Jolene's World

2010 DIFFA

2010-03-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

To see what I have been up to, including coverage on 2010 DIFFA's Dining by Design, visit Abode.

Random Moment of Fiction

2010-03-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl, once a month, I watched as my brother got a bowl haircut. I was super jealous. The third Thursday of every month, oftentimes between the Cosby show and Cheers, skipping a Different World respectively, my mother pulled out her size medium brown popcorn bowl and placed it on my brother’s head. Davy would sit there studiously as my mother happily snipped away. I would sit next to him seething with pure rage as our family dog Mitzi, a rescue Lhasa Apso crossed with a Dachshund, would fight for the chance to hump my leg.

“Little girls should have a billion strands of curly tendrils.” She would sing to me on the fourth Friday of the month when my own scalp was pulled and tweaked as she subjected my hair to an Ogilvie spiral perm. I cried inside, dreaming of a day with stick straight strands and non-girly flair. “Beauty must suffer,” my mother’s words would ring in my ears as bits of hair were being tightly wound around a permanent rod.

My brother learned of my bowl-cut jealousy one night while we ate cheez-whiz and leftover water crackers from my parent’s card party. We were in our freshly crafted forts, mine was intricate, featuring the use of old army blankets and camping gear to set a dark, earthy tone. Davy’s, on the other hand, was always lively with fresh-cut flowers and a pink glow, courtesy of the large organ shape that was the sole design of our older brother’s Operation Game sleeping bag. As we watched Friday Night videos, I told Davy of how I longed for bangs like the movie stars we saw on the Night Owl films, well after the videos were no longer on our minds. Davy didn’t say much, but looked at me knowingly, he seemed to instantly understand, I had a head for bangs, not curls.

The next morning, during an epic episode of Doctor Who—with Tom Baker of course—my brother cracked open his prized Cadbury chocolate orange he received from the previous Christmas, something he was saving for a special occasion. Slice by slice, Davy told me of his plan to debunk being the recipient of the following Thursday’s ceremonial bowl-cut. Once finished sharing his mission, Davy looked me stern in the eyes, handed me the last orange slice, and said, “Thursday, you will have bangs.”

Finally the anticipated day came, and, as planned, Davy wore our family Dee Snider wig, a leftover prop from my Dad’s “Before you kids were born” jam session days. After a whole day donning curls, and nearing the hour of the cut, Davy professed his love of long curly hair. My mother, always being one to please her son, as she often admitted she loved him the best anyway, granted him his wish to grow out his hair. However, needing an outlet for snipping, my mother turned to me and I happily replaced my brother’s head with my own. I sat there with a wide grin for the five whole minutes of the cut as I got the bangs I so desired; I didn’t even notice Mitzi humping my leg.

Years later, my brother got his gorgeous, natural curls and even works part time as a hair model in between his interior design projects. My hair is plan-jane, albeit with killer bangs, but I realized that special Friday night wasn’t about me. Davy was meant to be bold and beautiful and my expressed bowl-cut jealousy finally gave him the out he needed to be his true self and become the happy, flamboyant man that he is today.

Kitty Earrings!

2009-10-24T22:05:00.001-07:00

I made these kitty earrings for Anjellicle Cats Rescue. For just a $10 donation you can help a great organization save kitties AND get a cute pair of earrings! Check out my designs and be prepared to see more Jolene Jewelry here and on Etsy soon!

Wopat goes in for the Kiss

2009-09-25T10:16:00.001-07:00

The other night I was pleasantly surprised to find David Gray singing his beautiful songs at the Columbus Circle complex for a promotion of his new CD, "Draw The Line," in conjunction with Borders. After Mr. Gray sang, all love songs mainly straight to me, he began signing copies of his new CD. Knowing how beautiful he is and being a super fan, I immediately purchased the CD and got in line!

While waiting and wondering if I was going to get nervous, I was brought back to the one other time I waited in line to get the autograph of a celebrity. It was back in 1981, maybe 1983, at the height of the Dukes of Hazzard craze. My father brought my brother Davey and I to a Dukes of Hazzard convention where Tom Wopat, Mr. Luke Duke Himself, was meeting fans and signing autographs. Davey was a HUGE fan of the show, just like every other 12-year-old boy, and I was a huge fan of Bo Duke. I used to kiss the television screen as soon as his mug appeared on those memorable Friday nights. I even remember wanting him and Daisy to kiss and I didn't care one bit that they were related! I just thought that they were both so beautiful that they should totally be kissing one another!

At the event, my father dispensed Davey and I in line to meet Mr. Wopat while he perused the hot rods and chargers I presume. Wopat was situated on a riser above the crowd, thus giving everyone a clear view of him. As we waited, we watched and I began to notice a pattern. For every woman that is meeting Wopat, he is hugging each of them and often times kissing them on the cheeks! I was starting to freak out, mind you I was a 9-year-old girl, but I thought this was going to happen to me and I couldn't imagine kissing and hugging a man at that time, let alone a man that wasn't Bo Duke!

As we got closer, my anxiety got higher, I unfortunately didn't share this fear with Davey who likely could have pointed out to me that I was just a kid and Luke wasn't going to kiss me. Finally, just before we meet Wopat, I let the beans spill to Davey, and he did the brotherly thing, he played into my anxiety. He told me how Wopat was going to be kissing me and making out with me because I am a girl after all, and then he had to make matters even worse by saying how disappointed I must have been that Bo wasn't there and that I was settling for Luke instead. He was indeed right, but I didn't want to discuss this with my brother.

The time finally came to meet Luke and I was scared out of my mind. "What if he kisses me!?" I kept thinking. We stepped up on the riser, above the crowd who is watching, in what I believe is in anticipation if Luke kisses me or not—yeah I was a little ego-centric. While I am dying, Davey is buoyant and excited as gets his Tom-Wopat-as-Luke-Duke headshot signed. He's stupidly babbling away as I am internalizing my fate when I suddenly hear him say "This is my sister, she's in love with Bo."

OH MY GOD! The fact that I didn't literally have the first panic attack of my life right then and there is beyond me. Mr. Wopat of course laughed as I wanted to die. I barely said a word as I meekly handed him my Tom-Wopat-as-Luke-Duke headshot and waited. He signed the pic as he tried to make small talk with me and then I saw him begin to stand up. "OH MY GOSH! Here is comes!" I thought. And then the arm, the huge manly Luke Duke arm nestled in blue plaid comes barreling toward my weeness and I freak. I say, as politely as possible, "No. No. I don't want that!" And my arms and head flail 'no' and I run away. It wasn't until I looked out into the crowd did I really realize I had an audience. I saw people imitating my classic 'No Luke Duke you won't be kissing me' move and I wanted to die all over again. Of course the dying didn't happen and of course Wopat didn't want to kiss me. He was just going in for a friendly arm over the shoulder for a quick photog shot with the professional photographer on sight. While I sort of realized this at the time, I, of course, thought making out would happen after, so I declined to be photographed.

And then it hit me, while women were being hugged and kissed I never saw any of them getting their photograph taken and now I was really upset. Upset because I realized I was the cute little girl that was special enough to be the subject of a Tom Wopat publicity shot and I ruined it! Sadly I let that dream go and later, to feel better, purchased a patch featuring a white Maltese for my mom's fictional trucker hat; my mom really liked Maltese dogs at the time and wanted one, the dog, not the trucker patch.

Foxy and David Gray

As for David Gray, I wasn't really that nervous about meeting the most beautiful English, Wales-raised love song writer of our time; I was more hoping that he would totally make out with me, hug me, and demand for publicity photog shots to be taken so that when it came time for our wedding we would have a photographic evidence of the day we met. According to The Secret, the book I picked up in line and read the gist of in all of 20 minutes, my marriage with David Gray was suppose happened as my thoughts were concentrating hard to make it happen; suffice it to say The Secret is crap. Super hot David Gray barely noticed me, however he did call me FOXY! But this was probably because that is how I asked him to sign my CD.

Gypsy Powder

2009-07-19T18:56:00.001-07:00

It's no secret that throughout my life I have always had a girly nature and love for all things pink, frilly, and sweet, but I'm certainly not all sunshine and roses. Under the girly, fuchsia icing is an assertive woman that has no problem voicing her needs and wants, and, ultimately mixed with this sweetness and assertiveness is a mysterious darkness and appreciation for such things as—nearly every vampire story ever told! —palm readings, cemeteries, and Gypsy Powder. Gypsy Powder you ask?

Gypsy Powder, I suppose, is only really special to me, as it's from my childhood. It’s a memory really, one that has stuck with me forever. You know, one of those fleeting memories that pop-in your head for no real reason, it makes you happy for a second, and then poof it's gone before you really have a chance to remember it and figure out why you just thought of it again. Well, Gypsy Powder is one of those memories. It has, in essence, shaped my thoughts, dreams, and desires. It has a darkness supported by light behind it, something deep and motivating, but intense; something I didn't believe my peers could achieve or realize. I am speaking of the feeling the memory gave me (and still does,) rather than the actual memory. However while that feeling is all good and wonderful, the memory is also pretty nifty, at least to me.

Around the age of ten, during one hot Minnesota summer, I attended Campfire Girls day camp for two weeks. Every morning my mother would wake me at the crack of dawn—loud applause here for my mother's heroic accomplishments—and I would board a bus for an hour long journey to the middle of a Minnesota forest where I would do Campfire Girl things like sing songs, make jam, and learn to socialize outside of my suburban Campfire Girl circle. While I didn't absolutely hate it, it was not my idea of how to spend a summer vacation. For one thing, the hard wooden picnic benches, coupled with the large amounts of bugs, made it quite difficult for one to just sit back, read a good rag mag and enjoy a soy latte on a lazy summer day. Come to think of it, lazy summer days didn't exist at day camp, neither did soy lattes, but that’s not the point. The point is, instead of real fun, we were forced into educational tasks from 7:00am to 7:00pm, all quite exhausting.

Campfire Girls camp also lacked two major components of what I believe make good camp: sleeping over in a tent and proximity to a lake. Basically I was put in this awful setting that had me completely roughing it, but yet, I wasn't given the real chance to fully test my capacity for dealing with bugs and dirt because every night I returned to the luxury of my full size bed and comforting puffalumps. To me, this was cheating. On top of that, I didn't get to fish for my dinner or don that year's trendiest swimsuit, likely a pink shimmer one piece with ribbing and cheap white detailing. I was certainly disappointed in this idea of 'camp.'

Okay, so making friends was a good idea, but when would I really ever see these girls again? I lived in suburban Minnesota, you couldn’t really be friends with anyone beyond five miles of your home. And the thought of eating jam, much less making it with molten wax was horrifically upsetting to me. Day camp needed to be stopped.

So, of course, by the last day of camp I wasn't sad to have it end. I was excited and not for the obvious reasons, but rather the ending activities were starting to really get me jazzed! For one thing we were told to arrive in gypsy costume. For a girl that has donned get-ups every night of her life until the age of, well you don't need to know my current age, a gypsy costume was indeed something I could do and do happily! On top of this, we were told we would all meet with a gypsy fortune teller, and participate in a tribal gypsy dance. Oh yes, this was definitely well worth 13 days of Kumbaya.

The gypsy powder came in when I met with the fortune teller, who happened to also be my camp counselor. Upon realizing this, I immediately convinced myself that my counselor was actually a gypsy that had gone undercover as a camp counselor. Her assignment was to read our young minds and steal our youthful energy, except mine of course. The gypsy and I were equals.

Once I sat down, under the makeshift tent of pink bed sheets and blankets, I peered into the gypsy’s eyes and waited for her words of wisdom. What she actually said to me I cannot remember, it was after her words that I recall vividly. She doused me with gypsy powder. A white, very perfumey powder that was addressed to my forehead and wrists, designed to give me strength, beauty, and inner power to achieve whatever I wanted. It’s the actual smell and feel of the powder that is the heart of my Gypsy Powder memory. The smell was sweet, not overpowering or girly, almost as if it had a hint of Nag Champa incense. I wish I knew what Snyder drugstore she had picked it up from, because I would definitely purchase it for use today. The feeling of the powder was like softly spun silk coupled with the softest feather pillows ever invented. The mix of these two senses, just from a chintzy body powder, completely enlightened my entire being and when I left that gypsy tent I was completely ready for the tribal dance!

I was a 10-year-old little gypsy wearing an old beat up three-tired favorite multicolored skirt, a silly scarf wrapped around my head, and loads of my mom’s old gold costume jewelry. Inside I was the Queen of Sheba ready to conquer the world. I smelled of sweetness and felt as soft as that powder as I danced to the tribal drums. I was a very happy gypsy.

Stella, He-Man, and not much more...

2009-06-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

Well I am officially back online on my terms! Stella arrived yesterday and she is fancy! Now I can Twitter and blog all I want, but more importantly I can get back to seeking more writing gigs!

While computerless, I have been spending my time reading, socializing, working, and walking around town and, as a result of the walking, I had the pleasure and shock of running into He-Man! A New York city celeb, He-Man is this giant alien-like individual with a 14" neck, biceps the size of boulders and thighs that could crush a small mammal in one minute flat. In Chicago I used to read about him on the blog Find He-Man and I longed for the day that I too would find He-Man. That day happily, and surprisingly, came one week ago!

While walking in a light drizzle on 9th Ave, just passing 38th Street I looked up from under my umbrella to see this gynormous slab of flesh headed my way, "what is that?' my first thought was and then it hit me, "OH MY GOD! It's HE-MAN!' I could barely contain my enthusiasm and astonishment! What do I do first!? Do I whip out my camera and snap pics, or my phone to text to the first person I know who'd care about He-Man? The camera came out first, text messaging could wait; I had to get my shot of the He-Man! I tried to get a full-frontal shot, as the shirt he was wearing proved to show all his HUGE chesty muskulls, but alas I was also quite petrified of getting caught. I feared if he saw me snapping photos he would take one giant step over to me (the equivalent of 10 feet) and crush my camera with one hand.

So I opted to stay a safe distance behind and nervously get any shot I could... I managed one good shot of him bumming a smoke off this, what appears to be a very tiny man... the man was of course a normal sized human probably around 5' 8", but next to He-Man, he was wee.

Until I get my Macbook...

2009-05-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

I am living a little at the Apple Store on 5th Ave these days... my computer broke just before I moved, so blogging, twittering, facebooking, emailing, interneting, all that cool-kid stuff is a little slow for me these days... Basically this is my computer station for now:

Not too shabby, eh?! It's a little weird here. People just basically plant themselves on the computers and then others, either wanting to buy, or seeking free Internet time, come by and stare at what you are doing. They try and intimidate of course, but alas I just invite them to read my emails, no biggie!

In other news, today was Day 3 of 4 for training at the AG Cafe on 5th ave. The cafe is SO different than the Bistro in Minnie. I think I am SO going to love this! It's fancier and pinker, the money seems great, and we get to wear hot pink aprons! Yay!! My first official day is Monday and I hope to make some money! Sunday I have a free day and would like to do some errands and laundry and maybe a lazy afternoon in Central Park. Come join me!?

I am currently studying a cool freelance idea as well as studying the man-purse, or rather 'Murse.' Some handsome man has asked me to investigate this 'trend' as he thinks it's quite unfair that women get to freely tote around purses and men either have to go for the backpack, laptop bag, or become the target of some sneering if any other type of bag is carried... I have to say I am a huge fan of the Murse! He is trying to find a cool one and showed me these below. I think he should most definitely find one that resembles the murse on the right.

I should cut this short and will promise to blog more from my cool new "office!" Oh My God, the guy next to me is watching a movie.

The Cloisters & Fort Tryton Park

2009-05-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

Across from the Fox Hole, and on the tippy top of Manhattan, is Fort Tryton Park encompassing The Cloisters, Heather Garden, playgrounds, trails and trails of hiking, a dog park, amazing views of the Hudson River and the Washington Bridge, as well as views of the Fox Hole neighborhood. This park will be my summer playground and gym. The park is situated on a hill that just keeps going up and up, so after just a few jaunts up, the legs get a supreme work out!

Today I spent the afternoon there and got some great shots that I share here with you! Enjoy.

