YumSugar

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt to throw housewarming party?

justingirl1989 — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:54:44 -0700

There’s a questionable story that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are going to have a housewarming party to better ingratiate themselves to the neighbors. They were said to be angering the locals in Brignol, France, where they’re currently living on a leased 880 acre estate. There was a bloody altercation between two paparazzi photographers hiding in the woods on their property and their security guards about a month ago. E! News reported shortly afterwards that the residents of their sleepy village weren’t happy with the way the couple was monopolizing the local police and attracting outsiders wielding camera. E! hasn’t had the most accurate stories about Brangelina in the past, but given the facts it’s only reasonable to assume that people in Brad and Angelina’s newly adopted town aren’t happy with all the increased activity and attention after they arrived.

Bang Showbiz reports that Brad and Angelina are going to try and make amends by throwing a party:

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are set to host a party for their neighbors.

The Hollywood couple - who recently welcomed twins into the world - are hoping to become fully integrated into the community of the French village of Brignol by throwing the soiree.

Brad and Angelina live close to Johnny Depp and his long-term partner Vanessa Paradis, who own a vineyard just north of St. Tropez.

A source told Britain’s Daily Express newspaper: “They want to get stuck into village life and become real locals. Brad said they want to be like Johnny and Vanessa, who live a quiet life in nearby Plan de la Tour.”

The stars were said to have been encouraged to host the event by the mayor.

The source added: “They have met town officials who have said it is a tradition for newcomers to host an early evening drinks reception for everyone who lives in the village.”

[From Bang Showbiz via Gossip Rocks]

This could possibly be true. Brad met the head of the local wild boar hunting club and assured him that the annual hunt could be conducted on his property without a problem. They seem like they’re trying to make nice with their neighbors and a housewarming party would go a long way towards changing people’s feelings about them.

My knowledge of French housewarming custom is based on those “Year in Provence” books and what little I could google, but it seems traditional to hold a housewarming party there. When I lived in the German part of Switzerland it was customary to have a housewarming party once you were settled so that you could get to know your neighbors. It’s probably similar in France and the neighbors should appreciate a nice party to meet the famous family. As long as all the guests are well vetted and no imposters are able to get through. You know the paparazzi and media are going to try and pull something if the Jolie-Pitts are having a party. There were dudes dressed in camoflague holing up in the surrounding forest, they’re sure to try and figure out a way to get inside if there’s an opening.

http://www.celeb*tchy.com/13739/angelina_jolie_and_brad_pitt_to_throw_ho...

National Cleaning Week

THE BIG AGOO — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:58:18 -0700

am not sure about you, but every week seems to be cleaning week at my house. I try to do the bedding, the spot behind the toilet, the oven and the outside deck; but things happen, life intervenes and the cleaning jobs get pushed and pushed to the following week.

I am not sure who it was that decided the end of March, first of April was designated as spring cleaning, but ladies.. .heads up, cause here it is. Spring cleaning is upon us and I for one still have Christmas cards up by the phone, the son’s Halloween art project on the mantel and winter quilts on all the beds. Where do I begin?

Go to iVillage.com for a complete check list of spring cleaning.

Visit about.com for the 5 steps to cleaning.

Find out at zenhabits.com how you can develop clean house-habits, one at a time.

Standing on my soapbox,

According to the good folks at www.gone-ta-pott.com, spring cleaning is for getting your environment clean so you can feel good about yourself and your home. It’s about making the surroundings where you spend most of your time feel clean, as well as look organized and clutter free. They think that anywhere you spend most of your time (home, at work, your shop, or basement), deserves a good cleaning so you can feel good inside and out.

Here’s what they like to do.

