Life Changes

Whatch out, folks!  Lot's of life changes going on around here.  Well, namely just two.

1.  I quit smoking!  I've smoked cigarettes on and off for about 10 years or so.  There were periods where I would smoke a ton (college) and others where I would just smoke when I drank.  Anyway, I went to a show at Eli's BBQ on Nov. 19 and a jug of moonshine was being passed around.  I took a big slug and was never the same.  I woke up the next morning and decided then and there to quit.  And I did.

2.  I bought a house!  Crazy.  I am deciding to down play the whole situation by saying that I'm moving just 4 blocks from where I live now.  I am tripling the amount of space I have and my rent is going up a bit.  But I'll own it!  I keep having moments of excitement and others of terror. 

- I am most looking forward to HAVING PARTIES!  I can't have many folks over my current 700 sq. ft. apartment so I've been anxious to have a place where I can entertain. 
- I'm probably the most nervous trying to think about how in the hell I'll fill all the space!
- I am mostly lamenting the loss of my current apartment.  I love it and it will be strange to leave.  But it's time to move on.

720 Washington.  My new abode.

Wanderlusty

Oh the anguish with thinking up a clever blog title!  I've changed mine a few times but I think I am sticking with this.

Wanderlusty Rose.

Rose was my Mom's Mom's name(who I never got to meet) and my middle namesake.  And for some reason I just stumbled upon the word wonderlusty today and it seems fitting.

Grandpa Edward and Grandma Rose circa 1953

The Southgate House

One of the reasons I love living in Newport is because of the Southgate House.  It's one of the best places to see live music and I can walk there.
The venue closed it's doors January 1, 2012 and reopened a few months later with new Management as the Thompson House.  Apparently there was some family drama.  I have yet to go since it's changed but here are some of my highlights when it was the Southgate House:

• Newbees recording their live CD with the Turkeys on the Eve before Thanksgiving
• Rivertown Breakdown
• Rusted Root
• Toubab Krewe
• Tillers, Seedy Seeds and Newbees 3 day binge the week they were closing
• SO MANY MORE!

Former Southgate House... now it's the Thompson House

Southgate House Revival

Now, after nearly a year of waiting the Southgate House opened up in some new digs and it happens to be closer than the old location!  It's grand.  I love it.  I've already been to a handful of shows and can't wait for more.  My only problem is deciding if I should call it the Revival or the Southgate House or the Southgate House Revival. 

• Hot Buttered Rum
• Hickory Robot

• Tillers CD Release (for the CD they recorded during the last week the old location was open)
• James McMurtry

Now, on the eve before Thanksgiving the Newbees will be playing a CD release party with the Turkeys. Full circle, my friends. 

Halloween

Halloween is my favorite holiday.  I like to spend the entire month of October celebrating by watching horror flicks and I think about my costume throughout the entire year.

Costumes
2011 - Black Swan
2010 - 3 Blind Mice
2009 - Alex DeLarge
2008 - Mia Wallace
2007 - Witch
2006 - Beer Garden Girl
2005 - Minnie Mouse
2004 - Ms. Pac Man
2003 - Lady Bug

I think that's about right.  Hard to remember but that list doesn't include some quick costumes like a hippie, red riding hood, etc.

So, for this Halloween I helped my friend, Mike, plan a big Halloween Party for my friend (his girlfriend) Abbey's 30 birthday!  Best party of the year!

The invitations I made.

California Mountain Snake aka Elle Driver.

The spread.

My first liquor ice luge experience.

Beetlejuice and Lydia.  Birthday girl!

Best Weekend Ever?

Thursday
Mel came to town!  I love that lady.  She's in Chicago doing her residency in Neurosurgery (no big deal) and I got to spend lots of quality time with her!  We went to see Keller Williams at the 20th Century Theater.  Fantastic!  The best part was set break.  My friend Jen and I met Keller!!!!  We happened to be out back when he came out the back door.  We chatted a bit, played it real cool...

Friday
Keeneland.  Mel and I met up with some friends around 1 at the track.  Super fun, but a cold and rainy day so we stayed indoors.
We left Keeneland, hit up Pazzos for old time's sake and then went to another friend's house to meet up with Carly!!  Carly, Mel and I left to grab dinner together at Grey Goose in Lexington and had a lovely time.  Love. Those. Girls.

Carly, Mel and I

We even drove around and visited the old house were we lived for a year and then by the apartment building that I lived in my Junior and Senior year that is no a completely empty lot!

Rose Lane no more!  Sad vacant lot.

468 Park in Lexington.  Memories...

I didn't get back until rather late that night so I stayed in and finally watched True Romance which has been on my "to watch" list for a long, long time.


