Man Candy Monday – Justin Chatwin

It’s been awhile, but I’m linking up with one of my best blogging buddies, Leeann for another edition of Man Candy Monday. There is no better way to start the week than staring at some Hollywood Hotties!



Shameless on Showtime is back in full swing which means I get to see my latest celebrity crush Justin Chatwin, who plays Steve/Jimmy on the show. I don’t know if it’s the scruff or the blue eyes, but he is just so handsome. Let me know if you agree…

Source: buzzreactor.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Brittney on Pinterest

Name
Justin Chatwin

Born
October 31, 1982

From
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

Relationship Status
Unknown – has been linked to Camilla Belle

Interesting Facts
-Studied commerce at the University of British Columbia
-Enjoys camping
-Favorite band of is U2
-After the USA miniseries Traffic, Newsweek magazine labeled Chatwin an "Actor to Watch."

Notable Roles
War of the Worlds
Taking Lives
Traffic
Shameless

I’m THANKful for My Guilty Pleasures!

I’m participating in the Plenty To Be Thankful For Blog Challenge & Swap.



Today’s topic is Guilty Pleasures!

Here are some that I’m Thankful for:

Reality TV

We all know that most reality shows kill brain cells, but after a long day of work it’s just the mind numbing thing I need to relax. I love the Real Housewives of just about anywhere and always get hooked on The Bachelor/Bachelorette.

Magazines

Curling up with a good magazine never gets old.

Sleeping in late

Thank goodness for weekends. I love sleeping in late.

Painting my nails

It’s relaxing and pleasurable at the same time.

ITS OK Thursday!

I’m linking up for the first time with Neely from A Complete Waste of Makeup and Amber from Brunch with Amber for “ITS OK Thursday”. These posts are always so fun to read and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s OK with you this week!

For me, ITS OK

That I thoroughly enjoyed Pizza Hut for dinner last night (I’ve seen one too many “any pizza for $10” commercials). I also watched the rerun of Modern Family. That’s one Halloween episode that I think would be hard to surpass.

That lately I have a weird obsession with changing my nail polish every 3-4 days.

That I’ve been under the weather this week and drinking hot tea like it’s my job. I swear tea cures all. My mom was right.

That I pinned a ton of cute ideas for Halloween decorating and did…none. Whoops! There’s always next year.

That we’re taking photos for our Christmas cards this weekend and I still have no clue what to wear.

To have randomly remembered the song “Dead Man’s Party” from Oingo Boingo and will be rocking out to it in celebration of Halloween (It’s a great 80’s song and I realize I’m showing my age on this one). It’s also in the movie Back to School with Rodney Dangerfield. Love it!



Well, that’s about it for this week.

*Fun Oingo Boingo fact: Frontman Danny Elfman is Jenna Elfman’s brother and went from his 80’s pop band to composer for films like Batman. He also did the theme for Desperate Housewives

Summer shows

Gone are the days of boring television during the summer. I remember when there was nothing on during the warmer months. Now there are a plethora of shows and here are some of my favorites:

So You Think You Can Dance

So much talent and so many different styles of dance.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians

It’s obviously scripted, but still fun to take a peek into their world

The Bachelorette

Each season I swear that I’m over it and then get sucked right back in. I have to admit that Ashley is uber-annoying and I’m only half paying attention every week.

Real Housewives of New Jersey

Total guilty pleasure, though shows like this and Jersey Shore give the Tri-State area a bad name.

True Blood

Three words: Eric. Bill. Jason

Entourage

The last season. Tear.

What are you watching this summer?

Man Candy Monday – Alexander Skarsgård

My weekend consisted mainly of work, work and more work. Instead of boring you with a lame recap, I thought I’d play along with Leeann for Man Candy Monday. Looking at gorgeous men is the perfect way to start the week if you ask me.

This week is inspired by the latest cover of GQ. I was checking out some mags when I saw one of my favorite Hollywood hunks gracing the cover, Alexander Skarsgård.


via


via


via


via

Birth Name:
Alexander Johan Hjalmar Skarsgård

Date of Birth:
August 25, 1976

From:
Stockholm, Sweden

Known For:
Acting. Best known for his role as vampire Eric Northman on True Blood

Relationship Status:
Dating Kate Bosworth

Are you with me on this one ladies?

