Daily Inspiration

Another Monday...today feels particularly dreary and slow, and I am not at all ready to go back to work. I guess that's the problem with breaks. You never want go back to your former routine! I think I'll need some extra-cheery pictures for today, especially since it's very gray and overcast.

Leo's Guide to MFCin'

I have some exciting news today, as I have done my first blogger interview! B (a different B than previously mentioned in my post), of Queen but no Crown, interviewed me for her blog. You can read about it here (scroll to "Shell").

In the near future, I will also be doing blogger interviews for my own blog, so if you have a blog or online shop and are interested, leave your name, link & address in the comment section. You must be a blog follower to qualify.

I missed yet another Video Viernes because I was en route back to Chattanooga after a week long vacation at my house in Memphis. Maybe I'll get around to posting videos next Friday. And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

This is Leo, a pekingese "shit"zu mix (as my boyfriend often refers to him). Some say he's ugly, others fawn all over him at the dog park. I guess it just goes back to personal doggy preference. Leo is an MFCin' champ. Oh, and in case you weren't aware, MFC stands for "monster fuckin' chillinz" (see official dictionary entry here). He can most often found perching on the top of the big comfy chair in our living room. Yes, he sits up there just like a cat. He also likes to hide under beds (like a cat) and would probably feel right at home using a litter box (like a cat). 

I found Leo on craigslist almost 2 years ago. I really wasn't in the market to adopt a puppy, but I'm constantly browsing the craigslist pets section because I like to look at the pictures of the animals people post. So I clicked on the "pekingese puppies" ad and saw this adorable little fluff-face staring up at me from the glowing screen on my laptop:

How can you NOT want to instantly adopt something that cute!? I called the lady and arranged to come meet the puppy. My boyfriend and I drove about fifty-something miles outside of Chattanooga and into the deep countryside. Like DEEP. This was the kind of country you see in horror movies where the car breaks down on some abandoned road, and then everyone gets attacked by a crazy mutated zombie redneck. We pulled up to this lady's trailer and knocked. We were greeted by a rather large woman (who was missing quite a few teeth) and about three or four dogs running rampant in her house. She came out with the little puppy resting in her arms, and I couldn't wait to take him home. She told me he was the last puppy and the runt of the litter. Someone had previously adopted him but had to return him back to her (for unknown reasons?) so I was glad I could give him a home. The entire ride home, he sat in my lap, calm, cool and collected. Or sedated, as we later came to believe...

This is Leo, grown up. He is no longer the calm, sleepy puppy we thought we had adopted. Although he is a master at lounging (when he wants to be), he can be quite hyper as small dogs are prone to be and has the highest pitched bark I've ever heard. Despite my training and his lack of balls (literally), he still marks in the house from time to time and will whine when he isn't given enough attention. However, he loves to curl up on laps and be loved on. He'll chill on any spot so long as it's soft or warm, especially dirty clothes (my boyfriend's dog May also loves dirty piles of clothes. It must be something about the way they smell like their people.)

Leo's guide to MFCin' (as told by Leo):

• If it's soft and/or warm, lay on it. Worry about getting in trouble later.
• The top of the couch and/or recliners make the best snoozing spots, and the crevices are especially good for hiding your chewies and treats.
• When chillin' by windows or doors, be sure to bark at everything that moves so it knows you're more important than whatever it is you're barking at.
• When chillin' on your back and people are near, wiggle all your limbs in the air and/or snake around on the floor/couch/surface you're on and make gremlin noises so people know you want your belly rubbed.
• If people still ignore your pleas to be petted, nudge their hand with your nose.
• When chillin' outside, run around and bark for as long as you can. Even if you are allowed to play outside for an hour or so, just continually bark so the neighbors, birds and squirrels are all made aware of your important presence.
• If it's raining, and you are let outside to do your business, but want to squeeze in a small amount of chill time, always go seek out the muddiest spot in the yard and roll around in it.
• For bath time chillin', you can either lay there and take it (often speeding up the bath process) or be spazzy like May and attempt to escape the treacherous bathtub and shampoo bottle but will most likely not end well.
• If your person has fitted you with a "homemade cone of shame" (ie. a paper plate) to deter you from chewing at your sutures, lay on the floor and look pitiful until said cone is removed. The same rules apply when your person dresses you in silly costumes for holidays. See exhibit A below: 
  

• Finally, if your owner has misplaced your doggie belly-band to deter you from marking indoors and fits you with an incredibly silly-looking homemade device (AKA a Wal-Mart bag) to prevent you from peeing indoors, WORK IT! Just own that bitch and strut around like hot shit because it's not coming off. See exhibit B below:

Things I Love Thursday

Taking a page from Gala's blog, I might want to start doing "Things I Love Thursdays" because it's such a good idea, to simply post the things you are thankful for/loving/obsessing over that week!

