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Archive for August, 2013

fabulous friday: eat a rainbow

Friday, August 30th, 2013

Even better on a stick!

I’m sure you read the title, and immediately went for a bag of Skittles. I can’t lie, I love some Skittles! They are so fruity and tasty! However, a steady diet of Skittles would lead to someplace decidedly not fabulous. If you are journeying toward fabulous, a healthy diet is part of it. It might not sound glamorous, but eating well leads to good health, glowing skin, high energy, and more. All of those things lead to, you guessed it, being more fabulous!

I don’t know about you, but I hate to have to complicated thinking about what I eat. Having to math, or fill out paperwork, or anything similar in order to eat well will cause me to give up and just have a martini for dinner. If I pick up a box or a bag of food to read the ingredient list and feel like maybe chemistry should have been my elective science class in college, that box or bag is not coming home with me. I just want to enjoy the deliciousness. That’s why any tip or trick I can put toward making eating well easier, I will use!

Now, I’m sure you’ve heard the various guidelines for what should be in a healthy diet. How much of your intake should be protein versus carbs. Sweets should be minimal. Drink lots of water. These are often easy to remember, the problem seems to lie with putting them into practice. I’m always losing track of whether that was water glass number six or seven. Or thinking I ate lots of veggies, when in fact it was just the lettuce and tomato on my sandwich at lunch.

That’s where this tip comes in. I think we remember we are supposed to eat our fruits and veggies. They keep everything moving along through our system. They provide lots of vitamins and antioxidants. They give us complex carbs that make our brains work and provide fuel. Yeah! Fruits and veggies! Five to seven a day! How to keep track, though? A rainbow! I came across this tip a while back, and while I don’t know with whom it originated, I do know that I have now seen it around, and it’s catching on. A rainbow has six colors (seven, if you go with Roy G. Biv), which puts it nicely between that five to seven guideline. Fruits and veggies are brightly colored. Just match your servings to the color! One serving in each color, and bickety-bam, you’ve met your goal! You’ve got your fiber and vitamins and even some fluids! You’ve got energy and your system is working along, and your skin is getting clearer, and your brain is fueled and you are UNSTOPPABLE!

To get you going, here’s an example of a day on the rainbow:
Red- A ripe, red tomato
Orange- A juicy peach (so in season right now in the midwest!)
Yellow- An ear of delicious golden corn
Green- Some grilled asparagus
Blue- Some tasty blueberries! (Yes, you have to get creative with the blue…I go with cool purples)
Purple- Eggplant, please!

Done, and done! And, lovely to look at. So, go find your rainbow, eat it, and enjoy the pot of fabulousness!

missing wade robson

Tuesday, August 27th, 2013

So, it’s no secret that I love Wade Robson. He is hands down, one of the most brilliant choreographers of our time. Even more amazing, he started as a kid. I don’t mean he started dancing as a kid. Lots of people do that. He started choreographing and teaching as a child. He had a dance school, he was professionally choreographing for some big name folks when he was the age where most people are on the playground. When people think of choreographers, they just think of the dance steps. However, Wade takes it multiple steps further. When he choreographs a piece, he also designs the lights and if it’s being filmed, he choreographs the camera work. Now that he’s married (to the stunning Amanda Robson nee Rodriguez), his wife designs the costumes and make-up. It creates magic on the stage. He’s clever, and talented, and had it all thrust on his shoulders as a child.

I’ve noticed since the dance above, his routines becoming fewer, then disappearing all together. It was chalked up to a talented man being booked for projects and unavailable for a reality television show. However, having seen nor heard from him for a couple of years (I don’t mean personally, I just mean on projects), I had to use the internets to see what big project must be brewing for him.

Sadly, the reason he has been missing from So You Think You Can Dance is much darker. I knew that he worked for Michael Jackson when he was a kid, dancing and choreographing. In fact, if you look closely, you’ll spot a nine-year-old Wade hip-hopping his heart out in the Black or White video. In 2005, apparently he testified in defense of Jackson when Jackson was on trial for molestation against another boy. However, in 2011 and 2012, Wade Robson suffered two nervous breakdowns. He began psychological treatment and what came to light was tragic. Wade had long remembered his time with Jackson on the Neverland Ranch. However, he thought that everything that happened on the ranch and all the nights spent with Jackson and the things that happened in bed were normal and consensual. He defended Jackson, not because he forgot, but because he thought that it was all perfectly okay. Clearly, his subconscious was hurting and it all came crashing down. Now, he is suing the Jackson estate. It’s a long shot, and while there is potentially a monetary settlement involved, he’s doing it out of principle rather than money.

