True Blood Premiere Party

It's been a while since I last posted.  I'm still recovering from a 50's theme Drive-In birthday party I threw last weekend.  I'll be blogging about that soon with lots of pics and DIY projects that went into it.  I just love a good theme party.  With the season premiere of True Blood coming up this Sunday, I wanted to share with you the True Blood Season Premiere party I threw a couple of years ago.

I asked people to dress up as their favorite character.  I ordered this Merlotte's t-shirt from http://www.hbo.com/

and wore some shorts, put my hair in a ponytail, and drew on fang marks with some eyeliner and red lipstick so that I could be Sookie Stackhouse.  My guests dressed as Sam Merlotte, a Bon Temps townie (they made an iron-on by googling a Bon Temps football image and printing it onto transfer paper), Bud Dearborn, and Eric.  We had some non-dresser uppers, and we gave them some Mardi Gras beads so they could at least have something festive and Louisiana-ish.  If I had had the time, I would have ordered some plastic fangs for the tablescape and for the "normies" to wear.

I made Vampire Bite cupcakes, which were super easy to make:

1.  Prepare boxed white cake mix according to the directions. 

2.  Once cooled, take an apple corer (or just take a steak knife) and remove the middle of the cupcake, making sure to leave a little cake at the bottom so the filling wouldn't leak out.  Save the cored cake.

3.  Blend up a can of cherry pie filling, and fill each cupcake hole, leaving a little room at the top. 

4.  Trim off the top of the cored cake, and place the cap back over the cherry pie filling.

5.  Frost with white frosting and take a kabob skewer or straw and poke 2 holes in the middle of the cake.  When you draw out the skewer, be sure to drag some of the cherry pie filling out with it to look like blood drops.

I ordered some Tru Blood blood orange soda from http://www.hbo.com./  It mixes pretty well with rum and vodka if you want to make it an alcoholic drink.

I set the mood with all red colored foods and candles.  There were cherry tomatoes, red pepper strips, twizzlers.  I even floated some candles in water with red food coloring.

And of course had some Vampire red wine.

But made blood jello shots!  I used black cherry flavored jello, but this website has tons of great jello shot recipe combinations, including vegetarian and vegan "jello".

Then we all went and watched True Blood in the dark!

Aldo "Hipps" Handbag

I went into Aldo looking for some bright, springtime heels, but walked out with this bag instead.  I was instantly drawn to the pop of florescent yellow paired with light beige; it makes a statement while still being neutral enough for every occasion.  It comes with a removable shoulder strap, and is made of synthetic material (aka it's vegan!).

A cheerful yellow lining!

Aldo's pictures make the "leather" look more white than it really is.  I'm not the best photographer, but you can see it's more beige than ivory.

Art Paw Custom Pet Portraits by Rebecca Collins

I am in love with these colorful pet portraits by Art Paw!  Dallas, TX based artists, Dan and Rebecca Collins, create gorgeous canvases of your pet to hang on your wall.
First, it starts with an inspiration photo of your pet:

In these "Painterly" style portraits, artist Rebecca Collins digitizes the photo and manipulates it with hand-drawn lines and painting techniques for a texturally layered look.  The results are amazing and so detailed!  Check out some of her work:

Dan and Rebecca can do other styles as well, such as Warhol-esque pop art: 

or put your pet in famous masterpieces:

I will be commissioning two Painterly style portraits of my tabby and french bulldog as soon as I can manage to get them to sit still for the inspiration photo!

Dhoonya Dance Bollywood Dancing

I'm excited to try out a new form of exercise tonight...Bollywood dancing!  It looks like a lot of fun.  Classes are through Dhoonya Dance, with locations in DC (Arlington, Falls Church, McLean, Rockville, Vienna, Washington) and NYC (Chelsea & Midtown).  If this looks like something you'd like to try, they have a promotion going right now where it's $10 for your first class, or $30 for a week of unlimited classes (promo code: WebNS). 

Takoma Park House Tour 2012




Photo courtesy of The Washington Post

  Visiting Takoma Park, MD is like stepping back in time.  Its uniquely colored historic bungalows, farm houses, and Victorian homes and cute 'main street' mom and pop shops and restaurants makes you feel far from the urban sprawl.  I'll be spending next Sunday, May 6th at the annual Takoma Park House Tour viewing them, not from the curb, but actually going inside!  If you'd like to join me, go to http://www.historictakoma.org/ and get your ticket.  It's $18 online, and $20 the day of.  Pick up your tickets and tour maps at Upper Portal Park, at Piney Branch Road and Eastern Avenue.  The self-guided tour goes on from 1 - 5 pm.

