SATC2

Yes. I was one of those girls. One of those girls who got dressed up and went out to dinner with my friends. Had cocktails and talked about how fabulous we are. And then went to the midnight showing of Sex & the City 2.

One: I love that poster. It's seriously great. So fierce. And combined with the tag line "Carrie On," it's genius as far as I'm concerned. As for the actual movie itself...well, read on.

To be honest, I only started watching the series within the last two years. I didn't see the first movie until months after it came out, but I love it. My roommates and I watch it pretty often and it never fails to entertain me. While everyone ends up happy in the end, the movie had some pretty serious undertones, as it dealt with infidelity, divorce, loneliness and heartbreak. I liked each of the character's story lines and seeing the way their characters grew and changed throughout the movie as they dealt with what was being thrown at them. And the clothes. I die. Even though we had to endure Jennifer Hudson's horrendous "acting", I think it's a great movie.

As for Sex and the City 2...literally nothing of importance happens and, most of the time, it's kind of nonsensical. That being said, I loved it just as much as the first movie. It was a campy, ridiculous, wonderful piece of fluff. No real substance, but that doesn't stop it from being a lot of fun. If you love the series and these characters, then you'll love this movie. Samantha was at her raunchy best and the new, fun Miranda was hysterical. Yes, Aiden and Carrie kiss, but never for one second do you actually believe there is any danger of Big breaking up with her. The man buys her a huge-ass diamond, for Christ's sake! (See? Nonsensical). The only thing negative I have to say - and it's not really a negative - is that these ladies are finally starting to show their age. I noticed it more when they tried to give the ladies dramatic makeup (namely Carrie and Samantha), because when they were wearing more natural makeup they looked so much better.

One of the friends I went with said that she's been hearing rumors about a third SATC movie. I will gladly pay and go to the midnight showing of that one, too! Every great group of characters needs a trilogy, right? Star Wars (ok, I know there are actually six, but work with me), Indiana Jones (I know...), The Matrix, LOTR... don't our girls deserve to become part of that special group?

Wheeeen Theeee Moon Hits Your Eye

"If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?"

We've all been asked that question. First dates or deep philosophical conversations with friends, it's definitely come up. For me, the answer is easy as pie. Pizza pie, that is. I LOVE pizza. I could (and do) eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And I'd never get sick of it because the options for toppings is endless. You can even make a desert pizza! Anyways, the other night I made a homemade pizza and boy was it good.

I bought some frozen, organic pizza dough from Whole Foods, divided it in half, and froze the second portion to use later. Rolling it out was a challenge since I don't have a rolling pin. I know, what kind of cook am I? I improvised and used an empty wine bottle. It worked just fine, thanks.

I spread a little olive oil over the dough, and then instead of sauce used a mixture of ricotta, fresh basil and parsley, and salt and pepper. Over that went thin slices of tomato and some shredded Parmesan, Romano and Asiago cheese.

I just popped it in the oven for about 20 minutes and bam! Dinner, my friends.

And, just for the record, it was phenomenal. I could definitely eat pizza every day for the rest of my life.

What about you?

Good News, Bad News

Bad news: I have pink eye. I look like a demon.

(No, I'm not that sad.. I'm just a HUGE Dawson's Creek fan, and this picture never fails to make me laugh.)

Good news: I bought myself some pretty flowers to make myself feel better!

Confession

I can't stand Rachel Ray.

I mean it. Everything from her voice to the stupid clothes she wears (I mean seriously, who is styling that woman?) - I just can't stand her. I get her appeal. Making a tasty meal in less than 30 minutes isn't the easiest feat, but come on...it's not friggin' rocket science. And, even worse than her nails on a chalkboard voice, are the recipes she makes. Where does she come up with this shit?! I swear half the time it's like she opens her fridge, scoops all of the things that have been sitting in there that she doesn't know what to do with, and throws them in a pan. But because she talks really loudly and drizzles "EVOO" over it, it's all good. The fact that this woman has her own talk show is honestly mind boggling to me.

Another reason I dislike her has to do with my friend Dani. Dani is a talented musician, songwriter, and all-around adorable girl. She and her friend wrote the cutest song about Rachel Ray and watching/making 30-minute meals, which they performed for her when she came to Boston for a book-signing. She supposedly loved it and wanted them on her show to perform it and got her people to get all of Dani's contact info. And then she never followed through. LAME.

