(The Blog Formerly Known as "Countdown to 30" and "30 is the New Twenty")

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Shoes That Won't Break The Bank

I found the best deal EVER today at DSW. These shoes were only $14.98 I couldn't pass them up. I saw these shoes a couple of months ago and I loved them, but couldn't justify spending $50 on them. I love the vintage quality and the fun gold trim. Plus, they sort of remind me of tap shoes (I've always wanted to be a tap dancer). I heart patent leather, too. I plan on wearing them to my cousin's wedding next month. I'm wearing a black and white sheath dress and the shoes will work perfectly. Very Jackie-O. The shoes are super comfortable, so I'll actually be able to wear them for the entire time and not have to bring a pair of flats as back up.

Leave Poor Miley Alone

I really feel bad for Miley Cyrus with the controversy over her photo shoot with Vanity Fair. The picture is completely in good taste. It's not slutty at all. I think it is very tasteful. I was expecting a Maxim style picture. When I saw the picture, I thought, "This is what everyone is in an uproar over?" I don't see anything wrong with it. Poor girl. She's wrapped in a sheet and is showing about 12 inches of bare back. Oh my gosh! That is so immoral! Put some clothes on her! Essentially it is the equivalent of wearing a strapless formal dress. America is in an uproar over this picture. People claim that she's not a good role model for kids or the picture is scandalous. I am so tired of all this. She didn't do anything wrong. It's an artsy, tasteful picture. It's not like she did a spread for Playboy. But, here comes the Conservative Right ready to jump in and make much ado about nothing. They've turned it into an issue of teenage girls being too grown up and skanky. I agree that that's a problem, but Miley isn't fueling it. She is a so-called role model for kids because she's on television. Out of all the people kids could look up to, I don't think she's a bad one. She strikes me as a normal kid. Parents should be using this as an opportunity to show their kids how Miley doesn't compromise her integrity and expressed herself in a tasteful manner. It's art. I am sure these are the same parents that are upset when their child sees a nude statue at an art museum.

Now poor Miley is embarrassed by her picture, which I find unfortunate. She should be proud of her picture. I think Disney brainwashed her. Not too many people get to work with Annie Leibovitz. And as a 15 year old? Even less. We're diminishing this great opportunity that Miley had. Isn't there something else to sensationalize? Maybe Mischa Barton wore an ugly outfit out in public. Or Britney tripped getting out of her car. Now, those are real stories.


Monday, April 28, 2008

Coffee Detox

I love a good cup of coffee with a splash of cream. Lately, though, I have been consuming waaay too much coffee. Take yesterday, for example, I had a cup and a half before I went to work. For my drive to work I drank 3/4 of my travel mug, and with my lunch I had a grande iced coffee. Yep. That's too much coffee for one person. Early in the afternoon, I felt like I was on crack. I had this crazy energy that I couldn't contain. It was horrible. This is not my normal coffee intake. Usually, the most I'll drink is three cups a day. I've just been so burnt out lately, that I feel like I need the extra cup (or two or three) to survive the day. Better yet, a coffee IV would be great. I must find a way to cut back. I can't cut caffeine out of my diet, because I these horrible headaches and I turn into a monster. It really isn't pretty for anyone. This week my goal is to only consume coffee in the am. In the afternoon, if I need a pick me up, I'll have a Vitamin Water or a can of soda. Hopefully, this helps.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Ugh

This morning I had to scrap snow off my car. It's almost May. Can we please have spring? Seriously. Why does winter have to keep showing up? I am so over winter. I didn't wear a winter coat today. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I did put on gloves, though. And a spring jacket. Perfect attire for scraping snow off my car during a Global Warming Spring.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Outraged at American Idol

At least once a season on "American Idol," I am left dumbfounded at who America thinks is talented. Tonight it happened again. I really don't understand what criteria people use for voting. Maybe the tone deaf and dumb voted. Seriously. The bottom two didn't deserve to be in the bottom. Carly rocked. She was herself and "Jesus Christ Superstar" fit her big voice. Syesha did a great job with a really obscure song from "Starlight Express." Little miss wannabe singer songwriter Brooke who forgot the lyrics and started over is safe. I just don't understand. That is not the person I want to be my American Idol. She caves under pressure. As someone who has performed myself,I know you don't start over. I messed up in piano recitals and I forgot lines in plays. Did I start over? Noooo... I ad-libbed or just kept right on going. That's what a real performer does.

