We can fly!

We can fly,
We can fly,
We can fly!

But we don't have to blog everyday anymore!!!!

Holy crap, I made it...30 posts in 30 days. A wrap up on that whenever I feel like it!

One more day

of this here nablopomo.

Really, December can't get here fast enough.

The Design has finally been approved.

I don't know about you, but the holidays stress me out just a wee bit.

Its not the gifts or the wrapping, the food or the parties. Its my holiday card.

Once we added the pups to the family, we finally had an excuse to torture everyone with pictures of our "kids," I mean, send out holiday greetings and best wishes.

When I started, I'd style the card around the personality of the dogs. The picture on the card probably didn't make sense to anyone but me. But, really, the cards were going to dog people so as long as the dog looked cute, they never cared.

So you're saying to yourself, what's so stressful about pictures of your dogs and inside jokes to yourself that no one else needs to understand.

I'll answer that inquiry.

Once Dick joined our family, I made the mistake of being very clever and witty on the annual card. I mean, my dogs are named Dick and Jane, that BEGS for a fabulous holiday card. Since then, I've been expected to go bigger and brighter with each card. And, because I'm me, I do. I'm big on rising to the occasion.

First year, we did a simple Dick & Jane, styled completely in the era of the children's books. The second year we went multi-cultural with Ricardo & Juanita, with the picture and card in Spanish. (Translation was available on the flip side of the card.) The third year (last year), I brought in professional help which was a HUGE hit. That brings us to this joyous holiday season.

My head has ached at the thought of coming up with something fabulous. So, I went old school and decided to do something that would make me happy. I came up with cute and different which required me to draw and plan and embroider.

Yeah, the peanut gallery shot that down. Now, keep in mind, for this endeavor, I'm the creative director, finance, set design and photographer; I'm not real big on input from anyone else. I ignored the voices when I named my dog Dick, I ignored them when I did the first holiday card, I ignore them on a daily basis. This time they wouldn't relent.

"I don't get it."

That's ok. I do.

"But I don't understand."

You don't need to understand until its done.

This conversation was repeated in my kitchen so many times I relented and went back to the drawing board.

Finally, lightening struck twice and I came up with a different idea. And thank you doG, the peanut gallery liked the idea.

Now I just have to pull it together, figure out the layout, set design, actor attitude and capture the magic on film and we'll have ourselves a holiday card.

Isn't this time of year fun?!?

I need a nap.

(If you want to be on the happy holiday card list and you're not on it already, email me your address and a little piece of holiday goodness can be yours.)

Today just feels like Monday.

Yup, that's all I've got.

A few gift ideas

I know its tough to know what to get that certain special someone (me) on your wish list. Well, thanks to the L.A. Auto Show, I'm happy to provide some ideas.

Here's the new BMW 1 series. Isn't it fabulous? Its like the BMW version of my Civic. Its a BMW, got the whole safety and luxury thing going for it at a reasonable price. I even like the color. Please deliver it to my driveway. I don't need a bow or anything.

For the green gift givers out there, here's the new Smart Car. Isn't it cute? I love the fact that its so small you don't have to parallel park. You just drive straight in and whomp, you're parked. It would be perfect for my 2 mile commute and any local errand running. Besides, they just announced "hybrid parking spots" at work. I totally need a better parking spot. That would be like two gifts in one. I'd even go so far as to say that this would cover gift giving for a couple of years as I'd be getting not only the car but parking benefits as well. Definitely the best bang for your gift giving buck.


I know a few of you like "fun" cars. Since the Mini Cooper is essentially a grown up's go cart, I think that would fit the bill. I've wanted one of these for years. This particular one would force me to learn how to drive one of those odd little, what are they called, manual transmissions? There are a few of you out there who have been after me to acquire this knowledge. This would force me to attain it. So really, it would be a gift for the both of us. I'm a giver too you know.

And last but certainly not least, is the badda bling. For those of you who feel the civic needs spinners, I think this would be the ultimate in blinged out gift giving. I like to think of it as Barbie's Dream Mercedes. Besides, I'm the girl who favors doll's clothes so why not drive a doll's car?

