Beach Blanket Bonnie

Last weekend I hit the road with my manpanion and went to the beach. We needed to get out of the city for a while so we booked a little cabin in the quiet little town of Port Aransas. We turned our phones off, slathered ourselves in sunscreen, rode our bikes everywhere & drank micheladas with sand between our toes. It was fantastic! One day I will runaway, buy an ice cream truck and become a beach bum. I believe it is my calling.

We stayed at this cute little place called the Laughing Horse Lodge. It was kitschy & quiet & cheap - in other words a dream come true. Our little bungalow was called "The Hobby Horse" which we felt was pretty fitting.
Before we left town we stopped off to get tropical pedicures! We didn't plan for them to be girly pink and bad boy blue - that's just how it worked out - cross my heart. It was Austin's very first pedicure and I doubt it will be his last.

Since Austin and I both work ALL THE TIME we were "not allowed" to work during this trip. So there wasn't a lot to pack. I did bring my computer though - which I really only used to check the weather and listen to music. I thought it would be hard not to work for an entire weekend, but turns out I was wrong! Dead wrong!
When we weren't laying low or looking like vampires on parade at the beach we hung out at the local pirate bar - The Gaff. A gem of a place that is filled with characters and hosts belt sander races on the weekends. Yes, you read that right - Belt Sander Races. We did not get to see said races which left me feeling cheated, but that gives me another reason to return.

Speaking of vampires at the beach - we forgot to pack our kites so we went on an adventure to find one. Luckily this tiny town of 3,370 people has a kite shop and we picked up the most bad ass delta you've ever seen! It was black with a big bloody vampire mouth smack in the middle of it. Did I get a picture of us flying it? Sadly - no. Whatever - you try to take a picture of something flying next to the sun and see how it turns out. I guess you'll just have to trust me about the "most bad ass" part. Flying it made me want to get chinese take out and watch Lost Boys like 4 or 5 times in a row. So instead of pictures of a killer kite flying session here's a shot of me looking totally washed up:
The whole trip was totally effing delightful! Going back to work Monday morning felt worse than any sunburn, but you can't have the rainbows with out the rain... right?
Take my advice - raid your piggy bank and get out of town! Make like a tree! Shew! It doesn't have to be a big deal of a trip to make you feel brand new.

To see more pictures of our adventures check my flickr account!

xo!
Bonnie Rue

p.s. Best song to listen to at the beach? Summer Time Rolls ... if you ask me

Triumphant Return!

Hello Lovely Readers!
I'm back from Portland & in a super-duper good mood! Vacation will do that to you *wink*
My arrival to the City of Roses was a late one indeed. I rolled in around midnight on Monday and my friend Eli picked me up from the airport. What a doll! We got up fairly early on Tuesday and hit the ground running. Breakfast @ Paradox was Eli's call and a delicious call at that. I had the vegan "eggs" benedict, so filling, so yummy and totally affordable. Then we were off to visit a ton of fabric stores and to take a stroll across the St. Johns Bridge - which I was totally into and then I sort of wimped out over the height. It's a TALL ass bridge and I'll admit it - I was scaredy fraid. BUT the photo ops from that height we're uh-mazing! See? It was so beautiful it didn't feel real. How many places can you say that about? Well, sure there are others, but c'mon you know what I mean.
There are a lot of reasons to LOVE Portland. The people are friendly even when they're in traffic! On top of being friendly, they are also crafty, stylish, well read & well fed! We went to get bubble tea (the best I've EVER had) one afternoon and I picked up a the Microcosm Publishing catalog! It is filled with crafty and informative zines - TONS of them! I wish Austin's zine scene could compete, but Portlands zinesters are in a league of their own. If you love zines I suggest you give the Microcosm catalog a thorough flipping (or clicking) through.
Unfortunately I arrived JUST after Crafty Wonderland, it's just how the dates worked out, but next year I think I'm going to try and participate. Portland NEEDS some Model Citizen action AND I am happy to report that they won't have to wait until next year for that to happen! Soon - Naked City on Hawthorn will be carrying Model Citizen Clothing! I stopped by one afternoon to met the owner and we are a go! I'll keep you all posted as to when the goods get there.
I also met with Michael @ Tinymeat and got to see their awesome space in the Mississippi neighborhood. We went to lunch and talked about crafting and what is to come next in the craft scene. Enlightening and fun! Before we parted ways Michael gave me a few wallets that I had designed for them and in the coming weeks I'll be giving one of those wallets away to one very lucky reader. Stay Tuned!