Now, I know a lot of Michael Jackson fans are furious over this. I love Michael Jackson’s music and I think he was incredibly talented. I also think he had a tragic life, despite the money and fame. He was wildly talented as a child, and unfortunately that caused people to want to use and abuse him. Some of those people were his family. He never had a childhood, and lived a hard life, much of it for the benefit of others. Once he had success and independence, he tried very hard to recapture what he lost, and to gain happiness. I do feel sorry for him. It’s hard to say what really happened for all those years, but I think it’s tough to say that 24 boys made up allegations and that Jackson gave them millions of dollars for no reason. I doubt he meant to harm anyone, but clearly he had a lot of problems. Problems that money could not fix.

Whatever comes out of this, I hope Wade is able to have closure and that he will soon be able to share his talents and choreography with the world again soon.

xoxox

linked: the truth is out there

Monday, August 26th, 2013

Things have been full on cray-cray around here, so not so much surfing time. I did manage to find a few gems for you though!

First, a look at the style of The X-Files. I kind of forgot the unfortunate early years. Style-wise, that is.

Refinery 29 checked out NYC’s City Hall, and snapped a few couples getting married. I adore the variety of couples and style, and how happy they are!!

Here are some celebrity fun facts that just might blow your mind!

Finally, some tales that might restore your faith in humanity.

Have a lovely week, friends!

xoxox

squirrely sunday: where it all began

Sunday, August 25th, 2013

While I’d been fascinated with taxidermy and squirrels for a while, it wasn’t until this moment when I realized I could do it myself. I ran into this girl at the Zombie Pub Crawl a few years ago. She was carrying around a zombie squirrel. I started chatting with her about her squirrel, as you do, and found out she ordered the stuff online and preserved her own with a kit from the internet.

101_0608

That was when I knew I could do it. I really wanted to take a class or something, but those are really hard to find. In fact, one place I inquired acted like it was really weird to want to take a class. I was losing hope, and about to give up and learn through the magic of the interweb. Luckily, my niece found The Detroit Academy of Taxidermy, and the rest is history.

So, thank you zombie girl and zombie squirrel, for setting me off on this adventure.

fabulous friday: on a stick

Friday, August 23rd, 2013

It’s time for the Great Minnesota Get-Together! If you are in the Twin Cities area, I highly recommend carving out some time to spend a day at the State Fair. If you’re not local, plan a vacation to the Twin Cities in the twelve days before Labor Day. Perhaps an impromptu road trip or puddle jump in the next few days, or mark your calendar for next year!

Lots of people hear the word “fair” and immediately think country folk in cowboy boots and overalls. Barns and tractors. Carnies and cotton candy. Those people have only a sliver of the picture! The Minnesota State Fair is the largest in the country, and even the hippest city folk can find plenty to keep themselves occupied. So, this fabulous Friday is dedicated to seeing to it that you add some fabulous to your life with a little fair time!

I have lived here for 15 years, and had a few fairs under my belt even before I arrived. While I’ve enjoyed every visit, it took me a while to truly appreciate the event. Let’s take a few moments to hit some highlights, many lesser known, and spare you the learning curve!

First off, food. Our fine fair is known for its expansive menu. If something can be deep fried, and put on a stick, you will find it here! One of the first things I recommend trying is a Pronto Pup. Some mistakenly think it’s a clever name for a corn dog, but don’t be fooled! Instead of corn meal batter, this is flour batter, like pancake batter. Sadly, I can no longer partake, but they are tasty! Next, some cheese curds. These are a Wisconsin/Minnesota specialty. Mozzarella or cheddar, battered, and deep fried. Delicious. Rich. I recommend sharing, to leave some room for all the other tastiness that abounds. The final must have? Sweet Martha’s Cookies. They have expanded, so there are multiple booths to move the clamoring hordes through. Pony up for the bucket. They are overflowing, so be prepared to eat a few to get the bucket closed. Totally worth it, as they will be piping hot! If dairy is your thing, skip the milk at the booth, and head to the all-you-can-drink milk stand if you must dunk those cookies. Once you can get the lid on the bucket, you are able to transport them about the fair for all day snackage. Other recommendations are a malt from Empire Commons, roasted corn near the grandstand, and sweet corn ice cream from the Blue Moon Diner.

Next up, music and performers! There are always free performances to be seen at the Leinenkugels stage and in the bazaar. There have been some pretty great bands that folks would gladly pay to see! However, there are even bigger bands that play the grandstand nearly every night. This year the performances will include Macklemore and Depeche Mode! The grandstand is lovely, and not too big so you are guaranteed a great seat. Also in the grandstand this year is The Internet Cat Video Film Festival. Last year’s free event at the Walker Art Center was crazy crowded, and I am looking forward to the event at the grandstand! Comedians and dancers also abound.