Saturday
Katie's bachelorette party!  We met up at OKBB (Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar) then had dinner at Brewriver Gastropub then went to Japps to dance.  Wooo!

Bride to be is in the middle.

Sunday
BENGALS vs. STEELERS

Bengals vs. Steelers - October 21, 2012

I took Justin to the game with me and had an awesome time. I got to see a lot of friends for tailgating and I even shotgunned almost an entire tall boy!  I used to be quite the beer chugger in college so it was funny to show everyone that I still got it.  The Bengals lost but it was a night game against a big rival so it was so fun.

Whew!  I am worn out but it was worth it.

Tying Knots

I've mentioned it before but I'll mention it again.  Damn!  I've had a lot of weddings to attend this year.

Anne & Andy
Brittany & Gregg
Brad & Kelly
Maggie's Sister's wedding - technically I was a last minute invite but I couldn't pass up the open bar :)
Mara & Brian
Molly (my sister!) & Ryan
Simon & Molly
Dave & Patti
Katie & Lyle

Last weekend it was Simon and Molly's.  Initially, the wedding was supposed to be outdoors and everyone would camp afterwards.  The whether forecast was calling for cold and rainy temps so at the last minute they were able to pull together a venue downtown Cincinnati and it was beautiful!  Good food, too.  Gotta love City Barbeque catering!

Simon, Molly and their adorable daughter Emmy Lou!

One of the best parts about this wedding was seeing the Prall crew together again.  These 5 boys lived together at UK for about 4 years.  Initially on Prall, and then on Grosvenor.  Clay lives in Tahoe now and Chase is always on the move so it's rare when they are all together.  So many memories with these boys...

Clay, Erik, Chase, Johnny, Tyler

This weekend was Dave and Patti's wedding!  Most definitely the hip hippiest wedding yet!  Love these two. 

Patti and Dave.  

Me and Sara

Clay and Dave

Clay has been in town for about a month so he could make it to all these weddings and it's been too fun.  He's the craziest person I know and I love love love when he comes to town!  He just turned 29 at Dave's wedding which means we've been buds for about 10 years now.  Dang.  Captain Motorboat.

MPMF

This past weekend I attended Midpoint Music Festival in Cincinnati.  This was my third year going and it's easily one of my favorite weekends of the year.

2010 Highlight - Seeing the Tom Tom Club at Grammer's.
2011 Highlight - Scoring free VIP passes through work!  Dancing with Bootsy Collins at a pre-party. Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three.  Two Man Gentleman Band with the Brothers G.

2012 Highlight - Ending the three day event dancing at Japps.

There are tons of bands that played and here is a list of what I can remember seeing.

Thursday
Here we go Magic
Andrew Bird
The Brown James
Two Man Gentleman Band
Billy Two Shoes
Lord Huron

Friday
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Grizzly Bear
Could Nothings
Cin City Burlesque
Dinosaur Jr.
Kansas Bible Company

Saturday
Swear and Shake
The Damn Choir
The Walkmen
The Woods
Holy Ghost Tent Revival
Dirty Bourbon River Show

I know I saw some more whether we popped in for a song or two or caught a band performing on the street before their gig. Either way it was a hell of a weekend in Cincinnati.

Wedding Weekend

I'm 27 so naturally, I've been going to a ton of weddings lately.  I was in two (my sister's and Mara's) this year and probably had about another 8-10 that I was invited to. 

Tonight I am looking forward to my friend, Brittany Pauly's wedding!  When I was a sophomore in college there were 6 of us girls that lived on Park in Lexington.  We had a great year there and I love all the girls so much.  So much has changed since then... but that's life.

This picture was taken in 2008 or 09 at Mara's birthday I believe.  I am really hoping for an updated one tonight!

Laura, Bridget, Mel
Carly, Mara, Brittany

I will say, it was kind of painful looking through some old pictures trying to find one of just the six of us.  I was having a lot of "what the hell was I wearing" moments.  ::shiver::

I picked Carly and her boy up from Dayton airport last night and the drive was horrendous.  Penny sized hail!  Torrential downpour!  But I made it up and back safe and sound.  As a thank you Carly gave me a new cookbook!  Such a good gift-giver that one.

I love to bake.  I'm probably the only single girl for miles that has my own Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer so you know I mean business.  Very much looking forward to trying these recipes! 

I'll Tumble for you

I've never really understood tumblr.  I mean, I know that it's a microblogging platform... Tumblr is what happened when blogs and Twitter had a baby?  Nevertheless, there is some funny shit on there.

