Saturday, January 19, 2013

A Cat Picture

From: http://i.imgur.com/6ySGg.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6ySGg.jpg

Lady Business Rant of the Day: Embellishments


OK, so I finally get the right bra (Bali #3474 in size none-of-your-business) and now I'd like to own a top or two that doesn't make me look like I'm either preggers or a trussed up Virginia ham. My typical clothing shopping method goes like this: scan the sale rack for a color that doesn't make me flinch, feel the sleeve to see if it resembles a natural fabric, then, if passing those two tests, I pull it out and look for cut/size/silhouette/design and Embellishments. How many times have I pulled out a beautiful all-cotton top only to find someone had stamped it with poofy paint butterflies or bedazzled the bejesus out of it.

When you shop online, you often have a filter available to narrow down the search. Typically it includes size, color, sleeve length, casual etc....

My ideal clothing search would eliminate:
  1. Animal prints
  2. Camouflage prints
  3. Slimy synthetics that feel like dead snakes 
  4. Unsettling color combinations. (I'm trying to be more open about my clothing color palette, but some stuff I've seen is downright disturbing. )
  5. Any ruffles between chin and hip (OK, make that: Any ruffles at all)
  6. Butterflies, hummingbirds, fairies, unicorns (I'm a grown woman, for cryin' out loud)
  7. Precious voile flowers
  8. Giant "gold" buttons
  9. Rhinestones, Sequins, Glitter, Fake Pearls
  10. Metallic and plastic thread (it itches)
  11. "Distressed" treatment to make new clothes look worn
  12. Intentional slashes (This REALLY creeps me out )
  13. Symbols from a culture not my own. Really, just stop with the Kokopelli, Kanji and Celtic crap. (Well, to be honest I can claim Scottish and Irish heritage, but that doesn't mean I want it emblazoned across my ample chest. That's a LOT of knotwork.)
  14. Any item that requires more than two steps to put on. If it requires instructions, I'm not going to wear it.
I'm not judging what other people wear, honest. I feel most comfortable dressing in what could be accurately described as "pajamas" and really don't have a panty-hosed leg to stand on when it comes to discussing fashion. Having said all that, I'm off to see what surprises the thrift store has for me today.


Saturday, January 12, 2013

How To Disable Java in Your Browser

All the current Java exploits come from Java (not Javascript) running in your browser. And while you can get all the way down to the root of the problem by uninstalling Java on the whole, you can also just lock it down in all your browsers, or just the browsers you actually use.

How To Disable Java in Your Browser

Friday, January 11, 2013

Lady Business Rant of the Day - Bra Shopping


I HATE shopping for bras because
1) Sizing is inconsistent from brand to brand
2) It doesn't really matter because no one carries my size
3) On the off chance the store has my size, it's invariably in the back of the bottom rack
4) so I end up rummaging around in a pile of underwear on my hands and knees
5) and if that wasn't humiliating enough
6) there is the whole issue of the unforgiving dressing room lighting.
7) Also they put too many bras on each rack, so every time I move I knock something down
7) and it was about 90˚ in the store so I was sweating and swearing and knocking crap over
8) right in the middle of the Oh-so-delicately named "Intimates" Department
9) so by the time the store announcer with the most remarkably nasal voice made her 6th announcement for sportswear I was
10) morphing into Psycho Shopper from Hell and reconsidering my commitment to non-violence.
11) I got some nice cookie sheets, though.
 
 

 

Thursday, January 3, 2013

10 TED Talks that involve unusual instruments


Musical-instruments


Oh, you had me at "Thunderwear"...

Music comes in all shapes and sizes, as these talks illustrate. From an electric drum suit called “thunderwear” to an ancient stringed wheel to an arresting rare organ, the instruments featured in these talks reshape our soundscape and offer inspiration in the cacophonous world around us.


TED Blog | 10 TED Talks that involve unusual instruments

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Hoppin' John

Hoppin' John, cornbread and collards. Happy New Year!




....
My vegetarian Hoppin' John: Saute some onion & garlic in olive oil, add celery and bell peppers and then canned (rinsed and drained) or frozen black-eye peas. (I never have time for the dried ones.) Add vegetable broth up to the top of the peas and season with bay leaves, parsley and savory and salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer until it looks soft, but not mushy. Serve over rice (I used wild & brown rice) and serve topped with fresh tomato, scallions and hot peppers.

Just. Stop. Playing.



Some kitties do not appreciate English Concertina tunes.

Happy New Year