Music | theclothesmakethegirl

Oct 26, 2012 Posted by Mel

Geeking Out

This weekend, I’m completely geeking out. I know this confession will come as a huge surprise to absolutely everyone no one. Friday: John Taylor So… I’ve written before about my John Taylor Problem. The short version is that when I was in high school, JT — bass player and founder of Duran Duran — was supposed to marry me and whisk me away to Paris. That didn’t happen, but I did... read more

Oct 23, 2012 Posted by Mel

Tuesday 10: My Zombie Apocalypse Playlist

I don’t usually wear a costume on Halloween (because in my world, every day is dress-up day), but I do love to think about zombies and vampires and demons from Hell — and daydream about the (delicious) crappy candy I won’t be eating. Thanks to Hilah, I had Bram Stoker’s Dracula (the book, not the movie) and The Historian on my mind for a few days, and Richard Kadrey’s Sandman... read more

Aug 21, 2012 Posted by Mel

Tuesday 10: My J.Lo Problem

Despite my best intentions, I have a well-documented inability to resist a handful of things that are potentially embarrassing and may be of somewhat questionable quality. At our house, we call this “having a problem,” as in “I have a well-known whipped cream problem.” In no particular order, the main offenders are: whipped cream an open bag of Baked Lay’s a twisty, windy... read more

May 9, 2012 Posted by Mel

Great Running Song: Cruel To Be Kind

Last night Dave and I went to see Nick Lowe at La Zona Rosa here in Austin. I was mostly excited to see him because I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love the song Cruel To Be Kind. It was released in 1979, when I was 11. Those were my roller skating glory days when I spend every Saturday and Sunday afternoon at Willow Lake Skating Rink. I can only imagine that I took many laps around the... read more

Oct 12, 2011 Posted by Mel

A Little Gypsy Music

About 100 miles south of Prague is a small city called Cesky Krumlov that inspires daydreams of princesses and werewolves. The town and castle construction started in the late 13th century, and most of the old town is tucked into a horseshoe of the Vltava River. It looks like this: … and this: … and this. The castle has a drawbridge and a bear pit populated by European brown bears, and on... read more

Oct 3, 2011 Posted by Mel

A Pre-Prague Musical Extravaganza With Frank Turner

Tomorrow, Dave and I fly to Prague, via Paris, for our “Holy shit! We just made a cookbook” holiday celebration. I mean, why not go on vacation smack in the middle of cookbook production?! Tonight, one of my favorite musicians is playing at Emo’s here in Austin. His name is Frank Turner, and if you haven’t heard his music yet, you need to get on that immediately. For your viewing... read more

Sep 21, 2011 Posted by Mel

That Workout? What A Jerk!

Oh, man! I remember the raw power of being in third grade and calling someone a jerk on the playground at recess (in response to them trying to rip the centerfold of Shaun Cassidy in the new issue of Tiger Beat!). “Jerk” was the most insulting insult I could muster up, and the hard K at the end just kinda hung in the air. I’m thinking of bringing jerk back to my vocabulary. It’s so... read more

Sep 21, 2011 Posted by Mel

Mike Ness – In The House

Damn it! Mike Ness was in my freakin’ neighborhood this weekend, and where was I? In my pajamas, writing Well Fed at my dining table with Smudge. How is it possible that my spidey-sense did not tingle and alert me that he was in the vicinity?! Anyway. Here’s Mike, browsing a badass antique store in Austin that’s, seriously, five minutes from my house. I’ve seen Social D live about... read more

May 7, 2011 Posted by Mel

What’s That In Danzigs?

Have you ever wondered how to convert various quantities into Danzigs? Wonder no more. This little calculator has the answer to the burning question: What’s That In Danzigs? Next time you run a 400m lap to warm up for your CrossFit workout, you can think of it as 250 Danzigs instead. That 1-liter bottle of water you guzzle afterward? THAT’S NOT EVEN ONE DANZIG. And if you’re wondering... read more

Mar 2, 2011 Posted by Mel

You Are Not So Smart

Hey, you guys! I’ve got a favor to ask you… can you read this post, then go listen to a super-good song, then cast a vote for my husband, if you like it? Cool! I knew you’d say yes. Here’s the scoop: My wicked-smart and talented husband Dave introduced me to the blog You Are Not So Smart a few months ago. It’s mission is pretty awesome: The Misconception: You are a rational,... read more

Jan 20, 2011 Posted by Mel

Cat Flag = Awesome

kickass image by Art Yucko Love it! [Don't understand why I think this is awesome? Look here and here and... read more

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Reading right now...

The Redbreast: A Harry Hole Novel
I'm about two-thirds of the way through this detective thriller, and I'm hooked. It's set in modern Norway with flashbacks to WWII (catnip for me!) and features a somewhat grim hero that engenders empathy. I can't help pulling for the guy as I watch him struggle with his case and his life. The cast of characters is a realistic but motley crew, and it reminds me of other favorites set in cold, snowy climes: the Millenium Trilogy and Smila's Sense of Snow.
Recently finished...

The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million
I picked up this book after reading an interview with Lee Child (author of the Jack Reacher thrillers). He referred to The Lost as "the book of the century" and since I devour as much as I can about the Holocaust to try to make sense of it all, I decided I needed to read it immediately. Part memoir, part detective tale, this book was thoroughly engrossing. It's intelligent, annoying, moving, frustrating, and ultimately, rewarding and beautifully written. It challenged me in ways I didn't expect, and I was sad when it was finished.