Power Ballad Thursday: Joe Cocker - You Can Leave Your Hat On

Oh, hello winter blogging doldrums.

This is the time of year where I'm too cold to lead an interesting life or write about things and end up just doing nothing.  Which is ridiculous because I've actually done a lot this month. But I'm just too cold to type it up! Or take pictures!

But not cold enough to make excuses! HEYO!

Anyway, it's Power Ballad Thursday, y'all!

Let's kick it into gear!

I don't know if this actually qualifies as a power ballad. But it was on a Power Ballad List so I'm including it. But really, it's not. WHATEVER.

Because it's so sexy. And the guy in the video (the non Joe Cocker guy) looks like Logan Echolls from Veronica Mars. Oof.

There are like NO good photos of this guy.

I wish they would just remake this video with Logan Echolls stipping. I'd like it more.

Also, this video made me paranoid to watch it at work. So there's that. But it's got horns. Horns are sexy.

If I could, I'd just play the Sanford and Sons theme song everytime I think about how sexy horns are. Because THAT is a sexy jam.

I shouldn't say "sexy" so much in one post...Oh well!

Wait! No one's wearing a fucking hat at any point in this video. I feel like this was a missed opportunity.

Anyway! Have a great PBT!

xoxo
Amanda

Long Weekend in Savannah

Oh hai, blog readers!

I took another accidental hiatus to take a short (4 day) trip to Savannah, GA to visit my fresh baby niece.  So, in lieu of a #PBT post today, we're going to recap my trip down south. Because it's more interesting. And i'm tired.

First and foremost, my niece is goddamn adorable. I mean, she has these adorable pudgy cheeks and she sleeps all the time and she laughs a lot. 

I got into town on Saturday afternoon and we headed over to the house to visit/stay the night/play euchre. Any nights spent hanging out with my family playing games are amazing in my book. They just really refuel your mojo. Being able to snuggle Kodah all night didn't hurt matters.

Sunday involved heading to downtown Savannah for a day of shopping and daydreaming about owning a boutique of vintage and reproduction housewares. I mean, it also involved getting food at a southern paced (read: slow) bar with tasty beers and main dishes like the "tacodilla". But mostly, it was just darting in and out of shops and catching up with family.  

 

Sunday evening was all about the fact that Savannah allows you to walk around the streets with open drinks. And that they have a bar that exclusively serves blended drinks out of slushy machines. Dear god, I love me some slushified drinks.

After a long day of exploring, we headed to the hotel to snuggle some more. And eat pizza while playing card games.  Seriously, if I could see my family every other weekend and just play games, I'd be the happiest person in the world. It was getting late though so we went to bed for an action packed day on Monday.

On Monday, we ate beignets on River Street as a group and then split off because the majority of the group doesn't love poking around every single shop in the city like Jean and I do.  We walked over 10,000 steps and spent the entire day looking around the beautiful city and shopping in antique stores and boutiques. It was a pretty great way to spend a morning/afternoon.

We had another cozy night in. Eating BBQ and playing more games. Before heading to the hotel to explore the small, but nice rooftop deck overlooking city hall.  

Tuesday, was flight day so we were headed back to Jacksonville pretty early to get me to the airport. But not without a stop to the beach on St. Simons Island for a quick snapshot and visit with the neighborhood dog.

All in all, it was a pretty fantastic trip. I'd absolutely recommend visiting Savannah to anyone who enjoys warm weather, historical places, shopping, drinking, and playing card games with Zechars.

xoxo
Amanda

Power Ballad Thursday: Phill Collins - In The Air Tonight

If I'm being 100% honest, I had never seen this video until today. And I was a little concerned that it'd be all just a closeup on Phil's face for 5 minutes.

And yes, that's a good majority of the video (and why is it blurry?). But then there's a storyline in there. And it's weird as shit.

He's staring at the moon. And he's staring at himself. And he's opening doors. And he's full of bright colors all of a sudden. Instead of black and white. (but he fades back to black and white).

Whatever. The drums make this song amazing.

I picture it like this:

The Backpack Debate

If you've ever had to talk me through a brainstorming session, you know that I'm crazy. I'm the type of person who gets an idea in their head and immediately wants to see it recognized. So I go full force and annoy the crap out of my friends on gchat with links and arguments for everything my mind can think of.

Just look at the fact that I still haven't picked a new duvet cover. I go through the brainstorming process on it every 2 months and never pull the trigger.

But, more often than not, I get impulsive and buy things when I get all amped up on brainstorm juices. Which is what happened after my recent work trip to Canada when I decided I needed a backpack immediately.