Sunae, Kanzashi, and GiGi

2009-05-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

At this years National Stationery Show, held at Javits in NYC, I saw new artists, old friends, and many beautiful, artist-driven work that made my heart sing!
Here are just a few of my favs!

Red Cap Cards artist Carrie Gifford introduced new artists to its card company, including this fabulous Japanese artist Naoshi! Naoshi paints in shiny color sand, a process called "SUNAE" in Japanese. Her imagery is smart, quirky, and very funny!

Artist Amy Kwong for her stationery company Smitten Kitten showed pretty stationery as well as her line of beautiful handmade couture necklaces she crafts herself. Similar to Origami, the flowers are called Kanzashi and are made from vintage silk scarfs, and are accented with glass and acrylic beads.

As a HUGE fan of Dare Wright and The Lonely Doll, this company certainly tweaked my fancy! Gigglegraph offers up silly cards with the sneaky GiGi doll everywhere!

J's GWN Review of the NSS

2009-05-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

My review of the National Stationery Show for Giftware News Web is up online; check it out yo!
CLICK HERE!

Bunny

2009-05-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was walking along 40th street, coming from the Javits Center, and I saw these cute horses and my heart sank. Are they happy? Do their handlers love them and take good care of them? I sure hope so. But it was quite random to see these big, beautiful beasts in the heart of the city, and not the pretty heart, like Central Park.
I wonder what Laura Ingalls and Bunny think?

New York New York

2009-05-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

A view of the neighborhood

Sweet Score!

2009-04-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

I found these cuties at my fav thrift store in Chicago and I couldn't be happier! Does anyone remember these? What were they for? I remember them from my childhood, having a bunch of them, but I don't really remember how I got them...

I do have one vague memory of these plastic animals: I was playing with my neighborhood friend Jenae on her lawn when we saw our parents drive away together. We knew they were headed to go shopping for prizes for the neighborhood cul-de-sac pig roast (Um hello suburbia!) and I remember Jenae telling me "Don't worry I asked my mom to keep two extra glass animals for us." These were the animals. I'm pretty sure I got an elephant. But I had so many more thereafter! I tried doing some searches on the Internet, but couldn't find anything.

Suffice it to say I just love them.... four little 2" chunks of plastic, they could have easily gone to a landfill, but thankfully were saved and found their way into my home!

Amy Does It Again!

2009-03-01T20:57:00.000-08:00

Amy has added to "Amy and Marshall"!!! It's her latest photography from her and Marshall's recent trip to the west coast! The pics are so beautiful, just like Amy! Here, I share with you a few of my favorites! The last one looks like a giant lizard!

To see the rest visit "Amy and Marshall!"

Oh Damn You Economy

2009-02-04T20:50:00.001-08:00

Okay so the economy BLOWS and many things in my personal life have been affected, i.e. family and numerous friends losing their jobs, no one eating at my restaurants, no one wanting to actually pay for writers...and now the final straw, my beloved Domino Magazine had folded.

The Premiere issue in 2005 with Ruthie Sommers on the cover; this cover had me immediately sending in my subscription card and I was a loyal fan ever since. To read more about Domino's folding, go to this good article in The New York Times: A Girl World Closes, and Fans Mourn.

I credit Domino with SO much; introducing me to the COOLEST, HIPPEST young interior designers; showing me how to have a FABU home that is SO all about my personality, well put-together, and still so affordable; having pages oozing with the color pink, teal, and purple; and being a resource that truly spoke to me about what design could be for me no matter what my bank account was or my style desires! I have never been one to follow rules, and Domino was the first shelter pub to recognize that people's homes can be as individualistic as their personalities.

Domino I will so miss you. R.I.P.

The Fabulous Stains

2009-01-31T01:03:00.000-08:00

Not Boring

2009-01-11T22:11:00.000-08:00

I am loving The Pierces, a set of Alabama singers that will make your heart swoon and feel all syrupy while listening to them... They themselves are a fairytale madness and are as poetic in their words on their MySpace page, as they are in their music. When asked what they wanted in the sound of their music they said, and I quote from their MySpace page, "...they wanted it to sound like a fever induced, gypsy dream that you have after drinking too much red wine while listening to a cabaret singer in a southern speakeasy that is run by witches…"

Check out their song Secret

I also love their song Boring, it has a very James Bond feel mixed with their Speakeasy drunken splendor...

Happy 2009

2009-01-03T22:41:00.000-08:00

R.I.P. Bettie

2008-12-23T22:19:00.001-08:00

In early December pinup icon, gorgeous woman, kind-hearted soul, and a true believer in 'just being your self,' Ms. Bettie Page, died at the age of 85 in Los Angeles. May she rest in peace.

Gucci by Gucci —by David Lynch

2008-12-21T22:05:00.000-08:00

This morning I had breakfast with Andrea at my FAV breakfast spot, Bryant Lake Bowl, mainly because they offer vegan sausage instead of real sausage—I heart that! I was talking to her about her recent adventures in Houston and a Mr. Mystery Man which prompted me to bring up the movie Blue Velvet by David Lynch. Now a good 12 hours later and I am perusing some blogs when I made a discovery on the very cool blog Cat Party that brings my attention back to Mr. Lynch. It's a new Gucci perfume ad by David Lynch. I heart this too.

Take Note!

2008-12-02T22:59:00.000-08:00

My dear friend Amy seems to be beginning a photo journal of her and her boyfriend Marshall’s travels and it’s lovely!

Amy and Marshall are avid travelers and Miss. Amy, AKA Mingo, is also a sweet-ass photog! I have added the Amy and Marshall Travel Journal to my section "Good Stuff On the Web" on the right, but you should check it out immediately and you can see more pics like the one from above from their most recent trip to Guatemala. To check out the rest go to Amy and Marshall.

The only sad thing about their travels is that, while they are away, someone else is taking care of my man Watson.

Oh Loyal Fan...s

2008-11-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hello! I know it's been a while! I promise to write a lengthier post about my recent happenings in little minnie-sota soon! I do get myself involved in the oddest things and my most recent activities are no exception to the rule of "what the hell am I doing now!!??" But alas I am a wee bit busy with this adventure and I am doing some freelancing that I should focus on... I did want to share this though: my aunt Lisa, a very beautiful, funny, witty, and stylish woman, is a great artist, and in memory of my Miss Honey she made me a drawing of Honey.

It's sooo beautiful and looks just like Miss. H.; Lisa is also a cat-lover and was a big fan of Honey's so she completely understands the sadness of this loss... Enjoy the picture, it's very beautiful!!

Walmart Vs. Apache Plaza

2008-10-06T13:09:00.001-07:00

The other day I had a traumatic experience at the Walmart. Walmart is HUGE here and this store scares me so... it’s huge, weirdly lit, and full of the oddest characters and oddest merchandise. And yet, I find myself in it often, deliciously enticed by its oddities. However there is so much more to my feelings about this store, than just the store itself. Let me explain:

When I was little, growing up in New Brighton Minnesota, a St. Paul suburb my parents still live in, there was this great little mall just off of Silver Lake Road in the adjacent neighborhood called St. Anthony. The mall was called Apache Plaza and it was fabulous! It was a small mall, not like those huge crazy ones today, there was nothing cookie cutter about this mall. It was all one level and you could literally walk the perimeter of it in say seven minutes, maybe five? That, of course, is without stopping to shop.

Stores that were housed here included my favorite, Marco Polo Imports, a tiny shop in the middle of the mall that had tons of crazy, weird jewelry and gifts; Jolly's Hobby Shop, my bro's fav place; The Beauty Center where Linda cut my Dad's hair; a tiny JC Penny with the Pixie Studio where my aunt worked and took all of our childhood photos; Two Plus Two; Minnesota Fabrics; Braun’s' Fashions; Woolworth’s; The Little Professor Book Store; the secretive Scarpellie’s Restaurant; and, the oh so seedy Apache Wells where those that took to the ‘Devil's Brew’ often could be found...if I wasn’t seven at the time I most frequented the Plaza, you would have found me at the Wells.

In the basement of the mall was Queen's Court dance studio, where I flubbed up taking ballet and tap and my bro successfully took break dancing; a tanning studio; and a weird Weight Watcher's Center. There was also a bowling alley where my parents played in a league every Wednesday night. While my parents competed on the lanes, my brother and I roamed around playing video games with the other kids, chomped on fries and candy at the refreshment counter, and often bought the oddities of the establishment's weirdest vending machine. This machine dispensed anything and everything from tweezers and a mini sewing kit to packs of Beemans and a single serving of Bazooka Joes, but my most favorite thing we ever bought from this machine was the miniature smoking monkey. This special little monkey came with miniature ‘cigarettes’ and real matches. So, there we were, about eight of us 7 to 10 year-old kids lighting the matches up to the monkey’s tiny cigarette resting in his mouth. Once lit we watched in absolute glory as the monkey puffed and puffed his little cigarette away.

Okay, I'm a little off track in reminiscing about this mall, and from the title of this post, I guess we all know that Apache Plaza will win the showdown of St. Anthony consumer stores hands down, and how could it not!!?? The place had smoking monkeys! And let's not forget the mall’s wonderful events and entertainment features. There was a fountain in the middle for penny wishing; an actual huge toy train that took the kiddies around the whole mall for fun, special dress-up days like Pajama day and, of course, Halloween, and on certain nights—usually a weekend—crazy Midnight Madness sales!

Over time though, like all good things, Apache was coming to a sad end… the mall deteriorated and faced challenges, such as being hit hard by a tornado in the late 80s. Soon the only stores left at the mall included a Hallmark shop and Anderson’s Furniture. However the space persevered and became a hot spot for craft fairs and Flea markets, and if only in small spurts, the mall came back to life again.

In 2004 it was the end of the end as the building was demolished to make way for a new, flashier consumer haven, the ever popular fancy suburban strip mall complete with a Cold Stone Creamery (sugary yuk); Caribou/Starbucks, whichever chain that drove a nearby mom & pop coffee shop out of business; of course Chipolte, some Noodle chain, etc. You get the point. And of course, there was the Walmart headlining the demolition. And that brings me full circle to that traumatic experience that just happened a few days ago at the Walmart.

I am perusing the ginormous aisles looking at the craft goods, frozen foods selections, and eyeing the limited edition of the Sex & The City Movie, all the while listening to the wails of a screaming child. In the back of my head I am thinking about Apache, as that ghostly mall haunts my thoughts every time I come home. The screams seem to be getting louder. As I turn the aisle I see the small child that is making these horrific noises, a little boy, about four-years-old and in absolute agony about something that happened upon him in his early life. Just above him I see his mother, standing where I can only guess is where I purchased my first pair of ‘dangly’ earrings—hot pink, lace entwined hearts—and she bends down, looks at her crying child and says, "shut the fuck up."

I left immediately. No one and I mean NO ONE, from the Apache Easter Bunny to the owner of the mall's local, crazy card shop Expressions, would have ever said the "F" word in Apache Plaza.

Hands down, Apache Plaza so wins the St. Anthony consumer hot spots showdown.

----------------

In remembering Apache Plaza Mall I came across this great site that I completely recommend for others wanting to relive the memories of this wonderful mall, the Apache Plaza Tribute Site; http://apacheplaza.com/apachepage1.html

Interestingly, and way off subject, but surely interesting to any fans of Lost, the logo for Apache Plaza so reminds me of the Dharma Initiative.

Namaste

Strangers

2008-10-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

My sabbatical stop in MinnieSoooootha is so strange. I haven’t lived here in five years and wow already I see such a difference from Chicago—even though both are based in the Midwest.

In Chicago, if someone is angry or annoyed they are not afraid to let you know it, same goes if they are elated or interested in something—strangers don’t have a problem speaking up and just letting their obnoxious thoughts flow... I guess something should be said for the repressed Minnesotans. Thanks all for shutting up because I guess I don’t really want to hear it. Of course this doesn’t keep me from being quiet. I think I scare these Minnesotans. Like the other day in Target I hear a mother and daughter gabbing about something, literally having a loud blasé conversation one foot from my head and I couldn’t help but pipe in; and as soon as I did they both ran far from me with a look of horror. And I'm thinking 'hey you are the ones dishing your crap right in front of me, what did you expect!?'

I have had similar experiences here, such as on the first night of my new job at a local restaurant downtown. I was doing hosting duties and I was all friendly saying such stuff as “Hi! How can I help!? Thanks for coming in! Have a great night!” I know, scary! Okay, not like I’m all cool or that Chicago is cool, but it became very customary there that you develop a relationship with the workers of a restaurant. One just always said goodbye and thank you on your way out to the waitress, manager, etc, even if you were shouting it across the bar; it was just what happened. It was a courtesy. So when I was being all “byeeeee!!!!” to people leaving this place, I got strange reactions. The men looked at me like I was coming on to them and reciprocated my niceties with looks of horror and disgust; the women merely smiled politely, yet secretly as if not wanting to be caught communicating in anyway with a stranger, and then simply squeaked a quick, quiet ‘thanks.’

It was amusing to see these people run from me as if my saying thank you was the worse thing in the world....maybe it’s just me, but I swear I have noticed a clear difference!

Ava Bava!

2008-09-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

Ava Bava's official debut! MEOW! How adorable is she!? Her left eye has a scratched cornea, and yet she is STILL perfect! Honey would be proud.

The telly is gone, so I guess it's official!

2008-09-23T12:28:00.000-07:00

I sold my television yesterday! So it looks like I am definitely moving to NYC! Wow, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of preparation and well, parties! Saying goodbye to friends and goodbye to my things has been intense! Without going into extreme details, I have decided to just show some pictures...

A pre-sale kicked off the selling of my apartment in early September. Here my friend Ashley in her new pink hat exits with her friends, all of which are carrying new goodies from the pre-sale!

For my last day at the magazine, September 19, my immediate supervisor bought me a special pink Barbie cake to wish me "Good Luck" in my adventures!

Here I am celebrating and eating the cake with my former co-workers. Yes, many of you know, this was a very joyous day!

Later, those former co-workers and I further celebrated on the rooftop of Rock Bottom.

And then even later, I held a special goodbye FTC (Finer Things Club) Dinner at my apartment for the members of this exclusive club......here some members were overjoyed in trying on many of the outfits I had ready for my sale the following day. (Above Amy models the hot pink pants and black blazer, Camri is donning the turquoise and black sheath dress, while Jen is wearing the elegant black and leopard trimmed suit!)
Here—reminiscent of the famed Papin sister—Amy and Camri take a moment for the camera in these pretty dresses.

The next day was the Sale Soiree—the most anticipated event of September 2008! Buyers noshed on crackers & cheese, edamame, and hummus; sipped white wine; and bought to their hearts' content!

Tanya picked up a vacuum cleaner and Asian print, among other things; Mandy, a tiara; Barb, an Audrey purse; Abby, Kim, Muffy, Jen, and Sarah each found their own treasures, and Julie scooped up the beautiful pink garden table and vintage turquoise chairs among her many treasures!

And another happy shopper, Mary, left in her favorite find—this classy apron with matching rubber gloves! Oh la la.

Thanks to all who helped me celebrate my leaving by buying my stuff!

My Love

2008-09-09T13:31:00.000-07:00

(From Wikipedia)
The Black truffle or Black Périgord Truffle (Tuber melanosporum) is named after the Périgord region in France and grows exclusively with oak. Specimens can be found in late autumn and winter, reaching 7cm in diameter and weighing up to 100g. ^[9] Production is almost exclusively European, with France accounting for 45%, Spain 35%, Italy 20%, and small amounts from Slovenia and Croatia.

bla bla bla

All I know Black Truffle is that I love you.

Uninspired? Maybe

2008-09-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

Wow, lately I have had nothing.
My blog has been blasé.

Today I bathed a cat. Today I also heard a man ask the cashier at my local mart if he sold ‘single condoms’. And I thought “Man you need more confidence in your 'skillz.'”

