For anyone not living on planet Earth and who hasn't seen/heard/cheered about Jes' response to Mike Jeffries, CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch's notable dumbass tirade about his clothing stores "model and customer preferences", then you have GOT to check out The Militant Baker. This woman is fearless and just freaking awesomely brilliant!
This is amazing and inspiring. For real. I was born thin, grew up thin, and started adulthood thin...and then I had my kids. Now, I am a size 14/16 and it's taken me a very long time to be comfortable with myself. Every piece of clothing in a department store is form fitting and snug. If it's not, then it's huge and would make even a skinny person look big. And the clothes designed for plus size girls? Muumuu, anyone?
The kicker? My husband actually prefer me now. And contrary to what Mr. Jeffries believes, most men prefer a little meat on the bones of their women. More to hold on to, as my hubby says. Otherwise, the "standard" size of a female model in today's society is the equivalent of a 12 year old boy...which shouldn't be attractive to ANYONE outside of a 12 year old girl. Because, really, just ewww.
I applaud Jes for her courage, tenacity, and kick ass, rockin body. As for the commenters who are questioning the male model in her photos being thin...the secondary purpose of these photos is to show that it doesn't take 2 thin people to be sexy, nor can "fat" women only be photographed with big men. There are just as many lean men in this world who find big girls beautiful, who find them sexier than their matchstick counterparts.
Great job, girl! Kudos to you...and also to Mr. Shay for being a real man and going against what is arguably the norm for his own profession.
While I personally am still not entirely comfortable in my skin, I can't wait for the day when I, too, like Jes can hold my head up and say "How do you like me now?!"
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Black Dagger Brotherhood
As I've mentioned before, I am an avid reader. At any given time, you can catch me reading. I love it so much, I even sneak a couple of minutes here and there! There have been a few novels and/or series over the course of my life that have really resonated with me. When I was much younger, it was Sweet Valley High and Babysitters Club (yeah, you feel me!). Now that I'm older, my taste has turned more towards dark and steamy. Such is the case of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.
I don't think I've ever loved characters as much as these unlikely heroes. The Dark-Hunter series (Sherrilyn Kenyon) and the Carpathian series (Christine Feehan) definitely rank up there as favorites, but the vampire saviors of the Brotherhood are everything a woman could ever want. Dark, brooding, scarred and broken, sexy. Allow me to introduce you:
Wrath - the Blind King of the vampires. Last purebred vampire. Mated to Beth, daughter of the slain leader, Darius. He leads the war against the Lessers, de-souled humans out to destroy vampires.
Rhage - Movie star beautiful, nicknamed Hollywood, he is possessed by a dragon like creature. Mated to Mary, a human though now immortal.
Zsadist - By far, my favorite Brother. Scarred and broken from his existence as a blood and sex slave after being stolen from his family as an infant, he remained there for over a century until he is rescued by his twin, Phury. He is tortured, cold, merciless and unforgiving with some serious hangups about sex and feeding. Until Bella, his mate, redeems him. Has a daughter named Nalla. Beautiful and haunting, he literally stays implanted in my brain at all times. He is my favorite character of all time.
Vishous - resident genius who can see visions and is the only one who can heal Butch. Son of the Scribe Virgin (their "deity"). Mated to Jane.
Torhment - Brotherhood leader. Lost his mate and unborn child to a Lesser attack. Leaves the Brotherhood a broken man then returns later in the series. Re-mated to Autumn.
Phury - twin brother to Zsadist. Starts the series a celibate as an atonement for what Zsadist went through. Mated to Cormia and is the Primale of the Chosen.
John Matthew/Tehrror - a mute human man who was born with the mark of the Brotherhood although this mark is usually given and isn't a birth right. Is later found to be the reincarnation of the slain leader, Darius. Mated to Xhex.
Butch/Dhestroyer - a former human homicide detective turned Brother, he is mated to Marissa and has the ability to absorb Lessers into his body. Is the object of the Lesser Prophecy.
If you haven't been introduced to this series yet, I highly suggest you run off and grab them. I've read them a zillion times (Z's story, Lover Awakened, probably 2 zillion) and recently downloaded the entire thing to my Kindle so I can have my fix anytime, anywhere. The only one I have not read yet is Lover At Last, the newest chapter featuring Qhuinn and Blay, who are yes, both men. I'm excited to read their story, as past interludes with them have been explosive. Check out JR Ward's videos on YouTube and make sure you read this series. At least one of the Brothers will touch your heart, mind, and a very specific place in the southern hemisphere. ;-)
Wrath - the Blind King of the vampires. Last purebred vampire. Mated to Beth, daughter of the slain leader, Darius. He leads the war against the Lessers, de-souled humans out to destroy vampires.
Rhage - Movie star beautiful, nicknamed Hollywood, he is possessed by a dragon like creature. Mated to Mary, a human though now immortal.
Zsadist - By far, my favorite Brother. Scarred and broken from his existence as a blood and sex slave after being stolen from his family as an infant, he remained there for over a century until he is rescued by his twin, Phury. He is tortured, cold, merciless and unforgiving with some serious hangups about sex and feeding. Until Bella, his mate, redeems him. Has a daughter named Nalla. Beautiful and haunting, he literally stays implanted in my brain at all times. He is my favorite character of all time.
