Thought of the Day

Russell Simmons caught some flack because he called Courtney Love a "crackhead" after she accidentally uploaded naked photos of herself to her Twitter.

Um, Courtney Love IS a crackhead. I thought this was common knowledge. It's like yelling at someone for calling an orange "an orange".

He had nothing to apologize for.

Wax Museum

So in my previous post, I talked about visiting a wax museum in St. Louis. Well, I really want to open a wax museum now and I was thinking about the people I would have in it. With out further adu-here's my list of people I think either deserve to be immortalized in wax or at the very least, they would be a lot of fun to make!

Musicians/Bands: (in no particular order)
Danzig as well as the Misfits
Ronnie James Dio
Metallica (long hair)
The Rolling Stones (in the 70's)
KISS
Jerry Lee Lewis (complete with flaming piano and 13 year old Myra)
Buddy Holly
Link Ray
Dick Dale
Billie Holiday
Michael Buble
The Rat Pack (as well as young Frank Sinatra)
Downtown Julie Brown
Bobby Darin
Dwight Yoakam





Movie Stars:
Joan Crawford (of course)
Judy Garland
Bette Davis
Betty Grable
Steve Buschemi
John Cusack
Rock Hudson
Kevin Spacey
Marilyn Monroe (Some Like It Hot)
Juliet Lewis and Woody Harrelson as Mickey and Mallory
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Meatloaf



Horror:
Leatherface (1974)
Pennywise (even though I'm deathly afraid of clowns, this would be a terrifying addition. Someone else would have to make it haha)
All the Universal Monsters of course
Hellraiser
Michael Myers
Ed Gein
John Wayne Gacy
Jeffrey Dahmer
Ted Bundy
Edmund Kemper
Charles Manson
Albert Fish
Eileen Wornose (even though I despise her and her fame, she would be a really gross wax figure)
Richard Kuklinski (if you don't know who he is, read "Iceman: Confessions of a mafia hit man" it's amazing!)
The "Shaving Scene" from Cabin Fever
The Devils Rejects
The Phantom of the Opera


Public Figures: (the "Other" Category really haha)
Dita Von Teese
Bettie Page
Tempest Storm
Lily St. Cyr
The guys from Ghost Adventures (hilarious)
Ren and Stimpy (along with Mr. Horse and Powdered Toast Man)

St. Louis

So the hubby and I took a little vacation last week to St. Louis for a few days. We haven't had the chance to take our honeymoon but weren't able to make it to Las Vegas just yet, so we decided to compromise and drive a few hours east to get out of town for a while. It was a really refreshing vacation. We both really needed it.

Here's the link to my facebook photo album with all the pictures in it as I didn't have time to post them on here!

I drive a lot. I have a nice, reliable, four-door vehicle and it seems that I'm always driving everyone around and it really is the best car for travel. Now I have heard from people out-of-state that the folks in nearby Johnson County (just over the state line in KS) are some the worst drivers they have ever experienced...and I whole-heartedly agreed; that was BEFORE this trip to St. Louis. I have never been SO frustrated while driving in my life. The speed limit in that general region (we actually stayed just outside of St. Louis in a city called Chesterfield) is apparently just a suggestion! You could go 60 or you could go 85! Turn signals are obsolete, don't even bother. Even if you did use your signal, people completely ignore them as if they have no idea what a turn signal is for! I saw people cut across four lane highways to get to the off-ramp, a gentleman in a giant white van decided that he was exiting prematurely and instead of continuing on the ramp to get back onto the highway at a later time, he jerked his van (at the very last possible moment and WITHOUT a turn signal, if you can believe that) directly in front me and i had to swerve/slam on my breaks to avoid from being hit. A friend of ours that we were visiting with while out there told us that the highway that runs through his city (High Ridge, MO) has about two to three deaths a month, if not more, because of the way people drive. It's like they think it's a god dammed race track!
Worst. Drivers. Ever.

Oh and if you're from St. Louis and you're offended by the above paragraph then I'm going to go ahead and assume that you are one of the horrible drivers I had to deal with and well...you fucking suck. Get a bike.

Anyway!!

We got into town Thursday afternoon and headed straight to the tattoo shop. Both David and I got tattooed while on vacation. Our amazing friend Aaron owns Diablo Ink Tattoo (High Ridge, MO) and we make it a point to attempt to get tattooed by him whenever we head to St. Louey. David started an awesome, giant madusa on his thigh. So far it's just some ghost lines and some black/grey shading. It will be in color and will take about thirty more hours of work.

