Current Events

While I in no way think crepes are an arena in which to make strong political statements, I am going to do so anyways. Regardless of Democratic or Republican views, our American-Israeli alliance is unfounded and dangerous. I am saddened by the recent decisions of Israeli military and I urge everyone to view our long history with the tiny country and to evaluate the effects of said relationship. As Turkey, once-ally with Israel and soon-to-be EU member, has strongly spoke out against the attacks of yesterday, I hope that we too can put aside our political affiliations and realize that enough is enough, and that Israel's decision, are, to put it kindly, creppy. If the White House's goal is to keep America safe, and to keep our relations with the Arab world improving, it's time we let little brother Israel figure this one out on their own.

Disclaimer: I am not Pro-Palestine, I'm not Pro-Israel, I'm not Anti-American. Furthermore, I want the reign of Christianity to realize the detriment its caused to both Judaism and Islam, and the ways in which religion and State should and could interact. I simply would like the madness to subside. My political beliefs are socially founded, not militaristic. And finally, I think it's time to stop wearing our sentiments on our sleeves, so this is (hopefully) the last you will hear from me. For now.

Why Life Sucks...Part Deux

1. High School kids make more money at HOURLY WAGE JOBS than I do
2. It's beautiful outside and I have to work inside at my crappy HOURLY WAGE JOBS
3. My cat's snoring has become out-of-control--it keeps me up at night
4. Both my sister and my boyfriend do not currently have cell phones, aka, I HAVE NO ONE TO TALK TO
5. George Harrison no longer walks this sweet earth
6. Not that I watch American Idol, but if I did, I'm way ticked that that cool chick with dreads didn't win--what a racket!
7. I work at a clothing store (on hourly wage) and I have to save my money so I don't even get to buy anything
8. No one reads this blog



photo courtesy of: http://www.oac.cdlib.org/affiliates/images/cpom/kt6s2019xp/hi-res/B/B6067.jpg

Workin' for the Man

The Man, in this case, is my father. He has recently opened a store in the East Village (of Des Moines) filled with goods to make home and office "healthier." I'm currently manning the ship while he's off at lunch. I will probably be here on Thursday too. The store is filled with great items ranging from homeopathic care, to gardening, to office supplies, to art. It would be a great place for anyone to stop in and pick up something nice for Dad...considering that Father's Day isn't too far away. So, stop in, say hi! And compliment me on my outfit (I'm wearing my beetle skirt I bought in Paris) and compliment the Ole Man on a Job Well Done.

xoxo

Ellen and Alexis' Workout Plan

A new diet created by me and Ellen last night on our walk to Wellman's:

The Big Pants Diet:
Q: Did you loose weight?
A: Nope, well maybe (said with a twinkle in the eye). I just started wearing size 16W pants.

Q: God you look great! What did you do?
A: Started weighing myself in kilos. (Better yet, tell 'em you weigh 3 stones. That will really throw them off).

Q: No seriously, how the heck did you loose all that weight?
A: I just started buying food I hate.


I enjoy discussing things of topical value with Ellen. One such thing was Tavi Gevinson, 14 yr old fashion blogger and NY Fashion Week A-Lister. Ellen said that she has read Tavi's blog, but can't do it to often, because quite frankly, it makes her feel bad. In other words, this girl Tavi is incredible, but a little too incredible, at 12 yrs old starting and revolutionizing youth blogging culture. I gotta agree. Tavs is pretty amazing, but damn it, why can't I have been that cool at 11?!

I keep meaning to start posting fashion pics on this page. I wish I had done last night's outfit--big bloomer style shorts that were b&w vertically striped, big loose black strappy tank tucked into said high-waisted shorts, Faconnable flats in pearlescent barely-there mauve, and gold jewelry. If only I had been going to a gallery opening, not the first half of South Pacific. Bahhhh....

