fancy this and that

dinner anyone?

2010-05-11T15:55:00.001-07:00

go HERE.
i am having a 'why didn't i think of that?" moment.

thx

2010-05-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

i know its been a while, no excuses, no stories or blame. i have just lost my wit and interest of lately.
with a little positive affirmations, im back, but still without much to say.

leah dieterich is as thankful as i should be.

awesome

2010-02-26T12:17:00.001-08:00

dork

2010-02-22T17:06:00.000-08:00

sorry.

its always about me

2010-02-12T10:41:00.000-08:00

so, dad you are getting married? again? really?
after much soul searching i have come to terms with this. why not? everyone needs someone.
i do wish him much love and happiness.
now, back to me. i need something to wear, quickly!

harvey faircloth (sweet name, huh?) where are you?

its been a while since i have had the time or something clever to share. someday i might get around to rehashing the last few months. all i will say right now is that i made it through.

focus

2009-12-17T11:11:00.000-08:00

and shop.
i have a sad little bag filled with a few non descript gifts, nothing that i am very proud of distributing.
i am never this late, we don't even have a tree yet. on the more postive side, i have catered and attended a least a dozen parties so far, but it doesn't help the gift situation.
i also thought that i would purchase everything on the interweb (new integrated word for me), but i haven't been inspired by anything.
i need to do some super shopping, which is in the plans for this weekend.
i was thinking about getting everyone snuggie, then i found these.

but the price still leads me back to the snuggie.
at first i loved the name of the "sealpelt" but then i starting of thinking about those sweet furry white seals with the big eyes being skinned and it made me sad.

yea, my thoughts are a bit scattered

ooo

2009-12-10T10:16:00.001-08:00

this is where i left my heart?
at the office?

bzzz

2009-12-02T16:25:00.000-08:00

that vietnamese coffee has kicked in and is in full effect right now. but i need it, to get through this month, although i cant keep a regular conversation because there is a hive of thoughts running through my little head.
lots of holiday soirees to sort out, THE birthday to figure out and embrace, company party to engage people, christmas & new years and what is included, all the while being in full construction on our new catering kitchen and offices.

i could just take a nap until its all over.

next week. really?

2009-11-18T11:09:00.000-08:00

i got a hiccup of anxiety for the holidays the other day.i just realized that thanksgiving was next week and i am unprepared for the christnnkuhwanza season ahead. this time every year i become aware that i have been in a time vacuum for the last 12 months.

first let's start with thanksgiving. our little family unit had gradually changed throughout the years and the last few have been spent with my mom and friends at the hollywood race track. dont cringe, its great. not the food, it is horrible but does the job of soaking up the bloody marys and gin fizzes. the whole gambling and people watching, giggling with my friends and sitting outside with the slight autumn chill. i have grown to love it. there is not any pressure for anything other than getting there in time for the first race.

this year the sister in law sent out invitations months ago to host it at their new house, that is in the process of being remodeled and will be on thanksgiving thursday. there was/is no way that i can get out of this one, but at least we will have a full yummy homemade thanksgiving finally. or so i thought. i am prepared to make the turkey, gravy, dressing, pies, greens and salad if i must, and it looks like i must right now.

i put too much pressure on myself and family to have a perfect season with perfect meals throughout. i apologize, i have to chill out, but i do have my preferences of having things fresh and delicious. canned veggies and frozen pies kinda freak me out. just think of what happens in those food processing plants and besides they just are not as good. i dont figure myself to be a snob, maybe a germaphobe with a particular palate, having worked directly with food for years. if i have to endure an entire day of the family i might as well drown myself in flakey lard ridden pie crusts, buttery potatoes, creamy gravy, and crispy turkey skin- you know the kind that everyone fights for.

the social thing sends me into a nervous bubble a bit too. i have yet to spent much time with this side of her family and there is already a little tension between a few members in my family. they are not drinkers so i cant use that cover, besides i think i have used that tactic a few too many times and i have to mend the reputation. i have calculated the time that i have to spend there without seeming too rude and cutting it short. so, should i spend the time playing with the 6 year olds or having conversations in which i have another one in my head at the same time, translating what i really want to say?

this year i am without a relationship to use as an excuse for being late or leaving, bummer. it's all on me and they might figure out that i really am the bitch that they had thought all this time.

happy thanksgiving!

to the jeff & edie fans

2009-11-02T00:29:00.000-08:00

so yeah, i ended up doing the beale thing, completely appropriate considering my circumstance.

finally the brother and i were able to sit on a couch together. but dont think that it was without any pinching and teasing.

zoe was the best giesha.

and my favorite was taryn the monkey that demanded candy at every house and loved the pyscho billy band, but i have yet to get a great picture, but i will once i get one on here.

yeah im up late because of a westside wedding. super sweet couple but with entitled westside celebrity guests. i dont have much patience for all that. but the bride will go down in my memory as the most enthusiastic without being demanding or nuerotic.

what to do or be

2009-10-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

halloween has snuck up on me again and like last year i am completely unprepared. normally i would have had a clear idea by now and have had all the little details dealt with. nope not this year.
these are the ideas that i am using to inspire me.

super easy and pretty but im not totally in love with it.

a little paper mache can go a long way.

with a big accordian collar this would be lovely.

there is a completely appropriate costume that lit a little lightbulb above my head about an hour ago..... edie beale, and i think i have all the necessary accessories for it.
watch out.

fort

2009-10-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

"where the wild things are" has arrived. i hope its worth all the hype. it goes to show that nostaglia really works for marketing. people are going bonkers for it. personally i am already over it. 3 months it will be on dvd and i can watch it without the hipsters.
it has inspired a whole design movement too. there is a pop-up shop at the space 15 in la on cahuenga, with costumes, forts and merch. i do want to check this out because its across the street from amoeba and 2 birds theory will come into effect.

then there was a fort contest.

i am going to wait for a cold day and get together my footed pjs, streamers and 5 year old niece and built one of our own.

its all brings back the sweet memories of the old book and creating imaginary friends and forts. to be 8 again, ahh.
but i will still wait.

the giants are coming.

2009-09-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

i have been patiently waiting on the other half of my pictures from the other half of the vacation., thus so must you.
in the meantime, i have been dreaming of another trip, working hard and searching for some inspiration.

i found this this morning,

via hollister hovey.
dont you love it.

in case you didn't go to the link. its a festival in berlin that revolves around the story of the little giantess and her uncle, she sailed around on a boat he built, he went swimming in search of a geyser, came back to the little one and they both walked through the city in search of something else. others have told the story better, but you get the idea.

the puppeteers from royal de luxe are brilliant. besides the fact that jean luc courcoult started his troupe in aix, the first place that i left my heart (since then it has been additionally scattered elsewhere).

hmmm berlin, next october?

sweet home

2009-09-01T22:35:00.000-07:00

this is going to be the most boring post but...
i made it back and am finally having a bout of jet lag after all these years. the moments i awaken i am confused and when i realize where i am, i am immediately tired.
i have yet to deal with pictures or thoughts about the trip because i am swamped in the event world. so i apologize. i will be back shortly, trying to entrance you with my forced wit.

inserted just for visual appeal.

bye

2009-08-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

once you think you know someone they always seem to show you different. i have always heard this but never really realized it until recently.
come, my sister in law. we have had our "issues", and lately it has been pretty good. she is super smart but i never thought that she had any wit, until i was confronted by this--

liz's english-spanish translations:

this is not my natural hair color. I was born in tegulcigalpa.
esta no es ni color de cabello natural. nacio en tagulcigalpa.

my parents have no money and will not pay a ransom.
mis padres no tienen dinero y no pagar un rescate.

my male escort just walked away for a minute. he is a professional football player.
mi acompanante masculino solo se alejo por un minuto. el es un jugador de futbol profesional.

no roasted monkey for me, thanks. i had monkey for lunch.
no mono gracias. tenia mono para el almuerza.

this morning is brushed my teeth with tequila because i'm scared to drink the water.
esta manana he cepillado los dientes, con tequila, porque tengo miedo a beber el agua.

if found, please return to south pasadena. thank you- this should be pinned to your shirt
si se encuentra, por favor regrese el sur de pasadena. gracias.

i laughed then surprised then impressed.
she most likely had more fun looking up the translation than to the quotes itself, but it doesnt matter.

im off on to a little hippy vacation without any real plans or reservations. i should be nervous but im not. im more nervouse about coming back to make concrete choices.

my phone will be on and i will be fully communicative if you need me.
oxox

found her!

