Howzit, ladies? I just got back from a Memorial Day picnic with my neighbors. A few families in our circle got together to fire up the barbeques, chill and hang out. It was basically four hours of eating, sitting and chatting in the sun (yes, I wore sunscreen). We stocked the spread with ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni salad, chips, cupcakes… somebody even made homemade ice cream in all sorts of unusual flavors like red wine, raspberry and jabanero. I’m stuffed beyond belief!
Maybe the open thread can take my mind off my stretchy pants, heh.
The open thread is kinda like a chat session in the comments. We talk about makeup, movies, books and ask (as well as answer) questions. Or, you can just pop in and say wassssup.
A few questions to start the party:
- What dish do you usually bring to potlucks?
- Do you have any brothers or sisters, and are you the oldest, youngest or middle kid?
- What’s one of your pet peeves?
Talk to you soon. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
My boyfriend goes away on tour every weekend so its just me and the cat home alone for most of the week. Its a real struggle to find things to do. This weekend, I’ve spent pretty much every day knitting a blanket and watching the Harry Potter movies, marathon style.
What are some (not as sad sounding) things that I can do with my time?!
MBB readers to the rescue!!
My favorite thing to do is to go to get a latte, and depending on the weather go to a park or a cafe and read a good book. That way you feel like you’re still getting out of the house, but it’s still relaxing (and cheap!)
I like going to the movies to watch chick flicks. 🙂
I’m also with Elaine on hitting up a cafe to get a latte — it’s relaxing, and you can read or people watch at your leisure.
Do you enjoy taking pictures? You could take mini excursions around different neighborhoods or parts of your town to do some shooting (one of my favorite things to do!).
I actually love marathons of movies or tv and I think knitting sounds like a great hobby. You could try picking up another hobby, like scrapbooking! Shopping or window shopping is always fun.
Totally unrelated to the subject at hand, but regarding knitting:
One of my neighbors has a young boy who loves to knit! While he plays with the other kids, I’ll see him toting his knitting needles and whatever current knitting project he’s working on. It’s the cutest thing…
That is the cutest thing ever!!
I love to crochet, I’m making this blanket right now:
http://www.stitchnationyarn.com/images/stories/weekend_in_stockholm.jpg
I just like being able to see something come together in front of me, and it keeps my hands busy! haha!
That’s a beautiful blanket! Are you using the same exact colors? When you finish it send me a picture!!
I’m using those exact colours! It’ll be a relief when its finished. I’m about halfway done now…
How pretty and cheerful! It looks like the perfect blanket for curling up on the couch with a good movie.
How long have you been crocheting? I’ve always wanted to learn, but never got around to figuring it out. I can knit, but can’t do anything cool — scarves are about it!
I think my mother tried to teach me to do it as a child, but I never really caught on. I’ve been actually making projects for about a year now after I sat down with a patient friend who managed to teach me a really simple pattern. I quite enjoy it now!
Thank goodness for the internet though, you can teach yourself anything! There are lots of great websites and Youtube videos that show you exactly how to crochet. Its dead simple.
I’ve never really been able to knit. Working with one needle is so much easier than two!
One more thing:
If you’d like to learn how to crochet, I recommend picking up this book!
http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Bitch-Crochet-Happy-Hooker/dp/0761139850
Its really cheeky, and filled with a lot of really cute patterns and the EASIEST learn to crochet instructions I’ve ever seen!
She has a few books for knitters as well.
Oh wow, thank you for the rec! I do well w/print instruction (but only if it’s easy to follow), so it sounds right up my ally.
And yes, the internet is freaking amazing. It’s weird to think how people got along with out it, and I actually come from a generation that remembers not having the internet/email!
I was going to say, if you love knitting and Harry Potter (totally with you on both) is there someone that you could teach? Maybe through church or your neighborhood or a younger family member? If they are the right age, you could teach them to knit and bond with them over Harry Potter. A kid can never have too many people loving them. 🙂 Anyway, that would give you something to do while still doing something you already love doing.
That’s a great idea, Joy!
As I mentioned in another post earlier today – I’ve been grading lab books and watching the Drop Dead Diva marathon . . . I happened to catch the pilot this morning and have Tivoed all of the rest of them.
How’s the lab book grading situation going? Are you at least half way through them? What’s the assignment?
Let me take this moment to mention that bunsen burners still scare me to this day.
Bunsen burners scare me too. Not good when you have the potential to have 16 of them going with 32 teenagers in a room! I am NOT a fan of fire – a month or so ago I had to do a “whoosh bottle” (google it) and it took me two days to work up the courage. I also did methane bubbles . . . with regards to the bunsen burners, it doesn’t help that my students are forever playing with the handles that turn on the gas lines. I have a master line that I keep closed so that their fiddling doesn’t release gas into my room, but it also means that if they leave the handles open my room could fill with gas until a kiddo lights a match. At the beginning of the year, one of the handles was left open, and I happened to hear a *tiny* hiss when I started the gas flowing out into my room. If there had been anyone even talking when I’d done that, I wouldn’t have been able to hear it. So now I am PETRIFIED whenever I put the gas through to the rest of my room.
OHMAHGAWD thank goodness you heard that hiss! Seriously, I’d probably be checking those handles OCD-style every day!
My parents don’t believe that I did the whoosh bottle – it was really cool . . . but I was SO scared. Some of kids used their cell phones to get video of it . . . I need to get one of those videos so I have proof 🙂
I looked it up on youtube and it looks frightening. If I was your student I’d so be hiding in the back of the class. Kudos to you for being so brave!
