{ giveaway } pineapple seed

welcome to our new sponsor

pineapple seed!

i'm completely crazy about these jewels.
simple. tiny. modern . meaningful.

(and ridiculously inexpensive! but trust me, they don't look it!)

sussy has a few pieces i've been coveting for ages!

'tis the season!
leave a comment telling me who you'd GIVE this beautiful necklace TO
(it IS christmas... even if you're gonna scrooge it for yourself,
let me know who you WOULD give it to...)

by WEDNESDAY

and
it just may be yours!

then check out their entire line... and buy one for yourself!
one for you.... two for me....


* and special thanks to sassy blogs the new black for the "blog find of the year" award!!
i'm so flattered!

utah valley bride

(me. the covergirl for "utah valley: bride" - which ironically went to print after my marriage was over. ouch.)

ok, ok.
i guess i didn't realize the interest i piqued when i mentioned my former marriage.
i haven't talked about it before because it isn't just MY story.
i have deep love and respect for my ex-husband and his family and my talking about this very sensitive and painful experience just simply isn't fair to him and the new family he has created.
do not worry, we have great admiration and respect for one another and i will always continue to feel that way. our marriage was 7 years ago and short-lived (much less than a year and annulled) but i have learned so much. and for those lessons, i'm incredibly grateful.

i will never write about this again.
cause, guess what, y'all?
it's not really your business ;)

but just so you know....
when i say that there's "(no) sex and the city,"
i CERTAINLY know what i'm missing.

subsy is a lactard.

so she lines up her lactaid and pops them in between bites when we dine out...

then curses me because i always force her to
split a milkshake/sundae/anything ice creamy
over baked treats.

girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

tyrant collection: winner!

(how killer is this necklace!!! find it here)

congrats

send your contact information to me @ natalieKhill@aol.com
and i'll have the tyrant boys send your little sussy right over!

but TIS the season and the fellas are giving you a little christmas pressie!
for everyone who left a comment, you get 20% off!
just enter TISTHETYRANT upon checkout.
also
even if you didn't leave a comment, they're offering
FREE SHIPPING
for the holidays!

amazing.

also, have you seen their fabulous style blog?
(i have to agree, i think olivia has killer style, too....)
i wish i had b and t in my closet when i get dressed!

happy glamorizing!

granola for the soul.

(stellie before the great hair butchering of 2009)

i have a great mom.
the kind of mot who will make extra batches
of her insanely amazing home-made granola
(in all her spare time -the week she did this, dad was in and out of the hospital
and she was a full-time nurse)
and send it with her friends who surprise me at the stage door.

so every morning when i have breakfast,
i think of my unselfish mot and how much she loves me.
then i get homesick and feel a bit sad....
but then i eat the granola AND my feelings and feel so much better.

clearly, stellie thinks it's pretty special as well.

thanks, motie.
i love you too much.

shorn stellie

poor nugget suffered thru, yet ANOTHER, horrible terrible no good very bad haircut.
remember the katie holmes do?
or when her eye was brutally cut?

well, here she is, modeling her 3rd bad haircut by the 3rd nyc groomer we've visited.

always sensible to SHAVE a maltese puppy right before the winter's first snow storm!
she's sooo skinny!

she's freezing, embarrassed (true story: she wont walk around the block) and i'm livid.

found: oprah santa

our dear danny quadrino (who was an amazing "hugo peabody" tonight)
found this on the train...
clearly oprah has inhabited the radio city santa.

one of my favorite things.

bye bye birdie! i'm gonna miss you so!

found out we're closing on january 24th (the date our original limited run ends).
we're all incredibly sad and shocked considering we've been selling out....but this is a business....
and there are so many other factors that go into it...

needless to say,
i'm very sad.
i'm desprately going to miss these people.
watching our teens cry nearly broke my heart.
christmas presents are going to be sparse this year.
and
guess i'm not hitting the DVF sample sale....

the upshot:
hopefully new wonderful jobs and people will come into my life.
i'll get to go home to see my family & get some ski time.
&
now i'll have time to date at a more reasonable hour.

where one door closes, another opens.
right???

oooh no.. will i ever work again?! aaaahhhh!

{ giveaway } tyrant collection

the fierce boys from tyrant collection are generously gifting
their best-selling bracelet , nitrogen, to one of you lucky blends!

what girl doesn't want one in her stocking?!
(i wear mine practically EVERY day! i love the
hangy silver-she's gorgeous and delicately ornate.)

lucky!

simply leave a comment telling me what glittery thing gets you going!

giveaway ends FRIDAY!