#myfriendsaremarried
Good grief this is funny.  I wouldn't say all my friends are married yet but I am most definitely one of the few single ones so I can relate so much that it's scary.  They are all so funny I can't pick a favorite. 

Old People Writing on a Restaurant's Facebook Page
Self explanatory. Gives me the giggles.

My favorite is the personification of Benihana.  It's too good!

Any other funny Tumblrs?  Please share!

What I'm Loving Lately

This post is inspired by my friend twin :)

Here are some things that I'm loving lately...

Nordstrom!
I am completely and totally in love with Nordstrom.  My friend is a personal stylist there and now I can't go shopping with out her.  She helps me find the best stuff and really knows what looks good on me.  She doesn't cost a thing, she just makes commission so it seems like such a luxury! I was there this weekend so of course my new purchases are a few things I'm loving.

Frye Boots

You are looking at my entire Christmas right there, folks.  Initially my mom tried these on and I knew I needed them.  I have actually never heard of this brand before but apparently they are a big deal.  I am so excited to have these boots for years to come and can't wait to start wearing them!  Merry Christmas to me... thanks mom!

Free People shirt  
This was definitely my biggest splurge but I love all things blue and have been eyeing this for a while.  I will pair it with tights and my new boots, of course.

Chambray Shirt Dress

Okay, so... chambray?  Denim?  I'm not quite sure what the difference is but I dig it.  I wore this dress out last night with a little belt and got a ton of compliments!

V's Secret Fabulous Pushup

So I needed a new bra and Victoria's Secret always treats me right.  The problem I have is that the push-up style I favor isn't always offered in my size.  I found this bra today and love it.  A pushup is a single girls best friend.  Am I right?

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer!

Here are four things I did this weekend:

1.  Lots of cooking!  This is in the oven right now and this is on the menu for dinner this evening.
 
2.  I am obsessed with these Charley Harper puzzles and am working on this one today.  Though, it will take me more than a day to finish!  I've completed this one and have this one to do next.  I'm a little old lady at heart.

3.  I went to Findlay Market on Saturday and had lunch at Pho Lang Thang and dessert at Taste of Belgium.  The sandwich I had at Pho was delicious and reminded me of something I ate when I was in Charelston.

Bánh Mì Chay (Vegetarian)
Fried tofu served on our French baguette with garlic butter mayo,đò chua*, cucumber,jalapeños and cilantro.


4.  Some wiggin' out on Sunday at Sara's. 

Leyla

Today is my friend, Leyla's, birthday!!
Last night we did a bit of celebrating that went like this:
1. Met up with Amy and Kelly for a drink at Sidebar.
2. Rookwood Pottery for appetizers and drinks.
3. Celestial for a quick shot.
4. Nada for dinner.
5. Village Pub.

Leyla is a newer friend of mine and I love it! She's been a good influence and addition to my life. She also helps me dress better!  She's a personal stylist at Nordstrom and is the best at picking out clothes.  So nice but a little dangerous.

Amy, Leyla and Kelly

Leyla and I

Birthday girl!

Swinging at Rookwood.

Charleston

I just got back from visiting my friend, Carly who lives in Charelston, SC.
It was so much fun spending time with her and her boyfriend, Adam. She's one of my nearest and dearest so a visit to the low country was sorely overdue. 
I even started this blog after years of stalking hers and finally following suit.  Yet another thing we now have in common!  Just adding it to the list...

Proust

Hi, blog readers!  Welcome.  

After much thought, I've decided to start my blog where Vanity Fair ends.  With the Proust Questionnaire.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?  Being on the beach, with a book and a bourbon.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? Calamity Jane.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?  Impatience and jealousy.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? A lack of respect for others.

What is your greatest extravagance?  Dining out.

What is your favorite journey? Going to California.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?  Yo!  Hot Mess. 

What is your greatest regret?  Never studying abroad in college.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?  Books.

When and where were you happiest?  When I’m in the woods, with friends, around a campfire.

Which talent would you most like to have?  Great intelligence accompanied by a great memory.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?  Hiking Rae Lakes Loop and Mowich Lake.

What is your most treasured possession?

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Heartbreak.

Where would you like to live?  Close to the beach.

What is your favorite occupation? If I could read books for a living…

What is your most marked characteristic?  I've heard that I'm laid back more than once.

What is the quality you most like in a man? Honesty.  Manliness.

What do you most value in your friends?  Companionship.

Who are your favorite writers? David Sedaris, Dr. Suess.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Harry Potter.

Who are your heroes in real life? People that work with terminally ill or elderly.

What are your favorite names? Rose.

What is it that you most dislike?  Bigotry and green olives.

How would you like to die?  In my sleep at an old age like everyone else.

What is your motto?  You do you.