Gossip Girl: Espionage

This week on the Upper East Side Damien returned! I'm not quite sure why he keeps being brought back into the picture, but he is easy on the eyes, so I'm alright with it. I think it's the hair.

Eric is falling down the rabbit hole, which is depressing. He is always left behind. I hate that Damien is about to use him to take down Ben.

Speaking of Ben, apparently he'll be joining us for a while. Of course Serena is chasing him (pathetic) and now Rufus is helping Ben by letting him stay at the loft in Brooklyn. I find this whole storyline creepy.

Almost as creepy as the Thorpe versus Bass Industries drama. Nate tries to get his dad fired from Thorpe, Chuck wants to sleep with Thorpe's daughter and Thorpe's daughter wants to sleep with anyone she can. Trouble, all around.

Also, it is not at all believable that Chuck Bass would chase a woman after seeing her with another man. No way.

The best part of this week's episode was Blair and Dan's competition for number one intern at W Magazine. I think they have great chemistry, though I don't want them to hook up.

In previews for next week Blair tries to push Nate on her boss, Epperly, to loosen her up. Here we go, more scheming!

Before we part ways for the week Upper East Siders, was it just me, or were Gossip Girl's winter/January/flu season themed lines all completely lame tonight? Step it up, GG writing team!

90210: Sweat Lodge

Tonight's episode of 90210 pissed me off. I realize that 90210 version 2.0 is in fact a child of the original show, but that does not mean that the writers can steal story lines from the original show! Remember the girl I mentioned last week? The one who dyed her hair to look like Kelly? That is exactly what happened this week with deranged cousin Emily! Dying her hair to look like Annie, screwing Annie out of the sweat lodge at the yoga center and now she saw Aunt Becky and Mr. Matthews kissing! I know where this is headed and I do not like it.

Speaking of Aunt Becky and Mr. Matthews, since when are they formally dating?

This episode Adriana became even more vapid than I thought possible. I totally forgot she had a baby (wow, short term memory) and during the sweat lodge I was starting to feel badly for her. That is until she called a tabloid and said she's trying to get her baby back in order to create some redeeming PR. Gross.

With Charlie off to Paris, Annie and Liam can finally be together. How long do we think their bliss will last until crazy cousin Emily destroys it? Half way into next week's episode?

Previews for next week show Naomi throwing a big party for her yoga master. Not sure what to expect from that, but I guess we'll see. What did you think of this week's episode?

Dining Out: City Girl Cafe

Those who read the blog regularly know that after graduating college I lived in Inman Square in Cambridge. I absolutely fell in love with the neighborhood and have regretted leaving every single minute that I've been across the river in Brighton. That's price you pay to live alone in a one bedroom apartment with an actual bedroom door that closes.

I go back to Inman every chance I get and I've lucked out that one of my favorite girls is now living just one tiny block away from my old Inman apartment! We met last night for dinner at one of our mutual favorite spots, City Girl Cafe.

City Girl Cafe is right on Hampshire Street across the street from the S & S. You'll spot it under a green awning.

The restaurant is incredibly cozy and seats about thirty people. The walls are covered in eclectic, framed artwork and the specials are scribbled in rainbow colored chalk on a blackboard.

Last night there was one waiter attending to the entire restaurant. A tall order! He swiftly brought our drinks and when he could sense we were having a tough time deciding what to order he asked if he could help narrow it down. We asked if it would be possible to taste the soup special (the parsnip soup) and he said, "Of course!" and quickly returned with an adorably small tea cup of soup. Cute times a million.

The soup was fantastic and my dinner date decided to order it for dinner. When it arrived it came in a large coffee mug garnished with croutons.

I started with the house salad which is mesclun greens, tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese and a lemon garlic vinaigrette. So much jazzier than your typical house salad!

For dinner I ordered the penne melanzane. I was in the mood for comfort food. The penne came tossed in marinara sauce with fresh basil, roasted eggplant and mozzarella cheese. It was heavenly! If you love eggplant, this is the dish for you.

We were entirely too full to even entertain the idea of coffee or dessert. However, there is an item on the menu called an ice cream panini that I feel desperately needs my attention. Next time!