Weekend recap

Friday I took the day off and our friends Stephanie and Tracy from Maryland came up for the evening. We went to happy hour at The Deck for a bit and then headed down to The Mann Center in the city for The Script concert. We got these tickets weeks ago and found out that SafetySuit was recently added to the tour. You all know they’re my favorite band, so to get to see both was an awesome plus. Some of our other friends were at the concert and Dawn and Stacy had extra tickets in better seats so we moved down to be with them. The weather could not have been better for a show at an outdoor venue and seeing both bands took me right back to a few weeks ago when we saw them on the VH1 Best Cruise Ever. After the show we waited around and got to see the guys from The Script. They’re so down to earth and nice, especially for being as popular as they are.


Tracy, Stephanie, Geof and I at The Deck


Us with Danny from The Script

Saturday, Geof and I went to Linvilla Orchards for the Strawberry Festival. The weather was nice and not too hot. We went to feed the deer and then took a hayride out to the strawberry fields to roll up our sleeves and get to picking. We only picked the best and made it a nice afternoon out of it. No matter what season it is, I love spending time at Linvilla.


Strawberry Festival

Sunday, we got my mom and went to the movies to see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in 3D. I loved it and it’s probably my favorite movie of the summer season so far. I hope this ignites a new series in the Pirates franchise as the movie certainly left it open for more. I also loved Penelope Cruz as the leading lady.


On Stranger Tides

After the movies, we went to Pinocchio’s and then headed and caught some of the MTV Movie Awards. Every year that I watch, I cringe little more and it makes me feel so old, yet I continue to tune in.

Late weekend recap

Friday, we spent the evening in getting caught up on the DVR with everything from Gossip Girl to Friday Night Lights. I made chicken quesadillas for dinner and it was a relaxing night at home.

Saturday, Geof and I went to Subway for lunch and then went to the gym for some much needed cardio post-vacation. We came home and got ready to head out for the night. There was a carnival going on in a neighborhood nearby, so we went there for awhile. It was a blast! We also bumped into some friends from the pool, which is always nice. We rode a few rides like the Himalaya and Fun Slide. The night also wouldn’t have been complete without some yummy funnel cake. It was so much fun!


Ferris wheel!


Geof going down the slide

Sunday was Mother’s Day and we took my mom to brunch at Generations. She really enjoyed herself and it was great to celebrate her for the day. Afterwards, we went to Target and then back to my mom’s for some pics by her azalea bushes. Once we got home, I took a long afternoon nap, did some work in the evening and called it a night.


Pretty!


My mom & I

Weekend recap

Friday, I worked pretty late and then Geof and I went to Nifty Fifty’s for dinner where we had the most obnoxious dining experience of our lives. Long story short, there were about 6 kids between the ages of 7-10 and they were screaming and being completely ridiculous. Their parents were at the booth behind them and said nothing. People near them requested to be moved and the whole restaurant was staring. We could not get out of there fast enough.

Saturday, I did some work in the morning and then we got ready to head to Glenside for the SafetySuit concert at Arcadia. A bunch of people we know from other shows came down from Boston, New York and New Jersey to see them. It was a little fan reunion of sorts and nice to catch up with everyone.


Geof & I with SafetySuit

SafetySuit sounded great, as always and their new single for the song “Get Around This” comes out tomorrow and I cannot wait. If you’re interested, here is a link to a clip of it. After the show, we chatted with the guys in the band, got some pics and took off. One of the things about SafetySuit that I love most is their stage presence. There’s never a dull moment and I’ve said it before and will say it again, you could not ask for more down to earth guys. It’s very easy to be a fan and root them on as they climb the ladder of success in the music world.


Doug, Tate, Jeremy & Dave


SafetySuit friends and Geof and I with Doug


Acoustic version of "Get Around This"

Sunday I worked on and off most of the day and got some grocery shopping done. My mom came over for dinner (recipe to come tomorrow) and we watched Celebrity Apprentice.

Weekend recap

Friday, I took the day off and it was much needed. I did my nails and rushed off to the mall to meet up with Kristen. We had lunch at Panera and then came back to my house to get ready, get Geof and then headed off on a mini road trip to NJ for the SafetySuit concert. The last time we saw these guys was back in August when we went to South Carolina, so it was great to see them again. We got to hear a new song and the guys sounded great, as always. After the concert, we said a quick “hello” and then headed home.


OPI Mod About You - perfect pink for spring!


SafetySuit

Saturday, we relaxed around the house. Later in the evening we watched the Phillies beat the Astros. It was a good weekend for Philly baseball. Geof got to try out some new brew and was loving life.



Sunday was another quiet day and I caught up on the last two episodes of Grey’s. The musical episode was a little painful to watch. My mom came over in the evening, I made dinner and we watched Celebrity Apprentice.

