The One With Wolverine

As you know, the main reason I trekked to NYC was to see Hugh Jackman on Broadway.
And let me tell you, it was amazing. Beyond amazing. If you have the chance, go see this show!
Can we just get a collective sigh here? *Sigh* He is so dreamy. Just, dreamy. Also, I used that word approximately 650,981 times over the weekend. Fact.
Let's be honest, he could have just sat up there and done the ABC song and I'd have been happy, but, he has proven again and again that he is an amazing performer. All the praise he receives is definitely spot on! (if you don't believe me, google his Music Man audition--you will die laughing)

He opened the show with Oh What A Beautiful Morning from Oklahoma and asked the audience to sing along, which, we did of course.

He is so personable and got the crowd into it, making jokes, telling stories, singing and dancing too! He had backup dancers (lucky bitches) and one of them is married to a Green Beret who is of course serving overseas and Hugh made a little speech about her and she cried--that to me, was just so sweet and kind. It's his show, he's the star, yet, he made it about everyone else.

He spoke about how his dad came to see him at Carnegie Hall in full black tie attire even though it was a business casual event "My son is singing at Carnegie Hall, it's black tie for me"--he is an incredibly gracious performer and man.

Most of his crew were Aussies that he's known for ages, and he also includes some aboriginal music and members in his show--it's evident that he truly loves his country and what he does.

He really is as wonderful as you would guess he is. Even more so. Just, above and beyond. I can't stop fawning over him! Just, y'all. Y'ALL. I know I ramble about him all.the.time, but, believe me, it's justified. I never expected him to be so friendly, kind and humble.

After an amazing show in which he sang classics, danced as Peter Allen a la The Boy From Oz, talked about Les Mis (I DIE!) and Wolverine, we were lucky enough to get to meet him. (!!!!)
Making my official Broadway debut at the Broadhurst Theater (which, according to Hugh is a Greek style theater which means that no one pays taxes and we're all in a shit load of debt. See, witty and political he is)!
Sara and baby Hugh's Broadway debut!
Mind you, at this point, I'm wildly shaking.
Hello Wolverine's arms.
OH MY GAWD.
OH MY GAWD AGAIN.

I'm not even sure what I said--I'm certain I got my name out and told him how great the show was, but, that's about it. He hugged us, and I got two smooches from him. I mean, it's nice that I finally got to kiss my husband and all. ;)

I know I managed to blabber something about how excited I am about Les Mis and he said "that's very kind of you to say--now, give us a kiss" and I did. I KISSED HUGH JACKMAN Y'ALL. I mean, his cheek, but, STILL.

Whew. I'm getting all flustered just thinking about it.
Text message exchange between me and the BFF afterwards.
I'm really proud of my comeback there. I'm also really proud of her response to the picture. That's friendship y'all.

Clearly, the Look Hot for Hugh Diet was over--double fisting at Shake Shack--milkshake and Coke at 11PM. Standard.
In bed with Hugh--sweet dreams.
And since for whatever reason this didn't happen....
I now have this--so I can wake up with him every single day.
I'm ridiculous and I don't care.

This is my phone background now--it's never gonna get old.
Also, that's Hugh Jackman's shirt. That he wore. It was sweaty. I attempted to get a clone created from the DNA, but, I don't have that kind of money. Or something.

Thank you to my sweet Sara for accompanying me on this amazing weekend and sharing in my love for Hugh.

So, as I sit here preparing for a pre-op doctors appointment (yeah, did I forget to tell you, I'm having surgery next week), I know that I've been truly blessed, that I've had a once in a lifetime opportunity and for that, I am forever grateful.

Life may not always be rainbows and roses, but, right now, in this moment, I'm fully aware of how many roses there really are.

xox,
Her Serene Highness Princess Jackman

Sequins & Showtunes

Or, how I spent my birthday.
Thank you all so much for the birthday text, tweets, facebook postings, etc--it really made my day, so, THANK YOU!!

I spent the day doing a whole lot of nothing, except belting out showtunes and hangin' with the fam.

There was a lot of "There's Nothing Like A Dame"
A bit of "That's All I Ask Of You"
And a whole bunch of "One Day More"
I made everyone watch the Les Mis 25th Anniversary Concert, because A) My Birthday and B) My boyfriend's in it, duh. (also, the Hugh Jackman version of Oklahoma was vetoed. Lame)

And while I was peeling apples for my apple blackberry cake, this happened:

It's my theme song! On my Pandora station! Happy, happy!
Oh, and here's what the cake looked like--pretty, right?


Birthday Diet Coke.
Birthday sequins take one:
Birthday sequins take two:
I forced everyone to go see The Nutcracker for my birthday--I'm not sure anyone enjoyed it as much as I did, and I kept nudging my dad during the parts that my niece will dance this year going "That's Bai's part!". He was not amused.

So, as I am one year older and one year closer to T-H-I-R-T-Y, I couldn't have asked for a better day. I'm a lucky gal.

And the fun doesn't stop--NYC Birthday Extravaganza with the bestie is just TWO DAYS away! Eeek!

Maybe getting older has it's perks? Hmm. Debatable.

Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and weekend!

xoxox

(all images from Google)

That Time Of Year Again

Time where I get all reflective and moody and blah--because it's almost my birthday.

Remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait for your birthday and your cake and OH MY GOD, PRESENTS?! Well, let me tell you, after age 21, that is gone. And honestly? I don't handle getting older very well. Like, at all.

I didn't accomplish ohhh, 80% of the stuff I said I wanted to do by my next birthday, but, you know what? I'm ok with that. A little bummed, but, ok. Even still, I've had a kick ass year.

