Monthly Archives: February 2010

CHAT ROULETTE

Posted on 02.28.2010 | Leave a comment

I know this week was a bit of a dry spell friends, but oh, how I am happy to be able to make it up to you.

You see, this is what happened.  I had a bottle of champagne and was enjoying the evening with sisters.  You know how that goes.  We were all camped out in Kate’s room and decided that it was time to meet the strangers our parents would be keep us away from in the grocery store when we were little pups.  It was time for Chat Roulette.  In the interest of not wasting space explaining this phenom, I suggest reading the NYT article, The Surreal World of Chat Roulette. 

After our first few encounters, we got smart and crafted the following signs:

Simple messages.  Totally necessary.

We ended up meeting people (mostly dudes) from Germany, China, France, Canada, Texas and Las Vegas.  I mean, basically, it’s a sausage-fest that beats any awful bar or party you’ve been to times like, a million.  Remember the old AOL chat rooms?  It’s like that on steroids.  50% of the time the “stranger” would whip one 0ut on us, the other half of the time, they would want to drink with us.

Sometimes we met creepy strangers who had a microphone on, but insisted on using the keyboard, like Mr. Vegas below.

What?

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Posted in Weird as Hell

I beat napping…for now.

Posted on 02.27.2010 | Leave a comment

For the record, I’m trying to stave off a nap as I write this.

To state the obvious, I am SO relaxed right now.  It took me until we sat down to dinner last night to really let it all go, but I got it done, right? 

In contrast to my newfound zen, last night ended up, not surprisingly, being a total friend-blitz.  What was on the agenda?  Marcus and I had dinner with one set of friends, bid Martha farewell as she peaced-out for Colorado until mid-June and celebrated Sam’s Golden Birthday.  Can you say BUSY?

Today, I got to sleep in, ran a few necessary errands (ahem, groceries), and took care of some things that will make my life easier (like making a batch of Tomato Bread Soup for the freezer, as that definitely didn’t end up happening last week).  I also got to make myself a most delicious lunch of salmon, green beans with parmesan shavings and crusty bread. 

On an aside, I’m currently in the process of discovering the frozen vegetables in my freezer.  You had better believe that green beans are like a long-lost friend to me right now.  The peas that we dumped into the risotto earlier this week were also totally pleasing.  Sometimes I even surprise myself with how outside-the-box I can be (please note the dripping sarcasm).

A nice surprise on Friday that I forgot to mention to you all yesterday is that the Groupon you can go for this weekend is $30 for $70 at Osteria I Nonni.  Click here to buy one for yourself!  According to Yelp, its got 4 1/2 stars, which makes it legit + worth the trek to St. Paul.  Plus $70 will get you and your dining companion a really nice dinner.

Finally, I present to you what I think is likely the first PSA to appear on Tenaciously Yours,.

I hope that you’re all starting to think about how you’re going to cope with regular television once the Olympics have ended.  Since most of you likely haven’t been weaning yourselves off of NBC’s hyper-emotional covergage (read: BOB COSTAS) and methadone can’t help you, think of yourself and take the time to write a quit plan today.  Going it Cold Turkey isn’t easy and you’re going to need some resources to guide you through the decision making process.  Otherwise, trying to choose between QVC, Hoarders and the History Channel is going to be about as challenging as performing brain surgery.  Be prepared, be strong.

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Posted in PSA, Workshopping

If you’re reading this, you should be at happy hour.

Posted on 02.26.2010 | Leave a comment

Don’t worry, this week I didn’t forget you all whilst embarking on a crusade for food and drink.  I think it’s safe to say this week that not only did I survive this week, but that we ALL survived this week.

My plan for this festive period of time is to see everyone on the planet (you think I’m kidding, but I’m really not) in a very low-key, no-stress way.  Which is thankfully, a total 180 from the Hot Mess I no choice but to dominate last weekend.  Homegirl’s gotta find some zen somewhere.

