If You Must Take Up One Hobby This Summer...

Feeling weird about taking up anything yarn-related this summer? (Not to say that there are no gorgeous, summery lace-inspired shawls to be made; on the contrary, I'd suggest either a cotton or a lightweight acrylic for that kind of thing.)

Here's another hobby to pick up: T-shirt renovations!


I just borrowed Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt from the public library today, and up to now I'm still getting a lot of inspiration from this book... and by "inspiration" I don't mean cutting up my T-shirts into unwearable-in-public ensembles. (Though I must say here that there are a few designs in this book that look like they've been held up by nothing more than a safety pin and the grace of God. Yikes.) And you don't really need to have a sewing machine or a fully-stocked sewing arsenal to create these looks, either - in some cases, even the sewing-required projects call for nothing more than a needle, a thread, a tape measure, and a very steady hand with the scissors.

What I like best about Generation T, though, is that the ideas don't stop at wearables alone. There are instructions for T-shirt shag carpets, headbands (o hai, Blair Waldorf!), and even earrings. Yeah, you heard me, earrings. I've already copied their concepts for pillows (stuffed with scraps from previous projects, naturellement), and I might even end up taking their concepts for bags, scarves, and quilts with me, as well.

And if the great ideas don't compel you to start shredding - or at least salvaging some cool designs from an otherwise unwearable shirt - consider the rising costs of shopping and the dire state of our landfills. Even if your attempt at making a punky shirt, skirt, or dining-chair cushion ends up not working as well as you hoped it would, let's face it: at least you would've made an awesome gift... or Halloween costume... or an even more awesome donation to Goodwill!

Shameless Plug: No Book Left Behind - The Weekend Edition

Just when you thought No Book Left Behind couldn't get any better... now we've got this!

Yes, folks, that's yours truly and Positively Cleveland (at right) back in college, outside of UH Manoa's Kennedy Theater back in 2001. Will you get a load of my big hair in this one! I also like to point out that this is the night when I wore one of my favorite red lipsticks in the world - the now-discontinued Rouge Catalan by Fresh - along with a dress that I got for no more than $10 at Nordstrom Rack.

This is one of those photos that make some people - but mostly ignorant boys - wonder how an absolute hottie like PC ended up being BFF with your humble little friend Meimei... until you read NBLB and entries like our Weekend Q&A, and suddenly it all makes sense.

PC, on the books she read as a form of teenage rebellion:

Star Trek: The Next Generation novels and bodice-rippers scandalized my very
conservative mother for different reasons, but ultimately, it was the parting
lament: "We have a library full of great classics, and you spend your allowance
on those trashy paperbacks!"

Meimei, on the book I would read to keep strangers from talking to me:

He's Just Not That Into You. Ironically, this book made me laugh so hard that it did keep strangers away from me when I read this at Jamba Juice!

PC, on her dream writing collaboration:

I would die of pure geek overload if Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett said
"hello" to me, much less wanting to share a byline with my name.

Meimei, on my dream writing collaboration:

Julie Powell, of the blog-turned-book Julie & Julia. Food, blogging,
autobiography - so many things to discuss! PC and I should take her out for
tapas.

Don't miss this entry, along with Gerard Butler in a skirt, books on Christian "courtship" (because some people don't like the secular implication of the word "dating"), and a gut-wrenching look at Atonement - it's all happening at No Book Left Behind.

Shameless Plug: No Book Left Behind

If you haven't been reading our brand-new group blog, No Book Left Behind, y'all are missing out on the action!

Today's features are a one-two punch of Eat, Pray, Love - Marge of Positively Cleveland puts it in a deathmatch against The Secret, while yours truly recommends it as part of an inspiring double feature with the more dude-friendly (but equally Oprah-worthy) Honeymoon with My Brother.

Be sure to check out the other entries we wrote over the weekend on crush-worthy Cleveland foodies and PBS' Jane Austen makeovers, too!

http://nobookleftbehind.blogspot.com/

Honeymoon on Hardcover

So you're looking at this and you're thinking: Great, another travel book by an upper-crust, broken-hearted American who can afford to chuck the dead-end job for months and months of long-term travel, with all sorts of Oprah-worthy Finding My True Self Among The Poor Little People in the Third World epiphanies along the way. Come on, Mei, haven't you read that other memoir about chucking it all to travel the world - the one that actually has a longer chapter about Indonesia?

