JUMP SKIP THE BOOGEY

For some reason, I'm really into jodhpurs. It's not like I grew up as an equestrian; the only times I rode were at my aunt's in the California valleys in Calvin's, Chuck's and a vaquero hat.

As best I can figure, this strange attraction may be due to all the reading I've done lately on Teddy Roosevelt. Oh, Bull Moose, you so crazy. He was a badass, if a bit, uh, unique, to put it kindly.



Would you like that image to be used? Crazy grin? I know I sure as shit wouldn't. That'd be the first image I'd delete from the camera. Looking like that... No take backs! But considering some of his speeches, I doubt ol' Teddy gave a shit.



Like I said, badass.

Somehow this went from talking about jodhpurs to Teddy. Whatever, I love Teddy. Especially when portrayed by Kate Beaton of Hark! A Vagrant.

BREEZE IN MY HAIR

If you're reading this, I'm already on the road! My gals and I are cruising I-95 and singing badly with the classical rock station. Above is a sneak peak at what you'll be seeing posted when I get home.


Have a wonderful weekend, lovers! Remember to stay safe!

CURRENTLY....

{Wild statement necklaces. Loving them lately.}

Changing up the "CURRENTLY" post again. Just some things that made the past week much more tolerable for me. Have a wonderful Friday lovelies!



{She's always plotting a way to lick you all over your face.}


{His need for attention is as big as his appetite!}


{OPI's "Here Today...Aragon Tomorrow" as shown on All Lacquered Up. Lovely!}


{Suburbia sunsets.}


{Hummingbirds. Found this image while Googling "hummingbird tattoo".}


{Downloaded to my nook. Can find it on Amazon.}

CURRENTLY

Yes, I am bringing back a blast from the past. BOOYAH.



EATING



Grilled Rosemary Chicken

I have bushes of rosemary growing in the backyard, so when I grill, I like to snap a few sprigs off and roast 'em. By not only sprinkling the breasts, but laying full sprigs on the grill alongside the chicken (or whatever I happen to be grilling), it infuses a lovely tang, and slightly smokey taste into the meat.


DRINKING


Photo courtesy of Welch's website

Welch's Grape Juice

One of the things I haven't grown out of. And thanks to ThinkGeek, I don't have to feel silly about drinking juice at house parties. DIY adult beverage kit is a grand idea, and reminds me of studying fermentation in high school. I mean that literally, and not as a euphemism for underage drinking. I was and still am, a science nerd.


READING


Photo courtesy of SimonDoonan.net

Eccentric Glamour by all around genius, Simon Doonan.

I've read this book so many times. It's laid the cornerstone of my fashion philosophy, that what you wear is for you and not some cookie-cutter amalgamation of fashion houses or editor's without the cajones to dress to their idea of what glamour and style is. Just because an article is classified as a vest doesn't mean it should only be worn as a vest. It can become a statement, a movement, a revolution from mindless guidelines. Doonan express and celebrates those he considers to be the pioneers of eccentric glamour. It's smart, biting, hilarious and at times heartbreaking.


COVETING


Courtesy of Amazon

Amazon Kindle

I love books. Especially used and early editions. The smell and feel of an older book is intensely satisfying to me. So it is no surprise that I was very resistant when family members asked if I would like an eBook for Christmas. Just like how non audiophiles don't understand, non bibliophiles wouldn't understand. But the more research I did, and the more damage I caused my beloved books out and about, the more I've come to think having a Kindle could be very satisfying in my life.


SINGING ALONG WITH


Courtesy of Blackheart Records

A Blackheart Christmas

Covers of Christmas songs, recorded by bands on Blackheart Records label. My favorite songs include "Santa Baby" covered by The Dollyrots and "Father Christmas" covered by The Vacancies. The Blackheart sound reaches into your chest and won't let go, so these covers are wild. Punky, funky, crashing drums and screaming guitars, most definitely not for every musical palate.


WATCHING


Courtesy of MovieBerry

Deadly Women on Investigation Discovery

ID is totally my newest addiction. The show is done well, with just enough dramatization, facts, and storytelling to make for excellent viewing. If you aren't a crime buff, this probably won't appeal to you.


That's all, peeps. I'm off to finish wrapping and bake cookies. Have a lovely weekend!