Looking for some art? There are three places you must check out. First, crop art in the horticulture building. The things people can create with seeds is AMAZING!

My favorite piece of crop art.

My favorite piece of crop art.


The arts and crafts building contains a little of everything. Things made by hip twentysomethings and elderly grandparents. Items from master woodworkers and antique collectors. Definitely worth a peek. Finally, there is the juried collection in the fine arts building. There are museum-worthy pieces and some items that will leave you scratching your head. Just like all the best museums in the world!

Now, my favorite thing at the fair. A must see event. Llamapalooza. Yes, you read that right. It occurs on Wednesday (the only Wednesday in the run of the fair). 4Hers and their llamas or alpacas compete in three areas. One for real prizes and glory, two for fun. The first is the costume contest. Yup. Llama costume contest. It’s divided by the age of the 4Her. Both the handler and llama are in costumes. Judging is based on creativity, workmanship, and how much of the llama or alpaca is covered, their sensitive areas in particular. The animals don’t like things on their tummies or legs and things that move or drag can make them cranky. So, if the llama or alpaca tolerates the costume, wears it with pride, and has those areas covered, they are likely to be in the top. Past costumes have included Batman and Robin, The Argentinian soccer team, the Blues Brothers…and so many more! Once the costumes are wrapped up, it’s on to the llama limbo. The llamas and alpacas line up with their handlers in front of the limbo pole. The alpacas have an edge, as their smaller size typically means they can get a bit lower than their larger llama counterparts. If the animal dislodges the pole, they are out. The pole descends notch by notch and the pool gets smaller until there is a winner. Finally, it’s on to leaping llamas. Like the Limbo, in reverse. The animals jump the pole, as it rises notch by notch. Here, the llamas usually have an advantage as they are larger. The whole thing is magical. You must see it. For serious.

So, there you have it. The fabulous fair. What’s your favorite state fair event or must see?

linked: can i keep him?

Monday, August 19th, 2013

I figured I would get this one out the way first, since I think it’s the weirdest, and perhaps you might like a palate cleanser after. A little boy fell and hurt his knee which caused him to procure a new pet! You’ll have to read it to find out the details.

This probably won’t help with the palate cleansing. However, you have probably heard of the tradition of the bride and groom keep a chunk of their wedding cake (often the top tier of a tiered cake) and freezing it to enjoy on their first anniversary. Well, the cake found here was just a little older than that. Oy.

For all my fellow coffee lovers out there, Buzzfeed shared several lovely quotes about the delicious caffeinated beverage. The piece is made even more lovely by the inclusion of a quote from my dear friend, author Leanna Renee Hieber!

A friend shared this with me, nothing like a story about old-school taxidermy to warm the heart.

Now, I seem to have wound up with very many pieces relating to feminism. Something in the air, perhaps?

I’m going to lead with this troubling piece from The Guardian. I cannot understand why men would get angry and violent with seventeen-year-old-girls because they didn’t want to be ogled. They are not even adults. I think that a lot of the issues of violence against women, in particular, stem from this culture that has developed wherein no one wants to take responsibility for their actions. In this case, gross men against young women.

I found a couple of pieces over at Fit and Feminist that really resonated with me. The first is about the debate of women’s swimwear. It’s true that the debate of what a women wears (or doesn’t wear) to the beach is not really about what she’s wearing. It’s so much more.
Second, her piece on athletic gear really struck a cord with me. As I showed my pale thigh dimples off on my run, I had no idea I was the cause of all the problems in the world. Oh wait. I’m not. Why can’t we just be comfortable? She addresses this much better than I can.

Over at Brain Pickings, they reviewed Venus With Biceps. I love how it examines the relation of femininity and muscle tone. Also, I suspect my fascination with fitness and figure competitions stems from my circus heritage…as does everything with me, it seems.

Finally, The Alamo Drafthouse in Texas recently put together a series of PSAs. I think you will enjoy checking them out.

Have a lovely week! xoxox

squirrely sunday: squirrely segregation

Sunday, August 18th, 2013

As I said to a friend this week in regards to another sign, this is not the sort of thing you post without a reason. Unlike that situation, I do want to know what the reason is. Were squirrels helping themselves? Were people drying pet squirrels? Were people trying to help out squirrels who fell in the pool? Were taxidermists trying to hasten the curing of their squirrels? So many questions. So many.

fail-owned-no-squirl-fail

linked: love for all

Monday, August 12th, 2013

Marriage equality was official on August 1! I was all ready to gush about it last week, but no internets. Boo. I was unable to make it to the festivities beginning at midnight, but fortunately there were some fantastic photographers that captured the magic of the day. Cadence & Eli were among them, and shared them on their blog.