My temple hurts, probably because I attacked a bug bite hoping it would behave like a pimple.
Ava had a BIG day today! Ava, that is my new cat. She’s been with me now since August 7, but since day one has undergone some major stress. Let’s see... I had friends over for a bedazzling party and drinks the day after she was adopted; then, two days later, two girlfriends from Minneapolis roared into town. We listened to loud music, drank wine, and danced in front of mirrors. A man broke into my open window while we were away at dinner. Lame ass C.P.D came over to NOT do their job.

The next day I ripped Ava from her somewhat safe abode into my friend’s home with two other cats and five people. Once home she endured workers tearing out windows and replacing them with sturdier news one with bars. She then developed an upper respiratory infection. She began peeing on my bed. I was distraught!

The problem seemed to go away until this past weekend when I discovered a new urine prezzie on my enzymed-to-death mattress. Today I hauled her ass downtown on the train to see the doc. All day she sat in her crate, waiting for an exam. She got prodded and poked and it was discovered the poor boo has had a bladder infection (peeing out of the box is a huge size of that). She then peed in her crate while waiting for me to pick her up at 5.

We walked to the train, in the rain, waited for 30 minutes for a train that wasn’t completely packed. When she finally got home for safety, before she knew it she was being scooped up for a bath.

Poor kitty.

Now I am enjoying a much needed glass of wine and she’s enjoying a much needed bath of her own version. I am SO happy though. The bad peeing was likely a sign of her feeling sick, so she will be okay and not kicked out to the curb.

Aside from kitty world, I am still in the midst of my major change. No, I'm not turning into a man. At the end of the month I am leaving the city to do what I need to do to leave for New York in January. I am slightly freaking out every five minutes. Leaving my cute little apartment will be sad and selling my ‘Jolenie’ things is upsetting. I know they are just things, but still, it’s sad to me.

My friend E called, after getting an umpteenth email about how I feel sad leaving the apartment and all my ‘things.’ She has been very understanding, but today she said, “it’s funny, while I know it’s important to you, I just don’t understand; it’s only stuff.”

I get that. I guess why it’s been important is because decorating is sort of a fun hobby of mine; I get REALLY into it. While I have lots of ‘things,’ everything is organized—everything is meticulously placed. From the miniature rubber kitties on my TV to the tchotkie pigs in my kitchen… but it is only stuff; it doesn’t move me forward and, as E pointed out, the stuff will never love me as I love the stuff.

Poor Ava. I tried to blow dry her ass. That did NOT go over well. Yes, as I type, I am watching her trying to get comfy with wet fur. She’s a vision nonetheless.

So, from a sick cat to freaking out about freaking stuff, I got nothing. Pretty boring in J’s World…I guess I could talk about politics, but what fun would that be? Um, Palin is pretty, but like pretty models, maybe shouldn't speak? Obama is so young and handsome...his wife is utterly annoying! I wonder if McCain stopped at Cosettas for some killer Mostacollie?

Yeah I got nothing in the world of politics either... is it too late in the game to talk about my boyfriend Phelpsie?

For Foxy

2008-08-21T22:00:00.001-07:00

Fortunes

2008-08-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

Tonight I decided to grab take-out from a Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood that I had never been to before. Rarely am I head-over-heels happy with take-out food from any Asian restaurant—I guess mainly because I have had a lot of bad Asian cuisine—but since I had never been to this place, I had to give it a try. Well, let me tell you, I was pleasantly delighted!

I devoured crab rangoon and a main dish of black and straw mushrooms with tofu in a brown sauce. Yum! Yum! There was a ton of it and now I even have dinner for tomorrow as well! However, the delish food aside, what sold me on the place was the final treat, that is the fortune cookie

Finally I got cookies filled with actual fortunes, rather than silly mini advertisements or funky phrases. And what is most important, obviously, is that these fortunes spoke to me, confirming my own solid intuition of knowing what I need to do.

Okay, let me explain... LOTS has been going on in J's World. Too much! Too much—too handle! Sadly the events as of late, or rather the events of the whole summer of 2008, have not been the most positive. These events have urged me to make a major, quite terrifying, but seriously exhilarating decision—more on the specifics of that decision later. But, of course, while planning for this new chapter in my life I can't help but stop and think, "Am I totally crazy?"

So when I opened my two fortunes—yes I got two!—I felt plain wonderful. The first fortune was sort of a phrase, rather than a true fortune, but noneless it set the tone.
It said:

The principle business of life is to enjoy it.

The second was my fortune that spoke to me, calming the apprehension within:

Ideas you may believe as absurd ultimately lead to success!

Aaaaah! Big breath, big smile!

Until later,
晚安&做个美梦

Thank You Bill Murray

2008-08-18T07:41:00.001-07:00

On Friday Bill Murray parachuted from a plane to kick off the 2008 Chicago Air & Water show.

Thank God Bill Murray brings smiles to my heart during stressful, exhausting times.

I am certain...

2008-08-13T18:04:00.000-07:00

"I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart's affection and the truth of imagination."

-- John Keats

Technical Difficulties

2008-08-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

J's World is experiencing some serious technical difficulties; We'll be back once we get our heads together.

I Heart Frida

2008-07-23T10:02:00.001-07:00

Last week, my friend and coworker Brett and I started taking some goofy snapshots at work—I guess you could say we needed a "morale booster"—and some were, of course, posted on Facebook. Well, my gorgeous girl Andrea commented that my pic seemed very "Frida Kahlo", a comment I was all too happy to hear. One of the pics can be seen at the right; I'm thinking the office background is not so Frida, but the colors is what probably sparked such a comment.

I love Frida...it may seem easy, or a cliche, but Frida is nothing but an inspiration, a truly raw woman that lived with conviction and passion. She was in constant physical pain, but that didn't stop her from living and creating. And, like the Latin cultures, Frida's paintings and life were surrounded by gobs of sumptuous, saturated color—yum! A lush world that I long to live in, complete with pinks, reds, blues, flowers, vivid gardens, monkeys, ruby stained lips, luxe black braids, and those killer brows!

Last December, at the Minneapolis Walker Art Center, I got to see the world premiere of the Frida Exhibit in celebration of the 100th anniversary of her birth. The exhibit featured 50 paintings from the beginning of Kahlo’s career in 1926 to the year of her death in 1954. Kahlo's eery, and at times heartbreaking, self-portraits were the focal paintings of the exhibit and these pieces made me feel as if I was peering into her soul.

The exhibit is now at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, if you have a chance, definitely go check it out!

Juicy

2008-07-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

Princess says I need to get over my animal/bird obsession for a while. My creative juices have certainly not been flowing lately... but I suspect that is changing...aaah but not tonight, I am much too sleepy to be creative tonight.

Who!?

2008-07-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

#**#**#*!#!!#*!!! #**#**#*!#!!#*!!! #**#**#*!#!!#*!!!

As you know I have been nurturing a pigeon family on my porch, two babes were born over the fourth of July week; the babies having been growing bigger each day, except today I came home and as usual, the first thing I do is check on them and guess what? The babies AND their planter/nest are GONE. GONE!!!! Not just the babies, again, the planter/nest are gone as well. According to research, pigeons are raised by their parents for 4 to 6 weeks before they can fly. Those babies were only 2 weeks old!

After some investigating I found the planter/nest in the dumpster, but no babies. WHO WHO WHO would do that!?

I have no clues as to what and why this happened.. they were tucked away in a far corner, the only person that would know they were there is someone who would walk all the way over there... I can only imagine the apartment managers somehow found them and got rid of them or maybe the downstairs neighbor who was bothered by the pigeons? Who knows. The baby pigeons were not strong enough to fly on their own. Again, they were only 2 weeks old! Who could have decided they were worth nothing? I don't *#**#*!#!!#* care for one *#**#*!#!!#* minute if people just think they are flying rats, they were living, breathing animals! Who the *#**#*!#!!#* do we think we are to dictate what species can live on this Earth and what can't?

I am heartbroken. I can only imagine they had a terrible, scary death. And now their parents are coming back to the area and the nest is gone and so are their babes. What must they be thinking?

Here's the little guys at one week old... who could just think these little cuties are disposable?

Starlings Update

2008-07-16T14:05:00.001-07:00

In a recent email from Annette from the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors:

"I’m so glad we were able to help those little guys. Both starling babies were doing well and eating eagerly. They’ve gone to Fox Valley Wildlife Center to be raised until they are ready to go back into the wild. It was a busy day for our Chicago Bird Collision Monitors’ hotline – in addition to your two starlings we were able to rescue a wren that injured its beak when it hit a window, a robin that fell from its nest, a goose hit by a car and a cowbird with a broken wing."

Thank you Annette!!! Thanks to people like her the birds of the Loop are that much safer!

More Birds!?

2008-07-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Why do these things always seem to happen to me?

As you know, my faithful blog readers, I have been the 'mother hen' to a family of pigeons for the past month and half. In early June, Mama and Papa Pigeon, Penny & Desmond, scouted out an empty planter on my back porch, and made it their home. Within a few days Penny laid an egg, three days later, she laid another egg.

For about 18 days, Pen & Des took turns sitting on those eggs morning and night, keeping them warm and safe. While I was away on vacation those two eggs hatched and out came Little Kevin and Baby Whitney, two of the cutest little baby pigeons I have ever seen!

After losing Honey, watching this little family grow has been good for me. Without Honey, one of the hardest parts of the day is turning the key in my front door lock, opening the door, and being greeted by a memory. The pigeon family has given me something to look forward to. Silly? Maybe—especially since many of you consider these creatures to only be flying rats, but they are quite fascinating and comforting to me.

Last Sunday, I began to worry the babies had been abandoned. I realized the mother hadn’t been around for a couple days, or at least I hadn’t seen her for a couple days. From my understanding, of the little research I did on pigeon rearing, the mother and father take care of the babies for at least 4-6 weeks. It had only been about one week. While I love this little family, I know I am not up for the task of taking care of two baby pigeons.

So, after taking a good look at them that night, and Monday morning, I figured the parents must be coming when I’m not looking because of two positive signs: one, the babies are growing fast; and two, they showed fight in them if I came too close.

Wait, I am getting off track, because this post really isn’t about Penny, Desmond, Kevin, or Whitney, but rather it’s about how such animals, helpless, sweet animals, especially birds, seem to land at my feet, requesting my help. Let me explain.

I leave for work this morning, out the back door—part of my ritual in checking on the family—and I see the mama is back, but this is not what I notice first. Nope. What I see first is a teeny, tiny baby bird squawking on the porch, inches from the family pigeon planter. What I see next is another teeny, tiny bird lying helpless in a nearby flowerpot. I immediately think “What the hell!?” Then, out of knowing that it seems to be my duty in dealing with these situations, I put down my purse, kick off my heels, and call work. “Yes I’ll be running late today.”

These damn birds are going to get me fired, I think. The one little guy is squawking its heart out, while the other one, in the planter, looks as though he’s at death’s door. And, I notice black crows high above licking their chops. I cannot bear this.

I go inside, get on the computer and type the words ‘bird help Chicago’ into Google and up comes the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (773/988-1867). I call them and speak with Annette who turns out to be a life safer—literally—a bird life saver.

Annette and I talk about the situation. I tell her it appears as if they were just dumped on the porch. Annette asks about a nest and says if I can get them back in their nest, their mother will accept them and take care of them.

I start looking for a nest and see, in the rafters area, directly above my third story porch, is a small nook that is housing the nest; it’s impossible for me to get them back there. Annette says she can come and pick up these little guys so long as I can get them in a box and put them in a safe, warm area, preferably inside. I agree to the task.

I scoop up the babies and put them in a shoebox—one that normally houses a fantastic pair of red patent leather pumps. The little one from the porch is seriously squawking, while the one in the flowerpot doesn’t have much fight left. I am worried, but know help is on the way.

Once inside I run a hot shower to steam up the bathroom, and when sufficiently hot, I turn off the water and bring the birds in the room. They are not snuggling to each other so I give them each a tuft of toilet paper for comfort, tell them they will pull through this—words of encouragement can help!—and I shut the door. Twenty minutes later Annette arrives; I retrieve the babes and am happy to see the weaker of the two seems a tad bit stronger as he's making noise, and they are even snuggling a bit!

I bring them to Annette who tells me that are baby Starlings and certainly would have died had they just been left on the porch. She says what often happens is that there just isn’t enough room for all the babies in one nest so, sometimes, one or two will get accidentally knocked out of the nest. I’m not sure if these little guys will survive, but at least I know that they will not have a horrible death.

Now, going home tonight, I fear what I will find on my porch this evening? An injured crow? A giant owl, or maybe a Bald Eagle!!??

All I know, as sappy as this sounds, the only animals I want to find on my porch is Miss. Honey and sweet Xena.

It's a bird and a bird!

2008-07-10T16:29:00.001-07:00

While I was away in Minnesota this past week Penny and Desmond's babies hatched! Now presenting little Kevin and baby Whitney.

Family

2008-06-28T13:47:00.001-07:00

It's weird... I was a family with these special felines...and now I am alone. I miss my girls SO MUCH. My heart still aches. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Xena and I did with Honey and all I can think is did I say goodbye good enough? Did I hold her tight and tell her thank you and I love you? I'm sure I did, but that day was like a sad dream that I can not completely remember, and I can't help but think I didn't say goodbye good enough.

Loss & Life

2008-06-16T21:05:00.000-07:00

It’s been 10 days since Honey has left this Earth to go to kitty heaven, a place, I am told by friends, is chock full of catnip and free of physical pain. I know she is no longer in pain, and I am truly happy about that, but my heart still aches for her. Often I look for her here at home—out of habit—and then I remember, she is gone. This happens a lot.

I have been going through many emotions; sadness, guilt, loneliness, confusion, and happiness. Yes I said happiness. Happiness because, like I said before, she is no longer in pain, (I had been worried about her suffering since her heart disease diagnosis in February), and happiness also because of my good memories of her and the loving support I have received from family and friends.

I have received numerous emails and cards of condolences. Today I received a beautiful card and the image of the kitty on the front looks exactly like Honey. One of my first thoughts, after looking at this card, was that I needed to display it in a safe spot so it doesn’t get shredded. But then I remembered: Honey and her habit of shredding paper are gone forever.

The worst part of everything, well okay not the worst part—the worst is her just not being here—but the ‘other’ worst part is the analyzing. I have analyzed the days before June 7. I wonder, on one of those days ‘did I forget her pill?’ For the record I was good at pilling her every morning, it became synonymous with brushing my teeth, but there are moments here when I have convinced myself that I screwed up. It’s horrible. I wonder if I had rushed her in the minute I thought she was just acting a little lazy from the heat, would she still be here?

But alas, she had heart disease, the end would have been the same no matter what, it was just a matter of time. My Honey had a good life; I know that through and through. I can feel her spirit hanging with me, assuring me she is happy and felt very loved, but she really misses me too.

Where there is death, there is life.....

On a much cheerier and quite interesting note, on June 14, exactly one week from the day Honey passed, I discovered a bit of life on my back porch. Near my 'tropical garden', on the floor of the deck, is an empty planter that has been turned into a nest for a newly expectant pigeon couple.

After a little research I discovered pigeons mate for life and both help in rearing the egg incubation period.

The male will tend to the egg early morning til mid afternoon and the mother will be there from late afternoon throughout the evening. I have named this pigeon couple Penny and Desmond.

Today I discovered something even more exciting than Saturday’s news. There’s a second egg! I will be documenting this of course, for all to see!

Rest in Peace

2008-06-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, June 7, my sweet Honey passed away; she was 13 years old. My heart is forever broken. She was my best friend and I miss her deeply. The doctor tried to do everything possible to save her life, but her little heart and lungs were just not cooperating.

I can only hope she was as happy with me as I was with her. I do know she was the perfect cat, so sweet, so snugly, so adoring. She never behaved badly and always remained cute. I always told her that when God made her he only chose love and chocolate to make her, and inside of her was nothing but paper hearts of pink and red... yes I was obsessed with her and I am not one bit ashamed to admit. Like I said, she was my best friend, never ever did she ever give me grief, never ever did she treat me badly. She treated me like a queen always—how could I not put a being like that on a pedestal?

Following is a collection of the most recent photos of Honey taken just this past month.

This was Honey's favorite rug; a piece of 'swag' from work. The minute I brought it home she declared it her own.