Let me know if you need any other ideas!

I'm exausted!

We hit the Auto Show today. To be more accurate, we went 12 rounds with the Auto Show. 5 hours of auto show goodness. We saw everything. I think its safe to say that we won that battle.

But I'm tired.

Pictures tomorrow.

31 days until Christmas

11 days until Hanukkah.

You're welcome.

Best Laid Plans

The plan was to stay at home, eat leftovers and knit. I had every intention of doing just that. But, I have embarked on the single most difficult knitting endeavor ever. Its "Level 2." That means easy people. This shouldn't be difficult. Seriously. And I can't show you because it may or may not be a gift to someone who may or may not read this blog. I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

So, to get a bit of breathing room from something so ridiculously simple, I headed down into the trenches. Black Friday.

Well, not really. I went down into Westwood to Bel Air Camera. I was fightin' the crowds. It took me 3 seconds to make eye contact with Victor, it took him about 15 seconds to grab what I needed, about 2 minutes to discuss the purchase and another minute to be rung up.

Do I suffer for my deals or what?

Ok, for those of you who don't know Bel Air Camera, you should. In this age of big box stores taking over the world, Bel Air Camera keeps getting bigger and better. I mean, how many camera stores do you see in buildings that used to house banks. Everyone in there knows their stuff. Its a nice change from a kid earning a few bucks an hour over minimum wage shrugging when you ask a question about a particular product. In the interest of full disclosure, I paid about $30 more since I didn't stand outside of Circuit City at 4am this morning.

Hmm, getting up at 4am or paying another $30. Fighting crazy crowds or paying an extra $30. I don't know about you, but I think it was worth it.

So yeah, I ran a few errands and came back to continue the most difficult project ever.

And ate my left overs.

Even the best laid plans can have wee bit of modification.

Martha's got nothing on us

Seriously.

Thanksgiving came early

Because of Mom's mad cooking skilz, she's a wee busy this time of year. This week alone, she's already baked dog and people cookies and made two batches of soup. For Thanksgiving, she's doing two turkeys, one for my stepdad and one for the extended family. Then there's the salad and veggies she's making for 33 people. (No, I'm not kidding.) Did I mention she works full time? Yeah, she's a bit busy. I understand this. However, what I didn't understand was the announcement that she wasn't making stuffing. As someone else had that responsibility for the main dinner, she figured she wouldn't do it this year.

That's not funny.

That's like Christmas with no gifts.

That's like Halloween with no costumes.

That's like Jenna with no designer shoes.

We don't joke about things like that.

Needless to say, I was a bit disturbed. Several conversations ensued. Conversations turned to negotiations. The final agreement: in addition to my usual indentured servitude, I would exchange my chopping assistance for her willingness to making stuffing. Completely fair if you ask me.

Tonight, I chopped celery, onions and eight heads of brociflower, giddy with the thought of stuffing tomorrow.

I knew she was doing the stepdad turkey today. What I didn't know is that she stuffed it for me. I'm sitting upstairs knitting a gift and she pages me for turkey. After finishing the row I was on I saunter down:

"There's the stuffing. Its all yours."

(blink, blink) All of it?

"Well, leave a bite for Tony, but yeah, all of it."

Its sick how happy I was about this. I was dancing around the kitchen. It was so good. It was everything I've been waiting for for the last year. My blessed stuffing.

"The hills are alive, with the taste of stuffing...."

Plus, I get more tomorrow from the Turkey she's making for the family dinner. (There's a small group of us who share that stuffing. Everyone else gets the "other stuff." Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

Thanksgiving came early today.

doG bless us, everyone.

Panic at the Disco

I'm a professional shopper, kids don't try this at home, filmed on a closed course, no animals were harmed in the shopping at this mall. I shop the department stores, big box stores, boutiques, sample sales, outlets, you name it, I'll shop it. I've been pushed, elbowed, glared at and threatened. If there's a deal, I'll find it and I don't care what you say, how you look at me or how you try to get by me, I won't be intimidated. But, with all that being said, there are certain understood rules to shopping.