Cleaning Outside
We pull out the grill that’s been stored in the shed through winter and we start cleaning up the grills and adding new parts while replacing the old tank (if its not charcoal). We start organizing the potting shed and dragging out the rakes, shovels, hose and potting soils. We pull out the flower pots and get them all cleaned up because we know they are soon to be the new home of a beautiful flowering plant. We get all the old junk that has collected up on the back porch over winter and put it all away to make room for the hanging baskets and planter pots. We sweep the leaves off the bannisters that have collected from the winter winds. We pull all the matching chair cushions out of storage and put them back on the oak swing and porch rockers. Ahhhh…. knowing that once it’s all done, a nice soothing swing in the swing will be a nice reward.

Cleaning Inside
Not only do we work on cleaning up the outside but we work on cleaning up the inside as well. For some reason when we spring clean it makes us feel really good. It feels like were getting rid of the old and gloomy winter days and welcoming the new birth of spring and a new blessed season. At least that’s how I look at it. We put away all the winter clothes and happily bring out the spring clothes. We wash and pack away the winter flannel sheets and replace them with cool sheets. We open all the closet doors in each room, we open all the windows and doors of the house and we start letting the house air out. We spray fabreeze on all the cloth furniture and turn the ceiling fans on low. We welcome all the smells and new spring breezes that blow through all the windows into our house to freshen up every single corner of the house.

What do we do next? We clean, clean, clean! We wash the walls, we mop the floors, we swipe the cobwebs out of the corners of the ceiling and we clean all the air conditioner vents. Yep we sure do! We even have fun making our own homemade cleaners that we found in the Old Farmers Almanacs that we saved over the years. Click below to see homemade cleaning recipes.

Make Your Own Cleaners
WARNING: Never mix cleaning products containing bleach and ammonia as dangerous fumes will result.

OVEN CLEANER
2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
2 teaspoons borax
1/4 cup ammonia
1-1/2 cups warm water
Mix the ingredients together, apply to oven spills, and let sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Scrub with an abrasive nylon-backed sponge and rinse well.

Scrubbing Hand General Purpose Cleaner
1 teaspoon borax
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 teaspoons vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
2 cups hot water
Combine all the ingredients. If you don’t have washing soda (generally found in the laundry section of supermarkets), use 1 teaspoon baking soda instead. For a more pleasant smell, use lemon juice instead of vinegar. Be sure to label the bottle accordingly.

Easy Scrub
3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup borax
dishwashing liquid
Combine the baking soda and borax. Mix in enough dishwashing liquid to make a smooth paste. If you prefer a pleasant smell, add 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice to the paste.

Heavy-Duty Disinfectant Cleaner
1/4 cup powdered laundry detergent
1 tablespoon borax
3/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup pine oil, or pine-based cleaner
Slowly stir the detergent and borax into the water to dissolve. Add the pine oil (available at hardware stores and supermarkets) and mix well. For bathroom cleaning, use the mixture full strength. In the kitchen, dilute it with water.

Wood Floor Polish
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Mix the ingredients well, rub on the floor, and buff with a clean, dry cloth.

Rug Cleaner
1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
1 cup lukewarm water
Combine the ingredients. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution over a large area, or use the solution to spot-clean nongreasy stains. (Don’t use laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent in place of dishwashing liquid, as they may contain additives that can affect the rug’s color.)

Toilet Cleaner
1 cup borax
1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice
Combine the ingredients to make a paste. Apply it to the inside of the toilet bowl, let sit for 1 to 2 hours, and scrub.

Mildew Remover
1 tablespoon powdered laundry detergent
1 quart chlorine bleach
2 quarts water
Combine all the ingredients in a pail. Wearing rubber gloves, wash off the mildew.

Floor Wax Remover
1 cup laundry detergent
3/4 cup ammonia
1 gallon warm water
Mix all the ingredients together and apply to a small area of the floor. Let the solution sit long enough for it to loosen the old wax, at least 5 to 10 minutes. Mop up the old wax (or scrape it up, if there’s a lot of it, using a squeegee and a dustpan). Rinse thoroughly with 1 cup vinegar in 1 gallon water and let dry before applying a new finish.

