wwwww weekend?

I used to know what weekends were. Those hazy memories of weekend glory were filled with cookouts, movies, parties, America's Next Top Model marathons, life with out alarm clocks, and lots and lots of relaxing...

and then....

We became homeowners. Gone are the days of swiffering the kitchen floor, doing a load of laundry and feeling a domestic job well done. We moved in on weekend and every minute since then have been filled with projects, cleaning, decorating, projects, going to Home Depot, wait, did I mention projects? As rewarding as completing a project feels the moment one is finished, a list of 40,000 more things stare at me, patronizing me, laughing at our efforts..."bwhahaha" says the list," you will never be done with me". So being the little busy worker bees we attempt to finish the eternal list.

So we work, work, work and then out of no where...Sunday night arrives. How rude?! We worked all week, then all weekend, and wait, what? I have to go back to work...again? Wasn't it just Friday night? I don't understand. The small, sane, part of me attempts to come the the rescue, "you can do it, and then next weekend we will make an effort to actually relax... and perhaps squeeze in a trashy reality marathon"...then some jerk/cynic (also me) thinks, "that's what I've thought for this entire home owning process and I know that when that next beautiful, sacred, gorgeous weekend approaches... we will not be relaxing, rather you will find us sanding a new cabinet, at home depot, or doing the most complex math required for people outside of school, aka hanging pictures.

For Natalie's News this has been a very happy and busy home owning, Natalie-Corinne.

new friends

You know a television show is really good when you can almost believe that you are friends with some of the characters. I mean I'm not insane. I know that these people are not real and they are characters but they are so witty, believable, hilarious, whatever that scarily you begin identifying with them, missing them...loving them... Not at the stalker stage yet but here are some "new friends".

Jim and Pam. I really think we could be couple friends with Jim and Pam. I once had a dream that we were all friends and I woke up sooooo happy. They are young, smart, and fun and I can so see us being the best of buds. Repeat...they are not real they are not real, they are not real.

Cameron!!! OMG. Obsessed with this man. He is hilarious and I can sickly picture (dream) of us being the best of friends. What is there NOT to love? We would sing show tunes, go shopping, love Asian babies...perfect pair, obvi.

Obviously the one and only Andy Cohen. Perhaps not as crazy because at least he is a real person but of on the other hand, this makes my belief that we are friends even worse because I feel like I know him even more. Since Andy isn't faking his personality we are even better friends. Once again we would be besties, mazel.

Well as I just read this I decided that I am totally insane. I'm off to check myself into rehab...oh! Maybe I could meet a star there..

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

Inspiration

Anyone who is anyone has played inspiration... wait, you haven't? Didn't everyone go to music school for college? Well let me explain. You're given a scenario for your "inspiration" and no matter how crazy, ridiculous, gross whatever your instructions are you must (rules are strictly enforced in inspiration) portray that emotion. Usually this game is played after some liquid inspiration but not a requirement. Need some picture examples? Obviously.

Here our "inspiration" was to expose Claire for what she really is!

Here Rebecca was inspired to be Ms. Puerto Rico.

Obviously, Clay was inspired to be the most popular girl in Tupelo...now if only he could have his picture on the wall at Barnes Crossing.

We were inspired to "find the light" Thanks Tyra. Whit really found it.

Claire's given inspiration was to try to fit into tight jeans.

I cannot remember at all honestly, but apparently it was shocking.

I awkwardly gave these new friends the inspiration to pretend they were brother husbands instead of sister wives (TLC) Obviously Clay is not so into it.

Here Ann Marie and Blair (here is her new blog) were giving the "you want to buy me a drink" inspiration.

Seriously I have thousands of pictures like this. Always seems like a great idea at the time and then later you're left pondering... what was this about?

So I guess this is all good and whatever, but why the blog post? Well.. I got a random facebook request from a girl I student taught. (omg....SO old!) I remember he being in 6th grade and now she is in high school. Her profile picture was of a couple of girls looking super silly, so I looked in her photo albums. She had an entire album full of "inspiration" photos. My first reaction was to be proud that we shared the wonderful game of inspiration to another generation. Then I quickly realized my maturity level was right on point with a sophomore in high school. Nice.

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

number 9...so fine...

