Que Pasa, Calabasa?

There....are no words.

2012-01-16T23:40:00.000-06:00

A Thousand Times, Yes.

2011-12-17T12:17:00.000-06:00

"I play real sports. I don't try to be the best at exercising."

from here.

Soon, my love. Soon.

Oh Look.

2011-12-16T12:14:00.000-06:00

They made Future Me into an action figure.from here.

How Old Am I Again?

2011-12-15T12:57:00.000-06:00

Another obsession (as of late):

from here.

from here.

from here.

from here.

I can hear my sister making fun of me now.

Overheard.

2011-12-14T12:22:00.000-06:00

Dad: You're doing it wrong!
Mom: You are NOT foreman of this house, sir!
Dad:...you're still doing it wrong.

Dreaming of a Snow White Christmas

2011-12-13T12:05:00.000-06:00

from here.

Just in case anyone was wondering what to get me for Christmas.

We Need To Talk About This.

2011-12-12T21:36:00.004-06:00

I cannot express my excitement appropriatly.

UD Naked2 Palette.

Nerd Alert.
Big Time.

Sunday Inspiration

2011-12-12T08:00:00.001-06:00

...On a Monday.
Deal with it.
What. Up.

from here.

Some Reasons Why Video Games Rule.

2011-12-11T16:09:00.003-06:00

One of my most favorite songs of all time? Perhaps. The best use of ANY JAY-Z SONG EVER? Most definitely.

Sometimes I wonder if Aubrey Plaza and I were separated at birth. And then I remember that she's way cooler than me.

Sam Worthington? Hot. Jonah Hill? Hot...? Weird.

And finally, the greatest thing video games have ever given me. True story: I was serenaded with this song by someone very dear to me. He learned to play guitar just for the occasion. It was probably one of the sweetest, most thoughtful things anyone has ever done in my presence. His girlfriend is a lucky lady.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that video games aren't vehicles for intense creativity.
Or that they don't rule.
Because, clearly they do.

Something we can all appreciate.

2011-12-11T15:35:00.004-06:00

I have often attested that John Hughes may have been largely responsible for my creation of unrealistic expectations in terms of my romantic interactions with men (aka he ruined my love life).
Ergo, I had to share this lovely little post I discovered on my new fave site HelloGiggles . I'm kind of in love with it. It holds many lovely treasures, this post being chief amongst them. Or, rather, what I've found so far.

Before I allow you to bask in the glory that is this vastly intelligent compilation of life lessons and awesomeness, I must insist that you feast your eyes on pictures of various John Hughes landmarks around the Chicagoland area. MollyBeth and I took a tour when she came to visit for Thanksgiving two years ago. Why are there so many of them around here, you might ask. The answer to that is simple: because I live in the best and most magical city in the whole wide world.

The Home Alone house. Cheese pizza, anyone?

Cameron's house. Let my Cameron go...

My lovely co-host posing in front of Glenbrook North high school, the backdrop for many outdoor scenes in the Hughes film library, as well as our rivals. SPARTANS SUCK.

Everything I Need To Know About Life, I Learned From A John Hughes Movie

by Vanessa King

Occasionally (okay, maybe more than occasionally), all I want to do is lay around in my pajamas and watch movies. This weekend was one of those occasions. While scouring my somewhat embarrassing DVD collection (though a worthy reflection of a life spent growing up in the ’80s and ’90s), I realized I own nearly every film ever made – written and/or directed by John Hughes.

Beyond being iconic films of a generation, what the heck is it about a John Hughes film that makes you want to watch it over and over again?

More than just a hilarious look at relatable characters, I’ve come to the conclusion that his films were really 90-minute life lessons. According to Hughes, here’s how to get through 80 or 90 years while staying relatively sane:

1. Family vacations should be avoided at all costs. Your father will get lost and there’s a good chance someone might die.

2. There is always a Geek who thinks you’re gorgeous. You don’t have to like him back, but know that there is going to come a time when the Popular Guy fades into oblivion and the Geek finds himself locking down a small role in The Dark Knight.

3. You never really escape high school. Look around the room right now: I bet you can pick out a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. The guy in charge is probably an idiot.

4. Fake sick whenever you can.

5. If you fly from Chicago to New York in the winter, you’ll have more luck playing pickup sticks with your butt-cheeks than you will taking off on time. If you get delayed, make a friend. It’ll make the journey a little easier to handle.

6. Go to a party by yourself. You’ll have a better time.

7. Be nice to your crazy uncle. Though he may have a gambling problem, a dependancy issue and drive a really ugly car, he probably has more in common with you than you’d like to admit.

8. Get a dog. A big, slobbery dog. He’ll frighten the neighborhood buillies, help you talk to boys and maybe even save your life.

9. Go camping at least once a year. The experience will make you be a better person.

10. If ever you find yourself lost and alone, don’t panic. Everything will work out by Christmas.

11. Make Molly Ringwald your BFF. Because she is awesome. (Okay, that’s not really a life lesson, but for real, Molly, if you’re out there, totally gimme a call.)

from here.

I don't know why...

2011-09-15T15:24:00.002-05:00

...but I needed to share this picture.
It makes me LOL.

This is what happens on Sundays in our house.
And it's not even a little bit posed.
Awesome.

Boy Friends (not boyfriends)

2011-09-14T15:51:00.004-05:00

"What I'm saying is - and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form - is that men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way."

When Harry Met Sally

Have you seen this movie?
If the answer to that question is "no," drop everything you are doing and go watch it. Rent it. On-Demand it. Netflix it. Steal it. Whatever. Just do it.
In fact, even if the answer to that question is "yes," you should probably drop everything you are doing and watch it anyway.
Because it is made of awesome.
Go. Now.

Welcome back.

All of my life, I've had boy friends. I will admit that I'm not entirely sure of the reasoning behind this. In my more enlightened moments, I attribute it to the fact that my personality is an evenly distributed mixture of tomboy-ness and girlish. Rather, a more evenly distributed mixture than most.
I am just homogeneous enough in that department to avoid being androgynous.
Okay. I'll stop with the SAT vocab words now.

In junior high, two of my best friends were a pair of boys named Matt and Pat (they are not related, though funnily enough two of my current closest male friends are also named Matt and Pat. Except they're twins. Which is weird. More on that later). During this period in my life, afternoons and weekends were spent in someone's basement either watching movies or playing video games.

Just the three of us.

Sometimes, in the evenings, our other friends would join us for kung-fu movies or board games or something that is equally awesome in the mind of a fourteen year-old.

Mostly, it was just the three of us.

And I loved it.

There were no discussions of hair or make-up or periods or crushes on boys.

Not that those things didn't interest me.

I just thought it was nice to have a break.

With Matt and Pat, it was all sports and action movies and pizza.
And that was fine by me.

My mom, concerned parent that she is, noticed how much time I seemed to be spending in dark rooms with two pre-teen boys and decided that it was time to have a conversation.

A conversation about "the one things that boys want."

I threw up in my mouth a little bit during this conversation.

I was not a sex object to these boys by any means. There is no question in my mind about that.

Though we spent hours and hours together, neither of them ever made any sort of move sexually or dropped any sort of hint. And this is to their credit because, as my mother so astutely observed, they WERE 14 year-old boys.