Furniture Polish
1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
1 tablespoon boiled linseed oil
1 tablespoon turpentine
Combine the ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until blended. Dampen a cloth with cold water and wring it out until it’s as dry as you can get it. Saturate the cloth with the mixture and apply sparingly to a small area at a time. Let dry for about 30 minutes, then polish with a soft cloth. Note that this mixture gets gummy as it sits, so make just enough for one day’s work.

Glass Cleaner
2 tablespoons ammonia
1/2 cup alcohol
1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
a few drops blue food coloring
water
Combine the ammonia, alcohol, dishwashing liquid, and food coloring, then add enough water to make 1 quart. If you prefer a nonammoniated cleaner, substitute 3 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice for the ammonia.

Carpet Freshener
1 cup crushed dried herbs (such as rosemary, southernwood, or lavender)
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
Combine all the ingredients in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Sprinkle some of the mixture on your carpet, let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it up. It will give the room a pleasant smell and neutralize carpet odors.

How can I Celebrate National Cleaning Week?

Have a Cleaning Party! - Find a great project that you can work together on and have a cleaning party. It could be a childrens park somewhere that is in need of attention. Maybe a few hands to pick up the trash would be great. After the work is over a nice picnick in the park you just cleaned up would be great. Or- Maybe you have a room in your house that you really need help with. Plan a cleaning party to get others to help you and you pay them back by feeding them a nice homemade lunch. Or- Maybe you have a friend at school or church that has been sick for a while who could use some help in doing a few little chores in the house. Have a cleaning party for that person and make them feel better. A nice clean house always brightens the spirit of those who don’t feel good.

Make your own homemade cleaners! - It’s fun to make your own homemade cleaners and it’s even more fun to make them up as gifts in a jar. Wrap the jars up with pretty bows and instructions about your homemade cleaner. They make great housewarming gifts.

http://www.soapboxmama.com

dealing with forgiveness

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:28:56 -0700

Dear Group,

I met a guy (I’ll call him Joel) about 4 years ago and knew almost right away that he was not boyfriend material. However, we shared a strong physical attraction and have maintained a casual relationship since, which has worked out well for us simply because we did not expect anything more from each other. For various reasons and despite a handful of attempts, we haven’t seen each other in close to a year. On a whim last Friday, we met for dinner (only), had wonderful conversation and I left feeling surprisingly elated, though I still knew he and I would never be anything serious. He called me the next afternoon and invited me out to one of his friend’s housewarming party that night. I had already made plans with a girlfriend of mine (I’ll call her Erin) who doesn’t get out much, but since she knew his friend who was having the party, we decided she would come, too.

Erin, who just had a precious little girl about six months ago, will also be finalizing her divorce in a couple of months due to the discovery of her husband of about 4 years cheating on her throughout her entire marriage. Her life got upside-down, and along with her family, the rest of her girlfriends, and I have been by her side while she’s been picking up the pieces for the past year. Erin’s an intelligent, confident, wonderful friend who has had the unfortunate displeasure of marrying a man who made her question her entire self-esteem and life, though through her feat of get back to her normal self has made us even better friends.

We were all having lots of fun and by the end of the night, since we were in no condition to drive, planned on staying the night at her place. That is, until I turned the corner and saw them on the stairs while she was sitting on his lap with her shirt up…she got up and started to mumble something to me but I was already out the door. She called the next day full of apologies of how that was the most awful thing she’s ever done to a friend, how embarrassed she is, and how I mean more to her than any “stupid guy”. While I truly believe she did not have malicious intentions and how I understand she is lonely (and was extremely drunk), that is really no excuse.

It was a simple decision for me to say good-bye to Joel (who also had a lengthy excuse list) and not even be that upset at him since that was one of the reasons I knew he was not boyfriend material, rather more at myself for allowing my mind to wander at the possibility of us starting something based on one evening of great conversation. But Erin? Given the reason for the failure of her marriage, how could she do that to a best friend? How do I even begin to forgive her? How can I ever trust her again? To my knowledge, I have never had a boyfriend cheat on me, and do not have a jealous nature, so am at a complete loss of how to handle this.
Sincerely yours,
Aching Allie.

