CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

Happy holidays from COFG!

Happy Holidays! The Annual E-Card Unveiled

Shots shots shots (Ludlows Jelly) shots - EVERYBODY!

This is the most perfect "for the holidays" thing ever! 

Think you've gotten too old for jello shots? (Or maybe you're like me and my friends who believe you're never too old for them?) You have to reconsider your position because Ludlows Cocktail Co. is reinventing the wheel and it's fantastic. I was not surprised to learn one of the co-founders, Freya Estreller, was part of the brain trust that blessed the world with Coolahus Ice Cream. But one night, a light bulb -- and Freya teamed up with her friend Ethan Feirstein.  

"We immediately began experimenting... making our favorite classic cocktails in jello shot form. We brought our edible cocktails to dinner parties instead of the usual bottle of wine and were struck by how much people freaked out over them. Seriously. And we’re 30. We had to make this happen. We had to make a jello shot worthy of our adult selves!" 

Voila! Jello shots on demand! Or "Jelly" shots in this case. Peel off the top and enjoy. You don't even need to refrigerate them (although, in my experience, they're even yummier cold). What an awesome thing to grab for New Year's Eve! Amiright or what? (Right now all of the people I'm hanging out with on New Year's Eve are very excited, I'm sure.) 

If you're thinking "they don't sell these in my hood" you'd be wrong. They do. I wondered as well but a few clicks into the website's store locator later, I learned they are sold all over the damned place and I was somehow missing them. A five-pack is only about $12. COME ON!

They come in five, wonderful flavors. I tried them all because I believe in providing my readers with well-rounded, thoughtful reviews. *hiccup!*

• Fresh Lime Margarita (legit - tastes just like it!) 
• Meyer Lemon Drop (the least "boozy" tasting, if you like)
• Old Fashioned (the strongest, in my opinion - quite bourbon-tastic!)
• Planter's Punch (this one is my favorite)
• Moscow Mule (this was a close second)

They are crafted like the best cocktails are - with premium liquor and natural flavors. 

Jello shots for grown ups. Genius. How did no one think of this sooner? 

More:

• Ludlows Cocktail Co. official website
• Follow them on Twitter and Instagram
• Like them on Facebook
• Awesome write-up on them from the LA Times

Added bonus - Saucey, the alcohol delivery app (yep, this is a real thing, too, grown ups - get on board!), delivers Ludlows Jelly Shots. You're welcome, internets. And HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Disclosure: I was provided with product in exchange for my honest review, which you just read. Unless you scrolled straight down to this disclosure, in which case, you're kind of missing the best part, buddy. And special thanks to Ludlows who had to wait for me to recover from food poisoning so I could even try the jelly shots. Because even I have my limits.

Holiday Movies That Aren't Obviously Holiday Movies

I'm still basking in the joy and merriment of the holiday season! I still can't get enough -- I'm riding this train all the way into January, mark my words.

I had the most peaceful, lovely Christmas, parking it on my sofa watching reruns, napping, eating crap and taking relaxation to new levels.  I rediscovered some holiday movies as well and thought I would share this list I made as a result, in lieu of the usual "What's Up, Friday?" listicle. 

1. Die Hard. We've debated this before. Some say holiday movie, some say not. All I know is that John McClane will stop at nothing to save his wife when she and several others are taken hostage by German terrorist Hans Gruber during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza. Christmas indeed, mother-effers.

 

2. While You Were Sleeping. Nothing wrong with a little predictable rom-com this time of year, right? C'mon, how much do you love Sandra Bullock? Don't fight it. She's adorable. Fun fact: Before Bullock got the part, Demi Moore, Julia Roberts, Jami Gertz and Geena Davis were all considered or offered her part.

 

3. Auntie Mame. Well, and maybe Mame, too. The first was made in 1958. It's a wonderful movie starring Rosalind Russell that should have been a musical and wasn't. The latter was made in 1974 starring Lucille Ball, was a music and should absolutely not have been. Lucille Ball, for all her amazing comedic gifts, was not at all a singer. But one of the most famous songs from the soundtrack is "We Need a Little Christmas" and I crave it every year. Here is Angela Lansbury singing it at a 2003 concert -- she originated the role on Broadway in 1966. 