A week in an amazing city leaves me with too much report, but here are some other highlights from my trip:
*Seeing Austin's band (LIONS) play a show at the East End with Red Fang! I picked up one of the coolest band t-shirts I've EVER owned!

*Visiting Voodoo Doughnuts in the middle of the night and loading up on crazy deliciousness! We got one TEX-ASS doughnut which was just a big-ass doughnut! Like the size of a dinner plate. We also got a Maple Bacon eclair kind of thing that everyone fought over due to it's extremely tasty nature. Then there was my favorite - The Old Dirty Bastard. Oreo cookies, chocolate & peanut butter. Watch out! It was incredible & edible & undeniably my favorite. This place could keep Portland dentists in business.

*Taking a lot of photo booth pictures with some of my oldest & greatest friends. See:


*The afternoon I spent with Austin @ The Portland Classical Chinese Garden. It's a living museum tucked into the middle of downtown. Once you enter you just forget where you are & it's uh-mazing! Perfect date place, if you ask me.

*And last but not least, my friend Russ from Seattle came to see me for a few days & we drove out to Multnomah Falls. Again - it was so lovely that I just couldn't believe it was real. Strange Magic indeed. I say that because I had Strange Magic stuck in my head for the entire trip. Thanks ELO.


To see more photos check out my flickr PDX 2009 set.

Where did YOU go on vacation this summer? Do I need to add it to my long list of places to see before I die? Tell me all about it!

xo!
Bonnie Rue

Leavin' On A Jet Plane!

I'm getting out of town for a bit! Headed out to lovely Portland OR to visit some old friends & catch up with my boyfriend while he's on tour playing a couple of shows with Red Fang.



I shall return in a week with lots of photos & fantastical tales of my travels. You can also look forward to the 3rd installation of Becoming a Modern Day Model Citizen. It's going to be all about making the world a lovelier place.

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu
Adieu, adieu, to yieu & yieu & yieu!

Want. Need. Pt. 4

What I really want and what I really need is sunshine, sand & the sea. I've been in a semi funk & I think it's because I'm ready for the world to be in bloom again. I'm tired of the tree's being bare & the nights being cold. My corner of the world isn't exactly glowing right now. An old drafty house & a dead yard is making me feel a little dark. This is where I am at, so why not embrace it? All of the things on this want & need list have been brought on by all the Joy Division I listened to this past weekend. I think I'd like to lay around, treating myself with these delightful looking Absinthe lollies from Lollyphile listening to yes, more Joy Division & letting the euphoria set in. Doesn't that sound like the best afternoon ever? Lollyphile is based in San Francisco and has been in operation since 2007 when they had an abundance of absinthe and NO candy (doesn't sound like the worst problem ever). They also offer other equally intriguing flavors such as Wasabi Ginger & Maple Bacon! A box of 12 will run you $24 & I think that is quite fair for a mouth full of decadence.

Since depressive hibernation is appealing to me at the moment, this bed (which I found on Apartment Therapy) looks like a dream come true. It is the Black Beauty of beds. So regal with it's amazing wood carvings & plush velvet. The wall paper doesn't do anything for me, I think it actually distracts you from the chandelier. Which may be a capital offense. But the bed, it could be anywhere in the world, an alley, whereever, & I'd be impressed right outta my pants & in between the sheets.



Next up on our list is something I've been coveting for a very long time. Alex & Chloe's Anneau Solitaire - Diamant Inverse Ring. Oxidized Sterling silver topped off with a cherry of a diamond. Pointy, dangerous, & sexy I like to justify the fact that I will probably spend the $340 they are asking for this ring because it doubles as a self defense device. I mean, I've got some moves. I know to go for the eyes & the groin. But if ever I'm headed back to my car alone after the bars have closed I think I'd feel pretty damn tough sporting this thing. Plus, if I totally chickened out I could just throw it at them, tell them its a real diamond & then run like hell.

