I just found this gem.

Justin and I were just watching YouTube and shorts in bed when we came across this gem from the Cannes festival, winner for short film.

It's totally worth five minutes of your time.


HISTORIA DE UN LETRERO (THE STORY OF A SIGN)

I give you money; you give me boots.

A couple of days ago, I ordered these:



They are black patent leather and insanely comfortable. Can't wait for the weather to chill some so I can wear these to work with skinny jeans. Though in reality, I'm so cold in the store anyways I probably will go ahead in the "hot in herr" heat.

My co-worker said that they looked like biker hooker boots, but given my penchant for relatively Amish clothing and head wear... I think I pull off the hooker boots.

Today I was so exhausted. Right now Justin and I are just sitting up in bed. He's reading one of the books he ordered online and I'm obviously just updating my blog about boots.

I really want to get my hair cut again. Scratch that, I need a new haircut. I always get my ends razored because that looks best... but my hair has grown for so long that it's looking kind of scraggly. Here's the rub though: I can't find a picture of what I want. Totally essential because I like my hair long and layered and unless I bring in a picture of a haircut that is NOT the Rachel, I get the Rachel. So lately I've been doing that pouffy pulled back crown/teased ponytail look for something different.

Any suggestions? Drop me an email.

I'm not sure where it went...

I think my weather application disappeared on my iPhone. Weird.

Last night was an absolute blast... we went to the STL Elite party at the Drunken Fish. They had specials on Vox cocktails and infused sake shots... and complimentary vodka Red Bull shots and sushi for the party. The DJ played some good dance music and we definitely were not ready to wind down after last call.

We tried finally checking out Savor (open till 3am when most of the CWE closes around 1:30am) but there was a sign on their front door that they are closed for business. It's a shame because that place was supposed to be a really good restaurant too!

So my crazy ex-neighbor and life intern (Yes, I take interns like Cosmo Kramer)is dating one of the Blues players now?

This morning I went into work and I was totally excited to do it. Yesterday, I left the store on the cusp of meeting my monthly sales goal to make an extra bonus on next week's paycheck. Today, I have met and exceeded my goal so I should be getting some extra money next week. Nice! Especially since I had to order a new computer monitor because my laptop died.

Justin met me after work and we went to ~Scape for their Sunday BBQ. You pay for your protein and then there's a chef's picnic table of sides like fingerling potato salad, cole slaw, cheddar corn bread... and grilled fruits! I had a grilled peach and it was awesome.

This week there's so many concerts going on. I'm going to check out the Ting Tings at the Bluebird on the 31st and Josiah's show at Blueberry Hill on the 1st.

Ciao.

A jar of roasted red peppers makes a difference.

We finally saw The Dark Knight. It definitely lived up to the hype.

The other day, we bought some roasted red peppers and I've been using them obsessively on everything... Think mozzarella paninis with red peppers and olive tapenade or field greens with red peppers, a fig dressing and steak medallions crusted with herbs de Provence and splashed with red wine.

My newfound food obsession is helping me cope with the fact that there is no longer a McDonald's anywhere near me. I won't be lovin' it anytime soon.

Justin's no longer allowed to have popscicles ever since he left a used container on his nightstand. And raspberry juice all over our new sheets. And you know it will not be forgotten whenever he doesn't like an idea... Since apparently, he thinks it's a good idea to eat drippy popscicles in bed...

Seriously?!

Today I finally got around to ordering a side mirror for my car. In August, it'll be a year since I broke it.

Amex flagged my card because the website is based in Trenton. Seriously... Is Jersey that bad?!

It died. Of harddrive cancer.

Well, it's fortunate that I received my iPhone today because my laptop completely died.

The Genius Bar at the Apple store said it would be at least a $380 repair and it wouldn't be worth it. Harddrive retrieval involves a forensic lab and a hefty $800-3800 price tag. Yikes.

So via my iPhone, I was able to order a new Mac studio display and my dad is sending me an Apple Mac Mini computer... so I'll be doing the sparse desktop thing for a while.

Today was pretty choppy for me: stopped by work to drop off Ikea desk accessories, the AT&T store, the mall to make an appointment for the Genius Bar, car wash and detailing, tanning bed, Kaldi's coffee (chatted with Jerry, saw Gary at the mall earlier), attempted to go to lunch at Miso (they no longer serve lunch?), waited for Marshnee, had three bites of pasta at Il Vicino before heading back to the Apple store, came home and ordered my display monitor, went grocery shopping with Justin...