City Girl Cafe is the perfect spot for a date or catching up with a close friend. It's warm in every way.

Dining Out: Zenna Noodle Bar

Friday night after I saw "The King's Speech" I had dinner at a place I didn't even know existed! At the suggestion of my movie date, we checked out Zenna Noodle Bar on Beacon Street, just one block from the Beacon/Harvard Street intersection in Coolidge Corner.

Zenna Noodle Bar describes its menu offerings as Asian-French fusion. The menu is divided into four sections, represented by the four elements - Air, Water, Fire and Earth. I was thrilled to see that there was entire vegetarian section of the menu (under the "Earth" section) and there was also a note on the menu that any dish on the menu can be made vegetarian. How awesome!

We decided to start with the avocado fresh rolls. They arrived in the most beautiful presentation with a side of peanut sauce. The avocado was incredibly fresh as were the other veggies rolled in with the thin noodles. Super yummy!

For dinner I ordered the vegetable pad see you. It was wide, thick noodles with tofu, broccoli, carrots and a light, sweet brown sauce.

My dinner date ordered the rainbow noodles with chicken and shrimp which she assured me was tasty and delicious.

We were too full for dessert, but if we had room, they serve fried ice cream which I am positive would have been incredible. In fact, I saw it delivered to a nearby table. Next time!

Zenna Noodle Bar is a beautiful restaurant. Its an absolutely perfect date spot. It had clean, sleek decor and the staff is hyper attentive. There were several menu items I would like to go back and order.

If you're in the Coolidge Corner area, definitely make a point to dine at Zenna Noodle Bar.

Movie Musings: The King's Speech

Each year I host viewing parties for all the major award shows and it seems only right that as hostess I should see all the nominated films. With that goal in mind, I went to the Coolidge Corner theater Friday night to see "The King's Speech."

Two weeks ago Colin Firth won the Golden Globe award for Best Actor for this role which increased my excitement to see the film. He plays the Duke of York, second in line to become King of England after his father and older brother David. He has become known in the royal/political circle for his stutter. His wife, played by Helena Bonham Carter, goes to great lengths to find him a specialist to cure his stutter.

Firth is nothing short of magnificent in this role. He commits to the refinement expected of him as royalty, while at the same battling extreme inner demons. I can only imagine the preparation that went into controlling his speech like that. For me, his most powerful moment is when he confesses to his speech therapist all of the horrors he endured as a child. Though he is sharing very jarring information he is doing so while playing with a child's model airplane. It was an extremely poignant moment.

The other superstar of this film is Geoffrey Rush who plays Firth's speech therapist, Lionel. He has a certain confidence and charisma that draws you in. His relationship with Firth's character is the most endearing part of the film.

Lionel becomes the Duke's most sincere friend and cheerleader. Additionally, Rush's comedic time is superb and he delivers some of the best laughs in the film.

Helena Bonham Carter is receiving high praise for her role as the Duke's wife. I am not so sure I was impressed by her acting chops, but she most certainly had the best costumes in the film.

Lastly, I really enjoyed the costumes, set design and cinematography. The royal homes and offices reminded me of the gorgeous mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, and the scenes of the rain, snow and wind in England were perfect encapsulations of the changing seasons in the country. My favorite set is Lionel's office, which has a vibrant texture despite being in a cold, dark basement.

"The King's Speech" is definitely one of the best films I have seen recently and belongs on every nominee list it has landed on. Sadly, I know Geoffrey Rush will lose every Best Supporting Actor prize to Christian Bale's Dicky Eklund from "The Fighter," but I wish they both could win!

Before the Oscars on February 27th be sure to go see "The King's Speech."

Special Delivery: Yummy Cupcakes

Yesterday afternoon I walked out of a meeting at work and when I arrived back to my desk there was an enormous package on my chair. My mother had warned me a few days earlier she was sending me something at work, but this box seemed incredibly large.

I cut through the packing tape which revealed another large box, this one with a sticker that read "Yummy Cupcakes."

When I cut through the tape on the second box the lid popped right open to reveal what looked like barn yard hay.

