Rosie Smiles

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve gone MIA. This blog is something I keep up when I’m not at school (read: when I don’t have a job, a show, classes and my sorority to wrangle). Now that my classes have begun and my show has been cast, I’m hitting the books.

See you in December!

Happy Friday! Here are five shows coming to Broadway this fall which will kick off the 2011-2012 season, affectionately referred to as “Revival Year.” 

        

1. Follies. Previews start this Sunday (August 7) and it opens September 12! The revival stars Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein and Ron Raines who will all reprise their roles from the Kennedy Center performances from earlier this summer.
2. On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. The classic 60s musical will be re-imagined onstage by Michael Mayer and stars Harry Connick Jr. The original production ran for 280 performances…let’s see how the revival goes!
3. Godspell. Stephen Schwartz won the 1977 Tony for best original score for this show, so I can’t wait to see how it does this fall. Appropriately, an open casting call was held for Godspell at the Actors’ Chapel on 49th and Broadway earlier this summer. Maybe the casting directors were hoping that God’s presence would help to cast the show.
4. Bonnie & Clyde. Hopefully Frank Wildhorn will have better luck with this one than he did with Wonderland. This exciting new musical is based on the real lives of the depression-era criminals and will open at the Schoenfeld Theater in the fall.
5. Yank! This is the one musical of the season for which I’m most excited. David Cromer will direct this revival of 2010’s most talked about Off-Broadway musical, a World War II love story that centers around two gay men who struggle to balance societal expectations with strong emotions.

There you have it, folks. Now you know what to expect when you’re headed to New York this fall or winter: incredible revivals and new musicals with out-of-this-world casts.

This is a big summer for me. For the first time ever, I have my own apartment in a city far away from my family and friends. To complement this life-changing summer, here are some books that have quite literally changed my life.

            

1. The Shack by William P. Young. There really aren’t words that do this story justice, so I’ll just describe it by saying that if you’ve experienced any sort of loss that led you to ask spiritual questions, (the entire world’s adult population) you need to read this book. “Tragedy confronts eternity” in The Shack. (256 pages)
2. Unlimited: How to Build an Exceptional Life by Jillian Michaels. Most people know Jillian from The Biggest Loser. I love her, and she’s so much more than a fitness trainer. Her goals for helping people change their lives encompass so much more than just weight management. In her book, (which I got on audio — she reads it!) she traverses, step by step, the most effective way to change your life for the better and accomplish anything. It’s extremely motivational to give you a boost when you’re feeling down or provide you with an extra “umph” of energy when you’re already flying high! (272 pages)
3. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. The title sounds slightly manipulative, but at the core of this book is one word: relationships. Carnegie’s classic is basically about how to build communicative relationships with different types of people. In my profession, I encounter people with a wide variety of personality types and I have to effectively communicate with every one of them, so this book really enlightened me. It’s written extremely conversationally, and it’s a great one to pick up and put down at one’s own convenience. (304 pages)

Happy life-changing reading!

It’s summer — time to get a tan and compile some cute outfits for your return to campus. Here are some fun ensembles I love.

1. The coral color of these shorts combined with the beautiful yellow gold of the earrings and shoes is divine. I also love the mix of textures: floaty flowers next to dark, rich leather.

2. I love everything about this outfit. The aviators, the coral/gold chandelier earrings, the light brown leather, the stripes… The dress makes a beautiful focal point complemented by trendy accessories. 

   

3. This isn’t extremely matchy-matchy, but it looks super comfy. I love the baby pink/grey color combination, the contrast of the light hues on top with the dark wash jeans and the gold glitter flats!

4. Again, I’m obsessed with this light brown leather bag. One of my one true loves: summer scarves. The pom poms are adorable, and the colors tie the outfit together. The light pink leather wrap bracelet is also fantastic.

   

5. I still can’t get enough of this bag. I also love the Michael Kors watch and dark boots, but the real kicker in this outfit is the lacy casual top. Lace is super hip, and this shape is extremely flattering!