After all that simple sweetness, we have the other end of the spectrum. Sean Parker (half of Napster), got married. Trust me, you want to see this, because you won’t believe it.

One of the (many) great things about Lollapalooza is the commitment to leaving a small footprint from the major event. All the vendors are vetted to meet their guidelines. While at the festival, you can find lots of great local food and shop in good conscience. I purchased a great dress from Greenola, a Chicago based company that helps women across the globe find employment to support their families.

Also at Lolla, we discovered SIR Case. Also based in Chicago, they make modern “boom-boxes” out of old suitcases. They are clever and cool, and we kind of want to get our hands on one.

Speaking of making sustainable purchases, thrifting is a great way to lessen you footprint. Did you know 80% of consumers are unwilling to purchase secondhand items? What? This great article highlights the benefits of buying secondhand, no matter your income level. I like the idea of spending on things that really matter, still looking fabulous, and saving items from the landfill.

I have to admit that I think I have a girl crush on Shaholly Ayers. She proves that you can still have a successful career and a full life, despite being born with a limb missing.

Happy Monday, friends!
xoxox

squirrely sunday: the squirrel next door

Sunday, August 11th, 2013

Our two boys are always in cahoots. It’s funny, because they look like feline versions of Pinky and The Brain. Lucifer being Pinky and Alonzo being The Brain. However, in actuality it’s the other way around. Lucifer is the brains of the operation and Alonzo takes advantage of Lu’s smarts. For example, Lu is really good at opening doors. If he were a superhero, it would be his superpower. On the other hand, Alonzo just can’t work doors. Maybe it’s his smushed face. Maybe it’s his giant feet. Either way, he is desperate to get on the other side of the door but just can’t make it happen for himself. So, Lu opens the doors and Alonzo enters. The two main doors that get opened around here are the closet door and the bathroom cabinet containing our towels. Alonzo loves to nap in the box I keep slip on sandals and slippers or on the clean towels. This is a drag for many reasons. Cat hair on clean clothes and towels is a big drag. Also, hearing Lu’s attempts to get the doors open before he is successful can be really annoying when in a deep sleep on a work night. The closet is the worst for this.

So, we realized we needed to somehow block the door. We had a bocce ball set that was pretty heavy. We put it in front of the closet door, and figured it was Lu proof, at least until we found a more attractive option. OF course, Lu figured out how to get it out of the way and into the closet. We’d been keeping our eyes open for a door stop option.

Enter this guy:
squirrel next door stop

A squirrel! A door stop! Our prayers answered!

Except it was out of stock.

Until it wasn’t. We pulled the trigger straight away. It arrived in an adorable box, which I opened and ran into the bedroom to put it into place.

Alas, our doors are too high from the floor for this cutie. So, he is still sitting in front of our closet, though he isn’t preventing much right now. I am hanging onto him, since he is cute and fitting for my squirrel collection. Besides, we won’t live here forever and he might hold open other doors in the future.

Until then, we need a door stop.

fabulous friday: bling it on

Friday, August 9th, 2013

I really wanted to have something so amazing, so over-the-top, so fabulous coated fabulous with fabulous filling for you all today. I feel really bad that I had no interwebs last Friday to make a fabulous friday post. I foolishly assumed, since free wi-fi is everywhere these days, that our hotel would have wi-fi. I mean, we stayed at a luxury brand hotel on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago. Four star deluxe accommodations! I didn’t realize that the more deluxe the hotel, the less they include in that deluxe price. Well, I realized that. What I didn’t realize was that they are still in some previous century where internet is not as available as potable water (in some areas, more available), and that it is still not included in the price. Apparently, they assume that if you can pay the deluxe price per night, you can also pay for everything else (internet, the fitness center, $63.50 a day for parking). Or, that someone else is paying for you and thus, put it on the card!

But, I digress. Ranting about our accommodations is not fabulous.

However, I have a tip for today that is!!! It’s pretty simple, but simple can still be fab. (Bonus tip!)

Some days, I know, it is difficult to merely roll out of bed, much less put forth effort into looking A-MAZ-ING. Depending on your job, or lifestyle, it might not be worth it to spend lots of time on the perfect fishtail braid you pinned on your online inspiration board. If you’re like me, you will likely sweat your make-up off before arriving at your destination. Or, it might be a situation of having fewer hours in the day than items on your to-do list.