Vishous - resident genius who can see visions and is the only one who can heal Butch. Son of the Scribe Virgin (their "deity"). Mated to Jane.
Torhment - Brotherhood leader. Lost his mate and unborn child to a Lesser attack. Leaves the Brotherhood a broken man then returns later in the series. Re-mated to Autumn.
Phury - twin brother to Zsadist. Starts the series a celibate as an atonement for what Zsadist went through. Mated to Cormia and is the Primale of the Chosen.
John Matthew/Tehrror - a mute human man who was born with the mark of the Brotherhood although this mark is usually given and isn't a birth right. Is later found to be the reincarnation of the slain leader, Darius. Mated to Xhex.
Butch/Dhestroyer - a former human homicide detective turned Brother, he is mated to Marissa and has the ability to absorb Lessers into his body. Is the object of the Lesser Prophecy.
If you haven't been introduced to this series yet, I highly suggest you run off and grab them. I've read them a zillion times (Z's story, Lover Awakened, probably 2 zillion) and recently downloaded the entire thing to my Kindle so I can have my fix anytime, anywhere. The only one I have not read yet is Lover At Last, the newest chapter featuring Qhuinn and Blay, who are yes, both men. I'm excited to read their story, as past interludes with them have been explosive. Check out JR Ward's videos on YouTube and make sure you read this series. At least one of the Brothers will touch your heart, mind, and a very specific place in the southern hemisphere. ;-)
Monday, March 25, 2013
Banana Nutella Muffins
I've always been a big fan of cooking and baking. More so baking, because hey, it involves sweetness in the forms of chocolate and sugar. I came across a new recipe on Pinterest that I wanted to try, Banana Nutella muffins. What's not to love? Bananas and the sweet, creamy chocolate hazelnut spread. Heaven, I tell you! I bought some bananas last week and they were finally over-ripe enough yesterday to use. (And it was a major feat to keep my girls from devouring all of them before I could use them!!!).
The recipe is pretty straight forward...thanks to Jessica over at The Novice Chef, you can find the original here Banana Nutella Muffins. Her muffin photos are beautiful! It was a pretty quick and easy recipe, and my word, my kitchen smelled fabulous!!!! I, of course, couldn't wait until they were cooled properly before snatching one up and promptly burning the roof of my mouth. But it was so worth it, these muffins are to die for!!!! Here's the photos of the ones that I made (sorry for the quality, my phone is really giving me issues!)
The recipe is pretty straight forward...thanks to Jessica over at The Novice Chef, you can find the original here Banana Nutella Muffins. Her muffin photos are beautiful! It was a pretty quick and easy recipe, and my word, my kitchen smelled fabulous!!!! I, of course, couldn't wait until they were cooled properly before snatching one up and promptly burning the roof of my mouth. But it was so worth it, these muffins are to die for!!!! Here's the photos of the ones that I made (sorry for the quality, my phone is really giving me issues!)
Nutella Banana Swirl Muffins
Yield: 18 muffins
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 medium over-ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans
nutella
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 medium over-ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans
nutella
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin pan with liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined. Set aside.
In large bowl, whisk together banana, sugar, brown sugar. Beat in egg, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Slowly whisk in the flour mixture, until there are no lumps. Fold in pecans.
Fill muffin tins 3/4 full. Top each muffin with about 1 teaspoon of Nutella and use a toothpick to swirl it into the batter.
Bake muffins for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Serve warm or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined. Set aside.
In large bowl, whisk together banana, sugar, brown sugar. Beat in egg, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Slowly whisk in the flour mixture, until there are no lumps. Fold in pecans.
Fill muffin tins 3/4 full. Top each muffin with about 1 teaspoon of Nutella and use a toothpick to swirl it into the batter.
Bake muffins for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Serve warm or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Magic Mike style
So my girlsfriends...Crystal, Tracy and Michelle...and I decided to check out a Magic Mike style male revue show that came into town this weekend. Hunks the Show out of Las Vegas. See the hunkiness here....
We danced, we drank, we screamed until we were hoarse. Seeing as it is my birthday next week, Tracy bought me a lap dance. *sigh* It was crazy!!! You would have thought we were nuns who broke out of the convent. lol Afterwards, we met up with our men at one of the local girl strip clubs. Um, slightly different atmosphere. lol Men sitting all primly and quietly, sipping beer, and holding out $1 bills. We were like y'all are boring!!! Ha! I assume it's different with male "dancers" because they don't care if they get touched. So glad it is because man, that was a HOT evening out! Now for this weekend when we will be heading to a local club for my actual birthday night out....and that will be the extent of my evenings out for the year probably. lol
We danced, we drank, we screamed until we were hoarse. Seeing as it is my birthday next week, Tracy bought me a lap dance. *sigh* It was crazy!!! You would have thought we were nuns who broke out of the convent. lol Afterwards, we met up with our men at one of the local girl strip clubs. Um, slightly different atmosphere. lol Men sitting all primly and quietly, sipping beer, and holding out $1 bills. We were like y'all are boring!!! Ha! I assume it's different with male "dancers" because they don't care if they get touched. So glad it is because man, that was a HOT evening out! Now for this weekend when we will be heading to a local club for my actual birthday night out....and that will be the extent of my evenings out for the year probably. lol
Bucket List
So I came across this bucket list in my computer from a long gone blog that I had. I had completely forgotten about it! Looking over the list, it's amazing how many things I have done (which I've highlighted) and how many more things I want to add to it. *sigh* Feel free to steal this list and make your own changes!!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53.Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
2. Slept under the stars3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53.Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Whew, what a crazy 2 weeks!