Love in summer style!

Last week was my twentieth birthday. My mom came into town, and we had a grand time! Even though I worked every day she was in Pittsburgh, we packed in facials, pedicures, a movie, shopping and cooking!

My birthday meal: organic chicken and five cheese pizza (with my favorite: feta).

And instead of birthday cake, I had strawberry/angel food cake kabobs with melted chocolate drizzled on top, and dipped it all in cool whip! Only 40 calories per kabob.

I also got some amazing gifts from friends near and far. Among them…

Magnetic bookmarks for Well-Read Wednesdays from one of the most inspiring people I know, my friend Ebeth. 

From my mom…

Books from my dad…

So, in short, my birthday rocked. 

I’m taking a break from Rosie Smiles for a few days due to my amazing mom’s recent visit to the ‘Burgh and my hectic work schedule, but stay tuned for a super stylish Friday Five this week as well as a quick birthday-follow up dedicated to all of the people, places and things that made my twentieth birthday special. 

In the meantime, here is “Pittsburghese” — some words and phrases used by Pittsburghers that are growing on me:

• “Nebby” = nosey
• “Bitzle” = a piece of dirt on the floor
• “Bumbershoot” = umbrella
• “Dahntahn” = downtown
• “Yinz” = you all; y’all
• “Gumband” = rubber band
• “Heinz 57” = mutt dog
• “Jine Iggle” = Giant Eagle (local grocery store)
• “Redd up” = to tidy up

I am a recently realized health nut. I like to cook, but I don’t always have the time. These five foods are quick and awesome for you…and they taste wonderful too!

1. Greek Yogurt. My favorite brand is Fage (pronounced Fa-yeh!) because I like its different textures. Each cup contains two little compartments: one with plain yogurt and one with a flavor of some sort to eat it with. My two favorite flavors are honey and strawberry. Fewer calories per ounce and half the refined sugars compared to other yogurt!
2. Summer Fruits. Guess what? Summer is the time when all your favorite fruits are in season: apricots, peaches, nectarines, melons, plums, mangoes and all berries! Eat up, and remember you need at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies every day! Hint: The most nutrient-dense part of a piece of fruit is its skin!
3. Clif/Luna Bars. These are great for gals on the go. Sometimes I press snooze too many times before work to make a decent breakfast, so I whip a Clif bar out of the cupboard and worry not! They’re extremely filling. Hint: Pop an unwrapped Clif Bar in the microwave for 15 seconds before eating it to soften! My favorite flavor: Peanut Butter Crunch. :)
4. Raspberry and Vanilla Ice Cream Bars from Trader Joe’s. These are the best sweet treat for hot summer days. They’ll set you back only $3 for a box of 8 bars, and they’re only 80 calories per bar!  
5. Special K Cracker Chips. I can be a potato chip junkie, and these are great because you get way more chips for the same amount of calories compared to other pseudo-healthy brands such as Baked Lays. 12% of your daily value of fiber! Dip plain ones in hummus or try the sour cream and onion flavor!

Other foods you need this summer: quinoa (in the morning, replace with oatmeal; in the evening, replace with couscous- high in protein, calcium and iron), skinless chicken breast (try marinating in different salad dressings before grilling, baking or sautéing), Thomas’ bagel thins (comes in plain, wheat and everything flavors; I use these for sandwiches- only 110 calories).

And a fun summer drink suggest by my mama: two parts crystal light pink lemonade mixed with one part carbonated white grape flavored water! Pink lemonade with a non-alcoholic kick! The whole drink is only 5 calories, no fat, no carbs and no sugar!

