Life of Larisa or LOL

Wa, wa, wa WOW. Ever hear a song and it transports you back to age sixteen? Or read a book (ahem, Twilight) or see a movie (The Breakfast Club) that brings that time back to you in a rush? Never thought that thing would be nail polish. Yesterday I went on a mission that almost failed. After trying out the "shatter" nail polish in the new OPI Katy Perry California Girls line , I was hooked. I felt like a school girl. I had to have some of my own. Off to Pearlridge. I tried every hair, nail, and beauty salon/supply store I could find. I was on the verge of giving up (all previous attempts came up short) when I walked into L'Mour Nails. And there, staring at me from the window---the nail polish I had been hunting. I bought three (it's a magic number). And immediately came home to re-shatter my nails (they became chipped at work). Of course this photo doesn't really do the awesomeness of my nails justice, but...well, it is just fun.

Every generation needs it's own "When Harry Met Sally" (one of the best romantic comedies of all time). "No Strings Attached" can be this generations version. The chemistry between Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher was perfect (much better than his chemistry with then girlfriend Brittany Murphy in "Just Married" ). I know Kutcher is not known for great acting roles, but Portman, thanks to her recent Golden Globe, is. So, of course I was skeptical about seeing her in a romantic comedy with the guy from "Dude Where's My Car" . It turned out great. The movie was cute. Exactly what a romantic comedy should be. Portman and Kutcher play two people who continue to meet and re-meet over the course of fifteen years (uh, sound familiar?). Eventually, we end up in the "present day" where they end up hanging out as friends with benefits. I'd say this is the general premise for most modern day romantic comedies, but I am both

I'm ready to quit my day job and become the roving food reporter for Oahu. Qualifications? None. I just love food. Doesn't it sound great to just pick places, eat at them, talk about them, and be on t.v.?! Dream job. Instead, I just do all this stuff for free and of course minus the local celebrity aspect. Yesterday, we finally put our Wii remotes down and got out of the house. A lovely morning at the beach (it was an exceptionally gorgeous day), followed by Baja style Mexican food at Tacos Ricos . I'm not sure why Mexican food is never fine dining, but it suits me perfectly. Two fish tacos, a mini veggie chimichanga (fried cuteness), and the zestiest guacamole I've ever had. It was some good after beach eats! Gabe had the yummiest looking chicken quesadilla that was the size of his face. Isom copied my fish taco order and was adventurous with his order of elote . I was so engrossed in my food that I didn't even take a bad iPhone photo (so I grabbed the

Bet you thought there was gonna be a big fat picture of Keanu here. For another post maybe. Isom keeps out doing me with his fancy iPhone 4 camera. This is from his birthday escapade to CPK...where we didn't even have dessert! On his birthday...we are so different. Anyway, thought this was a good photo. Aren't they cute?

Oh wife of little faith. That's me. I'll eat my words (I'll eat anything). Below is the finished project. Very nice work Isom. And in one days time. Thank you for my new, bigger, beautiful kitchen sink...don't think this means I'll be pleased to come home to another surprise project though...

Alright, so we can't (or shouldn't) eat this all the time. It was a nice thought though. Weekly decadence instead of daily then? I need something to get me through all those long hours on my feet at Old Navy! This was what got me through the first half of this week. And now to figure out what treat will get me through the second half... Taking suggestions (must be accompanied by a mouthwatering photo).

For some one who isn't a professional anything---power hanging and air folding (ON terminology) don't count---I know I am overly critical on the little things in restaurants, movies, and books---the things I love to do, talk about, blog about, complain about. It's what I do. So, my complaint about The Tourist was J Depp's scruffy beard and hair. Every movie you're in is NOT PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN! So, brush that hair. Trim that beard. The movie takes place in a cosmopolitan city---Venice---don't you think a little gel could be spared for one of the greatest cities in Italy? I don't particularly like Angelina Jolie, but I do usually love Johnny Depp. She has successfully ruined another actor for me. First Brad, now this---which is totally unforgivable. This movie had potential to be exciting and great. Potential. It fell short. If I could have gotten over the ragamuffin known as Johnny Depp, I couldn't get over his puffy face...drinking wil

Where is my kitchen sink?! Note to husband---this is not the kind of "surprise" I enjoy. Books, yes. Food, always. Movies, sounds perfect. No place to rinse out my Starbucks personal cup?! Oh, no you didn't.

