RIDE 'EM COWGIRL

I disappeared from everywhere but the Facebook recently. To be quite frank with you all, I've felt myself slipping back into the dark passenger of depression. It's due to forces outside my control, which makes a control-freak like myself feel even worse. But, I've battled through to the other side, and while it's still cloudy, I can see the sun coming back. (Cheese-fest, I know.) So, I took the time I needed to get myself and my surroundings back on track. Things are looking up.

Moving on to the outfit, I went over to a friend's to eat Chinese, drink beer, play dominoes, and chill out. Since we were in our semi-cold snap, I busted out the boots. I'm using any excuse to wear my Fall wardrobe!









Top: Forever 21
Jeans: Diesel
Boots: Fryes
Necklace: gift

Happy Monday, 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.

IN MEMORIUM

For the USA readers, I hope you had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend. It's one of the holidays that means much more to me as an adult then it did as a kid. Twenty years ago it was a day off school and my best friend's birthday. Now, I think of the men and women who serve this country, who fight for this country, and who've died for our country. My political protests mean nothing without their sacrifices, and I never let a day go by without thanking them for the America I live in.



{Best friend and her boy.}

On Saturday, there was a surprise party for my best friend at the Outback attended by her family and a few of our friends. She almost didn't go out to dinner with her boyfriend because they had a late lunch, and she wasn't hungry. Oh, her face was priceless. After dinner, the friends and siblings went bar hopping.




{Almost-Brother-In-Law, BF, and Brother. Jagerbomb. Yeah.}




{Steve Jobs is taking over the youth.}

The next day was her birthday BBQ. We played Liar's Dice with horrible pirate accents, drank lots of beer, and tried not to cry at the sight of fifteen year olds setting up a beer pong table. (They filled the cups up with pool water, but knew what the game was. Depressing.)


{THAR BE THREE FIVES YARR}



Top: Forever 21 | Jeans: Hugo Boss DIY | Shoes: Converse | Earrings: Forever 21




Back to the grind......

WHERE THE HELL IS THE RAPTURE?

I want a refund for the kegger I planned on throwing in the nearest church after the Rapture.


Chloe of the (chloe) conspiracy Tweeted last night about making today Raptor Day. As in, get drunk and wear your highest heels all day. That sounded like a fantastic way to spend a Saturday, so I hopped aboard. As of 4:52 PM EST, I've been rocking out my Raptor shuffle. If raptor wore stripper heels, teetered unsteadily on their claws and muttered curse words instead of clicks.





Bring on 2012.

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.}

CUPCAKE QUEEN

Okay, so I can't claim that title. Ever since I found the amazing Baked Perfection blog, I've been inspired to make so many different kinds of cupcakes. She's brilliant! I've used her recipes as a template, and created my own take on some of her amazing cupcakes. Like the Chocolate-raspberry with raspberry icing. And lemon cupcakes. I modified a recipe I found for coffee cake (literally) into coffee cupcakes with coffee buttercream icing. Oh, so so so SO GOOD. My family, friends, neighbors and school admissions counselor have been on the receiving end of my crazy baking urges. I may have a new addiction, since I never baked much. My greatest baking triumph was always the Chocolate Ganache Caramel torte, but now I've got a wider repertoire! Next in line are Chocolate cupcakes with Peanut Butter icing and Fried Banana topping. Drooling just thinking about it....

HAPPY NEW YEAR('S EVE)!

Image from Andre's Mortgage

I hope your celebrations are festive and full of joy! Maybe some passion? Dancing? Friends? However you celebrate, be safe!


I've got the Death Plague, again, so my night is going to be remarkably tamer than last year. Considering I got into a few fights, only one that came close to blows, had ill-advised New Year's smooches, sent some wild texts, and mooned everyone still awake after 2 AM, any thing less would be tame. I'm hoping to dance on the beach with my bestie, maybe send off some fireworks, and maybe ill-advised texting.


My New Year's Revolution is to continue to bring the irreverent, irrelevant, and sassy commentary. I hope you continue to check out the blog, and thank you each for your silly, sassy and caring comments. I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for hearing from y'all. Thank you for the encouragement.

Be safe, and I'll see you after the hangover wears off.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Cousin Reginald Catches the Thanksgiving Turkey - Norman Rockwell 1917

While no one in my family would ever do this (at least not without major physical injuries to at least six members), I'm fairly certain this is how my coworker Hunter is getting his family's feast.


Happy Celebration of Massive Genocide Day! While I do find the celebration slightly lacking in taste, considering how PC we Americans try to be otherwise, I also realize that it's pretty much become wholly commercialized. Besides, like every other holiday celebration in Florida, it never feels quite like the appropriate season. For example, our weathermen were excited to say that we will be experiencing a COLD SNAP for Thanksgiving Day! Getting all the way down to 77 degrees! Meanwhile, my Wisconsin relatives have six inches of snow already.


I'M SO JEALOUS.


Anyways, the family is gathering, pies and tortes are baked, turkey is roasting, side dishes steaming, and booze is flowing. I know not all of you lovely readers are celebrating this holiday, but I wanted to say how thankful I am to have each and every one of you. Since January, so many of you have read my small corner of the world, and shown your affection, caring and friendship to me. I would have given up on this venture long ago, if it wasn't for all the kind words I've received.

