Goodsh*t: Do They Have Cake In Germany??

I am pretty sure they don't!
Happy Birthday Alexa!!!
Is it time to come HOME yet?!?!
I miss you!!!

Bullsh*t: Proposition 8

Did I miss the something?
REE-DON-DIK-YOO-LUSS.

PS
An interesting radio piece on the history of homosexuality.

Goodsh*t: Drink, Drink and be Merry

South Africa is widely known for their winelands and I am widely known for drinking wine, so it was love at first sight! We did not actually tour a vineyard, but we did drink a lot of Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc and Pongracz sparkling wine and spent a lot of time in little towns such as Franschoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl which are located deep in the heart. We visited the Hillcrest Berry Orchards in Stellenbosch for brunch and fresh mulberry juice and I was glad to find that in addition to the wineries, there are also other sober options (Ok, fine, they had a little Cherry Liquor which I brought home with me, as my friend Meagan suggested, it will go nicely atop a little champagne!). South Africa is also know for her own grape Frankenstein called a Pinotage which is a cross between Pinot Noir and a Cinsault for all you wine lovers out there. It's certainly NOT for the easy-going wine drinker, the Pinotage definitely marches to the beat of it's own drum!

I also found something that I love just as much as my wine and that's the native Peppadew! Cherry-sized, pickled & spicy the Peppadew goes very well on salads, pizza, martinis or just by it's lonesome and stuffed with cheese or my favorite, feta. If you come by my place during the holidays, expect to see these!

PS
Another notable winery that was suggested to us, but we just did not have the time to visit: Tokara. The locals say it's kind of commercial, but I say HEY! where else can I get wonderful wine AND olives?! Oh and also Porcupine Ridge.

PPS
In South Africa, you cannot refer to South African "champagne" as champagne, it is called sparkling wine. There is a law: it was not made in France's Champagne region, so it must be sparkling wine!

Goodsh*t: I am back!

While I was passed out 4 rows back, my girl Meagan snapped this pic of Cape Town, South Africa! I am still getting my head together, but I expect to post more this weekend!!

Holy Sh*t!: WE. DID. IT!

It's a BRAND NEW DAY!

Goodsh*t: Other People's Blogs

It's not like I really update that frequently, but did you think I would leave you stranded while I am away? I check these beauties religiously:

The Selby.
Ever wonder what the insides of some cool kids' apartments look like in California, New York and London?

Krisatomic.
Ever wonder what it's like to be an badass art-school-photographer-fashionista in England?

Door Sixteen.
Ever wonder about home renovations in upstate while designing awesome book covers?

the cherry blossom girl.
Ever wonder what it's like to be cute AND French?

betty.
Ever not been able to get your outfit together in the morning?
betty can help.

And you all know I am a flickr junkie (that's putting it mildly) just a few of my recent favs:

YoKOO
Ren Rox
Mademoiselle Molly Fryxell
Jon Burgerman
snailbooty
TO/N/Y//

Holy Sh*t!: 18 Hours. Both Ways.

It's going to be a LONG flight, so I've packed accordingly:

1. My holga, my polaroid I recieved from my granddaddy when I was 8, my regular ol' digital. You can never have too many cameras on such an occassion.
2. Dear Diary by Lesley Arfin. I am basically reading this because my friend makes a few cameos and I need as much dirt on him as possible! OH!
3. Another Bull Shit Night In Suck City by Nick Flynn. I like the title. Plain and simple.
4. Travel Scrabble.
5. iPod shuffle. I hate the big bulky ones and I am jamming it full of This American Life and The Splendid Table. Maybe even a little naughty Dan Savage.
6. Yes, I got my passport and no there's no need for Malaria shots at this time! It's spring!

Bullsh*t: Cupcakes

Some people really hate the color purple, some people really hate politics, well I REALLY hate cupcakes. The bastardization (dry cake, too much butter in the buttercream for chrissakes!) of the cupcake is running rampant here in NYC! Make. It. Stop!

But in all honestly, I certainly wouldn't mind looking like one! Topshop is calling these pretties prom dresses, well I am calling them cupcakes! Now all I need is a party!

PS
Seems the NYC Topshop flagship store is on hold until the end of the year! However my beloved is online and selling their wares in American currency!

PPS
This has been the WORST week ever. So the cupcake gets the lashing and I couldn't even muster up the skills to do my polaroid-esque black framing.

Goodsh*t: Linocuts

I used to do linocuts in high school. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the process! This was my first go at it since 1996, expect more and definately expect more of my own personal zingers! OH. MY. GAWD!

Goodsh*t: South African Fruition

OMG! Confirmation for my 30th birthday present to myself! Put your order in now! I am bringing extra bags to bring back lions, springboks, servals, duikers, the handsome kudu and of course some meerkats! Seriously, I am sooo excited!!

PS
If I have room, I am bringing back some bat-eared foxes too! But they are fast! I love foxes!

Goodsh*t: Jammed Up

Jammed Up © 2008 The Royal Me

Sometimes, these words are the only way to describe oneself.

PS
Acrylics.

PPS
I like to do font exercises. First I use Illustrator, then I transfer to bristol board. I do this to take up wall space in the apartment. It's cheaper than buying all the art I REALLY want.

