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Shopping with Blaugra!

 
Yum. I'm munching on freshly baked Chex Mix. There's nothing like multi-bran cereal drizzled with butter and garlic to bring a smile to my soul on a cold Sunday in eastern Pennsylvania. 

How lame that is one of my simple pleasures?  Wait, what's up with that sentence construction?

These are some of the things I'm into:

 

Maybe instead of warm and salty Chex Mix I should be eating those new Special K cracker chips. Then I could lose weight, right?  Ha, ha.  But they're absolutely yummy so if I have a craving for chips, which is almost every day, I'll hit up that box.

I took my gift card for Ulta to the store to buy some Ahava oil-free cleansing gel, and they were having a buy-2-get-1-free deal. So when the stuff is like $20 a tube, I took advantage of the deal and I'm going to try the Dead Sea Liquid Salt to get rid of some winter uglies. Israel-loving Salty D. informed me that there was a loosely organized boycott against Ulta for carrying Israel-made Ahava. That's just silly.

I needed some non-fussy accessories to throw on my turtleneck sweaters, and I found those two easy pieces of braided, beaded necklaces for 80% off at a local department store. The sales right now are sick.

Now, I really like the iPad, but I don't know that I'm doing it right, because I'm not in LOVE with it.  Maybe I have to read one of those iPad guides.

But what I dig is finding recipes on one of the cooking apps like Epicurious and then propping up the iPad on its handy stand in the kitchen.

Check out the stand - this one is invented by a kid and his dad in my hometown. It's simple and elegant and it's perfect for the kitchen.

Along with the Scrabble app (because Oprah told me to get it) I also bought some songs.

Here's what I'm car-dancing to:

Far East Movement "If I was you (OMG)" with Snoop. This song makes me laugh every damn time I play it. The best lyric:  "She said she wanna go back to my C-O-N-D-O"  They also spell B-O-O-T-Y. Very educational.

I know I sound like a hipster when I say "I kinda like Broadcast" but I had never heard of Broadcast until the singer died recently. So I bought this song which is haunting and beautiful. I'm not hip.

Kardinal Offishall "Numba 1 (Tide is High)" a little more aggressive than I usually like my hippity-hop, but of course the Tide is High part is the best and I love Keri Hilson.

Every once in a while a free download touches me the right way.  Tennis' "Marathon" makes me think of the trip to the Florida Keys I took a few years ago.  But D. heard it and said, "Is this that chick from the Hyundai commercials?" No, it's not.

I've eaten too much Chex Mix while writing this.

 

 

Greatest Hits to Rock your Friday

I used to do these things called Friday Flashbacks about music of summer.  Here's one for the books.

This is about the character Salty D. and what he wears in bed.  Click here.

I have to decide who will play the characters of my parents in the movie. Every time I go to dinner with them this is the kind of shit that goes down.  See why stories about my parents are my friends' favorite stories here.  They've been away a lot lately so I hope to have some good material when they get back to town. 

My hometown's casino just opened their table games wing which means I may need to modify my guide to surviving the seduction of the Sands Casino (which you can review right here.)

Speaking of home, the internationally famous yet annoying Musikfest is almost here again, 10 days of love and rockets and drunks and weirdos and this year Adam Lambert is coming and I wouldn't mind hanging out with him, I'm a big fan of the Madam. Don't tell anyone. Selena Gomez was the first show to sell out.  Tix still available for Styx, though!  Here's my thing about the 'fest, and it's a wonder that Musikfest people contact me from time to time to ask if they can interview me for real journalistic pieces. I always say, no, thank you - and if you can't say anything nice, put it on your own blog.

And in the category of "Yo soy una puta por (para?) celebrities:" This is when I met a star of Californication and Sex & The City and then he commented. Click on this.

Contest!

Mz. Blaugra here wants a redesign.

I need a blog designer with a vision of what it should look like around here.

So if you want the job, tell me briefly how you would rock this site and what other blogs you've designed, and I'll look you up.

The contest portion is if you get the job, I'll pay you. Naturally. Yipppeeee!

If you recommend a designer that I end up using, you'll get a treasure from my hometown.  I promise it won't be a piece of crap like a giant pencil from Dorney Park.

 

What's not to love? More things!

I am so full of positivity. I direct my irritation to The Peevery.

These are more things I like this week. I thought you would like that.

