Bobby Brown Is Dating! Lock Up Your Daughters! And Your Booze! And Your Money!

The former Mr. Whitney Houston and badass says he's back on the dating scene. For all you single women looking to hook up with His Hotness, you'll find it hard to resist this package:

• Numerous DUI arrests and related bail violations starting in 1996.

• Was jailed for failing to pay $11,000 in child support.

• Reneged on a deal to appear on a Washington DC radio station that gave him $19,000 to bail himself out of jail.

• Appears to have gotten Whitney's hat in the divorce settlement.

Who said all the good men were taken?

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tags: bobby brown | whitney houston | music

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Feed Me: A Pasta Recipe That Isn't Rocket Science.

I've always been a sucker for cooking shows. So of course I'm a huge fan of The Food Network, that 24-hour orgy of food preparation, home to edge-of-your-seat entertainment such as "Gingerbread Challenge" and "Calorie Commando." One of my favorite things to do is to watch it while I'm walking on my treadmill, since nothing says health and fitness like watching Mario Batali cook up a big batch of fettuccine alfredo using twelve pounds of butter and a barrel of heavy cream.

Although it's not my favorite show on the network, I often watch Ina Garten on The Barefoot Contessa - there's something so comforting about her manner, and I always feel like she's the type of person you could always call when you're having a bad day and she would show up at your doorstep with a huge rib roast, a tub of mashed potatoes and a homemade cake. This is so different from what actually happens when I call any of my friends to tell them I've had a bad day, as they're more likely to yell, "Again?" before hanging up the phone and then changing their number.

While I'm not a big fan of the way shows try and hawk their own cookbooks and products, I did succumb to buying Barefoot Contessa Family Style, and I'm glad I did. The recipes and ingredients are simple and straightforward - not a single reference to fermented hazelnut oil or candied pheasant glands. Everything I've made from this book has been fairly easy to make and came out great. My favorite recipe is her Lemon Pasta with Shrimp which I've make frequently, with and without the shrimp. I've made it as a main dish, and as a side dish, before getting on the treadmill and after a grueling twelve-minute workout. And sure it's a little heavy on the butter, but if you promise yourself you'll spend the rest of the week drinking wheatgrass juice like I do, it doesn't feel so bad. Here it is:

Lemon Pasta With Shrimp Scampi
Serves 6

Vegetable oil
Kosher salt
1-1/2 pounds linguine
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
5 tablespoons good olive oil
3 tablespoons minced garlic (around 9 cloves)
2 pounds large shrimp (about 32 shrimp), peeled and deveined
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
1/2 lemon, thinly sliced in half-rounds
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

Drizzle some oil in a large pot of boiling salted water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and the linguine, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or according to the directions on the package.

Meanwhile, in another large (12-inch), heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic. Sauté for 1 minute. Be careful, the garlic burns easily! Add the shrimp, 1 tablespoon of salt, and the pepper and sauté until the shrimp have just turned pink, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat, add the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon slices and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.

When the pasta is done, drain the cooked linguine and then put it back in the pot. Immediately add the shrimp and sauce, toss well, and serve.

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tags: food | ina garten | barefoot contessa | food network

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$33,000 Can Buy A Lot Of Lunchables.

Ellen DeGeneres' ex, Anne Heche is being accused of being a poor parent. In court papers filed by her soon-to-be-ex husband, Coley Laffoon, Heche is described as exhibiting "bizarre and delusional behavior" and is characterized as having "poor parenting skills." In the document Lafoon also claims that Heche often made school lunches that their son, Homer "did not like." Apparently the 5-year old was outraged when he opened his Barney lunchbox and found a bologna sandwich and Cheetos when what he really wanted was a brie and prosciutto focaccia with currant chutney.

Laffoon, formerly a videographer who made $6,000 a year, is asking for $33,000 a month in spousal support.

No word on who will be prosecuted for allowing a child to be subjected to the name 'Homer Lafoon.'

[Source]

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tags: anne heche | coley laffoon | celebrities |

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I Use It Everyday: Bliss Soap Makes My Skin Soft As A Baby's Behind But Not As Smelly As One.

After checking into a hotel the first thing I do upon entering my room is scope out the bathroom amenities. Then, like any normal person would do, I spend the next few minutes figuring out how I'm going to stuff all that free shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer into my toiletry bag and then make it seem like I've used it up so housekeeping will replenish my supply the next morning.

So when we stayed at the W Hotel a couple of years ago for our anniversary I was excited to find samples of six different bliss products, all tucked into their own little case. It was like the Holy Grail of bathroom amenities! The only thing that could have been better was to discover that little case perched on George Clooney's abs while he lay sprawled on the bed, telling me I had just won the lottery.

I've been hooked on bliss lemon+sage soapy sap ever since. Not only does it make me smell good, and therefore irresistible to the opposite sex, but it makes my skin so soft that the opposite sex no longer cries out in pain when my sandpaper elbows graze his arm and makes him bleed. Now he says it was worth being tricked into distracting the maid while I slipped an extra sample case off her cart.

