Julia London's Blog, page 52
November 30, 2011
YUM!
I love marshmallows. Love their soft texture, their sweet taste, their ooey, gooey goodness. I love them roasted, toasted, covered in chocolate, or plopped in hot chocolate. My favorite sandwich is a Fluffernutter (peanut butter and marshmallow fluff). My favorite part of being a girl scout was making s'mores over the campfire. My favorite part of Easter are Peeps. Given all that, I was thrilled to recently discover two new marshmallow products that have me cheering–and I must share.
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Go to the store NOW and get these!
The first are giant roaster marshmallows. These babies are HUGE! About the size of three regular marshmallows. I recently used them to make s'mores and they ROCKED! I've also dipped them in chocoate and it was like a party in my mouth. If you love marshmallows, you gotta try them.
Then just yesterday I saw a magazine ad for…wait for it…Fluffy Marshmallow vodka! Seriously! I'm not normally a martini drinker, but I have GOT to try this vodka. Unfortunately, since I'm not a martini drinker, I don't know how to make one. So I turned to fellow Whine Sister Sherri and she offered up a possible recipe for a S'mores Martini–or, as I prefer to call it–a S'moretini. The recipe is untried, but Sherri and I intend to give it a go. In case you'd like to as well, here it is: one ounce of the marshmallow vodka, 1/2 ounce chocolate liquor (like Godiva or creme de cacao), 1/2 oz Buttershots liquor and 1/2 oz Bailey's Irish Cream (the last two combine to make a cookie taste). Shaken over ice, poured into a glass. Dust the rim with crushed graham crackers. Sounds good to me! I suggest a Whiner S'moretini Party!
Do you like marshamallows? What's your favorite sweet? Your favorite drink? Will you try the new Fluffy Marshmallow vodka? Do you have any great drink recipes to share? Hope your week is going well! xox
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November 29, 2011
Stars without Makeup?
The tabloids (like New York Daily News, where I got most of the pictures), love to run headlines like Stars without Makeup, presumably to shock us, or make us feel better about ourselves, or worse about ourselves when stars still look good without makeup, or to make us think "whoa, that star is really not attractive!"
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Without makeup, and still looks like this? Wow.
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Kim K. without MaKeup? Really? I see eyeliner.
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Definitely no makeup-- and I love her more.
The problem is that most times, the star is still wearing makeup, just less of it, or different makeup, or bad lighting. No fair! Worse, the tabloids go out of their way to make nasty comments in many cases. Hey! We all have bad days. Back off, tabloids! Or at least be honest when you show off "stars without makeup ."
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The tabloid made a rude comment, but I think she's lovely both ways.
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Okay, maybe no makeup. Gorgeous!
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How is this "no makeup?"
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Um... do they know what makeup is?
The tabloids aren't the only guilty parties, though. Fashion magazines sometimes run "without makeup" pictorials, in which I routinely find makeup. There's the makeup made to look like no makeup. Or, the more obvious, makeup but no eyeliner (or similar). Or maybe, no makeup– but we are not revealing that we airbrushed the hell out of this picture! Again, no fair!
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Oh really, Bazaar? Not buying it.
How are normal women supposed to feel empowered, or naturally beautiful?
Here I am, without and with makeup (and hair styling)– just to be fair. Now that is no makeup! And that's exactly how you might find me if you come to my door unexpectedly, or bump into me at the grocery store.
Me, au naturel.
Me, as I prefer to be caught (with makeup and hair done).
My message: love thyself. You're beautiful! Just as you are. Do you leave the house without makeup? Or maybe you never touch the stuff?
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November 27, 2011
Laziness in extreme flannel
[image error]So I'm up really late the other night working on various things. And in the process came across a commercial (embedded below) for the forever lazy. And the actual first thought I had, channeled Seth and Amy: "Really????"
Anyway, then I got the giggles, picturing myself in the grocery store or at the football game dressed in my forever lazy. The flaps in front and back for, well–you know, make it every so handy. And it comes in so many fashionable colors. Move over Versace—the forever lazy is here.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Hey—what else can I say?
So are you running out to buy one for the whole family? Seen any other late night commercials that made you giggle?
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Deep Disclosure
After spending years in prison under deep cover, black ops agent Tucker Flynn joins A-Tac, an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college. Nothing can shake him—except a vulnerable young woman marked for death.
