Na Po Mo

Did you know it's National Poetry Month?

I was listening to WCRB on my way to work today (Classical music is the antidote to road rage, did you know?) and they were playing pieces based on poems in celebration of National Poetry Month which a) enabled me to maintain my blood pressure when that jackass pickup truck almost sideswiped me on the Pike and b) made me start thinking about my favorite poems. Something I have not done it a while.

As you may know, I was an English major in college but I discovered poetry long before that. Growing up, my dad had a few poetry books that I got into (T.S. Eliot and e.e. cummings) and fell in love with. In college, though it was part of my major, I was not super into poetry because most of the kids that were, were total d-bags. That is not to say that if you love poetry you are a d-bag but if you went to UMASS Boston, graduated in 2003 with an English major and took a poetry class you were probably a d-bag of some kind. I mean all English majors are d-bags to an extent but most of us at least try to contain our own self importance (a little). Sad but true. But this did not dampen my love just caused me to hide it a little.

In any case I thought I would share with you, for kicks, three of my favorite poems.


e.e. cummings - somewhere i have never traveled



T.S. Eliot - The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Elizabeth Bishop - Casabianca

In honor of the month I would love to know if you have a favorite poem/ what it is .

Let's nerd it up!

Variations on a Theme

Recently news broke that has severely impacted my commute to work. A bridge that I travel on every day, a bridge that is in many ways the only convenient way for me to get to the highway, is undergoing construction.

For three years.

Woo hoo!!!

This segment of the construction involves shutting down all but one lane heading towards the highway. The other side of the bridge remains open so the silver lining is my evening commute has not been affected at all.

But my morning commute has necessitated a change of routine.

I either have to leave about 20 minutes earlier than usual, something I don't mind doing that much, or if I am running late I have to find a new way entirely of getting to work because it won't even be worth it to attempt to wait in the traffic to cross the bridge.

So today, I decided to suss out a new route.

Armed with little else but my crappy sense of direction and a medium Dunkin Dark iced coffee, I navigated my way through several surrounding towns and yes I eventually got where I needed to go. The route I sussed out was chock a block with other drivers whom I suspect were also trying to avoid the bridge and thus I sat in traffic/ dodged terrible drivers/hated life for just as long as I would have if I had just sat on the bridge. And at least them I could have been checking my email.

Anywho to amuse myself, I began cataloguing things I am fond of yelling in my car. Now, I wouldn't say I have road rage per se, but I can get QUITE po'd and yelling helps me calm down. Is that road rage? Maybe it is. But it's not like I'm chasing down cars who cut me off. At least not that often.

In any case I have noticed that my bleats of frustration fall into two main categories:

1)Addressing God (those religious in nature may want to skip that section)
2) Questioning people's seriousness.

In the first category we have the following favorites
Oh my f'ing God
F'ng Christ
Jesus F'ng Christ
Jesus Christ
JEEZ!


In the second category we have these gems
Are you serious
Are you dead serious
Are you f'ng kidding me?
You are f'ing joking
You have got to be f'ing kidding me
This is an f'ing joke!

In any case, a coworker gave me a top secret NEW route to try that I am going to attempt tomorrow. If all goes well, I will be at work in my usual 30 minutes and will not be hoarse from yelling or white knuckled from clutching the steering wheel.

If not, if someone yells any above at you from a black Honda Civic, you know who it probably is.

You Know It's Time To Clean Out Your Freezer When....

Picture it: my kitchen, two hours ago or so.

Its that time in our house, when I really should go food shopping but I haven't had time (or inclination if we're being honest). And I knew I had a few meals frozen in the freezer (when I make a large amount of soup/stew/casserole I automatically freeze half of it to have later). So I figured I would just heat something up. Maybe some black bean soup?

Yes. Black Bean Soup. That sounds delightful. Maybe I would put a little dollop of fat free sour cream on top! How perfectly lovely.