The stuff's not cheap, so I admit to feeling a little guilty when I've used all my money to buy a bottle instead of say, buying milk or paying the phone bill. But can a carton of milk make my skin soft as a rose petal? And what good is a phone if I can't call everyone and brag about my fragrant skin? Priorities, people!

But don't take my word for it. You can get your own sample case here. Or, for true bliss, check into the W Hotel and grab the free toiletries instead of spending ten-dollars on that can of cashews from the minibar.

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tags: bliss spa | lemon+sage soapy sap | w hotel

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I Like A Little (25% Less) Sugar In My Bowl.

I was recently sent a box of Fruity Cheerios to try. This was exciting on two fronts:

1) Free cereal!
2) I wouldn't have to feel guilty about buying something with the word 'Fruity' in the title.

Not that I have anything against sugar-infused, kid-appealing breakfast cereal. In fact, we buy it regularly - Trix, Fruit Loops, Cocoa Puffs - they all have graced our cabinets. But here's the trick - I almost always use it as a 'topping' on top of plain cereal (usually Cheerios, or Trader Joe's), sort of like the marinara on top of pasta. Or chocolate sauce on ice cream. Or vodka - well, you get the picture.

When I was pregnant with Kira I remember having, along with my other odd cravings, the urge to have one of my childhood favorites, Cap'n Crunch. So after buying a box of it a the supermarket, I sat down with a big bowl, alongside my plate of Spaghetti O's, jar of pickles and my glass of yak milk. I took one bite of the cereal and could feel the sugar coursing through every tooth and root in my mouth. It was so strong I was certain it had just permeated my placenta and given my unborn child a mouth full of cavities on her unformed teeth. I vowed to give my children sugared cereals only in moderation in the future. However I continue to consider Spaghetti O's the nectar of the Gods.

The girls almost never get an entire bowl of sugary goodness (unless Rigel is serving it up, which is a whole other issue. This is a man who puts honey on raisin toast. Who does that? Isn't the toast already sweet? That's like putting sugar on top of a cookie, for chrissakes.)

Where was I?

Fruity Cheerios!

I'm happy to say that with the 25% less sugar ("than the leading fruity cereal") they promise on the box, these brightly colored circles aren't nearly as sweet as their counterparts and as an added bonus they don't make my teeth feel like they're going to fall out. Also, the sugary cereal to plain cereal ratio is much lower in my girls' bowl, which they like. Why, if I'm feeling particularly in a good mood one of these mornings, I might just give the girls an entire bowl of Fruity Cheerios, not cut with any of the plain stuff. Along with their yak milk.

Oh, and there's a third front. I finally have an excuse to buy this:

Because having to pour cereal out of the box is just so much work.

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tags: fruity cheerios | breakfast cereal | pregnancy cravings |

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Hugh Grant Wastes Food.

It’s getting harder to love Hugh Grant. We forgave him for stopping for dessert on a busy L.A. street, for breaking Liz Hurley’s heart and for Bridget Jones II: The Edge of Reason. Well sort of. I’m still waiting for my refund on that one.

We can even understand why he might go medieval on a creepy papaparazzi with a Tupperware filled with last night’s dinner. It’s being reported that Hugh attacked a photographer who was trying to take his picture by slinging a tub of beans at him and then kicking him. Or, as the photographer says, “He was effing and blinding at me.” Huh?

Legume-flinging aside, it looks like Grant stepped over the line when he reportedly hurled some pretty harsh insults at the lensmen. “He asked me if I had a girlfriend or any kids and I said I had two.” the photographer reports. “He said 'I hope they die of f**king cancer.’”

Whoa. If it’s true, I'm thinking there's probably a lot of parents whose kids are suffering from cancer who are going to want to get a hold of Grant and put that tub of beans somewhere else.

Let the effing and blinding begin.

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tags: hugh grant | beans as weapon

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I Use It Everyday: My Starbucks Barista Is My Crack.

When we decided to buy our first minivan four years ago we already knew which one we wanted. We had seen this one advertised and fell in love with its sleek design and the sunroof windows that went all the way to the back of the van. I was completely taken in by their marketing campaign that had hip mothers - artists, surfers and musicians - all happily driving their well behaved, impeccably groomed children to museums and raves. Basically, every superficial thing about this particular vehicle sucked us in and three weeks later we had one sitting in our driveway.

We never even test-drove it.

When I bought an espresso machine it was after four months of tedious research, numerous visits to kitchen and specialty stores and many hours perusing online reviews. I 'test drove' and then returned no fewer than five different machines from four different stores.

Because, really - what's more important - a vehicle that's going to be responsible for safely transporting your your precious children, or a small appliance whose only real purpose is to dispense a heavily caffeinated beverage to sip with your afternoon donut?

My search led me to an 'espresso expert' in a small cramped shop on the Westside whose company specialized in turning out custom machines for cafes and coffeehouses. After talking with me for awhile he said he knew of a perfect machine for me. I expected him to put in a call to someone named Guido living in a quaint village on the coast of Italy, who would then build a custom machine just for me that would be wrapped in goat pelts and hand delivered to my door.

Instead he sent me to Starbucks.

