Happy Birthday Jenny!!

Jenny Lee is one of the sweetest, most fabulous friends a girl could ever meet. I am so lucky to have met Jenny my first semester of college in the sorority and we have been friends, roommates, guests at each other's weddings etc ever since. I was lucky enough to see the Byrds over Christmas break when they were in town to see Garth Brooks. Today is Jenny's birthday and I hope she enjoys all the parties that are obviously for her tonight. I wish we were all together so we could celebrate. I hope you have the best time :)


In other news...today is the day of the big move. I am attempting to take pictures every step of the way to capture the crazy but we shall see....wish us luck and good weather, and a fun night.

For Natalie's News, this has been Natalie-Corinne.

Rosie

Because of the move I am behind on the news but I just heard that "Rosie the Riveter" passed today. What an iconic picture that inspired countless Americans. I know I am not the the only girl who had this poster in her dorm/sorority room. Until today I did not realize the real Rosie, Geraldine Hoff Doyle was a cellist and it was not until the early 1980s that she knew that SHE was the real Rosie. Doyle was 86.

moving update

Wow!! What a day!!! My amazing brother Ben and equally amazing brother from a different mother Kelly were saviors sent from the Heavens. We moved EVERY box from our apt to our new house. Kelly even helped me unload some dishes and we ran the dishwasher. He is teaching me how to be domestic.

"Let's take this picture so they'll know there is no competition for P" Ms. Kelly
Been moving so long we're at "that" point.

Kelly named the magnolia tree Rebel. Love.

the "before" picture of the fireplace in the kitchen

before picture of the bonus room..soon-to-be par-tay room.

For Natalie's News, this has been a very tired, Natalie-Corinne.

Christmas Break

I have really ejoyed break... wanna know why?!

Top 6 Holiday break countdown!

6. Sleeping in. OMG. I am in trouble next week because the last few mornings I have gotten up "early" by 8AM to pack. Considering my normal alarm time is several hours prior to 8AM I am in some kind of trouble going back.

5. Bikram Yoga. Thanks to Meagan I have become a wannabe yogi and am totally on the Bikram bandwagon. I began going before break and had to go the late 6:30 class and then wasn't home until 8:30 and then it was like bam! I am starving and I need sleep. This break I have gone with the rest of the non work force to the morning class and it is GLORIOUS. I feel these people have a real pride about their dedication to Bikram and I was able to bask in their pretentious glory. The classes are very crowded and I finally asked a lady one day, " is this class always this crowded?" and she seriously responds with, "oh yes, well most of us are very dedicated to making our body our temple". In my head I am screaming SERIOUSLY? But when in Rome... (smile and nod and then judge silently, obvi)

4. Being a lady who lunches. With so many wonderful friends in town from their exotic locations I have wanted to see everyone and lunch seemed the perfect time to do that. I saw my long lost friend Sarah and her new baby who were in town from Denver, Lindsay in town from NYC, Jenny and Byrd from Oxford, and Meagan from LA. I also went to lunch with Nashville friends who usually cannot go out because of work schedules. Although I would not want to do this all the time, it was SO nice having a real lunch break. Ordinarily, all 100+ employees are racing to get the better of two bad microwaves and choke our half frozen half burned food down. But not this break. I ate salads, laughed leisurely, and sipped coffee (and perhaps something else too) and loved every minute. Splendid.

3. Christmas parties. P and I were lucky enough to be invited to several parties this year, many on work nights. We go out regularly but usually I have that lingering or more accurately nagging pesky countdown of the hours until my alarm goes off in my head accompanied with the never ending check list of things to do before returning the next day. This year all of that disappeared. Another glass? Yes, and make it a big girl glass!

2. Helping consumer confidence. I did a lot of the shopping this year and was able to do it... leisurely. I didn't have to scramble to do it all in a day or two. I shopped around, found deals online, etc. I felt so organized and of course responsible because this year more than any I really helped the economy so, you're welcome, America.

1. And the last and OBVIOUS best!!! MY FAMILY. Although I feel like we never have enough time together the best part was obviously being with the best family in the entire world (sorry, yours is good too). I could be with them for 1,000 year or 10 minutes and it is never long enough. We had fun at Kemper CChristmas and on Christmas Eve! I love you so much! Below are pictures of our extended family Christmas. I took some pictures on Christmas but we look so.."all natural" I refuse to post them! Deal.

