I hate to say it, but I am still woefully behind on my Oscar movie watching. Of the best picture nominations, I have only seen Zero Dark Thirty (2 thumbs up). I am planning to see Silver Linings Playbook on Sunday. That said, there was not much to keep my interest past the red carpet. That was until I saw this chance to win on my own ballot! You know I love sweepstakes AND I am a betting woman. Heck, this reminds me of when I used to go with Grandma Lizzie to the horse track in NJ and pick horses based on colors or names!
Do you want in? Go to NY Magazine’s Vulture Oscars Ballot and then the “Use the Your Ballot” tab to choose your picks (don’t worry, you don’t have to fill it all out now. You can make a few picks, save them, watch a few movies (or read some reviews at least) and come back later, click over to Vulture’s Picks to see their editors’ predictions and look at the Readers’ Picks tab to see up-to-date stats on the picks of other Vulture readers. By submitting a ballot, you’re automatically entered into the contest, where the person who predicts the most winners can win $500. Suddenly, this is getting interesting!
Need to catch up on films like I do? Take a look at Vulture’s Oscar Best Pictures in Pie Charts to get the gist of the nominees.
Just like the clothes? Check out this great article from the NY Times on the history of the red carpet. 
I came across nutritionist Keri Glassman’s video series “A Little Bit Better”. Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, they post short animated videos with informative tips to help you feel “a little bit better”. She says (and I agree) that “making these small changes can add up and affect your life in big ways!” You can check out the playlist on the Livestrong Woman channel on YouTube.
Check out the 100th episode – 8 Pillars of a Nutritious Life | A Little Bit Better With Keri Glassman
There are so many great 2 minute ideas to chew on! Check it out!Since it’s Friday, there are deals! (I am still trying to keep dudes in mind!)
> Saucony.com is having a great sale for a limited time (ends 2/24) – so act fast – 50% off and free shipping on men’s and women’s running clothes (lots of great deals and sizes!)
> Gilt City has a ton of great stuff, as usual!
– In Chicago, check out Gilt City Insider Week with Chicago Bears’ Jay Cutler and fiancée Kristin Cavallari. The duo curated a list that includes their favorite restaurants, retail stores and more around their new digs in Chicago. The list includes: Prosecco(restaurant), Prasino(restaurant), Sofia (retail), Peeled (juice bar), Uber (car service), Pure Barre (fitness), The Peninsula (Pierrot Gourmet), Meli Juice Bar (Organic restaurant) and Twinkle Twinkle (upscale baby and child boutique)
> In NYC:
– Check out a great deal on a 1 day or 3 day OnJuice cleanse– 44% – 48% off!
– Try 1, 5 or 10 rides at Revolve Fitness for over 40% off!
– Eat up with a few deals with southern cooking at The Cardinal in the East Village
– Get all kinds of awesome deals at CLAY health club and spa in SoHo – (includes spa and fitness – check out the metabolic analysis or “Tour of Clay”! Wish I was there!)
– Check out cooking classes for 1 or 2 at almost 50% off at Cook & Go in Chelsea
> In LA, check out some great restaurant deals! Try $125 for 5 course vegan meal for 2 with wine pairings at M.A.K.E or dinner for 2 with wine at the Fat Cow in Hollywood.
> In NYC, check out Black Duck for an ‘Excellent’ Fireside Dinner for 2 w/Wine for $55 from Travelzoo.
> Hey Chicago friends, Lifebooker loot has a great deal on a 2 hour closet organizing session with Katie from KS Style. (Check out one of my inaugural posts about working with Katie!) They also have lots of great health and beauty deals in Chicago and other major metros – check it out HERE.
> Hey Triathletes, check out 50% off on GYST waterproof bags from Gearbuzz.
> Google Offers has $50 for $100 on hotel reservations from Travelocity Incentives
OK, that’s all I have. Phew! Happy Friday and have a great weekend all! Any good finds out there? Let me know!