Currently Digging

Tint of pink ♥ 10 things

♥ The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Okay, so I've always been in love with Rocky Horror - ever since I was a wee thirteeny bopper and my mother drove my best friend and I down to Miami to see a showing of it at the unheard of hour of midnight. It was playing at a little rickety theatre that had floors waxy with popcorn butter and seats that could gobble you up, but we were mesmerized by it none the less, with its throng of people in costume loitering outside the doors and sign that proclaimed in huge ink-blot letters "Rocky Horror Tonite". We stood under the marquee and wiggled with joy, running in and out of the crowd of Brad Majors' and Frank N. Furters, and laughed through the entire show, having no idea what a callback or audience participation was but loving them nonetheless. We watched as the local cast strutted in front of the screen, wearing lingerie and silly wigs, and we Time Warped up on stage until we were damp with sweat from all of the silliness and fun. Now, an uncountable amount of years later, I know every callback in the book and have started my very own cast to Time Warp the night away in our underwear, and after our first show just a few weeks ago I don't think I could ever love Rocky Horror any more.

♥ Nights In

Now that an icy 30 degree chill has settled over South Florida, I've spent the last few evenings curled up inside in an attempt to ward off the biting cold. Being homebound has it's perks, though, I like to think, like the kind of serenity that nothing else in the world can match and the privacy to be sleepy and silly all at once. I've fallen in love with sliding around the house in a pair of thigh-high knit socks and curling up on the couch under a layer cake of blankets, reading books about magical houses and storm clouds and Russian cats that walk upright on their hind legs. I love cooking fresh pasta with homegrown rosemary sprinkled on top while playing midnight jazz as loud as it'll go, humming along to Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong in their sweet lullabies. I'm going to miss this blistering cold once it's gone, but I think I can concoct an excuse here and there to spend more swollen, sleepy evenings inside.

♥ Green Tea

Nothing's better for the cold-weather blues than a warm cup of tea, and green tea is the best you can get. At dinner parties and get-togethers, my eighty five year old grandmother always whispers to me that the secret to her longevity and good health lies in bottomless cups of green tea - along with love, laughter, and happiness, and honestly I think that truer words were never spoken. She's in perfect health and could probably run a mile if you dared her, and she loves to say that a cup of green tea a day since the 1970's helped her along. I may not be able to break that kind of a record, but a cup of tea here and there never hurt!

♥ Thrifting
Believe it or not, I'm a frugal fashionista in the most honest sense; almost everything in my closet was purchased for $5 or less, with the exception of a few brand-name beauties that I splurged on. (Betsey Johnson and Baby, the Stars Shine Bright tend to always get me in a headlock!) As such, thrift stores are always my shopping expedition of choice, and I'm a firm believer that you'll never find cooler clothes anywhere else! Lately I've been surfing from one store to another, picking up itty bitty skirts covered in hearts and denim cowgirl dresses that lace up the front, not to mention a few pink numbers and sunglasses shaped like huge, bubblegum hearts. Ooh la la!

Always,
Penelope ♥

Currently Digging

Sweet pink and white ♥ Please stop

♥ Japanese Lolita style
Upon purchasing, receiving, and falling in love with this incredibly dazzling Baby, The Stars Shine Bright skirt, I've realized that there is truly no fashion subculture so comprehensively unique than that of Japanese Lolita style. Sure, anyone who's hung around this tiny little wonderland that is Cocoa for longer than a few days will already know that I'm constantly digging Lolita style, but as of right now I feel the need to reiterate it with a little more oomph - no other genre of clothing has redefined fashion and the lifestyle that comes with it as creatively and eloquently as this tiny little craze has. Lolita style consists of making little kid clothes for big kids, it's a silky whipped-cream and pink cherry topped slice of pie to tide over your inner child, and wearing its clothes give you the kind of thrill that only frilly dresses and big pink headbows could provide.

♥ Doorstop novels

For those who don't already know, I'm an obsessively avid reader who practically lives in the library, but recently the novels I've been throwing myself into have been more like long-term relationships than two-day flings. Usually I read about three or four 300-page novellas at once, but as of late I've been falling in love with gigantic, 800-page epics so thick that they could be used as doorstops. From Steinbeck's East of Eden to Dantec's Babylon Babies, these gargantuan life stories stretch through whole generations, capturing every tiny moment in a different time, a different place, a different world. There's something so comforting about toting around a book that thick - it's almost like carrying an infant in the womb, protecting it and nurturing it, accepting it as a distant yet forever part of your world when you finally do turn that last page and set it free. Everyone should read at least a hundred books like these, or at least use them to prop open doors and steady wobbly tables!