I hope everyone has enjoyed the holidays as much as I did! For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

CLOSED

We closed on our house!!

Tomorrow we begin moving.

WHOOHOOO

Camille

Obviously, my return to blogging must conquer some real life topics...Myself and Bravo have the healthiest relationship in my life. I can always and I mean always turn on any reality show on the beautiful network and instantly get my judging on, get inspired for a diet, and bond with other Bravo junkies for our complete hatred for someone we have never met but are closer with than some family members. Although I have favorite seasons of the Housewives series, I am an equal opportunity viewer. I will watch all of them but my dedication changes with the season. If I really love the ladies I will dvr and watch in pure delight w/ a glass of vino after battling crazy children all day. If the season is just ehh (Atlanta, Orange County, DC) I will catch up on a Saturday, Sunday, sometime but it is not worth losing sleep or extra wine calories. Every season has a villain who is always beautiful, crazy, and creatively managed to sucker some man (and recently woman w/ Danielle) into supporting their children, lifestyle, shopping and plastic surgery addictions, etc. So it's obvious there is a villain or who else would we talk about but I like it when the villain kind of owns up to it. Like, yeah I'm a b- but deal with it. We might not want to be friends w/ said person but at least she is consistent. My new favorite guilty pleasure is...Beverly Hills. OMG. I really didn't think I would like these ladies but oh how wrong I was. First of all, they are HOUSEWIVES. Secondly, they make no apologies for throwing ridiculous parties and spending like it's monopoly money. I am sick of the other seasons who are either broke and trying to hide it (Atlanta) or have taking a beating from the media and trying to be modest (NYC). Their houses are huge and their boobs, lips and hair are even bigger. This season's villain is the worst ever. I present Camille Grammer. What makes her the worst is how she always plays the victim and somehow suckers people into feeling so sorry for her. She actually said she had a "Jesus complex" and for some reason everyone is out to get her and every woman in the entire world even women with out access to Bravo is insanely jealous. Gross. I hate it in real life when people play the victim but especially in my reality tv. On the other hand, she may have the last laugh because she is getting tons of attention (not so positive), a blog post from me and TMZ reports she will walk away with a cook 50 million from Frazier himself. Not too shabby.

In other news, Bravo owns my soul and I need to quit watching and pretending I know these people.

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

reunited and it feels so good.

Yes, it has been FOREVER. I stopped blogging for several reasons. P was job searching and I was afraid some content would be considered too shallow if we were ever linked but also I was afraid nobody was ever reading it. Well, now everything and I mean everything is changing in life and I think why not? I should blog and have fun and if you read it, great. Well there is no way to catch up on everything, there really isn't, but we can catch up on today. P and I have applied to be on TLC's show Hoarders and succeeded! Our show will air December 31st, right in time for your New Year's Celebration. No, in real news we are almost...HOME OWNERS :) It is true that we are totally insane and are moving on New Years Eve. It is nice because I have been off for the entire week, but yes we are moving on New Years and our tiny, sweet apartment looks more like a war zone, meth lab, or Hoarders episode than anything else. It will be a long road ahead but we are so excited about having a yard and a house! Don't believe me? Let's look together. To the left our cute apartment all clean and decorated for Christmas. Pictured right was our kitchen with all the wonderful wedding treasures. NOW

I feel the pictures don't do the mess justice. I just look around and am overwhelmed. (perhaps the return to blogging?) We close tonight and begin moving with SOME WONDERFUL FRIENDS tomorrow at 2PM. My master plan is to move all boxes etc on Thursday because we have actually become real adults and hired movers to move our furniture on Friday morning (Happy New Years). Because our apartment complex is owned by Satan we are really not out of our lease the day we move so I was all cray about cleaning on time but now I can not be so worried about leaving it spotless by 5:30 on Friday. They are being total jerks about our move so I am contemplating revenge but no great ideas yet that won't end up costing us more money. I'll keep you posted.

Hope this one stays around a while. For Natalie's News, this has been Natalie-Corinne.

2 Months

What can happen in 2 months? One can lose 20 lbs, temperature can change, summer can feel like it is almost over, and yes, oh yes, one can celebrate two months of marriage. I know, I know, some said it would never last :) Tonight at this time we were celebrating our amazing ceremony with so many friends and fun times!

