Twirling at Orlando Aerial Arts

Ever been to a Cirque du Soleil show? There’s always that segment where someone is twirling or floating across the stage while entangled in streams of silk. It always looked like fun, so I quickly snatched up a LivingSocial deal recently for an aerial silks class at Orlando Aerial Arts. I had no idea what a challenging workout it would be!

The Orlando Aerial Arts studio is located on U.S. 192 in Kissimmee (next to Chili’s and Cracker Barrel), about 3 miles east of I-4 and just 1.5 miles east of the 417 toll road. Try not to be deterred by the exterior appearance (sorry, I lost my photo of it!). Its in an old Movie Rider building with rundown landscaping and no signage on the outside. To be honest, we thought we were in the wrong place until we saw a girl dressed in workout gear walking in.

Inside, the studio reminds me almost of a gymnastics studio. No special design – just the essential equipment, in this case several sets of silk, padded mads, a couple aerial hoops, and a dozen eager participants.

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It’s Sauza-Rita Time!

This weekend, a friend of mine hosted a Sauza-Rita Summer House Party, compliments of HouseParty.com. I’ve never been to a sponsored party before, and was intrigued for sure.

HouseParty.com allows you to browse sponsored parties and apply online to host the ones that seem like a perfect fit for you. Their site says, “When you host a House Party you’re a VIP: You get sneak previews of the best TV shows, free stuff, and the best offers out there on the things you really like.” In this case: margaritas. Seriously, how could she not apply?

She had great set-up: a taco station, chips, salsa & queso, adorable 7 layer dip shots (inspiration found on Pinterest!) and margarita cupcakes. Everything was delicious!

The anchors of the day, though, were of course the margaritas. Thanks to the Sauza sponsorship, we were able to taste both the classic Sauza-Rita and the Strawberry Sauza-Rita. The second was my favorite for sure! I can definitely see making more of those in the future. Overall, it was a great party for the girls!

Sauza-Rita

12 oz. can frozen limeade
Sauza Silver Tequila
1 bottle light beer

Combine frozen limeade, one limeade can filled with water, 2/3 can filled with tequila, and one bottle of beer. Stir & serve! Makes 9 Sauza-ritas.

Strawberry Sauza-Rita

12 oz. can frozen limeade
Champagne
Sauza Silver Tequila
Dekuyper Strawberry Patch Schnapps liqueur

Combine frozen limeade, one limeade can filled with champagne, 2/3 can filled with tequila, 1/3 can of Schnapps, and one can of water. Stir & serve! Makes 9 drinks.

A Look Inside the Hilarity of Tina Fey

If there were such a thing, I’d be a proud member of the National Sarcasm Society. I think that’s why I find Tina Fey so absolutely hilarious. She’s made me laugh since her days on Saturday Night Live!, and I became slightly obsessed with her writing after she made me love a movie staring Lindsey Lohan (Mean Girls). I still can’t forgive her for that. Needless to say, I was secretly thrilled when her new autobiography, Bossypants, was chosen as the June pick for my book club.

Once in a generation a woman comes along who changes everything. Tina Fey is not that woman, but she met that woman once and acted weird around her.

By page 1, I was already giggling to myself. And if someone were a fly on the wall, they’d be a little concerned about my constant outbursts of laughter – one time even to the point of tears. So yes – I LOVED this book. And instead of boring you with some long diatribe of why I think its so great, I thought I’d share some quotes I loved and leave it at that. So read them all. Then go buy the book.

Tip for women on making it in a male-dominated workplace:

No pigtails, no tube tops. Cry sparingly. (Some say, “Never let them see you cry.” I say, if you’re so mad you could cry, then cry. It terrifies everyone.) When choosing sexual partners, remember: Talent is not sexually transmittable. Also, don’t eat diet food in meetings.

After describing what society seems to expect girls to look like today:

The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes. Everyone else is struggling.

On touch-ups to her photos for a magazine:

I feel about Photoshop the way some people feel about abortion. It is appalling and a tragic reflection on the moral decay of our society . . . unless I need it, in which case, everybody be cool.

In one chapter, she kindly responds to some of the correspondence she has received:

From Dlisted.com

Posted by Centaurious on Monday, 9/21/2009, 2:08 a.m.
“Tina Fey is an ugly, pear-shaped, bitchy, overrated troll.”

Dear Centaurious,

First let me say how inspiring it is that you have learned to use a computer.

I hate for our correspondence to be confrontational, but you have offended me deeply. To say I’m an overrated troll, when you have never even seen me guard a bridge, is patently unfair. I’ll leave it for others to say if I’m the best, but I am certainly one of the most dedicated trolls guarding bridges today. I always ask three questions, at least two of which are riddles.

As for “ugly, pear-shaped, and bitchy”? I prefer the terms “off-beat, business class-assed, and exhausted,” but I’ll take what I can get. There’s no such thing as bad press!

Now go to bed, you crazy night owl! You have to be at NASA early in the morning. So they can look for your penis with the Hubble telescope.

Affectionately,
Tina

Yeah, that last one is the culprit for making me shed tears from laughing so hard. My cat even looked at my like I was crazy. And I just looked back and asked, “Who are you calling crazy?” Pssh. 