Obviously two days in a row were enough for Metro...

The snow gods smiled down on this exhausted teacher and provided the perfect amount of snow for everyone to be happy. Nashville only got around an inch and honestly most streets are fine...this means I am off, can go play, and folks who do not get adult snow days can still drive into to work.

At this point we are way over a snow allotment so being the dedicated educator that I am one would think I would be wishing for near perfect weather so we would not miss another minute of opportunity to educate our future leaders....then you would wake up. Now I'm all about the most snow possible. In high school we got 13 snow days and it was declared a natural disaster and we did not have to make up any and that's what I'm hoping for now...

So what to do on my wonderful day off...yes of course coffee, cleaned for literally one minute, and watching ridiculous television...which is where I saw my fav Beverly Hills Housewife Kyle on Regis and Kelly (where Regis never comes anymore) I love Kyle but omg, she committed a huge fashion mistake... Everyone knows that the set of Regis and Kelly has those awkward chairs (pictured above left...not Kyle but you get the idea...they are tall and you have to basically jump onto the chairs...awkward) and Kyle wore...spanx...and even worse, she crossed her legs, multiple times and flashed those ugly bike shorts/torture chamber. Kyle is not the only star who has suffered the ugly unwelcomed flash of the spanx.

Above is a pretty pic of Kyle. I thought she probably already feels enough embarrassment from flashing her spanx on national television that she did not need it revealed again... plus I couldn't find it.

Above is Katy Perry in not such a teenage dream moment.

This one is a hard one to pull off...getting out of a car or out of a chair is most tricky in spanx and here is poor Eva flashing her spanx.

Everyone knows how much I love this Bravo big shot yet, here she flashes her spanx at New York Fashion week last year. This question is bizarre to me because why would you wear spanx when you're preggers? I guess you always want to be skinny...

Of course I have never worn spanx... oh sorry I'm back, lightening just struck our house and I was on fire... okay so perhaps I have worn spanx in the past...but whatever. These cheap tummy tucks can be give you that added boost of confidence but take a page out of the early 1900s and cross those ankles ladies! (or gentlemen too, Natalie's News judges not for the wearing of spanx)

For Natalie's News this has been a spanx-free (for today) Natalie-Corinne.

first full week

What is this sound? Is someone calling? Who is hurt? Wait... Why am I awake? What is this strange hour that the sun does not shine? I don't understand what is going on...Oh wait, that strange sounds is my alarm clock and I have go to work...on a MONDAY. (I have a job?!) During the entire Month of January I have enjoyed multiple (aka every) long weekends, very short weeks and joyous days of endless pots of coffee, leisurely mornings watching tv, working out, and genuinely loving life. Sadly snow escaped the greater Nashville area and I had to go to... work... on a Monday? I'm still in disbelief. Of course I would think this Monday back to reality would be somewhat normal... but then I remembered I work in crazy land and of course nothing could be normal. After my morning tutoring, duty, morning announcements, etc I heard this strange sound...what is that? Is someone taking a shower? Wait, that doesn't make sense. The strange confusion that the alarm clock provided took over my body again, but I was awake... (4 buckets of coffee later... I should know what's going on...) I walk outside to see the problem...there just must be a reasonable explanation to all this. Nope, wrong again. A pipe under the sink in the 7th grade hallway burst and water was going everywhere. I panicked and began running around looking for a bucket (who I mean WHO has a bucket? Why I thought anyone would have a bucket in 2011 is beyond me, but I digress) and found nothing. Then I attempted to put different sizes of garbage cans under the pipe but none would fit. The office had to call a plumber and we had to just wait in our classrooms until the leak (that dripped to the second floor and into classrooms) was fixed. Some 5 hours later my students (and I) were about to Rapunzel ourselves down the window when we were told to use the fire stairs to go to lunch. Hate to admit it... but I was so wishing that we would not be able to eat lunch thus forcing an early dismissal and adding one half day to our extended winter vacations, but no luck. Administration found creative ways for us to make it to lunch and we were able to finish the very productive day. I hope you are picking up on the sarcasm because I'm laying it on pretty thick. Even though it was crazy I kind of can appreciate random "hiccups" in the day because I guess it is something different...never a dull moment :)

