Inspiration: Michelle "EstroJen" Steilen

I’m sure ya’ll have seen these cute pastel roller skates all over the internet, prompting women everywhere to make mad dashes to Urban Outfitters to get a pair. These adorable skates were created by Long Beach badass, Michelle Steilen, of Moxi Rollerskates. But what makes Michelle, a.k.a. “EstroJen” or “Estro” in the roller derby community, really special and super inspiring is her raw, insanely talented roller skating ability. I always have hearts in my eyes for athletic women, and I'm crushing hard on EstroJen. Check out her gnarly roller skating skills in this video for Bones bearings. I hope it compels you to get rolling; I know I’ll be dusting off my old skates. 

shootin guns, eatin pie, gettin by.

Pie n' Burger in Pasadena has some mean burgers and delicious homemade pumpkin pie.

a favorite thrifted purse

fuzzy outfit

awesome old BBQ sign in Yarnell, AZ.

golden trees in Prescott, AZ

antique shopping in Prescott, AZ.

Pete's new baby

Hot dog, it's been a while since I’ve my an appearance on my blog! So here I am, stepping in for a twirl to say hello and let you know that I’ve thus far managed to avoid the winter blues by keeping busy with familiar past times (eating pie, playing dress up, antique/thrift store shopping) and engaging in some new experiences too.  A few weekends back, our friends took us to an outdoor shooting range and showed me how to shoot a .22 hand gun and rifle. Shooting guns was fun, but it made me realize I really need to get into martial arts or something because I’d rather count on my body for self defense than use a lethal weapon. I can leave the gun shooting to Pete, who, turns out, has amazing aim.

This past weekend, Pete & I drove out to Prescott, Arizona, where we experienced beautiful fall foliage and weather! (Maybe if we had a proper fall in Southern California, folks wouldn’t be trying to bring on Christmas so prematurely. God help me, the employees at Starbucks are dressed like elves!) We drove out to be with Ma for her birthday. But it was really more like my birthday because Ma took me to all the thrift stores around town, and accompanied me on my mad whirl through the many antique shops in the town square. Towards the end of our shopping spree, poor Ma got hit with some major allergies - her right eye swollen, gooey, and red. I guess Pete ain’t the only one to be allergic to my lifestyle, but he & his ma are both good sports. And I scored some really neat finds that I’ll have to show you another time. Oh, and it looks like I’m officially a motorcycle mama, as Pete bought himself a new ride (with a seat for me) while we were out in Arizona. Now, what in the heck am I gonna wear?

Well friends, I hope you are enjoying yourselves.  If you live in Southern California and like roots music, be sure to check out the Long Beach Folk Revival Festival this Saturday, where I will be selling vintage, and which is sure to be a rollicking good time. 

“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.”
-- Dalai Lama XIV