2009-07-28T00:42:00.000-07:00

yea, its a her, its proclaimed "ice princess", and she has been my inspiration for a while, so much that i have an idea up my sleeve in tribute, i mentioned this way early in this silly blog.

there is a 50/50 chance of seeing her, and i finally caught up wth her when i had my camera on me, which isnt an epiphiny when you realize that there is one in your phone.
its the perfect size for me, us.
there is a phone number on the side that i should call to offer them a number that they could not refuse, because if anything, i know it runs.
to be continued....

movie night-s

2009-07-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

i cant wait to see these in 6 months. thats the amount of time that it will take for them to come out on dvd. i find it hard to put aside a couple hours to sit comfortably and watch a movie in a theatre, or even at home. i feel like im wasting time or missing something- regrettably., but usually i just fall asleep. i guess i have to chill out, with my eyes open.

plus a few others.

let me just say this while i am here- please stop making remakes of previous films or classic tv shows! there are untouched brilliant books, screenplays and ideas out there. who is charge of financing "land of the lost" or the most recent "footloose? they surely are not making any effort and fucking up everyone else's cherished memories of the original. what a waste. i personally will never really know because i wont waste another couple of hours, but wait, i don't anyway, so my opinion doesn't really count.
so i will continue to spend late nights on my couch, because of the unfortunate theatre situation. but here i can stop and resume the next day, ahhh.

houseguests

2009-07-18T23:40:00.000-07:00

i am normally not one for a house guest. i am stuck in my irregualr routine and get easily annoyed, especially in the mornings. i will put on a pretty and welcoming face but inside i am begging for the time to do the things i do. i express how much i would be happy for someone to vist, but the reality is that, there is a great hotel down th road that has someone paid to wake them up with bagels and a smile on their face.
this all goes to sat that dogs are different, kinda, sure- have them stay here, its way easier than hauling my ass over to your house a few times a day and they will keep my grumpy dogs company, they will be happy with a friend to play with. yeah yeah.
my dogs are rough. one (bud) is ancient and could care less if another dog is around unless they try to receive a treat or love before him. another (max) is a little like jeckel and hyde. he is a big snugglepuss,but hates men and has a tendency to growl a lot, which becomes intimidating is you aren't familar with his demeanor.
our weeklong house guest is "wally" a six moth old boston terrier that hasn't had any kind of training or discipline, therefore he is completely absorbing my dogs horrible bad habits. its started off fine. bud kept to himself, max had an eye open for the new kid. but by the end of the week all hell's grab ass fest broke loose. hours upon hours of sniffing licking, growling, snorting, chasing and mounting were happening. i love this little dog and his innocent alien bulging eyes, but i cant take it anymore- come over for day trips with a sedative.

i will miss you when you are gone though.

damn

2009-07-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

i saved this video a while back. i know its the typical baby-tronics,, we all think they are cute, piece of crappy film. sorta like that one scary animated baby that danced, but better and with more flair.
anyway- while half way listening to some non informative morning news program this morning. i was assaulted by the loud sound of forced laughter by these mannequins on tv, so i turned around, only to find my hidden guilty pleasure televised. my secret is out
.
i still think they are cute though...shh

allo

2009-07-07T23:26:00.000-07:00

i think it was last week, there was a little note on my desk.
i kept it to the right of my keyboard to remind me to return it to loop who was the rightful owner, clearly because of the genletmanly penmanship.

me- loop,can you explain this scribble that you left for me?
( i was sure it was going to be some hipster tips)
loop- tell me what it says
me- this is one of those lame jokes to make me look like an ass as always
(remembering the time that they made me read something about being retarded but still mumbling the note under my breath)
loop- no really, it will make sense and i left it after you did something nice to me.
me- um..... franks salon miss all links whiff.. i don't get it
loop- faster and with an accent
me- (in an atrocious not descript accent) sanks alot miss all lings whiff, fuck off
justin- (interupting to the most obvious, in the usual bad british accent) sanks alot miiss ollingsworth
o thanks a lot miss hollingsworth
you are welcome

this makes me realize that i should start thinking outside my little box, and create an accent of my own.

fruitful

2009-06-29T21:24:00.001-07:00

i love this time of year, all the flowers are blooming and the fruit is the best of the season.
i prefer the farmer's market in alhambra, its the closest and less crowded and have a diverse selection thanks the proximity of monterey park and its on sunday, so i can hopefully have at least one day of sleeping in. this sunday i was on the hunt for something to can or pickle or bake, besides the usual that i would need for the week.

these white apricots were irresistible, they are so soft and beautiful, along with being super sweet. i think i am going to eat these straight up and next week when i get more im going to fondle them and then make them into ice cream with lavender for the 4th.

then i found pickling cucumbers, the season flies by and i normally miss the time when these are the best so i am excited to finally catch these. they are going to become zesty bread and butter pickles, a little experiment of mine, stay tuned.

kumquats are at the end of their time but i picked up lots for nothing and made almond candied kumquats, that i will use as a garnish on chocolate tartlettes and almond cupcakes.

i got a bunch more but nothing as exciting for me as these.
sorry to bore you.

screw you

2009-06-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

or those of you that think that it is time for me to start covering the grey, and not with a hat.
she is grey and gorgeous

besides the fact that i am low maintenance (nice way of not admitting, lazy), i dont think that my original color comes in a bottle and the closest hue might make me look like an insane middle aged circus clown. so.. i am going to proudly tramp around with these little white wirey hairs that are quickly multiplying.

happy.happy.

2009-06-22T00:32:00.000-07:00

its summer solstice and strangely enough i cant feel it. in normal times it has been sahara hot , i am not complaining by any means , but the anticipation of the heat is pushing me to an unusual retail edge, i have completely stocked up on my summer and travel goods, and am prepared for the barbeque, swimming (guh) and travel.
alongside, today is dad's day. happy fathers day to all.

i think steve will like a picture of himself.

pack rat

2009-06-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

is it wrong for me to adore the clutter in my office/craft/catchall room?

some would say yeah, but i like my crap. i realize that i collect too much but at this point its a compulsion.
i have a few completely different vignettes around and this one was dismantled due to spring cleaning and i needed the memory of it to remind me of what a weirdo i am.

mr beakman

2009-06-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

aka: paul zaloom

i recently caught his show on a rare lazy saturday morning, and i wondered how old he was now and what happened to him. i admittingly watched and like the show although lisa's voice kinda drives me crazy.
shortly after this personal revelation this article came out in the la times. mr. beakman, i mean zaloom, has a better natural name and looks much cooler than his spazzy character, but is on the same eccentric level.
he lives in a tiny back house on the westside filled with found art and tchotches. id like to figure myself similar but im not sure. im sure that i like all the trinkets and oddities though.

i tend to purchase and display unusual findings rather than keep up with a "look" too. i think we might be related, or should be.

is it wrong,

2009-06-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

to be insanely jealous of this little girl and have the urge to violently kick her out of her own room so that i could enjoy it for myself?
yes, i like the brilliant colors, the artwork and most of all the bed, not only because i have a penchant for beds, but because its fancy, orange and plushy.

