Happy Leap Day!

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Did you know that the odds of having a birthday on February 29th are one in 1,461? Yet there are four million people worldwide with February 29th as their birthday. So, let me take this opportunity to wish all of those “leaplings” a very happy birthday. Perhaps they are all partying in Anthony, Texas, the self-proclaimed Leap Year Capital of the World for the Worldwide Leap Year Festival and Worldwide Leap Year Birthday Club. I was a little bummed that not a single one of my Facebook friends was born today. Come on you leaplings, friend me!

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Life 101 – The Little Things

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Today, Westminster and I stumbled upon a little clump of crocus on our walk in Riverside Park. It was like a little patch of happiness peaking through after winter. Crocuses warm the soul. If you don’t have crocuses in your yard, get some! They are a happy sign of good things to come! Did you know the financial community sometimes refers to companies or economic sectors that rise early after an economic downturn as “crocuses” in tribute to the flower’s ability to pop up early in winter or the first days of spring? I’m going to take it as a positive sign all around. Things are looking up.

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Posted in American Fun, Gardening, Household Tips, Life 101, Quick Fixes, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

American Fun – The Oscars

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

I went to the Oscars with The Artist (aka the star seller of Manhattan Real Estate…). I thought the night was a better than average year (unless you were Ryan Seacrest), but maybe it’s because I won the Oscar pool and walked away with a pocket full of cash. I thought Billy Crystal’s opening montage was fun, that Meryl Streep’s acceptance was the best of the night, and the bizarro award goes to Angelina Jolie’s leg, but it’s Jimmy Fallon who stole the show after the show! If you didn’t catch it, watch two hilarious things: Movie: The Movie and his pitches to Oprah (whose next career might very well be comedy.) Enjoy the clips, while I work on my Angelina Academy Award stance (aka “The AAA.”)

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Gossip – Tour of Barb’s Apartment

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

When you’re skiing with the very daring Barbara Corcoran, you better be prepared to ski the trees. (Trust me, I know. And I squealed the entire time.) But now Barb has bravely gone where few New Yorkers dare, a tour of her apartment!!!, right down to the tablecloths. I think you’ll enjoy it. And if you want to be inspired, check her out as… the COVER GIRL for Entrepreneur Magazine! Catch her on ABC’s Shark Tank Friday’s at 8 p.m. If you haven’t watched, try it, you’ll definitely like it. (Oh, and take our DARE to have a little FUN this weekend!)

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Posted in American Fun, Decorating, Dinner Party Talk, Gossip!, Life 101, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing, What's Up WIth America? | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Hearted Fun – Cash Mobs!

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most meaningful. Take bringing home flowers when it’s not Valentine’s or a birthday, but when the special occasion is pure LOVE. We’ve had flash mobs at Grand Central, we’ve had senior citizen flash mobs at Target… but now we have CASH MOBS! We all want to make a positive impact in our community right? Well, bring on the mob! The idea here is to get people to go into small, local businesses and spend some money, en masse, giving an instant and direct economic stimulus. The only three rules: Spend $20; Meet three people you didn’t know before; and HAVE FUN!!! I can enjoy all three! This simple idea will help businesses grow, make people happy, and get a little something for ourselves. Did you know that a dollar spent locally gives a $10 impact to your community? Visit the Cash Mob site to find out how you can get involved.

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National Margarita Day – Ole!

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

YUMMALICIOUS! A margarita may well be my favorite food group, especially if it’s my favorite margarita on National Margarita Day.
Here’s my secret recipe for a pitcher of Jalapeno Margarita I used to serve at my Mexican restaurant (imported from Oaxaca!)
In a blender combine 2 cups of tequila, 1/2 cup of Triple Sec, 1/2 cup of Grand Marnier, the juice of 5 limes, splash of orange juice, and one jalapeno pepper. Blend well. Pour into an ice filled pitcher or over ice into individual salt rimmed glasses. (If you want it up, pour into a shaker with ice and shake it, baby!)
Garnish with a jalapeno wedge for your spicy friends or a lime for those who like it a little more tame. (My famous guacamole recipe on National Guacamole Day or by request.) Cheers!

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American Fun – Dance Break

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Some days–like rainy days in New York City–I need a little something to make my toes tap, my blood pump, and my spirits brighten. Like today for example. I’m working away on deadline and wanting a pick-me-up. Enter the Hotel Nacional, Gloria Estefan’s new music video. If this doesn’t get your toes tapping, blood pumping, and spirits brightened, you might want to just crawl in bed and call it a day. Or maybe give a listen to Doris Day’s Shaking the Blues Away!

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Go Dog Go! Best in Show!

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Meet Best in Show at the adorable Go Dog Go show this weekend. The show, sponsored by Rhinebeck’s Pause Dog Boutique to benefit HeARTs Speak, was absolute FUN. My fellow judges, Kathy Stevens from the Catskill Animal Sanctuary and Dr. Pia Salk of adoptapet.com, and I picked him in the “cutest” division and he went up against the other winners like “celebrity look alike” Frank from Men in Black, and “I found my twin!” (a poofy, beige haired woman and her equally poofy beige poodle) for Best in Show, which was picked by crowd applause. Best news? Lincoln was in foster care and got adopted that day! So, yes, you may have heard of the overly pampered Pekingese “Malachy” who furballed his way to become Top Dog at the Westminster Dog Show. The little Star Trek dribble is absolutely adorable and was definitely the crowd favorite, but nothing beats an adopted pup. Just ask my, Westminster, who was rescued 7 years ago outside the Westminster Dog Show. He knows who was that year’s real winner.

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Posted in American Fun, American Pets, Dinner Party Talk, Famous Pets, Life 101, Pet Fun, Pop Culture Pop-Up, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Oh, love. Or, as Billy Crystal put it, “I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” That’s love. I’m wishing you and yours love today. That you find it, feel it, keep it, live it. (We’ll leave for another day our discussion of St. Valentine’s beheading for marrying young couples against the Emperor’s orders.) After watching this MUST WATCH montage of How Hollywood says ‘I Love You,’ I’m now in love with its mastermind Matthew Belinkie at OverthinkingIt.com. Happy Valentine’s!

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Posted in American Fun, Dinner Party Talk, History of Fun, Holidays, Life 101, Pop Culture Pop-Up, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What I’m Doing – Dog Show!

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

This weekend Westminster and I will be in Red Hook, New York for the “Go Dog Go!” Show. In this month of the Westminster Dog Show, the people at Pause Dog Boutique thought that every dog should have its day and are having a show to celebrate our best friends regardless of pedigree – full breeds, mixed breeds and everything in between! Wouldn’t it be nice if we in America could do the same for all people? If you’re in the Hudson Valley over the weekend, stop by and say hi. Wes and I will be judging categories like “Bad Hair Day,” “Celebrity Look Alike,” and “Most Mysterious Heritage” and pawtographing copies of The Bedtime Book for Dogs. Woof!

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