Okay, I'm not trying to diss Eat Pray Love here - in fact, I read Honeymoon with my Brother as a way of preparing me to read that book. (Also, Franz Wisner was on Oprah at around the same time as Elizabeth Gilbert.) And yet, Honeymoon had already been in my possession (neighbor gave it away - don't ask) for months, waiting to be read. It didn't take too long for me to break down and read it.

Those of you expecting some kind of "woe-is-me" pity party-turned here would be disappointed, because Franz Wisner writes in a way that doesn't make you want to feel sorry for him. Yeah, yeah, we know that he got dumped at the altar and demoted from the corner office, blah blah yada yada - in fact, the parts where he talks about his life post-dumpage will make you want to say, "Yeah, I hate your life, too." He's equally unapologetic about making fun of hippie backpackers, Lonely Planet guide books, Ugly Americans, crazy Third World taxi drivers, and occasional side trips into HoYay territory. And he definitely does not want our sympathy when he drags his younger brother along on his travels, in the hope of developing a better filial relationship that does not involve one carrying the other over a threshold.

Hemingway, he's not. But those of you hoping for Mitch Albom-style fuzzies will be horribly disappointed, because Honeymoon is not that kind of a book. True, the Wisner boys do end up bonding with each other and becoming Better Men at the end, but that doesn't mean you can't have a laugh at their expense over their adventures, where they stumble through continents like clueless party boys. It's a real-life version of The Darjeeling Limited, stretched out over 53 continents, but without the Freudian psychodrama or the designer luggage.

You'll read this and realize that, darnit, this is how straight guys travel the world: chucking guide books in the garbage can, enduring day-long flight delays, traveling great distances for weird-looking animals and amazing beaches. You'll snicker through stories of questionable sex, crashing with friends, and the things that go terribly wrong with your house while you're away. You'll laugh at the moments when they walk into a supposedly "un-touristy" restaurant and find themselves surrounded by fellow haoles who found the same restaurant through their guide book. You'll wade through pages and pages of horror stories, hoping somebody would hit them over the head and say, "Dammit, can't you find anything good to say?"... and then, as soon as they get on the departing flight, you'll find yourself empathizing when they tell you how they finally realized that they'd fallen in love with this crazy country, warts and all.

And as somebody who has managed to spend the first 2/3rds of her life in the Third World, I can tell you: they sure managed to get all those parts right. Especially the part where they don't want the whole ride to end.

A note: I recently read that not only are the Wisner brothers working on Book Part Deux (coming out in '08), but they now have a movie deal for this one as well. Sweet! I won't even mind them recasting the parts of Franz and Kurt Wisner so it won't look like them. Hint, hint, hint... um... hell to the no.

Domesticity Retail Roundup, January 2007

I don't know if this counts as "good" or "bad," but I did drop $39 at Lush Ala Moana yesterday. It was all part of a plan to, ahem, help the store clear out the holiday merch, and it made me a little guilty because I thought I was indulging myself too much. But consider the stash I ended up with....

- Lemony Flutter Cuticle Cream. I used to think that there was no way that anyone could ever improve on Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme - and in fact, I was fanatic enough to introduce this genius product to my Mom when she started complaining about her cuticles. Yet, when I road-tested this cream in the store, I loved the results so much that I decided to snap it up. I'm telling you, one tub of Lemony Flutter may be twice the size (and price) of a Burt's Bees, but it's also a definite step up. What's not to love? While the Burt's Bees creme is a lot more solid and matte (great for everyday work) the Lemony Flutter starts out looking and feeling buttery, but sinks in quite nicely. Since I do a lot of work with my hands (and bite my hangnails a lot) I need something that doesn't require too much work to use; and I've found that the butteriness of the Lemony Flutter works well with remoisturizing all the dry spots on my fingers. Added bonus: The butter also left my nails with a "just-buffed" sheen, thereby saving me tons of money on manicures for the next few months.

