Today I found out that Derby Square Book Store in Salem, MA is closing next month. The 17th to be exact. This is awful news. This is my second favorite book store ever and in weeks, it will be gone.
Derby Sqaure is a maze of books. Tables, shelves, and stacks overflowing with the power of words. The teetering tomes surround you, boxing you into the space in a way that bibliophiles revel in. Surrounded by books, you weave around the shop and always find something amazing... Even if it wasn't what you went in to find. Treasure in hand, you follow the maze to the counter (also covered in books) and find the 1 foot-ish space where you can peer in and see the face of one of the two brothers working the shop. You conduct the business aspect through this surreal book window and out you go so someone else can enjoy the journey.
Seriously. Due to the insane ammount of product they have there can only be 10-12 people in there at a time.
For the last 8 years the majority of their books have been 50% off, something my sale finding DNA has appreciated greatly. They are closing the doors after 39 years of business that started with their parents.
It is the TARDIS of book stores. It never disappoints. Witch City is losing a bit of real magic.
I don't enjoy sharing stories of the... gooey nature. But The Husband and I went here on our first date. We met in Salem and went to the Beer Works. He didn't seem disturbed when I stopped a waitress I knew to tell her how good her butt looked in her work pants (I am secretly Tina Belcher). We walked down the street to the bookstore where he picked out a children's book about volcanos for me. I bought it. And if I had paid more attention to his picking out this book and less time on the mini-golf debacle and his stealing my soda after, I probably would have realized I had found two gems that day--the book and him.
The new owner is planning on keeping it a bookstore, which is great. It just won't be the same.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
TBT #19--Accomplished
19. Get a drastic new hair cut.
So, about a month or so ago, I shaved part of my head. Not a lot... maybe like half of a half. Or if you excel at math and fractions, 1/4th. 25%.
The Husband and I spent a few hours this weekend bleaching my naturally dark hair and the black dye I used months ago out. My hair is a honey badger. In true honey badger fashion, IT DOES NOT GIVE A FUCK. Hulk smash puny bleach! it came out approx. 99 different colors. After two days of bleaching, I let it rest. It deserved a rest as it took 3 bleach kits in 2 days and didn't fall out. I would have bought the best Tina Turner wig I could have if it had. The higher the hair, the closer to God afterall.
Last night, in the salon (and by salon I mean teeny tiny bathroom) The Husband graciously donned gloves and dyed my hair Nuclear Read (by Special Effects). Also known as Brighter Than the Day Star Red and HAHAHAHAHA Fire Trucks Got Nothin' on This Red. After letting it percolate for 2 episodes of My Little Pony, it was time to rinse. And now my tub looks like a crime scene. But! My hair is fabulous. Win.
I've always enjoyed non-natural colored hair. I started doing this crap to my hair in 6th grade. Its been a while and I have been surprised by my co-workers responses. Generally, they have been very nice. Nicer than I assumed.
That being said, Listen y'all: I KNOW my hair is red. It was intentional. I didn't wake up and miss the mirror in the bathroom this morning. The Dye Fairy did not visit me in my sleep. This is not a surprise for me. Nor should it be for you. I told all of you while i was 50 shades of bleached that it was going to be red. "You're hair is ..... (awkward pause)...uh... (awkward pause)...red (smirk)" doesn't make you funny or creative. And while Red was my favorite Fraggle, there is no need to make my nickname "Red." You are better than that. Let's lay it to rest with my other work nicknames: Cupcake, Piercings, and Holes.
Joking aside, I understand that having loud hair that isn't "normal" (whatever that means) opens me up to comments and ridicule. That is fine. Just respect my intelligence and yourself enough to make it creative.
So, about a month or so ago, I shaved part of my head. Not a lot... maybe like half of a half. Or if you excel at math and fractions, 1/4th. 25%.
The Husband and I spent a few hours this weekend bleaching my naturally dark hair and the black dye I used months ago out. My hair is a honey badger. In true honey badger fashion, IT DOES NOT GIVE A FUCK. Hulk smash puny bleach! it came out approx. 99 different colors. After two days of bleaching, I let it rest. It deserved a rest as it took 3 bleach kits in 2 days and didn't fall out. I would have bought the best Tina Turner wig I could have if it had. The higher the hair, the closer to God afterall.
Last night, in the salon (and by salon I mean teeny tiny bathroom) The Husband graciously donned gloves and dyed my hair Nuclear Read (by Special Effects). Also known as Brighter Than the Day Star Red and HAHAHAHAHA Fire Trucks Got Nothin' on This Red. After letting it percolate for 2 episodes of My Little Pony, it was time to rinse. And now my tub looks like a crime scene. But! My hair is fabulous. Win.
