Not long ago I read an article on cracked with a similar title. It had suggestions like fry your biscuits for doughnuts and freeze your skittles, but I've been short on cash before and you aren't buying skittles if you are truly broke. Here I have the real scoop on how to use what you have in the kitchen when you can't afford to make a run to the store.
1. Ramen noodle delight...
For about a dollar and a half you can buy 14 packs of ramen noodles, which is an entire weeks worth of food. After they come to a boil and are ready, drain the water..add in a can of mixed veggies at about 60 cents a can, and stir in the flavor packet...instant Chinese! You can also buy a pound of hamburger meat and add in a meat ball or two to your dinner. On pound makes about 10 small meatballs and costs about 2.50. This will get you an entire week of meals for about 13 bucks. Now if that isn't a hack I don't know one! I lived off this meal for about a year with different variations like...beans or maybe a can of tuna or even different sauces.
2. Cheap and I mean cheap bread...
You can go to the dollar tree and get corn meal for a dollar and instant pancake mix for a dollar. Use the pancake mix for flour and you don't need the other ingredients! With the amount you get at the dollar tree you can make about 3 pans..which is a ton of bread. It's great for breakfast with a bit of syrup.
3. Interchangeable ingredients...
Milk, mayo, sour cream, water, heavy cream, butter
If you need one of these ingredients you can usually interchange them or mix them together to get what you need. It all depends on what you're making but I would often add a teaspoon of mayo to Mac and cheese because that was all I had. It actually tasted better! Same for potatoes! Make what you have work..if you are substituting water for milk be sure and add some dairy product or mayo to give weight and texture is the main thing.
4. Sometimes McDonald's is cheaper.....
Seriously it's a buck for a burger. Buying the ingredients costs more.
5. Italian.....
Spaghetti is one of the cheapest dishes you can make and it can feed you for a week off of one pot!
One can of sauce is a dollar
Two boxes of noodles 2 bucks
you can go cheaper and take tomato paste (35cents a can) and add water, but I do not recommend it.
Annndddd...you just ate for a week!
6 Tea.....
The cheapest beverage besides tap water. A gallon costs pennies and if you leave out sugar (waste of money!) it is actually good for you.
7. Soup...
2 onions diced, chopped...whatever
boil them in water and add in canned veggies
a huge pot of this is about 5 bucks and will last about 3 days.
So that is pretty much what I lived on when I was out of work and on average I spent about 15 bucks a week on food. I did gain weight though, eating carbs day in and day out isn't healthy. I don't think my body has recovered two years later, but you can eat and eat well if you know a few...hacks. :) I may add more later, I've forgotten a few of my hacks lately because lucky for me i don't have to eat off of 15 dollars a week anymore but if i had to, I know the tricks.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Nashville Secrets
Here are a few neat things you may not have known about Nashville...
10. The walmart on Nolensville Rd. in Nashville Tn is the only one to offer valet parking. According to the manager it's because the parking lot is built so unusual in order to preserve a creek in the area that many drivers found it hard to navigate, so wal-mart made the decision to offer valet. http://www.wkrn.com/global/story.asp?s=9198121 In Nashville you can also find valet at the majority of nicer grocery stores, gyms, malls and other retail establishments. What can I say, we Nashvillians are a lazy bunch.
9. Almost every musician worth his salt has recorded in Nashville. The list is so extensive it isnt even worth listing. Hell Jack White even has his own lablel down here. Nashville has the best recording studios in the world. Extreme time and care is put into creating perfect acoustics, allowing musicians to sound and preform better. Nashvillians are also a very laid back bunch and don't get overly excited when we see even the most famous of celebrities. No worry of paparazzi down here!!!
8. Speaking of paparazzi, many movie stars are moving down south too! We have tons of film stars that are slowly making nashville their home.Maybe it is due to our lack of a state income tax or our laissez-fair attitude toward celebrity. When you have actual debutantes who's family linage goes back pre-civil war..well down here-that trumps movie star any day. However if you are the kind to go "star gazing", here are a few places to hit while in town: Larry's off Murfreesboro Pike, the Bungnut Pig, Princes Chicken, Puckett's Grocery, Sambucko's , and anything in the trendy (but not to trendy) mid-town area.
7. Tennessee is known as the Athens of the south and we have the exact replica of the Parthenon in Nashville to prove it. The nickname is due to the amazing amount of colleges and universities we have!. The list is pretty long so I'm just going to let Wikipedia list them for me....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_colleges_and_universities_in_Tennessee
6. Jazz fan, well Nashville has quite the jazz history. Jefferson Street saw a jazz, blues and R&B music heyday during the 1940s through the 1960s. Greats like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, Etta James and more played in numerous local clubs, such as The New Era Club, Del Morocco and Club Baron.
5. Vinyl Lovers Unite!!! United Record Pressing, a vinyl pressing plant in downtown Nashville, is one of only four remaining vinyl manufacturers in the nation. Operating since 1949, United has pressed millions of records.
4. Tennessee Whiskey has a really long tradition in Nashville! During prohibition in the 1930s, many of the local printers established boot-legging in their basements located in downtown’s Printers Alley. When alcohol was legal once again, the bars simply remained there — and are still operational today.
3. We were music city before the recording studios... The Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson, boasts a driveway in the shape of a guitar. Legend says that the driveway was so shaped to please his daughter-in- law Emily. Nashvillians like to think it was a sign of good things to come ;)
2. Nashville native William Walker was the only American to become the president of another country. He became president of Nicaragua in 1856 and attempted to unite all of Central America into one country.
1. Nashvillians pride themselves on being..well Nashvillians. We talk about it all of the time. Statements of distaste and jokes are often made about Nashville imports. I'm a west Tennessean and I'll never quite be part of the "true Nashville crowd" and you can for-get-it if you are farther west than Memphis or more east than Chattanooga!
