popcornandpandas, Author at Popcorn and Pandas

{8} Lately…

Lately I’ve been…

reading Just finished Belong to Me by Marisa de Santos. Now I’m reading Love Walked In by the same author. Someone should have told me I should have reversed that reading order. Oh well.

writing Bills Bills Bills. Yes, I still do most of mine by hand. Call me old-fashioned.

listening The Sound of Music station on Pandora. Complete with musical ensembles from Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and many more Disney and show tune favorites. So guilty, yet so not ashamed.

thinking About my upcoming girl’s night tonight! Yay for friends and Mexican food!

smelling Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum

watching My favorite restaurant in the Outer Banks, NC, Tortuga’s Lie was featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives last night! My cousin’s uncle (Richard Welch) is a chef and owner, and my cousin worked there for years. It’s amazing, and Guy Fieri gave Tortuga’s rave reviews for their Jerk Chicken and Pork Antonio. I’m so proud of them!

wishing For warmer weather. Snow be gone! It’s time for Spring now.

hoping For a good doctor’s report tomorrow.

wearing This photo is from over the weekend pre-shopping trip, but today I am wearing…jeans, J. Crew navy and white polka dot button down, cream and navy striped GAP sweater w/ red bow over top, Steve Madden boots, and some fun baubles.

loving The fact that my tax documents have already been organized and shipped out to my accountant, and I can let her take over from here. Totally worth the money to not have to do them myself.

laughing We watched a few documentaries over the weekend on Vice.com, and stumbled across this genre of music called Turbofolk in Serbia. Serbian pop star, Goga Sekulic came out with this hit “Seksi Bizinesmen” (note the spelling) and we couldn’t not stop cracking up at how serious they were while performing this video. Is that a fox on her shoulder? The worst part is that after to listening to this song three times, I am starting to think it’s kinda catchy.

wanting Warm weather. Did I say that already??? Well let me just reiterate…spring cannot come soon enough.

needing Before this weekend I was needing pants that fit! I am now satisfied, and banning myself from shopping until spring is over since I went a bit crazy. We’ll see how long that lasts.

feeling A bit more energized, and a lot less nausea than the past few weeks.

craving Family time. I haven’t seen the fam since the holidays, so I am looking forward to my in-laws visiting this weekend, and also looking forward to seeing my side of the family on Easter weekend. It’s been too long!

clicking Through baby toys. What does one get a 1 year old for their 1st birthday? I’m new at this baby thing, folks!

What have you been up to lately?

Happy Tuesday!

Love,

Gina

***I was inspired by Tina of Like Ordinary Life to create this post, and she was inspired by Lauren of siddathornton, who started The Sunday Currently.

Kiss Me I’m Irish!

Hope everyone had a HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!! Being half Irish, this holiday always means a bit more to me than the typical American “let’s get wasted” mentality. I make sure to call my off-the-boat Irish Granny to wish her a great day as well as my mother, sister, aunt, and uncle. I dream of my roots, and wish to someday actually visit Ireland. Of course, I also usually take part in the fun festivities as well, but obviously this year was a bit low key! This weekend, I ended up going to church instead of the bar, hung out with my guy and some friends, went shopping for new clothes (that fit–yay!), and of course, still sported some green in my attire. It was a nice switch up to St. Paddy’s Day this year.

In addition, my photography class assignment this week was to do self-portraits. Ahhh!!! Scary! Definitely out of my comfort zone, but it was good for me to actually take my tripod out of the box and learn how to set it up. I decided why not use this as an opportunity to learn how to take my own blog outfit photos if I get in a crunch or the hubby is unavailable. I was limited in my ability in the sense that I could only do the landscape set up (as opposed to the long-ways portrait set up) with the tripod. It was also difficult to focus the lens without having anything to focus on, so I had my hubby stand in for me while I focused, and then I mind-marked the position he was standing so I knew where to go. Trust there was a lot of trial and error, blurry shots, etc. But I eventually ended up with a few shots that I was satisfied with. Of course, you are your own biggest critic. To be the subject AND the photographer at the same time was something very new and different for me. However, I am glad I was presented with this challenge as it ended up making me more confident in my abilities.

