Shades of Ally

So, one day when I was day dreaming in class, I thought ahead to next year, when I would have my very own studio apartment to decorate in whichever crazy way I wished. And then I made a list, because that is how I process. My theme, because I am always disjointed and never able to stick with just one theme, is Moroccan- English-with a dash of Latin American.

Target Elephant Teapot, $15.99

So, first things first, I would just like to put out there that whenever I think of the word Moroccan, I think of Mariah Carey. Because she named her son that. Moroccan. Because Nick Cannon proposed to her in the Moroccan wing of her house. Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. But it makes me laugh.

Anyways, I like the exotic and relaxing feeling, nonetheless, and a little known fact about me is that, more than anything, I want an elephant teapot in my room. For looks. Ever since I saw one that was made in Indonesia at Pier One Imports. Or maybe it was Cost Plus World Market. One of the two.

Other items I considered getting to go with this part of the theme: A paper lantern light, the colors red and white, shawls to hang up, a circular rug.

Custom Silhouette, $30

I don't actually want much of the English theme in my room, mostly Moroccan (laughs again), but something that I do desperately want that I feel fits in this theme is a custom silhouette of my own profile. I think they are so classy, as well as personalized, and vintage. You actually send the girl your own picture and she makes them for you according to the picture. 

This also reminds me of Knott's Berry Farm, which we all know I love. If I can just get a picture of my family dressed up in western wear from Knott's and hang it next to my profile silhouette, my life will be complete. So maybe this part of the decorating theme is more Western than English. Except I do want to frame my Keep Calm and Carry On poster.

Virgen de Guadalupe Cross, $45

I don't have too much planned for the Latin American dash decorations either, all I really want in life is a bedazzled Virgen de Guadalupe. A statue or poster, there has to be a bedazzled one in Olvera Street, there has just got to be!

If I cannot manage to find one of those, I would make do with one of these crosses with the Virgen on it. In the van Ingen household, there is a cross in every room, and it's not purely for our Catholic religion's sake, it also counts for decoration and for protection, and it's something traditional that we just do. It would be nice to carry on that protection at school.

Unfortunately for me, I realized decorating in such wide proportions would require me buying all these new items, and it seems silly to have for only six months. But one day I have many dreams and decorations for my own place!

Lastly, my title was inspired by a movie I just finished watching called Shades of Ray, about a half Pakistani and half white man who is coming to terms with dating in and out of his heritage. I really liked it and recommend it to you all! Plus Zachary Levi is in it, and he is a total cutie =)

Recycling Piggy Bank-Oh the Possibilities!

Papa is always bringing home freebies from work. His latest swag bag was complete with a toothbrush, water bottle, t shirt, and other goodies (hand sanitizer is popular). 

A couple of months ago, he brought home this little gem, one of my favorite freebies to date. It is a miniature recycling bin fashioned into a piggy bank. 

This coupled with the fact that I hate carrying change around with me brought upon the advent of using it to save my change. 

It never occurred to me that it took so long to fill a piggy bank. I have been putting coins in this bank sine May, and it's still only a fourth full. My next fear is that once this thing is full it will only have twenty bucks in it total, but I do plan to use this fun money on something.

But for what?

I have tossed around a few ideas. Spending spree on iTunes or at a bookstore. Spending money towards a vacation. New clothes. Or new shoes. Stuff to decorate my sparse but newly painted room.

But I was wondering what ya'll think? What would you spend a rainy day piggy bank on?

What meal could you eat for the rest of your life?

I asked my friend Lisa this question the other week, like you're supposed to have the answer on the tip of your tongue, like your favorite color (mine is pink, tied with purple, and then white. And then probably baby blue. I have a hard time making choices).

I believe she said something, "I don't know, I have to think about it. What's yours?"

I, of course, think about this sort of crap all the time, and I love food (since I have started my diet I watch Food Network an inordinate amount of time and drool like I am watching a Taylor Lautner when it is really a summer cocktail and lemon chicken or a cookie. I don't even like cookies).

My top three foods or meals that I would eat for the rest of my life would be:

3. Steak wrapped in bacon- I love steak. More than a normal person, probably. I could eat steak and eggs for breakfast, and my favorite thing at buffets (erm, well tied with the omelet bar) is the carving station ( my mom thinks it is too early in the morning for meat. I am running to the line, trying to beat my dad for first place. Running). I love steak sandwiches something awful. I love New York steak, and Ribeye, and Prime Rib, and I am considering having all future Big Events (read Graduation party and Rehearsal Dinner [yes, for my wedding]) at a steak house. I also really love bacon. Like a lot a lot. Courtney told me once Roseanne (from the show with the same name) was eating a peanut butter bacon sandwich and I just about died. I am also the person who can eat peanut butter with a spoon. (Note: I am such a fattie). Long story short, I steak wrapped in bacon is number three choice for top three food item that I could eat for life. Which, for me and my choices, will be about thirty three (eh, it was good enough for Jesus).