- Sweet Japanese Girl exfoliating bar. This isn't my first time buying this, and in fact this is more of a love/hate product for me because I broke out the first time I used it. Then again, considering the weather and the temperature outside, I wasn't going to spend any amount of money on just about any skincare product, so I got this and finally got the correct technique down: Warm the bar in your fingertips, massage buttery/scrubby stuff on face, then remove everything with wet cotton ball. Would you believe how much mileage I got from this baby? It took me two cotton balls to rinse off - one for each half of my face - and every single time I finished washing off the cotton balls always ended up really, really dark. That's a lot of grunge and dead skin cells right there! I wouldn't recommend it on the T-zone (and if you do use it there, use a toner to rinse off) but it's a perfect once-a-week cold weather treatment for dry spots on the cheeks and jawline. I also found that SJG also works wonders on my neck area and decolletage, which always get grungy at the end of the day. No more ring around the collar!

- Oxeo Cube deodorant. At the risk of giving away TMI, I've been having problems with my underarm deodorant lately, and not because of the whole aluminum thing - seems like every single time I use my regular deo, it would work OK but then my pits would start itching like heck and I'll have to stop wearing the stuff anyway. ANNOYING! So it was a choice between this and the deodorant powders, but I eventually went with the Oxeo Cube because 1) it was easier to apply; 2) I liked the scent (a fresh, powdery floral/herbal); and 3) the salesgirl said so. Anyway, besides all three points, I like how the Cube's powdery texture stays on your pits and keeps you sweat-free. And because I never seem to find my deodorant when I need it, I keep the Cube in a place where I'm sure to find it: in my desk drawer, next to my school supplies, to keep it dry and non-humidified.

- I Love Juicy shampoo. The smallest size. Hey, I'm almost out of shampoo. Haven't tried this yet, but hoping to do so when I get around to it.

And for my fabulous freebies, I got the Merry Christmas massage bar (the Fever was getting pretty lonely ever since Sleepy Head melted away into nothing and It's A Pleasure Treasure got lost in transit) and a sample of Ring of Roses buttercream, which I might road-test some time soon.

*******

In other news:

- Tried Sally Hansen's Brush-On Hair Remover for Face. Good news: The hair finally, FINALLY went away without the annoying sting or chemical smell. Bad news: I left it on way too long, and now I have the usual post-depilatory stubbly dead skin on my upper lip. Am currently remedying this with a combo of Lush SJG (the buttery underside, not the stubbly bits) and Aveeno Ultra-Calming cream.

- Purchased from the supermarket: Sunsilk Anti-Flat Weightless Volumizing Creme. Not hoping for much on the volumizing side, since I know Sunsilk tends to be more moisturizing (hey, at least I got a nice leave-in conditioner out of this) but if I blend it with my usual thickening stuff I might get some kind of vavoom going on.

- From Ross Dress For Less: a yoga mat, to replace the other one. Better than having to waste another good bath towel.

The Case Against the Bodice-Ripper

Actual plot line of actual romance-novel paperback found in our home library at Hacienda de Meimei. I don't know who bought this (fo'sho it ain't me) but I won't be surprised if the author in question had written books in a similar way.

Heroine with Exotic Name: Oh, poor me, I'm a naive young miss who needs to lose her virginity!
Unusually Virile Romantic Interest #1 With Exotic Name: Behold! I will charm you with my long, flowing tresses, my broad, muscular chest, my over-the-top mansion, and my unusual talent! Oh, and also to have sex with you.

Heroine and Unusually Virile Romantic Interest #1 spend the next 20 pages having lots and lots of graphic sex complete with highly detailed descriptions of certain body parts.

Heroine: Oh, I have enjoyed my time with you. I think I am in love with you!
Romantic Interest #1: But I cannot love you. You are young, there is so much of the world that you should know and explore.
Heroine: No, I won't leave you! I love you!
Romantic Interest #1: Here's my charming and witty friend, Unusually Virile Romantic Interest #2. He comes from an exotic land where women are driven to distraction with kinky sex.
Romantic Interest #2: All-right, THREESOME!
Heroine: Oh, well, if you insist, then.