Was gorgeous, sunny and hot here today. After going to watch Rolling Thunder this morning, went with a friend to a pottery painting place for a little creative outlet. Then went to check out MAC to the Beach and had my heart broken — nothing really worked for me! I was sooo looking forward to Lazy Days and it was awful on me. Just looked too pasty. Fun Bathing was stunning but haven’t been wearing dark lipsticks in months so I just can’t see buying it. I hoped Sand and Sun would be a good non-shiny version of Naked Lunch but I can’t get any color out of it. Firecracker pulled very, very orange on me. I bought the lighter bronzer but am not sure I’m going to keep it. I don’t look sparkle on my cheeks but do want a nice light bronzer and this has the great packaging. Sigh. What’s a girl to do?
Guess I’ll just have to ponder this dilemma at the pool with a book tomorrow! Hope you are having a good weekend.
Forgot your questions —
I usually bring desserts to potlucks. Have oatmeal chocolate cherry cookies on tap for a BBQ tomorrow.
I have one brother 3 years older than me.
One of my biggest pet peeves is being late. I get really antsy about being late so am usually early for everything. If a friend invites me over for something, I sometimes walk around the block so I don’t inconvenience them by showing up early. I get really, really annoyed when others show up late for meetings or dinner reservations.
You are so lucky to be the baby. I’m the oldest, and my little brother got away with EVERYTHING.
Re: being late — I’d probably annoy you to no end! I have serious issues when it comes to arriving to places on time. I even started wearing a watch 24/7, and even that hasn’t really helped. I haven’t given up hope, though… I’m working on it!
No worries — as long as I know a friend tends to run late I can recalibrate. And stick to either non-reservation outings or building in cocktail time. Cocktail hours have saved several friendships!
I did get away with a lot more than my older brother by being the baby but that was somewhat cancelled out by the things he was allowed to do because he was a boy that weren’t appropriate for a girl. Apparently I was a 1980s child being raised in the 1950s!
Ha, that’s funny — if my friends need me to be somewhere at 1:30, they always tell me to 1 so that I’ll get there in time. 🙂
Were your parents strict? Or did they just believe that boys and girls had certain roles and that was that?
Sounds like your friends know you well! 🙂
My parents weren’t very strict, just more comfortable with boys doing certain things then girls. It was usually a safety issue taken a bit too far. Great example — he was allowed to drive cross-country after college and I wasn’t. He did it as a road trip, I needed to get my car to CA to ship it to HI. May have come back to bite them though because now I love travelling by myself!
Sounds like a perfect Sunday. What did you paint at the pottery place?
That’s a bummer the colors didn’t work for you. On the bright side: think of all the money you saved…and the upcoming collections you can dedicate it to!
Hey Karen! Your potluck sounds like a blast! I like to bring dessert to potlucks 🙂
I had a lovely day with my fam today! We had brunch, stopped by a couple pubs, and went to a jazz festival in the park.
Oh, and I’m an only child. I frequently wish I had a sibling. Is your brother your only sibling?
Hey Tiffany!
It was a lot of fun. We really lucked out to get such nice, friendly neighbors. 🙂
As for your day with the fam, it sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday. Hmm… come to think of it, I have never, ever gone to a pub with my parents. I suppose there’s a first time for everything, though!
Yup, it’s just me and my little brother. While I would always get supremely annoyed when he got away with murder (we’re six years apart), I am glad I’m the oldest! I couldn’t hang with somebody trying to boss me around like I did with my brother, ha ha ha.
OMG those cupcakes look amazing!!!
Hm,
What dish do you usually bring to potlucks? Feta with herbs de provence stuffed cherry tomatoes – always a hit! If I have time, bacon wrapped asparagus is really popular too.
Do you have any brothers or sisters, and are you the oldest, youngest or middle kid? I’m the oldest with one younger brother.
What’s one of your pet peeves? Messy bathroom countertops and unfolded clothes. But I hate cleaning countertops and folding clothes! ;_;
I’m finally feeling better! That flu ended up in secondary sinus and strep infections so I’ve been on antibiotics… taking my last dose today. I’ve been out since last Thursday ewww… so… I’m spending the rest of today doing the laundry that’s piled up and studying for my makeup final on Tuesday. ;_;
I got ’em yesterday at a bake shop in a town about 10 minutes away. They’re pretty good… not my favorite, though (the cake wasn’t moist enough).
Glad to hear you’re feeling better!
What’s your makeup final on?
A few things I take to potlucks–
Meatballs w/my chili sauce
A great dessert made w/Skor candy bars
I’m the youngest–my sis is 11 yrs older and my bro is 13 yrs older. Call me an oopsie baby
One of my pet peeves is rude people that block the aisles at the grocery store
.-= Cindy (Prime Beauty)’s last blog post… Beauty Weekend Roundup – 5/29/10 =-.
OOOHHH I bet you got away with everything!! LUCKY!
I’m jealous – I’ve actually never celebrated Memorial day with more than hot dogs for dinner…
I usually bring fudge or some type of desert to potluck. I’m kind of a bad cook.
I’m the youngest of two! I’m currently semi-estranged from my brother though, so sometimes I just say I’m an only child…
My pet peeve? Hmm… chewing with the mouth open, even if its gum. Its one of the most annoying sounds in the world to me.