♥ Vegetarian burritos

I'm constantly in search of really spectacular vegetarian burritos and I have to say that my two absolute favorites as of late hail from unlikely places. Whole Foods, the all-organic grocery store of national fame, makes an abnormally delicious black bean and cheese burrito on a spinach tortilla, one which can usually be found in the pre-prepared food section, but a little-known burrito chain called California Tortilla can also hold their own. Since CalTort has recently closed their one and only Florida store and, for now, don't have any locations in New York, I've settled into an uncomfortably jittery burrito withdrawal, but if you live in northern-most part of the U.S. South you're in luck - there are locations abound in towns near you so check them out!

♥ Foreign films

Why do the French and Japanese tend to make the weirdest, strangest, and absolute best movies? After watching Luc Besson's Angel-A, a charmingly twisted love story featuring Jamel Debbouze from Amelie, I've realized that I could probably spend my whole life watching nothing but foreign films, picking up new languages, new references, new tales to tell. As for those forespoken crazy Japanese flicks that I love oh-so-much? Two words for you: Battle Royale.

Always,
Penelope ♥

Currently Digging - Zombie Edition!

Photo by Sameli

Through a curious twist of fate, this past week has been completely zombie-crazed in the land of Penelope, from video games to movies to backyard shenanigans. So much so, in fact, that when it came time to compile my Currently Digging list for the week, I found that more than half of my digs were somehow zombie-related. So this week's Currently Digging is going to be a little special and themed all around those lovable undead folks that fill our hearts with joy and hunger for our brains. That's right, bunnies - this week, I'm digging zombies.

♥ Zombies! Organize!!

This Le Tigre-esque electroclash band has to be one of the best groups that's ever come out of the North-of-Miami music scene, and not just because they based their entire first album off of the 1985 movie The Return of the Living Dead. Their songs are funky and  charming, throwing dirt in the face of the classic "social-commentary-through-music" and doing things their own way - the zombie way. Their entire album, Before It's Too Late,  can be downloaded for free off of their Myspace just to top things off, so go give them a listen right now!

♥ Zombi

I've heard this movie called pretty much everything, from Zombie Flesh-Eaters to Island of the Flesh Eaters to Gli Ultimi Zombi to just plain old Zombie, but whatever you want to call it, it's still a fantastically gory and all around thrilling Italian horror flick that has to linger near the top of my zombie flick list. It's not for the feint of heart!

♥ Left 4 Dead

In the past few weeks this game has somehow become the center of my life - and I don't even have an Xbox 360 (or a PC!) Never played it? Never heard of it? You're missing out! The plot-line is simple: an infection à-la the Rage Virus from 28 Days Later has conquered man-kind, turning most into zombies and some into special mutated beasts. Few are left alive and intact, and it's your job as one of these survivors to band together with others of your kind to fight through these hoards of the undead and find rescue. I don't think I could ever possibly explain how amazing this game is, especially for a zombie-lover like myself, so I urge you to experience it first hand! Have a zombie apocalypse party! Invite all of your closest friends over! Battle it out in the high-octane landscape of Left 4 Dead all night and see who comes out on top!

♥ Formulating a zombie escape plan

It's always a good idea to be prepared, but this Zombie Escape Plan notebook really makes preparing for the zombie apocalypse pretty stylish, too! Filled with all kinds of useful information such as maps, guides, and excerpts from medical textbooks, you've got just about everything you could possibly need in case the worst were to happen - plus, there's lots of empty space to write your own escape routes and supply lists down, too! Remember what Winston Churchill said: let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning. (Who knows - he could have been talking about the zombie apocalypse!)

♥ 28 Days Later

What I think is so incredible about this movie is that it's one of the first to change two specific things about zombies and the way zombie movies are made: first, the Infected can run. They're not slow or dim-witted à-la Romero zombies, but instead are as quick and agile as any other human being, infected or not. They can think, reason, and they know the most effective way to get what they want which is a trait that most other writers don't give to their undead stars. And second, the movie in itself doesn't follow one straggler band of survivors the whole movie through, only telling their story, but instead conquers the bigger picture of what's going on within the government and military to keep the Infected contained - to keep the world safe. Granted, the end result of their efforts isn't very cheery, but it sure makes for one great movie.

