Almost Done!

... with no pictures (yet!) to show for it.
Prepare to be wow'ed with a post tomorrow with the following.

My brand spanking new closet space full of organized crafts.
A bookshelf packed to the brim with trashy romance novels
And a picture of what I've STILL got to deal with.

So excited to be done moving for a while!

Oh hey look! I'm packing!

So here is the first installment of: Kay Moves to Woody's.

Lets start by posting a few pictures huh?

This is my room as of Saturday: Wow look at that mess! My mother would probably kill me if she knew I was posting it. She'd think she let me get away with this horrible mess! Now I'll defend myself by saying, I haven't been living here since I've been at Woody's for over a month. It doesn't give me an excuse to live like a hoarder. As you can see I don't have a bed anymore (its in the living room) and hate to disappoint you, but the Rock Band drums are not mine. I scooted these out real fast.

See my dilemma? I've got to squeeze all of this mess into Woody's tiny ass apartment. Now wait! That's not all. We have yet to look at my closet and book shelves.

Here's a picture of that disaster: The other side of the closet is pretty much cleared out thankfully. That top shelf is FULL of my crafts. I do alot of stenciling, scrapbooking, and sewing. I also cannot bear to throw away my college art history notes. Fail me. As of Saturday I've just had them sitting on top of the top shelf in envelopes and have not utilized any sort of organizational system. This all changed on Sunday.

When Woody was looking for apartments in Long Beach I was adamant about two things: space and parking. Space because I've got a trashy romance novel obsession and parking because it is terrible in Long Beach. I got what I wanted. But I didn't factor in Woody's art supplies. Our living room is pretty packed. I don't mind at the moment, but once my stuff is moved in there I am terrified that we are going to be swallowed by newsprint, watercolor, glitter, ribbon and charcoal. I'll be attacked by rampaging crayons and comic books! So we're constantly working on getting our act together to figure out alternative means of storing our belongings.

First order of business for me? Plastic boxes. I pulled down every single crafting supply I had in my room and went through it. I threw out all of my small scraps. I threw out all my old jeans which I had vague plans for. I threw out paper and half used markers and every project that I've been sitting on for months and months and never followed through with. Then after looking at my pile of crafts, went to Target and spent 50 dollars on storage boxes. Now, as a cheap bitch on a budget, I'd tell you Target is the last place to find storage boxes. Big Lots is your best bet. But honestly, I was so overwhelmed by packing, that Target was the most soothing place I could think of to buy plastic containers. Sometimes it's worth it to spend extra money on things when you know spending less is just going to drive you crazy.

Ten Boxes! This is what I've pared my crafts down to. I made a container for cutting things, stencils, drawing implements, glitter, ribbon and yarn, tape and glue, two boxes for sewing projects. (For the life of me I cannot remember what one of the boxes was for. Figures.) I found the perfect plastic sleeves for my scrapbook paper. I hate that it's such an awkward size and was so excited to find these sleeves in the dollar section of the store. I devoted one sleeve to blank card stock, one to themed paper and one to patterned paper. The plastic file bin the accordion is sitting on, is cleared out of all my college crap and now holds all the minutia I use for scrapbooking.

I find it so much more fun to save little parts of a really good day to add into my scrapbooks. Bottle caps for epic nights of drinking, movie ticket stubs for that HORRIBLE date you had, wrist bands for amazing concerts and the like. But it just looks so cluttered keeping them in a box. Filing them according to event and time in my life makes it easier to keep track of and SO MUCH easier to scrapbook. I can now take out the next event folder and work on that page without having to dig through a box and getting distracted by other events. Although speaking of getting distracted, I was in such a groove with throwing crap out, I totally threw the top of this file box out. Oops. Got to buy a new one. Having everything packed inside a box ready to be put away was great! I packed my large box and took it to Woody's and had it put away within a half hour. I think that is the real secret to moving, is getting everything put away gradually so you don't get overwhelmed.

I do not have any pictures of the after of my room because honestly, its still covered in crap! I'm going over there again this weekend and weeding through my trashy romance novels and clothes once more.

Boo! I was going to upload a fancy project for all the gamers I know and love. So it will have to be less picture heavy. This lovely project is brought to you by my sexy, handy and innovative boyfriend.

