5 On Friday: We Made It A Full Year, Y'all.

What a WEEK! There has been a lot of working and cooking and loving and working and singing and kissing and hugging and acting and general being.

1. Most importantly, Sunday was our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! I would be remiss to not make it my first point of praise. :) There were lots of treats (including PUMPKIN SODA that he bought me!) and lots of gooey Facebook posts and lots of staying in bed having a Breaking Bad marathon... Which brings me to my next point.

 2. I know we're late but we just started watching this beautifully stressfully intensely wonderful show. And... oh. my. GOD.

3. I sang at a benefit this week for the Winter Park Playhouse. It was a lovely little way to catch up with old friends and have an excuse to get gussied up and sing for the people. :)

4. Sometimes, I forget I have the best job in the world. I get paid to play with clowns as well as curl my hair. Doesn't get much better than that! And yes, I am a giant. Case in point? See above photo.

5. Pentatonix finally covered my favorite song of the summer. Enjoy.

How was your week?

Linking Up With:

5 On Friday | High Five For Friday | Back That Azz Up

5 On Friday: Sisters And Hair And Autumn- Oh My.

It's been a glorious week in Whorelando-ville. It rained for three days straight and then faded into a beautiful overcast Friday. I basically hopped off the plane from North Carolina and back into reality. But, a beautiful reality it was. And here's why.

// Twinsies Separated Only By A Decade //

Sunday was my last day in the Carolinas. So, naturally, the sis and I went out with a bang at church and dressed alike. :)

// Carol's Place //

Timothy and I found a new diner called, "Carol's Place."The meatloaf and the open-faced turkey sandwich were bangin'. The veggies? Not. So. Much. If you head here and order a side, be prepared to douse it in salt and/or vinegar and/or pepper and/or anything-that-has-a-flavor. Still, it was a new place to try and we love supporting local eateries.

// New Reads //

I started a new book this week! Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas. He's one of my favorite authors out there. PLUS- who doesn't love snuggling with their cat while cozying up to a good book on a rainy night?

// Hairstylin' //

It's been a monumental week. I, Candace Neal, hater of all things related to getting ready, actually did things with my hair. Granted, sometimes this is required by my job. Still! My sister taught me how to do a Dutch braid, I got all Pinterest-y and turned my own hair into a headband, and I got my curl on with the good ole styling wand.

// Panera Bread //

They've got Autumn Squash Soup, kids. Do yourself a favor and get. in. on. that.

How was YOUR week?

Linking Up With:

5 On Friday | High Five For Friday

NC Edition: Five On Fri... Er Saturday (Part II)

Well, kids. It's been an exhilarating week here in my hometown of You-Never-Heard-Of-This-Place, North Carolina. Up until yesterday, the weather was lingering around a perfect 65 degrees and then I think the sun sensed my Floridian presence and scooted the temp up to 82. C'est la vie.

Sans the missing my husband part, this week has been absolutely golden. Visiting with family, reuniting with old (best) friends, talking to teenagers about why they should and shouldn't enter the life of an actor, eating Mama's chili. It doesn't get much better. I'm not entirely sure how I'm supposed to narrow this sweet September vacay down to five things. But, goshdarnit, I'm gonna try.

// Airports //
For about 2 years now, I've been nursing a hefty fear of flying. I'm kindof getting over myself now. The truth is, I could live in an airport. Just don't put me on the plane. On Tuesday morning, I discovered the best cure for plane anxiety: pumpkin spice coffee from Wawa and Tina Fey's book, Bossypants. Oh. Mah. Gawd. Prepare to bust a gut, split a side, laugh out loud, and do a spit take on the passenger to your left. Also, Charlotte likes to greet you with an overpowering wave of Cinnabon spice when you arrive, which is a pleasant way of saying, "We're a great city! Come get fat with us!"

// Friendly Reunions //
Anyone who knows me knows I am distinctly wretched at keeping in touch. I detest talking on the phone. I am a wild homebody (oxymoronic, much?). And I have a huge guilt complex. So, when I havent spoken to you in six months, I assume you are mad at me and I stop making the effort.