For your entertainment:
You are so Nashville if:
http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/24th-annual-you-are-so-nashville-if/Content?oid=3464114
Shit people from Nashville don't say...
http://youtu.be/L5fST0RsLZQ
Dirty desperate to be seen hipsters!!!
http://youtu.be/RQ6t83f8ay0
Why I'm secretly, apparently a gay southern man...who knew?
http://youtu.be/EuWgqRcEmcE
10. The walmart on Nolensville Rd. in Nashville Tn is the only one to offer valet parking. According to the manager it's because the parking lot is built so unusual in order to preserve a creek in the area that many drivers found it hard to navigate, so wal-mart made the decision to offer valet. http://www.wkrn.com/global/story.asp?s=9198121 In Nashville you can also find valet at the majority of nicer grocery stores, gyms, malls and other retail establishments. What can I say, we Nashvillians are a lazy bunch.
9. Almost every musician worth his salt has recorded in Nashville. The list is so extensive it isnt even worth listing. Hell Jack White even has his own lablel down here. Nashville has the best recording studios in the world. Extreme time and care is put into creating perfect acoustics, allowing musicians to sound and preform better. Nashvillians are also a very laid back bunch and don't get overly excited when we see even the most famous of celebrities. No worry of paparazzi down here!!!
8. Speaking of paparazzi, many movie stars are moving down south too! We have tons of film stars that are slowly making nashville their home.Maybe it is due to our lack of a state income tax or our laissez-fair attitude toward celebrity. When you have actual debutantes who's family linage goes back pre-civil war..well down here-that trumps movie star any day. However if you are the kind to go "star gazing", here are a few places to hit while in town: Larry's off Murfreesboro Pike, the Bungnut Pig, Princes Chicken, Puckett's Grocery, Sambucko's , and anything in the trendy (but not to trendy) mid-town area.
7. Tennessee is known as the Athens of the south and we have the exact replica of the Parthenon in Nashville to prove it. The nickname is due to the amazing amount of colleges and universities we have!. The list is pretty long so I'm just going to let Wikipedia list them for me....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_colleges_and_universities_in_Tennessee
6. Jazz fan, well Nashville has quite the jazz history. Jefferson Street saw a jazz, blues and R&B music heyday during the 1940s through the 1960s. Greats like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, Etta James and more played in numerous local clubs, such as The New Era Club, Del Morocco and Club Baron.
5. Vinyl Lovers Unite!!! United Record Pressing, a vinyl pressing plant in downtown Nashville, is one of only four remaining vinyl manufacturers in the nation. Operating since 1949, United has pressed millions of records.
4. Tennessee Whiskey has a really long tradition in Nashville! During prohibition in the 1930s, many of the local printers established boot-legging in their basements located in downtown’s Printers Alley. When alcohol was legal once again, the bars simply remained there — and are still operational today.
3. We were music city before the recording studios... The Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson, boasts a driveway in the shape of a guitar. Legend says that the driveway was so shaped to please his daughter-in- law Emily. Nashvillians like to think it was a sign of good things to come ;)
2. Nashville native William Walker was the only American to become the president of another country. He became president of Nicaragua in 1856 and attempted to unite all of Central America into one country.
1. Nashvillians pride themselves on being..well Nashvillians. We talk about it all of the time. Statements of distaste and jokes are often made about Nashville imports. I'm a west Tennessean and I'll never quite be part of the "true Nashville crowd" and you can for-get-it if you are farther west than Memphis or more east than Chattanooga!
For your entertainment:
You are so Nashville if:
http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/24th-annual-you-are-so-nashville-if/Content?oid=3464114
Shit people from Nashville don't say...
http://youtu.be/L5fST0RsLZQ
Dirty desperate to be seen hipsters!!!
http://youtu.be/RQ6t83f8ay0
Why I'm secretly, apparently a gay southern man...who knew?
http://youtu.be/EuWgqRcEmcE
Friday, November 8, 2013
My Midnight Movie Obsession...or why I wanted to make The Grindhouse Sleepover.
There is NOTHING like a well made/yet horrible/cheesy movie that takes itself way to seriously!! I have so much nostalgia for 80's B-title movies. It seems as if while making low budget movies is becoming easier..the quality is actually going down. You can't find a half way decent indi or b title horror or comedy anymore. I remember being in 7th grade and coming home after a night at the skating rink, eating left over pizza talking to some cute 7th grade guy on the phone and watching Up all night...all night. In fact I can owe The Grindhouse Sleepover to those late nights in front of the TV.
Below you will see my top ten list of what I like to call late night comedies from the 80's.. (you know the ones they edited all the boobs out of on USA!) I specifically stayed away from anything other than comedy (look I'm in way to deep with horror and this would be a top 100 list if it included horror) and I tried to pick ones you probably haven't scene. So, for example, while I love Risky Business I didn't include it because of its popularity. Rhonda Shear and Gilbert Godfred...this is for you!!!