if i remember correctly my childhood room was filled with pink laura ashley flowers, white lacquered furniture and a disgusting pile of stuffed animals, sure it sounds ok, but believe me, in hindsight it wasnt very inspiring.

los jacarandas

2009-06-08T22:34:00.001-07:00

i told you.
they are pretty, right?
the colors of these trees are always nostalgic to me. it makes me relove pasadena. i remember back in the day when we would walk back and forth from school and they were blooming, kids are missing that enjoyment. f**k i feel like teasing myself about my age right now.

i love these gloomy days before the heat waves, but im still a little sleepy.

june gloom shroom

2009-06-05T14:59:00.000-07:00

its dark outside and the lilac jacarandas are glowing. this weather is lovely but its making me sleepy.

the only problem is that i dont have the time to sleep, another weekend of weddings, flower mart, music, flea market, gardening, and im going to try to grab the zoe and go to UP.

birthday bento boxes

2009-06-03T21:38:00.000-07:00

this month is chocked up with birthdays. i knew i was close to too many geminis.
i have found where i am going to take everyone on their birthday. my favorite sushi place- oba. they have the best sushi in town as well as the sweetest faces. their udon is not that bad either, but i am sitting here with a burnt tongue from it. the best part is they will draw your face in strawberry slurry for your birthday! sweet!

barbara was first.

then came justin, in that exact order.

amusing.

2009-05-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

this has made the rounds through all the best wedding blogs and i just cant stop watching it.

i need a video camera.

memorial crawfish

2009-05-27T22:58:00.000-07:00

or crawdads or whatever you call them.

i picked up 90 lbs of crawfish and crabs on friday, hoping that i could be nurturing enough to keep them alive until the monday holiday.

mostly we played with them and had races. but they didnt seem to mind. with a little watering and attention they were fine.

come monday, i had to cook off the crabs early because they are a bit sensitive, but tasted delicious nonetheless, once i reheated them in swamp mud straight from staci's hands in the bayou.

crawfish are basically cockroaches so they kept well in their little cardboard habitat.

there were a few good eaters and i was a little nervous because its not for the queasy, but once you get beyond the guts, they are so good.

miss julia fished out the crawfish and entertained the crowd.

cherise graced us with her efferecence presence.

and finally i was finally able to spend time with my evil twin (or maybe its the other way around).

and luckily the huntington crew came.

thanks to everyone else that helped me out and showed up, you are loved by me. especially contessa rachel, mrs. lutter, grumpy cupcake, the prietto saga, haro twins, supernova warehouse and edie beale.

now all i have to do for the rest of the season is paint my nails and plan my trip to panama in august- o and a few other events in the make up.

oh, the talent

2009-05-20T11:00:00.001-07:00

that i, even in another time would never have, and am sorta jealous. julia is pretty and amazing.

sweet.

2009-05-15T22:52:00.001-07:00

justin pointed out that cooking puts me in a good mood, rolling my eyes i tend to agree with him. even the skeptical seem to believe. i haven't had much time or spirit to put into a hot pan for a while unless it was for good cause, in which it was.

lime tartlette with almond crust and blackberry- no glaze, and bittersweet mocha with pistachio nut- one. color coordination not intended but it helps.

inquire within for recipe, or show up on the 25th for a bite.

sorry about the crappy picture

note to self

2009-05-10T16:10:00.000-07:00

and everyone else, do not patronize the los angeles flower market anywhere near mother's day if you can help it. way.... too crowded with clueless people and my vendors raised their prices for the day.

but they still had a few amazing seasonal flowers and i walked away pleased and with a noseful of delight, including the bacon wrapped hot dog whiff as i left the building. mmm

happy mom's day to all.

i spent it with my little pseudo little one zoe and the moms.

i love my mom, edie beale

the things we do

2009-05-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

i have been a bit distracted lately (for good reason) and have spent a fair amount of time perusing websites and blogs for some inspiration. that accounts for the more frequent posts.

i have a long list of event, wedding and food ideas, but the longer i sit on them the more mundane i believe they are. i will eventually post the best of the best but for right now, i am all about the more inane subjects.

this site is one of my recent favorites. it has text messages from the previous night that are often fueled with alcohol and are hilarious. the postings make me think that everything will be ok and give me a bellyache from laughing and question my humor.

examples-

(305): Imagine two people making love on top of a unicorn . . . my life is the opposite of that

and

(505): You should really figure out how to get me a picture that will pop up on my phone when you call
(720): Just upload a picture of Bea Arthur. That's what my soul looks like these days

and

(973): On a scale from 0 to 24...wait, 3 to 24, where 6 is the lowest and 12 is the highest, how freaking high re you right now?

song of the day

2009-05-06T15:14:00.001-07:00

there are not any undertones here, i just like the song- both ways

im sure that i can find someone to dedicate this to though.

foot frenzy

2009-05-05T20:30:00.001-07:00

new season, new shoes, and i have a little obsession right now.

summer shoes to deliberate.

not sure who does these but i think im in love- from garance dore

pf flyers.

im getting tired (as well as those who know me) of chucks year-round, these are the perfect substitute.

toms.

the only reason that i even considered these before was because i liked the fact that they donate a pair to a child in need when you purchase one, and that the owner blake mycoskie is hawt. the usual ones look too slipper-like, but these might work.

see, retail therapy does work, im feeling a little giddy.

how to mend a broken heart

2009-04-29T21:59:00.000-07:00

eat?, nah no appetite

shop? maybe, but ....

grocery shop? at bit of both and so satisfying. even if it was for work. but i do get a little excited about going into a new exotic market, call me weird, it wouldn't be the first time.

ranch 99 was a little therapy, some giggles and knowledge- every time, even if i do get funny looks from the regulars.

the biggest korean pears that i have seen yet. crunchy and super sweet.

i just like the random name, makes me laugh inside- still.

hmm, i am feeling empathic to the name.

i tried to take a picture of this once before but got the mean eye from the fishmonger.

topsy turvy

2009-04-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

as of late i unintentionally turned my little semi idyllic life upside down. i am not quite sure why and how it happened but it did and i sit here wondering, just wondering.

bow to me

2009-04-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

i cant figure out if i would actually wear any of these out. dont get me wrong i think they are beautiful and envied, but there is a fine line between gorgeous and ridiculous, especially when you become a certain age, or else i would totally sport the big pink bow.

i do love ,love...love these though. i have come to understand why someone would want to become a stylist or designer, because you can fufill all your spending urges and put them to good use.

but these little ones make total sense. and are so cute hmm.

before its too late

2009-04-13T22:09:00.001-07:00

yeah, i went back to nickel diner for breakfast on easter after trying to try caneles in atwater and it was closed. they had these air light homemade marshmallow cuter than peeps that were dusted with coconut, besides having a doughnuts halved in yummy buttercream.

and we were lucky and innocent faced enough to fake out a second helping.

i dont like change

2009-04-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

when gus's reopened as the "new and improved" vegas stylized bbq joint. i was never really open to the idea. i loved the beehived waitresses and runny bbq sauce of the original, i did not see any reason to change my monthly beer and pork sandwich. i did patronize gus's after it opened and received rave review. my review- eh?, totally different bbq idea, over stylized bar, i don't have a strong reason to dislike it other than they changed my neighborhood spot and i miss it.

so... with that issue that i carry, i still decided to go to the boat to check out how they f***ed up this favorite of mine.

during construction, we kept having conversations about how it will never be the same because the layout was so funky and unconventional, we kept watching for the ship facade to go back up in anticipation for the steak fries and saucy burger. we frequented clearman's as a substitute, not the same. once it did reopen, lines were out the door every time we passed by. then to my glee, one day the line was unpronounced from the outside and we decided to risk it and enter with our mouths watering.

