Party Time, Excellent!

Yesterday was Liv's first time as a guest at a birthday party!! She partied hard. It was our friend Aura's daughter, Elina's 3rd birthday party. Antz found a sweet Barbie Pre-school playset for her *sorry, I have to use a stock image as I totes forgot to take a pic of it*

When Antz showed me the gift, I told him the dolls looked like Aura and Elina, haha! super cute

I picked up some rad Paul Frank wrapping paper and balloons

Here's what I learned...eff presents, kids go ape shit for balloons!!

I got a workout playing peek-a-balloon with the birthday girl, I was cracking her up!!

Antz tested wearing Liv face-front, although she didn't seem to complain, it looked too uncomfortable.

The happy, rad family

Elina's Grandmother is a professional face painter so she prettied all the guests up with butterflies, fairies and flowers

Liv even got painted

Sweet purple flowers

You know I had to get my face painted

My Goddess eye

Liv rocked her new Tarjey dress

She pigged out on pureed pears and pear juice while we had finger sandwiches, quiche and chocolate covered strawberries, YUM!

Look how adorable Aura is, Tres Jolie!!

Liv and Papa playing soccer

Liv was eyeing Antz lollipop with a look of bloodlust

She literally wrestled it out of his hands and had her first taste of the smack, crack, the bad shit

I believe our daughter is now thoroughly addicted to sugar, we will be sending her to rehab promptly. BOO!

This sweet angel is Sophia, Aura's brand new daughter *remember, she was preggers when we went to the Aquarium a month ago*

This awesome guy is Kevin, Liv made a ton of new buddies. I was talking to Aura's Mum *who has traveled everywhere and speaks a million languages* It was definitely an international affair, LOVE IT!!

Joyeux anniversaire!!!

Fun Times, Aura's family and friends were super sweet and welcoming. I am looking forward to many future playdates and parties!!

Kidnapped!!

Any SVH reference makes me giggle *if you are hardcore about Liz & Jes Wakefield as I am, please check this out*

Yep, your dear narrator was indeed kidnapped by her BFF. Thursday Aimee & me had our regular date at Target but we also went on a shopping spree *let me clarify, she did, and even treated me to some yummy smelling coconut bodywash and a cute tote bag* Aimee had a date that evening so we played dress up *the super cute dress I picked was the winner*

Aimee wanted Liv and me to meet Mr. Big, He's a total sweetheart and he's Belgium *cool points* Liv really liked him. She asked us to stay so I could get all the date details later so me and Liv chilled at her place while they went for coffee. I was under the impression the date was going terrific because they were gone for several hours. Turns out it was lackluster, she likes him and he is super sweet and funny but the spark was missing. They are going out again next Thursday so I hope it goes better *I'm rooting for you Mr Big!!*

Target was a blast, as always, because I bought some rad stuff for Liv. I finally checked out the Splendid for Target stuff and of course, they were sold out of all the girls clothes. The boys stuff was looking pretty generic and lame so I was disappointed until Aimee and I simultaneously spotted the cutest dress for Liv. Normally I turn my nose up at Target clothes *not edgy enough for me, sorry not a fan of Dora or typical baby clothes* but this dress was a pleasant surprise!

Spring Chic Mum print with adorable buttons

Also these super cute leggings were $3.50 each

Say whaaa? I am loving being a bargain shopper *shh, don't tell Antz, I'd like to keep up my snob facade*

 Sorry I must run, I am catching up with my DVR and I am nerding out because I finally get to watch An Idiot Abroad *heart me some Ricky, Stephen & Karl!!*

TTYL!!!

Oscar Noms

I love awards season *yummy fashion, Hollywood glamour, what's left of it, and Micheal K's live blogging makes me laugh until my face hurts* I was too busy trying to make figure out how to make my Mom's documentary play on our retarded surround sound system, to blog about the Golden Globes this year. I thought Ricky did a fantastic job and I never understand why the old farts hire a controversial comedian to host these *formal* events and then get bent of shape when they tell fucked up jokes. Well this morning the Academy Award nominations were announced and here are my picks *please do not run to your nearest bookie, my choices hardly take home Oscar* Sadly since the joyous new addition to our lives, we no longer go to the movies as often as we'd like to. Let's just celebrate that Meryl was NOT nominated this year!