♥ NYC Zombie Crawl

Rem first turned me on to this super-cool event after he watched the madness unfold last year, and I have to admit that it sounds like pure, unbridled fun. Basically, every year folks from all over the city dress up like zombies and have a "crawl" from one location to another. Last year, they crawled through the Whole Foods at Union Square to pick up canned goods for the Zombie Can Drive for World Hunger (which I think is a wonderfully noble, if not ironic cause), and then proceeded to Washington Square Park for what can only be describe as a "zombie massacre". This years festivities are still in the making, but the NYC Zombie Crawl website is updated regularly and you can join their mailing list to participate in 2009!

Always,
Penelope ♥

Currently Digging

Berries Smoothie ♥ New Natural Fawn Toppers

♥ 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 banana parfait

♥ 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 ♥

What I'm Digging

plum color2 ♥ 维族姑娘？

♥ Dressing Up - But really, what else is new? Since Halloween has come and gone, I've been stuck in this loop-de-loop swing of french vanilla tulle and costume jewelry. I've revisited all my favorite movies and comic books, drafting out little notes of what those especially fabulous characters wore and what kind of fabric I would need to re-create their looks, tracking down everything from yards of tiny pink ribbon to knee-high go go boots. First on my list of costuming priorities? The super-swingin' Ulala from Space Channel 5! (Remember her, Sega Dreamcasters?)

♥ Bust a Groove 2 - The theme for this post is obviously obscure video game references, but this one in particular is close to my heart. Bust a Groove 2 is this wonderfully kitschy game from the late 90's which, much like Space Channel 5, marries fabulous hand-spun characters and "dance battles". When I was a semi-wee thing I used to rent it from Blockbuster religiously and spend hours laying on the living room rug, jamming along as Kitty-N until my eyes were watering. I've been hunting for a relatively cheap copy for about two years now, but the game hasn't been produced in forever and all those lucky enough to have a copy aren't willing to part with them for anything less than $100. Nevertheless, I still vow that if I ever start a band I'll be adamant on covering some of the songs from this game, whether I own it or not!

♥ Birthday Cakes - Everybody loves cake, but I never realized exactly how all-out some folks go when it comes to decorating their birthday cakes. You're talking to a girl who's the poster-child for homemade simple pink party cakes, so when I started stumbling upon cake after beautiful cake, I was absolutely blown away!

Who wouldn't want this cake for their birthday?!

♥ Ukuleles - After a friend of mine let me borrow his for the weekend, I've discovered that the ukulele is the most under-appreciated instrument to ever exist, sitting in ranks right next to the keytar and kazoo. Nobody bothers to play them, no one with any kind of musical background takes them seriously, and the public thinks that only Hawaiian men and/or Tiny Tim can pick them up with any success. You know what? I, Penelope Bat, publicly declare that I absolutely love ukuleles and, much like Randal Graves, am taking them back!

Further proof that ukuleles do, in fact, rock.

Now I turn the spotlight on you, bunnies. What are you digging as of this week, go-go girls?

Always,
Penelope ♥

Currently Digging

Photo by Jessica Wilson

Nail Pens
I picked up a Sally Hansen nail pen on a whim a few days ago and have absolutely fallen in love with it since! I usually don't have time to sit down and do my nails except for once every two weeks or so, but these little suckers are absolutely perfect for touching up in-between classes, during lunch, or even at particularly long traffic lights. They dry incredibly quickly and come in all colors and shades, from neutral pinks to electric oranges. I bought one for French manicures just today!

Renaissance Festivals
I got a catalogue in the mail the other day and upon opening it up I found that it was filled with beautiful, intricate dresses and life-sized fairy wings and baby blue bodices and vanilla bean-colored skirts. I realized the clothing was meant for Renaissance festivals and other medieval events which made me really miss Palm Beach's local "Ren Fest," a weekend event which I somehow managed to miss last year. My beautiful boy and I love to wander around the booths and ogle all the hand-made goods and practice sword-fighting in the event area and chip away at Strawberry Italian ices. Personally, I absolutely love all the clothing up for sale. Some of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen have come from Renaissance festivals, even though most are usually far out of my price range. Festivals such as these are such a wonderful excuse to dress up and be wild, and they're the only place in the world where you won't be looked at as the slightest bit strange for doing so!

