BLAH BLAH BLAH

{Gettin' old school!}


10 Years Ago...
I was 15, dreaming that in ten years I'd be working as a criminalist or working through the ranks to detective.

5 things on my to do list...
1. do NOT fall into the bonfire/fire pit tonight
2. get contacts
3. homemade cinnamon buns
4. spend time with friends and family before the next semester starts
5. work on some of the DIYs I've pinned!

5 snacks I enjoy...
1. mini quiches - fast and a great protein pick-up
2. Red Bull - so need it
3. raw broccoli and dip - that crunch is the best
4. popped corn chips - hard to explain, so a picture soon
5. sharp cheddar - by the friggin' brick

5 favorite things...
1. nephew
2. polka dots
3. hunting for bargains or specific pieces
4. a hot soak with cold glass of vino
5. relaxing with friends after a hectic week

5 places I have lived...
1. Sussex, WI
2. Indialantic, FL
3. Tampa, FL
4. IHB, FL
5. Marshfield, WI

5 things most people don't know about me...
1. I was a bystander in three armed robberies within the span of a month.
2. I was a freelance photographer/journalist working the club circuit.
3. I'm a hopelessly jaded hopeless romantic.
4. For a number of years, I worked as an artistic model, mostly nude. Some fashion shoots for small companies, but mostly I posed for artists or art classes.
5. Total snuggle-slut.

NABLOPOMO: What movies have you turned off in the middle, and why?

I love shitty movies.
Especially in an MST3K format.
And they are even better drunk.

There are only two movies I ever walked out on (or turned off). The
first was A Clockwork Orange, and that was totally for a booty call.

Sex > Kubrick. (Sorry Kubrick fans!)

The other was Paul Blart: Mall Cop. I was up at the Avenues,
drunk from my martini dinner, looking for a way to kill a couple hours.
Now, I love Kevin James. One of my boyfriends in high school kind of
looked like Kevin James. Despite my dislike of Will Smith, I went to see
Hitch solely for Kevin James.

Anyways, I needed to sober up, so I bought a ticket and popcorn, and
settled in. The movie was so terrible, I didn't last until halfway.
Shit, I didn't even make it until the first twenty minutes.

I still have no idea what the hell happens.

NABLOPOMO: FREE STYLING

Just a few snaps from my night out with the laydeez. I need to take my camera out more. I like making these photo spread thingies.

:)

ETERNAL SUMMER

Because I have such a bad habit of lusting for fall, I decided to atone for my sin by dedicating a post to the beauty of an (almost) eternal summer. Just a heads up, this will be a photo-heavy post. I'll have some additional commentary, but I'll let the beauty of my home shine through on it's own.



{Technically, this is The Keys, but I loved this little guy, and had to add him.}






(I may or may not add more photos.)

Life's a beach, lovers!

KEY LIME MARTINI

My favorite liquor is vodka. My favorite vodka drink is the Key Lime Martini. My drink mix comes in two variations: make it or fake it. I only can get my hands on key limes every so often, which is why I came up with the fake it. (Note that the true key lime martini is so much yummier. If I could, I would be surrounded by key limes at all times.)

3 shots vanilla vodka (I like Three Olive, but whatever's on sale is just as good.)
juice from 1/2 lime
pinch of sugar
1 shot of pineapple juice



Add ingredients over ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds before straining into a chilled martini glass. Enjoy.

PICTORIAL VIEW

I finally uploaded some photos from my phone of the Keys trip. I had no idea I took so few pictures. The following four are the ones I feel comfortable sharing with you all. Yeeeeah...


The closest I got to an OOTD.


Outdoor markets/tourist traps are fun.


Hawaiian Sunburn. I took more pictures of my drinks than of anything else. *shame*
(It was delicious.)
Shini trying on a ridiculously large hat. I think she looks lovely!



Finito.

ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE

*insert BITCHIN' instrumental here*

Luckily, there isn't a real hurricane brewing, just a crazy life! I started nursing school on Wednesday, spent most of the last two weeks looking for a part-time replacement at work, studying my butt off for the fast track class (my midterm is next Friday!), and cooking up a storm. Bam! Cupcakes. Huzzah! Baked chicken. Boom! Superhot curry. WHAM! Crostini and fra diavolo.

I've started a new workout routine this week; weightlifting instead of my usual hula hooping and leg lifts. I need to build power in my upper body in order to move patients and equipment, my legs are strong enough as it is.