CURRENTLY

EATING

Soft Pretzel

I am a carb junkie, and they serve these at the bar downtown. Good late-night snack.

DRINKING

Melonball! Mainstreet Pub uses fresh fruit for their mixes, so the melonballs are AMAZING.

PARTYING IT UP AT

Mainstreet Pub

According to one of my buddies, this is where celebrities and athletes hang out when they find themselves in Melbourne for whatever reason. I've spent a lot of time and money there, and the closest I got to meeting a celeb was a douche that called himself Elvis and ended up having an emosplosion when I shot him down. But one of my friends met Doug Flutie there, so I guess it's just luck.

LISTENING TO

The Dollyrots!

Pop punk tunes, and addictive lyrics. For me, at least.

In my tummy tum tum...... Makes me go yum yum yummy yeah...... You're my favorite dum dum...... Make me go yum yum yummy yeah.......

Their new album drops August 17th, so I am stoked for that!

READING

Fat is a Feminist Issue by Susie Orbach

I love Orbach's writing style, and her voice is one that will surely resonate with most women. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone.

COVETING

Nude Patent Rolando


*sigh* One day....

CURRENTLY

EATING


Beef Stir-Fry

I used the recipe (linked to the name) the other day, and it was delicious. I don't get to use my wok as often as I'd like, and this was an excellent recipe for getting back into it. The tang and spice of the marinade are phenomenal (I added a smidgen of chili paste) with the juice of the meat and sauce to coat the veggies.

Highly recommend this for fans of cooking and/or Asian-inspired dining.





DRINKING

Appletini

All I have to say is, "*inhalation* Still fresh."

READING

Serial: CSI graphic novel

I am a forensic science nerd. Fusing that love with comic books was only the next logical step. Without, you know, becoming a serial killer or anything.

Loeb & Leopold got nothing on this bizzatch.

LISTENING TO

Eddie Izzard

British Comedian, Executive Transvestite, and smoking hot. If you've never heard of him, you had better check him out. He is brilliant, irreverent, smart, strange, and one hell of a storyteller!

LUSTING AFTER

Bet Your Sweet Bippy Shorts




How cute and girly are these? WANT.



Tonight is my girl Bexican's birthday bash, which I am so looking forward to, and plan on snapping oodles of shots. Depending on how the evening progresses will determine whether they ever get posted on-line or not.

CURRENTLY

LISTENING TO

George Carlin

Hilarious, sharp, insightful, and crass. J'adore.

EATING

BBQ (image courtesy of the hampton smoker)

First off, fans of grilling and BBQ should check out the hampton smoker. Savory pictures that make cholesterol and heart disease WORTH IT. Secondly, I LOVE BBQ. Memaw's, Charlie and Jake's, Woody's, homestyle, Scuttle Hole, Scraggly's, you name it, I want to go there. I prefer the mustard based sauces, but I'll gladly try any one you put down in front of me.

DRINKING

Johnnie Walker

Neat.

READING

The Shiksa Syndrome

Hilarious, and almost makes me want to go back to blonde.

Almost.

LOVING

Shrimply Devine

Cute, girly, and lasts for a week without chipping. SCORE.

I have a bit of a problem with beauty products. I don't use them that often, but I fall in love with the colors and idea of their use. Cheek and lip stain, all in one? Genius! I should get a bunch of them. Eyeshadow pot with two bold colors like fuschia and tumeric? Wear it clubbing! I'll have to talk someone into going clubbing with me, but it could work! Fourty different shades of green nail polish, with only a subtle hue change? GET THEM ALL. 20% OFF WE CAN DO THIS MAKE IT WORK PEOPLE MAKE IT WORK.

So, I tend to go a little crazy with the stuff once I finally use it.

CURRENT OBSESSION

kms california Sea Salt Spray

I love it! I don't like using a lot of product in my hair, and it is hard to find a lightweight product that doesn't grease it up or weight it down. Mousse is icky and sticky. Hairspray too crunchy. Dry shampoo is irritating and leave-in conditioner leaves a film that makes my hair look dull.