PPPS
Merely a cover, this was actually a b-day present for my girl "Meggin" who coined the phrase! Happy Birthday Meags!

Goodsh*t: Marnie Weber

All Artwork © 2008 Marnie Weber

Just in case you were wondering (sans the usual happy-schmoopy-puppy-cutie-sugar-coated-barf on the right side of my brains) the inside of my left brains look similar to the work of Marnie Weber. She's a f*cking genius.

Goodsh*t: Planning...

Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip Planning South Africa Trip

Take A Moment: September 11

I was reading something, and I was just reminded of the date today. My mind jumped back to that time. Where were you? I was still living in Austin at the time (a few months before I moved to NYC) and remember waking up to the horror on TV and 1,000 missed calls. Not only in NYC where I had friends running from downtown, but also in Washington DC where my sister luckily got stuck in traffic in a cab as she was minutes from the Pentagon. Thankfully all were accounted for. It's not so pleasant to remember, but we will never forget.

Take a moment.

Goodsh*t: Workin' Girl

I bought myself a present thanks to my re-newed addiction to eBay. I will be channeling Melanie Griffith's character from Working Girl this fall. I will also be channeling myself circa 3rd grade with penny loafers and red cardigans. Just thought you should know. (And I promised myself I would post more, no matter how mundane.) Now go get yourselves some big ass bows.

Goodsh*t: Girls Who Love Dogs Part 1

After visiting 2 of my most favorite people in deep Brooklyn (Kensington!), I came home to find a little love in my letterbox! Leigh, whom I have YET to meet in person but have managed to have a nice lil' interwebs friendship with, knows just how much I love Wire Haired Fox Terriers! A Poodle hoarder, a taxidermy collector, a tattoo wearer, a fabulous designer, she's always got her finger on the tchotchke pulse and all things vintagey and chic! Homegirl managed to find me this awesome DIY Terrier rug! YES! Fist pump! Fist pump! I am doing a little redecorating these next few weeks, so this came at the perfect time! In the meantime anticipate the completion of this rug and of course a little more on the fabulous and talented Miss Leigh!

PS
I am currently on the hunt for such a fella, it gets lonely out here in the urban jungle so I have decided I need a lil' family! Hopefully my landlords will agree!

PPS
Check it, Leigh's badass pad was featured on Apartment Therapy!

Goodsh*t: Just Birdies...

that's all.

PS
I have been slacking, it's crazzzeeeee busy at work!

PPS
pencil, pen, watercolor.
If you click on it, it'll be bigger.

Good/Weird Sh*t: Hybrids

I run into a lot of interesting items while I am trending for my job. I read a lot of websites and a lot of blogs which lead me in all sorts of directions, today I found The Runny Bunny over on Etsy. At first I was just completely captivated by her color choices of each piece, then I began to look closer and closer...

Why does that lady have a bunny head and why does that bird have a lady head?

Needless to say after figuring out what was what and that this work is only made from old hobby molds from the 70's I was hooked. So as a belated birthday gift to myself I bought my very own poodle hybrid: Arabella Dandelion Tweedie Sim II. I would like to collect most of them, mainly the ones posted, the other ones really are just kind of scary. And I am afraid if they ALL came together, they might plot my early death.

PS
The artist Robin VanValkenburgh goes to great lengths to keep shipping costs down and recycles all packing material. I love supporting anyone who is eco-friendly and even better she ships worldwide and will do custom orders to boot!

Good Sh*t: My Best Friend the Photographer

All Photos © 2008 Alexa Vachon

Alexa and I met about 6 years ago through a mutual friend I found on my couch one night after one of our many crazy parties at 160 Driggs. From then on, we developed our friendship through our love of art and photography and the shared annoyance of stereotypical girl cliques. She is about to embark on a 6 month adventure overseas (you better come back!! :) ) to be the true photographer she is. (Keep an eye on her, good things are to going to happen!) I have posted some of her brilliant work and I cannot wait to see what is to come. I wish her all my best and that I will be thinking of her and missing her while she is away only to anticipate her return!

PS
The pair of chucks I posted have been going back and forth between us for about 4 years now (it took all my might not to label this "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Shoes". Lord.). They might be more well traveled than the two of us combined! Let's see if I get this right and mind you, the majority of the traveling is Alexa, but I like to think I contributed as well: Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston, Las Vegas, Missouri, Texas, Vermont, Maine, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Paris, Dubai, Germany, Spain, Prague, Budhapest, Croatia, Italy...
I know I am missing a load more countries!

PPS
Good luck my favorite Canadian!

PPPS (is that legal?!)
Alexa made it safely!

Good Sh*t: My Third Decade

I am pretty sure I had to pick my jaw up off the floor for this one.
It's signed by the master of literary smut himself!
Thanks Joe!!

Vintage Martini Cookbook
The illustrations are absolutely amazing
and I am totally channeling Voila! Darlings!
Thanks Heather!

Awww, thanks Lizzy!
l. Blue Track Bike prints by Bicycle Paintings
r. The Blue Bicycle by Will Barnet

I just wanted to say thank you thank you thank you thank you to all my wonderful friends who came out last Saturday night to help me celebrate my 30th year! I feel completely blessed and speechless. My cup runneth...

PS
While gifts are certainly not the main focus here, I thought I would share with you a few awesome gifts I recieved! WOW!