If you get bored during the day, for a fun (or validating, depending on your perspective) weekend activity, while on Facebook, make a mental list of the people who, judging by their profiles are totally divorced from reality.  Have a laugh, be thankful for your life (or both) and then move on.

Because I know we’ve all been looking to fill the cinematic void that Snakes on a Plane left, I think we should find absolution in the fact that Hot Tub Time Machine will soon be playing in theatres near you.  Even though most of the time when I go to the movies I leave with the beginnings of a migraine, I’m ready to roll in with a flask and bask in the film’s sweet simplicity.

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Posted in Movies, Zen

Next scene, please.

Posted on 02.25.2010 | Leave a comment

Today at work, I got a stress-cramp in my neck.  Sassy.  I ended up working it out on the treadmill (employing the theory that if the rest of my body was miserable, my neck could not possibly be).  On the bright side, since I’m going to see the doctor tomorrow for my check-up, if the feeling persists in the morning, I can always round up some pills.

AND, since Marcus had class tonight (aka I do not ususally see him on Thursday nights), it was an oven fries night.  Yes, I ate WAY too many fries and yes, they were totally delicious.  On the basis that I made them myself, and there are no “secret” ingredients (as in, I can imagine what everything that goes into this dish looks like in nature) I refuse to engage in any self-loathing.  In my defense, I also steamed some green beans that I had lurking in the freezer.  Topped with the tiniest sliver of butter, salt, pepper and some parmesan cheese, they were absolutely what I was looking for in a vegetable-side for tonight.  To round the meal out, I also enjoyed the remainder of a bottle of La Finca Cabernet Sauvignon.  If you’re looking to leap into the $4 price point for wine at Trader Joe’s, the La Finca reds (Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec) do not disappoint.

To be honest, all of this aside, I have no idea of where this week went.  It felt like one of the longer weeks I’ve lived through and to top it off, I went through the entirety of today believing that it was still Wednesday.  Sick.  See you friends tomorrow!

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Posted in Cooking, Craptastic, Kat in White

It’s a Twisty Road

Posted on 02.24.2010 | 1 Comment

SO pretty sure this week has been the weirdest week ever.

Uno: There is an ice dam on the roof directly over my apartment.  That manifested itself at 9 pm on Monday night with cracks in the plaster and streams of water trickling down the wall by my patio door.

How thrilling.

Fear not, I moved Edward and Bella as well as their grassy meadow to higher ground, lest they be engulfed by the flood.

They appreciated my rescue efforts.

The managment company informed me that they might send someone out in the middle of the night to look at the mess/attempt to fix it and I was like peace.out.  There is no way in hell, even with a phone call, that I’m answering the door at 2 am without contacts or a bra on to let some strange man in.  That’s like the bad setting for a slasher flick.  So I ended up camping at Marcus’ for the past two days (I think it’s street-legal to call it “camping” when you would like to be able to dwell in your own place).

Dos: Some old family friends who live in England were over for dinner last night.  It was lovely.  Since you all know that I have like, the tiniest hint of an obsession with the Royal Family, I thought I would ask just one question of the people who actually live there.  Naturally, I wanted to know if they really thought that William and Kate would get engaged.  Because lord knows I’m waiting for the news with like THE REST OF THAT COUNTRY.  And one of our dinner guests gets a strange look on his face (as did his wife) and then he informs us that he and the Middletons share, I want to say, a Great Grandfather.  And it took every ounce of restraint in my body to play it cool instead of being like, OMFG ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!  And then having the most embarassing geeky moment of my life.  I die.  In the meantime, I continue to wait for the news.

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Posted in nesting, Royals, Weird as Hell

Cisin’ and Skinnyin’

Posted on 02.24.2010 | Leave a comment

Fact: If you do abs while chatting with friends, they’re not hard at all.

Also fact: If you participate in Fact #1, you will end up in screaming ab pain the next day.

Confession time (what else is new?).  I ate like crap last weekend.  Like, not just a little bit, but a lot bit.  It started post-Bar la Grassa and continued through all of Saturday.  The only reason it did not continue on Sunday was because the Bachelorette party did some serious damage.  There is SO a reason that I don’t regularly consume jello shots.