Japanese Lolita Style
Okay, so this one's a given because in all reality I'm always digging Japanese Loli style, but especially today! As some of you may have guessed from my earlier Guide to Rococo Style, I'm a self-proclaimed addict of a Lolita fashion, but my heart is set on one brand in particular: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright. I've yet to actually purchase a piece from them, mainly because most of their dresses run about three hundred US dollars (totally out of my art-school budget), but I think every girl deserves some true Lolita couture so I've decided to start saving for one. Granted, it'll take me a while, but I think that makes it all the more worth it! (If anyone would like to help out my terribly vain cause, there's a donation button on the side of the main page - anything would be greatly appreciated!)

But enough about me - what are you digging this week, bunnies? Cupcakes with huge dollops of pink sugar frosting? Movie trailers that use your favorite song? Tiny novellas that aren't afraid to preface every chapter with huge, full page illustrations? Share your thrills!

Always,

Penelope ♥

Penelope Bat's Favorite Things

Photo by Jim Atwood

In this crazy little world, it always seems like it's the little things that change our lives: hearing a really great song on the radio, perfume that smells exactly like your first grade teacher did, tiny shops that look just how you imagine your dream house would. Collectively, these little pieces of happiness are the things that make our day. They're life's little fireworks that can shoot us out of mediocrity and into the land of the spectacular. Sure, they're only material goods, but if certain material goods can send our world spinning out of our daily rut and into a better direction, then doesn't that count for something?

If Oprah can do it, why can't we? Here are the little things that are changing my world right now.

Food:

- 365 Organic Oat Bran Sticks

Upon first glance, these tiny little treats appear to be inedible - possibly even wood shavings - but in all reality they're absolutely delicious snacks that are a great substitute for those over-salted potato chips. I'm a crazy stickler for healthy eating and these are really as good as you can get without sacrificing taste. No description could give them justice - trust me on this one, go out and give them a try!

- Smart Dogs Veggie Protein Links

Despite being a veteran vegetarian, there are a few childhood staples that I find myself missing in times of emotional crisis (or just extreme hunger!). One of which is the americana classic itself: the hot dog. After sampling a wide variety of vegetarian 'dogs, from Morningstar Farms to Yves brand Veggie Dogs, I found that most of them tasted (and smelled) far different from their classic counterparts - you might even say closer to the realms of the inedible. And then came Smart Dogs. These things are amazing - they're a guilt-free version of the good old American hot dog, tasting just like the real thing. They've become one of those staples that you're bound to find in my fridge at any given time.

- The Hot Food Bar at Whole Foods

For those not-to-rare occasions when I don't feel like cooking at home, the Whole Foods hot bar is always there. (At least until 9:30 pm!) Filled with Indian samosas and vegetarian lasagna and Israeli couscous and honey-orange tempeh, the hot bar has pretty much anything that a health-junkie could ever want in a meal in a delightfully quirky atmosphere. (The cafe at my local Whole Foods usually sports impromptu bands that set up and jam out anything from swing music and bluegrass.) In my opinion, it's ten times better than any of the chain restaurants around here at just about the same price.

Beauty:

- MAC Lip Conditioner Stick

If I could, I would buy one of these for every bag that I own so I would never have to go without it. MAC's lip conditioner is like silk for your lips - smooth, fragrance and color free, it leaves your lips feeling conditioned, fuller, and super-kissable. It's a great primer for lipstick or heavy gloss, but I prefer to wear it on its own for a soft, gentle look. If you're looking for the perfect, simple lip-gloss, try this wonderful alternative instead!

- Auric Blends Perfume Roll-On in One Love

I first found this fantastic little treasure at a new age store, hidden between teacup-sized bowls of incense and rose quartz. After sniffing through all their various scents, one in particular grabbed me instantly. One Love smells like cotton candy and sunsets - like drinking cherry soda and bright-pink-fruity-drinks at the very top of a ferris wheel, fireworks popping then sizzling out like burning champagne in the distance. It smells like princesses and carousels with the biggest, grandest horses you've ever seen and it smells like taking a cherry-pink bubble bath in the arms of your lover. It smells like tropical trees that sway wistfully, giving gifts of pineapple and mangoes and kiwi and melon to those who picnic underneath them. It smells like love.

