Happy Memorial Day!

It's memorial day in America, and a regular Monday for everyone else I guess. It's also pouring rain where I live so staying home and doing nothing seems like the way to go.

For some reason, I felt really silly after reading this one article (7 things you didn't know about Memorial Day) because I didn't realize it started after the Civil War. For some reason I equated it with World War I or II and my grandpas. Go figure!

President Obama and Major General Linnington at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

an honor guard at Wrightstown N.J.

Honor Guards line up at Arlington

Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.

U.S. Military Color Guard at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.

Memorial Day in 1920

Memorial Day parade in 1900

Memorial Day Parade in NYC in 1922, Grand Army of the Republic (veterans)

Boston

Images From:

1-2 are from Memorial Day 2012 via the Huffington Post
3-5 are from MSNBC's Photoblog Memorial Day observed around the U.S.
6 is from Memorial Day from Wikipedia (image originally from the Library of Congress)
7 is from How Memorial Day begun via Flagsbay.com
8 is from A Brief History of Memorial Day from Time.com
9 is from Memorial Day Tributes Around the World from Time.com

How to Make Mint Juleps

HAPPY CINCO DE DERBY DAY!!!

That's right...two holidays but only one day (somehow I feel like I'm getting jipped). I'm not sure what to celebrate but since I'm in a southern town that's filled with college students who are mostly Hispanic (than southern)...I'll probably be getting some Mexican food tonight. 

from Kentucky Parties

But my favorite holiday is Derby day (technically not an official holiday). Sure...I kinda zone out when the horses run..mostly because I'm not a massive horse fan. But I love the hats, the dresses and the mint juleps. 

I don't drink anymore because alcohol can trigger the most painful migraines I've ever had. But the first time I had a mint julep-I fell in love. It was possibly the best drink ever. My friend and I drank them all night long and thought they were the yummiest and weakest drink on the planet. 

from Mint Julep recipe from allrecipies.com

We learned our lesson. I walked into a door and she fell down somewhere (after three of them). So word to the wise...yummy and strong. We also started calling them mint julies. Actually typing juleps and not julies has been hard.

Anyways, the whole point of my posting on Saturday (the most holy day of rest and relaxation!) was because I read an article (news junkie me!) that said that people should skip mint juleps because they're a pain to make. The only places I can't get a mint julep was this bar called mint julep in Orlando (and some random places in NYC who didn't understand and kept giving me a mojito). Skipping mint juleps on derby day is a sin y'all. Uh-uh. No. 

Sure, there's a super proper way to make it, but if I (art history major) and my friend (finance) can figure out simple syrup + bourbon (Kentucky) + mint while doing out hair and make-up...then really...there's no excuse. 

So, just in case you've not grown up in a southern house that watches the Derby, drinks Mint Juleps, and blesses hearts (especially yours Mint-Juleps-in-Orlando-that-doesn't-make-MINT-JULEPS)...here are some easy recipes. 

Mine: 

1.) Take a shot of Kentucky bourbon. Realize how yummy bourbon is. Realize your daddy has neglected to mention how yummy bourbon is. 

2) Cover mint leaves with small amount of bourbon. Start the eye makeup and remind your friend that there's a shoe-sale going on at the mall. 

3) Go back to the kitchen and mix equal parts water and sugar (ie...make sugar water). Realize it's supposed to be about one cup of each. But know you'll get distracted talking about the hot bartender that looks like Ashley from Gone with the Wind. Remember you've left said mixture on the stove. After sugar dissolves (and you've stirred gosh darn it) turn off the heat. 

4) Finish dressing and shoes and makeup. Talk about the crazy students in your art history class that don't really think shampoo is necessary. 

5) Somehow mix sugar water, bourbon and mint stuff together. Realize you've added more bourbon than your aunt told you to add. Do your hair (the higher to god the better) and realize bourbon is weak and you'll be fine. Have another glass. 

6) Avoid glass doors...they are tricky little things. 

Obviously this is not the correct way to make mint julies. Or any sacred southern drink. But forgive my attempt. The bartender was really hot. REALLY hot.

For more "correct" ways to do it, here are some basic ones. 

• Mint Julep Recipe from AllRecipes.com
• The Ultimate Mint Julep Recipe from the Huffington Post/Meathead Blog
• The Perfect Mint Julep from Food Network
• Mint Julep Recipe and history from Wikipedia (recipe is on the right side in a little box)

And don't hold your breath hoping for a mint julie at misnomered Mint Juleps in Orlando. It will only break your heart. Bless their hearts. 

Birthday!

I totally had a nail success last night. Go me!

That's kinda a crappy picture, but for the love of me...I cannot find my camera cord. So I totally cheated and used my webcam (no flash) and lightened it in PicMonkey. Which is my new found love until I figure out the Photoshop program I stole from my dad's computer.