Top: ZARA / Skinny Jeans: Motherhood Maternity / Boots: Steve Madden / Watch: Michael Kors / Claddagh Ring (Irish Ring): gift – similar / Madonna Necklace: gift / Shamrock: Wedding Gift – here / Pearls: gift – similar / Lip: Lancome Luxe

Let me tell you…I think ALL jeans should be made like prego jeans…they are ridiculously comfortable!!! Haha.

Anyway, hope you all had a great weekend, and wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

XO,

Gina

Happy Bump Day

Surprise! Happy Bump Day!

Zack and I are so excited to announce that we have a Little Monkey on the way, expected to arrive on or around September 10th of this year. 🙂

Here is a photo from my 13 week sono. I am now at 14 weeks, and happy to be in the second trimester. It’s amazing how much detail you can see, and I cannot believe there is a tiny little human growing inside me!

Little Monkey is so photogenic already. He/She even waved for the camera! (either that or L.M. was still fist pumping from the Swedish House Mafia concert…or sucking his/her thumb?) I’m going with L.M. was saying “Hello” and “Happy Birthday” to Dad last week.

It’s been a bit of a crazy adventure so far, and we are both looking forward to what lies ahead…specifically this weekend, I’m thinking my wardrobe needs an update of clothes that actually fit…

Happy Bump Day!

XO,

Gina

#44 Eat a Mangosteen

Saturday March 9, 2013

Have you ever heard of a mangosteen? Being a lover of all things fruit, this item made it to my great adventures list as something I just had to try. I had heard that it was the best fruit in the entire world, and it was super expensive and rare in the United States. This fruit comes from a tropical evergreen tree mostly found in Southeast Asia and in some South American countries. I hadn’t “googled” the fruit in awhile, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect it to look like or taste like when my husband brought a bunch home for us to eat on Saturday. He had been out exploring in Chinatown after his class, and stumbled across this rare fruit at a decent price (although still not cheap!) I think $8 a pound. When mangosteens first arrived in the US, they were sold for $43 a pound! So I’m thinking relatively here. Of course I had to photograph the little buggers, which kind of look like acorns from the outside. The edible inside part tasted sweet and tangy, juicy, and fibrous. The flavors were a bit like a type of small orange, and nothing like a mango. There wasn’t much meat on the fruit, and although it was indeed tasty, there is no way I am claiming this as the best fruit in the world. That being said, I am excited that I was able to try such a rare find in the U.S. I would definitely eat it again, although maybe next time I would wait to travel to Southeast Asia instead of paying $8 a pound.

Have you ever tried a mangosteen? If so, what did you think?

Hope everyone is having a good week so far.

XO,

Gina

Dinner Party

There’s nothing like an impromptu Saturday night dinner party! I broke out the fine china (for only the second time in two years…let’s just say was about time to put those amazing wedding gifts to good use), and whipped up a little Italiano meal for the hubs and my friends Brooke (a new Brooklynite) and Kendel (visiting from Baltimore). Pasta with red sauce, breaded chicken, mixed green salad, and a bottle of red (or maybe two bottles of red). Doesn’t get much better than that huh? Except for maybe the little game of “Flip Coaster” we invented after dinner. Don’t even get me started on how insanely good Brooke is at this game–she put us all to shame. We had so much fun that we completely lost track of time, and the fact that we were supposed to be meeting friends out in Manhattan that night. Zack ended up crashing, but the girls and I rallied for a fun little night at the Back Room on the Lower East Side. The Back Room is a swank little speakeasy that serves cocktails in teacups and beer bottles in paper bags. We had a great time, and I’m thinking we will need to have a repeat date sometime soon!

Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Dress: Free People (old) – view their current dress collection! / Leather Jacket: Vintage – love this asymmetrical alternative / Tights: Urban Outfitters / Boots: ALDO / Cardigan: Forever 21 (old) / Bag: Chinatown / Scarf: Gift / Necklace: Guilty Jean / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Baublebar / Lip: Lancome Luxe / China: Lenox Chirp

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was quite relaxing, and I’m looking forward to chilling out this week as well. I’m a bit excited about the extra daylight hour. It reminds me that spring is right around the corner!

Happy Birthday to my twin cousins, Briana and Victoria, today! Love you girls!

