Last week a friend asked me to take some photos for his new company. He and some friends have created a clothing line that I happen to really like. In fact, I went to one of their fashion shows this summer and broke my “no new clothes” policy and bought one of their tank tops.
This is from the photo shoot on Friday, ala pretty model:

And this would be me in the gift shop at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago last weekend.

No wonder why my modeling career never got off the ground. That said, I still love that tank. I’ve worn the tar out of it this summer, with a cheapie $5 Old Navy tank underneath. My no new clothing rule is about to be broken anyway. I’ve got that 10 year reunion coming up and I’ve got my eye on a new pair of stupidly expensive jeans and wedges.

On an entirely different note, I read a ton of great books while traveling that are worth mentioning. One of my favorite new books of all time is “The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint.” Wowie, wow, wow, as my friend Erin would say. It is a beautifully written story and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Five out of five bananas absoloodle.
I also read “Other Voices, Other Rooms.” This is Truman Capote’s first novel, which was published when he was 23. His writing is lyrical and so southern. I enjoyed it. Three out of five bananas.
“Somebody’s Heart is Burning,” is a good West Africa travel read. I’ve had different experiences traveling through Africa, but I liked what she had to say all the same. It is a good read. Three out of five bananas.
“Citizen Girl” was passed along to me by a friend and I couldn’t get through the first chapter. I thought it was horrible. Goes to show you that everyone has wildly different opinions on books because this thing received great reviews nationally. One out of five bananas.
“Memoirs of a Geisha” was great and wow, I feel so much better for finally having pushed myself through this read. I have picked this book up and read the first 100 pages about 5 times. Thankfully, I used some layover time to get into the next 100 pages and then couldn’t put it down. Four out of five bananas.
Next up, I read “Snow Falling on Cedars,” which is an interesting read after “Geisha” because they both deal with the Japanese community in the same time period, but in Japan and the US. I was impressed by the author’s knowledge of so many subjects in this book. I felt like he taught me a little about a lot of things, and I enjoyed his story-telling. Four out of five bananas.
I also read through a bit of “Nancy Drew Girl Sleuth” and found the story behind my favorite children’s books entertaining. Three out of five bananas. And Oprah’s BFF Dr. Oz hooked me into reading “You on a Diet.” I did learn some new stuff and I think he’s got solid advice for how you can get your eating habits back on track and find your natural weight. Ah, common sense.

I am currently reading “Wuthering Heights” (I am tutoring a high school student) and “Living Your Best Life Now” — which I am loving.

Have you read anything fantastic lately?
~K

Dear Dad,
Remember how you moved from Phoenix to San Antonio a couple years ago? Well, I’ve endured. It hasn’t been fun paying $400 every time I want to see my mom, but I’ve kept my complaints to a minimum. In all fairness, the last time I visited I kind of liked it. You know, the whole Texas thing. The big hair, big style, big Christian spirit. It was fun and God knows it was friendly.
Friendly Dad. You Texans are normally so sweet and kind. Everyone — and I mean everyone — stops to say good morning. People hold doors open. There is this state-wide phenomena of amazing manners. (Minus the one rule about not invading other countries, but that’s an entirely different post and last time I checked, there were plenty of Texans asking DC to keep the idiot.)
So, with all that friendliness in mind, what the hell is wrong with Robert Horry? The dude is just mean. If I see you even think of cheering for those darned Spurs, Cody and I are going to throw a fit making even your resident desperate housewife take note for the dramatics.
Now, let’s all say it together: GO SUNS!
We Arizonans have a history of amazing comebacks, after all.

Love,
Kelli

I’m reading the May issue of Smithsonian Magazine — because they have a pretty incredible feature on Mozambique — when I spot an article on a museum exhibit in New York City. “Design for the Other 90%.” It’s a show of items created to address the needs of the 90% of the world’s population who barely get by. The article show three pretty incredible inventions that are included: a water pump for farmers that you fuel by stepping up and down on pedals (just imagine if you could produce water with all the energy you exert on the Stairmaster!), a double pot cooler for vegetables that doesn’t require refrigeration to keep food cool and safe, and a laptop that costs less than $100. Sweet. I so wish I could see this! The show lasts until September 23. Maybe I’ll get to NYC between now and then.

In the meantime, I’m reading A People’s History of the United States. This was a super sweet CAOK gift that I really wanted to read. I’m 200 pages in and it’s taken me 2 months. I’m thinking this one is going to be retired this weekend. I just cannot get into the groove of the history lesson. Anyone else battle with this read? I hate it when I feel defeated by books.