It is a way to store those pesky Rock Band and Guitar Hero Instruments. These guitars were being stored in the close I plan to currently put my life in. The closet was full of guitars and a HUGE drum set. (Still not sure how to store those drums) While I was aware of ways of storing traditional guitars, on the wall I was wary of putting holes in the wall since we are renting. Woody came up with this gem. He mounted them on our Ikea shelving!

You'll Need:
Double headed hook.
Screws or nails.
Velcro.
Cost: under 10 dollars.

Essentially, the double headed utility hook will hold the bottom of the guitar and Velcro, placed in strategic places on the body of the guitar will hold it flush against the wall. It is BEAUTIFUL! I'm so glad I wont be tripping over them any more. We now have plans to mount all of the controllers in individual pockets on the outside of the shelf. If only we could figure out where to put the Rock Band drums.

Much love for all of you moving too!

Food!

So while thinking about new years resolutions I realized that I wanted to cook more.
I had no idea where to start with this.
But I think I've finally figured it out.
I'll go by type of food. This month I'm going to experiment with Greek yogurt/plain yogurt and see what I can do with it.
First recipe?

Chicken Pita's with a Yogurt Dill Sauce.
7 points.

So excited!

New Project

Oh hey there...
Guess what?
I'm moving again. This time (hopefully) for a while, to Woody's!
I'm going to document this shit from the beginning, (which starts Sunday in cleaning my fucking room) to end.
There will be pictures, and lists and all sorts of tips on how to clean out your shit, and pack it all away.

Things I dread?
Getting rid of shoes. (Boo!)
Getting rid of books. (Double Boo!)
Getting rid of crafting supplies. (a much needed thank god. I hoard them too much)

Thanks for following along on my journey of moves!

Resolutions everywhere!

Hello! Its been quite a while!

I've been motivated to post today because those I love and follow have been posting such great New Year's lists and resolutions. (also my boss is out of the office and I'm on the morning shift yay!) So now it's my turn!

My New Year's resolutions last year consisted of...
1. Working on my fitness.
- Yes, I did work on it. I went to Karate. No, I didn't go as often as I should go, but I never stopped going all together. I'm stronger and fitter now than I was last year. I'm an orange belt and I don't regret the hundreds of dollars I've devoted to United Studios of Self Defense, nor do I regret having to be a cheap slut on a budget to keep doing this. Now I'm quitting for a few months to get my school life together, but I made a decision to still go to my cardio class there two days a week so I'm not tempted to just quit all together. I'm on weight watchers. Yeah, thats ALSO hard. Yes, I've been pretty bad lately. But if I just keep tracking, and holding on to Woody's hand when I want to go overboard, I should be able to loose weight. I just want to change my habits, not become half the person I am. So I'll be keeping this resolution.
2. Working on my debt.
- Tis done! I got all my shit paid. I'm not getting calls from collection agencies, or multi colored notices in the mail. If there's any advice I'd give those cheap sluts in debt I'd say DON'T wait for those pretty notices to come in the mail. Be proactive. Call your collectors explain the situation and get your ass in gear to pay it back. They do want their money, and they DO accept payments. Its not fun being buried under those notices.
Despite having gotten rid of all my crazy ass debt, I do have a credit card that is maxed out. I'd like to get that paid off before the year is out. So this is also staying on the resolution list.
3. Saving for my back tattoo.
- This resolution started out so well! I was saving 20-40 dollars a month for this. Then ace got sick, and bills piled up and it got pushed to the side. Truthfully, I think this might come off my list this year because I've got so much on my plate that is just more important. Ink is fun, expensive and not nearly as much of a priority as getting my life together.
4. Continuing my education.
- This I did! Got my diploma from UCSC, got my last few classes finished, applied to grad school (didn't get in) and now have looked over my options and shall apply again to more grad schools. I've taken that step to quit USSD for a few months so that I can expediate the grad school financial proccess without pulling out all my hair. This one's a keeper!
5. Streamlining my life.
- Not so much. I started this blog as a move to track and give advice to those who are moving. In Feburary I've got plans to move in with my boyfriend. I'm nervous and excited all at once. I'm also stressed knowing that my space in his apartment is so limited, that I am surely not going to fit all my crap. Which means I'm actually going to have to streamline my life for real. This is a must for this year's resolutions.
6. Working on great skin.
-If by working on great skin this year I mean I increased my sunscreen intake then yes, I worked on great skin. Lancome is just so expensive! Even with my Partner In Crime's employee discount. Sunscreen is really the key for the summer (you're future face will thank you), and moisturizer is key for the winter.
7. Writing in my paper journal more.
- Fail. I just need to be doing this or blogging more. I can't decide.
8. Reading more edifying books.
- Fail. Edifying books are sometimes NO FUN! So this is another maybe.
9. Stop being such a crazy ass girlfriend.
- Success! With my 2008 goal (Dont be a fucking doormat. Communicate. Be everything you want in others. Dont be afraid of confrontation.) such a success, I've really been able to open up and not make the same mistakes I've made with past relationships. I've never had such a healthy amazing love life in never!

