A few of my favorite things July 11, 2007
Posted by charmingbutsingle in Daydreams, Listing is fun and easy, Shopping, Songs I Can't Get Out Of My Head.trackback
I don’t do lists enough, I think. (Also, don’t know that I could throw together a coherent post right now to save my life.) So here are some of my favorite summer-type things:
- There is this skirt from Old Navy that isn’t online, which annoys me, because I would order two more. But I happen to know that it is still in stores, because, well, my mom saw me wear it (because I wear it all of the time) and she said she saw it at Old Navy and my Momma speaks only the truth. It is the perfect summer skirt. It is full and flowy with a two-inch smocked waistband, which makes it extra comfortable. It is great paired with a tank top for a summer barbecue or an afternoon shopping, perfect over a swimsuit at a pool party and even kind of cute with a thin button down sweater over a camisole. I would recommend trying on a size smaller than you normally wear, because the waistband is reeeeally stretchy and the skirt is kind of full. Also, if you find it online, let me know. ‘Cause my goal for this weekend is to sit by the pool with this battery-powered fan attached to a spray bottle that I found at Target, not shop.
- Watermelon brings back memories of Fourths of July at my grandparents’ house, swimming in their pool on Sunday afternoons when the most difficult decision I had to make was if I wanted wear my Speedo practice swimsuit or my bright floral “fun” swimsuit.
- A bartender at this pub I sometimes hit after work introduced me to Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat beer. It’s been tough on me because I didn’t know how to pronounce it until I actually purchased a six pack (tonight). A few weeks ago, I made The Banker order a pint of “that beer from the bright blue tap with a fake orange wedge on it.” And this guy sitting at the bar quipped, “I love when people order beer based on how pretty the tap is.” And I had to set him straight – that I love good beer, that I love wheat beer, that I am not some ditz who is like, “Ooooooh, blue tap will match my eyes!” In the bottle, it is good, but on draft with a wedge of orange, this beer is amazing. I’ve been drinking Blue Moon as a cheaper alternative to Hoegaarden, but the slightly fruity undertones of the Leinenkugel are so perfectly refreshing that I’ve abandoned Blue Moon temporarily. Don’t take my word for it. Go to a bar, get yourself a pint, sit outside and people watch with a friend. You won’t be sorry.
- I saw an 80s cover band a few weeks back and I’ve been obsessed with “Shadows of the Night” by Pat Benatar ever since. If I were to wake up one morning with even a modicum of musical talent and became a hit singing sensation, I would start all of my shows with this song. Me, standing in a pool of light alone in the middle of the stage, belting out that a cappella opening and then the lights come up and I’m being backed by The Bangles (this is a fantasy, after all) and there is smoke and flashing lights and I’m wearing that green dress Pat Benatar wore in the “Love is a Battlefield” video. Surrender all your dreams to me tonight, people.
- A few weeks ago, in preparation for tailgating season, I bought this awesome tote-bag style cooler at Target. I wanted something big enough that I could stand a wine bottle in it – not because I bring wine to tailgates, but because I bring wine and snacks other places. So this one hold 24 cans, which is an embarrassingly large amount, even for me. But I figure this way it won’t get too crowded. And it has straps like a purse, which is good, because I can’t really fit that much beer in my purse.
- My new favorite song to use to torture my little sister is “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse. (I know, not that new. I’m not hip.) My sister hates that I sing the wrong lyrics to songs, so I make sure to do it loudly when she’s around. I was staying with her this past weekend while my parents were out of town and I kept singing, “I don’t wanna go to rehab, I said yooooo, yooooo, yooooo.” I thought she was going to deck me, which made it even more fun.
- Orbit has this new Mint Mojito flavored gum. I’m not a huge fan of the mojito, probably because I don’t think I’ve ever had a good one, but this gum is kind of fruity with a kick of mint. As an added bonus, it is bright green, which reminds me of Bubbleicious gum that I used to chew when I was a kid. Also, it is sugarfree.
Mint Mojito is the best!
It seems that nobody is able to pronounce Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat. At my favorite local bar it is referred to by it’s taste… everyone calls it the “fruity pebble” beer. Next time you drink it think back to bowls of fruity pebbles as a kid–it’s such a reminder of the fruity & crisp taste (obviously I loved fruity pebbles as a kid.) I also love the Sunset Wheat and have abandoned my Blue Moon as the summer brew for the Leinenkugel.
I’ve always been partial to Wittekerke, although it comes in such a small can, it’s gone before I know it. Most bars around here don’t serve Wittekerke, so a bartender offered me Leinenkugel (and NOT Blue Moon, surprisingly) as an alternative. And since they stock Leinenkugel in the grocery stores, it’s my new go-to summer brew. YUM!
I grew up in the midwest so Leinenkugel is what I drank in college. I agree - it’s the BEST beer to drink with friends. But we didn’t bother saying the full name of the beer when ordering… we just called it a Linney’s Red, Linney’s Sunset Wheat, etc. It’s easier and faster!