Rough...

I'm gonna Hulk it out.

Justin and I just came back from yet again, a fun road trip. We truly do have a great time on the open road... it makes visits with each other's family even more fun. Because we see people we love, get a change of scenery, and then we have five hours of nothing but Oldies tunes, stand-up comedy cds, just talking, game playing and road food eating.

And I love my apartment, so it's usually so nice to be back home. And I got my email confirming that I can pick up my iPhone 3G. Awesome, right?

But right now, my iBook is going to the infamous blue screen. I have tried every trouble shooting suggestion Google can provide.

My dad's offered me his Mac Mini that he's not using (He has three other Macs in his house. They really should not let him in that store. They need to send him home.) and I would need to buy a new display screen and such. If I'm having to replace it... there will be an Office Space beating of epic proportions.

... In our back alley. BYOB.

"Stop ruining the movie!"

Hollywood, there is hell to pay. Justin is upset that Katie Holmes was completely replaced in the new Batman flick: The Dark Knight. I, on the other hand, am happy as a clam because not only is it supposed to be good but it also stars Aaron Eckhart... I've been a fan since Thank You For Smoking.

Also on my list: The Pineapple Express and Mama Mia! (Okay, don't make fun of me) (No, go ahead... I'm expecting I'll leave the theater wondering what the hell I was thinking.)

Last night, we watched Crash in bed. Man, I don't see why anyone would want to live in Los Angeles... apparently, everyone's a racist asshole who can't drive.

Lately, I've actually been watching some television. Normally, I'll just catch some Family Guy or whatever. But lately it's been: this season's Last Comic Standing (still rooting for Tavare), the new Gong Show on Comedy Central (before it gets cancelled), and Reality Bites Back. We catched the first episode of Reality Bites Back and dude, I was laughing so hard I was crying. I'm sure we'll have on the new Project Runway at the store... or at least, I hope we do. Though Ricky likes to watch The Deadliest Catch and the rest of my co-workers like to watch the BBC midday shows.

Tonight we attempted to make grilled shrimp pitas. They kind of sucked, so I will not be submitting that recipe to Cooking for 2! magazine. If only there was a recipe for a roast beef and cheddar sandwich I could submit...

If you haven't read it yet... I strongly recommend the River Front Time's article "Cougar Heaven"... now I know there are 55 year old women that work at the Bread Co. (Panera) that sleep with 20 something year old men (with girlfriends, no wives)that don't practice safe sex because they can't get pregnant anymore. That's so much FAIL it's not even funny. In fact, they should show the article to young teenagers in Bush's lame-ass abstinance only programs. Because if anything would scare kids into using condoms, it's that image. Oh, and pictures of Jesus. Jesus hanging out in a hole in a ceiling.

Still no iPhone. Mumble, Mumble.

It was quite the field trip...

Okay, so Justin wasn't as thrilled going to the mall as he was when his criminal law class went to the jail in Clayton...

...but Justin did see my client Gary of Jerry & Gary (most awesome gay couple ever), visit where Jerry works and a SA let it slip that my boss was in the store earlier today and was "difficult" involving a return. Hilarious. Finally, Saint Louis is feeling like a "small world."

We picked out Justin's father an awesome birthday gift for this weekend. Then we headed for the ultimate treat: the Galleria food court. I had a veggie Philly sub and cheese fries. Justin had sushi...

After eating, we walked around a bit to look around. Interesting that all the stores are promoting those light scarves that caused the Rachel Ray controversy (not that I care, I have an awesome black and grey one from Urban Outfitters). Also, the must-have shoe is a menswear bootie and I'm kicking myself for losing that eBay auction for the Chanel quilted wing-tipped stiletto booties (by $20). They truly were the marlin that got away.

Now I have to show Justin the wonderfully lame magazine Cooking For 2! It's so awesome... all the recipes are submitted by old people and only about 1/4 are actually appetizing or something you would need a recipe for.

There's three recipes for basic sandwiches like turkey and cheese. Awesome... this means I actually have a chance to get a recipe published!

I think I have it figured out.

Notice that the title of this post is in English.

I have computer skillz. Holler.

वीकली कर्रेंट्स

Still with the strange headlines? Okay, still going to flow with it.

