I want to fly.

I forget if I mentioned this in my blog or not, but a while back a trapeze school came to Washington DC; Trapeze School New York to be specific. I had read about other people taking trapeze classes in New York, and I was definitely jealous. Then it came to DC, but I forgot about it for a while.

So earlier today I was reading some Web sites, including Metromix DC (love them!), and I came across an article about the trapeze school. It turns out the classes are relatively affordable, especially now that I have some extra income coming in. I want to take the Flying Trapeze class, the Static Trapeze and the Silks class. Although of all of them, I think the Silks class would be the coolest. I've always wanted to twist and turn high above the ground with just fabric, haha. Seriously though, I think it would be awesome.

You know, I'm just saying, but they also have giftcards. Ahem. That would make a pretty awesome Christmas or birthday gift to a certain someone special, ahem.

If I actually go through with it, I'll be sure to let you know. I have a feeling I might.

Yo Quiero Taco Bell Por Favor

If you know me, you know I'm a huge fan of Taco Bell. Yes, I realize it's absolutely horrible, but I just love those Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes and Supreme Chalupas. Plus, I only have it once in a while, so I figure it's ok. (Moderation is key!)

Anyways, today Taco Bell is in my thoughts and prayers. Gidget, the 15-year-old chihuahua, suffered from a stroke Tuesday night and died. You might know her best from her "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" (and yes, Gidget is a she that took on 'he' roles in the campaign) or from her role as Bruiser's mom in Legally Blonde 2. The mostly retired actress enjoyed laying out in the sun, hiking, entertaining people and sleeping for 23 hours per day, said Gidget's trainer Sue Chipperton to People Pets.

Remember the Taco Bell plush dogs? (Pictured below.) At one point, I had all of them. I kind of wish I still did, but I'm pretty sure I sent them to the Salvation Army with the many bags of clothing I sent there. (I'm pretty sure my (old) local Salvation Army could stay open with my donations alone, haha.)

RIP Gidget. My thoughts and prayers go out to Taco Bell, your trainer and anyone else who associated with you.

A Hair-Removing Beauty Trend

I'd call it a "hair-raising" trend except, in this case, there will be no hair to raise. As I was reading through my Google Reader (which I still adore) and came across a post from BellaSugar about a reemerging trend, barely there eyebrows. Although from the picture they used, it really looks like the model has no eyebrows.

Eyebrows have always been a source of trouble for women. I find them quite annoying myself. I try to keep them in check the best that I can, but I'm pretty terrified of getting them waxed. I've only done it once because I really trusted the esthetician. What I'm actually scared about is having the esthetician wax off both of my eyebrows and leave me looking a little ridiculous.

Apparently, my fear might actually be the latest trend! Crazy.

Twenty-six-year-old fashion consultant Lauren Boyle told the New York Times, "There is an asexual element to no eyebrows. We are much more accepting of the ‘other’ nowadays. Removing eyebrows removes a degree of expression, which makes one look less human and more cerebral, maybe even mechanical. It’s an exercise in modernity."

Another idea, including that of makeup artist Pat McGrath who recently did the latest Balenciaga show at the 2009 Fall Paris Fashion Week, is that the no-eyebrow trend has to do with the recession. Apparently financial troubles help people open up to become more daring and try new "inovative" looks.

Nevertheless, the trend is popping up everywhere from Balenciaga to Givenchy to Vogue. You can either bleach your eyebrows until they no longer seem there or get serious and shave them off.

As for me? I think I'll be keeping my eyebrows. I don't really understand how not having eyebrows is asexual. It's not like only one sex has eyebrows; both women and men have eyebrows. Also, why would one want to look less human? I don't know about you, but I feel blessed to be a human. (Granted I wouldn't mind being a domestic cat or a bear, but that's for another post.) Shouldn't we want to celebrate being human?

And the whole recession causing the look idea? I can see why this would be attractive to high-end luxury brands (who probably aren't suffering like you and me during the recession). They have to find new ways to grab people's attentions. Although the recession does not have me running out to try new innovative looks. In fact, I think it's almost had the reverse effect. Instead of wanting to push my looks to new extremes, I've found myself being much more conservative. (But then again, maybe that's just where I am in life, which would also make another post.)

So I'm interested in your opinion. How do you feel about going eyebrowless? Would you ever do it? I guess it's easier than plucking, though. Just one swift movement from the razor!

Teeccino: A Coffee Alternative?

For those of you who aren't aware, I stopped drinking coffee about a year and a half ago. (OK, I've only had one slip-up since then, too, but that's because I went to a Starbucks event with my boss at one of my internships. You can't say no to coffee at a Starbucks event, and it was only a sample, not a full cup.)

I gave up coffee for a lot of reasons. The biggest reason is probably health. Coffee isn't bad for you if you're just drinking coffee in moderation. I was not drinking just coffee nor was I drinking in moderation. Those stupid sugary drinks are so good. On campus, there was a coffee shop, The Daily Grind, that had these delicious drinks called Grasshoppers, which was were full of sugar, mint and cream, etc. Ugh! So delicious! The second reason was (surprise!) the money. These drinks cost about $5 (if I remember correctly) and Starbucks drinks are just as if not more expensive.

So I started with my alternative: tea. Honestly, I love tea. I'm currently addicted to Twining's Green Tea with Mint. I make a pitcher's worth and stick it in the fridge and presto! a nice, cool drink for the summer.

This is my tea shelf. There's loose-leaf tea behind these boxes, too.

But I was recently reading Glamour's blog Vitamin G and saw this "coffee alternative." It's called Teeccino and it's a blend of herbs, nuts, fruits and grains. You apparently make it just like you'd make regular coffee in a Mr. Coffee (or coffeemaker of your choice). There are a lot of benefits, too, like it being high in potassium, soluble fiber, inulin. (If you must know more, click here.)

Great news, right? Well, there's a downside, too. This "herbal coffee" has no caffeine. Now, I know I gave up coffee, but I did not give up caffeine. Sure, I have a few herbal teas, which are nice before bed, but I also still have my black and green teas chock-full of caffeine. So this wouldn't be the best choice for those coffee drinkers who should really just invest in a caffeine IV.

Regardless, I generally always like trying new things, so I signed up for a free sample of "Original Teeccino." I kind of wanted to try the chai, but when I first try things, I like to try the original first. Apparently Teeccino is sold at Whole Foods near me, so if I like it, maybe I'll be interested in trying the other flavors.

The free sample should arrive in 4-6 weeks, so once I test it out, I'll let you know how it goes! But if any of you have tried it, please let me know what you think. Or feel free to share your coffee alternatives if you have any!

Back in Business

Why hello my darling readers! Miss me much? Because I'm back!

I won't lie; the hiatus was rather enjoyable. Sometimes the pressure of blogging can be a little... much... even for a little ol' blog like mine. Also, lying by the pool instead of attaching myself to my laptop makes for a very happy Cassandra. Nevertheless, I think it's time to make a comeback.

I don't have much in terms of updates except that I've been taking time to figure out what I'm doing with my life. I've made some goals, so hopefully I can stick to them. Otherwise, I'll be back to posting all things that entertain, interest or intrigue me.

Enjoy!