DUAL DECEPTION
When Tucker is assigned to protect—and secretly investigate—Alexis Markham, he expects a routine mission. But this mysterious beauty has a past even darker than his: her father created a horrifying new biochemical weapon—and was murdered to keep it secret.
Alexis has spent the last decade racing to stay one step ahead of the shadowy operatives who will stop at nothing to possess her father's formula. She can trust no one, not even her handsome new bodyguard. But the heat that flares between them is impossible to resist. Will giving in to passion bring her the safety she's always craved, or will her love for Tucker draw him into a killer's sights?
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November 26, 2011
Saturday Books: Coming Soon
In 1999, when my first book was coming out, I joined a Dell Authors Email loop, hoping the veterans of publishing could offer some guidance in a confusing new world. I found that guidance, but also support, and something I was never expecting: lifelong friendships. We eventually all left Dell and started working with other publishers, but we maintained our email loop and remained close, sharing personal struggles, triumphs, tragedies, gossip, and regular ol' banter.
Julia London, Kathleen Givens, Jacquie D'Alessandro, and me were all part of the loop, which we came to call "the Loopies." Other authors came and went, but nine of us remained a solid group. Virginia Henley, Marsha Canham, Jill Gregory, Julie Ortolon, and Connie Brockway make up the rest of the Loopies. When the publishing world changed and it became a possibility to publish our own books straight to the e-book market, many of us (Julia and Jacquie included) jumped in and gave it a shot.
One of us came up with the idea to put out a Loopie anthology, giving us the chance to write together at last. Scheduling conflicts kept Julia and Connie Brockway from joining in, but six of us have contributed to MASTERS OF SEDUCTION, coming soon (I think December 1st) There are six separate stories by New York Times, USA Today bestselling authors (and me). We're all very different writers, writing in different time periods, but the thread that ties the tales together is a magic mirror that shows the bearer her heart's desire. Follow the mirror from medieval times to modern day.
My story, All that Glitters, is an adventure in which a seventies socialite discovers that things aren't always what they seem. It was a lot of fun to write a story set in 1978. Village People, disco balls, 8-track tapes, vampire rock bands. What's not to love? Have a look at the cover, and stepback:
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November 24, 2011
Leftovers?
[image error]So Happy Thanksgiving weekend everyone! Here's a favorite recipe of mine for using us that left over turkey (left over chicken works too!)
Chicken Cheese Flautas:
8 small flour tortillas
Cooking spray
2 teaspoons olive oil
¼ chopped onion
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
Turkey meat, cooked and shredded
1/3 cup frozen corn
1/3 cup goat cheese
¾ cup shredded cheddar/jack
1 can Chipotles in Arabo sauce
1 carton sour cream (8 oz)
Saute garlic and onion in oil until clear. Mix cooked, shredded chicken with garlic, onion, cumin, corn and cheeses. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover – keep in fridge. Take chipotles and puree in blender – reserve ¼ cup sauce. Mix with ¾ cups sour cream. Whisk, and then refrigerate.
Heat oven to 400
To assemble:
Heat one tortilla in the microwave ten seconds. Spread with line of filling down center of tortilla. (about two tablespoons) Roll up and place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Spray Flautas with cooking spray (I used butter flavor).
Bake for fifteen minutes in oven until lightly browned.
Place on plates and drizzle with chipotle sauce. Serve with guacamole and sour cream. Put extra sauce in pitcher for additional flavor.
How about you guys? What do you do with your left over turkey?
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November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving – WKRP Turkey Drop – kewego
http://www.sharkhost.com Happy Thanksgiving from Sharkhost.com! This is a blast from the past, WKRP in Cincinnati Famous Turkey Drop.
Video from sharkhost
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Don't Say I Never Gave You Anything
So you've made the dressing, opened the can of cranberry sauce, and defrosted the turkey. But what about breakfast, the most important meal of the day?
Merry Christmas: I am giving you a recipe so easy that even I can make it. And it is SO good. I would type it all out for you, but I would get something wrong, so I will give you a link. This has oats, which help control weight with soluble fiber, and cottage cheese, which gives you a good amount of slow-digesting casein protein in a half cup serving. Plus pumpkin, which has some anti-aging benefits (all this from the Oxygen magazine article). And it's GOOD. Did I mention that?