Here's my weekly currents:

Current reading material: Gorgeously Green, though the author is batshit crazy.
Current album: just XM radio
Current shame-inducing guilty pleasure: browsing online for shoes
Current link: my fashion forum, Fark.com, ShopBop.com and Facebook
Current color: black, gold and cherry red
Current fetish: warm cream pedicures
Current drink: pear martinis *thanks to premaid mix
Current wish list: French bulldog puppy, leather hoodie
Current fave song: "My name's not Lisa..." haha
Current triumph: Feeling settled in, proving myself
Current bane of existence: I don't have the energy to clean my loft right now
Current indulgence: pima cotton tees, sushi for lunch
Current #1 blessing: being as close with my partner as I am
Current excitement: Chicago in a few days!
Current mood: relaxed
Current inspiration: the West Coast
Current handbag: Tory Burch tote bag, for walking to work
Current abuse: my Amex... why does ShopBop have to have a 25% off code?
Current accessory: Tom Ford sunglasses
Current words du jour/catch phrase: "...batshit crazy!"
Current food: butter leaf lettuce salads, Drunken Fish sushi specials
Current TV/Movie: Justin's watching baseball... lucky me
Current mental escape: about to do a facial clay mask

डाले एर्न्हेअर्ट, जर. स्कारेस थे सहित आउट ऑफ़ में.

Don't ask me why, but Justin and I are watching Cribs on CMT.

Apparently, Dale Ernheart, Jr. has a fake gas station and town named Whiskey River.

Fucking creepy. In a House Of Wax kind of way. Though I doubt he would do humanity a favor by violently killing Paris Hilton (*not that I condone violence or breaking the law, but she might breed... what if she didn't get the memo that vagina is not a clown car? Can someone check up on that?)

And now we've changed the channel.

लैंगुएज इस अ त्रिच्क्य टूल.

For some odd reason, the title of this post is coming up not in English. I don't know why, but I'll let it flow.

My dad called today and was wanting a blog update. "Who is this Kevin that you can't wait to see while Justin's playing poker?" Oh, just a friend... Justin met up with us at SubZero and then we all went to Sol Lounge. Very cool place... lots of lounge seating that you can actually use without buying a $200 bottle.

My dad also asked me if I wanted to go to a pig roast. Given that I freak out when fancy restaurants keep the heads on the lobsters, I don't know why he would think that was a good idea.

Day before yesterday, I went to Le Petit Spa on Euclid with Kevin for a pedicure. I had them do the spa scrub, mask, hot towel treatment and a warm cream massage. Heavenly. Later that evening, I went over to Zach's for his BBQ. I'm obsessed with his house... so cute, so modern, so crafty. It reminded me of my old co-worker Aron from Anthropologie.

Yesterday, Justin and I headed over to the Boathouse. I'm not going to lie: my salmon BLT was disgusting. But it was so nice to just have the view of the lake and have a relaxing summer dinner.

This coming weekend, I'll be able to make it up to Chicago. I met a really cool guy that's a tour manager today at work... offered to put me +1 on the list for their Chicago tour date this weekend, with the promise of free booze. I think I negotiated a keg. So I might be doing that this Saturday night... could be a fun night in the city.

No iPhone in my hand yet. I called the Apple store to make sure they didn't sell out this past Friday and they told me there was a 4 hour wait. No thank you. So I walked right into the AT&T store and ordered one... it should be here this week.

Excited.

After Justin gets off of work, he's taking me to pick up a new iPhone 3G. I'm so excited! I don't know whether I want the black or the white... I guess I'll see what's available when I'm able to get to the store.

Last night, we went to see Marissa's friends' band at the Broadway Oyster Bar. First off, no matter what city you're in... jam band fans really are the same. It's definitely been a while since I've seen so much tie-dye. And dreads. I remember when I was in high school, I used to totally have crushes on the boys with blue eyes and dreads. It was so Lisa Simpson volunteers to live in the tree...

Anyways, I snatched a flute from one of the musicians and while I couldn't remember any Bach or Mozart's Magic Flute or even my Hovey exercises, I was able to remember some of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. Despite not touching the instrument for six years and having a couple of drinks in me, I still had some skillz.

Of course, I was teased by friends. You meet me now and you would never have guessed that I was a band nerd and I used to play the flute competitively. Or even more so, that I was a nerd that used to like guys that wore tie-dye, mandals, and dreadlocks.