I did have a question though, I’m having some serious cat allergy attacks (and am looking into allergy shots), but in the meantime, my skin is super irritated, especially my eyes. Compounding the issue is that I’m currently having a bad break out on my forehead and some of my cheek. My eye area is so bad that it kind of hurts as I type this…
Got any suggestions? I’ve tried Clinique’s roller ball, it soothes a bit but somehow does not moisturize my eye area at all…
Hi Sarah,
Bummer to hear about the cat allergy. Could you give me a little more info on what’s going on with your eyes? Are they dry or puffy?
If they are puffy, what might help to keep any puffiness down are cold teabags or cucumber slices. It sounds cliche, but both feel very refreshing!
Dryness is another thing. If you like Clinique, you might want to try their All About Eyes Rich cream:
http://www.clinique.com/product/CATEGORY21364/PROD11195/Skin_Care/Eye__Lip_Care/index.tmpl
Yeah, I take Claritin year round but I, for some unknown reason, half-trained one of my foster cats to hop up on my bed when I patted it – and he usually goes right for my pillow…
Thats the kicker – they’re dry, puffy and irritated. For cold tea bags, do you just wet a tea bag and then put it in the fridge? I know thats kind of a dumb question, but I’ve always wondered…
Ok, I’ll pick the Clinique up tomorrow, do you know anything that works best for just super red and irritated? Or maybe the cold tea bag would help with that? The irritation is the main issue…
Sounds like it isn’t really dryness. I get some small, short-lived allergy-related flaky patches and use hydrocortisone cream to help nudge them on their way. I get the kids’ formula with lower percentages and only use for a few days at a time — you can’t use this continuously.
You are a genius. I can’t believe I didn’t even think of that!
Hydrocortisone, like Neosporin? Or is that something else… That sounds promising though, I guess it doesn’t make much sense for them to be dryness but immune to the Clinique rollerball…
Looks like a trip to CVS is definitely in the works for tomorrow!
Ah, I see. I totally have been there, done that.
I honestly don’t know of something that is a magic bullet for the redness — I tend to just let my eyes breathe for a bit, do cold compresses (I save my old tea bags and then put ’em in the fridge) and use moisturizer if the skin can handle it.
Does anybody else have any ideas for Sarah?
Oh god, now someone’s setting of fireworks and everyone hopped in bed with me (4 cats)…
I like the tea idea, I always drink coffee but maybe tomorrow I’ll have some tea as well and use that. I’ve been trying to let them breathe but I feel like I look like I got in a fight… But I can let them breathe tomorrow and just not go anywhere important. I’m trying lip balm on my eye area right now, which might be a bad idea but is really moisturizing?
Do they have Amolin in the US?
http://www.epharmacy.com.au/product.asp?id=414
It’s an ultrahydrating nappy rash cream which me and my psoriasis could not live without. And gentle enough to use on babies thus its okay for your face. Got to apply really sparingly though because if you overdo it it goes on WHITE.
.-= Suzanne’s last blog post… Porridge. The OTHER wonder product. =-.
Hmm… I’ve never heard of it, but that doesn’t really mean anything! I’ll check at the drugstore today, or I’ll ask my friend that has a baby if she has any extra… Thanks for the suggestion!
You poor thing. They must feel really dry if you’re putting lip balm on them.
I would probably not put the lip balm on them… you might end up irritating or clogging your pores.
Another thing you could try — using Cetaphil wash, but instead of washing it off with water, gently remove the wash with a soft cloth or tissue to leave a moisturizing layer. I haven’t used this in years, but always had good luck with it when my allergies acted up:
http://www.amazon.com/Cetaphil-Gentle-Cleanser-16-Ounce-Bottles/dp/B001ET76EY
When I was a broke student, I also used their body cream on dry spots on my face:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Moisturizing/Moisturizing-Cream/ID=prod10756-product?V=G&ec=frgl_&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku310756
Yeah, I can’t really use much concealer or anything because they’re actually flaking… I figured lip balm might not be the best idea, since I’ve never heard of it being used, but I’m kind of desperate…
Hmm… That’s a good idea. I wouldn’t have thought a soft cloth would leave more moisture than water but it makes sense. I think I may even have some samples laying around (I can’t resist the samples at the dermatologist’s office. Every hour I take another of each product, the longest I’ve waited is three hours…)
Well, I hope that you find relief soon. Steph B’s idea about the hydrocortizone sounds good…that might be something to check out.
Definitely, I’m kind of excited to go to CVS and pick stuff up! At the very least, its a good motivator to shampoo the rugs and clean everything else pretty well!
I get bad allergies, too, so I know how it is.
Lately we’ve been taking out Tabs on his harness, which means his fur picks up all sorts of pollen and whatnot when he goes outside. I am now kicking myself for allowing him to sleep next to my pillo!
Unless I’m asked to bring something specific, I always make pistachio fluff for summer potlucks. It’s a salad, it’s a dessert, kids love it because it’s bright green, parents love it because they remember having it when they were young; it’s an all-around crowd pleaser. 🙂
I have only one sibling, a sister who is 9 years older. Like Cindy, I’m either an oops or a surprise.
I have so many pet peeves. I want to stay in a good mood so I won’t even start.
I already celebrated Memorial Day with my family yesterday. We have a ICU nurse in the family so we celebrate holidays whatever day she has off. I live in Madison WI and we have a huge Brat Fest each year. My husband and I are going tomorrow to get some brats and hear some music.
So I have a question: I can’t seem to branch out much on what color make-up (especially eyeshadow) to wear with my clothing. What are some ways to overcome that or could some of you mention color combinations you like?
