Leesburg, GA’s Phillip Phillips was the big winner of the night!  (Kev is totally obsessed with this guy and threatening to change his name to Kevin Kevins in honor of him… Oy.)

AND, former Idol contestant Ace Young proposed to Snellville’s own Diana DeGarmo (another former Idol) on the show!!  It was sooooooooo exciting to watch!  I still have chills!

Congrats Lady Di!! 

What a great night!  Let’s hear it for state pride, y’all!  Georgia!  Georgia!  Georgia!

And now I’m ready for this to dominate my DVR… 

= SYTYCD addict.  Don’t judge.

xx, L

Please tell me that you are watching this show.

I’ll brilliant.  I love it.  Thank you, HBO, for such extreme cleverness + awesomeness neatly wrapped up into a glorious 30 minutes.  I’m a big fan – HUGE! 

Please watch everyone.

xx, L

I mean, I’ve been obsessed with Harry Potter and the Twilight series, and so many of my favorite shoes have to do with the supernatural (The Walking Dead, True Blood, Vampire Diaries, the list goes on…)  So, I guess I am a Fantasy geek.  Whatevs.  I’m totally entertained, at least!  

Anyway, I felt a little left out of all the commotion (and y’all know how much of a pop culture freak I am) about The Hunger Games movie coming out last weekend + I kept hearing my friends talk about how much they loved/ quickly read the book.  So naturally, I HAD to buy it. 

Ummmmm, I had no idea what I was in for!  This books is SO unbelievably addictive – I may need a support group.

(1) I’ve never read a book so fast in my life.  I haven’t been sleeping to finish it.
(2) I’m completely OBSESSED with it now!  Move over Harry Potter…
(3) I can’t wait to see the movie this weekend!!  It’s pretty much all I can think about.

Are y’all reading?  Are y’all reading??

I’m taking a two-day breather + then diving into the 2nd book in the series, Catching Fire!

May the odds be ever in your favor,

xx, L

adios, cullens!

…and I’m fully on the ZOMBIE TRAIN.  Kev + I have been Netfix-ing The Walking Dead, and I am totally, 100%, completely, helplessly addicted to it!

Are y’all watching?  Are y’all watching?

I think it’s the most addictive show on TV since 24 (only 24 seasons 1 – 3 to be exact), and I. can’t. peel. myself. away.  All zombies all the time.  They are nasty, they eat your brains, and they are AWESOME!  The Walking Dead is filmed in/ takes place in Atlanta (represent y’all), which is just icing on the cake.  The cast is pretty bomb, too.

the walking dead line up

What the heck is The Walking Dead??  Here’s a little wiki info for ya:

The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic television series based on a comic book of the same name.

The series stars Andrew Lincoln as Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Grimes who wakes up after being in a coma to find the world dominated by zombies or “walkers.”  He sets out to find his family and other survivors along the way.  The Walking Dead premiered in 2010 on AMC to wide acclaim, and was nominated for several awards, including the “Best Television Series Drama” at the 68th Golden Globe Awards.  Based on its reception, AMC renewed the series for a second and third season.

This Sunday night is the season 2 finale, sooooooo if I’ve convinced you to start watching it, please start with season 1 on Netfix.  Do not watch Sunday.  It won’t make sense.  But, when you’re all caught up + as addicted as I am, you’ll probably want to check out the weekly viewing party at The Albert in Inman Park.  Info below:

So cool.  Wishing you all happy zombie-watching!  The Walking Dead is where IT’S AT.

xx, L

Hailed by Time Magazine as “the best musical of the decade,” Billy Elliot, written by acclaimed playwright and lyricist Lee Hall with music composed by Sir Elton John, is the triumphant and joyous journey of a boy as he chases his dream of becoming a ballet dancer despite his family’s disapproval and discouragement, and amidst the coal miners’ strike that has hampered the normalcy in Billy, his family, and their community’s lives.

Billy Elliot

I can’t wait to see it!!  My tickets are secured for next Tuesday…did you get yours?? 

TICKET INFO FOR BILLY ELLIOT AT THE FOX THEATRE HERE!  And, I’ll see you there! 

xx, L

way to go, adele!!

And, she looked STUNNING in Armani.  Watch her Grammy performance here!  She was simply perfection!

yowza!

I’m a really big fan.  And, I don’t only appreciate Adele for being an unbelievably talented artist, but also for how she has addressed negativity in the press regarding her weight.

“I’ve never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines.  I represent the majority of women and I’m very proud of that,” she said, according to the U.K. edition of Marie Claire.  “I’d lose weight if I was an actress and had to play a role where you’re supposed to be 40 pounds lighter, but weight has nothing to do with my career.  Even when I was signing [a contract], most of the industry knew if anyone ever dared say [lose weight] to me, they wouldn’t be working with me.”

