I need to officially start a category titled “Hot Guys Just Hanging Out and Looking Hot.” You in?
Here are some pictures of super hottie Ryan Gosling on the set of his new film in Austin, TX. It’s an “as-yet untitled film” from director Terrence Malick co-starring Rooney Mara from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. That’s her in the pictures with Ryan. If you noticed her at all.
Credit: AKM-GSI
I thought my little man was done with the snack bags in PreK. But I was wrong. They are back! (It turns out they DO get snacks in Kindergarten too.)
So….The Snack Bag Series returns! Daniel still loves to draw cars and trucks and buildings. But now we have some food and seasonal inspirations.
“Frankenstein”
“Witch”
“Parking Garage”
“Strawberry with Blueberry and Banana”
“Hamburger”
“Pumpkin with Daddy in Orange Ghost Costume”
“Red Building”
The Snack Bag Series: Part One is HERE.
The Snack Bag Series: Part Two is HERE.
The Snack Bag Series: Final Edition (so I thought) is HERE.
One of my favorite TV shows, Mad Men, broke records last night at the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Why? They had 17 Emmy nominations and won ZERO. Yikes. But I still enjoyed watching all the fabulous fashions. I also learned that I need to invest some time in Homeland which took home the awards for Outstanding Drama Series and Lead Actor and Actress in a Drama Series. I don’t get Showtime in my cable package, but that definitely needs to be remedied ASAP!
The girls looked gorgeous last night and many were not shy about showing some serious cleavage and leg. Work it! Here are my favs….
Heidi Klum (WireImages.com)
Amy Poehler (WireImages.com)
Christina Hendricks (WireImages.com)
Zooey Deschanel (WireImages.com)
Elisabeth Moss (WireImages.com)
Padma Lakshmi (WireImages.com)
Kat Dennings (WireImages.com)
Maria Menounos (WireImages.com)
Sofia Vergara (WireImages.com)
And my top fav? The gorgeous Jessica Pare from Mad Men. She was simple and classic and I just love a pretty, white dress.
Jessica Pare (WireImages.com)
And special props to these young ladies for choosing dresses that were super stylish and age appropriate. I think these dresses are beautiful and they both look amazing in them. They are both wonderful actresses and I’m sure we’ll be seeing them on many future red carpets.
Kiernan Shipka from “Mad Men” (WireImages.com)
Ariel Winter from “Modern Family” (WireImages.com)
I knew both kids would be in school full-time this year, so I decided to launch my Pop Mommy companion website, Pop Kids Report. It’s a pop culture news source for kids and Moms and I’ve had so much fun working on it. But it’s been a challenge to balance everything. I’m working from home and it’s such a different feeling from working in an office. Six years ago I would take the METRO to work everyday in downtown Washington, DC. I would walk off that platform, grab my coffee from the deli next door, and head into my office. I was in my work world.
When I’m sitting at home I am constantly distracted by the pile of laundry, the dirty floors, and the errands that can’t wait. I also volunteer at my kids’ school and when you’re a “stay-at-home Mom” (I’m so SICK of that term, can I tell you?) they look to you more. You have the time that “working moms” just don’t have. And it’s true..to a point. And I do love being in the school and helping whenever I can. But I also enjoy having my personal work projects. I thought it would help if I created a space in the house just for me. The kids know it’s Mama’s “office” and I also feel it’s important that my son and, especially, my daughter know that I don’t just spend my days cleaning, running to Target, and picking them up in the carpool lane.
The inspiration for my office space started with a desk from World Market. I saw it in InStyle Magazine and it’s the perfect mix of stylish and affordable. (On sale for $139!!). I added fun accessories and I also splurge on a weekly bouquet of fresh flowers from the grocery store. It really makes a difference. If you haven’t yet, please visit me at PopKidsReport.com and tell me what you think! I need all the extra motivation I can get.
– Pam
Pop Mommy Headquarters:
* Desk: Josephine Desk from World Market in white (sold out.) I added a glass top to protect from scratches.