1. The Night Before..
Keanu Reeves is really charming in this as he tries to figure out exactly what happened to his prom date. (He sold her to a pimp named Tito) It has a real night in the life of Jimmey Reardon feel.
http://youtu.be/au162B_kGuQ
2. My Chauffeur...
Pin and teller is in this one first of all. So its worth watching just for that reason. The girl who plays the lead is very funny I think and I love the panty scene! 20,000 points!!! Basically the movie is about a girl who gets a job as a chauffeur. I actually have this one on VHS!
http://youtu.be/IHspAcJG1mQ
3. Zapped-
The dude from Charles in Charge is in it. He gets telekinetic powers and mostly uses it to look at girls naked and cheat at sports from what I remember.
http://youtu.be/f-lLsewsAuk
4.Hunk
A nerdy guy sells his soul and becomes the early 80's version of really hunky. The best part is the banana hammock he wears in the beach scenes and the sleeveless jacket and tie he sports when he goes out. Also-there is massive collar popping.
http://youtu.be/KeRtcKUT0-Y
5. Don't Tell Her Its Me-
Steve guient...(I cant spell his name, you know the guy from police academy) yeah that guy, well he falls in love with this news lady (the chick from Lost Boys) and has his sister (the chick from cheers) make him into a romance novel hero. Cheesy goodness.
http://youtu.be/xfzCHP3Lfvc
6.Just One Of the Girls-
One of the coreys is in this one. He gets beat up daily and dresses as a girl so the guys will stop. Hilarity ensues..or something like that. (I also like just one of the guys...but that really isn't a midnight movie)
http://youtu.be/NInuwVBtcK0
7.Spring Break-
So very, very bad. Nerds go on spring break and the hotel almost gets shut down.
http://youtu.be/bL1Er4-fTkc
8.Getting Lucky-
A high school nerd finds a drunk leprechaun who gives him three wishes.
http://youtu.be/9wSFsNvLA_U
http://youtu.be/3kwnQV5Q3Ao
9. The Wild Life-
From what I remember, its about three guys who go out and party all night.
http://youtu.be/OMCKBotk3p0
10. Making the Grade-
Andrew dice clay in one of his first movies! Judd Nelson is also in it playing pretty much the same guy he did in The Breakfast Club. In it this rich guy hires someone to be him for his senior year of school so he doesn't get cut off and have to get a job.
http://youtu.be/k5W-onIU2RE
So, what's your favorite Up All Night Movies?? http://youtu.be/1hyhYiAzpv0
Now I gotta go watch some bad 80's flicks before bed....good (up all) night!
Below you will see my top ten list of what I like to call late night comedies from the 80's.. (you know the ones they edited all the boobs out of on USA!) I specifically stayed away from anything other than comedy (look I'm in way to deep with horror and this would be a top 100 list if it included horror) and I tried to pick ones you probably haven't scene. So, for example, while I love Risky Business I didn't include it because of its popularity. Rhonda Shear and Gilbert Godfred...this is for you!!!
1. The Night Before..
Keanu Reeves is really charming in this as he tries to figure out exactly what happened to his prom date. (He sold her to a pimp named Tito) It has a real night in the life of Jimmey Reardon feel.
http://youtu.be/au162B_kGuQ
2. My Chauffeur...
Pin and teller is in this one first of all. So its worth watching just for that reason. The girl who plays the lead is very funny I think and I love the panty scene! 20,000 points!!! Basically the movie is about a girl who gets a job as a chauffeur. I actually have this one on VHS!
http://youtu.be/IHspAcJG1mQ
3. Zapped-
The dude from Charles in Charge is in it. He gets telekinetic powers and mostly uses it to look at girls naked and cheat at sports from what I remember.
http://youtu.be/f-lLsewsAuk
4.Hunk
A nerdy guy sells his soul and becomes the early 80's version of really hunky. The best part is the banana hammock he wears in the beach scenes and the sleeveless jacket and tie he sports when he goes out. Also-there is massive collar popping.
http://youtu.be/KeRtcKUT0-Y
5. Don't Tell Her Its Me-
Steve guient...(I cant spell his name, you know the guy from police academy) yeah that guy, well he falls in love with this news lady (the chick from Lost Boys) and has his sister (the chick from cheers) make him into a romance novel hero. Cheesy goodness.
http://youtu.be/xfzCHP3Lfvc
6.Just One Of the Girls-
One of the coreys is in this one. He gets beat up daily and dresses as a girl so the guys will stop. Hilarity ensues..or something like that. (I also like just one of the guys...but that really isn't a midnight movie)
http://youtu.be/NInuwVBtcK0
7.Spring Break-
So very, very bad. Nerds go on spring break and the hotel almost gets shut down.
http://youtu.be/bL1Er4-fTkc
8.Getting Lucky-
A high school nerd finds a drunk leprechaun who gives him three wishes.
http://youtu.be/9wSFsNvLA_U
http://youtu.be/3kwnQV5Q3Ao
9. The Wild Life-
From what I remember, its about three guys who go out and party all night.
http://youtu.be/OMCKBotk3p0
10. Making the Grade-
Andrew dice clay in one of his first movies! Judd Nelson is also in it playing pretty much the same guy he did in The Breakfast Club. In it this rich guy hires someone to be him for his senior year of school so he doesn't get cut off and have to get a job.
http://youtu.be/k5W-onIU2RE
So, what's your favorite Up All Night Movies?? http://youtu.be/1hyhYiAzpv0
Now I gotta go watch some bad 80's flicks before bed....good (up all) night!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Dear Spelling Nazi,
First of all let me take the time to thank you for correcting my quickly typed facebook post or other off hand online post. I realize that I am a horrible speller and you may find this greatly offensive but unfortunately hooked on fonix...phonix ...phoenix...phonics, did not in fact work on me. In addition, the one class I made my lowest score in, ever, was typing. I know it may be quite amazing to you that I actually graduated high school and got myself a degree. In fact amazingly enough I managed to get a top score on the grammar portion of the ACT (that's like the SAT for you yanks).
This is why it is so important for you to take the time out of your, no doubt, very busy day to correct me.... as an educated individual who often posts quickly while multi-tasking, I so need the help of the less industrious to keep me on my toes. I mean, while I do not find such things important, nor do I understand this obsession to correct the spelling and grammar of others...I wouldn't want to cause anyone undue harm from my typographical errors. I know that some people have a disorder when it comes to details like that, and much like someone suffering from Turrets Syndrome, they can not stop themselves from shouting to me (ok typing really hard) that I have misspelled something. I have great pity on them. In fact I will pray to the spelling gods that I learn to be more detail oriented so that these unfortunate individuals may have some peace in their orderly lives.