This is one of my fav positions of Honey; she was always super chill and relaxed. I loved that I could be so incredibly loud, singing, and dancing around and she was, from day one, always chillin like a villain with complete trust.

She was also so sweet to placate to my foolishness.

I bought this hat just a couple weeks ago. I was so excited and I plopped it on her head; she obliged for a couple snapshots, but she was obviously not amused.

Here is Honey in one of her favorite snuggle spots, right next to my computer in the kitty nook. Typing and Internet surfing is not the same without my writing partner.

Again, my fav chill position, this time with her favorite toy: a pillow full of catnip. Hmmm maybe that is why she was always so chill?

My friend Jen is not a cat person, but even Jen was seduced by Honey. Yes Jen is the one petting Miss H.

Honey was always the life of the party and had to be in the middle of all the action. Sadly this is the last photo ever taken of Honey on May 27. I wish I had known what was going to happen. I wouldn't have left her side for one minute.

And finally, the last photo of Honey and I together taken May 24.

Rest in Peace sweet girl. Thank you for everything. xoxox

P.S. I am still waiting for her to come out from the closet from her nap, I mean she HAS to, right?

Tchotchkeeper

2008-05-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

On page 47 of this week's issue of Time Out Chicago, there's a small story about me and my design sense...Check it out!

DANGER

2008-05-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Aaaaaw Jen is so cute, but she's DANGEROUS!

Notice: Keep Out! OOOOOh she's such a pretty princess.

Circus Elephant

2008-05-13T09:32:00.001-07:00

I adore this little guy...don't you!?
What's his story? Why is he so cute? Want the scoop? Then certainly check out Abode! Maybe you can help solve a mystery while reveling in the past...

Another Baby

2008-05-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

The past weekend proved exhausting... Friday, my long-lost friend Stephanie and I saw Devotchka, which was musically wonderful, but still did not get this gnawing ‘90s song knocked out of my head. Afterwards Stephanie and I caught up at Matilda's Bar. Stephanie was one of my first friends here in Chicago. I met her at the Duke of Perth and at first we really didn’t like one another, but after having to endure two working nights side by side for a few weeks, we soon realized how cool we both were and began a good friendship. In fact, if it weren’t for Stephanie, I wouldn’t have had such a fun foray into my 30s—see Stephanie insisted we go out to celebrate my 30th in style. This same year Stephanie moved to Seattle where she stayed for three years, we kept in touch. Now she is back here in Chicago and I am happy to have her back!

Later that night, I hopped into Mario’s rock-n-roll cab...

You think there’d be some rockin’ music coming from this cab, right? No, unfortunately the décor is bumpin, but the tunes not so much. I told Mario it’s time to invest in a good stereo system so he can start rockin’ the Aerosmith. He does have a giant poster of the band on the ceiling over the back seat.

Double the giant poster, with the mini Aerosmith posters throughout the cab, throw in a couple Liv Tyler stories and, well pretty soon I want to see a dude that looks like a lady. Mario does seem to have a crush on Miss. Liv as he did recount the few times he drove her around Chicago. But when you press him for any dirty little details, he starts to get excited, and then immediately retreats, “oh no, it's not nice to say such things; I really like her." Aaaaw! Okay Mario, the music may not be rockin’, but I’ll give you points for being a sweetheart.

Unfortunately though, Randy Gerber didn’t see this side of Mario. One evening Mario picked Gerber up downtown, and while in the cab, Gerber noticed Mario’s poster of a wet and bikini-clad Cindy Crawford; he asked Mario “why do you have a picture of my wife up in here?” Not really thinking Gerber was married to Crawford, Mario started playfully arguing, "yeah right, she is beautiful." After further prodding, and not so playfully, Gerber asked again, "Why do you have my wife in here?" Mario then realized that this was Crawford's husband and just replied “Hey look man that’s a model, not a whore.”

If you want to hear more about Mario’s stories and get your own ride in the rock-n-roll cab, call Mario at 312/714-9608. His cab number is 1207. Oh and bonus, Mario not only happily accepts credit cards, he even suggests you use them! Now if only we could get little Janie and her gun in this cab, then I'd be real happy.

As for that song so delicately lodged in my head, well I made my peace with that little ditty...

Meow Kitties

2008-05-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

Work has been real busy and just so rewarding...ha! Um yeah...back to reality... So I have been on deadline and I am preparing for my next work trip.

In a week I go to NYC for the National Stationery Show; this is my favorite show of the industry! Beautiful paper, adorable greeting cards, stickers, and, of course, the artists that created these pretty pieces are always easily accessible and more than thrilled to gab about their work. Like Masha Dyans (right).

I love Dyans' artwork, it's whimsical, pretty, and so intricately beautiful! Aside from her work adorned on greetings, she has also done T-shirts for both Target and Urban Outfitters, funky, fun, and colorful T's indeed.

Another company I love is Red Cap Greetings, designs and artwork by Carrie Gifford. Gifford's illustrations are adorably enchanting and some are just a wee bit dark. I love, love! The cards are all letterpress and include touches of color on thick paper stock.
Shown here is Two Scoops which, for some weird reason, completely reminds me of my parents. It's two silly, semi-dorky, but sweet people completely in love with each other enjoying a favorite pastime, eating ice-cream together.

Lucky for me I have made some good friends in the industry and do look forward to seeing them all again as well catching up with new acquaintances from last year, and meeting others for the first time.

Events of the show include judging for the Best New Products Awards, the opening night party at the Rainbow Room, and the reception and ceremony for the Louie Awards. Um, The Louies Awards you ask?

The Louies are the Oscars of the greeting card industry.... yes they have awards for greeting cards and people go nuts for the Louies! It's pretty funny. Each year before the event and ceremony I receive the big box of nominated cards here at the office—this is a good day. All the cards are considered the best of the best, and once the Louies are over and I have covered the event, guess who gets to enjoy sending out some cute cards every now and then!?

I'm really excited this year as I often try to seek out different cards to feature in my section for the magazine. I often find out about different cards and artists through a Google Alerts listing that sends me all the stories relating to cards. This one company I found has the cutest little creations! The company is called LeClair Handcrafted and the artist is Corinda LeClair.

I contacted LeClair to get a card in the magazine, and after talking for a while I mentioned the Louies to her. LeClair decided to enter for the first time, and guess what? She is a finalist!! It feels good to have just a wee bit of a part in helping her get more exposure... Of course it also confirms that my taste rocks! Ha! Okay, but I do highly recommend you checking out her creations! LeClair takes vintage images, reproduces them and adds embellishments, such as ribbon and glitter, and places them on pretty card stock with matching envelopes. So cute!

Like at last year's show, and the NYC Gift Fairs, I again get to try another (new to me) New York City hotel. Last year's hotel was a real trip! I stayed at The Gershwin, next to the Sex Museum! The inside was bizarre, slightly run down, and had a very starving artist feel to it.

The moment I got in my room I thought "nope, I can not stay here." I mean just that previous month I was at the Waldorf for goodness sakes! But as much as I adored the fluffy bed and plush carpet, the overall stuffiness of the hotel bored me, that is why I sought out something a little more exciting... and exciting is what I got. Warning if the hotel is very reasonably priced and uses the word boutique in its description, than indeed be wary!

I was convinced the bed at bed bugs. Lucky for me, the show producers of the Stationery Show also work the hotel and hospitality shows and in speaking with the media supervisor she told me about all the fun things she had learned about bed bugs. So once I checked my mattress and all was clear, I felt a lot better. Thankfully the place grew on me, by the time I left I felt like it was my own little seedy apartment in NYC. Just look at my room below, it even had hardwood floors!

Mean hardwoods floors at that—as when I was in a rush flying about the room getting ready and missed my pierced ear when trying to hook an uber cute red shell earring from Ms. Mingo, I missed and that floor certainly snapped my earring in pieces. It was very sad.

Ahhh well these tales aren't so exciting...maybe to me...I guess the point of my post today is this: I am busy, but I'm missing J's World and my five faithful readers... I will write more and am excited for the next couple weeks. I will come back bearing pictures of my new hotel experience at The Dream Hotel in midtown.....please may it not smell like the W that I stayed at last Feb... not sure what the attraction is to W Hotels, do you know they spritz all the rooms with this god-awful annoying perfume? Headache city!

Please do remember to check out my other blog Abode for the latest in what happening in J's Home World and more of what designs, artists, and random little objects inspire me!

xoxo
Gossip Girl

Happy Smurf Day

2008-04-27T12:23:00.001-07:00

My Current Obsession

2008-04-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

The CTA should love me. Because today, tomorrow, and however long it takes to finish reading 100 pages of a book, I long for my rides on the el. This is the time I get to step into the once real-life world of Dare Wright, and her eccentric, overbearing mother Edie. The world is glamorous, intriguing, and of course, because both Dare and her mother were artists, attractively tragic, but of course, oh so sad.

Yes I am oozing with an obsession, and it's all about a book. The book is The Secret Life of The Lonely Doll by Jean Nathan. My obsession has obviously something to do with Nathan's strong prose, but more to the point really, this book is about a cherished part of my past: an old favorite childhood book. Simply titled The Lonely Doll, written by artist, model, photographer, and lost soul Dare Wright, The Secret Life of The Lonely Doll is the search for Ms. Wright.

Think back women of the 80's; you too may have read The Lonely Doll. I hadn't thought about it in years until Nathan's book came out a few years back and I saw the image of Edith, AKA The Lonely Doll and a flood of memories came to my existence.

The book is told through a series of black and white photographs, taken by Wright, about Edith the doll, who was quite lonely until she met up with Mr. Bear and Little Bear and began her crazy adventures. The copy I had as a child was read over and over, I was completely enthralled, but I remember always feeling perplexed by it, wondering what drew me to this book—I never knew. There was something very dark, mysterious, and alluring about the book. In fact, it was considered 'dark' by others as well as there are stories of the book being taken off library and book sellers' shelves in the '70s and '80s, because some thought of it as a book not meant for children.

Looking back now I realize it was truly a piece of art, created basically by a woman that just plain never grew up and had her own demons to battle with.

This book, and the follow-up books thereafter, were Dare's legacy, and in short, her story. Dare's past was certainly tragic, but really so interesting. Her relationship with her attention-seeking, and uber glamazon, painter mother, and her relationship with a long lost brother, that was abandoned by her mother when he was only 5-years-old, is tantalizing. For example, for fun, throughout Dare's entire life, her mother and her would play dress up—a lot. They would create backdrops, special costumes, and fantasy worlds—not just when Dare was a child, but even when Dare was 40-years-old!

Even if you didn't read The Lonely Doll as a child, I highly recommend picking up Nathan's book on Ms. Wright as it's a deliciously captivating read! It reminds me a bit of Little Edie and Big Edie, another mother and daughter duo I am as equally enthralled by—check out my post on those two here.

In thinking of mother/daughter duos, I have to wonder, is Mama Turner and I as crazy as these ladies?

Does downing cartons of chocolate marshmallow eggs count?

How about shopping at Herberger's and Savers for wonderfully cheap fashionable duds? Yes I think so! Well mainly because we are usually just shopping for me—a little unfair to Mama, but I do love it!

Thankfully we are much more level-headed than these other crazy mothers and daughters, not to mention much, much cuter! I have to say though, just thinking about mothers and daughters, it's pretty wild how very different my mother and I are! I am loud and boisterous, I guess you could say a little attention-seeking? My mother, on the other hand, is quite reserved, a complete lady! I think I endearingly embarrass her often! I kind of thrive on it. Oh she is so cute when she gets embarrassed!

But....but, back to this lonely little doll.... I have to say, upon reading The Secret Life of The Lonely Doll, I am starting to get some some tribute book ideas in my head about my own little doll...
Little Jolene! Creepy? Yeah, just a little.

What a Country

2008-04-10T14:31:00.001-07:00

Today I learned about the great word Jocularity (as a 'writer' that is an embarrassing thing to admit).

Today I learned that Sand dollars found on the beach are already dead, and that starfish are not. And, although starfish don't have nervous systems like ours, they are aware of things like darkness, light, hot and cold, water and not water. So that said, today I also learned that my brother, at the age of 9, psychotically and viciously murdered many poor helpless starfish.

Today I learned that the Precious Moments Wedding Island closed. I am forever sad. Where oh where will I have my wedding now? Must make new plan.

Today I learned that seersucker is coming back into style and Ashley will be wearing her Seersucker suit to work tomorrow. Yay!

And now I leave you with this:
It's Yakov Smirnoff in a Cosby sweater! What a country!

Crazy-busy-crazy-tired

2008-04-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Work has been real busy...lots of deadlines...it seems when I have deadlines I'm vegged out in front of the telly watching such things as The Way We Were and Dancing With the Farts, reading Domino, or my new favorite book Peresoplis by Marjane Satrapi. I highly recommend this gem of a book, then you may see the movie. It's a super fast read! Aside from that I am avoiding bill collectors, artfully living on pennies, and oozing adoration onto a large fat furry being.

But I do wish I had something prolific to tell you, or at least the time to really get into the things I want to say.....for example I have been a vegetarian now for well over a month and I'm really getting into it. Some people have wondered why I'm doing this. And it's really beyond the cruelty, well that is a major point, but there are other things to it as well.

I'm educating myself more about food and the choices we make. I would love to sit here and get into full details about this, but alas time, my friend, time.. basically meat is gross to me. I'm talking about the issues of the nasty hormone injections, the horrible living conditions and treatment of the animals, i.e. animals treated like products, forced to live in feces, being hung upside down, alive while blood drains from their bodies...also gross, is the fact that the people that are suppose to be policing the industry are the same people making the money off of the industry, so more nastiness happens, ie. things like bacterial growth, e coli, salmonella, etc. are conveniently ignored.

Even people's proclamation of their beloved chicken and turkey is nasty! Yeah yeah you are all pretty annoyed with me now, but I find it all so simple, basically do you want to put something healthy and normal in your body, or do you want to be put a rotting carcass in your body?

I would also love to then talk about the nastiness of milk ... yeah I can hear you already and what I have to say to that is "calcium my ass" The dairy industry has taken you for a ride if you actually think milk is a good source of calcium. You want a good source of calcium? Try chewing on a stalk of broccoli. Maybe you just like the taste? Baby cows like it too, which is a good thing since they are the only beings who should be drinking that stuff anyway... But alas I should shut my mouth until I have eliminated dairy from my diet entirely. I am really on my way, but dammit there is this creamy Caesar dressing that has me at my throat it's so damn good!

Okay my rant, for now, is over... aside from food, I could go on about my plight for the perfectly designed apartment, well perfect for me, but that is a headache I am not wanting right now either. It seems no matter what I do, I just can't get things perfect. To learn more about this adventure, along with my love of design, kooky home decor, painting skills, fav designers and more, please do check out my design blog Abode, yeah that gets as updated as J's World.

More later Gators; I promise!
Now go chew on an apple and some legumes.

Chillin like a villain

2008-04-03T16:50:00.001-07:00

Actually I'm real busy... more soon from J's World!

OH! My! God! OMG!

2008-04-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

Okay I probably shouldn't be writing this, because well in a way it's counting my hens before they are hatched, and also I look like a total dork right now, because my excitement has to do with a guy.......BUT..I'm just too excited! This Friday I have a date with Ross Gellar, I mean of course David Schwimmer! Okay you know a few weeks ago when I blogged about my seeing him at the theatre, well it turns out that that moment of eye-locking, hearts thumping, dreams dreaming, and future Ross babies being fantasized about, well... it wasn't just me getting all giddy.. I mean I was kidding around in that post, but it turns out he really did notice me!
That night he felt something too and sought me out! Okay thank God he doesn't know I have a blog, or I'd totally seem like a loser right now!!! OH MY GOD Ross. ugh this is going to be hard, you know David doesn't like when people call him Ross. But DAMN I can't help but think....I'm going out with Ross! Rachel's Ross! Ross the paleontologist! DOCTOR Ross Gellar!!!!!

