One to Nothin'

Bex’s Creative Cocktails: And We Danced

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This edition of Bex’s Creative Cocktails features watermelon, gin and sweet summertime memories. Check it out below, and see the rest of her gorgeous creations here.

I know no one wants to hear it.
But.
It’s almost closing time for summer.

Already the mornings are a little bit darker, the sweaters are being pulled out of the closet, and the sun is chuckling with that sly grin, watching us in our efforts to adjust. Apparently once September rolls in, everything hits you—and you have to come to terms with the fact that fun in the sun is coming to an end. I can’t believe how much I’ve packed into this summer, from traveling around Greece and Italy, to simply kickin’ it in the bay area with my partners in crime. It only seemed fitting to create a cocktail wrapping up my past couple months and stirring in that sweet taste of sunshine. I couldn’t have asked to end it on a more splendid note than an awesome weekend in Tahoe with some great ladies. I’ve been inspired by the people in my life who have made my adventures so bomb-diggity. That being said, I dedicate “And We Danced”, my latest of Bex’s Creative Cocktails, to all you dazzling people and the memories we made. So, here’s my last call for summer with this vibrant drink of a gin, watermelon and orange. Refreshing and bursting with energy. Embrace and take it all in. You’re all awesome, keep up the good work. Cheers and shine on.

1 ½ oz Gin 
1 ½ oz Aperol 
¼ oz Agave 
6 Watermelon slices (small) 
3 dashes Orange Bitters 

 *Muddle watermelon. Add all ingredients. Shake with ice and fine strain into a Collin’s glass with cubed ice. Garnish with watermelon skewer. 

 Recommendations and fun ideas are welcome! To see more, follow me on Instagram (@bexaintwang) and post your thoughts! Also, check out my website (bwyant.com) for more thrilling things I do with my free time.

Original photo and recipe by Becca Wyant. All rights reserved.

Read Lately Part III

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Here are some of the books I read since the last time we spoke about books.

The Interestings
The cover of this book is pretty killer and so is the character development. Follow a bunch of creative kids grow into careers that either stuck with or veered off from their creative inclinations and see how that affects their lives. I’m talkin’ their whole lives, so get ready to grow and cringe and maybe cry with these characters.

Eleanor & Park
I read this book for #PluckyReads book club and since I’m a world class procrastinator, I read like 85% of it in one day (between baking projects). Also my phone died during the discussion that took place on the phone because I’m a hot mess. Anyway. It started off really strong, and maybe it’s because I was speed-reading to make it to the discussion on time, but I think the ending was a little weak. Basically you should read it so we can discuss if I’m completely off base here. Either way, I loved the main characters, I cried, I felt butterflies, I got angry and there’s a playlist on Spotify created by the author (which automatically makes it 10x more awesome).

Where’d You Go, Bernadette? 
This one I loved. I didn’t expect to love it, but I did. It’s told in letters, notes, emails, documents, text messages and I’m such a sucker for nontraditional storytelling. It’s a little mysterious, a lot hilarious and as a die-hard Harriet the Spy fan, I can appreciate the fact that one of the central characters is a 15-year-old girl with a ‘tude, so there’s that.

The Opposite of Loneliness
This collection of essays by Marina Keegan is very different from the other essays included in this list (just realized I’ve been on an essay kick). Keegan was a brilliant writer who was killed in a car accident five days after graduating from Yale. Knowing the tragic story before reading the essays did some weird stuff in my brain, but it’s obvious that the book (put together by her family members posthumously) is not famous for the tragedy alone. Her fiction pieces have stuck with me months after reading them and her non-fiction was equally compelling. Please read it so we can talk about the implications of the dice game.

Not That Kind of Girl
I don’t know if you guys heard, but Lena Dunham liked my Instagram photo once, so we’re practically besties now. This collection of personal essays just proves it. She’s funny, strong, smart, awkward, batshitcrazy and I thoroughly enjoyed the illustrations throughout this book. Check it out, and be prepared for some serious stuff. I mean, I think we’ve established that I cry easily, but I shed some tears in this one too.

Paper Towns 
I think John Green should be my bestie too. Maybe I’ll start tagging him in random Instagram photos and see what happens. I mentioned this one previously, and while I don’t think this story is quite as epic as some of his others (TFIOS and Looking For Alaska), I really enjoyed it. I always love his writing, but when you grow up in Central Florida, you really enjoy accurate depictions of it. Or I do, at least. John knows what’s up, and I smiled a lot throughout the whole thing. I definitely recommend it for a quick beach or short flight read.

