Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Where Oh Where Is Penelope Bat?

Photo by Tori

My lovely bunnies, I'm afraid I've got some oh-so terrible news. Cocoa is going to be on a short hiatus for about a week while my poor little Macbook is in the shop for repairs. It's nothing major, just an issue with the optical drive, but I have to get it replaced while it's still warrantied which means as soon as possible! Those of you who have been wondering where I've been these past few days - here's your answer. I thought it would only be missing in action for a few days, but it looks like I'll be computer-less for the next week! Oh, the drama!

Anyway, I'll still be checking my e-mail when I get the chance but I won't be able to go through everything until I get back. Be sure to send me all kinds of super-cool e-mails to read when I finally do have it back in my possession!

Stay beautiful, angels~

Always,
Penelope ♥

Monday, December 1, 2008

Currently Digging


Ballet flats
The weather down here is getting a little too chilly for my normal uniform of heels and sandals, so I've switched over to my favorite pair of ballet flats in the meantime and have fallen in love all over again! Who doesn't love a fashion staple that beauties like Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy pulled off so well? The ballet flat has so much history and can be worn in so many different ways - it's a magnificent piece of fashion history made all the more wonderful by how readily available it is nowadays! If you don't have them already, get yourself a pair right away!

Reconstructed dresses
After visiting Geminola in New York's West Village a month or two ago, I had this fashion-epiphany that there's really nothing more creative and all-around-inspiring than reconstructing dresses. For those who are just dipping their feet into fashion design, taking vintage dresses and putting a new spin on them is a great way to get practice with construction while getting the creative jolt of actually designing, plus it's way easier than creating your own pattern and starting from scratch! I've already picked up a few vintage beauties specifically for reconstruction, and I absolutely can't wait to sit down and get to work!

Christmas music
Yes, bunnies, the holidays are here! Thanksgiving has come and gone in the States and now, as we enter into December, Christmas is nearly upon us! I'm a huge sucker for christmas cheer, everything from clear icicle lights to swingin' snowball fights in the park, so when you combine my love for the holidays with my love for music, you get a wonderful explosion of festivities coming from my house! Although alternative Christmas music has always been super-exciting, boasting big names like The Ramones and Beck, I'll always hold a special place in my heart for those classic tunes like Jingle Bell Rock and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. My favorite CD? A disc I inherited from my mom called "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which, ironically enough, has nothing to do with Charlie Brown! Instead, it's filled with wonderful jazz renditions of Christmas classics, including a few upbeat tracks with a little more of a Peanuts flair to it.


Chocolate parfaits
I've been on the hunt lately to find the best chocolate parfait (and the best cafe in which to eat it), but so far I've come up empty! Unlike my lovely homeland of Brooklyn, South Florida doesn't seem to offer very many little cafes and patisseries that specialize in tasty treats, so the hunt goes on for the most delicious chocolate parfait in the land. In the meantime, I guess I'm subjected to home-cooked puddings and extra-tall cupcakes, but I definitely haven't given up yet! Viva la parfait!

Cooking shows
I've definitely been in a full-swing epicurean mood lately, as evident from my religious viewing of the Food Network. Everyday Italian has always and will always be my favorite show, filled with delectable dishes made all the more lovely by how easy they are to make, but I do have a growing crush on both Ace of Cakes (it goes without saying that Geoff is my favorite cakester) and Iron Chef America. I haven't had the time lately to cook much lately, so I guess the second best is getting to watch other people cook wonderful meals on TV!

Always,
Penelope ♥