Tip: Come a little bit earlier and visit one of the best farmer's markets in the area!  The Takoma Park Farmer's Market goes from 10 am - 2 pm on Sundays.  For more info, check out the website: http://www.takomaparkmarket.com/.

Dita Von Teese for Target

I'm back from Vegas and Ireland (which explains the lack of posts while I was away).  I was super excited to learn that 3 of my favorite things (vintage, lingerie, and Target) have all combined in world famous burlesque star's, Dita Von Teese, new lingerie line for Target!  'Von Follies' features the glamorous vintage lingerie styles of the '40s and '50s with garters, peak-a-boo briefs, corsets.

It's out now in Australia, and will be coming to the US very soon!

Deadlocked - A Sookie Stackhouse Novel (#12)

Woohoo!  You can pre-order the next book in the Sookie Stackhouse (aka True Blood) series by Charlaine Harris.  The book will be released on May 1, 2012. 

According to Sookieverseblog.com, Penguin released the official summary:

It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart…

Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she’d rather not know. And now that she’s an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she’d rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.

There’s a thing or two she’d like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric’s front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s set out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

For a sneak peek, click here to read an excerpt from chapter 2.

Is this hot?

While browsing some swimsuits on Piperlime.com, I came across some swimsuits and I want your opinion.  What do you think?  Is this hot?

I can't wait to starve myself to get that baggy swimsuit look!  Seriously, what the hell was Piperlime thinking? 

Pacci's Neapolitan Pizzeria

I've had the privilege of visiting the birthplace of pizza, Naples, Italy, and eating at a few of the places claiming to be the first pizzeria.  After tasting the original, I now hold all other pizza to a high standard.  In the DC area, Pacci's Neapolitan Pizzeria in Silver Spring, MD is the real deal.  Neapolitan style pizza has a very thin crust that you have to eat with a fork and knife.  Pacci's uses ingredients imported from Italy (can't get more authentic than that!) and bakes their pizza in a wood-fired oven that you can see from the bar area.  Be sure to "like" them on Facebook to get notifications of special deals.

Bruschetta al Pomodoro

Margherita Pizza

The Joy Formidable with A Place To Bury Strangers

I'm pretty bad about remembering to post about events with enough advanced notice for any of you to do anything about it, but I'm working on it.  Tickets are still on sale for The Joy Formidable and A Place to Bury Strangers coming to the 9:30 Club tomorrow, March 26.  Doors at 7 pm.  See you there?

The Joy Formidable


A Place To Bury Strangers

Dark Shadows Trailer

Tim Burton directs the movie remake of the cult 1970s British TV series, Dark Shadows, starring (obviously) Johnny Depp and Burton's wife, Helena Bonham Carter.  Also starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Johnny Lee Miller (Hackers, Trainspotting, Angelina's ex), and Chloe Grace Moretz (Let Me In, Kick-Ass).  It's going to be good!

Paranorman Trailer

I saw Hunger Games this morning and this was one of the previews.  I'm so excited to see this movie! 

My Target Shopping Spree

I went into Target last night for a shower curtain rod.  I came out with a cart load of stuff I didn't know I needed, but now cannot live without: 

I got this colorful, Pucci-esque print 3 piece weekender bag by Sonia Kashuk to replace the old toiletry bag I've had for over 10 years.  There's nothing wrong with my plain, black, old one.  I'm going to give that to my husband, who currently uses a plastic grocery bag for his stuff;  so it's like a step up for him!  It comes with detachable pouches inside and a zippered organizer. $24.99

I couldn't resist the matching 5 piece makeup brush set for $15!

Another pretty Sonia Kashuk travel tote, this one is a turquoise and lime green makeup bag (officially labeled 'small train case').  Inside, it's lined in a pretty lime green with interior brush pockets to hold those lovely brushes I just bought, and a clear, zippered pouch trimmed with the blue/white fabric of the exterior.  This was also $14.99.

A Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Escape to Paradise face palette, with beachy neutral colors in a raffia hardcase with large interior mirror.  It includes 3 lip glosses, 1 blush, 1 eye base, 1 dark brown eyeliner, and 4 eyeshadows (2 matte, 2 shimmery).  $19.99.

Ok, I can't paint my own nails for anything and this pic is obviously pre-manicure.  But I'm modeling the 4 Sonia Kashuk nail polishes I got (in order from left to right): Tango Mango, Golden Ticket, Dream of Genie, and Smoke and Mirrors.  I think I'll mix up the classic french manicure by pairing the gold with orange tips, and the silver with pink tips. $4.79 each.

