Happy 50th, Bishop!

Light it up, big guy! Get out there and KICK and STRETCH and KICK!!

(photo kidnapped from tracysfoodandthought)

Shoe Twins!

On Sunday Jackson and I looked down and realised, "hey...we totally have the same shoesies on..."

Poldark

I finally snagged the entire first season of Poldark from the library and man, oh man, it is so good! Anne recommended it to me but I had pretty low expectations. I figured I'd suffer through it so she would have someone to chat with about it, but how wrong I was. It's completely absorbing. Can't wait to go home and finish the rest of the eps!

(photo kidnapped from thetelegraph)

I Heart Joe Dallesandro

Yesterday I spent the evening at Bishop and Pax's place, stuffing our pieholes with pizza and, well, pie. While Bishop was completing the finishing touches on his homemade pizzas, Pax and I chewed the proverbial fat. A few weeks back, when lovely Ms. Holly Woodlawn passed away, Pax and I were chatting about Holly and Joe. I knew the name Joe Dallesandro but I doubt I'd be able to pick him out of a line up. The only way I knew of Holly and Joe was in an old (from the 90s if I recall...) television documentary I saw on Lou Reed. Holly and Joe were talking about Walk on the Wild Side and I remember that Joe said something really sweet and genuine to Holly. He said she was a beautiful girl and still is a beautiful girl. Holly swooned a bit, understandably, and I just thought to myself, "What a nice guy..."

So anyway, last night Pax was telling me about this project he had on Facebook and that his post on Joe was copied by the man himself onto his own Facebook page! Pax was over the freakin' moon. Bishop yelled from the kitchen, "He's internet famous!" It's such a silly, small thing, but the fact that Joe Dallesandro read the post and approved made Pax super-crazy happy. Ya know what? In a world full of James Deens - be a Joe Dallesandro. Please.

(For those of you not in the know, James Deen is a louse. Joe Dallesandro is a prince.)

Tim Commerford

Sometimes a girl just likes to admire a beautiful fella...

(photo kidnapped from musicradar - © Paul R. Giunta/Corbis)

Vegan Gluten Free Yumminess

Marina found a recipe online for gluten free chocolate chip cookies and passed it along to me, being kind enough to alter the ingredients so that I could make them vegan. The outcome? Delicious to the core! Especially the day after they were made, when the full flavour seemed to have set in. I added some extra sugar since I have a monster-sized sweet tooth and I think they are super perfect.

1 cup peanut butter
¾ cup applesauce
Half of a mashed banana
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon of salt
1 cup chocolate chips (vegan, of course!)
2 tablespoons of turbinado sugar

Preheat oven to 350° - blend all ingredients but the chocolate chips - once fully blended add in the chips and stir. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned. Let cool sufficiently before stuffing in your gob. Please note that at first the cookies are crispy, but the following day I noticed they were more soft and chewy. Either way they are pretty dang delectable!

 

(ps - you can't really taste the banana, which is a good thing in my opinion.)

Happy Christmas!

ps - look at what I got myself this year!

Christmas Tree for a Literary Fiend

Okay, so I really think I'm gonna have to do something like this. Don't you just love it??

(photo kidnapped from hative)

You have never really lived...

(photo kidnapped from concepthaus)

Cards in the Tree

What a treat to log into Instagram and see that my holiday cards made it to Natalia and Teo in New York and are proudly displayed in their Christmas tree! I love knowing that the mail I send out reaches the recipients and that they love getting them as much as I love sending them.

(ps - you can purchase the hipster reindeer card on ModCloth)

Super Dooper Cousin

My cousin Emily and I hardly see one another, but getting this text from her the other day made me so happy. She's such a sweetie and here's hoping we see more of each other in 2016!

 

 

Style Knows No Size

Saw this on Moore Street in Dublin, kept walking, stopped and went back to snap a quick picture. I love companies that make statements like this. It's kind, it's human, it's inclusive, and it makes people feel better when they walk past the shop window.

If we all do one random act of...

(photo kidnapped from randomactsofkindness)

It is in your self-interest...

(not sure if i posted this before, but it's good enough to be repeated!)

Ireland Selfies!

 

 

 

Back Home Again...

After a long flight (aren't they all) we finally made it to Philly International and made a beeline, past the baggage claim, and right to the smoking section outside.

The ride back and the rest of the day made me so depressed. I get so stressed about travelling but the truth is, I love being away and am so looking forward to my big adventure in March and April. I'm slightly mad for visiting three countries in 22 days all by myself, but I think it will so be worth it.