I love you all, and will continue doing the silly things that seem to crack y'all up.


*kisses and sasses*

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.

NEW ARRIVALS

I love internet shopping.


Despite what Prince may say about the internet being dead (HA) I am among the bajillions who think he's full of shit. Becoming a Jehovah's Witness must require the removal of several brain lobes. Why do that when we have vodka?


(I think it's funny that the man who obsessively guards his copyright by removing nonsactioned "sharing" of his works on the internet is declaring the WWW "dead". Don't you?)


Anyways, one of the greatest uses of the 'net is SHOPPING. As a fashion blogger, I'm contracturally obligated to say that. As a shopaholic, it's all truth. Put me on the stand, I'll swear to it!


I love how easy it is. Hello! With a click of the mouse, I can see what the company is offering in clothing, jewelry, handbags, shoes, etc. Remember the old days when you had to go to each store and hunt through the racks? Or, holy cow, go to the MALL? Ah, those were the days.


Sometimes, going through that whole dance can be fun, and if you get lucky you'll find some deals. I prefer going to my inbox, getting discount codes and then shopping my little brains out.


That being said... Darlings, if you haven't checked out Threadsence yet, DO IT. I only discovered them from the wonderful Tiffany at I Am Style-ish, and their clothing and jewelry are to die for. Especially their rings. Oh, they are GORGEOUS.


LuLu*s is a great trendy and unique store. There are so many cute things that it's kind of amazing my head doesn't explode. My favorite in the New Arrivals is the Fun and Games romper. Because of the peplum skirts, I'm not sure how that would translate on curvy girls, but I'm thinking the worst it could do is make the hips hippier and the waist teenier.


anthropologie has a great shit-ton of pretty, whimsical designs. Sometimes, when I'm browsing their site, I just want to roll around naked on their jackets and dresses. That pretty. Um... oh boy. My picks are the Blushing Avian blouse, From-the-Poles jacket, and Hello Sunday blazer.

If you haven't heard of Brooklyn Industries, you need to keep an eye on them. They have been expanding outside New York and holy shit they have amazing pieces. One of my girlfriends works at the newly opened Boston location. So, Bostonians, if you drop by, ask for Jess and say Ri sent you. My pick: Printed Bryce dress in Mosaic.


I saved my favorite for last: Urban Outfitters. I don't usually shop there unless I'm in Miami or drunk shopping, and not because I don't like the store. I've gotten some AMAZING deals there, but I've had some unsavory run-ins at the Orlando store which ruins it for me a little. But that is neither here nor there. My picks: KNT by Kova & T Open-Back Peplum top, and Flight of the Conchords Eat Sleep Folk Boyfriend tee.


(Flight of the Conchords! OMFG BRETJERMAINE I LOVE YOU.)


Happy shopping!

Currently

I'm bringing back my "Currently" posting. It's fun, and I like sharing more than just my fashion choices with y'all. So, without further ado....

Reading:

The Pendergast series by Preston and Child.

Holy shit. These novels are A. MAZE. ING. By far, the most underappreciated authors out there. My buddy Ross turned me on to them, for which I love and hate him. They are like literary crack. You cannot stop. I've read each book multiple times, and I still go back for more. I'm reading the whole series again, and am up to Cabinet of Curiosities. Sweet Moses, they rule!

Eating:

Broccoli Cheddar soup

I am a total whore for cheese. I've actually had arguments with people over the merits of Wisconsin cheddar vs. California cheddar.

Yes, I need professional help.

Drinking:

Appletini

TGIFriday's makes the best Appletinis. I've tried all around here, and they make it strongest. Probably because I'm a regular and tip really well.

Listening To:

MC Mong

He's a Korean hip-hop artist and comedian. My friend Molly showed me the awesomeness that is MC Mong. He is funny, and weird, and totally addictive. He sings in Korean and throws in random English. Which is HILARIOUS. I embedded my favorite song of his, "Indian Boy".

Totally amazing!

Outfit of the Day: Wrinkle in Time Saves Nine?

I continue to bring the lame. Woohoo!


I hope everyone had a fun and safe Cinco de Mayo. I decided to carry the party through to the weekend. Tacos and sangrias last night, tequila shots and dancing with the girls tonight, margaritas and salsa tomorrow, and clubbing or bar hopping on Saturday.


Put the medics on stand-by!


For now, I'll just share one of the easiest outfits I do, without leggings. (I love leggings! They're like fashionable sweats!)



Maxi dress! Bib necklace!

WEIRD FACES. WOO.

Cute crocheted back design! And theres my dumb bandage. Oye.

Pretty necklace. I think this was one of my favorite necklaces from Forever 21.

Dress: Forever 21

Necklace: Forever 21

Shoes: groove

Simple!

Whoa Oh Ah Oh

My gal Jess and her boytoy Noah flew down from Brooklyn early this week. They have a great room on the beach, right near Main St and all the parties. And, man, do bikers fuckin' PARTY. Dude, Daytona Bike Week is MASSIVE. Like, crazy fucking MASSIVE. Parties, booze, tattoo parlors, bikes... I can't believe it.

So, yeah, I've been on an unofficial break while balancing work, school and partying with everyone. I know, that's not balancing.

So sorry!

Be back in action March 9th.