuss theology, philosophy and religion. Yesterday it was Jonas, Anna, Chris and I...sipping on Harp and discussing The Matrix. But that conversation morphed into a discussion on organic farming and caring for the earth. Which morphed into a conversation about how The Church is dying.

I love this group. It's so laid back and anyone can join in. Even the bartender, who claims to be a strong atheist, sits in from time to time.

I love that my church isn't too churchy. I think sometimes churchy-churches can scare away people and I feel like my church has found a good way to make everyone feel comfortable. (Pints of beers help that, as well.)

Boats and Hos

Steph, Jove, Chris and I went to the opening premiere of Step-Brothers last night. It was a sold out show! Jove actually had to sneak in! It was flippin' hilarious!
Boats and Hos!

It's the fucking Catalina Wine Mixer! (Dude, I'm totally have a fucking catalina wine mixer birthday party!)

Coin Purse

A few weeks ago, on Dooce.com, Heather did a style segment on her new wallet from a Canadian boutique called Espe. I went on over to their website and found a cute coin purse. It's arrived in the mail and I absolutely love it!
Now I want a wallet!

Hi Anna! Welcome to my blog! Happy reading!

The Dark Knight

Tonight Chris and I saw the movie Batman: The Dark Knight. It was really cool seeing Chicago shot for this film and the director did very little to hide the fact that Gotham was shot in Chicago. I even saw the Chase building sign!

And I'm really glad Maggie G. was cast to play a role originally meant for Katie Holmes. I couldn't really imagine Katie in this role. I thought Maggie did an incredible job. Just amazing.

Aaron Eckart also did an awesome job. He's been one of my favorite actors ever since I saw the indie film In the Company of Men, back in 1997. He's extremely talented, in my opinion.

Christian Bale was good. His raspy voice got a bit annoying. Really, he was outshined by his supporting cast though.

Heath Ledger took the role of Joker to a level that I was very impressed by. He morphed his character from comical/comic book to psychotic. This was the best Joker I've seen played in a Batman movie. Before I thought people were talking Oscar buzz because he passed away and wouldn't that just be the best Hollywood ending? But now I understand how well he acted and how deserving he would be of an award and recognition.

Incredible film. Just incredible. Two thumbs, Way UP!

When You Are Engulfed in Flames

I just finished reading the new David Sedaris book, When You are Engulfed in Flames. It had me in stitches a few times but it still doesn't top my favorite Me Talk Pretty One Day.

Here's a little snippet from his chapter titled Smoking. It is his diary entries from when he decided to quit smoking. (this isn't verbatim cause I can't find the actual lines, but you'll get the idea.) Setting: Paris, David's sister Amy Sedaris has come for a visit and David has decided to try to learn to speak Japanese.

David: Amy, will you please help me with my Japanese flash cards.
Amy: Ok, how do you say "do you have a cigarette?"
David: I don't know.
Amy: Ok, how do you say "I will give you a blow job for a cigarette."
David: sigh. I don't know.
Amy: Ok, how do you say "Oh my goodness I've gotten quite fat since I quit smoking cigarettes!"
David: Nevermind, I'll do this myself.

Katie's Bad Wardrobe Decision

OK, I'll be the first to admit that I have a strange fascination with Katie Holmes. It could be because her daughter is adorable (even if Cruis-azy!'s cousin is the baby-daddy). Or perhaps it's because I can just imagine her reaction the first time she's told she's acting Covertly Hostile. Or maybe it's just cause she's tall with brown hair and I tend to befriend women who are on the tall side and who have brown hair.

So if the stars were to align and Katie were to join my long cast of female friends who are tall with brown hair, well then as her friend I would have to sit her down and tell her the following:

Serious to GOD, woman! Snap out of it! Do you see what you've done to yourself? You've tight rolled your jeans! Have you no shame? Have you no pride? Have you no escape from the clutches of Tom Cruis-azy and his life-size doll of L. Ron Hubbard?

And for Christ's sake you've got a daughter watching your every move! Not to mention a crowd of paparazzi! Now pull yourself together and unroll those pants, pronto!

Farmer's Market

Today, at the farmer's market, I got both my meat share and produce pick-up! And everything I got this week sounds fantastic! Here's the breakdown:

Meat Share
-pot roast
-2 dozen eggs
-1/2 chicken
-2 1/4 chicken cuts
-2 lbs of hamburger
-3 hamburger patties
-bacon
-pork chops
-beef for stewing

Produce
-cherries!!
-swedish chard
-red potatoes
-garlic
-chives
-garlic scapes
-green beans

Out and About

We took the kids out for seafood one night. We all had fun with the shark.

