TGIF - Happy Thoughts

- Dad fixed my ipod adaptor (that my brute strength destroyed)

- Krista's GOTH HOUSEWARMING is this weekend, and I'm so excited to create a dark alter ego. A few of the pieces I've picked up:

This leather corset was on clearance on Etsy - EXCELLENT:


I scooped up a black leather pencil skirt at the Salvation Army for $12.99, similar to this:


And boots similar to these for just $4.99 @ the Goodwill:



I've got some accessories & makeup from Hot Topic, and a half-formed plan for my hair - let's hope it cooperates :)

I'm also making a couple of "dark desserts" that I hope to feature on here - I'm only 1/2 sure they will work, so stay tuned...

- I went skating again last night (after missing Monday with my cold) and I have to say, I'm feeling good. But I'm pretty sick of the Black Eyed Peas and Justin Bieber.

- We're heading down to the Lone Star State next week for a mini vacation to visit relatives. I'm considering fed-exing a gallon of sunscreen ahead of us, since the 4 oz (in a clear plastic bag) that I am allowed to carry on will in no way sustain my pasty complexion for multiple days. Perhaps I shall have to pick up a 10 gallon hat as well.

Bakerella, you evil temptress...

How dare you introduce me to sites like Bake It Pretty. That spells trouble with a capital $.

I'm drooling a little bit...

"Romp in the Swamp" - Louisiana Theme Costume Ideas

A few people have started to ask, so just to get the wheels turning, here is an early brainstormed list of costume genres to inspire you before the 2010 "Romp in the Swamp" party (our 4th Annual Halloween Extravaganza!). I plan to do some more in depth round-ups as we get closer, but hopefully this plants a few interesting seeds in your mind:

Vampires - New Orleans is the center (or more accurately, centre) of vampire culture and lore, including the setting of the famed Anne Rice novels, among many others. Whether you prefer your vampires Dracula-esque in Victorian finery, or much more modern day - there is a TON of room for interpretation and uniqueness with a vampire costume. Since I embrace all things sparkly, I still love this one I featured last year. Of course, since I intend to go as a vampire hunter this year, you'd best beware :)

On a related note, the series True Blood (books & HBO series) also takes place in Louisiana - there are a host of exciting characters you could impersonate. My personal favorite is Pam's disco night look:


If you show up looking like Eric, I doubt I'll kick you out...and though I hated her character, Evan Rachel Wood's Vampire Queen had some epic costume moments.

Voodoo - another famous dark undercurrent running through NOLA, home of Marie Laveau and numerous other practitioners of the dark arts. A voodoo priest/priestess, doll, or victim could all be fun. Along the same train you can think gypsy, psychic, tarot reader...Check out a great voodoo doll and priest here. Also this one is makeup heavy, but would be pretty easy to accomplish:

(And if you want to see something really scary, check out the blog I found the photo on here)

Mardi Gras - the holy grail of sparkles and bling. If you google "mardi gras" you'll see just about anything goes at the festival of excess, from flashy carnivale style show girls to jesters and other royals to revelers buried in beads. There are a ton of resources for purple green and gold accessories, masks, and beads. I know that no children will be around, but let's try to keep the flashing to a minimum. ;)Also don't be afraid to take a cue from Lady GaGa - a costume doesn't have to be a specific "thing," just put together some fun pieces + a mask and you are ready to let the good times roll - like this ensemble that just calls to me:


(source)

Bayou - I know that Deliverance technically takes place Georgia, but I think the scary backwoods swamp feel works for N'awlins too. It conjures up images of hillbillies (super bonus points if you have a banjo), gators, gator wrestlers, swamp creatures...


Culture - Jazz (musicians, instruments, jazz funerals, marching bands), Food (shrimp, King Cake, Bourbon). Love this amazing crayfish costume made from foam and fabric:

source

Politics & Current Events - WhoDats, Saints, FEMA trailers, abandoned & duct taped refrigerators. Check out a whole album of Katrina-themed costumes here, such as this commentary on NOLA getting SCREWED:


As always, as long as you have some semblance of a costume on, I don't care if it matches the theme or not - but it's always fun to see what people do with the idea. Last year the bar was set pretty high, so I hope y'all find this year as inspiring. :)

(for future reference, I'm using the label "NOLA" for posts related to the 2010 party)

The much less painful route...