There is nothing more refreshing than a good Mojito. Make it a summer mission to find a bartender that know what a good Mojito is!
If you like that Leienkugel, you’ll love Bell’s Oberon. I think it might just be a Michigan beer, but trust me, it’s the sign of summer here.
I have that skirt in white! It’s amazing and I totally regret not buying the black one.
Like Sheila, I am from the Midwest, Land of Leinenkugel, and we always call it “Leinie’s”. I can’t pronounce the full naem either. Sunset Wheat is awesome, but the Summer Shandy and the Honeyweiss are also excellent beers, especially if you like a fruity beer a la Blue Moon.
My dad grew up in the midwest and all he ever talks about is “Leinie’s”!! Sadly I’ve never seen it out here in California! I’m not a wheat beer person, but have had the pleasure of having another “flavor” and remember really liking it!
I’d also like to thank you as I’m feeling the need to get to Old Navy to find this skirt you speak of!!!!!!!!!! 
Sounds cute!!
I am SO getting that tailgating tote. Thanks!
Leinies is a Wisconsin brew! Their Summer Shandy beer is basically a lemony wheat beer….very nice.
Oh how I love Pat Benatar. She kicked ass then and she kicks ass now
We Mid-Western’ers surprisingly have quite a few tasty summer beers up here. Probably because it can be so fleeting some times, we need a quality brew to help us remember when wintertime rolls around. Besidese Sunset Wheat (Reminds me of Blueberries personally) if you ever have a chance to try Summit’s Scandia Ale, or even Boulevard Wheat, you won’t be dissapointed.
I’m all about trying Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat but how DO you pronounce it? Please don’t make me explain blue with orange wedge to everyone too!!!
waiting patiently as I chew mojito gum…
Dude. Pat Benatar is a GODDESS. I JUST saw her play at the Marin County Fair on July 2, and she ROCKED the damn house down! Shadows of the Night kicks ass.
Line-in-koo-gill
Didn’t any of you study German at school?
LOVE the Leinie! The Summer Shandy, IMHO is better than the Sunset Wheat, but up here in New England all we can get is the Sunset Wheat - and even that is a new development… If someone can tell me the closest place to get Summer Shandy, I would love them forever.
I’ll bite: A few of my favorite things , (In No particular order):
1.) The first successful air air craft carrier, the USS Los Angeles (ZR-3): [Confused? Look for the pics at the bottom]:
[http://www.nlhs.com/usslos.htm] and here:
[http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/ac-usn22/z-types/zr3.htm]
2.) Thebulletin.org [http://thebulletin.org/]
3.) Tech Review from MIT [http://www.technologyreview.com]
4.) Digging up 19th century diddies to play at home or in the car:
[http://www.archeophone.com/index.php]
5.) FT.com, BBC.com, CBC.com. The FT in print is one of the finest papers & reportage in the English language.
6.) Being able to afford some safe classy fireworks w/o fear of setting the woods on fire during the extended drought:
[http://www.dicannonworks.com/carriages.htm]
7.) Hard Cider, (K’s, Ace’s Strong Bow).
8.) Always The Heavy Weight Champ for ‘My favorite Things’:
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Favorite_Things_(album)]
Cheers & Good Luck, ‘VJ’
Geez, I only read it every day, that CBC.CA, sorry about that! Cheers, VJ
I’ve been a’eatin’ that mojito gum since it came out. The raspberry flavor they came out with is also spectacular.
Keep on chewin’!
I don’t chew gum. Ever.
i LOVE leinenkugels!!! have them put an orange wedge on it!
running out to get some orbit…
I’m usually not a fan of remixes, but there is a Rehab remix which has to be the best little dance song around. Definitely download it. Also, I am chewing on my Mojito gum right now and just dreaming about the weekend when I can actually drink one.
Sunset Wheat is amazing - just stay away from Summer Shandy, pledge in a bottle!!
Try this one. Bald Australian man music.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QyeTuoWCqUE
And this one. Strangely haunting New Zealand man music.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mG0LVRSx5Ng#
Wow Jillian, that seemed a little harsh. I’m sure if the name were from a backing you weren’t familiar with you’d be a little less sassy.
I think every girl loves flirty, flowy, skirts in the summer. There is nothing like the sunnshine, a light summer breeze, and sexy skirt with movement.
Glad you’ve found Leine’s line of wonderful beers. I enjoy Honey Weiss (pronounced Viess). Next time, blow your bartender away by asking for Leine’s. Don’t even try to pronounce the entire name…us wisconsinites don’t.
I think I know which bag you’re talking about at Target as I got the same one, because it could hold 1-2 bottles of wine! Such a good deal.
great list! i recently tried blue moon with the orange. it’s strangely like V-8 tasting to me though. not sure what that’s all about.
if they have applebees near you, they make an AWESOME mojito. you should try theirs. good luck stumbling home, those suckers are HUGE!
oh, and i just love pat benatar, and amy winehouse!