they kept the same idea of the cafeteria line through they galley, in which i quickly caught on, but they added another line for salads (?), that was confusing and i pretended that it wasn't even there. we ordered burger fries, half and half salad and the much. loved super greasy bread, mmm. after paying we hurriedly sought a seat. they too decided to redo the bar vegas style, as a matter of fact it is totally similar with all the dark wood paneling and less loving. we ended up sitting at the bar because it was closer to beer.

overall- good food, same food, i think prices went up a little though. ambience- eh, newer doesn't necessarily mean better, more smaller tvs like vegas sport book rooms, divider of glassed ship models (whatever), but they did save most of the over shellaced tables, yeah!

tastes like the good ole days.

i swear i do eat well most of the time, i guess the only time i get excited is when its good greasy stuff.

inspiration at the market

2009-04-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

need i say more about these kiwis?

food week

2009-03-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

since of the lack of nicotine, i have been feeding my oral addition with food, of course.

this week i am going to round up all my food pictures and post them, bad and good. starting here.

saturday was a hectic day with flower mart, breakfast, ikea, howes, wedding set up, all by 3 o'clock. but back to the breakfast, at nickel diner on main just around the corner from the flower mart, so convenient at the time.

i have heard a lot about this place and their bacon doughnuts. i ordered them to-go, so i could eat them on the couch, so if i happened to clog an artery i would be comfortable in my final moments- honestly i gave them away, but the bite i did have was greasy and sugary and salty and tasty. bacon grease is the nectar of the gods.

i had the fontina, ham and leek scramble, fluffy and yummy. i thought that i might change my opinion about grits when i ordered them as polenta, didn't work, grits are just not my thing.

mom had the dutch apple pancake, mmm. almost like custard with crispy crepe edges.

i'd go back.

and i thought that i liked the brits

2009-03-26T09:51:00.001-07:00

a little ginger never hurt anyone, just ask my mark.

bites

2009-03-17T00:58:00.001-07:00

am i one of the only ones that think that twitter bites. tell me, who has the time or anything informative to posts multiple times of the day. even if they were a little bit interesting i wouldn't have the attention span to read each one, i dunno, i seem to find it a bit obsessive and annoying, i have peeked into this strange, much talked about phenom, but am scared and put off by it. i hope i have not offended anyone , but i really hope this strange instant gratification passes quickly.

the moment i thought it was over

2009-03-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

the market has become over-saturated with silhouettes, i even participated in the craze over the holidays, but lately it has become clear this theme is going to be put into the file along with mustaches and feathers for 2008. i love them all but once it gets going its hard to stop and becomes a bit unoriginal.

i had this theory until i came across etsywedding. she has a great post with a couple of sillouette artists:

jennyleefowler-

and turnyourhead- love the secret in these, especially the couple one.

* maybe i can validate this purchase with my extra ciggie money- and yeah its still really hard!

like ,omg

2009-03-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

jonathon alder created barbie's dreamhouse in malibu for her 50th birthday. i love the idea, and the adler influence and most of the pepto pink, but the hair chandelier freaks me out a little bit.

ok, most of it is pretty gross, but isn't that what barbie is all about?

makes me hungry for good and plenty

gigamonster

2009-03-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

i was fully prepared for this whole process to be hard, but nobody ever told me that i would be close to losing my mind.

i have these little conversations in my head, not unlike the angels on both shoulders. on one hand i will validate a devilish reason to smoke while the other fights it and becomes the rational angelic side. its been a continuous fight within my head. at times i feel a little psychotic. i just figure that after a couple of days this will surpass and become easier.

until then, i am feeling like i need a straight-jacket. ugh.

this might be a mistake

2009-03-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

so, yeah, i smoke, have been for longer than i would like to admit.

i have always denied that i will eventually have to stop and have been waiting for a good reason besides the curdling cough that comes up every once in a while. as time goes by and i don't have any significant health concerns or babies to weigh in the guilt, i think i might have to quit for myself.

ahhhh, not only have i said it out loud, i actually wrote it, for the world to see and to hold me up to my word. f***, this is dangerous.

i am just tired of everything about it.

i do have one pack left and am going to smoke every last bit of every 20 cigarettes in there, but after that...

so, i will be fighting the monster and trying to make it look easy and mourning the loss of my cherished friend. so please excuse me. and be nice to me.

for sure

2009-03-02T15:14:00.001-08:00

this makes me feel normal, relatively.

from design crush

i promise to stop, tommorrow

2009-02-17T14:24:00.000-08:00

i promise it will make you giggle.

i never intended to make this a political platform, and i promise to stop, but after this-

da bubble

2009-02-12T11:03:00.000-08:00

i found this bubble project and it cheers me up today. they make a farce out of all the media and propaganda going on, but in a good way.

yup

2009-02-10T16:21:00.001-08:00

aint it true.

this is a love song to my paramour TJ's.

grammys?

2009-02-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

i am not one to watch awards shows, especially when i do not know what the fuck is going on, but this year was an exception at the house. grumpy worked on the set all last week and there was nothing else interesting on.

i thought that i would be completely out of the music loop- not listening to current radio for quite while, but i surprised myself and some acts surprised me.

i have a secret love for kanye and thought that with his mullet and all, while whispering into estelle's ear, was pretty stunning.

radiohead blew me away when they played with the marching band (another secret love), its good to see thom york in daylight, or better yet stagelight.

my girl crush goes to adele. not only am i transfixed by her songs, i loved the hair and the way that she looked like she drank cherry soda all afternoon with her pink stained lips and pale skin.

ok- i am officially a dork and have to return to my purple rain soundtrack.

pure genius

2009-02-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

there are a few deliberate rituals that i create for my niece.

1. to teach her how to cook. i never had anyone teach me and i survived, but i want to also expose her to a range of different things.

2. movie night. with a nice dinner and popcorn in the temporary rearranged living room.

last night we had fondues, chocolate and cheese, because i thought it would be great to see her in glee as her ate her 2 favorite foods. and we watched "chitty chitty bang bang"- a little forgotten fact is the perv benny hill is featured in this movie- i had forgotten how much i love these movies and all the theatrics and colors and how much of a genius dick van dyke was.

someone really needs to use this song in their wedding.

it's ok

2009-02-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

somedays, i feel completely unoriginal and right there is the reason that these posts are so sporadic.

this quote makes me feel a little better and validated. i am sure that i stole it from some great blog (sorry). i give the ok to steal from me.

yeah, sometimes he makes me laugh

2009-02-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

especially when i find his secret pictures. i guess they arent that secret when he takes them on my phone

with this, let me tell you how great camerabag for the iphone is. so easy to use and lots of filters. i used helga on this one.

my favorite time to talk to him is when he is asleep. i know this is not very nice, but i get the best answers.

- hmm what do you think i should wear tomorrow?

- ketchup

really? this is actually what was said tonight. thats why he is my valentine.

0- and he really is not as grumpy as he looks or that i say- really.

madonna, o cher, i mean nadya....

2009-02-02T21:29:00.000-08:00

i luckily met nadya ginsburg through bifocaled friend a few years back and who would have thought that under the super sweet feminine exterior was a raging hilarious diva.

check out the 2 best youtubes that i have seen in a long time, if ever.

i only know one other person that is this spot on with accents, i wish i had this talent, much less the humor.

go carla!

2009-01-31T20:56:00.000-08:00

i must have said before how much i get sucked into reality tv, especially the competitive kind. top chef and top design (nevermind, rock of love- shh) are my favorite, but the last few season they have sorta lost my interest for being too safe and lukewarm. don't these producers know that there needs to be one contestant that is the catalyst for drama- perfect tv- if i do say so.

i am declaring one of my all time favorites as carla, on this seasons top chef. she is super, not only is her defense for a crappy dish is that it was cooked with love, and she is a caterer by trade (yeah), but her eyes speak for herself.

mark ryden.