On the other side of the coin, I was pretty flippin’ proud that I managed to move my bod (beyond the usual yoga) five times last week!  Watch.out.world.

I wish I could say that this week was a repeat performance, but realistically, I’ll likely just be hitting three.  The good news?  Today I upped my treadmill time to 35 minutes from 30.  That still makes me woefully pathetic compared to most of the body-movin’ population but I’m pretty darned proud.

 That being said, I’ve now been exercising long enough to warrant the purchase of new sports bras.  Following that, yoga pants and an armband for my iPod.  Talk about out of control.  I am wild woman.  BUT, I am a huge believer in waiting to buy things for activities you’re doing until you know that you’re going to stick with it.  I mean, I needed a new pair of tennis shoes because the pair I had were at least two and a half years old.  The rest of the stuff?  Worth waiting for.

And last but not least, a message for you all that I’ll probably harp on more at a later date.  Eat real food.  9/10 if you feel like total hell after eating, something, it’s because you just ingested a “chemical shit storm” (that’s the only good phrase OR information that came out of the book Skinny Bitch) and not something real.  Food for thought.  Or thoughts about your food.

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Posted in Fact., Living The Skinny, WORK IT

Wardrobe Rehab

Posted on 02.23.2010 | 2 Comments

The shopping fiend inside of me is just screaming to get out, and it is taking every ounce of my self-control to avoid going on a spree.  Granted, on Kat and Linds day, I found a couple really cute tees on the sale rack at J.Crew that had to come home with me.  And I still have a couple of gift cards to use – Barnes & Noble and Victoria’s Secret.  But truly friends, I am busting my tail to.keep.it.together.

I’ve gotta build my war chest.  Homegirl’s got some plans.

What are the Kat must-haves?

I would put a season on them, but frankly, these are classic pieces and ones that I’ll be working between now and November to obtain.  On an aside, I’m pretty terrible at keeping with trends, but, if you’re looking for some fashion advice, check out the (chloe) conspiracy and Anthroholic.  I will go on the record though as saying that I definitely despise the skinny-belt trend.  At that point, you might as well tie a piece of rope around your waist.

ANYWAY, back to the things I think would look lovely in my closet…

Tory Burch Reva Flats.  They’re cute.  The people who wear them rave about their comfort.  If I don’t get a new pair of nice flats, I can be totally assured that I will destroy my beloved Coach loafers by summer’s end, and ain’t no one loving that.

Lilly Pulitzer.  It’s time.  I need a dress for our engagement party and like diamonds, Lilly is forever.  Prowl starts now.  Sometimes Lilly appears at TJ Maxx.  I’m not sayin’ but I’m just sayin’.

Frye Boots.  I’ve been on the quest for the perfect pair of riding boots and I’ve got a feeling that this fall, these will be the perfect pair.  I managed to keep from caving for a cheapie pair this season, so I would say I’ve earned these.

We’re going big.

On a totally separate note, while these are staple pieces I’m hoping to have in my closet forever, if I’m not looking for something of that ilk, I am almost exclusively a sale-rack shopper.  Let’s get serious.  The economy is still trash and stores have to keep on forcing merchandise through in order to stay “on trend,” regardless of how many pieces they did or did not sell.  Every once in a blue moon, there’s that OHMIGODI’LLJUSTDIEIFIDON’THAVEITNOW top/skirt/dress, but if you’re not feeling that, it’s moronic to pay full price.  Plus, we live in the age of the internets.  It’s not being cheap friends, it’s being smart.

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Posted in Clotheshorse, Style

A rant et les jeux olympiques d’hiver.

Posted on 02.22.2010 | 1 Comment

I am SO over the feeling that when I drive through my apartment parking lot, I’m off-roading.  Like, what?  This is 2010, we live in Minnesota.  Snow/Ice removal should not be the challenge of the century.  I mean, we’re like talking about either a foot of ice or a foot of water/slush.  Nobody wins.  If I can make it through the rest of the winter with my tires and suspension intact, I will be thankful.