I also confess that the times when I watch "30 Minute Meals," I do so in the hopes that just this once she won't be able to pull it off. Even if it takes her 30 minutes and 3 seconds, that'd be good enough for me.

Who do I love, you ask?

Most people assume I love Giada, and of course I do. How can you not? Come on? But if I had to pick one Food Network star as my favorite TV chef it would be, hands down, Ina Garten. Truth: The Barefoot Contessa is the shit. I love everything about her, from her show's catchy little theme song to her sassy bob cut and posse of gay friends she parades on the show. I also love her relationship with her husband, Jeffrey (how adorable is he?!) and how she makes him roast chicken every Friday night for dinner. They've been together since they were like 15! Too cute.

Even more impressive to me is her resume. Did you know that Ina has an MBA and was a former White House nuclear policy analyst? The woman is a genius! She never went to culinary school and is completely self-taught. And yet she is so humble about it. She never brags and never goes on and on about how she didn't go to culinary school (like someone else we know...). She focuses on the food and her recipes and enjoys every minute of it. She also has this sense of calm about her, and I love her dry sense of humor. Another great thing about her show and her cookbooks is that she not only offers amazing recipes, but tips for their presentation and how to entertain. Simply put: Ina is the queen bee.


Who is your favorite TV Chef??

Red Does NOT Mean Go (or, my favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies)

My brother has a friend named Mark. They met playing hockey (I think) and have been friends since they were little kids. And just about as long as they've been friends, Mark has been in love with me. I know this - let's be honest, everyone knows this - because he's not shy about it. At all. To be fair, I don't think he's actually in love with me. Thinks I'm hot? Sure. But I think it's more about the forbidden lure of getting with your best friend's older sister. And I think it drives Mac crazy, which he obviously gets a kick out of. I've heard many a story about things he's said in the locker room about me. Always respectful though, because that's the way Mark rolls. He honestly is a great guy and when I start searching for a husband, he's the first one I'll call.

Last night I got on Facebook and the strangest picture showed up on my news feed. A picture of Mark lying on a gurney, wearing a neck brace and giving a thumbs up with the caption: "Got hit by a cab at full speed. Yes, I won the fight." ...What?! After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I commented on the photo saying, "Is this real?! Do I need to come nurse you back to health???" He immediately sent me a little Facebook chat and our convo went something like this:

Mark: yes and I've been waiting my whole life to hear you ask me that
Me: hahah
Me: oh my god what happened?!
Me: are you alright?
Mark: a cab ran through a red light as I was crossing the street, hit me going full speed, I went like 10ft up in the air and 20ft out, definitely got a concussion but no broken bones
Me: ohhh myyy goddd!
Me: I'm making you cookies. what's your address?
Mark: [address]
Me: any requests?
Mark: oatmeal chocolate chip
Mark: please
Me: you got it
Mark: throw yourself in there and really make my day
Me: I'll see what I can do

True to my word, I whipped up a batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies this afternoon. These are some of the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies I've ever had. I got the recipe from my wonderful friend and former roommate Kaci (who is attending pastry school in the fall!). And the best part? There aren't any eggs in the recipe, so you can eat all the dough you want -- YUM!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oats
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup chocolate chip cookies
Mix ingredients together, pop onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Luckily, one of my roommates had a super cute shoebox I was able to pack the cookies in. I even included a little note. Get well soon, Marky!

Eggs in a Basket? Forget About It!

Anyone who knows me, even just the tiniest bit, knows that my absolute, all-time favorite movie ever - one I've literally seen more times than I can count - is Moonstruck. Yes, the movie with Cher in it. You probably know this because I bring it up any chance I get. Every problem and situation in life can be better understood through the lens of Moonstruck. This is a fact. As far as I'm concerned, anyway. One of the biggest draws for me is that it centers around an Italian-American family. I can't help but be reminded of my own family - the rapport we have with one another, the stories, the laughs, the family dinners. If you're ever in a rut or don't know what to make for dinner, just watch this movie. The last time I watched it I was inspired to make "eggs in a basket" just like my grandmother used to make for me when I was little.