Rule 1: Get in early, hit hard, and get out.
Rule 2: Don't Panic.
Rule 3: Use only as much force is necessary but don't hurt anyone enough to get thrown out.

And yet, this early in the game, all of the above rules are being broken. Not cool.

We went to Costco last Saturday at opening to get the majority of our Thanksgiving shopping out of the way. We grabbed our cart and sauntered inside. People were literally running through the aisles with their shopping carts. Running. Why are you people running? Seriously. Its Saturday. I don't understand. Why are you freaking out? That's so not in the shopping handbook; you're breaking all of the rules. Just so you know, Thanksgiving isn't tomorrow, its Thursday. The store is empty. The prices don't change in 10 minutes. This isn't Black Friday.

And that brings us to to Black Friday....

If people are freaking out the Saturday before Thanksgiving, what sort of chaos and anarchy are we in for on Black Friday? Unless requested otherwise, I'll have my booty firmly planted in my bed, watching bad TV, shows on my DVR, knitting, wrapping Christmas gifts (see shopping credentials above) and such what not. But, I don't really think I'll be venturing too far outside my neighborhood. I've seen the Walmart video. Those amateurs scare me. They don't play by the rules.

An Open Letter to Betsey Johnson

Dear Betsey,

I just want to start this by telling you how much I love you. You're the first designer I understood, the first whose designs I could spot on the streets, in the stores and in magazines without a label or a headline. The pieces I'm lucky enough to own I wear until they fall apart; literally, the material shreds after years of use and love.

I appreciate the strides you've made in the last few years in accessories. My favorite shoes bear your label, I covet your purses and now enjoy your hosiery. And it is that hosiery that brings me to you today.

I willingly spent a small fortune on your latest line of hosiery. The black tights with the hearts in the weave of the material and a second pair of plain opaque with a small rhinestone heart on the hip are fabulous. I finished this trifecta with the cutest gray over the knee socks. You know, the ones with the red accents and the rose on the back. However, after just a few minutes, they began to fall down. Tackiness, instead of cuteness raided my Monday. I had to run to Fredericks for a garter belt to save the injustice to my outfit. Thankfully, once this wrong was righted I was able to enjoy the socks, thorns and vines and all.

I write this as a veteran of over the knee, or thigh high socks. I have enjoyed them since the mid 90's and I am pleased that you have allowed me to continue the trend. I know you understand this look, this joie de vivre of socks. I implore you, add more elastic to your over the knee socks. Allow them to stay up. Allow us to enjoy your fashions and walk freely without fear of quick falling socks.

xoxo,

Jenna

Pictures on the run

I'm sure you got the same message. Yahoo photos was going to implode. I didn't really care. I hadn't looked at them in years and really, if any of my pics were that important, I'd have them saved somewhere. Then I received another message. Your Yahoo photos would be moved to flickr. So that was cool. I didn't even look at them as I'm, uhm, photo challenged for much of my computer day.

I looked at them last week.

Holy crap.

That's my dad and my two half brothers. Its a picture from 2003. As it is 2007, the boys are a bit taller and more grown up. But the holy crap part comes more from how I think of my dad and that guy in the picture isn't it. Here's how I explain it:

Every time I see someone I haven't seen in awhile, they're convinced I've lost weight. Right now its true, so I take the compliment. But, usually I'm at the exact same weight. It always strikes me as odd that people must think of me as so much bigger than I am. With that in mind, I don't feel bad that I hold a specific image of people in my mind when I think of them. But, Dad's picture above did get me thinking of how I see myself compared to how other people see me.

I'm the one in the cute white dress. I know there are a few people in this world who still see me as that wee one. That's ok. The family who see me like that are cool. I'll let that slide.

I think this is how people saw me in high school.

Based on the hair length I want to say this was from the 10th grade. No glasses though I always wore them...just never in pictures.

The sweatshirt doesn't match the button down shirt underneath but the barret in my hair does match the shirt. Yeah, that's how I rolled.

I cringe to think what shoes I was wearing. Thankfully those were spared from the picture.

But I am proud to say that I still have the sweatshirt as it bears the team of my mom's high school. Penn Hills in the house!