And darlings?


I AM FUCKING TIRED.




{Never know what you'll pull up next to. Love it!}


{New flats. So comfy...}


{I love the smell of jasmine blossoms. These were plucked at work.}


{Jason's Deli is so delish! Perfect for a girls late lunch.}


{I am a fiend for clubs. The Cali Club with avocado and sprouts was divine.}


{Perfect weather.}


{Midterm next Friday. Final in three weeks. Eep.}


Have a beautiful weekend, lovers!

FRIDAY FRIDAY

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. The family celebrated with riverside dining and a HUGE chocolate cake. Happy birthday, Daddy! (And I love El Caminoes. Finding one around town just makes my day.) Squidlips is a great restaurant with AMAZING seafood and drinks. Since we still obey the Catholic edict of not eating meat on Friday, the best solution was to devour local seafood. Their menu is imaginative. If you are ever in the Melbourne area, you should really check it out. And have a Green Parrot cocktail for me!









Top: Forever 21 raw edge tank
Jeans: 7 For All Mankind 37" inseam
Shoes: wedges from a Chinese Ebay store. Super cute!
Earrings: Forever 21
Purse: Forever 21 beach bag. Great, cheapie.

And yes, I had a few large Green Parrots by the time I posed with my sister-in-law.




{Before anyone freaks, she's chewing a toothpick.}

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU

All the gifts have been wrapped, lovingly placed under the tree, and family dinners abound. Too many dinners, it would seem. Thank goodness my health insurance covers my gym membership, I'll definitely need it after this holiday stretch!




I doodled out my Christmas clothing attack, but things like fluffy, shedding dogs are going to throw a monkey wrench into that. Oh well, as long as I get some snaps and can make an OOTD, I'll be happy.

I hope that you and yours, that celebrate Christmas, are also planning your holiday festives to enjoy. Snuggle up. Grab some nog or hot chocolate. Keep an eye on the children and critters. And bring on the mimosas!



A mix of the songs I listen to while wrapping. I was tempted to make a list of rappers, but my sense of humor lost on that count. You're welcome.

BLACK FRIDAY

Holy Toledo, what a feast! Because of the Death Plague, yesterday was the first day I've eaten solid food. (Yes, my gastrointestinal habits are what you all come to hear about, I know.)


My favorite has always been my mom's rolls. They're so good they caused a family fight; one year her older sister said she could make "Patty's rolls just as good, if not better" for Thanksgiving. At the time, mom would make six dozen, which was never enough for the thirty-odd people. But when my aunt made four dozen of them, there were plenty left over. Somehow, she made them dry and crumbly, when they should be moist and flaky and delious. She hasn't spoken to my mom a whole lot since then.


Since I'm feeling better, and old friends are in town, it's the perfect day night to let our hair down and get wild. (Not only is my hair always down, but I always have a wild undercurrent.) OOTDN to come!


Enjoy your turkey comas and parties! And, as always, party safely. :)

OOTD: DATE NIGHT

Alright, I don't date very often. I prefer to hang out, keep it casual and have some fun, and go from there. Going to dinner or coffeehouse, or whatever, just freaks me out, because it just puts too much pressure on and make it feel like it's a make-it-or-break-it deal. I don't date that way. I don't have many traditional views, especially when it comes to romance.


Anyways, I was going out with this guy to hang out at Ichabod's and maybe go for a walk on the beach, if things were going well. Because of that, I wanted to look casual, but make more of an effort than just a T and jeans.




These Fergie's are the bomb. 5 1/2 inches. Thicker heel with a platform. Rather comfortable and sassy. I love the thock thock they make when I walk.







You may notice that the background is different. I shot these while catsitting for my best friend's family cat. That animal scares the crap out of me.




Top: Tucker for Target
Jeans: Forever 21
Socks: Forever 21Shoes: Fergie'sEarrings: art show

YIPPEEEEEE!!!

My camera should be mailed out from the repair shop this afternoon! I don't have a confirmation of shipment yet, but I'm giving them until 6:30 tonight to e-mail it to me before I start pestering them like I've done for the past three weeks. About time.


In other news, I'm going to take the camera phone for a whirl on the town this weekend. Date night OOTD. And before I get e-mails from family, NO, I will NOT be taking pictures of my date. Capisce?


To say adios for tonight, here's a Tom Brady action figure for those who aren't New England fans.