2009-01-29T21:05:00.000-08:00

my obession with mark ryden peaked a few (8 or more) years back when he lived in the penthouse at the castle green in pasadena. at the time i was unsure it was him but upon leaving it hit me. his place was pretty stark for such a large loft, and there were linear rows of dolls heads, toys, and stuff. so much that it made you squint to want to look harder and closer, i just wanted to sit on the floor and chat.

the other day i heard that he was going to have a signing at moca on the 31st. i would totally go if i could stomach crowds and such , but that said im going to say put and just think about his recent work, besides i didn't go to martha's in december, so why would i go to his?

he did this with marion peck and there's a book to go along with it. you will spend the next 2 hours sining this song and thinking about barfing.

then he collaborated with nogi noda to do a line of clothing- broken label.

i am not so gothic anymore, but i still like his darkly dreamy work.

this is probably old news, and if it's redundant to you. you can always go the perezhilton for more current shit.

fuschia dream.

2009-01-27T21:28:00.001-08:00

with the weather changing this winter from sweaty to real winter conditions, i find it hard to shake off the bright colors. i think these colors will keep me cheery when the weather finally turn grey.

this is my favorite right now, and strangely enough, its my polish- dream by savina.

i also bought a pinker version (passion pink) and it comes in second.

* stop staring at my long toes- they say its a sign of intelligence, just to make all the people who have them feel better

i think the long toes along with the polish would look better in these though.

so much more obama

2009-01-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

yes, i am caught up in the whirlwind of politics, thankfully.

i am white and embracing what's right.

in anticipation...

2009-01-19T16:07:00.000-08:00

i will share some of my collection of obama pictures and such.

there will be more tomorrow.

and if you are in the neighborhood, you can stop by my office for frittatas and mimosas, in celebration.

rex the dog

2009-01-19T09:57:00.000-08:00

yaz brings me back to the 8o's

and rex is cute and inspirational

if only..

2009-01-16T10:02:00.001-08:00

i peruse the wedding and event blogs and figure that i am just not that girl, because i dont like staged photos or events. i was explaining to a friend the other day that the event community needs more humor. its not about perfection, it should be about the personal touches and fun. its not that i dont like pretty, i do, i just dont like stuffy.

this is good. i just found this at rocknroll bride and am a bit obsessed with her blog since.

they are rad.

i love the un-self-conscious-ness of being naked. i need that confidence (and body ,would help) but i do have a green gorilla outfit (not that im planning), so grumpy would have to be the one naked. ha

come to l.a.

2009-01-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

i am always attracted to the free art that graffitists and shepard fairey-like artistes put up throughout town. the most clever are my favorite.
there is one around the corner from me that is a stencil of the ex- president bush

but dan witz is doing it with the best humor in new york.

boohoo...

2009-01-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

i have never prided myself as having a green thumb. it seems that the only plants that continue to grow around me are super tolerant and weedlike, such as rosemary and maybe geraniums.
but i never thought that it was even possible to shrivel up a cactus like i have- yes, i watered it once. the little guy just gave up and bent over in defeat the other day. its quite pathetic, but sorta cute, right?
r.i.p.

just relax...

2009-01-12T00:04:00.001-08:00

its been a while that i have been able to restfully sleep in on the weekend- someone is always asking me if i am going to sleep all day at 8am- and the last month i was too occupied in my head to get any really good sleep- and there was major shopping to do- and to ready the house for guests- and to figure out what i could impress visitors with in the kitchen.
the weekends are too precious to rush around and not have anything to show for it, so i am making a change to enjoy these 2 days out of the week to chill out, visit friends, watch movies,pick my nose, paint my nails and to catch up on the stack of books and magazines on the bedside table- to do all these things without feeling guilty or lazy. so there.
besides it was such a nice warm day in january to pass up.

nip and tuck and more needed

2009-01-05T23:22:00.000-08:00

this is a reason to keep the tivo going, i am so excited and the promos are helping.i love the gothic ethel merman style to the kanye (don't be a hater)music.

its been an eventful week so early in the year, and for that i am pretty sad, for many reasons. but i look forward to a better, more organized, lovingly, prosperous, and eventful (by all means) year!
i dont want to wait til there is not any time left to make the big plans i have and to say the things that i mean- or to watch nip and tuck, but its not going to be the same since that whore moved to the new 90210.
ox

have a happy dapper new one

2008-12-31T11:32:00.000-08:00

tonight i am working, so have a safe night tonight, and i will see you at the racetrack tommorrow. i thought it might be a good idea to get out of the hysteria in pasadena.

there's no rest for the weary and by that i mean that i am fucking tired.

happy boxing day

2008-12-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

Box·ing Day (bŏk'sĭng)
n. The first weekday after Christmas, celebrated as a holiday in parts of the British Commonwealth, when Christmas gifts are traditionally given to service workers.

maybe i am jenny lewis

2008-12-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

finally got a new hairdo, after 20 years. not sure how long my patience will last with the bangs. i am sorta digging it especially after grumpy told me that i looked completely different. "really, like younger different?", whatever he meant, it worked in my imagination.

very merry

2008-12-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

tom waits makes me think of cold night with buttered rum, not unlike his voice.

although he might seem a little off, he is still hot in my book.

its christmas, iam trying

2008-12-17T14:44:00.000-08:00

loving elton in the 70's, the glasses, teeth, boa, everything and its christmasish.

john waters at christmas

2008-12-16T15:19:00.000-08:00

this is long but it is totally worth it.
after you read this, go out and purchase john waters christmas cd, i promise you that i would never steer you wrong, you will be listening to it all season, forget about those pedestrian christmas carols.

Why I Love Christmas
By John Waters

Being a traditionalist, I'm a rabid sucker for Christmas. In July I'm already worried that there are only 146 shopping days left. "What are you getting me for Christmas?" I carp to fellow bathers who haven't even decided what to do for Labour Day. As each month follows, I grow more and more obsessed. Around October I startle complete strangers by bursting into my off-key rendition of "Joy to the World." I'm always The Little Drummer Boy for Halloween, a grouchy one at that, since the inconsiderate stores haven't even put up their Christmas decorations yet. November 1 kicks off the jubilee of consumerism, and I'm so riddled with the holidays season that the mere mention of a stocking stuffer sexually arouses me.

By December I'm deep in Xmas psychosis, and only then do I allow myself the luxury of daydreaming my favourite childhood memory: dashing through the snow, laughing all the way (ha-ha-ha) to Grandma's house to find the fully decorated tree has fallen over and pinned her underneath. My candy-coloured memories have run through the projector of my mind so many times that they are almost in 3-D. That awful pause before my parents rushed to free her, my own stunned silence as I dared not ask if Granny's gifts to us had been damaged, and the wondrous, glories sight of the snow semi-crooked tree, with balls broken, being begrudgingly hoisted back to its proper position of adoration. "O Christmas tree! O Christmas tree!" I started shrieking at the top of my lungs in an insane fit of childhood hyperventilation before being silenced by a glare from my parents that could have stopped a train. This tableau was never mentioned again, and my family pretended it never happened. But I remember—boy, do I remember!

If you don't have yourself a merry little Christmas, you might as well kill yourself. Every waking second should be spent in Christmas compulsion: career, love affairs, marriages, and all the other clutter of daily life must take a backseat to this holiday of holidays. As December 25 fast approaches, the anxiety and pressure to experience "happiness" are all part of the ritual. If you can't maintain the spirit, you're either a rotten Communist or badly in need of a psychiatrist. No wonder you don't have any friends.