This doesn’t mean you can’t look like a million bucks! Keep a few pieces of go-to jewelry handy. Somewhere you will see them when you are getting ready that it not out of the way. Grab one last cup of coffee before you head out the door? A small dish next to your coffee maker or trusty travel mug might be the spot. Do you brush your teeth right before you jet? A tray next to the sink could do the trick. Can’t live without your cell phone? Your charging station could do double duty. I think you get the idea.

Now, what do I mean by go to pieces? This will vary a bit from person to person. Mine have changed over the years. Until I was engaged, I had a collection of rings and necklaces I wore every. Single. Day. I also wore a watch. Every night, the last thing I would do before bed was to put all the rings on my watch strap and close it, then lay it on my dresser with my necklaces. In the morning, the final part of my morning ritual was to put all the rings on (one on each finger except one thumb, some fingers had two), my watch, and the necklaces. Initially, it was a lobster charm on a chain, but that met with an unfortunate demise. Then, it was a scorpion pendant I purchased in London. Eventually, more were added with gifts from friends and special items I would get on trips or at events. With the exception of my class ring, none of them were expensive or valuable pieces of jewelry. However, each had a story or something that made it special. They all were uniquely “me.”

Once I got engaged, it was hard to put all those rings on with the showstopper my husband gave me when he proposed. Over time, though, I realized the value in putting on some other items to class things up. Especially now, since my job requires a company polo and jeans every day. It’s hard to feel fabulous in that. So, I try to wear some jewelry to make my mark and to take things up a notch.

So, your first criteria (as it should be with everything) is that it is “you.” It should be something you like, that makes you happy to wear, or that makes you feel good. This is key! Wearing something that makes you happy or think good thoughts will cause you to carry yourself a little more proudly. It will make you have that extra glow, with little to no work!

Next, it shouldn’t be something that you will be heartbroken or in trouble if something happens to it. This is also a good general rule for life. Things will always be things, no matter their price tag. When my beloved lobster necklace fell from my neck to meet up with the beater bar of the vacuum at work, I was bummed out. However, it left room in my life for other things that made me just as happy! Losing a wedding ring is a drag, certainly. However, having a good, loving marriage is much more important! All that having been said, your go-to, key pieces don’t need to be expensive. If you are going to borrow something, make sure the owner is okay with it. If you are worried that if something happens to the item your relationship will be damaged beyond repair, just don’t borrow it. Being fabulous doesn’t mean breaking the bank in any way! However, if wearing a great pair of diamond studs in your ears every day is your thing, by all means do it! Own it! Love it!

Besides my engagement and wedding rings, my go-to pieces are mainly earrings. It’s pretty easy to wear earrings without them getting in the way. They are a snap to put on, and if I am really crunched for time, I can take them with me and put them on while I wait for the coffee machine to fill my mug at work. I even keep a spare pair in my purse for those days when I need a little pick-me-up. Simple hoops are pretty fail-safe. I often go for a simple pair of large silver hoops, since they go with everything and add a little drama. I have lots of other pairs for when I need to be a little wilder, but if you are looking for a place to start hoops are a great place.

Another favorite piece is a silver cuff bracelet. It has a pretty open design, but is shiny and simple. I had debated ponying up for it, then found the one I’d had my eye on at a thrift shop for $2!! Score! Again, price tags don’t need to be large to bring the fabulous. I throw that bad boy on with tee shirts all the time, and it adds polish. Last weekend I wore it each day to Lollapalooza. It’s easy to feel gross when walking up to 12 miles a day among sweaty folks in the sun. However, that bracelet made me feel super glam while I rocked out. I didn’t have to worry that it would get caught on something or one due to the style, and because it was so inexpensive I wouldn’t cry if I lost it and no one turned it in.

The earrings and cuff are items that dress up tee shirts, but still look great with a little black dress. Besides the aforementioned criteria of being you and not being too precious, these would be the rest. That way, no matter where you are off to or how pressed for time, you can throw on that piece or two of jewelry and feel a little extra polish. No worries about if they clash or are too much (another tip: It’s never too much). They should be easy to get on. (Hence the cuff bracelet-I just slip it on! No clasp!)

So, go. Gather your few pieces of go-to jewelry. Be they bracelets, rings, or cuffs. Ideally you will have at least one item in each category, two or three in your favorite category. Put them where you will see them. Wear at least one piece a day. Bam. Instant fabulousness injected into your day. Try it out and let me know how you feel with a rad piece of jewelry adorning an ordinary day.