But, when I found out my best friend since kindergarten was in the same place I was for the first time in nearly three years, I 'bout flipped a lid. Thusly, the pizza outing and impromptu Krispy Kreme drop-by commenced. Per the request of mi madre, we were able to visit our old high school theatre teacher and give a 2 hour Q & A session to his students. I've done actor workshops before, but these were some of the most wide-eyed, inquisitive young actors I've encountered in a while. And as most youngsters, we were forced politely asked to sing for the class. ;)

// Seesterly Love //
My sister is my rock. Even when we don't chat for weeks, dare I say months (lest we forget my aforementioned communication skills), we can always return to the all familiar state of inside jokes and overall good times.

Taylor and I never take things too seriously as you will see in this series of Vines we took at Target yesterday...

• Halloween Costumes Are Weird This Year
• Hot Dog Costume Variations

I love you, Taylor and I love our delightfully strange senses of humor.

// Nostalgia //
Without fail, coming home always takes me back to a simpler (albeit more homework-laden) time. Like, when I'd come home from college on Fall break and sleep for 13 hours at a time, shoulders feeling light as air from completed term papers and daunting exams.

Often, I like to revisit 20-year-old Candace when I'm home. Mama makes her heaping batch of awesome chili. I get to cuddle with James Bond, my first ever college cat (that my parents sweetly adopted when actor life took over). And I totally raid my sister's bathroom and closet and pretend I'm fifteen. You guys! Twilight Woods! Teen deodorant! Prince Brand Hand Salve that I never even knew existed! Totally, for sure!

// iOS 7 //
Kids. iOS 7 has arrived and I am in love. Everyone's got their panties in a wad about how different it is. But, the iPhone overall software look hasn't changed much since its installment in 2007 so I. am. on. board. Plus, their are buckets of new alert and ringtone so I am kindof losing my mind. They're s'cute! In love am I.

This is but a morsel of my glorious week and I look forward to sharing more of my NC exploits with you soon! I'll be back in super hot Florida (husband reunion time!) late tomorrow night. How was YOUR week been, darling people?

Linking Up With:

5 On Friday | High Five For Friday

Five on Fri...Saturday (Shh. Don't Tell.)

No blogging for an entire week? How out of character for me! As much as I can say I missed the blogging community and the writing outlet, I'll never refuse those poignant moments when real life takes over, kicks in, consumes you a bit, and then gives you some sweet nightly pillow moments with your husband.

Between a full week of work, adapting an entire children's script for a youth production of "Around The World in 80 Days," my husband starting a brand new role at a dinner show here in Florida, and watching Orlando City Soccer win the mother friggin' championship game, I can happily say, "Welcome, Saturday! You're pretty cute."

I currently find myself sipping coffee (their pumpkin spice latte is nearly 400 calories; I just couldn't do it, especially this early in the day) in the local Panera (boo. hiss. I caved to corporate). I'm wearing my husband's shirt which very nondescriptly reads, "Brooklyn" across the chest. I have no idea what this refers to. The city? A sports tream? A college? No clue.

So, you can imagine my embarrassment when a New York native inquired and I had to sheepishly reply, "Yeah. I have no idea what this shirt is. I'm from North Carolina."

Ah, the lovely morning moments of a Southern poser.

Moving on. I missed Five on Friday. So, I'm doing it today. Don't like it? Well, YOU CAN SUCK IT. I'm totally kidding. Don't suck it. Unless the "it" is a delicious popsicle or a rainbow lollipop. Then you go ahead and get your suck on.

Things That Were Great About This Week. Go:

// Orlando City Soccer //
Kids, I didn't even know a darn thing about soccer two weeks ago. And then, one week ago today I found myself ransacking Party City for every red and purple anything I could find. There's something so invigorating about bonding over a team and celebrating their win. And yes. We won. And yes, I brought a purple bucket of candy to celebrate.

// Timothy's Opening Night at Capone's Dinner Show //
Timothy opened a new role this week at a dinner show here in Orlando. He was, as always, amazing and hilarious and wonderful. And it was a great excuse for me to get all dressed up! If that weren't enough, an adorable little three-year old girl at the neighboring table befriended me. We were fast friends by the end of the night and I almost took her home in my pocket. If you're looking to kick back, laugh a lot and have a meatball or four, you should go check out this little skit!

// Yellow Dog Eats //
Tuesday was a day of delicious food dates with friends at Yellow Dog Eats Cafe- a GLORIOUS locally owned restaurant here in Florida that you simply must visit if you're ever in the Ocoee/ Clermont area. It's. Friggin. Awesome. I intend to try the Pulled Pork Nachos eventually... And yes. Yes, they have roosters walking around.

