Now That Gossip Girl is Done for the Season...

Now that Gossip Girl is done for the season, what next? Bravo recently aired their new real-life GG, called NYC Prep. There has only been one episode thus far, and what do I think? I secretly like it. Actually, I secretly like to hate it. Watching these rich teens prance around the city like it's the high school's highways, makes me sick, yet jealous at the same time. I mean, I can't really hate the kids. I was once a wild, rude, boy-crazy teen who thought I was invincible. So basically, I have the show dvr'd and I plan on watching it, hating PC and Jessi, and swooning over Sebastian like I was Mary Kay LeTourneau.

(Image via ivillage)

Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

As we all know, Michael Jackson passed away last week, and many of his fans are in mourning. He truly revolutionized music in much of the same way as The Beatles, Elvis, and Madonna. This past weekend, you could not walk the streets of Manhattan without seeing a vendor selling R.I.P. MJ tees, hearing people blare his music from their car windows, or perhaps people sporting some similar MJ attire (a single glove, a red leather jacket). I personally enjoy the above photo from LOOKBOOK.nu where a lovely girl is busting a classic MJ dance move. Niicceee!

Cholo?

My friend at work said I looked a bit like a "cholo" one day when I was wearing a tank top and khakis. I was like, "What in the heezy is a cholo?" Well, this is what urbandictionary.com told me...

	cholo
	A cholo is term implying a Hispanic male that typically dresses in chinos (khahki pants), a wifebeater sleeveless teeshirt or a flannel shirt with only the top buttoned, a hairnet, or with a bandana around the forehead, usually halfway down over the eyes. Cholos often have black ink tattoos, commonly involving Catholic imagery, or calligraphy messages or family names. Cholos often drive low riders. A farcical example of a cholo from the movies is Cheech, from Cheech and Chong. by Abula Feb 20, 2004 share this
2.	cholo
	1) Mexican Gangster 2) Mexican Gangster Style 1) "My homeboy got shot up but some cholos from Norte." OR "I'm cruisin' the eastside with a couple cholos." 2) "Hey ese, check out that vato over there looking all cholo."

OHHHHH I see now!

(Image via theinsider.com)

Is That a Cookie in Your Purse?

I love that my friends are always prepared!

U-S-A! U-S-A!

The U.S. Men's National Soccer Team beat the #1 team in the world, Spain, in a 2-0 win in the 2009 Confederations Cup. So it's not the World Cup, but nonetheless, Spain has not lost a game since November 2006.

I was once a soccer player who adored the men's and women's national teams... Mia Hamm, Cobi Jones, Tony Meola. As I got older and stopped playing soccer, I lost interest in the sport, but every once in awhile I get an urge to juggle a ball. I even scrimmaged against one of the national team players, a hometown hero, DaMarcus Beasley. I am so proud of the U.S. team for their big historic win. Like my bf said, "Don't mess with us AKA the U.S."

(Image via US Soccer)

Songs I Love: We Made You

Guess who's back, back again, Shady's back...

Eminem - We Made You

Ah yes, that's right, Marshall Mathers is back again with a brand new album. I remember when Eminem first came out, I remember thinking that he was just another white boy trying to be gangsta. To my surprise, I loved him. I loved him and all his dirty, poking-fun of, crossing boundary type rapping. It's been 5 years, and I am sooo ready for it!

(Image via Blog, Pipi at Bingi)

Dreams of Friends

(Above photo: My 5 year high school reunion in Summer 08)
(Above photo: My mini sorority reunion a few weeks ago in Chicago)

Ever since I went to Chicago, my college and high school friends have been dominating my dreams! I don't exactly remember what my dreams have been about, but I do know that I am interacting with the many people who have been in my life for many many years. Oh how I miss being around familiar faces. Perhaps these are occurring since I JUST had my 2 year anniversary living in NY? 2 years?!! Crazy huh?