It's the gradient/dip-dye/ombre stain nail technique I mentioned yesterday. I totally used old nail polish (from like...middle school) that I probably should  have thrown out and two contrasting colors (pink and dark blue).

up close

I was so proud of myself I thought I'd share!

AND I finished paying my application fees (no thanks to farmville...which I'm feeling unnecessary annoyance at).

Today is also my birthday, so I've been cooking dinner because my family is coming over tonight for a family dinner. So I'll just leave with some pretty pictures (and protest pictures, that's all over the news here. Occupy and Bin-Laden/Seal Team 6).

Thailand

London

The Situation Room pic...

Links/Image Sources:

Occupy Protesters rally in London and New York on May Day
Bin Laden take-down picture
May Day Celebrations in Thailand

Beach Essentials

It's April...which means it's warm enough for the beach! Yay!!!

I love going to the beach--as long as I can sit under an umbrella, slathered in sunscreen with a good book and plenty of water.

My beach bag is packed (with lots of books) and I'm thrilled to have a lax day with one of my girlfriends (who's visiting from up North).

1. Big floppy beach hats are a must! Skin cancer is nothing to be lax about. This is a pretty one from Sears.

2. Cute sunglasses help with the glare from the sun. Plus, they protect your eyes. I love retro ones!

3. Flip flops are made for the beach! P.S. You don't want searing hot shoes after being on the beach all day. Turn them over and put them under your towel. The soles won't burn your feet then.

4. Do you know the best time to buy bathing suits? Winter. Victoria's Secret always has the cutest bikinis.

5. Lacoste Beach Bag (I LOVE this bag. It's so summer-ey!).

6. I've read this book twice. And I still love it. I saw it had won an Edgar Award when I was browsing around Borders during it's closeout days (sadness). I don't even know what an Edgar Award is, but Tana French so deserves it. In the Woods was so titillating! It's a murder mystery in the present with a murder mystery from the past all set in Ireland.

7. Staying hydrated (from non-alcoholic drinks) is important. You would not believe the number of people I've seen drop because of lack of hydration. And if you use eco-friendly water bottles it's better for the environment. Plus these are super cute. I have one in purple that I love!

8. Sophie Littlefield's A Bad Day for Pretty. Which is another crime novel (but it has a romance in it!). AND she has great titles. A Bad Day for Sorry, A Bad Day for Scandal.

9. Chapstick. Or any moisturizing lip balm. But I like Chapstick (with SPF)

10. Picnic baskets! Even if you hit up one of the great seafood places on the beach, having snacks is always  a great idea. Be ready to fight a seagull.

11. Elizabeth George's 17th Lynley novel called Believing the Lie. I love her series. I might not know any British royal things...but I know who Lord Lynley, the eighth earl of Asherton is (don't tell me it doesn't exist). It's a murder mystery too. There's a theme here...

12. Sunscreen. I don't know how to say it without sounding like a crazy person. Wear sunscreen. ESPECIALLY on the beach. Skin cancer is horrible. And yes..I wear SPF 100. I own that bottle.

13. While browsing TJMaxx last week I saw a medium sized bundle of beach mats. I didn't really give it much of a thought until I passed by again and saw that the pile had dwindled down to about five mats. Obviously they were selling fast. I moseyed on by and saw the cutest things ever (they had been rolled up). They were Tommy Hilfiger and the price was really low (reeeeally low). I have the pink flamingo and green mat. I love it already and it's going to the beach with me.

14. Fun leopard beach towel. Ah-mazing

15. Ok. I'll admit this is a bit extreme compared to my TJMaxx deal. But this is a beach mat for more than one person. Plus is has pockets for drinks and your phone. It's brilliant! AND it was designed by a SCAD (great school) graduate named Julie.

I Love You x 100 ("After Valentine's Day Special")

Granted, this is for a company but I still thought it was cute! Consider this an after Valentine's Day extra tid-bit

 Nothing exciting for me today...just more college apps. Here's an exciting thought though...one of the schools I'm applying to is in....

FRANCE! 

Valentine's Day

Don't let the picture fool you, I absolutely adore Valentine's Day. It's also a wonderful excuse to eat lots of chocolate without any regrets. 

(oh my lord...that looks delicious!)

Sadly I'm going to spend my evening writing essays for graduate school. Sadness. To make up for this dull evening I ran to the bookstore and TJ Maxx. The TJ Maxx near me put all their Christmas surplus on clearance and since I need more random knick-knacks off I went. It was fairly picked over but I did manage to get some cute note cards and some hand warmers. 

(not exactly as cute as this)

The pocket warmers are these little gel packs that fit into a little knit sack. Then the little sack goes into a coat pocket. Genius! 

I hope everyone else has a lovely valentine's day and I hope I get these essays done!