Books:

- Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City

I first found Kiki Strike no more than a week ago, hidden behind westerns and romances at a used book store. The back reads that Kiki is a "black-clad, vespa-riding, cafe-au-lait-drinking girl", and with those simple words I was hooked! She's a New York superspy whose goal in life is be dangerous, a pre-teen who can pull off both a Russian fur hat and a Girl Scout beret. As influential and kick-ass as she is, though, she's generally unheard of amongst the pre-teen scene - her main market. I'm awed at how this is even possible, but nevertheless I still love the Kiki Strike series and would recommend it to those loving adventure in a heart-beat! Kiki Strike is a killer read!

- The Every Boy

Quirky and tragic, The Every Boy is the kind of book that's has a universal appeal. It plays like a Wes Anderson movie, Henry Every being a unique yet flawed teen trying to comprehend life, love, and the mystery of everything in-between. The real tragedy is his death, which we discover on page one, made all the more melancholy by the poignant misadventures he leaves behind in a meticulously organized ledger of his life so far. Henry Every is relatable, even if he's not, and the entire novel is oddly charming in the details, from the subplot focusing on the most deadly Jellyfish in the world to Henry's mid-novel journey to New York City. It's a trip starting on page one, and will forever be one of my favorites.

- The Gift Moves

I love kids books - for some reason, these kinds of whimsical novellas always have ten times more depth than a regular piece of fiction ever could. This one in particular is that same kind of harrowing tale, a first-person account of Path Down The Mountain's life as she adventures into a post-apocalyptic metropolis to apprentice as a weaver. It sounds simple, even as she finds herself falling in love with the baker's son, but something about this whole novel seems to shake the ground beneath you. It reveals all those unspoken complexities that life throws at us, how difficult it is to truly be free, to be yourself, and it throws all of this in our direction in the form of a 230 page kid's book. The Gift Moves is a journey, both literally and figuratively, and it's one of the most poignant books I've read to date.

Music:

Since music generally speaks for itself, instead of posting a humdrum little overview for each album I'll simply sample what I consider to be my favorite song off of it. You can decide for yourself whether or not you like it!

- Estelle // Shine

Sample: American Boy (Feat. Kanye West)

- Violent Femmes // Add It Up (1981-1993)

Sample: Kiss Off (Live)

- The Tiger Lillies // The Gorey End

Sample: ABC

Movies:

- Penelope

Although I've already professed my love for this adorable movie, (and it's not just because I share a first name with the title character!) I feel the need to shout out what a great flick this is yet again. Penelope is a modern fairy-tale wrapped in eccentric, home-made wrapping paper - it's the tale of a whimsical socialite who was born under her parent's family curse, a curse that to no surprise can only be broken by true love. She escapes from her parent's watchful eye and into the world, drawing public attention much to her mother's dismay, but nevertheless the world outside finds her to be just as charming as she really is and sees past her physical deformities. The movie is sugary sweet with a punch of morals and lessons learned - it's your typical fairy-tale, only completely different!

- Wristcutters: A Love Story

The story is simple: twentysomething Zia wakes up one morning, tidies up his cubicle-sized apartment, puts on something presentable to wear, and promptly kills himself. From there, he finds himself in a mysteriously crueler version of the world he sought to escape from inhabited by fellow jumpers and cutters from around the globe. Despite how depressing it initially sounds, the movie is a quirky trip that instantly landed on my list of personal favorites as soon as I took it out of the DVD player. With curious characters and tiny miracles that seem to brighten up the sleepy backdrop of Wherever, Wristcutters is all around stunning - the kind of movie where as soon as you finish watching it, you know you'll never find anything else like it ever again.

- Everything is Illuminated

Let me preface this blurb with one little fact: I have fallen in love with Eugene Hutz. As if being in the front man of bad-ass gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello isn't enough, he also plays the pivotal role of Alexander Perchov in Everything Is Illuminated, a jive-talking Ukrainian with a passion for tracksuits and "negroes". (His words - not mine.) Characters like Perchov and the lovable Sammy Davis Junior Jr., the canine accomplice to the story's misadventures, really make the film unique and memorable. There's no doubt that it's a drama - the slapstick comedy ceases as soon as the story gets into full swing - but for some reason the story is so infectious and silly that even the biggest hater of theatrics will still find it to be a stunning piece of work.