ARGH. Now, I am officially angry. Carly didn't deserve to go. I am blaming it on conservative America. How could Carly be the next American Idol when she has a tattoo? But, Brooke. She's so cute and sweet, poor little thing was nervous and forgot her lines. America likes the vanilla contestants.

What have I learned from this? I need to vote every week. Grrr.... Yes, it is just a television show, but it makes me mad when the talented go home too soon and we're left with the boring, bland contestants like Brooke. Apparently America is too stupid to recognize talent.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Mmm...Donuts

What could possibly be better than Christmas? Eating a real Dunkin' Donuts donut in my 'hood. Today I ventured over to Cafe Donuts, 5001 Central Ave NE Columbia Heights. From the outside it looks like just a regular Ma and Pa donut shop, but on the inside it's all Dunkin' Donuts. They have all the wonderful varieties of my childhood, too. I am so excited! Even better--they still taste the same. The only thing that's different is I can successfully eat a jelly donut without getting the filling all over me. As a kid, my parents made me eat those outside or in the garage, so I wouldn't create a big mess all over the house. I am so glad I finally found good quality donuts in Minneapolis.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

No More Junk Food!

It's hard to pin point when it happened, but I've fallen off the healthy eating wagon. I think it might have been around Easter. I haven't been eating good, solid, healthy meals lately. I'm not quite sure way. I have had way too much junk food lately. I'm blaming the long, crappy, never-ending winter. And my addiction to Puff Corn. Whatever triggered it, it needs to end now. I am hoping that the warmer weather and better fruits and veggies being in season might help me eat healthier. I'm not 22 anymore where I can eat anything without any consequences. It never helps when the vending machine at work has yummy treats like peanut butter M&M's and Chili Cheese Fritos. I am being hard on myself because I used to be good about staying away from junk food. Grrr... I'm not sure what happened. I'm going to start eating better, though.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

AHHH! The Crazy Cat Lady


nataliedee.com


The cat t-shirt is my favorite part. It's classic crazy cat lady. Something I hope to avoid turning into when I am old.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Dunkin Donuts Lives On in MN!

Today I discovered from a co-worker that Dunkin' Donuts is hiding from me--right in my 'hood. I am so excited. Apparently, there's a donut shop called Donut Time/ Donut Depot on Central Ave. and 46th-ish street in NE Minneapolis/ Columbia Heights. Donut Time looks just like a Dunkin' Donuts on the inside and sells real, authentic Dunkin' Donuts! This is better than Christmas! Before you think I'm crazy, I haven't had a Dunkin' Donuts donut in about 12 years. Since I was in high school. They are the official donut of my childhood. Growing up, there always seemed to be a Dunkin' Donuts on ever corner. Not anymore. The past couple of years, I've been on a nostalgia fueled crusade to locate a DD. I couldn't find one in Detroit and I'm never in the right area in Chicago to go to one. All this time, one is practically in my backyard. I can almost smell the Munchkin donut holes. This weekend, I'm going to check this place out. I only hope this isn't another thing that should stay in my childhood like Spaghetti O's and Dippin' Sticks.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Shhh! Don't Scare Spring Away! (And Other Randomness)

I really hate to even mention this, but I think it's safe to say that Winter is over with! Yay! Today is such a beautiful day! After last week, I thought Winter would never leave. Especially after driving home last Thursday night in a real life slushie machine. Yuck. I am so excited to put my winter coats away and bring out my spring jackets. Not to mention spring clothes. I am tired of my winter clothes.

Happy "Juno" DVD release day! I already bought my copy. Yeah, I know, I am such a dork. My cousin even pre-ordered it from Best Buy and got it yesterday. I bought the special addition that come with the shooting script. I am so excited to read that. I am hoping it inspires my own writing. Plus, it comes with a digital copy for my iPod. I love special features like that.

