About That Time Prince Charming Put A Slipper On My Foot

I'm back! Posts in the morning-ish (it's honestly whenever I get my butt out of bed) and well thought out...for the most part. Anyway, Monday night, I had went out to a bar called Sidetrack that plays music videos from broadway musicals, movie musicals, TV musicals, etc. all night. They even play music from Disney movies. It's possibly one of my favorite places to be...ever. You can't be anything but happy when music from Wicked and Funny Girl is playing. So, it's inspired me to do a little series where I list off some of my favorite musical numbers of all time! 

I'm so excited for this because music is my life. I saw my first musical when I was really young. It was with Donny Osmond. I still remember the songs and the stage, everything. I saw Phantom of the Opera when I was nine or ten, immediately fell in love with the music and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" was the song I sang in my first concert. I also always loved that Christine and I have the same name. I saw Wicked three times, had dinner with the cast and met them backstage. I saw Cinderella when I was a little kid and Prince Charming came and put the slipper on my foot. It was magical to say the least. I haven't seen a musical that I haven't loved with the exception of Chicago and I would go back and see all of them a hundred times if I could.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

But anyway, to the music! There are way too many songs for me to include them all in one post so I'm separating this into a few. I'll do one each week, maybe two if I'm not feeling particularly inspired, with a different topic. Today's is Favorite Songs From Musicals I've Seen. So, here are mine, what are some of yours??

Defying Gravity from Wicked: the most well known song on Broadway, I cry every time. I can't explain it but it just goes straight through me. Eden did an amazing job, I couldn't not share this with you.

Close Every Door - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Donny Osmond just has one of those voices you would know anywhere. It's perfect and amazing and that shows in this performance.

Phantom of the Opera and Music of the Night - Phantom of the Opera: Ramin Karimloo is one of my favorite broadway actors. His voice literally makes my stop breathing. It goes straight to my gut. I just love him.

No Good Deed - Wicked: You may be surprised that there was no Idina up here. I love her so much and she is going to show up in a different post so don't worry. Eden Espinosa was another amazing Elpheba. Her voice is just incredible, I had to share this particular version with you.

Casting My Own Movie!!

This post is going up super late but better late than never right? I've been working so hard to get caught up for you guys. Life has just thrown me one too many curveballs and the blog has not been the first thing on my list to do. Today was the monthly Literary Junkies link up which I always love participating in. Another reason this is so late is because I just spent two hours casting on of my favorite series! I can't imagine how people do this in real life because it's hard!

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.
Magazines. I haven't been able to really start a book in a while because I've been so busy. But now that things are slowing down a bit and my magazine pile is smaller, I can finally start reading a few books I've put to the side.

2. Who is your favorite book character and why?
This is so hard! I've read a lot of books and I always have a favorite even if the story isn't great. I guess I would say Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote. She's just such a complicated character but with hundreds of levels to her.

3. What would the title of your memoir be?

Unstoppable. Is that cheesy?

4. You be the director! Cast your favorite characters for the movie version that hasn't been made yet.
This is so much fun! Ok, I'm going to do the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead since I'm obsessed right now.

Dianna Agron as Lissa - Nina Dobrev as Rose - AnnaSophia Robb as Mia

Thomas Dekker as Christian - Ben Barnes as Dimitri - Hayden Christensen as Adrian

5. What book or series do you remember reading as an elementary/middle school kid?
The Boxcar Children and Judy Blume definitely

A Giveaway? What?

Hey guys! Sorry I've been MIA for the last three days. I was really sick and then yesterday was my graduation so I have no time to catch up. I missed my first Sunday Social...ever. It's so bad. Anyway, to make it up to you, I have a giveaway going on with Nykki Talks Beauty that you are welcome to join!! Good luck and I'll see the winner on the other side!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Two Dinners, One Night To Cook

Bonjour people! I am sick as a dog (yes,again) and waiting for the moment I can go home and pass out. But for now, I have yet another recipe for you. And for all you people who like double or nothing ideas, here ya go! I have a chicken salad recipe adapted from the lovely Chef in Training. I just have a few minor changes that you may even decide to change yourself. Check it out!

Fruity Chicken Salad Sandwiches + More!

Ingredients

2 tbsp. mayo

A small handful of sliced raw almonds

A full handful of grapes, sliced

1 chicken breast cooked and cut into small pieces

1/2 an apple (I used gala), chopped

Croissants (I used pretzel croissants)

OR

1 Avocado

Directions

In a bowl, mix the grapes, apples and chicken. Add the mayo in, mix together and then add the almonds. 

