little.black.sheep.shop

Penguin llama, penguin llama-llama... A Review of The Movie Tavern

My sisters and I snuck out on Sunday morning for and early re-viewing of Disney's The Lion King.

We weren't able to catch it in 3-D, but it was nice to see it on the silver screen nonetheless.

We headed to the Movie Tavern for their

Flapjacks Breakfast and a Flick

special early-bird menu.

(They recently changed the name of this promo, hence the correction above).

This is my review of my first trip to "Tha Tavern":

 ---------

I have to say - it was nice to see my sistahs so early in the morning...

And it was neat to be able to eat while watching a movie on the big screen...

But I wouldn't be itching to return to "Tha Tavern" very soon.

The chairs were office/computer chairs... a bit odd.

And the food was lukewarm and subpar. A big disappointment for a place that is trying to differentiate themselves using a concept based on FOOD!

Although they offered fresh fruit on their other menus later in the day, and obviously had fruit sitting in the kitchen ready to be served later in the day, they refused to serve it for breakfast. To my sister. My pregnant sister. Come on, now... That's just bad customer service.

They didn't hand out silverware - or even plasticware! In fact - I saw the lady to my right flag someone down so she could ask for something other than her own hands to spread the cream cheese that came with her bagel.

Srsly?

The food was decently priced, but you definitely get what you pay for.

The other thing is that it was so dark, it was hard to see your food - and that irked me for some reason.

"What does it look like?"

"How do I know this is what I ordered?"

"Did I just eat a piece of the thin paper they served my potatoes on???"

The movie itself was fine - the quality was great, the sound was good. I wouldn't really have any issues at all if it was just a regular old movie theatre.

But... it isn't, folks. Far from it.

------

This all may sound a little harsh to some. But I have been to a movie theatre with this kind of concept before - and they REALLY nailed it. They even had an upstairs area that was reserved for adults (over 21), where they had a full-service bar. So I know it can be done properly! (That place was south of Oklahoma City in Norman - SOOOO AWESOME!) Talk about a kick-a$$ place to have a date-night!

Ultimately, The Movie Tavern was built upon a good idea, but they didn't bother taking it all the way to the finish line. Which in my opinion, is really sad.

So I may return one day. But in the meantime, I'll tell the girls to come over to my place in their jammies. I'll whip up a fresh breakfast feast and we can watch an old classic on my big TV, cozied up together on my comfy couch. With Riley piled up somewhere on top of us, I'm sure.

:)

 

(For those of you who might be confused by the title of this post, listen to the opening song in The Lion King... I don't know what they are chanting in some African language in the background, but to me it always sounds like they're saying "penguin llama, penguin llama-llama"!!!)

-h-

Destroy Your Easter Treats

I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter weekend!

If you're overloaded on peeps and Cadbury's caramel eggs and can't manage to stuff any more down your gullet, here are some ways you can waste time destroying the rest of your stash.

Peep Research

These guys came up with a an array of creative ways to destroy the Peeps... They are really cute in how they present their "findings."

Believe it or not, CNN covered this in 1998. Srsly.

And...

Gizmodo recently presented:

Let Us Count The Ways We Can Explode A Cadbury Creme Egg

 

Not being a peep fan, I'm down with the Peep Experiments. But I honestly can't imagine anyone ruining a perfect fantastically-sweet Cadbury creme egg. Those things are delicious. They might give you diabetes... but ohmigod... I LOVE them!!

It's probably a good thing they are only here once a year, tho. :)

Enjoy these links!

Happy Monday!!!

xoxo

-h-

Green Boutique Shout Out

So I miss my home town from time to time... I miss it quite a bit, actually.

So when my friends and family in Houston all start talking about some fantastic new place there (restaurant, store, entertainment phenomenon), I get a sudden PANG of homesickness and wish I could click my heels three times and just BE there already!

Naturally, when I began to hear a steady stream of murmurings and rumors regarding a store selling organic, eco-friendly, and otherwise green products right in the heart of Clutch City, my ears perked up, and my homesickness went into full PANG-mode!

Found at 5160 Buffalo Speedway in Houston, this is a charming eco-friendly boutique that offers an array of green products that make my heart flutter!

And I have heard nothing but FANTASTIC things about this store... I was gifted one of their shirts made out of organic cotton for my birthday! (Many thanks to Mr & Mrs Holley!) It is seriously so beyond comfortable that I wish I had one for every day of the week!

My brother-in-law also selected one of their amazing purses for my twin for her birthday. It is not only made out of recycled materials - LOVE THAT! - but the kidney-shape and zippered straps make it oh-so-chic too.