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten pistachio fluff. What’s in it (besides pistachios)?
Regarding color, I totally know where you are coming from. A few years ago I was terrified of it too!
You could try a few different things…
1. Use it sparingly at first. Try a thin pop of liner along your upper lash line or lower lash line in blue, green or purple. If it’s still too bold for you, smudge it out so that you get a suggestion of color instead.
2. Try a colored mascara. This is a fun way to add some spice to your look without going over the top. Maybe try something in blue. 🙂
3. Wear it around the house as first. I used to do this all the time! Do a colorful look, and then just wear it around the house while you’re puttering or relaxing or whatever, just so you can get used to seeing yourself with the color on.
Oh, pistachio fluff is amazing. 🙂 The most basic recipe is a packet of pistachio pudding, a tub of cool whip, and a can of pineapple tidbits. Mix the pudding into the cool whip, then add the pineapple. I normally add maraschino cherries, either cut up or whole, to the top for color. Then sometimes I add coconut or mini-marshmallows or both to change it up. Generally the bigger the crowd or the more people I don’t know particular tastes for, the more basic the recipe.
What color shadows do you put with the eyeliner? I’ve managed to break into the teal or blue or purple eyeliner but just with a sweep of nude shadow or lemon-aid. I feel comfortable with a light purple sweep and darker purple crease with 1999 liner from Urban Decay. And, oddly, when I wear my teal shirts, I bust out black eyeliner with red eyeshadow (Sephora’s Geisha Kiss) and grey corner/crease shadow. I think my main hang-up is cool colors/warm colors and mixing those so it looks right both make-up wise and shirt/make-up wise. I’ll try some new looks the next few weeks when I’m home by myself though. See what the animals think, maybe they will be as helpful as Tabs. That’s a good idea; I never think to really put on make-up like that when I’m just staying home.
Ooh, that sounds yummy! I can see how it would be a good potluck dish. You can make a lot without too much stress, plus it’s pretty to look at.
When I wear color, I usually like to take a cue from my shirts, too. Like, if there are hints of orange or red, I’ll do one or the other.
With the bright eyeliner, I’ll do nude shadows if I need to look somewhat responsible (like for a work function), or a coordinating shade in either a lighter color or something that complements it. For example, with blue liner, I’ll do a lighter blue, pop of green on the lid or a light purple.
Another great place to look for color combo inspiration is flowers…especially tropical flowers. If the shades work together in nature, they’ll usually work together on your lids!
Wearing makeup around the house can sound kinda silly, but it’s a good way to get adjusted to wearing colors you aren’t used to! If you don’t like it the first time, keep trying… you never know if it will grow on you.
Love pistachio fluff! We just call it “the green stuff” at family gatherings… 🙂
Kinda funny because I’m in canada so we don’t have memorial day but I actually went to my cousin’s potluck birthday party last night! My sister and I brought broccoli salad (broccoli, cheese, bacon..yum)
I’m the middle child of three girls!
And for pet peeves, I have a lot, but the one that comes to mind right now is when people snap their gum! So annoying! Any pet peeves for you karen?
The broccoli salad sounds delish! What kind of cheese did you use?
Speaking of recipes with bacon, my BFF told me she recently took a class where they learned how to cook all sorts of recipes with bacon, including bacon ice cream. Can you imagine?
Okay, pet peeves…I have a few of them, but here are my top three.
1. People in expensive/fancy cars who drive like they own the road. Drives me nuts!
2. When the person sharing your bathroom uses the very last bits of toilet paper and then just leaves single square or an empty roll instead of putting on a fresh roll. I have gotten into many passive/aggressive/incredibly juvenile toilet paper wars because of this.
3. People who treat service workers disrespectfully.
My former roommate used the last of the toilet paper (as in last of the last roll), and then left for the weekend without telling me. When it was her turn to buy the next supply… I was a bit annoyed, needless to say
That would irritate me to know end. That’s grounds for TP war!!
I had a roommate who never, ever changed the roll. She’d always leave the empty one for me to change. It happened for months, even though I repeatedly asked her to put in a new one. I even left multiple extra rolls on top of the tank so they’d be within close reach!
One day I got fed up, hid the extra rolls I kept on the tank and beneath the sink and just left the empty toilet paper roll there. Whenever I’d go in I’d bring in my own personal TP stash and then take it out again. Seriously… the roll stayed barren for DAYS. After a week she eventually replaced it though, heh.
Hahaha, I love that! I wish I had your guts! I ended up just buying more, and never mentioning it again…
It was so childish but incredibly satisfying, LOL! 🙂
Oh, it sounds so worth it. I’m just not clever enough to do something like that! 😉
I’m from Canada too, but I live in the states now.
Would it really be such a bother for May 2-4 and Memorial Day weekend to be the same weekend? Come on now!!
Haha, I am a secret gum snapper. I know it’s obnoxious, but I love doing it. I have four roommates, but when they are out of the house, I totally bust out the Dubble Bubble and snap away!!
Hey Karen!
I’m an only child — unless you count the cats. In that case, I have two younger, much smaller siblings whom I love to visit! It’s actually Aisha’s birthday tomorrow. She’s going to be 17. I find it incredibly strange that there are people younger than my cat who can legally drive.
As for the potluck question, I’m not exactly the world’s best chef, so I usually buy something, lol. I’ve been meaning to get into cooking more. My new apartment has a GORGEOUS kitchen, and it’s kind of pathetic that I’ve only used the oven to cook frozen pizza. I’ve always wanted to learn how to cook Indian and Thai food!