I've always enjoyed non-natural colored hair. I started doing this crap to my hair in 6th grade. Its been a while and I have been surprised by my co-workers responses. Generally, they have been very nice. Nicer than I assumed.
That being said, Listen y'all: I KNOW my hair is red. It was intentional. I didn't wake up and miss the mirror in the bathroom this morning. The Dye Fairy did not visit me in my sleep. This is not a surprise for me. Nor should it be for you. I told all of you while i was 50 shades of bleached that it was going to be red. "You're hair is ..... (awkward pause)...uh... (awkward pause)...red (smirk)" doesn't make you funny or creative. And while Red was my favorite Fraggle, there is no need to make my nickname "Red." You are better than that. Let's lay it to rest with my other work nicknames: Cupcake, Piercings, and Holes.
Sister from another Mister?
Joking aside, I understand that having loud hair that isn't "normal" (whatever that means) opens me up to comments and ridicule. That is fine. Just respect my intelligence and yourself enough to make it creative.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Burrito Queen
I love Dunkin Donuts. Seriously. I live for their croissants and don't get me started on their pumpkin spice coffee or peppermint mocha lattes. It's not that I don't like Starbucks or local coffee shops. I do. A lot. Dunks is just uber convenient as I pass 3 on my way to work.
Reading my sister-in-law's blog (http://theloudandclear.com/) when I came across an entry about frozen burritos. I adore burritos. You can wrap anything in a tortilla and boom! Tasty treats. Amirite? I had also been cruising Pinterest for easy make ahead breakfast ideas. It was time to break up with Dunks. It's doing no favors for my ass or my wallet and this seemed like an inexpensive yet satisfying alternative.
The first round I made were with Trader Joe's breakfast sausage. Its a beautifully made chicken sausage that is lightly seasoned and has a slightest whisper of maple to it. It isn't super greasy or heavy when you eat it. I highly suggest it if you are in TJ's and cruisin' for a new b-fast meat. For round two, I asked the hubs which he'd prefer-Bacon or Sausage. I think it's the worst choice he's ever had to make. Bacon won. Deep down, I knew bacon would win. Bacon makes everything better.
Below is a picture-filled tutorial of how I made them, from cooking to storing. Keep in mind that this works for any type of burrito you are jonsing for. It makes for a quick meal at any time. While the ones below weren't made with being healthy as the ultimate goal, they could easily be tailored for that. Follow the read more link for the how to.
Pardon our charred, ancient stove!
Happy eating!
-MPA
Reading my sister-in-law's blog (http://theloudandclear.com/) when I came across an entry about frozen burritos. I adore burritos. You can wrap anything in a tortilla and boom! Tasty treats. Amirite? I had also been cruising Pinterest for easy make ahead breakfast ideas. It was time to break up with Dunks. It's doing no favors for my ass or my wallet and this seemed like an inexpensive yet satisfying alternative.
The first round I made were with Trader Joe's breakfast sausage. Its a beautifully made chicken sausage that is lightly seasoned and has a slightest whisper of maple to it. It isn't super greasy or heavy when you eat it. I highly suggest it if you are in TJ's and cruisin' for a new b-fast meat. For round two, I asked the hubs which he'd prefer-Bacon or Sausage. I think it's the worst choice he's ever had to make. Bacon won. Deep down, I knew bacon would win. Bacon makes everything better.
Below is a picture-filled tutorial of how I made them, from cooking to storing. Keep in mind that this works for any type of burrito you are jonsing for. It makes for a quick meal at any time. While the ones below weren't made with being healthy as the ultimate goal, they could easily be tailored for that. Follow the read more link for the how to.
Pardon our charred, ancient stove!
Happy eating!
-MPA
Chocolate Peanutbutter Cake
Peanut butter and I are not friends. We never have been. Until recently the thought of it repulsed me... Except in Reese's candy. Then I made a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. Peanut butter and I now have an understanding: we are cool if it is in candy, on cake, or *occaisonally* on celery.
The thought came up when a co-worker's last day was approaching and I was tasked with baking a cake for the occasion. I put flavor profiles up for a vote and this is what won.
I cheated. I was ashamed at first, but that cake was thebomb.com! There is a time and place for using boxed mixes and pre-made frosting. The key is to flavor them and jazz them up so the world will never know. Boxed cake mix can be tricky because of the oil you have to add. Personally, I feel like you can taste it and if I am trying to fool people into thinking I made it from scratch a weird oily taste will not do.