Looking back on that time, I am so glad that I was lucky enough to have these boys as friends. In a world where young people seem to be growing up faster and faster, being exposed to males who treated the girls in their lives with respect would shape my expectations and standards for the men that I did want to be romantically involved with. Not to mention my future friends.

These days, my relationships with my boy friends are a little bit different. But that circle of my social life is still made up of the same respectful, intelligent, and concerned men.

They hold doors open for me.

They walk me to my car.

They go out of their way to buy me gluten-free treats.

But, that doesn't mean that they don't fart in front of me or tell naked lady jokes.

And that's how I know that I'm a girl friend, and not a girlfriend.

These same boys also have a tendency to stand over me menacingly in bars in order to keep the near-do-wells away.

Whether I want them to or not.

Please don't misunderstand:

I am all for Girl Power.

Women's Rights.

Sticking Together.

Whatever.

But I do think that there is value in being reminded, as women, that there are men on this planet who will treat us as equals.

Not treat us like slaves or sexual outlets or second-class citizens.

Not put us on pedestals because we are "the fairer sex" or coddle us or shelter us.

Just as I would never debate the importance of having female friends in my life, I will never underplay the importance of having male ones.

I know that any woman in the world would be lucky to spend their lives with one of my boy friends.

Just as I know that any man I introduce to them will be acutely aware of how lucky he is to have me.

And, on top of all, I can burp and watch football in appreciative company.

Because, as good as girl friends are...

boy friends are good, too.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

2011-07-20T17:44:00.005-05:00

You guys should be used to this right now.
Whatevs.
When I'm not working (which is, like, never...with the exception of RIGHT THIS SECOND), if I have the choice between sleeping, laying by the pool, going to a dive bar, or blogging...welp, I'm gonna choose one of the first three.
It's true.
Sorry Grandma.
Sorry Internets.

Oh well.

Hey! I've got some really cool art installations to show you.

Ponder:

Rebecca Bauman? I think could be buddies.

from here, via here.

In Case You Were Wondering What It Is We Do Around Here

2011-05-15T20:34:00.002-05:00

Just sayin'.

Some Awesome Animal Videos For Your Sunday

2011-05-15T19:15:00.002-05:00

You. Are. Welcome.

A New Joy

2011-05-09T12:17:00.002-05:00

On my days off, I like to get started late.
I wake up around the normal time, lay in bed and read or pet the sleeping lion that lives with me.
I venture downstairs, fire up the laptop, and turn on The Food Network.
Usually, Ina Garten.
Because I'm cool like that.
As someone who has lived on a restricted diet for the last several years of their life due to various forays into vegetarianism, veganism, ambitions of weight-loss, and now, gluten-free (not a choice, merely necessity), I like to play a little game with the shows I watch. It involves trying to modify recipes in my head, to a point where I can consume them based on the rules of my current food-intake requirements.
Sometimes, it works out.
Sometimes, it can't be done.
Either way, it always fun and I'm always inspired and usually hungry.

Today was one such day.
Ina, Peanut, and I were hanging on the couch while I checked my e-mail and did other important things (like read my newsfeed on Facebook).

There I was, bemoaning the fact that we had nothing remotely gluten-free in the house (I need to go shopping) and I was hungry.
Ina's recipes tend to have that effect on me.
Except I didn't want to bust out all my mad cooking skills this early in the morning (okay... it was noon, but whatever). I kind of needed something that was easy.
So, let's recap:
Easy.
Delicious.
All ingredients present in the household.
Gluten-free.
Right.

Then, I looked up and Ina was making eggs.

Holy crap, I forgot about eggs.

Maybe I didn't really forget about them.
But in my defense I didn't eat them for a long time, due to the veganess.

Okay.
Eggs.
I can do that.

And I did.
They were good.
Of course I ate them with hot sauce.
My Dad insists.
Funny story: when Molly and I lived in England, I carried a bottle of Tabasco in my purse with me wherever we went. The Brits aren't particularly famous for their food.
You can ask her. I'm sure the image is burned into her brain.
She probably has nightmares of the embarrassment I caused her.

Ina says they are best when cooked over a low, slow heat.
Generally I am not that patient.
However when Ina tells me to do something, I do it.
And she was right.
Apparently, the French cook their scrambled eggs in a double-boiler.
That would probably be super-delish, but I think I'll save that for a less desperate time.
To my credit, I think I went pretty slow. Or slower that usual.
I'm not really sure.

Either way, Ina saved the day.
As usual.

Mother Lover

2011-05-08T22:03:00.003-05:00

Have you ever met my Mom?
Allow me to introduce her.
She:
Loves reality television.
Went to college on a softball scholarship.
Gave birth to her third child at home.
Doesn't wear make-up because she doesn't need to.
Thinks The Lonely Island are a riot and (not so) secretly wants me to marry Andy Samberg so she will have talented and hilarious grandchildren.
Admits that Napoleon Dynamite is her favorite movie (a close second? Forgetting Sarah Marshall).
Still loves me no matter how much I've charged to her credit card during past shopping endeavors.
Makes spaghetti sauce better than anyone you know.
Always tells the truth.
Has been married to the same man for 32 years.
Loves her children more than she loves herself.

In other words? She is awesome.

I'm pretty lucky to have such a cool Mother, no?

In honor of all you mothers and mother lovers out there, I give you....my mom's fave video.

Tina Fey is the Sh!t.

2011-05-08T20:36:00.002-05:00

I couldn't even read this aloud to my Mom without hysterics.
Can I be this talented one day?
From here.

A Mother's Prayer for her Child: by Tina Fey

“First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels. What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. “My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.”

-Tina Fey

These...

2011-05-03T00:52:00.002-05:00

...are what I'm using to distract myself from the craziness in this world right now.

Did I mention that I'm allergic to gluten? Well I am. It's awesome. Especially when you're half Italian. ALL THOSE PEOPLE EAT IS PASTA. I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.
Thankfully, there's Gluten Free Gir l. Have you met her? She's awesome. You should check her out. Even if you've not had the gluten-free lifestyle thrust upon you (it's actually not that bad. I'm just being dramatic and bitter...par for the course, really).

My admiration for the genius and hilarity of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Maybe you should jump on the bandwagon. The same goes for Eastbound and Down. Danny McBride is the shiznit.

The newest book by innovative make-up artist and photographer and all around badass Francois Nars, Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself. So inspiring. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. Review post to follow. Promise promise.

PS- I'm really liking Katy Perry these days. Not gonna lie.

There Is No Death Worth Rejoicing

2011-05-02T23:38:00.001-05:00

Dear Lizzie

2011-04-27T22:35:00.003-05:00

Today is your birthday.
And I have to admit that we barely spoke about that tonight on the phone.
I chewed your ear off about all my unimportant problems.
Even though it was your birthday.
And you didn't care.
You just listened.
Because that's the kind of friend you are.

You are someone who is kind.
And smart.
And insightful.
And good at so many things.

Remember when we first met?
I was freaking out and crying.
Typical.
And you hated me.
Also typical.
But then we were cast together in that one show?
And we were forced to be sisters.
And then we actually became sisters.