Yeah, its klassy...we bought it at Giant Eagle. For those of you not familiar with Giant Eagle, its a supermarket. Hey, even at a young age I could shop anywhere.

Here's how I like to remember myself from high school.
That was a scene from our version of "Godspell." To this day it was my favorite role. Our characters were self-made, based on characters you'd find on the Venice boardwalk. I was a lost teenager. (Heh, that was a stretch.) Though, my mom would have been horrified if I ever dressed myself like that in "real life," in one of the styles of '92: tshirt, striped tights, cut off jean shorts and Docs. From "In Living Color" to a high school stage near you. During the play I was able to perform a sort of sermon, a specialty of mine to this day as my dad's 2nd wife played one on TV.

And, I left the picture unedited since that hand on the left belongs to Elizabeth. Since age 11, she has always next to me.

From teens to the 20s.

Here's how I think of my 20s.

The picture doesn't show it well, but my hair is 4 different colors. I know it looks goofy now, but that was one of my favorite haircuts ever. And that shirt was the beginning of my designer consumption. (James Pearse for those of you playing along at home.)

1998 was a busy year as I was working at Bloomingdale's as a personal shopper and met that guy next to me, the one with the HUGE head, who was to become one of my very best friends.


So I guess that brings us to the 30s. Since we're just beginning I guess I'll find something recent, something you've seen before.
Where to next?

Better yet...how do you see yourself?

Something for new parents to consider

So you think gymnastics would be a good sport for your precious little girl? I agree. Its great training for that pole dancing class she'll take 15 years later.

You're welcome.

Since we're 15 minutes away from Sunday, here's a few bright spots to fill your day:
Erin Fetherston for Target's Go International launches. And we have Felt Club. So little time, so much money to spend!

File this under stuff I didn't know

Tito's Tacos chips never go bad.

I was the lucky recipient of boxes of tacos and bags of chips last Saturday. I put one of the paper bags full of chips into a very fancy Gelson's plastic grocery bag and tied it up. Its like a Ziploc only not.

Mom calls me at work today to announce we're going over to a friend's house for dinner. She grabbed the bag o' chips, and a bin o' Tito's salsa and a 3 chick party was born. Both the chips and the salsa tasted exactly as they did last Saturday.

I'm not sure if I'm excited or frightened by this discovery.

Then I came home, walk and fed the pups, watched Heroes on my DVR and knitted.

Do I know how to party or what?

And now for something completely different

I started blogging about how someone moved my cheese. Some of my, ahem, internet freedoms had been changed over the weekend. So, I've been adjusting. Then I was going to blog about some old pictures I found. I even thought about blogging about this get-rid-of-a-hundred-things thing that's been a topic of interest on the wee web ring to your right.

Then I received a phone call.

There was an accident.

No one was hurt.

Police were called. Cars were totaled. Dinner was skipped.

I mean seriously. Does it matter that I have to access blogger and comments from home? Am I in the mood to wax nostalgic about old pictures of me and my family? Does talking about decluttering really interest me right now? The answer to all three is no. But I will say this.

Hug the people you love.

Pat the people you like on the head.

Ignore the people who annoy you.

The holidays are upon us people, lets remember what they're all about: the people we love...and presents.

a new world order

testing...

This job may be hazardous to your wardrobe.

I dig my job. I don't think its a secret that I'm the paralegal for an investment banking firm. You can probably imagine the level of formality (for L.A.) and the lack of any sort of physical labor. Sure, I've been known to carry a box. But, for the most part, I'm beating on a computer or stacks of vicious paper, bending them to my legal will. I've been known to really expect a lot from my attire at lunch, sitting with Regina, knitting, kicking off my 4 inch heels for a chance at taking in a bit of vitamin E before heading back into the land of florescent light.

So, its rather odd that clothing is just bowing in submission. In all of my years of actual physical work, running around in suits and heels carrying boxes and baskets and racks of clothes, I ran stockings but never lost entire articles of clothing. There I was surrounded by clothes and not once did I ever need to buy anything for use that day other than hosiery. And yet today we had yet another casualty.

