Currently Taking The Cake;

Hello, Hello!

I hope everyone's been enjoying this week! Here's what's goin' down;

Follow-up Celebrations;

Each year I order a cake that really sets the tone for that age or that has some sort of meaning to me, yet something that's a bit humorous. This is even easier because I work in a bakery. For our birthdays, our gift is a cake on the casa. Keeping in theme, I had to go with a Bloody Mary/NOLA theme, because how was I to resist? It was between this or a dachshund eating a hot dog and the Bloody Mary (with the pizza garnish) kind of took the cake on this one. I ordered this to share with my parents last weekend. Needless to say, they were amused.

The Jams;

Now this will be my third time in a row mentioning Flume, but I simply just cannot help it. This album has different ways of hitting me and I fall for certain songs at particular times (I mean, isn't that sort of always how it goes?). Right now it's all about 'What You Need'. This song hit me full force on my walk home the other day and it's made it's way into my daily rotation of listening. It makes me even that much more exciting for my "gymnastics ribbon" to get here so I can crank some serious waves and grooves to this tune (yeah, I ordered one and yeah, Siri calls me Missus President.)

Oh, The Lumineers, they've done it again. They've released yet another song that sort of wrecks me. When I heard they were back with a new album, I said "Huh, Why haven't I ever really gotten into them?" and then I remembered that I dig their music, but it's a bit too cathartic for me, in the same way that Bon Iver is. I find when that happens, I avoid it more than choosing to embrace it. 'Stubborn Love' has me crying by the second verse and I couldn't even tell you why. That's happened the first time I ever heard it and has happened ever since. There are no associations, no memories that flood back, just raw emotion. The problem is, I really love the song, I just avoid it because of the reasons previously mentioned. When WXRT announced that they'd be playing their latest single, 'Ophelia' from their latest album Cleopatra, I was a bit nervous. Yes, I was actually nervous. (SIDENOTE: 'Ophelia' by Natalie Merchant is one of my all-time favorite songs) I liked it right away, but it was drenched in that emotional tone that gets me every time. I'm definitely looking to see what else this album churns out, but will not be attending their show when they roll through. Although, I would pay a pretty penny just to hear 'Ophelia' played live.

Fitz and The Tantrums are back with a new single, 'HandClap' that is not on their usual wavelength but one that works well for them. Normally, this is not a sound I would go for, as it has that ultra-pop vibe to it, but the first time I heard it, it was a Friday night (the day it dropped), I was just about to get out of work, and I had dancing on the brain; the right state of mind to hear this song. It made me feel something, and therefore, it wins me over. However, I do hope they have some songs on this album that ring true to their classic sound. Sometimes, there is no room for the old sound on a new album. I absolutely loved this band when they came around on their debut, Pickin' Up The Pieces and still think that those songs are incredibly solid and some of their best. I have a feeling there are good things to look forward to with this upcoming release.

Wolf Alice isn't new to the game, however, like Flume, and a million and one other artists and songs, music hits me at certain times. When it drops isn't necessarily the important factor here, it's when it makes you feel something is when you bring that song into your life as something more permanent. A memory stake in the music game. Thier single, 'Bros' dropped in 2013 for their EP Blush, however, was reworked for their debut album, My Love Is Cool. I love this song, and I think the music video does well for this. So many people miss the mark on their videos, making me regret watching them. However, it works well for the visual. Definitely a great tune for a long walk and a sunny day. I am guilty of not hearing this entire album yet, but no worries, it's on the to-do list and I'm sure there will be more songs to fall in love with.

Throwback

Another one in the daily rotation? TURN IT UP. It's 'Heated Heavy' by Krayzie Bone. This song hits me so well - I heard it the other day and it was a glorious refresher. 

#Cookies;

So this is a thing. These are on sale at my bakery that I work at. Yes, I decorated them. I really couldn't resist. What else would I do with the chick cookies after Easter time? You can most often find me saying #blessed after nothing at all significant and is a running joke at work (and among 1/3 of the world). Will people get it? I don't know. This one was for me (for all of us, really). It's like the time I Bowie-d everything; PURE SATISFACTION. If you've read this blog for awhile, you all know how much cookie decorating means to me. I am so jazzed that I get to decorate them once a week. It is a marvelous way to get out my creative side whilst getting paid. That's the real glory. #Blessed

The day after his death. Everything was going to get Aladdin Sane-d.

 

As usual, I've got more up my sleeve, but that's for next time. Have a great weekend, kids! TG

Twenty Four, Florence, Cocktails, and all the in-betweens.

