Mrs. Fix-it

Since P*DE*Q is opening up it's shop exactly 3.55 miles from my home, I made the decision to fix up my bike and start riding to work every day! Why pass up the opportunity to get some exercise and ride down beautiful Van Ness? Step one was the fix up my sweet cruiser. I brought it out of the shed and it was absolutely filthy so I proceeded to give it a nice wash and scrub down...basket and all! Now that my sweet ride was all cleaned up, there was some rust to take care of. I tried using WD40. It didn't work. Found out later strictly not to use WD40 since it attracts dirt. Whoops! Instead I am supposed to use steel wool and it happened to work pretty great. I haven't finished getting all the rust of of my chrome fenders quite yet, but I will!

Next step was to get an attractive helmet so in case of emergency, I hopefully don't die. Check!

Needed new struts for my front fender (some assembly required, with the help of my handy brother, Trent). Check!

Blinky lights. Check!

And last, but definitely most important, a cup holder for my friend Mr. Starbucks! Double Check!
Now I'm ready to ride! Have any of you thought about how to stay fit and have fun in a practical way this summer?

Hunting for the Perfect Mixer

Why is a 60 Qt Hobart Mixer with a Single Phase electrical plug thing so hard to find? P*DE*Q, the amazing company I work for, is opening a store in the Tower District and it is my job right now, amongst many other things, is to FIND A MIXER. Why is this so hard? Okay okay, so there are a ton of mixers out there, but it seems that I cannot find THE one. I cannot find the one that looks tight and is the right price. WHY ME!!!

So, for now, the hunt continues for the perfect mixer to complete our P*DE*Q heaven.

Just a note: this guy knows what's up.

Water for Elephants

When I used to work at Borders Books backin 2006, I remember seeing this out on the new arrivals shelf. It seemed interesting and after reading the description on the back decided against it. It didn't seem like a book I would like. Years later in 2011, I saw the movie trailer for this book that I previously poo-pooed and immediately became intrigued. My first thought was "Wait a second, this is about an old circus?! SWEET!" How could I have missed that 5 years ago? Idiot moment on my part, I guess. Last week, I was in need of a book to read and downloaded it on my trusty Kindle! In 5 seconds (I am still amazed at this piece of technology) I was on the Benzini Bro's Circus train.

I could not put this book down.

I will not give anything away for those of you interested in seeing the movie or reading it, but my goodness, Sara Gruen can write! I laughed out loud, I cried while reading on the elliptical machine at the gym (multiple times) and was completely swept off my feet by Jacob Jankowski and the dear and precious Rosie. It has officially made it's way to my top 10 favorite books of all time!

MOVIE REVIEW:
I of course saw the movie last night and loved it! It was pretty true to the book with of course a few minor changes that weren't a big deal. One thing that I found interesting was that they combined two characters in the book into one. Uncle Al runs the Benzini Bro's Circus and August is the ring leader. The movie put this character into one and it actually works really well! Keep in mind that there are a few parts that I had a tough time watching when it comes to the animals, but it's all fake. No animals were harmed in the making! I give the movie my stamp of approval and definitely recommend it!

FUN FACTS:
The author of the book did a lot of research while writing the book and included some true happenings in the story. For instance, there was an elephant that would remove its stake, walk over and drink the lemonade, then walk back and put the stake back in the ground pretending that nothing happened. There was a circus that had a hippo and when the hippo died, they replaced the water tank with formaldehyde and displayed a dead hippo for a few weeks. There was also an elephant who actually killed his abusive trainer after he flicked a lit cigarette into its mouth.

This book really tugged on my heartstrings and it now holds a special place in my heart. It is right up there with Harry Potter and Outlander! I feel that I could go on and on about it, but you should really pick it up and experience the magic for yourself.

Christian Louboutin: Part II

I would like to begin this post with a short story:

My first word was "shoe".
True story.