I'm sure the fug girls would be happy to hear that my favorite black Donna Karan leggings committed suicide. A huge hole attacked my thigh and raged on for the last hour of my day. And this is just the latest death. We've lost our favorite black dress, two pairs of shoes, a khaki skirt and a shirt. Some have gone quietly. The shoes, like the leggings, died towards the end of the day. Others, like the skirt, did their little dance first thing in the morning, in the middle of Century Park West for a nice man in a Mercedes to let us know about. Then there was the black dress that ripped slowly, my only hint was the draft as I walked to Gelson's for my morning muffin. Needless to say, not only do I keep a sewing kit at work, but I now keep a box of safety pins and have used both on several occasions.

If you can't find me at work, knock on the handicapped stall in the 5th floor ladies room. Odds are good, I'm sitting in the chair in there sewing up something so I can finish my day.

Just a little bait

Everyone knows that L.A. has earthquakes and high rent and (almost) unaffordable real estate and crazy drivers and such what not. Then we have days like today. Technically, it was a federal holiday. But, everyone I know had to work. So, you tool around on the freeways on a "work" day and everything is moving. The weather is fantastic. This is how we lure people in. They visit on days like this and think they could handle the traffic and the high rent and the earthquakes if it means that they'll have fantastic weather and a great job market and all the cheap ethnic food you can eat.

Then we slowly bring the traffic back. And drive you insane. And drive you back from wherever you moved. Unless you've assimilated and think that its all worth it.

I think its worth it. But, then again, that's just me.

A Trying 2 Year Old

But not how you think. I have a wee one in my life, like a neice if you will, and she has requested a hat for Christmas. I have lots of patterns for baby hats but I need a super fabulous hat for a two year old. Any suggestions?

Other People's Opinions

Not that I really care what other people think, but here were a few votes on favorites in L.A.:

Tito's Tacos: The received two HUGE votes. (Warning, the website opens with a very, uhm, interesting theme song. So if you're reading from work or with a sleeping baby, you're warned.)

Gelson's Spinach Artichoke dip: You get no link because I can't even believe I'm telling you about it. Its the best Spinach Artichoke dip out there. Hands down. Chips down. Every other Spinach artichoke dip must bow in reverence. Best. Ever.

Have a Corn Chip: Love these. Like Pinkberry, they have a taste that's slightly different than what you're used to with your corn chips. And, like Pinkberry, they're vaguely addicting. But, yummy nonetheless.

Phoenix Bakery: Best bang for your cake buck. Super affordable, super yummy and a great excuse to run downtown for some art and some lunch.

Sugar cookies (with different kinds of sprinkles) from this bakery in the South Bay but I can't tell you the name because I tossed the box. (k8, could you comment or email me the name of the bakery? thanks. and, uhm, B could you send me the name of your Indian place. I forgot to ask about that.) Yeah, the cookies are freakin' spectacular. And I'm a sugar cookie connoisseur.

A few of my favorite things

When I started this post I was going to write blurbs about all of my favorite restaurants around L.A. Then I realised that I eat a lot and the more I listed the more I thought I needed to add. Therefore, today's contribution will be various Asian restaurants I can't live without and the yummy deserts that often follow.

Westwood:
Mr. Noodle: Good, cheap, fast and nex door to Diddy Reese, which is also good, cheap and fast.

Sawtelle:
Little Hong Kong Cafe (Thanks to Catherine for letting me know this has reopened. I was sad when it was closed.): best inexpensive Chinese on the Westside.

Curry House: Best Japanese curry. If you like it hot or not (I order "white-girl mild" which they completely understand), its fantastic and even better as leftovers the next day.

Beard Papa: Cream Puffs filled while you watch for $1.75. (Ok, I think that's the dirtiest sounding sentance I've ever written.)

FuRaiBo: I don't even know how to describe the food. The linked website calls it Izakaya style but without wikipedia, I don't know what Izakaya style is. When I tell people about it I describe it as Japanese tapas. Its little plates of yummy goodness. And I also tell them to try the cheese filled fried fish balls. If I haven't scared them at that point, they're going to love it. Its not the kind of place for people who are afraid of new foods.

