For those living under a massive pile of rocks, here’s the Q+DD on the Puppy Bowl:
The Puppy Bowl is an annual television program on Animal Planet that mimics the Super Bowl, using puppies.  Shown the same afternoon of the Super Bowl, the show consists of footage of a batch of puppies at play inside a model stadium, with commentary on their actions.  The first Puppy Bowl was shown on February 6, 2005.  The puppies featured in the Puppy Bowl are from shelters, and the show contains information on how viewers can adopt rescued puppies and help their local shelter.

It’s the very best thing on TV all year, folks.  FACT.

Check out the Puppy Bowl VIII starting line-up HERE!

There are some very serious contenders this year, I must say.  But, these three are my top picks…

FUMBLE
Breed: Chihuahua/ Terrier mix
Sex: Male
Age: 9 weeks
Fun Fact: Has every Bow Wow song on his iPad.

fumble

CALVIN
Breed: Dachshund
Sex: Male
Age: 10 weeks
Fun Fact: Restores classic cars.

abilene

AND, don’t forget the Kitty Halftime Show!  (That one is for you, Mrs. Wolkove…)

Don’t forget to set your DVR for Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VIII on Sunday, February 5th at 3:00 p.m. E/P!

Can’t even WAIT! 

xx, L

The AJFF is a 22-day cinematic exploration of Jewish life, culture, and history.  Seeking to use the power of film to both entertain and educate, AJFF challenges conventional perspectives on complex and challenging issues facing both the Jewish and global communities.

Founded in 2000, AJFF ranks as the largest film festival in Atlanta, and second largest Jewish film festival in the United States, having attracted an audience of more than 26,000 moviegoers in 2011.  This year, the festival will feature an international collection of 70 narrative and documentary films that explore the Jewish experience.  Screenings are supplemented by guest appearances with filmmakers, actors, authors, academics, and other expert speakers.

The festival runs from Wednesday, February 8 – Wednesday, February 29.

This year will be my first to attend the AJFF, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the movies I selected!  I plan to see…

RABIES  (Rabies is playing during the Young Professionals Night at Strip and Regal Atlantic Station.)

Hot off the international film festival circuit, Rabies is the ultimate popcorn flick—a sexy survivalist thriller, a campy, clever whodunit, a devilishly fun heart stopper, and the first horror movie from Israel.  Subverting expectations at every turn, the action opens in a remote forest as a guilt-ridden brother and sister flee home only to become ensnared in the trap of a psychopathic serial killer.  Rescue efforts soon involve a group of unsuspecting tennis players, a grizzled park ranger and his dog, and a pair of rogue cops.  An impressive cast of Israel’s top talent is gradually drawn into a whirlwind of dark secrets, mix-ups and bloody mayhem.  Describing Rabies as a twisted parable on fear and rage in Israeli society, first-time directors Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado shot this slick homage to American B-movies in just 19 days on a shoestring budget.

rabies

THE APPLE PUSHERS

The Apple Pushers is the uplifting story of immigrant street cart vendors and an urban initiative to bring nutritional food to those who need it most.  Attempting to address a lack of access to fresh and affordable produce, New York City launched an experiment in which “Green Carts” bearing fruits and vegetables would be deployed to “food deserts,” low-income neighborhoods where obesity rates are skyrocketing.  In the face of entrenched political opposition, immigrant small business owners (including a Russian Jew who fled anti-Semitism) align with health advocates to take on this tough task with dignity and sacrifice, overcoming extraordinary challenges to carve out an economic niche.  Narrated by Oscar nominee Edward Norton, The Apple Pushers chronicles public-private efforts to mitigate a national health crisis through the intersection of entrepreneurship and the American Dream.

Also, don’t forget about the special 25th anniversary screening of Dirty Dancing on Sunday, February 12! 

Click here for a complete list of movies: 2012 AJFF Roll Call!

Reserve tickets here: So many AJFF movies…so little time!

So, grab some popcorn + get ready for the 2012 AJFF!  It’s going to be the greatest one yet! 

xx, L

Never heard of it??  Allow me to enlighten you…

Memphis: A New Musical is loosely based on Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s.  She’s a black singer whose career is on the rise, but who can’t break out of the segregated clubs of 1950’s Memphis, Tennessee.  He’s a white radio DJ whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves.  When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock ‘n’ roll takes flight.  But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music – or their love – is put to the test.  Memphis won the Tony Award for “Best Musical,” along with three other awards, at the 2010 Tonys.

Read more about Memphis here: I can’t WAIT to see THIS!

Soooooo, I’ll be there on opening night - what about YOU?   