Hi, y’all! Today is my twentieth birthday. That’s right, folks, I’m no longer a teenager. Because I’m officially a twenty-something, this week I chose books with the word “twenty” in the title. :)

                  

1. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler is the story of Anna and Frankie, two friends embarking on a vacation with a scheme to meet twenty different guys. However, they still haven’t recovered from the death of Matt, Frankie’s brother and Anna’s best friend. Sounds like they’ve got some self-discovery on the agenda… (304 pages)
2. Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella. If you’re a regular at Well-Read Wednesdays, you know by now that I love me some Sophie Kinsella. Sophie does it again, people! In Twenties Girl, she tells the story of a blithe spirit who comes back to pester her great-niece about some unfinished earthly business. Like a typical Kinsella, it’s funny, thought-provoking and sweet, and the story has a moral. (448 pages)
3. Twenty-Somewhere by Kristan Hoffman tells the story of three best friends as they navigate life after college. Beautiful and confident Sophie Lin, goody-goody aspiring writer Claudia Bradford and boy-crazy nerd MJ Alexander are ready to take on the real-world…or so they think. (Kindle edition only)

Happy birthday to me; happy reading to you!

Last night, we closed a fabulous show called Love Changes Everything, which celebrates the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Here are some photos:

Laurie Gayle Stephenson: “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”

Kevin Kern and company: “The Money Kept Rolling In”

Liz Callaway: “As If We Never Said Goodbye”

Also…

Because of the success of Well-Read Wednesdays, I’m starting a new weekly series called The Friday Five. There will be lists of favorites, tips, recipes, and much more. Stay tuned!

I dreaded assigned reading in high school English class, but sometimes you just have to go back to the old school classics. Here are a few of my absolute favorites.

                    

1. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. Every Southern girl’s all-time favorite book. Yes, it takes a while to get through. But oh my gosh, it’s one of the best books you’ll ever read. Iconic characters. History. Love. Tragedy. Honestly, what more could you ask for? (690 pages)
2. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I remember being so shocked by this book in high school. The craziest thing about the story is that it’s somewhat autobiographical. When I read it again recently, I realized it’s pure literary gold. (288 pages)
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It’s a bit of a sappy love story, but Austen’s finest novel is beautifully crafted and has sparked the writing of many other wonderful books such as Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter. (416 pages)

Other juicy suggestions: The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Catch 22 by Joseph Heller, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

I know you’re in need of a new book this week. Take a chance and delve into something you haven’t read since AP English Lit.

Happy reading!

In no particular order…

1. @sondheimlyrics: This Twitter account is my personal fortune cookie. The greatest lyrics of Sondheim’s shows, both well-known and more obscure.
2. @ThoughtCatalog: This is actually a hysterical and thoughtful blog that didn’t make my Top 5 Favorite Blogs post, but he tweets all of his new blog posts! 
3. @OMGFacts: I love random facts, and this account tweets them constantly. Did you know that the average first-time drunk-driving offender has already driven drunk more than 80 times before being arrested? They also retweet interesting facts from other accounts!
4. @playbill/@broadwayworld/@broadwaycom: Whatever your favorite source for Broadway news, following one (or all) of these accounts guarantees you’ll be in the New York loop.
5. @OUArtsDistrict: If you go to OU, you know we have one of the best fine arts programs in the country. Follow this account, and you’ll hear about new museum exhibits, concerts and other performances. I love it!

Michelle Bachmann may be the most entertaining politician since Sarah Palin. The scary part of her is that people actually like her. 

             

Here are a few Michelle Bachmann quotes that will make your jaw drop.

”Carbon dioxide is portrayed as harmful. But there isn’t even one study that can be produced that shows that carbon dioxide is a harmful gas.” ”A woman (Terri Schiavo) was healthy. There was brain damage, there was no question. But from a health point of view, she was not terminally ill.” ”And what a bizarre time we’re in, when a judge will say to little children that you can’t say the pledge of allegiance, but you must learn that homosexuality is normal and you should try it.” ”It is horrific to know that in the African American community, 50 percent of all African American pregnancies in the United States end in abortion, 50 percent. That is a genocide of African Americans of the United States.” ”If we took away the minimum wage — if conceivably it was gone — we could potentially virtually wipe out unemployment completely because we would be able to offer jobs at whatever level.” ”Normalization (of gayness) through desensitization. Very effective way to do this with a bunch of second graders, is take a picture of ‘The Lion King’ for instance, and a teacher might say, ‘Do you know that the music for this movie was written by a gay man?’ The message is: I’m better at what I do, because I’m gay.” ”I don’t know where they’re going to get all this money because we’re running out of rich people in this country.” “Lady Liberty and Sarah Palin are lit by the same torch.”