Shops:

- Anthropologie

My goal in life is to be able to actually buy things from Anthropologie instead of just ogling the merchandise like a crazed bag lady. Despite the fact that most everything in the store is way out of my price-range, Anthropologie always manages to simultaneously have the funkiest and most down-to-earth goods for sale. The style is a strange combination of old and new, with huge oak poster beds draped in bright pink linens or satin babydoll dresses with pockets shaped like owls. It's what the nicest thrift store in town would look like if you lived in a modern day Jane Austen novel - an appealing concept to a new romantic such as myself.

- Betsey Johnson

Those of you who subscribe to Cocoa Kisses will know that I have very recently bought my very first Betsey Johnson dress - a beautiful yellow number that looks like a boho 60's slip. Despite my thrills over this still-unnamed beauty, I will forever crave more from my favorite designer's scattered boutiques - cotton candy dresses that look like hand-spun carnival treats, sequined and cinched gowns that drape down like mermaid tails, gingham printed lovelies taken straight from the dollhouse closet. Betsey has a butterfly garden kind of flair that daydreaming girls swoon over and I'd love nothing more than to meet this spectacular woman, even if just in passing. Miss Betsey will forever be a favorite of mine, through and through.

Always,

Penelope ♥

What I'm Digging

Hutch goes Pink

My my my, what a slacker I've been with my posts this week, huh? If it's any consolation, I do have a semi-decent excuse. I've been very very busy scrubbing down the house and doing all those last-minute chores that people usually put off until special occasions in preparation for my birthday (!!!). Although technically my birthday isn't until Sunday, I've decided to follow my own advice and have a super spectacular tea party for myself a few friends tomorrow, which all of you lovelies are invited to! No, really! If you're in the Palm Beach County area and want to stop in, you're completely welcome to!

Anyway, a few other bloggers have been doing this really positive thing where they compile a list of things, no matter how big or small, that "make them smile" or things that "they love" for the week. Many have challenged others to start making these little drafts of encouragement as well, so I'm extending the love and challenging all you lovely bunnies to do the same! Take stock of all those wondrous little things in your life and share them with the world! So, without further ado, here's my list for the week...

♥ Pugs! - I've always wanted my very own pug dog to give a funny name to and take on scenic strolls, and for some strange reason my pug-enthusiasm has recently kicked into overdrive. I spent a good two hours this week lounging on the couch and watching Youtube videos of pugs falling asleep, pugs bowling, pugs and donuts, and, my personal favorite, pugs with licking problems.

♥ Kids Books - As a smug pre-teen, I would never be caught dead in the "Young Adult" section of the bookstore. I found all of the reading materials on those isles to be empty and childish, even considering their market, filled with playground romance and bland characters. Now, I seem to find myself trolling up and down those exact same isles constantly, picking up tiny brightly-colored novellas and huge hardcover period pieces. I've fallen in love with pastel picture books about tiny girls in gingham dresses, exploring New York City or France or Milan or her own backyard. I feel so connected to the spunky heroines in all these strange modern fairy-tales, and just keep coming back for more.

♥ Leaving Shangri-L.A. - I've had the incredible honor of meeting Miss Rie, a whimsically down-to-earth sweetie, and after thumbing through her spectacular book-review blog I'm thrilled to say that I've become addicted. She seems to have the inside scoop of the book world and continually introduces readers to fun, flirty, and all-around magical books. Plus, she specializes in books to read "After you finish Weetzie Bat," which is definitely a universal search for fans of Francesca Lia Block!

♥ Evos - An all-organic fast food chain, I first heard about Evos from a fellow-vegetarian who had discovered them while vacationing in Tampa, Florida. The shops look incredible, the food sounds delicious, and now that I've planned a trip northward in mid-July, I can't wait to make a pilgrimage to one of their ten different locations and give them a try.

♥ Pink Furniture - After acquiring a pink wicker vanity from a closing Betsey Johnson store, I've fallen in love with having eccentrically painted furniture. It adds so much more character to a space and says so much about you as a person, plus I'm quite thrilled with the pink-on-white contrast that my patio now has.

♥ Costume Wings - I've been puttering around various Renaissance websites and costumes stores looking for the perfect pair of angelic fairy wings (because every girl needs a good pair of wings), and I've found so many lovely pairs! There are glorious butterfly wings with stitches of lace and glitter, angel wings with huge white feathers dusted in babydoll pink, and pocket-sized sparrow wings that look like they could fly away at any moment. The hard part is deciding which ones to buy!

The question is what are you digging this week, bunnies?

Always,

Penelope ♥