Blue Marlin: For years I didn't go in as the specials board outside sounded weird. Then Regina took me. Ever since, I go there when I need comfort food but I want something more interesting than a deli.

For those of you willing to go east:

Korean:

Tahoe Galbi: Recommended by the most rockin' Korean chick in L.A. She was correct. For two lovers of the Korean BBQ and two who have never witnessed the goodness that is cooking your own food, this was a great pick. Yummy, cheap ($16/pp all you can eat) and well-ventilated (we sat on the "patio" which is an enclosed space but has huge windows) and an attached parking lot, you can't ask for much more in Koreatown.

Cleaning up the place

In honor of NaBloPoMo, I thought I'd update the place a wee bit and share the blogs I read on a daily basis.

Enjoy!

Nettie's Neddlecraft: The End of an Era

Nettie has had her lease on Wilshire Blvd. longer than I've been alive. Seriously. Since I was a kid I remember driving by Nettie's Neddlecraft. Its a block west of Neimans in prime Beverly Hills retail real estate. Driving to Bonwitt Teller I remember passing that burgundy awning. So, it was surreal to go today knowing that Nettie will only be there a few more weeks.

My first foray into the "needle arts," if you will, was needlepoint. It was an easy way to keep me occupied when mom & I would visit family in Pittsburgh. Its like coloring with yarn. I still enjoy it and have an unwritten contract with family that when a baby is born a stocking is stitched. And, I've bought most of my stockings from Nettie.

Every visit to Nettie's was the same. You walk into the store and are completely overwhelmed. She's been in this business for years and her inventory reflects that history. I would only shop in one aisle as most neddlepoint is cost prohibitive; yet that one aisle could keep me occupied for an hour. Then, as Nettie would sit in the back stitching with her other clients, one of her people would help me find something or just ring me up. It was always a unique shopping experience.

Walking into the store today, I don't think I warned Regina well enough and to be honest even I wasn't prepared for the amount of stock she had on hand. Not only did Nettie have her usual overwhelming amount of merchandise but she was also emptying out her warehouse. And, for the first time, I had the pleasure of speaking to this proprietor. As it is rude to ask a lady of her stature her age, I did ask her why close, why now. She didn't answer but we did establish in the course of the conversation that she has a great-grandchild my age. Later we overheard that her landlord is aggressively raising the rent so it was just time to go.

For all of you collectors out there, look at what Regina introduced me to:


And get this, she has a sign that all the magazines are $1.50. But, while we were there assembling our stack Nettie changed her mind and said that she's charging face value for them. McCall's marked it $1 in 1975, you pay one dollar in 2007. That's right, I said it. It reads $1.25, you pay $1.25, no eBay bidding required.

You seriously need to head over there. Rumor has it she'll be there until the 25th, but I'd head over this week. You just never know what you're going to find. She really wants to get rid of those magazines. After all, they're sitting on top of a convection oven still in the box that she hasn't had the opportunity to use and she'd really like to take that home.

Reality without writers?

Ok, sitting here watching "Biggest Loser" (whatever, I'm folding laundry and getting all the Halloween decorations put away so I'm not really watching) a deep thought occurred to me. I'm sure everyone else already thought of it, but whatever...

Here are a couple of things we know:

1. Reality tv is scripted.
2. We're in day 2 of the writer's strike.

So, if everyone is counting on reality tv to substitute for "written" shows, how is that possible if there isn't anyone to write the reality? Are they going to subject us to more shows like "Kid Nation." Or are the networks just going to bring over shows like "Intervention." (Seriously, showing people shooting up can't be scripted...can it?)

See, this is why having me write for my blog every day is a bad idea...you're stuck seeing the chaos in my brain without all the editing I usually do for you at no extra charge.

1991 called

And she wants her Docs back.

Most of the clothes I wore in college are gone (1992 - 1996 for those of you who may be curious). But, I did have the good (relatively speaking) sense to keep just a few key pieces. I had the coolest black vinyl tank dress from Contempo. That's right. I admit it. Where Eurochow is now. Yeah, that was my Contempo. I bought it on sale, marked down to $19.99. Hidden from mom to this day. I kept that. My original pair of Doc Martens 8 holes, duh. The most expensive pair of socks in 1995 ($16 at Fred Segal less my generous employee discount) white scrunchy socks with a black stripe at the top...still in great condition.