<

my dress @ shabby!!

remember this dress?

i'm loving shabby's ready-to-wear gorgeousness.

bugle boy
and dear shabby apple, could you please send the above dress to me?
(ooh no... i really shouldn't post this... then we'll ALL have the same dress!
ok. just please refrain from wearing it to any holiday parties in nyc or church in nyc. thank you. )

i'd be forever grateful!
how killer for the holidays!

oooh and did i tell you everything is 15% off right now?
pretty christmas, indeed!

rub a dub dub

ok mommies,
chillax.

first of all,
when i told you to shower every day, i did not intend to start world war III.
truly, i thought that was basic.
and as many teenage girls (who are learning to care for themselves) read my blog, i thought it a good way to talk about it.
obviously, if you have a skin "condition" bathe when your dr dictates...
as i said in the beginning of my post, this is how I do things. little did i know, those of you who DON'T bathe regularly would be coming at me guns-a-blazin'.... not quite sure i'd willlingly admit to that..... lets leave mary-kate and ashley to be dirty girls.

i hear your argument, but it definitely didn't change my opinion that bathing should be a daily routine. i'm not talking about taking a luxurious bubble bath with opera music & lighted candles. we're talking a rinsie-rinse. 30 seconds.

i'm going to get 2 comments out of the way that REALLY bother me.
1. i do not have authority to discuss hygiene/children/marriage/brain squeezers (remember that heated debate?!) because i'm not a MOTHER.

guess what, folks. i was raised by a mother of 5 young girls who showered DAILY (and that 5 min of neglect never made me question that she still loved me). i have close girlfriends with babies (some of them multiple births) who shower DAILY. and when i was a full-time nanny (in between hairspray and grease) i showered DAILY.
no, i have not personally birthed any offspring, but i can assure you that i would take GREAT care to make sure my home and body (specially when it's seeping post-pregnancy) were clean so that tiny baby would not be susceptible to germs (or staph!) transferred from me.

2. it is evident that i'm "still single" because i bathe or brush my teeth.

yeah, cause SOOO many men are totally turned on by morning breath and b.o.
listen, i've been married. i know what it is like to be married and i know what it is like to be in a long-term very close relationship. perhaps you can recall your dating days.... did you bathe? i'll bet you did. why should it be any different when you're married?
i am "still single" -ish (seriously? i'm young and TOTALLY ok with being single... in fact, i really love it. why shouldn't i? when else am i going to experience nyc this way?!) by choice. not because i'm a "neurotic clean freak" (which, i am not-i just have a normal standard of personal hygiene). one great gift i can surely give my future husband is the promise not to "let it go." i expect that he will continue to bathe and brush his teeth once the ring is on. i also expect that he will continue to take care of his body as i will take care of mine. i will continue to exercise (because it makes me happy) and eat well (because my body digs that) and smell good. i will not change once i've acquired a man. you're wlcome, future husband. you're welcome.

since some mommies clearly think i'm speaking heresy about the shower issue, i've enlisted my mot (who bathed, bathes, and wil continue to bathe) to give you helpful showering hints.

kathy:
we all need to find ways to be efficient mothers. have you ever listened to the emergency airplane instructions? put the oxygen mask on YOURSELF first then on the mouth of the child. i used to think that was selfish, but then i finally understood why that was important. what help would i be to my child if i died first?
same principle with caring for yourself.
if you don't feel good about yourself, you are not going to be an effective mother or wife.
bathing and being a good parent are not mutually exclusive. on the contrary, feeling clean and kept will change your attitude about being home with your children. we CAN do it all.
we're mothers.

there are many people who don't have the opportunity to be mothers. savor this opportunity to shape young minds and teach them about cleanliness.
useful ways to take a shower (which should only take 5 min max) and still be a loving and wonderful mother:

1. nap time!
when your babies are young enough, nap time is a great way to sneak in your shower. some children even take 2 naps- that's twice the opportunites to bathe!

2. bouncer.
put the baby in the bouncer in the bathroom. that way, baby is away from harm and still close to you.

3. put the child's toys in a special bathroom drawer.
babies love tearing into things, let them have that satisfaction with their own toys while you're on the other side of a curtain monitering their safety.

4. singing time.
if your child is a little older but still too young to be unattended for 5 min, have your child sing songs with you about raindrops while the shower rain hits the curtain. use that opportunity as a teaching time.