Cupcakes! B & I  had a cupcake adventure yesterday involving Gigi's cupcakes, sequin bunny ears and vintage dresses (pictures coming soon!) The wind did not at all cooperate with us, however. In the end, we ended up in my backyard taking the majority of our photos before devouring our icing-mountain cupcakes. The ladies at Gigi's looked at us strangely when we sashayed in through the doors in our poofy dresses and ordered a box of cupcakes. We chose four flavors: Banana Split, Champagne, Birthday & Margarita. As far as cupcakes go, they were delicious. Banana split was probably more banana-y than I would have liked but it did taste exactly like a banana sundae. Champagne is basically just vanilla; pretty to look at but nothing exciting. The birthday one was just like birthday cake, complete with pink frosting and sprinkles. The margarita cupcake was my favorite. In theory, it sounds a little disgusting. In reality, just picture a bright green cupcake that smells strangely like ice cream but tastes like lemon-limey-minty-cupcake with hints of margarita flavor. Muddy's Bake Shop is still my favorite place for cupcakes. The grasshopper cupcake is my favorite (chocolate cupcake with light green peppermint icing). If you're even in the Memphis area, definitely put Muddy's on your to-do list!

Reading! Books, fashion magazines, blogs. It seems like I've been buying up all sorts of fashion magazines lately. Elle, Food network, Vogue... I haven't even gotten around to reading them yet! They are stacked all neatly on my bedside table. I'm also currently in the middle of reading Lo Bosworth's The Lo-Down & I just recently finished Tucker Max's second book, Assholes Finish First. If you haven't read any of his stuff, go get his first book, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. It's essentially a collection of his drunken adventures and sexual escapades. Truly hilarious, though!

Other things I love:

+ Homemade honey chicken & vegetables + Glee + Hello Kitty bandaids + Cocktails with old friends + Bacon bleu burgers from Majestic Grill + Paul Frank coconut lipgloss that smells like coconut sun tan lotion + Perusing the web pages of the local animal shelter & fawning over all the dogs I want to adopt + Vintage Easter-egg colored dresses + Birthday cake & mint yogurt with sprinkles from Gracie Bleu + Meeting friends for lunch and learning all about big, juicy secrets!

How I am single-handedly fixing the economy

I think I shop too much. Probably no more than any other 20-something girl who has a job to pay for things and is slightly fashion obsessed (ok, a lot fashion obsessed). I'm no Rebecca Bloomwood, but I have been known to throw down the plastic quite often because I a.) rarely carry cash, b.) make 85% of my purchases online and c.) am a huge impulse buyer and advertisers love me. I'll see something new & instantly want it. Whether it's a new flavor of Quaker chewy bars singing a siren song from the shelves or a pair of gorgeous, but overpriced, sky high glitter pumps encrusted with crystals that probably resemble stripper heels (but my impulsion simply translates that to "SHOES!!!!!"), it doesn't matter. I'll still have to have it.

For such reasons, I tend to probably spend more than I should on things I probably don't need. Don't even get me started on what it's like walking into the new Forever 21 that's roughly the size of Texas. It's Mecca - and will probably rob me of all my paychecks. While some things I can hold back on such as important things like shampoo, new razor blades or paper towels, I am powerless against shoes. There is something about a really sexy pair of pumps (especially unique or embellished ones) that just make me melt. As Becky Bloomwood would say, it kind of does make your heart go like hot butter sliding down warm toast. Then again, I'm probably just crazy. I wear 4-5 inch heels with platforms or crazy designs and walk around or dance in them for hours. Most of my roommates think I really am crazy with my shoe choices - mostly because they aren't the fashionista type. My closet is essentially a personal store for my roommates who can peruse my rack of clothes and put together the perfect outfit without spending a dime since I have so many new things.