Weekend recap

Friday, I went over to my mom’s house to help her with something on the computer and then we went to Pizza Hut for dinner. I came home and caught up on some work and painted my nails.


E.L.F. Polish in Champagne - it's only cost $1!

Saturday, I ended up working most of the afternoon and then took the dogs for a walk. My mom came over to keep me company in the evening, since Geof was away all weekend. I made some grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner while we caught up on The Real Housewives of Orange County and watched Dateline. I also did some reading and realize I need to make more time for reading in general, as it’s really relaxing.

Sunday, Geof got home in the afternoon and we spent the day around the house while I worked on and off. My mom came over to watch Celebrity Apprentice and we called it a night.

The winner of the Marley Lilly giveaway is The Ramblings of a Thirtysomething Wife

Weekend recap

Friday, I took the day off and got a ton of errands done. The weather was crazy and while I was in Target, they lost power. Shopping in partial darkness was interesting to say the least. I came home and starting working on a craft, watched some Grey’s Anatomy, Dateline and read for a little while.

Saturday was my friend Danielle’s shower. She is due with her first baby boy next month and I’m so excited for her and her husband. She is one of my besties from high school and it’s so crazy that she is going to be a mommy. Her shower was beautiful and someone gave her the funniest and most creative gift. It was an after pregnancy survival kit complete with Tucks, wine, Excedrin, earplugs, etc. Everyone really got a kick out of it. Her stepmom also made the cutest cookies. It was great to see her and catch up with my other friend, Brit.


Danielle's Shower...cute cookies!

Saturday night, Kristen came over for craft night. I made some delicious dip (that I’ll share the recipe for tomorrow) and we enjoyed some Sam Adams Noble Pils. We decided to make yarn wreaths. They turned out really cute, but it was a lot of work (tutorial to come). The whole night was a blast and anytime spent with Kristen is always the best. We laughed until 3 in the morning. It was some much needed girl time.


My yarn wreath

Sunday I bummed around the house. I finally watched (500) Days of Summer. If you haven’t seen this yet, watch it. It was so good even down to the songs used in the film. I really like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. This is one I’ll watch again and again.


A must-see

My mom came over for Oscar night and I made us chili and cornbread for dinner. It was a wonderful weekend!

Late weekend recap

Friday I took a long evening nap and then Geof and I ran some errands. The nap kept me up the rest of the night, so I caught up on the DVR and blogs. It was just the quiet night in I needed after a long week.

Saturday, Geof and I went down to Delaware for some shopping and Don Pablo’s. I know that place is a chain, but the food is darn good. I’ll also take any excuse to go to the Christiana Mall for some tax-free shopping. That was the perfect Valentine’s Day celebration for me. It’s actually weird being home this year since we were in Connecticut last year and Vegas the year before that.



Valentine's Day gifts from Geof. The blush is gorgeous!

Sunday, we went to the gym and then Kohl’s. You have to love the shopping trips where you go in for one thing and come out with way more. It was all on sale though. Geof even got some good stuff. We headed straight home, my mom came over and I made dinner for all of us while we watched the Grammy Awards.


Goodies from Kohl's


Valentine's Hot Cocoa w/heart shaped marshmallows and all!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and a Happy Hearts Day!

Shameless

This is hands down my new favorite show. Similar to The Office, it originated in England and is now taking off with the American adaptation Sunday nights on Showtime. I went in with low expectations and was hooked from the first episode. It’s fast paced and there is always an interesting storyline.



It follows the lives of the dysfunctional Gallagher family and their cohorts. The cast is great and I couldn’t imagine anyone besides William H. Macy playing the role of Frank, the alcoholic father on disability because of migraines. His eldest daughter, Fiona played by Emmy Rossum is more of a mother to her other 5 siblings than a sister since their mom took off. The kids all work together to keep their lives afloat by doing odd jobs and putting their money together. Fiona’s boy toy, Steve, played by Justin Chatwin is also a great character and some nice eye candy.


Just another day in the Gallagher house


Steve (Justin Chatwin)

My favorite character from a humor perspective is the Agoraphobic mother, Sheila played by Joan Cusack. Her daughter is the girlfriend of one of the Gallagher kids and she is hysterical.


Sheila (Joan Cusack)

If you’re offended by foul language, bad behavior and overall shenanigans, this might not be the show for you. Watch out for Rossum as she gives an outstanding performance. I sense a Golden Globe nomination next year.


Fiona (Emmy Rossum)