So it looks like we've got...
1. working on my fitness.
2. work on debt.
3. continue my education
4. streamline my life
these added to...
5. drink more water.
- at least 96 ounces a day. Being hydrated is so important to great skin. I love the fact that I don't have to wear too much foundation at this time in my life. With the amount that everyone my age drinks its even MORE important to hydrate, and I've fallen off the wagon of late with leaving my reusable waterbottle at home. (Slut on a budget hint on where to get a eco bottle cheap? Walgreens!)
6. blog more.
- Because I love this shit!
7. drink less booze.
- Alchoholism runs in my family. My grandfather had it, and my great uncle had it. I realize that yep, I like booze a little too much. So honestly, I'm going to try and cut back on it. (just think about those extra calories saved!)

I think I've got a good amount of work ahead of me.

I'll now admit to you a guilty pleasure, lists. I love them. All kinds! I especially love year end lists. I've found some pretty awesome lists of things this year that I'd like to share with you!

Best Books of 2009
Souless by Gail Carriger - A novel of Vampires, Werewolves and Parasols. Steampunk, romance, paranormal suspense? I'm so in. 181 pages into the book and its already a keeper!
Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzzane Collins - by far my new favorite series. This is what I'd rather my kids read than Twilight. Post apocolyptic society pits teens against each other to fight to the death. Heroine is fiesty and flawed. I love her. Not a big fan of the cliffhangers but... I'll forgive Suzzane Collins.
Jo Beverly - for the win all year. I powered through her romance series this year and I regret not one moment. I like historical romance with a high end of sexual tension.
SkippyJohn Jones by Judith Byron Schachner- Red this in Seattle for PAX and FELL IN LOVE with this children's book set. A siamese kitten who thinks he's a chihuahua who journeys into his closet for adventures with his chihuahua friends? Score!
Babar's Musem of Art - something I'm sure to read to my kids.
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie- I loved this romance so much I read it twice in two weeks. It was that good!
Coraline by Neil Gamien- Errie and powerful. Had nightmares not going to lie.
Pride Prejudice and Zombies - While I cannot condone Sense, Sensibility and Seamonsters, I LOVED this one.

Best Beauty, Health and Food Discoveries of 2009
Smashbox Heartbreaker Liquid Liner Pen (http://www.smashbox.com/HEARTBREAKER-LIQUID-LINER-PEN) - I've been way in love with eyeliner. Especially 1960's era eyeliner. The thicker the better. My eyes love it! This pen is SOOOOO EASY! Its like a felt tipped pen! It goes on smooth and its not messy at all!
Getting your hair professionally dyed - it makes such a difference!
bosu ball - if you havent tried this at the gym you MUST. Its a ball with a flat bottom that helps you work your core. Your core helps your posture, walk and balance. I have a love hate relationship with this thing. Use it whenever you'd be on the floor working out. Crunches, push ups, even weights (when turned over and used as a balance board) are about a million times harder on this thing.
ea sports active - harder than I was expecting. Good for a rainy day but probably not a subsitution for your regular workout.
Honey crisp apples - Mmm. My favorite apples, only in season in the winter time. Perfect for eating whole.
Red lipstick- So I never felt comfortable wearing read lipstick until just recently. I had a dress that just screamed for some red accents and my heels were just not doing it. The trick? Try on every single shade of red you possibly can. I am a fan of Lancome's L'Absolu Rouge in Absolute Rouge and Revlon's Matte Lipstick in Really Red. Both of these are orange based that go great with my skin tone and are matte or not super shiney. The shine makes my lips look thin. Alot of people get nervous about wearing red because they buy the wrong color. Wearing the right shade of red will give you a super great boost of confidence.
Vintage and short wedding dresses - I know, I probably SHOULDN'T be thinking about wedding dresses. Its really quite horrible. BUT, when I give into the impuse I keep coming back to Dolly Couture's and Whirling Turban's wedding dresses. They are just so goddamn cute! And tailored to your size since they are custom made. That might put some people off but... not me!