See, I already went through this whole endeavor in July when I decided between a messenger bag for my laptop or a backpack. (I foolishly chose messenger bag and my back is NOT happy about it).

Anyway, let's walk through this process.

I really liked bags that had a top flap like a knapsack (see below). And I knew that I wanted a quality bag that was cute but could be considered professional. So I narrowed it down to these 4 options.

1. Herschel Supply Co. - Retreat
This bag is big enough to hold a 15" laptop (which I have) and available in neutral colors. Plus, the company is known for quality. The only negative is that it doesn't have a separate front pocket.

2. Jansport SuperBreak
This is a classic backpack. EVERYONE has a black Jansport. Except me. I have this weird tan/greenish one from high school that still has dog hair inside (which makes me sad. and dirty). So this was an option because it's cheaper than all the other options by like $25. But it's still boring and just a backpack. And everyone has it...so that's boring.

3. Fjallraven Kanken
This bag is cute as shit. It's available in like 20 colors and is a fun shape. It has a front pocket and I like that the top straps exist. It gives you another option for carrying.  But the negative is that the straps are just cords basically. There's no comfort so I'm sure I'd be complaining in a few months.

4. Herschel Supply Co. - Little America
Look at this - another Herschel backpack. This one was on Fab.com, where I have a gift card which made the higher price more manageable. But then I found out that it only holds a 13" laptop. Meaning that it's more expensive for less space. So, despite it's cute looks, it wouldn't work for me.

Obviously I chose number 1. You can tell because of the lack of negatives. It's actually arriving today which is super exciting (mail!). I'll be sure to let you know how it works out for me after a few uses. :)

xoxo
Amanda

Music Monday: Britney Spears - Work Bitch

It's not so much a snow day as an arctic temperatures day. But nonetheless, I'm working from home.

Which is nice because I'm travelling to Toronto for a conference for the next 3 days. So any time at home is nice.

Plus I get to dance. Cuz this jam is amazing.

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Amanda

Local Flavor: Monti's Restaurant

Monti's Restaurant

4757 N Talman Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

www.ilovemontis.com

I freaking LOVE Montis. We found out about this gem last year when we bought a groupon for it for Valentine's day. Because we're romantic. And we've been hooked ever since.

Not only does this place boast the most amazing Philly Cheesesteaks outside...you know...Philly, but it also has a kickass bar that boasts 50 craft beers, a rotating tap, and drink specials.

We pretty much bring everyone to this place - or at a minimum we recommend that they check it out. And I have yet to meet a person who doesn't absolutely love it.  My mom, who's a picky eater, ended up wanting to take a huge batch to go - it was that good!

Last weekend, John and I headed out to write up this review (and pig out) and decided to up the ante by getting an appetizer before our meat monsters. Not our best idea. Did we like the pretzel bites? Yes. Did we get way too full? Absolutely. So, if you're going to check this place out with less than 4 people, remember that you will need a lot of room for amazing sandwichwes and fries later.

Speaking of which. It's about time I got down to the nitty gritty and discuss these sandwiches. The cheesesteaks at Monti's are legit.  I mean, the owners are from Philly and know what they're doing on that grill. It's like they've tapped into what heaven must taste like and placed it on a toasty bun. And then added cheese - aka the devil's play thing.

I tend to play it safe and delicious with my food choices - so I stick with the classic Philly and fries (in a mini size - because moderation). There's also a 3 mini sampler that would be a good idea for a group of friends to split. Or for a daring person to tackle.

Speaking of which, John's more daring than I am. He got this monster (a regular sized sandwich) called the Southside Johnny. I like to pretend he got it because my niece call's him Johnny. But it was probably more for the mushrooms than anything else.  But he was pretty full after this. And ended up in a meat coma.

The point is - you should go to Monti's. You should soak in the juices and bathe in the beer. You should buy gift cards and send them to me.

I'm so glad I bought another Groupon for this place yesterday. *drool*

xoxo
Amanda

Power Ballad Thursday: Roxette - Listen to Your Heart

I do not love live performance videos.

That being said, I do love this chick's style. (Upon further reasearch her name is Marie). She performs barefoot and wears bodycon dresses. And her hair is perfect. I love her. I want to be her.

Also, this band is apparently Swedish which makes sense because I was going to say how much this girl Marie reminds me of Robyn. Like, I'm sure they're related or something.

Is it crazy snowy where you guys are btw? Because it is here and I'm not loving it. If only because I had to wear my serious hat and it gave me hat hair.

Oh well!

Happy 2014!

Happy #PBT!

xoxo
Amanda