Two Great Things That Go Great Together

A few summers ago, we started a great tradition with our our neighbor's, called Mimosas and Samosas.


I'm sure most of you have at least heard of a Mimosa, champagne with a splash of OJ (or OJ with a splash of champagne for some of us).


A samosa, if you haven't heard of or tasted one, is a very delicious Indian appetizer made from potatoes, peas and spices surrounded by a pastry crust and, of course, deep fried. Top with mint, mango or other chutney and wash down with a sip of a cold mimosa.



Bliss.


Especially when you are sitting outside on a perfect summer evening, having good conversation with great people and your kids are happily playing and not bothering you (did I actually type that part)?


So just like chocolate and peanut butter, Ricky and Lucy, stars and wishes, puddles and rain boots, peace and quiet, pizza and beer, add the mimosa-samosa combo to your list of good things that go great together.


Just a heads up: be sure to go to an Indian grocery store or restaurant to buy them fresh. Don't be wasting your time on those frozen ones. Blech.


As Martha Stewart would say, It's a Good Thing.

Skimmin Through Life

Sometimes you just want to skim through life. With these cute waterproof Skimmers by Western Chief, you can do just that. At least on the next rainy day, that is.

Made from 100% natural waterproof rubber and lined with a cute, moisture wicking cotton lining, when you slip into these sassy skimmers, you will not only keep your tootsies dry but look stylish doing it.

Also available in Black with White Dots or Black with Multicolored Dots, these skimmers are super cute and just a little bit dressy. Available in women's sizes 6 through 10, $30 a pair.

John Mayer...Buzzing (his Hair) Like Neon

Okay seriously? You didn't think I was going to be able to NOT write about the concert did you?

I can sum it up in one word:

A-MA-ZING!!!

John was chatty.

He was funny.

He was on fire musically.

I have been to a lot of his concerts and this one BY FAR was the best. I dragged my sister-in-law (thanks, Di!!!!!) and even she, not a die hard JM fan like me, admitted he pretty much rocked. The only thing that would have made it better was if my friend, MeiLei, could have been there too. We have gone to every JM concert together but she was on vacation this time. Damn family vacations.

And those mountain goat seats? Not nearly as bad as I was expecting. No one was in front of us...just steps. Very nice.

Now, if I can only talk someone (anyone? anyone?) into going on the Mayercraft carrier with me in February. The two guys sitting next to us went last year and said it was faaaaaaabulous.

This was the only decent picture I got. How sad....

Star Wars Mania

So I was driving in downtown Palo Alto, a very she-she foo-foo richy poo town (not that there is anything wrong with that--just setting the scene is all) and saw this:

R2D2 on the streets of Palo Alto. Pretty darn cool....and funny as hell.

So funny in fact that I just had to pull over (on my way to the John Mayer concert no less) to take his picture so I could blog about him.

Sadly, he appears to have crossed to the Dark Side (working for the USPS no less....) How could you, R2??

Most Expensive Flashlight EVER

I am constantly amazed at how much money some people will pay for things. Or what manufacturers expect people will pay. Like this flashlight.

It is called the SureFire B1R-BK Beast Powerful Rechargeble Flashlight.

Beast. Oooooooooo! Very manly.

And it costs.....

Okay, give it a guess.

$100?

$200?

$500 even?

Try $4800.

Yes. Four thousand eight hundred dollars.

Seriously?

The Beast better darn well wash dishes, do laundry, grocery shop, pay my bills, bring me a cup of coffee in the morning and vacuum for THAT kinda cost.

Oh but wait! It is on sale for $4160.

I'm gonna go buy it now.

HA HA HA HA HA.

De-Flippin-Licious!!

While perusing the ice cream aisle at the grocery store the other day (notice I don't peruse the veggie* aisle...?) I came upon what is now a new addition to my Super Yummy Hall of Fame.

This stuff? R.O.C.K.S!

Among other things, I am an ice cream snob (my grandpa owned a Baskin Robbins so I grew up on the good stuff) and Breyer's Fat Free Double Churn is, as I mention above, de-flippin-licious.

I am not a fan of ice cream you have to use a pick axe to eat and this stuff is super nice and creamy. It doesn't have a fake taste to it and isn't too sweet. The worst part? I could oink down half the carton pretty easily. (Put down the spoon, Kristen, and back away from the Breyers!)

The Chocolate Cookies and Cream is the only flavor I've tried so far but they have a bunch. My husband and youngest son are (unfortunately) eating it as well so I think I might be making a trip back to Safeway soon to get more. Now maybe I will look forward to going to the grocery store which normally I equate with getting a root canal.

Bless you, Breyers.

