Bathing SUIT UP!

Just thought I'd show you my new bathing suit for the season.  I love the way Old Navy bathing suits fit me, especially the bottoms.  They're not too tight which may create an unfortunate side spillage situation, if you know what I mean.  And I've been sporting the bandeau tops for the past since my junior year of college...thinking tthey were a bit more mature then the tiny triangle tops I used to wear.  Wow...I can't believe its been that long!  I LOVED this paisley pattern on the navy.  Of course they didn't have my sizes so I waited patiently for them to re-stock online.  They did and it came in the mail this week.  With temperatures being in the 80's this coming Saturday and me living close to a beach, I'll be donning my new suit in a few short days.  Not sure I've been doing the Shred enough to sport this little beauty, but hopefully no one will notice...

Eat, Pray, Love

I know I'm a little behind reading this popular book, but I just finished reading it yesterday. 

While Gilbert and I do not agree on theologically, I found the book to be quite the good read.  I love her honesty as she shares life struggles and intimate thoughts with her readers.  And she definitely makes me want to quit my job and travel the globe for a year.  I think my favorite journey was Italy.  Probably because I love to eat and the food sounded so fabulous!  For me, Richard was the best part of India: everyone needs at least one friend that loves you, picks on you, and tells you like it is.  And Bali: it sounds so lucious and enchanting...and her lover doesn't sound too bad either!

If you haven't read it either, I'd recommend it.  I'm excited to see the movie with Julia Roberts this summer!

Later razors

Has anyone out there ever used Veet?  Or am I the only one? 

It all started because I dislike shaving, yet recognize it is a service to myself, others, and society at large to perform this unwanted chore.  It seems as though I've actually gotten worse at it over the years - accidentally missing patches and what not.  However, over the past few months I started cutting myself a lot more than I should.  A two inch chunk of skin being removed from my shin and too much blood for my taste left me considering other options.  I decided that Veet would be my best alternative. 

I've used it a few times and I have to say that I'm liking it.  You just slather it on like lotion, wait 5-10 minutes and its gone!  It doesn't hurt and I'm pretty sure you can't injure yourself in the process. 

Quest for the Weekend

I'll be heading to the hottest place on earth after work today, also known as Columbia: the concrete jungle.  My friend and old roommate Mary is getting married and I'm excited to celebrate her nuptuals.  It will be fun to see lots of friends I don't get to see very often.  Including Cameron!  AND I'll be staying with one of my best Columbia friend's Mary Glenn.  Let's just say we always seem to have a good time...and lots of times that includes stuffing our faces with Blue Cheese Chips and 14's. 

But I'm also on a quest to find a Chicken Man painting for a gift.  He paints these fabulous chickens and other assortment of creatures, and is known all over Columbia.  He travels with all of his paintings in a truck/trailer thing that is completely painted in chickens.  So, its fairly hard to miss him...but I don't know where he's been setting up shop lately.  Have you seen him lately? 

Chicken. Pollo. Poulet.

I didn't grow up in one of those houses that tends to eat chicken every night.  In fact, I only remember eating chicken at home if it was fried, if mom made a whole Greek chicken, or in chicken divan.  But post Presbyterian, I found myself eating chicken.  A lot. 

While there are many things you can do with chicken, I think it's imperative to have juicy, not-too-dry chicken.  My method is pretty fool-proof: marinate or season the boneless, skinless chicken breast to your liking.  Pre-heat the oven to 350 and get an oven-proof skillet HOT on the stove.  Put a drop or so of olive oil in the pan sear the chicken on both sides (so just a smidge on each side), then pop it in the oven for 10-20 minutes depending on the size of the chicken.

BUT once again The Barefoot Contessa has put me to shame.  I love Ina: her food, her house, her table settings, and I find her husband Jeffrey fabulous as well.  Her way to make chicken is by far the juiciest way to eat a chicken breast.  And its cheaper!  Buy bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (alwasy cheaper than boneless, skinless).  Pre-heat the oven to 350, drizzle a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper on the skin.  45 minutes later you can remove the skin* and remove from the bone.  This chicken is perfect in recipes, shreds really well, and can be eaten as is.  If you want more flavor, just add seasoning under the skin.  It's so simple and so delicious.