On my feet, my new silver Tsubos. So comfy! My seemingly "endless" (*hint*) quest for comfortable shoes that fit well for summer seems to have been completed.

Back to NY&Co, this fun ring! Can ya stand it?

 

I'm using this shampoo and conditioner at the recommendation of Jewel-Lee. It's low-poo and lovely!

Last night I ate a quart - a QUART - of organic strawberries with real whipped cream. It was so freakin' good. I sort of had a tummyache afterwards but it was well worth it. It reminded me again of Spain, where strawberries and cream (or strawberries in orange juice) was a regular offering. Delicioso.

I just discovered this band and am addicted to them:

Have a fanfuckingtastic weekend. I'm headed to a rock show, a theatre show, and a baby shower!

Things I Like Right Now

...along with the sunshine, of course, especially since I woke up to Ritchie Havens' version of Here Comes the Sun. Which is almost as great as Nina Simone's cover version, which for me comes close to  the original, and, well, that's my fave Beatles song. Go ahead and make fun of the fact that George is my fave Beatle.

 
My new owl ring, $12, from Aldo. And this KIND bar. Gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, Low GI and no damn high fructose corn syrup. I would like a case sent to me, please. Thank you kind-ly.

Cauliflower, probably tops the list of most underrated veg, along with parsnips and beets. Carmelized and pureed, and I even ate it for breakfast. I wouldn't recommend that on a regular basis, though. I keep forgetting to pick up more cauliflower. This serving vessel pictured looks like a pickle.

These shoes I bought on sale for $39 last night. They are reminiscient of the big chunk heels I had in the late 1990s. So comfortable. Probably a 5-hour shoe, no heavy walking. My diva Nikita turned me on to them.

 
My brand new collapsible spirit hoop!  I won it, along with a hoop lesson, at this past weekend's silent auction. I won't be doing any fire hooping...yet. I'm sure this will be a passing fancy, just like that flamenco class.

 
This cute jazzy-rockabilly artist with a voice that's a mix of Gwen Stefani and Amy Winehouse, kind of - but way, waaaay better. Thank you for the recommendation, Madam Jeanette!

Review of a Decade According to Blaugra (just in the nick of time)

I feel like I'm missing out by not publishing a list of favorite bloggers or top 10 societal shifts or top 20 earworms of the 00's.  I also said I would not do a post like this.

And I have to dash off because as usual we are running late to our annual New Year's party in New Jersey, and as usual it is yukky travel weather, and as usual I am fretting about everything.  But the crab dip is delicious and ready to go, nails are done, hair is on its way to being fierce.

Life in the 2000s consisted of two distinct eras, "BB" (before blogging) and "Now."  Of course, I don't remember much from the BB era. Here is a slurry blurry review of the milestones of the decade.  According to me, my horrid memory and when I think I took that vacation.

2000

Aruba with the in-laws

Major anxiety attack after purchasing holly bush which to this day I call "the anxiety bush"

Big promotion

California

Lisa Left Eye Lopes dies (I remember this WHY?)

September 11, 2001

Leave corporate for-profit life for new job and new world

Renew wedding vows in Las Vegas with Elvis minister

Arizona

Bestie gets married in Las Vegas

Dad has heart surgery

2005

New job

Blaugra is born

Run a film festival

Another mental emergency, a final diagnosis. Yay.

Salty D. finally purchases his dream Harley-Davidson.

I become his "old lady."

Jamaica

My uncle dies.

Another anxiety attack, another ER visit, another "you're NOT dying!"

I turn 40.

Mexico

Twitter!

Rhode Island

New Orleans

Black president OMG

California

New England

BlogHer in Chicago

Parents move, mother has nervous breakdowns, I become the parent

Internal peace

2010

Happy New Year!

Yikes I'm in trouble for blogging again, must realllly dash!

Gin, and 20 other things I consider valuable

Following my travelling around for a month, I am finally home. With nothing to look forward to but nesting for the winter and avoiding the heiny flu (which someone told me is the new name for H1N1.)

After a long weekend in Boston, a short trip to Washington, a little too much time in the Garden State (as much as I love it,) a tumultuous trip to upstate New York, I've decided that these are the things worth every penny:

1. the Palm Pre
2. goat cheese
3. Italian shoes on sale at DSW
4. heirloom tomatoes
5. fresh mozzarella
6. great tires
7. excellent facials
8. gin sampling
9. trips to Trader Joe's
10. perfect pancakes
11. train travel on the Acela
12. delicious fresh coffee
13. soft pretzels, Philly style
14. Klonipin
15. Honeycrisp apples
16. a DVR (I have yet to purchase, but it's coming soon!)
17. new brakes in my car
18. hired help in my yard
19. acupuncture appointments
20. donuts
21. mascara: either DiorShow or Wet-n-Wild mega - either one works it out!

