Movin' On Up

This might be shocking considering I spent a year living and working in PR in the Big Apple, but my celebrity spotting number is low. Until well this past Christmas, my claim to fame was Rosie O’Donnell at a K-Mart in California and my boyfriend’s Aunt Kim. (Thank you Kelly for not mentioning this celebrity connection until after several months of dating, that would have been totally lame. Glad you were confident I'd swoon over you regardless) But why, oh why, can’t she still be married to Alec Baldwin? I would love to know how to make Schweddy Balls.

Seriously, put a wig on him and it’s uncanny. Twinsies.

Next year’s Halloween costume. Obviously, I’ll be Batman. I’m always looking for an excuse to wear leather pants.

Anyways…I digress. Basically I like to blame my lack of celebrity run-ins while in New York on the fact that I went by my day as a true “New Yorker”. Head down and unimpressed by “sparklies”. That or I had really bad luck. At my first job I did work with Keira Knightley’s hairstylist, but he made me run around the city all Devil Wears Prada-ish looking for a particular water bottle, because obviously Smart Water is for poor people.

Well kids, times are changing. This past Christmas I added another holiday party to my usual list. I traveled with Kim Basinger Kelly Basinger to the White House to be guests of President Obama and the First Lady. So for all of you that have seen this picture and questioned its authenticity – give it up. We are besties with the Prez. Seriously, Kelly drank his beer and I went back for seconds thirds at the buffet.

And super seriously, I'm so thankful to work for such an incredible organization like Points of Light. I'm so proud of the work we do - and incredibly grateful that they have given me the opportunity to work with the White House.

Oh and for all those who are wondering, Kim is just as beautiful in person as she is in the movies. Dad - I'll really try to keep Kelly entertained with me long enough for you to be able to see that for yourself. Anyways, I know, disappointing to many of you that hope celebrities are strugglin’ without airbrushing. I am, however, very thankful for the Basinger genes. Keeping Kelly looking 25 for life.

Nothin' Here is Missing, This is What I Call Living

I’m on a once a month posting schedule. Fail. I’ll blame it on the fact that I’m doing fabulously entertaining things that keep me too busy. That’s an exaggeration folks. But here’s what I’ve been up to since we last spoke, in addition to playing Canaan Smith's "We Got Us" on repeat. Thanks, Cannan, for the title inspiration.

1.  I’ve embraced my girly side. Part of the whole “redefining at 25” thing. I was always labeled the tomboy of the family. Move over sistas…I’m channeling my inner New Yorker with a fatter wallet now that I don’t live in New York to play dress up.

Sock bun.

Fun nails.

2.  A little baby has joined our group. College coaches and newborn girl babies everywhere – REJOICE. Another Basinger has entered the world.

3. Reunited with my best friend, sister and favorite Atlanta girls for a weekend of fun in the dirty south.

4. Cooking. Gasp. Let’s revise this to “cooking”. I’m no Paul Deen, but I’m trying. So far it’s been easy stuff: Asian inspired mango chicken lettuce wraps, sweet potato fries, roasted Brussell sprouts, bbq pulled chicken. That sorta thing. I told Kelly I’ll cook for him if he buys me a puppy. He said yes. He thinks I’m kidding –  I’m not.

 Learn to make them here: http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/bestof/toprecipes/bestchickenrecipes/recipes/food/photo/Chicken-Rice-and-Mango-in-Lettuce-Wraps-232487

5.  A healthier outlook on exercise. I will admit that if I don’t work out for three days I automatically assume I’ve gained five pounds. Well I put that to the test after a weekend of binge eating and alcoholic beverages….and no working out. Unless you include dancing. I stepped on the scale and I weighed the same as I did the week before. WINNING. Moral of the story folks, it’s OK to give yourself a few days off now and then.

6. I donated to the American Red Cross yesterday. Then passed out and left work at Noon so I could sleep. The price we pay for saving lives.

Because obviously pizza is the answer to everything.

In case I go all blog delinquent again here’s what’s on tap for me the next few weeks:

1.  Home this weekend for family time and a sister photo shoot for Mommy and Daddy. Move over Kardashians.
2. Giving up candy, cookies, brownies, cake and icecream for Lent. Does Yoforia count as icecream people? Please weigh in.
3.  Research marathons. Yep. That was not a typo. I’m having an affair. I’m cheating on my bike. Running was my first true love. I literally shed happy tears when I completed my first marathon in Virginia Beach in 2009. Without the stress of triathlon I’ve been running wild around Atlanta.

Ok, so that kind of wild, too. But I mean I’ve been running more, no music, no pace clock, just  me and the road and it’s been enchanting. My friend Nichole over at LivefortheRun shared this quote the other day, “Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running.” Genius.

4. Training my new puppy that Kelly will most certainly buy me. I just called him and he didn’t pick up. He must be meeting with the breeder now. *A girl can dream*

5.  Kelly and I have started a little tradition. More of a tradition in my mind. I think traditions freak him out. On Sundays we share short-term and long-term goals for the coming week, month, etc. Here are some of mine:

·         Re-learn French. Because at once I was fluent. This is where my French friend will come in real handy. Kim, J’ai besoin de toi.

·         Learn and cook a new recipe once a week.

·         Pay off my credit card.

·         Travel somewhere I’ve been longing to: New York and San Francisco

That’s all for now. Au revoir!