(Two thumbs up, Keith!)

So if you live in (or are passing by) Houston, I urge you to visit this store and see what you can find to bring home with you (or to give to a friend).

It feels GOOD buying green... so it's not only good for Mother Earth, but it's good for your pysche too!

To check out One Green Street's upcoming events, visit their website. And if you are not lucky enough to live in H-town, you can keep up with the store's happenings from afar via the store owner's blog!

xoxo!

-h-

 

Real Simple Links

So I'm not a big magazine person... unless I'm sitting in a salon or waiting for my oil to be changed, I don't really subscribe to many magazines.

My one guilty-pleasure of an exception to this rule?

RealSimple.

I * heart * this zine. It has fantastic tips for finances, gardening, raising kids, mental and physical health... and they often have guest authors whose stories I get sucked into.

If you aren't familiar with this publication, I suggest you begin to subscribe... or ask for a gift subscription for your upcoming birthday, christmas, bat mitzvah or kwanzaa. Srsly.

:)

I don't feel guilty about getting this magazine sent to my house each month. Partially because I know I will either

1. Clip cool articles from the pages to send to my friends and family

2. Recycle the magazine along with my plastics and metals

3. Use the magazine in craft projects

And you know what?

You can too!

So in honor of my favorite (and only) magazine subscription, today I share with you earth-friendly links on RealSimple's website.

First up:

Under the category of "REUSE", they share reader's suggestions of

 

Gardening AND recycling? That's DOUBLE GREEN people!!!

 

Then, for those of you with kiddos, check out their tips for

LOVE it!

 

{ Do you have green or earth-friendly tips you'd like to share? Let me know and I'll post them here for ya! }

 

Happy Hump Day everyone!

xoxo!

-h-

 

Wicked Plants

On my recent trip to SF, we made it a point to stop by their Conservatory of Flowers... I was a little bummed that we were going to miss the Wicked Plants {botanical rogues & assassins} feature (which was scheduled to begin the following week)...

{ don't you love, love, LOVE the graphic design on their poster? }

 

If you find yourself currently in the SF area, I urge you to visit the Conservatory before this event is over in October... it looked like it was going to be pretty amazing.

Despite missing out on this feature, our trip certainly did not disappoint!

We saw so many gorgeous and interesting plants and flowers during our trip, my camera found itself clicking away before I knew what was happening!

I thought it would be extremely appropriate to share these pictures with you during Earth Week...

The plants made me appreciate the incredible living things we share this Earth with - things to be treasured and protected.

So here are many of my pics (there are so many because it was impossible to whittle it down to just a few!)

 

{ the beautifully kept grounds in front of the conservatory (you can see the domed white greenhouse in the distance) }

 

{ what i call a "living sign"... this one was quite clever. i had to get very close before i could figure out what living things made up this vista... }

 

{ sedum + moss! what an unexpected duo!! }

 

{ even the building had pretty details on its awnings }

 

{ the tropical section featured luscious green leaves and colorful flowers in all shapes and sizes to lure birds and insects }

 

{ these are a type of orchid (or are at least related), i believe... quite unusual! }

 

{ there were giant fuzzy ferns that towered above us so i couldn't help but imagine being a tiny caterpillar in a shaded glen... }

 

{ my sister spotted this pitcher plant as we walked by... the plant had many tendrils, to carry the weight of the pitchers... and it was awe inspiring to see them this close! }

 

{ the conservatory featured countless kinds of pitcher plants... some with mottled patterns, others with spikes... and this one that featured both! }

 

{ this little guy believed in interior decorating... blank on the outside, but stripes and freckles on the inside! just beautiful }

 

{ this was probably the most menacing looking of all with those large spikes and an opening at the top that looked like a gaping mouth... }

 

{ the colors in some of the plants were astounding... hard to believe you can see almost neon purple and pink in nature! }

 

{ this one was a little dr. seuss-esque... bunches of thin pointed pink spikes with very odd purple tube flowers }

 

{ they had a small pond with gigantic lily pads... made me want to come back as a frog in my next life }

 

{ lucky for me, orchids abounded. i have a soft spot for these delicate flowers... so it was an absolute treat to see so many different varieties in one place. these ones were large and chartreuse with peach centers }

 

{ this section featured more delicate and fragile potted orchids }

 

{ this one showed off a twisted "mustache" of sorts... or at least that was all i could see when i looked at it! and the bottom cup and top petal make me suddenly see the striking resemblance to pitcher plants... no wonder they're related! }

 

{ another "showy" one... do you see the mustache in this one like I do?? }

 