Most mothers have an internal sensor that beeps when one of their kids needs a pick-me-up. Well, I needed a pick-me-up today, and my mom’s sensor was a-beepin’.

                                   

(Uh, this is my mom, people. Isn’t she hot stuff?)

My mom prefers sewing and other crafting over cooking comfort food, which saves me calories!

She does, however, make me treats in other forms! For instance, check out this hip notebook portfolio! My mom MADE this!

Outside of the notepad portfolio. Look at the cute button:

                                  

Here’s the inside of the portfolio without the notepad in it. I’m diggin’ the funky patterns!

                        

Here’s a view of the inside with a notepad in it. 

                        

(She even wrote me a note- so precious!)

Thanks mom! You’re a goddess! 

The Chick Lit genre is the ultimate romantic comedy. Like rom-com films, these books follow complex characters through girl talk, family tragedies, affairs, etc. The guiltiest of pleasures, chick lit allows you to escape your reality and jump into someone else’s.

             

This is a short list of my favorite Sex in the CIty-like books.

1. Rosie Dunne (AKA Love, Rosie) by Cecelia Ahern. I admit it: I originally picked up this book because my name was in the title. But it made me fall in love with Cecelia Ahern (author of PS, I Love You) and her characters. It’s written in email/snail mail/instant messaging format, and its compelling love story is completely relatable. (464 pages)
2. The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow. I’m actually reading this book right now. It’s about a woman who dies in her thirties and is able to look down on her family and friends left behind. It sounds depressing, but it’s actually funny and quite insightful. (336 pages)
3. The Shopaholic Series (and anything else you can get your hands on) by Sophie Kinsella (who also goes by Madeleine Wickham). This British chick lit author has penned almost 20 books, all of which are delightful and perfect companions for a cold drink and bubble bath. I recommend starting with Confessions of a Shopaholic and going crazy from there. (320 pages)

Some chick lit that’s sitting on my shelf (and in my Kindle) just waiting to be devoured:

Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern, Sleeping Arrangements by Madeleine Wickham, Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger, Love the One You’re With by Emily Griffin, One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell, Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes and Swapping Lives by Jane Green.

Hopefully that list is more than enough to kickstart some beach reading! Happy summer!

Earlier this week, I woke up on a sunny morning and decided to go on a run.

I suited up, opened the front door, and wham! There it was. A package addressed to me!

The return address said “Obama for America.”

While I’m not necessarily a supporter of Obama 2012, I was really excited…until I realized (a) I didn’t order anything from Obama for America, (b) my birthday isn’t for another few weeks and (c) OH MY SWEET JESUS PREZ OBAMA KNOWS WHERE I LIVE?!

I ruled out the possibility that it was sent by a family member or a friend, because virtually every person I know doesn’t like surprises enough to send me a package without advance warning.

I opened the package. (Good news: It’s not a bomb.) Inside I found this mug:

With every sip of my morning caffeine (which, by the way, I don’t drink), I will now be assured that our president is, in fact, an American citizen. Because that green square you see in the above picture is a scanned photo of the president of America’s actual birth certificate.

Despite the fact that I was smitten with Barack’s thoughtful gift, there was no receipt or note in the box. Still a mystery fit for Jack Bauer.

Maybe I should have been content in knowing that yes, I do have a stalker, but at least he or she is generous enough to send me nice things.