After he got around three and half hours in, we called it quits and Aaron, along with his awesome girlfriend Cat, took us out to dinner at this great little restaurant in Festus, MO called Petit Paree. The decor was amazing, I really should have taken some pictures. French impressionist paintings all over, pin-ups galore also! It was dimmly lit, there weren't a whole lot of people on our side of the restaurant; nice and quiet.

We had smoked haddock and es gargo for appetizers. Well I had the smoked haddock-which was delicious but I could not bring myself to try the es cargo. I'm sure that it tasted yummy but I'm a texture person and I just couldn't do it. For the main course, Aaron had filet mingon, Cat had grilled tilapia, David had giant scallops and I had a great fried cod. All in all, it was a pretty tasty dinner and a nice way to start off our vacation. After dinner, David was pretty spent after the tattoo so we high-tailed it back to our hotel where we both proceeded to pass out.

Friday morning we got up early, had breakfast at The Original Pankcake House-DELICIOUS. I highly recommend you check this place out if you get the chance. We then headed to Riverfront to scope out the arch. We didn't really have time to wait in line for tickets to go up (we didn't really have an itinerary all weekend and we suffered a bit for it.) After the arch, we drove around trying to find a wax musuem that I had heard about but unable to find out-and getting frustrated-we went back to the hotel to relax for a short while before heading back to the tattoo shop so I could get tattooed (yay!)

My Frankenstein took about two and half hours and I just adore it! It's the perfect compliment to my Bride and I'm getting Lon Chaney as The Phantom of the Opera next (all paintings by Basil Gogo.) After the tattoo, we headed back to the hotel to recouperate and get some dinner. We greatly under-estimated the amount of people that dine at all the restaurants by our hotel and being that it was around 7 or 8, everything was PACKED to the gills. We drove back and forth down the "main drag" until we decided (and were able) to get a table at this great Mexican joint called El Matador. It was exactly the same restaurant as La Fuenta or El Maguey here in KC, so we were happy to know that our food was going to be good and it was! The rest of the evening was spent back at our hotel watching TV and just relaxing. Getting tattooed can take it out of ya!

Saturday we headed back down the riverfront, after visiting the nearby target so I could buy a new belt, jeans and tank top haha. We ate a place called Joey B's where I was disappointed at the fact that all their pizzas were made with provel cheese (apparently a big st. louis thing) so although I was dying for pizza, I got the roast beef and swiss which was pretty good. David got a bacon burger with about five whole onion rings thrown on top with bacon and BBQ sauce. He said it tasted good but it was so ridiculously sloppy, he had a hard time enjoying it. This restaurant had a giant shot list with all the fun and quirky names and what was in each shot. My favorite were the Nazi from Hell-Jaeger, Goldschalger and Rumpleminz. Disgusting. We finished off lunch with two shots of what they had named "Puerto Rican Prostitute" which were delicious. Midori, Bacardi 151 and Pineapple Juice. YUM!

After lunch we finally found the god dammed wax Museum. I loovvveed this place. I officially want to open my own here in KC. We don't have one, and I think I'm just the person to start one up! The first couple of floors were the typical stuff-movie starts, musicians, politicians, some super creepy dwarves, then there was the horror section (the most appropriate time for my camera to die causing me to switch to my phone...i was sad) then the very bottom was the "Not for the faint of heart" section I guess you could call it. It was awesome. I was really impressed with not only the figures themselves, but some of the environments they had created.

We went the casino next because it was down the street and we were actually pretty lucky. He hit about$75 on roullette and I won $60 of a penny slot. Then we went back to the hotel for a while until we decided on dinner. Since he wasn't hungry and I still hadn't gotten my pizza fix, I ate at this place called East Coast Pizza. Not bad, not bad at all.

We didn't want to drive all the way back into the city but didn't want to go back to hotel yet, so we ended up at the Chesterfield Mall. There was a store that we though was long gone called Slackers. They actually sold cd's, movies, posters, action figures and comics! We purchased the last awesome Slayer poster for $8 and I bought The Omen, American History X and a compilation of documentaries about serial killers-all for under $20. The rest of the night we relaxed at the hotel, then we were up bright and early to drive home! All in all it was a really nice vacation and we were not ready to come back, that's for sure.