A bit of advice to recent college grads

Don't talk to anyone about working, especially full-time.
Don't worry about benefits.
Don't forget about your cat.
Don't spend too much time in the dvd aisle at Target.
And don't use the f-word to your father when he just gave you a ride because you don't have a car and need him to take you to your shitty part time job that you swore you'd never take because you have a college degree damn it.

Keeping those pearly whites....

Feeling like they are half on fire, half numb with that goofy stuff they give you at the dentist. Yes kids, I too have to brush my teeth, especially considering the nauseating amounts of nutella that reaches my chompers every day. And when it comes to my preferred teeth-cleaning product, Euthymol, a British brand, is by far my favorite. I know, you've probably never put much thought into this pretty common purchase. But for me, it's as important as Fat Free/Skim vs 2%, clicker vs remote, boys vs...

First of all, it's got a really kitschy package that I know makes the anthropologie merchandising team think: Whyyy oh Whyyy didn't we decided to stock this in our uptown vintage wish-I-was poor store?!? Second, ooooo dat taste is so adicting. It's like a cinnamon that numbs. Mmm it's delicious.

I couldn't find their website in google, and I have only seen it in stores in the UK (I bought my first tube, aka, I had my first fix, at a Boots in Brixton, London), but I have found a couple online stores that carry it...all ranging drastically in price. I recommend that if you ever find a tube reasonably price (say $5-$7), buy it! try it! and if you don't like it, well then, uhhh, send it to moi :)

Read this from the Wiki page...
Euthymol is a brand of antiseptic, fluoride-free toothpaste distributed by Johnson & Johnson that is characterised by its bright pink colour and bituminous taste. It is also notable for its packaging, which is old fashioned, having merely a pattern and the product name. The antiseptic ingredient in Euthymol is thymol. Since it is antiseptic, Euthymol can help with the prevention of mouth ulcers.



Ok well I have to go feed my other addiction, LOST, now with my nightly two-epi fix before I go to bed. Only three more Tuesday's left...

--alexis

Van Holmgren Designs

Olivia is still hard at work on the stand's logo, and in the meantime, fellow Roosevelter and Hawkeye Van Holmgren threw together a design for the blog. I won't be able to use it until I have enough money (HA!), so in the meantime, I've decided to share it with you people. And since I think this whole experience has really been a community endeavor (and that's kind of what Farmer's Markets are all about), I think it's really important to give credit where credit is due to those local folks who have offered their support. So thank you Van! Also, check out his site! 4.5 more weeks until crepe time.

Forging Through

Hello crepey people.

How are you today? It's a beautiful day here in Des Moines, despite the fact that Des Moines has left me stressed out! Bored! Lost all appetite...KIDDING! Come on people, nothing is that bad to make me lose my appetite. Nobody here to play with (at least not for a couple more weeks until school is officially out and everyone will be home). Yes, it can get a little lonely here in the Gateway to the West--wait, isn't that St. Louis? Oh well. Yes, even the crepe stand has been stressing me out a bit, mostly because of the extensive permitting and licensing involved in opening any business. Plus, need I remind you, I'm doing this primarily by myself.

My dad keeps telling me that I need to ask for help in whatever it may be that is leaving me feeling conflicted. Today, I had lunch with one of my dad's good friends, and the source of inception of the crepe stand, Tom Swartwood. He guided me through the licensing process and made me feel better about the profitability of this venture (because, yes, this thing is not being paid for by Tom's or daddy's checkbook--it needs to be sustainable).

So, even though two days ago I was ready to hang my hat, with Tom's guidance, I have decided to go ahead and forge on. I've had too much support and encouragement for this thing to give up on it so close to "game time." We have exactly one month left and I think we'll be needing every minute of these thirty...or is it thirty one?...days.

One thing google doesn't have an answer for: what do I do next?

lexoxo

Greetings from Atlanta

A picture one of my best and oldest friends Emily sent to me from Atlanta. A new crepe cart opened at one of the city's Farmer's Markets.



I usually cringe at gimicks--note, the hat, the scarf, etc., but I think it works here. Thanks emily for the link!