Remember when you got married?
You let me pick your wedding colors.
Because those were the colors that matched my dress.
I insisted that I would be your maid of honor.
Not because you asked me to.
But because I was not about to let you walk down the aisle without me by your side.
We stood there, next to the waterfall, as you said your vows and chose to spend the rest of your life with the wonderful man who is now your husband.
I cried again.
Of course I cried.
I was so happy for you.

Remember when I called you with a huge crisis?
I needed your help immediately.
I needed your advice.
I needed you to listen to me and tell me what to do.
Except...that seems like it happens all the time.
So, maybe we won't go there.

There are so many facets to you, Lizzie.
So many things that you're good at.
Writing.
Teaching.
Singing.
Acting.
Knitting.
Eating spicy tuna rolls.
All the important stuff in life.

You are so wizened and well-versed.
Yet you love anything that sparkles.
And candy.
And glitter.
And crafts.

We have been through so much together, you and I.
But after all the boys and the drama and the stupid people in the world (not us, of course), you are always there for me. And I for you.
I know I probably don't say it enough, but I would be lost without you.

Sometimes I feel lost.
And misunderstood.
Yet somehow, you always know that right thing to say.
The reasons why I feel the way I do.
Because you've been there.
You've been where others have not.
No one understands me quite like you do.
Everyone needs someone like that in their lives.

Lucky, lucky girl am I.

You never cease to amaze and inspire me.
You will always and forever be my Sistah.

Happy birthday, my dearest friend.
I love you.

Whoa Dere.

2011-04-27T19:51:00.003-05:00

So, Tuscaloosa is being EVACUATED?

Did I mention that my best friend lives there?
Because she does.

Apparently, the windows in her house were BLOWN OUT.
What the heck, Mother Nature?

In case there was any sort of question as to the validity of this, here's a picture of her and a family friend being evacuated from their neighborhood (which was tweeted by The Weather Channel! Celebs!):

Stay strong, Bama.

Update:

2011-04-27T00:06:00.000-05:00

We lost.

I'm thinking of a four-letter word.
It starts with F.
And it is not FAIL.
Although that might be appropriate.

Coming to You Live...

2011-04-26T23:56:00.002-05:00

..from the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals.
In my living room, of course.
I choose to post because I am FREAKING out right now.
It is almost midnight, and we are literally screaming at the television.
I need something else to focus on, or I might self-destruct.

Do not ever, EVER question my love for the Blackhawks, or this sport.

PS- Corey Crawford is soooo money.

Sunday Inspiration

2011-04-24T12:06:00.000-05:00

from here.

This Might Just Be...

2011-04-19T23:46:00.001-05:00

...the cutest video ever.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/penguin-loves-to-get-scratched/20o232tg?src=v5:embed:&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;fg=sharenoembed" target="_new"title="Penguin Loves To Get Scratched"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Video: Penguin Loves To Get Scratched&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

A thousand times, yes.

This is what a healthy relationship looks like

2011-04-18T19:43:00.003-05:00

Via text.

Boyfriend: Next time you come over, can you bring my clothes.

Me: Yes. Is this your way of telling me we're breaking up.

Boyfriend: No. This is my way of telling you I have no lounging clothes and I think you may be a hoarder.

So what?
So maybe I have three pairs of his sweatpants and two sweatshirts and four t-shirts and two pairs of basketball shorts?
Like that should really make *that* much of a dent in a person's wardrobe.

Have you seen this?

2011-04-18T19:40:00.001-05:00

You're welcome.

In with the In-Crowd

2011-04-18T18:46:00.003-05:00

You guys.
I just got an e-mail telling me inviting me to join Pinterest.
Do you know what that means?
I'm IN.
I am totally a cool kid now.

To celebrate?
A picture.

from here.

Yes.

Sunday Inspiration

2011-04-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

from here.

Sunday Inspiration

2011-04-10T09:37:00.000-05:00

from here.

Yes.

2011-04-06T12:08:00.001-05:00

from here.

An Empty Bookcase

2011-04-05T09:46:00.000-05:00

A few days ago, my Mom asked me the name of the last book I read.
And you know what?
I couldn't remember.
Translation = THAT SUCKS.

So, I'll make ya'll a deal: you suggest some titles to me, and I shall read them.
Okay?
Okay.
Read: I am soliciting some advice from you, Internets
Particularly if your name is Lizzie or Molly Beth.
Anyone else is welcome to participate, as well.

As of this moment, I have A Wolf At The Table on my nightstand.
Any other brilliant ideas?

I know I can count on you guys...

from here.

Another Obsession?

2011-04-04T18:27:00.013-05:00

So.
It's not as though I need another internet-related obsession.
I'm sure we've already established this.
See, that's what I thought.
Until I discovered this.
Oh, Pintrest.
Where have you been all my life?

I haven't quite figured it out yet.
Basically, it's just a bunch of awesome people posting the awesome things that they find on the internet. And in life, I guess.
Apparently, it's pretty exclusive because I requested an invite via the website, and promptly received and e-mail saying that the site was "still in private beta."
Whatever the heck that means.
So for now, I am relegated to simply perusing the coolness of others.
Which is okay for the moment.
Until I get sick of it.
Or the website decides to be in "public beta."
Whatever the heck that means.

In any event, here's some neat-o things that I've found today!

from here.
Dinner!

from here.
Heaven!

from here.
Agreed!

from here.
Where my peeps at?!

from here.
I could probably handle this!

from here.
If anyone needs me, I will be here!

from here.
Yup!

from here.
I love love LOVE this bracelet!*
*And my mother would definitely kill me dead if I bought it.

from here.
I could get down with these.

from here.

BABY HIPPO!

from here.

A graphical comparison of the amount of ink used when printing with eight common fonts!

Admit it.
You're kind of in love now, too.

Wisdom

2011-04-04T18:23:00.002-05:00

from here.

"Faith is what you have in things that don't exist. Your awesomeness is real."

-Homer Simpson.

Sunday Inspiration

2011-04-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

from here.

Floating Away

2011-04-02T02:03:00.003-05:00

from here.

I really need to go to stop looking at We Heart It and go to bed.
Or something like that.

Bricks and Ivy

2011-04-01T23:00:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things about spring, aside from the whole sunshine and warmth thing, is the intercession of the seasons of hockey and baseball.
And, if one is a citizen of the great city of Chicago as I am, it is a great time of year to be a sports-fan indeed.

Today was opening day within the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.*

*Please note: I am a Cubs fan. I have been all my life. Yes, I am used to disappointment. No, it does not change my mind, nor do I wish to pledge allegiance to another team. Sorry if that offends you. I am a Cubs fan because I love baseball, I love Chicago, and I love what the legacy of the team and the fans represent-- loyalty. We may not have the best record in the league, but we damn well have the most resilient fans Aaannnd....end rant.

It was freezing.
It was raining.
It was windy.
And we lost.

But that's okay.
Because I still got to eat peanuts and watch batting practice and make fun of all the drunk people around me.
AND.
I got to wear a rain poncho.
When was the last time you wore one of those?!
Am I right?

In honor of the start inauguration of baseball season 2011 and my favorite baseball team and the fact that I'm going to see Eddie Vedder June 28th at the Chicago Theater, I give you this lovely montage.

A Piece Of The Sky

2011-03-31T23:54:00.005-05:00

from here.

