*hey there, it's christa*

Ok, Now I Get the Cronut Craze

For the past few weeks, people have been tweeting like crazy about something called a cronut, and I honestly thought it was a new iPhone ap. Or maybe a new exercise craze like Zumba.

So today for my continuing cultural education, I finally decided to google "cronut" and see what all the fuss is about.

A doughnut and croissant merged into one sinful treat? Ok, now I get it...

So, friends, have any of you tried a cronut yet?

Since people seem to be waiting in very, very long lines for a taste and one guy even held off on proposing to his girlfriend because of a cronut shortage, I can't help wondering if they're that delicious—and available in DFW, perhaps?

It's Not Dairy Queen, But I Suppose It'll Do

When I was a kid, there was nothing better than a banana split or a peanut buster parfait from good ol' Dairy Queen.

What can I say? I was a girl with simple tastes.

So imagine my surprise when I ordered a banana split to share with the hubby in L.A. this past weekend and THIS is what showed up.

Yeah, The Ivy knows how to rock a banana split and still make it seem healthy somehow.

NOT PICTURED: Little ramekins of whipped cream, hot fudge, hot caramel and sugared peanuts that we covered all the fruit and ice cream with immediately after snapping this pic.

For the record, we almost considered ordering our own desserts because we both have a sweet tooth. Guess it's a good thing we didn't huh?

Gut Reaction: "Go On"

Now that MasterChef's a wrap (and what a finale it was!), there's a spot open on the ol' DVR for something else, so I decided to give Matthew Perry's new sitcom "Go On" a try.

Considering I was always Team Chandler on "Friends" because his particular brand of humor (read: snarky) totally appealed to me, watching "Go On" was a pretty logical choice.

In fact, whenever I've seen him on some other show (and he's been on quite a few over the years) or the big screen in something like Fools Rush In (a total guilty pleasure), he's still always been Chandler Bing to me.

Anyway, Perry's career has definitely had its fair share of stops and starts recently, but for some reason, I really think "Go On" will stick around for a while. Not only does the funny, madcap writing totally play to his strengths, but there's enough fascinating supporting characters that will keep him from having to carry the show alone.

For the unacquainted, the premise is a pretty simple one. After the death of his wife, Matthew Perry's character, Ryan King, is eager to get back to work as a sportscaster. Naturally, it doesn't take long for his co-workers to see that he doesn't have any business being back yet (a funny encounter with real-life football player Terrell Owens seals the deal), so his boss insists that he go to therapy. 

Of course, Ryan thinks therapy is the last thing he needs and is basically just there to get the necessary signatures so he can get back to real life. But as you've probably already guessed by now, things don't exactly turn out as planned.

I'm only one episode in, but I gotta say I'm intrigued and am already looking forward to seeing what happens next, which is always a good sign, right?

For the Love of Croissants

I was just downloading the pics off my phone from my recent visit to Colorado Springs, and I came across this little gem that my sister took.

Oh yeah, the croissants, the flaky, buttery naughtiness that totally made our whole day. Pure heaven, I tell ya.

There's this cute little bistro in the Springs called La Baguette that's an absolute must-visit if you're ever in the area. They have the most incredible French onion soup with a thick, melty cap of gruyére gracing the top. When you break through all that cheese, the soup underneath is just as remarkable. It just might be my all-time favorite French onion soup.

While I hear their frites are also to-die for, I'd just be happy with another one of these croissants. When I was in Paris, I had a chocolate croissant every single day, so I hate to order that to compare, naturally. But my sister wisely ordered the cream cheese-stuffed delight on the left, and it was nothing short of perfection. Trust me, the pictures don't even do it justice.

If all those incredible pastry layers weren't already delicious enough, the cream cheese cream totally sends it over the top. That, with a nice strong cappuccino, made for what was easily the best breakfast I had while I was there (Starbucks, eat your heart out!). 

At Long Last, It's September...

It's probably still a little too early for all my Fall decorations to be out, but see, I simply couldn't wait...

As soon as I flipped my calendar from August to September, I immediately changed the runner on the dining room table (see left) and started burning my favorite golden apple candles. After a long, long summer, I couldn't wait for Fall.

Trouble is, it's still in the triple digits here in DFW, and the air conditioner is running at full blast.

But even if it doesn't feel like Fall outside yet, at least it can inside, right? Before I started the whole clean diet thing, a couple of pumpkin spice lattes officially sealed the deal (in my mind, anyway).

Before long, I'm sure I'll be sporting a hoodie. But in the meantime, I've got chili simmering on the stove and the first NFL game on TV tonight to remind me that Fall isn't too far away.

Well, fingers crossed, anyway...

You May Say I'm a Dreamer...

As I was scrolling through my DVR queue the other day, I noticed that a lot of my favorite television shows have something in common.