So I looked in the freezer and found the frozen bag of black bean soup. I peeled the bag off of the frozen mass of soup, put it in a dutch oven and put the dutch oven in the actual oven. I set the timer for 1/2 an hour so I could stir it and make sure it was defrosting/reheating properly.

I then patted myself on the back for thinking ahead and freezing meals for nights like tonight. I go, girl!

After a bit I went downstairs to do some laundry. When I came back up the stairs I was like "What is that goddawful smell? It must be that neighbor and her GD cat!!". Then I noticed it got stronger as I walked towards my apartment. Then I noticed It was coming from my apartment.

And it was a bad smell. Like death and destruction. And meat.

I opened the oven door, breathing through my mouth and not my nose, and uncovered the pot. In it, a pile of half cooked meat festered like a sore. What the H IS THAT STUFF!? It smelled like rancid meat and looked like a carcass. With great haste I dumped it into the trash and furiously rinsed and washed the pot, then took out the trash. After opening a window, lighting a candle, and calming down a bit I went back into the freezer and found the actual black bean soup, in another container but at that point I really couldn't look at or be near anything that resembled the abomination I just threw out.

I still am not sure what it was. Definitely some kind of meat. Maybe leftover ground venison from my boss last Christmas? But I didn't think he gave me any ground meat, just steaks. I'm scared.

In any case, gross. Just gross.

But let's make this a teachable moment. If you are anything like me, in the future be sure and LABEL THINGS YOU PUT IN THE FREEZER. Lest you nauseate yourself for an entire evening when all you really wanted was some soup.

And later, when I passed the stinky cat-neighbor in the hall, I felt like she gave me a look. Like "now who is stinking up the joint". That kind of look.

Touche, cat lady. Touche.

Two Winners

This morning I have two winners for you.

First, the winner of my Spring Essentials contest!



Congrats, Jolene!! Please email me your address so I can send off your Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick this week. Enjoy!

And our second winner is not a person but a winner of a dish!! This refreshing and delightful Orzo and Roasted Vegetable Salad that a coworker shared with me last week. I posted the recipe over at The Pinkshoe Cookbook - if you have a cookout in your near future you will definitely want to give this a try!

Goodbye Dixie

I awoke this morning to a some very sad news - Dixie Carter has passed away.

Best known for her role as Julia Sugarbaker on the show Designing Women - I always admired her for that as much as for her 26 year marriage to Hal Holbrook (they were just the cutest together and I loved that he played her bf on the show as well).

(img from here)

Julia Sugarbaker's famous terminator speeches made a big impression on me as a child and again in my young adult -hood. She made mastered the art of the articulate, passionate diatribe and alwas stood up for what she believed in. I like to think Ms. Carter was like that in real life too bed!

In any case RIP Dixie Carter. Julia Sugarbaker will live on in our hearts and we will think of you everytime a woman tells a man what is what.







Here is a link to the text of most of her great terminator tirads including my favorite (which I could not find a video of, the Ray Don speech).

A middle-aged swinger approaches the ladies in a sushi bar:
MAN: Allow me to introduce myself -- Ray Don Simpson.
JULIA: There's no need for introductions, Ray Don, we know who you are.
RAY DON: (smiling) You do?
JULIA: Of course. You're the guy who is always wherever women gather or try to be alone. You want to eat with us when we're dining in hotels, you want to know if the book we're reading is any good, or if you can keep up company on the plane. And I want to thank you, Ray Don, on behalf of all the women in the world, for your unfailing attention and concern. But read my lips and remember, as hard as it is to believe, sometimes we like talking just to each other, and sometimes we like just being alone.

My friends and I used a modified version of this speech many a time at bars in Boston in the early 00's. Thank you Julia and we will miss you Dixie!!

Two Things to Start Your Weekend Off Right

1) A cocktail recipe (click below)

2) Armadillo shoes.

(img from here)

With these items I believe you are well-equipped for a fantastic weekend.

It's Raning Cats

It was the middle of the night.

