Celebrate!

Jen: I know this is a little early, but since we're celebrating tonight,
I want to wish Crystal a happy birthday!

I love you like a sister and am so thankful to have you in my life :)

*cheers*

Crystal: Thank YOU for being such an awesomest friend :) And thanks for celebrating with me last Friday at Sangria's in Hermosa Beach!! :) :)

Burt's Bees!

Jen: I'm a huge fan of Burt's Bees products! I especially love their original chapstick because of the intensity of the minty flavor. And I received a Burt's Bees gift bag for Christmas, which was awesome! It included the tinted lipgloss in 3 colors. What products have you tried?

Crystal: I don't think I've really tried any products from them yet...I remember I was at the OC Fair last year though and they had a Burt's Bees booth that I checked out...you got to go in and get a free quick hand massage using one of their lotions or something like that....it smelled heavenly though and made my hands super soft....whatever it was :) :) :)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer...or not?

Crystal: I was super excited when I saw the headline on AOL today - 'Buffy Reboot in the Works'....until I read the story: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i666afabc28491e6a5d5861d83ae30855

So....it's another Buffy movie...but not? So...they're not using the same characters...possibly not even Buffy herself...has nothing to do with the tv show...but yet they want to use Buffy the Vampire Slayer as reference just because the same people who OWN the rights want to make a new movie...I feel like they're just playing with us loyal Buffy fans and taking advantage of us by throwing the Buffy name around but in the end just making another vampire movie.....right?

Or am I misunderstanding this?

I do get that you shouldn't ruin a good thing by taking the tv show and making it into a movie...especially since they're not even using Joss Whedon to make it...but it should still have some of the same basis around it....right? Otherwise it's not Buffy.

Thoughts?

Jen: I heard about this yesterday :( You know what a massive Buffy fan I am, so I'm sure you already know my feelings on this! PUKE!

Aside from being a Buffy fan, I'm a Joss Whedon fan. Poor Joss gets screwed in every project he takes on it seems. He's an absolute genius and the networks put him through the ringer, show after show. And in the end, what you have is a new cult following for every one of his endeavors. I honestly don't think he's ever had a single failure, so why is he excluded from his own creations?

On a happier note, his new show that premiered last season, Dollhouse, is awesome and has been picked up for another season! He had a long battle to get the show up and running (as always) because of the network and them wanting to change everything about it, but in the end he won and it's a hit! Hopefully he'll change his mind about this being the last TV series he ever works on, because everything he does is golden!

P.S. Crystal, I remember you making a comment before about how maybe Joss has a crush on Eliza Dushku because she's his leading lady in Dollhouse and being a big character on Buffy, but as it turns out, they created Dollhouse together- he didn't just choose her! She's actually the producer!

Tomodachi

Jen: Crystal and I went to high school with a very artistic friend, Kevin Karasuda. He just launched a zine called Tomodachi-zine (Tomodachi means "friend(s)" in Japanese!) It is basically a compilation of reviews and articles on movies, music, fashion and Japanese animation. There is, of course, much more to it- but at a glace it is a place to go for an entertainment outlet!

Tomodachi was kind enough to reach out to me for sponsorship, so you can view Haute Whimsy Lomography on their creative corner this month :)

I hope you enjoy the zine! All comments are welcome, as I'll be forwarding them to the zine headquarters later this month!

Hermosa Beach Festival

Crystal: To keep in line with our Beachy Keen world...I must blog about the importance of going out to the Hermosa Beach Festival this weekend!!

It only comes to town on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend....and as of yet, I don't think I've missed a year (I think)...

It's a great place to be....down by the beach, music playing, vendors selling all kinds of stuff everywhere, petting zoo and rides for the kids, beer garden (which I've never actually been in yet)....and the BEST part of all...the food vendors! In particular - the Philly Cheese Steak vendor!

The Philly Cheese Steak vendor there is pretty much the main reason I go. Their prices have gone up every year...last year I think it was almost $9...but sooooooooooooo worth it!!

One year I'm going to get me a booth there to set up....they're just so darn expensive and have such an extensive application process....I'm just not ready yet....but I will eventually. :)

Are you going????? We'll probably go either Saturday in between my two photoshoots or on Monday I think....

Link: http://www.fiestahermosa.com/


Jen: I've sadly missed it the last 2 years :( This weekend has been so busy, and Joe has to work tomorrow. Next time Gadget!

Recess...

Crystal: So...my work can be pretty awesome sometimes....they're on this health/exercise kick right now throughout the company and so our office decided to do a "recess" for us....just like back in the day when we were kids....

They are bringing in a big blow-up obstacle course...something similar to this:

A bungee trampoline...something like this...

batting cages of some sort......and a basketball free throw contest with brackets and all!

And then for food....corn dog cart, pizza, and snow cones....

I haven't been outside since they put everything up yet, but I hear it looks like a carnival out in our parking lot.

Fun stuff :)

Jen: Umm, can I work with you?!?! I'm always amazed by what your company does for you guys and by the way they seem like a second family. I seriously can't count how many company events I've heard of you participating in! Let's see, there was the Kat Walk fundraiser, the retreats, the picnics (I'm pretty sure!), Christmas parties ... to name a few. I think it's incredible!
Crystal: There's always something going on here....it was tons of fun too....I made quite a few baskets in the free throw competition...one the first round and almost won the second round...but I did pretty good :)

The obstacle course definitely gave me a run for my money....I was EXHAUSTED after racing through it....it's tough!

And I tried the trampoline bouncy spinny thingie....it was a bit scary. I realized that if you don't jump just right and really commit to your spin, you'll fall flat on your face....which I almost did...but didn't. :)

Fun stuff :) :)

Take Care

Jen: This is pretty much the most wonderful idea- in my opinion :) Walgreen's offers a "retail clinic" in selected stores where you can get a quick check-up with a nurse practioner. The best part is the price. It's either covered by insurance, $59 if you don't have insurance, or free if you've lost your job and qualify! I've been reading great reviews from Take Care patients and they love the convenience of this quickie check-up option for colds, flus, etc.

You can view detailed info in this video HERE.