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

foodies

This weekend P and I became the ultimate food snobs. Saturday night we went to the world famous Stock Yard restaurant in Nashville and enjoyed every single bite! To celebrate our new house, our realtor took us to dinner and it was so much fun. Besides the fact that we almost purchased a $270.00 appetizer and a $2,200 bottle of wine...(the waitress was amazing at tempting us with fabulous imagery of the melt in your mouth dishes or drinks and then would literally mutter the price under her breath, hilarious) everything was so fun and tasty! We really had a wonderful time with our new friends and felt like total high rollers. Sunday we went to Sperry's brunch and celebrated my Mom's birthday. We had so much fun sipping on mimosas and being with the best family ever! After brunch we came back to our house and I was nervous to hear the verdict of my first every apple cake. Although one little section did not come out as cleanly as I had hoped, the cake was pretty good and more importantly we had a lot of fun just being together. Here are some pictures of the birthday girl and the cake!

Pretty Momma with her presents!

The goob laughing and hanging out in the Florida room.

hmmm not the prettiest thing I've ever made...if this cake was a senior at prom a Southern lady might say something like this "oh she is as cute as pie, bless her heart"... we all know what that means..

Although it wasn't so pretty it tasted good enough for 5 of us to eat half of it.

While I don't really see myself as becoming any kind of baker in this lifetime, nobody is sick (as far as I know) and somewhat edible so I can't really ask for anything else! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a fab start to their work week!

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

it's coming for you....

Although it looks likes this outside...(maybe I exaggerated a bit... ME?!... first time for everything) some evil doesn't care when or where it strikes...although it make seem snowy, wintry world outside...You feel it necessary to cover up, brr it's cold outside, yes, bundle up, wear a coat, sweater, scarf, etc...but...

THIS is what greeted me to the mall today. Hold the phone. It is flipping freezing right now. Really a two piece? January? Some people still have Christmas lights up (just b/c you don't turn them on, they are still up...also....this reminds me of when brother and I would put up literally thousands of lights and then go back to school and leave it all to my family and my Dad would get so frustrated he would literally cut them down and my Mom would find bits of lights in the mulch until June... ahh, memories...) and you have the nerve to show me...this...So what to do? Yes, got all kinds of Jo Jo Circus clown about this one...my mind went wild...Diet? Work out? Lap Band? Lypo? Trainer? Water pills? One of those body wrap things? (ps do they work?)
NO! Obviously...bake a cake! Although I talked a big game about never using blogging advice I actually attempted to create this cake found on Smitten Kitchen. I also took pictures of some of the steps, but sans the special lenses, camera, photography classes and my iphone pictures include mismatched dishes and are not so artsy. But other than that, exactly the same.




This cake is not for me, it's for my Mom's birthday which we are celebrating today. It's got fruit, right? I just won't eat tomorrow.
Obviously I did not try the cake but I think it looks good and it smelled fab I must say. We shall see after brunch.

For Natalie's News this has been, a very scared of summer and articles of clothing that have 2 pieces, Natalie-Corinne.

blog = job

Since I had a snow day yesterday I read a lot of blogs and stumbled upon some new favorites. These people are such professional bloggers with stories and advice that will actually help people (ie. no lame commentary on reality tv) and take pictures of every single inhale and exhale of their day. Oh, and it's their job. How does this happen? The cash cow blogs usually have to do with gossip, some commentary on a cultural phenomena or food ie. Pioneer Woman or Sprink Bakes and my new favorite Smitten Kitchen (she has like a million posts and all kinds of popularity so I am really behind the times on this one..I blame Bravo). Apparently these people cook all. day. long. and take pictures, upload them, write about them and then start the entire process over again. I love looking at them imagining myself making the complex recipes and then having a crowd of people (they are always blurry in my daydream) scream with delight over my gourmet meal..."start your own food blog" the fans demand and at first I am so overwhelmed with the attention but then realize I need to give the people what they want...then reality hits and I realize after an hour of making a cake I lust over the Publix bakery and how much money I would save if I would order everything from there... So the million dollar question is...does anyone out there actually make all these recipes? Or are these posts just an escape for lame cooks like me to drool over fondant, boiling fruits and making your own puree for cakes, and roasting huge amounts of meat. "YOU CAN DO IT" says these blogs "look I did it while taking artsy pictures and placing them on my shabby chic platters and writing witty commentary!" THEN you can buy my books, t-shirts, mugs, kitchen appliances, spice rubs, cute aprons (that never can be worn because you really can't wash them), my DNA, etc and then of course a very nice camera and photography lessons so you too can take artsy pictures of your food! Yes! I'm seriously not hating on these blogs, in fact quite the opposite, I am so impressed with their success, dedication, talent, etc. But the question still lingers...is anyone out there actually using all this blogesphere advice? Do you now grow their own pumpkins, clean them and make rustic treats out of them? Do you make your own clothes out of 80's dresses? Maybe you do and to you, kudos. We here at Natalie's News read them, day dream, and then pour another cup of coffee and recheck facebook, you know the usual. Perhaps I will start a cash cow blog of my own on how to brew really generic coffee with different flavor creamers. GROUND BREAKING.