So last post, I decided to skip over the twenty four talk and instead dove head first into my love for Lana Del Rey. Here I am, making up for just that. Here's the lowdown cats;

So I turned twenty four on March 22. This was a fabulous day; not only was I turning even numerically, but it was 80º in Chicago...IN MARCH. Not only was it warm as hell, it was SUNNY. I spent the whole day with people I loved and everything had gone exactly how I had imagined in my head, BUT BETTER. The shopping during the day and the fantastic cocktails we polished off at Sepia, strolling through the city with that buzz given to us by Josh Pearson. I knew this was a fabulous sign and something I could bank on. I knew this year was going to be amazing. I really just started this year off with a different mindset. Don't get me wrong, my Golden year, 22, was a year to remember, but there is something different about this. Of course, the lingering obviousness is that I am older and in a whole new place in my life. I have taken a step back from a lot of things, I have realized A LOT, and I am ready to start making shit happen for myself. You know that feeling? When you just start like...owning it? I'm still working on it, but damn. Here are some pictures from the evening.

Those drinks were absolutely scrumptious. I have had the Sepia Mule a handful of times, but was dying to come back and try the French 75 or the Boston Martha. So glad that I was able to guzzle down the former this time.  The potroast fries? YES PLEASE! I have been here a handful of times and have never seen these or ordered these before. That makes me think I was having huge lapses of brain function every other time I've pranced into the place and ordered. We were sat in my favourite room at Grand Lux. It was an amazing night in the city.

Things have just been going really well this year. My attitude towards life is just different. There are things that dragged me down so hard when I was 23, that I've let go of in the beautiful age of 24. Florence made 23 worth getting through, but this just seems to present more opportunity. My living situation is much more stable and that has contributed to a good deal of my feelings of contentment.

A delicious highlight of this age is that I saw Florence + The Machine last weekend for the fourth time. Of course, it was mind-blowing, there are no other words to describe it. Unreal. There is no doubt that it is like a religious experience, I give my mind, my body, and my soul to Florence + The Machine and it's a beautiful thing. I was close, but not close enough. I am just so relieved they got my cookies this time as well. This time, I actually had more time to conjure up ideas because I've been thinking about it ever since I did them last time and what I could do the next time the opportunity arose. Originally I was going to keep it a Chicago thing, but I couldn't even fathom going to this show without sending them cookies. We waited in line for 9+ hours in the cold Milwaukee rain, of course, intervals of time were spent in a car, the McDonalds bathroom, and various shops to accommodate our needs. Knowing that Florence and her machines were buzzing around that venue/area pulled my emotions 5 different ways. It is forever unfortunate knowing that we could have had the chance to meet them if we would have just chosen to be that much more creepy (in a good way, I suppose). A slew of people met them before and after the show. It's actually gut wrenching knowing that I didn't have a chance to tell them how awesome they are in person versus in writing. I'm just thankful they saw my cards/packages and that the show was so beyond. When it comes down to it, nothing will ever be like that December 4th show. That was just tops. No other show I will ever go to will top that night. 99.4% of the things that happen in my life won't be as rad as Dec. 4, but you get the idea. So I will be off to see Florence + The Machine as the name appears on the bill for Lollapalooza.

The amazing Florence + The Machine in Milwaukee.The Rave/Eagles Ballroom 4.29.12

I thrifted my dress a few weeks before the show and knew I had to wear it to one of her shows at some point. I L O V E D her cape. I also got raised up for 'Rabbit Heart' and that was a huge highlight, not for the people behind me, I'm sure. I was a phenomenal show.

 

these are cookies that I did for the band this time around. I did Isa playing the piano in her pterodactyl costume. It was a joke tweet she sent to Florence when they were going to perform on X Factor, which is where I originally got the idea. The Flag of England is obviously the backdrop. A friend of mine had gone to London and actually taken a picture of his suit, so I had a picture of what he looked like. She's born on Halloween, so I always add a pumpkin in hers. Tom's has his new moth tattoo on his with a DJ Shadow song, one of my favourites and it's an artist he admires. Of course I had to add the mini harp. Florence got two cookies; a 'Breath of Life' Cookie which I believe came out the night before I decorated them and then of course another 'Spectrum' cookie.  Then there are some preliminary sketches I did the night before.

Overall things are solid. Big changes, but  g o o d  changes. But seriously before I do anymore brainstorming, this must be watched/listened to. Marc Alghini, a DJ over at WXRT told me about this band and I am so fucking revved about their music. The video to this song is also super solid. Hopefully you dig it too;

But again, I'm okay with things. That's saying a lot. Sometimes I feel like I'm accomplishing a lot, but then I realize that it's all things I accomplish within my head and not things that are laid out. So I'm problem solving and thinking through, I just don't have a lot to show for it...yet. YET. I'm on the brink of change and it feels extremely sexy. I don't even feel that's an odd word to describe the situation. It IS sexy. Damn. I'm makin' changes and feeling pretty good about it. Pretty, pretty pretty good!

::INSERT UNICORN HORN HERE::

  

best yumz ever / cookie I decorated.

 

Hoping for a good week which may or may not be easily achieved based on work. Mother's Day is on Sunday, making this upcoming week absolutely bonkers when we are understaffed in the first place. Oh well, at least it is a good week to rack up some hours. A lot to look forward to in the upcoming months, anxious to see how it all rolls out.

Currently there is a seriously sexy thunderstorm rolling through and I'm so revved that it's been a noisy and bright day in the sky on and off. It was so dashing to wake up to. I hope it continues to roll through the night. xx

who needs a title!

