Finally, the trilogy is complete!
What’s Cracking Good — The Hunger Games trilogy
My sister called me a couple of months ago gushing about The Hunger Games.
“It’s a teen book,” she warned. “But it’s a really GOOD teen book.”
I have nothing against teen things (which anyone who reads this blog should know), so I checked it out at the library…and then read it in about 7 hours.
To sum it up, it’s a post-apocalyptic story about an ass-kicking girl trying to survive in a game where (teen) contestants have to kill each other.
“That sounds dark,” says my husband. Not at all teen-y.
There is some costume-y and lovey stuff that might be a little high school, but all in all — it’s action and excitement and cool story.
And then it continues for 2 more books!
Mockingjay, the third installment of the series came out on Tuesday. Now’s the time to tap into your inner teen and read them all!
Turning your garden upside-down
My first blog post for Chow Bella was just posted today on How to grow upside-down tomatoes, complete with illustrated how-to and a photo (see right) of my own attempt.
I will soon be planting cilantro seeds on top. We’ll see how these fare!
Animals say cheese
What’s Cracking Good — Animal photos
I was half-heartedly browsing my Google Reader when Creature Comfort‘s link to The Animal Print Shop photos caught my attention.
Photos of farm animals, baby animals, hoofed animals, birds and reptiles taken against an all white background. Somehow the animals look natural and playful — like they might be in the middle of their natural habitat ready for their photo op.
The first day of class
Monday I attended my first day of classes.
What I wasn’t wearing: these outfits from Shopbop.
Are Shopbop’s main offices in Alaska?
As much as I like blazers, scarves and wooly skirts, I would probably collapse somewhere between the lightrail line and jellyfish net sculpture if I wore any of their suggested back-to-school items on my first day. I might, however, wear them around midterms.
Here is my idea of a good Arizona-friendly first-day outfit:
1.) Cocoa Powder Shorts, $39.99
Comfy, casual, cool.
2.) Ring of Desire, $12.99
Make a statement.
3.) Breezy Button-down, $38
Wear sleeves up or down, depending on the classroom A/C.
4.) Trouser Flat, $69
Comfortable shoes to traverse the campus.
5.) Double-studded Belt, $58
Pull it all together.
6.) Nuo Eco-Friendly Bag, $43.99
Keep organized with eco-friendly style.
Invasion of the peas
I went away for two weeks with nothing but a timed soaker hose to attend to my garden.
Upon my return, the black-eyed peas had taken over.
They breached the wooden boundaries of the plot , they covered my chili bushes, they used the dead sunflower corpses as a jungle-gym.
They are everywhere: on the ground, climbing, circling. I’m afraid to delve too deep into the pea abyss, it’s very likely something could be living under there.
I’m hoping for a black-eyed pea bounty!
The indispensable yellow cardigan
The single most worn item in my closet is a yellow cardigan (I actually have more than one).
3 seasons out of the year (she gets a break in winter), I probably wear a yellow cardigan — or have it in my purse — 3 or 4 days a week. Okay, maybe 5.
Yellow blends with just about every color — black, grey, browns, blues, greens, florals — which often don’t contain yellow — so I don’t look too matchy-matchy.
Ask anyone who knows me what my “signature” item would be — it’s likely they’d say a cardigan. I’d narrow it to a yellow one.
Currently my Delia’s-brand sweater is looking a little frail. I’m on the look-out for a new cardigan for the rotation. Here are a few possibilities:
1.) 3/4-sleeve Jersey Cardigan, $24.90
2.) School Uniform Cardigan Sweater, $38.50
3.) V-Neck Cardigan, $49.50
Note: For some ideas on wearing the pieces, check out azcentral.com’s “5 pieces for 10 days” challenge which includes, what else, a yellow cardigan.
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Phoenix things to do: August 20 – 22
FRIDAY
Native + You @ Heard Museum
If you’re looking for a little culture in your weekend, check out drums, dancing accompanied by tacos. This free event will feature performances from 7 – 9 p.m., shopping from 6 – 8 p.m. and a $5 taco bar. Mmmmm.
2301 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Free
SATURDAY
Biscuits and Gravy @ Essence Bakery
The special for Saturday: Homemade buttermilk biscuits topped with special sausage gravy made with local pork, hyerbs and sauteed mushrooms, served with fried eggs for $8.95. If that doesn’t sound utterly delicious to you — I question whether or not you have a soul. Or taste.
Essence Bakery
825 W. University Dr.
Tempe, Arizona
(480) 966-2745
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
***
Free Block Party on Melrose
Go garden! Tempe Starving Artist Magazine presents this outdoor show featuring a variety of local bands (Kirkwood Dellinger, Kid Sampson, and more) to raise awareness for a community garden.
702 W. Montecito
Phoenix, AZ 85013
5 p.m. – 11p.m.
***
“Blood into Wine” screening & Wine tasting @ Arizona Biltmore
I’ve heard good things about this movie. Follow Maynard James Keenan, member of rock-band Tool, as he takes the difficult path from rocker to Northern Arizona wine maker, then taste some of his AZ Stronghold wines.
Arizona Biltmore
2400 E. Missouri Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Aztec Room
Free
***
Unskinny Bop @ Skye in Peoria
If you like Poison, you’ll love the tribute band, Unskinny Bop. They don’t just sing the songs (those amazing songs!), they have the costumes, the moves, the attitude.
Skye
16844 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Dr.
Peoria, AZ 85382
7:30 p.m.
$10 – $45