Anyway, I'm getting off track. In the three days I have been home visiting my family, I've already accumulated a handful of new items. Sunday I purchased a Kenneth Cole top, a blue striped cardigan and a pair of jean shorts, as well as St. Ive's apricot scrub (love that stuff!) and some blush & bronzer. Today I got mascara (Lash Stiletto), a scarf, 2 magazines, Paul Frank coconut lip gloss (that smells like summer), a marshmallow peep and a bottle of biotin pills. Biotin is apparently the Jesus of all vitamins when it comes to hair & nail growth, so I figured I'd try it since my nails are awful and brittle. I blame it on my nailbiter mother - a trait in which heredity decided to bestow upon me as well.


I'm also going to try the Lash Stiletto because I've read rave reviews about it, and it can be used in conjunction with other mascaras to create the illusion of false eyelashes. I saw this on YouTube, and the girl's god-given lashes really look like she has false lashes on! It's amazing actually. Somehow, I doubt I will be able to get the same results.

During my YouTube travels, I also came across a really hilarious girl who makes a lot of joke makeup tutorials. The best part about these entertaining videos is her commentary as she goes along. She has all kinds of tutorials: Whore makeup, Angelina (from Jersey Shore), Black Swan... Check out her channel. She does other videos besides tutorials that are also equally as funny. I think the Avatar tutorial is one of my favorites, though.

Daily Inspiration

Another serving of Monday's of eye candy inspiration to get you through each day. This week, I've opted for food, each complete with a recipe for you to try your hand at if you click the photos. Happy cooking!

Breakfast: The perfect cinnamon bun. Mmmm, reminds me of Sunday mornings as a kid. My mom always made cinnamon buns. Albeit they were "fresh" from the blue can with the image of the pudgy dough boy on it, but they were good enough for me! I liked mine with extra icing.

Lunch: Tandori Chicken Tacos. I've never had tandori chicken before, but if it once clucked, chances are I'll probably like it. Throw practically anything in a warm tortilla and call it a "taco," and I'd eat it! I have yet to try I-Carly's "spaghetti tacos" though. I'm game!

Dinner: Four Cheese Macaroni (Haley, this one's for you!) Again, I've never made homemade mac since I never have the time, but I've been known to snarf plenty of the Kraft variety. Homemade mac and cheese definitely beats any store bought kind, though.

Dessert: Cake Batter Milkshake! (Because 364 days out of the year, you can celebrate an unbirthday)

 

Cocktails: A martini that tastes like Pop Rocks...AND gets your very, very drunk? Sounds like my kind of drink!

Reliving my childhood

Last week was full of childhood activities. Aside from the usual antics at the daycare such as building a zoo out of Legos, helping defeat the evil emperor Zurg and reading Pinkalicious (as well as some unusual situations like trying to figure out why the entire classroom smelled like pancakes and syrup...), my week was rounded out by my boyfriend surprising me with tickets to the circus! The Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Gold tour came to the UTC arena, and upon arriving, we saw an entire mob of screaming children dancing in the circus ring to the Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" - all lead by a clown. We made our way to our seats, and scarfed down a whole bag of cotton candy in under 30 seconds. I remember going to the circus as a kid and always having cotton candy. I liked to lick the pink and blue fluff and watch it dissolve on my fingers (then wiped my sticky hands on my brother). The show started off with a comedy clown act. Normally, I think clowns are lame. Aside from thinking they look dumb, to me, they always seemed like they tried too hard to make the audience laugh. For this show though, I thought the clown acts were pretty funny, especially when one of them came out with an ipod the size of a pizza box and was dancing to some more Black Eyed Peas. My favorite acts were the dog acrobatics, the aerial dancers and the elephants.

I actually applied for an internship in Florida to be an elephant trainer for Ringling Bros. at the Center for Elephant Conservation and even made it through the first round of interviews. I could only imagine what my life would be like right now if I were there training elephants! Hopefully one day I'll be able to live my dream of being able to work with animals in some way, but I'm not sure training elephants for the circus would have been for me. Sure would have made for an exciting experience though!