Surprising, but he told me that the Italian-made Starbucks Barista was one of the best home espresso machines he had seen in awhile. And he was right. I've had it for over five years now, and unless someone invents a machine that magically produces bacon at the touch of a button, the Barista will always be my favorite appliance. When 4pm rolls around you won't find me anywhere else except in my kitchen brewing a cappuccino. And maybe chowing down on a donut.

Oh, and I still love my minivan, too.

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tags: starbucks barista | coffee

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Corinne Bailey Rae Has To Stay Home And Eat Hot Pockets Like The Rest Of Us.

I’m a CBR fan, so it was just a little sad to see that she couldn’t get into NYC club Butter on Monday night. After they turned her away at the door she had to turn around and cab it home – which means some hottie inside the club had to find someone else to lick tequila shooters out of his navel.

But what I loved most about this article were the reader comments. It turned into a fierce Britain vs. U.S. brawl with lots of juvenile name calling. The best kind!

“Never heard of her. Go back to your own country. We have enough pathetic wannabe celebs.”

“That's because you don't listen to decent music…Too bad Europe appreciates talent while America only appreciates boobs.”

“Who is she?...Even if they did know her, how was anybody going to recognize her with that ugly shirt on her head and two fat women escorting her who were dressed like crap.”

“’Butter’ is so last year. They let trash like that nasty Tinsley Mortimer in, while barring truly nice and talented people like Corrine Baily Rae.”

“WHO CARES.”

“Why I am not suprised of [commenters] #1 and 2 . One can safely imagine that you never heard nor can appreciate Jazz or Neo-Soul. Exhibit your lack of taste with pride.”

“Who is she?
Another moron.”

“Why would TMZ refer to her bodyguard as a Fantasia Barrino look-alike…People are so mean. The internet has not helped, not at all!!!”

“Only in Amerikkka!!!”

“…I could really care less for this woman. I don't even care to type her name. She is as exciting as tap water.

Thank you.”

[Source]

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tags: corinne bailey rae | music | celebrities |

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Cozi Central Will Make A Calendar Girl Out Of Me.

First of all, what's not to like about a program that let's you do this:

powered by ODEO

A toll-free number that you can call to get your grocery list, with your husband's mocking additions, read to you over the phone. Just one of the features of Cozi Central, a free, downloadable and web-based program consisting of a calendar, shopping list, message center and an amazingly effective cell phone interface that are meant to centralize the complex schedules of the modern family. In other words, I believe it can actually help me to remember to pick up the kids at guitar lessons and remind me to stock up on coffee filters. Why, it's like having a wife!

(We're a Mac family, so my experience is based on using on the web version of the program. The program is available to PC users as a software download.)

I was working on my new site this weekend, trying to get it up and running for my first review for the Parent Bloggers Network scheduled for Tuesday, April 24. So imagine my surprise when I re-read one of the scheduling notices they've sent me and realized it was actually due Monday, April 23. Next time, I'm going to pay attention, read all of their emails out loud and even try not to move my lips.

I can't help but think that this could have been avoided if I had remembered to mark the deadline on my Cozi Central online calendar, one of the main features of the program. After logging on you can post your family's appointments and events to the calendar which is color-coded for each family member. Each registered user can then log on from any computer, see what is on the schedule and then add events of their own if they'd like. If your kids are smart-asses like mine, expect to see things added like, "Disneyland" no less than twelve times in the next month and the appearance of "Mall" on almost every weekday after school. Also beware of the husband who may try and make birthday parties and any visits from your mother mysteriously disappear.

The shopping list is hands down my favorite part of the program, and the one feature I think I'll be using the most. I pride myself on my mammoth grocery lists, writing down everything I can think of that my family will need for the week. It's the cavewoman in me, except instead of going out and hunting or gathering food I drive to the store in my gas-guzzling minivan and bring everything home in plastic bags. My lists are invaluable on these excursions, but the only problem is I frequently forget them on the kitchen counter. Or I can't read my messy handwriting and end up buying three cans of Raid instead of a head of lettuce. On Cozi you can type out everything you need, categorizing them into grocery, wholesale and 'other', and then either print it out or send it as a text message to your phone. Or, the most brilliant part, as I've already demonstrated - you can call the toll-free number and have your list read to you.

As I mentioned I'm using Cozi on a Mac and can only utilize the web version. From what I've read the downloadable version provides the user with many more options when using the program, like more shopping list features and screen savers. I found the single calendar view on the web version limiting, but multiple calendar views are available on the PC version. Also, I found the online version slow in loading at times, and this can become frustrating when just trying to switch over from one page to the next. But it was intermittent, and not enough to keep me from using the program, or from amusing myself by writing down things like "cheese cheese who doesn't like cheese" on my grocery list and then listening to it over the phone.

I highly recommend giving Cozi Central a try. It's free, and takes only a few minutes to set up. I'm thinking it may be the first step in getting my family organized, and I like the fact that it gets everyone involved in the scheduling process. And with Mother's Day coming up the whole family will be able to see my entry for May 13, "Mother's Day - mom sleeping until noon."

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tags: Cozi Central

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