Learn to Grill a Steak

Since my landlord finally decided to add a deck behind my apartment, I was able to break out the mini Weber grill my sister and her hubby bought me for Christmas 2009!

I picked up a New York strip steak the other day, along with Stubb’s beef marinade (blend of garlic, soy & red pepper), and zucchini & squash as a side item.

With the steak marinating, I assembled my new grill, then followed the guidance of my brother-in-law in constructing my little charcoal pyramid. And then… Let there be fire!

After waiting about 10 minutes for the fire to die down, I started grilling my steak and veggies. About 15 minutes later, I had a great meal.

Sure, it was a little crispy on one half of the steak, but overall – considering it was my first attempt at grilling – I was very pleased.

So now, in addition to a new found obsession with baking cupcakes, I will be in hot pursuit of new grilling recipes. And just in time for summer too! I’m looking forward to many evenings sitting out on my deck and grilling a tasty dinner.

New House! (Just not mine)

I wish it was mine. And no, I’m not bitter at all. Not one bit.

My sister and her husband purchased their first home last week, so driving down to Miami to help out was never a question (even though I dread the 4 hour drive through seemingly nowhere).

When we arrived at their new home, I was so excited for them! It is absolutely adorable: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, open kitchen with glass cabinets, beautifully refinished oak floors, charming inset bookshelves and archways, and 2 sets of French doors opening to a large deck overlooking the perfect backyard for entertaining. Like I said, there’s no jealously on my end at all.

Before I say much more, I need to throw out a disclaimer that all photos posted here are BEFORE painting and adding little upgrades here & there.

During the settling in, I definitely pulled my weight. We painted the walls, floorboards, crown molding and door frames in the living room, dining room and one bedroom, and parts of a hallway, the kitchen and the bonus room. That might not sound like that much, but these are old plaster walls that just sucked up the paint. (Yes, we realize now we should have used primer first.)

I won’t complain, though. The weather was perfect. We turned off the A/C, opened every window and door, and enjoyed the constant cross breeze. On Saturday, my brother-in-law hosted his first cook-out in the backyard (even though it was just us five), and on Sunday we enjoyed our Easter lunch on the deck.

While they definitely have a lot of work ahead of them (including the dreaded furniture move), I’m one proud big sis. This was a huge decision for them both, and I honestly believe this home fits them perfectly.

And seriously, who am I kidding? I’m 100% envious of them! At least I can visit more often now and even bring a friend or two. If we can handle the drive. (ha)

Bliss-less Ultra Lounge Experience

Yesterday, one of my very best friends celebrated her 31st birthday. We decided a ladies night out on the town (in Orlando’s downtown, that is) was in order.

After dinner at Ember, the birthday girl proclaimed she wanted to dance. So on a very chilly Florida night, we set out on foot to Church Street, a couple blocks away. In an effort to escape the cold as quickly as possible, we jetted into Bliss Premiere Ultra Lounge.

For years, I’ve seen this bar/nightclub. I’ve never ventured in, because I’m simply not a nightclub kind of girl. My wardrobe, for example, simply cannot keep up with the latest trends (which to my astonishment, continue to include less and less actual clothing). I very much prefer good old fashioned, laid back bars – where I can comfortably wear my jeans and flip flops, if I so choose. Regardless, this particular nightclub has always seemed popular with one crowd or another.

We arrived shortly after 10pm on a Friday night, and the place was dull. Granted, there was South Beach style lighting throughout, but that simply cannot make up for the lack of patrons and poor choice in music.

On top of that, the free cosmos were nothing more than Sprite and grenadine (seriously, no liquor), they used plastic martini glasses, the backdrop behind the DJ looked suspiciously like shower curtains, the “VIP” booths were occupied by far-less-than-VIP-looking-party-goers, and not a single person ever graced the dance floor.

Simply put: This nightclub was not pure bliss.

We did, however, thoroughly enjoy singing to 80′s hits at The Lodge and the laid back atmosphere at Burton’s (in nearby Thornton Park).

But hey, I tried, right?

Happy #31 AK.

Loving Audrey (a biography of Breakfast at Tiffany’s)

I’m just going to say it: I adore Audrey Hepburn. I don’t know why, but I just love her. I’ve always hated that she never authorized a biography. Apparently, she didn’t feel her life was interesting enough to warrant one. But yet, I know I’m not the only one who wishes she had.

One of my favorite movies that stars Audrey is Breakfast at Tiffany’s. An original choice on my part? No. But its a classic, so I don’t expect much objection from you. When a friend suggested I read Fifth Avenue: 5 a.m. by Sam Wasson, I didn’t hesitate for a moment.

The book chronicles the making of the Breakfast at Tiffany’s movie – from the story inspiration for Truman Capote’s novel, to the reasoning behind the script adaptation, to Audrey’s growth as an actress, to the choice of the director, to the envelope-pushing scenes, to the writing of the famous “Moon River” theme song.

If you have any preference for this movie at all, you will LOVE all the tidbits found throughout this book. I had no idea just what a daring role choice this was for Audrey. Nor did I realize the thought that went into the party scene at Holly Golightly’s apartment… or so many of the other stories shared throughout the novel.

All the pieces of information make for a great read! I highly recommend to anyone with a love of Ms. Hepburn or classic movies in general.