Things I Recommend

It's October 2007 and I'm long overdue for a self-indulgent list of things I love and therefore recommend to other people. Take it or leave it.

1.) Pushing Daisies
My new favorite show, recommended to me by my good friend Jeremy. Sure, it only premiered the other night so I've only seen one episode, but it's delightful. It's kind of Tim Burton-y, kind of Series of Unfortunate Events. Definitely an unusual premise--a guy has the ability to bring back to life dead people with the touch of a finger to find out who killed them and then collect reward money. Also, it has Kristin Chenoweth. On ABC, Wednesdays 7pm (MST)

2.) My Little Pony Fruit Snacks

Delicious, sugary goodness without much nutritional value to speak of. Frankly they don't taste any better or worse than any other kind of waxy fruit snack, but these ones are shaped like My Little Ponies. Hellooooo supremacy. Also they're various shades of pink, purple, and bright green. Nah, there's nothing artificial about these babies!

3.) Maybelline Full 'N Soft mascara

Listen up, girls. Don't want to pay full price for Clinique mascara (which is the greatest mascara ever made, except that it's only worth it when you can manage to get a mini-tube in a sample pack because it's so needlessly expensive)? This is the ticket. Droopy, undefined, short-looking lashes? A few swipes with this stuff and POOF! Your eyes are transformed in but a moment! Seriously. Best stuff ever. Other than Clinique.

4.) Will & Grace on DVD
I. Love. This show. I mean, I've loved it for a while, let's be honest. But having it on DVD is a beautiful thing. Will & Grace whenever you're in need of Jack and Karen because duh, they're the greatest part of the show. I have a girl-crush on Megan Mullally. I wish I could be her. Anyway, it's the kind of show where you can watch just one episode if that's all you have time for because there isn't really a solid storyline from episode to episode. Also, there are so many random celebrity guest stars its inSANE. Examples: Cher, Madonna, Alec Baldwin, and J-Lo.

5.) Maybelline Pure Stay Foundation Powder
It may sound like I'm peddling Maybelline. I am. This stuff is seriously the greatest ever. It doesn't matter how crappy my skin looks, this stuff never fails to cover unseemly blemishes with utmost satisfaction. I usually like to use it after a little bit of liquid foundation, and it stays nice for hours. It's also extremely effective stage makeup because it covers so well and sets your make up, but it matches your skin so it's not ugly and orange. Seriously beautiful, you guys.

6.) Hilary Duff's perfume, With Love

It's my favorite since Britney Spears' Curious. Okay, so I have a thing for celebrity perfumes. Sue me. Well since I have a hard time spending money on a product that will contribute to a crazy woman's child support, I've found this an equally delightful oder. It's soooooo pretty, and relatively inexpensive. And much as I personally don't care for Hil's singing voice, I've got to respect the girl for how hard she works. This girl cares about her career, man. Sure, I'll buy your silly perfume which you had nothing to do with except funding the bill and taking a few wiffs of a few options before picking one. And it comes in a pretty bottle. You can't beat that.

7.) Across the Universe deluxe 2-disk soundtrack

Seriously. Spend the extra $2 and get the 31-track version of this album. It includes every song sung in the movie, including the credits. It's a beautiful film, and the arrangements of such classic songs is truly a tribute to The Beatles. I think Paul and John are/would be very pleased with the final result. Plus, Jim Sturgess and Joe Anderson have dishy voices. Bono also stars as The Walrus. I always knew Bono was The Walrus.



8.) The Devil in the White City

I can't remember if I gushed about this book when I was reading it this summer, so I'll gush now. I kind of missed the memo when this book came out, but I was rereading parts of it recently. This is one kick-ah non-fiction. It proves that non-fiction does not have to be some dry, boring book that your grandpa reads-- it's a truly gripping, page-turning murder mystery about the Chicago World's Fair. This is a seriously interesting read. Did you know the Ferris Wheel was invented specifically for this World's Fair? Also, shredded wheat was introduced there. AND there's a connection to Titanic. If that's not incentive, I don't know what is.

9.) Mary Jane Crocs

I've been a big fan of Crocs for about 3.5 years now. My sister and I joke that we were the ones who brought the fad to Utah because everyone thought they were so WEIRD when we brought them home from Maine that summer. Admittedly, who knew foamy, plastic shoes would be so popular in the end? Personally, I don't mind the clogs. I don't think they that ugly. BUT. Now they make them in a Mary Jane style. They're seriously adorable, with all the comforts of the original. You can get them in colors, though not so outragous. Personally, I recommend black, chocolate, and raspberry colored ones.

10.) Sweeney Todd

I know at least a few of my readers are already pumped for this movie. It's one of my favorite musicals (is that weird??) to begin with, but pair Sondheim with Elfman, Burton, Depp and Rickman, and you've got a cult classic in the making. I'm a little worried it's aesthetic value might be taken for granted by all the Depp teenyboppers out there. What's funny is I anticipate most of them will go into the movie with no idea what it's about and be sorely surprised. ANYWAY, I feel especially obligated to present you with the latest news-- the first movie trailer. Enjoy. I surely, surely did.