Tis the Season for Weddings

I am 24 years old and already I would say 50% of my friends are married or engaged. This is no joke people. The summer I moved to NY (2007), 7 of my friends got married. Since then, a couple here gets married, a couple there gets hitched, another couple gets engaged. Part of me feels like it may be time to settle down, and the other part of me thinks, what's the rush? Nonetheless, I am happy for my friends who have chosen that path, as for me, I'm glad to have a loving bf for now.

(Above photos: Just 3 of the 6 or so weddings my friends and I saw during a Saturday afternoon in Dumbo, Brooklyn)

Happy Father's Day!

Once again, I am away from my father during this very well-deserved holiday. My father is working in Florida right now, so he is also away from my mama and brother. I hate knowing that we are all apart from one another, but it gives me comfort knowing that we all think of each other daily. Sounds cheesy, but remember the song, "Somewhere Out There" from An American Tail? If you don't it goes a little something like this....

Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight

Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star

Yes, I know my family is thinking of me, when I think of them, and we are all thinking of each other at the same time. I love them and miss them dearly.

Now unfortunately, my bf's father is in the hospital dealing with some health concerns, and all I can ask for is that you all say a little prayer for him and his family during this time. However, I am glad that we all could visit him and spend time together. His family is my East Coast family, and I simply adore them all. I am truly lucky to have such great people in my life.

Quinoa Salad

My roomie got some beets thinking they were radishes the other day, and lucky for me, she doesn't like beets. Sooo what to do? I boiled the beets, cooked up some quinoa, and came up with a delicious summer salad.

Quinoa, Beets, and More
- Cook up some quinoa (depending on if you want extras or not, I made about 2 cups - cooked)
- Boil some beets (about 30 minutes - or until fork-tender)
- Chop some fresh baby spinach
- Take the cooked beets (dice them) and quinoa - add the spinach
- Add pecans and dried cranberries
- Toss in some feta cheese
- Pour in some balsamic vinegar
- Mix it up, and voila!

Bruno Ist Coming

Can I just tell you how excited I am to see Bruno!! I'm still quoting Borat for heaven's sake!

Bruno is the new cover model for the July issue of GQ, where he was asked a few questions and this is what he said:

Hey, Brüno, I recently started collecting unemployment. Any style tips for someone on a tight budget?
Times are hard, but if you shop around und are prepared to vear some things twice before throwing zem avay, it is still possible to look good on a clothing budget of about $20,000 a veek. Ich mean, obwiously you vill need a bit more zan zat if you are planning on leaving ze house.

Dear Brüno, where should I be putting my iPhone? The wife says the belt clip is totally out, But it looks like a tuna sandwich in my pocket. Anyplace else?
Vhat ein stupid question. Keep it in your assistant’s pocket, obwiously.

Dear Brüno, I am all in favor of protecting the animals, but what is reasonable? I won’t wear fur, but do I need to give up my leather jackets or shoes?
Ich vant to make it clear: Brüno ist totally against vearing fur—it’s too expensive und high-maintenance. I mean, vhy don’t giant pandas have a label on zem saying zey’re not machine vashable? Regarding shoes und jackets, if you vant to be ein Leatherboy, zat’s fine.

Dear Brüno, if forced to choose: Dolce or Gabbana?
Gabbana. Dolce is bald, so zere’s no hair to grab hold of.

(Image via Dlisted, interview via The Bruno Movie)

Dumb-Dumb of the Week: Starface

An 18 year old Belgium girl, named Kimberley Vlaminck, was tattooed with 56 stars on her face and claims that it was the artist's fault. She claims she went to the tattoo parlor and asked for 3 stars on her face, when she fell asleep and woke up with a face full of stars. The tattoo artist said she asked for 56 stars exactly and was awake for the entire show. This beotch is crazy. Kimmy no likey and is suing the tattoo artist for how much it will cost to remove. Who falls asleep during a tattoo (on your face nonetheless)?

(Image and article inspiration via Dlisted)

Babycakes!