I heard a loud noise coming from somewhere on the other side of the bed. A noise like someone knocking something over.

Then silence. I waited, wondering if i had imagined it.

I heard the noise again.

I poked Adam, who was sleeping at the time. "What's that noise?" I asked him.

"What noise?" he replied, only half awake.

We waited in silence until I heard the noise again. He sat up in bed, squinting into the darkness. "Oh my god there's a cat in the room!"

What? How did a cat get in the room? That's insane!!

But there was sitting on the windowsill, lazily flicking it's tail, blue eyes glowing at me in the dim light from the street lamp outside our bedroom window.

"What should we do!!?" I whispered to Adam.

But Adam wasn't in bed anymore. He had gotten up to go see how the cat had gotten into the apartment. Had we left the back door open?

Suddenly I heard a noise on my side of the bed and when I turned there was an orange tabby cat sitting on my bedside table. I screamed. Where were these cats coming from!!??

Suddenly the cat with the blue eyes hissed menacingly at me and jumped onto the bed, as he approached the pillow next to my head I reflexively swatted at it with my hand and yelled "Get away!!"

"OWW WHAT THE F!!"

Suddenly I was awake in bed, in a cat free bedroom, and a very angry fiancee sitting in bed beside me rubbing his face.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked. And I slowly began to realize that I had been dreaming.

"What happened?" I asked him, groggily navigating the line between dream and reality.

"You just punched me in the face!"

"But I thought you were a cat!"

"It really hurts!"

"I'm sorry but I really thought you were a cat. I just wanted you to get off my pillow". I attempted to explain. But no amount of regret at punching him could surmount my feel of RELIEF that my room really wasn't being invaded by mean, strange cats.

Note to self: The "I thought you were a cat" excuse doesn't really work when trying to explain punching someone in the face in the middle of the night.

Also cats be forewarned, don't be in my bedroom at night. I will punch a cat out!

Spring Essentials

I thought it would be fun today to do a little round-up of Springtime Essentials. Things I use virtually every day especially now that the weather has turned gorgeous again!

Straight Sexy Hair "Power Straight" Straightening Balm

I know, couldn't have a cheesier name but I swear by this stuff. I have a problem with straightening balms and that problem is either they make my hair way too greasy (and for someone who likes to let a blow out ride for a few days, this is a no-no) OR they zap all the volume out of my hair so it's straight, yes, but utterly lifeless.

However with this - a little in my hair before blow straightening and my hair comes out basically straight but still with lots of volume! And not greasy at all! Between you and me, I also use it in my hair even when I'm not blowing it out because it makes my hair virtually frizz free and smells divine.

Clinique Almost Lipstick in "Black Honey"

I have been hearing about this "almost lipstick" for years and years. Hushed conversations on the street. Other bloggers alluding to it. People outright telling me to try it. So finally I gave in a few months ago and it is true, this is the perfect lip color. I can't imagine it looking bad on anyone.

It appears at first glance to be a deep raisiny plum color but it goes on sheer and adapts to whatever your natural lip color already is. On me it just makes my lip color a little deeper in a way that looks fabulous and as if I were blessed with naturally perfectly hued lips. The moisturizing formula feels like you're using a chapstick. I carry this with me anywhere and swipe it on throughout the day!

Perfume Roll On Bottles

I wear some kind of scent every day - depending on what phase I am going through. Right now I am in an Idole d'Armani phase because it smells amazing and every time I wear it somone compliments me on it and I am a fiend for compliments. As the day wears on though, perfume tends to wear out so it's nice to be able to touch yourself up without lugging along these huge bottles. This is wear these little bottles come in. Fill it up with a little of your favorite scent, drop it in your bag and you are good to go. I found the Etsy seller linked above selling them but I have also seen them in beauty supply stores and other online sites. Mine actually came with my bottle of Idole!

Milani Cosmetics Neon Nail Lacquer

Now, I am not the girl who gets a mani/pedi every week. Wish I were, but I am not. I will get one of each about once a month during the nicer months and then switch out the polish as I see fit.

