To Noir Me is to Love Me

Collecting books has never been my thing -- as much as I love to read, I'm perfectly content to use the public library or borrow from an obliging friend. Then, I discovered the Hard Case Crime Series. Garish, retro covers and a heart of dark, noir goodness. Perhaps it might reveal too much about my character to have a bookshelf full of these, but I don't care...I want them all.

www.hardcasecrime.com

I Believe in Miracles

There are the practical aspects of staying warm, and then there are things like hot chocolate. Hot chocolate accomplishes a few things, not the least of which is warming you without the use of microfleece. And I suppose it tastes pretty good, too.

My favorite hot cocoa also happens to be unavailable at your local grocery store and is not the most convenient to make. Why are we not surprised? But (she pleaded plaintively) it's really, really good! And it's not as expensive as all those haute chocolates.

www.mexgrocer.com, $4.95

It's Electric

As soon as the temperature drops below, oh, let's say seventy degrees, I make it my mission to avoid the cold. And by "cold" I mean anything below seventy degrees. That's why my favorite Christmas present had to be the electric blanket my parents gave me. I just use it to preheat my bed before going to sleep, and it's so warm that I've been able to keep my home thermostat five degrees cooler than usual, which appeals to the environmentalist in me. You might even say it gives me the warm fuzzies.

I mean, you could say that -- if you were kind of a dork.


cozywinters.com, $89

Feeling Somewhat Scrabby?

I've resumed my love/hate relationship with Scrabble, but now I'm doing it online, which means I can drag it out for weeks or even months instead of a few excruciating hours. Who invented this game?!! (Alfred Butts, during the Depression.) More importantly, why is that d#@$ "3X word" tile always one letter out of reach???

Sigh.

If you're an English major, a masochist, or any twisted combination thereof, you should check out www.scrabulous.com. But don't say I didn't warn you.

Fly Me to the Moon (or Atlanta)

The Flying Biscuit has long been one of my favorite restaurants. The fact that it's 331.14 miles away isn't going to stop me. Whenever I'm in Atlanta, I have to eat there at least once. Okay, usually more than once. And when I say "eat," I mean "order multiple menu items and stuff myself." But good news, kids! Word on the street is -- The Flying Biscuit is being franchised! Huzzah! This means that someday, if I'm lucky, I might have a sad imitation of my favorite restaurant in my very own neighborhood. I can't wait.

www.flyingbiscuit.com

Make Me Up Before You Go-Go

Lately, I've been liking a matte face, pale berry cheeks, lips without too much gloss, and either navy eyeliner/purple eyeshadow, or brown eyeliner/blue eyeshadow. Have I gone crazy, or is this what we'll soon be seeing on everyone? Only time will tell.

Oh, yeah -- I'm also thinking thinner eyebrows, but I'm a little scared of that one.

In A Word

Sometimes these things are inexplicable, but I just had to say...Flamenco.