5. play peek-a-bo
while baby is outside the shower curtain or door, play games.

girls, this is a matter of priority. do it for your husband (he'll thank me), do it for your children (they'll thank me) and do it for yourself (for heavens sakes!).

may you have a staph-free christmas!

found:

on a walk with stella.
behold, a toaster oven.

congrats, uncle D!

in honor of uncle D winning "dancing with the stars"
i decided to show your my dressing room note wall complete with

a very sincere glossy from auntie m
"see.. you're there (broadway) and you're fantastic! couldn't be prouder! love, auntie M"

and a typically donny glossy:
"natalie, eat garlic for john (stamos)
love, donny"

classic.

my thanksgiving view

last year, i watched the parade here. (not too shabby...)
this year, i was invited to frank basile and celeste holm's insanely gorgeous central park west apartment to watch the parade from the warmth and comfort of their living room.

got up close and personal with some hot booty....

and eye to eye with dora.

cute sophie enjoying horton.

celeste's oscar.
no big deal.....

santie!!!

i spent the rest of my day making pumpkin pies (and burning them- damn oven's fault!)
with great friends (and good food), and daniel craig & hugh jackman (completely mesmerized by their incredible performances in a steady rain).

my 3 kernels for this year:

1. miraculous dad & amazing mom
2. nina's coming home from korea!!
3. amazing work experiences with new best friends.

what are you thankful for ?

born to hand jive, baby.

so every night @ the grease show, i beat nana and won the "hand jive contest"

it was rigged. on closing night, i stole the trophy....
i deserved it!
(don't tell the folks @ grease)

well, i thought it was only fitting to let nan (clearly the better dancer btwn the 2 of us)
finally have her moment with the "hand jive" trophy!

so for her 2nd bway show, she won the best "hand jiver" on broadway!!

here's to hoping we have many more opportunities to pass that trophy back and forth!

congrats, nan!
btw. that wig looks insanely cute on you!
i love you, hand jive queen!

christmas plaid at christmas carol.

last weekend, i had a typically zoobie date.

movie & matching plaid.

totally unplanned.... and totally awesome.
good thing we were in the dark.

(don't know what a zoobie is? click here)

i believe

(subsy lindsway aka. bestie linds who i met on the subway, remember? and i worked that mz wallace sale... don't you wish you were on my christmas list?!)

that
a good sample sale can work en lieu of that day's cardio workout.
and
bloomie's fro yo is an acceptable breakfast meal
(despite the snarky comments from the rude cafe worker).

hi, GENE!

i'm LOVING that hygiene is such a hot topic.
when i was in high school, i'd often have loads of friends over after school. mom would provide us all with amazing food and we'd provide the round table discussion.

one day, i asked my dear friend, norm, " what is the #1 thing you look for in a girl?"

norm: (without skipping a beat) hygiene. definitely personal hygiene.

we were in stitches.
i thought a straight 17 yr old male would say something like "her personality" --or if he was being HONEST , "a hot bod!"...
but no, hygiene.

ok, dirty girls.
i'm going to give you MY guidelines for keeping yourself kept.
(you may agree with all of this, or you may be a little more crunchy..cool-
trust me, i've seen it all.. i teach yoga.
.... this is just how i do business....)

many of these are my own thoughts, observations from being naked with hundreds of broadway's finest ladies, and many are from years of mot's brainwashing...
either way, you may find it helpful:

1. ALWAYS wash your face & brush your teeth before bed.
seriously, NEVER go to sleep in your makeup.
not only is it disgusting, but it's horrible for your skin and linens!
it's helpful to take your makeup off before you wash your face with an unscented/natural baby wipe or remover wipe before you wash so you don't stain your wash cloth or towels.

2. shave your armpits & legs every day.
(even if NO ONE will see/touch them. grooming should be about you, anyway.)

3. ditto for your bikini area.
(y'all, NOBODY is dealing in my business, but you'd better believe, i'm always groomed. it's for me. i just feel cleaner.)

4. apply lotion after your shower-every time.
(your skin will thank me for it. )

5. wash your hair!
(for crying out loud! going 2-3 days without washing is ok... any more is nasty. YOU think you don't smell, but trust me, WE can smell your oily hair a mile away!)

6. deodorant: not optional.
enough said.

7. always have fresh breath.
(you'll RARELY find me without gum/mint. ESPECIALLY backstage where whispering, singing at/on other people is an intimate and potentially smelly experience. and the #1 romance killer for me is nasty breath. can't/won't do it.)

8. be careful with scents.
(bathing in perfume does not make up for a shower.......don't make it too strong... and definitely lay off in the work place. a nice spritz on the nape of the neck (or in the hair) and wrist is all you need (and depending on the scent, that may even be too much). i often find that clean natural skin is the most delicious smell in the world. )

9. keep your paws kept.
(you don't have to fork it over for an expensive mani/pedi, just do it yourself! keep it neat- and for heavens sake, don't let your toe nails get claw-like!)

