The pancakes were lovely by the way

Hello dolly. It has certainly been a while since I have last posted anything. (Don't worry my leg has sufficiently healed since my last fall) Now that my finals are out of the way though I feel like I have a bit of breathing room. Plus the excitement of Christmas has passed so I am no longer rushing about trying to find gifts, wrap gifts, and creatively tag gifts for my wonderful family and friends.

Finals went well. Nothing too out of the ordinary there--essays, essays,essays. As a special treat after a Shakespeare final Laura, Abi, and myself went to brunch at Stellas. We then found a rather phallic Santa figurine (which we, of course, had to position for a set up complete with spilled creamer). The pancakes were lovely be the way.

Then that Sunday the Lit Girls gathered for drinks and festivities. We dressed up and all looked stunning! I heart them all so very much!
 
Then, then on Christmas Eve-eve I gathered with Caitlin, Beth and Jessica for an awesome manicure, lunch and gift exchange. It was delightful (and Beth has the most beautiful red hair!) Soon we are planning a crafternoon. I can't wait! Oh they are so presh!

I have also been dying to dye my hair. I tried a week or so back, but ended up purchasing my own hair color. (Talk about feeling lame when I realized the mistake). Finally I have the dark brown I have been dreaming of for a few weeks now! I'm thoroughly (in my misspelling of the word I came up with thug holy. I think I'll use that in the future) enjoying the color change :) (Oh plus I bought the yellow dress I'm wearing for the super steal of $7, but it was an ugly yellow. So I, with the magic of Rit, made it even more sunshiny than before!)

I hope you had the merriest of holidays and that Santa treated you well!
I'm going to start some embroidering now.(I'm so excited to try it out finally)
Love, Mattie

Dance Party and Cut Knee

Last night a group of my darling friends and I went to the dance party at the Metra Pavilion. It was so much fun!

First we met up at Caitlin and Steve's place for a bit of a pre-party including dinner, choosing outfits and styling hair. (It was like a slumber party, but much more fun...if that's even possible!). Once we were all dolled up and ready for action we piled into the cars and made our way to the dance floor. There was no stopping us girls as we kept moving through all of the songs. (My legs were killing me from wearing heels, but it was soo worth it!). Plus my adorable friend Christa showed up too and made dancing even more delightful!

Finally after a bit of excitement and a crushed pair of glasses later, we made our way home. I was more than ready to jump in my car so as to sleep in my own bed, but as I was walking across the ice I slipped and for a second time cut my knee plus scraped my entire leg and ankle. Needless to say, as I was sitting on the ice, I didn't want to drive and only wanted the bleeding to stop so I stayed the night at Caitlin's (she has the most incredibly soft pillow-top mattress. It was like sleeping on heaven).

Beth, myself, Caitlin, and Kali

Just look at my wonderful shoes!

The latest in hair trends

heart <3

Now that the late afternoon has rolled around, I must kick it into gear to finish my papers and studying. Can you believe that finals are next week!? I'll be done by Wednesday morning and am more than ready for a holiday break. I'm hoping it will be filled with lots of joy!

Movie-smovie

I recently had to do a movie review for my capstone course. We saw Morning Glory. I think you'll catch on quickly to how I feel about this film. Enjoy! 

Morning Glory Chokes Out the Talent

Morning Glory follows convention so well, it is as though we have already seen the movie. Remember screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna’s previous work The Devil Wears Prada: an all too eager girl trying to fight her way to the top by proving her worth in a field which she seems ill fit for to begin with. Enter Rachel McAdams with her underdog gumption and go-getter spunk, which becomes too thick throughout the movie, as she tries to pull together the misfit crew of a dying morning news program. As she quickly makes changes to the program she must contend with the bold personalities of Ford and Keaton; these co-hosts butt heads battling over whether or not to present hard news or “fluff”.

     This social comedy remarks on the workaholic mentality of society as it affects family dynamics. McAdams and Ford are parallel characters asking the question which is worth more: relationships or a career?  Ford is the gruff, professional broadcaster who has worked so hard to reach the top with hard news stories that the only place left for him to go is down with frittatas. McAdams is an emerging producer who is dedicating her entire life to entertaining and informing the public that she leaves little room for her own life. Through each other the pair realizes that there is more to life than a career.