I hope everyone else gets out there and puts that blog advice to good use! For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Happy happy birthday to my perfect Momma!

I am so lucky to have the best Momma in the world and today is her special day! I mean no offense, but she really is a one of a kind lady that I am so proud of all the time! One of the best reasons that I love living in Nashville again is that I am closer to family. We are celebrating on Sunday for a wonderful Sperry's brunch and a (God-willing) homemade cake from me. I'll try to remember to take pictures :)

I only hope I can be just like my Momma! I hope you have the very best birthday! love you tons! Happy Birthday Momma!

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

typical snow day

yes, it's hilarious that we've had so many snow days, I now have a routine. It goes a little something like this...

Night before

"Omg this is just what I need. I will get so much done. I will work out while watching the View (don't judge, you know we all love to hate Elizabeth Hasselback together) do laundry, organize the pantry, read, and perhaps go to hot yoga."

The actual snow day....

"I should relax! I don't always get snow days (this is number 8) today is about ME"

1,000 cups of coffee

loads of laundry? Perhaps 1.

I put the little pocket of dish washing detergent in the dish washer... that counts for something, right? Of course, cleaning goals = complete. We will never speak of the wreck of the pantry again. Plus, so much of P's stuff is in there it is inconsiderate to organize w/o him. Wow, such a good wife I am.

Read? hmmm, do blogs and facebook statuses count? Obvi, it's a snow day!

Hot yoga? I think the snow and hot yoga are probably dangerous, riding the bike and watching the view is totally enough. (Full-of-it)

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

life lessons from Beverly Hills

What I've learned from the Housewives...

1. Nothing tastes as good as skinny. Tonight on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Russell (awkward) throws a birthday party for Taylor and there is so much food and none of the ladies eat anything... and they all look amazing in their dresses. You can detag a facebook pic, but you can't detag cellulite.

2. Prepare a toast! Seriously? Tonight Russell (wet noodle) gave his wife, mother of his child a toast that made me yearn for a root canal. It made my skin craw and I was sitting in Tennessee, six months later wearing my non glamorous Ole Miss sweatshirt, umm can you imagine being there? Would probably want a drink... speaking of...!!!

3. Alcohol + limos + family drama + random British guy = disaster!!! Omg, that fight was so out of control. All their business was so out in the open. Gross. Although a lot of people seem to be on team Kim I am so team Kyle. I cannot stand folks who play the victim and use others and that's what I feel that she does.. you know because I know them so well from those 44 minutes...

4. You need to be over 60 to wear multiple tight pearls. Sorry Kim, but pearl overload tonight. I think the tight pearls around the neck was plenty but then then bracelet? Hottie dress then 19th century royal jewels. Fail. (yes, I finally joined the fail bandwagon)


5. You should marry someone who likes to go to awful parties, listen to awkward toasts, and wear uncomfortable clothes. I cannot get over how many redic situations these guys suffer through all to stand next to a beautiful, plastic woman who doesn't eat. One would think perhaps the lack of food bill would be one advantage but I think the rest of the lavish lifestyle more than makes up for the skipped lunches.

6. Oh and for any of these rules to apply to anyone make a billion dollars and move to Beverly Hills, perhaps this should have been rule 1?

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