I don't even care that Yoko Ono broke The Beatles up.
So beautiful.

Maybe It's The Crazy In Me

2011-03-31T23:26:00.006-05:00

Or the anal-retentive.

Or the obsessive-compulsive.
I've been on sort of an organization kick lately.
Which is weird.
Because in the past, "organized" is not exactly a word anyone would associate with me.
I'm all about cute office supplies and file boxes and all the jazz.
That would probably be why am so very much enamored with this little ditty that I found:
Things Organized Neatly.
I happen to know one or two people who read this
blog that might appreciate it.
I know that I certainly do.

Distractions.

2011-03-30T12:35:00.002-05:00

It's my day off today.
I haven't showered.
I haven't even left my bed.
Yes, I am aware that it is almost one in the afternoon.
It is my day off.
What do you want from me?

Also: there seems to be a large, gray feline who doesn't want me to get out of bed, either.
Or do anything other than scratch behind his ears (i.e. type on my laptop).
Observe.

Oh.
And now he is trying to chew the computer to get my attention.
Awesome.

I Heart It

2011-03-28T22:47:00.000-05:00

Have I mentioned how much I love the website We Heart It?
Probably not.
Especially since this love was very much of the unrequited nature, until very recently.
Well, I do.
I loves it.
I loves it lots and lots.
Every. Single. Image is so inspiring and creative.
Beauty and talent and artistic emotional expression abound.
I have selected some of the most recent images for your delight.
There are new ones added just about every millisecond.
Which is pretty cool, I think.
Behold and enjoy.

from here.

from here.

Whenever I Need To Smile...

2011-03-27T21:49:00.001-05:00

...I watch this.

And maybe cry a little, too.

Mom's Are The Bestest

2011-03-27T21:34:00.002-05:00

Aren't they?
My awesome mom sent this to me the other day.
I happened to be at work, and my e-mail happens to go to my Blackberry, and I just happened to check it while I had some downtime (certainly NOT while I wasn't supposed to be looking at my phone).
It was the best possible relief I could have asked for at that particular point in time. I've been really consumed with my job lately, which has taken a major toll on my emotions.

I wish I knew where it came from so I would be able to give credit where credit is due.
If anyone does, let me know and I'll gladly link it.

In the mean time, please enjoy.
And don't forget to stop and smell the roses.
Or something like that.

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever

watched

kids

On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to

the rain
Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a

butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the

fading

night?

You better slow down.

Don't

dance so

fast.

Time is short.

The music

won't last.

Do you run through each day

On the fly?

When you ask "How are you?"

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so

fast.

Time is

short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your

child,

"We'll do it tomorrow?"

And in your haste,

Not see his

sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good

friendship die

Cause you

never had time

To call and say,'Hi'

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last..

When you run

so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting

there.

When you worry and hurry

through your day,

It is like an unopened gift....

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

Technical Difficulties

2011-03-27T20:08:00.005-05:00

The last couple of days have been difficult.
Well, more difficult than usual.

My sister is in Australia.
In case you didn't know.
Australia is halfway across the world.
In case you didn't know.

I miss my sister a lot.
But the last couple of days?
I have missed her extra.
I guess maybe things have just been a little bit more difficult for these few days?
I'm not sure.
I just know that I miss her.

I wish she were here.
Or I wish that I were there.
I'm not sure.
I just wish we were together.

I think I'm supposed to pretend like she's still away at school.
But that's just three hours away.
This is about three billion miles away.
It feels like another universe.

I'm sure I sound stupid.
In fact, I know I sound stupid.

Janie is having the time of her life right now.
She's soaking up every beautiful moment of life over there.
I know she is.
That's what she does.
What kind of sister would I be if I tried to deprive her of that experience.

We've been through a lot together, my sister and I.
We've been around the world.
We've built houses.
We've seen lots of amazing things.

And then I found this blog.
This beautiful blog, written by a beautiful woman.
A woman who lost her little sister and her brother-in-law in a car accident.
And then, through all her grief and anguish, took her infant niece in to her home.
Making it her mission to create a happy, safe, loving environment for her two biological children, and her sister's orphaned daughter.
All the while, never forgetting her sister.

I guess I know now that I'm not crazy.
Crazy for missing my sister so much that sometimes it hurts.
I also know how lucky we all are.
Every day is a gift.
Even if we can't always spend it with the people we love.
But that doesn't mean that our love for them ever fades.

Janie and I napping on a bus in El Salvador.

Hurry home, little sister.
It's not the same without you.

Sunday Inspiration

2011-03-23T03:07:00.001-05:00

from here.

Sunday Inspiration

2011-03-23T02:56:00.002-05:00

It's baaaaack....

from here.

BAM.

Today, I believe...

2011-03-23T00:18:00.005-05:00

...in the simple power of water and all the things it does for our bodies.

...in authors who can tell a beautifully tragic story, all the while making their readers laugh.

...in the beauty of clean sheets.

...in SPF 15.

...in shoes that look good, even if they're overpriced and a little impractical.

...in the value of a good pair of blue jeans and the wonders they can do for your body and your confidence.

...in chocolate. The dark kind.

...in dads who still kiss you goodbye every morning when they check on you before they leave for work at 6 am and think you're still asleep, even though you might be 26.

...in fat gray cats who sleep with their heads on your chest when you have a migraine.

...in dressing up and having fancy dinners with the person you love (once in a while).

What do you believe today?

Things I Might Be In Love With...

2011-03-22T23:55:00.003-05:00

...right now.

All the entries on this blog. Seriously? My new goal in life might be to, on day, be a feature on it. Someday. When hell freezes over and I figure out how to dress myself in a style that does not scream "hobo with flawless make-up."

All jewelry from Furbish (the brainchild of the wonderfully funny and style-obsessed Jamie Meares). I do loves me some animal-related accessories. Particularly these.

This palette. Can you even HANDLE the gorgeousness? And 5% of the purchasing prices goes to supporting the survival of sea turtles. And I might have bought it. Yesterday.

Personal shoppers. They rock. More on that later.

My sister's blog. You should read it. She is living in Australia for six months. And she is awesome. Bookmark it.

And, last but not least, pedicures. How much do THEY rule?

from here.

PS: someone should buy me this puppy.
Stat.

Responsible.

2011-03-22T22:52:00.003-05:00

Wow.

So I haven't blogged in about 50 billion years.
Awesome.
I need to get better at this whole time-management thing.
Ya think?

So, here's what's going on:
-Working my ass off.
-Under mucho stress.
-Not reading any books. Sadface.
-Awesome boyfriend.
-Sister in Australia. Another sadface.
-Lots of new, awesome make-up.
-Growing my hair out.
-Can't wait for summer. Let's do this already.

I think it's about time for some more blogging, don't you?

Yup.
That sounds about right.

...And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

2010-12-27T18:34:00.003-06:00

Hello, lovelies.

Did you have a good Christmas?
I sure did.

You may have noticed that I stopped my little Twelve Days of Christmas list a little early. I won't lie, things got busy. That's what happens when you work retail during the holidays, I suppose.
But, more important than all the gifts that I wants or all the gifts I received, was the fact that I got to spend 48 hours uninterrupted with my wonderful family.

from here.

I really am very , very lucky.

