b l o g o r e l l i

Keeping On (with) Keepin' ON

Hi Inter-net,

Thought I'd check in, catch up, and post some recent pics. BKP Sophia and I are lounging at home with a glass of vino (me, not her,) waiting for premier of Project Runway Season Five. Bobby Crocker pointed out that I failed to notify anyone of this momentous occasion (and the last season of Runway on Bravo) so I must apologize. But look...the gays didn't understand the marketing plan, either! Is it possible that Bravo under-promoted the show because of its move to Lifetime? Hmmm.

In other events, the BBK is officially two, although if eating a Carvel ice cream cake acts as the pass key, he is technically not in the "terribles." After many emphatic "NO!"s we stopped trying to get him to take a bite of the frozen deliciousness and concentrated on prezzies. I am happy to report that The Prof and I's gifts, mostly centered around "cookin'," were well received, most particularly the fake yet oddly realistic play eggs that we bought at Target.

Some shots from last night (and our trip to the Boston Harbor Island of Spectacle -- see all of the shots here, plus one cute lake shot.)

Introducing Albert the Wonder Dog...amazing in both his calm temperament AND willingness to wear accessories...

In most of my free time, I've been organizing and prepping for the SEOM. Part of the market planning revolves around coming up with some sort of merchandising scheme, thoughts of which led me to realize that I have no tent, tables, or stands to display anything...which is probably what caused me to drag a T-rack I found  on the street (while I was supposed to be getting morning pastries) back to The Prof's car and try to jam it into the back. Imagine this, but A LOT rustier:

So part of my Sunday involved trying to remove old rusted-on bolts, which led to a nasty scrape but (hopefully) nothing that requires a tetanus shot. One trip to Home Depot and some serious wire brushing and spray painting, and I should have my refurbished FREE display rack ready by the end of this week. I've also investigated some alternative shade ideas, one of which is a reconstructed umbrella canopy:

A few of my SEOM dates might move around, so I'll post an update once everything is confirmed.

Since we weren't speaking of awkwardness, let's look at some celebrity shots posted today on People.com. First up, Katie Holme's ever-badly transforming haircut:

 

AAAAACK!!!!

Next, "lovebirds" Mariah and Nick Cannon, with übercouple The Mouses:

Prom, anyone? Because Nick is posing like he's got a corsage in his pocket...or maybe he's just happy to see Mariah. My teeth are chattering in discomfort.

Last but not least, which of these would be a better (or worse) impulse buy?

 

Just saying.

Cheers!
Blogorelli

Happy 730th Day, Sweet Boy

THE BBK IS TWO-YEARS OLD TODAY!!!

Sometimes the saying is so true about how, as one grows older, time passes by faster. I still remember that Sunday morning when I received a 7:10 a.m. wake-up call from Bobby Crocker with "the news." Now, it seems like two years has gone by in the blink of an eye...

I still feel bemused, amused, and totally excited every time I see "the boy", just like on day one. Get ready for some awesome gifts from Auntie Titi and Uncle Bink, Linc!

Not Just For Saugus Girls On Club Night Anymore

...and not just in "classic", retina-burning white cavas, either! Keds has stepped up their fashion consciousness considerably in the past few years (they even have a collection designed by Nanette LePore) and they seem to have produced the first pair of shoes I'll buy from the brand since eighth grade.

"Inspired by our 1950's Kedette collection, the Keds Do-Si-Do Linen Wedge is pulled from our archives and updated for this Fall. The new laced high wedge, in linen, combines timeless femininity with a sporty look."

I ordered the shoe in two sizes just in case (since shipping was free) and am excited to initiate them into my Fall wardrobe. Disagree with me, but I think the wedges will look fabu with jeans, "slacks", and skirts (i.e. Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.)

Keeping my fingers crossed that these shoes aren't awful in an orthopedic-looking way upon arrival...

(Below, the other contender, which was eliminated for possibly not being neutral enough. Heh.)

"Faster, Cheaper" iPhone 3G Hits Shelves

No, I'm not at all bitter, why would you ask?

The new iPhones went on sale at 8 a.m. last Friday, and I'm hoping that The Dairy Queen/Skydiving in Stilettos picks one up and can give me a complete scoop asap. The early reviews seem favorable. Although I know that the 3G phones are faster and cheaper, much of their advantage lies in the iPhone 2.0 Firmware, which is available for first generation phones as well.

[Note from MacRumors: Users "should NOT upgrade to the 2.0 Firmware until Apple resolves their server activation issues. If you do upgrade and are unable to connect to the iTunes servers, your iPhone will be left in an unusable state." Eek! Check the MR site for updates.]

With Mac's launch of their iPhones Applications store, maybe I'll finally figure out something to do with my iPhone when the T goes underground and I lose signal. Complete and very detailed "unveiling" photos are posted on Apple Insider. I can only think one thing when looking at the black-backed version: LIIIINT!

To Market

WOOooooO!!! Blogorelli finally has some exciting news to share (yes, I did just refer to myself in the third person.) I've applied for and been accepted as a vendor at the South End Open Market!

Me, well, technically Wündercabinet, will be at Sowa on these five dates and one additional TBD day:
July: 27
August: 3, 17, 31
Sept: 28

Come and see me, have a chat, check out some wonderful vintage goods...and maybe I'll even let you take a swig out of my Wine Rack (yes, I have one, and no, I don't want to discuss how or why.)