AND how amazing would I look running away in this split personality number by Alicegohome? It's so modern-day-Stevie Nicks. I love the lower panel, the zippered bottom edge, the pinned up length of the sleeves & the silhouette. When I first laid eyes on it my inner voice said "that looks expensive". Well, guess again! Only $42! You can make it yours at www.YesStyle.com I stumbled upon this website a few weeks ago. It's like an Asian version of Urban Outfitter... or that's the best way I can describe it. Either way, it's fantastic and I want to give them all of my money. *Do NOT visit if you can't show self restraint*

With the dry cold weather & not enough sun my skin is getting scary. Dryness, breaking out, pores you can live in.. Ugh. I'm 27, whats up with this adult acne? While staring in the mirror at the disaster area that is my face I was reminded of my love for Maria Evora soap, made of sea salts & the dark fruits of the myrtles & carob trees. With a natural smell & beautiful cameo of Maria Evora herself this is a luxurious soap at a thrifty price. One bar will run you $5.75 + shipping at www.ADiscountBeauty.com


Then again, maybe rather than indulging in the darkness I should just try and over come my black thumbs. Bring a little bit of the outside in. Create my own Spring in this drafty house with a little help from Made By Mavis. She creates these adorable terrariums to
calm herself when she is feeling overwhelmed. I have to say, I love them and I am feeling the tranquility set in just by poking around in her shop.

And that concludes this episode of Want. Need.
I hope you enjoyed it.
And remember, while wanting things and striving to have more is a good thing (and fun) it's also very important to feel satisfied with the things you do have.
**I'm saying this more for me than for anyone else**

Where to begin?

Oh man, with so many things going on it's impossible to keep this blog up to date!
Let's see... Where to begin? Ah, the Second Sunday Sock Hop Beach Party! Having a cold did not stop me from making an appearance at the hop on July 13th. I went dressed as if I were straight off the yacht with half a voice and a head full of Claritin. What fun! Hawaiian shirts, vintage bathing suits, sand, boys with beards getting "laid", hula hoops & kiddie pools! The weather was hot and balmy - in other words - perfect for the event. If you live in Austin and want to DANCE - this is it, this is what you need. Forget about work on monday, just slip on your flats and "shake it like you do when you wanna get you some!" The hop is my favorite event that happens all month. It will help you work out your frustration, but sadly it will not help you get over a cold. I hope they have another beach party, it was a blast... cold or no cold. Here's some photos:











My cold took a turn for the worst which caused me to miss the Tilly & The Wall show - suck! But once I was on the mend Austin and I headed down to Padre for a little family time. I guess the sock hop beach party left me wanting some real surf in my life. We drove in and went straight to the beach, where we drank tequila, floated in the waves and saw some real deal sea turtles! They had the sweetest eyes and were at least a foot and a half long! It was magical. We also ate some cocktail shrimp that were boiled in red hots (yes the candy) instead of things like celery salt, mustard seeds, ginger, pepper, cardamom, etc.. and they were DELICIOUS! We could not stop eating them! The day at the beach left me with a serious sunburn. It was really red, totally blotchy and left me napping on the couch for hours... eek. Note to self: More sunblock!
Seriously!

Now that I am home it's business as usual. Booking tours by day and art + craft + make by night! Ive got a new bracelet up in the shop, it will be hard to part with because I am IN LOVE with it!



Oh! I found out today that Tiny Meat will be making some of their awesome wallets using my art! Which has been a dream of mine. Realizing dreams is the best drug ever! You can see what the wallets will look like here and here.

Speaking of things that are addicting - have you gotten yourself a Twitter account yet? Go, go now! Let me know so we can "follow" eachother :)
Austin keeps his tour blog through Twitter. It's a little gritty and soaked booze at times, but always entertaining.

until next time...
xo,
B