Chill in the fridge for about an hour or eat it right after you make it if that's what you prefer.

Top your croissant with a good amount of the spread. 

OR

Cut an avocado in half, scoop out most of the green stuff mix with the amount of chicken salad you want too add (not all if you'll be putting leftovers away because your avocado will turn brown and gross).

Put the mixture back into the shell and voila! You have a stuffed avocado.

Note: You can even nix the mayo entirely if you want and use the avocado for the "glue" instead. It's up to you!

So there you have it! Two dinners in one recipe! The amount of ingredients I used allowed me to have a sandwich the first night and a stuffed avocado the second night. 

Summer Is In Session So Get Ready

Hey everyone! It's Wednesday which means the week is half over. That deserves something...maybe a large glass of wine when you get home? I know I'll be indulging. I have another beauty box review for you. Allure Sample Society is probably my favorite over Birchbox. Their samples never disappoint me and I use them till there isn't one drop left. May was all about prepping for summertime. Four out of the five samples were amazing. Here's more about them.

Jane Iredale Forever Pink Just Kissed Lip & Cheek Stain $25

What Sample Society Says: Forever Pink Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain is made with natural ingredients

and adjusts all natural stains and blemishes to give a perfect shimmering pink shade that flatters your skin's undertone. -Made from natural ingredients -Enhances your natural color -Non drying -Long lasting -Gives a shimmering pink shade. Get a long lasting, customized pink color for your lips and cheek.

What I Say: I was nervous when I tried this because the sample I got was like really bright pink. I'm not big on bold lip colors and I definitely don't need to add extra to my already natural bright pink cheeks. I decided to try it for a fashion show I was working though figuring if there's any place to take a fashion and beauty risk, it's where everyone else will be doing it. I was surprisingly satisfied with this though. I only used it on my lips and not only did it smooth them, it didn't feel like I was wearing anything on them. It also smells and tastes great. As for the color, it gives a naturally rosy pout. Let's just say my lips felt quite luscious.

Rating: 5/5 Stars!!

Recommend: It's five stars, duh!

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream $16

What Sample Society Says: Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream is the #1 selling medicated, vitamin-enriched skin care cream in Japan. Yu-Be is a Glycerin-based moisturizing cream enriched with Vitamin E, Vitamin B2 and Camphor. It's the uniquely high Glycerin content and absorbability, achieved through a special manufacturing process in Japan, which makes Yu-Be so effective on severe dry skin and truly sets it apart from other creams.

What I Say: This stuff seriously smells like carmax. No joke. Other than that, it worked really well. I used it on my gross elephant elbows and in two applications that were really smooth. That says it all for me.

Rating: 4/5 stars (because of the smell)

Recommend: yes

Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream SPF 30 $39

What Sample Society Says: This BB cream incorporates tone-blending technology to provide flawless skin,

skin-perfecting coverage with just one shade. Formulated with Dr. Brandt's signature Flexitone technology that blends seamlessly with most skin tones, this multi-functional anti-aging cream instantly perfects, brightens and hydrates with SPF 30 and provides hydration. Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream also helps smooth and improve the look of lines and wrinkles. -Blends seamlessley with most skin tones, providing an alternative to traditional foundation -Helps correct flaws and uneven skin tone to perfect overall complexion -Helps brighten and provide a healthy glow. Suited for all skin types.

What I Say: I was really disappointed because I only got to try this sample once. The second time I went to use it, the product leaked out of the bottle like it was water. When I tried shaking and squeezing it out, it only bubbled for me so I had to throw it out. For the one time I got to use it though, I found it to be pretty good. It spread on thick even though it was a lighter formula which I liked. It spread well for even coloring and it stayed all day even through terrible humidity. I was impressed. I just wish I got to use it more than once.

Rating: 2/5 Stars

Recommend: I would want to try another sample to see if the same thing happened before I recommended this to anyone

Alterna Bamboo Shine Luminous Shine Mist $24

What Sample Society Says: See your hair reach its full shine potential within seconds. Alterna's Bamboo Shine Luminous Shine Mist combines strengthening pure organic bamboo extract with shine amplifying organic Indian gooseberry in a weightless finishing mist that polishes any hair type with sheer mirror-like shine. Its formula is infused with Color Hold technology for maximum color retention. -Instant polish and shine -Eliminates frizz and flyaways -Retains color and boosts flexibility. Suited for all hair times. Free of sulfates, parabens, gluten and TEA phthal.

What I Say: Hello shine! This spray created shine without making hair look greasy. It was the perfect amount of shine. It doesn't weigh hair down or give it a weird feeling. It just feels natural and super soft. The only thing I didn't like too much about this was that it smelt a little too musky for my preference. 

