Caught in the Rain

Man oh man did the rain come pouring down today! As soon as I left work, a torrential downpour occurred, leaving tons of people running to take cover. Not even an umbrella could save you from putting on a free wet t-shirt contest for the masses.

(Image via thechemicalsbetweenus)

Time to Sit

These past few months have been absolutely crazy. I have never been so busy with work until recently, which in turn consumes any free time I have. I used to LIKE my job, but with a promotion and new responsibilities, I LOVE my job. Not a ton of people can say they love their job, but I really do. I think I have found my niche in the career world, and it is going very well.

Just to bring you into the light of my life these days, I was told last Wednesday that I needed to go to Boston Friday to set up a store for a walk through with Wal-Mart executives, and that I would need to return Monday for the actual walk through. So a co-worker and I drove up to Boston Friday, set up the store with our Fall merchandise, and we finished early enough for me to catch an earlier train back home. I thought I would miss a friend's bday celebration, but I got back to NY, changed clothes in the cab, and celebrated. After laying low Saturday in Jersey, I had to come back to NY and catch a bus back to Boston. We do what we had to do Monday, then drove back to the city, only for me to come into the office to check the 300 emails I had over the course of 2 days + a weekend. To make matters worse, the AC in the building shuts off at 6PM and my email box was full and would not let me send any emails.

So that was just a little run down of the last 4 days of my life. Just think of that plus another 2 months of craziness, and you can see why I can't even think straight. However, I love being busy and would much rather lose my mind with work, then sit around and twiddle my thumbs.

(Mantra via thechemicalsbetweenus)

La Femme Chewie

Ooooooo Chewbacca's gotta girlfriend!!

(Image via Dlisted)

Dumb-Dumb of the Week: Jon and Hai-Hai

I've already featured the absurdness that is Jon and Kate, but now I must mention that Jon has a new gf only a few weeks after splitting from his wife. Now I always thought she nagged him out of the relationship, but perhaps she was right when she claimed he was immature. To make matters worse, this new future octo-mom, Hailey, is only 22. Not to mention, from the looks of it she was quite the partier at my alma-mater IU! Yep, she went for IU where incriminating facebook photos show her with lots o weed and tons o booze. Doesn't sound like the perfect stepmother huh?

(Image via Celebuzz)

Songs I Love: Mad World

Mad World - Gary Jules

I believe I have every recorded version of the song Mad World, originally sung by Tears for Fears, but my favorite version is Gary Jules' from the Donnie Darko soundtrack. This song always brings me to peace no matter how "mad" the world can get. I especially love this song these days as I find myself being busier than ever. All I want is to have that lovely picnic pictured above and just relax.

(Image via this is glamorous)

Pesto Veggies

I love traditional pesto! I sometimes find pesto on pasta to be a bit heavy, so I cut zucchini thin like pasta, sauteed onions, peppers, and mushrooms, then tossed it with some traditional basil pesto, a sprinkle of feta for a salty bite, and I gotta have red paper flakes. Now pesto isn't healthiest thing for you, but at least I found a way to enjoy pesto without all the guilt.

Outdoor Shower Heaven

When I grow up, I want an outdoor shower just like Uncle Richard and Aunt Lynn's house in East Hampton. Yep, that lovely shower is hidden beneath some gorgeous greenery. Now that's what I call a staycation!

Songs I Love: Doorway

Doorway by IO Echo

I always pay close attention to songs in commercial. Like really pay attention. I like to think I have an ear (no pun intended) for picking up on songs in commercials. Now of course it helps that I always my laptop of Blackberry close by to Google songs the moment I see the commercial. Doorway by IO Echo is just the latest song that I do a little head bop to when the commercial for the Sprint Palm Pre comes on.

BBQ "Chicken" Salad

Wheat meat. What a funny nickname for seitan. If you don't know what seitan is, it's a meat substitute made from wheat gluten. It's definitely an acquired taste, but when prepared right, it can be used in just about any recipe with chicken. I usually use seitan in stir frys, "chicken" salad, lettuce wraps, and now BBQ'd.