The trick? Seltzer or soda. 1 can or 1 and 1/2 cups per box. No eggs. No oil. Just some fizz. If using soda, diet or regular work but diet can leave a fake sugar aftertaste. Keep in mind that the soda color will come through as well (ie: orange soda + vanilla cake mix = orange colored vanilla cake). I usually use plain seltzer but have found that raspberry-lime seltzer does leave some flavor in a vanilla cake mix. If using soda, try to pick complimentary flavors: chocolate and cherry cola, lemon or vanilla cake with lemon-lime soda, spice cake with root beer. Check the tutorial out by clicking read more.
Happy bakin/eating!
-MPA
The thought came up when a co-worker's last day was approaching and I was tasked with baking a cake for the occasion. I put flavor profiles up for a vote and this is what won.
I cheated. I was ashamed at first, but that cake was thebomb.com! There is a time and place for using boxed mixes and pre-made frosting. The key is to flavor them and jazz them up so the world will never know. Boxed cake mix can be tricky because of the oil you have to add. Personally, I feel like you can taste it and if I am trying to fool people into thinking I made it from scratch a weird oily taste will not do.
The trick? Seltzer or soda. 1 can or 1 and 1/2 cups per box. No eggs. No oil. Just some fizz. If using soda, diet or regular work but diet can leave a fake sugar aftertaste. Keep in mind that the soda color will come through as well (ie: orange soda + vanilla cake mix = orange colored vanilla cake). I usually use plain seltzer but have found that raspberry-lime seltzer does leave some flavor in a vanilla cake mix. If using soda, try to pick complimentary flavors: chocolate and cherry cola, lemon or vanilla cake with lemon-lime soda, spice cake with root beer. Check the tutorial out by clicking read more.
Happy bakin/eating!
-MPA
Thirty Before Thirty
The idea of turning thirty has been consuming me since I turned 27. That was a year and a half ago. I don't like thinking about getting old. It makes me obsessed with my own mortality.
My sister-in-law blogged about her own 30 before 30 list. I really liked the idea and decided I would do one as well. It will help me confront my issues with mortality as well as make the next year and 7 months as meaningful as possible.
Instead of this:
My sister-in-law blogged about her own 30 before 30 list. I really liked the idea and decided I would do one as well. It will help me confront my issues with mortality as well as make the next year and 7 months as meaningful as possible.
Instead of this:
Maybe it can be like this:
My Thirty Before Thirty:
1. Start a garden including veggies, fruit, and flowers.
2. Make my own cleaning products (home and body).
3. Be better about cleaning and laundry.
4. Persue baking and candy making as a side job.
5. Get caught up and on track financially.
6. Make ice cream.
7. Make pasta by hand.
8. Journal. Started!
9. Seriously learn to knit or crochet.
10. Learn to sew better/actually make things.
11. Read 100 books. No genre limitations.
12. Go to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
13. Take dance lessons.
14. Join a gym and actually go.
15. Get a tattoo.
16. Learn to play the Ukulele.
17.Take more pictures.
18. Develope a better personal style.
19. Get a drastic new hair cut.
20. Eat more locally grown/raised food.
21. Cut out gluten and stick to it. This means baking gluten free too.
22. Go on dates with my husband, at least monthly.
23. Make career/college decisions.
24. Go back to Disney World.
25. Redecorate and refurnish the apartment.
26. Catalog my recipes.
27. Go to Cape Cod.
28. Splurge on a pair of boots.
29. Be touristy around New England.
30. Get pregnant.
Here's to tackling the next 17 months head on.
-MPA
What the What?!
Cupcakes and Crossbows.
An epic way to describe my approach to life. I enjoy baking, candy making, cooking, cuddling with animals and/or my husband, and unicorns. I also am short tempered and quick with scathing retorts.
At the kick off of this blog I am:
...And a little redundancy in this post.
-MPA
An epic way to describe my approach to life. I enjoy baking, candy making, cooking, cuddling with animals and/or my husband, and unicorns. I also am short tempered and quick with scathing retorts.
At the kick off of this blog I am:
- Fat. Nerdy and fat.
- 28
- A newly wed
- Have intense anxiety
- All I want to do is hang out with my cats, drink tea, read books, cook, bake, and harass my husband. I don't think this is a lot to ask.
- I love make-up, clothes, music, Christmas shopping, Corgis, and skulls--so much so I wish I lived in an oddity shop.
- I think I am hilarious.
- I have no problem impromptly spewing out sarcasm or cutting remarks.
- I truly believe I need feminism. You need feminism. The world needs feminism.
...And a little redundancy in this post.
-MPA
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