Dior Spring Collection 2010

So I caught come pictures of the Christian Dior spring collection at Paris Fashion Week and I have to admit that I am torn. There were a few pieces that I really enjoyed, like the longer dresses, a few tops and a pair of fabulous high-waist pants; not to mention some amazing heels. Overall, I really enjoyed the designs themselves. Then there were issues, even with the pieces that I liked. Most of my issues are about the styling of the models and the pairing they did.







The two main things that bothered me were A-how horrible the clothes fit the models and B-the looks didn't actually create an entire "look" for me, personally. I saw them all as individual pieces.

Addressing issue number one...
I can't imagine trying to dress someone who weighs less than 46 lbs., but you would think designers, especially Dior whom I adore, would think maybe the clothes are a bit too loose? How do you put a high-waist pant on someone who doesn't have a waist?!
Look at the image above with the pant. Gorgeous color, the buttons are amazing but they look about two sizes too big! The blouse is the same story. If they would have used models that actually have a shape (besides straight up and down) then I think the clothes would have looked a million times better.

I admit I am bias when it comes to clothes with a "vintage feel." I think if you're going to do vintage, go all out. I understand though that they want to create new, modern pieces and not re-create something from the past.

Issue number two...
This isn't so much about the design of the clothes, it's more the styling. Again, I know they want a modern feel to the collection, but there is no way I would pair this GORGEOUS top with that skirt.



How perfect would that top be with those pants above? Especially on someone who actually eats! The same goes for the pink floral top above. I could never pull off those "not quite capris-not quite shorts" pant anyway, but that is the last top I would try to pair it with.

My last big bitch; this is the OCD talking even though I know I'm not the only one who picked up on it, was the fact the bangs whether they were clipped in or real were CUT CROOKED!. Seriously? You're sending models in Dior down the runway with crooked hair. I have a hard time leaving the house if my bangs are crooked. Someone get them some scissors asap.


You can check out the rest of the collection along with other designers from this years Paris Fashion Week and past shows here.

Save the boobies!

Saturday, Louise LeMans and I spent a few hours at this wonderful antique store called Liberty Belle helping to raise money for the Young Survival Coalition-a great organization that helps women under the age of 40 cope with having breast cancer and spreads the word to younger women about getting checked for breast cancer.

We were also fortunate enough to be able to celebrate the owner, Linda's, birthday. She got this amazing cake from Judi's Bakery. It not only looked incredible, but it was pretty darn tasty as well. I wish I was able to eat more than a few bites!




Our afternoon consisted of talking to the many patrons walking around about donating and eating cake!

Louise and I had our little podium fashioned with my hand-made "Save the Boobies" signs.


Yes, those are cake plates.

I don't know how much money we actually raised but I know we helped out at least a little bit and every bit counts!

Dear VH1...

First off, let me extend my congratulations for getting one out of your "100 Greatest Artist of All Time" countdown correct. Michael Jackson is not better than The Beatles and I'm tickled pink that you were finally able to realize this. Secondly, I do understand the fact that this isn't "VH1's" list per se, it was voted on by artists in the industry today but you take some responsibility for airing what has come to be known in my household as "The WORST Countdown List Ever."

You continually fail to recognize that there was, in fact, music created BEFORE 1962. Could it be because the "musicians" you pick to cast their vote weren't even alive to judge those artists? Being only 24 myself, that is a bold statement I know. I, unlike the people who voted, seem realize and respect a thing called history. I know that without certain artists of the past we wouldn't have artists of the future. Or is it possible that the people that did happen to live through those eras have horrible tastes in music? I really think you should take more consideration when it comes to the people you A-ask to vote and B-choose to interview. I have a really difficult time hearing Hanson tell me how great The Doors are or Sisco telling me how much he loves Guns 'n' Roses and to be brutally frank, I don't care what Mandy Moore's top 5 is. Also, I don't know who Chris Daughtry is but the fact that his number one artist OF ALL TIME is Live, beating Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath, honestly makes me want to vomit. Did you air that as a joke? Because it wasn't funny.

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of a definitive list of the greatest artists ever that doesn't include Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday (even though you included Aretha Franklin) or Jerry Lee Lewis (even though Little Richard and Chuck Berry made the list.) Frankly, I was really surprised but still overjoyed that you included Elvis on this list. I was also surprised (and disappointed) that he wasn't in the top five. It seems to me that you don't take into consideration that without Elvis, many of the bands on the list along with those you interviewed probably wouldn't even exist; including number one. There were a multitude of artists that could have been sacrificed in order to place these well-deserving artists. On the chopping block: Hall and Oats (seriously?) Biggie Smalls, The Police, ABBA (you're fucking kidding right?) and The Velvet Underground (They've got a few good songs but in no way are they better than Johnny Cash.)