* I can never bear to throw away all the skin and find myself eating at least 1/2 of it.  It just tastes SO good!Don't judge.

To Jort or Not to Jort?

...that is NOT the question.  I decided about two months ago, that I should get a pair of jorts (yes, I can't believe it either!). But the question is:

Rolled up jorts?

or

Cut off jorts?

What you YOU think?  There is a poll to the right where you can vote!

One Crazy Saturday: Part 2

I still had more things on my to-do list for the day so we headed to Northwoods Mall (its like going to a different country), where mom looked for some things and I exchanged my Proactiv. This is a funny story as well, but should be saved for another day.

I talk mom into hitting up Best Buy with me to help me look for a TV before she heads home. They had a 26" Dynex for $300, which is the BB brand, but I didn't feel quite enough comfortable to buy it. Oh well. I decide to go to HHGregg on my way home, but mom is all tuckered out and decides to head on back to good ole Mt. P. I walk into HHGregg and what do you know? They have a 32" Samsung for $350! A bigger TV and better TV for $42 more than I was planning to spend way back when in Wal-Mart. I call mom and she turns around because she, too, was looking for a TV. A nice chat with our sales guy later, mom and I each bought a TV.

I swung by Barberitos for a burrito to go and walked in the door of my house at 8:00 pm. Yes, that's 10 hours after I met mom! I took a well needed shower and then headed to meet Shannon (Who was in town...yay!) and AV out. I'm not sure the following words will do this story justice but I'm really hoping they do!

Upon walking into Locals in Mount Pleasant, I didn't know what to expect. After just a few minutes, I quickly realized it was the most similar thing to the Alpha Sig frat house at Presbyterian College I have ever seen. Down to the DJ, light show, and the dancing...oh the dancing. Now, I'm not one to shy away from a dance floor, but this evening it was much more fun to watch. To say there was grinding may be putting it mildly. There were lots of characters, including, in no particular order, a man that resembled Hagrid from Harry Potter, surfer-like-guidos, and some outfits that should have been left hanging in the closet. Older folks may have been to shy or not quite enough nimble for the dance floor had no qualms about grinding with their partner in their chairs. I'm not going to lie, there were many, many times I found myself laughing.

And what evening would be complete without playing a few rounds of flip cup? On the bar. In (plastic) shot glasses with beer and water (I was the DD). With a new-found friend. Yet nothing could have prepared me for the highlight of the evening. There was a mid-to-heavyset man in his 50's wearing jeans and a red golf shirt. Towards the end of our stint there he starts lifting up his shirt and rubbing his belly. (Are you visualizing? No, it was no appropriate!) Then he just took the shirt off completely. Wow. The next thing I know home skillet has unzipped and pulled his jeans down. They are down around his ankles. HE IS STANDING IN A BAR, DANCING AROUND, IN NOTHING BUT HIS TIGHTY WHITIES!!! Oh, how I wish this could be on YouTube for the hilarity.

All in all, our time at Locals was time well spent. The bartenders were excellent, quick to serve, and super friendly. And while the kitchen was closed by the time we were hungry, I hear they have fabulous food and some say they serve the best sushi in Charleston.*

Being the hungry ladies that we were, we headed off to Huddle House. Now, to say I am a fan of the Waffle House is an understatement. But this was my first time eating at a Huddle House and I was quite pleased. Our waitress was great and I got biscuits and gravy. (1) they were delicious (2) last time I checked, these are not on the WaHo menu. As we were enjoying our meal, our waitress brought over a side of sausage, "Courtesy of the gentlemen at the table behind you." What?!?! Now, getting a drink in a bar is one thing, but getting meat -- that's my kind of gift! Now, this was not your ordinary breakfast sausage, this was like grilled summer sausage and it was fabulous!

Since we were out in Mt. Pleasant and my small group started at 9 the next morning in Mt. Pleasant, I decided to stay at mom and dad's house. Good thing! Since our evening wrapped up a bit after 2 am. It was a long and jam-packed day, but all in all, quite a fabulous day!

* As it turns out, my dad ate there a few weeks ago and raved about the sushi and pork sandwich sliders.