Of course, these are just things, and the best things in life aren't things.

Blaugra weekend index

It's Musikfest, day 3.  Number of hours spent at Musikfest so far:  0

Number of tree-ripe fresh sweet golden plums eaten in past 3 days: 14

Number of times I've said, "I have a belly ache":  3

Number of hours spent on housework:  .5

Number of hours spent napping:  2

Number of antique dishes that my mom just unloaded on me in another pre-move frenzy:  7

Pieces of furniture I have available to display or store dishes: 0

Dollars won at casino on Wednesday:  ($40.)  that's A LOSS of $40 for those of you who missed the parentheses.

Dollars spent on camping equipment today:  $83.

Times that I've been camping, in my life:  1

Gin drinks consumed this past week, following my vow on Sunday, post-BlogHer, to spend a week detoxing:  3

Number of visits to Rita's Italian ice in past two days:  2

Number of times I've said, "If you put something cold like Italian ice on your wrists it brings your body temperature down":  3

These are a few of my favorite things

Ah, the most predictable title for an article about things I like during the month of December.

These things make me feel good.  I hope the manufacturers read this and send me free samples.

Woolrich fleece sheets.  I swear I bought these at Target a few months ago on sale.  Think I could find them anywhere online?  No.  Limited edition?  Hazardous recalled material?  Whatever, they are soooooo wonderful, like sleeping in a fuzzy warm nest. 

  You be complainin' about dry wintry skin?  Get Yu-Be.  I think that should be their American ad slogan, don't you?  No petroleum, no greasiness, and it's easier to emulsify than beeswax-based creams.

Speaking of beeswax, I'm in love with minty-lip-stuff.  Well, there's no beeswax in this product but I was looking for a segueway.  Burt's Bees lip shimmer, in Fig.  Also try Cover Girl Amaze-mint.  Cute name, pretty good gloop.

My closets and my sanity are benefiting from these hangers.  They're huggable. And so very, like, DUH of course they're what you want in your closet, why did it take Joy Mangano so long to bring them to us?  And who is this Joy? 

Okay.  This thing. Another forehead slapper, why the hell didn't anyone come up with this before?  Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller.  Clip a coupon for it, get it on sale. Roll it under your eyes post-shower pre-makeup. Wake up.  I used to keep a metal spoon in the fridge and press it under my eyes to get rid of extra baggage on rough mornings.  This kind of does the same thing but nobody looks at you like you're deranged for walking around holding a cold spoon on your face.  And it does feel better.

After you roll that under your eye, put this magic potion on your eyelid.  Well, both lids actually. It's a genie in a bottle.  Look in the mirror and sing, "You are beautiful, in every single way..." 

Favorite treats to eat and drink:  Cascadian Farms chewy granola bars. The best.  And hot chocolate made with Swiss Miss and steamed soy milk.  Yum.

These treats would look better in my hands if I took the time to take care of my nails but instead I usually drag my dead cuticles through my opaque tights and create runs and then throw the tights across the room and curse my lazy ass for not taking care of my nails. When I feel like it I lacquer up with ergonomically superior Sally Hansen Salon Nail Lacquer and cover it with a glossy top coat and it lasts longer than a week.  The best color now on short nails: Pat on the Black.

Have you any favorites to share?

 

 

Omnivore 100

Doesn't that sound like a Nascar race? Or a super-vitamin? 

As usual, Average Jane turned me on to new stuff because she kicks ass. From Very Good Taste, a very fun meme.  It confirms that I have eaten a lot of gross things.  How 'bout you?

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

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos Rancheros
4. Steak Tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes  (Night Train is made from apples!)
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini (never had it dirty!)
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

I'd like to try harissa and curried goat.  And I'm not entirely sure, but I think black pudding is similar to blood sausage, which I ate in great quantity when younger and NEVER AGAIN since I found out what it was.  Tasty, though.

Of all this food, my favorite things are gazpacho, root beer float, huevos rancheros and PB&J sandwich.  That's like a perfect daily diet for me.