Myrtle Beach, SC - "The Plank"

Chris' family owns a condo in Myrtle Beach, which has lovingly been dubbed "The Plank". The back deck view is of a pond with a scattering of birds that like to perch on the tree branches. And the water is the perfect sized mirror for both the sun and moon.

Wilmington, NC - The Hein Family Reunion

Chris and I finally got into Wilmington at 4am on Friday morning. A heavy thunderstorm rolling through Chicago delayed our flight quite a bit. But after crashing at his folks house, we got to wake up to this:

Wall E

Beach life is grand, which was to be expected. Plenty of sun, warm weather, and beautiful ocean waves lapping up against soft sand. What's not to love?

We took the kids to see Wall E yesterday. It's a fantastic film. Really fantastic. I highly recommend going and see it in the theaters.

How I prefer to sum it up:
It's complex enough for children and simple enough for adults.

Beach Bound

Howdy loyal reader!

Chris and I are heading out on vacation to Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC. So I'll be out for the next week.

I promise to post pics upon my return.

Thanks to Michi who will be keeping Pua company in my absence! <3

The Surreal Life

I have something I need to get off my chest.

My name is Olivia and I watch re-runs of The Surreal Life.

Whew. That felt good. So tonight I watched re-runs of the season where MC Hammer, Webster, Corey Feldman and that old girl on 90210 were on.

And, dude, Corey Feldman is crazy!! I mean Crazy with a capital C! Seriously, straight-jacket-no-sharp-objects-padded room-CRAZY!! And he's MARRIED! Who the Hell could stand waking up to THAT every day!?

Did We Just Become Best Friends?

On July 25th, Josh's new film Step Brothers is released into theaters. I'm already gathering up a group of folks to go see it opening night.
This looks HILARIOUS!

MGMT

My co-worker, Kevin, burned me a copy of MGMT's new album Oracular Spectacular. I got my first listen to it this morning on the drive into work. I LOVE the song "Electric Feel". I must have listened to it about 6 times and now it's stuck in my head.

I think I'm gonna dig this album. :)

Oh, Deer!

Farmer Clare told Chris and I that we are lucky to be getting beets this week. She said the deer are dreeping into the fields, late at night, to have parties and they're serving beets as appetizers. She said it was funny walking onto the field in the morning because beets were thrown all over the place. They must have had fun pulling them from the ground and tossing them in the air!

Those hoodlums are always up to no good. ;)

Second Hand Flowers

On Wednesday, Paddy sent Sarah 2 dozen long-stemmed roses to our office. Just cause. :)
They were leaving town on Thursday afternoon, straight from work, so Sarah said that she felt bad that the flowers were going to die over the weekend and she only had 2 days to enjoy them.
Then she offered them to me to take home! What a nice surprise! This way they don't go to waste and just wilt and die in an empty office building.
Now they're brightening up my kitchen!

Thanks Sarah and Paddy!

Clipboard of Fun

I love Laine. It's so obvious why we are BFFs. I just told her that Chris' family invited me to the Bahamas for Christmas and New Years and that Chris and I are planning a trip to Greece next April. This was her response:

Greece is going to be AMAZING!!! that will be such a great trip - you'll have to let me know when you do start planning I would love to help research and help generate a "Clipboard of fun" for you!!!

Chris has yet to experience my Clipboard of Fun!, boy is he in for a treat! haha

All Grows Up

I had one of those moments last week, where you realize that you are an adult. And you remember how when you were younger, all adults seemed so OLD. And now, here I am. All Grown Up.
Wanna know how I know? I donated to NPR. And I did it because 4 days into the pledge drive, during All Things Considered, Michelle Norris offered up how much a person pays for a daily newspaper. And how by listening to NPR, you don't have to buy newspapers.

And I have never bought a newspaper for my apartment and yet, thanks to NPR, I'm up to speed on global events, politics, and how things are at Lake Wobagon. So I figured it was time to pay up for all that knowledge.

And hanging up that phone call, right after the pledge operator thanked me for my support, I stepped into adulthood.

Olivia's Love Chart

Chris just emailed me this. I think he's got it right!!

Pua > Fred = Me > Summer = Cheese