Me Talk Pretty One Day
David Sedaris is hilarious. This is a collection of his essays spanning his childhood to his move to Paris and everything in between. Read it if you want a good laugh and you get off on a bit of self-deprecation (raises hand). All the Light We Cannot See – I totally just started this one, so I have nothing to say except that I needed an eighth book cover and I’ve heard approximately 1,467 people say it’s incredible. Stay tuned.

Milk & Honey
Does anyone else miss hidden tracks? I’m pretty sure that’s the only thing I miss about CDs. Nowadays where do we find hidden treasures? Nowhere. No mystery left at all. Well, I’m here with a bonus book for you because I love surprises (and because there’s no cover art). It’s written by a brilliant writer named Alexandra Franzen who just so happens to be a personal hero of mine. This chick knows about creative business, writing effectively and sexy stuff. This book, only available in e-book form, is smutty and awesome. Think Fifty Shades without the “inner-goddess doing back flips” verbiage plus major #foodporn. Buy it here (it’s $7).

Check out my last two book roundups here and here, and let’s be friends on Goodreads.
What have you read lately?

Weekend Things

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If you follow me on Snapchat (@marymackensie), you know my weekend started on Thursday. I got way too excited about my new bendy straw-shaped wine aerator and might have Snapped it, like, 15 times. Friday night I went to the Brewcade in SF with old friends where I kicked ass at Tekken and made midnight plans to go camping the following morning. Saturday morning we headed up to the Mendocino area to get our camp on. We stayed at the Kyen Campground — it was $25 a night on Lake Mendocino with bathrooms, showers, grills and picnic tables. I definitely recommend it if you want a glamping type situation (that’s dog-friendly!). We did some hiking, a lot of HedBanzplaying (hence the cards on our foreheads up there) and Ziggy did a lot of trash eating. Every time I took her off-leash she went straight for someone else’s campsite for rotten beef, a mostly eaten drumstick or used napkins– the joys of dog ownership. We stayed for two nights and it was awesome. Also, I’m stoked to sleep in a bed tonight.

How was your weekend?

It’s not for you

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Interacting with humans is weird (looks like Ziggy agrees). 

It’s weird for me at least. I spent a good portion of the past two years’ work hours with an infant who didn’t say much and whenever I spoke with adult humans throughout the day, they commented on his appearance. He was (and is) the most beautiful baby in the world, so I can’t say I blame them, but it definitely took the pressure off. Although I’d occasionally get the, “You’re too young to be his mom..” or “He looks nothing like you..” comments (I was the nanny), for the most part all eyes were on him. Luckily infants don’t know how to be self conscious yet, so he’d smile, coo, wave and sometimes cry or scream in response.
When strangers comment on my appearance I don’t so much have the desire to react in those ways.
Well, sometimes I want to to scream or cry, but I never do. Usually I awkwardly smile or apologize or laugh nervously because I don’t have the cojones to say..

“That was rude.”
“I’m uncomfortable.”
“We’ve never met.”
“I don’t want to smile.”
or
“Step off, bro.”

These days I spend a lot more time with folks my own age, and while I’m not outraged by someone commenting on my new hairstyle or the fact that I actually wore makeup that day, I am sometimes confused by it. 
I love makeup and clothes and beauty products. 
I love experimenting with new braids, perfumes, silhouettes, frames.
I dress up for me.
And sometimes for the camera when it’s 92 degrees inside. Sometimes for my #squad when we’re nearly naked poolside in Vegas. Sometimes for my boyfriend when we’re glamping.

But it’s not for you, stranger on the street, in the office, at the store.
Not once has it ever been for you.

Just wanted to clear that up.

 
Outfit details:

Weekend Things

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This weekend I did some baking, hiking and eating (as usual). I ate an exorbitant amount of seafood–mussels, oysters, gumbo, crawfish. I loved it. I found a volcanic park only three miles from my house and almost gave Ziggy heat stroke while exploring it. I made a fondant-covered interrobang cake and played Jenga with the unused pieces, tried to day drink for Becca’s birthday (and failed miserably) and by the time you’re reading this I will have completed three Classpass workouts since Monday. Life is busy and good and changing rapidly. More on that later though.

How was your weekend?

PS: Happy September!

Bex’s Creative Cocktails: Saved Draft

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Bex is back with an extra dose of awesome because it’s her BIRTHDAY! Wish her lots of birthday love and mix up this tasty beverage in her honor. We love you, Becca! Check out the “Saved Draft” below and click here to see all her other creative cocktail creations.