Almost as funny as the comedy show last night, was our dinner before hand. We had been hearing about a new quaint little Mexican restaurant in Aiea from several people. Instead of a fancy pre-concert eating venue, we headed to the Mexican dive in Aiea. I use the term dive lovingly. It was actually just perfect. I felt welcomed the moment we stepped foot in the door and walked past the ten year old kid dressed in his sombrero and other performance gear, singing at the top of his lungs---Guadalajara. It was as if I had stepped back in time and was in T.J. I have fond memories of Mexico---both from summer visits across the San Diego border with my grandparents and from the summer I lived in Mexico City. So, even though I have permanently landed in the furthest (culturally) place from Mexico, it still has a special place in my heart...which we all know equals food. Our service was great. Our bill was reasonable. The entertainment was awesome. Only in Hawaii can an Asian kid sing

Finally we did something fun. I've been in my work bubble where the only thing exciting is the newest color of cargo pants. A good laugh was long over due. We'll call this Isom's birthday outing since he turns the big 33 tomorrow. I have read all three of Ms. Handlers books and watch her show whenever I am up late...so religiously. A fan since the Oxygen Girls Behaving Badly days, I was eager to see her live in Honolulu. It almost didn't happen. My usual concert date (Sarah) had to work. Then I had to work. Then there were no decent priced tickets left. Amazingly, at the last minute, the stars aligned and tickets were found and my new date became, well, my husband. Fair enough. If you like obnoxious, foul mouthed, thirty-something humor, then this is the show for you. I had the BEST time. Josh Wolf was the opening act that almost upstaged the raunchy Handler. In a post about a comedian and attending a comedy show, I had hoped to be...funny. Didn't hap

Well, I never thought I'd be saying "the guy from Tron: Legacy really upstaged Gwyneth", but I am. He absolutely stole the show. His voice, those Brad Pitt-esque eyes, his chemistry with both female leads. I didn't see Tron with the boys, but I'm guessing this movie role is the better one. So, let's get a name out here--- Garrett Hedlund . Whatever movie you see his name associated with next (unless it's Tron Legacy 2), I'm betting will be a good movie. Two weeks in a row I've scored with a good movie. Finally! Maybe my movie karma is changing. The plot to Country Strong was nothing earth shattering, in fact it was very much like a super sized episode of your favorite one hour drama (take your pick). But, the singing was great. The music (although not a huge Country fan) was terrific---those country songs do know how to tell a captivating story. The casting was spot on. Leighton Meester (already a fan from Gossip Girl) proved she is mor

I'm feeling very cultured. CATS on Sunday. Black Swan today. This is a movie to be seen in the movie theater. Not at home where you can press pause and get up and take breaks. It's best to see this without interruption in a big, dark theater. I have heard descriptions from friends regarding this movie---intense, mind blowing, graphic---all are true. Natalie Portman plays the tormented ballerina. Barbara Hershey the psychotic mother. Winona Ryder the uber depressed ex-prima ballerina. The genre for this film would be psychological thriller or I'm so depressed I could die. It will win awards. And scarily, it will convince a whole new generation of girls to become ballet dancers. The movie is a story within a story---similar to the dream within a dream thing Inception had going on. The pace of the movie demanded your attention. The life of a New York ballerina had me captivated. Natalie Portman's transformation from Queen Amidala from Star Wars (how I last saw

We went. The Blaisdell. Sunday. Buca di Beppo followed. It was a fun experience. The last "performance" we took Gabe too was Sesame Street Live, so you could imagine I was a little concerned about how he might behave. He did us proud...until a few minutes in he "HAD TO PEE". He made sure to grab his crotch and shout it too. Yay. We delayed the inevitable for a few minutes. Then, to preempt another Michael Jackson like scene, I made Isom take him to the restroom. The performance was good. No seat kickers. Great singing. There was a couple who got scolded from the ushers for playing poker on their phone (seriously). I wish there were real life ushers at movies. Despite what sounded like a chorus of coughing from most of the audience during Memories, I was still enraptured with my favorite musical (I've been to two). It was great to share my love for CATS (I only like the musical...not the real thing) with the boys. And also my love for Italian f

...four days late. I've been very behind on my blogging. I wish it was because I have been traveling the world, writing the next great novel, or baking. Sadly, none of those things are true. I have been working. I have been watching over a sick Isom. I have been reading on my new iPAD! I have been watching New Moon on my iPAD! I have been spending a lot of quality time with...my iPAD! I don't have any new year resolutions (except maybe get a cover for my precious iPAD). I already made my list of things to improve on before turning 35, I'm thinking that can cover for a resolution or two. I haven't accomplished all the things on that list, but I have definitely hit some. For 2011, I'm just hoping to survive. New job, new side projects on the back burner, I have enough on my plate. So, I'll just wish you all a very happy new year, continue to do the good things that I'm doing, and hope that other good things come my way by virtue of the good people a