Best Movies and TVof 2009
Star Trek - the newest movie. Underlying sexual tension between Kirk and Spock? Count me in. I don't care if no one else sees it.
The Office - Old news to some, but this series on Netflix on my computer keeps me sane in the Jesus library late at night
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Another oldie but goodie. I love wasting time on this show.
Watchmen - Alien penis? Score! And despite the die hard comic lover's hate, I really found it at good adaption.
Coraline - Not in 3D! Just as fucking creepy as the book. Jeeze I'll have nightmares about Terri Hatcher's voice for years. Although I do love her pencil skirt.
1990's xmen on DVD - How can I not indulge (FINALLY) in my childhood love of Rouge and Gambit?

Best Websites of 2009
Souless by Gail Carriger - I already gushed about the book. This promotional website is just as awesome. Victorian paper dolls online? YES! So many times yes!
Tastespotting.com - I love this cooking website so much. So many pretty pictures! So many personal blogs. It makes it easy and accessable to first time cooker, me!
Craftzine.com - Always a win for some crafty gift ideas.
BlazedandConfused on Twitter - So you know those ridiculous Harlequin Blaze romances you see in the market and in the used book store? BlazedandConfused tweets the best lines from whatever they are reading at the moment. Hilarity ensues every time I read their tweets.
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books - I can never ever stop gushing about how much I love this blog. Its everything I could ever want!


Best Events of 2009
Disney's Give a Day Get a Day - Technically, its a 2010 event, but I found out about it in 2009. I always thought the "Celebrate your birthday with Disney" was kinda lame, but this new gimmick is totally awesome! Volunteer and get a free day at Disneyland. You'll what Disneyland? You'll *pay* me to volunteer? Score! Add that to the fact that the Jesus library will allow me to take a day with pay to volunteer and its a double score!
Hockey Games - I don't care which team. But I love them, I need to go to more.
Zombie Walks - Also another thing I need to do more.
The Alternative Press Expo - A beautiful fun, less cracktastic alternative to Comic-Con 2009. Sure you won't get the cast of Twilight, but who wants that at their comic book convention? Not me! Support small press and self published authors!
Demolition Derbys and the OC fair - an epic win all around. I did not expect to enjoy 30 minutes of cars crashing into each other but I was SO wrong.
Grand Torino drinking game - Ok, here are the rules, you can only drink Pabst Blue Ribbon and you have to drink whenever Clint Eastwood: shoots someone with his hand, says something racist, the Grand Torino is shown, he drinks a PBR or growls/grunts. It may not seem like much to go on, but by the end of the movie, you'll be falling down drunk.
Ink and Iron Festival - Such a good night! Tattoo expo on the Queen Mary? Live bands? Booze. So good! So fun!

I've just realized how long this is. Ok, I'll stop now.

Google Bomb

So I don't know how many of you remember Charles in Charge?
I remember watching it a bit. Its a little before my time. Well the star Scott Baio had a totally FIT on twitter because a conservative romance author decided to publicly break up with him via twitter because of his more inflammatory statements about the president.

Don't get me wrong, conservatives are more than allowed to express their opinions as much as my little liberal ass. They are welcome to express them on Twitter. That's what that shit is for. But if you're going to express them and I, as a follower don't like them, I have an option to stop following you. And since it IS a public forum, I have every right to explain WHY I've decided to stop following you. If you act like the psycho bitch that you are, you deserve to get bombed. This isn't about your beliefs Mr. Baio, its about your asshattery.

Here is the HILLRIOUS back story between Gwen Hayes, Baio and her follower Jamie Harrington. Here and here and here.

My heroes at Smart Bitches Trashy Books have organized a Google Bomb to draw some attention to the asshattery of Mr. Baio. And here is is, click on the link, Chachbag, and the interwebz will count it and explode all over the universe.