Five Golden Rings...

2010-12-20T23:17:00.002-06:00

On the fifth day of Christmas...from here.

See what I did there?

Six Geese A-Laying...

2010-12-19T23:16:00.000-06:00

On the sixth day of Christmas...from here.

Seven Swans A-Swimming...

2010-12-18T18:38:00.000-06:00

On the seventh day of Christmas...from here.

Eight Maids A-Milking

2010-12-17T18:03:00.000-06:00

On the eighth day of Christmas...
In black, please.

from here.

Nine Ladies Dancing

2010-12-16T18:01:00.001-06:00

On the ninth day of Christmas...from here.

At First Sight

2010-12-16T15:39:00.003-06:00

You guys.
I am kind of in love with this website.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures
Just thought you should know.

Oh. Em. Gee.

2010-12-15T20:27:00.002-06:00

Have you seen this show?

I am in love.

Officially.

Particularly with these dudes, even though they were eliminated.

Whatevs.

Except Nicole Sherzinger is kind of a moron.

And by "kind of a moron", I mean...an epic moron.

2010-12-15T20:19:00.002-06:00

I've been in kind a fashion rut lately (that's no secret, let's be honest with ourselves).

One of my challenges for myself this winter season is to find cold weather ensembles that don't involve blue jeans and Uggs. I mean, Uggs are appropriate for...let's say, sledding and tromping through the snow, but I have a feeling that if I wear them out to dinner one more time, a certain gentleman in my life might puke all over them. And jeans...we love jeans! But, it sure wouldn't hurt to

So, this is my answer to the problem. I think.

I mean...romper? What do we think?

J.Crew Selvege chambray shirt, $69
Coral Long Sleeve Pointelle, 10 GBP
Gap Petite Always Skinny Cords, $60

21 Jumpsuit, $50
Hue Super Soft Lightweight Tight with Control Top, $4
minnetonka kilty suede moccasin, 51 CAD
Gap Light brown leather belt, $30
Tory Burch 'Straw' Ballerina Taupe, 259 EUR
leopard sweater cardigans - Knitwear - Tops

Ten Lords A-Leaping

2010-12-15T15:21:00.001-06:00

On the tenth day of Christmas...
from here.

Eleven Pipers Piping

2010-12-14T15:16:00.002-06:00

On the eleventh day of Christmas...from here.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

2010-12-13T15:10:00.000-06:00

On the twelfth day of Christmas...

from here.

Twenty-One.

2010-11-30T15:47:00.003-06:00

My baby sister, Janie, turned 21 yesterday.

Do I feel old? Yes. I do.

But I also feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have such a wonderful, beautiful, and talented little sister.

When Janie and I were younger, we shared a room; she had a lofted bed and I, ever the princess, had a canopy bed (I think it's worth mentioning that our father built not only our beds, but 90% of the furniture in our bedrooms. He's that cool.) At some point, my parents cut a large piece of wood to we wedged between Janie's mattress and side of the bed so she wouldn't roll over in the middle of the night and tumble 6 feet down, cracking her skull on the hardwood floor. Smart ones, my parents. This implement became known as "The Board." Of course, Janie is a midget (no offense to any actual midgets out there) and was therefore unable to lift The Board on her own. Occasionally one of my parents would put it up before they went to bed, but more often the task fell to me. And of course, the matter was not brought to my attention until I was under my blankets, half-asleep. The conversations went something like this:

Janie: Molly...

Me: mrmrmrmrmmmmm....

Janie: Molly?

Me: ajsksklduiej....

Janie: MOLLY

Me: WHAT?!

Janie: I need to you put The Board up for me

Me: I'm sleeping. Do it yourself.

Janie: Please?

Me: No. It's not my fault you're so short.

Janie: Please?

Me: No! I'm asleep. See? I'm sleeping.

Janie: But if you don't do it, I'll fall out of bed in my sleep and die.

Me: I don't see why this is such a bad thing.

Janie: MOLLY!

Me: FINE!

And I would mutter some four-letter words under my breath, stumble out of bed to her side of the bedroom, and shove The Board into place, thereby saving my little sister's life.

So here's to you, little sister.
Happy birthday.
Just know that I will always, always be there to put The Board up.

So you can continue to be awesome and save the world.

Addendum: I should mention that one time, I forgot to put up The Board, and Janie fell out of bed. But don't worry. The Barbie Dream House broke her fall.

Things I love about Today...

2010-11-23T23:02:00.003-06:00

1. Harry Potter.
2. Milk Duds.
3. Uggs. (don't judge)
4. Red Slurpees.
5. Leggings.
6. My bed.
7. Distilled water.
8. My friends.
9. Cookbooks as bedside reading.
10. Baby Brother and Baby Sister are both home.

Sunday Inspiration

2010-11-14T09:00:00.000-06:00

from here.

I'm really good...

2010-11-08T18:46:00.003-06:00

...at making not-so-good choices.

Specifically, the fact that I have been roped into seeing "Paranormal Activity 2" tonight.
I love being scared.
But hate scary movies.
Ironic?
Maybe.
Bad idea?
Definitely.

And, you may ask me, "but Molly, shouldn't you be blogging? Because, you know...it's been about 50 bajillion years since you've done so."

You're right, gentle reader.
You. Are. Right.

And I will do so.

When I have my next day off.

Which is Thursday.

Until such time, I am going to enjoy my tofu nuggets from Trader Joe's.
And then proceed to get the poop scared out of me.

Love!

Sunday Inspiration

2010-11-07T09:00:00.000-06:00

from here

Sunday Inspiration

2010-10-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

from here

Sunday Inspiration

2010-10-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

from here

Bee Tee Dubs

2010-10-18T11:09:00.002-05:00

BTW (by the way)

I start a new job tomorrow.

I'm really excited.

Except that it's not a job that allows me to constantly blog at work.

Sooo....sucks for you guys, I guess.

I'm off to get my life in order.

And enjoy my last foreseeable day off in the near future.

Holla.

Sunday Inspiration

2010-10-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

from here

Today, I Believe...

2010-10-15T11:15:00.003-05:00

...in the magic of spray paint. Especially purple spray paint.

...in watching really dumb, horrible movies with really great, wonderful friends.

...that sweatpants with thing written across the rear should only be worn in the comfort of one's own home.

...that April should not have been eliminated last night. Originality FTW.

...Cheerios are an appropriate breakfast, no matter what your age.

...navy blue is the new black. Or, at the very least, my new black.

...new make-up is the best pick-me-up.

What do you believe today?

If drinking vodka in the middle of the day is wrong...

2010-10-14T14:40:00.003-05:00

from here.

...then I don't want to be right.

A post in which I get a little inappropriate

2010-10-13T18:35:00.002-05:00

I'm just going to put this out there:
I hate shaving my legs.

Not because I like being hairy.
Quite the opposite.
That's why I became an esthetician.
Because unnecessary body hair. must. die.

I'm in favor a shave-every-day kind of gal. In fact, I kind of need to be (the Italian/Irish double whammy, as I like to call it).
That is, if my skin could handle it.
You see, dear reader(s), my legs erupt into tiny, angry, red bumps every time I place a razor to them.
The only plausible solutions I've come up with in the past are to A). not shave for a whole week so that the hair is super-long when then allows removal to be less irritating, or B). let it grow out for a month and then wax it.
Neither of those things sound like roads I want to go down.