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Recommend: Yup!

Kate Somerville Somerville360 Tanning Towelettes $48/8 count What Sample Society Says: It's easy to get a gorgeous glow with just a simple swipe. Kate Somerville Somerville 360 Tanning Towelettes offer and incredible sun-kissed look that doesn't require SPF. With a quick and easy application that prevents uneven tone or streaking, it's the best way to get a healthy-looking tan. Because this advanced formula works with your skin's own proteins, it gradually darkens to an ultra-natural, complementary color every time. -Towelettes containing paraben-free self-tanning formula -Produces a uniform, natural-looking glow on the skin -Delivers a quick and even application with no streaking. Suited for all skin types. Created to dry within seconds to ensure that clothing, sheets and towels won't get stained. Free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs and triclosan.

What I Say: You all know I am a huge tanner. I tan in beds regularly when time and money permit and my main summer activity is laying out with tanning oil slathered everywhere. I have spray tanned maybe twice in my entire life. I have a terrible fear of being orange. Needless to say, this post is super late because I waited as long as I could to actually try these wipes. I am 50/50 on these. Dislike: it left a sticky feeling on my skin and made me nervous to get dressed even though I did. It lasted for a good while too. Luckily, it didn't end up on my clothes or my sheets and it didn't appear to rub off at all because...Like: I am about two shades darker. A tan Christine is a happy Christine. It's not orange, it looks natural and I loved it. Some other problems I had with it was the scent which smelled not so great and the fact that it was difficult to get my back. Your arms can only bend so far. I was tricky to make sure I went over my back entirely. 

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Recommend: if you are a self-tanning fan. If you like beds, like me, I would just stick to those. 

A Delicious Dinner And A Delicious Man

In my quest to be a healthier individual, I've started meal planning and cooking from scratch. And let me tell you something. I didn't have a stomach ache after I ate dinner last night!! And I had pasta. So clearly that isn't my problem thank the gods above. I think I would have died of carb withdrawal if  I had to cut pasta out completely. Anyway, this recipe is very light and from the love Giada De Laurentiis. It's super easy too and barely makes any dishes. I modified the ingredient amounts to make it just for one but below you will find a recipe that serves 4-6.

Penne with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes (Spring)

Ingredients

8 oz. penne pasta

3 tbsp. olive oil

2 garlic cloves

1 1/2 lbs. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

Salt and freshly ground pepper

2 cups cherry tomatoes (grape worked just fine)

1 cup shelled fresh peas (frozen worked just fine)

1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock

1 cup grated Parmesan

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta and RESERVE about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about one minute. Add asparagus, season with salt and pepper and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the chicken stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.

Transfer the asparagus mixture to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 of the Parmesan. Toos well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped basil.

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1. Follow the Hosts: Southern Beauty Guide, Rachel's Country Roots via GFC or Bloglovin' 2. Follow This week's Co-Host: Life With A Side of Coffee
3. Grab a button from above put it in your post.
4. Write about your Bachelor Pick of the Week.
5. Come back here and link up!!!

Anyone interested in co-hosting next week email Chelsee!

And now for The Bachelorette pick of the week!! It's my first time linking up and I'm so excited that Chelsee has let me co-host!!

Ok, let me be honest with you guys, I haven't watched the episode from last night yet. I've been so crazy busy that I barely have time to breathe. But I do have a favorite or two and I have watched last week's episode. You've probably heard about him a lot but Brandon is my fave so far. If something happened this week to change that puhlease don't tell me. He is such a sweetheart and he seems so sincere. I love how he just wanted to have a good time and not worry so much about the rose. At the end of the day, this is about finding love with Desiree not about winning roses. I think he's got the right idea. Be yourself and you'll pull through.

Just A Quickie

I have zero time to blog right now so in celebration of the Top 5 finalists on the voice, I'm going to share with you guys my favorite performers and a song that I love for them. In other words, no writing for me today, just video sharing. Happy Monday! Send me some coffee love because I sure need it...

Sasha Allen is my number one favorite and she killed it with this Aretha song last week. Shakira was right. No one else in the competition can sing this song like that.

Michelle is definitely my second fave. I love her for so many reasons. I was surprised that Usher even knew this song let alone picked it for her. I absolutely love Keane and "Somewhere Only We Know" is one of my favorites by them. She killed it. I had goosebumps.

Last but certainly not lease we have Danielle who is just pure country perfection. This was probably my favorite performance of hers but it might have to do with the small fact that I love the song.