The word "obsessed" cannot describe my friends' feelings toward the Manhattan vegan bakery Babycakes in L.E.S. Who knew something made without eggs, butter, and milk can be so wonderfully delicious? Let's just say their icing is my favorite part, and I could eat a tub of it!

(Above image: Chocolate cupcake and banana cupcake)

Heavenly Reunion

First off, I would like to tell my blog that I am sorry for ignoring you these past few days.

Anywho...I just had one of the best weekends in quite some time. I was reunited with many of my bestest friends, and I loved every moment of it. Although the weather was a bit iffy, my time in Chicago was oh-so memorable. We basically, drank, ate, and laughed for 24+ hours. If I could turn back time, I would.

Miss you ladies! and Miss the ladies that couldn't make it!

"My Phone is Broke-Ass" -- Lesa

One of my bestests, Lesa, had a few broken phones back in the day, and I will never forget her saying "My phone is broke-ass" in her naturally twangy voice. Well Lesa, my phone is broke-ass now!

I've had my little white LG Chocolate phone since it came out in '07. So in my defense, I've had the phone for a very long time. I've been wanting a new phone, but I kept it because I was still on my family's plan (AKA my papa paid for it). Hell, I don't care what phone I have as long as it's free!

Well, those days are now over. After my phone broke and I told my dad, he told me it was time for me to be on my own. My phone bill was the last thing that my parents financially took care of for me, so I guess you can say that I am now officially a grown up. I pay my rent, utility bills, groceries, student loans, credit cards, dental bill, eyecare, and now my phone. Might as well get married and have a baby (just kidding).

In light of it all, I got my dream phone, the new Blackberry Curve 8900.

(Image via crackberry - shows the old Curve 8320 vs the 8900)

Supper Club!

Unfortunately, my friends and I have not had a Thursday Night Supper Club in a few months. However, my friends Courtney, Megan, and I still enjoy getting together to make a delicious meal. This past weekend, we had a slumber party in Brooklyn and made a feast for the Latin Kings themselves.

APPS:
- Whole grain/seed chips and corn/black bean salsa
- Avocado/onion/pepper soup

ENTREE:
- Arroz verde (made with garlic, peppers, and cilantro)
- Baked sweet plantains
- Mango/bean/corn/avocado/red onion salsa

DESSERT:
- Brooklyn Blackout Cake
- Pint of B&J Half-Baked

DRINK:
- Malbec Mendoza 2007

Atticus - Week 13

Look who's wearing Garanimals! I have enough clothes to dress that boy until he's 5...or at the rate he's growing, 4.

Dumb-Dumb of the Week: Speidi

The wrongfully infamous Spencer and Heidi Pratt are just part of the crazy cast of NBC's "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here" (along with Janice Dickinson & Sanjaya Malakar to name a few). For some reason this show is on 4 days a week for the next three weeks, but I must admit that as much as I despise Speidi, they give the show the crazy drama I enjoy.

Anywho, Spencer and Heidi started the show off by complaining the second they get to Costa Rica, and they tried to quit before the first night ended. Spencer was even "over-heard" talking to NBC chairman saying, "This cast is devaluing our fame!" Not only that, when the cast asked them what they were going to tell their charities (a charity of choice would get money for however long their person stays on the show), they said they chose the biggest ones so it wouldn't be a big deal if they didn't get this money. Then after they tried to flee Costa Rica, the rest of the cast members raided their belongings, which only started mayhem when they came back and discovered this looting. Spencer went ape-shit at the Frangelica duo for ripping the label off Heidi's dry shampoo; he went so crazy I thought he would need to be tranquilized to calm down. Nonetheless, they left the show only to come back and say they were sorry.

I'm sure all of this acting-out was all a publicity stunt, but it sure does make me hate them more. Hell, I hate to hate them because they loovvee being hated. The only way they get anyone to notice them is by do something tacky, raunchy, and awful. I won't lie, they are really good at being the most redonkulous-disgusting couple in Hollywood.