Christmas in Dublin

Once again we schlepped ourselves to the City Centre through the misty rain. This time we went to Stag's Head, which was stunning. A beautiful dark wood pub with a few people and plenty of space to sit. I took a booth off to the side and admired the place. The ceiling was all wood panels and made me think of Norma Desmond's ballroom. It was regal, yet comfortable and definitely the best pub we'd been to the entire trip.

 

 

After Stag's Head we walked a few blocks to - Hooray!!!! - Blazing Salads, where I spent $55.01 on tons of vegan goodies that I should have bought on our first night. Oh well, I didn't care. I was going to have a red lentil burger, a veggie samosa, and even a mini mince pie when we got back to St. Laurence!! Next we walked to Grafton Street so Dave could grab some last minute gifts. I loved glancing at the shop windows and seeing the carol singers belting out one Christmas hit after another. If it were snow rather than rain, it would have been picture perfect. I do wish I'd been more courageous about taking good pictures of everything, but there's tons of people and I didn't want to seem like just another rude, self-centered tourist. I did get a couple decent pix tho!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cliffs No More, Take Three

Today we were supposed to pick up our rental car and drive to the Cliffs of Moher and then head north to the village of Cong to stay the night. I was really looking forward to seeing the countryside and taking pictures of green hills dotted with sheep and lots of lovely rock walls, however, Mother Nature had other ideas in mind. There was a great deal of flooding in the West and the news kept reporting on blocked roads and miserable driving conditions, so we decided to bail and spend the rest of the time in Dublin. I was disappointed, but a bit relieved since I would be in charge of navigation. Anyway, we walked through the rainy cobble-stoned lanes to Henry Street so I could score some fabulous Lush products, then grabbed a bite at a little place off O'Connell. Dave was starting to feel crummy so we headed back to St. Laurence and called it a day.

 

(I would just like to point out that this is my THIRD time trying to visit the Cliffs and having to cancel. Oy vey!)

Pub Crawl (sort of)

Today was, as is to be expected in the Emerald Isle, rainy. We stayed in and chillaxed most of the morning and early afternoon then hoofed it to Temple Bar. I have never had any desire whatsoever to visit Temple Bar or any touristy place, but Dave felt it was necessary, so off we went! It was a nice enough, albeit crowded, pub, with live music and a warm atmosphere. I was terrified and couldn't wait to leave. I get super nervous and self conscious in bars because I don't drink and don't know how to behave. Dave had his pint and then we headed to Palace Bar and finally to The Brazen Head, which was recommended to me by Robert O'Sullivan on my first day in Dublin back in September. This was Dave's favourite pub so far. It was jam packed but we managed to get a spot at the bar and listen to the live music as well as overhear the locals and out-of-towners banter and chat away with one another. I was a tad uncomfortable, being the only one there without a drink at hand, but Dave got to try a glass of McGargle's Cousin Rosie's Pale Ale and said it was one of the best he'd ever had. Woohoo!

 

 

 

Finally we walked our way down to the Guinness Storehouse, which Dave later said was one of the highlights, having been through many a brewery tour. It was interesting and well laid out and not super crazy crowded. I liked that I could take pictures and not feel foolish, since everyone there was doing the same thing. The best part was at the end of the self guided tour when we went to the top floor and sat in groovy chairs by the window at Gravity Bar. It has a 360° view of the city of Dublin. It was so serene to look out at the yellow lights below and just take it all in. A perfect way end the evening.

 

Barbara's Christmas Tree

Today we took a staycation day and relaxed, having slept until noon. It was heavenly. We actually sat around and watched cheesy Christmas movies and had a great time. This photo of Barbara's real live mini tree doesn't do it justice at all, but lighting in the room was less than perfect, so this will have to suffice. Honestly though, it felt so good to just not be at work and to sit on my arse in between smoke breaks and noshing on PB&J and crisps and chatting with my brother for an entire day.

St. Laurence Place

We arrived early this morning to Dublin, grabbed a drink at the bar (it was noon somewhere in the world) then caught a taxi to Barbara's place. She met us out front and gave us a quick tour of the cottage, which was absolutely beautiful. Barbara and I chatted for a bit, then she turned the keys over to me and was off. I immediately unpacked and moved in, so to speak. Of all the places I've stayed at using Airbnb, Barbara's was the most beautiful and tranquil. It was absolutely perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(this was my room!!)