In other news, I have lots and lots to report....many need more time and space so I will preview here and blog away later.

1. Thanks to Sarah B- I am now a huge fan of prosecco. Thank you...who knew this bubbly was so fun, summery, and most of all low-cal!

2. I went to a technology seminar that every middle Tennessean should be outraged by. If you are a tax payer you were TOTALLY robbed this week.

3. We are going to our sixth wedding this weekend on the farm...I will sure to report later.

4. I have been extra social this week, thanks to......my Mom.

5. I made an entirely Ina meal this week, including the Friday night roasted chicken.

More later, I hope everyone starts their weekend off right :) For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Atkins assault

Is there anything truly better than freshly baked, carb-loaded, jiggle producing bread? The correct answer is no. Bread (also referred to as manna pictured right) is by far my favorite meal. (yes, I said meal on purpose) If I was given the daunting decision to chose between bread or chocolate or even break or wine for the rest of my life I was have to pick bread...judge if you must but bread just does it for me. I love all kinds, fresh, hard, expensive pretty kinds from bakeries or even generic hot dog buns, I'm a sucker for it all. In a perfect world I would carry baguettes out of my purse and enjoy slice after slice of bread, one after the other, potato chip style...but then there is this pesky problem of wanting to fit into my clothes. This beautiful Saturday morning I woke up (only God knows why) at 5:30am. Back in the good old days I would not have been asleep for too long but last night being the always (ie. newly today) calorie conscience I did not drink, had a light dinner and was in bed my midnight, only to be punished by the social gods for not properly rocking out a Friday night. We did not sit at home, but had a nice dinner at a pizza place with lots of fun friends. But this was far from the Friday nights of yonder year and P and I retired early to watch a romantic comedy that was of course predominately in Europe and thus this bread post. UGH. I cannot watch movies, especially romantic comedies ever, ever again. First of all, yeah we get it. Europe is beautiful. So smug the Europeans are with their lush rolling hills with castles every mile (beautiful castle pictured left), thin people, successful world cup teams, and meals unlike anything we have here. I do not understand how Europeans have time to work because their meals seem to be huge events full of passion, life, excitement, and lots and lots of bread. How are they skinny? I realize this was a movie but I've thought this many times before. So back to being up before the sun. I try to go back to sleep, turn all kinds of crazy ways in bed knowing if I just find that perfect spot I was fall blissfully back asleep but alas this never happens and I finally give in and get up. Instantly I'm hungry (annoying) and as I make my way over to the refrigerator...what tempts me? Bread. I open the cabinet just "to have a look" like a junkie just getting their one hit, I think what's one piece of bread? NO! I must stay strong. Starting off the day with a slice of bread is like attempting to lie to Oprah. (James Frey? (pictured right getting drilled by Oprah) Hear of him anymore...no, he lied to Oprah.) . I opt for some yogurt and am left unsatisfied. Again, I open the bread and just smell. OMG. It's not even freshly baked so I know that wonderful smell is due to all kinds of preservatives but if that is what preservatives are then I'm off that anti-preservative bandwagon because they smell delightful (delicious preservatives pictured left). Again, no. No bread on this beautiful, painfully early Saturday morning. I open comcast and am bombarded with pictures of beautifully thin people and think, they're not having bread for breakfast either and really nothing tastes as good as skinny...(debatable)

I hope everyone is sleeping at the moment and having a wonderful weekend. For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Summer anthem 2010

Oh to be the summer anthem, every pop stars strives their entire 4 year career to earn this prestigious award...No matter your level of music snobbery, everyone and I mean everyone (you do it, don't lie) jams out to the summer anthem in their car/ipod at the gym/house when nobody is home. This year there really is no clear cut winner...which really is the best situation for the listeners. Let's get some Robert's rules up in the blogesphere and pro/con the best summer anthem.

1. Katy Perry's California Girls: Pro. Anything references California is going to be an instant hit. All the sudden I'm imagining the Hills, Laguna Beach, The OC, Real Housewives, and countless other shows where every girl is HOT, beaches are everywhere and apparently nobody really has to work because according to the shows everyone just looks at each other for awkwardly long periods of times while sipping their Starbucks. I could dig it. The song California Girls is so fun, upbeat, and easy to pick up w/ the constant ,'Uh ohs". Snoop Dogg also makes a lovely appearance and really gives the song some street cred. Grade: A. Good job Ms. Perry...I guess kissing girls did well for you.