I came home and started rambling to Justin about how I played the flute. And that I want to restore my old flute and how I can start practicing again. He said maybe we can make me a padded box to practice in... Ah yes, that's why I don't play the flute anymore.

Eh, better start getting cleaned up so I can start my day. Can't wait to see Kevin tonight while Justin plays in some poker tournament.

I laughed, I cried... I pumped iron like the Governator.

I checked this movie out last week, and if it's playing at a theater near you I would definitely recommend you check it out:



Bigger Stronger Faster

We like cooking our food one bite at a time.

This picture is of Kaci and I (I'm on the left) at the Melting Pot on her birthday.

"I be drink'n, it's my berfday."

The best and worst part about the Real Change initiative in our neighborhood is that we haven't seen the I Be Drink'n, It's My Berfday lady in quite a while.

I had an absolutely wonderful birthday. Justin and I left Saint Louis at around 9:30am for Nashville, TN. We stopped in Metropolis, IL for lunch. Metropolis is the "Home of Superman." It's also... not quite the metropolis. The town's founding fathers had high hopes for the town.

We got into Nashville and it was so nice to see my family. My parents stocked up on my favorite snacks: shrimp cocktail, pickles and olives. I finally received my Botkier medium sized Bianca satchel in a delicious black cherry lambskin leather with gunmetal hardware. Fucking beautiful.

We went over to the Green Hills mall to pick up espresso and martini mix at Williams-Sonoma and some things at Origins. Then we had no wait over at the Cheesecake Factory (Yes, I wanted to go to a chain restaurant for my birthday...) and we had a nice enough dinner. Knowing I was going to order birthday cheesecake, I had a dinner salad.

We met up with Bobby for drinks at PM, because off the top of my head... I know PM serves drinks late on Sunday nights. I had a couple of blackberry mojitos and a birthday shot with our waiter.

Next day, we had kind of a late start. I wanted to do some shopping though... I was sad to see that Duets is no longer in SPACES, but I did discover a new boutique in there that carries great labels such as Chloe, Derek Lam, and Marc Jacobs. Their shoes were insanely marked down, practically at cost. I hope that doesn't mean that they may not be around much longer. There was no way in hell I would buy Chloe shoes with Ball And Chain hanging around. That's the kind of thing where I would have to just throw them in the closet and act like I got them a few months prior (*though this plan never works because I have no filter and just blab about my new shoes anyways).

My parents then trapped us in the Strip Mall of Death, across from SPACES. We got hung up in the framing shop while my parents inspected the grain on their museum frame and an European eyeglasses shop that specializes in handmade Italian frames. I don't wear glasses, so I was insanely bored while my dad picked up another pair.

After the Strip Mall of Death, we headed towards Cheeseburger Charlie's. If you are unfamiliar... it's the best burger place, ever. Hands down. It's the main reason Justin volunteers to tag along on visits to see my family in Nashville.

Then it was off to the Hill Center. My mom and I browsed at Anthropologie... I was definitely impressed by how sharp they keep the store. When I worked at the one in Chicago, our customers just trashed it. The one here in Saint Louis is in a mall, so it is a total mess and it's just too distracting to shop in. I saw a top I liked, but they didn't have my size. No big deal because I ended up finding a dress that I HAD to have while in Posh Boutique:



Came back home and went to work yesterday. My boss, Dan, was sweet enough to give me enough of my favorite candy (Jelly Belly beans, breakfast of champions) to potentially send me into diabetic shock. Because like Rufus Wainwright, if I buy jelly beans... have to eat them all in just one sitting...

Got a couple of pieces on gratis: a brown striped long grandpa styled cardigan that I actually took home a while ago, a couple of pima cotton/modal henley tees with mother of pearl buttons in a bright orange and black. I'll have enough on my gratis to get the AG-ed vintage skinny jeans to tuck into boots for the fall and winter.

Later last night, I went over to BARcelona in Clayton to have tapas with Maia and her yorkie, Diego. It was so nice seeing her... it's definitely been a while!

Then early this morning, I finally was able to pick up my birthday gift from Justin's family. A Tory Burch tote! A girl can never have too many bags!



What's sweet is that I told his mother how I went to a Tory Burch event at Neiman Marcus (was the only girl that wore TB, what the hell?) where if you purchased $500 worth of merchandise you got a TB tote for free. The nylon totes retail between $200-300, so it was a pretty good promotion. I drank two martinis, wandered around the store and NONE of the sales associates offered to help me. I had my Amex in my hand and they treated me like the It's My Berfday lady. So you can imagine my surprise when I picked up a huge Neiman Marcus box... that ended up having a nicer tote than the one I was wanting anyways!