How exciting is that?

Yes I'm from Santa Cruz but...

Ok I picked up a new book yesterday from Target. I love their books because, well really, they are 25% off the cover price. How can you go wrong? They usually have a lot of best sellers even hardbacks, self help and cook books.

I picked up an author I had read a review on while catching up on my favorite website, Smart Bitches Trashy Books. Her name is Tessa Dare. I was hooked. The story is about a girl, Isabel, from the West Indies (almost always a plot that is a win for me) who is making her debut into London society, and gets engaged to a man who was spurred at the alter by her new sister-in-law. Toby, her new fiancee, is a rake who loves to laugh and teases her mercilessly, and Isabel is having none of that. She's totally a serious heroine who has yet to laugh at anything unless Toby has said it. I hate to say it, but she is a stick in the mud. Want to know why?

She's different from many of the regency heroines I read about in that she is ACTIVELY involved in the plight of the lower classes. Most regency heroines are different in that way. They tend to be very compassionate to others, despite class, but Isabel is determined to marry a man of influence so that she can change the world of the less fortunate. Score one for her.

I'm all for helping the less fortunate, but shit Isabel, get over yourself. I've reached a scene where she's been asked by Toby to go for a ride in his curricle. Toby drives fast and recklessly and all Isabel can do is hold on tight. Speak up for god sakes! Tell him to slow down! Grow a spine for more than slavery! Then he offers to go window shopping, telling her that he needs a new cane, and she quizzes him as to why he even needs to use one, and makes faces when he states that its because its "fashionable" implying that he's frivolous. You have no problem ranting about frivolous spending but can't tell the man to slow down?

Then he tries to make amends and offers to take her to the museum and they can get a sneak peak of Lord Elgin's Parthenon Marbles. Isabel goes off in a fit of pique about who "owns" the marbles because England "stole" them from Greece. AND THEN he offers to go get some tea, he has the GALL to get her an ice, which Isabel has never had before, and then admits to the ice being sweetened with sugar which is produced by slaves on sugar plantations. Isabel flips out and has second thoughts about this engagement because (and I quote) "You would offer me this as a refreshment? Tell me, what is refreshing about human bondage?"

Oh. My. God. And then Toby has the gall to say, "its only an ice." And I for some reason was so mad about Isabel being such a stick in the mud who hates her lush lavish curves that draw male attention (and yet she's dressed in the height of fashion) and cannot enjoy anything because it harms someone, that I was COMPELLED to write this blog on the first 68 pages I've read.

*huffhuffhuff*

Yes, I'm from Santa Cruz. Yes, I'm aware of how American consumerism affects the world. But for God sakes woman, the man is only trying to please you! Tessa Dare has exactly 6 pages to redeem Isabel or I'm going to throw it across the room.

Reading Reading Reading CRAFTS!

So after Jo Beverley's Lady Beware I was hooked. I've powered through half of her collection like cheap champagne. It was just as intoxicating as Andre Extra Dry; sweet and sometimes a little vomit inducing.

I read, Dragon's Bride, Skylark, Lady Beware, Hazard, St. Raven, My Lady Notorious, Something Wicked, & Winter Fire. Yes, all this in 18 days. (Plus two Jennifer Crusie novels, which are more like peanut M&M's, fatty, sweet and a tiny bit more substantial than regular M&M's.) Out of the 8 books I read I really enjoyed about half of them. Some were wicked on the sexual tension, and others just dragged. But while I may have skimmed through the last 30 pages of a few of them (My Lady Notorious and Winter Fire) I loved loved loved how realistic she portrays her characters in their passion. None of the characters fall in love within 2 seconds of meeting each other. If they do fall for each other, there is a time apart to highten the tension, or they knew each other long before the story began. While I was really frustrated with the lack of consistancy in her sex scenes, (some were really scandalous, while others, just tedious and very late in the story) it made her books unpredictable. I never felt that her characters where a type. Each character was different, unlike some romance authors I read (Amanda Quick/Janye Ann Krenz and Lora Leigh).

Speaking of Lora Leigh. I couldn't even get past the first 6 pages of the one I had checked out. It was soooo painful. And for an erotica, it wasn't even sexy.