2. Ke$ha: Your love is my drug: Pro. Ke$ha has totally exploded and totally proved that having good hygiene is completely optional when becoming a pop sensation. Whatever the look, her debut album is everywhere and Your Love is My Drug is a also a great contender for the summer anthem. Simple lyrics, fun beat, awesome dance when nobody is looking potential, the song really has everything one needs for the perfect summer anthem.

3. Lady Gaga: Alejandro: Pro. I love, love, love the lady Gaga. She is the newer generation's Cher. Her costumes, attitude, crazy interviews, gender ambiguity, all leads to the perfect entertainer. She kind of reminds me of Amy Winehouse with the crazy antics yet she is not fallen down the drug tubes just yet so still able to give witty interviews.

4. Jay-Z featuring Mr. Hudson: "Young Forever" I love Jay-Z. Mr. Hudson provides a repetitive chorus (that sounds a whole lot like Sting) that one cannot help to sing along with. Usually the girls dominate the summer jam but this duet really competes with the ladies. The only con I have with it is that although I claim all kinds of street cred, I can't understand all the words and know I cannot sing along with all the words.

5. Train: Hey Soul Sister: Pro. Everyone loves this song. Adults, kids, Moms, Dads, lots and lots and lots of commercials...yes that can also be the con. It has totally been overplayed and unfortunately it is all over every radio station, commercial, etc. Although it is an awesome song anything played every five minutes gets a little annoying. I do love the use of the ukulele.

Lots and lots more but I'll leave the rest for others to dissect. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thursday. For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

third times the charm....

It's time for *FOCUS ON THE FAMILY* Brother Ben just finished his third (and God willing his last) surgery. This surgery was on his shoulder where some manure for brained coach forced them to throw crazy objects such as tires over and over and Ben hurt his shoulder. On a good day this coach would be functioning at "slow" status and given the option between him and another Republican I would finally have to show my elephant pride because this man barely ranks above leprosy. But back to Ben, he is doing well and is already at home. He had to be at the hospital before the sun and according to the parents he is resting at home. Yesterday I told him I was going to come over and jump on his bed while he was sleeping (while sadly I still do all the time) but really I went over and just hung out for a long time and brought a banana shake from Sonic because that's what big sisters do. He is doing really well and still feeling the effects of the anesthesia. He already goes to physical therapy tomorrow so I'll make sure to keep his status updates fresh! I hope everyone had a wonderful Wednesday!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

SAY IT AIN'T SO......

*This just in* Natalie's News just arrived home for a super busy day of shopping, seeing the family and learned something so tragic, so awful, so inconceivable I would not have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes. Your idol and mine, Ms. Lindsay Lohan is GOING TO JAIL FOR 90 DAYS...OMG, then she has to go to another 90 day rehab...I thought the world was going to end when they put Martha in jail but now Lindsay...in jail? Is there any justice in the world? I mean....so she did not do any of the requirements of her earlier sentence, so she took off her alcohol bracelet, I mean...yeah I guess if she wasn't famous we would not even know about this news, but it's freaking Lindsay Lohan. I wonder if Dina will come see her in the slammer...Imagine if you were her cellmate. Inmate "Hey, what are you in for?" Linday "having way too much money and absolutely no supervision when I was 12 and now I'm addicted to pretty much everything and believe until this situation that rules simply do not apply to me, what are you in for?" "Meth" cellmate. Ah I just always had hope for young Lindsay. She really did have talent, a total triple treat, but man did she fall, and fall, and crash, I thought hit rock bottom, but apparently not. All we can hope is that Barbara Walters will come out of her retirement to have a teary Lindsay (pictured in happier times left) on a very special ABC special. Girl, if Brittany, Bill Clinton and Whitney Houston (perhaps not the best example) can make a comeback so can you! So, sorry Linday. My tip? Get clean and write a book, have a comeback and get some street cred. I'll still be your fan when you get of the slammer, please don't get any nasty tattoos on your hands though because that will too much for your fans to handle. For Natalie's News this has been a very disturbed Natalie-Corinne.