My pet peeve is definitely when people misspell “definitely,” lol. It drives me insane. Also, comma splices bug me, too. It’s funny what ends up bothering you when you grow up the daughter of an English Ph.D, lol
Happy 17th birthday to Aisha! 🙂 Tabs sends a big kitteh hug.
You must tell me about your kitchen. It’s been a while since I’ve been into cooking, but I can still appreciate a good gas stove!
It’s a brand new building. My wing only has two other places occupied, so it’s really quiet. I’m actually the first one in my apartment, which is nice because the place is in great shape. I’m terrified that I’m going to destroy the carpet, though — I’m kind of a klutz. It’s the long limbs, lol.
The kitchen o09q22]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] (oh my God, I’m 90% certain this cat is the reason why I need a new computer) is HUGE, and everything is laid out really well, too. The stove and oven aren’t huge or anything, but they heat up really quickly. There’s a ton of cabinet space, and so I’ve decided to take advantage of it by filling all of my cupboards with all sorts of snacks. Tasty…
I really like the building and the location (a mile outside of DC), but the problem is that I live next door to a shopping mall. It was bad enough that there’s a Target there, but now they’re opening a Sephora. This is so, so dangerous for my bank account, lol!
Your new place sounds fantastic. I bet it’s gonna feel like home in no time flat. 🙂 Hopefully you’ll get some nice (quiet) neighbors, too.
Can I just say that living next to a Sephora is both fabulous and dangerous? My closest one is a five minute drive away!
I actually had next door neighbors, but I think they moved out (either that or they became mutes and removed their welcome mat). They looked to be in their mid-20s but were, uh, clearly still to some extent in college mode. There’s nothing like waking up to some drunk dude yelling REALLY LOUDLY on his cell phone at 3:00 on a Wednesday morning.
It’s been feeling more like home since I’ve been putting up art, but not all of it is up yet (and I just got some new stuff from etsy, yay).
Sephora is a simultaneously wonderful and horrible place, lol. I just ordered a bunch of stuff from them and have been playing around with it. Can I say how much I love those MUFE eye pencils? I suck at applying eyeliner, but for whatever reason, I apply it more evenly (and more quickly) when I use those pencils. Also, the Amazing Cosmetics matte powder blushes are really bright and they make me happy 😀
Ugh, we had a neighbor like that who lived below us in our old place who we referred to as “12 Year-Old Neighbor.” Among other annoying things, he would blast his music early in the morning or in the middle of the night. Thank goodness he wasn’t around for long.
Anywho, Etsy is so great for art! I’ve been thinking about picking up some removable wall decals:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/43942793/vinyl-wall-art-decals-contemporary?ref=v1_other_2
Funny you mention Amazing Cosmetics… I’ve been eyeing some of their goodies. Good to know the blushes work well.
Oh, God, that’s AWFUL. I remember that one year in college, I lived next door to a girl who blasted nu-metal at 8 in the morning. If I was up (and, you know, it was college, so I rarely was), it was still wayyyy too early to hear that! She also had a TV and would watch reality shows REALLY LOUDLY. Project Runway? Fine. Cheaters? Arrrrghhhhh.
Etsy is amazing for art! You have to wade through a lot of stuff, but it’s worth it for the deals. I got a wall decal of the Abbey Road cover for my bedroom, and I put this up http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.108378748.jpg in my kitchen. It’s a decent size (18″x24″) and it was only $50! I couldn’t believe I was able to order a painting for that price.
Also, speaking of etsy, regretsy.com is hilarious. It’s dedicated to all of the incredibly odd things that etsy has, such as coats for goats (seriously), Lady Gaga embroidered toilet paper (seriously) and rosaries with Barbie shoes on them (SERIOUSLY — that one was selling for $100, too).
I can’t lie; sometimes I get drawn into Cheaters. It’s like a bad accident! I don’t want to look, but I can’t help it.
Oh, lovely painting! 🙂 I bet it’s nice to see first thing in the morning when you’re getting your coffee.
I’ve never heard of regretsy, but I’m betting I’m going to love it. Anything with coats for goats is alright with me, HEH!
Also, Tigger is here (I’m at my parents’ place for the weekend) and he says hello!
http://i47.tinypic.com/672gxw.jpg
That picture is SO cute. I am convinced Tigger and Tabs are long-lost relatives.
He’s adorable – I’m so jealous!
Thank you. I told him that people on the internet think he’s cute and now he’s purring, lol. Do you have any pets?
Oh my god, I technically have ten right now. But! I foster so none of them are actually mine, and four of the ten are 2 week old kittens, and one of the ten is a cat that only visits my apartment during the day (from downstairs).
Aisha is soo adorable – intelligence in cats is highly overrated!
Awww, that’s so nice of you! I’ve always wanted to foster kittens, but I’m not around enough to be a proper kitten mom. How long are you going to have them around?
What are your other pets? 10 is a lot! I remember my family once had 4 (full grown) cats at once and it was a lot of fun, but I don’t know how many more would’ve been manageable. Randomly, I remember once seeing a story on the news about this old, retired couple who had over 600 cats. They apparently went through over 100,000 lbs of kitty litter a year, lol.
Hehe, yeah, luckily, less intelligent cats are just as amusing as smarties — just in different ways. Tigger will mew at me when I ask him “who’s my kitty boy?” and Aisha will often look the wrong way when you throw a toy toward her.