I do feel it is my duty in this case, however to teach manners to the well spelled but boorish world. Many people feel it is their duty to point out spelling and grammar mistakes they find and quickly bring it to the attention of the writer....
.....and they're wrong. The etiquette for correcting another person's grammar is that you don't, not unless you have been asked by the author or happen to be their editor. That is the general rule when it comes to manners and correcting grammar and spelling. Why is it bad manners you ask? Well, it is because it shows that you are not paying attention to the meaning of what they are saying or writing, only to the way they say it or spell it, which, although important, isn't as important. It also comes across as one up-man ship. As Americans we live in a society where we all interact with one another. Society dictates that we are gracious to everyone we meet and display appropriate banter with all social classes and educational levels as if these classes did not exist. While this is not true in all countries, it is true here. This means one does not ever publicly correct another person for any reason, unless they are in immediate danger. So yes, I guess if someone's spelling or grammar may cause them death or harm, you should intervene. Otherwise it is best to simply ignore the mistake and move on. What about the author not making their meaning known..communicating well and all that jazz. Please don't fool yourself, you most probably knew their meaning and was simply being judgey...or preachy...or whatever. How do I know? Because otherwise you would have asked what they were trying to say and you would not have corrected the author.
In addition, don't be so quick to judge typo's, misspellings, and grammatical errors as someone being unintelligent or uneducated. I have a personally type that gets actually angry at details (and those who care about them)....I am annoyed at the idea of slowing down to type slowly enough to never make a typo and I most certainly do not proof read..uh...anything. I'm pretty sure if it is important I can pay someone, now that I am out of school, to handle that for me if the situation really calls for it. As a fun side note, there are several other people who where impossibly bad spellers, who did quite fine, including Jane Austin, George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie, Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. You can find out more about these horrible spellers here: http://theweek.com/article/index/246092/11-historical-figures-who-were-really-bad-at-spelling
So in closing I must again say thank-you, as it is my duty to do so, for all the work and dedication you-spelling Nazi, put into noticing my voracious appetite for the complete destruction of the English language. Without you to keep me from consistently ruining the internet for everyone, what would the world do.
Kindest Regards,
An Atrocious Speller
P.S. I am sure you can find several typographical errors above you can obsess over...you are WELCOME!
This is why it is so important for you to take the time out of your, no doubt, very busy day to correct me.... as an educated individual who often posts quickly while multi-tasking, I so need the help of the less industrious to keep me on my toes. I mean, while I do not find such things important, nor do I understand this obsession to correct the spelling and grammar of others...I wouldn't want to cause anyone undue harm from my typographical errors. I know that some people have a disorder when it comes to details like that, and much like someone suffering from Turrets Syndrome, they can not stop themselves from shouting to me (ok typing really hard) that I have misspelled something. I have great pity on them. In fact I will pray to the spelling gods that I learn to be more detail oriented so that these unfortunate individuals may have some peace in their orderly lives.
I do feel it is my duty in this case, however to teach manners to the well spelled but boorish world. Many people feel it is their duty to point out spelling and grammar mistakes they find and quickly bring it to the attention of the writer....
.....and they're wrong. The etiquette for correcting another person's grammar is that you don't, not unless you have been asked by the author or happen to be their editor. That is the general rule when it comes to manners and correcting grammar and spelling. Why is it bad manners you ask? Well, it is because it shows that you are not paying attention to the meaning of what they are saying or writing, only to the way they say it or spell it, which, although important, isn't as important. It also comes across as one up-man ship. As Americans we live in a society where we all interact with one another. Society dictates that we are gracious to everyone we meet and display appropriate banter with all social classes and educational levels as if these classes did not exist. While this is not true in all countries, it is true here. This means one does not ever publicly correct another person for any reason, unless they are in immediate danger. So yes, I guess if someone's spelling or grammar may cause them death or harm, you should intervene. Otherwise it is best to simply ignore the mistake and move on. What about the author not making their meaning known..communicating well and all that jazz. Please don't fool yourself, you most probably knew their meaning and was simply being judgey...or preachy...or whatever. How do I know? Because otherwise you would have asked what they were trying to say and you would not have corrected the author.
In addition, don't be so quick to judge typo's, misspellings, and grammatical errors as someone being unintelligent or uneducated. I have a personally type that gets actually angry at details (and those who care about them)....I am annoyed at the idea of slowing down to type slowly enough to never make a typo and I most certainly do not proof read..uh...anything. I'm pretty sure if it is important I can pay someone, now that I am out of school, to handle that for me if the situation really calls for it. As a fun side note, there are several other people who where impossibly bad spellers, who did quite fine, including Jane Austin, George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie, Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. You can find out more about these horrible spellers here: http://theweek.com/article/index/246092/11-historical-figures-who-were-really-bad-at-spelling
So in closing I must again say thank-you, as it is my duty to do so, for all the work and dedication you-spelling Nazi, put into noticing my voracious appetite for the complete destruction of the English language. Without you to keep me from consistently ruining the internet for everyone, what would the world do.
Kindest Regards,
An Atrocious Speller
P.S. I am sure you can find several typographical errors above you can obsess over...you are WELCOME!
Friday, October 4, 2013
How to travel...with style
It has been said that people do not take trips...trips take people. This is about as true of a statement as I have ever heard. I have been on the road 6 weeks in a row. I've been in more cities, from small towns to huge metropolises, than I can even remember. I spend more time on the road than at my house it seems! Over the past two years I have learned just a few things that will make your travels better. Here are a few of my very favorite things I take with me or do to make my life on the road amazing.