The Hills News! New Job, House and Roomie for LC! Exciting! Read More!

miz_ayet — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:14:28 -0800

Change is in the air on The Hills! They've just started filming again for the show's fourth season. So, when I ran into Lauren Conrad at the Jimmy Choo flagship store opening in Beverly Hills, I got all the latest scoop on your favorite faux-reality show.

First off, L.C.'s lookin' for a new job. "There’s a couple places that I have to go apply and deal with all that," Lauren said of her post-Teen Vogue employment plan. "I’m looking into production companies...I really wanna work backstage at fashion shows.”

But one place she won't be applying is SBE Entertainment Group, where Heidi Montag toils. Lauren's been spotted lookin' chummy lately with SBE head honcho Brent Bolthouse, making people wonder if she's angling for a job at her enemy's stomping ground.

"I’m not looking at SBE," she told me. "I appreciate their parties, though!" (So does Hollywood Party Girl.)

And now, Lauren will actually be living in the Hollywood Hills, instead of in an apartment by the Grove, like she has for the past three seasons. She reportedly just bought a $2 million dollar, four-bedroom pad off of Sunset. So, who will be in the extra rooms?

“We’re still living together," her current roomie Audrina Patridge assured me at the same party. "I’m so excited. The house is beautiful!”

Also joining them in the minimansion will be Lauren Bosworth, aka Lo. Can't wait! She's one of the funnier people on the show, and now, she'll surely get more screen time if she's shacking up with the girls.

Audrina also told me that they'll be moving in over the next few weeks and throwing a housewarming party, all on camera for season four, natch.

I'll be watching the mail for my invite, ladies!

Article from: Eonline.com
http://www.eonline.com/gossip/partygirl/detail/index.jsp?uuid=83e660dc-3...

Jennifer Lopez’s mom is staying with her and helping with the twins

justingirl1989 — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:47:47 -0700

Last week, Marc Anthony called into a radio show and talked about how he and his mega rich wife, Jennifer Lopez, are caring for their three-month-old twins, Max and Emme, without the help of nannies, butlers, or even anyone else. He said “It’s just us… we’re figuring it out and having a great time.” He also talked about how he was assigned overnight duty with the twins and that his shift is from 10pm to 8am. Maybe by “us,” Anthony meant his mother-in-law too, because she’s been staying in the couple’s mansion on Long Island and helping out:

Jennifer Lopez’s mother, Guadalupe, is such a doting grandmother to babies Emme and Max that she’s now livin in her daughter’s Long Island estate. “Jennifer has been having her mom stay at their home to help out with the kids. She likes having her around, even if it’s just to ask her advice,” says an insider…

J.Lo, 38, and Marc, 39… are hands-on parents, too, but they still listen to Guadalupe

[From In Touch, print edition, June 9, 2008]

The In Touch article came out late last week, and was published ahead of Marc’s interview, so if it’s accurate his mother in law was already living with them at that point.

Grandmothers love taking care of their grandchildren and it’s not like it’s a hardship for Guadalupe to live in luxury and watch her daughter’s adorable babies. Anthony wasn’t being entirely truthful when he said “it’s just us,” though. They surely have a maid along with J.Lo’s mom to care for their children and allow them time to go out alone. Many families have that arrangement, but they also acknowledge it by telling friends that their mother is living with them. They don’t have a public image to consider, though.

Lopez and Anthony were recently spotted at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ housewarming party in Beverly Hills. I wonder if they brought the babies with them or left them with grandma.

thats nice

http://www.celeb*tchy.com/12168/jennifer_lopezs_mom_is_staying_with_her_...