Sonia Kashuk Brilliantly Bold small hair brush to keep in my purse.  I love the fuchsia color, lime green bristle pad and the shape of the handle!  It's made with both boar and nylon bristles. $12.99.


Moving out of the cosmetics aisle...

I didn't need a lamp, but once I saw this, I had to have it!  I love the cheerful yellow-orange color.  I'll find a place for it. $44.99.

...and I got this happy, yellow polka dot hard case wallet by Merona.  The inside has a royal blue nylon credit card holder and pockets.  $12.99

I love the blue trim on this super soft Botanical Bird hand towel.  It's sold online as a 3 piece set, with tip-, hand-, and bath towels for $28.99, but they are sold individually in the store.  I got the hand towel for $7.99.

And just for fun, a pair of neon zebra print knee socks by Xhilaration, $2.50.


I did exercise some restraint.  I saw these and didn't buy them, even though I thought they were so adorable:

Cherry printed apron, $15.99.  I already have an apron, so to have another one wouldn't be "practical".

Ceramic Milk Carton Creamer.  I host brunches all the time, and how perfect would it be to serve the creamer in this little container?  My iPhone photography may not be that clear, but "creamer" is imprinted on the side.

I'm a huge fan of nail polish strips.  I think the Sally Hansen Salon Effects are a little more difficult to apply than the Sephora brand ones because they are thinner, but these come with extra strips in case you mess up.  These prints are perfect for spring.  The pastel kissing birds are atop a white shimmery base, the plaid also have a white shimmery base.

Clare and Dons Beach Shack Restaurant

Now that the weather is unseasonably summer-like, it's time to put on some flip flops and head to Clare and Dons!  It such a fun place, located next to The State Theater in Falls Church, VA.  The inside is decorated just like its name implies...like a beach shack...lots of colors, seagrass, and flip-flops decorated by kids, nailed to the walls.  The outside area has a firepit, a stage for a live band, a beach bar, and tables for dining.  Dogs are welcome!

Photo: Falls Church News Press

They have a great menu for vegetarians, vegans, and carnivores alike!  My favorites include: fried dill pickle slices, the uncrabcake sandwich, and the fried Oreos a la mode.  However, if you're more adventurous, try the fried alligator!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Rice Krispie Treat Bars

Mouthgasm. 


I stole this recipe from Jaclyn's Vegan Yumminess, who stole it from The Joy of Vegan Baking.  Yep, it's vegan. 


These are really easy to make, and they're no-bake!  They taste better after they've chilled overnight, though.  I made the mistake of eating one after it cooled only for an hour or so...they were very rich and not sweet enough.  I thought they were so-so.  But by the next day the flavors had fully developed and WOW!  These are party for your mouth.

Ingredients

2 cups Rice Krispies cereal

1 1/2 cups natural peanut butter (the kind where peanuts are the only ingredient...no additives)
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. margarine (I used Earth Balance vegan buttery sticks), melted, divided
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 bag semisweet chocolate chips

1. Grease an 8 x 8-inch square baking dish with margarine (double the recipe if you want to make enough to fill a 9 x 13-inch baking pan...but you probably don't have to double the chocolate, I used 1.5 bags of chips).   

2. In a large bowl, combine the cereal, peanut butter, confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup of the margarine, and vanilla. Press the mixture into the prepared baking pan.

3.  Melt the chocolate chips and the remaining 2 tbsp. of margarine in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.  (If the chocolate seizes up and becomes a dry clump, lower the heat and add a tablespoon of vegetable or canola oil until it becomes nice and liquidy again).

4. Spread the chocolate mixture over the top of the peanut butter mixture.

5.  Refrigerate! I recommend letting it cool overnight...but if you only have a few hours, I'm sure that'd work, too. 

Stop Staring! Clothing Spring/Summer 2012 Collection

I got my Stop Staring! Clothing catalog in the mail yesterday!  The new season of vintage-inspired dresses and separates isn't on their website yet, but it will be worth the wait.

Some of my favorites were:

Sunset

Pansy

And a couple of dresses that'd be perfect for a wedding:

Magnolia

Calista

Sweet and Salty Snacks

I have a sweet tooth, but the snacks that get me the most frenzied are those that combine both sweet and salty flavors.  Put these things out at a party, and I guarantee that your guests will devour these and beg you for the place you got them!  Oh, and they're both vegan!

Trader Joe's Sea Salt and Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds

Angie's Kettle Corn (they sell big bags at Costco for $5, but in case you don't have one near you, you can buy directly's through Angie's website).

Betsey Johnson Pink Leopard Nail Lacquer Strips

I've posted about Sephora's nail polish strips before, but these are new and I love 'em!