Monday, January 26, 2015

Juno Snow

I hear a storm's a brewin'. It has a name.

Which sounds like this:

Or if you are a MT nerd like me, this:
Juno

And it looks like this:

Growing up in Minnesota (come on, you knew that was coming), arctic conditions were not unusual. We considered our ability to brush off a blizzard a badge of honor to wear proudly - over our seven layers of clothing, of course. During the months of November-April in Minne-snow-ta, you are guaranteed to find this aisle in about any store.
Yes, that consists of hand warmers, ice picks, and snowball makers.
The above items would have come in handy during one of these
Famous Minnesota Winter Storms.

We all tell a tall tale of the '91 Halloween Blizzard. I remember boarding the "activities bus" which departed around 5pm. I think I had been in rehearsals for The Hobbit: The Musical (never again had anyone seen such a gripping portrayal of Nori the Dwarf). The snowflakes were just starting to fall. By the time I stepped off the bus 40 minutes later, my feet sunk into a drift up to my ankles. Needless to say, every Minnesotan child went Trick-Or-Treating as a "bundled up child" for Halloween that year, but again, it was par for the tundra course.

These East Coasters handle the storm news a bit differently. And by different, I mean cray-cray. For instance, one hour after an official storm warning, I dare you to find a tub of hummus or a bag of chips within a 5-mile radius. So dramatic about their snack selection. I mean, this is going to be over in a day, right? I guess it doesn't help when the headlines are like this:
Worst Ever Historic Oh My God Imminent Stop Everything You Are Doing and Hide Under Your Bed With Hummus and Your Dog Storm

So we are either about to be slapped with a heavy dose of winter reality, or...not. Time will tell. I'm curious to see how it will rank in NYC Winter Storm History. Did you know the 1888 storm is the impetus for moving NYC's wire infrastructure underground? 

Check out THESE captivating NYC snowstorm shots. If only they had Instagram then!

During the February 2003 event, I was happily stuck in San Francisco with my mom and cousin, unable to get a flight back into snowblanketed-NYC. I missed a few auditions, but had a fun touristy time at the wharf eating sour dough bread and riding street cars.
The snow dump during the 2010 holidays was particularly adventurous for me being that I was working in Anguilla and had no route back to a shutdown NYC. Instead, I had to fly directly from the tropics to Minnesota, where I had a suitcase full of conch shells and flip flops.
February 2006 I had just started to recover from a severe bout of the flu. I remember trudging through those record setting 26.9 inches to my corner bodega for some medicine and soup.
W 155th Street, NYC - February 2006

Do you have any snowed-in stories from epic storms? 

If you really want to put things in perspective, I suggest hankering down to read The Children's Blizzard. It chronicles one of the most brutal and tragic Midwestern storms of all time, which gives a new appreciation for today's weather and communication technology, as well as a better understanding of the severe homesteading life that many immigrants faced during the 1800s.

Besides not living on the prairie in 1888, I am also thankful that I have no need to drive a car today or venture too far from home. What are your snowed-in plans?

I've got my Gap fair isle leggings on,
(sold out online, similar HERE and HERE)

oils incorporated into my beauty routine,

 Macadamia Deep Hair Mask - Target

Maracuja Oil Rollerball - Tarte

and a few slow cooker and one pot recipes added to Pinterest.

As far as Bryndal is concerned, this is what he thinks of braving the snow with protective booties.

So...that's not going to work. Any other ideas?

The background on my gmail is falling white stuff, so I guess the countdown has begun.
Stay safe, be smart.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

All That Glitters

There is no doubt that I am a fan of GLITTER.
No, not that glitter.

THIS glitter.

But I've learned during my many glitter-filled years on earth that to enjoy glitter, it needs to be contained or attached to something. Securely. For example...

I sang back-up in a benefit concert a month ago and was happy to have scored a cheap, glittery dress at T.J. Maxx. What I didn't realize until I donned the frock that evening was that there was indeed a reason it was so cheap - the glitter flew off the dress with every swish, bevel, and turn, leaving a trail of dazzle wherever I went. I was the Hansel and Gretel of glitter. You could follow the twinkling path and at the end, find me. Luckily, the benefit was called Sparkle, so I got away with it. At least until the end of the night when I took a cab ride home. I hopped out of the car and turned around to give a final thank you/farewell to the sweet cabbie, when our eyes were both drawn to the reflective seat I had just been in. There, in my place, was a shimmering butt mark of glitter...sorry, man! The poor dude is probably still attempting to dust buster it out.

When glitter has free roam, you never can fully cleanse yourself or your surroundings of it. I've always joked about cards that contain glitter (or confetti for that matter), chiding that they really are not something you should give a friend because of the torturous aftermath.

Turns out someone else had the same notion and did something about it.
Not surprising, these twisted, awesome people are Aussies.

There is now a service that for around $8 will send your (assumed) enemy a nasty note loaded with glitter upon opening. The creators of ShipYourEnemyGlitter.com attest that glitter is the "herpes of the craft world". Check out the other FAQs (and most amusing answers) HERE.

P.S. The glitter-hemorrhaging dress is in a plastic bag in the back of my closet. I actually really like it. Any ideas on how to keep the glitter attached? Or should I just send it to an enemy...?



Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Blue Plate Special

On a recent vacation to Mexico, I found myself snapping pictures at the all-inclusive's variety of restaurants. But unlike most Instagramable shots, this wasn't for #foodporn, but for the interesting menu choices. Check out some of my favorite selections.

"Yogurt" and "Egg" are two words that I never want to be combined with "Surprise".

 Shine on peas, shine on.

Hot vanilla foam - only served after midnight.
And the last item makes my brain explode.

Good, because I don't care for that new, modern take on beef juice.

Just when I get used to foam being on every description, they throw the xnipec air curveball.

This is the kind of test I'll study for.

This Onion Land is my land, This Onion Land is your land...

I mean, how could you ever decide between freeze lettuce, herbal chlorophyll, and fantasy!?

At least it still is in its natural habitat.

Who cut the edge cheese air?

And my top pick...
What does that combination even result in?

Perhaps these were a bit lost in translation, but reading the Spanish version is just as puzzling.

Does anyone have any guesses as to what these things actually are? I say we all take a vacation together and find out. Bon appรฉtit!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Go, Go, Go 2015!

2015. This is how I feel about the future year:

You see, finding comfort and success in 2014 was a bit of a stretch.

It dealt some stability, but along with that came the realization that it wasn't the right security for me. So big, scary changes were had that I'm hoping will blossom and pay off in the new year. The past year also was an immensely sad time for many close friends and acquaintances, and I'm anxious for them to be able to turn the page to happier days and memories.
If anything, I want to go forward being a little less of a self-critic when it comes to achieving goals and having all aspects of my life be perfect on a specific timeline. I have hope that 2015 will be a year I really immerse myself into my passions in life and expose that moxie below the Minnesota Nice.

What are your wishes, goals, and predications for 2015?
It's a brand new year, a brand new day, when anything is possible.
Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort, Mexico