XoXoXoXoXoXoX in the air oXoXoXoXoXoXo

Valentine's Day hearts tend to spill into Spring. Blossoming, new beginnings - everyone needs a few favorite love songs. I'm sharing mine with you - for your listening convenience you can click the playlist and listen all in one go ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->

Velvet Underground could have ruled this list easily.

Sample lyrics - I'll do anything for you, I'm sticking with you.


Sweeter than Jethro Tull.



But sometimes the best love songs aren't about skipping down the street arm-in-arm with someone you love. Sometimes they're about shrugging your shoulders and admitting you have no idea about love.



Relationships with un-dateable people.

Sample Lyrics - In the spring it was nice, We made love on your bed twice.

Finding that 'special' someone.

Like how he misspells Girlfrand.

Love songs not actually about love rule.

Sample lyrics: If I could make the world as pure and strange as what I see,

I'd put you in the mirror,
I put in front of me.

Long intro that's almost another song. 

Stick with it for two minutes. That's all I ask.

Does it matter that you don't know what she's saying?

Unless you do and that's awesome.

If this were a 'real' playlist here's where the transition would happen.

Sample lyric: I met her at the Burger King we fell in love by the soda machine.

And finally something to slit your wrists to - 

✝✝✝✝✝ Hope you enjoyed it ✝✝✝✝✝

La Bionda - I Wanna Be Your Lover - Stéréo - 1980

Make Contact - riding in a spaceship, 1984.

Packing it in pt. 1 - Shoe me what you got.

I'm off to Spain in less than two months and I'm currently assembling my backpacking supplies. This process is part fun / part hassle. I hate spending money but I do enjoy making lists. And crossing things off lists.

I've basing my supply list off of Rick Steve's suggestions for women. The only special supplies I need to purchase are a lightweight raincoat / backpack / daypack and "appropriate walking shoes."

Every travel website seems to suggest the same types of comfortable shoes - Tevas, Birkenstocks or some variation on a lesbian hiking boot/shoe. Why does a comfortable walking shoe have to be hideous? [Noted: Ecco has some decent 'walking' shoes] I don't mind buying an ugly pair of shoes that are comfortable. I just don't want to spend $100 on something I'm going to hide in the back of my closet. 

Instead of beating myself up about what shoes to get I'm buying a new pair of Tom's. The pair I've had since last September is still in good shape. Tom's are lightweight, comfortable, and easy to pair with different outfits - they may not be the sturdiest shoes with a million 5 star reviews but they're well made and they support a great cause. 

I know what the masses will say - you need arch support blah,blah,blah. Last fall, I wore my current Tom's while I worked at a restaurant where I was on my feet for 4-8 hour shifts and I never felt like they were uncomfortable. I'll buy some great insoles and if I get over there and start hating my life I'll just suck it up and buy some walking shoes over there.

Now on to the fun stuff - what color/pattern should I get? (comments appreciated ppl!)

Funky blue sumatra print

Marial Cordones - no laces required!

Burlap Natural Style

Purple sumatra - funkin sweet

Red Classics

My current pair is black so I want something a little spicier for my next pair. Not really into the glitter Toms, but I'm not hating, they are just not my jam.

I'm going to get into a drunken brawl with anyone who stereotypes the Irish today.

Attempt at creative nail-painting. How the hell do people do more detail than this?

Ring is the Thing/

I've never really been one to adorn my fingers (I'm too fidgety), BUT lately it seems like all I can do is stalk yummy rings like so much prey on the Serengeti...

Golden feathers. House of Harlow.

Only $15. Topshop.com

Fucking gorgeous, blue agate ring. Sold out :(

Eric Wasson full fingered ring.

Pyramids by TopShop.

Which way does your triangle point? House of Harlow.

Sugar skull ring. From Miss Selfridge.

Wavves. I heard about them 3 years ago when I bought the original 7-inch. House of Harlow.

Creepy. Rachel Roy.

Cocktail Ring by Belle Noel.

Cuz I'm Hard. From Asos.com

Praying for some new rings. From Asos.com

Shoulder jewelry - desired as well. (shopthetrendboutique.com)

Haven't decided which rings to buy yet, but I do have 10 fingers and 10 toes so I can put a ring on it squared.

Look Who's Stepping Up to the CHOPPING Block.

Even though I haven't desired (or paid for) cable television since 2007, there's one show that tempts me.

Hosted by the saucy Ted Allen, Chopped is the only cooking show I'll watch. The premise is basic. Three rounds, four chef contestants, and mystery ingredients! During the rounds contestants open up their baskets and are required to use the 3-4 ingredients inside in their dish, which they have 20-30 minutes to prepare. 

What's inside?

This past season has featured some truly weird mystery ingredients - purple mustard, kentucky oysters, coffee liqueur + beef jerky, tamarind soda, cockles, umeboshi, hot dogs(in the dessert round).... For one episode the appetizer round included gooseberries, Darjeeling tea, ricotta salata, calf's liver. Another dessert round included biscuit dough, pistachios, dried hibiscus flowers, & black olives(!).

The dishes are judged based upon taste, presentation, and creativity. And I do mean judged.

3 of my faves, Aaron Sanchez, Alex Guarnaschelli, & Chris Santos

Probably the best part of the show is when the judges discuss the meals. Alex Guarnaschelli and others have no mercy for the peons who forget one or two pinbones in their fish or that the contestants have only 30 minutes to make a chilled sorbet that must include the smelly Asian fruit duriam. But ... it looks like my fave chefs are about to get theirs. I recently saw an episode for Chopped Champions featuring the judges competing!!!! I wonder if they'll become nicer now that they are the other side of the chopping block...

Conversations about the hip. and the ster.

Like most of the great literature that comes out of my generation, the genesis is the iPhone.