Brunch, Books & Birthday Cake!!

I had a packed Sunday, but I loved it.

Brunch @ West Egg Cafe. They moved to a new location on Howell Mill that is delightful. Full of light, simple decor and an easy atmosphere to enjoy your meal in. It was packed on a Sunday morning ... be prepared to wait, but is totally worth it. The graphics nerd in me LOVED the menu layout. The menu options were such a fun twist on typical breakfast & brunch fare. I got the Peachtree Plate and it was scrumptious! I never thought I would enjoy pimento cheese grits ... but oh baby was easily converted. YUM! I was too full to get one but I hear the cupcakes are wonderful. They have a Coca-Cola flavored cupcake - I'm just sayin'.

Chelsea Handler book signing at Outwrite. Katy and I pre-ordered her latest book, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, from there on a whim. As it would happen that got us the number 5 & 6 positions in line for the book signing. Thank goodness because the line was wrapped around the building. She had two sold-out shows at the FOX later the same day so the whole experienced was a little rushed. I did get my book signed and that was my main goal. Be warned - the book is true Chelsea style. It is packed with raunchy, racy, no-limits tales about everything from her wild childhood to her interesting family life.

Compulsory combo birthday celebration with the mother-in-law. Our birthdays are just a few days apart and to save everyone the trouble of squeezing in back-to-back celebrations we combine ours. This year my sweet mom made us each a cake to enjoy. Mine was a tasty chocolate cake with vanilla icing and super fancy decorations. Carol's was a white cake, raspberry filling and cream cheese icing. Slices of heaven for everyone!!

"My little brother paid a buck to see your underwear."

"Do I stutter?"
"Could you describe the ruckus, sir?"
"Hey, how come Andrew gets to get up? If he gets up, we'll all get up, it'll be anarchy."
"Face it. You're a neo maxi zoom dweebie, what would you be doing if you weren't out making yourself a better citizen?"
"That's right, I'm Abe Froman." "... the Sausage King of Chicago?"
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
"By night's end, I predict me and her will interface." 
"Oh God! ... The dog wet on the picnic basket."
"I know I'm old enough to be his mother, but when the Duck laid that kiss on me last night, I swear my thighs just went up in flames. He must practice on melons or something."
Wyatt: "Gary?... By the way, why are we wearing bras on our heads?"'
Gary: "Ceremonial."

Are you feeling nostalgic for the 80's yet??
After his unfortunate passing in August 2009, I blogged about the late John Hughes and my slightly neurotic love for his cinematic legacy. His movies set a precedent. They were life-changers for some. They revealed teenage angst in a way no one had ever done before and no one has been able to replicate since. They played a huge role in my life and so many others in my generation. With the relatable topics, casts of lovable & despicable characters, a library full of unbelievably quotable scripts and just a pure watch-ability that had people hitting the rewind button for decades ... It is just pure 80's gold friends!!

I can't begin to express the excitement I am feeling at this moment. Last month marked the 25th anniversary of The Breakfast Club - um, my favorite movie of all time!! -- and I just stumbled across this gem out in the blog-o-sphere that was released in the same month. 

YOU COULDN'T IGNORE ME IF YOU TRIED. 

The Brat Pack, John Hughes and Their Impact on a Generation. 

Written by Susannah Gora, a former Associate Editor of Premiere magazine, the book is said to be full of behind-the-scenes context and tales from a handful of the most beloved Brat Pack films, present-day interviews with many of the actors, and a comprehensive profiling of John Hughes, the prolific director who brought so many of these generation-defining movies into our lives. Interviewees include a long list of actors including the fabulous Molly Ringwald, Matthew Broderick, Anthony Michael Hall, John Cusack, Jon Cryer & Mary Stuart Masterson.

I. AM. SO. E-X-C-I-T-E-D!!
< insert obnoxious, high-pitched, SQUEAL here >

I will be needing to own this book. ASAP.

OH HOW I LOVE THIS MOVIE.
"Dear Mr. Vernon, We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain ... and an athlete ... and a basket case ... a princess ... and a criminal. Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club."

Just my luck.

It's St. Patrick's Day. I don't typically do a lot of "celebrating" on this day, but I decided this year to celebrate my good luck!!  

LUCK: 

Defined as "an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that leads to a favorable outcome". 

My life has certainly been unpredictable. By this definition, it has also been truly lucky. Some of my unpredictable luck:

~ A life that includes my wonderfully generous and patient husband. My very best friend. Who loves me both because of & in spite of me.

~ Our sweet, silly, pound-dog that makes me laugh every day.

~ My strange menagerie of amazing friends. Their differences astound me, but I couldn't imagine life without them all.

~ A large, loving (though sometimes slightly misguided), laughter-filled family. They are always there. Always. 

~ Good health. Which I take for granted far too often. 

~ My little brother who is the funniest person on the planet and reminds me of my dad.

~ Family that I wasn't born in to, but have acquired a place in along the way.

~ The the people I have loved and lost, but never forgotten. 

~ The unrelenting lessons I have learned. Even those that left deep scars.

~ The ability to remember. It has served me well. 

~ For a job and a home. Things that are too often confused as a right, when they are actually a privilege.  

~ For a life filled with so many breath-taking experiences ... that I lost count long ago.

The list could go on - but for now - here's to another year full of favorable outcomes!

Some Irish Blessings for you to enjoy. 

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

May the best day of your past
Be the worst day of your future.

May your neighbors respect you,
Troubles neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you.

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

MOO + ETSY = BRILLIANT

If you have an Etsy site and need business cards ... you should check THIS out!! If you are familiar MOO cards then you know they are wonderful. Crisp images, great card quality, unique styles & even fun accessories to hold your little works of art. The MiniCards are my favorite - so tiny and adorable I just can't resist.

The MOO MiniCard holder by moo.com

by MOO_Crew

Well, the good folks at MOO are now partnering with Etsy so you can pull your product photos directly from your shop and add them to your business cards. That way your shop & cards match perfectly.

Don't have an Etsy shop? The Readymade MiniCards also make great personal calling cards. You can even search them by theme or card designer. An easy way to distribute your contact information at a moments notice. It always helps to leave a unique reminder of yourself behind.

Brilliant I say. Anything to make life as a DIY-er easier is simply wonderful in my book. Happy MOO making people!