1. Dress in layers. My typical travel outfit is a tank top, a shirt, a jacket (and in the winter a coat too). I wear over leggins or jeans or dress pants as the situation demands. I almost never bring a dress on business only trips.
2. Flats. I wear heels when I'm in meetings and warm comfy flats in the car, or on the plane. I also go barefoot-alot. I don't recommend this, it's just my trait.:) However in a professional setting I always have cute flats. Fleece lined slip on boots in the winter and slip on bright sandals in the summer. (and flip flops too)
3. Don’t rush getting on and off the plane. How many times does everyone jump up as the plane gets to the gate — only to wait in line for 30 minutes or more before the door actually opens.
4. When traveling and you have to look great-use a primer (I like the one by hard candy) and a setter (I like the one by urban decay-all nighter). This way your make up stays on longer and doesn't get smeary and you don't look road hard.
5. Think you have enough underwear-pack MORE! I have like 60 pairs of underwear, I never have to double wear on the road! Seriously. I buy them as a habit whenever I see any I like. VS probably thinks I have stock in the company. I almost never have to do laundry. For travel nude is the best color and mesh is the best material. A nude mesh panty is comfortable, doesn't show through clothes, and leaves no panty lines (usually). Seriously though I hardly have to do laundry. Invest in undies or hire a laundress if you are gone often because if you travel often you never have the time. Dudes..ummm I don't know much about your travel underwear needs. :)
6. Dry Shampoo. If you are a blond and haven't had time to get to the salon and those roots are showing a tiny bit, dry shampoo will cover a small amount of root. It can also give you a subtle highlights when sprayed all over, plus it smells very nice. I use Suave.
7. Hair emergency on the road? Know how to put your hair up in a bun fast. It's easy. Just twist your hair, then spin it on the back of your head...in a bun shape. Take a rubber band and fasten around the bun...as you would a pony tail. I keep tons of hair bands and rubber bands around for fashion and hair styling emergencies. (or if I'm just hot.)
8. You will inevitably forget something, either at home or while on your trip. Accept this reality.
9.Gel eye drops.My eyes get super dry when I travel. Just ask any of my friends! So now I always take the gel eye drops. They are great for late night driving, air travel and dry hotels.
10. Those little travel bottles of bath and body works lotions come in handy. You can never moisturize enough!
12. Instead of face lotion try Oil of olay regenerating serum. OH wow does this stuff feel good on your skin! It repairs late night outs, to much sun and to much vodka. I use it all the time at home, and twice a day when I'm on the road.
13. Vitamin B-12. I get B-12 shots twice a month to keep my energy levels up. That's pretty important if you travel alot.
13.Tylenol. When I don't have it I always need it.
14. I buy perfume in travel sizes so I can always stash it in my bags. Plus it's more economical so I can have tons of brands.
15. If you are a girl..and this isn't a vacation....invest in a professional blow out and don't wash your hair until you get home or get them while on the trip 1x a week until you get home. Bring a good hairspray (I like freeze it or catwalk) and brush and spray down in the am. If you are traveling, who has two hours to do your hair everyday. Ok I realize that's just me but even 30 min is crazy in a hotel room. I also use olive oil serum daily too for frizz control..and it also comes in a handy travel size. I bring root spray to give me lift when it starts to look flat.
16. On the go say yes to cucumbers facial towelettes. Wash your face fast and the cucumbers feel refreshing.
17. Get those little disposable toothbrushes with the toothpaste on them already!! I love them. This way I no longer have to pack toothpaste, which always gets everywhere.
18. Mint foot lotion by Berts Bees after a long day in Hells..I mean Heels is amazing.
19. If you are a girl a nice train case for everything to stay neat AND a clear plastic make up pouch for essentials you need before the hotel room. If you are a guy just a large clear plastic toiletry pouch. The clear ones can be hard to find but they are all I will use. I hate looking for things!!
20. When I can (non air travel) I bring a sheet and pillow. I have stayed in some rotten hotels and MANY was the time that I did not want my body touching the hotel bedding. It's a nice thing to have because you never know when you will need it and I have REALLY needed it now and again. Even the nicest hotels may not have comfortable pillows!
21. Magazines. Some people prefer books, but when I travel I just want to look at the pictures. Reading takes to much concentrating while your driveing. I'm joking! I do like to flip through magazines in the hotel though, where as I'm usually to tired for a book.
22. Invest in several pairs of nice aloe infused socks. If your feet hurt you feel much more tired. Take care of them on the road and you will feel so much more energetic.
23. Clover and aloe travel tin candles. It really makes you feel so much more relaxed in your room after a hard day of work.
24. Cheap jewelry. I never wear anything on the road worth more than 10.00. Why risk losing it? In fact don't pack anything you can't stand to lose. This is why I have a cheap phone and cheap tablet.
25. Dab a little antibacterial ointment in your nose to help protect you from the myriad airborne contaminants circulating out there!
26. If you are staying with someone, get them a present. Seriously-learn the art of being gracious.
27. Wherever you are, wherever you are going, bring snacks.
28. when you Do need to wear something dressy or short or whatever bring Sally Henson airbrush legs. I use it all over, even on my face. This stuff is amazing. There is no better beauty product out there. I am not exaggerating. Just try it and see. It will cover whatever needs covering on the road.
29. Dryer sheets make your bags smell awesome while taking up virtually no room.
30. Evian Mineral Water Spray. Traveling dries your skin out, plus it just feels really nice. Great also for after the gym or on a hot day. I always have this stuff with me. I use it almost every day.
31. Use a soft-sided bag. These have some give, so it can be crammed into tight spaces, but a too-big hard case will have to be checked.
32. Wrinkle Releaser!!!!!
33. If I am in a REALLY good mood, I'll bring a few cheap Nashville novelty items and give them away to people I meet. I find it entertaining. do the same from your hometown, people love that kind of thing.