My favorite “Aisha is kind of a ditz” story is from when she was a year old and we got her spayed (we waited until then because we wanted to have kittens, which didn’t happen…that’s another story that’s kind of funny, though). She came back from the vet and realized that she did NOT like cone that was around her head. Unfortunately, her plan to free herself from the cone was not the best ever; she started running into things at top speed. Luckily, she’s really little and her head is especially small, so the cone stuck out much farther than her head (no kitty injuries). It was pretty hysterical, though, to see this tiny cat running into the walls and our furniture at something like 30 mph, lol.
Yeah, my landlady is the regional coordinator, so it was actually a requirement for my apartment. It depends, she tends to give me the hard to adopt, so I’ve had some of them for over six months, and will probably have them for a very very long time. The kittens however, will probably be adopted after ten weeks. I think eight is when they are eligible?
Its just ten cats for now, but downstairs, (I essentially live in a two apartment house, divided by floors) is two dogs, and seven cats (one of which is the floater that comes up to my apartment). I still get a bit weirded out by how many pets are in this house.
Hahahahaha, I love that story! I haven’t had cats THAT ditzy yet, but Aisha sounds SO CUTE! I had a tabby that was so fat I literally carried him like a toddler… The Maine Coone we had was the cutest thing – Moose was his name. You’d leave the room and come back to find him in your seat, and he’d just stare like, “oh, you wanted this spot?”
Me too! Although, Tiggy is much older than Tabs. He was a stray, so we don’t know exactly when his birthday ioooooooooq (lol he’s saying hi) is, but we know that sometime in the spring or summer, he turns 15. Maybe they’re distant cousins! 🙂
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs103.snc1/5023_529860802584_4301710_31428586_7141421_n.jpg
Upside down Tigger
http://i47.tinypic.com/ta4vfd.jpg
Aisha’s speckled tummy 🙂
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v74/125/46/4301710/n4301710_30630223_2287.jpg
Aisha was being really patient/oblivious. She’s, uh, not quite as bright as Tigger. Luckily, ditzy (and fat) cats are cute. 🙂
Distant cousins for sure! 🙂 They even sleep the same way!
I want to pick Aisha up and give her a cuddle, aww.
What dish do you usually bring to potlucks?
haha, funny… I’m usually the one throwing the potluck! Since I’m a vegan, I usually dish out some eggplant lasagna, or some vegetable curry. yummmm… =P If I’m bringing dessert, I always bring vegan red velvet cake. It’s always a hit, and no one ever knows it’s vegan unless I tell them!
Do you have any brothers or sisters, and are you the oldest, youngest or middle kid?
I have one younger sister. I DO have both an older step-brother and an older step-sister. I don’t live with them, nor see them very much. So really, I’m the eldest. Can’t really complain… it has its pros and cons =]
What’s one of your pet peeves?
chapped lips! When I’m talking to someone and I notice how chapped their lips are, I can’t focus on anything other than wanting to whip out my lip balm and smothering it all over said lips! hahaha
Carolanne! I would love your vegan red velvet cake recipe. But if it’s super secret, no worries…
Oh man, I am an idiot and made a new thread instead of responding before. Oh well.
Aww, does Tabs like to sleep upside down too? I love that — especially when they curl their paws under! So cute!
Aisha is HILARIOUS to pick up because she makes the most ridiculous noises ever (although we limit picking her up because it kinda ticks her off). She can’t meow; she makes more of this acking noise that occasionally is joined by a snort. When you pick her up, she starts acking like crazy. She’s adorable, but REALLY strange. Whenever she drinks water, she starts dancing around the bowl and scratching at it. I’ve been meaning to film it and put it up on youtube. After all, the internet clearly needs more cat videos…
AHFSJKHSA I did it again. God, maybe I should go to bed…
Ha ha, don’t worry about it. 🙂
Yes, Tabs has all sorts of very amusing sleeping positions. Most of them involve showing off his tummy. Some of them involve stepping all over my lady lumps before settling down on my chest, heh!
Aisha sounds like a character. From her pics she looks like she has a lot of personality.
Aww. Tabs has a super cute tummy, so good for him to show it off! LOL that’s kind of adorable that Tabs sleeps on your chest! Aisha will occasionally snuggle up to my stomach if I’m lying down on the couch, but for the most part, she tends to sit at my feet or behind my knees. Sadly, neither of them are lap cats, either 🙁
It’s cute for about 60 seconds, LOL! 15 pounds of tabby on one’s chest can be…interesting!!
Oh man, I hope I didn’t miss all the action! I went out for a late dinner and forgot about open thread!
Karen, I’m curious: how many times a day do you typically do your makeup? What’s the greatest number of looks you’ve done in one day?
.-= Amber’s last blog post… When cheap is good =-.
The action’s still going!! 🙂
Hmm… that’s a good question. The last time I can remember was maybe six? I had a LOT of coffee that day, LOL!
How was dinner? What did you have?
Wow, six is a lot. I love doing my makeup but I can’t face doing it even a second time in one day, haha! My poor skin would just give up.
We went to a Spanish/Cuban/Mexican place. It was one of the first places we ate when we visited Houston to look for a house, and it was the first place we ate when we finally moved here. Lately we usually end up with the same server, a girl who started out hostessing there and who waited on us her first night. She is so sweet and always recognizes us.