// Working For The Man //
I worked a lot this week. Work is good. I love work. I lead a funny kindof life where work isn't always consistent and I am far from having a 9-5 lifestyle. Sometimes, it's hard and I get into a dark place when work is really thin. But, when it rains it pours and I get to explore every aspect of my personality... be it a script adapter, a director, an American Idol judge, a clown, a wife. I am so grateful to have been given a frugally non-monotonous life. :)

// NC Calling //
In three days, I'm traveling to my home of all homes: North Carolina. It will be the first time I've been to visit my family in a whole YEAR! Timothy's working so I'll be flying solo (this always breaks my heart and I miss him so much because I'm a clingy, leech of a wife, apparently). I can't wait to hug my mom, laugh with Dad, bond with sis (oh. my. God. She's a senior in high school and I am a grandmother), and roll around in all of the glorious bliss that is Fall in the Carolinas.

How has your week been?

P.S. Everyone needs to go check out Karen at blue girl presents who I nominated for a Liebster Award! She just posted her survey answers AND she said super nice things about me which was completely unnecessary but GREATLY appreciated. She's awesome and super talented. Go check her out!

Linking Up With:

5 On Friday | High Five For Friday

5 On Friday (8.9.13)

I hope you are all having a glorious week! I thought I'd kick off the weekend with a little layout overhaul! Thanks for stopping by to see this blog's fancy new attire. :) Work has been a little thin lately in the glorious world of Mickey and dreams and pixie dust... as evidenced by this post.

// Stuff On The Cat //

Who doesn't love torturing their pets by putting random things on top of them? Here, Orzo The Cat is sporting Timothy's sweaty t-shirt and, on the right, you'll see a lovely abstract smattering of napkins and show scripts. Is that annoyance you sense in his glare? No. That's couture.

// Orange Is The New Black //

Remember that time Timothy and I started this show on Sunday afternoon and finished the entire first season by Thursday? Yeah. That happened. If you have Netflix, this is an exclusive series and it is absolutely amazing. Not going to lie, if extremely crass dialogue and dirty situations offend you, this is not the show for you. But, if you want to see some of the finest acting in a hilariously dark context, get in on some of this. Pronto.

// Clean Eating Tuna Casserole //

Cooked up some yummy Clean Eating Tuna Casserole this week. Tasted great but I'd add a little kosher salt if you try this recipe. Came out a little bland in the beginning. Also, I've fallen in love with Ziplist to keep track of my recipes and meal planning! You can even send your meal plans to your Google Calendar or iCal, as well as download the App on your phone for mobile shopping lists. Love it!

// Lifesaver Berry Bites Gummies //

What is more enticing than a Lifesaver Gummy? A Lifesaver Gummy with white on the bottom. It's like the blue shark gummies of Lifesavers. What is happening? I want to eat all of them right now. Danger, danger.

// This Song //

... Which I had forgotten about. Enjoy.

What is tickling your fancy this week? Happy Friday!

Linking Up With:

5 On Friday | High Five For Friday | Back That Azz Up

5 On Friday (8.2.13)

It's Friday! It's August! It's my mom's birthday! Clearly, there's a lot to celebrate. :)

/ My Mama! /
She is a super hero. No, really. She's beautiful, kind, hilariously enthusiastic (especially when it comes to unexpected wildlife while driving), quirky, joyful, unwaveringly supportive, giving, vivacious, and she always knows what I'm thinking. Happy Birthday, Mama. You deserve all the pumpkin pie and daughter hugs in the world. I love you so much!

(That's Mom on the left. Isn't she cute? S'cute!)

/ Thrifting My Face Off /

I have been going thrift store crazy this week. Found some delectable cardigans (to be showcased later this week), a cute shelf, and some whimsical vases for a secret project I'm working on and can't wait to unveil! I even gave our bathroom a sweet little tidy-up. These bowls were 25 cents each. Why does anyone ever go to Pier 1 EVER these days when you can score awesome deals like this? :)

/ House Blend Cafe /

In the midst of my thrifty antics, I stumbled upon a happy accident of a café: the House Blend Cafe in Ocoee, FL. It's quite far from our neck of the woods but I'd be happy to make the trek again and bring the hubs along for an afternoon bite. I ordered their Egg White Spanish Frittata (sans onions) and it was just lovely! I'd like to head back to try the Curry Stew over Rice, their New Orleans Red Beans And Rice, and their Mexican Salad Mondays! To top it off, 100% of their net profit goes to the community. Their slogan is "Eat Good. Do good." Who doesn't love that? Any locals ever been to this little gem?

