2nd Annual Rochester Tweed Ride

Hello folks! Some of you may know that the husband is heavily entrenched in bikery. He cycles to and from work every day, rain, snow or shine. He grumbles loudly about having to use the car, for any reason. He has three bikes and uses them for different things. He fixed my (awesome) 1980's mint green Schwinn Traveler up and added pink grip tape and pink break lines. It's probably the best looking bike, ever.

We sort of helped plan the Rochester Tweed Ride last year. The first one. We were only involved a little bit and I didn't even ride. Though, I did dress in garb. There were roughly 40 people who participated to various degrees last year.

This year we helped out a lot more, we able to get a lot more local sponsors and things turned out pretty well. Please don't read that as me taking credit for that. There were a lot of very dedicated and creative people helping!! 60 people joined us with about 45 riding. We were so pleased with the turn out!

Here is a picture of the Belles!


Nope, he doesn't wear glasses. No lenses. Fake. Everyone loved them.


Check out that Fantastic Mr. Scarf! My friend Ann made him for me. Let me tell you, that is one warm fox scarf! I was so glad to have him. His name is Edison. Say howdee do.

I'd like to say more about the whole thing, but I've already written it up over at the blog: Rochester Tweed Ride. Mosey on over and take a peep and get inspired to ride with us next year! Might I also suggest you head over to Philipson Photography and like it to gain access to a myriad of amazing pics?

OK, but just no looking at my ass too much. Because I see now that the knickers weren't a fantastic idea. Hindsight (no pun intended) is 20/20. Skirt for me next year, it is! But do catch a peek at my bike, because it's gorgeous!

Tweed Thrift

So, the Rochester Tweed Ride is coming up pretty quickly. I'll actually be riding this year, so I'm not wearing the same outfit as last year. I'm not one of the awesome girls who can ride in a skirt and heels. There are lots of them here and I yearn for the day when I can join their ranks. Until then it will be pants and sensible shoes. And a clean pair of underwear in case I land in the hospital.

You may recall that I made my husband a pair of knickers last year. I want my own pair, so with that in mind we ventured forth to the land of the thrift store. Namely Henrietta, NY since there are no less than four within a two mile radius.

Let me show you what I got.

Speaking of bicycles! I found this rad sheet and the husband nearly did a jig. ($4.99 - Savers) I think we're going to make pillows out of them, or pillow cases, maybe. If I feel terribly ambitious before October I might just make one as a prize for the Tweed Ride. There are all kinds of games and prizes to be given out.

I also found this green on green pillowcase. (99 cents, Savers) I love things with roses on them. It's a recent discovery. I also love rose lotion, perfume and soap. I don't use it though because it gags the husband and makes him think that he's married to an 80 year old.


Two pairs of shoes from AmVets. Of course. I always find shoes there. Every single time. The brown flipflops were 99 cents and the black pair are a brand called "Grasshoppers". I had never heard of them but they are uber comfortable. ($1.98) I'm pretty sure they are meant for old ladies. There was another pair that were navy blue with red trim. They were deck shoes. I was all about them but they were vetoed by two different people. Apparently my wardrobe is a democratic state. Everyone gets a vote.


You know it's a good trip when you come back with Christmas goodies. The tree is pretty heavy because it's lucite coated in glitter. The santa is a candle holder although I won't be using him for that. He'll go into the cabinet. You know the one. I just love when pink is made into a Christmas color.

Jewel purple cowl neck sweater $2.99 at Savers.

This striped sweater actually has shoulder buttons, too. ($3.98 - AmVets) What is with me and purple right now? Daria must be influencing me!


These are seersucker pants. Did you want to read that again? Go ahead, I'll wait. I'm going to make them into shorts for the next Seersucker Social Bike Ride. They were a bit more than I normally pay for costume pieces at $7.99, but they fit so, I didn't argue too much.



I'll probably be wearing this shirt with them. It's just for the bike rides, not for real life. ($1.98 - AmVets)


This is the pair of pants that I'm going to alter for the Tweed Ride. ($5.99 - Savers) They are super high waisted, which is perfect for a 1940's look. I think that they are really just hounds tooth, but I don't care. They look tweedy and will work just fine. Again, they fit, so I bought them.

Now, if I might, I'd like to go on a rant. About Goodwill. The prices there have become astronomical. As in, so high only the astronauts in outer space can see them. Which, if you think about it is pretty high. $9 for a used pair of pants?! $9 for a USED PAIR OF SHOES!?!? What happened to you as a child that you think someone will buy a pair of OLD SHOES for $9!? I got so angry I walked out. I advise you to do the same. Goodwill is on some kind of hard drugs and won't be coming back to reality for some time. You might want to steer clear. I advise you to shop at Amvets. It's huge, has tons and tons of clothes, house wears, etc. and the prices are honestly the lowest of any thrift store I've been to in recent memory.