I went to St. Louis to visit my bestie (ahem, who is PREGNANT BY THE WAY! I have this whole fantasy all worked out that when Baby Mac is here and I can tell him/her all about the time we went to NYC when mama was pregnant and OMG so excited!)

Spent many a long work day laughing and judging people with the BFF.

The husband finally got a job.

I had an amazing weekend in Boston with some of my favorite people ever.

Went to a Renaissance Faire.

Welcomed my baby brother home on his leave for R&R.

Spent four wonderful days in NYC with my sister and nieces where my youngest niece fell in love with The Phantom of The Opera--just as her mother and I had done years ago.

Enjoyed some time in the mountains with my family.

Owned up about my stuggle to have a baby.

Showed y'all the tacky home decor that my BFF and I exchange.

Went to London where I fell in love with Les Mis all over again and saw THE DRESS.

Ran a marathon relay in Maine with my separated at birth sisters, Sarah and Danielle.

Found a theme song.

Etc, etc.

There was a lot in this last year that wasn't so great, to be honest. The husbands unemployment was a huge challenge for us. I spent a great deal of time traveling for work, and even more time being sick and beaten down. But, we got through it.

So, while this year hasn't been the year I dreamt it would be, I will look back in it as one of the hardest but also one of the best years of my life. I owe that to my friends and my family--who love me when I'm a bitch, and take care of me when I need it. Thank you.

I don't know what this next year holds, but, I do know that I will be celebrating in style with Sara in NYC, I'll be running a marathon in Madrid with Christy, I'll welcome home my baby sister in April, and I'll travel to Montreal in May to see my niece dance.

I couldn't ask for anything more.

Well, except a trip back to London to see Ramin Karimloo in Les Mis. Or, Hugh Jackman agreeing to marry me. Or a home in the English countryside. Maybe an island?

But, other than that, nothing ;)

So, as we approach Thanksgiving and my birthday, I have so much to be grateful for. I hope you do too. I hope you know, each and every person reading this, that I am thankful for you--truly.

Thank you for giving me this little space on the interwebs and for your sweet comments, kind emails and amazing friendship.

xoxo

I was told there would be cookies

Or so I was promised upon my conversion to the dark side. I've yet to get my grubby little hands on a cookie. LIES.

Here's what we started with.... red. My red.

(no photo in this house is complete without a doggie butt)

I am a self portrait PRO.

Here's what we were going for.... Sierra Boggess. If Isla Fisher is my redhead BFF, and Princess Kate is my brunette BFF, then Sierra is my in between BFF. (related: want to be her)
Here's what we got:


The flash makes it look a touch more red than I think it looks.
But, pretty close, right? I'm still getting used to it--I keep startling at my reflection in the mirror, ha! I've never been this dark before! Eeek.

What do y'all think? (related: this is when you tell me that it looks fabulous and that yes, I should be on Broadway. Obvs)

(images from here and here)

Shoes and sequins, oh my!

Truer words have never been spoken. Er, written. Whatever.

I like shoes. Bonus points if they're shiny.

Exhibit A:
I KNOW! From DSW for $50--that's a freakin' steal if I ever saw one.

And, to go with my insane blue dress.

(ignore messy bathroom)
Shameless self promotion, but, can we discuss this dress?! I mean, dang.
Like the Burberry hanging from my closet door and the doggie steps to the bed? CLASS ACT.

I mean, that ensemble should get me some attention, yes?

Oh. And because I don't own enough sequin things, this skirt is on its way to me.
Two words: Pink. Sequin.

Perfect for my birthday outing of seeing The Nutcracker, yes? (I made my sister get it too, ha!)

And, just because this makes me ridiculously happy, video clip from the Phantom 25th Anniversary DVD that's released in the U.K today, and I'm sneaky and have a copy headed my way!!

Man. That was seriously one of the coolest things ever.


Now, to see Ramin in Les Mis.... ::evil laugh::

Moral of the story: I like sequins. I like musicals. I like Hugh Jackman. I like Ramin Karimloo. I'm fully aware that I'm vain.

See, I'm turning into such a grown up!

Castle On A Cloud

(yes, that's a Les Mis reference. I'm having a mega longing for London today. Like, I'm about to just buy a one way ticket and figure everything out later) (for real)

Before the padre and I jetted off across the pond, we celebrated my stepmom's birthday at Hearst Castle. (err, back up. We went to a big fancy Friends of The Castle benefit dinner that happened to be on my stepmom's birthday. We didn't legit have her birthday party there)
Now, most of you west coasters will know about Hearst Castle, but, in case you don't, I'll give you a brief overview.

It was built in 1919 for newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst and is just breaktaking--it very much captures the glory days and Roaring 20s.

It's located on a hill in San Simeon with sweeping views of the ocean and coastline (however, when we were there it was foggy--go figure). It is now a state park and is open for tours during the day. I've been there probably 100 times, and I still love it--it's so magical.

We had dinner around The Neptune Pool. Which was awesome, but, uh, really cold.
Birthday girl, padre and me.

ISN'T IT AMAZING?!


My daddy wearing someone's leopard print scarf to stay warm. He's a nerd.
That's right, there were synchronized swimmers. They must have been cold.
The pool at night.
Me and my stepmomma. (I looked better earlier in the night. My hair doesn't do so well with drizzle)
Looking down on the party.


I'm so thankful to my dad who included me in such a unique and special experience, it was great.

I felt like a real life Princess. Which, isn't to say that I'm not. Or something. Whatever.

If you ever get the chance, please, please, go check out Hearst Castle! You will not be sorry.

(aerial view photo from here)