Also, Happy Tax Day! Woo-hoo. My taxes went in the mail on Saturday. I can't wait for my refund. Actually, what I really can't wait for is the Economic Stimulus Refund. I heart free money.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Another Quarter Life Crisis Averted!

natalie dee
nataliedee.com



A couple of weeks ago I almost had another Quarter Life Crisis. I've had two official ones and several unofficial ones. I'm just the Quarter Life Crisis Queen. I guess I figured that wasn't enough and I should have one more before I turn thirty. Seriously, can I just turn thirty right now and leave my twenties behind? I can't take much more of this. I am my own worst enemy. I had myself so upset and frustrated with my life that I was contemplating joining a circus and traveling around the country. Ok. That last part is an exaggeration. I would never join the circus. I hate clowns. I really wasn't thinking very rationally or looking at the big picture. Luckily, a friend was able to talk some sense into me and I worked my way out of a full-blown QLC. It just wasn't a very pleasant experience filled with lots of crabbiness, emotional eating, and Radiohead music. Things seem to be much better since I got the last mini QLC out of me.

Ugh. I just need to turn thirty. A little less than four months to go! Seriously, my thirties have to be better than my twenties, right? Thirty is the new Twenty.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

I Just Don't Get It...

This is going to make me very unpopular with the local music fans of the Twin Cities, but I don't care. Last night I saw local band turned national music media darlings, Tapes n Tapes on Conan. I was unimpressed. The only word I can use to describe them is: overrated. They're not bad, but they're not great. They're just meh at best. They just don't seem to live up to their hype. Tapes n Tapes is really nothing special. They seem the same as every other Indie Rock band. Everyone else in this town seems to think they are the best band ever. I just don't understand it. I've never understood it. I saw them before they broke nationally (before Erik Applewick jumped on the bandwagon), at the Hexagon, and I just thought they were ok. Mediocre at best. I would never go out of my way to see them, but they also don't make me want to rip out my eardrums, either.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

So True


nataliedee.com

Yet another gem from Natalie Dee. I heart her!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Super Hack

I would like to add Timbaland to my list of people in the music industry who drive me nuts (he's in good company with Adam Levine and Nickelback). This might seem to come out of nowhere, but he has completely ruined the One Republic song, "Apologize." It is so much better without his annoying little touches. All he added to the song is a couple of beats and a "hey, hey." I am sorry but a small child without a musical background could come up with that nonsense. When the song is listed on the charts or played on the radio he receives most, if not all of the credit. It's credited as Timbaland featuring One Republic or my personal fave, simply Timbaland. Did Timbaland write the song? Noooo. Oh, but he arranged it and ruined a good song. Yes, that requires full credit. The song is great on it's own. It's a nice, poppy ballad a la Journey. It really didn't need the help of Mr. Super Producer Timbaland. Ugh. Every time I hear the original version I hear the stupid beats and the "hey, hey," they're engraved in my brain. I've been brainwashed by Timbaland. Someone help me!

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Spring Cleaning!

Today I finally got motivated for some spring cleaning. Back in December I went through my closet and got rid of all the clothes I never wear, but I never went through my dresser. I managed to fill three grocery bags full of goodies that I don't wear anymore. In fact, I put less back into my dresser than I took out. Hooray! I had tanks and tees that were in horrible shape and some that I just don't wear anymore. I was also shocked to discover that I own more leggings and tights than American Apparel. I don't even know how that happened. I think it's one of those things that I can't pass up when they are on sale. Note to self: next time I should. I have more tights/leggings than I have skirts. I went through my purses, too. This was a really hard thing for me to do. I always think I need to have a Rubbermaid size tote with purses on hand. Today after going through the tote, I realized that I have the strangest collection of purses EVER. They run the gamut from totally teen to old woman. I have no idea how that happened. It was scary, though. I uncovered one of those initial purses and a beige Sak purse that looked like something a 60 year woman would carry. I also have an absurd amount of silly going out bags that look ridiculously cheap. Lately, I've been very cautious about clothing purchases. I don't want to end up with the scary wasteland of clothes ever again. It does feel good to get rid of all the crap. More importantly, I have a clear idea of what I need to buy for summer.