30 more pages of graphic sex. And then...

Romantic Interest #1: I'm jealous.
Heroine: Too late. Romantic Interest #2 is taking me on an exotic holiday. Maybe you should stay with your hot-blooded and exotically-named new girlfriend. With whom you cheated on me. Ta-ta.
Next 50 pages describes holiday between Heroine and Romantic Interest #2 in Exotic Faraway Place, punctuated by short moments of graphic, kinky sex involving various positions, accessories, and a few implements which are sadly unavailable at your friendly neighborhood sex-toy store. And then...
Heroine: Something has happened in my home town. Maybe I should go back and visit.
Romantic Interest #2: Well, okay, then. But remember, you are now an intelligent and independent Woman of the World, and I have taught you things that the highly virile Romantic Interest #1 has never taught you before. And also, you are MINE!

Enter Romantic Interest #3, with not-so-exotic name and plain, conservative outfit concealing innate sexy qualities.
Romantic Interest #3: Hi. I was just in the neighborhood and wanted to see if you wanted to get a malt or something.
Heroine: No, I cannot go with you! I must find out why Something has happened in my home town! And also to see if Romantic Interest #1 is still alive so I can have steamy hate-sex with him.
Romantic Interest #1: Behold, I am here for you, my Heroine! I may be older now, but I will turn your steamy hate-sex into wild passionate lovemaking! Also, I will tell you my Terrible Secret that has led to Something happening in your home town.

More sex in the next 15 pages with Romantic Interest #1 as character exposition continues at glacial pace.

Heroine: Oh, how I wish I had not known this Terrible Secret!
Romantic Interest #1: Yes, but you must know. By the way, I love you. And now I must die.
Heroine: Noooooo!
Romantic Interest #3: See, I told you he had something to do with it.
Heroine: I hate you, I hate you, I hate you! Wait, Romantic Interest #3, you're beginning to look hot to me.
Romantic Interest #3: Well, I've never had hate-sex before with a woman like you, then. And certainly not with the ex-girlfriend that I've been hung up on all this time who's kinda lousy in bed, now that I think of it.
Heroine: All this supposedly witty and spontaneous banter is making me horny.
Romantic Interest #3: Let's just go back to my plain suburban house, where I don't have a spiraling staircase and satin sheets like you're used to with Romantic Interest #1.
Heroine: Great.

Next 10 pages spent on supposed hate-sex where Heroine has near-religious moments of ecstasy as Romantic Interest #3 introduces her to hot lovemaking in conventional positions without props and toys.

Romantic Interest #3: You're a great gal, Heroine. I think I'm falling in love with you.
Heroine: But I must leave you! At least to resolve that plot line involving Romantic Interest #2, who seems to have dropped out of the picture.
Romantic Interest #2: I am here! Come with me so we can explore more Far Away Lands!
Heroine: I'd love to! Wait, where is this sudden bout of indecision coming from?
Romantic Interest #2: Never mind. I want to fall in love with you, but you are beginning to remind me of my unintentionally homoerotic friendship with Romantic Interest #1. Let me put you back on the next plane to your home town while I get on the phone with Romantic Interest #3 and tell him what he should do to win back your love, since there's no chance in hell that I'm actually gay.

Heroine gets on plane, and spends an entire half-chapter crying about What Should Have Been. Also to wonder if Romantic Interest #2 is really That Gay.

Romantic Interest #3: Hey, long time no see. By the way, here's the non-sex-related stuff you like that Romantic Interest #2 told me about the other day.
Heroine: My love! My true love! Oh, how much I love you!
Non-sexual body contact. Heroine then gets turned on by Romantic Interest #3's manly smell, even if his conventional polo shirt and khaki pants don't seem to do the trick.
Romantic Interest #3: I love you, too.
Heroine: I'm ready to start my new but less exciting life with you.
Romantic Interest #3: Hey!
Heroine: Kidding. Let's go home. I think we could both use some looooooove.
Implied sex, then implied long-term monogamous relationship. The End.