Of course, You-know-who was supposed to have been born on Christmas, but the real Holy Trinity is God the Father, the Son and the Holy Santa Claus. You don't see fake Josephs and Marys in department stores asking kids what they want, do you? Face it, mangers are downwardly mobile. True, swiping a sheep or a wise man for your apartment from a local church is always good for a cheap thrill and invariably gets you in the paper the next day. And Madalyn Murray O'Hair (the publicity-crazed atheist saint) always gets a rise by successfully demanding in court the removal of Nativity scenes from her state capital on Christmas Eve. But we all know who the real God is, don't we? That's right, the Supreme One, Santa Claus.

But if you think about it, Santa Claus is directly responsible for heroin addiction. Innocent children are brainwashed into believing the first big lie their parents ever tell them, and when the truth finally hits, they never believe them again. All the stern warnings on the perils of drugs carry the same credibility as flying reindeer or fat men in your chimney. But I love Santa Claus anyway: All legends have feet of clay. Besides, he's a boon to the unemployed. where else can drunks and fat people get temporary work?

Of course, to many, Santa is an erotic figure, and fore these lucky revelers, the Christmas season is a smorgasbord of raw sex. Some people just go for a man in a uniform. Inventive entrepreneurs should open a leather bar called the Pole where dominant wrinkle fetishists could dress like old St. Nick and passive gerontophiliacs could get on all fours and take the whip like good reindeer. Inhaling poppers and climbing down mock chimneys or opening sticks 'n' stones from the red-felt master could complete the sex-drenched atmosphere of the first S&M Xmas bar.

You could even get fancy about it. Why hasn't Bloomingdale's or Tiffany's tried a fancy Santa. Deathly pale, this never-too-thin-or-too-rich Kris Kringle, dressed in head-to-toe unstructured, over-size Armani, could pose on a throne, bored and elegant, and every so often deign to let a rich little brat sit near his lap before dismissing his wishes with a condescending "Oh, darling, you don't really want that, do you?"

Santa has always been the ultimate movie star. Forget White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life and all the other hackneyed trash. Go for the classics: Silent Night, Bloody Night, Black Christmas or the best seasonal film of all time Christmas Evil ("He'll sleigh you"). This true cinematic masterpiece only played theatrically for a few seconds, but it's now available on videocassette and no holiday family get-together is complete without it. I t's about a man completely consumed by Christmas. His neurosis first rears its ugly head as he applies shaving cream to his face, looks in the mirror, hallucinates a white beard and begins to imagine that he is Santa Claus. He gets a job in a toy factory, starts snooping and spying on the neighbourhood children and then rushes home to feverishly make notes in his big red book: "Jimmy was a good boy today," or "Peggy was a bad little girl." He starts cross-dressing as Claus and lurks around people's roots ready to take the plunge. Finally, he actually gets stick in a nearby chimney and awakens the family in his struggle. Mom and Dad go insane when they find a fat lunatic in their fireplace, but the kids are wild with glee. Santa has no choice but to kill these Scroogelike parents with the razor-sharp star decorating the top of their tree. As he flees a neighbourhood lynch mob, the children come to his rescue and defy their distraught parents by forming a human ring of protection around him. Finally, pushed to the limits of Clausmania, he leaps into his van/sleigh and it takes off flying over the moon as he psychotically and happily shrieks, "On Dancer! On Prancer! On Donner and Vixen!" I wish I had kids. I'd make them watch it every year and if they didn't like it, they'd be punished.

Preholiday activities are the foreplay of Christmas. Naturally, Christmas cards are you first duty and you must send one (with a personal, handwritten message) to every single person you ever met, no matter how briefly. If this common courtesy is not reciprocated, never speak to the person again. Keep computerized records of violators and hold the grudge forever; don't even attend their funeral.

Of course, you must make your own cards by hand. "I don't have time" you may whine, but since the whole purpose of life is Christmas, you'd better make time, buster. We Christmas zealots are rather demanding when it comes to the basic requirements of holiday behaviour. "But I can't think of anything . . . ." is usually the next excuse, but cut those people off in mid-sentence. It's easy to be creative at Christmastime. One year I had a real cute idea that was easy to design. I bought a cheap generic card of Joseph and Mary holiday the Baby Jesus and superimposed Charles Manson's face in the place of the homeless infant's. Inside I kept the message "He is born". Everybody told me they loved it and some even said they saved it. (For the record, I'm against donating your cards to nursing homes after Christmas. One would think that after all these years on earth, senior citizens would have had a chance to make a friend or two on their own. Don't do it!) This season, I'm dying to produce my dream card that I've wanted for years. I'll be sitting in a Norman Rockwell-style Christmas scene, dressed in robe and slippers, opening my gifts moments before I notice a freak fire that has begun in the tissue paper and is licking and spreading to the tree.

Go deeply in debt over Christmas shopping. Always spend in exact correlation to how much you like the recipient. Aunt Mary I love about $6.50 worth; Uncle Jim—well, at least he got his teeth fixed—$8. If your Christmas comes and goes without declaring bankruptcy, I feel sorry for you—you are a person with not enough love inside.

You can never buy too many presents. If you said "Excuse me" to me on a transit bus, you're on my list. I wrap gifts for nonexistent people in case somebody I barely know hands me a present and I'm unprepared to return this gesture. Even though I'm the type who infuriates others by saying "Oh, I finished my shopping months ago," as they frantically try to make last-minute decisions. I like to go into the stores at the height of Christmasmania. Everyone is in a horrid mood, and you can see the overburdened, underpaid temporary help having nervous breakdowns. I always write down their badge numbers and report them for being grumpy.

If you're a criminal, Christmas is an extra-special time for you and your family. Shoplifting is easier and cars in parking lots are loaded with presents for your children. Since everyone steals the checks you must leave for the mailman and garbagemen, I like to leave little novelty items, like letter bombs. Luckily, I live in a bad neighbourhood, so I don't have to worry; the muggers live in my building and go to the rich neighbourhoods to rob. If you're quick, you can even steal the muggers' loot as they unload the car. Every child in my district seems to get rollerskates for Christmas, and it's music to my ears to hear the sudden roar of an approaching gang on skates, tossing back and forth like a hot potato a purse they've just snatched.

"Santa Claus Is a Black Man" is my favourite Christmas carol, but I also like The Chipmunks' Christmas Album, the Barking Dogs' "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman" by the Ronettes. If you're so filled with holiday cheer you can't stand it, try calling your friends and going caroling yourself. Especially if you're old, a drug addict, an alcoholic or obviously homosexual and have a lot of effeminate friends. Go In packs. If you are black, go to a prissy white neighbourhood. Ring doorbells, and when the Father Knows Best-type family answers, start screeching hostilely your favourite carol. Watch their faces. There's nothing they can do. It's not illegal. Maybe they'll give you a present.

Always be prepared if someone asks you what you want for Christmas. Give brand names, the store that sells the merchandise and, if possible, exact model numbers so they can't go wrong. Be the type who's impossible to buy for so that they have to get what you want. Here was my 1985 list and I had checked it twice; the long-out-of-print paperback The Indiana Torture Slaying, the one-sheet for the film I Hate Your Guts and the subscription to Corrections Today, the trade paper for prison wardens. If you owe someone money, now is the time to pay him back, mentioning at the same time a perfect gift suggestion. If you expect to be receiving a Christmas stocking as a forerunner to a present, tell the giver right off the bat that you don't go for razor blades, deodorants or any of the other common little sundries but anticipate stocking stuffers that are original, esoteric and perfectly suited to you and you alone.