{ there is something about curled baby ferns that gets me... they seem so small and vulnerable. there were so many at the conservatory, it reminded me of my trip to Jamaica last year, which is home to hundreds of different types of ferns! }

 

{ then we headed over to the potted plants section. this display reminded me of my love for casual plant arrangements }

 

{ i couldn't believe this was alive... it is a type of wild yam appropriately named the Tortoise Plant }

 

{ some sort of citrus fruit that looked like a witch's hand }

 

{ this fuzzy flower looked like it was hand-painted... i loved that the peach fuzz covered the entire plant, from leaf to stem to inside the little buds! }

 

{ even nature can be organized... check out the orderly rows of what i suspect to be either spores or the eggs of some insect along the back of this leaf... love it! }

 

{ and finally, little baby buds... i only wish i could have stayed longer so i could come back and see what they looked like when they finally opened up! }

 

So you can see we had a very interesting trip!

It made me want to get my hands dirty with my gardening again - especially since the cold weather has FINALLY worn off!

This week, support your local greenhouses, nurseries, gardens, arboretums and museums. Plan a trip with your friends and family - and get your kids involved. Developing an appreciation of nature in our children could help provide them with a more promising future on this planet.

:)

 

* * *

 

Also, here's a reminder of earth-friendly tips I shared on my blog in years' past...

First, are a few tips regarding greening up your junk mail.

And then a link to earth-friendly craft ideas, courtesy of Kaboose.com. Enjoy!

For these and other tips, stay tuned every day this week. I'll be sharing my favorite "tree-hugging" ideas that I've come across. :)

xoxo!

- h -

Earth Week Kick Off!

I really *heart* Earth Day...

I think it does us well to have a day to remind us that a bigger world exists around us than we may realize as our hectic everyday lives whir by us.

And I'm a BIG believer in small changes!

Contagious and easy to make, they make big changes when multiplied over time.

So I'll be sharing some green/earth-friendly links to you this week (most are care of some newsletters I subscribe to).

First of all, 20 Ways to Make Every Day Earth Day!

This comes to us from Lowe's...

And most of the changes on this list are small and easy to implement.

Of course, many would end up bringing you to a home improvement store near you (consider the source of these tips)... so while you're there, buy a plant and give it a good home. :)

Here's their list!

20 Ways to Make Every Day Earth Day!

xoxo!

-h-

 

Google "Modern Quilting"

So in my excitement of blogging about my first proper quilting project, I began to look for ideas online. And while I can appreciate the work that goes into traditional quilts, I have found that aestheticaly speaking, I am much more attracted to modern designs.

Here are the quilt pics that I found to be very inspiring for my own current and future quilt projects...

 

{ I love how the bright colors and patterns in this simple quilt are balanced out by the white... very pretty and makes me think of spring }

 

 

{ the pic is fuzzy - but the pinwheels are clear... i love the simplicity of the design }

 

 

{ the quilt top on this quilt may have looked too plain... but the final quilted product is gorgeous... and this would be a quick weekend project, I suspect }

 

 

{ slightly off-kilter squares and frames... a bold combination of patterns and colors }

 

 

{ how pretty is this pillow? again... i'm noticing that i love the use of white as a base color... it helps these patterns and colors pop out... and the top stitching is really pretty too. also... is that felt? j'adore! }

 

 

{ perfect for scrap fabric that you don't know what else to do with... a gorgeous border and would look really nice in a guest bedroom. paired with unisex gray (which is a teeny bit dark for me), the balance totally works in my mind }

 

 

{ how pretty is this?! hanging on a wall or in a young girl's room... the birds in the corner are a really nice touch }

 

 

{ off-kilter squares and frames again... i must really love this style! and I love the monochromatic palette... luv it! }

 

 

{ striped stripes on white... circles quilted on top... very pretty and simple }

 

 

{ pretty squares on white... and i am in LOVE with that striped edge! }

 

 

{ this is obviously a departure from the other quilts that peaked my interest. but... the idea is actually the same. that rich brown serves as a neutral base. and the pinwheels are a lovely modern take on the traditional idea... love, love, love it }

 

 

{ i can't imagine th work and time (and love) that went into this beautiful quilt top - the leaves are so pretty... and can you spot the little bird in the tree? so pretty }

 

So far... based on these finds... I have decided these things:

1. I will be using white as the base of my first quilt (since it's already my neutral color)

2. I would love to incorporate a striped pattern on my binding edge

3. I want to incorporate a small image (perhaps a bird or a toadstool) somewhere on my quilt top or back... and have that remain an icon of all my quilt work going forward

 

I am SO excited to continue my work on my first proper quilt... piece by piece!