Apparently, this horribly sensitive skin syndrome is hereditary because my sister is also afflicted with it.
Generally, we commiserate over our misfortune whenever we spend time together. It's one of our favorite topics.
However while visiting the homestead this weekend, she enlightened me with her new leg-shaving-regimen that had yielded great personal success for her and her limbs.
So I tried it.
The verdict?
I'm glad I listened to my sister.
The whole thing is actually quite ingenious and as a professional and licensed skincare provider, I'm a little ashamed that I didn't come up with it.
Oh well.

These are the supplies one needs to create your personal hair-removal Nirvana:

1). A sharp razor. Janie prefers the Gillette Venus Embrace. I'm more of a Mach3 kind of girl. I've just found that it works better for me. Whatever your poison, make sure that you install a new blade every 2 to 3 shaves. It sounds expensive, I know, but all the ice cream you'll be eating after your boyfriend dumps you because your legs look like something scary from outer space? That'll be expensive too.

2). A pumice stone.

3). Neutrogena Body Clear body scrub. I'm sure an alternative exists somewhere on the planet, but it's probably seven billion dollars and made from imported sea kelp from India, or something. You can buy this stuff at Target.

4). A good shaving cream. Or gel. Whatever. Dr. Bronner's is choice numero uno in my book. It's really the best thing that I've found, and it's organic and vegan. So, how can you lose? That's right. You can't.

What I generally do is bust out my razor in the middle of my shower, after the steam and warm water have softened my skin a little and opened my pores. Using the pumice stone and the body scrub together, I exfoliate my legs (note: this should not feel like little feathers kissing your skin. It will feel scratchy, but not painful. Or, at least, it shouldn't). Rinse, followed by shaving gel application and hair removal.

Aaaaannnnd...voila!
Smooth, shiny, non itchy legs.

I highly recommend using a moisturizer after toweling off. That way your skin doesn't die. My favorite? Kiehl's Creme de Corps. They also have a lightweight version, for those of us who don't have skin that is constantly dehydrated. But that's not me.

So, do you have the same leg-shaving dilemmas?
If your answer is "yes", try my crazy-awesome-no-razor-burn method.
If your answer is "no", well I guess you just read a whole post about leg-shaving for nothing, didn't you?

Attention People:

2010-10-11T17:11:00.003-05:00

I am in super-mega-major project mode.

I don't know what's going on.

But am I currently:
spray painting.
regular painting.
stealing paint sample from Home Depot (secret project. Will post pictures)

Organizing the heck out of:
my dresser drawers.
under my bed.
my closet (the clothing AND the shelves full of crap. I know.)

cleaning the bathroom.
doing dishes.
50 billion loads of laundry.
dusting. (dusting?)
vacuuming.

Weird.

Be back on Planet Earth tomorrow.
Hopefully.

Street Art

2010-10-11T10:01:00.011-05:00

I've been pretty obsessed with guerrilla-style street art lately.

Not the Cows on Parade kind of installments.
The little, hidden signatures of citizens that make each metropolis unique.
Kind of like a treasure hunt.

I encountered a lot of beautiful, inspiring installations when I lived and traveled in Europe.
For some reason, I was more focused on taking pictures of cathedrals and monuments.
Silly me.
I could kick myself.
Thankfully, other people weren't as oblivious.

Leeds, UK
from here.

Clevelandfrom here.

Sao Paulo, Brazil
from here.

Chicago
from here.

Paris
from here.

New York
from here.

Montreal
from here.

I think we all need a little bit of whimsy these days.

Sunday Inspiration

2010-10-10T09:00:00.001-05:00

from here

Regarding my lack of blogging activity

2010-10-07T11:42:00.003-05:00

...apologies.

I've felt like total garbage for the past week or so.
Therefore, it's been difficult to find motivation to do anything but sleep and watch Sister Wives on-demand (seriously, why aren't you watching this show? It's a TRAIN WRECK.)

Give me a couple more days.
And send some happy thoughts my way.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Sunday Inspiration

2010-10-03T09:00:00.001-05:00

from here

Can I...

2010-09-28T09:00:00.001-05:00

...please have everything in this shop?

especially these.

And these.

And definitely this.

My Mighty Life List

2010-09-27T11:15:00.000-05:00

Two things you need to know about this list:
1. It's no exactly a "life" list. It's a "before I turn 30" list. I just used this title because...
2. ...I am a thief. The list is more of a combination of ideas from this Mighty Girl post and this post from Making It Lovely. As someone who spends a lot of time on the internet because their job involves a lot of sitting around, I'm able to find sources of inspiration from lots of different places. And these are two of them. I won't lie, some of the things on this list might be...ahem...*borrowed* from Maggie and Nicole.

1. Open a champagne bottle with a knife
2. Ride an elephant through the jungle in Thailand
3. Throw my parents a kick-ass anniversary party
4. Audition for The Amazing Race
5. Learn to ride a motorcycle
6. Go on a camping trip through the mountains on horseback
7. Skydiving
9. Swim with dolphins
10. Learn to sail a boat
11. Own a dog
12. Have hair past my shoulders
13. Taking a cooking class at Le Cordon Bleu
14. Wear red lipstick every day for a month
15. Learn how to sew
16. Make a blanket out of all my old t-shirts from high school
17. Learn to speak French
18. Travel to Japan
19. Have a story published in a magazine
20. Write a novel
21. Write a play and have it produced.
22. See a show on Broadway
23. Live in a foreign country for a year
24. Go whale watching
25. Sing at an open-mic night
26. Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
27. Visit a Buddhist temple
28. Learn to play guitar
29. Move out of my parent's house
30. Read 100 books
31. Participate in La Tomatina
32. Learn to drive stickshift.
33. Run a half-marathon
34. Buy handmade (or make) Christmas gifts for everyone on my list.
35. Learn how to change a tire on my own
36. Ride a zip line through a tree canopy
37. See Mt. Rushmore
38. See the Grand Canyon
39. Camp in Yellowstone
40. Host a beautiful, classy dinner party outdoors.
41. Have an adult, big-girl wardrobe
42. Define my own personal "clothing" style
43. Drive a car in a country where they drive on the other side of the road
44. Get headshots taken
45. Spend the night in a haunted castle
46. Visit CS Lewis' home
47. Learn to ride a unicyle
48. Go scuba diving
49. Plant a vegetable garden
50. Grow roses
51. Attend an Alabama/Auburn game
52. Build an igloo
53. See that church made entirely of bones
54. Pay off all my debt
55. Volunteer somewhere different one day per week for a whole year.
56. Go on a road trip with my Dad.
57. Pet a giraffe
58. Ride in a helicopter
59. Swim in hot springs
60. Visit MoMA
61. Stand under a waterfall
62. Travel to Venice
63. Camp in the Badlands
64. Attend a foreign film festival
65. Blow through a conch shell
66. Learn how to ski
67. Watch all three "Godfather" movies
68. Go to Las Vegas for a girl's weekend
69. See Cirque de Soliel
70. Visit the Baseball Hall of Fame
71. Drink raw coconut water from an actual coconut.
72. Read 100 books.
73. See a performance Shakespeare in Central Park
74. Go to The Four Corners and take a picture
75. Walk in a rainforest
76. Go to a hip-hop concert
77. Take the Wrigley Field tour
78. Drink Uzo in Greece
79. Slide down a natural rock water-slide.
80. Have a family photo taken (Mom, Dad, Me, Joey, and Janie).
81. Attend a film premier.
82. Paint a mural
83. Try bamboo pickles.
84. Swing on a trapeze.
85. See the Northern Lights.
86. Read every single Jane Austen book.
87. Take a hot-air balloon ride.
88. Paint a self-portrait.
89. Do the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues
90. Play in a poker tournament.
91. Put my leg behind my head.
92. Have an outfit custom made for me.
93. Protest something I believe in.
94. Participate in Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
95. See a meteor shower.
96. Bake a pie.
97. Attend a Comic Con.
98. Learn to knit.
99. Have dinner at French Laundry.
100. Attend a reading of The Moth