     In this respect, the movie is worth the viewing. Gather around with your overpriced popcorn and soda “deal” and wait for the wholesome, good-feelings to emerge as the fluff fills the screen. Convention rules the plot structure, which is forgivable, but to leave the characters with so little depth and fill them with annoying qualities (i.e. Ford’s forced Dark Knight voice and McAdams’ over the top Pollyanna enthusiasm) make it difficult to even enjoy the cliché turn at the end.

     Luckily, the film is injected with strong characters playing in the supporting cast. Take a look at the field newscaster played by Matt Malloy and Lenny played by Joseph J. Vargus for genuine characters that bring humor to the film. Also the set decoration is key to the authentic feeling of the movie as well; small, cramped, and crowded with props and papers shoved into corners lends believability to the hectic and disheveled life of the Daybreak family. 

     It is not that the genre is bad, but the execution could have been better, especially with such a strong cast. Overall it fails in creating suspended disbelief by forcing the audience to relate to un-relatable characters while providing mediocre entertainment. So, if you have nine dollars and an hour and a half to spare bundle up and find a seat. Do not worry it will not be crowed.

Marshmallow Legumes

Just before drifting off to sleep the other night I had an interesting conversation (also known as intercourse as per the thirteenth century usage) about circus peanuts.

I have always found marshmallows and marshmallow-like treats to be wonderful-- I think its due to the  spongy, airy quality of spun sugar. (This is a similar reason for my enjoyment of cotton candy). I'll freely admit that I enjoy circus peanuts on an occasional basis. I know it's odd to like a treat that is orange, shaped like a peanut, vaguely tastes like banana, and only slightly shares the marshmallow's consistency. (huh, I'm beginning now to wonder myself why I like them).

These treats were first produced in the 1930s and ever since can be found on the bottom shelves of most every store. (I'm sure many  of them have never left the shelf since 1930, but how could they ever go bad anyway?!)

But back to the topic at hand....
I was laughing so much from the slight confusion which ensued from my curiosity. Follow along:

M: How do you feel about circus peanuts?
B: I feel like they are totally overrated.
M: Overrated? If anything they are underrated!
B: I like 5 guys peanuts. That's a burger place by the way.
B: Guess you must have had some amazing experiences with circus nuts
M: I was talking about the marshmallow treat, not the actual legume

Oh it just makes me smile! :)

A night on the town with Mr. Billings

Well I should be working on a paper among other things, but I just can't find the motivation. Besides I cannot stop thinking about my cousin's holiday party. It was such a good time...

Wednesday night JR, also known as Mr. Billings, hosted his annual kick off the holidays party at the Highlands Club. It was splendid! There was an incredible spread of food (I never actually got over to the table, but from the looks of the plates going around it was delicious fare), the drinks were mixed with a heavy hand (I had to tone mine down with lots and lots of ice or I would have been under the table in no time!), and most all of my family was in attendance making for a mini-reunion of sorts (It was practically like California all over again)

Not only did my favorite Reger cousins come into town to party, but I met a few inspirational people who gave me great advice for making writing into a career and along with that I have decided that DC is my future local after graduation! (Yay!! Lizanne!)

And unknown to me, this holiday party has the tradition of, well, setting up a little holiday happiness ;)

Mr. Billings and myself at the end of the night

Aunt Noreen, myself, and Lizanne

Lizanne, Joe, and myself

Congrats to my parents for owning their first DVD player!

It's a bonfire, baby!

Yes, this is the result of typing "bonfire" into a google image search

The one photo of the night. How classy!

Last night I had a gathering of friends to the outskirts of town to enjoy the warmth of a bonfire.

Of course, as my luck would have it, it has been snowing for the past few days, the temperatures have been dropping, and the roads are a sheet of ice. Luckily, a group of brave friends headed out into the darkness along a winding road to roast weenies and GIANT marshmallows. (I'm not kidding these things were huge! It was as though three regular sized marshmallows combined forces to make this fluffy goodness. Check them out at Evergreen IGA).

When the continual rotation of our bodies around the campfire along with the consumption of festive drinks (Thank you Anna for making Tom and Jerry's! ) no longer provided enough warmth, we moved inside to play Apples to Apples. (Steve kicked ass by gathering a total of 17 green apple cards!) In playing the game I developed a new method of card selection: I always put the newest card out and never looked at it. The results were very profitable, if not a bit confusing when I didn't realize it was my card that was chosen! 