Sometimes you wish that a cocktail could do all the talking.
But since that’s not always an option, I’ll do some of it.

For those who know me, I’m definitely one who takes the time to ponder. Last night I took all that pondering and turned it into a cocktail. Knowing that when I woke up the next morning, I’d be hitting that quarter of a century mark (and life changes as I know it), I couldn’t resist looking back and taking a moment to reflect on life thus far. So as my transition cocktail, bridging then to now—I present to you, the newest member of Bex’s Creative Cocktails, “Saved Draft.” Here’s my first version of a cocktail encompassing all those moments that we can’t help but remember. The ones we sit with and tell our problems to. That we sip on at a slow moving pace, maybe filling it up rather than winding down. A cocktail for the good, the bad, and the unknown. That you love to hate and hate to love. A mix of some good ol’ bourbon, a bit of macadamia nut sweetness, a touch of grapefruit, and a hint of humor. If there’s one thing I will always love to do, it’s creating and sharing with the world. So here is a cocktail of me. Of the bits that are scattered and the bits of where I seem to be now. And it’s fine if you don’t like it. Because I do.

  •  2 ½ oz Bourbon
  • 1 oz Trader Vic’s (Macadamia Nut Liqueur)
  • ½ oz Drambuie
  • 3 dashes Grapefruit Bitters 

 *Stir with ice and strain into a rocks glass with one large ice cube. Garnish with grapefruit peel. 

Recommendations and fun ideas are welcome! Next week flaming tiki drink? Maybe… To see more, follow me on Instagram (@bexaintwang) and post your thoughts! Also, check out my website (bwyant.com) for more thrilling things I do with my free time.

Original photo, video and recipe by Becca Wyant. All rights reserved.

Click These

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Happy Friday, friends! I’ve got some links to help you get through your last day of the workweek. Some articles that made me laugh, think or swoon. Some of my favorite things I watched, read and listened to, and maybe even a gratuitous photo of the sausage dog.

Tips from a humor writer on writing funnier stuff.
On Quitting Social Media and still killin’ it business-wise.
Pulling Back the Curtain on Instagram because Tay makes me lol.
On Drinking Alone.
I’m voting for Mr. Nuts.
My newest bloggy crush.
I love everything about this lookbook.
I watched this on Netflix while sick with the plague and really liked it.
Except apparently the plague is back? #terrifying
I read this on the plane to Vegas and I love, love, loved it (all my Central FL peeps must read and relate).
New favorite song.
My best Insta of the week.

What links did you love this week? Gimme!

What NOT to say to Lactose Intolerant People

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Over the past few years of cutting dairy out of my diet instead of simply pretending like my severe lactose intolerance doesn’t exist (like I did in college), I’ve encountered some pretty interesting (and sometimes idiotic) reactions. I thought I’d compile some common responses to “I don’t eat dairy,” and answer any pressing questions you might have so you can avoid saying the wrong thing to someone equally sensitive about their diet-al disadvantages.

“Whatever, I’m lactose intolerant too. It’s not that bad.”

Clearly you’re not actually lactose intolerant, so go take your #blessed stomach elsewhere.

“I would kill myself if I couldn’t eat cheese.” 

First of all, I have gotten this response a surprising number of times and while I am familiar with the concept of hyperbole, I still don’t appreciate being told that my life is not worth living due to a missing stomach enzyme. My life is awesome. Shut up.

“My friend is lactose intolerant and she just eats all the dairy anyway.” 

I’m stoked for your friend, really I am. But unfortunately the severity of your friend’s lactose intolerance in no way affects my digestive system at all whatsoever. Pass the soy milk.

“Don’t you have pills for that?” 

Lactaid pills have about a 30% chance of stopping the tornado of pain that will hit me in 10 minutes if I eat that cheese. Also they’re expensive, I have to take them with the first bite of dairy and I’d have to search through my purse for about 30 minutes just to find one, so no. No, I don’t have pills for that. Do you have pills for that thing your face does? Didn’t think so.

*Let me set the scene: It’s 2:30am. The bars just closed. You’re with a group of about four people who are sufficiently intoxicated. No one is tired. Everyone is hungry.*

“Let’s order pizza!”

Goddamnit.

“You can’t eat that; it has mayo in it!”

Eggs are not cow milk. They’re in a similar section at the grocery store.. they’re still from a different animal. I can also eat cow meat. And goat, sheep and human milk, for that matter, but I repeat: eggs do not equal dairy.

“Can you eat marshmallows?”