* Chair: Stein Mart
* Lamp: HomeGoods
* Pink Pen Container: Ikea
* Antique Silver Container: T.J. Maxx
* Wicker Desk File: Target
* Glass Milk Bottle Vase: Target
* iPhone Case: Target
Daniel loves to bowl, and he has a bit of a competitive spirit, so we decided to have his 6th birthday party at our local bowling alley/family entertainment center.
The afternoon included team bowling and some video arcade fun. We also had a pizza buffet lunch and orange cupcakes (Daniel’s favorite color.) The kids had a blast. Everyone left with a “Daniel’s Bowling Buddy” medal and one lucky friend won the grand prize trophy. (I ordered the make-your-own medals and trophy from Oriental Trading. Love them!)
I created gift bags out of plastic ball containers (99 cents from Party City!) and decorated them to look like bowling balls. I filled each one with small party favors and candy treats. Each had a tag that said “Thanks for coming. Hope you had a ball! Love, Daniel.”
And I love my Etsy shops! Special thanks to Etsy Shop A Party Studio for the super cute cupcake topper idea. I simply printed them out on white card stock paper, cut into circles (using this Fiskars circle punch), and attached each to a Starbucks coffee stirrer cut in half. Voila! I am definitely inspired to use more “printables” for the kids’ parties. It’s an inexpensive way to add that personal touch! Also thanks to Etsy shop Sun Dog Shirts for Daniel’s bright orange “6” T-shirt.
You can see Daniel’s “Cars and Trucks and Things That Go” Birthday Party HERE and HERE.
You can see Annabel’s Shabby Chic Pony Birthday Party HERE.
I will never forget. Please say a special prayer for all the children who lost their Mama or Daddy 11 years ago today.
9/11/2001
I woke up, got ready for the day, and then drove to the Safeway grocery store around the corner from our condo to get an iced grande mocha. They had a Starbucks kiosk inside the front entrance of the store. I loved that. I went there every morning to get my coffee and a newspaper. I was still job hunting. I moved to Maryland three months prior with my husband-to-be. We were getting married in Charleston, SC in four days so I really had the job hunting thing on hold. This morning I just wanted my mocha so I could hurry back to the condo and finish some last minute wedding phone calls. I had to confirm my salon appointment. I had to confirm our wedding day girls’ luncheon. I had to go over every single detail and checklist one more time.
When I was driving home with my mocha, I was listening to my husband on the radio. He was the morning radio host for the local Top 40 radio station. His morning show was always fun and upbeat but, all of a sudden, he started to sound really serious. He said a plane had hit the World Trade Center. Because my mind was in a million directions, I heard him say it, but it really didn’t register. Then I heard him say, “I know we shouldn’t say this, but if you are near a television set please TURN IT ON.” That registered.
I ran up the stairs to my living room and turned on The Today Show on NBC and sat and watched. Then I turned on CNN. I watched it all unfold while I sat there alone with my white wedding binder sitting on the coffee table. The second plane hit. Then, a plane hit the Pentagon? That was down the street from me. Then, one in Pennsylvania? What is going on? I just sat there in front of the television set. I didn’t move. I couldn’t move. I spoke to my husband on the phone a couple times. He had decided to stay on the radio for the rest of the day so he could update his audience. I also think that he wanted to help in some way. I know I just felt helpless sitting there and watching it all on TV.
I called my parents and my sister and my brother. Everyone was just in disbelief.
Then the towers fell. I was on the phone with my Mom. I will never forget it.
I still had to make my wedding phone calls. I called the salon first. I felt so weird confirming a hair and makeup appointment. There was no answer. Then I called the restaurant to confirm my girls’ lunch. The man who answered the phone confirmed it and then we talked about how we could not believe what was happening. We literally bonded over the phone. We were two Americans worried about our country and that was the first moment I think I felt some anger.
I was angry because innocent people were dead. I was angry because the joy I had inside me for my wedding day was gone. The joy turned into confusion. And the confusion turned into a million questions: Can this wedding still happen in four days? Can we even fly there? Do we drive now? Would all guests still be able to come? Do they even want to come now? Should we just stay home and cancel the whole thing? What should we do??
Then, the anger turned into sadness. I went to my parent’s house because I did not want to be alone. Every news channel had a different story. There was a preschool in one of the towers. There were people that had jumped. There were family members with photos already searching for their loved ones. It was heartbreaking and overwhelming. I went home to be with my fiance.