It helps to be a collector, so the precedent is set on what to expect as a gift. For years friends have treated me to the toy annually selected by the Consumer Affairs Committee of Americans for Democratic Action as the "worst toy" to give your child at Christmastime. "Gobbles, the Garbage-Eating Goat" started my collection. "That crazy eating goat" reads the delightful package, and in small print, "Contains: One realistic goat with head that goes up and down. Comes complete with seven pieces of pretend garbage." This Kenner Discovery Time toy's instructions are priceless. "Gobbles loves to eat garbage when he's hungry, and he's ALWAYS hungry. (1) Hold Gobbles mouth open by the beard. Stuff a piece of pretend garbage straight into his mouth and (2) pump the tail until the garbage disappears." It ends with an ominous warning, "Feed Gobbles only the garbage that comes with the toy," and in even smaller print "If you need additional garbage, we will, as a service, send it to you direct. For 14 pieces of garbage send $1 (check or money order; sorry, no C.O.D.) to . . . . " I can't tell you the hours of fun I've had with Gobbles. Sometimes when I'm very bored, Gobbles and I get naked and play-play.

Over the years my collection has grown. There's "My Puppy Puddles" ("You can make him drink water, wet in his tray and kiss you"). "Baby Cry and Dry" about whom the watchdog group warned: "Take her out of the box and she smells, the odor won't go away" and "Baby Cry for You." ("The tears don't just drop out, they whoosh out in a three-foot stream.") Of course, I still cover the winner of the first annual prize (before my collection began)—a guillotine for dolls. "Take that, Barbie." "Off with your head, Betsy Wetsy!"

No matter what you think of your presents, each must be answered with an immediate thank you note. Thinking of what to write can be tricky, especially for distant relatives who send you a card with two crisp $1 bills inside. Be honest in your reply—"Dear Uncle Walt. Thank you for the $2. I bought a pack of Kools and then put the change in an especially disgusting peep show, it was fun!" or "Dear Aunt Lulu, I was thrilled to receive your kind gift of $5. I immediately bought some PCP with it. Unfortunately, I had a bad reaction, stabbed my sister, set the house on fire and got taken to the hospital for the criminally insane. Maybe you could come visit me? Love, Your nephew."

I always have an "office party" every year and invite my old friends, business associates and any snappy criminals who have been recently paroled. I reinforce all my chairs, since for some reason many of my guests are very fat, and after a few splintered antiques, I've learned my lesson. I used to throw the party on Christmas Eve, but so many guests complained of hideous hangovers I had to move up the date. No more moaning and dry heaving under their parents' tree the next day as their brothers and sisters give them dirty looks for prematurely ejaculating the Christmas spirit.

I usually invite about a hundred people and the guest know I expect each to get everyone else a present. Ten thousand gifts! When they're ripped open at midnight, you can see Christmas dementia at its height. One thing that pushes me off the deep end is party crashers. I've solved the problem by hiring a door many who pistol-whips anyone without an invitation, but in the old days, crashers actually got inside. How rude! At Christmas, of all times, when visions of sugarplums are dancing orgiastically through my head. One even brought her mother—how touching. "GET OUT!" I snarled after snatching out of her hand the bottle of liquor that she falsely assumed would gain her (and her goddamn mother) entry.

I always show a film in one room: Wedding Trough (about a man who falls in love with a pig and then eats it) or Kitten with a Whip (Ann-Margret and John Forsythe) or What Sex Am I? (a clinical documentary about a sex-change operation). When it's finally time for the guests to leave, I blatantly get in bed and go to sleep; they know they better get home. Santa is on his way.

Christmas day is like an orgasm that never stops. Happiness and good cheer should be throbbing in your veins. Swilling eggnog, scarfing turkey and wildly ripping open presents with your family, one must pause to savor the feeling of inner peace. Once it's over, you can fall apart.

Now is the time for suicide if you are so inclined. All sorts of neuroses are permitted. Depression and feelings that it somehow wasn't good enough would be expected. There's nothing to do! Go to a bad movie? You can't leave the house between now and January 1 because it's unsafe; the national highways are filled with drunks unwinding and frantically trying to get away from their families. Returning gifts is not only rude but psychologically dangerous—if you're not careful you might glimpse the scum of the earth, cheap bastards who shop at after-Christmas sales to save a few bucks. What can you look forward to? January 1, the Feat of the Circumcision, perhaps the most unappetizing High Holiday in the Catholic Church? Cleaning up that dirty, dead, expensive Christmas tree that is now an instant out-of-season fire hazard? There is only one escape from post-Christmas depression—the thought that in four short weeks it's time to start all over again. What're ya gonna get me?

Slightly abridged from Crackpot by John Waters

pcc

2008-12-11T23:44:00.000-08:00

i frequent the local swap meets, searching for the perfect tchotke to add to my collections. most times i window shop, it really depends upon my mood. i only ask about something if i really want to purchase it. i have to change this and get over my shyness to get a better idea of what things are worth and where i can get the best deals.
last sunday was pcc and i had some good luck, so much so that i had to leave early for fear that i would spend all of the christmas budget on myself.
i bought a handful of big buttons for a scarf project i am working on
a a blue ceramic barrel pitcher
some air plant for gifts (the only thing not for me)
and a beautiful vase with cherries and string around the mouth. this was too good to pass up.
see.

and to go with the season everyone had their christmas things out. i saw these two trees that i loved but don't have anymore space for christmas crap.
i loved this tree the white leaves were of heavy white paper, i should have bought it.

i tend to stay away from drowning in silver tinsel and trees during the holidays, but i like this one because there where a starburst/flower on the branches.

me too

2008-12-08T16:10:00.001-08:00

the selby is one of my favorite website/blogs that i regularly visit. a guy that goes by "cobrasnake" invades random interesting people's living space. it shows that i am not the only one who collects and clutters, or is a bit nutty.
the above cracks me up, its from bobby bruno in eagle rock.

a refreshing ha

2008-12-05T09:44:00.000-08:00

i have been taking every vacant minute (rare) that i have to sneak around and find the perfect christmas gifts for everyone. i figure the earlier i get it finished the better, this will help the below affliction i have towards the holiday. i hope it works because i am slowing getting things done and its only the first week of december.
my mom (of all people) found this site for a dutch department store- enter this site and wait a couple of seconds. i dont understand anything on here but its cute.
its a relief for a constant on-line shopper like me.

trees and cards and presents, oh my

2008-12-02T17:18:00.000-08:00

jaimie lidell has a voice that we all have heard before and can place it between terence d'arby from the eighties and someone else. i am digging it right now though, this video reminds of my all time favorite from julien dore (past post). i am using this as an ode to grumpy after i took after his nickname and to liven up a little bit for the holidays.

i made it back from the brutal desert. it was an experience with new faces and i plan on placing a few pictures here, but i have to gather my thoughts first. i went straight to work after 4 days, and felt a bit of holiday anxiety.
december always puts me in a mood. i wish it was easy and that i could go through it unscathed, but the truth is i feel overwhelmed and grouchy most of the time, and poor grumpy gets the worst of it, (sorry honey.) i am trying to be conscientiously aware of the awful vibe i give off right about now, and try to have a good season instead of stressing about the small stuff. so here it goes.

thanks

2008-11-25T12:52:00.000-08:00

if i was not going out camping in a dusty cold desert for thanksgiving, i could be thankful at home licking my paws with this exact look on my face.
all that said, i am very thankful, but will be questioning it for a few days.

watch this

2008-11-25T10:49:00.000-08:00

i am sure these guys hate to be referred to as cute, but how cute are they? they are all photographers that pack up and travel around together, taking random pictures and goofing around. do you think that they would need a personal chef on their rv?

cute?

2008-11-21T15:56:00.001-08:00

i seriously need a haircut.
i have had the same long shaggy layered cut for ages. i cant have anything that requires tools, including a brush, that pretty much means a cut without a style. but this may work, and i do love jenny lewis and her hair.

emily wong drew this and she seems rad.

tagged?