I do not have an obsession with shoes. I have a relationship with them. I am sure that there are many women in the world that are in the same relationship and I can tell you that I am only jealous of those who get personal one-on-one time with "Loubi's." I am utterly jealous of those that manage to get their toes on these beauties and can only dream of the day that I get a pair of my very own! Stephen, this is where you might want to grab a pen and paper and take note of the above. Also note that I will be perfectly content and happy with any pair on the link below except for anything with a 2 inch heel...those are reserved for the Helen Mirren's of the world and I would like to not feel old in my ripe age.

Ambertina 150mm

Devalavi 120mm

Miss Cristo 140mm

Altadama 140mm

Pigalle Plato 120mm

Lady Clou 150mm

Big Lips Booty 120mm

Very Riche 120mm

I would like to point out that JLO wore these to the Grammys. I don't remember what her dress looked like.

Miss Tack 85mm
Bri: I would like to point out that Lily Bass has worn these on a few occasions. They suit her.

http://us.christianlouboutin.com/

Happy Birthday Malorie, Love Barbie

February 2, Groundhog Day, is my friend Malorie's Birthday. I have known Mal since Kindergarten, a time when we would make home movies of Rapunzel and Grease, stage our own Olympic Games (gymnastics, of course), and make Barbie bungee jump from the top of the door frame. I have known her practically all our lives and she has always wanted a Barbie Cake. She is turning 24 years old this Wednesday and she STILL wants the Barbie Cake she never had. Our friend Stacy threw her a surprise party on Sunday at a tea cottage in Clovis and I was in charge of the cake! Poor Mal, here she was thinking that for weeks, no one remembered her birthday since most of her family would be out of town and she was feeling sorry for herself, but we couldn't just tell her about the surprise, now could we? Well, she was definitely surprised when she showed up with her Mom for Sunday Brunch and all her closest girlfriends were waiting for her to arrive!

Happy Birthday Mally! We Love you!

P.S. I think This is my favorite cake that I have made yet! I had an absolute blast putting it together and it was very tasty too! It has reminded me why I love cake decorating :)

Christian Louboutin - Part 1

For all you women out there, I thought I would treat you all to a little eye candy! I don't know about you, but I would rather fantasize about these beauties than about hotties like Leo or Gerard.
Shoes can always make me feel better! They make me feel confident and sexy and like I have the world at my...well, feet. :-)

For now, I can only dream about getting on a first name basis with Mr. Louboutin.

Enjoy.

Loubout 100MM

Greissimo Pump 140MM

Bianca 140MM

Miss America 150MM

Change of the Guard 150MM

Canonita 100MM

For more fun, Click Here

More to come in later posts!

The Bachelor is BACK!

If you didn't already know, I am completely obsessed with ABC's The Bachelor. I watch it every single Monday night. And when I can't make it home on time from my Dodgeball games, I record it on VCR. Yes, I said VCR. I am not cool enough to have DVR, so I diligently rewind the tape and set the timer on the VCR to record my show. Anyways, a new season of The Bachelor has finally started! Time to meet our Bachelor! Drum roll please......

Wait a minute...I KNOW HIM! That's Brad Womack! The guy that DUMPED both his final ladies at the finale 3 years ago. Where many ladies deemed him a jerk for giving both ladies the boot, I found that gesture to be one of hope! For all the women out there who now have a chance! Yes, I will accept that rose you are presenting me with...just don't tell the love of my life, Stephen! :) JUST KIDDING! My man understands my obsession with The Bachelor and I understand his obsession with Kate Beckinsale.

Anyways, I would like to stand up for this guy and say that I think that it is noble of him to give this another go. Some of these ladies are WIERDOS, namely, Madison a.k.a. Vampire Girl.

She is really pretty, but come on, she has fangs for crying out loud! But Brad thinks "it's hot" so he keeps her around. He probably likes Twilight.

There is one girl though that I believe will make it all the way if she decides that she can open up and let him in. Her name is Emily and she is absolutely gorgeous. She looks like Southern Bell Barbie and is sweeter than apple pie!



Watch the video and you can form your own opinions, but she gets my vote! I predict she gets the FINAL ROSE!

~Cass