I picked this book up at the Book & Music Exchange for $3, and I'm so glad I did. It has a silver glitter plastic cover, and probably wouldn't fit in next to Joyce and Austen, but it's great for those nights out with friends. While it's a guide for having a successful social and party life, the themes can be adapted to your everday life. The first thing the book has you do is decide your party plan, which in turn will lead to your new mantra for life. Currently my plan and mantra are: feel confident and in control; "I'm smart enough, I'm bad enough, and gosh darn it, people like me!"
It has great things in it like party themes and coordinating soundtracks. Tuttle gives great advice on everything from flirting at parties, to making casual or dramatic exits, to rejuvenating after a wild night. Tuttle doesn't believe in the Walk of Shame ladies: it's the Strut of Pride!
Mental Stimulation: "Kissing in Manhattan" by David Schickler
This is another book I picked up at the Book & Music Exchange. Schickler tells the stories of his characters, living in Manhattan, unbeknownst to each other. Each chapter is a different story, but you better pay attention because a restaurant from Chapter 1 may appear in Chapter 4 with more significance. It's one of those great reads that, though you're utterly confused in the beginning, you can't help but love. I just recommended this book to some fellow students, and now I'm passing it on to you.
Comfort Food/Thought: Bi-Racial Cookies
I have been making these cookies since I was a freshman in high school (almost 8yrs ago) and they're still my favorite thing to make. For many people, my own mother included, baking is a difficult task because it requires an exact science. But we've all seen (and many of us have bought) pre-made chocolate chip cookie dough at the grocery. Buy the tube of pre-made cookie dough and a bag of white chocolate morsels. When you get home, let the dough get room temperature on the counter and place it in a bowl. Stir in the white chips and bake the cookies according to the packaging. Okay, so it's cheating on the baking front, but it's the holidays. In the midst of the crazy festive spirit do you really have time to bake from scratch? Just consider it semi-homemade (thank you Sandra Lee).
Cocktail Concoction: Winter Wonderland
I headed to the pantry the other day to take out the vodka and make a drink while I cooked dinner, and was shocked to find that our fridge lacked a key ingredient: juice, orange or cranberry. So, I was forced, as usual, to create something. The drink is this: triple sec, plain vodka, bacardi peach red, and sprite. Serve this over ice in whatever amount you want to. NOTE: the peach rum is there as a juice substitute, so its flavor should not overwhelm the drink.
Movies to Catch
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt)
Doubt (Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman)
The Women (Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes, Diane Keaton, Jada Pinkett Smith)
Mamma Mia (Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried)