Over the weekend, I also went with my boyfriend and my friend Charlie to Atlanta. I'll go ahead and introduce Charlie since he is adamant about appearing ("85% of the time") on my blog. You will also probably be seeing/reading more of him when Steeplechase time rolls around. This is Charlie, and his big-headed fish friend trying to hog his spotlight.

We visited the aquarium, the world of Coke and checked out some bars. The aquarium was similar to the one here in Chattanooga except for the fact that the ATL one had Beluga whales, and it is mating season. I could have watched them all day...not for the reasons you are probably thinking! They are just amazing creatures - and being cute doesn't hurt either. They had a pretty extensive penguin exhibit as well.

As for the bars, we only went to 2: Fado and and Rose & Crown Tavern. Fado, being in Buckhead, was pricey for your run-of-the-mill beers but had great atmosphere. Very, very crowded though with loud music blaring, so if you're looking for a chill spot with reasonably priced drinks, this isn't it. Rose & Crown was more of that type of bar but with a big bonus: AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS ONION RINGS! I should have taken a picture of the magnificence that was this mountain of fried onionyness, but I was sans-camera for the night.

And just for fun, and maybe because I haven't put together an outfit for a while, I've included a set of circus-inspired fashion :)

Daily Inspiration

Here is Monday's daily dose of eye candy inspiration to get you through the week, inspired by my weekend.

Saw lots of Beluga whales at the Georgia Aquarium; definitely my favorite part of the weekend.

 Second favorite part? The Varsity's chili dogs & onion rings!

I am such a slave to Samoas...

There was a lot of Disney trivia on the drive home (most of which I naturally got right)

Coke! Inspired by my trip to Atlanta's coke museum

Mardi Gras!

Happy Mardi Gras everyone! If only I could have been dancing through the streets of New Orleans over the weekend, swinging my beads and swigging my beer and enjoying today's parade! I have an intense craving for beignets right now. Oh, soft pillowy squares of sweetened dough, how I love thee! But for now, I must forgo the fun and stick with eating spongebob fruit snacks and mini ritz crackers at the daycare. I've always wanted to go to Nola for Mardi Gras, especially after the New Orleans season of The Real World ended. There's always next year...who's in!?

Spring break begins next week for all of my college friends. It will be strange to watch all of their crazy SB pictures pop up on facebook and know that while they are out getting tan (and probably wasted..), I'll be working. I guess you have to grow up sometime. I get a spring break when the kids at the elementary do the following week, but I'll be driving the 5 hours back home to Memphis. I'm looking forward to a relaxing week of catching up with friends, sleeping in, spending some time with my family and not having to work for a week. Once I get back, things will just be fast paced again, and I'll be relegated to looking for jobs 24/7 and working. I wish I could be the daycare coordinator/director. I have so many good ideas for the program and could implement so many new activities. Maybe some day, since I have all of this childcare experience...

I have a lot of things to look forward to in the next few months.

 St. Patrick's Day with Q (next week)

 Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville (in May)

Beale St. Musicfest in Memphis (in May to see Jason Mraz, Cake, Cee lo Green...KE$HA!!!)

Turning 23 (in June)

Wearing these fabulous crystal heels wherever I go. I might need a trip to Vegas with these babies because they are so fierce!

Daily Inspiration

It's Monday! That means a daily dose of eye candy inspiration to get you through the week.

Style & Bargain Shopping

Hate her or love her, L.C. is a style icon. I first became a fan after watching The Hills, after which I became promptly addicted. I fawned over her glamorous dresses, the sky-high Christian Louboutins and a different designer bag  for every day of the week.  I have read all of the books in her L.A. Candy series and was excited to discover she had also come out with a style/fashion book. I received Lauren Conrad's Style book as a holiday gift, and I blew through the book in about a day. I first stumbled across it while browsing the book section of Target. I thumbed through the glossy pages and immediately knew I had to have the book. Lauren gives excellent style tips, offering outfit ideas for everything from work to play. She briefly chronicles her life, describing how her love of fashion first blossomed, via a trunk of vintage clothes from her grandma. 