34. Make new friends by buying drinks. No one to talk to?? Buy someone else there alone a drink. Just make sure they know it isn't a come on.
35. Travel Light. Believe it or not I get all this stuff in two carry on bags and one large purse. No way I'm waiting for luggage after a long flight.
I hope everyone finds this helpful! Feel free to give me tips in the comments, I am always traveling so, I need all the help I can get!
1. Dress in layers. My typical travel outfit is a tank top, a shirt, a jacket (and in the winter a coat too). I wear over leggins or jeans or dress pants as the situation demands. I almost never bring a dress on business only trips.
2. Flats. I wear heels when I'm in meetings and warm comfy flats in the car, or on the plane. I also go barefoot-alot. I don't recommend this, it's just my trait.:) However in a professional setting I always have cute flats. Fleece lined slip on boots in the winter and slip on bright sandals in the summer. (and flip flops too)
3. Don’t rush getting on and off the plane. How many times does everyone jump up as the plane gets to the gate — only to wait in line for 30 minutes or more before the door actually opens.
4. When traveling and you have to look great-use a primer (I like the one by hard candy) and a setter (I like the one by urban decay-all nighter). This way your make up stays on longer and doesn't get smeary and you don't look road hard.
5. Think you have enough underwear-pack MORE! I have like 60 pairs of underwear, I never have to double wear on the road! Seriously. I buy them as a habit whenever I see any I like. VS probably thinks I have stock in the company. I almost never have to do laundry. For travel nude is the best color and mesh is the best material. A nude mesh panty is comfortable, doesn't show through clothes, and leaves no panty lines (usually). Seriously though I hardly have to do laundry. Invest in undies or hire a laundress if you are gone often because if you travel often you never have the time. Dudes..ummm I don't know much about your travel underwear needs. :)
6. Dry Shampoo. If you are a blond and haven't had time to get to the salon and those roots are showing a tiny bit, dry shampoo will cover a small amount of root. It can also give you a subtle highlights when sprayed all over, plus it smells very nice. I use Suave.
7. Hair emergency on the road? Know how to put your hair up in a bun fast. It's easy. Just twist your hair, then spin it on the back of your head...in a bun shape. Take a rubber band and fasten around the bun...as you would a pony tail. I keep tons of hair bands and rubber bands around for fashion and hair styling emergencies. (or if I'm just hot.)
8. You will inevitably forget something, either at home or while on your trip. Accept this reality.
9.Gel eye drops.My eyes get super dry when I travel. Just ask any of my friends! So now I always take the gel eye drops. They are great for late night driving, air travel and dry hotels.
10. Those little travel bottles of bath and body works lotions come in handy. You can never moisturize enough!
12. Instead of face lotion try Oil of olay regenerating serum. OH wow does this stuff feel good on your skin! It repairs late night outs, to much sun and to much vodka. I use it all the time at home, and twice a day when I'm on the road.
13. Vitamin B-12. I get B-12 shots twice a month to keep my energy levels up. That's pretty important if you travel alot.
13.Tylenol. When I don't have it I always need it.
14. I buy perfume in travel sizes so I can always stash it in my bags. Plus it's more economical so I can have tons of brands.
15. If you are a girl..and this isn't a vacation....invest in a professional blow out and don't wash your hair until you get home or get them while on the trip 1x a week until you get home. Bring a good hairspray (I like freeze it or catwalk) and brush and spray down in the am. If you are traveling, who has two hours to do your hair everyday. Ok I realize that's just me but even 30 min is crazy in a hotel room. I also use olive oil serum daily too for frizz control..and it also comes in a handy travel size. I bring root spray to give me lift when it starts to look flat.
16. On the go say yes to cucumbers facial towelettes. Wash your face fast and the cucumbers feel refreshing.
17. Get those little disposable toothbrushes with the toothpaste on them already!! I love them. This way I no longer have to pack toothpaste, which always gets everywhere.
18. Mint foot lotion by Berts Bees after a long day in Hells..I mean Heels is amazing.
19. If you are a girl a nice train case for everything to stay neat AND a clear plastic make up pouch for essentials you need before the hotel room. If you are a guy just a large clear plastic toiletry pouch. The clear ones can be hard to find but they are all I will use. I hate looking for things!!
20. When I can (non air travel) I bring a sheet and pillow. I have stayed in some rotten hotels and MANY was the time that I did not want my body touching the hotel bedding. It's a nice thing to have because you never know when you will need it and I have REALLY needed it now and again. Even the nicest hotels may not have comfortable pillows!
21. Magazines. Some people prefer books, but when I travel I just want to look at the pictures. Reading takes to much concentrating while your driveing. I'm joking! I do like to flip through magazines in the hotel though, where as I'm usually to tired for a book.
22. Invest in several pairs of nice aloe infused socks. If your feet hurt you feel much more tired. Take care of them on the road and you will feel so much more energetic.
23. Clover and aloe travel tin candles. It really makes you feel so much more relaxed in your room after a hard day of work.
24. Cheap jewelry. I never wear anything on the road worth more than 10.00. Why risk losing it? In fact don't pack anything you can't stand to lose. This is why I have a cheap phone and cheap tablet.
25. Dab a little antibacterial ointment in your nose to help protect you from the myriad airborne contaminants circulating out there!
26. If you are staying with someone, get them a present. Seriously-learn the art of being gracious.
27. Wherever you are, wherever you are going, bring snacks.
28. when you Do need to wear something dressy or short or whatever bring Sally Henson airbrush legs. I use it all over, even on my face. This stuff is amazing. There is no better beauty product out there. I am not exaggerating. Just try it and see. It will cover whatever needs covering on the road.