I had carne asada with a chicken flauta, a cheese enchilada, and rice & black beans. We started with an appetizer of pork medallions cooked in garlic and citrus, and beef medallions cooked in a port and roasted pepper sauce. Sooooo good!
.-= Amber’s last blog post… When cheap is good =-.
Yeah, the caffeine really helped to fuel things.
As for your meal, if I’m ever in Houston, I’m totally going to that spot. The food sounds delicious!
You should visit just to eat — I am convinced that Houston is one of the best American towns for food! Check this out:
http://tinyurl.com/yecopd4
.-= Amber’s last blog post… When cheap is good =-.
I so agree with you — the diversity of cuisine here is beyond awesome!
Hi Karen & Ladies — missed this yesterday as I was out partying @ my favorite aunt & uncle’s 25th wedding anniversary … it was fun. The bestie was my date! 🙂
Hi Nina,
Sounds like fun! Was the food good at the party? I hope so.
It was … I tried to be good and stuck to my protein and veggies but … there was chocolate cake AND cheesecake for dessert. I gave in a little bit. 🙂
I love to travel, so hopefully soon I’ll have the excuse to go there and eat my way through the entire city, neighborhood by neighborhood!
MBB Houston meet-up! Lipgloss and elastic-waist pants!
.-= Amber’s last blog post… When cheap is good =-.
Do you have any brothers or sisters, and are you the oldest, youngest or middle kid?
Yep, I have two if you include Zena. I have a dweebster lil’ brother. We’ve been mortal enemies since he was born 19 years ago. My mom loves to recount the thousands of ways I’ve tried to kill/torture my brother. I’ve used him as a landing pad, climbed into his playpen to beat him up, thrown toys at him….the list goes on. My mom thinks it’s a stroke of luck that he lived past the age of three and has no permanent or lasting damage.
Let’s put it this way: I’m the tidy, high-strung one while anything he touches looks like an atomic bomb blew up. I have disabilities, he doesn’t. He’s a slacker, I’m not. He’s 22 months younger than me, I’m 22 months older than he. I was the one who was told I would never graduate high school (on top of many other things), he nearly didn’t graduate high school due to the slacker problem mentioned above. I had a 3.987 (or close to that) GPA when I graduated hs, he had a 2.1. His voice sounds like two grades of sandpaper (sandpaper side up) grating against each other and makes me want to rip out his vocal cords. Needless to say, we don’t get along.
That is why Zena is my favorite sibling.
In other news, my mom bullied me into joining a bowling club thingy for summer for people with developmental disorders. She says I need to, “Get out of my comfort zone and socialize with people about your own age.” So, starting June 14, for eight torturous weeks, I have to go bowling with other people in a very noisy bowling ally from 7-8:45 PM. I’m not amused. I may like bowling, but I don’t want to bowl with other people I don’t know that are “just like me.” I highly doubt there will be another person with Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Asthma and long-term depression; if there is, that will be majorly scary. I know that’s NOT the point and there’s probably not going to be another me, but I need a venting moment.
But before that, on Tuesday I get to go to the dentist for fillings AND prepping for a crown. I think that’s going to be at least two hours in the chair. Ugh. Then Wednesday I have to go to el Russian psychiatrist and I GUARANTEE he will say, “She need to gain weight” to my mom even though I eat like a cow. I’m constantly munching on something (currently apples). Hopefully my PMS migraine doesn’t come this week but that’s like wishing to find a needle in a haystack. I can hope though.
It appears this week is a Venting Open Thread Post. Maybe next week’s will be better (maybe). I need the Zena Cure! Too bad she’s asleep with the ‘rents on her chair.Darn.
So today was my sisters graduation and my 20th birthday so that answers the first question i guess haha . Thankfully though, high schoolers like to go out and party especially on their graduation so not a lot of my sisters friends came over until late . However, i didn’t invite any of my friends because i expected more people . Nevertheless, it was a pretty good day . We ate fajitas and a bunch of other stuff . My mothers guacamole and her beans and her cactus dishes are hella freaking amazing . Lemme just say, there wasn’t any guacamole and cactus left. Oh and the salsa ! Four homemade salsas all completely different and gone or taken home by others . Absolutely delish . But there is a helluva lot of fajitas left and we gave a Lot away .
Have you ever expected a lot of people for a party but only like ten or so people come over? It’s really rude. But it was their graduation so whatevs . But i got some moolah today so i’m psyched about that . I also got some cupcakes ! They were really pretty- simple white frosting with pink sprinkles on them and a butterfly. And then ..there was my sisters cake . Ughh i am so stuffed even though it’s been like two or so hours since i ate.
This past week my little puppy got really sick . she got Parvovirus and had to stay at the animal hospital for a couple of days . She used to be really fat but she lost all of her weight ..it was so sad when i saw her home . I almost cried but but she’s a little demon . She’s still a little weak but she’s doing things she’s never done before ..so i know she’s definitely fine ! Every time i visited her at the hospital she would get up and hit her head on the ceiling of her little cage and wag her tail violently and when i’d leave she’d follow me with her eyes. It was so funny and sad at the same time. I felt so bad leaving her there. The second day i went to visit her there was another puppy in a cage the size of a banana ..she died the next day . It was so sad . When i first saw that puppy i couldn’t even look at her ..she did not look well .
And can you believe that some total friggin’ axxholes stole the copper from their air conditioner while she was there? I was Very upset. How can you do that to a hospital? Or any other place for that matter .