10. bathe daily.
(shower, take a bath, whatever... not optional. some days, i'll bathe 2x. even if you don't wash your hair, wash your body.)

11. brush your teeth in the morning.
(i do it before speaking... trust me, you can always return to bed and speak sweet nothings, smooch...it'll just be more enjoyable. i know lots of people like to brush after they eat...... i like to do it first thing).


a general rule: if you feel good about yourself, you'll be happier/more productive.
whenever i'm sick, mom asks,
"did you shower yet? you'll feel better after you shower! (and i do) and while you're at it, do your face... put some lipstick on and you'll be a new woman!"

clean girls, unite!!

pic by nic

john treacy egan: ON CHRISTMAS MORNING { giveaway winner }

congrats, katie!
email your info to me @ natalieKhill@aol.com
and your copy is on it's way!

don't forget to buy JTE's album
{ here }

he's so wonderful.

happy opening, BONNIE AND CLYDE!

bonnie and clyde
is opening today @ la jolla playhouse!!

to honor them, i decided to post the pix from that last reading... cast in la jolla is mostly different (except for the brilliant leads- i couldn't go... bbb already reserved my time anyway)
but it's still fun for me to look back.
i do A LOT of readings and workshops of new musicals and so few capture my heart.
maybe because i got to go to work with some of my best friends (la-la, new bf melissa, clay, stark tricia, tad) and work for one of my best friends (wildhorn)... or maybe cause it was just that good...

if you're in the southern cali area, you
owe it to yourself to see b & c...
and let me know what you think!!!

more info { here }

yup... i'm in a split... the photo needed "levels"

with the barrow gang at chevy's.

man, i love you people!

happy opening!
(guess what i sent them as an opening gift...... yup, smart cookies!!)
break many legs and come back to broadway so we can play!!

happy opening, WHITE CHRISTMAS!!

my bestie anna (member of the b6 sorority)
is opening today in her SECOND broadway show!!!
congrats, nan!

wait till you see my gift for her.....

the big debate

j and i are in the midst of a great debate.

i think it's uncivilized for people of any gender to REFRAIN from using a washcloth to wash their crevasses when bathing.
how do you get the grime off with a bar of soap?!
(not a fan of a sponge-eeewww bacteria | loofah is ok, so long as you rotate)

he says men don't use washcloths and that i'm a neurotic clean freak.

so, dear readers,
what are your thoughts?

washcloth or not?

photo found { here }

john treacy egan: ON CHRISTMAS MORNING { giveaway }

so you may know my friend, john treacy egan, as max bialystock in the producers
or as chef louis in the little mermaid
or as the brilliant tenor mr. johnson in bye bye birdie
(he's also a brilliant prankster -wish i could tell you all the shenanigans he and stamos engage in- and my shining light at the theatre. i love him dearly)

you'd better not miss his christmas show
@ the laurie beechman theatre

and you DEFINITELY need to download his new christmas cd,
on christmas morning
on itunes { here }

seriously, i'd pay big money to hear him sing the phone book.

or you could leave a comment here by saturday morning and win your very own free copy!

in your comment, tell me your very favorite christmas song!

good luck!

update on D

to feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life.
but to feel the affection that comes from those whom we do not know, from those unknown to us, who are watching over our sleep and solitude, over our dangers and our weaknesses-that is something still greater and more beautiful because it widens out the boundaries of our being, and unites all living things.

{ pablo neruda . "childhood and poetry" }

d and kara (s4)
i'll let him tell you the good news { here }

we're by no means out of the woods, but wow (!), we have seen a miracle and i KNOW it is because of you.

thank you for your prayers.

please keep them coming!

also,
this is totally unwarranted, but would you also add my fb kayne (the "squish our fruits together" guy) and his amazing wife carrie to your prayers? i just found out tonight that their one month old baby just went to heaven. i know your prayers of comfort and healing for those parents and baby fisher's surviving twin brother will do a world of good. it's hard to witness my friends (we're still so young!) going thru this kind of pain and anguish. my heart is broken thinking about them but as i've seen magnificent miracles on my family's behalf because of your faith and prayer, i know the kayne family could use a little of that goodness.
thanks, lovies.

keep my digits warm.

sister ali (always up on the latest trends)
introduced me to the latest innovative invention:
the text glove.

so on my layover in SF, i forced sussy and bil to take me to target for my very own pair.
genius.