Tennessee, Here I come!

The countdown to fall and my trip to Tennessee has begun! Just over a month! Not only do I get to visit a dear friend who recently moved to Nashville, I also get to see a real autumn...for the first time. Living in LA we don't really have season changes. Fall is my favorite time of year, yet I have never seen beautiful bright orange, red, and yellow foliage. Sad right? That's OK because that's about to change.

So far we have plans to catch a Josh Turner show at the Grand Ole Opry (potentially with backstage passes because my friend is amazing like that!), lots of historical sightseeing, fun at Music City bars, a haughted tour, leaf peepin', and a UT football game! I'm BEYOND excited for all of this. I'm extra excited for the game because we don't have the same fottball/college spirit in Southern California. I want to tailgate!!

Source: nashvillest.com via megandenson on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Shelby on Pinterest

What are you pinning? Link up with The Vintage Apple and play along. And add me on Pinterest ;)


Now onto What the Hell Wednesday, hosted by Christianna of The Girl With The Blue Bow! My WTH is a good one - What the hell are you waiting for? Sign up for my favorite things swap! ;) OK I'm not that pushy, I promise. But if you'd like to play along and give/get a fun package, please sign up by this Friday! Here is all of the swap info.

Favorite Things Swap

Everybody likes receiving packages, right? And everyone loves sweet gifts. Are you with me? It's swap time!

The goal is to meet new bloggers and deliver a smile to their face with thoughtful gifts. You can send your go-to girly goods, fall favorites, or anything that you like and you think your partner would as well.

So here is how it'll work:

-You must be an active blogger and willing to blog about your goodies once you receive them.

-Must be a U.S. or Canadian blogger (sorry, trying to keep shipping costs low).

-Leave a comment with your email address telling me you want to participate.

-If you prefer to not ship to Canada, please specify in your comment.

-Sign up by this Friday, September 2 at 2pm PST.

-I'll randomly partner you up with someone and you will exchange shipping info.

-Spend $20 (before shipping) on a package full of your favorite things for your partner.

-Send the package out by Tuesday, September 13.

The process looks much harder than it actually is. I just wanted to break it down.

Important: If you are participating PLEASE send your partner their package. There is nothing worse than putting effort into something and getting nothing in return.

I hope this is a fun swap for all who participate :)

Man Candy Monday: Michael Vartan

I thought today for Man Candy Monday I'd go with a classic hunk - Michael Vartan. He had me at Alias. Seriously, I loved him and Sydney (aka Jennifer Garner) together as a couple...on and off the show. She always bags the hot dudes but I like her so it's OK ;)

Back to Mr. Vartan and my love for him. Actually let's just look at some pictures of that beautiful face.

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Name:

Michael S. Vartan

Date of Birth:

November 27, 1968

From:

France

Heritage:

Father - a Bulgarian-born musician of Armenian-Hungarian decent.

Mother - Polish/Jewish

He's not technically French

His parents divorced when Michael was five and he spent his time in France with his father and the U.S. with his mother. At age 18, he decided to move to the U.S. instead of joining the French Army (which is mandatory).

Early Career:

Began acting in French films before breaking into American show business.

Relationship Status:

Married to a woman he met in a Whole Foods parking lot (lucky lady!).

Roles:

Never Been Kissed

One Hour Photo

Alias

Monster-in-Law

Alias

Hawthorne

Columbiana

Fun Facts:

-Wanted to play pool professionally before acting.

-Got the role in Never Been Kissed because Drew Barrymore pushed for him.

-Turned down a role in Scream 3.

Your turn! Link up and tell us who your Man Candy Monday choice is this week!

Foodie Friday

Today I'm guest posting over at The Girl With the Blue Bow while the wonderful Christianna is having a blast at Disneyland. Please head on over and check out my post about The Rolling Stones!

And before I get to my post, here's the moment you've been waiting for - the giveaway winner. Thank you all for entering and congrats to Claire of Bicoastally!!

Now onto some food...

There are so many restaurants in LA. I could go out to eat every night for a year and probably still not visit all of the restaurants. I'd say there are at least 50 restaurants within 5 miles from my apartment.

Some of my recent meals have included sushi at RA and a joint called House that serves a bunch of random goodness. Feast your eyes on these delights:

RA

House

At House I had delicious wine - as in, it's now my fav wine. It's Layer Cake Shiraz. I am going to go buy a bottle tonight. It's so smooth and tasty. Has anyone tried it? It was $10 a glass at House but sells for only $12.99 to BevMo! Club Members (score!). I just may have to try the label's Primitivo and Malbec ;)






Wine photo courtesy of: BevMo!

Pretty Pink and Green

Before I get to our regular Pink & Green Thursday programming, I have a few announcements:
1. Be sure to enter my Anastasia of Beverly Hills giveaway! A great brow kit is up for grabs!
2. Tomorrow I am guest posting over at The Girl With the Blue Bow. Stop by and say hello.

Today's post is all about romantic items - flowers, clothes, foods. Sometimes it's just nice to feel girly, right?

Source: thesavvyphotographer.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: None via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Darci on Pinterest

Source: lookbook.nu via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Femmes on Pinterest

Source: oncewed.com via Lusiné Sargsyan on Pinterest

Orange: From Summer to Fall

I think the only color I don't have in my closet is orange. It's so bold and bright - and works for summer or fall - so today I am featuring it for Oh, How Pinteresting!