On a lighter note, now i’m just thinking about what all i’m going to buying now with my money . The smart thing would be to save it .but . I’m not smart ! 😛
i’m glad you had a good day .Hope this week is better than the last !
hey Karen! i have my exams going on; which end this Friday. I’ve been studying myself to death over the last 2 months. So, I’m gonna treat myself to some MAC this Friday. I was hoping you could help suggest some products and looks. I’m an NC30 or maybe a bit lighter. I love bright lips and highlighted cheeks and shimmery eye shadows. I have dark brown eyes n dark hair. Can you please give me a must have list in terms of blush, eye shadows and MAC lipsticks? I’m not a make-up newbie n can work tougher shades. oh and can you please recommend the best MAC mineralize duo for me? THANKS A LOT. You make my days so much better
I make cupcakes. Everyone loves cupcakes. I’m not the most adventurous of cooks.
Pet peeve is people who don’t acknowledge you when you let them into traffic. GAARGH.
.-= Suzanne’s last blog post… Porridge. The OTHER wonder product. =-.
Hi Karen! I usually bring fruit or miscellaneous cake items. I’m an only child, and the sound of nail-clipping is one of my pet peeves. I just heard someone clipping their nails on the bus this afternoon, and the annoying sound just grosses me out.
You know Jake Gyllenhaal’s movie, Prince of Persia? Well, I saw it this weekend and I think it’s a good one for the action and Jake-lovers! Especially if you like Aladdin’s movies.
OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG……I got tickets to the Mac Friends and Family sale!!! I am so pumped!!! What should I get????? I better start making my list, I have never been to one before, so I don’t know what to expect.
By the way everyone, I went and saw Exit Throught The Gift Shop last night, AWESOME. Too funny!
OK,, first – OMG – you’re killing me wit the cupcakes. It is the week before my “lady week” and you know that means I want to eat each of them, very quickly.
What dish do you usually bring to potlucks?
I usually bring this cold pasta salad – it’s like a shrimp scampi pasta: cook up ziti noodles; in another pan, cook up shrimp, olive oil, white wine, lots of lemon juice, lemons, a few tomatoes, garlic, black pepper, garlic salt, cracked red pepper flakes, oregano, and onions – then throw everything together in the oven with parm all over it for a bit to melt. Eat some hot if you want, and put the rest in the fridge for your partay!
Do you have any brothers or sisters, and are you the oldest, youngest or middle kid?
I am the only child. yay me!
What’s one of your pet peeves?
People who stand in the middle of busy places – some clowns even stand in the middle of doorways of busy places.
morning, karen! i’ve been wanting to share this with you for a few days, but haven’t found the right spot….i started reading this new book called Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard. I can’t keep a silly grin off my face, it’s that enjoyable. It’s a memoir about a young American woman, and the book itself combines two things i enjoy reading about: romance and good food. It’s even got recipes that are so simple, even being a non-cook, i find them easy to do. you should check it out! i’ve been telling everyone about it…i’ve had a beautiful memorial day weekend with my family. AND, tomorrow is the last day of school with students, and summer vacation!
Hey Karen! I’ve been soooo insanely busy lately with work and school, I hardly have time to catch up on my blogs! Ridiculous! SHAAAAME! haha.
One of my biggest pet peeves just came out of nowhere. Around where I live there are a ton of country bumpkins (and there’s nothing wrong with that!!) that cannot speak coherent English! They say things like “might could”… EXAMPLE: “I don’t know where the store is; you might could help me with that.” Listen, people. You might be able to help someone, or you COULD… you can’t MIGHT COULD anything! LOL. Same thing goes with “Used to be”… Instead of saying “Man, we always used to just walk right in without getting carded,” the sentence will be “Used to be, there was no bouncer at the door and we’d just walk in!” Ugh. It’s not a big, big deal, but seriously…. it gets under my skin.
How are things with you, cat lady 😉 ? I totally wish I was canoeing, kayaking, or on the lake right now. I need to be near a body of water in this humid heat!
I also had a barbeques with “my americanos”. This is how I call my American friends who live here. And we had a great time and amazing food (they are from Texas and know how to cook great Mexican food).
I have a younger brother but I wish I had more siblings…
.-= Marina’s last blog post… Win 50 shades of Make Up For Ever New Lipstick Rouge Artist =-.
I usually bring one of my home made desserts. I’m pretty much famous for my cupcakes (;
I do have a younger brother, unfortunately. I am the oldest child, and the most loved, hehe. My pet peeve is well…bugs?
OMG you have to tell me the name of the awesome bakeries you go to to get these amazing cupcakes you often show! I can’t wait to be in SF and try them out!!
Hi Karen,
I’m just reading this now and wanted to put my replies in.
I usually bring either chips or homemade cookies – depends upon the type of gig.
I’m the baby of the two of us – a slightly older sister and me.
My pet peeve is bad drivers and people who talk over everyone and interrupt others.
and BTW, I just saw SATC 2 today, and I really wasn’t impressed. I thought the acting was pretty bad and did not like the plot. I thought the first one was great, but this one I thought was yucky. The Samantha slutty routine has worn very thin. I’d give it a D – just my opinion.
Glad you had a nice holiday weekend!
You know how some youtubers keep fixing their hair in their videos… that’s my pet peeves… It’s ok if you do it, say, twice in a video… but doing it every 30 seconds is not cool… and it’s annoying… I actually hate when people do that in real life too… very annoying… get some hair spray! (eco friendly ones)
.-= Rica’s last blog post… Favourite products at the moment: May 2010 =-.