XO,

Gina

Swedish House Mafia

Swedish House Mafia. The Final Tour. I purchased tickets before Christmas for this night to surprise my husband for his 32nd Birthday. Well, I got too excited and spoiled the surprise about three weeks early, but nonetheless, we were both ecstatic to see them live for the first (and sadly last) time. Cue the lights, cue the neon, cue the scantily-clad dressed teenagers, cue the fist-pumping, and cue the dancing. This was one party not to be missed! Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell, and Steve Angello killed this performance, and I am so glad Zack and I were able to be a part of it. The energy in the room was contagious at Madison Square Garden, and it was a dance party the entire time. I wish I could go back and experience it all again, but at least I have these photos, and the video at the bottom of this post to remember it. Hope you had a Happy 32nd Birthday Zack! I love you!

Swedish House Mafia Concert Highlight Video by Zack Notes. Photos (except one of me) taken by myself.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr7CVvQf9gQ&w=870&h=580]

I’m assuming this post will pump you all up for this weekend. Happy Friday, and enjoy that snow New York!

XO,

Gina

{7} Lately…

Lately I’ve been…

reading Catching up on my Marie Claire reading. The February & March issues are featuring so many spring trends that have me itching for warmer weather.

writing A Birthday card for the hubby. His Birthday is on Tuesday, but we are celebrating this weekend.

listening Swedish House Mafia all day today. Gotta pump myself up for the concert tonight at Madison Square Garden. Can’t believe this is their last tour. Sad face. I scored tix to start off the hubby’s b-day celebration. I’ll leave you with one of my favs: Don’t You Worry Child ft. John Martin

thinking About how much fun this concert is going to be. It’s consuming my mind today!

smelling The yummy bagel with cream cheese that I am about to consume.

watching Don’t hate, but I have been loving the Snooki & JWoww show this season. I mean, how cute is little Lorenzo?!?!

wishing That we hadn’t been woken up at 4am last night with the doorbell ringing from a cab driver that got stiffed by my neighbor. I mean, really?

hoping For positivity and strength to surround my Uncle and help him fight off the sickness he has been faced with at this point in his life. I also hope that my Mom can find equal strength since she has been his rock during this time.

wearing Black leggings with a pink and grey striped top, black and white striped cardigan, studded combat boots, my panda necklace, and my new MAC Candy Yum Yum from my bestie, Nichole! You rock!

loving The fact that we started making friendship bracelets at our last girl’s night on Tuesday. What a trip down memory lane! So fun, but I realize my skills need some brushing up.

laughing At this poor girl who tried to do a hair tutorial. I know it shouldn’t be funny, but it’s kinda funny.

wanting A big cup of coffee from Starbucks. Preferably a Cinnamon Dolce Latte.

needing The winner of my Flair Accessories giveaway to reply back with her shipping information. If I don’t hear from her soon, someone else may become the lucky winner instead.

feeling A bit sleepy due to being woken up last night.

craving This gold Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. Oh wait…I already bought it. I’m not allowed to crave anything else for awhile…

clicking Through Amazon for some photo paper to print on for class. We are learning to use Camera RAW and Photoshop, so exciting!

What have you been up to lately?

Happy Weekend!

Love,

Gina

***I was inspired by Tina of Like Ordinary Life to create this post, and she was inspired by Lauren of siddathornton, who started The Sunday Currently.

#96 See Phantom of the Opera on Broadway

Friday February 22, 2013

When I was a little girl, my parents went to see Phantom of the Opera, and they came home bearing a soundtrack of the performance. My sister and I started listening to it, and we quickly grew addicted. We played this soundtrack day after day, memorized all the songs, sang them around the house, and fantasized about the day that we would get to see this show ourselves.

Fast forward to about a month ago. The hubby and I now live in the Big Apple with Broadway at our fingertips. We decided that we were going to check this item off my bucket list, and we bought tickets as our Valentine’s Day present to each other. To say I was excited would be an extreme understatement. I skipped around the city for the past month giddy with anticipation. I played the songs around the house to get Zack as equally pumped up for the show (well maybe not equally.) I counted down the days until I would finally be able to see the show of my dreams.

Well, let me tell you. It was everything I had dreamed of and more. The sets were absolutely stunning. The acting was superb. The music was phenomenal. You know how you wait for something for so long (almost your whole life), and the excitement builds up, and then when it finally gets here, you are just overcome and overwhelmed with emotion?!?! Well, that was me on Friday night. Blubbering in my seat to all of my favorite songs that I had been waiting to hear live for all these years. I almost felt silly for tearing up at a Broadway show, but I just could not believe that I was actually there seeing Phantom on Broadway. Before Friday, I only knew the music. Now I could put faces and emotions and stories to the tunes. It all came together, and it was just perfect.