Movie Party...for Kids

klynnmorton — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:54:19 -0800

My son is turning 3, and we need to have a party for adults and kids on the same date. Our adult housewarming will be taking place, while my son and his friends watch movies...my son's new favorite pasttime.
The kids will have pics take on the red carpet, then inserted in their pillows. After that, they will watch the movie of their choice (ballots will be given out in the invites) while munching popcorn and snacks.

Day 7 - Plan Ahead

muchacha — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:12:54 -0700

Today is my seventh day of non-smoking. According to my aunt, who quit like 20 times before it stuck, the first three days are the MOST difficult, then at two weeks, then after six months. While I don't feel any physical cravings for cigarettes, I have a mental attachment to smoking that is hard to let go of.. it's called 'ideation' - where I can picture myself smoking in certain situations. For example, today I spent the afternoon at the salon, and I guess I never thought about this before, but I would *always* have a cigarette after having my esthetics/hair done. I normally have very curly hair, and when I go to the salon I like to have a blow-out, and what struck me strongly was the urge to strike a sexy pose, flip my hair and light up. I could see myself doing this very clearly, but that's all it was, an urge, and it passed.

Tonight I will be in my first social situation outside my home or office. My friend is having a housewarming party, with about fifteen guests. I don't know these people very well, and I used to use smoking as an avenue through which to make conversation. This brings me to the topic of this blog, 'Making a Plan'.

In my fifth group session, we discussed how to prepare for situations in which we might find ourselves tempted to smoke. Some of my group members discussed what would be typical situations, like after a meal in a restaurant with wine (a reward cigarette), or on friday after work (a reward cigarette). What we then discussed was the importance of making a plan, and sticking to it.

Here's my plan on how to avoid smoking a cigarette tonight:

Situation: Party with friends
What to do instead:
• Go the the bathroom until I'm ready to come out, practice my deep breathing exercises
• Use my inhaler
• Have a glass of water
• Review my list of reasons to not smoke
• if all else fails, leave the party

When non-smoking becomes your number one priority, all else takes a backseat, including social situations which tempt you to smoke. Your friends will understand.

The other element to this is signing a contract with yourself. Smokers often like to 'reward' themselves with cigarettes (I'll discuss this in another entry). This is my contract for tonight:

If I can remain a non-smoker until "Sunday, March 18, 2007" at "10 a.m." I will buy myself a green headband from American Apparel.

The thing about the contract is that you have to promise yourself a reward for something that is more important to you than lighting up a cigarette. It doesn't have to be anything big - by teaching yourself to reward yourself in other ways besides for smoking, the money you spend on your reward will counterbalance the money you might spend on a pack of cigarettes that will eventually lead to huge medical bills not mention continuous use purchases of cigarettes.

Wish me luck!

Comedian is Living in an IKEA Store

amh678 — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:50:59 -0800

From CNN.

PARAMUS, New Jersey (AP) -- When Mark Malkoff thought about where he could stay while his New York City apartment was being fumigated for cockroaches, he quickly ruled out friends' places (too small) and hotels (too expensive).

Instead, the comedian and filmmaker decided to move into an Ikea store in suburban New Jersey, where on Monday he unloaded two suitcases into a spacious bedroom at the store.

At night when the store is closed, he says he'll play laser tag with security guards and even plans to host a housewarming party.

"The fact that Ikea is letting me do this is mind-boggling," said Malkoff, lounging on a bed in his new room. "There's no way I'm going back. I love this way too much."

Malkoff, who works for Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" as a ticket handler, is allowed to stay until Ikea closes at about midnight on Saturday; the store, famous for its low-cost do-it-yourself furniture, is closed on Sundays.

Malkoff, 31, is known for his 2007 video "171 Starbucks" which documents his visits to all of the coffee chain's Manhattan stores in a single day.

Deputy store manager Julie Mott said Malkoff contacted the store about three weeks ago and presented a proposal to move in.