*I actually do eat stuff other than dessert. Healthy stuff. Really. I do. I just love dessert best.

Linda Blair, Spinning Heads and Pea Soup...Oh My!

It seems as though I always miss really great photo opportunities.

A few months ago I was picking my kids up after school and saw this BIG guy with biceps the size of cantaloupes wearing a Harley Davidson t-shirt ...with a frilly pink princess backpack slung over his shoulder. Priceless. And I missed it.

This time I was driving in town. I was gonna be late for an appointment so couldn't stop (and figured taking pictures with my iPhone while driving would get me a ticket) so I missed yet another great picture to share on the DLL blog. But it was so strange I have to at least describe it to you.

There was a commercial van parked in front of a local taqueria. The van was covered in promotional artwork and verbiage and one word, in very large type, stood out:

EXORCISMS

Yes, you read that correctly.

I wasn't aware that there was a travelling exorcism company in my area. Or anywhere for that matter.

I couldn't find any such companies listed when I searched the Internet. I did find something that mentions a TV show on the Sci Fi Channel called "The Real Exorcist". Apparently they are currently casting people for the show. Maybe that is what the van was all about.

I just hope none of my neighbors are trying out...

Gulp.

Virtual Barbie #5: Coffee and Chocolate with Leopard Filling

I was browsing through our site trying to find things to post for my next Virtual Barbie and low and behold....two of my favorite things that go oh-so-well together!!!

Chocolate Stick Umbrella: $29.95

Bill Blass Orange Leopard Rain Coat: $75.95

Chooka Coffee Mod Dot Rain Boots: $59.95

Totally yummy!

Photo Op--Calling All Customers

At DLL Rainwear, we talk to people all over the world from all walks of life. And our customers are super intriguing people!

I have heard some really cool stories behind your rain gear purchases. There was one woman who called about a year ago needing 15 pairs of matching boots to be used in a Las Vegas Magic Show. Something to do with a giant block of ice with the magician frozen inside. See? Cool, huh?

Some of you need rain boots (or wellies or gumboots or golashes) for mucking out horse stalls, some for wearing to music festivals, some to outfit your wedding party, some to add to an art collection, some to just put a smile on your child's face.

Lots of different people, lots of different reasons for visiting our website and buying some rain boots.

I've featured a few people in our blog (a shout out to Nicolas in Paris and Elena in Russia) and think that sharing more of your photos and stories would be fun.

So my challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to send me some photos of you (or your kid's, your friends, wedding party, spouse...whoever) in the rain gear you purchased from DLL along with some details explaining the photo(s).

The photos (and description of course) can be funny, serious, whatever. Just nothing naughty....

If I post your pictures and description on our blog, you will not only get your requisite 15 minutes of fame, a gift in and of itself, but there will also be a little extra something in it for you (how's about a $10 gift certificate to use on our website?)

So grab those digital cameras, slip into your wellies, open your umbrellas and snap snap snap some photos for me, would ya?

Send them to me at: kristen@dllrainwear.com

I'm waiting............

Happy 14th Birthday

(Ignore the 65 on this cake. I just thought it looked flippin amazing!)

A big fat birthday wish going out to Kristin, our Chooka and Western Chief rep. We (okay, mostly me) always tease her that she is 13 years old so that would make her 14 today.

This is Kristin with her man, Brian, apparently on a fishing excursion. She looks happy. I think she is the one that caught some fish. Brian...doesn't look so thrilled.

Happy twenty-something*, Kristin. We all love you.

*Actual age not listed because I am nowhere near that age anymore and am kinda jealous.

Cheers!!!

Funny Dudes Will And John

One of my guilty pleasures is a movie starring Will Ferrell and John C. Riley, preferably together. Those two @sshats are really funny.

To this day I still get a huge chuckle out of the Thanksgiving scene in "Talladega Nights" (I just might have to break that DVD out now) and am seriously looking forward to "Step Brothers". I guess, although having men like this around me in real life would annoy the heck outta me, in the movies I find it hysterical. The interesting thing is, my husband doesn't appreciate these two fine, fine comedic actors. He finds them puerile.

Um....that is the point. And that is what is so funny. Grown men saying and doing the things those two say and do. Case and point:

Nice Speedo, John. Nice goggles, Will. Dorks. Gotta love'em.

Velociraptors, John Stamos, I am SO going to see this movie even if I have to go alone. If my sister lived closer, she would go with me.

From Talladega Nights....Need I say more?

America is all about speed.

Hot, nasty, bad ass speed.

--Eleanor Roosevelt, 1936

Leg or Long Underwear? You Decide....

I just walked into the room and saw my dog, Holly.