And its funny...putting all that on...it still fit. I might not be the person I was all those years ago but it didn't feel too weird. Its still a part of me. The dress didn't stay on for too long...that part of me is obviously not too active. But hours later, I'm still wearing the Docs. They marched me through my last year of high school, my four years of college and the first year of full-time retail, to be retired when I began as a personal shopper at Bloomingdale's.

Since we left the 90's I haven't worn them much. Pedicures and high heels have replaced Docs and Georgia boots. But its nice to know they're there.

Fight Club

Since Ed Norton or Brad Pitt didn't show up, I figure I can talk about Fight Club. Then again, if Ed or Brad had shown up, I would have freakin' broadcast Fight Club. But, more Ed than Brad as I've loved Ed for years. Though if he were standing next to Russell Crowe I'm not sure what I'd do.

*Ahem*

We find ourselves at the Urban Craft Center once again. However, this time we are not arriving to flowers and Kool Aid; this time we're walking into respirators and lye. That's right ladies and gentlemen, its time to make some soap.

This was my first class with Carolyn and let me tell you, she's cool. You ask incredibly inane questions like "When was soap invented?" and she actually answers truthfully and doesn't give the reasonable response of "Obviously you didn't have your respirator on properly when you were mixing that lye."

Here you can see all the materials all neatly laid out, 'cause that's how they roll at UCC. The short white container all by itself is the lye. The two stacked containers are the palm and coconut oil. The longer container that looks like it contains olive oil contains olive oil. Then on the other side you have your directions, safety goggles, respirator and instructions.

All the safety gear is for handling the lye. I used the respirator more than once as the extreme smell of the essential oils heated was a bit more than my delicate form could take. And, because I'm me, I broke the respirator. Its a wonder these girls keep letting back in the front door with the chaos I seem to cause.

I didn't take any during pictures 'cause you have to keep the lid on the crock pot. And you can see the crock pots on the right side of the picture. Imagine some while foamy stuff in there and you have your during picture.

As one of your class given supplies, you get an 8 bar mold that says "HANDMADE." (Do me a favor...look surprised when you get this as a gift, ok?) However, there is enough to make more then the one mold so you can either bring your own (anything flexible) or use the other ones they have. If you use theirs, you just have to let your soap harden there and pick it up later. And, since I figured I wouldn't make soap again on my own, I left my "Handmade" mold there with the borrowed molds. (See, I'm recycling. Check me out. Pay no attention to the individually wrapped containers of food I eat everyday. Focus on the soap mold I left at UCC to be used again, ok?)

Here's one of the other molds. Isn't my monkey cute? He's even cuter in person, I swear. They also have hearts and rocket ships and birds and pigs and all sorts of fun stuff.

If you do the class later this month (the 27th if my memory serves), save me a spot. I think I'm going to take the class again for three reasons:

1. It was fun.
2. I want to make more soap but me + handling lye = bad idea
3. I have my own molds and essential oils I want to use.

Join me!

A View from the Side

9am, Beverly Hills, CA

As you can see, its a bit foggy out. Cool, but not cold, a perfect walking morning. Lisa was kind enough to take me for an early appointment so I was waiting for her to open up. This is my view from my 2 minute wait at the front door of her shop. That's the line for Sprinkles.

At 9am.

Yeah.

Ang has the right attitude

And because Angela has the right attitude, and was very sweet to comment on my blog (Holla North Carolina!), I checked out her profile and blogs. On the sidebar of her previous blog, she has a badge to knit a sweater in November. Well, since I just did one in October and Laurie was kind enough to take my picture, I thought I'd steal, er, borrow her pictures and share them with you.

I'm proud to say no one recognized me at the WeHo S'n'B Halloween party. I can't imagine why. But, if you want to just see me, sans mask, holding out my arm, as I was told to do, here ya go. (Apologies to those of you who can't see Flickr from work.)

This could get a little ugly