I cannot believe it took me that long to see this show, but I will say that it was worth the wait. I will also say that I am pretty sure there will be a “second time” of me seeing this show. So Angela, (my little sister) you better get your butt up to New York. You have no idea what you are missing!

Bright Lights Bigger City

I typically tend to avoid touristy areas like Times Square, but I happened to be here last Friday night with my camera in tow, and I decided to take advantage. As much as the crowds can be crazy and frustrating, there is something about Times Square that fills you with energy and excitement. The bright lights. The big city. It makes you feel as if you are a part of something really magnificent. So I took the opportunity to dive right in there with the tourists and take some photos. I hadn’t really taken any night shots since I started my photography class, so I experimented with what I had been learning, and here is what I came up with. Hope you like.

And now for a little tune to put you in the spirit:

Bright Lights Bigger City – Cee Lo Green

Happy Hump Day!

XO,

Gina

Oscar Favorites

Happy Monday!

Today I want to share some of my favorites from the Oscar Red Carpet. Two major trends I saw this year were metallics and pale neutral colors. Of course, there were a few pops of bright color in there as well. There were so many to choose from this year (even the gentlemen rose to the occasion!), but these were on the top of my list.

JessicaChastain — Jessica Chastain looking gorgeous in Giorgio Armani – Steve Granitz/WireImage

StacyKeibler — Stacy Keibler in a stunning metallic dress from Naeen Khan – Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

AmyAdams — Loving Amy Adams in this gown from Oscar De La Renta – I could be biased, because it reminds me of my wedding dress – Kevin Mazur/WireImage

JenniferLawrence — Oscar Winning Best Actress Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Couture – Steve Granitz/Wire Image

CharlizeTheron- — Charlize Theron with a sexy haircut and sleek white dress from Dior Haute Couture – Michael Buckner/Getty Images

AmandaSeyfried — Amanda Seyfried looking sophisticated in Alexander McQueen – Kevin Mazur/WireImage

HalleBerry — Halle Berry never fails to be a showstopper. Looking amazing as always in Versace. – Steve Granitz/WireImage

ChanningTatum — Oh Channing, I know you have a pregnant wife, but you are so ridiculously handsome. – Getty Images

JenniferGarner — Jennifer Garner supporting her hubby, Ben Affleck in this beautiful bordeaux number from Gucci – Steve Granitz/Wire Image

NaomiWatts — Naomi Watts sparkling in Giorgio Armani – Jason Merrit/Getty Images

KerryWashington — Kerry Washington brings a pop of color to the Red Carpet in this fabulous dress by Miu Miu – Jason Merrit/Getty Images

NicoleKidman — Nicole Kidman shining bright in L’Wren Scott – Steve Granitz/WireImage

EddieRedmayne — Les Mis star, Eddie Redmayne dressed in Alexander McQueen and looking dapper. Loving those shoes. – Kevin Mazur/WireImage

DanielDayLewis — Best Actor, Daniel Day Lewis rocking navy and black by Domenico Vacca – Jason Merrit/Getty Images

SandraBullock — Sandra Bullock looking ever so classy in Elie Saab – Jason Merrit/Getty Images

BradleyCooper — Loving the slicked back hair, baby blues, and Tom Ford tux on Bradley Cooper – Steve Granitz/Wire Image

HughJackman — Hugh Jackman looking smashing in Tom Ford – Jason Merrit/Getty Images

JenniferAniston — The always adorable Jennifer Aniston donning a bright red gown from Valentino – Steve Grantiz/Wire Image

Would love to know your Red Carpet favorites as well!

I had a great time watching the Academy Awards last night with the hubby. I felt very knowledgable about a lot more of the films this year, because of our Race to the Oscars. I also thought the competition was really fantastic this year. So many amazing pieces of work were nominated, and so many categories held really wonderful options for winners. There was a even a tie in the Sound Editing category this year. I have never heard of an Oscar tie! What an honor to share. The performances were great, and there was even a guest appearance by our First Lady–what a surprise! Congrats to Argo and Ben Affleck for winning Best Picture. How exciting!

I had a great weekend fulfilling a bucket list item (more to share on that later!), date nights with the hubby, coaching basketball, and relaxing. Looking forward to a busy week ahead as well.

Hope you all have a great week too!

XO,

Gina