29. Dryer sheets make your bags smell awesome while taking up virtually no room.
30. Evian Mineral Water Spray. Traveling dries your skin out, plus it just feels really nice. Great also for after the gym or on a hot day. I always have this stuff with me. I use it almost every day.
31. Use a soft-sided bag. These have some give, so it can be crammed into tight spaces, but a too-big hard case will have to be checked.
32. Wrinkle Releaser!!!!!
33. If I am in a REALLY good mood, I'll bring a few cheap Nashville novelty items and give them away to people I meet. I find it entertaining. do the same from your hometown, people love that kind of thing.
34. Make new friends by buying drinks. No one to talk to?? Buy someone else there alone a drink. Just make sure they know it isn't a come on.
35. Travel Light. Believe it or not I get all this stuff in two carry on bags and one large purse. No way I'm waiting for luggage after a long flight.
I hope everyone finds this helpful! Feel free to give me tips in the comments, I am always traveling so, I need all the help I can get!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
My summer as a an evil blue alien.
I spent the summer as Xolta in the upcoming web series Thong Girl vs. Xolta from Outer Space. I fell into the part...the same way I pretty much fall into everything in my life. I found out about the production from friends who are fans of the Thong Girl series and wanted me to try out for the Xolta role, I wanted to work behind the scenes. After talking to the director and asking about any staff he needed (even offering services free for experience) he talked me into the role..asked me to read the part of Xolta in my best seven of nine voice and I was soon covered in blue paint and playing an ex prostitute turned savior for her planet who accidentally destroys parts of Nashville, TN in her quest to be inseminated and re populate the earth with Xoltaneese. Sounds twisted..yeah it is.
The series makes absolutely no sense at all, so if you're looking for realism-this isn't your kind of show. Basically I beat up some people, Thong Girl repeats lines like wow! and golly gee! over and over, then we team up and fight a meaner alien than me..somehow wind up in space on a space ship-can't get back home and meet some ugly male aliens-who Xolta talks alot about procreating with. (why we can't have an attractive alien man is beyond me-but I digress.) Also Xolta always tries to kiss Thong girl for some rather annoying reason I haven't figured out. My best guess is because Xolta is trying to make thong girl her prison..errr space bitch.
The director had been looking for someone to fill this role for over a year and had even flown to LA and had casting calls there. I only took the role due to the fact I would be covered in blue body paint for the show, it was something I had never done before and I thought wow this is going to be fun. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Umm...at least i can say I did it.
First of all the blue isn't as flattering as I would have thought it would be, and neither are the outfits I ended up wearing. I just look blue...that's pretty much it...natural skin has contouring and color variation...but I'm just blue. You can barly see my facial expressions and I look sort of..blobish in my opinion. The costumes were ordered online and that never works for my body type, which is extremely curvy. There is about a 16 inch difference between my waistline and my hips. 16 INCHES...it's pretty hard to fit me by mail order. I also have a long torso and while not what I would call tall, I am slightly above average height-but I have short legs. I am as far from base sizes as one can get. Medium-ha ha, very funny.
I have three costume changes. A blue sparkly corset thing that does not do me justice...a red bikini get up that was so small that by the time we got it to fit me it just looked-well there really aren't words and..lastly in a couple scenes I'm pretty much just in blue paint. (don't get excited boys my boobs are ducktaped down and covered in latex and blue paint). Side note about the blue body paint scenes..everyone was very fooled and had no idea I had on what was pretty much a ducktape bra. They kept wondering why I didn't feel "exposed" walking around. I was more covered in the ducktape than some bikinis I wear-with the exception of the bottoms..I always opt for a full bottom and this was a thong. I find it humerus they thought they were seeing way more than they were, I was seriously ducktaped down! In all honestly though, the costumes were pretty much a nightmare.
Also the make-up took an average of 3 to 4 hours at 7am. I'm not the nicest person at 7am. I can be a serious bitch at 7am and the bad part is if I have to get up early I never get over that bitchey attitude all day. I am an up at 10am kind of girl. Waking up at 6 to be onset at 7, for months, is WAY beyond my skill set. The poor make-up artist had to listen to me complain every morning during the entire shoot. I really feel bad for her. She has met me outside of shooting (when I am not out late or up early) and told me I was an entirely different person. Look, I just require about 10 hours of sleep daily to function on a social level that is acceptable, or not be a slightly off -character that should be on prozac. I just do. I would be exhausted by the time I wold get on set to film. Filming usually started at about 12:30 and I would just be so sleepy I could barely even pronounce half of the sciency things that had to come out of my mouth. I had to talk so slowly at times to actually be able to pronounce the insanity I had to say that I'm betting it sounds as if my voice has been altered.
After filming for a couple of hours in five inch heels, covered in latex and squished into ill flattering clothing..I'd start to get dizzy and lose my breath. See, you can't sweat in an oil based body paint and latex. If they ran the fans on me I would freeze. It was as if my body forgot how to regulate it's temperature. I also began to bloat just a bit. Yeah-that was fun.
Then I could never get that paint off of me. It is everywhere around the house. On my couch, on my bathroom walls, it clogged up my drain, it is on my car seats, it is all over my clothing. It would take 3 days on average to get off. The best way was to use Hawaiian Tropic oil spray with no spf and let soak in it. Then use paint thinner for any remaining stains on my personage. It would seep into my white blonde hair, so I went ahead and put blue streaks in it around my crown and the nape of my neck to hide the splotches.
While I was paid, I have to say for me to go through all that..blueness again..I'd have to be paid 3x's what I was paid. See, this was the first time I had done a series. It's very different than a movie. You film day, after day, after day...instead of knocking it out in a few weeks. The physical level..especially in a series like this one..is really high. I have new respect for people on tv now! I ended up quitting my job because I didn't have enough time for all of my filming projects-I am also starting to understand why actors are paid what they are. I totally didn't get that before I started working on this show. There really isn't anyway an actor can do some of the crazy things required of them and then hold a regular nine to five job. I mean, in addition to all the make up I had fight and dance choreography I had to learn! Hell I personally can't stay awake that many hours in a day to actually leave a set and then do anything other than sleep! Plus, I couldn't be taken seriously talking with businesses still drenched in left over blue paint from the day before.