 

4. Steel Magnolias. I mean, there are totally scenes in this movie that happen during the Christmas season. Remember when Daryl Hannah decorates Dolly Parton's front porch? And that slutty girl in the Santa dress at Sally Fields' Christmas party? Don't challenge me - I know this movie by heart.

 

5. You've Got Mail/Sleepless in Seattle/When Harry Met Sally. Did you know Meg Ryan is actually the QUEEN of Christmas movies?! Okay, to be fair, these are not movies about Christmas but they all contain major plot points that involve the holiday and there you are. (And I guess by that logic Tom Hanks and Bill Pullman are kind of tied as, like, the Princes of Christmas movies.)

6. Oh yeah, don't think I wasn't getting some Star Trek up in this biz-natch. Enter Star Trek Generations because believe it or not, it's super-duper Christmasy, you guys. The entire movie is about the spirit of life, making the most of the present, passing things onto the next generation, and WHOOPI GOLDBERG. I mean, if that doesn't SCREAM Christmas, I don't know what does.

People post this on my Facebook wall every year as if they were the ones to discover it. Don't get me wrong - I love it and can watch it always - but I remain amused every time someone writes "OMG HOW HAVE YOU NOT SEEN THIS?!" If you need a little context, you should know one of Captain Picard's catch-phrases is "make it so."

 

* * * *

Okay, what did I miss?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Merry Christmas!

My Holiday Playlist

As I seem to be the QUEEN OF CHRISTMAS* this year, I will basically be listening to holiday music until the end of the year. 

My playlist curation is ongoing. Some of you sent some really great holiday tune suggestions my way and my the song list is happily up to 85 songs. Please feel free to follow along and make even more suggestions!  

*Yeah, I'm Jewish. I get that some people are super offended by any hint of "Christmas" when they do not celebrate the holiday. However I celebrate the season and take no such offense. And frankly, to those people I say, CALM DOWN. Tis the season for joy and peace so HAVE SOME.

Get Charged (at a Discount!) For the Holidays

Oh Jackery, you have always been there for me.

Remember these guys?

My Jackery external battery is my lifeline. It's the BEST. They are exxtremely affordable, compact - it fits right into any bag you're already carrying, is light-weight, and is incredibly durable.  This is the Christmas or Hanukkah gift to get the iPhone or Android obsessed friends or family member. Consider it for a business traveller. How often do we busy professionals find ourselves low on power during a conference without a place to plug in? (And hey, if you own a business, this is SCREAMING to be a gift for your staff!) 

The Jackery Bar charges ALL OF THE PHONES. Basically whatever you charge via USB cable.  It provides 2-3 100% charges to the phone before you need to plug the Jackery itself back in for more juice. It is super easy to use and it even has a little flashlight feature that has been surprisingly handy for me in a few tight situations.  

So basically, since this was the BEST Hanukkah gift I got last year (thanks, Mom!!!) I thought I would hook you all up for this year. So simply visit Jackery's online shop, load up your cart (minimum of five items for this deal), and use the code HOLIDAY1, and get 25% off! 

Valid til 12/23

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Today I am immensely grateful for this truly amazing year in my life and having all of you in it. A year ago I was at a different job, living in a different place, driving a different car.... My life has completely changed this year and it's been a tremendous journey. I am so proud of it. Thank you for being there. I can't do it alone.

But behind every serious, sentimental moment, I must always have laughter...

 

I love binge-watching holiday movies this time of year. I just set my DVR for a boatload of them. This one here, Home for the Holidays, is a grossly underrated Thanksgiving flick directed by Jodie Foster and starring Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr. and Dylan McDermott. 

If you have not seen it and you've ever dealt with an iota of family drama, you will love it. (It's only $4.99 on Amazon right now - soo better yet, get yourself a copy!)

Again, thank you for being my blog-reading-besties. As the great Anna Kendrick says in the epitomal film classic Pitch Perfect, I love you awesome nerds.