On a note of self-loathing, I got sucked into watching The Bachelor this season.  Which would be unfortunate to begin with, except for the fact that Jake is pretty much the worst bachelor of all time.  I mean, there’s literally nothing that’s redeeming about the man.

And finally, I absolutely can’t believe that I haven’t taken any time to share my thoughts on the Olympics with you all!  To summarize: I still hold to the theory that we could host the games here since another area in which we, Team U.S.A. are beating Team Canada is appropriate weather.  Even though I think it’s cliche, I am 100% team Lindsey Vonn.  For the men’s long program, I turned off the t.v. following Evan Lysacek’s program.  I figured if his performance wasn’t good enough for the gold, then the rest of the competition wasn’t worth watching.  The Opening Cermonies weren’t a total fail, but they could have at least tried to make it look like they were trying.  I REALLY don’t understand the difference between Ice Dancing and Pairs Skating.  I am thankful that they turned to Ralph Lauren to do some of our national outfitting again.

Fin.

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Posted in CRV, Rants, TV

Baby Steps

Posted on 02.21.2010 | Leave a comment

366 more tasks.  Take comfort in order friends.

Mom hit the library like a professional and was most enthused to show me her loot.

Naturally, in order to get married, you need to read 1,000 – 2,000 pages first.  Ironically, the Rabbi and his wife sent Marcus and I a copy of a Anita Diamant’s Jewish wedding book that I was actually meant to be Amazon-ing this weekend.

And while Marcus and I agreed we wouldn’t be asking people to be in our wedding until June-ish (you know, engagement party time), I cheated and asked Lindsey to be my Maid of Honor because frankly, planning starts now, and I need someone who isn’t my mother to be keeping track of me.  I just LOVE her mom and she got into the wedding spirit as well…

…Which she showed-off by making us the cutest books ever to jot things down in for the next 16 months!  And yes, in case you were wondering, that is definitely decoupage in action.

AND, since it was Kat and Linds day on Grand Ave., naturally we stopped by The Wedding Shoppe, just to look (I swear-to-god I didn’t try any on!) at dresses and get a feel of what we’re hunting for.  We also visited Chris at J.Crew and he mentioned that they had some bridesmaid dresses that they’d transferred in for a viewing, so Linds and I checked those out as well.

See?  I’m getting into the wedding spirit (which is totally different than the marital spirit).

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Posted in Kat in White

This weekend is just a hot mess

Posted on 02.20.2010 | 1 Comment

Some mornings, you need an egg sandwich for breakfast.  I usually try to keep my breakfasts varied and all that jazz, but like, if you’re not in the mood for lox, then you should probably not go that direction (I’m really good with the sentences this morning).

On an aside, thank god for the e-mail on my BlackBerry, because it would be impossible to drunkenly communicate with Lis otherwise.  Make my life.

Friends, I also totally apologize for the lack-of-post yesterday.  I didn’t think about the fact that I wasn’t going to have the time to share something with you all until I got to work and realized I was literally stopping by the apartment to change clothes post-work and then Marcus was coming to pick me up at 5:30-ish so that we could have dinner with his grandfather and Judy at Bar La Grassa (AKA HEAVEN).

I know, you’re all victims.

BUT, back to the more important topic, Bar La Grassa…A word to the wise: If you haven’t been yet, call for a reservation now.  It costs a bit, but it isn’t super-expensive.  It is definitely (read: DEFINITELY) worth saving the pennies you’d be spending on un-food like McDonald’s and Applebee’s.  Plus, since reservations are out like six weeks right now, you’ll have enough time to get your act together.

And now, the weekend.  Simply put, it will be the funnest (yes, I totally whipped that one out on you).  I’ve got Chocolate Chip Banana Bread to be making, bachelorettes to be partying with, a Kat and Linds day to be having and chicken(s) to be roasting.

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Posted in Faves, Foodies