2008-11-19T23:15:00.000-08:00

this whole blog thing was created to challenge myself. i tend to be a bit shy and reclusive. the sweet blogger betsy has called me out and "tagged" me with a questionaire, i contemplated even acknowledging this, but how rude could that be, so betsy- this is for you, like it or not.

7 things about myself
1. i love pickles- ralphs had the best mini jalapeno pickles that while i stare at in my refrigerator they make my mouth water, no matter what time of day. and there is nothing like a salty spicy okra pickle in a bloody mary, mmm. pickled onions on with carnitas, i cant get enough. i could go on, i love them all.
2. i can tell when it is going to rain because the plates in my ankle starts to ache.
3. my favorite place in the whole world is my bed.
4. my least favorite meat is chicken- i will eat nearly anything but grisel or fat and chicken contains them both most of the time. and if i come across either one, it immediately brings an end to the meal.

5. i arrange weddings but i have reservations about getting married myself.
6. we collect religious icons but do not go to church.
7. i dont own a hairbrush.

so now i need to pass this on to 7 people and post a comment on their blog to let them know (can you tell i feel defeated right now?)

passed to; ok bye blog, mrs. donaghy, caroline the greedy girl, russ, kara, and....

sorry and thanks.

thanks suri

2008-11-19T15:06:00.000-08:00

my sentiments exactly.

par avion

2008-11-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

when it rain it pours, regarding magazines,i have an influx of mags right now and earnark all of them. i remember this in , i think, vanity fair lately.
i have been on the hunt for the perfect new bag. something brightly colored, definately no synthetic leathers, must go over shoulder, on the bigger side, without any bells and whistles, literally. its been a long hard search to no avail.
i would be down for these kate spade bags if it was earlier in the year and white doesn't really work with my messiness, but i do love the kitschiness of them.

madam fluffkuns

2008-11-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

Just for fun! Follow instructions A & B to find out your first and last burlesque names.

A) Third letter of your real first name is your burlesque first name :

A. Juicy N. Cleopatra
B. Fabulous O. Jewel
C. Cupcake P. Frankly
D. Fifi Q. Candy
E. Danger R. Topless
F. Venus S. Leopard
G. Ermine T. Perky
H. Marvelous U. Sensual
I. Madam V. Sexy
J. Sinuous W. Silky
K. Emerald X. Diamond
L. Peaches Y. Breathy
M. Mocha Z. Bonbon

B) Third letter of your real last name is your burlesque last name:

A. Heartbreaker N. de Ville
B. Smartypants O. Baracuda
C. Poser P. Crustacean
D. Unmentionables Q. Sprinklecake
E. Cupcake R. Topless
F. Evening S. Cheetah
G. Nipples T. Snakeskin
H. Sunshine U. mcStruttington
I. Jigglejugs V. Von Trapp
J. Fluffkuns W. Shakespeare
K. Wiggles X. Moonbottom
L. Vibrations Y. Growler
M. Glitterbomb Z. Favours

thanks betsy.

vogueing

2008-11-10T15:18:00.000-08:00

I found this website this morning and have been thinking about it ever since. It falls in my fancy fantasy lines and its out in the british vogue.
Sometimes tim burton trips me out, but he never seems to fail in the brilliance, and for him to find someone as fanciful as helen bonham. I would love to see their house. it must be like falling into alice's hole.
this layout revolves around roald dahl's characters. which is sinister and beautiful. make no mind of dahl and his nasty views on the world. he has a wild imagination and wonderful characters.
these are a few of my favorites, ironically enough they are all redheads, teehee

deep breath

2008-11-06T14:52:00.000-08:00

now that the holiday and humongous election is over and it feels refreshing, i can get back to focusing on the things that i have put aside. namely forgotten pictures, projects and work/food related research. i have stacks of magazines, clipped pictures, taken pictures, trinkets and books that have been begging for a little attention. the dust need to be blown of and i have be reminded that there was a reason they have been lying around.
there has been a lot of teasing around the house because i leave unfinished projects in corners. i will post them slowly as i finish them. soon there will be beautiful light fixtures, painted portraits, doggie sweaters, embroidery and jewelry to show.
i am going to filter out the pictures that i randomly collect from magazines. I have never actually figured out why i do this, but i do. so i need to create a scrapbook with them. not your heart cut out shaped, glue gunned button type, just you average composition book with sketches and pasted pictures.
the pictures in my camera date back to the beginning of this past summer. i have promised people pictures that they forsurely have forgotten and blog posts that are undoubtedly passe now. a few (many) hours in front of the computer is all i need and couldn't seem to find. a rainy sunday afternoon and nice bottle of shiraz would help.

no more excuses.

wow

2008-11-05T08:51:00.001-08:00

and yeah!

happy hallow's eve

2008-10-31T09:05:00.000-07:00

if you see a spider on halloween, it is the spirit of a loved on watching over you. fyi.

summer heights high

2008-10-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

yah, its on my tivo list and should be on yours.
so funny, i have not laughed so hard since a friend told me a story about a starfish pucker, its a little like a current spinal tap., with just one brilliant guy as 3 different characters in a school based in australia. chris lilley is my new hero.
1st- mr g- the over ambitious, ambiguous and drama teacher that writes and produces a musical about abigail, a slutty ecxtasy driven teen.

2nd- ja-mie- the australian snobby valley girl

3rdly- jonah takalua- the hilariously defiant delinquent

ew monday

2008-10-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

i woke up making excuses on why i could stay home today, and after about a half an hour talking to myself, i realized that i was being ridiculous and hurried into the office.
i needed a little bit of this to get me started though

yeah!

2008-10-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

i am so excited. i am not a techie, by any means, but i like gadgets and normally cannot figure them out, but this one makes me feel brilliant and its way nice, an ode to the soon to be missed poloroids.
make your pictures into polaroids on here. once downloaded, just drag your picture onto the camera icon and it takes a few minutes to develop, just like the original ones. and the colors are a bit warped just like the original. if only there was a way to scribble on them like we used to.

-thanks jo

max

2008-10-23T16:08:00.000-07:00

our little max- aka: naughty dog- had an appointment to get snipped today, but his little heart was having palpitations and they didn't want to put him under, so he had a day at the doggie spa.

i think i will cheer him up by getting him a little wig. this shop even have partial extensions if he doesn't want to go all the way. do you think it will demasculate him? i think he will look very cute in one of these. besides its perfect timing with halloween right around the corner.

vote

2008-10-22T16:22:00.000-07:00

you don't have to listen to me, but its encouraging to know that all these great designs are coming out of the campaign, especially for my votee.
just be rational, people!

hmm

2008-10-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

as i have said before. i love costumes. so much that i have an ongoing list of ideas and boxes of tutus and top hats. yet this year i am a bit discouraged and out of sorts about halloween. i am trying to conger up the energy and enough thought into a get-up.
-the other night i finally had the time to go through all of my tivoed shows, so i happened to have a "pushing daisies" marathon. i love this show, the eccentric characters, lovely actors, costumers and set designers. its dreamy you must watch it....this brings me to-last season there was a show that had cars that ran off of dandelions and the "dandy lion" car models wore this. hmmm

a fancy room

2008-10-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

roaming around blogland this morning i was inspired by this from jo
i am super cheap and sentimental at heart and love the idea of making everything in house much less one room. this man from kentucky drew a room within a room. i am sure it has been done before but not with as much shutzpah. it would make decorating so much easier.

finally, something fancy

2008-10-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

i have this new fancy banner thanks to miss ana serano, my beautiful and talented friend along with occasional caterer. she is so skilled that she whipped this out in less time than the debate lasted. i think its really sweet. thank you thank you.

please check all of her brillance here.

hungry for a laugh?

2008-10-01T16:52:00.000-07:00