2. Potatoes in the fried variety: I literally could eat french fries every day. I am also fond of hash browns and tater tots. Like honestly, I have never met a tot I did not like. My hands down favorite fries come from the FEBO in Holland. No one makes fries like the Dutch. I think they double fry them, I'm not sure. All I know is I thank Baby J that we had to walk every day in Holland or I would have come back 536 pounds, give or take twenty pounds. As if the fries aren't bad enough, and by bad I mean delicious and addictive, they also come with Dutch fry sauce, which is a v close cousin to mayonnaise but better and I am sure more caloric. If I am ever lying on my death bed, please use the last of my money and energy to air lift me to Holland so I can eat these fries, Oprah style (you know she flew all the way to Washington for Ezell's Chicken?).

And my first option, if I only had to pick one? Drumroll... IKEA Swedish meatballs. Specifically with lingonberry sauce, french fries (NOT mashed potatoes), and a Coke. I die. I don't know what it is about this meal. I could have picked Weinerschnitzel, Hot Dog on a Stick, Chik-fil-a, or Rascal's (oh how I miss Rascals. And Art's. OK those are def top ten). But every time I eat the IKEA swedish meatballs meal I literally think "I could eat this before going to the electric chair". It has a magical hold on me. It might be the fact that you get 15 balls of meat. Or the fact that it is smothered in salty gravy (salt is my enemy and my lover). I also love lingonberry sauce and often ask for a double portion. It's like cranberry sauce only better. More Swedish. It def helps that my number two choice, french fries, is already on the plate. Regardless, I love this meal almost as much as I love my brother. 

So tell me friends, since food and I are kinda frenemies right now, what is the one meal (or heck, three) you would eat for the rest of your life if you had to?

Here a Wedge, There a Wedge, Everywhere a Wedge Wedge!

I don't do heels. I can't wear heels. I look like a hot mess because I cannot walk in them. But wedges are fabulous and fun and they don't hurt when you wear them. Plus I am convinced they are the perfect shoe for summer.

Old Navy Crochet Cross-Front Wedges, 32.94

Last Friday I went on a tiny bit of a shopping spree. When I got to New York and Company, I had already vowed not to spend any more money, but I found these totes adorable wedges that had a heel like the picture above and also criss crossed in an X. I rather liked them. Then I didn't buy them, and thought about them for days. I found them online, attempted to order them, and the order didn't go through. Fate? We will never know.

Old Navy Braided Faux Leather Wedges, 32.94

The one thing I will lament about my current heels is that they are all brown or tan. I feel like adding some black wedges to my collection as black tends to go with more outfits. I like the details on these.

TOMS Canvas Wedge, 64.98

I also swore up and down I would never wear TOMS, from which I learned the lesson never say never. Because these are on my To Buy list. They've got to be super comfy and I have seen them on and they're not as bad as you'd think.

Gimme me more wedges! Suggestions?

Did you know kuku is nail in Indonesian?

I have gotten quite a few compliments on my nails dating back from a few months til now, and I can thank regular manicures every fortnight for that (future post in the works).

People are constantly asking me if I have gotten the Shellac manicure. The first time I got a really confused look (which I hopefully was able to hide but probably not) then lied and said I had. Apparently, under pressure, I just spew lies.

But then I went to my new fave nail place (Jolie Nails. Student discount. Offers free sodas. Conveniently located across from the SU campus. No brainer) and saw they had the special Shellac nail polish, so I thought I would give it a try. See below:

Ignore the steamy sauna look. Focus on the raspberry colored french tips.

As with most things in life, there were positives and negatives to this particular manicure, but I will try to share them all in case you would ever like to get one:

- Positive: The brand claims to last for a minimum of twenty one days. And mine lasted for twenty eight days without a chip. So they weren't lying on that front.

Negative: For one thing, I can usually make my el cheapo manicure last for at least fourteen days without a chip (read: I don't do any work with my hands and therefore my nails stay immaculate). Plus, being that I have a mind bursting full of nail designs, I got a little bored with the same french tips (albeit pink ones) for a month.

- Negative: There are literally about six layers of special UV nail polish they put on between base, color, and top coats, and after each layer you have to dry them under a UV light. This takes forever and a day. And because of all this special light crap, they skip my fave part of the manicure, the lotioning.