Make it so.

Natural Oasis

Buckle up, kiddies. I'm about to go on at length about a restaurant that I've just discovered here in Rochester. I didn't take any pictures, so this post is just reading. Let that be a warning. Leave now if you, like Alice, can't imagine how anyone can possibly read a book with no pictures in it.

The place is called Natural Oasis. They have a website but the link I've provided is more informative and has a picture of the building. It can easily be mistaken for a spa. The front of the cafe is actually a health...supplements? store. The restaurant is at the back and only has about six or seven tables. They serve Ethiopian and vegetarian food. I think most (all?) of it is vegan as well.

The husband and I went with another couple. The menu is limited to about 11 or 12 items and everything is served family style. Now, you are going to want to pay attention to this next bit: Each item is $4. FOUR DOLLARS! What?? Yep. You'd be full ordering two items. The four of us ate for $43. Stuffed to the gills with delicates and healthy food.

Now, don't judge, but we ordered nearly everything on the menu. We were really hungry, ok? We did not get the ice cream or the greens. We did get the pizza, risotto, gnocchis, pizza, veggies, stew, lentils, cha,i and more.

I couldn't choose a favorite but I did love the gnocchis. They were in truffle oil. They tasted just like hamburgers. I'm not joking. It was amazing. I would eat those in lieu of beef any day of the week. I'd love to, in fact.

How on earth this place doesn't have a line out the door every day of the week is beyond me. But, for what it's worth, I'd like to make that happen. Who's with me?

If you can get over the fact that the restaurant is in the same building as a store, has only six tables and bad parking, please, do yourself a huge favor and go there.

Kicking Off The Holiday Season Right

My mother and I have a pact. We are going to do less presents, more outings. Museums, theaters, music, art, science. Notice the omission of math. Thusly it was that she happened to take me to see Amadeus at the Geva Theatre for my birthday. We went last weekend and it was just sensational. Because the theater is so small and the stage is as well, I am always interested to see how it will be utilized to create different settings. I'm always bemused. It included all of the parts from the movie that I loved: Mozart's silly laugh, the large shadow of Don Giovani, Mozart chasing Constanze around under the furniture....ah, so good! I always tear up when they take their bows. I just appreciate their hard work so much. I remember something of what that takes. I want them to know how good they are, how entertaining, funny and sad. I clap extra hard to keep the tears from falling.

The husband is involved with organizing a Tweed Ride in Rochester. I'm helping a bit too, as a non-rider. He borrowed a vintage bike and is pretty excited. I'm helping to find some prizes that we'll give away for "Most Dapper Chap" and such. We have been looking for the right outfits at thrift shops. We haven't been too lucky since we are both pretty hard to fit. He is super skinny and sort of short. I'm very short and...curvy in...places. So this should be fun. I found the following pants, Tweed, $4.99, Ann Taylor Loft, size 6, far too long with a cute cuff. They are pretty 1930's/40's. I was thinking of doing a jaunty Amelia Earhart look with pants, white button up shirt with rolled sleeves, a skinny tie and maybe even some suspenders. After trying the outfit on at home I came to the realization that with my cropped hair I looked like a dude or a lesbian. Sorry lesbian friends, I was not going for that particular look. But you would have though I was hot. ;)

So, I guess I'll have to go in another direction. I think I'll keep the shirt and tie and maybe do a tweed skirt instead. Some heels, you know the drill. The husband found these shoes. He's pretty pleased with them and likes that they are comfortable and interesting enough to wear at other times as well.


We were discussing prizes in the thrift store and he asked me if I had any ideas. I said I'd like to find maybe an old suitcase. Leather or something. He pointed down. I looked. There was a tweed suitcase right next to us! We bought it, obviously. Turns out it was made by Hartmann, one of America's oldest luggage manufacturers! It has a great leather handle and was only $7! Oh, and the inside? Paisley!



So, as you can see, it wasn't a total bust. I also found two pairs of shoes at AmVets which is quickly becoming my go-to thrift shop for shoes in my size. Which is rare. The Merona buckle shoes were $3 and the Xhilaration heels were $1.98. I know they are crap brands, but they were my size and cheap! the black heels have a ribbon threaded through the edges and it ties in the front. Too cute!



I also found this dress from The Limited. The pattern and color are awesome, it's my size and was on half price sale ($2.50!) I am going to shorten in about a foot and a half. If anything is longer than my knees it makes me look like a midget with short, fat legs. (cankles!) As you can see the hem is already starting to come undone, so it's ready for some rework. I'll let you know how it comes out.



As you know, September is the beginning of my holiday season. I aim to start things off right beginning with tonight: a gathering of friends, food and drink at Tap and Mallet. Then comes Beerthday, a show in Buffalo and the weekends just get crazier and more wonderful right through October! I'll try to remember to take pictures and think of witty remarks to share.