Did you even bother to look over the list before you decided to air it? Maybe whip up a "final draft" if you will? I wonder that because I can't imagine what person in their right mind would honestly put Nirvana AFTER Pink Floyd. Do you really believe that Nirvana is better? Think about that statement...Nirvana is better than Pink Floyd. Pretty ridiculous, huh. Your countdown was chock-full of ridiculous statements it seems. Some of the gems were: The Clash is better than AC/DC, Aretha Franklin AND Johnny Cash. Sade is better than Whitney Houston. ABBA is better than Pearl Jam (and you can ask anyone, I Fucking HATE Pearl Jam but I can respect them.)

Of course, this is all just my opinion but I have a pretty good feeling that 85% of people will agree with me.

Oh and before I close, let the people you interview be honest, for once! I know not everyone likes Van Morrison or Beyonce. I'm sorry but I can't believe Michelle Williams when she says she's a massive Judas Priest fan. Here's a line you could toss to a few folks: "You know, I'm not a huge fan of (insert artist here) but I respect them." Easy. as. pie.

I have lost all faith in VH1...what little there was to begin with.

Yours in outrage,
Ruthie Holiday


Here is a link to the entire list. I suggest checking out the comments too. They're pretty interesting.

P.S. Here is my personal list of artists that were not on this countdown. In no particular order...
Dwight Yoakam
Frank Sinatra
Billie Holiday
Lena Horne
Jerry Lee Lewis
Garth Brooks
Sam Cooke
Robert Johnson
Hank Williams
Louis Armstrong
Muddy Waters
Howlin' Wolf
Etta James
The Everly Brothers
Buddy Holly
Diana Ross
And a few more I'm sure that haven't popped into my head.

Greaserama 2010

Sooo, Greaserama 2010 was a big success I do believe.


It was my first one and I was terribly impressed with just about everything-minus the few things I heard from others about the bathrooms or lack thereof and the drink prices (for those of us that weren't aware we could bring our own!) Oh, and this will be a photo-lacking post for the most part because alas, my camera is dead. :( It jumped from the overhead shelf in my work cubicle and busted the lens. Thankfully, it is still under warranty and was already sent off to be fixed!

Being that I'm the kind of person that rarely passes on an opportunity to get all gussied up, I donned my perfect black pencil skirt from Mode Merr, my black and white stripped top from the thrift store and my favorite pair of shoes, the black patent 4.5 inch heels by Miss Jessica Simpson. Despite the face that it's Jessica Simpson, you really should check out her shoes, she has some super cute items.


Here's a portion of the outfit while Miss Soraya is doing Louise LeMans hair!

I wore my favorite shoes, unaware that 85% of Greaserama would be loose gravel. Not only was it loose gravel but it wasn't the normal teeny tiny gravel, no...this was giant, boulder-style gravel that was almost impossible to walk in. Although I ALMOST fell a handful of times, I never actually made contact with the ground. All in all, a success.

My hubby and I were fortunate enough to be able to hang out at the Giangreco Photography/Pin-Up Stylings by Soraya tent most of the day which really cut down on aimlessly walking around and being in the sun (which we all know is a No-No for me.)


There were greeting cards for sale, along with Steve's hot rod prints aaannndddd...(drumroll please) The Gears and Gals 2011 Calendar! Featuring lovely local hot rods and equally stunning Kansas City ladies! Head on over and pick up your copy!



We wandered down to the Retro Vixen tent, which had some amazing new purses from Lux DeVille and I picked up a pretty pink fabric parasol! Next to her was the Monkey Wrench Clothing tent, which I intend to bug her about a custom made corset here before too long.
Most of the day was spent hanging around the tent, talking to random folk and taking pictures. Soraya did hair of a little girl for her 10th birthday, it was so amazingly cute. Then the girl asked to have her picture taken with both Louise and I. She was adorable.

There were a mass of gorgeous cars this year. I overheard someone say that there were over 900 cars this year, not too shabby I'd say. We will definitely go back next year, but we will have a cooler and our own grill this time! You can head over to Louise's blog to see more photos of those cars.


I've got a shoot this weekend with Giangreco. I'm working out the details of a shoot with Angela Bond Photography sometime this month and I have shoot in November with JBPhotography. Along with a few other events peppered in between, it's going to be a busy few months coming up!

Ciao!
Ruthie