I’m listening to Rusted Root and OAR — my two new favorite jam bands. And wow, am I late to this party. Loving these new tunes as I cook this week (eggplant pitas) and cycle (40 miles so far, with two rides to go.)

I’m hoping to see The Namesake this weekend. Anyone seen it? I read the book and it was one of my favorites. My buddy Khaled has a new book out too. Anyone read the follow up to Kite Runner yet?

Oh my! How I’ll find ways to avoid packing.
~K

Turquoise from Santa Fe, new beads from the shop down the street — a crafty weekend ahead.

Did you ever see the SNL skit featuring Stuart Smalley when he looks into a mirror and cheers himself on by repeating, “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And gosh, darn it, people like me!?” The humor was in the guest hosts who were encouraged to parrot the same self-help mantra. Charles Barkley couldn’t get through it. Michael Jordan was nearly in tears. The audience was howling through both.
My family adopted this phrase and would repeat it anytime we were feeling blue or unmotivated — adding a bit of humor to lift our spirits.
I have been in a rather uncharacteristic crap mood all week. I fully blame the dead typhoid bugs swimming around system for putting me in a funk. Thankfully this morning I woke up feeling human and my normal, perky optimistic happy self.

I am feeling empowered, in part, to sit up straight, smile and get going after my goals (like the beading) after a detour through cultural craziness yesterday. I sat down for a few minutes after running errands to watch a bit of television and zone out. Television anymore is frosting — totally unnecessary to my day, but occasionally a nice treat. I watched about five minutes of Rachael Ray before I decided that gosh darn it, my time is too important for this. Rachael was interviewing a mother who couldn’t control her 4-year-old daughter’s makeup habit.

{I’m going to pause here to let you re-read that last sentence. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.}

And I sat there and watched this nonsense for five minutes — like a passerby who just witnessed a horrible accident and is in shock. Ultimately, this segment should have been labeled: “Parenting 101 — teaching your children the word NO.” Or, “How to look like an ass on TV.” I’d like a time refund, please.

I was in traffic the other day when I saw a bumper sticker that read, “Those who know more need less.” When I fall off the vegetarian wagon, let it be face first into a juicy, seared petite filet. When we eat dark chocolate, let it be one perfect piece of Godiva. When we do sit down to watch television, let it be something wonderful and worthy. Because, gosh darn it, we are good enough.

~k

Have you seen the show, “The Girls Next Door?” I am oddly in love with this program. Odd because Hugh Hefner + sexy women = me gagging. In love because Holly (queen Bunny of the moment) is just so fun, sweet and remarkably smart by comparison to the other bunnies in the hatch. Holly is also strangely domestic. There is something so funny about the way she bounces between two worlds — wearing smart skirts and pearls in one scene and absolutely nothing in the next.
I only catch this show every now and then, but it came to mind yesterday when I photographed two fabulous CAOK gifts I received this week:

I’m naming my African wee bunny Holly, even though she’s got a super sweet embroidered K on her tummy. The K is for keeper. She came tucked in a fab washcloth too! (So like Holly to accessorize in every situation.) She came from Karen.

A crocheted bunny I’ve lovingly named Hef. He’s already surrounded himself with the ladies. A truly lovely gift from Erin.

Do you think he lured them with carrots? Or karats? Either way, thank you ladies. These are so great!

And a recipe review:
Several people requested that mango salsa recipe from my African dinner party. I couldn’t find it on Smitten’s site, but it was in my domestic bliss folder. {Update: The reason I couldn’t find it on Smitten is because it is MamaLip’s Recipe! My bad.}

Smitten Mango Salsa
2 mangoes, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
4-5 green onions, cut into tiny bits
1-2 fresh chili peppers, cut into tiny bits
a handful of fresh cilantro
juice from 1/2 of a fresh lime
salt and pepper to taste

Chop, mix and let sit for about an hour. This would be great on fish!

And as for the banana bread/chocolate chip cookie hybrid? I doubled a batch of chocolate chip cookies and added more flour, whole wheat flour and two mashed bananas. The result was 50 small cookies that were distributed and inhaled by the masses yesterday. They were good — but not yet perfect. I’m looking more for a scone/bread consistency. I am considering doubling the flour and adding a package of white pudding to the next batch. Back to the cutting board!

Cheers,
Kelli

*How many searchers are going to be disappointed when they find a blog entry about sewn and crocheted bunnies when they were looking for a different breed of mansion residents entirely? Ha!