Whether it's "Chopped," "MasterChef" or "Next Food Network Star," even cooking, something I love to pieces, takes a serious backseat to a far greater connection point, namely the privilege of watching everyday people going after a big dream.

That idea is something I can't help resonating with because it's exactly how I feel with every novel I write. 

At the risk of sounding all sappy like a Texas equivalent of Oprah or something (yikes!), there's just something about dreamers that I can't help getting all choked up about. I love seeing—and hearing about—people who not only go after but realize their greatest dreams.

And considering that I'm also a huge movie buff, it probably won't come as a huge surprise that I'm also inspired by the story I'm about to share. A couple of weeks ago, someone who regularly reads my movie reviews at Crosswalk got in touch about a very cool film project he's working on.

Rather than go the typical studio route, Daniel George of RocktheFlix was inspired by the generous efforts of film lovers around the world who helped get Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz made and opted for a grassroots approach as well. So now, with no further adieu, here's a little about his cinematic debut, Sweet Mara, my .02 on the script and how you can get involved.

The Fight for Freedom is Front and Center in Sweet Mara

In all my years of reviewing movies (the good, the bad and otherwise), I’ve normally never commented on a film before the rough cut was available.

But when I heard about a filmmaker who’s recently launched the first-ever campaign to raise $1 million dollars via Kickstarter for his passion project, Sweet Mara, I couldn’t help wondering what all the hub-bub was about. Basically, what was it about this story that not only commanded one California film buff’s attention (for the record, that’s Daniel George, founder of RocktheFlix, a virtual studio for film, music and art) for the long, demanding process of writing a screenplay but would also inspire the masses to lend their support as well?

Well, it didn’t take too long to figure it out…

While many movies with overtly redemptive themes can often feel a little heavy-handed in the moralizing department, the writing of Sweet Mara has a surprisingly deft touch. Filled with compelling characters you can’t help relating to and no shortage of action beats with plenty of clever twists and turns along the way, it’s the stalwart fight for freedom that’s reminiscent of the spirit of last month’s national release of For Greater Glory starring Andy Garcia (Oceans 11, The Godfather III), that’s ultimately front and center.

In Sweet Mara, the story centers around the journey of one brave man named Stefan. Willing to risk his life so he and his family can eventually escape the clutches of an evil dictator in Romania, he’s forced to leave his loved ones, namely his wife Mara and two young sons, behind while he makes his way to America. And as expected, Stefan’s dangerous adventure is fraught with conflict from the get-go, which naturally makes the quest all the more fulfilling.

Adding another layer of intrigue to the proceedings is the bravery of the movie’s namesake. Not only is she routinely interrogated and forced to do all sorts of challenging manual labor after she’s demoted at work, but when a horrible accident injuries her youngest son, she has to swallow her pride and welcome her estranged father back in her life. For the record, this is the same man who made it impossible for her to accomplish her life-long dream of becoming a professional violinist.

Like the best novels, the script for Sweet Mara is a page-turner, and even without the benefit of faces to put the names with or skillful cinematography to provide a sense of place, it’s not difficult picturing how everything plays out because the storytelling is so visual. And while the driving narrative doesn’t scale back on the harrowing realities that would be commonplace in a storyline like this, Sweet Mara is never gratuitous for sheer shock value’s sake.

If anything, simple authenticity is the order of the day, and the payoff is a film where themes of freedom, forgiveness and family are the true shining stars.      

For more information on Sweet Mara, including a link to where you can be an integral part in getting this film in production, please visit www.rocktheflix.com.

Gut Reaction: "Bunheads"

Let's face it, "Bunheads," weird title or not, you totally had me at "brought to you by Amy Sherman-Palladino, creator of 'Gilmore Girls."

Yes, as I've confessed on this blog before, I absolutely adored the winsome mother-daughter adventures of Lorelai and Rory on "Gilmore Girls," so naturally, I couldn't help being intrigued by the promise of a quirky new sitcom from A.S.P.

On a side note, is it weird that I feel like I've totally earned the right to abbreviate her name since I've spent sooo much time in A.S.P.'s make-believe universe?

Alrighty, back to the show... For anyone wondering, yes, "Bunheads" does share a couple of things in common with our beloved "Gilmore Girls." Not only does it feature a few "Gilmore" players like Kelly Bishop who played Rory's notoriously uppity grandmother, Emily and set in a quaint small town (although so far, there seems to be a shortage of good coffee), but there's also plenty of fast-paced dialogue peppered with pop culture references aplenty.

Aside from that, however, "Bunheads" definitely has its own thing going. Basically in what has to win some sort of award for sheer impulsiveness, a former ballerina named Michelle, who now moonlights as a Vegas showgirl, escapes her rather ho-hum state of affairs by marrying a man she barely knows, moving to his small coastal town called "Paradise" and then in a twist of truly heartbreaking fate, (SPOILER ALERT) becomes a widow after only one day of wedded bliss.