Liz's Pick/Likey to Win

Actor in a Leading Role


Javier Bardem, “Biutiful”
Jeff Bridges, “True Grit” *The Dude abides*
Jesse Eisenberg, “The Social Network”
Colin Firth, “The King's Speech” *I suppose acted with a stutter can be difficult to pull oo..ooo...ooooff*
James Franco, “127 Hours” *doesn't he wish, it's already a fluke he's hosting, Billy Crystal wasn't available??*

Actor in a Supporting Role

Christian Bale, “The Fighter” *He took it at the GGs, he may take home his first Oscar, he definitely has been playing the douchebag roles down to a science! Now he just needs to cut his hair*
John Hawkes, “Winter's Bone”
Jeremy Renner, The Town”   *Jeremy, you were the "It Boy" last year, count your lucky stars*
Mark Ruffalo, “The Kids Are All Right” *Mark is super cute*
Geoffrey Rush, “The King's Speech”



Actress in a Leading Role

Annette Bening, “The Kids Are All Right”
Nicole Kidman, “Rabbit Hole” *she is Hollywood royalty... with the guys who pick winners*
Jennifer Lawrence, “Winter's Bone”
Natalie Portman, “Black Swan” *she doesn't get my vote because she still owes me $8 for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace*
Michelle Williams "Blue Valentine" *Aimee LOVED this movie but I didn't see it, I know Michelle is incredible, rooting for her*



Actress in a Supporting Role

Amy Adams, “The Fighter”
Helena Bonham Carter, “The King's Speech” *I've been a fan ever since Fight Club, she's batshit crazy but she's a good actress*
Melissa Leo, “The Fighter” *The Fighter is owning awards this year*
Hailee Steinfeld, “True Grit”
Jacki Weaver, “Animal Kingdom”



Animated Feature Film

“How to Train Your Dragon” *I really enjoyed this movie and my friend worked on it, I am rooting for it to win*
“The Illusionist” *I LOVE Sylvain Chomet but he can't compete with the Disney Mafia*
“Toy Story 3”



Music (Original Song)

“Coming Home” from “Country Strong” Music and Lyric by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey
*Ugh, nothing good ever wins in the music category, this won at the GGs so I would say it will win again but for some reason Randy Newman always takes the gold*
“I See the Light” from “Tangled” Music by Alan Menken Lyric by Glenn Slater
“If I Rise” from “127 Hours” Music by A.R. Rahman Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
“We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3" Music and Lyric by Randy Newman *HORRIBLE! but he will take it*



Best Picture

*Am I the only one who finds it ridiculous that they can nominate EVERY  film that came out last year, let's pick best out of 4, I know many were worthy but some of these are not going to be Prom Queen!*

“Black Swan” *Good luck, Darren!*
“The Fighter”  *I am choosing based on the director, I haven't seen it, but David O. Russell directed one of my favorite movies I Heart Huckabees and he went off on Lily Tomlin. He has become my homeboy ever since*
“Inception”
“The Kids Are All Right”
“The King's Speech”
“127 Hours”
“The Social Network”
“Toy Story 3”
“True Grit”
“Winter's Bone"
*WHAT!!?? No Tourist??*


Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

“127 Hours” by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
“The Social Network” by Aaron Sorkin *I don't understand the hype behind this movie, I think it's a weak plot with a weak cast, yeah I said it...WEAK!!*
“Toy Story 3” by Michael Arndt; Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
“True Grit” by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen *The Coens are brilliant, we KNOW!! I have only heard great things about this movie*
“Winter's Bone” by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini



Writing (Original Screenplay)

“Another Year” by Mike Leigh
“The Fighter” by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson;
Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
“Inception” by Christopher Nolan *Flawless storytelling, this was an original story for a change!*
“The Kids Are All Right” by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
“The King's Speech” by David Seidler



Best Director

Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan" *I know it has a slim chance of winning but I really enjoyed this movie, I think The Fighter will take it because of it's cast and it was drama-ier*
David O. Russell, "The Fighter" *You're a misogynistic pimp, David!*
Tom Hooper, "The King's Speech"
David Fincher, "The Social Network"
Joel & Ethan Coen, "True Grit"



Best Foreign Film

Biutiful (Mexico) *I don't know, it's spelled wrong and has Javier Bardem in it...no other reason*
Dogtooth (Greece)
In a Better World (Denmark)
Incendies (Canada)
Outside the Law (France) *Sadly I didn't see any of these, but I did add them to my Netflix queue, so I vote for my favorite country, viva la France*


Can't wait to watch the lameness of Anne Hathaway & James "Crossdresser" Franco!

Vacation all I've ever wanted

Yep, it's a Go-Go's Tuesday jam session and this song is making me want to pack up and get on a plane! I cannot believe I renewed my passport in 2007 and don't have any lousy stamps so far. We have to take Liv on a trip soon. I can't wait until San Diego for her birthday in June but I want to travel internationally *well, Europe* so bad it hurts!

I am craving a chocolate croissant at a sidewalk cafe in Paris...

Or steaming in the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavík

I add to my own misery by watching House Hunters International and last night's episode was in Morrocco. Holy Shit, I am not a fan of apartment type living but the buildings they looked at were INCREDIBLE!!

HH Morocco

And Fiji, OH-EM-GEE! Story grew up in Fiji and they way she describes it sounds like Shangri-la! But the ultimate was Bali...I have wanted to go there forever. It is definitely on my list of places I'd love to move to when Antz retires.