After last night’s episode of LOST, I’m considering unplugging my television for good. Anyone else so frustrated they want to pull their hair out?

Juliet — karma is a bitch and it’s coming your way. I hope Kate is the one who gets to hand it to you on a silver platter. Better yet, with silver boxing gloves.

Jack — you are a dope. A sexy, gruff, sweet dope. I wish you would wake up. Sawyer is taking off with your girl and you’re still hungover from the Kool Aid they slipped you on the other side of the island!

Suddenly my favorite character is Hugo Hurley, although I still think it is pretty unlikely that after 95 days on a stranded island he wouldn’t need a smaller belt.

What did you think?

~K

Media loves of late:

I have the LOST needle in my arm and am officially a junkie. I just cannot get over the twists and turns. This truly is the only television show I sit down for each week and I’m hooked to the point of being upset when things go awry. And on LOST, things go awry often.
{If you watched last night and want to talk about the episode, I’d love to hear your take on the closing scene. AY! The suspense!}

The new Modest Mouse. Love. Must buy. Also, my new musical crush — Robert Glasper. His interview on All Things Considered this week made me want to run out an buy everything he’s ever touched. Rarely do I feel so inspired — and never before by jazz. Oddly, his music reminds me of Radiohead. Anyone else?

Country Living subscriptions for $12.

Country Home subscriptions for $5.

A bookshelf threatening to topple with recommended reads. I’m currently reading that book at Starbuck’s with the kid from Sierra Leone. His writing style is starkly different from Janet Finch’s, but he is African and has a great story to tell. I’m being patient.

The April issue of Real Simple. SO good. Great articles, great design, nice photography. This magazine leads the pack month to month. Bravo RS!

Media misses:
The Easter issue of MSL. Oh Martie. That feathered egg tree? Awful. And your editor in chief is begging for a new photo. That head shot is awkward, odd and over used at this point. Get one of your crafty web designers to spruce her up a bit. They did a fantastic job with your new site.

The April issue of Country Living. Blah. You can, in fact, have way too many slip covers. I don’t care if you live in the south and have a plantation home. That doesn’t mean you should wrap the entire building in white canvas with teeny pleats at the corners and a giant bow on the back. Slipcovers are like fattening foods — best in moderation.

If this doesn’t make you a: laugh or b: want to become a vegetarian, there is a little bit of our soul missing.

C’est tout. A wonderful day to all!
~K

A Spring bag & CAOK gift. Amy Butler’s Downtown Madison pattern.

I finished White Oleander this weekend — having read much of the last 100 pages by the pool Saturday. {Oh, the weather we are having! Let me gloat. We will quickly enter the 110-plus season that threatens to last five months.}

The themes tie so well into Spring — brushing off the cold, craggy darkness for a new, fresh beginning. Janet Fitch drew me into this novel, her writing hypnotic at times. I found myself consistently late last week — trying to fit in just a few more pages at stop lights, lunch breaks, standing in line for my morning coffee.

Favorite excerpts:

“I liked it when my mother tried to teach me things, when she paid attention. So often when I was with her, she was unreachable. Whenever she turned her steep focus to me, I felt the warmth that flowers must feel when they bloom through the snow, under the first concentrated rays of the sun.”

~
“Who am I? I am who I say I am and tomorrow someone else entirely. You are too nostalgic, you want memory to secure you, console you. The past is a bore. What matters is only oneself and what one creates from what one has learned. Imagination uses what it needs and discards the rest — where you want to erect a museum. Don’t hoard the past. Don’t cherish anything. Burn it. The artist is the phoenix who burns to emerge.”

~
“What was a weed, anyway. A plant nobody planted? A seed escaped from a traveler’s coat, something that didn’t belong? Was it something that grew better than what should have been there? Wasn’t it just a word, weed, trailing its judgments. Useless, without value. Unwanted.”

Four out of five bananas, absoloodle.

~K

Okay LOST fans, tell me the Iraqi woman’s performance in this week’s episode wasn’t some of the best television you’ve ever watched? Plus, isn’t she gorgeous? That skin!
LOST, even without a single moment of Jack, you are still my favorite hour of television, without fail.

~K

Okay LOST fans, tell me last night’s episode wasn’t the best ever? BEST EVER! Loved it. I love Sawyer as the playful, fun guy. I love the English lessons he taught Jin. I love Hurley.
And what Cheech said is so true: you totally make your own luck.

What did you think?
~K