So...it's been awhile.

I'm sorry, that was the most I could come up with for my intro. A lot has gone on, while at the same time it feels as if nothing has gone on. I'm back at my parents house which is an adjustment. Which is odd, because I was only away from living within this establishment for almost two years time, which is not that significant. It's also weird to think of yourself as needing to adjust into a house in which you grew up in, but the things you grow accustomed to doing outside of your parents roof is hard to adjust out of once you get back living there. Nothing bad, per say, but just small habits you found yourself doing that may not have gone over so hot while rooming with your rents.

Although, I have to say that 2012 is going rather well. I seem to have melted into a stable environment and I can't say anything bad about that. I find myself riding along rather complacently down the old streets and it almost feels like I never left. So this whole jumble of "re-adjustment" and "feeling right at home" are merging, but the end result isn't so bad.

I've created my room to my hearts content and find myself happily in one of the largest bedrooms of the household. My counterpart has come over and "hooked" up my room with all the proper electronics I require (I know, I hate myself for it too) and now I feel pretty good in my own little space. I now find my time spent much differently. I've been a crocheting fool as well as spending time delving into my old tunes on my iPod I found while packing up the other house. My little nook is rather eclectic and I wouldn't have it any other way.

My friend mentioned that this whole 'Parents for roommates' situation is kind of like a re-set button on me figuring out my life. Mostly because I sort of feel like I'm in high school again without all the silly rules. My parents are doing what they can to make the adjustment easy...or something. It's the biggest drag in the world trying to conjure up a plan for yourself. Okay, I guess it's not "the biggest drag" but sometimes it seems pretty damn awful. There are a billion things I want to do. Settling on a few routes seems horrid. I want to perform or promote the hell out of something I believe it. Most importantly, I need to C R E A T E. It is vital to my existence. I need to keep getting inspired to the bone. Needless to say, I am enjoying being 10 minutes away from friends and a glorious 15 minute drive away from work. That gives me adequate time to sing about four Florence songs, or maybe just the same one four times over?

Here are some pictures to sum up my life that has occurred over the past few weeks:

Yep. I look like a Brooks Brothers wife.

I have dyed my hair red. It was time for a change.

If I'm making adjustments, it's likely my hair is going to have to do the same thing.

I actually really like it, yet was terrified because red is the only colour I have not done myself.

I am no stranger to box dye and typically have fabulous luck with it, but I wasn't sure how this would go.

Needless to say, I hope I will stay red for awhile, the best part is that I still feel like myself.

When I've had black/brunette hair in the past... I just feel odd.

I also feel like this hair colour requires a whole different look. Everything needs a collar.

I got a custom order to do a voodoo doll on a cookie.

I was so amped because I love doing weird shit like this on cookies!

Recent cookies I did, cupcake cookies. Gets me every time.

I took a sushi class at Sur La Table with one of my best friends, Meredith.

Her mom had gotten her the class for Christmas and had paid for a friend to take the class.

We ended up eating a making a ton more than I anticipated.

The rolls we made were: California, Spicy Tuna, Rainbow (shown above), and a handroll using Eel which is featured below. Everything was absolutely delicious.

 

I just made this hat the other day.

Crocheting has been a big part of my life lately, especially because I found a goldmine of my old yarn within my parents house. It's rather exhilarating.

In the past few weeks I've gone ahead and decided to open up a little Etsy shoppe

www.etsy.com/shop/tessacrocheted

Seriously. A crocheting fool is who I be!!

 

Let's just say I was way into this outfit in recent days.

I literally think everything in this outfit is thirfted minus the boots and socks.

I love the sweater, but the skirt is the real gem. I thrifted it brand new for $12 and it was $150.00 initially.

I scored this Pendleton coat in the Portland Goodwill.

When I tried it on, about 5 people came up to me and told me I must purchase it.

So I paid $50 for the originally marked $300 brand new coat and walked out revved.

This was when I initially got it and couldn't even wait to be pictured downtown wearing it...

I know. whataloser.

Sometimes I feel like my pictures sum it up best versus me trying to come up with words to describe the past month. Hopefully I can keep up with this sucker. I hope you guys have been keeping it as real!

Floral Overload: Christopher Kane & Cookies.

Christopher Kane Spring [collection] 2012

 

 

 

  

For whatever reason today I'm feeling florals and felt like digging (going through my phone) for pictures of past flower cookies I've decorated. I love this overcast that is hanging over the south burbs right now. Gloomy days always leaves me feeling pretty complacent.

I guess all these making all these felt roses got me in this whimsical floral mood, it makes sense.

I finished this wreath last night. I wanted to do more of a Halloween theme, but this can stay up longer.

I hope to get into some more crafty business today.

[EDIT]

My inspiration took over my outfit as well; worthy of posting.

shirt: bought on sale at Target

tights: purchased at some funky shop in Chicago

shorts: Kohl's ::sheepish::

jacket: thrifted