Sunday Inspiration

2010-09-26T09:00:00.003-05:00

from here

BULLS#!T

2010-09-25T11:38:00.005-05:00

Okay J.Crew.

I get it.
I get that every time you guys have a corporate meeting, priority numero uno is: "how can we make Molly's life suck exponentially more?"

A veritable gaggle of cashmere sweaters in new colors?
Maybe.

Seductive, feather-light silk shells that work under cardigans and blazers?
Slightly painful.

Creating a line of breathtaking wedding apparel when I have no need for such a thing?
Torture.

But this?
This latest stunt of yours?
Hilarious.

And not so much in a funny "ha ha ha" kind of way.
More like a funny "stab stab stab" way.

Seriously, J.Crew.
Making your factory store available ONLINE?
A bounty of beautifully constructed and moderately-priced classic fashion at my fingertips?
That's just low.
Even if it IS only on the weekends.

My bank account and I do not approve.

from here.

And neither does this sea turtle, apparently.

Totally Normal...?

2010-09-25T10:39:00.003-05:00

Five things about me that might be a little strange.

1. I crack my toes constantly. Like, my life will not continue unless I can bend my toes an experience the unparalleled satisfaction of the pop! and relief that subsequently occurs. That's how vital it is to my existence. And if someone else cracks my toes for me? Well let's just say that after that, they don't even have to buy me dinner.

2. I chew gum. All the time. I think I'm paranoid about my breath. Trust me, I'm no oral hygiene slouch: I carry a toothbrush with me at all times. My job necessitates a very close proximity to others, and as such I am inclined to err on the side of caution. I'm up to about a half a pack a day. Do they make a patch for people like me?

3. My underwear and bra must always match.

4. Sometimes when I am in a crowded place and I see someone who has a made a poor fashion choice for the day, I make them over in my head (What Not To Wear-style). I do the same thing with people's eyebrows. I've embarrassed my sister more than once by going up to random strangers and saying, "so, when was the last time someone tried to tame that face-jungle of yours?"

5. I thoroughly enjoy extracting crap from people's faces. I'm just going to leave it at that.

I hereby tag Lizzie, Molly Beth, and Sally.

Go on.
Let your Freak Flag fly.

Bibliophilia

2010-09-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

I would be completely okay...

from here

...with and entire library filled with books like these.
Gorgeous.

All kinds of greatness

2010-09-24T12:00:00.000-05:00

Eastbound and Down. It's baaaacccck.

This article. I have a totally ridiculous love for animals who adopt other animals. Especially when they are not of their species.

I really love this necklace. And pretty much everything else on the website.

Thinking that it's probably time to get myself some new, fun office supplies. You know. For my office.

Who wants to see It's Kind of a Funny Story with me? Because it looks pretty awesome. And I'm a pretty big fan of Zach G.

Someone explain to me why I have yet to read this book.

from here

Cubs vs. Cards today.
On one of the rooftops.
Soooo money.

On the subject of attractive men from television

2010-09-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

I feel as though students would be more enthusiastic about school...

from here

...if teachers actually looked like this.

Attention:

2010-09-23T15:00:00.000-05:00

Someone needs to buy me one or all of these.

from here.
spotted here.

Immediately.

Happy Autumn

2010-09-23T11:08:00.003-05:00

This is my favorite season.

The leaves.
The colors.
The apples.
The pumpkins.
The breeze.
The smells.
The holidays.
The sky.

from here

Go on.
Have yourself a wonderful First Day of Autumn.

We'll Eat You Up, We Love You So

2010-09-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

from here

Paul Dougherty's installation at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden = so cool.
It reminds me a little bit of Where The Wild Things Are, which is always a good thing.

The genius in this world amazes me sometimes.

Upcycling at it's finest

2010-09-22T15:32:00.003-05:00

from here

A gown made entirely from paper cranes?
I'll take one of those.

Y-E-S

2010-09-22T12:46:00.003-05:00

from here

Hot damn.

A Letter to Remember Me By

2010-09-21T19:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Grandpa-

Today is World Alzheimer's Day.
Funny thing, isn't it?
A year an a half ago, this day would not have meant a great deal to me.
But you changed all that.

A year and a half ago on an evening in March, I called to see how you and Grandma were doing. Your only brother had just died and I was worried that you were sad.
When I asked how you were feeling, Grandma responded "Oh, he's holding up very well. He's been taking medication and has a very positive outlook."
Medication?
Why would you be taking medication because Uncle Vito died.
I was confused.
And then, that's when Grandma said the word.
The worst word I've ever heard.
The word that I've always dreaded, but never believed would be a part of my life.

Alzheimer's.

No.
No.
No.

Those were the only words that I could form.
My ears started ringing.
My apartment started spinning.
My world was collapsing.

And then I dissolved.
I dissolved into a pile of tears and wailing and hysteria.

Alzheimer's is not supposed to happen to people like us:
People who have family reunions every summer while wearing matching t-shirts.
People who go on camping trips and stay up late around the campfire listening to grandparents talk about all the stupid things their children did growing up.
People who eat dinner together every Sunday. No matter what.

I suppose there were a few reasons I got so upset.
The first: I was scared for you.
The second: I was scared for me.

Selfish, I know.
But who would I be if you didn't remember me?
You're the reason I'm here.
If you and Grandma had never had my mother, she could not have had me.
If you and Grandma hadn't come to stay with us for three months every year before Christmastime so my parents could work to support three children and give them the best lives possible.
If you hadn't chopped wood every day for years so that we would have heat if it was cold when we came to visit you.

What would I do if you forgot about all that?

Alzheimer's is an awful disease.
Not simply because it robs it's victims of who they used to be.
Or their families of the people they love.
Alzheimer's hurts because there is no one to blame.
If it were a car accident, we could blame the driver.
If it were alcoholism, we could blame the bottle.
If it were cancer, we could blame the cigarettes, or the radiation, or the sun.
There is no one to blame.
No one.
And that?
That makes all of this so unfair.

But one of the beautiful things about all this, Grandpa, is that you've taught me how to live life.
The little things don't matter so much anymore.
Life is about all the big things.
Like watching your grandchildren play soccer.
Like listening to your children laugh.
Like dancing with your wife under the stars.

