West End Geek

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I'm a total musical nerd. Even though I can't play anything or sing worth a damn, I still absolutely love musicals, and theater of any kind.

I grew up on Brigadoon, The Sound of Music and could sing the entire Les Mis soundtrack before I was seven. My nanny introduced me to The King and I and then came The Music of The Night (Phantom). I believe the cure for a bad day is Maria and that there is no greater song than One Day More, no better love story than that of the Phantom and Christine.

The first play I ever saw was a local production of The Sound of Music. Then The Secret Garden on Broadway, and eventually, Les Mis in London. Followed by Les Mis basically anywhere I could find it. Y'all know it's my favorite.
It was fabulous! Duh. The actor who played Jean Valjean in the 25th Anniversary Concert plays him now, and he was super amazing. We had second row seats and I'm fairly certain that Enjolras winked at me.


I've loved The Phantom of The Opera for as long as I can remember, but, only got to see it in a big fancy venue recently with my sister in New York, so, I knew we had to see it in London. Naturally, it was amazing--I cried, of course--and my dad, who has never ever seen it really enjoyed it, so, that made me happy.

The lobby of Her Majesty's Theater where we saw Phantom.
The chandelier at intermission.


When planning the trip to London with my dad, I knew we had to see Les Mis and Phantom no matter what; then I realized we would be there in time for the last few days of the season at The Globe, and I booked tickets to my favorite Shakespeare play, Much Ado About Nothing.
Y'all. The Globe. I just, no words. I am pretty sure that's what heaven is like. It was perfect and I was in my element. My dad was bored out of his mind.

The actors were spot on perfection and could not have played the roles better. Also, Jeffery from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air played Leonarto, so, there's that. Ha!


My dad thought he would be on theater overkill by that point, so, we left it at Phantom, Les Mis and Much Ado--y'all know I could have seen those over and over and been set, but, I was fine with the three.

But, my dad had a change of heart (mostly because we didn't end up going to Scotland. I don't want to talk about it), so, we added Mama Mia and The Wizard of Oz.

I was wildly excited about Mama Mia--two hours of Abba--bring it! My dad even kinda sorta got into it, but, at the end he goes "I had no idea there were so many people who loved Abba". And then I had a heart attack.
Although I actually don't like the story of The Wizard of Oz, I was excited to see it when I found out that the original Phantom, Michael Crawford was in it-- and, of course, everything is better on stage. It was actually really, really good. I wouldn't have seen it had my dad not suggested it, but, it was really fun and cute.

I'm telling you, Toto totally stole the show--too cute!

The London Paladium where we saw Oz.



After The Wizard of Oz I jetted off to the cinema to see The Phantom of The Opera 25th Anniversary Celebration. I tried to get tickets to see it at Royal Albert Hall, but, tickets sold out in days, so, I missed that bus.
It was really spectacular. I loved it. It was the first filming of Phantom and just perfect. It was really much more the play than the concert like the Les Mis celebrations were. The actors seriously became the characters and at the end they had the original cast and everyone who has played the Phantom--so, Michael Crawford, who I'd seen earlier in the day, and Colm Wilkinson, who was the original Jean Valjean. I DIE.

I know I wasn't there to see it in person, but, it was still pretty cool watching it live in London.
Me at the cinema waiting for Phantom to start. Also, the only picture of my cute outfit from that day. Sads.

I couldn't have asked for more fun, and we had fantastic seats for everything, which has spoiled me for life. I'm currently plotting a Vegas show extravaganza with my sister until I can drag her butt to London--or, ya know, anyone else who is willing to go to London and see Les Mis 500 times with me. (seriously. I need to go back to London like right now. Who's in? And I'm not joking!)
I'm going to Les Mis in DC in a few weeks and I'm super excited. Once a theater geek, always a geek!

A few favorites

I'm attempting to get through all my London pictures, but, it's slow going--I spent two hours uploading them to facebook this morning and that was only like half. Ooops.

Anyway, here are few of my favorites from the trip until I can get my act together.

Best view on earth!


Dad and I at Les Mis. SECOND ROW SEATS THANKYOUVERYMUCH.
You bet I saw the dress! No photos allowed in the Palace, but, it was even more beautiful in person. Also, homegirl is the size of my pinky finger.
My home away from home ;)
Fall!
"You are Westminster crabby!"

Sigh....I miss it already!

But, it's ok--I have the MDI Marathon and Maine to look forward to--I get to see my two favorites! YAY!

Procured

Sure, it's not Colin Firth, but, I'll take it.

My favoritest souvenir ever (since I couldn't exactly smuggle Colin Firth/Daniel Craig/Gerard Butler/Prince Harry into my carry on).
Home from London town and in mourning. I could have stayed forever. Luckily, I have some pretty plaid to keep me smiling.

God bless Burberry.

London bound!

Les Mis. Phantom. English men and a Scot.

Thats all I have to say about that.

Cheerio my loves, I shall return soon! (that was my attempt at Brit speak)

Facts

("Fact: Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica")

Fact:My phone ringtone is Dancing Queen.
Love me some Abba. Unless Sarah calls, then it rings One Day More from Les Mis, and the BFF's ringtone is Get Low. For real.

Fact: The husband has Helena Bonham Carter in his Five.
This cracks me up and makes me love him that much more. He told me this during the Oscar's last year when I was all "Colin Firth this and Colin Firth that, and Christian Bale and accents, oh my!". But, he also has the Deschanel sisters, so, there's that.