Yes, I can. Fun fact: they used to be made from the root sap of the marsh mallow plant, which coincidentally can be used as a laxative, but these day they’re just made out of sugar. White also does not equal dairy.

“What happens if you eat dairy?”

You probably already know; just don’t ask.

“Why do you have Pepto Bismol in your purse?”

See previous question.

“You can’t even have BUTTER?”

No. It’s made out of cow milk. How is butter different from any other dairy product? Read: it’s not.

“Have you always been lactose intolerant?”

Probably, but I used to eat dairy and that’s how I found out. Yes, I know how awesome it is. You’re not helping.

“This ice cream is better than sex.”

LOL. Sucks for you.

Did I miss any? 

What I Wore

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Dress: Target / Heels: Target / Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
You would think Target was paying me to wear their clothes as often as they appear around here. Unfortunately they’re not, but that hasn’t stopped me from wearing these shoes constantly or from snatching up a dress every time I walk in. The obsession is real and it needs to stop. I can’t handle the cliche of it all. The first time I wore this dress? Brunch. I’m just too white. 
I sauntered around the Stanford campus in this getup while snapping photos on Saturday and this necklace was the star of the show. The Happiness Boutique sent me this little pretty and while they go around spreading love to strangers with random acts of kindness, I spread my arms out as I strut down a corridor of arches with random acts of basic-ness. I kid, but how cute is this video? I love when a company makes cute things and does cute things. 
Check out the rest of their statement necklaces here and hop on that free shipping and customer reward program because it’s Wednesday, and why not?
Linking up here.

Dreamy Home Office Space

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The topic of working from home comes up pretty regularly in the groups of people I hang around these days. Before moving to the west coast, I didn’t know anyone who had a typical office job and didn’t have to go to an office. It sounded so sexy, so mod, so Carrie Bradshaw, and yet in the past year I laughed as my two roommates and I bumped into each other up in the kitchen, on a Tuesday, in our pjs as we grabbed something out of the fridge and ran back to our respective rooms to hit deadlines on more days than not. No Jimmy Choos gracing these toesies in my home office, but I do work from home two days a week and I often quiz my amigos on their work-from-home style. 
I know all the bloggers will tell you they shower, do their hair and sit at a desk just like they would at any office, but that’s just not my thing. I’m more of a don’t-shower-til-I-have-to and never-wear-pants-at-home kinda gal. As such, for the longest time my “home office” consisted of pillows propped against the wall (where most people’s headboard would be) and my laptop appropriately on my lap, right next to the sausage dog. Eventually I realized that the more I worked from my bed, the lazier I felt throughout the entire day, so I wrangled a desk and chair from friends who were moving and made my own little work corner in my bedroom. It’s getting pretty cozy. I even bought a printer finally! But it’s still not very photogenic. Those Pinterest geniuses know how to arrange desk things just so. I can’t even. So instead of trying to make my desk look gorgeous for you all (let’s be real, I still end up working from my bed half the time — aka I’m blogging from it as we speak), I made a fantasy home office.
That’s right, friends. I’ve resorted to dreaming about the perfect home office space. With pricy rugs and quirky giraffe heads to keep me company as I create brilliance from my fingertips (insert eye roll). Turns out porcupine pencil holders and gold accented everything get me going. Who knew? I’m pretty obsessed with that chair, too. Too bad I’d have to work a whole lot more home-office-hours just to afford it. 
But really, for creative peeps, and others too I imagine, feeling inspired is important. How often do you feel like exerting yourself in a new, scary, boundary-pushing way while staring at a blank wall in florescent lighting while the sound of phones ringing surrounds you? I, for one, don’t feel like I can get any work done if there’s not music playing. And not a normal Pandora station doling out whatever the barista chose for the day or the same looping playlist some office manager decided would suffice for months at a time, but my music on my headphones. Everyone has her own working style; sometimes my headphones are a great way to deter office people from chitchatting at me about the latest sports win/loss/tie/idontcare and other days I really want to discuss that earthquake that only slightly rattled my picture frames, but is totally worth discussing anyway. 
Collaboration can be fun and helpful sometimes, and it’s then that working from home is tough.
For those of you who work from home and haven’t quite perfected the home office yet or simply crave the team atmosphere of a traditional office, WeWork offers coworking office spaces throughout the country (what up, Berkeley and SF?) that allow us weirdos to GSD. Andddd have incentive to get out of our pjs. Not that there’s anything wrong with working in your pjs.. you do you, girl.
Do you ever work from home? What would your dream office space look like? 
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