Now THAT is an incredible sense of self.  A true role model.  What a beautiful, strong woman!  I think we could all learn something from Adele.  Many congratulations, lady!!   

xx, L

Well, I’ll tell you WHAT.  I’ve completely changed my tune. 

Kev was watching The Voice the other night, and I heard Lindsey Pavao put her unique spin on Trey Songz “Say Aah,” and I’m sold!  TOTALLY.

Watch it here: Lindsey Pavao Covers Trey Songz “Say Aah” on The Voice

“Hi, my name is Lindsay R. and I’m a fan of The Voice!”  There – I said it.  I’m pretty sure that I am going to watch every episode now to see how Lindsey Pavao does.  That girl rocks hard. 

Go get ‘em, Linds!

xx, L

love her. LOVE HER!

Personally, I was BEYOND impressed!  Y’all just face it – it’s Madonna’s world + we’re just living in it.  M.D.N.A.  what, what whatttt! 

xx, L

For those living under a massive pile of rocks, here’s the Q+DD on the Puppy Bowl:
The Puppy Bowl is an annual television program on Animal Planet that mimics the Super Bowl, using puppies.  Shown the same afternoon of the Super Bowl, the show consists of footage of a batch of puppies at play inside a model stadium, with commentary on their actions.  The first Puppy Bowl was shown on February 6, 2005.  The puppies featured in the Puppy Bowl are from shelters, and the show contains information on how viewers can adopt rescued puppies and help their local shelter.

It’s the very best thing on TV all year, folks.  FACT.

Check out the Puppy Bowl VIII starting line-up HERE!

There are some very serious contenders this year, I must say.  But, these three are my top picks…

FUMBLE
Breed: Chihuahua/ Terrier mix
Sex: Male
Age: 9 weeks
Fun Fact: Has every Bow Wow song on his iPad.

fumble

CALVIN
Breed: Dachshund
Sex: Male
Age: 10 weeks
Fun Fact: Restores classic cars.

abilene

AND, don’t forget the Kitty Halftime Show!  (That one is for you, Mrs. Wolkove…)

Don’t forget to set your DVR for Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VIII on Sunday, February 5th at 3:00 p.m. E/P!

Can’t even WAIT! 

xx, L

The AJFF is a 22-day cinematic exploration of Jewish life, culture, and history.  Seeking to use the power of film to both entertain and educate, AJFF challenges conventional perspectives on complex and challenging issues facing both the Jewish and global communities.

Founded in 2000, AJFF ranks as the largest film festival in Atlanta, and second largest Jewish film festival in the United States, having attracted an audience of more than 26,000 moviegoers in 2011.  This year, the festival will feature an international collection of 70 narrative and documentary films that explore the Jewish experience.  Screenings are supplemented by guest appearances with filmmakers, actors, authors, academics, and other expert speakers.

The festival runs from Wednesday, February 8 – Wednesday, February 29.

This year will be my first to attend the AJFF, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the movies I selected!  I plan to see…

RABIES  (Rabies is playing during the Young Professionals Night at Strip and Regal Atlantic Station.)

Hot off the international film festival circuit, Rabies is the ultimate popcorn flick—a sexy survivalist thriller, a campy, clever whodunit, a devilishly fun heart stopper, and the first horror movie from Israel.  Subverting expectations at every turn, the action opens in a remote forest as a guilt-ridden brother and sister flee home only to become ensnared in the trap of a psychopathic serial killer.  Rescue efforts soon involve a group of unsuspecting tennis players, a grizzled park ranger and his dog, and a pair of rogue cops.  An impressive cast of Israel’s top talent is gradually drawn into a whirlwind of dark secrets, mix-ups and bloody mayhem.  Describing Rabies as a twisted parable on fear and rage in Israeli society, first-time directors Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado shot this slick homage to American B-movies in just 19 days on a shoestring budget.

rabies

THE APPLE PUSHERS

The Apple Pushers is the uplifting story of immigrant street cart vendors and an urban initiative to bring nutritional food to those who need it most.  Attempting to address a lack of access to fresh and affordable produce, New York City launched an experiment in which “Green Carts” bearing fruits and vegetables would be deployed to “food deserts,” low-income neighborhoods where obesity rates are skyrocketing.  In the face of entrenched political opposition, immigrant small business owners (including a Russian Jew who fled anti-Semitism) align with health advocates to take on this tough task with dignity and sacrifice, overcoming extraordinary challenges to carve out an economic niche.  Narrated by Oscar nominee Edward Norton, The Apple Pushers chronicles public-private efforts to mitigate a national health crisis through the intersection of entrepreneurship and the American Dream.

Also, don’t forget about the special 25th anniversary screening of Dirty Dancing on Sunday, February 12! 

Click here for a complete list of movies: 2012 AJFF Roll Call!

Reserve tickets here: So many AJFF movies…so little time!

So, grab some popcorn + get ready for the 2012 AJFF!  It’s going to be the greatest one yet! 

xx, L