/ Krystal Burger /

Timothy and I raaaarely eat fast food these days. If we do, the furthest we will go to "fast food" is often a sub shop. However, when I drove past a sweet little Krystal burger joint yesterday, I just had to make a U-turn and surprise my husband with a bag o' burgers after work. To be quite frank, I'm not a big burger person. I enjoy them but hate the inevitable guilt that, without doubt, ensues every time I take that last bite. There's something so alluring about the miniature state in which these burger find themselves. They're like the Honey I Shrunk The Kids of burgers. I've never had a White Castle burger so, WC loyalists will have to let me know if I'm missing out on something better or if both of these burger joints are merely twins with different names.

/ Crayola Doesn't Make A Color For Your Eyes /

I forgot about this little tune by Kristin Andreassen. Before "Cups," there was this. Get some. Best Listening Conditions: Barefoot while driving with the windows down on a sunny day. You're welcome.

Linking Up With:

5 On Friday | High Five For Friday | Back That Azz Up

Five On Friday (7.26.13)

I'd love to use ye olde saying and proclaim, "Thank God it's Friday!" But, alas, when your Friday contains a work day that spans 10PM at night to 7AM on Saturday morning, you have to let go of your premature weekend excitement and resign yourself to forced day-sleeping. Do I work the graveyard shift? No. This is called: being an entertainer. While I shall forever scoff at the idea of business suit antics and cubicle dwellings, there are those days where the shining beacon of normalcy seems nice.

But, then I remember I get (PAID) to play pretend for a living and all's well (that ends well (YES- actor humor! YES- double parenthetical sequence!)).

That being said, it's so nice to reflect on the good in this past week and all of its crazy busy glory.

/ Dollar Tree /

Folks, I have an addiction and it's called the Dollar Tree. Do you want to know why? Because, EVERYTHING'S A DOLLAR. This is a dollar store in its purest form. No thinking. No second guessing. No searching for removed price tags. No price check. No questioning the cashier with furrowed brow, "Oooh... the sign said that was on sale."

The Dollar Tree made me a promise and that promise was that: everything is a dollar.

None of this Dollar General junk where "everything costs generally a dollar."

None of this Family Dollar junk where "everything costs a family of dollars."

None of this 99 Cents And Up junk where "everything is 99 cents and up- just like it is at any. other. store. in. America." A dress at Bloomingdale's is the "up" part of that equation.

NOW, keeping that in mind, there are just some times when the Dollar Tree doesn't quite get it right. 

So, Dollar Tree, I'm sorry but I will not be making my frugal purchase of warming jelly, pregnancy tests, at-home drug tests, or Halloween decor in July today. But, thank you for meeting my needs otherwise. :)

/ Hubby's Meals /

Separate from the norm, I've been the one working 9AM-6PM every day this week and per usual, my husband has made delicious food. Favorite meals on the list?

- We got the Perfect Tortilla Bowl! It's awesome. Whipped up some chili, put it in the bowl. Delicious.

- Balsamic Rosemary Chicken with warm Quinoa Asparagus Salad modified from this recipe. We used feta cheese instead of goat cheese. YUM.

- Cheeseburger Cauliflower Bake modified from this recipe. Timothy added breadcrumbs on top. C'est magnifique!

/ $5 Shorts From Wal-Mart? /

Yes, please. Why spend a dollar more? You say stingy; I say classy and frugal.

/ Sara Bareilles' New Album, "The Blessed Unrest" /

She is undoubtedly one of the best singer/ songwriters we have out there right now. I've loved her for years and there is no end in sight. She's incredible. Alongside Ingrid Michaelson, she sings my heart and inspires me in my songwriting every day. 

Her strings version of "King Of Anything" reminds me of my own 2010 Folgers jingle submission. A girl who likes strings is fine by me. Hey Sara, can we be besties? Ok thanks!

/ My Husband's Nightly Music Serenades /

If the chicken is marinating or the onions sauteing, then my husband is on the piano. Whether it's mindless jamming, a Billy Joel cover, or a song-request sing along, it's always beautiful. I sometimes forget how lucky I am to have such a musically gifted partner in life. :)

How was your week?