Source: None via Courtney on Pinterest

Source: lookbook.nu via Caroline on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: prepaganda.tumblr.com via Cathleen on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Lizzie on Pinterest

If you'd like to show us your pins of the week, link up here. And if you'd like to follow my boards, I'll be sure to return the favor!


Now onto my rant - why do I live minutes from the Southern California coastline, yet have only been twice this summer? For real? There are people who have yet to even see the Pacific Ocean, but I neglect it's beauty. There are several weekends left so I better start making the most of it!

Are you having an issue that you want to talk about? It'll make you feel better! Link up with Christianna of The Girl With The Blue Bow and join her What the Hell Wednesday blog hop!

Orange County, CA (taken on my last beach trip in July)


Giveaway: If you haven't yet entered, be sure to check out my Anastasia of Beverly Hills giveaway! You could win a Beauty Express brow kit!!

It's my way or Pacific Coast Highway!

This past weekend I went to see my favorite band, 311. We had great seats, the best I've ever sat in at Verizon Amphitheater (in Irvine). I actually had seat 311 which is awesome. The night was fantastic!

It's about the 25th time I've seen 311...yeah I am a hardcore fan. They were amazing, as per usual! Also incredible? Sublime with Rome. Rome is such a talented dude. His voice is really similar to Badley Nowell's and he's done a great job picking up where the band left off.

Apparently they aren't allowed to use the name Sublime because Bradley owned all rights. Since he passed away his family won't let the remaining band members use the name. Kinda lame if you ask me. It's not the rest of the band cause Bradley to overdose on drugs. Kids, DO NOT do drugs.

Sublime With Rome played for a good hour and the entire crowd was on their feet singing the new and old songs. After they finished their set 311 came out and played for nearly two hours. Despite the fact I've seen them so many times, it's still so exciting for me to hear them play my favorite songs live. Plus Nick Hexum (lead singer) isn't so bad to look at ;)

I'm really loving 311's new CD, Universal Pulse. It took me awhile to get into it but now I am obsessed. Also obsessed with Sublime with Rome's song "PCH". I've been listening to it on repeat for the past few days. It makes me want to take off down the coastline blasting the song. If you have a few minutes it's worth a listen. And check out their CD, Yours Truly. I'm loving the song "Panic" because it's a real throwback to old Sublime and the whole ska movement.

If you're a music lover and you enjoy the rock, alternative, ska, punk sounds and are somehow not familiar with these two bands, def check them out...STAT!

Man Candy Monday: Paul Rudd

This week is all about Paul Rudd. You know you thought Cher's older brother Josh was kinda cute in Clueless. Well, at least I did. But never really hot, just attractive in a boyish way. Fast forward like five or six years and he reappears on Friends, more attractive. Then a few years later he's the funny guy in all of those raunchy comedies and he's a full blown hottie. Are you with me now?

Paul Rudd is one of those guys who is really attractive. He's probably not on your top five list, but I think we can all agree that he's genuinely handsome. I think that his humor add to that, too.

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Source: stylebistro.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Leeann on Pinterest

Name

Paul Steven Rudd

Born

April 6, 1969

From

Born in New Jersey but traveled a lot due to his father's job. The family finally settled in Kansas.

Relationship Status

Married with a son named Jack

Random Facts

-His real last name is Rudnitzky but was changed by his grandfather to conceal their Judaism.

-Studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts with Matthew Lillard.

-Came up with the idea for Steve Carell to yell "Kelly Clarkson!" in the 40 Year Old Virgin

Notable Roles

Romeo + Juliet

Clueless

The Cider House Rules

Friends

Anchorman

The 40 Year Old Virgin

Night at the Museum

Knocked Up

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Role Models

I Love You, Man

Our Idiot Brother

What do you think? Is Paul Rudd a looker, or just the funny guy?

Think you can do better? Who is YOUR pick for Man Candy Monday? Link up and play along!

Be sure to enter my latest giveaway to win a Beauty Express Brow Kit!

Anastasia of Beverly Hills Giveaway!

Before I get to the goods I want to let you know that I am guest posting over at Blonde Episodes today! While Kori is on vacation, I am happily filling in and hosting Fashion Friday for her. Be sure to hop on over and check it out. I'd love for you to link up, too!

I know you may have seen this giveaway floating around other blogs, but that's OK. It just gives you another opportunity to win Anastasia of Beverly Hills products!

Anastasia is a brow expert for the hottest celebs, shaping the brows of pretty people such as Jennifer Lopez, Oprah, and Kristen Cavalari. Lucky for us regular ol' Janes like you and me, her products are available at Sephora and Nordstrom. And for this contest - possibly a delivery straight to your door! That means we can all have perfectly manicured eyebrows. 'Cause let's be honest, we don't always go in to get them done professionally as often as we'd like (or is that just me?).

Check out this video, showing Anastasia in action:

"Beauty Express" brow-kit instructional video from Anastasia Beverly Hills on Vimeo.

For this giveaway, you could win a Beauty Express brow kit (you'll pick blonde or brunette) which has a retail value of $39.50 - pictured above of Taylor Swift. Pretty sweet!


To enter you must leave a comment.

For additional entries, do any/all of the following:
-Follow Join the Gossip on Google Friend Connect
-Follow Join the Gossip on Twitter
-Tweet about this giveaway (leave tweet URL in your comment, please :)
-Like Join the Gossip on Facebook

That's a total of five entries possible. Please leave a separate comment for each entry. One winner will be selected and announced next Friday, August 26. Good luck!