A DOCTOR! So I don't have a ton of time, but basically he saw me talking to one of the theatre peeps and he investigated, well that is what he told me when I saw him TODAY at Borders.. I went to the Borders on State and he happened to be there and came up to me and told the story.. anyway, EEEK! We have our first date on Friday. OH MY GOD I REALLY think this is it! Like this is the first date to the rest of my life!!!! Can you imagine my wedding!!!??? Loads of celebs...and no more bills anymore..I'm sure he'll pay off my debt... oh maybe any family debt too... and the babies.. oh we will have so many babies... okay more later.. must work now for a bit, at least until I can quit to be a full-time wife.

Absurd

2008-03-31T20:17:00.000-07:00

I just saw a report that due to the economy and this 'recession' many people are abandoning their pets because they don't have the money to take care of them!

I ask you, how how how how how how how how how HOW could someone so easily give up their pet? That makes me so sad! Please, if you have ever thought of adopting, now is the time, and what better way to fight this recession! And if you can't adopt, consider volunteering! These furry love bugs need us!

Miss Honey I will never abandon you... no matter how hungry I get, no matter how unfashionable, you and I will stick together forever.

Happy Peepster!

2008-03-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

For Easter this year, the Chicago Tribune held a peep diorama contest; basically you create a story or scene, but the main characters must be peeps!

The originators of the contest were editors over at the St. Paul Pioneer Press in my home state of Minnesota! Loving the idea, the next year the Washington Post hosted a contest, and that is when I first saw the wondrous pics and uber cool ideas: think Reservoir Dogs 'peep style.' So when I saw that the Chicago Tribune was hosting a contest it was beyond my power but to create my own peep diorama. After some drama with some hardworking, creative peepsters, aka my super smart co-workers, and some mulling over of what to create, I had a vision and thus Dita Von Peep was born—an homage to the beautiful burlesque performer Dita Von Teese. Seeing the fun I was having, Frank got in on the fun and made his own Peep Diorama.

Dita Von Peep in her Peep Show Burlesque Revue; By J

One evening I had a vision that a peep was longing to live out its true destiny and be the ultimate ‘Peep’—thus Dita Von Peep was born. An homage to burlesque star Dita Von Teese, Dita Von Peep dons a tasteful peep outfit adorned with diamonds and enough lace to cover her bodacious bosom. The most difficult part of this peep diorama was the actual photography, I made the mistake of choosing a glitzy, glamorous backdrop, that crazily bounced light when snapping a pic, but, in person, the diorama is very cute with Dita the star. Men and women peeps look on as they sip martinis and smoke pipes.

American Peep Stars; By Frank

"I knew I wanted my peeps as rock stars and began to play with different costumes and ideas…eventually I came up with these punk looking rock peep stars. With the popularity of American Idol, it seemed appropriate to make my peeps an American Idol stylized band with a slew of fans. While it was difficult to get them to cooperate and keep them from drinking during the photo shoot, finally I caught the American Peep Stars at the height of their popularity singing, of course, American Peepwoman."

In the end, it turned out that Frank's peeps saw the fun was happening at Dita Von Peeps' cabaret... as you can see things starting getting a little out of hand... While the diorama above wasn't submitted, it was quite funny to see the different peeps interact with one another, sip martinis, share tobacco pipes, and have some good laughs.

Today I love

2008-03-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

TOKIDOKI!

Tokidoki is the cutest collection of art work, fashion accessories, and toys all based on a quirky style of anime by Italian, yup, Italian, artist Simone Legno. Tokidoki, as Legno explains on his website means "sometimes" in Japanese. He chose this word because he loves Japan and what the word can convey.

He believes everyone waits for moments that change one’s destiny. As he says, "By simple chance, or meeting a new person, tokidoki is the hope, the hidden energy that everyone has inside them that gives us the strength to face a new day and dream something positive, that something magical will happen within us."

Oooh that’s so cute!

And you know what else is cute? Tokidoki Cactus pups! Love! love! love!
I also covet the uber cute new Tokidoki fashion bags made in collaboration with Sanrio's Hello Kitty. They aren't available in the states; these bags are selling for up to $200 on Ebay. Aye Yi Ya!

To keep up on Tokidoki, be certain read the Tokidoki blog!

Dear Ross

2008-03-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

You peered deep into my soul; you brushed my shoulder; yeah you were with that pretty brunette in the leopard print outfit, but I know, you wanted to be with the girl in the pink tutu—that was me!

Yeah so my friend said you were really thinking CALL SECURITY, but I know you were thinking...."hmmm who is this raven haired beauty?"

Sorry I didn't telepathically send you my digits, but you live here, right? Breath easy, You'll see me again.

Oh yeah, to the rest of you, meander, walk, no, RUN to the Lookingglass Theatre for the performance of Hephaestus—a mythological circus tale! There are only like three performance left! It was so good, and if you're lucky you too may see Lookingglass co-founder David Schwimmer—but ladies, know he saw my soul and he now belongs to me.

And to you, Mr. Schwimmer, yeah you're real cute, yeah you're famous, yeah you're rich, but you will still have to woo me—just a little. I like chocolate, cats, movies, long walks on the beach, all that BS, unless if you don't—oh yeah, and I'm a vegetarian.

How was your weekend?

2008-03-02T21:40:00.001-08:00

My weekend was great. As you can see I saw my friend Mandy and my crush, Zephron. Casey took us to some crazy party near Harpo, no, Oprah wasn't there...but Zephron was!!! That was my big outing for the weekend, that and getting some much needed groceries.

Did I mention I am a vegetarian now!? Today was Day 4. On Thursday I made some MEAN vegetarian Chili with fake meat and three kinds of beans, hot sauce, cumin, and other spices.. I'm telling you it was SUPER delish!

So I lived off the chili the whole weekend.. good thing I didn't get out much as my belly was a tootin... Overall, as the ice outside began to thaw, I wasn't feeling 100% this weekend anyway, so I spent some quality time with my television and good friends—both Frank and Mandy came over for movies and munchies. We watched Gone Baby Gone; they should have called that movie Don't Baby Don't.

On Saturday I watched The Interview, which I highly recommend! This movie—starring the absolutely adorable and gorgeous Sienna Miller and Steve Buscemi, who knew those two had chemistry?—will have you on the edge of your seats! Literally these two just sit in a NYC loft and talk for hours, that's it, but they both come from such different worlds and offer so much in the way of strong insights, pain, laughter, and how they relate to one another and the world around them... and both actors give stellar performances.

Oh my cobbler is done! I just heard the buzzer now.
It's Sunday night at a 11:45 and I'm baking a cobbler, from scratch!... um, does anyone know how to bake a cobbler? Cuz I don't know if I did this right.
Oh that buzzer....

My Head Hurts!

2008-02-28T19:10:00.000-08:00

Oh My God! LOSTIES

Will they all start having bloody noses?!?
For anyone that watches Lost, WOW!

The scene on the phone was AWESOME!

But are they all in jeopardy of going crazy?
I love Pen and Des!
Aye, Brotha!

Rules of Enjoyment

2008-02-25T15:15:00.001-08:00

Wow those Oscars were BORE-RING! Must every actress be so beautiful and perfect that there is no discerning one from the other? Um huge, fish tail dresses were all the rage! Boring… Cate Blanchett you may have left Oscarless, but you remain to always be a true original, always beautiful, always artistic, and always smashing.

Diablo Cody, on the other hand; you looked like a cheap whore, but I applaud you for staying true to your roots rather than getting Oscar-fied.

Wait, she kind of looks like someone I know… uh-ho.

Can anyone tell me why Cody’s Juno was even the indie Oscar cutie in the first place? And why the praise for Ellen Page? She acts like a one-dimensional 40-year-old. I really don't get Juno. It was cute, I did enjoy it, but was it original and worthy of Oscar buzz? No.

For a fun, original movie, the screenwriter that I really think should have won is Nancy Oliver for Lars and the Real Girl. If you haven’t seen it, maybe because you were too busy waiting in line for Juno, then I’m telling you when it finally hits the rental shelves, rent it! It’s quirky, poignant, funny, and full of great performances, especially by one of my wonderful, boyfriends, Ryan Gosling in the title role of Lars! I Love, Love, Love this movie!

Another wonderful movie that got shunned by Oscar is Julian Schnabel’s The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
I know I have mentioned this movie before, but for those that may not remember, this is adapted from a memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby, the editor of French Elle, who, at the age 43 suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed with only the ability to move one eyelid. I know it sounds depressing, but when you put artist Schnabel behind the project, I’m telling you, you will not be bored or feeling too blue. It’s moving, yes, but also visually compelling and really gives you the sense of Bauby’s horrible fate through beautiful imagery and a look into Bauby’s imagination and memories.

Speaking of visual… Back to the glitz and the gowns for just a minute.

Trainwreck, oops, Tilda, good job on your fantastic part in Michael Clayton, sparkling little fun personality you have there, but dear me how you made the media weep when you won. For your hair, your face, and oh dear goodness me, that dress alone do not make gossip mag cover page material.

Like with many of the evening’s speeches, I simply had to turn my head. Deer in headlights accepted their awards, while nervous actors presented, except Ms. Blanchett of course: have I mentioned she’s perfect? The night was indeed filled with many huhs? Like why did the producers not feel the need to clean up what ever was on the floor? Don’t they know who these people are!? Why does Calista like old, angry farts? How does crap, like the Bourne movies get nods, let alone wins?

How is it that Heidi Klum always looks so phenomenal that the question of why she is even there is not a question?
I’d be curious to hear thoughts on Atonement, There Will Be Blood, and No Country For Old Men. Of course, here are mine! Let me preface by saying, shame on me, I haven’t yet seen There Will Be Blood, and it’s both of my boyfriends’ movie! Paul Thomas Anderson wrote and directed it, while my other boyfriend Daniel starred in it… delicious. It’s the one movie I couldn’t get to in time, but I have seen the trailer numerous times, and saw the Charlie Rose interview with Anderson and Lewis. I was really rooting for these guys to win!

I am actually surprised There Will Be Blood and Anderson were DA-NIED! I say this because the Cohen brothers just don’t seem so deserving to me. Okay first, when you win that gold statue freak the hell out like Marion Cotillard or the absolute adorable Once Wonder Twins. Don’t stand up there like you not only expected to win, but you also expect past wins, futures wins, and wins that aren't even in your category. Like I can see that one real fuzzy-haired Cohen throwing a mean tantrum for not winning the 2008 Figure Skating World Cup Champions. On the flip side, if they were filming this Henry Kissinger film at MSP, then they are just weird enough to get away with their arrogant eccentricity, I suppose…

Now second, was the movie really that great? Um did anyone else think that maybe cowboy Brolin should have just packed up his cute wife, that stash of cash, and move to Mexico PRONTO? Why stick around? Why go back with the aqua? If he hadn’t gone back with the aqua he would have been that much better off. Maybe it’s a lesson in stupid cowboys? Anyhow, sexy Chigurh was worth the chase! Well Cowboy Brolin isn’t too bad on the eyes either… All and all I just think a movie with a powerful performance by my Daniel, in a movie about oil, is way more prolific for receiving top honors than some cowboy flick. Am I wrong? Oh and can someone tell me why Woody from Cheers was there?

Okay I will stop the cowboy bashing and move on to a little story about tragic love…. Aaah Atonement. Where do I begin? Let’s see, first my instant gut reaction when the movie was over was that of absolute livid anger… no not directed at pretty Kiera, okay yes a little at that ugly, snotty little girl, but really my anger was for the RUDEST, most selfish woman sitting next to me; a woman I have named Clueless Blond Bitch.

Okay it’s that time in the post where we are going to have a lesson in movie-going etiquette.

Rule #1
Shut your pie-hole, only open to occasionally chew popcorn, twizzlers, and chocolate SOFTLY. All right you can also enjoy a healthy snack softly as well, but know that most people will hate you for being so healthy and perfect.

Rule #2
Turn off the cell phone—the whole phone, not just the ringer. Your bright cell phone screen on for texting a friend is just as distracting as any noise that phone will make.

Rule #3
Leave all children at home, unless you are seeing a PG rated flick. Period. Kids under 13 do not belong in teen or adult rated films. They will hate you, be bored, and cause noise that will be upsetting to other patrons.

Rule #4
When setting up your movie-viewing station, try and leave the seat next to you open for others if you’re noticing the theater is getting full up!

Rule #5 (this is where things start getting good)
If you are late to a movie, anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes, and it’s fairly obvious the movie is full up, sit at the closest possible available seat. Yes, your seat will be crap, but that is what you get for being late, idiot.

Rule #6 (And this is why I loath Clueless Blond Bitch)
If a 7:20 movie has begun, and you arrive at 8:45 do NOT dare decide to go to that screening; for one you will be incredibly disruptive to people that are engrossed in a movie that is well into its storyline; and, secondly, you don’t deserve to see a movie if you are not willing to see it from the beginning.

Now if you decide you are the only person who is worth anything and you are going to basically crash the movie, then here’s another don’t: Don’t walk up the stairs of a stadium theater, spy a seat, 14 seats a way, and proceed to walk in the aisle, all the while saying ‘Excuse me, excuse me, oh sorry! Excuse me! Sorry, ha excuse me!’

This is what CBB-yup that’s Clueless Blond Bitch—did! Now you’d think the drama was over, except the seat she spied was next to me, and full of two heavy winter coats from the gentleman on the other side of the seat (I call him Candy, because he had like 12 bags of candy). Now, aside from the coats; my purse, a bag of popcorn, and Candy's shopping bag also blocked the seat. CBB, true to her name, cluelessly barged through and jovially asked, ‘Is this seat taken?’

Mind you, on the big screen, our young, strappingly good-looking hero has just been showcased in the five-minute film shot on Dunkirk beach. So you can imagine I am shocked, and soon livid.

Candy angrily moves his belongings while CBB squats her bum into the heads of the people in front and her idiot stick figure is a vision of selfishness to those behind.

You’d think that drama would be over, but nope, CBB then proceeded to chomp chomp chomp her popcorn in my ear throughout the rest of this heavy, sad, and moving film. Chomp, chomp, chomp—oblivious to anyone but her own self! I was livid. Turns out Candy was livid too and when those credits rolled, instead of Candy and I having a deep, inward feeling of ‘wow, that was some movie’, we both began to berate CBB, who remained clueless.

Now a word about paying the ticket vs. sneaking in, and the theater’s role in the situation: Candy was certain she snuck in, which he believed to be the real issue; I said whether CBB paid or not, you don’t disrupt patrons that are an hour and 45 minutes into a film. CBB was astonished we’d have a problem with her rude behavior. Disgusted Candy and I exited with our movie partners leaving CBB in the dust, maybe, hopefully a little less clueless. But the question remained: did CBB sneak in or pay? Well I spoke to the ticket sellers later and stupidly they sold this woman a ticket. I said, “So you’re telling me, one hour and 45 minutes into a movie, a movie that was nearly sold out, you sold a ticket and didn’t think that it may be disruptive to other patrons?”

‘Yes, it’s money we can’t turn her away’ was the 20-year-old ticket sellers' sad, pitiful response.

So instead of learning about the dangers of snotty, precocious children, I learned about snotty, selfish moviegoers, and the fact that theaters are all out for a dollar—yes, I know, duh! But still that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be writing a letter to that theater!

Which incidentally means this post has come to a close; I’m going to speak my peace! Happy movie going!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

2008-02-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

My brain is frozen. My arms are frozen. My fingers are frozen. This is all about what's on my mind these days. That and, well let's see...
—Last week's Lost was AWESOME, I look forward to this evening's episode!
—Miss. H is doing better.
—Aspartame is the devil.
—My friend Mandy is making me laugh.
—Poor Foxy E just lost her family dog.
—At Valentine's, my Mom and friends treat me really well.
—I want to be a host on a cheesy game-show
—Work is busy.
—If super hot Josh Brolin would have just left town with the money, there would have been no movie.
—A better movie that deserves way more attention: Julian Schnabel's The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
—Saw a great improv show; motivated me to start up a new session of classes come April.
—Victoria Beckman is Mayjah.
—The peeps contest has come to Chicago and I'm giddy with excitement; what will I create!?
—New York City makes me happy.
—I could live on chips and salsa alone.