I do, however, go to CVS at least once a month and a few weeks ago I spied this line of nail polish from Milani. How could I not spy it? The colors are all BRIGHT NEON and called out to me from afar. I had to buy the yellow/green featured above, a hue aptly called "Totally 80s" and I feel pretty much in love with it.



It's definitely not for everyone. But it is for me. I like the juxtaposition of a sweet summer dress and insane colored nails. I went back to CVS the other day (weird) and also purchased the "Techno Red" color which as you see is just as loud and just as fun - a neon pinky orange. Love!!

Just imagine if I wasn't pale as a ghost? I think a trip to Glow is in order in the very near future....

Which brings us to the last essential, but certainly not least -

Mojitos!

No warm weather spring essential post would be worthy without mention of the greatest warm weather cocktail, the mojito! The basic mojito recipe goes something like this:

1 oz rum

mint leaves
1 tbsp sugar

juice of 1/2 lime juice
club soda

Muddle the mint leaves with the lime juice and sugar in a glass. Add rum. Add ice. Top off with club soda. Repeat until singing showtunes in the street suddenly happens.

I posted my recipe for Mango Mojitos (pictured above) on I Cook Good last week and that cocktail has proven to be a launching pad for all manner of mojito innovations. Like how about instead of club soda topping it off with prosecco? Or muddling some rasperries in there too for a Lime Rickey twist? How about using basil and strawberries instead of mint and lime (I know which may make it technically not a mojito anymore but so freaking good anyway). The possibilities and endless and delicious.

So what are your springtime essentials? And let's make this a little interesting. If you leave me a comment and tell me what one your springtime essentials is I will have a little drawing on Friday and if I draw your name - a brand new tube of one of my essentials, Clinqiue's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, will be on it's way to use to use, love and rave about.

Tart It Up!

Get into the season with this Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tart recipe I posted over at The Pink Shoe Cookbook.




Simple. Rustic. DELICIOUS!

Let's See Etsy

I have been a big fan of Etsy for a while now. It's a great way to kill time and at the same time find some cute and affordable things from up and coming designers and artitsts! It is, however, one of those websites that I forget about for maybe a month and then become obsessed with for a few days. Then inevitably forget about it again until the next time I start ferociously perusing. I think this is for the best because it is entirely too easy to spend a lot of money there!

In any case with the advent of (much!) nicer weather I had an Etsy attack the other day and spent some time hunting down new pieces for the summer. Of course there was no lack of favorites but I narrowed it down to a few that I really love!

The Alberta Gator Leather Cuff

I love that shade of green, though it cries out for a tan (which as of yet I have not aacquired). The artist says she created it for Florida Gator fans BUT I think anyone could wear this angry but pretty little guy. I like the contrast of sparkly and mad. It reminds me of myself.

And then there is this little bit of Art Deco gorgeousness

It totally reminds me of art deco details you would see on an elevator door. It's so elegant and charming. If I wore it I would constantly be looking at myself in a mirror. And smoking with a long, jewleled cigarette holder. And arm length gloves.

Poppy Fields by BeckMae

I think this is just precious. I love the color of the poppies (that shade of red/orange is one of my favorites though wearing it makes me look like one big freckle). I think the bright color keeps it from being too delicate.

Along a similar vein is the the Jolanda - Vntage Corsage Bracelet

So darling. This bracelet would totaly make up for my Homecoming date freshman year in high school not bringing me a corsage but instead a rose he picked from the yard and that I brought with me to the dance so people wouldn't think he hadn't brought me anything at all. It really would.

Also, this Yellow Rose Filigree Ring

Clearly there is a love affair going on between me and a lucite flower. But look at that yellow rose! It's so cheerful and bright! Feminine but bold!

I also love this Mod Ring from local designer SeaLoreDesigns

I love a statement ring and this color reminds me of being at the beach on a sunny day.

I would be remiss if I did not include a summery headband for the bang-growing-out population (ahem!).