Positive: My fave ladies at Jolie massage my back instead.

Close up, dahling.

- Negative: It costs $25 instead of $10. 

Positive: It lasts for twenty eight days. So I guess the money is equivalent.

- Positive: No nail polish remover, nicks, or anything stand a chance against this polish.

 Negative: I try not to get acrylics anymore, because they are so hard on my nails. But this nail polish was too legit to quit, so to get the last bits off they had to sand it off. 

Now if only they would do a groupon for a cheaper Shellac manicure =)

DIeting Revisited and Revised

Remember this post? Well that was almost a year ago, and on the one hand, here we are again, with me trying to get healthy again, but actually making progress. (I have actually hit a huge milestone- under 200. Since I am being brutally honest and all). And on the other hand, I have some new and sometimes reconsidered viewpoints on dieting.

- Even if I go over my daily allotment of calories (it used to be 1450 but now its 1380 not counting exercise), the important thing is that I eat better than I ate before, i.e. less than 2000 calories.
- I like water a whole lot more with lemon.
- If you feel a headache coming on, beat it early with exedrin and caffeine, or else you will have a headache so bad you think you should send goodbye texts in case you die of an aneurysm. (This actually happened).
- Myfitnesspal, writing down daily food and cardio, keeps me accountable.
- So does having a gym partner.
- So does having a goal shirt.
- I can try and do this without exercise, but my diet goes MUCH better when I can eat more calories if I exercise. As much as I seemingly hate the gym, I am one of those people who would rather bust their butt in the gym so they can eat more of what they want.
- Jason DeRulo is not so great to work out to, Missy Elliot heck yes!
- One time, my last three searches on myfitnesspal were: truffle, butter, and potato cheddar soup. Sometimes you might have an off day. Don't let it become a habit, but don't beat yourself up either.
- Cutting out fast food is easier than you think and does miracles.

Hopefully these observations help any of you struggling (the only appropriate word for what this is, it's sure not a walk in the park) through this transition. Let me know how it's going and if you have any tips, I could use them!

 I just like my earrings. And any picture where I can conceal my multiple chins. Which are starting to diminish thank baby J. I will always have chipmunk cheeks though haha.

Imelda Marcos Approved

Lilly Pulitzer "Rousseau" Ottoman, Neiman Marcus, $999

I have quite a few pairs of shoes. Enough to fill two Rubbermaid bins. Rubbermaid bins are functional and basic. But if I ever make it big (Notice some themes? Making it big, and imagining I am a celebrity? Where do I get this stuff from?) I would like to get the above piece of furniture for both my shoes and decoration. I love that it is two fold: an ottoman to sit on or place my purse or jacket and  when you open up the hinged lid and there are 12 pockets for shoes! With a cute fabric inside lining it! I have never been a huge fan of Lilly P but this particular item is pretty fantastic!

The Author is In

Remember Lucy, from Snoopy? Member, you member! So sassy, and she charged her friends $0.05 for her therapy sessions. Genius.

So I have a proposition for all my lovely readers (all 3 of you). It is a Lucy type proposition.
It's simple: I write a short story or poem for you. It can be about anything I choose or it can be specifically about our relationship. It's up to you to decide. Then I either email you the poem or short story, or I print it and mail it to your address.

In return, you visit paypal and donate the minimum requested donation, which is $1.00 (sorry, but inflation has risen just about all prices since the 50s). All you have to do is go to paypal.com, and under the Personal tab, click Send Money, and put in my email (vaningen@seattleu.edu). Then you put in your own email, the donation amount, and your method of payment. Easy peasy. But if that sounds like too much, you can also kick it old school and mail me a dollar slipped between a piece of paper in an envelope. Again, your choice.

I am doing this for several reasons:

- I know artists (painter, photographers) who make money by selling their artwork. I am not an artist,  this is the only talent I have to offer.
- It has been awhile since my last book of poetry, Never Too Much of a Good Thing, which you can still purchase here. While I am currently working on one, potentially two, writing projects right now, see this as something to tide you over.
- I'm looking for creative inspiration to write.
- I recently spent five days living off of $42, which I will be blogging about in the future.
- This is like my own social experiment. Because I am genuinely curious who will take me up on my offer. I could get seventy takers, or zero. I'm guessing it will be the latter, but I won't know unless I ask.
- I am craving beef jerky, and a churro. So natch this is the solution.

Alright, I think that's everything. If you choose to accept this mission, either comment on this blog post or send me an email.

Eagerly awaiting your replies. GPOY