After my stylist Sonja cut a modern shag into my locks, I figured to look for a texturizer. I liked the sea salt ones the best, and of those, I am totally in love with kms california. Pieces, swingy, and volumptuous. If this ever ends production, you'll find me sitting on the side of the street, birds-nest hair with mascara running down my face as I bawl and swig from something in a brown paper bag and shout unintelligibly at the Target across the street.

Crazy street lady is my destiny.

CURRENTLY

READING

World War Z

I'm not far into this, but fans of zombie apocropha will LOVE it. It's pretty nifty.

CRAVING

CULVER'S CUSTARD!!!!

Better than ice cream: thick, creamy, delicious.... You cannot go to Wisconsin or anywhere in the Midwest without detouring for this bad boy! Seriously. GO TO CULVER'S.


EATING

Kopp's burgers

Big, greasy and simple. Super good, and on par with Culver's Butterburger. ORGASMIC. When Steak N Shake had the GALL to named one of their burgers the Wisconsin cheddar buttery burger, I made it a (drunken) endeavour to set everyone in the store strait on what a Wisconsin butterburger is!

Yup yup.



LISTENING TO

Lewis Black

Full of rage, sharp wit, bitingly hilarious. Who doesn't love Lewis Black?!



DRINKING

Vodka Slush

These aren't my family recipe, but they are the perfect summer drink. Best way to make it through the weekend. Mmmm...

CURRENTLY

LISTENING TO

Spose.

I'm obsessively listening to "I'm Awesome", the loser anthem. I heard it by accident on the radio on day, cranked it when I heard "swagger like a cripple" and laughed through the rest of the song. It is hysterical.

EATING

Avocado Quesadilla

When I'm on a health kick, I'd rather use avocado than mayonnaise. And then I end up putting it in everything. These have an interesting texture, and the contrast of the avocado with the cheese is delicious.

DRINKING

Champagne

Crisp and bubbly. Always has been a pick-me after a stressful day.

READING

An intriguing read. Cross murder mystery, paranormal, and romance novel. A psychic in North Carolina is trying to help catch a serial killer, but she's falling in love with the prosecutor, but a psychic-serial killer is in love with her! OMFG. It's cheesy, but such a guilty pleasure.

WATCHING

I love true crime shows, police procedurals, anything police-related on Discovery and CourtTV. (I refuse to call it truTV.) Of the all, I'm getting really into Forensic Files. Since I've got the DVR to myself, I'm filling it with the show. I love watching a case that I've read about, just to see what different evidence they each focus on.

Yes, I am a huge nerd.

Once again, that's it for today. Tune in next time!

Currently

Watching

One of my favorite writers of all time is Dorothy Parker. When I moved into my dorm at USF, the first stop I made was the library, to search for every book they had that mentioned Parker. I would spend hours sitting on the floor of the fifth level, reading each one over and over.

This movie stars Jennifer Jason Leigh as Mrs. Parker, and it is heart-wrenching and kaleidoscopically funny. Her wit and seductive charm collide with her vulnerability and despair. If you are a fan of American wits, the Roaring Twenties, or historical cinematography, I would recommend this.

Listening To

Juanes!

I stumbled upon this brilliant Latino artist at a Wal-Mart in Tampa. I made a New Year's resolution to expand my musical horizons, which I accomplished by purchasing random artists and listening to the album all week until the next choice.

First off, a large portion of my heart is saved for Latino and Italian singers. The beat, the passion, the rhythm. Juanes, in my opinion, is a hottie. His lyrics are wrenching and the guitar work is sublime. I love to put his album on when I'm in the shower and dance my little heart out.

Laughing Over

This caption from Up Next in Sports cracks me up every time. I'm wrapped up in the World Cup, but I love looking back on past bloopers. And what event tickles me the most is the 2006 France-Italy match. Team Captain Zidane headbutted Materazzi in extra time.

Working Up a Sweat In

Pearl iZUMi Aurora Splice Knicker.

These are amazing. They are tight weaved to soak up the sweat, and yet are cool in Florida's temperatures. And how cute are they?

(And your buns look FABULOUS in these. Give the guys in the park something to slow down for.)

Drinking

Pinot Grigio.

I took this shot for the last family dinner at my brother's place. They have a gorgeous teak wood table, shown here, and he cooked up the fresh fish he had caught from our river. Blackened is his specialty.

That's all for this week's edition. Tune in next time, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.