I'm certain everyone had a great time and am looking forward to hosting another bonfire once the shock of the first major snowfall wears off. (Plus,I still have a rather flammable item to throw on the coals!)

Secrets don't make friends

Boy am I tired this evening. It has been a fairly busy weekend, but not especially productive. I am looking at a week full of tests, papers, and presentations. Luckily, I have a few special events and opportunities on the horizon. (I don't want to say too much because it makes me feel particularly bubbly to know that I have something of a secret.) I just need to stay on task and use my time efficiently to survive the next few weeks of school.


Look at the new lip gloss I bought!

I've been feeling particularly cheeky lately and this just seemed to be most fitting.


 Enjoy your Sunday evening!

Yes, another haircut

I know, I know only a few posts earlier I was gabbing about how I cut my hair--how it was such a life changing experience blah, blah,blah--but today I cut my hair again. I just had to do it.

I have wanted to cut my hair short for a few years now, but have not had the gumption to go through with it. Well, this week I finally did. I needed this change. I have been feeling rather angry and in changing my attitude I changed my hair. I have been talking for too long about wanting short hair so I told myself to grow a pair of lady balls (thank you Easy A for being my new favorite movie) and just cut it off already!!

And no, this was not a crazed fit of rage which compelled me to chop off my hair. It was more of an assertion of my self as Mattie. My recent life has felt like a loss of the person I knew as me, but I am becoming more aware of my self and my blessings which have made my life incredibly rich. I would not trade this life experience or the heartbreak because I know I am becoming a better version of myself each day. (I mean just look at this kick ass haircut I just got!)

I might consider a color change too . . . 

Monster Cupcakes! Attack!!

A few weekends ago I met up with my darling friends for dinner and a bit of a pre-party. They roused me to join them for a splendid night of wild dancing and costume contests. But, all of that was halted when I realized I locked my keys in the car.

Anyone who is well acquainted with me is aware of my uncanny ability to "lose" my keys. It's not as though I have actually misplaced them, but I induce a panicked state of searching for a small collection of keys in the bottom of a dark purse or even discovering that I have them in my back pocket when I cannot come across them quickly.

But, I had put most of that frantic searching behind me when I came to the epiphany (I'm not kidding this was the most exciting day I had. I even came up with a brilliant idea for bananas, but I'll explain that another time) when Caitlin told me to hook them onto the ring on the outside of my purse. Ingenious!!

It seemed as though all of my key losses were behind me.That was until I locked them in my car. I have NEVER locked keys in a car before. I was so flustered and ashamed that I had done such a thoughtless act.

Luckily I was in just the right company! Both Steve and Erik are masters of the car world (well as far as I can tell from my limited knowledge. And hey, they are my key saviors so of course they THE MOST incredible!) with their well developed knowledge pertaining to the extraction of keys from inside a vehicle.

Two bent hangers, a screwdriver, swearing, masked costumes, and many sexual innuendos later the car was unlocked and my keys retrieved.

I could not think of a better way to repay their hard work than with baked goods. (And who doesn't love cupcakes?!) So I whipped up a batch of monstrously-sized red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. (I'm not kidding these cupcakes tower over any cupcake you have seen before!)

Just warm out of the oven. mmmmm :)

Ready for frosting!

See! These cupcakes are like the mutant-monster, steroid-using version of the regular cupcake

Frosted, decorated, and ready to be eaten! Enjoy Steve and Erik!

Tweet tweet

In my daily comings and goings I have encountered many fowl. On two different occasions I have caught a glimpse of a bald eagle and a rafter of turkeys! 

While bald eagles are not an unusual find for the Montana region, they are more likely to be found in forested regions rather than prairie. So, I feel pretty luck to have spotted this guy!

Interesting fact of the day: A collection of turkeys is called a rafter.  I just hope these little guys realize that Thanksgiving is just around the corner so they had better keep skedaddling!

I didn't need a sword. I had other skills...

My Halloweenie celebrations were delightful!

I swigged back the last of my dayquil (I've been trying to kill another cold I caught earlier this week. Even the pharmacist told me I didn't look very good today when I asked about when I could get a flu shot) and headed out the door in my cute wench/pirate/gypsy costume (I can't really say I know what I went as, but I just loved wearing the purple taffeta vest!).