I'm wondering if Maia wants to go to the block party in Clayton...

No, really.

I love anything involving Rainn Wilson.

I had the worst headache today, but a coffee and some Walgreens brand Tylenol definitely helped.

About to go see a documentary on how steroid use in athletes is only a byproduct of our American culture.

Then I'm going to go to bed and head to Nashville in the morning.

I think it's awesome that Culver's has a travel itinerary on their website. Now, I know where we can stop for Culver's along the way.

Having a sale go on at work is wearing me out. I'm happy to be taking off a couple of days for my birthday and to see my family. And Crackdog... don't you ever think I would forget Crackdog. You need to shut your whore mouth.

Hopefully, my father doesn't tell her that I'm visiting too early. Because then I don't show up within five minutes and she thinks he's lying.

My co-worker and her husband are the best... they gave me a pedicure for my birthday! So looking forward to booking an appointment on my next day off.

Time to head out to the cinema.

Happy Birthday, America.

Okay, America... so I'm wishing you a happy birthday thirty minutes early. I'm only doing so because Ball And Chain is ready for bed.

"So what is with all these bands shopping in Saint Louis?" asked Valentine. Today, Phil Lesh's band (the "...and Friends" of Phil Lesh and Friends) came in to shop. Super fun. I love working with musicians wanting stage clothes, because they are usually very creative and into fashion. Here in Saint Louis, we'll have awesome stuff in store but all everyone wants to buy are the trends from two years ago.

Midwestern men also aren't very much fun. They all want baggy jeans and baggy tee shirts and a guy that's a soaking wet 160 lbs swears he wears a 34 waist and a size L tee shirt. No, honey. You grew up with a neurotic mother that always bought your clothes too big just in case you would "grow out of it." You are finished growing now. Now if you outgrow your clothes, it's because you are becoming a fat ass.

And no, straight leg jeans do not make your feet look big. (I hear this from men at least three times a day. Big feet is not a negative quality... what woman is like, "Oooh... I like a man with baby feet. The kind I can crochet booties for. Mmmm." I, in theory, would have no problems sharing clothes with my man. I would have a serious problem sharing shoes.

Random!

By the way, I'm disappointed that Mary Mack didn't make the finals on Last Comic Standing. Right now, I'm rooting for Jim Tavare. I was absolutely cracking up... his writing is brilliant and his timing is flawless. I like Esther Ku, but I think there are better ethnic comics and better "hot chick" comics. She isn't a trail blazer for either.

After watching Last Comic, we turned on IFC and attempted to watch The Confederate States of America. It's a mocumentary of America, post-Civil War under the assumption that the South won. While it has it's moments, it just wasn't funny or biting. It actually was pretty boring.

Off to get ready for bed. For America.

Every time I see this tee shirt, I crack the fuck up.

Our store is now carrying the line Better Bacon. Because, who doesn't like bacon? And things better?

Actually, the line is designed by kids and adults with developmental disabilities. Of course I am picking one up, right?



The artist's name is Tanesa and she drew Michael Jackson because he's her favorite singer. I love that the tee is innocent enough, yet all the creepiness comes through. And every time I look at it, I crack the fuck up. Hopefully I won't get as harassed on the street as I did when I jokingly wore the "Wanted: A Rich Man" tee. Usually, the only people that were angry enough to confront me about it were middle aged men that probably didn't have enough money. It never dawned on them that young, skinny women can have a sense of humor...

True story: I wore that tee with some Juicy lounge pants for a flight home to see my parents. The lady at the airport security just looked at me and said, "Giiiiiirl, you ain't gonna find one dem here!" I just looked at her and said, "Yeah, why do you think I'm leaving?"

So, last night's dinner was divine. Kaci thoroughly enjoyed the fondue... I actually ate some bits of steak. I gave Kaci a really cute black AG top to wear with her Missoni shoes. The Melting Pot's birthday balloons were kind of weak... but whatever, we'll let it slide. I hope she ended up having an awesome birthday.

Justin and I discussed our Thanksgiving plans and it's been decided that we're having it again at our loft. That gives me, oh... over four months to prepare. Last year, my salad was of epic proportions. It was thoroughly awesome. And you know, Straub's helps out too.