Hope to see you soon, Inter-net!
XO
Blogorelli

Curb Appeal: The Suite Life

Since I know everyone is just dying of curiosity, The Prof and I have decided to stay in our current place of residence and deal with a possible move once the situation arises. I'm not much of a gambler, so an amazing "sure thing" in the form of a new/affordable apartment would be my ideal, but we can't seem to find anything out there that is both as nice and in the same price range as Castle Murforelli.

As such, we wait (and have lots of summer fun in the meantime, hopefully.)

This Curb Appeal series has rejuvenated me, re: a weekly Blogorelli feature. I might try switching things up and writing some other sort of series in the coming months. Unless a near-and-dear does something real estate-related or see a mucho frio topic, I won't be doing Curb Appeal every Friday anymore (and I've tried to be consistent, I really have.)

What better way to wrap up the search for an abode than to go Hollywood and live in a hotel? Naturally, I have a location in mind: The Greenbriar, an "award-winning resort located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia." The fact that the resort's staff aims to "distinguish ourselves through unparalleled facilities, matchless heritage and a world-class team who accept nothing less than the best" is probably not enough to get me to live in WV, however, the amazing interiors by design icon Dorothy Draper could tempt me to splurge for at least a weekend. The public spaces at Greenbriar are practically bursting with 1950s charm and luxury (see below, and make sure to check out the whole slideshow at Golf for Women before its website ceases to exist like the printed magazine.)

I can hear my more practical friends reminding me that these interiors were installed over 50 years ago, but luckily "Draper's protégé, Carleton Varney, has kept the interiors true to their original spirit and continues to champion their historic importance." So I suppose there's just one question left: do they have cabana boys in West Virginia?

Stick It To 'Em, Sparrow

Random fun sent to me by The Prof's friend Beth and courtesy of Frank Sparrow via Flickr.
Did'ya get that all?

Now, he had Beth at "Be Ira Glass!", and me at this so-true statement, but then I saw...Gus!!!
G U S ! G U S ! (and his PPP: pleasantly plump paws.)

You just made my morning, Frank.

4, 7, 8, 10, 11 Best Foods

I noticed much buzz about a week ago concerning Foods You Should Eat. Since I habitually care what others think too much, I naturally went right over to The New York Times for direction on the 11 (my lucky number!) Best Foods I'm Not Eating. Feeling lazy? Ok, here's the list:

Beets
Cabbage
Swiss chard
Cinnamon
Pomegranate juice
Dried plums
Pumpkin seeds
Sardines
Turmeric
Frozen blueberries
Canned pumpkin

The article also explains why these foods are so healthy and the best way to prepare them for mass consumption (except sardines <heave> what could possibly make those appetizing?) so it is worth a quick read.

Determined that hamburger had to make someone's good-food-to-eat-list, I went over to Nutrition Action to see the 10 Best and Worst Foods to Eat. Finally, Best Life's name, tagline ("What Matters to Men"...huh?) and clean graphic caught my eye. Oh right, and their list of 8 Food You Should Eat Every Day. This list seemed to have more practical choices for normal eaters/grocery shoppes.

Just a note that blueberries made two of the three lists plus it's in season...so shove some juicy morsels in yer piehole and go for a nice, healthy, brisk walk in the sunshine.

Thursday=Food Day, Kick-off: Sammiches + Doughnut Muffins!

I've decided that, since The Prof and I are on South Beach again (as in diet, not the sandy oasis,) what better way to not think about food than devote an entire day of posts to only food?!?

Genius.

First up is a delish little deli in Brookline where we had gigantic lunch sandwiches with The General and Ms. Clairvoyant a few weeks ago: Michael's Deli (& Seafood?) on Harvard Avenue in Coolidge Corner. Aside from being famous for their roast beef, they make a mean warm corned beef, "Thanksgiving", and egg salad sandwiches which I, Mark, and Sarah enjoyed heartily (Jeffé had the roast beef.)

Afterwards, we could hardly walk, we were so stuffed with sammich...

(Egg salad, in the background and the "Thanksgiving" in the front)

(The Prof just had to get a large iced coffee, which actually came in a takeout soup container! Below, Sarah uses perspective to show that Mark might have actually drank coffee that, in fluid ounces, is larger than her head.)

(Roast beef, in the background and my corned beef in the front)

Now, as much as I wish this whole post could be about perfect lunch foods that will clog an artery, I can't resist the chance to discuss another wonderful, buttery treat: the doughnut muffin at Geoffrey's in The Ros!

I ate my first grilled muffin (a total "New England" thang, in my opinion) years ago on the Cape with Frankie Nacho, but the doughnut muffin really takes it there. The fluffy inside melts in your mouth while the outside is coated with sweet, sweet sugar. Cut in half, grilled, and served with a side of softened butter...well, I never can resist ordering one, even if we're eating at a non-breakfast time.

(Below, the one and only Doughnut Muffin...ahhhh, my mouth is watering)

(Double doughnut muffins -- the food and The Prof's chin dimple, which I have affectionately given the same name)

"Whom Not To Marry"

Today, with The Nachos' news ( and hearing from The Dairy Queen that she knows *4* couples who have gotten engaged in the past nine days!) I couldn't resist mentioning Father Pat Connor, marriage specialist.

The New York Times did an article on him today, and how he uses his "decades of marriage counseling...to distill some 'mostly common sense' advice about how to dodge mates who would maul your happiness."

Check out the list for yourself, but I especially like this little descriptive tidbit:
"For 40 years, he has been giving a lecture — Whom Not to Marry — to high school seniors, mostly girls because they’re more interested."

Perfect.