HH Bali

It really bugs me that you can take $400k *our house's current value* and move to a tropical paradise and buy beachfront, brand new, luxury, fully furnished, 3 bedroom 2 bath, with a swimming pool and huge acreage without any problem. Yet in LA, you have to be a millionaire to buy into a decent neighborhood and you would only be able to afford a 2 bedroom 1 bath fixer on a tiny lot, paying close to $10k a year in property taxes. I am becoming so cynical *LAME*

Maybe we'll take a mini road trip this weekend after we go to the birthday party of our friend Aura's daughter.

           

This post was inspired by my new Blogtress crush, Kristina

*isn't she adorable?*

I am so smitten with her blog, Kris Atomic and her photography!!

The Accomplice *shhh, it's secret*

You should know that I am incapable of keeping a secret! The Accomplice was terrific. Fun, cheesy, silly and exciting all at the same time. We dropped Liv at her Grandmother's house and made it to Hollywood & Highland *despite stupid traffic* just in time to meet our friends at California Pizza Kitchen. Our friends Warren & Kim were celebrating their anniversary *of their first date, 9 years ago, awww* so that's why we were playing the game. We randomly saw Craig Robinson  who was having a titillating coversation with a little person, so we were sure he had something to do with the game. Then, as I was hamming it up at the game starting point *which happens to be an oversized yellow chaise* a Japanese tourist, dressed in a kimono, asked me to take a picture with her, we thought, ooh, the game has started for sure, but nothing.

Noone wanted to take a pic of Craig so Kim had some fun with Photoshop *can you find him?*

Gross, I admit

We stood around for ten minutes coming up with our best scenario of how the game would begin *I envisioned a helicopter hovering ahead full of men rappelling from rope that would blindfold us and force us into a windowless van* but I am a bit dramatic, aren't I? Just then, a chick ran up to us and started talking a mile a minute, before I could whip out my camera she was telling us what was going.

That's her in the hat

She gave us a bag full of maps, a tape recorder and other unknown items and told us to shut our mouths or else, so we got busy following instructions.

No help from the recorder

After successfully solving the first clues, we found ourselves at Grauman's Chinese Theater looking for Joan Crawford's footprints *how lovely, I adore Joan Crawford!*

Sorry, I couldn't help myself, this is a poor man's Hello Kitty! Hollywood Blvd is full of grody, knock-off characters *lame Spiderman, Jack Sparrow and SpongeBob's that look and smell like drunk, bummers* taking photos with tourists for tips, we were looking everyone with espionage on the brain. Trust noone, suspect everyone was the motto.

Don't we look Scooby-Dooish? Solving crimes and shit, YAY!

Happily, one of our clues lead us to Pig n' Whistle and a little nosh and beer. Best part of the game was there was ample beer and self-deprecating jokes.

Yummers!I hadn't eaten all day.

I am not at liberty to discuss the details of the game but let your imagination run free.

Everyone knows this guy?

Scientology and actual bummers were involved...don't ask, don't tell!

I was clever enough to figure out the winning code so I opened the prize at the end!!

Wouldn't you like to know what it was....I'll never tell!

It was very amusing, we spent 2 1/2 hours running around Hollywood, having a fantastic time.

This was at the end with the producers, they told us we were a fun group and they have The Accomplice in New York and London now. I would definitely play again.

We had drinks *I had a virgin Sex on the Beach* at Angels and Kings bar.

Fun times and look who joined us, SIKE! once again that is Kim's fancy photoshop skills.

Sunday we cleaned our house and the neighbor's realtor came by and checked out the house. She seemed, I want to say impressed but not really, I'm sure she looks at million dollar houses all the time so our little shack wouldn't be dazzling to her. She said it was cute and we definitely needed to get the foundation repaired and take down the chimney *no fucking duh!*. Then came the bad news, she assessed our place based on the current condition, the comps in the area and the square footage for under 400k. BOO, LAME, GONG!! I knew it would be a low number so I was mentally prepared for disappointment. I told her my half-assed Lucy Richardo scheme and she gave us 3 *bummer* options; rent our house out and rent in Atwater Village  for 2 years then sell our house at a loss and take the tax deduction *umm, no way!* Short sale *upon our bank's approval and rent until we can afford to buy in AV *that's even more lame* or stay put, make the major repairs and sell in 5 - 8 years when the market has recovered. Our most reasonable option although I really don't like it. She pretty much validated the truth I was trying to hide from. I won't be moving anytime soon *maybe not even by my goal, before Liv starts Kindergarden* I was feeling blue about hearing that so Antz took me to Acapulcos *in Atwater, ouch* and I ate a ton of tortilla chips and queso dip. We randomly ended up at Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round *which is always closed when I drive past it* so we checked it out.

There were some pretty creepy looking horses and naked fairies.

I adore Liv with her Papa!!

Awesome weekend, now it's time to get serious about my resolutions and getting financially ready to move to my Barbie Dream House!!