Linking Up With:

5 On Friday | High Five For Friday | Back That Azz Up

Five On Friday (7.19.13)

Holy moly! What a week! Not going to lie. The only blog post that happened this week was scheduled weeks ago. I'm here to be an honest blogger, not an I-have-it-together blogger.

After a 40-hour week of rehearsals, I'm pooped. And I start another round on Monday followed by an overnight rehearsal next Friday from 11PM-7AM. Jealous? I didn't think so.

So, here's what I'm loving on this busy bee week in July.

1. The hubs and I finally visited a quaint installment here in touristy Orlando called Capone's. It's a delicious little dinner theatre filled with funny jokes and silly tales. If you can find a coupon, you'll get 30 bucks worth of entertainment and unlimited food. I call that: AMURRRICA! Also, the photo in the bottom lefthand corner demonstrates the short and tall of my marriage. ;) Hashtag: I'm a six foot tall giant hovering over my sweet husband.

2. Breakfast for dinner. Just do it already. Side note: Spinach in eggs? Required.

3. Know about Flat-Outs? They now have FOLD-outs! Perfect for a healthy sandwich! I used leftover marinara, grabbed some spinach and mozzarella, toasted it, put some watermelon on the side: bada bing! bada boom! Perfect lunch.

4. My new job is golden and hilarious and I'm working with GLORIOUS people. All I'm sayin' is, look for some clowns at the Magic Kingdom and I might know one of them! :)

5. My husband is amazing and perfect and gave me a beautiful gift for my birthday. "The Wild Africa Trek" at Disney's Animal Kingdom is an exclusive 3-hour, walking tour at the Animal Kingdom safari- meal and photographer included! How is it that I'm the luckiest wife in the whole wide world?

How was YOUR week?

Five On Friday (7.12.13)

How in the WORLD do these summer weeks fly by so quickly? Timothy and I have been married for NINE months! What? We could've made a baby in that time! Knock wood. Knock wood. Knock wood. Knock wood.

Here are five things I'm loving this week:
1. I love coming home and seeing Princess Baby Cat greeting me before I even walk through the door. Hashtag: Window Cat.

2. Mr. Pappas made some BANGIN' meals this week. Two of my personal favorites? Ground turkey and feta stuffed zucchini with garlic and olive oil quinoa. And salisbury steak with garlic-lemon kale and whole kernel corn. Yumtastic, kids.

3. The hubs and I are newly (and belatedly) obsessed with the P!nk/ Nate song despite my initial resistance. I liken it to a modern day "Total Eclipse of the Heart." And yes, I will take this time to brag about the fact that my friend Emily is in the band, FUN. P.s. Did P!nk always use an exclamation point in her name? Where have I been?

P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason by CineStars

4. This is my last weekend before I start my newest actor gig on Monday. I can't divulge direct details. All I'm saying is if you see a clown flopping about behind Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom soon, it might be a friend of mine. ;)

5. Closing arguments for the Zimmerman trial are happening today. If you don't know, we live in Orlando, FL. That means we get to washed up in the flood of high profile cases that happen here. When the Casey Anthony trial was happening, we literally packed an overnight bag to try to get into the courtroom (we were unsuccessful). We drove to her house and took pictures. We are THOSE people. Do I like crime? Absolutely not. Am I fascinated by courtroom antics? You better believe it. What are Mr. Pappas and I going to watch now? Probably The Office.

I leave you with this happy little summer tune by Meiko. 

 

Five On Friday Link-up!

Five on Friday (7.5.13)

Link-up!

Happy Post-4th/ Pre-My Birthday Day! Here's what's good in the land of Can this week.

1. I have finally tried spaghetti squash. I'm not entirely sure what took me so long. I love every other form of squash. I once was lost, but now I'm found (is it wrong to equate squash to amazing grace?). It is ridiculously good. We had ours with a little olive oil and feta cheese and will definitely begin incorporating this as a meal staple.

2. My bangs were all kinds long. So, I trimmed that business up. No more looking like a muppet.

3. My birthday is tomorrow! That means an enormous deluge of restaurant coupons has flooded inbox.

4. This Vine video we made of our cat doing his best Scar impression.

5. We had about as stereotypical of a July 4th as you can have. It was a sparkletastic, grillin' good time. I'm sure it was really safe for Timothy to hold his sparkler so close to the grill.

And finally, get some of this fantastic song, "Royals" by Lorde.