What the...??!!

Oh. That is her sock 'toy' (that she eats).

I thought it was her leg!

Bright and Blingy

According to the fashion industry, this season it is all about bold, bright colors and 'bling'. Here is a perfect example:


MissD Olive Heart Rain Boots: $59.95

I am not sure what the abbreviation along the sole means. I think the letters are: U.R.A.O.T.

Your guess is as good as mine as to what this might stand for.

Ungrateful Rats Argue Over Tobblerone

Unfortunate Rabbits Ate Outdated Tomatoes

Ubiquitous Roaches Are Outside Theatres

Underwear Rules Activate Outrageous Thespians

Ugly Roadkill All Over Tires

Unique Rodeo Accepts Ornery T-Rex

Any other thoughts?

Oh wait...I just found out it says U.R.A.Q.T.

You Are A Cutie.

Okay...so I was way off.

I still like the roadkill one.

Bloggin off for now.

Just One (More) of My Addictions

By now, everyone knows of my C & C addiction (chocolate and coffee). I admit it freely and feel no shame.

(Me no likey the white chocolate tho)

Now this addiction on the other hand.....

It must stop. Do you have any idea how many bare-lipped women there are in the world due to my over-consumption of lip wear?

Everywhere I go, I find a new lip gloss I have to have.

See the Bonnie Bell box with the lip gloss in the upper left corner? I already HAVE that set but bought a back up.

Um, why????

I am on the quest for the perfect gloss. Not sticky but stays on, with just the right shade and amount of color. So far, I think my favorite is Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Lip Sheen:

I have probably 5 different colors. See? I told you I had a problem!

Hi, my name is Kristen and I am addicted to lip products.

Operation Experimentation--The Demise of a Rainboot

This is the final post for those who have been following my sun exposure experiment with the Black Tattoo City rain boots I've had on my porch for a few months. The sun has totally done them in.

Here are the boots pre-laboratory experiment looking all shiny and new. These boots rock (and roll)!

And here they are after a couple of months of sun exposure. These boots need to be rolled under a rock!

They are off to that big rain puddle in the sky (read: my trash can).

Cracked, faded and just plain jacked up, these boots have officially been undone by the sun. May this be a lesson for us all. Be it with our rain boots or our skin.

The official send-off.....never let it be said that I am not ceremonial.

(Can you hear the bagpipes? Or should it be the Rolling Stones? You choose.)

R.I.P.

April 2008-July 2008

A Lesson Learned....Sun is bad for rubber boots.

Impending Danger

Last weekend I met a friend at a local outdoor mall called Santana Row for lunch and a spa day. While sipping my iced coffee, what did I see but this:

A cupcake shop! Praise all that is frosted and cakey and carbohydrate-laden!! Ever since stumbling upon a cupcake shop in New York City called Buttercup Bake Shop, I have been seriously enamoured with the gourmet cupcake.

And the best part? Is that it is right next to ClubOne Fitness. Talk about product placement.

Everyone loves a tasty cupcake right? (If not, something is truly wrong...) But if you are on a diet, these might be more your speed (or your child's at least):

Chooka Cupcake Land rain boots: $34.95

Chooka Giant Cupcake rain boots: $34.95

Life is uncertain....eat (or wear) dessert first!

Truer words were never spoken.

Damn You, PC

I have a friend who also blogs and I noticed she was getting all high techy on me using this cool app called SKITCH to add comments, arrows, etc. to photos.


So watched the "Learn Skitch in 3 Minutes!" video and discovered all the kick arse stuff I could do with Skitch that I had been attempting unsuccessfully to do with Paintbrush (which stinks to high heaven in my humble yet very self important opinion. I have never figured out how to use that darn application without swearing profusely and thus needing a stiff drink afterward).

I downloaded Skitch with delusions of grandeur for my future blog photos.

Then I discovered....

It is a Mac only app.


NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Since I can't justify buying a killer iBook right now, does anyone know of a similar application for us graphics-challenged PC users?


Preferably that is free (cuz I am cheap).

Art is in the Eye (or Foot) of the Beholder

We have a customer that has purchased a lot of boots from us. He doesn't wear the boots he buys but rather uses them for esthetic purposes. They are placed all around his house for pure visual enjoyment. Don't be wearin' them. They are art!!

Here are some photos he was kind enough to send us.

Such fancy pedestals he has for his beloved footwear. Love the Black and Decker box!

Finally....a man who appreciates the need for hundreds of pairs of shoes! (I have it on authority that he owns about 500 pair.....) Carrie Bradshaw would be so proud.