The truth is, I'm just way too frozen to really think these days.... and busy on deadline..more soon, I promise!

Hmmm Red Food

2008-02-13T21:48:00.000-08:00

So for New Years 2008, my resolution was to learn about Apples. Unfortunately, I didn’t take on this task as fully as I hoped, and now just normally choose Gala Apples while shopping—they're tasty, and hey, I do enjoy a good, shiny red food.

While I will continue to pay attention to what types of apples I do choose for eating, which is a lot more than I did back in old 2007, as an addendum to my resolution I will learn to make the perfect beet salad—another delicious red food!

Hmm I love beets. They are blood red and delicious, especially nummy when sprinkled with lemon juice and fresh goat cheese. Above is a pic of my owls overlooking my latest beet salad dressed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

I vow to eat more red apples and beets, and eventually, actually, eliminate red meat, and chicken, and pork, and any other animal meat from my diet by 2009. Like those owls, I will not eat those owls!

Soon after I will eliminate dairy and then veggies and then sour patch kids....

P.S. Speaking of things that are red…Miss. Honey’s heart is doing really well. She is on meds and eating like the little kitty horse that she is… this makes me so happy.

One VERY Important Day

2008-02-11T13:39:00.000-08:00

Today is a VERY important day. Today, February 11, Ms. Marilyn Jean—my UBER cute mother—came squacking into the world. She is so pretty, smart, kind, calm, generous, and funny. Whenever I am crazy, I think 'how can I be more calm, sweet, and patient like my cute mom?'

Right now her sisters and Mother have created a party for her at the 'clubhouse,' complete with her favorite pizza and a homemade cake. I wish I could be there. She is probably opening up some really cute presents right now as I type.

On the right is one of my favorite photos of my mom because it's so 1960's chic, one of my favorite fashion eras! Check out that beehive! Amy Wino watch out, this is how you wear a cute do!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

For more on my cute mom, click here to read last year's birthday post.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

2008-02-06T20:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year of the Rat!

Or, in Chinese, Gong Xi Fa Cai!

To find out your Chinese Zodiac sign, click here.

I'm a Tiger! Grrr. Being a Tiger, according to the astrology, means I'm quite emotional, but feisty and stubborn! Yowzers!

Miss. H is a rat—so it's her year. But, of course, it's weird if you think about the fact that Miss. H is a cat and she, I'm sure, has ate a rat—back in her outdoor days—so is the Chinese Zodiac punishing her now with this heart condition? I sure hope not. I think that Honey feels really bad about that, oh wait she just meowed sorry.

So there you have it Chinese Zodiac, Honey says she is truly sorry...so hopefully this year, since it is the year of the rat, Honey will be forgiven and will live a long, happy, and healthy life.

Meow Meow and, of course, squeak....... Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Drama and The Big Apple

2008-02-05T23:06:00.000-08:00

For the past four days I have been in one of my favorite cities, New York, New York, the town so nice they named it twice....well that's how that saying goes, even if it doesn't make sense.

I went there for the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF): Good times. Unfortunately the night before I left, Miss. Honey made it clear she was quite sick.

Frank, being such an amazing friend, brought her to the vet the next day. And while he got her help, sadly still I couldn't enjoy the city as much as I normally would if I had a healthy kitty back home—basically I was worried sick the whole time. Luckily there are some pretty wonderful people in the industry that really helped me get through it!

And, of course, knowing she was in good hands and now on medication, I certainly had to enjoy myself a little, after all wasn’t I in the city that just won some major sporting event?

Yeah so Superbowl Sunday in the world of gift was quite crazy. The night ended up being spent at a special charity event, an event that included a performance by Broadway star darling Sutton Foster! Eek!
Ms. Foster won a Tony for her performance as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and last year I saw her in the starring role of The Drowsy Chaperone—Too much fun!

While the charity event included Sutton's performance, special presentations, and a private auction, the game did make its way on the flat screen televisions. The real excitement of the game came after the win, it involved fighting mobs of people for an available cab. After an hours wait, an industry friend and I were on our merry way to a fun, spinning spectacle of a bar.

On Monday I worked the Javits and ogled over the most decadent gifts and paper products—going to a gift show is quite similar to shopping with no money—you see a million lovely things you want, but can't have—of course times that experience by 10 at that is a gift show!

That evening, my boss, co-worker, and myself were treated to a lovely dinner as the guests of some VIPs. Later we were taken to the theatre for the new Broadway MEGA-HIT Legally Blonde The Musical.

Like OMG, my co-worker Mary and I were like LOL like the whole time! Like hello, whoever said Wicked was the new Cats was seriously disturbed because Legally Blonde is where it's at, and FYI, Elle Woods is my new BFF! Was that TMI!? OMG, BRB.

Okay, now that I got that out of my system...

Today, I met with my super cute friend Sonja for lunch. Sonja lives in Queens and works on Park Ave. in Manhattan—she is really adorable, and she 's a great writer! Do check out her blog Life in NYC.

So suffice it to say I do still love New York even if Miss. H was ill, but it wasn't easy as she was on my mind a lot, but now that I am home I must go give her more pets and snuggles.

C-U L8TR!

Little J; Big J

2008-01-31T20:08:00.000-08:00

Okay so I was a cute kid. Come on...I was! Look at those baby blues and that adorable little pink gingham outfit!

Okay so while in Atlanta for work I visited the Adora showroom at AmericasMart and I spied this doll and I squealed that's me!

I remembered an easier time in life; a time before bills; before rent; before figuring out all the adult things in life.

A time that I didn’t need to entirely worry about creativey as a means to making a living, but then, after the show I was surprised with a special treat while at work.

That Adora doll, found her way into my cubicle, addressed to me! A doll that says I can name her and adopt her as my own and of course I named her "Little Jolene!"

And I share with you this photo: Little J and Big J. Wow it's kind of like Little Edie and Big Edie, now all we need is a dilapidated house in the Hamptons and a long distant rich relative.

Get Lost!

2008-01-31T12:23:00.000-08:00

My Boyfriend Sawyer is back on the beach tonight in the first of eight new episodes! YUM!

Springy and Thrifty

2008-01-27T19:48:00.001-08:00

Oh Mother Nature you've been kicking my butt! The winter here has been brutal. But today it was beautiful, it was like a spring day! Probably because it was my dad's birthday!

My dad is the BEST! He's darned cute, funny, and inspiring. He's had a hard time of it as of late and yet through it all he works toward a better future and has lacked any complaining.

I feel bad though as he didn't get my birthday card yet. Oh I think he'll like it: a homemade card telling him how wonderful he is, accompanied with a special sugary treat!

(Dad, if you've read this before getting your package, still pretend to be happily surprised.)

So yesterday Frankie baby and I had quite the day. We tooled around his neighborhood hitting up the dollar store and Family Thrift. And this, even though Mother Nature has been kicking my butt, his how I do good for her.

I love thrifting, the hunt, scoring the cutest stuff for so cheap, and wow wow, the Family Thrift was having a 50 percent off sale; Frank and I were in Heaven! We found such treasures as a blown glass basket perfect for jewels (see upper right), a great men's leather jacket for $3, a 1970's denim coat, a new ladies billfold, uber cute earrings, DKNY jeans that are quite kind to my booty, and so much more. The total bill, after tax, $43, and I'm telling you we walked with like 50 nice items that will be used!

We also got a bunch of cute tees for $1 to $2. These tees were then taken back to Frank's and adorned accordingly.

On the right, you can see this animal print tee I picked up for $2; it was plain when I got it. Thanks to Frank's help, I found this funky iron-on in his collection and he pressed it on the tee for me with his high-tech press!

I also picked up a new nightgown for my collection of vintage gowns, and seriously I should have been born in the 1950s because every gown I pick up seems to fit me perfectly.

There's room for the hips, thighs, and the lacy cups that make my small bosom appear, well, sort of attractive. I love lounging around in these gowns, watching TV, eating chocolate, salsa and chips, and...basically pretending I am Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Eco-friendly and living green are all the range. In learning of people's efforts toward bettering the environment I rarely hear about people purchasing thrift store goods as a recycling effort; most the time these certain people come off a little too snobby, they would never wear an item of clothing that has been worn before!

Green-lifestyle aside, I also just rarely hear of people perusing their local thrift shop for some fun, cheap finds.

For Mother Nature, I say, it's these fun finds that will not only save you money, but contribute to the new green-living lifestyle! I highly recommend it, but um, please steer clear of my fav shops, I'd hate to go there and have those great finds be scooped up already!

Happy shopping!

Forget Juno

2008-01-23T20:56:00.001-08:00

So this "indy" film Juno as been receiving a ton of buzz. It even got an Oscar nod, Yay!

This sweet tale was written by a brass, funny "uber cool" chic that even credits my home town of Minneapolis as her living quarters for a few years where she stripped for money and created her quirky tale of a pregnant teen: Diablo Cody. I enjoyed the movie with my mom at the Historic Heights Theatre in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, hometown of my cute mamma! The movie was fun, and yet sometimes awkward, but Michael Cera made up for it all.

That said, the whole actual point of this post is that I don't believe Juno is the indy film that warrants such attention. Okay do the Oscar peeps think they must follow the buzz, find one Indy film that is 'good' and promote it at an Oscar-worthy love fest? Last year it was Little Miss Sunshine, which was pretty damn adorable, but really let me just say...

If you are looking for a wonderful, genius, funny, artsy flick that will have you feeling giddy, laughing inwardly and just thinking A: This is good! and B: This is creative as all get-out, then I highly recommend the New Zealand film Eagle Vs. Shark written and directed by Taika Waititi.

As the plot outline from IMDB states "Eagle vs Shark is the tale of two socially awkward misfits and the strange ways they try to find love; through revenge on high-school bullies, burgers, and video games."

Okay seriously it's too cute for school and as I said before, so inwardly funny! Imagine a party where you dress as your favorite animal; a horse head kicking ass at video ultimate fighting; an absolutely harmless girl nicknaming herself "dangerous person"; a cute, but bizarre, grown man making prank phone calls to a childhood nemesis; awesome use of sleeping bags; and on top of the humor, the quirky story, the likability of the characters, you have some great still photography film work reminiscent of Julian Schnabel's Basquiat—and you will be in awe.

Rent this movie, or, if not, then just consider dressing up as your favorite animal for fun, maybe an eagle, maybe a shark, but keep in mind what Jarrod the Eagle tells Lilly the Shark:

"I almost came as a shark actually, but then I realized an eagle's slightly better."

Yes, I know, I'm wearing the wrong shoes

2008-01-22T18:16:00.000-08:00

This was the site from my el stop today as I left for work; can you see my apartment building? It's just two buildings back from the huge hole in the street. A pipe burst at 12:30 am Tuesday. I wear my boots to work everyday; but not today! Argh. Numerous adorable firemen at the scene told me my shoes were all wrong for the day's crazy track to the el. One darling fireman said he'd be happy to find me a cute, young firman to carry me to the station. I'm still at Starbuck's waiting for that fireman. Um It's been like 12 hours...um okay, I guess I 'll take a raincheck.

Make It Work

2008-01-18T19:12:00.000-08:00

While working a gift show, it's not surprising—and always delightful—to receive a special gift from a manufacturer. While in the Pet temporaries section of the Atlanta Gift Show earlier this month, pet bed manufacturer, ToPet, gave me a cute kitty pet bed for Miss. Honey. I squealed and was so grateful as I know Miss. H and know she was going to be happy for the enclosed snuggle space.

Since I couldn't pack the bed to take on the plane, I had it shipped along with my media kits and, when I got home, I told Miss. H all about it. She was SO excited!

On Tuesday it arrived at work and I couldn't wait to get it home, but as it turns out I had somewhere to be after work. Mingo and I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art, and then for Pizza and wine at Pizzanos in the Goldcoast. Yummy, so the bed would have to hang out at work for the night.

I came home that night and told Honey she'd have to wait just one more day to get snugly in her very own cat bed.

Wednesday came and I knew that was the day Miss. H would get her bed, but alas I received a not-to-resist last minute invite to a yummy crab press event to kick off Dungeness crab season at McCormick & Schmidt's. How could I say no?

I had to leave the bed at work again. But I had the pleasure of devouring crab cakes, crab sushi, crab tamales, crab-achinos, stone crab, blue crab, and all sorts of nummy crab!

Thursday came and I knew today wasn't the day for the bed as Princess Jen and I were off to Quartino's for prosecco and pizza. So I promised Miss H, and myself, that Friday would be the day she would get her bed!

And today I kept my promise.

I brought the bed in and set it up next to the radiator, as you can see above, and I showed it to Miss. H who hurriedly ran over and checked out the new digs. And got herself quite comfortable.

Yes she is suppose to be in the bed, but the poor girl tried so hard to nuzzle and squeeze in and just plain couldn't fit; so she backed out of the bed and made the bed work for her—she's so smart!

Luckily the bed has a zipper to open a side and I used an opposable thumb to open this for Honey and now she is happily inside getting cooked next to the radiator.

Hmmmmm tomorrow I will have kitty souffle, feel free to join me!

Ice Cream Headache

2008-01-17T20:58:00.000-08:00

It is COLD! Today I walked home from the train, a very quick two block walk and I ended up with the equivalent of an ice-cream headache. I have been too cold, too busy, too ornery to blog. Last week I was in "Hot Lanta" It wasn't hot. It was tolerable. I went to the Gift show for work. I walked three blocks through Centennial Park to AmericasMart for four days in a row; I had fun. The gift show is like a giant gift store in the space of three giant buildings. It was overwhelming, crazy, fun, cool. It's times like that I am happy all day. I am a social butterfly. I do well at the shows...maybe I should be a sales girl...however, sans the title "editor" I suspect I would not be as well received. Ah well.

I promise to blog more in the future!

M.I.A.

2008-01-16T08:51:00.000-08:00

So my Foxy Princess lady, Ms. J, is M.I.A. Anyone seen her? I best just go nap again and maybe she'll turn up. Meow!

Grab a Cup-o-Jo

2007-12-29T19:32:00.000-08:00

We've got some cathcing up to do!

Since the 22nd I have been in Minnesota with family and friends. Thus far I went to my friend Cate's baby shower, visited with Eleise, Amy, Alyssa, and Andrea. I have spent quality family time with Mom, Dad, Grandma, and my favorite aunts. Christmas was enjoyed at my Aunt Lisa's home, which was full of Christmas treats and mushroomy-Minnesota hot dishes!

Later in the week, I made Mom and Dad Verne's garlicky-pasta dish; I went thrifting with Grandma where I picked up some cute earrings, jeans, and sassy tops; I obtained additional bargains at Mom's store, including a pair of kickin' black boots! I sunk my teeth into the best Pumkin bread ever made by my cute 90-year-old Grandma.

Time has also been spent making two pairs of earrings, reading a juicy novel, and enjoying breakfast at the Bad Waitress on Nicollet, Nina's on Selby, and my fav... Mom's kitchen for the most delicious biscuits and gravy! Other eating hot spots I have frequented here in Minnie include the Uptown Bar & Grill for a Rueben with Alyssa; Tortellini soup with Amy at Damico & Sons; and some yum Chinese at Relax on Eat Street with Foxy E. I also got a chance to see the Frida Khalo exhibit at the Walker and boogied to Dave Pirner and The Volunteers at The Cabooze on the West Bank.

Can you tell I am enjoying my vacation time away from giftware?

Oh, and of course, I have snapped many photos and look forward to sharing them on this blog in the months to come....

Until then...

Can I take your blog order?

Frozen

2007-12-27T21:22:00.000-08:00

I'm too cold to blog! I'm freezing in Minnesota! It's been snowing here on and off for days...
Yeah, sure it's pretty...but I'm a girl that prefers lush greenery to deceiving sparkly snowflakes.

Poetry addiction and my new BF

2007-12-18T20:35:00.000-08:00

And yes, another poem...(sorry the winter makes me emotional)....

Do we give to get in return? Or do we give to feel good and don’t worry about getting burned?
Do we love to get love? Or love, love, love, and don’t worry about love in return?
I give and give and give. It feels good and love myself for the return.
Sometimes though it would be good to not always rely on one that is I for the return.