There was a card underneath the hay on Yummy Cupcakes stationary. Inside the card the note was hand written and it read, "To Molly, The sweetest girl in the world! Love, Mom." And I'm crying.

I kept digging and plucked out four glass jars of cupcakes! The were adorably packaged (and branded, bravo!).

The jars have Yummy Cupcakes lids and adorable little gift tags that tell what flavors they are. My mom sent "Black Out" and "Chocolate Oreo Cookie." She knows me.

Of course I had to unscrew one jar lid and taste test! I went for the Chocolate Oreo Cookie which had Oreo pieces on the top followed by layers of decadent chocolate frosting and moist chocolate cake. Yummy is right! It was superbly delicious!

After about 60 seconds here is what happened:

Mama, thank you for thinking of me, for being so supportive and for sending such a fantastic pick-me-up!

To learn more about Yummy Cupcakes check out their website and their precious "about us" story.

American Idol: More Early Favorites

This was week two of the American Idol audition tour and I've selected a few more front runners! First, let's begin with Jerome Bell, the self-described bar mitzvah singer. Um, I don't remember any bar mitzvah singers like this from the millions of bar mitzvah parties I went to! Where was he during my big day?



Thursday night's Nashville auditions were packed with great voices! First, Chelsee and Rob. They used to be a couple, she has a new boyfriend, but he still loves her. And if that wasn't heart breaking enough, the sing together in perfect harmony. Dear producers, I know what you're doing, and I don't even care. I just want to see more of them.



Jackie Wilson was one of my absolute favorites. She reminds me of a blond Kelly Clarkson. She sang Aretha Franklin (a personal favorite of mine) and she just killed it. So much so that all three judges straight up clapped and gave her a minute long round of applause. You go, girl.



Last, but very not least, is Lauren Alaina. After a very heart warming video package about her inspiration - her cousin Holly - Lauren came into the room and cast a spell over the judges with her Faith Hill song. After they sang her praises (pun intended), and invited her whole family in, Lauren tells Steven Tyler that "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is her parents song. So, naturally, they DUET TOGETHER for her parents. Yup. No big deal.



Steven Tyler seems to think Lauren Alaina is the next American Idol. What do you think, fans?

Spotted: Dior Haute Couture

Last night I was perusing one of my favorite websites, The Frisky, and I literally gasped when I saw these incredibly beautiful photos from the Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 runway show.

I love the juxtaposition of the grand (full skirts, big collars, cowl necks) with the delicate. The beading and appliques on these clothes are stunning.

I also adore the way the models are styled - red lipstick, finger waves in the hair, full length gloves, and headdresses.

I mean, how fierce is this?

I'm channeling my inner Dior today.

Fro Yo: Angora Ice

One of my favorite, local spots is Angora Cafe on Commonwealth Ave next to Boston University. Their food is fresh, they have a ton of vegetarian options, it's affordable and - icing on the cake - they deliver!

Imagine my surprise (and joy) to learn that Angora Cafe was opening a second location even closer to my apartment and this location would serve nothing but . . . drumroll please . . . frozen yogurt!

That's right B's and G's, Angora Cafe's new location, Angora Ice, is a frozen yogurt mecca and, as if there needed to be more, they deliver.

Angora Ice is located on Route 9 in the Star Market shopping plaza. This plaza has recently had a resurgence. First the re-done Star Market, then Newton's Italian take-out gem Comella's opened, and now Angora Ice!

As you walk up to the store front the first thing you notice is the silver and orange ceiling. Its funky, fun and immediately puts you in a good mood.

Inside the walls are covered in Angora Ice's logo in a multitude of bright colors. There are a few seats in the front window, but it is clearly a take-out location.

There is an entire wall of Angora Ice that just lists the frozen yogurt mix-ins. This is my kind of place!

We took our treats to go and popped the plastic covers off as soon as we got home. I ordered vanilla frozen yogurt with strawberries and chocolate chips, and my fro yo buddy ordered vanilla with pumpkin, graham cracker and caramel.

If you live in Chestnut Hill, Cleveland Circle or Brighton Center, prepare for fro yo nirvana! Angora Ice is located at 3 A Boylston Street (Route 9) and is open from 9:00am - 11:30pm.