Naturally, that leaves our protagonist's life in serious flux...

Since I'm only two episodes in, it's sort of hard to say whether this storyline will have legs. But so far, I'm loving the motley crew of characters, clever writing and sly humor, so here's hoping it'll continue to be a winner in the season of boring ol' re-runs.

A.S.P., don't let me down, okay?

When a Trip to Italy Isn't in the Cards, This Just Might Ease the Sting...

While Rome is just one of many cities I have Travelocity track the fares for, I know that short of winning the lotto, a trip back to Italy probably isn't in the cards anytime soon.

But when doing a little research for Will and I's upcoming pilgrimage to NYC, I did uncover something pretty spectacular (thank you, In Style for the fabulous tip)...a patisserie called Dolce Vizio that only has coffee and tiramisu on its menu.

Can I just say that whoever came up with that idea is nothing short of a genius?

I absolutely love tiramisu, which literally means "pick me up" in Italian, so this restaurant is basically right up my alley. In fact, I'm even willing to ditch the requisite visit to Serendipity and their to-die-for frozen hot chocolate just so I can sample some of the tiramisu bliss.

Really, the only problem will be choosing which flavor to indulge in. In addition to the regular cocoa/espresso variety, they also have limoncello, raspberry, orange espresso, mango and Nutella tiramisu, too.

In a word: Yum.

Expect a full update next month once we've returned...I'm guessing it'll be one of the highlights of the trip.

Now That January's Almost a Wrap, Here's a Few Observations...

In a mere six days, the first month of 2012 is officially a wrap (!!!), so while I recover from shock (yeah, aside from the weather, it still feels like it should only be January 10th or so), here's a few random—and I do mean random— observations.

*There's a whopping 10 months (!!!) until the presidential election, and I'm already suffering from major political fatigue. For the record, Facebook isn't exactly helping my cause.

*It's seems a little weird that last year's leaves (yeah, we never quite got around to raking) and a few new flower blooms are already peacefully co-existing in our yard. But you won't hear this Northern girl complaining about the decidedly Spring-like temps. I'm a fan.

*Now let's talk entertainment. Was it just me or was Snow Patrol's new album was a major disappointment? I mean I'm all for switching things up, but Fallen Empires sounds like something from an entirely different band. Thankfully, the same can't be said for the latest from Kathleen Edwards. Amazing stuff.

*I also had higher hopes for "Alcatraz," namely that it might help fill the LOST void. But aside from Hurley being part of the action, I was pretty underwhelmed by it all. Funny enough, that's how I expected to feel about The Bachelor, but as it turns out, you still can't look the other way with a total trainwreck like Courtney on the loose. I guess that's why it's the guiltiest of all TV pleasures, right?

*Speaking of what's on TV, I think I actually preferred it when Ricky Gervais was a little meaner. One can only hope the upcoming Oscars will be a little more exciting than the Golden Globes were—especially in the fashion department. Almost everyone belonged on the "Worst Dressed" list in my estimation, save for Viola Davis, Elle Macpherson and Octavia Spencer.

*And from TV to sports, it's been nearly two weeks, and I'm still bummed about the Packers losing to the Giants. I can only imagine how bad the 49ers fans are feelin' this week. Sigh.

*Last, but certainly not least, I've noticed something not all that surprising about New Year's resolutions. When you're not eating out all the time and regularly baking Christmas cookies, it's actually possible to eat healthier (quelle surprise!). Now here's hoping all that chocolate available in February won't derail the good progress in January...

Now that all my ranting and raving is over, I'd love to hear from you—what's gotten the thumbs up or down from you this January?

Fudge-Covered Ritz: Delightful or Disgusting?

If you tuned in yesterday, you discovered that my cutie patootie niece and my husband Will share a serious love of mini Reese's peanut butter cups in common.

Funny enough, in the same way that Will can easily down an entire bag of that chocolate/peanut butter goodness in record time, he's also been known to devour Ritz crackers in an equally enthusiastic fashion.

Now I'll be the first to admit, Ritz is buttery deliciousness in mere cracker form, but I'm guessing even if I was starving I'd never eat more than 10 at a time, even if hummus or some other yummy topper is involved. But Will? Well, he'll eat an entire roll and call it lunch.

So when my Mom saw that two of Will's favorite things—Ritz and chocolate—had conveniently merged for the holidays, she simply couldn't resist getting a box for his stocking. And given my love for all things sweet and salty (my favorite combo is plain M&Ms on movie theater popcorn), I couldn't resist sneaking a little taste either.

Now for those wondering whether fudge-covered Ritz are delightful or disgusting, well here's the verdict: If you like chocolate-covered graham crackers, you'll adore these! Strangely enough, I wished the salty element was a little more pronounced because it didn't taste all that Ritz-y to me. But they were still pretty delicious, and not surprisingly, our box has already made its way to the recycle bin without even the smallest of cracker crumbs inside.