BBQ Seitan
- Package of seitan
- Whole Foods "Texas" BBQ sauce (apparently Texans have mustard-colored sauce?)
- White mushrooms (chopped)
- Vidalia onion (I chop up a lot of onion bc I love it)
- Sweet corn
- Saute the above veggies then add the BBQ sauce

Salad
- Baby spinach
- Yellow bell pepper (chopped)
- Heirloom tomatoes (chopped - I love all the different colors)
- Medium cheddar cheese (shredded)
- Hard-boiled egg (chopped)
- Homemade honey mustard vinaigrette (a few hefty splashes of cider vinegar plus a spoonful of honey mustard)
- Freshly cracked black pepper (to top)

I put the BBQ seitan atop the salad, and boy oh boy was it scrum-trulescent!

Dinosaur Eggs?

While in the Hamptons, we often shopped at a local farmer's shop called Round Swamp Farms. This was no typical fruits and veggies stand. They had a plethora of freshly prepared cakes, pies, all types of side dishes, BBQ ribs, freshly made pickles, and so much more. To top things off, they had their own chickens and ducks for farm fresh eggs. How wonderful it was!

Doggy Bag

Court and I saw this woman walking down the street one day, and I couldn't help but take a sneaky shot. If this isn't a new way of looking at a doggy bag, I don't know what is?

Dumb-Dumb of the Week: Morgan Creepman

Could this be true? Morgan Freeman is marrying his step granddaughter?! Yep, that's the rumor on the street these days. E'Dena Hines is Freeman's first wife's granddaughter and supposedly Freeman's current love. Gross and grosser!

(Image via Hollyscoop)

Addiction

Hi, my name is Tasha and I'm an addict. I have been addicted to Annie's Homegrown Cheddar Bunnies for 3 months. I can eat an entire box in 2 sittings (I will not exaggerate by saying I can eat a box in one sitting bc I have yet to do it). Before they are even done, I buy another box to replace them. I eat them during the day and at night before I go to bed. I love them. So cheesy and delicious. I will never go back to a Cheez-its again.

Welcome to the Hamptons

(Above photo: Nothing like feasting on Steamers caught that morning)
(Above photo: I couldn't help but snap this photo of a family running up to see a friend)
(Above photo: Could you believe this was taken right off the beach?)
(Above photo: Most of our feasting was purchased at this local family-owned shop in East Hampton called Round Swamp Farms)
(Above photo: Just a morning walk on the beach)

I spent this past Holiday weekend in the Hamptons and boy was it lovely. For commoners like myself, the Hamptons is like any getaway, peaceful and quiet. We didn't see any celebs, but we did see the biggest houses I have ever laid my eyes on, laid-out on beautiful beaches, had lovely weather, ate amazing food, and engaged in wonderful conversations. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend. This was my second year in a row, and I hope to make it an annual getaway.

NYC Pride 2009

(Above photo: Just trying to walk down my street to get home!)
(Above photo: Fliers, streamers, plastic shot glasses, lots of trash!)
(Above photo: I'm sorry sista, but that is the worst boob job I have ever seen)

2 weeks ago was the 2009 Pride Parade here in NYC. What made this year's event special was the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. What makes it cool for me is that the parade occurs in my neighborhood (on my street), and the historic Stonewall bar is on my way to work. What sucks is that it is impossible to get anywhere (took me 30 minutes to walk 3 blocks) and there is trash and grossness EVERYWHERE. I have many friends who or gay, and I believe they deserve the same rights as heterosexual couples. It's great to be in an area that is working hard for equality.

Goodbye June

So long June 2009, hello July. May you bring us better luck with the weather.

(Image via Three Men in a Tub)

Songs I Love: Koop Island Blues

Koop Island Blues by Koop

I first heard this song last week on So You Think You Can Dance. This song is jazzy, sexy, and is a great song to listen to on a summer's evening.

(Image via jazzchill)

SJP Mother of Three

Congrats to SJP, MB, and Wilke-baby! There are 2 new baby girls in their lives, and I can only imagine how exciting it is for them. I hope to see them around the 'hood sometime!

(Image via Dlisted)