What little girl wouldn't love a trunk full of fabulous dress up clothes like long evening gowns, fur coats and strands of pearls? I remember when I was little, and I would wander into my mother's closet (amazed at how large a rather small walk-in closet seemed back then!) and fit my tiny feet into oversized heels - and my favorite - a pair of vintage leather cowboy boots. I would wrap myself in her scarves, drape glittery costume jewelry around my neck and put on way too much of my mother's makeup. I had a special drawer just for my own dress up clothes: a purple genie outfit complete with silver sequin genie shoes my mother had sewn, pink princess dresses covered with tulle, plastic beaded bracelets and oversized Kentucky Derby style hats festooned with feathers. Over the years, I've learned to scale back on the costumes and stop wearing glitter mascara/eyeshadow/lipgloss/nailpolish. I've developed my own personal style, but I've incorporated a lot of Lauren's tips and tricks into my daily routine, while picking up shopping tricks of the trade from my mother. Being an avid deal-seeker, I've found a lot of online shops and boutiques that have "the look for less." I usually find great deals on the these sites (& have developed a bit of a shoe addiction - then again, what woman hasn't?)

One of Lauren's key pieces in her wardrobe? Christian Louboutin pumps. I don't know many college aged girls that can afford $800 shoes, so most would agree with me when I say to opt for the lookalikes (at least for now until we can afford to splurge at Bergdorf's!) The left shoe is a steal at $15.99 from  Ami Clubwear, a website offering an extensive stock of dresses, shoes and accessories. I usually only choose to purchase shoes from Ami because I tend to find their clothing either poorly made or on the slightly trashy side. Occasionally they will have very stylish pieces, which sell out at a moment's notice.

 

Another site where you can find everything from glam evening gowns to plain vintage style tees is Modcloth. Prices range from the low $20s to upper $200s. Items sell out very fast, so if you spot something you like, it's best to go ahead and order it. I could easily drop one or two paychecks at a time buying up every dress that instantly catches my eye, but I try to restrain myself with my Modcloth purchases. My dollar goes further at places like Urban Original or Make Me Chic. About 80% of my shoes are from Urban. It's pretty much shoe heaven! But much like Modcloth, you've gotta be quick with your mouse. The most common sizes like 7's & 8's sell out fast. Happy shopping!

All Things Gaga

Lady Gaga has been everywhere this month - Vogue, MAC, the Grammys, interviews left and right and the much anticipated release of her new single, "Born This Way" which I loved (although "Bad Romance" is still my favorite.) I have been checking newsstands for the new issue of Vogue featuring a pink, blunt-cut Gaga, but I don't think it's been released yet. Her cover look is definitely different, but then again, that's what we've come to expect from her. I've always secretly wanted to dye my hair pink. I think the kids at my daycare would adore me if I were to waltz in one morning sporting a head of fluorescent hair the shade of cotton candy. Long and wavy of course, because if I showed up to work dressed in full Gaga gear (spiky shoulder pads and all), complete with white eyebrows and lipstick the color of dried blood...well, I'd probably be fired and the 2 and 3 year olds would be hiding in a closet somewhere. I'll stick to my jeans and tshirts for work. After all, they just get covered in Play Doh & boogers anyway! Fashionable as I may be, in my line of work, it's really only smart to wear things to work you don't necessarily care about. Heels and child care do not mix - unless of course you're a Park Avenue nanny.

Gaga also is in recent collaboration with M.A.C. Sales from the new Gaga/M.A.C. line go towards benefiting AIDS research. Currently, you can purchase either the Viva Glam lipglass or the Viva Glam lipstick. The shade is a sort of muted plum/beige. I'm curious to try them both. The ad for the promotion is my favorite part. Lady Gaga looks absolutely stunning. If only I could look that fierce! I also watched her on Jay Leno recently, and she gave a good interview. When she sat down for the interview in that Batman-esque mask, I kept hoping she would take it off. It's so rare it seems we see a Gaga sans something covering her face, whether it be a mask, sunglasses, a lace veil, a huge hat or even just gobs of makeup. I want to see more of a fresh-faced Gaga ala Bad Romance. Sometimes I think all that makeup doesn't do her natural beauty justice at all. Most of the time, I wonder what she really looks like. If you haven't seen the interview, I've posted it below, as well as her new single, "Born This Way." I'm anxiously awaiting May for the release of her new album.