So I've been MIA obviously. What with Mardi Gras going on and all the catering and ball dancing. :-) It's been a complete and total blast!
First up, I helped hubby's catering job/restaurant/whatever you call it cater two balls. The first one was great...I bartended and hello, can we say TIPS?! Major thumbs up to that. The second? Not so much. I was a runner (the tuxedo clad person whisking trays of hot and steamy deliciousness to and fro from the kitchen tent to the main tent). The running wasn't the issue, nor was the temperature of the kitchen tent. The people, however, were rude and salacious and obnoxious. I smiled and "excuse me please" like the good Southern girl that I am...but inside, there was a battalion of potty mouthed sailors vying for the opportunity for a few four-letter word spewage. Ugh. Must people act like that? And this was for one of the ritzy, have more money than sense organizations. Geez.
On the flip side, the last event was the ball we attended, his aunt's Mobile Mystical Ladies organization. OMG did we have a blast!! I first went to my mother in law's, where she did the most amazing thing to my hair:
We danced and danced to all of the DJ's appropriate older-crowd approved music, and then finally towards the end of the night requested some Killin' In the Name Of by Rage as well as the ever popular Ice Ice Baby. ;-) The crowd seemed to be digging the Vanilla....their faces upon hearing Rage was priceless, though!! Hahaha!! Anyway, here we are...
My bff Renee and her hubby Bobby (my other hubby) came over early to get ready. Bobby is from Chicago and therefore, aside from his wedding 6 years ago, has had no reason to wear tails. Listening to Aubrey's "Tuxedo Tails 101" instruction to Bobby as HI-LA-RIOUS!!
We had a really really good time. I'm hoping we didn't freak Bobby out too much and that his first ball was a hit!
First up, I helped hubby's catering job/restaurant/whatever you call it cater two balls. The first one was great...I bartended and hello, can we say TIPS?! Major thumbs up to that. The second? Not so much. I was a runner (the tuxedo clad person whisking trays of hot and steamy deliciousness to and fro from the kitchen tent to the main tent). The running wasn't the issue, nor was the temperature of the kitchen tent. The people, however, were rude and salacious and obnoxious. I smiled and "excuse me please" like the good Southern girl that I am...but inside, there was a battalion of potty mouthed sailors vying for the opportunity for a few four-letter word spewage. Ugh. Must people act like that? And this was for one of the ritzy, have more money than sense organizations. Geez.
On the flip side, the last event was the ball we attended, his aunt's Mobile Mystical Ladies organization. OMG did we have a blast!! I first went to my mother in law's, where she did the most amazing thing to my hair:
We danced and danced to all of the DJ's appropriate older-crowd approved music, and then finally towards the end of the night requested some Killin' In the Name Of by Rage as well as the ever popular Ice Ice Baby. ;-) The crowd seemed to be digging the Vanilla....their faces upon hearing Rage was priceless, though!! Hahaha!! Anyway, here we are...
My bff Renee and her hubby Bobby (my other hubby) came over early to get ready. Bobby is from Chicago and therefore, aside from his wedding 6 years ago, has had no reason to wear tails. Listening to Aubrey's "Tuxedo Tails 101" instruction to Bobby as HI-LA-RIOUS!!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
I'm a bartender!
Well, kind of. ;-) I helped my hubby's job cater a Mardi Gras ball this past Friday. I got put in the bar and needless to say, I was petrified! I've never bartended a day in my life. Unless you count the very generous drinks I make for myself at home. I ended up having an absolute blast, though! All the guests were very nice, albeit drunk by the end of the evening, tipped well, and I had a ton of repeats so I ended up remembering the drinks of most everyone who kept coming to me. I got a bunch of "awesome job!" and "wow, you're good". :-) That makes me happy! I felt very proud of myself. I also had one girl trying to take me home all night. Her boyfriend thought it was hilarious (and I'm sure he would've been all about it had I actually gone lol). Then again, my hubby thought it was great, too. What is with men?! At least she was cute! We ended up, after packing up and heading back to the restaurant to unpack, getting home at 4am. And being a mom who is used to getting up early, I was still up by 8am. Ugh.
We have another ball this Friday night, followed by our own ball on Saturday. I'm going to be exhausted but I'm still determined to dance it up and have a blast!
We have another ball this Friday night, followed by our own ball on Saturday. I'm going to be exhausted but I'm still determined to dance it up and have a blast!
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