Fact: I have purchased way too much crap for London.
Exhibit A. (Burberry scarf. And gorgeous new necklace from the bestie!)

Exhibit B. (It's not Michael Kors, but, I still love it!)
I'm going for like five days. You'd think I was moving there--which, honestly, solid chance I'm not coming back.

Fact: If we do go to Scotland, I'm hunting for Gerard Butler.
Or, just picking up a Scottish accent myself. I apologize in advance to all the Scots of the world.

Fact: I cannot find the perfect shade of red lipstick.
No, really, I have like ten tubes of red, but, none of them are "perfect" and you know I just buy them because the salesperson is all nice and I can't say no. Anyone have a red they love??

Fact: Totally bought this coat.
Because obviously, if I dress like a princess, Prince Harry will find me, yes?
Fact: I spent yesterday watching The Other Boleyn Girl.
Cause, A. Eric Bana and B. Totally research, right?

Fact: I'm seriously considering going back to school.
I started my application essay for a program in Liberal Studies. I'm writing on Much Ado About Nothing. We shall see how this turns out....

Fact: I did my own color and highlights on Friday.
I'm never paying for professional again--I'm damn good.

Fact: I ran 13 miles on Saturday in the freaking ghetto.
For real, we got chased my dogs. I don't need to do that again--ever.

But, I do need to at least attempt a run today--MCM is right around the corner!

I'm off to pound the pavement--and then ya know, should maybe try to pack my suitcase, wish me luck!

xoxox

(princess Kate image from here)

I Have A Problem

So. I seem to have acquired many a pair of sunglasses over the years.

Exhibit A:
I know. It's sorta shameful. But, I mean, how many pairs is too many? It's like shoes, there's no real answer.

But, see, they all have a purpose:
Everyday use; gift from parents but they don't fit; running; cheapies from Target; favorite aviators that I thought I left at my parents house; new aviators to replace the not lost ones; standard "eff off" frames. SEE. TOTALLY USEFUL.

And, I just wrote a post about my sunglasses. Clearly, I'm grasping at straws.

But, this should make up for it. Festive Ross (did I not tell you his name is Ross?). Pumpkins were on sale at the grocery store, so, obviously.
Wow. I apologize for being so lame. I guess lack of sleep will do that? Not sure, heard that somewhere.

How about next week, we talk about LONDON?! And how my dad said we might be going to Scotland for a few days and I ran around the house screaming like a little girl. For real. That really happened.

I'm so ashamed. On several levels.

My God. I'm even boring myself.

Ego Boost

So, this weekend was a much needed ego boost.

I had a kick ass run on Saturday, it was a super hilly course and I felt awesome. I copped out of my run the week before because due to all the damn meds I'm taking, I get pms from hell, so, I was literally in bed for three days--I've run marathons less painful! (When I eventually do get pregnant in 500 years, my kid better be damn cute!)

Anyways. Good run. MCM, here I come!

My momma in law ran 10 miles on Saturday and her training is going great, so proud of her!

Oh, and my royal sis sent me the best text ever and one of my sweet readers sent me a Hugh Jackman email--I have the best readers, ever!

And, finally, FINALLY got around to painting the upstairs bathroom. Here's the before. Gag.
Complete with this hideous mural thing which is creepy and even too tacky for me.
And here's my darling friend Kim, painting over the horrid thing. She was cracking up because I was literally squealing with glee.
And, here's the after.
I'm so insanely in love with the paint color! It'll look even better when we paint the cabinets white, but, that's taking longer than expected.

Who knew there were so many shades of white?!?!??
And that's what I'll be doing the rest of the week. Oh, and watching Season 7 of The Office, duh.

What'd you do this weekend?

(Tacky) Home Tour

Lest you have forgotten that my house already came with tacky, I give you the creepy ass mantle that I want gone yesterday:

Oh, and my new awesome lamp. Which I realize is out of control, but, I'm wildly in love with anyway. The bff gave it to me for having a yard sale at my house.

Well, the tacky gifts all started when I bought the bff this for Christmas.

Yep. That's a yoga cat. It's on her fireplace. This makes me insanely happy.

Somehow, we turned into crazy old ladies who need tacky items in their houses.

So, she bought me this.
He's on my fireplace mantle (whew, didn't realize the mantle was so dusty. Guess we know what I'll be doing this afternoon!). The husband is less than thrilled.

And for her birthday, I bought her this.
Yep. That's a fat cat tea kettle.

Then, the whole Bloggess giant chicken thing hit and OMG, COULD THAT BE MORE US?! No.

So, she got me this. It's no giant metal chicken, but, it's freakin' awesome.
And then when I was visiting my parents in Montana, I found a giant metal chicken! Which I was two seconds away from buying and sending back to her. But, I'm cheap and the shipping alone was a fortune. Instead, it's my facebook profile picture.
Oh. But, I did find her creepy vintage salt and pepper shakers from an estate sale in Montana.
And this--this is the most recent addition to my tacky home decor. A gift from the bff and her mom. It's sad how excited I am about the holidays and doing little "themes" instead of the lemons. Bahahahaha.
Oh. And, just so you know I'm not horribly, terribly tacky, here's the gallery wall in my living room that I love. All the photos are ones my mom took!
Please tell me I'm not the only one with weird/tacky collections?? PLEASE?! (just lie to me if you have to!)