Ticket information here for Memphis’ quick stint at the Fabulous Fox Theatre: Show running from 1/31 – 2/5!

theatres just don't get more magnificent than the fox...

This show is going to be so great!  (Now, we just need to work on The Book of Mormon (oh please, oh please!) to travel down south, and I’m pretty. much. set.) 

xx, L

 Snippet of the email exchange:

FB: “The Modern Woman.  She eats Smart Ones?”

Linds: “Of course we do!  (Lean Cuisines, to be exact…)  I really loved this.  Thanks!  ”

Me: “I. Die.”

Linds: “and i thought i was the only one who used crayons at work…”

Me: “and pretended to type…”

Happy weekend to all you workin’ gals out there!

xx, L

 It’s really cute.  (Special thanks to Kev’s pops for getting me hooked on this one!)

Here’s the Q+DD on 2 Broke Girls:

Two young women waitressing at a greasy spoon diner strike up an unlikely friendship in the hopes of launching a successful business – if only they can raise the cash.  Sassy, streetwise Max works two jobs just to get by.  Sophisticated Caroline is an uptown trust fund princess who’s having a run of bad luck that forces her to reluctantly give waitressing a shot.

2 Broke Girls in action...

Catch it on Mondays at 8:30 p.m. EST on CBS.  It’s very entertaining + funny, and it’s the perfect amount of time: 30 minutes live/ about 24 minutes DVR-ed.  (I swear, I don’t know where my attention span has been these days…  Oh, right – I do.  It’s here.)

Enjoy! 

xx, L

zooey d is the new girl

New Girl is on FOX on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. EST.  Apparently, the premiere last week was really well received.  I just love her.  I hope it’s like (500) Days of Summer every Tuesday night!

There’s that dress again…

I just really feel like we should be friends.  I mean, I used to have bangs.  I used to listen to Death Cab + she’s married to the lead singer.  She & Him is super great and they’re on my regular iPod playlist rotation.  She was in Elf and it’s one of my top 5 favorite movies…  We both rock out in Anthro.  I think she’d like me. 

That’s all.  Until we’re BFFs, I guess I’m fine catching her on the small screen.  Watch New Girl tonight! 

xx, L

It was fantastic!  I absolutely LOVED it!

Here’s the Q+DD about Midnight in Paris:

Midnight in Paris is a 2011 romantic comedy-fantasy film written and directed by Woody Allen.  The plot centers on a small group of Americans visiting the French capital for business and to discover the city.  The protagonist, a screenwriter, is forced to confront the shortcomings of his relationship with his fiancée and their divergent goals because of his magical experiences in the city beginning each night at midnight.  Produced by Spanish group Mediapro and Allen’s Gravier Productions, the film stars Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni, Adrien Brody and Michael Sheen.  It premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and was released in North America in May 2011.  The movie has received good reviews and was a global box office success.

Aboard a Delta cabin 27,000+ feet in the air over…probably Montana or one of those “I” states I always get mixed up, I was completely transported to 1920′s Paris.  It was so good! 

Although it will never claim my #1 favorite movie spot which has been tightly grasped by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory for the past 20 years (I’m just loyal like that…), it gave Willy a run for his money.  OH – and so did Vicky Cristina Barcelona.  I really love that one, too!  Maybe I’m just a Woody Allen groupie??  I very strongly recommend both movies. 

Enjoy! 

xx, L

In case you didn’t watch it last season…Top Chef: Just Desserts is a spin off of Bravo’s Top Chef featuring pastry chefs competing in a serious of culinary challenges focusing on pastries and desserts.

Top Chef: Just Desserts Season 2 Cast

Anyway, our friend Amanda Rockman (pictured below) is a contestant on TC: JD this year and she KILLED IT in the first episode last Wednesday winning both the Quickfire + Elimination Challenges!  Way to go, Amanda!

Isn’t she the cutest, little pastry chef you’ve ever seen or what?!

Catch Amanda on Wednesday nights (tonight!) on Bravo at 10:00 p.m. EST/ 9:00 CST.  We can’t wait to see how the season unfolds!   

xx, L

Obsessed.

Where have I been??  This show is so unbelievably good. 

Do it.  No really, do it.

xx, L

Happy Shark Week 2011, everyone!! 

It’s my official favorite week of the year…AND this year it’s hosted by my favorite celebrity, Andy Samberg, who is serving as Chief Shark Officer!  (Life just cannot get much better than this!)

Tune in all week to Discovery Channel for bigger + badder shark coverage than ever before!  Check out the show schedule here: SHARK WEEK 2011

Enjoy, friends, enjoy…and beware of the water.  

xx, L