The best part I have to say was filming with Jim O'Rear. I'm only on set with him once actually but it's really great to work with an actor you can play off of. Jim was funny and I think our brief scenes together make the series. Jim is natural on camera and it brings my inner cheese ball to the next level to act against him! I haven't actually seen anything from the series yet, but I'm curious to see how it is going to look all edited together! All in all I learned quite a bit from this small production-things that will take my skills to the next level.
The series makes absolutely no sense at all, so if you're looking for realism-this isn't your kind of show. Basically I beat up some people, Thong Girl repeats lines like wow! and golly gee! over and over, then we team up and fight a meaner alien than me..somehow wind up in space on a space ship-can't get back home and meet some ugly male aliens-who Xolta talks alot about procreating with. (why we can't have an attractive alien man is beyond me-but I digress.) Also Xolta always tries to kiss Thong girl for some rather annoying reason I haven't figured out. My best guess is because Xolta is trying to make thong girl her prison..errr space bitch.
The director had been looking for someone to fill this role for over a year and had even flown to LA and had casting calls there. I only took the role due to the fact I would be covered in blue body paint for the show, it was something I had never done before and I thought wow this is going to be fun. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Umm...at least i can say I did it.
First of all the blue isn't as flattering as I would have thought it would be, and neither are the outfits I ended up wearing. I just look blue...that's pretty much it...natural skin has contouring and color variation...but I'm just blue. You can barly see my facial expressions and I look sort of..blobish in my opinion. The costumes were ordered online and that never works for my body type, which is extremely curvy. There is about a 16 inch difference between my waistline and my hips. 16 INCHES...it's pretty hard to fit me by mail order. I also have a long torso and while not what I would call tall, I am slightly above average height-but I have short legs. I am as far from base sizes as one can get. Medium-ha ha, very funny.
I have three costume changes. A blue sparkly corset thing that does not do me justice...a red bikini get up that was so small that by the time we got it to fit me it just looked-well there really aren't words and..lastly in a couple scenes I'm pretty much just in blue paint. (don't get excited boys my boobs are ducktaped down and covered in latex and blue paint). Side note about the blue body paint scenes..everyone was very fooled and had no idea I had on what was pretty much a ducktape bra. They kept wondering why I didn't feel "exposed" walking around. I was more covered in the ducktape than some bikinis I wear-with the exception of the bottoms..I always opt for a full bottom and this was a thong. I find it humerus they thought they were seeing way more than they were, I was seriously ducktaped down! In all honestly though, the costumes were pretty much a nightmare.
Also the make-up took an average of 3 to 4 hours at 7am. I'm not the nicest person at 7am. I can be a serious bitch at 7am and the bad part is if I have to get up early I never get over that bitchey attitude all day. I am an up at 10am kind of girl. Waking up at 6 to be onset at 7, for months, is WAY beyond my skill set. The poor make-up artist had to listen to me complain every morning during the entire shoot. I really feel bad for her. She has met me outside of shooting (when I am not out late or up early) and told me I was an entirely different person. Look, I just require about 10 hours of sleep daily to function on a social level that is acceptable, or not be a slightly off -character that should be on prozac. I just do. I would be exhausted by the time I wold get on set to film. Filming usually started at about 12:30 and I would just be so sleepy I could barely even pronounce half of the sciency things that had to come out of my mouth. I had to talk so slowly at times to actually be able to pronounce the insanity I had to say that I'm betting it sounds as if my voice has been altered.
After filming for a couple of hours in five inch heels, covered in latex and squished into ill flattering clothing..I'd start to get dizzy and lose my breath. See, you can't sweat in an oil based body paint and latex. If they ran the fans on me I would freeze. It was as if my body forgot how to regulate it's temperature. I also began to bloat just a bit. Yeah-that was fun.
Then I could never get that paint off of me. It is everywhere around the house. On my couch, on my bathroom walls, it clogged up my drain, it is on my car seats, it is all over my clothing. It would take 3 days on average to get off. The best way was to use Hawaiian Tropic oil spray with no spf and let soak in it. Then use paint thinner for any remaining stains on my personage. It would seep into my white blonde hair, so I went ahead and put blue streaks in it around my crown and the nape of my neck to hide the splotches.
While I was paid, I have to say for me to go through all that..blueness again..I'd have to be paid 3x's what I was paid. See, this was the first time I had done a series. It's very different than a movie. You film day, after day, after day...instead of knocking it out in a few weeks. The physical level..especially in a series like this one..is really high. I have new respect for people on tv now! I ended up quitting my job because I didn't have enough time for all of my filming projects-I am also starting to understand why actors are paid what they are. I totally didn't get that before I started working on this show. There really isn't anyway an actor can do some of the crazy things required of them and then hold a regular nine to five job. I mean, in addition to all the make up I had fight and dance choreography I had to learn! Hell I personally can't stay awake that many hours in a day to actually leave a set and then do anything other than sleep! Plus, I couldn't be taken seriously talking with businesses still drenched in left over blue paint from the day before.
The best part I have to say was filming with Jim O'Rear. I'm only on set with him once actually but it's really great to work with an actor you can play off of. Jim was funny and I think our brief scenes together make the series. Jim is natural on camera and it brings my inner cheese ball to the next level to act against him! I haven't actually seen anything from the series yet, but I'm curious to see how it is going to look all edited together! All in all I learned quite a bit from this small production-things that will take my skills to the next level.
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