And onto the boyfriend portion of this post,
Val Emmich is incredibly talented and seriously, so nauseating cute! He makes me weak in the knees. Check his music out and his adorable stint as coffee boy on 30 Rock.

Style Icon

2007-12-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

So I have been reading the lists of worst and best of 2007 and I have come upon someone saying that Cameron Diaz' 2007 Golden Globes dress is a worst. I remember at the time of the event others just bashing the dress as well and I kept thinking are you people blind?

This dress is amazing and completely represents the personality of which I think Cameron D. is: a quirky, confident, beautiful woman. She looks amazing and she takes risks; those two qualities alone equal a style icon!

This dress is so couture and glam and different. I love love love! In my book, I think Cameron D. has some of the best fashion sense in Hollywood..

Thanks for the inspiration Cam...and um, sorry that I'm the next to date the Timberlake.

Hope for Spring

2007-12-16T17:57:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Darling E, I have discovered this lovely little poem. Enjoy!

I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.

“We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in September,”
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December.

- Oliver Herford (1863-1935)

So Darling!

2007-12-15T19:53:00.000-08:00

This is my grandma. She is 90.
She lives by herself and keeps a beautiful home. She has so many visitors. She cooks for herself! She's nearly blind and has some aches and pains, but does she complain? Nope not at all. She's headstrong, smart, and quite funny. Oh, and she's SO SO CUTE! I love her. She is my thrift store diva partner. My cute Grandma.

December 7, 8 & 9

2007-12-09T20:28:00.000-08:00

Highlights for the weekend of Dec 7, 8, & 9...

Visited Mingo in her cube one last time on her last day at the office.
Ate a cheeseburger, and enjoyed many cocktails as I said goodbye to Mingo at Redfish
Got to see Ms. Camri, and of course Miss. manicured Jen!
Laughed my arse off at Elm St. Liquors for dancing.
Woke the next morning a little groggy, but rested.
Picked up a bagel and coffee and heard kind words from my SUPER cute coffee crush.
Enjoyed my coffee while blogging about my new grinch name: Frownyfrown Wickedham.

Made delish truffles, sprinkled with hot pink cookie glitter—all for the cookie exchange!

Attended the party at Leigh and Ryan's beautiful home!
Laughed even more with Mandy, Leigh, Ryan, Kris, cute boys, and new friends.

Snapped shots of cute Mandy and Kris.

Learned how to play a Hanukkah holiday game and enjoyed eating the game pieces.
Awoke the next morning to a very annoying cat that loves to hollow and destroy any paper, fabric, and shoes in her line of fire.

After being awoken a third time, instead of feeding the annoying creature, I locked her in the kitchen with my cool kitchen door!
Got googly again while smiling at coffee crush.

Just now noticed a funky pink restaurant I must have walked past 100 times before.
Surprised Amy and Marshall with truffles. Wished her luck in her new adventure.
Stopped by Jen and Andy's to see their pretty Christmas tree.
Picked up MORE cat food for what seems to be starving animal.
Made salad, crab-stuffed flounder, and mac and cheese for dinner.
Watched a silly movie while snuggling with the cat between her food breaks.

And, of course, continued to keep my grinch chin up.

FrownyFrown Wickedham

2007-12-08T11:08:00.000-08:00

So I am a holiday grinch. Frownyfrown Wickedham, I found out through a very important website, is my official grinch name. In the past week I have thought about changing my attitude toward Christmas and embracing the season. I thought I need to turn my holiday frown upside down! Be happy, dress Honey up like an elf, bake some holiday cookies, sing some holiday songs! But now that I have one of the COOLEST grinch names ever I am afraid, for the sake of being able to call myself Frownyfrown Wickedham, I'm just going to have go on about being a bitchy old bitter Christmas grinch!

But darn it all I do have to make some holiday cookies for my cookie exchange party tonight.... hmmmm sugar treats, that is kind of a fun thing about the holidays! I'll be making my special truffles, a holiday recipe from Mingo of course!

GREAT RECIPES!

While I have no real holiday photos on hand to make everyone smile, I do have this great pic of one of my fav dinners from last week...this special ancient recipe was found centuries ago written in the sand on the beach in a small Indonesian town....it is called catpowconraw. A dash of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon and viola, a feast for a Queen. Delish!

Yes I am a freak and it's so good to be here.

Already Missing Mingo

2007-12-06T19:14:00.000-08:00

Today is Mingo's last day. I'm VERY happy for her; sad for me. I will miss her TONS. Mingo is my girl! We're very different but have become good friends and can always connect through two major things: cats and the color pink! And not only is Mingo a great friend, but an amazing designer; I have come to rely on her here at work! Her designs always and completely correspond to the visions in my head!

When I do the Gazette in the magazine Mingo is always the BEST designer. For the April 07 Gazette she made it soooo girly sweet... here's a look at the cover, first page, and a favorite photo page!

What will I do without Mingo here in the world of Giftware? Who knows...? But I do know we will remain to be good friends! She's a good girl, and way beyond making an article of mine look good, she has given me so much more... help in designing my new apartment (and pushing me to make the change!), great food recipes, advice on life, love, and clothing... the constant lending of her digital camera, great picnic lunches, silly pictures with large poster heads and, most important, lots of laughs!!! Congrats Miss. Mingo on your new adventure! I know you're only going to be two blocks away, but I am going to miss you so much!! xoxo

Love Love!

2007-12-03T18:27:00.000-08:00

I will admit this out loud: I am a Jennifer Love Hewitt fan. If I have no plans on a Friday, I will get home by 7:00 for the Ghost Whisperer. I will tell co-workers I love Love. I have made peace with Love portraying the un-portrayable Audrey Hepburn in the made for television movie, The Audrey Hepburn Story.

Her entrance as Amanda Beckett in the movie Can't Hardly Wait—cue slow-mo special-affect with the Sneaker Pimps' 6 Underground bellowing in the back—was classic.

Her movie, Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber was cheesy-bad! I own it and have seen it more than once. I forgive her for making me cringe in the past (and, I'm sure will in the future) when she is making a giddy fool of herself on late night talk shows. She's nervous, immature, giggly, vomity perky, and, a little embarrassing—I think it's adorable because it's absolutely real! She's not playing a part, she is not censoring herself, or making it seem she is something she is not, she's just being herself. And once again Love has proved again how real she is...

If you're an Internet junky as I, you no doubt have seen the latest Hewitt headlines... they go something like this "Hewitt Fights back after Bikini Insults." Or my favorite headline, from a London online journal, 'I love my body': Jennifer Love Hewitt attacks Hollywood's Size Zero obsession.

The thing is Love is, by Hollywood's standards, considered fleshier than she should be....But, in my book, I think she's still super skinny! And looks amazing! Women should have curves for goodness sakes.

So, as a Jennifer Love Hewitt fan and a big believer in the curvier woman, it seemed quite appropriate to sit down with a box of chocolate macaroons and write a little blog dedicated to Love and her curves. As she's noted in her backlash at the photogs that snapped the intrusive pics, if anything comes of this, hopefully it's that young women that may not be too happy with their bodies can see it's normal to be a bit curvy, normal and beautiful.

Without sounding too "you go girl"... well, um, you go girl.

Negative Nelly

2007-12-03T08:58:00.000-08:00

So I don't like Christmas—at all. It's a boring, cold, and miserable holiday. Do I sound like Scrooge? Yes I do and Jimmy-Crack-Corn I don't care. I am just being honest. Christmas is phony to me... you pretend you're happy...you pretend you're best friends with your family, even though you barely speak the rest of the year (my cute parents excluded), you pretend you don't notice the commercialism, you pretend you don't notice the war, poverty, abuse of everything....you pretend you don't notice how absolutely freezing cold it is outside and you pretend you don't notice all the winter weight you're gaining...

I am a Negative Nelly and I feel quite positive about that.. I guess just because that term is so cute to me! Okay so I will turn this Christmas frown upside down... what do I like about this time of year? Because there has to be something, right!!?? Well I do LOVE getting presents and I love giving presents just the same...I wish I had more people in my life to give to...and children. Kids are fun this time of year and I know not a one.

I like the Christmas songs "You're a Mean One Mister Grinch" and "Christmas-Christmas" by the renowned Alvin and the Chipmunks.... I like the movie the Christmas Story and I really love Han's Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl....and the girl even dies at the end of the story! Now that is a Christmas play for this Negative Nelly—forget It's a Wonderful Life, Han's Christian knows how to rock it! I mean just look at the original Little Mermaid story...it's beautifully tragic.

Illustration by Odessa11
So I remember, during one holiday season when I was about 10-years-old, going to the Children's Theater on a class trip for the play The Little Match Girl. I was mesmerized. Here's this little girl, so poor and poorly dressed—she has bare feet in December! She is forced to sell matches on the street and scared to go home because her father beats her and to stay warm she must strike her matches. This is when the magic begins... Upon the first match she has a small vision—a light flickering. Soon, with each strike, she begins to see a life she longs for, complete with a cooked goose, a decorated Christmas tree, candles, and, finally a vision of her smiling grandmother—the only person who has ever loved the Little Match Girl. And with that last match, the Little Match Girl huddles in an alley, in the city, all the while Christmas shoppers past her by, and she dies! It's SO sad, but so telling.

I guess with my own Negative Nelly attitude and recollection of a favorite Christmas story, I suppose what I am saying is Christmas to me would be a lot nicer if we all would remember things like dying Little Match Girls.

MEOW!

2007-11-15T21:17:00.001-08:00

Looks like Halloween isn't over in Jolene's World.... Here's a look at my THIRD costume this past Halloween.

Looks like I wasn't the only kitty. The other kitty is Monica, Frank's sister. And yes, Frank is the Super Chicken Hawk.

Good Stock

2007-11-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

This is my family.

Who knew they cleaned up so well!?

This photo was taken for my Grandma's 90th Birthday last October. Can you tell which one is my cute Grandma? The rest of the people are her eight children. EIGHT! Yikes I have gray hair from one cat.

Can you tell which one is my Mom? Um yes she is the cutest one! That's her in the blue, sitting next to my Grandma. My Grandma likes her the BEST because she is the best! And because she also created her favorite grandchild. Um, yes that'd be me!

Color Me Proud

2007-11-10T14:42:00.001-08:00

One of my dearest friends is Miss. Eleise.

Eleise is one of those people that after speaking to via the telephone, or seeing in person, even just for a minute, you feel like a million bucks. She's classy, beautiful, super intelligent, cultured, funny, but most extraordinary, she is truly so compassionate, accepting, and, oh how do I describe it? She just this great gal! She's the type of woman that you can call 12 times in tears and she isn’t even phased by it, instead after a few moments of her compassionate words you find yourself laughing and realizing how silly you're being because E has this way of making you see yourself in this positive light. Not once has she judged me, or anyone for that matter. She has this way with words and simply just viewing life. Now don’t even get me started on her emails. Truly elegant prose, seriously! Well she is a writer by nature; she could be writing about the most mundane thing (which E rarely would do, but she could be) and you’d be reading this with edge-of-your-seat interest, because her writing is so fluid and elegant.

It's things like this that make me think, "Why do we live so far apart?" I met Eleise in Minnesota about seven years ago. The first time I saw her she was understudying a role in Rosetown’s production of Hello Dolly starring my other amazing friend Cate as Dolly.
I was in awe of these women’s talent. The following fall Cate, Eleise and myself were cast in Rosetown’s Dracula. I thought Eleise was a high school senior because she looked so young and the theater often cast high school students. Turns out E is three years younger than me. Well we hit it off right away and became friends.

So now in 2007 I am in Chicago and E is in Boston. Prior to her living in Boston she lived in London for three years getting her Masters in Chinese studies!—I told you she’s smart. Through it all E and I have remained close and I am thankful for that.

Okay so why am I going on and on about Miss. E? Well for one, why wouldn't I? I mean being friends with E just goes to show everyone how cool I am, right? Truth is I am proud to call her my friend! Now secondly I spoke to E yesterday and she was quite down and this breaks my heart, while she is all the attributes I listed above, smart, funny, amazing, etc. etc. she’s not perfect. E has had more than her share of hardships, and it’s about time this woman got a break. So when she is blue I just wish I could make her feel better, like she has helped me in the past.

So I guess you could say this post is a Casey Kasem Long Distance Dedication to Miss. E!

Now the third thing is to announce yet another reason why I am in awe of E.

This fall Eleise performed in Manhattan! Okay I can already hear her say, “Um I performed off-off Broadway.”
But Hello! How spectacular! When Eleise arrived in Boston for a new job almost a year ago she made some friends fast that were involved in this dance production: The Big Moves Dance Company. This company celebrated the larger lady and were putting on a show where they need a few ‘skinnies.’ With a background in dance, E auditioned and was cast as one of the ‘skinnies’ for the production titled Lard: Like Grease but Thicker!

I spoke to E and she said the shows went really well! So congrats to E, my friend who performed in Manhattan.

Funky

2007-10-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those days, a mood day. I'm funky, moody, slightly bitchy. But mainly I'm non-chalant, nothing makes me really bat a lash. Except for maybe this cute pic of Miss. Honey:

It's an X-ray of her belly. See that white dot?
That's a be-be pellet. Sad.

This weekend is the weekend before Halloween. It's weird being out of gay town, Halloween just isn't the same. Gay town is full of gay ghouls and goblins.

This year I am slated to attend a party at some che-che hotel downtown.... I am suppose to dress up as a celebrity, these are the party 'rules.' I have chosen to dress as Dita Von Teese, that is if I go. Dita's hot and refined. I'm considering instead to be Britney that way if I end up getting trashed and flashing my boobs I can say it's all about the costume.

I should rent some scary flicks for the weekend. I could rewatch Knocked Up that is one scary movie—scary to think that load of crap made people laugh.

Seriously, what's a truly scary movie? When I was nine that movie was Children of the Corn; who freaked me out more Isaac or Malakai? Isaac. Even though Malakai killed with a machete, Isaac killed with one darn awful creepy sneer. Chilling. Steven King certainly offered up some truly chilling characters.

One word: Pennywise.

A movie that I recommend for a chill is Fire in the Sky. Its about these men that swear their friend was abducted by aliens in 1975 Arizona, why it's so chilling is that it's based on a true story.

Renting a classically scary movie can always be a real treat, try Rosemary's Baby, The Omen, and of course, The Shining!

Well my mood hasn't changed with this post... I thought it may help, instead it's just made me realize I need to plan a trip to the movie store...also I must get my other costume ready. On Wednesday the girls here at work and I will be dressing as Mary Kay girls... that means hosiery, face powder, pink lipstick and super high-heels. It is my hope that at lunch we will harass real MK girls.

Have a happy and safe Halloween. Make sure you keep your kitties safe, especially the black ones, there are way too many freaks out on Halloween.

-Dita

Halloween Inspiration

2007-10-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

Burlesque performer and MAC Viva Glam spokesperson, Dita Von Teese... is my Halloween Inspiration...What do you think, can I pull off this absolutely flawless specimen of glam? I'll be lucky to absorb even one percent of the glamazon. Photo by David Azia.

Next to Butter

2007-10-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

Aaaah reminiscing...This was my first solo apartment on Grand Avenue in Minneapolis. I lived in the top right corner apartment...for five years. I painted the walls lavender, yellow, and rosy pink. I had that much room. Two walk-in closets, a dining room, full kitchen, separate bedroom and spacious living room. My rent for that first year was $550 a month. Weep.

The building is right next to Butter. But when I moved Butter was still Sweetskies—super pink and girly with to die for eclairs and a very butch lesbian owner. Prior to Sweetskies it was the Good Food Cafe, a strictly vegan restaurant. It took sometime to figure out why they hated me so much when I came in for coffee. It hit me a year later, I was wearing my leather jacket there...

Ahhhh those were the days of a young naive Minnesota girl... now I'm just a tidge bit older, still a sweet Minnesotan and only about 10 percent less naive.... oh if you happen to be around in the hood, do keep an eye out for Miss. Xena. This was her last home with me and Miss. H.

One thousand and 80 bazillion kisses to her.