I remember lying in bed that night and my head was spinning. I remember hearing airplanes fly overhead all night long. We lived really close to downtown DC…to the White House.
And THAT was the first time the anger and sadness turned into fear.
Oh my god, I thought, we are at war.
Ryan Reynolds, 35, and Blake Lively, 25, got married over the weekend!
I love them as a couple. I’ve been a fan of Blake’s since she starred in the ultimate BFF movie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. She then landed her starring role on Gossip Girl and became a style icon. She always looks so fresh, young, and trendy. (Check out that awesome orange dress and chunky jewelry below!) I also love that she’s a tall gal (5′ 10″). She dated her Gossip Girl co-star Penn Badgley for a LONG time before they broke up and she was seen around Malibu with superstar Leonardo DiCaprio. That fizzled after 5 months and then she cozied up with Ryan, her co-star in Green Lantern. Ryan, BTW, had recently divorced Scarlett Johansson. (Are you keeping up?)
Ryan and Blake have been pretty low key for a famous Hollywood couple. The only news stories about them were that they were buying a home in Bedford, NY and were then seen antiquing. (Love them more!) There were a couple of sightings of them working out in a gym and then spending some time with their extended families in New York and Vancouver (where Ryan was born.) But then the biggest news broke last night: They are married!
The coolest part for me was that they tied the knot at Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., just outside Charleston! Hubbie and I were married in Charleston, SC 11 years ago this Saturday. Charleston is a magical place and I love when other couples get married there. The reception took place in a white tent at the plantation and Florence Welch (of Florence and the Machine) performed three songs. There was also word that Bette Midler, a good friend of Blake’s mom, was in attendance.
Boone Hall Plantation outside Charleston, SC
Congrats to the happy couple! Hey, maybe we’ll see you in Charleston one anniversary weekend?
I have figured out who my favorite Jonas is and it’s not Kevin, Joe, or Nick. (Or little brother Frankie.) It’s Danielle Jonas, the wife of the oldest JoBro. SHE is the star of the new E! reality series, Married to Jonas.
Danielle has to navigate being the new girl on the block in the Jonas family dynamic. Denise “Mama” Jonas has four boys! And here comes another female into the mix. I was stressed out watching Danielle (or Dani, as Kevin calls her) cook a meal for the entire Jonas family. Denise was hanging out in the kitchen offering advice and cooking tips. It was uncomfortable! And who can’t relate to that uneasy mother-in-law relationship?
Danielle comes across as the most real and relatable because she is unseasoned. An early scene around the dinner table with Kevin, Joe, Nick and the family talking about the biz seemed a little set-up. I mean, the boys get it. They are entertainers. It’s been over 3 years since they have done a Jonas Brothers record or concert (as Kevin often points out on camera), so they seem to be using this opportunity to their PR advantage. But Danielle is not like that at all. She looks honestly shocked when the conversation turns to her having a baby and how a pregnancy should be coordinated with a tour schedule. And this was the first episode!
Danielle talks to the camera like she is talking to a friend. She doesn’t seem to have a filter when it comes to her feelings about her mother-in-law and the stresses of marriage. We learn how nervous she gets before walking a red carpet with her famous hubbie. It’s refreshing.
And the series does put Kevin front and center. He’s never been the spotlight Jonas, so this is a nice change. And he comes across as a really good guy. He threw a pre-prom party for Danielle’s younger sister and he even got a little teary talking about how he missed out on his own prom. There is a funny moment with Kevin in the recording studio when his brothers are constantly ignoring his feedback about some song lyrics. I kinda felt sorry for him. Nick is definitely the leader of the pack with a bit of an air about him. Luckily, it’s charming rather than mean-spirited.
I’m really enjoying watching the Jonas crew and waiting for all my questions to be answered this season: Will Kevin and Dani get pregnant? Will Dani and Denise become besties? Will Frankie ever speak? And, most importantly, when will the Jonas brothers use this opportunity to announce their US tour dates?
If you want to join the fun, Married to Jonas airs Sunday nights at 10/9c on E!