reads

i hope the sherlock holmes stories are as enticing as the movies have been for me...

two step

get your groove on this new year :) lord knows i will be!

a few jams to help you get your dancing shoes on..

start 2012 with a wiggle & a giggle. 

clean yo' face

my best friend has turned me onto this revelation in beauty care. 

not really doing anything. so simple.

 eat well, drink lots of water and wash your face with natural foods. the first two have been a given for years now, all of these tips are things that my grandmother has been saying for all of my life but for some reason it took the wisdom of my wise gal pal to really drill it home. her and ms. crunchy betty. something about taking a solid 5 minutes to really clean my face before bed and wake me up in the morning makes me weak in the knees. i've been using oils for the past month or so and my skin feels like a dream. 

you are what you eat so might as well wear it too? or something like that..

www.crunchybetty.com

my

this puts a dance in my heart. 

perhaps it's the bossa nova. could be the old movie montage. maybe just the general feeling of love. i enjoy it too much.

new tune me

nothing is more exciting to me than finding an old soul in new music. adele certainly channels some 1930s jazz monsters, norah jones had it for a little while, madeleine peyroux kicks some blues tunes and hooray for finding another impressive soul sister, melody gardot. her subtly is incredible and so refreshing. these ladies are all so wonderful because they just ooze talent. there is no impressing needed - they sing what they feel and are clearly connected to the music whether its an original or a cover. nothing pretentious about it. so lovely.

trance

corndog

i really feel that people have soulmates. mates. multiple and for many reasons and in many points of your life, but without a doubt connected souls. i am lucky enough to have a few everywhere i have lived. the true blessing is when they are not lazy :) unfortunately at times i am, so keeping in touch gets tricky but what has made my mates so perfect is that they pick up the slack where i lack. fate is on my side and this month i get to enjoy the love some of my favorite souls. 

as my stephanie has said " friends are those people you can eat bowls of mashed potatoes all day with and they won't judge you"

i could not agree more.

hearty home

my wacky family. christmas is always that time when the planets align for us wanderers.

 i meander from whichever state i have planted in for that year, my sister moseys south with her hubby and my brother surprises everyone by flying in from his international abode. my mother being a true blooded preschool teacher keeps the childhood cheer alive. in years past this has meant scavenger hunts, "rock climbing" for my presents, riddles or just silly toys that all us "adults" cannot resist. this year my mom took the cake by managing to find every obscure sweet trinket i never knew i wanted. i am currently snuggling with my kitten in 1920's pajamas, wearing a cat hat, listening to the jellyfish soundtrack from the baltimore aquarium. classic. 

during this long weekend in NY i crammed in baking a few weird funfetti cakes, getting my grandmother to hibachi and playing the "hawaiian guitar" to whatever war song my grandfather sang. mainly i gave an excessive amount of kisses to my family whenever i wanted. thats what i miss most being away - random acts of spontaneous lovin'. being home feels like a burst of spontaneous love could happen at any moment. it's grand. i'll try to bring that back to California with me. :)

wise lady

my ma should write for hallmark. i wanted everyone to get a slice of her sage wisdom. :)

preachin'

i made a youtube.

oui oui

i wish i was french. nothing is sexier than a french jazz vocalist. they are getting me in the holiday spirit and making me feel oh so romantic. Edith piaf of course is number one but Cesaria Evora is amazing. french mixed with a caribbean feel - so wonderful. give yourself an amazing gift and listen to some of these women. eat a baguette while you're at it.

shmoga class

after a semi hiatus from yoga - 1 hour sessions cut down to a mere 15 minutes in the morning. im back on track. unfortunately and fortunately this has told my body a lot. yoga is amazing - not only does it give a moment to focus entirely on yourself and all the strength & power inside you it also brings attention to your body's hidden ailments. my hips, knees and ankles are entirely out of whack! it is going to take some major time but im shocked i could even walk correctly with this jenky posture. i suppose i'll venture back to the heated vaults at yoga works and power yoga. even if it means enduring the crowded rooms, hoity yoga moms and inevitably biking my lazy bum over there. t'is time.

calitree

i'll pretend we haven't had that tree up since thanksgiving..

ma asked

being an adult  i shouldn't really have a christmas list but more of a "when i get the money i should get this!" list.

::a few things that excite me::

earth kitt albums - she was just wonderful and has such an interesting voice. i also miss getting CDs.

vitamix - the green smoothies i would create would be epic.

an electric ukulele - so i can rock the ears off of my roommates & surf crew at work.

enrollment in dance academy - i miss african dance class in D.C. and my hips don't lie, they could use a workout.

a mattress - my room has been described as a bird's treehouse. i am sans bed and miss snuggling up under the covers in the morning.

a bike basket - although i've become an excellent snail it'd be a lot easier putting apples in a basket as opposed to shoved in my dress pockets.

spiffy

some of my favorite 1920's slang.

enjoy.

Applesauce - an explative

Cat's Meow - Something splendid or stylish; The best or greatest, wonderful.

Drugstore Cowboy - a guy that hangs around on a street corner trying to pick up girls.

Flat Tire - A dull witted, insipid, disappointing date. Same as pill, pickle, drag, rag, oilcan.

Giggle Water - An intoxicating beverage; alcohol.

Heebie-Jeebies - The jitters.

Hoofer - Dancer.

Horsefeathers - an explative; same usage as applesauce.

Hotsy-Totsy - Pleasing.

Lounge Lizard - a horny dog.

Sheba - A woman with sex appeal 

Soitently- Sure!

Stuck On - Having a crush on.

http://www.angelfire.com/comics/howardfineandhoward/20sTo40sPhrases.html

all around lovely.