Photo courtesy of Up Next In Sports

Ha! Choking hazard... priceless.


Have a lovely start to the weekend and stay safe!

PARTY LIFE

Sunset at Captain Hiram's. The Outlaws played, and were pretty awesome. Thanks to some Gulf shrimp, I missed most of the show. Second food poisoning in the past few months. Maybe I should stop eating shrimp?

Meg O'Malleys is a great faux-Irish pub. Food is always good, wicked drinks, and plenty of room. The gorgeous little bauble is my Threadsence pick. As you can see, it's almost 2 inches long and an inch wide. I love it!

Quirky adverts? Oh yeah, Meg's has got them. All kinds of agricultural items and Irish jokes are all over the place. "When Irish eyes are smiling, they're usually up to something." Ain't that the truth!

FAVRE. I CANNOT GET AWAY FROM HIM. ARGH.

Captain Hiram's is a nice riverside getaway. And the view? Totally in my top five.

Lemon Drop, Lolipop. :D

Oxblood is going to be big in accessories and nails this fall. A luxe oxblood coat or blazer? Hmmm... I'm going to have to do some research!

I love how 'research' means 'shopping' for a fashion blogger. It's like a dream come true!

Happy Saturday loves!

Please note that these were snapped on my Samsung and have had no retouching done. Yes my hands are that wrinkled and the sunsets really can make the water and sky that pink.

COMPLAIN-O-TRON

I try to keep upbeat on the blog, I really do. I may make sardonic remarks or allude to my pessimistic side, but I really wish I was as upbeat and happy as I sound in most of the posts. But, since this is my realm, and seeing how my New Year's Resolution was to be more honest about my true self and emotions, I feel that I need to share with you readers. You also will notice I disabled the blog comments. Mostly because I'm just complaining, and am not looking for your pity or to bum you out.


I've battled depression for years. In high school, my fear of being thought of as anything less than the perfect child and student drove me to overachieve and hide the sense of hopelessness and fear and despair I felt every day. In college, my fear morphed into being thought of as a failure and soiled, so I hid my shortcomings, fear and rapes. Absolutely the worst thing I could've done, but at the time I felt I had no other avenue beside suicide. And I was not ready to give up entirely. Over the past few years, I have worked to regain my sense of security, and build up my other psychological shortcomings.


I've regained some of my fire and passion, but my confidence has morphed into rage. It is often ill directed, and occasionally self destructive, but I'm doing my best to better myself. My fear of abandonment, stemming from knowledge of my adoption, is something I will always struggle with, but it had been doing much better. My emotional remoteness from the people I consider to be the ones I love is another area I've struggled with. The childish fear that prevents me from expressing my love and gratitude also entices me to chase after people who may be detrimental in the long run. Thank God my close friends and family know that my teasing and caustic demeanor are my attempts at expressing that affection.


These past weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster I haven't boarded since my last breakdown. I'm terrified that my medication is no longer working, but I'm worried that these extremes are going to be a part of my new emotionally available lifestyle. I hate feeling hopeless, out of control, confused, or being told what to do or feel. But, over my analytical moments, I've realized that there is nothing I can do. I need to accept and embrace this. Let go and let God, as the 12 Steps say.


Life is changing, I don't like it, but I have to accept it.


Thank you, those of you that read this, and I promise to get back to the ridiculous fashion opinions tomorrow.

WHEN FACE MET PALM

Ah, the sound of rolling eyes. It's what keeps me making terrible jokes. Nyuk nyuk nyuk.


First bit of news, Threadsence has a special for all fans on their Facebook page. If they reach 3,000 fans by THIS THURSDAY, every member of their Facebook community will recieve a 50% off coupon. Only 1,000 to go, last time I checked!


Second, I'll be posting a food-centric post a bit later. Please, leave feedback to let me know if that seems an idea I should continue to persue or to never write about again.


Lastly, I have an OOTD! Trying really hard to keep some kind of continuity to my updates, but may just embrace my helter skelter little brain.


See you tonight, lovies!

YUMMY YUM YUM

The family is going out for seafood and martinis tonight. I'll make the mother unit take OOTD pictures, and I'll practice my Ansel Adams technique on the deck. Hope the weather cooperates!


Pictures later tonight.




"Tummy Tum Tum" performed by The Dollyrots. Quality isn't the best, but I've had this stuck in my head all day.

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....