Out of Character...

Did Beverley save the story for me?

Yeah, I guess. I couldn't put it down. I eagerly turned the pages. Thea finally stopped whining to let Cave into her space. And then, wham bam, once she stopped being so bitchy, Cave grows a heart and humor and Thea does reckless things. It was quite frustrating and totally out of character. But did I throw it against the wall? No, cause Beverley really makes the chemistry between Cave and Thea really pop. Her attention to historical detail is phenomenal. And unlike alot of other romance authors Thea and Cave don't "fall in love" in the first 20 pages. They've got some smoking chemistry, and when they kiss Thea can't remember why she doesn't like Cave, and why she's been playing life so safe. There's a push pull. Cave knows his reputation could ruin her life and Thea knows that his reputation for violence is based in fact. She's unsure if she wants to shackle herself to that. Despite the clashing between the characters early

My problems? This is one of the final books in a series. While Beverly doesn't harp too much on the stories of the secondary characters making me feel left out, its enough to make me flounder a bit. My biggest issue? The sex, or lack of it. They hook up midway through the book, (no sex) but at the end, post marriage, the sex scene is SO lame. The chemistry was such a monumental plot line, you'd think that Beverly would have made more of an issue about consumating the relationship.

Ugh, this review is a little half assed. I drank too much last night and this hang over is a bitch.

Halloween is coming. And I think I know what I want to be.



Yep. Max from Where the Wild Things Are. Slutty of course. Because I love making things that totally are NOT slutty, slutty! Like sexy Freddy Krugar from last year. I rocked that shit. This year's costume will entail a long fleece zip up hoodie with wolf ears attached at the hood, a pleated attatched white skirt (made my moi!) and fingerless gloves. Of course high heels are a must. Tights or leggings may make an appearance, depending on how cold it is. I'm really excited about making the crown and scepter. Now all I need are my wild things!

Moar Books!

Went to the library today.
Got more books.

This batch:
Lady Beware - Jo Beverley - historical romance
Sugar Daddy - Lisa Klepeys - contemporary romance
Something I cant remember the title of - Lora Leigh - contemporary erotic romance

A note: I'm trying again on the Lora Leigh, every time I put the one I rented last week down i pick it back up again at a random moment and am hooked again. The story is SO slow, the characters are fucking ludicrously bad and the sex is sometimes over done. But I can see how people get hooked. I wont be one of them, but I'm willing to give it the good old college try.

I am about a fourth of the way through Lady Beware and I'm having a bit of a rough time of it. Beverly is a phenomenal writer. Her worlds are really well researched. The society reads like a history book. I am constantly putting the book down to research some historical figure or whatever poem she is alluding to. She's kinda been a hit or miss. I read one which I LOVED, and started another which I couldn't get into. This one hooked me in the first 3 pages, but I'm not sure how much I can read.

In this novel she has a major play on words in naming her characters. The hero's name is Horatio Cave. Cave is pronounced Ca-Vey which in latin is Beware. Clever huh? He gets the name Canum Cave (beware of dog) as a jibe which haunts him throughout his life. His reputation was ruined from birth, being from a very bad stock in a society which holds your forefathers and ancestors to the highest standard. When I say bad stock I mean criminal bad stock; lunacy, getting the pox from prostitutes, murder, duels, rape and very heavy gambling. He's ultimately ruined.

Enter heroine, Theodosia Debenham (gift from god). Thea is well mannered and a perfect lady. She gets embarassed by open affection and is restrained in all of her attitudes. (Dollars to donughts that Cave is going to unleash her earthier passions.) Cave helps her family out in a sticky situation and is being championed by her family for it, so that he can clear his name of past deeds.

Yay! Beverley! You've hooked me like woah! But goddamnit, this book is focused on what others think and say about the heroine and hero that I cant even get a sense on what either of them are like. Cave is a little better than Thea. I just want to punch her in the face. She's so cautious that I don't even think she can redeem herself. Any passion will just seem out of character for this cold fish who looks at Cave like he's dog food (heh heh). I am having a hard time seeing the sparks between them because Thea is so worried about what everyone else is talking about behind her back. She so busy evesdropping while floating around the ball room floor, that she is completely ignoring Cave's good looks. WTF Beverley! You better be able to save this shit.