And so because of this, my darling Grandfather, I will strive to remember you not as an Alzheimer's patient but as a strong, funny, generous man who loves his family as he loves the air in his lungs.

I will remember sneezes that shake the whole house.
I will remember the BEST oil and vinegar salad in the world.
I will remember the BEST spaghetti sauce in the world.
I will remember that dinner is best when planned right after breakfast.
I will remember that money is worth more in the bank than anywhere else.

The man that jumps out of the shower to chase bats around the house with a bucket.
The man that has no belly-button (no, really. It's true).
The man who always looks good in a fedora.
The man who sang to all his grandchildren when they were babies.
The man who gives the greatest bear hugs.
The man who is a second father to me. And everyone else.

I realize that there is a very real possibility that someday, you may not know my face.
And you know what, Grandpa?
I'm not scared anymore.
I'm still sad.
I know that sadness will always be there.
But the fear?
The fear is gone.

Me and Gramps. Conquering the world together in Colorado, summer 2009

Because even if you can't remember who I am someday
I can never
ever
forget who you are.

At the risk of sounding like Rachael Ray

2010-09-21T17:00:00.000-05:00

Yum-O.

Oh Martha...does your awesomeness know no bounds?

This is what I'm making for dinner tonight.
Along with veggie meatballs.
And marinara sauce.

Yes.

My TV might overheat

2010-09-21T11:55:00.004-05:00

from here

from here.

I have no intention of watching these shows.
But.
These men?
Attractive.

Take a Chance on Me

2010-09-21T09:00:00.001-05:00

Scientific fact: I make the World's Best Brussels Sprouts.
No, really.

If you don't think you like Brussels sprouts because your mother forced them upon you as a child or whatever, you should really give them another shot.
Here are 3 reasons why:

1. They are super, super simple. No, really. You basically wash them, cut them, wash them, and stick them in the oven. How could that get any easier? Oh, that's right. It couldn't.

2. There's a 99.7% chance that the ingredients (minus the Brussels sprouts, unless you're like me and you purchase them in bulk) are already in the kitchen.

3. They're delicious, nutritious, and....did I mention delicious?

I made these to go with salmon and sweet potato fries on Saturday...and I would definitely classify the meal as a success.

Okay, here's what you need:

-An oven pre-heated to 400 degrees.
-One pound of Brussels sprouts
Note: The Guy and I can polish off a pound by ourselves. And we're only two people. I can actually eat a whole pound by myself and call it dinner. So, if you're more than two people or you're a glutton like me, maybe you want to double the recipe. Or triple it. Whatever.
-Salt
-Pepper
-Olive oil

Wash the sprouts and cut the 'em in half.
Toss them on a baking sheet and drizzle them with some olive oil.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Swirl them around so that everything gets coated with everything else.
Throw them in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, maybe longer depending on how big the little suckers are.
Grab a fork.
Gobble them up.

I'm telling you, roasting them does something perfectly magical to Brussels sprouts. They get all brown and crunchy (secret: I OVERcook them sometimes because I loves me some slightly burned food). I've seen recipes that use things like maple syrup and bacon or pancetta, but I feel like simple is better. Because I don't eat meat and if I wanted maple syrup, I'd make pancakes.

If I have failed in convincing you, maybe Andrew Bernard can do the trick?*

from here

*Umm...I apologize for the lack of embededness(?) for the video. And also the fact that it's, you know, in a different language. Try as I might, I could NOT find it on YouTube. Thanks for ruining my life, NBC.

Themed Movie Night?

2010-09-20T10:32:00.005-05:00

Yes please!
I have to admit, I'm watching episodes of "The Office" on On-Demand while avoiding real life (shower, laundry, cleaning the litter box, etc.), and while searching for one I haven't seen, I overheard a promo for a couple of movies I haven't seen, but have always meant to:

Frida

The Motorcycle Diaries

In The Time of Butterflies

Soooo, I then had this brilliant idea: THEMED MOVIE NIGHT.
Okay, so maybe it's not my *original* idea, but I like it.
So, here's my menu:

Zucchini and Bell Pepper Enchiladas
Black Bean Soup
Baked Plantains

Normally I would do mojitos with something like this, but since I AM NOT DRINKING FOR THIRTY DAYS (if it's in caps, maybe I'll be more inclined to actually adhere to it).

Whaddya say?
Friday night plans?

I think so.

Ole!

from here

A Challenge

2010-09-20T09:26:00.003-05:00

Confession: I love food.

No, really. I do.

Doubt? Just look at a picture of me.

I love food.

Here's the fundamental issue with that, though: when one has a deep affection for all things epicurean, as I do, that passion often bleeds over into items that aren't necessarily worthy of such attention.
In other words, I've developed a nasty habit in which I eat for the sake of eating and not simply to enjoy food.

Well friends, we are going to SQUASH that habit here and now.

I can't lie; part of my motivation might be related to the fact that I've been unhappy with the way I look lately (weight, skin, hair, clothes...yuck). I believe that when you eat well, you feel well. At least that's true for me personally. Plus, I've found that when I eat good food from quality ingredients that taste delicious and aren't super-complicated, I'm less likely to reach for gross processed food to fill the void.

Basically, I've decided to follow the basic rules of good eating: lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and protein in the form legumes, nuts, and tofu. Simple enough, right? I'm also going to stop drinking alcohol for 30 days (I know, we'll see how long THAT lasts) to see what the results will be. I predict a couple of pounds shed, followed by an increased amount of productivity (especially at work, where I'll have to learn to survive without my daily vodka-lemonade lunch. Just kidding! Kind of.)

On top of all this, I think Mollyland is going to eliminate processed and packaged foods, to the extent that my lifestyle will allow. I mean, I'm not going to make my own cheese, or anything. But I can probably bake my own bread (I've definitely done it before). And when I want macaroni and cheese, instead of reaching for a box, I'll have to get my butt off the couch and grate some cheddar and make it myself. If I'm too lazy to do it or too busy to go to the store and get the ingredients, then I probably don't need to be eating mac n' cheese in the first place.

All right. So, that's the plan.

One of the great things about deciding to make your own food is that there are about a billion places on the internet from which to draw inspiration. Behold:

TasteSpotting: one of my favorite new finds. It's full of beautiful, delicious-looking pictures of amazing food. And...Bonus! The pictures are linked to their original blogs, thereby offering more resources for yummy food. As a highly-visual person, this is basically like the internet form of crack-cocaine for my eyes.

Rookie Cookie: a big favorite around here. In addition to being a genius in the kitchen, Whitney is also hilarious.

CuisineNie: Stephanie Nielson. Good, simple food. Adorable.

Vegan Yum Yum: Vegan food that doesn't taste like crap? Count me in. With beautiful pictures.

Okay, so now I guess I need to grocery shopping?

Sunday Inspiration

2010-09-19T11:00:00.001-05:00

This video makes me all kinds of happy.

Are you smiling yet?

Good.

Special thanks and lots of love to the most-awesome-little-sister-named-Jane-that-anyone-has-ever-had for introducing this to me.

For your reading/internet trolling pleasure

2010-09-18T11:44:00.002-05:00

Some of my new (to me) favorite blogs.

Check it:

Hula Seventy

Happy Together

Creature Comforts

Lifeflix

Penelope Loves Lists

There you go.