If you have any great quilting ideas or inspirations of your own... I invite you to share them with me!

xoxo!

-h-

 

A trip to Mainz, Germany - HELAU!!!

During my trip to Germany, I joined my friend and her German neighbor on a trip to Mainz to celebrate what they called Carnival. It's kind of like Mardi Gras... except to get the sweets (and other odd items) they toss from floats, you don't have to bare any skin. In fact... you just have to yell out HELAU for 4 hours straight!

We got dressed up, spiked a 2 liter of Diet Coke with a teeny bit of rum, and caught the morning train to Mainz. It took two hours to get there, and the parade seemed like it would never end. It was an interesting day - everyone got dressed up like it was Halloween. Except there weren't any scary costumes! 

 

{ i went as Athena and my friend went as a twenties flapper girl... it was cold, so we had bundled up with turtlenecks and gloves! }

 

{ we sipped on our "diet coke" for the few hours we were out there... refreshing! }

 

{ the giant heads that were sort of the brands of the parade }

 

{ some of what they tossed out to the outreaching arms of the crowd! }

 

{ a float with characters from some German children's show }

 

{ a cute bee couple on the same float }

 

{ and a dandy dandelion to top it off! }

 

{ a lot of people were dressed up in costumes reminiscent of George Washington... I have yet to figure out why }

 

{ polar bears! }

 

{ vikings... seriously... they looked very cold... }

 

{ one of the more involved floats that I liked - voodoo dolls! }

 

{ we got to enjoy some packaged waffles in the afternoon when we were hungry }

 

{ i was raised not to litter - and Germans are so eco-concious i was SHOCKED when everyone was throwing their trash on the streets during the parade! but... }

 

{ this was the same street only 30 minutes or so after the parade had finished - already cleaned up! }

 

I had a great time that day and enjoyed seeing a Germany tradition. We had a great spot in the sun, so we weren't even as cold as we had feared we would be. And with that, I will bid you...

HELAU!!!

hehe

-h-

Fortnum & Mason's

On my first full day in London, my sister and I met up with my fabulous aunt and we killed some time grabbing a bite to eat at Fortnum & Mason's - a London institution that has history dating back to the 1700s. No, that is not a typo. 1700s. Like... the century in which the Declaration of Independence was written!

Pretty incredible.

After grabbing a bite to eat (paired with a bottle of champagne because we were on vacation after all), we pottered around the various floors of the store, stumbling across all sorts of great finds. I wish I hadn't had to pack so light because I would have LOVED to have brought back some of the goodies I found!

 

{ the "beauty" floor had tables full of colorful soaps in the most fabulous scents }

 

{ the scent of the Bronnley Lemon soaps (in the shape of lemons) took my aunt back to her childhood }

 

{ they even had a perfumery bar where you could mix your own custom fragrances - tres chic }

 

{ Fortnum & Mason's offers Highgrove-branded garden products (The Highgrove Estate of His Royal Highness, Prince Charles) and proceeds benefit charities - two thumbs way up }

 

{ from Highgrove were citronella candles, twine, and colorful watering pots }

 

{ check out this sweet suede gardening apron from Highgrove! Practical and charming! }

 

{ loved the color of this garden sign }

 

{ the bottom two floors offered food items - a blur of tins and jars full of delicious treats! }

 

{ crackers, honey, jams and jellies... }

 

{ English tea? take your pick! }

 

 

{ a peek down to the lowest level boasting a variety of produce, breads, cheeses, and canned and preserved items }

 

{ does anyone know what to do with preserved lemons? i don't... but I loved the packaging! }

 

{ friendly daffodils were offered in their small flower section - my favorite flower! }

 

It was really nice to walk around and see what they had to offer... and I may have spent some money had I had room in my luggage. If you want to check out Fortnum & Mason's for yourself, or look into the Highgrove Estate and its products, visit their websites.

xoxo!

-h-

Pics of Sweet Candy Cakes

{ windsor, england: candy cakes' cupcakes. take a walk through the streets of windsor and i challenge you not to want to step into this adorable little shop! their cupcakes were individual masterpieces... such care was taken with each one. they almost looked too good to eat! }

 

{ sweet-lovers were eyeing the candy cakes through the window... and i didn't blame them! }

 

{ it was SO hard to just window shop and not snatch up any of these cuties to take home! all the colors were so cheerful! }

 

{ can you spot the tiny toadstool?! LOVE it! }

 

{ and teeny tiny penguins! arggggggh! tooooooo cuuuuuuute! }

 

Check out everything this shop has to offer - visit their website!

xoxo!

-h-