Al brought these to my attention, but so far I've resisted their immense pull. From the etsy shop "Tattoo Socks" they're screen printed stockings with fun graphic designs. I'm pretty tough on nylons, so the chances of me spending $18 are slim, but I definitely love the look. They have a variety of designs (and also knee and thigh highs) including an octopus, peacock feather, and a lot of cool swirls. J'adore!

5 Awesome things about today:

- Coconut Shrimp and Cheddar Bay Biscuits for lunch (Thanks Dad!)


- I remembered to take out the garbage (after a few weeks of forgetting...but we never fill the can, even in a month, so no big deal)


- My normal jeans fell off without a belt, and my "skinny jeans" feel great (not that there's a huge difference, but I'm definitely enjoying roller skating even more now!
FYI, photo is NOT me...yet :)


- Cleaned out my purse, caught up on mail & bills, organized my desk, and balanced my checkbook


- Korean Beef for Dinner!

Once again I praise Puffs Plus...

I've been waylaid by the dreaded spring cold. I'd avoided it while comrades fell all around me, charging forward with my busy life, because - to paraphrase Jesse Ventura - "I ain't got time to [blow snot bubbles]." But this weekend it finally overpowered me and I was bedridden with a sore throat and way too much phlegm. Today I'm still snarfing and snotting, but I've been without Internet too long to stay at home, so I'm here subjecting my coworker to an unpleasant soundtrack as I snurf and blow and hack - hey, she can close her door if she wants :)

And in other news...

I've done zilch crafting while flat on my back. But I have had a few thoughts:

I find myself very annoyed by this. Tell me you just roll your eyes as well. Seriously, KFC, stop trying to pretend you are healthy. You're not fooling us. And regardless, I'm a sucker for your fake mashed potatoes and blend of secret herbs and spices. Take a cue from Burger King and just embrace the truth of what you are.

I'm super excited for Krista's goth-themed dinner party/housewarming party this weekend, and I've been planning to make peanut butter rats for my dish to share. In poking around I came across this:
(source)
And I'm severely tempted to try it.


I also love NotMartha's spider cakes, but I think they'd be hard to transport.

Thanks to Etsy, Ebay, Hot Topic, and the Salvation Army I have my outfit all nailed down (with several possible variations), but strange realization: Hubby has no black clothes. Seriously. It has something to do with a certain shedding rat terrier. He also can't decide if he will acquiesce to guyliner, so his attendance is on the fence. I, on the other hand, am GREATLY looking forward to it and think costume parties are much too rare these days.

Summer Lovin'

This year it seems that we have skipped straight from winter to summer, a very non-Minnesotan turn of events, but one that I'm enjoying immensely. In previous years we've still had snow on the ground at this point (I'm hardly exaggerating...an end of March snowstorm is very common), but this year was the first in "modern record" that no snow fell on the Twin Cities in March - leading us in to an early and dramatic spring. Temps have been in the 60's and higher fairly consistently, should be in the mid 70's today, and it's definitely brought on a wave of spring fever.



This past weekend was my first in a long time with ZERO commitments and it was glorious. I feel like I relaxed and "did nothing", but I actually got a lot accomplished as well:

- We grilled. I highly recommend the cheddar bacon burgers from Rainbow or Byerly's. Mmmm.

- I moved all my sweaters and winter clothes into storage, then completely cleaned and re-oganized my closet. I tossed all of the clothes that "sorta" fit into the yard sale pile. Ditto with shoes.

- I finished THREE books. One each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Pure indulgence.

- We opened windows, and Norm & I basked in the sun on the couch while reading above mentioned books and listening to my entire ipod playlist. I also burned candles and hopefully cleared the "winter of dog" mustiness from the house.

- I painted my toenails sparkly red. Bring on the sandals! I actually tried to wear sandals last week but it was still really cold in my office, so let's hope today is better. Double bonus points: found a pair of excellent sandals in my basement closet that I had forgotten all about - SCORE!



(they're the brown version of these, and SO comfortable! Dare I consider taking them to New York???)

I'm waiting up just a bit more on taking the winter coats to the dry cleaner, washing out the windowsils (ick), and a few other tasks, but for now I'm quite content to welcome the warm weather and sunshine. Even if that means I had to shave my legs.