"We thought it would be a lot of fun and interesting," Mott said. "We're not really sure what this week holds."

He is being followed by a camera crew documenting his stay for a video, which will be shown on his Web site.

But despite the hospitality, Malkoff did find a few problems: The sinks don't work, and neither does the toilet, refrigerator, flat-screen television or the washer and dryer.

"Is anything real in this place?" he asked.

He must shower in the staff locker room and will have access to the staff cafeteria to cook his own meals, if he chooses, Mott said.

However, the Ikea display does offer more spacious living than his two-bedroom Queens apartment.

"I feel like I'm on the set of 'Friends,"' he said, adding that he has met a few new faux friends -- customers who wandered into his new apartment.

His wife of 2 1/2 years, Christine, isn't as thrilled with his new digs and has instead opted to stay with relatives in upstate New York.

"For some reason," he said, "she doesn't want to live in a store."

Mark Malkoff sits on a display bed in a showroom at the Ikea store in Paramus, New Jersey.

A camera crew is documenting Malkoff's stay at the store which he says includes laser tag at night.

The comedian had to find another place to shower because display bathrooms aren't functional.

Also check out his website, MarksLivesInIKEA.com!

Lauren Conrad To Quit The Hills and Live In A New 2Million House Of Her Own!!! Read More To See The Mansion!

miz_ayet — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:37:22 -0800

Lauren Conrad quits The Hills....

Well, kind of. PageSix.com has learned that former Laguna Beach star Lauren Conrad is set to move out of her current Hills home for a stunning 2 million dollar, four bedroom, four bath mini-mansion on the Hollywood flats just off Sunset Boulevard. We repeat: the Hollywood flats (just doesn't have the same ring, does it?).

The sexy reality babe turned fashion designer has been shopping for a new home for almost a year and has finally found her dream pad - a gorgeous Spanish style Villa seen in our exclusive picture (below) right in the heart of it all and minutes from top LA nightclub - Hyde.

A well placed "reality realtor" tells PageSix.com, "The house is beautiful inside and out, Lauren has found herself a gem. This area is so happeneing right now." Lauren fell in love with the place the minute she walked in the door and said, "I want it!" according to sources.

The star is set to move into the luxury home in around six weeks time and can't wait to tell her friends about the house-warming party she is planning, it's going to be a biggie we hear... and on camera of course!

And for those cozy nights in? Well Lauren need not worry as the street comes fully equipped with its own Blockbuster and Kentucky Fried Chicken just a half a block away... Ooh, how chic!

Article from: http://www.pagesix.com/story/lauren+conrad+quits+hills

How many chances does he get?!?

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:35:38 -0800

My best friend of 15+ years has been dating this guy for a little over a year. They are one of those couples that break up frequently but you know they're going to get back together. It is infuriating because whenever she is with him, she shuts out other people in her life. Her mom, dad, 2 sisters and her other close girlfriends have only seen/hung out him once or twice because he always has excuses for why he can't come, but try to make an effort anyway -- for her (inviting him over for dinner and drinks, inviting him to outings, inviting ourselves - with her encouraging - to his housewarming party...), so the only thing we really know about him is from what she tells us, and to avoid messy details, it is not good. And of course we're there everytime he decides to start hanging out with his ex-girlfriends - yes plural. The routine goes something like this: they get in a fight, he puts her things at the curb, she comes crying to each of us, then goes right back to him. But seriously, how much more can I take? How much support can I possibly give one person when I just can't agree with her decision? How much solicited advice can one person possibly receive when they don't take it?

I used to think she was so strong and so level headed. Now it has come to her lying to all of us when they get back together...it's like she's under his spell. She has said on so many occasions that she would be sick and tired to be on her friends/family end of this relationship since it is so exhausting. She has just changed so much. I know when you're going to say, just talk to her. We have had so many talks that there is nothing left to talk about. She's my best friend in the world and I can't stand to see her broken down bit by bit....please help!