The evening started at Laura's where we had a "super foods" dinner of baked sweet potatoes, roasted brussel sprouts, collard greens, and Barbie was sweet enough to bring over steaks.Earlier that afternoon I had made caramel brownies and so we were set for dessert too.

Once done with dinner and our costumes were adjusted for maximum presentability, we piled into the car heading to the Rouge Gallery art showing above Ciao Mambo. It was fascinating! (I am still thinking about the print of the decomposed deer).

After meandering through the macabre works and creative costumes we went down to the restaurant for drinks. (Being the wild woman I am, I had a nice cup of raspberry tea to soothe my throat)

From there I met up with Caitlin and Steve and a few other friends. It was low key,but enjoyable to be out.

Now that Halloween is officially here, I have been spending my day relaxing. I recently came back from the bookstore with new treasures! I hope you have been having a lovely fall holiday!

Hairstyles and hipskirts

Straightened 

Naturally curly

I went in on Thursday to have a haircut. I knew I would have a substantial trim  and was looking forward to an aline/wedge style cut, but boy oh boy did a lot come off! Where I was once able to pile my hair on top of my head for a bun, I now have little to no ponytail at all. Interestingly enough though, I LOVE IT!

****

Then on Friday night I went over to Caitlin's to meet for dinner and help them prepare for the Hell of a Halloween party at the Shrine. (They had the most ingenious costumes--miniskirt overall outfits the girls made to go with super fun hats to be Mario, Luigi, and Warrio). I was thinking I would kinda chill for the night being that I didn't bring any costume and wasn't in much of a mood for dancing.That was till they started chanting my name and Caitlin pulled out her belly dancing clothing. Soon enough they had styled a fantastic outfit for me to wear of gold pants, a black hipskirt with rows upon rows of gold coins, and a bellyshirt with a sweatheart neckline and mesh. I drew on heavy eyeliner and added gold earrings. I was set!

That is until I realized I locked my keys IN THE CAR!! (Oh shit!) Luckily the guys were able to hack in with a hanger and screwdriver (I am sooo thankful for their skills! They will be paid handsomely in baked goods). 

Once that was worked out we got to dancing! It was such a fantastic time! Caitlin, Beth and Kali won first place for the costume contest and even snagged $40! Congrats girls! I just danced the night away (I think Caitlin's hipskirt has magical powers, and like milkshakes, it brings all the boys to the yard) It was the greatest of fun and I think I could go dancing all the time :)

Check out their cute costumes!

I'm making a new duvet!

I have been listening to my Bitter:Sweet pandora station--it is seductive and wonderful. Add one to your playlist now, dolly, you won't regret it!

I am working with teals, greens, and purples as my color scheme. I find the floral fabric to be resplendent! I love the layers of colors and the very organic movement of the flowers and greenery. This will be the focal point of the duvet. Then, with the help of my mom, picked out the iridescent tone-on-tone purple polka-dot. How wonderful! These will be the body of decorative pillow cases. Then for the border around the floral fabric I'm looking at adding a patterned teal-green. It will be a soothing and sensuous cover to slumber under!

Also, while at Fiberworks (I start drooling just thinking about all of the fabrics I love in this store!) I picked up this sweet little cupcake oven mitt pattern! I am so very excited to make these too! I'm sure I'll make a whole rash of them because it takes all of two fat quarters to put those little gems together. (Be prepared to get one in your stocking)

I'm drinking from nature's bounty!

Sorry dear readers that I  have not posted anything in a while (kudos to those of you who check on what I'm writing. That makes me feel splendid!). Lately I've been spending my time either reading Greek epics and  Shakespeare or out with friends having drinks (Either way there have been lots of  dead bodies involved...just kidding I leave that to Euripides!). Not to say that I'm becoming some kind of literary lush, but I think I am! I've been enjoying meeting lots of new people--everywhere from the coffee shop to the railyard. I'm developing some close friendships and am opening myself to opportunities. It's soo peachy!

Along with  my copious amounts of reading and cocktail consumption, I bought these wonderful tumblers. (I pretty much swoon over anything nature related) Ta-da! 

Ruffly Ruffles

I tried my best to get a picture of it, but most of them resulted in looking down my blouse (not classy), so you'll have to enjoy the more detailed shots of the vest or just be lucky enough to see me wearing it!

 Grandma Bev is the sweetest! When I left her house last night after my mom's birthday dinner, she sent me home with two tiny cans of 7UP because my tummy had been bothering me. It did just the trick!