A screen-cap of Rose Castorini (Olympia Dukakis) making eggs in a basket for she and her daughter, Loretta (Cher).

I hadn't had eggs in a basket in years and, to be honest, I've never made them myself! I watched the scene from Moonstruck a couple times and figured how hard could it be? I got in the kitchen and got right to work.

I used a small juice glass to create holes in two pieces of bread. I wish I'd had some thick, crusty bread like in the the movie but all I had was whole wheat sandwich bread and it turned out just fine. I lightly toasted the bread in a skillet and when I flipped them I cracked the eggs in the holes! After a few minutes I carefully flipped them and sprinkled some cheddar cheese on top.

A quick, delicious and nostalgic breakfast - yum!

As We Go On, We Remember...

All the times we've
Had together
And as our lives change
From whatever
We will still be
Friends forever

Yes. Those are lyrics from that impossibly cheesy Vitamin C song, "Graduation." Normally I kind of hate songs like that, but I've heard that song so many times in the last two weeks and I don't even care. It couldn't be more perfect for this time in my life. I am now, officially, a college graduate! What a surreal, incredible feeling - it's amazing and exciting and terrifying all at once. I don't really know what comes next. The plan is definitely to stay in Boston - after 5 years, this is my home and I'm not going anywhere - and I've been sending out resumes and going on interviews. But for now I'm just enjoying this time. I know that things will fall into the right place when they're supposed to. Anyways, I thought I'd share a few pictures from senior week and graduation!

My roommates and I at our Senior Ball.

Senior Night at Fenway Park

Senior Booze Cruise




Graduation at TD Garden



Graduation Day with my Family



Party for my roommates and our families at our apartment!

Congrats to the Class of 2010!

Thanks, Mom!

So I have a LOT to write about. We have so much to catch up on, and - let's be honest - most of these posts will focus on me somehow. But today I'm going to take a step back and focus on someone else. My mamma. How do I love thee? I could never begin to even count the ways. She is literally the most important person in my life, and I owe everything I have and everything I am to her. What can I say? She's the best. To celebrate my mom and everything she's taught me, I compiled a list of the ten best things I've ever gotten from her.

Traci's Top Ten
1. To always be a little bit kinder than necessary.

2. How important it is to stand up for myself.

3. The truth is always better than a lie.

4. Do not be afraid of love when it comes.

5. My fabulous fashion sense. Case in point:


6. How to cook. I'm pretty badass in the kitchen and it's because of her.

7. Always take my makeup off before I go to sleep at night... Okay, so I literally never do this, much to my mother's dismay, but that doesn't stop her from reminding me to do it every time I talk to her.

8. How to be silly...

9. Gave me my green thumb and love of pretty, pretty flowers.

10. It's the little things that count.

Love you, mamma :)

An Apology, part II

Oh. My. Goodness.

I'm back! Not that I really went anywhere, but I have been supremely, insanely busy the last two months. We have a lot to catch up on, you and I, and I'm kind of at a loss as to where to begin.

I'm DONE with college! That's a good place to start. After five loooong years of undergrad, I turned in my last paper on Wednesday and am finally, officially done! My graduation is Friday morning and my family is coming in town to celebrate. Boston's not going to know what hit it. Of course all of this leads to the inevitable question, "So what are you going to do now?" To which I really don't have an answer yet. What's interesting is that I don't feel anxious (not yet anyways...) about the fact that I don't have an answer to that question. I've been applying to jobs and I've been going on interviews. Eventually things will fall into place and I'll figure it all out. I'm young, I've got time.

In the past two months since I last wrote - yes, it really has been almost two months - I've gone home a few times, saw my beautiful cousin, Carley, get married, participated in a 17th Century Faire, made new friends, got in touch with old ones, went on a few dates, bought some seriously cute clothes, and made some seriously great food. I've tried to document a lot of it with pictures, but unfortunately in the last couple months my camera also died. I've had to resort to using my old camera, but the lens on that one is broken and I'm not sure how much longer that will last either. I'll catch you up on some of it, but for the most part we'll just be starting fresh from here.

So sit back and relax - now that my time is my own I have big plans for this little blog of mine. I'm sorry I've been MIA for so long and I promise it will never ever ever happen again :)