This Lilac Blossom Headband is adorbs. I love that its the type of headband you could throw on top of a really bad hairday and still look pulled together and chic.

And along the same lines as the yellow rose ring posted above, we have this Yellow Beaded Rose Headband.

I love this! Unexpected and whimsical. I love bold yellow accessories with a black dress, especially in the summer. The designer has a TON of fantastic pieces (lots of art deco!) in her shop - it's worth checking out for sure.

So that is just a small selection of what I have been checking out lately on Etsy. What about you? Found anything good lately? Do share!

The Watertown RMV and I : A Love Story

I'm really not about any kind of recurring expense especially when it comes to my car. Registration. Inspections. Excise Tax. These are all things I could do without but alas doing so is cause to be pulled over, chastised, and in some cases issued a hefty ticket. So I must stay on top of these recurring expenses.

A snafu occurred when renewing my registration this year, as I found out late that I owed a parking ticket I got in Newton almost two years ago. I remember this ticket well because I contested it. The meter was covered completely by a snow bank and there was no way to get to it. I was literally only running into the bank for 2 minutes. When I came out, there was a ticket but no sign of the person who issued it.

And so it goes in Newton, the meter maids are as stealth as ninjas and wield tickets like nunchucks.

I contested the ticket because I think if a meter is buried under 6 feet of snow that is the city's problem and not mine, but alas I was denied and then somehow forgot to pay it. Good story, right?

In any case this ticket came back to haunt me so before I could register my car I had to go to Newton City Hall, pay the ticket and get a special "release" form to bring to the RMV. All of which is to say I kept putting it off and my registration expired yesterday.

Yikes.

So today, April 1st, I really HAD yo go and get it done. I debated going into work late or leaving early in order to hit up the Braintree RMV when a coworker suggested the Watertown RMV which is only a few miles down the street. I could go on my lunch break.

Sweet.

Knowing only that it resided in the Arsenal Mall, I headed over there at noon....and after twenty minutes of looking in vain for it I thought to look up the website on my phone and lo, it's actually in the WATERTOWN Mall across the street. Fine. So I head over there and walk in.

The registry is actually in this mall, next to a Papa Ginos. It is not the most modern place and the wooden benches inside looked as uncomfortable as you would expect.

As I walked towards it all I could really see was a mass of people. There were so many people waiting in the actual registry that there were no seats and the crowd had spilled out into the mall area and people were sitting on benches, leaning against floors and walls waiting.

Pretty much a nightmare.

I sighed and got in the line to check in. I decided after I checked in I would call my boss and say I might be a little late coming back from lunch, judging by the crowd. I noticed loads of signs around me that said "Cash, Check or Money Order ONLY for Registration Transactions. NO CREDIT CARDS". I had already hit the ATM anticipating this so that was one less thing to worry about. As the man at the front desk motioned for me to step up, I clutched my release from the City of Newton and approached him.

"Hi I am here to renew my registration" I said.
"Will you be paying by credit card?" He asked
I paused and motioned to one of the CASH ONLY signs "Uhh I thought it was cash only?"
"Do you have a credit card?" He asked
I told him I did
"Are you able to you use this credit card?" He asked.
I was kind of confused. "Yeah of course I can use it but I thought it was cash only for registration renewals"
At this point I was clearly not picking up what he was putting down so he spelled it out for me "If you pay with your credit card I can renew your registration right now but if you want to pay cash you'll have to wait with the rest of them" he said, motioning to the epic crowd behind me.
"Wait really!?" I said.
"Yes, now what's it gonna be?"
And before the man could get even more exasperated at my slowness I plunked down my card, handed in my release and within 3 minutes I had my shiny new "12" sticker and a brand new registration.

Holy bananas!! In and out of an RMV in under 10 minutes? It's an Easter miracle!!

I don't know if this was a one time deal or if they were just trying to get people in and out of there as quickly as possible or what. But all I know is Watertown RMV, I love you.