Keen on Keane

2007-10-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

You know you've seen them: big eyes; big, sad eyes; giant, depressed, sad eyes on sweet little girls, puppies, and kitties. I am speaking of the paintings of Margaret Keane. Popular in the 60s and 70s, Keane's paintings often adorned many young girls' bedrooms.

Funny thing is Keane's paintings were credited to her second husband Walter Keane. As the Wikipedia site stated, under the name Margaret Keane, "Many reasons might be put forward to explain this, but it was also one of the reasons they divorced."

The site also says that Keane did not want to relinquish the rights to the artwork when they divorced. Thank God! So the divorce went all the way to Federal court. At the hearing, to prove she was the artist of the Keane paintings, Margaret painted in front of the judge, which showed her obvious talent. Of course Walter couldn't do this and deniied the chance to paint. In 1965, the courts sided with her, enabling her to paint under her own name.

Why I am speaking of Keane is because her paintings certainly had an impact on Jolene's World... of course! While I did not have Keane's work adorn my childhood walls, two of her prints decorated a wall in my Grandparent's guest bathroom in Monett, Missouri. To this day I can still visualize nearly every detail of that bathroom. I loved it because it was very pink and very girly!

There was the mauve and light pink shower curtain tied back with decorative pinks ropes. In the corner of the bathtub rested a bottle of hot pink bubble bath emblazoned with a pink rhinestone brooch. Across from the toilet was a tiny bench with a deep mauve velvet bench cover.

And of course there were the Keane prints.

My father bought them in 1962 while visiting San Francisco and gave them to his mother. When I was little, visting Granny and Gramps, I'd ogle the prints and think that someday they’d make a great addition to my home.

After both my grandparents passed I received the prints and have had them hung in my home ever since. Not only are these prints reflective of my tastes, but they also have much sentimental value.

Above they are shown in the old EP suites. Now that I am getting ready to decorate my new apartment, I am reminded of how I love these prints and I am excited to see which wall will request their presence today... to find out stay tuned for more posts!

Welcome to my sale!

2007-10-06T16:03:00.001-07:00

So I have officially moved out of the EP Suites. I had a good three-year run there—me, honey, the steel giraffes and one goat—we were all pretty happy. But considering I was in the heart of boystown, it was, I suppose, a matter of time the rent would skyrocket, and it did at a jump of one hundred dollars!

So I thought, hmmmm, I don't like moving, but $800 for a small studio apartment infested with centipedes seemed like a rotten deal." So I began my search for my new apartment and also began packing up the old. It was about this time I realized "Wow I have a lot of junk! It's time to have a sale!"

Turns out the neighborhood was hot-to-trot for a Jolene Special sale! Items that were most memorable selling include a hot pink T-Shirt with the phrase "Sun your Buns." The guy that purchased it was so excited with his 75-cent purchase, he put it on right on the sale grounds!

Another fun item that I sold was a tween-inspired pink sequined phone with feathers... (sorry mom)... I knew this phone would be happier elsewhere considering I was no longer going to have an actual phone line, and let me tell you the gentlemen, about 35, that purchased it, could not have been happier.

And then there was Karen the Quinceañera doll.

About two years ago I went to my first Quinceañeras for my co-worker's daughter, Karen. Well as you leave, part of tradition is take a gift, I immediately scooped up this doll. I was quite proud to carry her down the street and into the bar later that evening....

But with any move, sometimes it's time to part with those pieces that brought you happiness at one time, but soon just weighed you down, (kinda of like the Jennifer Lopez CD in the background.)

The phrase, "Another person's trash is another person's treasure" couldn't have been more accurate a statement than when it came to Karen, the Quinceañera doll.

This gentleman literally jumped out of his friend's moving car to pick-up Karen, and not only was he psyched about this great find he was insisting I take an extra dollar for Karen...but alas I said "the price tag is a dollar sir; your happiness and one dollar is all I ask for!"

And look how happy he is!

After he hurriedly paid, posed for this lovely pic, and then ran off back to his friend's car, I realized a mini traffic jam had occurred all because of my hot and sizzling sale!

Numerous other shoppers stopped by to pick up a great cd, or a dvd, such as the compelling Spanglish. Other happy customers included my friend Mandy and her boyfriend, Ben. Mandy left with a black skirt and pink plastic bracelet.

My best shopper though was Frank. When traffic was low Frank would jump in the middle of the sale and "pretend to shop." As passersby strolled by, Frank would make such statements as "Wow this is a collectors edition." Or "Man I remember this from my childhood!" This earned Frank the title of "best pretend shopper."

Frank's first title of the day though was "stock boy" as he unloaded all the merchandise from my apartment to the sales floor. Later, aside from being a pretend shopper, Frank was also head of loss prevention. He was quite good at all duties.

All and all, I was very happy with my sell, not to mention, $152 dollars richer!

Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground

2007-10-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

I found these cool leaf pics online done by Minneapolis' photographer David J. Turner; his stuff is pretty cool and he makes these dead leaves look like blooming flowers...it makes saying goodbye to summer not so bad...

Designs by AimLene

2007-09-26T14:43:00.000-07:00

Ooooh so cute! Frank just emailed me these photos that I took with his camera... Amy and I made baby onesies for Wil... we cut out fabric shapes and used the iron for adhering them to the onesies...aren't they the cutest!?

Here's Amy at my old apartment (sniff). She's showing off her ultra fashionable onesie titled "Fresh Farm Eggs."

Can you guess which two onesies I designed? Take a guess!! Yes, I did the kitties! Do you know that baby boy clothes rarely ever feature cats or kittens, apparently felines are for females and dogs for boys... well Camri and Chris only like their two kitties so Wil is a cat baby as well then—and for that he needed a onesie with kitty cats! Meow.

The above photo shows the back of the onesies, while the photo to the right shows the onesies' front sides.

The other one I designed is on the far right, the ice-cream cones. Camri loves ice-cream, so naturally since I'm sure Wil got lots of it la la tummy land, he loves it too!

Aside from Fresh Farm Eggs, Amy also designed the colorful onesie with shapes and circles. We loved them.

Of course the more wine we drank, the cuter they got!

Karma

2007-09-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

It's times like this that I am happy I have a blog. A moment when something happens to me that I am quite pleased to share with you fine folks.... so here's my quick, but seriously funny story.. okay wait I hope it's not one of those stories where you "had to be there" Nonetheless, if you use your imagination you will love this story!

(I giggle now as I begin to write.)

This evening on my way home I decide to stop at Treasure Island (note to Minnesotans, this is not a casino, in Chicago Treasure Island is a 'European' grocery store.) So I am making my selections, the regular pathetic single-girl fare, (today it was tortellini/mozzarella salad, one can of soda, one meatball, a baguette, and a bottle of wine.) So I'm looking adorable (I think) wearing a uber cute dress slightly reminiscent of Edie Sedgwick, I have on a pair of killer black tights and my black Kedzie pumps; I'm listening to music, bopping around. Suddenly a favorite song comes on my Ipod, Walking with a Ghost by Tegan and Sarah.

I'm feeling good.

I'm in the back of the store and need to get up front to the wine cellar, but dare I go through the produce section. No, the produce section always makes me depressed. So I whip down the dairy aisle and there's a guy with his Ipod pumping and I think "wow we're both jamming to our tunes and we are happy." So I sashay pass him, showing him how cool I am with my own happy musically inclined mood, not to mention how cute I feel in my pretty dress. I pass him, I'm a super model, I'm strutting it, I'm feeling Tegan and Sarah and suddely a thought goes through my head, but before I can even compute the thought it happens!

My left ankle whips out from under me, my right foot goes for the save, but to no avail and both my legs fail me and the next thing I realize my entire body is lunging forward, hands and head first and my music is pumping in my ears but I know I scream "Oh my God." As I slide across the floor with my basket of goodies and my purse, both lopsided falling next to me, my whole body splatters on the floor. I'm mortified; I'm beet red and, of course I start laughing, half because it's damn funny and half to say "hey look I can laugh at myself!" Within seconds the music man is running toward me and one of the workers is right behind him with a second worker nearly ready to call the paramedics straight behind him. The stranger offers his hand and helps me up and I laugh, catch my breath and then tell them about that sudden thought.

I had almost fallen at work earlier that day as my ankle had gone out on me in the lobby, and that sudden thought was "oh I best slow down or I'm going to fall for real!" I couldn't believe these two men were not laughing. They were gentlemenly and concerned.

If I were them I would have laughed just like I laughed at the girl that fell on the bus yesterday morning. So I guess that's why I fell.....Karma.

My knees are killing me!

Babbling and words

2007-09-10T16:41:00.000-07:00

Man, Woman, Cats and Dogs, I promised myself I'd be better at keeping the blog up to date.... and yet I have been busy.... and now, here I sit in front of this blank screen with nothing to really say, except, again I have been busy. I have been busy procrastinating the important things, wasting time, working a lot, and paying immediate attention to emergencies.

This morning Miss. Honey was diagnosed with a bladder infection, thus crowning her the world's most expensive cat. Meow! What can you do? You can't ignore the cries of an animal, unless if you're evil and mean. Or if you're super poor and you think that maybe it was just due to a switch in food....and things would clear up....

So last night I started to freak because she demonstrated to me that she was now peeing part blood. My friend Brett is married to an amazing woman, Jill, she is a vet tech and so super smart and good with animals. She suggested I come there where she treated Honey with meds and fluids and got her comfy for the night so I wouldn't have to sell my ovaries to pay for the animal ER.

It was Sunday night and these two people opened their home to Me and Miss. Honey.... you gotta love that! What good people.

Aside from taking care of The Kitty, I have had to work some part-time hours back at the restaurant because A: My current job has low pay; B: I have spent too much on cute clothes, shoes, and cat care that my debt is too much to manage, or C: all of the above. For fun I have been flirting with the opposite sex, but haven't met anyone to spark my fancy. I've always enjoyed my independence, but I tell you as of late I am getting dog-tired trying to stay afloat all on my own.... Can someone please hire my cat?

Aside from the flirting, I have been watching movies....but I haven't seen anything recently that was profoundly wonderful. I did enjoy Year of the Dog with Molly Shannon—her dog Pencil broke my heart in two. When Pencil dies (not a spoiler, it happens in the beginning of the film) I cried as I recalled my life with Miss. Xena. Shannon is so delicate and pitch perfect! The movie kind of went off in a weird track, but all and all it was fairly enjoyable.

Other happenings of my world include graduating from S of SSKCw/oS (that is the School of Successfully and Swiftly Killing a Centipede without Screaming. This just happened last week. The apartments here on Elaine Place are invested! I finally had had enough of the drama of half killing a CPM (Centipede Man-don't ask).... this often involved legs dangling on a wall and a large body squirming away somewhere on my floor. Now I scoop it up like it's a hunk of jelly, fast, quick, without thought! I'm really quite proud of myself. I remember a time when I was about 14, reading around 2:00am and a CPM crawled next to me and I freaked and woke my dad up who groggily killed it for me. Thanks Dad!

So I am getting retardly excited to move out of the hood up to Ravenswood, just on the outskirts of Lincoln Square. My new place is sparkly clean and uber cute! I will be having a sidewalk sale to pay for the movers!!! It will be quite the event!

Aaaah October is a good month, I get to move, my parents will be celebrating their 38th!!! Anniversary and My grandma turns 90! Yowzers, I think October will be my new favorite month, not to forget it's also the fun, spooky month!

On that note.... I must go back to something else productive, such as write correspondence for all the September Birthdays I sadly fell behind on...bad Jolene!

Run Forrest Run

2007-08-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

This summer has been so fun, ever since I succumbed to the fact that I hate winter I have fully embraced the summer months. And aside from just loving summer, I have made a point to seek out exciting summer events, such as Ladies Hat Day at Arlington Park Horse Track.

So, just a few weeks ago my dear friend Amy accompanied me on the Metra train to go out to the Arlington race park, just a mere 30 minutes from downtown Chicago—also near Sarah's Grove where our friend Ashley resides!

The three of us donned our finest hats to enjoy the races!

Since we had hats on, and we are ladies... we got in free! And so we enjoyed some bloody marries for breakfast, champagne for lunch and bets all day! As part of Ladies Hat Day the Millinery Arts Alliance held a special event in the Governor's Suite where they sold hats, had free champagne and hot pink frosted cupcakes and the prime view of the horses!
Turns out many others were just as excited about hat Day, including the CUTEST couple in the world (besides my parents) this red hat polka dot duo! Now that is love! And you can't tell from the pic, but she had some hot black fishnets on! Sexy!

There were four couture hat designers at the hat day, and the cheapest hat was probably $275. Later, on the Metra train home Amy noticed this lady had two hat boxes- a guess of a $600 dollar value! Her hubby loves her!

This woman's hat was designed by Nicole M. Le Blance. Ms. Le Blance was also the designer of the hat that I wore that day! See, you can see it here as I intently watched my horse.

A note about our betting: Amy and I first bet on the horses that had names that were interesting, this proved to be fruitful for Amy, not me. So I went my separate way. I decided to bet on the third favorite horse, figuring it was his time to shine. This worked once and I won $8 bucks! But then it stopped working and Amy too was not having luck. Finally we realized it was all about the outfit! From then on out we only bet on the horses that donned pretty attire. Amy won $12 on the horse and jockey that had a purple suit with lime green polka dots! Yay! Since fashion seems to mean a lot, I decided to enter the Ladies Hat contest...and guess what!? NO I didn't win, BUT I was a finalist!

See me there. They had us go on the, um, place where the horses walk before they race... and this woman from Chicago NBC announced the finalists on the big screen and everyone snapped our photo. Ms. Amy is my personal photographer. I'm the green blob in a cute hat! All the ladies were HOT in great hats! After we waved and looked pretty, the winner was announced and soon, the pretty NBC lady escorted us all back to the Governor's Suite for free drinks..... Photographer Amy really enjoyed that! Amy's hat designer is Nine West... My Mom knows all about this hat!

Isn't Amy so pretty!?

And this is my friend Loretta, a couture hat designer, she's so talented and fun! That hat she's donning is her own creation, it's gorgeous!

All and all it was just another lovely day at the races!

Hello 1985

2007-08-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

Today I went to the local DSW to check out the sales... I left with a pair of jellies. I'm a 33-year-old nerd—but I'm a nerd with bright red shiny jellies! They're pretty cool, even if they make my feet sweaty.

The last time I owned a pair of jellies was in 1985; they were light pink and worn to pieces. The jelly straps turned to strings and my hot-pink polished toes stuck out. Of course those jellies made some pretty cool tracks around Minnesota before they officially died. They hit up the Bel-Air School yard where I argued the counter-points of why, sometimes, Cyndi Lauper was cooler than Madoona...but true to indecision form, those same jellies made it to Madoona's Virgin Tour concert at the St. Paul Civic Center. Now that was a trip. I was 10 and my friends and I were giddy when we overheard the older girls refer to us as 12-year-old Madonna Wanna-Bes. My mom was there too! Madonna certainly did have quite the affect on 80's fashion!

Can you imagine the little 10-year-old girls that were obsessed with Britney Spears during her hey-day? They had so many other POP singers to argue over...Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore....Turns out Christina and Mandy turned out pretty okay, but that Britney-yikes almighty! However, as weirdo as she is (I think she's the next Anna Nicole), was Madonna any less strange? I mean I went to the Virgin Tour concert where Madonna played with her Boom 'Box'. Of course I seriously didn't get any of this until my parents had to explain it all to me, which was then followed by my screams of STOP!

Ah pop-girl moments to ponder... nonetheless, the one very awesome thing about Madonna is that she certainly did create some cute wanna-bes, especially the little tart in the middle... can you see my jelly shoes!?

Baby Cutness!

2007-08-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome little Wil! Born Saturday, 8:56am, at 7 pounds 1 ounce, 20.5 inches long.

Is it weird I think he's so cute that I just want to eat him?

Congratulations Mom and Dad Chris and Camri!

To Minneapolis with Love

2007-08-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

Pray for my hometown... Above is my old stomping grounds and of course, below is the bridge... I took this bridge everyday for years... I always said the damn thing shook too much.