Also, Grandma Bev has the most wonderful ceder closet where she tucks away costumes. At one point she worked in the Billing Studio Theater's costume room. I loved it there!! Oh the hats and dresses made me swoon! Over her many years of acting and working at BST she collected some wonderful garments. I have been dressing up in this gauzy layered vest from the time it brushed the ground as I strutted the living room in clicky, dress-up heels. It has always been my most favorite piece in the closet.(Is it weird that I daydream about wearing it?!) Every time I opened the wooden door and was embraced by the clean, pungent scent of ceder I would dig through the feathers, polyester, beads, and layers of fabric to find the vest. Last night I asked if I could have it and she gladly gave it to me. I am a happy girl :)

Now I need to complete (or rather start!) my short story critique on London's "To Build a Fire", read Hamlet, finish Euripides' "Trojan Women", oh and take a look at my online human geography class (it's been over a week!). I just have to tell myself that learning is fun when it suffocates me! blah! But, at least I have my beautiful vest to write in :)

Wedded Bliss!

This past weekend I spent in Sonoma, California. My cousin Trish was married! It was a beautiful ceremony and out-of-this-world delightful reception!

I have lots of pictures for you to enjoy! I'll describe each as I go, but just so you have a general idea of my week Thursday night the Nugent house was filled with tantalizing smells of Mexican fare and rich colors while close family and friends of the couple, Trish and Bronson, mingled. As a surprise, a mariachi band added extra excitement to the already festive affair!

 Friday afternoon rolled around. Treecy, Madi and Maggie enjoyed the ladies' luncheon while I gathered with Lizanne, Joe, J.R., and Kenzie for wine tasting. After receiving a long list of local wineries, we called Hanzell's to see if we could get in--it is the premiere winery in Sonoma. After providing them with a blood sample and description of our socks we scored a tour and tasting! We toured the grounds tasting grapes as we wandered and then went to the library of wines dating back to its establishment in the 1950s to have our tasting. From there we went to Gundlach Bundschu where we were served by a former West High Graduate--what a small world! Also, we saw the decanter in use. It is a vessel which the wine is poured through, much like swirling the wine in the glass, to aerate the sample. (It could have been my bubbly disposition from the sipping, but it looked like an ovary to me). Later that evening we gathered to enjoy dinner at the Swiss Hotel. It was splendid, filled with garlic, and made us an hour late to the cocktail party! The cocktail party took place in the Nugent's historical barn (also the place where Treecy and Mike, Trish's dad, were married 15 years earlier). Too much fun for one day!

The Saturday rolled around. We were shuttled to the site--Trish's mother's property--overlooking rolling vineyards and nestled within green foothills. It was a touching and sincerely sweet ceremony. The guests were then escorted to the house by a bagpipe player. We had cocktails on the patio while the bridal party wrapped up photos. The bagpipes then signaled for the party to head down to the tents where there would be dinner and dancing. The evening was filled with laughter, wonderful dinner courses, drinks, incredible music and dancing. The late night revelers then moved back up to the house where In-n-Out burgers were brought in to satiate our dance-crazed bodies. A few guys wandered around with champagne bottles while others gathered around the fire and then others just passed out on the floor. It was one hell of a party!

Enjoy the pictorial description of my wonderful weekend!

Lizanne, Mattie, and Kenzie outside of the winery of Hanzell

Kenzie, Lizanne, and Mattie in front of the vineyard of Hanzell

J.R., Lizanne, Joe, and Mattie in front of Hanzell's vineyard. The oldest in the new world!

Mattie, Lizanne, Joe, Kenzie, and J.R.

Tasting wine at Gundlach Bundschu

Mike, Suzie, Mattie (in the blue dress!), Debbie, Randy, Jimmy, Liz, Joe, Lizanne, Brittany, J.R. at the Swiss Hotel

Jimmy and Liz at the Friday night cocktail party in the Nugent barn

J.R. sneaking a taste of the cake ;)

Joe and Lizanne at the wedding reception

Debbie, Mattie, Treecy at the cocktail party proceeding the wedding ceremony

Mattie and J.R.

Sarah and Mattie at the after party

Kat, Mattie and Sarah

Sarah and Mattie on the dance floor :)

Mattie and Treecy

The beautiful couple! Trish and Bronson