Doesn't Take Much

It doesn't take much to make me happy, most days at least. Here is my happy list for today:

1. Some of my favorite new summer TV shows are starting: Saving Grace, The Closer and Burn Notice (you just gotta love Fi).



2. John Mayer concert in 12 more days.



3. Just got a new JM CD and DVD.



4. It has finally cooled down. Hurrah for the mid 80s!!



5. My kids are in summer camp this week...quiet time rocks!



6. I had a cupcake and homemade ice cream today at my niece's 8th birthday party.



7. Chocolate and coffee (in general, these make me happy everyday!)



8. I took a nice walk after dinner with my dog and she didn't rip my arm off.



9. Got a couple good chuckles from some of may favorite blogs.



10. Didn't have to cook dinner...always something that puts a smile on my face.

Happiness is your dentist telling you it won't hurt and then having him catch his hand in the drill. ~Johnny Carson

Sounds like it doesn't take much to make Johnny happy either.

I hope everyone finds something to be happy about each and every day, even if it is just coffee and chocolate (or Mentos and herbal tea--whatever your poison)!

I KNEW This was Coming...

F Minus Comics

In case you can't read this very well:

The man speaking is saying, "I don't know how you guys can breathe that stuff."

The bottle next to him reads: AIR. Bottled in the Swiss Alps.

Any bets on how soon this really happens? I mean, there ARE oxygen bars around....which is pretty close.

I can see it now....

On sale at Target, $4.99 for a one gallon bottle of the purest air straight from a pristine* location in the USA**.

* Pristine = HA HA HA HA HA

**Bottled at the source (i.e. taxi cab exhaust pipes) in downtown Manhattan.

Suckers? Get yours now (or soon enough).

And You Thought Gas Was Expensive...

While in Hawaii I was in a grocery store buying a few things. One item I needed was milk.

I really wish I had taken a picture to prove this. But seriously? I was in shock.

A gallon of milk, regular old milk, not even organic or anything is...

(drum roll please)

$10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No joke.

Hawaiians probably give their kids Johnny Walker Red Label instead of milk....it is way flippin cheaper. Just slap a nipple on the bottle for infants or pour in a sippy cup for toddlers and away you go.

(I really don't condone underage drinking....just trying to make a point here on the outrageous cost of milk!)

Operation Experimentation #4-Death of a Rubber Boot

After two weeks basking in the sun on the lovely beaches of Hawaii I am now seriously concerned that my skin is basically reacting the same way as the rubber on these boots. I sure am glad I used 30 to 50 SPF and stayed in the shade as much as I did. Although for the previous 39 years that was not the case at ALL.

My new motto: Pasty white is the new tan.

Cuz once your skin looks as bad as this boot?

There ain't no turning back.

You can see in this close up how damaged the right boot is compared to the left.

Another close up view of the mid section of both boots.

Both boots, full view. The equivalent of sunscreen (left) VS no sunscreen (right).

The right boot has had nothing applied to it. The left has had 4 applications of Lacrosse Rubber Conditioner over 2 1/2 months. As you can tell, although the left boot has still been affected by the sun and heat, the right boot is MUCH worse off. I can actually feel the cracking on the right boot now and don't have to pinch the rubber to see the damage.

These boots are officially d-e-a-d. Please check back later for information on funeral services. Please send sunscreen in lieu of flowers.

Coppertone SPF 70 Spray?

I am so lovin you right now.

Some Cool New Chooka Styles

Here are a few new Chooka designs we now have available.

Chooka Metropolitan Rain Boots: $59.95

Chooka Noir Front Lace Rain Boots: $75.00

Chooka Buffalo Bone Front Lace Rain Boots: $75.00

You Know It's Africa Hot When...

1. The dog that normally shadows your every move doesn't get up and follow you everywhere


2. You don't have to turn the shower water past cold


3. You sweat in places you never thought possible ('nuf said)


4. Spontaneous combustion occurs on the short walk to get the mail


5. The fan on your laptop NEVER stops running


6. You'd rather eat all the creepy stuff they eat on Fear Factor than turn on your oven to make dinner


7. M&Ms actually DO melt in your hands


8. I am whining in my blog about how hot it is (okay I start whining when it hits about 80 but still...)

9. It is 80 degrees INSIDE your house and it feels cool

10. People you never, ever see in shorts are practically nude

I don't know what else to say except IT IS SO DAMN HOT!!

AARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!

Please, Mr. Sun, we all know you are strong and powerful. Please stop proving it. A nice 85 sounds great about now....

UPDATE:

You also know its Africa hot when you go outside at 8pm and a mere 96 degrees and you think, "Wow! It is so nice and cool outside!"

That? Is messed up.