But I wasn’t content. So because I am the only almost-20-year-old who believes her mother to be all-knowing, I called the chick. Worry no longer people; my parents ordered the mug for me because they thought it was funny. I guess they forgot the rule about advance warning for any mail that weighs 6 ounces or more. Great sense of humor, parents. There were moments when I actually thought the package contained a bomb/anthrax/ecstasy/the puppy I’ve been wanting for my birthday every year for six years.

Just so we’re clear: My birthday is July 20, and I welcome all unannounced mail (no matter the weight) between July 17 and 24. (Several of my friends also have July 20 birthdays; please feel free to send them gifts as well.)

And, because I know my parents read this: Thank you for the mug! I love it. Since I am on a strict liquid diet of water and diet Dr. Pepper only, I’ve been using it mostly to hold my writing utensils.

In no particular order…

1. Girl Goes East was written by a New Yorker about her experiences as a twenty-something living and working in Manhattan. It’s hilarious! Check out my personal favorite post, The Most Complete List of Guys Ever Created. (GGE is no longer written; the blog was hacked last summer. It’s still relevant and hysterical!)
2. Crazy Town, by Ryan Scott Oliver, musical theatre composer. He weighs in on the most recent news in the New York and LA theatre communities. 
3. Smart, Pretty and Awkward, by Molly Ford, is an advice blog with quick tips on how to be smarter, prettier and (less) awkward. She also includes daily humorous and inspiring quotes!
4. Style Me Pretty is the ultimate wedding blog. Extremely popular in my sorority house, this creative blog inspires most of my craft projects.
5. Is It Five O’Clock Yet?, written by author Shauna Glenn, is a hilarious look at the everyday life of a Fort Worth, TX mom. From toting the kids around town to random Taco Bell cravings to a much-needed midday glass of wine, this chick knows how to live.

Happy Wednesday! Here are three books that either are currently in production or have already been made into films. Enjoy!

                           

1. For your inner Southern Belle… The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This is a beautiful, touching novel about women and race in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi. The film adaptation of this book comes out this August, so don’t miss your chance to read this (maybe more than once) before seeing the movie! (464 pages)
2. For your spiritual self… The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. This larger-than-life murder mystery/family drama is told from the perspective of the deceased victim. Ms. Sebold’s haunting story was made into a movie in 2009. I still haven’t seen it, but it’s on my list! I’m also about to start reading another novel by Alice Sebold called The Almost Moon. (328 pages)
3. For the wallflower in you… The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This novel, which has been called a modern-day Catcher in the Rye, is a heart-warming story of a self-proclaimed outsider who finds his place in the crazy world of high school. The film adaptation (with a cast including Harry Potter’s Emma Watson) is currently being shot in Pittsburgh! I’m determined to find the filming location. (213 pages)

Also… Lauren Conrad has started an online book club, and the first book is Bossypants by Tina Fey, which I mentioned in last week’s Well-Read Wednesday. Now, get to reading!

:)

Good morning, friends!

Yesterday, I took a quick road trip with my friend Amy and her mom, who’s visiting from San Diego. We drove 90 minutes south of Pittsburgh to Falling Water, a house built literally on top of a waterfall by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright during the 1930s. It’s completely secluded in nature…

This photo only shows about half of the house, but it basically defies gravity! The lowest level of the house has a set of stairs that leads right down into the stream below. 

Here’s a dark shot of Amy and me at Falling Water:

We had so much fun!

Here’s why:

If you live in New York, you can now marry whoever the heck you want! Last night, the New York state Senate passed a bill recognizing the rights of same-sex couples. The bill will take affect in 30 days.

The Empire State Building looked beautiful in support of equal rights. I won’t go on and on, but click here to see Republican Senator Mark Grisanti’s historic speech about same-sex marriage support as a conservative Christian.

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And why Pittsburgh is also nailing it this weekend: the annual convention for furries (Don’t ask; I won’t tell.) is being held at a hotel a couple blocks away from the theater. For this reason, it’s recently become completely normal to walk out of the stage door and see people dressed like this:

Some of the “classier” furries stealthily sport just a tail and/or set of ears.

Yes, people. This is considered classy.