If you have time, tell us what you are doing for Thanksgiving. Family coming home? (I know a couple of college students will be home). Going out or dining in? Watching football? Whatever you are doing, check out the recipe, and have a wonderful, happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving!
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November 22, 2011
Are You Ready to Dance?
Tonight marks the end of another season of one of my favorite shows, Dancing With the Stars. I was glued to the tv last night to see the free style dances of the three remaining contestants vying for the coveted mirror ball trophy. Here's my take the trio of stars:
Ricki Lake. I like Ricki–she seems like a nice person and she's done a good job with the dancing. What I like best about Ricki, however, is her pro partner Derek. I want to take dancing lessons with Derek. I think he is totally awesome–definitely the best male pro on the show. So, I like Ricki, I love Derek, but they're not my faves to win.
Rob Kardashian. I also like Rob. This in spite of the fact that I find the rest of his family intolerable. He seems like a good guy and he's also a good dancer. I like the fact that unlike Ricki who's performed on Broadway in Hairspray, Rob had no dance experience. He's worked hard and he can't help it that the women in his family are high maintenance, spoiled whackos. But even though I like Rob, he's not my fave to win.
JR Martinez. I LOVE JR. Love the fact that he's a veteran and war hero. Love his courage, his optimism, his smile, his confidence. Love the way he came back from the war so physically damaged and remade himself. Plus–dude can dance! He's gotten my votes every week and I'm pulling for him to win.
Have you watched DWTS? If so, who do you want to win? If not, what the heck have you been doing instead??
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November 21, 2011
Things I Bought That I Love
Mindy Kaling had a blog, I think now a Tumblr, where she shares things she bought that she loves. She inspired me to do the same.
1) Mindy's book. Is Everyone Hanging Out without Me? And other concerns. 
I haven't read it yet but I plan to, because Mindy is smart and funny. She's a great actress and a writer! I love her. I had a dream last night that I called her and begged her to give my son a job writing for The Office. I tried to convince her that it was a win-win for everyone. I would get my son a job (please, someone, hire him!). She would get the publicity of being sweet and generous and hiring an unknown, unemployed witty young person. Right now, we are hanging out without her, but I welcome her to join us. Hang out with us any time, Mindy!
2) Sephora Favorites- Fragrance Sampler. For $50, they send you twelve fragrance samplers and an atomizer, plus a certificate to go to a Sephora store and pick up a full size version of your favorite. For someone like me, with allergies, this is a great way to try lots of fragrances and decide which one really fits, in peace at home without lots of sprays at once to mess up my sense of smell and give me migraines. Awesome![image error]
3) L.L. Bean Slippers. Wicked Good Moccasins. I live in them year round at home. Rubber soles, so I can go outside and check the mail or play with the dog in the yard, lined with shearling so they are soft, warm, and fleecy on my feet, and suede so they last a while. I have two pairs that I alternate, pink and fawn. I hate to be barefoot, can't wear flip flops, and my feet are always cold so these are a win. [image error]
4) Williams-Sonoma Turkey Gravy Base. My grandmother was a whiz with gravy, and she tried to teach me but I lack patience when I'm working to feed a crowd. Every Thanksgiving, this is my go-to gravy base, so I don't have to worry about straining the turkey drippings and whipping up a roux. Just heat, add milk, and stir. And it tastes just like Grandma's! I'm off the hook. [image error]
5) My new original oil painting from artist Maryann Schmidt. My husband and I met Maryann at Walt Disney World. She designed the logo for this years's Food and Wine Festival in Epcot. We decided that her 4 x 5 painting, Glass Favorites, would be perfect to fill the big empty space over the arched doorway in our dining room. Maryann insisted on delivering it herself with her husband so they could help hang it and see it in its new home. We had a lovely afternoon with the artist and her husband, and now a beautiful painting hangs in our dining room. I love it!
It's unique, special, reminds me of my happy place, and fills the space perfectly. I'm ready for Thanksgiving! How about you? And I just remembered that a certain Whine Sister has a Thanksgiving birthday. Hint, she's feeling a bit grinchy lately. What's your favorite Thanksgiving food? What have you bought that you love lately?
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