(Image via I'm a Celebrity...)

Guest Drummer

(Above photo: A very eclectic group of people)
(Above photo: Markey playing a little jazz drum)
(Above photo: Markey after his lovely performance)

My friends and I went to see Michael Fredo and his Jazz Quintet perform their weekly show at the Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, and guess who was his guest drummer? Oh ya know, Markey Ramone from THE Ramones! I must admit, it was quite cool to see. Now my question is, " Is that his natural hair because it is so shiny!?"

One More Week til Chitown!

One week from tomorrow, I will be back in the Midwest visiting all of my lovely friends in Chicago. I would say about 80% of my friends live in Chicago, and I hope to see 100% of them :) My fellow Midwestener/sorority sister Courtney is coming with me, and we are super excited for our weekend with old friends. Not to mention a bunch of our sistas from Indy are driving up, and our dear friend Kayla will be driving through Chicago that weekend with her bf and will grace us with their presence on Friday night. So basically it's a Alpha Chi Omega reunion for my pledge class, and I cannot wait!

(Image above is of me and my roomies Senior year at good ol AXO)

Mandarin Beet Salad

I love beets and I love mandarin oranges, why not put them together? I saw a similar recipe online and decided to try my own variation.

Tasha's Mandarin Beet Salad:
- 1 package of prepared beets or 1 can (whatever you can find)
- 1 can of mandarin oranges
- 1/2 cup of red onion
- A few dashes of apple cider vinegar (depending on how sour you like it)
- Fresh ground black pepper
- A few dashes of cumin (this is what makes this salad stand out)
- Chop the beets into smaller pieces
- Mix all the above ingredients together
- Let it mingle for 15 minutes in the fridge

Now you have a yummy salad!

Goodbye May

May ended so quickly, thus June began before I even realized. Sheesh, I definitely know what my parents are talking about when they say time goes by so fast. I remember summers felt long, winter seemed to go on forever, the hours in class never seemed to end. Now, I wake up, go to work, come home, go to sleep. Next thing I know, it's a new day!

(Image via Darren Booth)

Mini Donuts by Re-Ment

My coworker/friend was just on vaca last week and brought us some special "little" gifts. These goodies are from a Japanese company called Re-Ment of which you buy a certain collection and open the box to discover which part of the collection you got (surprise!). The above photo was my gift, a little donut set. Yes, those tasty little toys are Barbie size and oh so fun. My other friend got a fast food breakfast set (think Egg McMuffin), another got a miniature nature scene with a deer and bunny rabbit, and the other got a little cat that came with a Mac laptop. I think my friend may have created another collector of these Re-Ment toys.

Cheese Wontons AKA Crab Rangoon - Whatever, I Just Call Them Delicious

I have a sick obsession with crab rangoon or cheese wontons (whatever you want to call them). Now these guys are just about the worst things for you - cheese + fried outershell = heart attack disguised as delicious gooey bites. However, to calm my cravings, I came up with a baked/lower fat/more veggie version.

Tasha's Delic Rangoon Bites:
- 1 pack of wonton wrappers
- 1 pack of neufchatel cheese (AKA low fat cream cheese - not non-fat bc non-fat isn't disgusting)
- 1 can of sliced water chestnuts
- 1 pack of imitation crab meat
- A large handful of baby spinach
- A dash of curry seasoning (for a little special kick)

- Chop the baby spinach, crab meat, and water chestnuts
- Mix above ingredients with neufchatel cheese
- Layout a few wonton wrappers
- Use a tablespoon to dish out the mixture into the middle of the wonton wrappers
- Get a little dish of water and dab finger into water to go around the edge of the wonton wrappers (the wrappers are dusted with flour, where in combination with the water it becomes like a "glue" to make your triangle shapes)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Spray pan with oil (I used olive oil)
- Bake until golden
- Serve with a side of sweet chili sauce

It sounds like a long process, but I got everything done and out of the oven in about an hour.